Nine Realms

Now, given the relative distance between the "mountain range" and where the ponies had been standing, one would naturally assume that it would take an incredibly long time to get from one to the other. Days possibly even a week. But, that was assuming that they didn't have a little help along the way. And get help they did, thought it would have been wrong to call it little. Ymir, who had apparently taken a liking to these tiny ponies, had elected to aid them after learning of their goals, and so, upon his broad shoulders they stood. The Jotun marched towards the great root of Yggdrasil, his strides vast, covering the distance to their destination far quicker than any smaller creature might have done. The ponies themselves, though grateful for the assistance, nevertheless had to hold on for dear life, as this great speed of their companion led to an enormous amount of wind rushing past them, threatening to blow them off with every passing second.

But, they persevered all the same, and within the span of one day, their host had managed to bring them where they needed to go. Despite their prior scepticism, they found that Ymir had been correct. These were no mountains, but a giant root, of a size that would have been unthinkable to them, and as Ymir gently lowered them back down to the ground, they looked up in awe at the sheer scale of the thing, much to the Jotun's slight amusement. However, they were here for a reason, and soon, after scouring around, Twilight spotted an opening underneath the spot of the root where they had arrived. It looked like a cave, dark and foreboding, and as the Princess glanced back up to Ymir, he gave a solemn nod, confirming that this was indeed the place where they needed to be. So, after letting out a sigh, Twilight smiled, giving an appreciative nod to the giant, as did all of her companions. Ymir himself gave a bow of his head, and then, without even a word, began to walk off, his steps, as ever, leaving tremors in their wake.

Now, they were alone again, and the Equestrians braced themselves for what they might encounter. Taking careful step after careful step, Twilight led the way, and within moments, they were inside the cave. Twilight lit up her horn, lighting the way for them, and they huddled together for safety, always bearing looks of worry as they went deeper and deeper into this worrisome place. But then, after a while, they saw an eerie blue light up ahead, prompting them to up their pace slightly. After a time, they came to the place Ymir had told them about. The pool of wisdom. About the size of the mirror pool of Equestria, it radiated an ethereal blue light, shining on every corner of the cavern it dwelt in. Twilight and the others approached, ever nervous, and could feel that this was a place of great importance. Twilight, who now started to look around, began to speak up, albeit somewhat quietly.

"Um...hello?"

"Greetings."

All heads turned, and there, sitting upon a rock at the edge of the cavern, was what appeared to be, to their surprise, another human. Clad in a simple blue robe, he rested his hands upon a cane fashioned from an oaken branch. His head was balding, but he bore a perfectly white beard, and he smiled warmly at the new arrivals to the cave.

"May I be of some assistance?"

Twilight, clearing her throat a little, took a single step forward.

"Yes...um...we're looking for a Jotun named Mimir. Have you seen him?"

A chuckle escaped the man, and he gave a slow nod.

"Yes...I suppose I have..."

He turned, looking to the pool.

"...every time I see my reflection."

It didn't take long for the group to put two and two together, and Applejack, now stepping forward herself, spoke with some incredulity.

"Wait...you are Mimir?"

The old man nodded again.

"At your service."

Pinkie, with her usual degree of tact, bounced forward and said what they were all thinking.

"Er...you don't look big enough to be a Jotun!"

Her friends all glared at her, but Mimir didn't seem bothered by the outburst in the slightest.

"I assure you, Miss Pinkie...we Jotuns come in all shapes and sizes...much like you Equestrians."

Her ears perking up, Twilight looked back to him.

"Wait...you know who we are?!"

Mimir again gestured to the pool.

"One does not dwell next to the pool of wisdom their whole lives without learning a thing or two, young Princess."

As one would expect, coming across someone who knew exactly what and who they were, without needing to be told, was a touch unnerving for the party. Even so, the Princess did not let such a thing take her aback too much, and so she drew a little closer.

"So...you know what it is we came here to ask about?"

Mimir looked to her, then, ever so slowly, got down from his rock. He stumbled slightly, using his cane frequently as he made his way over to the pool. Twilight and the others watched, seeing him stare down into the waters.

"I know you are far from home...and I know you lack direction. You seek a way back...yet have found none in your travels thus far."

Twilight's ears drooped.

"No...we haven't."

Mimir turned to face her.

"Worry not...for hope does exist for you. There are many gates between worlds, and the power of Yggdrasil goes not only to those nine...but to far beyond."

Twilight looked on, hope coming to her.

"You mean...there is a way back to Equestria?"

Mimir considered that.

"There may well be...but I know of journeys such as yours. Finding home can take a long and perilous one. And yours will take you to all of the nine before you reach the end of it."

Rainbow grunted.

"What?! We have to go through more worlds before we get home?!"

Mimir chuckled again.

"Frustrating, I know. But, I do not decide the flow of fate. Only the Norns have such power. I...merely impart what I know."

It was less-than-happy news, it had to be said, but even so, it was something. So, after considering their newly-established position, Twilight realised that there was one question above all that needed to be asked.

"You say you know of other portals...so which one do we take?"

Mimir carefully dipped the end of his cane into the waters of the pool, swirling it around slightly before looking to the ripples that action created.

"Far from here...there is a fortress for the Jotuns. A great keep known as Utgard. There dwells a fearsome leader of the Jotuns. Utgard-Loki. That stronghold contains within it an ancient stone, much like the one you found yourselves next to when you arrived in this realm. Touch it...and the next world will be open to you."

Rarity seemed dismayed by that.

"Oh my! We have to make our way to an entire castle of Jotuns?! How positively dreadful!"

Mimir raised an eyebrow to that, prompting Rarity to realise what it was she'd just said.

"Oh! Um...I mean...I'm sure you’re a fine Jotun, Mr Mimir, but..."

However, to her surprise, the elderly figure merely smiled.

"Think nothing of it. I realise my kin often have a reputation for brutality."

A grimace came to him.

"A reputation...that is not entirely undeserved."

Her expression softening, Twilight drew nearer to her latest ally in this quest.

"This leader of the Jotuns, Utgard-Loki...will he help us?"

Mimir tapped the end of his chin with the top of his cane, and slowly, a smile came to him.

"He will undoubtedly have eyes watching for intruders into his lands. And, to be perfectly blunt, he is not known to be gentle with such visitors. But, should you be found, and if they are merciful enough to bring you to him...tell him..."

Another laugh escaped him.

"...tell him...Mimir sent you...and that he's calling in his debt."

Twilight blinked to that, and Pinkie, who had been standing close by, leaned in closer and whispered to her.

"Yeeeeeeeeah, that’s not ominous in the slightest!"