Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 20:47:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>
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...