Whose Hat is it Anyways?

“Where did you come from?”

“Call me Hatless.”

“Huh? I asked where you came from.”

“If I answered that question, you might lose your ears in an unnecessary speech.  I am pretty sure you don't have the kind of time for that.  That doesn't matter.  Just call me Hatless.  Besides, I plan on leaving as soon as I can.”

“You don't like Ponyville?”

“I actually quite enjoy it here, but since I rarely speak poorly of any place, for me to say that has no real value.”

“So why are you here?”

“Well... it would take awhile to explain everything, so I'll keep it short.  I am trying to go home, and I can't for some reason.  Some sort of magic blocks my path.  That's why I decided to pay you a visit.”

“Hm? How did you know about me?  Hey, why did you figure I would help you?  I don't know you; we just met.”

“Hahah, wow, you're a curious goose.”

“What?”

“Eh, nevermind that.  I know about you for many reasons.  Primarily, I thought to seek you out because of your recent coronation.  Before then I hadn't quite thought about it.  As for your second question, I figured you would help me because of your history of helping other ponies.  For instance, I heard how you helped Princess Luna, and you did not know her that well.  Regardless of that, I would like to get straight to the point.  Would you be willing to help?”

“I... I don't know.  This is pretty sudden.  Luna was also open with me about everything, so I can't say if I trust you or not.”

“That makes compl-.”

“If you want my help, you have to answer my questions.”

“Er... uh... I'll see what I can do.”

“Where did you come from?”

“Oh boy... fine.  I'll tell you the full truth. I was raised in the land of the dragons.  For most of my life after that, I have been a traveling vagrant.  In that I mean, I don't decide where I go.  I tend to... end up at places.  Your expression tells me that you don't believe me.”

“You were raised... where!?”

“I answered your question.  I was raised in the land of the dragons.”

“You're an earth pony; there's no way you could survive there!”

“Hum... you are correct.  Nonetheless, here I stand.  This is hurting your brain, I can tell.  It takes a lot to do that, but I am not surprised considering how I ridiculous this is.”

“...What the hay? How would you know?”

“I can tell by your distinct pause, slightly squinted eyes, and tightened teeth.”

“...”

“Yup, now you think I'm a complete nut case.  You are correct, unfortunately, but I am telling the truth.  Lying is not something I make a habit of.”

“Getting back to the point, I want to know why you were in their territory.”

“I lost both my parents.  My uncle sent me and my brother to an orphanage there; it was much safer.  The people that took away my parents would not be able to get to us.  Soon after that, the King in the land took both of us in, as well as an abandoned Dragon.  He raised us for the remainder of our youths. Before you even ask, I'll answer: Yes, I was raised with a Dragon.  Yes, there were some sinister folk that took my parents away, but this was not in Equestria either.  I was not born in Equestria.”

“Stop!”

“Oh... sorry.”

“This is crazy.  None of this makes any sense.  There is a king in the land of the Dragons?”

“There was.  He passed away some time ago.”

“Was he a Dragon?”

“No, He was not.  Don't go any further.  I clearly have clogged one of your ears, and the next will be such if this talk goes any longer. I don't lie, I don't exaggerate, and, even if I am insane, I have not forgotten or mixed up the details.  You wanted to know about me, and I have told you.  If you don't believe what I say, then I do not see a reason to pursue this conversation any longer.”

“I... I need time to think this through.  Where are you trying to go?  Do you want to go back to the Dragon's territory?”

“No.  I am looking for my brothers, and they aren't there any longer. I can't return to them because of the magic.  That's why I need your help.”

“All right.  Give me two days to think this through.  Would you mind if I mentioned you to my friends?”

“If it helps you clear your head, then I do not.  Please do not make a big deal of my presence in Ponyville, though.  I prefer not to cause a stir.  Before you ask, I have a way with people.  If I start a conversation, then it'll end up pretty much like this.  Or worse.”

“We'll meet back here in two days.  Same time.”