A Prisoner's Suffering

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.

[🎵Goodbye may seem forever🎵

🎵Farewell is like the end🎵

🎵But in my heart's a memory🎵

🎵And there you'll always be🎵](https://youtu.be/498c_K3_9yk?t=2m5s)

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.