EXT. FOREST NEAR GARREG MACH – NIGHT
KRONYA, SABELINA, and LUGO are running through a forest from a burning fort, evading arrow fire. LUGO stands in the way of an incoming arrow, deflecting it with his massive axe.
SABELINA
Insolent little...how did they even manage to get into the camp!? I may be an expert on leading cowards, but to think they'd manage to get a jump on me!
LUGO
It was Tibbs boss! I told ya he was bad news!
SABELINA
Your impeccable hindsight is NOT NEEDED Lugo. Wait, where's your damn shield!?
LUGO
I dropped it boss! I tried my best, but dey was too fast!
SABELINA
Damn it!
KRONYA
Give me Athame, Sabelina. We'll cull their numbers together, make it one of those playdates you're so fond of.
SABELINA
We had an agreement; you get your dagger when you tell me what's going on with you. I want to know everything that you've got to offer.
KRONYA ducks out of the way as an arrow passes by her and men begin to shout. LUGO moves to stand in the way to protect her, taking an arrow in the shoulder.
LUGO
AGH, Keep goin boss, I'll keep you safe...
SABELINA
Lugo! Those damn...THERE!
SABELINA turns and points to an old run-down fort. Though its walls are crumbling apart, it only has one entrance that can be seen.
SABELINA
Take the door Lugo, and hold it shut! We'll take out whoever gets close!
KRONYA
We? Does that mean-
SABELINA
Yes.
SABELINA gives KRONYA her dagger back. KRONYA smiles wide upon receiving it, twirling it in her hand.
SABELINA
You best be as spectacular as I expect you to be. Just don't overdo it.
KRONYA
Heheh, I'm the best weapon there's ever been. Point to someone and I'll eliminate them in an instant.
SABELINA
Heh...what better way to get to know someone than with death all around us.
END SCENE
EXT. FORREST NEAR GARREG MACH – NIGHT, A FEW HOURS LATER
The battle has begun proper. A small army of bandits surrounds the small fort. A bandit named TYBALT seems to be leading the siege, while KRONYA, SABELINA, and LUGO are stationed inside. SABELINA and KRONYA move in and out of the fort, eliminating whoever is nearest to LUGO with their weapons, but LUGO is getting hurt.
BYLETH, CLAUDE, HILDA, LEONIE, and ALOIS arrive onto the field.
ALOIS
There she is! Just like the scouts said. I can hardly believe it!
LEONIE
Neither can I, it makes my blood boil just seeing her. She looks different but it's definitely her.
ALOIS
Now now, if Captain Jeralt were here, I bet he'd say that you need to consider all the options at hand. I know he'd say to keep an eye out for every possibility. Don't get TOO fired up if you could help it.
LEONIE
I know, I know, but Captain Jeralt ISN'T here Alois. Because of her. Who would have thought it'd be so hard just to see her. Just you wait, if I get my hands on her...
CLAUDE
I get why you're so fired up Leonie, let's direct that to the enemy first. Wait until we at least get a few questions out of her.
HILDA
There's a LOT of guys here. If they get to them or...well, anywhere, there's gonna be trouble.
ALOIS
Exactly! Think of the situation around you. Now THAT'S what the Captain would say! If we let these guys go, then there's going to be raids all across Fódlan!
CLAUDE
Let's take this slow, but not too slow. We have to go and join up with her. I trust you get what I mean, right Teach?
Battle begins. The map is long and there is a hoard of bandits that replenish many of their units every two turns. So long as there are bandits near the fort, a timer will tick down. It will take five turns for the bandits to break down the gate that LUGO is guarding. KRONYA is at 30% of her hp, LUGO is at 80%. Move your forces in a way to be able to get to the gate to speak with LUGO, and three inside will team become allied units. If more than five turns pass, LUGO will die, and it will be much more difficult to get to SABELINA. On the side of the fort, there is a door you can unlock with a key or a unit with LOCKTOUCH to get in easier. TYBALT is on the opposite side of the fort from your starting position, so reaching him will be difficult in five turns. If TYBALT is slain, then the battle ends. There is a tile with a camp on it near the start of the map. Upon ending your turn on that tile, you find LUGO'S SHIELD. This shield gives +6 defense and, if the user has the Crest of Charon, grants the bonus effect of gain +1 defense for every 5 strength.
KRONYA gains the personal ability BODY AS A WEAPON: Perform three follow-up attacks if using a one-tile range weapon. They deal 1/3rd the damage of her regular attacks and have HIT –20.
Dialogue begins upon waiting at the camp tile:
UNIT
Huh? What's this?
(LUGO'S SHIELD obtained!)
Dialogue if LYSITHEA picks up LUGO'S SHIELD:
LYSITHEA
Huh? Wait a minute, this bears the crest of Charon! What's something this valuable doing out here?
Dialogue if CATHERINE picks up LUGO'S SHIELD:
CATHERINE
Wait, this is the crest of House Charon! But there shouldn't be any other relics of the family...
Dialogue if HANNEMAN picks up LUGO'S SHIELD:
HANNEMAN
My word, is this a relic? But that can't be, most of the relics have been found and catalogued. Unless...I'm going to need to write this down, this could be the discovery of a lifetime!
Dialogue begins once you reach the half-way point to the fort:
SABELINA
There's too many of them, damn it!
LUGO
I tink I see more on...on da way boss!
SABELINA
What? No...you're right, but I don't recognize them.
KRONYA
No...it couldn't be. The brats from Garreg Mach!?
SABELINA
What!? There couldn't have been a worse time for them to finally do their jobs. Damn it...they used my men to get practice in for their students some years back. No...now's not the time for revenge. Lugo! Try to get their attention!
LUGO
Got it boss!
KRONYA
What!? You're going to ask for help from those vermin, Sabel?
SABELINA
The taste is as putrid on my mouth as you can expect, but there's little other choice. I'm not dying to these scum bags; they don't deserve the satisfaction.
Dialogue 1: If someone reaches LUGO
LUGO
Tank goodness you guys showed up! Even I can't handle all of dese guys! Come on in, da boss wants to see ya!
Dialogue 2: If someone enters through the locked door on the side of the fort
KRONYA
What the...enemies behind!
SABELINA
No, hold off Kronya! It's them, from Garreg Mach.
END OF DIALOGUE 2
SABELINA
(In a highly noble and feminine voice)
Oh thank goodness. You there, you seem so brave and heroic! Help us out, would you? These ruffians attacked me and my bodyguards out of nowhere!
CLAUDE
Nice try, we know you're not just any travelers. Don't worry, we've come to talk.
SABELINA
(dropping the act)
Tsk, damn it, fine! Talk comes AFTER we have our safety guaranteed. So long as you're getting us out of this, I don't care.
CLAUDE
I'm going to choose to take that as a good faith agreement then. Let's deal with these guys, but we'll be watching your every move.
KRONYA
...
KRONYA, SABELINA, and LUGO switched from enemies to allies.
Dialogue if LEONIE waits next to KRONYA:
KRONYA
Stop eying me up girl.
LEONIE
It would be so easy right now. So easy just to end your miserable life.
KRONYA's eyes open wide in surprise.
LEONIE
You're even weak, just one thrust of my spear and you're dead. All those nightmares are gone for good.
KRONYA
Our people reached an accord worm, you shouldn't try. I wouldn't make it easy either.
LEONIE
I'm not the same girl I was five years before. Maybe then I would have cut you down, and I would have succeeded, but I'm a far better soldier now than I was then. Far better than you ever were.
KRONYA
Tch...you know nothing about me.
LEONIE's spear quickly moves to the side of KRONYA's head. Her dagger moves up to stop it, but only barely.
KRONYA
You...you stayed your spear?
LEONIE
You know nothing about me either.
KRONYA
…
(Unlocked LEONIE and KRONYA C Support!)
Dialogue if ALOIS waits next to KRONYA
KRONYA
You'd be more useful if you kept your eyes on the enemy, vermin.
ALOIS
Why...Vermin!? Please, keep that mouth of yours shut. For your own sake! I'm just watching to make sure you don't stab me in the back, like you're so good at, you...you coward.
KRONYA
Hah! The coward that wins is still a winner. Let's make sure we're the cowards who win then, and maybe then I'll let your insults slide.
ALOIS
I am not a coward! I...
ALOIS pauses, clenching his fist
ALOIS
Maybe I am a coward. A brave and heroic man wouldn't let any insult against their character go unchallenged. But I'm the coward who is letting a vile creature like you live, the coward that is making sure you make it out of here alive.
KRONYA
…Whatever, let's just get through this.
Dialogue continues if ALOIS has a vulnerary:
ALOIS
I'm also not the sort who leaves a wounded soldier untended. Grr...darn it! Take this.
ALOSIE removes one vulnerary from his inventory and gives it to KRONYA.
KRONYA
What? I-
ALOIS
You're no use to us dead, you know. Take care of yourself so this whole thing is worth it.
KRONYA
…
(Unlocked ALOIS and KRONYA C Support!)
Dialogue if BYLETH waits next to KRONYA
BYLETH
…
KRONYA
So...you're alive too, huh? Looking terrible for it, seems like the years haven't treated you well either.
BYLETH
…
KRONYA
I have questions for you. After the battle.
Dialogue if LYSITHEA waits next to LUGO
LUGO
UGh...head hurts, why you here?
LYSITHEA
Huh? Are you saying that I somehow made your head hurt?
LUGO
You...stay behind. I go in front, you stay behind.
LYSITHEA
What's that supposed to mean? I'll have you know I'm quite capable of handling myself!
LUGO
No, stay behind me. Stay safe. Head...hurt.
LYSITHEA
I...whatever. FINE, I'll stay behind you.
LUGO
Tank...you.
Dialogue upon reaching TYBALT:
TYBALT
Damn it, this matter is none of your concern. Leave, and I'll spare your life!
Dialogue if SABELINA reaches TYBALT:
TYBALT
Ahh, someone finally has come out of their hole to play.
SABELINA
Don't speak to me, you pest. I'm here to wipe your pathetic parasitic existence off of this planet.
TYBALT
Ahh, so short-sighted. There's a reason why you never saw my betrayal coming. And a reason you'll never win against me now.
Dialogue upon TYBALT Death:
TYBALT
Damn it...I can't believe I lost to this scum...
My...my empire...
(Drops Venin lance+)
BATTLE ENDS
EXT. FORREST NEAR GARREG MACH – NIGHT
BYLETH, CLAUDE, HILDA, KRONYA, SABELINA, and LUGO stand over TYBALT's body. SABELINA approaches and kicks it a few times.
SABELINA
GAH, UGH, GRAH, YOU STUPID, HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE-
HILDA
Hey, should we maybe stop her?
BYLETH
….
LUGO
You probably shouldn't, unless you wanna be getting da kicks.
SABELINA
DISUGSTING, PUTRID, TRAITOROUS MISTAKE OF FLESH. YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD GET ONE OVER ON ME!? YOU KILL MY MEN, TRY TO TAKE AWAY MY LUGO, MY GOLD, MY BELONGINGS, MY...MY-
BYLETH
…
CLAUDE
…
HILDA
...
KRONYA
…
SABELINA takes several deep breaths, stopping her kicks and becoming mostly still.
SABELINA
My...Empire...
SABELINA falls to her knees, sobbing loudly for a few seconds. After a few moments, she lets in a sniffle, clears her throat and stands back up, her tone and demeanor completely change, as if nothing had happened at all.
SABELINA
My apologies, a lot came over me just then. I suppose now is when I should be thankful?
CLAUDE
Maybe we should give you some space for a bit, let you let out...well, whatever that was.
SABELINA
No no. If I'm going to be detained, I'd rather get it over with. I always get nervous before a show, and would hate to have that happen here, knowing it's coming.
HILDA
Well maybe you could at least be a little thankful instead of talking about the serious stuff. There was a lot of guys there! Where'd they all come from anyway?
SABELINA
Oh them? Those bodies were followers of this waste of skin here.
SABELINA kicks Tybalt once more.
SABELINA
This rat was working for me for months, trying to get into my good graces, and when I wouldn't let him get too close, I suppose he grew all the more envious of my power as leader. My guess is he hired mercenaries and got some of my men to turn for promise of some of my riches and slaughtered the rest. So, for dealing with this refuse, I thank you all dearly.
SABELINA moves to a deep curtsey, then offers her wrists to CLAUDE.
SABELINA
With that done, what's your routine? Manacles, ropes, chains or...?
HILDA
So eager to get locked up. No one even said anything about that...
CLAUDE
Well, let's stick with just talking for now and we can see where it goes from there. Starting with a certain someone you have with you.
SABELINA
Oh who, her? Please, that's my sister, when she was young, she-
KRONYA looks surprised at SABELINA's boldfaced lie.
CLAUDE
Nice try, we know exactly who she is, and would prefer it if we kept things truthful, for all of our sakes here.
SABELINA
Tsk, fine. So much for that story I rehearsed.
KRONYA
Enough of this drivel, I'd rather cut into the meat of this engagement anyway.
KRONYA steps forward, much to SABELINA's surprise, who makes space for her. KRONYA looks directly at BYLETH.
KRONYA
You...you really are alive. I don't understand how that's possible.
CLAUDE
We've been asking ourselves the same question about you since we heard of you being alive. What do you know?
KRONYA
Quiet you. I'm only concerned with this one for now. Why are you alive?
CHOICE 1:
BYLETH: My students needed me, so I came back.
KRONYA
Hah! Please, as if something as feeble as your pathetic bonds could stop something as powerful as the Spell of Zahras!
CLAUDE
I wouldn't be so sure about that, Teach was only gone for a few minutes before he/she came back.
HILDA
Yeah! We saw our Professor's sword cut through the air itself to come back to us! So don't go talking down on our pathetic little bonds, you creep.
CLAUDE
As much as some of the specifics are lost on us, that just about covers it. Cut straight through the air then we took down Solon.
CHOICE 2:
BYLETH: I broke free from the spell Solon cast on me.
(Kronya approval up!)
KRONYA
You broke free? That's...that's impossible! The Spell of Zahras is supposed to be the ultimate binding spell of the Agarthans, there's no way someone like you could manage that.
BYLETH
But here I am.
KRONYA
But here you are indeed...How interesting.
CLAUDE
If it's supposed to be the best spell you guys have got, then maybe it's about time to start reevaluating just how great and powerful you guys really are.
HILDA
Yeah, I mean between that Solon creep and you, that means we were able to take out two of you already!
END OF CHOICE 2 DIALOGUE
KRONYA
There must be something else at play. If I was the sacrifice for the spell, then does that mean that I...
KRONYA's face contorts to a wide smile to laugh, then to a face of disgust.
KRONYA
Hahaha...HAHAHA, then it IS my fault that you are dead, Solon, you dog! You...you...
KRONYA pauses for a moment, looking down as her expression softens.
KRONYA
Then that means even dead, I wasn't good enough for you, was I?
SABELINA
Oh...Kronya dear...Maybe we should take that moment to gather ourselves before we talk again. You there, the erm, Professor, was it? Perhaps we ought to meet up at your monastery, let the woman get some rest and medicine. She isn't exactly well.
SABELINA grabs KRONYA's hand, still clutching her dagger tight to her bosom, then moves it away from her chest, revealing a black hole in her chest where her heart should be.
CLAUDE
What the...That...I'm not sure there's enough vulneraries in the world to fix something like that. Hilda, could you go and-
HILDA
Got it. I'll ride ahead, see if I can get Marianne to help.
HILDA leaves scene
BYLETH
...
KRONYA
Stop gawking at me, I'm not a beast here for your amusement.
SABELINA
Shh, shhhshh Kronya. You, take us somewhere where we can eat and drink, then we talk. Only after. Oh, and let us go back by our camp, I have a few things to grab.
BYLETH
We'll accompany you.
SABELINA
Good! Keep us right in your line of sight. Wouldn't want to lose track of us after all. We'll be the best prisoners you could ask for; don't you worry. You'd have a hard time losing track of Lugo at the very least.
CLAUDE
Woah, easy on the p-word. I'd consider you more...let's call it guests of honor, shall we? Some VIPs. We'll make sure you're treated well, and you'll tell us what we need. Just don't stir up any trouble.
BYLETH
…
END SCENE