Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, the characters, locations and so on and so forth. So don't sue me, okay?
Summary: They all hailed him as a hero. The youngest ever to make it to the post of General and the most brilliant. But who was the man really? From the eyes of those who knew him before the crisis.
A Word From the Author: Geez, sorry for the long wait. As you can see, I have been spending my time writing one-shots because of a drying up of ideas. I will now attempt to deliver a chapter as satisfactory as the couple that came before. Now for the creepiest guy in the world of Final Fantasy VII…no, not Vincent. May I present Professor Hojo! This chapter is dedicated to all Hojo haters out there.
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Hojo.
Sephiroth? He is my greatest achievement, my prized subject. It does not bother me as it would those of weaker hearts that he is my own son. Why should it? He should have been grateful to me, but he wasn't. Who contributed to the factors that made him among the elite? Who pulled strings so that he could enter the military? I did. I gave him his strength, his powers, and played a crucial part in his mental development to ensure that he would become the perfect warrior President Shinra dreamed of. Because of me he has been declared General.
But he hates me. I can see it in his eyes. He has no idea of his true parentage, of course…I have taken delight in informing him that his mother is Jenova, the Crisis from the Skies, which is true, technically. And what a noble heritage it is, much better than the legacy given to him by the weak human woman who birthed him. Jenova is a true Ancient, a Cetra, one of the long-dead stewards of the Planet, and with her cells, Sephiroth has inherited the powers of the Cetra. Lucrecia? Sometimes she brings a small pang to my heart, but it is suppressed swiftly. She has served her purpose, no more. Oh yes, she is certainly intellectual, and attractive, but she cannot hold a candle to Jenova, my beautiful Jenova.
I cannot understand why Sephiroth would hate me. I have given him a gift, after all. Looks, power, position, near immortality, healing abilities…the ungrateful brat. And of the events I have anticipated come to pass, he may even become God! Is it because of your childhood, General? The injections of Mako and Jenova cells, the torture to see how far you could withstand pain, the exercises? I seem to recall that you were screaming and pleading…it is a little vague. I was too excited by the readings of my instruments during those times.
But the point is, my dear misguided son, that these trials have made you strong, have they not? Because you have suffered pain, what your enemies can do to you pales by comparison. Because you have learnt to hold under pressure, you cannot break. Because pain has been dealt to you, willingly, freely, you suffer no qualms in distributing your share of agony out to those who would stand against you. In the harsh world you live in, General, the smallest figment of mercy could mean your death. Mercy and kindness, compassion and love, these are only illusions. They will not last. But what I have given you, dear boy, will remain forever for the long years of your life. Yes, you may hate me, but also remember that without me you would be some lowly street rat scraping out a living in the underground sector.
I am baffled why he does not seem to appreciate this truth. No one sees it in him, but I can. Our bond as father and son is twisted, but still strong. He is suicidal; I have posted spies in the military that report as much. There are times when he takes poison and passes out, close to death; cutting himself in fits of rage…but always healing. After close observation, I have surmised that he is actually upset that he does not hurt as humans do and is trying to see how far he can push himself over the edge without dropping. Another likely possibility is that the subject is attempting to kill himself, but chances are roughly about twenty-three percent. I will continue to monitor him.
Recently I have become obsessed with the results of cross-species mating. Sephiroth is the artificial product of an Ancient and a human. What will happen if he engages in sexual activity with another member of the Ancients? I have knowledge of an Ancient living somewhere in the slums who escaped me years before, though her mother did not. She is only half-Cetra, but suitable for my intentions. The Turks have been dispatched to locate and apprehend her alive, but thus far there has been no success. It may be the product of an overly suspicious imagination, but the Turks appear strangely lax in the search for the Cetra. I must speak to the President about this.
Sephiroth does seem uninterested in women, despite the many members of the female race who throw themselves at his feet daily. He is focused on his work only, and has no time for a romance. Even so I find myself concerned about his preferences. As far as I know he is still a virgin. It is unhealthy for a full-blooded, excellent male specimen like him. In the past I have hired women actors to lure him to the bedroom, but he intimidated most of them and ignored the rest. He has not been seen alone with any female, and the only relationship he maintains outside of work is a dark-haired male SOLDIER whom appears to be a friend.
I was considerably distressed by the news. Not only does it have the potential to affect the results of any mating I may attempt in the near future, it is unseemly for a man like him to have friends. Friendship encourages the weaknesses I have worked hard to prevent from being instilled into Sephiroth's personality and may influence his future as a warrior. Perhaps I shall arrange for an 'accident' to take care of the SOLDIER…from the files I have taken he is Zack Donovan of Gonganga, twenty-three years old, around Sephiroth's age. It will teach the dear boy a lesson, and make him colder and harder than before. The epitome of perfection.
Success! The president has granted clearance for the Nibelheim mission. Sephiroth is in charge, and with him is Donovan and a couple of guards. The clues I have planted will lead him to where I wish him to go…the library beneath the ShinRa mansion where unknown to him he was shaped into what he is today. Everything has been set into motion, and I will be remembered, unlike the pathetic Gast who did not have the gumption to finish what he started. It will be the fulfillment of everything I have worked for since the birth of my son, and when the time comes I will reveal to him that I am his father. And then when he is immortal and has achieved godhood I shall rule at his side, and damn the ShinRa corporation.
The briefing is over; the SOLDIERs file out one by one. Sephiroth is last. He looks at me, and other than faint puzzlement there is the ever lurking hate, darkening his eyes and poisoning his thoughts. I smile, and he turns away in disgust, showing me his back. I continue to smile, my eyes boring into the skull. Soon enough, dear boy, you'll thank me for what I have done. For you.
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Author's Ending Note: Ugh! I hated writing Hojo, but at the same time it is easy and nice to write such a twisted line of thought out. I hope you feel that this account is realistic and describes Hojo like you think it should. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and bye to all you cool readers until next chapter.
T. Axile signing out
Thanks to:
Cendrillo: I really felt so sad when Rufus died in the Shinra building even though he was such a jerk when we first met him. But later on in Junon he seemed okay and he was really trying hard to restore order. Maybe it was mean to execute Tifa, but he was just trying to do something.
ffwarrioress: Me too. I loved writing Zack. Nice guy, huh? I might just write a lone story starring him as the main character one day. (Files it into mind.)
emerald drake: Glad to know everyone feels that way! I love all you guys for your great reviews…you have no idea how much they boost up my confidence!
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