Brigade sat on his balcony overlooking one of Canterlot’s parks drinking some wine and reading a book. It was a quiet evening, he was a member of the Celestial guard and since the formation of the Lunar guard he had most nights off. He didn’t mind though, gave him time to read and relax. Something he greatly needed.

“Psst,” Brigade closed his book, “Hey, Psst,” Giving a deep sigh he moved to the railing, “Brigade! Psst!”

“What is it Burlap!?” Brigade hollered over the edge. Seeing the shaken Burlap holding his even more shaken twin sister, Burlaps tone immediately changed. “I’ll let you in.”

Burlap put his distressed sister on the couch and followed Brigade into the bedroom to talk privately.

“Burlap what happened to your sister?” Brigade refilled his wine glass feverishly, well knowing that if Burlap’s sister was this distraught it only meant trouble.

“I think it was this.” Burlap pulled out the Golden Helmet from his saddle bag and threw it on the bed. “I think it’s Hannibal's helmet.”

“Hannibal? The Bogey Pony?” Burlap nodded, “How did a helmet do that to your sister?” He gestured with his wine glass.

“Supposedly it posses the wearer and makes them murder their enemies.” Burlap explained.

“The linen warehouse, its where Spinneret stores her products.” Brigade began to put the pieces together. He wasn’t a detective but he did have a quick mind that and being on the guard he knew about the murder the previous night in the warehouse. “You're saying, and I quote ‘sweetest sister in the world’ put on a, gaudy, cursed helmet, traveled to canterlot and brutally murdered three ponies, and somehow went back to ponyville covered in blood?”

“I believe so.” Burlap's voice wavered.

“This is insane,” Brigade downed his wine in one big gulp. “But I guess I do owe you one, where did you steal it?”

“Grand Agora.” Brigade's empty wine glass shattered on the hardwood floor as Burlap spoke.

“WHAT!?” Brigade stared at him with eyes that pierced his soul.

“Me and another pony got a tip that Agora had a helmet that was worth a lot of bits. So we stole it.” Burlap sat down next to the helmet.

“You and who else?” Brigade moved up Burlap now treating him more like a suspect than a friend.

“A new pony, Lifter, he was from outta town. Didn’t talk much. He’s the one who knew about Agora’s place. I was just the lookout,” He looked at the floor, his eyes wide bristling with tears, “But when I checked and found out that it really was cursed, and it was some sort of Lunar relic, so I ran back to Spini's house, where I had hid it. And I found her freaked out and covered in blood.” His tale finished Brigade now had a hard question to answer. Would he help this troubled pony, a roughian he has come to call friend, or turn in his distraught sister for a crime she may have not committed while under the influence of a supposedly cursed helmet. This was going to be interesting if anything.

“Burlap, stay here, tend to your sister,” Brigade went into the closet, “There is food in the fridge and extra blankets in the pantry,” He came back out in full Celestial guard armor, “Stay inside,” Grabbing the helmet, he tossed it in his saddle pack, “Do not leave, do not contact any pony, do not let your sister even near the windows. If she has been touched by something evil, there is no telling what she will do, okay? Keep an eye on her, also there is rope under the sink, use it if you have to. I’ll be back.” Brigade shut the door of his apartment leaving the distraught duo alone.  

At the Lunar Barracks.

“Acropolis, you think that pony will strike again tonight?” Gumshoe asked while sorting through some paperwork. The Lunar barracks were mostly empty. A few guards still getting into their armor, and receiving orders from Rune. Acropolis had already given this nights brief and instructions, standard fan through the city, nothing fancy, they still had no idea who they were hunting. But Acropolis knew that Luna knew, and that made him nervous. Luna was secretive by nature, he hoped that if things escalated she would come forward with the necessary information.

“I don’t know, Gum, I hope not.” Gumshoe shook his head disagreeing with the nickname. Acropolis breathed out a small puff of smoke. He had a old hoof carved pipe, it had been his father’s and it only saw use when he was really stressed. And tonight he was going grey, although you wouldn’t know by looking at him. He had gotten good at keeping a poker face up around the guards. One of the tips from the leadership book Luna had got him.

“It’s just, what could have done that?” Gumshoe asked.

“Magic.” Acro replied dryly.

“Not what I meant, why, would some pony do that?” Gumshoe looked back down to is work. There was some chatter from the Lunar guards still in the barracks. Acropolis and Gumshoe looked their way trying to see what they were chattering about.

“This.” Brigade had arrived before them, and tossed the bag he had on the table Acropolis was sitting on. Gumshoe gasped at the sudden noise, Acro didn’t even flinch.

“Brigade, my friend,” Acropolis took another puff on his pipe, “What brings you out this late at night?”

“In this bag in the Helmet of Hannibal.” The statement landed with weight but Acropolis and Gumshoe didn’t even flinch.

“Who?” Gumshoe asked leaning over his papers to look at the bag.

“Hannibal? The Bogey Pony?” They both shook their heads, “Really? Okay, He was a Lunar guard who’s rage changed him into a vigilante who sought out and brutally murdered ponies who broke the law. The childrens story is that if you break the rules he will come for you at night and drag you into the forest.”

“Charming.” Acropolis took another puff.

“How do you not know that story?” Brigade questioned.

“Both orphan’s, Not really big on bedtime stories. Anyway, so why should we care if you have some dead guy’s helmet?” Acropolis began to pull it out of the bag.

“It supposedly takes control of the wearer and drives them to murder ponies they feel have wronged them.” The golden helmet falls out of the bag clanging loudly on the table. The helmet was solid gold with sapphires around the horn hole. Acropolis and Gumshoe began to realize what exactly Brigade had there.

“Ah, I see,” Acropolis took another puff, “This is what has been killing ponies?”

“I Believe so,” Brigade paused debating whether or not to tell them about Spinneret, “A friend showed up at my house, covered in blood, scared, and with the helm.”

“I see,” Acropolis took a long drag and slowly let thick smoke drift out his mouth, “Well then, if it is an old Lunar artifact we should get Luna down here and check this out.” Acropolis placed his hoof to his heart and tuned into everyponies armor searching for anypony with eyes on Luna. Luna herself chimed in the link. “She’s on her way, I think she is with somepony.”

“She will ask about the pony covered in blood.” Gumshoe started cleaning up his papers.

“What pony covered in blood?” Acropolis snuffed out his pipe. “I never saw any pony covered in blood.” Brigade smiled at Acro.

“Aye, aye capt.” Gumshoe replied.

Luna entered the barracks with little fanfare. Most of her appearances had been grand displays, lots of salutes and cadences. Today she practically stormed into the barracks, almost sprinting to Acro’s desk with a panting Agora in tow. Neither of them seemed very happy, of course Luna had reason to be upset, but Acropolis couldn’t guess why Agora was so upset.

“The helmet!?” Luna barked, her tone was harsh. She seemed more like she was looking for a lost child rather than a helmet. They all pointed to the table where the golden helm lay. Agora snatched it up and began examining it.

“Princess, why is Agora here?” Brigade asked, he knew Agora’s reputation fairly well.

“The helmet was in his care until it was stolen,” Luna was returning to her normal reserved self, “And since he is somewhat responsible for the helmet being lost, he is assisting in the investigation. We spent all day sweeping artifact sellers, legal and not.”

“It’s fake.” Agora said tossing the helmet back onto the table.

“Sorry?” Brigade responded.

“It’s a fake you plebeian! Of course it is This is not Hannibal's Helmet!” Agora shouted at Brigade. “Anyway, who are you?”

“Brigade, Celestial guard, he found the helmet.” Acropolis tried to turn Agora’s attention to him.

“Where?” The harshness of Luna’s tone was surprising.

“Not important, you said its fake?” Brigade tried to dodge the question.

“Yes, its fake. This helmet has sapphire inlays! The original had amethyst! Much prettier” Agora smacks the helmet off the table.

“So that means, how did, that makes no sense,” Brigade looked around confused, “Luna can the helmet be used remotely, like to control a pony from a distance?”

“No, direct and constant contact is required.” Luna replied.

“So, and stay with me here, Somepony breaks into Agora’s and steals the real helmet, switches it with a fake, sends his accomplice home to stash the fake helmet, commits the murder, and then travels to the place where they stashed the helmet to frame an innocent pony. Why?” Brigade wanders over to Gumshoe and starts discussing things in a whisper.

“Luna, Brigade may be onto something here. Even if we don’t have all the pieces I have a feeling that there is something bigger in play here.” Acropolis tried to explain Brigades viewpoint.

“PRINCESS!” A Lunar guard hollered from across the room, “A MESSAGE HAS BEEN LEFT FOR YOU!” Everypony looked over at the guard.

“Can it wait? Im rather busy at the moment!” Luna waved for the guard to leave.

“I WAS TOLD TO FETCH YOU AT ONCE!” The guard persisted. “THE MESSAGE IS FROM HANNIBAL!” That got her attention.

“Guard take us there now! Agora, Rune, Brigade, On me!” Luna commanded, they had little choice but to follow.

In the Lunar foyer stood two guards, one Celestial, the other Lunar flanking a small pedestal with a letter on it. The letter was speckled with blood and had ‘LUNA’ written on the face,  in blood as well. Luna recognized the hoof-writing. Hannibal. Grasping the letter in her magic she opened the letter and began to read aloud.

“Dearest Princess, It is a shame I must resort to such methods to declare my intentions but alas, if I dare to show my face in the barracks your new dogs would attempt to cut me down. Regardless, I do hope you are well Princess. I have been quite busy watching this world fester for over a thousand years. And it did not quell my anger. And now my new Master will bring this kingdom down around you Princess. This is fair warning Princess, I will strike again, when you least expect it, maybe tomorrow, maybe next month, maybe next year. Isn’t the tension just fantastic? Oh, and before I forget. There is one more piece of advice I can give you. Next time you come across some-pony evil. Kill them. Or have your new dogs kill them, regardless, send them to Tartarus. The less competition, the easier it will be to find me. And on that note, I must say goodbye, my Princess. For the next time we meet face to face. One of us will die. With love, Hannibal of the Lunar guard.” Luna finished reading the letter. Every-pony just stood there in awe.

“So what now?” Acropolis asked, “Do we look for him?”

“No,” Luna’s response surprised Acropolis, “He is gone, this ‘Master’ is the one I am concerned with. ‘Will bring this kingdom down around you Princess’, he calls me out specifically it does not mention Celestia. This note tells me several things. A new foe has made themselves known, they wield power enough to control a powerful artifact, and they intend on the destruction of Canterlot. What it does not saw is who, how, and when.”

“So,” Brigade spoke up, “What now?”

“We prepare. Tomorrow, Double drills, I want the lunar guard in their peak.” Luna turned to Brigade. “Send for Shining Armor, the Celestial guard must be aware of this too,” Brigade saluted. “Something is coming, all we can do is prepare and conduct our duties until the time comes. And when it comes,” Luna bore her teeth in anger, “We destroy him!” crushing the letter in her magic it caught fire and fell to ash on the floor.