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Chapter 5: Beyond the Borders
Mario references!
Now, she dashes for the border of Bern.
I guess they're not being cartoonishly evil at this point?
- - -
: Once we cross, we'll be safe from bandits, right?
: We should be. I doubt they'd be willing to pursue us across the border.
: Lycia at last! It's been a long time. Tomorrow, we'll dine on a feast of Lycia's finest foods! And the mistress of the inn at the crossing is said to be a beauty. Ah, yes... food and love. No better way to restore a man's soul! This is going to be a fine evening, eh Kent?
: If your behaviour is as deplorable as ever, we'd best stay elsewhere. We're not here for sightseeing!
: Oh, come now! That's not fair!
: Kent, don't bother Sain. The inn will be fine.
: As you say, milady.
: Linoan! You are truly an angel from on high!
: Oh, it's nothing. Please.
: Uh-oh. You spoke too soon, Lady Shion! Look!
- - -
: What? Not again! They're still after us?
: Heh heh heh. Don't think you're getting away so easily!
I'm not sure if it's meant to be the same ratface, but if it is, god damn is he ever annoying.
: So? Who cares about your silly reputations! If you want a fight, then you just got one!
: Cheeky little thing, aren't you? Let's get 'em, lads! And no holding back just 'cause there's women with them! Wipe 'em out!
Everyone scatters, and a mage and a cleric appear. Who could they be?
...Mia! Yes, Golden Sun's Mia makes an appearance here. But is she the cleric, or the mage? She could easily fit either role.
: I'd use the Fly Card, and this wouldn't have happened.
...She's the cleric, because that'll be the mage. Sakura Kinomoto, or Sakura Avalon if you watched the dub, from Cardcaptor Sakura. She's definitely the mage, she was all about blasting stuff all the time. Also, she can't use her powers?
If she could, and used Fly, would she be some sort of weird Pegasus-mage? That might be cool.
I can't tell if that's an expression or if they're actually aware they're in a game.
: You without your Clow Cards, and me without my Psynergy.
: I know, Mia, I know... Well, at least you can still heal, being a cleric and all.
: And you started taking up nature magic.
: I actually like being a mage. It's so cool, being able to cast these spells.
: Hm. I agree with you. Still, this doesn't change our current situation.
: You're right. I wonder where exactly we are? Ohhh... I REALLY wish we didn't have have to split up. This is so annoying...
: Lady Linoan and Prince Leaf are having trouble against the Grandbell Empire. With them breathing down their necks, it's only natural they need time to prepare for a fight.
: Yeah, and we're helping them. They're our friends, after all. We have to do what we can to help.
: Mm. That's true.
: Let's go and check it out!
: Huh? Hey, wait! Sakura, what are you doing?! Sakura!!
: Mia! Look! Fighting those bandits... it's Linoan!
: Oh, my! It is Lady Linoan!
: Huh?
: Aaah! A bandit!
: Ah! No!
: You... stay back! Stay back! I'm warning you! Stay back!!
It's not the Fiery Card, but it'll do well enough!
: It's Mia and Sakura! They might need some help!
Don't have to tell me twice.
: Lady Linoan! It's very good to see you again.
: It's good to see you both again as well. But, what exactly are you doing here?
: We were travelling to see the sights of Elibe while you guys were away.
: Apparently, we ended up getting lost in this forest behind us. And, well... here we are, right now, in this situation.
: I see. Oh... I may as well ask this. Have either of you see Prince Leaf or Raymond anywhere?
: Unfortunately, no. We haven't seen anyone else for almost two months.
: I understand. Well, at least there's four of us now. You, Sakura, myself, and Lady Shion.
: Oh? Shion is here as well? But she wasn't with us when we first came to Elibe.
: Yeah. Wasn't she supposed to go back to work?
: Lady Shion is on vacation. She only came here because she heard we did so. We found her around a ruined fortress only yesterday. I told her of our situation, and although she cannot fight, she's decided to help us.
: Ah, that explains it. Though, why are you here right now, Lady Linoan?
: We can discuss that later. Right now, we must deal with these rogues. I'd be eternally grateful if you two helped us.
: We'd be glad to, Lady Linoan.
: Yeah! Let us help!
Whew.
: My name is Mia. Pleased to meet you. It seems my friend, Sakura, has been hurt by that archer. If you would, direct me to her so that I may heal her.
Yeah, in a minute. Time to snoop.
Mia's the cleric here, replacing Serra, and she's not too bad, but Linoan can sue staffs too, and Mia can't gain EXP by attacking, so it might not be worth using her. I like her regardless.
Sakura might not start out as much, but she's your Mage for the first part of the game. She'll hit hard, because as we've seen, bandits don't have masses of Resistance. I like to use her because I like Sages.
Bug is the boss as per usual.He's +1 HP, STR, SPD and LCK, and +2 RES. He's also level 10 instead of 9. He actually has a Hand Axe as well as a Steel one, but if we can still kill him in one round he'll never get a chance to use it to strike back.
Back to being scripted;
Recruiting Sakura somehow turned her cloak from brown to green.
It's magein' time~
: Let me finish off that Archer!
Don't worry, I plan on feeding most of the map to you.
We put her on the mountain for next turn. Like I say, I'm going to let her blow up most of, if not all of the map.
Starting with that guy.
Everyone else can get out of the way, except Kid, who's going to get that Fighter.
During the enemy turn, Sakura takes a hit and deals one in return. That's fine. It's healing fodder for Mia. I'm more annoyed she can't double or kill him in two hits. And Linoan's too strong to weaken him.
Either way, Kid deals with her mission and comes 1 exp away from levelling. Grr.
Marcia with her weakest lance can weaken the Merc for Sakura.
It's so weird to see that. Sakura then promptly burns him up.
The enemies declined to advance, so I move Sakura over here. Mia follows at a distance, just in case.
It turns out not to matter.
...We're off to a start. Not a good start, but a start. That bandit was also carrying an Iron Sword, for whatever reason. Mia heals the 1 HP deficit Sakura has since that level up, because healing tiny nicks and scrapes is what healing in Fire Emblem is all about. Sakura moves two squares closer to the Archer in order to bait him over.
He pays dearly for taking the bait, with two fireballs.
Moving on with the intrepid duo. Marcia's waiting in the wings (ha!) in case her assistance is required again. I also advance Linoan a little, she can help with the boss.
Mages make good tanks. 
Marcia turns out not to be necessary, though Sakura still can't double. She uses her turn on our phase to teach that Merc about thermodynamics, first-hand. Mia keeps farming healing experience.
Next, and last turn. I could do this to keep the joke going. But I'm gonna use Lightning and let Sakura in for the finish. It's enough to know that I COULD do it.
: You're gonna learn why people fear the Ganelon Bandits!
Yeah sure buddy. He gets brought down to 6 HP.
And roasted.
Atta girl!
- - -
All enemies purged with flame, mistress Linoan! 
Well except the one guy who got stabbed.
: I guess that settles this battle.
: Thank you again for your aid, Mia. And you as well, Sakura.
: No problem. We're glad to help.
: Indeed. We're quite happy to be of assistance.
- - -
Oh dear.
: Oh...! Are you one of Lady Linoan's colleagues?
: Please, call me Sain.
: M-my name's Mia, sir.
: Mia... what a beautiful name. I am in service to Castle Caelin.
: Caelin? Would that be some sort of city?
: Indeed! It is also our destination.
I think she's just tagging along to kill dudes.
: Not necessarily. However, she has volunteered to aid us in our mission.
: Mission? What kind?
: You see, there's this man named Lundgren...
Oh hell. I'm not typing out another recap of the plot. You all know what's going on. Imagine I transcribed it.
: Oh, my! That sounds very serious. What do you plan to do against this Lundgren?
: There's a likeliness we may have to fight him. These bandits are only the beginning. It just might get worse as we continue.
: Hmm...
: After all, you did say it might get worse out there. Besides, we're Linoan's friends. I'm sure she'd appreciate our help!
: I agree with Sakura. I'm sure Lady Linoan will be pleased.
Yeah, for this being Linoan's story, it's not much about her.
: I will go inform her at once!
: Did he... just try to hit on me?
: I think he's funny! Heehee!
: Hm. Perhaps...
- - -
Time to check in on the villain.
Soldier: Yes, Lord Lundgren. She's en route to Araphen...
: Fool! Send Caelin soldiers out to meet her! Hold nothing back! Do anything to finish this now! The Grandbellians want her dead! I will fulfil their wishes!
: They cling to life like a drowning man to a rock! Double the poison's strength! If he struggles, hold him down and pour it down his throat! Once the girl is gone, Caelin is mine. After that, I will go on to rule all of Elibe! I will let no-one stand in my way!
- - -
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Characters Encountered
Mia
Class: Cleric > Bishop
Growth Rates;
HP 60%, MAG 55%, SKL 45%, SPD 45%, LUK 60%, DEF 20%, RES 55%
Mia's quite a solid unit, the only trouble lies in getting her levelled up with only staffs. She's up 10% in HP, 5% in MAG, 15% in SKL, 5% in SPD and 5% in DEF from Serra. She was named a Cleric in Golden Sun, too, as a Water Adept equipped with 4 Water Djinn, although she can't use any offensive magic like she could in that game. At least she retains an ability to heal. Always useful.
Sakura
Class: Mage > Sage
Growth Rates;
HP 55%, MAG 50%, SKL 55%, SPD 65%, LUK 55%, DEF 15%, RES 50%
Sakura Kinomoto, what are you doing here, you are not even from a game. She replaces Erk here, losing her Clow cards for Anima magic. She also misplaces her staff until promotion. I'd rather have the cards. She's down 10% HP from Erk, but has apparently traded it in for 10% MAG. She's also up a massive 15% SKL and SPD, and drops 5% DEF for going up 10% RES. Sakura is the epitome of Glass Cannon.