A/N: Welcome one, welcome all! I am very happy to finally present my first posted Final Fantasy VIII chapter story, "Fighting Spirit." I have been planning and writing this for a while and it's finally to a point that I am happy with. I hope you guys like it. I am very proud of this and I think it's a really great story.

Let me know what you think! Enjoy!


Chapter 1: Champion

The music played, the hard metal song echoed through the Ishii Arena. Zell exhaled and headed for the thick, black drapery. He emerged from the curtain and was met by the cheering screams of the crowd. Smiling, he raised both fists high in the air and took in the adulation. He walked down the fighter's lane and stepped on to the platform and walked around until he could enter the octagon-shaped cage. Once inside, he raised his hands again, receiving even more cheers. He smiled and walked over to his own corner, taking off his championship belt. He handed the belt to the referee and looked at his opponent across the ring.

Preston Rage was never an easy opponent and tonight would be no different. After the official introductions, both fighters walked to the center of the ring and listened to the referee's instructions. After nodding in compliance to the referee's directions and showing respect to one another, they backed away from each other. Zell brought his fists up while Rage entered his standard karate stance.

The referee signaled for the bell and the fight began.

Zell waited for Rage to charge in and ducked the initial kick. He punched Rage right in his kidneys and gave him another punch to the chest. Rage retaliated with a kick to Zell's thigh and punched him across the face. Zell stumbled away and blocked a barrage of punches from Rage but had to absorb a kick to side. One of Rage's punches caught Zell across the face.

Zell stumbled back and smiled. He nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

The fight intensified to a ferocious brawl for another ten minutes with the crowd on their feet the entire time, with Rage throwing everything he had against the champion. Zell absorbed a few blows but gave as well as he was getting. After another fevered exchange, Rage landed a solid blow across Zell's cheek that caused a small trickle of blood to start coming down. This sent Rage into overdrive and sent Zell on the defensive; actually, it led Zell to wait for the right time to strike. Zell absorbed another punch from Rage followed by another until Rage through a punch that he left out too long. Zell quickly grabbed his arm, threw his body around it and flipped himself and Rage over, throwing them both to the floor. Zell pulled back and Rage screamed in pain and, after ten seconds of this ungodly torture, Rage slapped his hand against the mat, surrendering the fight. The referee tapped Zell's arm and he released the hold, standing up immediately and letting out a roar of victory.

The crowd was already on its feet, chanting, "Pit Bull! Pit Bull! Pit Bull!"

Zell raised his arms and smiled. He nodded. "Damn right." He looked down at Rage and helped him up and shook his hand, "Good fight, man."

Rage chuckled. "I think I might wait about six months before we fight again."

"Whenever you want to, buddy."

Rage took Zell's wrist and lifted his arm in the air, presenting him to the crowd. "Come on! Make some noise!"

Zell smiled and lifted his belt in the air with the other hand as the cheers echoed throughout the arena.


One Hour Later.

With the arena empty, Zell sat on the ring frame staring at his title belt; another defense of his belt and another win. He smiled. They meant quite a bit to him. On instinct, he caught a bag of gil flying through the air.

Chester chuckled. "Eyes in the back of your head."

"Thanks, Ches," Zell said.

"No problem, kid." He hopped on the ring frame. "You know, you're good at these circuit fights but you need to be in the big leagues."

He threw the gil bag up and down in his hand. "Nah, I'm good here."

Chester sighed. "Yeah, knew you'd say that. Just hoping that it changed."

"Sorry." Zell looked at him, "The rest of the money go where I need it to?"

"Of course. I heard that Golden Knuckle wants another piece of you. He wants that belt."

Zell laughed. "Hell, yeah. We can do that. Book it for whenever."

"Maybe after another week. I know Rage kicked your ass."

Zell chuckled, "Jerk." He sighed and looked around. "Hey, I'm going to Balamb tomorrow."

Chester looked at him surprised. "To the Town or the Garden?"

"Garden."

"Thought you said that you were never going back there."

"I know what I said but this is important."

"Look, kid, screw those SeeD jackasses. If they don't see the fighter you are, screw them."

"Hey, I'm with ya! But this is for a good friend. She deserves for me to appear in person."

"She?"

"You know who."

Chester remembered. "Oh, yeah. Her. Gotcha. When ya leavin'?"

"In the morning. Might stop in on Ma."

"Good thinking. She worries about you."

"Yeah. Her and one other person. Which is why I'm making the trip."

"Just be careful, kid: don't let those Garden jokers get to you or you'll end up hurting them. They're not ready for you."

"You got it." He stood up and walked off of the platform. "I'll see you tomorrow night or the next morning." He headed for the arena exit.

"Do you need a lift to the train station in the morning?" Chester called out.

"I already told you, Ches," Zell shouted back, "you do enough for me as it is." He walked on. 'Besides… I'm used to being alone.' He didn't dare speak that out loud. He didn't need Chester being worried about him anymore than he already did.


The following morning, Zell sat on the train, looking out of the window, remembering how a former friend of his used to love trains. It all seemed like a lifetime ago, now, when it had only been eight months. Without realizing it, he fell asleep and woke up to find that he was back in Balamb Town. He looked out of the window to see the mass of people just outside of the station. After the Ultimecia incident, Balamb increased in popularity with Balamb Town becoming a bigger port town. Zell stepped off of the train and looked around, amazed at the easily doubled population. He tied a bandanna around his forehead and put on his sunglasses so he wouldn't be recognized by any residents or stray SeeDs walking about. He looked at the street that led toward his house but looked away, exhaling. He couldn't do it. This was already hard enough; he couldn't face his mother. Not yet. He rented a car, got in, and started it up. He drove to the edge of Balamb Town, staring at Balamb Garden in the distance. He let out another troubled exhaled. This wasn't going to be a pleasant experience for him but it would be worth it for the last friend he had in Balamb Garden.

When Zell arrived at the Garden, he found that nothing had changed; students were all about, staff performing various duties, and music filling the area. He kept walking until he found a large gathering of students in the Quad, along with Squall, Rinoa, Selphie, and Irvine standing around. He grimaced when he saw them but allowed himself a small smirk at the large "Happy Birthday" banner hanging overhead; clearly, Selphie's work.

Then, he laid on eyes on the birthday girl, Quistis Trepe. The one person who did her best to send letters to him after he left this place and life behind. He moved through the crowd of people, hoping to get to speak with her alone. After a few minutes of hanging back, he saw Quistis head out of the Quad. He followed her closely until he was sure she was alone. She never was one to be around crowds for too long. She walked out on to the balcony to get some fresh air.

Zell followed her and, after making sure no one coming out there, approached her. "Excuse me?"

Quistis sighed, really wanting to be alone. She loved her friends but she hated being made a fuss over. Regardless, she smiled, anyway, and turned around. "Yes?"

"I was hoping you could help me find the best friend a person could ask for."

She recognized that voice but couldn't quite place it. It had been a long time since she heard it. "Do… I know you?"

He chuckled, "Fortunately, for me," he took off his sunglasses, "yeah, you do."

Quistis gasped, "Zell?!"

"Hey, Quistis," he smiled. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you! Oh, my god, I'm so glad to see you!" She rushed up and hugged, squeezing his ribs.

"Ow!" he grunted, involuntarily. His eyes went wide right after he let that out.

She let go, right away. "Oh! Zell, I'm sorry!"

"No, no! No worries. I'm good." He lied as he rubbed his side and whispered, "Can't believe that still hurts. Rage must've kicked me harder than I thought." He looked back at her, speaking at a regular volume. "Really. I'm fine."

She was still slightly concerned, "Um, okay. But, wow! You look great."

"Thanks. So do you."

"Thank you. How you been?"

He shrugged, "Making it."

"That's good." She looked at the Quad, briefly, then back at him. "Did you… wanna come inside?"

He shook his head. "Only came to see you."

She smiled and blushed. "Thank you. I'm glad you did."

"And thank you… for all of your letters. They… saw me through some tough times."

"Wasn't sure you got 'em. I got the address from your mom but she said that you'd been…" She sighed, "so distant."

He felt a twinge of pain in his heart.

She waved her hand, "N-not that you don't have every right to be! I'm sorry, Zell! I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay. Please, don't be sorry." He sighed. "I need to do a better job of keeping in touch with her. But… I've, uh… been working a lot."

"Oh, that's good. What have you been doing?"

He smirked. "Just… trying to make something of myself."

She sighed. "Look… what everyone said… it was wrong. You're not…"

"Hey. You think highly of me. That's all I need."

She smiled.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace box. "Here. I got you this."

She gasped. "Zell, you didn't have to…"

He chuckled, "Yeah, I really did. You deserve it."

She opened it and found a gold necklace with a golden SeeD pendant and her birthstone, opal, hanging next to it. She stared at it with her mouth agape. "Zell… you remembered my birthstone?"

He moved around, awkwardly. "Um… I actually had to look that one up. Sorry." He rubbed the back of his head. "Do… you like it?"

"Like it?" she whispered. "…I love it." She looked at him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She opened her arms up. He smiled and hugged her. She hugged him a little tighter. He was ready for it this time; it didn't hurt. He closed his eyes and got lost in this feeling.

He released the hug and looked at her. "You're really beautiful, Quistis."

She blinked and started to blush. "Umm… wow! Th-thanks, Zell."

He smiled. He looked at the Garden and rubbed the back of his head. "I better go before someone sees me. Don't wanna cause a ruckus."

She got a little sad at that. "Oh, okay. Uh, how'd you get here?"

"Drove. Rented a car."

"Oh, okay. Did you see your mom?"

"Uh, no, not yet." He looked back. "Let me get going."

"Let me walk out with you."

"Quistis…"

"No, Zell. Really. I miss having you around and I really do get why you wanted to leave. I would, too. We'll go around another way to avoid the crowd. I… I want to spend some time with you. Just a little more. If you don't mind."

He smiled. "Not at all. Thanks."

They walked to the entrance, not really talking but neither of them minded. For some reason, this was better. They got to Zell's rental car and Quistis stopped as he walked to the car door.

"Zell?" she asked.

He stopped and looked at her.

"Thank you for coming out here. It really made my birthday."

He smiled and leaned against the car. "If I did that… then I really did something right."

"You've done plenty right. We were the ones who were wrong."

"Yeah, well… I don't really…"

A Balamb student walked by and got a good look at Zell. He smiled, "No way!" Zell and Quistis looked at the student as he rushed up to Zell, "You're the Pit Bull!"

Zell smiled. He didn't want to be recognized but, being acknowledged by that name, he didn't mind. "Yeah, that's me."

Quistis squinted her eyes. 'Pit Bull?'

"Oh, man!" The student got excited. "That is awesome! I saw you in North Cross against Crane! Me and my older brother! That was the best fight we'd ever seen! You ruled, man!"

"Thanks, brother. Hey, mind keeping seeing me to yourself?"

"Yeah, no problem. But can I ask you something, if it's cool?"

"Sure thing."

"Can I have an autograph?"

He smiled. "Sure thing, brother. What's your name?"

"Micah."

"Alright, Micah. I'll send something by Instructor Trepe, here, and you keep it somewhere safe, got me?"

"You got it!" He started to walk off but stopped. "Dig your claws in!"

Zell chuckled. "And never let go!"

"Man, that is so cool!" Micah walked back to the Garden.

Zell laughed to himself; he couldn't wait to tell Chester about that. He looked at Quistis, who was clearly very confused.

"What…" Quistis started pointing back and forth between Zell and Micah before staring back at Zell. "What just happened?"

Zell thought for a second. He didn't really want to tell her but, if anyone deserved to know the truth, she did. "Can you keep a secret for me?"

"Of course."

"I mean, Quistis. I don't want anyone to know about this. Not Squall, Selphie, Rinoa, anyone. Okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Zell, I promise."

He sighed. "I fight."

"I know that."

"No, I mean… in Galbadia. All the time. In matches. They're known as circuit fights. They take place in small arenas. Well… not small but not like huge either. They get broadcast on close-circuit feeds, though most fights make their way to the net. It's… what I do now. I'm a fighter."

She found that to be a little surprising but that suddenly explained his hurt ribs. "And that's where you've been?"

He shrugged. "It's a living."

She instantly started to worry and she couldn't even hide it. "Zell… you could get hurt."

"I know. Pretty cool, right?"

"Are you… sure you're okay?"

"Better than I felt here."

That stung her in the heart.

"It was really good seeing you, Quistis. It made me smile. Happy birthday." He started to leave but she grabbed his arm.

"When's your next fight?"

He chuckled. "Quistis…"

"Tell me, Zell. I want to be there."

He shook his head. "It's… not a good idea. These fights are brutal."

"Then why do you do it?"

He smiled. "I feel at home there. In the ring. It… just feels like me."

"Then I want to be there. I want to see you where you in your element." She shrugged, "I owe you that."

"You don't owe me anything."

"Your opinion."

He sighed. "Do you really wanna go?"

"Yeah. I really do."

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. "I don't give this number to anyone. I really mean that." He handed her the phone, she put her number in, and handed it back to him. He smirked, "Can you keep it just between us?"

"I swear."

"Thanks, Quis."

She stared at him then smiled, a tear threatening to fall.

"What's wrong?"

She exhaled. "'Quis'. I miss hearing you say that."

He smiled. "I hope you get to hear it a little more."

"Me, too."

"Next fight's in two weeks. Come to the Omega Gym first. That's where… a lot happens for me."

"You got it."

He nodded.

"Can I hug you again?"

He stared at her. "Nothing would make happier."

They shared a hug, much tenderer than any earlier. She rested her head on Zell's shoulder.

"Thanks for coming," she whispered.

"Happy Birthday, Quistis."

They found it incredibly difficult to do so but they released the hug. Zell got to the car and opened the door. He looked at her, "Call me. No one ever does."

"I'm guessing because no one has the number," she joked.

"Yeah, that's why."

"I will."

"And see you in two weeks."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

He nodded and got in. He started it up and lowered the window. "See you later, Quis."

"See you later, Zell."


A/N: So, how was the start? I hope you guys enjoyed it! Let me know with some reviews! I love those! Please, leave me some! See you guys, soon!

Next Chapter: The Pit Bull

Quistis gets a firsthand look into Zell's life over the past eight months. Will this change her view for Zell for better or for worse?