Cloud Strife

History

Early Years

Cloud and Tifa in Nibelheim before he leaves for Midgar.

Crisis Core

Cloud meets Zack , a 1st class SOLDIER.

Final Fantasy VII

Cloud traveled to Midgar and met the most unlikely person, Tifa. Believing he truly lived parts of Zack's life, he told her he is a mercenary now and was a former member of SOLDIER. Tifa noticed how odd he was acting and asked Cloud to join the anti-ShinRa resistance group, called AVALANCHE, to keep an eye on him. Cloud agreed and joined the group, becoming friends with the leader, Barret. After AVALANCHE blew up a mako reactor, Cloud got cut off from the group and met Aerith. Memories of Zack surface in Cloud's mind and he recalled that Zack was very close to the woman. Cloud vowed to protect her.

Cloud heading toward the ShinRa building.

Heading to the Temple of the Ancients, Cloud attempted to prevent Sephiroth from obtaining the Black Materia, which could be used to summon Meteor. Cloud retrieved the Black Materia, but Sephiroth started messing with his mind, confusing him about who he truly was. Sephiroth manipulated Cloud into giving him the Black Materia. Aerith traveled to the Forgotten City and was killed by Sephiroth right in front of Cloud's eyes. Cloud chased Sephiroth to stop him and avenge Aerith. With the Black Materia, Sephiroth summoned Meteor and Cloud fell into the Lifestream. The Lifestream and Tifa helped Cloud regain his true self. Stronger then he was before, Cloud killed Sephiroth in the Northern Cave, which allowed Holy and the Lifestream to destroy Meteor and save the world.

Final Fantasy VII: The Novel

Cloud grieved for his fallen friends, but believed the best way to honor them was to move forward with his life.  Cloud helps Tifa build a bar, which they name Seventh Heaven after the old AVALANCHE hideout, and Cloud moves in with her. Marlene, Barret's adoptive daughter, and Denzel, an orphan boy, lived with them, helping Tifa run the bar. Cloud traveled to different cities to acquire the provisions needed for the bar. One such outing, he traded a life time voucher to the bar for Fenrir, an odd looking motorcycle, and Cloud proceeded to fix up the bike. It was then that Tifa suggested he start a delivery service. Strife Delivery Services was born and business boomed just like the bar.

Shortly after starting the business, Cloud, contracted Geostigma, which had no known cure. He becomes closed off from the world, isolated himself from his family, and told no one he was sick. He grew distant as the Geostigma got worse.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Thinking it best to be away from his family, Cloud moved out of the house and began living in Aerith's church. Continuing his delivery service, Cloud receives a call from Tifa and is told that he is needed in Healin. He was in pain from the Geostigma as he hung up the phone. While on the road to Healin, he gets attacked by three silver haired men on motorcycles. He was barely able to defend himself and get away. In Healin, Cloud learns that ShinRa is trying to be rebuilt. Angered, he leaves, not wanting to be a part of the company that has caused him and his friends so much trouble.

Cloud returns to Midgar to find Tifa unconscious and Marlene missing.

Cloud heads to the Forgotten City and battles with Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo, the three silver haired men who kidnapped the kids. He fails to defeat them and is saved by one of his friends, Vincent. Vincent tells Cloud that Kadaj and his gang are physical manifestations of Sephiroth, and that a fusion with Jenova cells will cause Sephiroth's return. They are looking for the remains of Jenova to accomplish this. Cloud sees this as a chance to earn forgiveness for failing to protect his friends and he heads back to Midgar.

A burden seems to be lifted from Cloud as he takes Tifa's advice and tries to change events instead of running away. Kadaj summoned Bahamut, causing panic and destruction in Midgar. Cloud and his friends battle against Bahamut and Cloud is able to defeat it with their help. Cloud chases Kadaj into Aerith's church, realizing that he was able to find the remains of Jenova. When Kadaj attacks Cloud, it blasts a chunk of the church floor with it. Lifestream-influenced water pours out, curing Cloud of his Geostigma. Kadaj takes off again, Cloud follows, and they battle in the ruins of the ShinRa Building. Cloud clearly has the advantage until Kadaj fuses himself with the remains of Jenova. Sephiroth is reborn and as they fight he tries again to twist Cloud's mind and cause him to despair. Cloud ignores him until Sephiroth makes the mistake of asking him what he cherishes most in the world so he can have the pleasure of taking it away from him. Inspired by the memories and thoughts of his family and friends, Cloud replies that there is nothing in this world he doesn't cherish and he defeats Sephiroth.

Feeling better then he had in a long time, Cloud closes his eyes and lets the rain fall on his face. Suddenly, Cloud is shot in the back and an explosion is set off by Yazoo and Loz, apparently killing all three of them. However, Cloud's spirit is stopped by Zack and Aerith from entering the Lifestream. Cloud wakes up in the Lifestream-infused water in Aerith's church, surrounded by family and friends. Cloud realizes that being with the people he loves is the real joy in the world, that he was never alone.

Dirge of Cerberus

Other Appearances

In the Kingdom Hearts series, Cloud has his sword badged up and has a one wing in reference to Sephiroth

Limit Breaks