Cloud Strife (クラウド・ストライフ; Ku-ra-u-do • Su-to-ra-i-fu) is the main protagonist in Square Enix's role playing game Final Fantasy VII. His appearance is marked by spiky blonde hair, dark clothing, and his Buster sword (an unwieldly-looking sword with a distinctive, oversized blade).

He has reappeared in other Square Enix games, including Final Fantasy Tactics, Ehrgeiz, Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Itadaki Street Special 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 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 Gainsborough, a poor flower girl; Tifa Lockhart, an old friend who brings him into AVALANCHE; and the notorious legendary soldier Sephiroth.

Throughout the story, many different things are revealed about his past, fake more often than not. A large part of the Final Fantasy VII game is rooted in the discovery and settlement of Cloud's real past and his feud with his nemesis Sephiroth.

After saving the world, Cloud becomes a recluse. But when he learns about another Reunion, Cloud once more gets involved. With Tifa as his encouragement , he takes sword in hand once again.

In Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Two years after the events of Final Fantasy VII, Cloud is living in grief over the death of Aerith. He has been affected by a disease known as "Geostigma", which is an effect caused by a natural eliminary reaction to the inherent unnatural Jenova cells. This is why Cloud's left arm is cloaked in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children; to hide the disfiguration. Children affected with Geostigma have been taken captive by a trio of men: Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo, who consider anyone with Geostigma or Jenova cells to be their "siblings". Cloud is featured with his new motorbike called Fenir which features a sword rack built into the side of the motorbike. They planned to manipulate the children's energy and strike back at the planet which had been causing the ailment, in turn giving Cloud the role of saving the children. He is also seen performing the Limit Break "Climhazard" on Bahamut, as well as other Limit Breaks throughout the movie (he uses every single one of his limits except for one move, Meteorain), such as the Omnislash.

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