Catharsis

Chapter 1

Numb

On her way to the library, Applejack could not help feeling vaguely apprehensive. According to Fluttershy, it had been three days since Rarity's boutique had opened and she hadn't shown up at their usual meeting at the spa. As far as Applejack knew nopony had seen her since. Rumor had it that nopony answered at the carousel door and not one pony dared yet to venture inside without being invited. Though Applejack was not the most appreciative of Rarity's shallow nature, she was still reluctant to leave another pony in potential trouble... especially considering that this one didn't seem to be at her best recently. Contemplating the sky she noticed that not a cloud was obscurring the horizon in this apparently peaceful day. Reassured, she finds a new determination to inquire about Rarity's mysterious disappearance.

Having arrived to the hollowed-out tree, Applejack was welcomed by Twilight Sparkle with warm but pressing manners. In the living room half of a dozen open books were suspended in the air. The gifted unicorn seemed very absorbed in some kind of magical study. "Good ol' Twilight," thinked Applejack, "Nothin' can get her outta her books."
Twilight gave a look at her, still concentrated on her books.
"Good afternoon Applejack! It's nice of you to visit but as you can see I'm in the middle of a very important experiment. Can you come back later?
— Heya Twilight, I was just passin' by. I heard Rarity is missin', any idea what happened to her?"
Spike was nonchalantly seated on a stool, lounging against the desk. He cheerfully waved a greeting to Applejack she gladly waved back to him. Twilight Sparkle sighed and frowned, trying to keep focus on her books.
"That's kind of you to inquire about Rarity, considering how more often than not you have disagreements. I'm pretty sure she hasn't recovered yet from her disappointment at the Grand Gala. You know about Prince Blueblood?
— Oh yeah, that pony..." Applejack scoffed with disdain, "I know that kind, can't do anythin' good with their hooves."
Twilight Sparkle didn't seem to disapprove.
"I prepared something to cheer her up but I have no time to bring it to her myself. Could you oblige me and pay Rarity a visit?
— Sure thing."
Spike suddenly sat up on his seat.
"I could bring it to her myself!
— No Spike, I need you to help me with my experiment. Anyway you're probably the last person Rarity would want to see at the moment."
Spike had a resentful look as he went back to his nonchalant posture. Focusing her magic powers, Twilight Sparkle opened a chest lying in a corner of the room. What appeared to be a small jewelry box emerged from it and levitated towards Applejack. Its wood seemed to be of an exotic nature, the metal lock surprisingly elaborate.
"Here it is, I know I can count on you to bring it to her."
Applejack nodded in approval.
"Will do."
The carrier easily managed to fit the box in her saddle bag. As she left, the determined pony says goodbye to the experimenter and her assistant and walked down the road leading to the carousel.

Standing in Rarity's porch, Applejack was not feeling so comfortable anymore. As expected the carousel door seemed closed. Applejack nervously tapped her hooves on the ground, hesitant to knock. She did so eventually, with such energy it would be very improbable anypony inside could not hear her. The worried pony waited anxiously what seemed to be an eternity before finally breathing a sigh of relief.
Just about to make her way back to the Apple family's farm, Applejack was seized by doubt. Could the door be unlocked? Applejack tried her luck... and as she suspected the door swinged on its hinges to reveal the boutique interior. This time Applejack's sigh was a sigh of resignation. Not many ponies were locking their door in Ponyville as everypony knew everypony in the quiet burg.
"Rarity, ya around?"
As her words echoed in the room, the carousel remained desperately silent. Applejack cleaned conscientiously her hooves on the doormat before entering. She certainly didn't want Rarity's piercing shrieks to bore her eardrums at the discovery of soil traces on the floor.
Getting inside, Applejack took care to close the door before venturing farther into the boutique. It seemed unusually tidy for a working day, nothing indicating any recent activity. Undoubtably she would have to search deeper in the carousel to find Rarity. The perfumes, the overly-ornate decoration... wandering here made her somewhat uncomfortable.
It quickly became apparent to Applejack that there was no trace of Rarity around. She was about to leave Twilight's present on the kitchen table when she overheard sobbing coming from the second floor. The hesitant pony quietly went upstairs, unwilling to disturb Rarity's heart-wrenching cries. She finally knocked on the door.
"Rarity, it's Applejack. Do ya feel well?"
The not so inspired Applejack had an appalled expression. "Dumb question..."
The sobs quickly ceased and a troubled voice made itself heard.
"Applejack, is that you?
— You were missing for days and nopony had heard from ya so... I came to catch up."
Rarity's voice took a bitter tone.
"Why would you be worried? Everypony in Ponyville knows how you can't stand me. I wouldn't expect you to feel concerned by my despair!"
Applejack did the best she can to hide her irritation. "And here she goes naggin' again..."
"Don't ya exaggerate Rarity? Twilight gave me a present for ya, can I come in?"
Rarity's anger died down; she sounded resigned.
"Give me a couple minutes Darling, I am a complete mess."
After what seemed to Applejack much more than a couple minutes, she had a hard time stifling her yawns. At last the door opened, revealing a Rarity well-groomed, her purple mane tidily brushed. If not for her fluffy dressing gown, her bloodshot eyes and her vacant expression, not much could testify on behalf of her current distress.
Barely according an apathetic look to her visitor, the downhearted unicorn went back to her four-poster bed and wrapped herself in her sheets. As Applejack followed Rarity, she noticed with surprise rolls of fabric scattered all over the floor and dummies covered with patterns and unfinished garments. The rather direct pony hardly concealed her concern.
"The mess in here, ain't at all like ya."
Rarity had a depressed sigh and curled up further in her sheets.
"I can't put anything together anymore Applejack, I've lost my inspiration."
The despondent unicorn shivered, a cold sadness in her eyes. Applejack forced a cheerful expression.
"Dun' say such thing Rarity, inspiration will come back in no time!"
Applejack dropped her saddle bag on the floor, opening it and extracting deftly an apple tart and a serving knife. She proudly arranged them on the dresser.
"Looking at ya I'd bet ya barely touched any food for days. Care to taste ma' new recipe? Vanilla and cinnamon apple tart."
Despite the succulent smell emanating from the pastry, Rarity disapprovingly wrinkled her muzzle.
"I'm afraid I'm not in the mood to eat anything at the moment Darling."
Applejack rolled her eyes in disappointment. She wouldn't have minded enjoying a slice... but now it was clearly out of question.
"Can't force ya."
Rummaging through her things the carrier put her hooves on Twilight's gift.
"Here is your present, thank Twilight for it."
At the sight of the finely crafted jewelry box Rarity quickly sat up; a gleam of curiosity lighting up her eyes.
"Oh... such a lovely attention!"
Rarity carefully put her hooves on the casket and inspected it conscientiously; exquisite wood and a finely chiseled metal lock, a true piece of art. She could sense a faint magic aura emanating from the box. Though curiosity consumed her, she couldn't bring herself to draw back the lock yet... the excitement made her hesitant. Applejack had an inquisitive expression.
"So what is it? Open it up already!"
Rarity opened the mysterious box with a host of precautions. She noticed with delight the inside was carpeted with red velvet. At last its content was revealed to the two puzzled ponies. Applejack observed it with incredulity.
"Ain't that... a collar?"
At first glance it could indeed appear as an unremarkable leather collar to an inexperienced pony... but not to Rarity. She now perceived a much stronger magic emanating from the casket and there was no doubt to her the collar was the root of it. She stifled a shriek of joy. "Could it be..."
Rarity feigned disappointment.
"Poor Twilight doesn't know anything about fashion, such a shade doesn't fit my pelt at all!"
She got the collar out and stared playfully at Applejack.
"But I swear it would fit your complexion perfectly!"
Applejack massaged her neck, visibly slightly embarrassed.
"Ya know I ain't into fashion accessories Rarity."
Rarity had a charming smile.
"Don't be shy Darling, look at it closely. It's nothing sophisticated really, it wouldn't clash on you."
Applejack sighed, resigned.
"If it can get ya in a better mood..."
Rarity got out of her bed and put enthusiastically the collar on Applejack. She stood back and examined her model with a pleased expression.
"Perfect!" Rarity pointed at a standing mirror in the side of the room. "You really should see with your own eyes!"
Applejack walked to the glass, looking at her reflection with skepticism.
"Nay, not convinced."
As she turned in Rarity's direction, she catched her rummaging frantically through one of her wardrobes. The pale unicorn had an excited shriek as she extracted something of her fashion accessories collection.
"Don't move a hoof, I just got a fantastic idea!"
Piqued by curiosity Applejack took a step toward Rarity. She did not go farther though as a violent discharge striked her. The sudden burst of pain flowing from her neck through her whole body made her collapse. Groggy from the shock, she did not hear Rarity approach. A cruel smile on her face, the alabaster unicorn overlooked the unfortunate Applejack lying on the floor.
"My poor Applejack, didn't I tell you not to move a hoof?"
A braided leather riding crop was levitating at Rarity's side. It floated nonchalantly to Applejack, poking at her flank. The vindictive unicorn laughed sarcastically.
"If I were you I would get off the ground and face this glass... who knows what kind of unpleasant things could happen otherwise?"
Applejack was overwhelmed by mixed feelings of shock and disbelief.
"What kind of sorcery is this? Are ya out of your mind?"
Rarity shot her a displeased look.
"Silence!"
The collar tightened around Applejack's neck. Panicking, she put her hooves to her throat in a desperate attempt to get rid of the baleful artefact. Rarity put her hoof to her muzzle and chuckled.
"You won't take it off without my help Darling. It seems Twilight was kind enough to offer me a quite unusual accessory."
The riding crop caressed menacingly Applejack's ribs.
"She was probably expecting me to find a way to make Prince Blueblood pay for his detestable manners... how unfortunate for you she didn't consider I could have slightly different priorities."
Rarity's emotions surfaced in her, emotions she dug so deep in her heart nopony could have ever suspected them to exist. Fascinated, Applejack gazed at her as her mask of affability was fading away. The unicorn's face was distorted by rage, revealing a pony everlastingly consumed by envy, on the verge of a nervous breakdown. This was not anymore the frail and vain unicorn Applejack had always known facing her, but a fierce ivory goddess, personification of grace and wrath. For the first time she felt deference for her... and fear. Rarity's tone was calm but unequivocally threatening.
"Now get on your hooves and face the mirror, slave! Or do you prefer I put an end to your miserable existence right away?"
The riding crop rose slowly over Applejack as a sinister omen. The pony stared at the menace, petrified, conscious she could not escape her punishment. Finally it sliced through the air in a hiss, swooping down on her muzzle. A howl of pain resonated in the room as she put her hooves to her face. The braided leather had cut into her flesh and she could feel the blood leaking on her pelt, drop by drop. Rarity scoffed.
"Surely Prince Blueblood is a boor... but what he did to me is nothing in comparison with what I had to suffer from you!"
The bleeding pony got off the floor as fast as her condition permited her, determined to avoid giving the livid unicorn any reason to drive further into her rage. Fortunately her reflection in the looking glass revealed her cut was barely a scratch, though the pain radiating through her muzzle was all too real. Applejack observed Rarity in the mirror and the resentment she read in the unicorn's eyes as she spoke did not put her mind at ease.
"The Great, the Mighty Applejack, so strong, so dependable! Looking down on me every single day of my life in this miserable dump!"
Rarity imitated mockingly Applejack.
"I ain't sure I would put ma' trust in Rarity for anythin', she ain't a reliable pony. Quite the shallow type surely; always shy to do anything requiring a little more than a blink of an eye and an enticin' smile!
— Ah never said anythin' like that Rarity, y' are imaginin' things!"
Once again Rarity's tone got menacing.
"You'd better stay quiet Darling... unless you want me to make you turn blue."
The collar tightened furthermore around Applejack's neck. She had a hard time swallowing by now.
"Did you think me blind not to notice the smug smirk on your face when you look at me, or just stupid? And do you ever miss an occasion to pick on me?"
Rarity's riding crop floated at her side, brushing playfully against Applejack's well-toned croup.
"This is a quite a fine piece you have here... you certainly don't skip the exercise."
Applejack gritted her teeth, expecting the worse. The braided leather rose once again, hissing as it swooped down on her firm rump, the pain taking her breath away. She could now feel a thin film of sweat forming all over her tense body. Rarity had a grin of satisfaction. "This should leave a nice bruise..."
She was now perceiving a wild scent all around her but couldn't make up her mind... was it the smell of fear or excitement? The idea left her slightly aroused.
"Could you be a nice pony and lean over a little? Let me examine you more closely."
Applejack submited reluctantly, conscious she hardly had a choice. The riding crop extremity softly poked at her inner thighs.
"Spread your legs a little more Darling, don't be shy!"
As the resigned pony complied, the leather crop deftly moved aside her flowing golden tail. The lascivious unicorn looked at Applejack with delectation, a concupiscent expression on her face. She let out an admirative chuckle.
"Such a splendid specimen! Our little filly is all grown-up down there."
Rarity bent her head forward, brushing her muzzle against Applejack's tantalizing pussy. Her eyes half-closed, she breathed in and let Applejack's musky scent penetrate her. The delighted unicorn let out a contented sigh. Her voice took a lewd inflection.
"You smell so good... I wouldn't mind having a taste."
The eager unicorn stuck her tongue out shyly and gave a quick lick to Applejack's plump meat; the subdued pony could not refrain a discreet twitch of excitement. Rarity would swear discerning mingled flavors of apple and brown sugar tickling her taste buds. She suddenly gloated at the thought crossing her mind.
"For a minute I lost track of the important matter... teaching you to give me the respect I, Rarity, deserve!"
Applejack frowned, conscious her situation could get even more uncomfortable.
"You ain't yourself Rarity, come to your senses! Sooner or later ya gonna have to let me go.
The riding crop slipped swiftly between Applejack's legs, pressing against her crotch. Though the tight collar was hurting her neck, the anxiety made her gasp for air. At her surprise the braided leather did not move to hurt her, instead rubbing impetuously against her button. She bited her lips as the pleasure rose in her in waves. The sweating pony could feel her muff gorging with blood and getting wet by her own juices. She turned to look at Rarity, noticing this one returned to her wardrobe.
"Don't worry about all of these Applejack, I am pretty sure it will stay our little secret."
The agitated unicorn was rummaging once again in her accessories. She rose triumphantly, exhibiting the most exotic lingerie article Applejack had ever witnessed. Rarity slipped on the main part, a gorgeous black velvet corset, focusing her magical powers to button the press studs in her back in a matter of seconds.
But the confounding part of the outfit was its harness; velvet ribbons were attached to a flexible piece of leather in which was mount what seems to be an oblong and quite massive piece of transparent glass. As Rarity put on the curious and surprisingly aesthetic accoutrement, attached conveniently to the front of her corset by a couple press studs, it did not took long for Applejack to figure its purpose. The elegantly and kinkily adorned unicorn got close to her helpless captive, speaking to her with teasing inflections.
"So what do you think of my creation? I designed it specially in hopes that such an opportunity would arise..."
She whispered maliciously in Applejack's ear.
"Can you figure why I am confident you won't say anything Darling? What the dear ponies of Ponyville would think if they knew the mighty Applejack got subdued and disciplined by the shallow, the weak of heart Rarity? Not a pleasant thought, isn't it?"
Rarity had a discreet laugh. Despite her uneasiness, Applejack's voice was fraught with menace.
"Dun' ya play all mighty and confident now... just wait till ah can put ma' hooves on ya."
Rarity had an annoyed expression.
"Don't be ridiculous, everypony knows the brute you are. Try to only lay a hoof on me and we'll see what version they believe."
The riding crop rubbing frenetically against the pony's crotch suddenly dropped on the floor, immobile. The sly unicorn rose in Applejack's back, grabbing abruptly her fine croup.
"Now be a nice pony and be quiet, before I decide this collar is not quite tight enough yet!"
Facing the inevitable, Applejack prepared herself to endure Rarity humiliating treatment. "Relax, a lil' unicorn ain't enough to break ya..."
Moving aside Applejack's opulent tail, Rarity did not took much precautions to thrust the phallic piece of glass between the pony's gorged lips; she expected the penetration to be as painful as possible for her all-time secret nemesis. Fortunately for her victim, the unicorn's factitious member slipped with ease in Applejack's swollen muff, still soaked in its own fluids. Rarity's disappointment was clearly audible in her tone.
"It looks like you're quite the trained slut Darling... I can't believe I slipped this huge thing in you so easily."
Applejack had an irritated grunt. Ignoring her Rarity started thrusting her hips strenuously.
"Do not worry my precious Appleslave, I wouldn't give up on you. I just have to be a little harsher than expected..."
As she kept pounding stronger and stronger against the pony's succulent rump, Rarity felt the vibrations passing on her, her exquisite pussy getting increasingly wet by the arousal. As sweat started forming on her forehead she rose one hoof to mop her brow.
On a sudden surge of inspiration, the naughty unicorn spanked energetically Applejack; the surprised pony contracted strongly in reaction. Rarity gasped as her movement was slowed down by Applejack's firm grasp. She had a gleeful laugh.
"Good gracious, you can keep it tight! It could be that you aren't completely hopeless after all."
Thrilled by this unexpected new turn Rarity redoubled her efforts, her face lighted up with an impish smile. A sweet scent impregnated the room, the licentious unicorn's pelt getting drenched in sweat by the combined action of effort and her rising excitement. As she stood, her eyes half-closed, her brisk movements were punctuated by soft moans.
After long minutes of ardent pounding, Applejack's forced pleasure was seriously challenged by the growing soreness in her poor battered muff. Unfortunately, despite her discomfort, she could not help her athletic body clenching on her tormenter's determined thrust. While still brooding on a way to get out of this distressing situation, she noticed Rarity was quickly getting short of breath. It did not took long for the trained pony to figure the slender unicorn was not accustomed to any kind of intense physical activity. Not so coincidentally, the collar grip seemed to loosen around Applejack's neck. "Could be that fatigue makes her lose control over that thingy. Won't be long before ah take ma' chance..."
After barely eating anything for days, the starved unicorn's naturally delicate constitution was greatly strained by all the energy she expended to discipline her captive. As Rarity's sensitive pussy was getting more and more stimulated by the comfortable leather cushion of her garment, she could't help moving faster and faster in Applejack, in defiance of her increasing dizziness and shortening breath.
As the exhausted unicorn's excitement reached its climax, her womb fiercely convulsed again and again; she let out a long cry as her body was overwhelmed by pleasure. Nearly fainting, Rarity slipped out of Applejack and collapsed on the floor. After a few seconds of rest, she rolled over on her back and stared into space, sighing with contentment. The satisfied unicorn took off her harness before gently running her hooves between her thighs, still soaked in her combined sweat and love juices. She closed her eyes and started to play lazily with herself, seeming to ignore completely Applejack's presence. This one had an angered sniff. "Ya think ah gonna stay nice and watch ya' lil' show? Big mistake..."
The defiant pony took advantage of Rarity's inattention to lay on the floor, doing her best to take off the collar. Though magic no longer seemed to be a problem, manipulating the clasp with her hooves revealed itself an insurmountable task. "The hay with this, ain't all day."
At the expense of considerable efforts, Applejack managed to slip part of her hoof under the leather. The determined pony pulling it with all her considerable might, the metal clasp bent and gave way, scraping her neck in the process. The dreadful artefact fell on the floor, broken. Alerted by the noise Rarity was drawn out of her reverie. She threw herself on the remains of her precious gift, incredulous.
"No! Look at what you did!"
Applejack observed the panicked unicorn, desperately holding on to the vestiges of her precious power. The smug pony had a heartless smirk.
"Looks like was an one time offer... now my turn to get some fun!"
Applejack kicked over Rarity and dominated her. The subjugated unicorn concentrated her magic to rise the riding crop, in a futile attempt to protect herself. The earth pony pushed it away without much concern. Applejack aimed a couple of brutal slaps at the frail unicorn. A trickle of blood leaked out of Rarity's mouth. The wounded unicorn murmured.
"You can't do that Applejack...
— Ya right, dun' want to ruin your pretty pelt. New plan!"
Applejack pushed her hooves in Rarity's throat. Despite her struggle, this one could't break the pony's inexorable grip. The bully speaks to her in a low tone.
— Never liked your manners ya know... giving yourself airs, all nice and lady-like. But this mare ain't born yesterday..."
Rarity's eyes rolled upwards as she choked under the cold gaze of her aggressor. The tender flesh of her neck was slippery under the ruthless pony's hooves. Her gracile neck slippery of her own sweat, drenching her perfect alabaster pelt. Her subjugating scent made Applejack slightly disoriented. The fascinated pony could not took her eyes off the unicorn. Despite her body made thinner by days of self-deprivation and an obvious lack of sleep, this one had not lost most of her superb. Applejack stared at her hooves on Rarity's fragile neck. She had a moment of hesitation. "Probably ain't such a good idea..."
The confused pony withdrew her hooves and moved away from the suffocating unicorn. Rarity rolled on her side, seized with a violent fit of coughing. A vacant expression on her face, Applejack approached the apple tart disposed on the dresser, still untouched. She cut herself a small part and slowly ate it, considering its subtle flavors. The pony felt strangely numb as Rarity's eyes and hers met. She spoke with a dull voice.
"Ya could give it a try, pretty good."
Applejack slipped on her saddle bag and walked across the room absent-mindedly. As the pony used the door, she turned around and Rarity's eyes and hers met again. Empty eyes and dazed eyes.
"Nothin' happened here."
As she exited the carousel the pony looked at the bright sky once again. "Wasn't such a good sign after all..."
And she walked without looking back.