Not the biggest chapter, but Grad Exams have kept me from writing much
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“Is it always...?”

“Yep.”

“But, you aren't...?”

“Believe me, you'd know if he was.”

“And you ponies wonder why I insist on wearing clothes.”

“Um, let's move on, shall we?” Rarity was over the initial shock of foreign anatomy. A small smile spread over Reman's face, Rarity was a proper lady, and he was slightly put off by her reaction. The response came from his upbringing, being a noble has that effect on one's mind. Smiling was Reman's form of blushing, but only in embarrassment.

The entire set begin with a layer of cloth over every part the armor would touch his body. It was the covered by sections of the chainmail-like shark-suit, which Rarity magically fused together, finally, the silvery blue plates were bolted on. The Imperial's joints practically rejoiced at the increased pressure, they'd been free of this amount of weight for what felt like years. Reman tested each of his limbs, learning how well they could move.

“That's more like it.”

“Don't get too excited, we still need to make your boots.” Rarity chastised lightheartedly, “Now, hold out your right foot.” Reman complied, at the appendage was wrapped in Kevlar, which Rarity described as finely woven spider silk, stronger than steel. Reman couldn't argue with the results, the material was seemingly perfect for lightweight armor variants, pretty comfortable, too. At Reman's request, the shin guards extended above the knees, ending in a point about an inch and a half above them. The modification was also performed on the arm bracers.

The Imperial performed a high kick, knee strike, and elbow jab. Moving in the ensemble was easy, mostly due to Reman's preferences for the heavier armor classes. Feeling mischievous, Reman swung his fist towards his favorite target: Twilight Sparkle. He didn't actually hit her, of course, that would be unnecessary violence.

Twilight squeaked and jumped back after she saw how close his fist came. “I felt the wind off that!” She had it on good authority that Reman would never intentionally cause her harm, so she knew he was kidding around. The Unicorn was amazed by how quickly the Imperial had warmed up to her, when the man first arrived, he had been all business.

“That was pretty fast,” Glade added. “Considering you're in a tin suit, and all.”

“Are you seriously trying to start a light vs. heavy argument, Glade?” Reman knew he would win this little altercation.

“Heavy armor keeps you from running.”

“You wouldn't need to run if you could actually fight.” Glade's eyes widened, then the lycan mare glared at the man.

“I recall my squadmates taking you down pretty easily.” Now it was Reman's turn to glare.

“All the speed in the world didn't keep me from clipping that wing.” Twilight and Rarity gasped, they knew that Pegasi held their wings above almost anything else. Glade's reaction, however, was much more subtle, deeper within her being.

“You, me, outside, five minutes.” She seethed every word, and left shortly after. The Imperial knew exactly where this was going, he'd been in a number of situations like this. Reman began to strip himself in order to comply with Glade's unspoken request.

“Why are you removing your armor?” Twilight asked, completely oblivious to the challenge that had been issued.

“Twilight,” Rarity began. “This is a matter of personal honor, a duel between warriors.” Reman was surprised by her knowledge, but quickly remembered her status. While the Imperial despised royalty, he couldn't help but feel at ease around those of his own class, like attracts like, as it were. “What is being wagered, if I may ask?”

“Nothing,” Reman replied. “we aren't wagering or testing anything, we're just working off some steam.”

“Couldn't you find a better way than violence?” Twilight didn't understand the Imperial's logic.

“Would you prefer our other method?”

“What other method?” The purple Unicorn couldn't recall them performing any sort of stress relieving activity.

“You didn't hear us?” Reman grinned as Twilight understood his meaning. The purple Unicorn blushed, Rarity followed suit, embarrassed by the warrior's behavior. “Well, Twilight, which would you prefer?”

“I'm not going to answer that.” Twilight's cheeks red enough that Reman was worried blood would start spraying from them.

“I think it's amazing that you didn't notice me finish stripping.” The Imperial had a cheeky smile on his face. The mares were about to object, when something grabbed their attention: Reman's pupils were rapidly contracting and relaxing, a strobe effect. “She wants a repeat of the Festival, she'll get it.”

Reman hit the floor as bones shifted into their new positions.

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Glade wasn't even mad, actually, she was confident Reman knew her true intentions about this little pissing contest of theirs. All the lycan wanted was a fair chance to fight the Imperial in his transformed state. She was looking forward to swapping blows with her pack-mate, a challenge Glade had never experienced on even ground.

A scent hit the mare's nose, like blood mixed with sweat, with a bit of dirt thrown in for good measure. A series of heavy steps drew her attention to the door, bipedal, but they were much louder than Reman's. Two large, clawed hand gripped either side of the door frame, and a monster pulled itself through the opening.

A monster Glade was oh so familiar with.

“Come on, let's find out, once and for all, who's better.” Glade flew at her fellow lycan, eager to test herself. Reman swiped at her, claws glanced off her armor. The Imperial seemed to smile, reveling in the workout he was sure to receive. Glade swung around and clocked the man on the head, and received an elbow in the gut. The mare tumbled to the ground from the force, by Celestia, Reman could hit pretty hard.

She was back on her hooves in a single moment, and slammed her head into the Imperial's chest, propelled by both her legs and wings. A hollow thud echoed through the air. Reman clutched at his ribs, an angry ache permeated the afflicted area. Glade smirked at his plight, but quickly retracted her opinion when the Imperial growled at her.

There were very few things Summer Glade feared. A werewolf at least four times her weight charging her just some happened to be one of those little phobias. It was unfortunate that she put herself in a situation where that was not only possible, but highly likely. Glade jumped over the man, and grabbed onto his back, the mare thought a headlock would work wonders.

Reman rolled on the ground, pressing Glade into the moist soil, the mare eased her grip. Reman jumped up and brought his claws down. The lycan mare felt the transformed Imperial pin her forelegs to the ground.

“I'm not saying it this time,” Glade hissed through her teeth, to which, Reman pressed on her forelimbs harder. Glade whimpered even as she scowled in anger at her fellow lycan. The Imperial growled and added pressure.

“Let go,” Glade almost roared. She started to struggle against her comrade’s grip, and made an unusual amount of progress. However, progress doesn't mean success, and the mare only made her situation worse. Failing to free her forelegs, Glade kicked out, and scored a direct hit against the Imperial's one vulnerable point. Reman's damage resistance must have gone through the roof, because that only made him mad. The Imperial brought his face down, and the look of murder in those eyes chilled Glade to the core.

“I surrender.”