Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Search is Over ❯ Seducing the Victim ( Chapter 4 )

Note: I do not own Final Fantasy VII.

A/N: There are hints of rape in these next two chapters so be warned.

Chapter 4: Seducing the victim

 

Cloud rolled over on his side and tried to fall back asleep, but a nagging feeling kept him awake. Something wasn't right and he couldn't figure out what it was. He was about to crawl out of bed when Marlene threw open the door and bounced over to Cloud, still wearing her plaid pajamas.

 

"Un'ca Cloud, Un'ca Cloud! It's time to wake-up!"

 

"Gee Marlene, with you around who needs an alarm clock," Cloud said while rubbing his eyes and stretching.

 

"You're so silly Un'ca Cloud. Come eat breakfast with me," Marlene pleaded as she tugged on Cloud's arm.

 

"Oh, alright. You win," Cloud mumbled as he pretended to return to bed, but stopped his act once he received a light bop on the head from Marlene's little hands.

 

"No playing Un'ca Cloud! Get-up, get-up!"

 

Cloud winked at the little girl as he quickly ran his hand through his hair to straighten it out and followed the girl down the stairs where Barret and Elmyra were already seated at the table.

 

"Yo Spike! Nice ta see yo face all bright n' early!" Barret's voice boomed, clearly showing why Marlene was such a morning person.

 

"I'm up, but can't really say I'm as bright and cheery as you right now," he said trying to stifle a yawn.

 

Marlene took her seat next to Elmyra and started scooping spoonfuls of cereal into her mouth.

 

Cloud plopped down in the nearest chair and smiled as Elmyra scooped hearty helpings of the hot breakfast she made onto his plate.

 

"So, where are you headed next?" Elmyra asked.

 

"I'm going to first visit Nanaki in Cosmo Canyon then head off to Rocket Town."

 

"No visitin' da brat up in Wutai?" Barret chimed in between bites of bacon and eggs.

 

"You kidding me? I brought along some of my best materia on this trip and I'm not taking any chances with that girl."

 

"Don't say I blame ya."

 

"Will Auntie Yuffie be at the wedding?" Marlene asked brightly, ignoring the small dribble of milk on her chin.

 

"Ya, she will honey," Barret winked at his adopted daughter as he wiped her chin clean of the milk.

 

Cloud enjoyed the rest of his morning chatting with the family before he had to depart to Cosmo Canyon. He wanted to talk to Nanaki about the progress they were making in Midgar. He knew that the sentient creature was thoroughly interested in how the environment would react to stripping precious mako out of the planet. He had theorized that the effects of the harvesting mako would leave scars that wouldn't heal for hundreds of years. Cloud had collected some samples for the protector of Cosmo Canyon and hoped his research would give everyone some insight into the future of the planet.

 

He also hoped that Nanaki had some more information about the strange fluctuations of lifestream that had been reported in the Northern Crater. This was the information that worried Cloud the most. The only members of AVALANCHE that knew of this were himself, Nanaki and Reeve. The trio didn't want the others to worry unnecessarily if the fluctuations were only signs that the planet was healing itself. They had to make sure that the fluctuations weren't an indication that Sephiroth and Jenova were still alive; otherwise AVALANCHE would have to regroup once again.

 

The swordsman said his parting words to his friends and mounted his Chocobo Locus to continue his journey. He worried about his childhood friend. It had been tempting to at least tell Tifa about the strange occurrences at the Northern Crater, but like all his other friends, he didn't want to worry them. Picking up his PHS, he decided to give her a call to make sure that everything was fine back in Kalm.

 

Cloud dialed the number to Tifa's phone and raised the device to his ear, waiting for her to pick-up.

 

"Hello?"

 

"Hey Teef? How's everything?"

 

"Good. Couldn't sleep well last night though."

 

"Yeah, same here. I had to listen to Barret's snoring," Cloud chuckled.

 

Cloud could hear Tifa giggling on the other end.

 

"But I just wanted to check-up with you and let you know I'm on my way to Cosmo Canyon."

 

"Please send him my love when you see him."

 

"I will. But you really should have come along. It would've made the journey easier, I mean do you know how many samples he asked me to bring? Poor Locus is carrying over a ton of stuff, including me."

 

Cloud listened to Tifa laugh once more.

 

"I'm sure Locus would appreciate having one more person to carry. Your sword is heavy enough to account for another person," she teased.

 

"Yeah, it probably is. But if you do change your mind, you can meet me up anytime. My last stop's going to be the City of the Ancients."

 

"Okay, I'll consider it."

 

"Hey Teef, I should get going now, there's some traffic jam involving some tractor trailer and a bunch of chocobos."

 

"Cloud, you know better than to ride and talk on the PHS at the same time," Tifa chided.

 

"Yeah, yeah . . . but take care ok?"

 

"Ok, you too."

 

* * *

 

Tifa hung-up the phone and looked out on the horizon from the cliff-side where she stood. The once towering symbol of the great ShinRa corporation was now reduced to the dilapidated wreckage of twisted metal and steel named the Midgar Ruins. The Ruins were a chilling picture of what could have happened to the entire world if AVALANCHE failed to stop Sephiroth.

 

Aeris's memorial stood on the cliffside overlooking the scene of destruction. Cloud had said that Zack had died trying to save him somewhere along these cliffs. Cloud didn't remember where his friend had died, but construction workers had found human remains in this spot that matched a male with a wide build. Cloud knew that the remains had to be Zack's, so he erected Aeris's memorial in that very place to honor his fallen friends and give Zack a proper burial.

 

Tifa rested her hands on the cool marble surface. Her fingers traced the etchings that narrated the sacrifice Aeris made to save the planet. Cloud had wanted a life-sized statue made of the flower-girl, but had to settle for a large obelisk. It may not have been intricate or greater than the monuments build for kings and queens, yet it served its purpose and symbolized Aeris's integrity.

 

Tifa could faintly see her reflection off the marble and touched her face as she noticed the heavy bags under her eyes. She frowned as she thought how disgusting she looked, completely opposite of Aeris whose beauty never seemed to falter. Her thoughts wandered back to the strange dream she had last night. A part of her didn't want to believe it was real or that it ever took place, but her mind couldn't forget Cloud's words. She knew that Cloud secretly harbored feelings for Aeris, she could see it in his eyes and how they glowed whenever he spoke about her. The vision she had last night had to be real and that only meant she would have to sacrifice her life to give Cloud his angel back, something Tifa was hesitant to do.

 

"Why me Aeris? Why me?" Tifa whispered, not really expecting a reply.

 

"Because you would only be miserable if Cloud chose me over you and you had to witness it," a voice echoed in her head.

 

"Aeris?" Tifa spun around to find the source of the voice.

 

"It's true though," the girl said as she materialized in front of Tifa.

 

"No, I wouldn't be miserable. I'd be happy for you both. I'd eventually move on, I'm sure of it," Tifa pleaded to the apparition.

 

"Poor, poor Tifa. You say you wouldn't suffer, but you would. Let me give you a chance to end it all: end all the pain and heartache," the girl said soothingly while cupping Tifa's face with her two petite hands.

 

"I . . . I just can't believe what you're telling me is real. It seems so impossible. I saw you die Aeris. How are you able to come back?"

 

"It's the will of the planet Tifa. It's also the will of your friends and Cloud. You heard him; you saw how desperate he was to see me again. Didn't he ask you to meet him at the City of the Ancients where my body is resting?"

 

"Yes . . . yes he did," Tifa sighed, listening to the Ancient's soothing voice.

 

"Isn't that proof that he favors me over you? Go to the Northern Crater, give yourself to me so I can be with Cloud again," the girl said stroking Tifa's cheek.

 

The girl's voice sounded so sincere and sweet. She had put her trust in Aeris when they fought alongside each other and even when they were waiting for Holy to defeat Meteor. Aeris has never disappointed her and there was no reason why she shouldn't stop trusting her old friend. She knew that this was what the planet wanted and also what Cloud wanted, but she was still confused and hurt as to what to do.

 

"Can I at least say good-bye to everyone before I make my decision?"

 

"But wouldn't you want my revival to be a surprise to everyone? Besides, I don't think they would allow you to do what I ask of you, even if it is part of their deepest desires," the Ancient said while pushing aside one of Tifa's stray hairs rather intimately.

 

"I guess you're right," Tifa said as she bowed her head in defeat. "But I still don't know if I should."

 

"What if I told you that you should because you're the only one I want? You have such a nice body Miss Lockheart, one that people would die for," the girl said in a husky voice while wrapping her arms around Tifa's slender waist and lowering her lips towards the beautiful martial artist.

 

Tifa pushed the girl back at the sudden unexpected touch. Aeris stood and smiled sweetly at Tifa as if what she did was perfectly appropriate.

 

"Aeris, wha-what are you doing?" Tifa said wide-eyed.

 

"Just admiring what will be mine," the girl said while waving her hand in the air.

 

Tifa's eyelids felt heavy as her body wavered back and forth. These symptoms were consistent with a sleep spell, being familiar to them as Tifa had been victim to it countless times. Tifa tried to will herself to stay awake, but Aeris had always been a strong magic-user and the effects were weakening the martial artist. She felt her body falling backward, but before she could fall on the ground, two arms had wrapped around her body. Tifa focused one last time to open her eyelids, but the sleep spell had done its job and she drifted off to a soundless slumber.

 

Sephiroth had changed back to his true form after Tifa had finally lost consciousness. He stroked her cheek gently as he watched the steady rise and fall of her chest.

 

"Yes, sleep. You'll need your strength if you want to become mother's host," Sephiroth purred as he continued to admire the sleeping girl.

 

"I originally planned to let you come to me willingly, but I grow tired of these mind games," as Sephiroth removed one of his gloves and pressed his hand against Tifa's head. "I've always preferred taking things into my own hands."

 

Sephiroth watched as Tifa murmured in discomfort as he used his powers to alter her memory. He laughed maniacally as he broke through all of Tifa's mental barriers and worked his demented artistry on her mind.

 

"Now my dear Miss Lockheart, when I'm through with you you'll only remember what I want you to remember and do what I want you to do," he said while letting his powers emanate through the girl's body.

 

Sephiroth finished raping Tifa's mind as he removed his hand from her forehead. His eyes scanned her body and fell on her chest as he remembered the scar he had left on her body back in Nibelheim. He watched curiously as her chest heaved up and down with her deep breaths. He had cast a strong sleep spell on her and fiddling with her mind would only disorient her longer.

 

He smirked as he bent down to lift her shirt up and admire his handicraft. The scar ran across her two breasts, which were covered by her bra. He traced his fingers along the scar on her body: his autograph.

 

"You truly have a beautiful body Miss Lockheart," he said before unsnapping her bra.

 

(continued…)