Nine Realms

It was nice, having hope in her heart again. After experiencing realm after realm where she was putting up with naught but hopelessness, here, at long last, there was a sense that this was it. This would be the final stretch of their journey. All they had to go was get to Asgard, and from there, convince their King to send them back to Equestria. Of course, the only other alternative was to think that there would be no way home, even after having gone to a place like Asgard. And that was a notion that Twilight was simply refusing to even consider. So, on she went, walking alongside the confidently-striding Gullveig, with her two enormous cats just ahead of her. Twilight's friends were behind her, and Spike, as usual, was at her side. Like her, they too walked with a sense of renewed purpose, clearly sharing her feeling that this might be the end of this unwanted journey. But, as had happened so many times now, nopony said a word, instead just trying their best to keep calm under the circumstances. That is, they were silent, until a certain party-loving mare chose to speak out in her usual bubbly tone.

"So...what is this Bifrost thingy?"

Gullveig took on a somewhat thoughtful look as she dwelt on that question.

"It is the great bridge that leads to Asgard. From that causeway, the people of that high realm can journey to any place they desire."

Slowing down slightly, she looked over her shoulder to the rest.

"To get to Asgard without the Bifrost, you'd probably have to do something drastic, like scale the wall that separates it from Jotunheim."

Here, the ponies halted dead in their tracks, and Rainbow, understandably, looked to Gullveig with irritation.

"Wait...you mean that there was a way to get to Asgard all the way back in Jotunheim?!"

Gullveig nodded.

"Correct."

Rainbow, realising that, snapped her head in Twilight's direction.

"So we could have gone straight there when we were only at the second world on our trip?!"

Twilight looked unsure of that, and looked to Gullveig for clarification, who simply gave a slow shake of her head.

"I fear not. While it might have been a more direct path to your final realm, crossing over walls meant to defend them would not have sent the best first impression. In truth, if you'd have attempted such a move...they would have slain you on sight."

The grimace that passed through the group made it clear that they did not doubt her words. So, while still somewhat annoyed at having learned what they'd learned, they continued onwards, still bearing that sense of slight relief that the end of their journey was in sight. Gullveig, for her part, focused on making sure they were all on the right path, looking to certain trees that bore distinct rune markings, like way-posts, helping her to know where to go. Eventually, after passing by one tree in particular, she smiled, and spoke calmly to her guests.

"Take heart...we are here."

Eager to see what she was talking about, the Equestrians rushed forward, and upon seeing what had been described to them, they halted, their mouths agape with shock. For it looked as though the very world they stood on just stopped. Images of flat worlds from ancient parchment came to mind for them. The kind of pictures that would have led to a thousand humorous comments about people just walking off the edge. Well, that appeared to be what now lay before them. For the ground simply stopped at one point, and led to nothing but a sheer drop into nothingness below. And beyond? There was naught but the night sky, as though taking one step out there would lead into space itself. Naturally, this image did not inspire confidence in the young ponies.

"So...um...that is...quite a sight," Rarity exclaimed.

Gullveig put on a knowing smile.

"Fret not...most have the same reaction upon seeing the edge of one realm or another. But still..."

She looked ahead.

"...there is where we must now walk."

In truth, the ponies had already noticed what she was talking about, but had been so transfixed at the concept of the world just ending like this that they hadn't paid any attention to it. But, there it was all the same. The Bifrost that they'd heard so much about. They had heard it called a "rainbow bridge", and it was an apt description of it. For it truly did look like someone had plucked a rainbow straight from the sky and turned it into a road of some sort, sticking one end into the aforementioned edge of the realm and stretching it out into who knew where. Though all were still amazed and stunned at this sight, they were not so shocked as to be unable to move, and so slowly approached the closest edge of the Bifrost.

"So...how does this work?" Applejack asked.

Gullveig, turning to her two cats, gave a nod, and after they'd let out a growl, they turned back, heading straight for the path they'd all been walking on. Twilight looked to her guide with confusion, and the latter explained.

"I think I might present a better image for myself if I don't bring two vicious animals with me."

And understandable position, Twilight had to admit, but it still didn't resolve the lingering issue of how best to proceed. Gullveig, realising that the ponies needed convincing, did the honours, and took that very first step onto the Bifrost. The others looked on with horror, fully expecting her to pass through that bright rainbow and plummet down into the nothingness below. But, this was not the case, as Gullveig confidently strode out as though it were a physical road. She had actually taken about ten steps forward before finally stopping, wherein she turned and silently gestured for the Equestrians to follow. Twilight, blinking slowly, looked to her companions, and they, in turn, looked to her. Sighing, she knew she would be the first to go among them, and so walked towards the rainbow.

"Well...here goes nothing."

Understandably, she was more than a little hesitant, but she still believed that she could do this. So, upon reaching the edge, she paused, looking down to that bright array of colours beneath. She took a few calming breaths, and then, she took that first step. By all logic, her hoof should have gone right through, but instead, it was stable and solid, like an actual road. Hesitantly, she took another step, and then another, before finally walking out onto the bridge in earnest. The others watched, and one by one, they followed. Eventually, and after a great deal of worry and concern from all of them, they were all there together, breathing a collective sigh of relief. Smiling to them, Twilight tuned once more to Gullveig, who smiled back before gesturing to the path ahead.

"...Shall we?"