The Adventures of Axel F

Present Day

"Wow....you piloted a Flying Temple? That's amazing! I wish I could have seen it!", Twilight gasped with amazement.

You smiled, "Yep. M.I.F.T was a great friend."

"Not to be a critic on your story or anything, darling, but why did Tirek want you specifically?", Rarity asked with wondering eyes.

Mom grinned, "Because unlike other humans born on Earth, he was born in Equestria, with me as his mother. Therefore, he gained special powers that his Tirek never had..."

"Wait, my dad was an Earthborn human?", you asked in surprise, "How come you never told me?"

Mom sighed, "I was going to tell you before Tirek attacked, but you had to leave so I couldn't tell you. I'm sorry, Axel."

You question further, "What was he like?"

"Oh....he was wonderful. You look just like him, except you have my eyes. He loved you so much.....but then he drowned on our vacation....I cried so much...", she answered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Redheart, looking to change the subject, asked, "So....what kind of powers did you have?"

"I didn't really know, but the Hats of Harmony awakened powers I never knew I had. Take the Night Cap of Nature for example. It gave me the ability to create life that is green and flowery.", you replied, running your hand through her mane.

Fluttershy was excited by the first chapter in your story, and was bouncing like a little filly, "You met an Elf and piloted a Flying Temple?!? Oh my gosh! Tell more! Please!!!"

You chuckled, "Huh...I thought this would frighten you, but turns out I was wrong."

"It's a little scary with the orcs and goblins, but I just love hearing stories so much!", she beamed, still shivering with excitement.

You smile, "Okay then. Prepare yourself, for The Adventure of The Sombrero of Sand.

Chapter 2

The Sombrero of Sand

It has been about 2 days since you left the lush and green forests of Eastern Equestria, you were now venturing into the dry, barren wasteland that was Westren Equestria. Many think that Applousa is the farthest out west you can get in Equestria, they're wrong. If you travel far enough, you'll reach the edge of Equestria, and there, lies an ancient civilization called the Sanish.

Now, technically, Sanland isn't isn't a part of Equestria, but both are connected by the Dry Up Desert. In Sanland, there live an ancient race of humans, these though, were nothing like the humans of earth. They all had sandy blond hair, and tan skin and were very heat resistant. Every once in a while, they would show up for the International Friendship Council, only every 2 years.

Their leader was Princess Easifat Ramlia, the daughter of King Easifa and Queen Ramil, who were both retired. The Sanish were not only famous for their Alfawl Alshshams, but also their army, the Mubarazat Alrriadiuwn. But enough "boring" backstory, you've landed on the border of Sanland!

"Whew! It sure is hot here! I can see why they call it the Dry Up Desert! I thought they were exaggerating, but.....whew!......it's genuinely scorching out here! Aren't you gonna take off that coat?", Quickbolt asked, wiping her brow with her hoof.

You didn't answer, you were too busy searching for signs of civilization. You then saw two, tall tan bipedal figures.

"Hey! Over here! We need help!", you shouted, waving your arms.

Luckily, you were easy to spot with your red coat. They run up, their golden eyes piercing your souls.

"Out in the heat, what are you doing?", asked the first, who was shirtless and wore a pink turban.

The second, who was also shirtless and wore a purple turban, stated, "Stay out here too long, dry up like raisins, you will!"

"Do you guys think you can help us out? We're lost.", you smile, shaking their hands.

"But of course! Lead you to castle we will! And honored guests of Princess Easifat Ramlia, you shall be! Come!", the first guard beamed.

They led you to a city that was 15 minutes away from M.I.F.T,  which you couldn't see, because, it blended with the dunes. As they led you through the city, people and their children stared at you and Quickbolt. One little kid with brown eyes, waved at Quickbolt, she waved back. Finally, you were escorted by "Pink and Purple", as you liked to call them, to the throne room.

It was nice and cool inside, on the left sat Old King Easifa and on the right sat Queen Ramil. In the middle sat none other than Princess Easifat Ramlia, who was tall, slender, and majestic, and had eyes that glowed of copper.

"Lost in the desert, these travelers were?", she asked.

Pink answered, "Yes, Princess. In Great Flying Temple, they come."

The Princess then locked eyes with you, "State your titles."

"Our whats?", Quickbolt asked, before you flicked her ear.

You replied, bowing, "Our names! I am Axel F! Hat Hero of Canterlot! And this is Quickbolt! Elven Pony Archer of the Everfree Forest."

She smiled at your introduction, "Princess Easifat Ramlia, I am. With the term 'Hat Hero', I am not familiar...explain could you?"

You then spent a short bit explaining to Princess Easifat Ramlia what you could do with your hat.

"Amazing, That is. But ask, I must.....your business here, what is?", she asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"We seek the Sombrero of Sand. We need it to stop the fiend, Tirek, from potentially destroying our homes.", You answered, taking a sip of cold Alfawl Alshsham juice.

Princess Easifat gasped, "Oh dear....terrible that does sound. The Sombrero of Sand, we have. But give it to you easily, we cannot.  If you help us with something, perhaps. Give you the Sombrero, we can then."

Quickbolt sighed, "What do you need help with then, Princess?"

"Harvest our Alfawl Alshshams, or Sun Beans, we have not been able to. A giant beast, our fields are terrorized by.  Starve we will, if vanquished the beast is not. Give you Sombrero we will, if beast is vanquished!", Princess Easifat replied, a pleading look in her eyes.

You smiled, "We'll do it, Princess! We won't let you down! Isn't that right, Quickbolt?"

The elf pony sighed, "Yeah....I guess it won't be that much trouble! Let's go!"

Princess Easifat clapped her hands together as her smile sparkled, "Excellent! Lead you to the fields, the twins will! Pink! Purple! To the fields, you must escort them!"

Pink and Purple bowed and answered, "Your wish is our command, Princess! Come with us, Hat Hero and Elven Archer! Prepare you with new Sanish gear we will!"

And so, by the time you were through prepping for the fight, Quickbolt was equipped with a gold keffiyeh and tunic, which reflected the sun's scorching heat, and a new bow, made of palm wood, and arrows, whose tips coated in Sun Acid. You also had a gold keffiyeh, except yours was ordered custom made by Princess Easifat from the local Handy Hat store. And now, when you threw it, this hat would surround your enemies with a sandstorm and blind them. You also got a gold trench coat, which also reflected the sun's heat.

Now, you were about 2 miles from the field, when you, Quickbolt, and The Twins saw the beast. It was a giant sand serpent, so long it could've wrapped itself around Canterlot Castle twice.

"Holy Mother of Bowlers.......", you gasped, staring with your mouth agape.

"So? What's your big plan, O Great Hat Hero?", Quickbolt mocked, adjusting her keffiyeh over her orange hair.

You stared at the serpent for awhile, before noticing a big red ruby on its forehead, you looked around a bit more, before noticing some rocks.

"Do you think those rocks over there would give a clear shot of that ruby on its forehead if it was standing up?", you asked, turning to Quickbolt.

"Well....it would add to my already perfect marksmanship, but if you want up there, okay! It'll work!", she replied, readying her palm wood bow.

You smiled, "Pink! Purple! Ready to help me create a distraction for Quickbolt?"

The Twins grinned, "For action, we are ready!"

So immediately, you threw your keffiyeh at the serpent, it circled around the serpent and you caught it in your hand. The serpent was now surrounded by a sandstorm, and since it couldn't see, you shouted, while The Twins banged on their shields, confusing it even more. Quickbolt just now got to the top of the highest rock and was now aiming.

"Oh....this is too easy...", she grinned, letting the arrow fly.

And just like that, the serpent fell over, dead, with a great crash.

Back at the castle, a great celebration was being held.

"Thank you enough, I cannot.", Princess Easifat smiled, handing you a golden sombrero, "As promised, here is the Sombrero."

You smiled back, "Thank you, Princess. I hate to seem ungrateful, but we need to get going. We still need to track down the other 4 Hats."

"Understand we do, Axel F. But before you leave, I want you to take this flute with you. When ever you want to talk to me, play this song, and I shall come and visit you. Farewell, Brave Travelers!", she beamed, kissing your forehead.

You wanted to say something about her not talking backwards for a change, but decided against it. You returned to M.I.F.T, who missed you, and began on your way to retrieve the Wimple of Water.