The Rise of The Hammer

Hammer waved at the wall-eyed gray pony every pony knew as Derpy, and she flicked a wave back to him as they passed in the street. He often saw her several times a day, and always waved and smiled at her, because he thought a silly looking pony like that wouldn’t have had very many friends, just like he did when he was a young colt still. When he was younger his legs outgrew the rest of his body and he couldn’t remember the sheer amount and variety of hurtful, mean “nicknames” he was given by the other young ponies. He was brought up pretty much by his own two hooves after he got kicked out of the foster home he was staying in for beating up one of the older ponies that made fun of him. That day he had simply had enough. He couldn’t bear the mean nicknames he was given.

Everyone simply called him Hammer, for his cutie mark's namesake. As Hammer was enjoying his walk home for his lunch break, he hummed a silly little tune he had made up earlier that day, while helping Big Macintosh with some fences at the Apple Family farm. The Apple family was some of the nicest, most welcoming ponies he’d ever known. Whenever he had free time, he would always volunteer his services for any number of jobs that Big Mac couldn’t do on his own (which was exceedingly rare) or he would keep Apple Bloom entertained while Applejack or Granny Smith were busy, Or when Apple Bloom couldn’t play with her friends. He thought he more or less considered the Apples his family, even though he didn’t actually live with them or carry their renowned name.

When he had walked into his home, he noticed he had received a letter. This was one of very few bits of mail he ever received. He opened it gently with his teeth, thanking Celestia that it wasn’t encased in an envelope, which Earth Ponies were not too good with. In official-looking red script, The letter read as follows:

‘Dear Mr. Hammer,

The Princess cordially invites you to join her at Canterlot Castle, this following week, to participate in a “Young

Stallions” Contest. This contest is simply to exhibit the strengths, abilities, and determination of able-bodied young

stallions.  The purpose of the contest is to find fresh recruits for Her Royal  Majesty’s Guards. If you are one of the top 3

winners, you will be granted a 1000-bit recruitment bonus, and a spot in Her Majesty’s Royal Army. With enough luck, you

may end up serving with us for many wonderful years. Your train pass is inside this letter if you haven’t found it yet.

Signed, Royal Guard Commander.’

Hammer blinked, and a little ~swish~ pulled him out of his reverie, and his train pass floated to the floor below. He read it twice, to be certain. “This Ticket entitles holder to one free passage aboard The Equestrian Express, all expenses paid, first class.” He whinnied with excitement. Him, Hammer, a possible Royal Guard! He couldn’t wait! All the week he told anyone who would listen about his Royal Invitation. He packed everything he might need with painstaking effort in a green duffel bag. Though he confessed, he didn’t have much. A few bits he had been saving, some warm clothing for the winter months, and his ornate tool set that had been given to him by a passing stranger after he had just gotten his cutie mark. The day came to finally take that trip, and he was surprised to see the few people see him off that did show up.

The Apple Family with their dog Winona in tow, and the funny-eyed Derpy. As he trotted over to the gathered friends, he could barely contain himself. He didn’t know how much they actually cared for him until that moment. Derpy saw him first. He didn’t fancy her as much of a talker, but her actions showed true kindness. She had baked him a dozen of her contest-winning Apple Cinnamon muffins, and spoke a short, sweet sentence. “Congratulations Hammer, I’ll miss you. Take these for all those nice smiles you gave me.” He teared up a little at this and hugged Derpy, mindful of her wings.

“Thank you for waving back when nobody else would.”

She smiled at this and let him go. Next in queue was little Apple Bloom, who hugged him as best she could, and said “I’ll miss you Mr. Hammer. I’ll be sure to keep looking for my cutie mark so I can show you one day.” He smiled and also hugged her back, tossing her a little silver coin for good luck. Next the rest of the apples followed with similar words of kindness and caring. When he got to Big Mac he was most surprised of all. Big Mac took Hammer’s hoof in his own and shook it, looking him straight in the eye. “Do your best Hammer; I’ll have plenty of work for you when you get back.”

As they let go of each other’s hooves, a new respect was sparked between these two. When Big Mac shook your hoof, it was a monumental gesture of respect. Mac was never touchy feely and rarely ever shook hooves. Then Hammer did something as equally new and strange. He spoke to Big Mac, and mor than just a short one or two words.

“I will, big brother, and you better have more work than ever when I get back.” He smiled at his friends and looked back at them as he boarded the Express, ready to prove his worth to the Princess and her few and proud guards.