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death!death!death!death!death!death!death!death!death!death!

part threepart threepart threepart threepart threepart threepart threepart threepart threepart three

my dear doctor

midnight....

i'm afraid the prognosis is

we'll see about that fruitcake.

the waiting room smells of raw chicken and rotted newsprint.

week old sweat and human decay covered over by industrial strength bleach and baking soda.

this is the house of the dead and dying.

and though i despise the thought of it....

i am one of their number.

my name is doc midnight. i fight crime.

but right now, i'm fighting for my life.

okay ladies and gentlemen, our next

contestant is....

a mister lazarus

boilermaker.

mr. boilermaker?

i'm here.

i flow with the bureaucracy, consenting to the paperwork, the waiting, the constant trekking from floor to floor.

an hour and forty-five minutes later, after realizing that my condition is beyond his ability to assess, he refers me to the specialist.

these things are but formalities; i accept them.

because i know in the end they will lead me to the man i have come to see.

they do not know it, but i have come here for a very specific purpose.

i already know what ails me.

after another twenty minutes i finally see the attending physician, who assigns a series of tests for further evaluation.

waitaminute this can't be accura-

okay so let's see then, that leaves us

with mister....

boilermaker?

midnight?

he knew the company would find him someday.

sweat droplets start to form on his forehead and his hand nervously taps at one of the pockets of his jacket.

no doubt he has a weapon there, and fears using it.

but i am not here for violence this day.

fear not old enemy mine, i

come in peace.

hello, jeff. it's been a long time.

this is- you shouldn't be here- it's not-how did you know that i

was-

i wish i could believe that.

i have need of you.

you see...

i'm dying.

multiple clusters on your upper and lower vertebrae.

total domination of the transcranial

artery.

it's already spread

through your organs and to

the....

you know... there was a time not long ago when i would rejoice at the news of your

impending death.

by my count i tried to kill you myself what- at least a

dozen times?

how long?

but that- that was

long ago....

another life.

how long?

i used to think that if i could

control the world i could

fix it.

i could make things the way they ought to

be.

of course- my idea about the way things ought to be was just

as flawed as everyone else's.

and look at you now-

a humanitarian.

a savior.

but frankly, professor

penitence, i'd prefer it if we skip all the convuluted history and

come straight to the point.

how long do i have?

and that only if you allow me to admit you to the hospital... if we start chemo...

sixth months, maybe. at best.

medically speaking lazarus, it's a miracle you're walking around today.

credit to your namesake i suppose.

ha. i hadn't thought of

that in a long time.

"the rogue collective."

that was the night the huntsman killed

jack-of-nines-

and you brought him back from the dead.

at commander killgarie's cavern- that had to be what- '91 or '92?

do you remember that battle we had-

it was our company

versus your- what did you guys call yourselves

then?

why else would i

have come to you?

and what a hero i would be- if i saved the great doc midnight

from the hands of bitter death...

hmmmph.

well, i can tell you- my answer to

that is quite

simple.

the ultimate redemption for all my heinous acts....

so that's it then.

guess it was worth the shot,

huh? i understand of

course-

why would you help me after

everything that has gone on between us?

oh i get it now- that's your game

then isn't it?

you want me to use my powers

what- to heal you?

no.

oh and professor- just one

more thing-

yes, and do enjoy

your death.

i hope it is bitter

and painful for you.

thank you for your

time professor...

.

watch your back.

hello? trevor?

it's jeffrey.

you'll never believe who

just dropped in to see me.

we'll see who's is first to pay the piper.

"watch my back." you snivering

fool.

i am dying.

i know not why. there is no cure.

the doctor says my days are numbered.

sixth months at best- and that if i waste away in some hospital bed,

the worst news a superhero could ever hear:

-that he is dying of something he cannot punch.

but although my time is short....

i am not dead yet.

there is still work for me to do in this world.

least of all to complete my apprentice's training.

but for tonight....

what i really need....

...is to blow off some steam.

not yet.

ahh...perfect.

come on- look at

yourself-

we got you surrounded....

you want to pass? submit your

tribute.

now- what is this i see before me?

a raggedy man trying to trimp tramp across my

bridge?

out a little late aren't you

boys and girls?

and on a school night-

tsk- for shame.

who are you man? my guidance

counselor? wise guy huh?

you want to

play games oldy?

i'm passing through.

make way.

heheheheheheheh

oh i don't think you

know where you are man-

cops don't come around here man....

like you ought to be.

they're too

afraid.

you've stepped

into mine.

i tell ya kid...

i'm quaking in my boots.

mmmm.

thing is- you're seeing

this thing backwards.

you think i stepped

into your trap.

but the truth is....

unskilled, untrained....

you children are pathetic-

...a pretty costume doth

not a supervillain

make.

you slippery mother-

i think it's time for you to learn.....

somebody shoot this

guy-

you think that you're some kind of gang. you are

clowns.

this is a circus.

here is your first

lesson:

when the numbers are in your favor-

you must attack as one man.

you don't

scatter like

flies.

your leader is the head-

one man is a

fist-

another the

foot-

you work together to

defeat your enemy.

chop off the head...

when you are outnumbered the game is

much simpler.

...and the body will quickly

fall behind....

you fools clearly need guidance.

i will tutor you in the

ways of pain.

whoooooshwhoooooshwhoooooshwhoooooshwhoooooshwhoooooshwhoooooshwhoooooshwhoooooshwhooooosh

run!!!

run to the hills! run for

your life!!!

heft your mighty hammer fool-

strike me down- if you can-

ahhh...tis a shame you've

missed....

i'll not make the

same mistake- this is a

guarantee.

fall down.

you all fall

down.

ashes to ashes....

now fall down,

hear me!hear me!hear me!hear me!hear me!hear me!hear me!hear me!hear me!hear me!

i ami ami ami ami ami ami ami ami ami amnotnotnotnotnotnotnotnotnotnot

deaddeaddeaddeaddeaddeaddeaddeaddeaddeadyet!!!yet!!!yet!!!yet!!!yet!!!yet!!!yet!!!yet!!!yet!!!yet!!!

let he who remains listen well and

fear these words- whilst this heart

continues to beat; whilst the light

remains....

here i stand- i can do no

other-

whilst there is steel in these

fists

i will not surrender- i

will not retire-