Cloud Strife
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:FFVII character Cloud Strife (クラウド・ストライフ Kuraudo Sutoraifu) is the main protagonist in Squaresoft's (now known as Square Enix) role playing game Final Fantasy VII. His appearance is marked by spiky blonde hair, vivid blue eyes with a slight green glow (a mark of SOLDIER and a sign of having been exposed to mako), dark clothing, and his Buster Sword (a zweihänder-style sword with a distinctive, oversized blade).
He has reappeared in many other Square-Enix games as well, including Final Fantasy Tactics, Ehrgeiz, Kingdom Hearts and its sequel, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Itadaki Street Special, Kingdom Hearts II and as a secret racer in Chocobo Racing. He reappears in a CGI movie sequel, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Last Order: Final Fantasy VII and other spin-offs in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. In addition, a 2D sprite of Cloud occasionally makes an appearance on the loading screen of the PlayStation version of Final Fantasy V. Cloud's Japanese voice actor is Takahiro Sakurai, and his English voice actor is Steve Burton.
Contents |
Character design
Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima has expressed that the dynamic of the relationship between the player and the main character in a Final Fantasy title is something that he always puts thought into, and that with Final Fantasy VII, Cloud's subdued nature led him to write scenes with the character in such a way that the player would be placed in the position of deciding for theirself what the character was thinking.<ref name="interviews">Template:Cite web</ref> This character-player dynamic is reflected by the many opportunities the player is given to choose Cloud's way of interacting with other characters in the game's story, particularly where potential romantic-interests are concerned.
The game's character designer, Tetsuya Nomura, has revealed that the original parameters of Cloud's character design called for slicked back, black hair with no spikes. This was to serve as a contrast with the long, flowing silver hair of the game's lead antagonist, Sephiroth. However, to make Cloud stand out more and emphasise his role in the game as the lead protagonist, Nomura altered Cloud's original design to give him spiky, bright blond hair.<ref name="designs">Template:Cite web</ref>
Biography
Image:Cloud Strife field model.jpg
Final Fantasy VII
Beginning
During the first part of the game, Cloud states that he is a former member of the corporate regime Shin-Ra's private elite military known as "SOLDIER," and exhibits immense skill and combat prowess that supports his claim. Hired as a mercenary for the Shin-Ra resistance movement known as "AVALANCHE," Cloud fights alongside Barret Wallace, his childhood friend Tifa Lockhart, and an ill-fated trio of AVALANCHE members: a passionate woman named "Jessie", a cool-headed man named "Biggs" and a rotund and friendly engineer named "Wedge." Participating in various covert missions, Cloud is extremely aloof and unsocial to the others, putting forth a cold, all-business exterior. At first, Cloud will open up somewhat only to Tifa. Shortly after the game's first mission, however, Cloud meets a young flower girl named Aerith Gainsborough, a woman who will have a profound impact on Cloud's life. Dodging the Shin-Ra's military, Cloud eventually finds himself protecting Aerith from Shin-Ra and their covert team known as "the Turks," who wish to capture Aerith for reasons yet unknown. Joined by Tifa shortly thereafter, the trio have a short misadventure in the slums of Midgar involving Cloud humorously having to cross dress as a woman—a first glimpse of Cloud's lighter side and the first major comic relief of the game.
As the story unfolds, the Shin-Ra corporation destroys part of its own capital, Midgar, in an attempt to crush AVALANCHE. Countless are left dead, including three members of AVALANCHE, and Aerith is kidnapped by the Turks' leader, Tseng. It is revealed that the reason Shin-Ra has wanted Aerith apprehended is that she is the last remaining member of an ancient race known as "the Cetra," who are said to have mysterious powers related to the Planet.<ref name="cetra">President Shinra: "She's the last surviving Ancient... Don't you know? They called themselves the Cetra, and lived thousands of years ago. Now they are just a forgotten page in history." / Red XIII: "Cetra... That girl, is she a survivor of the Cetra?" / President Shinra: "Cetra, or the Ancients will show us the way to the 'Promised Land.' I'm expecting a lot out of her."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> With few other options, Cloud is accompanied by Tifa and Barret in infiltrating the Shin-Ra headquarters to rescue Aerith and put an end to their terror once and for all. Upon rescuing her and finding a non-human but very intelligent companion named "Red XIII," Cloud and the others are shocked to find the President of Shin-Ra dead with a long sword in his back. Cloud instantly recognises the sword as belonging to the legendary SOLDIER member, Sephiroth. Shin-Ra is then taken over by the deceased president's young and ruthless son, Rufus Shinra, and the group makes a daring escape from Midgar to start a journey that will span the entire world and draw Cloud and his companions into something far bigger than anyone had ever imagined.
Journey
After leaving Midgar, the group heads to the small town of Kalm. There, Cloud tells the party the story of his early days in SOLDIER, and his experiences with Sephiroth in order to enlighten his comrades on the identity of this mysterious man. Cloud relates a tale of going back to his hometown of Nibelheim as an eager 1st Class SOLDIER with Sephiroth on a mission to investigate the town's malfunctioning mako reactor, and how he ventured through the Nibel Mountains with Sephiroth—whom Cloud looked up to as as his idol—and their guide, Tifa herself. When they entered the Mt. Nibel reactor, they discovered the perverse experiments that Professor Hojo had been conducting on humans; experiments that resulted in them turning into monsters. They also found a door at the back of the reactor with the word "JENOVA" written above. Wanting to find out more about Jenova—a name he was told belonged to his mother—Sephiroth returned to the Shinra Mansion in Nibelheim and began studying the research notes in a hidden lab underneath. Learning that his birth had been tied to an inhumane experiment called "the Jenova Project," an experiment that had intended to produce people with the powers of the Cetra—among whose numbers Jenova had been incorrectly identified—Sephiroth went insane with rage and emerged from days of study saying that he was going to see his mother. He then set fire to Nibelheim and slaughtered most of its residents, including Cloud's mother. He then proceeded to the mako reactor, where Jenova itself was being held. After relating events up to confronting Sephiroth in the reactor before Jenova, Cloud's mind went blank. He was unable to recall the rest of the story.
After this story, Cloud and the others realize from previous events that there may be something even bigger than Shin-Ra to concern themselves with, and the party opts to pursue Sephiroth in order to find out. Cloud and his companions are joined later by the unusual Cait Sith, the foul mouthed but good hearted pilot and mechanic Cid Highwind, the mischievous kunoichi Yuffie Kisaragi, and the enigmatic Vincent Valentine. Their journey takes them to exotic locations, ancient forts, a massive military-based city named "Junon," and across the ocean to other lands. During the course of this journey, each of Cloud's companions must come to terms with their past, and Cloud's cold exterior melts slowly as he exhibits strong leadership and admirable behavior that gain him the respect of his friends. For the first time, Cloud has close friends and comrades and begins to open up. However, all along this journey Cloud is haunted by strange dreams where he is told things he cannot understand, yet sound familiar. Cloud also gets to know Aerith better, as she helps guide his wayward and confused spirit, exhibiting romantic feelings for him. Tifa, however, also holds strong romantic feelings for Cloud, and a subtle love triangle forms.
Cloud and company eventually find their way to Nibelheim, which somehow still exists. Perplexingly, however, no one seems to remember Cloud, Tifa or any fire that consumed the village.<ref name="nibelheim">Cloud: "This town was supposed to have burnt down five years ago. What the hell is going on?" / Nibelheim resident: "Sir, don't say such awful things. I was born and raised in this town. What you say never happened."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> It is here that Sephiroth drops subtle hints to his intentions, leaving the party with no time to investigate the town's apparent resurrection. Heading north, the team find a small town known as "Rocket Town," and after a small skirmish with Shin-Ra, Cloud and company take Cid's damaged airplane and salvage it as a boat in order to reach a place known as "the Temple of the Ancients," which they've learned of during their adventure. The temple is an ancient Cetra relic, and Aerith is the key to unlocking its secrets. It's learned however, that Sephiroth is present too, desiring the secrets of the temple. Here, the group finds information about a forbidden magic known as "Meteor," which can obliterate an entire world. Sephiroth desires this power, and declares his intentions to use it to wound the Planet, and allow him to merge with its spirit and control its lifecycle.<ref name="plot">Sephiroth: "...What would happen if there was an injury that threatened the very life of the Planet? Think how much energy would be gathered! Ha ha ha. And at the center of that injury, will be me. All that boundless energy will be mine. By merging with all the energy of the Planet, I will become a new life forn, a new existence. Melding with the Planet... I will cease to exist as I am now. Only to be reborn as a 'God' to rule over every soul." ... / Sephiroth: "Behold that mural. The Ultimate Destructive Magic... Meteor."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> As the party unlocks the temple's secret, the Black Materia needed to call forth Meteor, Sephiroth takes control of Cloud's motor functions and forces him to hand over the Black Materia and attack Aerith. Unable to control himself, Cloud punches the flower girl several times before blacking out.
City of the Ancients
While asleep, Cloud has a vision of Aerith telling him that she knows what to do now. She is going to go to the City of the Ancients where she will learn of Holy, the ultimate white magic, as well as the only force powerful enough to stop Meteor and Sephiroth. Although she reassures him that she will return once she has dealt with Sephiroth, he appears and reveals that he is aware of Aerith's activities and that he intends to put an end to them soon. Upon waking, Cloud is told by his friends that Aerith has, indeed, departed alone, and the party quickly heads to the north in pursuit of her. After passing an archaeological dig, the AVALANCHE crew finds the City of the Ancients. Disturbed over his dream, and sensing Sephiroth's presence within the ancient city, Cloud rushes to find Aerith. Upon finding her praying alone, Cloud finds control being exerted over his body once again, Sephiroth attempting to force Cloud himself to strike Aerith down. This time however, Cloud fights off Sephiroth's control and comes to his senses just in time.
Image:Final Fantasy VII - Cloud's Farewell To Aeris.jpg
However, as Aerith opens her eyes from completing her prayer and looks up at Cloud with a smile, Sephiroth falls from above and impales her with his sword, murdering her in cold blood in front of Cloud's horrified eyes. Enraged at Sephiroth, Cloud and his recently arrived comrades destroy the Jenova-spawned monster Sephiroth leaves behind, and Cloud vows that he'll have revenge on Sephiroth for all he's done and bring him to justice. Cloud carries Aerith's body to the nearby lake in the City of the Ancients, and the group has a tearful goodbye as Cloud releases her body into the water.
As revealed in Advent Children, Aerith's death will continue to haunt Cloud for a long time to come.
Shattered mirror
After this, the group continues north to find Sephiroth, and while passing through the town of Icicle Lodge, discover it to be Aerith's birth place. They also learn that her father was a researcher named "Professor Gast," who had been Shin-Ra's top scientist until a guilty conscience prompted him to flee from the despotic organization with a Cetra named "Ifalna," Aerith's mother.<ref name="icicle">Gast: "I've already decided! If it's a girl, then it'll be Aerith. That's that!" / Ifalna: "You are SO selfish! But Aerith is a good name!"(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> Gast recorded his conversations with Ifalna, from which the party learns that the being known as "Jenova" was not a Cetra at all, but, rather, an alien being that crashlanded on the Planet some 2,000 years before and spread a virus that nearly brought the Cetra to extinction.<ref name="icicle2">Ifalna: "2000 years ago, our ancestors, the Cetra, heard the cries of the Planet. The first ones to discover the Planet's wound were the Cetra at the Knowlespole." ... / Ifalna: "The Cetra then began a Planet-reading." ... / Ifalna: "...I can't explain it very well, but it's like having a conversation with the Planet... It said something fell from the sky making a large wound." ... / Ifalna: "That's when the one who injured the Planet... or the 'crisis from the sky', as we call him, came. He first approached as a friend, deceived them, and finally...... gave them the virus. The Cetra were attacked by the virus and went mad... transforming into monsters." ... / Ifalna: "The one the Professor mistook for a Cetra... was named Jenova. That is the 'crisis from the sky'."</ref> Though the creature was defeated by a small band of survivors and sealed into the earth, Gast discovered the creature and used its cellular material in the Jenova Project after incorrectly concluding that it was a Cetra. Thus, Sephiroth has now gained its power, and is seeking to carry out his ultimate plan of becoming one with the Planet.
Pursuing Sephiroth to the northern-most point on the Planet, the original landing site of Jenova, the party fights another Jenova-spawned creature under Sephiroth's control and reclaims the Black Materia. It is then revealed that Sephiroth has been projecting his will from within the northern continent, utilizing pieces of Jenova's body that he altered to bear his form. His real body was crystallized in materia on the upper portion of the northern continent, deep within its Northern Crater. Despite these realizations and the recovery of the key to Sephiroth's plans, Cloud will become increasingly unstable moments later when the group is confronted by Sephiroth, who now presents to Cloud a startling revelation: that Cloud was never in Nibelheim, his memories an illusion created as a byproduct of the abilities of Jenova's cells, which Sephiroth claims Cloud is entirely composed. Sephiroth tells Cloud he is simply another Jenova experiment, created by Professor Hojo with a form and false memories based on what his component Jenova cells copied from coming near Tifa.<ref name="lies">Cloud: "Sephiroth! I know you're listening! I know what you want to say! That I wasn't in Nibelheim five years ago. That's it, isn't it?" / Sephiroth: "I see you finally understand." ... / Sephiroth: "Five years ago you were... ...constructed by Hojo, piece by piece, right after Nibelheim was burnt. A puppet made up of vibrant Jenova cells, her knowledge, and the power of Mako." ... / Sephiroth: "The ability to change one's looks, voice, and words, is the power of Jenova. Inside of you, Jenova has merged with Tifa's memories, creating you. Out of Tifa's memory... A boy named Cloud might've just been a part of them."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> Cloud cannot believe this, but it is apparently reaffirmed when Sephiroth reveals a picture taken five years before when Cloud supposedly traveled to Nibelheim with Sephiroth. In the picture, Cloud is nowhere to be seen, and only Tifa, Sephiroth and a mysterious black-haired SOLDIER are present.
Despite Cloud's initial rejections of this as nothing more than a lie, it is Tifa who reluctantly confirms Sephiroth's story: Cloud wasn't in Nibelheim when it was burned to the ground. After this revelation, Cloud's psyche shatters, as he can no longer deny Sephiroth's claims. Sephiroth takes advantage of Cloud's fragile mental state and emotionally manipulates him into handing him the Black Materia. He had been leading Cloud to him along, slowly chipping away at his confidence in himself and torturing him through Aerith's murder so as to deliver a bout of intense psychological and emotional revenge on Cloud for reasons that would not become clear until later. As Sephiroth calls forth Meteor, the Northern Crater is engulfed in a massive cave in, and Tifa and the others are forced to flee, leaving Cloud behind despite reservations. They flee with Shin-Ra's executives who had arrived previously, and escape before the place comes down.
Answers
Tifa and Barret are held captive by Shin-Ra afterwards, and due to Sephiroth's actions, Meteor hangs in the sky set on a course to destroy the planet. It's revealed that Tifa and Barret have been planted with the blame for Meteor by Shin-Ra, so as to leave the general populace with the feeling that at least someone is going to be punished for what is happening. However, with the help of the other members of AVALANCHE, Barret and Tifa make their escape, and the party departs in Cid's newly captured airship, the Highwind. The group sets out to find Cloud, fearing the worst. Unbeknownst to them, when the Northern Crater caved in, Cloud fell into the Lifestream, the spiritual essence of the world. Eventually, Cloud washed up on a small coastal town named "Mideel," a town resting above—and in near proximity to—the Lifesteam. AVALANCHE discovers him here, being nursed back to health in a clinic, but he is comatose due to prolonged exposure to the Lifesteam. Shortly thereafter, Ultimate WEAPON attacks the town, and Tifa attempts to evacuate Cloud as the others fight off the WEAPON. However, the Lifestream, being unstable at this point due to the recent activities of the WEAPONs, bursts through the town and swallows up Cloud and Tifa.<ref name="lifestream">Template:Cite book</ref>
Tifa reawakens, finding herself within Cloud's psyche, their minds linked due to their presence in the Lifestream and through the actions of Aerith from within the Planet's life essence. Here, she attempts to bridge together all of Cloud's lost memories, guiding him through his own life in order to find the answers. It is revealed that the real SOLDIER in Cloud's place during the Nibelheim incident was none other than Zack, his now deceased best friend.<ref name="zack">Cloud: "Za......ck...... Zac......k. Zack..." / Tifa: "You remembered!! That's right! It was Zack who came to Nibelheim with Sephiroth!"(Final Fantasy VII)</ref>
Although Sephiroth was correct in pointing out that Cloud being in SOLDIER was an illusion, his story was filled with half-truths. Cloud isn't merely a creation from Jenova cells, but a person infused with mako and injected with Jenova cells, the same procedure as given to members of SOLDIER.<ref name="experiment">Cloud: "I'm physically built like someone in SOLDIER. Hojo's plan to clone Sephiroth wasn't that difficult. It was just the same procedure they use when creating members of SOLDIER. You see, someone in SOLDIER isn't simply exposed to Mako energy. Their bodies are actually injected with Jenova cells......"(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> Although physically strong, as a child—one being raised by a single mother, no less—Cloud was ostracized by Tifa's friends, as well as the town itself. Even after he unsuccessfully attempted to rescue Tifa from harm on one occasion, the adults blamed Cloud for the incident and verbally abused him.<ref name="blame">Nibelheim resident: "Cloud! Why'd you bring Tifa to a place like this! What the hell's the matter with you!? What if she dies!?"(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> A short time later, Cloud learned of Sephiroth and began to idolize him. He began to feel that if he could become as strong as Sephiroth, not only would everyone respect him, he could gain Tifa's attention.<ref name="solitude">Cloud: "I thought if I got stronger I could get someone to notice........." / Tifa: "Someone has to notice you...? ......who?" / Cloud: "Who.........? ......You know who! ......You, that's who."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> Thus, at age 14, he told Tifa that he would be leaving for Midgar to join SOLDIER, promising her that he would achieve his goal and be there for her when she was in need. Sadly however, it is revealed that Cloud never made it into SOLDIER. Cloud had no shortage of skill and strength, but due to his psychological insecurity due to years of abuse and alienation, he lacked the mental fortitude required to pass the SOLDIER selection course.<ref name="weakness">Cloud: "I never was in SOLDIER. I made up the stories about what happened to me five years ago, about being in SOLDIER. I left my village looking for glory, but never made it in to SOLDIER...... I was so ashamed of being so weak; then I heard this story from my friend Zack... And I created an illusion of myself made up of what I had seen in my life." ... / Cloud: "For better or for worse, only the strong can enter SOLDIER. ... But weak people...... like me, get lost in the whole thing."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> Cloud began to wish even more so that he could be like others, specifically someone like Sephiroth or Zack.
As the real story is further revealed to Cloud and Tifa while they float through the Lifestream, he tells of how he became a lowly Shin-Ra grunt, and that Zack was the first class SOLDIER who wore the outfit Cloud currently wears. Cloud had been in Nibelheim five years earlier, assigned to that fateful mission as part of Sephiroth and Zack's escort. However, he was so ashamed of failing to enter SOLDIER that he kept his face covered with his helmet the entire time he was there, never revealing himself to anyone from his hometown apart from his mother. In actuality, nearly everything Cloud had earlier told his comrades of his activities in Nibelheim five years before had actually been done by Zack. The true outcome of the confrontation with Sephiroth in the Mt. Nibel reactor, however, is even more surprising than this revelation.
When Sephiroth was filled with madness and laid waste to the town, Zack and Tifa attempted to stop him. Tifa was severely wounded, and although Zack put up a valiant effort, he was no match for Sephiroth and was also defeated. As Sephiroth prepared to take Jenova's body from its chamber, however, Cloud entered and took up Zack's Buster Sword to stop Sephiroth himself. Before Sephiroth knew the young Shin-Ra grunt was there, Cloud had gutted him through his lower back. Thinking that Sephiroth was downed permanently by his brutal attack, Cloud turned back to tend to Tifa. Unfortunately, being the powerful mako-infused Jenova/human hybrid that he was, Sephiroth got back up to confront Cloud. Before doing so, however, he cut Jenova's head off, intending to take it with him, as—due to his injuries—he was unable to take her entire body. This time, Sephiroth held the advantage, quickly sliding his sword into the charging Cloud's chest and hurling him back into Jenova's chamber where he proceeded to skewer Cloud a second time.
Cloud's desperation and pure hatred for the loss of all he held dear proved greater than Sephiroth's strength, however, and he lifted Sephiroth off the floor, gripping the blade in his chest and slinging Sephiroth into a nearby wall—which crumpled from the force of the impact. Sephiroth then retreated, taking Jenova's head with him as he leaped from the platform where he stood into the Lifestream below, which would then carry him to the Northern Crater.
After Sephiroth's departure, Cloud passed out due to the severity of his wounds. Zack and Cloud were left alone and unconscious until rounded up by Shin-Ra officials as part of a cover-up. Hojo had the two young men and all other survivors of the massacre taken to the basement of the Shinra Mansion, where he tested his Jenova Reunion Theory with them, doing so by injecting them all with Jenova cells and infusing them with mako (this being the second time Zack had received such treatment).<ref name="coverup">Periodic Report to Professor Hojo: "... Confidentiality Report ;A total of eight people have visited this town this quarter. Fortunately, none knew about the incident five years ago. Therefore, no one knows the town was restored exactly as it was five years ago. Our staff, disguised as townspeople have improved their acting skills, and we do not report any problems at this time."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref><ref name="experiment3">Zangan: "There were several others that were still alive inside, but I was only able to save you. As I was coming out of the reactor, Shinra troops were just arriving. I recall a scientist named Hojo was in charge. He ordered the troops to gather up everyone still alive for the experiment. I didn't know what type of experiment he was talking about, but I wasn't about to let them have my dearest student."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> After four years of being used for experimental purposes, Zack broke free and took Cloud with him, despite Cloud being comatose after having suffering intense mako poisoning because of Hojo's inhumane experimentation. Making their way back to Midgar, they hitched a ride in the back of a civilian truck. Zack decided that as soon as they got back to Midgar, he would become a mercenary. Not wanting to leave Cloud alone, he says that Cloud can be his partner.
While Cloud was still in this semi-vegetative state, Zack narrated to him the events that occurred in Nibelheim from his perspective, and Cloud listened to all that he was told, his subconscious using the Jenova cells within him to copy what he heard from Zack, and then imprinting these "memories" onto Cloud's own psyche in an attempt to bring Cloud back to a functional state. Cloud had also been able to observe Zack's fighting prowess while in this state, as Shin-Ra forces had been tracking the two since their escape, small skirmishes occurring along the way. After a year-long journey halfway across the world, finally within sight of Midgar, Zack took a bullet that was intended for Cloud, leaving him in a weakened state. It was then that Zack would put up his last struggle while trying to save his friend, finally being gunned down. The Shin-Ra forces left Cloud for dead, not even bothering to finish him off with a bullet due to his deteriorated mental condition.
Recovering some of his motor functions a short while later, Cloud stumbled into Midgar in a delirious state, and was eventually found by Tifa, who took him in until he fully recovered. His subconscious mind reacted to encountering Tifa by using the Jenova cells once again, this time to copy from her memory what she remembered of the boy named "Cloud Strife," imprinting these memories onto Cloud's psyche as well. Due to his mako poisoning and consequential amnesia, as well as the extent to which his subconscious had gone in an attempt to make him capable of functioning as an ordinary person, Cloud had taken Zack's status as a member of SOLDIER, his stories of what took place in Nibelheim, and Tifa's memories which had actually involved Cloud, and used them to fashion a new personality for Cloud so that he would be able to function in the world as an ordinary person.<ref name="memory">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="memory2">Template:Cite book</ref> Tifa, now understanding most of what happened to Cloud, helps him fill in the gaps in his memory, reassuring him that he really is Cloud Strife and not an empty shell filled entirely with false memories.
End
After Cloud comes to terms with himself and his true memories, he and Tifa float back out of the Lifesteam and are recovered by the rest of the group. Cloud reveals to his friends everything, and with a somber tone, vows that he will start a clean slate and live as himself. Not idolizing Sephiroth, and not believing himself to be someone he wasn't, but living as Cloud Strife: a battered, abused, but kind-hearted person who would fight for others when they could not help themselves.
Soon, the party learns that Aerith had successfully activated Holy immediately before her death, but that Sephiroth is using his powerful will to prevent Holy from taking effect, meaning the only way to save the Planet from Meteor is to finally defeat him.<ref name="holy">Cloud: "...Aerith. Aerith has already prayed for Holy. ... / Cloud: "But...... how about Holy? How come Holy isn't moving?" ... / Bugenhagen: "Something's getting in its way." / Cloud: "......Him...... He's the only one that could do it. ...Sephiroth."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref> After Shin-Ra's downfall a short while later, Cloud calls a final group meeting with his comrades onboard the Highwind, telling them that the final battle with Sephiroth is approaching. He tells them to take the remaining time they have to deal with any unfinished personal business they still had, and to remind themselves of what they were fighting for. He explains that he will not feel remorse or betrayal if none of them return, and says that his business is to confront Sephiroth, and to try his best to avert the coming apocalypse. That night, Cloud and Tifa sleep in a field next to the Highwind, under the stars. They reminisce on old times and do away with any hard feelings they have for one another. (Note that there are three versions of this scene between Cloud and Tifa, the one presented to the player determined by how Tifa is treated throughout the game.) Unbeknownst to them, other members of the crew watch their intimate moment from inside the Highwind as the two fall asleep.
In the morning, Cloud and Tifa awake to see that everyone has returned, leaving them—especially Tifa—embarrassed to find that they were spied on the night before. They return to the Northern Crater in order to confront Sephiroth and save the world. Cloud and the others find Sephiroth at the heart of the Planet, and at last best him, using every skill and ounce of energy they have. Before their escape, however, Cloud is attacked by Sephiroth one last time, challenging him to a final duel of the mind and spirit. Despite having the upper hand, Sephiroth's overconfidence leaves an opening that Cloud takes for all its worth, allowing him to overcome Sephiroth during this mental duel inside the Lifestream, proving himself the better man—even if not the better SOLDIER—in the end.<ref name="victory">Template:Cite book</ref>
When Sephiroth's will is finally broken, Holy is released, but it is too late. Meteor is already approaching Midgar and impact is imminent. Holy engages Meteor dangerously close to the surface and—being acted upon in opposite directions by the gravity of the Planet and of the massive Meteor— begins to backfire on the Planet, causing more damage to Midgar than Meteor. Just when things are at their worst and destruction seems imminent, the Lifestream explodes out of the Planet, confirmed by "Maiden who Travels the Planet" to be a result of Aerith guiding it to the surface. Leading other souls from within the Lifestream—including those of Jessie, Biggs, Wedge, Zack and Barret's old friend, Dyne—the Planet's own life force is used as a battering ram that slams into Meteor and pushes it far enough back from the Planet for Holy to have room to destroy it.<ref name="gravity">Template:Cite book</ref>
A scene is then shown 500 years later, as Nanaki (Red XIII) and his two young cubs are running across a rocky desert terrain. They leap their way up to a high cliff, where Nanaki lets out a mighty roar as the camera pans out to reveal Midgar, covered in lush greenery: the Planet has survived.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Image:Cloudac1.jpg In Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, two years after the events of Final Fantasy VII, Cloud has become afflicted with a rapidly proliferating and often fatal disease known as "Geostigma", in actuality the body's instinctive immune reaction to the presence of the alien Jenova cells which have been unleashed on the world. As a result, Cloud now keeps his left arm cloaked to hide the disfiguration caused by the disease. He is not the only one affected, however. Many children have also developed the condition, and have subsequently been kidnapped by a mysterious trio of young men: Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. These three consider anyone with Geostigma—or, more accurately, Jenova's cells—their siblings, and plan to manipulate the Jenova cells infecting the children into leading them to Jenova's remains. This will allow them to incite a second Reunion of Jenova's cells and to themselves become the joint physical hosts for Sephiroth's divided spirit, of which they are the physical manifestations. This places the burden of saving the children—and, indeed, the entire world—upon Cloud once again. Still conflicted and lacking confidence, Cloud must come to terms with his insecurities once and for all if he is to save the world yet again.
These conflicts form the basic plot elements of the film, as Cloud struggles to find faith in himself and achieve personal closure to the more painful events of his past. Finally coming to terms with his self-imposed guilt at having failed to save Zack and Aeris, Cloud gives it his all in the end to show the villainous trio his true power, but not without some help from a now-departed friend and his surviving comrades.
Cloud is featured in Advent Children with his new motorbike, Fenrir, which features a sword rack built into the sides for storing his weapons, and is also seen performing various limit breaks, including Climhazzard, Braver, Blade Beam, Finishing Touch, and a variation of Omnislash, dubbed "Omnislash Version 5". (Note that he uses all of his limits except for three: Meteorain, Cross Slash, and the original version of Omnislash.) Cloud also sports a unique new weapon in Advent Children, replacing the Buster Sword: the First Tsurugi ("First Sword"), which is, in fact, a weapon with the ability to disassemble into six smaller swords.
Cloud's power and skill in battle are shown to have increased substantially since the events of Final Fantasy VII, and even Kadaj, the leader of the villainous trio featured in the film, can barely touch him in combat. Nonetheless, he is still sorely put to the test when his old nemesis reappears.
Other appearances
Other appearances in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII
Last Order: Final Fantasy VII
Cloud is one of the main characters in the Last Order: Final Fantasy VII. This OVA shows Cloud in two events that were shown in flashbacks in Final Fantasy VII; one at Nibelheim, and the other escaping from Shin-Ra with Zack.
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Cloud appears in a small supporting role in Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. He is first seen riding his motorcycle (the Fenrir from Advent Children) alongside a World Restoration Organization truck driven by Barret, with Tifa in the passenger seat, as they and the rest of AVALANCHE (with the exception of Red XIII) ride into war against the Deep Ground SOLDIERs. The sleeve he wore on his left arm in Advent Children is now present again for unknown reasons.
Kingdom Hearts series
Image:KingdomHeartsCloud.jpg Image:KH2cloud.jpg In Kingdom Hearts, Cloud appears in the Olympus Coliseum world. He wears a claw and a cloak similar to that of Vincent Valentine, and bears a black demon wing on his left shoulder (meant to offset the black angel wing on Sephiroth's right shoulder). Cloud has been hired by Hades to kill Hercules, but fights Sora as a prerequisite. When this fails, Hades sets Cerberus on Cloud and Sora, who are only saved by Hercules' timely intervention. Cloud meets with Sora afterwards and explains that he lost the light within his heart, and is searching for it, hence his willingness to work for Hades. Cloud appears later in the Coliseum's battle tournaments: in the Hercules Cup, on his own, and in the Hades Cup, where he teams up with Leon. In Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix (the extended version of the game, only available in Japan) it is revealed that he is also searching for Sephiroth, whom he can be seen battling. Cloud's appearance in Kingdom Hearts is merely a cameo, and there is no mention of significant details from Final Fantasy VII, such as Jenova or SOLDIER. All the Final Fantasy characters in Kingdom Hearts are considered alternate reality versions, not necessarily the same characters that appear in their subsequent games, hence the lack of references. However, the characteristics and personalities of the Final Fantasy characters are considered to be much the same.
Cloud continued his role in the series in the GBA sequel Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories as a boss and, later, as a summon card for Sora. Cloud's part continues in Kingdom Hearts II where he is in his Advent Children attire, with more elaboration on his activities offered: to seek and overcome his darkness. He is searching for Sephiroth, but little does he know that Tifa (who did not appear in Kingdom Hearts or Chain of Memories) is searching for him. His role as a mercenary for Hades is passed on to Final Fantasy X character Auron, although the latter offers the former quite a different approach. Cloud's exploits in this game are a part of a small side story within the game about the conflict between darkness and light, in which he fights Sephiroth once more, with help from Tifa, Sora, Donald Duck and Goofy. While it does not have an impact on the main storyline, it is, nonetheless, a more significant role than the other Final Fantasy characters featured in the game, with the exception of Leon (Squall).
Through each game in the Kingdom Hearts series, Cloud is portrayed as being especially stoic and melancholic compared to his usual personality in Final Fantasy VII and its surrounding stories.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Image:TacticsCloud.gif In Final Fantasy Tactics for the PlayStation, Cloud is one of the bonus playable characters. Cloud is accidentally pulled into the world of Ivalice by an ancient machine called "the Celestial Globe," which was activated by Ramza Beoulve in Goug Machine City, but before then he was floating in the Lifestream in Final Fantasy VII.<ref name="tactics">Cloud: "What happened? Last thing I remember was getting caught in the current."(Final Fantasy Tactics)</ref> He wanders off and eventually ends up in Zarghidas Trade City, where another familiar Final Fantasy VII character, Aerith (as "Aeris"), is seen being sexually harassed by street thugs who suggest that she sell her body instead of flowers. Cloud becomes infuriated and decides to get involved, demanding that they take their hands off her. The thugs, however, prepare to attack Cloud, who is not only unarmed, but is suddenly overcome with painful throbs in his head, similar to those he occasionally experienced in Final Fantasy VII.
The weaponless Cloud is then saved by Ramza, who had followed him, and Cloud decides to join Ramza's force. Cloud's weapon of choice is the Materia Blade, which can be acquired by going to the top of the volcano at Bervenia while using the "Move-find Item" skill. This weapon allows Cloud to use all of the Limit Breaks found originally in Final Fantasy VII, plus an extra Limit Break exclusive to Final Fantasy Tactics called "Cherry Blossom."
Itadaki Street Special
In Itadaki Street Special, Cloud is one of the playable Final Fantasy characters.
Ehrgeiz
Cloud is a playable character in the PlayStation version, but like the other Final Fantasy VII characters present in the game, has no storyline, though he can be used in the arcade made, versus mode, and minigame events. Cloud, Tifa, and Vincent Valentine are the only Final Fantasy VII characters with alternate costumes. Cloud himself can appear in his standard uniform, or his Shin-Ra grunt outfit.
Final Fantasy VII Technical Demo for PS3
Image:Cloudps3tech.jpg The 2005 E3 saw the release by Square of a non-interactive video, featuring the introductory sequence from Final Fantasy VII (formerly pre-rendered for playback on the PlayStation and other formats) running as a realtime-generated 3D-visual on the forthcoming PlayStation 3 hardware. The video followed the original sequence faithfully, from the initial starfield pan through the scenes of Midgar, until the arrival of the locomotive, whereupon a modified conclusion features Cloud performing a more aerobatic leap to the platform to end aiming an enigmatic expression down the barrel of the camera lens. Both Aerith and Cloud are rendered in a near-photorealistic style more akin to current pre-rendered CGI sequences. In keeping with the current trend in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, both Cloud and Aerith are designed in a similar style to their Advent Children incarnations. However, much to many fans' dismay, this was only a tech demo and Square Enix had no motive to recreate Final Fantasy VII at that time. Recently, Tetsuya Nomura shared his thoughts about a remake of Final Fantasy VII, saying that he would be interested in working on such a project if he had a clear schedule, but that he has been assigned to work on a new project that is not a remake of Final Fantasy VII [1].
Omnislash
Image:Omnislash3.jpg Omnislash is Cloud's last and most powerful Limit Break in Final Fantasy VII. It takes great effort in the game to obtain this move, but it is one of the most damaging attacks of the game, and has the potential to exceed the Knights of the Round summon in power. The attack has a total of 15 hits, and each hit may deal as much as 9,999 HP damage, the maximum possible, resulting in a potential total of 149,985.
In the game's final (scripted) battle, Cloud has access to Omnislash regardless of whether the player has obtained it in the game proper. Due to the fight's cinematic nature, it is impossible for Cloud to lose. The scene represents Cloud and Sephiroth's spirits battling one another for the final time, as Holy was still unable to take action so long as Sephiroth's will was in play.
In this final battle, Sephiroth's battle script is coded such that he will take only 31/32 of Cloud's HP<ref name="HP">Template:Cite book</ref>, with Cloud automatically countering any attack. Even if the player takes no action whatsoever, Cloud will be victorious. Despite the predetermined nature of this "battle", the scene is an incredibly popular sequence among fans.
In Advent Children, Cloud uses a new form of Omnislash, called "Omnislash Version Five," in which his multi-pieced sword, the First Tsurugi splits into its six components and levitates while Cloud quickly grabs them one at a time and slashes his opponent. In Kingdom Hearts, Sephiroth has his own version of Omnislash in the Platinum Match of the Olympus Coliseum. The attack also makes an appearance in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, though it once again belongs to Cloud here.
Love
The love of Cloud's life has been a subject of debate for years. This is, indeed, one of the most debated aspects to Cloud's character. The game presents a scenario where Cloud stands between Aerith and Tifa, and receives a fair amount of affection from both. Within the game itself, the player is presented with the opportunity to warm up to one or the other, or neither as well. Depending on how the player chooses to have Cloud treat either woman, a scene in the Gold Saucer will be affected, in which Cloud will go on a short date or outing with either Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, and in a rare case—one much to the amusement of countless—Barret. However, since this matter is obviously up to the player's decision and interpretation, the canon outcome is fiercely debated.
Some feel that Tifa is, from the beginning, the true love of Cloud's life as she helps Cloud through all his ordeals, with Aerith being merely a guide for Cloud's heart. Others, however, see the game's ambiguous ending as a hint that Cloud deeply loves Aerith. Cloud says—while with Tifa, in an attempt to escape the final area of the game—"An answer from the Planet... the Promised Land... I think I can meet her... there." Upon saying this line, Tifa's head lowers, and she responds "Yeah. Let's go meet her." This is interpreted by some as proof that Tifa feels she'll never be able to compete with Aerith's memory, while others see at is more of a final show of respect from Tifa to a fallen friend.
In either case, in On the Way to a Smile—which occurs between the events of Final Fantasy VII and Advent Children—Cloud is shown to still be close with Tifa, the two of them taking care of orphaned children together, as well as jointly running Cloud's new profession as a delivery man. Further, Cloud tells Tifa that he wishes to begin a new life, saying that he feels it will go alright because she'll be with him,<ref name="cot">Template:Cite book</ref> and also goes on to tell her later that he'll be there to remind her of how strong she is when she forgets.<ref name="cot2">Template:Cite book</ref> However, Cloud's memory of Aerith's death and the guilt he felt over that tragedy constantly haunted him, showing that she continued to be a part of him that he was unable to let go of. That said, he also seems to have felt the same measure of guilt over Zack's death. Although he reconciles with the deaths of these friends he could not save, the credits of Advent Children may show that her memory is still fresh in Cloud's mind.
It is important to note that Aerith had a previous relationship with Zack<ref name="zack2">'Aerith: "What a shock..... I didn't know Zack was from this town." / Cloud: "You know him?" / Aerith: "Didn't I tell you? He was my first love."(Final Fantasy VII)</ref>, which some say may be a vital reason for her becoming so attached to Cloud, and in Advent Childrens ending, Aerith and Zack's spirits are seen walking into the light together. Despite that, during the credits, Cloud is seen riding past flower fields, where Aerith appears alone without Zack. Some have cited this as an indication that he wishes to be with her, and is—in a way—searching for her. Others point out, however, that chronologically, the scenes of Cloud riding past these fields occur while he is making deliveries, as seen in Reminiscence of Final Fantasy VII—a bonus video included with Advent Children—and that he calls Tifa while by the fields, telling her that he's heading home and he'd like to take the day off from work.
Whatever Cloud's true feelings for Aerith and Tifa, Aerith's true feelings for Cloud are revealed in Maiden who Travels the Planet, when the novel states the following:
"At first, she thought he somehow had some similarities to her first love. Even so, his looks, voice and personality weren't similar, and he also made her think of him as a mysterious person... but it soon didn't matter. She loved him much more than her first love."<ref name="cloud">Template:Cite book</ref>
That said, it's also later revealed that much of what Aerith saw in Cloud were, indeed, characteristics that he had subconsciously adopted from Zack:
"But she couldn't figure out the truth. Her thoughts just went in circles. Aerith delved into her memories again. Memories that showed Cloud's individuality. The way he walked. She remembered all his actions one by one...
Most of those thoughts merged into the Sea of Mako and awakened a character. The character recognized the image she recalled and "he" woke up."<ref name="cloud2">Template:Cite book</ref>
Further, Aerith doesn't learn who Cloud really is until some time later when Tifa helps Cloud reconstruct his memories. It is then that she knows him for who he truly is:
"She was happy. She was happy that she now knew the real Cloud and was able to watch over him, even though it was just for a short while."<ref name="cloud3">Template:Cite book</ref>
However, despite having not known the real Cloud while she was alive, and having come to love him while he displayed characteristics that were not part of who he truly was, she continues to love him the same as before once she knows the real him.
All points of disagreement among fans aside, most agree that Cloud had powerful feelings of an indeterminate nature for both Aerith and Tifa. Which one he loves the most, however, remains debatable.
Trivia
- When Cloud is comatose in Mideel, he mutters the word "Zenogais". This is a badly translated Xenogears, a reference to the said game yet to have been made at the time. The PC version of Final Fantasy VII corrected this into Xenogears.
- Several of Cloud's Limit Breaks formerly belonged to his comrade Zack. They include Blade Beam (as seen in Last Order) and Omnislash (as specifically stated by Zack in Maiden Who Travels the Planet).
- One of Cloud's best-known experiences in FFVII was an incident in which he was forced to disguise himself as a woman in order to infiltrate a brothel. This situation has become a common running gag among fandom, and is frequently featured in fan art and even hentai dōjinshi.
- Cloud is one of the most popular RPG characters of all time and won the annual GameFAQs character battle in 2003, defeating his own in-game nemesis Sephiroth in the final round of voting. He also defeated Link in the semi-finals. After some more Character Battles, controversy was made over the fact that Link, Sephiroth, and Cloud are so highly popular that the likeliness of them being beaten in this competition is slim at best, making a rather boring and predictable situation (considering that in four CB, Link was in three finals, Cloud in two, and Sephiroth in two). The most recent tournament, in 2005, had the previous winners in a separate bracket (along with the running-contest winner), in order to give the other characters a chance. This time however, he lost to Link who then defeated Sephiroth in the final. This is testament to how popular and well known Cloud is, to the joy and chagrin alike of many fans.
- In the online comic 8-Bit Theater, Cloud appears in two early episodes, when he's trying out to be a Light Warrior with Fighter (a character class in Final Fantasy I). He's extremely pathetic, even by the comics' very pathetic fight-wise standards; when he attempts to summon gods, it takes him a very long time and he only summons a white Chocobo that proceeds to stand on a nearby roof and utter "wark." He is also too feeble to hold his rather large sword, which would've gotten him the job (due to Fighter's love of swords) if he had been able to wield it.
- When Zidane Tribal in Final Fantasy IX sees a large buster sword in a shop in Lindblum, he makes a remark about a "spiky-haired man" who used to wield such a sword, an obvious reference to Cloud.
- The only character shown to kiss Cloud in the date minigame in Final Fantasy VII was Yuffie. Afterwards, she explains that she did it because she felt like it. Furthermore, if Yuffie is in the party when Sephiroth kills Aerith in the City of the Ancients, she runs into Cloud's arms and cries on his shoulder, showing how much comfort she takes in Cloud's presence in her life.
- In the North American instruction booklet accompanying the game and even on the official North American website for Final Fantasy VII, Cloud's birthdate was inaccurately listed as August 19th. All official Japanese sources identify it as August 11th.
References
<references />
External links
{{FFVII character external links | name = Cloud Strife | ffwiki = Cloud Strife | secharpage = cloud | fanlisting = Enchanted | fanlisting_link = http://www.dragonlotus.com/cloud/ }}
- Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega Translations FAQ - Translations from the Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega
- Maiden Who Travels the Planet - Translation of Maiden Who Travels the Planet
- On the Way to a Smile - Translation of On the Way to a Smile
Template:FFVIIes:Cloud Strife fr:Clad Strife it:Cloud Strife no:Cloud Strife pt:Cloud Strife sv:Cloud Strife