Give it your all

Note- thank you Mako-chan . You're a sweety. It was nice of you to come out with a nice review. Seriously, now I wanna make this so much better because I want the anonymous l0z4rz to eat their words. Eh, it will be better and the only reason I'm not deleting their flames is everyone can see how stupid they are, especially the one who commented about "Ramza", and also, so people can read my response to that and see why the first part is why it is… anyway, just for you, I've started the next part a bit early .

Ramza approached the judge to receive the battle rules. He did NOT do well with them in the past. He felt so humiliated when not only once, but 3 times his team-mates received yellow cards. It was just so hard for him, he did not understand all the weapons no matter how hard he studied them. He just wished that Montblanc, in his infinite wisdom just let him see his sacred guide to all the races, classes, and especially weapons of St. Ivalice. But Montblanc told him that it was his and his alone… many creatures of the world just didn't need to learn how to read, and apprenticeships and straight on knowledge from batting was by far the most effective way to learn. At least, according to Montblanc. But Ramza needed more than that. He did not belong here, he wanted to just go home. Battling was fun and exhilarating for him, and he was learning fairly quickly "for a human", as phrased by Melora, but Ramza just wanted to learn more so he could stop screwing up.

He would never forget the time when he forgot that a battle law restricted only thunder, not all other black magic, and he ordered Melora to perform it. He would never forget the sharp shrill of the judge's whistle and the incredulous expression of Melora's eyes as she received the yellow card. He was lucky that she didn't just abandon him. She never got a yellow card before in her entire clan experiences, and she trusted him. Melora left her first clan to join Ramza's because she felt as if she wasn't growing enough… he wanted to be strong, stronger and stronger and represent her race to be the most agile, and overall the strongest around. Melora had to be the best… she wanted it for herself and she wanted it for her race. She was sick of all the "cute kitties" or "adorable bunny" jokes she had from various humans growing up. She did not consider herself cute, she considered herself a hardass and everyone who knew her knew she was the most competitive Viera they had ever met. Melora barely took anything lightly. The only time she could relax was with her best friend, Montblanc.

When Melora received that card, she told Ramza she directly wanted to go to jail. There she could be forgiven for Ramza's "stupidity" and would think about if she wanted to stay in the clan. Ramza was expecting something like this, but not so suddenly.

"I'm so sorry, Melora" Ramza said as he escorted her alone to prison.

She wanted to yell more at him, but she decided that it was enough after the match and he looked so depressed. "That was the third time, Ramza", she said quietly.

"I know… but please try to remember where I'm from. I haven't done this all my life and it's just so much sometimes…"

"Ok…"

"I thought I got over mixing up weapons, I didn't think to notice the restriction on certain black magic too. I just though they restricted it as a whole."

"No…" She sighed. "Ramza, there are 2 rules for you alone to learn each match. You are the leader and no one but you must know these rules. This is the way of the clan and it has been this way ever since clans began. You must learn these rules. They are as important as which direction you chose to strike an opponent"

"I'm sorry."

"Come back here after the 2 matches." She said right outside the prison. "I'll give you my decision then". She took off her equipment quietly and handed it to the Bangaa guard. "Here, Ramza", she said, giving him her latest prize rapier that allowed her to learn one of her favorite moves-. "Take care of it…" She then turned around and was escorted to her cell. She never witness the single tear that rolled off Ramza's cheek and onto the cold concrete of the cell.

Ramza turned around and walked quickly out of the prison. He quickly finished a simple mission and gave it his all in the next clan battle so he could return to Melora. He was determined not to disappoint her again and he needed to let her know this. He ran off to the prison to see Montblanc returned from an early dispatch beside.

"You done with battles kupo?"

"Yes," Ramza said out of breath.

"Kupooo… that was fast… Just was talking to Melora. I'll leave you two alone. Kupo!" He said cheerfully while leaving the prison.

"That was quick…"Melora said, raising her eyebrows. "I wish we could normally battle in that short amount of time!" She smiled slightly.

"I just didn't want you to stay here for any longer than you had to." Ramza looked down at the ground. "I'm gunna go talk to the Banga." He was back with the Bangaa guard who opened up the cell for Melora.

"Ssssstay out of trouble, young lad." He bid them farewell.

Melora walked out of the prison. "Bye, Gath," She waved to the guard as he bowed politely.

Ramza followed her. " I let Ivolt hang on to your equipment, but…" he paused, removing Melora's rapier from the hook in his vest. "I brought you back this," he handed it to her.

"Thanks…" Melora said, quietly. "Come on, let's take a walk," She walked towards the direction of giza plains.

Ramza smiled, secretly happy with the extra time alone with Melora. "Thank Monty", she said after a few minutes of silence.

"Huh?", Ramza inquired.

"Monty and I have been best friends since we were so little. Everyone teased him for being a book-worm Moogle, especially his own race. He was outcast by them because they were too judgmental…they thought he was too serious to be a real Moogle!" She laughed.

"Heh…" Ramza smiled. "Poor Monty."

"Yeah… and well, we became best friends," she explained. "I was too serious and competitive and wanting to be so strong… I was always jealous of my Bangaa classmates in apprentice school", and Monty was too much of a book-worm. "I think he may just be one of the only Moogles in St Ivalice that is actually literate… and this is why he is so special."

"Looks like my world is not the only one with it's problems. Ritz and Mewt need to realize that no matter where they go, they can't escape the crap life deals to you…"

Melora nodded. "There is no escape, Ramza, there is only learning to cope."

"Yeah…"

"Anyway. Monty was right," she stopped walking and started climbing up a big rock. After a moment, Ramza joined her at the top. Dusk was starting to approach and the earth shimmered slightly in its orange residue.

"What did he say?" Ramza asked.

"Well… he said that you have more determination than any human or any race, for that matter, that he ever met. You have grown and learned so much in your short stay here, tactics and techniques that take years to master as a leader. You have the resolve to keep fighting, and a lofty goal that will be dangerous and we will face hardships. But it will all be worth it…"

Ramza blushed. "I don't know…"

"Ramza…" she said, trying to look at his slightly pinkish face, "I cannot be stronger without you as my leader."

He looked at her and said nothing at first. He looked back down at his lap and the tears suddenly began to fall on it. "I'm sorry, Melora, but I don't know if I can help you. You're so strong, stronger than me, stronger than Ivolt, stronger than any race I've ever met. You can't learn anything from me. I can't even protect you from going to prison…"

Melora was awestruck. She sat, dumbfounded for a few seconds until she just hugged him. "No… I went by choice because I didn't want my stats lowered as a result of it… I know you just want to go home, this is all so much for you to handle…I'm sorry I worried you."

Ramza sighed and tried to stop the tears.

"I'm never even going to think about abandoning you ever again, ok?"

"Ok…I'm sorry for being such a baby," he mumbled.

"You're not a baby… I care about you, and you must have been scared about me leaving the clan. But it's not going to happen. I will stay with you until the day when you destroy all the crystals and take Mewt and Ritz back to your own world," she took Ramza's hand. "I promise…"

"Ok, Melora… thank you. You're so strong and I'm so lucky to have you. I promise I won't ever do something that stupid again," he smiled faintly.

"That's all I ask!" Melora laughed, jumping off the rock. "Come on, human!" she slung her rapier over her shoulder. "Let's get some matches on!" She ran towards the town of .

"Wait up, Melora!" Ramza climbed down, still not as agile as the majestic Viera. He smiled as he ran to catch up with her. The clan would be even more successful now.