Frostfire

[Miranda Frost]

Blue had once heard of the hospital built in the middle of what must seemed like the most inhospitable location he had ever seen, even more so than Orange's base of operations. He hadn't heard much. The world of medical marvel was not very appealing to the ex-ship captain, who enjoyed a simple life of metaphorical star-gazing and strategy. Being just on the edge of Bowser's territory yet so close to many important mining facilities, Blue and "Bessy" had expected it to be swarming with the the red and green colors of koopa shells.

They assumed wrong.

Instead it felt like he had visited a funeral on a colony whose population were Japanese descending. The majority of the staff he had seen so far wore black kimonos common in funeral processions.. at least what he was told by his old Lieutenant who looked Japanese. The two door guards that had relieved him of his weapons brandished very authentic looking katanas. The Omni-verse was such a strange place.

Once through the door, Blue took in his surroundings. It appeared like the hospital back home, full of healthy people making the actual suffering wait. It was a sad thing but what can one do?

Blue walked up to the reception desk rested an arm across it.

"Hello I'm Mayor Blue and I'm here to see Doctor Greene", Blue said, his eyes drifting over towards the various sets of civilian eyes trailing him. Murmers passed along the room like a hot grenade.

Blue caught the word Prime amongst their chatter.

pfft, dont kid yourself. Just as mortal as any of you.

The reseptionist didn't even speak, didn't even glance upwards before giving Blue a clipboard. Blue took it and tilted his head in confusion.

"Ugh.. He's expecting me, can i not just go through"

"No you may not."

"But-"

"So are they, get in line.. fill out the damn form. NEXT"

A pair of well to be women passed Blue to the back rooms, giggling as they passed.

"All of these people are here to see one doctor?".

"Of course.... he's the only doctor here.. now be a good Human and fill out that form"

Blue grumbled and moved off to his seat, slipping the pen from the top of the clipboard. He shook his head and sighed in frustration. How can ONE doctor treat all of the patients that filled this three story building? Sure he must had helpers but to physically see to every patient must take time unless he was some miracle worker.

His eyes glanced down his paper and furrowed his brow. The form was short, asking only for name, race, age, and a box to describe the reason for visiting. This would be a great time for Red to get checked out. There was practically nothing left of the knee he had blown out. The quicker he could get him checked out, the quicker he could get him out of Bessey's clutches. Hell, he could be dragon food for all he knew. Bessy didn't really like Red. Well.. the big girl didn't really like anyone but Blue. Really bitter to everyone, even Blue at times.

Once finished with the short form he took it up the the front desk who read his form aloud to.. what looked like a black Butterfly, which flew through a square hole in the door. huh.. probably served as a mode of communication. Blue would love to see the backwards world these guys came from.

An Hour later....

"NEXT!"

Blue woke from his sleep with a startling jump to the receptionist glaring angrily at him.

"I...said... NEXT!"

Blue scrambled to his feet and ran through the door to what seemed like a nurse clad in a black kimono with a red cross strapped to her shoulder. She seemed a little more cheery than the woman up front. She grinned at him and brushed her light pink hair from her eyes.

"Please come with me sir"

"Yes ma'am", Blue found himself saying, stepping right after her as she led him through various doors and rooms to the one he was supposedly staying in... to see a tall man clad in the same black kimono but with an oversized white haori on with a bright red cross on it. He turned and motioned to the seat next to him. Blue took a seat. Only then did he see Red, still blindfolded and bound on the medical bed.

"I assumed you bound him on purpose, I wont ask why" The doctor glanced over at Blue and Green before looking back down at his clipboard, quickly writing notes. "My name is Doctor Verde Greene, and you are... Blue and... Red. Colorful names", the Doctor spoke, slipping the clipboard beneath an arm. "I did get your benefactor's message. I would have thought my lack of answer would be more than enough to state my interest in your.... doings".

"Yes, I was sent here to get a more solid answer Doctor." and not leave until that answer is yes.

"He failed to state how this benifits me. I'm a doctor. I run a Hospital. Time not spent here is money not earned to pay King Bowser's tax. If I cannot pay, this building will be brought down."

"This arrangement is only to gaurantee a quick line to you should one of us get hurt, no lines, quick treatment. You can expect to be paid double the price of normal visits"

"I see..." the good doctor stopped pacing and stroked his imaginary beard. Now that Blue had a chance to look, the man looked sickly himself. Intel had said he was around his twenties.. maybe thirties but this man looked about fifty. His narrow cheekbones and skinny frame was evident of that. His unearthly green eyes met Blue's curious stare. The man smiled and turned to face him, crossing his arms.

"I accept your Benefactor's proposition on one condition: My Hospital comes before his organization. Breaching this will force me to.. hinder your organization's progress in my spare time. You do not want this."

Blue nodded and glanced over at Red, who was still unconcious thanks to whatever the good doctor was pumping into him via an i.v.

"Your... 'Friend' will stare here a couple of days while I treat him. Here is Orange's bill...", Doctor Greene tore the sheet of paper from his clip-board and placed it into Blue's hands before pushing him out, slamming the door behind him.

Blue blinked a bit and turned to face the door. What the hell just happen? How the hell did he get Red from Bessy that quickly. How the hell did he diagnose the man that quickly? For all Blue knew the gaping hole that was Red's knee could have opened the door for infection or some other illness. And it would only take a few days to get this.. man up and running? The guy really was a miracle worker.