:Counterattack:

Chief Thunder stood at the doorway of the computer room while keeping an eye out for any approaching security while Orchid went to work in accessing Ultratech's database. With one of their devices now in hand, it was just a matter of successfully escaping the outpost and returning to Glacius' ship.

Given the agents personal grudge against the corporation, it didn't come as a surprise when she refused to leave without getting valuable information on them. Files, other outpost locations, more illegal projects, anything she could find that would help bring them down.

As soon as she was finished, she took out the disc and placed it into her waist pack. "Ok, I've gotten everything I need, let's get out of here."

Thunder looked over his shoulder at her. "I do pray that this personal grudge of yours doesn't end up getting you killed my friend."

Orchid led the way with Thunder right behind her, passing by several sealed rooms with letters and numbers labelled above the doors, most likely the corporations secret projects they've been working on recently. Thunder couldn't help but cast a quick glance at one of the numbered doors, feeling a powerful heat emanating from it as he ran by it but quickly returned his attention back to getting out.

As soon as the two were gone, a shadowy figured slowly rose up from the floor, glaring after the two.

"So...they're here too."

Spinal and Fulgore duelled across the rooftops of Canterlot castle, exchanging blow after blow to firing at each other with projectile attacks such as lasers and searing skulls. Their battle wasn't going unnoticed either, as it had attracted pretty much the full attention of everypony in Canterlot, who were all watching in awe as the two fighters clashed.

Fulgore blocked every one of his opponents strikes with his plasma blades and attempted to counterattack, but Spinal was much faster than him. He knew what he had to do in order to increase his speed, but Spinal's unrelenting assault prevented him from doing so.

Knowing that time was the thing he needed, Fulgore decided to try and keep Spinal away with his energy bolts.

The cyborg however forgot that the immortal warriors shield was capable of absorbing energy based attacks. If Spinal was able to keep him on the defensive and absorb any energy based attacks he threw at him, Fulgore was merely fighting a losing battle.

The only thing that could change the tide of their duel was if Fulgore could charge his reactor to its maximum, and in doing so would increase his body's functions and abilities, strength, speed and energy power.

If he was going to do that though, he needed to keep Spinal away just long enough to do so.

As soon as Spinal lunged forward once more, Fulgore sidestepped him and grabbed his bony wrist before throwing him aside. Raising his arms, Fulgore began charging his reactor while Spinal was busy trying to recover.

The skeleton warrior found himself flying towards one of the towers roofs and positioned himself so he landed on his feet. He looked back across the short distance where he was thrown and saw Fulgore charging up his reactor. "Oh no ya don't!" Acting fast, he created a small portal on the roof below him and jumped into it.

-Reactor: 75%-

'Just a little more.'

Fulgore's charging attempt was halted when he saw the small green portal appear on the ground in front of him. Thankfully he was already familiar with the technique enough to expect the attack and quickly ceased his charge to block Spinals attack as soon as he came flying out with his cutlass aimed at his head.

Spinal thrust his boot into the cyborgs torso and pushed him back a step before aiming his shield at him. The warrior fired several large flaming yellow skulls at his opponent but Fulgore quickly teleported away to the roof of another tower to get some distance and began charging his reactor again.

Refusing to grant his opponent the chance to reach his full power, Spinal teleported after him, jumping up in front of the cyborg before swinging his cutlass down at him.

Fulgore ceased his charge and swiftly raised his large metal hands to trap the blade between them. Spinal glared at him as he attempted to free his weapon, but Fulgore now had him right where he wanted him.

Taking the opportunity, Fulgore yanked the cutlass out of Spinal's bony hand and then grabbed the immortal warrior by his head. Spinal roared at he hammered his shield into Fulgore but it did little to force him into releasing his opponent.

Tightening his grip around the warriors head, Fulgore spun around and launched him high into the air and quickly returned to charging up his reactor.

With Spinal high up in the sky at the moment, he was completely immobilized for the moment, giving Fulgore all the time he needed to finish charging up his reactor. The immortal warrior had already been stripped of his cutlass, leaving him with one less method of fighting his opponent.

-Reactor: 100%-

With the reactor at its maximum, Fulgore could feel all of the energy in his body coursing through him, his speed and strength increased along with it.

As Spinal fell back down again, Fulgore waited until he was close enough before jumping up into the air and delivering a powerful uppercut which cracked the immortal warriors ribcage.

Spinal roared and aimed his shield at the cyborg before firing large blue searing skulls at him. Fulgore thrust his arms forward and blasted them aside with his energy bolts before rushing forward to catch the skeleton as he was about to land. While still in the air, Spinal positioned himself once more and shot down towards Fulgore, striking him back with a swift divekick before leaping over his form and back on his feet.

Fulgore jumped back up and glared at Spinal, who was cackling and flipping him off.

Releasing a fierce metal growl, Fulgore sprinted forward, his increased speed allowing him to close the distance much quicker before hacking away at his opponent with his plasma blades.

Spinal blocked all of the attacks with the use of his shield, but the impact of each strike send him stumbling back a step, slowing forcing him towards the edge of the roof.

By the time he realized he'd reached the edge though, it was too late. Spinal tried to regain his balance while wobbling his arms back and forth, leaving himself wide open to Fulgore's full wrath.

The cyborg began with grabbing the shield before tossing it aside, and then grabbed the immortal warrior by the neck before pulling him in until their faces were inches apart.

Spinal and Fulgore glared at each other for a few long seconds, remembering their past duels with one another, and at one point, a time when both of them were allies.

After they both processed these thoughts, Fulgore launched Spinal into the air once more before unleashing his Devastation Beam at him.

The large red blast followed Spinal into the sky and, as soon it collided, all that could be made out was a small, faint explosion of green flames.

With his chest closing up, Fulgore kept his gaze up at the bright sky where Spinal had been, pondering on why the immortal warrior was there in the first place and, how he got there exactly. And...

'He was my ally once...wasn't he? So how did we come to be enemies?'

Looking at his clenched metal fist, Fulgore had more questions running through his mind, but knowing he wouldn't receive the answers he wanted, he decided to put his mind at ease for now and returned to where the others were.

While all of the guards were attempting to repair all of the damage that was done to the castle, the Princesses were taken to the castles medical ward.

Despite the damage done by Spinal, their injuries weren't too serious and would heal in time thanks to some healing magic.

Shining Armor was currently standing by the door, not willing to let anypony, or anything for that matter enter while the Princesses, his wife included, were recovering. Knowing full well how dangerous the metal monster and skeletal warrior were.

Despite Twilights protests that Fulgore was their ally, Shining Armor was having a hard time believing it or accepting it, just as much Luna was.

"That thing destroyed your castle Twilight Sparkle, and yet you stand there and call it an ally?" Luna said.

Twilight looked back at the lunar Princess and winced at the stern look she was giving her. "I know he's dangerous! But...he defended us back at the old castle! We were attacked by some...werewolf, and he fought it off! He's really trying to help Princess!"

Luna hardened her glare, prompting Twilight to recoil in fear. "I would be more willing to believe that were it not for its destructive nature. And that's all it has done so far, destroy."

Celestia sighed as she attempted to sit up in her bed. "Sister, I understand your concerns but-"

The Princess was cut off by the hulking metal figure that teleported into the middle of the room.

All eyes were on Fulgore as he slowly looked back and forth between each Pony, taking note of Luna and Shining Armor's hateful glares before setting his gaze on Celestia.

Celestia herself stared back in surprise, shock and, slight fear. But remembering what she had asked of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, she assumed they had indeed succeeded in persuading them to help them. Though she was still cautious, and she still had to ask him personally before she could be a little less wary of him.

Knowing the awkward silence wasn't helping any, Twilight Sparkle decided to speak up. "Umm...Fulgore, this is Princess Celestia. Co-Ruler of Equestria."

Twilight turned back to Celestia and added, "Princess...meet Fulgore."

The two continued to stare at each other, while Fulgore was just waiting to hear what she was going to say, Celestia was just too speechless to say anything.

Shining Armor stomped forward and glare up at the cyborg before saying, "You heard my sister, you're in presence of the rulers of Equestria. Show some respect and bow."

Fulgore used his large metal foot and nudged the Unicorn aside with no effort, the little nudge actually sending the stallion stumbling back and onto his flank.

Rarity and Pinkie Pie couldn't help but giggle at the sight as the Prince got back to his hoofs. "Why you..."

"Enough of that Shining." Cadence said as she used her magic to levitate him over to her side. "It's not from Equestria and it's certainly not going to bow when it isn't even our ally. You saw what it's capable of and you even heard what it had done so provoking it is not the wisest idea."

Shining grumbled and shot one more hateful glare at the cyborg before looking away.

'I sure do hope that one decides to continue being a nuisance, I'd very much find enjoyment in breaking every bone in his body.' Fulgore thought.

Celestia, knowing she had to say something before the cyborg got provoked, decided to finally speak up. "Apologies for Prince Shining Armor, he's just rather protective and believes that everypony should be formal when addressing royalty and such. I'm sure you have already met Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends. And as she just said, I am Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria alongside my sister, Princess Luna."

Again, Fulgore looked back at Luna, who was still glaring hatefully at him.

'I have a feeling this one is going to be trouble later.' He thought before turning back to the older Princess.

Celestia tried to think of what else to say, perhaps asking him if he could talk, but then she remembered he hadn't displayed much speech before, otherwise he would have spoken much earlier. Still, "Um, if you don't mind me asking, are you able to talk?"

Fulgore just continued to stare at her, wondering how he could respond to such a question. 'Unless she's able to communicate telepathically, I can't really give her a proper answer.' He thought as he shook his head slightly.

Seeing the small gesture he made with his head, Celestia immediately assumed she got her answer.

Applejack couldn't help but raise a brow at the cyborg. "So...he can't talk?"

Celestia shook her head. "As far as we know."

Again, Fulgore continued to stare at the Princess, pondering on how he could respond to any of her questions. 'Perhaps I should scroll through my system and see if my body was fitted with a vocal unit.'

Sighing, Celestia said, "Well, I can only assume that him being here right now must mean that he has dealt with that skeletal creature. You have my thanks for defending the city." She turned to Twilight Sparkle and her friends and added, "Twilight, why don't you and your friends take Fulgore to a guest room while we...discuss what we're going to do next."

Twilight nodded and walked over to the door followed by her friends. "Of course Princess. Come on Fulgore, follow us."

Refusing would only cause him more trouble so the cyborg decided to go along with them for now. As he exited the room however, he heard Luna talking to her sister back inside. "A guest room sister? It'd be a better idea if we threw it in the dungeon."

As the door closed and the Ponies trotted on, Fulgore followed as he thought,

'Ha, you're a fool if you think bars can stop me.'

Author's Note

Not my best chapter and I know it's kinda rushed and I also know the pacing seems a bit too quick but I'm trying to keep fights a little shorter this time. That said, I couldn't think of a better time to post another chapter than just a couple of days before the official release of KI Season 2. Though to be honest, I'm kinda losing interest in this fic and that's one of the reasons why the chapters have gotten shorter over time as well, just can't really keep myself interested especially with the other ideas I have. So yeah, this fic may just get cancelled and deleted or I may just wait until I'm interested enough to actually be able to write it again. I'll just have to wait and see.