“Well I was thoroughly impressed by their abilities.” Grand Agora walked from the stadium with Jet Set and Upper Crust. He didn’t care much for Upper Crust but Jet Set was the closest thing to a friend Agora had.

“I found the whole display somewhat barbaric.” Jet Set commented as they left the gardens.

“Completely uncivilized,” Upper Crust chimed in, sweet Celestia Agora hated her voice, “I still don’t see why we need these Lunar guards! The regular guard was doing a fine job before, why change it?”

“I hate to be the one to disagree,” you annoying cow Agora's inner voice was not as polite as he was, “But in case you hadn’t noticed crime rates in Canterlot and all around Equestria have risen in the past few years.” Agora commented harshly.

“Maybe for the little ponies.” Upper Crust did that laugh she does, the one where she cackles slightly. Agora figured this was the sound demons made to torture ponies in Tartarus.

“Now, now,” Jet Set stepped in, he knew Agora well enough to notice he was about to unload on his wife, “Regardless, this is a good thing. Honey, It will give ponies a better sense of security at night. We can all agree that even in Canterlot it is somewhat dangerous at night.”

“Well I suppose,” Upper Crust folded as she usually did when Jet Set challenged her. Agora had seen these two interact enough to know that Jet Set was the only thing keeping Upper Crust out of Canterlot dungeon for slander.

“Well, then,” Agora moved to go down a different street, he had some ‘chores’ he needed to take care of and having these two with him would only complicate things. “This is where we part ways.”

“Where are you off to?” Jet Set’s question made Agora twitch slightly, he really didn’t want to spend any more time with his friends wife.

“Oh, I have some chores to attend to.” Agora’s forehead began to hurt.

“Would you like some assistance?” Jet Set had asked the one thing Agora was hoping he wouldn’t.

“Oh, no I can take care of it myself.” Agora was trying to backpedal.

“Do whatever you want,” Upper Crust spoke up. “I’m off to the spa, watching all that fighting has made me all sweaty.” She bowed to Agora and walked away.

“AH, good bye dear,” Jet Set waved to his wife as she left and turned to Agora, “Whew, I love my wife, but somedays.” He gave a sigh.

“Don’t let it bother you Jet, not everybody can handle her like you can.” Agora commented as Jet gave a little chuckle. He really did love his wife, but their station and wealth had gone to her head somewhat.

“Regardless, it would seem that my afternoon has been freed up, my offer stands.” Jet was still adamant about accompanying Agora.

“You sure? I’m meeting with Princess Luna.” Hopefully that will deter him, if he wanted to come along he couldn’t meet his informant in the castle. His nephew has been out on assignment and has thus far been out of contact.

“Ah my interest is peaked, my friend! Lead the way!”

Damnit. Agora smiled and lead the way back to the castle.

Luna was sitting next to the throne sorting through a large pile of papers. Celestia sat on the throne talking with Shining Armor. Their conversation was quiet but Celestia seemed to be enjoying their chat. Celestial guards milled about the throne room taking documents and parcels to and fro. Clearly just saying that the Lunar guard is and making it so were very different tasks. A guard lead Agora and Jet Set into the throne room.

“Princess.” The guard called out. Both Princesses looked up from their tasks. “Apologies, Princess Luna. Grand Agora to see you, and a friend apparently.”

“Grand Agora,” Luna got up from her seat and cast Agora a glance, “Yes, follow me.” She lead them both out of the throne room and into a smaller conference room down the hall. She motioned to the chairs as she . “So Agora, what did you want to discuss?”

“Straight to it then?” Agora and Jet took their seats, “Then I’ll spare the typical banter?”

“Please.” Luna was very tired, she was usually asleep by now.

“Right, I have heard you have reclaimed the armor and weapons from the Lunar barracks in the old Everfree forest as part of your revival of the Lunar guard. I have acquired artifacts that, well at least the pony that sold them to me claims, are from the Lunar guard.” Agora cut right to it, Jet Set had never seen Agora conduct business like this before. Antiques must be very rough dealings.

“What artifacts?” Luna seemed to be agitated.

“Recently a golden helm, a hoof-full of buckles, a dagger, and one book in a language I can’t read have come into my possession.” Agora’s plan was simple, he already knew what items Luna wanted. He had scanned each item and only the helm and book had any real value to her. And he knew that monetary leverage would only irritate the princess. No, his plan was long term, the big picture, this trap wouldn’t be sprung today or tomorrow. What he wanted was Luna on his side, access to the Lunar guard and its resources.  

“So, what are you proposing?” He had Luna’s attention now.

“A trade.” Agora’s response confused Jet Set and the Princess.

“Trade?”

“Yes, Princess, I give you the artifacts and in return, I would like your help.”

“I don’t get it.” Jet set spoke out. Luna’s expression mimicked the sentiment.  

“It’s simple, I’m an antiques dealer, and an authority on pre-Nightmare Moon artifacts. Your armors, weapons, books, and other items have been spread slowly across Equestria, I wish to assist in their reclamation.” If Luna agreed he would have his in. This was only part of the plan. He needed to be in the princesses confidence and using the antiquity line he might be able to figure out what the artifact that was taken from the old armory was. “These artifacts I have already collected are a sort of resume of my ability to collect, lets say obscure items.”

“So, you want to assist my guard by collecting artifacts that have been lost to time?” Luna was skeptical of this pony, she knew he was very ambitious. But she failed to see how this would forward his career. “I still don’t see how you need my help?”

“You princess, will be my leg up, so to speak. Your knowledge of ancient times is extremely valuable for ponies in my profession. Considering that you were, displaced, for a thousand years you still remember things freshly that Celestia has lost to the march of time. And in return for finding and procuring Lunar artifacts for you I simply ask you appraise and inspect some of my more, obscure finds.” Agora’s full deal on the table Jet Set and Luna just stared at him.

“One condition.” Luna was putting on her princess face.

“Name it.” Agora replied with a smile.

“I assist you when I can, not when you desire it. Over the next week or so I will be very busy with organizing my guard.” This demand didn’t even make Agora flinch.

“Of course, Princess. I wouldn’t want to interfere with royal business. Do we have a deal?” Agora wore his best gentlemen smile.

“I cannot believe you just did that.” Jet Set took the glass of hard cider from Agora. They were back in Agora’s den. Jet Set had been silent since Agora sealed the deal with Luna. Amazed that his friend had just struck a deal with royalty.

“He speaks! you’ve been silent since the castle.” Agora took a large swig of his cider.

“You hard lined your way into a business deal with Princess Luna! PRINCESS LUNA! Celestia is a hard sell but getting Luna to agree to anything business related is impossible!” Jet complimented.

“Jet Set, please, no pony is impossible. You just need something they want.” Agora pulled a cloth off one of the displays in his den. Below it was a sparkling golden helm for a unicorn, the hole for the horn was encrusted with amethyst. “And Luna wants this and other artifacts like it.”

“What is it?”

“Honestly, not a clue,” Liar, A Voice called out from inside Agoras mind. “Its rumored to have been the helmet of a Lunar guard that went insane,” it is that helm, “Legend says this pony’s rage was so great, the fires of his hate tarnished his armor, turning it to gold.”

“Wow, I never heard that one.” Jet chuckled.

“Not surprised,” Agora took a sip, “These day's the story goes by The Bogey Pony, that and he massacred a dozen ponies before Luna killed him.”

“What about the armor? do you have that as well?” Jet Set was truly interested in his friends endeavor now.

“Well according to the legend Luna speared him with her horn and blew him up from the inside. Supposedly his armor was impenetrable by normal means and thats why Luna resorted to such, colorful, means. Anyway, his armor was destroyed in the blast.” He took another sip.

“Then how did you get the helm?”

“His head flew off and landed in a field a couple miles away, it sat there for a century until a farmer tilling a new field found it. And I bought it off him.” He clinked his glass against Jet Set’s with a grin.

“Im impressed Agora, truly impressed.”

“Just you wait my friend, just you wait.” Agora smiled as the pain in his forehead waned.