Meanwhile in the backgroundby potatoarmyChaptersChapter 1 - Meet ColgateChapter 2 - Meet Berry, Derpy, and the Doctor.Chapter 3 - Meet Lyra, Bonbon and Vinyl ScratchChapter 1 - Meet ColgateChapter 1 - Meet Colgate Minuette hated her name almost as much as she hated her job. Neither of them had ever seemed fitting to her, no matter how much sense they made to the ponies around her. Her dad made clocks, her mom made clocks, and her older brother made clocks. From the day she discovered her cutie mark in clock making, Minuette knew that life had a plan for her. She was always on time for her job too, to the very millisecond. Not even Minuette could deny that she had a good sense of time, and that she made the best clocks in all of Equestria. Everything had seemed to play out perfectly for her when she inherited the family store and made about fifty bits a day just from making and selling clocks. It was everything Minuette ever could have wanted....or so she thought. It was a bright sunny day in Hoofington when she heard the bell on the front door. She called out to the visitor, expecting a customer. "Welcome! Here to buy a clock?" "I've got plenty of my own, thanks." Said a voice that was instantly recognized by Minuette. "Sprocket? What are you doing here?" Sprocket, Minuette's older brother, smiled and trotted casually up to the counter. "Just thought I'd stop by and see how my little Colgate was doing while I'm in town." Colgate was a nickname she had earned from her friends due to her bright smile and the fact that her mane was colored in a way that resembled minty toothpaste. Minuette jumped over the counter and tackled hugged her equally blue brother to the ground. "Ow! Hey! It's good to see you too sis, just watch the teeth." Colgate got off of her brother. "What are you doing in Hoofington? Don't you have your own store to run back in Fillydelphia?" "Nah, we don't work on sundays, and neither should you! Don't you have anything better to do then make more bits?" Minuette shrugged. "Not really. Hey, what were you saying about your teeth?" "I've had a really bad tooth-ache since yesterday, and I can't figure out why. Any guesses?" "I'm not sure. Here, why don't you sit down and I'll take a look?" Sprocket nodded, letting his plot fall to the floor.and opening his mouth. "It hurts back here," Said Sprocket, pointing to the area by his wisdom teeth. Minuette immediately recognized the problem and used her magic to retrieve a small screwdriver she usually used for making clocks. However, Sprocket closed his mouth before she could use it. She levitated the screwdriver away from him and waited for him to talk. "Let's not stick metal tools in my mouth, ok?" "Relax! There's just an apple-seed stuck between your teeth. It won't hurt! I promise!" "Are you sure? I'm pretty sure dentists use pain killers or-" "It's alright! Really! It can't be more delicate than making clocks, and you know how good I am at that!" "Ok, but be careful..." Minuette's horn began to glow again, and the screwdriver found it's way to the back of Sprocket's mouth. With one swift movement, she quickly jabbed and turned with the screwdriver, removing the apple-seed. "Ow!" Yelped Sprocket, falling over backwards. "But it feels better now, right?" Said Minuette. Sprocket took a moment to consider this. "You're right! It's much better now! Thanks, Colgate!" Sprocket looked up to see his sister smiling intensely. He hadn't seen her this happy for a while. He assumed that was due to the fact that he just hadn't seen her for a while at all. "No problem! Let's do that again some time!" The stallion gave his sister a questioning look. "Geez sis, you look like a filly who just got her cutie mark. What's so great about removing crap from people's teeth?" "That was way more fun that making clocks. Hey, do you think I could be a dentist?" "Clocks? What's wrong with clocks?" "Oh! I could set up an office! They'd call me doctor Colgate!" "Minuette listen to me, I don't think-" "Oh that would just be so much fun! I could do this every day!" "Minuette! You can't just go against your cutie mark!" Minuette suddenly remembered the obvious problem that her brother was trying to point out. Her life was MADE for clocks. Her name was for clocks, her family was for clocks, her cutie mark for clocks, and even some of her personality traits had to do with clocks. It was only then, however, that she fully understood the painfully obvious truth. Clocks are boring. "Well maybe I don't want to make clocks my whole life! I mean really, how BORING is that?" "Making clocks is fantastic! It pays pretty well-" "Not as well as dental care." Minuette pointed out. Sprocket just ignored her. "-it's easy, and it's what we're destined for!" "Maybe I'm not destined for it! Maybe my cutie mark isn't even an hourglass! It could be like....a hammer or something!" "A hammer? Minuette, you're not listening to me." Sprocket was starting to become seriously worried, but Minuette payed no heed to his fears. "Well, I've got to close up shop. I'll see you later, Sprocket!" She announced suddenly. "Close up shop? Didn't you just open?" "You were right, I've got better things to do." Her brother left the store more than confident that Minuette was a level headed mare who wouldn't do anything stupid or unruly. However, the mare in question herself was convinced otherwise. Minuette was quietly packing her saddlebag when her brother returned to pay her another visit. The look on his face was completely priceless to the mare when Sprocket realized that she was serious. "Minuette! You can't just leave Hoofington and start a dental office! Think about how crazy that sounds!" Minuette grinned. "I know! It's fantastic!" Sprocket's horn began to glow and a familiar shade of blue magic levitated Minuette's saddlebag away from her. "Come on sis, what about the family store? What will mom and dad say?" Minuette groaned and yanked the saddlebag back with her own magic. "I don't care what mom and dad say, I've had it with clocks and our stupid clock destiny. I'm leaving!" "Leaving!? Where would you even go?" "I'm going to Ponyville! I've heard that they don't have a dental office, so they have to go all the way to Canterlot just for their appointments! I plan to fix that!" "But Minuette-" "No buts! I'm leaving, Sprocket. And tell mom and dad to sell the bucking clock store, I'm not coming back!" And with that, Minuette hoisted on her saddlebag, and left through the front door, leaving her brother standing there alone. After taking a train and arriving in Ponyville in the early afternoon, Minuette stopped to admire the sights. There were birds, trees and grass everywhere, and she wasn't quite used to that. Hoofington is mostly gray, and has sidewalks and roads spanning the entire town with greenery only in the parks. The buildings were also very different from those of Hoofington. Hoofington's buildings were just squares with windows and signs. The buildings in Ponyville, on the other hoof, were oddly shaped and colored all kinds of different hues. Before long Minuette realized that she didn't have anywhere to stay for the night, and that there were no hotels in Ponyville. She eventually decided that she'd have to ask around to see if there were any vacant buildings for sale that she could use as a house and office. She approached a pink earth pony mare who seemed to be buying flowers. "Hey, would you happen to know if there are any houses or buildings for sa-" -GAAAAAAAAAAAAASP- "I've never seen you before! What's your name?" "Oh, I'm Min-" "You must be Colgate! It says so on your saddlebag! I'm Pinkie Pie!" "Actually, that was a gift from my brother. My name is really-" "Oh my gosh! I've got to throw a party! I'll see you later, Colgate!" Pinkie began to move at incredible speeds towards.....pretty much everywhere. She zoomed from pony to pony quickly telling them about her party. Minuette was about to call out to her when she suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned around to see the red-maned flower merchant holding her shoulder. "Don't bother, you'll get used to her eventually. It's Colgate, right?" "Actually it's Mi-" Minuette paused mid-sentence to reconsider. "Er, Colgate is fine." "My name's Roseluck. You're looking for a house right?" "Yeah, preferably something I can use to live in and as an office." "An office?" Questioned Roseluck. "What's your talent?" "I'm a dentist!" Said 'Colgate' proudly. "Really? Ponyville has been in need of a good dentist. Some of the residents here have some problems concerning....sugar." Roseluck gestured towards Pinkie Pie, who was telling somepony about her party while hanging upside down. "Well anyways," Continued Roseluck. "I know of a little place by the edge of town. It's not much, but everything else is already inhabited, unless you want to live in a library." "Whatever it is, I'll take it!" "Colgate" arrived with her proud attitude and a proud new name at her not so proud new home. It was a small two-story building that was just barely big enough that she wouldn't have to consider moving into that library Roseluck mentioned. With some help from Roseluck, Colgate had already contacted the owner and paid for the house for a cheap yet fitting price of 45 bits. It was completely run down, full of holes, and painted an OBNOXIOUS color of yellow. Colgate then entered the house and found that the inside was not only covered in disgustingly large terrifying spiders, but painted the same obnoxious color as the outside. She later returned to the market to obtain one large bucket of blue and white paint each, and the biggest can of bug-spray legal in Equestria. Chapter 2 - Meet Berry, Derpy, and the Doctor.Chapter 2 - Meet Berry Punch, Derpy, and the Doctor After making a makeshift bed out of sheets, pillows, and pieces of furniture that came with the house, (all of which were thoroughly cleaned beforehand,) Colgate managed to fix the place up enough just so that she would be able to sleep in a relatively bug-free, nicely painted environment. And by bug free, that really just means that she set off a bug-bomb and swept all of the dead spiders into a corner and burned them. There were only two things in life that the minty unicorn would never show mercy, Adolf Hoofler and spiders. Colgate has used her magic to quickly paint the top story of the house, which for some reason wasn't nearly as full of holes as the bottom. She figured she would need to fix up the bottom floor before painting it, which meant she'd have to live with that terrible shade of yellow that reminded her of cavities and bad teeth for a little longer. Or, at least until she stopped being too lazy to do physical labor that involved more work than magically rubbing a paint brush on things. Just as she was outside her house putting the finishing touches on a sign that read 'Doctor Colgate's dentist office', a light purple earth pony with a dark magenta mane sauntered by and stopped to read the sign. "Wait, this is a dentist's office?" Asked the stranger skeptically. Colgate turned to face the mare, who had a curious yet tired expression. "It will be soon," Answered Colgate. "I just moved here and it needs a bit of fixing up before I can start working." "Thank Celestia! I thought I'd never see the day!" The mare's face turned to a smile, and Colgate could see that she had some severe tooth decay. "Oh gee- I mean, It uh... might be a few days before I open. You should probably go see the dentist in Canterlot." The mare shook her head. "Well that's the thing, I'm sort of not allowed in Canterlot for a few more weeks. Princess Celestia forbid me from returning until after the Summer Sun Celebration." It took Colgate a few moments to completely register what the earth pony was telling her, and a few more to imagine what she possibly could have done to make princess Celestia so angry with her. "Oookay then. I'll tell you what, if you come back in two days I'll probably have everything I need to take a look. What's your name?" "Thank you so much! I'm Berry Punch, you can probably guess my talent from my name, and it's not too friendly on my teeth." Colgate nodded, but was still sickened by the notion of being stuck to a destiny like that. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" Said Berry. "I'm supposed to take you to sugar cube corner!" "Sugar Cube Corner? You mean the bakery? No thanks I don't really eat sweets." Berry Punch shook her head. "No, you don't get it. I HAVE to take you to Sugar Cube Corner." "Huh? Why?" "Just come on! Trust me!" Colgate didn't particularly feel the need to head to every dentist's nightmare, and was in even less of a hurry to place her trust in a pony who somehow managed to tick off Princess Celestia enough to get banned from Canterlot. Regardless, she figured she would have to head back to that area of town to get supplies for fixing up the office, and that a quick stop by sugar cube corner couldn't hurt. "Alright then, lead the way." When they arrived at Sugar Cube Corner, all of the lights were off, and the windows shut. Berry didn't seem to notice, and walked straight up to the door and opened it. "I think it's closed. We could always come back tomorrow." Said Colgate, worried that Berry might have some mental issues. Berry Punch just ignored her, and continued on into the shop, disappearing into the darkness. Colgate sighed and followed her in. "Berry I don't think we're supposed to be in he-" The moment Colgate stepped hoof in the shop, all of the lights turned on at once, revealing a full room of ponies in party hats and a big banner across the room reading 'Welcome Colgate!'. "SURPRIIIIIIISE!" Yelled the ponies in unison, including Berry Punch. Colgate immediately recognized Pinkie Pie and Roseluck among the crowd, the former of which came bouncing up to her with a tray of cupcakes. "Hiya Colgate! I put this surprise party together just for you! I always love to welcome new friends with a party! It's my special talent you know? Ooh! Do you have a special talent? Of course you do, I can see your cutie mark! What does it mean? Are you a time traveler? Oh! Or maybe you time things!" \"Hi Pinkie. Actually, I'm a dentist." Pinkie's expression darkened. "A dentist?! Are you sure!? You don't look like a dentist....though your mane looks like tooth paste. But! Your cutie mark doesn't look like a tooth! I'm pretty sure dentists have teeth cutie marks! You're definitely a dentist?" "Yes but-" "Oh no! They've found out! My teeth are clean, I swear!" Colgate could see as Pinkie spoke that the latter's teeth most definitely were not clean. "Pinkie, I'm not going to-" "Run for your cupcakes everypony!" Before Colgate could get in another word, Pinkie ran for the door and burst outside into the street, startling some ponies outside. She kept running until she was completely out of sight of Colgate, who stood there in the doorway dumbfounded. Suddenly, an unfamiliar yet very British voice called to Colgate from behind her. " 'Scuse me, could I have a quick word?" Colgate whipped around to see a brown, spiky maned stallion with a cutie mark that heavily resembled her own. "Um...sure okay. What can I do for you, Mr.....?" "Doctor." He corrected. "Okay, Doctor who?" "No, just Doctor. I'm the doctor." "THE doctor? Oh no, can there only be one? I wasn't aware the position worked like that..." "No, no! That's my name! I'm the doctor!" "Oh....okay." "Quick question, then I'll be out of your mane. I saw your cutie mark and well....er actually, you wouldn't happen to know of a place called Gallifrey, would you?" Colgate cocked her head slightly. "Gallifrey? No can't say I've ever heard of it." The doctor sighed. "Of course not." "Excuse me?" "Never mind. How do you do that time thing?" "I'm afraid I don't follow." The doctor let out a long sigh. "Of course you don't. Sorry to bother you, I'm sure I'll meet up with you again later, or maybe earlier. Either way, I've really got to go." The doctor began to leave, but Colgate stepped in his way. "Wait! So you've got a clock-making cutie mark, but you're a doctor?" "Yes, aren't you the same?" "So what does our cutie mark mean?" "You just said it's for making clocks, right?" "Well I guess so, but my who family makes clocks and my brother has a watch on his flank, and my dad has a grandfather clock while my mom has an alarm clock. So how do you know our cutie mark doesn't have to do with anything medical? Does that make sense?" The doctor shrugged. "Maybe for you, but I'm pretty sure it's just an hourglass for me. Now, I've really got to get going, my companion is waiting for me. Goodbye!" Without waiting for a response, the Doctor suddenly took off through the front door, and ran in the very same direction as Pinkie, except instead of going straight he turned down an alleyway that Colgate could have sworn was a dead end. Deciding to ignore it, she made her way to the edge of the room where Roseluck and Berry Punch were waiting for her at a table. "Are all of the ponies around here completely insane?" Asked Colgate as she took a seat between them. "Well, yes." Answered Roseluck merrily. "But you'll soon find that's the charm of Ponyville." "Besides," Mentioned Berry. "If we weren't insane, you wouldn't fit in so well!" "Tell us a little about yourself," Pleaded Roseluck. "why doesn't your cutie mark fit your job?" Colgate proceeded to explain her cutie mark and how she left the clock store to be a dentist, while both Roseluck and Berry listened intently. "So what about you two?" Asked Colgate after finishing her story. "How did Berry get kicked out of Canterlot?" Roseluck only shrugged, and Berry took a quick look around to make sure nopony was listening in, then finished her fourth glass of punch before speaking. "Well, I don't like to talk about it," She admitted. "But basically my special talent isn't just for making punch, and I MAY or MAY NOT have been the reason Celestia raised the sun from the wrong side of the sky at last year's summer sun celebration." "I had been wondering about that, I just assumed she was trying something new." Commented Colgate. "That's not the only new thing she tried." Said Berry in a mocking tone. "Berry!" Snapped Roseluck. "Sorry, just kidding." Roseluck decided the change the subject. "So I saw you talking to the doctor, did you manage to make any more sense out of his gibberish than anypony else?" "Doubtful" Admitted Colgate. "Between you and me, nopony has ever actually seen him do any doctoring. My friend Lyra asked some hospital workers about him, but he doesn't even work there!" Said Berry. "He's not even in Ponyville half of the time, some ponies think he must be a dealer." "And by some ponies," Said Roseluck. "You mean yourself. He can't be a dealer, we always see him with Derpy, and she's such a sweet mare." Colgate noticed Berry Punch loose her smile at the mention of Derpy, but decided not to question it. It was that very moment that somewhere in the very back of her head, Colgate's unnatural sense of time kicked in and she realized it was now exactly 4:00 PM. "Oh right!" The new dentist suddenly announced. "I've got to stop by the market and get some supplies to fix up my new office. Would you two mind coming along to show me around?" "Certainly." Said Roseluck, who wasn't a big fan of parties. "Are you kidding?" Said Berry Punch, who WAS a big fan of parties. "Not while there's still half a bowl of punch left! I'll see you guys tomorrow!" After a short trip around Ponyville's various market stands, Roseluck and Colgate arrived at the office with a small wagon of supplies in tow. The moment the two of them had fixed every holy and crack, Colgate immediately set to work painting the office. "There! I couldn't go around calling myself a dentist when my office looked like it had a cavity!" Said Colgate. "Well I'm glad you're in working condition now, I could think of a good few ponies who will be stopping by as soon as you open." Replied Roseluck. "Well at least I know I'll have plenty of patients." "Alright, I've got to get back to my flower stand now, but come by tomorrow and I'll introduce you to some of my friends!" "Okay, bye Roseluck!" Colgate gazed at her shiny new office with dignity, it's newly reinforced walls painted white and blue with a big tooth-shaped sign that read 'Doctor Colgate'. Colgate definitely felt that her new title had a nice ring to it, as if she was never meant to be Minuette in the first place. Roseluck had even managed to get one of those reclining chairs that dentists use, and all-in-all it looked like a whole new building rather than that yellow wreck it had been just earlier that day. Just as she was about to retire to her new home for the day, Colgate caught sight of a grey pegasus mare heading her way with a letter in her mouth. "Hey! You must be Colgate!" The pegasus landed, and Colgate soon found that her eyes with both pointed in completely opposite directions. If not for her friendly smile, Colgate would have mistaken her for being under some kind of spell. "Hi there. You're the mail mare?" "Yep! I've got a letter for you, but you don't have a mailbox so I've been looking for you!" "I've already got a letter? Who's it from?" "Hmmm.... I dunno, it doesn't say." "Well, thanks for delivering it. What's your name?" "I'm Ditzy Doo, but my everypony just calls me Derpy." "Really? So you know the doctor?" "You mean Dr. Whooves? Yeah, he's really nice! I'd love to talk more, but I've got to deliver some mail to Los Perafus." Derpy held up a letter as she spoke, as if she felt the need to prove she was going all the way there. "Derpy, that says Las Pegasus." "Oh? Really? Good, I was wondering where Los Perafus was anyways. Well, I'll see you later!" And on that note, Derpy flew off......in the wrong direction. Colgate was about to call out to her when she noticed yet another visitor standing by her door. This one she recognized. "Don't worry about Derpy, she always makes it there somehow." Said the doctor. "Ack! Where do you keep coming from?" The doctor looked confused. "We've met?" "Yeah, we met earlier at the party. Don't you remember?" "Well I should probably head there later then, I can't wait to meet you." "What?" "Sorry, um...yes of course I remember you. You're-" Colgate caught the doctor peeking at the sign on the office. "-Doctor Colgate! Right, it was great meeting you.....earlier." "Well if you'll excuse me, it's already 6:43 and It's been a long day so-" "How'd you do that?" "How did I do what?" "You knew the time without looking." "It's just a thing that I do. Is that important?" "Of course. Everything is important." "Okay, well 'Doctor' I'm going to go inside my office to get some sleep, and you're NOT going to follow me, okay?" "Right, of course." And Colgate did just that. The last image Colgate saw of the doctor that night was of him waving good-bye as she awkwardly closed the door, with a ridiculous smile plastered on his face. Chapter 3 - Meet Lyra, Bonbon and Vinyl ScratchChapter 3 - Meet Lyra, Bonbon, and Vinyl Scratch Colgate awoke to the sound of a mellow harp playing from the house next to her own. She rubbed her eyes, and dragged herself out of bed. Without checking, she knew that it was Tuesday and exactly 9:26 AM in the morning. She quickly brushed her hair with her favorite toothbrush-shaped hairbrush, and went downstairs to investigate the sound of the harp. When Colgate opened her front door she discovered a light blue unicorn with a white-and-blue mane using magic to play her harp, which looked exactly like the one plastered on her flank as a cutie mark. Upon seeing Colgate, she stopped playing and put her harp back in her saddlebag. "Good morning, Doc! My name's Lyra! You probably don't remember but I played the music at your party." She said cheerfully. With such a smiley pony in front of her, Colgate felt the need to be equally cheerful. "Good morning, Lyra. And Colgate is fine, please don't call me Doc." "Whatever you say, Colly! Anyways, Roseluck wanted me to tell you that she can't meet up with you today, so you're going to be hanging out with me and Berry Punch!" "Okay. And seriously, Colgate is fine, it's already a nickname." "Sure thing, Colgers. Anyways, Berry is waiting for us at her stand in the market, we should get going." "Berry has a stand?" "Yeah, how did you think she makes bits? She sells Equestria's BEST fruit punch and juice. She used to sell alcohol too, but she got banned." "Berry Punch seems to get banned from a lot of things." "Indeed she does." Just as Lyra had mentioned, Colgate soon found that Berry did indeed have a stand in the market. In fact, the stand was so large and colorful that Colgate was surprised she had never noticed it. There was a large flashing sign that read: "Berry Punch's berry punch!" and the stand itself was the very same shade of purple as Berry herself, who was currently behind the counter manning the cash register. "Hey guys! Give me a bit to close up shop, and we can hang out for the rest of the day!" "Close up?" Said Colgate. "Didn't you just open? It's pretty early." "It's no big deal, I get most of my business during the nighttime anyways." Responded Berry as she turned off the glowing sign using a nearby switch. "So what should we do today?" Asked Lyra. "I was thinking we should show Colgate around town a bit, and perhaps we could introduce her to some of our other friends." Replied Berry. "Ooh! Can we stop by Bonbon's shop?" Said Lyra hopefully. "Again?" Said Berry. "Why is it that you always want to go there, but never actually buy anything?" "I uh... just like to browse." "What does Bonbon sell?" Asked Colgate. "Candy." Replied Berry. "I'll pass then, I'm a dentist, I know what that stuff does to you." Said Colgate monotonously. "Aw! Can we PLEEEEEASE go?" Lyra pleaded. "Only if you tell us why you go so often. The candy doesn't change." Said Berry. "Not true! Bonbon told me that last week she got a new supply of licorice!" Said Lyra. "That's nice but you don't really need to go see it. You know what licorice looks like." Said Colgate. "What if she's getting a new shipment of something else?! I have to talk to her!" Said Lyra anxiously. "So you just want to talk to Bonbon? Why didn't you say so?" Said Berry. "No! Wait, yes! Er... maybe." Mumbled Lyra. "I think I know what's going on here." Said Berry in a smug tone. "You do?" Said Colgate. "You do!?" Said Lyra. Berry pointed a hoof at Lyra. "You like Bonbon!" "I do not!" "Admit it!" "Okay, maybe a little. Can we stop talking about this now?" "Pardon me for interrupting," Said Colgate. "But aren't we forgetting that both ponies in question are female?" "Oh right," Said Berry. "Lyra is lesbian." "Oh. Never mind then." Berry stopped to think for a moment. "I guess you we should take you to the usual tourist locations of ponyville, and I think Hoity Toity is doing a fashion show at the park tonight. Interested?" "Sure, so where do we start?" Said Colgate. "What about the candy shop!?" Said Lyra. Berry rolled her eyes. "We'll stop by the candy shop on the way to Sweet Apple Acres, and I'll give you six minutes to talk to Bonbon." "Six minutes? That's not nearly enough!" protested Lyra. "Sure it is, just don't babble and it will be plenty of time." Lyra groaned. "Well," Announced Berry. "let's head down to the candy shop so we can hurry to Sweet Apple Acres!" "Sounds good to me." Said Colgate. As the three ponies approached the colorful building, Colgate already dreaded being anywhere near it. The giant cardboard candy on the front of the building was enough to make her want to turn around immediately. Unfortunately, her friends didn't seem to care, and casually stepped into the candy shop. Colgate gulped and followed her companions into what she knew as the plastic wrapped dental damage store. Even before she had decided to be a dentist, the mare had just never appreciated candy. The taste would just never seem worth the detriment to a pony's health. Unfortunately, Berry and Lyra didn't really care and paid no heed to Colgate's anxious expression. As they made their way towards the front desk Colgate spotted the mare who would have to be Bonbon. Bonbon's cyan eyes surveyed each of them as they approached. Her dark blue and light pink mane seemed to Colgate to be almost as bouncy as her smile. "Lyra!" Exclaimed Bonbon, grinning obtusely. "Are these your friends?" "Yeah, this is Berry and Colgers." "Colgate." Corrected Colgate. Lyra only shrugged in response. "I don't think I've seen you around town before, what's your talent?" Asked Bonbon politely. "I'm a dentist, but I just moved here." Bonbon frowned. "A dentist? That's......nice." It didn't take a genius to tell Bonbon didn't like dentists, which was perfectly understandable given the circumstances. "So," Said Lyra. "what have you been up to lately?" "Oh you know, just running the shop as usual. And you?" "Well since Colggy is new we thought we'd show her around ponyville and take her to Hoity Toity's fashion show tonight." "Five minutes." Said Berry "Shut up!" Yelled Lyra. "Huh?" Said Bonbon. "Er....Not you!" Lyra quickly added. "So where are you heading first?" Asked Bonbon. "Sweet Apple Acres." Said Lyra. "Ooh, can I come?" Lyra's eyes lit up. "Really?!" "Yeah, I need to get more apples for my apple flavored hard candy." Said Bonbon casually. Colgate groaned, but everypony else ignored her. "Of course!" Said Lyra . "Okay, just wait outside while I close up, I'll be right there." After 10 minutes of waiting outside and listening to Lyra's cheers and Berry's complaints, Colgate spotted Bonbon leaving the store with an empty saddlebag. "I'm all ready! Let's go!" After touring every part of Ponyville and more, the four mares agreed upon going to Sugar Cube Corner to get dinner. Lyra and Bonbon had only been talking to each other for most of the day, and were now engaged in their own conversation away from Berry and Colgate. They had both been munching on cupcakes when Colgate suddenly felt herself being alerted that she only had 5 minutes and 28 seconds before the fashion show started. "We'd better go, if we leave right now we'll be on time." Lyra and Bonbon looked up from their conversation. "How do you....know that? There's no clocks in here." Asked Bonbon. "It's my talent." Said Colgate quickly. "But I thought you said you were a-" Said Lyra "LET'S GO OR WE'LL BE LATE." "Okay! Going!" Said Lyra. The moment the four mares arrived at the show, all of the street lights turned off and the stage lit up. "ATTENTION EVERYPONY! HOITY TOITY'S NEWEST FASHION DISPLAY WILL NOW BEGIN!" "Ok Colgate, I am impressed." Said Berry. "Woah, how did you do that?" Said Lyra. Before Colgate could respond, another familiar voice chimed in. "Ooh! That's impressive!" Said the doctor, who had suddenly appeared as usual, but this time with Derpy in tow. Colgate jumped back. "Augh! Stop doing that!" "Doing what?" "Just appearing out of thin air! It's annoying!" "You can't ask me to do that! It's like if I asked you to stop doing dental work, would you do that if I asked you to?" Claimed the doctor in a seemingly offended tone. "How is that at all the same?" Questioned Colgate. "You'd be surprised." "Hi Colgate!" Said Derpy. "Hello Derpy, are you here for the fashion show too?" "Yeah! I missed it so Mister Doctor here took me back to see it!" "Um....what?" "Ha! Derpy, now don't be ridiculous. We talked about this, remember?" Said the doctor. "Oh! Right, sorry Doctor!" Replied Derpy nervously. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that!" Said Colgate somewhat nervously. Before Derpy or The Doctor could respond, a loud crash echoed through the air, and the music came to an abrupt stop. Beyond the crowd's confusion, Colgate spotted Hoity Toity himself chewing out the D.J., a white unicorn with a rough blue mane and purple sunglasses. She seemed to have smashed her drink on the ground. "For the last time, NO!" Yelled the unicorn above the ambiance, silencing the crowd. "Now Vinyl, there's no need to get angry. It was merely a suggestion." Calmly stated Hoity Toity. "Who's that?" Whispered Colgate to Lyra. "That's Vinyl Scratch, she's known for playing the music at basically every event that calls for it over in Canterlot. She also does work in Ponyville from time to time. She's also known for her uh....tantrums." "Say it! I dare you to say it one more time!" Exclaimed Vinyl. "I just think that a pony like you could easily make a job in the modeling buisine-" Before Hoity Toity could finish that statement, Vinyl bucked him in the jaw, sending him flying out of the sound booth. "That's IT! Vinyl, I didn't want to do this, BUT YOU'RE FIRED." "Screw you! I hate your shows anyways you old creep!" With that, Vinyl Scratch hopped off stage and left through the main entrance after pushing her way through the crowd. (Author's note) So sorry for the half year delay! See I began to write this story during the summer, but I go to a gifted school where I'm a year ahead of my age in every subject (not trying to brag, it's really not as hard as it sounds) and I haven't had time to write at all with all the work I've had, so now that I'm on thanksgiving break I'll update my other fanfic at least once and continue working on this, if I have time between doing family stuff then I might get another update in!
Chapter 1 - Meet ColgateChapter 1 - Meet Colgate Minuette hated her name almost as much as she hated her job. Neither of them had ever seemed fitting to her, no matter how much sense they made to the ponies around her. Her dad made clocks, her mom made clocks, and her older brother made clocks. From the day she discovered her cutie mark in clock making, Minuette knew that life had a plan for her. She was always on time for her job too, to the very millisecond. Not even Minuette could deny that she had a good sense of time, and that she made the best clocks in all of Equestria. Everything had seemed to play out perfectly for her when she inherited the family store and made about fifty bits a day just from making and selling clocks. It was everything Minuette ever could have wanted....or so she thought. It was a bright sunny day in Hoofington when she heard the bell on the front door. She called out to the visitor, expecting a customer. "Welcome! Here to buy a clock?" "I've got plenty of my own, thanks." Said a voice that was instantly recognized by Minuette. "Sprocket? What are you doing here?" Sprocket, Minuette's older brother, smiled and trotted casually up to the counter. "Just thought I'd stop by and see how my little Colgate was doing while I'm in town." Colgate was a nickname she had earned from her friends due to her bright smile and the fact that her mane was colored in a way that resembled minty toothpaste. Minuette jumped over the counter and tackled hugged her equally blue brother to the ground. "Ow! Hey! It's good to see you too sis, just watch the teeth." Colgate got off of her brother. "What are you doing in Hoofington? Don't you have your own store to run back in Fillydelphia?" "Nah, we don't work on sundays, and neither should you! Don't you have anything better to do then make more bits?" Minuette shrugged. "Not really. Hey, what were you saying about your teeth?" "I've had a really bad tooth-ache since yesterday, and I can't figure out why. Any guesses?" "I'm not sure. Here, why don't you sit down and I'll take a look?" Sprocket nodded, letting his plot fall to the floor.and opening his mouth. "It hurts back here," Said Sprocket, pointing to the area by his wisdom teeth. Minuette immediately recognized the problem and used her magic to retrieve a small screwdriver she usually used for making clocks. However, Sprocket closed his mouth before she could use it. She levitated the screwdriver away from him and waited for him to talk. "Let's not stick metal tools in my mouth, ok?" "Relax! There's just an apple-seed stuck between your teeth. It won't hurt! I promise!" "Are you sure? I'm pretty sure dentists use pain killers or-" "It's alright! Really! It can't be more delicate than making clocks, and you know how good I am at that!" "Ok, but be careful..." Minuette's horn began to glow again, and the screwdriver found it's way to the back of Sprocket's mouth. With one swift movement, she quickly jabbed and turned with the screwdriver, removing the apple-seed. "Ow!" Yelped Sprocket, falling over backwards. "But it feels better now, right?" Said Minuette. Sprocket took a moment to consider this. "You're right! It's much better now! Thanks, Colgate!" Sprocket looked up to see his sister smiling intensely. He hadn't seen her this happy for a while. He assumed that was due to the fact that he just hadn't seen her for a while at all. "No problem! Let's do that again some time!" The stallion gave his sister a questioning look. "Geez sis, you look like a filly who just got her cutie mark. What's so great about removing crap from people's teeth?" "That was way more fun that making clocks. Hey, do you think I could be a dentist?" "Clocks? What's wrong with clocks?" "Oh! I could set up an office! They'd call me doctor Colgate!" "Minuette listen to me, I don't think-" "Oh that would just be so much fun! I could do this every day!" "Minuette! You can't just go against your cutie mark!" Minuette suddenly remembered the obvious problem that her brother was trying to point out. Her life was MADE for clocks. Her name was for clocks, her family was for clocks, her cutie mark for clocks, and even some of her personality traits had to do with clocks. It was only then, however, that she fully understood the painfully obvious truth. Clocks are boring. "Well maybe I don't want to make clocks my whole life! I mean really, how BORING is that?" "Making clocks is fantastic! It pays pretty well-" "Not as well as dental care." Minuette pointed out. Sprocket just ignored her. "-it's easy, and it's what we're destined for!" "Maybe I'm not destined for it! Maybe my cutie mark isn't even an hourglass! It could be like....a hammer or something!" "A hammer? Minuette, you're not listening to me." Sprocket was starting to become seriously worried, but Minuette payed no heed to his fears. "Well, I've got to close up shop. I'll see you later, Sprocket!" She announced suddenly. "Close up shop? Didn't you just open?" "You were right, I've got better things to do." Her brother left the store more than confident that Minuette was a level headed mare who wouldn't do anything stupid or unruly. However, the mare in question herself was convinced otherwise. Minuette was quietly packing her saddlebag when her brother returned to pay her another visit. The look on his face was completely priceless to the mare when Sprocket realized that she was serious. "Minuette! You can't just leave Hoofington and start a dental office! Think about how crazy that sounds!" Minuette grinned. "I know! It's fantastic!" Sprocket's horn began to glow and a familiar shade of blue magic levitated Minuette's saddlebag away from her. "Come on sis, what about the family store? What will mom and dad say?" Minuette groaned and yanked the saddlebag back with her own magic. "I don't care what mom and dad say, I've had it with clocks and our stupid clock destiny. I'm leaving!" "Leaving!? Where would you even go?" "I'm going to Ponyville! I've heard that they don't have a dental office, so they have to go all the way to Canterlot just for their appointments! I plan to fix that!" "But Minuette-" "No buts! I'm leaving, Sprocket. And tell mom and dad to sell the bucking clock store, I'm not coming back!" And with that, Minuette hoisted on her saddlebag, and left through the front door, leaving her brother standing there alone. After taking a train and arriving in Ponyville in the early afternoon, Minuette stopped to admire the sights. There were birds, trees and grass everywhere, and she wasn't quite used to that. Hoofington is mostly gray, and has sidewalks and roads spanning the entire town with greenery only in the parks. The buildings were also very different from those of Hoofington. Hoofington's buildings were just squares with windows and signs. The buildings in Ponyville, on the other hoof, were oddly shaped and colored all kinds of different hues. Before long Minuette realized that she didn't have anywhere to stay for the night, and that there were no hotels in Ponyville. She eventually decided that she'd have to ask around to see if there were any vacant buildings for sale that she could use as a house and office. She approached a pink earth pony mare who seemed to be buying flowers. "Hey, would you happen to know if there are any houses or buildings for sa-" -GAAAAAAAAAAAAASP- "I've never seen you before! What's your name?" "Oh, I'm Min-" "You must be Colgate! It says so on your saddlebag! I'm Pinkie Pie!" "Actually, that was a gift from my brother. My name is really-" "Oh my gosh! I've got to throw a party! I'll see you later, Colgate!" Pinkie began to move at incredible speeds towards.....pretty much everywhere. She zoomed from pony to pony quickly telling them about her party. Minuette was about to call out to her when she suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned around to see the red-maned flower merchant holding her shoulder. "Don't bother, you'll get used to her eventually. It's Colgate, right?" "Actually it's Mi-" Minuette paused mid-sentence to reconsider. "Er, Colgate is fine." "My name's Roseluck. You're looking for a house right?" "Yeah, preferably something I can use to live in and as an office." "An office?" Questioned Roseluck. "What's your talent?" "I'm a dentist!" Said 'Colgate' proudly. "Really? Ponyville has been in need of a good dentist. Some of the residents here have some problems concerning....sugar." Roseluck gestured towards Pinkie Pie, who was telling somepony about her party while hanging upside down. "Well anyways," Continued Roseluck. "I know of a little place by the edge of town. It's not much, but everything else is already inhabited, unless you want to live in a library." "Whatever it is, I'll take it!" "Colgate" arrived with her proud attitude and a proud new name at her not so proud new home. It was a small two-story building that was just barely big enough that she wouldn't have to consider moving into that library Roseluck mentioned. With some help from Roseluck, Colgate had already contacted the owner and paid for the house for a cheap yet fitting price of 45 bits. It was completely run down, full of holes, and painted an OBNOXIOUS color of yellow. Colgate then entered the house and found that the inside was not only covered in disgustingly large terrifying spiders, but painted the same obnoxious color as the outside. She later returned to the market to obtain one large bucket of blue and white paint each, and the biggest can of bug-spray legal in Equestria.
Chapter 2 - Meet Berry, Derpy, and the Doctor.Chapter 2 - Meet Berry Punch, Derpy, and the Doctor After making a makeshift bed out of sheets, pillows, and pieces of furniture that came with the house, (all of which were thoroughly cleaned beforehand,) Colgate managed to fix the place up enough just so that she would be able to sleep in a relatively bug-free, nicely painted environment. And by bug free, that really just means that she set off a bug-bomb and swept all of the dead spiders into a corner and burned them. There were only two things in life that the minty unicorn would never show mercy, Adolf Hoofler and spiders. Colgate has used her magic to quickly paint the top story of the house, which for some reason wasn't nearly as full of holes as the bottom. She figured she would need to fix up the bottom floor before painting it, which meant she'd have to live with that terrible shade of yellow that reminded her of cavities and bad teeth for a little longer. Or, at least until she stopped being too lazy to do physical labor that involved more work than magically rubbing a paint brush on things. Just as she was outside her house putting the finishing touches on a sign that read 'Doctor Colgate's dentist office', a light purple earth pony with a dark magenta mane sauntered by and stopped to read the sign. "Wait, this is a dentist's office?" Asked the stranger skeptically. Colgate turned to face the mare, who had a curious yet tired expression. "It will be soon," Answered Colgate. "I just moved here and it needs a bit of fixing up before I can start working." "Thank Celestia! I thought I'd never see the day!" The mare's face turned to a smile, and Colgate could see that she had some severe tooth decay. "Oh gee- I mean, It uh... might be a few days before I open. You should probably go see the dentist in Canterlot." The mare shook her head. "Well that's the thing, I'm sort of not allowed in Canterlot for a few more weeks. Princess Celestia forbid me from returning until after the Summer Sun Celebration." It took Colgate a few moments to completely register what the earth pony was telling her, and a few more to imagine what she possibly could have done to make princess Celestia so angry with her. "Oookay then. I'll tell you what, if you come back in two days I'll probably have everything I need to take a look. What's your name?" "Thank you so much! I'm Berry Punch, you can probably guess my talent from my name, and it's not too friendly on my teeth." Colgate nodded, but was still sickened by the notion of being stuck to a destiny like that. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" Said Berry. "I'm supposed to take you to sugar cube corner!" "Sugar Cube Corner? You mean the bakery? No thanks I don't really eat sweets." Berry Punch shook her head. "No, you don't get it. I HAVE to take you to Sugar Cube Corner." "Huh? Why?" "Just come on! Trust me!" Colgate didn't particularly feel the need to head to every dentist's nightmare, and was in even less of a hurry to place her trust in a pony who somehow managed to tick off Princess Celestia enough to get banned from Canterlot. Regardless, she figured she would have to head back to that area of town to get supplies for fixing up the office, and that a quick stop by sugar cube corner couldn't hurt. "Alright then, lead the way." When they arrived at Sugar Cube Corner, all of the lights were off, and the windows shut. Berry didn't seem to notice, and walked straight up to the door and opened it. "I think it's closed. We could always come back tomorrow." Said Colgate, worried that Berry might have some mental issues. Berry Punch just ignored her, and continued on into the shop, disappearing into the darkness. Colgate sighed and followed her in. "Berry I don't think we're supposed to be in he-" The moment Colgate stepped hoof in the shop, all of the lights turned on at once, revealing a full room of ponies in party hats and a big banner across the room reading 'Welcome Colgate!'. "SURPRIIIIIIISE!" Yelled the ponies in unison, including Berry Punch. Colgate immediately recognized Pinkie Pie and Roseluck among the crowd, the former of which came bouncing up to her with a tray of cupcakes. "Hiya Colgate! I put this surprise party together just for you! I always love to welcome new friends with a party! It's my special talent you know? Ooh! Do you have a special talent? Of course you do, I can see your cutie mark! What does it mean? Are you a time traveler? Oh! Or maybe you time things!" \"Hi Pinkie. Actually, I'm a dentist." Pinkie's expression darkened. "A dentist?! Are you sure!? You don't look like a dentist....though your mane looks like tooth paste. But! Your cutie mark doesn't look like a tooth! I'm pretty sure dentists have teeth cutie marks! You're definitely a dentist?" "Yes but-" "Oh no! They've found out! My teeth are clean, I swear!" Colgate could see as Pinkie spoke that the latter's teeth most definitely were not clean. "Pinkie, I'm not going to-" "Run for your cupcakes everypony!" Before Colgate could get in another word, Pinkie ran for the door and burst outside into the street, startling some ponies outside. She kept running until she was completely out of sight of Colgate, who stood there in the doorway dumbfounded. Suddenly, an unfamiliar yet very British voice called to Colgate from behind her. " 'Scuse me, could I have a quick word?" Colgate whipped around to see a brown, spiky maned stallion with a cutie mark that heavily resembled her own. "Um...sure okay. What can I do for you, Mr.....?" "Doctor." He corrected. "Okay, Doctor who?" "No, just Doctor. I'm the doctor." "THE doctor? Oh no, can there only be one? I wasn't aware the position worked like that..." "No, no! That's my name! I'm the doctor!" "Oh....okay." "Quick question, then I'll be out of your mane. I saw your cutie mark and well....er actually, you wouldn't happen to know of a place called Gallifrey, would you?" Colgate cocked her head slightly. "Gallifrey? No can't say I've ever heard of it." The doctor sighed. "Of course not." "Excuse me?" "Never mind. How do you do that time thing?" "I'm afraid I don't follow." The doctor let out a long sigh. "Of course you don't. Sorry to bother you, I'm sure I'll meet up with you again later, or maybe earlier. Either way, I've really got to go." The doctor began to leave, but Colgate stepped in his way. "Wait! So you've got a clock-making cutie mark, but you're a doctor?" "Yes, aren't you the same?" "So what does our cutie mark mean?" "You just said it's for making clocks, right?" "Well I guess so, but my who family makes clocks and my brother has a watch on his flank, and my dad has a grandfather clock while my mom has an alarm clock. So how do you know our cutie mark doesn't have to do with anything medical? Does that make sense?" The doctor shrugged. "Maybe for you, but I'm pretty sure it's just an hourglass for me. Now, I've really got to get going, my companion is waiting for me. Goodbye!" Without waiting for a response, the Doctor suddenly took off through the front door, and ran in the very same direction as Pinkie, except instead of going straight he turned down an alleyway that Colgate could have sworn was a dead end. Deciding to ignore it, she made her way to the edge of the room where Roseluck and Berry Punch were waiting for her at a table. "Are all of the ponies around here completely insane?" Asked Colgate as she took a seat between them. "Well, yes." Answered Roseluck merrily. "But you'll soon find that's the charm of Ponyville." "Besides," Mentioned Berry. "If we weren't insane, you wouldn't fit in so well!" "Tell us a little about yourself," Pleaded Roseluck. "why doesn't your cutie mark fit your job?" Colgate proceeded to explain her cutie mark and how she left the clock store to be a dentist, while both Roseluck and Berry listened intently. "So what about you two?" Asked Colgate after finishing her story. "How did Berry get kicked out of Canterlot?" Roseluck only shrugged, and Berry took a quick look around to make sure nopony was listening in, then finished her fourth glass of punch before speaking. "Well, I don't like to talk about it," She admitted. "But basically my special talent isn't just for making punch, and I MAY or MAY NOT have been the reason Celestia raised the sun from the wrong side of the sky at last year's summer sun celebration." "I had been wondering about that, I just assumed she was trying something new." Commented Colgate. "That's not the only new thing she tried." Said Berry in a mocking tone. "Berry!" Snapped Roseluck. "Sorry, just kidding." Roseluck decided the change the subject. "So I saw you talking to the doctor, did you manage to make any more sense out of his gibberish than anypony else?" "Doubtful" Admitted Colgate. "Between you and me, nopony has ever actually seen him do any doctoring. My friend Lyra asked some hospital workers about him, but he doesn't even work there!" Said Berry. "He's not even in Ponyville half of the time, some ponies think he must be a dealer." "And by some ponies," Said Roseluck. "You mean yourself. He can't be a dealer, we always see him with Derpy, and she's such a sweet mare." Colgate noticed Berry Punch loose her smile at the mention of Derpy, but decided not to question it. It was that very moment that somewhere in the very back of her head, Colgate's unnatural sense of time kicked in and she realized it was now exactly 4:00 PM. "Oh right!" The new dentist suddenly announced. "I've got to stop by the market and get some supplies to fix up my new office. Would you two mind coming along to show me around?" "Certainly." Said Roseluck, who wasn't a big fan of parties. "Are you kidding?" Said Berry Punch, who WAS a big fan of parties. "Not while there's still half a bowl of punch left! I'll see you guys tomorrow!" After a short trip around Ponyville's various market stands, Roseluck and Colgate arrived at the office with a small wagon of supplies in tow. The moment the two of them had fixed every holy and crack, Colgate immediately set to work painting the office. "There! I couldn't go around calling myself a dentist when my office looked like it had a cavity!" Said Colgate. "Well I'm glad you're in working condition now, I could think of a good few ponies who will be stopping by as soon as you open." Replied Roseluck. "Well at least I know I'll have plenty of patients." "Alright, I've got to get back to my flower stand now, but come by tomorrow and I'll introduce you to some of my friends!" "Okay, bye Roseluck!" Colgate gazed at her shiny new office with dignity, it's newly reinforced walls painted white and blue with a big tooth-shaped sign that read 'Doctor Colgate'. Colgate definitely felt that her new title had a nice ring to it, as if she was never meant to be Minuette in the first place. Roseluck had even managed to get one of those reclining chairs that dentists use, and all-in-all it looked like a whole new building rather than that yellow wreck it had been just earlier that day. Just as she was about to retire to her new home for the day, Colgate caught sight of a grey pegasus mare heading her way with a letter in her mouth. "Hey! You must be Colgate!" The pegasus landed, and Colgate soon found that her eyes with both pointed in completely opposite directions. If not for her friendly smile, Colgate would have mistaken her for being under some kind of spell. "Hi there. You're the mail mare?" "Yep! I've got a letter for you, but you don't have a mailbox so I've been looking for you!" "I've already got a letter? Who's it from?" "Hmmm.... I dunno, it doesn't say." "Well, thanks for delivering it. What's your name?" "I'm Ditzy Doo, but my everypony just calls me Derpy." "Really? So you know the doctor?" "You mean Dr. Whooves? Yeah, he's really nice! I'd love to talk more, but I've got to deliver some mail to Los Perafus." Derpy held up a letter as she spoke, as if she felt the need to prove she was going all the way there. "Derpy, that says Las Pegasus." "Oh? Really? Good, I was wondering where Los Perafus was anyways. Well, I'll see you later!" And on that note, Derpy flew off......in the wrong direction. Colgate was about to call out to her when she noticed yet another visitor standing by her door. This one she recognized. "Don't worry about Derpy, she always makes it there somehow." Said the doctor. "Ack! Where do you keep coming from?" The doctor looked confused. "We've met?" "Yeah, we met earlier at the party. Don't you remember?" "Well I should probably head there later then, I can't wait to meet you." "What?" "Sorry, um...yes of course I remember you. You're-" Colgate caught the doctor peeking at the sign on the office. "-Doctor Colgate! Right, it was great meeting you.....earlier." "Well if you'll excuse me, it's already 6:43 and It's been a long day so-" "How'd you do that?" "How did I do what?" "You knew the time without looking." "It's just a thing that I do. Is that important?" "Of course. Everything is important." "Okay, well 'Doctor' I'm going to go inside my office to get some sleep, and you're NOT going to follow me, okay?" "Right, of course." And Colgate did just that. The last image Colgate saw of the doctor that night was of him waving good-bye as she awkwardly closed the door, with a ridiculous smile plastered on his face.
Chapter 3 - Meet Lyra, Bonbon and Vinyl ScratchChapter 3 - Meet Lyra, Bonbon, and Vinyl Scratch Colgate awoke to the sound of a mellow harp playing from the house next to her own. She rubbed her eyes, and dragged herself out of bed. Without checking, she knew that it was Tuesday and exactly 9:26 AM in the morning. She quickly brushed her hair with her favorite toothbrush-shaped hairbrush, and went downstairs to investigate the sound of the harp. When Colgate opened her front door she discovered a light blue unicorn with a white-and-blue mane using magic to play her harp, which looked exactly like the one plastered on her flank as a cutie mark. Upon seeing Colgate, she stopped playing and put her harp back in her saddlebag. "Good morning, Doc! My name's Lyra! You probably don't remember but I played the music at your party." She said cheerfully. With such a smiley pony in front of her, Colgate felt the need to be equally cheerful. "Good morning, Lyra. And Colgate is fine, please don't call me Doc." "Whatever you say, Colly! Anyways, Roseluck wanted me to tell you that she can't meet up with you today, so you're going to be hanging out with me and Berry Punch!" "Okay. And seriously, Colgate is fine, it's already a nickname." "Sure thing, Colgers. Anyways, Berry is waiting for us at her stand in the market, we should get going." "Berry has a stand?" "Yeah, how did you think she makes bits? She sells Equestria's BEST fruit punch and juice. She used to sell alcohol too, but she got banned." "Berry Punch seems to get banned from a lot of things." "Indeed she does." Just as Lyra had mentioned, Colgate soon found that Berry did indeed have a stand in the market. In fact, the stand was so large and colorful that Colgate was surprised she had never noticed it. There was a large flashing sign that read: "Berry Punch's berry punch!" and the stand itself was the very same shade of purple as Berry herself, who was currently behind the counter manning the cash register. "Hey guys! Give me a bit to close up shop, and we can hang out for the rest of the day!" "Close up?" Said Colgate. "Didn't you just open? It's pretty early." "It's no big deal, I get most of my business during the nighttime anyways." Responded Berry as she turned off the glowing sign using a nearby switch. "So what should we do today?" Asked Lyra. "I was thinking we should show Colgate around town a bit, and perhaps we could introduce her to some of our other friends." Replied Berry. "Ooh! Can we stop by Bonbon's shop?" Said Lyra hopefully. "Again?" Said Berry. "Why is it that you always want to go there, but never actually buy anything?" "I uh... just like to browse." "What does Bonbon sell?" Asked Colgate. "Candy." Replied Berry. "I'll pass then, I'm a dentist, I know what that stuff does to you." Said Colgate monotonously. "Aw! Can we PLEEEEEASE go?" Lyra pleaded. "Only if you tell us why you go so often. The candy doesn't change." Said Berry. "Not true! Bonbon told me that last week she got a new supply of licorice!" Said Lyra. "That's nice but you don't really need to go see it. You know what licorice looks like." Said Colgate. "What if she's getting a new shipment of something else?! I have to talk to her!" Said Lyra anxiously. "So you just want to talk to Bonbon? Why didn't you say so?" Said Berry. "No! Wait, yes! Er... maybe." Mumbled Lyra. "I think I know what's going on here." Said Berry in a smug tone. "You do?" Said Colgate. "You do!?" Said Lyra. Berry pointed a hoof at Lyra. "You like Bonbon!" "I do not!" "Admit it!" "Okay, maybe a little. Can we stop talking about this now?" "Pardon me for interrupting," Said Colgate. "But aren't we forgetting that both ponies in question are female?" "Oh right," Said Berry. "Lyra is lesbian." "Oh. Never mind then." Berry stopped to think for a moment. "I guess you we should take you to the usual tourist locations of ponyville, and I think Hoity Toity is doing a fashion show at the park tonight. Interested?" "Sure, so where do we start?" Said Colgate. "What about the candy shop!?" Said Lyra. Berry rolled her eyes. "We'll stop by the candy shop on the way to Sweet Apple Acres, and I'll give you six minutes to talk to Bonbon." "Six minutes? That's not nearly enough!" protested Lyra. "Sure it is, just don't babble and it will be plenty of time." Lyra groaned. "Well," Announced Berry. "let's head down to the candy shop so we can hurry to Sweet Apple Acres!" "Sounds good to me." Said Colgate. As the three ponies approached the colorful building, Colgate already dreaded being anywhere near it. The giant cardboard candy on the front of the building was enough to make her want to turn around immediately. Unfortunately, her friends didn't seem to care, and casually stepped into the candy shop. Colgate gulped and followed her companions into what she knew as the plastic wrapped dental damage store. Even before she had decided to be a dentist, the mare had just never appreciated candy. The taste would just never seem worth the detriment to a pony's health. Unfortunately, Berry and Lyra didn't really care and paid no heed to Colgate's anxious expression. As they made their way towards the front desk Colgate spotted the mare who would have to be Bonbon. Bonbon's cyan eyes surveyed each of them as they approached. Her dark blue and light pink mane seemed to Colgate to be almost as bouncy as her smile. "Lyra!" Exclaimed Bonbon, grinning obtusely. "Are these your friends?" "Yeah, this is Berry and Colgers." "Colgate." Corrected Colgate. Lyra only shrugged in response. "I don't think I've seen you around town before, what's your talent?" Asked Bonbon politely. "I'm a dentist, but I just moved here." Bonbon frowned. "A dentist? That's......nice." It didn't take a genius to tell Bonbon didn't like dentists, which was perfectly understandable given the circumstances. "So," Said Lyra. "what have you been up to lately?" "Oh you know, just running the shop as usual. And you?" "Well since Colggy is new we thought we'd show her around ponyville and take her to Hoity Toity's fashion show tonight." "Five minutes." Said Berry "Shut up!" Yelled Lyra. "Huh?" Said Bonbon. "Er....Not you!" Lyra quickly added. "So where are you heading first?" Asked Bonbon. "Sweet Apple Acres." Said Lyra. "Ooh, can I come?" Lyra's eyes lit up. "Really?!" "Yeah, I need to get more apples for my apple flavored hard candy." Said Bonbon casually. Colgate groaned, but everypony else ignored her. "Of course!" Said Lyra . "Okay, just wait outside while I close up, I'll be right there." After 10 minutes of waiting outside and listening to Lyra's cheers and Berry's complaints, Colgate spotted Bonbon leaving the store with an empty saddlebag. "I'm all ready! Let's go!" After touring every part of Ponyville and more, the four mares agreed upon going to Sugar Cube Corner to get dinner. Lyra and Bonbon had only been talking to each other for most of the day, and were now engaged in their own conversation away from Berry and Colgate. They had both been munching on cupcakes when Colgate suddenly felt herself being alerted that she only had 5 minutes and 28 seconds before the fashion show started. "We'd better go, if we leave right now we'll be on time." Lyra and Bonbon looked up from their conversation. "How do you....know that? There's no clocks in here." Asked Bonbon. "It's my talent." Said Colgate quickly. "But I thought you said you were a-" Said Lyra "LET'S GO OR WE'LL BE LATE." "Okay! Going!" Said Lyra. The moment the four mares arrived at the show, all of the street lights turned off and the stage lit up. "ATTENTION EVERYPONY! HOITY TOITY'S NEWEST FASHION DISPLAY WILL NOW BEGIN!" "Ok Colgate, I am impressed." Said Berry. "Woah, how did you do that?" Said Lyra. Before Colgate could respond, another familiar voice chimed in. "Ooh! That's impressive!" Said the doctor, who had suddenly appeared as usual, but this time with Derpy in tow. Colgate jumped back. "Augh! Stop doing that!" "Doing what?" "Just appearing out of thin air! It's annoying!" "You can't ask me to do that! It's like if I asked you to stop doing dental work, would you do that if I asked you to?" Claimed the doctor in a seemingly offended tone. "How is that at all the same?" Questioned Colgate. "You'd be surprised." "Hi Colgate!" Said Derpy. "Hello Derpy, are you here for the fashion show too?" "Yeah! I missed it so Mister Doctor here took me back to see it!" "Um....what?" "Ha! Derpy, now don't be ridiculous. We talked about this, remember?" Said the doctor. "Oh! Right, sorry Doctor!" Replied Derpy nervously. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that!" Said Colgate somewhat nervously. Before Derpy or The Doctor could respond, a loud crash echoed through the air, and the music came to an abrupt stop. Beyond the crowd's confusion, Colgate spotted Hoity Toity himself chewing out the D.J., a white unicorn with a rough blue mane and purple sunglasses. She seemed to have smashed her drink on the ground. "For the last time, NO!" Yelled the unicorn above the ambiance, silencing the crowd. "Now Vinyl, there's no need to get angry. It was merely a suggestion." Calmly stated Hoity Toity. "Who's that?" Whispered Colgate to Lyra. "That's Vinyl Scratch, she's known for playing the music at basically every event that calls for it over in Canterlot. She also does work in Ponyville from time to time. She's also known for her uh....tantrums." "Say it! I dare you to say it one more time!" Exclaimed Vinyl. "I just think that a pony like you could easily make a job in the modeling buisine-" Before Hoity Toity could finish that statement, Vinyl bucked him in the jaw, sending him flying out of the sound booth. "That's IT! Vinyl, I didn't want to do this, BUT YOU'RE FIRED." "Screw you! I hate your shows anyways you old creep!" With that, Vinyl Scratch hopped off stage and left through the main entrance after pushing her way through the crowd. (Author's note) So sorry for the half year delay! See I began to write this story during the summer, but I go to a gifted school where I'm a year ahead of my age in every subject (not trying to brag, it's really not as hard as it sounds) and I haven't had time to write at all with all the work I've had, so now that I'm on thanksgiving break I'll update my other fanfic at least once and continue working on this, if I have time between doing family stuff then I might get another update in!
