Well, that happened. No amount of Star Trek could prepare me for this type of first contact. As I lay in the dark, soaking in a post-coital glow, I just stared at the ceiling. Fluttershy lay beside me, her mane, feathers, and fur a tangled mess, and snored quietly. She had a look of deep contentment on her face as she lay with her head on my shoulder and both left legs and wing draped across my torso.

I strangely felt no shame. Part of me said I should for a number of reasons. Her form resembled an unthinking beast's, but a lifetime of scifi and fantasy, not to mention mine and Yvette's support of our friends with alternative lifestyles, had taught me love can come in all shapes and forms. Love, yes what we had done this night was undoubtedly an act of passion and love.

No, the part of me saying I should feel shame is the part of me that acknowledged this was my first intimate contact in the years since her death. I rubbed my left ring finger with my thumb. I could still feel the phantom of my wedding band. Scrunching my eyes closed I fought back tears. Fluttershy did not deserve damaged goods like me. She is kindness incarnate, a sinner such as I...I was unworthy. I squeezed her against my side in a gentle one-armed hug and felt her return it as she hummed softly in her sleep.

No I didn't feel shame, I felt nothing but self-loathing. Like a heretic desecrating a temple I sinned and sinned again. The sound of the pouring rain against the roof and window slowly lulled my conflicted mind back to sleep, my final conscious thoughts were to have a long talk with Fluttershy in the morning.

I awoke to find myself alone in bed save for Tripod grooming himself on the pillow beside my head. I gave him a loving scritch and smiled as he arched his back and gave a large kitty yawn. He was getting pretty big for his age, he already clocked in around seven pounds. If I didn't know better I would swear there was some Maine Coon in him. I pulled back the covers and pulled myself out of bed. I grimaced at the feeling of our combined biological filth on my nethers and resolved to take a shower.

Wrapping a towel around myself I made my way to the shower and physically cleansed myself. After drying off I returned to my room and donned my jeans and boots. Looking outside I saw it was still gray and overcast outside. Deciding that practicality and the coming talk I was mentally rehearsing demanded it, I forsook my normal toplessness and put on one of the many shirts Rarity had graced me with, this one a hunter green shirt, much like the one I arrived in, minus sleeves, showing off my tattoos the way a pony would their cutie mark.

I made my way down the stairs and was greeted with a delightful aroma. I looked and saw Fluttershy hard at work in the kitchen, a soft smile on her face as she seemed lost in a world of cooking. Not wanting to interrupt I sat myself at the table and simply waited. As Fluttershy cooked, Angel bunny hopped on the table and glared death at me. Not wanting to deal with the hate-bunny and potentially emotionally hurting Fluttershy I tried to set him back in the floor. My efforts were met with a painful bunny-karate-shop to my hand.

I was saved from the wrath of the avatar of Monty Python when Tripod hopped up on the table, grabbed Angel bunny in his mouth by the scruff, and dragged him off upstairs ignoring the rabbit's attempts to assault him. Good kitty. After a few minutes of waiting Fluttershy placed two glasses of juice and two plates of hash-browns on the table. Before sitting down to her plate she kissed me on the cheek with a giggle and "fluttered" in to her seat. We ate in silence, me with my gaze downcast and her casting slightly suggestive looks across the table at me.

We finished our meals at roughly the same time. Fluttershy stood to take care of the dishes but I placed my hand on her shoulder and asked her to sit back down. "Fluttershy, we need to talk." I said.

It did not go well. The tears started almost immediately and I felt even more the bastard as I said my piece. I explained to her I had been celibate since Yvette's death and had not intended to take another mate or lover for what remained of my life. I told her how I was very conflicted emotionally because of what we did and the fact I felt something very warm for her. That part wasn't rehearsed and I found myself saying it and realizing it at the same time. I did have warm feelings for her and that made me feel doubly ashamed. I felt like I was betraying the memory of Yvette and a lifetime of culture telling me that relations outside your own kind is sin.

Fluttershy for her part laid her soul bare to me. She told me that she had never been with a stallion (OK I felt kind of good to be called that) and had only experimented with a mare. She told me that she had always wanted to be with a male who made her feel safe, protected, but needed. Apparently I fit that bill. She also dropped the bombshell on me that ponykind has no taboo about mating outside their own species as long as it is with another sapience.

I can not put to words the level of guilt I felt. I was her first. She had essentially confessed her love for me. I had told her she deserved better. I had made Fluttershy cry. There is a special hell just for me.

A knock at the door interrupted us. I chose to answer it as I was the more composed of the two. I found Mrs. Hooves in her mail mare uniform standing outside in the overcast day. She presented an envelope to me with the Seal of the Two Sisters on it and my name in guided script. I thanked her but took note of her ears rotating to the sounds of Fluttershy's gentle sobs inside and a questioning look. The questioning look turned wide-eyed after she sniffed the air a bit. It struck me, ponies have a better sense of smell than humans. Our combined scents are still on me. She made a hasty retreat at speeds that Rainbow Dash would envy. I shook my head and went back inside.

I sat the letter on the table and opened it, trying to ignore Fluttershy's crying and let her sort her feelings out. I did my best to suppress my own, part of me wanted to hung her tight and not let go. Part of me wanted to take a "walk in the woods". Mostly I wanted to find a place to curl up and brood. I couldn't do any of those. I had to be strong for my friend, even if it meant breaking her heart. Even if it meant I had to be the bad guy. She deserved better. I should not have let last night happen.

With a sigh I opened the letter that had been delivered. Concentrate on the business at hand.

Bear O'Hara

Your presence is requested in Canterlot Castle at your earliest convenience. The Princesses have read and debated Twilight's report. We now have wish and need to discuss your future in Equestria. We look forward to this meeting.

Signed

Celestia, Solar Diarch

Luna, Lunar Diarch

Mi Amore Cadenza, Princess of Love

Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship

A royal missive signed by all four princesses. Well, that is about as official as it gets. I chose to read "at your earliest convenience" as "now" as a cowardly part of me wanted to be away from Fluttershy's misery. I stood and walked to the other side of the table where Fluttershy sat with her face in her hooves. I laid a hand on her shoulder and she immediately grabbed on to my hand and sobbed in to it, "Why? Why don't you want me? I gave you a home, I gave you friendship, I g-gave you m-my b-body..." She wailed.

I knelt down and wrapped her in a comforting hug as she sobbed in to my shoulder. I stroked her back and mane, "Fluttershy...Shy I, I am not ready for this. Not yet. I am still...broken. I don't want to lead you on and ask you to give me time. I don't want you to wait on me. I may never be in the right place to be who and what you need." I choked on these words half wanting to hit myself for my selfishness and half wanting to bite my own tongue off for hurting the mare who had become my dearest friend in this world.

With I sigh I continued, "Shy, I have business that needs to be attended too and I can't put it off." I handed her the letter and she wiped her eyes and read it.

After a moment she looked at me with her tear streaked eyes and said, "I'm going with you."

"Shy, I am not sure tha-" I tried to say.

A butter yellow hoof on my lips interrupted me. "Bear, I am your friend, I care about you and l-lov...I care about you a lot. I want to stand by my friend's side as his future is discussed. OK? I-if you don't mind..." She said.

I was already learning how hard it is to say no to that face.

Fluttershy and I packed a modest bag each and set out enough food to feed the animals for a couple of days in case we had to stay overnight in Canterlot. We walked in silence towards town and the train station. Our silence was broken by a shrill voice calling out as we crossed in to town, "There he is girls! Get him!"

Fluttershy and I turned with a shocked look on both our faces as we saw Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie moving towards us at great speed and with ill intent on their faces. Oh no...the mail mare...

I found myself in short order knocked over by a pink blur, immobilized in a blue telekinetic grip, hog-tied with a lasso, and a black eye. What can I say, they took me by surprise and my Southern upbringing will not let me hit a woman or in this case a mare. So I laid there and took my medicine as each of Fluttershy's friends got their licks in while Shy herself frantically tried to stop them.

"We absolutely will not stop Fluttershy! Not until this ruffian pays for hurting you!" exclaimed Rarity.

"Durn tootin!" Yelled Applejack as she gave a good kick to my rump.

"Yeah! He is a big old meanie pants after all!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie as she mashed a pie in my bruised face, I hate raspberry.

"Let's geld him!" growled Rainbow Dash as she alternated between kicking my ribs and punching my stomach.

Everyone got quiet at that point and I did my best to hide my very rustled Jimmies.

"What? He deserves it after what he did to Flutters!" She announced.

I kept my mouth shut. I knew I could only make this worse. At that moment Fluttershy spoke up, "W-what do you think he did to me Dash?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"Darling," Interrupted Rarity, "Mrs. Hooves told use she found you crying when she delivered the mail and he smelled of...you. We just had to come and save you from this beast violating you!"

Fluttershy meekly said, "What makes you think he violated me..."

That caused all of them to pause as the implication sunk in. Rainbow finally said, "If he didn't violate you then that means you...with him...Flutters?" She looked very confused.

Fluttershy nodded. Then Applejack interjected, "But why were yah a cryin' when Mrs. Hooves came by Fluttershy?"

"That is a private matter between myself and Bear." She said as she trotted over and began untying me and examining the damage done.

Rarity looked down and said, "We have made an unforgivable mistake haven't we?"

I stood up a little sore but none the worse for wear. All told these ponies couldn't hit very hard. The timber wolves had been worse. Finally I spoke up, "Girls, no you haven't done something unforgivable." They looked up at me.

"If the roles had been reversed I would have likely done worse than rough up anyone who had hurt Fluttershy. I admire the loyalty and love you have shown for her. I know that if I am not around she is in good hands...err hooves." I gave the best smile I could manage with a bloody lip and black eye.

A round of mumbled apologies later and a few hugs and as far as I was concerned all was set right. Misunderstandings happen. I wish only that Fluttershy hadn't had her emotional hurt aired to the others. All of us eventually began walking towards the train station again, Pinkie and Applejack insisted on carrying our luggage. Rarity and Fluttershy hung back talking in low voices and I noticed a slight blush on both their faces. I had a good idea what the topic of the day was. Rainbow Dash meanwhile hovered at my side and said in a low whisper, "Do the right thing or I will geld you. Got that?"

I truthfully didn't know if she meant it or not.

The train ride to Canterlot was blessedly uneventful. Fluttershy sat with her front legs in my lap and her head resting on my chest. I did not reject the contact. Too much had already occurred today for me to risk more hurt to my friend so I accepted the affection. I sat quietly performing the focusing exercises Twilight had taught me. I could feel my bruises fading and my cut lip mending. Of the little magic I had learned, accelerating healing was the most useful in my opinion. You seriously wouldn't believe how many paper cuts I have gotten working in town hall. What can I say, sometime I am a bit of a weenie about pain.

I shouldered my bag and hefted Fluttershy's as well as we made our way through Canterlot towards the palace. The stares we got were not the welcoming looks of Ponyville, I felt more of an outsider here than ever. Fluttershy for her part walked close to my side with her wing out and resting on my back. I had my initial misgivings about Fluttershy coming with me but I was now glad for the familiar comfort of her presence.

Canterlot, once I got past the impolite stares, I could say that it was a beautiful city, like something out of a fantasy painting. No, Brom, Vallejo, nor Royo had ever captured anything like this. Maybe Larry Elmore had possibly come close. This was truly a city for royalty. We approached the palace gates and were met by two guards in golden armor reminiscent of Roman design.  Convergent evolution, similar problems demand  similar solutions I guess.

I presented the guards with the royal missive and we were ushered inside where our bags were taken and we were advised a suite had been prepared for only one guest as several dignitaries were present we would have to share a room. I shrugged and resolved to sleep on the floor if there was only one bed. I did not want to put either of us in a position where passion and temptation could come in to play again.

After a walk through the cathedral-like halls of the palace we were shown in to a private conference room. Twilight Sparkle and Luna were both present, as well as a multi-hued pink princess that I presumed to be Princess Cadence. Twilight greeted me with a hug and a smile as well as Fluttershy.

For my part I made my way to Luna and smiled, "Princess Luna, I am glad to finally meet you in the flesh." I said with a genuine smile.

She nodded in greeting and returned my smile, "We are glad to meet you as well Bear O'Hara. Please forgive our sister's absence. A matter of state is occupying her and she will join us shortly."

I nodded and made my way to the third princess in the room.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, I am pleased to meet you." I said taking her hoof in hand and planting a kiss on it like a true Southern gentleman.

I immediately felt an icy stare on my back and didn't need to look to know the glare Fluttershy was giving me. Sorry Shy, I will be a gentleman the first time I meet a royal lady...mare.

"Please, call me Cadence." She said with a bit of a blush.

Making the princess of Love blush, score one for Bear.

The five us sat at the conference table in the room. Fluttershy as my unofficial handler and the Element of Kindness was more than welcome at the proceeding by the collected princesses. Luna began to speak. "Princess Sparkle has given us a thorough report of what she has learned of your biology, culture, and personal disposition. She speaks highly of you though some things concern us."

I felt a bit cold but felt Shy's hoof on my knee and saw a gentle smile on her face. She was there for me. This did not seem to go unnoticed by the Princess of Love who seemed to give a knowing smile.

"Firstly," Continued Luna, "Is the history text Twilight found on this 'tablet' of yours as she calls it. It details a war on a scale Equestria has never known and it even indicated that this was not the first but the second of these world spanning wars your kind have had in a century. It further mentions...atrocities...committed by all the nations involved. This does not speak highly of your nature. Do you have words to defend this?"

I mulled my words for a moment, "Princesses," I began, "Humans are a war-like species. I will not deny or defend this. It is in our nature. However, the war Twilight read of was a very complex political and cultural affair. There is more too it but I am not afraid to say that this was a war that in part had to be fought."

Those words seemed to shock all present. The concept of deliberate and necessary conflict seemed very foreign to them. I continued wording things in a way I hoped they could follow, "This was a war against a tyrant the likes of which my world had not seen in living memory. His charisma was so great that he won over a nation and through fear and violence he sought to expand his nation's influence across a continent. This was not a war of righteousness on his part but of conquest. But there is more. To give his people an enemy to hate he declared members of a certain religion enemies of the state. They were rounded up in to camps. Brutalized. Experimented on. Exterminated. He called it his Final Solution."

The looks of disgust on the faces of all present were very apparent. "No nation in this war was innocent. No nation in this war was completely righteous. But I say the greater evil would have been to sit aside and let this happen."

I had greatly simplified an extremely complex and difficult part of my people's history. To my relief all present seemed satisfied with that answer. Luna turned to Twilight, "His account seems to match your research in to the subject Twilight and I agree he does not seem to be of the human realm you visited."

What?

I looked at Twilight, what had she not been telling me? Finally she spoke up, "Yes Bear I have been to the human world. A human world at any rate. But based on the history books I read there compared to yours it doesn't seem to be the same human world. I am sorry I kept this from you but I didn't want to give you false hopes about getting back home."

Home? My thoughts and my mouth worked in perfect unison, "Twilight, you assume I want to go home."

I was met with silence, only Fluttershy seeming to look to me with understanding. I elaborated. "Twilight I was not completely honest with you about some of the circumstance as to how I got here." I breathed in deeply and continued. "The walk I took in the woods was not a simple camping trip. I had fallen so deep in to despair over the loss of my wife I went in to the woods to become a hermit or to die. Whichever came first."

A look of sadness came across all three princesses and each in turn walked around the table to lay a reassuring hoof on my shoulder. After the moment of fellowship had passed each returned to their seats. Luna continued. "Bear O'Hara we begin to understand you more and more. Now to the next matter. Your use of magic. The other human world Twilight encountered had no magic. You however seem to be a natural practitioner of it. Indeed Twilight claims you are what is called a sorcerer. What say you to this?"

Every known sorcerer in Equestrian history has fallen to corruption and darkness. The last was King Sombra of the Crystal Empire. It took the combined power of two alicorns to bring him down.

Twilight's words echoed in my head. I had tried not to think on this and practice only the magic I was taught. I had been quite successful. The only sorcery I had practiced since the revelation had been healing myself of the odd bump, bruise, or cut. I spoke with truth, "Magic is only a myth to my people. Some believe in it. Some even consider the practice of it part of their faith. But no repeatable and practical magic exists in my world. All I know of true magic I have learned from Twilight and her books. As for sorcery, I have only practiced such in the defense of life or to heal. To protect or heal. Then and no other times. Else I have kept myself to the most basic magics I have learned from the Princess. I can do the most basic of levitation, I can make a simple light shine in my hand, and I can focus myself enough to accelerate my own healing. Beyond that I have attempted nothing else outside of the encounters with the timber wolves."

The three princesses nodded and accepted my answer. Princess Cadence picked up the report from there, "Yes the timber wolves, I would like to know more about that. Why did you step in between them when they attacked Fluttershy? Why not run for help?"

I answered quickly and truthfully, "Because I valued her life over my own."

This answer seemed to receive mixed reactions from all running from looks of admiration from Luna, understanding from Twilight and Cadence and something unreadable from Fluttershy though I felt her grip on my leg tighten.

Cadence continued, "Twilight's report also indicates a Timber wolf Alpha spoke to you. These are rarely encountered and rarer still do they deign to speak. It says here that Fluttershy testified that it referred to you as 'Killer of Your Own Kind' please explain this." Her warm and friendly gaze had turned icy.

Killer of your own kind. No matter where I go I can't escape this. A look of sympathy from Luna is what it took to loosen my tongue. She knew what happened. She did not judge me. I prayed the other princesses and this mare I had started to feel for would be so kind. I laid the truth out in simple but truthful terms. "My wife was killed by a thief trying to rob a store we were shopping in. The thief was just a kid...he would be called a colt in your eyes. I killed him. Not in self defense but in revenge. I made him suffer before I did so. Somehow the Alpha wolf knew this."

Luna continued to look at me sympathetically while Twilight looked shocked and appalled. Fluttershy looked at me, her pupils going to pinpricks as I felt her grip on my leg loosen just slightly. Cadence looked at me with what I could only call understanding. It took several moments for everyone present to compose themselves before Cadence continued. "The report also states you showed these wolves mercy but not the ones that first attacked Fluttershy. Why is that?"

I answered honestly, "Ignorance. I did not know that timber wolves were sapient until I encountered the Alpha. It is a heavy thing to take a life. I crossed the line between righteousness and wrath once, I will not do so again. Not if I have another choice."

This answer seemed to satisfy all present.

The final question went to Twilight, "Bear, do you want to live among us in Equestria."

There it was, the most simple, most heartfelt, and most loaded question they could ask. I did not yet know my place in this world. I did not know if I had a place in this world. I looked from the expectant face of Twilight to the curious gazes of the other two princesses. Both held a warmth and welcoming that I had not felt since I had met Yvette's family. Finally I looked to the little yellow pegasus beside me. The kind mare that found a broken and bleeding man in the woods, took him in to her home, made him well, gave of her body and soul to him. I gave my answer in the most formal manner I could.

I stood placing my right hand over my heart and my left on the royal seal engraved on the table, "I, Bear Abraham O'Hara, do renounce my citizenship of the United States of America. I renounce all the rights, privilege, and responsibility that go along with that citizenship. I declare myself an expatriate and formally seek asylum and citizenship within the nation of Equestria with all the rights, responsibility, and privilege thereof."

The collected princesses looked at me in equal measure shock and admiration while I saw a single tear go down Fluttershy's face and her hoof tightened on my knee. Luna finally broke what was becoming an awkward silence. "Dost thou understand what thou asks?" She said in a deeply serious tone.

I replied in an equally serious voice, "God as my witness."

Luna stood and the other two princesses followed suit, "As the Lunar Diarch witnessed by the Princess of Love, the Princess of Friendship, and the Element of Kindness we hereby declare Bear Abraham O'Hara a citizen of Equestria with all the rights and responsibility thereof. Welcome to our great herd." She said while all gathered smiled genuinely at me.

Twilight was even clapping her hooves.

At that moment the rear doors to the room opened and the fourth alicorn and the chimera that brought me here strode in to the room deep in discussion. A wave of déjà vu passed over me and I saw four blazing balls of light with glowing wings and halos before me and a dark and writhing shape beside the brightest. The brightest that filled my vision.

MORNING STAR!

Screamed the voices in my head. At that moment my third eye opened and I remembered all things.

The Tribe stood before the Serpent. The Serpent brought us gifts. He had taught us fire. He had taught us tools. We learned to hunt. We learned to cover ourselves against the cold at night. The Serpent was friend. My pretty mate with her dark hair and eyes carried our babe and smiled at me. Serpent called us here to teach us something new. Serpent showed us a tree. The tree was pretty. It had pictures of sun, moon, and stars on it. It had many fruits on it. Serpent told us this is special tree. Serpent tells us that this tree will give us magic like his. Serpent is kind to us. Tribe Mother is the first to eat the fruit. Soon all have eaten the fruit. I feel knowledge flowing in to me. So many things seem so obvious to me now. I feel the magic coursing through me. Yes I do have a measure of Serpent's power now.

There is a bright light and the Morning Star is among us. She moves the sun, but we are powerful now. We do not need to fear her. We can move the sun now too if we tried. She screams at Serpent who laughs. Why does Serpent laugh? With a snap of the the fingers on its mismatched paws Serpent disappears. Morning Star is left alone before us. She looks very angry. Why has she driven Serpent away? The Tribe is angry. We show our anger to her with the magic Serpent has given us.

She uses magic to pull the last fruits from the tree and they swirl around her. A bright beam of many colors washes over The Tribe. I cover my eyes and cling to my mate and child. I hear Morning Star say how sorry she is for what she must do. Suddenly all is quiet. Gone is the forest and the tree. The Tribe is now in the plains. The magic Serpent gave us is gone. The Tribe prays to the Morning Star, The Serpent, and the Night Mother. No more gifts from Serpent. No more safe nights from the Night Mother. No more mild days from the Morning Star.

My sight returned to normal but uncounted voices screamed in my head still. Rage. No, not rage, fury. Like coiled springs my legs launched me forward flipping the conference table. My whole body was wreathed in azure flames that do not burn me. I bypassed the white alicorn. I remember her but my fury is not for her. Two hundred thousand years of wisdom, suffering, and rage propelled me. My wrath was not for her. She did what she had to. My people's jumbled ancestral memory giving her a place she did not deserve. My outstretched right hand met the neck of the chimera. I began to squeeze. It looked in to my eyes with mortal fear. It frantically snapped the fingers on its lions paw to no effect. I looked at it as ten thousand generations of mankind screamed their hate in my head. I spoke to him coldly, tightening my grip, "I will deliver you to Golgotha for your crimes against humanity."

I felt and then saw a pair of yellow hoofs wrap around my arm and a pleading face screaming for me to stop. No I can't stop. Only his blood will satisfy a history of human suffering.

"Please Bear! Please I am sure he is sorry for whatever he did! Please don't hurt Discord! He is my friend!" Fluttershy cried even as the halo of flames around my body scorched her hooves.

Her hooves...My furry abated just slightly and the flames went out. I stood frozen in place, holding the chimera in a one handed grip against the stone wall cracked and burned by my rage. This monster was responsible for our loss of innocence. This monster...no...I will not become a monster no matter what the line of my people demands.

I loosened my grip and it drew a gasp of air. Fluttershy hugged him tightly, "Discord! Don't hurt him! Please I am sure he didn't mean it!"

Discord? So this was Fluttershy's absent roommate.

SUFFER NOT THE WICKED

No! Vengeance is not mine! I willed the voices silent and they seemed to abate. Discord looked on me with a fearful recognition coming over him. "You're one of the Ape People aren't you?" He asked with unabashed fear in his voice.

I nodded.

"Please...forgive this old God of Chaos! I was young and stupid back then! Besides I gave your kind so many gifts you shou-"

I cut him off with a left handed upper cut to the gut. He let out a gasp and I spoke in a voice filled with venom, "Not one more word. Not one. There is no balm in Gilead for you. These ponies may forgive you but God as my witness you have been and forever shall be the enemy of man SERPENT OF EDEN!" Next Chapter: 12 - Bestilled Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 34 Minutes