The Red Baron

Zero

Far away from the events of that night, was a place in the daylight. This place was a sprawling city of people and business yet continued to house a sense of peace and tradition that was unique for its time. Yet at the same time, its uniqueness was not so great that its name was to be remembered. In fact, its claim in history would come later in that its impact on the Earth would be visible and understandable to all before too long.

It was such a place where lived a young man named Carlos Figueroa came to live and grow. His family for some generations had been able to establish a home in this place even before the times of economic growth and potential prosperity. Without any hesitation, it was a place they and the most of the other citizens of the city could call home.

Carlos was quite the maturing teen. At age seventeen, his life was productive and while not extremely exciting, seemed to appear to be satisfying to him in most every way. While not a genius, he was rather intelligent and some considered him to even be especially wise, being very analytical perhaps to a fault. However not so much as to be critical and judgmental as everyone would have described him first as gentle and kind and self-sacrificing before remembering any academic successes in his life.

Additionally, Carlos had interest in computers that he held dear to him all his life that was finally maturing into a rather promising skill. Being in is final year of high school, he was looking into where it would all lead him, especially because he would much of his free time playing a video game and wanted to perhaps make one of his own some day.

Of course, it wasn't something really on his mind as it was the middle of summer and school was not to be in session of another good month. While he wasn't playing video games, there wasn't much else you would catch him doing. Dating wasn't something he ever really got into (though it can't be said if it was a lack of interest or a lack of ability) so the remainder of the time was spent with friends or another class of sorts.

Years ago, Carlos had sparked a rather unexplained interest in learning marital arts. This caught his parents by surprise as Carlos was never one to do anything so physical. After some convincing, however, they were persuaded to let him go to a class near by. Since then, this interest has been found to be the seed of a decent proficiency in hand-to-hand combat.

Carlos was in class that day. The day's lesson was nearly finished and all that was left was physical training by partner sparing. Carlos and his closest friend, Josh Hefley, were partners in the class. Hefley, as Carlos called him do to the other "Josh" named students that seemed to pop up around them, was much more proficient at general marital arts taught at the class and while far more advanced then Carlos, didn't mind sparing with him. Carlos appreciated this as Hefley tended to go easy on him and made learning the techniques more comfortable.

Carlos was 17 years old at this time. His skin tone was slightly tan but it was likely that his hobbies of video games, television, and reading left him from a bit darker of a tone. In the class, he wore would looked like a fairly standard martial arts robe, rumor being that their master wasn't big on dealing with details. It was white, some black trimmings and a black belt (there was hardly a system of levels in the class, also considered to be a detail the master did not bother with). Though nearly six feet in height, he wasn't very large nor did he have a dominating figure. Hefley, though stronger, had about the same presence about him. Even their hair colors were just as black, though his hair seemed darker due to his lighter skin tone.

"Come on, Carlos. After fighting me almost everyday, you'd think you could get a decent off more often."

Carlos, grinning at Hefley's sarcasm, took a quick jab at him, purposely missing the right side of his face.

"It isn't too early to start, you know."

Hefley gave a quick laugh distracting Carlos long enough for a quick grab at his extended arm and with one powerful thrust sent Carlos into the air and back down again. The bump was hard and Carlos nearly bounced back up again with the force. The small whines and gasps that escaped from Carlos as he flew and landed were just signs of another day. Even so, Carlos could held but smile and laugh a little.

"Man, Hefley! I thought you were going easy on me! You almost broke my glasses dude."

Carlos was wearing glasses but there were a tad different. They were actually more like prescription goggles and while awkward looking, they served their purpose and stopped the serial destruction of a long line of glasses before them. Still cautious, however, Carlos couldn't help but worry sometimes.

"You should have been careful, Carlos. You just stuck your hand out there. 'Course I'm gonna grab it. Ya!"

Carlos stood up in time to see their master make way toward them. She was Master Janus, instructor and owner of the studio there trained in. Unlike Carlos and Hefley, she indeed did have a presence about here, though not quite as tall as the boys. While she didn't pay their details much mind, she sure took care to have a black version of their uniforms tailored for her. She stuck out like a sore thumb and sore was the best way to describe her then.

"Carlos, you really don't seem to be getting the hang of it at all. It's nice that you got the guts for this and your moves aren't half bad but you take it too easy. You have to be just a bit more aggressive so that Hefley here doesn't rip your arm off again."

Carlos reddened with embarrassment. He gave her a nervous laugh. Then she turned her way toward Hefley.

"I'm sorry, Master Janus. I'll try hard next time."

"Ya, I'm sure you will be we need more 'do' then 'try' next time."

With another exhausted look, Carlos replied.

"Yes ma'am, sorry."

Master Janus turned her attention to Hefley next.

"Nice work with distracting him, though. Guess you've been improving bit by bit, too."

"Thanks, Master Janus. Just been practicing a lot and working hard and-"

Before he realized it, Master Janus had wrapped her hand over the front of his robe and with a single arm, launched him like he did Carlos before. Carlos barely jumped out of the way as Hefley crashed back first on the same spot, knocking probably more then just the wind out of him.

"For your going to be trying to play tricks on your opponents, then at least make sure you can catch it happening to you."

She walled away laughing. Though she was much older then anyone in that room, it was clear that nearly every youthful aspect about her and her abilities as a martial artist had done little aging of their own. Even her blonde, shoulder length hair told no signs of her times though the stiffness of her face sometimes revealed the years of combat had on her.

Carlos and Hefley got up and tried to regroup. Hefley had expected that attack less then Carlos had expected his and it had made its mark. The humiliation definitely taught him the lesson for the day.

Master Janus called her students to her attention. After a few words of advice, some general and some specific, she dismissed the class for the day. Carlos and Hefley, after giving a formal bow along with the rest of the class, began to make their way to the door when Master Janus began walking up to him. Their first thought was another possible test of their skills so they began to brace themselves, winning an awkward look from their master as she caught up to them.

"I need a word with you boys."

Carlos and Hefley looked at each other and Carlos, in an attempt to be funny, made a rather loud sounding gulp. Hefley couldn't help but laugh out loud as they walked toward Master Janus. She responded with a low growl and a stern frown.

"This isn't funny, you know. You two have been coming here for years and you have still can't quite catch up. You fail constantly and your current rank in the system is more then enough to remind you of your lack of progress."

Carlos's smile faded. He knew that it wasn't all true. He may in fact be behind but that Hefley was not the one fault. It was only because Hefley trained with Carlos that Hefley was unable to prove himself and didn't spar with other students often. Worse, he knew that Hefley was doing it in an attempt to help him catch up. If he wasn't there, Hefley would probably top rank by now.

True as it was, Hefley did not really believe so in his mind. A look of shame was definitely present. He bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry. We start doing better."

Carlos, almost lost in his thoughts, had a late reaction and bowed well after Hefley did. Master Janus looked down at them as they bowed. Carlos and Hefley tried very hard to keep their bow steady, waiting for their master to respond.

Then they heard footsteps. They opened their eyes and looked up and saw here exited the main gym into her office. Her back turned to them, she dismissed them.

"That's all for now. Go home and come back when you're ready."

Carlos and Hefley sighed and turned their heads to each other with smiled quirkily at each other, emitting a low laugh. They turned around and headed for the door. Though laughing on the outside, Carlos couldn't help feeling guilty on the inside.

Carlos and Hefley began to make their way back to their own homes. Carlos wore a black shirt and a pair of denim blue jeans. He usually liked to stick with wearing sneakers when he could but sandals suited him from time to time. He had removed and tucked away his goggles in his gym bag and now wore his usual pair of eyeglasses, small and just enough to cover the eyes though he always wore them really close to his eyes so they always gave him maximum view. His black hair was combed back a little but somewhat puffy since he didn't wish to reapply gel at the end of a long day.

Also, he wore with great pride his favorite color, red, was a constant gimmick used in his daily life for humor and personal preference of numerous items he owned. Today was no different as he wore his favorite red and wool and unzipped vest, even if it did at times make a painful amount of static. But with great pride he also wore his crucifix across his neck, something he felt devoted by definition and heritage. He never took it off and while he wore other accessories- a watch, wrist bands, and even a "wrist rosary"- he always found his necklace to be a special asset and took extra steps to make sure it was constantly displayed on his person as it now hung around his neck and above his black shirt.

But there are things that take him away from thinking about his faith and favorite color as he was still concerned about Hefley. Hefley now seemed unconcerned about Master Janus's words. The look of shame had gone and Carlos almost wondered if it had been fake, deliberate. But that thought soon vanished. Carlos knew Hefley better then that. Hefley just didn't want him to worry or feel guilty about the situation. Unfortunately, Carlos didn't feel any better.

Even as Hefley kept talking, about movies and new music and the game show he had watch last night, all that seem to blur past Carlos as he began to feel more and more depressed about the situation. With the occasional laugh and common response, he played out as if her were actually listening, not to ignore Hefley but unable to steer away from the thought that it was all his fault.

Eventually, Hefley quieted down and the rest of their walk consisted of pointing out random objects and random ideas that stemmed from them. Of the subjects, the favorite between the two was Hefley's clothing of the day. Today, he wore his "killer bunny" shirt, a purple shirt the portrayed a "cartoonish" depiction of a rabbit's head enlarged and seemingly jumping out of the shirt. Other then that, he usually kept the rest of his clothing normal; blue jeans, some sandals, and an uncombed set of hair. Otherwise, neither one of them were all to concerned over fashion outside of wearing suits.

Of course, all their talking and Carlos's thinking kept them moving slow. They were paying much attention to where they going. Carlos, stepping away from his train of thought, interrupted Hefley's comment on swimming with hippos.

"Hey Josh….I…think we missed the turn."

Hefley stopped and began to blankly look around him. He chuckled.

"Ya…ya! I guess you right."

They both laughed and stopped in their tracks to see where they need to go from there.

"Hey Hefley, are you sure we're not lost."

"Ya, maybe we are. I think. Dang it!"

Carlos sighed and pulled out his sell phone as he began looking around for a sell phone.

"Hey, mom. Ya, it's Carlos…no I didn't take the car. Janus wants us sweating before we get to class…well that's not it, I just need directions, we're kind of lost…"

Then Carlos heard a loud smack and for a moment was unsure where it was coming from. He felt a tingling sensation then spur up his back that was odd at first then it started to hurt. He also felt his weight shifting forward a little.

Carlos rolls across the floor as he realizes he was just struck with a bat across the back. Soon, Carlos gives out a loud yelp of pain as the full effect of the blow comes onto him. Advancing on him is a boy about his age wearing what looks like a school uniform of some sort. He's holding the bat that apparently hit him.

Carlos quickly gets up and just barely backs away out of the reach of the boy's second swing of the bat. Carlos looks up at him and recognizes him as a student of a rival school. Rumored was going around that a dark tone boy with a long side burns was out to make a name for himself with the school and thought that sending two of Carlos's classmates to the hospital was a good idea.

Carlos looked quickly behind him and saw Hefley dealing a problem of his own since this boy brought company with him.

"Hey buddy. Looks like you're a bit lost. Lucky I came along with this bat."

"Excuse me? How's swingin that into my back gonna help me here?"

"Well that's easy…I was just going send you home."

His buddies began to laugh in the background, apparently easily amused. Even in this type of situation, Carlos's sarcasm got the better of him. Given the rumors he'd already heard about him

"Right, just like the home run you sent straight into the pitcher mit last week."

Carlos jumped back, fully anticipating the reaction this baseball player was going to give. Sure enough, the boy swung the bat and barely missed Carlos's face. Carlos quickly put the phone back to his ear as he began to back up.

"Mom, I'm gonna have to ask you to come pick me up. I'll call you back."

Carlos hung up in time to get his bearing and watch out for the constant swinging of the boy's bat. In the background, Hefley was having to deal with the boys group. Though out numbered, Hefley's skill in marital arts proved to be very effective as he simply held them back.

Carlos, on the other hand, was having a tougher time of it. This boy, being a top athlete in his own school, was already tough to begin with and the added effect of the baseball bat gave him quite the advantage, even over someone trained in marital arts.

Carlos had to keep on dodging, unable to find much of an opening in the boy's violent and random swings of the bat. Carlos was constantly looking for an opening in the boy's attack.

Then, he saw it. The boy swung his bat down. Carlos quickly ran at the boy, which caused him to hesitate. Carlos managed to kick the baseball bat out of the boy's hands. In the same movement, Carlos spun and came back, sending a swift kick into the boy's gut and knocking him down.

However, the boy was tough and simply rolled out of the fall and stood back up on his feet. He charged Carlos and began to fight him with his bare hands. The boy did seem to have some training of his own, probably from team training session. Carlos threw him a punch and the boy quickly brushed it off and sent a right hook at Carlos. Carlos attempted to move out of the way but his reflexes were much to slow compared to this baseball player.

Carlos was knocked back and nearly lost his balance. The boy took the opportunity and sent a kick of his own straight into Carlos's gut. He was powerful, having been a strong runner during the games. Carlos had attempted to take in some air and now regretted it as it was all pushed out of him forcibly. He fell to his knees and began to cough violently.

Hefley saw the attack from the corner of his eye. Kicked away the guy next to him, he made a run toward Carlos, only to be caught on the shirt by another of the boys. The boy quickly pulled him to the ground and they immediately began to kick at him on the ground.

The boy with Carlos saw his opportunity can pulled his leg back to plant it on Carlos's bowed down face.

"You know, I used to play soccer, too when I was a kid. I had a hell of a kick back then. And your head reminds me of a soccer ball…"

The boy kicked at Carlos. The impact was brutal and it shattered Carlos's glasses. But Carlos had grabbed on to the boys leg. The boy tried to pull it back but he could not get it free.

"What the hell do you think your doing, geek! Let go of my leg!"

The boy pulled his arm back and was going to jab it into Carlos. Suddenly, Carlos pushed himself back up, lifting the boy off the ground. He threw the boy back and the boy landed nearly on his head. The impact was so unexpected that the boy was out cold when he hit the floor.

The other boys stopped. They and Hefley looked toward Carlos, silently. After a few seconds, Hefley began to point toward Carlos, his lips moving but no sound coming out. The other boys began to laugh. Carlos knew it at that instant. Before he could turn around, another boy, late to meet them, had come from behind and set the back into the back of Carlos's skull. Carlos fell to the floor immediately. Overcoming his lack of voice, Hefley yelled out to Carlos.

"CARLOS!! NO! Back off of him."

One of the boys turned around and sent a kick straight into his face, nearly breaking his nose and knocking him out cold.

The other boy with the bat stood over Carlos, his bat at hand. He and the rest began to laugh.

"You and the rest of your school of losers. You were all meant to be victims."

The boy lifted the bat and pulled it back, aiming for Carlos.

Before he could make any move, he stopped and looked up above him. Another boy noticed his reaction.

"What, what is it? Beat him! Kick his ass."

Then he looked up too. Then all the others. In the sky was a bright red light. They saw it get bigger and brighter. It was getting closer faster and faster.

"What the hell is that!!"

"To hell with this, I ain't getting hit by some bomb or alien."

"Shut up! It's not an alien!"

"It doesn't matter, I'm getting out of here."

One by one, the boys began to run, screaming out of panic, leaving Josh and Carlos to suffer the fate of the falling object. Carlos woke up and turned his bloody face toward the sky and the falling object. The area around them was heavy with a red glow radiating from the falling object. He didn't know what it was and he wasn't sure he was going to stay awake long enough to find out. Yet, he couldn't help but make a crooked smile.

It's so warm...