Okay, so I have to say how much I love you guys. Whether you're a silent stalker or a reviewer (thanks, The Supreme Slurpinator!), you're the greatest. I appreciate any and all readers. I don't care how well this story does - as long as I'm making at least one person- or pony- happy, I'm happy. Cheese aside, I should probably get to the story.
Well, here's chapter two! Enjoy!
Twilight-Time
Delta made her way through the streets of Ponyville, taking in all the sights and sounds of the town at night. Despite her anger towards Discord, she couldn't help but admire the place she'd once longed to visit. The dirt roads were compacted from generations of hooves trotting along the same pathway. From the buildings and the calm silence that held the small town, Delta felt a serenity she hadn't felt in a very long time. It almost was like her very presence intruded on the residents' exclusive peace, but at the same time, she felt accepted into the fold.
A soft noise from behind her reminded her that Discord was following. She sighed internally, but decided not to confront him. Instead, she contented herself with remembering all the locations she could from the show.
Over there was where the Market was in 'Putting your Hoof Down'. Delta smiled, remembering Pinkie's Buggs Bunny trick. It was weird thinking that she was in the same place as a pony who could break the fourth wall without much effort. She wondered if Pinkie actually knew about viewers and bronies.
Finally, the tree-castle came fully into view. Delta gaped up at the towering structure and wondered for the millionth time why the magic box had created a castle. Suddenly, her excitement returned. Only parts of the interior of the castle had been shown in the finale. If Delta got to go inside, she'd be the first person- er, sort of- to see the inside completely! She'd know the layout before any other brony. That'd give her some serious bragging rights.
Then she remembered she might never get home to brag about such things, and Delta's excitement faded.
Determination seizing her once again, Delta marched up to the doors of the Castle of Friendship. She raised a hoof to knock on the door, but paused. A frown furrowed her face. Delta needed to get her story straight in her head. There was no point going to Twilight, raving and rambling about being from another world. She could end up in the local hospital, right next to Screw Loose, the dog-pony! Delta sighed again, allowing her mind to calm down. She was Delta, or Kathryn, a human from Earth who was never supposed to end up in Equestria. That wouldn't be too far a stretch for the Purple One, since she'd been in Equestria Girls and had seen humans(-ish) first hand.
Before Delta had mustered up enough courage to knock at last, the door swung open. Delta stood in the opening, dumbfounded and still holding her hoof up. On the other side of the doorway was a sleepy-looking purple dragon. Spike yawned, rubbing his eyes in tiredness.
"What's-" He was interrupted by another yawn. "What's wrong?" The dragon frowned up at the brown pegasus, bleary-eyed and confused. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I know you."
"Oh! Um, well... I'm new to town. I was wondering if I could talk to Tw- to Princess Twilight?" Delta struggled, trying to remain calm. After all, she was meeting Spike! She wondered why he'd answered the door even though she hadn't knocked.
"Well, Twilight's kinda busy at the moment. She's tracking some shooting stars upstairs. Besides, not just anypony can wander in looking for Twilight." Spike replied sleepily. He bit back yet another yawn.
Delta held back the retort that she wasn't 'just anypony'. Instead, she glanced past Spike worriedly.
"But, y'see... it's kind of an emergency." She explained, unwilling to give him any more details until she was allowed in to see Twilight.
"Sorry, but I can't just let you in. Twilight'll be getting her own Royal Guard soon, so maybe when they have protocals or whatever, they might let you in." Spike sighed. His sleepy eyes slid past Delta to something behind her. He yawned and half-smiled at the new shape. "Oh, hey Discord."
"Ah, Spike. Hello. I see you've met my... friend, Delta." Discord rested his paw and claw on Delta's shoulders, much to her annoyance. She didn't like his emphasis on the word 'friend', either. "We were just about to visit Twilight, if that's alright with you? We'll only be a second, promise!" Discord explained. His charming tone clearly worked on the sleepy dragon, since he nodded and yawned again.
"Yeah, sure. Try not to disturb her, though." Spike moved out of the way to let the two creatures in. When a bright flash told him they'd teleported, he grumbled something about being 'too tired for this' and closed the door.
The castle's observatory was a wide open room, with one section of wall missing to allow the night sky in. A pink shimmer just outside the gap was a little of Twilight's magic, dedicated to a weather-guard while the section was open.
Delta stumbled as her mind reeled from being teleported. Her earlier headache returned, making her head thud along to her heartbeat. She crashed headfirst into a pile of astronomy books stacked by a shelf, which certainly did not improve her headache. In pain and generally very annoyed, Delta struggled to climb out of the collection of paper, feathers and hooves she had gotten herself into.
Twilight was alerted to the presence of the two newcomers by Delta's loud but mild cursing. It consisted mostly of words like 'fudge' and 'flip'.
"Oh, are you okay?" Twilight teleported to the pile of books and lifted them off with ease using her magic. The Princess glanced up and quickly spotted Discord, who was hovering awkwardly near the edge of the room. Twilight frowned. She hadn't seen Discord act guilty in a while, so was instantly suspicious. Her attention turned back to the new pegasus after a moment.
"I'm fine, I suppose..." Delta grumbled, before glancing up and spotting the Princess of Friendship. Delta's eyes widened in shock and she lowered herself in respect. "P-Princess Twilight, I'm so sorry!"
Twilight sighed and smiled at the mare.
"No need to worry. I know not everypony is used to teleportation." The Princess glared at Discord, who lowered his ears guiltily. "Now, would you mind explaining just why you're here?"
"R-right. Um, well..." Delta began, completely forgetting her explanation.
"Actually, it's my fault." Discord spoke at last, taking a few steps forward. Twilight was still suspicious about the draconequus' guilt, but was willing to hear the explanation.
"Go on." Twilight prompted, taking on an official tone.
"Well, I used a spell to try to get to Earth, which is this planet covered with two-legged things called humans that watch our lives like a TV show. The spell backfired and pulled Delta here with me back through nothingness and ended up here. Except Delta is now a pegasus. Also, she wants to go home." Discord explained, finishing it off with a guilty smile.
Twilight watched Delta's reaction to all this. When the pegasus seemed willing to accept the story as the truth, Twilight closed her eyes.
"Did you by any chance come through a mirror?" The alicorn asked once she opened her eyes again.
"No... why? Is that important?" Discord responded with a question.
Twilight frowned and began to pace the floor.
"Please, Princess. Um... this is going to sound weird, but-" Delta began.
"Wait, did you say she watched our lives like a 'TV show'?" The Princess interrupted and spun around to face the Lord of Chaos. "What's a TV show?"
After Delta and Discord explained the basics of electricity and television, they went on to tell Twilight about 'My Little Pony'. Delta made the unfortunate mistake of mentioning that actually, she first saw it on YouTube. That meant the duo had to explain the internet, and by now Twilight was loving the sound of Earth. She realised that during her stay in the alternate world, she'd only seen part of the many wonders available to the humans.
It shocked Twilight a little when she heard about her life being shown to millions of people on another planet, like it was just a joke. It was weird and a little disturbing, but the duo reassured her it wasn't constant. It was mostly when big, important things happened.
"So, what you're saying is that you know a whole lot about my life." Twilight spoke slowly, trying to come to terms with it for about the millionth time.
"And your friends." Delta interjected.
"And my friends. Great." Twilight sighed. The alicorn sat down, staring at nothing. Finally, she glanced up at Discord, her suspicion returning. "Why did you try to get to Earth?"
"Ahh, um... well, I, uh..." Discord began, letting his voice lower until it was inaudible. When Discord failed to respond clearly, Twilight turned her disapproving glare on Delta.
"Do you know why?" She demanded. Delta shrunk under the Princess' authority.
"Um, it was... I... uh, curiosity?" The pegasus' voice rose at the end of the sentence, making it sound like a question. Delta really had no idea why she was defending Discord, especially after all he'd done.
Twilight chose not to persue the matter any further. Instead, she turned an uneasy eye on the duo and turned away. She made her way back over to her telescope and the pile of open books splayed all around it. Delta and Discord shared a confused glance, but stayed silent.
"Discord. I'm putting Delta's wellbeing in your care. You are hereby responsible for her every action. No offence, Delta, but it's his fault you're here, so he should be the one to look after you." Twilight announced, scribbling something in a notebook.
"Look after-?! Twilight, with respect, I am old enough to take care of myself. I don't need his help!" Delta snapped.
"That's great, but if you cause a disturbance in town, somepony has to take responsibility for it. That's why I named Discord. Until we figure out a way to get you home, he'll be responsible for feeding you and keeping you in decent condition." Twilight explained, twirling a dial on the telescope and examining the results.
Delta muttered under her breath about not being a collectible toy, unlike somepony, and was rewarded by a silencing glare from the King of Chaos. When she stopped speaking, however, he allowed a tiny smirk to move the corners of his mouth.
"Very well, Princess. We'll be seeing you shortly, I hope." Discord scooped his paw under Delta and plucked her from the ground. She squirmed in annoyance at first, but gave up after about a second. She knew what was coming, and her stomach churned.
Next time, I'll get Spike to warn me about who my visitors are. The alicorn thought.
There was a bright flash, and Twilight was left alone in her observatory, just in time to catch the last few of the falling stars.
So that was chapter two! Nothing much happened, I know, but I want this story to go on a little longer than 'BTiS'. That being said, if I need to speed things up I will. Any ideas for subplots will be considered and most likely added.
Thanks for reading! See y'all next time!