//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: "Get Away From My Baby!" // Story: A Pop Star, a Princess, and a Prisoner // by Raptormon132 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Lawful Eye, Warden Rehab, and Lock Down were walking down the road towards Fluttershy's cottage later that day. Lock Down looked around the town, amazed on how green and beautiful the trees and gardens were around town, as well as the town's architecture. "The town is so beautiful," Lock Down said. "I wish my wife and kids were here to see all this." Twilight turned to Lock Down. "How come you didn't bring them along?" "I did ask, but my wife insisted on me going without her and the kids. She thought it was best that way since I know Abacus better, and that it was a personal matter that I needed to handle on my own with Rehab." "I see." Twilight smiled. "Well, I could've accommodated them too if they came along. I would've like to have met them. But oh well. Maybe next time." Spike, who was listening to everything, wiped his brow, and sighed quietly with relief. He then thought inside his head. "Thank Celestia! I don't think we could fit anymore house guests back at the library. We've got too many already." Soon they arrived at Fluttershy's cottage, and entered through the gate. Warden Rehab observed the front yard of the cottage. "So this is where Abacus is staying?" Warden Rehab asked. "This home of your friend's has quite a safe atmosphere." Twilight smiled. "Indeed it does." "Well, when you care for so many animal like she does, you have to have a safe atmosphere." Spike said. They all stopped at the front door, where Twilight raised her hoof, and knocked on the door. They waited for a few moments before the door opened, and revealed Fluttershy in the doorway. "Oh, hey Twilight." Fluttershy said. Twilight waved a hoof at Fluttershy. "Hi, Fluttershy." Fluttershy turned to Spike and Lawful Eye. "Hey, Spike. Hey, Lawful Eye." Spike waved. "Hey, Fluttershy." Fluttershy turned and noticed Warden Rehab, and Lock Down. "Oh. And some visitors." "Oh, yes," Twilight said. "Fluttershy. This is Rehab, and Lock Down." Warden Rehab smiled. "How do you do?" "A pleasure, ma'am." Lock Down greeted. Fluttershy smiled at Warden Rehab and Lock Down. "Oh. Hello, sirs." "They came all the way from Hoofstrong Prison to see Abacus." Spike said. Fluttershy's eyes widen, looking rather worried. "Hoofstrong Prison? Oh, no. You're not here to arrest him and take him back, are you? That would be awful. Please don't do that!" Warden Rehab waved his hoof, gently silencing the fretting pegasus. "It's alright, ma'am. I assure you that we're not here to do any of that." "We're here to help." Lock Down said. Lawful Eye stepped forward. "I sent a letter to them the day after I arrived in Ponyville requesting their help. That's why they're here." "Oh, I'm sorry," Fluttershy said. "I didn't mean to..." Lock Down waved a assuring hoof at Fluttershy. "It's alright. We understand how you're keeping Abacus safe." "Speaking of which, how's Abacus doing, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. "We're here to see him." Fluttershy put a hoof over her mouth in realization. "Oh dear. I'm afraid Abacus is not here right now." Twilight tilted her head. "Not here?" Fluttershy nodded. "Applejack and Rarity, along with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo came by about an hour ago, and decided to take Abacus out." "Really?" Twilight asked. Lawful Eye began to look concerned. "I'm not sure if that was a good idea. You remember what happened yesterday at the bakery." "Oh, don't worry," Fluttershy said. "Applejack and Rarity will take care of him. Besides, they said they were going to be taking him out for just a couple of hours. So they'll be back soon. Twilight placed a hoof on Lawful Eye's shoulders. "Fluttershy's right. Abacus is in safe hooves with Applejack and Rarity. He'll be okay." Lawful Eye sighed. "I hope so. I really worry about him." "How about some tea and carrot cake while we wait?" Fluttershy asked. "It will be another hour before they get back." Twilight nodded. "Thanks, Fluttershy." Lock Down smiled. "I guess we can wait." "Okay." Fluttershy welcomed them inside. "Please come in." Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Lawful Eye, Warden Rehab, and Lock Down entered into Fluttershy's cottage to enjoy some tea and carrot cake. All while they wait for Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo to bring Abacus back their outing. At that same time, Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were walking in Ponyville's local park with Abacus. It was a perfectly clear day for summer, and that meant it was a hot day. They stopped at a park bench on the path that was underneath a tree, where Abacus, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo sat down. Apple Bloom turned to Abacus who was sitting in between her and Scootaloo in his same old depressed state. "Are ya holdin' up okay, Abacus?" Apple Bloom asked. Apple Bloom patted Abacus gently. Abacus turned to her, and looked at her with his depressed eyes. Apple Bloom smiled kindly. "It ain't as bad as ya thought ta go out." Scootaloo patted Abacus gently. "Yeah. Just don't listen to those jerks who say bad things to you. Because they don't know you like we do." Applejack and Rarity smiled at how nice Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were being towards Abacus, before Applejack turned to Rarity. "Ah'm a mighty glad ya were able ta take time off today, Rarity." Applejack said. "It's no problem, Applejack dear. I wouldn't pass a chance to take dear Abacus out today. Besides, I had managed to finish my fashion line for Sapphire Shores's concert in Manehattan this weekend." Rarity adjusted her hat. "Though I have to say that it is hot today." Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom. "Speaking of which, have you decided who you're going to take to Sapphire Shores's concert yet, Apple Bloom?" "Oh, yeah." Apple Bloom rubbed her chin. "...Well, ah think ah'm gonna go with maybe Applejack." Scootaloo dropped her head in disappointment. "Oh. Okay." Applejack looked at how disappointed Scootaloo was, and turn to Apple Bloom. "Apple Bloom. It's a mighty great thought, but ah think ya should take Scootaloo with ya instead." Apple Bloom tilted her head. "But Applejack, ya said ah can't go ta a big city like Manehattan without a big pony with me." Applejack placed a hoof on Apple Bloom. "But ya wouldn't be. Rarity is going ta it too, an' she's staying at the same hotel. So ya an' Scootaloo can go with Rarity." She turned to Rarity. "Would that be alright, Rarity?" "Of course it would, darling," Rarity said. "They can come with me." "Besides, ah think Scootaloo really wants ta go, sugarcube." Applejack smiled. "So ya'll can go with Rarity." "Really?” Scootaloo's face instantly lit up like a little sun. "I can go to the concert?" Applejack nodded. "Ya sure can, sugarcube." "But you'll have to ask your father first, dear." Rarity said. Scootaloo skipped with joy. "Whoo-hoo! I'm there!" Applejack and Rarity smiled, thinking that it was great to make those arrangements for the two fillies to go to the big city of Manehattan with Rarity to see Sapphire Shores live on stage. Rarity wiped her forehead with her hoof. "Phew! It's really hot. I could go for something cold." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked around, and noticed an ice cream cart with a very fin earth pony stallion, with a vanilla white coat, and a strawberry pink, and chocolate brown patterned mane and tail stationed by the park fountain close by. The ice cream cart was selling chocolate dipped ice cream cones covered with crushed peanuts for two bits each. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at the ice cream cart entrancingly with their mouths watering. Applejack and Rarity smiled as they noticed what the two fillies were looking at, knowing how hot it was, and that they needed one themselves. "Well, since it's so hot, how about an ice cream?" Rarity asked. Applejack sighed from the heat. "Ah think we all should go for ice cream." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo jumped off the bench with glee. "Yay! I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" Rarity turned to Abacus. "How about you, Abacus darling? Would you like an ice cream too?" Abacus did not say anything, he just sadly closed his eyes and slowly nodded. "Alright, dear," Rarity said. "You sit here on the bench in the shade and we'll get the ice cream." Applejack patted Abacus's shoulder. "We'll be right back, sugarcube." Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo walked off towards the nearby ice cream cart, leaving Abacus sitting on the park bench by himself. They approached the cart, and the ice cream pony turned to them. "Five ice cream specials please." Rarity said. The ice cream pony smiled and nodded. "Certainly, ma'am. That'll be ten bits." Meanwhile, Abacus sat there on the bench by himself in that same depressed position. He then turned his head at the sound of a child laughing. Coming down the path was a little, light yellow earth filly, slightly younger than Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She was riding on a scooter, and was coasting down the path on her scooter having the time of her life. On the path, three meters away from the park bench Abacus was sitting on was a stick laying right in the path of the oncoming filly who failed to see it. The wheel of the filly's scooter hit the stick, causing her to fall off on to the path ground hard across from the bench where Abacus was sitting. She began to cry on the ground in pain for she had grazes on her that were starting to mildly bleed. Abacus, feeling sorry for the poor little filly, got up, and came to her aid. He sat down in front of her, and helped the crying, hurt filly up. She looked up at Abacus with tears running down her cheeks, as Abacus began to brush her off with his hoof. As he did so, the sudden sound of fast paced hoof steps was heard, getting louder, and louder. "Get away from my baby, you monster!!" A mare's voice shouted. Before Abacus realized it, something hit the side of his body with great force like a battering ram, and knocked him down to the ground hard. Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were just getting the last ice cream when they turned their heads in the direction where the scream came from. There, they see a light amberish gray earth pony mare assaulting Abacus on the ground, before scooping the crying, injured filly off the ground onto her back, picking up the filly's scooter in her mouth, and rushing off down the path. "Abacus!" Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo quickly rushed over to Abacus, with Rarity holding the ice creams with her magic. Applejack and Apple Bloom came over to Abacus, who was whimpering and sobbing face-down on the ground. "Abacus, are ya alright?" Applejack asked. "What happened?" "I saw the whole thing." Another mare's voice said. Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo turned to look in the direction the voice spoke out. There, standing next to them, was a moderate cerise coated earth pony mare, with a pale light grayish rose mane and tail with light ceriseish gray stripes. "Miss Cheerilee." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo said in unison. Rarity came up to Cheerilee. "What happened, darling?" Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Lawful Eye, Warden Rehab, and Lock Down were outside Fluttershy's cottage enjoying tea, and carrot cake, along with social conversation. It had been twenty minutes since they arrived to see Abacus. "Well, Miss Fluttershy," Warden Rehab said. "It is most kind of you to take Abacus in." Fluttershy put her teacup down. "Oh, it's no problem at all. It's the least I can do for Abacus. And Angel, and some of the animals I care for help me." "Speaking of which." Spike pointed in a direction. "It looks like they're back." They all turned in the direction and saw Applejack, Abacus, Rarity, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, along with Cheerilee coming towards the cottage. "And it looks like Cheerilee's with them." Twilight said. As they were entering through the gate, their relief shifted to concern when they noticed Abacus sobbing, whimpering, and roughed up with Apple Bloom's undone bow wrapped around his right front hoof. Fluttershy gasped putting a hoof over her mouth. "Oh, no. It looks like something's happened to him. He's hurt." "Abi!" Lawful Eye rush over to Abacus. "Oh Abi, what happened?" Scootaloo came forward. "We were in the park, we went to get ice cream, and somepony attacked him." Apple Bloom pointed at Cheerilee. "Our teacher, Miss Cheerilee saw everythin'." Lawful Eye turned to Cheerilee. "Please tell me what happened." "Of course." Cheerilee said. "Buttercup, one of my students at the schoolhouse had an acc-" "THERE HE IS!" Everyone turned their attention to a male voice angrily shouting. There, they saw two stallions running towards the cottage. The first was an earth pony with a light goldish gray colored coat, and a moderate vermilion colored mane and tail. The second was a pegasus with a brilliant vermilion colored coat, and a moderate cobalt blue mane and tail with grayish purple stripes. "It's Buttercup's father, Coco-Nut." Cheerilee said. Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo. "An' ain't that Storm Dasher, ya dad?" Scootaloo's eyes widened. "Oh, no." Coco-Nut angrily pointed at Abacus. "That's the pony who hurt my daughter!" Storm Dasher and Coco-Nut came towards the cottage, running in an angry rage towards Abacus. The others came together, forming a barrier to protect him from the angry stallions, stopping them in their path. Storm Dasher noticed Scootaloo near Abacus. "Scootaloo," Storm Dasher said. "What are you doing?! Get away from that pony! He's dangerous!" Scootaloo stood next to Abacus and placed a hoof on him. "No, Dad! He's not dangerous!" Applejack came forward to Coco-Nut. "And whaddya mean he hurt yer daughter?" Coco-Nut scowled. "My wife brought my daughter home with grazes and bruises all over her, and she said he knocked her off her scooter and tried to kidnap her." "That's not what happened," Applejack said. "Cheerilee here had witnessed the whole incident." Apple Bloom came forward. "Yeah! Besides, Abacus wouldn't hurt or kidnap nopony!" "It's the truth, Mr Coco-Nut," Cheerilee said. "I saw Buttercup fell off her scooter from running over a stick and hurting herself. Abacus tried to help her." Coco-Nut growled. "That's a lie! My wife knows what she saw!" "And he assaulted Scootaloo nearly a week ago!" Storm Dasher said. Applejack stepped forward towards both of them. "Now y'all listen here! If Cheerilee had witnessed what happened, an' if she said Abacus didn't hurt ya daughter, then ah believe her. Cheerilee would never lie." Scootaloo steps forward. "And dad, Abacus didn't hit-" "That's enough, Scootaloo!" Storm Dasher pointed angrily down the path. "You will go home. Now!" "But dad!" Scootaloo started, but Storm Dasher interrupted her. "Don't answer me back, young filly! Now go home!" "But-" "Enough!" Lawful Eye stepped forward. She turned to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo. I'll handle this. Go home." Scootaloo dropped her head. "Okay, Detective." Scootaloo walked sadly away past her father and down the path towards home. Storm Dasher and Coco-Nut turned to Lawful Eye. The other stood back to protect Abacus, as they watched and listened to Lawful Eye face the two angry stallions. "So you're a detective?" Storm Dasher asked. "In that case, I want to press charges on Abacus for assaulting my daughter!" "And arrested for assaulting my daughter too!" Coco-Nut said. "Mr Storm Dasher and Mr Coco-Nut. Your accusations towards Abacus harming either of your children is unfounded." Lawful Eye turned to Storm Dasher. "Scootaloo claimed that Abacus didn't assault her, and that it was from her hitting her head on the door of Apple Bloom's club house that gave her the black eye." She turned to Coco-Nut. "And with Cheerilee having witnessed what had really happened to your daughter, it is good enough evidence to put against your wife's version of events. Therefore both of your accusations are not backed up by evidence." Storm Dasher snarls. "What?! How could you stand up for that monster for what he's done to both our children, not to mention what he did to his own wife and unborn child?!" "And on the account of how he tried to harm another two other children in a murderous rage yesterday at Sugarcube Corner, and those poor fillies were thrown out!" Coco-Nut said. Lawful Eye glared. "That "monster" wouldn't hurt anypony, unless he was provoked first! And those kids were thrown out because those two rude, little brats taunted and provoked him! Twilight, Spike, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, your daughter, and I all saw it, and handled it." Coco-Nut growled. "How can you justify that murderer's actions with a straight face?!" "Because I've known him for years," Lawful Eye said. "Longer than anypony here in this town! I'm practically family to him! And he is NOT a murderer! He didn't murder his wife and unborn child! I cleared his name, and proved his innocence!" Coco-Nut snorts. "From bribing and corrupting the judge no doubt!" "And now you brought that scumbag upon us!" Storm Dasher said. "What?!" Lawful Eye growled. "You both have NO IDEA what prison did to him, and what it's STILL doing to him! He was beaten, abused, tortured, starved, and even raped whilst inside!" Storm Dasher scoffed. "Which is what that scumbag deserved!" "How dare you?!" Lawful Eye said. "Nopony like him deserves to go through what he went through! His poor mother passed away from terminal stomach cancer while he was in prison! I, along with Twilight and her friends are the only ones close to family he has left in his life that keeps him from breaking apart forever!" Coco-Nut scowls. "If this is the result, then you make for an AWFUL excuse for family!" Lawful Eye's face was struck with shock, along with everyone else. The others watched as Lawful Eye's body began to shudder, her teeth gritted, her eyes smoked with rage. She glared darkly at the stallions through her glasses like she had wanted to throw a punch so hard that it could knock their heads clean off. "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Lawful Eye hissed. Her suppressed enraged voice was dark, and demonic as if she was suddenly possessed by a inner demon. "AND YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT PRESSING ANY CHARGES ON ABACUS!" Coco-Nut glared with a shocked look. "What?! You can't let that scumbag get away with this! Who do you think you are, lady?!" "I'M Investigator detective Lawful Eye!" Lawful Eye said in her suppressed enraged voice. "I'm also a lawyer, and I am the only one presently in town with any police authority to MAKE any arrests or press charges. And guess what? I REFUSE to arrest or press charges on Abacus!" She turned focusing on Coco-Nut. "And tell your wife...she could EXPECT to face charges in court for ASSAULT on Abacus!" Coco-Nut growled and glared at Lawful Eye, restraining himself from physically lashing out at the grey unicorn mare. Storm Dasher shared the same anger. "Very well then!" Storm Dasher said. "My brother-in-law's best friend is a police officer in Cloudsdale. If you won't arrest and charge that dangerous scumbag, then we'll get somepony who will!" Lawful Eye glared, unintimidated by the threats coming from the brilliant vermilion colored pegasus. "FINE! Bring your cop friend! We won't let you get your hooves on Abacus for as long as any of us has breath within us!" "So be it!" Storm Dasher fixed his glare on Abacus, as though he had wanted to kill him. "And you! If I ever see you near my daughter again...you WILL regret it...Abacus Scum!" Abacus whimper fearfully and with tears running down his cheek. Storm Dasher and Coco-Nut turned away and began to angrily walk out of the gate of Fluttershy's cottage, and down the road. Everyone watched as the two angry stallions disappeared from their line of vision. Lawful Eye sighed as she calmed herself and turned to the others. "I'm sorry all of you had to see that." Some of the others were still shocked at witnessing Lawful Eye's rage. Lawful Eye and Fluttershy turned to Abacus who was whimpering and sobbing with fear. They came over to him, and both patted his shoulder and back to calm him. "It's okay, Abacus," Fluttershy said. "They're gone." Lawful Eye stroked Abacus. "Nopony will harm you as long as we're here." Abacus mumbled loudly as he sobbed. "I am not scum. I am not scum. I am not scum." Lock Down smiled as he heard Abacus say the very words he taught him. It was a good feeling for him to see that he remembered those words he told him to say if someone called him scum. It was like he still held on to the memory of his kindness. Lawful Eye, and Fluttershy helped Abacus up. Cheerilee came over to Abacus and placed a hoof on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry about what happened, Abacus." Twilight came up to Cheerilee. "Thank you, Cheerilee. It was so kind of you to side with Abacus and defend him." Cheerilee smiled. "You're welcome, Twilight. I always believed he was innocent, and seeing him trying to help Buttercup, I now know. And if he does get charged, I'll come to his defense." Lawful Eye felt touched, knowing there was another pony in Ponyville that was on Abacus's side. "Thank you very much, Miss Cheerilee." Cheerilee nodded. "I think I should go now." She turned to Abacus. "It's wonderful to see you again, Abacus. I'm sorry we had to meet like this. Maybe I'll visit you for some tea and cake. I'll see you next time, and welcome back." Cheerilee began to walk away out the gate and down the road as Fluttershy tended to Abacus. "Bye, Miss Cheerilee." Apple Bloom waved goodbye to her. "Come on, Abacus," Fluttershy said. "We better fix you up." They all entered into Fluttershy's cottage to treat Abacus's grazes and scratches, and sat Abacus down on Fluttershy's sofa. Fluttershy's pet bunny, Angel brought over the first aid kit to Fluttershy. Fluttershy took the first aid kit. "Thank you, Angel." Fluttershy opened the first aid kit, and took out a set of tweezers, a bag of cotton balls, a bottle of antiseptic, and some band-aids. Twilight undid Apple Bloom's red bow that Apple Bloom used to bandage a graze around his right front hoof. "Oohh!" Twilight said. "That's a big one." Apple Bloom sat down next to Abacus. "It's a good thing ah used my bow ta bandage it, huh?" Applejack smiled. "That was good thinkin', sugarcube." Twilight used her magic to pick up the tweezers, put a cotton ball in them, and soak it with antiseptic. "Now this may sting a little, Abacus," Twilight said. "But just hold still." Twilight levitated the antiseptic soaked cotton ball to Abacus's big graze on his right front hoof. Abacus winced painfully as Twilight began to dab his graze with the antiseptic soaked cotton ball. Apple Bloom stroked Abacus to calm him. "Ah know it stings, Abacus. But it has ta be done. It'll be over soon, dontcha worry." Abacus sat still as they treated his injuries. Lock Down came up to Abacus, and he looked up at him. Lock Down smiled. "Hi, Abacus. Remember me? You probably don't recognize me without my royal guard armor, but it's me, Lock Down." "...Lock Down." Abacus said. "I'm sorry to see you like this. You gave us all quite a scare when you ran away." Lock Down smiled. "But it's really good to see you again." Applejack came forward to Lawful Eye with something on her mind. "Hey, Lawful Eye." Lawful Eye turned to her. "Yes, Applejack." "Ya don't think Storm Dasher was serious about gettin' some policepony from Cloudsdale, do ya?" Applejack asked. "It's possible, but it's possible it could also be just an empty threat." Lawful Eye adjusted her glasses. "Though what I said to Coco-Nut about his wife facing court was real, but it's highly likely she'd be let off easy or not charged at all because of the fact she was protecting her child." Warden Rehab came forward. "Well, I believe it'd be a wise move if one of us should probably stay here to protect Abacus in case they do bring any police officers from somewhere on him." "I agree," Twilight said. "You and Lock Down are members of the royal guard. Even though you're both prison class royal guards, it still gives both of you a higher rank than any police officer. I think one of you should stay here with Fluttershy to help protect Abacus." Lock Down turned to Twilight. "I'll stay here." He then looked at Fluttershy. "If that's no trouble, Fluttershy." Fluttershy thought for a moment. "Well...I guess it's okay, but Abacus already has the guest room, so you'll have to sleep on the sofa...that's if you don't mind it?" Lock Down shook his head. "Of course not, ma'am. As long as Abacus is safe, that's what really matters." Warden Rehab smiled and chuckled. "I could think of nopony else better for that job than you, Lock Down. It's like you've made protecting Abacus your life's work." Lock Down chuckled. "I guess I get like that when protecting my friends. And Abacus is the first pony from Hoofstrong that I grew close to as a friend." "Then that's settled." Twilight said. Applejack cleared her throat. "Well, hey. We better get goin', Apple Bloom. We've got a few chores ta finish up on the farm before the day's out." "Alright, Applejack." Apple Bloom stood up on the sofa, turned to Abacus and patted his mane. "Well, we gotta go now, Abacus." She leaned her face forward, and gave Abacus a gentle, peck kiss on the cheek. "An' don't worry about my bow, it'll wash out. We'll see ya later." Applejack smiled as Apple Bloom took her bloodstained undone bow, jumped off the sofa, and walked over to her. "Well, see y'all later, everypony." Applejack said. Apple Bloom turned to Applejack as they walked together out the door of Fluttershy's cottage towards the front gate. "Hey, Applejack. Ah heard Lawful Eye say a word that ah've never heard before. Ah think it was 'raped'. What's raped mean?" Applejack's eyes widened hearing her little sister say that word, looking quite uncomfortable. "Uh...well..." She stammered and hesitated, trying to find the best and safest words to explain it to a filly at her age. "Well...ya see sugarcube. ...Ya remember how ah once told ya about how a baby's made?" As Applejack and Apple Bloom walked down the road back home, the others inside were finishing up fixing Abacus's injuries. Twilight put the last band aid on Abacus. Lawful Eye came up to Abacus and stroked his mane. "Everything's fine now, Abi," Lawful Eye said. "They'll heal up fine." Lawful Eye smiled kindly at Abacus as she continued to stroke his mane. As she did, her smile slowly faded for she felt something on his scalp under his hair. Lawful Eye raised a curious eyebrow. "What's that?" "What's wrong, darling?" Rarity asked. Lawful Eye parted Abacus's mane with her hooves to look at his scalp. She looked at it closely for a moment as Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight came forward to have a look. Rarity tilted her head. "Oh my." "It looks like a rash." Fluttershy said. Twilight looked at Abacus's exposed scalp. "It looks a bit infected." Lawful Eye looked at it with a curious look, feeling she had seen a rash like that before. "Hmm...it looks a bit like..." She blinked with realization as if she knew what it was. "Oh dear."