Area Zero : Volume I

Chapter 10 : New Enemies?

2019, June 30th (flashback)

Two fighters are battling in the Area Zero Arena. Both are exhausted but not yet ready to give up. One of them has a bandana tied with golden hair falling in front of his eyes. He is wearing a faded jeans and a white vest torned halfway. The other one has a rough face but looks much younger than the other.

          They fight with all their might. “Tsubasa” shouts the golden haired man and “Jackson” yells the other guy. Tsubasa hits Jackson on his ribcage with a devastating blow. Jackson bleeds from his mouth and laughs. No kid, it ain't over. He lands a hard punch on Tsubasa's face and knocks him out.

           The crowd cheers and Jackson is announced the winner. But as he was cheering, he feels a deep pain in his body. He falls on his knees coughing out a pool of blood. His vision becomes blurry and hears the deep unclear voices around him. He faints.

           Next he wakes up is on a roller bed at a hospital. He hears the ECG machine's “toot toot” sound and the doctor talking to someone.

           “Jackson my dear, you'll be fine, the man says. Jackson's vision is blurry but he finally manages to see. It's Gon by his side. Looking a decade younger with shorter beard.

Jackson : Gon, I've something important to ask of you!

Gon : don't talk like you're gonna die.

Jackson : I think I might.

Gon : you are no doctor, Jackson. You are fine.

Jackson : I may not be a doctor but I still feel that my rib cage is completely damaged and I have many other concussions too.

Gon : You idiot! Shut up for once!

Gon remembers the doctor's speech. “He doesn't have much time. Even if we manage something, it will be like if he's a robot. It's difficult for us to operate because even his kidney and lungs are affected. I'm sorry!”

Jackson : don't worry, oldy! I just made to the top!

He gives a warm smile.

Jackson : and last thing. Gon...take care of my son.

The flashback fades into a picture of Gon and Jackson. Gon looks at it with a broken heart. He stares seriously but then bursts into a non stop crying just like a baby!

Natalia is practicing her moves at the gym downstairs as Jack enters.

“Hey Natalia” Jack greets.

Natalia : what do you want?

Jack : I was thinking if you want to sneak out with me to the festival that's being held near the old town!

Natalia stops her punches.

Natalia : are you asking me out?

Jack blushes : no no no.. I just.. I mean we're not going alone there. Catherine and Charlie will be joining us.

“Ye we are” smiles Catherine who is along with Charlie.

Natalia stares at them with a confused look.

It's evening and all the four of them sits around a table in a restaurant.

Charlie : feels good after all that tension. And the festival here was awesome!

Jack : yes agreed. We really needed some time off.

Catherine : I wished Ray joined us. He worked hard too.

Natalia : well, don't be sad. And moreover, I've never seen him enjoy!

Catherine : well, he did actually.

Charlie : he did? I don't buy it!

Jack: yeah I agree with Charlie. That cold blooded expressionless freak can never understand what enjoying means!

Catherine : well for now you're right! But he wasn't like this from the beginning. He changed and I don't completely understand why.

Jack : what do you mean?

Catherine : I don't know. But all I feel is that he must feel lonely inside. He might be killing himself with some horrible thoughts.

Natalia : or maybe you're just thinking too much.

Catherine : I guess. I don't know.

Charlie : now let's eat! It's been a long time you're out Catherine. And someone else is serving you.

Everyone laughs and enjoys the food.

Ray is sitting on the top of the Area Zero building. He is smoking as he watches the view of the city.

“We all are living. We all are enjoying the way we want to. Aren't we? We do what we think is right. We all have some passions, some goals. But...why don't I have any goals in my mind. I don't know what I want…(he looks up to the sky) ...I don't know how I feel. I don't know why the hell was I born. I just..want to know...who am I.” Ray questions himself. He smiles "I guess the only way to find out is to live a long long life." And he throws the cigarette away.

Catherine, Jack, Natalia and Charlie walks down the street. Catherine and Charlie bids farewell as they head to a nearby equipments centre to buy some goods for the Arena. And Jack and Natalia walks past the abandoned street. Jack steals glances of her from time to time.

“Why are you looking at me from time to time? If you want you can look as much as you want. It's not like I care.” Natalia speaks.

Jack blushes.. “I..I didn't..I mean.. huh.. fine sorry!”

As they walk they suddenly see some thugs ganging on a girl. Seeing it they run for her rescue.

“Hey what the hell you're doing?” Natalia yells

“Who the hell are you? Well, you would be a good dinner for us too!” A man with small eyes replies with a lusty smile.

Jack : hey why don't you try somebody your own size. Leave her alone.

“People like you piss me off.” the man says.

He lets the girl go and approaches towards Jack and Natalia. The other guys start following him but he orders them to stop. “They are mine!” He says.

Natalia : think before you do something stupid. We're from Area Zero.

He stops. “Area Zero ha? I've heard that name after a long time.

Natalia: now that you know who we are, back off!

“No. It's perfect. I was hoping to find someone from Area Zero. I might get my revenge here now Even if it's not the person I want to take revenge from.”

Jack: what are you talking about?

The guy punches Jack and Jack falls to the ground. “You ask too many questions!”

Natalia looks shocked. She tries to attack him but he doesn't feel a thing. He grabs her hair by his hand and lifts her up. Natalia screams.

Jack dives in to rescue but the guy grabs his collar and lifts him up too.

“So whom shall I take with me? Umm..well I want to take revenge today not have some sex. So I'll take you, young blonde!” He throws Natalia away and knocks Jack out with a punch. He carries him away as Natalia lies there helpless.

“Jack..” that's all she can say!