The Guardian

“Miss Trail! Please your going to be late! Miss Trail?” I knock on the bedroom door for the seventh time.

My name is Kenny Rowe or guardian 001 if you want to be serious, I was an agent of the newly created G.O.E which stands for the Guardians Of Equestria. The organisations main goal is the protection and safety of all ponies that visit or live on Earth and my current assignment was going through her daily routine. Which most days, doesn't amount to much.

“My daughter still not up Kenny?”

I turn to find Golden Bank standing behind me. Golden Bank was the mother of Star Trail my assignment, it has been two years since I started my protection detail for her daughter and I have become somewhat a part of the family or so Golden Bank always says.

“Yes mam, It seems like this routine of hers will never break.” I reply, keeping my tone professional. “Though I do have to point out it is her audition day!” My louder tone was met with a loud thud coming from Star Trails room. “Ah! I see the quarry has awoken.”

Golden Bank giggles. “I'll leave you to your duties Kenny, good day.”

“Good day.” I return, bowing my head.

Golden Bank walks down the nearby flight of stairs and out of my sight. I have to admit when I first arrived I was nervous as hell. Star Trail was my first official duty since graduating, but now I do treat the ponies as my close relatives. Most usually see ponies as animals but when you get to know them they are just as smart as we are, I would wager if they evolved on Earth instead of us they would be the dominant species. I turn my head back to the bedroom door as it quickly swings open.

“Why didn't you wake me!” Star Trail shouts.

Star Trail, the Earth pony bane of my existence, three feet tall and already acting like most Earth teenagers. Star Trail was a mixture of her parents colours, her coat was a gold colour like her mums and her mane and tail were silver like her dad's. She even had her cutie mark already, and let me tell you, learning about cutie marks was probably the most boring three days of the training. All they needed to say was that the marks represent the ponies special talent, that's it! But nooo, they gave us a three day lecture on them!

I smile warmly. “I did try Miss Trail but as always your sleeping habits tend to make that quite impossible.”

“Fine ok, I get it. I'm a heavy sleeper!” Star replies, walking past me and heading for the stairs. I walk into her bedroom and grab her saddle bags. “Ken! Can you grab my-” I hold up her bags. “Thanks.”

“Always ready to serve, my lady.” I give her an over the top bow, only to crack open an eye to look at her expression.

“Do you always have to do that? I hate the bowing and niceties.”

“You wish me to be rowdy and normal?”

“Is that too much to ask?” Star Trail asks, as I drop her saddle bags on her back.

“It's part of my training but if you want me to be more standard in my mannerisms then I will.”

“Why for little ol' me? How nice.” Star Trail says fluttering her eyelids at me.

I sigh. “Can we just get to school?”

“Ok Ok, you're very closed to emotion aren't you?”

“No, just you.”

Star Trail chuckles as we head out the house giving Golden Bank a wave as we leave. We head to my car sitting in the driveway. Now as far as cars go this baby was tech'd to the teeth, it had GPS, enhanced car tracker system and even a remote control shut off circuit that can disable the car with one command from my phone.

I followed Star until I felt a vibration in my coat pocket, I reached in and pulled out my phone. The phones given to guardians were not like most smart phones you get on the market, as a matter of fact our phones are way ahead in terms of technology, well that's what you get when the CIA and the NSA join together.

I take notice of the name calling, it was my superior. I press the answer button and the face of my commander appears, however his face was a picture of seriousness.

“Guardian 001, are you receiving me?”

“Loud and clear commander.” I reply.

“Good, I am contacting you and the other guardians as I believe there is a great threat to your charge.” I was about to ask how when the commander just carries on. “At roughly oh five hundred this morning we lost contact with three of our guardians in South America, Brazil to be exact.”

“Separate incidents sir?”

“Negative, all three guardians were protecting a member of the Equestrian Royal Family, a prince.” The commander reaches on his desk and pulls a sheet of paper towards him. “The prince and all three guardians were found dead.”

“Gang attack or Hitman?” I ask.

“Neither, the guardians and the prince were all killed by precise magical attacks to there bodies. Who ever or what ever did this knew pony and human anatomy with extreme detail. Now before you say anything Guardian 001 normally this wouldn't cause much concern as you all know your duty.” I nod. “The fact is three guardians were killed without a struggle, by someone or something that they or the prince knew.”

“A fellow guardian?” I was hesitant to ask the question as I frowned.

“Possibly.” The commanders reply came as a shock, one of my fellow guardians turned traitor, the thought caused my heart to skip. “Your orders have not changed but I suggest more caution.”

“I understand sir, any secondary objectives?”

“No, just keep your charge safe, be well guardian.”

I salute the commander. “Be well sir!” I sigh as the screen turns back to the menu system. I look up to see Star looking at me.

“Are you ok Ken?” Star asks, sitting on her haunches.

“Yeah, just my superior checking up on me.” I didn't want to tell her the truth as Star didn't need to know, I walked up to the car and opened the rear door. Star thanks me and jumps up into the seat, I close the door and enter the drivers seat.

“I hope nothings wrong? Your superiors don't normally check on you.” Star says as I turn on the ignition. I hear sniffle from behind. “There taking you away aren't they?”

I start the engine before Stars question cause me to turn around. “Why would you think that?” I reach behind and wipe a tear from her right eye. “I ain't going nowhere.” Star nods and settles down into her seat. “Besides someone has to keep you out of trouble!” I receive a hoof to the back of my head. “Ok! Ok! I'm going!”

I reverse the car out of the driveway and pull out heading off to Stars school. It doesn’t take long to reach the school and most of our journey was silent. It was only when I started to pull into the school grounds did Star ask me something.

“Ken? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, what's up?” I reply.

“I know this might be personal but if a pony was to ask you out, would you say yes?”

I turn in my seat. “I don't know, ponies ain't that much different from humans apart from your physical appearance.” I tap my chin. “I guess I would think about it, however my duty to you comes first, it's what I was trained for.” I give Star a narrow stare. “Why do you ask?”

“Nothing! Just curious at what you thought about ponies, that's all!” Star says waving her hooves at me.

I chuckle. “You better get going or your going to be late.”

“Oh right!” Star replies, opening the car door with her mouth and jumping out. “Guess I'll see you same place after school?”

“Yup, see you then!” I watch as Star runs in, my gaze inadvertently drawn to her hind quarters. I shake my head. “Come on Ken! She's a child for christ sake!” I shake my head again before taking off for the car park area of the school.

I park the car next to the teachers parking, getting out I lock the car and head towards the admin building. I look up at the school name as I pass under it, 'Equestria High'. I never really paid much attention but apparently this was one of the first mixed schools that both ponies and human kids attended. I smiled as I walked through the front door and spotted my favourite receptionist.

“Hey Debra! How's the terrors today?”

Debra turns around. “Hey Ken! Just dropped Star Trail off?”

“Yep, going to my home away from home now.”

Debra chuckles. “Well have fun! Oh wait I have something for you!” Debra reaches under the main desk and pulls out a small box. “It came for you this morning.”

I take the box and notice the emblem of the G.O.E stamped on the front. “Thanks Debs, you take it easy!” I say, walking away. Debra gives me a wave as I head for the flight of stairs nearby.

I stare at the box in my hand as I finally reach the teachers lounge of the school, I open the door and find the room was empty, I smiled as I headed for a couch in the corner to open my package. I sat down and placed the box on my lap, I proceeded to rip the brown wrapping off and open the box. In side was a white and black box with a card on top, I picked up the card and read the message.

'Greetings Guardian 001, in light of recent events all guardians are being equipped with a new type a bullet for your weapons. This new round is dubbed the Verox 1000 or as some call it the 'Equestrian round'. This bullet was made in conjunction with the Equestrian royalty, it is designed to destabilise a pony's magic on impact rendering them unconscious. So as you know it will be ineffective against humans, your standard rounds will suffice in that situation. Be well Guardian'

I look down at the box and lift the top open with a finger, inside the box was ten silver rounds with a blue liquid in the bullets tip. I pulled one round out and studied the design, I put the bullet back as I knew it was compatible with my guns. I replaced the card and closed the box back up, it was good timing as the lounge door opened and two teachers entered. They both saw me and froze, I smiled, I so loved replacement teachers.

You see everybody knew the reputation of the G.O.E ,and where there was a G.O.E guardian an important pony wasn't far away.

“Morning.” I say, giving them a quick salute.

“M-Morning guardian!” One replies, the other just stands there.

“Come in I won't bite, much.” I grin. The two teachers cross to the coffee machine and start to make each other coffees.

I stand up and approach the window over looking the main courtyard of the school. I fold my arms and look out over the students moving about, I didn't realise at the time but another teacher came into the room.

“Oh look! It's the pony protector!” I sigh heavily as I knew the teacher, though I wish I didn't. “Where's your charge protector?”

I turn my body and keep my arms folded. “None of your business Mr Groas, as always.” I turn back to the window.

“Come now guardian, surely you don't hate me that much?”

“As much as I find you repulsive Mr Groas ,you do have something to teach these children.” I hear footsteps get closer. “I would remind you that I have been trained by several senior members of three different special forces groups.” I hear the footsteps stop followed by a grunt. “Thank you.”

I turn away from the window again and walk towards the door, I notice that Groas was only a few feet away from me. I push passed him and pick up my box before heading for the lounge door. I give the new teachers and slight nod as I head out, leaving the asshole behind.

I walk out of the building as I decide to check up on Star, I never had to before but the news from before has unsettled my mind. I make my way to the sports fields only to be stopped by a shrill.

“Misssterrr Kennnyyyyy!” I freeze. “How are you doing!?”

I turn just in time to see a human teenager slam into me. I fall to the ground clutching my attacker. I slowly open my eyes again. I sigh as I spot Mandy rubbing her head.

“Mandy? Could you be so kind as to get off me!” I say, releasing her from my embrace.

“Sorry Kenny, I wasn't supposed to hit you that hard!”

“No harm done.” I reply getting to my feet. “Why are you out here running around anyway? Don't you have a class right now?”

“Yeah I do but Star sent me for you!” Mandy blushes.

“Star sent you? Why didn't she come herself?”

“Weeeelllll....she said it was a secret, I was to come get you and that was about it!”

I nodded, Mandy was stars best friend along with one other. Mandy was the epitome of sugar rush, always running around and the funny thing is she never tired out. Most days I was so envious of her.

“So? Where is Star?” I ask.

“Oh right! Follow me!” Mandy took off as I calmly picked my box back up.

I brush myself off and headed in the direction Mandy had taken, I frowned a little. Star had better have a good reason why she wasn't in class.