Aftermath

An inFamous Story

By The Enigmatic Man

Rating: (T)

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Disclaimer: The characters in this story are all from the video game inFamous and therefore they are all owned by Sucker Punch.

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Thirty six days, eight hundred sixty-four hours, and more than a thousands deaths since Empire City was placed under quarantine and today the government is supposed to be distributing a 'cure' for all of us. They promised us freedom after the cure is administered. I should be happy to finally get out of this place but how can I trust a government that's been lying to us from day one? I've been busting my ass to protect everyone here from the gangs, violence, looters, riots, and pretty much keeping this place on its feet while the news tells everyone that it's the effort of the United States keeping us together. I have every right to expose them for the liars they really are but I guess I have to make sure we get this damn quarantine lifted.

Cole finally gets off of his comfortable red couch and stretches out his sore muscles. Trying to take on sixty Reapers at once may not have been the best idea but the difficult feat put a decent dent in the amount of remaining gang members in the Neon District. Cole slowly walked over to the television when it began to broadcast the news report about the cure.

"Shut the hell up…" Cole said before draining the electricity from his television until it finally cut off. The feeling of fresh electricity coursing through his veins was truly invigorating yet he craved more.

I guess this'll do for now. I don't want to be late to seeing these clowns in action.

Cole leaped off the roof and used his static thrusters to glide him across to the train tracks. Thanks to perfect timing, Cole landed perfectly on top of the still moving train.

As the lone figure rode atop the speeding train, the people of Empire City halted whatever they were doing to show signs of admiration to their beloved hero. Shouts from all over echoed through the streets as everyone yelled words of appraisal and love. At that moment, Cole thought back to his second week of having his powers.

Jumping from rooftops and landing perfectly fine was fun but when he helped drop the food for everyone he realized something. His realization became more definitive after he took down his first group of Reapers. Suddenly, it all made sense to him. His powers weren't given to him for cheap thrills; instead, they were there to make a difference in Empire City. However, this enlightening epiphany was cut short when he was labeled a terrorist and blamed for the explosion that lead to the quarantine. He and Zeke's plan to break free took a nasty turn that ended in a face to face confrontation with a wall of machine gun turrets. Now here he was, the same man that couldn't walk down the street without being attacked was now heading to the same bridge where so many died trying to escape to hopefully prepare for the end of the quarantine.

It feels like just yesterday you were telling me it's going to be fine and we're going to get out of this place. Now the quarantine is going to be lifted and you're not here to leave with me…I miss you Trish…

The roars of endless people in line at the bridge snapped Cole out of his daze. He quickly jumped off of the train and let the momentum of the large metal transport sling shoot him on to the nearest rooftop.

"Holy shit!" Cole exclaimed after looking down at the thousands of people that lined up halfway across the city. Every single one of them was ready and willing to be injected whatever their government wanted as long as it leads to freedom. Cole further examined the bridge to see a line of gun carrying soldiers that barricaded the entire bridge. Behind them was seventy-five medical stations set up on the bridge from the line to the still prohibited quarantine wall. He also made sure to note the two helicopters hovering at the base of the bridge with mounted turrets aimed down at the crowd.

I guess I should get in line...

Cole used his static thrusters to slowly descend onto the ground of the nearby alley. He then casually exited the alley to take a quick glance at the bridge.

Wow, how can they sling us this bullshit about the army helping us when it's so obvious these people haven't even stepped foot in Empire City…I guess I can use that to keep a low profile.

Cole made his way toward the crowd when the inevitable took place.

"Oh my God, look its Cole!" One woman shouted in excitement.

"We love you Cole!" Another voice from the crowd yelled.

The cheers drastically grew in volume as the news of their savior's presence caused them to lose all control. Cole's futile attempt at keeping a low profile was almost as useless as his attempts at quieting the immense ocean of admirers. Everyone took notice, including the government pawns.

"Please, go ahead of me Cole. It's the least I can do for a hero." One man said as he prompted Cole to step in front of him. Cole nervously smiled and moved forward.

I remember him, I ran the looters out of his store once…I remember her too; I got rid of all those surveillance things on her building…Come to think of it… I think I helped almost everyone here.

As Cole's memories took him to a chain of heroic deeds, those he had saved by doing those same deeds gave him their place in line. In a matter of mere minutes, Cole found himself at the head of the line.

The wall of armed soldiers made an opening for Cole and didn't hesitate to stare at the man whose name was still being chanted by the crowd. The feeling of hundreds of eyes staring directly at Cole made him uneasy. He was lead to the station furthest away from the crowd.

"The doctor will be with you shortly." Cole was told as he was prompted to take a seat on the bed.

That's just great, I'm finally on my way out of here and my doctor flakes?

"I apologize for the delay sir. Your name is?" The female doctor said as she lifted her head from reading her clipboard.

"It's-"

"-Cole!?" the doctor shouted in shock.

"It can't be…Amy!?" Cole shouted in utter disbelief.

Cole's memories kicked in yet again. This time it took him back to when he first started dating Trish. It was a couple of weeks into the relationship when Trish introduced her new boyfriend to her sister. It wasn't as nerve racking due to the unfortunate fact that their parents passed away years prior. That only gave Amy more of a reason to be protective. Cole's financial status along with his not so impressive career choice as bike messenger didn't exactly put him in Amy's good graces. Cole's pitiful attempts at trying to hook up Amy with Zeke pushed him even farther away from that goal. However, over time they learned to get along. Amy and Trish both began to study medicine while Cole began saving money to pay for an engagement ring.

Everything changed the day Cole was personally requested to deliver a package that killed countless innocent lives but in turn gave him amazing powers. Trish was presumed dead since her apartment was so close to where Cole's package exploded. Now that he thought about it, there never was a body of Amy to bury. Still, Cole needed answers…now.

"I'm so glad to see your safe!" Amy yelled as she embraced the still confused Cole.

"It's great to see you too but…I thought you were dead." Cole said as he slowly removed Amy's hands and looked into her eyes.

"Didn't Trish get my message about being called out of state for the weekend? Speaking of Trish, where is she? Don't tell me you left her behind in that crowd!"

"Of course not…She's…I don't know how to say it…"

"Just tell me you jerk.'

"Alright Amy…Trish-"

"-We got a situation on our hands!" One soldier shouted as what appeared to be a dozen Reapers made their way from the west, guns blazing and grenades in hand.

Screams of terror filled the sky as the crowded tried as hard as possible to scatter out of harm's way before it was too late. The armed forces tried to retaliate but one grenade managed to land inside of one of the hovering helicopters and the explosion turned the chopper into a fiery metal projectile that took out half of the soldiers on the bridge. Two more well-placed grenades exploded and sent two abandoned vehicles hurdling through the air. One car managed to break off the tail rotor of the last helicopter which caused it to spin in out of control as it inevitably fell into the water. The other burning mass of metal was heading directly toward the center of the bridge where so many innocent lives stood in fright. Cole rushed over at impressive speeds and leaned his body at the perfect angle with his hands near his chest before unleashing a magnetic shockwave that launched the car straight into the water.

Amy watched on in disbelief as Cole ran straight for the cluster of Reapers and leaped in the air. As if time itself had slowed down to a near halt, Cole blasted three Reapers in the head with three powerful and accurate lightning bolts. Cole landed firmly on the ground as his hands discharged his electrical energy. Two of the remaining Reapers tried to escape by running into the nearby alley. Cole opened his right hand and in the blink of an eye, charged up enough energy to form a powerful shock grenade. He launched the ball of electricity over the fleeing thugs and watched as it bounced of the wall before sticking to one Reaper's leg. The explosion knocked both Reapers back into the street before pinning them down at the hands and feet with arc restraints.

The once confident group now split in fear. Five Reapers hid together behind a parked car while the other two Reapers readied their grenades and pulled their arms back at almost the same time. Before they could throw their explosives, Cole blasted a megawatt hammer at the ground in between the pair which propelled them through the air. One unfortunate Reaper landed in the water while the other equally unfortunate Reaper slammed against the building across the street. The last bunch of Reapers unloaded as many bullets as they could to their unstoppable foe. Had their hoods not been concealing their faces, their priceless facial expressions would have surely satisfied the crowd as Cole used his polarity wall. The hundreds of bullets meant to end Cole's life only strengthened him even more as he converted the bullets to energy that he could use to finally end this fight. When the magazines were empty, Cole dropped his wall and cocked his right arm back. He closed his eyes and concentrated a large portion of the energy surging through him to his fist. By the time the Reapers could finish reloading their guns; Cole opened his eyes and focused in on his target. Electricity shot from his pupils as Cole unleashed an overload burst at the Reapers protection. The amplified lightning strike destroyed the car and its explosion knocked every remaining Reaper into the wall. Cole slowly walked over to place arc restraints on them as the crowd began chanting his name yet again.

Cole looked at the people of Empire City and held his head high. This was his life and he was alright with that. While Cole was still cherishing the moment, Amy grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.

"I want to know everything!"

END