Auranosa Brandsand Forge

[Jackie Cat]

More flashing lights. The golem gestured with one extended finger.

"Supposition: he will not refuse. Conjecture: Steven Stone has an exceptionally rational motivation to accept. Suggestion: we should hear what he has to say."

The titan's holographic body turned a few degrees to face the Metagross, and extended a palm in invitation.

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Wallace's nose scrunched up in puzzlement. Well, that was certainly... not an answer. Not that it held any lingering threat. But it was still unsettling in the way Registeel seemed to be so sure of itself. Like it somehow knew his best friend better than he did. But it had a point. They should hear what Steven had to say. Wallace was veeery interested in what he had to say. Pretty much since they got here, really. He shrugged, feigning indifference.

"Rational motivation my ass..." he muttered, following Registeel's lead and turning his attention to Steven, because of course he wouldn't accept, what kind of brain-dead, absurd, completely insane decision would that be when this was all over they'd both go home back to Hoenn--

Wallace's growing confidence was gone the instant he saw that stupid smile on Steven's face. Even on a Metagross, Wallace recognized it immediately. That damn expression. The smile that said not to worry, he had everything figured out. That he was going to do something brain-dead, absurd, completely insane but it was okay, he'd calculated it all out and things would turn out fine and to just trust him.
Fuck that.
"No," said Wallace, shaking his head. "No no nonono."

It was infuriating the way Steven just smiled back. "Wallace, it's okay. But Registeel is right. I'm not refusing."

"Steven, no. What could POSSIBLY be the reason--?"

At this Steven's smile faltered. He tried to maintain it, but it looked strained. "Wallace. I... I promise I'll explain it all later. But not here. Not right now."

But Wallace put his foot down. He scooted closer to Steven with every slap of his flipper. "No. Yes, here! Yes, right now! I'm not playing this game with you again. Tell. me."

Steven's eyes squeezed shut, and he turned away from Wallace. It took everything to ignore his friend's pleading. He wanted to explain. He truly did. But how did you explain that going back home together wasn't what Wallace thought it was? That the only life you had left was mere moments? Was it selfish? To be happy that here, he would have purpose again? He couldn't bear to look Wallace's way before addressing the Forge directly.

His voice wavered at first, but grew in strength with each word.

"Registeel, I accept your request, but on the condition that we be allowed to leave and complete the original mission for which we were summoned. Once that's finished, I'll return here and accept the role of Forgemaster."

 

[Jackie Cat]

Registeel waited patiently for Wallace and Steven to complete their exchange, then 'blinked' agreeably when the Metagross finally addressed it – and accepted its offer of inheritance.

"Acknowledgement: this is understood. Comradely assertion: Steven Stone is trustworthy and is therefore expected to return to this Facility once prerequisite tasks are completed. Corollary supposition: then you will not object to receiving the Mark of the Forge before you depart."

Panels in the metal surfaces within the forge opened, from which robotic appendages emerged, bearing manipulator grips, optical arrays, and other implements of artificy.

"Chagrined apology: you may experience pain or discomfort. Request/helpful recommendation: hold still."