It was raining hard that night. Not torrentially, but heavy still. She was sure to make that happen any chance she got to discourage crime. If Mare-do-well hadn't sprung to pay extra for the night-vision goggles, the heavy rain might have been a problem, but she did, so it wasn't. It wasn't like she would've let that stop her, anyway. Mare-do-well had always had an indomitable spirit and she hardly ever did what she was told unless something big was at stake or unless it was somepony she trusted explicitly. There she stood on her old and familiar perch atop the spire. The rain would make it difficult to hear for signs of trouble that would appear despite the weather, so she took flight into the stormy night to search for it more carefully. Everything seemed to be in relative peace in the city of New Maredrid tonight. Mare-do-well took solace in that thought. It meant she had been doing an alright enough job protecting this place. It was just a shame that she couldn't tell anypony what she did, not so much as her real identity, but as Mare-do-well as well. She so longed for the chance to bask in everyponies admiration and respect, but knew she couldn't. Mare-do-well had always been a heroine that let her actions speak for themselves. To do anything else would be to disgrace the legacy of the hat and cowl and those who wore it before her. Then she saw something in the distance. There was a glowing window in the horizon. She flew there under the cover of night and saw a few figures in the room. One wore a hat and trench coat with a red bandana around his face, while the others were all knocked out except for one that wore an expensive suit.
She could barely make out what they were saying, but she listened close enough to get most of it. "L-look! You already took out my guards and burned all my merchandise!" The colt talking sounded like he was about to wet himself out of fear for the hatted figure. "I-I can give you anything you want! Money! Mares! Colts, if you're into that kind of thing!"
"It's hilarious that you think I can be bought like that after all you've done, Mate. After all the people you've hurt in the name of profit." The hatted stallion spoke with a Deep South Equestrian accent. A south equestrian all the way here in New Maredrid? Weird. "You wanna know what else is hilarious, Mate?"
"W-what?!" She could hear the trepidation in his voice.
"That you think just because you got some money means you can step on everypony in your way. The idea that a no good son of a griffon like you thinks he can do whatever the hay he wants. And you wanna know what the real kicker is, Mate?" What Mare-do-well assumed was the bad colt shook his head no. "THIS!" The hat spun around with speed that made him look like a brown blur and kicked the villain through the wall with his back legs. "G'night, Mate. Sleep tight." As he left the room, Mare-do-well waited until she thought it had been safe to investigate. She entered through the window and examined the area carefully. There were maybe six colts scattered around the room with various injuries. Some had broken legs and others had broken faces. The colt who had been kicked clear through the wall was still alive, but barely. It looked like he had a concussion or something. His face was bloody as well, but he would live as long as he received medical attention. It was then that she recognized who the hay he was: Dirty Money, one of the more ruthless crime lords of New Maredrid. She then saw the flashing lights and heard the sirens of the police unicorns outside the building and decided deliver the incapacitated crook to the authorities. She dropped him on a canopy and then abruptly left the scene of the assault. There was a new sheriff in town, apparently. Mare-do-well knew not the name or even whether he was an earthpony, unicorn, or pegasus. She only knew he wore a hat, so that's what she would call him: The Hat.
After that, she thoroughly combed the area for New Maredrid Cities new masked avenger. She searched high and low, and behind each corner she turned, she thought she could barely make out his cloak. She knew she was on his tail, so she kept on him. He kept away from the roof tops, though. It was no doubt because he knew the pony chasing after him was a pegasus and those would hold a distinct advantage over him, while on the ground and in this urban environment, they would be almost equal in terms of physical skill. The rain made it all the more difficult, but the heroine was still up to the task of tracking down this cunning rogue. Eventually, she chased him to the other side of the city, to the top of the spire. He was no doubt at the peak of pony perfection for him to do that without the use of any magic, or at least, as far as Mare-do-well knew. The chase was over, but Mare-do-well had a feeling that that was only because this hatted hero wanted it to end
On the highest point of the city of New Maredrid, he stood there stoic and unmoving, his coat flowing with the wind and the rain. Mare-do-well flew up intent on finding out who he was and what he was doing in his city. She tried to sneak up on him, but failed. "Beautiful, isn't?" He called out asking her, knowing she was behind him. "Bloody shame that it fell into the wrong hooves." Mare-do-well just stood there, half in awe that this one had been able to lead her half way across the city and half just listening. If this Hat was as smart as she thought, then he probably meant to do more than just complement the scenery she helped to make earlier that day. "Right, you're not one for talking, are ya, Sheila? Just as well, as I wasn't here for your commentary anyhow." Even under the mask of Mare-do-well and without words, her silence was able to ask all the questions needed. "As you may know, this hay-hole of a city is in right dire straits. In the days ahead, you may need my help, and I'll need yours. Should the need arise, I'll need some good mates at my side to fight the good fight." Mare-do-well just stayed silent, wondering what he meant when he said "in the days ahead". "I've heard of your work and how you do a bloody good job of what the authorities let fall out of their hooves. This city needs heroes like you, Mate. Now more than ever." He turned around and walked passed Mare-do-well, who herself was uncertain whether or not she could trust this mysterious stranger. "You don't have to make up your mind right now, though. Give it time, and then decide." He walked over to the edge of the roof and turned around to face her.
For the first time all night, Mare-do-well opened her mouth to speak. "Who are you?" If she learned nothing else this night, it had to be this colts name.
"I haven't really thought of a name yet, to tell you the truth," He thought for a moment as he turned back around to gaze at the city that was under his guardianship, sliding his hoof across the brim of his hat. She could only barely see his eyes, but she could tell he was smiling under them. "Hmm. Maybe you should just call me... The Hat!" She totally called it. He jumped from the ten story high roof top and by the time Mare-do-well flown to the side, he was gone, vanished even.
This night, Mare-do-well was left with more questions than answers. That troubled her. She was also left intrigued and perhaps even a little... attracted? That troubled her even more. One thing was for certain, though. He led her here, meaning he probably could have escaped easily enough if he wanted to, as well as making an admittedly wicked cool escape. Then if you combine that with the fact that he asked for help, that there was something that he didn't think he could handle alone, then something must be happening soon. Something big. Raining as hard as it was, Mare-do-well figured that she should probably head home. The Hat would no doubt be in touch with her in the future, but for now, she just wanted go lay her head on her pillow and get some sleep.