A few days ago after the Noble Alliance occupied Half of Erebonia...
(Trails of Cold Steel II ost - Phantom Glimmer)
In the Pantagruel in his room was Crow. Crow was busy making preparations for his next mission. Then he heard a knock from the door.
"Master Crow, His Grace has an assignment for you." An Alliance Soldier said on the other side of the door.
Crow turn to the door "So he can't tell me himself this time? What is it?"
"He order that you to take care of a monster that has been causing trouble in Aragon in Lamare Province."
"Monster Extermination, huh? Fine, give me a minute." He said and then he begin to open his Rotom Phone and add in a list of things to do.
"Weavile." A voice called as Crow turn and see his Pokemon. His Weavile, Sceptile which evolved from his Grovyle, and Pupitar.
"You three wants to come along as well?" He ask as his three Pokemon nodded, then he chuckled. "I had a feeling you might. But don't forget to be careful, k?"
His three pokemon nodded in response.
"Hey, Crow." Crow's Rotom Phone float to him. "I don't want to intrude but... are you sure this is what you want? Leaving your friends behind like this?"
Crow sighed as he scratch his back head. "Come on buddy, we talk about this. I need to clean up the mess both I made and his. Afterward, things will go back to the way it was."
"I know but... I just don't like that man, Cayenne. I don't think you should taken his word for granted."
"Maybe. Still, he's my employer. He provided much that I need. Once I get the job done, who knows what I'll do."
"I... suppose... Still... Aren't you worried about your classmates?" Rotom Phone asked as his pokemon also look concerned about it.
"You guys too? Come on, you know they're a bunch of stubborn sunshine. I had a feeling they might get in the way and they still have each other thanks to you Rotom Phones."
"I suppose so... But... what about... her?"
Crow sighed. "Honestly, I don't know what to tell her. Right now, I'm sure she must have heard the news. It's funny she hasn't called to confirm this."
"Maybe she wants to see if it true... or she hasn't heard the full story. After all, the only thing they heard is the civil war and Trista is occupied. So I'm sure she must have guess we were confiscated or something. But she must be worried sick about you. You only begin dating for... a month I presume?" Rotom Phone asked
"Yeah, we only dated for a month... But there's no going back at this point... Maybe I shouldn't have considered having a romantic relationship with her. Yet... I don't know why but... I just felt... attracted to her."
"Perhaps love at first sight?"
"Love, huh?" Crow scratches his hair. He take his Rotom Phone and then begin to look at the recent photos. There was the photo of him and Morgan was scene at night since she arrive late to the festival. There was a photo and Morgan were hugging like regular couple do, and he smirked while taking the picture. And this was at the Bonfire Festival.
Flashback...
"Wow, Crow, my options about you skyrocket with your performance. I guess this is the part where you're the cool guy?" Morgan tease.
"Hey, I am the cool guy. I'm just a man with a lot of ideas that can take things to the next and awesome level." Crow replied.
Morgan laughed. "I know. Honestly, I'm still sorry I arrive late though."
"Nah, don't worry about it Morgs. And since we are here, why don't we commemorate this?"
"Good id- whoa!" Morgan yelped as Crow pulled her in his arm and take out his Rotom Phone.
"Smile Morgs." He smirked as Morgan did the piece sign and wink and take the picture. "You look quite a cutie you know."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere Mr. Slacker."
"My thoughts exactly." A voice said as they turn and see Angelica. "Hello beautiful."
Crow frowned "Oh hell naw. Don't even think about it Gelica."
"What are you talking about Crow? Aren't you going to introduce me to your cute friend here?" She wink at Morgan.
"Ahh, so this is the "monster" who devour women from men." Morgan turn to Crow.
"I'm a what Crow?!" Angelica turn to him with a glare.
"Hey, I mean you are one when it comes to robbing every girl from dudes! Plus you're too late Gelica, she's already mine, right Morgs?"
Morgan giggled. "Hehe, pretty much."
Angelica eyebrow. "And that being means?"
"Ooh this is gonna be good." Crow smirked
"You're making it sound like you have a scheme you slacker." Morgan remark.
"Aww, you're gonna give Gelica the wrong idea."
"Said the guy who smirked just now."
"She's got you there Crow." Angelica smirked
"Anyway, Gelina, remember to keep your hands off of her. This is Morgan, my girlfriend."
"You, of all people? I find that hard to believe."
"Oh yeah?" Crow pull Morgan for a kiss and Morgan wrap her arms around Crow's neck and kiss him back.
"Wha-" Anglica jawdropped. "Oh sweet Aidios it's real." She said as Morgan and Crow parted their lips and wrap their arm around each other.
"Told you, so don't even think about touching my woman!" Crow declare.
End of Flashback...
Crow sighed and then he begin to look into Morgan's number and then call her.
"Crow?! You're... okay..." Morgan said on the other line.
"Yeah. Hey, listen, can we talk? But not in the call, in person."
"...Sure... where?"
"The Mushroom Kingdom planes far from Toad Town. But let me finish something. Meet me at 4:20 p.m. Think you can make it?" Crow asked
"Yeah. I'll see you there..."
"Thanks..." Crow said as he hang up and then sighed. "Oh boy..."
(BGM ended)
At the Plains around 4:20...
Crow arrived at the planes with Ordine as he landed. Crow pilot out of Ordine and then look around. Then see Morgan standing from the distance as the wind is blowing her hair.
"Hey, Morg." Crow awkwardly said.
"Hey, Crow." Morgan said, looking a bit sad as she look down.
Crow sighed and then approached her. "It's been awhile, hasn't it?"
"It has." Morgan look at the view of the plains. "So... mind telling me what's going on? I heard the news about the civil war. And about large humanoid weapons. And seeing you here... and..." She turn to Ordine. "...Seeing that, leading them. I guess that... you were involved with that."
"Yeah... I am."
"So... Mind telling me what was all that about?"
Crow approach next to Morgan and then sit down. "I guess I owe you an exclamation. You heard about the Terrorist group called the Imperial Liberation Front?"
"No." Morgan answered as she sit down.
"Well... it's a group that wants to get their revenge on Chancellor Osborne. And I am their leader name C. I've done many things I'm not proud of, even crossing the lines to kill that bastard, no matter the cost. Until finally... I shot the Chancellor with my own hand... getting my revenge as well as completing the liberation's front goal."
"I see..." Morgan close her eyes.
"You're awfully calm about this. I thought you were too speechless." Crow turn to her.
"I would... I'm shocked right now... However, I have been through the shock that above this."
"And that would be?" Crow asked
"My grandfather was a cult leader. I possess the evil blood of the Fell Dragon. I was manipulated to kill my friends." Morgan answered as Crow look surprised. "I already have experience killing countless people in war. So it's not easy, but in the world where I'm from, it's common. Especially killing bandits. Well, killing bandits isn't that bad."
"Hold up, your grandpa is a cult leader?"
(Trails of Cold Steel ost - The Night Sky on the Day)
"Yeah. They're called the Grimleal. They worship Grima, an evil Fell Dragon. He was worshiped as the god of annihilation to that cultist. My grandfather commits countless inhumane crimes, him and his cultist. Worst. My grandfather carries the Fell Dragon's blood. My father was born to be his vessel. And I also possess that cursed blood. My memories was manipulated to kill my friends. That memory of me betraying everyone left a deep scar on me. I could never forget it."
"But... everyone you know seems all right with you." Crow remark.
Morgan close her eyes. "Maybe... but that feeling where I'm on the other side with the people, friends and family I develop bonds... It left an impact on me. They did their best to take me back. And my father sacrifices himself to end Grima's life for good. His blood that runs through my veins is gone. Naga purified my blood. Everyone... including me... was heartbroken... but I took the most after what I've done. And so... I left without saying a word."
"But... your old man, or rather your dad came back right?"
"He did. Thanks to the bonds... or by Master Hand. Either way. I found myself in the Mushroom Kingdom. Met Peach, we became friends... reunite with my father and everyone... they welcome me back... Even though I done horrible things... they still love me. Honestly. I felt happy... but at the same time... I don't think I deserve it."
Crow look at a moment of silent and then he place his hand on Morgan's head. "I think you do. You were manipulated to do those things. No one holds it against you. You're being too hard on yourself. And those things your grandpa did... those were his and his alone."
Morgan turn to him. "And what about you? What decided you to become a terrorist in the first place?"
"It's a long story. But it involves my grandpa. And my homeland. It was called Jurai city at one point... before it became part of the Empire. It was a city-state off the coast of northwest Zemuria that prospered through maritime trade with west Erebonia, and North Ambria, and Remiferia. It had a population of around 150,000 people, so it wasn't exactly a big place or anything. Because of that, the surrounding nations left it alone and let us live out our days in peace. We were pretty fortunate, all things considered. Until about 20 years ago. That was when the North Ambrian Disaster struck, and much of the Principality of North Ambria was turned to salt. As a result, trade on the worst west shore was reduced to virtually nothing. Day after day, Jurai's prosperity started to fade away. Still, it wasn't all bad. We had our fishing, our historic landmarks, our septium mines. We could make use of those to get trade going again, both to keep our state running and to help out North Ambria. In fact, the one who advocated that approach was the mayor- my grandfather. He was the last mayor Jurai City ever had. He was a stubborn old bastard, but he had this wry sense of humor and was well loved by everyone. I lost my mom and dad early, so he was my only living relative. Haha. He taught me just about everything a guy could know. He was like a mom, dad, and your old master rolled into one, I guess. Anyway, fast forward to ten years ago. Out of nowhere, we received this proposal from the Erebonian government. They said they wanted to extend a railway line from Heimdallr all the way to Jurai. He relied on the sea for trade before, but there wasn't any reason to believe we couldn't benefit from being connected to Heimdallr by rail. The proposal drew overwhelming support from the city's council, and as a result, my grandfather was forced to accept. Within a year, the city had all of its old life back and then some. The street were more bustling than ever. But keep in mind, this was a result of huge amounts of Imperial capital flowing into the city. Land and buildings we once treasured were bought up left and right. Everything became a target for investment; people only cared about money. Something similar supposedly happened in Crossbell, too, but unlike there, no opposition existed in Jurai. My grandfather sensed something was off, and he tried what he could to get the situation under control. Then one day, someone blew up the railway line leading to Jurai. Everyone demanded that it be repaired as quickly as possible-everyone except the Imperial government. Instead, they panned our national security arrangements for being insufficient and threatened to withdraw all Imperial capital. The city was left in an uproar like we'd never seen. Shares plummeted, and with no one able to certain the culprit's identity, chaos reigned. That was when he showed up. Chancellor Giliath Osborne, in his third year as representative of the Imperial government, personally came to Jurai. We then received a second proposal. The timing was too good to be true, really. Realizing this, my grandfather staunchly opposed the idea. He tried everything he could to convince the city council to reject the offer. Unfortunately, once you taste the sweet fruit of prosperity, it's hard to want to go back. The council, made of influential merchants in all their greed, jumped at the offer and tempted by the elimination of customs together with the tax breaks from being an SEZ, many of the citizens did, too. And during all that, they'd conveniently found a suspect behind the railway incident: My grandfather. He loved Jurai more than anyone, and up till then, its people loved him, too. And yet virtually overnight, he found himself facing the wrath of both the city's council and the citizens alike. Left with no choice, he resigned from his position as mayor, and Jurai formally became part of the Empire. Both of these things happened on the same exact day. And that was eight years ago. Naturally, everyone knew my grandfather wasn't the one who did it. They knew who was really responsible. They just... turned a blind eye to the truth."
"Crow..." Morgan look at him with a sad look on her face. "And your Grandfather... what happened to him?"
"One day, he just up and died." Crow answered "Once he resigned, the whole affair with the railway getting blown up was all but forgotten. He lived comfortably in retirement for about half a year, fell ill, and that was that. He just... lost the will to go on, I guess. Like I said, he was the only family I had. I mean, I had plenty of friends even then, but I chose to leave it all behind. I was thirteen at the time. I wandered the land, doing whatever I had to get by. That was when I met old Cayenne, who happily indulged my hatred for the chancellor. And with his financial backing, I went out with the goal to find others who were just like me. That was the beginning of the Imperial Liberation Front. Gideon, Scarlet, and Vulcan were among those I've recruited. I'd also met this woman name Vita. She would often come to see Cayenne. You wanna know how I got this big guy here? Well, Vita was the one who guided me to a place below the city of Ordis, and there slept the Azure Knight, Ordine."
"Ordine... Azure Knight?"
"Yep. He's a Divine Knight, a figure of legends in Erebonia. But in order for me to pilot him, I need to prove myself worthy for him to accept me as his Awakener. That was three years ago. I was sixteen. My preparation complete, I conceal my background and enrolled in a military academy near the capital. Everything I did, I did for the sole purpose of taking the chancellor's head."
"I see..." Morgan look at the view. "Look at us. We're a couple of troublemakers it seems."
Crow shrug "Yeah, I don't know about that. Your was because of your evil grandpa, a cult, an evil dragon, and was manipulated to do those things that scar you. Mine is completely different when I chose my path. So your is completely innocent compare to mine. Sort of."
"Sort of? What's that suppose to mean, Trickster?" Morgan pouted.
"Calling me that again?" Crow smirked
"Don't kill the mood. You're just as bad as I am."
"Hahaha! True! But you're only a troublemaker because you inherited your mom's prank behavior. I, on the other hand, inherited my Grandpa's gambling."
"Oh yeah?" Morgan smirked as she jump on Crow for a surprise attack and then begin to tickle him.
"Whoa- Ahahahaha! Hey cut that out! Ahahaha!"
"I bet you didn't say this coming, didn't you Trickster?"
"Ahaha! Oh yeah?" Crow smirked and then he push Morgan and then got on top of her and tickle her.
"Wah- Ahahahah! Hey, no fair!" Morgan laughed as her plan backfired.
"Aww, what's wrong Morgs, I don't you like wits as I do?"
"Oh-Ehahahaha! Shut up! Ahahaha! Stop it!"
"Make me!" Crow smirked.
"You ask for it!" Morgan then use up her strength to flip Crow but that failed as Crow restrain her hands. "Oh now you're making this personal."
"How? Looking at you like this? Say I win and I might let you go."
"Hmph, As if." Morgan pouted and then she and Crow begin to laughed and he let go of her and lay next to her and look at the sky.
"Still... thanks Morgs. Thanks for trying to make me feel better." Crow said,
"I could say the same to you. Sort of."
"And now the sort of comeback?"
"And who started it?"
"Don't know what you mean." Crow said.
"Liar." Morgan pouted then chuckled. "So... What are you going to do now?"
"I'm going to clean up the mess I made. As well as the Chancellor... I don't know how long it's gonna be. It might take a year or so. So we might not see each other for sometime." Crow said, looking at the sky. "Still. It's nice learning more about your dark past, Morg."
"Same with yours."Morgan said as she reach her hand to the sky.
"Well... I gotta get back." Crow got up. "But hey, Morgs... despite all that... Do you really want a guy like me?"
"Why would you ask that?" Morgan got up.
"Let's just say things will be more... busy for me. And I might not come back and see you after the whole mess is clean."
"So... you want to break up with me?"
"If that's what you want? You might find someone better then me, that's for sure."
"Crow." Morgan appoached him and then she slap him in the face. "Don't ever talk like that."
"Morgs?" Crow touch his slap cheek.
"I can't deny you got some things and issue to work out. However, I am not going to break up with you. But let me ask you this, if this was reverse... do you want to break up with me after all I have done?"
"Well... no."
"Then you know how I feel." Morgan said. "So don't ever talk like that. Although we dated only a month by now. I can't deny that I'm still attracted to you. But when this whole thing is over. I want you to promise me something. Promise me... you'll come back to me. No matter what."
"Morgs..." Crow trailed off as he close his eyes next and then sighed, then smile. "Okay... I promise."
"Good."
"What happens if I don't?"
"Do you have to ask? I'll place a curse on you if you do." Morgan cross her arm.
"Ouch. I'll do my best... Still... no promises." Crow wrap his arms behind his neck. "Still... thanks Morgs... Thanks for deciding not to break up with a screw up guy like me."
"The same to you, Crow..." Morgan smiled and then she hug Crow and he hug back.
As they hug each other, they look at each other in their eyes, then both lend in for a kiss. But the kiss was a passionate one. More than it was. It begins to turn into a make-out as Morgan let out a soft moan. Causing Crow to deepen the kiss and his tongue begin to dance with Morgan. As their tongue dance, their lips part and then kiss again. Their lips sync as one and resume their french kiss as they make out, moving their bodies as they sink. Then begin to end as they pull away with saliva pull away from their tongue. Then Crow's kiss his girlfriend's forehead.
"You really are the best girlfriend, Morgan... One I couldn't ask for. Maybe even unworthy. I better get going." Crow smiled, looking at her.
"You better come back to me."
"I'll do my best. Oh and... keep this a secret, okay?"
"Okay, I will." Morgan lay her head to her boyfriend's chest before letting go of their hug.
Crow waved goodbye and then he begin to enter Ordine's through the sphere and then take off. Morgan wave goodbye before turning to her Pegasus. Morgan place her hand on her chest as she look sad.
"Why do I feel... it won't be a promise at all..." She wondered as she close her eyes.
Oh, Crow and Morgan... Let your love for each other prevail.