Hunters: Another Road

Flash exhaled sharply as he lied on his bed, Casting his gaze to the right, a calendar hung from the wall. On it, a circle made with dark purple marker surrounded the eighteenth. Flash sighed deeply.

“Father’s day, huh?” he spoke aloud. “Maybe I’ll go see mom. Better than just sitting in my room alone.” Rising from his bed, he lazily made his way towards the living area of his childhood home.

His eyes briefly scanned the room, passing by several large shelves, some filled with books and the rest holding trinkets and souvenirs from Solar's time as an active Hunter. One thing, in particular, caught his attention: a broken shield with several claw marks near its base, with a hole just above them.

Walking over to it, he picked the shield up to further examine it, noticing several bite marks along the edges.

“Jeez, Dad. Were you trying to tear the guy’s arm off?” Flash chuckled.

“He came close.”

The new voice caused Flash to yelp in surprise. Turning around, he found his mother leaning against the door frame.

Flash cocked a brow. “What happened?”

“Well, we were fighting these C-rank chumps and, admittedly, one of them got a good hit in on me. Land wasn’t too happy about it. Nearly killed both of them. If not for Fyre and Blaze, he probably would have.”

Flash went silent, his eyes large with shock. “I never knew that.”

“He really didn’t want you to know. Your father always saw that mission as a great failure. It was the first time he gave in to his more… bestial side.”

Flash’s gaze fell back to the shield, the rents and tears feeling jagged beneath his fingertips, cold beneath his palm. Even as his eyes watched, they saw beyond, deeper, and farther. Back to times where he'd been carried on strong shoulders, when the same arms held him as he cried, and a pair of fur-covered claws spooned him bitter medicine. He bit the inside of his lip, to stop the trembling. His brow furrowed into a fierce line, as the question echoed over and over again in his mind...

Why?

Solar saw the expression on her son’s face and decided to change topics. “So, what’s Twilight up to?”

Flash’s head shot up like a rocket at his mother’s voice. “Huh? What did you say, mom?”

“Twilight. How is she?”

“Ah. Right,” Flash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “She’s doing good. Went to Crystal City for Father’s day. She’ll be back tomorrow night.”

“Gonna go pick her up?” Solar asked with a mischievous grin.

Flash nodded. “Yup,”

“It must be nice to live in the same apartment as you partner, huh?” Solar pondered, poking her son’s sides.

“M-mom. For the last time; It’s not like that. Twi and I are just friends.”

“Who live in the same on-campus apartment.”

“Mom…”

“Just remember to use protection, honey,”

“Mom!”

“I don’t need to be a grandmother at thirty-eight.”

“Mother!” Flash’s cheeks turned a deep crimson at her implications. She giggled at his reaction, but stopped as a new voice called out from the hallway."

“Mom, is Flash up yet?” They turned to find Scootaloo’s head poking into the living room. “Oh. Hey, bro!”

“Hey yourself, half pint.” Flash gave a wave with a warm smile.

“Ah, right. I came here to let you know we’re going to go visit Landslide’s grave after breakfast,” Solar said somberly. “I was going to ask if you wanted to come. I’ll understand if you-”

“Mom. It’s okay,” Flash answered, placing a hand on Solar’s shoulder and white a reassuring smile. “I’m… I’m over it. I’d love to join you guys.”

His answer earned a small grin from Solar. “I’m glad to hear that! Come on, let’s eat. I’ve made a lot today.”

“Yup!” Scootaloo grin. “Better hurry before First and I eat it all.” With a mischievous chuckle, Scootaloo ducked back into the dining room. Solar giggled and shook her head, before following overeager daughter. Flash smiled before taking a quick glance at the damaged shield.

Exhaling fondly, Flash followed his mother into the next room.

The air was crisp, gently blowing through the graveyard. Carrying the aroma of freshly cut and watered grass filled, the wind filled the noses of the Sentry family as they walked between the rows of headstones. Eventually, they stopped at one, a lion’s head emblazoned on it.

The four stood around the grave, all silent. First Base and Scootaloo stared at the cold stone, occasionally looking at one another, both unsure of what to say. Flash scratched the back of his head, wanting desperately to comfort his siblings, but finding himself unable to form words.

Solar could feel the tension in the air. A hand cupped her chin as she thought of a way to resolve it.

An idea formed in her mind. Clearing her throat, she gained the attention of her children.

“Mom? What’s up?” First Base asked.

“Now, listen. I realize being here is… uncomfortable for you all. First, you and Scootaloo didn't get to know your father for very long and Flash…It hurts. I know.” Solar bit down on her lip.

“But, your dad wouldn’t want you all moping over him! He’d want you all to live your own lives. And I’m not saying you can’t miss him. That’s fine too. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him a little, but I didn’t let it stop me from raising you all. Because I know it’s what Land would have wanted.”

Her children remained quiet for a short while, all exchanging looks between each other. A warm wind blew past them before Scootaloo decided to break the silence.

“Mom, First and I aren’t sad because we lost dad,”

Solar cocked a brow. “What?”

“In fact, we really aren’t sad. We’re… just kind of confused.” Scootaloo answered. Both Solar and Flash shot a glance at one another before First Base spoke up.

“I can’t remember a lot about dad. Sometimes, I can hardly remember what he looks like. So, I guess that’s why I’m not all that sad, but…” First Base turned away from the rest of his family, head hanging low and fist slightly shaking.

“But what?” Flash asked, arms folded. First Base turned to Scootaloo, whose despondent expression mirrored his.

“We feel bad that we aren’t sad over dad being dead,” Scootaloo squeaked, rubbing her arm.

Solar’s eyes widened as a lump formed in her throat. Pulling the two kids into a hug, she whispered, “Kids, it’s fine if you aren’t sad. You don’t need to feel bad about it.”

She offered them a comforting smile. With tears welling up in their eyes, they embraced her back. Flash stood to the side and watch, quickly blinking away some tears.

“Hey,” Flash spoke, wearing a large smile. “Mom, have you ever told them about the time dad jumped over the house?”

Solar cocked a brow before the memory came rushing back to her. “Ohoho. Right! I remember now.”

At her words, the twins raised their brows together. “Wait, what?!” Scootaloo shouted in disbelief.

“Dad jumped over the house?!” First Base added, equally shocked.

Solar grinned and nodded. “Yup. After I found out I was pregnant with you two, your dad was so excited, he just leaped right over the house and crashed halfway through our neighbor's roof.”

“Seriously?!” Scootaloo stifled a laughed.

“Yeah. Fyre Fly and Rainbow Blaze weren’t happy about that,” Flash chuckled as he took a seat next to his mother.

The twins couldn’t contain their laughter as it echoed throughout the empty graveyard.

“What else did dad do?” First Base asked eagerly. Flash closed his eyes as he tried to dig up an old memory. Snapping his fingers, he began to cackle wildly.

“This is one mom hates bringing up, but. When you guys were about three, dad was playing with you and he may have tossed you a bit too high in the air.”

First Base and Scootaloo’s jaws fell open as Solar’s hand slapped her forehead.

“Flash, of all the stories, why that one? I nearly had a heart attack!”

“Sorry mom,” Flash chuckled. “When dad saw what happened, he freaked out big time. I don’t think I’d ever seen him scream that much.”

The Sentry siblings laughed as Solar’s face flushed a deep red. “Mom gave him an earful that night.”

“Darn right I did!” Solar added, huffing. “Now, then. Let’s see… what else can we talk about?”

“Oh, mom, how bout the time he flooded the upper level of the house?” Flash suggested. Solar grinned as she began to recall the event. The laughter had by the family rang throughout the grave and beyond, sharing and reminiscing of their missing father and husband.