Best Friends

Work was absolute hell for Applejack. At the Midnight Haven she was known as one of the best dancers there. Literally every patron there came just to see her on the days she was there. She didn't think to highly of the job, but it was hard not to take pride in being seen so highly.

Unfortunately today, she was a little off her game. That was because every time she did one of her more intense moves, her master would turn the vibrator he had inside of her up to a higher frequency. When her dance was almost done, he turned it up to full blast and left it there for the rest of the dance.

She damn near came right on the stage.

Realizing that she was about to embarrass herself in the worst way, she wasted no time after her dance was done running backstage and into the bathroom. Currently it was empty, so if she just let herself climax here then-

He turned it off. The fucking stallion turned the damn thing off.

Applejack sat down in front of a stall and broke down, not so much from the physical sensation, but from the frustration of her predicament. She knew why he was doing this. He wanted her all to himself. This was his way of telling her that she belonged to him and only him.

He'd probably harass her here at work from now on, until she just agreed to go with him and be his slave full time. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction though. Between working for him and the club, she'd-

Shit! The money from the patrons! She left so much of it on the stage! By now there was another mare out there, meaning she lost all of it. That was literally how she got paid here!

“Goddamn it!” Applejack swore. Someone knocked on the door outside.

“Applejack? It's me, Sapphire. Can I come in?”

Sapphire, the owner of the club. A lot of new ponies were surprised to see the club belonged to a mare, but Sapphire was good to her fillies. Rumor was she was a dancer for the previous owner, and he gave it to her as a gift.

Applejack opened the door, seeing an off white unicorn with a super long and full blue mane and tail wearing a tight black dress and black high heels standing outside looking at her with a worried frown.

“Applejack love, you don't look so good,” Sapphire said, “Are you okay?”

“Ah… no Ah ain't,” Applejack sighed, “My grandmother is in the hospital, an' well…”

“And you came to work anyway?!” Sapphire asked, clearly shocked.

“Things ain't lookin too good at home, an' Ah really need the money, so…”

“No Applejack, I can't let you do this,” Sapphire said, “You shouldn't be here right now.”

“With all due respect Sapphire, right now Ah need ta be-”

“I know how badly you want to help your family,” Sapphire said placing a hoof on Applejack's shoulder, “but you're a mess right now. You managed out there just now, but you weren't as good as usual, and it showed.”

“Sapphire…” Applejack was trying her hardest not to cry right now. She had no idea what she was doing to her.

“If you need a few days off, take them,” Sapphire said caressing Applejack's face, “I'd rather miss my best dancer for a little while and know she's okay than see her have a nervous breakdown on stage.”

Applejack sighed, knowing that she lost this fight. Sapphire wasn't going to let her get back on stage. She could almost see Filthy Rich snickering arrogantly at his victory.

She nodded and pushed past Sapphire wordlessly and went out to the front of the club, where Filthy Rich was sitting down. If she didn't know better, he looked like he was waiting for her.

“Is everything okay?” Filthy Rich asked with fake concern. Applejack took a deep breath before speaking.

“My boss wants me to… t-take a few days off, so…” Applejack closed her eyes, fighting her tears as best as she could.

“Well things worked out, didn't they?” Filthy Rich said standing up, “Don't worry about your job here. I'll make sure you're taken care of.”

Son of a bitch. He was so smug, it made Applejack sick to her stomach. Still, she had no choice but to follow him out of the club. As of now, he was her only means of getting enough money to take care of the farm and get Apple Bloom's birthday present.

She was officially Filthy Rich's bitch now.

Applejack wasn't around at the moment, so Rarity decided to spend some time in town. She didn't know what to think of Applejack's current affair. She was so far away, she couldn't hear what they were talking about, but the look on her face said it all. She was in pain.

Why…?

Why am I in pain right now…?

Rarity held her head and moaned in frustration. She should just leave it alone. It wasn't her business anyway. Applejack said so herself. This had nothing to do with the nightmares either, except if she wasn't able to leave her post to fight, but this was Applejack. She'd find a way.

She didn't want Rarity's help, so Rarity shouldn't waste her time trying to help her.

“Are you okay?”

Rarity looked up and saw Pinkamena standing in front of her with a concerned expression.

“Oh, you're um… Pinkamena, right?” Rarity asked. Pinkamena nodded.

“You looked like you were upset about something. I'm sorry if I'm overstepping my boundaries, but I hate seeing ponies in pain.”

“Oh no, you're fine darling,” Rarity said, “I'm just having a bit of a struggle with myself is all.”

“Deciding whether or not to help your friend or leave her to solve it herself?” Pinkamena said, shocking Rarity. How did she know…

“First of all, how did you know that?” Rarity asked, “And second of all, she's not my friend.”

“You keep telling yourself that,” Pinkamena said rolling her eyes smiling, “But besides all of that, can you really leave it alone?”

“She told me that she doesn't want my help,” Rarity said turning her nose in the air, “I've been trying to reach out to her for months now, and every time she pushes me away.”

“Yeah, I guess I can see that,” Pinkamena said nodding, “I mean sure, she could be in a lot of trouble now, but if she doesn't want your help you shouldn't give it. It's not like she can pay you or anything, right?”

“It's not about payment,” Rarity sighed sadly, “She hates me. One good deed isn't going to change that.”

“You're probably right,” Pinkamena said walking around Rarity airily, “Her hatred of you isn't going to change at all if you save her. So why not just leave her alone, right? Let her deal with this problem on her own.”

Hearing it like that, it sounded really selfish. No descent pony would just do nothing about it. She was about to say as much to Pinkamena, but she noticed that she was smiling knowingly. She was doing this on purpose.

“You…” Rarity said.

“That's not the kind of pony you are though,” Pinkamena said, “When you see someone in need, you have to help them. You're just generous like that. That's what makes you so radiant, Rarity.”

“Generous, huh?” Rarity said looking down, thinking of how that word took on so much meaning to her.

“Besides, we both know why you can't leave her alone,” Pinkamena said walking away a bit, “I mean, you are best friends, right?”

Rarity was speechless as she watched Pinkamena skip away. There was something about that pony that was almost otherworldly. She was right about one thing though. She had to do something for Applejack. She'd be a real bitch if she didn't. There was one thing that bugged her though.

How the hell did that pink pony know her name?

The night was a long one for Applejack, who basically spent the rest of the day being humiliated by Filthy Rich. Thankfully his daughter was staying over her friend Silver Spoon's house today, but she had no idea what she would do on the days she wasn't at a friend's house.

“I think we're done for the day,” Filthy Rich said untying Applejack, “You can get cleaned up whenever you're ready.”

“T-thank you,” Applejack said, just relaxing on the bed for a bit. She couldn't relax but so much, otherwise she'd start speaking more naturally. She remembered a time when this felt more natural to her, but these days she had taken to the more country manner of speaking. It was just easier and more relaxing for her.

But Filthy Rich hated the sound of it. He said it made her sound “unrefined”.

“Abigail, is there any way I can convince you to be a live in servant?” Filthy Rich asked her.

“I told you before, I need to be with my family,” Applejack sighed, “Apple Bloom is at a funny age, and she needs a motherly figure. I'm not leaving her alone, Master.”

“That's too bad,” Filthy Rich said caressing her cheek as she lay on his bed, “Because it would make things a lot easier, both for me and you. If you lived here, I'd even be able to pay for your grandmother's treatment, probably give her another few years to live peacefully.”

That… was tempting actually. Right now Granny Smith was alone in the hospital, probably uncomfortable, but with the right treatment she'd be able to stay at home surrounded by ponies she loved. As it stood right now, she only had a few months left if that, but she'd be able to get at least another few years.

“Master, I-” she was cut off by a feeling of dread. This felt weaker though, so it was probably an avatar swarm. Not as dangerous as a nightmare, but if left alone they could attract one. It also meant that the red type was nearby.

Applejack shot up, “Sorry, but I have to go.”

“Abigail, you can't dodge this forever,” Filthy Rich said, “Sooner or later you have to decide what's best for your family.”

“I… I know, but… right now I'm needed elsewhere. I had to let someone down before, I'm not letting her down a second time.”

Filthy Rich sighed smiling, “You can't please two masters, Abigail, but I understand,” he stood up and kissed her forcefully and passionately, “I'll see you tomorrow, my pet.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow, M-Master,” Applejack said quickly turning and galloping out of the mansion. Once outside, she shifted into her alicorn state and jumped into the labyrinth.

Inside she saw a vast canyon, and a swarm of giant gray spider monsters approaching Rarity, who was already transformed. As Rarity backed away from the avatars, she set a few lasers in front of her and fired at them, only destroying a few of them.

Applejack wasted no time using her magic to make stalagmites rise out of the ground destroying a huge chunk of them. Rarity turned to Applejack, and for a brief second she looked relieved.

“Decided to join me this time, huh Applejack?” Rarity taunted, returning to her usual smug self.

“Well, ya looked like you were havin so much fun, Ah thought Ah'd stop by. But if you'd rather Ah leave you alone ta play…” Applejack taunted in return.

“On the contrary,” Rarity said turning to the avatars as Applejack galloped to stand next to her, “This game is more fun with two players.”

Rarity charged up her magic and fired her lasers at the swarm, once again only hitting a few. Applejack slammed her hoof on the ground to knock a boulder into the air and then swung her horn forward throwing the rock at the swarm, killing a large amount of avatars.

“Ah'll use my magic to take out most of em,” Applejack said, “You deal with the ones Ah miss.”

“Understood,” Rarity said, “I'll do better from the air, so make sure they don't catch me while I'm flying.”

“You got it,” Applejack said. She and Rarity bumped hooves, and Rarity took to the skies. Like she suspected, the avatars tried to shoot webs out of their mouths at Rarity, but Applejack slammed her hooves on the ground creating an earthquake and knocking them off balance.

Applejack then charged up her horn and pointed it to the sky, causing the earth underneath the swarm to literally shoot up and down, killing a huge amount of the avatars. After that there looked to be only a few dozen left.

Rarity then flew around the field creating orbs of light that fired at the remaining spiders. When she was done, there were literally only two left. Both she and Applejack jumped to one each and stepped on it at the same time. As the labyrinth faded away, they both turned to each other. Applejack felt an odd sense of relief looking at Rarity, and her heart actually stopped racing for a bit.

Until she remembered that it was Rarity she was looking at, and she turned away immediately catching herself.

“Um… ya alright Rarity?” Applejack asked.

Rarity sighed, “Yes, Applejack, I'm fine.”

“Good. Well then, Ah'll see ya,” Applejack started trotting away, trying to get back to Sweet Apple Acres as quickly as possible.

“Applejack, wait,” Rarity called out, stopping her, “I was wondering, um… how are you… doing?”

“Fine, thank you,” Applejack said curtly, “Ya don't have ta worry about me.”

“Applejack, I know that's not true,” Rarity said walking up to Applejack, “I saw you with Filthy Rich today in the Red Light district.”

“You were spyin on me?!” Applejack asked turning to Rarity and glaring at her.

“Sorry, I didn't know it was an offense to worry about my comrade's safety,” Rarity said looking offended.

“Ah didn't ask you ta worry about me! What Ah'm dealin with ain't none of yer or anyone else's business. 'Sides, Ah know ya don't really give a damn, so why don't ya do us both a favor an' butt out!”

Rarity scowled, “Well then, see if I ever reach out my hoof to help you again!” Rarity turned around and trotted off, but stopped just as Applejack was about to leave, “You know what? No, I'm not butting out!” she said turning back to Applejack, who stepped away in shock.

“W-what?!”

“I'm sick and tired of always being treated like a villain by you!” Rarity fussed trotting over to Applejack, “I fight with you in the labyrinths, I consult with you about Nightmare Night! I even go out of my way to look out for our emotionally unstable captain! Throughout it all, what do I get in return? You pushing me away, treating me like I have it out for you!”

“Thanks?! Thanks?! Gee, Element of Generosity, Ah didn't know compensation meant so much to ya!” Applejack attacked.

“There you go again, attacking me! You act like I expect a standing ovation for the work I do! I know how thankless this job is, and yes I hate it! But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like a mere thank you from my partner!”

“If yer so bent outta shape 'bout it, why don't ya get yerself another partner!” Applejack shouted, “Since ya have such a problem with me! Ah bet Fluttershy could handle yer humongous ego!”

“You want to talk about an ego?! What about you?! Even now you're still trying to take on the whole world by yourself! Worst of all, you judge everyone before you even get the chance to see what kind of pony they really are!” for some reason, Rarity started crying, “You don't even ask if that pony might be willing to help! If they'd be able to help! You're too into yourself to even see that others are suffering too!”

“You're sufferin?! You don't know the first thing 'bout sufferin!” Applejack shouted, crying too, “You have yer money, yer good looks, you can get everythin and anythin ya want! That, an' ya have no problem flauntin it in front of everypony, despite the fact that ya might be tearin some ponies up inside, remindin them of somethin they had ta give up, an' wish every day they could get back!” Applejack broke down completely, “Ya wanna know why Ah always treat ya like a villain?! 'Cause ya are one! Yer nothin but a reminder of the pony Ah'm tryin ta ferget! The pony that won't leave me alone! Ah hate you! AH HATE YOU SO MUCH!!!”

Overcome with emotions, Applejack charged at Rarity, tackling her with her horn. Rarity caught her attack with her horn, glaring at Applejack.

“You know what? I should thank you,” Rarity seethed, tears still streaming from her eyes, “You just gave me a reason to not feel guilty for WIPING THE FLOOR WITH YOUR FLANK!!!”

Rarity pushed Applejack back, and lunged at her herself. The two mares met in a horn clash pushing at each other. After a second they began slashing and clashing horns violently.

Realizing that this was going to get really ugly, Applejack stepped away from Rarity and flew in the direction of the Whitetail Woods. Rarity flew after her and fired her lasers, but Applejack managed to dodge most of them. When she made it to the Whitetail Woods, one shot hit her knocking her to the ground, but she caught herself last minute and flipped to her feet.

When Rarity landed, she rushed at Applejack, who used her magic to create a stalagmite that knocked her back. Applejack then cast multiple stalagmite spells, but Rarity flew in a circle around all of them, secretly setting her orbs.

After a second, Rarity activated all of her orbs at once, firing lasers at Applejack from all corners. As Applejack fell to the floor, Rarity trotted over to her.

“You're too much of a brute,” Rarity spat, “You're boorish tactics have no strategy, unlike mine.”

“Ya… may have that…” Applejack said forcing herself to her feet, “But one thing about my attacks,” she began charging up her magic, “They hurt a lot more than yers!”

Applejack shot a sharp piece of earth out of the ground at Rarity's side, knocking her back. Applejack followed it up by lunging at her with her horn. Once again, Rarity met horns with her, and they continued their violent horn clash.

After a second, the two alicorns shot up into the sky flying into one another slashing. To anyone watching from Ponyville, they'd see two lights, one white and one red, constantly charging into one another almost like they were dancing.

Soon, Applejack began firing red bolts of magic at Rarity, who in turn fired white bolts of magic. The two of them dodged and fired for what felt like ages, until they flew into one another again clashing horns.

They met eyes for a brief moment, and then flew away charging up their magic. Applejack fired a large red beam of magic from her horn, and Rarity fired a blue and white beam from hers. The two beams met in a beam struggle in the center, one that neither side was winning.

When it came to raw magic, these two were completely evenly matched.

The beam actually exploded in the center, causing both mares to fall out of the sky and onto the ground. After lying on the ground for a few seconds to a minute, both of them began stirring at the same time and forced themselves to their feet.

Still glaring at each other, Rarity and Applejack limped over to one another slowly. Once they met, Rarity raised her hoof at Applejack and slapped her in the face, knocking her back. Applejack straightened herself and buck kicked Rarity in the side, knocking her back. Rarity straightened herself, and lunged at Applejack, and once again they clashed horns, pushing against one another.

This time though, it was only a few seconds before they both fell to the ground exhausted. They rolled to their backs and looked up at the night sky silently for a while.

“Why…?” Applejack asked softly, “Why do ya care so much…?”

“I haven't the foggiest idea…” Rarity admitted, “If it were anyone else, I'd just be done with it… But with you… it's different.”

“Different? How?”

“When I see you in pain, I… hurt too…” Rarity said, shocking Applejack.

“Yer… in pain as well…?” Applejack asked.

“Yes…” Rarity said, tears streaming from her eyes as she looked up, “Whenever you don't ask me for help, or you say hurtful things to me, something in my heart cries out. It seems weird, because we've never been friends, but something in me aches… as if my heart is saying… it shouldn't be like this… Applejack… do you… really hate me…?”

“Ah… don't know…” Applejack said, tearing up herself, “Ah think… what Ah hate is… myself. Ah used ta be jus' like you. No, that's not true… Ah was terrible. Ah turned my back on my family… jus' so Ah could live in luxury… Ah didn't want anythin ta do with my kin… acted like Ah was ashamed of 'em, 'cause if Ah actually admitted that they were my family, Ah'd be shunned,” Applejack laughed sadly, “Ya wanna know the kicker? Apple Bloom, my little sister, she never thought badly of me. Neither did my grandmother. They both thought Ah was a good pony deep down inside. If they knew the truth… that Ah… that Ah was actually ashamed of them… they'd hate me.

“Truth is… Ah don't hate you, Rarity…” Applejack admitted, “Ah hate how beautiful ya are, both inside an' out. Even though Ah've called you the worst pony in the world, here ya are still reachin out ta help me. Even though yer sick of it, an' wanna jus' leave me alone, ya don't. Ah hate how yer so much of a better pony than me…”

“Me? A better pony?” Rarity laughed sadly, “You're wrong Applejack, I'm not better than you. I'm horrible. Thing is… everything about me… is fake…” Rarity took a deep breath, “Even the way I talk,” she said, her voice suddenly losing the cultured and sensual air she always had.

Needless to say, Applejack was speechless.

“You see,” Rarity continued in her current tone, “I'm pretending to be somepony I'm not everyday. I put on fancy make-up, dress up my mane and tail, and carry myself in this superficial manner just so I can hide the truth about the real me. That behind it all… I'm just… average.

“But not you, Applejack. You're just your natural self, yet you have so many ponies who look up to you and care about you. If I were to stop now, and be my genuine self… I'd lose it all… All of my friends… and worst of all… even… Spike… He thinks I'm this radiant pony, this angel, but if he knew how much of a mess I really was… he'd leave me… just like… everyone else does…!”

Rarity broke down completely. Applejack couldn't believe what she was seeing. For the first time ever, Rarity was being truly genuine with her, and what Applejack saw beneath all the glamor…

Was herself.

Applejack slowly adjusted herself to be lying down next to Rarity, and did something she never thought she'd do. She reached out and grabbed Rarity's hoof into her own. Rarity stopped and turned to Applejack in shock as the latter looked into Rarity's eyes still crying.

“Ah'm sorry…” Applejack said, “Ah'm so sorry… Ah didn't know Ah was hurtin ya so much…”

“No Applejack, I'm sorry,” Rarity said, “I didn't know my lifestyle hurt you so. If you wish, I'll disappear from your life… and never bother you-”

“NO!” Applejack screamed, “Don't leave me! Don't you dare disappear on me! If Ah lost you, Ah don't know what Ah'd do!”

“A-Applejack…” Rarity said, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Truth is… Ah don't hate ya Rarity…” Applejack said, getting on top of Rarity and embracing her tightly, “Ah… Ah love you…”

“I…” Rarity started trembling, before wrapping her hooves around her embracing her tightly, as if afraid to let her go, and said something neither one of them felt she'd ever say.

“I love you too, Applejack…”

“Good,” Pinkamena said from behind the tree she hid behind, “That solves one problem. Now to do something about the other problem.”

Pinkamena trotted back to Ponyville, happy that she was able to save that bond. It always bothered her, seeing those two acting like they hated each other so much. Yeah, they were different, but at the end of the day, they were still best friends.

Now Pinkamena just had to make sure the Dark One didn't do anything to harm her best friend.

Author's Notes:

Before anyone asks, yes I do ship Rarijack hard, but no this is not me shipping them here. Two people can be close and love one another and not be a couple.

And concerning the OC named Sapphire, shameless self insert is shameless.

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