The Next Day...
Ren's POV
I went over to Twilight's home and went to sleep with Twilight, Spike and Lawful. By morning we woke up and we were sitting in the kitchen enjoying breakfast. Spike brought over four bowls and a box of Honey Crunch Oat Krispies breakfast cereal to the table.
Lawful Eye poured some cereal into her bowl and smile. "Honey Crunch Oat Krispies. I've eaten this cereal since I was a little filly."
"Mm-hm." Spike shoved a large spoonful of Honey Crunch Oat Krispies into his mouth and began eating. "It's the best breakfast cereal ever!"
Twilight playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head as we chuckled. "Oh, Spike."
We began to eat their simple breakfast. While nearly finished eating, we could see something was on Lawful Eye's mind, like she was puzzled about something.
"What is it, Lawful?" Twilight asked. "Is something wrong?"
Lawful Eye looked up. "Sorry Twilight. I can't stop thinking about yesterday."
"I know taking Abacus to Sugarcube Corner was a bit much, but it turned out fine in the end. But his outburst of anger towards Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon was a bit of a shock." I said.
"True. I've never seen Abacus as violent before." Lawful Eye adjusted her glasses. "But it's not really surprising for it's the effects of being imprisoned, abused, and tortured. It can cause different behaviors in individuals. Even violence."
"Well, those two fillies provoked him," Spike said. "And that horrible name that everypony in town has started calling him, Abacus Scum. It's like one of the names I gave to Twilight and the others when they all got effected by the poison joke, except it's very mean, and nowhere near as funny."
"Not all ponies in town called him that," Twilight said. "Like Derpy, and Mr and Mrs Cake."
Lawful Eye nodded. "True. It's good to know that there are at least some ponies in town that are happy to see him back."
Spike swallowed the last mouthful of breakfast cereal. "And how about Roseluck, Daisy, and Lily Valley? Did you hear what they were saying about Abacus, especially about his face? And to think that Tiger Lily was the one who started the local flower shop as Fluttershy told us, and was also a business partner with those three."
"I know, Spike," Twilight said. "Those three are so skeptical of anything."
"And despite us talking to the ponies in town that Abacus was proven innocent of his crime, they still believe he's a murderer, and a danger to the whole town." Lawful Eye groaned irritably. "It's like talking to a brick wall."
Twilight sighed. "I know, Lawful Eye. It seems that trying to convince the town that Abacus is innocent, and that he's not a danger to anypony is not going to be as easy as we first thought. And I have not gotten a response from the Canterlot investigation force headquarters yet."
All of a sudden, we were interrupted by knocking at the Library's front door. Twilight and I got up and made her way to the door to answer it. Lighting her horn, Twilight took hold of the knob on the front door, and opened it up. We were met by two unicorn stallions standing outside on the doorstep. One stallion was average sized and middle-aged, with a very dark grey coat, purple and black patterned mane and tail, and deep emerald green eyes. The other stallion with him was a larger stallion, as large as a royal guard pony, with a vermilionish gray coat, cornflower bluish white and very pale cerulean patterned mane and tail, brilliant yellow eyes, and had a scar on his right shoulder.
"Miss Twilight Sparkle, Mr, Ren Loodon?" The dark grey stallion asked with a deep, but calming voice.
Twilight nodded. "Yes? Can we help you?"
"I'm Warden Rehab of Hoofstrong Prison Centre." He pointed to the larger stallion. "And this is Lock Down."
Lock Down smiled. "A pleasure, ma'am, and sir."
"Oh, yes. You're the ponies Lawful Eye wrote to the other day. And run Hoofstrong Prison Centre." We welcomed them both in. "Do come in."
Warden Rehab and Lock Down entered through the door, and into the library. Twilight closed the door with her magic. the two stallions followed us into the kitchen where Lawful Eye and Spike were still sitting.
"Lawful Eye," Twilight said. "The warden's here."
Lawful Eye turned to see Warden Rehab standing next to Twilight at the entrance to the kitchen. "Rehab. You're here."
"We took time off duty the day I got your letter," Warden Rehab said. "Then we caught the next train to Ponyville."
Lawful Eye raised an eyebrow. "We?"
"Yes. I brought one of my best guards along with me." Warden Rehab turned his head towards the door at the same time Lock Down appeared behind him.
Lock Down stopped at the kitchen entrance next to Warden Rehab. Lawful Eye looked at him with a reoccurring feeling, until her eyes shifted to a mild angry glare.
"What is he doing here?" Lawful Eye asked.
Twilight tilted her head. "What's the matter, Lawful Eye? Do you know this pony?"
Lawful Eye continued glaring. "Yes. Even without his royal guard armor, I recognize him. Especially with that scar on his shoulder."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Lock Down stepped forward. "You see miss Twilight... I was the guard who shocked Abacus on her first visit to him."
Twilight turned to Lawful Eye. "Is that true, Lawful Eye?"
"It's true," Lawful Eye said. "And I don't understand why he's here to help Abacus after what he did to him."
"Well, I think we should explain this over coffee." Warden Rehab turned to Twilight. "If that's okay, miss Twilight?"
Twilight nodded. "Of course. I still have plenty of hot water in the pot. Please, do sit down."
Warden Rehab and Lock Down soon sat down at our table. Twilight soon levitated a fresh pot of boiling water, a jar of coffee, a jar of sugar, a carton of cold milk, a carton of cold Half-and-Half, and two coffee cups on the table in front of them.
"Do help yourselves." Twilight said.
Warden Rehab nodded. "Thank you, Miss Twilight. It's very kind of you."
Twilight smiled. "There's no need to be formal, Rehab. Just call me Twilight."
"Of course," Warden Rehab said. "My apologies, Twilight."
"That's okay." Twilight sat down at the table.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Twilight." Lock Down said.
Lawful Eye took a sip from her cup of coffee while talking to Lock Down. "So why are you here? Of all the guards, why you? The very one who shocked Abacus?"
"It was my request to come. I wanted to come...because I wanted to help make things right." Lock Down sighed. "I know that you still hold a grudge on me for shocking him, but please understand that I didn't have a choice. I really didn't want to shock him, and I felt terrible for doing it. I even tried to form a special bond with him afterwards. That's why I'm here."
Warden Rehab put his hoof on Lock Down's shoulder. "Lock Down. I think they deserve a bit more of an explanation. How about you tell them the whole story from the beginning."
Lock Down sighed. "Okay. Like Rehab mentioned earlier, I'm one of his best guards. I've been a prison class royal guard for over ten years, and have worked in four prison facilities, three of them were some of the most dangerous prisons in Equestria. The first prison I worked at was Trotzburg Psychiatric Penitentiary, which is how I met Rehab."
Warden Rehab nodded. "Yes. I was the warden of Trotzburg for fifteen years. I was impressed with Lock Down's work as a guard. A guard needs to be not only strong and capable of controlling, enforcing, or subduing prisoners, but also good at communicating with them too."
"Really?" Spike said. "Wow. I didn't know that being a royal guard had to involve all that."
Twilight looked at Spike. "It's more than just standing around protecting things, Spike."
"After I had experience from Trotzburg for the first two years, I got transferred to three other prisons during the other eight year period. While Rehab and I always kept in touch with one another. The most dangerous prison I think I worked at out of the three was Alcatrotz Island in San Franciscolt." Lock Down looked down at the scar on his right shoulder. "You see that scar? I got it from being slashed by an inmate's homemade knife during a prison riot. The knife slipped under my armor plating as the inmate attacked me."
Spike's eyes widened. "Gosh!"
"Shit." I said.
Lock Down nodded. "I know. Sugar Dough is always worried about me for being a prison class royal guard. When she found out about me getting injured in the prison riot, she feared the worst."
"Sugar Dough?" Twilight asked.
"Yes. She's my wife." Lock Down smiled. "We met in our schooldays back in our home city, Carriageston. We have three children, two fillies and a colt. Cinnamon Swirl is the eldest daughter. Straight Arrow, our son, is the middle child. And our youngest daughter is Cutie Cream. She works as a baker in Carriageston. A lot of ponies ask her what it's like for a baker to be married to a royal guard." He chuckled and cleared his throat. "But anyway, I worked in the prisons, but working at Hoofstrong Prison Centre was where I really wanted to be. But every time I requested a transfer there, it was always rejected."
"Because Armstrong and his goons were torturing and abusing the prisoners, and didn't want to be found out?" Spike asked.
"Basically. So when I got the sudden orders to be transferred to Hoofstrong Prison Centre, I was thrilled. The thought of being at the very prison I always hoped to work at, so I'd be close enough to my family to come home to them would be a relief. Like a dream come true." Lock Down sighed. "But after I was briefed on the horrors that was happening there, and that I was going to be part of the raid of that place, my relief on working at that place changed. That place was a real horrible mess. Then when I shocked Abacus Sum on my forth day on the job, I was hit so hard inside."
Three months ago...
Lock Down opened the front door of his home, closed it, and entered the living room. He then planted himself onto the living room sofa all exhausted and stressed.
A very pale amber colored unicorn mare with a brown and white mane and tail, and pale green eyes and wearing an apron peered into the living room from the kitchen. "Hi, sweet heart. You're home early today."
"Hey, Sugar Dough," Lock Down said, waving his hoof at his wife with his head down.
Sugar Dough looked at her husband with a look of concern. She then came out of the kitchen, into the living room, and sat down on the sofa next to Lock Down. "What's wrong, darling? How was your day?"
"It's nothing, honey." Lock Down sighed. "My day was just fine. I'm just a bit tired, that's all."
Sugar Dough gave Lock Down a sideways glance. "Clearly that's not true."
Lock Down dropped his eyes sadly with the sorrowful expression on his face. Sugar Dough placed a caring hoof on Lock Down's shoulder. "Sweet heart. I've noticed you haven't been your normal self for the last few days. Our kids have noticed it too. You know you can always talk to me if there's ever a problem. I can tell something happened that is troubling you. So honey...please tell me what's wrong."
Lock Down sighed. "Alright, but if I tell you, can it stay between us?"
"Of course, sweet heart," Sugar Dough said. "You can trust me."
Lock Down looked up at Sugar Dough. "Okay. I can't reveal too much information for court reasons and they're ordered to be kept classified from everypony, but I can tell you some things. You know how I've always wanted to be a guard at Hoofstrong Prison Centre to be close to you and the kids, but my transfer request was always rejected by that place?"
Sugar Dough nodded. "Yes."
"Well, I recently found out why." Lock Down paused briefly. "It was because there was horrible things going on there."
Sugar Dough tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"Well, when I was given orders to go to Hoofstrong, it was to be part of a royal guard raid on that place. I was briefed that there was countless acts of cruel torture, and abuse to all the prisoners by all the staff at that place, including the minotaur warden, Armstrong. That monster put steelectric collars on all the prisoners, and he and his men would shock them just for sick, sadistic pleasure. He would even let his guards beat, torture, starve, and even rape them."
Sugar Dough eyes widened. "Are you serious? That's so awful."
Lock Down nodded. "I am. You could not imagine the things they did to the prisoners there."
"What did they do to them?" Sugar Dough asked.
Lock Down sighed. "Well...that's one of the things I can't say for court reasons. But what I can say is that it was things you would only see in your nightmares." He dropped his head. "But that's not all that's troubling me."
"So what is it?" Sugar Dough asked. "Is it something to do with you coming home early?"
"Well..." Lock Down paused briefly. "I shocked a prisoner today."
"Was this prisoner violent and dangerous?" Sugar Dough asked.
Lock Down shook his head. "No. He wasn't."
Sugar Dough blinked. "Well, why did you shock him? Tell me what happened."
Lock Down took a deep breath, and exhaled. "Well, a pony came to visit a prisoner inside today. This pony was a detective from Fillydelphia who was in fact one of the ones responsible for getting that place exposed for the nightmarish place that it is. I escorted her to see a specific prisoner who's her best friend she's been trying to get out. Her friend is an earth pony stallion named Abacus Sum."
"What's the crime he's serving time for?" Sugar Dough asked.
"Premeditated first-degree murder of his wife and unborn child, and arson. And was sentence to life, never to be released." Lock Down eyes dropped. "But they've claimed he's innocent, and that he's due to face court for a retrial."
Sugar Dough put a hoof over her mouth. "Oh my gosh. So that stallion's been wrongly convicted? That's horrible. That poor stallion."
"I know. So we arrived at his cell, and the detective tried to hug Abacus through the bars of his cell, and... And that's when I shocked him. I shocked this poor stallion because he broke the rule of not touching visitors. I've shocked prisoners before, but this one was different. This wasn't a violent, dangerous criminal trying to harm somepony, this was an innocent pony trying to hug his friend. I didn't want to shock him, but I had no choice. I'd never abuse or torture any prisoner, but it felt like I did. And after I shocked him, the detective was furious with me for shocking him, and she called me a monster. Not that I blame her. Then Rehab came to my side, and told me to clock off early and wait in the rec room. He met me in there and told me everything. That further made me concerned about that poor stallion. Seeing him crying on the floor of his cell after being shocked. And the pain...the horrible physical and psychological pain he must have felt and be feeling." Lock Down winced as he held back a few tears from escape his eyes. "It's like his nightmare wasn't over. Not being able to share a hug, a simple hug with his friend after all the pain, suffering, and humiliation he's been through without getting shocked. You could not imagine how hard it was to keep my composure and do that with a straight face. After that, he sent me home early, and said he'd talk to me tomorrow." He sighed deeply and leaned forward with his hooves over his eyes. "That detective was right. I am a monster."
Sugar Dough stroked Lock Down's shoulder to comfit him. "Sweet heart. It's okay. You're not a monster. You were just doing your job, don't blame yourself. I know you wouldn't ever hurt anypony maliciously, and so does Rehab."
Lock Down looked up at Sugar Dough. "I still can't believe I did that. It was horrible to shock an innocent pony."
"I don't understand," Sugar Dough said. "Why can't you just simply take those steelectric collars off them?"
Lock Down sighed. "Because it's not that simple. Hoofstrong is under the high maximum security class act. That means the major protocols, including the major rules, and the steelectric collars being equipped can't be changed without legal processing by legal government policy that takes as long as eight months to even over a year." He groaned with an mix of sadness and anger. "Armstrong! That scumbag! It's like he's still there torturing them. And those of us who are left to clean up the mess he and his guards have made have to suffer too."
Sugar Dough watched as another tear escape her husband's eye, filling her with pity. She reached out and wiped the tear from Lock Down's face. "I'm sure it'll be okay, sweet heart. You're one of the strongest, bravest ponies I know. I'm sure you'd be very kind and gentle to those poor prisoners, especially to that one you shocked, Abacus. You might even be his friend."
"I don't know if I can after that." Lock Down said.
Sugar Dough embraces Lock Down into a cuddle. "I know you can. You're also the most gentle, loving, caring pony I know. I can see that you care about him a lot, and I'm sure he'll see that sooner or later. You're nothing like Armstrong and his guards. You're like a big teddy bear. That's why I fell in love with you."
Lock Down looked at Sugar Dough with a small hopeful smile. "You always know the right words." He returned the cuddle with his wife.
"Now, how about I bring you some of my powdered doughnuts and some coffee." Sugar Dough said.
Lock Down nodded. "I could use some of that. Thanks, my little sex kitten."
Sugar Dough got up from the sofa, and went into the kitchen to get some doughnuts and coffee ready. Leaving Lock Down alone in the living room to think things over.
Back in the present...
Lock Down sighed as he finished recalling the conversation he had with his wife on the day he shocked Abacus. "I've shocked prisoners with steelectric collars before, but shocking Abacus that day...it was the most horrible feeling I had ever felt. According to royal guard prison protocol, it was the right action to shock him, but in my mind and heart, it was wrong. There is a good reason why those steelectric collars are strictly only for the most violent and dangerous prisoners."
Lawful Eye pondered at Lock Down's words of his retelling of how he felt. Not that long ago, she despised him for shocking Abacus that day, but seeing just how, gentle, kind, remorseful, and genuine he really was, and that he truly wanted to help him, she found that she really did believe him.
"So you do care?" Lawful Eye asked.
Lock Down nodded. "Yes."
Twilight turned to Lawful Eye. "I think you should give him a chance, Lawful Eye. I know you're still upset about him shocking Abacus, but he really is sorry for what happened and wants to help him. Please give him a cha–"
Lawful Eye raised her hoof to silence Twilight. "It's fine, Twilight. I see the truth now."
Warden Rehab took a sip from his cup of coffee. "So when I spoke with Lock Down the next morning, I told him not to go near him, until he at least got to trust me."
"I was always worried about him, and even asked Rehab on how he was doing everyday he saw him," Lock Down said. "Until Rehab gave me the task of guarding Abacus during his trip to Canterlot on the day of his retrial. Rantaro stayed behind."
Two weeks ago...
It was 3:00 am in the morning, and Warden Rehab walked down the hall of Hoofstrong Prison Center, accompanied by two royal guards and Rantaro towards Abacus Sum's cell. They stopped and stood right outside the door of his cell as Warden Rehab turned to the guards.
"Wait out here." Warden Rehab said.
The guards nodded to his command. Warden Rehab then turned to the door, put the key in the lock with his magic, and unlocked it. The sound of the cell door unlocking woke Abacus up. He cowered to the corner of his bed on the corner of his cell as Warden Rehab opened the cell door, and entered. Seeing that he was scared because of the two guards standing right outside the door, Warden Rehab calmly came to Abacus, and spoke to him patiently.
"It's alright, Abacus. Those guards aren't going to hurt you, I promise. You're retrial is at eight, and it's an over four hour pegasus cart ride to Canterlot. Now come on, it's time to go."
Abacus got up from his bed, still scared with tears in his eyes. The two guards entered into his cell and stood behind Warden Rehab.
Warden Rehab briefly looked at the unicorn guard holding hoof shackle chain restraints with his magic before turning back to Abacus. "Now, we're going to put these restraints on you. It's part of the protocol to put restraints on all prisoners before ever leaving their cells. So don't resist in anyway. Do you understand, Abacus?"
Abacus closed his eyes and nodded slowly. Warden Rehab looked at the guards, and Rantaro, and gave them a nod, confirming that they were clear to put the restraints on him. The unicorn guard came forward, and began to put the restraints on his hooves, and tied a rope to his steelectric collar with his magic. Abacus winced throughout the whole thing as fearful tears escaped his closed eyes. The unicorn guard gave the rope to the pegasus guard who held on to it in his mouth.
"Prisoner restrained, sir." The unicorn guard said.
"Good." Warden Rehab turned towards the door. "Right, let's go."
Warden Rehab, Rantaro, and the guards lead Abacus out of his cell. Warden Rehab walked at the front, and the guards remained on both sides. They escorted the scared and depressed Abacus down the halls of the prison. The restraints on Abacus's hooves allowed him the mobility to walk, but unable to run. After minutes of walking through the prison corridors, they reached a large metal door with two more guards stationed.
Warden Rehab presented some papers with his magic to one of the guards. "Prisoner number 727867, Abacus Sum, scheduled to be transported to Canterlot for his retrial at Equestria supreme court at 8:00 am sharp."
The guard took the papers and looked through them very thoroughly. The guard then looked at Abacus for a few moments, then back at the papers.
"Right. It's all in order. Transportation is ready and waiting, Warden." The guard turned to the second guard on station. "Open the door."
The guard nodded, and pulled the leaver next to him. The door began to open up, and revealed an outside area that had a prison transport wagon with three pegasus royal guards to pull it stationed outside. Warden Rehab, Rantaro, and the guards lead Abacus outside into the summer night, early morning air towards the wagon. A unicorn guard who had a scar on his shoulder just peaking from his armor stood on the side of the ramp on the side entrance that lead inside into the wagon. Warden Rehab and the unicorn guard escorting Abacus entered into the wagon first.
"Aright, Abacus." The pegasus guard said through the rope in his mouth. "In we go."
Abacus complied with the guard's orders, and walked up the ramp into the wagon with the guard leading him inside. Inside the wagon, the unicorn guard directed Abacus to a seating bench against the left wall of the wagon.
"You sit down here." The unicorn guard said.
Abacus sat down where the unicorn guard told him to sit. Then the guard took the rope attached to Abacus out of the pegasus guard's mouth, and tied it to a close by metal ring fixed to the wall. Warden Rehab came up to Abacus to give him some last minute words before departing.
"Well, Abacus," Warden Rehab said. "I wish we was going with you, but I have to run the prison. Rantaro will also be staying here assisting. So we are leaving you in the care of one of my best guards."
Abacus's eyes began to well up and began to whimper in fear. Warden Rehab gently rested a reassuring hoof on Abacus's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. I assure you none of them are going to harm or abuse you in anyway. You have nothing to fear. Just remember to do whatever any of the guards tell you to do. Do you understand?"
Abacus dropped his head, closed his eyes, and slowly nodded as a tear escaped out of his eye, and ran down his horribly scarred cheek.
Warden Rehab nodded. "Okay."
Warden Rehab turned to the scar shouldered unicorn royal guard who had just entered into the wagon from outside. "Lock Down. I leave Abacus Sum in your care. Be sure that he gets to and from Equestria supreme court in Canterlot safely."
"Yes, Warden." Lock Down said.
Warden Rehab nodded and turned to Abacus. "Abacus. Have a safe journey... and good luck."
Warden Rehab walked out of the wagon as Lock Down took a seat at the front of the wagon about three feet away from Abacus. The guards outside then closed the door of the wagon. Warden Rehab went to the front of the wagon to the three pegasus royal guards pulling the wagon.
"Right," Warden Rehab said. "You're all clear for departure."
"Yes, sir." The lead pegasus royal guard turned to the other two. "Alright! Let's move out!"
The three pegasus royal guards began to pull the wagon to an iron gate. The gate opened to let the pegasus royal guards pull the wagon out of the prison, and soon take off into the early morning night sky.
Later...
Fifteen minutes went by into the ride, and it was a smooth ride so far. Abacus sadly looked at the side barred window, as he watched clouds moved past the full moon shining in the night sky. While looking, he saw that the moon was different. He noticed that the dark mare shaped pattern he had always saw in the moon was gone. He kept sadly looking until a small cloud hit the side of the wagon, making a thumping sound that made him jump. Lock Down watched as Abacus dropped his head sadly, and a sad tear came out of his eye. He took pity on the poor, depressed stallion. Thinking for a moment, he decided it would be a good idea to maybe talk to him.
"Well...I guess there are some small clouds out in the sky," Lock Down said, trying to start a conversation. "That happens sometimes when traveling by pegasus wagon. Nothing to really be worried about."
Abacus did not respond, he just sadly sat there silently. Lock Down decided to keep talking to him. "I don't know if you remember me, but I was the guard from earlier... the one that shocked you when your friend came to visit you."
Abacus winced and whimpered at Lock Down's words.
Lock Down waved his hoof. "Oh, no-no-no. I assure you that I'm not going to harm you. I'm here to guard, and protect you." He took a deep breath. "You're an accountant, aren't you?" He smiled. "My brother-in-law's an accountant. He makes quite a pretty penny from sorting out money and other ponies profits. I bet you probably get that too, don't you?"
Abacus did not say a word, and just sat there in that depressive state.
"If you're not talking to me because you're afraid I'll shock you if you do, I promise you that I won't," Lock Down said. "It's not against the rules for prisoners to talk to the guards. You can talk."
Abacus still did not talk, nor did he look at him from that depressive state he was in. Lock Down felt sorry for him for being so scared and depressed, for he understood what he went through. He got up from his seat, came over to Abacus's seating bench, and sat down next to him.
Lock Down sighed and put on a caring tone. "Abacus. I don't blame you for being this way. And it's understandably why. I'd probably be like that too." He paused for a moment, searching for the right things to say. "I also wanted to apologize...for shocking you that day. I was only doing my job, but I felt horrible for doing it. I never really wanted to, but I had to. I understand how very hard it is for you. Not being able to touch or even share a hug with any of your friends or family. That collar you're wearing wasn't meant to be put on prisoners like you. They're meant only for the most violent and dangerous of them. You don't deserve that kind of thing after what you've been through. You deserve a million hugs, and a large sack full of bits for each one you get." He moved his hoof out to Abacus. "Don't worry. I'm sure your retrial is going to go well. I'm sure of it."
Lock Down gently patted Abacus's back, causing Abacus to flinch, and whimper.
"Hey, hey, it's alright," Lock Down said. "It's just a friendly pat on the back. You know what that feels like, don't you?"
"I'm sure it'll be okay, sweet heart. You're one of the strongest, bravest ponies I know. I'm sure you'd be very kind and gentle to those poor prisoners, especially to that one you shocked, Abacus. You might even be his friend."
"You're also the most gentle, loving, caring pony I know. I can see that you care about him a lot, and I'm sure he'll see that sooner or later. You're nothing like Armstrong and his guards. You're like a big teddy bear. That's why I fell in love with you."
As Lock Down was recalling his wife's kind words, he continued to pat Abacus's back gently with Abacus gradually beginning to relax, even if it was just a little. Though he was still scared, Abacus began to slowly look up at Lock Down face to face. Lock Down then smiled at Abacus kindly.
"You see?" Lock Down said kindly. "I'm not going to hurt you. I guess it's been a while since you had one of those, huh? Oh, by the way, my name is Lock Down, in case you didn't recall."
Abacus's scared and depressed state did not change, but Lock Down was at least glad he was able to talk to him. All of a sudden, Abacus flinched to a sudden growling sound coming from somewhere close.
Lock Down mildly chuckled. "No need to be alarmed. It's just my stomach growling." He turned his head as his horn began to glow, and levitated a lunch box towards him. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. It's still a bit early for breakfast, but since I'm hungry anyway... Besides, the sun will be up soon anyway."
As Lock Down placed his lunch box on his lap, he heard the sound of Abacus's stomach growl too. Lock Down smiled, knowing what that meant.
"I guess I'm not the only one who's hungry." Lock Down said.
Lock Down opened up his lunch box, looking inside it.
"Here's you're lunch box, dear."
"Thanks, honey."
"I packed it with your breakfast, lunch, some coffee, and some snack's for your trip, including your favorite powdered doughnuts I make."
"You're amazing as always, Sugar."
"Oh. And I also made a batch of powdered doughnuts for Abacus too."
"You did?"
"Mm-hm. In case that poor stallion gets hungry. Since you're assigned to guard him, you could also give them to him as a peace offering. I'm sure it'll help."
"That so sweet of you, honey. I'll see you and the kids when I get back."
"Bye, dear."
Lock Down continued looking inside his lunch box as he recalled his conversation with his wife, Sugar Dough. He then took out his hot coffee container and his batch of his wife's homemade powdered doughnuts.
Lock Down smiled. "It's a good thing my wife packed me some food. She makes the best doughnuts. Oh, and guess what?" He opened the batch his wife made for Abacus, and levitated one of them to him. "She made some specially for you."
Abacus looked up at the powdered doughnut levitated in front of him. He was hesitant on taking it.
"Go on," Lock Down said. "You can take it. It's for you."
Abacus hesitated briefly, before he offered his hooves out. Lock Down placed the powdered doughnut in his hooves. Abacus looked at the doughnut, hesitant to eat it.
"Don't be afraid, Abacus. My wife's a good baker, and her doughnuts are very good." Lock Down eats one in front of Abacus. "Try it. It's good, I promise." He gave a friendly wink.
Abacus looked back at the doughnut in his hooves. He hesitated briefly, before leaning forward and taking a bite out of it. He began to slowly chew as Lock Down watched.
"See?" Lock Down asked. "Isn't it great?"
Lock Down turned towards the barred window, and saw that the night sky began to very slowly turn into a shade of purple, with a faint orange tint in the distance. That meant the sun was close to raising to begin the new day.
"Well, looks like the sun's going to come up soon to begin the day." Lock Down turned back to Abacus. "I guess it's a good time for breakfast now." He opened his hot coffee container, and poured some hot coffee into the cap with his magic. "There's nothing like a nice, hot cup of coffee while eating doughnuts."
Lock Down blew into the steaming coffee, and took a sip as Abacus took another bite from the doughnut in his hooves.
At Canterlot...
Later that morning, they arrived in Canterlot. The pegasus royal guards pulling the wagon made a turn towards a road outside the city to land. The light from the morning shined through the barred window, shining brightly onto Abacus's face, causing Abacus to wince blindly.
Lock Down chuckled. "I guess it's the first time you've seen sunlight in a long while, huh? And it seems we're here. Sit tight. We're about to land."
Soon enough, the wagon landed smoothly on the road outside the city, making a minor bump. The royal guards pulling the wagon continued down the road that entered into the city. Soon enough, they were going through the streets of Equestria's capital until they were approaching the large building of Equestria Supreme Courthouse. They entered an opened gate on the side of the building that lead into an area for transport wagons, with royal guards standing guard around it. The pegasus royal guards pulling the wagon stopped in the covered area. From inside the wagon, Abacus and Lock Down could hear the sound of the ramp outside the door being put into position. The door opened to reveal two pegasus royal guards as they entered. Abacus cowered against the wall of the wagon in fear when the guards came near him.
Lock Down gently patted Abacus to calm him. "Easy there, Abacus. Nothing to be afraid of. Remember what Rehab said to you. Do what they say, and you'll be fine."
When Abacus calmed down, Lock Down began to untie the rope tied to Abacus's steelectric collar from the ring on the wagons wall with his magic. He then gave it to one of the pegasus royal guards who took it in his mouth.
Lock Down turned to Abacus. "Well, this is it, Abacus. Good luck. I'll see you later."
"Right, let's go, Abacus," One of the guards said. "Your retrial begins in ten minutes."
Lock Down watched as Abacus got up from the bench seat at the guard's instructions. He began to follow the guards out of the wagon, down the ramp, and into an opened door with his head down in that same very hopelessly depressed state. The door closed behind them, and Lock Down smiled, hoping all was going to go well for Abacus in that court room.
Lock Down stood around close to the wagon waiting with that same hope for Abacus. He glanced at the nearby clock tower that indicated it was 3:45 in the afternoon. Lock Down remembered that sometimes it can seem that time flies while on the job, but to him it felt like an eternity. Throughout that time, he not just wondered how Abacus's retrial was going, but he also wondered if his apology to him went well, and hoped that he would be a friend to him after forming a somewhat bond with him. It was like a great weight was lifted off his back from doing that.
The door opened, and two pegasus royal guards came out, and in between them being escorted was Abacus. Though he kept his composure, he was very happy to see him again, and was interested to know the outcome of his retrial. He was also concerned from seeing how very hopelessly depressed he still was, and feared that it was a failure. Lock Down noticed one of the pegasus royal guards was holding some papers in his mouth.
"In you go, Abacus." The guard said.
Abacus complied with the guard's orders, and walked up the ramp into the wagon with the guard leading him inside.
The guard pointed to the bench seat. "Sit down here."
Abacus sat down on the bench seat in the wagon. The pegasus royal guard holding Abacus's rope gave it to Lock Down, and Lock Down tied the end of the rope to the metal ring fixed to the wall. The pegasus royal guard that was holding the papers in his mouth came up, and offered the papers to Lock Down.
"The prisoner is to be sent back," The guard said, slightly muffled. "And be sure the warden gets these on arrival."
"Yes, sir." Lock Down took the papers with his magic. "By the way. What was the verdict of the prisoner, if you don't mind me asking, sir?"
The guard stopped and turned his head to Lock Down. "Not guilty. He's been fully exonerated and pardoned. And is to be released at 10 am tomorrow morning. Those papers are his release forms. Now sit tight, you're about to leave."
Lock Down saluted. "Yes, sir."
The guard walked out of the wagon, and the door closed. Lock Down smiled at the great news that Abacus was acquitted and pardoned, and was finally going to be released the next day. It was the light at the end of the tunnel for him. The wagon began moving as Lock Down sat down next to Abacus.
"Well, isn't it great news, Abacus?" Lock Down asked. "Congratulations on your not guilty verdict."
Lock Down smiled at Abacus, but Abacus was still very depressed. Lock Down was confused to why Abacus would still be sad and depressed, even after such good news. He tried to remain positive.
"I bet you must be so excited about being free tomorrow, huh?"
"...Why?"
Lock Down's eyes widened. For the very first time, Abacus had spoken. He quickly shook off his surprise before responding. "What?"
"...Why are you doing that?" Abacus asked.
Lock Down tilted his head. "Doing what?"
Abacus's eyes began to tear up sadly. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"What do you mean?" Lock Down asked. "I don't understand. Why shouldn't I be so nice to you?"
Abacus sniffled. "I'm a prisoner. Scum of Equestria. Why else would I be in these horrible chains and restraints? Have a horrible collar? Have an ugly face? Why would you be nice to scum and trash like me? It doesn't matter if I'm free, because I'm still scum. Those who were prisoners are nothing but scum and trash with no place in this world. So I am nothing but scum!"
Abacus began to cry with Lock Down watching on. He was shocked and sad to see someone call himself such horrible, and untruthful things. Lock Down knew this had to have been one of the horrible, cruel things Armstrong and his guards had implanted into him. He got up, sat on the floor in front of Abacus, and placed both hooves on the crying stallion's shoulders.
"Abacus," Lock Down said. "Open your eyes, and look at me."
Abacus opened his eyes and slowly looked up at Lock Down face to face with tears still running down his cheeks.
"Now, you listen to me, and listen good." Lock Down leaned his face a little closer to Abacus's face. "You are not scum. You never were, and you never will be. I can tell because I guarded at other prisons with some of the most dangerous prisoners in Equestria. I know scum when I see it. Armstrong and his guards, they're scum. But you are not scum. So if I ever need any reason to be so nice to you, it's because you're not scum."
Abacus sniffled and sobbed as he listened to Lock Down's honest words. Lock Down wiped one of the tears from Abacus's face with his hoof.
"Now say it," Lock Down said. "You are not scum."
Abacus sniffled. "...I am not scum."
"Good. Say it again."
"I am not scum."
Lock Down smiled kindly as he wiped another of Abacus's tears with his hoof. "Now, I want you to keep telling yourself that whenever somepony thinks otherwise, because you're not scum, or trash, or anything of a sort. You may have been in prison, but that doesn't mean you're scum, or you're life is ruined and over. Not by a long shot. You're still young, and this is a new beginning for you. You're a very good pony. You're innocent, and you've been acquitted, so you shouldn't have any problems from anypony who would look at your record." He gave Abacus a heartfelt hug. "It will be hard for you for a while, but it'll pass. Also, I'm sorry for the loss of your wife. I understand it hurts, and will hurt for quite a while, but I'm sure you'll find somepony new. Somepony who will truly love and care for you no matter what you look like, and whether if you were in prison or not. Just don't give up."
Abacus's crying began to calm down, though he was still depressed and scared. Lock Down gave a sigh of relief. A sense of achievement filled throughout himself of how encouraging he spoke to him. He released the hug, got up and sat back down next to him, placing a friendly hoof back on Abacus's shoulder.
"And if you're so worried about your scarred face, you could probably get it fixed," Lock Down said. "You'd be surprise what wonders plastic surgery can do. But whatever the future has installed, I'm sure everything is going to be okay for you from now on."
Lock Down stroked Abacus's back gently to comfit him. There was movement outside, meaning that the wagon was outside the city, and had taken flight.
Lock Down chuckled. "You know it's funny you should mention about trash. It reminds me of something funny that happened to me when I was about ten. You want to hear it?"
Abacus said nothing, he just nodded slowly.
Lock Down smiled. "Okay. I'll tell you the story." He cleared his throat. "Back when I was a kid, I use to prank a lot of ponies..."
Lock Down chuckled. "And that's what happened. It was too bad my mother had to be part of it, but I guess I had it coming for doing that."
Abacus began to make a face along with his depressed face, followed by a sound that sounded like suppressed snorting, like if he was trying to hold back from laughing. Lock Down smiled as a small, brief laugh finally escaped from Abacus through his sadness. Lock Down patted Abacus's back. "It's alright to laugh. At least I got you laughing. Sometimes laughter can help anypony, even in the most darkest of times."
Abacus looked up at Lock Down who was still smiling kindly at him. Lock Down felt proud of himself to have bonded with Abacus, and even thought that he had possibly became his friend. A start of a possible friendship. Lock Down then turned his attention to his lunch box, levitated it to him with his magic, and opened it.
"Well, there's still some powdered doughnuts left." Lock Down levitated one of the doughnuts out and offered it to Abacus. "Here you are. Have another doughnut."
Abacus sobbed quietly as he held his hoof out, and Lock Down placed it into his hoof. "...Thank you."
Abacus took a bite from the doughnut in his hoof. Lock Down smiled, and put a friendly hoof around Abacus's shoulders.
"Well, it's still another two and a half hours until we get back to Hoofstrong," Lock Down said. "How about I tell you some more stories."
Back in the present...
Lock Down smiled as he finished recalling the day he guarded and befriended Abacus. "Guarding him was my main protocol, but I also tried to befriend him in the process. I thought by trying to be a friend to him would help him. I even apologized to him for shocking him because I knew it was the right thing to do. I was wrong to shock him. And giving him such compassionate encouragement when he was so down was a thing of friendship to that poor guy."
"When Lock Down told me everything when he got back, it was perhaps the best news I heard all day." Warden Rehab said.
Lawful Eye was amazed at what she was told. And in the process, she puzzled on something.
"I am not scum. I am not scum. I am not scum."
Lawful Eye's eyebrows rose as she recalled the words Abacus kept repeating the previous day. She now realized that it was because of the compassionate words of the very guard who shocked him. A feeling of guilt filled Lawful Eye for treating Lock Down with such anger and hatred, after now hearing how gentle, friendly, and kind he was towards Abacus.
Lawful Eye sighed. "Mr Lock Down, sir. I was wrong to judge you so badly. I guess even I can get things wrong from time to time. You were so kind to him, and tried to be a friend to him." She dropped her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Lock Down."
Lock Down reached his hoof out, and placed it on Lawful Eye's hoof. Lawful Eye looked up at him, and Lock Down smiled kindly at her.
"It's alright, ma'am," Lock Down said. "I forgive you. You were just protecting him. I probably would be like that too if I was in the same position as you. He's very lucky to have such a good, protective friend like you who really cares about him so much."
Lock Down gave Lawful Eye a friendly wink, making Lawful Eye blush, turning her cheeks light red.
"There's one other thing we must know." Twilight said.
Warden Rehab turned to us. "What's that?"
"Well, what happened on the day he was released?" I asked.
Spike's eyes widen. "Hey, yeah! That's also the day he ran away."
"Well, I think you deserve to know what happened." Warden Rehab said.
Lock Down took another sip from his cup of coffee. "Especially since I was the last one to see him before he ran away."
We began to listen to Warden Rehab and Lock Down's retelling of the day of Abacus's release.
Two weeks ago...
Warden Rehab and Rantaro sat at Rehabs desk inside his office sorting out Abacus's release forms. He glanced at the clock on the wall that read 9:50 am, which meant Abacus was due anytime now. The door of Warden Rehab's office opened, and two royal guards entered, with Abacus in restraints. One of the royal guards was Lock Down. They stopped in front of Warden Rehab's desk.
"Do have a seat, Abacus." Warden Rehab said.
Abacus slowly, and depressingly sat down in front of Warden Rehab's work desk with Lock Down and the other royal guard standing on either side of him.
Rantaro presented the forms, and cleared his throat. "Well, Abacus. You're just a few steps away from being officially free." He and Rehab placed the forms down in front of Abacus. "These forms are filled out, and all that's left is for your signature on each of them. Though you will be required to testify against Armstrong and his guards in court in six weeks time. Do you understand these terms?"
Abacus did not say anything, he just sadly closed his eyes and slowly nodded. Warden Rehab then levitated a pen to Abacus with his magic, and pointed with his hoof at the bottom of the forms. "Just sign right here, and here."
Abacus depressingly took the pen in his mouth, and leaned forward to sign the forms. He slowly writes his signature on each of the forms, and puts the pen down. Warden Rehab took the forms, and inspected each of Abacus's signatures. He looked up at Abacus, and smiled.
"Everything checks out." Warden Rehab turned to Lock Down. "Take Abacus to block four."
Lock Down nodded. "Yes, Warden." He turned to Abacus. "Well, Abacus. Let's get going."
Abacus got up from the chair at Lock Down's instructions, and walked out of Warden Rehab's office, with Lock Down, and the second guard. Warden Rehab followed them.
Abacus soon found himself in an empty, smooth concrete floored room with Warden Rehab, Lock Down, and two other guards.
Warden Rehab turned to Lock Down. "Remove his restraints, and his jumpsuit."
"With pleasure, Warden." Lock Down said.
Lock Down's horn began to glow, and the restraints on Abacus's hooves began to be removed with Lock Down's magic. When the restraints were off, Abacus's jumpsuit began to be engulfed in Lock Down's magic. A few seconds later, there was the sound of tearing, and ripping as the jumpsuit was being effortlessly torn apart by the major stitching points. Abacus cringed from the ordeal. Then when the tearing and ripping sound ceased, Lock Down lifted the jumpsuit with his magic, and it slipped right off of Abacus's body easily. With his restraints and jumpsuit removed, Warden Rehab came a bit closer to Abacus.
"Now hold still, Abacus, while I take the steelectric collar off you." Warden Rehab said.
Warden Rehab's horn began to glow brightly, and Abacus's steelectric collar began to glow brightly with Warden Rehab's magic. Abacus closed his eyes, and began to sob and whimper, feeling he was going to be shocked again. Then with a "CLICK!", the collar unlocked, and Warden Rehab removed it from around Abacus's neck. Abacus continued to sob and whimper with his eyes tightly shut. Warden Rehab came over to Abacus, and placed a gentle hoof on Abacus.
"Abacus, it's okay," Warden Rehab said. "The collar's off, and will never trouble you again."
Abacus slowly opened his teary eyes. He slowly lifted his hoof, and felt around his neck to feel that the steelectric collar that was once around his neck was gone. Abacus began to quietly sob again, as Warden Rehab, Lock Down, and the two other guards smiled.
Warden Rehab patted Abacus's shoulder to comfit him. "It's over now, Abacus. You're not a prisoner anymore. You're free." He turned to Lock Down. "Lock Down. Take Abacus to the lobby. Lawful Eye will be expecting him when she arrives to pick him up soon."
Lock Down smiled and nodded. "Yes, Warden." He walked over to Abacus, and guided him with a friendly hoof around Abacus's shoulders. "Let's get you to the lobby, bud."
Warden Rehab and Rantaro watched as Lock Down lead Abacus away to the lobby.
Lock Down and Abacus continued down the halls, and through the last security door that entered into the lobby. They stood around in the lobby, and Lock Down looked at the clock on the wall that read exactly 10:00 am, before turning back to Abacus.
"Well, Abacus," Lock Down said. "Looks like your nightmare is over. Your first day back into the outside world starts soon. No more chains, no more barred cells, no more steelectric collars. It's all behind you. I don't know about you, but if I were you, I'd be planning a really nice vacation somewhere. Like Sydneigh, or Manehattan, or Las Pegasus. In fact, I hear Hawhinny is really good this time of year. I think you'd need that after all this."
Abacus did not show any joy from his situation at all. Lock Down tilted his head, puzzled as he saw another sad tear come out of his eye, and down his cheek.
"Why still the tears? You're a free pony now." Lock Down smiled positively. "I bet all your friends and family will be so happy to see you, and are probably planning the biggest "Welcome Home" party for you when you get home."
Abacus shook his head. "...No."
"No?" Lock Down asked. "But what about your mother? Surely she'll be so happy to see you?"
Abacus winced and shook his head. "No, she won't."
Lock Down blinked. "But she's your mother, Abacus. She won't care if you were in prison."
Abacus looked at Lock Down, looking very upset. "How can she even care?! My mother is dead! She's been dead for nearly a year!"
Lock Down's eyes widened with shock at both Abacus's outburst and at how he knew about his mother's death. "How do you know that?"
Abacus winced, struggling not to burst into tears. "...Armstrong. ...They told me."
"Poor widdle baby. Hurting. Cwying for his mommy to come and save him. Hahaha!"
"That reminds me. You don't have a mommy anymore. Because your dumb-ass bitch mommy's dead. That's right, scum. She died of cancer, slow and painful. Hehehe! Too bad she never got to see her baby before she died."
"She would've died of a heart attack hearing you scream."
"AHHHHH!"
"Hahaha!"
"Go on and cry all you want, because she's dead, trash! You ain't never going to see your fucking mommy ever again, Abacus Scum!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Lock Down was in great shock after hearing Abacus's retelling of what happen, speechless at what he heard. Abacus glared at Lock Down with tears in his eyes.
"You've been lying to me! All of you have! And all this time, I already knew the truth!" Abacus began to cry, while struggling to keep his anger. "So if you say I have so much waiting for me, you're wrong! I have no home to go home to! I don't have any friends and family waiting for me! I have nopony at all!"
Abacus began to sob and cry with his head down, as he turned away from Lock Down.
Lock Down reached his hoof to Abacus. "Abacus, plea-"
Abacus angrily turned around to Lock Down before he could touch him. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Abacus turned back and continued to cry his heart out. Lock Down's heart sank to see Abacus like that, it also sank more to find out that he knew the truth about his mother's death the whole time. And the fact that Lock Down did not know about Abacus's mother being dead, and that it cruelly came from Armstrong and his guards, made everything so much worse.
"I'll get Rehab and Rantaro," Lock Down said. "They'll have a talk with you about it. Just wait here, Abacus. I'll be back."
Lock Down walked back through the security door to go and get Warden Rehab, leaving a distraught Abacus alone in the lobby.
Lock Down approached Warden Rehab and Rantaro in one of the halls of the prison. There, he explained the situation to them.
Warden Rehab dropped his eyes. "So he's known about his mother's death the whole time?"
"Yes, Rehab," Lock Down said. "And he's very distraught."
Warden Rehab sighed. "We better go and have a word with him. Seeing him so distraught is the last thing Lawful Eye needs to see."
Warden Rehab, Rantaro, and Lock Down walked down the halls, making their way to the lobby. A few minutes later, they exited the last security door to the lobby. They both looked around the lobby, but Abacus was gone.
"Where is Abacus?" Warden Rehab said.
"I don't know. I left him here in the lobby to-" Lock Down's eyed widened. "Oh no!"
Lock Down, Rantaro, and Warden Rehab rushed outside through the lobby door. They looked around outside, but Abacus was nowhere in sight.
"He's gone," Lock Down said. "He must have ran away."
Warden Rehab and Rantaro looked at Lock Down. "Get some of the guards and search the inside and outside. We have to find him."
Lock Down ran back inside to get some of the other guards to start searching for Abacus.
Back in the present...
Warden Rehab and Lock Down sighed as they finished recalling the morning Abacus was released, and ran away soon after.
"We searched everywhere, but Abacus was nowhere to be found." Warden Rehab said.
Spike looked at Lawful Eye. "And that's pretty much when you showed up, huh?"
Lawful Eye nodded. "That's right."
Lock Down dropped his head. "I shouldn't have left him alone. If only I knew that his mother died. If I haven't had mentioned about his mother, this never would have happened." He growled and pounded his hoof hard on the table. "Armstrong! Damn that scumbag! Tormenting him with his mother's death like that!"
Warden Rehab patted Lock Down's shoulder. "Take it easy, Lock Down. Don't blame yourself."
"Yeah," Spike said. "How were you suppose to know about his mother being dead?"
"That's true, Lock Down. Besides, it was something that was kept between Rehab and myself. So I don't blame you, either. I thought I was to blame for not telling him the truth earlier. But you are right. That evil, sadistic minotaur is a scumbag. I doubt the courts will be merciful to him and his guards." Lawful Eye adjusted her glasses. "Though I am worried about Abacus's dormant rage that he showed yesterday. Especially since it wasn't the first time his rage showed."
I blinked. "It wasn't?"
Lawful Eye nodded. "On the day of the royal guard raid of Hoofstrong, Abacus injured one of Armstrong's guards in a rage."
Spike tilted his head. "So what did Abacus do to that guard?"
Lawful Eye turned to Spike. "Trust me. You don't wanna know."
"Well, I just hope the town doesn't provoke him enough for him to go into another rage like that." Twilight said.
Lawful Eye sighed. "I hope so too."
"Well, we're here now," Warden Rehab said. "So Lock Down and I will do everything we can to help."
Lock Down cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, we should try and find a hotel to stay in if we're going to stay and help."
"That won't be necessary," Twilight said. "You two can stay here."
Warden Rehab turned to Twilight. "That's very kind of you to offer Twilight, but we mustn't impose."
Twilight waved a hoof. "It's no problem at all. We have plenty of room for you two. It's the least we can do for you."
Lock Down and Warden Rehab thought for a moment, looked at each other with a nod, and turned back to Twilight.
"Thank you, Twilight," Warden Rehab said. "We accept your generous offer."
Lock Down smiled. "It's most kind of you."
Twilight smiled, nodded, and turned to Spike. "Well, Spike. Looks like we have two more guests staying with us."
Spike sighed. "I guess we'll have to shop and cook for two more then."
We began to laugh and chuckle at Spike's remark. We filled Warden Rehab and Lock Down in with all of what was happening. It was good that there was two more here to help Abacus. But with how much hatred, anger, and fear the town had of him, we all knew that he will need all the help he can get.
