Chapter 4:
Trouble At Sweet Griffon Apple Acres
Quickly running across the desert, Skybeak and his daughter Silverstream were running at high speed to make it. When they were close enough, Skybeak tries to get his daughter to slow down. She was young, had an adventurous spirit, and always wanted to be the best at everything.
"Whoa! Whoa! Dagnabit, Silverstream, slow down!" Skybeak shouted, but Silverstream didn't slow down. She just kept on running as she jumped over a fallen tree with her father following behind her. The two Hippogriffs kept making their way to their destination.
Back at Sweet Griffon Apple Acres, Gallus used his tail to grab a ball and asked, "Okay, who's up for a game of Ball tag?".
"Hey! That ball is part of my collection," Grampa Gruff said.
"Whoever wins this game will get a free trick. Ok?" Gallus said.
Smolder and Ocellus walked over to the fence to keep an eye on them. But as Gallus held the ball perfectly in his tail, something came jumping over the fence and knocked the ball into the air. They all watched as Silverstream arrogantly said, "Superstar comin' through!".
The ball soars through the air before hitting the windmill. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all stood on their hind legs and lifted their front foot into the air as they said in unison, "Awesome!".
"No autographs, please," Silverstream said, acting like a hotshot.
"I got your autograph, girl! Ow!" Grampa Gruff commented as the ball fell on his head.
"Hey, guys, who's the hotshot Hippogriff?" Gallus asked, not really liking Silverstream's attitude and whatnot.
"Oh, that's Silverstream. She always comes and running acting like a champion," Ocellus replied.
"Pfffft, if you ask me. She's more like a showoff than a champion," Smolder scoffed as she rolled her eyes. Silverstream was never humble in her actions.
Silverstream kept running through the Sweet Griffon Apple Acres grounds as Skybeak shouted, "Oh! Whoa! Whoa! Dagnabit, Silverstream!".
Silverstream came sliding to a halt behind Pearl as she gathered carrots from the garden. Pearl looked a bit surprised when she turned to Silverstream.
"Well, howdy there Silverstream. Getting away from your father again?" Pearl asked with a chuckle.
"Hi, Aunt Pearl. It's so good to see you again," Silverstream said, hugging her aunt.
"Boy, Silverstream, you gotta slow down this ain't no rodeo," Skybeak said as he finally caught up to Silverstream and Silverstream rolled her eyes.
Pearl chuckled some more and said, "Howdy, Skybeak I see you have let your daughter get away from you again,".
"Oh, uh, howdy Pearl. Silverstream and I just came by to give you another bank notice," Skybeak said, dusting himself and reaching into his saddlebag.
Pearl sighed for she has been receiving these bank notices for a while. Though he assured her, Skybeak didn't look too happy as he said, "This might be the last,".
"Skybeak, you know that every time I get a weak harvest, they send me on these notices. They'll get their money soon enough," Pearl said as she pulled up another carrot.
Gallus, Smolder, Ocellus, and everybody else came around as Skybeak said, "It's a whole new shootin' match now, Pearl. The bank callin' in everybody's debt. They're losing money something fierce with all the Griffon owners goin' under,".
Everyone looked worried even Gallus wasn't liking the sound of that either. Skybeak then added warning Pearl, "I'm tellin' you. If they don't get their money in three days, they're gonna auction off the shelter,".
"What?" Pearl asked as she took the envelope and couldn't believe what she was hearing.
All the griffons looked really worried as Smolder shook her head and said "No,".
"But they can't take my place. I've been here through blizzards, twisters," Pearl protested, then with a shake of her head, she said, "Skybeak. Skybeak, this is my home,".
"I'm sorry, Pearl. I'm truly sorry," Skybeak said, feeling sorry about his sister losing her home.
"Yeah, well sorry just ain't gonna save my home," Pearl said, sounding really sad as she hugged the notice. This was a bad blow, and just saying kind words was not going to help.
Like that, Skybeak and Silverstream got moving to the gates as Smolder looked at Silverstream and said sarcastically, "Well, Silverstream, I hope you're proud of yourself,".
"As a matter of fact, I am. Thanks for checking," Silverstream said with a nod of her head.
Pearl looked at the bank notice and felt as if she were in a rough spot. Before he and Silverstream left, Skybeak stopped and said to Pearl, "Listen, Pearl, I may not help much but I'll say this. You've got one of the best places of all the west and I know you'll find a way to save this place,".
"Thanks, Skybeak. I know I will save my property. And I won't rest until I do," Pearl said with her voice filled with confidence.
"That's the spirit. Come on, Silverstream," Skybeak said as he and Silverstream ran across the country again.
