History Main / HeroSecretService

* Jorgen von Strangle spends much of ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' ''WesternAnimation/{{Wishology}]'' trilogy doing everything he can to protect Timmy, whom he [[spoiler:(correctly, it's later revealed)]] believes is the Chosen One. He saves Timmy from the first Eliminators who find him, disguises himself as Timmy so the Eliminators can take him while the real Timmy escapes, breaks himself and the rest of Timmy's allies out of prison and gets them everything they need to find and help Timmy, and rescues Timmy after he sacrifices himself to the Darkness to save everyone.

It sometimes run by LaResistance. If the hero is royalty, this may be PraetorianGuard. They are always[[MoreExpendableThanYou More Expendable Than The Hero]]. See also PoisonousFriend, who sees himself as protecting the hero but has a [[WellIntentionedExtremist worse code of ethics]] than the hero when it comes to [[PayEvilUntoEvil harming the hero's enemies]].

Contrasts OneManArmy, who fights on his own without anyone protecting him.

* The Maidens of the Spear serve this purpose for Rand Al'Thor in ''{{Wheel of Time}}''
* The [[{{Ranger}} Antarian Rangers]] from the [[StarWars Star Wars Expanded Universe]] served as a paramilitary organization designed around assisting the Jedi Order, consisting primarily of failed Jedi trainees and supporters of the Jedi. Following the initiation of [[FinalSolution Order 66]] the Antarian Rangers worked to protect the few remaining Jedi survivors and were themselves hunted down by the Galactic Empire.

* ''{{Pretear}}'' explicitly states that the Leafe Knights can't defeat evil without the eponymous MagicalGirl -- once they find her, they need to protect ''her'', so that ''she'' can protect the world. They also provide her with ElementalPowers, but this takes only one Knight per battle, and the rest of them is here to [[WeNeedADistraction distract monsters]] so she can safely kill them. Additionally, in the anime version they literally transform into the Pretear's [[DeflectorShields energy shield]] upon [[FusionDance merging with her]], receiving injuries instead of her -- and then claim it's OK, because ''[[MoreExpendableThanYou it's their job]]''. (This, however, also means that at least one of them should survive, otherwise the Pretear will be rendered useless. Or so they thought.)

* On a smaller level, Shannon and Raquel protecting Pacifica in ''ScrappedPrincess''.

* DungeonsAndDragons plays this trope straight for some classes or at least for some roles within the group: the Barbarian and the Fighter get hit so the Wizard, the Rogue and sometimes the Cleric or Bard don't have to. Then there is the Knight, a Wizard's best friend in that its class abilities ''focus'' on actively drawing aggro towards it.

* It's easier to list the entries in the ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' that ''don't'' have this trope. More or less every Ultra has a military group backing them up and likely wouldn't get through many of their battles without them. Many series even have instances were the Ultra is nearly killed (or ACTUALLY killed) and it's up to their backup to revive them. One of the indicators that [[Series/UltramanLeo Commander Black]] is DangerouslyGenreSavvy is that his first act upon arriving is to [[spoiler:preemptively ambush Leo's and wipe them out before they even know he exists.]]

* The ''RecordOfLodossWar'' finale has the heroes descending on a rescue mission down into the BigBad's fortress. One by one, Parn's companions break off to fight monsters that are [[PlotTailoredToTheParty suspiciously tailored for their talents]], leaving Parn to face the BigBad and the Dragon alone. This was all part of his destiny, since his sword and the Dragon's sword were the only items that could restore the BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil.

* In ''FushigiYuugi'', the Suzaku warriors serve this function for Miaka. But the trope is subverted in that [[spoiler:Tamahome, the LoveInterest and main hero, actually ''dies'' while secondary characters Tasuki and Chichiri are the only ones who survive to the end of the series.]]

* The Fourth Shinobi World War of ''{{Naruto}}'' features this as a major point. The main objective of the protagonists is to ensure [[spoiler:Tobi]] does not capture Naruto or B. They also effectively place Naruto under house arrest and assign what amounts to a small army to keeping him hidden, though the changing situation forces them to reconsider and either change the strategy to let let him fight, but make sure he has back up asap wherever possible or risk the war being lost.

* This is one of Creator/DavidEddings' recurring tropes. [[TheHero Garion]], for example, on [[Literature/TheBelgariad his quests]] to single-handedly save the world, is obligated by ancient prophecy to be perpetually surrounded by a FiveManBand (at least five, anyway), which is made up primarily of highly capable warriors. Similarly, [[Literature/TheElenium Sparhawk]] is surrounded by a loyal band of his brother knights, who accept that he has a massive job to do and are determined to protect him along the way.

* ''{{Bionicle}}'': The Order of Mata Nui was stated by WordOfGod as being the CIA of the Matoran Universe. They are exactly the secret service, and they do not hesitate to kill or do other dirty jobs, while [[ThouShaltNotKill Toa don't kill]]. [[FridgeLogic On the other hand]], since Toa are the MU equivalent of cops by this analogy, then this is actually pretty stupid. But, {{LEGO}} being LEGO...

* The Fourth Shinobi World War of ''{{Naruto}}'' features this as a major point. The main objective of the protagonists is to ensure [[spoiler:Tobi]] does not capture Naruto or B. They also effectively place Naruto under house arrest and assign what amounts to a small army to keeping him hidden.

[[TropeNamer Named after]] the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secret_Service Secret Service]] [[WeAllLiveInAmerica of the United States]] whose primary duty in modern times is to protect [[OurPresidentsAreDifferent The President of the United States]][[note]]As well as the Vice President, any plausible candidates for Pres/VP, foreign dignitaries, ''plus'' the immeidate families of all of same.[[/note]] ''and'' the country's financial system.[[note]]As in fighting against fradulant transactions; so if you try to forge some plates, you can expect a visit from those same MenInBlack who could conceivably have to take down a squad of assassins.[[/note]]

* [[TheHero Wil Ohmsford]] is this to [[RebelliousPrincess Amberle [[essedil]] in ''Literature/ElfstonesOfShannara''; [[MauveShirt Crispin]] and his Elven Hunters are this to both of them. In ''Literature/TheWishsongOfShannara'', [[ActionSurvivor Jair's]] party does the same for him, guarding him on his trek to Heaven's Well.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' there were the Guardians, an organization of high-tech Ninja who filled this role for the Utrons. Splinter's deceased master Himato Yoshi was one of them, and regarded as one of the best and one of the most loyal. He was trusted with their greatest secrets, which is why he was targeted by the Shredder. It turned out to be pointless for the villain, as Yoshi was willing to die before he talked, and was DefiantToTheEnd, insulting the honorless villain with his last words.

* [[TheHero Wil Ohmsford]] is this to [[RebelliousPrincess Amberle [[essedil]] in ''[[TheSwordOfShannara The Elfstones Of Shannara]]''; [[MauveShirt Crispin]] and his Elven Hunters are this to both of them. In ''Literature/TheWishsongOfShannara'', [[ActionSurvivor Jair's]] party does the same for him, guarding him on his trek to Heaven's Well.

* [[TheHero Wil Ohmsford]] is this to [[RebelliousPrincess Amberle [[essedil]] in ''[[TheSwordOfShannara The Elfstones Of Shannara]]''; [[MauveShirt Crispin]] and his Elven Hunters are this to both of them. In ''TheWishsongOfShannara'', [[ActionSurvivor Jair's]] party does the same for him, guarding him on his trek to Heaven's Well.

* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Trickster gods in general play this role to Tasio's "bestest friend", Eric Watley. In ''Literature/LoomingShadow'', Tasio reveals that he and his siblings kept the worst dangers from even reaching him in the previous book.

Heroism is a high-risk job. When TheHero is [[OnlyICanKillHim the only one who can defeat]] the BigBad, the BigBad and their EvilMinions are going to be coming after this ChoosenOne everywhere they go. You may be the only one who can protect the city, or the kingdom, or the MagicalLand, or the universe, but while you're working on that, who's going to protect ''you''?

Heroism is a high-risk job. When TheChosenOne is [[OnlyICanKillHim the only one who can defeat]] the BigBad, the BigBad and their EvilMinions are going to be coming after TheHero everywhere they go. You may be the only one who can protect the city, or the kingdom, or the MagicalLand, or the universe, but while you're working on that, who's going to protect ''you''?

You need the ''Hero Secret Service: HeroesRUs for TheHero''! Twenty-four hour protection from any and all accidental or intentional premature causes of death that may hinder you on TheHerosJourney. They'll [[SecretKeeper keep]] your SecretIdentity secret, guard you while moving between headquarters, provide [[WeNeedADistraction distractions]], take out the {{Mooks}} so you can save your strength, and if necessary, make [[HeroicSacrifice Heroic Sacrifices]] [[MoreHeroThanThou for you]], thereby providing substantial HeroicResolve to get you through the culminating grand battle.

Working for the Hero Secret Service is also hazardous. ContractualImmortality is [[SortingAlgorithmOfMortality significantly decreased]], and [[ItsPersonal it's not personal]] as far as the BigBad is concerned, so the EvilMinions for once [[LeaveHimToMe have full permission to kill]]. On the other hand, while the BigBad is SurroundedByIdiots, the Hero Secret Service does not hire any [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy crazy guards]]... unless they're a [[UnwantedHarem volunteer]] AmazonBrigade assigned to protect TheOneGuy.

This job position is also cynically referred to as being a "Meat Shield." Just ask the {{Red Shirt}}s of ''Franchise/StarTrek''.

Sometimes run by LaResistance. If the hero is royalty, this may be PraetorianGuard. Always [[MoreExpendableThanYou More Expendable Than The Hero]]. See also PoisonousFriend, who sees himself as protecting the hero but has a [[WellIntentionedExtremist worse code of ethics]] than the hero when it comes to [[PayEvilUntoEvil harming the hero's enemies]].

* The SOS Brigade members (minus Haruhi herself) towards Kyon in ''[[LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]]''. All of them mention Kyon being a very important person towards Haruhi, and have either aided him, or in some cases protected him against threats, such as Nagato breaking into Asakura's closed space to save him.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': The Order of the Phoenix and Snape sometimes fulfill this role, on top of opposing Voldemort themselves. As the years pass, [[ChronicHeroSyndrome Harry]] is often not pleased.

* The assorted magical associations often play this role for the titular God Slayers in ''{{LightNovel/Campione}}'', making certain that when the time comes, the Campione they are allied with only has to worry about dealing with the heretic god. Godou's harem (or at least Erica, Lilliana and Ena) play it the straightest, accompanying him in battle and dealing with any summoned monsters or Divine Beasts that might be around so that Godou can concentrate on the main threat, while the wider organizations work to evacuate civilians and clean up the [[DestructiveSavior inevitable mess]].

* ''VisualNovel/HigurashiNoNakuKoroNi'': [[spoiler:Rika THOUGHT she had this going for her]]

* ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|Reimagined}}''. President Roslin has her own civilian security team that takes part in a gunpoint face-off when Commander Adama attempts to terminate Roslin's presidency by force in "Kobol's Last Gleaming" -- we never see them again. In later episodes Roslin and the Quorum of Twelve are guarded by Colonial Marines, perhaps signifying the increased trust between Roslin and the military -- however this backfires on all concerned during TheMutiny.

* ''HigurashiNoNakuKoroNi'': [[spoiler:Rika THOUGHT she had this going for her]]

* The SOS Brigade members (minus Haruhi herself) towards Kyon in ''TheMelancholyOfHaruhiSuzumiya''. All of them mention Kyon being a very important person towards Haruhi, and have either aided him, or in some cases protected him against threats, such as Nagato breaking into Asakura's closed space to save him.

* In ''KingdomHearts'', Donald and Goofy are dispatched to escort the Keyblade Wielder.

* Ziro from ''SuperCosplayWarUltra'' is always accompanied by a squad of henchman, and outside of one or two normal attacks, ''absolutely every one'' of Ziro's attacks is done by one of them (he even uses one as a meat shield when he blocks.)