Abacus Sum, a once well respect, and loved resident of Ponyville was sentenced to life in prison for a crime he did not commit. This is his story of the pain, suffering, humiliation, horror, and betrayal he was forced to endure at the infamous Hoofstrong Prison Center.
Contains:Violence, M/M, M/F (occasionally), Anal, Oral, Bestiality, Rimming, Bondage, Blood, Sex Toys/Devices, Child Birth, Amputations, Excrement and Urine Ingesting, BDSM, and Violent Rape.
Blackness. That was the only thing covering the inside of the prison wagon being pulled by royal guard pegasus stallions, as it travelled in the dark, cloudy night sky. The moon finally showed when the large cloud covering it floated out of the way, allowing the moonlight to shine through the wagon window, to light up the inside. The inside revealed an earth pony stallion with a dark vermilion coat, with a light grey and pistachioish grey patterned mane, and his cutie mark was of a wooden abacus counting frame with five rods, each having a different coloured set of beads on it in an ordered row. Blue, red, yellow, green, and purple.
The stallion sobbed quietly with tears in his greyish magenta coloured eyes, knowing his fate. He had been convicted and found guilty of a horrendous crime that he knew he did not do, and the many ponies who once loved him now hated him. He also felt betrayed that certain ponies in the town he lived in had revealed their secret distrust, and dislike to him from the day he first moved to this town at his trial. And that the investigators sent by the same ponies had turned almost the whole town against him. He continued to cry, remembering what happened.
Three and a half months ago...
The inside of Ponyville's bakery, Sugarcube Corner was full of fun and joy. Little children ran about, laughing and playing, while the adult mares and stallions socialised, laughed, joked, and talked while enjoying food and drink at the party. Standing amongst the many ponies, next to a table of treats and a bowl of punch, the same dark vermilion earth pony stallion was enjoying the party. He then turned around, and smiled happily as he noticed a pink earth pony mare carrying a tray of freshly baked treats on top of her head coming towards him in a bouncing way.
"Hey, Pinkie Pie." He said.
Pinkie Pie made a big bounce, and landed in front of the stallion. "Hi, Abacus." She lowered the tray of freshly baked treats on top of her head to Abacus. "Care for a custard tart?"
Abacus nodded. "Oh yes, thank you, Pinkie."
Abacus took one of the custard tarts off of the tray, and took a bite of it. "Mmm. These are the best custard tarts you've made so far, Pinkie."
"Thanks." Pinkie Pie turned her head. "Oh! Hi, Tiger Lily."
Abacus turned his head in the same direction Pinkie Pie was looking, to see a beautiful, light brilliant tangelo coloured unicorn mare, with a light brilliant vermilion and green striped mane and tail coming over to them. The pony known as Tiger Lily was in fact Abacus's wife. She walked over to Abacus and Pinkie Pie.
"Hello, Pinkie," Tiger Lily said. "Is the special cake ready?"
Pinkie Pie nodded. "Yes, indeedy! Shall I bring it out now?"
Tiger Lily nodded. "Yes, please. I think it's time to reveal the surprise."
"Surprise?" Abacus said. "I wasn't told about any surprise."
Tiger Lily turned to Abacus. "Well, funny enough, the surprise is actually for you, Abi."
Abacus blinked with curiosity at what Tiger Lily had said. Tiger Lily turned around and took a few steps forward, before clearing her throat.
"Everypony! May I have your attention please?!" Everyone at the party turned to Tiger Lily as she called out for their attention and stayed quiet. "Thank you. I have a big announcement to make, and it's also a surprise for all of you." She looked at Abacus. "But more so for you, Abi." She turned back to everyone else. "And it pleases me to know that the efforts to keep this surprise a secret was not wasted."
Tiger Lily turned everyone's attention at the party to a direction. They turned to see Pinkie Pie bring out a big white cake with a white bassinet made of hard cake icing decorated on the top on a trolley. Abacus was confused looking at the cake, then his face shifted to surprise, and turned to Tiger Lily.
"Lily...are you..."
Tiger Lily placed a hoof on Abacus. "I got the results from Dr Stallion last week." She smiled. "We're going to have a baby."
Abacus's face lit up with joy, as a couple of tears of joy escaped his eye. "I'm going to be a father! This is the best surprise ever!"
Abacus laughed with joy at hearing the news. He and Tiger Lily then embraced each other, with everyone at the party cheering with delight as Abacus and Tiger Lily shared a kiss.
One month ago...
A train slowed down towards the station to the big city of Fillydelphia, letting loose smoke and steam as it pulled up at the platform. Moments later, the doors of the passenger cars opened, and ponies got out. Abacus and Tiger Lily got out of the train, and onto the platform of Fillydelphia train station.
"Well, we're finally here." Abacus said.
Tiger Lily nodded. "Mm-hmm. I can't wait to tell Lawful and your mother the great news."
Abacus smiled. "Me too. Mother and Lawful will be so happy."
Abacus and Tiger Lily walked down the platform, and out of the train station, where they were soon standing on a busy city street of Fillydelphia. They see a taxi pony coming in their direction, where Abacus raised his hoof and waved at the taxi pony.
"Taxi!" Abacus shouted.
The taxi pony noticed Abacus calling out to him, and made a beeline towards them. He pulled up to the side of the road, where Abacus and Tiger Lily climbed aboard the taxi wagon.
"Where to, sir, ma'am?" The taxi pony asked.
"787 Flanklin Street please." Abacus said.
The taxi pony nodded. "Yes sir."
Abacus and Tiger Lily sat down, as the taxi pony began to pull the wagon, and travel down the city streets to take them to their desired location. It was a usual twenty minute ride from the train station to his mother's apartment. They past the many buildings, and iconic structures, from the historical Fillydelphia Museum of Art, to the iconic statue of Mane Flanklin. They were both pleased to see that nothing had really changed, for they were both born and grew-up in this wondrous city.
Then fifteen minutes later, Abacus and Tiger Lily were going down the main city street, where they knew they would soon be at the apartment building where Abacus's mother lived. It was a special place to Abacus, since it was where he and his mother had lived since he was born, until he and Tiger Lily moved to Ponyville. The street where his mother's apartment was, Flanklin Street, was a very nice, and friendly neighbourhood. A peaceful domain that connected to Fillydelphia's bustling main street.
Five minutes later, the taxi pony turned down Flanklin Street, and stopped at the apartment building with the number "787" on the front of the building above the entrance. Both Abacus and Tiger Lily got out of the wagon, where Tiger Lily levitated some bits into the front pocket of the taxi pony's jacket.
"Thank you." Tiger Lily said.
"Thank you too, ma'am, sir." The taxi pony smiled and tipped his hat to them. "Have a nice day."
The taxi pony trotted away down the street, leaving Abacus and Tiger Lily on the street. With the taxi pony gone, they turned their attention to the tall apartment building. Abacus looked at it with a warm, reminiscing smile.
Home. He thought, before turning to Tiger Lily. "Well, let's go."
Abacus and Tiger Lily walked up the steps to the door of the apartment building. They entered the door, towards where the stairs and the elevator were, and pushed the UP button to the elevator, where the doors to the elevator opened. When they both entered into the elevator, Abacus pushed the button for the thirteenth floor, and the elevator doors closed. After a few moments, the elevator stopped on the thirteenth floor, and the doors opened, allowing Abacus and Tiger Lily to exit the elevator.
They walked down the halls of the thirteenth floor, until they reached a door that had the number forty-two on it. Abacus and Tiger Lily smiled, knowing that they had arrived at his mother's apartment. Abacus raised his hoof, and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened to show a middle-aged, greyish brown earth pony mare, with a dark fuchsia mane tied in a bun with two yellow hair sticks, and wore glasses in front of her moderate chartreuse green coloured eyes.
"Abi." The mare said.
"Mother."
Abacus and his mother embraced each other and kissed each other's cheek. When they released each other from the embrace, Abacus's mother turned her attention to Tiger Lily, and embraced her with kisses too.
"Oh, Lily, it's so good to see you."
"You too, Arithma."
Abacus and Tiger Lily looked behind Arithma to see a dark grey unicorn mare, with a chocolate brown mane and tail, light brown eyes, and wearing black-framed glasses. The unicorn smiled, looking genuinely happy to see them both. Abacus and Tiger Lily smiled back.
"Lawful Eye." Abacus and Tiger Lily said.
"Lily. Abi."
Lawful Eye came over to the couple, where she embraced the two in a hug. Arithma welcomed Abacus and Tiger Lily to come inside.
"Come in, you two,” Arithma said. “You're right on time for lunch."
Abacus smiled. "Thanks, mother. We need a nice lunch after our trip."
"And we've got great news to tell you later." Tiger Lily said.
Abacus and Tiger Lily walked inside, and closed the door behind them to enjoy their time with Arithma, and Lawful Eye.
Forty-five minutes had passed since Abacus and Tiger Lily had arrived at Arithma's apartment. They had just finished a nice lunch of eggs, salad, and spinach pie, Abacus's mother specialty dish. Spinach pie was Abacus's favourite meal since he was a little boy, and both Lawful Eye and Tiger Lily enjoyed it whenever Arithma cooked it, especially whenever Abacus and Tiger Lily came to visit.
Abacus let out an accidental burp, and chuckled with embarrassment. "Oops! Excuse me."
Arithma, Tiger Lily, and Lawful Eye all chuckled at it, until they each too let out a burp accidentally. All four ponies began to laugh at it for a moment, before they each sighed, satisfied from their lunch.
"That was another good spinach pie, Arithma." Tiger Lily said.
Arithma smiled. "Thank you, Lily. It's Abi's favourite, and I never failed in making one yet."
"I can make it too.” Tiger Lily confirmed. “But I don't think I can make it better than you."
Lawful Eye adjusted her glasses. "You know, maybe I should try making it myself one day."
"Of course, Lawful," Arithma said. "I'll lend you the recipe to it."
Lawful Eye smiled. "Thank you, Arithma. I've always wanted to cook it ever since the first time I remember having it."
Abacus's eyes lit up. "Hey. I remember that. It was the first time you and Lily came over for a sleep over when we were little. We had spinach pie for dinner, and you were scared to try it, Lawful. You were like "Spinach Pie? Eww! Gross!". You remember?"
Lawful Eye chuckled. "Yes. I remember. And after my first bite of it, I wanted more. I could see why it's your favourite."
"Indeed. It was a good thing I made two dishes of it that Saturday night you girls first stayed over." Arithma chuckled. "I guess it became a family tradition."
Hearing Arithma mention about families, Abacus and Tiger Lily looked at each other, and nodded, before Abacus spoke first. "Speaking of which, Lily and I have got some good news to now tell you both, and it's a surprise."
Lawful Eye tilted her head. "A surprise?"
"What's that, Abi?" Arithma asked.
Abacus cleared his throat. "Well, we need to know something, mother."
Tiger Lily levitated a large envelop, took out an ultrasound picture, and handed it to Arithma and Lawful Eye while talking to Arithma. "Would you prefer "Nana" or "Nanny"?"
Arithma and Lawful Eye looked at the ultrasound picture with surprised, wide eyes. And they slowly looked up at Abacus and Tiger Lily, still bearing the surprised look on their faces.
"Lily? Abi? Are you..."
Abacus and Tiger Lily nodded. "I'm pregnant."
"You're going to be a grandmother." Abacus said.
Arithma and Lawful Eye's faces lit-up like the sun on the clearest summer day. Arithma's eyes were beginning to show tears of joy at the news she had been told.
"Oh, Abi, Lily! This is the best surprise I've ever had!" Arithma wiped her eyes.
Tiger Lily turned to Lawful Eye. "And Lawful? How would you like to be the godmother of our child?"
"We thought of no one better for that than you." Abacus said.
Lawful Eye sniffled and wiped away a few tears of joy with her hoof. "I'd be honoured to, Lily, Abi."
All four ponies got out of their seats, and they all embraced each other, with Arithma and Lawful Eye so happy with the wonderful news. Arithma was to be a grandmother to Abacus and Tiger Lily's coming child, and Lawful Eye to be the godmother.
A few hours had passed, and all four ponies were now enjoying a nice hot drink, with Lawful Eye and Arithma having coffee, Tiger Lily having tea, and Abacus with hot cocoa. They chatted about all sorts of things, like their days prior, to even the past times.
Lawful Eye took a sip of her cup of coffee. "So are you both staying for the weekend?"
Tiger Lily shook her head. "Not this time. We have to head back home to Ponyville tomorrow."
"We've got the local electrician, Light Socket coming on Monday to fix and replace one of our power sockets." Abacus said.
Lawful Eye adjusted her glasses. "I see. I have to go away myself for four months to work on a case in Manehattan."
Abacus blinked. "Four months?"
"Yes," Lawful Eye said. "I'm required to investigate a drug dealing operation linked to Manehattan and Fillydelphia. And I also have to represent the case as an attorney in court. I leave for Manehattan on Tuesday."
Tiger Lily blinked. "Wow! That's a lot of work, Lawful."
Lawful Eye chuckled. "I know. I guess that's what happens when you're a private detective and lawyer. The work is never done."
"Like parents like daughter," Arithma said. "If they were alive to see it, I'm sure both your parents would be very proud of you, Lawful."
Lawful Eye blushed. "Thank you, Arithma."
The Fillydelphia train station was full of activity the next day, with ponies starting to board the passenger cars of the train. Lawful Eye and Arithma stood on the platform with Abacus and Tiger Lily to say goodbye. They embraced Abacus and Tiger Lily each into a hug, and kissed their cheeks.
"It was nice of you to come visit, Abi, Lily." Arithma said.
"Thank you, mother." Abacus turned to Lawful Eye. "And Lawful, you should come to Ponyville and visit us with mother after you get back from Manehattan."
Tiger Lily nodded. "Abi's right. You have yet to visit us in Ponyville, and see our house."
"I know. You've told me so much about how wonderful it is, and the things you've done there, but I've been so busy with work, that I haven't had time to visit." Lawful Eye adjusted her glasses. "But this time, I'm going to visit you both in Ponyville. That's a promise."
The conductor yelled out. "ALL ABOARD!"
Tiger Lily turned to Abacus. "Abi. We should board now."
"Right." Abacus said.
Abacus and Tiger Lily boarded the closest passenger car that was in view of Lawful Eye and Arithma. There they stood in the car's entrance, where a moment later, the train whistle blew, and the train began to move. The four ponies began to wave and shout their goodbyes.
"Bye, mother! I love you!"
"See you soon, Lawful!"
"Bye, Abi, Lily!"
"See you both in four months! Goodbye!"
The train chugged out of the station with a cloud of smoke and steam, with Lawful Eye and Arithma, and Abacus and Tiger Lily waving until each other were out of sight.
The sound of knocking at the front door was heard around Abacus and Tiger Lily's house the next day.
"I'll get it." Abacus walked to the front door, and opened it, where a pale, light greyish brown earth stallion with a dark tangeloish grey mane and tail, and wearing workers overalls was standing at the door, carrying a toolbox in his mouth.
"Light Socket." Abacus said.
Light Socket spoke, his voice was muffled from the toolbox handle in his mouth. "Morning, Abacus."
Abacus welcomed Light Socket inside. "Come in."
Light Socket walked inside through the door. He followed Abacus into the living room, and into the kitchen, where Tiger Lily was standing.
"Good morning, Mr Socket." Tiger Lily said.
Light Socket placed his toolbox in his mouth down on the kitchen floor. "Morning, Tiger Lily. So where's the power socket that's giving you trouble?"
Tiger Lily pointed at the refrigerator. "It's behind the refrigerator. It started to smoke last week."
"We've been using the power socket we use for the toaster and kettle to power the refrigerator until it's replaced." Abacus said.
Light Socket looked at the extension cord connecting to the power socket where the toaster and kettle were placed. It went along the kitchen bench, and down behind the refrigerator.
"Well, it shouldn't be a problem.” Light Socket turned to Abacus. “You'll have to shut off the power before I start."
Abacus nodded. "Sure. I turned the power off just a moment ago before you arrived."
"Great." Light Socket pointed at the refrigerator. "Could you help me move the refrigerator out of the way?"
"Sure, Light Socket." Abacus said.
Both Light Socket and Abacus got on either side of the refrigerator, and began to shuffle it out of its space. When it got out most of the way, they both got a better grip of it, and began to move it better until at last the refrigerator was out.
"Phew! Thanks, Abacus." Light Socket bent down and opened his toolbox. "Well, I'll get started on this."
Two hours had past, and Abacus and Tiger Lily watched as Light Socket worked on the power socket at the back of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Light Socket wrapped electrical tape around the wires connected to the power socket, and pushed the power socket back into the wall, before screwing it in. He then plugged the refrigerator into the wall, before he got up from the floor, and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.
"Well, that's it, Abacus, Tiger Lily," Light Socket said. "Could you turn the power back on?"
Abacus nodded. "Sure."
Abacus walked to the main power switch inside a lower cupboard on the other side of the kitchen. He then flicked the main switch to turn on the power, and the refrigerator began to quietly hum.
Light Socket smiled. "Well, the power socket has been replaced, and the wires have been fixed, so they shouldn't give you any more trouble. I'll send you the bill tomorrow."
"Thank you very much, Mr Socket." Tiger Lily said.
Light Socket smiled. "No trouble at all."
Abacus came over to the refrigerator with Light Socket. "Let me help you with the refrigerator."
Abacus and Light Socket got on both sides of the refrigerator and pushed it back into its space in the kitchen. Light Socket went to pack up his electrician tools and parts from the kitchen floor, and put them back into his toolbox.
"Would you like a drink before you go, Mr Socket?" Tiger Lily asked.
Light Socket closed his toolbox. "Oh yes, thanks. That would be nice."
Tiger Lily opened the refrigerator with her magic, levitated a jug full of pink lemonade out of it, and placed it on the kitchen bench. She then opened the cupboard, and levitated a glass out on to the bench, where she then poured the glass full with pink lemonade. Tiger Lily then offered the glass of pink lemonade to Light Socket.
"Thanks, Tiger Lily." Light Socket took the glass with his hoof, and drank the whole glass within a few moments. He let out a sigh, his thirst satisfied. "Ooh! I definitely needed that." He offered his glass back to Tiger Lily, where she took it with her magic. "Well, I think it's time I was on my way. I'm scheduled to go and do some light installations at Rich's Barnyard Bargains at one-thirty."
Tiger Lily nodded. "Of course. We don't want to make you late."
"Thank you, Light Socket for doing this." Abacus said.
"Anytime." Light Socket picked up his toolbox in his mouth, and spoke with his voice muffled. "Well, bye now."
Light Socket walked out of the kitchen, through the living room, and out the front door. Abacus and Tiger Lily followed Light Socket until the front door where they waved goodbye to him.
A few days had past. It was late at night, as Abacus and Tiger Lily enter the bedroom, and went towards the bed. After closing the bedroom door, they each got into their bed, and got comfortable. Tiger Lily sighed happily, getting Abacus's attention.
"Lily?" Abacus said. "You alright?"
Tiger Lily smiled. "Of course I am, Abi. Nothing to worry about."
Abacus sighed. "I'm sorry, Lily."
"I know," Tiger Lily said. "You're just concerned for my wellbeing, as well as the baby." She put a hoof on Abacus's hoof. "It shows how much you care. I know you'll be a really caring father to our child."
"And I'm really excited about it." Abacus sighed. "It's just...Well, the thing is Lily...I...I'm sort of scared too. You see, I never had a father, so being one is going to be a challenge and unknown thing for me. I even recently borrowed some books on fatherhood that I've been reading to help me get prepared, and-"
Tiger Lily placed a hoof on Abacus's mouth to silence him, and smiled and chuckled sweetly. "Oh, Abi. You're so silly. Fatherhood isn't something you read in books, it's something that comes from within, just like motherhood." She took her hoof off of Abacus's mouth and shared a kiss with him. "Abi. I'm glad you told me. I was a bit worried at first too, because of the fact I didn't grow up with real parents. But it passed when I realised that I have you with me, and you have me. We'll work through all this together."
Abacus smiled. "I guess you're right. I guess talking about it really does help."
Tiger Lily yawned. "It does. But we'll talk about it more in the morning. Let's get some sleep."
"Sure, honey." Abacus turned the bedside lamp off, and lay down in bed under the covers next to Tiger Lily. "Good night, Lily."
"Good night, Abi." Tiger Lily said cuddling up to Abacus. "See you in the morning."
Abacus and Tiger Lily went to sleep in their bed together. They were just going to sleep when there was a sudden noise that sounded like a window smashing that woke them both up.
"What was that?" Tiger Lily asked.
"I don't know." Abacus got up out of bed, and walked quietly over to the bedroom door. "But I'll go check."
Abacus slowly and cautiously opened the door, and peered through it. His eyes widened with shock when he saw and smelled smoke, as well as fire light glowing off the walls.
"Fire!" Abacus turned to Tiger Lily. "Our house is on fire!"
"Oh, no!" Tiger Lily jumped out of bed quickly. "Let's get out!"
Abacus pointed to the bedroom window and ran to it. "Quick, the window!"
Just before they reached the bedroom window to escape, a burning wooden beam fell through the ceiling from the roof, and obstructed the window, preventing Abacus and Tiger Lily's chance of escape.
"We'll have to escape through the front door," Tiger Lily said. "Keep low and move!"
Abacus and Tiger Lily went down low to the floor, and began to crawl. They exited the bedroom, and moved down the halls that lead to the living room. The fire had spread to the roof, and the whole house was full of smoke. They soon reached the living room and soon approached the small hallway that lead to the front door.
“Come on, honey!" Abacus coughed. "There’s the door!”
They reached the door, and Tiger Lily opened it widely with her magic. Suddenly, another burning wooden beam fell through the ceiling from the roof. It landed on top of Tiger Lily, pinning her down just before they were safely out.
Tiger Lily reached out to Abacus. “Abi! Help!”
“Hang on, Lily!" Abacus said.
Abacus got up and tried to lift the beam up off of Tiger Lily to free her, but the beam was too heavy, and was hot. He looked up at the smoking, burning roof, for there was a creaking noise coming from there. "Oh no!” He gasped for he realized that the roof was going to collapse at any moment.
Tiger Lily looked at the ceiling, and then at Abacus. She then knew that there was no way Abacus could get her out by himself, and that the roof was going to crash on top of them, killing both of them. She looked into Abacus's eyes, as he struggled to free her. Abacus looked back at her, and Tiger Lily smiled lovingly at him.
“I love you, Abi.” Tiger Lily said.
Before Abacus realised anything, Tiger Lily shoved Abacus out the door with her hooves with all her might, making him fall backwards on to the ground outside the house. Then there was a loud crack, and the whole burning ceiling collapsed on top of her. Abacus got up to just see the burning roof collapse completely into the inferno.
“NO!!!!!!!!!”
Abacus collapsed on the ground, with his cries and screams echoing around the quiet street. His house burning to the ground, everything he once had was all gone. But the most precious thing of all lost was his wife and unborn child taken by the flames right before his eyes. Unfortunately for Abacus, this horrific, tragic loss was merely a foreshadowing of the horrors that were soon to await him.
The news of the house fire spread around Ponyville in just under half an hour. The Ponyville fire department was able to rush to the scene minutes after Abacus yelled for help, and were able to put out the fire. Abacus sat there crying, wrapped in a blanket with ice bags on his front hooves on the lawn of the house of Derpy, his next door neighbour. Derpy herself was by his side, comforting him. Derpy had tears in her eyes too, as the members of the fire department examine the smoking remains of Abacus's house. Soon, a black wagon with the words "Ponyville Coroner" on the sides pulled up to the site, right as the fire fighter ponies began their search. A few moments of searching, one of the fire fighter ponies looked down at something near the area where the hallway and front door were.
"Sir," The fire fighter pony said. "Look!"
The fire chief pony, along with a couple of other fire fighter ponies came over to where the previous fire fighter pony called out. They looked at each other with a look of sadness, for they all knew what it was that they had just found. The fire chief pony turned to the ponies around the coroner wagon, and nodded. The coroner ponies nod back, indicating for them to come forward. They opened the back of the wagon, pulled out a stretcher with a cadaver pouch while the fire fighter ponies were removing the burnt debris off from the body of Tiger Lily.
Abacus looked up just as the coroner ponies were approaching the scene. "Lily!" He threw the ice bags and blanket off of himself, and got up quickly.
"Abacus, wait." Derpy said.
The fire chief pony heard Derpy's call, and turned around to see Abacus rushing over towards the scene. He ran over to intercept Abacus, and held him back from going any closer.
"Abacus, stay back."
"Lily!" Abacus struggled to push through. "Let me through! LET ME THROUGH!!"
Through the fire fighter and coroner ponies, Abacus caught a glimpse of Tiger Lily's body. It was mostly charred, burnt from everywhere, except for one of her hooves, and her horn that was barely holding on to her light brilliant tangelo coloured coat, followed by the very horrible stench of burnt pony flesh. Abacus eyes widened with horrified shock, and became watery at the sight of his wife being turned into nothing but a burnt, unrecognizable corpse.
"That's Lily," Abacus said. "Lily! LILY!!!"
Abacus collapsed on the ground and broke down into an uncontrollable sobbing, crying state. The site of Abacus in tears made the fire chief pony's heart sank. Derpy came over to Abacus, and wrapped the blanket back over him as the fire chief pony helped Abacus to his hooves, with his hooves on Abacus's shoulders.
"Listen, Abacus. I understand what you're going through, and I sympathise, but there's nothing you can do. Stay back out of the way with Derpy. Okay?" The fire chief pony turned to Derpy. "Derpy, take him."
"Yes, Fire chief Hydro." Derpy put a hoof over Abacus and gently guided him away from the scene to a safe distance. "Come on, Abacus."
With Abacus at a safe distance away, Hydro turn his attention back to the scene to see the fire fighters and coroner ponies putting Tiger Lily's burnt corpse into the cadaver pouch on the lowed stretcher. Abacus looked up to see one of the coroner ponies pulling the zipper of the cadaver pouch, closing the body inside it. He then watched with his eyes and face drenched in tears as the burnt corpse of his wife was being wheeled away, and loaded into the wagon by the coroner ponies.
"Lily..."
Abacus continued to cry as the doors of the back of the coroners’ wagon closed, and soon began to leave with Tiger Lily's corpse loaded inside. Derpy sat down with Abacus, and patted his back to comfit him. She turned to look at the wet, burnt out ruins of what was once Abacus and Tiger Lily's house. Tears formed in her cross-eyed eyes for she realized the severity of his tragic loss.
Derpy watched as Abacus was being examined by Dr Stallion, who made a house call after hearing the news. Abacus sat there on Derpy's sofa, crying, with ice bags on his front hooves, while Dr Stallion continued to examine him for any injuries. Suddenly there was a knock at the front door that got the attention of Derpy, and Dr Stallion. Derpy then walked over to the door.
I wonder who could that be? She thought.
Derpy opened the front door, to find three ponies, a unicorn stallion, and two earth pony mares standing there. She immediately recognised all three. The unicorn stallion was Ballpoint, the local newspaper reporter. The two mares were none other than Lady Justice, the local court judge, and the mayor of Ponyville herself, Mayor Mare. All three looked sad as they stood on the front doorstep.
"Madam Mayor, Your Honour, Ballpoint." Derpy said.
Mayor Mare adjusted her glasses. "Miss Derpy. We just heard. Please tell us it isn't true."
Still hearing Abacus's crying faintly in the background, Derpy dropped her eyes, or one of them at least, as a tear shed out of her. She sadly nodded. "I'm afraid so, Mayor. ...It's true. It's all true."
Lady Justice put a hoof over her mouth. "No. It can't be true."
"Dear Tiger Lily." Mayor Mare sniffled, and wiped a tear from her eye. "What of Abacus? Is he alright?"
"We'll need to get his statement of what happened." Ballpoint said.
Derpy thought for a moment. "Okay. You can see him, but he's very distraught. So he might not be in the mood to really talk."
Derpy welcomed the three ponies into her house. They then walked into the living room to see Abacus sitting on the sofa, with Dr Stallion still examining him.
"Abacus? The mayor is here to see you." Derpy turned to Dr Stallion. "How is he, Doctor?"
Dr Stallion got up and faced them. "Well, he has some very minor burns on his hooves, but with the ice bags you got to treat them, he doesn't need to go to hospital. They should heal up in a few days. From what I see, he's physically okay. But the poor bloke is understandably very traumatised and distraught by what's happened."
Mayor Mare, Lady Justice, and Ballpoint sat down on the second sofa in on the other side in front of the first sofa that Abacus was sitting. Derpy and Dr Stallion sat down on the first sofa on both sides of Abacus to comfit him.
"Abacus Sum," Mayor Mare said. "We're so sorry for what has happened."
Lady Justice cleared her throat. "The mayor is going to send for some investigators from Canterlot to come and investigate, but we need you to tell us what happened if you're able to, before we do."
Abacus sniffled, and wiped his eyes of some tears, before nodding slowly. "...Okay."
Ballpoint took out a pencil and note book with his magic. "Right. Ready."
Mayor Mare nodded, and turned to Abacus. "Okay, Abacus. Take your time and tell us what happened."
Mayor Mare, Lady Justice, and Ballpoint, along with Derpy and Dr Stallion sat there, as they listened to everything Abacus told them. It took him about five minutes to tell them what happened in every detail. It took Abacus every ounce of strength to keep him breaking down of the trauma of the loss of his home, his belongings, and the most precious of all, his loving wife and unborn child. All while Ballpoint wrote down everything Abacus said in his note book.
Abacus sniffled and whimpered as he finished his tale of the tragic incident. "And that's what happened."
"So Tiger Lily sacrificed herself to save you?" Derpy asked.
Dr Stallion put on a face mixed with sadness and impressiveness. "Wow. What a brave mare."
Mayor Mare and Lady Justice tilted their heads questionably as Ballpoint finished writing down things in his book.
Ballpoint cleared his throat. "So, Abacus. You said that you heard a window smash that woke you and Tiger Lily up. Do you know which window it was?"
"...No." Abacus said.
"And did anypony else hear the window smash?"
Derpy nodded. "I sort of heard it."
Lady Justice raised an eyebrow. "Sort of heard it?"
Derpy scratched her head. "Well, I faintly heard something like that, but I didn't pay it too much to mind, and I was half asleep. I fully awoke when I heard screaming for help outside. that's when I looked out my window, and noticed their house on fire outside."
"So you didn't see anypony or anything suspicious, or hear anything else?" Ballpoint asked.
Derpy shook her head. "No."
"I see." Ballpoint turned to Abacus. "What about you, Abacus? Did you see anypony or anything suspicious, or hear anything else?"
Abacus shook his head as he sniffled. "...No."
Ballpoint wrote down more notes in his note book, before turning to Mayor Mare and Lady Justice. "Right. I think we've got all we need."
Both Mayor Mare and Lady Justice nodded, before turning to Abacus. "Thank you for telling us, Abacus. We have to write for an investigation team from Canterlot to come and investigate what caused the fire that destroyed your home, and took poor Tiger Lily straight away."
"We'll even help with funeral arrangements for you," Mayor Mare said. "And have another house to be built for you soon."
Derpy and Dr Stallion each put a caring hoof on Abacus's back. "And you can stay with me for a while."
"And don't worry about any bills, mate. No charge."
Abacus sniffled and sobbed. "Thank you, Doctor. Derpy. Thank you, Mayor Mare, Lady Justice. I need this."
Mayor Mare and Lady Justice both sniffled, got up from the sofa, and walked over to Abacus, where they both put their hooves around Abacus into a hug.
"We'll see you soon, Abacus," Mayor Mare said. "You have everypony's full support."
Ballpoint took some more notes, and took the opportunity to snap a photo of Derpy, Dr Stallion, Mayor Mare, and Lady Justice with Abacus on his camera he wore around his neck for the front page of the local newspaper. Mayor Mare and Lady Justice released the hug, and straightened themselves up.
Lady Justice wiped her eyes. "Thank you for your time, Abacus. We're so sorry about Tiger Lily. We'll get help straight away."
Derpy, and Dr Stallion watched as the three ponies walked out of the living room, and walked towards the door, before they left the house. They then turned their attention back to Abacus after Mayor Mare, Lady Justice, and Ballpoint closed the front door behind them.
Abacus sobbed and whimpered. "I...I want my mother...Lawful..."
"I know," Derpy said. "We'll write a letter to her tomorrow."
Dr Stallion sighed with sympathy and continued to pat Abacus on the back to comfit him as a small tear escaped his eye. "I'm so sorry about Tiger Lily."
Many ponies mobbed and gathered around the nearest local newspaper stand to read the latest news the next morning. The front page had the pictures of Abacus's house, and the one with Mayor Mare, Lady Justice, Dr Stallion and Derpy comforting Abacus, with the words "HOUSE FIRE CLAIMS LIFE OF BELOVED LOCAL MARE" on the front page.
"WHAT?! Tiger Lily's been killed?!"
"It can't be true!"
"This is awful!"
"The horror, the horror!"
"This is a disaster! A horrible, horrible disaster!"
"This is a catastrophe!"
"Abacus saw Tiger Lily die right in front of him."
"Poor Abacus. He must be devastated."
"Why would this happen to somepony like her?"
"Do you think it was a household accident or murder?"
"I doubt it was murder. Abacus and Tiger Lily have no enemies anywhere."
"I agree! It has to have been a horrible accident."
The townsfolk all chatted and shouted amongst themselves with a mix of disbelief and shock, to absolute sadness and devastation at the news of the tragic death of Tiger Lily.
That very same morning, Derpy placed a bowl of fresh oatmeal on the coffee table in front of Abacus, only he turned away from it depressingly. She frowned, for she knew he had not slept well the previous night, but could not blame him from the tragedy that had happened to him. At the same time, she could not let him go hungry, so Derpy sat down with him to comfort him, and convince him to eat.
"Come on, Abacus," Derpy said. "You've got to eat something."
Abacus hesitated for a few moments until he finally picked the bowl up in his hooves, and began to eat, while still crying and sobbing from the loss of his home, wife and unborn child. After a few minutes, Abacus had finished the whole bowl of oatmeal and placed it back down on the coffee table. Derpy then got up from the sofa, picked up the empty bowl, and took it into the kitchen.
She just placed it in the sink when she heard another knock on her front door. Derpy then walked out of the kitchen towards the front door to answer whoever it was at the door. She got to the door, and opened it to meet two unicorn stallions standing outside. One had a dark phthalo blue coat, with a dark gray mane, the other had a grayish amber colored coat, with a dark amber coloured mane, and both were in black and white suits.
"Miss Derpy?" The greyish amber unicorn stallion asked.
"Yes?" Derpy tilted her head. "What can I do for you?"
The two unicorn stallions presented badges with their magic. "Blue Ward and Cover-Up of the Canterlot investigation force."
"Is Abacus Sum here? We're here to ask him some questions in regards to the recent tragic incident last night."
"Oh sure," Derpy said. "He's in the living room. But I should tell you: he's very distraught."
Blue Ward nodded. "That's understood. Can we see him?"
Derpy nodded, welcomed Blue Ward and Cover-Up inside her house, and escorted them into the living room, where Abacus was sitting on the sofa crying from the tragic loss of his wife with his hooves over his eyes. Derpy sat down on the sofa next to Abacus, and patted his back to comfit him.
"Abacus? These nice police ponies from Canterlot are here to see you."
Abacus wiped his eyes, and sniffled. "Okay." He looked up at Blue Ward and Cover-Up. "Are you here to help?"
Blue Ward nodded. "Of course, Mr Sum. We're here to investigate on the mayor's request. We'd like to ask you some questions, and to tell us exactly what happened last night. Do you think you can do that?"
Abacus nodded and began to tell them exactly what happened. Like before it took him about five minutes to tell them what happened in every detail. The two investigators wrote down everything that Abacus was telling them in their notebooks. They then began to process everything they took note to.
"So you say you heard a window smash?" Blue Ward asked. "That you got out of bed, went to the door, and saw the fire?"
Abacus nodded. "...Yes."
"And you and your wife tried to get out, but she got trapped near the front door?"
"...Yes."
"And she shoved you out the door, and the burning roof collapsed on top of her?"
"...Yes."
Blue Ward and Cover-Up wrote down some further notes. They looked through the notes, and looked at each other. They then turned back to Abacus, and got up.
"Right, Mr Sum," Blue Ward said. "I think we have what we need for now."
Cover-Up came over to Abacus with a flash camera. "Now, I just need to take some pictures of your front hooves. Could you present them out, please?"
Abacus did as Cover-Up requested, and outstretched his front hooves. From there, Cover-Up took some pictures of the minor burns on Abacus's hooves.
Derpy tilted her head. "What's the pictures for?"
Cover-Up turned to Derpy as he took the last picture. "Just routine, ma'am."
"We have to get photo evidence of the burns for forensic study," Blue Ward said. "Nothing to worry about."
Cover-Up turned back to Abacus. "Do you have any other injuries?"
Abacus sniffled, and shook his head. "No."
"Right." Blue Ward walked over to Abacus, and patted him on the shoulder. "Thank you for your time, Mr Sum. We'll do everything we can."
Abacus sniffled and wiped some tears from his eyes. "...Thank you."
Derpy followed Blue Ward and Cover-Up to her front door. As they exited the door, they turned back to Derpy.
"Is Abacus going to be staying here with you?" Blue Ward asked.
Derpy nodded. "Yes. We're also going to write to Arithma, his mother. And a friend of his named "Lawful Eye". He mentioned that she's a private-eye detective investigator, and a court lawyer."
Blue Ward raised an intrigued eyebrow. "I see. Well you do that. Thanks for your cooperation."
Blue Ward and Cover-Up walked away down the street, just as Derpy closed the door behind her. She walked back over to Abacus, who was still sitting on the sofa in the living room, still depressed, and sad. She sat down and put a comforting hoof on his shoulder.
"Come on, Abacus," Derpy said. "We should start writing to your mother straight away, and I'll take them to the post office on my late morning shift."
Abacus nodded. "...okay."
Two days had past, and Abacus had many visitors that came to see him. Not just the investigators, but many of the locals in town. They were all very supportive towards him. That day, Abacus had Mayor Mare and Lady Justice came to visit him. They sat together in Derpy's living room, as they discussed the funeral arrangements with Abacus, and offer their support.
"We've helped made the funeral arrangements for Tiger Lily, Abacus," Mayor Mare said. "It's next week, on Monday at noon."
Lady Justice presented some funeral arrangement papers. "It's this late because the Canterlot investigation force are examining Tiger Lily's body for forensic testing. It's the least we can do."
Abacus sniffled. "Thank you, Mayor, Your Honour. I really need this."
There was a knock on the front door that got everyone's attention, and Derpy left to answer it. She opened the door, and let whoever it was in. Everyone turned to the entrance of the living room. Abacus's eyes welled, as it was a familiar form of his mother, Arithma.
Her eyes welled up as well, relieved at seeing her only son was okay, but was very heartbroken and sad that her daughter-in-law had died in the house fire. She then outstretched her front hooves wide. Abacus got up and went to his mother, and the two tearfully embraced each other when making contact.
Arithma sobbed "Oh, Abi. I'm so sorry."
"I couldn't save her, Mother," Abacus said. "I couldn't... save..."
"It wasn't your fault, Sweet heart. It was an unfortunate household accident."
"Where's Lawful?"
"Don't worry. I sent her a letter to Manehattan. She'll be here." Arithma continued to embrace Abacus. "But don't worry, Abi. I'm here now."
Mother and son continued to cry in each other's hooves. Derpy, Mayor Mare, and Lady Justice watched on, with tears in their eyes at what they were witnessing before them. They felt so sad for the both of them.
Many ponies gathered and sat around quietly at the Ponyville local cemetery over a week later. It was a nice, clear day, with no cloud in the sky. The weather control management of Ponyville had cleared the sky that day. Though it was supposed to have a rainy day scheduled for that day, Mayor Mare ordered for the weather management to have it clear, for it was a sad day for everyone, and really wanted that day to be clear.
The local pastor, Mr. Waddle, stood in front of the crowd of ponies that sat in seats. Close to him was the dark brown coffin that contained Tiger Lily's corpse hanging over the grave. It was decorated with decorations, and many flowers, mainly tiger lily flowers to symbolize her. Abacus sat at the very front of the crowd with his mother, Arithma. He was wearing a new suit that Rarity, Ponyville's seamstress and dress/outfit maker, had recently made for him, and gave to him as a gift. Mr. Waddle spoke to the ponies as he was servicing the funeral.
"Dearly beloved," Mr. Waddle said. "Fillies and gentlecolts. We are all gathered here on this beautiful, but sad day for a number of reasons. We are here to mourn the loss of a dear soul we have recently lost. Tiger Lily, a dear member of our beautiful town, was tragically killed in a house fire."
Mr. Waddle turned the crowds’ attention to Abacus and Arithma as he continued to speak.
"We are here today to also show our love and support for Tiger Lily’s very precious family. Not only have we sensed our own personal feelings of loss over Tiger Lily’s passing, but our hearts have been drawn toward them, and will continue to be with them."
Abacus and Arithma sniffled sadly, while everyone watched with looks of pity. Then just as quickly, Mr. Waddle continued to speak.
"Finally, we are here today to seek and to receive comfort. We would be less than honest if we said that our hearts have not ached over this situation. We are not too proud to acknowledge that we have come here today trusting that Lady Faust would minister to our hearts, and give us strength as we continue in our walk with Her. It is our pony nature to want to understand everything now, but TRUST requires that we lean and rely heavily on Lady Faust even when things seem unclear."
Mr. Waddle then glanced at Abacus. "I would now like to call upon Tiger Lily's husband, Abacus Sum, to come up and say a few words."
"If you’re not up to it, Abi, you don't have to." Arithma said quietly to Abacus.
Abacus sniffled. "No, Mother. ...I can do it."
Abacus got up from his seat, and walked over to the front of the seated crowd. Mr. Waddle stood by to let Abacus speak as he tried to keep is ability to talk. After a moment, Abacus began to talk.
"Until last week..." Abacus sniffled. "...I had a wife. I had a wife... who was the love of my life. She was a mare who would never hurt a soul. She was somepony who would help anypony in need. Even if you were a complete stranger to her. It was what she did, and it was that same loving, selfless desire that she sacrificed herself to save me. We were to have... our first child. I was to be the father of a son or a daughter of my own... But now... Now that dear Lily is gone, I... I'll never..."
The grief was too much for Abacus, and soon began to cry. Arithma got up from her seat, and went over to her son's side. Mr. Waddle also came over to Abacus to comfit him.
"I'm sorry... I..." Abacus said.
Mr. Waddle patted Abacus's shoulder. "There now, Mr Sum. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You've said enough. You may sit back down."
Arithma put a hoof around Abacus. "Come on, Abi."
As Arithma guided her son back to their seats, the ponies in the crowd looked on with such pity and remorse for the stallion's grief. They also shared the same grief, for Tiger Lily was loved by everypony in town. When they both sat back down in their seats, Mr. Waddle continued.
"I have no doubt that Tiger Lily has already met ponies in heaven who have thanked her for leading them to the Lord. I have no doubt that others in the future will come up to her in heaven and express their gratitude for her having led them to the Lord."
"Her work on this earth was of eternal value, and because of that, she will have eternal reward."
"This Memorial Service is not really for Tiger Lily. She is in Heaven. This is a time for us who are yet on this world."
"She’s reached the ultimate destination of the universe."
"We say that she has “departed,” but Lady Faust says that she has “arrived"."
"Lady Faust sees things from such a different perspective than we do. Lady Faust never sees Her children die. She simply sees them coming home."
"The real questions we face today don’t really pertain to Tiger Lily. She has arrived."
"The real questions today have to do with us."
"What are we going to do?"
"What are we going to focus on?"
"Whatever the answer is, we will continue our lives. It would be what Tiger Lily would want. Contrary to what we would have liked, our dearly beloved and our friend has taken an earlier flight, but we still share a common destination."
"Her race ended earlier than we anticipated, but we still have our race to gallop, and Lady Faust would not have it any other way than that we give our very best for the Kingdom of Faust."
"We will deeply miss our friend, Tiger Lily. But we rejoice this day that she is with Lady Faust. And in honour of our friend, I say on behalf of all of us…"
"Goodbye may seem forever"
"Farewell is like the end"
"But in my heart's a memory"
"And there you'll always be"
At that time when Mr. Waddle finished saying the speech, funeral service ponies came over to remove the flowers and decorations on Tiger Lily's coffin to prepare to start lowering it into the dug-up grave. When the last flower and decoration was removed, one of the funeral ponies stood by a leaver to begin. A group of mares dressed in white robes came at the same time, softly vocalizing in a harmony. The mares were members of Ponyvilles local church mare choir. Then a moment later, the funeral pony standing by a leaver pulled it, and Tiger Lily's coffin began to lower down into the grave, with Ponyvilles local church mare choir singing the honoured words that Mr. Waddle said.
Abacus and Arithma began to cry and sob as Tiger Lily's coffin lowered down into the grave. Many ponies began to cry and sob along with them, while others either dropped their heads sadly, or take their hats off in respect. It was a very sad day for everyone, knowing that Tiger Lily, a loving, caring, helpful mare in town was gone forever.
Later that day, there was an after-funeral get-together service held at Sweet Apple Acres. Everyone in town who attended the funeral was there. The Apple family had food and drinks prepared for everyone there, much was provided and brought by others in town. Ponies talked and socialized with each other, remembering all the happy times and memories they each had of Tiger Lily. There were even a large flock of birds being conducted by Ponyville's local animal caretaker, Fluttershy, singing melancholy, but sweet and soothing music for the event.
Abacus sadly sat at a table among the activity going on. He looked up when three earth ponies came up to him. One was a brilliant gamboge mare with a blonde mane, and wore a brown Stetson. The second was a large brilliant amaranth stallion, with a brilliant orange mane, and wore a ploughing yoke. And the third was an elderly, light lime green mare, with a light gray mane, and wore an orange scarf with red apples patterned on it. Abacus knew who these ponies were. They were none other than three members of the Apple family, Applejack, Big McIntosh, and Granny Smith.
"Hey, sugarcube." Applejack said.
Abacus sniffled. "...Hello, Applejack."
Granny Smith presented Abacus a tray with a drink, and a plate of cake and cookies. "Here's some apple cider, an' apple tea cake an' triple chocolate chip cookies fer ya. We know how much ya like these."
"No, thank you," Abacus said sadly with a sniffle. "I'm not hungry."
Applejack, Big McIntosh, and Granny Smith sat down at the table with Abacus, and placed the tray of food and drink on the table in front of him. Applejack frowned as she placed a caring hoof on Abacus's shoulder to comfort him.
"Abacus. We're sorry about what happened ta Tiger Lily. Big Mac, Apple Bloom, an' ah lost both our parents. We know how ya feel."
"Eeyup," Big Mac said. "It was mighty hard fer all of us fer a while. But it got better as time went on, because we all had each other."
"Big Mac's right." Granny Smith placed a hoof on Abacus other shoulder. "Ya got ta be strong an' brave, like Tiger Lily was."
Abacus could no longer take it. He collapsed on the table, and broke down into another crying, sobbing fit from being reminded of Tiger Lily's sacrifice. Grief from the loss of his wife and unborn child was terrible for anyone to endure. The three members of the Apple family did their best to be there for him.
"...It's not fair," Abacus said in between sobs. "Why did Tiger Lily have to die?! Why did she have to sacrifice herself?! I wish it would've been me! She was pregnant with our foal! We were going to be a family! If only I was stronger, I could've saved her! But now she's gone, and I'm still here!"
Granny Smith stroked Abacus's back. "It ain't yer fault, Abacus. It was a terrible, unforeseen accident."
"I wish I got killed too!"
"Consarnit Abacus!!!" Granny Smith firmly pulled Abacus up straight with her hooves on his shoulders to speak to him. "Don't ever say that! Yer Ma has already lost a daughter-in-law, and a future grandchild! She ain't gonna lose ya as well!!" She sniffled and put on a calmer tone, as tears formed in her eyes. "Ah know how much it hurts. Ya' ain't the only one who's sufferin'. We all are sufferin'. Yer Ma's sufferin'. Everypony's sufferin'."
"Granny Smith's right," Applejack said. "It was nopony's fault. There was nothin' ya could've done. Everypony dies when their times up, an' it was her time ta go. Tiger Lily loved ya more than anythin' in the world. That's why she gave her life fer ya. Ta live."
Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup."
Granny Smith embraces Abacus in a hug as he cried on her shoulder. "Things might not ever be like they were, but you an' yer Ma have got ta stick together, ya got ta be strong. Fer Tiger Lily."
After a couple of moments, Granny Smith released the hug, while Abacus wiped his eyes, still sniffling, and mildly crying. Granny Smith then gave Abacus a handkerchief to wipe his eyes properly. Abacus took the handkerchief, wiped his eyes, and blew his nose into it. On the corner of her eye, Applejack turned to see Arithma standing there watching, most likely the whole time, with a heartfelt smile and tears in her eyes.
"Arithma." Applejack said.
The three Apple family members turned to Arithma as she came over to the table they were sitting at. She went over to the side where Abacus was sitting. Big Mac moved over so that Arithma could sit next to her son. She then sat down next to Abacus, and wrapped a hoof around her son as she turned to the three Apple family members.
Arithma sniffled. "You and everypony in Ponyville have been so kind to Abi. Bless you all. He's so lucky to have friends like you in this little town."
"It's the least we can do fer yer son, Miss Arithma," Granny Smith said. "He an' Tiger Lily are beloved in this here town."
Just then, a head of a brown and white border collie dog poked its head up from under the table in front of Abacus. It was none other than Winona, the Apple family's loyal pet and work dog. She gave a playful bark, before jumping up to Abacus, and giving him a couple of friendly, affectionate licks on his face.
A small, weak smile showed on Abacus's sad face. He sniffled, and began patting Winona with his hooves as he said, "Hi, girl."
Winona wined affectionately, and snuggled to Abacus. The three Apple family members, and Arithma looked on, with touching smiles at seeing Winona trying to cheer Abacus up, even just a little bit.
"Winona!" A young Southern American voice called out from behind the others a short distance away. The Apple Family, and Arithma turned around to see a small, young, earth filly, about five or six years old, with a pale, light grayish olive coat, a brilliant amaranth mane, and wore a red coloured bow in her hair. The filly was looking around. "Winona, where are ya, girl?!"
"She's over here, Apple Bloom." Applejack said.
Apple Bloom sees Winona snuggling with Abacus. She holds up a stick in her hoof, and waved it to try and get the family dogs' attention. "Here, Winona. Come on, girl."
Applejack came over to her little sister. "Apple Bloom. Winona wants ta keep Abacus company fer a while."
Apple Bloom moaned disappointingly. "But ah want Winona ta keep playin' fetch with me."
"She can play with ya more later, sugarcube," Applejack place a hoof on Apple Bloom. "Right now, she wants ta be with Abacus for a bit. Go an' play with the other kids fer a while. Okay?"
"Okay." Apple Bloom said.
Apple Bloom walked away towards a nearby group of children in the hopes to play with any of them. After that, Applejack turned back to the others, and rejoined them. She sat back down next to Granny Smith, where she smiled at seeing Winona being affectionate to Abacus. They were suddenly interrupted once again. Only this time it was the mayor of Ponyville herself, Mayor Mare, and she was also accompanied by a unicorn stallion that Abacus had never seen before. He had a phthalo bluish gray colored coat, with a light sapphire bluish gray mane with light gray stripes. And he also wore green 18th centuryish style attire, and a monocle on his right eye.
Granny Smith smiled at Mayor Mare. "Why, howdy do there, Miss Mare."
"Afternoon, Granny Smith." Mayor Mare turned to Abacus. "Abacus? This gentlecolt is here to see you."
Abacus looked up at the stallion that Mayor Mare had referred to standing with her. The stallion then stepped forward towards Abacus, and cleared his throat.
"Good afternoon, Mr Abacus Sum," The stallion said, in a very posh, sophisticated transatlantic accent. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Care a'Lot of "Care a'Lot Life Insurance" from Fillydelphia."
Abacus tilted his head. "Life insurance?"
"Yes, sir." Care a'Lot sat down at the table, facing Abacus. "Now I'm a very busy pony. So if you don't mind, let's be brief and get straight down to business. We have recently been informed of the unfortunate passing of your late wife, Tiger Lily. My absolute greatest condolences to you. Which is precisely why I’m here."
Care a'Lot then levitated a portfolio, and placed it down on the table, before opening it up to a page. He unclipped the page out of the portfolio, and placed it in front of Abacus and his mother.
"According to the arrangements made by Tiger Lily herself, you are entitled to receive a life insurance payout of this amount that I am here to deliver to you personally on the requested instructions by Tiger Lily herself."
Abacus sadly took a look at the page Care a'Lot had placed in front of him from the portfolio. He looked through it until he looked at the part that told the amount he was entitled to. His eyes widened at the amount that was presented. Applejack took a peak, and was just as surprised as Abacus.
"Land Sakes," Applejack said. "Tiger Lily put in life insurance of a million bits?"
"One million, two hundred and forty-nine thousand, eight hundred and ninety-one to be precise." Care a'Lot turned back to Abacus, and levitated a pen, where he placed it in front of him. "Now, Mr Sum, all you have to do is just sign a few papers, and the insurance money is all yours."
All this was confusing to Abacus. Seeing that he was entitled to that much money was overwhelming. He was hesitant and unsure about it, until his mother patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"It's okay, Abi," Arithma said. "I assure you that it's all official. Go on, sign them."
Abacus nodded. "Okay."
With assurance from his mother, Abacus picked up the pen in his mouth. He signed each of the papers with his signature on the places Care a'Lot pointed to him. After signing all the papers, Care a'Lot inspected the signatures closely through the monocle he wore on his right eye for a few moments. He looked up, and nodded.
"It all seems to be in order." With all papers signed, Care a'Lot levitated a check book to the table. He opened it up, took hold of his pen with his magic, and began to write out a bank check. After he finished writing it, Care a'Lot tore out the written check, and gave it to Abacus. "And there we are, Mr Sum."
Abacus took the check, and had a good look at it. It was a lot of numbers on it on the amount. He did not even remember having anything over six hundred thousand in his and Tiger Lily's shared bank account.
"Well, it seems like my work is done," Care a'Lot said. "And now I bid you "Good Day", sir. I have other important business to attend to back in Fillydelphia. Good day, Mr Sum. And good luck for the future."
Mayor Mare adjusted her glasses. "Do you need me to walk with you to the train station, Mr Care a'Lot?"
"That won't be necessary, Miss Mare. I can manage." Care a'Lot picked up his portfolio off the table, and put it away behind him. "Good day, ma'am."
With that said, Care a'Lot left the gathering, and out the gate of the apple orchard to catch the next closest train back to Fillydelphia. Leaving Abacus, Arithma, Mayor Mare, and the apple family alone with their thoughts. Mayor Mare turned to see Lady Justice socialising at another table, before turning back to the others.
"Well, I'll go and see how Lady Justice is doing," Mayor Mare said. "I'll leave you alone for a while."
Mayor Mare walked away towards the table that Lady Justice was sitting. Abacus continued looking at the life insurance bank check he had just received. The whole thing confused him, and he did not have any idea on how and why Tiger Lily left him a life insurance payout this large.
Applejack and Big Mac moved in closer to get a look. "Boy howdy! That's a lot of money. You never told us that Tiger Lily had you inherited for that much money."
"I...I didn't know. Lily never told me about this." Abacus turned to his mother. "Are you sure Lily did this, Mother?"
Arithma nodded. "Of course I'm sure, Abi. I was there when Lily made the arrangements. It was what Lily wanted."
Big Mac placed a hoof on Abacus's shoulder. "Well, one thing's fer sure. You'll definitely be a comfortable widower."
"We'll go to the bank tomorrow, and deposit the check into your bank account before we go." Arithma said to Abacus.
"Go?" Granny Smith asked. "Where y'all headin' tomorrow?"
Arithma turned to Granny Smith. "Abacus is going to stay with me in Fillydelphia for a little while. We have to sort out his home insurance with the Equestria Integrity Insurance Group office back in Fillydelphia to help cover the costs of his house in Ponyville being rebuilt."
Applejack tilted her head. "When does yer train leave?"
"Ten o'clock, tomorrow." Arithma said.
"Applejack an' ah will see y'all off at the train station then." Granny Smith turned to Big Mac. "Big Mac, ya'll have ta stay here to watch little Apple Bloom."
Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup."
With that said, they continued to socialize at the get-together to remember all the great, happy times they each had when Tiger Lily was alive. Abacus, despite now receiving a large life insurance payout, was still sad about his wife, Tiger Lily's death. He was also at the same time confused about the whole thing too, since he never knew about this at all. Hopefully, every question he had would be answered soon enough.
The next morning came by. Abacus, and his mother, Arithma, had stopped off at the local Ponyville bank to deposit his life insurance check into his and Tiger Lily's bank account. Their account had about five hundred and thirty thousand bits, but now with the life insurance check deposited, he now had nearly one million, eight hundred thousand. The thought of having so much money in his account was little comfit for him, for his wife and unborn child were more precious to him than all the bits in Equestria.
Abacus and Arithma were standing on the platform of Ponyville train station soon after, with Derpy, Applejack, and Granny Smith. The train to Fillydelphia was stationed, waiting for ponies to board the passenger cars. Derpy, Applejack, and Granny Smith came over to Abacus and Arithma to say good-bye. Arithma smiled as she turned to Derpy, and gave her a hug.
"Thank you for being so kind to let Abi and I stay with you, Derpy." Arithma said.
"You're welcome, Miss Arithma. I always like to help anypony, even my neighbours." Derpy turned to Abacus, and hugged him. "Goodbye, Abacus. See you soon."
"See you soon, Derpy," Abacus said sadly. "Thank you for that, I really appreciate it."
Applejack and Granny Smith then came over to them as Abacus and Derpy released their hug. Granny Smith went to Arithma, and Applejack to Abacus.
"How long will Abacus be stayin' with ya, Miss Arithma?" Granny Smith asked.
"About a couple of months or so until his house here is rebuilt." Arithma pointed Granny Smith's attention to Abacus, where they watch him and Applejack hug. "He's going to need some time to recover from all this. So he's going to stay with me in Fillydelphia to do that." The two mares looked back at each other. "I'm also thinking about moving in with Abi after his house in Ponyville is rebuilt for a while to help."
"Well, ya do that." Granny Smith hugged Arithma. "See y'all soon."
Applejack released the hug from Abacus, and placed a gentle hoof on him. "Ya take care of yerself, sugarcube."
"I'll try, Applejack," Abacus said. "See you soon."
A conductor yelled out. "ALL ABOARD!"
Hearing this, Arithma released the hug with Granny Smith. "We'd better go."
"Ya go, dear." Granny Smith said.
Arithma turned to Abacus. "Come on, Abi. Let's go."
Abacus sadly nodded. "...okay."
Derpy, Applejack, and Granny Smith waved as Abacus and Arithma walked aboard the closest passenger car. The doors of the cars closed, and the train's whistle blew when it began to leave the station.
"See y'all later!" Granny Smith said.
Applejack called out. "Y'all come back now, y'hear?!"
"Bye, Abacus!" Derpy waved as she hoovered off the ground. "Come back soon!"
The train chugged out of the station, picking up speed with each moment. The three mares stood on the platform, waving until the train was out of sight.
The door to Arithma's apartment opened, as Arithma and Abacus entered later that evening. Arithma flicked a switch, and turned on the lights, while Abacus walked over to the living room sofa. Abacus sadly sat down, and turned to his right to see a framed picture on the side table. He picked up the picture, and looked at it with teary eyes. The picture was a photo of himself, Tiger Lily, Arithma, and his friend, Lawful Eye taken on their wedding day years ago. In the picture, he wore a nice looking suit, and Tiger Lily wore a beautiful wedding dress and veil. Arithma and Lawful Eye stood on either side of them, and wore nice dresses. He began remembering that day.
Abacus and Tiger Lily stood together in front of a minister in a church, with Arithma and Lawful Eye standing close by. They were wearing the same outfits as in the photo, for it was their private wedding ceremony. The church pastor smiled as he performed Abacus and Tiger Lily's marriage.
"Do you, Abacus Sum, take this mare, Tiger Lily, to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The pastor asked. "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part?"
Abacus happily nodded. "I do."
The pastor turned to Tiger Lily. "And do you, Tiger Lily, take this stallion, Abacus Sum, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part?"
"I do." Tiger Lily said.
The pastor nodded. "BRIDE and GROOM, through their words today, have joined together in holy wedlock. Because they have exchanged their vows before Lady Faust and these witnesses, have pledged their commitment each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hooves and by exchanging rings, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife. Those whom Lady Faust hath joined together, let no one put asunder. You may now kiss the bride."
Abacus and Tiger Lily smiled, and looked at each other face to face. Then they came closer, and their lips joined together in a kiss, with the pastor, Lawful Eye, and Arithma clapping their hooves. Soon after, a photographer came over with his camera as the pastor stood aside.
"Okay, may I have the new weds, and witnesses for a picture?" Abacus and Tiger Lily stood for the camera, with Lawful Eye sanding on Tiger Lily's side, and Arithma standing on Abacus's side. "That's perfect. Now smile for the camera."
All four ponies stood together, as the camera of the photographer flashed.
Abacus began to cry once again as he finished remembering he and Tiger Lily's wedding day. Tears were flowing down his cheek, and dripping on to the same picture frame. Arithma noticed her son crying, and also noticing the picture he looked at, she came over to him on the sofa. She sat down with him, and put a hoof around her son. Abacus rested on his mother's chest, and sobbed his heart out. Arithma stroked her son's mane, as tears formed in her eyes too.
"You'll be alright, sweetie," Arithma said. "As soon as we sort out your home insurance tomorrow, we'll organise to get some counselling for you."
Abacus sadly nodded as he sobbed on his mother's chest, while talking in between sobs. "Wh...Where's Lawful? Why didn't she come to the funeral?"
"I don't know, sweetie." Arithma sniffled. "I don't know... Maybe something went wrong at the post office. I'll write to her again tomorrow."
Abacus sniffled. "...But she always replies..."
"Shhh..." Arithma cooed. "I'm sure there's a simple explanation. I'm sure we'll hear from her soon. And when your house in Ponyville is rebuilt, I'll move in with you for a while to help."
Abacus continued to sob in his mother's chest, and her caring hooves around him. Mother and son cried together on the sofa in the safe sanctuary of the living room of their apartment home.
Four days had passed since Abacus had moved in with his mother back in Fillydelphia. He had sorted out the home insurance pay out with the Equestria Integrity Insurance Group, and got the money to help cover most of the cost of having his house rebuilt, with the help of his mother. They then went to a bank to convert the insurance check into another check to post to Mayor Mare back in Ponyville for the builders. Arithma also wrote to Lawful Eye again that day too. After that, Arithma made arrangements for her son to receive counselling from a good therapist she managed to find in the city.
On the morning of the fourth day, Abacus and Arithma were sitting having breakfast. Abacus was having a bowl of Honey Crunch Oat Krispies breakfast cereal with milk, while Arithma had jam on toast with hot coffee. Arithma watched as her son was eating his breakfast slowly, with the same sad look. Thinking for a moment, she decided to talk to Abacus.
"How are you feeling, Abi?" Arithma asked.
Abacus sighed sadly. "Okay..."
Arithma reached out and placed a caring hoof on her son's hoof. "Don't worry, Abi. Your first appointment with Dr Calm Mind is this afternoon at two. He seems really nice, and he can help you."
"Okay..." Abacus said.
Arithma smiled caringly. "It'll be fine, Abi. You'll need it to help-"
Arithma was suddenly interrupted by knocking at the apartment door. It got both her and Abacus's attention.
"Who is it?" Abacus asked. "Is it Lawful?"
"I don't know. I'll find out." Arithma got up, and began to walk to the door just as there was a second set of knocking. "Coming!"
When Arithma came to the door, she opened it. There, standing at the entrance, were three ponies. Three unicorn ponies, a mare and two stallions. And all three were wearing police uniforms.
"Miss Arithma?" The lead unicorn stallion police officer asked.
Arithma tilted her head. "Yes. What can I do for you?"
The lead unicorn stallion police officer levitated his police badge. "Officer Hard Case, Fillydelphia P.D.. Is your son, Abacus Sum here?"
"Of course," Arithma said, her answer was confused. "What is this about?"
Officer Hard Case's eyes shifted into a serious glare as he quickly glanced at the other two officers with him. "He's here!"
Without warning, the two police officers pushed the door open, pushing Arithma aside as they entered into the apartment by force. Inside, the mare unicorn police officer noticed Abacus, who had just got out of his seat at what happened. She locked her sights on him, and with her magic, she shot hoof shackle chain restraints straight towards Abacus. The hoof shackle chain restraints made contact with Abacus's hooves, and locked on to them. Arithma was both shocked and confused by what she saw.
"What are you doing?!" Arithma said.
Abacus was equally shocked by what had just happened as he tried to get the restraints off his hooves. "What's going on?! Why are you doing this to me?!"
Officer Hard Case walked over to Abacus with the two police officers. He glared seriously at Abacus, as he said to him, "Abacus Sum. You are being arrested, on a warrant being granted by Judge Lady Justice of Ponyville court house, at the request of Chief Inspector Blue Ward and Detective Lieutenant Cover-Up of the Canterlot Investigation Force, for arson and the murder of your wife, Tiger Lily."
Abacus and Arithma's eyes widen with absolute shock and disbelief at what was just said. Abacus's mind was spinning, and he even hoped that all this was just a bad dream. But it was not the case. He was being arrested for murder.
