RMA

  Red Moon Advocate

  Chapter 3

  Fragility of Light and Dark

  Jensu stood at the window of his suite staring off into the rising sun. The neon flashes from billboards and signs were nothing but dim duds as the the sun's rays illuminated the still booming streets. “Does this city ever sleep?” Jensu thought to himself but quickly removed the thought. Down in the streets as he exited the hotel, a mob of reporters and cameras swarmed the front door. He put his hood up and blended in with the crowd observing all the commotion. A reporter held up a microphone to a man's mouth. He was tall with red hair, a long red trench coat flashy in style and a confident smirk on his face with flaming red eyes. Jensu tilted his head studying him momentarily. The man’s aura was strong and imposing, a much different feeling from other humans.

  “Brandon can you tell us how you feel about your upcoming opponent tonight? He’s undefeated and he says he’s coming for your title as champion.” The reporter with the microphone blurted out frantically.

  Brandon with his cocky smirk glared down at him exuding nothing but confidence. “Hmph all these fools say the same thing and yet here I am the only Superior to touch Light City.” Jensu perked an eyebrow . “A Superior? The hell is going on?”

  “Some believe he’s the first Superior that can hold his own against you.” Brandon’s eye twitched as he furrowed his cheek. “No Superior can stand up to me. My eyes aim bigger. They’re aiming for that Advocate. Now that’s who I want to test my power against.” Brandon said this as he locked eyes with Jensu who was seemingly blended in with the crowd. Clearly in a panic Brandon’s agent grabbed him and started walking him to his limo. “There will be no further questions” He yelled putting his hand in front of cameras and slamming the door with a scuffed expression. “What the hell are you thinking? Challenging an Advocate is absurd and calling one out risks every single human on this planet. You understand being accepted in Light City as a Superior is a privilege by Admiral Clay. You’ll risk it all over your ego?!”

  The cocky Superior smirked and looked him up and down. “Raising your petty ass voice won’t change a thing. I said what I said. No Superior is strong enough to challenge me except for my brother and that coward would spend his time hunting his own than battling for glory.” Jensu sat on a bench listening in through his ear piece from the tracker he placed on the limo. “Admiral Clay…now that’s the man I need to see.”

  He said just before a public transport car pulled up. Arriving at the military base he steps out approaching the gate only to be stopped by two armed guards. Unbothered he stops and looks them both in them face. “I’m here to see General Altone”

  The soldier on the left looked him speaking in a stern and serious voice. “No one can see the General without an appointment.” Jensu still unbothered looked directly at the soldier that addressed him. “Tell him Jensu wishes to seek an audience. As I understand the General of this planet is also treated to the equivalent of a “King” or ruler of some sort.” The soldier confused because though Jensu is an alien he closely resembles a human with the only distinct features being the markings beneath his eyes which are often mistaken as tattoos. “Sir there is a Jensu who wishes to speak with you.” General Altone’s voice boomed through the radio. “You idiot that is the Advocate who we welcomed on our planet. Remember his face and you let him through each and every time.” Almost losing composure the soldier gathered himself. “Ah sir forgive me. Please Jensu enter as you see fit. I apologize for my insolence.”

  The outside of this massive base was rugged looking and intimidating in human standards. It was armed to the teeth with anti air weaponry long range missile systems and outfitted with a kinetic shield. Walking into the inside was a completely different atmosphere. It was clean and sleek almost like a palace, shining walls, shining floors and beautiful chandeliers. General Altone walked down the steps to greet him with a smile and handshake. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  Jensu shook his hand nonchalantly jumping straight to the point. “I came across a peculiar name this morning and a peculiar Superior in Light City sharing a hotel with me. Admiral Clay sound familiar?” Keeping his demeanor unreadable he nodded. “Yes Admiral Clay is the one in charge of Dark City’s law and order. He is my second in command. As for the superior here I’ll have Admiral Clay explain as it was his idea. If you’d like I’ll have him meet you immediately at the entrance to Dark City.”

  Jensu tilted his head with a smug grin “That’s fine” General Altone makes the call and arranges a car to drop off Jensu at the entrance of the massive gate was another car and out stood a tall slender man as highly decorated as the general was. He opened the door for Jensu to enter then he entered as well closing the door behind him. He smiled and offered his hand for a handshake. Jensu noticed his grip was extremely firm, a little too firm. Admiral Clay smiled warmly as if he was already familiar with Jensu. “I apologize I couldn’t have seen you sooner. I knew of your arrival I just could not free up time. I am Admiral Clay and I control all information flow and law and order here in Dark City. I keep the Superior in line.” Not missing a beat Jensu retorted as if he had been waiting forever to question him. “Does that include underground fighting rings?”

  Clay paused but only for a moment. He smiled gently at Jensu “I am uncertain of how you came across such information on your own but yes I host these fighting rings and they are far from underground. Take a look at the billboards.” While they were riding along the face of the man that was being interviewed was posted everywhere. Some with him surrounded by women and others with him standing over another Superior in a victory pose. “These tournaments give the Superior something to look forward to it diverts their frustrations and typically hungry nature to something other than killing or attacking my soldiers.” Not fully in agreement he answered. “In other words they focus on killing each other?” Clay now internally irritated answered sincerely. “They focus on climbing to the top. The reward is a home and immunity in Light City. The champion is granted an opportunity to live among other humans peacefully while being the face of Superior kind. It eases tension among the masses when they see a Superior acting civilized and it gives the Superior’s hope that humans will see them as something other than animals. It promotes good behavior and the champion is granted a spot as my right hand. Currently Brandon holds that spot.” “It’s a win win for you either way. The Superiors fall in line and thin out their own numbers voluntarily while you can keep a close eye on the most dangerous of the bunch and try to integrate them into society but really you’re monitoring them.”

  Clay titled his head almost in disbelief with how sharp this seemingly young Advocate was. “I expect nothing less of an Advocate you’re a real dangerous bunch having so much power at your disposal. What is it that keeps you in line huh? I’ve given you a lot of information now it’s my turn. Why is the empire interested in human affairs again?” Jensu with a blank stare “That’s classified” Now more irritated but keeping it internalized. “Then what are the Advocates stakes in this?” Jensu kept that same blank stare. “That’s classified” His pale skin was now visibly red around the cheeks. “You must understand caution is necessary because the last time we had interaction with an Advocate she dismantled an entire battlefield singlehandedly and crippled the human capabilities to ever fight on equal terms with any alien forms again.” Letting out a sigh “Yes I seem to hear that a lot” Clay quickly questioned him again in an attempt to distract him as they began turning a corner where soldiers were beating a Superior to submission. Jensu obviously noticed but he already understood how Dark City works and the people here mind their business. “Then what can you tell me Advocate?”

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  The muscles on the back of his neck twitched as he fought not to interfere with unrelated affairs. “Well for one my name is Jensu, not Advocate and two this is a ticking time bomb you have going on. In Light City there is civil unrest-protests which seem to be on the verge of civil war. From my understanding a Superior’s powers are catastrophic in nature correct and they can become massive beasts with more power. Clay now had a twitch in his leg and rested his hand on his side the opposite side of Jensu with a fully clenched fist. “You are well informed Jensu. Light City is General Altone’s jurisdiction and concern. I will not speak on it but it is one detail of the Superiors that you are missing. It is not just their unnatural powers that make them dangerous. Each and every one of them have strength, speed and heightened senses that far exceed human capabilities. But most frightening is their regenerative ability. As long as their brains are not damaged they can regenerate a lost limb or any injury almost immediately. He scoffed and spoke with a little authority behind his words. “Then what’s stopping them from launching an attack on the wall itself and the people of Light City?” Without hesitation he stated “Brandon” Jensu narrowed his eyes “He’s one man.” Clay's eyes flickered slightly “Yes but he has great power and that power is within his presence. His face symbolizes hope. He fights for that reason.” Jensu shook his head clearly disappointed in his answer and reasoning. “Interesting…to rely on such a fragile system. If he ever decides to turncoat the publics opinions change as well. A ticking time bomb and then I’m sure there are Superiors here that are not content with being caged like animals.”

  Clay’s upper lip visibly twitched and his clenched fist now began to bleed as his nails dug into his skin. “Then I weed them out one by one. Fragile it may be but it is a system that works without the slaughtering of both sides.” Jensu merely narrowed his eyes and focused his attention elsewhere. “Drop me off back in Light City please.” They finally circled back making it to the Lumiere. Clay smirked and watched Jensu get out. “I hope that our conversation proved to be enlightening and that you would judge us humans fairly.” Jensu merely kept walking. The blood from Clay’s hands completely dried and not even a mark was left from where his nails pressed in. He rolled his window staring forward with a deadly glare as his driver took off. “Damn Advocates think they can come and go and do as they please.” On the other side of Dark City Lloyd and Aiden begin their hunt for Naomi. He stands next to Aiden holding the goggles that was made for him with a very frustrated expression. The lens were massive and execessive amounts of tapes and pieced together parts were used for the framing but the lens were coated with a dark shade. “This is ridiculous” Lloyd scoffed holding the hook with his fingertips as if it were contaminated. Aiden grinned and laughed. “Well I didn’t have time to style these Lloyd. Efficiency first. Now her last known location was at the apartments 6 blocks from here I’m guessing she lives there at the apartments because she hadn’t moved since last night. It should be room 12 on the second floor.”

  Lloyd wasted no time hopping on his motorcycle and speeding to the apartments. The area was run down, pretty typical of Dark City and stray cats practically owned the place. Lloyd bodly approaches the apartment building only to be met with stares from some of the Superior’s standing around. “What the hell is a bounty hunter doing here? Go back to where you came from Shadow!” Ignoring them he walks up the stairs to room 12 the beat up metallic stairs groaned and creaked with each step. He put his goggles on took a deep breath and sent the door flying with a single kick. Naomi caught completely off guard falls to the ground in shock and fear. “W-we met again heh. Wait wait wait I’m sure you got the wrong person now Shadow haha.

  She slowly starts backing away while on the floor only to have her back hit an invisible barrier of some kind. Panicked she stood to her feet then looked him the eyes trying to probe his mind only to fail because of his goggles. “It won’t work this time now come with me.” Naomi took a heavy gulp trying to hide her panic. “You wore those goofy things to counter me? Haha how silly” Frustrated Lloyd grabbed his sword and began walking towards her, she franticly stood to her feet putting her hands out in front of her. “Hold on I was kidding!” Lloyd angrily grabs her hand and drags her along out the door. This commotion grabbed the attention of already agitated onlookers. “Hey what are you doing with Naomi? Let go of her!” Using this as a means of escape Naomi yelled loudly. “He’s trying to take me back! Help me!”

  Angrily the superiors ran up to Lloyd only to be met with a powerful kick that sent one reeling across the street and into a building. Then the other 4 rushed him. Instinctively he let go of her hand drawing his sword. The first superior rushed in attempting to throw a punch only to have his hand removed then slammed to the ground. The 2nd leaped in the air only to be impaled midair then slung to the side like a ragdoll. The 3rd opened his mouth and used his power to spit a powerful acid which was blocked by Lloyd’s barrier. Closing the distance Lloyd ran and leaped acrobatically from side to side avoiding the acid and reaching him slicing him cleanly in half. The 4th Superior turned his body to steel and charged him. They began throwing punches with Lloyd effortlessly blocking each blow. Lloyd leaped in the air slightly for a jump kick colliding with his chest but it was easily brushed off from his metallic body. Lloyd took his sword for a clean hit to the shoulder only to have it bounce off like metal vs metal. Already annoyed Lloyd jumped back and let the superior charge him only to smash full force into a barrier knocking themselves unconscious. Sheathing his sword he turned around only to see Naomi was missing. “Shit!” His ear piece crackled. “I’m already on it. 3 blocks north!”

  Naomi was running full speed from street to street and finally turning a corner entering an alley and a loud crash echoed the streets as she smashed her head across an arm coated in metal. She later woke up in a makeshift lab of some kind hearing voices in the background. “Lloyd you have to be a little more delicate. If you had damaged her brain you may have killed her and she’s useless to us dead.” Aiden pleaded with him. “She’s a superior not a flimsy toy.” She spoke weakly only just waking up from unconsciousness. “What do you want with me?” Both Aiden and Lloyd dropped their argument giving her their full attention. “Ooh you’re awake! Good good. We have intel you can probe the minds of people you make eye contact with. We need that power to take a certain someone down.” He spoke articulately and sincere. “So you’re not taking me back to that prison?” She said still trying to fully grasp her surroundings. Aiden clapped his hands together and spoke.

  “What? Goodness no you’re potential is useless there.” Her eye sight now began to unblur taking in the dim surroundings. “Then why harm me when you could have asked because honestly I may have said yes.” Lloyd rolled his eyes and shrugged. “You ran every time you saw me.” Naomi spoke more clearly now after getting a strong whiff of burnt wires and old machinery. She tried to move arms but was immediately forced back down. The weight around her wrists were like nothing she’d ever felt before. “ Well who wouldn’t run from Shadow? More importantly why do you need me and why am I shackled?” Aiden gave her a look of pitty. “They are superior proof, you won’t break those. We need you to probe someone and we need you do it fast. An Advocate is on the move and we’d like to resolve this before he interferes.” A voice from above them echoed loudly and boldly as it reverberated off the walls and surrounding area. “Advocate? You guys talking about me?” Jensu hung upside down by his legs on a support beam looking down at the three. The hair on the back of Lloyd’s neck rose on end and every fiber in his body twitched as he instinctively grabbed for his sword.

  End