What exactly happened to Nibelheim?

[Squall of SeeD]

So was it true that (SPOILER) he wasn't created five years ago?

(SPOILER)That's correct. No one in the game was grown in a test tube.

[Kamrusepas]

Alright, thanks

[AkiraMakie]

...yes, Cloud is a Sephiroth Clone, but all that means is that he was injected with JENOVA's Cells and infused with Mako. That's what it means to be a Sephiroth Clone, not that one is a genetic duplicate of him produced from his DNA...

are you sure that the sephiroth clones werent injected with Sephiroths Cells and not with jenova's? Or does it say specifictly in the game that the sephy clones are injected with jenova's cells? i dont really remember.

But if my theory is true. it would explain alot. because, that would maybe give a reason why zack didnt react to the process the way Cloud did. Cause Zack already had jenova cells in him since he was a member of soldier. But since Cloud was never in soldier, and prosumbably neither were any of the other clones, it would explain the bad reaction to the treatment. i dont know if that makes any since . im kinda tired...

[Squall of SeeD]

are you sure that the sephiroth clones werent injected with Sephiroths Cells and not with jenova's? Or does it say specifictly in the game that the sephy clones are injected with jenova's cells? i dont really remember.

Quotes from the game:

(SPOILER)(Cloud on the Airship after coming to terms with himself in Mideel.)

(SPOILER)Cloud
"I'm physically built like someone on SOLDIER."
"Hojo's plan to clone Sephiroth wasn't that difficult."
"It was just the same procedure they use when creating members of
SOLDIER."

(He shrugs)

Cloud
"You see, someone in SOLDIER isn't simply exposed to Mako energy."
"Their bodies are actually injected with Jenova cells......"

(SPOILER)(From the Escapee Reports in the back of the Shinra Mansion's library.)

(SPOILER)Escapee Report No. 2
Description of the time of capture.
A - Former member of SOLDIER/Number ( )
No effect could be detected from either Mako Radiation Therapy or Jenova on him.
B - Regular/Number ( )
Reaction to Jenova detected.

(SPOILER)So, yes, I'm absolutely positive. Besides, there was nothing special about Sephiroth's cells that didn't come from JENOVA to begin with. The only thing about his physiology that would make it special is that JENOVA's Cells melded with his body while it was a developing fetus.

[AkiraMakie]

ok, i stand corrected.

But then why dont the members of soldier have the same reaction to the reunion as the sephy clones. there has to be something more to that whole being a sephy clone thing. I mean, it has to be some way different than just the regular soldier treatment. I mean all of soldier and the Turks as well werent affected by the reunion. neither was hojo, who had injected himself with jenova cells too. it doesnt add up.

[Camanche]

Does no one here remember who Zangan is?
He's the one on the right, with the cape. Does that help anyone? You see him during the Nibelheim flashbacks.

[DaremihC]

Yaaay!! Wedge and Biggs!

Two of the greatest Star Wars characters ever...
I loved that mustache; R.I.P. Biggs Darklighter

[Squall of SeeD]

ok, i stand corrected.

(SPOILER)But then why dont the members of soldier have the same reaction to the reunion as the sephy clones. there has to be something more to that whole being a sephy clone thing. I mean, it has to be some way different than just the regular soldier treatment. I mean all of soldier and the Turks as well werent affected by the reunion. neither was hojo, who had injected himself with jenova cells too. it doesnt add up.

(SPOILER)In regard to the Turks, they weren't injected with JENOVA's Cells, nor were they infused with Mako. As for Hojo, we don't know when he injected himself. It may have been after the Reunion had already passed, even shortly before the battle with him on the Sister Ray.

In regard to the members of SOLDIER, the indication given throughout the game is that acceptance of one's self leads to greater mental fortitude. Zack was a self-confident person, comfortable with himself and referred to as a ladies' man even by his girlfriend Aerith, whereas Cloud was someone who wasn't comfortable with himself and attempted to hide his failures from others, and even himself, as a subconscious reaction.

Seeing as how Cloud says that weak People like him get lost in the experimentation (and the flashback that can be seen in the Shinra Mansion's library shows us what he means, as he was left semi-catatonic), we know he means weak-minded people and not physically weak people, in which case Zack and others who were unaffected must be strong-minded People. Cloud had a reaction to JENOVA's Cells, whereas Zack didn't:

(SPOILER)Escapee Report No. 2
Description of the time of capture.
A - Former member of SOLDIER/Number ( )
No effect could be detected from either Mako Radiation Therapy or Jenova on him.
B - Regular/Number ( )
Reaction to Jenova detected.

(SPOILER)Considering that the differences we see in Zack and Cloud's minds are their acceptance of theirselves, it's safe to assume that it was these things that kept Zack from losing his personality, and allowed Cloud to lose his own.

There are two other things that really support this notion. One is that Lucrecia says that she has been seeing Sephiroth in her dreams of late (just as the black-cloaked ex-SOLDIER in Junon says that he had recently been feeling like putting on that black cloak), implying that she feels the call of the Reunion, but is not forced to go. Her dialogue in that scene shows that she's accepted herself, even though she despises herself.

The other is that after Cloud and Tifa fall into the Lifestream and Cloud's mind is pieced back together, he accepts himself for who he is and stands before AVALANCHE on the Highwind and openly admits his failures to these people that are closest to him. Though he doesn't really like himself, he's come to accept himself for who he is. Then, during the ending of the game, he easily purges the influence of JENOVA/Sephiroth from his mind during that mental struggle, whereas his mental fortitude had been extremely weak before he came to accept himself.

[DaremihC]

Those are brilliant observations... Great job man...

[AkiraMakie]

ok. well maybe your right.

[Camanche]

I loved that mustache; R.I.P. Biggs Darklighter

Huh?

[DaremihC]

I'll just let you stew in that.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

FF Biggs was named after Biggs Darklighter from Star Wars. He had a rad 1970s moustache.

[Camanche]

Oh geez. I thought he was talking about the FFVII Biggs, but then was using Zack's 'fan last name'. I haven't seen Star Wars in a looonnngggg time, so please forgive my ignorance.

[Lenna]

Doesn't Elmyra look like she's got an attitude! The Stance!!!, The STICK!!!!! HER SMILE!! Maybe she should have been part of the characters. She certainly looks like she wanted to be in that pic teehee