Episode II: A Hat of a Different Color

by Seekerthepegasus

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Random
Length: 6206

A mysterious figure kidnaps Seeker's hat, and he won't go on until it returns. Twilight volunteers to help, but the search will be more difficult than they think...

This is the second of my fan-imagined MLP:FiM episodes. It is written in script format, and it is intended to stay true to the tone and canon of the actual TV series.
Seeker goes to bed on the lower floor of Twilight's library, but when he wakes up, his treasured hat is missing. Twilight and Seeker investigate the loss of the hat, encountering many of the Ponyville friends we know along the way, even some you may not expect. Meanwhile, Seeker's hat isn't the only thing missing from somepony's head…

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-03-09 04:37:33 UTC

Chapter 1

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Extra Episodes written by Seeker the Pegasus

Episode II: "A Hat of a Different Color"

FADE IN:

THE UPPER SKIES

SEEKER and RAINBOW DASH are flying, slowly gaining altitude as he coaches her on what she needs to know to fly as high as he does.  They slowly pass by clouds as SEEKER instructs her what to do.

1 SEEKER

Now, the key to flying extra-high is to pace yourself

and to focus your breathing.  There's not a lot of air

up here, so you have to make sure you breathe in--

2 RAINBOW DASH [interrupting]

Relax, Seeker.  I'm a professional.  I know what I'm

doing.  I don't need to be shown.

3 SEEKER [somewhat irked]

Dude.  If you knew what you were doing, we wouldn't

be doing this.  Do you want to know how to fly high or

not?

4 RAINBOW DASH [somewhat snotty]

Fine, okay.  Sorry, let's do this.

SEEKER's instructions on when to breathe are heeded by RAINBOW DASH, who inhales and exhales on command.

5 SEEKER

Okay.  Don't go too fast once you reach the upper

atmosphere, and breathe at the right pace. Breathe

in... Out... In... Out...

6 RAINBOW DASH

[inhales and exhales, two times each, interstitially

with Seeker's commands.]

7 SEEKER

Excellent.  Keep doing that!

SEEKER and RAINBOW DASH slowly ascend, as RAINBOW DASH inhales and exhales for a few more seconds.  They reach an altitude at which FLUTTERSHY can now be seen hovering next to them.  She cheers for RAINBOW DASH.

8 FLUTTERSHY

Woohoo!  I knew you could do it!

The camera shifts to a portrait of Rainbow Dash who reacts with a smug expression.  This portrait fades into the opening credits.

OPENING CREDITS

INSIDE TWILIGHT'S LIBRARY-- FIRST FLOOR

A mattress lies on the floor of TWILIGHT's library opposite the location of the staircase; it is to serve as SEEKER's bed, as intimated by his lying atop it.  A wooden crate sits next to the makeshift bed so as to serve as a nightstand.  SEEKER remarks on his gratitude for his new friend giving him a place to stay overnight.  SEEKER, already halfway under the covers, is favored initially as he calls out to TWILIGHT, who is standing halfway up the staircase.

9 SEEKER

Thank you so much for letting me stay here.  Usually

I'm left in a crummy motel for two weeks.

10 TWILIGHT

Well I don't know what makes that crummy old

mattress any better than what you usually sleep on...

FAVORING THE MATTRESS

The camera temporarily shifts to a close-up of the mattress, showing its decrepit features in detail.

FAVORING SEEKER

11 SEEKER

Well, I don't know...It just feels comfortable knowing

that there are friendly people all around.

FAVORING TWILIGHT

12 TWILIGHT

Well, you're welcome.  Good night, Seeker.

FAVORING SEEKER

13 SEEKER

Good night.

The lights go out, as they're deactivated by TWILIGHT offstage.  SEEKER removes his hat, and places it on the bedside crate.

14 SEEKER

Have a good night, Spike.

FAVORING SPIKE

SPIKE is shown on the other side of the room (the side with the stairs) curled up in his smaller basket-like bed.

15 SPIKE

Good night, Seeker.

FAVORING SEEKER AGAIN

Favoring SEEKER again, we see him flop over to begin attempting to sleep on his side, with the covers concealing every one of his features, save for his head.

OUTSIDE TWILIGHT'S LIBRARY-- AT NIGHT

Outside, in the dark, a silhouetted figure in a cloak creeps toward the library.  It approaches the front door.

INSIDE THE LIBRARY'S FOYER-- LIGHTS OUT

The camera faces the front door, showing the cloaked figure.  The door is closed, and no sounds or visual evidence indicate that the door was ever opened.

FAVORING SEEKER'S BED

The cloaked figure leaves an undeterminable item on the edge of the top surface of SEEKER's bedside crate; this item subsequently slumps over and falls off the side.  The cloaked figure then ominously rears up over SEEKER as if to do something potentially mischievous to him.

FAVORING TWILIGHT'S LIBRARY FROM THE OUTSIDE-- MORNING

Zoom the camera in for a couple seconds, just to present the idea that morning has come.

INSIDE THE LIBRARY-- FIRST FLOOR, WITH LIGHT

Cut to inside the library, as SEEKER awakens, unscathed by any potentially harmful actions during the night.  Slowly and comfortably, he rolls over in his bed and stretches.  He looks over at Spike who has yet to wake up as sunlight streams in through the windows.  SEEKER reaches a hoof over to the spot on the crate where he left his hat and fails to produce it.  He looks over and sees that it's gone; upon doing so, he immediately starts searching beneath and around the bed.

ACROSS THE ROOM

The search becomes increasingly more frantic as SEEKER rummages through a storage space beneath the library staircase.  SPIKE wakes up amidst the ruckus and asks what he's up to.

16 SPIKE [groggy]

Seeker, what are you doing?

17 SEEKER

I can't find my hat.  Do you know where it would be?

18 SPIKE

I thought you had it with you when you went to bed.

19 SEEKER

I did!  I swear I did!

SEEKER'S BED REGION

SPIKE steps over to the bedside crate and notices a different knit hat lying on the floor.  It has a similar pattern to SEEKER's, but it has no tassles and a different color scheme.  He picks it up.

20 SPIKE [suggesting]

Here's a hat!  What's this?

Seeker looks over and responds.

21 SEEKER

That's not mine.  I don't know where that came

from.

22 SPIKE

Well, I'm going to see if Twilight knows anything.

LIBRARY STAIRS

TWILIGHT and SPIKE descend the staircase as rummaging and clanging of objects can be heard in the background.

23 TWILIGHT [irritated]

Seeker, what are you doing?

FAVORING SEEKER

24 SEEKER [desperate]

I'm not leaving Ponyville without my hat!  I can't

find it.

25 SPIKE

Why is that hat so important?

26 SEEKER

'Why is it so important?'  This hat and I go way back.

FLASHBACK

27 SEEKER

When I was a colt, my best friend and I each bought

hats that were just like each other's.  We wore them

all the time.  But now that my job sends me traveling

all over Equestria, we don't get to hang out much

anymore.  I know my hat is a little goofy, but we were

goofy together, and it was fun.

INSIDE TWILIGHT'S LIBRARY--RESUMING REALITY

28 SEEKER [growing more belligerent]

And in any case, I need that hat to stay warm.  I fly in the upper atmosphere--do you know how cold it is up there?

29 SPIKE [backing off]

Okay, okay.

30 TWILIGHT

I understand that this hat is really important to you.

I can help you look around the library if you want...

31 SEEKER [dramatically]

Pleeeeease.  Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you.

32 TWILIGHT

You're...welcome.  It couldn't have gone that far.

MONTAGE-- INSIDE THE LIBRARY

A short montage rolls of SPIKE, TWILIGHT and SEEKER digging through articles in various locations around the library.  In the background, music can be heard that's reminiscent of "One Way or Another" by Blondie.

LIBRARY FOYER

SEEKER, TWILIGHT, and SPIKE walk toward the door from offscreen, conversing.

33 SEEKER

Ugh.  If it's not in the library, it's got to be somewhere

in Ponyville.  You're right, it couldn't have gone that far.

34 TWILIGHT

If you need help, I'd be willing! We can see if

my friends know anything about where it went.

35 SEEKER

It's okay.  I don't mean to disturb you from whatever

you wanted to do today. I'll see you later.

36 TWILIGHT

...Okay!  Bye!

SEEKER walks out the doorway as TWILIGHT uses telekinetic magic to shut it softly behind him.  SPIKE addresses TWILIGHT with a stern look on his face.

37 SPIKE

Twilight-- don't you think Seeker is being at least a

little ridiculous?  It's a hat!  It's just a... thing.

As TWILIGHT responds, a flashback sequence appears with a screen that's blurred around the edges.  This sequence depicts the transaction of the Fire Ruby and the ensuing kiss from RARITY to SPIKE in a previous episode, "Secret of My Excess."

DREAM BUBBLE SHOWING SCENE OF RARITY AND SPIKE

38 TWILIGHT

Remember that fire ruby you generously gave to

Rarity on your birthday?  That was just a thing, too.

And we both know how important that was to her...

LIBRARY FOYER (RESUMING REALITY)-- FAVORING SPIKE

SPIKE immediately perks up and reconsiders his opinion.

39 SPIKE

Oh.  Hmm...

THE WHOLE FOYER

Just then, SEEKER punches the door back open from outside.  He addresses TWILIGHT from within the door frame.

40 SEEKER

Uhh, hi Twilight.  Here's the thing-- I... don't... really

know anyone around Ponyville.  Could you, perhaps

come along too?

41 TWILIGHT

Sure thing.  We can start by asking my friends what

they know.  In fact, I have one friend who's always keeping

track of everypony in Ponyville, and of anypony who may

be wearing a new hat they stole or found

.

FADE OUT

FADE IN--IN FRONT OF SUGAR CUBE CORNER

TWILIGHT and SEEKER are strolling toward the front door of Sugar Cube Corner.  TWILIGHT reveals to SEEKER her first idea of how to find his hat as she plans to knock on PINKIE PIE's door.

42 TWILIGHT

My friend Pinkie Pie knows everypony...She's

sure to find who has your hat.

Just then, PINKIE PIE plows through the front door from the inside, before TWILIGHT and SEEKER even reach the door.

VIEW FAVORING ALL THREE PONIES

43 PINKIE PIE

Hi Twilight!  [looks at Seeker] Hey!  I know you!

44 TWILIGHT

Oh, so you know each other already?

45 SEEKER

Yeah!

46 PINKIE PIE

Of course we do!  I know everypony in town!

47 TWILIGHT

...Which is exactly why we're here, actually.

Pinkie Pie, we need your help.  Seeker lost his--

48 SEEKER [urgently, interrupting]

I lost my hat! Can you help?

49 PINKIE PIE

Hat?  You have a hat?

50 SEEKER

...Did you not see it on my head when we first met?

51 PINKIE PIE

I don't know...I though your head was just...blue!

52 SEEKER

No.  That 'blue' on my head was a removable hat.

And it's been removed, and now stolen!

53 PINKIE PIE

Well, I'll make sure to keep an eye out for any suspicious

ponies with blue on their heads.

54 TWILIGHT

Thank you, Pinkie Pie!  I knew you'd be up to the task.

55 PINKIE PIE

You bet!  Your Auntie Pinkie Pie has got it all--

56 TWILIGHT [interrupting]

We're the same age.

ZOOM OUT, CENTERING SUGAR CUBE CORNER

PINKIE PIE darts off into her home, neglecting to shut the door.  RAINBOW DASH flies laterally across the screen, then comes to a screeching halt.  She backtracks slightly and hovers low to the ground within conversing distance from SEEKER and TWILIGHT.

57 RAINBOW DASH

Hey Twilight!  Hey Seeker.

FAVORING SEEKER AND TWILIGHT

58 TWILIGHT

Hello, Rainbow-- [is cut off by Rainbow Dash]

FAVORING RAINBOW DASH

The camera looks up from SEEKER's point of view at RAINBOW DASH, who is flapping her wings, hovering above a point in front of SEEKER.

59 RAINBOW DASH [interrupting Twilight]

Seeker, what gives?  You look somewhere

between fifteen percent and twenty-five percent

less cool.

FAVORING ALL THREE CHARACTERS

60 SEEKER [irritated]

My hat's missing...Have you seen it?

61 RAINBOW DASH

Nowhere since I saw it on your head last night when

we watched the meteor shower last night.  Maybe

somepony else took it home by mistake?

62 SEEKER

I thought I had it when I went to sleep though... I

don't know.  Maybe we should try Fluttershy.  She

was there.

63 TWILIGHT

Sure, why not?

OUTSIDE THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF FLUTTERSHY'S COTTAGE

Pan to the front of FLUTTERSHY's cottage.  The door is already open, and FLUTTERSHY, TWILIGHT, and SEEKER, stand in the formation of an equilateral triangle discussing what to do.

64 FLUTTERSHY

Oh Seeker, you look...different.

FAVORING TWILIGHT, SEEKER, AND FLUTTERSHY

65 SEEKER

Oh yeah?  What looks different?

66 FLUTTERSHY

Um, nothing.

67 SEEKER

If it was nothing, you would have said nothing. What

is it?

68 FLUTTERSHY

It's...your mane.

69 SEEKER

My mane?  Well, I suppose it is on my head.  That would be different.

70 FLUTTERSHY

Yes.  Your mane is kind of...

71 SEEKER

What?

72 FLUTTERSHY

Sort of...

73 SEEKER

Sort of...?

74 FLUTTERSHY

[squeaks] No!

75 SEEKER

Oh, it's a mess! (The words "a mess" are said in

unison with Fluttershy saying the same words.)

76 FLUTTERSHY

...A mess.

77 SEEKER [disgruntled]

Daaah, I knew it!  I guess it could never match up

to the pony with one of the most beautiful manes in

all of Equestria.

FAVORING FLUTTERSHY

FLUTTERSHY perks up, as do her eyes, and she blushes.

FAVORING ALL THREE AGAIN

SEEKER also straightens up quickly as if to retreat.  Silence reigns for a few seconds.

78 FLUTTERSHY

You really think so?

79 SEEKER

Yeah.  And it's not like I could compare to your

style of mane even with my hat, but I at least

always had my hat to keep me decent....

TWILIGHT and FLUTTERSHY look at each other for a moment, as SEEKER's downtrodden exposition gets their brains working.

80 FLUTTERSHY

I know!  I could style your mane for you.

81 TWILIGHT

That's a great idea!

82 SEEKER [sideways and accusatory]

Why's that a great idea?  You agree that I look like

a putrid mess?

TWILIGHT backs off.

83 SEEKER

Fluttershy, you'd really do that for me?

84 FLUTTERSHY

Sure!  I know it's not the same without your hat,

but you can at least feel good about how you look

until you find it!

85 SEEKER [mildly flipping out]

Everypony around here is so thoughtful!

INSIDE FLUTTERSHY'S COTTAGE

Cut to a scene of an area within FLUTTERSHY's cottage where SEEKER sits upon a stool.  FLUTTERSHY has just finished styling SEEKER's mane, and he waits to see his reflection so he may judge her handiwork.

86 FLUTTERSHY

Are you ready to see your new look?

87 SEEKER

Let's see the new me!

FLUTTERSHY brings an oversized hand-mirror so that SEEKER can view himself.  SEEKER plops off of the stool and takes a look.  He demonstrates that he is impressed.

88 SEEKER

Wow!  This is awesome!

89 FLUTTERSHY

You like it?

90 SEEKER

I love it!  Why, I'm ready to take on the skies!  I

can do anything!  You're the best!

SEEKER dashes up to FLUTTERSHY and gives her a quick hug; then he speeds out the door.  FLUTTERSHY is immobilized for a second, as TWILIGHT looks on.

(COMMERCIAL)

INSIDE CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE--RARITY'S WORKSHOP

Inside her place of employment, RARITY's voice can be heard around the corner, and her shadow can be partially seen as she stands in a nearby corridor.  Amidst her work, she is visiting her scrap heap to dump extra pieces for which she has no use.

91 RARITY

Such an outdated sense of style.  This is going

right with my scraps.

RARITY shows herself, exiting the corridor and walking across the room to her sewing apparatus.

92 RARITY

Oh, now wherever did I leave off?  Oh yes, the

tail. [hums]

RARITY continues working, humming to herself.  Not two seconds into her humming, two knocks are heard at the door.  In place of what might be a third knock, a slamming sound is heard.  In lieu of the audience's possible expectation to see SEEKER and TWILIGHT, SWEETIE BELLE obnoxiously plows through the door wearing a delightful expression on her face.

93 SWEETIE BELLE

Hi Rarity!

94 RARITY

Sweetie Belle!  How is my sister?

95 SWEETIE BELLE

I'm doing just fine!  How are you?

RARITY's focus clearly shifts to her work; she fails to pay attention to anything else, including her sister, SWEETIE BELLE.

96 RARITY [responding but not paying attention]

Okay...

97 SWEETIE BELLE

How's your new dress going?

98 RARITY [still zoning out]

Okay...

99 SWEETIE BELLE

Mind if I look through your scraps?

100 RARITY

Okay.

101 SWEETIE BELLE [pauses at first]

Want to give me a million bits?

102 RARITY

Okay...

SWEETIE BELLE shakes her head and goes back into the corridor where RARITY previously stood.  Similarly, the sounds of her actions can be heard, but she cannot be seen save for her shadow.  She digs around for a second and emerges, telekinetically carrying a ball of cloth shreds with her.

103 SWEETIE BELLE

Thanks Rarity!

104 RARITY [trailing off]

Yeah, wheh-- [yawns]

SWEETIE BELLE exits the frame and the sound of the door shutting can be heard just shy of fading into the next scene.

INSIDE CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CLUBHOUSE

Inside the clubhouse, SCOOTALOO and SWEETIE BELLE are tending to SCOOTALOO's scooter.  The cloth scraps brought in by SWEETIE BELLE now takes the form of a small dissheveled pile on the floor.

105 SWEETIE BELLE

So do you think any of these pieces of cloth will work?

106 SCOOTALOO

I don't know.  None of them seem to be the right shape to fit over the handlebars.

SWEETIE BELLE telekinetically places various pieces of cloth over the handlebars, each of which are denied by SCOOTALOO.

107 SCOOTALOO

No.  No.  No, no, no, no. No!

108 SWEETIE BELLE

Well maybe we didn't find a cover for your

handlebars.  But I did find this hat!

As SWEETIE BELLE mouths the words, "this hat," a triumphant backdrop makes a brief appearance as she quickly picks up SEEKER's hat from the bottom of the pile of cloth items and puts it on her head.

109 SWEETIE BELLE

You like it?

110 SCOOTALOO

Not really.  And why are you talking about hats?  My

hooves burn like no other because of these worn out

handlebar grips!

111 SWEETIE BELLE

Okay.

112 SCOOTALOO

We might need to get more crafty and cut this

cloth out ourselves.

113 SWEETIE BELLE

Let's get a pair of scissors.

THE UPPER SKIES-- ABOVE SWEET APPLE ACRES

Zoom out to the upper skies above Sweet Apple Acres, where SEEKER is taking notes of the positions of each landmark. He appears triumphant with his new mane style.  The Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse can be seen below in the back reaches of the orchards, to point out the irony that Seeker's hat is just below him.

114 SEEKER [speeding through technical jargon]

Okay, so the schoolhouse is just to the east down

this road, and assuming that the road runs exactly

due east at an azimuth of ninety degrees, zero

minutes, zero seconds, the latitude of the schoolhouse

and the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres should be equal, and...

SEEKER begins shivering.  He looks up to notice the lack of hat on his head, and his demeanor instantly changes to a hopeless one.

115 SEEKER

Oh, it's not the same.

OUTSIDE TWILIGHT'S LIBRARY

SEEKER is back at TWILIGHT's doorstep.  TWILIGHT can be seen within the doorframe.

116 TWILIGHT

Sorry, Seeker.  I have my own things to do today.  I

can't help you find your hat all day...

117 SEEKER [reluctantly accepting]

I understand...

118 TWILIGHT

But I can refer you to somepony who responds

wholeheartedly to hat emergencies.  She'll

definitely understand.

SPIKE pokes his head out from behind TWILIGHT's rump.

119 SEEKER

Rarity?

120 TWILIGHT

Nope!  I have an even better idea.

OUTSIDE THE APPLE FAMILY HOME

SPIKE, SEEKER, and TWILIGHT stand outside the front door of the Apple Family's barn-like house.

121 TWILIGHT

Applejack is another pony who doesn't like being

without her hat.  We can trust her to be helpful.

The door opens, and GRANNY SMITH appears.

122 GRANNY SMITH

Nyeh, hello?

123 TWILIGHT

Hi, Granny Smith.  Is Applejack home?

124 GRANNY SMITH

Sure is. (calling out) Applejack!  Yer friends're

here to see ya.  'N ain't Apple Bloom s'pposed to be

back from school yet?

125 APPLEJACK (coming closer from far away)

She's late.  I hope she comes back soon; she's got

cow stables to clean out.  Some folks in Ponyville

have been complainin' about the smell.

APPLEJACK arrives at the front door, finally.

126 APPLEJACK

Hi, y'all!

127 TWILIGHT

Hi, Applejack.  We need your help.  Our friend

Seeker has lost his blue hat.

128 APPLEJACK

Well, shoot.  Sorry, I ain't seen a blue hat 'round

here.  And boy, do I know what it's like to be forced

to part from your hat.  Why, if I ever lost this thing,

I know I'd never be able to find another one just like it.

SEEKER practically gruvels at APPLEJACK's feet.

129 SEEKER [guttural and melodramatic]

Finally!  Somepony understands my life!

TWILIGHT and SPIKE look at each other in distaste.

130 TWILIGHT

So can you help us look?

131 APPLEJACK

'Fraid not.

132 SEEKER

But I thought you understood!

133 APPLEJACK

Oh believe me, I do.  But here's somethin' for you

to understand--I've got an idea of who might have

done somethin' with yer hat.

134 SEEKER, TWILIGHT, AND SPIKE

Who!?

135 APPLEJACK

Let me just ask ya this:  Which of our friends would

have a problem with the type of hat somepony was

wearin'?

136 TWILIGHT AND SPIKE [exasperated]

Rarity...

OUTSIDE CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE

SEEKER, SPIKE, and TWILIGHT stand outside Carousel Boutique.  RARITY has stepped outside to talk with them as well.

FOCUSING ON EACH PONY AS THEY TALK

137 TWILIGHT

Did you happen to take Seeker's hat?

138 RARITY

No!...Well, yes.  But not really, considering--

139 SEEKER

So you stole it?

140 RARITY

I didn't steal it, so much as I replaced it.

141 SEEKER

Replaced it!? With what!?

142 RARITY

I made you another hat!  A better hat.  Did you not

see it when you woke up?  It was my little gift to you!

143 SEEKER

I didn't see it, nor did I care to see it!

144 RARITY [appalled]

Unh!  Talk about ungrateful.

145 SEEKER [rage builds]

Ungrateful!?

146 TWILIGHT

Ohhhhh.  I see what's going on here.

147 SEEKER and RARITY [both cross]

What?

148 TWILIGHT

Seeker, Rarity made you a hat out of her own

generosity.  She wanted to make you a better hat.

149 SPIKE

That random hat we found on the floor!  That must be

the better hat!

150 SEEKER

One that she thought was better.

151 TWILIGHT

Precisely.  But sometimes, somepony will develop a

bond with an object that has personal meaning to

him.  And often, we will enjoy the comfort of

something we've had for many years, because it

becomes a part of who we are. Like my Smarty

Pants!

A thought bubble appears over Twilight's head showing her as a filly, grabbing her Smarty Pants doll and sweetly squeezing it against her front side.  This thought bubble disappears abruptly after a few seconds.

152 SEEKER

That hat is a part of who I am.  So can I have it back?

153 RARITY

I see...I admit it was wrong of me to take your hat.

I just felt you wouldn't need it because of your

new, improved hat.  But if you want the old one back,

it's in my scrap pile.  I'll go get it right now.

INSIDE CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE

RARITY walks over to her scrap pile, which can now be seen.  She digs through it to find that the hat is gone.

154 RARITY

It's ...gone!

(COMMERCIAL)

FRONT ROOM OF CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE- INSIDE

RARITY is pacing back and forth, pondering, as TWILIGHT and SPIKE lounge around.  SEEKER is pawing at the ground in anger.

155 RARITY

Sweetie Belle must have been going through my scraps

again!

156 SPIKE

If that's the case, maybe we can check the clubhouse

that she and her friends go to!

157 TWILIGHT

That's a great idea!

158 SEEKER

I hope it's there...

CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CLUBHOUSE-OUTSIDE

SWEETIE BELLE and SCOOTALOO can be heard inside the open door of the clubhouse.  They are holding their noses.

159 SCOOTALOO [holding nose]

Let's get out of here!  It smells.

160 SWEETIE BELLE [holding nose]

I can't wait to breathe again.

The two fillies become visible in the doorway--SWEETIE BELLE has SEEKER's hat on her head.

161 SWEETIE BELLE

You sure you don't like this hat?

162 SCOOTALOO

Nah.

SWEETIE BELLE telekinetically removes the hat and drops it on the floor, just inside the doorway.

WALKWAY LEADING TO THE CLUBHOUSE--FAVORING THE HAYSTACKS

Two haystacks are stacked upon each other as they lie along the path leading up to the clubhouse.  SWEETIE BELLE and SCOOTALOO walk from left to right across the screen right in front of the camera, temporarily obscuring the haystacks.

163 SWEETIE BELLE

What don't you like about it?

164 SCOOTALOO

I don't know...The fabric on it is kind of...dumb.

After SWEETIE BELLE and SCOOTALOO leave frame, the side of APPLE BLOOM's face appears on the left side of the haystacks.

165 APPLE BLOOM

The coast is clear!

FAVORING THE CLUBHOUSE FROM THE OUTSIDE

APPLE BLOOM darts into the clubhouse from her hiding spot behind the haystacks.  She assumes another hiding position to the right of the doorframe, where again, only the left edge of her face is visible.

166 APPLE BLOOM

Applejack and Big Macintosh can never find out.

APPLE BLOOM darts around the clubhouse so fast, that she can't be clearly seen.  She rummages around looking for something for a few seconds, until the camera enters the clubhouse.

INSIDE THE CLUBHOUSE

APPLE BLOOM is shown standing plainly on the clubhouse floor, and it is finally revealed that her ribbon is missing.

167 APPLE BLOOM

I can't believe she stole my ribbon!

She looks around some more.

168 APPLE BLOOM

If anypony finds out that Diamond Tiara snagged my

ribbon, I'll be toast!  I have to cover it up.

APPLE BLOOM eyes SEEKER's hat on the ground.  She snatches it and puts it on.

169 APPLE BLOOM

There.  It's kinda itchy, but it'll work.  I need to

get help...from somepony who's clever and who I can

trust...

EVERFREE FOREST

APPLE BLOOM, wearing SEEKER's hat, trots from right to left down a path amidst the spooky trees and bramble bushes of the Everfree Forest.  She quickly arrives in front of ZECORA's hut and knocks on the door.  ZECORA promptly answers.

170 ZECORA

Apple Bloom, your face I've missed!

But I must ask--whose hat is this?

INSIDE ZECORA'S HUT

Fade to a scene within ZECORA's hut showing APPLE BLOOM and ZECORA sitting at a dinner table discussing the situation at hand.

171 APPLE BLOOM

I've got to get my ribbon back! Diamond Tiara stole it because she knew I'd be embarrassed, and...well, here I am...Embarrassed.  I just took the hat to cover up.

172 ZECORA

I detect a lot of soul in that.

Somepony must miss this hat.

173 APPLE BLOOM

Yeah.  I guess somepony misses this hat like I miss

my ribbon.  I'd be happy to give this hat back, but

I can't say the same for Diamond Tiara and my

ribbon...

As ZECORA speaks, she removes herself from her chair and moves relaxedly toward a counter where she mixes potions.

174 ZECORA

We'll do both, I have a plan

To return each to where it began.

ZECORA, at a kitchen counter, removes a hollow spherical object from a cabinet and places it on a counter.  She unscrews it into two hemispheres, like two halves of a coconut.  Then, she removes the hat from APPLE BLOOM's head and places it in the bowl created by one of the hemispheres.  ZECORA then concocts a mixture of chemicals and herbs, and she pours it into the same half-ball.

175 APPLE BLOOM

What kinds of fancy ingredients do you put in there?

176 ZECORA

Nothing but water and seeds of hope

And also I've added some homemade soap

So now the ball acts as a washing machine

A twist that I've made so the hat can stay clean.

APPLE BLOOM shrugs.

177 ZECORA

But now, Apple Bloom, this is where you come in

I have yet to add one more ingredient.

The plant that you seek is Heart's Desire,

The same from when you were being a liar.

APPLE BLOOM quickly fetches the desired plant from ZECORA's side yard.  ZECORA grinds up petals from the plant and adds them to the mixture.  She then screws the other hemisphere on.  The hollow ball now contains SEEKER's hat in a solution of a magical potion and detergent.

178 ZECORA

Come along now, Apple Bloom

It's time we solved this, I presume

179 APPLE BLOOM

But what about my ribbon?

180 ZECORA

That requires no magic used-

For our friends won't stand for you being abused.

APPLE BLOOM's ears droop as the two embark for Ponyville.

EVERFREE FOREST

APPLE BLOOM and ZECORA walk through the Everfree Forest, and the ball containing SEEKER's hat rolls autonomously forward.

181 ZECORA

The soul connection here is strong-

This ball is moving right along!

182 APPLE BLOOM

So the ball rolls toward whoever is longing for the

hat?

183 ZECORA

Precisely!

184 APPLEBLOOM

Weird.  Cool, but weird.

BEHIND SWEET APPLE ACRES

SEEKER, RARITY, TWILIGHT, and SPIKE are walking up to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse.  Within frame are the haystacks behind which APPLE BLOOM was hiding earlier.

185 RARITY

If I know Sweetie Belle, she would have run off to this makeshift clubhouse of hers.

JUST OUTSIDE THE CLUBHOUSE

TWILIGHT stands on the platform just outside of the clubhouse, hesitant to go in.  She finds it impolite to simply walk inside and rummage through their things.

186 TWILIGHT

I hope Apple Bloom and her friends don't mind if we

take a look around inside...

RARITY prances right past TWILIGHT's face into the doorway of the clubhouse.

187 RARITY [dismissively]

Oh, of course she won't mind.

INSIDE THE CLUBHOUSE

SEEKER, SPIKE, TWILIGHT, and RARITY are digging through the articles strewn about the cluttered clubhouse floor.  They are muttering to themselves as they throw objects around for a few seconds. (The next three tracks overlap into a collection of background noise.)

188 SPIKE [mumbling to himself]

It's not over here, it's not over here, it's not

here...

189 TWILIGHT [mumbling to herself]

That's not it...That's not it either...Oh come on.

190 SEEKER [mumbling to himself]

Come on, come on, come on!  It's gotta be here

somewhere.

The four characters reconvene near the front door.

191 RARITY

I'm sorry Seeker.  I thought that this would be the

place for sure.

192 SEEKER [crossly]

Yeah.  If anypony was going to be sorry, it should

be you.

TWILIGHT and RARITY jerk back in recoil, as they are appalled.  However, SEEKER's demeanor switches to a soft, weak disappointment.

193 SEEKER [depressed]

But I understand that you were only trying to help.

I don't know what else to do. I guess I'll just go

lie down.

SEEKER begins slowly trotting out of the clubhouse as if to mope.  RARITY, TWILIGHT, and SPIKE remain standing.

194 TWILIGHT

That's okay, Seeker.  You don't feel well.  Get some

rest.

OUTSIDE-- PATH LEADING TO CLUBHOUSE, FAVORING SEEKER

Outside, the camera follows Seeker as he mopes down the path through Sweet Apple Acres in an effort to return to his temporary home, TWILIGHT's library.  SPIKE runs up to him and jumps around his slowly-advancing position along the path.

195 SPIKE

Oh! Oh! I know what can take your mind off things!

We've got tons of books!  Getting your mind immersed

into the magical world of a book sure helps me!...

SPIKE's attempt to cheer up Seeker is found to have no effect.  He slinks back off screen.  TWILIGHT tries something as well, and gallops up to trot along SEEKER's side.

196 TWILIGHT

You're going to get your hat back, Seeker.  It'll

turn up!

RARITY can be seen catching up to SPIKE and TWILIGHT to run alongside both of them, as Seeker barks back in response.

197 SEEKER [harshly]

Yeah, and what if it doesn't?

198 RARITY [poshly agreeable]

That's what I was thinking.

TWILIGHT glares at RARITY, thinking that's all she was planning on saying.  The three ponies stop moving.

199 RARITY [explaining herself]

I know you want your hat back. But if it doesn't come

back, I will make you a hat.  And it will be as close to

an exact replica as possible.  I know I wanted to change

the style of your hat, but I didn't realize that this hat was

a part of who you were.  And no pony can expect a friend

to change who he is... I'm sorry I took your hat.  I'll make

it up to you by giving you a brand new hat that's your

style...however dorky it is.

SEEKER looks at the ground as if to cry.

200 SEEKER [impressed, yet emotional]

Wow, Rarity.  That's awfully strong of you to come around

like that... A hat just like the one I had would be the best

thing we could possibly do right now.  I couldn't ask for

a better apology.

SEEKER quickly wraps his hoof around RARITY's back in a sudden hug.

201 SEEKER

Thank you, Rarity.

FAVORING SPIKE

SPIKE, who is still catching up, is running along the path behind them, gasping for breath.  SPIKE pauses, and a speedily-rolling ball comes up from behind him and bumps into him.  SPIKE then finds himself on top of the ball, running along its top side to keep from falling off.

202 SPIKE

Gasp...gasp...gasp...Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

After yelling "whoa" three times, SPIKE is deposited off the rolling ball.  He lands on his rump in confusion.

FAVORING SEEKER, RARITY, AND TWILIGHT

The ball rolls at high speeds under RARITY and TWILIGHT, disturbing their balance. It slows down and stops right in front of SEEKER, who doesn't notice as he is looking down in despair.

203 RARITY [stopping mid-sentence]

What in Equestria...?

FAVORING SPIKE

SPIKE is still sitting on the path-covered ground, as ZECORA and ribbon-less APPLE BLOOM gallop past SPIKE.

204 APPLE BLOOM [quick and staccato]

Hi Spike!

FAVORING SEEKER, RARITY, AND TWILIGHT

APPLE BLOOM and ZECORA stride into frame.

205 TWILIGHT [as if reciting poetry]

Zecora!  Apple Bloom!  What's going on?

And where has your little old pink ribbon gone?

TWILIGHT, realizing that she has just rhymed, quickly perks up and covers her mouth with her hoof.

206 ZECORA

Before we address that, we've one thing to do--

Does this hat belong to any of you?

ZECORA telekinetically lifts the now stationary ball from the ground, displaying the hat inside, immersed in a soapy solution.  TWILIGHT notices that it's SEEKER's hat and becomes excited.

207 TWILIGHT [excited]

Seeker!  It's your hat!

SEEKER looks up from his moping, and his face changes to an expression of delight.

TWILIGHT telekinetically splits the ball open and transports it to a position above SEEKER's head.  She deactivates her telekinesis and the hat plops squarely on top of his head.  SEEKER is ecstatic.

208 SEEKER

Amazing!  Why's it all wet though?

209 APPLE BLOOM

Zecora used some magic so the hat would find you!

She put some soap in there too so it'd be nice and

clean when you got it.

SEEKER and ZECORA introduce themselves at each other.  Meanwhile, APPLE BLOOM can be seen snatching one of the halves of the magic ball and defensively covering her head with it.

210 SEEKER

Wow, thanks...Zecora, is it?

ZECORA nods.

211 SEEKER

Thank you so much!  I'm Seeker.

212 ZECORA

You're glad it's returned, and so am I

But you might want to wait for it to dry.

A PONYVILLE STREET AT DUSK

As the sun begins to set, TWILIGHT, SPIKE, SEEKER, and RARITY are continuing their leisurely stroll back to their homes.  APPLE BLOOM is accompanying them wearing a paper bag over her head.

FAVORING RARITY AND SEEKER

213 RARITY

You know what? Now that you have your hat back...

214 SEEKER [interrupting]

You still owe me a hat.

215 RARITY

I was actually about to suggest the same thing as well.  I want to ensure that I am indeed delivering the sincerest of apologies.

216 SEEKER

You know what?  You're pretty awesome, Rarity.

SEEKER engages RARITY in a hoof-bump, and RARITY reciprocates, though somewhat clumsily, as a hoof-bump isn't Rarity's preferred choice of displaying affection.

Shortly after, TWILIGHT's library enters the frame.

217 SPIKE

Well, I'm tired. Good night everypony!

218 TWILIGHT, SEEKER, AND APPLE BLOOM [together]

Good night!

219 RARITY

Good night, Spike!

SPIKE enters his home, the library, and shuts the door.

220 TWILIGHT

Now to take care of your ribbon, Apple Bloom!

221 APPLE BLOOM [happily]

Finally!

222 TWILIGHT [with ironic delight]

We'll start by telling your sister!

223 APPLE BLOOM [horrified]

Nooooooooooo!

OUTSIDE FILTHY RICH'S MANSION-- AT NIGHT

APPLEJACK, RARITY, TWILIGHT, SEEKER, and APPLE BLOOM, still in her paper bag, are standing on the front stoop of a large red mansion, home to DIAMOND TIARA and her father, FILTHY RICH.  APPLEJACK knocks at the door.  Shortly afterward, the door opens and FILTHY RICH appears behind it.

224 FILTHY RICH

Hello, there.  May I help you?

225 APPLEJACK

Good evening, sir.  My friends here and I would like

to know the whereabouts of a pink ribbon.

226 FILTHY RICH

Why, I don't know where I'd--

227 APPLE BLOOM [interrupting]

Diamond Tiara stole it from me at school!

228 FILTHY RICH [squinting]

I see...

The door shuts, and some rustling can be heard elsewhere in the mansion.  DIAMOND TIARA can be heard protesting in the background. (The following clip may be recycled from "Family Appreciation Day.")

229 DIAMOND TIARA

But Dad...

The front door bursts open, giving way to FILTHY RICH grasping APPLE BLOOM's ribbon.

230 FILTHY RICH

I barely know you as one of Diamond Tiara's

classmates, and even I'm aware that this ribbon is

an important part of who you are.

FILTHY RICH hands over the ribbon.

FAVORING A PORTRAIT OF APPLEJACK

231 APPLEJACK

Thank you kindly, Filthy Rich.

APPLE BLOOM jumps up from below frame, with her ribbon already back in its rightful place on her head.

232 APPLE BLOOM [obnoxiously]

We appreciate it!!

FAVORING ALL CHARACTERS

The door to the mansion closes.  APPLEJACK turns around and addresses her sister.

233 APPLEJACK

You know, you should have just come to me sooner,

Apple Bloom.  None of this was your fault.

234 RARITY

Ohh, I know!  If a crime against fashion was wrought

upon my sister, it would be so on.

235 SEEKER

Even if that crime is against somepony else's personal fashion that might disagree with your own?

SEEKER and APPLEJACK both don a smug expression.

FAVORING RARITY

RARITY is shown taken aback and a bit nervous in reaction to SEEKER's comment.  After a few seconds of nervously sweating, she responds with a bright expression on her face.

236 RARITY

Yes.