Why did Cloud think he was Zack?

Cloud thought he was Zack because of a combination of trauma, low self-esteem, and a defense mechanism to block out the painful memories of Zack’s death, which led to a mixing of identities and a false narrative of his past, causing him to subconsciously take on some of Zack’s persona and history. This phenomenon is a result of Cloud’s emotional breakdown after witnessing Zack’s death, which, coupled with his own feelings of shame and inadequacy, led to a blurring of the lines between his own identity and that of his friend Zack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cloud and Zack’s Relationship

1. Why does Cloud become Zack?: Cloud becomes Zack as a result of his traumatic experience and his attempt to cope with the loss of his friend, leading to a confusion of identities and a taking on of Zack’s persona.
2. Is Cloud a clone of Zack?: No, Cloud is not a clone of Zack, but rather a unique individual who has taken on some of Zack’s characteristics and memories due to his traumatic experience.
3. Does Cloud have Zack’s personality?: Cloud does not have Zack’s personality, but rather his own distinct personality that has been influenced by his experiences and his relationship with Zack.

Cloud’s Motivations and Emotions

4. Why does Cloud hate Sephiroth?: Cloud hates Sephiroth because he is a reminder of his failure and weakness, which nearly cost Tifa’s life, and also because of Sephiroth’s connections to Zack’s death.
5. Did Cloud love Aerith because of Zack?: There is an emotional connection between Cloud and Aerith due to their shared experiences and relationships with Zack, but it is not the sole reason for Cloud’s feelings towards Aerith.

Zack’s Character and Relationships

6. Is Zack stronger than Cloud?: At the beginning of their stories, Zack is stronger than Cloud, but by the end of their respective stories, Cloud has surpassed Zack in terms of strength and abilities.
7. Did Sephiroth consider Zack a friend?: Sephiroth is shown to have a comfortable relationship with Zack, and it can be inferred that he considered Zack a friend or ally.
8. What does Zack say to Cloud before he dies?: Before he dies, Zack tells Cloud to be his living legacy and entrusts him with the Buster Sword.

Cloud’s Identity and Development

9. Why does Cloud dress like Zack?: Cloud wears a SOLDIER uniform because it was given to him by Zack during his amnesiac phase, leading him to believe he actually owned the garment.
10. How old is Cloud when Zack dies?: Cloud is 21 years old when Zack dies, who is 23 years old at the time of his death.
11. Is Cloud weaker than Zack?: Initially, Zack is stronger than Cloud, but as the story progresses, Cloud surpasses Zack in terms of strength and abilities.

Sephiroth’s Character and Relationships

12. Why is Sephiroth so obsessed with Cloud?: Sephiroth is obsessed with Cloud because he sees Cloud as an inferior clone of himself that he can control or manipulate.
13. Is Zack as strong as Sephiroth?: Zack and Sephiroth are equal in power and strength, as evidenced by their fight in the Mt. Nibel reactor.
14. Could Zack defeat Sephiroth?: While Zack has defeated powerful entities like Minerva, he has not been able to defeat Sephiroth in their confrontations.

Aerith’s Character and Relationships

15. Who did Aerith love?: Aerith’s first love was Zack, but she also developed feelings for Cloud, and according to official sources, Cloud is considered her lover.