Infidelity

Infidelity
by ricobanderas9

My first fic in a while, and a change of pace. Less heavy on the MC and more like a mini-story with a twist ending.

He had never quite been the smoothest with women.

"Cloud, you're absolutely unbelievable!" cried Tifa, storming off. They had just finished an argument, this time over who could use the recently reborn W-Summon materia to better use. Since the party had made their final descent into the Northern Crater, there was significant tension between Cloud and his childhood sweetheart. Perhaps it was due to the rising vigilance and suppression of emotion in the party, but he wasn't particularly helping with some of his short comments and abrupt demeanor, attributed probably to the growing nervousness of what the outcome against Sephiroth would be.

The party made several rounds at a fork in the road to collect various items. Mega-All, Elixers, and various accessories and materia would prove especially useful in the final battle against Sephiroth. During each of these endeavors, Cloud would take time out and swim alone in the mystical pools. It brought back some of the memories of when he had solitude in the lifestream. Perhaps the water was really just the fabric of the stream?

The alcoves he found were exotic. Their perimeters were adorned with fragrant palm trees and spider-like ferns, with crystals growing from the cavern walls and pockets of energy illuminating the tranquil surface. The water itself was cool- not too cold, but definitely refreshing, revitalizing in addition to helping recover lost hit points. Cloud would typically swim taking off his armor, and

With growing frustration he would return to Tifa. They both cared about each other but the journey had truly taken its toll on each of them, almost severing the bonds of their lifelong friendship. It just seemed that they couldn't see eye to eye. Maybe Tifa knew that Cloud was so driven to avenge Aeris, and felt this love as a barrier to their relationship together. Even some of the other party members began to notice. But Tifa insisted on being one of the team, so the core group would always have to deal with it. Deep down she cared about Cloud, as much as she just wanted to get this over with and get away from him.

That's when he met "her."

He was swimming alone on one occasion while the rest of the party gathered their equipment and set up camp at the save point they created. He was attacked by a Dark Dragon, an unlikely creature in such a relaxing place. It descended from the ceiling- probably after getting lost from its young and crawling through several nooks and crannies to get to the most random of places, it spotted a human being and fell back on its first instinct: attack. Cloud was in the water, at a severe disadvantage. So, he tried to spring out, grasping his Ultima Weapon and delivering a fierce aerial attack. His initial momentum put him at a disadvantage, though, and he was dealt a rather nasty blow. From the corner of his eye, as he fell back into the water, a beautiful maiden came to his aid. Clad only in a bikini of subtly glittering gold, and with lush, long feminine hair not unlike Tifa's, she leapt into the air and brought her hand to her lips, exhaling a freezing gale of magic at the dragon as it roared in pain, its limbs freezing as it expired and fell down into the water with a large bang. Cloud barely noticed as his wound seethed, almost keeping him from staying afloat as the gargantuan beast began to sink nearby.

The woman helped him out of the water, and tended to his wounds with her "Angel Whisper" ability.

"What is your name?"

"...don't get too cozy, monster. We've met your kind before."

"I know you must not trust me. My sisters and I have been enslaved by Sephiroth, but since your journey has come so far we've managed to break that hold."

"...don't fill me with your bullshit."

"Please. I've wanted to meet you to thank you. We weren't monsters, but part human, like you, and part Cetra."

"...uh-huh. Thanks for the help, but I must be going."

"No, hold on," she said, touching his shoulder. He looked quizically at her, "I can help you fight Sephiroth. I know some things about this crater."

These were the magic words, and before he knew it, Cloud began to speak with this girl, and made a new friend. Afraid to bring her back to the party, they agreed that they would just speak one on one when Cloud was off alone.

Apparently, the Pollensalta were an offshoot of the Cetra, although they don't share any heritage beyond what one would assume on appearance. Sephiroth had controlled them with Jenova cells, and they were transformed into carefree seductresses that were objectified and placed in form-fitting bikinis. The lady that Cloud met- she said her name was Lia- felt utterly humiliated at having to show herself in such a way. She would sometimes timidly cover herself, or try to position herself behind some of the trees when Cloud and her talked. For somebody that used to be a monster, an enemy, she was actually quite timid, and parts of Cloud regretted their defeating so many of her kind. But this one was different. She was intelligent, open, and didn't attack them on sight. She didn't try to use her "Fascination" magic and was quite polite and well-mannered. At first, she told Cloud about the fastest way to reach Sephiroth, and what the party could expect upon meeting him. Lia told him about the stepping stones, about Jenova Absolute, and the location of the Holy Materia. She really wanted him to be alright.

He began to find excuses to meet with Lia, but the party was almost done. Tifa was her usual self and remained distant and bitter from Cloud. She also sensed that he was growing more emotionally detached. At quite possibly the most awkward of times, there was a reason for this. He was caught up in the anticipation of a budding friendship with the most unlikely of girls.

Cloud didn't seem to mind. He began to identify with Lia in many ways. She had grown up with a hard past, and had her share of being controlled by Sephiroth. They could both relate to the severe psychological frustration of being manipulated by an outside entity. Cloud had never been able to relate to anybody in the party about this, before. The other party members always offered their consolations, but he knew deep down that he had lost a lot of their respect in his role as the leader. But it was certainly refreshing to meet somebody who understood the pain he went through. It was like a support.

One time, when Cloud went to see Lia, she wasn't there, so he went for his usual swim. But as a bit of a tease and surprise, she popped out from underneath the water, giving him a playful look and letting out a giggle as she blushed shyly. Stroking her bangs behind her ear, Lia swam closer to him and asked how the search was going. The wetness of the lifestream-water made her shapely bikini hug to her breasts, and her nipples were visible. This gave her a needy, sultry look, but it was definitely shadowed by her general playful and caring nature. So, they swam together, and Cloud tried to resist but couldn't help catching glances at the shapely curves of her body as she slithered through the water and the wet suit clung tightly to her, gripping her every pore and leaving nothing of her flesh to the imagination. It made him hard. He realized that he was attracted to this woman.

Tifa and Cloud got into a huge argument that night. He had said that she "just didn't understand" what it was like to have to go against your old ally. Tifa told him to man up and grow some balls. All the time he was thinking of how Lia would have just understood him. She wouldn't have made such generalizations. She would have listened to Cloud. Tifa threatened to go fight Jenova alone. Cloud screamed, "Fine!" after her, and told her to go. He didn't need her. Lia had a better solution to fight Sephiroth anyway, so he planned to stick with that.

Cloud came back to Lia later, as Tifa left to fight Jenova. He was visibly frustrated.

"What's wrong, Cloud?" she said, her eyes glittering with excitement at seeing him.

"Some of my party members are divided about this." He didn't want to mention names, or other girls. He didn't want to hurt her feelings.

"Oh Cloud, I want you to look into this pool for me," she said, bringing him to a bay in the water that was swirling with various images.

He looked into the pool with great shock as she held him. Tifa was held up by several tentacles, naked, her clothes and materia having been ripped off by the appendages. The tentacles belonged to Jenova Absolute, who had promptly taken advantage of the poor heroine, feeding off of her life energy after catching her off guard with a critical hit and sweep. Cloud jumped forward and yelled, "Tifa!"

Lia caught him with a massage. "It's too late, Cloud. We won't be able to save her in time. It was her choice, and she didn't listen to you..."

Tears welled in his eyes as Tifa screamed part in pleasure and part in agony as she was suspended in midair. One tentacle penetrated her pussy while another was assaulting her mouth as her back arched back, orgasm after orgasm rocking her body. Jenova was raping Tifa and there was nothing she could do about it.

Cloud picked up his Ultima Weapon and materia swiftly, getting ready to spring as fast as he could. But Lia grabbed him from behind, swept him around, and met his lips in a deep kiss as the passion and desire between them exploded.

Cloud was absolutely stunned. Her supple taste, her expressive texture, and her caring touch, all met in one peck of the lips. His eyes slowly closed as the surprise melted away. The thought of saving Tifa meant something to him, but he knew that she would be ok. Or at least he wanted to tell himself that for a while. Just being violated, and they had Phoenix Downs in case he needed to revive her. So no worries- he could wait for her foolishness.

The Ultima Weapon fell out of his hands as the two wrapped around tightly. Lia ground her thigh against his crotch and weaved her arms tight around his strong back, grasping her newfound lover. The two moaned in the explosion, and began to dance their tongues.

Then, she broke the kiss.

"I did understand you, Cloud. That's why... that's why I want to look after you forever," she said with a smile.

Cloud looked into the pool as Tifa's eyes widened. Her energy was being drained. Soon, Jenova pulled the tentacles holding Tifa into her mass, and Tifa's body was slowly absorbed into Jenova.

"What..."

"Cloud, the lifestream has told me many things. When you were growing up, you were able to suppress your true childhood with Tifa. That's why you never truly connected with her. And now she's gone. Do you want to face the cold hard reality, or do you want to do what you let be done before...?"

Lia brought the end of her long black hair in a ponytail, just like Tifa's.

"I will be your everything, Cloud."

Tifa's screams could be heard in the distance.

"But..."

"But yes, Cloud."

"..."

"It's ok, my dear. We're finally together..."

"...yes."

"Perfect. I knew I would be able to defeat all of you without having to use any of my magic."

Cloud's eyes widened mid-sentence, but his horrored realization would be cut wonderfully short.

"But now, there's no reason to hold back."

Cloud frantically tried to break the embrace.

"No reason at all. Fascination..."

And he fell permanently under her control. Cloud met Lia's mischevious lips. A night of long, passionate, and victorious sex ensued as Lia marveled at how she brought everything they had worked so hard for to such a fitting end. Such is the price of infidelity.