Chapter 20: Those Who Witness

Squall and Rinoa walked hand in hand while Irvine and Selphie followed behind them as they headed toward their seats in the Diamond Stadium.

"Did you see that?" Irvine asked. "That look in his eyes."

"What look?" Selphie asked.

"That look like he was about to go war and he was more than willing to do it all by himself. Damn, you could face down Doomtrain with that intensity."

Selphie giggled. "He probably could."

"He's ready," Squall said.

"Yeah, he is," Rinoa smiled.

"Rinoa, do you really think he can beat this Shibata guy?" Selphie asked. "I know you're a huge fan of him.

"Hell, yeah. It's gonna be a hard fight but Zell's got this."

"But isn't Shibata undefeated?" Irvine asked.

Rinoa smiled. "Yeah, but don't forget the most important thing about all of this."

"What's that?"

She looked back at Irvine and Selphie. "So is Zell."

They arrived at their seats, which was specially sectioned off from the rest of the chairs.

Selphie noticed that seats were special. "What's with the fancy do-da?"

Rinoa smiled. "You'll see."

"What do you now?" Irvine asked.

"Rinoa!" a voice shouted.

They all looked to see President Laguna, Kiros, and Ward walking toward them, causing the four of them to stand up.

"President Laguna," Squall said.

"Squall," Laguna shook his hand. He looked at the rest of them, "Hello, all."

"Everyone," Kiros bowed, "it's good to see you all."

Ward waved at everyone, giving a warm smile as he did so.

"You, too, Mr. Kiros, Mr. Ward," Selphie greeted.

"You got us all seats here?" Squall asked Laguna.

"I was not going to miss this for the world," Laguna said. "I'm here to watch Zell win. It's his time."

"How long did you know he was here?"

"First day. I didn't tell you because it wasn't my place to tell you. I'm sorry if that hurts."

Squall shook his head, "Not at all. Thanks for not telling us."

Laguna nodded, "You're welcome."

Koba and Wess sat in one of the skyboxes of the stadium, staring down at the ring. The skybox was full with the other fighters, their teams, and their friends.

"That kid earned his spot here," Wess said.

"Many times," Koba said.

"I thought I'd be jealous but… dammit if he didn't give me a good fight!"

She chuckled. "Same here."

They heard conversations begin to hush behind them. They turned to see Priz being wheeled in by one of his team members. He was wheeled over to the chairs next Wess and Koba, being situated directly to Koba's right.

Koba stared at him for a while. His left leg was propped up and in a cast, his right arm in a sling, and his face was still bruised and scarred.

"Well," Koba began, "on the plus side, me losing was worth sitting next to you and telling you look like chocobo crap."

Priz looked at her.

"What?"

He looked back at the ring.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Wess chuckled.

Priz stared at him.

"Hey! I admit it: the Pit Bull kicked the crap out of me. He deserves to be here. He earned his way into the Finals." Wess chuckled, "You, on the other hand, were an ass." He waved toward the ring then looked back at Priz, "Now, you gotta watch the guy we all belittled take on the man who damn near split your face wide open."

Priz exhaled and looked back straight-ahead.

"Wow," Koba said. "I knew your body was broken. Didn't think your spirit was, too."

Priz said nothing.

Wess scoffed. "Damn. What'd Shibata do to you?"

"Beat the crap out of him?" Koba asked.

"At the least."

"Here's hoping Zell can avoid the same fate."

"Oh, he will!" Wess started laughing, "The Pit Bull was smart enough not to talk crap to the Champ!" He laughed harder.

Koba just smiled.

Priz stayed silent.

Balamb Town.

Ma Dincht walked into the Balamb Hotel ballroom where they had set a buffet and placed a large monitor to watch the Finals of the Phoenix Rising Tournament. She looked at all of the people who just seemed amazed that this was the same Zell who grew up in their same town who was making news all over the world.

Ma sat down in one of the chairs, directly in front of the monitor screen.

Mrs. Kinney, a neighbor of hers and Zell's for years, came and sat next to Ma. "Can you believe that is your son?" she asked Ma.

Ma smiled. "Yes. I can. I'm so proud of him." She stared at the screen as various promotional images of her son and his battles came on the screen. "I always have been."

"Who would've thought that your little Zelly would be such a famous figure?"

"Oh, I always knew Zell could change the world. All he needed was the chance. This is the chance. He can do it."

Mrs. Kinney smiled.

"When Zell puts his mind and will to something, nothing can stop him. Nothing."

Omega Gym.

Chester and Sev set up the new big-screen television as the other students put the chairs all around it to watch the Finals. They were all conversing and being a bit raucous but Chester saw the announcers, Rex and Krone, about to begin giving the breakdown of the Finals.

"Hey, ya punks!" Chester shouted. "Looks like they're about to start so shut it and grab a seat!"

The students' conversations tapered off as they began to sit and listen to the commentators. Chester and Sev sat down in the front with snacks in their hands.

"Big boss?" Sev asked Chester.

"Yeah, kid?" Chester replied.

"Hiroshi Shibata is the greatest fighter of all time."

"So?"

"I mean, he beat Saners and damn near killed Priz."

"You comin' to a point, son?"

"Do you really think Boss has a chance against him?"

Chester looked at him. "You think Zell's gonna lose?"

"It's not that, Big Boss, just…"

"Just what? Zell isn't gonna fight as hard? He's gonna hold back because he's against the champ? You think Zell's scared? Or intimidated?"

All of the Omega Gym students had halted their conversations and began to listen.

Chester noticed they were all listening and turned to look at them, "Let me tell ya something: Zell's never cared about the size of the man he's fighting against. Be it their physical stature or their status. He fights. And that's why he wins. Only weak spirits get frightened by someone's name. Zell don't care about the crap because that ain't important. When any of you step in the ring, you don't get in with fear. You get in there with respect! You respect all who have the guts to put their fists up and fight! No fear! Just like Zell. Just respect, heart, skill, spirit! You take those with you and, win, lose, or draw, you will be better leaving than you went in." He looked back Sev. "Got me?!"

Sev smirked. "Got you, boss."

"Good. Now, shut your yap! I'm trying to watch!" Chester turned back to the screen.

Sev laughed and did the same.

Diamond Stadium.

Dressed in their finest attire, the commentators, Sam Rex and Tybrus Krone, appeared on screen to speak to the viewing audience about the coming Finals.

"It is quite the turnout here in Esthar," Krone began. "As it should be. I have been told that absolutely every seat in this arena has been sold with people from Trabia, Galbadia, even Balamb in town for this."

"Even President Laguna Loire of Esthar is here, sitting in the front row!" Rex said.

"No one wants to miss this fight!"

"And who, in their right mind, would? Because, after all, Tybrus … this… this is the big one!"

"Right you are, Sam. And, ladies and gentlemen, it is almost time for the main event!"

Krone chuckled, "It's gonna be intense."

"That's a given." Rex tapped his pen on the table, "You know, we can sing the praises of Shibata all day long and you and I have in Galbadia for years!"

"Absolutely," Krone nodded.

"But can we spend the next few minutes discussing, this kid, the Pit Bull, Zell Dincht!"

Krone smiled, brightly, "Sam, you have no idea how much I want to!"

"I mean, this kid has got it all!" Rex said, excitedly.

"No kidding! From the skill, to the intensity, to the drive, the heart, and, most importantly, the respect! Zell's rise through this tournament has been one of my greatest honors to call as a commentator."

"You're not kidding," Rex nodded. "It's something about how he carries himself. He's like a regular guy but he's got as much respect for that ring and his opponents as Shibata does."

"In my opinion, I think Shibata wants this fight as much as anyone."

"I think you're right. There's something about he looks the past couple of days. He's excited. It's like he's fighting Saners all over again."

"You think this is gonna be a war?"

"A war? Just a war? Please! This will be war, a battle, a knockdown, drag out. My friend, a war is putting it lightly. This? This fight? It's gonna be a classic."

Krone chuckled, "You're right. And we are just moments away from finding out who will win this classic."

As they stood behind the curtain to the entrance way, Quistis took a deep breath as the time ticked closer. She stared at Zell and she thought about the same joking kid who she remembered from the orphanage. It was hard to remember those days sometimes due to the Guardian Forces Memory Siphon, more commonly known as GFMS, but, thanks to recent advancements, a lot of her memories of those days had returned. Even before then, there were some things she could recall a lot clearer than others.

She also remembered the young man in her class who was brilliant in his own way but was such a jokester. For all the time he frustrated her, he made her laugh twice as much, even if he didn't always know it.

She remembered the boy who became a man who stood toe to toe against some of the strongest men, and woman, she'd ever seen. And, singlehandedly, defeated them.

She remembered he'd beaten them all. This would be no different. He was walking in the Pit Bull. He is going to walk out as champion. She knew it in her heart, a place he constantly resided now.

Zell looked at her and caught her stare. He smiled. "Do I look nervous?"

"Yeah," Quistis replied. "And you look ready."

Gelman walked into the ringside area, where he was met with a lot of cheers from the crowd. He took the microphone and got in the ring, followed by Kristal and referee Raze Hattori. Gelman was carrying the championship belt in his hand, covering in a blue sheet. He handed it to Hattori, as they nodded to each other.

Gelman waved at the crowd, "Thank you, thank you."

The crowd quieted down.

"We've all seen quite a bit in this Tournament," Gelman said. "Men and women battling each other with all they had. But, we've also seen something far greater than simple fights. We've seen greatness. Greatness in people who strive for it. We've got to witness it, ourselves. We've been privileged to witness great action, amazing strength, incomparable will, and a true testament to warriors across the world. And, now? It is time to witness the two who embodied this strength above all others."

The crowd applauded.

"Mr. Hattori."

Hattori came forward and remove the sheet to reveal a gold belt with a red phoenix emblem and gold lettering on a white strap. The crowd applauded at the sight of the belt.

"This is the Phoenix Rising Championship," Gelman said. "And these two brave warriors will be battling it out to be first champion and to be declared the best in the world."

The crowd applauded.

"So, let's not waste any more time." He turned around and looked at the announcer, "Kristal. Please, bring us in the proper way."

Kristal steadied her breathing then took to the center of the ring while Gelman stepped out of her way and walked to the corner of the ring. She put the microphone to her mouth, "Ladies and gentlemen! It's now time for the FINALS! OF THE PHOENIX RISING TOURNAMENT!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

The lights went down.

Music began to play.

"Arise! Arise! Will you remember me? Arise! Arise! Only truth will set you free!"

A/N: Alright, folks. It's time. Let's do it.

Next Chapter: Zell VS. Shibata

Is there any need to hype this up? We've all been waiting for it. Be here for it! You won't wanna miss this!