#arrow strike

Friends, Family, and Business

After the service, the attendees began to mingle, their hushed conversations filling the air. Occasional glances flickered in Flash’s direction—the news that had just dropped was already rippling through the crowd. Flash turned to walk away from the press line, where his father and grandfather were still acting as a shield against the cameras.

"Flash! Any comment on the news of your relation to Mrs. Page?" a reporter shouted, lunging forward. Flash ignored them, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground until he spotted Aerial making her way toward him.

Concern was etched across her face, but before she could reach him, a Pegasus mare with a rainbow mane stepped into her path.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Flash. My name is Rainbow Star—Rainbow for short," the mare said, her gaze glinting with confidence. "I wanted to say how beautiful the eulogy was. It truly tugged at my heart." She paused for effect. "Your mother was a major advocate for our youth charities. I was wondering: is there a chance her son would like to participate in those same events as a guest of honor?"

Flash recoiled slightly at the directness. "I… I’m not sure at this time," he said, choosing his words cautiously. Paper Trail’s warning echoed in his head: Don’t accept anything until you have an agent.

"I will assume that’s a ‘maybe.’ Here is my card; reach out when you’ve made your choice. I look forward to seeing you again," Rainbow said, trotting away before he could object.

Flash watched her go, feeling the weight of the interaction. He turned to find Aerial already at his side.

"Hey. Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"Yeah… I’ll be fine. It’s just overwhelming. The unfamiliar faces, the press…" Flash offered a weak smile.

"I understand. Do you need anything? We can talk if you want," Aerial said, glancing back at the reporters who were finally being escorted out.

"I just need a friend," Flash muttered. "Someone who understands."

They spoke for a long while. Flash poured out everything—from the moment his mother requested him to her final breath. By the time they parted, the heavy knot in his chest had loosened slightly. The two decided to meet up another time to discuss more in less of a public space.

As Aerial left, Flash found his brother, Ember, standing before him. The silence between them felt heavier than usual.

"Flash… how long did you know?" Ember asked, his voice low.

Flash let out a long, ragged sigh. "I only found out Page was my mother a week before she passed away. For my whole life before that, I was just as clueless as you." He looked at his hooves, bracing for a complicated reaction. "I didn't mean to keep a secret, Ember. I barely had time to process it myself."

Ember’s expression softened, and a small, sad smile broke through. "A week... that's not long enough," he whispered, his eyes turning glassy. "I’m just so glad you found her in time, Flash. I'm glad you know where you came from."

"Look, Ember," Flash said, his ears pinning back earnestly. "Before you assume anything… I want you to know that even with my biological father here, you will always be my brother. Mom and Dad—the ones who raised me—will always be my parents. I was lucky to have them."

A single tear escaped Ember’s eye. "That’s great to hear, brother."

The two exchanged hugs as Ember returned to Crescent and Aerial's side, mingling with the two.

Finally, Flash’s gaze fell on an elderly mare standing frozen a few paces away. She studied him with an intensity that made him pause.

"I can’t believe it… my unoka… here in front of me," she whispered in a thick Hoofarian accent. She lunged forward, pulling him into a fierce embrace. Flash stiffened in surprise, but as the reality of who she was sank in, his wing unfurled, instinctively wrapping around his grandmother.

She pulled back after a moment, wiping her cheeks. "Your mother told us everything when she learned you were alive. Your grandfather and I were overjoyed. We loved seeing you when you were just a foal—so playful, always grinning."

"Grandfather?" Flash repeated.

She gestured toward the unicorn stallion standing near Blaze. "Yes, Arrow Strike. He has been just as eager to see you, though he’s preoccupied helping your father deal with the media."

Flash took a shaky breath. Every question he’d carried for a lifetime was being answered in the span of two weeks. It was a flood of closure, both exhausting and relieving. His eyes welled up again.

His grandmother used her magic to bring a cloth to his cheek, gently dabbing the tears away. "Page napsütése végre hazatért hozzánk," she said softly. Page’s sunshine has finally returned home to us.

For a moment, the world around them stilled. The mingling crowd and the grieving whispers faded into the background. After promising to visit his grandparents and meet the rest of the family, Flash finally began his goodbyes.

He hugged his father, his friends, and his "new" family one last time. Then, he turned toward the horizon, heading for the only place that felt like solid ground: his adoptive home at the Skyes residence.

The funeral was over. A new chapter had begun.

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And that's Lore Post #5!!

Feat Characters in the GIF and Story:

Rainbow Star @kazzmcsass

@aerialaim by @daintydoily

Ember Skyes @askcrescentshadow and @theskyesfamily

And Flash and Gauze Wrap (Sirra) (owned by me)

Additional characters in the story:

Arrow Strike, Paper Trail, Blaze Runner

This one took some time for me to draw and put together. I think this is my first GIF I made as well.

Here are the images by themselves.

The Final Reveal

Flash stepped into the bustling funeral home, his father, Blaze, at his side. It seemed they were the last to arrive.

"Well, who knew a simple lunch break would last longer than we anticipated?" Blaze said with a quiet, uneasy chuckle.

Flash’s ears flattened. "It didn’t help that I got cornered by a group of young fans on a field trip," he muttered, adjusting his collar. He deeply regretted going out to eat before the service; his notoriety was a heavy cloak to wear today, and his lack of punctuality only added to the stress.

They had been at the home earlier that morning, assisting Page’s agent, Paper Trail, with the final arrangements. It was a modest service—nothing too fancy, just as Page had requested.

Flash scanned the room. It was a sea of unfamiliar faces: business ponies who were likely her publishers, and various others who had been drawn into her orbit by her fame. But in the back, the atmosphere shifted. Ponies with cameras and notepads stood poised like vultures. Paper Trail had warned them the press would be there to report on the passing of such a public figure. Despite the warning, Flash felt a knot of unease. A funeral was no place for a scoop.

Brushing the thought aside, he spotted a row of familiar faces: his brother, Ember Skyes; his foalhood friend, Crescent Shadow; and close friend, Aerial Aim. He offered them a tired smile as he headed their way. "Hey guys. Thanks for coming."

"Anything for a brother," Ember said, reaching out a supportive hoof. "We may not have known Mrs. Page well, but we spent enough time with her while she was writing that biography about you."

Flash gave a slight, knowing chuckle. After the revelations of the last two weeks, his mother’s intense interest in his life finally made sense. His friends didn't know the truth yet, but they would soon.

"Flash, are you alright?" Aerial asked softly, her eyes full of concern. "You look like you haven't slept in days."

"It’s been a rough two weeks," Flash admitted, trying to steady his voice. "But I'll be fine. Thanks for coming to translate the eulogy for me, Aerial. I didn’t know anyone else who could keep up with how fast we talk."

Aerial managed a small smile. "No problem," she whispered.

Across the room, Blaze stood apart, watching the crowd. His gaze kept drifting back to Flash, observing the way his son leaned on his friends. He thought of the "adopted brother" Flash had mentioned, and a bittersweet smile formed on his muzzle. "Beloved, look at him," he murmured to the empty air beside him, as if Page were standing right there. "He grew up to be a fine young stallion. He’s in good company."

"So, I take it you’re the father?"

The voice was calm, rugged, and carried a thick Hoofarian accent. Blaze turned to see an elderly unicorn whose features mirrored Page’s.

"Yes, sir," Blaze replied respectfully.

The old unicorn chuckled, looking toward Flash. "Page always spoke of him. Even when she thought he was lost forever, she clung to every memory. You should have seen the letters she sent my wife and me when she discovered he was still alive." He paused, his expression softening. "She spoke a lot about you, too. How she wished she had met you instead of that farmer."

The unicorn extended a hoof. "Name’s Arrow Strike. Page’s father. It’s a privilege to finally meet the stallion my daughter fell for."

Blaze took the hoof firmly. "Likewise, sir. It’s an honor to meet the father of such a strong, lovely mare."

The service began shortly after. It felt like an eternity as pony after pony took the podium to share stories of Page’s life. Flash listened intently, learning fragments of a mare he had only just begun to truly know.

Finally, it was Flash’s turn. With Aerial by his side, he began to speak in Hoofarian. He spoke of Page’s humility, her memories, and how she was a soul always happily lost in her own stories. Then, he reached the final paragraph.

Flash paused, his breath catching as he stared at the words his mother had written for this exact moment. He looked up at the sea of ponies, then back at the paper.

"Sokan közületek azért jöttek, hogy egy sok világ kancájának tisztelegjenek, de szeretnék még egy utolsó dolgot felfedni. Egy életet, amelyet csendben szenvedtem el. Egy terhet, amelyet cipeltem, miközben tovább éltem. Itt az ideje, hogy végre megszabaduljak ettől a súlytól."

(For many of you are here to honor a mare of many worlds, but I wish to reveal one last thing. A life I had suffered in silence. A burden I held while continuing to live. It is time for me to finally lay this weight to rest.)

Flash took a shaky breath.

"A póni, aki ezt olvassa, a fiam." (The pony reading this... is my son.)

The room went deathly silent. Aerial’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with shock. She looked at the tears welling in Flash’s eyes and, with a trembling voice, translated the words for the crowd.

The secret was out. The reporters began scribbling furiously; a camera flash flickered in the back of the room. Flash didn't look up. He focused only on the final lines.

"Egyéves korában örökre elveszett tőlem, de a sors végre visszaadta nekem. A napsütésem, a szerelmem. Nyugodtan pihenek, tudván, hogy fényesen fogsz ragyogni, fiam."

(He was lost to me at the age of one, but fate finally returned him. My sunshine, my love. I will rest easy knowing you will shine brightly, my son.)

Flash stepped down and took his seat, his chest aching. Aerial followed, silent and stunned, knowing they would have a very long talk later.

As the service ended, the press moved in like a wave. But before they could reach Flash, Blaze and Arrow Strike stepped forward, flanking him and blocking the path of the reporters.

"Don't worry, son," Blaze said firmly, placing a protective wing over Flash. "We’ll handle this. You take your time."

Flash nodded, feeling the weight of the world lift just a little. "Thank you, Dad."

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And that's Lore Post #4

I'm planning on doing a 5th one, but that'll be a bit, so bear with me. Life is busy.

Feat in drawing and story @aerialaim

Arrow Strike: We both served in the Great Hoofarian War. That is how we met actually.

Arrow Strike: Army, Archer

Gauze Wrap (rather be called Sirra): Medical Nurse

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