Ryan dropped to her knees, clutching her head, trying to catch the mad spin on her senses.
Gritting her teeth, she tried to clear her vision, but her sense of temperature beat her to it. It was freezing! Her bleary eyes darting around, she made out nothing but the whiteness of snow and ice, occasionally dotted by the dark wood of trees in the distance.
“Where…” she muttered. Realization of her lost-ness closing in, she twisted her head around, catching sight of the slab of ice she had come from. It was a sheer block in the middle of a wasteland, and it provided a pure reflection of the woman. However, she knew better; she was looking at the other side of the gate. Her side.
“I’m back on Earth,” she said, “But I have no idea where on Earth.” Taking one more glance about and seeing nothing, she decided on her course of action. Turning around, she planned to walk back to the gate, taking one more disorienting trip to report the problem, but any movement was cut short at what greeted her.
Not there a moment ago, a tall, slender being stood alone, his reptilian back leaning against the side of the ice slab. His mismatched arms crossed, he grinned smugly at the woman, seemingly unbothered by the frigid temperature. “Hello there,” he said casually, waving his paw.
Ryan stood wide eyed and mouth agape, taking too long to comprehend the turn of events. “Discord?” she finally reacted, “You? What? Why?”
“Whoa! Take it easy, dear,” he exclaimed, throwing his arms out in front of him, “One question at a time.”
Ryan gulped. “Discord? What are you doing here?” she almost yelled.
At that, the draconequus put on a sneer, bringing his head down to Ryan’s level. “Why, Ryan, I’m doing what I’ve been doing. As I’m sure you would put it, ‘saving your ass.’”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“Look around!” he called, throwing his arm around her and pointing aimlessly with the other, “Do you have any idea where you are? Just what were you planning to do? Pick a direction hope it’s the right way? No, that’s what I would do, and what I would do is always the wrong choice.”
“I… I was going to go back and tell them,” she said.
“Then what? They certainly don’t know where you are.”
Ryan’s brow furrowed. “So… you’re helping me get home?”
He chuckled, saying, “Isn’t that what I’ve been doing?”
“Been doing…” she repeated. Suddenly, her eyes widened. “Wait, you planned all this? The door being locked? Being caught? Talking to Celestia?”
Discord pulled away, dropping into a knowing look, his eyes half-lidded. “You’ve been overestimating me ever since we met, Ryan. Tell me, do I really seem like a guy with a plan?”
“I… I…”
The draconequus looked to her, waiting for an answer.
“I… don’t know,” she admitted, “I can’t read you. I thought I could, but you’re a complete wild card… Just what are you?”
His grin returned as he responded, “Wouldn’t I like to know…” He suddenly clapped his hands together, announcing, “Alright! One one-way ticket to Raleigh coming right up!”
“What? I—”
“Excellent!” With a snap of his claw, the woman vanished in a simple flash of light. Watching the spot she occupied for only a moment longer, Discord turned away, leaning against the slab again. “Ah… Well, that’s finally over. What to do now? Hm… I think some tea would be enjoyable.” He grinned to himself before snapping, vanishing himself.
“—would like to say thanks… then…” she said, trailing off at the sudden shift in scenery.
Gone was the tundra, instead replaced with the industrial noises of tires on pavement and bustling city goers and everything in between. She gasped as she looked around her, her feet twirling in a circle as she took in the sights of the city. Everywhere she looked, she saw the people—the people! Actual humans! She couldn’t help but laugh at the normalcy of it all, not caring what the passersby thought at the sight of the joyous woman spinning around on the sidewalk. After over a week of living in a fairy tale, nothing they could say could affect her.
Pausing to catch her breath as well as here sense of direction, she surveyed her surroundings, and, to her excitement, found familiarity. She was home, one-hundred percent! Even more so, she knew this block. She’d passed it by so many times in her life, yet this time she really took a moment to appreciate it. Waiting only a brevity, she raced.
Her feet carried her across the pavement, weaving through the web of pedestrians and occasional cars. Ryan had one goal in mind, and nothing could stop her from getting there. She was exhausted by the time it was in sight, but she pushed forward, rushing through the doors and up the stairs; the elevators would be to slow for her rapid pace.
Finally, she slowed, throwing her shoulder against the hallway of the apartment building. Gingerly, she raised her hand, balling it into a fist, before throwing it against the door closest to her in succession. Heart hammering against her chest, trying to break free of her ribcage, she waited in unbearable anxiousness.
Then it opened.
“Hello…” said the young adult occupying the frame, trailing off at the sight of the disheveled woman grinning from ear to ear at his doorstep. His eyes widened as recognition set in. “Ryan…?”
“Hey…” she said, “Rae… Sorry to keep you waiting.” Not waiting for answer, she pulled her brother into a close, glorious embrace, the last remnants of stress finally being released in a grand gesture.
Now, finally, she was home.