Here's chapter five, following the incident with Vincent and the Dazzlings from the last chapter.

Sub-Volume 5 - Demons Within

Chapter 5 - That's What It Takes (Harrison, 1987)

DECEMBER 26, 2015

Twilight had drafted in not just her parents but Shining Armor into the search for Vincent as well. Cadance would have come, naturally, but someone had to look after Flurry Heart.

"Do you think Vincent had been kidnapped?" asked Shining Armor to his sister.

"Over the holidays?" asked Twilight. "I find that very unlikely."

"You'd be surprised, Twilight," said her mother. "There are shady people throughout the year."

"Actually, considering what we went through with certain people in the past," said Twilight, "that... doesn't sound too far fetched." Just then, Twilight's phone went off again.

"Hello?" she said, speaking into it.

"Twilight, it's Flash," her boyfriend said from the other end.

"Do you have any updates?" asked Twilight.

"Yes," said Flash. "Dad found Vincent and he's home now."

"That quickly?" remarked Twilight.

"Yeah, he didn't get too far from the house," Flash told her. "I asked Vincent where he'd been and why, but he didn't tell me."

"Maybe he was tired or just didn't want to talk about it," Twilight shrugged. "I mean, he hasn't seen Sunset in a week."

"Yeah, that's true," said Flash. "I'll try and see what's going on with Vincent later in the day. I think you and your family need a sleep in."

"Thanks, Flash," said Twilight. "See you later. And glad Vincent's okay."

"So am I, Twilight. Good night... er, good morning."

It wasn't just Twilight who was looking for Vincent. Flash and Fictionary had called up quite a few people, and were now calling the search party off. Some weren't too pleased as having been woken up so early only for the search party to end as soon as it had started, but they were at least glad that Vincent was safe.

"What do you think happened?" asked First Base to Scootaloo as they got back upstairs.

"I dunno," said Scootaloo. "Maybe Vincent wanted to look at the Christmas lights one more time before they started to get packed away?"

"I doubt it's that," said First Base. "Maybe it had to do with Sunset; if Silver Spoon had to go away somewhere else with her family for the holidays, I'd be pretty lonely too."

"I guess I would be lonely without Rumble too," admitted Scootaloo. "I'm glad we got to exchange gifts before our Christmas celebration."

"Same with Silver Spoon and I," said First Base. "Maybe we should talk it out with Vincent later in the day. Siblings to siblings."

"Good idea," agreed Scootaloo, yawning and heading into her room. "Let's just catch some Z's for now."

"Yeah," yawned First Base.

Later in the day, concerns started to rise about what could have been going on with Vincent's odd behavior. Vincent was meeting with his friends down at the Sweet Shoppe.

"We were worried sick when Flash called our house," said Orange Sherbet.

"You could have gotten frostbite if you were out there too long," added Song Cue.

"But I didn't," Vincent insisted. "I made sure to dress warmly and I managed to find indoor shelter."

"Where did you go?" asked Rarity.

"I went to the pub, and in case anyone asks, I didn't order anything with alcohol content," said Vincent. "I'm not gonna be 21 for another two years next month."

"That's a relief," said Fluttershy. "I'd hate to think what alcohol could do to someone who's underage."

"That's the thing," said Vincent. "I somehow tasted the wrong drink, and after that... I don't remember what happened."

There was almost a dead silence among the group.

"H-how did that happen?" gasped Math.

"Do you remember anything that happened after you became sober?" asked Twilight. "Maybe we can use that to help figure it out."

"Alright," said Vincent, trying to clear his thoughts. "Well, before that, I met up with someone called Aria and she introduced me to her half-sisters, Adagio and Sonata. We all sat down and we all ordered drinks. Then, another customer came, put his drink down and I drank it by mistake. After I became sober again, the first thing I remember was being at the sisters' house."

"Maybe they saw ya walkin' home but ya'll were just too drunk ta think straight so they allowed ya ta stay there fer the night," Applejack suggested.

"Maybe that was it," said Vincent. "All I had was just one sip, and everything after that was a complete blur."

"I'm just glad no one took advantage of you when you were drunk," said Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, don't even go there..." shuddered Comet.

"Does anyone have some good news to share?" asked Song Cue, thinking a change in topic was needed.

"I do," said Pinkie. "Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake have made great friends with Beach Comb and Firestorm at school."

"How old are they now?" asked Vincent.

"Roughly four years old," said Pinkie. "I'm so proud of them for starting school!"

"Already?" asked Vincent. "It seemed like yesterday when they were just babies."

"They sure do grow up fast," said Song Cue. "I know Mystic is."

"She's gotta be close to a year old by now," said Applejack. "Or a bit older."

"Has she said her first word yet?" asked Twilight.

"Yes, she's started saying a few words actually," smiled Song Cue. "Her first word was 'blue', as in Blue the puppy from Blue's Clues."

"That's cute," said Vincent. "I didn't start speaking till I was... I think, three."

"Everyone develops at different rates," said Comet. "It's okay to have started later."

"That's so true," said Rarity. "I'm glad to hear Mystic is doing well."

"Guys," said Fluttershy suddenly, "when's Sunset coming back?"

"27th of December," said Vincent.

"That's tomorrow," smiled Rainbow Dash. "See, Vincent, we all said she'd be back soon."

"Yeah," sighed Vincent.

DECEMBER 27, 2015

The next day came quicker than expected. Sunset and her family returned to Rainbow Falls.

"That was an amazing holiday!" said Solar. "I can't believe we went to the Bluebell Railway!"

"Yeah, seeing the real Stepney was really cool!" added Nyx. "Shame that he couldn't talk like the fictional version."

"Who knows what trains would do if they could actually speak?" asked Sunset.

"They could tell you all kinds of things," said Celestia. "Stepney would have seen a lot of changes over the years."

"He sounds and acts so young in the show and the books," said Sunset. "I'm surprised to find out that Stepney was older than the likes of Edward."

"I guess engines age differently to people," chuckled Luna as the family headed into their house.

"It's been a long flight, girls," said Sombra, "and it's quite late. Why don't we all hit the sack?"

"Yeah, I think we should," said Celestia.

"Good idea," yawned Sunset. "Let's get to our rooms, guys."

"Bet you can't wait for tomorrow," said Solar. "I think you'll rush out of the house first chance you get to speak to Vincent."

"Hey, I haven't seen him for well over a week," said Sunset. "Of course I wish to talk with him as soon as I can."

DECEMBER 28, 2015

The next day, at the Sentry house, the doorbell rang.

"I got it," Page Turner said and opened up. "Well, welcome back to Rainbow Falls!"

"She's here?!" cried Vincent from the family room. Quickly, he got out of his seat and raced to the door.

"Vincent!" Sunset hugged her boyfriend tightly when he came to the door.

"I've missed you so much," said Vincent quietly. "How was your holiday?"

"It was amazing," Sunset smiled. "I'll show you some pictures I took on my phone."

"I'll bet you took lots," smiled Vincent. He and Sunset walked into the house and they sat down on the couch to look.

"Sunset, you're back," said Flash. "Have a good holiday?"

"Oh yeah," said Sunset. "Just about to show Vincent the pictures we took in England."

"Can we see too?" asked Fictionary. "We really missed you!"

"Of course," said Sunset, gesturing for them to come over to her. "I missed both of you as well." She got the album of photos out.

"This is us on Abbey Road," she smiled.

"I got a painting of the Beatles on Abbey Road for Christmas," said Vincent. "You want me to show you when we've gone through your album?"

"That would be great," said Sunset. "Just curious, what did you get for Christmas, Flash and Fictionary?"

"I got some Warrior Cats books," said Fictionary. "I started reading Into the Wild and already up to chapter three! Rusty has just been accepted into ThunderClan and renamed Firepaw!"

"There's a character that once had the name Rusty?" said Flash. "That is a coincidence! Why did he have his name changed to Firepaw?"

"Because the Clan Cats have a detailed naming system," Fictionary explained. "Song Cue and Heartsong told me about it. They can explain things better than I can though, so it's best to ask them."

"Well, anyway," said Vincent, "what other pictures have you taken, Sunset?"

"This is us on Penny Lane." Sunset showed them another photo.

"Man, you must have seen a lot of places the Beatles were," said Fictionary.

"I sure did," nodded Sunset. "Oh, and this is us on the Bluebell line."

"There's the real Stepney," said Flash. "It's so strange seeing him without a face."

"But if real engines did suddenly have faces, wouldn't they appear strange anyway?" Vincent responded.

"Okay, fair point, big brother," said Fictionary.

Yes, having Sunset back definitely put Vincent in a much better mood. But while the new year of 2016 started out to be mostly uneventful, that came to a head in early February of that year with the Dazzling half-sisters.

"Ugh..." groaned Aria. "I don't feel so good..."

"What's up, Aria?" asked Sonata.

"I think I ate something weird last night..." Aria moaned.

"I don't know," said Sonata. "Last night's dinner seemed just fine to me."

Adagio had been quiet through her younger sisters' banter. Her dinner had been fine as well, and if Aria did eat something weird last night, she would have most likely been sick last night, not the next day.

"Maybe you just need a tickle to cheer you up," Sonata giggled.

"No, Sonata, don't-" But Aria didn't get to finish her sentence, for Sonata had begun to tickle her on the belly.

"S-Sonata!" giggled Aria. "I-I didn't need to be tickled."

"Sisters..." Adagio just rolled her eyes.

"S-Sonata, please, just stop!" cried Aria through her laughs, which soon turned into coughing. "I think I'm gonna..." Sonata jumped back just in time for Aria to rush to the bathroom. There was mostly silence for a few moments before they heard the sound of Aria throwing up.

"Oh dear..." trailed Sonata. "Sorry sis..."

It felt like ages, but eventually, Aria came downstairs again, rubbing her stomach.

"That was really unpleasant," she groaned. "You don't want to know what was in there..."

"Maybe you should have a lie down," suggested Adagio.

"That sounds like a... good idea..." Aria slowly made her way up to bed. "What is wrong with me?"

"I dunno either," said Sonata. "Maybe I shouldn't have tickled Aria like that..."

"I think it was more than just that, Sonata," said Adagio.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," said Adagio, "Aria can't have eaten anything dodgy last night. And I don't think there is a bug going around."

"So does that mean...?" Sonata began.

"Yes, it does."

"Then who could the father possibly be...?" But no sooner had the words escaped Sonata's mouth, she put her hand to it in shock. There was only one guy that Aria "did it" with...

At Canterlot University, Vincent, Sunset, Flash and Twilight were discussing their progress at their dorm, when the group heard a knock at the door.

"Okay, very funny, Minuette," Vincent chuckled as he went to get it. "What story do you have for us this time?"

But to his surprise, it wasn't Minuette at the door.

"Oh!" gasped Vincent. "Adagio, Aria, Sonata. This is a surprise. What brings you all the way to my university?"

"Uh, Vincent..." Aria began, twiddling her fingers. "We're not sure if you have been... aware of what happened..."

"What's going on?" asked Sunset, sounding suspicious. "You didn't do anything stupid while I was away, did you?"

"Erm," said Adagio, "long story short... Vincent mistook his drink for another costumer's and got drunk."

"You went to a pub?!" gasped Sunset, looking at her boyfriend with wide eyes. "W-why?"

"I just wanted some time to think," Vincent insisted. "I'm not stupid enough to buy alcoholic drinks under the age of 21."

"But you did manage to get drunk," said Sunset. "Wh-what happened? Did someone hurt you?!"

Aria then started to feel very shaky. Seeing Sunset's reaction to Vincent being at the pub could only mean one thing.

"You... you took advantage of my boyfriend while he was drunk!" snapped Sunset. "How dare you!"

"I trusted you!" cried Vincent in disgust. "You allowed me into your house just so you can take advantage of me?! You knew that beer I had was an accident. I don't want anything to do with you!"

These words were the straw that broke the camel's back for Aria, and she started to run off, too scared to say anything else.

"Vincent..." trailed Sonata. "It may have been Aria's fault, but you can't blame the baby that she's currently pregnant with."

Vincent drew in a shaky breath. A to-be father, to a woman twice his age, when he was already in a dedicated relationship? The reality of it all had hit him like a brick wall and the last thing he did before fainting was scream so loudly, he could be heard all across the campus.

FOOTNOTES

Song Cue's concern about Vincent's health was a reference to The Emotions Cornerwhere her creator's EC counterpart is the unofficial medic for the group.

Sometimes, people who have autism have skills developed a bit slower than others. Hence why Vincent had started talking later on in life than most people growing up.

Although it's not mentioned anywhere, Minuette lives in a house with Twinkleshine, Moon Dancer and Jokesterrap while on campus (Lemon Hearts was supposed to be there instead of Jokesterrap initially, but... Bloody Sunday happened).