Chapter 1: Or at Least Attempts to
Rainbow Dash Vs. The Dentist
It’s a bright and warm summer morning in Ponyville. The birds are singing, ponies are enjoying their day, and a certain athlete is out helping Applejack with some chores at Sweet Apple Acres.
“Thanks again for wanting to help me out with ma chores Rainbow,” Applejack said to Rainbow Dash who was flying beside her. “Ah really appreciate it.”
“No problem AJ, with the weather all cleared up, I got the whole day off,” Rainbow exclaimed. “And your ever-so-loyal friend thought it would be nice to help my best friend with her chores,” She said with a coy smile.
Applejack only looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Ya sure you ain't just here to challenge me to some kinda race or somethin’?”
“Nope”, Rainbow replied to the farmer. “Unless it’s some kinda race to see who can buck the most apples, or a race to see who can clean your barn the fastest” Rainbow said while glaring at the orange mare with determination.
“Oh in that case,” Applejack then stared into her rival’s eyes. “Show me what you can do!”
With that said the two spent the entire morning bucking trees, cleaning the barn, and anything else on Applejack’s daily chore list. They even got through it all in record time. Mostly because they turned it into one big race. After that they decided to head into the kitchen for a well-deserved lunch.
“Man AJ,” Rainbow panted. “When it comes to doing chores, there’s nopony who can beat ya.”
“Its years of practice RD, something you need more of”. Applejack said with a snicker while Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Anyways, ya’ll want something to eat?”
Rainbow nodded her head, “You bet.”
The two mares walked into the kitchen with growling stomachs aching for something to eat. After they washed up, Rainbow Dash was the first to grab a fresh apple from a basket on the counter, lick her lips and bite into the apple. She would've tasted the sweet and delicious taste of Sweet Apple Acres own trademark apples…
CRACK!!!
...but instead of a mouthful of apple, she got a mouth full of pain.
“YEOUCH!” Rainbow shrieked out in pain while holding the side of her mouth while dropping the barely bitten apple on the floor.
“What in tarnation was that RD?” Applejack snapped as she picked up the apple. “That was a perfectly good apple, wasted because of your slippery hooves!”
“Urgh…I’m sorry AJ,” Rainbow apologized rubbing her right cheek. “But my teeth been aching for days now. Makes eating a pain in the flank.”
As Rainbow kept rubbing her cheek, Applejack tilted her head and looked at her friend with concern. She then realized the problem. “Rainbow, looks like you need a dentist to fix you up”
Rainbow only looked at her friend in shock, as if she just committed a crime. If by crime she means uttering the forbidden word, then yeah. “Oh no, no no no”, Rainbow exclaimed as shot up in the air, backing away from the farm pony. “There’s no way I’m going to the dentist. I haven't been there since I was a filly, and I ain’t going again!”
“Well shoot Rainbow, that’s forever ago”, Applejack retorted. “I’m taking you to the dentist right now.”
“Sorry AJ, but I’d rather go somewhere else, somewhere far away from dentist loving farmers” Rainbow yelled. After telling her oddly specific request, she flew as fast as she can away from the farmer.
“Rainbow wait!” Applejack tried to talk to her, but she flew too fast for her to say anything. She then threw her hat onto the floor. “Dagnabbit Rainbow ya can’t just make it any easier now can ya.”
Rainbow Dash flew as fast as possible away from the farm thinking of a place to hide. She knew her stubborn friend would come running for her, and she wanted to make sure she would never go back to the dentist ever. Even if that meant not eating apples for an eternity. But even with that terrible thought, she had to avoid any chances of getting a drill to the tooth.
She tried to think of places to hide realizing that clouds won’t do since Ponyville is clear for the day, and her house was less of a good place to hide, and more of a dead giveaway. Not wanting to waste time, she picked the not so clever hiding spot, Sugarcube Corner. Even though she was still scared, she still needed something to eat after the chores. After scanning the ground for any sign of Applejack, she quickly went inside the bakery when the coast was clear.
“DASHIE!”
Rainbow leaped in the air in surprise and yelped when she heard her name being suddenly called in a high pitch voice. But she was so relieved when it was only Pinkie Pie seeing her. “Oh, hey Pinkie, how’s it going?”
“I’m just super, duper, fantastic today Dashie,” she said ecstatically. “So what brings you here, I don’t have a party planned today? Yet.”
Rainbow shook her head. “No, I’m here to hide from Applejack. I can’t say why, but she cannot, I repeat, CANNOT know I’m here.”
“Ooh, are you playing hide-n-seek,” Pinkie asked with a huge smile. “I love that game! Can I play too?”
Rainbow only stood there with confusion when she asked that, especially since she truly did not know what was at stake here. But her thoughts were cut short by the sound of an empty stomach. She had forgotten about lunch. “Maybe later. But first, can I get something to eat?”
“Of course you can silly, how about a fresh batch of cupcakes?” She then pulled out a full pan of freshly baked cupcakes. They have many different colors and were all covered with glittering sprinkles. “Here, have a free sample.”
Rainbow then took a cupcake and liked her lips. It wasn’t her idea of lunch, but the dessert was good at convincing otherwise. She finally took her first bite…
CRACK!!!
...then got her dreams royally crushed.
“Oww!” An unfortunately familiar feeling in her tooth came back to her, and it was even worse. “Oh come on! I can’t even eat soft food now,” she griped. “This tooth is gonna be the bane of my existence.”
Pinkie then took a cupcake from the pan and took a bite for herself. She frowned, “Aww, I knew I should’ve taken these out ten minutes earlier.”
“Gee, you think so? Some baker you are!” Rainbow snapped which caused Pinkie to wince at her insult. Rainbow then sighed when she realized what she said. “Sorry Pinkie,” she apologized rubbing that same cheek. “This tooth hurts like Tartarus.”
“Oh, don’t worry, it’s alright.” Pinkie perked up a bit, but not without a little concern for her rainbow friend. “Dashie, are you okay?”
Rainbow noticed the question. She didn’t want to say it, but she owed it to her for yelling at her. “Well, it’s just…”
“Her tooth Pinkie, she needs a dentist right now.”
The two spun their heads to see Applejack at the door, stealing Rainbow’s answer and giving her a shock. “Applejack,” Rainbow exclaimed. “How did you get here so fast? I got here like ten minutes ago.” She then silently curse her obvious hiding spot.
“That’s not important! But what is important is getting your stubborn flank to a dentist now, whether you like it or not,” Applejack said stomping her hoof. This time, she meant business.
Rainbow panicked when she saw how serious she was, and was desperately thinking of a way out of this. She then noticed the back door. “Well,” Applejack asked with another stomp.
Rainbow then shot Applejack a mischievous grin, “Sorry AJ, but I’m outta here!” Rainbow then spread out her wings and bolted out the back door without any warning, leaving Applejack extremely annoyed, and Pinkie Pie extremely bewildered.
“So, what’s wrong with Dashie again,” Pinkie asked Applejack.
“What’s wrong is that she’s more stubborn than me, and that’s saying something.”
Twilight Sparkle rummaged through her shelves for “The Guide to Primates”, after searching for a while she finally found it. “Here you go Fluttershy, everything you’ll need to take care of those chimpanzees this weekend,” she said handing the book over to her friend. “You still sure you can handle this?”
“Oh don’t worry Twilight, the Manehatten Zoo trust me to take care of them while they get the exhibits ready. And this will help me, thanks to you,” she said holding the book in her hooves.
“Anything for a friend Fluttershy.” Twilight then noticed the door open, and a certain white mare and purple dragon came inside. “Rarity, Spike, you guys finished with the gem hunting already.”
“Yep,” Spike chirped while rubbing some dirt off his chest. “We totally got enough gems for Rarity's new order for Sapphire Shores. She’ll love the new dresses.”
“That’s quite right Spike, those gems will make her new dress simply divine,” Rarity said as she hugged her worker for the day. “And it’s all thanks to you my little Spikey Wikey. I must save some of the haul for you as a reward.”
“Heh, heh, it’s no problem Rarity,” replied the now lovesick dragon, which made Twilight roll her eyes.
She then noticed a blue blur flying aimlessly in the air, right before it rushed towards the library. Rainbow Dash barged in through the door, shut with a hard slam, and rushed to the other side of
the library behind Twilight. “Rainbow Dash,” the now astonished Twilight said. “What’s going on here?”
“Twilight,” the now panting and panicking mare exclaimed. “You gotta help me. Applejack...Pinkie Pie...cupcakes, they’re trying to kill me. I’m a dead mare if you don’t hide me from them.” She then got on her knees pleading to the alicorn with sweat dripping down her face. “I’m begging ya, help me for Celestia's Sake!!”
Everypony else just stood there in confusion as the most daring and fearless pony in Equestria was cowering behind her friend in fear. Like a nervous high school boy asking the most popular girl to the prom. Rarity suddenly broke the silence. “Rainbow Dash, darling,” she said inching towards the nervous wreck. “Whatever is the matter with you?”
Rainbow was too scared to reply, but then she realized what she was doing. Before she made an even bigger fool of herself, she stood up and brushed herself off. “Nothing,” she lied. “I was just, playing an intense game of hide-n-seek with Applejack and Pinkie Pie. “So if you could just teleport me to the other side of Equestria Twilight that would be great.”
Everypony else just stood there, more confused than before. This time, it was Twilight that spoke up. “Um, Rainbow Dash, would you care to explain why you almost broke my door, and is now hiding under my wings,” she asked tucking said wings back to her sides.
Before she could speak up to lie to her friends about why she’s suddenly more scared than Fluttershy usually was. She suddenly saw the last two ponies she would like to see today.
“Ok seriously Rainbow, this is just getting ridiculous.” Applejack shouted in frustration as she and Pinkie Pie burst through the door, almost breaking it by the way.
“Aah!” Rainbow screamed as she ducked back behind Twilight’s wings again, to the alicorn’s annoyance. “Oh come on, how are you doing this, it wasn’t even ten minutes this time,” she said now more irritated than scared.
“Um Applejack,” Fluttershy finally interrupted. “Why are you two trying to kill Rainbow Dash? I’m sure whatever she did to you, it wasn’t on purpose or anything.”
“What in tarnation are you talking about Fluttershy,” Applejack asked with just as much confusion than everypony had earlier. “I’m just trying to get Rainbow to a dentist. But this stubborn mare just won’t comply.”
“I’m not going Applejack,” Rainbow argued as she got out of her friend’s wing. “I’m just uh…
allergic. Yeah I’m allergic to the dentist.” She crossed her arms as if that was a good excuse, being fully aware on how terrible that excuse was. She really wish she was home right now, and not hungry.
Applejack agreed with her, “Really, that’s your best you got?”
“Hey, it could be a real allergy, and I’m still not going,” replied Rainbow with anger in her eyes now.
“Allergic or not, you're going and that’s final.”
Before they could get into a heated argument probably involving if one can get sick from dentistry, Twilight intervened. “Simmer down you two.” Both obeyed as they sat down still angry with each other.
She then turned towards Rainbow putting a hoof on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. “Now please Rainbow, tell us what’s going on here.” She smiled which caused Rainbow to look away in shame. “We’re your friends here, and whatever it is you can tell us.”
Rainbow really wanted to fly away from here. But she couldn’t. Not just because it would’ve been pointless, considering how great the first two attempts went, but because she was really starting to worry her friends and the feeling of guilt was starting to kick in. So she finally swallowed her pride, and told her friends the truth.
“I’m Scared…” she whispered quietly.
“What was that,” Twilight replied.
“I’M SCARED ALRIGHT,” Rainbow shouted catching everyone off guard. “I admit it, I can’t go because I’m scared alright! There I said it, you guys happy now!”
The whole room fell silent. Nopony could really react to Rainbow’s really loud confession, especially since they weren't clear on what she was scared of. That is until Twilight finally found out what her fear is.
“I think I finally get it,” Twilight called out finally cutting the silence. “She has odontophobia, or dentophobia as some might call it.”
Everypony just stood there, confused at the really long words Twilight spewed out of her overly complex brain. This caused her to facehoof thanks to her own vocabulary of over-complicated words.
“She has the fear of the dentist” she said simply. Everypony else nodded finally getting the
picture, but Twilight just wished her friends had a some kind of mini thesaurus on hoof. Like she did.
Applejack came towards the humiliated Rainbow to try and comfort her. “Is that what all this hubbub was about sugarcube? You were scared of the dentist and didn’t had it in ya to tell any of us?
“Went to the dentist for the first time a long time ago,” Rainbow explained. “And after getting subjected to a drill and those pointy things that always hurt no matter where they touch you. I just couldn’t take it and vowed to never go again. Embarrassing isn’t it.”
It didn’t take a genius to know that Rainbow’s fear, and the fact that her friends know her “embarrassing” secret was a major blow to her pride. They understood that she didn’t want ponies to know this, because it would ruin her “daring and fearless” reputation.
“We understand how you’re feeling Rainbow,” Twilight said putting her hoof over her friend. “We all have fears, even embarrassing ones or ones that aren’t scary to others. Mine are snakes.”
“Bugs aren’t my forte,” Rarity said shuddering at the thought.
“Spoiled milk is just the worst,” Pinkie chimed.
“Applebloom getting hurt on one of them crusades they go on,” Applejack said next.
“Thunder isn’t exactly the nicest thing,” Spike interjected.
“Timberwolves, the Everfree Forest, the dark, dragons...”
Fluttershy continued before she was cut off by Spike. “You get the idea.”
“The point we’re trying to say is that no matter what it is, we all have to face those fears,” Twilight pointed out. “And it’s your turn to face them today Rainbow Dash.”
As much as she’d hate to admit it, Twilight was right, the charade has been going on long enough. “You guys are right,” she said still hesitantly. “But can you guys at least do me a favor and come to the dentist with me, I’m still a little nervous about all this.”
Twilight then hugged her friend in an attempt to comfort her. “Don’t worry Rainbow, we’ll help you get through this, together,” she said as her friends agreed in unison. This made Rainbow smiled as she thanked her friends for their support.
Rainbow and her friends sat in the waiting room of the Ponyville Dentistry. As Twilight was on
counter telling the receptionist that their next patient was here, Rainbow felt more like the next victim. But her friends did the best they could to calm her down, even having spike bring some cold milk in hopes it would calm her down.
“Alright,” Twilight said to the still shaking mare. “Your dentist will be here in a second. Just remember to stay calm, and that there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Rainbow nodded despite still being anxious.
Before she could say anything else, Rainbow saw a blue unicorn mare with light and dark blue hair, and an hourglass for a cutie mark. She’s also wearing a pink uniform with a matching cap. “Ah, Ms. Dash,” she said holding a clipboard in her hoof. “Looks like I’ll be cleaning your teeth today.”
“That’s Minuette,” Pinkie said pushing the still frightened Rainbow towards the mare. “Or Colgate as some ponies like to call her. It’s probably because of the hair or something I don’t know. Anyways, she’s one of the best dentists around.”
“Wait, the best,” Rainbow questioned getting her footing back.
“Yes, those years getting my diploma wasn’t in vain,” Minuette boasted. “Been treating ponies for years and have the patients to prove it. I’ve even treated some of your friends too. Especially Pinkie who has surprisingly perfect teeth despite all the sweets she’s been eating.” She said still puzzled on the pink pony’s suspicious chompers. Maybe that bakery was all sugar-free.
Rainbow started to ease up a bit, and decided that know is a good time to bring back the confidence. “Alright doc, can we get this over with?”
Minuette then lead her through the door as the remaining friends wished her good luck.
Both mares walked down the hall towards Minuettes office. Rainbow decided to make the journey less nerve-racking by striking up some conversation. “Hey Minuette, I gotta question.”
“Fire away Ms. Dash,” the dentist replied.
“So if you're a dentist and whatnot, what’s with the hourglass cutie mark?”
“Wow, a bit for every time I’ve been asked that. From what I’ve gathered, it represents the fact that you must brush every day and night for specifically two minutes,” she answered. “Honestly that’s something I’m still not too sure about that.
“Anyways, I’m rambling at this point,” she said as she finally ended her little ramble. She then stopped in front of a blue door and gestured towards it. “Care to step inside?”
Rainbow came inside and saw a white room with the general objects any dentistry office would.
A standard dentist chair with a tray full of tools on the side, with a light on top. Cabinets and posters filled the walls of the square room to brighten up the blank room.
“Just take a seat over there,” Minuette said to Rainbow who sat on the dentist chair. “I have to check on another patient real quick. I’ll be right back.” She then went out the door leaving Rainbow alone in the room.
“Okay Rainbow Dash,” she said to herself. “Just calm down, and everything will be fine.” She tried her best to calm herself down, but then she took a glance at the tools on her left. Then memories came flooding back to her. Memories of that careless dentist jabbing that poker to her teeth occasionally stabbing her tongue. The feeling of helplessness under that light, and the utter fear of not surviving the ordeal.
She closed her eyes trying to shake away the thoughts. But when she opened them back up, she wished they were still closed. The blank walls were now decorated with blood, cabinets were filled with bloody teeth, and the posters had pictures of the terrified faces of the many ponies who came here to get their teeth “fixed”. Fear was plastered on Rainbow’s face, she tried to get out, but she was too stunned to move at all. Minuette then showed up wearing a torn up and bloody uniform. She then held up an oversized drilling tool, stared at her with bloodshot eyes, and spoke in a cold, raspy voice. “Ready for the you’re cleaning Ms. Dash?”
Rainbow couldn’t wake up any faster. She saw that the once dark and menacing room was back to normal, and the bloody Minuette was nowhere to be seen. It was then when she realized that she just couldn’t take it anymore.
“Forget it, it’s not worth it, it’s just not worth it anymore.”
The others still sat in the waiting room, twiddling their hooves in boredom, hoping for the pegasus to finish up. They then heard a door open where Minuette came out. But instead of Rainbow, a yellow pegasus with an orange mane came out.
“Now remember Spitfire,” Minuette started. “Floss twice a day and your teeth will be much better than before.
“You got it doc,” Spitfire retorted.
Twilight and the others were surprised when they saw the famous wonderbolt, and sole idol of Rainbow came out. How convenient.
“Hey, you guys are Rainbow Dash’s friends, aren’t ya?”
“Yes we are Spitfire,” Fluttershy said. “But what are you doing here, Cloudsdale has a dentistry
right?”
“Yep,” she answered. “I just like this one in Ponyville better. Simple as that. But maybe I should be asking you guys the same question.”
“We’re just waiting for Dashie to come out,” Pinkie answered.
“So, Dash is here too eh’? Well you guy’s tell her I said hi when she comes out.”
“Oh,” Minuette chimed. I almost forgot, I need to get back to her.”
“Don’t worry Minuette, I’m sure Dash wouldn’t bail just like that.”
They then saw a Rainbow streak speed by towards the exit. Everypony in the room was stunned for a split-second until they finally ran to the door to see Rainbow Dash flying. Rainbow Dash bailed.
“She’s doing it again,” Applejack exclaimed trying to run after the run away. “Somepony needs to go after her.”
The only viable option was Twilight and Fluttershy. But both Twilight and Fluttershy weren’t fast enough to catch up to her. But then, Spitfire stood up to go after the mare. “I’m on it,” she proclaimed as she rocketed off after Rainbow.
As Rainbow sped past Ponyville, she noticed that Spitfire came out of nowhere and was gaining on her. “Oh man,” she thought to herself. “Where did she come from? Wait, she CANNOT know about this. If Spitfire of all ponies know about it, my life is over! I gotta get out of here.” She then started to speed up, making Spitfire go faster in retaliation.
Both speed demons went all over Ponyville with one trying to fly for her life. While they were zooming through the skies, Twilight, Minuette, and the others tried their best to catch up, darting left and right in a rather valiant effort to keep up.
The chase went on for minutes, and would probably last hours. But Rainbow Dash was determined, determined to stay away from both Spitfire and those Celestia-forsaken drills. And no matter how long it would take, no matter how long she would need to fly, she WILL live to see another day!
CRACK!!!
Until a certain tooth decided to remind Rainbow why she was here.
Howling in pain and losing control, Rainbow slowed down and came barreling towards the
ground in the middle of Ponyville Square. She hit the ground hard… face first.
Spitfire landed gently near Rainbow, picking her off of the ground, while the others managed to catch up thanks to Twilight’s teleportation. Rainbow was hurt but not injured. She was glad she was alive, until she realized who she was next to.
“Rainbow Dash,” Spitfire yelled obviously annoyed. “What was that all about?”
This would be the point where Rainbow would go for a second try on flying away. But at this point, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Or rather, stuck between an angry Wonderbolt and six tired mares and one dragon. At this point what else can she do? She spent the entire morning, metaphorically flying away from her fears and not only worrying her friends, but angering her own idol. This is the point where she realizes she should give up, and go out peacefully.
Sighing defeatedly, she explained to Spitfire what this was all about. She told her her fear of dentistry and how she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of her friends, and especially Spitfire. As she went on, Spitfire listened to her every word, which made her feel less frustrated, and sorrier for Rainbow.
After her little confession, Rainbow could only stare sadly into the ground, waiting for the sound of laughter too destroy her pride, and possible chance into the Wonderbolts. But she then felt a warm comforting hoof drape over her. She then looked up to see Spitfire with a calm smile.
“Man Rainbow, you should’ve told us all sooner,” She said in a comforting tone. “To be honest, I don’t blame you for not wanting to embarrass yourself. I was like you when I was a kid, afraid of what my mom would’ve think of me being afraid of the dentist. But after some support, and the promise of a trip to the Wonderbolt Museum, I faced my fears and realized that it wasn’t that bad.”
Rainbow was bewildered when she heard all of that. Spitfire, her idol, just said all of that. It was then when she realized what she needed to do. “Thanks Spitfire, that really means a lot to me,” she said as she hugged Spitfire. “Looks like I know what to do now.”
She then got up and flew towards the other mares. “I’m sorry about giving you guy’s the run-around guy’s, especially to you Minuette. I’m ready to face the music please.”
Minuette then smiled at the blue mare. “Don’t worry Ms. Dash, I’ll make this as quick and painless as possible, especially for you.”
Rainbow Dash has been in there for about thirty minutes her friends and Spitfire waiting patiently
for their friend to finish. Applejack sat right next to the exit, just in case Rainbow had any second thoughts. However, after more minutes of waiting, they heard the sound of a door opening, and hoofsteps coming from the hallway. Rainbow then strutted into the Waiting room, with the smuggest look ever. “Guess who got four hooves, clean chompers, and isn’t afraid of the dentist anymore?”
“Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, is it Spitfire, or Twilight, or wait it’s me right, is it?”
Rainbow only rolled her eyes. “No Pinkie, it’s me.”
All her friends now gathered around her to congratulate Rainbow about her successful cleaning.
“Yep she’s all nice and clean now,” Minuette interjected. “Surprisingly, she had no cavities, but her teeth are overall healthy.”
“Yep, my teeth are now more awesome than before. And it’s all thanks to you guys.”
“That’s good to hear Rainbow”, Twilight said. “It just goes to show that with great friends, you can conquer any fear.”
“Wait a sec Twilight”, Spike said. “I just now realized that you have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”
Twilight then froze up, losing any confidence she now had. “Is there something you want to tell us Twi”, Rainbow questioned as she shook the princess back to reality.
“I CAN’T GO BACK TO THE DOCTORS”, Twilight yelled catching everyone off guard. “Do you have any idea what they have over there? Those cold stethoscopes, needles, and terrible out of date magazines.” It’s just pure torture there. I can’t go.”
Before Twilight can panic anymore, Rainbow pulled in Twilight for a hug. “Don’t worry Twilight, we’ll get through this, together as friends.”
Author's Note
And that's my first ever story.
Again I want to see any constructive criticism or compliments you have. And any help or tips in writing is accepted.
I hope you enjoyed the story, thank you for reading and take care.
Until next time,
Later.
