Discord cackled as Twilight Sparkle, her spirit completely broken, withdrew into the library to pack her things. Victory was his at last. Without the Elements of Harmony to stop him, Celestia and Luna could only watch and despair at their inability to stop him.
With a broad grin stretching across his face, Discord looked towards Canterlot as he began walking to his new throne in the center of town. He almost wanted to thank Celestia personally for letting him have such an easy time since his escape. She and her sister had not even lifted a hoof to stop him and now it was too late.
“Oh Celestia, I really expected more from you. Maybe I should see how you'll react when I have a little... fun in Canterlot...”
Discord's voice trailed off. He felt some magic in the air, just a small burst, flying towards the library. Twilight Sparkle was a unicorn, perhaps this magic was just some packing spell that had gone awry in her anger, but it felt familiar, like Celestia's. Though he was confident in his victory, it couldn't hurt to keep a careful eye out for a while. No sooner had he thought the words when suddenly a voice called Discord's attention to the strangest party in front of him.
“Hear me now, oh villain I am here to chastise,
for your dastardly evil is through!
Prepare yourself for your ultimate demise,
for a knight now challenges you!
I am I, Rocinante! The Pony of La Manecha!
My Princess has given me a boon!
Now I stand here before you,
prepared to oppose you,
as Knight of the Restored Moon!”
All thoughts of stray spells and familiar magics were lost as even Discord was stunned at the unexpected display in front of him. There, leading a small group of ponies, was an earth pony, his eyes on fire with a naive determination, standing there wearing rusted and broken armor, wielding a pathetic looking lance, and on top of his head was what Discord could only surmise as some form of half-destroyed bowl
Discord couldn't even begin to look at the other ponies in this absurd little party before he burst out laughing so hard than he fell over on his side. As he gasped for air and held his sides, Sassaflash walked up next to her cousin.
“Ummm... what was that?”
Rocinante, trying his best not to notice his snickering opponent, sighed as he asked his cousin.
“What was what?”
“That thing you just said, what was that? Where did the speaking in verse come from?”
Hearing the confusion already erupting within the party without his intervention, Discord laughed even harder. With another sigh, Rocinante turned to face his cousin.
“My dear Sassa, there will come a day when countless ponies, zebras, griffons, and all manner of apt creatures will read of our valorous exploits. When that beautiful day arrives at last, they will know of our deeds, hear of our virtue, and read of our words. My dear Sassa, it is of great importance that we properly demonstrate that we are not only chivalrous, virtuous, and courageous, but also graceful, noble, and elegant.”
Sassaflash nodded. Her cousin always had a very matter-of-fact answer to such questions, but she wasn't certain that he wasn't just making them up as he went along.
Slipping in between them, Sweetie Belle looked at the laughing Discord.
“Did he change Rarity?”
Rocinante nodded as he straightened the Helmet of Marebrino on top of his head.
“The one and only foe capable of such madness is indeed right here before us, apparently driven so by fear that he has become like the wretched hyena, given unto laughter that he might cover his fear.”
At last Discord caught his breath and regained his composure. It was hard to believe that this bit of chaos wasn't actually caused by him, however the silver moon on the knight-errant's chest and his self proclaimed title, made it rather evident that if Twilight Sparkle was Celestia's best, then this must be Luna's. It was hard not to chuckle as he spoke, but Discord still tried to move forward.
“And who... who might you be?”
Rocinante again stepped forward from the group.
“As I mentioned before, I am Rocinante of La Manecha, Knight of the Restored Moon, sent to vanquish you in the name of justice, virtue, and valor!”
Discord again doubled over laughing.
“I'm... I'm sorry, it's just the way... the way you say that, it sounds so... so serious!”
The knight-errant stamped the ground in irritation as he waited for Discord to finish, but before he could say anything Discord slid next to him and resumed.
“I must say this is a real treat. Where in the wide world did they find you?”
“La Mane-”
“Yes, yes, La Manecha.”
Discord flapped his wings excitedly a few times before he slid like a snake through the group, looking each pony in the eye as he examined them.
“I mean look at you! One terrified pegasus, one unicorn filly, and one rust covered earth pony? You look like the characters out of some poorly written storybook!”
As the conversation went back and forth between the two, Sassaflash found herself getting more and more anxious. Rocinante was not one who would typically converse with his opponents, but Discord just wasn't giving him any opportunity to tilt his lance honorably as he laughed and floated in circles around the group and the irritation on Rocinante's brow was becoming more and more obvious.
Sweetie Belle was also getting impatient. As Discord verbally danced around another challenge issued by Rocinante, she shouted at the playful draconequus.
“Change back my sister! Change back Rarity!”
Discord stopped for a brief moment before smiling broadly and picking up the young filly in his arms. He lifted her high in the air, as though they could see Rarity from here, and together they both looked towards the Carousel Boutique.
“I haven't changed your sister at all! I've only helped her to see who she really is, without all the worry about rules of society and such.”
Sweetie Belle squirmed in Discord's arms as she wrenched her neck around to face Discord.
“That's not true! Rarity is kind and generous!”
“Oh little filly, you'll learn that all ponies keep deep inside them their true personality that so longs to be free, but can't because, 'What would everypony else think?' It's something I've come to set you all free from. Now Rarity can be who she truly is! Concerned about what she truly cares about and not worrying about maintaining images for everypony to see.”
As Sweetie Belle struggled to break loose from Discord's grip, he leaned in and whispered into her ear.
“Think about it, has your sister ever lost her temper with you about her precious gems before?”
Sweetie Belle suddenly stopped struggling, her eyes wide with recollection. There had been a number of times when she had played with Rarity's gems, or tried to use one or two in one of her own projects, and Rarity would get outraged with her. Now Sweetie Belle began to wonder, was this truly who her sister was?
As tears began to flow out of her eyes, Discord's began to change colors, but before he could drain Sweetie Belle of her color, Rocinante stomped the ground so hard that the rocks around him shook.
“Discord! I am your opponent! I shall be the one you face this day! Put her down!”
The smile on Discord's face faded as he dropped the still colored, but confused Sweetie Belle into Sassaflash's hooves. However the smile soon returned as he spun around and teleported next to the knight-errant.
“And what about you Sir Rocinante? Already pointing your lance at an unarmed opponent?”
Rocinante stopped moving for a moment as his eyes fell on his lance that had been subconsciously tilted to where Discord was standing. Swiftly pulling the lance up into a neutral position, Rocinante turned and stepped back from Discord, but the draconequus pursued.
“Hardly a fitting act for a 'noble' knight, don't you think? Pointing your weapon at me? Shouting all the time? You seem to be quite the spitting image of what a knight shouldn't be.”
“Enough of this and your poisonous lies you brooding viper! I am a knight-errant dispatched to put an end to your treacherous deeds once and for all! If you have but even an inkling of courage in your serpentine body, I demand that you stand and face me this very instant!”
Despite Rocinante's voice sounding the same, Sassaflash felt a dark fear hit her stomach like a kick from an earth pony. The fire in Rocinante's eyes was no longer an innocent and eager flame. It had instead become a fire of rage, something uncontrolled and reckless.
With a smirk and a shrug of his shoulder's Discord teleported a distance away. When he reappeared he was equipped with a lance of his own and gleaming armor. On his chest, mirroring Rocinante's silver crescent moon, sat a pale white, full moon emblem and his voice seemed to take on a quality similar to Rocinante's as he spoke
“Hardly poisonous lies Sir Rocinante.”
“What is this?”
Discord grinned as he twisted and turned to show off his new outfit.
“You seemed to be the type of pony that wished to do things properly. So I thought I would face you as such.”
Straightening his armor again, Discord gave a cordial bow that was anything but serious.
“Knight of the Restored Moon, I would like you to meet the Knight of the White Moon.”
Rocinante gritted his teeth.
“You claim to be a knight?”
Again, Discord laughed, much to Rocinante's irritation.
“I have just as much claim as you do Sir Knight.”
“I have the backing of my lady, Princess Luna of Canterlot! I am a proper knight!”
“Oh, just her? I have the backing of some greater lady somewhere I'm sure, no doubt far more fair and inconceivably wiser than Lady Luna.”
“You lie!”
“Do not.”
“D-Do...Do too!”
“Do not.”
Rocinante stuttered for a moment, trying to avoid descending into the childish argument as Discord laughed resumed.
“Then let us prove my claim like they did in the legends of yore hmm? After all, a joust is what you wanted wasn't it? If you win, then I'll return Ponyville to normal and go in peace, but if I win, you must swear that my lady of the White Moon is both wiser and more fair than your 'Restored' Moon.”
For the first time since their conversation began, Rocinante smiled.
“If I win, you must also confess that my lady, Princess Luna of Canterlot is the fairest and wisest in all of the land, certainly more so than your White Moon.”
There was a sudden fire in Discord's eyes, as though he had Rocinante already right where he wanted him.
“So it's a deal. If you win, I will confess Lady Luna to be the fairest and wisest in the land and, of course, relinquish my control over Ponyville and retire in peace. However if I should be the victor this day, then not only must you renounce your lady, but you must also retire from here and leave me to do what I will with Ponyville.”
From the sidelines, Sassaflash wanted to run with everything she had, she wanted to fly away, she wanted to do anything but stay here for this. She couldn't tell what, but something was very wrong. Next to her, Sweetie Belle leaned as far forward as she could past Sassaflash's hoof that blocked her way. She had faith that Rocinante was going to win and she wanted to see him beat Discord and make him change everything back.
Rocinante, the smile still wide across his face, snorted and pawed at the ground.
“Under these terms, Knight of the White Moon, I hereby accept your challenge and am prepared to meet you in battle. Prepare yourself!”
Discord's smile disappeared as his face became hidden by his helmet's visor.
“I am ready Sir Knight! Prepare yourself!”
Sassaflash put a hoof to her chest as she tried to keep her breathing calm. This was the sort of confrontation that she knew her cousin had been searching for ever since his battle with Nightmare Moon had been taken out from underneath him. Yet even though she had wanted him to find the victory he had been searching for, she couldn't help but notice her chest felt heavy as a small breeze blew by.
Then, as though it were an unspoken starting signal, the sudden stillness in the air triggered the attack. Rocinante began charging towards his opponent and Discord remained stationary, waiting for his enemy to come. Soon Rocinante reached full speed and lowered his lance.
He still had about half of the distance remaining when suddenly Discord struck.
In the blink of an eye, Discord flew through the air, his serpentine body coiling in a spiral as he slammed his lance into Rocinante's armor with a terrifying crack, throwing the knight-errant back onto the ground with deep rumbling thud.
Sweetie Belle sat there in complete shock. The knight-errant that she had looked up to, that she had believed would save her sister, lay on the ground, beaten in a single blow.
Sassaflash was perfectly still as she watched her cousin slam into the ground, throwing up torn grass and chocolate-soaked mud as he slid back from the blow. She didn't even notice her breath had stopped as she waited for him to get back up. He always got back up. That was one of his favorite sayings, how if a knight fell he would rise again and again, but Rocinante wasn't getting back up.
Before she even knew what she was doing, she was running to her cousin's side.
“Rocinante!”
She was almost to him when Discord appeared out of nowhere in front of her.
“Now now, remember, this is a duel between the two of us, and we are not done yet.”
Though Discord was clearly smiling behind his helmet, his voice carried a dark tone with it that stopped everypony in their tracks. Sassaflash went pale at the terrifying presence in front of her. It wasn't even conceivable in her mind that this could be the same creature who was joking around so lightheartedly earlier. Everypony stayed back while Discord strode triumphantly towards his fallen foe.
Rocinante lay on the ground, quite well alive, but unable to move after being hit so hard. He gasped for air and even breathing hurt as every inch of his body burned in pain. Struggling to get back up, Rocinante lifted his head right into the tip of Discord's waiting lance. As the weapon rested on the end of the knight-errant's nose, Discord smiled, raised his visor, and looked up towards Canterlot where he was certain the Princesses would be watching.
“It would appear that you are vanquished, Sir Knight. Now as per our agreement, you must confess that my lady is both the fairest and wisest in the land or suffer the consequences.”
Sassaflash held her breath as her heart broke for her cousin. She knew nothing could be more painful for him than to say such a thing. Rocinante, with his eyes narrowed on the lance, held his breath and then allowed his head to fall back onto the ground.
“Then... then you must do your worst.”
Time seemed to stop as his words echoed across the empty field. Discord's concentrated stare towards the castle was broken as he turned to face the knight-errant on the ground. Even his voice seemed to go back to normal as he looked inquisitively at Rocinante.
“You... You won't do it?”
Rocinante winced with each exhale, but he still managed to shake his head.
“I would...I would rather disappear, off of even the most obscure pages of history and legend themselves, than to renounce my lady. As per our agreement...you may do...what you must to finish this fight. It will be remembered that I...that I have never...nor will ever...say anything except that Her Most Noble Grace, Luna of Canterlot, is the fairest...and wisest lady in all of the land.”
Twice in one day, Discord was stunned by this strange earth pony, but he wouldn't let that stop him.
“Do my worst, hmm?”
Discord looked back up towards Canterlot with a twisted smile, and then turned and pressed his face right in front of Rocinante's.
“Then perhaps I should show you what you've really been doing all this time.”
As the two locked eyes, Discord's began turning various colors and, for a time, Rocinante's did as well until his color seemed to fade into a depressed and grayish tone. Then suddenly Discord was through and he disappeared, reappearing over by an upside down tree, examining the pink clouds above them with both his armor and his lance gone.
“Alright, I'm done.”
The moment the words were out of his mouth Sassaflash ran to her cousin.
“Cousin! Rocinante! Please! Please be okay!”
The moment she reached him, Rocinante bolted upright, seemingly forgetting about his pain. His eyes were wide and they appeared completely terrified as they darted around the scene looking for somepony when at last he noticed his cousin next to him. Embracing Sassaflash tightly, Rocinante struggled to hold back his tears as he again started looking around.
“Sassaflash! Oh thank goodness you're okay!”
Sassaflash froze. She couldn't pin what it was exactly that made her mane stand on end, but she knew something was terribly wrong.
“R-Rocinante?”
“Where is Sweetie Belle?! Is she alright?”
Sassaflash looked behind herself to see that Discord was gone and Sweetie Belle was running up to meet them.
“Yes, yes everypony's okay. Rocinante, are you alright?”
With his fears now put to rest, Rocinante's smile turned to a contorted frown, not from his pain that had reawakened, but from his own humiliation.
“I am so so sorry I dragged you all into this. What was I even thinking?!”
Rocinante suddenly reached up, grabbed hold of the helmet on his head and cast it aside with such a rage that it bounced and skipped along the ground before sliding to a halt. Though his anger was clearly directed at himself, Sassaflash felt as though he had just slapped her. The helmet of Marebrino was one of Rocinante's most treasured possessions. Everypony stood in silence, waiting for Rocinante to explain what had happened.
“Sassaflash, Sweetie Belle, I...”
Rocinante flinched as he tried to get up but couldn't.
“I'm such an idiot. I should go, we need to get out of here.”
As though he was suddenly aware of what he was wearing, Rocinante began struggling with his armor in an attempt to cast it away. A few of the brittle old straps broke as he finally was able to rip the rusted armor off and cast it to his side with a look of disgust on his face.
In Sassaflash's eyes, he looked ill, but it was this sudden change of character that terrified her.
Behind them, Sweetie Belle, who looked pale with fright at what she was witnessing, looked to Sassaflash for advice. As she helped the defeated and broken Rocinante to his hooves, Sassaflash turned her head toward the filly.
“Sweetie Belle, do you still want to help us?”
Though she had tried her best to keep her tone neutral, there was a definite plea in Sassaflash's voice. She didn't just want Sweetie Belle's help, she needed it.
Sweetie Belle quickly nodded and Sassaflash, with a clear look of relief in her eyes, breathed a light sigh.
“Thank you. I need you to gather up the armor and the lance, but especially the helmet, and carry them all to my place.”
Rocinante looked over his shoulder towards the gear strewn about on the field.
“Leave it. It's all garbage. I don't want to ever see it again...”
Rocinante hung his head as Sassaflash helped him stay up and the two began walking towards Sassaflash's home. As they walked, Sassaflash turned and nodded to Sweetie Belle, who immediately began collecting the discarded pieces of armor.