There is only half a between-Howl left. I don't know how any of these foals will escape.
The thick shackles bring their muzzles to the ground as the old ones lead them into the dark. My sister looks back, tears running down her face as the harsh metal scrapes along her shoulders.
Most Rearings, the foals would just follow, knowing it was for the best; at worst, getting a cloth leash to keep them close. Never chains.
I step forward, out of the ranks. "Stone!"
Almost instantly, a thick band slams over my shoulders, snapping closed around my neck. "Join the others, foal!"
"What?! No!" I scramble away, closer to the Cave, away from safety. "I passed!"
The Pegasus frowns, his wings flaring out as he rears up, kicking. One hoof strikes my skull near my ear, and I reel back, stumbling onto the slick floor of the Caves. The steep incline, paired with my momentum, sends me tumbling into the depths.
I recognize the sound of a bone snapping before I collide with a wall, the thump echoing in my skull before I lose consciousness.
-----
I wake up to cold water running down my face.
"Snkt... ow..." I blink a few times, seeing nothing but darkness. "Is somepony - ah - there?"
Silence.
Another drop hits my muzzle. It's the ceiling. The flood is starting.
"No!" I lunge forward, before pain slams through my chest and I fall. "Augh! Stone?! Stone!?"
"Bane! Help!"
I jerk upright, ignoring the pain. She needs me, I repeat, she needs me.
"Bane! Are you there?!"
"Coming!" Just one more step, just one more step, just one more step, just one more step...
"Quickly! The water!"
A part of me wants to scream that she's my age, that she can handle it, but she can't. While I was working she was pampered and cared for. She doesn't know how to survive.
I am suddenly aware that there is blood pouring from my head. I skid to a stop, vertigo washing over me. "S-Stone!" I yell into the dark. "Stone!"
"I'm here, sister!" I feel a supporting shoulder beside me, and I lean on it. Her bare neck rubs along mine, seeking out the collar. With a quick kick, it disengages and clatters to the ground. I choke in a mouthful of air, straining to figure out which way the sky is.
"How many are left inside?"
"The old ones were shackled to us, Bane! They're down there with the others!"
"Follow the smell of metal, Stone." I stepped away from her, spitting blood. "And don't come out until the Howl is over and everypony's gone, and don't go home. Go straight to Haven. Do not, under any circumstances, come after me. Do you understand?"
"Yes." She left my side, following the smell of my own blood up the tunnels. I hoped she was smart enough to listen to me.
Shaking my head to clear my eyes, I continued down the tunnels. The dripping water was now a steady stream, slowly pooling at my hooves.
"Hello? Anypony there?"
Something moved beside me, the water sloshing up against my legs. "Hello."
"Where are you?!" I swung a hoof through the air, trying to find a solid form. Instead, a shimmering mist began to congeal from the floor, spreading like steam from the surface of the water. It began taking the form of a pony, a unicorn with wide wings. It was only a few heads taller than me, and many of the grown mares were that size.
"Are you lost?"
It had a soft voice, one that I could believe would inhabit an enemy. "N... no. I need to find the others."
"There are more of you?" It replied, turning away to walk down the tunnels. I followed. "That is a shame."
"Wha- who are you?"
"I am Cadence. I have decided I should my afterlife to save the lives of others."
"You're... dead?"
She slowed, her ghostly ears drooping. "Yes. I... died... here."
"Oh." She picked up the pace again, "I'm sorry."
"Do not be." She replied softly. "I have forgiven her."
I didn't press the matter.
She continued anyway. Apparently not many stopped to talk. "The Queen of the Changelings trapped me down here once. She didn't know about the lake, you see, thought I would be fine for a couple days if she brought me food. After my... demise, she left a Changeling here in my guise to complete her plan. They failed at taking Canterlot. The Queen left, I think. My impostor remained for as long as she could stand. My fiance is gone as well; and though I have sought out his spirit, I believe he has passed on fully."
"Oh... I'm sorry."
"No need." She repeated. "We are entering the main chamber."
"Thank you."
She nodded, gently. "I do not wish to enter that room, if you may spare me the journey. I will wait here to guide you out."
I trotted past her, scanning the cavern. "Hello?"
Silence, save for the rush of water now pouring in from the roof.
The shackles... Cold dread filled my chest. Without a second thought, I jumped forward, using the muscle built up from seasons of running and bucking and working.
The water enveloped me with a loud splash, and I opened my eyes. The faceted walls of the Caves were beginning to shine their bright not-gray as the water enveloped them. Light sparkled from them, illuminating the floating bodies, each bound by the metal on their necks. Their eyes were screwed shut, and they drifted back and forth in the current in a haunting dance.
Trying not to be sick, I swam over to them, desperately hoping at least one would have a pulse.
Nothing.
I surfaced, taking heaving breaths. "Cadence! Cadence, where are you?!"
Her spectral form was gone, replaced by the rapidly-rising water. Hundreds of tunnels branched out from this cavern, hundreds of dead ends that could only end in death.
I swam for the edge, getting a hold on a jagged crystal and heaving myself up to the next tunnel. Water was pouring out of it, cascading down to the pool in a fashion that would have been breathtaking, had it not been deadly.
I kept climbing, faster than the water in my desperation. Near the top of the cavern, a tunnel had ceased its drain, as good of a chance as any that there might be a way out.
I kept climbing.
The tunnel loomed closer.
Almost...
My hoof hooked on the edge of the entrance, and I hoisted myself up into the relative safety of the tunnel.
No time to catch my breath. Had to run.
I ran.
The tunnel branched out in a network of spiderwebs, the twists and turns of a labyrinthine morgue. I kept going, ignoring the holes, ignoring the pits, ignoring the roar of the water behind me.
There was only my hooves against the ground.
A rush of warm air billowed down the tunnel from ahead, a wraith of smoke twisting and transforming as it matched my speed. Cadence.
"You're almost out"
The voice shook and leaped, but I could vaguely understand her speech.
I sped up again, my canter turning to virtual leaps and bounds as I stretched out to maximize my speed. The breeze was so warm and hopeful.
And then the floor ended.
I plunged like a stone, instinct angling my body for a graceful entry; assuming there was water below. A quick second to seriously regret not drowning, and I splashed into the water. There was a strong undercurrent, pushing me away from my landing point, from the Caves.
I surged to the surface, scanning the cliff walls for Cadence. She stood at the tunnel exit, waving down at me.
"Thank you!" I yelled up.
"Good luck!" She replied, flickering out of existence.
I bobbed on the surface of the churning river, the warm air and strong current leading me to believe that this was one of the drains.
"Well." I muttered to myself, shaking the water from my eyes. "At least it can't get any worse."
-----
Cadence re-materialized in the empty chamber, watching as the last of the floodwater siphoned away. She waited, silent, as the crystals dimmed back to a uniform darkness.
"I have completed the task you asked of me."
Yes. Another voice replied, echoing in the empty room. You have.
"May I go now?" She looked around slowly, trying to find the source. "I did everything you said."
You did.
"I need to see him! I need to see Shining!" Cadence shouted, stomping a phantasmal hoof on the crystal facets. "You told me I could die once I did what you said!"
I did say that, didn't I? The voice paused, contemplating. Fine. You may pass on now, if that is what you wish.
"Thank you." She dipped her head in farewell as an invisible burden left her shoulders. She steadily faded away, until the space where she had been showed no sign of her existence.
The chamber was silent again, the steady gurgle of the water draining having stopped through the conversation.
A sigh echoed through the tunnels as a form materialized beside the drowned ponies, crouching over them and undoing their chains. Such a shame. It lifted the heavy metal with ease, tossing it across the room to crash into the far wall. I'm sorry you had to die.
It stood up, shaking the water from it's feet. But I'll make sure the afterlife is nice, just for you. It laughed, a mirthless, dry sound. Just for you, my pawns.
It snapped a claw, and was gone.