They had just arrived as their train pulled into the station, which they quickly got their tickets and boarded. It was just their group in the train car leaving them able to spread out a little and sit where ever they wanted. Brandon decided to sit with Knuckles for a moment, and after a few seconds, Bird excused herself and went to sit close by.

"So, how good is your hearing?" Brandon asked making Knuckles give a nod letting him know that the stallion had heard just about everything.

"You are in a better place than most but be warned that your own thoughts will want to break you from time to time. Though I do sense at one point you were almost past the point of no return," Knuckles said, his voice as even as a sheet of ice.

"Y-yeah," Brandon gave a sigh looking out the window.

"Do the others know? No, of course, they would as that is what bound you to them isn't it?" Knuckles asked making Brandon give a nod.

"Look, ask Applejack about it and if she tries to avoid it tell her I said it was okay. But I can't relive that day, not after what I tried to do," Brandon answered and when he turned to look at the stallion he saw what looked like sympathy in his eyes.

"That is fair, but you need to accept it and own what you tried to do and don't try using that line of 'I have accepted it!' because I think we both know that is complete bullshit." Knuckles said making Brandon give a little laugh.

"Sorry, I actually do appreciate the advice and I've been working on it. But..." Brandon gave a sad sigh.

"It wasn't the first time?" Knuckles asked.

"As far as my memory goes, I don't know but I feel like I tried to do something that would get me killed on purpose. I'm just glad that I went so long without my full memories. That's mostly because I think with what came to me was what bothered me most, and thanks to them I think I have at least partly come to terms with what happened," Brandon said giving Lyra, Luna, and Derpy a big smile.

"That is good, especially since most of what you remembered your first major battle is where you dealt with committing most of your war crimes. But my next question is simple, with someone like yourself you would have not made it through your three years mentally unless you had somepony that supported you," Knuckles said making Brandon think for a moment, then his eyes went wide.

"I forgot to mention Anna!" Brandon shouted and pressed his face into his hands.

"Who's Anna?" Derpy asked as all of them came over to see what he was saying making him put his hands back down.

"Anna Nakamura, she... she was one of my only friends when I served and after. Just take a seat while I tell you about her and how she helped me through another dark spot," He gave a little smile as he remembered Anna while the others took seats around them including Brid, who seemed to take a special interest.

"Um, before you start but what kind of name is Nakamura? I mean I know it's a name from your world, but is it like from a different country or something?" Lyra asked.

"Yeah, her parents came to my country from their own before she was born. Which they came from a country called Japan, and that does mean she was the first one in her family born in my country. The reason why her parents moved was that Japan is an island country and because of the overpopulation, they passed a law.

This law restricts people's right to have kids by making them buy special permits which are extremely expensive. Only the richest of the rich could really afford these permits right away, otherwise, they would have to be lucky and save up for years to get just one permit. Though her parents had just married when her mom had gotten pregnant.

That left them with three options, try to quickly save to get a permit which what she told me wasn't a possibility. Not even with the help from their own parents, the second option was to abort her which lucky they decided not to," Brandon managed with a little playful smile.

"So, that means the third option was moving to your country where they did not need such a permit?" Luna asked making him nod.

"Yeah, plane tickets were much cheaper than the permit by thousands. But they still had to have help from their parents to get the plane ticket but it was worth it for them. Though even moving to my country and getting citizenship, which because she was born there she automatically got citizenship, it took them a while to have another baby.

Which meant she was the one who had to sign up for enlistment, and at first she just wanted to just do reserve training. By the time I got there, which she is about nine months older than me, she was apart of the graduating class. Before she and her class graduated she had pretty much taken me under her wing so to speak, and helped with my training until she graduated." He told them shaking his head.

"What did she do after she graduated?" Twilight asked.

"Ah, while she helped me we became close friends and she told me that she had thought about going to basic training. Which she did, and we didn't meet up again until we actually found out we were apart of the same squad..." At that, he gave a sad sigh.

"D-did she..." Fluttershy was the one who spoke up this time.

"No, we actually served together all three years until the war ended, but she eventually shot up in ranks and even passed ranks that I could never achieve," Brandon answered.

"Because you only received reserve training while she went to basic training," Knuckle answered before any of them asked. "Though I would like to know her rank."

"Same as you, she was a Lieutenant. Which by the middle essentially made her leader of our squad as anyone above her had been killed in action, and they did not have enough higher ranks to replace them. It was her that made sure that the rest of us survived, and she always had a kind smile when we weren't fighting to stay alive.

We still remained close, along with the other four surviving members of our original squad. Though I can't exactly remember I do feel she had helped me after the war, especially after Sally..." Brandon closed his eyes again and took a deep breath.

"B-brandon, a-are you saying you might have ended..." He interrupted Lyra.

"It would not have been the first, well it might have because I can't remember that much, but yes I feel like I may have tried something to end my own life back then. But just remember the first time I really woke up here," He looked right at Applejack who lowered her eyes but quickly turned her gaze to Knuckles and Bird.

"Before you ask he hasn't told me about the attempt other than he tried, said to ask you, ma'am," Knuckles said and all their gazes turned to Brandon who remained silent, this made Applejack sigh.

"Fine, he had convinced us... me to undo his restraints where he broke and jumped out of a window. We chased him into the forest and found him standing at a-a cliff," Applejack said now avoiding looking at Brandon entirely.

"I see, and I'm going to guess he didn't have wings back then?" Brandon shook his head, making Knuckles nod.

"U-um, t-to get back t-to what he was t-talking about, t-that Anna girl?" To their surprise, it was Bird who had spoke up.

"W-what would you like to know?" Brandon asked giving the mare a little kind smile.

"D-did you love her?" Bird replied which caught them all by surprise, even Knuckles seemed to react to this but Brandon noticed it wasn't out of surprise.

"Yeah, I think I did have feelings for her but if we did have a relationship it was after the war, and after Sally left," Brandon answered. "But if we did it is apart of the memories I haven't recovered yet."

"I-I see, the reason why I-I wanted to ask i-is because you seemed to h-have a twinkle in your eyes. T-the same twinkle someponies get when t-they're talking about a s-special somepony," Bird said and although not noticeable unless you were paying really close attention, Knuckles seemed to tense a bit. Brandon met Luna's eyes telling him that she noticed as well.

"It appears in the five years you've been together, Knuckle's observation skills seem to of rubbed off on you," Luna said making Knuckles relax a bit and gave a little chuckle.

"Y-yeah, I guess. H-he has been really good to me," Bird said leaning onto Knuckles, and although subtle Brandon thought that the mare's eyes seemed to drift to her stomach. This time he seemed to be the only one who noticed, and the way she did it made him get a little suspicious. He gave the mare a little knowing smile, making the mare turn red and that seemed to be it of her speaking.

"Anyway, I think I'm going to nap for a bit because I know with Pinkies surprise I'll need it," Brandon said managing to get around the mares and went to go lay down on another empty seat.

"I'm glad he at least had someone looking out for him back then," Luna said after a few seconds of silence.

"Yes, it is a good thing but may I speak to you three alone?" Knuckles asked, and after a bit of rearranging Luna, Lyra, and Derpy were now the only ones in the booth with Knuckles.

"What is it?" Luna asked her tone had a little edge to it.

"I need to know what happened exactly when you found Brandon in that group's headquarters," Knuckles replied making Luna grit her teeth as the others hadn't yet heard what exactly did happen just yet. But reluctantly she told them the exact story.

"I-I..." Lyra started but she shook her head and remained quiet as did Derpy, though both glanced over where Brandon was sleeping with sad looks in both of their eyes.

"Hmm, this could lead to trouble down the line and trust me it'll manifest sooner or later. Before any of you ask what I'm talking about, it is my understanding that his kind use long-distances weapons to fight which means they would not know if they had personally killed somepony on the other side, unless they were close enough. But since Brandon had to fight using a spear it may haunt him.

Now it does not matter whether this Land Shark deserved the fate he got, or how Brandon's world version of ponies acted. Because he sees us as equals and not live-stock, so it will affect him because he had to take a life using his own hands and that can be far different than shooting a weapon at the enemy as I've already explained." Knuckles said making all three get a worried look.

"We will be here for him no matter what," Derpy spoke up with confidence as she looked at the other two mares.

"Yes, we will, and thank you for the advice," Luna said though her tone sounded almost anything but grateful.

"It is what you called..." Just then Brandon sprang up yelling.

"Shark!" Brandon finished making all of them jump and ran over to check on him. As they all got closer they saw Brandon was now looking at his hands that seemed to be shaking uncontrollably. A look of fear and guilt written over his face.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked, who happened to get there first though as Luna and the others got there she stepped out of the way.

"This has something to do with what happened down there isn't it?" Applejack asked making Lyra shake her head telling the cowpony that it wasn't the time.

"Sshh, you're okay we're all here for you," Luna and Derpy were trying to comfort him as his hands continued to shake and tears wear now forming.

"I am sorry, but would you all give us some privacy?" Knuckles asked making the others glare at him, especially Brandon's three mares.

"Now is not a good time!" Luna spat out making Knuckles nod.

"I understand ma'am, but this will only take a few seconds," Knuckles met each and every one of their glares.

"I-it's fine..." Brandon said with voice shaking, and after a moment he untangled himself from Luna and Derpy. As he stood he winced and rubbed his shoulder, though ignored the mares protest. Walking past all his friends he nodded toward the back and both him and Knuckles went, though as they walked they could see Brandon's hands were still shaking badly.

"Go ahead and talk, and do not leave out the details," Knuckles said making Brandon look back at the group of his friends. "I understand that the details are gruesome so I swear by the Heavens I will not utter a word you are about to say."

"I-I c-could..." Brandon started before taking a deep breath and sitting down looking at his hands again. "I-I could f-feel his f-flesh give, a-and I c-could hear i-it t-tare."

"Let me guess when you got to his heart you could feel it trying to beat, you could feel it vibrate through the remaining staff of the spear? You could feel it slowing in the second you still had a hold of it, and you could see the life draining in his eyes?" Knuckles asked his tone was one that gave off the feeling he had been there. Though at the back of Brandon's mind he knew the stallion had been there where he was.

"I-I c-can feel the b-blood, i-it won't go a-away..." Brandon muttered and Knuckles could see that he was far away, making him raise a hoof. The slap echoed through the train cart making all the mares give Knuckles a death stare and started to approach ready to throw him off the train. Until Brandon raised his hand while the other cupped his cheek, and as they looked they saw he was no longer shaking.

"Good, I needed you to go a bit deeper into that trance. Now go, you'll need them right now," Knuckles said before walking over to where Bird had sat down and sat next to her. This made Brandon drop his hand from his now red cheek and walk with eyes glued to the floor back to his group.

"Are you sure we can't just throw him off?" Lyra asked, which made him look up and give a little smile but sat back down. This made them take their seats again keeping an eye on him, while his marefriends tended to him.

While they tried to get him to talk about his dream he shook his head and just said he needed to keep that one in his own head, away from them. Eventually, they did get him to talk about his brother and mom which did make him smile as he remembered them. Not a single one of them brought his nightmare up again and soon they were pulling into the train station, and before they knew it he had that same old smile they had all grown to appreciate about him spread across his face.

Though as they rolled in they could also see tears forming at the corners of his eyes before they began rolling down. Most of the town seemed to be there waiting for them, more accurately waiting for him. As they all looked most had signs saying 'Welcome Back!', while others seem to say 'We are here for you!'.

There were more signs as well, and when the train came to a full stop they could hear the crowd cheering his name. Which as his friends lead him out he was met first by Grace running up and jumping into his open arms, wrapping up the filly tightly. After he managed to force himself to let her go he stood back up with tears freely flowing and looked around at the huge crowd now surrounding him.

"You see, we aren't the only ones who care about," Luna whispered in his ear. "I doubt anypony here would really believe you were ever guilty of anything, even if they knew of your past they would probably still be here because you are trying to be better."

After so many welcome back and wishing him to have a full and swift recovery, they managed to make their way to the town's square. Where the mayor was waiting ready to make a speech of some kind. Which he was forced onto the stage and had to take the seat next to the mayor.

"Welcome back," Mayor Mare said giving him a kind smile. "Now everypony settle down!"

It took a minute as the crowd was still filing into the square and there really were a lot of them. Through his tears, he could recognize some of the faces. There was Time Turner who he had a few talks with, mostly about watches and other timekeeping devices from his world. The flower sisters Rose, Lilly, and Daisy who he had bought a few arrangments from.

"Now let us begin!" Mayor Mare announced breaking him out of his thoughts, and he hadn't realized he had stopped crying a bit. "I want to start by thanking each and every one of you for showing up to support our very own local human! Who we know has been through a difficult time for the past week or so.

For those of you who don't personally know, Brandon here was, unfortunately, kidnapped and framed for a horrible assault. But for those of you who do know him one way or another know he would never do something like that to an innocent pony! Now, as he probably can tell the very reason why we are holding this celebration is to show our support, and to show how sorry we are for letting something so horrible to happen to you," Mayor Mare said which he could tell she meant every word.

He lost track as he broke down again, falling out of his chair which made dozens of ponies come up and surround him. Luna, Lyra, Derpy, and Grace were the first ones while all the rest formed a tight circle around him. He had never fully expected to be so accepted within the town, especially after everything that had happened and what he knew some of the rumors must have been.

"Today, with both Princess Luna's and Celestia's blessing shall henceforth be called Celebration of Brandon day! COB day..." Mayor Mare looked like the name just really hit her for a second but she quickly recovered. "While still just a bit short of his anniversary here, this day will be meant to remember the first Human in Equestria from another world!

But more than that it is a day we will also remember for when he needed so much support in a time of need. For somepony so unique and so kind even when he is suffering to treated the way he has is not right! I, by the powers that the Princesses have granted me I swear on this day this will be a safe haven for you and any more of your kind that may happen here!"

After that, and after his friends managed to calm him down the real celebration started. Which while he was out of it the citizens of Ponyville set up booths of his favorite games and food. Though he did not feel like he deserved such a welcome back, or to have a day named after him, he was grateful.

"Well, look who finally turned off the waterworks!" Tallia said making him smile as she and Ginger, along with their kids came up.

"Hey, how you guys doing?" Brandon asked his voice strained.

"Pretty good, oh by the way before we play catch up I hope you remember that friend I was telling you about a little while ago?" Tallia said and before he could respond Ginger spoke up.

"I don't think now is good..." Tallia turned and glared at Ginger who just sighed.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you about her because I wouldn't mind taking her out," Brandon said making Ginger give a little look of surprise but Tallia just turned around with a big smile.

"I figured as much! Now come on, I want to introduce you to her!" Tallia said grabbing him by his good arm and pulling him along, and before long they were at a game booth where the red griffon was at tossing rings trying to win a stuffed toy.

"Here, let me help with that," He said as Tallia let go of him and he walked forward. "You have to aim a little higher than you think."

"Eeehh!" Baron screeched as her last ring landed on a rung and she claimed her prize, which looked like a dragon in a loincloth. "Thanks for the help..."

"Hi, Tallia said you would like to go on a date with me?" Brandon asked, which his voice came out as almost a whisper. The picture he had seen did not do her justice how beautiful she was.

"W-wait, are you actually asking me out despite just meeting me?" Baron asked seriously, making him feel nervous as he looked at Tallia who had a straight face. But neither one of the griffons held it in for too long as both busted up laughing, making him smile and laugh as well. "Of course I'll go out with you, after all, you aren't bad looking at all."

"Same to you," He said and as they looked at each other, he couldn't help but like this griffin. She reminded him of someone he had fond memories of.

"Are you two just going to stand there making googly eyes at each other or get the date started!" Tallia called out as she and Ginger started to leave them, making them both laugh as the Baron and Brandon both seemed to blush a bit.

"So, what do you want to do first?" Baron asked making him smile.

"How would you like to meet my herd?" Brandon replied, which Baron gave him a wide grin in return.

Author's Note

Alright, I know 'If they knew the truth about him and his past they wouldn't have named the day for him!' But let him have this! Also, remember to smile, smile, smile!