Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 20:47:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Author James Subject: Return of a Real Dark Knight 14 Disclaimer: This story is fiction. There are two celebrities who will appear from time-to-time. The other characters are fictitious. Any similarities to persons living or dead are completely coincidental. In this story, I have continued the adventures of Batman, my Batman, which his story first began in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight" in the Boy Band section of this archive. It spanned 250 chapters. You will find many universes merging, as the below copyrights reveal. I hope you all enjoy this. Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox. Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston. Copyright DC Comics. X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox. The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered. I appreciate any feedback that you may want to give. I do hope that you enjoy it!!! Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on. Thanks. authorjames2002@yahoo.com I also have several online messenger services. If you want to chat with me in real time, email me and tell me the services you use and I will tell you my screen name. Chapter 14 Purpose "Call Jayce. I'm sure he would be able to answer any questions you have about Oracle." "I just might do that." A few hours later, Clark came to my office and said he had read everything Oracle had on his origins. He appeared amazed and new life seemed to have been breathed into him. "Remember you said that knowing where we are going is just as important as knowing where we've been?" I nodded affirmatively. "I know what I want to do. I want to be like you and help people." "Really?" At first I thought it was a passing whim. Teenagers have been known to be enthusiastic about something and then change their mind later. Adults have been known to do that, too, so I'm not discriminating against young people. "Oracle helped me unlock some of the devices. They are personal messages from my parents. Come downstairs. I want you to hear them." I stood and followed him out and down to the cave. He looked at me and picked up one of the devices. "Oracle was able to play the information for me." He moved over and placed the device on the scanner. "Oracle, would you play this, please?" Oracle began to work and, before our eyes, the projector emitted a holographic image of someone who could only be Clark's biological father. The image spoke. "My son. You do not remember me. I am Jor-El. I am your father. By now, you will have reached your 16th year, as it is measured on Earth. By that reckoning, I will have been dead for many thousands of your years. The knowledge that I have, matters physical and historic, I have given you fully on your voyage to your new home. These are important matters, to be sure, but still matters of mere fact. There are questions to be asked, and it is time for you to do so." "Who am I?" Clark asked. "Your name is Kal-El. You are the only survivor of the planet Krypton. Even though you have been raised as a human being, you are not one of them. You have great powers, only some of which you have as yet discovered. Your powers will far exceed those of mortal man...It is forbidden for you to interfere with human history. Rather, let your leadership stir others to action." The holographic image changed to show a planet and a red sun near it. Jor-El's voice continued. "As we pass through the flaming turmoil which is the edge of your own galaxy, we will enter the realm of the red Krypton sun, source of your strength and nourishment and cause of our eventual destruction. The planet Krypton, my son, your home, as it was. "The total accumulation of all knowledge spanning the 28 known galaxies is embedded in the crystals which I have sent along with you. Study them well, my son, and learn from them. "The source of your powers on earth is the yellow sun which the planet orbits. It feeds you your strength and powers. For this reason, among others, I have chosen Earth for you...It is now time for you to rejoin your new world and serve its collective humanity. Live as one of them, Kal-El. Discover where your strength and your power are needed. But always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El. They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all others, I have sent them you, my son." The image blinked out and Clark turned to me. The look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. He was ready to learn of his powers, to learn of his heritage, to learn of humanity in all its fullness and diversity. He received the answers to the questions he had when he found out he wasn't of this world. And through his biological father, his purpose in life was made clear. "Where are the crystals Jor-El spoke of?" I asked. Clark picked up the device and flipped a hidden switch. A hatch opened and the crystals' compartment was revealed. "Does the device access the information on the crystals?" "I think so." I nodded. "Good. You can study at your leisure, then, and you won't be confined here to the cave." "But I like it down here. It's the only other place I feel completely comfortable and accepted. The first being with Ma and Pa." "It's good to have a place of solace, Clark. We all need one. But your father, Jor-El, wants you to live as one of us. The only way for you to do that is to be around us. Here, you can learn with safety." Clark nodded. "Thank you, Dr. McCoy, for all you offer." "It's my pleasure, Clark." I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Then I watched as he ascended the ladder into the Center. "Oracle," I said as I turned back to the computer. "Contact the Watchers' Council, specifically Jayce." Oracle beeped and few times and then the image blinked in. "Hello, Eric." "Hi, Jayce. How are you?" "Good. You?" "Pretty good. There is something I wanted to ask you. Recently, I've come across a young man who is from...how do I say this...another planet." Jayce appeared surprised at my statement. "Okay?" "The funny thing is that Oracle could translate the markings from his world without any problem. The question I'm wondering is how. As far as the world is concerned, there really aren't any aliens. Only recently has the government planned a manned expedition to Mars. How would Oracle have that kind of information?" "Where did you find this young man?" "Smallville, Kansas." I could hear Jayce typing the information into his computer. "Ah, here we go. That was roughly twelve years ago. There was a meteor crash in Smallville, Kansas. At the same time, there were meteors falling all over the world, though not as extensive as the one in Smallville. I believe we found some technology and, our technicians implemented it into our systems. The file is B-one-three. You should be able to access it from your location. It probably had the information because it came from his planet or it knew of his planet." "I'll look into it. Thanks." The screen blinked out and I sat back resting my chin in my hand. "I don't know if that should make me feel better or feel worse. Why did they keep this information to themselves?" After lunch, I met up with Diana, and she and I went for a walk outside. "So, how is your mother doing?" I asked. "She is doing well, thank you. The Amazons are prosperous." "That's good to hear. I wanted to ask you where your powers came from." "I was blessed by the goddesses Athena, Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis, Hestia, and the god Hermes giving me all the abilities that I have today." "Those are some abilities. What do you plan on doing with them?" "My mother wishes for me to take up the role of Wonder Woman. I am willing to do so and I desire to learn about the world of man. Mother suggested I learn from you." "I am honored to teach you what I can, Diana. If your mother is a queen that must mean you are a princess." "I am, but in man's world, I am simply Diana." I nodded. "How do the women from your home view men?" "We don't hold males in high regard on Thymiscira. History has shown what happens when men are in power. There is mistreatment of women, children, and even other men, anyone who shows signs of being different from them. My mother has had much experience with men and few of those turned out well. Hercules himself raped and pillaged the island of Thymiscira." "Interesting," I replied. "Hercules has always been known in our world as a hero." "That's because men value strong men. No doubt his time of rape and pillage has not bee shared at all." "Honestly, it hasn't." "Why does that not surprise me?" "When men are in power, especially a specific type of man, their rules tend to suit their own specific needs. This country's own history is clouded with deceit and power. When it was first formed, wealthy, white men were in power. The laws that they put forth were for their benefit. Any other groups were made inferior. Women could not hold positions of power and influence and could not hold property. People of color were enslaved and forced to work for nothing." "What changed?" "Women and African Americans organized and, little-by-little, they gained rights." "It's sad that groups of people had to fight for rights that should have been theirs in the first place." "Greedy people tend to be ignorant of the needs and rights of others," I replied. Looking back on the history of the United States, I was surprised we evolved at all from such horrible beginnings. But the spirit of humanity overcame the ignorant mentality of those in power. "What about your people? How did your people get power?" "What do you mean by 'my people'? Homosexuals or mutants?" "Both." "For homosexuals, it was the same way. We organized and fought back. You know, I have several books on the history of the gay community. You can borrow them if you like." "I would like that very much." "For mutants, things happened a little differently. Even now, mutants still don't have the same protections. They are still discriminated against." "I'm surprised to hear that. I thought man would have evolved." "Narrow-mindedness, hate, and ignorance rarely dissolve completely. As long as people teach ignorance and hatred, it will exist. That's why your mother did what she did, and why I do what I do, both with the teen center and in the city as my masked counterpart." "I understand that completely. That's why I'm here. I want to know and understand how man's world works, and why men do what they do. Perhaps I can bring some education to the world of man, as well." "It would be welcome by many. But there will be some resistant to change." "Then I will deal with them as necessary." "Dad!" Sarah called out to me. Diana and I turned to see Sarah running up to us. "Is everything okay?" I asked. "Yeah, everything's great," she said between breaths. She took a few more breaths to get cleared up and then asked, "Can we go out tonight?" "Who's we?" "Dinah, Clark, Randy, Preston and I. You're welcome to come, too, of course, Diana." I looked from one girl to the other. "Where are you planning on going?" "Dinah knows of this club a few miles from here. I figure if she knows the territory it won't be that bad." "Did you ask Dad about this?" "Yeah. He said he didn't care so long as we were careful. I figured it would be a good idea to ask you as well." "How have things been with Aunt Jessica since I left?" "Oh, things have gone well. She thinks Dinah and I are both ready for..." the she looked over at Diana wondering if she should continue. "Its okay, Sarah, she's familiar." "Ready for slaying," she completed. "We wanted to go out one last time before we started into stuff." "I'll have to talk with Dinah to get the particulars about this place. But I think you can go." "Woohoo!" Sarah shouted as she grabbed and embraced me. "Thanks, Daddy. You are an awesome daddy." "I know," I replied smiling. My daughter released me and ran off to tell the others. "This should be interesting to see how people interact in social situations." "It probably won't be too much of a departure than what you're used to." To Be Continued...