Final Fantasy VII Walkthrough

1.15: Hojo's Lab

First, a note; when you encounter Soldier: 3rd, make sure you steal the Hardedge from him.

Head up through the door with the red light on top, then the next room has a scene. There's Aeris, but Hojo doesn't seem worried about you being there yet. He has the lion-like creature, shown earlier, put in the same prison that Aeris is in. You manage to get Aeris out just in time, and the lion jumps out at Hojo. However, you soon find out that he can talk, and is more than just a beast.

You can ask either Tifa or Barret to take Aeris "somewhere safe". This just means that Aeris and that person will form another party. You can name the lion at this point, default is Red XIII.

A boss fight begins, against:

Sample:H0512	Level	HP	MP	Attacks
	19	1000	120	Shady Breath
	Absorbs	Blocks	Strong Against	Weak Against
	Steal	Morph	Win Item	Enemy Skill
			Talisman
	EXP	AP	Gil	Location
	300	30	250	Shinra Tower
	Immune to Status		Notes
	Strategy
	This boss is joined by lesser minions called Sample:H0512 opt, who should be outright ignored. The minions can be revived, and just do small Roll Attacks, so focus on attacking the large one in the center. His main attack is Shady Breath, which isn’t all that bad. Attack physically, or use magic; they have no real weaknesses or strengths otherwise.

Sample:H0512 opt	Level	HP	MP	Attacks
	7	300	48	Rolling Attack
	Absorbs	Blocks	Strong Against	Weak Against
	Steal	Morph	Win Item	Enemy Skill
	EXP	AP	Gil	Location
	20	2	0	Shinra Tower
	Immune to Status		Notes

After the fight, it's decided that you'll meet at the 66th floor elevator. Be sure to pick up the Enemy Skill materia in the area where Aeris and Red XIII were held.

Head down the reddish path, up to the mesh walkway, and pick up the blue Potion, then the other blue Potion. If you go up further on the mesh, a scared employee gives you a keycard to the 68th floor. Follow him down to the grey floor and to the right

You can get two more Potions a little past the green lines. Keep heading through the doors, the path is straightforward.

Go down and out to the 66th floor elevator.