Survival Through Resignation

"Ya tell 'em ta fuck off," growled Applejack, "an' then ya spit in their face."

The zebra shook his head and smacked Applejack's arse with a riding crop. He was not the same zebra that had been in here in the days prior, but a new one. He wore nothing more than a cloak held up by a pair of spaulders. "We've been at this the entire day. Answer one properly, what do you say?"

"Ah say ya ain't done jack shit!"

The zebra pushed back his short mane and scratched his bushy sideburns. "If you cooperate, this will be over fast. I don't want this all to last. The sooner you earn who's boss around here, the sooner you can take his orders, my dear."

"Yeah, that ain't happenin," smirked Applejack.

The zebra once again brought his crop across her flank with a loud snap. He didn't dare come close enough to let her kick him. One of the guards responsible for lowering her was sporting a pretty nasty-looking bruise on his shin, and he couldn't do anything retaliatory, as this was Emperor Zaka's new wife.

Even he was bound in what he could do. He was not allowed to do anything that could damage her skin or cause her undue strain. That left him with the choice of a paddle or a riding crop. Perhaps it was time to switch.

"Perhaps it is time to take a step down. How do you act when you're walking through town?"

"Carry a big knife and castrate every stripey bastard Ah come across," spat Applejack.

"No, that answer is not right," huffed the zebra, taking a paddle to her flank. "You are going to be very sore tonight. What you are to do is to swish your hips, stick out your tongue and lick your lips, wiggle your breasts and move them around, and never, ever, should you touch the ground."

"And how exactly am Ah supposed to walk without touchin' the ground?"

"You will be in a carriage, rolling down the street. If you behave yourself, a slave will be licking your feet."

"And if Ah refuse?"

The answer came in the form of a paddle across her arse. While she was fairly tough and durable, even she had to admit that the constant abuse concentrated on her butt was starting to grind on her. Only just starting, but after a week of tiring out zebras who had to keep swinging their arms, she might let out a whimper. She could only hope that she became so used to it by then that it didn't bother her anymore.

"I'm growing weary of this meaningless drivel," sighed the zebra, walking around in front of her. "You can't even answer a question most civil. You won't even tell us your actual name, all because of this misplaced blame."

"Misplaced?!" snapped Applejack. "Y'all killed countless stallions and mares in front a' me, burned down my whole town, and lied ta my face! I'd say my enmity is right where it needs to be!"

The zebra shook his head. "I did nothing of the sort. Your town was in the way of our most recent fort. It needed to be wiped, and you were in the way. And I did nothing; I was home that day."

"Ah said y'all," spat Applejack. "Ah meant y'all. All a' ya'! The entire combined forces of that asshole, Zaka!"

The zebra wiped the spittle from his face and circled around her, delivering three hard spankings. "Emperor Zaka is your ruler now, you'll show him respect. As for that town that you failed to protect, y--"

"Shut up!" interrupted Applejack. "One more word about Ponyville outta you, and Ah swear, your death will be slow and painful!"

A smirk crossed his face. "Ponyville was weak and pitiful. Under our rule, it'll reach its pinnacle. The mares we've collected are either slave or sow. What do you think you can do about it now?"

Applejack said nothing. She just memorized the zebra's face. She wanted to make sure that she kept her promise. Without her integrity, she was nothing, and this was a promise she was intent on keeping. It was right up there with rescuing Apple Bloom; even if it cost her life, she was going to make sure it was done.

The door opened, and the mare that had oiled up Applejack entered, carrying a chair with her. The zebra instructor had placed his in front of Applejack to help the guards lower her to the floor, but she'd knocked it over and broke one of the legs. He needed it delivered, as he was supposed to be in here all day.

"It's about time, where the hell have you been?" He pointed to the floor, where a few splinters from the busted chair lay. "And why is this floor not spotlessly clean?"

"I'm sorry, master Seth. I'll see to it right away."

As she set the chair down and lowered herself to her hands and knees to pick up the bits of wood, the zebra kicked her ribs, forcing a yelp of pain. Applejack internalized the name and locked it to the face. Seth. This is the name of the zebra that she would guarantee died slowly. Not just for what he said, but how he acted.

He could tell that he'd sparked something in Applejack. Her facial expression screamed that she was absolutely livid, and that was something he could use. As the mare tried to move away, having picked up the splinters, he grabbed her by the mane and shoved her face against Applejack's snatch. "Eat her out and do it well," he commanded. "If you slack off, I'll be able to tell."

There was no confirmation from the mare, she just started going, still holding splintered wood in her left hand. Words would just waste precious seconds of her masters' time if she was supposed to be using her mouth for something else.

Under different circumstances, Applejack would have loved this. The feeling of being locked in a romantic session with a mare who deserved some relaxation would have been lovely. But as it was, neither party had consented, and the mare between her legs was trembling in fear and crying. She looked terrified as she glanced up at Applejack to make sure she was doing a good job.

"This is a taste of what acceptance will bring," he said to Applejack. "You can either have this, or feel my tool's sting. All you need to do is soften your voice and answer my question. Or not. Make your choice."