Nine Realms

As one would expect, travelling through a dark, cramped and quite frankly moist underground tunnel was far from what Twilight or her friends would want to be doing right now. Rarity especially seemed to be grumbling with every step she took in his place. But, at present, they knew they had to put up with it, if only because they knew it wouldn't last forever. And sure enough, there came a time when Fafnir, who had been lighting the way with a blazing torch, started to walk up some stairs at the end of that tunnel. The ponies followed, and watched as he started to touch something just above him. There was some grunting and groaning on his part, as he attempted to push something large and heavy out of the way. But, eventually, he managed it, and light now shone down into the tunnel, much to the relief of the ponies. Fafnir crawled out onto what was, presumably, the surface, and as soon as he'd done so, he reached back down into the hole.

"You coming?"

Twilight accepted his hand, and the dwarf Prince yanked her out, bringing her to the surface alongside him. Twilight gave him a quick nod as thanks for the assistance, then watched him do the same for each and every one of her companions. However, as he was doing this, Twilight soon noted their surroundings, and came to realise, perhaps for the first time, that they were indeed dealing with other worlds here. While the dwarf society beneath the mountain was lively and active, this surface of Nidavellir was very different. Harsh, barren, with a strong wind blowing across the place all the time. Twilight squinted, trying to see if she could see any signs of life, but to be perfectly frank, not even weeds appeared to be growing out here. It was, naturally, not exactly the most pleasant place to be, and as Twilight looked back to Fafnir, just in time to see him pull up the last of her friends, she couldn't help but remark on it.

"I think...I can understand why your people live underground."

A dry chuckle escaped her guide at that.

"Yeah...not the best, is it?"

Twilight shook her head.

"Believe it or not...I've actually seen something similar once."

As Fafnir began to lead the way across this place, with the ponies and Spike close behind him, he raised an eyebrow to the Princess' remark.

"Oh?"

Twilight nodded.

"A long time ago...I had the misfortune of seeing what my world would look like if certain events had gone differently. And this..."

She gestured to their surroundings.

"...this reminds me a great deal of the final sight of that."

Fafnir grimaced, but otherwise didn't comment on that. Her friends, on the other hand, seemed rather disturbed by her description, with Rainbow especially stepping forward to join her and speak up on it.

"Wait, this is what Starlight's last altered Equestria looked like?"

Twilight considered that.

"Well...there was a bit less sunlight...but yes, this was pretty much it."

A shiver passed through the group, as they no doubt dwelt on the prospect of having their home be this way. Meanwhile, Pinkie, who seemed otherwise undeterred by this turn of events, happily bounced over to walk alongside Fafnir.

"Hey, Mr Fafnir..."

The Prince grumbled at being referred to as "Mr" again, but said nothing as the party-loving pony continued.

"...if this place is so super-nasty like this, why do you and your people live here?"

While the others rolled their eyes to Pinkie once more being oblivious in having asked a "you do not ask this" sort of question, Fafnir simply sighed to it.

"I always used to get told that this place was different once. A long...long time ago. But...times change, and realms change with them. Whatever good and green place this might have been...it will never be that way again."

He frowned.

"I don't know what changed it...and I don't care what changed it. My people have been mountain-dwellers for generations, and we're doing just fine, thank you."

Pinkie realised that it might not be a good idea to continue speaking about it, and so remained silent for the time being. Instead, both she and the other members of the party continued to carry on with their journey, allowing Fafnir to lead them. Granted, there were moments where he seemed to struggle to remember where they were supposed to go, but such moments were thankfully few and far between. Through rocky ravines they walked, alongside the base of mountains, past what would have once been green and lush fields. On and on they walked, though for how long was hard to say, given that the sun was largely obscured by clouds high above them. However, before long, tiredness and fatigue was starting to set in, and all of them, Fafnir included, were starting to become weary of their constant travelling.

"I do apologise if I come across as ungrateful, Prince Fafnir...but you do know where you're going, do you not?"

A deep exhale escaped the Prince.

"It's a path we were taught long ago. Though I admit...I've never actually walked it myself."

It wasn't the best of news, but given what they knew of his family life, it was unsurprising. Still, there nevertheless came a time when the grumpy Prince stopped, having turned one particularly rocky corner, wherein he started to smile. He charged forward, with the ponies and Spike following him. And soon, they saw what he was smiling at. A door, engraved in the symbols and words of the dwarves, carved right into the side of the base of a nearby mountain. It was about the height of the average Ponyville home, and upon seeing it, the group's expressions all lit up. Their destination was in sight, at least for now, and together they charged towards it. Before long, they were upon it, and Fafnir placed his hand on it.

"Within this ancient place...a treasure of untold vastness awaits."

He turned to the others.

"My people may be strong, but even we can't open something like this by ourselves."

Twilight nodded, getting the message.

"Right. Guys?"

The others ponies and Spike too gave a nod, and without another world, all eight of them pressed themselves against the imposing stone door. They pushed and heaved and strained against it, with Twilight and Rarity even going so far as to try and use their magic to assist them in opening it. Many minutes passed, and it seemed as though they would not be able to do this, but then, to their great relief, there was a slight budge. They carried on, knowing that they were about to succeed, and within the span of another minute, the door swung open. Dust and cobwebs from the ages were knocked free of it, and on the other side was another tunnel, though one far larger and, somehow, darker than the one they'd already been through. Twilight stepped forward, lighting her horn and showing that it went on for some time. Fafnir, placing his hands upon his hips, gave a nod, before then turning to the Princess.

"...Shall we?"

Twilight narrowed her eyes at the darkness before her.

"If the way home for me and my friends is in there...then yes."