Whose Hat is it Anyways?

“We meet again.”

“Well, duh, we planned for that.”

“Right.  So, what did you decide on?”

“I have more questions, and the answers to them will decide for me.”

“Will you believe my answers?”

“I think so.”

“Okay, go on.”

“Where did your name come from?  How did you get the name Hatless?”

“Huh?  I don't know why that matters, but I shall answer nonetheless. I gave it to myself. Since you'll ask why, I will tell you that as well. My name is irrelevant. I do not believe to the slightest degree anyone needs something particular to remember me by. I have had people start to idolize me before, but I would rather they follow my example, not me.  For the reason, I now change my titles every time I go to a new place. If I make a positive impact, then I am happy; I don't need or desire fans. That is my answer.  If I may, why did you ask that?  That took me by surprise.”

“I wanted to know what kind of person you are.  I knew that your name was related to who you are.”

“Heh... you nailed that on the head.  Good job.”

“Thank you.  My next question is what kind of ruckus would making your presence known cause.”

“That depends. Sometimes, I am welcomed with a great commotion; other times, I am chased out with pitch forks and torches.  There are also occasions with greatly mixed reactions.  I want to leave as soon as I can because of that.  This place is peaceful, and I don't want to disrupt that peace.”

“Hm... why would you 'disrupt that peace,' exactly?”

“That is an incredibly hard question to answer, princess. If I don't answer this, you won't trust me enough to let me go, and if I do answer, you really won't trust me enough to let me go.  I ask that we go to another question.”

“Okay.  I do have another question I would rather ask.”

“Really?  Go ahead.”

“What are you?”

“...”

“I studied thoroughly the history of Equestria, exchanged letters with Celestia and Luna, and heard about what happened on Sweet Apple Acres.  Additionally, there has been talk of a mysterious pony in Canterlot and in Manehatten.  Celestia and Luna both tried to find this pony, but somehow he eluded them.  Very few in the history of Equestria have ever done so.  Added with the eyewitness account at Sweet Apple Acres, I find it suspicious that you are a pony at all.”

“...”

“Well, are you?”

“This is not a good place to talk about this.”

“We can go to my house, if you like.”

“I... don't think that-uh, no, that is the best place.  Let's go.”

“Okay.  Here we are.  I'll check on my assistant.  I will make sure he does not overhear us. One moment.  Oh... okay.”

“Back so soon?”

“He's asleep.  We can talk now.  Please answer my question: are you a pony?”

“No, I am not. Before you ask, I am not a changeling either.”

“I knew that already.  A changeling can't have a heart like yours.”

“...”

“Why are you smiling?”

“Hahaha... heheh.  A changeling can't change his heart.  Oooh, the irony.”

“Can we please stay on track?  What are you?”

“This is on track, princess.  A changeling can't change his heart.  It's amusing because you're wrong.  You might as well say that Nightmare Moon can't change her heart except it is true that she can't and she didn't.  Without a doubt, you know where I'm going with this.  I can see it in your eyes.  That sparkle of curiosity... I wish I had that.  Oh, I'll stop digressing.  Nightmare Moon didn't change her heart, and a changeling can't change his own.  As for me, what I have done, and what I am far exceeds the wickedness found in those you call evil. It's just that my heart has changed. A changeling can change even though he can't change himself.”

“I... I... was not prepared for an answer like that.  You still-er-haven't answered my-uh-question.”

“You don't believe it when I say I have done things that evil.  If you can't, then you won't believe when I tell you what I am.”

“I am trying.  I think it will help if you tell me.  Please.”

“Augh... fine.  I am nothing.  While I may be a who, it is difficult to say that I am a what.  I don't have a body.  See, I told you you wouldn't believe me.”

“I think I do believe you, actually.”

“What.”

“That would explain why Celestia and Luna could not find you.  Plus, I already know your character.  There is a reason I asked first about who you are.  A heartless creature would not admit to his own evil.  I don't believe anypony can fake the way you have acted and what you have said.  Even if I can't understand how it is possible for somepony to not have a body, I can believe that it is true.  I can even tell that you're baffled by your drooping mouth.  Heheh.”

“I have found extremely few that actually believe me. I wonder if this is how my King felt during His life.”

“I don't know what that means, but I trust you, Hatless.  I will help you get home.  I do have one more question, however.”

“What is that?”

“Do you still plan on leaving?”

“Oh... yes.  Why do you ask?”

“You mentioned before that you like be a positive example to people.  I don't see why you can't do that here, instead of hiding like you are.”

“Hm... heheh.  Actually, I hadn't really considered that.  I've been so focused on not causing problems, that I've forgotten I can help solve them.  Hah... sorry, I'm not on the top of my game.  I'll think about it, but I still want to try to remove the barrier.  I like having options.  Anyways, I'll come back tomorrow morning around eight o'clock, if that works for you.”

“Yeah.  See you then.”

“Yup, bye.”