//------------------------------// // Rainbow Dash Goes to the Dentist // Story: Rainbow Dash Goes to the Dentist // by BattleMaestro //------------------------------// RAINBOW DASH GOES TO THE DENTIST Rainbow Dash jumped over the counter of Sugarcube Corner, and threw herself against the side opposite the store's entrance. She wrapped her fore hooves around her hind legs, trying to squeeze herself down, into the smallest shape she could imagine. Her heart pounded furiously inside her chest. Her lungs burned, and she felt her throat tighten. This had to have been the most she'd ran in years. In a desperate attempt to quiet her breathing, Dash clutched at her chest, as she gasped for air. Rainbow Dash's ears twitched, picking up the sound of far off hoof steps. Her muscles tightened, as the quick paced hoof steps grew in intensity. The sound was deafening in her ears. As they grew louder, her body continued to find any possible way to shrink itself. The hoof steps grew to an unbearable weight inside her ears. Her hooves moved swiftly to cover, and protect her ears from the noise. Panic began to ebb it's way into her mind, as the hoof steps seemed to tear away at her brain. She began to sit up, to run, but halted, as she realized that the hoof steps had...stopped? Rainbow Dash was about to peek over the counter, when her ears picked up on the sound of heavy breathing towards the entrance of the sweets and treats store. The breathing eventually slowed, and the pony the breaths belonged to, began to huff in what sounded like frustration. "Darnit, Rainbow! I'll fin' ya 'ventually. 'N when I do, you're goin' to that dentist!" Applejack shouted into the store, before running off, out of the store, and into the distance. Rainbow Dash released a breath, she had no idea she was holding, and collapsed back against the rear of the counter. Leaning her head back to rest, her mind began to swim with thoughts, and questions. Oh you feather brain! Why'd ya have to go and blab about your tooth to Applejack? Because it hurts, and you need help. Rainbow Dash sighed again. The pain coming from her right, lower jaw was indescribable. She needed to have this tooth removed, but Rainbow Dash would do anything, even run from a friend trying to help, to avoid a dentist. Ugh! Who am I gonna go to now! Fluttershy, is out of town. Pinkie, is gone, and so are the Cakes. That sort of worked out for me. Rarity, is refusing to see anyone until she finishes her 'Seven Seasons Early Line.' I guess that leaves me with Twilight. Ugh, but she's neeeerrrdy. Hey...wait...she has magic. Yea...like...crazy magic! She has to have some kind spell that can help me out. Good job brain! Rainbow Dash smiled for the first time that day, mentally high hoofing herself. She quietly rose to her hooves, careful to not make a sound. She peeked up above the counter, surveying the store to see if the coast was clear. Seeing that she was alone, she sprang into action heading for the back door. Just as she was about to open the door to leave, her stomach roared loudly. Hunger wracked her body, but eating was out of the question. Any time her tooth was aching, it was impossible to eat anything. Even the tiniest morsel of food, would wreak havoc on her tooth, and jaw, causing unspeakable factors of pain. Even water hurt to some extent. If she was lucky, her tooth would calm down within a day, but it has been three days now, and if something doesn't change, she fears the worst. Rainbow Dash begrudgingly pushed the back door open, and after checking the area, stepped out into the open air. Taking a deep breath, Rainbow stretched, relaxing her tense muscles. A throbbing surge of pain, seared through out her head. It didn’t take long for Rainbow to wince, and clench the outside of her mouth with her hoof. After a few moments, she realised that the throbbing was synchronized with her heartbeat. I should fly to Twilight’s Library. Wait, no, that won’t work, It’ll increase my heartrate, and then this stupid tooth will only hurt worse. I could try walking, but then, AJ will probably find me in the street. What if I go stealthily? No...no no, I don’t want a repeat of the Hospital. Then again...flying usually helps me relax. I guess there’s only one way to find out. Rainbow Dash once again, stretched her legs and wings, preparing to take off into the sky. However this time, she was careful not to overexert herself. With one swift flap of her wings, Rainbow Dash shot into the sky, high above the town’s citizens and rooftops. She wanted to get high enough, to have partial cloud cover. The typical, hot summer air, became a cooling breeze, as it whipped around Rainbow’s body. She felt uneasy as she flew lazily through the sky, from cloud to cloud. Occasionally, she would peek down over the edge of a cloud, searching for her orange coated predator. Applejack could be seen multiple times, trudging down various town avenues, searching for her cyan prey, not knowing that she was above her. Traveling from cloud to cloud took longer than Rainbow Dash would have hoped, but she had to be certain that she wasn’t spotted, and keeping herself calm, was also a top priority. Traveling this slow felt unnatural to Rainbow. She paused on a cloud, once again looking over the edge to locate Applejack in the streets below. Her heart skipped a beat, when her eyes locked with Applejack's. A sly smirk broke out onto AJ's face. Rainbow Dash gasped knowing that she was spotted, and launched herself into the sky, making a beeline for Twilight's Library. Looking back, Rainbow could see that Applejack was following her closely on the ground. If she had been on the ground, running from AJ would have been difficult. It had been difficult, but the sky was an advantage, that Rainbow Dash was more than willing to use to tip the scale. Pumping her wings harder than she would have liked, Rainbow Dash increased her speed, hoping that Applejack would give up, or lose sight of her, before she reached the Library. The harder she pushed the air with her wings, the further away Applejack appeared to be. As Rainbow flew longer, Applejack became harder and harder to see behind her, running around the corners of buildings, dodging other ponies. After several more minutes, Applejack was no longer visible behind her. Rainbow Dash had little time to rest, lying down on a cloud. If she waits too long, the adrenaline will surely wear off, and the pain from the recent exertion will undoubtedly set in. She closed her eyes, lying on her back, breathing heavier than she had originally realised. Perhaps AJ was faster that she remembered. It didn't matter, she was safe for now. Rainbow Dash rolled over onto her stomach, opening her eyes, searching for the final, leafy beacon of hope, in the town sky line. She spotted the massive tree house off to her right. Somehow, she had strayed off of her direct flight path towards the tree. It wasn't nearly as far as it was before, she was grateful for that. Rainbow rose to her hooves, shaking the slight exhaustion out of her body with one swift wiggle. She locked her eyes on the library. Maybe if I just go slow, I won't drain my energy as fast. Seriously? I'll be spotted again instantly. Naaaah, I left AJ in the dust. ...didn't I? ... She could be on her way to Twilight's right now. No...there's no way. I did stress the fact that her and, Twilight were my last hope. Surely she would figure out that's where I'm headed. I suppose I need to get there first then. Rainbow Dash stood still on the cloud, leaning forward, towards the Golden Oaks Library. ...ummm body? Hello? Move please. ... What if she's already there?! What if I'm too late? I can't go. Not now. No...no...don't chicken out. Don't freak out like the Young Fliers...ugh I can't even think about it. I can handle anything they throw at me. Dropping her front half low, she stretched her front legs out grabbing at the edge of the cloud. She opened her wings, forcing them as wide as she could, in preparation for her high speed takeoff. With one swift contraction of her leg muscles, she pulled her body forward, throwing herself over the edge of the cloud. With another quick reaction, her wings gripped the air, and forced it backwards, propelling Rainbow Dash forward through the sky. She quickly accelerated to a comfortable racing speed. As the Golden Oaks Library decreased in distance, the pain hammering away at her resolve, increased. The mind numbing ache only served to force her onward. Knowing that the current state of her impacted tooth will only worsen with time, as it already has, Rainbow felt her worries and fears grow even more ever present in the rear of her thoughts. Although flying was scientifically known to help pegasi relax, it did little to soothe Rainbow. The warm summer air that rushed around her face and fur was exhilarating, and did serve to ebb off the sharp sting of her mouth, but did little justice for her mind. Closing in on the Library, Rainbow spotted the balcony, that she knew led into Twilight's bedroom. "Good place to start, if any." Dash mumbled under her breath, landing on the wooden balcony that stretched out of the tree side. She quickly shook her head, fixing her messy hair, and shaking off the tension in her kegs. She did a quick scan of the ground, searching for her orange hunter. Seeing that Applejack was nowhere in sight, she sighed in relief. She quickly made her way to the balcony door. Looking through the glass, she saw that Twilight, was lying on her bed, book between her hooves. Rainbow felt herself relax, if only momentarily. She really didn't want an Applejack repeat, and Twilight might be just as stubborn. Building up courage, Rainbow lifted her hoof, and tapped it lightly on the glass. Looking to the inside, she could see Twilight's ears perk up at the sound, followed by Twilight's head. Twilight looked around the room, until her eyes came upon the balcony door. Twilight's expression quickly changed from confusion, to slight annoyance, as she rose from her bed, and got down on the floor, walking slowly to the glass door that separated the two mares. Twilight paused on the other side, raising an unamused eyebrow. Rainbow smiled sheepishly, hoping desperately that Twilight would open the door. After a few minutes of silent starring, between the two mares, Twilight sighed, opening the door with her magic. "Can I help you, Rainbow?" Twilight asked, not caring to hide the frustration in her voice. Slightly insulted by her friend's annoyance Rainbow Dash responded. "Well I'm sorry I intruded on your book time, but I reeeeally need your help." "Did you forget that I said that I was going to be busy today, and wouldn't be able to do anything? I have to go to Canterlot tonight, and Princess Celestia, asked me to look up some information before I went. What do you need?" Rainbow could still tell Twilight was annoyed, and probably busy, but she desperately needed help, even if she had completely forgotten that Twilight was busy too. "I...I need to know if you can help me with something." "Oh...you don't say. Look...just...come inside before I change my mind." Twilight stepped out of the doorway, holding it open, so Rainbow could enter. Once Rainbow was inside, Twilight closed the door, and directed Rainbow to take a seat on one of the various cushions around the small room. Once Twilight had found her seat as well, she picked up the conversation again. "Okay...so seriously, what's the matter?" Rainbow really didn't want to tell her, but she had no other choice. "Okay...umm...you see. I have an impacted tooth, that I need you to remove for me." "Why not just have a dentist do it?" "I-I-I can't...I just can't. Isn't there some kind of spell you can use, or something?" "No, as far as I know, there's no spell that can help you. Also, why not go to a dentist? Obviously it was a dentist that found it." "Look, just...please...don't ask me to expl-" Rainbow Dash was interrupted by a pony knocking at the Library's front door. "Ugh...just wait here, Rainbow." Twilight said, trotting out of the room, and down the stairs, to shoo away whoever this random pony was. Rainbow sat still, anxiety building in her chest. She really needs Twilight to understand. Rainbow's ears twitched at the sound of voices from downstairs. One was obviously Twilight, but the other belonged to...Applejack. "Oh no..." Rainbow dash meeped, nervousness flooding her body like a tsunami. She quickly jumped to her hooves, and began shuffling her hooves, as she frantically searched for a hiding place. She could hide under the bed, in the bathroom, in the closet, on the balcony, but her attention was caught by a singular wardrobe, that stood in a dark corner of Twilight's room. Rushing over to it, she threw the doors open quickly. A faint relief passed over her, as the wardrobe was completely empty, and was plenty large enough for her to conceal herself within. She ducked inside, pulling the doors shut behind her, careful to not let her tail get stuck in the door, as she balanced on her hind legs. She quickly calmed her breathing, and tried to relax. This was all in vain, as she quickly tensed again, as she heard Twilight leading Applejack upstairs. She could hear them enter the room, and she began to hold her breath, hoping it would make a difference. Rainbow heard the hoof steps pause. It sounded as if they were stopped in the center of the room. "Uhh...you said she was here, Twi." Applejack stated from inside the room. "Yes, she was here. She couldn't have gone far. She never opened the balcony door to leave, so she's obviously hiding." "Darnit, Rainbow. Would ya quit hidin', and jus' get yer darn mouth fixed up already?" Applejack asked the room. "Hold on, hold on, don't get your Stetson in a twist. I can find her easily, just give me one second." Rainbow Dash was confused. There was no way to find her that quickly. Just as she was about to exhale her long held breath, she felt a cool prickling sensation pass over her body. It made her skin crawl, and she couldn't help but shiver. "There she is." Before Rainbow could react, the wardrobe doors were thrown open, in Twilight's purple magical aura. Rainbow's eyes fell upon Applejack, who looked extremely frustrated. "Uhhhhh...hehehe...um...hey, AJ. What's up?" Rainbow asked, smiling the most convincing smile she could. "Get out here, now." Applejack demanded through gritted teeth. Rainbow Dash sighed, knowing she was caught. She begrudgingly climbed out of the wardrobe, and drug herself over towards Applejack and Twilight. Applejack sighed, using a much more caring tone. "Sugarcube, why d'ya keep runnin' from me? I jus' wanna help ya." "I know, I know, it's just...you can't." "Well o' course I can't help ya. You need to go see a dentist." "I...I just can't." "Well why not?" Twilight interjected. Rainbow dropped her head and looked at the floor. "Please don't ask me to explain. I just can't go to a dentist." "Rainbow, ya haven't eaten in days, an' you've only barely get any water to drink. I’ma worried somethin' really bad is gonna happen to ya, if you don't take care of this tooth." Applejack pleaded. Rainbow couldn't lift her head to face her friends, not with the truth, not now. "I kn-know, I'm w-worried too." "Even if the pain does subside again," Twilight added, "having an impacted tooth, can really screw with the alignment of the rest of your teeth." Rainbow squeezed her eyes shut, frowning. She had no idea that it would affect her other teeth. The pain old her tooth began to rear its ugly head again, except it was the worst pain Rainbow had felt from her tooth by far. "If you ask me, I don't think The Wonderbolts will want to keep a reserve flyer with a horribly disfigured smile." Twilight said, striking a nerve in Rainbow Dash. Between the unearthly pain in her jaw, and the words of her friends, Rainbow felt her walls crumbling at an alarming rate. They’re right ya know. I KNOW! Look I know, It’s just I really don’t wan- Ouch! Stupid tooth. Look I can’t go back to the denti- ooooowooowowwowoowowow! WOULD YOU STOP IT TOOTH?! The more she refused to submit, the more intense the pain seemed to grow. Rainbow couldn't help, but clech, and grit her teeth, as she tried to keep the tears at bay in her eyes. The harder she tried to resist, the worse she felt, causing a few tears to leak out. Her breathing became heavy, and labored, as it felt like her throat was closing in on itself. Applejack sighed. "Look Rainbow, if you aren't gonna tell us what's wrong, you're gonna have to solve this on your own." Applejack said, turning, and walking away, followed by Twilight. Rainbow Dash looked up, hoping to convince her friends to see her points. Oh no...they’re gone. No...I screwed up again. Rainbow began hyperventilating, eyes wide, soaked in tears of panic. They...they left me. I’ve got no one left to help me. This- OW tooth is never going to get better. I’m gonna starve to death. I’m gonna die. All becau- OUCH! All because of my stubbornness. They wouldn’t have left you, if you had told them what was wrong in the first place. Shut up brain yo- Owoowowowowowowowowowowow. You KNOW I CAN’T. Yes you can! They’re still- Ouchouchouchowow! HERE! I- Ouch! This pain is rediculou- OUCH! Ow, that one really hurt. Look you know I can’t tell them. They’d laugh at- OOOOUUUUUUCH TELL THEM! NO! TELL THEM! OUCH… OKAY! Applejack walked down the stairs, disheartened at Rainbow's refusal to let them help. "I'M AFRAID!" Applejack stopped dead in the stairs, spun around, and galloped back up to Twilight's room, Twilight in tow. When she rounded the corner of the doorway, she skid to a halt, wide eyed at the sight before her. Rainbow Dash had collapsed on the floor, and was crying hysterically, head buried in her hooves, tail wrapped up around her chest. Applejack's heart sunk. She never intended to make Rainbow Dash break down like this, but the damage was done. She quickly galloped to Rainbow's side, and sat down, petting Dash's mane to calm her. Twilight was speechless, as she stood in the doorway. She had no idea that the tooth was this much of a problem. She chose to walk over to Rainbow, and sit in front of her. Rainbow continued to sob, as they both tried to console her. "I-I-I'm afraid, okay?" Rainbow managed between tears. "Oh darlin', what's there to be afraid of?" Applejack asked quietly. It took a few moments for Rainbow Dash to calm down, even if she wasn't completely calm, she could at least talk now. "I'm afraid of the needles, and the machines, and the sounds, and all the wires, and-" "It's okay, Rainbow, there's no reason to be afraid of the equipment. It's all there to make sure nothing bad happens during the surgery." Twilight said, trying her part, in helping Dash. "I know," Rainbow inhaled, "I know, but they...just scare me." "Well that's alright." Applejack continued. "Everypony has fears." "Yea, but I can't. Rainbow Dash, doesn't have fears. Rainbow Dash, isn't supposed to be afraid of anything. What does that make me?" "It makes you a pony." Twilight answered. "I may be a pony, but I'm not the `fearless, Rainbow Dash`." "And who are you, to say who you are, or aren't?" "Definitely not, Rainbow Dash." "Well ah hate to say this, but ya do need to have that tooth removed." "Yea I know, I just can't bring myself to do it. When my old dentist found it a few years ago, he tried to remove it. I was okay, until he started hooking all of those weird machines and things up on and into me, and in that tiny cramped room. I started freaking out, and bailed on the surgery. I tried going back afterward, but I always get scared, and don't go through with it. It started hurting a few months ago. This is by far the worst it’s ever been, and I can’t bring myself to have it ripped out. I'm never gonna get this stupid tooth out." "What if we go with you?" Twilight asked. "Why would you go with me?" Rainbow asked, skeptically. "We'll be there to support you, and make sure nothing bad happens." Twilight answered confidently. "I suppose that would help. Would you really be there with me during the surgery?" Rainbow asked, finally raising her head off the floor, and sitting up. "Of course, Sugarcube." Applejack said, rising to her hooves. "Okay, I-I guess we can try." The three friends, all exited the Library, and began their journey, toward the local oral surgeon's office. It took a while of walking through town. The cool, summer evening sun, was lowering in the sky, as they travelled down the town streets. They travelled in silence. The closer they walked toward the office, the slower Rainbow seemed to walk, but Twilight and Applejack kept pace with her, making sure to be there for their friend. After a while, they arrived at the front door of the surgeon's office. Rainbow stopped in the street, staring at the door, with wide eyes, and shrunken pupils, legs visibly trembling. Applejack, and Twilight stopped beside her, and waited for her to continue. When she didn't, Applejack spoke up. "Come on now, Sugarcube. You've come this far. You can't stop now." Applejack motivated. “I-I-I know. Let’s go.” The inside of the Surgeon’s Office was rather dull. Inside the waiting room, the walls were all painted white, whereas the floor was brown and white checkered tile. There were no windows, and there were chairs lining two of the three other walls of the rather tiny room. To the right of the door, was another door, that led back towards the operating rooms. Further to the right, against the adjacent wall, sat the Receptionist's window. Applejack nodded toward the window, while looking at Dash. Rainbow Dash tried to swallow the lump in her throat, quickly finding it replaced by a new one. Her entire body felt stiff, as she drug herself up to window. The yellow pegasus mare behind the window, looked up from her paperwork. “Can I help you?” She asked bluntly. Rainbow Dash looked back towards her friends, looking for support. Both Twilight, and Applejack, had taken seats in the waiting room, and were both smiling towards her. She quickly turned back toward the mare. She began to sweat, as she opened her mouth to speak. “Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...” The receptionist, began laughing out loud. “Hahahaha, I didn’t mean to freak you out with the hole voice thing. I didn’t think it would bother you that much. I already know who you are, Rainbow Dash.” The Receptionist finished, pulling a manila folder out of a filing cabinet. “You’re in for an ‘Impacted tooth removal.’ How many times have you been in for it now? This is what...your fifth time?” “...Sixth…” Rainbow Dash muttered, loud enough, so that only the Receptionist heard. “Well let’s hope this time’s the lucky one.” “Haha...yeaaaah.” “Just try to calm down. I really didn’t think I would bother you that much. Geeze...some ponies. Anyways, Doctor Crown, will be with you in a moment.” Rainbow Dash turned away from the window, and began walking back towards her friends. “Oh, and we’ll be closing soon, so you’ll probably have to leave early after your surgery. Make sure you have someone here on time to take you home.” Rainbow Dash continued back to her seat. She sat down, to the left of Applejack. “It’s alright Dash, we’re here for ya.” Applejack said, offering words of encouragement. “You’ll do just fine.” Twilight added. “...Yeah.” Was all Rainbow could manage. Even though she wanted to believe that everything would be fine, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. They sat in silence. Waiting for the doctor to call Rainbow back to the operating room. The waiting ate away at Rainbow’s nerves. She couldn’t stand to wait any longer. She knew that there was no backing out of this surgery, so they might as well get it over quickly. Just as she felt like her body was going to explode from tension, the door to the right of the receptionist’s window, swung open, allowing a dark brown earth pony to enter into the waiting room. “Ahh, Rainbow Dash. Long time no see, eh?” The doctor spoke with a low rustic tone. “Are you ready?” “U-U-Umm y-yeah.” Rainbow Dash said, standing up, and walking towards the door to the operating rooms. Doctor Crown saw that Applejack, and Twilight were both following her towards the door. “Woah, woah, woah, where are you two going?” Twilight spoke first. “You see, Rainbow Dash wanted us to come along with her into the operating room, to make sure nothing went wrong.” “Why would she? We have tons of medical equipment, and monitoring devices, to make sure nothing goes wrong.” Applejack answered next, quiet enough, so that only Twilight, Dr. Crown, and her could hear. “We know Doc, It’s jus’ that the reason Rainbow wants us to come along, is cus’ she’s afraid of the equipment, and monitorin’ doohickies.” Doctor Crown rubbed his chin. “I see. Well...I can’t let you into the operating room, because of Equestrian Law...but, I suppose, you could sit in some chairs in the hallway.” “That can work.” Twilight said. “Good ‘nough for me.” Applejack said, continuing back into the hallway. The operating rooms were all positioned along a hallway. The appearance, and decor, were the exact same as the waiting room. Twilight, and Applejack found two chairs, and positioned them on the opposite side of the door, where Rainbow Dash was standing. Rainbow Dash looked into her room. There was a chair, that sat low to the floor, various machines, and screens scattered. all around the room’s walls. She heard noises behind her. Turning to look, she saw that Twilight, and Applejack, had taken chairs, and were sitting in them, across from the doorway. “Wha-What are you guys doing? I thought you were coming in the room with me?” “Well...we can’t, cus’ Equestrian Law says so. We have to sit out here. Sorry, Dash.” Rainbow felt her heart sink, and her body tense up, as the doctor approached from down the corridor. She wanted to ask the doctor, if they could go inside if she insisted, but found it impossible to speak, and nervousness took hold of her body. Applejack felt horrible, as she watched Rainbow’s body tense up, and begin to shake. Her eyes were wide with fear, and her pupils had shrunken to the size of pinholes. A frown was all that came from Rainbow’s mouth, as she stood in the doorway. “Okay, Rainbow, It’s time for your-” The doctor paused, as he too, saw the horrible state of Rainbow Dash’s fear. “Hey, It’ll be alright. What...What if we leave the door open, so your friends can watch?” “O-O-Okay.” Rainbow Dash barely squeaked out, as she drug herself back, into the operating room. Applejack watched, as Rainbow sat down into the seat. The doctor talked to Rainbow while he attached multiple different pads, and cords to Rainbow’s body. Applejack watched, as Rainbow’s eyes drifted down toward her, and Twilight. They were still plagued with fear, but there was nothing more they could do to ease Rainbow’s mind. Applejack saw the doctor put the I.V into Rainbow’s arm, causing Rainbow’s eyelids to twitch. He followed up, with placing an oxygen tube over Rainbow’s nose. In a matter of minutes, the air in the room lightened, as Rainbow’s eyes closed, and the beeping of the heart monitor, slowed. Both Applejack, and Twilight, let out a relaxing sigh. They had finally got Rainbow to the dentist. All that was left, was to wait for the surgery to be done with, and take Rainbow home. A few minutes ticked by, while they watched the doctor work away in the room, boredom ever increasing. Applejack actually caught herself falling asleep, a few times. “Hey, Applejack,” Twilight yawned. “I need to get back to my library. I still have to do more preparing for my trip to Canterlot.” “It’s alright, Twilight. You’ve got more important stuff to do. I’m sure she’ll understand.” “Thanks, AJ.” Twilight finished, walking down the hallway, and out the door that lead to the waiting room. Applejack turned her attention back to Rainbow. She was lying peacefully in the chair. It was probably the first time Rainbow had been relaxed for the past few days. Applejack smiled at that thought, and pulled her Stetson down over her eyes, allowing herself to be taken by the clutches of sleep. She awoke some time later, to the Receptionist, poking her arm. “Umm, excuse me?” “Yes?” Applejack asked, groggily. “The surgery is done. Everything went smoothly. The doctor gave her six ponycilin pills to take. Her tooth was really infected, and she needs to take those before she leaves. She was lucky it wasn’t any worse. She’s in the waiting room. She just woke up, and you need to leave soon, we’ll be closing in a few minutes.” The Receptionist finished, continuing off down the hallway. Applejack grunted, and rose, making her way back to the waiting room. She walked through the door, to see a dazed Rainbow Dash, staring up at the lights in the ceiling. Her right cheek was puffed up, and swollen. “Hey Sugarcube, how ya feelin’?” “...Uuuuuugh.” Was the only response she got from Rainbow. Not knowing what that was supposed to mean, she just continued. “Okay well, the doctor says you need to take those six little pills n' that baggie on your lap, before we leave.” Applejack was surprised, to see Rainbow look down at the baggie on her lap, pick it up, open it, and drop all six pills into her mouth, and swallow them all at once. “Uuuughhhhhh…” “Um...okay then. I guess we can go now.” Applejack said, helping Rainbow get up out of her seat. Rainbow leaned against her, as they made their way out of the office, and into the cool, summer night air. “Ya know, ya won’t be able to go home.” Applejack stated. “Uuuugh?” Rainbow asked, drooling on Applejack’s shoulder. “Yer drugged out of yer mind. How are ya gonna be able to fly up to yer house?” “...Ughh” Rainbow responded. “I’ll just take ya ta Sweet Apple Acres. You can spend the night there.” They continued to walk down the empty streets of Ponyville. “Hey, Applejack?” Rainbow spoke, barely a whisper. Applejack picked up her falling head for the seventeenth time that night, as they approached the gate to Sweet Apple Acres. “Yea, Sugarcube?” “Thanks...for everything.” “Anythin’ for a friend, darlin’.”