//------------------------------//
// Interlude: The Blind Eye 
// Story: Bear, Scribe and Paladin 
// by Speven Dillberg 
//------------------------------//

While the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony were enjoying a small get-together with their interdimensional guests, the on-duty Knights had to deal with a few problems. Or rather, a single large problem.
“So let me get this straight.” The only thing that kept the expression of disbelief from Trixie’s face was the years of stage performance. “You want to be a Knight. Despite not having any training, or even being a member of the Guard, you insist that you will be a valuable addition.”
“That’s right.” Oh, how she wanted to smack that smug look right off of Blueblood’s face. But, unfortunately for the former showmare, that would be assault, and it could see her suspended from duty. “Get out of my way.” But it would be worth it, she mused.
“Knight-Commander Armor is the only one with the authorisation to promote a pony to the rank of Knight. Take it up with him.” Blink was just unamused, and didn’t even bother to hide his contempt for the prince. “Leave us alone, we have a war to fight and you - ”
“You dare speak to a member of the royal family like that!?” Blueblood shouted at them. “I will have you court-martialed!”
Trixie rolled her eyes. “How about this, your highness,” she said through gritted teeth, “you beat one of us in a spar, and we’ll take your request to the Knight-Commander.” 
“You.”
“I’m sorry?” The suddenness of the statement had caught her off-guard, leaving her standing there and blinking in confusion.
“I said you. As in I will spar with you,” the prince said with complete confidence.
The Knights glanced at each other. They all knew the rampant sexism that made up much of life, and the idea of a mare beating him up was one too good to pass up. “All right then, your highness,” Blink replied with a smirk. “We’ll let the private here give you your spar.”
“A private? Bah, this should be foal’s play.”
Trixie followed Blink into the barracks, away from the suicidally overconfident royal. “Trix, you know what to do.”
“Humiliate him. Like Trixie didn’t know that,” she added sarcastically.
“No, you’re going to make him look like the biggest idiot Celestia’s sun ever had the misfortune to shine upon,” he whispered. As Trixie removed her armour plates, he continued. “A few illusions should do the trick."
“Actually, no, I’ve changed my mind.” Blueblood’s obnoxiously loud voice drifted through the doors. “I’ll think I’ll fight him instead.”
“If you want,” came the reply, the stallion sounding very distant.
“Astral Gaze?” Blink muttered. “Oh this is gonna be sad.”
“Sir, could you give me some help removing my armour?” the stallion asked. “I want to get this over with as quickly as possible.”
“Help me out here, Frost,” Firebolt said, his brother moving to assist.
“He’s blind!” Blueblood said in shock, catching sight of the misty blue unicorn’s milky-white eyes.
“I don’t need my eyes to see,” he replied, his sightless eyes focusing on the prince. “If anything, I see more than you ever could.”
“Did he just make a joke?” Blink asked quietly.
“I think so,” Trixie answered, just as quietly.
“Did you just insult me?”
“Not as much as you insult the crown by existing,” the Knight responded, smirking slightly.
“You - !” The gathered Knights did their best to hide their amusement, but more than a few ended up snorting. “How dare you!? You think you can speak to me like that!?”
“You think you can throw your power about and brandish your title like some spoilt brat?” Astral asked back calmly, his tone never rising.
The gathered ponies could practically see the steam rising from the infuriated prince’s ears. “How dare you!?” he screamed, lashing out with a hoof. Astral Gaze barely moved, instead just tilting his head a little to the left. The loss of balance sent Blueblood sprawling in the dirt.
“The right to freedom of speech,” he replied calmly as the royal picked himself up. “I can say what I want, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.” He ducked under a clumsy left hook before tapping the prince with a hoof, making him lose his balance again.
“You - !” Blueblood decided to forgo all subtlety, instead unleashing a wave of telekinetic force at the Knight.
Astral Gaze moved with all the grace of a dancer, dodging to the left with a pirouette before dropping back to all fours himself. Before the prince could do anything, he took a shot to the gut that felt more like a kick from a hydra than any mere show of magic.
As he lay there in the dirt, panting for breath, Blink appeared in his field of view. “Consider your application denied,” he said before kicking some dirt into his face to rub it in.