The Poseidon Adventure

Chapter 4: Climbing Up

Now who was willing to test this makeshift ladder? Celestia scanned through the crowd and saw Applebloom, Sweetiebell, and Scootaloo close by. She knew who to use.

"Ok girls', I need someone to help test this out. Are any of you willing?" She asked. together

The girls didn't say anything, they just smiled and went over to the tree and began climbing. Scootaloo went first, then Applebloom, then Sweetiebell. They started at the base of the tree, climbed up through the center, and came out close to the top. When they finally reached the ledge they were greeted by Joe and the Cakes.

"It's easy!" Scootaloo said.

"Come on, let's go!" Sweetiebell shouted.

The group was impressed, Celestia especially.

"Ok now for the rest of us to go." She said.

Luna stepped in. "Where are you planning to go from here." She seemed agitated by her sister's idea.

"We are going up there to them. From there we go through the kitchen, then up any way we can until we reach the hull. What you don't think it's a good idea?"

"No it's not a good idea!" She shouted. "You heard what the purser said, 'Stay here an be calm and help will find us."

"Oh sure they will. And I'm winning the lottery!" Celestia said.

"You really want to start this now?" Luna said.

"No I'm ending this now. And I say 'get the hell up that tree before I kick your ass up there.'"

Luna was shocked. Her sister never acted like this, and it was getting on her nerves that she was. But just as she was about to protest her sister grabbed her and shoved her to the back of the line. Everyone in the group was shocked. But right now the thought of freedom clouded their shock.

The passengers then began climbing up the tree. First it was Rainbow Dash, next was Spike, then it was Rarity's turn. Already there was a problem. Her dress got caught on one of the trees many branches and now she was stuck. Luckily Applejack had a solution, she tore off the skirt of her dress to just above her knee and quickly went up after her friend. Once she was below her she unhooked the dress from the branch. Then she tore her skirt as well.

"WHAT IN THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!" She practically screamed. "You've ruined it!"

"Sugar, it was already torn. Plus you won't get another 5 feet with that on." AJ said.

The women knew she was right. The ones who had on long gowns and dresses started tearing at them just at the knee. Soon they were all in with this new fashion craze. Now it was Granny Smith's turn. Some were a bit skeptical if she really wanted to go through with it. She insisted.

"I have been trough war, hunger, poverty, disaster, and loss, all in my lifetime. Besides, my husband, son, and his wife would have wanted me to go up that tree. And that's what I plan to do. I'll do it for them and my grandkids."

Gathering up her strength she climbed the tree through the same route. She reached the top with ease.

"You see, it's easy, child's play." She said.

Pretty soon the group began moving one by one up the tree to the ledge. From there they moved into the room just beyond the ledge where the spilt silverware and cloths were. Back down below some of the group members split off to see if they could convince anyone to go up with them. Most of them weren't hearing it. They felt they trusted Blueblood more than some Science Professor, her sister, and a bunch of daredevil passengers. However a few were convinced that they could try to break for it. Filthy Rich, his brother Money Bags, their wives Ruby and Crystal, and their daughters Silver Spoon, and Diamond Tiara got in line for their turn. Soon, the Sparkles, the Apples, Rarity, Sweetiebell, Scootaloo, Soarin, Lightning Dust Rainbow Dash, and the Rich Families were up the tree.

Now it was Pinkie Pies turn. She had and Cheese Sandwich tried the entire time to keep the passengers spirits up, but to no avail. Now they gave up and proceeded upwards. Pink went first, her boyfriend a few feet behind her. The count was now at 26. 26 people were willing to risk their lives for their freedom from this upside down hell. About 40 people were still unwilling to go. Luna, Celestia, and Shining Armor stayed down to see if they can still convince anyone else. Soon Armor was approached by someone, it was the band's drummer Discord. He was a older man, just in his early 30's. He loved the thought of anarchy and chaos, and usually expressed it. However when it came to his band, he set those thoughts aside. And now he even thought this type of chaos was too much. He approached Armor hoping for his help.

"Hey can you help me out with my friend over here. I've been trying to convince her to get out of here with you guys but she refuses to leave." He said.

"Is she hurt or something?" Armor asked.

"No, but...she refuses to leaver her brother. He's...he's dead."

Armor knew this was going to be difficult. Just the thought of having someone close to you die like that, he couldn't even stomach the thought. He walked over to the remains of what was once the stage and saw the young singer and guitarist, Cadence. She was holding her brother Sombra in her arms. Near by was another woman, Chrysalis, the bands keyboard player. He could tell, by the look in her open eyes, that she was dead along with Sombra.

"Come on buddy." the singer said "We have to go now. Everyone's leaving. Please open your eyes Sombra, for me, please." Armor could tell that she was desperate and on the verge of crying.

"Hi." He said making her jump a little. "Are you ok?"

"Yes" She said, her voice a little weak. "I'm just waiting for my brother to wake up. That's all."

"What's your name?"

"My name? Cadence. This is my big brother Sombra." She almost seemed in denial. But Armor knew that she knew he was gone. Still he had no choice, no matter how much it killed him inside, to jolt her back to reality.

"Cadence. I'm sorry to say this but...your brother's dead." Cadence looked back at her brother. She knew what he said was true but she couldn't find a way bring herself to fully realize it. She started to cry a bit.

"I just don't know what to do." She said. "He's taken care of me since our parents died. I don't know what to do now that he's gone."

Shining Armor got down and held the poor soul. He tried as best he could to comfort her.

"I'm sorry." She said.

"Don't be" He said. "it's not your fault. No one could've thought this would happen."

The two looked at each other for a second before Cadence broke the silence.

"What's your name by the way?" She asked.

"Shining Armor."

"Thank you Shining Armor." She said smiling. "Um...would you mind if I came with you and your group?"

"Not at all. In fact that was the initial reason I came over to you. Do you want to come with us?"

Cadence looked back at her brother and looked over to the people up on the ledge, including Discord, who just made it up.

"Just give me a moment. Just to say goodbye."

"Alright. I'll wait right here." He said.

The young singer went back over to her brother and gave him one last hug. She then proceeded to take off the necklace he was wearing. It was a small blue crystal in the shape of a heart in a gold necklace. Cadence put the necklace around her neck.

"Goodbye Sombra. With this I know you'll always be with me." She gave him one last kiss on his forehead and joined up with Shining Armor.

"You ready?" He asked.

"I'm ready. Let's go." She said smiling lightly.

The two then proceeded over towards the tree where Celestia and Luna were waiting.

"This is Cadence, she's going with us."

"Ok good. Anyone else?" Celestia asked.

"No. No one else want's to come. What about you two. You have better luck?" He asked.

"No. I talked to everyone. Redheart wanted to go, but she said she needs to take care of the injured."

"I suppose we should go then." And with that Armor and Cadence moved up the tree. The total in the group was now at 28. Celestia turned to her sister.

"Ok you head up. I'll be right behind you." She said.

Luna just nodded and climbed the make shift ladder. Celestia wanted to try one more time to convince the others.

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please." The crowd looked at her. they all knew what she was going to say and they sure weren't going to listen. But Clestia felt it was worth a shot. "That's right there, is our only way out. It's our only chance for survival."

"No one listen to her!" Blueblood imputed. "Our only chance is to stay here until the rescue comes."

"Where are they going to come from? No one's going to come here. The Captain's dead and so is anyone who was on the upper decks before we capsized. Those decks are now flooded and anyone there is dead."

"YOU'RE A LYING INSANE FOOL!" Blueblood yelled.

"I am not you son of a bitch!" She yelled back. "The only chance we have is up there. The water will come in here and drown all of you. Up there you will have a chance. Please for goodness sakes come with us."

Blueblood and the passengers began yelling at Celestia, shouting out that she's crazy, her followers were crazy, and what she was doing was insanity. Celestia decided to leave the fools behind and join up with the rest. She followed the same route up the makeshift ladder just like the others. Finally getting to the top she met up with Joe. Everyone else stood just inside the doorway, mostly against the walls.

She knew it was futile, but it was worth one last shot.

"This is your last chance to come with us!" She shouted.

"Your a crazy bitch you know that?!" Someone below shouted.

"Maybe but I do know this; this ship's not going to stay afloat forever. Eventually this room is going to flood, just like every other room on this ship. Hell she may go under before we reach the hull. But it's at least something to try. I you stay here and do nothing you're definitely going to die."

The passengers were still having none of it. Finally, Celestia just gave up and joined up with the others.

"Well," she said, "it looks like it's just us." She paused for a second. "Which way to the kitchen Joe?"

"It's this way." He said, pointing around a corner and down a, small corridor towards a two wood double doors. Celestia and Joe both led the way as the others followed. After going through the double doors they came upon a large red steel door with a red light just below it.

"What does that mean?" Night Light asked.

"Fire. Those doors are meant to close when a fire occurs."

"So no air could get in." Twilight added.

"That's what they say." Joe said.

"Well, let's test it then." Celestia said.

"Hold it lady!" Money Bags butted in. "You ever heard of a flash fire? Now we didn't come up here just for you to kill us."

"Like the rest of this journey Mr. Bags it's worth a try. Now are you going to let me go?"

Money Bags looked at her and just backed up a bit. "Alright, try it out."

Celestia the took off her jacket, wrapped it around her hands, and grabbed the door handle. She looked back and saw everyone in the hallway. "Could you all move back against the wall please?" The passengers did as they were told, some of them moved around the corner. Soon the door was opened, just enough for her to pass through.

"I'll be back in about 5 minutes." She said.

Soon she was through and the door was closed again. Now all everyone had to do was wait.