And Then Thor Became A Cutie Mark
The sky rent and the whole of Asgard shook with the mighty roar of Thor's great, and terrible voice. It filled the halls of Vallhalla and even cracked the great golden shields that thatched the roof. So great was his fury, so great was his anger, that even great Odin himself paused and wondered 'Who is this that has done this great and terrible thing?' Thor's terrible cry shook the very foundations of not only his world, but the worlds beyond. Even mighty Yggdrasil, the great world tree, shook and even swayed under its terrible fury.
Baldr, Thor's bother and the paragon of light and wisdom, had just died.
In Thor's arms his body lay, limp and lifeless. In his chest lay a single arrow, the only thing to harm him, for all else failed. It had all been in good fun, and even Baldr himself had thought it all to be a game. For no object in all of the realms could harm him. Indeed, all things simply hit him, and fell away with no harm or hurt done to him; for all things had sworn, with an oath, to never hurt him. That is, all things, save one.
Thor, through eyes redder then blood, whose veins forked like lightning, saw that the single arrow was made of mistletoe. He roared yet again, his head thrown back as the others who were near stepped back in horror at what had been done. All, save the blind god Höðr, who knew not what he had done. For it was he who had fired it, and thus, it was he who had slain fair Baldr. It was he who had been tricked, and yet, he knew it not.
“Höðr!!” cried Thor, “Why!? Why have you slain our brother!? Was he not the fairest, the wisest of us all? Was it greed Höðr? Was it jealousy?”
“Slain? What are you talking about? Are not all things harmless to him? Did not his mother, Frigg, make all things to swear that they would never harm him?” Höðr asked, confused, and insulted that Thor would dare to make light of such a tragic thing. For, would not Baldr's death mark the beginning of Ragnarök; the very end of not only the world, but the Gods themselves? “Why then do you joke so? Nothing can harm him, how could I slay him?”
Thor's face became as red as fire. “You think I joke?! You think the body of our brother, who lies limp in my arms, is a trick? No, Höðr, YOU have killed him! It was YOU who shot him!”
Höðr shook his head. “But were we not all throwing and shooting him with all that we had, and could lay hold to, to amuse ourselves? To see all things simply fall away from his unharmed flesh? Was it not he who said unto us: 'Come, see, throw your stones, your spears, your arrows at me?' And did we not, and he was not harmed? Moreover, am I not blind? How then can you accuse me of ending his life when my eyes cannot see? No, bother Thor, you must be mistaken. Baldr is well, and you think to mock me and my eyes.” Höðr shook his head.
Thor's mouth foamed like a raging sea as his rage took hold of his mind, and spittle flew as he spoke to Höðr, “You DARE?” he trembled with anger as he closed Baldr's eyes, and laid him on the ground. Standing, he turned to face the blind god. “You, who have shot him with the one thing that can harm him, dare to speak to me and tell ME that I jest about his death?!”
“Wait,” Höðr said, “The one thing that can harm him? Brother Thor, what was it that I fired from my bow?”
Thor's fury cracked the ground under his feet as he took a step towards Höðr. “You pretend you do not know? Fine! Then I shall tell you! You shot Baldr, our brother, who was wisest, purest, and full of light, with an arrow made from the wood of mistletoe!” he slammed his other foot onto the ground, making the earth beneath it to break and the ground to tremble.
Höðr froze. “Brother Thor, what did you just say?” he said, almost in a whisper.
“I said that you shot him with an arrow of mistletoe!!” Thor cried to the sky, his breath and fury causing all but the strongest beings hearts to fail and flee.
Höðr's heart froze. It wasn't possible. There were only a few in all of Asgard who knew, who knew that of all the creatures in all the realms, only the tiny mistletoe had not sworn the oath to lay no harm to Baldr; for it was too young when Frigg had forced all to make the oath. “Let, let me touch him. Let me feel his heart. I must know and see that he is dead!” Höðr cried, the reality of the situation finally sinking into his own heart.
“You shall not touch him!” cried Thor. “Is it not enough, what you have done? What more would you do?! Get out! Begone! You are banished! And if father Odin wills it, you will never return!” Thor shouted, and pointed behind Höðr. “Go! Go beyond the walls of Asgard, and never come back!”
Höðr stood there, his face filled with horror. Then, in shame as deep as an ocean, he turned, and fled from them, never to be seen again.
“Thor,” Loki, the great trickster, began, “why did you not slay him? If you do not, surely father Odin will!” he said, his voice full of sorrow, though Thor could not see that it was farce.
“He is my brother. And though he may have slain one of our own, I will not become as he is! Let father do with him as he will. Come, Loki, we must bring Baldr to Valhalla. We must tell father, and send Baldr to the land of Helheim, the land of your daughter.”
Loki smiled, though Thor saw it not. “Yes, to the land of Hel, the land of my daughter, the land of the dead...”
*****
Princess Celestia's eyes shot open and she shot up in her bed. She was breathing heavily, and sweat had begun to run down her forehead. She sat in the darkness of her room for several moments. She needed to calm down. She pushed her covers aside, and stood on her hooves.
“Your highness, are you alright? Do you need a doctor?” one of the two night guards who guarded her chambers asked.
She shook her head. “No, I am...” 'fine' was the word most ponies would have ended that sentence with. However, she was not fine. Her reign had been an honest one, and she had no plans to change that fact yet. “I am not fine.” She shook her head once more. “My sister. Do you know where she is?”
The second guard saluted as he answered, “Your Majesty! Princess Luna is in her chambers.” She decided to stay home tonight, did she? That was good.
“Thank you. Let her know that I'm coming. I need to speak with her.” The guard saluted and left the room, leaving the other alone with the Princess.
“Princess, will you require an escort?” the guard dutifully asked.
Princess Celestia chuckled. “No, I think I can manage. Thank you for asking though.” she walked over to a mirror and looked to a lamp that was near it. Her horn glowed as life came to the lamp and filled the room with a warm, though somewhat dim, light. She looked at the mirror, and pulled out a brush. True they were sisters, but they were also royalty, and since she would be walking to her sister's chambers, she still had to look the part. After all, one never knew who they might run into in the halls at this time of night. So, after brushing her mane, and putting on her royal regalia, she turned to look at her cutie mark. It was as she had feared.
It was there.
She closed her eyes for a second to channel the sudden urge to panic into a more productive form of energy. She made a habit of such things, for as a ruler, she needed to be level-headed at all times. Sure, she sometimes felt frustrated, upset, sad, etc…, but she had learned long ago how to channel those emotions into productive action rather then let them take control. After all, losing one's head almost never does anypony any good.
“Your Highness!” the guard who had left said from the door, “Her Highness, Princess Luna, is ready to receive you.”
“Thank you very much. You may tell her that I will be on my way shortly, and you may tell her that I need to speak with her concerning my cutie mark.” she then turned to look at the guard. “I trust you'll keep that last part a secret?” she smiled. The guard nodded. “Thank you. You may go.”
With one final salute, the guard left once more to speak with her sister. “Princess...” the other guard said softly, though with great concern, as she left the room.
“Yes? What is it?” Celestia asked, turning her head to look at him.
The guard swallowed, then looked at her with worry. “Your Majesty, you're shaking…”
*****
Thor, the son of Odin, knew that it would not be long now before Ragnarök, the end of all things. That terrible time when Fenrir, the great wolf, bringer of death, and Jormungand, Thor's hated foe, the terrible serpent, would awaken and bring destruction to all things. But what could he do? What could any of them do? Odin, the All-Father had told them that it would come, and that there was nothing they could do. For all their great might, they were powerless.
Thor's thoughts were troubled as he flew through the air, lighting firing from the wheels of his chariot. Surely, there must be something that can be done. If not, then he, as well as his father, were doomed to die, and the worlds doomed to burn to ash. He simply couldn't accept that, but yet, Odin spoke, and had told them all that it was unavoidable.
He spat. No! He was Thor! He was the god of thunder! Odin may have been fearful, but he was brave! If the Giants wanted a final battle, then Thor would give them one! But not alone. He had allies. Friends who would stand by him and his brothers! And if not him, then surely they would stand by Baldr. Yes, with Baldr by his side, they could change fate! With him, they could tip the odds in their favor! But yet, Baldr was dead. The gods had sent him, funeral pyre and all, to Helheim. And it was to Helheim that Thor now traveled, and it was to Hel, the master of Helheim, that he wanted to speak.
*****
“Sister? Is all well?” Luna asked with an air of polite concern as the last of the dismissed guards closed the doors behind them. Then, she dropped all pretense. “Are you okay? What happened?” she asked, looking Celestia up and down.
“Luna, look.” Celestia turned to show Luna her cutie mark.
Luna's face went slightly pale. “Y-you have your cutie mark...” she said, taking a step back.
“I know. I'm scared Luna. I don't know what to do!” Celestia said, her voice trembling.
“Let's calm down a little.” She said, resting a hoof on her sister's shoulder. “What do you remember?”
Celestia swallowed hard. “I-I remember I was standing there, surrounded. There was laughter, good laughter,” Celestia said when she saw a look of worry appear on Luna's face, “It was a party, or something. And then, I felt this sharp pain in my chest. There was shouting, and then everything went dark.”
“That's impossible.” Luna shook her head. “There's no way you could have felt pain.”
“I know. But I did. Luna, what happened?” Celestia asked, her eyes wide.
“I-I do not know. Unless...” she thought for a moment, “No … it can not be...”
“What is it Luna?”
“Sister,” Luna struggled to find the words, “you're dead.”
*****
“WHAT?!” Thor cried. “Give me my brother!” he screamed at Hel, who simply shook her head.
“He is dead Thor. And I will not release him.” she said calmly.
“Do you not know what his death foretells? Do you not know that if you keep him here, you bring doom to us all? ARE YOU A FOOL?” Thor screamed at her.
She let out a sigh and closed her eyes. “Thor. Do you think that you can change fate? Do you think that you can undo what has been done? If so, you are a bigger fool then even the giants make you to be.” she looked at him from across the room, for she had walked away from him. “No Thor, I will not give you Baldr. He is dead, and thus, he is mine.”
“But if you do not, then we all shall die!” Thor yelled, smashing his foot onto the ground.
“This bothers me little. You have your eternal fests. You have your endless battles. You have your great halls, and gold, and tales of mighty valor. And I have the dead. The dead that no one wants. Your quest was in vain Thor. I do not wish to fight the end. And so, I will not give you your brother.” she smiled wickedly.
She was indeed Loki's daughter. “You fool! Fine! I will fight fate myself! Let Ragnarök come! And when the great Midgard Serpent comes, I will slay it by my own hand!” And with that, Thor turned, lept into the back of his chariot, and flew away.
Hel, however, smiled all the more. “Foolish Thor. One does not beat fate by playing into its hands. One has to change things. One has to alter that should never be altered.” she laughed softly to herself. “Good thing you are indeed a fool. For if you were not, then perhaps you might have changed what will happen.”
*****
“That's the only explanation I can think of.” Luna said, shaking her head as Celestia slowly sank into a cushion.
“I'm dead?” her voice trailed off.
“It must be. See, my mark is gone.” she turned to show Celestia. “I must still be alive. As are all those who dream now.”
“What should we do?” Celstia asked, looking up at her sister.
“I do not know.” she looked out the window. “Perhaps it would be wise to ask another what they think?”
“Twilight.” Celestia said.
“Indeed. I think she can handle it. After all, Cadence seemed able to handle it well enough when we told her.” Luna said thoughtfully. “I'm sorry,” she shook her head, “I don't mean to be stepping on your hooves. I know that you normally would rather be making these kinds of decisions together.” Luna felt a little guilty. She and her sister had been co-ruling Equestria for a few years now, and while it was still a little rocky at times, they almost never tried to overpower one another.
Celestia let out a shaky sigh, “It's alright. That might be best. It took everything I had to make it over here, and even then my guards saw me shaking.”
“Alright, I'll call for her.” Luna tilted her head back and her horn began to glow.
“No,” Celestia said, raising a hoof. “Bring her here. I don't think we have time for formalities.”
“Are you gonna be okay, being by yourself for a few moments?” she was rather worried.
Celestia nodded. “I'll be fine, I think. I just need to think, that's all.”
“Alright. I'll be back in a moment.” Luna's horn glowed once more, though with a different spell this time.
She suddenly appeared in Twilight's chambers. She looked around to catch her bearings, and saw everything pretty much as she had expected. Though with a few new decorations and portraits of her Ponyville friends.
Luna's heart felt a bittersweet pang as she looked at those pictures. No. Now was not the time for such things. Her horn glowed once more, and a thin tendril extended from it and touched Twilight's forehead.
She was flying through the air. Around her were others like her. With spears and armor they hovered and circled around and around. She was looking down. 'There! Another one who is worthy!' she thought and pointed. Two left her and swooped down at the ground, down into the heart of the batt-
Then Twilight's eyes suddenly popped open and she sat up. “Huh? What?” she asked, looking around. “Princess Luna?” she asked when her eyes fell upon her. “Wha-what are you doing here? In my room?” she paused, “At night?” she asked awkwardly.
“First: when have you ever seen me during the day?” Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Uh… okay, you have a point.” Twilight sheepishly admitted.
“Second: I am in your room because that is where you are. If you were elsewhere, I would be there.” Luna continued.
“Well, oka-”
“Third: I am here to retrieve you. My sister and I need you.” Luna pointed a hoof at her.
Twilight's eyes opened in surprise. “Me? What do you need me for?”
“Please, come, we will explain at the castle. Do you know how to teleport into my room?” Luna asked, taking a step towards Twilight.
“I think so?” she said, unsure as she pondered it.
“Take my hoof. We'll head back together.” Twilight looked at her outstretched hoof for a moment, then grabbed it.
“Princess Luna, what's going on?” Twilight asked as both her and Luna's horns began to glow.
“The end, Twilight Sparkle. The end of the world.”
*****
“My sons,” Odin began, looking over the gods and mighty warriors that now stood before him, “my brothers, my daughters, and my sisters.” He paused. He was proud to be surrounded by so many brave and noble warriors. Indeed, there were none in all the worlds that were finer. He stood up from his throne, and eyes his mighty armies that spread out before him. “As you know, Ragnarök is upon us! It will not be long before the Jotuns, the giants, come to meet us on the plain called Vigrid. Soon Surt the fire giant, will come and with his great flaming sword set fire to our world. He will burn our walls, and he will break Bifröst, the great rainbow bridge that connects our beloved Asgard with Midgard, the world of the humans! And he will come. The sun and moon shall be eaten, and the Great Wolf Fenrir will rise, and I will fall before it.” The Gods let out a gasp. “And the great serpent,” Thor spit a spit so mighty that it flew past the great walls and into Muspelheim, the world of fire, “shall rise and do battle with my son, Thor.” He pointed at Thor, who crossed his arms and smiled. “And when they do, they shall destroy each other.” Thor's arms fell to his sides as his eyes went wide. “And, Loki, the great trickster, will betray us all, and shall be slain in twain with his foe.” the gods turned to look at Loki, who simply looked at Odin with a shocked expression. “Then, will begin the battle to end all battles!” he roared, causing all to forget the words he spake as the fervor of battle overcame them. “This is the end, noble warriors! If the world is to burn, let it burn with the blood of our foes!” he cried. “This is the end, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. So let us face it. Let us charge into with our battle cries and our spears! Let us face the end, and let us carve our names forever into the halls of legend!” he shouted, raising his mighty spear, Gungnir, high into the air.
The mighty armies of Asgard shouted back in return. But Thor, and Loki, remained silent. “Father,” Thor began, “am I not strong enough to slay the serpent? And how could you fall before Fenrir? Father, this must be wrong! I will not allow the giants to win! I will not allow Surt to singe even one blade of grass!” Thor cried.
“And me? Betray us all? Father, I would never do such a thing!” Loki cried.
Odin looked between them, then, raising a hand, signaled for them to come closer. “My sons.” he said quietly. “I have foreseen it all. But, my sons, there is hope yet. For though the worlds will burn and melt away, all will not be lost. For there will be those who will live. And they will begin the worlds anew.”
“Who?” Loki asked.
“How?” Thor asked.
“I cannot say, for that I do not know, and if I did, I should not. For I know you, my sons, and I know you would try and change all that must happen.” Odin looked at his sons hard, for it was true. If they knew, they would meddle in things. “But, come, the three roosters that must crow, that must tell us of the battle's beginning, will soon crow.” He grasped his spear, and walked between his sons to join the ranks of the gods below.
*****
Celestia dropped the cup of tea she was holding. Not even her magic was steady enough to hold it. She was panicking. She stood up, and paced the room. Her heart started beating faster and faster. Should she raise the sun? That usually helped calm her nerves. No, it was too early yet for that. Where were they? She began biting her lower lip. If they didn't do something soon-
Then her heart stopped, for she suddenly heard a rooster crow. Her head turned to look out the window in Luna's room. It was still very much night, and would be for some time yet.
“That can only mean one thing...” she said quietly to herself. She jumped a little as a flash of light filled the room. She turned, and to her immense relief, she saw her sister and Twilight standing there.
“Sorry we're late,” Luna began, “We couldn't teleport directly here, so we had to stop at a few points along the way.”
“Luna, I heard a rooster.” Celestia said, trying her best to remain calm. Luna looked at Celestia with a confused look, that then turned to shock as the gears in her head clicked into place.
“No, it cannot be, not so soon!” she exclaimed.
“What? What's going on? Princess Celestia? Princess Luna?” Twilight asked, looking between the two of them.
“Twilight, I have always respected you, and now that you're a princess, our respect for you has only grown.” Celestia said. “Please sit down, we have a lot to tell you.” she signaled to a near-by cushion for her to sit on. Twilight looked at her with concern, and at Luna as well, but eventually took her seat.
“Princesses?” she asked the two of them, her brow thoroughly furrowed with worry.
The two of them looked between each other, silently asking who should begin. Eventually, they chose Celestia. “Twilight, how much do you know about dreams?” she asked.
Twilight shook her head. “Only what Princess Luna has written about them, that they are a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur usually involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep, and occasionally may or may not hold a deeper meaning.” she answered. “Why do you ask?”
Luna looked at Celestia with a mildly impressed look. “Twilight has been doing her homework.”
Celestia chuckled. “She wasn't my prize pupil for nothing you know.” she smiled, and Twilight blushed.
“Is that why you called me here? To quiz me about dreams? Did I pass?” she looked at Celestia with a bit of excitement.
“No.” Celestia said gravely, causing the mood in the room to suddenly shift dramatically. “Princess Twilight, not all ponies are the same.”
“You mean like how there are different species of ponies?” she ventured.
“Not quite,” Luna said, also taking a seat, “While that is true, what we're talking about is something else entirely.”
“Twilight,” Celestia said with the tone of a teacher “dreams are, sometimes, not just a series of random images that have been created by our subconscious mind. Sometimes they have meaning. And sometimes, they are actually real events that we see unfolding.”
“Not only that, sometimes other ponies, or even other beings, can see us in their dreams.” Luna explained. “They can see us doing things, or, even to a small degree, affect what we do.”
Twilight's eyes went wide. “Are you saying that other creatures can control us with their dreams?”
Luna shook her head. “Not control, but sometimes influence.” She turned to look at Celestia. “Sister, do we have time to properly explain all of this?”
Celestia looked out the window in thought. They sat there for several moments in silence. “Twilight,” Celestia said, at length, “There is another world beyond our own. One that is connected to us through our dreams. This world is known as Asgard. And we ponies are connected to it, just as it is connected to us. We share the same fate.” she said gravely. She turned to look at her. “We ponies have always been connected to it. Just as they have always been connected to us. We are two sides of the same coin.”
“Though not all of us are connected to this world, just as not all of the Asgardians are connected to ours.” Luna added.
Celestia nodded. “Some of us are connected to the beings in that world. You could say that they are us, and we are them. One and the same.”
“So, are you saying that there's an Asgardian Twilight?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Not quite.” Luna answered. “Rather, you, Twilight, are connected to an Asgardian who is the manifestation of the things you stand for. And you are the Equestrian manifestation of what that Asgardian stands for.”
Twilight opened her mouth to object, but was interrupted by Celestia, “Twilight, that isn't to say you are not real. Rather, that you and this Asgardian are the same being, and you both very much exist, are both very much real because the other exists.”
“Two sides of the same coin...” Twilight said softly.
“Correct.” Luna nodded.
“So, wait, are you saying my dreams are really me being this As-whatever?” Twilight asked.
“You are seeing what they are seeing, and to a small degree, you are influencing their actions. Though not all of our dreams are as such. Sometimes our dreams are just dreams.” Luna explained.
“Wait, you said, 'our'. Are you two connected to Asgardians too?” Twilight looked between them, and they nodded.
“The Asgardian I am connected to is named Hel.” Luna said.
Celestia's eyes went distant, and she shook as she spoke: “And I am, was, named Baldr...”
*****
Thor looked across the plains of Vigrid. There, on the far shore, the dread ship Naglfar, carrying upon it the giants and the dead with no honor, came into view. Upon its bow, clad in battle armor, stood Hel herself. Thor spat. He should have known she would fight against them. That explained why she wouldn't release his brother. She said she wouldn't fight fate, and Thor now saw why. She had become its pawn.
He let out a roar of mighty fury. He had been betrayed, and his wrath and anger was like none other. He would make them pay! He would make them all pay for their treachery! “Brother Loki!” he cried, pointing at the great and dreadful ship, “Look! Upon it stands your daughter! She means to stand against us!”
Loki smiled, though Thor knew it not. “Perhaps she is playing the part of a spy.” He looked at Thor, his face hopeful, though it was a lie that Thor did not see through, “Perhaps she means to stand with us at the moment when we need her most!”
Thor looked at Loki, and smiled. “Yes! That must be it!” he cried. Then, he turned to the armies of Odin, and cried in a loud voice, “Fear not! For we will have this day! Odin, the Allfather, tells us of our death, but I believe we are mightier then fate! We can change that which is to come! Let us raise our spears in battle, and let us raise our hearts, in victory!” he cried, raising his mighty hammer, the hammer Mjölnir. The great and vast armies roared in response, their noise rising above that of even the mighty thunder that began rolling forth from Thor.
“Fear not Brother!” Thor said to Loki, “For our armies are ready!”
“Yes, truly inspiring.” Loki said, rolling his eyes.
“We have nothing to fea-”
Thor's words stopped dead as the seas upon which Naglfar sailed suddenly began to churn and boil. A terrible silence filled the plains as all looked, and beheld with terrible awe as from it rose the mighty Midgard Serpent, Thor's ancient, and evil foe. It looked at them, and its eyes locked with Thor's.
It was only his honor that held him from attacking the beast at that moment, for the battle had not yet begun. All else, however, was drowned out by his burning anger to kill the terrible thing, once and for all. So great was his hatred, that he did not even hear the cries of fear from Odin's armies when the might Fenrir came. Nor did he hear the battle cries of the giants when Naglfar made landfall. No, all of this was lost to him, for he had only eyes and ears for the serpent. The great Midgard Serpant that would, as Odin said, bring both of their ends.
*****
“Wait, was?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, was. Baldr has been slain.” Celestia said heavily.
“But, what does that mean for you Princess?” Twilight's voice was filling with panic.
“It means that I will never sleep again.” She answered calmly. “For when those of us who are connected to Asgardians sleep, the Asgardian awakens, and the reverse it true.”
“And a the cutie mark of a pony who is also an Asgardian disappears while the connection is active.” Luna said. “During normal dreams, the mark remains.”
“In fact, that's the nature of our cutie marks. True it is the manifestation of our special talent, but for some of us, it is a symbol that represents the Asgardian that we are, or the pony that the Asgardian is.”
“Why do you keep making it sound like we are pony versions of them?” Twilight asked, sounding mildly offended.
“Because it is as true as the fact that they are the Asgardian versions of us.” Luna clarified. “But that is all beside the point.”
“You're right Luna. Twilight,” Celestia looked at her, “Our world is going to burn to ash before the sun will rise if we do nothing to stop it.”
There was a pause.
“WHAT?” Twilight screamed.
“There isn't much time, so I'll cut straight to the point. The death of Baldr signified the beginning of what the Asgardians call Ragnarök, the end if the world.” Celestia began.
“And not only their world, but all worlds connected to them.” Luna said.
“And since we're connected to it...” Twilight said, her eyes growing wider and wider.
“Correct. Our world too will end. There is nothing that the Asgardians can do to stop it.” Celestia said.
“This is so sudden! Weren't there any warnings?” Twilight shot up on her hooves and looked out the window.
“There were supposed to be many. Baldr's death was only supposed to be the beginning. There was supposed to be three years of never ending winter, then three roosters would crow to tell all of the worlds that the final battle would soon begin. Then, a great horn will blow to signify the beginning of the great and last battle.” Luna explained.
“So, we have three years to do something?” Twilight asked, looking hopeful.
Celestia shook her head. “No, I fear the armies have already assembled, and I wouldn't be surprised if the final battle was about to begin.”
“What can we do?” Twilight asked.
“That is why we have brought you here Twilight.” Luna said.
“Yes. Neither Luna or I can think of anything. So, we had hoped that perhaps you might be able to think of something.” Celestia looked at her, trying not to look as though she had just put the weight of the entire world on her shoulders.
“Y-you want me to do WHAT?” she exclaimed.
“Save us.” Celestia said. “Save us all.”
*****
The thunder clapped as Thor's hammer smashed into the side of the great serpent Jörmungandr. Its head swung wildly with the blow, though it came back around and slammed directly into Thor, who was sent flying from his Chariot. Beneath him he could hear the sounds of battle. The death cries of thousands as the two armies clashed. He could see Surt, with his great flaming sword, cutting his way through Odin's armies.
And he saw Odin himself, facing Fenrir, alone.
Thor landed on his chariot once more as it rode up beneath him. He looked over at the monster which had begun spitting poison all over the battle. “You monster!” he cried, “You would even poison the glory of battle?!” He let out a mighty shout, and plunged once more at the horrible creature.
*****
“So, this Odin will fight this Fenrir, Thor this Jörmungandr, and Loki will betray them?” Twilight asked, thinking.
“Correct.” Nodded Luna.
Twilight let out a hum as she thought, “And that's going to happen? There's nothing we can do to change that?” she asked raising an eyebrow.
“There's nothing they can do to change that. I don't know if we can or not.” Celestia admitted.
“Then I think I have a plan.” Twilight said. “But I think it's gonna take all four of us to pull it off, maybe even Discord.”
*****
Thor flew through the air once more, this time slamming into the ground, hard. He stood up, breathing heavy. He and Jörmungandr had just exchanged mighty blows, and they both had to take a split second to recover. He looked over at this smashed chariot, and let out mornful cry. He turned to Jörmungandr, froth filling his mouth, and lept through the air directly at him.
Then the air before him cracked open, and he flew right into it.
*****
Five of them let out a series of surprised noises as an Asgardian came flying through the portal they had just opened. They had not been expecting that. He came crashing into the room, sending debris everywhere. Princesses jumped to the sides and Discord split in half to avoid him as he smashed into the ground, splintering it. Then, much quicker then any of them could react, he stood on his feet and turned around to leap back through.
But the portal was no more, for he had broken their concentration.
“SEND ME BACK!” he cried as he turned around, taking stock of the situation.
Everything was so colorful…
“Calm down Mr. Loudmouth!” Discord snapped. “You just ruined some very lovely drapes I'll have you know!”
“What? No, there's no time! Send me back! I command you!” he shouted.
“Command? And just who do you think you're talking to, buddy?” Discord said, narrowing his eyes.
“Please sir, calm down!” Twilight cried. Thor turned around to look at her, and she lept back. She'd never seen eyes like those before. There was blood in those eyes.
“SEND ME BACK!” He roared again, raising his hammer into the air. A huge thunder clap filled the room, knocking everypony every direction. Even Discord had been caught by surprise and sent flying.
“He's dangerous!” Cadence shouted.
“He is an Asgardian! He's built for war!” Luna shouted back as she scrambled to her hooves.
Thor turned to look at her, and then pointed at her with his hammer. “You! You know what I am! Send me back!”
“It took all of us to bring you here, it will take all of us to send you back.” Celestia said with the air and authority of her station. She stood with elegance, causing Twilight to fight the urge to bow, and even causing Thor himself to pause for just a moment to look at her. “We mean you no harm, and we assure you, your being here was an accident.”
Thor blinked a moment or two. This was all very strange. But still, his blood was still boiling, and if he didn't get back in a hurry, it might be too late! “If that is so, then send me back right now!” he shouted, pointing his hammer at Celestia, though faltering slightly.
“We shall. But thou must be patient, as We need to gather Our strength once more.” Luna said, matching her sister's presence. Thor turned to her, and faltered even further.
“We're trying to help, so please, clam down so we can.” Cadence said kindly, but with an air all of her own. Not quite as grand as the sisters, but impressive none-the-less. Thor turned to her as well, and lowered his hammer.
“So, if you please, noble Asgardian, allow us to help.” Twilight said politely, bowing. Once again Thor turned, and he paused a moment before returning a slight, though bewildered, bow himself.
Thor turned to Discord. “Are you too a ruler in this land?” he asked.
Discord rolled his eyes and made a 'pfft!' noise with his mouth. “As if! Frankly, I find all of these ponies rather BORING. But they needed my help, and I kinda owe these two,” he pointed at Twilight and Cadence, “a favor. So no thunderhead, I can't rightly say I am. (Though I came awfully close)” he added under his breath.
Thor looked at him appraisingly. “Do you know my brother, Loki?”
Discord raised an eyebrow. “I might, or I might not. Who is he?” he said rather evasively.
“He is my brother, and a trickster. You sound like him. Do you know him?” Thor asked once more.
“A trickster, eh? Sounds like the two of us would get along famously!” he grinned.
“Is everypony ready?” Twilight asked. Thor, who had lost track of the others, for such was his fascination with Discord, turned around to see, to his great surprise, the horns of all four of the winged unicorns glowing. “Are you ready…” the purple one asked, looking at him.
“Yes! I am ready!” he shouted back.
“Your name hammerhands! She wanted to know your name!” Discord rolled his eyes again.
“Oh.” Thor blinked once or twice. “I am Thor, God of Thunder, Son of Odin the Allfather, and wielder of Mjölnir!” he pounded his chest with pride.
“Thank you, we can't help without knowing your name.” Twilight explained. “Okay, on the count of three! One, two, THREE!” she shouted, and the magic from all four of their horns shot forth and slammed into Thor, who let out a surprised yelp as he suddenly disappeared in a ball of light. “DISCORD, HELP!” Twilight pleaded.
He let out an exasperated sigh, and threw his arms in the air. “First you need me to open a portal, then you want me fix your drapes (you're WELCOME by the way!), and now you want me to help you with your crazy little plan! Goodness! You ponies are so needy!” he exclaimed as the ruined drapes fixed themselves, then suddenly flew at the ball and wrapped tightly around it.
“Alright, everypony let go!” she shouted as all four of them let out a collective gasp as their magic all stopped at once.
“And before you ask, yes, it was absolutely necessary to use the drapes.” Discord crossed his arms and gave a sharp nod.
Luna turned to look at Twilight. “Are you sure about this plan? If he's not there at the battle, there's no telling what could happen.” she looked at the others in the room.
Twilight took a few heavy breaths before speaking. “If there's one thing I've learned about evil, it always turns on itself, right Discord?” she asked.
Discord shifted uncomfortably as she said that, the memories of the battle with Tirek all too fresh in his mind. “I never wanted to admit it, but yes, you are right Twilight Sparkle.”
“So, what's going to happen?” Cadence asked.
“Well, if everything goes the way I'm hoping, then nothing.” Twilight said, staring at the ball in the center of the room…
*****
The Midgard Serpent lunged for Thor, only to swallow air as his massive mouth closed. It lunged back, surprised. Had he dodged? He looked every direction, but found no trace of him. Did he perhaps fly to the clouds? He looked up. Nothing above save a blood-red sky. Had he done it? Had he slain his foe? No, there was no meat in his belly. Then where? He looked again, and again, but found no trace of Thor in the battle. Had he fled? Thor had fled? No, NO! He wouldn't DARE! He had been promised that he and Thor would finally end it once and for all! And he had fled!
This thought filled the serpent Jörmungandr with blinding anger and hatred. He would not be denied! In fury, he turned to Loki. “Your bother is a coward, so I shall eat your flesh in his place!” he cried.
Loki looked up at him. Then over at Odin. His heart skipped a beat.
His father had been right. Loki had planned to betray them. But now, as he looked over at his father, who was battling the terrible Fenrir, and losing, his heart suddenly changed. Thor and the serpent were supposed to destroy one another, but now, he was in danger. He was no match for the serpent, and his father was in no position to save either of their lives. So, Loki did the one thing he was unmatched at. He opened his mouth.
“Terrible Jörmungandr, you are mightier then I! Truly, you are more dreadful then any creature, or beast! And such a meager morsel as I could not, or would not, sate your thirst for blood! That Thor has fled is cowardice indeed! And should he return and find me dead, he would morn indeed! But, oh dreadful Jörmungandr, imagine how much more so he would morn if he found that it was you who had slain his father! Think, oh great Midgard Serpent! Who better to slay in your wrath then Odin himself! And look!” he pointed at the terrible duel, “Odin is nearly fallen! Fenrir thinks to take Odin for himself, and deny you the vengeance you now seek!” he nearly shrieked.
Jörmungandr turned his head to look at them. The Asgardian was right! Who better to slay, then King of the Gods? With a mighty cry he lunged for the Allfather, but was blocked by a powerful kick from Fenrir. “This is my fight!” it snarled at him.
“It is no longer!” Jörmungandr screamed and lunged at Fenrir.
Odin, beaten, broken, and an inch from death, looked over at the terrible scene of carnage. To his great surprise, he saw both Jörmungandr and Fenrir locked into mortal combat. He watched as the two of them thrashed about the battle laying waste to all in their path. Even the giant Surt paused and watched as the two great beasts began laying waste to all.
“Stop!” he cried to them, “Stop you fools!” he lifted his great flaming sword, and with one terrible stroke, cut a path through the battle, though giant and Asgardian alike, to the two of them. He roared and charged them, smashing into them to get them to stop. “You fools! If you fight each other, then all will be lost!”
The two of them looked at each other, then at him. “You DARE?!” they both cried as they lunged at him, and tore him to pieces.
Hel, who had been watching all, dropped her spear in horror. How could this be? How could such a thing come to pass? It was fate that all would end, and yet, everything had gone wrong! She looked for her father, Loki.
She took a step back in shock. Loki was standing over Odin, spear in hand. Would Loki slay Odin himself? Would Loki finally claim the throne? He raised the spear into the air, and Hel could almost taste the victory! Then her heart plunged as the spear plunged deep into the ground near Odin, who then grasped it, and used it to stand. She watched as the two of them looked at each other, then embraced. Hel was stunned. This was impossible! They were supposed to be dead! And yet, they were not. And as she watched, she swore she saw something of a glow begin to emanate from them.
A terrible noise from behind her made her turn away and look. Fenrir and slain the terrible Jörmungandr, and let out a horrific howl. A howl that was matched by the cries of fury from the giants. As one they raised their weapons high into the air, and charged the great wolf. They were no match, but they charged all the same.
Hel stood there, now unsure as to what to do, as she noticed a bright light behind her. She turned once more and saw that Odin and Loki were now encased in a bright glow, and she saw that not only they, but many of the other Gods had begun to glow as well. More and more of them did, and when they did, they dropped their weapons, and embraced each other. Indeed, as she watched, the gods began ceasing fighting all together, and only her dead and the dead of Asgard still battled one another. She looked over once more at Fenrir, and saw that its terrible strength was beginning to wane.
She paused, looking between the two, then finally made her decision. She turned to her army, and gave them a command: “Stop! We will fight our brothers no more! See, the great Fenrir is falling, and our allies are all but spent! Look! You fight and slay each other, and for what purpose? No more I say! Behold, or allies show their true colors, and they turn on each other and tear each other asunder! Is this the great battle we were promised? Is this the ending we sought? No! It is a lie! A deception! Brothers! Sisters! Let us grasp our spears and raise them in not for our allies, but for our brethren, THE ASGARDIANS!” she cried as she gasped her spear and raised it high in the air, and let out a mighty cry. Her dead, the dishonorable dead of Midgard, turned as one to face her, then cried in one voice as they too raised their spears into the air. Then, as though they were all one body, with Hel at the head, they turned upon the giants and fell upon them as a great wave of destruction.
So swift was their advance, and so terrible their charge, that the giants fell before them before fear could fully grasp their hearts. Indeed, they fell before the armies of Odin and Hel as wheat before the scythe. Then, as the last giant fell, Hel and the armies of the dead, both honorable and those without, turned to the terrible beast Fenrir. It could barely stand, but Hel could see that even now it was far too mighty for her or the armies that stood beside her.
“Hel.” a voice she knew well spoke to her from behind. She turned and saw her father, Loki, standing there with Odin, the Allfather, supported in his arms.
“Father.” she said, bowing slightly.
“Hel, you've begun to glow.” he said, pointing at the ground.
Hel's eyes opened in surprise as she looked down. She felt warm. A good kind of warmth. She had felt this warmth when she had begun her charge, but had mistaken it for the euphoria of battle. Now that the battle was all but over, she now felt the warmth fill her, and tears came to her eyes. “Loki, what is this?”
“Hel, daughter of my son Loki,” Odin said weakly, “it is something that we Asgardians have not felt in some time. It is love.”
“Love...” Hel said, looking at him as though she couldn't believe what he had just said.
“Yes. So long have we been feuding one with another, that we had lost sight of what it was we lacked.” Odin gasped through his pain. “I now understand why it was Ragnarök had to be, for we had grown cold in our hearts, and only in our utter destruction could the worlds be free from our hatred. But, in the moment of my greatest weakness, Loki showed me that which I had forever felt he, and I, had lost. And Hel, that thing, is what you feel.” he pointed a weak finger at her.
Hel looked at Loki with a look of disbelief. Loki simply gave a warm half-smile, and shook his head. “As trite as it may sound, it is true.” he said.
“Hel,” Odin said, reaching a hand to her, “Help me. I can slay Fenrir once and for all, but I need your help. Take me into your realm, then free me once more!”
Hel looked at him stunned. Then back at Fenrir, who was slowly gathering enough strength to stand. She took a deep breath. “Very well Odin, father of Loki, I shall. Touch my hand, and all shall be as you wish.”
Their fingers touched, and she took his weak hand in hers, then Odin, the King of the Gods and greatest of all, was dead.
Fenrir's eyes shot open and let out a howl of victory.
Hel turned to look at Fenrir, as did Loki, and they both smiled that smile that only they could make so well. “Hel, I think father Odin will need a weapon, and I fear his mighty spear, Gungnir, might not be,” he paused as his grin turned wicked, “poetic enough for this moment.”
“Yes, you're right.” Hel said, and with a command had Surt's terrible sword brought to them. She then closed her eyes, and raised her hands. “Odin the Allfather! King of the Aesir, the gods of Asgard! The Aged! The Father of Loki, of Baldr, of Thor! I call you from the lands of the dead! I, Hel, lord of the land of the dead, release you from your bonds!” she cried, and in the air before him, in a flash of fire, Odin stood before them all.
“Welcome back father. How is Baldr?” Loki asked.
Odin, now much healthier, simply smiled. “Well, considering that he's dead.” he looked at Hel with a knowing look, who nodded in return.
“Well, I suppose that merits a celebration, does it not? And my daughter and I have just the gift to celebrate. Hel?” he turned to her and offered a bow.
Hel smiled, and waved her troops forward. “Odin, we give you the flaming sword of Surt, the fire giant. The same sword that was to melt all of the worlds, wielded by the one who would set fire to them.” Her troops held the great blade up and presented it to him. “Let that which was once doomed to destroy us all, now be the very thing that saves us.” she smiled.
Odin stroked his long beard as he considered the sword. He smiled, and grabbed the handle, and lifted it high into the air. Fenrir's eyes opened in fear, and Odin turned to face the wolf. “Yes, with that which was to kill us all, let us save us all!” he cried, and with a mighty leap he jumped, and with a swing that could cleave a mountain, he cut the great wolf Fenrir in half.
He landed, sword in hand, and looked at the beast. It looked at him, let out one more growl, then died.
“It's over.” Loki breathed. “It's all over...”
Odin nodded. “Indeed. Ragnarök is over.”
*****
The room was in utter ruins. While the battle may have been won by Thor's people, he had been trapped. Filled with this knowledge, that is, the knowledge that the battle raged on without him, and filled with wrath at the betrayal of these creatures, he had broken free of his bonds. The battle had been swift, for he was a god who lived for war, and these things had only known peace. Yet, he had only harmed them but little. There was something about them. Something that stayed his hand, and even the harm that he did cause, caused him great sorrow. What it was, he could not tell, but it was something. Something that he swore that he had felt before, though a long time ago. Well, he felt bad about hitting the horses that is. The creature known as Discord he didn't feel quite as bad for, mostly because he had proven far too elusive to land a solid blow on, and had eventually fled.
He looked at the struggling forms of the horses around him. Not even horses, but ponies. Thor may be battle-hardened, but even he had his limits. A sour taste filled his mouth and the fire in his blood chilled to a biting cold. What had he done? Had they truly meant to betray him? Perhaps he had misunderstood, and lashed out at them. He knew well of his own anger. And he knew well that it often took control. He let out a heavy breath. He turned and looked at Mjölnir, his hammer. He then walked slowly over to the largest one, the one that seemed to be their sovereign, and touched her with the hammer. She glowed with a soft light as he watched her wounds clear away. She opened her eyes, and turned her head to look at him.
Thor took a step back. He had expected fear, or hatred in her eyes, but he saw neither. Rather, she was clam, composed, even understanding. But above all else, her gaze was kind, and soft. She stood onto her hooves and regarded him for a moment. “Great Thor, Son of Odin, are you hurt?”
W-What manner of foe was this? How did she not fear him? How could she look at him like that? Thor was never for that which was soft, or gentle! Why then, did he not feel that way now? “What, what did you do to me?” he asked, looking at her.
She shook her head. “We only meant to hold you until the battle of Ragnarök was over. We did nothing else.”
“But, why? Why keep me from fighting?” his heart began to burn, but it quickly fizzled out. There was something about this place. Something … good.
“You know as well as I that there was no victory for you and your people.” she said, walking to the window, and casting a sad glance at the pony who was lying unconscious near it. “There was nothing you could do, and as a result, both of our worlds would come to an end. However, we felt that there was something we could do. My dear friend Princess Twilight,” she pointed a hoof at the pony that she had glanced at, “thought that if we had removed one of your number from the battle, then your foes would tear each other apart.”
“Did it work? Is the battle done?” Thor asked, looking at the purple pony.
Celestia smiled warmly. “In our world, it is I who brings forth the sun everyday.” she let out a happy sigh. “There was to be no sun this day, for tonight was the end of Ragnarök.” she looked over at Thor, “But we are still alive. And, if I'm not mistaken, it's time for the sun to rise.” She looked away from him and out the window. He watched with some awe as her long horn glowed with a golden aura, and he saw the first rays of sunlight rise over the horizon. It felt good on his skin, and the warmth of the sun filled him as it began to fill the room. She then turned to him once more. “Mighty Thor, thank you. Our world is safe, and, I think, so is yours. While my people may never know of the danger they were spared from, your people, I think, will long celebrate this day.”
Thor nodded. “The feast will be great indeed, and father will give great honors to those who fough-” he said excitedly, then stopped as a thought came to him.
“What is wrong, Thor son of Odin.?” Celestia turned her head to look at him.
“Please, just Thor. Honestly, I tire of titles.” he said, then continued, “My father will honor those who fought bravely, and those who died with honor. But I, I was not there. My father will think me a coward, and my name will be had for shame. I, I cannot go back...” he said, sinking to the floor.
Celestia walked over to him and raised his chin with a hoof. “Are you sure about that? Is your father so unforgiving? Even if you explain to him what happened, would he still say the same about you?”
Thor wanted to say yes, but something filled his heart. A warm something that he hadn't felt in eons. A warm something that told him 'No'. “No. I, I don't know why, but I know that he would forgive me, as would my kin. I can't explain it, but, I feel so in my heart.”
Celestia smiled at him. “That's because you know he loves you. After all, that, in part, is what love is. Come, let's revive the others, and we'll send you back.” she turned and made her way to Twilight, but was caught by Thor, who had grasped one of her rear legs. She turned and looked at him curiously. “What is it?”
Thor struggled to find the words. But he was about to say something that he had known for a long time. “I, never asked your name.” he said, hanging his head shamefully.
She smiled. “I am Princess Celestia, but you can drop the 'Princess' part, Thor.”
“Celestia, I...” he took a deep breath. “I … do not wish to return to Asgard. At least, not right away.”
Celestia's eyes popped open in surprise. “Are you sure? Don't you want to be with your fellow gods? If you stay, you'll never be part of the fest.” she said, turning around to appraise him.
“Yes, I know. And, I want to miss it.” He stood up, and looked over at the still form of the pink pony. “I feel, happy. Well, I feel sad for what I have done, but I feel happy here. And I haven't felt that way in eons. I've always had to worry about what schemes my brother was planning, or when giants would attack, or if I was going to displease my father. But here, I feel free from that. I feel, though you tricked me, you did so because you wanted to help. I-I haven't seen that in so long. So, please, Princess, allow me to tarry here with you people! At least, for awhile. I'm so weary of Asgard, and this place is so much brighter. And I need a rest.” he looked at Celestia, pleading with his eyes.
Celestia thought for a moment, then smiled. “I do believe I said you didn't need to call me princess.” She winked. “But if you really do want to stay here, then you can have your wish. Just know that this place too has its troubles. For we too have guards and borders and strife.” Celestia explained.
Thor nodded. “I understand.”
“Also, you will have to change. The ponies,” she paused for a moment, “the people of this world do not know you Asgardians exist. And so have never seen people like you before. In fact, we are all ponies in my, our,” she pointed at the dark blue pony, “kingdom. And if you wish to live amongst us, you will have too look like us.” Thor nodded once more. “Very well. Help me get the others up, and we can begin.”
*****
The process didn't take very long. Once all four were awake, they surrounded him and enveloped him in light. However, they had failed. The purple one had explained that it was because he was a god, and thus just too powerful for them to change. However, Thor had an idea, and idea that had at first repulsed them, but then they had agreed to.
He had told them to make his hammer, Mjölnir, into a pony. They had asked why, and he had said that ever since he had first used it, he had felt that it had a mind of its own. And so, he wanted to finally give Mjölnir a body, that he might talk to and get to know it. At his suggestion, he had felt the hammer in his hand nearly leap, and it suddenly felt very warm in his hand.
They had agreed, and Thor had placed Mjölnir on the ground, and walked away. They then wrapped it in their magic, and after a few moments, it grew into the shape of a brown pony, devoid of either a horn or wings, with a cream-colored mane. However, he noticed that it lacked a mark that Celestia, and most of the other ponies, had. Its eyes were also somewhat blank, as if there was nothing behind them.
“Mjölnir?” Thor asked. It didn't respond.
“Thor,” Celestia began, “Did you know that Mjölnir was a girl?”
*****
Thor's jaw dropped as this news hit him. It was very clear to Twilight that he had no idea. It was also clear that Mjölnir, or Mjölna she supposed she should call her, wasn't quite complete. “Thor,” she looked at him. “I think she's missing something.”
Thor opened his mouth, but the voice if Discord came out. “Of course she's missing something! She's missing her cutie mark! And what full-grown pony doesn't have a cutie mark? Oh, and there's the whole, she's not quite complete without you bit.” Discord appeared in the air, pointing a talon at Thor.
“Complete without me?” he asked.
“Why yes! After all, she was just a weapon, was she not? And what can a weapon do by itself? I'm afraid, my dear Thor, if you want to give your dear Mjölna a chance to be a real pony, you're going to have to make a sacrifice.”
“What kind?” he asked.
“I'm not going to go into long and boring details about connections between ponies and Asgardians, but let me put it this way. You need to be part of her to make her complete. And in this world, that means...” he grinned.
“He's going to have to become her cutie mark!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Bingo!” Discord cheered. “So, whatta say Thor?”
“Will I cease to exist?” he asked.
“No, but it will be as though you will be sleeping for a very long time.” Celestia said.
“And when I wish to awaken?”
“You shall awaken in Asgard, for that is how our connection works.” Luna said. “However, since you will be dreaming, I can still keep you here, in our land, until you wish to return.”
Thor looked at Mjölna. Then her let out a sigh. “I suppose this means I would have no hammer in Asgard.”
“Though I suspect you won't need it anymore.” Celestia said.
“Yes, you are right.” he paused once more, then nodded. “Yes. I want to do this. Let it be so.”
The four princesses looked at each other, and then at Discord. Then, silently, they all nodded to each other. “Stand by Mjölna, Thor.” Cadence said. “The closer you are, the better it will be.”
As Thor stood by her, the two of them were wrapped once more in the magic of the four princess. Thor could feel his body changing, morphing, until he lost all sense of the outside word. As he shank under the power of the princess's magic, Discord snapped his fingers, and Thor's body was no more. All that he was, was now a symbol of a hammer, with a bolt of lighting behind it. Then while Mjölna held still, the five of them placed the symbol on her flank. Her eyes lit up as life filled her, and she turned to look at the ponies surrounding her as the spell faded away.
“Hi there!” she waved cheerfully at them. “My name's Mjölna, what's yours?”
The End