Survival Through Resignation

Applejack turned around. "How do Ah look?"

It had been almost eighteen months since the fall of Ponyville. While Applejack had not grown to enjoy Zaka's presence, she had fallen in love. Her heart had chosen somepony to call out to. As a result of that, she was now wearing a sheer harem outfit that had no top. Certainly, she was wearing a veil over her face, but her breasts were out for all to see, with tiny bells hanging from her nipples. The only covering on her body was a transparent skirt held up by a rope belt. Anypony that looked at her from the front could see the design waxed into her pubic hair.

"You look spectacular," smiled Bitch, gently caressing her shoulder. "I've never seen anypony more beautiful than you."

Applejack blushed under her veil. "It's just this dress."

Bitch leaned forward and pushed the veil aside, kissing Applejack on the lips. "The dress has nothing to do with it. I can't thank you enough."

"Don't thank me just yet," snorted Applejack. "Not 'til Ah've gone through with it. He can still change his mind."

"The crowds have already gathered," said Bitch, gesturing to the window with her right hand. Two of her fingers had been cut off during Applejack's time here, with one of them being recent enough that the scar was still trying to heal itself. "He's going to make a big display of dominance in front of the leaders of two other nations, as well as some of their top generals, that even the most stoic of Equestrians can be brought to heel. He's spent all of this time and money setting this up. He's not going to back out now."

Applejack swallowed. "Ah might."

Bitch kissed her once again, through the veil this time. "You won't. You might have second thoughts, but just keep telling yourself that you're going to have more control. I put my faith in you. You're going to save me. And then you're going to save countless others. And that includes your sister. She's waiting for you."

With her affirmation, Applejack's resolve was steeled. "You're right. Thank you, Bitch. Ah think Ah'm ready ta go now."

"Right away, Applejack." She opened the door and the duo made their way down the hallway and up the stairs. On their way, they passed a plethora of guards and slaves. One of the guards was following behind them, granting them protection from the others.

On previous occasions, Applejack and Bitch had been pulled aside by guards who thought they were both just slaves, and it had come to blows. Zaka had, in those instances, sided with Applejack in the argument, but not for her benefit. He had called for her delivery, and by impeding her ascent to his chambers, the guards had overstepped. They were allowed to use Bitch however they pleased, but Applejack was off-limits.

That was going to change today. That was the point.

She opened the door and walked in. Some of the visiting dignitaries were already here, others could be seen disembarking their carriages out in the courtyard. Zaka was already dressed, but there was a slave beneath his cloak, preparing him for the upcoming event.

"Seeing the bride before the wedding is supposed to be bad luck," he smirked. "Don't worry yourself, darling, before too long, we'll fuck."

"Ah want to make sure you're going to hold up your end of the bargain," she scowled.

"Applejack," he chuckled, "I have no reason to lie. I may be cruel and forceful, but I am an honest guy. All I have promised, I swear will be yours, as long as I have you every night on all fours."

"Let's just run through it again, just to make sure."

A zebra with a beak and wings sneered at them. "Zaka, you let your whores speak to this way? If mine did, they'd be face down in the clay."

Zaka rolled his eyes. "Galatei, you're here as a guest of the state. Unless you want your head served on a plate, I suggest you follow our regulations succinctly, else you will be removed distinctly." He turned to Applejack. "In exchange for your servitude, you will be granted a place in my bed, to which you'll be transplanted. In addition to this, you'll be given a voice in my court, and also the slave of your choice."

"Which we've already decided is her," concluded Applejack, pointing back at Bitch, who was kneeling by the door. "Ah'll be the only one that can tell her what ta do, Ah'll be the only one who can punish her."

"That is correct, but you can't set her free. If you release her, she comes back to me."

"Duly noted."

"And it goes without saying that my word is law. I can override the commands from your maw. If I must intervene, you forfeit this right, until I can no longer recall your slight."

Applejack nodded. This was put in place simply because other wives had commanded their slaves to set other ones free in the past, and it had taken time to bring them back. This was just over a hundred years ago, but the crown remembered. She couldn't just order Apple Bloom's release, but she could go and inspect Apple Bloom's progress.

She didn't want to, however. Not until she could provide some kind of aid. Not being able to see Apple Bloom was preferable to watching her suffer only to say that there was nothing she could do just yet. Even so, she'd need to find her, first.

As the last of the guests arrived, Zaka would greet them, then introduce them to his bride. To accentuate his acquisition, he would flick her nipples for everyone who asked, sometimes even jiggling them for his own entertainment. She just stood there and let it happen, though. She had a goal in mind, and right now, that meant keeping Zaka happy.

Finally, when the last guest had arrived in his room, another zebra with wings and a beak, the curtains were pulled back, and Zaka grabbed Applejack by the wrist, leading her out onto the balcony, to the applause of thousands of zebras, gryphons, and several other races, some of which Applejack could not identify. A fair few of them were slaves.

They weren't alone on the balcony. Four guards in heavy armour and two in light armor stood nearby. A pair of completely nude zebras, designated as a shaman and her assistant, stood by Zaka's side. Bitch stood behind Applejack, and two more slave mares kneeled behind Zaka. It was time.