Cloud's got some amazing strength (in his victory pose, he lifts a huge sword over his head and twirls it, all with one hand). I think Squall's got a cooler look, but I like Cloud's hair. Ragnarok beats Highwind, Omnislash (15 hits*9999= 149,985 dam) beats Renzokuken
(8hits*9999=79,992 dam) even with some sort of 6-hit*9999 finisher by at least 9999.

Cloud! Plus, he gets Tifa, who's a lot cooler than Rinoa.