「Crystal War Requiem」

The Sword and The Spear

Each Spear Honjo destroys, fifty more takes over its place. Knowing that it'll just track him even if he ran doesn't help his situation. Unable to handle the overwhelming wave that's starting to wash over him, he understands that he has to close the distance if he wishes to do any real damage.

"Black Sky - 3rd Star:" He Whispers,

For a split second, Honjo threw two diagonal slashes infused with magic. It froze in the air, acting as a shield from the volley of projectiles being throw at him. The moment a spear touches the makeshift defensive walls, it disintegrates. Giving him space where he won't be hit.

"Gemini."

Knowing the spears won't do any good at this rate, Metal halts their movement, suspending them mid-air. He changes the hue of the spell circle on his handheld spear from a calm blue to a brilliant vermillion red, and as he did so, so does all the spears surrounding the area. Teleporting a safe distance away, he points his index finger to the ground, and following his command, so does every spear suspending in the air.

"Shotshell: Obliterate."

Metal prods his finger. Sending all of his heavy magic artillery straight to the ground, detonating on impact. The chain reaction of massive explosions lighted up the streets in an orange hue, forming a humongous crater where Honjo once stood. Metal knew better though, he fell for it once, and he wasn't going to fall for it again. He spun his spear around, so the head was facing the back. He rams it with full strength. Intercepting against the blade of Honjo's katana before it reached his head. Metal did a sweep kick, forcing The General to jump back; Metal then followed up by changing spells. Royal purple shined over the fiery red circle on his handheld spear; he steps forward with a mighty stomp of his hoof. Erupting a sea of spiky, lavender waves from the ground.

"Reinforce."

Honjo reciprocated by casting magic of his own,

"Black Sky - 9th Star: Sagittarius."

Summoning magic blades behind him that closely detailed his own, forcing them to the ground, he wedges them in-between the spears of the wave. Metal caught sight of this. It reminded him of something dear to him; he can't quite put his finger on it. But he did know that he stands no chance at close-quarter engagements. Throwing some smoke pellets and setting up a screen, he teleports again. Expanding some good distance between themselves to make use of his fullest potential. Metal stared at the wall of smoke,

"I need to keep my distance,"

'But why?' Metal's subconscious questioned,

'Why else? I'm a Sharpshooter, I'm not meant to engage in close-quarter, I-' Metal tried to reason with himself but was cut off,

'You know better than anypony else that you can handle yourself in those kinds of situations. So why...'

Why...

..

...

....

"Why am I running? Why am I so afraid?"

"My name is Metal Moduls Jacket. Heir to the Jacket Family, and I am a Pony of no worth."

That is what Metal would tell himself every day after losing everything in the war.

Growing up in the Jacket household has not been pleasant for Metal as a child. His family's lineage has served as Princess Celestia for hundreds of years as they're her most trusted Maskspony. Many ponies envied Metal, being born into wealth and having an easy life? Who wouldn't want that? Not Metal Moduls Jacket, apparently.

Ever since being told that his life's career is to inherit his father's heritage and legacy of being one of Equestria's most renowned Sharpshooter, he couldn't help but yawn at the idea of doing so. Metal doesn't like the idea of his destiny already been set in stone the moment he was born. He wishes to go out to the world and explore his options first, but of course. His wishes were denied by his father.

Many had the utmost respect for Metal's father, not only for his position among the Royal Guards but also for his conduct both inside and outside of his job. Many see him as 'intense.' and a rather very bold Pony. When in actuality, 'intense.' is an understatement. He loves to put in a hundred and ten percent to what he's doing. No matter the task, especially in training Metal in his youth, so that he may one day take over as the Jacket Family head. He rarely smiles, which doesn't help that he already has a scary enough aura to him.

During Metal's superintensive training sessions with his father, he would often feel like his limbs were about to fall off. He threw up countless times. His palms would tear open numerous times when throwing practice spears, and he would always be dehydrated after every training. One would think that putting a child through this torturous training would end up forging the child to despise and reject their parents, but the strange thing was, Metal didn't despise his father at all. In fact, he looked up to his father at how he could be so dedicated all the time. But respecting his father doesn't mean he likes the training either. He just puts up with it. Because frankly, Metal hates to work; he's lazy.

Due to his family having a big name in Canterlot, Metal's childhood was very limited when going outside. He would either be training, getting homeschool by a high-grade teacher, or using his free time chatting with his bedridden mother due to complications when giving birth.

"Metal, sweetie?" She calls,

"Yes, mama?"

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Hmmm," Metal hums, looking up at the ceiling in deep contemplation, " I dunno yet,"

"Then why do you train with your dad?"

"Well, if I don't find anything I particularly like, then I'll come back to it."

"Why so? Didn't you tell me that you wish to live a quiet and peaceful life?"

"Yes, I do. But I don't think I can live a life full of regrets, enjoying my own when I could be helping others. Maybe after doing what I can. Then, I could start to find a place to live out my life. Hmmm, Maybe Ponyville? That place seems nice."

His mother gave a hearty giggle, bringing him closer to give a warming embrace,

"I'm proud to have given birth to such a kind, strong stallion,"

His mother patted his head soothingly. Metal couldn't help but smile and blush at the compliment.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. You're going to have a younger brother! Isn't that exciting?"

Metal's eyes sparkled, a smile growing ever wider,

"Wahhh! No way! Really!? I'm going to have a baby brother!"

"Yes, yes, you are. Please take care of him, alright? Mama won't be here for long. You two have to look out for each other."

"I will, mama. I promise."

'Why...?'

The communication device went off. Static blitz in The Captain's ear, snapping him back into reality. The voice of Giorno heightening his attention,

"Captain, stand clear!"

"What do you mean?" Metal questioned,

"Above you!"

Metal tilted his head up to see what Giorno was going on about, and he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw it.

"This guy's crazy!"

The dust cleared, allowing Honjo vision of his opponent once again. However, he noticed a growing shadow engulfing him from below. Looking up, he widens his eyes, as he sees a humongous yellow object flying towards him. With Giorno above it, using「G.E.R」to carry the entire hunk of metal. Yelling,

ド ド ド ド

・『ロード ・ ローラー ・ だッ！』
"『ROAD ROLLER DA!!! 』."

Seeing the man that he had just previously blasted away. Now coming back with a Steam Roller in his hands to squash him flat with it.