The Poseidon Adventure

Every member of the group had one thing on their minds as they followed Celestia down the hall; how long will they have until the ship goes down. Everyone was scarred, even their so-called 'fearless and crazy' leader was taking the stress hard. Even if they did get to the top the could be burned, drowned, crushed, or could suffocate when the air supply runs out. As they passed through the field of debris from the party the group looked around. The wreckage along with the bodies of the injured and dead, added more to their thoughts. They knew that the ones who were unable or unwilling to come were sure to die along with the others.

"How long do we have to stay afloat?" Fluttershy said.

"I'm sure we'll be up long enough sugar" AJ said.

"This ship's like a giant air bubble." Twilight said. "It'll last longer with all the air trapped."

"But how are we going to get out?" Fluttershy asked. "The hull's solid steel."

"A rescue team will cut us out." Spike said.

"But how will they find us?"

"Well." Spike added. "While me and Twilight were touring the ship, we ended up in the radio room. While we were there we learned they send out a message to the International Sea Headquarters in Manehattan every hour."

"But if the 'sparks' in the radio room were cut off," Twilight added, "like if they were sending out a mayday, they will send out a plane to do a flyby of the area we were last heard. Remember the alarms? They had to have sent out a mayday during that time."

"You see Fluttershy," Rainbow said, "We're going to be fine."

The others were impressed by what the two knew.

Celestia made it back to the air duct, where the others were waiting.

"Alright I'm going to check and see if we can get through here. Joe, Vinyl, keep watch until I get back." And with that she went into the tunnel.

Passing their room Cup and Carrot Cake looked inside to see that their infants were not there. They were worried but were sure they were near by, parent's intuition as they call it. That intuition paid off as they rounded the corner. Standing at the entrance to the air duct was Joe, and the musicians. And standing with them was Derpy and Dinky, each holding the infants. The two little ones giggled at the sight of their parents who immediately pushed through the crowd to get to them.

"Oh there you are my little sweeties." Cupcake said, grabbing hold of the two.

"Thank you so much Dinky." Carrot said turning to the little girl. "I don't know what we would've done if we lost them."

Both mother and daughter smiled. "We were very lucky." Dinky said. "It was a miracle we didn't get hurt."

Derpy just smiled at her daughter, always proud that she was so brave.

Carrot turned back to Night Light.

"Heheh, you were right. I guess I doubt myself too much. I should get more parental intuition." Night Light said.

Velvet gently wrapped her arms around her husband. "You're a fine father. We couldn't ask for more." She said.

Ruby Rich looked at the couple, she could see how happy they were. Then she looked at herself, and her marriage to Filthy Rich. Looking back, she remembered marrying him fresh out of school, they were only 18 at the time. 9 years into their marriage, when she was pregnant with Diamond, she realized what her husband was really like. He was a bore, unappreciative, he wasn't even there half the time since he was always busy with his company. Both Money Bags and Crystal, who was pregnant with Silver Spoon at the time, supported her more than he did. Money actually attempted to bring this to his brother's attention, but to no avail. With this disaster, Ruby thought he could show some backbone. She was wrong. He had been quiet the whole time, and every time she tried to speak, he would silence her. She couldn't take it anymore, she needed to help out somehow.

She then remembered the open cabin the Cakes were peering into and strolled back over to it. Looking inside she immediately found what she needed, blankets. She picked up one of the thinner blankets and tried to tear at them. Sunset Shimmer then walked into the room

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm trying to make some slings for those two infants back there. I'm sure we're going to be doing a lot of climbing tonight." Ruby said.

"Here, let me help." Sunset said, taking her knife back out. After a few quick cuts, Ruby got what she wanted. The two quickly proceeded back to the crowd.

"Hey Cupcake, Carrot Cake. Try these." She said giving them the carriers.

"Oh, thank you Ruby." Cupcake said. The two put on the slings and put their babies in them close to their chests. Carrot took Pumpkin and Cupcake took Pound.

Ruby looked back at her husband and daughter, both of whom just rolled their eyes at her. At this point, however, she didn't care anymore. All she cared about now was helping everyone get out.

Just then Celestia made it back from her little journey.

"Ok everyone. This air duct leads to a main vertical shaft." She said.

"How far do we have to climb?" Cheese asked.

"We can only climb one level. There's a bunch of metal blocking our way to the top. But hopefully when we get up there we can use that stairway there to climb up to Broadway."

Everyone looked at one another and thought the same thing; anything but dealing with the water back at the staircase.

"Alright let's get going then. Luna you follow me."

"Ok? Why?" Luna said.

"Because it's going to take the three of us to help everyone up."

"Who's the third one?"

"Shining Armor." Celestia called out.

"Yes professor." He called back.

"You cover the rear. Make sure everyone's together."

"Yes ma'am"

The first to follow the sisters were the Cakes, then the kids, followed by Spike, Cheese and the 6, after some convincing words to Fluttershy. Next it was Granny Smith's turn. She was about to go in when Lightning Dust pushed her aside.

"I'm going next. I'm not going out getting stuck behind that fat ass hillbilly." She said. Everyone just glared at her.

"Hon that's not nice." Soarin said. It wasn't the first time he had to say something to her. When they were heading up the tree he had to strong arm her to move. And on the stairs he scolded her when she insulted Granny Smith's weight. Soarin was on the verge of strangling her.

Never the less he just breathed in deeply and followed his wife into the tube, turning around briefly to silently apologize to the elder woman.

Smith got into the tube. "Mac" She said, "If I do get stuck, please push."

"Granny you have nuthin to worry about." He said. The two then followed Soarin. Climbing right behind was Crystal, Ruby, their husbands, Velvet, and Night Light then got in, followed closely behind by the musicians and Nurse Redheart. Derpy and Dinky were next, Dinky refused to go without her mother, who was nervous to get in the tube, mostly because she didn't like the dark.

"Excuse me ma'am." Dr. Whooves said taking one of the lanterns. "If it would maybe this would help you out." He turned the light on. Derpy just looked at the doctor and her daughter for a second.

"Alright I'll go. Sweetie, you stay right next to me." She said.

"Ok mom"

The three then followed the rest. As the line moved along Armor and some of the others couldn't help but notice the lights were slowly beginning to dim. He also happened to notice the sound and sight of water trickling down the deck, towards the bow. They finally began to realize the ship was sinking by the bow, and were quickly running out of time.

The first members of the group had finally reached the other side of the tube. Celestia was proceeding out of the opening and up a ladder. Luna sat on the side as the Cakes made their way out onto the ladder. The airshaft was grey and rusty, with several lights heading up the shaft ending with the ladder up one floor, just above the doorway to the next air duct. Two floors below them was the water, bubbling and steaming like it was a giant pot on the stove.

Both parents decided not to make a thought of it and climbed after their leader. The climb was quickly cut short when she stopped at the grate that was blocking them from the duct. After four good kicks the grate was broken open, part of it falling into the bubbling water. She looked back down at the ones on the ladder.

"Keep following up. And don't look down."

The two complied as they moved up the shaft into the tunnel above. Next it was the kids turn.

Sweetiebell was moving towards the ladder when she and her friends were pushed out of the way. It was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who some considered were the brattiest kids on the boat.

"Sorry losers. Ladies first." Diamond said. Suddenly she and her cousin were grabbed by their ankles. Both Applebloom and Scootaloo were holding on with angry looks.

"Back of the line bitches." Scootaloo said, throwing the two punks behind them and blocking their way. They got their turn tough, quickly the 5 kids moved up the ladder, Spike and Cheese following closely behind.

Coming up behind them was the Mane 6. Pinkie was the first one out, following her beau. Next was Rarity, surprisingly she didn't complain about the steam in the shaft. Then came Fluttershy who was probably the most stubborn.

"Look Fluttershy" AJ said. "You're going up that ladder and that's final."

"NO!" She yelled. "No means no."

"Do you want to go up there where it's safe? Or do you want to drown?" AJ said. That was all the convincing Fluttershy needed. She climbed up the ladder behind Rarity, AJ, Rainbow, and Twilight followed closely behind.

Just as they were reaching the top Rarity poked her head out of the tunnel and pulled her friend in.

"You see Fluttershy. That wasn't so hard."

"I guess." Her friend said.

Up one level Celestia continued her way through the tunnel. It was pitch black, neither she nor anyone else could see, especially when the group leader bumped her head on something. It was another grate covered by another hatch. Immediately the line came to a halt.

"What's going on?" Applebloom asked.

"The hatch is closed." Celestia said. "Here, I'll try to see if anyone can hear us."

She shifted around to sit. Then using her full force, hit her feet against the hatch. The noise was loud and attracted the attention of everyone in the group, especially the ones stuck on the ladder and stuck back at the entrance to the duct. The agonizing wait went on for what felt like forever, and the professor was feeling the strain of hitting the door. Suddenly there was the sound of clanging followed by the sound of something unscrewing. Then the hatch opened revealing a young woman with blue hair, dressed in a magicians outfit.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie at your service." The woman said.

"Thank goodness you got here." Clesetia said exiting the tube.

"Is there anyone else with you? Maybe Trixie can help."

"We got about 30 plus others behind us." She said helping the Cakes out. Immediately the line began moving again.

Back down below the remainder of the group was proceeding into the tunnel. Armor was making sure everyone was together. He then turned to Cadence.

"Ok you're next."

"No." She said. "I want to go with you." Armor looked at her confused. But knowing they were running out of time he turned to the drummer.

"Um, Discord you can go on ahead, we'll be right with you." He said.

"Alright. I'll see you on the other side then." The drummer said as he climbed into the tube. Joe, Coco, Flash and Sunset quickly followed. Now it was their turn.

"Alright Cadence, lets go, you first." He said.

"You'll be right behind me right?" The young woman said.

"Of course, I'll be with you the whole time." He said. Finally they moved into the air duct, not noticing the water creeping up the deck, meeting with the stream already moving towards the rising tide.

Back at up deck the door to the stairwell was beginning to give. The pressure was too much for it as it was never designed to take the amount that was being put on it. The water leaking out of it wasn't enough to stop it from cracking. It was only a matter of time before it broke like a overfilled balloon.

Inside the central shaft the line was moving smoothly again. Granny Smith and Big Mac had just made it up the ladder, the Rich families were right behind. Soon it was Derpy, Dinky, and the Doctor's turn.

"How are you doing Derpy?" Luna asked.

"I'm doing alright." Derpy said. "I think I just conquered my fear of dark spaces."

"Well I think if you need to conquer anymore fears, tonight's the night."

Derpy got onto the ladder, curiously looking down at the water that was slowly rising.

"Derpy." The doctor said. "Don't mind that. Just climb up and don't look down."

The woman slowly began her climb. Dinky climbed up behind her, the doctor, who at the time was relieved of the rope and lanterns he was carrying to Luna, followed up behind

The last of the group. Flash and Sunset crawled right behind Joe, who was slower than the others due to his leg.

"How you doing Joe?" Flash asked.

"Fine Flash, just wishing I didn't have this gash on my leg." Joe said.

"I'm sure when we get to Broadway Redheart will give you something for that."

"I sure hope so, the poor thing." Joe said remembering she was the only who made it from the ballroom. Finally they made it to the central shaft and all it's humid, ugly splendor. Discord made his accent behind the doctor. Joe, and Coco followed close behind. Sunset had just made her way onto the ladder when the familiar sound of rumbling caught their ears.

"HOLD ON!" Luna shouted.

One by one the explosions went off. The airshaft shook while everyone shouted and screamed. The door to the old stairwell burst open, releasing all the water it held. Hands began to slip, Joe fell against the shaft wall, one hand still holding on. Coco held on with her legs wrapped around the rungs. Joe couldn't hold on anymore, shaken loose by the blasts, he fell, his foot knocking into Sunset on the way down.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" 'SPLASH'

Joe and Sunset both fell right into the water. Flash panicked and immediately dove in after them. Coco quickly scampered up the ladder as the three below watched in horror. Suddenly Sunset and Flash both resurfaced, followed by a blast and a geyser of water. It immediately began to turn light red. The two made their way up the ladder, passing Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor, who watched the whole thing.

"OH DAMN IT!!" Flash shouted.

"There's nothing we can do now, just keep going!" Armor shouted.

The young man obeyed and continued upwards. Luna finally went next with Cadence following her. Shining Armor was the last on the ladder, just as the air duct began to flood from both sides. After making the way up  he had one last look down. The air duct they just came from was no longer there, as if it just vanished. Armor knew this deck may not last long either. Gathering his thoughts he proceeded to the rendezvous with the rest of the group.