Where'd You Get That Hat?
“WHERE DID YOU GET THAT HAT?”
“Bobbin for apples, feh, some Element of Honesty I am.” Applejack spat at the ground as she walked back to Sweet Apple Acres. Her mind trying to shut away the awkwardness she felt during the events of the sudden interview. A swarm of ponies had suddenly spawned on her and closed her off from the outside world. Left and right of her were cameras and video recorders (she had never liked the latter) and a multitude of ponies with pens and paper quickly asking questions left and right and writing down anything that so much as whimpered out of her lips.
“What was ah supposed ta say? What the heck was ah supposed ta do? If I told everyone where this here hat really came from, I'd have had the whole of Ponyville comin' on up to the farm ta try an' help me out.” She spat again, the lie still stung in her mind, it had sparked in her mind suddenly, without warning, a way to avoid the reality of the sudden question, “Where'd you get that hat?” and in an instant she had responded, a lie to try and push down the truth that she wouldn’t dare let others know.
“Pony feathers...” Muttering to herself, she crossed the gates of the farm, a gentle breeze flowed through the air, and she grinned to herself as she looked on the land that her family had built. The Farm stood tall and proud, adjacent to the house her family grew up in, and off to the side was the small silo that had been around for as long as she could remember, beyond that was nothing but her crops, crops that kept all of Ponyville content and happy. She was at peace when she was at home, all around her was nothing but familiarity and comfort.
“At least I dont have ta worry about hidin' anythin' round here.” She smiled as she looked up at the land, her respite from the outside world.
Quickly, she trotted towards the silo and pushed the door open, darkness overtook her as the door closed behind her and she struggled with the lantern for a moment before it finally flickered to life and illuminated the interior in a soft light. The entirety of the thing was empty, save for a small lever and a bushel of apples on the opposite end of the doorway. She sauntered towards it slowly, knowingly, this was a routine she had performed every week for as long as she could remember, and it never ceased to bring her joy. A smile escaped her as she approached the lever, but just as she was about to pull it towards her a rap on the door caught her attention.
“Applesauce.” She swore under her breath, turning she shouted, “Who is it?”
“Its me sis, Applebloom, can I come in? Is it time again?”
Grinning, Applejack galloped back towards the door, opening it just a crack to look at Applebloom staring up at her, her eyes wide and eager.
“Heheh, you never get tired of comin' along with me, do ya Sugarcube?” She softened at the sight of her Sister jumping in place.
“Course not AJ! With any luck, I may end up getting a cutie mark in Dis-” A hoof placed against her mouth cut the rest of the sentence short. And she looked up at AJ apologetically.
“Sorry sis, I know where not suppose to talk about it in public.” She looked down and pawed at the ground with her forehoof.
“Its alright little sis, just be more careful next time, come on in.” Beaming, Applebloom raced into the silo as Applejack closed the door again, locking it this time for good measure.
“Come on Applejack! Lets go! Can I push the lever this time? Can I can I?” Applebloom hopped in place, twirling in the air, her sheer excitement nearly throwing itself at Applejack.
“Heheh, alrighty then squirt, I guess ah did push it last time, I suppose you should get your turn as well.”
If pure happiness had a form, in that moment, Applebloom would have captured it, without looking away from her sister she pushed down on the lever and smiled wider than the world could possibly understand.
Within seconds, a dull whirring noise encased the Silo, and the ground before the two sisters began to shake. The sound of gears churning against each other came from below as the floor split in two. The grinding gears and whirring mechanics continued to echo around them until at last the floor was split cleanly in two, and a staircase presented itself, leading down into the depths of the Silo.
“Come on then Applebloom” AJ whispered into her sisters ears “Its about time we payed our dues.”
Applejack grabbed the barrel of apples next to her in her mouth and the two descended quickly down the staircase, a straight line from the entrance to a small door at the base. The two paid no mind to the gears and cogs moving slowly on either side of them, and barely even stole a glance at the turret positioned directly above the metal door that now stood before them. Applejack placed the apples to her side and looked sternly at her sister.
“Now Applebloom, stand back, you know it has to scan us one at a time.”
“Of course AJ, I aint a little filly anymore. We aint gonna get shot at again.” Applebloom pouted and stepped away from her sister.
“Heheh, sure thing Sugarcube” Applejack winked at her little sister as she stood in front of the door. A beam of light shone from the tip of the door, and an otherworldly voice spoke on the opposite end.
“Scanning subject, please stay completely still, attempts to run will be met with confetti force.”
AJ hummed a tune she had learned as a filly, the wait was always the hardest part, “ya'd think,” she thought to herself “after all this time, the dang thing would recognize the one of four ponies who visit it a li'l faster.”
“Organic life-form confirmed, welcome Applejack, please enter.”
The metallic door whirred and slid to the side, allowing entry. Applejack grabbed the barrel between her teeth and looked back at her sister, winking.
“Shee yah inshide”
She trotted in briskly, letting the visuals wash over her. All around her were things that the world around her never even knew existed, computers and video screens displayed the entirety of the land she knew, her home, Ponyville, Appleloosa, even the Everfree Forest and Canterlot were shining brightly all around her, displayed on screens of all shapes and sizes. Metallic boxes behind them whirred and glowed dimly, and cords of all shapes and sizes were thrown in disarray all around the small room. And there, in the centre of it all, a giant dome stood firm and tall, and in the centre of it was a door, locked and sealed tight. Next to it was a panel, with contours that fit a hat not unlike one that was currently finding itself snug on the head of a yellow coated pony.
Sighing, Applejack fell on her haunches. Everything in this room never found its way out, these things were all a secret, to everyone but her family, a secret, held by the Element of Honesty.
“Organic life-form confirmed, welcome Applebloom, please enter.”
Turning, Applejack saw the door glide open as her sister hopped into the room, her face beaming with the wonder of youth.
“This place just gets better every time ah visit!” Applebloom looked all around her before turning to smile at Applejack, she noticed her sisters solemn expression and dared to ask a question.
“Whats'a matter sis?”
“Nothin AB, just thinking about some stuff that happened today”
“Ya mean about yer hat on the news?”
“What in the,” AJ grimaced, “for the love of all things oats and apples, how'd they get that out so fast?” Applejack grunted and kicked at the floor with her hoof, leave it to the pony-azzi to deliver news around Equestria faster than you can even get back home to worry about it.
“Sorry sis, but thats why I wanted to come and help ya out, I figured that kinda news would leave a sour apple in your gut.” Applebloom walked up to her sister and placed a hoof around her. Smiling, Applejack pulled her in tight, grateful that she had such a considerate sister.
“Thanks AB...” she paused... Slowly, she pulled her hat off her head and held it out for her sister to grab.
“Here, I think its about time that you had the honours li'l sis.”
Applebloom looked at her sister, then the hat, and back again. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes.
“Do, do ya really mean it?”
Applejack nodded. Silently, Applebloom took the hat from her sister and walked to the panel, she looked back, just to make sure, and saw Applejack smiling, nodding for her to continue. Applebloom turned, looked up at the dome, and slowly, turned the hat around in her hooves to place the hat firmly on the panel.
As the hat descended, a bright light shot out from the centre of the dome, enveloping the room in a blue glow. Applebloom backed away, falling into place beside her sister, and the two of them watched in awe as the dome before them slid open.
“About that time again eh?” A figure emerged from the dome as the door swung open. It stood up slowly, stretching its arms.
“Yessir” Applejack interjected, she pushed the barrel of apples towards the figure with her nose.
“Picked the best ones for ya, as usual.” She smiled up at the figure, nudging her sister. Applebloom shook her head, allowing the figure in front of her to finally make sense in her mind, and smiled as well.
“Glad ta see ya again mister!” Applebloom stood up, smiling at the figure.
“Ah, the little one again, Applebloom? How are you today?”
“Just fine mister! Me and mah friends tried to get our cutiemarks in spelunking today!”
“Haha, I see... and how did that work out for you?”
“Not so good, Sweetiebelle got mud and gunk all over herself and Rarity scolded her. Scootaloo lost a bunch'a feathers in her wings and had Rainbow Dash yell at her for not taking better care of them...” Applebloom scuffed at the ground silently before the figure knelt next to her and embraced her in a hug.
“There’s always next time my little pony, now, why don't you run along, me and your sister need to talk to amongst ourselves for a minute before I rest again.”
Applebloom nodded and trotted towards the exit.
“I'll come visit again soon, I promise! Just so long as AJ lets me!” Applebloom stuck her tongue out at her sister and ran out the door. AJ opened her mouth to protest before stopping herself, giggling quietly.
“So...” The figure walked to the door, watching it slide shut as Applebloom disappeared out of sight.
“My systems tell me you had a bit of a problem today, Applejack. Im glad you were able to sort things out without to much of an issue.”
“Well you know me, always a quick thinker.” Applejack shuffled at the ground with her hooves, embarrassed at the unexpected praise.
“I just...” She stopped, what was she thinking, did she really wanted to bring this up?
“What is it Applejack? My most faithful of subjects?” The figures voice washed over her, comforting her, begging her to continue. It glided slowly towards the panel, lifting the hat from its pedestal, shifting itself quickly it moved towards Applejack and sat next to her. It twirled the hat in its fingers before placing the hat on her head, pushing it down firmly to rest between her ears.
“It's just... Was it OK for me to say what I said? I mean, I'm the Element of Honesty, and ah lied, and not just to all those ponies around me, I lied to everyone that listened in on those dang blasted radios.”
“Ah, so that’s what you're worried about...” The figure rose from its position next to her and walked towards the panels displaying the entirety of Equestria.
“Applejack, what do you think would happen if everyone in this land found out that I existed, that I, a single being, was responsible for every advancement in Equestrian history? From the steam locomotive train, to these video displays that you hate so much and, not to mention... those Elements of Harmony you and your friends hold so dear.” The figure placed an arm around Applejack, patting her hat and pulling her close.
“Well I reckon they probably wouldn't believe me, it'd be hard thing to admit to someone the the whole'a the world is because a one person... relatively speaking.” She looked up at the figure, slowly feeling at ease as its warmth encompassed her.
“Exactly! That, is why its ok AJ, not because your lying, but because your keeping the world at peace! In keeping a secret for yourself, you are, in fact, keeping the whole of the world in Harmony.” The figure leaned in close to wink at her. Putting a single finger on her hat “And isn’t that what everyone wants?”
“Well of course it is," She mulled it over in her head. "That’s how were all able to live so well, AND!” She thought to herself, glowing. “Why me and the gals have been able to stop whatever threat happens to rear its ugly head, cuz of Harmony!” Applejack beamed as she explained herself, of course! Without Harmony the world would fall into Chaos, how could she have been so foolish?
“Well good! Im glad you understand why its so important to keep this whole little... thing,” The figure motioned around itself “A secret. You understand now?”
“Well I reckon I always have!” Applejack jumped up from the ground and stood proudly. “And I promise to make sure I always will!” Her smile was genuine as the figure floated towards her and embraced her in a hug.
“Excellent my little pony! Now,” It grabbed an apple from the Barrel and tossed it into the air before chomping down on it, a snaggletooth curving out of its mouth. “Its about time you head back out into the open world! Make sure to visit again next week, and we can discuss how things have been since then alright? And if you get a chance, make sure to see how Celestia has been doing, alright?!” The figure smiled inwardly, its eyes gleaming wildly in the glow of the machinations around it. "And do remember to keep your hat firmly in place will you?" It smiled.
“Of course! I'll see ya next week then... ” Applejack waved a hoof at the figure before trotting out the door. It closed behind her with a soft thud. The figure lifted itself in the air, and floated towards the dome, yawning as it crossed its arms against itself and fell into the soft bed laid out on the floor of the dorm.
With a sigh, the figure layed itself onto the bed, the dome's door closing behind it.
“Thank you Applejack, continue to keep up appearances, and lets not have my whereabouts slip out shall we? After all, what's one little white lie from the Element of Honesty, to the whole of the world, eh?”
And with that, the figure laughed as the door to the dome closed quitely, and the manifestation of Chaos, Discord... fell asleep.
