City of Guilds

The three ponies were at the garden, Midnight Edge called Sunflower and Babs Seed there to speak with them. After the battle at the Rakdos district things changed, and now it was necessary for them to discuss how their lives would change. The life of an adventurer is full of risk, and the two sisters jumped into it not so long ago.

“We must discuss this. Delaying it would do no good to us. Both of you got involved in a battle, you put your lives in danger. You were not prepared. That shall never happen again.” The stallion spoke, the frown in his face marking his constant thinking.

“Of course it won't. I don't want to have anything to do with all that anymore!”

“Well. I'm in! I know it's dangerous, but there's now way I am giving up now.” Babs Seed responded, her sister would not stop her from following her own path.

“It is too late for any of you to turn back now. Due to Celestia's mandate Babs and I can not take separate ways anymore. Our lives are bound now. And that is also our will if I am not mistaken.”

“And we both know Midnight won't stay put for too long.”

“I don't want to be part of this. And Babs shouldn't be. It's too dangerous.” Sunflower was concerned, she knew there was nothing her parents or her could do to separate the couple due to the current circumstances, yet still she feared for their safety.

“I am willing to make some concessions. From now on I shall be even more cautious regarding the locations we will travel to. That however does not mean there will be no risk. Wild animals, criminals, unexpected situations, all this things await not only adventurers like me, but even the average pony. Even if we stayed in Manehattan for the rest of our lives...”

“Which we won't” The green eyed filly interrupted, making sure Midnight Edge did not attempt to convince her of giving up.

“As I was saying. Even if we stayed in Manehattan, the odds of us facing danger at some point are high. From regular criminals to deranged interdimensional monsters, there are many things that could turn a normal urban environment into a battlefield.”

“So we just leap into danger cause danger could find us at home anyway? That's stupid!” Sunflower was not pleased with the words reaching her ears.

“No. I have no intention of plunging us into the worst case scenario. In fact I have determined which locations would in theory provide us with less risk in our future travels.”

“You're free to drop out whenever you want sis. I bet Applejack would not be to scared to go with us.”

“I consider forcing any of the Elements of Harmony to join us would be an inconvenience due to their presence often being necessary to keep Equestria in order. However, if it is needed, I would call for their help. They have faced rather dire threats. Of course, we could invite other equally capable ponies.” Midnight Edge spoke pondering on who would take Sunflower's place, he knew she might not stay. “If it is necessary I would even take your father to prove him everything will be safe.

“Then Babs is never going to fight again. Mom and dad wouldn't let us. They would faint if they found out what happened.”

“Such events will only be brought to their knowledge once they are no longer capable to object. However, Babs might find herself in the need of engaging in combat again. It is not normal for a hairdresser to do so, however, she would not be the only martial artist in her family.”

“Wait! You mean I'm gonna be like one of those black belts or something?” The filly seemed excited at the idea. She intended to take martial arts classes later that year.

“Not exactly. I will train you... Both of you if needed, in the arts of combat. I am not a disciplined monk or anything similar however, which means you will be trained in the ways I know other than magic. Including the way of the sword. You will need a weapon.”

“That's it! You're not giving a sword to a filly. That's just...” Before Sunflower could speak any further, her sister's small hoof was obstructing her mouth.

“I learned to wield a sword when I was younger than her, my siblings too. With discipline and caution she will learn to defend herself and wield almost any weapon. It is not unusual for young ponies to learn how to wield some weapons, especially when they aspire to join the royal guard.”

Midnight Edge opened a long box he carried with him, revealing two objects covered in decorated fabric.

“These are yours to wield, but only once your training is complete. Until then you will train with wooden swords.”

Babs Seed uncovered the objects, finding before her eyes two sheathed swords. The blades had a rather unusual design, looking sharp and almost resembling separate scissor blades but with an additional outward edge, one slightly longer than the other, the hilts had a circular ring designed for her hooves to fit in, part of the hilts extended in a design meant to allow both swords to connect, turning into a large pair of scissors. It was an impressive pair of weapons, even their decoration was custom made, the blades had an engraved pattern resembling tree branches, covered in a green alloy of unknown origin, the circular hilts were vaguely shaped like halves of an apple, and were made of a familiar red material decorated with ribbons of brown leather.

“The Necromancer made them just for you. The blade is made of enchanted mythril decorated with sylvan alloy. The hilts are made of a mythril tang, that is the part of the blade connected to the handle, combined with sturdy rubica covered in leather made from the hide of an unknown beast.”

“Cool! Are they really for me?”

“We are not taking those things with us.” Sunflower was not pleased with the idea of her sister handling weapons, let alone taking those things to their home.

“Of course you will not take them. I will keep them safe until she is ready. They are meant for her, but first she must learn to use them. These are not toys, they are tools of a trade.” Midnight Edge replied, making it evident that he would take all precautions needed during the training.

“Do they have a name? I mean, all cool swords have a name, right?”

“They do, both as individuals and as a combined weapon. The longer one is called Determination, the shorter one Defiance. Combined they form Exultance. The Necromancer came up with the names. I hope you do not find them strange.”

“Sounds awesome! Well, maybe I will look for the last one in a dictionary.” Babs Seed smiled. “When are we starting my training?”

“Soon, but keep in mind that if you ever neglect your education I will no longer train you or take you with me until your grades improve. I can not allow you to neglect your daily life for the sake of adventure.”

“I'll be a model student if that's what it takes!” The filly's stance on the matter made clear the name of her weapons was fitting of her. “Wait! You never told me the name of your sword.”

“It was named Fervent Rebel. I know not the story behind the name, but my friends claim it is fitting of me.”

From that moment Babs Seed officially became an adventurer, she would still follow her calling as a hair dresser, but she was not bound to only one path in life. Now she had two lives so to speak, the one in Manehattan as a young hairdresser, and her life close to Midnight Edge as an adventurer in training. Balancing both lives sounded like a grater challenge at first, but eventually they would realize it was easier than expected, all the Apple family carried adventure in their blood, Babs Seed was no exception.

...

Sveta walked down the stairs, a few days passed after the events leading to her stay at the Outpost. She wore a rather plain white dress which made her short height and youthful appearance more evident, making her look almost like a child. Her hair was tied into a complex braid decorated with golden ornaments, the only reminder of her wealth. Her change in wardrobe was both a safety measure, allowing her to pass unnoticed within the city, and an act of defiance toward her relatives.

The vampire sat at the table, with her three thrull servants standing close to her. One of the servants handed her a parchment scroll from her guild, her friends looked at her expecting an explanation.

“I would like to read this missive in front of all of you. I have not broken the seal in order to know its contents in the very same moment as you.” The noble broke the wax seal and unrolled the scroll. “Shall I begin?”

“Don't keep us waiting, this is important!” Riv replied, everyone was eager to know the content of that scroll, and his words spoke for everyone.

Sveta took a deep breath and began to read. “Sveta Morozova, your request to act as representative of our guild within the location know as The Outpost has been approved by the Obzedat. We expect your decision will bring benefit to our guild, and will consider this endeavor a failure if we see no results within a year.”

Her friends felt relief after hearing the approval from the guild, cheering and smiling, Babs Seed interrupted their early attempt of celebration. “Hey! Let her finish.”

The vampire continued. “Be aware that failing in your objective, being said objective the improvement of the interaction between our guild and other guilds with representatives within The Outpost, will result in economic penalties to your house in order to recover the investment made by our guild. Signed: Teysa Karlov.”

“I say this demands a celebration. I will get everything ready.” Ulyana left the room to prepare what they needed to celebrate.

“Congratulations Jackdaw. I will do everything I can to assist you in your task.” The Necromancer extended his hand to the Orzhov noble, who he named Jackdaw due to her black hair and short height.

“Thank you my friends. Let us work for a brighter future together.” The vampire smiled at her friends, expressing both her gratitude and joy. She had no words to express how important they were to her, and how much her life changed because of them.

...