Nine Realms

True, their journey through the nine realms had been trying, dangerous and unwanted, and yet, with what had just happened, the group now had at least a tiny sliver of hope in their hearts. Granted, coming across another talking equine like themselves in this place had been the absolute last thing they'd expected to see, but it was something they appreciated to no end. What's more, they now had a lead to get themselves out of this frigid wasteland of a realm, and that knowledge alone made their trek through the snow feel just that little bit easier. Twilight, confidently striding forward, led her friends over frozen fields, hills and rivers, though the latter environments had to obviously be traversed with greater care, lest they fall under. Still, a "day's journey" they had been told, and a day's journey they would walk, never straying from the southward direction they'd been given. However, as they continued through this chilling place, Spike started to look just a touch concerned about something, and while he did his best to keep his concerns to himself for a while, there came a point when even he could no longer keep silent.

"Um...Twilight?"

The Princess, still walking forward, looked down to him by her side.

"Yes, Spike?"

Though hesitant, the young dragon nevertheless managed to get his words out.

"Don't you think it's a little odd that we come across somepony like that out here? Somepony who just knows exactly what we need and then just...you know...vanishes?"

Twilight nodded.

"I know what you mean. It was strange, I'll certainly concede that. But, it was still helpful, and out here..."

She gestured to their surroundings.

"...I don't think we're in a position to be picky when it comes to what help we get, or from who."

Though Spike was still unsure about all of that, he soon nodded, conceding at least that point. Twilight, smiling down to him, gave him a quick pat on the head.

"Don't worry, Spike...we'll stick together and deal with whatever comes our way."

Spike smiled back to that, appreciating the words of his carer, but, before he had the chance to say anything further, he was interrupted by the sudden and loud calling out of Rainbow Dash.

"Twilight! Look!"

The group turned in unison, looking to where the cyan pegasus had pointed. And sure enough, their destination was in sight. A vast lake which, naturally, was just as frozen as everything else around here. And there, sitting right at the edge of the thing, was the start of a bridge, just as they'd been promised. Smiling, Twilight charged forward, followed shortly by all of her compatriots. Within a short time, they'd made it, and so could get a better look at the bridge in question. It appeared to be incredibly old, having been made from some kind of wood, both in the floor panels and the pillars that rose up from it. But, in stark contrast to this, the roof of the thing was made, shockingly, of gold. What little light the skies of this realm had caused that roof to glisten, and Rarity, naturally, was utterly transfixed upon it, much to Applejack's amusement.

"Rares...yer drooling."

The fashionista wiped her mouth, looking a touch embarrassed, though the others at least had the courtesy not to laugh at this. Twilight, on the other hand, was focused on the bridge before them. Stepping to one side, she looked out to try and see where it was stretching out to, but here, she came upon a slight problem. For while the bridge seemed to go on for a very long time, she could not see its end. For after a while, the bridge became obscured by a thick and foreboding fog, which the young alicorn could not peer through. Moreover, the skies above seemed to darken in that direction, not from clouds, like everywhere else, but from something else. It was hardly a pleasant image, but for the time being, Twilight focused instead on just the bridge.

"Well...here it is."

She looked out to the rest of the group, and much like her, they seemed to show some kind of hesitation at the gloomy far-away destination this bridge would take them. Still, after everything they'd been through, Twilight could feel that this would indeed take them out of Niflheim, and so, after steeling herself, she gave a solemn nod.

"Ready?"

The others nodded in unison.

"Ready," they echoed back to her.

Twilight took a few breaths, then stretched out her hoof, ready to take that first step onto the bridge.

"Halt!"

Immediately, Twilight stopped at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, and she and all the others turned. There, standing behind them just a short distance away, was what appeared to be an old woman, clad in a heavy grey cloak and robes, her face obscured by a large hood. Slowly, she raised her head, revealing her wizened face, with long grey hair poking out of the aforementioned robe. She walked forward, her every step betraying the slowness of her age, and Twilight, though wary, walked closer.

"Who are you?"

The woman stopped, her eyes narrowing at the Princess.

"My sisters and I are known by many names...but you may refer to me as...a Norn."

Twilight's brow furrowed as memories of past encounters returned to the forefront of her mind.

"Norn...Norn...wait..."

Her eyes widened.

"I've heard people mention you before. You're the ones responsible for people's destinies?"

The woman nodded.

"Correct. It is we who weave the fates of the realms and those who dwell within."

Though fascinated to meet such a person, Twilight soon remembered what she had been about to do, and after casting another quick glance to the bridge, looked back to the mysterious figure nearby.

"Why did you stop us?"

The Norn frowned at the bridge.

"You have all been deceived, young one. You were told that this bridge will lead you out of this realm."

She gestured to the thing,

"And while that in itself was no lie...know now that the place you will go to is Helheim...the abode of the dead."

As one would expect, words like that prompted more than a little fear in the other members of the group.

"The...the underworld?!" Fluttershy asked, clearly worried.

The Norn nodded.

"Indeed. It is a place where those who did not die valiantly in battle must go, to live under the reign of Hel, Mistress of that dark place."

Twilight grimaced at that thought, again looking to the bridge and the darkness that awaited them on the other side.

"...If we had gone there...what would have happened?"

The Norn hung her head slightly.

"...You would not have returned. For nobody, not even the gods themselves, can free a soul from that realm once they have entered it."

Applejack frowned deeply to this, turning to her friends.

"We were tricked! That no-good mare wanted us ta go ta that blasted place?! Why?!"

A chuckle escaped the Norn, causing all of them to look to her as she began to explain.

"For simple amusement, I would imagine. And that was no mare, like yourself...but a shapeshifter. A trickster, who has been known to do many such ill-acts in his life."

Twilight tilted her head.

"Wait...his life? But...he was a mare!"

A knowing smile came to the old woman.

"It would not be the first time he took on such a form for himself."

She glanced away, her frown returning soon afterwards.

"And knowing Loki...it will not be the last."

Twilight didn't know who this "Loki" person was, and quite frankly, after how they'd almost been deceived into going to a place that would very definitely end their journey in the worst way possible, she didn't want to know anything more about him. Instead, she turned once more to the bridge, now knowing it was little more than a dead end to her, and she let out a resigned sigh. Eventually, however, she looked back to their visitor.

"Thank you...for warning us."

The Norn gave a bow of her head, before turning and starting to slowly walk off. The group, seeing her go, all gave each other silent looks, before all agreeing that it was best for them to avoid this place, Twilight again calling out to their new ally.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

While still walking, the old woman answered.

"I have a duty to perform...and today I must fulfil it."

Here, she stopped, looking back to the brightly coloured group that was just behind her.

"You may join me...if you wish."

The ponies and spike paused, giving each other nervous looks, which ended when Twilight gave one final look to the bridge, before eventually settling on their unexpected saviour.

"...Given what she is, if there's anybody who can help us out here...it's her."