I've wanted to change this plot so much that I had to delete this story. Sorry for those that read the story earlier. For those that don't know, this used to have been my first story Tears of the Past that I didn't do such a hot job on. It took me this long just to think of this plot, and I find it better. Some of the characters will be the same, but how everything is put together and the antagonists (and whatnot) are different for the most part. And the title…I just like it…

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced or whatever else that I forgot to mention, but I do partially own a few characters (as in they still belong to Square Enix, but the idea behind them I own).

Honor of the Rising Sun

Chapter 1

Long Anticipation

Three days has passed since Marche, Montblanc, and the small clan completed their very first mission. During a meeting at the pub, Marche overheard the pubmaster talking to someone who's looking for information on the next fighting event. He became curious about this, wanting to know more. He went to the pubmaster and spoke up in their conversation.

"Um, excuse me, but what is this fighting event that you speak of?" Marche questioned.

"Yes, yes, the fighting event," the pubmaster noted. "The fighting events are at Sphrom, which is home to the Bangaa fighting event. There's also the fighting event for other races as well, just not as exciting. These fighting events used to have been illegal about 20 years ago, but the Bernevia palace found out about the event and regulated them with rules. They have a judge there to help run these things in an orderly fashion and prevent death. However, it's still considered old school style, just without the death part of it."

The customer spoke up now, knowing the system better. "In other words, the fighting events use no holds barred ruling. The betting also helps keep them coming back to see their favorite fighter win while helping the Bernevia palace running their tax system in order. The fighters there are amazingly strong. However…there was one that I haven't seen in years."

"Who would that be?"

The customer turned to Marche and explained more. "His real name is unknown, and he's not known to be much of a talker. He came there as a child and fought a couple of matches that he was brutally beaten in. We all hated him, both bangaa and humans. The only race that seemed to sympathize for him is the Vieras. He's a weak White Monk, and his status showed that he may not be alive today."

"How do you know?"

"He's a damned half breed. A half bangaa and a half human. You can never find any of those around here these days. Back then, maybe, but nowadays, they don't have them around anymore, and any half breeds are considered an abomination. They've been born to live and make our lives cruel. However, I would like to ask you why you're so curious about these fighting arenas."

"I was just wondering if I can get in."

"Sure, just come with me tomorrow so that we can get some good seats."

Marche turned around and went back to his clan to explain to them what is going on now. However, Montblanc came up to Marche and began to speak with him.

"You should know that the Sphrom Fighting arena is a dangerous place to be, kupo." Montblanc advised.

"I understand, Montblanc," Marche said, "but I would really like to see this event. I never got to see a fight really happen yet, and I would like to see it happen."

"Besides, we don't have the money to go, kupo."

Marche stood there, thinking about how they're going to get any money for this. Someone placed a hand on his shoulder and began to speak.

"It'll be on me if you want to go. You and your whole clan."

Marche turned around, looking at the pubmaster as he handed them a sack of gil.

"If you have extra, use it any way you'd like. Keep it, use it in the bets, heck, you can even give it to the poor if you'd like."

"Okay, thanks."

With that, Marche began to go to the market to buy more supplies with their own funds. However, something seemed to catch his eye as he saw someone walking down the empty street. He got a closer look and saw a Templar walking the street, yet this Templar appeared to be much smaller than the average bangaa. The other odd thing is that his head seems smaller than usual, which is not really possible for a bangaa. What troubled him the most is that this bangaa had no tail, unlike all the other bangaa. Marche was about to follow, but he had to let that go and get his supplies for the next mission that they'll go on, that is if they do get another mission soon. He went to the female store owner and began to purchase some of their needed supplies as the thought of the bangaa is still glued to his head.

He returned to see the soldier, Bernardo, standing in wait for him. He seemed to have a look in his eyes that could mean that he doesn't like what he's hearing.

"I hear that you want to go to the fighting event, are you not?" Bernardo questioned.

"Yes, but I really want to see this since this sounds very interesting," Marche said.

"True, but I'll have to ask Lita what she thinks on it. She is the only person that has gone to one of these things, and her insights about them should help us.

"Okay, besides, her whole family has consisted of archers in those tournaments, right?"

"Yes, they're all professional archers who will occasionally fight in one of these things in the Targets contest. Maybe she can give us some advice while we're there."

"Okay."

With that, they all went in, seeing Lita, Montblanc, and Theodore speaking at a table as they're discussing this fighting event and what to watch out for. Not only does she know these things well, but she's been going to these things for a while, giving her a distinctive advantage as to who to bet on.

The next day rolled around as they had to get up early to arrive at the fighting arena in Sphrom. Luckily, the travel only took about a few hours to get there since the towns are only a few miles away from each other. They managed to get some good seats: the front row. Marche sat there with the other clan members as they watched the fights go on down in the dirt filled arena, almost like the old fighting coliseums that Marche remembers reading about in his history class in the real world. So far, Lita was correct with who would win and who would lose so far, yet they've only had one bad call in the beginning because of a lucky shot. Marche sat there, seeing how these fights are quite boring as they're the basic hack and slash moments. Very few have used, or attempted to use, any form of martial arts in their fighting techniques. The fight that was going on now finally ended, leaving Marche sitting there bored out of his mind. The fight didn't last long, as the rest were as quick, and he's about to leave soon. The victorious bangaa stood there, drinking some potion to revitalize himself as he's calling out to any challengers.

"Anyone who'ss willing to fight me will be granted the honor for being brave enough as to challenging the besst of the besst. Do I have any takerss?"

Marche was about to get up and leave until he heard a voice over everyone else's, calling to the challenge.

"I will take that challenge!"

Marche looked up, seeing that same bangaa from yesterday emerging from the lower halls. As he came out into the open, everyone went silent as to who stood there. The Templar had a weapon sheathed at his side and a spear like weapon slung to his back. It seems as if the Templar is willing to accept the challenge. At that moment, the thought about the bangaa hit him. He must be the half bangaa that the guy spoke of.

"And if he's the half bangaa, then he is still alive. Maybe I'll ask him to join our clan if I have that opportunity."