Tales of Disease.

Alright so straight to the point, this story shall be about my newly created character known only as Plague Doctor and as you can quite well imagine he is....well a Plague Doctor. This story shall follow him, dealing with some medical professionals who at first envy him yet soon grow to hate...so lets begin!

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Chapter 1: Disease, everywhere disease

In a small town nearby of the city of Colorado, the sun was shining bright and everyone moved along with their day. Cars and people passed by one another, kids were getting out of school and everything seemed to be going well...or well not everyone was having a pleasureful day as in a house someone was deathly sick.

A loud cough along with a moan of pain was heard from a bedroom, as a bedridden and sick woman lay. She was in her 40s, and removing the horrid boils, the puss leaking from a few popped ones and the sickly eyes, she was a rather good looking woman....however not now of course. Across the room at the doorway stood a young boy, looking to his mother saddened as he couldn't go near to hug or talk to her, he could only watch from a distance as his mother lay in bed hacking and at any moment die. Suddenly the front door came bursting open and a man came running through heading right towards the room, panting almost out of breath before he pointed to where the sick woman lay.

"She.....she's in there...please you have to help her!"the man who could only be the husband said.

A tall dark figure silently moved into the house, wielding a cane, dressed in dark robes with dark gloves and a wide brimmed dark hat, though the most distinguishing part of the man was the beak like mask that he wore, he also carried a belt which contained bottles of various things and so forth. The young boy looked and watched as the being moved into the bedroom, he was rather frightened at his appearance and as he approached his mom he wanted to go and stop him, but at the same time he knew that possibly that he would be his moms only hope of survival.

He was only known as the Plague Doctor and those that contacted him, usually the victim was in such bad shape that not even other doctors could do anything about it. Of course contacting him was the hard part, as the Plague Doctor only came out at random times to find various cases of disease and work on them, though he also did at times wander about to see if there were sick people that needed treatment. As he approached the sickly woman, the Plague Doctor rose his cane and ran it slowly across the woman's body, lightly poking the boils on the woman causing her to moan with a bit of pain.

"Can you treat her or not?!"the father asked a little rudely wondering what was taking him so long.

There was a silence for the moment as the Plague Doctor lowered his cane from the woman, and then turned to the father and boy.

"I suggest you not rush me while I am doing my work, or I won't cure her"Plague replied getting a rather mean but passive look from the father.

The Doctor then turned his attention back to the woman, he then zoomed in on the body using his modified mask to get a closer examination of the boils and the sickly eyes. He then reached into his belt and pulled out a green and red herb, along with a bottle of yellowish liquid before adding a few drops of the liquid to the herb. The Doctor then gingerly placed the soaked herb into the woman's mouth as she swallowed it, seconds later the woman was in a deep sleep passed out from the herb, it was at that point the Doctor then approached the father and the boy, and giving the father a purple flower and another herb only this was bright yellow.

"Place the flower by her side, with a candle lit, when the wax is gone from the candle give her the yellow herb and she will be fine within a couple of days"Plague explained giving him the items.

"So my mom is gonna be ok?"the boy asked, looking up to the Doctor a little less frightened of him now.

"Yes she will be, just as long as you remember what to do.."Plague replied as he looked to the dad getting a nod.

"Thanks Doctor, I appreciate the help"he said, before leaving to gather a candle.

The Plague Doctor then left the house, though not even a mile away from the house he was confronted by a brown hair and blue eyed man who approached him.

"Greetings Doctor...my name is Doctor Miles Dorne, Disease specialist"Dorne said introducing himself.

"What do I owe this meeting?.......Doctor Dorne..."Plague saying the last bit in a rather low tone.

"Straight to the point eh? Well...you see my colleagues and I have been hearing about you, and well lets just say were impressed at what you are able to do...especially given the fact that you don't require any advanced medical technology to do so.....we were wondering if you'd be willing to share your research with us"Miles explained as he eyed the Doctor looking at him closely, and it was silence for a few moments before he responded.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that..."Plague replied simply as he then began to walk passed the puzzled doctor.

"But why not?! Your research could really help us out, why can't you do it?!"Miles asked in a sort of angry tone, it was at that moment the Doctor stopped before he turned around to face Miles.

"Why you may ask?.....I have spent centuries upon centuries studying all known diseases, I have bookshelves full of my research, why I won't do it is quite simple...I will not have my research, that I have worked on for so long to be copied by a bunch of amateurs who wouldn't be able to comprehend it"Plague replied.

"What?! Amateurs?!"Miles said taken aback by what he and his colleagues were called.

"Yes...amateurs...good day Doctor Dorne"Plague stated simply.

No more words were said as the Plague Doctor left a dumb looked Doctor Dorne who was left to ponder on what had just happened. He gripped his fists and then pointed to Plague who was walking away shouting angrily at him.

"YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A PLAGUE DOCTOR! YOU'RE THE AMATEUR, YOU'RE NOT EVEN A REAL DOCTOR!"Miles shouted at the top of his lungs.

Plague just ignored the fuming doctor, though Miles still couldn't overlook the fact that he was wrong at what he just said...Plague had been curing a lot of people lately, curing those that not even the doctors of today could do even with their advanced medical technology and techniques. Grumbling, Miles walked in the opposite direction heading towards his car before driving off down the road, it wasn't long before he reached a hospital and heading inside to where all his colleagues were hoping to see the Plague Doctor with him.

"What do you mean he didn't wanna come?"the doctor known as Jack asked.

"He actually called us amateurs?"another doctor known as Sarah asked.

Doctor Miles nodded at the two questions before taking a seat in a chair and sighing heavily, as he rubbed his head.

"Sounds like he is full of shit to me, he doesn't know what we can do..."the final doctor known as Frank said, a little smugly.

"Perhaps I could talk to him? Maybe not be so direct, couldn't hurt to become friends with him right?"Sarah asked looking at the other 3.

Thinking it over that probably wouldn't be a bad idea, if they could gain his trust maybe...just maybe he would share what he knew, on that note Jack nodded a looked at Sarah.

"Alright that sounds like a plan to me, though hopefully you could get him when he is out and about, perhaps the next time we get a call about a sick person he'll come running and that is when you can talk"Jack explained getting a nod from Sarah.

Though the doctors had a plan, the Plague Doctor was not one for sharing to anyone and they would soon find out the hard way, for when the Plague Doctor is pushed too far, bad things tend to happen to those who go snooping around.

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Well there is Chapter 1 folks, I will try to update when I can. At any rate, read and review!

Well folks here be Chapter 2, things get a little intense from here and onward...

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Chapter 2: When push comes to shove...

It took some time but finally the Plague Doctor was out and about, soon running into a woman who had tears falling from her eyes and she was babbling nonsense but the Doctor knew that it was something serious so he followed her. In the distance behind a building, Sarah looked on viewing the Doctor with rather....interest, perhaps it was his outfit or the history behind him, she had studied the Plague Doctors but actually seeing one in real life almost made her feel giddy. Of course she shook that off and followed the 2 quietly, heading into a house as she sneaked her way in, the woman not having bothered to close the door due to her hysteria and when they came to the problem, Sarah was rather shocked. A boy laid in his bed, bleeding from his arms rather slowly, bandages were shown on the floor as the mother had tried to keep the blood from flowing out of her son but to no avail, the boys eye color had also turned from their once pretty blue eyes to a dark red as he coughed up some blood.

"Why did you follow me?"Plague asked Sarah.

The doctor's eyes widened some as she was hidden behind a wall, how did he know that she followed him? Sighing Sarah stepped out and faced the Doctor, the mother to distraught to even care that someone had come into the house uninvited, all she wanted was her son to be better.

"Plague my name is Doctor Sarah Waltz and-"Sarah was cut off.

"Let me guess, you're a colleague of Miles Dorne right?"Plague asked as he began examining the boy with his cane.

"That's right....I figured that perhaps we could get to know one another"Sarah said.

The Plague Doctor made no response as he looked over the boy, his mask then zoomed in on the blood coming from the boy, it seemed the disease was causing the blood to flow freely. Plague then used his blood control powers and stopped the blood from flowing out, yet he still kept the boy's blood flowing in to keep him alive, he then reached into his belt and pulled out a leech in a bottle. Unlike the leeches that were used during the Bubonic Plague that the Doctors...including himself used that didn't work, this one was specially made by Plague to work, its use was to suck the disease and not the blood from the body should the disease be literally inside the blood itself. Sarah was both amazed and rather jealous of the Plague Doctor, watching him as he put the leech on the boys arm as it began to work, amazed at how he treated others and yet jealous that her and her fellow doctors had to used technology to cure people while he....while he used simple things to do so.

She then watched as Plague made his way over to the distraught mother, giving her a vial of red liquid curious as to what would happen.

"Boil some water into a cup and then add this to it, when the boys eyes return to their natural color remove the leech and give it to him, understand?"Plague asked the mother who was still crying some, though trying to keep herself together to give a nod and taking the vial.

The Plague Doctor then left the house quietly with Sarah in tow, as she ran up beside him to chat much to the dismay of the Doctor.

"Are you sure that will work?"Sarah asked.

"Of course, I have researched and tested everything in relation to disease to make sure"Plague replied.

"So...I was thinking perhaps we could chat and get to know one another, would that be ok?"Sarah asked him, as Plague stopped and looked at her.

"I know what you're trying to do Doctor Waltz, and while your manners are better then Doctor Dorne...I am NOT going to give up my research to you people, now good day"Plague responded leaving quickly so Sarah wouldn't be able to get in another word.

Sarah was rather frustrated, just as Miles was as this one just wouldn't budge and let them in. What exactly was the harm in letting them copy and look over his research? She didn't seem to find anything wrong with the idea, just because he spent centuries upon his work suddenly means that they weren't aloud to view it? Storming off Sarah went back to the hospital and upon getting back, the other doctors at this point were getting frustrated with Plague and the fact they wouldn't give them a chance.

"What a selfish ass..."Frank grumbled crossing his arms.

"So now what do we do?"Jack asked.

The doctors all sighed in unison, and it was all silent for the moment up until Frank got an idea. It was rather shady...and would be rather violent but it was the only way that they would be able to get the Plague Doctor's research for themselves.

"I have....a friend that could help with this problem, he could get us what we want.."Frank said.

"Now Frank...there isn't any need for violence..."Jack told him, realizing where the other was going.

"You have a better idea?!"Frank asked in a frustrated tone, being done playing nice with Plague.

No response came from the others, Frank got up to go make a phone call. Though this next plan was going to be more extreme, it was the only thing that would work....or at least that is what Frank and the other doctors thought. What they didn't know was who they were dealing with, and that was going to cost them much more than what they were bargaining for.

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Alright folks, there is Chapter 2 so hope y'all enjoy, there is gonna be 4 chapters to this. Short I know...but a surprise guest will be showing up in the final chapter so stay tuned! Read and review!

Edit: I kinda do need a post from another person, so I can put up the next chapter cause it won't let me now lol. So please someone leave a comment, anything really.

First off, so happy you began writing your story with this amazing character! Plus, you could post a new chapter by beginning a new thread? Up to you -- if you'd rather keep it all in here, no worries -- just send me a quick pm (the best thing would be at @lykopis me so that I can read your new chapter, plus comment to enable you to post more).

As for your writing, I am enjoying the atmosphere you have set up. Arrogant doctors - that most have a dim view of natural medicine is true and you've got that across very well.

Keep it coming! :)

@lykopis: Much appreciated, and ya I like to keep my stories all in one place. I know the @ thing would do but wasn't sure if it still did, when editing. Anyway folks, for those reading here is the next chapter.

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Chapter 3: A taste...

The place was rather big, filled with all sorts of various things from shelves which contained tons of books all hand written, tables which contained various ingredients in regards to treatment of disease ranging from herbs, to specialized leeches among other things. There also being a table with bottles containing liquids of all colors, from red to blue, green, yellow, purple, and so forth while also several other tables and shelves were containing vials which held disease, these table and shelves being in a separate room to make sure accidents wouldn't happen, this room contained every disease known to man and also including some alien ones and new ones that the world never seen before. This place was known as the Plague Doctors disease lab, where he conducted experiments with disease, learning about them, treating them, making new ones and studying those, it was all Plague really cared about for the most part....well that and curing sick people provided that they weren't selfish or rude.

Plague sat at a desk, writing in a thick book with a Quill and ink...he was very old fashioned but of course that wasn't entirely surprising given where and when he had come from.

"Date October 24, log entry 101,

The Xerun virus seems to be responding well to the various tests given on the animals, the stages are rapid and death can occur at a moments notice, treatment for the virus is working as expected now, the animals are cured and run around within a few days."

The Doctor then closed the book, and put down the quill before getting up from the chair he was sitting in. He had just finished making another disease and it all seemed to be going well, he then looked around the lab for abit before heading out back into the world. As Plague wandered around, he soon arrived in a dark city, police sirens all abound no doubt chasing criminals, but Plague wasn't really concerned with that, he only fought when he was threatened, the world was threatened or had no choice, as he walked along though behind him 3 shadows followed him causing the Doctor to stop.

"Might I help you gentlemen?"Plague asked as he turned around.

Out from the shadows 3 large men stepped forward, they were dressed in business like suits which seemed rather odd given the place they were all in...but then again Plague didn't exactly blend in either anymore. He saw the three pull out weapons, 1 of which was a chain, another a baseball bat and another being a switchblade knife.

"You can help by giving us what you have doc!"the middle on said taking a step forward with his chain.

Though Plague had been approached by those who wanted to rob him, these guys seemed different...mostly because of how they were dressed, why would they care about what he has?

"Tell me...are you working for someone?"Plague asked.

"Were not telling, now hand over your stuff!"the guy barked again getting rather tired of this freak.

Plague didn't need an answer at this point, he put it all together, he wasn't stupid in knowing who sent these 3 after him.

"No..."Plague stated simply.

The 3 men then blinked and before any of them knew it, the doctor had already slashed one of the guys throats who gasped and grabbed a hold of his neck as he fell over. Another was then smacked and shoved to the ground with the cane, the one with the switchblade finally came to his senses and moved to take a stab at the doctor, but he blocked it with his cane's razor blades twisting his hand causing the man to drop the blade before being kicked, and then slashed across the chest with his blades. The man who had been knocked down came up behind Plague with the chain, swinging it at him, however Plague ducked without turning around and in a very fluid manner swung around and smacked the man hard with his cane right in his temple dropping him with one blow.

"Poor fools..."Plague thought as he walked away.

However ontop of a roof a being was watching the Plague Doctor carefully, a storm behind him brewing as lighting ripped through the sky before rain began to fall.

Back at the Colorado town hospital, the doctors were just getting back from their lunch laughing about a joke that Jack had said. Though as they went to the back in the meeting room, everything seemed to be in place, it was empty...of course as they closed and locked the door the chair at the front turned around causing the doctors to look on in surprise.

"What..."was all Miles could utter out.

"Good day.....Doctors..."Plague stated as he looked at the 4 of them.

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Mmmk, well there is Chapter 3 the next shall be the last! What shall happen to the 4 doctors? Find out later!

Oh wow. Plague doesn't fool around.

Nice chapter illustrating how powerful he is and also some insight as to what drives him. He's clearly someone who works on his own. Nice insertion of the stranger watching what transpired with those hired goons, you have my curiosity peaked plus I really enjoyed how you have him going straight to the doctors.

Thanks for remembering to called me out. :)

@lykopis: Yep, yep! Also looking to see what anyone else's thoughts are on this story, the character and so forth, got some views but no feedback!

But anyway here be the final chapter, where you find out what happens to the doctors and also your gonna find out who the surprise guest is!

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Chapter 4: What is he?

The 4 doctors stood staring at Plague, unable to make a word and the silence felt eerie and nerve wracking. The plan hadn't worked as the doctors had hoped, this caused Miles to grip his hands into fists and turn to Frank looking rather pissed.

"You told me that your friend could get what we need!"Miles said rather angry with him.

"They could Miles, don't jump at me! They did work for me before!"Frank spat back, the group then heard the tapping of a cane and they all looked to Plague.

"He is quite right Doctor Miles, no need to be angry with him just because your plan didn't work.....but I am afraid in doing so you sealed your fate.."Plague stated.

"What are you talking about?"Miles asked.

"Your deaths of course..."Plague replied simply causing Miles to laugh though the other doctors looked worried.

"Yeah right...and just how do you plan on doing that before we call the cops on you?"Miles asked a little smug as he crossed his arms.

"Tell me doctors....when you walked into the room, did you feel the air becoming thin making it hard to breath?"Plague asked.

The 4 doctors looked at one another and then back, Miles rubbed his throat and coughed some his eyes widening as Plague was right, it was getting harder and harder to breath. The other doctors began feeling the effects, and Miles glared angrily at Plague taking a step forward.

"What.....what did...you do?"Miles asked finding it hard to breath correctly.

"I killed you...the moment you walked in, you were already dead..you see I put a disease within this room, airborne and it has been circulating around moving into your bodies and slowly killing you, there are 4 stages to this disease"Plague started to explain to them as he then held up 1 finger.

"The 1st stage, the disease attacks your lungs making it hard for you to breath"Plague said.

The 4 doctors then dropped to the floor suddenly, unable to move any of their body parts feeling as if their bones had become jelly, they could only scream in agony as the disease worked through their bodies, Plague then held up a 2nd finger.

"Stage 2, the disease then shuts down all bodily function immobilizing you completely"Plague continued on.

Soon the group couldn't see anything, becoming blind as the color in their eye infact their entire eye just became black...nothingness....darkness, they were also unable to hear as if their eardrums had been taken away.

"Stage 3, the disease then blinds and deafens you..."Plague said beginning to finish.

It was just a few seconds before finally all the doctors laid still, unmoving and silent.

"Stage 4, the disease then attacks the heart and it is eaten away causing death..."Plague stated finishing.

Plague then got up from the chair he was sitting in and began making his way out, he looked over the group of doctors seeing Sarah....she had her arms reached out and tears stained her face as if she been begging for Plague to save her. The doctor then reached out with a gloved hand stroking the blond hair before closing her eyes.

"I am sorry Sarah, for you..."Plague thought as he then left.

Time passed and soon Plague arrived back in his lab, though upon entering he noticed that the thick book he had been writing in was gone. He stared at the empty spot where the book had been, he wasn't angry just rather amused before he spoke.

"Might I have the book back, when your done trying to figure it out?"Plague asked as he then turned around.

The figure that had been following him finally came into the light wearing a breathing mask to have immunity to disease, dressed darkly, having a strong build, a cowl with a cape and holding the book in a gloved hand before he then handed the book back to the doctor.

"What are you doing here.....Batman?"Plague asked as he then set the book down on the table.

"I saw what you did to those 3 men in Gotham, you then went back to kill those doctors right?"he asked.

It was silent for a few moments as no words were spoken from the Plague Doctor.

"You really are the world's greatest detective, I admire your dedication to it.....tell me...were you able to figure anything out in my research?"Plague asked as the two stared at one another.

"No...."Batman said flatly.

"As expected, you see while you maybe the world's greatest detective Batman, I am the world's greatest disease doctor...I have amassed a wealth of knowledge pertaining to it over the centuries"Plague explained.

"You still haven't answered my question Plague"Batman reminded him.

"Oh didn't I? Quite simply, I will not have my research be copied"Plague stated simply.

"Sounds selfish of you"Batman said.

"Is it? While some may see it as such, there is more to it.....these doctors are not going to be able to comprehend what I have gathered...it is pointless to try and give it to them, they may think they know everything about disease.....in reality, they have no idea, if I let those doctors live they would have continued after my research...they forced my hand"Plague explained.

It was at this moment Batman gave a weary glare towards Plague unsure of what to do.

"Just what are you Plague?"Batman asked, there being another small silence from the doctor.

"If you are asking Batman if I am a Hero or a Villain, the answer would be neither...all I care about is my research and treating those sick with disease, I do not see others as a Hero or a Villain I see them as a person and those who need my help can seek me out should they have to, I only fight when I feel threatened or the world would be at stake, nothing more and nothing less"Plague explained.

"I'll take that for now Plague, but if I see anything otherwise I won't hesitate to take you down"Batman stated.

Without a word Batman then left leaving the Plague Doctor alone to his work once more.

"Should know Batman that no matter what you try, nothing would protect you from my disease..."Plague thought to himself.

Plague then opened up the thick book he had been writing in, dipping the quill in some ink and began to write once more, jotting down the notes for various diseases and so forth.

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Well there is the final Chapter! Hope everyone has enjoyed reading it, read and review and tell me if you like it. I may do other stories involving him fighting against heroes/villains...either DC or Marvel, but that is just a maybe we shall see. Anyway enjoy!

I did NOT see that coming, lol! Awesome reveal -- a nice addition to the whole mythos of Plague. Poor Sarah. Tells you something about how committed Plague is to his craft, though. Very eerie and cold.

I really enjoyed your story. I wish more people would take the time to review it (since you know they are reading it). For me, the best thing you can do is to continue writing more fiction with your character - it's the best thing.

Congratulations on completing your first story with The Plague Doctor. :)

theres one spacing error

@lykopis: Quite and I think I shall, just need to get more ideas going.

@drunkvader: Lol thanks.