The Last Wishes of an Old Friend

"What?" Thunder asked before she peered over the the horizon to see just what he meant.

The mechanical menace had gotten closer, near the center of town as Genesis was on approach also. This thing was a near shining but built to take after the Metal Head that was approaching it. Sleek plating that tried to shine beyond the dust that has taken to it. Genesis tucked the vial under his leg and got down to all fours.

"Why are you here?" Genesis asked as an order.

The machine just hummed.

Genesis started to think for a moment. "Designation Alpha. What is your objective?"

"Primary Objective: Collect Eco Samples." The machine answered in a cold, and emotionless tone.

"Well that's sort of a re-"

"Secondary Objective: Capture local civilians."

"Okay.." Genesis looked around to see ponies appearing at windows and guards stepping outside with weapons ready. "..they may have a problem with that and I have a problem with that."

"Give us the Eco you obtain within the building and be terminated peacefully." The machine spoke out again.

Genesis got up on his hind legs with a growl. "Now that's something you'll have to take over my dead body."

"Accepted." The machine rang out before digging its metal limbs into the ground and the plates resembling the back started to slide open. "Alpha, Combat Suite: Engaged."

A device rose from the open panels, the barrel expanded towards the head. The machine's head ducked under its body as the metal plates on the leg shot out and down into the ground. The cannon charged to life as yellow filled in the inner barrel. Genesis quickly grabbed the vial and was about to step back.

"You cheating bastards upgraded the damn thing?!"

The cannon fired a blast of fired-up rage at its target. Genesis' reflexes kicked and and he swiftly brought his forearm up to block the blast, but the force of impact was a bit much for the Metal head and sent him flying backwards until he smashed throught the window of the Sheriff's office.

"Commander!" Major Thunder called out amidst the shattering glass.

"Question." Genesis stated as he rose up from the shards. "How much force can to deliver and how much pain can you handle?"

"Uh..." The Major looked at the creature for a moment. "I don't know?"

With a smile, Genesis popped open the vial and gulped down the Eco. "Wanna find out there, Major?"

The mare could only look on as Genesis casually strolled back out. A glint of the dark purple shaded over his eyes and a smile went on his face as he just stared down the Mecha Head. Major Thunder Strike was soon by his side with a nervous look about as she just glanced between the two.

"Major..." Genesis called out as he looked to her. "... would you kindly demonstrate just how strong ponies can be?"

Thunder hesitantly nodded and threw her wings out, stiff as boards. Then took to the sky in a blaze of dust. Genesis heard a click from the direction of the Mecha Head  to see the cannon now aiming at the pegasus while gradually charging again. This time though, the shot was charging blue.

"Major, now's the time to strike!" Genesis ordered as the pegasus flew wildly about above.

Without a second thought, Thunder flew in at near blinding speeds towards the mechanical mobile artillery. At about halfway, she flipped around and stuck her hind legs out so that her hooves were aimed for the cannon. The cannon fired, but not at its target. The blast of Blue Eco whizzed elsewhere and blew a massive hole into a building. The force applied to the cannon, applied with the recoil of the shot, caused the entire swivel to just snap and give out.

The Pegasus retreated back to the side of the Metal Head, but as her hooves made contact with the ground, her hing legs gave out. Thunder groaned out in pain and Genesis looked to her, then a group of nearby guards. His claw pointed to the group then to the mare next to him. It immediately registered and the group hurried over to take Thunder Strike away.

Genesis started to make his way back over to the Mecha Head. "It's just you and me. You mechanical bastardized copy."

The Mecha Head's tail shot out towards Genesis. A bladed tip similar to the Metal Head's own aimed for the chest. Genesis blocked the strike with his own tail before bringing an elbow down on the robot's head. The machine got slammed into the ground and kicked up a bit of dust.

"I dismantled you once before..." Genesis growled and lifted up the Mecha Head. "..and I'll do it again!"

With a massive heave, Genesis swung around and threw the metal mass back to the edge of town. The machine started to whir again as it was slowly getting back up. The Metal Head only watched, waiting to see what this mechanical copy of him would do. The mecha beast rose back to its feet and stared down the organic creature.

"Alpha: Back-up Protocol Activated." The machine rang out before emitting a high-pitched pulse that made almost everypony cringe.

"You cheating fucks." Was all Genesis could manage before the Dodge Junction was shortly being overrun by Mecha Heads the size of dogs.

The machines swarmed from every corner outside of town and ran in the streets as they began to surround every pony and building alike. Even making a large circle around Genesis, who paid them no mind. The creature just stared over at the larger machine, it was apparent now that his little copy got upgrades.

Genesis picked one of the smaller machines. Its head was just big enough to fit the Metal Head's claw and wiggled about in an attempt to break free from its captor. Genesis started to snarl at the machine with an otherworldly sound as he started to squeeze the head in his grip. The sound of waning metal could be heard for a brief moment before the head was crushed like aluminum.

Genesis watched the body fall limp before dropping it to the ground. "Pitiful imitations."

Ponies only watched in surprise as the metal body hit the ground, and watch Genesis get swarmed up in mere minutes as more of the things just piled on top of the beast. Seconds went on by into minutes as the guards watched in silence. The pile of machines seemingly growing. That is, until a might roar was heard and the pile got disbanded.

Mecha Heads went flying in all directions and crashed against all manners of things that included themselves. Genesis grabbed on of the machines by its tail as it was flying away from him only to use to smash another into the ground. Effectively crushing both enemies. He then flattened out his claws so that most of the tips met in the center, which were only two, to make some sort of short blade. Most of the Mecha Heads were starting to get back to position and pounced.

Any that actually tried to jump the Metal Head were quickly cut open or kicked to the ground and stomped on.  Watching this sight began to inspire some of the guards to enter the fray. The guards that did learned from Genesis, they kick down any leapers and stomped them into the ground without a second thought. Even the pegasi guards dive bombed with that idea from their major.

Genesis looked around to the fighting guardponies and nodded in reaction to being impressed with their spirit. Then his gaze was set upon a charging blur that was coming for him. The Metal Head's reaction time was quick and he immediately caught the charging command unit and tossed it over his head.

"Nice try there Alpha..." Genesis commented as he watched the larger Mecha Head land on its back.

Alpha rolled over and rose again, then charged at the Metal Head yet again. Genesis caught the mass of metallic battery ram while trying to stay his ground. His feet dug into the dirt as he was being pushed back. He noticed the metal had a slight blue tint to it and silently cursed to himself before hopping onto the back of the Mecha Head.

Genesis tried to hang on as Alpha started trying to get him off its back. It bucked about and tried slamming into anything nearby in attempts to just peel the organic mass off its back. Genesis went to quick work as he blindly started stabbing his tail's blade into the center of the mecha's chassis. Alpha's sensors started picking up the sudden intake of damage from the one's tail and quickly flipped its head around and opened its mouth to cause a stream of yellow to come out and burn Genesis.

Genesis growled as his metal face plate was suddenly heating up and jumped off before anything serious could be done to it. The rushing Mecha Head did a one-eighty degree turn and came charging back at the Metal Head. Alpha soon launched itself into the air at him. Genesis spun around with a leg out and delivered a kick to the head of the robot, knocking it out of the air and to the ground. Alpha crashed but quickly got back up and let out a metallic roar out at Genesis, gradually rising to its back legs to match that of its foe. Genesis saw the light punctures he n doubt made to the machine's hull. The Mecha Head then ran at the creature with a bit less speed than if it were still on fours.

Claws met shoulders as the two locked in the center of the battle between the lesser mechas and guard ponies. Alpha was staring down Genesis. The outcome was quickly changing as the number of Mecha Heads were slowly coming down. Alpha started opening its mouth again only for Genesis to bust the eco thrower.

What shortly followed was surely reflecting of the current, larger fight: Genesis kept Alpha in his grasp as he used his tail to puncture the center with a bit more accuracy and landed on target. The Mecha Head was now losing power from the blows. Each time the blade of the tail punctured the hull, it also was hitting the main core.

Genesis pushed the weakened Mecha Head to the ground with a slight snarl. "You should have never endangered these ponies, especially while I'm around." He then stomped into the chest of Alpha, crushing the core and effectively shutting off the machine for good.

Cleaning up the husks of the machines was all but difficult. The real problem was seeing to the damage done to some of the nearby buildings. That hole was definitely going to be the bigger problem, but the Guards and ponies of the town were willing to do whatever needed, even Genesis helped them with repairs, with extended his stay by a few more days.

He honestly couldn't complain. The ponies, despite showing their fear of him, eventually became accustom to him and thanked him for his help. Genesis looked over to the pile of mechas, mainly towards the bottom where Alpha was buried. Its head and neck stuck out as the Metal Head made his way over.

Major Thunder was on approach and watched the brief moment where the creature tore off the machine's head. "Uhm.. sir?"

"Please Thunder, Genesis is fine." The Metal Head replied as he turned to her with the head, using a single one of his claws to break the lenses of the optics.

"Uhm.. Genesis.. sir.. if I may... " Thunder shifted a bit uncomfortably in her place. "It's sort of been an honor fighting along side you."

"Sort of?" Genesis asked, looking to the mare.

"Well.. I did injury myself when that thing first started attacking." Thunder stated as she looked away a bit.

"Oh yeah... sorry about sending you in like that. How are your legs?"

Genesis showed a genuine concern for this pony, for this pegasus mare. It felt strange to, but he knows his own promises and makes sure to keep them. Even when they introduce him to new allies or..... friends. Each new experience was always welcome to the Metal Head since his age wasn't a common number.

"They're fine... I think. Kind of sore but the med pony says that I'll be okay." Thunder mentioned.

Genesis nodded and looked to the head in his grasp. "That's pleasant to hear." Genesis looked around at the light lively hood of the town. "Can you all handle any incursions from here?"

"We can try... don't really know how long we'd hold out though." She then looked at the head in the creatures claw. "What're you going to do with that?"

"Take it back to Canterlot. Examine it. See what kind of intel I can get out of it." Genesis replied.

Thunder nodded her head and started to watch him leave. Genesis walked out a good distance before stashing the head and getting al his fours. Kicking up the dust behind him as he ran. Not too far off from a plateau a soldier in red armor was watching the Metal Head run through the desert by sniper scope.

"Shit." The solider muttered to himself.

He scrambled to his feet and haphazardly gathered his things. He was packing various items into boxes attached to the sides of his zoomer as he knew his mission was over and made a checklist. He packed away ammo, provisions, a bag for sleeping, flares, and a latern. His rifle was slung around him and to his back as he hopped on to his zoomer and fired it up before leaving.