Despite being trapped inside a mako pod, Tifa knew everything that going on around her. Prior to becoming Miles' prisoner, the last thing she remembered was sleeping next to Cloud in Cosmo Canyon and then suddenly she was inside this mako chamber.
Around two days ago she regained consciousness, but her body was still sedated. She was now able to see everything going on around her and could hear their muffled voices. She wondered if Miles did this to her on purpose.
She witnessed Miles inject Genesis with Jenova cells and assumed he did the same to her when she was unconscious. Listening to Miles, she learned that he managed to retrieve some Jenova cells from Hojo's laboratory before the fall of Shinra and preserved it to use in his experiments.
Words could not describe the anger she felt towards him for what he exposed her and her unborn child to. She didn't know exactly what he did to her, but she could tell he did something because she felt…different.
Since Tifa regained consciousness, she had been using every ounce of strength to try to fight the paralysis and free herself. Luckily, over the last day she could feel herself growing stronger and mustering all her strength she was now able to slightly move her fingers. She knew it would not be long before she would be able to gain control of her entire body.
As Tifa looked through her mako filled cell, she could see Miles standing over Weiss while taking a tube out of his arm. He proceeded to inject the unconscious man with something then turned to Shelke taking the tube out of her arm. Tifa was relieved to see that she was still breathing meaning Miles' procedure did not kill her.
Genesis was standing a few feet away from the table watching Miles work. From what Tifa had overheard, it sounded like they had a mistrusted each other and seemed to argue a lot.
Tifa switched her gaze back to Miles who was standing over Weiss. She noticed that he was now awake and looking up at Miles. Seeing Weiss awake, Genesis took a few steps closer to him while Miles turned towards the table of supplies behind them.
"You're awake, how do you feel?" Genesis asked Weiss.
"Like a new man," Weiss smiled before looking over at the unconscious Shelke lying on the table next to him.
With the way Weiss was looking at Shelke, Tifa feared he was going to hurt her.
Suddenly, Genesis turned his attention to a computer monitor located on a table next to some of Miles' equipment. It was hard for Tifa to make out, but it looked like the monitor was for a security camera outside and there was movement on the screen. Noticing what Genesis was looking at, Weiss shifted his attention away from the girl.
"What is it brother?" Weiss asked.
"It looks like we have company," Genesis explained. "Do you feel up for a fight?"
Weiss smiled. "Do you have my swords?" he asked.
Genesis smiled back and nodded yes. Then he looked closer at the monitor.
"It looks like your old friend is out front waiting for you," he explained, motioning to the screen with the image to Vincent fighting the Genesis copies outside with the others.
"I guess that leaves Cloud to me," Genesis looked over at Miles.
"Take this," Miles said as he passed Genesis some kind of small devise, "and remember what I told you."
Although the sounds around her were muffled, Tifa had overheard Miles describe what happened to Cloud when he was held captive in that basement. She learned that many years ago Cloud and Zack were experimented on by Hojo as part of his reunion theory. Hojo hypothesized that all Jenova cells separated from her body will be drawn back to her. After the Nibelhiem incident, Hojo took the surviving villagers and injected them with Jenova cells to test one part of his theory.
Tifa knew that Hojo's theory was right because when they were chasing Sephiroth they came across hooded figures near the Northern Creator and in Nibelhiem who had numbered tattoos and were obsessed with the reunion. Tifa assumed these were the people whom Hojo experimented on and were instinctively drawn to Sephiroth and Jenova.
Hojo also hypothesized that Jenova was able to control weaker beings that possessed its cells. He also believed that stronger beings with Jenova cells could control the weaker beings. Hojo used this premise for his experiment on Cloud and Zack. His goal was to create beings as strong as Sephiroth but under his control. He proceeded to make them stronger physically using Mako and Jenova cells, but he installed a chip in their brains that inhibited part of their mind allowing them to be easily controlled. This was the reason Hojo injected himself with Jenova cells because his plan was to control Cloud and Zack, and eventually, his own personal army.
Tifa wondered if this was how Sephiroth took control of Cloud and force him to hand over the black materia years ago. This would have explained why Cloud had an identity crisis when she first ran into him in Midgar and why he was so easily manipulated by Sephiroth up until she helped him find his real self in the lifestream. The device that Tifa saw Miles hand Genesis was a failsafe switch Miles created. If Cloud became strong enough to overcome Genesis' control when activated, which Miles predicted might happen, the switch will send a signal to Hojo's microchip leaving him incapacitated.
Tifa knew that Cloud was nearby, and this worried her. Cloud had no idea what they had planned for him. She knew she had to help him before it was too late. Her mind began to race, she just wished there was a way she could warn him.
She could feel herself becoming stronger and thinking about Cloud was helping. Slowly she was gaining more control of her body and she was now able to move most of her arms. She knew it would not be long before she would be able to free herself.
Miles must have noticed Tifa move because he looked over and proceeded to walk towards her pod, examining it. Tifa stayed motionless trying not to alert her captors to her newfound ability.
"What is it?" Genesis asked, realizing something caught Miles' attention.
Miles examined the pod taping it with his finger to see if it would stir a reaction but Tifa didn't budge.
"Nothing," Miles answered Geneisis. "You two should get going, Cloud will be here soon."
Miles suspected that Cloud would not waist his time fighting the Genesis copies like the others. He most likely found another way in and should be nearby.
Weiss proceeded to head towards the others while Genesis waited nearby for Cloud to arrive.
When Cloud entered the building, he was surprised to find the place empty. It was dimly lit and full of long maze-like corridors. He raced down the hallways eager to find Tifa and Shelke. He was still feeling weak from the tranquilizers, but he pushed forward with all his strength. For the first time in years, his sword was feeling heavy on his back but at least his adrenalin was giving him a boost.
Could wondered the corridors guessing on which way to go. He finally turned a corner leading to another hallway but at the end of this hallway was an opened door leading into a dark room. He was about to run towards the opening when someone emerged from it.
Genesis walked out into the dimly lit hallway holding a sword. Cloud could see that he was holding something in his other hand but couldn't make out what.
Cloud reached for his sword, ready to fight. He knew he had to get through Genesis in order to reach Tifa. He was still a little weak and he had to assume Genesis knew this. Cloud knew this was going to be a tough battle and all he could do was think about Tifa for motivation and stregth. Without saying a word, Cloud rushed the ex-SOLDIER.
Genesis just stood there as Cloud ran towards him with his sword raised. Suddenly, Cloud's head started to hurt but he tried to ignore it. "This is not a good time for a headache," Could thought to himself.
Cloud was just a few feet away from Genesis when the pain in his head intensified and something caused him to stop in his tracks. He stood in front of his foe with his sword still raised but unable to move his legs. Cloud swung his sword to see if he could hit Genesis, but he was a foot short. He looked at Genesis who just stood there staring at him with an evil grin on his face.
"What did you do to me?" Cloud asked, bewildered and angry. Cloud struggled with all his might trying to move his feet. He wondered if this was a side effect of the tranquilizer Miles gave him, or something else.
Genesis laughed. He was enjoying every minute of this. "Stop resisting," Genesis directed. "I can control your every move." Genesis made Cloud drop his sword to the ground. "Now kneel before me," he ordered Cloud as he forced the blond onto his hands and knees.
Cloud was struggling the whole time, but it was futile. The last time he felt like this he almost struck Aerith with his sword when she was praying before him in the city of the Ancients.
"How was Genesis able to control me like this?" Cloud thought to himself.
"Fight all you want, but there is nothing you can do now," Genesis explained. "As we speak your friends are being introduced to my new and improved brother along with more of my copies." Genesis took a step towards Cloud who was still on his hands and knees, struggling to keep himself up. "And let's not forget your pretty little girlfriend," Genesis added as he kneeled one knee on the ground bringing his face close to Cloud's ear. "You won't recognize her when we're through with her," he whispered, trying to provoke the blond.
That comment caused a wave of fury to pass through Cloud's whole body. Thinking about what they were doing to Tifa caused him to become enraged, giving him an extra boost of strength. Cloud knew if he concentrated enough, he could overcome Genesis control. It felt just like when Sephiroth had control over him years ago. Overtime, he slowly learned how to fight off Sephiroth and he knew he could do it again. Focusing all his strength, Cloud was able to gain control of his right hand and slid it over to his sword lying on the ground next to him. As soon as he had a grip of the handle, Cloud mustered every ounce of strength he had left and swung his sword. Genesis jumped back, dogging the attack except the tip Cloud's sword that had just managed to graze Genesis' right cheek.
The distraction allowed Cloud the opportunity to gain back full control of his body. He wasted no time relentlessly attack his enemy.
Genesis unsheathed his sword and was able to counter Cloud's every blow as he was bombarded by the young blond. Genesis knew he hit a nerve and enraged Cloud but that was exactly what he was trying to do.
Cloud had to work extra hard trying to mentally block Genesis while delivering blow after blow. Luckily, the more Cloud fought, it the easier it became.
The thought of saving Tifa allowed him to tap into a strength he never knew he had. He had not felt this empowered since the last time he fought the reincarnated Sephiroth with a little motivation from the spirit of his friend Zack.
"I got this," Cloud thought to himself as he leaped up into the air and delivered another blow.