"Defend yourself, you honorless cur!"
A stranger charged at the would-be saviors of Spiketopia, and what happened next went too fast for Garbuncle's book-weary eyes to follow. Even Captain Wuzz's keen vision barely tracked Sir McBiggen unsheathing his blade and parrying the incoming swipe in a single smooth motion.
The figure with whom the brave knight locked blades seemed his stark opposite, white and gold to McBiggen's red and black, a full helm obscuring his muzzle and heavy plate before his mark. His sword gleamed gilt as well, a stark contrast to the Black Blade. The two weapons struggled in their wielders' auras, vying for dominance.
And yet, Sir McBiggen was unshaken. His horn shone fiercely, yes, but his countenance spoke more of irritation than fear. "Say that again, knave." His magic surged, and he threw the other warrior back.
"You are the only knave here!" cried the stranger, pointing hoof and blade alike.
The black knight drew himself up to his full, imposing height. He was scarcely taller than the other unicorn, yet he seemed to tower over him through sheer indignation. "You dare besmirch the honor of Sir Banner McBiggen of the clan McBiggen?"
The stranger gave a derisive snort. "What honor can you claim, you who abandoned your liege?"
"Oh, now he's gone and done it." Captain Wuzz sighed and began digging through his belt pouches. "Well, I needed to prune my talons anyway."
Garbuncle looked back and forth between the quarrelers and his comrade. His claws anxiously clenched his staff. "But we—"
Wuzz held up his lion paw, which now held a small set of shears. "Peace, good Garbuncle. This is a matter between warriors. Neither will look kindly upon slingers of spells or arrows intruding on their dispute."
Among the unicorns, Sir McBiggen spat out, "You expect me to follow a stallion who bent his knee to the spineless Squizard?"
"I expect you to respect the vows you swore to the one who knighted you. A knighthood you no longer deserve!"
McBiggen sneered. "You choose your helms wisely. One who obeys blindly has no need to see."
The stranger said nothing, instead magically removing his helmet and letting it fall to the ground. A trio of gasps rang out as he shook out his azure mane.
"It can't be!" cried Garbuncle.
"It clearly is," noted Wuzz.
Even the indomitable Sir McBiggen took a step back. "You're..."
Eyes blue as glacial ice glared at him. "Yes. I am Heroic Legend, master paladin. And I have come to smite you for your crimes, oathbreaker."
The imperial nursery rang with innocent laughter. Cadence smiled. "It was very nice of Discord to teleport you to the Empire."
"Yeah. Almost too nice." Twilight paused to make another Pinkie-approved goofy face for Flurry Heart. "Still, I think I can trust him, especially since he asked to borrow Shining."
"Oh?" Cadence tilted her head. "Why's that?"
"Discord learned about a new aspect of role-playing games and wanted to put it into practice the first chance he got."
Cadence rolled her eyes. "Oh dear. What is it?"
Twilight shut her eyes and considered the havoc no doubt ensuing even as they spoke. Despite herself, she couldn't help but grin. "PvP."