The Ballad of Midnight Edge

Time went on, Midnight Edge left the hospital a week later. He decided to remain in Manehattan a bit longer, enjoying a momentary peace before facing his next challenge, a challenge he had been preparing for, an adversary he decided to face. Things changed, but not in the was Midnight Edge feared.

Babs Seed coped quite well with the truth, she was aware Midnight Edge killed enemies in battle before they met, once she saw him fighting she decided that should not change her perception of him. Instead she would support him no matter what happened. Midnight Edge feared she would reject him because of his violent behavior, but Babs Seed saw beyond his anger and found kindness in his heart, he was a warrior, a fighter, but he also tried to be a good stallion, a protector.

The passing of time strengthened their bond, and made both realize they would stay together for as long as they could. They were not just in love, they were determined to marry someday. Midnight Edge contemplated settling and leave his adventures behind, but Babs Seed explained to him that, just as he would not take her with him on adventures so she could stay in school, she had no intentions of chaining him to a single place. Midnight Edge returned to Ponyville the week after Nightmare Night.

Babs Seed's visits to Ponyville became more frequent. After the events in the tunnels her parents realized her feelings for Midnight Edge could not be changed, even more important, they grew fond of him. His strange behavior was no longer a nuisance, and even though they suspected their interaction was not as innocent as they wanted it to be, they noticed their daughter felt happy around him.

...

Midnight Edge was ready for his next objective in Equestria, his investigation on dynamic cutie marks, as he named the strange phenomenon, was placed on hold, he already met with a princess, he restocked on resources, there was one last thing to do. His next mission had been delayed for too long, he could no longer turn his back on his own blood. But he had no plans to face this quest alone, he considered this adventure was safe enough for Babs Seed, the chances of engaging in battle were slim, and Babs Seed was no longer as unprepared as she used to be.

After realizing Midnight Edge's life was a lot more dangerous than that of the average urban pony, Babs Seed convinced both Midnight Edge and Applejack to train her. She wanted to learn the basics of combat in order to travel with Midnight Edge someday, she knew she had to learn some combat skills to not become a burden. She didn't learn much, and nopony expected her to ever use what she learned, but she eventually learned the basics.

Both planned the trip, setting everything to have plenty of time and convincing applejack to join them. It was not hard to get her involved, she was not precisely eager to leave the couple alone without even knowing where they were heading. She was already used to Midnight Edge and no longer disliked him, but she preferred to go with them in case anything bad happened, and also considered it better if the were not too intimate on the way, it still made her extremely uncomfortable since that night at the barn.

...

Midnight Edge and Babs Seed were on their way to Sweet Apple Acres, it was the day they had chosen to start their journey, Babs Seed saw it as a family reunion, Midnight Edge felt it was a confrontation. As they approached the Apple's house, they saw Applejack leaving, she seemed in a hurry, her cutie mark released a rather unusual shine. She had little time to answer their questions so they followed her instead. Applejack led them to Twilight Sparkle's castle where Twilight Sparkle was waiting for her.

"Ready to see where the map is taking you to?" Twilight Sparkle was excited and actually surprised, this time the map called only one single pony, a rare happening.

Applejack sat on the seat marked with a symbol identical to her cutie mark. As soon as she sat, Midnight Edge and Babs Seed entered the room. Twilight Sparkle was actually excited to see them. "Come in! You will like this."

The group saw Applejack's cutie mark floating on the castle and then moving toward somewhere else on the map, a place in the Badlands which looked strangely distorted, it was as if the map couldn't see what lied on that place. Midnight Edge looked at the map surprised.

"The Badlands? What kind of friendship problem could happen there? Nopony lives there!" Applejack was surprised to see the map taking her to such a place, a barren wasteland which was mostly rock and dry ground, a place devoid of most life.

"Remember we were going on a trip today Applejack?" Midnight Edge spoke softly.

"Well. That will have to wait boy. This map says there's a friendship problem over there." The orange mare was surprised he could ask her about that in such an important moment.

"Yes. I know. That map wants you to go on that trip with us. That place is exactly where we are going." Midnight Edge was still surprised the map could signal that location, but he pretended it was all part of his plan.

"And you want to take my cousin there? Are you insane?"

"I know who lives there. I think we are part of that friendship problem thing. That's why I intended to take you. You would keep her safe on our way there." Midnight Edge intended to take Babs Seed there no matter what. It felt necessary now.

"Come on cousin! I'll be fine." Babs Seed was actually interested in finding out what would happen next.

"Applejack, I think you should take them." Twilight Sparkle convinced her friend. "If Midnight Edge knows who lives there that means he might be related to the friendship problem."

"But what about Babs? I don't want to put her in danger."

"Don't you get this strange feeling, a little voice telling you she is part of this too?" Midnight Edge was actually excited, and he struck a chord, Applejack actually was actually feeling that.

"Fine. But you better keep her safe."

"There is no need for worry, nopony shall get hurt this time."

Applejack went on with Midnight Edge's plan, suspecting the friendship problem was actually related to the three of them. The only way to find answer to her questions was going with the flow, even though she did not like the idea.

...

The train was on it's way to Dodge City, they would get everything ready for the rough ride toward the Badlands once they reached Dodge City. Midnight Edge was writing on his journals while Applejack and Babs Seed looked at the road, wondering what awaited them once they reached their destination. Applejack wished to know more about Midnight Edge once she faced the fact that no matter what, it seemed he was becoming part of her family at that point, and so she asked him a rather uncomfortable question, hoping that could help them get along.

"So... Is it true you eat meat?"

Applejack's question made Midnight Edge drop his journal in surprise, he quickly responded trying to deflect the question. "Where did you get that from? It makes no sense! Ponies don't..."

"Some ponies do." Applejack responded, then took a deep breath and continued. "Look. Somepony began to spread the rumor. Dunno who it was, I just know it seems to be true, you smell weird sometimes."

"Fine. I do. Just, well... I don't like to talk about it. I was rejected in Canterlot because of it."

Applejack understood she brought an unpleasant memory, it was not her intention, she just wanted to know him better and prove or disprove the rumors. "I find it weird, but it's not big deal. I bet most ponies don't even care. Maybe those fancy unicorns at Canterlot cared, but not everypony is like that."

"Maybe, but I would rather keep it in secret."

"What does it taste like?" Babs Seed asked, her curious mind imagining how it could taste.

"I bet you won't like it." Midnight Edge responded. "I can't describe the taste, savory... strong... weird."

"Can we try it?" Babs Seed sounded bolder as she asked, she was not likely to take a no for an answer.

"Do as you please." Midnight Edge took some small bits of cured meat expecting Babs Seed to change her mind. "But remember, if you don't like it spit it right away, there is no point in eating something you find unpleasant just to impress somepony. Oh, and if you actually like it I will do whatever you ask for a six weeks. Just to raise the ante."

"I'm not sure this is a good idea hun. You could get sick."

"Come on Applejack! You might like it too." Babs Seed took the bits of meat, shoving one in Applejack's mouth and placing one in hers. The taste felt awful, it was savory, salty, a bit greasy, and had faint taste of blood to it. She didn't know why Midnight Edge liked it, probably it did not taste the same way for him, she heard of warrior ponies who ate meat, maybe it was something inherited. Both mares spat the half chewed pieces of meat through the window in disgust, it was an almost involuntary act

Applejack was the first to express her disgust. "That was awful! I can't even tell what it tasted like!"

"It bucking tastes like blood!" Babs Seed was probably more uncomfortable than Applejack. Who interrupted her before she could continue complaining.

"Watch your language little miss."

"But it was horrible! I still feel it in my tongue!"

"I knew this would happen. I hope your views on me have not changed because of this." Midnight Edge responded, deep inside he actually felt like laughing, but he considered it was not a good idea.

"No. It's fine. It was my idea. I guess I won't like everything you like." The filly was sad, but not angry at her beloved stallion. She actually felt guilty and wanted to compensate for her reaction, which she believed made Midnight Edge feel bad. She was not aware his awkward tone was due to him holding back laughter.

"Actually it wasn't that bad. It was awful, but not the worst food I have tasted." Applejack was no longer that shocked, and she spoke with her characteristic honesty.

Babs Seed came up with an idea which could change the situation into something less uncomfortable. "Well, you said if I liked it you would do whatever I wanted, right?"

"For six weeks, anything you asked would have been a command I shall follow. What about that?" Midnight Edge responded.

"What if I do anything you ask? I sorta lost the bet, right?"

"Sweetheart... I love you, but... That is a terrible idea." Midnight Edge did not like the idea, he was not comfortable with forcing others to comply, and he had no idea what he would ask anyway.

"I'm with him on this one, Babs."

Babs Seed was not pleased with the answer she got, felt it was fair considering she would have accepted the offer. "But I want to do it? I bet you won't ask anything bad anyway."

"I assume you will insist until I accept your offer. Well, you shall follow my command then. And my command is as follows. Be free, but never try to eat things you may find unpleasant ever again. Wait... Let me rephrase it! Just be free, do what is best for you." Midnight Edge tried to use any loopholes to no longer carry the burden of commanding somepony else.

"You could ask for anything and you as for just that? Make it funny!" Babs Seed expected him to ask her things she would normally refused to do, even if that meant she would have to find a way out of them.

Midnight Edge approached and whispered something to the filly. "Not in front of your cousin. Ask me later."

Babs Seed smiled and complied with the request. "Fine. I'll ask later. Just don't keep me waiting."

"You better not be planning something weird." Applejack assumed midnight edge whispered something lewd to her cousin. The sight of the barn incident still made her uncomfortable and she would rather not see such thing again. In fact she was not comfortable thinking of what they could do in private, even though most of the time it was not what she expected, not even lewd at all.

"I would never ask her such a thing in front of you." Midnight Edge pretended to be surprised by her statement, displaying his abnormal sense of humor. "What do you think I am? A bard? A soldier? A purple, green eyed unicorn with blue mane? Oh wait... Forget about the last one."

The group continued their trip conversing about different topics. Preferring to stay in a generally positive mood. As they got closer to Dodge City, Midnight Edge saw a strange aerial machine gliding nearby. His reckoning was approaching, but he would not be alone, not this time. This time he was not leaving without her.

...