Chapter 6
"What? You're…"
"Sephiroth," the dark haired man answered.
"…So, it all makes sense…That's how you were able to control me back then. You were a part of me." Cloud shook his head and turned away. "Why would you hurt Tifa? Why are you doing this?"
"To show you the bliss of loneliness," the cold voice echoed.
"But why? I'm happy with my life as it is."
"With your friends and wife? Oh, Cloud, there's so much more. Together, we can take control of Life Stream. Together, we can rule everything. You nearly destroyed me the last time we met. I know that together, we will be unstoppable."
"Still bent on world domination, eh? There's more to life, Sephiroth, than ruling the world." Cloud ran his hand across a few spikes and turned to leave. "I'll face you again if you ever get brave enough to use your own body." He moved to leave, but something was holding him back. He couldn't move at all. "Seph…ir…oth…"
"Cloud, you can't resist me. You know in the end, I'll win. I've learned how to completely control that section of myself in you. Now, you are forever my puppet."
"No..!" Cloud clenched his teeth and used every bit of willpower he had to move his hand to his sword. He grasped the handle and slowly turned to face his old foe. "I'll…de..feat…you…a..gain…" He slowly dragged his feet across the dirt floor as he neared his opponent.
Vincent laughed and threw off his cape. "You'll never defeat me like that. Perhaps you should call your wife to come help you."
He grunted and lifted his weapon above his head, ready to strike the possessed man. "I'll…get…you…!" He closed his eyes and called forth every bit of willpower in him. For some reason, in the distance he could hear Tifa calling him. It kept coming closer and closer until it seemed as though she was right beside him. This somehow comforted him and gave him enough strength to swing his sword down, slashing through the person in front of him. Tearing flesh and a choked scream echoed from the walls and vibrated in Cloud's ears. Yes! he thought, I got him for good this time! There's no way he'll come back from that!
He opened his eyes and gasped, dropping the heavy weapon at his feet. "Tifa…?" She stood silently, blood dripping from her torn shirt and covering the floor below her. Her eyes rolled back as she fell into his arms, motionless and lifeless. "Tifa!" He held her close, shedding tears for the warm, thick liquid that poured down his arms, chest, and legs. "How…? How did you get down here? Tifa!"
A haunting laugh resonated throughout the closed, small room. "See, Cloud? If you had never loved her, this wouldn't hurt you at all. See how loneliness is wonderful? You don't have to deal with this pain."
Cloud pulled his Life materia from his hilt and cast Life 2 on her. It didn't affect her in the least. He tried pulling a Phoenix Down from his bag and sprinkling it on her, but that didn't work, either. "Oh, what have I done to you, Tifa? What have I done? Why? Why did you come down here? I told you to go to the inn! I was supposed to be the only one down here!"
"Oh, but Cloud, you are."
"What?" From the fallen woman's mouth, emitted an ear shattering screech that shook the walls. Tifa became jet black, and melded into some ghost-like creature. It flowed into his open mouth and spread throughout his entire body. The pain was indescribable. It felt as though someone was ripping him apart from the inside out. He collapsed to his knees and landed on his face, the world around him becoming dark.
Hello, my puppet. Your master has returned.
