I have been living in Equestria for three months now, since early October to be exact. One month ago the town I have made my home was attacked by an unknown force bearing hated symbols from my world. Many were maimed and killed and to my dismay I had become something of a local hero. I attended the memorial service with Fluttershy by my side. Rarity had tailored me a black jacket and slacks at my request so that I would feel appropriately attired. Fluttershy was dressed in the manner of most of the mares present, wearing a black band around her leg and a simple black lace veil. The stallions all wore the bands but no veil.

As the eulogies wore on I tried to remember each name. I was no soldier, no hero, just a man doing his part for crown and country, but I wanted to remember each life I was unable to save. Yvette had once told me I took the weight of the world on my shoulders and held myself accountable for things out of my control. I would always reply back that if I didn't take responsibility then who would?

I was lost in thought when I realized my name and Spike's had been called. We were asked to approach the podium where Mayor Mare was reading the eulogies. With hesitation I stepped forward and stood beside the little dragon. We were presented with golden medals for bravery above and beyond the call of a citizen. It took all my self control to not vomit. We were each asked to give a small speech. Spike went first and to my surprise was somewhat humble saying he thanked the citizens for the recognition and hoped to live up to their expectations. Gotta admit the little guy had grown up a lot in the past month. When my turn came I approached the podium, cleared my throat and began to speak.

"Citizen of Ponyville, I don't really have a speech or anything prepared so I will just speak from the heart. I thank you for your well wishes and for your gratitude. But I don't deserve this medal. I am no hero. I saw the home that you all have welcomed me in to was in danger and I acted. Nothing more. So on that note I can not accept this medal. Yes I saved lives but not all of them. Instead I dedicate this award I have been given to those who fell that day. Let it stand as a small memorial to those...those I couldn't save. S-so that we never forget. Never..." I had to walk off the stage at that point as the tears streaming down my face had started to blind me.

As I left the stage I was met by seven sets of hooves grabbing me in a hard hug. I saw my friends Twilight, Rarity, Dash, Pinkie, Applejack, and Fluttershy all squeezing the stuffing out of me. On top of them all was a little orange pegasus filly with a purple mop of a mane with her forelegs wrapped around my neck sobbing softly with me.

The eight of us made our way to Sugar Cube Corner which had been closed for the day of mourning. There Applebloom, Big Macintosh, and Sweetie Belle were waiting. Pinkie led us inside and to all of our surprise a buffet of food, photos of the fallen, and several tables and chairs for dining had been set up. I looked at Pinkie in askance.

"I know a party isn't very appropriate...but I wanted to celebrate these ponies lives." Pinkie said softly.

I smiled and patted her head, "It's not inappropriate, this is actually a tradition in my world. We call it a wake. Where people gather together, share memories of those we have lost, but are happy at the same time celebrating their life and the joy they brought to us."

Pinkie smiled and her drooping mane puffed up a bit. Though she wasn't her normal exuberant self, she did make sure everyone smiled that day.

In the following days Fluttershy and I took time to talk out our feelings for each other. After the last vision of Yvette I had, I felt I had in a way been given permission to move on. I made it clear to Fluttershy I was damaged goods and may never be right in my head or heart but I was willing to try. Fluttershy as ever was kind and understanding. She gave me a shy kiss and snuggled in to my lap after our talk. We sat like that for several hours while I read to her from my tablet. She was rather enraptured with The Hobbit.

Later in the afternoon, after all animals were fed and we had our fill of cuddles, Fluttershy called me upstairs. Part of me was rolling my eyes at that mare's libido, seriously it is always the quiet ones. To my relief she wasn't after a tumble in the sheets. Rather, she wanted me to help her move furniture, specifically the large bed in my room. I was curious but acquiesced. After much grunting and shoving my bed and her bed had changed places.

"Shy?" I asked.

"Yes Bear?"

"Why is my bed in your room?" I inquired.

"Our bed is in our room." She replied smugly.

She proceeded to look at me in that way that I can't say no to. It was at that moment I had an epiphany, as the ponies say I am her "coltfriend". I was OK with this. Fluttershy climbed up on the bed and gave me the most wanton set of bedroom eyes I had ever seen. Things would likely have progressed to an evening of carnal delights had a knock at the door not sounded.

I excused myself and went downstairs and opened the upper half of the door. Standing outside was Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. "Uh, hey, is Fluttershy around, I kinda need to ask her a favor..." Dash said while rubbing a hoof through her mane.

I nodded and invited them in, the late autumn chill was turning to winter and soon I was told the snow would start to fall. When Fluttershy joined us Dash explained the coming snow was actually why she was here. It turns out as Ponyville's weather mare she had a full schedule coming up and  couldn't watch after Scootaloo. Not wanting to send her to foster care she wanted to know if we would be willing to let Scootaloo stay with us until winter was over and Dash could take her back in.

Looking down at the little orange filly I realized something. I had not seen a smile on her face since the day her parents...I looked at Fluttershy and didn't say a word, my expression was enough. She simply nodded. I looked at Dash and Scootaloo and said, "Oh course we will take her in. In fact we have a guest room that just opened up." Half of my answer went totally over Scootaloo's little head. Her reaction was simply to hop on the couch and snuggle in to my lap, trying to find a way to hide in my ever present vest. Rainbow Dash in the meantime hopped between Fluttershy and I hugging up both tightly and thanking us profusely. Before backing away she whispered in my ear, "Thank you for finally doing the right thing."

A week after Scootaloo moved in the first snow began to fall. I was settling in to officially "living together" with Fluttershy. We had curtailed some of the night time activities when we had once woken Scootaloo and had to explain it was just Tripod and Angel bunny fighting. We realized that thin excuse wouldn't hold long.

Tripod for his part was getting huge, even Fluttershy was a bit perplexed at this. We suspect he may have absorbed some magic from me, or something to that effect. He was the deformed runt of the litter when I took him in at two months old. Now at five months he was topping fifteen pounds of pure muscle and was almost two and a half feet long from nose to tail. Needless to say he no longer rode my shoulder. Angel bunny also didn't give me any further issue less Tripod tote him off for a good round of corporal snuggles.

I had finally brought Ponyville's records in to order and much to the Mayor's delight we found that some citizens were owed some tax refunds while one particular citizen owed a sizable tax bill that was larger than all the refunds combined by an order of magnitude. We could not prove it but the Mayor and I suspected he may have bribed her predecessor out of paying his full dues. I had met this stallion, Filthy Rich, only once before. He came storming in to the Town Hall once he received his bill demanding to speak to the Mayor. On my advice she referred him to her clerk, me.

"This is an outrage!" He shouted. "Never have I had a tax bill so high!"

In my years of IT and customs brokerage I had learned the arcane science of dealing with irate individuals. The trick is simple really, show how completely and utterly unimpressed you are with their antics.

"You have never had a tax bill that high because you haven't paid your taxes in full for..." I checked my ledger, "Seventeen years."

"This is preposterous! Do you know who I am you dirty ape!" He shouted.

Yep he went there and came back with the t-shirt. I leaned back in my chair never breaking eye contact. I took out on of my last cigars, lit it, and blew a smoke ring in his face before I said, "You sir are someone with an over-inflated sense of self importance."

He turned red, seething with anger. I continued, "You are also speaking to someone giving you thirty days to pay your back taxes as well as the thirty percent fine I am levying against them."

You could almost see the steam coming out of his ears at this point, "Why you filthy ape! Do you know what I could have done to you?" he screamed.

I smiled pulling my lips back enough to show my canines, I had learned early on that makes ponies uncomfortable and he was no exception, "You could give me the satisfaction of raising the fine to forty percent and having a warrant issued for your arrest on charges of tax evasion as well as threatening a public official."

I was rather surprised at the authority I had as the clerk to the mayor. The mayor for her part handled matters of law as both judge and justice of the peace while I as her clerk handled matters of money and any legal matters pertaining to it. I was also basically the town secretary. I was useful and it genuinely made me happy. The eighty bits a week and the authority to make individuals like Mr. Rich squirm were just job perks in my opinion.

As my words sunk in Mr. Rich's demeanor changed and he said with a bit more humbleness in his voice, "Can...can I set up a payment plan?"

Yes, that was a good day.

It was two weeks before Hearth's Warming when I received the summons to Canterlot. I was somewhat annoyed as this was going to be my first real holiday, having been in a coma for Nightmare Night. I was busy decorating the house with my marefriend and who we had started thinking of as our foster foal. Fluttershy and I had actually discussed the possibility of broaching the subject with Dash and Scootaloo of becoming her legal guardians. That was a matter for after Winter Wrap Up though.

The messenger was not Mrs. Hooves like I expected but rather a royal guard in uniform with a chariot waiting. I was told that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna wished an audience with me and I should bring an overnight bag. Seeing as this wasn't a request I gave Fluttershy a quick kiss and a warm hug to Scootaloo before grabbing my bag with tablet and charger and a change of clothes. Before I could zip up the bag Tripod hopped in and made himself at home. With a shrug I zipped the bag shut just enough for him to poke his head out, which he did, and hefted it over my shoulder.

The flight to Canterlot was uneventful and I was ushered in to a private chamber where both princesses awaited. Luna immediately giggled at the blue-eyed cat staring at her over my shoulder while Celestia as always wore an unreadable mask. I sat my bag down and bowed to the princesses.

Celesta spoke up, "It is good that you have come Bear O'Hara, I have a matter I wish to discuss with you."

I took a seat on the opposite side of the table in the meeting room as the royals sat down themselves. Celestia continued, "Our investigation in to the attackers that struck Ponyville has stalled. The unicorns we captured have refused to speak. One even bit off his own tongue."

That made me grimace. I did not like where this conversation was going.

She resumed, "Twilight recognized the symbol they wore from your book about your world war. As the only human in the realm and arguably the only expert on the subject, we would like you to assist with the investigation in to this enemy."

I did not even have to think of an answer, "No."

Celestia looked genuinely shocked and Luna seemed to be unsurprised. "Explain yourself, why are you refusing a royal request."

I replied evenly, not letting my irritation show, "Because Princess, I have found peace. I have a mare I love. I am caring for a foal orphaned in the attack, I have a good and useful role in the town. Yes, I fought these..." I was hesitant to say the word, "Nazis...but I was given no choice. My town was in danger and I acted in the name of crown and country. I am no soldier. Just a man protecting his home. No Princess, you will have to get someone else to do this for you."

Celestia narrowed her gaze, "I could conscript you now that you are a citizen and order you to assist in the investigation."

My blood was boiling and I let it show, "You would threaten to take me from the family I have made and the peace I have found Morning Star? Or should I call you Tyrant Sun. That suddenly seems more fitting."

Celestia stood, anger on her face, "How dare you!"

I stood as well, my fists balled, my nails digging in to the flesh of my palms, "I have ten thousand generations of history on my back that you are partly responsible for. That is how I dare!"

A look of shock crossed Luna's face as she looked first to me then to Celestia. I continued, "I have already bared fangs against one god, will you force me to do so against another?" I screamed.

"ENOUGH!" Shouted Luna in a deafening voice. "I know not the source of this hostility between you two but I shall not sit by as you carry on like squabbling foals. Now sit down, both of you and explain thyselves."

Choosing grace over pride I took my seat first. Tripod hopped in my lap and sat with his one paw on the table staring down Celestia who soon took her seat as well.

"Well, we are waiting?" demanded Luna.

I narrowed my eyes at Celestia and told Luna the whole story. Halfway through Celestia simple up and left the meeting room. As I finished Luna sat in silence. Finally she said, "This is...not what we expected. Our sister and I have much to discuss."

With a deep sigh I said, "Please go easy on her Princess...she doesn't know how hard it is to walk the path of penance like you and I."

Luna nodded and continued, "To the original subject Bear O'Hara, can you offer us any aid?"

I pulled out my tablet and laid it on the table, "Is there a magic that can copy the words on this screen to paper? If so I would gladly let you copy any text that could be relevant."

Luna sent a servant for paper and ink. A few hours and some magic later, Luna had copied every text I had on WWII as well as the Wikipedia entries on Adolph Hitler, Nazi Germany, and anything else I thought would be relevant. Luna thanked me for my contribution to the investigation and I was given leave to return to Ponyville.

As I stepped through the front door to the cottage I was met by a pair of pegasai wrapping their hooves around me. For the first time since I had become a widower, I was home. Next Chapter: 15 - Shalom - The Book of Life Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 56 Minutes