Tales of the "Good Doctor"

Tales of the good doctor
Cold Hooves

Train one stopped at Canterlot Skyport just as planned, Cold Hooves hopped off onto the platform and took in the sights. The amount of guards and tables meant only one thing, war. Standing in line with Big Macintosh the two had a mildly amusing conversation.

"So where were you stationed back in the Griffin Wars?" Cold Hooves asked his travailing companion.

"I was a Gunnery Sargent of 5th armored battalion, one of the very first in these new 'Arcane Tanks'. It turns out magic does make better fuel than steam" the large stallion responded.

"Impressive" Cold relied taking his turn at the desk.

The soldier on the other side of the desk recognized the doctor the very second he saw him and saluted. "Corporal Cold Hooves is that you? Last I heard you were decommissioned, what happened?"

"Its a long story.So, what is my assignment?" the doctor asked saluting back

"Your stationed on 'The Devine Interception' as there chief medical officer sir" the private responded. "I recognized you from when you freed me and some hostages back in the war. You inspired me to make the best decision of my life and enlist. I must say your kind of a legend amongst most recruits"

Sighing Dr.Cold faked a smile "Glad it worked out for you" he said walking over to The Devine' Interception's dock".

Big Mac stepped up to the desk. "GSGT Big Macintosh of 5th armored battalion. My orders?"

"Your unit's now serving on the Divine Interception with a full fleet of arcane tanks" the grunt responded.

Nodding the red stallion boarded the airship.

While Cold Hooves was settling into the MEDBAY, Rainbow and Fluttershy were just arriving at Ft.Storm Rage. Stepping out of the transport Rainbow Dash felt pure zeal and exhilaration, while Fluttershy felt a deepening sickness but was determined by her own motive to join and pushed on though. Joining the other in the mess hall the recruits waited to be addressed by the base's CO, Lt. Col. Buck Wild.

"Alright recruits listen up! today marks day one of your week of training" the Commanding Officer said. His fur was light brown while the mane was dark brown, he was also wearing metal armor with a green-camo paint job. "During that time I will oversee your training in the basics of combat. While earth ponies may have there swords, and unicorns with their spells, but we have our own style of Hoof-to-Hoof combat!" the pegasus finished with a laugh. "On a side note due to fact we have lost two minor cities in one night the Griffin nation is officially scared shitless, so they have decided to revive the 50 year dead 'Combatant Exchange Program' you may notice there will be Griffins joining us for training and some of you may be stuck on a Griffin airship. Never the less walk with me to the training grounds"

Outside they saw a skinny, shaky, mare in padded sparing gear. "I will now demonstrate how to incapacitate an enemy pegasus" Buck said flying to his victim. He started with a kick to her abdomen powerful enough to send her skyward, after he flew above her then stomped on her back slamming here into the ground. The audience was shocked until she got back up 5 minutes later. "That is how we win wars, that is how the pegasus serve the crown, our dominion over the skies allow us to fight and win campaigns efficiently. Line up! I want to judge the mares and stallions I'll have the pleasure of training" Everypony followed orders without question.

Buck ran down the line inspecting his recruits, all of them standing tall and proud until he stopped at Fluttershy who was still cowering over the "Demonstration" earlier. "Get up maggot!" shouted Buck Wild.

Fluttershy got up slowly "Aren't you going to help her?"

Buck laughed "Thats enchanted training gear, she cant feel a thing" he finished then slapped Fluttershy. "Why did you enlist if you cant stand the sight of violence?"

"I-I-I joined to become part of the medic's CORPS" she responded terrified of Buck.

Buck glared. "Even you medics must still fight. I remember back when I was just a sergeant, there was this medic that went by the name Cold Hooves. He was one of the best I've I seen and one scary SOB on the battlefield. Shape up or your gone". She was still cowering. Buck back-hoofed the cowering pegasus "Go back to the barracks 'till you grow a pair of wings. You, recruit with the rainbow mane, see if you can get her to fall in line like the rest of us?"

Rainbow nodded

Fluttershy was behind the barracks sitting alone. "You ok?" asked the cyan pony. Fluttershy wasn't crying just sitting and looking at the cloud they were standing on.

"I'm fine, just a little sad I chocked back there" she answered

"Why are you here anyway, enlisting I mean" Rainbow pressed.

"I heard a few too many in town saying I'm nothing, just some mare on the hill in a cabin. I joined to prove something to myself, I want to help ponies, I wanted to be respected by somepony and Dr.Cold said that this my best bet" Fluttershy added.

Rainbow Dash noticed something."Your noses is bleeding, let me get that" she said rubbing her friend's nose who thanked Rainbow with a hug.

"You've always been good to me" Fluttershy said. Parting the two look into each other's eyes and blushed. "We better get back in line with the others" she said nervously then flew off.

"Love ya kid" Rainbow muttered under her breath then was socked that she said it out loud. She sped quickly to the rest of the group.

The rest of the day seemed to fly by for the two, between awkward moments and training nether of them could think straight. Meanwhile Cold had a few problems of his own.

Getting the MEDBAY organized was his priority at the moment. "No, No. The medi-pack go in the closet!" he shouted at a few incompetent medics. "Three days we have to set for the clouds and I cant even get my own supplies organized. That egg should be hatching soon. Wonder what Bartok's up to" he said to himself then resumed the sorting "This stuff has been on the airship since the invasion of the Zebra Nation 100 years ago!" shouted the doctor.

Back at the base Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy along with the rest of the camp completed their training for the day and returned to the barracks. Fluttershy made sure to grab a cot next to Rainbow.

"Thanks again for earlier" Fluttershy said.

"No problem at all kid. Something else on your mind?" asked Rainbow.

"Quiet down! we'er trying to sleep" Called a griffin from the other side of the large room.

The two lowered themselves to a whisper. "No" replied Fluttershy "You?"

"I don't know. I know we have been friends since both of us could remember but.. I keep felling like there is more to us" Rainbow said blushing after hearing herself.

"You mean like filly-friends?" Fluttershy said causing Rainbow's heart to skip a beat at her straightforwardness.

"You've been thinking the same thing huh?" The cyan pony asked.

"A little bit. Do you want to find out if there is something?" Fluttershy responded bashfully.

"How?" Rainbow asked.

Without another word Rainbow Dash was pulled in for a kiss. Once their lips touched both melted into pure bliss. Blushing and yearning for more the two did not realize they were making out for a few good minutes 'till they broke there embrace.

"Wow" thats all Rainbow has to say. "They say you find yourself in the military, did not know they meant this"

"Did you feel anything Dashie?" Fluttershy asked grinning wildly

"More than anything I felt in a long time" Rainbow responded

"You felt like this before?" the yellow mare asked.

Rainbow Dash sighed "I did a bit of experimenting with Gilda back in Flight School, but I didn't fell into it. I guesses I was missing something that should have been there-"

"-Love" they both said at the same time.

The griffin from earlier walked up to them his tan head-feathers ruffled. "Both of you go to sleep or I introduce you both the business ends of my talons!"

They took the message and called it a night.

The sun rose the next day for Cold as he awoke in the airship's MEDBAY. "Damn... Need coffee" he said walking to the mess hall. Fortunately medical officers don't need to be up a the crack of dawn like the soldiers. Drinking a bit he quickly spit the foul liquid out. "Bad coffee, this is war alright" he muttered walking down to the vehicle depot.

"My medical evacuation airships ready yet?" he asked annoyed with the ship's new crew.

One of the engineers walked up to Dr.Cold. "The new E-VACs are a bit different from what your used to but you may like the changes that we've made over the years" he said walking the doctor to the airship, its balloon was deflated due to it being in the hanger for a little over 10 years. Cold was appalled at its state of disrepair.

"Its too damn small, it looks a 13 pony airship and I need the 20 pony model. Not to mention the celling is a little low, I'm going to have duck under lights to preform basic task. The colors are all off, its supposed to be camouflage pint not red-on-white. Who authorized this?"

Princess Celestia walked up to the two. "I did. these changes are for the better and designed for quick transport back to the main airship"

Cold grunted. "By the way I noticed on one of the supply invoice you paid a very high amount for a set of nuclear payloads. I'm assuming this is for us"

The princess nodded "Correct major. We are prepared for anything" she said with alarmingly sternness.

As The Devine Intervention began its preparations The Cloud Breaker was having its own issues.

Hemorrhage rush towards the seat of her dark lord. "My lord, something is out of the ordinary with the changelings"

"How?" asked Darkshire

Hemorrhage wiped a bit of changeling bile off of her black armor than resumed speaking "Something is making them more active, like there preparing for a feeding frenzy. I'm starting to doubt bringing the swarm into our vendetta"

Darkshire pondered this for a few moments. "I just fed them the tied-up crew and a bit of armor from the hull, what more could they want?"

Just then Queen Chrysalis walked into the room. "Its called the 'Hive-mind'. All of my children are linked into a mind network allowing them to exchange memories, thoughts, emotions, disguises, and general chit-chat from anywhere. From what I heard a few of them found that 'highest priority target' my lord"

Darkshire's eyes sprang open. "The white pony, purple dragon, and there egg?"

Chrysalis nodded. "Yes. They took the form of a fraternity living near-by and are currently tracking them as we speak. What are there orders my lord?"

"Have a small tracking team keep a closer eye on them for when we march into town. If they are compromised pack up and end the spy operation in Ponyville" The dark alicorn answered. "And another thing, how is our progress in the two cities we have under siege?"

Hemorrhage checked her clipboard. "New Heresy is completely under our control. The local populace is either dead, one of our Dread Knights, or part of the zombie horde we're working on"

Darkshire nodded "Continue"

"But things aren't working out so well in Manehattan. A local resistance group has taken shape and at the rate we're loosing troops they will retake the city by tomorrow"

Darkshire stood up "If you want something done right you have to do it yourself. Plot a course for Manehattan!"

The airship's operators began flipping various switches and knobs. Hemorrhage began barking orders "Manehattan, ETA: 120 hours. Arcane engines to full"

The next day after a long week that seemed to fly-by of training and having there ponyshoes nailed-in it was time to hand out the assignments. Fortunately for Fluttershy the two of the both have a place aboard the griffin airship 'The Dominant Eagle' .

Lining up on the skydoc they were greeted by the ships commander, Captain Gilda of the Griffin Sky Armada. As per griffin customs she wanted to give her new recruits a "friendly welcome"

She cracked her neck then started her speech "Alright listen up. I am no more happy about having to work with losers than you are to deal with me" she said walking down the line. "I will not lie to you, when on my airship you are required to accord yourself with our customs. Weakness will not be tolerated. While on my airship you may find yourself sparing to kill time, eating meat, hell a few of you get hooked on our refined griffin cigars . Now get in that ship or I will personally toss you in the furnace, thats an order!" she finished causing her recruits to literally shove there way into the airship.

In the airship's quarters Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy began to settle in as the ship took off.

"So what do you think of our 'pleasant hosts' and I use that sparingly" Rainbow asked.

Fluttershy blushed "Not that much to be honest, they lack morals"

"How so?" Rainbow dash asked tossing their bags on the top bunk. "I'm on top!" she shouted giggling a bit at her own joke.

"Well since getting on the ship I've been shoved, had smoke blown in my face and I think something was stolen from my bag" The yellow mare went on "And not just that, they have no respect for us. Not to mention the fact they... eat meat".

"Just relax, thats just how they are to normally. Make a few friends and we'll be fine" Rainbow said. "You were right, your bag was looted. Just hang tight I need to talk to the captain about something" Dashie said walking off.

Fluttershy turned around to the griffin behind her. He was dark brown with light brown head-feathers, and was reading a magazine. "Hi... um... what ya reading?"

The griffin turned his head "Firearms and Bullets monthly. Can I help you?"

"No... not really. Do you like animals?" she replied sheepishly.

As Flutteshy stammered through her attempt at social graces Rainbow Dash was already walking down a steel corridor to the command deck. As she did images of the time she spent with Gilda rushed through her mind, nights of empty pleasure and good intentions wasted.

Entering the room Gilda was hard at work. "Hey Rainbow, we just got orders to save some city known as Manehattan. What do you need?"

"I wanted to talk about what happened in flight school" she said looking away from her friend.

"Whats there to talk about, I was an exchange student, we became friends, banged in the locker room, I found out that I had a think for the gals as well as the guys and you didn't" Gilda said while review a bit of tactical intel on the map-table in front of her.

"Thats kind of the thing. Turns out I wasn't into it because I didn't feel anything for you but... there is somepony else now. So I thought I should let you know since your my friend and all" she said more nervous than ever.

Gilda looked to her friend. "So your just into girls now, fine by me. Just don't let that get in the way of your job. By the way a transmission came in for you from Equestrian Command. Let me play it for you" she said gesturing the pony to a small screen.

Rainbow recognized the pony onscreen as Spitfire. "Rainbow Dash, you have been chosen for a trail run with the Wonderbolts based on both your performance during training and a recommendation from Major Cold Hooves. Meet with us when we arrive in Manehattan for your uniform. Good luck"

Upon hearing this Rainbow leaped up in joyous celebration. Finally all of her dreams were coming true "I have to tell Flutterhsy!". Once the joy-crazed mare left the room Princess Celestia appeared on the monitor.

"Captain I would like to know your ETA to Manehattan" order the Princess.

Gilda checked one of the control panels "ETA 90 minutes"

"Good. Then you should arrive before us. The city's residents are still in combat with the invading forces, just fly into the city and I'm sure you will figure out the rest. Track down General Frost for further orders. Celestia out" finished Princess Celestia.

Back in The Devine Interception the Princess was already discussing battle plans with the general.

"So I lead the infantry into the city via the main road then take command of the local resistance. Sounds simple" said General Frost. He was a very well built unicorn, along with his icy blue mane he body was covered with signs that he as seen the true meaning of suffering. Most of his tail was chopped off, his left eye covered by a patch and front right hoof was replaced with an iron prosthetic.

Twilight began to noticed he looked like somepony she knew, once he was finished with his debriefing she walked dup to him and asked "Tell me do you know Cold Hooves by any chance?"

The general stared her down "That fine example of insanity is my son, he is nothing more than a lying cowered to me" just then Dr.Cold walked into the room.

"The unicorns on portal duty are ready for our arrival in Manehattan which should be in 110 hours, The Dominant Eagle has engaged the enemy " he said handing Princess Celestia an official looking piece of paper. upon seeing his father Cold and Frost immediately turn to each other's attention

"Hello there my pathetic excuse son" Frost said crimson eye glaring.

Cold Hooves removed his goggles and returned the favor, "Nice to see you again deadbeat father. I see the time you spent in that POW camp hasn't cause you lose your sense of humor"

Frost grinned at this "And I see the death of that whore you married hasn't effected your attitude. Still sneaking in corners for a living you common hitpony?"

Cold snorted as a response "Are you still the same senile asshole who ruined what little foalhood I had before shipping me off?"

"Both of you stop your meddling!" shouted Celestia. "General prepare the troops for deployment. Major set up a portal in the cargo hold so we can set up a camp"

"Here? were on the outskirts of the city, little far off from the battlefield don't ya think" asked the doctor.

"My orders stand. Get to it!" she retorted.

While in the cargo hold Twilight Sparkle accompanied Cold to help wit the portal.

"On three. One... Two... Three!" the two said in unison then opened a portal large enough to allow anything from infantry to tanks through.

"Alright the base camp is just outside this portal" shouted the good doctor "Once on the ground await further orders". As he said that tanks, ponies carrying munitions, and other military equipment started rushing through.

Once the camp below was fully set-up General Frost began addressing the troops. "At 1200 hours we strike into the city" he said prompting a roar of applause.
The city in question was cold and mostly in ruins, the fact that the city was mostly grey didn't help

Meanwhile within the city Gilda's forces have already began there assault. Griffins armed with rifles made up the bulk of the group. "Medics head to the base camp a miles north! Everyone else stay here and fight" Gilda ordered while blowing the brains out of some poor changeling.

Rainbow Dash on the other hoof was having the time of her life, the thrill of combat was the rush of her life. The city's streets were flooded with corpses of fallen ponies and changelings, a grim sight to behold. "I have to find the WonderBolts" she said to herself
as she kicked the teeth out of a unicorn wearing a cultist's cloak. Her concentration was later broken by the sound of an arcane tank's cannon fire.

"Alright stallions move up!" shouted General Frost leading the charge. Rainbow Dash used this opportunity to slip away to the base camp.

Waving high to her filly-friend working the medical tent Rainbow rushed into the largest tent, and sure enough she found the Wonderbolts. Along with them she saw Cold Hooves in standard spec-ops uniform. An identity concealing black bodysuit, night vision goggles, and gas mask. The only way to tell them apart is the mane, tail, and the wings or horn if (there are any) that isn't covered.

"Alright here is our orders" said Spitfire "My team will work on clearing the skies, since this city is mostly earth ponies the changelings have a natural dominion"

Cold nodded still wearing his hat and surgical goggles along with his uniform. "Meanwhile I will lead a small team to plant explosive charges in an office building which believe to be housing a Forsaken command center and assassinate the lieutenant issuing orders from said building if we get the chance". Cold then noticed the mare standing in the doorway "Changeling spy!" he shouted and tackled Rainbow while pressing a knife to her neck "Who sent you?"

"I'm hear for the Wonderbolts" she shouted almost forcing the words out.

"Stand down Major" Spitfire ordered.

Releasing Rainbow Dash Cold was joined by two other ponies in spec-ops uniform.

"Sergeant Pinkamina and Private Foxtrot of lower spec-ops reporting sir" said Pinkie Pie standing next to another earth pony with a frizzled sea foam green mane.

Helping the cyan pony off the ground Spitfire looked at the good doctor "Its good to have you back in the field Cold, even if your back to your 'old games' again"

Cold nodded "Good to be back. Alright gather up the equipment we'll need and lets move out! Don't forget to grab a sett of the new communicator headsets that we're recently commissioned for the occasion"

With Cold leading his team into the city Rainbow went off with Spitfire to try on her new uniform.

After 20 minutes of running and fighting through cities sewers Pinkie began to voice her complaints "Do we really need to use the sewers? its so gross"

Foxtrot grunted "Check your filters. If they work then you shouldn't smell a thing" he said in a cold, emotionless voice

"She just complaining about the fact where in a sewer. I swear the newer the recruit the less of a personality they have. We should be directly underneath the town hall the cultist are using as a command center. Pinkie breacher-charge"

"Okie dokie" she said starting to rig the charges. "Clear!" she shouted upon detonation.

Entering through the hole the team then found themselves in the basement surrounded by Changelings.

Cold immediately started casting a spell causing his horn to glow. "Looks like we have to fight our way through. Change of plans, we fight to the top and plant the other charges as we go"

"Sounds like a plan" Foxtrot said cracking his neck

Pinkie Pie stood on her hind legs with a knife in each of her front hooves "Lets paint this building red, or green in this case"

2 hours and 300 defenders slain the team finally reached the penthouse's balcony where they saw a unicorn in black armor standing alone

Meanwhile the Wonderbolts had there hooves full in the skies. Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, and the other squad members were on a massive killing spree.

"That make 43" Rainbow said triumphantly.

Spitfire smiled while trying to catch her breath "That was... impressive" out of the conner of her eye she saw Cold and his unit confront Hemorrhage.

Cold stepped forward. "By order of her highness Princess Celestia I am bringing you to justice. Come peacefully and you will not be harmed, refuse and we will engage you in combat"

Hemorrhage laughed and turned to face her adversaries "Your efforts are in vain you know. I know a lot about you Dr.Cold Hooves, the legend spoken only in whispers. Your as much of a disgrace as the rest of us. Soon this city will fall, then another, then another, until all of Equestria is under the rule of Lord Darkshire"

Pinkie gritted her teeth "Whats your plan? Eternal darkness, world of chaos, whats your angle?"

The armored stallion grinned "Celestia has had her oppressive reign for far too long. She was part of the crusade to wipe out thousands of good, decent ponies who all they did was practice shadow magic. Times have changed and a 100,000 year old leader wont cut it anymore, our revolution is about saving this nation from itself"

Foxtrot stomped the ground. "Enough talk, lets finish this!" he said charging in with a roar.

Hemorrhage quickly evaded and tossed Foxtrot back to Cold Hooves's side. "Pathetic"

"Pinkie take Foxtrot and get out of here, I'll handle this creep" Cold ordered and Pinkie followed accordingly. "That just leaves you and me"

Cold immediately opened with a fireball spell, although it had very little effect. Hemorrhage simply smiled realizing the large difference in power between her and her opponent.

The evil unicorn laughed. "If this is what you call a fair fight then allow me to begin" he said firing a bolt of black shadow magic at Cold's left shoulder leaving a large splatter of black tar. "Like it? its one of the spells Lord Darkshire taught us, that sludge will slowly burn though your flesh. Enjoy the agony"

Cold could feel its effects working, there was a burning pain around the tar. Retaliating Cold Hooves launched another fireball at Hemorrhage causing his target to be knocked back a bit but quickly recovered. "Damn... this toxin is eating away at my magic as well. Time to resort to melee " Dr.Cold thought to himself.

Charging in Cold managed to sucker-punch Hemorrhage but was quickly grappled and slammed into the floor. "Your struggling, thats hilarious" Hemorrhage taunted.

Cold tried to stand up but the toxic sludge had melted its way to his nerves causing the doctor to kneel down in agony only to be bucked in the chest by his opponent causing Cold to gasp for air. Pressing a hoof to his headset Cold Struggled to say "Spitfire... Help"

"I'm sending Rainbow to help. Just hang on" Cold heard on the other end of line.
Struggling to move Cold Hooves dragged himself to the railing. "This isn't over fiend" Cold said jumping over the railing and was then caught in free fall a few seconds later by Rainbow Dash.

"You ok Doc?" Spitfire asked flying next to the two.

Dr.Cold was blacking out. "Pain... So much pain... vision fading... I-I'm coming Annabelle" he said before going limp.

Rushing back to the base camp a Changeling came out of nowhere and tore off Rainbow's right wing. Letting out a cry of agony Rainbow began to plummet, and unfortunately due to the combined weight Spitfire was only able to slow there decent.

Dragging the two to the medical tent Spitfire gently put the two down on different stretchers. "Rainbow's lost her wing and Cold is at death's door".

Seeing this horrific sight the medical staff rushed to save them both. Although Cold Hooves was losing blood and it would take time to brew a cure for the magic affliction, special attention was paid to Rainbow Dash due to the concerns of her being rendered flightless. Working quickly the medical staff managed to have both in stable condition and sedated.