//------------------------------// // Destination // Story: Running Off the Rails // by daOtterGuy //------------------------------// Beep. Beep. Beep. Flash woke up and turned off his alarm for what might have been anywhere from the twentieth to hundredth time. He got out of bed, stretched out the kinks in his neck, and looked out the compartment window.  The train was still in the crystal tunnel.  He trotted to the compartment door, slid it open, and poked his head out into the hallway. He looked left and was greeted by a blank wooden wall. He looked right and found the metal door leading to the engine room. He closed the door.  Flash trotted over to the en suite bathroom and looked into the mirror. The stallion that stared back was still the same as when he had started this whole business. He could fix that.  He grabbed a brush, a razor, and his stash of mane gel from under the sink. In short order, he was clean-shaven, his fur rested in the right direction, and his mane was slicked back to its usual wavy form. He’d even taken time to preen his wings and admired how good they looked. He hadn’t properly done any personal grooming like that in weeks.  Flash left the bathroom, went to the wardrobe, and grabbed his armour from the bottom shelf. He donned it, ensuring the straps fit comfortably, and returned to the bathroom to inspect his hoofwork once more in the mirror.     He took a moment to inspect the stallion that stared back at him. He was different. For the first time in what could have been months, Flash felt like he recognized himself.  He grinned. He then left the train compartment for what would be the second last time.  Flash entered the cramped engine room. He still hated being there because of how cramped it was, but he found comfort in hearing the steady roaring  of the furnace. It meant the train was still moving. He saw Next Track by the train controls. He was fiddling with the various levers and pulleys that Flash still couldn’t understand the purpose of despite the many loops he had spent trying to get them to work.  Flash trotted to the center of the room and sat down. He enjoyed a companionable silence as the conductor performed his duties.  “Are you ready to disembark?” Next Track announced. “Are you the cause of the loop?” Flash asked.  “Does it matter if I was?” “No, it doesn’t,” Flash replied, “But I am admittedly curious, nonetheless.” Next Track stopped working with the controls and turned to face Flash. “Occasionally, somepony comes along carrying a lot of baggage with them.” Next Track closed his eyes and sighed. “It weighs them down because they think they need to bring everything with them when they only need the essentials. Admittedly, it is difficult to sort through luggage when you’re focused on simply reaching the next destination.” He opened his eyes and gave Flash a warm smile. “You may consider this place as a rest stop to unload unnecessary things.” Flash nodded, content with the answer he was given. “I’m scared.” He felt himself shake. “Of what’s next. What if Point Guard is right and I can’t be happy without being in a relationship? What if I just end up alone?” “I’m not going to waste my time telling you that everything will be okay. You’ll have low points like this in the future and it’s going to be just as terrible.” Flash felt tears form on his face. “But do you want to know a secret?” Flash sniffled and nodded. “Everypony is scared, Flash,” Next Track said, “But what’s important, what’s most important, is that you have to keep moving forward despite it because it’s the only way you’ll have the chance of finding happiness.” Flash hung his head and covered himself with his wings as he fought back the sobs that threatened to break through. “It’s so hard, Next. I’m just me and I’ve already done everything wrong. I don’t think I can do it.” “You got hurt, Flash. Badly.” Next Track placed a gentle hoof on Flash’s shoulder. “But you’ve learned. You found what you needed here. You might not think you can now, but trust me. You can.” Flash lifted his head and stared back at Next Track. “How do you know?” Next Track smiled. “Because you’re already moving forward, Flash. It might not feel like it yet, but you’re already moving toward your chance at happiness. You just need to embrace it.” Flash took several ragged breaths and, when he felt ready, he stood up from the ground planting all four hooves firmly on the floor with his head held high. He took a deep breath and with as much confidence as he could muster said, “I’m ready to disembark.” Next Track gave a warm smile as the engine room became engulfed with white light. The sound of a shrill train whistle filled the air. “Good,” Next Track said, “Find your happiness, Flash. Always keep moving forward.” Flash woke up. He heard the shrill cry of the train whistle reverberate through the room.   A speaker crackled to life. “Ladies and Gentlecolts, we will be arriving shortly at the Crystal Empire. Please, remember to grab all personal belongings before disembarking.” Flash rolled out of bed, stretched, and turned to look out the window.  Outside, sparkling in the morning sun, was the Crystal Empire and, at least to him, an endless expanse of possibilities. Flash smiled.  He was ready.