Hojo saw an opportunity and it came in the form of Cloud Strife.
A few weeks ago he had been in his labs, idly working on one project or another. Indulging in some personal craftsmanship over any real scientific pursuits. All his real experiments were in the waiting stages and he needed to, for a lack of better words, kill time. It was a Tuesday...so he might have been trying to splice a bird with extra wings. Just to see if it would adapt and fly fast with more appendages. It was probably a useless endeavor but one that tickled his fancy and preoccupied his mind.
"Sir! He woke up!"
Only to be rudely interrupted as he was finishing the stitching! His hand nearly slipped and put the bird's eye out! Although, if he did…perhaps he could replace it with a lizard's? Would giving it the superior ocular ability of a reptile make the avian a better hunter? But would it's brain be able to keep up with the new sensation? The influx of information? Should he also replace–
"Professor, Strife's awake and recovering!"
Oh, right. The Soldier cadet who the professor had picked to be given the Jenova cells. Not for any particular reason, his bright hair just caught the old man's eyes, is all. He needed to pick someone at random anyway, so why not the chocobo headed one? Once in a while he liked to switch out the G-cells and try out his own special blend of the Soldier serum. Just to see what stuck to the wall. And all with the full backing of the president of course! At least in private, so everyone could have plausible deniability. Hypocritically, human experimentation was "frowned upon" by the general public.
How do those sheep think Soldiers were made in the first place!?
Unfortunately, the boy started dying the very moment he was injected and dunked in the mako chamber. Typical results unfortunatley, as it had been the same with past subjects, but disappointing nonetheless. Last he heard the cadet was still in his coma, in a state of gradual decay. One of the interns would have to write a letter of condolence to his next of kin soon, citing a training accident as the cause and a promise to pay for the funeral.
Or so he thought.
"Impossible…" Hojo muttered irritatedly, only listening in with half an ear as he looked around for a pen to write with. "And if not, too useless for anything worthwhile. The boy has been in a coma for days, his body degrading at a rate that should see him dead by noon tomorrow. Whatever broken husk is left of him, I have no interest."
"I'm telling the true professor, he's recovering." The younger scientist said eagerly. "His cells have begun the accelerated healing process! To the point that Strife isn't just stable, he's walking and talking."
Hojo stopped his rummaging to look at Hollander with renewed interest. The fat man was one of the smarter ones in the Research department, enough that the aged man felt comfortable letting him handle the day to day affairs of the Soldier program. As well as circumspect enough to keep Shinra's "shaddier" practices under lock and key. So if he was so certain…
"What's his current status…?"
Twenty minutes later would see both men watching Strife through a one way mirror, the boy undergoing his tenth reexamination since he had woken up.
The cadet hardly looked worse for wear.
"Fasicanting, fascinating." Hojo murmured, eyes glued to the blood sample that was being extracted from the blonde's arm. That last one that would be taken, before he took the boy away from prying eyes. "And so far…no defects. Not like the others we've tested before. What makes him so special? An underlying genetic superiority? A fluke?"
"Nothing different from before." The idiot, Hollander answered, to his rhetorical musings. The man's eyes were rapidly scanning the tablet in his hands, the screen displaying Strife's undoctored profile. "The J-cell dosage was the same mixture as the last twenty. The only variable is project C's personal genetics. But one could argue that works against him, since it shows that he has severe mako sensitivity. That should feel like lava in his veins…his pain tolerance is notable, almost like he's been practicing." He joked.
The Director couldn't hold back his own grin, not at the attempted humor, but at the potential.
"Start the process to get him in one of my labs." Hojo ordered, mind already going over all the potential experimentations he'd perform. "Make it fast and quiet. Rotate the current scientists in the room with those who will testify that the cadet took a turn for the worst. I'll begin the process of declaring the boy dead in an hour and will prepare a cadaver to replace him. Once project C is secured, we fake a blackout that would–"
"No."
"..." The Director of Research seethed as he turned towards the junior scientist, in silent shock and rage. "Listen here, you insubordinate little–"
"The president's orders." Said a smooth voice, one that was distinctly not Hollander. Indeed, the rotund man was looking around frantically himself, glancing back and forth in the room. In the corner, lurking in the shadows, was a long-haired youth.. "You are not to touch Strife. The boy will proceed to become a Soldier as planned."
A goddamn Turk! That alone was enough to explain how the man got into the room with no one noticing. Or perhaps the man had always been there, waiting for the right moment for dramatics?
Only the sight of the black suit and the knowledge that the spook was speaking in Rigel Shinra's name, kept the professor's tongue in check.
"What–" The director began with restrained calm, only for a raised hand to cut him off.
The long-haired Wutain looked at Hollander before inclining his head to the door. The man didn't need telling twice, rushing out the door without a backward glance at the other occupants. Cowardly little shit! Understandable, but who just abandons their superior to potential danger without a second thought? Still…he could admit that the coming discussion should be kept private.
A nod to continue.
"...And how is he already aware of the situation?" Hojo asked cautiously of the Turk who was watching them, even though he was certain he already knew the answer already. It was best to play dumb at times like these. Goddammit! This was why he hated these "communal" laboratories! There was always someone watching over your shoulder, some listening device hidden in the walls. "And what reason would he have to stop me? The boy means nothing to him."
"How do you think?" The baby faced Turk said almost mockingly, deliberately taking the question at face value. "And you are correct, this has nothing to do with cadet Strife. Although your carelessness in using and discarding Soldiers is starting to cut into the budget. But that's another matter and a different discussion. No professor, think of this as a…overdue punishment for past indiscretions."
Because of something he did? There were many things Hojo had done, many of which would have gotten him stoned in the street of Midgar if they ever came to light. But outside of his Reunion Project…his activities happened with the express permission, or the deliberate blind eye, of the president! All done with the largess of Shinra's CEo, so long as the scientist threw some research results the blonde man's way that made him money.
Why drop the hammer now?
"The Ravens professor." The Turk answered for him after a moment, who he now recognized as that of the newbie Tseng. "Fuhito and Avalanche. While there have been complaints from the other Heads before, this was the final straw. You need to pay for your mistakes."
"That wasn't my fault!" Hojo seeth, the reminder of those copycats setting him on edge. And the little thief that thought he could improve on the professor's work.
"No?" Tseng said casually, as if genuinely surprised by this revelation. "So it wasn't based on your research that these super humans were created? It wasn't your carelessness that allowed terrorists to get their hands on your… floppy disc and personal notes? Had you informed the Turks and the Company of your… unique security measures, we would have helped. But you didn't. As such–your department, your research, your fault."
"What does it even matter?" The Director griped, hating the younger man more and more by the second. Most of that anger should have rightfully been directed towards the president who was roadblocking him but that was not a man to ever pay for his action…at least if you're not ready to burn the world to accomplish it. And Hojo most certainly wasn't. Not yet. "Those subhumans are inferior to my creations in every way! A pale and mindless imitation at best, created by some brat with a daddy complex. I take no fault for those bastardizations of my hard work."
"Oh I agree." The Turk agreed, surprising the scientist for a moment. "Avalanche getting their hands on you research...was and unfortunate coincidence. But the results are what matter the most, professor. With the Soldier's otherwise occupied with the war, these Ravens are more than enough to cause mayhem. Attacking supply line. Destroy the branch offices. Blow up our reactors. A veritable thorn in Shinra's side. Without your superior Soldiers to hunt them, they are a constant and embarrassing reminder of your failure. And a distraction we do not need when most of our troops are fighting in Wutai or needed for missions. So…it doesn't matter if you accept fault, the blame has been assigned."
"But I–!"
"You …need to only obey." Tseng cut in firmly, gray eyes as hard as ice, although his gaze seemed to be trying to tell him something. "Your friction with the other members of the board means this is long overdue. Follow the president's command as it is stated, and everyone walks away satisfied. Don't and further disciplinary actions will be needed."
Hojo's mind raced in fury at being denied, especially with such a promising subject! All because of the fuck up and ineptitude of some interns who didn't have the decent to destroy the hardrive before dying to Avalanche!
And Rigel was shooting himself in the foot by allowing this opportunity to pass them, all because of a grudge of those neanderthal Directors.
But as he took a deep breath to calm his mind and considered the damnable problem…he processed the underlying meaning of Tseng words. That as long as the public order was met, and his fellow board members were satisfied…then maybe there could be some wiggle room? The president wanted him punished, and there was no changing the man's mind once made, but as long as Hojo followed the exact words of the order…surely the spirit could be bent a little.
"...And what was the exact order? Hojo said slowly, mind already working on potential loopholes to abuse. "Word for word, mind you. Just so I can make sure I'm…following it correctly."
Tseng could only smile in amusement.
000
"What am I doing wrong?" The idiot in front of Tifa said.
She had to slowly close her eyes, take a deep breath and count to ten before she was mentally ready. And she had been having such a good day–house clean, pantry stocked, and few buildings that she was ready to buy–it had been a very productive morning. Was even working on her speech to Cloud to explain why they won't be living in the slums anymore.
After walking her mama through the beginning stages of her plans, her mother was firm that trying to live there was a stupid decision. That something like that took years and an endless fountain of patients to achieve. Even then, only when you had no other choice. You had to really embrace and become one with the local culture. That it took Tifa's grandmother decades to accomplish this feat, to get the people of Nibelheim to stop looking at them like outsiders. And it still hadn't been a 100 percent successful since some of the elderly villagers still called Thea Lockhart that Wutain girl, despite her having been born there.
Worse, there was literally no benefits in living there versus occasionally showing up and being nice.
She was trying to take over, not exchanging cooking recipes. A whole lot of work for minimal benefits, Thea said.
It was frustrating how logical her mother was about it.
And personally… Tifa wasn't thrilled by how broken and dirty everything was under the plate. Her recent house hunting only confirmed that it was the norm, and not just a snap judgment on her part. She wanted power… but did she have to bleed for it?
The answer was no, she did not.
Call Tifa shallow, spoiled even, but she had lived her entire life as the mayor's daughter. Her family was at the top of the food chain in Nibelheim and all the benefits that entailed. And she was very used to the finer things the world had to offer. While she wasn't opposed to some hard work and suffering to achieve her goals… not having a working toilet seemed a tad too much. Borderline masochistic really.
And this house that professor Hojo gifted them was just way too luxurious to give up. Six rooms, three stories, and a freaking garden– all built only a few months ago, with all the modern utility and appliances you could want. This place was damn near a mini mansion! In the countryside this home would have been expensive, in the city … Tifa didn't even want to look at the numbers. If she did, she might start feeling guilty at the Director's generosity towards her little family.
It was a major step major step up from the Shinra issued home they had basically been squating in.
Whatever Cloud did to get the weird man on their side, she hoped he kept doing it.
So with her preferences and mother's advice in agreement, she decided to scrap that part of the plan.
Only… it meant admitting Cloud was initially right, even worse...that she was wrong. While it was good for her husband's confidence to win an argument here and there… too much might go to his head. Letting him make small decisions was fine, Tifa backing down on bigger arguments once in a while was also okay, but make it too much into a pattern? Make him believe he had free reign to oppose any choice she made but he didn't? Now that was a recipe for disaster if she ever saw one.
That just wouldn't do.
Tifa had to carefully craft a reasonable explanation for the sudden turn in decision, to make sure that it didn't sound like she was admitting to fault. And timing, timing was key. It'd be tricky but she was confident she could weave the bullshit into something that made it sound like it was an unavoidable outcome. And not because she caved, never that. Maybe once they finish dinner? After their nightly "rubbing" and exploring sessions? Get at him when he's at his most relaxed and too tired to think clearly?
"I mean… is it what I say? How I dress? Does my breath stink?"
And then she exhaled.
"Zack… how did you get into my house?" Tifa asked the brunette Soldier lying down on her couch, hands behind his head and feet dirtying the armrest. Well, add cleaning the living room to her list of chores today. She had come into the kitchen to make herself a light snack, the oven should've finished toasting the bread, only to find Cloud's idiot friend lazing away in her home. Obviously already back from his secret mission from Shinra, he was sprawled out in her livingroom, without a care in the world.
It had been so peaceful .
"Cloud gave me a key for emergencies."
"He did no such thing."
"Okay! He told me where you guys kept the spare, in case I needed it."
"And… is there an emergency? Is someone dead or dying? Cloud's not in trouble, is he?"
"Nah, nothing like that. At least…not as far as I know."
"Then what's the issue?" Tifa asked, trying not to blow her top. Didn't the Soldier not realize it was rude as hell to just invite yourself into someone else's home!? Even when she broke into the other villagers' house in Nibelheim, she at least did it when they weren't around. "And do not tell me you're just visiting. You're supposed to call ahead and see if we are willing and able, not just barge in. I've told you a hundred times, it's impolite Zack."
"I know, I know." The older teen said in a way that distinctly said he didn't know, or at least didn't care. No doubt, in one ear and out the other. "But I was just sitting in my apartment, all by my lonesome, and the intrusive thoughts started taking over." Sitting up so he could look at her over the back of the couch, he asked. "Why do you think I'm so undateable?"
About a million reasons popped into Tifa's head, and that number kept climbing. Still, it wouldn't do for her to ruin one of the few friendships Cloud had in Midgar. More importantly, their connection to a rising stars of Shinra's upper echelon. The man was getting mentored by a First-Class Soldier, after all.
"Are you still not over your bad date with that shopkeep girl?" She asked, walking into the kitchen to finally get her snack and maybe make something for Zack if he was staying. She may not like him barging in, but she could play the gracious host with the best of them. When people see the Strife's, they shouldn't just think of Cloud the Soldier, but of his wife the beautiful and kind Tifa. They were a package deal. Seeing Zack nod, she couldn't help but sigh. "That was a week ago! You should move on, find some other poor girl to harass and throw your attentions at. You're beating a dead horse for someone who obviously has no more interest in you."
"Pfft, easy for you to say." Zack grumbled, resting his head on the back cushion, watching from his spot as she pulled out the now warm loaves of bread to make a sandwich. "You've never had your heart broken. You found your guy, hitched him as soon as you could, and lived happily ever after. And you basically didn't even need to leave your front yard to do it! Us normal people don't have it so easy."
"Me and Cloud work because we're compatible." Tifa said patiently, as she pulled slices of cold meats and vegetables. Setting two plates, she looked up at him unimpressed. "We've known each other our whole lives, our families even longer. We were friends even before romance got into the mix. You on the other hand…" She said, pointing her butter knife at the goofy teen. "See a pretty face, think you've fallen in love, and proceed to put your foot in your mouth at every given moment. If you don't know what to say, the best policy is to not spout the first thing that pops into your head."
"Cloud does the same thing." Zack whined stubbornly, even as he wandered over to where she was to sit at the kitchen island, accepting the unspoken offer. "I once saw him call his training instructor dad. Another time, he said "I love you" to the General!"
"It's not the same thing." She said absentmindedly, focused on slicing the bread evenly. Satisfied, she finished the spread and layered the inside of the sandwich. Pushing one of the plates towards him, she turned around to look for something to drink in the fridge. "Cloud only speaks freely around me and those he's close to. You've never seen this side of him, but usually he's very quiet, so I've been trying to encourage him to speak his mind more. To break out of his shell, especially around strangers. And … if he happens to fumble his words with people, I think it's cute. So no harm done. You just got no filter."
"That's not fair." He grumbled, mouth already full from a bite. Without looking, his hand immediately shot up to immediately grab the juice bottle that Tifa had thrown at him. He uncorked it and took a gulp, all in one smooth motion. "How am I supposed to meet my future Mrs if I don't shoot my shot and say what I'm thinking? Give her the real me? You know, the one hidden under all the muscles and beautiful hair? I get I say some stupid stuff sometimes but how are they gonna get to that point in tolerating me if I keep getting dumped?"
"Maybe not tell them their dress is ugly? Or that they're wearing too much makeup? Especially not on the first outing."
"They asked me for my opinion! Was I supposed to lie when they ask "How do I look"? That's not a good foundation for a relationship."
"Yes! And you're not in a relationship. A bit of casual dating is just testing the waters, you dork. You're supposed to fib a little, to make a good impression. But what's the rush? Try stepping on the break a bit… you're not gonna propose to these girls just after the first meet up."
"Well…" Zack said, looking a little embarrassed now, fiddling with the lettuce of this sandwich. "Okay, yeah…maybe I'm being a little too eager. But I'm getting antsy! All my friends are getting married, or just about. I wanna get something going or I'm gonna end up being that bachelor uncle who all the old folks judge for still being single."
""Friends"? Are you talking about me and Cloud? Who are married to each other ?" Seeing his unashamed nod, she couldn't help but sigh. "That does not count Zack. And you're 17, still a baby, you got at least a decade before you have to seriously even think about settling down."
"What can I say? I'm a prodigy in all things and a romantic at heart. I'm ready to find my one true love. Besides, my mom would strangle me if she thought I wasn't at least trying. Never underestimate a woman who wants grandkids."
"Then these top plate girls are probably not the right ones." Tifa said exasperatedly as she chewed her own food. "Maybe switch it up and find someone nice from the country? Someone who shares your values and puts up with that mess you call a personality. Or girl from under the plate? I don't know…like you said, I've only had one relationship. I'm not an expert."
Tifa decided she might as well hit that message home and let him know that him bothering her further for advice was pointless, that it was like trying to bleed a stone. Hopefully, she'd get him to round down his visits to just four times a week.
"I'm not going to go into details, but I'm the one who pursued Cloud, not the other way around. And not to sound egotistical, but I'm not your average girl. I don't even know if the advice I'm giving you is helpful." Taking a moment to think, she said. "Why don't you ask your dad? Or mom, if she's pushing you to find someone. I ask mine about stuff all the time. You might be pleasantly surprised."
And it'd hopefully, get him to stop showing up unannounced. If he "invited" himself on another one of her dates with Cloud, just because he was feeling left out, she was going to kill the Gongagan.
"No way~." The Soldier said, dusting his hand of crumbs from his already finished meal and taking another gulp. Putting his elbows on the table, he rested his chin on his palms. "Even beyond how crushingly embarrassing it'd be to ask my folks for dating tips, my parents have kind of the same problem as you. Only worse."
She raised a confused eyebrow, and let the unspoken question hang.
"Childhood friends." He elaborated, huffing a little in disdain, probably at the unfair lack of girls his own age growing up. "They grew up together in the same village and knew each other for years. Neighbors too! My dad didn't even bother with dating her, everyone just assumed they were going to get married. Straight up walked over to her house one day and gave her a ring! Plus… you know, they're old. Pretty sure whatever advice they had that was good back in their day, has already hit its expiration date."
Well…that really was unhelpful for Zack's situation.
His parent's love story was… uncomplicated, sure...but it sounded like a recipe for disaster too. Even in a backwater town like Nibelheim, you at least got to choose who you ended up with. Not just to anybody who happened to be close to you in age and proximity. Or because there was a lack of choice. To her village's credit it was just…extremly slim pickings.
Honestly it made her shiver a little at the thought, considering after Cloud, Tyler lived closest to her. And since she knew he was a habitual booger eater even in their teens, that would not have been a happy marriage.
"...So, what are you gonna do?" Tifa asked, not sure how else to respond to that. "Ever considered taking a break from the dating scene and just focusing on yourself? You work all the time anyway, and ghosting your dates to go on missions for Shinra doesn't do you any favors."
"What and live like a monk?" Zack joked as he grabbed their empty plates and took it to the dishwasher. Tifa nodded slightly in approval at the gesture. Mama Fair at least beat some manners into his thick skull. "I'm pretty sure I'd end up committing one sacrilege after the next, in just the first week alone. And forget trying to ask my bosses to ease up at work, Angeal would string me up by my ankles if he thought I was slacking." Sighing dramatically as he made his way back to her couch and flopped down, grabbing the remote for the tv. "Nah, I think I'm gonna have to just grit my teeth and keep trying to find that special girl."
"So… you're back to square one then?" She asked, unimpressed by the circular discussion they just had. What a waste of time! And she let him know it when she walked over to shoved his feet off the cushion so she could sit too. Tifa wasn't going to get any work done with Zack Fair haunting her home, so she might as well relax and watch a movie or something. "Then what was the point of coming here and bothering me again?"
"Well, in my defense, I came here to mess with Cloud." The Soldier said with a grin, as he began channel surfing for something interesting. "You just happen to get caught in the crossfire. Where is your better half anyway, sis? Shouldn't he already be done with morning training?"
"Don't call me sis." Tifa muttered reflexively, even as she grabbed a pillow from the side to snuggle into, breathing in Cloud's lingering musk from it. Slouching a little into her couch, she tried to bring her husband's work schedule to mind. "And he had to stay a little longer today to run some physical tests with the scientists. They're still trying to figure out why he's so… strong. I think he's got at least another hour before he's due to be back."
Zack nodded a little at that, obviously not paying that much attention to her words as an explosion on the tv caught his eye. "Oh, yeah... During my mission, I did hear a little something or other about spiky making waves in the department. That sucks. Those eggheads from Research always jump over themselves trying to prick and prod whenever a wunder kid shows up. I tell you, when my results came back higher than other cadets, they had me—"
Tifa could only roll her eyes as she drowned him out.
000
"Very good Cadet, let's wrap it up for today."
Lowering his fist, the cadet couldn't help but stare at the crumbled metal wall before him. The cold steel had caved in where he had punched, reducing it to a pitiful scrap with a hole in the middle. Even better, there wasn't a single blemish on his hand, the skin still as smooth as it had been that morning.
Cloud couldn't stop the shit eating grin from appearing on his face.
A little over two month into his new status quo and Cloud still couldn't believe he was here, actually becoming a Soldier! It felt like any moment now he was going to wake up and realize it was just a dream. That he never actually left the sleepy mountain village. But every hour, every day he didn't magically appear in his childhood bedroom, made the teenager giddier. If it wasn't humanly impossible, the cadet swore he might start floating from how light he felt. As a young man who spent most of his formative years disliking his life, it surprised him how much he loved it now.
And even more unexpected was how easy everything was going.
After the initial incubation in the mako tanks, and very scary coma period after, his body was working like a machine hooked on a reactor. Faster, stronger, with reflexes that moved before his mind even realized what was happening. It enhanced every muscle in his body to the point he had to make a conscious effort not to break things. Before moving, the blonde had to sleep on the floor at the inn for a few days, out of practicality. Didn't want to accidently crush Tifa in his sleep. But after that initial hurdle, it had been smooth sailing. Physical training was like a walk in the park now. It resulted in Cloud actually going from dead last to the top of his class! Started even matching some of Zack's old records when the brunette was a cadet.
Hell, last week he had beaten most of the adult candidates in sword sparring. Just by being faster.
First-Class, he would hear his instructors whisper and curse when they thought he wasn't paying attention.
The results had the scientists very pleased.
But none more so than professor Hojo, the one responsible for the cadet's change. The scientist revealed to him in private that Cloud had been accidentally given a more…"experimental" version of the secret sauce that made Soldiers. A private project of the doctor's that had been accidentally mixed up with whatever the average trainee was supposed to get. Hojo said he'd understand if Cloud wanted to report him, but hoped the younger man would show him some leniency.
Cloud had readily agreed to that, not wanting to get the kind old man in trouble. He also didn't seem to suffer any side effects, so no harm no foul, as far as the former villager was concerned. All things considered, it was a blessing in disguise. While the blonde had felt disturbed that a random twist of fate had him chosen as a test dummy for this new concoction, the result more than made up for it in his mind. He needed, no wanted , every advantage he could get. Now that it was possible, he didn't want to just be a Soldier, he wanted to be the best Soldier.
Wasn't all selfless though…the cadet wanted to keep that unexpected tidbit from the other initiates in case they wrongly started complaining about favoritism. He already had a rocky enough relationship with most of his class, especially the older ones. No need to cause waves unnecessarily.
Hearing the automatic doors behind him open, the cadet turned to see his benefactor and almost killer. Hizan Hojo.
"Very good Cloud. Impressive even." The professor said as he approached, lightly clapping his hands as he peered at the metal slab. "It's not every day I'm wrong about something, but when it comes to you, I've never been more glad for it."
"Thank you sir." The cadet said earnestly, if still a little ticked when he saw the bespectacled face. The other day the man had admitted that, ignoring the humane concerns, the teen had originally classified as a failure due to his coma. Still, no need to be ungrateful to the doctor who had been so generous to him since. "And…uh, thank you again for the house. That was…wow, I don't even know if words are enough…"
"Please, no need for that son." Hojo said idly as he circled Cloud, recording his observations on a clipboard. "When you told me you were looking for a home...I couldn't help myself. Think of it as my apology for putting you in that coma in the first place. At my age the mind wanders and the hands fumble. Mixing up your vials with the experimental dose was a grave mistake on my part and I'm just glad there's no lasting harm. I appreciate you keeping this incident a secret between us. I'd hate to be brought up on malpractice this late in my career. This old man would not do well in jail." He chuckled a little.
Cloud could only muster up an awkward laugh of his own. The professor was so… casual about almost having killed him. But…maybe the older man just had a gallows humor? An unfortunate tick to uncomfortable situations? Kind of like how Zack started talking about mushrooms when he was nervous? Didn't really matter since the cadet did after all survive, so it's not like there was permanent damage to fuss over.
"So what's the verdict?" The blonde asked, lifting his arms the professor's gentle prodding. "Mutations still going strong? I'm not gonna grow a third arm, am I?" He joked, trying to hide how anxious he was at the possibility.
"Hehehehe, as fascinating as that would be…" The professor chuckled as he finished annotating whatever notes he had written. "Everything is progressing remarkably straightforward. The X factor had mimicked your DNA to the point a less brilliant mind would assume the mutation failed to take hold. Which is exactly what I hoped for! Except for the notable jump in power, one would be hard pressed to distinguish the J-Cells in your body from an ordinary human, let alone your fellow Soldiers Truly an exciting step in science and human engineering."
That certainly was a relief, until he saw the professor's creepy smile linger. It was an uncharitable thought, but there was no getting around the fact that the man made an unfortunate face when he was happy. Everything inch of skin was pulled too taunt, muscles too rigid. If Cloud was a more nihilistic person, he'd almost say it looked hungry.
"Would you be willing to push your limits…just a bit further ?" Hojo asked, arms crossed but fingers tapping with excited energy on the clipboard. "Just to humor this old man's curiosity? You're free to say no of course, but such a "unique" situation should be…exploited. For study! It would be a shame to leave as it is, without exploring the possibilities."
"I don't know professor…I got lucky once." Cloud said, honestly not sure if he wanted to take the risk. "We still don't know all the details for what's going on with me now. Or if it's even repeatable. I could still be just a fluke. Are you sure it's a good idea to add stuff on top of that? More experiments don't seem like the right call."
"Of course, of course. You're absolutely right." The doctor said, looking abashed for having even suggested it. The pitiful look on the older man's face, had guilt already eating away at the blonde's gut. But before he could say anything, Hojo continued. "And please forgive this old fool for being so pushy. It's just…I had been under the impression that you had certain "ambitions". Goals and dreams that you wanted to accomplish…ones that I believed aligned with my own in a way. I suppose just wishful thinking on my part."
"What do you mean?" The cadet asked, genuinely confused by that statement.
"Well…after we met, I couldn't help but read through your candidate assessments." His smile contritely, lips parting to show his crooked teeth. "Just out of curiosity and guilt for what happened to you. The man who survived against all odds, despite my stupidity. I needed to know what kind of person you were. Call it inappropriate, because it was, but I couldn't help myself. However, as I read your answers to the proctor…I couldn't help but be moved. Both by the words written and the passion behind them. The need to have power, not just for the sake of it but to protect others. To protect the ones you loved and cherished most."
That…did sound like something he might have said, just maybe not into those exact words. Embarrassingly, Cloud remembered being a lot less eloquent during the day of his interview, damn near blacking out from the stress of it all.
"Your fire moved me! It reminded me of my own youth, when such idealism colored every action I took! The me that was ready to embrace the world! Challenge it even! No strictures and naysayers would have barred my path. At least before…before the mother of my son was taken. And later…when my child was lost to me…"
Cloud struggled to swallow the hard lump in his throat at the revelation. "I-I'm so sorry professor, no one should–"
"You could become even stronger, you know?" Hojo cut in, eyes that were sad a moment ago, now blazing with a fire. "More than you already are…stronger than even Sephiroth if you wanted. If you were willing to pursue the path to it. Not for yourself, of course. That would be selfish and make you no better than the common riff raff. You're better than that, I know you are." Feeling a hand land on his shoulder, Cloud looked up, feeling slightly dazed at the sudden praise. "No, you would do it to protect the ones you love. Like your friends among the Soldiers. Your mother in Nibelheim. And of course that little wife of yours…Tifa was it? If I've taken anything from our weeks of acquaintance…would there be anything you wouldn't do for her?"
Was there anything Cloud wouldn't do for her? For his mother? To just be a bit stronger for all of them? But at what cost? He had avoided the reaper's scythe by the skin of his teeth and that had nearly put him out of commision for days. Was he ready to gamble his life again at the professor's dubious promise of more power? It only took the briefest flash of ruby eyes and his mother's laugh to confirm that–yes, yes he did want it.
And he'd do anything to make it happen..
"...What did you have in mind?"
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Technically this chapter should have happened before the last one. But the need to post a lemon was too strong lol.
Fun fact: Somone did apparently put Soldier reseach on a floppy disc that got stolen by Avalanche. Don't know if that was Hojo though