A Fresh Start and a New Love

Thunder Flash, that was his name and he really made sure he lived up to it. He absolutely loved flying, being free and moving fast! Except he didn’t particularly enjoy all the attention he got as such a well-known pegasus. Somepony might even go as far as to call him famous for being able to create a thunder boom when reaching high speeds and producing a lightning trail afterward. His life in Cloudsdale had to come to an end, he needed a change of scenery.

“Done! I’m sick of this place…. All of these ponies, the way they treat me, I just want out! I want a new life where no pony knows me and I can be happy…. Alone.” Thunder Flash said stomping his hoof down in his small cloud apartment near to the weather team’s main office. He was there just in case he needed to be called in for an emergency thunderstorm. Yep, that’s all he was good for, was cooking up and good storm. He didn’t entirely hate being a weather pony, he really did enjoy making others happy and especially loved flying in the rain through the dark clouds with all the lightning bolts jumping around, he found it exhilarating. “I want to go somewhere, where somepony will appreciate the weather work that I do, and I can enjoy flying and keep to myself.

“Then go, you’ll find that Ponyville is full of wonderful happy ponies who would definitely love to have you as part of their community.” Came a mysterious, yet oh so familiar voice inside his head. He knew just who it was.

“Hello Princess, what a surprise. Were you eavesdropping on my personal thoughts?” Thunder thought as sarcastically as he could, hoping she would not be offended, even though he knew she had a good sense of humor.

“You seemed a little troubled the last time I saw you, so I thought that I might check up on you, but anyway, I mean what I said. Go to Ponyville, leave here if you don’t want to stay, I’m sure someone else could replace the “Lighting bolt of Cloudsdale,” as head of thunderstorms division here in Cloudsdale.

“Are you sure Princess? I don’t think I should just get up and leave.” Thunder pondered

“I am 100 percent serious Thunder Flash, if you feel un fulfilled here in Cloudsdale as the captain of the thunderstorms division, then go off and be happy, I’ll send notice to my faithful student Twilight Sparkle, she resides in the Ponyville library, she will do something about your living arrangements.”

“Thank you very much Princess, it means so much to me that you would do all of this for me, please don’t tell anyone where I’m going or why I’m leaving, alright?” Thunder said out loud to the empty room.

“Of course Thunder, I will do exactly that, have Twilight right to me when you arrive.”

“No need, I’ll be there in under a minute.” Thunder said boastfully

“Oh really? Don’t you need to pack anything?” Celestia said, puzzled.

“Naww, I’m just bringing food and money, send my final pay check to me later ok?”

“As you wish Thunder, I hope you have a safe journey to Ponyville and a happy new life. Twilight has received my letter and is already preparing for your arrival in Ponyville, look for the large tree house, that’s where she will be. Good bye Thunder, write to me if you need anything, I’d be happy to oblige.” Celestia said with her usual calm and soothing voice. Thunder always thought her voice was truly beautiful and loved the conversations he had with her, even though there weren’t that many. They always seemed to get along, having a similar sense of humor.

“Will do Princess and thanks again, I mean it.” Thunder said, getting a little excited about what his new life had in store for him.

He put about 10 apples in each of his saddle bags, dropped a coin purse with around 500 bits in it and put his signature old style looking golden flight goggles on his neck as he left his house, turned off the lights and closing the door behind him, he muttered to himself “Good bye and good riddance.”

Trotting through the cloudy streets of Cloudsdale, nearing the edge, Thunder sighed; time to get a fresh start. Leaving behind his friends who he would regularly hang out with and the mare who’d broken his heart some time ago. He was just glad to be getting away from it all. His mind started to wander once he reached the edge of the cloud that was Cloudsdale, peering down at the dimly lit town below, “there it is, Ponyville, my new home…” Just barely making out the image of the giant tree in the middle of the village, “That must be Twilight Sparkle’s house.” His thoughts drifted to his friend Blazing Flame, his friend who he would hang out with whenever he actually felt like leaving his house. Then drifting to thoughts of Flitter Breezeheart, the mare that destroyed his heart, dumping him while he was about to head out to make an emergency weather call.

Shaking his head to free himself from thoughts of her, he still had feelings for her, that he couldn’t deny, but he wanted to forget about her. “Now or never, Goodbye Cloudsdale, goodbye Blazing Flame, and ugh… goodbye Flitter” Thunder said solemnly to himself. He took a couple steps back then ran towards the edge of the cloud, leaping as hard as he could, wings still firmly at his side. He began to fall, pace increasing as he put his goggles over his eyes so he could see. Straitening himself out and aligning himself with the area in front of Twilight house, he made himself as thin and as aerodynamic he could make his fairly large stallion body look. He could feel like he was reaching a good speed and flapped his wings once, as hard as he could almost doubling his speed, making a thunderous boom and a lighting trail appear behind him.

“There’s no thunderstorm scheduled for tonight is there Rainbow?” Twilight said to the rainbow maned cyan pegasus standing next to her, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“No, ugh Twilight, why did you bring me out here at 2:00am, I have to get up early tomorrow to clear the skies.” Rainbow said to her purple unicorn friend.

“The Princess sent me a letter and said to arrange living quarters for a weather pegasus coming down from Cloudsdale. So I thought to get you, being the most logical choice, since you’re a pegasus as well. Twilight said, proud of her good decision.

“Wait a minute, you said a weather pegasus from Cloudsdale, coming right now?

“Yes I did Rainbow, why?”

“And we just heard thunder and saw lightning correct?

“Yes why!?

“ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ooooh myyy gooosh!” Rainbow said, suddenly more awake then she was seconds ago.

“What is it Rainbow? Do you know this pegasus?” Twilight said with a quizzical look on her face.

“Yes! His name is…”

BOOM! Swish, a yellow bolt of lightning flew past the two mares standing there in the open night cloaked town.

Thunder landed flew in a super high speeds, swooping up right before impacting the ground. Looping around an landing in between the two mares, “Hi my name is Thunder Flash, you must be Twilight Sparkle!”

“That’s him, the Lighting bolt of Cloudsdale, Thunder Flash! He is known by all the weather pegasus for his amazing thunderstorms and signature lightning bolt and thunder boom when he reaches top speed.” Rainbow Dash said, trying to conceal a fan girl squee.

“Yup, but please, just call me Thunder, I left the thunderstorm team to get away from all of the annoying pegasus always trying to get my autograph or hang out with. All I really wanted was a quiet place to enjoy some music and to fly with a good friend.

“Well, Mr. Thunder Flash, I have arranged for you to stay with my good friend Raindbow Dash here, she is the fastest pony in all of Equestria!” Twilight said with a big smile

“Fastest pony in all of Equestra? Wow, I always hear the ponies talk about the winner of the best young flier’s competition, Rainbow Dash, only pegasus to pull off a sonic rainboom. I’m honored to meet you, and would be great full to have you let me stay in your home, Ms. Rainbow Dash.” Thunder said, as cool as he could, trying to make the best impression he could.

Blushing profusely Dash tried to reply “I-I-I uhmm, thank you Thunder Flash, that means so much coming from you, you’re welcome to stay at my house as long as you need.” Taking a big breath after speaking.

“Thank you very much and you to Twilight, it was very nice of you to convince Rainbow Dash to let me stay at her house”

“Actually she was against it until she fou—mmmph mhmhmmmph!” Twilight was cut off by Rainbows hoof in her mouth.

“Ehehe, uhmm, let’s go to my house, it’s that big cloud one over there, start heading over, I’ll be there in just a moment.” Rainbow Dash said, unaware that he face was bright red.

“Alrighty, you’re the boss!” Thunder said with a sarcastic smirk as his wings shot out. They were bigger then Dashes, that was why he was so fast, he flapped them one good time and went straight into the air and slowly flew over to Dashes house. Dash watched him slowly fly away; she couldn’t take her eyes off of him, still blushing, even harder than before. She couldn’t help but notice his large muscles and long vibrant mane that compliment his dark black fur coat.

“Rainbow! What was that for!?!?” Twilight said, spitting Dashes hoof out of her mouth.

“Shh Twilight, please don’t tell him that, I don’t want him to think I’m some weird obsessive fangirl, I’ve just always been a fan of his work and I kind ‘a look up to him

“Oohh, Rainbow, you like him don’t you?” Twilight said smiling devilishly.

“No I don’t! I don’t like anypony, no matter how cool or…. Good looking they are….” Dash trailed off.

“Just go home and make him feel welcome I won’t tell anypony about your crush on our new resident.”

“I don’t have a crush on him!” Dash yelled a little louder then she though, causing Thunder to glance back at the two mares.

“You coming Rainbow Dash?” Thunder yelled toward the rainbow pegasus.

“Oh! Yeah! I’m coming!” Rainbow said eagerly.

“This might not be so bad, so far it’s an improvement on Cloudsdale” Thunder thought to himself.
Dash quickly caught up to him and matched his pace. Grinning widely “I’m really happy I got to meet you, I really like you, erh, I mean your work.” Dash said with a blush

“I like you to Rainbow Dash, you don’t need to be so nervous around me, just treat me like one of your friends ok?” Thunder said with a smile

“Oh yeah, alright, uhmm, Thunder Flash? I was wondering if I could get some pointers from you some time, maybe you’d like to fly with me?” Rainbow asked, her face going beet red. “Damn it Rainbow! You can’t fall for him, he’s just an over glorified weather pony with amazing speed and cool attitude with alluring blue eyes…” Rainbow thought to herself. Smacking herself in the face with her hoof trying to stop the thoughts she was having about Thunder.

“I’d love to fly with you sometime; I was hoping you would ask me! I’m a little excited about flying with the fastest and coolest mare in all of Equestria!” he said with a happy look on his face.

“You think I’m the coolest and fastest mare in Equestria?!?” Dash said, so taken back by what Thunder had said to her.

“Well I defiantly think your cool, but the speed thing, well, that depends on when we have our little flying session.” Thunder said with a wink.

Dash couldn’t believe she was with Thunder Flash, the Lighting Bolt of Coudsdale and he was complimenting her. She was beyond a whole new level of happy. “You wanna have our flying session right now?” Dash said, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

“I’m pretty awake, but you look pretty tired, we should get back to your place soon. I mean I haven’t even went to sleep tonight and it’s around 3:00am and I think rest is a good idea.” Thunder said, smiling awkwardly at having to deny the mares flying request. He felt something when he saw her sad look, something he had felt since he first met Flitter, he blushed a little.

“Aww ok, I guess sleep is a better idea.” Rainbow was still looking sad.

“Y’know what? Fine, let’s race to your house, first one there and to do 1 lap wins ok?” Thunder said trying to cheer Dash up. It worked, upon hearing that, her ears perked up and her face lit up, “really? Oh man! I’m totally gunna win! Ready set go!” Dash yelled, speeding off towards her house.

“Whoah!” Thunder said as he saw her shoot off towards her house, leaving a rainbow trail behind her. Thunder flapped his wings as fast and as hard as he could trying to catch up with Dash, she wasn’t far behind. He finally caught up with her, they were almost at her house, and Thunder said “Nice try but you’re too tired to beat me!” With that, he flapped his wings even harder and it made his signature thunderous boom, and he soared forward, leaving a lightning trail behind him and a half asleep Dash, mouth a gape.

Thunder zoomed around her house and came to a graceful stop in front of her door. Dash didn’t even finish the race, only came down in front of Thunder with a disappointed look on her face. “That’s not fair.”

“It is to, that’s my special talent, but still nowhere as impressive as your speed and the sonic rainboom.” Thunder said modestly.

“But I lost, I never lose, I hate losing…” Dash said, with a bit of anger is her voice…

“It wasn’t a fair race, you were tired, we’ll race again tomorrow ok?” Thunder said, trying not to make his new friend angry with him.

As the two pegasus entered the house, they walked up Dashes spiral stairs towards her bedroom, “Uhmm, where will I be staying?” Thunder asked shyly, trying not to sound rude.

“Oh pony feathers! I forgot you don’t have a room… Uhmm I don’t know I only have one room in my house, I guess you could sleep on the couch, or uhm, we could…. Uhm-uh sh-share my bed, I mean it is really big.” Rainbow said with her face burning red.

“Uhm you hardly know me and you’re asking me to sleep with you? That’s awfully forward; I admire your courage though.” Thunder said embarrassed at her question. “I think I’ll sleep on a couch and we can deal with the no room thing tomorrow, I’m tired and don’t want to make you feel un comfortable, having a strange pony in your bed with you.” Thunder said blushing as well.

Rainbow Dash was a tad disappointed that she was turned down, but she half expected it, considering he had many mares lined up to be with him and he never was known to be with anypony after hearing about his break up with Flitter. “I oh, uhmm, I’m sorry if you thought that was a little weird, I just wanted you to be comfortable, maybe feel a little more at home”

“It’s alright Rainbow Dash, I’ll just sleep downstairs on that couch I saw, thanks again for letting me stay at your place, it’s real nice of you.” As Thunder walked downstairs he felt a little disappointed to turn down Rainbow Dash’s offer, but he knew it was the right thing to do, he didn’t even know if she liked him, she might already have a special somepony.

“Call me Dash, Rainbow Dash is too formal.” Dash called out to him.

“Will do, Dash!” he said with emphasis on the Dash part and a wink.

Rainbow Dash blushed profusely and turned around and got into her bed. “Oh my gosh, Thunder Flash is in your house, and downstairs, in your house, sleeping here…. This is a dream come true.” Rainbow Dash has always thought he was a good looking stallion and was shocked at his appearance face to face. She buried her face into her pillow and drifted to sleep.

Thunder was surprised that he was out of Cloudsdale and already well off, he had made two friends, has a place to live in and it was with a beautiful athletic mare pegasus, he was very happy. Something he hadn’t felt in some time. “I wonder where things will go tomorrow?” Thunder said placing his saddle bags at the side of the couch and throwing his goggles on them and crawling onto the couch and slowly drifting to sleep, thinking about his new life, a fresh start here, in Ponyville.