The next day Jake and Celestia took her flying carriage to Ponyville. Celestia wanted to see him off personally and it was a great excuse to get away from the castle for a bit. When they arrived, Twilight and Spike were there to greet them.
"Good morning Twilight, Spike. How are you both on this beautiful day?"
"We are well, your Highness. Thank you for asking. How was your trip?" chimed Twilight.
"It was pleasant. I would like to introduce you to your new student, for awhile at least. This is Prince Distant Star."
Jake stepped forward as Twilight and Spike bowed before him.
"I've heard much about you both. But please, I'm your student. You don't need to stand on ceremony with me."
Twilight raised her head, "As you wish, your Highness."
"Please don't be so formal. You may call me Star if you like."
Twilight smiled at hearing this. Jake could tell by her body language that she was starting to relax now. Spike seemed to be following her lead so this was going to work after all.
"Why don't we all go inside the house? I would like to see where Star will be staying. Also maybe a cup of tea?" Celestia asked.
"Of course, your Highness. This way. Everything has been prepared. I'm sorry the others couldn't make it but they were busy. However I think...well, I know Pinkie will be throwing a house warming party later if you would like to stay?"
"I only wish I could Twilight, but there are things that require my attention back in Canterlot. I'm afraid tea and a quick tour is all I have time for today."
Twilight seemed down at hearing this. However the Princess was always very busy so just getting to see her for this amount of time was good enough.
The four of them stepped into the small house. Directly in front of them was a staircase. To the left was the living room furnished with a couch and a couple of chairs. There was a small coffee table in front of the couch with a throw rug under it. Small end tables were by the chairs with a few lamps in the corners and a clock on the wall. There was a large window that looked out into the front of the house with neutral color drapes on either side. In fact the whole room was a neutral color. Twilight led the tour while Spike headed for the kitchen to start boiling the water for the tea.
"Here is the living room for if you have guests over or just for relaxing. If you don't like the arrangment or the color we can have that changed later. Rarity has offered to come by and help you. She's full of creative ideas and very generous so if you're interested just let me know."
Jake just smiled and nodded as Celestia looked around approvingly and Twilight continued the tour.
"Next we have the downstairs bathroom and hall closet. Then there is the kitchen." The kitchen was small and simple with a round wooden table in the corner. Again the color was a basic neutral. There were two windows, one over the sink and the other by the table giving a view of the woods behind the house. Jake didn't care about the color or that the house was a simple little place. As far as he was concerned it was perfect. He had never needed or cared about high fashion. The house was functional and that's what mattered most to him. They continued the tour upstairs. It seemed to be just one giant room.
"This is the only bedroom in the house. It also serves as an office. The bathroom is just around the corner over by the wall just past the closet. We had a dresser put in and the windows let in plenty of light in the room. I had a desk put in with a bookshelves. I also had your supplies of parchment, ink and quills put in this foot locker at the end of your bed. So you are all ready to start with lessons after you get settled in."
Jake was impressed. The bathroom had towels and soaps. The bed already was made with clean linen. The house was ready to be moved into.
"So if there's anything you might need, anything at all, we will get it for you."
"Who is we?" Jake asked with rising curiosity.
"Why us, all of Ponyville. We want you to feel welcome here."
Jake was starting to feel a little overwhelmed. He managed to not let it show on his face.
"Thank you. I appreciate everything you've done. It's amazing and I'm looking forward to getting started with the lessons."
Twilight's face lit up. "Don't worry, we will start tomorrow. Today just relax and walk around. Everyone here is very friendly."
Jake smiled and the three of them headed down stairs to the living room where Spike had the tea waiting for them. Celestia and Jake sat on the couch and Twilight and Spike took the chairs. The tea was really good. Jake had never really been a fan of tea but this was divine. It had a faint sweetness to it and smelled of peppermint. "This tea is wonderful. Where did you get it?"
"Oh this. I got it from Sugarcube Corner. It's a bakery here in town. The best place to buy sweets."
"I have a question, if you don't mind answering," Spike asked.
"Go right ahead and ask away."
"Ok, what happened to your cutie mark?"
The question caught Jake completely off guard. Now the reality was hitting him right between the eyes. He didn't have a background story. He couldn't tell them the truth. All adults had their cutie mark but since he had been created, he didn't have one. There was no telling when, or even if, it would appear. Before, he was able to hide in the castle, but this was going to be different. There would be a ton of questions. Twilight, being as smart as she was, would be able to tell if Jake starting making things up. What was he going to do? Before he could answer, Celestia came to his rescue.
"He doen't have one, Spike. In fact that is why he is here. He is having to relearn magic and flight. He comes from a far away place that no pony knows of, save only a handful."
"Wow! So when you get done will you go back? Where is this place?"
Before Jake could answer Celestia just kept filling in the blanks. "He came here by magical means and he can't return home. Canterlot is his home now. He has been my dear friend for a long time but I need Twilight to help him with his magical studies. I will finish his training, but for now I am busy, so that is why he is here. As for his lack of knowledge, that was due to his coming here. He lost these things on the journey so we are going to help him."
"I'm so sorry to hear that. It must be terrible for you to go through this." Spike and Twilight were both the picture of concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Spike", Jake said. "I have friends, my health and I'm learning just fine. It will all come back in time. I'm looking forward to making new friends and learning from Twilight herself. That is truly an honor."
Twilight started to blush hard. "I'm just a regular old unicorn. I work hard as the Princess's student but I'm not that great."
"You're being too modest. The Princess speaks very highly of you. Also you are an element bearer."
"It's true, Twilight", Celestia said. "You are my prized student. If I had any doubt he would not be here. You are the right unicorn for the job."
"Thank you. I won't let you either of you down. I'm sorry for what happened to you. I'm not sure how it happened but we'll have you back to normal in no time."
The four of them finished their tea. Before long, it was time for Celestia to leave. As they walked back to the carriage Twilight bowed.
"It was so good to see you again, princess. If you'll excuse me I have an experiment I'm working on. Star, it was good to meet you and if you need anything I'm in the library. Come on Spike", and the two left.
Jake looked back at Celestia. He was already starting to miss her and she wasn't even gone yet. He could tell by the look in her eyes that the feeling was mutual. She leaned in and they nuzzled one another. She whispered in his ear, "I left a bag of bits in the house so you can buy things. If you need more just ask."
Jake looked her with a grin, "Thanks Mom, for the lunch money. I promise not to spend it all on junk food".
Celestia just rolled her eyes and gave him a quick kiss. Then she was off back to Canterlot. Jake watched her fly away and noticed her turn to catch a final glimse of him.
He walked back inside the house and found the bag of bits on the kitchen table. He then went to the hall closet and found saddle bags hanging inside. This will be helpful. I need some pockets since we aren't wearing clothes. Jake gathered the bags and went out the door intending to explore the town. His little place was located on the outskirts, which was nice since it meant quiet for him to study. It also meant space for him to practice magic. As he walked through the town he noticed that he was drawing a lot of attention. It's alright Jake. Knew this was going to happen. You are new, an alicore and have no cutie mark.
But the difference between the castle and here in Ponyville was that ponies were saying "Hi", as they passed. Everyone seemed so nice and welcoming. He spend the whole day wandering all around town. He stepped into every shop and even followed a path to the beginnings of a forest. He noticed a sign on the side of the road, Danger, Everfree Forest, Travelers Beware! He decided that going into the forest would be a bad idea right now. By the time he made it back to his little home his stomach was starting to complain. Shoot, I didn't check to see if I had any food at the house. He was lost in thought as he stepped into the house.
Suddenly the lights burst on with shouts of "SURPRISE", and a pink figure came sailing through the air at him. Jake having forgotten all about the house warming party, screamed in surprise. A blinding flash occured and with a *SNAP*, he was back outside. "Wha, what just happened?" Jake looked around, trying to get his bearings.
Twilight and the others came running outside to find a wide-eyed Jake just standing there.
"Are you ok?" Twilight asked.
"What just happened to me? One minute I'm inside, then I get startled and now I'm outside."
Twilight smiled, "You're ok, you're ok. You teleported. I guess Pinkie suprised you and well, you just reacted. You're fine."
"My head feels funny."
"That's normal. I felt the same disorientation the first time I teleported. Trust me, it goes away with time".
A pink mare approached, a little more slowly this time. "Hi, my name is Pinkie Pie and this party is for you, welcome to Ponyville. I didn't mean to scare you."
"Oh, it's alright", Jake smiled back at Pinkie. "You sure got me alright! I'm sorry, I don't know if I have anything to offer in the way of food but--"
A orange mare with western hat stepped forward next. "Now don't ya be worryin' 'bout that. We brought enough food to feed an army. By the way, name's Applejack and it's mighty nice to meet ya". She tipped her hat to Jake and the next mare stepped forth.
"I am Rarity and by the look of your house you are in desperate need of my help".
Jake looked at the others with confusion. "Huh, I don't understand."
"Your place, darling. The colors are...well there aren't any. This simply will not do for one of your status. If I had but known I would have corrected it before you arrived. Have no fear, I have some ideas I'm sure you're going to love."
Jake didn't feel like fighting her on the issue, even though he thought his home was fine the way is was. "Um, thank you. I'll be happy to take a look at what you have."
Rainbow Dash was next on the introductions as she landed right in front of him. "The name's Rainbow Dash and flying is what I do! Twilight tells me you're here to relearn magic and flight. Well look no further. With my help you'll go from average to awesome in no time in the flight department."
Jake noticed that there was another pegusi hiding behind Rainbow. She was golden in color with a pink mane and tail. Right away Jake knew it was Fluttershy. He walked around Rainbow so as to introduce himself. "Hello, you must be Fluttershy."
At the mention of her name she looked up. "H-How do you know my name?" she asked in almost a whisper.
"I know who all of you are. Celestia told me. You have a gift for speaking with the animals. I find that most fasinating. Perhaps I could come by sometime and see your animals?"
She seemed surprised by this but at the mention of animals and Jake's interest in them she perked up. "That would be wonderful. If you would like a pet, I have all kinds."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. For now why don't we go back inside? Wouldn't want that food to get cold."
"PARTY TIME!!!! LET'S DO IT!! WHOO HOO!" Pinkie jumped in the air and led the way bouncing back into Jake's house.
The party ran late into the evening with a good time had by all. Celestia's cover story was holding. Although Jake didn't like to lie to anyone, he didn't want to come out just yet with who he really was. But then again who he had been was dead and this was his new reality now.
Most of the town including the mane six had showed up for the party. Afterwards his new friends and neighbors helped him clean up the place. When the last guest had left he went to up to his bedroom. He sat at his desk and wrote to Celestia about all that had happened. Then, after making the mental note to have Spike send it in the morning, he went to sleep.