Want to make a lightning bolt flash

I would like to make the lightning bolt that I got from the Alice library black, but when I try to change the color nothing happens. I assume I will have to make it a new skin, but I don't have the software to do that. Can I find skins in the library?

More importantly, I want to make the lightning bolt be out of sight when the world starts to play, but "flash" into existence after my first couple events. I don't know how to make it flash. I thought maybe just two very quick flashes would be enough, but I can't figure out how to do that.

Thanks!

[x2495iiii]

Reference world.

Examine the properties of the light, the world's ambient light, the seldom used properties of the three shperes, and the spotlight's pointlight.