AVALANCHE is a rebel faction determined to overthrow Shinra and ensure human rights. Organized by Barret Wallace, the group meets and plots its conspiracy in the basement of Tifa Lockheart's bar, the 7th Heaven.
Cloud first encounters AVALANCHE when he is found by Tifa wandering Midgar's train station. To prevent him from leaving, Tifa talks Barret into hiring him as a mercenary under their ranks.
Barret Wallace
From the moment they meet, Cloud and Barret do not get along. Upon their introduction, Cloud is "merged" with Zack and under the impression that he needs to be cold and impersonal; he sees fighting with AVALANCHE as just another job. Barret, on the other hand, is very passionate about his cause and believes everyone else should feel the same; therefore, having Cloud present at all times -- a direct juxtaposition of these emotions -- is frustrating, to say the least. In addition, there is little doubt that Cloud gains a feeling of superiority he never felt before when he provokes Barret's temper, instigating the friction further. Nevertheless, as their journey continues and more of Cloud's past is unraveled, they grudgingly develop a level of respect for one another.
After Meteor, Cloud once again lives with Barret, Tifa, and Barret's daughter Marlene. Determined to start his New Life, Cloud gets along much better with the other man and regards him as a close friend. When a restless Barret breaks the news to his two friends and young daughter that he must journey to "find himself", Cloud is completely understanding of his situation. Although most of Barret's calls home are for Marlene (and more than likely Tifa), Cloud does keep in contact with him. Even after he discovers his Geostigma and cuts off his past ties, an excited voice mail from Barret shows that he at least hasn't forgotten the friendship they had forged, even if Cloud tries to pretend he has.
Red XIII
Red XIII joins the party when AVALANCHE goes to rescue Aeris Gainsborough from the Shinra Headquarters. Although regarded as little more than an animalistic lab specimen by Shinra's science department, Red XIII is actually a calm and collected individual with wisdom beyond his years, and he takes advantage of their belittling of him to escape. Cloud, like most of AVALANCHE, harbors respect for Red XIII, and values him as a source of knowledge and physical strength. On the flip side, Red XIII is fascinated by Cloud and his mysterious past, though he also looks up to Cloud as a superior; Cloud is the leader of their rag-tag team, after all. Furthermore, Red's grandfather asks Cloud to watch out for his honorary grandson, causing Red XIII to push even harder to impress AVALANCHE -- especially Cloud -- as a way to show his value as both a team member and an individual.
Cid Highwind
While following Sephiroth, AVALANCHE comes across Rocket Town: a settlement that Shinra has suddenly taken an interest in, particularly a small plane waiting to be "borrowed". When the corporation tries to take the skies from Cid Highwind, the old pilot decides to join the party. As the oldest member of the team, Cid has close to ten years on Cloud and tends to regard him in the incredulous, cynical, way that most older generations look upon younger ones. Such skepticism is intensified by the fact that Cid is well aware that Cloud's mental stability is questionable at best. Despite the impression his cynicism and salty language may give, Cid does have a heart; he just has a very unconventional way of showing it.
Cait Sith and Reeve Tuesti
Cloud and co. meet Cait Sith upon their first visit to the Gold Saucer. The puppet pushes his way into the party after reading a cryptic fortune and insists on helping out. It is not until their second visit to the park that the reason for Cait Sith's zeal is revealed: he is actually a spy for Shinra. Understandably, Cloud and Cait Sith do not have a particularly friendly relationship after the discovery; Cloud only allows Cait Sith to continue with the party to protect the Shinra's hostage: Barret's young daughter. Even in the face of all this hostility, a level of tolerance is obtained between the two when Cait Sith sacrifices his plush body for AVALANCHE to gain the Black Materia.
The man behind the puppet, Reeve Tuesti does not encounter Cloud in person during the game or the film, and it does not seem like they kept any sort of contact during the two years in between. In Advent Children, Reeve leaves a surprising message on Cloud's voice mail asking how he and this new business of his are doing. Reeve, ever the entrepreneur, remarks that Strife's Delivery Service doesn't sound like something to make a living off of, and offers to help in any way he can.
Reeve comes more into focus in the PS2 game Dirge of Cerberus. Although a personal interaction still isn't shown on screen, Cloud enlists in Reeve's effort to stop the latest threat against the Planet's people.
Yuffie Kisaragi
Young, energetic, and hardly trust-worthy, Yuffie Kisaragi encounters the party on the world map. After being defeated in battle, she throws out several empty threats before Cloud coaxes her into joining them on their journey. Although Yuffie spends most of her time attempting to swindle the team, Cloud's exasperation often gives way to small gestures of appeasement, particularly during a wild goose chase in her hometown of Wutai. Cloud's strained patience earns him her respect and a girlish crush.
Although still a spunky world traveler after the Meteor affair, Yuffie has enough faith in Cloud to entrust her Materia collection in his hands while she searches the Planet for more. With more pressing emotional matters weighing him down, Cloud doesn't seem to give the responsibility much thought, but it is a huge step for Yuffie. Even if it's still her Materia -- a fact she's not likely to let anyone forget -- she has opened up enough to Cloud to trust him with her precious bounty.
Yuffie is the one who campaigns for AVALANCHE to stay together after Meteor, and -- even though she'd never admit it -- she remains one of the driving forces that keeps the rag-tag team together. She goes so far as to give Cloud a "Closed" sign for the the businesses he shares with Tifa, encouraging them to take time off for the extended family they've all become. Even then, she's seen hanging around bar when it's open, always keeping her friends close.
Vincent Valentine
While searching the Shinra Mansion, AVALANCHE awakens Vincent Valentine, a man who has been asleep for some thirty years. Already exasperated with the Mansion's sick surprises, an uncooperative, coffin-ridden man is the last straw. Cloud is impatient with Vincent at first, and is no doubt continuously irked by the man's air of morbid silence. Nevertheless, he respects Vincent as a powerful ally. Being the epitome of an enigma, Vincent is careful not to express his feelings in any blatant manner, making his opinions and even morals on certain topics -- including Cloud -- virtually unreadable.
In Advent Children, however, Vincent becomes a character Cloud turns to for advice. He is an older friend who he can identify with and trust in such hectic times. Although Vincent does not give him straight answers -- he doesn't have answers to give -- he does help Cloud reconsider his priorities on his quest for atonement. Vincent in turn opens up more to Cloud after their second fight for the Planet, participating in AVALANCHE's social network a bit more willingly. He even buys a cell phone!
Unite!
One of the most striking scenes in Advent Children is the battle against Bahamut SIN, a monster summoned by Kadaj. For the first time in two years, all of AVALANCHE is together again, combining their strengths and working together against seemingly impossible odds. When Cloud launches his attack, the beast takes to the sky, preparing a powerful strike. Although it knocks Cloud down at first, with the help of his friends, he's able to reach the top and take down the behemoth. Each member meets him at a different story, literally throwing him up further towards their opponent. Even if Cloud doesn't admit it, his friends are there for him to give him a boost when he needs it, both on and off the battlefield.
