What a twist! Vincent has (unknowingly) gotten Aria Blaze pregnant, so how are the others gonna take this bombshell?

Sub-Volume 5 - Demons Within

Chapter 6 - Beware My Love (McCartney, 1976)

AUGUST 10, 2038

"Wait, you're not making any of this up, are you?" asked Dusk.

"Not one bit of it was exaggerated," said Vincent. "I can look back and laugh nowadays, but back then, it was probably the biggest shock of my life."

"No kidding," sighed Violet. "That would be scary to find out."

"I guess Aria was shocked too," said Twilight V.

"So what happened after that bombshell was dropped?" asked Dawn.

"Well... things were stressful to say the least," said Sunset to her daughter.

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Flash and Twilight were about to get dinner started, but Vincent's scream made them concerned and rushed to the front door. They were just in time to see Vincent fall to the floor unconscious.

"Vincent!" cried Flash, trying to shake him awake. "Are you hurt?"

"Sunset, what happened?" asked Twilight.

"Well... we had some visitors here today," Sunset explained. "One of them even claimed that she was the mother to Vincent's baby."

"Wh-what?!" gasped Flash. "That must have happened when he was drunk! Who took advantage of my brother?!"

"It was the one with the purple hair in pigtails," said Sunset.

"She doesn't deserve to go unpunished!" growled Flash. "Which way did she go?"

"You wouldn't try to hurt a pregnant woman, would you?" scolded Twilight.

"If she didn't take advantage of Vincent, she'd never be pregnant," Flash argued.

"You both have good points," said Comet, having come over with Fluttershy, Song Cue and Orange from next door.

"You heard the scream?" asked Sunset.

"Yeah," Song Cue nodded. "I just got a call from Rarity; she heard it from her house too."

"I understand you're angry, Flash," said Orange. "I'd be the same way if someone hurt Song Cue or Fluttershy like that. But the child has done nothing wrong, and it's up to her to abort the pregnancy or not."

"I guess you're right, Orange..." sighed Flash.

"We'll worry about the potential mother later," said Song Cue. "We have to get Vincent back to his senses."

"Does anyone have any ideas?" asked Fluttershy.

"Anyone have any smelling salts?" asked Flash.

"I think we have some in the house," said Twilight. She rushed back inside to get it and came back out.

"How exactly does this work?" asked Comet. Last time he had fainted, one of his siblings just dumped cold water on him.

"Well, it says here that a small amount of this stuff can wake up someone who had just fainted," said Twilight.

"That's not gonna kill him, is it?" asked Sunset.

"This sounds kinda risky," Song Cue frowned.

"What else are we supposed to do?" Twilight sighed.

"I suppose you have a point," said Fluttershy. Twilight carefully read the label on how to use smelling salts and used a little bit according to the instructions.

"Huh?" Vincent blinked his eyes and woke up.

"Vincent," asked Song Cue, "how are you feeling now?"

"A bit tired," Vincent admitted. "I just don't recall what had happened."

"You fainted," said Orange. "And... a lot of the students across campus heard you scream."

"I was that loud?" asked Vincent.

Fluttershy nodded. "Some of the other students started to go and see what the fuss was about, but we told them that we'd handle it."

"Oh... I apologize if I disturbed their day," Vincent sighed. "It was just... so much to take in at once."

"Do you remember what you heard before you fainted?" asked Flash.

"Something about one of the Dazzlings... being a mom to my baby..." Vincent stammered.

"I don't think that woman is to be trusted," said Song Cue with a snarl. "I'm not blaming the baby at all, but anyone who does something as awful as what she did should never be forgiven for their actions."

"I think she's right," Twilight agreed. "Aria may be pregnant, but that doesn't excuse her for what she did. It was a serious crime."

"I just hope that this news gets nipped in the bud before it becomes serious," said Vincent. "I mean, what if the story is twisted to make me look like the perpetrator and not the victim?"

"I'm sure we'll be able to set the record straight," said Flash to his little brother.

"Right, I'll get my dad and Shining Armor on the case." Twilight briskly went inside to find her phone.

"I'm sorry, Sunset," said Vincent sadly. "I feel like I betrayed you..."

Sunset just gave Vincent a big hug. "It's not your fault," she whispered. "All you did was find someone's drink by mistake. You didn't know it was a beer."

"I only wish... I could have been there..." Sunset felt a tear pricking her eye. "If I was there, I may have been able to protect you..."

Meanwhile, Twilight told her brother about what had happened over the phone.

"What?!" Shining Armor gasped.

"I wish I was making this up," sighed Twilight.

"Dad and I will get on the case right now," said Shining Armor. "Is Vincent injured in any way?"

"No, he's fine," said Twilight. "Though he is a bit shaken up."

"You and your friends be there for support," Shining told his sister. "From what I can gather, Vincent is not to blame for this incident."

"Thank you, Shining Armor." Twilight felt the slightest bit relieved. "I'll see you later."

Just then, Flurry Heart started to toddle over to her dad with a toy bear in her hands. She made some noises indicating that she wanted him to play.

"Aww, I want to play too, Flurry," said her dad, "but daddy's got to stop some bad guys right now." Flurry cooed with disappointment and put her teddy down.

"Come over to mommy," called Cadance to her daughter. "I found this Wiggles song about a bear." Giggling, Flurry followed the direction of her mother's voice, dragging her teddy with her. By now, she had begun to walk. Shining Armor smiled as the Wiggles' song "Here Comes a Bear" came on.

"It's been around since the original group." He imagined Twilight dancing to that song when she was little.

Shining quickly checked his watch. "Shoot, better get going to my job." He gave his wife a kiss and allowed his daughter to hug his leg. "Bye, you two, have fun."

Shining Armor dashed off to work and met up with his dad.

"What brings you here, son?" asked Night Light. "It's your day off today."

"Twilight phoned me about something alarming." Shining explained what happened to Vincent.

"Oy gevalt!" exclaimed Night Light.

"I know," Shining sighed. "It is very concerning. I don't know what the situation with the baby is going to be about."

"We'll have to worry about the baby later," said Night Light. "Right now, we got to inform the rest of the staff about Miss Aria Blaze."

The word got to the police officers almost immediately and an investigation was launched.

"Where does she live?" asked one of the younger police officers.

"She's at 95 Strawberry Avenue," said Night Light. "Lives with two half-sisters, Adagio Dazzle and Sonata Dusk."

"Sounds simple enough to find," said Shining Armor.

"Let's go," said Night Light. "We can't waste anymore time."

Back at the Dazzlings' house, the girls were feeling very uncomfortable.

"I knew he wasn't going to take this well..." sighed Adagio.

"How were we supposed to know Vincent had a girlfriend?" asked Sonata. "He never said anything!"

"Well, yes, but he also wasn't happy with being taken advantage of while drunk!" retorted Adagio. "He wouldn't have been happy if he had a girlfriend before this or not!"

"I don't blame him for staying away," sighed Aria. "Not only was he upset, so was his girlfriend and I wouldn't be surprised if his friends went into protective sister-slash-brother figure mode."

Just then, the trio heard some police sirens outside.

"Oh no," groaned Aria. "They're coming for me..."

"Open up!" called Night Light. "R.F.P.D!" Adagio was about to get the door, when Aria stopped her.

"It's easier if I go," Aria told her. "But... Sonata and Adagio, promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"When the baby is born, please take care of your niece or nephew," Aria told them. "He or she didn't do anything wrong." Aria went right to the door.

"It's okay," she said. "I'll go with you." Night Light and Shining Armor were both taken aback.

"That was quick," remarked Shining Armor. "Usually they resist arrest."

"All I want is for the baby to be sent back to his or her aunts when it's born," Aria told them. "He or she shouldn't suffer from the consequences of my actions."

"I... guess we could arrange for it," said Night Light.

"Let's get back to the police station," said Shining Armor. "Boy, won't the rest of the staff be surprised by this."

Back at the campus, Sunset was going into a local cafe to clear her head.

"I wish I could have come back in time..." she sighed. "I can't believe Vincent was hurt this way..." She started to cry. "How could I have prevented this...?"

"Something happen?" asked a voice.

Sunset looked over to see a girl about a year older than her with a mix of purple and pink in her hair, and bright blue eyes. She looked to have graduated from high school the same year as Flash did.

"Just... going through a rough time," Sunset sighed. "I don't think I've seen you around here before. I'm Sunset Shimmer, by the way."

"My name is Sweetie Drops," said the other girl, "but most people call me Bon Bon."

"I see," Sunset nodded. "What brings you here?"

"Well, after graduating school, I moved down here to find a good university to go to," Bon Bon told her. "I'm from the city. I used to live here with my parents and my little sister, but dad got a job offer in the city."

"Would your younger sister be named... Twist, by chance?" asked Sunset.

"Yes," said Bon Bon. "Do you know her?"

"Not directly, but some of my friends' younger siblings did," said Sunset.

"They are still living here with their families?" gasped Bon Bon. "That's awesome."

"Yeah, nearly all of my friends have graduated by now," Sunset smiled. "Well... Pinkie Pie, Saffron Masala and a few others are still in their final year."

"Twist is thinking about moving back here when she graduates too," Bon Bon told Sunset. "She misses her friends that she made in the first couple of years at school."

"Well, I'm sure they will be happy to see her." said Sunset. "Did you make any friends while at this university?"

"Well... no," Bon Bon admitted. "Lyra wouldn't let me get close to anyone else."

"Lyra... as in, Lyra Heartstrings?" gasped Sunset.

"Well, yes," said Bon Bon. "You knew her?"

Sunset nodded. "She was my friend Comet Tail's abusive sister."

Bon Bon was in deep shock. "You're kidding. She abused her own brother?!"

Sunset nodded again. "Now she's gone, the rest of his siblings have started to make amends with Comet Tail, and he's also found his real dad and another sister; Saffron Masala."

"Whoa..." Bon Bon said. "That's quite a lot to take in at once..."

"You're telling me," said Sunset. "Forgive me for asking, but how did you know Lyra?"

Bon Bon looked awkwardly away. After a moment or two, she finally decided to answer.

"...she was my girlfriend," she said at last.

"No!" exclaimed Sunset in shock.

"I know," sighed Bon Bon. "I thought that she was nice and friendly, but... she was clingy! And, I also found out she was seeing a guy named Noteworthy."

"That Lyra wasn't all that faithful, was she?" asked Sunset. "If you ask me, she was nothing but a complete slut!"

"Yeah, that's so true," agreed Bon Bon. "In an odd way... I actually kinda feel relieved she's no longer around."

"I do too," said Sunset. "And so do all my friends. When did you meet Lyra?"

"When I first came to university..." Bon Bon then proceeded with her story.

2013

Bon Bon knew that one day, she would be in university, and was looking through her options on where to go.

"Let's see... what would be a good place to go?"

"You okay, thith?" came a younger voice.

"Oh, hey Twist," said Bon Bon. "I'm a bit stuck on where to go when I finally finish school."

"You thinking of going to college?" asked Twist.

"Yeah," nodded Bon Bon. "I would like to get into maybe candy making business."

"Tho do I, Bon Bon," Twist lisped.

"You two are doing so well," said their dad, Chocolate Truffles, coming in. "I can't believe you're almost a graduate, Bon Bon."

"I can't believe it either," said Bon Bon. "Do you have any good university recommendations, dad?"

"You mean you haven't decided where you want to be enrolled in after high school?" asked Chocolate Truffles in surprise.

"It's so hard," Bon Bon admitted, looking through the options she had on her laptop. "So many places to choose from."

"Hmm... well, I remember getting a good degree at the university I went to when I left high school," said Chocolate Truffles.

"Canterlot University?" asked Bon Bon. "Hmm... maybe I'll try and go there."

"That'th a while away, thith," said Twist. "If you go there, I'll mithh you."

"I'll send you guys lots of letters and postcards," said Bon Bon, giving her sister a hug. "I'll miss you guys too."

"We'll help you get ready to go to Canterlot," said Chocolate Truffles. "You have a bit of packing to do if you're serious about going."

"I'll probably have to pack the essentials," said Bon Bon.

Bon Bon went to look through her clothing to pick out her favorite outfits, and went to find her hairbrush, toothbrush and other things from the bathroom.

The day came sooner than any of the family had expected.

"Thee you, Bon Bon." Twist hugged her sister tightly. "Good luck!"

"Thanks, Twist," smiled Bon Bon, hugging her back.

"We love you, Bon Bon." Chocolate Truffles hugged his daughter too. "Hope to see you soon."

"Love you too, dad."

Bon Bon began to head off on her own toward a new life in Canterlot.

"I can't wait to see who I'll meet there," she smiled to herself.

Eventually, Bon Bon got to her university and looked around.

"What a lovely location," she smiled. There were a lot of students roaming around, and Bon Bon was eager to meet with some of them.

"Goodness, where do I even begin?" she wondered, walking over to a small group. The group consisted of a twenty-three year old man, a twenty-one year old woman, a twenty year old man and two eighteen year old girls. One of the eighteen year old twins had pale, light grayish cyan hair with white highlights and brilliant gamboge eyes, and she seemed to catch Bon Bon's eye.

"Good day, everyone," said Bon Bon with a cheery smile.

"Hey there," said the other eighteen year old. "You new round here? I don't think we saw you at high school."

"Yeah, I'm new," said Bon Bon. "I attended Crystal Prep High School."

"Crystal Prep?" asked the older woman. "Ooh, that's a fancy place to go."

"We were supposed to go there," said the oldest man, "but our mother insisted that we all go to Canterlot High, which is where our older brother went."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Bon Bon.

"It's not your fault," said the younger man. "Oh, where are our manners? I'm Neon Lights. This is my older brother Rare Find, my older sister Cayenne, and my younger twin sisters Electric Sky and Lyra Heartstrings."

"And your older brother makes six!" gasped Bon Bon. "That's a massive family!"

"Yeah, it sure is," said Lyra.

"I only have one little sister myself," said Bon Bon. "Her name is Twist."

"Is your family into candy making?" asked Cayenne with curiosity.

"How'd you figure that out?" asked Bon Bon.

"Well, your names kinda gave a hint," Cayenne smiled.

"Oh, I see," said Bon Bon. "That's fair enough." She then paused for a moment. "Are you into cooking, Cayenne?"

"A little." Cayenne was surprised. "My name's not related to food."

"Actually, it is," Bon Bon told her. "I looked it up on the internet. Cayenne is a type of pepper that can be ground into pepper that people use in Asian recipes."

"That's rather interesting," said Cayenne. "Our mother knew a bit about Asian recipes, but dad wasn't interested at all."

"Sorry to hear that," Bon Bon sympathized. "You also mentioned your mother in past tense. Did something happen?"

"She died in a fire a few years ago," explained Rare Find.

"That's awful..." sighed Bon Bon. "I'm sorry..."

"It's okay, Bon Bon," said Electric Sky. "Say, we're about to eat lunch. Wanna join us?"

"Sure," said Bon Bon. The six of them started to make their way to a local cafe.

"What was Crystal Prep like?" asked Lyra.

"It was very expensive," said Bon Bon. "I had to wear a uniform there, and some of the students were very competitive."

"How competitive?" asked Lyra.

"It varied from student to student," Bon Bon explained. "Indigo Zap was probably the worst of the bunch."

"What do you mean?" asked Lyra. "If students are competing to be the best at what they do, isn't that a good thing?"

"There is friendly competition, yes," said Bon Bon, "but if taken too far, it can be a problem. Some of the students have begun to one-up each other in the likes of soccer, tennis and golf and friendships have turned bitter."

"That's harsh," said Lyra.

"I wish Crystal Prep could have gotten more friendly faces," sighed Bon Bon. "That's part of the reason why I came here. I heard a fair amount of people from Canterlot High would be here."

"Well, stick with us, Bon Bon," said Lyra. "We're going to have a lot of fun."

The six of them eventually reached the cafe.

"Table for six, please," said Rare Find to the waitress.

"Of course," she nodded, and led them to a table. "New member of your group?"

"Yep," Bon Bon smiled. "I'm from the city."

"It's a pleasure to have you here," said the waitress. "What can I get you lot today?"

"Well, I think we'll order our drinks to start with," said Rare Find. "I'll get a lemonade."

"I'll get a Fanta," said Electric Sky.

"Mine will be a Pepsi," said Neon Lights.

"I'll order a cream soda," said Cayenne.

"I think I'll get a cream soda too," said Bon Bon.

"And I'll get a Coke," Lyra finished.

"Okay then," said the waitress. "I'll be back with the drinks and you guys can choose your lunches."

"What's your dad like?" asked Bon Bon.

"Oh, he works very hard to bring in a good income," said Neon Lights.

"He really had to up his schedule since mother died," added Electric Sky, "but he always makes time for his kids."

"That sounds like tough times," sighed Bon Bon. "My mom died shortly after getting cancer."

"When was that?" asked Lyra.

"Not long before Twist started school," Bon Bon told them.

"It's awful to lose a family member," said Cayenne.

"Here are all your drinks, everyone," said the waitress, putting them down.

"Thanks," said Neon Lights.

"Not a problem," said the waitress. "Now, what food can I get for you for lunch?"

"I think I'll get the toasted ham, cheese and tomato," said Electric Sky.

"I'll get a bacon and egg toasted sandwich," said Rare Find.

"I'll get the bacon, lettuce and tomato," Cayenne said next.

"I'll get the chicken, avocado and tomato," said Neon Lights.

"I think I'll get the chicken, cheese and tomato," said Bon Bon.

"Ooh, I'll get that too," said Lyra. Bon Bon looked at her with surprise; did Lyra have the same sandwich preference as she? She stared at Lyra with bright eyes, seemingly forgetting the rest of her siblings and where they were for a moment.

Could I be falling in love? Bon Bon wondered.

After everyone had their meals, they went up to pay at the desk. But Lyra looked worried when she fiddled around in her bag.

"Oh, fiddle," she sighed. "I don't have my wallet with me. I must've left it at home."

"Oh dear," said Bon Bon, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I have extra money. I'll pay for you."

Lyra smiled warmly at Bon Bon and hugged her. "Thank you. That's so kind of you."

"You're welcome," replied Bon Bon. Little did Bon Bon realize, was that Lyra was taking this idea to heart.

"Hmm... she could be useful to have around," Lyra said to herself.

Soon, it was the weekend. Cayenne, Electric Sky, Lyra and Bon Bon were all on a shopping spree together.

"It's nice to get some girl time together," said Electric Sky. "Rare Find and Neon Lights said they were on dates with their girlfriends."

"Who are they again?" asked Bon Bon.

"Rare Find is with Juniper Montage, and Neon Lights is with Vinyl Scratch," said Cayenne.

"Makes sense to me," said Bon Bon. "Is your eldest brother with anyone?"

"He's dating this girl named Emily Tempest," said Cayenne.

"But we don't see her around very much," added Lyra quickly.

"Why not?" asked Bon Bon, surprised by Lyra's sudden reply.

"She... often works," Lyra replied. "Very dedicated to her job."

"Oh, I see," said Bon Bon, deciding not to push the subject any further. "Do any of you three have partners?"

"Well, I am seeing Blueblood right now," said Cayenne. "He's Emily Tempest's brother."

"And I'm seeing a guy named Ponet," added Electric Sky.

"Ponet?" asked Bon Bon.

"Yeah," Electric Sky nodded. "Do you know him?"

"Well, I do know he often paints some pictures in his spare time," said Bon Bon. "But we've only met once or twice."

"Oh," said Electric Sky.

"I'm not seeing anyone at the moment," Lyra said. Cayenne and Electric Sky raised eyebrows, but Bon Bon didn't notice.

"You're not?" Bon Bon said in excitement, but cleared her throat. "Well, I'm sure someone will like you."

"Hopefully," said Lyra. "Though most of the people I meet make fun of the way I think. Apparently, they think I'm just a stupid airhead."

"I don't think you are," said Bon Bon. "You're a lot of fun to be around."

"You really mean it?" asked Lyra happily.

"I sure do," said Bon Bon, giving her a hug. Lyra couldn't help by squee as she embraced her new friend. Cayenne and Electric Sky then looked worried at each other.

"Lyra's still seeing Noteworthy," whispered Cayenne.

"So why is she pretending she isn't?" asked Electric Sky.

"I dunno," Cayenne shrugged, "Maybe... she's trying to see how many lovers she can have at once."

"How do you think Bon Bon will react if she finds out about Noteworthy?" Electric Sky asked.

"Probably about as well as that express engine - Gerald or whatever his name is - from that talking train show being forced to take a goods train," Cayenne replied. The two sisters hoped they could talk some sense into Lyra before it was too late. They decided to wait until later to talk.

Soon, the girls went to go and pay for the things that they wanted from the shop.

"Ah, geez," sighed Lyra, feeling around in her purse. "I left my wallet at home by mistake."

"Oh my," said Bon Bon. "It's okay, I'll cover for you." Lyra smiled as Bon Bon covered her purchase.

Perfect, Lyra thought. Now I can use my money for something even better.

Soon, it was time to go home.

"See you, Bon Bon," said Lyra, hugging her. "Please come again on our next trip."

"I will Lyra," said Bon Bon. "Pleasant dreams."

The three sisters started to head back to their houses they were staying in for their time at university. Cayenne and Electric Sky were currently staying at a house with their boyfriends, while Lyra was in a house with Rare Find, Juniper and Vignette.

Now that the three were alone, Cayenne and Electric Sky saw their chance for a chat.

"Lyra?" Electric Sky spoke up. "We want a word with you."

"Sure," said Lyra. "What's up?"

"It's about your new friend Bon Bon," said Cayenne. "You've been lying to her."

"First you told her you were still single," said Electric Sky. "But you're not. You've been with Noteworthy for years. Next, you made Bon Bon pay for your stuff."

"I told you," Lyra insisted, "I forgot my wallet." But just as the girls were heading to their car, something fell out of Lyra's bag.

"O-oh, look," Lyra giggled sheepishly. "I had it there all along."

But her sisters weren't buying it.

"You lied to Bon Bon," insisted Electric Sky. "You only pretended to lose your wallet just so you could get her to pay for your stuff."

"Hey, we all lie to Comet Tail all the time," said Lyra. "Who's to say we can't do it to other people too?"

"Mother would be rolling in her grave right about now!" argued Cayenne. "She told us for years that lying was wrong."

"If you know using Bon Bon like this is wrong," Electric Sky added, "then why are you doing this?"

"I have to!" snapped Lyra. "As dad always says, success isn't free. You have to do whatever it takes to make your way to the top, even if it means betraying those around you to get there. And father knows best!"

The girls all drove off. Cayenne and Electric Sky had started questioning their father's logic ever since the spat argument that the latter and Lyra had with Twilight and her friends from Canterlot Elementary back in 2011.

"Dad's logic has messed her up more than any of us realized," said Electric Sky.

"I know," said Cayenne. "She always was a daddy's girl. I guess Comet and Shooting Star didn't fall for father's traps because Comet never got to interact with him and Shooting Star always chose to hang around our mother."

"Maybe we'd have been better if we'd hung around mom instead," Electric Sky suggested. "Think maybe we'd have avoided being so mean?"

"The world may never know," sighed Cayenne. "I just hope Lyra sees sense and stops acting like father before it gets her in serious trouble."

2015

But as the months wore on, Lyra's behavior just got worse and worse. It all culminated on one spring afternoon, weeks before the arrest of Top Marks. Bon Bon was just out getting some groceries with her housemates while she was in college; Autumn Blaze, a very talented singer and Ringo, who was Flash Sentry's bass player.

"Got any plans tonight, Bons?" Autumn Blaze asked.

"Oh, I may see Lyra again this week," said Bon Bon. "She's been busy with her college stuff."

Ringo was quiet for a moment, remembering back to his talks with Flash over what Lyra was like.

"Well, I hope you two have some fun," said Autumn. Ringo was just picking up a packet of biscuits to add to the trolley, when something caught his eye.

"Something up, Ringo?" asked Autumn Blaze.

"Well, yeah." He gestured to a nearby window showing a cafe. Just at the table outside, he spotted Lyra with a blue haired boy just her age.

"Isn't that Lyra Heartstrings and her boyfriend Noteworthy?"

Bon Bon was shocked. "What?! She told me she wasn't seeing anyone."

"Guess she was lying through her teeth," sighed Autumn Blaze. Bon Bon's face turned red as Knuckles the Echidna.

"She lied to me!" she roared furiously. "I'll kill her!"

Before Ringo or Autumn could do anything to stop her, Bon Bon had raced out of the grocery store, leaving what she was about to purchase behind.

"Uh oh..." Ringo sighed. "This can't end well."

At the cafe, Lyra and Noteworthy were having a chat when...

"LYRA HEARTSTRIIIIINGS!"

Lyra nearly spilled her drink on herself as she jumped up.

"Bon Bon?" she asked, looking at her with a fake puzzled expression. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

Bon Bon's face was red with fury, and some onlookers were envisioning steam coming out of her ears.

"You told me you were single," Bon Bon gritted through her teeth before looking towards Noteworthy. "But then I get word from one of my roommates that this pathetic waste is actually your boyfriend!"

"Uh..." Lyra was very shaken.

"You were cheating on me?!" snapped Noteworthy. He cared less about the fact that Bon Bon had called him a pathetic waste and that he too had lied to Coco Pommel a few years back about going to the Fall Formal with her.

But regardless of the situation, Lyra gulped. She was in big trouble now.

"N-now, now," she insisted. "I-I can explain..."

"Explain this!" cried Noteworthy, splashing his drink on Lyra in disgust. "I'm going home!"

With that, he stormed off, leaving Lyra to deal with the angry Bon Bon on her own.

"For the time we've known each other," Bon Bon began, "I thought you were my friend. I trusted you. Yet I find out all this time what you're really like; not only using me to get to better places, but I find out you have a boyfriend when you tell me your single! The rest of your family may tolerate your obnoxious behavior, but I'm not afraid to say what should be said!" She got right up in her face in anger. "Lyra Heartstrings, you are a selfish, inconsiderate, spoiled rotten BRAT!"

Bon Bon was so angry that she punched Lyra across the way and she hit one of the walls of the cafe.

"And I never want to see you again!"

With that, she stormed off in pure fury.

When Lyra got back up, she felt her face for any serious damages. Not only had she gotten a black eye, but her nose was even bleeding.

"I'm gonna tell my father on you!" she shouted to Bon Bon in a rather bratty way. "He'll take you to court, and then you'll be sorry!"

"I bet her father is as bad as her," Bon Bon muttered as she went back to her roommates.

"Whoa..." Autumn Blaze gasped. "You actually clocked her one."

"That's one way of putting it," said Bon Bon. "She's as bad as that one sim from Pleasantview, Don Lothario."

"That's not even the worst thing she did," added Ringo. And he told Bon Bon all about the Comet Tail situation.

"Oh, that's just cruel!" snapped Bon Bon. "Everyone should love their siblings. I love my little sister Twist."

"Top Marks convinced her that since Comet Tail wasn't of his blood," added Autumn, "he wasn't important to them."

"That's one thing I hate about the upper class," said Ringo. "They're rude to those who are different just so they can feel superior about themselves. Even to those like myself."

"Fair play, Ringo," said Autumn. "Didn't you mention that Principal McCracken and Vice Principal Faust are key examples of people who are rich but very kind and loving?"

"True."

"Is there anyone who makes him feel like family?" asked Bon Bon.

"Apart from his brother Shooting Star," said Ringo, "there's this sweet girl named Song Cue who's in love with him."

"Aww, that's sweet," said Bon Bon, before sighing. "I thought I was in love with Lyra, but I was so... blind..."

"Love can sometimes be a fickle thing," sighed Autumn Blaze. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find the right one someday."

Bon Bon felt a happy tear prick her eye as she hugged her friend. "Thank you, Autumn."

"You're welcome," Autumn Blaze smiled, returning the hug.

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

"Man, that Lyra is more of a creep than I thought," said Sunset.

"I still can't believe I had let her trick me that way," said Bon Bon.

"Top Marks didn't sue you for hurting her, did he?" Sunset asked.

"Actually, my dad came down from the city and he lectured Lyra and Top Marks on being spoiled," said Bon Bon.

"But sadly, they haven't changed their ways," said Sunset. "Not with Top Marks in prison and Lyra dying unloved."

"Her dad is in prison?" gasped Bon Bon. "Really? I didn't know that!"

"One of my friends' dad is a cop, and so is her brother," explained Sunset. "They wouldn't give up on Top Marks' child neglect case and finally got him arrested."

"That's wonderful," smiled Bon Bon. "Bless them." She then sighed, "I know there is a woman somewhere worth my love. But I haven't found the right one yet."

"I'm sure you will find somebody," said Sunset, giving her a comforting hug.

"Thank you," said Bon Bon. "I'm glad you're accepting of me being a lesbian. Not everyone is."

"I'm friends with some gay and lesbian people myself," said Sunset. "My boyfriend has lesbian aunts."

"That's really cool," said Bon Bon. "You also mentioned you had a boyfriend. I guess that means you're straight?"

"Not exactly," Sunset admitted.

Bon Bon gave her an understanding and calm gaze. "You're... bisexual?"

"I was never open about it," admitted Sunset. "I always worried what would happen if Vincent were to find out."

"Sunset," said Bon Bon, "if someone truly loves you, they wouldn't mind if you're straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans or anything like that."

"I guess you're right," said Sunset. "I should be honest with him, and be honest with myself."

"Well, I'm sure we'll both figure things out for ourselves," said Bon Bon. "Thank you for spending time with me."

"Not a problem, Bon Bon," smiled Sunset.

Both women left the cafe feeling refreshed. If Bon Bon could be open about how she felt about women and try to find someone to be in a relationship with, Sunset felt she could be open about her true feelings of her own sexuality.

FOOTNOTES

Cayenne's interest in cooking and Asian food foreshadows Comet's real dad. The relationship between Coriander and Cayenne improved after Lyra was killed.

Spoiler alert for a later chapter; Bon Bon is going to be paired with Blossomforth. Sandbar/Blossomforth seemed too last minute back in Silly Love Songsand we also believed that Sandbar and Yona would be much better for each other.

Don Lothario is a character from the computer game The Sims 2from the neighborhood Pleasantview. He has four lovers at once and even engaged to one of them at the beginning of the game.

Bon Bon and Twist are sisters due to the fact that they both have candy related cutie marks and (as ponies) they have similar colored coats and mane and tails.

Comet's siblings are aware that he's interested in Thomas the Tank Engine, but they only hear bits and pieces of it. They don't get into the know about it until after Lyra was killed.