"Did you guys find Manik," Sonia asked as Lara and Shade walked up to her and Josh.
"Not a trace of him anywhere," Lara replied.
"And we checked everywhere, trust me," Shade said.
"We have to keep looking," Josh said.
"Can't we keep looking after we watch the joust?"
"Fine. We watch the joust and then we get back to finding Manik."
"All right. Let's go, guys," Lara said before she walked off. Sonia, Josh, and Shade followed her and took their seats in the stands. Moments before the joust began, one of the fair staff walked out in front of the spectators.
"Bad news, folks. It seems one of our knights will be unable to compete in the joust," he said.
"I want my money back," one of the spectators said.
"What a rip-off," another spectator said.
"Calm down, everyone. We've come up with a solution. I'll pick one of you to take part in the joust." The man then looked through the crowd before his eyes landed on Josh.
"You," the man said, addressing Josh.
"Me," Josh asked.
"Of course. You'll be the one to take part in this joust."
"All right." Josh then made his way down to the field and over to the staff member.
"Excellent. Right this way," the man said before he and Josh walked off. Moments later, Josh was fitted with knight's armor and given a lance for the joust.
"I look good in armor," Josh said as he admired himself. As he was looking at himself, he saw another knight approaching him from behind.
"You're my opponent," the knight asked.
"You could say that."
"You won't win against me. You are but a child. I wish you luck."
"Why would you wish me luck," Josh asked.
"Because you will need it. I am undefeated," the knight said before walking off.
"That guy's definitely sure he'll win against me." Josh then placed his helmet on before walking over to his horse and climbing on.
"I'll make sure this guy is knocked off his high horse, figuratively and literally," Josh said as he prepared himself for the joust.
"This mere child has no idea what he's getting himself into."
"Knights, prepare yourself." Both Josh and the other knight readied themselves for the joust.
"Lances at the ready," the man said before both Josh and the second knight lowered their lances.
"Joust!" Both Josh and the other knight rushed ahead and met each other. The knight's lance landed near Josh's shoulder while Josh's lance nearly knocked the knight off his horse. Josh groaned as he rubbed his shoulder in order to see how much damage the lance dealt to it.
'Gotta do something to win. Otherwise, this knight might remain undefeated,' Josh thought as he glanced at the other knight.
"If you're smart, you would give up right now," the knight said.
"That's the thing. I am smart, but I never give up. My dad taught me that."
"Your father must be a wise man."
"He is," Josh said.
"Knights, prepare yourself," the man said before Josh and the knight prepared themselves.
"Lances at the ready." Both Josh and the mysterious knight lowered their lances and readied them for the second joust.
"Joust," the man shouted before Josh and the knight rushed ahead to meet each other. This time, Josh was able to knock the knight off his horse and to the ground.
"All right, Josh! You did it!"
"Yeah!" Josh then climbed off his horse and helped the knight to his feet.
"Thank you," the knight said.
"You are quite welcome," Josh said.
"I must admit you have some impressive skills. You truly have proven yourself yet again, Josh."
"How'd you know my name?"
"Simple," the knight said before taking off his helmet. Josh was stunned to see Rocket under the helmet of his opponent.
"Surprised?"
"Yeah. I didn't even know that you were the champion," Josh said.
"I was until now. As of this moment, that title belongs to you, my son," Rocket said.
"Thanks, Dad."
"Rocket, what are you doing here? I always thought you weren't the type of Mobian to be wrapped up in this kind of stuff," Sonia said as she, Shade, and Lara walked up to Josh and Rocket.
"You underestimate me, Sonia. There are things about me you don't quite know about me."
"How did you get involved in this, anyway," Shade asked.
"Well, I am a possible candidate for the throne of Mobius, so I decided to get involved in events that pertain to ancient times. This just happened to be my first stop. I learned all about the history of Mobius, the culture, and even participated in a bit of jousting," Rocket replied.
"Interesting. Did you happen to see Manik anywhere around here," Josh asked.
"I did see him near a vendor that was selling what looked like an ancient helmet."
"Where was it," Lara asked.
"I'll lead you to it. Right this way." Rocket then walked off with Josh, Sonia, Lara, and Shade right behind him.
"Did you happen to see a blue hedgehog with green eyes and a missing tooth," Rocket asked the vendor.
"Of course I did. He ran off with the Thunder Knight's helmet," the vendor replied.
"Then Manik is doomed."
"Why would Manik be doomed?"
"Because that very helmet has a dark past behind it. Anyone who wore it plotted to conquer this very world and perished whenever they failed," Rocket said.
"Exactly what I said before I noticed that hedgehog ran off with the helmet."
"Did you happen to see where he went?"
"Afraid not," the vendor said.
"Then we'll have to find him ourselves," Josh said.
"And I know just where to start," Rocket said.