Author's Note

Oooh boy, this one took a little too long to get out for my liking, sorry for keeping all of you waiting! I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 11: Starbright

Starlight walked up to her bedroom door, peeking out, her magic muting both her footsteps and the door. She saw a small feathery creature, about four feet tall, was chatting with two of the guards.

“So… steel isn’t strong…”

“For your world it may well be. At least until you discover titanium if it exists on the planet. But in the grand scheme of things, no. It’s… relatively weak.” Einuli replied.

“What… is strong then?”

“Well… it really depends on the planet. Yours is what we’d call a Tier Three Planet. The strongest would be a Tungsten alloy, unless you get really lucky and find Titanium. So, using that Steel IS the strongest you can find here. But, re-forged and folded properly it can be made to be just as strong as Titanium, if not stronger in some cases.” Einuli continued. “I’m not really the best to talk to on these matters… that’d be Staroak. He’s a master with metals and ores.”

The guards nodded, obviously curious about better arms and armor. Starlight stepped out, both guards going to attention. Einuli turned around and smiled up at her.

“Hi!” He waved. Starlight was a bit weary of him, though the strangeness of his appearance gave her a bit of comfort. The black and red feathers, the yellow and black clothes, his pale blue eyes glittering up at her. He wasn’t from Equus that’s for sure. She remained looking into his eyes for several seconds longer, no glow coming from them to signal she was in direct danger.

“Hi…” She said, still keeping a slight distance.

“I’m Einuli, it’s nice to meet you.” He offered his hand. Starlight took it for a moment.

“Like… wise.” She said. Twilight peeked out, and she instantly took notice of Starlight’s hesitation.

Einuli was also quick to notice it and he backed away, trying to make her feel a bit more comfortable. He seemed a bit downtrodden by her reaction, though part of him expected it to happen at some point. “Sorry…” He apologized. “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” He looked down for a moment. Starlight sighed quietly.

“It’s just… a lot’s happened to me recently. And with both you, and this new danger showing up at the same time…” Starlight began.

Einuli nodded, “I know… I was hoping I lost them in the jump. But… since I haven’t… It’s my problem to deal with. And I won’t let my problem affect any of you if I can help it.” He explained.

Twilight stepped out, surprising Starlight. “Please, just give him a chance.” She said, “He hasn’t harmed anypony, and… I feel like he won’t, he’s already shown he cares about us.”

Starlight had a frown the whole time. But if Twilight trusted him, she’d give him a chance. “Okay, I will. For you, Twilight.” Starlight finally smiled, hugging the violet mare.

“Thank you.” Twilight hugged her back. “I’ll be here in Ponyville if either of you need me.” She let go of Starlight giving her a soft smile before she walked back down to her throne room.

Only Einuli, the guards, and Starlight were left in the hallway. The small raptor looked up at Starlight, “So… um, did… you want to see my home, or… would you show me around yours?” He asked, he looked unsure, as though this was his only way of getting to know somepony. Looking at him now, he didn’t look the least bit intimidating or threatening. But, knowing someponies close to her, looks only told half the story.

But, Twilight had a running track record of finding the best of every race she came across… the things she did to help Starlight were proof enough of that. She decided, if she was going to go anywhere with him, at least until she knew him a bit better, it’d be in the safety of Ponyville.

“Why don’t I show you around Ponyville?” She offered, beginning to head towards the entrance of the castle.

“Alright!” Einuli said happily, following a safe distance behind her.

“So… um, what exactly… are you? I mean, what does your species call itself?” Starlight asked, trying to tread lightly, but she was honestly a bit curious. He was an alien after all.

“Avali.” Einuli explained, “But, I’ve been called different things by other species and some of my friends.”

“What are… uuuh, some of the ones you prefer to be called?”

“Einuli.” He chirped, smiling a little.

Starlight smiled back, realizing quickly he wasn’t offended by her questions. “No, no I don’t mean like your name.”

“Oooh! Well, uuh, Suzy always calls me her little fluffy space raptor.” Einuli said.

Starlight giggled a little, “Well, I can see why.” She thought for a moment, “What exactly do you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Hobbies, a job… for a living?”

“Oooh! I’m a medical technician. If you need something done to your body, whether it be augments, healing, or just to know if something’s wrong, I can help!” Einuli said proudly. “I… actually want to take a few scans, or get ahold of something that can help me with the species on this planet’s anatomy. It’d be really useful, and it’d help further my knowledge.” He added.

“I think I can help with that, we’ll swing by the hospital at some point. I’m sure a doctor there would be willing to help.” Starlight said.

“Great! But that can wait.” Einuli smiled. “I wanna get to know you.”

Starlight smiled, “Well, you have all the time in the world to get to know me. I want to learn a bit more about you.” The two left the castle now, Starlight leading him off towards the center of town. Now she could see… it. The way some ponies in town stared at him, some mares pulling their foals aside. She glanced back to Einuli who seemed utterly unconcerned… like this was a normal reaction for him and… it just didn’t bother him. Or… was it that he just didn’t care? Did she being friendly to him off set all the glares and distrust that some other ponies looked at him with?

“Where are we going?” Einuli asked.

“Um, you know what. I’ll take you to see where Pinkie lives first… we’ll avoid the town square for… a bit, until you at least have some… general shield.”

“Why? Are ponies going to try to shoot me, or something?”

“No… most ponies wouldn’t have bows of any kind.”

Einuli paused for a moment, “Right… Low tech planet… I uuh, forgot about that.” He laughed quietly.

“Low t-” She stopped herself as she realized, he had come from a spaceship… presumably from another section of the universe. “Right.”

“It’s not a bad thing.” Einuli said, “I’m used to most planets being more xenophobic. Less technologically advanced species tend to have that trait… it’s a little heartbreaking sometimes. I’m glad that most so far haven’t shown any real hatred towards me.” He smiled.

“Don’t worry, if anypony does treat you terribly, they’ll have even more ponies to answer to.” Starlight smiled, now taking his hand and leading him towards the first location she wanted to show him, Sugarcube Corner.

However… even the attentive unicorn didn’t notice one pony watching them from a nearby cloud. One pony nearly every other pony in Ponyville knew… (How many times can I use pony in a single sentence?)

And the pony’s mind was absolutely alight with ideas, a new creature? Talks of technology? Did Twilight bring a science fiction race to life? The pegasus was determined to find out… any… way… she could.