The Spark that Started the Fire

An inFamous Story

By The Enigmatic Man

Rating: (T)

---------------------------

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

---------------------------

"Doctor, he's waking up!" One female voice called out.

Cole fades in and out of consciousness as he floated in a water filled cylindrical container with multiple tubes coming together to provide him with oxygen.

What…Where…

Cole struggled to keep his eyes open long enough to process his surroundings. He notices the men and women dressed in white coats watching him through the container. His shirt is gone, in place are multiple cords that continue to read his vital signs on the computer across from his container but before he can gather the strength to say anything, all he sees fades to black.

"Ah, he needs more rest Doctor." Another unfamiliar voice says.

"What should we do sir?" Another voice asks.

"Let's give him time to recover." A masculine voice replies.

Six Hours Later

The sounds of Trish's gentle laughter filled Cole's ears as he begins to stir once more. He remembers their first conversation, their first date, their first kiss. He still feels her soft, relaxing touch on his skin. The laughter suddenly changes to screams as he remembers her falling and how he couldn't save her. The man who saved thousands in Empire City couldn't save the most important person in his life.

Cole's eyes finally open and the doctors begin to crowd around him once more. The doctor in front of the rest was a tall, well fit man with a slightly sinister smile on his face.

"Good morning Mr. MacGrath. My name is Doctor Alexander, the leader of Project: Zeus." The doctor says calmly.

"…Zeus?" Cole responds as he slowly regains consciousness.

"Yes, you are subject 0-4-1-9-0-0 and the study of your abilities has been named Project: Zeus." The doctor answered.

Well I guess I might as well do the name some justice and shove a lightning bolt up this guy's…Wait a minute.

"How is this thing filled with water?" Cole asks as he finally regains all of his strength.

"You mean how you are still alive right now? That is a very good question Mr. MacGrath. You see, we discovered your aquatic weakness after performing multiple extensive tests on your body, cells, DNA, and pretty much everything else. The entire process took days at a time." Doctor Alexander explained.

"Days? How long have I been here!?"

"It has been approximately one week since you arrived at our laboratory but please do not interrupt. Now, where was I? Oh yes, we discovered your weakness as well as your energy storage capabilities and siphoned away your electrical energy which should explain your weakened state. Thus we formed a perfect way to keep you alive and prevent you from causing any harm." Doctor Alexander concluded.

"How long do you honestly think you can keep me in here?" Cole asked with a slight grin on his face that was hidden by the breathing instrument on his mouth and nose.

"As long as we want. There is no point trying to scare us Mr. MacGrath, we know everything about you. Your lovely blonde friend, Amy Dailey I believe her name is told us everything." The Doctor declared with a smile.

No…Amy wouldn't do that…Would she?

"I don't believe you." Cole stated.

"Believe what you'd like Mr. MacGrath but I have other matters to attend to. Oh and if you are considering leaving, I suggest draining the electricity from the container itself to give you a decent charge." The doctor chuckled and then added, "But then again once the electricity charges your body, the water will surely cause to short circuit. Good bye Mr. MacGrath."

What an asshole…

Cole watched as the doors slid open for the doctor and then closed as he exited the room. He noticed the four armed guards sitting down to the left of his container and the large computer screen not far in front of him that displayed his biological information.

Alright Cole think, how the hell can I get out of here and not get fried trying? I'm stronger and faster than I was before the blast but I can't break this thing open because of this water resistance. Looks like they got me figured out…I wonder where Amy is…

---------------------------

"The subject is awake and contained Mr. President." Doctor Alexander said as the large screen displayed the leader of the United States of America from his private plane.

"I am glad to hear that Doctor Alexander. I should be arriving shortly to speak with him." The President said with hints of excitement in his voice.

"Mr. President, what happens if Cole does not comply?" Doctor Alexander asked.

"Then I will consider listening to your plan." The President said as his excitement ceased.

"I assure you Mr. President Project Prometheus is the perfect back up plan." Doctor Alexander reassured.

"Perhaps, but for now we focus on Cole. Hopefully if everything goes well we won't need Project Prometheus." The President said plainly.

"You're right Mr. President…I will go prepare for your arrival." Doctor Alexander said as he ended the transmission.

---------------------------

Sleep without the energizing flow of electricity through Cole's body made it a truly uncomfortable experience yet the hours of inactivity inevitably lead to his unpleasant nap regardless of his comfort level.

While the hero slumbered, the sound of the lab doors sliding open caused the guards by Cole's container to rise from their chairs. When the men stepped into Doctor Alexander's laboratory, the guards immediately stood upright to salute their president.

"Good day gentlemen." The President said as he nodded to the guards.

"I'll wake him for you sir." Doctor Alexander said as he approached Cole's container. He knocked three times on the glass as he called out, "It's time to wake up Mr. MacGrath. There is someone who wishes to meet with you."

Cole's sleep holds a firm grip on Empire City's champion as the knocking sounds travel through the water. Suddenly, Cole's biological readings begin to flash as his heart rate increases. Cole's arms and legs begin to flail around while his head moves left and right.

"Doctor Alexander what is going on? Is he alright?" The President asks curiously.

"He's fine sir, I don't know what's causing his panic state." Doctor Alexander assures him as he presses multiple buttons on the computer to discover the source of Cole's distress.

Cole's eyes open as he shouts Trish's name.

"Well it appears that it was merely a-" Doctor Alexander says with a relief.

Another nightmare...

"Good to see you're alright Mr. MacGrath. You gave us quite the scare there." The President calmly said to Cole as he approached the container.

"Where's Amy?" Cole demanded.

"Straight to the point, I like that. She was already put on the first flight back to Empire City. She's doing what is best for her city." The President replied.

"So now you care about Empire City? Where were you a month ago?" Cole said coldly.

"I understand your anger Mr. MacGrath but you have to understand the fragility of Empire City's situation during that troubling time. However, that matter is long over with now that the quarantine is scheduled to be lifted very soon. Now, what I came all this way for is to give you an offer." The President said calmly.

"What kind of offer?" Cole asked.

"We have seen what you can do Cole. We are aware of your amazing powers and we want you to make a significant difference in this world by aiding your country." The President said.

"So you want a super soldier? You think I'm just some weapon!?" Cole exclaimed.

"No, it is much more than that. You can help us bring aid and support to areas in the world that are considered to be too dangerous for soldiers. Just imagine how many lives you can save globally instead of just in Empire City." The President persuaded.

"Not interested…My place is with the people of Empire City. As long as that quarantine is still up and the gangs are still thriving, I belong in Empire City helping them because I know no one else will." Cole said as he looked away from his own President.

"Why do you not understand how much of an important role you can be playing throughout the world Cole?" The President asked as he finally saw how much anger Cole was harboring toward the government.

"Because you fail to understand how much Empire City needed help while you and your buddies all sat in your air conditioned offices sipping champagne." Cole responded.

"…Then I guess there is nothing more to be said here." The President said quietly.

"I guess not." Cole said.

As the President let out a heavy sigh, Doctor Alexander left the room quietly. Shortly after he left, his assistants left to follow him.

"Doctor Alexander, where are you going?" One assistant asked.

"I'm off to make the necessary preparations." Doctor Alexander replied.

"We're sorry but, preparations for what Doctor?" Another assistant questioned.

"Project Prometheus…If Cole refuses to use his powers to help us…we'll just have to create someone more powerful who will." Doctor Alexander answered.

---------------------------

Author's Note: I apologize for my delay of this chapter as well as the slow pace the story is moving at for now. I can assure you that every single character from inFAMOUS will make their appearance starting with the next chapter and beyond. Thank you for your reviews and criticism, they are deeply appreciated.