Disclaimer: All of these characters are borrowed from the game Bioshock: Infinite, and I do not own or have any rights to them. Oh, and there are major spoilers in this story. Don't read unless you've finished the game.
Second Run - A Bioshock Infinite Fanfiction
Chapter 12: The Truth Shall Set You Free
By ck-pasta
In another instant, there was a second blast that followed. Booker and James quickly found cover behind a few desks while the fire continued to surge throughout the lobby. Men were screaming as their bodies only provided fuel for the flames.
Gunshots echoed through the room, but they slowly died down as less men were able to shoot. A few of the Vox even started to run away and made their way to the upper levels in hopes of not being found. As the noise lessened, Booker poked his head up to see what had caused all of this calamity. In the center of the room was a young woman. Short hair, arms crossed, and eyes that surveyed the room. He didn't know who it was, until she turned to his direction, "Elizabeth?"
James pulled him back, "Is that the Lamb? Why is she here?"
He stood up, and gestured James to follow, "Elizabeth! Over here!" She quickly reacted, and started to run over to him. She embraced him, and Booker gladly accepted. It was a few seconds of silence, until Anna broke it, "I thought I was going to lose you Mr. Birch."
The moment was broken by James, "Mr. Birch? Who is that?" Booker shot a glare at him, and he knew not to say anymore about names.
"Uhh, well, Elizabeth, this is James. He was part of the Vox, but he helped me out." She examined him, but only slightly. She was more worried about Booker and getting out of here.
James threw up both of his hands and started to wave them in front of his face, "Wait, wait, wait. Is THIS why you had me take you to Monument Island? To take the Lamb?"
"He didn't just take me. He showed me the truth." She replied. They were reminded of their surroundings as a large piece of burning wood crashed beside them. The three quickly ran out of the hotel, and stopped in the courtyard to turn around. Songbird's Nest was almost completely in flames, and Anna caused it.
Booker turned to her, "How did you manage to do all of that?"
She whipped out her left hand, and let a small flame emerge from it, "I drank a Vigor. It also seems that my tears can enhance their effects, as you can clearly see." He didn't know whether to be amazed or afraid. He shook his head after looking at awe towards her, "Well, let's just get to Comstock. I'm sure that Vigor and Tear combination will help."
James looked at the two with confusion, "Comstock? I'm not going anywhere near that guy. You two can go, I'd rather take my chances with the Vox than Comstock."
Booker offered him his hand, "James, are you sure? We could use all the help we can get."
"Absolutely. The Vox may be bad, but they aren't crazy."
He bid them goodbye as he headed towards Songbird's Nest to appear as if he'd been part of those wounded. Booker and Anna watched for a bit, before turning to leave once more.
They made their way to Comstock House again, with much less resistance. The Vox seemed to have cleared the way out for the most part. The two made it to the Bank of the Prophet with ease, but from there it went downhill.
There were Vox everywhere, and it seemed as though they had the same goal as them - get to Comstock House.
"How do you want to go about this?"
Anna gave him a confused look, "Me? You're the one that knows how to do this stuff."
"But I'm not the one that just wiped out hundreds of Vox with two hits of Devil's Kiss, now am I?"
She shook her head, "Mr. Birch, that was a matter of circumstance. You were in trouble, and I was set on getting you back. I don't think I have the heart in me to do anymore killing like that."
He was looking around for a bit. He didn't want to go with a head on confrontation if Anna wasn't going to be up for it. There wasn't much on the ground to help him, so he looked up. There was a single tear available in the sky, and it was the only way he saw to get through without causing a huge fight.
"Elizabeth, open up that tear right there. The Mosquito." She obeyed, and the machine started to make its way towards them, "We're not doing what I think we're doing, are we?"
He grabbed onto the Mosquito, and held his hand out to her, "Do you trust me?"
Her hands were clamped up into fists, and she held them near her chest as she looked down towards the bottomless abyss underneath Columbia. She slowly extended her hand, and once she grasped Booker's, they were on their way. She kept her free hand on her mouth to prevent her from screaming, and looked up to him as comfort.
He gestured the machine to head for Comstock House, and it complied. Underneath them were hundreds of Vox, all getting ready for a raid on Comstock. A loud PA system started to fill the air, "It's time Comstock paid for his sins! It's time we get what we want! It's time we stopped living in the dirt, and for him to taste what we've tasted!"
A roar of approval ringed from the crowd. Anna shook her head, and looked up at him, "Why are they doing this? Is life in ShantyTown really that bad?"
He looked down at her, "No. Not for the amount of killing they've done. All of Columbia will soon be a ShantyTown once they're through."
The Mosquito landed them near the entrance of Comstock House, just past the bridge. There was a large army station on the bridge, getting prepared for the incoming Vox. They snuck past them and made it inside.
The two made their way to the door that was now open, unlike the first time Booker came here. No one was inside, and the two figured they were all preparing for the Vox. They eventually came to a large room with an atrium in the middle. Memories of Anna screaming filled his mind, and anger grew even more inside of him. They made their way to the back, and took the elevator to Comstock's main office.
"Listen to me Elizabeth, no matter what happens, we're getting through it. Together. I'll never abandon you."
She looked at him with her blue eyes, "You wouldn't, would you?"
The door opened and a few guards and a turret immediately shot at them. He quickly possessed the machine, and it made short work of the guards. Booker quickly picked up a carbine from one of the guards and shot at the turret before possession expired. He scavenged the guards, and picked up all the ammo he could find. All he had now was a carbine and ammo for it.
He looked out the glass windows and doors before turning around to go into Comstock's office, "You ready for this?"
She let in a deep breath, "No." She swung the door open, and Comstock was sitting at his table reading a Bible, "Ahh, my Elizabeth! Where have you been?" He was holding her hand and looking at her scars.
"Hey! Let her go!" Booker demanded as he got closer.
Elizabeth allowed Comstock to tend to her, "Tell me, what am I?"
Comstock looked at her, "Elizabeth, everything I've done. I've done to keep you safe."
"Safe from what?"
"The seed of the Prophet shall sit the throne, and drown in flames the mountain of man. But the archangel revealed something else: Beware, Prophet. Beware the False Shepherd, Booker DeWitt, for he shall be a wall between her and destiny."
"But he was my father! You stole me from him!"
Comstock disregarded what she said and turned to Booker, "Mr. Birch, I'm a fool. I've sent mighty armies to stop you. I've rained fire on you from above. I did all that to keep you from her, when all I needed to was tell her the truth," He turned back to Anna, "Ask him, child. Ask him what his name is."
She looked at Booker, "W-what's is he talking about?"
Booker held out his hand to her, "Elizabeth, I -" Comstock interrupted him, "Well go on! Tell her your name!"
She stomped a foot on the ground, "Kylar! What is he talking about?"
Comstock slowly moved towards him, "You see, you thought the truth would be your savior. But in the end, it was your demise. You thought that my sweet Elizabeth would always believe your lies. Isn't that right, DeWitt?"
Anna looked at him with confusion, "Y-you're Booker?"
He started to make his way to her, "Elizabeth, I can explain."
Comstock got in between them, "It's far too late for that. Now, you have to answer for your sins."
A giant hand crushed through a wall, and tore it off. Songbird's head popped into the room, his red eyes changing the tone of colors. He looked at Booker, and let out a screech that was near deafening, and grabbed him.
He tried to break himself free, but Songbird was far too strong, "Elizabeth!" Songbird continued to fly, and soon Comstock House was out of sight, "Let go of me, you feathered sack of shit!" This only caused Songbird's grip to tighten, and he was running out of air. They continued to fly for a few more moments, until they got to what seemed like a nest underneath Monument Island. It was large, but completely hidden unless one were to see Monument Island from below.
Songbird dropped him into the nest, and Booker screamed as he hit the brittle floor. Songbird circled the nest a few times, before disappearing into the clouds. Booker groaned as he slowly got up.
"Should we help him?"
"Now, I don't see any fun in doing that." Once he was up, he turned around to see the Luteces, "Where'd Songbird go?"
"We assume back to Comstock House. More than likely waiting to get his next orders on what exactly he should do with you," Rosalind answered.
"So do you two have any idea on how to get out of here?"
Robert chimed in, "At the moment? No. This is actually the first time we've ever been here. Songbird usually rips you to shreds, he's never taken you back to his nest."
Booker crossed his arms, "I guess I'm lucky."
"I wouldn't really call it luck. Hard to imagine what Comstock has planned for you," Rosalind said.
"So you have no clue how to help me in any way?"
Robert stepped forward, "Well, there we do have one piece of advice. Unless you get songbird to help you, he'll always stop you. I presume you remember the tune."
"Cage? Kind of hard to forget, but I don't have a whistler on me."
Rosalind spoke up, "Oh, you're right. If only we were underneath a tower filled with golden statues that all have whistlers in them."
Booker ignored the sarcasm, and looked up to see if there was any way onto the main level. There was a platform nearby that seemed to be used for maintenance. He figured that there would be a way up from there, only problem was there was a huge gap between the nest and the platform.
"Could you guys give me a boost or something?"
Robert raised an eyebrow, "We're not much for physical help, sorry. Besides, you could make that jump. Just have a little faith."
Booker shook his head, and stepped back to get a head start. He ran forward and leaped towards the platform. He managed to catch it with his arms, but started to slip. He fell back until only one arm held on, and the other dangling. Robert was above him, "Circumstances change, I suppose."
He offered his hand to Booker, and he gladly accepted. Robert pulled him up, and Booker panted , hands on his knees, "Thanks, I apprecia -" He looked around and he was gone. Booker made his way to the maintenance ladder, and climbed up.
He emerged into the courtyard, behind some bushes. he pushed them out of his way, and walked into Monument Island. I could free her right now. I just have to get Songbird, and have him destroy the Siphon. He looked around, but realized there wasn't a Siphon here. It was moved. I'll worry about that later then. Just have to get to Anna right now.
He approached one of the golden statues, and picked up a chair. He beat it, and it's tune started to play. It tipped over, and the whistler slid out of it. He quickly grabbed it, and could hear Songbird's screech getting closer. He looked at the notes, and quickly played the notes C-A-G-E. Songbird landed in front of him, his claws near Booker's face.
Songbird's eyes turned green, and he lowered his hand. Booker approached him, and put his hand to Songbird's, "Let's go get Elizabeth."
I was going to go in depth with Songbird's history, and make up my own story on that, but I figured that would be best left to Levine. I'm planning on ending this story on chapter 20, so there is still quite a bit more after this. I'm also going make the last chapters longer.
Anyways, hope you guys still enjoyed this chapter!