PROJECT DAWN : THE AFTERMATH

It's a Trap!

The rhythmic thud and clap along with the cheers of hundreds of people can be heard and Jake wake up. His eyes is still blurry and soon it's getting clearer. 

Jake : What...is..this...?

Then he saw an arena and John is there, bleeding and wounded.

Jake : DAD!!

But, he couldn't move a finger as he was confined in a locked steel bed that tilt seventy-five degree. He look around and he saw Lars on his right side and Karl on the left side. Ray is on Lars's right side. What had just happened to them? The last thing he remembered he was fighting Ghost but Ghost gained the upper-hand and knock him cold. Above the arena is a board that projects images and videos. Then, the president make his appearance through the screen and the whole crowds going wild.

President : People of the Dawn!

People are cheering as their leader made his entrance with a boom.

President : I want to thank you for your belief in me and for that, I'll give the greatest match that you'd ever see! Our warrior, Baz the First Hybrid, against John McGrady!
"KILL HIM!"
"HUMAN!!"
"RIP HIM IN HALF!!"
President : And we have our special guest that came far from here. On your left side, Jake McGrady, Lars, Karl, and their sniper.
"KILL THE TRAITORS!"
"TRAITORS!!"
"SHAME ON LARS!"

Jake try to use his mutant's strength but was weakened by the syringes that stick on his back and keep pumping unknown liquid. However, among the crowds, Lena disguised herself as one of the wanderers with brown cloaks shrouding all over her body and watching as his father is about to fight for his life. She can't do anything yet. Then, she was approached by a stranger and the stranger sit right beside her.

STRANGER : Greetings.
Lena : What do you want?
STRANGER : Let's just say that I'm a friend of yours.
Lena : Why should I trust you?
STRANGER : Your father told me the same thing and ended up trusting me anyway.
Lena : How do you know my father?! Who the fuck are you?!
Rain : Named Rain but name is just a name. 
Lena : What do you want?
Rain : Your desire to save your family is quiet spectacular so I'm decided to help out a little.
Lena : I can do this on my own.
Rain : Quiet confidence for a little girl. How you sneaked in is impressive but have you thought about your exit? With Baz on the arena and a few hybrids are guarding the prison.

She look at Jake and he saw Ghost not far from her brother's windowed cage.

Lena : Ghost?!
Rain : The president have done a devil's work himself and defy the god's cycle by resurrecting any fallen. All he needs were the memories of a person. For example, the only one who had the memories of Ghost is your own Doc.
Lena : Tell me, what should I do?
Rain : For now, let's enjoy the show.
Lena : ......

The announcement has been made and the fight is started. John is barely able to stand but he has to force himself to. Baz charge toward him without mercy but John able to dodge his attacks. Armed with only his own bare hands, he has to win the fight against the strongest opponent he faced so far. 

John : Come on! Show me what you got! 

Baz roar and lift a rubble straight from the ground and then toss it towards John. Luckily, John able to react fast and dodge it but he unable to foreseen Baz's next attack and his punch send John slam against the wall. Lena clench her fist as she couldn't wait anymore but Rain tell her to stay down, no matter what. John tries to get up but he was too weak and his bleeding getting worse. Baz lift him off the ground and hold him by the neck, thus slowly suffocate him. John tries to get a grip of his consciousness and look for a way to get him out of his hand. Baz slams him to the ground and the ground shattered. John went unconscious and for a moment there, they thought that John is done for.

Lena/Jake : DAD!!

Miraculously John sprang back to life and coughing up blood. His internal is severely damaged. He get up but barely stand.

John : That's all? I quiet disappoint....

Baz walk towards John and then suddenly John take out his hidden knife and slice Baz's torso and blood spurt from his body. Baz down on his knee and John get around Baz. He slices his throat and kicked him to the ground. The blood spurt from his throat too and some of its stained on John's face. The crowds went wild as they couldn't believe what they had witnessed. The president disappoint with Baz and he toss a gun at the arena. John picked it up and aiming at Baz's head. Baz look at the gun's barrel while holding his throat to prevent further blood loss.

President : Finish him.

John is looking at him with hatred and cocking his gun. And for the first time, Baz talked.

Baz : [faintly] Do it...
John : Huh...? [panting]
Baz : DO IT!

John look at the president and the president nod. His hand is shaking and then he shot at Baz. Everyone is shocked with the sound of a gunshot. John left the arena and escorted by the guards to the president's lounge. The president is clapping as John enters his lounge and congratulate him on his winning. John look at Doc as he confined to a wooden chair.

President : That's impressive. Bravo.
John : Do as you said and let them go!
President : Why should I?
John : You lying bastard!
President : Looks like you forgot our terms, John. 
John : I won and that's the terms!
President : The victor is only determined by the one who walked away from the fight, alive. Looks like he is still alive.

Baz rise from the ground and look at the missed shot spot. 

President : You did it on purpose, didn't you?
John : I missed.
President : Yeah, sure you do. But....

The president grab a gun off his desk and shoot John. John falls to the ground and the president approached him. He aims the gun at John.

President : You cheated death twice, I'll make sure it won't be the third.

A flash of his past memories swarms in his final moment. A vision of his friends, Jake, Lena and lastly, his late wife Diana.....
He close his eyes....

John : I'm coming, Diana....

BANG!

END OF PART 11.