River Crossing/Script

Before Battle (Laguz Alliance Camp)
Ranulf This might be the end of our war. The Northern and Central Armies have merged. A force of that size is too powerful for us. If Tibarn and Naesala can't help us, it might be a good idea to go back to Gallia and regroup. Convincing Skrimir won't be easy, but I can't let our people get killed in a hopeless battle.

Ike Understood. Ranulf, this is your war, so I'll follow your orders. I have to say, though, retreating won't be easy. According to Soren, the Central Army has mobilized and begun marching on our position during the last few days.

Ranulf They finally brought in a competent commander, huh? Hmmm... Our path is blocked both ways. Hey!

Tibarn Hello, boys. It's good to know you two still hang out together.

Ranulf Tibarn! Glad to see you're safe! But, what happened?! Didn't the bird tribes hit the supply unit? The Begnion Central Army is here, and they're marching on us!

Ranulf Talk later, eat now. Sorry, but I gotta put something in my stomach and get some rest...

Ranulf How's Tibarn?

Ike He's resting inside that tent over there. Ike, did you see them? Did you see his wings?

Ranulf Yeah. They were covered in blood. He's not hurt, so it must be someone else's...

Ike I have this awful feeling... A feeling that something terrible has happened. I really hope I'm wrong...

Reyson Ike! Ranulf!

Ranulf Reyson! You're here, too?

Janaff Your Highness! Please wait!

Ulki I have to check on him. I'm worried about Tibarn.

Janaff We're worried too, but Reyson can't just let him be for a while.

Ranulf Janaff, Ulki, what's going on? What happened to you out there?

Ranulf Naesala and the ravens of Kilvas betrayed us? Again?

Janaff I'm so mad I can barely see straight! The ravens were informants. They told Begnion our battle strategy.

Ulki It was a trap. The supply unit we raided turned out to be the Central Army itself. The troops were under the command of Begnion's most famous general, Zelgius.

Ike General Zelgius? This just got a lot worse...

Ranulf You've heard of him?

Ike I met him during the Mad King's War. He's powerful, experienced, and clever. One of the best generals of our time.

Janaff Yeah. For a beorc, he was quite powerful all right. Tibarn, while shifted, mind you, attacked this Zelgius guy. Zelgius didn't even budge an inch. But all of a sudden he stopped fighting and said, We've delayed you long enough. If you cherish the lives of your people, return home at once.

Ranulf He said that?

Ulki So the king made a decision. We flew night and day and reached Phoenicis, but...it was too late. Save for the elderly, women, and children, they were all...

Reyson I also heard what happened, and... I just couldn't believe it. Naesala has betrayed us once again. I cannot believe he'd play a role in wiping out Phoenicis...

??? Hey, we're not wiped out yet.

Reyson Huh?

Reyson Tibarn!

Tibarn I'm alive and well. My people are few, but they still live. Phoenicis is still a country. Janaff. Ulki. You know what we must do.

Janaff Of course!

Ulki Yes. Begnion and Kilvas will burn for this.

Tibarn ...So, that's the whole story. Sorry we were late, but now we're here to stay and see this war out. Don't tell me you kittens are going to run off with your tails between your legs. I won't accept that.

Ranulf Of course not, King Tibarn! I'll get Skrimir right now. A slight delay, but now that we've merged with the hawk tribe, we have the strength to fight.

Soren Our goal is to cross the Ribahn. The core of our forces will ford the river and attack the Central Army head-on. Ranulf, you'll need to form a small unit of your best warriors and lead them behind enemy lines, undetected. Can you do it?

Ranulf No sweat. We'll do some officer hunting and keep their leaders' attention on us.

Soren Good. But a distraction alone will not get us across the river. They've got the terrain and Zelgius in their favor.

Skrimir Bah! Use fewer words, tiny beorc! Tell us what we must do! Some of us have a battle to fight!

Soren Don't interrupt me again, Skrimir. All these words may be the only thing that can possibly win this battle. As I was saying, while Ranulf and his men sow confusion in the rear ranks, a group of hawk laguz will carry the Greil Mercenaries south, around the battlefield. We'll cross the river and make our way to the supply train, which also serves as the senators' camp.

Tibarn Ahhh, I see what you're doing. You're going to involve the senators and have them start messing things up.

Soren Precisely. Zelgius is the military commander, but the senators have authority over him. If attacked, they will panic and request aid. He will be forced to return and rescue them. Zelgius is a soldier through and through. He will not disobey an order, no matter how foolish it might be. Once he leaves, their front line will crumble. That's when you advance. Tibarn and Skrimir will lead the charge. That's all. Is everyone clear on what they have to do?

Skrimir Hmph. I still dislike beorc tactics. I'd rather face my enemy and give him my name before I snap his neck in my jaws. But in order to defeat cowards, we must use the weapons of cowards. Let's go.

Before Battle (Central Army; Before Video)
Zelgius General Zelgius! The men are in position.

Levail Good work. Hm... It's becoming foggy.

Zelgius It looks like the hawk tribe has joined with the main force, but I'm sure this fog will hinder them.

Levail I wouldn't be too sure about that. The fog might actually be a boon to them. We'll wait and see what move they make.

Begnion Soldier 1 General! We hear splashing. The Laguz Alliance is on the move!

Before Battle (Supply Camp)
Senator What is all that noise? And at this hour!

Beyona A battle has begun on the other side of the woods, near the river.

Senator Then tell Zelgius to wipe out the sub-humans quickly and quiet down! I cannot sleep with all this racket. Don't you peasants know I need my beauty sleep?! I should have you all flogged, you inconsiderate fools!

Beyona Wretched snob...

Ike We're in. Soren, let's go over the plan one more time.

Soren Our objective is to destroy the enemy supplies. The senators store their food and personal effects in crates. If we burn those crates, the senators will likely pull their troops back to protect their own hides.

Ike So, while the laguz distract the enemy, we force the gate open, storm inside, and burn all the supplies.

Soren Exactly.

Titania We can also set their horses loose. That should add to the confusion.

Soren Agreed. Also, please try not to hurt the senators themselves. Harming them might cause us trouble later on, especially once the fighting is over.

Ike All right. We've got to finish before the fog burns off. Let's get this done. Attack!

Supply Camp Entered
Begnion Soldier 1 Enemies in the camp! We're under attack!

Beyona How interesting! I never expected them to attack this particular camp. While the senators may deserve to get kicked around a little bit, I cannot let my general down. I shall protect this camp with all my power.

Beyona Soldiers of Begnion! Wipe out the bandits! Kill every last one of them!

Villages
Young Lady What? Um...yes, I was ordered to keep the lord's valuables neat and tidy. But the lord, he ran away, and, well... What, this? He told me it was very precious. Here, you take it.

Senator Aaaaahhh!

Senator P-please! I beg of you! Spare me! Mercy!

Begnion Soldier 1 You're with the Laguz Alliance? W-wait! Please! I don't want to die for those useless, decrepit old senators! I'm getting out of here. You can take whatever you want from this stash. Thanks!

After Battle (Supply Camp)
Ike The fog is about to clear. Our work is done. Let's pull back!

After Battle (Ranulf and Zelgius' location)
Zelgius I'm impressed that you've held out this long, but it's over now. Good-bye, Ranulf.

Ranulf and Zelgius battle

Zelgius Pray to the goddess. You're finished.

Ranulf Ahh... I tried...

Zelgius Farewell.

Zelgius What?!

Tibarn attacks Zelgius; movie
Tibarn Hey, there. Y'know, you look kinda familiar.

Zelgius The king of Phoenicis! Why did you transform? Do you not wish to fight me?

Tibarn Oh, I wish to fight you, all right. Unfortunately, I don't really have the time. So, I'll let you go this time.

Zelgius What do you mean?

Begnion Soldier 1 General Zelgius! You must return at once! Our supply camp is in flames! We need you to take control of the situation!

Zelgius What?!

Zelgius I see. Now I understand.

Tibarn You were kind enough to tell me of the attack on my country. I'm only returning the favor.

Zelgius Understood. I accept the favor, then.

Tibarn I'll let you go this time. Next time we meet, keep your sword drawn and make sure you've said your prayers.

Ranulf Ugh...

Tibarn Hey, how are you doing? Thanks to Ike, the army is crossing the river as we speak. We should go join Skrimir. Can you move?

Ranulf No...

Tibarn Damn.

Tibarn Fine, I'll carry you. Don't get thrown off, kid. You better hang on tight!