Cloud Strife
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Cloud Strife is the main character in Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII video game. His appearance is marked by spiky blonde hair, dark clothing, and his Buster Sword (an enormous bastard-sword, or zanbatou), which he received from his fallen comrade Zack in battle. He has reappeared in other Square Enix games, including Final Fantasy Tactics, Ehrgeiz , Kingdom Hearts and as a secret racer in Chocobo Racing. He will reappear in a computer generated cinematic sequel, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
Contrasted with the more dour Squall Leonhart and the more childish Tidus, he is one of the more popular Final Fantasy characters
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Storyline
Originally, Cloud was portrayed as a practical but apathetic mercenary, although by the end of Final Fantasy VII story his personality had lightened up considerably and he had resolved a lot of personal anguish.
In Final Fantasy VII, Cloud joined the eco-terrorist group called AVALANCHE, which worked against corporate world power Shin-Ra Electric Power Company. At first disinterested in AVALANCHE's cause, Cloud is personally drawn into the struggle through Aerith, a poor flower girl; Tifa, an old friend who brings him into AVALANCHE; and the notorious legendary soldier Sephiroth.
Throughout the story, Cloud realized that his memories are not completely his own, and that he has adopted the persona of an old comrade he admired, Zack. A large part of the Final Fantasy 7 game is rooted in the discovery and settlement of Clouds real past in the present as well as his relationship to Aerith.
After saving the world, Cloud became a recluse. But when he learned about another Reunion, Cloud once more got involved. He gets visions of Aerith, who serves as his encourgement.
Other Appearances
Final Fantasy Tactics
In Final Fantasy Tactics, Cloud is accidentally pulled into the world of Ivalice by an ancient machine called the Celestial Globe, which was activated by Ramza Beoulve. He wanders off, and eventually ends up in Zarghidas Trade City, where he meets a girl selling flowers who bears a close resemblance to Aeris. They are attacked by thieves, and the weaponless Cloud is saved by Ramza, who had followed him. Cloud decides to join Ramza's force.
Kingdom Hearts
In Kingdom Hearts, Cloud appears on the Olympus Coliseum world. He wears a claw and a cloak similar to that of Vincent Valentine and has a black bat's wing growing out of one shoulder. His Buster Sword is also wrapped in bandages, for some unexplained reason. 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's timely intervention. After this Cloud goes on the compete in two of the Coliseum's battle tournaments: the Hercules Cup (on his own) and the Hades Cup (where he teams up with Leon, more commonly known as Squall Leonhart from Final Fantasy VIII). Cloud is commonly believed to be searching for Aerith during the game but in Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix (the extended version of the game, only available in Japan) it is revealed that he is actually searching for Sephiroth, whom he is later seen battling in the "Showdown of Fate" video. 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.
Omnislash
Omnislash is Cloud Strife's last and most powerful limit break in Final Fantasy VII. (In Final Fantasy Tactics he reappears with a even more powerful attack called the "Cherry Blossom".) It takes great effort on the game to obtain this move, but its great damage and number of hits are of great help when fighting some of the bosses in the game.
Though it can only be used when Cloud's limit break bar is full, Omnislash is securely the most damaging attack of the game, surpassing even the almighty Knights of the Round for it hits a total of 15 times. Each of them may deal as much as 9,999 damage, which is the maximum value the game allows. They add up to a massive total of almost 150,000 damage.
In the games final battle, Cloud and Sephiroth square off. Cloud's limit break bar rapidly fills, and, regardless of whether or not one has gained the move prior to this, allows the player to perform Omnislash (no other moves may be selected), killing Sephiroth. Despite the fight's cinematic nature (Sephiroth can attack Cloud, however the attack will not be fatal, and Cloud will automatically counter-attack with a fatal slash), the scene is incredibly popular with fans, and is probably the definitive use of Omnislash.
This move is also a sleight in Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories, where Cloud makes a guest appearance in the Colisseum world.no:Cloud Strife