Nine Realms

Now, being escorted through a dangerous-looking forest by a pair of massive and fearsome beasts was hardly anyone's idea of a pleasant time. But, Twilight had put her faith in Fluttershy's assessment of these creatures, so for now at least, they followed. Where they were being led to, nopony knew. All they did know was that, wherever or whatever they were being taken to, it must be important. They just had this feeling of that, this instinct that something worthwhile was at the end of this encounter. But, nopony said anything about it, instead maintaining an air of wariness, always casting the occasional glance to their feral acquaintances. On and on they travelled, with seemingly no end in sight to this forest, and while it retained a sense of mystery and primal wonder, only Fluttershy seemed to truly appreciate it, as evidenced by her tone as she walked alongside Twilight and began to speak to her.

"I know this place seems strange to us...but I think we're not in any danger here."

Sighing, Twilight smiled to her.

"Well, if nothing else, I'm glad one of us is happy with all of this."

Fluttershy smiled back, but said nothing, for just then, both she and the rest of the group stopped. It appeared as though they had come to their destination, a vast lake right in the centre of the forest, whose waters glistened brightly with the colours of the auroras above. The two cats, walking further ahead of the group, turned to face them, sitting quietly upon the edge of that lake. At first, the ponies didn't know what to make of this, but then, without warning, the surface of that water broke. Up from it emerged what appeared to be a human woman of some sort, with long reddish-brown hair. Whether going for a swim or to simply bathe, none could say. But, what was clear about this stranger was that she was completely unclothed, and while most of the group saw no issue with this, Twilight and Spike, by contrast, knew exactly what it meant, and so set to work. Twilight, igniting her horn, engulfed her friends in her aura, turning them around so as to not be able to look.

"Hey! What the...?!" Rainbow began.

But Twilight looked to her with sternness.

"Humans don't like it when you look at them without any clothes on!"

Her friends all looked to her with confusion, and after letting out a sigh, Twilight nodded.

"Yes, yes, I don't get it either. But trust me, I know humans more than the rest of you, and believe me when I say that this is just something we have to contend with."

The others, while still confused about that, nevertheless deferred to their leader's judgement. Instead, they stayed where they were, even though they continued to hear the sound of splashing water behind them. Eventually, however, a clam and soothing voice spoke out to them.

"Oh? I see I have guests. What have you brought me, my dears?"

The group heard the sounds of the two cats growling in response, and Twilight, clearing her throat, soon called out to her.

"Apologies for interrupting you, Miss...but my name is..."

"Twilight Sparkle. Yes, I know."

Twilight blinked with surprise, as did everypony else, and as they looked to her, she muttered the only thing she could.

"But...how...?"

A chuckle was heard.

"Word reached my ears long ago of seven strangers who had been traversing the nine realms. Though I confess...I had not expected to see quite such a colourful group as you."

Laughing nervously, Twilight nodded.

"Yes...I imagine we must look rather strange to you."

"Oh, not at all. One thing you must learn, young Pirncess...is that strange things are practically normal here in these realms."

After all they had witnessed, the ponies couldn't really argue with that. But, there was a certain matter Twilight wanted to discuss, only to be struck with a sudden thought.

"I'm...I'm sorry for saying this, but...I wanted to talk to you about something and...well...I'd prefer to be able to look at you while I was doing it."

At first, there was no response to that, prompting Twilight to fear that she might have offended this person. But, after a time, they heard the distinct sound of her leaving the water. More sounds of movement could be heard, and before long, the voice called out to them again.

"Very well...you may look now."

As instructed, they turned, and saw that she had not only left the water, but had now clad herself in a simple white robe. Placing her hands upon her hips, the woman regarded them all.

"Now then...I take it you sought me when you came here to Vanaheim?"

Twilight, silently noting this realm's name, nodded, taking a step closer.

"Yes...we were told by the light elves of Alfheim that you travelled there from time to time?"

The woman nodded back.

"Indeed. One can only enjoy so much by remaining in one realm after all."

Twilight took another step closer, her eyes widening with hope.

"Then...you know how to get to other worlds?"

A smile crept onto the woman's face.

"I do. In fact, I had planned to journey to one very soon. And if I've heard correctly...it is the one realm you yourself have not visited."

Briefly, she frowned.

"Well...besides the one that nobody would want to go to."

Hearing that, Twilight nodded.

"Yes. Would...would it be alright if we accompanied you?"

Her latest acquaintance shrugged her shoulders, turning to face one of her cats and giving it a pat on the head.

"The more the merrier, wouldn't you say?"

The cat growled pleasantly, but the woman, now looking to Twilight again, took on a somewhat sterner expression and tone of voice.

"I still have some preparations to go through...but you're welcome to stay with me until l am ready to depart."

Twilight, remembering her manners, gave a respectful bow of her head.

"I appreciate this help, Miss. Thank you."

The woman bowed her own head in response, and with that, she started to head off, with both the cats and the Equestrians close behind her. Spike, poking his claws against each other nervously, soon called out, asking the question that had been on his mind for some time now.

"So...what do we call you?"

Twilight looked to him, briefly feeling surprise that she herself had not asked that question. But, like him, she too was overcome with curiosity, and looked to their guide as she turned back to them.

"I am known by many names by many peoples. There are so many to choose from."

Slowly, a knowing smile crept onto her lips.

"But you may call me...Gullveig."