Chapter Text
At least the others are safe. This was the only silver lining Cloud clung onto as he was being transported to a laboratory. He couldn't discern if they were heading for Midgar. But it wouldn't surprise Cloud if Hojo had many other facilities under his disposal. There was the underground lab underneath Sector 7 Slums as an example.
During the transport, Cloud's mind stewed on the cries of his friends calling out to him. Followed by the growing hate towards the professor. This reached a level that Cloud could not measure. A part of him was frightened by this emotion that was slowly consuming his heart. For this wasn't him. And yet he was turning into someone consumed by hate.
Cloud thought of creative scenarios of how he would make Hojo pay. Each scene darker than the previous. At one point Cloud grew impatient with how long he was inside his cell and began punching a wall out of frustration. There was the beginning of small dents with each hit. And yet Cloud couldn't break through the wall despite the fury that fueled him.
"Shh." A gentle whisper. A ghost of a gloved hand larger than Cloud's caressed his cheek. Somehow that simple gesture calmed the flames within Cloud's spirit as he leaned into the wall that he just blatantly targeted.
"Save your energy for the right moment. Once the opportunity arises, do not hesitate to take it." Sephiroth whispered softly.
Even as an apparition, he remained cautious to not be heard. Was it due to whoever just walked up to the door? Or someone, or something, else? Something that was an annoying buzz in the back of Cloud's skull. The same pull he felt when those weird monsters fused with the robed men and a piece of Jenova. This sting was the same as that night. Somehow this apparition of Sephiroth wasn't on the same level. His presence was calming and soothing despite the situation.
"When...?" Cloud whispered, his voice barely enough for his own to hear.
"You'll know. I have faith in you, Cloud." A smile that made Cloud's heart flutter. Although doubt still lingered within the blond. Sephiroth must have sensed this, for he continued with a hushed whisper only for Cloud's ears.
"You have continuously surprised me during each of our reunions. You have impressed me countless of times. Enough for me to change my view of you, and wish for a new path for us. One that breaks the chains which Gaia binds us to our fate." While the praises brought forth emotions within Cloud, he still felt a surge of anger.
"Then why can't you be of any help right now!? You go on about changing fate, but you just stand there talking instead of doing!" Cloud accused with a glare that rivaled Shiva's ultimate attack.
"As of right now this is the extent of what I can do. If you wish for me to prove my worth to you, I can extend a promise that I will find other means to aid you. I was already planning on doing so, as this was not a planned event during the timeline that I have studied extensively. But if this can ease your worries, then I make this vow that I will learn a means to help you more than whispers." Sephiroth finished his vow by leaning their foreheads together.
Cloud could almost imagine the touch of their skins pressed together. Their breaths mixing with their closeness. And like that the anger that spiked just a moment before calmed. Cloud's muscles relaxed enough for his shoulders to droop with a sigh. His silent acceptance brought another smile from Sephiroth. Once more the sight of that smile brought changes within Cloud's heartrate. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
A soft chuckle didn't help matters.
"When you are free of this prison, I encourage you to explore more of these emotions. Determine what they mean to you. Until then, endure. Endure whatever horrors that are about to take place. And that I am always here beside you even if you cannot see or hear me."
Really? Cloud secretly wondered.
"Of course. I have a promise to keep after all." Another smile. "For you I intend to keep this promise."
Cloud blinked and Sephiroth was gone. To his dismay the blond even looked around his small cell. The only sign Sephiroth was here was a black feather. Only when Cloud heard the footsteps leave did he reach for the feather. To his shock the beautiful feather was very real. After feeling it over the blond gently as he could placed it inside his pocket. Maybe Hojo won't find it. Cloud hoped so as he placed all of his faith into the feather itself as Sephiroth's promise.
Cloud was uncertain how much time passed. Some point he must have passed out while sitting and leaning against the damage wall. When he was awake and aware next, Cloud was inside a different room. There was also a grogginess as if he had been given a tranquilizer of some sort. Hojo must have taken extra precautions to move Cloud after the display of anger at the wall.
"Good morning!" The speakers crackled to life, nearly startling Cloud. He scowled at the nearest set of speakers as the professor laughed.
"Did you sleep well? I hope so, because I have grand plans for you today. And we have all the time in the world to indulge."
"What the hell do you want?" Cloud absolutely did not want to comply. He didn't like the sound of these so called plans Hojo had in mind.
"Is that any way to treat the brilliant mind who helped you gain the strength of a Soldier? Who gave you this wonderful connection to the most beautiful specimen that I have come across?" The condescending tone followed by a chuckle nearly sent Cloud into a fit of rage. He held it back due to Sephiroth's suggestion to withhold this fury until the moment was right.
That's it. Patience will give way to your goal. Sephiroth encouraged.
Hojo's plans started simple enough. Blood tests, hair samples, followed by various tests against random enemies in a controlled environment. Much to Cloud's annoyance, Hojo remained behind a strong barrier. So even though Cloud had his sword, he couldn't do much against the professor. It would be a waste of energy trying. The blond also recalled a robot that can freeze and suspend someone in time. Hojo likely had one of those nearby if by some miracle Cloud managed to breach the professors safety.
For the time being Cloud remained silent as he followed through whatever tests thrown his way. However, by evening there was a change of direction. Hojo was apparently satisfied collecting data and evidence. Which lead to Cloud being strapped down on a table. Even as he struggled, there was no use breaking the restraints. Hojo had planned ahead keeping in mind of the enhancements of Cloud's Soldier strength.
"What the hell are you gonna do to me!?" Cloud panicked.
He hardly had any rest in between the tests. There had been no food or water given to Cloud, either. So the blond's strong willed mind was cracking. All of these combined to the situation at hand there was little he could do to control the rising panic. Subtly, even Sephiroth grew nervous. Waiting on baited breath on what Hojo had planned take place.
"While you have proven to be quite the subject since I last had you under my care, there is some much needed improvements. Hold still and steady, unless you wish to be scarred for the remainder of your needless life. Although you would still serve well as a corpse to continue my studies."
"Bastard!" Cloud struggled with increasing vigor. Still this wasn't enough.
"Hold his head and shoulders steady." Hojo instructed his assistants.
Hands gripped Cloud. One pair at his shoulders, another at his head. One was too close to his mouth and he bit hard on fingers. Cloud could taste blood, and he wished the scream was Hojo's and not the male assistant. The blond didn't let up until something hit the side of his skull hard. Hojo apparently used that opportunity to inject something into Cloud's neck. The professor was well practiced to do it effortlessly even though Cloud wasn't fully restrained at his head. By the time the blond jolted the needle had retracted.
"What... What did you give me...?" Within seconds Cloud's vision was blurring. His speech slurred. Or was that his brain slowing down? It was difficult to process which was the problem.
"Since you don't wish to cooperate, you will have to be reduced to this drugged state. It might put you to sleep. However, according to previous attempts with different subjects, it's a fifty fifty chance that the pain might keep you awake and aware. It matters not which occurs to me so long as the operation succeeds." The way Hojo smiled made Cloud's heart race out of fear.
That was enough to keep him awake when whatever Hojo began operating started. Then the pain did little against the drug that rendered Cloud useless. He tried so hard to hold back the screams. Anything to keep an edge over the professor. That he won't win this time. And Cloud did well up until the pain went to a blinding level. He even tried to move away from whatever instrument was being used. That did nothing as the restraints allowed very little movement for his body to twist.
Finally, Hojo wasn't throwing random questions or muttering to himself. He laughed. The sound was muffled as the buzzing in the back of Cloud's head hit him full force. He could faintly hear a voice. It almost sounded like his mother? No, that couldn't be right. She was dead. He witnessed it the night Nibelheim burned.
"I am here with you, my precious son." Her voice echoed as if distant, and underneath water for some reason.
Cloud shook his head. No, he refused to believe. Something was wrong with her voice. He couldn't place what was wrong though. While Cloud could identify that did sound like her, something was off. And a memory came forth from the night he fought the disgusting form in the ship. When he saw an apparition of Sephiroth, the first since leaving Midgar.
"That she can become those you hate. Those you fear. Those you love."
A calm took over Cloud. Even his body went still. Hojo even paused as he studied the blond. A hand waved over the still open eyes. Even at this state the pupils were unnaturally larger than normal. There was a sound of curiosity as Cloud blinked. But otherwise he didn't focus on Hojo.
"Do not be fooled by her, Cloud."
Now that warning made sense.
"I am no fool." Cloud repeated. His voice calm despite being hoarse from hours of screaming.
There was a shriek coming through the buzzing. Cloud winced at her fury. A gloved hand much bigger than his own intertwined their fingers together. Hojo studied the way the hand seemed to be holding another, one that was invisible to his eyes. And yet it was obvious that something or someone was with Cloud.
"Who are you seeing? Who is talking to you? Is it her? Is she soothing you?"
The way Hojo was excited that this could be Jenova, an idea struck Cloud. He smiled as Sephiroth approved the plan. And thus with difficulty Cloud focused on the professor with his eyes. He could barely make out the despicable man through the blurred vision. Cloud could feel himself beginning to slip away into unconsciousness since this was the first break in however long this operation had begun. So with a raspy voice Cloud mustered with all his strength to say a single name.
"Sephiroth..."
The panic and anger rising from Hojo was music to Cloud's ears as he drifted into sweet slumber. He was finally released from the suffering under Hojo's hands. And curiously to the professor, he noted that the hand was still gripping another even as Cloud slept. The professor calculated the width of the gaps between Cloud's fingers and concluded that this wasn't being done by the delicate hand of a woman.
"How very interesting." Hojo muttered to himself.