“AHHHH! KENNY! HELP!”

I awoke with a sense of urgency, it was Star screaming. I glance to my clock and it read two thirty five am. I typed in my lock boxes security code and grabbed one of my guns, I checked the clip and found it full. I ran out my room and barged into Stars room, I saw Star huddled in the corner crying wildly.

“Star! What happened?” I noticed her window was open. I rushed over and wrapped my arms around her head, seconds later Silver came in wielding a bat in his teeth. I looked up at both of them. “Did you two hear anything?” I ask, Star still crying into my shoulder.

“No, all we heard was Star screaming.” Silver states, dropping the bat. “What happened Star?”

“He was here!” Star screamed into my shoulder. “He was looking at me, standing by my bed!”

“Who was?” I ask, feeling Star tighten her grip.

“The figure from earlier! He said he was going to get me!” Star breaks down into more tears as Silver arrives by my side.

I let go of Star as Silver takes my place, I pick up my dropped gun and approach the window. I slide up to the edge with my gun held close, as I leaned out the window I thrust my gun outward and check both sides of the window, I also check the front yard just to make sure. Relaxing my stance I stand back and close the window, locking the catch behind me.

I turn to Golden Bank and Silver Star. “Who ever it was is gone now but for Star's safety I believe she should stay with me tonight!” I see Star perk up, and Silver give me a glare. I throw up my hands. “There won't be any funny business, I would feel better if she was in my sight.” Silver looks to Golden and Star's mother nods.

“Very well Kenny, if it means she'll be safe.” Silver states.

I start to walk to Star when I step on something, I reach down and pick up a button of some kind, it was white almost ivory with the back broken off. I look to the window, it must have fallen off the intruder when he fled. I pocket the button and proceed to take Star from Silvers grasp. I lift Star bridle style again and walk out of her room heading for mine. I feel my heart beating faster again as Star leans into me further. Reaching my room I lay Star on my bed covering her form with a blanket. I give her mane a few strokes.

“Kenny, could we talk?”

I turn as Silver stands by my door, I nod as I walk towards him and close my door behind me. I lean against the wall outside my room and pinch the bridge of my nose.

“Are you ok?” Silver asks, sounding somewhat concerned for me.

“Silver Star sir, could I tell you something, but you can't tell anyone else not even your wife.” Silver looks to be in thought for a moment before he frowns and nods. Sighing I look him in the eyes. “I received a communiqué from my commander today and it wasn't good news, apparently three guardians and an Equestrian prince were murdered in South America.”

“In different places?” Silver asks.

“No, the guardians were protecting the prince, but that's not the bad part.” I stand up and look out the landing window. “No one knows their killer and the G.O.E has started an investigation into the affair.”

“What does that mean for you?”

“Nothing, I am to remain with Star Trail and my protection of her carries on.” I turn back to Silver and place my hand on the wall knowing Star is beyond it. “I will guard Star with my life, you have my promise on that!”

“I don't doubt it Kenny but don't think for second that means you can just throw your life away.” Silver walks to me and places a hoof on my shoulder when I kneel down. “You are like a son I never had Kenny and Golden will tell you the same thing, your happiness means a lot to us as well don't forget that.” Silver gives me a smile.

I smile back. “I won't Silver but if it came down to me or Star, you know the one I will choose.” Silver nods before heading back to his bedroom. “I'll see you in the morning, we have more to discuss.”

Silver nods again. “Night Kenny, keep our daughter safe.”

“You know I will.” I reply, pushing open my door and walking inside.

I smile finding Star still asleep as I walk over to the wardrobe and remove a set of cushions and a blanket from it. I approach the chair in the corner of my room and set the blanket down creating a new bed for myself.

“What are you doing?” I turn and see star sitting up looking at me.

“I'm laying out a bed.”

“Oh no you don't!” Star says, patting the bed next to her. “You will sleep here with me and no excuses.” Star shifts over freeing up space on the bed.

I chuckle as I drop my cushions and lay down next to star on my bed. Star drapes the blanket over me and slides up to my side. Star places her head on my chest and puts a foreleg over my belly. I feel my body tense at being this close, I also feel Star's breath flowing over my body and I embrace her with my own arm. Star sighs and is soon fast asleep, I close my eyes as I soon join star in slumber.

A lone figure walks into a bar and gestures a note to the bartender, the bartender takes the note and opens a door behind the bar for the figure. The figure walks passed the bartender into the room beyond, the door is closed behind the figure.

“Your late! Did you do it?” A voice asks.

The figure slams down a knife onto a nearby table.

“I take that as a no then?”

“You can take it anyway you fucking want, I don't give shit.” The figure states, sitting down and taking off his hood revealing his blond hair and white face. “You told me the target was some high profile pony from Equestria, not some middle class pony in the suburbs.” The human says, looking at a wooden desk in the shadows.

The human watches as a pony half his size walk out and give him a glare.

“She was high profile, Star Trail daughter to Silver Star the former head of the Equestrian Army!”

“Didn't look so high to me, two story house, looked pretty normal. Besides she can scream, her damn guardian came running I had to bail.”

“Why should her guardian be of any concern?” The pony asks, following it with a slight scoff. “Your counter part in Brazil didn't have any problem taking out the prince.”

“Yeah well last time I looked I don't have magic and going one on one with a guardian is not my cup of tea. Anyway why aren't you going after some targets, or are you afraid of getting your hooves dirty?” The human asks, smirking.

“My hooves are already dirty, our client wishes to remain anonymous and it's something we will respect.”

“Bullshit! Your just like the others, all talk and no bite!” The human says, jumping up from his seat. “You know what, the next target, you go and kill.” The human states poking the pony in the chest.

“The target hasn't been for filled, you kill Star Trail and then we get another one, that's how it goes.”

“Maybe I don't want to kill her!” The human tenses as he feels a blade slip under his throat.

“Then your no use to us!” The blade slides through the humans neck, cutting of his screams as his body falls to the ground. “Such a waste.” The newcomer states cleaning his knife on the bodies clothes.

“Do you have any idea how long it takes to get blood out of this floor!?” The pony shouts at the humans killer. “But I should have known you would do this Hex!”

“The man was a weak link, he failed and failure is not an option in our business!” The newcomer sits down, pulling out a wrapped parcel. “I however don't fail.”

The pony takes the package and opens it, inside was a cutting, a skin cutting of a cutie mark.

“Was he a problem?” The pony asks.

“No, I wish you would give me something of a challenge, I am bored of these easy jobs.” Hex sighs.

The pony looks to the file on his desk and smiles. “Maybe you can take his failed assignment then.” The pony drops the file onto the lap of Hex. “This one has a guardian!”

Hex licks his lips as he takes out a picture of Star Trail and Kenny walking side by side.

“Delicious!” Hex says, before dropping down the picture and jamming a dagger through Kenny's part of the photo.

I awake as I feel the weight on my left arm shift, I see light pouring through the window, morning has come. I look to my left and see Star has push herself closer into my body trying to block out the sun. I chuckle, then follow it with a yawn. Turning to my clock I find it was eleven forty am, Star was supposed to be at school three hours ago. I wasn't worried though as Star wasn't going to school for a while.

I turned back to Star and nudge her gently.

“Star.” I nudge again. “Star.” I smiled as I leaned down and kissed her on the muzzle.

The effect was immediate as Stars eyes bolt open.

“What! Where am I?”

“Your in my room remember?” I say.

“Oh, yeah.” Star yawns. “What time is it?”

“Eleven forty four.”

Star sits up. “Eleven forty four!? I'm late for school!” Star goes to leave the bed but I stop her and hold her close. “Kenny! Let go! I'm late!”

I chuckle and kiss her again. “No, your not late because your not going school for a few days.”

“What? Why?”

“After resent events I need to visit the G.O.E head quarters in Washington, and your coming with me.”

Star looks at me pleadingly. “But...”

I place a finger on her lips. “No buts, I have to speak to someone and I'm not leaving you here.” I roll out the bed still carrying Star in my arms. I would point out that I was holding her like a young child would hold a cat. I feel Star squirm slightly in my grasp.

“K-Kenny....I'm a little exposed here....” Star says tilting her head up.

I look down and indeed I am given a perfect view of her teats. I lower her back down as my face starts to burn up.

“Sorry Star, I-I didn't realise.” I scratch the back of my head. “Let's just head down stairs, I need to let your parents know about my plans.” I pull out my lock box and put in code, when my box opens I pull out my holsters and put on my pistols. I see Star give me a look. “What?”

“Do you really need to have them on in the house?”

I nod. “When I leave this room these babies...” I pat my guns. “...need to be on my person.”

“But why?”

“Well one of my teachers would say having your guns is like having a condom, 'you would rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them'.” I reply. “Besides they make me feel complete.”

I hear Star giggle. “One. Your teacher was gross and two, what do you mean by complete?”

I shrug. “I can't explain it. I just feel better knowing I have them.” I cross to the door and grab my trench coat off the side, putting it on I turn to Star. “Coming?” Star smiles and exits but not before dragging her tail across my abdomen. I exit behind her only to see Golden Bank outside my room.

“Oh Star! Tail dragging already, you saucy mare.” Golden giggles before walking down the stairs. I look to star and see her face was bright red.

I gesture to the stairs. “Did I miss something?” I hear Star groan before walking after her mother. “Apparently not!” I say, following behind.

Me and Star reach the kitchen to see Golden whispering something in Silvers ear, I see Silver tense then smile broadly before going back to reading his paper. I go to say something but Star shakes her head which causes me to close my mouth. I take my usual spot at the table and sigh.

“Golden Bank, Silver Star could I have a word?” Silver and Golden both look to me, the latter putting down his paper.

“What is it Kenny?” Golden says, sitting down at the table.

“I have to go to Washington to visit the G.O.E headquarters and I maybe gone a few days.”

“Well, what about Star?” Silver asks. “You can't just leave her here.”

“That is why I’m telling you both, I want Star to come with me.” I leave a pause to gauge their response. “It wouldn't feel right if I left her here.”

“I don't see anything wrong with it.” Golden replies, sipping on a cup. “Do you dear?”

I watch as Silver just stares at me. I look at him back, I know what he is doing, he was trying to see if my intentions were good.

“Nope, Kenny is the best place for Star right now.” Silver looks to Star. “You just stay close to Kenny and never leave his side Star, promise me!”

“I promise dad, I'm safer with him anyway.”

I stand from the table. “I'm sorry to say but if we are to be going, we must leave as soon as possible.”

“What about clothes?” Golden asks. “You can't go without a new set!” Golden leaves the table and exits the kitchen. A few minutes later she returns with a parcel in her mouth. Golden drops the parcel in front of me. “These are for you, I know you don't like receiving gifts from clients but I had them brought over from Equestria. Me and Silver had them custom made, consider them a thank you for looking after our daughter.”

I reach down and pick up the wrapped parcel. “Thank you, I don't really know what to say but...” I look to silver and back to Golden. “But I will keep your daughter safe, no matter the cost to me!”

“Don't you say that!” I turn to see Star glaring at me. “Don't you dare say that! We have only just begun to be a couple and there's no way I'm letting you throw your life away!”

I smirk when Star says couple. I walk over and pick Star up, I give her a kiss on lips before putting her back down. I laugh when I see the smile on her face.

“I won't throw my life away but if it came down to me or you, I have to choose you.” I state. Star was about to say something back but I stopped her. “And there's nothing you can say about it!” I poke her on the nose.

“Fine! But I get to choose the position!” Star replies.

“Position?” I ask.

“For when we consummate our relationship!”

I freeze. “C-Consummate?”

“Do I really have to say it out loud?” Star gives me a deadpan look.

“No but the fact you just came out with it kind of surprises me!” I answer, looking back to a now flustered Golden Bank and Silver who to the best of his ability was trying not to laugh.

“Well, I am an adult you know, I can say these things.” Star replies, walking out of the kitchen. I follow behind after giving Golden and Silver a parting wave.

I tuck the clothes package under my arm and grab my car key's off the rack by the door.

“This trip isn't going to be a problem is it?” Star asks, leaving the house after I open the front door. “I don't want to be a burden.”

“Star, you won't be a burden, I want you to come.” I close the front door. “But I need one thing from you.”

“And what's that?”

“I need you to tell me everything you can remember about....the figure.”

Star looks down as her ears flatten back. “Oh.”

I feel a pang of regret asking but I must know. “If you want to wait then we'll do it when we get to Washington.” I say.

“I..Just need some time ok?” Star says, still looking at the ground.

“Ok, We'll do it later then.” I unlock the car and open the back door, Star however doesn't get in. “Star? Is something wrong?” I ask.

“C-Can I ride up front with you? I always feel uncomfortable in the back.”

I close the back door and smile. “Course you can! I just thought you liked the back seat?”

“Not really, I just kept it up for appearances.” Star looks away and blushes.

I chuckle opening the front passenger door and letting Star jump up on the seat. I pull over the seatbelt and lock it in place.

“Thank you guardian!” Star giggles.

I roll my eyes before closing the car door and heading around to the driver side. I get in and put on my own seatbelt, turning on the ignition I slowly exit the driveway and turn to head out of the street. I could vaguely see Star beside me grinning with excitement.

“I take it you haven't been Washington before?” I ask.

“Never, I have seen pictures but never travelled there.”

“So your a city virgin then?” I laugh.

“That's a gross statement but it's more to the truth than anything, I've been living in Orlando for two and a half years and I have never even been into the city, weird huh?” Star says.

“Well you will now, we have to pass through to reach the highway, just don't go leaning out the window.”

“Ohh this is going to be the best few days of my life! I have you as my coltfriend and now I will see two cities! I'm so giddy right now!”

I smile as I we reach the end of the suburbs, normally I would turn right to the school but this time I turn left and head towards Orlando. I hear Star suddenly gasp next to me.

“Oh my Celestia! We never told Mandy or Bright Prism we were leaving!”

I grin. Reaching down and taking out my phone I switch it on and hand it to Star.

“Their numbers are on there, give them a call.”

Star looks at me. “Why do you have my two best friends numbers on your phone?” I notice Star's glare get tighter.

“Because if I can't find you you're never to far from them.”

“Makes sense yeah....” Star turns red and looks out the window. “I should tell them.”

I nod as Star looks for her friends numbers, I look ahead at the city rapidly approaching. I only had one thought rolling around in my head.

I hope Francis can help me.

Author's Note

Hi mares and stallions!

Chapter 4 is here and the story now starts to open up, The relationship between the two characters will blossom further and the shadowy figures will play a huge part.
I would like to say that if you have any question feel free to comment below and I'll answer to my best ability.

Thanks,

Applepip.