Bodyguards of the Princesses

Equestria's elite, it's warriors, had a purpose to protect and defend Equestria from outside harm. However, in recent times it had been easier said than done. Now, with the Storm King's invasion and aftermath still fresh on the minds of everypony, the time had come for Equestria's defense to be taken to the next level.

"Ever since Canterlot had been invaded by the Storm King," Shining Armor explained to a group of ponies at a conference table while he showed off a series of slides containing pictures of the occupation. "The protection of our princesses and our fellow ponies has been called into question. No matter how hard we have tried, we have been unable to do our jobs. To this end, it is our responsibility now as the leaders of Equestria's defense to make sure that our sovereign leaders don't undergo the same horrors again."

"Prince Armor," remarked a military pony in a navy uniform. "If I may interject on your explanation, your sister did bring up a good point about that we aren't enough. For 1,000 years, we have had the revelation that we are indeed, not enough. Remember also that your wife and the royal sisters were saved by creatures that your sister and her friends had managed to befriend."

"That is not enough to prove the point, Admiral Clipper," said another pony in a marine uniform. "Sure we have gained these allies, but there is always a saying that action speaks louder than words, boys."

"And indeed they do," replied Shining Armor, regaining the attention of all in the room. "As Prince of the Crystal Empire and former Captain of the Royal Guard, I feel that there is a significant need for improvement."

Shining Armor then proceeded to move on to the next slide, which showed a large building in Canterlot that had just been constructed.

"As you can see," he said. "We have recently created an organization called S.M.I.L.E. which is purposed to track outside threats against Equestria. According to some of the early gatherings they have done, there have been up to 15 threats made against Equestria and especially the princesses."

"Okay, so there are 15 threats," remarked another pony dressed in an army uniform. "What point are you trying to make, Prince Armor?"

"The point is that S.M.I.L.E. must be tasked to seek out a group of warriors that could potentially be perfect bodyguards for the Princesses."

Shining Armor then showed off a picture of the said heroes, a group of humanoid figures in a group photo charging towards something unknown.

"We see them," said Spitfire, who was representing the Wonderbolts at the meeting. "But, who exactly are they, Prince Armor?"

"From what I hear," he said, sitting down at the head of the table. "They call themselves the Avengers, led by a pair of humans named Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. They used to operate as one group but have since split up into two groups for personal reasons that were made unclear."

"And who is inviting them here?" asked Admiral Clipper. "Certainly not us and certainly not you, Prince Armor. As a matter of fact, has anypony told the Princesses about this, let alone your wife?"

…

No sooner did he say those at that moment did Princess Celestia hear a knocking at the door of her office, interrupting whatever work she was doing.

"Come in," she called and the door opened to reveal Princess Luna with a human male dressed in a military uniform. "You must be General Ross of the United States military, I presume?"

"That is correct, Princess Celestia," he said, bowing to her in respect. "It is my belief that you are looking for some protection, I presume?"

"In a way, yes we are, General," replied Celestia, motioning for him to sit down. "But most importantly is that we aren't the only ones protected by these Avengers as you call them. We may had been targeted for our magic and turned to stone, but our subjects suffered far worse."

"So has the human race," sighed Ross, rubbing his fingers on his face. "Had it not been for the Avengers defeating Thanos, half the universe would still be gone."

"Nevertheless," added Luna, walking over to join her sister. "We should not be the only ones that need protection. Our goal is to prevent something like this from ever happening again. Neither one of us are getting any younger, General."

"I am aware of that, Princess Luna," said Ross. "In fact, one of the Avengers just so happens to work for S.M.I.L.E. as a scientist and can easily relate to you."

Reaching into his coat pocket, Ross took out a phone and called out to that member of the Avengers.

"Dr. Banner," he said into the phone. "You can come in now."

At that moment, a man in a button down shirt and khakis walked into the room and bowed towards the princesses before sitting down next to Ross.

"It's very nice to meet you, Dr. Banner," said Celestia. "I assume you are one of the Avengers."

"I am. And you can call me Bruce if you want," he stammered. "Dr. Banner sounds kind of stuffy, yet professional."

"Okay Bruce," chuckled Celestia. "If that is what you wish to be called, then so be it. According to General Ross, you are a member of the Avengers as a creature who only comes out when you're angry or upset."

"The Hulk," interjected Ross. "A creature that I once hunted down but have since stopped."

This made Celestia and Luna both raise an eyebrow at the General.

"Once hunted down, times have changed."

At that moment, another buzz came from his phone and this time, it was for a different reason.

"I see. Well, the proposed bodyguards for you are just about ready to arrive at your town's train station. Shall we go and meet them?"

Looking over at each other, the princesses followed General Ross and Bruce down to the Canterlot train station where aboard the incoming friendship express, the two factions of Avengers were anticipating their arrival into Equestria.

…

At the same time, in the Crystal Empire, a spacecraft was preparing to land and inside were a group of intergalactic warriors who, like the Avengers, were also recruited to be the bodyguards for Princess Cadence.

"Prince Armor," said a crystal pony guard. "They have arrived."

"Who has?"

"The Guardians of the Galaxy who are now the Guardians of the Crystal Empire."

With those words, Shining Armor hastily left the room…