The Guardian

I stared through the bars at the guardians or former guardians as they stared back at me. I turned to my companion.

“You sure you don't want to pass judgement on them? This is your land after all.”

Celestia nods and looks back at my former compatriots. “It seems only fitting, they have not attacked Equestria and any pony hurt was on Earth Mr Rowe. In my mind they should be sentenced by their superior. Which happens to be you.”

I sigh and look back to the cell. It has been four days since I came to Equestria and so far the ponies have been very hospitable towards me and I'm very grateful for it. I however knew that I would have to face the guardians who helped Hex. I folded my arms and gave them a scowl which caused some to wince. I was a bit on edge as I haven't seen Star in the last four days either but Celestia has assured me that she is fine.

“What's the strictest punishment you have here in Equestria?” I ask the princess.

Celestia sighs. “We have a death penalty if that's what you mean? It involves using magic but I have heard it is quite painless.”

I turn and give her a nod. “The penalty then will not be death. I think they could benefit from Valkyrie training don't you think?” I had learned what the Valkyries go through to even be called such and it makes guardian training seem like high school in comparison. I was thinking of trying it out some time.

Celestia smiled. “You might be right, my Valkyrie need new sparring partners.”

I unfold my arms. “Then it's settled, their punishment is to help the Valkyries in their training and hopefully learn what it is to be guardians again.” I watch as some of the guardians look up and give me nods, others just hang their heads. “I will stop in from time to time to check their progress.”

“That should be no problem.” Celestia and I walk away from the cell when she continues. “I have had your Equipment repaired and it is waiting in the armoury of the castle.”

I nod. “I should see if my guns are still calibrated properly.” I see Celestia give me a raised eyebrow. I hold up my hands. “I mean no disrespect to your armourers but my guns are custom tuned by me.”

Celestia nods. “I will take you to them.”

“Not to sound ungrateful but don't you have something more important to do than help me get around.” I say.

Celestia laughs. “Equestria pretty much runs itself Kenny, the royal family handle the little things so I don't have to. It keeps me clear for when the big problems happen.”

I nod. “I can understand that.”

Celestia and I walk through the castle and encounter more ponies who don't seem to enjoy my presence much. I don't bring it up but I know Celestia sees them as I see her frowning nearly all the way to the armoury. We approach the door to the armoury and Celestia puts a wing on my shoulder.

“I'm sorry for the harsh looks you have been getting. I assure you that all of Equestria enjoys our alliance with Earth. Though there are a few sceptics.”

I reach up and place my hand on her wing. “I get it I do but I don't let it bother me. I don't think you should too.”

Celestia nods as she removes her wing before using her magic to open the large metal doors in front of us. I step into the armoury and my senses all get hit by the sound of hammers hitting metal. I turn my head to the left and notice pony armour adorning mannequins on the far wall. I was surprised by the armour as Earth had given ponies the ability to replicate and produce lightweight carbon fibre armours. The result was that Equestria didn't need to make large heavy armour any more but could get the same protection from smaller half plate based armour. I walk over to the armour and inspect the craftsmanship.

“It's a beautiful piece isn't it?”

I turn my head to see a mare dressed in a blacksmith apron and half her face taken by goggles. The mares fur was so black with smoke and soot from the fires that I didn't really know what her base colour was.

“I was just admiring the craft.” I say turning back to the armours. “Though I don't understand why these types of armours are still being made?”

The mares laughs. “These armours are for ceremonial duty only. Tradition states they have to be old style forged which is why we still have the old forge here.”

“Ah, I see.” I state.

“If you don't mind me asking? You're one of those protector humans aren't you, for my kind?” The mare asks.

“Yes, I am.” I turn and offer my hand. “Kenny Rowe, GOE Guardian zero zero one.”

The mare smiles and puts her hoof in my hand. “Strong Hammer, Head Forge Master.”

“Nice to meet you Strong Hammer.” I say as I notice the princess walking up to us. “Princess, I had no idea Equestrian armour had excellent craft work involved.”

“Only the best for my ponies Kenny.” Celestia replies only for Strong Hammer to bow. “Please Strong Hammer, we have been through this.”

Strong Hammer quickly rises. “I'm sorry princess, it's force of habit.” Strong Hammer turns to me and gives me a smile. “I take it you are here for your weapons and other items?” I nod. “Good! I tried to repair what I could with the limited knowledge I have but I didn't even want to touch your projectile weaponry. I don't have any information to even attempt to repair them.”

Strong Hammer gestures to a bench not too far away and I see my weapons neatly layed out. I walk over and pick up my pistols first to survey the damage, I was surprised that they came out nearly undamaged apart from a few scratches here and there. I secondly picked up my phone to find the screen had been cracked, I pressed the on button and the phone booted. I sighed a relief and the small crack I could ignore. I looked at the battery icon and it still had half charge. I cast my eyes over the rest of the bench and looked at the other weapons, I nodded when they all looked serviceable and I already knew the G.O.E had an armoury in Canterlot for the Guardians who choose to stay over here.

I put on my holster from the bench and place my pistols in each pocket. “I will take my pistols with me but the other weapons can be stored in the Canterlot armoury, they need to be serviced and the weapons and tools there will greatly help.” I state turning back to Celestia and Strong Hammer.

“That's great, I can have one of my ponies take them there and make sure they are secure.” Strong Hammer states calling over one of her fellow forge workers. “Heavy Strike, I want you to take the weapons on this bench and place them in the GOE vault. Kenny here will be by later to work on them.”

“Aye mam.” The pony replies before placing the guns and ammo into a nearby crate and walking away.

I spent the best part of the rest of the hour talking to the princess and Strong Hammer about the forge and their various armour making techniques. I told Strong Hammer that I might have a design she would want to take a look at, it wasn't much just a boyhood fantasy I made.

Strong Hammer left Celestia and me to continue her work. Celestia and I left the forge area behind and re-entered the main part of the castle. I had something on my mind that I couldn't shake and turned to Celestia.

“Celestia? May I ask where the Guardians who stayed over here are?”

“I'm not sure at this moment. I like to give them some autonomy in Equestria but only to some degree.”

I nod. “Understandable. You don't want humans running around killing and arresting ponies or other races. That would be a diplomatic nightmare.”

Celestia smiles. “I'm pleased you understand,” Celestia then taps her chin with a hoof and makes a hum sound. “Now that I think about it, I think one of your guardians is in the castle now. I like to keep one around just to be safe and the four like to take turns protecting me and my subjects. I believe they quite enjoy it.” I notice Celestia flush a little.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I think the guardian in question has taken one of my ponies as a mate just like you have Mr Rowe. Last I heard they were getting married which I found strange.”

I frown. “Strange?”

Celestia nods. “Your fellow guardian has only been in Equestria for a couple of months, I never seen a relationship blossom so quickly.”

“I take it ponies take their time just like humans do?”

Celestia shrugs her shoulders. “It depends on the individual, some take years some take months.”

“Or in my case years...” I sigh, “I never really thought about dating a pony until I met Star Trail. I just didn't see a future in it...”

“But you do now?” Celestia asks as we head into an area of the castle that seemed to be more military.

I tear my gaze from the military decal and nod. “I do. I want a future with Star Trail and if possible I want a child with her.”

“If possible?” Celestia questions raising an eyebrow.

I shrug. “I'm not sure if I can get her pregnant, I mean we're different species.” I gesture to my body.

Celestia laughs. “They didn't tell you much about us did they during your training?”

“They told us what we needed to know not much more.” I reply.

Celestia laughs and gestures with a wing. “I think you should follow me Kenny. I have somepony you should talk to.”

“Oh Ok. Lead the way.” I say.

Celestia and I walk through the castle passing by many windows detailing different ponies of old. I nod as Celestia describes each one and tells me of their deeds. I also notice the walls changing and becoming more golden than white.

“Ah we have arrived!” Celestia says in a chipper tone.

I look forward and spot that we have entered the area the Valkyrie use as their base of operations.

“This pony is a Valkyrie?” I ask surprised.

“Yes and she is one pony you have met before.” Celestia says walking forward and opening the large ornate double doors leading into the base.

“No guards?” I state looking around.

Celestia giggles. “If somebody can defeat my Valkyrie then they can have the castle.”

I nod but follow Celestia as she continues walking. I nod and return salutes as mares wearing the Valkyrie armour walk pass me. I kept next to Celestia as some of the mares stared at me in a way that left me both frightened and partially aroused.

“If I know her she should be in here.” Celestia says as we enter an area labelled 'Library'.

“The library?” I ask.

“Oh yes, she has a very keen interest in books which was from before she even became a Valkyrie.” Celestia walks in and heads for the back of the large room. “Twilight are you here?” Celestia asks rounding a corner.

I round the corner to see Senior Valkyrie Twilight unarmored and reading a book. I watch as Twilight looks up and her expression goes from surprise to shock as she jumps out of her seat.

“Princess Celestia! I didn't know you wanted me!” Twilight says bowing. “Please forgive me!”

Celestia laughs. “Twilight, please rise. I have some questions for you.”

Twilight stands back up and smiles broadly. “Oh of course! Anything!”

Celestia gestures to me and smiles. “Kenny here is under the assumption that he can't get a pony pregnant.”

“Oh, really?” Twilight says with shock. “Did they not teach you much about us in your guardian training?”

I rub the back of my neck. “Most of the training was based more on how you can protect a pony depending on what race they are. The subject of 'if a human can get a pony pregnant' was not part of it.”

Twilight gives me a smile and shakes her head. “This is why we always suggested that a pony advisor be present in the guardian training.”

Celestia sighs. “But your leaders decided they knew more about us than we did.” Celestia follows up her statement with an eye roll.

“Yes, but no offence on your race Kenny but your people can be a little frustrating some times.” Twilight adds with a frown.

I laugh. “I couldn't stand to be around most of them and I worked there.”

Twilight giggles as she uses her magic to put away the book she was reading. “Well to give you the advice you need Kenny the truth is I'm not a hundred percent sure you can either.”

“Really?” Celestia asks with a raised eyebrow.

Twilight seems to shrink a little. “I'm not saying no but I would suggest going for a compatibility test. That should tell you yes or no with certainty.”

I sigh. “Thanks Twilight, I appreciate the advice.”

Twilight smiles broadly. “You're welcome, though I guess you're asking because of Star Trail?”

I nod. “I want to be with her more than anything and one day I want a foal with her...” I sigh. “But I'm worried that I won't be able to.”

Celestia steps forward. “You think it's what Star Trail really wants?”

I look to the princess. “Not now no, but in the future yes. I want to see a little foal running around calling me dad. I want to see Star holding the foal and looking the most beautiful she can ever be. I want to leave behind somepony that will take care of Star when I'm gone.”

“When you're gone?” Twilight asks confused.

“I know Star won't want to hear it but...at some point I have to go back and stop what's happening there. It's my duty.” I clench my fists. “I don't want to leave her but...” I look to my right when I feel a wing touch my shoulder. I see Celestia giving me a smile.

“The time for you to return will not be for some time Kenny but I can do something to help in that regard.” Celestia turns to Twilight. “Twilight as of this moment your team is assigned to Kenny. Any assistance he needs or training he might need help with you will be there until further notice.”

Twilight snaps to attention and salutes. “Understood Princess.”

Celestia turns back to me. “I have some duties to perform Kenny but I would like if you came to dinner this evening as my guest.”

I bow my head. “I would be honoured your highness.”

“Great!” Celestia replies with a grin. “Meet me in the throne room at seven and don't be late.” Celestias horn glows and in a flash of light she's gone.

“Well then,” I say turning to Twilight. “Know any good tailors?”

Twilight gives me a grin. “You really have to ask?”