In Guts and Glory

Hammerhead lay there in bed and bounced a ball against the wall and caught it when it bounced back, he had been doing this for literally 2 hours. “Goddess why does waiting have to be so boring” he yelled out. “Hey now” said a southerner voice from the bed beside him. Hammerhead looked over to see a mare that was a little older than him, by about probably 12 years actually, but she still looked almost as young as he was.

“Uh sorry, I didn’t think people cared about me complaining” Hammerhead chuckled, “now ah meant ah know yah, well sorta” the southern pony informed Hammerhead. “Yeah, well” Hammerhead groaned as he got out of bed, bandages covered most of his chest from gunshot wounds, and he slowly walked over to the southern pony and extended his hoof to greet her “name’s Hammerhead” Hammerhead introduced himself, “ah knew it, yer the fella that saved those ponies last week” the southern pony exclaimed.

“Shh keep it down, last time a pony in here found out she was jumpy around the place saying how she had just met a celebrity and asked for an autograph” Hammerhead hushed the southerner, “well mister, ah’m Applejack pleasure tah finally meet the stallion who saved muh sister” she announced and shook his hoof. Hammerhead went back to his hospital bed and laid back down and let out a small grunt of pain. “You alright?” Apple asked curiously, “don’t worry about me, nothing a few patches can’t fix right?” Hammerhead asked jokingly. He looked over to Thunder Shot, he was sleeping at the moment but the doctors said he’d make a full recovery.

“What are you in for” Hammerhead asked Applejack and she pulled off some of her bed sheets revealing a small chest cast “apple buckin an a darn tree fell on me” she chuckled “but that ain’t nothin tah what happened tah yah so ah’m grateful that my injuries aren’t that bad” she said and Hammerhead nodded. Thunder Shot rolled over, and mumbled to Hammerhead “H? could you get me a glass of water?” he asked weakly and Hammerhead quickly got his friend a glass of cold water and helped Thunder Shot drink it, due to his currently weakened state.

“Hammerhead… thanks, we may not be related but you’re like my brother” Thunder Lane whispered. Suddenly the doors opened and Rumble, Pipsqueak, Diamond Tiara, Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell entered the room. Rumble had his foreleg wrapped around Scootaloo and they looked cute together. Tiara immediately went over to sit beside Thunder Shot but the other went first to Thunder Shot to say hello then to Hammerhead and Applebloom handed him his duster coat along with his holster and a finely made bandolier. “Sorry we couldn’t get yer guns in, the doctors won’t let us bring yah them but yah’ll get them back as soon as yah leave” Applebloom informed Hammerhead who nodded.

“Wow this thing is more beautiful than I remember it” Hammerhead said, there was beautiful quality stitching fixing the bullet holes and now there was a beautiful apple tree along with some other cool pictures crafted into the coat. A little note fell onto Hammerhead’s chest and he placed the duster coat on his lap while he looked at the note, it was written ‘will you be my special some-pony for prom AB’ Hammerhead looked at the note them placed it gently beside him on the night stand. “Sure why not” Hammerhead replied with a wink, Applebloom was overjoyed and literally lept onto Hammerhead who let out a groan of pain “please… my wounds aren’t healed up yet” he groaned. Applebloom quickly rolled off of him “oops sorry ah didn’t know” she apologized, Hammerhead nodded “it’s okay, I’ve been through worse” he chuckled.

* * *

Hammerhead was doing up the buttons on his suit for prom night, he had considered wearing his duster coat but Applejack said it would be more appealing for him to wear a suit.

After a quick check Hammerhead drove his motorize carriage out to the Apple family farm. Hammerhead presented himself nicely and knocked on the door. Applebloom answered the door and was dressed in a beautiful dress. “Applebloom you’re… you look absolutely stunning” Hammerhead stuttered and Applebloom gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “I’ll bring her back home right after prom” Hammerhead promised but Applejack grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him back around. “No funny business yah hear?” Applejack ordered and Hammerhead nodded like a child being told what to do, “back before midnight” Applejack continued to order and Hammerhead continued to nod. “She may be a full grown mare but she has the mind of a young filly so if yah do get down tah business don’t force it on her” she ordered and Hammerhead nodded “I wouldn’t dare think of it” he replied. “Like a true gentle-colt” Applejack replied as she straightened his tie.

“Give me your gun” she ordered and Hammerhead rolled his eyes and handed her his Desert Eagle, the same one he had used to save the group. “Both of them” Applejack ordered and Hammerhead pulled out another handgun, this one was a M1911 with beautiful apple engravings in the grips, made especially by Rarity for Hammerhead. “Are you ready” Applejack asked with a bout of confidence, Hammerhead shrugged “she’s just a mare how hard could it be?” he asked, Applejack laughed “maybe you better take the gun”