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'''Okinawan weapons''' are a group of [[weapon]]s developed in [[Okinawa]] and employed in the [[fighting system]] known as [[Okinawan kobudo]], Ryūkyū Kobujutsu and also just as Kobudo.
{{General CVG character
|name=Cloud Strife
|image=[[Image: Cloud Strife art.jpg|200px|Cloud Strife artwork by Tetsuya Nomura]]
|caption=Cloud Strife artwork by Tetsuya Nomura
|series=''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series and ''[[Final Fantasy VII#Compilation of Final Fantasy VII|Compilation of Final Fantasy VII]]''
|firstgame=''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''
|artist=[[Tetsuya Nomura]]
|voiceactor=[[Steve Burton]]
|japanactor=[[Nozomu Sasaki]] (''Ergheiz'')<br>[[Takahiro Sakurai]] (all other appearances)
|inuniverse={{Final Fantasy character
|class=Mercenary (''Final Fantasy VII''),<BR />Delivery boy (''Advent Children'')
|weapon=Buster Sword (''Final Fantasy VII''), <BR />First Tsurugi (''Advent Children'')
|home=[[Nibelheim]]
|age=21 (''Final Fantasy VII'')
|height=5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
|bloodtype=AB+
}} }}
{{nihongo|'''Cloud Strife'''|クラウド・ストライフ|Kuraudo Sutoraifu}} is the main [[protagonist]] in [[Square Co., Ltd.|Squaresoft]]'s (now known as [[Square Enix]]) [[computer role-playing game|role playing game]] ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''. His appearance is marked by spiky blonde hair, vivid blue eyes with a glow (a mark of SOLDIER and a sign of having been exposed to [[Mako (Final Fantasy VII)|mako]]), dark purple or blue clothing, and his [[List of Final Fantasy weapons#Buster Sword|Buster Sword]] (a [[zweihänder]]-style sword with a distinctive, [[zanbato|oversized blade]]). The Buster Sword more closely resembles a Full Blade sword. He at first displays a cold and uncaring demeanor, but gradually adapts in his role as a leader.
==Possible origins==
He has reappeared in many other Square-Enix games as well, including ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'', ''[[Ehrgeiz]]'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' and its sequels ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', ''[[Itadaki Street|Itadaki Street Special]]'', and as a secret racer in ''[[Chocobo Racing]]''. He reappears in a [[computer-generated imagery|CGI]] [[film|movie]] [[sequel]], ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]]'', ''[[Last Order: Final Fantasy VII]]'' and other spin-offs in the ''[[Final Fantasy VII#Compilation of Final Fantasy VII|Compilation of Final Fantasy VII]]''. In addition, a [[2D computer graphics|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 [[Nozomu Sasaki]] (Ehrgeiz), [[Takahiro Sakurai]], and his English voice actor is [[Steve Burton]].
It is a popular story and common belief that Okinawan farming tools evolved into weapons due to restrictions placed upon the peasants that meant they could not carry arms. As a result, it is said, they were defenseless and developed a fighting system around their traditional farming implements. However, modern martial arts scholars have been unable to find historical backing for this story, and the evidence uncovered by various martial historians points to the [[Pechin]] Warrior caste in Okinawa as being those who practised and studied martial arts, rather than the Heimin, or commoner. It is true that Okinawans, under the rule of foreign powers, were prohibited from carrying weapons or practicing with them in public. But the weapons-based fighting that they secretly practiced (and the types of weapons they practiced with) had strong Chinese roots, and examples of similar weapons have been found in [[China]], pre-dating the Okinawa adaptations.
==CharacterWeapon designtypes==
===Bo===
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 players would be placed in the position of deciding for themselves what the character was thinking.<ref name="interviews">{{cite web | author=Square-Enix North America Site Staff | year=2001 | title=Behind The Game The Creators | url=http://www.square-enix-usa.com/games/FFX/btg/creators.html#1 | work=[http://www.square-enix.com/na/ Square-Enix North America] | accessdate=12 April | accessyear=2006}}</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.
{{main|Bo (weapon)}}
The ''bo'' is a six-foot staff, tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a ''tenbin'': a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo, along with shorter variations such as the ''[[Jo (weapon)|jo]]'' and ''[[hanbo]]'' could also have been developed from walking sticks used by travellers, especially monks. The bo is considered the 'king' of the Okinawa weapons, as all others exploit its weaknesses in fighting it, whereas when it is fighting them it is using its strengths against them. The bo is the earliest of all Okinawa weapons (and effectively one of the earliest of all weapons in the form of a basic staff), and is traditionally made from red or white oak.
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 (Final Fantasy VII)|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. It would seem that the original black hair was adopted by Zack later on.<ref name="designs">{{cite web | author=Shella | year=2003 | title=Tetsuya Nomura 20s | url=http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 | work=[http://flaregamer.com FLAREgamer] | accessdate=13 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> But Nomura used the concept years later for Angeal in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. It's mentioned during the game that Cloud's hair looks like a chocobo head if looked from behind (or even from the front).
===Sai===
{{spoiler}}
{{main|Sai (weapon)}}
The '''sai''' is sometimes mistakenly believed to be a variation on a tool used to create furrows in the ground, however this is highly unlikely as metal on Okinawa was in short supply at this time and a stick would have served this purpose more satisfactorily for a poor commoner, or ''Heimin''. The sai appears similar to a short sword, but is not bladed and the end is traditionally blunt. Records from China prove its original existence although in a much more elongated form where it was known as Tsai and was used purely as a weapon. The weapon is metal and of the truncheon class with its length dependent upon the forearm of the user. The two shorter prongs on either side of the main shaft are used for trapping other weapons such as a sword or bo. The sai originally reached [[Japan]] in the form of the ''[[Jitte (weapon)|jitte]]'' or ''jutte'', which has only a single prong. Both are truncheon-like weapons, used for striking and bludgeoning. Sai were thought to be given to those in Okinawan society that the Japanese could trust to maintain order. Sai are traditionally carried in threes, two are used in combat and the third is used as either a precursor to the actual fight and is thrown at the enemy, or as a spare in the event that one is knocked from the hand. There are many other variations on the sai with varying prongs for trapping and blocking, and the ''monouchi'', or shaft, can be round or octagonal. Sai were also used as handcuffs and were a symbol of authority in Okinawa. Two sai are called zai.
==Biography==
<!--This section needs a major, 40-50 percent trim. We need to describe the character, its influence, and its development; all of this should comprise a good half of the article...-->
[[Image:Cloud Strife field model.jpg|thumb|100px|left|Cloud as he appears in ''Final Fantasy VII''.]]
===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 unsociable 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 "[[Turks (Final Fantasy VII)|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.
===Nunchaku===
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">
{{main|Nunchaku}}
A '''nunchaku''' is two sections of wood (or metal in modern incarnations) connected by a cord or chain. There is much controversy over its origins: some say it was originally a Chinese weapon, others say it evolved from a threshing flail, while one
*'''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."
theory purports that it was developed from a horse's bit. Chinese nunchaku tend to be rounded, whereas Japanese are octagonal, and they were originally linked by horse hair. There are many variations on the nunchaku, ranging from the [[three sectional staff]] (''san-setsu-kon nunchaku''), to smaller multi-section nunchaku. The nunchaku was popularized by [[Bruce Lee]] in a number of films, made in both [[Hollywood]] and [[Hong Kong]].
*'''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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></ref>
===Tonfa===
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 called "[[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 recognizes the sword as belonging to the legendary SOLDIER member, [[Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII)|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.
{{main|Tonfa}}
The ''tonfa'' is more readily recognized by its modern development in the form of the [[police]] [[nightstick]], although its usage differs. It supposedly originated as the handle of a [[millstone]] used for grinding grain. The tonfa is traditionally made from red oak, and can be gripped by the short perpendicular handle or by the longer main shaft. As with all Okinawan weapons, many of the forms are reflective of "empty hand" techniques.
====Journey====
After leaving Midgar, the group heads to the small town of [[List of Final Fantasy VII locations#Eastern Continent|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 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.
===Tekko===
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 (Final Fantasy VII)|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.
{{main|Tekko}}
The '''Tekko''' or 'Tecchu' is a form of [[knuckleduster]], and primarily takes its main form of usage from that of empty-hand technique, whilst also introducing slashing movements. The Tekko is usually made to the width of the hand with anything between one and three protruding points on the knuckle front with protruding points at the top and the bottom of the knuckle. They can be made of any hard material but are predominately found in aluminium, iron, steel, or wood.
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">
===Tinbe-Rochin===
*'''Cloud:''' "This town was supposed to have burnt down five years ago. What the hell is going on?"
{{main|Tinbe-Rochin}}
*'''Nibelheim resident:''' "Sir, don't say such awful things. I was born and raised in this town. What you say never happened."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></ref>
<!-- Err... could someone seriously cleanup the prose in this section. I'm not at all sure what it means. -->
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 finds 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">
The '''Tinbe-Rochin''' is one of the least known of of the Ryūkyū system and exudes a feeling of history long gone. The usage is, at first glance, visually reminiscent of a combination of [[Zulu]] fighting and European [[sword]] and [[buckler|small shield]] fighting, and weapons of this nature can be found in most cultures throughout the world. The Tinbe (Shield) can be made of various materials but is commonly found in vine or cane, metal, or more historically, in turtle shell. (The [[Ryūkyū Island]]'s historical primary source of food - fishing - provided a reliable supply of turtles). The shield size is generally about 45 cm long and 38 cm wide. The Rochin (Short spear) is cut with the length of the shaft being the same distance as the forearm to the elbow if it is being held in the hand. The spearhead then protrudes from the shaft and can be found in many differing designs varying from spears to short swords and machete-style implements.
===Surujin===
*'''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." ...
<!-- Does this not have a main article? If it does, insert: {{main|Surujin}} -->
*'''Sephiroth:''' "Behold that mural. The Ultimate Destructive Magic... Meteor."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></ref>
The Surujin consists of a weighted chain or leather cord and can be found in two kinds: 'Tan Surujin' (short) and 'Naga Surujin' (long). The lengths are about 150-152 cm and 230-240 cm respectively. It is a weapon which can be easily hidden prior to use, and due to this fact can be devastatingly effective. Traditionally found with a bladed instrument at one end and a weight at the other, the Surujin techniques are very similar to those of the Nunchaku.
Leather cords are used for practice or kumite, whereas chains are favoured for demonstration.
Historically used by fishermen to allow them to pull their boats in where they might not be able to paddle, the word ''suru'' refers to the hemp rope that was originally used, as this material is rot- and mold-resistant, and ''jin'' (or ''chin'') refers to a weight as used to hold down rice paper while writing. Based on its fishing origins, the first suruchin were most likely made from flat rocks with holes drilled in them.
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=Ieku===
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While asleep, Cloud has a vision of Aerith telling him that she knows what to do now. She is going to go to the Forgotten City, 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 Forgotten City. 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.
The Okinawan style of oar is called an ieku; the favorite type of wood used for these was "eku", hence the name. Noteworthy hallmarks are the slight point at the end, a curve to one side of the paddle and a roof-like ridge along the other. One of the hojoundo (basic moves) for this weapon utilizes the fact that a fisherman would be able to fling sand at an opponent. While not having the length, and therefor reach, of the [[bo]], the rather sharp edges can inflict more penetrating damage when wielded properly.
===Kama===
[[Image:Final Fantasy VII - Cloud's Farewell To Aeris.jpg|thumb|right|The Death of Aerith.]]
{{main|Kama (weapon)}}
The final major Okinawa weapon is the '''kama'''. It is the traditional farming sickle, and considered one of the hardest to learn due to the inherent danger in practicing with such a weapon. The point at which the blade and handle join in the traditional model normally has a nook with which a bo can be trapped, although this joint proved to be a weak point in the design, and modern day examples tend to have a shorter handle with a blade that begins following the line of the handle and then bends, though to a lesser degree than the difference in orientation of the traditional model; this form of the kama is known as the ''[[natagama]]''.
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 a horrified Cloud. Enraged at Sephiroth, Cloud and his recently arrived comrades destroy the Jenova-spawned monster Sephiroth leaves behind, prior to referring to Cloud's true identity as "his puppet", and Cloud vows that he'll have revenge on Sephiroth for all he's done and bring him to justice. Cloud carried Aerith's body to the nearby lake, and the group has a tearful goodbye as Cloud releases her body into the water.
==See also==
As revealed in ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children|Advent Children]]'', Aerith's death will continue to haunt Cloud for a long time to come.
*[[Bojutsu]]
*[[Kubotan]]
*[[Karate]]
{{KobudoWeapons}}
====Shattered Mirror====
After this, the group continues north to find Sephiroth, and while passing through the town of [[List of Final Fantasy VII locations#Northern continent|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">
[[Category:Weapons of Japan]]
*'''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!"<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></ref>
<!-- The below are interlanguage links. -->
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">
[[de:Kobudō]]
[[fr:Kobudo]]
*'''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." ...
[[pl:Kobudo]]
*'''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'."<span style="font-size: 90%;"></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, of 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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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. Sephiroth had been leading Cloud to him all along, slowly chipping away at his self-confidence then torturing him by murdering Aerith to inflict intense psychological and emotional pain 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 and leave Cloud behind. They escape along with a few Shin-Ra executives who had arrived previously and make it out just before the collapse.
====Answers====
<!-- Please note:
The descriptions in the "Answers" section concerning the events in Nibelheim are not a mistake, nor are they incorrect. The information detailed therein comes from Last Order: Final Fantasy VII and Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, which presents the current canon version of these events.
If you wish to discuss inserting descriptions of the original version of events — those seen in Final Fantasy VII — see the talk page. For now, all such revisions will be reverted back to their current form. -->
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 [[Materia|Lifestream]], the spiritual essence of the world. Eventually, Cloud washed up on a small coastal town named "[[List of Final Fantasy VII locations#Other|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 catatonic due to prolonged exposure to the Lifesteam. Shortly thereafter, [[Weapon (Final Fantasy)#Ultimate WEAPON|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 [[Weapon (Final Fantasy)#Final Fantasy VII|WEAPONs]], bursts through the town and swallows up Cloud and Tifa.<ref name="lifestream">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=588 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</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 [[List of Final Fantasy VII characters#Zack|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!"<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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..."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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!?"<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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 crumbled 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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></ref>
After four years of being used for experimental purposes, Zack broke free and took Cloud with him, despite Cloud being catatonic after having suffered intense Mako poisoning because of Hojo's inhumane experimentation. Zack dressed Cloud in the purple uniform of a 1st Class SOLDIER, which would later help to support Cloud's illusion. 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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=211 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</ref><ref name="memory2">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=586 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</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.
====''Final Fantasy VII'' End====
[[Image:Cloudending.jpg|thumb|left|Cloud at the end of Final Fantasy VII]]
After Cloud comes to terms with himself and his true memories, he and Tifa float back out of the Lifestream 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 invoked the power of 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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=590-591 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</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 "[[Compilation of Final Fantasy VII|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, [[List of Final Fantasy VII characters#Dyne|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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=591 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</ref>
===''Final Fantasy VII'' Aftermath===
During the 2-year aftermath of ''Final Fantasy VII'', Cloud lived with Tifa and Barrett at the city of Edge. He served as a delivery boy for the "Strife Delivery Service" that Tifa set up. During that time, Cloud obtained a
new motorbike, the Fenrir, which features a sword rack built into the sides for storing the components of his new weapon, the [[List of Final Fantasy weapons#First Tsurugi|First Tsurugi]] ("First Sword"). Cloud used the Buster Sword as a gravemarker for the very point Zack died on.
Over time, Cloud began suffering symptoms of the disease "Geostigma", keeping his left arm cloaked to hide the disfiguration caused by the disease. Cloud became more distant from the others out of the guilt for the deaths of Aerith and Zack. As a result, he moved out of the Seventh Heaven and took refuge in Aerith's church. Furthermore, Cloud became more distant and cold from his friends mainly due to Sephiroth's death, whilst Sephiroth was alive Cloud had a purpose; something to take his mind off of Aerith, however once Sephiroth was gone the death of Aerith hit Cloud causing his grief and guilt, this grief took away all the playfulness and humanity from Cloud, (for example in the game, Cloud would reluctantly dress up like a girl, become a chocobo jockey and many other antics with more sophomoric outcomes) and leaving him as a person with perhaps no self-esteem or confidence in himself until Sephitoth's revival and Aerith's forgiveness.
===''Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children''===
[[Image:Cloudac1.jpg|thumb|right|Cloud Strife in ''Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children''.]]
Around the time Cloud received a call from Tifa that Reno has a job for him, he was attacked by mysterious trio of young men: Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. While learning about them from Rufus, they began kidnapping children that possess Geostigma, intenting to have them lead them to Jenova's head. During the second confrontation, Cloud had a hard time defeating all three until Vincent saved him.
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 Aerith, 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's power and skill in battle are shown to have increased substantially since the events of ''Final Fantasy VII'', as he fought Bahamut Sin and destroyed it with one slice. Even Kadaj can barely touch him in combat on his own. During the fight, Cloud was cured of the Geostigma by the water under Aerith's church. Nonetheless, Cloud's skills were still sorely put to the test when his old nemesis (Sephiroth) is reborn when Kadaj finally fuses with the last remains of Jenova. In the end, Cloud defeated Sephiroth with a variation of ''Omnislash'', dubbed "''Omnislash Version 5''". Though he won, Cloud was mortally wounded by a dying Yazoo and seemingly killed in the explosion that took Yazoo and Loz. However, Cloud survives and wakes up to see his "family" of friends surrounding him.
===Post-''Final Fantasy VII''===
{{section-stub}}
==Other appearances==
===Other appearances in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII===
[[Image:Cloud_in_Last_Order.jpg|thumb|right|Cloud in ''[[Last Order: Final Fantasy VII]]''.]]
====''Last Order: Final Fantasy VII''====
Cloud is one of the main characters in the ''[[Last Order: Final Fantasy VII]]''. This [[Original Video Animation|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''====
Unlike the previous ''Final Fantasy VII'' series, 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 in the beginning of ''Advent Children'' but which he took off later in the movie, is now present again in the game again for unknown reasons (seeing as how in ''Advent Children'', the sleeve was apparently worn to hide the effects of his [[Geostigma]] from which he was later cured).
===''Kingdom Hearts'' series===
[[Image:KingdomHeartsCloud.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Cloud as he appears in ''Kingdom Hearts''.]]
[[Image:KH2cloud.jpg|thumb|right|130px|Cloud in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''.]]
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'', Cloud appears in the Olympus Coliseum world. He wears a claw and a cape which Tetsuya Nomura stated are not [[Vincent Valentine]]'s, but rather that the KH version of Cloud was designed in a similar "dark" style as Nomura put it, thus they will have similarities as a result. Note the exact diffriences here[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/TAS_4287/compare.jpg] He also 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 (Disney)|Hades]] to kill [[Hercules]], but fights Sora as a prerequisite. When he refuses to kill Sora during their battle, 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 [[Squall Leonhart|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. However, all the ''Final Fantasy'' characters in ''Kingdom Hearts'' are versions from an alternate reality and not the same characters that appear in their respectives 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 [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] sequel ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' as a [[boss (video games)|boss]] and, later, as a summon card for [[Sora (Kingdom Hearts)|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, and is himself being sought out by ''Kingdom Hearts''<nowiki>'</nowiki> version of Tifa. Cloud fights along side Sora during the Heartless invasion of Hollow Bastion. Also, in the ''Kingdom Hearts II]], [[Jiminy Cricket|Jiminy's]] journal states that Cloud is a former SOLDIER. Cloud's exploits in this game are a part of a small side story within the game about his inner 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 that of the other ''Final Fantasy'' characters featured in the game, with the exception of [[Squall Leonheart|Leon (Squall)]], and he is quite possibly the strongest Final Fantasy character in the game.
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|thumb|right|Cloud's facial portrait in ''Final Fantasy Tactics''.]]
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. His comments after arriving in Ivalice seem to indicate that the Celestial Globe pulled him from the Lifestream, during the period in ''Final Fantasy VII'' when he was adrift in it.<ref name="tactics">
*''Cloud:''' "What happened? Last thing I remember was getting caught in the current."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy Tactics'')</span></ref>
Cloud is disoriented after arriving in Ramza's world, seemingly remembering only bits and pieces of his life before coming out of the portal. After a short exchange with Ramza and the others, he is racked by a seizure, like the ones he suffers from during the course of [[Final Fantasy 7]]. As it fades, he exclaims, "I must go...must go to that place...," before running out, Ramza and his friends close behind him.
He wanders into Zarghidas Trade City, where he encounters a parallel counterpart to the Aeris from his world, a flower girl bearing the same name. Cloud is still confused, presumably from his trip to Ramza's world, and is further confused by this encounter:
:[Cloud walks through the streets of Zarghidas. A girl comes out.]
:Flower Girl: Buy a flower? Only 1 gil.
:Cloud: ......
:Flower Girl: Something wrong? Do I resemble someone?
:Cloud: No...it's nothing.
:[Cloud walks away.]
:Flower Girl: What's wrong with him?
As Cloud is leaving, she is accosted by an apparent loan shark looking to collect on a 30000 gil loan. Cloud returns to help Aeris escape but suffers another seizure as Ramza and his party catch up to him. After they save him, he joins Ramza's party, while Ramza agrees to help get him back to his own world:
:Cloud: I lost...a very important thing...
:Ramza: Cloud......?
:Cloud: Ever since, I've been lost. Who am I? What should I do? What about this pain...
:Ramza: Cloud...there's someone in your world waiting for you. We might be able to send you back where you came from by using the stone's power.
:Cloud: Let's go, Ramza. I can't be here. Must go...to the Promised Land.
Presumably, since Cloud is saved from the Lifestream and plays further role in events taking place in [[Final Fantasy 7]], Ramza succeeded in sending Cloud back to the Lifestream after events in Final Fantasy Tactics.
===''Itadaki Street series''===
In ''[[Itadaki Street Special]]'' (released exclusively in Japan), Cloud is one of the playable ''Final Fantasy VII'' characters, along with Aerith, Sephiroth, and Tifa. He and the rest of the ''FFVII'' crew (including newcomer to the series, Yuffie) also make an appearance in the upcoming ''[[Itadaki Street Portable]]'' for the [[PSP]].
===''Chocobo Racing''===
[[Image:Cloud chocobo racing screenshot2.png|thumb|80px|right|Cloud in ''[[Chocobo Racing]]'']]
In ''[[Chocobo Racing]]'', Cloud is the fifth of ten unlockable characters ([[Bahamut (Final Fantasy)|Bahamut]], [[Squall Leonhart|Squall]], [[Cid (Final Fantasy)|Cid]]'s Tank, [[Races of Final Fantasy#Moomba|Mumba]], Cloud, [[Cactuar]], [[Aya Brea|Aya]], Classic [[Chocobo]], [[List of Final Fantasy airships#Final Fantasy III|SS Invincible]], and [[3-D Worldrunner|Jack]] respectively). In the game, he rides a [[motorcycle]] and appears much like he did during the bike chase scene in ''Final Fantasy VII''. He is playable in all modes but the story mode.
===''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 mode, 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|thumb|left|200px|Cloud's appearance on the ''[[Final Fantasy VII technical demo|technical demo]]'' for the [[PlayStation 3|PS3]].]]
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 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 (most likely [[Final Fantasy Versus XIII]]) that is not a remake of ''Final Fantasy VII''. The gaming magazine EGM has apparantly confirmed a remake is scheduled to be released in 2007, though many are skeptical as that would leave insufficient development time. However, as they may simply be porting the title with improved graphice and cut-scenes, it may not take as long as supposed. SquareEnix has made no official announcement about a remake to Final Fantasy VII since.
==Omnislash==
[[Image:Omnislash3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The final blow of Omnislash.]]
''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 Round'' summon in power. The attack has a total of 18 hits, and each hit may deal as much as 9,999 HP damage, the maximum possible, resulting in a potential total of 179,982.
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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=389 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</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 the new form of ''Omnislash'' (''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. It supposedly gained its name through the first four versions of the Limit Break being discarded by designers in favor of the current one, according to the Japanese DVD commentary on ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]]''. The original ''Omnislash'' also makes an appearance in ''Kingdom Hearts'', ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' and ''Kingdom Hearts II''.
==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 (fiction)|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 it as more 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 all right because she'll be with him,<ref name="cot">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=V-Jump | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Prologue; On the Way to a Smile: Case of Tifa | pages=27 | language=Japanese | publisher=Shueisha | id=ISBN 4-08-779339-7}}</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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=V-Jump | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Prologue; On the Way to a Smile: Case of Tifa | pages=29 | language=Japanese | publisher=Shueisha | id=ISBN 4-08-779339-7}}</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. It is important to note that the guilt Cloud felt towards [[List of Final Fantasy VII characters#Zack|Zack]]'s death, or any other character's death for that matter, was not as strong as that felt towards Aerith, as Cloud always referenced "But I let <you> die" to Aerith rather than anyone else. 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 should be noted 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."<span style="font-size: 90%;">(''Final Fantasy VII'')</span></ref>
Which some say may be a vital reason for her becoming so attached to Cloud, and in ''Advent Children'''s 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. Another interpretation concurs that while he's moving on with life he'll never forget how special his time with Aerith was. This interpretation perceived by the idea that the road he's driving on is a metaphoric representation of life and that he passes the fields of yellow flowers with Aerith watching him go by. At the very tip end after the credits it shows a glimpse of Cloud's office wherein on the desk is a couple of yellow flowers with a new picture sitting next to the old one. The old one containing the image of Tifa, Cloud, Marlene, and Denzel in a not so conformative pose. The new photograph contains everyone in a more pleasant manner featuring the entire main cast: Cloud, Tifa, Marlene, Denzel, Barret, Cid, Red XIII, Cait Sith, Vincent, and Yuffie.
Whatever Cloud's true feelings for Aerith and Tifa, Aerith's true feelings for Cloud are revealed in ''[[Compilation of Final Fantasy VII|Maiden who Travels the Planet]]'', when the novel states the following:
<blockquote>''"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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=578 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</ref></blockquote>
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:
<blockquote>
''"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...''
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
''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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=587 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</ref></blockquote>
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:
<blockquote>
''"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">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=589 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0}}</ref></blockquote>
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 "Zenogias". 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''.
*One of Cloud's Limit Breaks formerly belonged to his comrade [[List of Final Fantasy VII characters#Zack|Zack]]. The limit break is Blade Beam (as seen in ''Last Order'')
*One of Cloud's best-known experiences in ''FFVII'' was an incident in which he was forced to [[crossdressing|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#Contests|GameFAQs character battle]] in [[2003]], defeating his own in-game nemesis [[Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII)|Sephiroth]] in the final round of voting. He also defeated [[Link (Legend of Zelda)|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.
*In the online comic ''[[8-Bit Theater]]'', Cloud appears in two early episodes, when he's trying out to be a Light Warrior with [[Light Warriors (8-Bit Theater)#Fighter McWarrior|Fighter]] (a character class in ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|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.
*During the game, Cloud states that he suffers from motion sickness, as seen by him being uneasy on his way to Nibelheim, but appears to have no difficulty riding motocycles in Advent Children. (Although it has been noted that some people with motion sickness do not get sick if they control the movement. Which explains why Cloud doesn't get dizzy riding his motorcycle but did get sick when someone else drove him to Nibelheim.)
*Despite Cloud's multiple swords in Advent Children commonly being referred to as "First Tsurugi", Takayuki Takeya, who was in charge of designing the swords, stated in the book ''Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Reunion Files:'' "...I don't know what the names and powers of each sword are supposed to be!". In the book, it states that all through production, Cloud's swords were only called the "fusion swords" and seemingly never given a proper name.
*Cloud is often regarded as the Playstation's answer to Nintendo's Link. They have somewhat similar bodily traits(such as blond hair and blue eyes), both share a tremendous fan following and are both credited as being silent swordsmen. Though Link is considered by some fans to be a [[mute]] whereas Cloud speaks(albeit not often due to his fairly secluded demeanor).
*An unlockable Gummi Ship in the videogame Kingdom Hearts 2 is based on Cloud. It is called Fenrir, and looks like Cloud riding his motorcycle.
*During the final moments of ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'' [[Zidane Tribal]] remarks that "No cloud nor squall shall stand in my way", obviously referring to ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' main characters Cloud and Squall.
==References==
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==External links==
{{FFVII character external links
| name = Cloud Strife
| ffwiki = Cloud Strife
| secharpage = cloud
| fanlisting = Enchanted
| fanlisting_link = http://www.dragonlotus.com/cloud/
}}
*[http://faqs.ign.com/articles/698/698416p1.html ''Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω Translations FAQ''] - Translations from the ''Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω''
{{FFVII}}
[[Category:Final Fantasy VII characters|Strife, Cloud]]
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[[Category:Fictional supersoldiers|Strife, Cloud]]
[[Category:Fictional rebels|Strife, Cloud]]
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