Chapter 34: The Sephiroth Copy

"The Sephiroth Copy Project... put simply, it is a plan to manufacture Sephiroth by cloning the cells and combat data of the adult Sephiroth. By utilizing the mimetic capabilities of S-Cells to understand his strength, and the copying traits of G-Cells for mass production. On paper, it is the kind of plan that would excite commoners who know nothing of science, but it is fundamentally flawed."

Professor Hojo offered a scathing critique of the project spearheaded by Hollander.

"Firstly, they cannot obtain accurate combat data for Sephiroth. The information derived from our monitored simulation training and field data is strictly classified; access to the details is restricted to a select few. Even if one tried to gather data from actual combat, Sephiroth dispatches every enemy without letting a single one escape, making it virtually impossible. This level of information control is a credit to the Director of the SOLDIER Division, who ensures that more than just enemies are neutralized."

Indeed, if one could literally mass-produce the strongest SOLDIER, Sephiroth, AVALANCHE could theoretically surpass Shinra’s might in an instant. However, the necessary combat data remains out of reach.

"Furthermore," Hojo continued, "even if one were to obtain the data, it is impossible to create a 'perfect' Sephiroth."

"What do you mean by a 'perfect' Sephiroth?"

Palmer’s curiosity was piqued by the adjective. He asked the question innocently, showing no sign of intimidation.

"It is impossible to create an identical human being. While Jenova can mimic form, shape, and behavioral characteristics, it is nothing more than a superficial imitation. It can only reproduce what it has touched as data. Now then... while no one here besides myself is an expert in genetic engineering, I presume some of you are familiar with mechanical engineering. Take a motorcycle, for example. Suppose you tried to build a copy of a bike you’ve never manufactured yourself, relying solely on its appearance and catalog specifications. How complete do you think that product would be?"

Hojo spoke while glancing toward me. Palmer and Reeve seemed to understand the implication, but Hojo appeared to be fishing for my answer specifically. With no choice, I gave him what he wanted.

"You could make something that looks the part, and an engineer of my caliber could reverse-engineer something similar based on the general design and concept. However, once you actually start the engine, the performance would be entirely different. It would be a mere imitation at best. If it were a state-of-the-art machine, the result would be pathetic."

Hojo pressed further.

"I trust you now understand how difficult 'copying' truly is. Next, can a state-of-the-art, one-off weapon—built regardless of cost—maintain the same quality when moved to a mass-production line?"

"Impossible," I replied. "Even machines in mass production have slight variations. It’s reckless to think you can match a masterpiece—crafted with the time and cost of a bespoke commission—with mass-produced parts."

"Exactly," Hojo sneered, mocking Hollander’s lack of vision. "Entrusting such expectations to science after seeing the failures Hollander left behind—clones like Genesis and Angeal—is the height of absurdity."

He snorted in derision.

"And the biggest problem is that there is no guarantee these 'manufactured' Sephiroths would obey orders. If you create a body without a will to move it, it is merely a statue. It seems Hollander’s G-Cell copies were controlled by implanting a persona into the subjects, but that only worked because the original host possessed that will. To create a fake without using the real Sephiroth, and then attempt to manipulate its will... that is something that can no longer be called 'Sephiroth.' It is merely junk that shares his face."

"To use the motorcycle analogy again," I added, "a bike only functions as a bike when it has a rider. If you prepare a fake bike and a rider trained to act somewhat like the original, the gap will never be closed."

In short, the project was a fantasy. The presentation was peppered with attractive buzzwords and painted a picture of an ideal future, but the content was entirely unrealistic.

In this world, the word doesn't quite exist yet, but I suppose they would be called "Sephiroth Clones." There’s no telling if a clone would move according to the creator’s wishes, and if the soul inside is different, the results won't necessarily be the same—no matter how identical the appearance or abilities are.

Well, I suppose I’m the same way now. This body belongs to Scarlet, and the talent and movements inherited from this physique are perfect. But because I am the one inside, I am not functioning as the Scarlet from the original story at all.

"I understand that creating a new Sephiroth is impossible, as is copying him," Rufus spoke up, cross-referencing the information. "Then why have multiple Sephiroths appeared, and why are the Experimental Unit and the Turks struggling against them?"

"Neither Hollander’s research nor AVALANCHE’s technology could establish this project. As for why it is being manifested before our eyes, my hypothesis is that Jenova has utilized their technology to indirectly create soldiers. She was awake long before we realized."

At Hojo's explanation, Reeve raised his voice.

"I see! We initiated the Jenova subjugation based on the energy consumption levels of the Mako Reactor, but in reality, even before the sensors were installed..."

"She was siphoning Mako and making steady preparations," I finished.

"So the AVALANCHE scum thought they were using Jenova, but in reality, they were the ones being played... Dastardly terrorists!" Heidegger slammed his fist onto the table.

Reeve sighed, and Palmer finally seemed to grasp the situation. Rufus added further confirmation.

"The information from the Turks doesn't match the number of 'SOLDIER-wannabes' Shinra has eliminated."

"Based on the analysis by the Science and Research Division of the internal AVALANCHE data provided by the Vice President, it seems they were haphazardly transplanting cells in their experiments," Hojo explained. "At first, they were merely imitating Shinra’s technology, but as they were backed into a corner, they began performing surgeries on subjects with no aptitude just to increase their numbers. They’ve done some incredibly reckless things for the sake of that project. This isn't the mass production of SOLDIERs; it’s the mass production of Jenova’s pawns. Likely, both those who became mindless husks and those who didn't will be heavily influenced by the main Jenova body."

"The influence of the main body?" President Shinra’s voice was sharp with suspicion.

I already knew the answer. Jenova can manipulate those who possess her cells if their spirit is weak.

"There is a hypothesis I have proposed called the Reunion. Even if the cells are scattered, when the time comes, they will eventually gather and reassemble in one place. Unless there is a command from the main body, those implanted with cells have no clear will, but once a command is given, their consciousness is usurped. Ke-ke-ke... To think my hypothesis would be proven by the failures of Hollander and AVALANCHE."

Hojo laughed gleefully, seemingly delighted that his theory was proven despite the emergency. Swaying in his lab coat with that eerie laughter, he was the very definition of a mad scientist. Even if he’s an ally for now, he looks like a villainous scientist through and through.

"To have an aptitude for SOLDIER is, in other words, to have a strong enough will to resist Jenova’s interference. The reason those without aptitude turn into 'hollows' after the SOLDIER surgery is likely because their spirits are eroded by Jenova, leaving them in a standby state waiting for orders. Setting aside Shinra’s SOLDIERs, most of the fakes created by AVALANCHE should be considered under Jenova’s control."

"I see," I said. "So Jenova is the main computer, and it's controlling the others like a network. That clears up the information and control issues regarding Sephiroth."

"Stop agreeing with each other and explain it so we can understand, Scarlet!" Heidegger demanded.

He had apparently given up on asking Hojo for an explanation. I’ve known Hojo longer, and I’m easier to talk to. Well, it’s also because Hojo has zero intention of simplifying his explanations.

"Basically, everything that the AVALANCHE pseudo-SOLDIERs and monsters have seen and experienced while fighting Sephiroth is being fed directly to Jenova."

"To add to that," Hojo interjected, "both S-cells and G-cells have merely inherited a portion of Jenova’s traits. If the original Jenova cells use these prepared hosts as a base to exert their power, they could indeed create a Sephiroth Copy. Though his strength is likely limited to what he displayed during the battle against AVALANCHE."

At our explanation, Heidegger stood up and roared.

"This is no joke! The Sephiroth that fought AVALANCHE was in his prime, was he not?! If things like that are mass-produced, the entire force of the SOLDIER Division and the Public Security Division will be overrun in an instant!"

As the one responsible for the Public Security forces, Heidegger understood the horror of that prospect better than anyone.

"That also leaves a question," Rufus noted, reviewing the reports. "The Sephiroth Copies confirmed so far are the one the Turks are handling and the two being held back by the Experimental Unit. Why have they only deployed that many?"

Currently, one Sephiroth is attacking Nibelheim Village with a horde of monsters, and another is being engaged by Elena and Vincent on the way to the Reactor. If they can produce copies, why deploy them sparingly?

"Ah, there is a simple hypothesis for that as well," Hojo replied. "Jenova mimics organisms not to strengthen itself, but as a means to catch an opponent off guard and implant cells to monsterize them. It cannot normally copy and enslave a powerful lifeform. In other words, these are likely the results of Jenova’s own trial and error after absorbing AVALANCHE’s technology. I admit it’s an interesting approach, but the exploration of a creature that evolves only by instinct without being a scientist will soon hit its limit. ...Unless another scientist is cooperating with Jenova?"

Hojo placed a hand to his mouth, deep in thought as he looked over the research materials again.

"Likely, not just anyone can be turned into a Sephiroth Copy. If the quality of the original host is too low, his strength cannot be reproduced."

"Meaning, no matter how good the software is, you can't mass-produce them if the hardware required to install it isn't available," I noted. "Software aside, AVALANCHE shouldn't have had the resources for the hardware."

"There were reports," Rufus said, "that AVALANCHE recently created a new type of enhanced human called 'Ravens'—subjects who lose their ego in exchange for power. They are exactly the kind of hosts Jenova would target. AVALANCHE is already collapsing; they likely poured all their resources into them. During the stage where we were moving to eliminate them secretly, all four suddenly went missing."

Rufus shared the intel obtained from Elfé, who had been infiltrated by the Turks.

"At most, Jenova is likely controlling four Sephiroth Copies. Considering the energy siphoned from a single Mako Reactor while evading Shinra’s eyes, that is likely the limit."

"Haa... haa... Tseng, can you still move?"

"Yes. However, Reno and Rude were injured while providing cover. I’ve sent them to the rear for recovery, but it will take time before they can return."

This was the defense line established in Nibelheim Village. Enhanced monsters were no match for the elite Turks. However, a single individual had tilted the scales.

"..."

"He only resembles him in appearance and technique; he can't speak a word. Good grief, getting beaten this badly by a fake... I’m getting old," Verdot remarked.

"Chief Verdot, we should retreat to the village and wait for reinforcements from the SOLDIER Division..."

"Unfortunately, we can't do that. If we retreat now, he won't pursue us—he’ll flank the Experimental Unit that went ahead. We have to finish him here."

The Turks were one of the most elite groups in Shinra. Though not SOLDIERs, their combat ability was top-tier, and Director Verdot was the best among them. With the coordinated teamwork of its members, any hostile organization had tasted defeat before them.

But the one standing before them was a copy of the man who had built a legend.

"Chief, the evacuation of the village is complete."

"Good. Now, we lure this fake into the village. We’ll regroup with the others and initiate urban combat."

Shinra Electric Power Company Special Operations Unit vs. Sephiroth Copy: BIRTH

"Elena! Don't push it! Fall back and regroup!"

"I’m better at close-quarters combat, so leave this to me!"

Every attack was lethal. Even with Vincent’s cover fire, Elena’s wounds were mounting.

"I have to finish this quickly and go support Senpai! He might be fighting one of these things alone!"

Elena dodged a lethal slash by a hair’s breadth and unleashed a powerful roundhouse kick. The strike connected squarely with the copy’s head, but it seemed to feel no pain. Despite her foot sinking into its face with a dull thud, the copy’s expression remained unchanged.

As the Sephiroth Copy raised its blade to strike, Vincent fired a rapid succession of bullets into its arm joint. The momentary delay allowed Elena to leap back and create distance.

"Durability like a monster and the combat skills of Sephiroth... He is more formidable than I imagined," Vincent noted.

"Senpai, can't you just transform into a monster and blow him away in one go?"

"Impossible," Vincent replied. "You would be defenseless while I transform. He’s not the kind of opponent who would miss that opening."

"Argh, I shouldn't have told Cloud-senpai to go on ahead!"

If Cloud were here, the battle might have been different. But time was limited. To defeat the core Jenova body, Elena and Vincent had taken it upon themselves to handle the copy.

"But... Senpai trusted me. He left this to me because he believed I could do it."

Elena tightened her grip, staring straight at the being she and Cloud had once hoped to surpass. As Vincent moved to the copy’s blind spot and opened fire, Elena began to run.

"This time... I’m going to be the one to save Cloud-senpai!"

"I suppose I should show a bit of my senior side as well," Vincent muttered.

Elena & Vincent vs. Sephiroth Copy: LIFE

Inside the Mako Reactor, after kicking aside monsters and pushing past the catatonic AVALANCHE members, Cloud reached the deepest chamber.

Dozens of pods were shattered from the inside, glass shards scattered everywhere. Likely, the monsters he had defeated so far were birthed here.

"Welcome, Cloud Strife. Young warrior who aspired to be like my child."

Cloud vs. ???