Joshua (Fire Emblem)

Joshua is a fictional character from the 2005 Nintendo Game Boy Advance game Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. He is the game's representation of the well-known Nabarl archetype. He starts out as a regular Myrmidion, but has the potential to become one of the most powerful units in the game. His high critical rate as a Swordmaster is considered deadlier than that of Marisa's.

Story

Joshua is first encountered in the border town of Serafew in Chapter 5. He is the first enemy that can be recruited in the game, albeit a difficult task, due to the [...] Edge he is equipped with. Natasha approaches Joshua and speaks with him to recruit him. Having sympathy as well as admiration for the cleric, he offers a bet, vowing to change his loyalty if he loses. Though most do not see much in Joshua, his past extenuates past most of the minor characters. If Eirika's path is chosen, the secret of his past is revealed. At the end of Chapter 14, Callaech kills Ismaire, the Queen of Jehanna, and in her last words, it is revealed that Joshua is her son and heir to the throne. He confessed he disliked the palace life, and ran away to establish his own life and learn the needs of his people. However, he greatly feels for his mother's death, and, at the end of the game, he will take the throne, as well as possibly marry Natasha, given they have an A support level. In Ephraim's path, it is discovered that Joshua knew Caellach, and The Two were best friends. If Joshua engages Caellach in battle in either story, Caellach tries to convince Joshua to switch alliances, saying Joshua should not begrudge him for the death of his mother, but Joshua claims he lost a bet to Natasha he cannot turn upon. Afterwards, Joshua responds to Caellach claiming that he is going to kill him, and Caellach should not hold it against him for it.

Natasha

Natasha is a beautiful cleric that you automatically recruit at the start of Chapter 5. She hails from Grado, and was declared a traitor of Grado when she found out the secret behind Emperor Vigarde's (really Lyon's motives.) She is like other minor characters in the game: once her role in the story is done, you never hear from her again. But, she and Joshua are in love, and through 3 support conversations, these two can marry (as long as they are both alive). Natasha may seem a risk to train, given that you already have Moulder, but she can rise through the ranks and become a mighty Master class unit (depending on what you choose between Valkyrie or Bishop).

The Battle of Serafew

As Eirika's growing army approaches the Renais/Grado border town of Serafew, Natasha is being chased through the city by Grado soldiers. Joshua, who at the time was hired as an extra arm by Grado, does not know that Natasha was labeled a Grado traitor. They bump into each other there (literally), and it is most noticeable right off the bat that Joshua is in love. But Natasha does not have time to talk with Joshua, so she apologizes and flees. Convincing himself that it's not his lucky day, he enters Serafew's local arena for some extra cash. When Eirika and Seth hear Natasha in trouble, they march to battle. Once the battle starts, Joshua leaves the arena, and is upset AbOUT his goal in the battle. He angers a soldier, who says he'll report Joshua to Saar, the leader of the Grado men in Serafew. Natasha receives help from Eirika and her men. She realizes she must tell SomeOne about the truth of Grado, and nobody in the army has time to talk. She sees Joshua again, and knows he will listen to her. When Joshua and Natasha speak, Joshua is still upset about what he must do, but is willing to do his job. Natasha stops him, saying he must hear the words about the Emperor. Joshua doesn't really care, but refuses to kill her. He makes a coin toss with her: if she wins, he joins her side. She wins, naturally, which he remarks as unlucky, but deep down, he is truly happy. Joshua then tries to win her over (in support conversations), which she doesn't react to right away, but after 3 conversations, they fall in love, and at the end of the game, they marry and become king and queen of the desert land of Jehanna.