> Silverstream and the Zeppelin Cruise Conundrum
>  by Harasha the Gryphon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A Cruise for a Sad Griff
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

chapter 1 day 0 prologue 

Silverstream was staring out into the abyss during lunch one day. A sullen look adorned her face as she took a bite out of the hayburger she had ordered. 

“Hey Silver.” Smolder's voice broke her out of her reverie.

“Oh, hi Smolder.” Silverstream turned to stare at her burger.

She heard Smolder sigh, “What's wrong Silver? I've never seen you so sad before.”

“It's nothing Smolder, everything's fine, I'm just having lunch.” Silverstream took a huge bite of her burger.

Smolder slapped the burger out of her talon. “Damn it Silverstream, let me help you! I'm your friend and all that jazz. For buck's sake tell me what's wrong.”

Silverstream felt tears well up in her eyes. “I'm lonely Smolder!”

“How can you be lonely, you see me every day?” Smolder cocked an eyebrow.

“You don't understand Smolder.” Tears started to streak down Silverstream's face.

Smolder grabbed Silverstream by the shoulders, “then make me understand.”

“Yona has Sandbar. Ocellus has Gallus but I don't have anypony! What if I spend the rest of my life alone and unloved?!” Silverstream started crying into Smolder's shoulder.

Smolder patted Silverstream's back, “You'll find somepony Silverstream. You're such an outstanding person I can't think of a luckier person to be your special somepony.”

It took a few minutes before Silverstream was comfortable enough break from Smolder's embrace. “Smolder, there's like three ponies tops in all of Ponyville that's single.”

Smolder cocked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? There are lots of stallions...” Smolder stopped herself. “Oh, I forgot lesbian.” She brought a claw up to her snout. “Eh, I see what you're talking about.”

Silverstream grabbed Smolder, “what am I gonna do Smolder!”

“You'll always have me Silver,” Smolder grinned.

Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. “Are you asking me on a date?”

Smolder blushed. “What? No! I'm straight.”

“Oh,” Silverstream frowned. 

“Look Silver. I might not be attracted to you but maybe your friends can help you find somepony. I can always ask around the dragonlands to see if there are any gay dragons around.”

Silverstream's eyes went wide. “I got it, why didn't I think of this sooner? Thanks Smolder.” She hugged Smolder tight and flew off.

------
Later that evening Silverstream sat in her room quill and inkpot in hand. There was a blank sheet of paper sprawled out in front of her.

“Well, here goes nothing. Seriously why didn't I think about asking my penpal if she's interested in a date sooner.”

Silverstream dipped her pen in the ink well and started writing.  Dear Misty feather. It's me Silverstream and I'm having a bit of a problem. All of my friends are finding love among themselves but I'm completely alone. It's a lot to ask but would you like to go out with me? I know you live far away, but I'm willing to journey there if you say yes. Please respond to my letter as soon as you're capable, with many hugs Silverstream. 

Silverstream reached into a drawer and pulled out a golden coin and some red ribbon. She prepared the letter and set it on fire with a nearby candle. With a poof of smoke the entire letter vanished as if it were ignited by Spike's dragon breath. Silverstream extinguished the candle before going to bed. All she could hope for now was to wait and see if Misty feather said yes. Silverstream thought back to last year when Gallus met the kirin Wildfire and the ensuing chaos that resulted from Gallus changing sex for a whole week. 

Silverstream stared up at the ceiling. Part of her had hoped Gallus would be stuck as a woman forever but it wasn't to be. It was a bit of a shame though, female Gallus was super hot especially in that red bikini he bought. Then again, even if Gallus was stuck, he wouldn't go out with her; he only had eyes for Ocellus these days. Eventually, Gallus gave her the mail medallion Wildfire gave him. She used the medallion to write Wildfire's hippogryph friend Misty feather. Misty feather, ever since she started writing her they had developed a reasonably close relationship. Silverstream had never seen Misty's face before but she always imagined Misty to have green feathers and a long flowing yellow mane. The image lingered in her mind. She imagined her entering her room with a smile on her face.

“Good evening Silverstream, I came all the way from my home just to see you. I received your letter and yes I want to start going out with you.” The imaginary Misty grinned. Silverstream's imaginary self grinned back as her real talon made it's way down to her real pussy. In her mind's eye, it wasn't long before Misty had begun nuzzling and kissing her. Silverstream couldn't prevent herself from rubbing her real pussy with extreme fervor.

“I want to be yours forever Silverstream.” The dream Misty said as Silverstream's furious masturbation continued. It wasn't long before Silverstream was picturing Misty rubbing her green horse pussy against her pink horse pussy. The two rubbed against each other furiously until both of them came simultaneously. Once that happened the scenario repeated itself in Silverstream's mind again and again. The erotic fantasy picked up even further as female Gallus entered her mind along with Misty. Eventually, the thoughts were too much, and Silverstream climaxed. She sprayed her bed and talon with her feminine juices.

“Oh I totally needed that.” Silverstream panted. She looked down at her cum soaked claw and sheets and pulled out a bottle with liquid. With a pop, she uncorked the bottle and dribbled it's contents all over her hand and bed sheets. The liquid evaporated leaving everything perfectly clean. Silverstream placed her head on the pillow and finally fell into a confused slumber.

The next morning, Silverstream woke up with a yawn and a stretch. After she got out of bed, her eyes fell on her desk. A rolled up scroll had appeared during the night. Silverstream grinned and rushed over to unroll it. Her head feathers twitched at the sound of a metallic object hitting her chair as she opened the scroll. She looked down at the unusual object and picked it up off her chair. The object was a pendant shaped like a black heart. Silverstream felt her heart soar, maybe Misty was interested in her. She set the pendant on her desk and read the letter.

 To my friend Silverstream. While I can empathize with your pain, I must decline your offer for a date. Despite my eyes being for both genders I fear an intimate relationship would only end in heartbreak for both of us. Don't be too disappointed, I want to help and I think I have something solve your problem. Enclosed in this letter is a magical love amulet. It has the power to draw your one genuine love towards you. To activate the amulet simply say “I wish to find true love” while wearing the amulet and it'll do the rest. You'll need to keep the amulet close to you, but it's unnecessary for you to wear it at all times. I wish you luck in your search for somepony to love you, yours truly Misty hoof. 

Silverstream frowned, all that buildup and Misty's not interested. She sighed, it was a bit of a longshot but she had to try. As Silverstream set down the scroll she remembered the amulet that Misty sent her. Silverstream looked over the amulet. A true love amulet was she truly so desperate for love that she'd use magic. She stowed the amulet away in her desk drawer, she was lonely but not that desperate. Silverstream put on her pearl fragment and left her bedroom. Once out in the hallway she saw Gallus preening a teal gryphoness.

“I love it when you preen me Gallus.” the gryphoness said in Ocellus's voice

Gallus smiled, “I just love giving my favorite changeling the attention she deserves.” Gallus resumed preening the teal gryphoness. Silverstream almost screeched at the sight.

“That bucking does it.” She muttered under her breath and bolted for her dorm room. Once there she put on the amulet, “I wish to find true love,” she enunciated. Silverstream stood in silence for several minutes, “I don't feel any different.” She sighed, “Maybe the amulet doesn't work.” a thunderous knock at her door broke her from her thoughts, “come in.”

The door swung ajar to reveal Smolder, “heya Silver. You feel any better today.”

“Not really...” Silverstream skimmed the ground with her talon.

Smolder smiled, “figured as much. I've got a surprise for you.”

Silverstream perked up, “really? What is it?”

“Ta da.” Smolder closed her eyes and grinned as she held up a pair of tickets.

Silverstream cocked an eyebrow, “What are those for?” Smolder handed Silverstream one of the tickets. “Admit one for the Mt Aris relaxation cruise. Come join us for relaxation and fun as we journey to the paradise of the hippogryph kingdom in one of Canterlot's finest zeppelins. Place of departure Ponyville airdock.” Silverstream gasped. “You bought me a cruise ticket?”

Smolder nodded, “yep, the zeppelin arrives tomorrow. I also got headmare Starlight to dismiss us from class.”

“Us?” Silverstream tilted her head.

Smolder chuckled. “I'm coming to Silver, you think I'd miss out on hanging with one of my friends on a luxury zeppelin?”

Silverstream roped Smolder into a hug. “Oh thank you Smolder, you're the best.”

Smolder returned the hug, “you're welcome Silverstream. Just remember the airship leaves tomorrow afternoon, don't be late.” Smolder left Silverstream alone who promptly attended class. Eagerly awaiting tomorrow to arrive.
> Getting to Know a Bunkmate
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream looked out a window to at the numerous skyscraper sized huts being erected outside. She had only just arrived at the Ponyville airship docks a few hours ago.

“Hey Silver, you're here.” Smolder waved to Silverstream. She noticed Smolder was wearing a fairly basic brown leather backpack on her back. “You remember to bring everything?

Silverstream Looked over at her own pink suitcase, “Yep, I'm all set for our trip. I really gotta thank you for doing this for me Smolder.”

“Yeah,” Smolder rubbed the back of her head. “Anything to get you happy again.” 

Silverstream returned to looking out the window followed by Smolder. As the two of them gazed out of the window, she looked to her left to see the stern of an airship.

“Is that the ship?”

Smolder nodded. “Yep, that's it.”

The two of them continued looking out of the window until an intercom announced, “the zeppelin bound for Mt Aris will be boarding soon. Please enter the ship in an orderly fashion.” As soon as the intercom announced this, several other ponies in the room made their way out through a door at the far end of the room.

“That's our que Silver.” Smolder waved and followed those ponies. It didn't take long for Silverstream to catch up to Smolder. Once through the door she marveled at the sight of the airship moored to the dock outside. The ship was outside moored to a half circle shaped dock attached to the airship docks. “Come on Silver; you can gawk later.” Smolder called from a line of ponies in front of a ramp leading to the airship. Silverstream sighed and went to join the line. One pony at a time they moved up the line until they were directly in front of the ramp.

“Ticket's ladies.” a stallion wearing a blue uniform spoke up next to them.

“Here's mine.” Smolder handed him her ticket.

“And mine,” Silverstream provided him her ticket with a grin.

The stallion nodded and punched holes in their tickets. “Ok, can I get your names for the manifest?” The stallion levitated a clipboard in front of him.

“I'm Smolder and this is Silverstream,” Silverstream grinned and waved.

The stallion nodded and scribbled something on his clipboard. “Ok then welcome aboard, here's the keys to your room. Hope you enjoy the cruise ladies.” He used his unicorn magic to levitate two keys into the claws of Smolder and Silverstream.

"Thank you." Silverstream grinned as she joined Smolder going up the ramp. With a whir, the ramp that the two of them had gone up withdrew into the ship. The sound of more machines whirring prompted Silverstream to rush over to the side of the ship. She watched with starry eyes as several metallic clamps released the ship and it started to drift higher and higher into the air.

“Come on Silver; we should get our bags to our room.” Smolder talking broke Silverstream out of her curiosity.

Smolder led Silverstream through the seemingly endless corridors of the ship. Eventually, the pair found themselves in a hallway in front of a door with the number three hundred and forty-nine plastered above it. 

“Here's our room for the trip.” Smolder put her key in the lock and opened the door. The room was somewhat more spacious than Silverstream's dorm room but not by much. Silverstream saw four bunk beds embedded into the wall. At the far end of the room, she saw a large cabinet. Silverstream and Smolder went into the room only to be interrupted by someone groggily moaning.

“Uggh five more minutes I'm trying to sleep here.” a gruff feminine voice said. Silverstream looked over to the bottom left bunk where the voice originated from. She grinned at the sight of a gryphon with a black feathered head underneath the covers. The groggy gryphon soon managed to wake herself up enough to take in Silverstream and Smolder. “Who the buck are you two and what are you doing in my room?”

“Oh, I'm Silverstream and this is Smolder.” Silverstream motioned over to Smolder.

“Hey.” Smolder stowed her backpack in the cabinet.

The strange gryphon rolled her eyes, “Name's Giselle. Still no explanation why you're in my room?”

“But... This is our room,” Silverstream frowned.

Giselle sighed. “Well, it was nice while it lasted.” She got out of bed to reveal her gray, female gryphon body. “I knew I was gonna have to share these digs at some point.” Giselle took in Smolder and Silverstream. “On the list of potential room mates, though, a dragon and a hippogryph were right down there.”

Silverstream nodded. “Yep. Pretty unusual right?”

Giselle paced around Silverstream. “And what a nice-looking hippogryph you are Silver, can I call ya Silver.”

Silverstream blushed. “Sure of course.” 

Giselle turned to circling Smolder who just cocked an eyebrow. “Did you wash those scales because they're nice and shiny?"

Smolder just rolled her eyes. “Umm maybe.”

Giselle gently caressed Smolder's tail. “I bet you washed your tail though, it's so smooth.”

“You got a nice tail yourself bunkmate.” Silverstream smirked. 

Giselle turned and blushed. “For real?” Silverstream nodded. “Welll, ain't that the thing, I think I'm gonna like you bunkmate.” Giselle grinned.

Smolder just groaned and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, you're gonna get along swell. I'm gonna go look around for something to do see you two around.” Smolder soon departed the room leaving Giselle and Silverstream alone.

“So, I was gonna go check and see if there was a bingo game going on in one of the event halls. Care to tag along?” Giselle smirked and motioned to the door.

Silverstream clapped. “Sure, Sounds like fun.” Silverstream followed Giselle out of the room.

“So, do you really like my tail or are you just winding a girl up?” 

“I genuinely do like your tail Giselle. Do you like mine?” Silverstream smirked.

“Oh you bet I really like yours Silver. So care for me to get you some refreshments when we get to the bingo hall?”

Silverstream swayed her head. “Nah, that won't be necessary. Maybe I could get you some water instead.”

“Yeah, I could use a drink... it's been a looong time since I got a really good drink. There isn't really that much water in Griffinstone.” Giselle chuckled.

“Yeah, watering hole at school has been a bit dry as of late.”

Giselle cocked an eyebrow. “School? Whatcha learning?”

“Extremely advanced friendship studies.”

“The princesses' school, I see; that explains the dragoness. So, how advanced are we talking?”

“The most advanced.”

Giselle's eyes lowered, “so would you like to go back to the room for a quick drink?”

Silverstream seductively smirked. “Yeah I'm plenty thirsty and I could use a delicious drink.”

Both of them stopped as a silence descended over them. However, the silence was broken as both of them bolted back to the room and practically busted down the door. Once there, the pair of them hugged and kissed each other while sensuously feeling each other's bodies up.

“Oh Celestia, it's been so long since I've been touched like that.” Silverstream gazed into Giselle's eyes.

“I know what you mean sister.” Giselle went back to frantically making out with Silverstream. 

Eventually, Silverstream broke from the kiss. “Preen me.”

Giselle grinned and started using her beak to clean the feathers around Silverstream's neck. Silverstream closed her eyes at the stimulation of Giselle's skilled preening work. Giselle moved on to Silverstream's wings and started cleaning her primaries followed closely by her secondaries. Once she had finished cleaning Silverstream's wings top to bottom Giselle stopped. “Your turn, I'm such a dirty girl right now and I could use a thorough cleaning.”

Silverstream looked over the ruffled up feathers of Giselle's neck and started preening them. It was Giselle's turn to close her eyes at the close attention Silverstream was paying her feathers. The two of them preened each other's feathers back and forth for quite a bit before Giselle shoved Silverstream to the floor.

“I think that's enough foreplay.” Giselle turned so that her ass was facing Silverstream's head. Silverstream took a depth look at Giselle's gryphon ass. Much like when she saw Gallus's transformed rump, she had a fur laced pussy with four pronounced teats directly above. She didn't have much time to dwell on the configuration of Giselle's anatomy as she felt Giselle lick at her own sensitive teats. She nearly cried out in pleasure at Giselle's masterful fondling of her mare parts. Silverstream knew she had to return the favor, so she roped Giselle's crotch in closer so she could lick at her teats. The stimulation from Silverstream's actions only encouraged Giselle to lick and lap at Silverstream's teats with greater vigor. 

Giselle eventually stopped briefly before inching herself forward somewhat. Silverstream blushed hard as she felt Giselle caress her feminine folds. Her pussy winked frantically as she felt her first orgasm build. Silverstream squealed as she felt her first orgasm finally hit and presumably spray Giselle's talon with her potent mare cum. Silverstream craned her neck upward and started licking at Giselle's fuzzy pussy. This was all Giselle needed to start licking Silverstream's pussy as well. Silverstream buried her beak deep into Giselle's pussy after she heard her emit a muffled moan. It didn't take too long for Silverstream to get Giselle to her first orgasm; covering her beak in the gryphon's musky jiz. Silverstream still felt plenty of vigor so she went back to licking around inside Giselle's pussy. The pleasure was intense, and Silverstream cherished every moment of it. As Silverstream ate out Giselle she felt her face beginning to vibrate from Giselle purring. The purring only drove Silverstream to not only eat out Giselle harder but touch Giselle's thighs. Once again, Silverstream felt herself cum as she felt Giselle caress her plot. The two of them continued eating each other out for a long time until the constant stream of orgasms finally took its toll on the pair. Once they had both reached their limit, Giselle turned around to face Silverstream.

“You did good.” Giselle grinned.

“You too.” Silverstream fired back. The two nuzzled into each other before dozing off in each other's arms.
> An Earnest Talk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream woke up and was immediately bombarded by the sensation of something soft and warm wrapped around her body. She opened her eyes to discover Giselle's jet black gryphon head directly in front of her. As she took in the sight, her memory of what happened came flooding back. Was she really so pent up that she actually did it with the first gryphoness that came by? Giselle seemed to be an expert in pleasuring another woman, maybe she had lots of conquests under her metaphorical belt. Then again, it could merely be because this was the first avian partner she'd ever had outside her imagination. Silverstream didn't have much time to dwell on the matter as Giselle opened up her eyes. “Mornin sweet cheeks. That was one hell of a ride.”

Silverstream chuckled. “Yeah, best sex I've had in a while.” Giselle released Silverstream from the hug and both of them got up off the floor. Silverstream glanced over to the porthole in the room and saw the sun had long since set for the evening.

“Same here.” Giselle sniffed the air. “Phew we really made one hell of a stink.”

Silverstream took a deep breath and the musky stench of her and Giselle's lust filled her nose. “Yeah, you're right.”

“Don't worry girlfriend. I brought some air freshener it'll come right out.” Giselle walked toward the cabinet in the room and took out an aerosol can with a teal label on it. Before she could spray the air however, Smolder barged into the room.

“Hey Silver, Giselle.” Smolder sniffed the air. “Oh for bucks sake Silver, really? It's only been like three hours.”

“Yeah,” Silverstream nodded. “And it was some of the best I ever had.” 

“First of all eww and second of all you do realize we all gotta share this room right?”

“I know... I'm sorry Smolder.” Silverstream looked down with a frown on her face.

“I'm cool with it Silver, really. It's Giselle you should really be apologizing to.”

Giselle placeed a claw around Silverstream's neck and smirked. “There's nothing to be sorry for Smolds. Sometimes a gal's just gotta let off some steam. It's a good thing I was here to help.” Giselle's eyes narrowed and a smug look adorned her face. 

Smolder cocked an eyebrow. “You're kidding right?” Giselle just fluttered her eyebrows. “Ooookay then. You and Silverstream. Got it.” Smolder nodded emphatically.

“Omigosh.” Silverstream rushed up to Smolder, “Giselle was totally amazing she preened my feathers and oh Celestia it felt good. And then we.” 

Smolder placed her claw on Silverstream's beak. “Silver, I don't mind most of your rambles about the cool things you do or learn about. But I draw the line at the details of your sex life. Besides,” Smolder yawned. “It's practically nightfall I'm going to bed.”

“Wait before you go to bed. I wanna ask a favor of you,” Silverstream smiled. 

“If it involves sex than the answer is no.” Smolder flailed her arms and shook her head.

“Ohhooh don't give a girl ideas,” Giselle butted in only for Smolder to groan and roll her eyes.

Silverstream meanwhile opened her suitcase and pulled out a blank sheet of paper, ink, and a quill. “I need to write my penpal and would like you to use your dragon fire.”

Smolder nodded. “Ah, ok, I can do that.”

Giselle tilted her head. “So... What's all this about dragon fire and letters?”

“Silverstream has a penpal, and they write to each other with magical mail.”

"Still kinda confused about the whole dragon fire bit."

Smolder grinned, "you'll see in a moment."

Giselle nodded.

Smolder groaned. “Look, do you mind if I do something about the smell while Silver's writing?”

Giselle held up her air freshener. “I was gonna spruce the air up with some air freshener before you came in.”

“No need,” Smolder inhaled and expelled a massive amount of smoke into the air.

Silverstream chuckled at Giselle coughing and started composing her letter.  Dear Misty hoof, Smolder surprised me yesterday with two tickets to go on a zeppelin cruise to Mt Aris. I'm so happy to have her as a friend and that's not the only good news. I met a gryphoness named Giselle and we had the most amazing sex I've ever had in my life. I think your amulet is working maybe one day me and her will get married. Anyways, thanks for the amulet Misty I owe you one. Yours with lots of hugs Silverstream. 

“I'm finished.” Silverstream prepared the letter to be sent. “You can send it now,” She held the letter aloft and Smolder used her fire breath to burn it.

Giselle merely stared wide eyed, "Now that's cool."

“Well, I'm turning in for the night girls. See ya in the morning.” Smolder flew over to the bottom right bunk and got into bed. 

Giselle smiled. “That power nap we took has got me all energized and I could use a shower, wanna come?”

Silverstream nodded and followed Giselle to the women's shower area at the end of the corridor. After the shower, Silverstream returned to the room and went to sleep in the bunk above Smolder. Silverstream awoke the next morning to discover a scroll had materialized on her barrel as she slept. She opened the scroll up and read its contents.

 To my friend Silverstream. I'm delighted I could be of assistance in your search for a romantic partner. I feel I should warn you though that the magic of the amulet is imprecise. Therefore, it's entirely possible that you and Giselle just shared carnal lust for each other instead of genuine love. I urge you to try to get to know this Giselle better before you commit to her. That said, I feel you'll likely meet the love of your life on this zeppelin trip. A trip like this is primed a cruise like that is for a romantic situation to blossom. It warms my heart to hear you're at least alleviating your desire for sexual companionship. I've been under a considerable amount of stress lately. I finally sought out something I lost several years ago but a complication arose in its acquisition. I wish you luck on your pursuit of true love, yours truly Misty feather. 

Silverstream put the letter down and got out of the bunk. She made her way through the ship until she was on the top deck. Silverstream gazed out at the horizon. How could it not be Giselle? The sex was so great yesterday. Then again, eating another girl's pussy isn't the best way for somepony to truly get to know somepony else. Silverstream and Giselle have never really talked to each other at all. For all she knew Giselle was secretly some kind of asshole.

“You're up early.” Silverstream turned to see Giselle standing next to her. 

“Oh, hi Giselle.” She returned to looking out over the landscape below. Everywhere Silverstream looked she saw baked red mountains and hills.

“What's up?”

“Oh. I've just got some things on my mind.”

“What kind of things?” Giselle joined Silverstream in looking out over the railing.

“You see Giselle. Umm I.” Silverstream scratched the back of her head.

“Come on, spit it out.”

Silverstream sighed. “Smolder bought me these cruise tickets to try and get away from my problems back in school. Giselle... most of my friends have special someponys and I don't.” She frowned.

Giselle cocked an eyebrow. “And?”

Silverstream grimaced, “And? What do you mean and? What if I don't ever get a special somepony what if I spend the rest of my life alone?”

“Hey Silver.” Giselle wrapped a claw around Silverstream's back. “Ain't nothing wrong with being single at your age. You've got plenty of time to find someone, besides do you really wanna settle down with someone so early?”

Silverstream cocked her eyebrow, “Huh?”

“Yeah you're like twentysomething.”

“Twenty-two.” Silverstream corrected.

“Yeah, I'm twenty-nine and still single. There's plenty of fun to be had, and I don't see the need to

commit to anypony in particular.”

“But.. haven't you ever thought it would be better to have somepony all to yourself? To greet you when you came home after a long day of work? To love and cherish you no matter what?”

Giselle merely stared and sighed. “Yeah... honest confession time... I get kinda lonely living alone in Griffinstone. It might be nice to have someone to say hello to when I got home after a long tour. Then again I like being free to soar the sky and do whatever I want without a ball and chain to hold me down.”

Silverstream smiled. “I can understand that feeling. I spent most of my childhood hiding underwater and now that I'm free, well. I don't ever wanna be held down again.”

Giselle chuckled, “a girl after my own heart. I wouldn't mind having a girl like you as a ball and chain.”

“Aww thanks Giselle,” Silverstream smiled and blushed.

“Hey Silver do you like flying?” Giselle smirked.

“Do I ever!” Silverstream nodded empathically.

“In that case, the ship is gonna stop by Ram's head rock in a few hours. Wanna go flying with me once we get there?”

“Sure, that sounds like lots of fun!” Silverstream bounced up and down.
> Flying High and Low
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several hours had passed since Giselle and Silverstream ate talked with each other. The zeppelin had docked itself at Ram's rock hill. Giselle and Silverstream had flown off into the remoter reaches of the Macintosh hills until they came upon a fairly secluded area surrounded by mountain peaks.

Giselle grinned, “You ready to fly Silver?”

Silverstream nodded, “you bet.”

“Let's start off easy.” Giselle crouched down. “With a barrel roll.” Giselle shot up into the air and twirled three hundred and sixty degrees before landing back on the ground with a thud. “Can you do that?”

“Technically that was an aileron roll.” Silverstream shot up into the air and twirled just like Giselle had. “And yes I can.”

“Tch, try this.” Giselle once again leaped up into the air and spun around like she did previously. However this time she did several loop de loops before landing on a drifting cloud. “Top that.”

Silverstream crouched down and flew high up. She flew straight downward spinning three hundred sixty degrees before pulling up into a series of loop de loops. As she ascended, she also did a spinning loop de loop before landing on a cloud next to Giselle. “Consider yourself topped.”

“Try this on for size.” Giselle left the cloud and did several spinning zig zags before returning to her cloud.

Silverstream followed behind and flew in a zig zag pattern as well, however before she landed she flew straight through a cloudbank to release a spray of water. When she landed on her cloud a rainbow followed behind her. “How's that?”

“Pretty cool, but can you do this?” Giselle leaped up into the air and flew around an axis before diving towards the ground and doing several loop de loops back up. Towards the end of her flight, she spun around and created a small whirlwind. She kicked this vortex into some nearby clouds as if they were bowling pins. Silverstream jumped off the cloud and mimicked Giselle's movements. However, when she tried to produce a whirlwind, she couldn't manage it.

Giselle nodded, “not bad, not bad. Tricks are one thing but let's see how fast you are. Race ya to that waterfall over there.” Giselle pointed to a waterfall emanating from a far-off mountain. Silverstream nodded and took a position next to Giselle. “Ready,” Both Silverstream and Giselle crouched. “Set,” Silverstream twitched her wings. “Go” Silverstream took off like a bolt of lightning flying towards the waterfall. She didn't focus on anything other than maxing out her speed capacity. When she finally got to the waterfall, she frowned at the sight of Giselle flying next to the top of the mountain. “You're pretty good, but you're a long way from being in the big leagues.”

“I know I'm not the best flier, but I exercise every day. And someday, maybe I could be the very first non pegasus Wonderbolt.”

“You can't do that.” Giselle wiped some sweat from her neck. “Because I'm gonna be the very first non pegasus Wonderbolt.” She pointed to herself with shut eyes and a smirk.

“You wanna be a Wonderbolt?” Silverstream smiled.

Giselle nodded. “Ever since I was a little hatchling. I haven't quite managed the fame of the Wonderbolts, but I did get a bronze in the Equestria games with the rest of the Griffinstone team.” Giselle smirked.

“Wow.” Silverstream brought her talons to her cheeks. “That's awesome! I only fly as a hobby but you're a real professional.”

“Yeah, one of the best jobs ever. I get to fly and get bits for it. What more could a bird ask for?”

Silverstrem's eyes narrowed as she smirked. “You know, I've never won a flying competition before, but I did win one competition when I was younger. Wanna try and beat me at it?”

Giselle glared and grinned. “You're on Silver.”

Silverstream flew up to Giselle and navigated her so that they were flying above the river far below the waterfall. “Do you trust me, Giselle?”

“Sure.” Giselle added before Silverstream seized her with one arm and dragged her into a nosedive. The pair of them picked up more and more speed as they fell. “Umm Silver.. aren't we going too fast?” Silverstream didn't listen, she simply held Giselle close. As the two of them approached the river's surface, Silverstream reached for her magic pendant and gave it a quick squeeze. She saw a flash and felt the cold wind as she turned herself and Giselle into sea creatures. With a splash, Silverstream and Giselle hit the water unharmed. Silverstream let go of Giselle only to see her cringing with her eyes shut. As for what she became, Giselle's head had remained much the same only her feathers had flattened into scales. She had also acquired a scaly underbelly similar to a dragon; her hindquarters had extended outward into a long sinuous tail.

“You can open your eyes now Giselle.”

Giselle gradually opened her eyes up. “So, we're not dead.” Giselle took in Silverstream. “What happened to your beak Silver?” Giselle pointed a webbed talon only to see her changed talon. “Woah,” she looked at her changed talons. “What's this?” Giselle brought her new sea serpent tail in front of her eyes.

Silverstream giggled. “It's my necklace.” She brought attention to the pearl fragment she wore around her neck. “After the Storm King was defeated. My aunt split the pearl we used to turn ourselves into sea ponies among the other hippogryphs. Now we can shapeshift ourselves and others into sea creatures whenever we want.”

“Wow, you weren't kidding about living underwater.” Giselle flapped her back fin only to go around in a circle and land on the riverbed. 

“It takes some getting used to, but you'll get the hang of it.” Silverstream swam in a circle. Giselle watched and tried emulating her trick only to once again spin out. After several minutes Giselle got the hang of swimming by undulating her backside. Once she got the hang of it, she swam around the river laughing. 

“This is amazing Silverstream it feels like I'm flying with my legs... so what was that competition you won?”

Silverstream smirked. “Fastest swimmer in the young sea pony derby. See that rock over there?” She pointed to a boulder several feet down river. “First one to the boulder wins.”

Giselle smiled, “You're on Silver. I think I got this swimming thing down enough.”

Silverstream took a place just behind a noticeable rock in the river, Giselle did the same. “Ready... Set... GO!” She declared before immediately lunging forward at breakneck speed. Silverstream swam as if her life depended on it before touching the rock. She looked back just in time to see Giselle trailing just behind her to touch the rock last. “Yay!” Silverstream extended her arms into the air. “I won!”

Giselle chuckled. “You sure did Silver, let's consider this competition a draw then.” Giselle gently bumped Silverstream on the shoulder. “I wanna swim some more.” The two of them spent a long while swimming in the river. Giselle even attempted to do an out of river jump arc, but never could build enough speed for it. Eventually, the two of them surfaced and sat on the riverbank.

“Thanks Silver, I've never had so much fun in my life. I never liked swimming before, but you changed all that.”

Silverstream smiled. “I'm glad you had fun today.” Silverstream looked up towards the sky and saw the sun close to dipping over the horizon. “Oh no! The ship is gonna leave soon.” Her eyes went wide.

Giselle's eyes soon followed suit. “Geeze leweeze you're right Silver. We gotta go! But we can't make it if we're fish.” She motioned to her changed sea serpent tail.

Without a word Silverstream hugged Giselle and used her necklace to transform them back. Nothing more needed to be said as the two of them bolted off at breakneck speed. They flew back the way they came only stoping for a few moments to take in the sight of the zeppelin unclamping from the dock. There wasn't much time; Silverstream flew like it was nopony's business. She saw herself about to cross the line of the ship's deck. All she needed to do was stop, but it was too late. She collided with something very yellow causing the object and herself to tumble across the deck. Eventually, she came to a stop directly on top of whatever fuzzy thing she had run into. As the dizziness began to fade, she took in the yellow thing she was on top of. She gasped at the sight of a yellow furred kirin with an orange mane.

Silverstream leapt off the kirin and offered her a claw up. “Ohmygosh! Are you ok?”

The kirin groaned and took her claw to stand up. “I'm fine.”

Silverstream frowned. “I'm sooo sorry I ran into you. I had to get back to the ship super-duper fast and err I kinda lost control.”

Silverstream looked back to the kirin and winced at the sight of her bearing an enormous cheery smile the likes of which she'd only seen on her cousin. “Oh my gosh it's a hippogryph! I've never been rammed by a hippogryph before!” The kirin darted around Silverstream before returning to the front. “You're so pink and adorable. Oh introductions.” She cleared her throat. “I'm Autumn blaze, what's your name?” Autumn held out her hoof.

Part of Silverstream wondered if the awkwardness she felt at that moment was how her friends felt when she rambled about plumbing; however, she found Autumn's enthusiasm contagious. Silverstream reached out a claw to shake her hoof. “I'm Silverstream, pleased to meet you.”

Autumn shook her claw rapidly with an enormous beaming smile on her face. “Pleased to meet you too.”

“Are you two ok?” a smooth spanish accented voice asked. Silverstream turned to see a dark brown stallion wearing a white T shirt and sporting a skull and crossbones cutie mark standing behind them. He was standing next to a yellow Pegasus in a green shirt and hat that Silverstream had never seen until now.

“I'm fine how about you, Autumn?”

“Couldn't be better.” Autumn grinned.

“Glad to hear that. Cabelaron, wanna get our prize down to the cargo hold?”

The stallion nodded and picked up a moderately sized crate wrapped up in a chain. “With pleasure, while I'm doing that, you tell the captain what we're putting down there and about you know who.”

The pegasus nodded and left along with Dr Cabelaron and the crate.

Silverstream felt her stomach growl. “Umm I gotta run. I'm famished and need some dinner. See you around Autumn.”

Autumn just gasped. “Hey, I was gonna say the same thing wanna go get dinner together? Think of it as a make up for ramming me.”

Silverstream gasped. “Do I ever! Let's go!”
> Dinnertime Chatterbox
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Autumn blaze and Silverstream walked into a spacious dining room. Silverstream looked around in awe at the sight of the crimson carpet and mahogany trappings. She was broken out of her marveling by Autumn tapping her on the shoulder.

“Oh my gosh look at that!” She pointed up at a massive chandelier hanging above the dining hall. 

Silverstream felt her eyes widen into dinner plates. “Oh my gosh it's so beautiful and glittery.”

Autumn shuffled her hoof. “I feel kind of out of place in a place so fancy.”

“I assure you miss, you're both most welcome here.” The two of them turned to see a waiter standing right next to them. “Anything to make our guests feel at home. So are you ladies eating together?”

Autumn nodded with a grin. “Yep, table for two.”

The waiter scribbled something on a notepad he had in his pocket. “Alright then, follow me ladies and I'll take you to a your table.”

Autumn and Silverstream followed the waiter through the room until he escorted them to a table next to a porthole set up for two ponies. “Here you are ladies. I'll be back in a minute to take your orders.” The waiter departed leaving Autumn and Silverstream to look over the menu. The variety of food available took Silverstream off guard, but she ultimately decided to try something new.

“So, what are you getting Autumn? I'm having the whole grain cassaroll special” Silverstream set her menu down.

Autumn set her menu down. “Oh I'm going to try the kelp salad.”

“Oooooo.” Silverstream smiled. “I used to eat that all the time back in Seaquestria.”

Autumn's eyes widened.“Seaquestria? Wow, I've never heard of that place before. What else did you do in there?”

“Oh not much, I made seashell necklaces with my cousin mostly.”

“Seaquestria sounds like so much fun.” Autumn grinned.

Silverstream nodded. “Yeah, Seaquestria was a lot of fun but being above the water is even more fun.”

Autumn gasped, “You lived underwater? Oh my gosh that sounds so cool. Did everyone learn to hold their breath underwater for like a real long time?”

Silverstream jerked her head. “No silly we all turned into seaponies.”

“A seapony. That sounds so cool I wanna see how you did it sometime.”

Silverstream grinned and activated her amulet and shifted herself into her seapony form.

Autumn grinned and clapped her hooves together. “Oh... my... Gosh, you look so cool. How did you do that?”

Silverstream touched her necklace. “With this little pendant. One squeeze and some focus on changing and.” Silverstream shifted back into a hippogryph. “And I shift.”

“That's impressive, I wish I had a pendant like that.”

Silverstream nodded. “If I get time, I can shift you next time we're at the pool. As long as I'm holding onto somepony else I can transform them too.”

Autumn clapped. “That sounds great.” 

Silverstream nodded, “yeah being a seapony can be good but I really love being out of water. I love how there's real gravity above water. I know it sounds craaazy but falling can be fun.”

Autumn grinned. “I love gravity too. It's such an attractive force.”

Silverstream was so busy laughing she almost didn't notice the waiter return to their table. “Are you ready to order ladies?”

Both of them empathically nodded before telling the waiter what they wanted. Eventually, he left the table leaving Autumn and Silverstream to go back to their conversation.

“Hey, do hippogryphs lay eggs? Your birds and ponies so I'm not really sure” Autumn asked.

Silverstream scratched her chin. “I think so. I've seen mothers with nests but the only eggs I've ever seen are chicken eggs. What about kirins do they lay eggs?”

Autumn shook her head, “nah we give birth like ponies do. Oh, do you like baths? I like hot baths especially since I was allowed to return to my village.”

Silverstream nodded. “Yeah I love a good bubble bath. What more could I ask for: bubbles, water, and even some toys to play with in the tub.” Silverstream paused. “Wait, return to your village? Did you leave on a trip?”

“Oh, not really. I got myself banished from the village for being too chatty, like that could ever be true am I right?"

"Where did you go?"

"Oh I spent the last eight or so years alone in the woods before being allowed to return."

Silverstream frowned, “Oh no. That must have been terrible. Nopony should have to be all by themselves for so long.”

Autumn smiled. “Aww you're so sweet, thank you.”

“Hey Autumn have you heard of discord? He's like totally crazy. I even heard once he brought a green slime to the grand galloping gala.”

Autumn smiled. “That sounds like such a fun night I'd love to see that. Have you ever had those oat loops before? I tried them when I was in Dodge junction and mmm hmm they were delicious.”

“Yeah. I have a bowl of frosted oat loops every morning for breakfast.”

Autumn leaned forwards and grabbed Silverstream by the cheeks. “Oh my gosh you know what this means?”

Autumn let go and Silverstream cocked her head. “What?”

“That there's something even better than oat loops!” Autumn clapped her hooves.

“I must apologize to you ladies I forgot to bring you something to drink.” The waiter interrupted to give Silverstream and Autumn some water with drinking straws. “Your food will be prepared in a few minutes.” The waiter wandered elsewhere.

Silverstream meanwhile stared at the straw in awe, “Oh my gosh what is this?!”

“It's a straw you use it to drink things.” Autumn sucked on her straw. “Like this.”

Silverstream's eyes just lit up as she used her straw. “Wow, this is totally amazing!” She sipped on her drink for a few minutes before resuming the conversation. “So, you were alone for like eight years? Did you have any friends before then?” Silverstream asked.

Autumn nodded. “Yeah Cinder glow and Wildfire. They were my besties.”

Silverstream's eyes went wide. “Oh my gosh you know Wildfire too?”

Autumn's eyes widened and jaw dropped. “Wait... she's alive?”

Silverstream nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, I met her a few months ago at a water park in Manehatten. It's a bit of a bizarre story to be honest.”

Autumn just sat there. “I... I can't believe she's alive. I just assumed she died when she left the village ten years ago.”

Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. “What happened?”

Autumn looked down at the table. “About ten years ago a fire broke out in the village. Our leader decided every kirin was to enter the stream of silence, so we couldn't ever get angry at each other again. Wildfire flat out refused to enter the stream so our leader banished her. I searched the wilds for ages to try and find her when I got banished too, but I never found any trace of her aside from a campfire. So, where did she end up I really wanna know?"

“Well... I only saw her for a short time at the water park after her potion turned my friend Gallus into a girl. My penpal Misty feather knows her. Maybe I can ask her if she can get you in touch with Wildfire?”

Autumn's face lit up. “You'd do that for me?” Silverstream nodded, and Autumn roped Silverstream into a hug. “Thank you so much we'd love for her to come back to the village now that the vow of silence has been lifted.”

“No problem Autumn. She's your friend after all.”

Autumn returned to her chair and frowned. “err sorry I spilled our water.”

Silverstream shrugged. “eh no harm no fowl you were excited after all.”

“Now I'm kinda wondering. What's all this about this Gallus and turning into a girl? Can you even do that?”

“Yeah, Gallus took Wildfire's drink, and he changed into a girl gryphon and my god Gallus was hot in that feminine body.”

“Still kinda confused really. Why would Wildfire have a potion to turn guys into girls?”

“Apparently it was a potion to enhance a woman's beauty. It has weird effects when a guy drinks it.”

Autumn brought a hoof to her chin. “Never figured she'd be the type to have a potion like that. I must say I can't help but notice how enthused you are about this Gallus being turned female... are you into girls?”

Silverstream nodded. “Yeah I'm into girls. Since we're talking about that what about you?”

Autumn smiled. “I'm actually kinda attracted to both.”

Silverstream grinned. “oooo you're bisexual. Wow, you're just like Misty; she's bi too.”

The waiter butted into the conversation to give them their food and the two of them continued talking over their meal. Eventually, they found themselves at the end of the hallway outside Silverstream's bunk.

“That was lots fun Autumn. We should hang out some more sometime.” Silverstream smiled.

“Yeah totally. So what room are you bunking in?”

“I'm in number three hundred and forty-nine.”

Autumn looked at her own room key and her eyes went wide. “Oh my gosh Silverstream I'm in room number three hundred and forty-nine too! You know what this means.”

Silverstream lit up. “Yeah! We're totally roomies.” The two of them giggled before giddily walking to their room. Once there Giselle and Smolder were already present playing some kind of card game.

“Hey Silver, Giselle and I were just playing a game before bed.” Smolder's eyes turned to Autumn blaze. “Who's the kirin?”

“I'm Autumn blaze I'm your fourth roomie. Who are you?”

“Name's Smolder.” Smolder chimed in.

“Giselle, nice to meet you.” Giselle added with a grin.

“So,” Smolder grinned. “Wanna continue our game?”

Giselle shook her head. “Buck no, if we keep this up I'll be penniless.”

Smolder snorted. “Sore loser.”

“Hey Smolder, I've gotta write Misty again.” Silverstream took out her pen and a blank sheet of paper.

Smolder nodded, “You bet Silver”

Silverstream started writing  Dear Misty feather. I'd like to ask you a bit about Wildfire. I meet a kirin today named Autumn blaze who says she knows her. If you could contact Wildfire and tell her that she'd like to talk I'd appreciate that very much. With many hugs Silverstream. PS is it possible that Autumn blaze is who the Amulet is drawing me to? Just wondering  

Silverstream prepared the letter and Smolder sent it off.

“Wow, That's so cool, mail by smoke.” Autumn grinned. 

“Yeah it's pretty cool. Hey, Giselle showed me this cool game she plays back in Griffinstone you two wanna play?”

Silverstream and Autumn both emphatically nodded and sat down to join Smolder.
> Funhouse Mirror
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream looked out over the side of the ship. The rolling reds that decorated the Macintosh hills had long since given way to deep greens and browns.

“Hi Silverstream.” She turned to see Autumn blaze walk up next to her.

“Oh, Hi Autumn.” Silverstream turned to look back over the side of the ship.

“What'cha doing?”

“See that tree over there.” Silverstream pointed out ahead to a massive leafless tree towering above the rest of the green foliage. Autumn nodded and Silverstream continued, “That's the Hayseed Bog airdock. I've gotten to see the ship leave a dock but I've never seen it land before.”

Autumn grinned, “Me neither, can I watch with you?”

Silverstream nodded emphatically, “sure!” The two of them jovially peered over the side of the ship at the three hoops the ship uses to moor itself to docks. Several minutes went by with little or no change until a wooden dock supported by the huge tree trunk came into view. The ship descended a bit and the hoops started going past three claws. Before the ships could descend any further, however; the claws snatched the hoops up with a loud clang. As soon as the ship was secure the plank the ship uses to allow entry and exit extended and connected with the dock.

“Wow... that's awesome.” Autumn smirked.

Both Silverstream and Autumn turned at the sound of a megaphone crackling. “Attention passengers. We've now arrived at the Hayseed Bog station. We'll be staying here for about a day, in the meantime feel free to enjoy the Hayseed bog theme park.”

“A bog theme park... How does that work?” Autumn cocked an eyebrow.

“I have no idea.” Silverstream grinned and clenched her talons. “Wanna find out together.”

“I don't see why not?” Autumn closed her eyes and smiled.

Just before Autumn and Silverstream went down the ramp a puff of smoke moved in front of Silverstream and a scroll materialized from it.

“What's that?" Autumn tilted her head.

Silverstream eagerly reached out and grabbed the scroll. “Misty responded to my letter.” Silverstream read over the letter. “Oh, You should hear this.”

Silverstream cleared her throat, “Dear Silverstream. I've informed Wildfire of miss Blaze's desire to meet with her. Unfortunately everypony here at the office has been bogged down in the procurement of my item; which is why it has taken me till now to write you back. Wildfire is doing some fact finding for me in Canterlot so it might be some time before she can write miss Autumn.” Silverstream put down the letter. “I'm sorry there isn't better news Autumn.”

“Are you kidding?” Autumn grinned some more. “My best friend from when I was little is still alive, and she's going to write me. I couldn't be more delighted.” Autumn extended her left foreleg out. “Let's go have some fun at the bog park Silverstream.”

Silverstream eagerly took Autumn's hoof and went down the ramp with her.

----

Silverstream and Autumn blaze stood in the middle of a large clearing in the bog. There were all kinds of booths everywhere filled with games and other small-time attractions. The only proper ride that rose above everything else was a small Ferris wheel in the far end of the clearing.

“So, what do you wanna do first?” Autumn grinned

Silverstream looked around the park before her eyes settled on a building with an enormous mirror mounted above it.

“How about that.” Silverstream pointed.

Autumn nodded, “Sounds good to me.”

The two of them trotted over to the building and roused a sleeping stallion sitting by the entrance. After he snorted at being suddenly woken up, he started. “Ahh, welcome to the house of mirrors. I'm guessin you two wanna go inside.” Silverstream and Autumn nodded. “Well, it's five bits per pony we even have a special surprise mirror at the end.” With a grin, Silverstream handed ten bits to the stallion. “Thank ya very kindly miss. You two have fun.”

Silverstream followed Autumn into the house of mirrors. The entire corridor was lined with all kinds of mirrors, and Silverstream found it hard to contain her excitement.

“Hey look I'm tall.” Autumn called out. Silverstream rushed over and giggled at the sight of Autumn's reflection stretched out by the curvy funhouse mirror. 

She flew over to another mirror and saw her reflection distorted, so she looked like a squat ball. “Look at me, look at me.” Silverstream pointed at her reflection. “I'm a buckball.” Autumn chuckled before going to another mirror that made her look super wide. The two of them made their way through the hallway filled of mirrors stopping to laugh at their funny reflections all along the way. Eventually, the two of them found themselves in a room with a lone mirror. The mirror itself was a fairly ordinary looking mirror aside from what looked like a simplified carving of discord's head on top. They approached the mirror and frowned at the sight of it being a normal mirror. Silverstream looked long at her reflection in the mirror looking for anything weird but turning up empty.

“I don't get it.” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow.

Autumn leaned up close to a plaque mounted at the bottom of the mirror. “It says: chaos mirror, it will reflect what you want to see.”

Silverstream turned back to the mirror and pondered that. What she wanted to see? Well, she knew she was due for a growth spurt over the next year or two. Maybe the mirror can show her what she'll look like when she's fully grown. Silverstream's eyes went wide as she saw the reflection in the mirror start growing and growing. When the growing stopped, her reflection had completely transformed into a fully grown version of herself. “Woah, check it out Autumn blaze can you see that?”

Silverstream looked over to see the mane of Autumn looking over at her new reflection. “I see it Silverstream, you're enormous.”

Silverstream grinned, “Stick around enough and you'll get to see that for real, I'm gonna look like that in a few years.”

Autumn's eyes went wide. “Hippogryphs actually get that big?” Silverstream nodded. “That's amazing.” Silverstream watched Autumn's reflection shift and change again until it had become a hippogryph with Autumn blaze's head and mane style.

“Woah, you're a hippogryph too.”

Autumn brought a hoof to her chin, and the reflection mimicked her. “I just thought what I might look like if I was a hippogryph. It seems like the mirror can read your mind.” Silverstream looked more and more at hippogryph Autumn in the mirror. She was super hot and Silverstream couldn't get images of her kissing the hippogryph out of her mind. Silverstream blushed as her grown up reflection roped Autumn's reflection into a passionate kiss. Autumn blaze's eyes widened, and she blushed as well, “Umm what's going on?”

Silverstream frowned. “I'm sorry Autumn; it's just... your reflection looks hot and.” She trailed off.

Autumn smirked. “Well. If that's the case then.” Autumn closed her eyes and the mirror shifted again showing Silverstream as a kirin making out with Autumn as she normally looks.

Silverstream blushed and giggled. “Oh, seems fair I guess.”

“Do you think I'm cute?”

Silverstream nodded, “you bet Autumn, I genuinely love that mane of yours it's so fluffy.”

Autumn giggled, “aww thanks, the pink goes well with your eyes.”

“Thank you Autumn, so do you think anypony else you think is cute?”

“Well there's my friend Cinder glow. I used to have all kinds of fantasies about hooking up with her when I was exiled from the village.” Autumn's reflection shifted to show a kirin with dark brown fur and a green mane kissing kirin Silverstream.

“Oh I see what you mean.” Silverstream giggled, “She's got nice teats.”

“Yep she's certainly packing down there. What about you? I remember you told me about a friend of yours turning into a girl. Can I see him as a her?” Silverstream nodded and pictured Gallus as a female gryphon. Within moments her kirin reflection shifted to match Gallus when he was female at the water park, red bikini and all. Autumn looked over the gryphoness in the mirror. “Wow he looks just like Giselle but he's got a better ass on him than she does.”

“Yeah but he changed back and now he's dating my friend Ocellus.” The mirror shifted Autumn's reflection into Ocellus all the while still making out.

“What's wrong?” Autumn blaze inched closer to Silverstream.

“It's just.” Silverstream sighed, “everyone is getting together but I'm all alone. I was kinda hoping my penpal would be interested, but she said a relationship with her would only end in disaster.” The mirror changed again to show Silverstream's approximation Misty feather making out with her.

Autumn sighed, “I kinda know how you feel. Cinder glow is married to a handsome stallion and most of the kirins back home aren't that interested in me. I've slept around with a few stallions and mares but it's never worked out.”

"Maybe you could try hooking up with Giselle? We had had fantastic sex before you got on the ship." The reflection morphed again to show what Giselle and Silverstream were doing when they first hooked up yesterday.

Autumn shuffled her hoof. "Hmm I don't know I kinda had somepony else in mind."

Who could this somepony else be? Ever since Silverstream had heard about Autumn's bisexuality, she wondered if Autumn would be interested in escalating their friendship. Both of them turned to see their reflections were back to normal, but they were in the throes of a passionate kiss. “I'm sorry Autumn, my mind got away from me.” Autumn scratched the back of her head.

Autumn smirked. “It's ok... I was just about to apologize for thinking the same thing.”

Silverstream inched closer to Autumn. “So, do you wanna do that in real life?”

Autumn reached out and grabbed Silverstream's left talon. “I thought you'd never ask.”

the two of them departed the hall of mirrors holding eachother's hooves and talons.
> The Passion of the Kirin
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After deciding to act on their carnal lust. Autumn and Silverstream found their way to a clearing far away from the fair. Silverstream looked around the clearing, “I think we're alone.”

Autumn didn't hesitate and roped Silverstream into a passionate kiss. Silverstream squandered no time in reciprocating Autumn's kiss. “Wow, your tongue is so hot Autumn.”

Autumn giggled, “It's a kirin thing.” Silverstream scratched Autumn behind the ears and Autumn started doing the same with her left hoof. The two gradually got closer and closer to each other until they were nuzzling and caressing every inch of each other's bodies. Silverstream felt her arousal grow at Autumn's gentle touch and literal hot body. Just as Silverstream was on the brink of reaching full wink, Autumn let her go.

“Why did you stop?” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow.

Autumn just smacked her lips as her horn lit up. Silverstream suppressed a lewd moan as she felt a force gently caressing her teats. “Does that feel good?”

Finally, a faint moan broke out of her throat. “Oh Celestia yes it does.” Silverstream eyed up Autumn and turned her talon in a circular motion. “Flip over.”

Autumn nodded and promptly got on her back. Silverstream took the opportunity to get up close to Autumn's hindquarters. Her teats were decently sized for a mare her age and colored a delightful lime green. Silverstream reached a talon out and began caressing Autumn's nipples. Autumn's breathing picked up and Silverstream saw Autumn's clit starting to wink. “Oh Silverstream, you're as good as that unicorn stallion I met back in Canterlot.” Silverstream grinned and gently pinched Autumn's growing nipples. Autumn's horn once again started glowing and Silverstream felt her own teats being prodded and fondled again. Silverstream's tounge lolled out of her beak as her eyes moved further down Autumn's rump to her winking pussy. She moved one of her talons downward and started stroking Autumn's engorged clit. Autumn squealed at the sensitive organ being stimulated while Silverstream moaned herself at the sensation of her own clit being squeezed by Autumn's magic. Silverstream was overcome with primal lust and she fondled and carresed as much of Autumn's hindquarters as she could. While Silverstream was doing this, she felt all kinds of magical poking and prodding of her entire body. Silverstream's breath quickened as she felt her first orgasm approach.

“I'm close.” Silverstream called out only to be cut off by Autumn cumming first soaking her backside in her feminine juices. She licked some of Autumn's marecum and delighted in the taste of her succulent juices.

“Oh yeah, that felt good.” Autumn took several labored breaths. Silverstream was so close yet so far from her first orgasm. Without much fanfare, Silverstream repositioned herself so that her pussy was touching Autumns. “Oh my,” was all Autumn could muster as Silverstream started rubbing her pussy against Autumn's. Thankfully Autumn didn't need to be prompted on what do do as she started rubbing back and forth against Silverstream's sopping wet pussy. It didn't require much stimulation to bring Silverstream to her first orgasm. Every time their clits crossed each other's path Silverstream, felt a burst of pleasure shoot up her spine. Autumn came again after several minutes of this rubbing followed quickly by Silverstream. Silverstream nearly squealed as she felt Autumn using her magic to caress every inch of her body while they continued rubbing their pussies together. Silverstream wished she could reciprocate, but she just didn't have the free talons for the job. The pair of them climaxed several more times before Silverstream laid down next to Autumn. Silverstream got up close to Autumn and smooched her on the cheek. “Are you tired?”

“Yeah, I'm all climaxed out.” Autumn took several deep breaths between her words. “I've never done it with a woman like you before. Sweet Celestia those talons.”

“Me neither.” Silverstream became aware of the fact she was panting as much as Autumn was. “I really loved that horn trick.”

Autumn nodded and nuzzled against Silverstream who nestled her face deep in Autumn's soft mane. However, the cuddling was shortlived as a Silverstream saw a shadow grow in the corner of her eye. She removed her head from Autumn's mane only to see a hydra bearing down on them.

Silverstream shot up and grabbed Autumn. Her eyes went wide as she joined Silverstream in beholding the hydra licking it's lips. “Autumn... what are we gonna do?” Silverstream shivered.

“I... I don't know.” Autumn spluttered. Silverstream felt her instincts kick in as one of the hydra's heads lunged at them. She snatched up Autumn and flew them a short distance away from the hydra's mouth. Silverstream clammed up when she saw the hydra turn towards them and take several steps towards them. She put her claws over her eyes and crouched to the ground shivering. When Silverstream looked up, she saw Autumn standing between the two of them with a scowl on her face.

“Are you crazy? Get out of here, save yourself!”

Autumn shook her head and pink flames sparked off her horn. “No, just stay back Silverstream I got this.” Autumn growled in anger as her eyes turned pure white and her eyebrows shifted into pink flames. “Nopony hurts my friends and gets away with it.” Autumn's voice echoed with a scary boom. With a rush of pink fire, Autumn transformed from her normal cream colored self into a jet black kirin with a flaming mane. Autumn screamed and ran at the hydra leaving a trail of flames behind her. She leaped up at the head that had previously lunged at them and breathed a jet of flame all over its face. As the two adjacent heads lunged to stop Autumn, she leaped onto the hydra's left head and bit into it with her razor sharp teeth. Silverstream watched in awe as Autumn jumped from head to head blasting fire and biting the hydra. Once she had thoroughly cooked and bitten all four heads Autumn slid down the hydra's neck. A massive blast of flames emanated from behind the hydra and it shot several feet into the air. Once it fell to the ground the hydra bolted back into the bog screeching in pain. Autumn rushed up to Silverstream still on fire and jet black. “Are you all right?”

Silverstream shivered at the sight of Autumn blaze on fire. “Umm yeah.”

“Oh,” Autumn chuckled. “I'm still niriking I forgot.” She let out a primal scream as a jet of fire shot into the air causing Autumn to return to normal. “Better?” Autumn stretched out a hoof to help Silverstream up.

She took Autumn's hoof and rose from the ground. “Autumn... That was amazing you totally fried that hyrdra.” Silverstream squealed and bounced up and down.

Autumn chuckled, “yeah I sure did.”

“What was that? It was so cool.”

“It's a special power kirin have. If we get mad enough we turn into niriks; which are like huge balls of firey anger and stuff.”

Silverstream clutched her cheeks. “That's awesome!” She rose off the ground and narrowed her eyes. “You Autumn are truly the hottest woman I've ever met.”

Autumn laughed. “Good one Silverstream. Maybe we should get back to the fairgrounds?”

Silverstream nodded and the two left the clearing. Once back at the fair they played a few games and Silverstream treated Autumn to a caramel apple. At the end of the day, the two of them returned to the airship and went back to their room. Once inside they found Smolder and Giselle already in the room.

“Hi Smolder, Giselle.” Silverstream waved.

“Hey”, Smolder casually waved her arm.

“You two having fun?” Giselle took a bite out of a shishkabob she was holding in her left talon.

Autumn nodded. “Yeah we're having a great time.”

Smolder sniffed. “Gah Silver did you two fall into the bog or something? You both smell like shit.”

Autumn took a whiff of her left leg. “Wow you're right we did trek out pretty deep into the bog.”

Giselle chuckled. “So did you girls have fun deep in the bog?”

“Yeah we did.” Autumn nodded.

“Aww wish you'd invited me, I could go for a threeway.”

Autumn tilted her head. “Pardon?”

Giselle chuckled again, “Not much gets past me blaze, the goofy smile on Silver's face the fact you're going deep in the bog. You two had lots of fun, didn't you?”

Silverstream broke out in a giggle. “We might as well tell them if that's ok with you, Autumn?” She nodded and Silverstream continued. “Yeah we had sex out in the bog, it was awesome. Then Autumn did this cool trick where she used her kirin magic to.”

“Oh come on Silver!” Smolder practically shouted. “Remember what I said yesterday about the details of your sex life.”

Giselle grinned, “I could stand to hear a bit more.”

Smolder groaned. “Is it physically possible for you to go five minutes without trying to hit on somepony? Seriously why is everypony around me so pervy?”

Giselle inched closer to Smolder. “Aww come on don't be such a party pooper. Maybe we can have an orgy to turn that frown upside down.”

Smolder snorted. “Giselle, for the last time I'm straight. Can't you take a hint?”

“Spoil sport.” Giselle pouted.

Silverstream chuckled. “I'm not gonna talk about the sex I wanna talk about the hydra that attacked us.”

Smolder gasped. “Oh my gosh! Are you ok Silver?”

Silverstream nodded, “yeah I'm ok all thanks to Autumn blaze here.”

Autumn sheepishly grinned, “yeah we got attacked and I turned into a nirik to chase the hydra off.”

Smolder's eyes widened. “Nirik?”

Silverstream nodded, “Uh huh, Autumn turned all black and fiery and ran right at the hydra. She bit and burned it like raaaawr and the hydra was like mwaaaah. And then the hydra ran off like a little scardey cat after Autumn roasted his tail with her fire breath.”

“You left out the part where you whisked me away to safety when the hydra tried eating us whole.” Autumn grinned

Silverstream brought a talon to her chin. “Oh, I forgot about that bit but that wasn't as cool as what you did Autumn.”

Smolder chuckled. “Firebreathing kirins eh. Now that's a story I can get behind.”

“Hey Autumn.” Giselle grinned, “Wanna spend the day together tomorrow? You sound like a cool gal I wanna get to know you better.”

Autumn frantically bobbed her head. “Yeah I'd love to.”

Silverstream frowned. “But what will I do tomorrow?”

Smolder wrapped her arm around Silverstream. “You know, you and I haven't really gotten to spend a lot of time together since we got on board wanna hang out tomorrow.” Smolder and Silverstream looked over to see Giselle kissing Autumn's forehoof. “Especially since I get the distinct impression, those two are gonna get reallly well tomorrow.”

Silverstream grinned. “I'd love to Smolder. Honestly, I'd like to go one day on our vacation without bucking someone.”

Smolder bumped Silverstream's claw. “Deal. So you gonna write Misty to tell her about what happened.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot.” Silverstream got her parchment and paper and started composing her letter.

 Dear Misty feather, I hope your search for your lost item is going well. I know you're stressing out about it and wish I could help somehow. It's probably a secret but a vague description might be helpful. Either way I hooked up with Autumn blaze at the fair in hayseed bog and then she saved me from a hydra by turning into a nirik. I never knew kirin could do that. She was so courageous and cool I think I'm beginning to like her more than Giselle. I know you're gonna say to be cautious and I promise I will be. I'm spending the day tomorrow with Smolder so I doubt I'll get into any sexual encounters with anypony. Good luck in your search. Yours with lots of hugs Silverstream 

Silverstream prepared her letter and Smolder ignited it. “So Silver maybe you should get a shower. You still smell like bog.”

Silverstream sniffed herself and she smelled like peat mud and sweat. “Yeah I'll go do that.” Silverstream departed the room to take a shower.
> A Smoldering Shopping trip
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream sat in a cafeteria of sorts munching on some pancakes. “Mornin.” Smolder waved and sat next to Silverstream while carrying a tray with a deep red ruby on it. 

“Good morning Smolder.” Silverstream smiled.

“So. You still wanna spend the day with me?”

Silverstream nodded and pulled up a small paperback booklet. “Of course I do. I got up early and checked out the travel book for where we're stopping today.” She opened the booklet and pointed to pictures of clothing stores. “There are all kinds of cool boutiques there, Maybe we could go shopping for some new outfits together.”

“What! No way Silver,” Smolder waved her arms in front of her. “That sounds waaay to girly and cute for me.”

Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. “Oh come on Smolder. I promise it won't make you too frilly.”

Smolder sighed, “fine I'll do it, but only for you Silver. Just don't tell anyone else about this.” Smolder gave Silverstream a sly wink.

“It stays between us.” Silverstream winked back. 

“Oh.” Smolder reached behind her back and produced a scroll. “Misty sent you a letter after you had left.” She handed Silverstream the scroll and eagerly unfurled it.

 To my friend Silverstream. I appreciate you want to help me procure my lost item. I've contracted somepony to bring me the object I seek. I'm unsure where this pony is at the moment and she's being hunted by a fairly ruthless individual. If by some coincidence you encounter a yellow pegasus mare answering to the name Daring do. Or a brown earth pony stallion answering to the name doctor Cabelaron please let me know as soon as possible. As for you Silverstream I'm glad you're getting lots of attention. I genuinely hope you that one of these two women fall in love with you sometime soon. Have fun with Smolder. Yours truly Misty feather. 

Silverstream's eyes went wide. “Oh...”

“What's up?” Smolder cocked an eyebrow.

“Misty is looking for somepony I think I spotted on board earlier. I should write her back as quickly as possible. Come with me Smolder. I need you to send my reply.”

Smolder nodded and followed Silverstream back to the room. She opened up a fresh sheet of parchment and started writing as swiftly as possible.

 Dear Misty feather. I'm sorry for writing you so early in the morning. I'm just letting you know I saw Dr. Cabelaron on the cruise ship and they're perfectly safe. I hope I've helped you put your mind at ease; I know how stressed out you can get by your job. Yours with more hugs than usual Silverstream. 

Silverstream quickly dressed up the letter and Smolder sent it off.

“Ok with that out of the way, let's get back to breakfast.” Smolder left prompting Silverstream to follow.

---

Smolder and Silverstream stood outside a fairly nondescript pagoda with a silhouette of Rarity plastered on the roof.

“Gee, I never knew Professor Rarity opened a shop so far away from Ponyville.” Smolder rubbed the back of her head.”

“Me either.”

They entered the building only to be greeted by the sight of Rarity herself manning the relatively modest wooden counter. “Welcome to Rarity, for you's Kirapei branch. Wait a minute.” Rarity narrowed her eyes. “Smolder? Silverstream? What are you doing all the way out here, shouldn't you be in school?”

“What are we doing here?” Smolder pointed back at Rarity. “What are you doing here?”

“Darling I'm here to supervise the opening of my new Kirapei boutique. Now be honest dears and tell me what you're doing all the way out here.”

“Smolder is taking me on vacation for a few days to unwind from some stress. We got permission from Headmare Starlight and everything.”

Rarity stood there for a few seconds before nodding. “Ok girls I believe you, just remember if you're lying to me you'll be in big trouble.”

Smolder smirked. “No problem.”

“Now then.” Rarity grinned. “What can I help you girls with today?”

“We want some new dresses.” Silverstream grinned and Smolder nodded.

“That's excellent darlings.” Rarity clapped her hooves together. “So what kind of dress do you want Smolder?”

Smolder grinned.“I'll just take something extremely usual, uninteresting, and totally not in season.”

Rarity lowered her eyes and grinned. “Come now Smolder, don't be such a sourpuss. Frills and yellow are in this season, and you'd look simply exquisite in something like that.”

Smolder sighed, “if you insist Rarity.”

Silverstream rolled her eyes before Rarity started speaking to her. “How about you darling?”

“Oh.” Silverstream piped up. “I'm looking to impress somepony I'll take an outfit that'll make me look beautiful.”

Rarity nodded. “I see. I've got just the kind of outfit in mind for you but first let me take your measurements.” Rarity levitated a measuring tape and measured their various heights and widths. “Ok then, just wait up here girls and I'll prepare your dresses.” She turned around and went back into a room behind the counter. 

Smolder leaned against the wall. “So, are you having fun Silver?”

“Oh yes!” Silverstream grinned, “I've gotta hand it to you, this vacation is exactly what I needed. Sometimes I worry the whole thing is just a dream.”

Smolder chuckled, “yeah, glad you're having fun. So who's the dress for?”

“Oh nobody in particular.” Silverstream giggled.

“Okay...” Smolder trailed off. “Nobody in particular right. You sure it's not to impress Giselle or Autumn?”

Silverstream sighed, “You're right Smolder the dress is to impress them. They're such good friends, and I want them to see something spectacular.” Silverstream sighed. “I can't wait to show them around Mt Aris... especially harmonizing heights.” Silverstream stared out into space. “I can picture it now. I'll take them up to harmonizing heights and they'll love the scenery. We'll have a picnic and then we'll dance beneath gates just like my parents did when they fell in love.”

Smolder narrowed her eyes. “What's the big deal Silver? Why are you acting like one of them is gonna marry you?" Smolder paused. "There's something you aren't telling me.”

“Huh?” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about Smolder?”

“Silver, I'm your friend. I've known you long enough to know when you're trying to keep a secret. Come on Silver just tell me what's going on? Don't you trust me?”

Silverstream groaned, “Oh alright. Misty feather sent me a magical amulet to help me find true love. I'm almost certain it's probably gonna be Giselle or Autumn blaze. I'm kinda hoping the dress will draw out which one of them I'm destined to be with. I can't go on like this anymore Smolder; I need somepony to love. It's torture watching Gallus and Ocellus be all lovey dovey outside my room every bucking morning.”

Silverstream looked up from her rant to see Smolder frowning. “Geez I... I knew you were desperate but not that desperate.” Smolder sighed. “Silverstream do you trust me?”

Silverstream slowly nodded.

“I know it's just my opinion, but I don't think either of them would make good girlfriends.” 

“But why?” Silverstream cocked and eyebrow. “Giselle enjoys her freedom as much as I do.”

“I know for sure Giselle isn't good girlfriend material, she's such a loose woman she'd probably be cheating on you within a week. 

“Ok maybe you have a point about Giselle but what about Autumn? She loves discovering new things after she got out of the woods, she's perfect.”

Smolder waved her hand a bit. “Eh I don't know... you said she lived alone in the woods for most of her adult life right?”

“Yeah, and?” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow.

“Honestly I think a woman who's been alone for so long would be pretty clingy. She'd probably get angry if you didn't spend enough time with her.” Smolder put a hand on Silverstream's shoulder. “I just want what's best for you. I think you might be letting Ocellus's smothering of Gallus get to your head. Just slow down a bit before you do something you regret.”

Silverstream mulled over Smolder's words for what felt like hours before sighing. “You're right Smolder. Maybe I am going to fast.” Silverstream roped Smolder into a hug. “Thank you Smolder. I really needed to hear that.”

Smolder hugged her back. “No problem Silver.

“OK girls, your outfits are done.” Rarity's voice called out as she entered the main room again levitating two stacks of cloth in her unicorn aura.

“I wanna try mine on.” Smolder raised her claw.

“No problem dear there's a changing booth right over there.” Rarity motioned to a small curtain set up in the far corner of the room. Smolder reached her claw out and grabbed the dress before disappearing behind the curtain.

“Lookin good Smolder, Lookin good.” Silverstream heard Smolder utter from behind the curtain.

“Don't you wanna show us your new dress darling?”

Smolder drew the curtain back to reveal she was wearing a yellow, frilly dress with a flap extending down to her knees. She wore dark blue lipstick and a silver tiara that she'd seen on her many times before.

“You look fabulous, darling.” Rarity winked.

“If you say so.” Smolder nodded back.

“I wanna try mine on next!” Silverstream piped up.

Rarity levitated her a pile of teal fabric and Silverstream took that fabric behind the changing curtain. The area behind the curtain was relatively mundane sporting only a common full-length mirror and a table for setting things on. She unfurled the first bit of teal fabric and discovered it wasn't alone. Along with the teal dress was what looked like a starfish maneclip. She slid the dress on and affixed the clip to her mane. Silverstream looked over herself in the mirror. The layered teal dress accentuated her mane well, and the starfish brought attention to her eyes. She smiled and turned to the side with a grin before drawing the curtain back.

“So... how do I look?”

“Fantastic darling with a dress like that I'm certain that you'll get all kinds of attention.”

Silverstream grinned, “aww thanks Rarity, you're the best.” She looked over at Smolder. “Are you ok?”

Smolder shook her head, “Fine. I'm totally fine, you look great Silver.”

With a smile on her face. Silverstream approached Rarity and hastily gave Rarity a bag of bits.

“Darling, You overpaid me.”

Silverstream nodded. “I know, it's just my way of thanking you for making me feel fabulous."

Rarity nodded, “no problem dear.” Smolder approached her next and handed her several bits. “Much obliged, I hope you girls enjoy your vacation.”

Both of them nodded and left the building in their new duds.

“You seriously are rocking that new outfit.” Smolder grinned.

“Same with you.”

“Hey look.” Smolder pointed to a building across the street with a neon sign that read “The Emperor's game room. “Can we go there next?”
> Double dragoness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream watched intently as Smolder played a video game seemingly based on the adventures of the professors from their school. Smolder was fighting Tirek with Rainbow dash and it looked like his health bar was getting pretty low.

“You're amazing at this Smolder.” Silverstream grinned. She didn't reply her mind was too in the zone to perceive anything outside of the cries of pain Tirek let out as Rainbow dash clobbered him. Silverstream looked around and caught the eye of a tan, nerdy looking stallion watch Smolder finish demolishing Tirek before moving onto the subsequent part of the game.

“Hi there.” Silverstream waved.

“Hi.” The stallion awkwardly shuffled. “That dragoness is pretty good at that game. Isn't she?”

Silverstream nodded. “Yeah I never knew she was so talented with a joystick.”

“Do you know her?”

Silverstream nodded. “Yeah, she's one of my best friends.”

An uneasy silence descended over the pair for a few seconds before the stallion piped up again. “You girls have nice dresses.” He blushed.

Silverstream mentally rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first time she had to rebuff the advances of a stallion who didn't know any better about her sexuality. Experience told her that she had to let him down slowly otherwise she might hurt his feelings. “Why thank you.” She put on her best smile.

“So, do you want to have some real fun?”

“Maybe, depends on what kind of fun you're talking about.” Silverstream tilted her head.

“OK then well you see.” The stallion was cut off by a loud. “Buck damn it!” emanating from Smolder as a game over screen flashed in front of her screen. She turned around and walked up to Silverstream. “Can you believe this shit? Every time I get to the pony of shadows; he gets me in a bucking combo that I can't get out of.” Smolder stopped her rant to look over the stallion. “Who's this dude?”

Silverstream shrugged. “No idea really but he was just about to tell me about something fun.”

Smolder groaned and rolled her eyes. “Silver I'm your friend but seriously you can be extremely naive sometimes. Listen dude. You're wasting your time with this one. She bats for the other team if you catch my drift.”

The stallion cocked his eyebrow. “What kind of teams? Does she prefer single-player games?”

Smolder just face palmed and Silverstream continued. “Never mind her. So what's this fun thing you wanted to tell me about?”

“Oh, there's this new game in back. It's so immersive it's unreal.”

Smolder piped up. “New game? What's it called?”

“True world fighters.”

“What's it about?” Smolder leaned in.

“It's a fighting simulator game where ponies role play as the various races in greater Equestria.”

Smolder grinned, “Sounds awesome. Where's this back room?”

The stallion pointed to a door frame near the back of the room. “It's over there.”

“Thanks.” Smolder grinned and bolted toward the frame with Silverstream reluctantly following behind. Once inside she marveled at the sight of a massive holographic orb displaying what looked like a fight between a dragon and a pony on a mountaintop. Silverstream joined the sizable crowd of ponies gathered around the giant orb.

Silverstream touched the shoulder of a pony in the crowd. “What's that orb?”

“Oh, that's the game orb for the game gem.”

Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. “Game gem?”

“See that gemstone there.” The stallion motioned to a red gemstone emanating a light that led up to the orb. “That's an enchanted game gem. Ponies get pulled into a magical universe to fight each other in a simulation. It's all the rage in Canterlot.” 

Silverstream's eyes went wide. “Wow...” She watched the two of them fight for some time until the dragon torched the pony causing him to evaporate.

The words, “Joystick wins” flashed across the orb before it vanished. With a flash, a blue stallion and green mare appeared from the gemstone.

“Aww man. You're just too tough for me.” The blue stallion lowered his head.

“Yeah, I'm the best at this game,” the green mare smirked. Eventually the stallion wandered back into the crowd of onlookers. “So any of you noobs wanna try and beat me next?”

“You call that a dragon fight.” Smolder snorted. “Challenge me, and I'll show you a real dragon fight.” She smirked.

The crowd gawked and awed as Smolder approached the green mare. “So,” the mare smirked. "Do you think you stand a chance?”

Smolder laughed, “I've fought plenty of scarier dragons than that little whelp in your orb. Bring... it... on.”

The mare just smirked. “If you think you got the gaming moxie than prove it. Put your claw on the gem and show me how a real dragon fights." She put her hoof on the gemstone. Smolder mimicked her and both of them were drawn into the gemstone in a flash of light. Several minutes passed before the orb appeared above the gem again this time showing a forest. A green dragoness appeared on one side of the forest and Smolder covered in armor appeared on the other. It looked like they were talking to each other but Silverstream couldn't hear any words come out. The numbers three two and one counted down on the orb before the words go flashed on the orb. Almost immediately Smolder rushed right at the green dragoness opening up with some fire breath. The green dragoness dodged and took to the sky prompting Smolder to do the same. She rushed at the green dragoness again striking her with her tail back down to the ground. Smolder took the opportunity to charbroil the green dragoness with her fire breath. 

The green dragoness got up from the scorched crater and took to the skies again. She flew at Smolder and gave her a pretty firm bite on the shoulder prompting her to kick the green dragoness in the stomach. The green dragoness didn't flinch and tossed Smolder down into the ground. Smolder rebounded and started blowing fireballs at the green dragoness who dodged each and every one of them. With a flap of her wings Smolder shot back into the air and blew a fire at the dragoness. Smolder's eyes went wide in panic though at the act of blowing fire leaving her vulnerable to a vigorous kick from the green dragoness. Smolder growled in anger and unleashed a huge torrent of flames that the green dragoness only got a singeing from. The green dragoness smirked and inhaled preparing to light Smolder on fire. 

Smolder did the same, however, when she exhaled her fire didn't appear. Meanwhile, the green dragoness's fire had no problem appearing. The huge fireball smacked Smolder in the chest, and she was incinerated. The words, “Joystick wins." Once again flashed across the orb before it vanished. With a flash Smolder and the green mare reappeared in the game room.

“Ha looks like the real dragon was just blowing smoke.” The green mare smirked.

Smolder literally snorted some smoke. “That game was bullshit!”

The mare just chuckled. “Not my fault you wasted all your fire breath.”

Smolder growled. "First off, dragon fire can go a hell of a lot longer than that. Second I tried blowing a smokescreen and only got some fire, just what the buck is with that? Third I can take a hell of a lot more punishment than what you dished out.”

“Well, I'm soo sorry that the game isn't true to life. You still lost, so I'm better than you. Ha”

Smolder leaned in close to the mare. “Maybe we should step outside, and I'll show you what a dragon can really do.”

Silverstream bolted up and held Smolder back. “That's enough Smolder.”

Smolder snorted and the mare smirked. “What's the matter? You a sore loser? I thought dragons were supposed to be cool. But look at this bitch, she's pissy because she lost a video game.” The mare broke out laughing, and some of the ponies up front joined her.

Smolder's face went neutral, and Silverstream started glaring daggers at the mare. “That's enough out of you. I wanna play next.”

The mare merely laughed. “Ha what makes you think you got what it takes to beat me?”

Silverstream frowned. “You made fun of my friend, and you're gonna pay for that. You and me right now, unless you're afraid.”

The mare glared. “Bring it then. I'll trounce you five ways from Sunday.” The mare placed her hoof on the gem, and Silverstream did the same. She felt herself get drawn into the gemstone before appearing in a starry expanse with the words character customization appearing above several panels.

“So, this is where I select my character. Well let's get me in a body I know how to use.” She looked at a panel with a generic hippogryph mare but directly below the portrait she saw several numbers. She looked over the numbers and realized they were stats. Silverstream looked over the stats and brought a claw to her beak. “Yeah these stats aren't true to life. A hippogryph can't take as much pain as this might imply... if I'm gonna win this than I'm gonna have to figure out how the rules of this world work.” Silverstream looked around and spotted a book labeled, game bible.

With a grin she went over to the book and started reading through it. “Hmm I'm gonna assume she's gonna be a dragon again. According to this, dragons have a lot of attack power and not a lot of health. So if I pick a species with a lot of health, I can just wear her out.” She looked at the portrait of the yak and saw the yak had the highest health. Silverstream touched the yak portrait and she felt herself shift into a pink female yak. The next screen showed accessories and a counter for accessory points. She returned to the game bible, and her eyes went wide as she saw the section on elements. “Horsefeathers, yaks are weak to fire.” She read a little further and grinned. “Looks like hippogryph armor gives me water elemental effects which should help mitigate this. Plus the defensive bonus will help me take more hits from her. Silverstream went through the gear and picked mostly hippogryph armor including her pearl of transformation. With her armor set she felt herself whisked away from the stary expanse and deposited into a frozen lake followed shortly by the familiar green dragoness.

“Ha you got so little confidence in yourself you chose a different species.” The green dragoness shouted from the other end of the lake.

Silverstream ignored her as she saw the words: Snow climate bonus plus twenty agility, plus one hundred hp, plus fifteen defense flash accross her vision. She watched in wait as the countdown started and the fight began. The green dragoness almost immediately blasted her with fire. Silverstream barely felt the blast, but she saw in the corner of her eye a health meter go down. Fortunately the health meter didn't go down by much. Silverstream charged at the dragon and headbutted her into a tree. The dragoness got up and took to the skies and rained down a torrent of flame onto Silverstream. Silverstream tried dodging the fire but wasn't all together successful. Her health was a quarter gone, but she didn't see that as a problem. Silverstream jumped up and pounded on the ground causing a massive snowball to be sent up and smack the dragoness in the face. The dragoness fell back to the ground, and Silverstream quickly body slammed her. The dragoness was able to free herself and blow more fireballs at Silverstream. She was hit losing a bit more of her health. Silverstream tried to ram the dragoness but missed when she went airborn again. 

She fired off more flames, boiling Silverstream until she was left with only a quarter of her health. The dragoness swooped in and delivered several punches to her face. Silverstream tackled into the dragoness and she broke the ice directly behind them. The weight of Silverstream tackling the dragoness and the shattered ice quickly sent both of them deep underwater. Silverstream couldn't maneuver well under the water, and she saw her health beginning to deteriorate. The dragoness wiggled out from under Silverstream and swam back towards the surface. Silverstream used her pearl fragment to shift herself into a seapony and her health stopped deteriorating. She sped up back towards the dragoness and wrapped herself around the dragoness. Silverstream smirked as she dragged the dragoness deeper and deeper into the frozen lake. Eventually, she saw a green dot flash in her peripheral vision and a few seconds later the dragoness evaporated. Silverstream smiled as she saw she had won flash across the screen. A few seconds later she felt herself get dragged out of the gem before reappearing in front of the mare.

“No way! You can't beat me... I'm the champ. How could I lose to a noob like you?”

Silverstream smirked. “Easy, you just play the game... what's the matter? Are you a sore loser?”

The mare groaned and bolted out of the back room.

“Silver...” Smolder walked up to her. “That was totally awesome!”

Silverstream blushed, “Thanks Smolder.”

“I wanna play again against the new champ.” Smolder smirked.

“You're on.” Silverstream and Smolder both put their claws on the gemstone.
> Shower Time Rendezvous
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that evening, Silverstream went into the shower area of the cruise ship. It consisted of several cordoned off showering areas connected by an interior hallway. It was pretty late and this shower was the last thing she wanted to do today. With her feather conditioner in hand, she walked through the hallway. As she walked, she heard the trickling of water. She followed the sound and found Smolder scrubbing herself in one of the shower areas. “Hi Smolder.”

She looked up from her scrubbing. “Eh hey Silver.” Silverstream entered the area and turned on another one of the adjacent shower heads. “So, did you have fun today?”

Silverstream nodded, “I had lots fun today. Thanks for everything Smolder.”

“No problem Silver.”

Silverstream started scrubbing down her feathers with her favorite conditioner. “Are you having fun Smolder? It's your vacation too.”

“Yeah pretty much.”

“That doesn't sound overly enthusiastic.” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow.

Smolder's eyes went wide, and she waved her arms. “What! No, no I'm having a great time.”

Silverstream spent a lot of time scrubbing her wings before looking over at Smolder. She'd known Smolder a long time. The more she looked over her friend the more she noticed just how dower the look on her face was. “What's wrong Smolder?”

Smolder cocked her head. “Nothing's wrong... what makes you think there's something wrong?”

“Smolder I've known you for years I can tell when you're upset.”

Smolder sighed. “It's nothing big... I've just got a lot of things on my mind tonight.”

“Do you wanna talk about it?” Silverstream scrubbed her wings with her talons.

“Maybe... it's kinda personal.” Smolder rubbed the back of her head.

“I promise not to tell anypony if it's a secret. Please let me help. You've already done so much for me.”

“Only if you promise not to get mad at me.”

Silverstream was confused by Smolder's request. “I promise not to get mad at you.”

Smolder groaned. “Alright I'll tell. I'm getting jealous of you.” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. How could Smolder be jealous of her? What could she possibly have that Smolder doesn't? “Are you mad?” Smolder frowned.

Silverstream shook her head. “I'm not mad Smolder, just confused. Why are you jealous?”

Smolder snorted. “I'm jealous because you're getting pussy left right and center while I haven't had a good lay for longer than I can remember.”

Silverstream blushed. “Oh, that's why.” Silverstream really couldn't formulate anything to say to this right away but eventually responded. “I can always try and help you hook up.”

Smolder sighed. “It wouldn't work Silver. I've tried on and off for a while but it never works.”

“When was the last time you had sex.”

“Eh,” Smolder turned her hands. “Maybe a few months ago.”

“But it didn't feel that good did it?”

Smolder sighed. “Yeah it kinda sucked.”

Silverstream looked over her friend. This story seemed all too familiar to her. “When was the last time you had a truly satisfying sexual encounter?”

“I'll answer that only if you promise not to tell anypony.”

Silverstream nodded. “I pinkie promise.”

“Ok then. Just remember if you tell I'll pitch you like a javelin over the side of the cliff.” Smolder paused and sighed. “The truth is... I've never had a good lay, like ever.”

“Like no matter what you did you just couldn't get yourself into the mood. No matter how hard he pounded your pussy you just didn't feel invested.”

Smolder brightened up. “Yeah.”

Silverstream inched closer to Smolder frowning. “Smolder... did I ever tell you the story of how I found out I was gay?”

Smolder nodded. “Yeah you went to Cadence's sex lecture thing.” Smolder abruptly stopped and started laughing. Eventually, Smolder took a deep breath. “Sorry, I was just remembering the look on Headmare Twilight's face after that. Anyways you went to Cadence's sex lecture thing and her talking about girls loving each other made you realize you loved girls instead of guys right.”

Silverstream shook her head, “There's more to it than that Smolder. I slept around with lots of guys from the school but no matter what they did to me in the bedroom I just couldn't get invested in them. I started looking over the girls in the school and had fantasies about jerking them off. I thought I was crazy until I attended Cadence's lecture and asked her if women could love each other... Smolder” Silverstream put her talon on her shoulder. “I know you're always saying you're into guys but have you ever had any fantasies about other women?”

“What! Hell no I'm straight as a rod. I only dream about dudes.” Smolder trailed off. “OK maybe I've fantasized about doing it with Yona before. But that's different.”

Silverstream giggled, “Yona huh? Pretty good choice. She's got a good ass on her.”

Smolder chuckled. “Yeah I bet Sandbar is having a great time plowing that field.” Smolder trailed off and deliberately tried looking away from Silverstream.

“She's not the only one you've masturbated to in the past isn't she?”

Smolder shuffled her foot. “Umm.”

“Honesty class Smolder.”

Smolder nodded. “Yeah... I've fantasized about another one of our friends before...”

“Gallus?”

Smolder shook her head. “Gallus is nice but he's not I wanna bang nice. Have you seen that dick on him. Just ouch.”

“Sandbar?”

“Too creepy he's Yona's man now.”

“Ocellus? Perhaps shape shifted into a male changeling?”

Smolder just looked nervously around the room.

“Me?” Silverstream shattered the silence.

Smolder blushed and tried to lean away from Silverstream. “Umm.” She sighed. “Alright yes I've had fantasies about you.”

Silverstream lowered her eyes and smirked. “We're alone in here Smolder. Wanna make your dreams come true?”

“But.” Smolder blushed. “I'm not gay.”

Silverstream just stroked Smolder's head with her talon. “Are you sure about that? I've been through this Smolder. It can't hurt to experiment just this once.”

Smolder blushed and stood silent for a few moments. “Buck it! Let's do this Silver, you and me right here.”

Silverstream smirked and roped her into a passionate kiss. At first Smolder just stood there but soon started licking at Silverstream's tongue with her long serpentine tongue. Eventually, Smolder and Silverstream broke from the kiss.

“Wow, I've never been kissed like that before.” Smolder rubbed the back of her head. “So what do we do next?"

Silverstream turned around and raised her rear up into the air. “Just pretend you're jerking off but instead of touching your parts touch mine.”

Silverstream waited to feel anything but nothing was forthcoming. “Umm Silver... which hole do I touch?”

“Huh?”

“You've got two holes back there. I don't know which one you want touched.”

“Just touch the big one.”

“Umm ok...” Silverstream waited a few moments before her eyes widened as Smolder started fingering the inside of her asshole.

“Smolder! Wrong hole!”

Smolder leaped back. “Sorry! Sorry!”

Silverstream turned around and hugged Smolder. “It's ok, you made an honest mistake.” She grinned and put her ass in the air again. “Let's try again. Don't worry I screwed up my first time too.” it took a while but eventually Smolder worked up the courage to begin caressing Silverstream's tender lips. She blushed as Smolder's delicate caressing of her started to turn her on. “There. That's the spot Smolder. Don't be afraid of messing up again I've got confidence in you.” Silverstream felt the pleasure begin to increase as Smolder slowly but steadily regained her confidence after accidentally fingering her asshole. Her tongue lolled out of her beak as Smolder started to touch and caress her engorging clit. She nearly squealed in pleasure once Smolder started using her other claw to touch and fondle her plot and teats. Silverstream's breath quickened as she felt Smolder bringing her to a climax. With a gush of cum, Silverstream finally reached her climax covering Smolder's claw in her potent marecum. “Smolder can you stop a minute.”

Almost instantly, Smolder ceased her fondling of Silverstream. “What's the matter? Did I do something wrong again?”

Silverstream shook her head. “Hell no. You made me cum you're a natural at this.”

“So are we done?”

Silverstream just smirked. “Not by a bucking long shot... now hold still.” Smolder froze as Silverstream leaned down and brought her face to Smolder's crotch. “Now it's my turn.” Silverstream felt around Smolder's crotch until her claws slid Somewhat inside a vertical hole on her soft underbelly. She felt around a bit inside Smolder's cloaca eliciting a moan from Smolder. “Do I have the right hole?”

“Oh Celestia yes...” Smolder's breath quickened. Silverstream grinned and sent her claw deeper into Smolder's cloaca. The texture of it and the fact she was already coating her talon in slick dragon juices was turning Silverstream on even more. Eventually, she stopped fiddling Smolder's cloaca. “What's gives? Why did you stop?”

“Can you sit down please?”

Smolder nodded. “Umm ok,” Smolder quickly sat on the floor. Silverstream wasted no time in returning to her fondling of Smolder's cloaca. She smiled at the sight of Smolder's eyes closed and her long reptilian tongue lolling out of her mouth. With Smolder now on the ground Silverstream sat on her stomach, so she could use her other talon to rub and caress her body. Silverstream loved the texture of Smolder's soft scaly hide gliding over her talons. “Oh Silverstream. Oh Celestia I'm close.” Silverstream sped up her fondling of Smolder only to have her claw showered in dragonjiz as Smolder reached her climax.

Silverstream withdrew her claw from Smolder's pulsating cloaca as she watched the dragonjiz seep onto her tail. “Did you like that?”

Smolder panted. “Oh.. yes... yes, I bucking did Silverstream. I've never had so much fun in my entire bucking life.” 

Silverstream just grinned. “Well guess what? I'm not through with you yet Smolder.”

Smolder's eyes lit up. “There's more?”

Silverstream nodded. “Yep I've still got a few orgasms left in me and there's something I've always wanted to try. Since we're experimenting, I might as well try it now. If you're up for it?”

Smolder grinned. “You bet Silver.”

“Ooooo.” Silverstream grinned. “Thanks Smolder” Silverstream squeezed her peal fragment and shifted herself into a sea pony. Silverstream grinned when she saw Smolder's eyes widen and drool emanate from her maw. Silverstream turned on her side and angled her seapony cloaca to face Smolder. “Do you like what you see?”

Smolder nodded emphatically as Silverstream crawled on Smolder and started kissing her again. The two of them carried on like this for several minutes before Silverstream broke from the kiss.

“So now what?” Smolder smiled.

“We keep kissing... but with a bit of a twist.” Silverstream turned around and positioned her cloaca directly over Smolder's mouth. “Now kiss it as if it's my mouth.” Silverstream wasted no time in eating out Smolder's gaping cloaca. Eventually, Smolder started eating Silverstream's cloaca as well. Both of them stifled moans as they used their tongues to explore the depths of each other's cloacae. Smolder warped her arms around Silverstream's barrel and started caressing and rubbing her smooth rubbery skin. In comparison to being caressed with feathers Silverstream found the gentle touch on her seapony body much more direct and pleasurable. It didn't take long for both of them to climax in each other's mouths. Primal lust consumed them both and they buried their muzzles in eachothers sopping wet vents. Orgasm after orgasm wracked their bodies as they got more intense with their pleasurable interactions. After many more orgasms Silverstream felt Smolder slow down before stopping completely. Silverstream felt herself getting tired and soon stopped as well.

“Silver...” Smolder trailed off. “I never realized how good it felt to make love to another woman.”

Silverstream turned around and nuzzled into Smolder's chest. “I knew you'd like it. Are you sure you're straight now?”

“If this is what being gay feels like screw being straight.”

The two of them cuddled with each other for a long time before Smolder got up. “It's getting pretty late Silver. Maybe we should wash up and go to bed?”

Silverstream shifted back into her hippogryph form. “Sounds good.”
> Freya comes aboard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream awoke the next morning with a yawn. After she got out of bed, she found herself looking at everypony else in the room. First she looked over Giselle as she loudly snored away, second towards Autumn blaze hugging her pillow as she slept, and finally to Smolder with her back facing away from her. She blushed as the realization dawned on her that she'd had sex with everypony in the room. Clearly the true love amulet was working. It had delivered to her three potential lovers but who was the one for her? Silverstream turned to leave for some breakfast but stepped on a scroll. She picked it up and unfurled it. It was a letter from Misty feather. Almost immediately something seemed wrong. Misty always had somewhat sloppy handwriting but she'd never seen it this sloppy before. She started reading the letter and quickly found herself shivering.

 There is little time for formalities Silverstream. I've just been informed that Freya has located Daring do and will attack the airship you're on in short order. You're in danger Silverstream. Freya will stop at nothing to obtain the prize Daring do recovered. Get off the ship as soon as possible. 

Silverstream wasted no time and shook Smolder awake who groaned. “Silver... five more minutes please. It's too early.”

“No Smolder, we gotta get off the ship.”

Smolder groggily turned to face Silverstream only to have her shove Misty's letter into her face. Smolder's eyes started going wide the more she looked over the letter. “Oh shit. You wake Giselle I'll get Autumn.”

Silverstream nodded and swiftly flew over to Giselle. She groaned and gradually opened her eyes after Silverstream had awoken her from her slumber. “Mornin... Is there something fun going on?” Giselle paused. “What's the deal? You look like you've seen a ghost.”

“Giselle, we gotta get off the ship. Fast!”

Giselle tilted her head. “Why? We're practically at Mt Aris.”

“You see Giselle...” Everypony in the room gasped at the sound of a loud crang that echoed throughout the ship's hull. A loud mechanical whirring ensued followed by another loud crang.

“What the buck was that?” Giselle got out of bed followed by Autumn.

“I'm guessing that's this Freya character right Silver?” Smolder crossed her arms.

“Probably.” Silverstream nodded. 

“Freya?” Autumn cocked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“My penpal warned me about an evil pony called Freya hunting for Daring do and that loud noise was likely caused by her.”

Giselle broke out laughing. “Are you kidding, Daring do's not real.”

“Actually she is Giselle.” Autumn piped up. “She said so in her most recent book with Doctor Cabellaron.”

“For real?” Autumn nodded and Giselle chuckled. “Well, that's new I only read the griffon's gobbet.” 

“Either way Gissy we all better jump ship before she kills us.”

Giselle grinned. “Better idea, I'm gonna go help her out. I've always wanted to be in an adventure book.”

“Are you nuts Giselle. Silverstream's penpal said Freya is ruthless. She'll have you for breakfast. We gotta get the hell off this ship.”

Silverstream shook her head. “No Smolder. I'm with Giselle on this one.”

“But Silver.” Smolder frowned. “You might die.”

“Isn't that always a risk with an adventure? We could have died when Cozy glow took over the school. Daring do is my penpal's friend and I want to aid her however I can.”

Smolder sighed. “I don't like it Silver but if you're game than so am I.”

“Count me in too. It could be fun.” Autumn grinned.

“Well what are we waiting for? Let's go find Daring do!” Giselle soared up into the air.

The girls quietly opened the door to their room and slipped out into the hallway. A few minutes later a voice they didn't recognize came on over the intercom.

“Attention everypony... we're experiencing some problems with the ship. For your own safety stay in your rooms until further notice.”

The four of them took no heed of this warning however and continued wandering through the ship. “Umm where exactly are we going? Giselle looked over to Smolder.

“I really don't have any idea... just kinda hoping.” Smolder started before being interrupted.

“Hey.” Silverstream's spine shivered at the sound of a masculine voice. She turned around to see the voice coming from what looked like a parrot pirate. “Didn't you hear the announcement? The ship is on lock down. Get back to your rooms, or I'll make you go back.” The bird smacked his fists together.

“Ummm.” Giselle shuffled her claws.

“Maybe you should just leave them alone.” Daring do's voice called out as she turned a corner from the hall behind them.

The parrot growled. “Curses. I'll teach you to interfere in our affairs.” He stopped instantly and cried out in pain. The bird fell to the ground with a thud as Doctor Cabellaron brushed his shirt off.

“These henchmen types are always so thick. You'd think Freya would hire competent goons but nope.”

“You girls ok?” Daring do grinned.

Giselle just stood there with immense eyes. “But how can you be real? You're a story character.”

Daring do chuckled. “I get that a lot.”

Autumn blaze ran up and grinned. “Ohmygosh I'm so excited to meet you. I'm Autumn blaze and these are my friends.” She motioned over to everypony else. "Smolder, 

"Sup." Smolder crossed her arms.

"Silverstream." Autumn continued prompting Silverstream to wave. "And Giselle." Who just sat there with puppy dog eyes and a shit eating grin on her face.

“Well I'm glad you girls seem ok.” Dr Cabellaron interjected. “You should probably get back to your rooms. The ship has been hijacked by a crazy yak named Freya.”

“Wait! We wanna help you.” Silverstream walked up to Daring do.

Daring do cocked her eyebrow. “Are you sure? Freya's a pretty vicious character.”

“How can we trust them Daring?” Cabellaron raised his hoof. “For all we know they could be working for Freya.”

Daring do grinned. “I think we can trust them doctor." She turned to face Smolder. "Rainbow dash speaks highly of you.”

“You know professor Dash?” Smolder cocked an eyebrow.

Daring do nodded. “Yeah. She writes me letters sometimes.” She paused. “Just remember if you girls wanna help. We won't be able to defend you all the time, and Freya's men will try and kill you. Do you understand?” Everypony nodded. “Good. We should get to the cargo hold before Freya's men get there. Just follow us.” Daring do and Cabellaron bolted out ahead of them and the girls followed.

“So.” Giselle started. “I'm kinda out of the loop on this one. What exactly is going on and who the buck is Freya.”

“Well. Freya is a crazy yak that's been giving Cabellaron and me trouble for months now. We recently uncovered a rather powerful weapon buried under ram's head rock. Freya went crazy trying to swipe it from us when we found it. So we stowed away on this airship to hide from her. Unfortunately, it seems that somehow Freya was able to figure out we were on the ship.”

“So what's the plan?” Smolder interjected. 

“Easy, we snatch up the box containing the weapon and slip off the ship while Freya isn't looking.” Cabellaron answered. The six of them made their way through the ship. However, Daring do stopped the whole group and shepherded them behind a corner.

“What's going.” Silverstream started before being shushed by Daring do. Eventually two parrots walked by where they were hiding. A few minutes later they came out from behind the corner.

“Who are those guys?” Autumn blaze raised a hoof. 

“Freya's men, she's hired a group of parrot pirate mercenaries to do her dirty work.” Daring do answered.

“Freya definitely knows somepony with pretty deep ties to ponies involved in the black market. Parrot pirates don't just work for anypony.” Cabellaron added.

“Really? Why didn't you say so sooner?” Daring do frowned.

“I never got a chance to say sooner. Sorry?” Cabellaron sheepishly grinned.

Daring do sighed. “It's ok. We better keep moving.” Without much more fanfare they went on. After several more minutes of running, they came upon a door. Daring do quietly nudged the door open and looked around the darkened room on the other side. “The coast seems clear but keep it quiet.” She motioned for everypony to follow her and they entered the room. By far the that was the largest on the entire ship. There were boxes everywhere including a horse drawn taxi carriage.

“Where is it? It's gotta be in here somewhere.” An enormous bang accompanied the sound of this fairly eloquent sounding female voice.

“Buck.” Silverstream heard Daring do mutter.

“Freya?” She whispered to Daring do who nodded in response. Everypony hid behind the carriage as they watched several parrot pirates crack open each box one by one. Silverstream eventually spotted what looked like a female yak with light brown fur and two glistening earnings with two upside down blue triangular gems framed in gold. She headbutted one of the boxes only to have food fall out. After a quick snort the yak walked towards another box with a slight thud in her steps. Silverstream looked around the cargo hold and eventually spotted the box that she remembered Daring do bring on board sitting on top of a larger crate. Her eyes went wide as she saw one of the parrots get closer to the box. Silverstream swiftly slid behind the boxes as quietly as possible. When she made her way over to the box, she quickly reached up and grabbed it. With the box in hand she made her way back to the carriage but accidentally knocked over a towering stack of cardboard boxes halfway there. The sound of the stack falling over quickly got everypony's attention. Silverstream froze as the yak's horns shimmered with pure white light and a ball of white magic formed between them.

“Well, well, what do we have here? If you'd be begging your pardon young hippogryph, my name is Freya and that box belongs to me. If you'd be so kind as to hand it over that would be most generous of you.”

“And if I don't?” Silverstream sweated.

“Then I'll simply turn you into a Popsicle and pry it from frozen talons.” Silverstream shivered and felt all her joints lock up at once. She closed her eyes and prepared for the worst only to hear the sound of a flame being expelled. Silverstream opened her eyes to see Smolder standing out in the open with a line of fire on the ground in front of her.

“Hey bitch! If you're gonna pick on somepony. Pick on me!” Smolder snorted.

Freya just grinned. “If you insist!” she turned her head and fired off a white beam of energy from the ball hovering between her horns. Thankfully Smolder jumped out of the way only to have the beam hit the carriage behind her and freeze the front solid.

“Silver run!” Smolder shouted as she got into a fight with some of Freya's goons. Silverstream wasted no time and flew as high as she could. She spotted an air vent and made her way towards it. 

As she was opening it, she heard Freya shouting. “Idiots! She's getting away!”

It didn't take long for Silverstream to enter the air vent. She almost screamed as the entrance to vent got sealed off by a huge coating of ice. Silverstream started making her way through the vents. The air vents were noisy and cramped but Silverstream knew she had to get off the ship and fast. She made her way through the air vents trying to go as far up as she could. Eventually, she found her way to a vent with a light shining through it. She looked out it and saw the brown of the deck directly outside. With a kick, she opened it and jumped out onto the fairly deserted deck of the ship.

“About time you got out.” Silverstream whipped around to the sight of Freya already on the deck holding Smolder in a white aura with her glowing horns.

“Now then... let's try this again. Hand over the box or else your dragon friend here gets it.”

Smolder screamed out in pain. “Don't listen to her Silver. Just run for it,” Smolder screamed again. “I'll be fine.”

“Your choice hippogryph, the box or your friend.”
> The Belt of Light
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream frowned as Freya juggled Smolder in her magical aura. Smolder winced in pain at the tugging Freya did to her as she held her aloft.

“Last chance. Your friend or the box.”

Silverstream sighed. “You win. Here.” She slid the box over to Freya who quickly released Smolder from her magic aura. The moment Smolder was free, she ran over to Silverstream.

“I'm sorry Smolder I... I couldn't do it I don't want to see you hurt.” Silverstream cried a bit.

Smolder put her hand on Silverstream's shoulder. “You shouldn't have done that... but thanks anyways.”

Both of them turned to see Freya laughing maniacally as she levitated the box closer to her. “It's finally mine.”

“Not yet it isn't.” Silverstream and Smolder turned to see Daring do and the others standing next to a door that lead into the bowels of the ship. The parrots behind Freya wasted no time in charging everypony. Silverstream and Smolder suddenly found themselves back to back fighting against the parrot pirates. Fortunately, the pirates weren't that smart in their attacks and were quickly dispelled.

Daring do rushed over to Silverstream and Smolder. “Are you the two of you ok?”

Smolder nodded. “We're fine.”

“But.” Silverstream frowned. “I gave the box to Freya. She threatened to hurt Smolder and... and.” 

“It's OK you did the right thing.” Daring do grinned.

“Oh yes, she did do the right thing” Freya chuckled as she broke the chain holding the box shut with her horn. “May I beg your pardon but what's the hippogryph's name it's quite rude of me to continue to refer to her as hippogryph?”

“Silverstream...” Silverstream's eyebrow cocked.

She could swear she saw Freya mutter something but she couldn't make what she said. At least not until she growled at Daring do. “Ah Daring do. We meet again. How goes your artifact hunting?”

“Stuff it, Freya. Give that back to me. You don't understand how dangerous that item is. Do you even know what you're stealing?”

Freya chuckled and flipped open the box. “Oh I'm completely aware of what the belt of light is.” Freya levitated a red harness out of the box. The harness in question was adorned with several crystalline bells and had a damaged front ring as if something was violently ripped off it. Freya fastened the harness to herself and all of the bells started glowing simultaneously. Once that happened Freya started to float into the air. “Now that I have Grogar's harness, nothing will stand in our way again, Now.” Her horns and eye whites started glowing with the same yellow light as the harness. “Taste the power of the first emperor of Equestria!” Freya hastily fired a blast of yellow energy at Daring do. Fortunately, she was able to get out of the way. 

Silverstream watched Freya cackle as she fired blast after blast of yellow magic at Daring do and Cabellaron. The impact from the magic was so strong it created massive explosions and holes in the deck every time she missed. It didn't take long for Freya to start firing blasts at her and her friends as well. Silverstream froze when she saw a bolt of magic head straight for Autumn blaze. She was flat on the ground having tripped over something earlier on the deck. After she rose to her feet Silverstream shouted, "Autumn watch out!" Unfortunately Autumn didn't hear what she said quick enough to conceivably move out of the way in time. Just before the bolt impacted, her Giselle leaped in front of Autumn. She used what looked like a silver platter to smack the magic bolt right back at Freya. Freya took the magic blast full force and fell to the deck with a resounding thud.

“You... you saved my life.” Autumn smiled. 

“No problem.” Giselle grinned.

Autumn reached forward and hugged Giselle. Silverstream looked back to Freya as she slowly got to her hooves. Clearly the impact of the magic blast had dazed and confused Freya. As she looked closer, she noticed the blast had caused the harness to become unfastened. Silverstream acted decisively and sped towards Freya and snatched the harness off of Freya's hulking frame.

“Hey!” She screamed. “Give Freya back belt!” Silverstream looked around and saw Daring do nearby. She tossed the harness towards Daring do who caught it. Freya growled and charged at Daring do only to have her toss the harness to Cabellaron. This rapidly degenerated into a game of keep away as Smolder, Silverstream, Giselle, Autumn, Daring and Cabellaron tossed the harness to one another. Eventually Silverstream once again had the harness and she flew towards the back of the ship.

“Give Freya belt now!” Freya snorted.

Silverstream just smirked as she tossed the harness over the back of the ship. The harness soon got caught in the ship's propeller and was shredded by it. A massive explosion of yellow magic occurred as the prop shattered one of the crystal bells. The explosion damaged the engine, and a chain of more explosions sent a large piece of the rotor into the balloon keeping the ship afloat. Freya looked around nervously as the ship started to descend.

“Oh buck. She won't be happy about this. Well, I'm not staying on this sinking ship.” Freya bolted and boarded a small air schooner bolted to the port side of the airship. The loud whirring of machines signaled Freya's small ship detaching itself from the main ship and speeding off into the distance.

“We gotta go Silver! This ship is going down.” Smolder shouted as Giselle picked up Autumn blaze and whisked her away.

“But what about the other passengers?” Silverstream shouted back.

“Don't worry they'll be fine.” Daring do shouted as she carried Dr Cabellaron away. Silverstream reluctantly followed behind Smolder and the others as the ship started to fall further and further from the sky. She turned around and watched as the ship drifted closer and closer to the ocean. Silverstream's eyes lit up when she saw a small army of hippogryphs suddenly rush at the ship and stop it's slow descent.

“See.” Daring do grinned. “Told ya they'd be fine.”

“Silverstream!” Yet another oh so familiar voice shouted at her. She turned around to see Sky beak rushing towards her.

“Dad? What are you doing here?” She addressed her father. He quickly roped her into a hug.

“I'm saving you sweetie.”

“But the ship?”

Skybeak chuckled. “Don't worry honey; the royal guards can handle it. We've got a rescue ship nearby so you all can rest.”

Silverstream grinned as she and the others followed her father to a nearby ship sitting nearby the airship. It didn't take long for the ship's passengers to be evacuated from the ship and taken to shore by the rescue boat. After several hours of questions from the guards and assuring her father she was ok; she went back to the ship to collect her luggage before the hippogryph guards let it sank completely. Several hours later Daring do, Dr Cabellaron, Giselle, Autumn blaze, Smolder, and Silverstream stood on a pier on the coast of Mt Aris as the sun set behind them.

“I'm sorry I destroyed the ship.” Silverstream frowned.

Daring do grinned. “It's ok Silverstream. You did the right thing in destroying the belt and everypony survived so it's not like any life was lost. Though I can't imagine Amethyst will be too happy to hear the belt got destroyed. Well, we better go and tell her what happened to the belt Cabellaron. Thanks for all the help today girls.”

“No problem.” Giselle smirked. “Just remember it's spelled G I S E L L E for the next book you write.”

Daring do chuckled. “I'll keep that in mind. See you girls later.” Daring do and Cabellaron left.

“I'd better get going too. I'm gonna fly tomorrow and I need my beauty sleep.” Giselle grinned. “It's been fun girls we should hook up again sometime.”

Smolder smirked. “Sounds fun Giselle. Nice tail by the way.”

Giselle grinned. “Ohohoh looks like someone developed good taste. Maybe you and I can get to know each other better next time.” she winked before heading off.

“I'm gonna go too. I'm famished after that whole ordeal, are you two gonna be ok on your own?” Autumn grinned.

“Yeah.” Silverstream nodded.

“Remember to write me sometime. You're lots of fun to be around.” Autumn soon departed.

“I'm gonna head off for a bit Silver. I could use good massage after all that.” Smolder was soon gone leaving Silverstream all alone. With a sigh she started making her way though the hippogryph capital town. Eventually, she made her way to the gates to the harmonizing heights and stared out over the majesty they possessed. Despite all this Silverstream shed a few tears. With the adventure with Freya receding into her memory, she turned her thoughts back to the real reason she was here to find true love. She had met three wonderful women that could easily make wonderful girlfriends yet she was all alone again. She held up the true love amulet she got from Misty and frowned.

“Hey Silver.”
> The Bonds of Love (Epilogue)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silverstream couldn't believe her eyes. She never expected to see Smolder standing behind her with a pleasant smile on her face.

“Hi Smolder.” Silverstream blushed.

“Mind if I sit with you.” Smolder awkwardly rubbed the back of her head.

“Sure, I could use the company.” With a grin Smolder sat down next to Silverstream. “I thought you were gonna get a massage?”

“I was. But just before I went in I remembered that you looked kinda glum when everypony left... I just wanted to make sure you're ok.”

“Smolder.” Silverstream sighed. “I'm still kinda sad.”

“What's wrong Silver? Maybe I can help.”

“You see Smolder.” Silverstream paused, wondering if she should go through with telling Smolder how she felt. Smolder worked so hard to get her on this vacation. She wasn't certain how she'd take the truth of her still feeling sad and lonely despite everything that happened. Nevertheless, the disembodied voice of Applejack would never forgive her if she didn't tell the truth.

“I know you tried very hard to cheer me up with this vacation but I'm still sad because I'm still short a special somepony.”

“Oh... that's still on your mind eh?” Silverstream nodded slowly. An uncomfortable silence descended over the two of them before Smolder resumed talking. “Silver... it's kinda been on my mind too and I gotta come clean I was kinda selfish in arranging this vacation for us. I'm sorry.”

“Selfish? What do you mean?” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow.

Smolder sighed. “You see Silver. When you cried your eyes out back in the cafeteria I found my own anxieties about never finding a special somepony return with a vengeance. So I went to counselor Trixie's office to talk about this. She suggested some time off, so I figured we could both use a long vacation. I'm still lonely Silver.” Smolder looked towards the ground with a frown on her face.

Silverstream looked over at Smolder and smiled. “Maybe we can be lonely... together.” She grinned.

Smolder hugged Silverstream back and started sobbing. “Thank you so much Silverstream. Between all our friends you're the best of them.”

After finishing a long hug the two of them gazed out at the natural wonders of Harmonizing Heights. Despite this however, Silverstream couldn't help but catch glances at Smolder. The way the setting sun glistened off her scales made her look truly serene. As Silverstream was glancing at Smolder, she noticed Smolder doing the same. “What? Is there something on my cheek?” Smolder scratched her cheek.

Silverstream shook her head. “No it's just... you look beautiful. The way the sun glistens off your scales brings out your best features.”

Smolder blushed. “Yeah, same with you and your mane.”

Silverstream blushed as well. “Thanks...”

“Listen, Silver... I know it's sorta forward but.” Smolder sat silently before declaring. “Buck it.” In an instant she grabbed Silverstream's front talons. “I wanna be your special somepony.”

Silverstream's eyes went wide at Smolders suggestion. Out of all the things she expected Smolder to say, this was one she least expected.

“Silverstream, you've been like the best friend I've ever had and ever since you and I had sex yesterday it got me thinking about you even more. Then you saved me from Freya, and I just knew we were meant to be together. Please Silver I wanna at least try taking our friendship to the next level.”

Silverstream gazed into Smolder's desperate eyes and smiled. “You've always been the one person who I felt I could never get together with because I thought you were straight. But that's all different now. Let's do this Smolder let's take this to the next level.”

“So? Is that a yes?” Smolder cocked an eyebrow.

Silverstream kissed Smolder on the cheek. “Does that answer your question.” 

“You mean it? You're not jerking my chain? You really wanna be my special somepony?” Silverstream just nodded. Smolder stuttered for a few seconds. “Just... wow I I. Thank you Silverstream. Thank you so much.” Smolder quickly kissed Silverstream on the beak which promptly reciprocated her affection. After several minutes of sustained kissing, they stopped and gazed into each other's eyes.

“Did that just happen?” Silverstream blushed.

“I think it did.” Smolder blushed too.

“Wow this is amazing. I'm so looking forward to this.”

Smolder grinned. “Me too.” Silverstream reached under her wing and pulled out Misty's true love amulet. She slid the amulet around Smolder's neck. “What's that?”

“It's the true love amulet I got from Misty. I don't need it anymore, and it looks nice on you.”

“But isn't it magic? If I use it, won't that ruin our relationship?” Smolder cocked an eyebrow.

“If you use it than you'll know for sure we're destined to be together. Just say I wish to find true love to activate it.”

Smolder smiled. “I wish to find true love.” Several minutes passed. “I don't feel any different.”

Silverstream just started giggling before Smolder joined in. “Hey you two.” Silverstream turned to see headmare Starlight standing behind them. “Oh, hi headmare Starlight.”

“I heard about the attack on the airship and came to check on you two... seems like you're both doing ok.”

Silverstream blushed and placed her arm around Smolder. “We're more than ok.”

Starlight cocked an eyebrow. “Did I miss something?”

“Yeah.. Silver and I decided to give dating a try.” Smolder grinned.

“Aren't you straight Smolder?”

“I thought I was but Silver helped me realize how much of a lesbian I really am. It's great you should try it out sometime.”

“And we wouldn't be together if it wasn't for this.” Silverstream grinned and pointed to the amulet around Smolder's neck.”

“What's that?”

“A true love amulet it draws you to your true love.”

“What? Silverstream there's no such thing.” Starlight quizzically looked over the amulet.

“Yes there is.” Smolder unfastened the amulet from her neck and handed it to Starlight. “See for yourself.”

Starlight quizzically levitated the amulet in her aura. “Smolder, the only enchantment on this pendant is a durability spell.”

“Wait. So the true love amulet Misty sent me was just a regular old pendant... all the sex I had and the thing with Smolder was just coincidence?”

“That just makes it more meaningful Silver.” Smolder smiled.

“Yeah you're right.” Silverstream grinned and hugged her.

Starlight meanwhile just examined the amulet more. “It can't be... I've only ever seen this metal one place. Oh.” Starlight blushed, “Here.” Starlight gave Smolder the pendant back. “Who gave you this amulet?”

Silverstream nodded. “My pen pal Misty feather gave me the amulet. You remember what happened to Gallus during spring break right?”

“Yeah. Trixie says he's still working through his emotions after that whole ordeal.” Starlight nodded.

“Well the kirin that helped him get back to normal has a friend, and I've been writing her ever since then.”

“Is it possible for me to talk to her? I'd really like to have a few questions answered.”

Silverstream nodded and handed Starlight her magic mail medallion. “It works just like the letters you get from Princess Twilight. I hope you don't mind Starlight but it's getting late and I'd like to get some sleep before our vacation starts.” Silverstream looked over at Smolder who smirked.

“Yeah we better get going.”

“Alright. You girls have fun.” Starlight said some more stuff but Silverstream didn't notice she was too busy walking away with Smolder. It surprised her to realize her friend sent her a bogus amulet but the more she thought about it the more she realized it was exactly what she needed. It also worked even if it wasn't enchanted. She was with Smolder and Smolder was happier than she'd ever seen her. No matter what happens, Silverstream was confident their relationship would blossom into something beautiful.