Flight of the Avali: Season 2

Upon their return to the Dome, Einuli had the ponies transferred immediately to the medical bay. Now with much better equipment he was able to get them fully breathing again. Part of his anxiety was relieved, though he still worried for them.

He was able to pressurize a room and fill it with oxygen and nanites. The nanites were an vain attempt to counteract the higher tech ones inside the unconscious ponies bodies. Though it helped to keep them stable.

Einuli was the most freaked out, until the mares friends arrived. Though as a precaution Einuli had them wear quarantine suits to make sure they wouldn’t be infected.

Fluttershy was all over Dash’s bedside, while the others split their time jumping around.

Spike had taken up residence beside Twilight’s. Einuli however never stopped moving, rushing around to tend to every little thing. He seemed to have an endless supply of energy, as he was attempting to do various things, including finding out how the nanites were being purged from his system.

It was Pinkie who noticed it first, the utter fear emanating from the raptor. They were scared to lose them… but he was utterly terrified. Like, the thought of losing them meant his own death.

It was Fluttershy who immediately understood why he was acting this way, and it brought a bit of happiness to her, knowing that he was going to do everything in his power to bring all of their friends back from the brink.

“Einuli…” Fluttershy began.

As she did the doctors Celestia had sent to help keep them stable arrived, all suited for what they assumed was a virulent alien plague.

“No! I can… can’t…”

“Einuli.” Fluttershy touched the outside of his suit, right where his cheek would be. “Get some rest. They are other doctors here now too. Yes… they might not be able to cure whatever’s wrong, but if you kill yourself by not sleeping, who will?” She asked.

Einuli stopped his constant moving and nodded slowly. “You’re right…”

“Now… we need our precious little doctor to be well rested. With a clear mind you’ll be able to think a lot better won’t you?” She continued, surprising Rarity and Pinkie with how much she calmed him down. “Wouldn’t that be better for Dash to see when she wakes up?”

Einuli nodded again.

“Now, we’ll be here to provide whatever we can. Just tell us. For now though… let us do the worrying. You go get some rest, and then go work on finding out how to stop this.” Fluttershy stated firmly.

Einuli sighed quietly. “Alright…” He slowly left the room, taking off his own protective suit in the airlock. After he was clear he headed towards his room, he, like usual in his own ship, hadn’t bothered to change because he just wanted to sleep. His usually boundless energy was completely drained.

He was taken by surprise when a creature he couldn’t identify slammed into him. He chided himself for not paying attention, then remembered how it was his ship. He screeched, as did the other feathered creature as they fell flat on their asses.

“Where is she?!?” The creature asked in a panicked tone. “Where’s Dash?”

Einuli’s eyes narrowed, “Why should I tell you?” He snapped.

“Because she’s my best friend!” The bird like creature retorted.

Now Einuli began to recognize her from stories Dash had told him while he was recovering. “What are you?” He asked quickly.

“A gryphon, my name’s Gil-”

“Gilda. Yeah I know.” Einuli sighed.

“How do you know my name?” Gilda questioned, glaring down at him.

“Rainbow Dash told me about you.” He muttered. “Sorry if I seem…” He trailed off and quivered a little bit.

Gilda shifted slightly and quickly grabbed him. “Shit…” She muttered, “Are you alright?”

“A… as ‘alright’ as I can be with most of my new pack sick with something I can’t cure…” He muttered quietly.

“Pack?” Gilda repeated the word, glancing away for a moment. “So… you’re the one who’s been keeping Dash safe?”

“I… guess I was. But now…” Einuli clammed up and went rigid. “I shouldn’t have been so stupid… I should’ve vetted the place more… mad- made…” He babbled out, breaking down into squawk and chirps.

Gilda unlike Dash was having none of it. She hauled the little raptor up, being a bit surprised by his weight. “C’mon. In here big guy.” She joked quietly in equish. She carried him into the nearest room, she set him down on a chair and pulled one up across from him.

She could catch a few of the things he was squawking out, though it was far too fast for her to hope of fully understanding.

“Slow down!” She squawked out herself, glaring at him. Immedietly Einuli’s panicked and fearful speech stopped. “Better. But not what I wanted.”

“S-sorry. I-I…”

“Tell me what you mean first by, ‘new pack’. You can’t ju-” She trailed off, shaking her head. “No. No, never mind. I understand enough.” She put a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “I’ll be here to help you out, alright? Once you’re calm, we can come up with a plan to help them.”

Einuli nodded, “A-alright…” He pressed against her, relishing in the feeling of her wings wrapping around him.

“Shit… looks like even alien birds need a bit of comfort.” Gilda joked, albiet in a much softer tone then she usually had. “Usually… I wouldn’t be caught dead like this, but… if you’ve managed to bond with Dash and consider her a pack mate? I can make an exception for you.” She rested her head atop his.

“C-can you j-”

“Shhh.” She whispered. “I’m just trying to lighten the mood a bit… no one benefits if you’re stressed and anxious.”

Einuli nodded slowly. “R-right…”

“Why don’t we head to your room or somethin? Some place a bit more relaxing.” She suggested, lifting him up into her arms again.

“S-sure… I-I’ll tell you how to get there…” He muttered, pressing closer still.