Nine Realms

Now, Twilight had been through some pretty bad Winters in her day. Her first time trying out for Winter Wrap-Up in Ponyville? Oh yeah, that certainly stood out as a rather hectic time for her. Having to cope with Rainbow Dash's obsession with Tank not going into his hibernation? That was pretty crazy too. But this? This right here? Having to deal with cold and wind on this scale? No, she would have traded this at a moment's notice for any of those other wild and crazy winters if she had the chance. From her first step forward, the young alicorn, along with all of het friends, struggled to get going in this place. As had been established before, the snow was thick on the ground here, and it truly was an effort to just walk in a straight line, having to almost dig their way with every step. Granted, Twilight, Fluttershy and Rainbow were less hindered by such things, but for the sake of their friends, they endured it as well. Time passed, and it seemed as though they'd made no progress whatsoever, and it was starting to get on a certain fashionista's nerves.

"So...any inkling as to when we'll be able to come across anything of use out here, darling?"

Twilight couldn't blame her for her unhappy mood right now, as she was certainly feeling it herself right now. But, she did her best to keep those feelings under control for the time being.

"If we keep going on long enough...we'll come across something...or someone...who might be able to help us."

Rainbow groaned to that.

"I'd just be happy getting somewhere out of this wind!"

Applejack took a moment to chuckle to her colleague's words.

"Ah thought a little snow would be pretty easy fer the great Rainbow Dash."

The blue pegasus beside her glowered at that, and for a moment, Twilight feared that a fight would break out between them. Fortunately, this was soon averted, as Pinkie suddenly called out.

"Wait! Over there!"

All eyes turned to where she'd been pointing, and sure enough, they took on looks of surprise. It appeared to be an icy ridge of some kind, just a little further up from where they were. It was small, to be sure, but what was important was that it was, unquestionably, shelter. Not good shelter, but it would keep the worst of the wind off them at least. So, moving as one, the group made their way over, with Twilight keeping Spike on her back so he could at least keep up with them. The struggle to get over there was as bad as it had been this whole time, but with renewed vigour, they made it. A sigh of tiredness escaped them all, and they took a moment to rub their hooves together, though the little warmth they had from such an act was not really worth it. In this moment of silence, Twilight cast her eyes outwards, and saw, as usual, nothing useful towards the horizon.

"Twilight?"

The voice of Fluttershy prompted her to look over to her, seeing the concerned look she bore.

"Are...are you alright?"

The Princess wanted to reassure them, to let them know things were going to be okay, but in a desolate place like this, it was getting harder and harder to keep up such an image.

"I just...wish we had help."

She hated herself for revealing that moment of weakness, however brief, but, to the credit of the others, they did not look down to her for it. Instead, they smiled, walking over to her and, in a move which mirrored their first landing here, got together in a warm hug. However, this tender moment between them was somewhat interrupted when they began to hear a familiar sound. Footsteps? No, more familiar than that. It was, to their utter shock, hoofsteps. Their heads darted in all directions, trying to see who or what was causing it, and here, they saw a shadow being cast by something just above them on the ridge. With fear taking hold, the group stayed silent, with Twilight keeping her eyes fixed on that shadow. Then, to their slight concern, they heard a voice call to them.

"It's alright...I mean you no harm."

Though hesitant, the group moved together, heading out of their temporary shelter and out into the snow once more. Turning, they looked up to the figure who had spoken to them, and here, their eyes widened with shock. At first glance, it appeared to be a figure not unlike Princess Celestia in appearance, with pristine white fur. But this was no alicorn, as she bore no horn or wings to identify herself as such. Instead, her mane was the same bright white as her fur, and her eyes were a piercing blue, looking down to them with softness in her expression.

"I am sorry to have startled you...but I heard voices, and I came to see who it was."

Though undoubtedly surprised to find one of their kind out here, Twilight was not willing to question this kind of good fortune, and broke out into a smile.

"I...I'm sorry, but...we weren't expecting you."

A chuckle escaped the mare high above them.

"Think nothing of it. With all the dangerous people in these nine realms, caution was probably a wise choice. Though I admit, I had not expected to see outsiders here in Niflheim today."

So, they knew this realm's name now, but it was a very small comfort right now. Still, Twilight sighed, relieved to have actually found somepony out here.

"My name is Twilight, a Princess of a land called Equestria. These are my friends...and we're trying to get home."

The mare gave a brief bow of her head.

"My name is of no importance...but it is nevertheless an honour to have such distinguished guests in this realm."

Rarity, as one would expect, clearly approved of the mare's manners, giving a slight nod to her, but Twilight, keeping her mind on their goals here, stepped forward and looked to her with curiosity.

"I'm terribly sorry for asking this...but I don't suppose you know of a way out of this realm...do you?"

A warm smile crossed the mare's face, and she gave a small nod.

"As a matter of act...I do."

The group broke out into smiles, looking to one another excitedly. As for the mare, she turned, looking out in one direction in particular, before promptly raising her hoof and pointing to it.

"If you travel south, for about one day, you'll come across a lake, and at the edge of that lake...there is a bridge."

Slowly, she looked back down to them.

"If what you seek is to leave this realm, that bridge will offer you that chance. The journey across it is simple, and I assure you, you will not have to worry about this realm once you've crossed it."

Sighs of relief passed through the group, as would have been expected, and Twilight, keeping her eyes on the mare, gave an appreciative smile.

"Th...thank you. I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't met you."

The mare chuckled, giving another bow of her head.

"Fear not...I only want to help."

Her face, just for a moment, became more serous.

"Remember...a day's journey to the south."

Twilight nodded, taking a moment to look back to her colleagues, all of whom were smiling at her. But, when she looked back to where the mare had been standing, she found, to her surprise, that she was gone. Stretching out her wings, the Princess gave an almighty flap, launching herself in the air. She rose up, to the point of the ridge, expecting to see the mare or where she'd gone to. But no, there was nothing there at all beyond all the snow and ice that covered everything else in this realm. Though taken aback by this sudden disappearance, Twilight knew she could not lose sight of what was important. They'd been given a way out of this place, and she was not about to let that opportunity slip her by. So, after landing back down to the ground, she turned to her colleagues, her smile one of utter confidence.

"Come on, guys...we're getting out of here."