What Comes After
Hello there, this is the author and this is the text that will show when it's me talking. I started this story while Alternative: a Life Is Strange Story is in progress. I need to take a break from that story and rethink. I don't like how it's going so far and it doesn't feel like Life Is Strange to me. Yes I use the characters in that story but still, I need to get back on track with that story. I didn't want to disappear though, so that's why I'm writing this story.
I'm more excited about this story and yes, this is a Life Is Strange fan fiction. This will be the Sacrifice Arcadia Bay ending (shocker, I know). However, I'm putting my own take on it. This story is going to be deep with a lot of depressing themes like suicide. Basically, this story will be a little more realistic but not by much. There will be supernatural elements to the story. For a quick text explanation.
This is normal text.
'Monologue'
" Character talking to a character inside their head"
Used to show setting change. Used to have specific words stand out
Author's text
Just wanted to get all that cleared away. One final warning, again. The story has real themes like PTSD and suicide. I will give a warning before stuff like that happens and for graphic content. Now on with the story, enjoy!
What Comes After
By FuzzyPuffball11
Chapter 1: Death
Arcadia Bay, Lighthouse
The wind screeched and screamed in complete terror of the chaos unfolding. The sky cried non stop as everything was being more and more soaked from the tears. The clouds rumbled in absolute rage. It was over all the stuff it had to see and bare witness to. The sky flashed as it took a picture of every single moment happening. Every flash was a new photo. In the midst of all the chaos, Chloe was struggling to carry Max up the hill to the lighthouse with everything going against her.
'I have to do this. I can't fail her. She won't through hell and back to be here and I can't let her die. I would not be able to live with myself if that happened. No one has ever done such a thing for me... well ignoring the time and reality part. No has ever put their life before mine. She could've fucking died, she probably almost lost her sanity to all this shit. Max is my best fri... no she's more then that. ' Chloe thought to herself as she continued up the hill.
Once they finally reached the hill, Chloe and Max fell to ground. Before her body made contact with the muddy ground, Max caught herself.
"Max? Max, can you hear me?" Chloe called out after she realized Max caught herself. "Please say something."
"Chloe? I-I must of passed out. Sorry." Max replied as she regained her bearings.
'How long was I out for? I passed out on the beach and then I wake up here. That was a long nightmare, it felt it would never end ' Max thought to herself.
"Oh, thank god." Chloe let out a sigh of relief. "Don't you ever do that again, okay?"
"I swear, but that nightmare was so real, was so horrible." Max thought back to her almost never ending nightmare. Chloe helps Max up from the ground slowly and in a very caring manner. In horror and shock, Max looked at the tornado moving menacingly toward Arcadia Bay.
'All those people trapped in Arcadia Bay with no way out. The people I helped before I hoped through the photo, does that even matter anymore? Did I help them? ' Max thought to herself as she watched the tornado.
"This my storm! I caused this, all of this! I changed fate and destiny so much that... I actually alter the course of everything! And all I created is death and destruction!" Max cried over the roaring winds. In the distance, faint screams of horror and agony could be heard from Arcadia Bay. The screams were from all the innocent people. The wind picked up the screams and blew them towards Max. It was almost like the storm was taunting Max.
"Fuck all of that, okay? You were given a power. You didn't ask for it... and you saved me. Which had to happen, all of this did... except for what happened to Rachel. But without your power, we wouldn't have found her! Okay, so you're not the goddamn Time Master, but you're Maxine Caulfield... and you're amazing." Chloe yelled over the storm.
'You have no idea Max how amazing you are, how much you mean to me, how much I love you. ' Chloe thought to herself. Out of her pockets, Chloe pulled out the butterfly photo from the bathroom. That photo was the doorway back to before all the chaos irrupted.
"Max, this is the only way." Chloe handed the photo to Max.
"I feel like I took this shot a thousand years ago." Max shouted, still in a panicked state. Chloe closes her eyes and takes a deep breathe, preparing herself for what she's about to say.
"You... you could use that photo to change everything right back to when you took that picture. All that would take is for me to.. to." Chloe couldn't finish her sentence because the thought of it was too much for her. She knew it would break Max's heart but it's for the greater good.
"Fuck that!" Max exclaimed denying the idea. "No way! You are my number one priority now. You are all that matters to me!"
'I can't trade Chloe. She's the only way I'm staying sane right now. I can't live without her, I love her too much. I know this is too selfish but I've been trying to help everyone. ' Max thought to herself.
"I know. You proved that over and over again, even though I don't deserve it. I'm so selfish, not like my mom. Look what she had to give up and live through, and she did. She deserves so much more than to be killed by a storm in a fucking diner! Even my step... father deserves her alive. There's so many more people in Arcadia Bay who should live, way more than me." Chloe explained as she broke up into tears.
"Don't say that! I won't trade you!" Max cried out.
"You're not trading me. Maybe you've just been delaying my real destiny. Look at how many times I've almost died or actually died around you. Look at what's happened in Arcadia Bay ever since you first saved me. I know I've been selfish, but for once I think I should accept my fate... our fate." Chloe continued to explain even though she knew she was causing Max pain and sorrow.
'I'm sorry Max for doing this to you. But what other choice do we have? ' Chloe thought to herself.
"Chloe!" Max cried even harder.
"Max, you finally came back to me this week, and you did nothing but show me your love and friendship. You made me smile and laugh, like I haven't done in years. Wherever I end up after this, in whatever reality, all those moments between us were real, and they'll always be ours. No matter what you choose, I know you'll make the right decision." Chloe continued on.
"Chloe! I-I can't make this choice." Max stuttered over her sorrow.
"No, Max. You're the only one who can." Chloe grabbed Max's arms and looked into her eyes.
'I don't know what to do! Going back is the right thing to do but that means I went through hell for nothing. That means I had to go through the Dark Room over and over again for no reason. It means, I will never be able to see Chloe ever again. She'll die believing everyone abandoned her and that she's all alone in this fucking world. No one deserves to die like that, but no one deserves to die in a storm. But this week has been one of the best and worst weeks of my life. Chloe made it the best but everything else made it the worst. This week, what I experienced would only be remembered by me. I would only remember who Chloe became, the sacrifice she'd made. All of that would only be known by me. I would lose the anchor of my life, the stitches that keep my sanity together, the person that prevents me from shutting down completely. I can't live without her. Maybe Arcadia Bay just wants to be left alone, just wants her land back. I know what I must do. ' Max debated to herself.
"Max, it - it's time." Chloe stuttered. She knew what was going to happen. She was going to die in a bathroom but she accepted that fact.
"Not anymore." Max looked at Chloe with a serious face. She tore the photo in half and let the wind carry it away to be forgotten among the wreckage. They both watched the pieces of the photo fly away into the storm.
"Max, I'll always be with you." Chloe said as started to hold Max's hand.
"Forever." Max replied. They watched the storm finally reach Arcadia Bay. They watched as their childhood home was torn apart. They watched as death and destruction consumed Arcadia Bay. Max couldn't take the sight anymore. She hugged Chloe and hid her face in Chloe's shoulders and closed her eyes so she didn't have to see it anymore. She could still hear the death and destruction. The screams of all the people were even louder then ever.
As the storm continued on through Arcadia Bay, the screams were becoming less and less frequent.
After a little bit.
All the screams were silenced and the only sound heard was destruction.
Later...
Arcadia Bay
After all the chaos ended, the only sound that filled the void was nature. After the storm finished it's destructive path over the town, it just disappeared and became sunny again. All the animals that were not present came back like nothing happened. They could tell that there was something coming, and they escaped with their lives. The people of Arcadia Bay were not so lucky.
Max and Chloe were driving through the wrecked town. Chloe had to drive slowly to avoid crashing into any of the debris and wreckage. There could be survivors and if she crashed into something, a pile of debris would fall onto and crush a survivor to death. The only place in Arcadia Bay they were going to stop at to check for survivors was Two Whales Diner. Max and Chloe wanted and needed to see if Joyce survived. They knew David and Victoria survived because they were in the Dark Room.
The truck approached the wrecked Two Whales Diner. Before them, a major part of their child hood laid in shambles. Many of their memories were created in the diner and what remained of those memories was death and destruction. Chloe looked at Max, who was on the verge of a breakdown and looked so broken. Chloe was also on the verge of a breakdown but she knew she had to stay strong for Max. She already lost parent and she more then likely lost another. However, still one parent remained alive, but their relationship was broken. The only respect for David Chloe has now is that he saved Max from the Dark Room. If David didn't save Max, Chloe would still be dead.
'I can't bare to look at the diner in... shambles. I treated Mom like dog shit, but she may still be alive. I made a promise to Max that I'd never leave her and I'm keeping her promise till my grave. I have no idea what's going on her head but it's probably not pretty. Hell, none of this shit is pretty.' Chloe thought to herself as she looked at Max.
'All these lives are gone. So many people are dead because of me. So many innocent lives young and old gone due to a storm of my creation. I don't regret my decision, Chloe is what is important. ' Max thought to herself.
"Are you sure you want to do this Max. I know it's the right thing to do but are you sure you can handle this?" Chloe asked with concern.
"When you're with me, I'm sure of anything. I need to make sure Joyce survived Chloe. She's your mother and you don't deserve to lose another parent." Max responded in a serious tone. Chloe nodded in response and opened the truck. Max followed soon after and they both exited the truck.
"Are you really sure you can handle this Max, hm? You're just putting on a fake ass show for Chloe so she wouldn't be worried about you. Your a fucking dumbass you know. She knows how broken you are right now." A voice called out in Max's head.
'W-What who are you?' Max asked the mysterious voice inside of her head. There was no response to her question.
WARNING! Graphic content.
Viewer discretion is advised
When they exited the truck, the putrid smell of death filled their nostrils. Usually the salty smell of the ocean is what would fill their nostrils but instead, it's the god awful putrid smell of death. Blood was stained in many places on debris and wrecked buildings. Whale corpses laid on top of of buildings, crushing the building. The train that would've killed Chloe was derailed and the engine, the caboose, and all the box cars were scattered through out Arcadia Bay. Frank's RV laid in wreckage inside the destroyed diner. Corpses laid scattered throughout the town. Some of the bodies were burned to a crisp and some were impaled by debris. There were bodies crushed by cars and debris and some bodies were hanging out of buildings.
Something lying in the middle of the wrecked street caught Max's attention. Just sitting there in silence, was bloody baby holder... with a dead baby siting in it. It's skull was cracked open and blood stained it's entire head. The neck was not in a natural condition, it was broken. The baby was seated in the holder in complete silence. Usually babies would cry, breathe, giggle, or laugh. However, this baby was not doing neither of those. It just sat there with it's lifelessly open and it's mouth open lifelessly. She couldn't take the sight, she fell down onto her knees and began to ball in tears.
'I caused that baby's death. I took it's life away. It looks so young and I just stripped it's future away.' Max thought to herself. It was almost like the imaginary cries from the baby echoed in Max's head and wouldn't stop. Chloe came to Max's aid.
"Max what the hell is wrong. Are you okay?" Chloe asked with her voice shaken up with concern. Max couldn't even speak the words she wanted to. Chloe looked up and saw what Max was so upset about. She to was now scared with the image of the dead baby. However, it didn't impact Chloe as much as it did Max. She knew what she was going to see when they drove through Arcadia Bay. She was mentally prepared for all of it. The dead baby still disturbed her though. Chloe helped Max back onto her feet.
'I looked at the diner. I know there is no chance that Joy... Mom survived that. I just have to move on. I have to move on for Max, for my Mom, and for me. I can't let this drag me down like what happened when Dad died. I have Max with me, and that's all I need.' Chloe thought to herself.
"Max we should just go. C'mon let's get back in the truck." Chloe said to the heartsick Max.
"O-O-k-kkay." Max responded barely being able to get her word out. Before Max could get in the truck, something else caught her attention. It was a corpse crushed by a car but the corpse was wearing very familiar shoes and jeans.
'Is.. that Warren?' Max thought to herself as she looked at the crushed, lifeless body.
"Warren." Max once again began to cry, but even worse. The last interaction she had with Warren that she remembers is the hug they shared before Max hopped through the photo.
"Just don't look at it Max." Chloe attempted to keep Max's attention away from the corpse but alas, her attention was not drawn away from the sight. Blood was stained on the car all around where Warren's body was crushed. His jeans and shoes were the only thing visible from Warren but they were stained in blood. Shards of glass were stuck in his legs and his legs still bled very slowly. Max couldn't even imagine what Warren looked like under the car. Suddenly, a thought hit her. She's forgetting someone.
'Kate. Oh god, Kate. Is she alive or dead. Did I save her in this timeline? Was she in the diner with Warren. Was she still in the hospital?' Max thought to herself in a panicked state.
"KATE! KATE! KATE ARE YOU OUT THERE?" Max screamed at the top of her lungs. Kate was the other person in her life that made Max feel truly happy, besides Chloe. Max never had any feelings for Kate but Kate was like a sister to Max. She met Kate the first day she was at Blackwell. So many memories were made at their tea times they shared together. When Max screamed, her voice echoed throughout the town. Birds flew away in fear from the loud shout.
"Max, calm down. Kate survived okay. You saved her from the roof and she left the hospital a couple hours before the storm hit Arcadia Bay. She called when her parents picked her up." Chloe tried to calm Max down.
'I know Kate means a lot to Max. I was an asshole when I got all pissy at Max when she answered the phone when Kate called. I'm happy that Max answered. We need to get out of here, drive far away as possible from this shit hole. Well now it's actually a shit hole.' Chloe thought to herself.
"She did? Thank god!" Max let out a sigh of relief but she was still disturbed from all the death she saw.
"Let's get out of here now." Chloe said as she got back into her truck. Max nodded and followed Chloe into the truck.
End of graphic content
For this next part, listen to Max and Chloe's theme. You can if you want to, it will just make this part better.
They drove through the rest of the destroyed Arcadia Bay. Nature already began taking the town back like it always belonged there. Deer were scattered throughout the streets and crows were attracted to smell of death that engulfed the town. Max and Chloe drove past another dead what on a building, but this one had crows on it, eating away at the flesh. This was their final goodbye to Arcadia Bay. Their last look at it and at their childhood. So many memories were being left behind but some stuck with them. Most of the memories were good ones, but some of them were bad ones. The bad ones were mostly only remembered by Max and very little by Chloe.
Chloe stopped the truck at the exit of the town and looked over at Max who was looking out the window. Her body was slouched and in the reflection of the window, Chloe could see Max's sad face.
"Max, we're together. That's all what matters right now. When I said I'm never leaving you, I was being serious. That's a promise I'm keeping to my grave. I'll always be at your side in any situation. You picked me up when I was at my most low and you saved me countless times. I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you but I will try all my best to. I will do anything you need me to, I will drop everything just to come aid you. Max Caulfield, I love you. I love you so much fucking much and I will follow you through hell and back." Chloe let her feelings loose. She couldn't hold them any longer. There was a brief silence in the truck. Max looked at Chloe with tears in her eyes. She moved her face closer to Chloe's and Chloe did the same. Their lips made contact, they kissed passionately. They kissed like one of them was going off to serve in the war.
"I love you too Chloe. I always did but ever since this week started. I realized I love you more then anyone else. I couldn't lose you and I still can't. If I have to deal with PTSD and trauma from all this shit for the rest of my life, I'll deal with it. You're priceless to me and I will never trade you for anything. When I moved to Seattle, I felt like I lost half of myself. When I saw you again in the parking lot, I found that half of myself that ripped away from me. You make me feel whole and you anchor me. You're the only reason why I got through all of that shit in my nightmare." Max responded after they broke away from the kiss. After that, Chloe continued to drive.
They drove past the sign that marked the end of the town.
"Another great day in Arcadia Bay, thank you come again." The sign read.
Maybe Arcadia Bay just wanted to be left alone. It got it's wish, no one would return to Arcadia Bay ever again. Nature will take back the land it lost to humanity.
A/N: Well this was the first chapter of What Comes After. I know this is like so many other fan fictions out there but every writer puts there own little twist and magic onto it.
I'm way more excited about What Comes After then Alternative: a Life Is Strange Story. Like I said earlier, I didn't ditch that story, I will return to it someday. It's just this story has been sitting in the back of my mind wanting to be released. One thing I learned from this is that there will be projects you have that you won't be to proud of. That's me with Alternative.
Below is going to be a list of choices to make in Life Is Strange that are cannon in What Comes After. It will be in normal text. These are just the big choices and some little ones.
Tell the truth to Principle Wells
Comfort Victoria
Step in when David is hassling Kate
Water Lisa (the plant in Max's room) in episode 1 but don't water it in episode 2
Take Chloe's blame on yourself
Tell Kate to look for proof
Answer Kate's phone call
Shoot Frank
Save Kate
Blame Nathan and get him expelled
Lisa is alive
Take the money
Kiss Chloe (obviously)
Side with Chloe
Throw the bone into the parking lot
Tell the homeless lady about the storm
(You don't have to take the gun in Frank's RV because Chloe will still have it)
Accept Chloe's request to end her life
Stop Warren from continuing to beat up Nathan
Don't give Frank the money and wound Frank
Tell Victoria about the Dark Room.
Hug Warren
Sacrifice Arcadia Bay
I put this list here if you want to play the game with all the correct choices that will be cannon in the story.
Tell Kate to look for proof