..............................................................Brushy
......................................................................................Brushy!
.....................................................................................................................By sierra_seven_
Prologue: Brushy Brushy!
As the cool Equestrian sun rose over the sleepy village of Ponyville, one particular mare was making ready to begin her day. And by 'making ready', I mean this irate mare was determinedly slamming her head against her headboard.
"Ugh, I wanna go back to sleep!" moaned Colgate, slumping back down onto her comfortable bed with a dejected look on her face. Today would not be fun. She had hardly slept last night; Pinkie had thrown another party. Colgate didn’t even know why and frankly, she didn’t care. Rising reluctantly from her mound of pillows and blankets, the petite dentist stretched and yawned loudly before trotting downstairs.
The kitchen was warm and bright, sweeping windows flooding the room in watery sunlight. Colgate couldn't care less about the good weather, instead shuffling over to the kettle and using her magic to prepare her bowl of cereal. A box of Celesti-os floated over to her, steadily filling her bowl with oat-y goodness. 'Four types of wholegrain? Now this I can enjoy!' Colgate smiled, rubbing her forehooves together. Today wasn't looking too bad after all!
A sharp rap on the front door startled her, causing the dentist to drop the box on the floor. Celesti-os flew everywhere, covering the floor in crunchy cereal. "Coming!" the mare shouted irately, levitating most of the spilt cereal into the bin. There was no way she'd eat it after it had touched the floor, even if the surface was as clean as the counter she prepared her food on. Colgate rushed to the front door, worried that she had done something wrong.
Why would somepony come this early? What if one of my patients complained to the mayor? What if my practice is being shut down?' Colgate frantically opened the door with her telekinesis. Before her stood a very surprised, wall-eyed pegasus, clutching several letters in her mouth.
"Mrnin' Colgte," she mumbled as Colgate took the slightly damp letters with relief. "Did I do something wrong again? Normally ponies don't wrench open their doors with that much force!"
"No Derp-er... uh, Ditzy! You didn't do anything wrong! I just spilt cereal all over my kitchen floor.” Colgate smiled, relieved it was only the mailmare that had startled her. However, one of the letters floating beside her caught her eye. “Well, you'd probably get back to your rounds then, I've got to get ready for work. See you around!" Colgate laughed hastily, closing the door in the mailmare's face.
"Lyra," the dentist hissed, "you've gone too far this time." Before her lay a copy of ‘Wings ‘n Things;’ the front page giving her an eyeful of plot. The pegasus on the cover grinned cheekily over her shoulder, almost daring Colgate to turn the page. Instead Colgate launched the dirty magazine across the room, blushing. A small note fell out of it, floating lazily to the floor. Colgate levitated the note over.
Colgate,
Lighten up and relax a bit! This magazine should help you, if you know what I mean... Anyway, Bonny sends her regards! We'll have to have you over for dinner sometime! It's really not healthy for you to spend every night by yourself! I'm going to find you a colt (or mare!) one day, I swear!
You-know-who!
The dentist just sighed and slammed the note down onto the counter.
* * *
Colgate looked over her diary and sighed. So far, most of the days patients had been overflow from the previous day, thanks to one of Pinkie's parties at Sugarcube Corner. She really needed to talk to that mare about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption. However, it probably explained the mare's hyperactive behaviour, though whenever anypony tried to explain Pinkie, they failed with spectacular results. She was Pinkie, enough said.
"What's wrong Colgate? You look like you're going to break something. Something expensive..." murmured the elderly mare opposite her, slowly completing a stack of paperwork.
"Pinkie, that's what's wrong. It's like, after every one of her parties, we get an influx of patients here complaining of toothache. If I didn't know better, I'd say Pinkie is putting a metric ton of sugar in each cookie." Nurse Bubbles nodded wearily, pushing her glasses back up her face.
"She seems to have learnt her lesson after the Gummy incident though," Colgate smiled.
Both mares laughed happily. Pinkie Pie's pet alligator, Gummy, had been the first victi- volunteer to try her infamous fruit punch. The distraught mare had been unable to reach Fluttershy before Gummy's teeth had fallen out. Every. Last. One.
"Well, at least it's keeping us in business!" Colgate said enthusiastically, setting out her instruments of mass reconstruction before her. The sterile tools laid on a tray neatly, testament to Nurse Bubble's pin-sharp organisational skills. If anypony was to make sure the instruments were correct, it'd be her.
"Nurse, who can we be expecting to walk into the practice next?" Colgate asked coyly, pretending to have an air of professionalism.
"Who are you? What have you done with the real Colgate? Y'know, the brash, uptight dentist with no social life?" chortled the elderly mare in reply, causing Colgate to stop mid-stride. Colgate didn’t speak, instead turning to her assistant with a mischievous look in her eye.
“Nurse, I think you might have dropped something on the floor,” she stated matter-of-factly, pointing one hoof at the marble floor underhoof. As Bubbles leant over to search for the item she had mentioned, Colgate used her magic to fire her small dental water jet at her assistant.
Nurse Bubbles scrambled backwards in horror, trying to avoid the fine spray of water. “Brash, am I? Uptight, am I? How sure of that are you, nurse?” Colgate shouted happily, chasing the mare around the room with the small hose. The tiles soon became slick with water, causing Colgate to slip and slide precariously. The dentist lost her grip and crashed into a heavy cabinet with a surprised shriek.
“Uh, Colgate? Maybe we should cut this out before the patient gets here. Having a half-flooded practice isn’t the best way to maintain a good reputation.”
“Buck you and your logic...”
“Now now Colgate, remember who's the more experienced member of staff here! Anyway, it's really not good for a patient to enter a messy practice. Imagine if they tripped and fell!"
“Hmm, I’ll let you off this time. Seriously though Bubbles, am I really that boring? I try to do stuff, but not many people choose to hang out with a dentist. I still see Lyra occasionally though! Isn’t that enough?” Colgate asked curiously, examining the soggy mare with interest.
Nurse Bubbles shook herself, spraying another layer of water across the room. She levitated a small handtowel over, trying to mop up the worst of the puddles. “You really reckon seeing your friend once a week is considered a social life? Even Cheerilee has more of a life than you! Colgate, you really need to get out and do some stuff. This reminds me of when I was a young mare like you... well, we used to go clubbing in Canterlot, for example!”
Colgate’s eyebrows nearly shot off her face in surprise. “Me, clubbing? Hah, I’d like to see that happen! So, who are we actually dealing with next? You never answered me!” she asked curiously, causing Nurse Bubbles to blush. Colgate remembered the next case would be a tooth removal, but she forgot who the unlucky patient would be.
"Spike,” Nurse Bubbles stated, registering Colgate’s blank expression. “Y'know, Twilight's pet dragon?" Bubbles continued, preparing the table.
“Oh, ok. I guess I must have forgotten at some point. Still, a dragon is pretty simple to deal with, right?”
Nurse Bubbles deadpanned at Colgate. ‘No Colgate, we promised we wouldn't think of that... catastrophe... again,’ Colgate thought uneasily. The only parts her memory hadn't violently repressed involved a stepladder, an industrial jackhammer, and a long search for a new assistant.
"Yeah, I remember that. Well, at least you got a new dental practice out of it! And a commendation of bravery from the Princess!" It was true, the dragon had completely wrecked the dentist's previous clinic, so they had received this nice, shiny facility courtesy of the Royal Court. Having a nationalised health service was one upside to living in Equestria!
"Twilight Sparkle and Spike here to see you!" shouted the receptionist from down the corridor. Bubbles organised the last few instruments, making sure everything was in its rightful place before welcoming the duo inside.
"Hi Twilight! Still brushing three times a day?" enquired Colgate, shaking the mare's hoof.
"Erm, yeah!" said the lavender pony sheepishly. 'Yeah, right.'
"So, what happened to Spike?"
"Rainbow Dash and Pinkie decided it’d be hilarious to replace one of Spike’s sapphires with a magically reinforced one. One of Rarity’s, I think." The baby dragon rubbed his sore, aching mouth, reaching around the ice pack that was affixed to his face. Both Colgate and Nurse Bubbles had been on the receiving end of either Pinkie's or Dash's pranks and knew full well the lengths they would go to for a laugh.
“Colgate, remember that time Pinkie replaced your toothpaste with that black staining paste?” giggled Nurse Bubbles, even more amused by Colgate’s scowl.
“Yes, it was hilarious. A dentist with black teeth. I’m sure it took her ages to think of that one. Anyway, let’s get back to business, shall we?” Spike climbed onto the table and Colgate levitated a mirror into his mouth.
"Aha! There's the fang, although I can't see why it's shaki-" Colgate murmured, before leaping backwards. Just in the nick of time. Spike belched loudly, sending emerald flames shooting across the room. The green fire singed the end of Colgate's muzzle, causing her to glare in disapproval. This was cut short due to the scroll that flew out, smacking Colgate on her much-abused nose.
"I am so sorry Dr. Colgate, Princess Celestia normally sends these at night! It's not like her to break a schedule," Twilight exclaimed. Twilight gasped as she read through the scroll. "Spike, you stay there! The Princess needs to talk with me right away!" Twilight gasped, looking around the room.
“Erm, Twilight, are you feeling ok?” Colgate enquired, looking nervously at the frantic mare.
“This is nothing. You should have seen that time Celestia told her t-”
“Spike! I thought we said we’d never discuss that again!” Twilight scolded, rushing around the clinic. “There must be some here somewhere...” she muttered, rifling through Colgate’s supply cupboard.
“Uh, Twilight?” Colgate asked, bewildered. The lavender mare didn’t reply, but continued to search the cupboards. After a few seconds of frantic searching, the librarian levitated a stack of toothpaste tubes out of the cupboard.
“Colgate, do you mind if I borrow these? I’ll pay you back as soon as I get home, ok?”
“Sure, I guess?”
And with that, the mare disappeared with a flash of violet light. The two dentists just stood there, mouth agape.
“Well, that was unusual,” Nurse Bubbles stammered, clearly shaken by the erratic Twilight.
“Hmm, I’m sure she’ll have some kind of reason for this. Well, I hope she will. That’s our entire month’s worth of toothpaste,” Colgate sighed, before turning back to their patient.
“So, are the rest of my teeth fine then?” Spike enquired curiously. It seemed that the unusual event hadn’t affected the young dragon, so Colgate decided she’d have some fun with him.
“Yes Spike, your teeth are fine. But there’s just one little problem...”
“Which is?”
“Aside from the obvious shattered fang, your teeth look ok, but we’re going to need to remove your gums.” Colgate tried to keep a serious face, watching the drake go through confusion, bewilderment, realisation and relief. “Seriously though Spike, everything’s fine. I don’t know why everyone has such a fear of visiting the dentist! It’s painless!” Colgate chuckled before spinning up her dental drill, a device that looked more suited for heavy-duty mining than delicate oral operations.
Spike gulped. “I-is it safe?”
“Funny story about that! There was this one Royal Guard once that vowed he would have me banished to the moon for breaking the Geneighva convention. I thought Royal Guards were supposed to be tough.” Colgate laughed, grasping the device with her telekinesis. “Open wide Spike!”
* * *
Spike clambered down from the chair, shaking.
“See, that wasn’t so bad,” the blue-maned dentist smiled. Nurse Bubbles stood beside her, dealing with the tray of dirty instruments. Spike’s fang lay in the middle of the tray, stark white against the bloody matter surrounding it.
“Thsanksh Colghate, ah that feelsh a losh bettah! Twilight ish goin to be shoo happeh thish ish fixed!”
“No problem Spike! Remember, keep brushing three times a day! Could you also let Twilight know she’s got a check-up in a few weeks? That’d be much appreciated.” Colgate bopped the little dragon on the head. Today hadn’t been so bad after all! The young dragon waddled out of the practice, holding his face grudgingly. The tranquiliser would probably wear off after a few hours. Colgate hadn’t taken any chances with the dragon.
"Well, that was... unusual," Bubbles said, disposing of the equipment they had used on Spike. "Must've been something important, Twilight's not one to go racing off impulsively like that," she sighed, carefully levitating the dirty instruments into a tub for incineration. The elderly mare’s faded orange mane was neatly tucked behind her neck. She used to be proud of it, displaying it at every occasion. Age had left it limp and empty, a reminder that even the best things weren’t permanent. Colgate considered this carefully, comparing this to her own life. The dentist had never really given relationships or friends a thought, instead pouring all of her energy into her studies. Just like Twilight. The only difference was that Twilight had made friends...
“Nurse, I am going to make some new friends.”
“Are you sure you didn’t inhale any of that tranquilising gas?”
“Not entirely,” Colgate replied breezily, “but I’m going to try nonetheless!” The dentist stood on the spot for a few seconds, eyes glittering with inspiration. “Erm, Bubbles, how exactly would one go about making new friends?”
“Colgate, you’re hopeless,” her faithful assistant muttered, promptly facehoofing.
* * *
The regal mare paced nervously in her chambers. Her advisor should have been here twenty minutes ago. She glanced up at an ornate clock, doubling her anxiety. The stallion was of utmost importance; a unique individual with a wealth of knowledge. If he had...
“Milady? The Royal Guard are here. They say they need to speak with you,” another mare called anxiously. The first mare paused, her heart freezing over. Even the crackling log fire in the corner did nothing to thaw the ice that had encased her. She knew exactly why the Guard were here. Mentally steeling herself, the mare lead herself gracefully into the entrance hall. On the outside, she was confident and asserted. Inside, she was trembling with fear and apprehension, like a young filly.
“Princess, we’re terribly sorry to disturb you at this early hour, but we bring urgent news,” one guard stated hastily, bowing his head.
“Leather Spine was involved in a large traffic incident. We’re still waiting for the full details, but it appears over eleven carriages were involved. We’ll have the list of survivors to you within the hour.”
Celestia knew her trusted historian, a pony she had known and trusted for years, would not be on that list. A single tear rolled down her cheek. The agents of darkness were once again beginning to infiltrate her government, and it wouldn’t be long before they had another Canterlot-scale assault. The beast had been awoken from its slumber, leaving little room for maneuvering. Celestia did have one option, however. An option that would likely horrify her peaceful, loving subjects.
“Ex Officio?” Celestia called to her personal secretary, trying to hold back the tremors in her delicate voice. “I need you to find me a dentist.”
“A dentist, milady? If I may be so bold, surely the Royal Physician can correct any sickness you may be feeling?”
“No... no. I need a dentist that isn’t from around here. A pony that will be able to blend into Canterlot society without attracting undue attention. Make sure they’re good, too. I don’t think I need to explain that this is of utmost importance.”
“It will be done at once, milady.”
“I hope so,” Celestia whispered, raising one graceful hoof to a frozen window. Somewhere out there, a pony had just died because of her decision. She had to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.
Interesting idea... I like it! I will stick with this story. For now! MWAHAHAHAHA!
ROFL at the very end.
You're gonna have everyone thinking it's... another kind of... yeah, you get it.
That is so awesome
Can't wait for the new chapters!
I liek dis.
Shut up and take my favorite!
DEAR GOD YES!!!! SO MUCH WIN! I DEMAND MOAR! sir you are a mad GENIUS!
assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/GifGuide/clapping/citizen_cane.gif
oh yea and have a like/fav/watch! please make moar! i love this so much! oh and btw LOVE the color scheme thing!
Looks cool...ima take a look...
EDIT: I read it, and it was good. Keep up the good work
I thought she was going to pull some kind of candy out of the drawer
Nice story. I cant really see a lot of good story plots if things continue being this..."vanilla".
I was expecting Colgate to be more..."Maniacal"
1026318
When I was reading, I actually thought that was what happened until I reread that part.dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Octavia_O_O.png
Nationalized healthcare in Equestria? No wonder all the ponies are so happy!
As of this comment, the rating of up:down votes is at 23:0
SOMEONE WROTE A COLGATE FIC BEFORE I DID
Haha. jk.
You might wanna take a look at a few grammar/spelling errors though :o
"So far, most of the days patients had been overflow..."
day's, overflown?
Just some thoughts
Holy goddamn horseapples, I never, ever, expected it to be this popular I'm away hiking atm, so updates will be slow, but I have a pretty good plot set out, hopefully it won't disappoint!
1026898 Ponies LOVE free healthcare (relatively speaking, anyway )
1026929 I know! I woke up, checked my notifications, 53 notes and 4 mails
1026972 I'll certainly look at that, I thought overflow was the correct term but I may be mistaken Cheers for pointing that out.
1026343 If you want typography like that, I can make you something :) All it takes is a fairly good knowledge of bbcoding and an artistic eye ;)
Thanks to everyone that enjoyed this! If anyone wants to ask questions or whatever, go ahead! Hopefully I will continue to entertain you with minty-fresh goodness!
Your story is good! And you should feel good!
1028421 Well, I almost died when I saw my notifications thing this morning, so I guess that's an indication 22 place on the popular stories list
I will be keeping my eye on this one. You have raised my expectations. This is a dangerous thing.
1028584 *gulp* I shall certainly try to meet them, good sir
It's been 2 days and no updates! It's over! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! NOOOO>
1028637 On holiday buddy, it took ages to get through submission so I didn't know if people liked it or not. Working on chapter one now
I submit to the theory that Colgate is a time pony like Dr.Whooves
1046116 The brush is a tardis. Just throwing it out there Not in the story though, that would just be... strange.
1046127
Would somepony please tell ol' sierra why 6 different people favourited this in the space of 3 minutes? I'm scared
Edit: Really really scared. Over 25 new views today and I haven't done anything! Well, I haven't published anything yet. Writing the next chapter now, I shall try and keep you crazy foals sated with your daily share of Brushie!
1046142 Because this stories great
1046156 Thanks! But I don't understand where all the new readers are coming from!
awesome i love what she does when nopony is around though it is a lil' wierd that anyone would look down on her because of it.
Love it. MOAR! NOW!
If that's ok of course
1046158 have you noticed that your story is in the featured box?
this is adorable, and well written. Definitely tracking and liking
Keep it up x3........god they need a colgate face
1046162 Yes... I don't understand how anybody could have an obsession with brushes... *casually slides brush out of the window* Nope, no brushes here!
1046173 Thanks Next chapter should be up soon!
1046169 NO! Oh my gawd, this is amazing. I am grinning ear-to-ear like a goddamn fool. Thanks to everypony that got it here! I love you all!
1046186 you are quite welcome
Love getting a little peek into the life of our favorite dentist/brush enthusiast.
I can't wait to see what other hijinks ensue.
okay, that ending was...
unexpected...
colgate must be caught in the act!
should be hilarious^^
I assume you were joking about getting sued. There's no monetary gain in writing fanfiction, so if Hasbro doesn't complain, no one will. Also, why would Spike hurt his tooth on an ordinary rock? Sapphires, along with rubies are made of corundum (Aluminum oxide), and are among the hardest naturally occurring substances. In fact, if we get an episode with Spike chewing through diamond, we can safely say that his teeth can break through just about anything.
And then the Brony appears behind her in the mirror! "Brusssssssshyy... brussssssshyyy..."
Nopony heard Colgate's screams.
It certainly is a entertaining idea. I look forward to what comes next.
Thought it turned into clop.troll
'Opening a drawer, she levitated her favourite toy out,()smiling at its elegance and simplicity'
you trolling basterd
dat ending
'Tis GLORIOUS!
If nothing else, the story appears to be interesting, and the formatting for the title, it makes me feel warm and happy inside.
I like when authors do that to the chapters...
You've got my attention.
Always good to see an amusing, well-written story about background ponies.
As a future dentist, I can definitely say four things:
1. Colgate is among my top three favourite background ponies, together with Vinyl Scratch and Octavia
2. I HAVE TO favourite this fic.
3. You described pretty well what happens at the end of the day at a dentist's clinic. (But you forgot to make her put the teeth in a jewelry box . Just kidding, it was fairly accurate )
4. BRUSHIE!
-Jolly Roger
"If anypony discovered what she did after-hours, her reputation would surely be ruined, and she would become the laughing stock of the town. But nopony would know, she went to incredible lengths to ensure that her favourite toy remained hidden from her co-workers and patients.
The brush, in all its glory, hovered above her mane. "Brushy brushy brushy" she hummed, running the small brush through her hair."
That part alone made the 1st chap. awesome!
I'm going to keep an eye on this.
where abouts are you hiking, if you dont mind say.
Why shameful? Is it wrong to keep your mane as tidy and clean as your teeth?
The beginning is awesome, one complaint though:
If Spike can bite through gems, I'm presuming diamonds included, why would he chip his teeth over a rock? Should it be a piece of metal, or a hollow dummy that made him squeeze his jaws so hard his teeth broke, I'd understand.
But it's just me, Mr. Nitpick!
Oh, and I still haven't forgotten you totally owe me that laptop.
Colgate... Colgate...
Colgate of the EDA!
Colgate... Colgate...
Colgate of the ED-
Colgate of the ED-
ED- EDA-ay-Ay!
It's a Mare's Life in the Equestrian Dental Association!
<( "Right! Stop that! Stop this comment right now!" )
Soon as I read the synopsis, I was planning to suggest Spike be a patient; all kinds of fun could be had with his unique biology. And look who it is, right off the bat, getting abuse from friends and strangers! At least they didn't call him a pet to his face.
I have a fanfic planned called "Twilight's Pet Dragon". The use of "pet" in the title is specifically meant to indicate that the dragon in question will suffer constant abuse and degradation.
A Brushie Brushie fic?? MUST READ!
So was the brush a hairbrush or a giant toothbrush that she ran through her mane?
determinismsucks.net/archive/Colgate-(n1302756654799).png
Well. The end was a little odd.
A female brushing her hair, oh Celestia, it's terrible!
Brushy brushy brushy~