The train rumbled along the tracks as it left the Crystal Empire. It was night-time, and the huge castle glowed with an aura of purples and pinks. The orange stallion wished he didn't have to leave, but he knew he had to. It was either stay there and go to jail for eternity, or escape in the night and have a chance to start over. He sighed as he placed his hoof on his cheek and stared out the window. The glowing town got farther and farther away, and Flash felt depressed. But he did have a plan. It was flimsy and all depended on a pony he hardly knew, but he sensed she would be able to help. The purple alicorn had such a warm look in her eyes when he first saw her, like she truly cared for him with all her heart. Her smile practically melted his. She wasn't perfect, didn't wear makeup or a fake personality like other mares, but had her own definition of perfection. He knew he shouldn't feel this strongly about somepony he'd bumped into twice, but he honestly couldn't help it. Part of him wanted to stop, to not even care. To just give up now and face the consequences of his mistake. But he knew he couldn't. He had to at least try to get help. To find her. Twilight Spar-" Suddenly, the train halted to a stop. Flash was shaken out of his thoughts and back into reality. The shrill whistle blew, and the conductor yelled " First stop, Ponyville!" . The orange Pegasus trotted nervously off the train, wondering how he'd arrived so fast. "Oh well," He thought. Flash turned his attention to the small town in front of him, confused how a princess lived... here. Then he saw the huge castle, the sunlight reflecting off of it perfectly. "Well, this is the place alright."
He picked up the small suitcase he had brought with him and headed towards the castle. The townsfolk were surprisingly friendly, saying bright hellos and even waving. Suddenly, a flash of pink zoomed past him and halted to a stop. "What the...?"
The thing zoomed over to him and he then realized it was a pony. Suddenly she gasped. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! You must be new here right? because I've never seen a orange Pegasus like y-" She stopped. The pony then looked at him suspiciously. "...I feel like I've seen you from somewhere..." Flash broke into a cold sweat, then it hit him. She'd been one of the ponies that had been walking with Twilight! She knew her, and could hopefully help him talk to her. "Uh... yea I work at the Crys- well, not anymore but I was guarding when you and your friends came. I'm Flash Sentry, by the way." He stuck out his hoof. Her face brightened and she vigorously shook his hoof. "Now I remember! My name's Pinkie Pie!" Flash gave her a small smile. "Well, I have a pretty big problem, and I was wondering if your Friend Twilight could help me out. Do you think you could help me talk to her? I'll explain later." Pinkie grabbed his hoof and began to drag him along. "Well of course silly! Anything to help out a new friend!" He sighed in relief. "Thanks!" He was happy he was finally getting a chance to change his mistakes, but as the pink pony dragged him closer to the looming castle, he began to feel like things might not turn out the way he expected.
