//------------------------------//
// Finding a Home 
// Story: Flash: Rebirth 
// by FlutterTank 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 1
Finding a Home


The light weight draped over his shoulder made Flash feel poor and insignificant, but the glorious view below made him feel on top of the world. Flash was used to contradictions, though; they'd always been a part of him. The dirty, little peasant colt turned flight school valedictorian knew a thing or two about ups and downs.

The tears he'd shed had dried after hours of flight, and Flash was over what had passed. "Quick to cry but quick to recover." That's what Uncle Swift had always said about him. But with hours of flight came exhaustion, and Flash's race with the sun had to end some time.

As he looked down, he saw the sun, a huge red beacon at the far horizon. It cast an orange hue on everything in sight. The long shadows of trees below reached out behind them, longing for something to grasp. The scene was beautiful but sleep-inducing. Flash had to land soon and rest, so the next town he came across, he had decided, would be his new home.

A large but quaint village was the first thing to come into view. It looked just as good as anywhere to start a new life. As he came in to land, Flash couldn't help but feel a sense of rebirth. Just like the day, one chapter of his life, dark and unpleasant, was ending, opening up to a new one that, hopefully, would show happiness and content.

As he landed, Flash spotted a pony who looked like she new where she was going. Fighting the urge to collapse, Flash approached the purple unicorn, who was trotting along, saddlebags filled with books.

"Excuse me, miss?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes?" she responded. She turned to him, her violet eyes shining and pleasant, waiting for his question.

Flash began, nervous, afraid of what her reaction might be. "Umm... I'm new around here and I was uh, wondering if I could find a place to stay for the night."

She brightened up. "Oh, sure!" she said. "You could stay in the library with me if you really need to."

What was going on here? Was this pony high on hayseed? Flash had never experienced this kind of hospitality before. In Fillydelphia, it was everypony for himself. You didn't let total strangers crash at your place. But who was he to turn down such a kind offer.

"Thank you so much! That would be fantastic." Maybe this unicorn was odd, but Flash would make sure to be a gracious guest.

"Here," she said, "follow me. I'll get a bed set out for you. By the way, my name's Twilight Sparkle."