Colgate's Practice 2: A Royal Problem

It was a cold and snowy December morning in Ponyville as Colgate woke up. On most mornings she would just hit the snooze button on the alarm clock and sleep for another ten minutes, but this one was different. This morning she would reflect on the past as it was fifteen years ago to the day since she reopened her practice after a nearly fatal explosion destroyed her old one. She smiled and said to herself, "Damn a lot of things have happened since I reopened."

She began to reminisce about everything that happened, Twilight defeating Tirek, Twilight getting her own castle, the ponies who were fillies and colts at the time growing up and the passing of many of the ponies who were alive when the town was founded. She then snapped back to reality and realized that if she didn't hurry, she would be late.

After having a quick breakfast she rushed over to her office where Amethyst Star and Sea Swirl were waiting. She said, "I'm sorry ladies, I didn't mean to arrive so late. I was just reflecting on everything that has happened since I reopened."

Sea Swirl asked, "What about the things that happened before then?"

Colgate knew that she would have to lie her way out of this question. While she does remember it and sometimes she still gets a great amount of satisfaction out of remembering her time of killing ponies who failed to take care of their teeth, she knew she could never reveal that. She replied, "I try not to remember that. White Tooth killing patients I sent to him, the explosion and my near death experience are things I try to forget."

As Colgate was unlocking the door the doctor she shares her office with, Dr. Whooves and Twinkleshine, his nurse and younger sister showed up. The doctor knew that this was an important day for Colgate. He asked, "So Colgate, how does it feel to have had your new office open for fifteen years today?"

Colgate smiled and replied, "It feels good. What makes it even better is that I have yet to have a single pony show up with any dental problems."

Whooves laughed, "I know how you feel there. It is odd that ever since I had to move into your building that I have yet to see any ponies in poor health. Perhaps this building is lucky!"

Colgate agreed with the doctor and the two got ready for their first patient of the day. For Whooves it is Twilight and for Colgate it is Applejack. Applejack was the first to arrive and like she always does, she greets the receptionist warmly. "Howdy Sea Swirl, how are y'all doing?"

Sea Swirl smiled and replied, "It is going quite well Applejack. So are you ready for Hearth's Warming?"

Applejack said, "Not really. Without Granny around, it just isn't the same. If it weren't for Luna wanting mah friends and I to go up to Canterlot for the play, Ah wouldn't even bother celebrating it."

Sea Swirl replied, "I can understand that entirely." She typed a few things into the computer and continued, "Alright Applejack, you're all checked in. Amethyst will be out to get you shortly."

Before Applejack could even get sat down Amethyst came out to the lobby and took her back. They engaged in minor chit chat as they headed back to the chair. Applejack knew the routine. Once she sat down she opened her mouth wide. Amethyst was looking in there and just like always, she had a smile on her face. She said, "Well I don't see anything but Colgate will be here shortly, she's the one that has the fancy spells."

A few minutes Colgate arrived and said, "So Applejack, Amethyst told me about your teeth. Let's take a look."

Colgate used her radiation spell on Applejack and everything turned out fine. After that she had her bite down on her bite force meter and like always, it was good and strong and just like always, Colgate tried to put forth an angry face and said, "Applejack, this doesn't look good."

Applejack replied, "But Ah brush three times a day!"

Like she always has in the past, Colgate broke down laughing and replied, "Oh Applejack, you know when I say things don't look good I really mean they look excellent! Don't worry about your co-pay today, this appointment is on me."

Applejack smiled and said, "Thank you Colgate, y'all are too good to me."

Colgate replied "Don't mention it. See you in six months."

Applejack said her goodbyes to Colgate and her staff and headed home. Colgate finished the appointment and felt the same way she has for the past fifteen years, very happy and confident. She said to herself, "I have to be the luckiest dentist in the world. My patients listen to me, they brush three times a day and they don't gorge themselves on sweets."

While Colgate was saying this Amethyst overheard her. While she was happy to see Colgate happy after every appointment she realized that eventually somepony would show up with cavities, gingivitis or some other problem with their teeth. She broke into a bit of a nervous sweat worrying about what Colgate's reaction would be. What she didn't know though is that Colgate's streak of perfection would end all too soon.