Work Text:
Deepground’s labs were abuzz with activity. Ever since Subject 666 went into labor fifteen hours ago there had been groups of scientists collecting data, adjusting the levels of stagnant mako in her system, and observing the anomalies surrounding her.
Hojo watched with interest, absentmindedly clicking his pen as another doctor carefully checked her nether region. He leaned in as the doctor brought a hand close. Suddenly, the doctor was no more. The other scientists and techs paused, staring at the space the doctor once stood. Then went back to work, beads of sweat on their brows.
Subject 666 was seemingly delirious at this point, barely cognizant of what was happening. Her veins had darkened considerably with stagnant mako, the black sludge of negativity that welled in certain spots on the planet. Hojo had gone through a lot of gophers to find enough for the project. And even though the baby was the treasure Shinra wanted produced, Hojo was after something a bit different.
She cried out, the sedatives losing their potency. No one seemed willing to get closer than necessary. “Get something to catch her offspring,” snapped Hojo. “Hurry!”
A few techs floundered about, finding a small trolly and lining it with blankets. They lined it up to Subject 666’s bottom, the baby’s head cresting. She pushed, then went back to crying. Hojo sighed impatiently.
“Will someone assist Subject 666!?”
Everyone stared back at him with incredulous, fear-filled expressions. They jumped as she let out another guttural scream, pushing hard as she did so. The subject sat up, eyes wild and red, grabbing at the baby whose head was halfway out of her. As she tugged a dark fog came from within her, swirling her in like a sink drain.
The baby let out a cry on the bed his mother had laid on as a slit in reality floated a foot above him. Hojo’s laugh was quiet at first, then grew in pitch.
“After so many years… Gast, you thought it wasn’t possible! I’ve made a portal to another world!”
“P-Professor Hojo… I -- do you think this --” Hojo shushed his assistant, scowling.
“We’ll study the practical applications later,” he said tersely. “Get the baby cleaned up and bring it to the observation room.”
As soon as the baby had been whisked away Hojo was alone in the room, still watching the portal. He turned his workbook to the end, with a loose page and a photo of Gast. In his handwriting, from back in their college days, there was fake formula and “VOID PUSSY” in a large oval. “So much for your genius, Gast.” He laughed again. “Someday I’ll find you. Then you’ll see what a real genius can produce.”