Attack on Titan

Chapters

To You in 2000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1
That Day: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 2
A Dim Light Amid Despair: Humanity's Comeback, Part 1
The Night of the Closing Ceremony: Humanity's Comeback, Part 2
First Battle: The Struggle for Trost, Part 1
The World the Girl Saw: The Struggle for Trost, Part 2
Small Blade: The Struggle for Trost, Part 3
I Can Hear His Heartbeat: The Struggle for Trost, Part 4
Whereabouts of His Left Arm: The Struggle for Trost, Part 5
Response: The Struggle for Trost, Part 6
Idol: The Struggle for Trost, Part 7
Wound: The Struggle for Trost, Part 8
Primal Desire: The Struggle for Trost, Part 9
Can't Look into His Eyes Yet: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 1
Special Operations Squad: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 2
What Needs to be Done Now: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 3
Female Titan: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 1
Forest of Giant Trees: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 2
Bite: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 3
Erwin Smith: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 4
Crushing Blow: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 5
The Defeated: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 6
Smile: Assault on Stohess, Part 1
Mercy: Assault on Stohess, Part 2
Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3

To You in 2000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1

PART I

Two birds flew across the the sunset. Civilians remained silent and looked up in horror. The two birds flew across a giant red hand gripping on top of a wall. The civilians saw the hand and looked in horror.

On that day, mankind received a grim reminder.

The civilians watched as a giant silhouette of a giant head towered over the city. The head had no skin and exposed muscles around it.

At that terrible moment in our hearts we knew that home was abandoned, humanity cattle.

In a rainy forest, a bunch of soldiers galloped through the forest, with green hoodies with a blue and white wing badge on the back of the cape.

“All soldiers prepare for battle! There’s only one target! We will exterminate it and claim this spot as humanity’s first stronghold beyond the walls!” yelled the commander.

As the the soldiers galloped, once of them spotted something in the distance.

“Target approaching!” yelled a soldier.

A giant humanoid being was walking towards them. The commander then quickly gives a hand signal.

“Split into five groups now, group one will act as the distraction!” ordered the commander. “All squadrons engage the target with the omni-directional mobility gear!”

Several soldiers pull out their controllers and presses on the top trigger, firing a grappling hook. The hook is attached to a tree. The wire is reeled and three soldiers got off their horses and started to swing across the forest. The three dodged incoming trees and headed for the target.

“Hit it from every angle!” the commander ordered.

Then a soldier screams as pulls out a blade creating a sword. He then wraps around the tree to the back of the Titan’s neck.

“For my brothers!” he yelled. “For humanity!!!”

He then starts to scream as he starts to spin like a propeller and sliced the Titan’s neck.

Beautiful purple flowers were under the sun and then all of a sudden, blood splatters over it. An open mouth, a man’s body lays on the ground covered in blood and lifted, two giant humanoid beings appear on the open field, and two giant hands grab a person and eat it. A young boy with teal-green eyes and short brown hair is wakes up, suddenly. Two birds were steamed and flew out of a tree and a girl with pale skin, black eyes, long black hair and wearing a red scarf around her is next to him.

“Mikasa, hey,” said the boy.

“We would get back Eren,” said Mikasa.

“Where are we exactly?” Eren asked.

“Try asking me when you’re awake,” said Mikasa.

Eren then got up and started rubbing his eyes. He looked around his surroundings.

“I am it's just that, the I had dream went on forever, it’s gone now,” said Eren. “What was it about?”

Mikasa stood up with the firewood carrier on her back and looks back at Eren and noticed something.

“Eren, why are you crying?” she asked.

“Huh?” said Eren as he touches his face.

Eren had tears streaming down his eyes all of a sudden.

845

Shiganshina District

Massive walls surrounded the district with cannons placed on top. At the bottom, many giant humanoid creatures, what people called Titans, headed towards the wall, scratching it.

“Listen! It was by God’s great wisdom that these walls were built!” said a pastor. “These walls are his divine work. No one must be allowed to defile the walls!”

It was a busy day in Shiganshina, people were at work, markets were selling, and the streets were crowded with people.

“Do me a favor, don’t let anyone know that I was crying,” said Eren.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, still you don’t remember why?” asked Mikasa. “Might want that checked out.”

“Yeah, cause tearing up is a medical thing,” said Eren.

As Eren and Mikasa were entering the gate someone called them. Both of them looked up and saw a soldier with blond hair and thin mustache, his cheeks flushed pink and not walking in a straight line.

“Is someone messing with you?” asked the soldier.

“Hey, Mr, Hannes,” greeted Eren.

“Or are you getting on Mikasa’s bad side?” teased Hannes.

“No, what are you even talking about?!” asked Eren.

Eren smelled something and cringed. He covered his noise, but the smell was too much.

“Your breath likes alcohol,” cringed Eren.

Then, three male Garrisons were laughing while drinking and playing cards. They’re cheeks were flushed same thing as Hannes

“Of course,” Eren sighed.

“You kids care for a drink?” offered Hannes, drunkenly.

“Aren’t you on watch?” asked Eren.

“Yep, watching the old gate we are,” chuckled Hannes. “We’re stuck here all day. So we end up getting hungry and thirsty. If some booze happens to get into our drinks, so what? It’s no big deal.”

“How are supposed to fight if you’re so lose on your feet?!” asked Eren.

“What do you mean?” Hannes asked.

“Why do you think, what if they break through the wall, we’d be sitting ducks on your watch,” warned Eren.

“Eren, please use your inside voice,” said Hannes.

Then, one of the Garrison gets up and walks towards the three of them laughing.

“The doc’s kid got some fire in him,” chuckled the Garrison. “Listen the only thing they did to the wall was scratch at it for the past one hundred years, I have a feeling if they get in we’d be more than ready.”

“A Feeling?! What if any of you done to be ready for them?!” asked Eren. “Dad said you have to be sharp.”

“Good old Dr. Jaeger, can’t argue with a man who single handedly saves us from an epidemic. Thing is he’s still talking about his scalpel, what we do isn’t half as important,” said Hannes. “Hey no disrespect for your father, but a soldier’s time beyond the wall kind of puts the whole issue on a different perspective, you see him roaming out there, dead-eyed.”

“Wait a minute, sounds to me you think they’re not dangerous,” said Eren.

“Eh,” answered Hannes.

“Oh great! They have the decency to call you a Garrison, people might get the wrong idea!” scolded Eren.

“Good point,” Hannes laughed. “But you gotta understand Eren. If a soldier’s doing his job, things have seriously gone to hell. It’s better when
everyone’s calling us useless freeloaders; it means peaceful times for us all.”

Eren then tighten his hand into a fist in anger. But the anger slipped away and Eren lets out a groan.

“But, we live in a cage, all we do is eat and sleep that’s it, end of the story, we have the mindset of livestock,” said Eren.

Then, the two Garrisons who were sitting started laughing.

“Man, you’re right of the kid having fire,” chuckled a Garrison.

“Careful not to cry it out,” said the other.

“Are you coming back?” asked the Garrison.

“Huh? Y-yeah,” said Hannes.

Eren had enough with Hannes and both Eren and Mikasa started to walk away from Hannes and the others.

“Hey! Where are you going?” he shouted.

“The mouth of that kid,” said the Garrison next of him.

“He’s a kid, tends to dream bigger than the rest of us,” said Hannes.

Further in the district, Eren and Mikasa start walking up an incline towards their house on top.

“Eren, maybe you should let the Scout Regiment thing go,” said Mikasa.

Eren was shocked to hear that and turned around with an angry expression.

“Seriously? Why does everyone think that they’re a joke?!” asked Eren.

“It’s not about what I think,” said Mikasa.

Then in the distance, the town bell starts to ring across town, causing the angry Eren to not be angry anymore. Eren was filled with joy knowing one thing.

“They’re back! We can make it back when we hurry,” said Eren excitedly. “Come one get a move on, I want a good view.”

Eren grabs Mikasa’s arm and both of them start to head towards the gate.

At the gate, many Scouts were returning from their last mission. Many civilians were gathered to see the Scouts returning.

“Can’t see squat,” said Eren trying to find a spot.

They both stand on boxes they found and start to see over the civilians. A soldier enters the gate and sees Eren, then he looks back down. Eren was shocked at the response. He then looks and was in shock to see the injured. Many soldiers came back with traumatized expressions on their face. Others were badly wounded with missing limbs, eyes, and bandages over them.

“Sure taken a hit haven’t they?” asked a civilian.

“Yeah, the rest got eaten,” said another. “That’s what happens if pride takes you outside the walls.”

Then an older woman starts to walk out of the crowd.

“Moses! Moses!” called the woman. “I don’t see my son, Moses anywhere… Do you know where he is?”

The commander looks at the older woman. He looked at the Scout beside him.

“I wish I had better news, give it to her,” said the commander.

Then, a soldier gives her something warped in a cloth stained in blood. She looks in horror as she unwraps it to reveal a severed arm. She quickly covers it up and begins to break down into tears.

“I’m sorry, but that was all left of him,” said the commander.

The woman starts to cry harder as she held on what was the piece of her son. Eren and Mikasa watched as the drama took place. The commander kneels to the woman.

“But…my son…he was helpful, yes? asked the woman. “Even if he didn’t achieve direct greatness…surely my son’s death helped humanity fight back, yes?! Tell me that his sacrifice gave us a better chance!”

“He was brave,” responded the commander. “But, his sacrifice meant nothing, so with our losses, we… we achieved nothing at all! I sent him to his death. I sent all to them to their deaths! We haven’t found anything out about them!”

The civilians watched as the rest of the soldiers were walking away in the distance.

“Uplifting, huh?” asked a civilian.

“Oh, sure, our taxes are basically going to feeding and fattening those things up now,” said another.

Then, the civilian was whacked by a stick. He turned around to see Eren.

“What the hell, punk?!” yelled the citizen.

As Eren was about to whack him again, Mikasa grabs him from behind and starts dragging him.

“What are doing?! Let me go!” demanded Eren.

“That’s right, you better run!” yelled the citizen.

“Alright, I get it!” shouted Eren.

Then, Mikasa threw Eren at a wall causing all the firewood to spill from his carrier.

“Oh great, firewood everywhere, perfect,” groaned Eren.

“So, are you bound to be one of them, the Scouts?” asked Mikasa.

“Just help me pick this up,” said Eren, picking up the wood.

“It’s not that bad of a mess,” said Mikasa, helping Eren.

After watching the Scout’s return, both Eren and Mikasa started heading towards their house. Eren opened the door.

“Hey, we’re home,” said Eren.

“Welcome back,” greeted Carla Jaeger, Eren’s mother.

Eren went to the wooden chest and dumped all the firewood into the chest.

“Wow, somebody kept us in fuel for the next several days,” said his mother.

“Y-yeah,” Eren responded.

Then Carla pulls his ear, causing Eren to cringe in pain and cover his ear.

“What was that for?” asked Eren.

“Your ears are red. That shows you have something to hide,” said his mother. “You had Mikasa help you, did you?”

Eren and Mikasa sat in the table eating, while his father Grisha Jaeger was busy packing his bags.

“Where are you off today?” asked Eren.

“A patient in the interior,” said his father. “I would be back in a couple of days.”

“So, um... Eren wants to join the Scouts,” said Mikasa.

The sudden news caused Eren’s mother to turn around suddenly, while Eren’s father didn’t do anything

“What the hell, Mikasa!” scolded Eren.

“Get that ridiculous though this instant young man!” scolded his mother. “No son of mine is going to be fodder, do I make myself clear?!”

“Stop yelling at me!” scolded Eren.

“It’s a nightmare Eren,” warned his father. “The outside, you have no idea.”

“Yeah I know okay, but it’s gotta be better than this life,” said Eren. “Plus… if no one else is willing to take their place, then the lives all who’ve died will be for nothing!”

“I see, excuse me, I’ll miss my boat,” said his father, getting up from his seat.

“Hold on, dear! Talk some sense into Eren!” shouted his mother.

“Dear, words can’t hold back the boy’s curiosity,” said his father. “Eren, When I get back, I’ll show you the basement that I’ve kept secret all this time.”

Then, he pulls out a key from him. Eren was beyond excited to see his dad’s work.

“Okay,” said Eren, excitingly.

His father smiles and takes back the key and starts to head out.

“Have a good trip!” shouted Eren.

“I meant what I said,” his mother said.

“What?” Eren asked.

“Joining the Scout Regiment is a stupid idea,” his mother said.

“Huh?! Stupid? People who don’t mind living like livestock are the stupid ones if you ask me!” scolded Eren.

Fed up with his mother, he turned around and started to run away.

“Eren!” called his mother.

His mother turned around to Mikasa, who was stepping down on the stairs to their house.

“Mikasa, the boy needs to be protected by himself, promise me I can count on you to have his back,” his mother explained.

Mikasa nodded and started to follow Eren.

On the other side of town, a group of bullies starts to bully a boy with short blond hair in an alleyway.

“What’s the matter, heretic?!” questioned the bully as he throws the boy up against a wall. “Does your philosophy say it’s wrong to fight back?!”

“It does, I rather take a few lumps than crawl like a beast,” said the boy.

“So, now I’m a beast?!” asked the bully.

“Take a good look at yourself and tell me you’re not acting like one, your resource to violence because your brain is the size of a walnut,” insulted the boy. “So pummel me all you want, I’ve already won.”

“Shut up smart-ass,” said the bully as he rises his fist preparing to hit the boy.

“Back off!” shouted Eren.

The bullies looked and saw Eren running towards them. They had smirks on their faces ready for a fight.

“It’s Eren!” yelled the bully.

“That idiot backs for more?!” teased the other.

“Does he want his ass kicked?!” the third bully teased.

“We’ll tear you a new one!” teased the bully.

Then, the third bully notices someone behind following Eren.

“Oh shit! Mikasa’s with him!” yelled the third one.

The grins on the bullies quickly died and the bullies started to run away like little children.

“Screw this!” yelled the bully. “Let’s get out of here!”

The three bullies ran away from Eren and Mikasa leaving the boy on the ground.

“Ha! Look at those cowards, just one look at me and they run off, I’m just that scary,” Eren laughed.

“I think it was Mikasa who scared them off,” said the boy, getting up before falling back down. “Oww.”

“You okay Armin?” asked Eren offering his hand to Armin.

“I can get up on my own,” Armin said.

On the other sided the district, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin all sit down next to a river.

“They just heard me saying that mankind’s future laid beyond the walls, doubt they understood half of it, but still,” Armin explained.

Then behind Eren, Mikasa, and Armin came eight girls: Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight Glimmer walked by and saw their three friends sitting.

“Hey Eren,” greeted Sunset.

Eren turned around and saw this other friends.

“Oh, hey girls,” greeted Eren.

Fluttershy looked at Armin’s face to see a couple of bruises and spots.

“Oh, Armin what happened to you?” asked Fluttershy.

Armin then told them of what happened to him earlier.

“Idiots,” whispered Eren, throwing a rock into the river. “Why does it have to be this way? Why can’t people just let us dream?”

“The walls are a powerful idea, we survived for a hundred years because of it. They’re worried that going outside carelessly will invite them inside the walls. I may not agree with that, but I get where they're coming from, it’s human nature, when said and done the government’s policy are a reflection of our fear,” Armin explained.

“That’s true Eren, my ancestors haven’t been attacked any of those darn Titans,” said Applejack.

“Still, it’s our lives, I’d say to hell with them,” hissed Eren.

“Someone’s going to hear you,” warned Mikasa. “Keep it down.”

“Why do I care? You rat me either way,” said Eren.

“I never promised you anything,” assured Mikasa.

“Wait your folks have heard about the Scouts?” Armin asked.

“Basically, and their not too pleased,” answered Eren.

Eren turned around to the rest.

“What about you girls, have you all heard of the Scouts?” Eren asked.

“Are you kidding?! Everyone has heard of the Scouts,” said Rainbow Dash. “The downside is that it is dangerous with the Titans outside.”

“That’s true, they never had a mission completed in ages,” said Starlight Glimmer.

“You mean since they were created,” said Twilight. “Since I don’t know what they are doing, but it looks like it’s not working out for them.”

“I think they just need a party, so they could cheer up!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Uhh, Pinkie you know that the Scouts aren’t here to party, they go beyond the walls,” said Rainbow Dash.

“They do have a great color scheme on the wings,” said Rarity. “And their capes makes them really stand out.”

“Did your folks say about the Scouts?” Armin asked.

“Yeah, all of them have and their not too happy about it,” Starlight said.

“Yeah, big shock,” said Armin.

The day goes on, kids were outside playing around and adults coming back from work to take care of their children

“It’s said, what most people here are willing to settle for is a sense of security you know. The walls can’t hold forever, only a matter of time.”

Then, it got all quiet and peaceful, two birds were flying across the sky. Then, all of a sudden a huge lightning bolt appeared, causing a minor but strong earthquake altering everyone and causing Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the girls to bounce off the ground. Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the girls got up.

“What was that?” Armin asked.

“I don’t know,” Eren replied.

Armin saw a bunch of civilians ran towards the place where the explosion was.

“What was that?” a civilian asked.

“It came from over there,” said another pointing to the wall.

Armin then started to run where the civilians were going.

“Hey, Armin!” called Eren following Armin.

Mikasa and the rest started to follow Eren.

“Talk to me!” Eren shouted. “What it some sort of explosion or what?”

Then, Eren looked at the wall with horror. Everyone looked in horror at the wall to see a giant red hand grasping the top of the wall.

“That’s impossible, that wall is fifty meters high,” Armin muttered.

Much to everyone’s horror, they knew what it was.

“Oh God,” Eren muttered.

Then, a giant shadow appeared hovering over the city. Then, a giant head appeared, lacking skin and purely made out of muscle towers over the city.

“It’s a Titan,” said Eren in horror.

The Titan lifted his right foot while gripping on the wall. The Titan kicked the gate, causing a strong gust of wind, blowing everything near it. The wind managed to cause some building parts to be blown off. A giant tower was blown off and crushing any civilian that was unlucky to be under it. Boulders then started to fall and killing many civilians. Behind the Titan, many smaller Titans were drawn towards the gate. The Titan then disappeared.

“It blasted a hole like it was kicking a rock,” Armin said in horror.

With the giant hole caused by the Titan, a Titan roamed into Shiganshina. One by one countless Titan roamed inside and saw a bunch of civilians.

“RUN FOR LIVES!!!” screamed a civilian.

“THE TITANS HAVE GOTTEN INSIDE!!!” screamed another.

Civilians were running away from the Titans and were panicking trying not to die.

“We have to go,” Armin said.

Armin spotted Eren walking the opposite direction from the people running.

“Eren, no!” shouted Armin.

“My house is in that direction, mom is all by herself,” he muttered in horror.

Mikasa started to run toward Eren.

“Mikasa!” called Armin as he stretched his arm.

He looks at his hand to see it shaking badly. Armin has to use his other hand to stop it from shaking.

“This is the end... countless Titans,” said Armin in horror. “Every last one of us is going to be devoured!”

“Armin!” called Rainbow Dash.

Armin turned around and saw the rest of his friends.

“Rainbow!” called Armin.

“We have to go!” yelled Sunset.

“Right!” yelled Armin.

Armin started running towards them. Armin caught up to them and started to run.

“Hey, where’s Eren and Mikasa?!” Starlight asked.

“They went to their house!” yelled Armin.

“What?! Are they crazy!” yelled Applejack.

“They need to get their mother!” explained Armin.

“We need to go back!” yelled Twilight.

“Too late, Titans are overrunning!” yelled Armin.

“Armin’s right, we have to keep running!” yelled Rarity.

Back at Eren and Mikasa, both of them were running in a hurry to their house while witnessing all the destruction and death around them along the way.

“Our house is fine, our house is fine. Just turn around the corner and it’s going to be standing there in one piece, just like always,” Eren thought.

Eren and Mikasa then turned the corner and much to their horror their house wasn’t fine. Their house was destroyed by a boulder and Eren’s mother was trapped.

“MOM!” called Eren. “MOM!”

His mother regained concussion and saw her son was safe.

“Eren,” she said weakly.

“Mikasa, grab that end of that pillar and hoist with everything you got,” Eren said.

Both of them trying lifting the pillar, but it wouldn’t move. Then, Eren heard footsteps and looked to his left to see the amount of Titans roaming around.

“Oh no,” he whispered.

Eren then heard more footsteps coming towards their direction. A Titan was heading towards their house. Eren saw the Titan coming towards them.

“Hurry up, goddammit,” demand Eren.

“I’m trying,” Mikasa said.

“It’s them, you gotta get out of here,” his mother said. “Eren, just take Mikasa and run!”

“I want to run away, but first I need you on your feet!” yelled Eren.

“Sweetie listen to me, my legs have been crushed, even if you can get me out of here I can’t run,” she said. “There’s no time.”

Eren knew that his mother was right, but he wouldn’t give up.

“WHATEVER I CAN CARRY YOU!” cried Eren.

“WOULD YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!!!” scolded his mother. “One thing I’m asking you, one thing.”

Mikasa heard the argument and started to tear up

“I can’t lift this,” she said struggling.

“If you don’t go, all three of us are going to die,” she warned.

Then, she saw someone swinging towards them and recognized the person.

“Hannes!” she called. “Take the children and get them out of here.”

“Come on Carla that’s not our only option,” Hannes smiled. “Hey, I’m a trained soldier my skills are killing Titans and saving lives!”

Hannes starts to run towards the Titan and takes out a blade.

“Wait, don’t do this please,” she pleaded.

“Nothing fancy, just take it down, take all three of them out of harm’s way,” he thought. "Make good on the debt you owe!”

Hannes then stopped in his track in fear. He was face to face with the Titan. The Titan saw Hannes and looked at him, smiling. He rethinks his situation and sheaths his sword back and runs back to them and grabs Eren and Mikasa.

“No! What are you doing?!” Eren shouted. “PUT ME DOWN YOU BASTARD!!!”

“Thank you, Hannes,” muttered his mother.

“WAIT NOOO, WE CAN’T JUST LEAVE HER!!!” cried Eren.

“I LOVE YOU!!! YOU HEAR ME?! STAY ALIVE!!!” she cried, stretching out her arm.

Then all the good and fun memories fill her mind with her and Eren. Once they were out of earshot, she covers her mouth and tears started to stream down her eyes, knowing she won’t see her son anymore.

“Don’t leave me,” she whispered.

The Titan stops in front of the house and starts to remove the house debris and picks up his mother. Eren gasped in horror and he could only watch.

“STOP IT NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” cried Eren.

Carla fights with her last strength, but the Titan used its other hand and squeezes Carla. Eren could only watched in horror at his mother’s demise. Mikasa looks away, while Eren watched in horror. The Titan then devours Carla and blood flies everywhere.

On that day, mankind received a grim reminder. At that terrible moment, we knew in our hearts home was abandoned, humanity cattle.

That Day: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 2

They first appeared over a hundred years ago, giant humanoid creatures with a taste for our blood. They were more powerful than humans. Humanity was immediately shoved to the brink of extinction almost overnight. The survivors built three walls: Maria, Rose, and Sina withdrawing behind them and frightened huddles for what was to be a century of uneasy peace and then...

The streets of Shiganshina was in ruins. Severed hands and legs laid on the streets. Mice started to eat at the limbs. A crow lands next to a severed hand and starts to nibble on it.

“Till that time I had been a wretched soul, and wholly giv’n to greed! Now, as thou see’st, I’m punished for it here! What Avarice doth is here made manifest in this purgation of converted souls. Nor bath this Mount a penalty more bitter!” yelled the priest.

Many civilians were still running, as many Titan entered the gate. The priest continues to read from the book, as many citizens were getting grabbed and devoured alive. A woman ran in an alley into a dead end. She covers her mouth to keep quiet until a giant shadow appeared over her. She looks up to see a Titan looking at here. The Titan grabbed the woman by the head as she screams.

“LET ME GO!!!” she screamed. Her shoe then falls to the ground.

The priest continues to read off his book, as more civilians were running and more Titans continue to enter into Shiganshina.

“O Avarice! Thou hast to thyself so drawn my race, that ev’n for its own flesh it careth not! What more canst thou do with us?!” yelled the priest.

Then a shadow appeared next to the priest. He looks to see a Titan looking at him. The Titan grabs the priest.

“O Avarice! Thou hast to thyself…” said the priest, until a loud crunch was heard as his book falls into a small pool of blood.

On the other side, the evacuation continued and Hannes continued to carry Eren and Mikasa to the other side of town. Then, Eren snaps from his daze after watching event and punches Hannes in the back of the head.

“Dammit stop!” yelled Hannes.

“You son of a bitch! We could’ve save her, we almost had her out! Why did you come?!” cried Eren as he elbowed Hannes head.

“I told you to stop, goddammit!” yelled Hannes as he throws Eren to the ground.

“Eren!” called Mikasa as she wriggles out of Hannes arm and runs towards Eren.

Eren got up and looked back at Hannes with anger in him. Hannes walked towards Eren and Mikasa.

“Look, there’s nothing you could’ve done to save your mother, you’re a kid you lack in strength,” Hannes explained.

Eren’s face is filled in anger as he begins to tear up. He attempted to punch Hannes square in the face, but he catches the punch with his arm.

“And I’m worst, I couldn’t stand up to the Titan,” said Hannes as tears started to wielded up in his eyes.

“Your mother died cause I’m a goddamn coward!” he cried.

Eren’s hand stopped and tears started to stream down. Hannes then gets up and grabs both Eren and Mikasa’s hand.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

As the three started to walk towards the gate, Eren let out all his emotions and started to cry harder. Mikasa grabs her head as she remembered a man and woman, she then looks back.

“It’s happening again,” she thought.

Near the gate a civilian trips and a Titan behind him grabs him and devours him. The Titans continued to feast on the civilians as they were running towards the gate.

“Hurry! To the inner gate!” yelled Hugo. “Escape aboard the boats there! Hurry Before you get eaten!”

On the other side of the gate a bunch of civilians were on the dock waiting for the next boat. A boat then starts to sail off.

City districts like Shiganshina that stick out in vital spots along the wall, served to attract the Titans and streamline security costs and troop numbers. Performing true to its role as a Titan target. Shiganshina had but one inner gate through which it’s citizens could flee.

A bag was then thrown off the boat.

“Discard your belongings! Let as many people on as possible!” ordered a male Garrison.

On the boat, Armin was on the the port side of boat looking at the civilians. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Twilight Sparkle sat next to Armin, while Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer, and Sunset Shimmer were looking at the civilians.

“Are we playing I spy?” asked Pinkie.

“Pinkie, in bad situations you make a weird time to play games,” said Applejack.

“A talent of mine,” smiled Pinkie.

Armin continued to look at the growing crowd of people on the dock.

“You should sit Armin,” said his grandfather.

“I know, just keeping an eye out for Eren and Mikasa,” answered Armin.

“I spy with my little eyes, Eren and Mikasa!” yelled Pinkie Pie.

Armin looked at the direction where Pinkie saw and saw a Eren and Mikasa boarding the boat.

“There they are,” said Armin.

Before Armin could signal them, he noticed a devastated look on Eren’s face.

“I wouldn’t try to call them, give them space, God only knows what they’ve just seen,” explained his grandfather.

“Ohhh, poor Eren,” moaned Pinkie. “Maybe he needs a party after this evacuation!”

Sunset, Starlight, Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow rolled their eyes at Pinkie’s response.

On the other side, civilians continued to run towards the gate. Hugo starts to back up towards the gate.

What are you dawdling for?! Hurry the hell up!“ he demanded. “Get those cannons loaded!”

In the distance, a Titan appeared and started to walk towards the gate.

“Hurry! They’re closing in!” he yelled.

As civilians continued to run, several Garrisons and cannons start to move up. Hannes appeared in an alleyway, breathing heavily and runs off.

On the dock, the boat started to fill up quickly. Many civilians were on the boat terrified.

“This can’t be for real...Please, God...Please. God...Please God…” prayed a civilian on the boat.

Then the the Garrisons lifted the ramp. Many civilians were horrified and started trying to break through.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” asked a civilian.

“It’s at full capacity! It has to leave!” he yelled.

“No! Please! At least let our children on!” pleaded a woman.

“I’m sorry but we can’t!” he yelled. “Get going!”

The boat started to sail off. Many people ran through and made desperate leaps for the boat. A civilian grabs on the side, while another fell into the river.

On the other side, loud cannon fire was heard alerting all the civilians. A Titan started waking towards the gate as a cannonball missed it’s target.

“You idiot! Where are you aiming at?!” yelled Hugo.

“Sir, these aren’t accurate to aim with!” yelled a male Garrison.

“Don’t give me attitude!” Hugo yelled. “Reload the goddamn cannon!”

“There’s no point!” he yelled.

Then, the gate started to lower down. Hugo and the other looked back.

“The inner gate,” he muttered. “I’m not getting left behind!”

He started to run towards the gate and another followed him.

“Hey!” Hugo called.

Inside the gate, two Garrison turned a wheel to lower the gate.

“Wait, are you out of your mind?!” yelled Hannes.” There are still lots of people in there!”

“We can’t let any Titans through the inner gate,” explained the male Garrison. “Mankind will be forced to withdraw to the next wall.”

“Listen to yourself, we’re soldiers there no reason to leave these people to die!” yelled Hannes.

Then, two Garrison soldiers run towards the gate.

“WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!” he asked.

“THE TITANS ARE CLOSING IN!!” warned the other.

“THAT DOES IT BRING IT DOWN!!” the Garrison ordered.

The gate continues to be lowered more quickly.

“Stop!” yelled Hannes as he started waking towards the soldier.

The two Garrisons behind Hannes held him back.

“Let go of me!” he demanded.

Then, a loud sound was heard in the distance, forcing everyone to stop. The sound was loud that the other side could hear. Eren looked up, but to only listen in terror. Hugo heard the sound getting closer and closer.

Then, a fairly large and muscular Titan with white hair, white eyes and was covered in armored plates head to toe appeared. The Titan stood and looked straight at the gate. The soldiers in front of it backed up as they stared, to scared to move. The Titan took a step back and takes a stance. It lifted its feet and started to run, full speed at the gate.

“What the hell,” Hugo muttered as the Titan got closer.

“FIRE!!” yelled Hugo.

All the cannons fired at the Titan. One of the cannonball hits the Titan in the right shoulder, but it didn’t bother it or left a mark on its armored body.

“What?!” yelled Hugo.

“No effect?!” questioned a Garrison next to Hugo.

The Titan continued to run passing a smaller Titan with speed.

“We’ve got to get the hell out of here!” yelled the Garrison as he ran towards the gate.

All of the Garrison turned around and started running towards the gate.

“RETREAT, RETREAT! SHUT THE GATE NOW!!!” yelled Hugo. “A TITAN IS COMING! HURRY SHUT THE GATE!”

The Titan started to increase its speed as it got closer to the gate, tearing through houses. Then, the Titan bum rushed the gate, destroying it and lifting many Garrisons into the air. The Titan planted its right foot and started to slide and stopping. Behind the Titan was a huge hole and a huge dust trail.

Two Garrison and Hannes saw the Titan in front of them. Hannes looked in horror at the huge hole.

“Oh... God,” he muttered.

The Titan lifted its head up and lowered its mouth plate, releasing a trail of steam. On the boat, everyone, including Eren witnessed in horror and shock in Wall Maria's fall.

Within hours of the fall of Shiganshina on the south side of Wall Maria, news of the incident had reached every city inside human territory.

Trost District

South Side of Wall Rose

Inside a building, several men converse about the news of Shiganshina.

“Is it true the Titans have overrun Shiganshina?! I can’t believe this?! The walls have held strong for a century! Why now?!” asked a man. “Whether we believe it or not. The fact is that refugees have fled here by boat!”

“Reports say there are five hundred on board,” said a bald man with a gray beard.

“The question is if Shiganshina is all that was affected...” said a man with blond hair and beard.

“But surely they couldn’t have gotten through the Wall Maria as well?” assured a man with brown hair and mustache.

Then, there was a long silence until the man with blond hair broke the silence.

“In any event, we must contact the central government and request instructions. This crisis is far too much for us to handle on our own,” explained the man with blond hair.

Then, a soldier barged in the room and panting heavily.

I’m sorry to interrupt! A courier horse has just arrived! Titans have breached Wall Maria and entered it’s interior!” yelled the soldier.

Everyone in the room was shocked and horrified to hear the news of Wall Maria.

Wall Maria

In Wall Maria, countless Titans starts to breach the wall. Hannes looked in horror at the Titans on the roof, as blood trailed the side of his head.

“This is the end,” he whispered.

On the boat, people including Eren watched in despair as Wall Maria had fallen to the Titans.

“The Titans are going to devour humanity again,” whispered a male civilian. “This is the end.”

As all the civilians prayed on the boat, Eren has a flashback of his last time with his family, witnessed the previous event.

”I’ll...never see that house...ever again…,” Eren though crying. “Why was I such a brat, why did I argued or no reason like that?! Why was that all I could do?! And now mom’s gone! She’s never coming back! Why…?!”

He then remembers what Hannes said to him earlier.

“There’s nothing you could’ve done for her you understand.”

“It’s because I’m weak, every human is a damn coward,” he though.

Eren looks at the bruised right palm as a tear drops from his face into its center. His eyes change and he clenches it into a fist. Stands up and walks to the side of the boat.

“I’m... going to...,” Eren said angrily.

“Eren?” called Mikasa.

Armin comes and grabs Eren by the shoulder.

“What’s wrong Eren?” Armin asked.

Eren shoves him off.

“Eren?” called Armin.

Pinkie came along and grabbed Eren’s arm.

“It’s okay Eren, we can a party after this,” said Pinkie.

Eren yanked his arm and shoved Pinkie out of his way, causing Pinkie to fall.

“What’s wrong with you?” she asked.

The rest of the girls followed Armin and looked at the angry Eren.

Eren slammed both of his hands on the port side of the boat.

“I’m going to put a stop to this, I’ll drive them out, I’ll drive them out... every last one,” he declared in tears.

The same year, the central government made the decision to withdraw all of humanity’s domain behind Wall Rose. An estimated 10,000 people were eaten by Titans during this time.

In a forest, a courier was running really fast. Grisha Jaeger was riding it the forest fast as he could.

“Eren... Carla... Mikasa, please be alive,” he said as tears started to stream down.

On a pitch black night, a flame was the only thing that was bright.

“Eren! Eren! Eren! Eren!” called his father.

“Dad! Stop, Dad!” yelled Eren.

On Grisha’s hand was a syringe.

“What are you trying to do?!” Eren asked.

“Just give me your arm!” he demanded.

“No! You’re insane! Mom’s death has made you go crazy!“ Eren yelled

Then, a key is shown spinning in the darkness

“Shut up!” he yelled. “This is for your own sake!”

Grisha then injected Eren with the syringe.

“What are you talking about?!” Eren screamed and grabbing the dirt.

“Listen! Don’t forget the key! You must reach it! Until… you learn… the truth someday…!” he yelled.

Then, a key is dropped and Eren wakes up from his nightmare to the sound of bells, in the warehouse of a building.

“It’s okay, you were just dreaming,” assured Mikasa.

“I feel like I just saw Dad,” he said grabbing his head.

“Nightmare, shake it off,” said Mikasa.

“Yeah,” Eren agreed.

He takes his hand from his head and realizes he’s wearing a necklace with a key around his neck.

“Let’s go,” said Mikasa standing up. “They’re handing out food rations

Eren tucks the key inside his shirt, gets up and begins to walk outside of the building.

“Apparently this was their food storehouse,” explained Mikasa. “Now, they gathered all the boat refugees here.”

Eren creates a visor with his hand and is surprised at the amount of civilians present. A long line was at the stand as a male Garrison handed out bread to a young girl with blonde hair.

“Hey! Get in line, will ya?!” yelled a male civilian.

“Shut Up! I ain’t eaten anything since last night!” yelled another male civilians.

Both of them start to fight as many looked.

“We can’t say we’ve survived just yet,” said Mikasa.

“Eren! Mikasa!” called Armin running towards them with bread in his hands.

“Armin,” called Eren. “Where are the other girls?”

“Right behind,” said Sunset Shimmer.

“Here! My grandpa got us some by saying it was for children,” said Armin offering Eren and Mikasa bread.

“That was nice of him,” said Mikasa.

Eren looked and saw a Garrison behind Armin and the girls in disgust.

“What the hell is his problem?” asked Eren angrily.

“You can’t blame him. There are just too many refugees. There was already a food shortage going on, plus the people here aren’t treated as well as citizens on the outer wall,” explained Armin.

That would explain the amount of people fighting one piece of bread,” said Rainbow Dash pointing.

A group of civilians were fighting over a piece of bread while two male Garrisons watch.

“Why should we have to give our food to some animals?” asked the Garrison. If they Titans got through the wall, they could’ve at least eaten some more people, if you ask me!”

Eren started walking towards them in anger.

“Eren!” called Armin.

“This is just gonna make the good shortage even worse,” said the Garrison.

Eren went up to the Garrison and kicked him in the shin.

The Garrison hissed in pain and looked at Eren.

“You picked the wrong man asshole!” yelled the Garrison as he punches Eren.

The other Garrison kicks Eren to the ground.

“You don’t know what it’s like! cried Eren. “You’ve never seen it! You’ve never seen what the Titans do to people!”

“Shut up!” yelled the Garrison walking towards Eren.

Armin then steps between the Garrison and Eren, while the girls check on Eren.

“I apologize! He’s just hungry and irritable! That’s why he so rudely lashed out at an adult, I’m very sorry!” assured Armin.

The Garrison realized that he is now the center of the attention.

“Man... It’s ‘cause of us that you guys aren’t starving to death. You know!” he yelled walking away. “Even you kids oughta be thankful to us!”

“Of course,” Armin said.

“Damn...I refuse to let them take care of me,” declared Eren.

All of them sit on the side of building.

“I’m going back to Wall Maria! I’m going to destroy every last Titan,” said Eren.

“Tell me you’re joking ,” said Starlight.

Eren looked at Starlight with a straight face, answering her question.

“You’re not being serious are you?” asked Armin.

“I’m serious!” yelled Eren with confidence and anger. “I’m not like those guys who do nothing but act tough inside the walls.”

“I don’t need this crap!” yelled Eren tossing the bread to Armin. He desperately juggles the bread to catch it.

“Eren! You’ll starve to death!” yelled Armin.

“When are you going to get sick of their charity too much is handed to us we have to stand up on our own two feet!” yelled Eren.

“To do what? Get eaten by a Titan?!” asked Armin. “I know that our future was beyond the walls, but it’s what you said to that man, I never seen what they could do to us!”

“So, that’s it?! This is the way life is, runaway and take what we were given!” he yelled.

“Look at us! What choice do we have here?!” yelled Armin.

“We can well damn leave!” Eren yelled. “If you want to scrape by on the charity of powers that’s your thing, but I’m not a parasite!”

Then, Mikasa jabs Eren right in the jaw and he falls to the ground. The girls got up and looked at Eren on the ground. Mikasa lowers her fist and Armin looked at Eren.

“Have you looked in the mirror lately, all of us are parasites, we couldn’t run from certain death without help, tell me differently don’t take your shortcomings out on him,” said Mikasa as Eren’s got up.

“For God’s sake we can’t even find food in our own, we’re parasites or cowards, Titans are the top of the food chain ,period. Staying alive is what matters most. Just like your mother said,” Mikasa said.

Mikasa started to walk towards Eren, grabbing the bread from Armin, and stuffs it into Eren’s mouth.

“Mikasa!” called Armin.

“You have to eat and stay alive. I won’t let her down!” she yelled.

Eren eats in shame, with tears in his eyes, and started to cry.

Several days later, the throngs of refugees were tasked with cultivating the wastelands to secure food. However food shortage was unavoidable. So, in the following year of 846, the central government sent a multitude of refugees on a mission in the name of retaking Wall Maria.

Armin’s grandfather took off his hat and planted the hat on top of Armin’s head.

Of the 250,000 sent, nearly 20% f the population, not even 200 survived. Although it wasn’t much, their sacrifices did improve the food shortage situation for the rest of the population.

Armin sat near a wall holding his grandfather’s hat, and began to cry bringing it closer to his face. Eren, Mikasa, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Starlight Glimmer were by his side.

“It’s all the Titan’s fault. If we could just subdue them. Our place in the world could be ours again,” said Eren sitting next to Armin. “Next year, I’ll be applying to join the Cadets, to become stronger to fight back.”

“I’m with you,” said Armin.

“You don’t have to go,” assured Eren.

“I do!” yelled Armin.

“I’ll join too,” said Mikasa. “What you girls?”

“We’re all joining,” said Applejack.

“Can’t wait to kick some Titan butt,” said Rainbow Dash.

“We have nothing else to do,” said Twilight.

“I want to join!” yelled Pinkie.

“Yay,” said Fluttershy.

“You all don’t have to join! You said yourself staying alive is what’s more important,” said Eren.

“Yes. That’s why I'm doing it; so you won’t die,” replied Mikasa.

Eren stood up.

“I’ll right together, then,” said Eren.

847

“Straighten those spines pissheads. The 104th Cadet Corps Class has started!” yelled a man with a thin beard on his jaw. “Allow me to introduce myself, I’m drill sergeant, Keith Sadies and you will grow to hate me! Training is going to a white knuckle ride through hell, if I done my job you’ll be waking up in cold sweat from memories of this place every night for the rest of your miserable lives! In your current state, you’d be nothing but food for the Titans! You’re mere livestock! You’re less than livestock! Over the next three years, we’re going to train you worthless nothings and teach you how to fight Titans! Three years from now, when you come face-to-face with the Titans, will you still be fodder for them?! Will you serve as an honorable barrier that protects the king?! Or will you be a glorious soldier for humanity that drives the Titans out?! It’s up to you to decide!” yelled Keith.

“Oh, I’m a fighter alright, and before I’m done with them, the Titans will grown to hate me,” Eren thought to himself.

A Dim Light Amid Despair: Humanity's Comeback, Part 1

Keith Sadies starts to walk up to the new cadets and introduces themself.

"Hey, mop-top!" called Keith.

"Sir!" replied Armin placing his right hand on his chest.

"What do they call you, maggot?!" he asked

"Armin Arlelt, from Shignashina, sir!" Armin replied.

"Wow, seriously? Why would your parents curse you with such a retarded name?" insulted Keith.

"It was my grandfather who named me, sir!" assured Armin.

"Cadet Arlelt! Why is a runt like you there?!" Keith asked.

"To contribute to mankind's victory, sir!" assured Armin.

"That is delightful to hear!" yelled Keith. "You're going to be a great light snack for them!"

Keith grabbed the top of Armin's head and turned him around facing the other way.

"Row three, about face, runt!" yelled Keith.

Keith walked towards a boy with blond hair and light brown hair, who was sweating.

"What do you call yourself?!" asked Keith

"Sir! My name is Thomas Wagner, I"m from the Trost district!" yelled Thomas.

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!" yelled Keith.

"I'm from Trost, sir! My name is Thomas," repeated Thomas

Keith then broke in.

"Shut up! Nobody cares!" he yelled. "Next!"

Keith started to walk up to a girl with gray eyes and thick black hair with pigtails.

"What do you call yourself?!" he asked.

"My name is Mina Carolina, sir! I'm from the Calaneth District!" yelled Mina.

As Mina introduced herself to Keith, a man with gray hair and glasses was walking around with another with blond hair.

"Look at him go," he said. "The man is a master when it comes to fresh-faced recruits."

"That takes me back, " said the man behind him.

"Is a pathetic worm like you the best Karaness has to offer?!" asked Keith.

"Sir! I'm afraid that's the case, sir!" she replied.

As Keith continued to yell at Mina, the two men continued to walk around.

"But, what's the point of intimidation?" asked the man behind.

"It's a rite of passage," replied the man. "Through stress and denigration we revert them into blank slates. From there, we can rebuild them bit by bit into proper soldiers. He is the first step in that process."

Keith went to to a boy with dark brown hair and silver-colored eyes.

"What do they call you cadet?" he asked.

"Sir! My name is Samuel Linke Jackson, sir! I'm from Snate!" yelled Samuel.

"Wow, I never knew you sell that crap,' insulted Keith.

"We seem to really excel at that back home, sir!" yelled Samuel.

"Row four, about face!" Keith yelled.

As the men continued to walk, the one behind notices that Keith was walking passing some cadets.

"There some he's passing by," he said

Keith walked pass a girl with blonde hair that is tied at the back and blue eyes, Eren, Mikasa, Applejack, Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight, Rainbow Dash, and many others.

"A drill instructor is nothing compared to what those recruits have seen," said the man with gray hair. "They were there, witnessing to the hell of the Titan attack two years ago. You can read it on their faces."

As both men continued to walk the man with gray started to walk out.

"Come on, lets go,' he said.

Keith walked towards a boy with short, light ash-brown hair, trimmed on the back and side, and light brown eyes.

"What do we have over here?!" asked Keith.

"Jean Kirschtein, sir! From the Trost District!" replied Jean.

"And why are you here, cadet?" Keith asked.

"To join the Military Police, sir. Best of the best," he replied.

"Oh, that's nice, you want to live in the interior, do you?" Keith asked

"Yes!" he replied.

Then, Keith headbutted Jean, causing him to hiss in pain, grabbing his head, and making him fall onto the ground.

"What... the... hell?" he muttered

"No one told you to sit, recruit!" yelled Keith. "If you can't handle this, Kirschtein, then forget about joining the Military Police!

Keith moved on to a boy with short, parted black hair, freckles on his cheeks, and light brown eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with your face, you smiling idiot?!" yelled Keith.

“Marco Bodt at your service, sir, from Jinae. South side of Wall Rose," replied Marco. "I aim to join the Military Police and give life and limb in service to the King!"

"Well, then. That makes you an idealistic fool and a rube," insulted Keith. "You want the truth?"

Keith got close to Marco's face with a angry expression scaring Marco.

"The only use the King has for your life and limbs are as Titan fodder," said Keith.

Keith moved on to Pinkie Pie, who was jumping up and down excited to introduce herself, while Marco stood in place in shock as he continued to salute.

"Ooh, ooh, ooh, I'm next, I'm next, I'm next!" yelled Pinkie in excitement as she jumped up and down.

"Shut the hell up and tell me your damn name, you pink cotton candy haired girl!" insulted Keith causing Pinkie to stop and looked at Keith with terror.

"I'm Pinkie Pie, from Shiganshina, sir!" yelled Pinkie.

"Why the hell are you here twinkle toes, if your so excited?!" he asked.

"To protect humanity from the Titans, sir!" she replied.

"That is great to hear when you're excited to see the amount of carnage in a battle," said Keith.

Keith moved on to Fluttershy, who was already terrified of Keith, while Keith moved along Pinkie Pie stood next to Marco saluting.

"Hey, you covering your face, you're next," said Keith.

"I'm Fluttershy," she said in a quiet, timid voice.

"What was that?" asked Keith. "Can you speak a little louder?!"

""It's Fluttershy," she said more quieter.

After not hearing Fluttershy's name for the second time, Keith lost it and lifting up Fluttershy off the ground, scaring her even more, and got close to her face with an angry glare on his face.

"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STATE YOUR GODDAMN NAME LOUD AND CLEAR!!!" he exploded. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

Fluttershy gave a little nod.

"WHAT?!" yelled Keith.

With a loud and clear voice, Fluttershy saluted and giving all her might.

"My name is Fluttershy, from Shiganshina, sir!" yelled Fluttershy.

After Fluttershy introduced herself, Keith let go of her, causing her to fall and land on her bottom.

"Now, how hard was that you stray animal lover," insulted Keith as he moved on to the next person. "Next!"

After that, Fluttershy could only whimper after that, but got enough strength to toughen up. Keith then moved on to a girl with pale skin, long moderate rose hair color with gray aquamarine streaks, and indigo eyes.

"Hey, cherry head, you're next," insulted Keith.

"My name is Sour Sweet, from the Trost District, sir!" she yelled.

"Wow, come to think that the name Armin was retarded, now I think that name is more retarded," insulted Keith.

"It's okay, I get a lot," said Sour Sweet in a kind voice.

"Why the hell did you moods for an insult?" he asked.

"What you mean, by that?!" she asked in a angry voice.

"Never mind that, why are you here cadet?!" asked Keith.

"To help humanity from the Titans!" said Sour Sweet.

"That is great to hear, but your emotions will get the best of you," said Keith.

Keith moved on to a girl with dark blue hair with cerulean and arctic blue streaks and gamboge eyes.

"Hey, you're next blueberry," said Keith.

"My name is Indigo Zap and I'm from the Trost District, sir!" yelled Indigo Zap.

"Why the hell are you here cadet?" he asked.

"To kill the most Titan than anyone," said Indigo Zap.

"So, your that type of person, huh?" he asked.

"What do you mean by that type?" she asked.

"You're like a goddamn 5 year old, always wanting more," he replied. "You're probably going to the first one to die cause of your cockiness, and not by a lack of strength."

"I'm not being cocky, sir!" yelled Indigo Zap.

"Shut up blueberry!" yelled Keith.

Keith moved on to another girl with light pistachio hair with light green and lime green streaks and light amber eyes.

"Hey, lettuce head you're next," said Keith.

"Right! My name is Lemon Zest, and I'm from the Trost district, sir!" yelled Lemon Zest.

"Why are you here cadet?!" asked Keith.

"To help protect humanity from the Titans, sir!" she yelled.

"I don't believe in that, look at you," said Keith. "You look like you partied yourself hard and got wasted every time."

"I only party, but I don't get wasted at all," she assured.

"Good to hear!" yelled Keith as he moved to the next person.

Keith moved on to another girl with light opalish gray hair with light arctic bluish gray streaks, orange glasses, and orchid eyes.

"Hey, cloud head state your name," demanded Keith.

"Actually, my head isn't made out water vapor, so technically I'm not a cloud," she said.

"I said your name not a goddamn lecture about what clouds are made out of!" yelled Keith

"My name is Sugarcoat, I'm from the Trost district, sir!" yelled Sugarcoat.

"Why are you here cadet?" he ask.

"To fight off the Titans from humanity!" yelled Sugarcoat.

"That is good to hear nerd!" insulted Keith.

Keith moved on to another girl with grayish mulberry hair with light raspberry streaks and cerise eyes.

"Hey, grape head you're next," Keith said.

"My name is Sunny Flare, from the Trost district, sir!" yelled Sunny Flare.

"Why the hell are you here cadet?" he asked.

"To help humanity and kills as many Titans!" she yelled.

"What are you, like blueberry over there?!" he asked. "You two are going to be the only soldiers that are going to die due to your cockiness."

"Understood!" she yelled.

Keith moved on to a short boy with a shaved head and bright hazel eyes.

"Hey, cue-ball you're next!" yelled Keith.

"Oh, me? Sir! Conny Springer, from Ragako village, sir!" yelled Conny.

Keith looked at Conny as he salutes and notices that he is saluting with left hand instead of the right hand. Keith grabbed Conny by his head and lifted him up.

"You have it backwards, Conny Springer," warned Keith. "That was the first thing you were taught. This salute represents the resolve in your heart to fight those bend on the systematic destruction of our people! Is your heart on your right side?!"

Keith spotted a girl with reddish brown hair with a ponytail that reaches her neck and light brown eyes eating a potato. Keith dropped Conny at looked at the girl.

"Hey, you there. What do you think you're doing?" he asked.

The girl looked around and gave no response and continued to eat the potato. Keith walked to the girl.

"YOU ARE OFFICIALLY ON MY SHIT LIST. JUST WHO IN THE HELL YOU ARE?!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

The girl quickly swallowed, and saluted with the potato in her right hand.

"Sasha Braus from Dauper village, at your service. Reporting for duty, sir!" she yelled.

"Sasha Braus, huh? And what is that you're clutching in your right hand?" he asked.

"A steamed potato! It sat there in the mess hall begging to be eaten, sir!" she answered.

"The theft I understand," he said. "But here? Why eat it here, of all places?"

"It looked quite delicious. And it was getting cold, so I gave it shelter in my stomach, sir" she replied.

"Why? I can't comprehend. Why would eat that potato?" he asked.

"Are you asking me why people eat potatoes?" she asked back. "I'm surprised you don't know, sir."

That caught everyone's attention shocking them, including Eren, Conny, Jean, Marco, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Armin. As Keith stood in front of Sasha waiting for an answer, she split the potato.

"Here, sir. Have half." she offered holding the split potato.

"Have half? Really?" he asked.

He looked at Sasha, who have him a smirk on her face.

Couple of Hours Later

Sasha was then punished by running around the camp. As she does her punishment, Eren, Armin, Conny, Mina, and Marco watch from a distance.

"Man, I thought Sadies was going to kill Potato Girl," said Conny.

"I know. What a hell of a first day," said Eren. "It's funny, being told to run till the sun sets didn't seem to bother her nearly has much as losing meal privileges for the next five days."

"I think she said that she's from Dauper," said Conny. "If I remember, that's a small hunting village up in the mountains."

Eren then notices a wagon pulled some people on board.

"Hey, what's that?" he asked.

"They're dropouts," Mina answered. "They'd prefer to work in the fields."

"But it's only the first day," said Armin.

'That's the way it is. If you can't handle the pressure, you've got to leave," explained Eren. "I can't believe anyone would rather pull plants than fight."

"I know about some of us, but you never mentioned where you were from, Eren," said Marco.

"The same as Armin, from Shinganshina," Eren replied putting his hand on Armin's shoulder.

Conny and Marco were surprised to hear the answer.

"Wow, that means..." Marco realized.

"You saw them. You were there that day," said Conny.

"Quiet!" yelled Marco.

"The Colossal one? Did you see him?" Conny asked.

"Yeah, I did," replied Eren.

News of Eren seeing Titans started to spread like a wildfire. At dinner time, a large group of cadets surround Eren as he eats his food.

"Yeah, okay? I saw the big guy," said Eren.

Everyone around Eren were shocked to hear and start to bombarded Eren with questions describing the Colossal Titan.

"Whoa, seriously?" asked Thomas in amazement.

"How exactly tall was he," asked Samuel.

"He stuck his head over the outer wall," Eren answered.

"I heard he steeped over the wall completely," said Daz.

"So did I," said Hannah.

"That was the rumor in my village, too!" said Franz.

"He was big, but not that big," assured Eren.

"What did it look like?" asked Mina.

"It had a mouth like a corpse. And no skin, just muscles," answered Eren.

"And the Armored Titan? The one that broke through Wall Maria?" asked a male cadet.

"Is that what they're calling it?" asked Eren. "In all that panic, it was just another Titan to mean."

"Now way. So, what were they like?" asked Samuel.

As Eren was about to eat, he stops and remembers that day where he witnessed his mother getting eaten by a Titan. Eren dropped his spoon and covered his mouth gagging. The others watch Eren in silence.

"C'mon. That enough questions, all right? I'm sure he'd rather not relive everything he went through," said Marco.

"Sorry. We didn't mean too...," said Conny until Eren broke in.

"It's not like that," said Eren as he took a bite from his bread. "Those stupid Titans. They're not that big of a deal. If we focus on mastering the omni-directional mobility gear they gave us. Then, it's Titan payback time! I've waited years to be trained as a soldier. All of a sudden, the reality is sinking in. I'm joining the Scout Regiment. Then, I'm sending the Titans back to hell. I'll butcher'em.”

On the other side, Jean was listening to Eren's story and interrupted him.

"Hey, are you crazy or something?" Jean asked. "Not that it's my business but signing up for the Scouts is like a death sentence."

"I guess we'll see. Or at least I will," said Eren. "You seem content in the interior with the MPs."

"Look, I'm just speaking honestly here, kid," said Jean. "I think it's better than being some loud-mouthed braggart tough-guy wannabe pretending he's not piss-scared as the rest of us."

"Are you trying to pick up a fight?" Eren asked as he got up from his spot.

"Stop it, you guys!" warned Marco.

"All right, sure," said Jean as he got up from his spot. "Makes no difference to me."

Both Jean and Eren were face-to-face, until the sound of a bell was heard alerting them all.

"Right, I'm sorry," apologized Jean. "It wasn't my place to doubt you.

Jean offered his hand to Eren,

"Let's call it even, " said Jean.

"It was my fault, too" stated Eren as he slapped his hand and walked away.

Jean watched at Eren as he walked away. Mikasa started to follow Eren, passing by Jean. When Jean saw Mikasa, he saw Mikasa's long, glossy, soft, silky, black hair blowing against the wind. Jean was shocked to see the shear beauty of Mikasa's hair.

"Um, excuse me!" called Jean.

Mikasa stopped walking and looked back to a blushing Jean.

"I, uh... I just wanted... I mean, I've seen anyone like you before," stuttered Jean. "I mean, uh... I'm... I'm sorry."

Jean couldn't find his next set of words and come up with something.

"You really have beautiful black hair," complimented Jean.

"Thank you," thanked Mikasa as she started to walk away.

Jean stood there smitten by Mikasa and started to run to catch up to her. He goes outside on the porch and looked around and saw Mikasa walking with Eren.

"Would you lay off? It's no big deal," said Eren.

"It's just that you get so worked up you don't think things through," she warned.

"Again with this?" he asked. "If you insist on worrying, worry about how long your hair is. It's going to catch up with you in a bad way when we start on the ODMs."

Mikasa looked at her hair and agreed and though about it for a second.

"Okay, fine. I'll cut it," she said. "How short should I go?"

"Whatever fits you," said Eren."So how are the girls doing?"

"They're doing alright, expect for Fluttershy," she stated.

"It's been a couple laters, shouldn't she be over that?" asked Eren.

"Well, she is shy after all, and she's not getting use to being yelled at," said Mikasa.

"I've seen her getting yelled at a lot of times," said Eren.

"Well, it's Keith not some adult we know," she said.

Back on the porch, a devastated Jean looked on as Mikasa walked off with Eren. Conny hums as he passes by Jean. Jean rubbed his hand down at Conny's shirt, alerting him.

"What the hell? Leave my clothes alone, goddamnit!" yelled Conny as he scratches the back of the shirt.

"What'd you wipe on me?" he asked.

"Don't worry. Just my trust," answered Jean.

Later, Sasha had finished her punishment and started walk towards a torch and falling near it from exhaustion.

"I'm finished," Sasha muttered.

She closes her eyes for a little nap. A figure appeared walking towards the exhausted Sasha. She sniffed at the scent of food and immediately woke up. She lunged at a girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She fell on her bottom and looked at terror of Sasha's animalistic behavior. She stopped and looked at what she had in her mouth.

"Could it be," she thought.

"It's bread!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry there isn't anymore," apologized the girl. "It's all I could take."

Sasha looked back at the girl.

"Hey, hang on. You really should drink a little water first," she offered.

Sasha was amazed at the beauty of the girl and went up to her.

"Are you a Goddess?" Sasha asked.

The girl was confused at what Sasha was doing. Then, a slender woman, with golden eyes, brown hair, and freckles on her cheeks appeared behind them.

"Hey Christa, what are you two doing?" she asked.

Both of them stopped and looked at the woman, and Sasha started to wolf down the bread she had.

"We, uh, she's been running all day, without food or water," explained Christa.

"I see. So you're trying to be nice," said the girl.

Sasha then swallowed the bread and she fell and her head fell on Christa's lap as she started to sleep from exhaustion.

"What's the point of breaking the rules for Potato Girl?" asked the woman. "That mindless act of kindness get absolutely nowhere."

Christa and the woman looked at each other.

"Whatever," sighed the woman as she carried Sasha. "Let's get her to bed."

"I'm confused Ymir. Are you trying to be nice?" asked Christa.

"I'm helping her so that she'll owe me one in the future," explained Ymir. "I intend to make use of her stupidity."

On the other side of the camp, Sunset Shimmer and the other girls were in their dorms.

"What a hell of a first day," said Rainbow Dash.

"It sure is," said Applejack.

"I'm already sweating," said Rarity in disgust.

"I though that a first day would be calm and not this," said Pinkie Pie.

"That Keith guy is scary," said Fluttershy.

"Well, he is the former commander of the Scouts," said Twilight Sparkle. "You'll get use to me, eventually."

"I hope so," said Fluttershy.

As the girls continued to talk about their first day in the camp, the dorm door opens. All of them look at see Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sugarcoat, and Sunny Flare entering the cabin.

"Hey, is this dorm 4?" asked Sour Sweet.

"This is dorm 4," Sunset Shimmer.

"Great, there's people here," Sour Sweet groaned.

"There are always people sharing dorms, that is the whole point," said Starlight Glimmer.

"Oh, I didn't know that, I'm sorry," apologized Sour Sweet.

"Wow, Keith was right, she does change moods quickly," whispered Rainbow Dash.

Applejack nodded.

"Excuse her, she tends to change moods," said Sugarcoat. "You'll get use to her in a couple of days."

"Right," said Rainbow Dash.

"We haven't heard some of your names, yet," said Sunny Flare. "You mind telling us who you are?"

"Sunset Shimmer."

"Twilight Sparkle."

"Applejack."

"Rainbow Dash."

"Pinkie Pie."

"Rarity."

"Starlight Glimmer."

"Fluttershy."

"Aren't the one that Keith yelled at you?" asked Indigo Zap.

Fluttershy was too shy to even talk about her first introduction towards Keith. She only replied with a nod.

"Well thats what happen if you don't speak up like a real man," said Indigo Zap.

"Hey, leave her alone," said Rainbow Dash, defending Fluttershy. "It's literally in her name, so what did you expect?"

"Okay, whatever you say," said Indigo Zap. "But she won't beat me in the Titan killing race with that personality."

"So, you're that type of person that makes a competition of everything," said Rainbow Dash.

"What, I want to show people that I'm awesome at killing Titans, when I'm alone," said Indigo Zap with confidence.

"You know that killing Titans is easier in a team," stated Twilight Sparkle.

"Okay, let's break this up," said Starlight Glimmer.

"Hey Pinkie Pie," called Lemon Zest.

"Yeah," said Pinkie Pie.

"You said that you were from the Shiganshina?' she asked.

"Yep, all of us are from Shiganshina," said Pinkie.

"That means, you saw Titans," realized Sugar Coat.

Before Pinkie Pie was about to speak, Rainbow Dash broke in.

"We can tell stories later," said Rainbow Dash sitting on the top bunk.

"We need some sleep," yawned Rainbow. "Tomorrow, we train for the ODMs."

"Right, one step closer to fighting Titans," said Indigo.

"Well, not really one step closer, we have a lot to train before fighting Titans," said Twilight Sparkle as she tucked her glasses in her case.

"Well, tomorrow is going to a busy day," said Rarity as she placed her sleep mask over her eyes.

The rest of them found all the open beds and tucked them in and taking out stuff that was in their bags.

"Good night," said Sunset Shimmer as she turned off the light.

The next morning, Keith set up the ODM training equipment. Many cadets listened to Keith as he spoke about their training.

"It's aptitude test time, so listen up!" yelled Keith. "There is no place for you here if you can't preform! Fail and be shipped to the fields."

Many cadets were strapped on and were lifted, some of them were trying to balance on them, others fell hitting the ground, while others easily kept their balance and stood there.

'We're just drilling the fundamentals here," said the man with gray hair. "You can tell a cadet's knack for it just by watching."

The man spotted something in the distance.

"Like her," said the man to Mikasa. "Completely steady."

Mikasa, now her hair was cut like Armin's hair, was on the equipment and floated there keeping her balance easily and surprising many of the cadets watching her.

"She inherently knows what to do and how to make it happen," said the man. "That's what aptitude is all about."

Conny, Sasha, Jean, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, and the other girls kept their balance, especially Pinkie, who was jumping up and down at the fun.

"What about this guy," pointed the other man.

The man adjusted his glasses to see what was going on.

"That's precisely why we run these tests," said the man. "He proves that drive and dedication don't always translate into capability."

Eren was upside down and was struggling to get back up. The other cadets could only watch him as he struggled.

"What is your major malfunction, Jaegar?!" yelled Keith. "Straighten yourself up!"

Eren could only watch some of the cadets laughed at him quietly.

"Why am I... How do I work this thing?" he thought. "This can't be happening."

Later on during sunset, Mikasa and Armin were outside, giving advice to Eren, who was strapped to the belt.

"Just remember that basics and you should be find. No need to try any fancy maneuvers," said Mikasa. "Unless, your Pinkie Pie, who managed to turn this into a trampoline."

"Yeah," said Armin, who was behind Eren.

"Just focus on your balance. Then distribute your weight evenly between the belts on your waist and your legs," explained Mikasa.

"Loosen up your stance a little bit," Armin added. "If I could do it, I know you could do it."

"Okay, a loose stance but balanced. Let's give it a shot, Armin," said Eren.

Armin nodded and started to turn the handle. Eren started to get lifted, but when he was lifted he was flipped over and slammed his head on the ground, knocking him out.

At night, several cadets started to tease Eren about his training on the ODM.

"Hey, Daz. He was talking big about butchering all the Titans, but got real quiet after ODM training, didn't he?" asked a male cadet with short brown hair.

"I guess it's the fields for him tomorrow," said Daz. "Can't keep wasting the food on the useless."

"Eren," called Mikasa.

"Worrying won't solve a thing," said Armin. "There's still time to get some practice in."

"How pathetic. How am I going to kill them if I can't stand up straight?" asked Eren.

"It might be time to let that dream die," suggested Mikasa.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I think you should give up this attempt to be a soldier," Mikasa replied. "There's a lot more to fighting and combat than just throwing your life away in vain."

"What are you saying," he asked. "After everything we saw that day, after what happened to my mom, you're crazy if you think I'm just going to walk away."

"I get it. But it doesn't matter how determined you are," said Mikasa.

"Wat, what do you mean?" he asked again.

"Because, whether or not you're fit to be a solider isn't up to you," she explained.

Then the bell rung signaling them all, expect Mikasa. The others started to grab their plates and started to walk off.

"You misunderstand, I'm not saying you should return to the fields by yourself. I wouldn't dream of it, because wherever you go. I'm going with you," said Mikasa.

To her surprise, Eren wasn't sitting next her, but Sasha was sitting where Eren sat. The cafeteria was empty and Mikasa and Sasha were the only ones there.

"Uh, are you going to finish that?" asked Sasha pointing to the bread.

Mikasa was about to give Sasha her bread, but then ate it herself.

At the dorm, Eren was desperately asking people for advice for on the ODM training.

"What's the trick to posture control?" asked Conny. "Hard to say. Guess I got a gift. You've just gotta feel it, you know."

"I'm trying to figure out your trick. You've screwed up every way imaginable," teased Jean.

"Please, guys. You gotta help me, I'm begging you," begged Eren.

"That's funny, wasn't yesterday you said, If you can't handle the pressure, you've got to leave?" he asked.

Eren was in shocked, knowing that he said those words and were starting to catch him up.

"No. wait. Or was it, If you're a complete idiot, you've got to leave?" Something like that," said Conny.

Next, Eren went to the top of the bunk to a boy with short blond hair and gold eyes, and a tall boy, with short black hair and pale green eyes.

"Oh. come on. I heard from everyone that you're both really good at it! Bertholdt! Reiner!" begged Eren.

"Sorry, kid. But there isn't any special trick to just hanging there. Not to be hard harsh but if it's advice you want, I'm not really that type of guy," said Reiner.

"All right," said Eren.

"Let's hope it all come to you tomorrow," said Armin.

As they were about to leave Bertholdt started to talk.

"Hold on. Aren't the two of you from Shingashina?" asked Bertholdt.

"Yeah, that's right," said Armin.

"Then, you know first-hand how terrifying they are. Why on earth would you want to be soldiers," he asked.

Both Eren and Armin looked at each other and then to Bertholdt.

"I didn't see the things Eren did, he saw their bloodlust first before anyone realized how bad it was," explained Armin. "And I... I knew I couldn't sit idly by as the royal government forced the citizenry into the failed territory retrieval operation.

"I see," said Bertholdt.

"Where are you two from?" Armin asked.

"Oh, Reiner and I? We were both from a mountain village just Southeast of Wall Maria," Bertholdt replied.

"Then that means...," said Armin.

"Yeah. Unlike the more prosperous river towns, our village didn't receive word right away. The Titans were on us before we even knew what was going on," he explained. "It happened at dawn. All the livestock were so restless. Soon after, we heard these strange rumblings that just became louder and louder. Eventually, I realized those rumblings were the sound of death getting closer. I looked out my window and..."

Berthodlt stopped talking, and Armin gulped.

"After that, well, uh, everything was a blur," he continued. "I think we all just panicked."

"Hey, easy now, you're just getting yourself worked up again," said Reiner.

"Sorry," apologized Bertholdt.

Bertholdt continued to talk.

"Basically, what I've been trying to say is this. The four of us aren't like the rest of them," said Bertholdt.

"Thes, who?" asked Armin.

"The others here who have never witnesses to the Titan's horror," replied Bertholdt.

Around the dorm, many cadets were having fun and cracking jokes with each other, instead of feeling scared.

Bertholdt, Eren, Armin, and Reiner went out their dorm and started to walk away. Bertholdt started talking with a lamp in his hand.

"Most of them are here to show. To do just what society expects," he said. In a world where you're labelled a coward if you choose fieldwork by the time you turn 12 property demands our service. With that said, I'm really no different from the others.

All of them started to follow a path, following a rocky path.

"I joined the ranks hoping for assignment to the Military Police, tucked away in the interior," explained Bertholdt. "If that doesn't work out, I'll give up entirely. I don't have the fortitude for anything else."

'There's no shame in caring about your life, Bertholdt," assured Armin. "We all do."

Bertholdt went over a tree branch, and Reiner started to talk.

"I'm going to return to the home that was taken from me. That's all I care about," declared Reiner. "I will do it. No matter what."

What about you? Why did you sign up?" asked Bertholdt.

"I joined so I could kill them all," declared Eren.

Reiner and Bertholdt looked back at Eren.

"I won't stop till every single damn Titan is dead," declared Eren. 'Dead. Every last one."

Reiner was impressed by Eren's determination on killing the Titans.

"You saw what those monster are capable of and you still want to take them on?" asked Reiner.

"Damn right," replied Eren. "It's just after screwing up the training, I don't know if I'll be a soldier.

All of them stopped at a cliff side and looked on. The clouds started to clear and the moon was shinning bright revealing a beautiful scenery of a huge lake and trees.

"We'll take it from step one: belt adjustment," said Reiner. "I know you've got what it takes. I can see it in you, Eren Jeager. Am I wrong?"

"No! I won't fail," said Eren. "Thank you Reiner."

The very next day, Eren was strapped to the equipment, ready. Keith stood in front of him.

"Eren Jeager. Are you ready?" asked Keith.

"Yes, sir!" yelled Eren.

"I'm going to do it. I have to," he thought. "I may not be as talented as the rest. But nobody, nobody, has more guts!"

Reiner, Bertholdt, Armin, Mikasa, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight Glimmer watched him, along with the other cadets.

"You can do it, Eren!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"Proceed," said Keith.

Then, Thomas started turn the handle. Eren started to get lifted up spreading out his arms a little to keep his balance.

"The moment of truth. I won't fail again. To hell with working the damn fields!" he thought.

All of them watched in amazement as Eren kept his balance as he was lifted.

"I'm not giving up. Not without a fight!" he thought.

Eren then was balanced and the other cadets cheered him on at his success.

"I'm going do it!" he thought.

Much to his excitement, he started to lose his balance and was flipped upside down. All were shocked at the sight of Eren flipping. Keith continued to and notices something. Eren tried his best to get back up.

"Once more! I can do it!" he yelled.

"Lower him," said Keith.

Eren was lowered, but had a sense of defeat in him.

"I'm finished," he whispered.

"Wagner! Please exchange belts with Mr. Jeager," said Keith.

"Yes, sir!" Thomas replied.

Everyone was shocked. Eren then put on Thomas's belt and was lifted. Much of his surprise he was keeping his balance more easily. Keith showed his belt and showed it that the clasp was broken.

"Your equipment was defective," stated Keith. "If given a piece of functional gear, you might not have been worthless after all. Quartermaster, didn't notice this broken clasp. Might have to visit the Supple Depot and crack a couple of skulls."

The other cadets were surprised on how Eren managed to balance on a broken belt. This even surprised Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, and Lemon Zest.

"That Eren guy is determined," said Indigo Zap.

"I didn't even know it was even possible to balance on a broken belt," said Sugarcoat.

"He still did it. Even while wearing that busted gear," said a male cadet.

"Amazing," said another.

"So, you mean I... I didn't wash out?" asked Eren.

"You made the cut," replied Keith. "Now keep training, cadet!"

Hearing this Eren lifted both his hand up in the air.

"i did it. I really did!" yelled Eren.

"Way to go, Eren!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

"Well, I'll be," said Applejack.

"You rock Eren, woohoo," said Fluttershy.

Pinkie Pie jumped up and down at Eren.

"You did Eren!" she yelled.

"Check it out, Mikasa! I'm doing it! I can fight Titans!" he thought.

Mikasa stood there in shock at Eren as was floating.

"You don't have to worry about me! Not anymore!" he thought

"It seems like things worked out for him," said Reiner.

"Look, his eyes are saying, "Check me out!", said Armin.

"They're not," corrected Mikasa. "His eyes are saying he doesn't have to leave me. Not anymore."

Armin, Bertholdt, and Reiner looked at Mikasa with confusion.

"Grisha. Today should bring your pride. Your son is a soldier!"

At sundown, Keith rode his horse down a forest and looked at the cadets swinging from tree to tree. Eren swung across the tree and dodge all the incoming branches. He then swung high enough to be above the trees and looked at the sun setting.

The Night of the Closing Ceremony: Humanity's Comeback, Part 2

In the year 845, two terrifying new breeds of Titan appeared, the Colossal and the Armored, barrelling through the outer walls as if wholesale destruction was child's play. In blood and thunder, our way of life ended. The Titans fed their hunger for human flesh unchecked. The territory couched within the circle of Wall Maria was abandoned. Twenty percent of the human race perished and one-third of our territory was lost. As the Titan onslaught advanced, our only choice was to withdraw behind Wall Rose."

850

2 years after joining the Cadets

In was pouring where the cadets were training. All of them had to carry weighted backpacks in the rain and had to walk through the forest.

"Pick up the pace, you lead heeled laggards!" yelled Keith riding his horse.

He looks at the cadets walking, and backs up to see Armin falling behind.

"Your boots waterlogged, Arlelt?" asked Keith. "Let's see some hustle! Gear too heavy for you, son? Hell, drop it! Leave it in the mud! The Titan's will have an easier work digesting you without all the excess baggage!"

"Dammit," panted Armin.

"Seriously?" said Reiner taking Armin's backpack. "Here, focus on staying upright. We're being grading on this you know?"

"Thanks, but won't they demerit your grade for helping?" asked Armin.

"Yeah if they find out," replied Reiner. "Just make the cut and we're even."

Armin tried to keep up with Reiner as Keith looked back.

"Reiner Braun. The mind and constitution of a grass-fed ox. Respected by his comrades."

Reiner started to pick speed, as Armin stayed behind.

"I'm no one's burden, you hear me?" said Armin.

He caught up to Reiner and grabbed his backpack and sent in front of the other cadets.

"Armin Arlelt. Built like a daffodil, but academically brilliant."

On the next day, giant Titan cutouts with a patch covering the nap of the cutout were placed over the forest. Keith stood on a nearby tree to watch. Then, Bertholdt, a girl with blonde hair, and Jean came swinging at it. The girl and Bertholdt made deep gashes along the patch, while Jean made a small gash.

"Annie Leonhart. Gifted with a sword but does not exactly play well with others."

"Bertholdt Hoover. Heaps of native talent but too mild-mannered."

"Jean Kirschtein. Head of the class on ODM, also an insufferable smartass with a hair-trigger temper.

Jean hopped off a branch and started swinging across the forest.

"Think those show-offs can slice and dice? Best hope you see a Titan before I do!" he thought.

Jean started to swing more faster than the others and dodging everything that was in his way.

"Military Police. Save a place for Jean," he thought

Jean stopped another Titan cutout, just before he was about to go for it, he heard a voice.

"Way to lead the charge!" yelled Conny.

Conny leaped from tree to tree to go after the Titan cutout.

'You don't care if I steal your thunder, right?" he asked.

Conny swung at the cutout, but before he was about to slice, two people come in a blur and two gashes appeared, surprising Conny. Sasha and Pinkie Pie were having fun in training and high-five each other as both were swinging.

"Sasha Braus. Unusually fine instincts. Rarely shares them with her teammates."

"Pinkie Pie. Shows her instincts to her comrades but lacks self-control."

Conny Springer. Agile on the switchbacks but a few sandwiches shy of a picnic."

On the other side, more cutouts were present. Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash came swinging towards the cutout. All four of them made deep gashes.

"Nice one," said Rainbow Dash to Indigo Zap.

"Thanks, but I think I made a deeper gash than you," said Indigo Zap.

"Oh yeah?" smirked Rainbow Dash. "Let's see who can make the deepest gash to the next cutout!"

"Girls, this no time to play games," said Applejack. "That darn Keith is watching."

"This is why I prefer training solo," groaned Sour Sweet

"Rainbow Dash. Fast on ODM and Titan killing a fine soldier but makes everything a competition."

"Indigo Zap. Similar to Rainbow Dash, but has a compassionate side for her comrades."

"Applejack. A strong and determined soldier. Respected by her comrades."

"Sour Sweet. A quick and agile soldier, but the mood swings get in the way."

More cutouts were propped up. Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, and Sugarcoat came in swinging at their targets. All of them made deep gashes at the target.

"Sunset Shimmer. A soldier that proves to be a strong one."

"Starlight Glimmer. A soldier that lacks confidence, but repairs it afterwards."

"Sugarcoat. Built like a gladiolus, strong and is smart, but overly blunt and cynical towards others."

Then, five cutouts were in place. Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and Fluttershy all each went for their own target. Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, and Twilight made big gashes, while Rarity and Fluttershy made small gashes. Sunny Flare looked back at the cutouts.

"Come on now, you two can do better than that," said Sunny Flare.

"Well excuse me, I was never good with third-class weaponry," explained Rarity.

"Could you two just shut up!" yelled Lemon Zest. "I'm trying to have fun here and you two are ruining it!"

"Sunny Flare. A poised soldier but an arrogant one."

"Twilight Sparkle. Built like a fighter and is equally smart as Armin."

"Lemon Zest. A brave soldier never willing to back down, but has to control her wild and obnoxious behavior."

"Rarity. A generous soldier, but always whines about everything."

"Fluttershy. A soldier that has yet to show some confidence in her, let's everything intimidate her.."

On the other side of the forest, the final two cutouts were placed. Mikasa and Eren swung at their targets. Mikasa made two deep gashes on each one. Eren made a small gash to one of the cutouts.

"Dammit! Still not deep enough!" he thought.

"Mikasa Ackerman. Model cadet. Excels in everything. In fact, it's no overstatement to call the girl a genius."

"Eren Jaeger. Lackluster in the classroom, marginally better in the field. But driven by a sense of purpose that's almost terrifying."

Later on, the cadets are on a training field, practicing hand-to-hand combat. Reiner charges into Eren with a wooden dagger. Eren grabbed Reiner and lifted him and slammed him onto the ground. Reiner hissed in pain at the strength of Eren.

"Sorry, man I've really gotta learn to hold back," said Eren offering his hand to Reiner.

Reiner grabbed on to Eren's hand and he got up.

"It's alright, Let's see how you do as the Rogue," said Reiner offering the wooden dagger. "What are you waiting for?"

"This training doesn't make sense," replied Eren. "We're not exactly picking fights with someone our own size. A guy would have to be stupid to use this. I mean a knife?"

"What is there's not an option?" Reiner asked. "The fight doesn't give us a say. If it wants to get ugly, it gets ugly. It's your job to be prepared. The enemy comes in different forms. Artillery's not always going to be the answer. Soldiers, the one worth their salt anyway, are ready for anything."

Reiner turned around to someone.

"Don't believe me? Look," said Reiner.

Annie was just walking around the training ground and not engaging in practice, but only watching.

Yeah? What about Annie?" he asked. "Only thing she's ready for is a chance to slack off."

"You think so?" Reiner asked. "Maybe somebody ought to give her a talking to. Give her a little hard knocks lesson in preparedness."

Eren could only have a look of confusion. Annie walked towards Reiner and looked up at him.

"Commandant not beaten you down enough? Keep it up, you'll be as flat as the dirt you're walking on, I would suggest you think back to why you enlisted in the first place," teased Reiner.

"What are you doing?" Eren asked.

Eren looked at Annie, by now had an angry glare on her face.

"Whoa, she's pissed," he thought with a nervous look. "Wow, I thought she looked scary before. You couldn't pay me enough to be on her bad side."

Reiner placed both of his hands on Eren's shoulders.

"Okay! Now go get her," said Reiner pushing Eren towards Annie.

"What the hell? Wait!" yelled Eren.

Annie placed her right foot behind, lifting both her fist, and got into her fighting stance.

"Alright Annie, I hope you don't expect me to hold back," said Eren. "Heads up!"

Eren started to charge at Annie, who then kicked him in the shin. Eren cringed in pain and fell down to the ground.

"Ugh, son of a... That was a dirty move," hissed Eren as he tried to get up, but to only fall back down.

"Are we done here?" she asked annoyed.

"Not just yet. You know the drill, take up the dagger," said Reiner.

Annie sighed in annoyance and looked back at Eren, who just got back up.

"No, wait!" he yelled. "This is how..."

Annie started to walk towards Eren.

"Oh, crap."

Annie pinned Eren's arm and kicked him, causing him to flip and drops in on his head. Eren hissed in pain, while Reiner watched Eren on the ground.

"There," said Annie tossing the wooden dagger.

"So you ready to take me on yourself yet or what?" she asked.

"Not exactly," he replied.

"Don't you dare," hissed Eren. "She's got a lesson coming, right? You go get her."

Reiner looked at Annie, who was giving him an angry glare.

"Right," he sighed. "A soldier can't really afford to back down, either."

Reiner then gave Annie and angry glare back.

"Alright here I come!" yelled Reiner.

Reiner was then on his back using the same technique she used on Eren. Annie started to walk away from her "training."

"That's some technique you got," complimented Eren. "Who taught you how to fight like that?"

"My father did," she replied.

"Did he, like pioneer it or..." said Eren.

Annie broke in.

"Does it really matter?" she asked. "It's pointless, just like all this."

"Wait, you mean the training in general?" he asked.

"Hand-to-hand combat doesn't really count against our final grade," she replied. "The smart ones blow it off. It's a crapshoot, anyway. Only the top fifteen cadets get to serve in the Interior. The rest of us? Forget it. Point is, only the idiots like you take this part of boot camp seriously."

Marco and another cadet where practicing, Mikasa dodged Christa's attack, while Sasha and Conny were doing kung fu stances. Keith came to both of them and lifted Conny by grabbing his heead.

"Idiots and whatever they are," she continued.

She then drove the dagger towards Eren, but Eren blocked it.

"First rule of this life, kid. The better you are dropping the bad guys, the more distance the powers that be put between you," she said. "That's what this whole stupid farce is about."

"Sure, whatever you say," said Eren pushing Annie back.

Annie then performed a sweep kick on Eren, causing him to fall and land on his back. Annie then got the dagger and placed it a couple of inches away from Eren's throat.

"Face it. You don't fight the nature of things and win," said Annie.

She got back up with the dagger in her hand.

"Look around you, Eren," she said. "All the sons of bitches really expect us to do is play the game. Don't be a pawn."

Annie then walked away from Eren and Reiner.

"Yeah, well I still stand by what I said earlier," Reiner stated.

"I've been so fixated on building myself up. I couldn't see it," Eren thought. "She's absolutely right. They're not honing their skills to fight. They're honing their skill to run."

Then, the bell run alerting all the cadets in the training grounds.

"Well, that's the signal," said Reiner. "Come on, lets go."

"Right," said Eren.

As they were heading back, Bertholdt caught up to Reiner.

"Hey Eren," called Starlight Glimmer.

"Oh hey, Starlight," greeted Eren. "Where are the rest of them?"

"We're here!" yelled Sunset Shimmer.

"How was the training for you girls?" Eren asked.

"It was alright," replied Rainbow Dash.

As Eren continued to talk, Bertholdt and Reiner were behind waiting.

"You know they are?" asked Bertholdt.

"Beats me," shrugged Reiner.

"Hey Reiner, Bertholdt!" called Eren. "Come meet my friends."

"Well, looks like we're about to find out," said Bertholdt.

"Girls, I want to meet my friends, Bertholdt and Reiner," said Eren.

"Nice to meet you all," said Bertholdt.

"We haven't heard your names yet," said Reiner. "Do you mind stating them?"

"Sunset Shimmer."

"Pinkie Pie."

"Applejack."

"Rainbow Dash."

"Twilight Sparkle."

"Rarity."

"Fluttershy."

"Starlight Glimmer."

"Well, nice to meet you all," said Reiner.

"Nice at meet you two," said Applejack.

"Thanks," Reiner thanked. "Come on Eren, lets go."

"Right, talk to you girls later," said Eren.

Later that night, everyone was at the cafeteria eating. Eren could only look at his rival, Jean, who was talking to Marco.

"I know, okay?" said Armin. "And look, I'm not saying it's right it's just the way things are. Before Wall Maria was compromised, ODM experts were rare. Only Scouts ever risked proximity to Titans, and their regiment wasn't large to begin with."

"The key is to rev it before you leap, just for a sec," said Jean. "That's how you converse fuel, let your momentum do the work for you."

"Wow, that's advanced," said Marco.

"It's called having a sixth sense for the finer points of your gear," said Jean looking at Mikasa. "You gotta do the struct if you want to make the cut. The MP only recruit the best."

"Man, that'd be amazing. Working within a stone's throw of the King. No greater honor than that," said Marco as he drank his cup.

"Shut up Marco," said Jean slapping Marco's back causing his drink to spill. "We're not children, you can drop the misty-eyed BS. Honor doesn't have any damn part of it. You just want a nice, cushy job in the Interior playing glorified sentry."

"That's not true! That's not me at all!" assured Marco.

"Listen to you guys," said Eren. "Five years ago, that was part of it."

"You got a point to make friend?" Jean asked. "I'm right here."

"Poor Jean. So misguided," said Eren. "Besides, I don't think your head will fit in the Interior anyway."

Everyone in the building started to giggle at Eren's comment.

"Very funny," said an annoyed Jean.

"Seems a little backwards to me. Fine-tuning your Titan killing skills so the brass'll station you somewhere you'll never see one," said Eren.

"You'd rather I was good at getting killed?" he asked. "Thank you but I'll pass. Better to play the system than getting gnawed on."

An enraged Eren got up from his seat.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!" he yelled.

"BRING IT ON, YOU LITTLE BASTARD!!!" Jean yelled.

"Eren, stop!" yelled Armin.

Both Eren and Jean was face-to-face and gave them angry glares at each other. Eren grabbed Jean's vest. Mikasa got up and got between them.

"Gentlemen, please," said Mikasa grabbing and setting Eren's hand down.

Jean then grabbed Eren's shirt.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN JUDGE ME?!" yelled Jean.

"YOU RIP MY SHIRT, YOU'RE DEAD!!!" Eren yelled.

"I DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR SHIRT! YOU PISS ME OFF!" Jean yelled.

"WHAT?! ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Eren yelled

Eren looked at Reiner and Annie, who were looking at him. He then remembers something.

"Oh wait, I see. He has something to prove. Sounds familiar." he thought. "Sorry to do this."

Eren grabbed Jeans arm and kicked his leg, causing Jean to flip and land on his back. Jean hissed in pain as he landed on the ground. Eren turned around and looked back at Jean on the floor.

"Dammit!" hissed Jean grabbing his head. "What the hell was that move?"

"Little something I picked up this afternoon while you were busy with your thumb up your ass," replied Eren. "You honestly believe the Military Police are the ticket to the good life? You're not a soldier. you're just a joke."

After that it was quiet as everybody watched. Then, a door creeks open as Keith peered in.

"Would someone care to explain the little ruckus I heard just now?" he asked. "I hope everything's all right."

Everybody was quiet. Eren and Jean went back to their seats remaining quiet. Mikasa then raised her hand up.

"Sasha passed some gas, commandant," she replied.

Sasha was horrified at the comment. Everyone only giggled to contain their laughter.

"Why am I not surprised?" he questioned.

Sasha was speechless and Keith went back to his office.

"For the love of God, learn some self-control," he said closing the door.

Sasha started to bother Mikasa and asking her the same question, while Jean and Eren could only gave angry glares to each other. Mikasa then grabbed her bread and started to compensating her with the bread.

Of the original recruits, 218 cadets graduated. Some with honors.

"Do you have heart?!" yelled a man with blond hair.

"Sir!" all of the cadets replied, saluting.

"As of this moment, you have three options open to you. Choose wisely," said the man. "The Garrison Regiment, whose job is to reinforce the Walls. The Scout Regiment, who ride into Titan country to take back what was once ours. And the MP Regiment, maintaining law and order under from His Royal Majesty. Those cadets eligible for the MP have already been named. The rest of you, take a look, these are the top of your class."

As Christa Lenz, Sasha Braus, Conny Springer, Twilight Sparkle, Marco Bodt, Jean Kirschtein, Eren Jaeger, Applejack, Sunny Flare, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Annie Leonhart, Bertholdt Hoover, Reiner Braun, and the top solider, Mikasa Ackerman stood in place saluting.

"This is it," Eren thought. "We've made it. Our time is now. Titans, be ready."

Later on, all the cadets all celebrate their graduation in a building as some were thinking on the future.

"All right! MP, here I come!" yelled Conny.

"Three square meals a day for life!" yelled Sasha.

Jean sat on a bench with a drink in his hand looking at Eren,

"How in god's name did I get ranked under Eren?" he questioned as he took a drink.

On the other side of the building, Eren, Armin, Mikasa were surrounded by other cadets.

"You're really going to turn your back on the MP for the Scouts?" asked Thomas. "Why in the would you do that? You're in the top ten.

"The Scouts have always been my goal," replied Eren. "I don't want the easy life. Not with all the work I've put in. I trained to fight Titans."

"Are you insane?!" yelled Thomas, alerting all the cadets in the building.

"How many people have died?" he continued. "We're talking a fifth of the population! If that doesn't paint a picture for you, I don't know what will. This is our life now. We can't beat them."

"Yeah? So?" he replied. "We buckle? Take it all lying down?.

"Things have changed," Eren continued. "Maybe not a hell of a lot but enough. They aren't the mystery they were five years ago. There's still a long way to but we've made progress. Every battle we lost taught us a lesson, gave us the tiniest inroad toward something like hope. You're telling me it's better to cut our losses? Let all the death and destruction be meaningless? Just to ball up and accept? Not on your life! Humanity's future lies outside the walls, and I'm going to clear the way! I'm going to take back what was ours! I'll drive them out. And as long as at least of us can say that, we're not done."

Everyone around Eren was silence at the speech. Eren then storms out angirly, Armin, Mikasa followed Eren, so did Sunset Shimmer and the rest of the girls.

"Eren, wait!" yelled Armin.

"Where are we going?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Yeah, good luck out there hotshot. I'll root for you from His Majesty's barracks," he though with sarcastically.

Outside, Eren sat on a step wiping his eyes. He looked back to see Mikasa, Armin, and his friends coimng towards him. All of them sat along side the step.

"That was quite a speech you gave us there," complimented Armin.

"Yeah. Most of it was yours," Eren said. "All that stuff you used to say back in the day."

"Yeah, well I'm joining the Scout Regiment, too!" Armin stated.

"Now you're just being stupid," said Eren. "You're not a fighter! Your life is with books."

"I'm through with letting other people fight for me," said Armin.

"Guess it's the Scouts for me, too, then," Mikasa stated.

"Oh, come on! You're top of the class," said Eren. "You'd be wasting your shot!"

"Understand this, Eren. Where you go, I go," Mikasa stated. "I made a promise to your mother before she died. I'm not letting you die. I got your back whether you like it or not."

"Yeah. Well, mom's not here," said Eren grabbing his head.

"A lot of people I used to care about aren't here, either," said Mikasa

Eren turned around to the other girls.

"What about all of you?" he asked.

"It's the Scouts," Rainbow Dash replied.

"What, why?!" asked Eren.

"We're all friends there," Starlight explained. "We all have each other's back."

"Eren, remember what you said before joining the Cadets?" asked Applejack.

"Together?" he replied.

"That's why we're joining the Scouts," said Sunset Shimmer.

"We got this... together," said Twilight Sparkle.

"Like you said, the Interior is for cowards and I'm not a coward," Pinkie Pie stated.

Fluttershy could only sigh as she had to join the Scouts, while Rarity knew her decision had to change.

"Well, looks like we have other choice," said Rarity.

Fluttershy could only nod. Eren turn back around and looked up at the starry night. Everyone around Eren looked up too.

Trost District

The next day, everyone was on the sidewalk looking at the Scout's next mission.

"Heads up!" yelled a male civilian. "The main Scout Regiment is back!"

As a man with blond hair and icy blue eyes rode on his horse towards the gate.

"That's right, Commander Erwin!" yelled the male civilian. "Did you give those bastards a thrashing?"

"Look! It's Captain Levi!" yelled another male civilian.

A man with short, straight black hair and dull blue eyes was riding on his horse.

"They say he's like an entire brigade unto himself!" yelled another civilian.

"Spare me, please," groaned Levi.

"Feel how excited everybody is?" Eren asked. "It's like the crowd just has a different energy now."

"Well, we are going on five years without incident," Hannah replied. Seems like a good omen."

"And you should check all the cannon upgrades," added Franz. "The sight alone ought to be enough to scare them off,"

"You in denial cause you're a couple?" asked Eren angrily. "What's that about?"

Both of them blushed in embarrassment. Hannah turned around

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! This isn't what it looks like! Okay?" she yelled.

'Knock it off, man! It's embarrassing," said Franz.

Rainbow Dash was then bumped by someone, causing her to crash into Eren.

"Hey, watch it!" she yelled.

"Oh, sorry Rainbow," said Indigo Zap.

"Oh, hey Indigo," said Rainbow Dash.

Then, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, and Sugarcoat came behind Indigo. Sunny Flare sniffed the air and let out an exhale.

"The smell of home," she said.

Lemon Zest looked behind Rainbow Dash to see Eren and was amazed.

"Hey, is your name Eren Jeager?" asked Lemon Zest.

"Yeah," replied Eren. "I never met all before, do you mind telling your names?"

"Indigo Zap."

"Lemon Zest."

"Sunny Flare."

"Sugarcoat."

"Sour Sweet."

"Nice to meet you all," said Eren. "This is Mikasa and my good friend Armin."

"Nice to meet you both," said Sugarcoat.

"Nice to meet you all," said Armin.

"Hey, hey, lookie here!" yelled a voice.

Eren and Armin recognized the voice and turned around. Hannes started to walk towards them.

"Mr. Hannes!" called Eren.

"Word on the street's they let you graduate yesterday," said Hannes. "Either you've grown up or standards have plummeted."

"Oh yeah, like you're one to talk," he said. "The Corps of Engineers kept their new chief in the drink?

"Watch it," said Hannes poking Eren's forehead.

"Oh, hey Mr. Hannes," greeted Sunset Shimmer.

"Hey, Sunset," greeted Hannes.

Then, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Starlight Glimmer followed Sunset Shimmer.

"Howdy, Hannes," greeted Applejack.

"Long time on see," said Hannes. "How are all you girls doing?"

"We're doing alright," Rainbow Dash replied. "Thanks for asking."

Hannes looked behind Eren to see more girls behind him.

"Hey, Eren, do you mind telling me who these girls behind are?" he asked.

"Oh, these are my new friends,"said Eren. "Hey, girls come here for a second."

Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, and Sugarcoat walked towards Eren and saw someone in front of him.

"Hey, I want you all to meet Mr. Hannes," said Eren.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Hannes,"said Lemon Zest shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you, too," he said. "Do you mind telling your names?"

"Again?" groaned Sour Sweet.

"Hey, I'm just being nice," said Hannes.

"Oh, don't worry I'll tell you my name," said Sour Sweet nicely.

Hannes was confused at the mood swing. Then, Sugarcoat came in.

"Excuse her, she tends to change moods often," said Sugarcoat.

"Well, that would explain,"said Hannes.

"Well, I'm Sugarcoat," she replied.

"Indigo Zap."

"Sour Sweet."

"Lemon Zest."

"Sunny Flare."

"It's nice to meet you all," said Hannes.

"Same here," said Indigo Zap.

Hannes then turned to Eren with a sadden look.

"I'm sorry if this is out of the blue, but I want you to know your mother's death still haunts me," he said.

"Me, too, but it wasn't your fault," assured Eren. "We were shooting in the dark then. But nothing like that's going to happen again. We know what we're dealing with now."

Eren then started to run towards the wall to get to his position. Mikasa, Armin, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Indigo Zap, Lemon Zap, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, and Sour Sweet look as Eren disappeared around the corner.

"Fired-up and capable make a good combination, kid," Hannes thought. "Don't screw this up by dying."

On top of the wall, multiple cadets were cleaning the cannons.

"What? What the hell do you mean you're joining the Scouts?!" asked Eren cleaning the cannon. "What happened to the MP. That was your whole thing!"

"Don't worry about it," Conny replied. "A guy's allow to change his mind, okay?"

"i think your speech yesterday lit a fire under him," said Mina.

"Ain't nobody talking to you!" Conny yelled. "His temper tantrum had nothing to do with it."

"Take it easy. It's not like you're the only one," assured Thomas.

"What? Are you serious?" asked Eren.

"Can you keep a secret?" asked Sasha.

"Cause I totally just helped myself to the Officers' Pantry," she said revealing meat under her uniform.

Everyone was shocked at the sight and didn't move a muscle.

"Sasha! They can throw your butt in the clink for that!" warned Eren.

"Seriously, what is wrong with you?" Samuel asked.

"What isn't wrong with her?" Conny replied.

"It'll be fine. I'm willing to share," she said drooling, blushing, and shaking. "Can you imagine the sandwiches?"

"Put it back!" yelled Conny.

"Yeah! Do you have any idea how rare meat is been since the Titan took Wall Maria?" Mina asked.

"Um, a little bit," Sasha replied.

Sasha went to a box and opened the box.

"Just look at it this way. Pretty soon, we'll take back all the room we need for livestock," she assured.

Samuel then took and a deep breath.

"I would really like a slice, please!" pleaded Samuel.

"Hey, if he gets one, so do I. Just so you know." Conny stated.

"Me, too! I'm in on it, too," said Mina.

"But," Eren muttered.

"Come on! Don't just stand there," said Samuel. "If they see us slacking off, we're in for it."

"See you guys at lunchtime," Mina said walking away.

Eren turned around to Trost and clenched his fist.

"Has it really been five years?" he questioned. Look at us. Ready to stand tall again. We can do it."

The wind started to pick up, blowing Eren's hair.

"Mankind didn't start this fight but we're going to finish it!" he thought.

Then, a lightning bolt struck the ground behind everyone and the wall. Then, the Colossal Titan appeared behind them with steam emitting from it. The sight of the Colossal Titan took everyone by surprise and no one moved a muscle. Eren looked back and realizing too late the Colossal Titan appeared. The Colossal Titan emitted steam knocking Eren off, and kicked the gate open. The debris destroyed the defensive wall surrounding the gate. The steam knocked everyone off the gate.

"It's hot!" Eren yelled.

Eren then latched onto the side of the wall and planted both his feet stopping him. Everyone did the same thing. Conny looked down to see an unconscious Samuel falling down.

"SAMUEL!!!" Conny yelled.

Sasha then unlatched to the wall.

"Sasha!" Mina called.

Sasha started to run on the side of the wall and saved Samuel by using the grappling hook to catch Samuel by his foot.

"Samuel, don't try to move!" she yelled. "Understand?"

"That was too damn close," said Eren.

Eren looked down in horror at the gate. Everyone looked at the gate in horror as a giant hole was present.

"Oh god, no," muttered Thomas. "Not again!"

"They're going to get in," Conny whispered. "THEY'RE GOING TO GET IN!!!"

Eren looked and the remember of his mother and Shiganshina.

"No. This is over. I'm going to put a stop to this!"

"I will," he muttered. "This ends now."

"THIS IS IT PEOPLE! DO OR DIE!!!" Eren yelled taking about his blades making two swords and started swinging across the wall.

"THE TARGET'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! IT'S THE COLOSSAL TITAN!!!" he yelled. "THIS OUR CHANCE! DON'T LET IT SLIP AWAY!!!

Eren then flew high up and spun around landing on top of the wall. Eren looked at the Colossal Titan with an angry look at it and the Colossal Titan looked at him back.

"You. It's been a while," he said.

First Battle: The Struggle for Trost, Part 1

In the year 845, two terrifying new breeds of Titan appeared, the Colossal and the Armored barreling through the outer wall as if wholesale destruction was child's play. The territory couched within the circle of Wall Maria was abandoned. Twenty percent of the human race perished and one-third of our territory was lost. As the Titan onslaught advanced, our only choice was to withdraw behind Wall Rose. Five years later, in the year 850...

"Mankind didn't start this fight. But we are going to finish it!"

Eren started running on the top of the wall towards the Colossal Titan. The Colossal Titan spotted Eren running and lifted it's right arm and swipe at Eren. Eren jumped up into the air dodging it. The Colossal Titan dragged it's arm across the top taking out all the cannons. Eren wrapped around the Colossal Titan from behind.

"Son of a bitch! He took out the cannons! The gate was no accident, then," he thought and then realized something. "He has intelligence!"

The Colossal used the smoke and attempted to grab Eren. Eren saw the hand coming and latched on to the arm of the Colossal.

All the more reason not to waste this moment!" he thought wrapping around. "Without him, the other Titans have nothing!"

Eren landed on the Colossal Titan's arm and started to run towards.

"I have to take that down!" he thought.

The Colossal Titan spotted Eren running and took back its arm, causing Eren to wrap around the Colossal from its back. Eren got to it's nape, but was to far.

"Dammit!" he shouted.

Eren then latched on to the Colossal nape and started reeling towards the nape.

"Take this!" he shouted, connecting his blade to the nape.

Before, Eren could slash the nape, the Colossal Titan released a huge amount of steam. Eren was blindsided by this and was forced to reeled back. Eren's wire started to loosen by the steam. Eren pushed the top trigger was getting reeled in. Eren let a loud scream and was about to slash the Colossal Titan, but to his surprise Eren got nothing as the Colossal Titan had disappeared.

"How did I miss?" he wondered.

Eren then latched on to the side of the wall and looked down to see two giant footprints left behind.

"Did he just vanished into thin air?" he wondered.

"Eren! Where'd he go? Did you take him out?" Thomas asked.

"He's gone!" Eren replied. "Exactly like five years ago. HE's here one moment and gone the next... just like that."

Eren got back on top of the wall.

"I'm sorry," Eren apologized.

"Don't apologize. Look at us. We were too scared to move," Thomas explained.

"Hey! Wallow on your own time!" Conny shouted. "In case you hadn't noticed, there's a breach. We have to act now! If they started pouring in, that's it!

Then a male Garrison with short black hair came in.

"Look alive!" he ordered. "Operation Colossal Titan Response is in effect, I expect you to take part! Report to HQ! If you got close the Colossal new need details!

"Sir! We pray the Advance Team will be victorious!" assured Conny.

The bell rang loudly as all the civilians in Trost were getting evacuated into the inner gate. Many children and families were running as fast as they could to avoid the Titans.

"Pare down! Take only what you need to survive!" yelled a male Garrison with short brown hair. "File through as calmly as possible!"

On the wall, several Garrison made makeshift defenses with a net.

"You understand what we are face?!" asked a male Garrison. "If they get through, we'll have a repeat of five years ago. Consider this the last line of defense."

Then, several Titans appeared walking towards the gate. Several Garrison were rotating the cannons and loading them.

"Prepare to intercept!" he yelled.

A Garrison with blond hair gave a signal.

"FIRE!!!" he yelled.

A Garrison then pulled the trigger, firing the cannon, so after all the cannons were fired. All of the cannons hit the Titan in the face, leg, and arms blowing it up.

"Soldiers, charge!" a male Garrison yelled.

All of the Garrison charged, screaming and jumping off the wall and fighting the Titans ahead.

Back in Trost, everyone in the HQ was scrambling around, filling up on blades and gas for their ODM gear.

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire, cadets!" yelled a male Garrison with blond hair and beard.

"Time to put your training to work!" he yelled.

"I promise we'll get through this," said Franz. "You're safe as long as I'm beside you."

"Franz," moaned Hannah as they embrace.

Mikasa stopped and looked at them and went off to find Eren. Mikasa turned to her left to find both Eren and Armin, who was having trouble connecting the container to his gas cylinder.

"Armin, what's wrong," Eren asked.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Armin replied. "Just give me a second for my nerves to settle. This is bad isn't it? There's a hole in the wall eight meters high and we don't even remotely have the engineering on how to plug it. The big boulder near the front gate was our best but we couldn't figure out how to hoist it in place. Unless we seal the breach, the entire city is good as dead!"

On the other side of Trost, multiple Titans started to appear, overwhelming the Garrison on top. The cannons fired hitting all of the Titans the got close to the gate. Many Garrison soldiers have died in battle. Many of them had arms and legs severed and were bitten in half. Blood covered their bodies as their corpses.

"How long do you thing before they take Wall Rose," Armin questioned. "Seriously, how long? Thing about it. Anytime the mood strikes them, they can wipe out the human race in an afternoon!"

Eren grabbed a hold of Armin's hand.

"Armin! Listen to me!" yelled Eren. "You're focused on the past. Look ahead. We're not going to be the victims anymore!"

"Sorry," Armin apologized. "I... I'm okay."

Then, a hand appeared at the gate. A Titan ripped through the net. Then, Trost was then swarming with Titans.

One the other side, no disturbance was present. The sun was shining on some colorful flowers and an estate.

"Come, now. Take this seriously," said an overweight man with a balding head and gray eyes.

The man takes out a pawn and places a rook on the chess board.

"Very well, another victory for me," said the man. "Oh dear, one would think our monthly rows would see at least some modest improvement in your approach to the game, Pyxis."

A bald man with golden eyes and a gray mustache got up and grabbed his head.

"One would think so, yes. Clearly my brain is interior to your, Lord Wald," said Pyxis.

Lord Wald burst into laughter and grabbing a handful of cookies.

"Such obsequiousness from the single highest-ranking officer in the southern land," said Lord Wald as he took a bite from his handful of cookies. "Tell me. Seriously. How can you hope to thwart the Titans when you can't even win..."

Then a male Garrison with short blond comes running.

"Commander Pyxis, sir! I bring news!" he yelled.

"I beg your pardon, young man this is a private..." said Lord Wald.

Then, the male Garrison broke in.

"The Colossal Titan has laid siege to the city of Trost!" he yelled. "Reports say that the gate has been destroyed."

The news shocked everyone in the room, even Lord Wald who dropped his glass of wine. The glass shattered as it hit the ground. The room was filled with silence. Pyxis got up and started to drink Lord Wald's wine from the bottle.

"Ah. This vintage is worthy of your good taste," said Pyxis. 'One man of action to another. I obsequiously accept it as a gift."

Pyxis started to walk away from Lord Wald.

"Where are you going?" he asked. "Pyxis, wait!"

Lord Wald started to run after Pyxis, who was leaving.

"You can't just march off! I command you to stay!" he yelled. "Preparations must be made! Assemble your troops and establish a garrison around my estate this instant! Dam it all, kit;s your sworn duty to defend us!"

Pyxis then stopped and turned around to Lord Wald.

"Lord Wald, sir. Untold numbers of out brave soldiers are lying down their lives in defense of Trost as we speak," said Pyxis.

Then, a female Garrison with brown hair and light brown eyes came up to Pyxis.

"I'll ready up the horses," she said.

"Go, Anka," said Pyxis.

Anka started to walk away from Pyxis to the stables.

"When the dust has settled, there may well be more graves than people to dig them," said Pyxis. "An astronomical number of lives snuffed out in a twinkling."

"Ye, well, no help for it, is there?" Lord Wald asked. "If it's their time. Besides, what earthly good can the presence of a man who persistently loses to me in chess do for them now? Why not remain where I can assist you?"

"Your Lordship," called a male Garrison with brown hair and dark brown hair. "Should the Commander actually face a Titan in battle, he won't feel compelled to play down his skills as he does with you.

Lord Wald looked at the Garrison with an angry glare

"That's enough, Gustav," said Pyxis bowing down to Lord Wald. "Good day, sir. I wish you opulently appointed day of sloth and tranquility."

Pyxis turned around and started to walk away.

"Please don't go," begged Lord Wald. "Don't do this to me!"

Gustav started to follow Pyxis leaving Lord Wald behind.

"Pyxis, please!" shouted Lord Wald. "I'm begging you! PYXIS!"

Back at Trost, all the cadets lined up as they were given order and news from a man with brown hair, a brown mustache, and golden eyes.

"My name is Kitz Woermann! I will be your captain!" yelled Woermann. "I want everyone split into four squadrons, as practiced. All squadrons are responsible for supply-running, message relay, and enemy combat under the command of the Garrison Regiment! The Intercept Squadron will take the vanguard. Cadets will take the middle guard led by the support squad. Rear guards will go to the elites. I expect you all to man your post knowing the Advanced Team was been wiped out!

Everyone was shocked to the sight of the news of the Advanced Team.

"That's right, the outer gate is history. The Titans are in!" he shouted. "This means the Armored Titan is likely to reappear. If and when he does, the inner gate will also be history.

"Is this real?" questioned Daz.

“Please be a dream," Thomas prayed.

"God, what if the bastards manage to bust through Wall Rose?" questioned Nack.

"QUIET!!!" Woermann yelled. "Those in the vanguard, get set. The whole are is saturated. Your mission is very simple: Defend the wall till the evacuation is done!

He then continued to a punishment

Now, be aware, all of you that desertion is punishable by execution," he warned. "If it comes to it, lay down your lives! Dismissed!"

"SIR," all of them yelled saluting.

Everyone scrambled around to their position, many cadets were curled up and were praying quietly.

"Why did this have to happen now?" Jean questioned. "Just one more day and I would have been heading for the Interior!

Jean and Bertholdt looked at Daz, who was throwing up on the ground.

"You going to be alright?" asked Christa tending to him.

Daz looked at Christa and continued to throw up on the ground. Jean got up and started to walk away passing by two scared cadets.

"Please, no. Please, no. Please, no," prayed a female cadet.

Jean continued to walk bumped into Eren.

"Move it!" Jean yelled pushing Eren.

"What the hell, man! What's wrong with you?!" asked Eren.

"What kind of question is that? We're all about to be Titan chow," said Jean. "You want me to sing you a goddamn song?"

Mikasa tuned around to see Jean arguing with Eren.

"You're loving this, aren't you, you little psycho?" asked Jean. "Course you are!"

Mikasa started to walk towards them.

"Your life's aim is to be eaten! I was just one day away from going to the MP!" he yelled.

"Jean! Get a hold of yourself!" yelled Eren.

"No! Not all of us are suicidal!" yelled Jean.

"Dammit, shut the fuck up for a second!" Eren yelled pushing Jean into a pillar. "We're trained for this! What do you think the last three years were for?"

Jean looked at Eren in shock at the comment.

"We survived. We started at death in the face and we lived," said Eren angrily. "Not everyone can say that, can they? Some people couldn't take it and either ran or thrown out. Hell, some people actually died, but not us! Am I right? We powered through for three years! What's one more day?"

The two scared cadets looked at Eren.

"You can do this Jean," encouraged Eren. "The MP will still be waiting for you tomorrow."

Eren backed away from Jean. Jean took his word in for consideration.

"Shit," said Jean walking away from Eren. "On your feet, Daz. Stop bawling."

"Ok," he muttered

"Eren," called Mikasa. "If things take a turn for the worse, I want you to come find me, alright?

"What? We're in different squads," said Eren.

"Look, this is going to get ugly and when it does, the plane goes out the window," she explained. "Come find me so I can protect you."

'Who the hell do you think you are?" asked Eren.

"Ackerman, you're with me," said a tall man with gold eyes and dark blond hair. "You've been assigned to the rear guard on special orders. Let's get moving."

"But Ian, sir! I'm a cadet I'll slow everyone down!" Mikasa warned.

Eren looked at Mikasa with a sense of confusion.

"You're not being asked for a self-evaluation here," replied Ian. "The mass exodus is falling apart. We need as many elits as possible to get things back on track."

Ian then started to walk away.

"Sir. With all do re..." said Mikasa.

Then, Eren headbutted Mikasa's head, she grabbed her head in pain.

"You've been given a direct order!" he yelled. "Pull it together goddammit! This is bigger than the two of us and you know it! We're on the verge of extinction here. Get some damn perspective!

Mikasa looked down.

"You're right. I'm sorry," she apologized. "This whole situation just has me out of my head."

Eren started to walk away from Mikasa. She grabbed on Eren's sleeve, causing Eren to turn back.

"Just promise me one thing," she said. "Whatever happens don't get yourself killed."

Eren looked at Mikasa and took his arm back and started to walk away from Mikasa. Mikasa stood there looking at Eren as he walked away.

"I didn't planned on it. Thanks," he thought. "No. I won't allow myself to get killed. Not until I taste what is like outside of these walls."

Eren meet up with his squad and started to go to head out. Mikasa could only watch him as he headed out.

"Hey, Mikasa!" called Rainbow Dash. "Are you coming or what?"

"Coming!" she shouted running towards Rainbow Dash.

"There you are," said Applejack.

"Applejack, you're in the rear guard?" Mikasa asked.

'Yep, so is Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, and Twilight," Applejack replied.

"Where are they?" she asked.

"Waiting for you with Ian," Rainbow Dash replied. "Hey, where's Eren?"

"He's in the middle guard," Mikasa replied.

"Should you be protecting him?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He said that he would be fine," replied Mikasa.

"Didn't you made a promise to Eren's mother that you would protect?" asked Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah, I did," she replied.

"You know, what Granny Smith would say about promises?" Applejack asked.

"What?" she replied.

"A promise makes everything. But once it is broken, sorry means nothing," Applejack replied.

Mikasa looked down at the ground and remembered the promise Eren's mother made for Mikasa.

"There you three are!" yelled Indigo Zap. "Where have you three been?"

"Just waiting for Mikasa," replied Rainbow Dash.

"Well, we're all here now, let's get a move on," said Twilight Sparkle.

"Let's go all of you!" yelled Ian.

Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat followed Ian to their position.

On the other side, Eren and his squad were on top of a roof looking at their battle and their orders for action.

"What surviving historical documents we have access to tell us nothing of the Titans' origin. Almost everything about them is obscure," said the teacher reading a book. "Now, that isn't to suggest we're ignorant. Thanks to the efforts of the Scout Regiment, we do know something of their ecology."

Everyone in the classroom were paying attention closely and were taking notes in their notebooks as the teacher talked about the subject.

"Whether Titans possess human-like intelligence is unknown, of course. And to date there have no reports of high-level communication between them," he explained. "We do know about Titan physiology is they have fundamentally different to most organic life. They lack reproductive organs, it's unclear how they reproduce. Beyond that, in appearance, their physique resembles the average human male. We also know their body temperatures run quite high. Their appetite seems geared towards human beings. In fact, a Titan's driving principle seems to be this appetite."

"Given that they've subsisted for over a century," he added. "Without access to their only source of nourishment, however, we assumed that the Titans do not, in fact, consume us to live. Let that sink in. Titans aren't motivated by hunger as such. They're simply in it for the kill.

The teacher looked at students, who were all still paying attention. He looked back at the book. and continued to read.

"The terrifying vitality of these creatures is beyond science," he continued. "We only have to consider events of the recent past to see this. Mankind has long possessed cannon technology, as you're aware. But alone they're proved insufficient. Even blowing their heads off to bits, the Titans persist. Though there is some variability on this score, a Titan's head usually regenerates within two minutes."

Everyone was shocked about hearing the Titan's abilities.

"Is that true?" whispered Thomas

"As if their size wasn't frightening enough," said Franz

Marco then raised his hand up.

"Excuse me, sir. Are saying that Titans are immortal?" he asked.

The teacher went to the chalkboard and sketched out a Titan's back.

'No, I'm not," he replied. "There is, in fact, one way to ensure death.

He then drew a circle around the nape area.

"Strike there," he said. "If the nape takes adequate damage, a Titan will not regenerate."

He turned around to and showed them two swords on a desk.

"That, as you may have surmised, is where the flesh-paring blades you see here some in," he explained. "A good, deep strike with one of these to the nape and the monster is left not time to regenerate, They die and stay dead

Eren looked at Armin, who by now have calmed himself.

"Look at it this way, Armin. It's a golden opportunity," assured Eren.

Armin looked at Eren, who was looking what is ahead of them.

"If we prove our worth as soldiers right here, we'll rise up right through the ranks," he said. "Before we could even be leading our own regiment. We can bypass rookie status altogether!"

He looked at Armin was a smile in his face. Armin smiled back at Eren.

"Sound good, I'm with you all the way," said Armin.

"Now, now boys," called Mina. "You're not the only ones! Save some for the rest of the glory for the rest of us!"

"Good luck beating us to the punch a second time," said Thomas. "No head start for you this round!"

"Is that a challenge?" Eren asked.

"Listen up. Whoever kills the most Titans gets bragging rights," Thomas declared.

'Better not fudge up your scores," Eren warned.

Next to them, a pair of male Garrisons gave them a hand signal.

"Squadron 34, move out! The vanguard needs support!" yelled a male Garrison.

"Right! Give 'em hell!" Eren shouted.

Eren lifted his sword and the rest of his squad let out a scream as they jumped and started to swing across. Eren lead the charge as his squad started to follow him. Eren landed and ran across a roof and latched on to another building swinging across. Mina started to glide across the air, while Thomas landed and ran across a roof and latched on to a building and swinging across. Nack glided through the air and latched on to a tower. Eren ran on top of a roof and spotted the many Titans ahead.

"There so many of them!" Mina yelled.

"The vanguard's been completely overwhelmed!" Thomas shouted.

"What are our glory-hound senior doing?!" asked Nack.

"I thought things would be hairy but no this," Eren thought. "This is insane!"

Eren spotted something in the distinct.

"WE'VE GOT AN ABNORMAL!!!" Eren yelled.

The Titan got on the roof and leaped.

"HOLD UP!!!" he yelled.

The Titan leaped onto a tower. Armin, Nack, Mina, and Milieus landed on top of a nearby roof. Eren on the other hand, was hanging on to the side of the roof. All of them looked back at the Titan, who was hugging onto the tower. The Titan peered its head, showing Thomas being held in the Titan's mouth.

"Uh.. uh... please, help me," Thomas muttered.

Everyone looked in horror at the sight and didn't move or talked. The Titan lifted its head and swallowed Thomas whole. Everyone had the look of horror as they all witnessed a death of their comrade and friend. The Titan got down from the tower and started to walk away. Eren witnessed Thomas's death and was filled with anger.

"YOU BASTARD!!!" Eren shouted at the top of his lungs as he took off swinging.

"EREN!!!" Armin called.

"WAIT! STAY WITH THE GROUP!!!" Milieus shouted.

Armin started to follow Eren, and so did the others. Eren was running across a roof fast to catch up to the Titan.

"GET BACK HERE!!!" he shouted.

Eren then jumped and latched on to a nearby building swinging across, the air, dodging incoming buildings.

"YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR KILLING THOMAS!!!" he shouted swinging and dodging a tree

"Your not getting away! YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY!!!" he shouted catching up to the Titan.

Eren then caught up to the Titan. Eren let out a scream and was prepared to slice the Titan's nape. Then, a smaller Titan jumped and bit Eren's leg off, causing him to roll violently across the roof, hitting every dormer, and finally sliding and stopping and making him unconscious, blood started to pour out of Eren's missing leg and his massive injuries.

"EREN!!!" Armin called as he landed on a roof.

"EREN!!!" Mina called gliding.

Then out of nowhere, a Titan swatted Nack, killing him instantly as blood splattered on the Titan's hand. A smaller Titan yanked Mina's string causing her to fall back and hit a nearby building making her unconscious. The Titan peered over at the unconscious Mina on the ground. A Titan grabbed Milieus by his legs and looked at him. Milieus can only let out a blood-curdling scream.

"DON'T! PLEASE STOP! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!" Milieus yelled as he was devoured.

Armin dropped onto his knees and in front of him, a bloody Eren laid their unconscious on the roof.

"Why? Why? he questioned in horror. "My friends are being devoured and all I can do is watch."

Armin heard footsteps coming toward his direction. A Titan with a gray beard appeared next to Armin. The Titan grabbed Armin's uniform and opened his mouth.

"What's wrong with me? he questioned. "Why can't I move?"

Armin snapped from his sight and realizing too late. The Titan dropped Armin into its mouth. Armin started to slide down his tongue and letting out a blood-curdling scream.

"No... Armin," muttered Eren quietly.

"Eren! Eren! Eren!" called a young Armin carrying a book in his hands.

"Why are you shouting Armin?" Eren asked.

"Sorry, I found this book my grandpa keeps hidden away," said Armin with excitement. 'Believe it or not, it's about life on the outside!"

"I really hope this idea is a joke. Stuff about the outside world is illegal," Eren warned. "You could go to jail for that."

"Trust me, you'd change your mind if you knew what was actually out there!" Armin shouted. "For example, according to this book, most of the world is covered with salty water so deep you can't reach the bottom! They call it "the sea"!

"Like, salty for real?!" Eren asked. "Come on, you're making this stuff up. If something valuable like salt was just floating around underwater, merchants would've taken it by now!"

"That the thing!" he replied. "The sea never runs out! It's that big!"

"Yeah, whatever," replied Eren.

"Just bear with me," Armin begged. "There's a lot more than salt. Water that glows like fire, fields of ice, giant rocks that take days to climb. Imagine how huge the outside world must be!"

At this point, Eren was fascinated at Armin's book.

"It does sound really neat," he replied.

"Okay, you've got to promise never to tell a soul," said Armin. "My parents are going to sneak outside the walls to see for themselves."

"They'll know what it's like first-hand," said Eren.

"Look at me," said Armin.

Eren looked at Armin, who had a smile.

"We should do it ourselves one day," said Armin. "We can have adventures like the author of this book."

The memory made Eren regain his conscious. He used his strength and got up. As Armin was sliding further and further into the Titan's mouth. Eren entered the Titan's mouth and grabbed Armin's hand. Eren used the last amount of strength and tossed Armin out of the Titan's mouth. Armin landed on the roof.

"EREN!!!" he called.

Eren used the sword to pry the Titan's mouth open.

"I refuse to die like this, understand?" declared Eren. "Armin, listen. We're still going to the outside world. The things you told me about. I have to see the. I have to!"

Eren reached his hand out of the Titan's mouth.

"EREN! NO!!!" Armin shouted.

Then, the Titan shuts its mouth close, biting Eren's left hand off. The Titan swallowed Eren, and Armin could let out a blood-curdling scream in horror as he witnessed his best friend getting eaten right in front of his face.

The scream was loud enough for Mikasa to turn around to Eren's direction sensing something wrong.

"Mikasa, what's wrong," asked Applejack.

"Something's off," she replied.

"Really? I don't feel something off," said Sugarcoat.

"Come on, guys we have to go," said Indigo Zap.

On the other side, Sunset Shimmer, Sour Sweet, Starlight Glimmer, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sunny Flare, Rarity, Lemon Zest, were swinging across each building. Starlight Glimmer swung across and sliced a Titan's nape killing it.

"Nice, kill," Sunset complimented.

"Thanks," she said.

"Man, I wanted that kill," groaned Sour Sweet.

Starlight ignored her knowing what was about of come.

"It's okay, this is not competition," she said in a nice way.

As they continued to swing all of them heard a loud scream.

"What was that scream?" asked Rarity.

"I don't know, but it doesn't sound good," said Lemon Zest.

"Where are we going," Pinkie Pie asked.

"You didn't hear the scream?" asked Starlight Glimmer.

"What scream?" she asked.

"Never mind, we're heading to the others and Armin," said Sunset Shimmer.

"But, Woermann if we're not allowed to desert," said Fluttershy.

"We're not deserting we're just going to group up, darling," assured Rarity.

"Oh, I hope so," said Fluttershy swinging towards them.

The World the Girl Saw: The Struggle for Trost, Part 2

"Hey! Wake up! Armin!" shouted Conny shaking Armin. "Can you hear me? Come on! Armin. Armin!"

Armin snapped from his daze and looked up at Conny.

"Are you awake?" asked Conny. "Are you injured? Where's your squad?"

"Squad?” Armin questioned.

"All right, get it together," said Conny. "Why are you alone? Why are you so damn slimy? What happened?"

Armin looked at Conny and then snapped from his trance and letting out a blood-curling scream as he grabbed his head and remembering the recent events.

"I'm worthless!" Armin cried. "Why can't I just die?!"

"Hey, calm down," said Conny. "Enough!"

Armin stopped screaming and letting his tears run down his eyes.

"Let it go, Conny," said Ymir. "Aside from him, they're all dead."

"Shut up! Armin didn't say that," stated Conny.

"Take a look around you, isn't it obvious?" she asked. "We can't just waste anymore time here with him. We've got to move on."

"Why would the Titans ignore him?" asked Conny.

"I don't know," she replied. "Maybe they thought he was already dead or something. It's unfortunate they encountered Titans, I can't say much about Eren and his squadron if Armin is the only survivor."

"That's it bitch. You've said too much," said Conny angrily. "I'm going to make you shut your mouth!"

Christa then broke in between them.

"Both of you stop it right now," she yelled. "We're all in a state of shock. We saw our friends getting killed like animals. You can't help it."

Ymir wrapped her arm around Christa smiling.

"That's my Christa, When this battle is over, you must marry me," she laughed.

"It's for certain. She's messing around more than usual," said Conny angrily.

Conny got back to Armin, who was shaking.

"Whatever the case, we have to move," he said offering his hand. "Cam you stand up, Armin?"

Armin stopped shaking and looked at Conny's hand and got up.

"Sorry for being a nuisance," he apologized.

He then started to walk away from Conny and the others.

"I'll rendezvous with the rear guard," he said.

"Hey... Armin!" called Conny.

Armin jumped off the roof and started to swing away. Conny watched Armin as he disappeared around the corner.

"Conny, let's go! We've been given orders to advance!" yelled a male soldier.

Conny then walked away to the group.

Armin continued to glide and saw the amount of carnage on the streets of the fallen soldiers.

"This is hell," he thought. "No. The world hasn't gone to hell. I've just had it wrong the whole time. This world has always been hell."

He then remembers when the bullies would beat Armin up.

"Strength preys on weakness. It's so simple to understand," he thought.

He remembers that when we was getting bullied, Eren and Mikasa would come running and beat up the bullies and help Armin.

"But my friends, they wanted to be strong," he thought. "They've saved me. And I couldn't stand it. As far as they are concerned, I am someone they have to protect. Just like them, I wanted to be strong and live my life beside them."

Then, Armin's grappling hooks didn't latch on to a wall, causing him to crash into it and fall. Armin could only cry as he hit the ground.

"But look at what ended up happening," he thought. "Eren died because of me."

Armin the heard someone crying in the distance and looked to see Hannah desperately performing CPR on Franz, whose entire half of his body had been torn off.

"Hannah, what are doing?" asked Armin.

"Oh, god, Armin! Help me please!" she cried. "Franz stopped breathing! He won't respond to CPR! FRANZ!!!"

"Hannah, please. It's not safe here," warned Armin.

"No! I'm not leaving him like this!" she cried.

"You really don't understand, do you?" he asked. "Franz is..."

Armin could only watch as Hannah performs CPR on Franz. He then covers his left eye.

"Please stop," he begged. "I can't take this anymore."

On the other side, a large crowd of people were gathered around the gate. A giant wagon was blocking their way to get in. A civilian was pushed.

'Hey, don't you know what's going on here?" asked a male civilian.

"I know, that is why things are like how they are," said a man with black hair on his side and a bald top. "If you all want to live, help me!

All of the civilians started to shout at the merchant.

"What is wrong with you?!" asked a male civilian.

"This isn't a joke!" yelled another.

"We're going to get eaten!" yelled a female civilian.

Then a civilian pushes a male Garrison forward.

"Do something, soldier!" yelled a male civilian.

"Make him move that damn wagon!" yelled another.

"I'm not exactly sure..." said a male Garrison.

"Take your best shot, little man," said the merchant. "I'm the president of this town's merchant guild."

Dimo then walked up to the Garrison soldier.

"Who do you think pays all the bills for the food for the soldiers?" he asked. "Or maybe you've got some finances tucked away to fund the racket you call a job? NOW SHUT UP AND PUSH!!! This cargo is worth more than all you people make in your whole damn lives! Here's a reward in if you help!"

A mother hugged her daughter to comfort her.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," said the mother. "Daddy's going to use those big cannons to defeat those Titans."

Then, the little girl noticed something in the distance.

"Mommy," she called pointing. "Look."

The mother turned around and looked. The, giant footsteps were heard alerting all the civilians. A soldier was walking towards them. Then, around a the corner a Titan appeared trampling over the soldier and started running towards the crowd of people. Everyone screamed at the sight of a Titan running towards them.

"PUSH, GODDAMMIT!!!" yelled the merchant. "PUSH IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!!!"

Everyone gathered around the wagon and desperately pushed it to get through and screaming. The Titan got closer and closer to the crowd. Behind the Titan, three Garrison soldiers come up.

"Why is the son of a bitch ignoring us?" asked a male Garrison.

"It's an Abnormal. Stop trying to figure it out!" yelled the second one.

"He's too fast!" yelled a female Garrison. "There's no way we'll catch up to him."

"We won't make it!" he yelled.

Then Mikasa glided past them and latched on to the Titan's nape. She then swung at the Titan and sliced it's nape off, killing it. The Titan fell in front of the crowd as Mikasa stood on top of the fallen Titan. She looked at her blade and looked at the crowd.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Good timing!" yelled merchant. "Make these morons push my wagon! I'll pay you handsomely!"

Mikasa looked at merchant in utter shock.

"Right now, my comrades are dying back there," stated Mikasa. "I can't help your crisis. They're dying from fighting Titans."

"Exactly!" merchant shouted."It's your duty as a soldier to die the for the survival of the citizens! Don't get high up on yourself because of the safety we had for the past hundred years!"

Mikasa, now with an angry glare in her face jumped down from the slain Titan. She started to walk towards Dimo.

"I wonder if they understand the value of one person dying for the sake of someone else?" she asked. "At times, the death of one is necessary to save many."

"Don't you dare!" merchant yelled. "Your commander and I are old friends! One word from me and you'll be court-martialed!

The merchant's men started to charge at Mikasa, who then used the dull edge of her sword, causing them to fall. Mikasa stopped in front of the merchant with an angry glare.

"How will a dead body speak?" she asked.

Mikasa lifted her sword and pointed the tip of her blade at merchant's face.

"Wait!" he yelled.

"Sir..." said one of his men.

"Pull the damn wagon out," ordered the merchant.

The merchant's men pulled the wagon out of the gate and all of the civilians started to enter the gate.

"Thank you, miss," thanked the little girl.

"Thanks to you, we'll live," thanked the mother. "We are forever grateful.

Mikasa smiled putting her sword back into the box and saluted at them. The little girl smiled and Mikasa turned around and walked away.

Later on, rain started to pour down and the sound of thunder rumbled.

"Nice kill, Mikasa," complimented Rainbow Dash.

"Thanks," said Mikasa.

Ian then came towards Mikasa.

"Good, work Ackerman," said Ian. "I'm impressed."

"Thank you," thanked Mikasa. "However, I attacked too hastily so my blades are now dull. I'll do better next time."

She threw her dull blades onto the roof.

"What on earth have you had to live to be so nonchalant?" Ian asked.

Mikasa looked at him. Ian then took his words back.

"I mean... forget it," Ian said.

Mikasa pulled her scarf and covered her mouth with it, looking at back at the mother and daughter, and remembering her real family.

'Why do I have to suddenly think of you now? she questioned.

844

It was raining in the woods. Only a cabin was there in the edge woods. Inside the cabin lived a woman with long black hair and gray eyes knitting, a man with short blond hair and gold eyes peeling a potato, and a young Mikasa.

"I'm finished mama," said Mikasa with a light voice. "What do you think?"

"Oh, Mikasa. It's absolutely fantastic!" complimented her mother. "Excellent work!"

"Thank you," thanked Mikasa.

"We've kept this style of embroidery a family tradition for many generations," Mikasa's mother explained. "When you have children of your own, you must teach it to them.

“How do I get children?" Mikasa asked.

"Well, why don't you asked your father," said her mother.

Her father looked in surprise know that she's too young to know.

"Well, daddy?" Mikasa asked.

“I'm not sure, either," said her father nervously. "But you know, Dr. Jeager's scheduled to pay us a visit so you can ask him."

Then, there was a knock on the door.

"Ah! Speak of the devil," said her father.

The person knocked louder on the door.

"Coming!" her father shouted.

Outside was pouring and Grisha Jeager knocked on the door with a young Eren beside him.

"Mikasa?" asked Eren.

"Yes, a girl about your age," his father replied. "Try to get along, okay? There aren't many children around here."

"It depends is she's nice to me," stated Eren.

"Eren. It's because of that attitude that you don't make friends," he explained.

Grisha looked at the door, and notices it has been long since the knocked.

"Are they home?" he questioned.

Grisha knocked on the door louder.

"Mr. Ackerman! It's Dr. Jaeger!" he yelled.

"Is anybody here?" he asked opening the door.

Grisha gasped at the sight.

"What's wrong?" asked Eren.

Grisha didn't say a word at the sight.

"Dad?" Eren called.

They both enter the cabin to find blood splattered across the window, wall, and the table. Grisha observed a dead woman lying on the floor with a pool of blood.

"It's too late," he said. "Eren, did you see Mikasa anywhere?"

"No," Eren answered.

'All right," said his father turning around. "I need to tell the Military Police to investigate this. You stay at the foot of the mountain. Understood?"

Eren didn't say anything.

"Eren!" his father called. "Eren!"

At the other side of the woods, a large cabin was there. Inside the cabin were two bandits and Mikasa, who had her hands held behind her and bound with a rope and was knocked out.

"Hey, are we sure we can sell her?" asked a bandit with short gray hair. "I don't want to have killed her parents for nothing."

"Look at her face and tell me what she's worth," said another with a short beard and wearing a wool cap sitting on a chair.

The bandit with gray hair turned her around with his foot and looked at her.

"Sure, she's cute but she's still a kid," said the bandit. "She's not really my type."

"I didn't asked what you type is," stated the other bandit sitting. "She's an Asian. Back in the day humans used to have "races". So that one, from back when, is a descendant from those who come from Asia. The old perverts in the capital really go for that sort of thing She's the last survivor of her race. So we should get a good price."

"Her father didn't look like an Asian to me," stated the bandit. "She's not a purebred."

The bandit on the chair slammed his foot onto the floor.

"Yes, she is!" he yelled. "The real valuable was the mother but you had to freak out and kill her!"

"What was I supposed to do?" he asked. "She was putting a fight!"

"Is that all you can say? Huh?!" asked the other bandit.

Couple of hours earlier

The knocking continued and Mikasa's father opened up the door.

"Dr. Jeager, we've been waiting..." said her father.

Then, a knife stabbed him in the gut. The knife was pulled out and was covered in blood. Her father limped back and fell next to the table and died. Mikasa and her mother looked at see the two bandits coming in their house.

"Sorry. Hope we're not interrupting," said the bandit with a wool cap.

Mikasa's mother saw the knife and slowly went to grab a pair of scissors.

"Let's take this nice and easy," said the bandit with gray hair. "I don't want to use this thing.

The bandit lifted the axe high in the air. Mikasa's mother then ran towards the bandits with the pair of scissors, scaring Mikasa in the process. She screamed as she started charging at the bandit.

"This bitch is crazy!" he yelled.

"Run, Mikasa!" her mother yelled.

"Mom, you're scaring me," she whispered.

"Hurry!" she shouted.

"But..." she looked at her dead father, who now had a pool of blood dripping. "Dad?"

"Dammit!" yelled the bandit disarming her mother. "You're worthless as crap!"

The bandit swung his axe into her mother's shoulder. She limped back towards Mikasa. Mikasa was beyond terrified at the event. Blood sputtered everywhere at her mother's gash. Then, her body fell and a giant pool of blood started to spill from her.

"You dumbass! The plan was to only kill the father!" yelled the bandit with the cap.

"She was crazy!" shouted the bandit.

"I don't want to hear it!" yelled the bandit with the cap. "Just grab the kid!"

Mikasa could only look at her dead mother. The bandit then stepped over her body and went up to Mikasa.

"Let's not give me any attitude, all right?" asked the bandit grabbing Mikasa. "Or else you'll get it."

The bandit punched Mikasa in the side of her head and she blacked out.

"So... cold," she muttered.

Inside the cabin, the two bandits continued to talk. The door opened up alerting them both. Both of them saw a boy in front of them.

"Pardon me," said Eren.

"You little shit!" yelled bandit walking towards Eren. "How the hell did you find this place?!"

"Well, I was lost in the woods and I saw your cabin," said Eren

The bandit looked back at the other bandit sitting on the chair. The other bandit gave him a hand signal. The bandit looked at Eren and smiled.

"A kid your age shouldn't be out in the woods alone," said the bandit rubbing his head, unaware of the knife Eren had behind.

"There are big bad wolves out there," said the bandit. "Don't worry, you're safe now. If you stay with us..."

Then, Eren stabbed the bandit in the throat.

"I appreciate that, sir," said Eren angrily wiping the hand on his head. "But I'm not stupid. Die, you bastard."

Eren then slit the bandit's throat and his body fell. Eren stood there. The bandit on the chair got up.

"What the hell?!" he yelled.

Eren then closed the door and ran.

"Wait, you punk!" he yelled running.

The bandit grabbed the axe and stood in the doorway. Eren then charged at the bandit with the knife tied to a broom. The bandit was unaware and Eren screamed as he stabbed the bandit.

"DIE, YOU ANIMAL!!!" yelled Eren stabbing him.

Mikasa regained conscious and looked at see Eren repeatedly stabbing the bandit.

"THIS IS WHAT YOU GET SON OF BITCH! THIS IS WHAT GET FOR WHO YOU ARE! DIE! DIE!!!" yelled Eren.

Eren continued to stab the bandit until he was good as dead. After a couple of stabs he stops and pants, wiping the blood on his head.

"You're safe now," assured Eren. "Don't worry."

Eren used the knife to cut the ropes off Mikasa's hands.

"You're Mikasa, right?" asked Eren. "I'm Eren. I'm Dr. Jeager's son. I'm sure you've met my father before. We stopped by your house today for a checkup."

Mikasa then remembers a third bandit with short brown hair at her door.

"There were three of them," she said.

Then both of them heard foot steps behind them. Both of them turned around to see the third bandit. Eren quickly went for the knife, but the bandit kicked him.

"This is all your doing , isn't it?" he asked.

He grabbed Eren's head and lifted him and grabbing this throat, choking him.

"It was you who did this!" he yelled. "I'm going to kill you!"

The bandit squeezed harder.

"Take me out," Eren wheezed.

Mikasa too scared and shocked to move.

"Fight! Kill or be killed fight for your life!" he wheezed.

"What are you saying?!" he asked.

"The only way to live is to fight!" he wheezed.

Mikasa grabbed the knife and pointed at the bandit.

"I can't," she whispered.

Mikasa was shaking in fear as she held the knife. The bandit squeezed harder to the point Eren was gasping for air. Then both of his arms fell.

"That's when I remembered. I've seen it before. I've seen it many times before. I had noticed it. But I choose not to see it. That's right. This world... is cruel."

Mikasa then lowered the knife and stood there.

"All of a sudden, my body wasn't shaking. I've been in total control over myself ever since. I believed I could do anything. Fight! Fight! FIGHT!

With all the adrenaline flowing in Mikasa's body, she tighten her grip on the knife, and lifted her foot up causing the planks beneath her to break in half. She let out a blood-curling scream as she charged at the bandit at full-speed. The bandit was unaware and only saw Mikasa coming.

Later, the MP arrived with a lamps. They saw the dead bandit, having the knife deeply lodged in his back and was surround by puddles of blood.

"Stabbed through the heart from behind," said an MP with a bread.

"Those two kids did this?" asked another MP with short brown hair.

Outside, Mikasa and Eren met up with Grisha. He hugged his son in relief that he was alive.

"Eren, I told you to wait at the foot of the mountain," said his father. "Do you even understand what you've done here today?!"

"I killed unworthy animals," Eren stated. "They just look like humans!"

"Eren!" scolded his father.

"By the time the MP got here, they'd have been long gone," explained Eren. "It would have been late!"

"It doesn't matter what might have happened!" his father scolded. "You were just lucky What I'm concerned about is how thoughtlessly risked your life!"

Eren looked down in shame knowing his father was right.

"But I saved her," he said.

Grisha took his son's words and got up.

"Mikasa, remember me?" he asked. "We met a few times before when you were young."

"Yes, Dr. Jeager," she replied. "Where can I go home? It's cold. There is nowhere for me to go home to."

Eren then walked up to Mikasa and unwrapped his red scarf. He then started to wrap the scarf around Mikasa.

"You can take this," said Eren. "Isn't it warm?"

She looked at the scarf and started to feel it.

"Yes, it is," she replied.

"Mikasa, how would you feel about coming to live with us?" Eren's father asked.

Mikasa looked at Grisha.

"There are a lot of things you suffered," he said. "What you need is rest."

Mikasa then looked at Eren.

"Let's hurry and go," said Eren grabbing Mikasa's sleeve. "Back to our house."

Mikasa realized that she was getting a new home. Tears started to wield in Mikasa's eyes and tears started to stream down Mikasa's face.

"I'll go home," she said crying.

A Titan was running across the street. Mikasa then latched on to the Titan's nape and sliced it, killing it. She landed on a nearby roof and looked at the many Titans she had killed.

"Only the victorious are allowed to live. A cruel world," she thought.

Then, the bell rang signalling that the evacuation was done and all the civilians were cleared. The gate started to close down.

"It's the squadron, Ackerman. Let's scale the wall," said Ian.

"I'll help the vanguard withdraw," said Mikasa.

Mikasa then started to swing away.

"Ackerman, wait!" he yelled. "Applejack, Dash, Sparkle, Zap, Sugarcoat go follow Ackerman!"

"Yes, sir!" they shouted.

All of them went after Mikasa and started swinging.

But in this cruel world, I have a place to go home. she thought. "Eren. If you remain alive, I can do anything."

Small Blade: The Struggle for Trost, Part 3

They first appeared over a hundred years ago. Giant humanoid creatures with the taste for our blood. The brute strength of these aberrations was more than a human many times over. Humanity was shoved to the brink of extinction almost overnight. The survivors erected walls, Maria, Rose, and Sina, withdrawing behind them in relative safety for a hundred years. However, in the year 845, two terrifying Titans appeared, the Colossal and the Armored. They had destroyed ordinary life, along with a part of the wall. The territory within the circle of Wall Maria was abandoned. Twenty percent of the human race perished and third of the territory was lost. The location of the crisis now switched to Wall Rose. In the year 850, the Colossal appeared once again, breaching the wall bordering Trost. The Titans flooded in through the broken gate. Two hours later, the evacuation of the entire populace was complete. As a result, hardly any civilians were lost to the Titans. The same cannot be said for the countless soldiers who perished.

Back at HQ, several cadets were arguing with Woermann.

"Captain, please wait!" yelled a male cadet. "If the Titans were to attack here we wouldn't have enough personnel to hold them off."

"Please, sir. We need you here!" begged a female cadet.

"Out of my way," Woermann said in a strict voice. "My expertise is needed to help direct the reinforcements."

"Behind the safety of the inner gate right," said another male cadet with short light brown hair.

"Just what the hell are you implying?" Woermann asked. "This is a decision based on fundamental principals. A soldier operates on nothing else but his principals!"

"But if we overcome..." said the female cadet.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!" Woermann yelled pointing his sword at the female cadet. "Consider my orders again and I'll consider it as contempt and strike you down!"

Outside, Mikasa latched on to a tower and landed on the roof. She then heard more soldiers coming her direction. She turned around to see Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat following her.

"What are you girls doing here?" she asked.

"Ian told us to follow you," Sugarcoat replied. "Why are you here?"

"To help the the vanguard out," Mikasa replied.

"You mean them," said Twilight pointing.

Mikasa looked to see a large amount of cadets on the roof.

"They must have heard the withdrawal signal," she thought. "So, why are they not climbing over the wall?"

"Uh... Mikasa look over there," said Applejack pointing.

Mikasa turned to the direction Applejack was pointing to. She saw that the HQ was surrounded by Titans.

On the other side, HQ was surrounded by Titans on every side. In the inside, several cadets were hiding below some tables. A female cadets peeks out to see and Titan looking at them.

"We're finished," she whispered. "We're doom."

Three cadets were in each corner hiding, while another cadet was using a ramrod to load his musket. The building started to shake causing everyone to cover their ears in fear.

"There," said the male cadet.

"Come on, now," said the female cadet next to him. "Do you think that musket is going to be effective?"

The male cadet smiled as he then inserts the musket in his mouth. Without any hesitation, he pulled the trigger, firing it and killing him. Blood splattered on the books behind him. Everyone near him screamed in horror at the sight.

Outside, every cadet was at the roof waiting for supplies.

"Hey, Jean. What are we going to do?" asked Conny.

"We can do anything," said a demoralized Jean. "They finally gave us the order to withdraw. But we're out of gas so we can't go over the wall. I can't believe this is how it's going to end. It's because of those damned cowards."

"Do you mean the senior officers?" Conny asked. "Where are they?! Did they all die?"

"If they all lost their will to fight, I can understand why," Jean replied. "They abandoned their duty to supply use with gas, barricading themselves inside. And of course, Titans have swarmed the place, which means we can't get gas ourselves."

"So we have to take the chance!" Conny shouted. "We've got to take on those Titans! It amounts the same things if we sit here around. We'll just waste what little we've got if we try to run. Without our mobility we're completely done for!"

"You're using your head for once, Conny," complimented Jean. "But do you think we have the capacity to pull this off? The veterans in the Vanguard force have been all killed. With a group of rookies, who has the knowledge or experience to lead the attack?"

Jean looked at the many cadets, who were standing there and curled up.

"I mean, let's assume half of our force even survives the initial assault," said Jean. "Then what? The supply is probably crawling with Titans. I don't see us accomplishing much there."

"I guess it is hopeless," Conny agreed.

Jean could only let out a sigh and grabbed his head.

"God, what a dull life this turned out to be," said Jean. "I never ever got the chance to her how I feel about her."

"Come on, guys, we can do it!" encouraged Sasha to a group of cadets. "Stand up everyone. If we all work together we can make this happen. I'll take the lead."

The cadets didn't reply. They only had the look of horror in their faces. Sasha looked at Armin, who was sitting against a wall.

"Armin!" Sasha called. "Let's all go..."

Armin didn't reply, he had no emotion in his face, still remembering the recent event fresh in his mind. Besides Armin and Sasha, Bertholdt, Reiner, Annie, and Marco were in a group standing.

"Reiner, do we move out?" Annie asked.

"No yet. We have to let them gather up first," Reiner replied.

"It's no use," said Marco.

Bertholdt and Reiner looked at Marco, who was next to them.

"No matter how I think of it, there's no way we can get out of this town alive," said Marco looking up in the sky. "It's as if we must acknowledge the end of our lives. But for what reason are we dying for?"

Behind Marco, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie, Pinkie Pie was talking to her group.

"Come on girls, can't we just have a bit of fun?" she asked.

"Where is the fun?" asked Starlight Glimmer.

"We can play I Spy," suggested Pinkie Pie.

"Okay, I spy with my little eyes, death," said Sunny Flare.

Pinkie looked around to find what Sunny Flare wanted.

"This is hard, where is it?" she asked.

"In front of you," said Sunny Flare.

"My turn!" she shouted. "I spy with my little eyes, something on top of walls."

"This isn't a time to play games Pinkie!" shouted Sunny Flare.

"Aw, you're no fun," said Pinkie Pie. "Hey, Sunset Shimmer do you want to play?"

Sunset Shimmer could only look at Pinkie and looked back. Fluttershy was sitting next to Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, Lemon Zest, and Sour Sweet.

"We have little gas left, death on every corner, and no help," whimpered Fluttershy.

"Can't believe this is our first battle and it goes to shit," said Lemon Zest.

"You said it," said Sour Sweet.

"I wonder where are the rest of the girls?" asked Rarity.

As Rarity said that, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat swung in and arrived at the group.

"Mikasa, Rainbow, Indigo, Applejack, Twilight, Sugarcoat! Weren't all of you in the rear guard?" asked a male cadet

"Girls!" called Starlight Glimmer.

All of them deviated from Mikasa and met up with the rest.

"What are you girls here?" asked Twilight Sparkle. "Did you all hear the withdraw signal?"

"We did, but one problem," said Sunny Flare. "We have little gas."

"Didn't you all get resupplied?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Titans heave surrounded the HQ and everyone inside is trapped," said Sunset Shimmer.

As the girls continued talking, Mikasa ran towards Annie.

"Annie," she called.

Annie looked back at Mikasa.

"I know how bad this have gotten. I know I'm pushing forward my personal concerns but have you seen Eren's squad?" Mikasa asked.

"Some squads made it back," Annie replied. "But I don't know about Eren's."

"Armin's over there," said Reiner.

Mikasa started to run towards Armin.

"Armin!" called Mikasa

Armin gasped at Mikasa's voice and knew in horror.

"Mikasa!" he thought. "I can't do that! How am I going to tell about Eren. It's pointless that I survived. I wished I had died instead of Eren. I wish I had died with him instead."

"Armin. Are you hurt," she asked. "Are you okay?"

Armin didn't reply. Mikasa got up and looked around.

"Where is Eren?" she asked.

Rainbow Dash looked around.

"What is it Rainbow?" asked Indigo Zap.

"I'm just looking for Eren," she replied.

Armin started to cry and looked up at Mikasa. She looked at Armin's eyes and had the look in horror and shock in her eyes.

"We...," cried Armin before looking down. "The cadets of Squad 34, Thomas Wagner, Nack Tierce, Milieus Zeremski, Mina Carolina, Eren Jaeger! These brave five upheld their duties. They died valiantly on the field of battle.

Everyone was in shock of Eren's death. Everyone was affected including the girls, Sasha, Jean, and especially Mikasa.

"Wait... Eren's... dead?" shuttered Pinkie Pie.

"I guess so," replied Rarity quietly.

Pinkie's hair started to deflate into long straight pink hair and started to whimper. Rainbow Dash tried to fight back tears as it started to well in her eyes. Fluttershy started to cry at the loss of her friend. The rest could only look at Armin and Mikasa.

"Why is Pinkie's hair like that now?" asked Sugarcoat.

"Anytime she feels sad her hair starts to deflate," replied Starlight Glimmer.

"Is there a way to fix?" asked Lemon Zest.

"In this situation it might be permanent," said Rarity. "I don't think anything will work, not even a party."

"Eren... is... dead," Pinkie Pie muttered.

Please, no," pleaded Sasha.

"His whole squad was wiped out?" asked a male cadet.

"The same will will happen to us if we try to take those Titans," said another male cadet.

"I'm sorry, Mikasa," Armin apologized crying. "It should have been me that died. I... I couldn't do anything. I'm useless.

Armin continued to cry. Mikasa placed her hand over Armin's hand.

"Armin," she called.

Armin looked at Mikasa.

"Calm yourself," said Mikasa. "We haven't got time for you to get emotional right now."

Mikasa got up, helping Armin to get up

"On your feet," said Mikasa.

Mikasa started to walk away from Armin.

"Marco," she called. "If we get through the Titans at headquarters, we can refuel out gear and everyone can get back over the wall. Is that correct?"

"I guess so," Marco replied. "Even with you leading the attack there's just too many of them."

"I can do it," said Mikasa looking back at Marco.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm strong," she replied lifting her sword. "I'm stronger than all of you. I'm very strong. I have the ability to slay all of the Titans that block our path! All by myself. Either you are just skilled as I am or you are just a bunch of spineless cowards. It's really too bad. All you just sit on your hands an wait here. Sit here and watch."

"Wait, Mikasa. What are you saying?" asked a female cadet.

"Are you going to take them all out by yourself," asked a male cadet.

"There's no way," said another male cadet.

"If I can't beat them, then I die," she replied. "But if I win, I live. The only way to win is to fight."

"Tell me she's just joking," said Starlight Glimmer.

Mikasa then turned around.

"Nope, she's actually going," said Starlight Glimmer.

Everyone watched as Mikasa started to swing away from them.

"What's too bad is the way you try to motivate people," said Jean. "That's supposed to help us?"

Jean pulled out two swords.

"This is your fault, Eren!" he hissed lifting his sword. "Hey! We weren't taught to let our comrades fight alone! You all will really become cowards!"

Jean started to run off and Conny followed him.

"I never expected that from him," said Reiner.

Armin wiped his tears.

"Let's go Armin," said Rainbow Dash.

Marco covered his head and sighed and started to follow Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie.

"Hey, you cowards!" called Sasha. "Let's go!"

Sasha jumped from the roof and started to swing.

"Dammit. All right, let's do this!" yelled a male cadet.

All of them screamed and jumped from the roof and started to swing across. Mikasa saw the next Titan and sliced it's nape killing it.

"Hurry up! Follow Mikasa!" yelled Jean. "Avoid fighting if you can. Get to headquarters before you run out of gas!"

"Whoa, Mikasa is a badass," said Conny in amazement. "How is she going so fast?"

Streams of gas were pouring from the main housing from her gear like contrails.

Oh no! Mikasa's using too much gas! Armin realized. "She will run out right away! It doesn't matter how skilled she is. Once we lose mobility, we're done for!"

Mikasa then swung to the next Titan and sliced its nape. The Titan fell into a nearby building as it died. Mikasa turned around the corner and started to swing.

"She's not her composed self!" Armin thought. "She's suppressing her emotions through physical action. At any second, she could run out of gas!"

Mikasa pressed the the bottom trigger of her control grip, the hiss of the gas was non-existent and she started to fall. Mikasa fell and hit a roof and started to roll off, the force of the impact snapped the blades.

"Mikasa!" shouted Armin redirecting towards Mikasa.

"Armin!" called Rainbow Dash following Armin.

Soon, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, Sunset Shimmer, and Sunny Flare started to follow Rainbow Dash and Armin, while Rarity, Starlight Glimmer, Fluttershy, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, and Lemon Zest continued following Jean.

"Damn!" Jean shouted.

"Jean! You lead the rest forward!" yelled Conny. "I'm going after them!"

"I'll go, too!" shouted Jean.

"Don't be stupid!" yelled Conny. "There are still Titans everywhere! They need your abilities!"

Conny then diverged from Jean and started to follow Armin and the rest. Jean could only accept what Conny said and continued forward.

On the ground, Mikasa laid on top of a market tent, that had caught her fall. She then lifted her sword into the air.

"It happened," she thought. "Why this again? I lost my family again."

She then got off the tent and fell on her knees and looked at the ground.

"Do I remember that pain and start all over again?" she questioned.

Then, footsteps were heard. A Titan then appeared around a corner and started to walk towards Mikasa.

On the other side, Jean and the rest of the cadets were on a roof, near the HQ and were observing the situation.

"It's no use. We can't get close at all," said Jean.

Below them, the ground was littered with Titans roaming around.

"Unless we don't mind dying," said Jean.

Jean heard a cadet on the streets, his hooks were latched on to a side of the building. Then, his main housing didn't puff any gas out.

"He's out of gas!" Jean thought.

Before Jean could go down, multiple Titans swarmed Tom.

"Stay back!" he cried.

Then two cadets swung after Tom.

"Tom! I'll save you!" yelled a male cadet.

"Stop!" yelled Jean.

Then, a female cadet followed. The Titan grabbed Tom, and he could only scream and squirm around in the Titan's hand.

"Stop!" yelled the male cadet.

Then the Titan grabbed the male cadet by the waist, the force caused his spin to break, killing him. Jean can only watch as the cadets were getting devoured. Tom cried as the Titan opened its mouth. Tom let out a scream and with a loud crunch, the Titan bit Tom's torso, his body twitched a bit and stopped as blood ran down the Titan's hand.

"Why couldn't I stop them?" Jean questioned. "Why didn't I stop them?" If we stayed together, this would never have happened."

A female cadet screamed as a Titan held her arms. The Titan torn off the cadet's arms by the Titan's fingers. Rarity, Starlight Glimmer, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, Lemon Zest, and Pinkie Pie could only cringe at the sight. Fluttershy only whimpered at the sight.

"Do I have what it takes?" he questioned. Do I have it in me to be responsible?"

The other cadets on the roof could only watch at the sight they were looking at.

On the other side, Mikasa stows her blade in the box.

"This world is cruel," she thought. But, it's also very beautiful."

The Titan got closer and closer to Mikasa.

"It was a good life," she thought.

Mikasa close her eyes and accepted her fate. The Titan stopped and attempted to garb Mikasa. She used her broken blade and sliced the Titan's finger. The Titan used it's other hand and attempted to grab Mikasa, but she dodged it. The Titan attempted to grab Mikasa, but she would keep on dodging the attacks. On of the attack, managed to fling Mikasa into a wall.

"Why?" she questioned.

The Titans hand again tried to grab Mikasa, but to only make her dodge it again.

"I thought I gave up," she thought.

Mikasa rolled on the ground and stopped. She got back up.

"Why do i keep on getting up?" she questioned. 'Why am I struggling? I mean, I've lost all reason to live."

The Titan attempted to get up, but to only fall on a pile of bricks from the wall it created.

"For what reason?" she questioned. "I have no reason to be alive. What is making me..."

Mikasa backed up and attempted to run, but to only see another Titan coming from the opposite direction.

"Fight! Fight!"

"Eren," she realized.

The Titans got closer to Mikasa.

"Killed or be killed, the only way to win is to fight!"

"I'm so sorry, Eren I'm through giving up!" she thought.

Tears started to well up in Mikasa's eyes as she remembers the good times with Eren.

"I'll never give up again," she thought crying. "Because if I die, I won't be able to have these memories. So I'll do whatever it takes to win! I'll do whatever it takes to live!"

Mikasa let out a blood-curdling scream as the Titan in front of her attempted to grab her. Then, the Titan behind her stomped behind her, causing her to bounce. The Titan punched the Titan in the jaw. The force of the punch was hard enough to destroy it and thrust it several yards away. Blood splattered across a nearby wall. Mikasa slid on the ground and so did the Titan.

"What was that," she asked.

She looked up and gasped. A 15-meter Titan with a muscular build, long brown hair, green eyes, hooked nose, elongated ears, lacking lips revealing all its teeth stood in front of Mikasa. The Titan whiffed. Mikasa watched in amazement at her sight. Then, the Titan out a loud and savage roar causing Mikasa to cover her ears. The Titan started run towards the Titan and stomps on it repeatedly. Mikasa watched in awe at the sight.

"That Titan... is killing... the other," she said in awe.

The Titan stopped stomping on the other Titan when it was good as dead. The Titan then looked into the air. Mikasa let out a small gasp. In the air, Armin was soaring across the air.

"Please be alright, Mikasa," said Armin. "I'm coming for you."

The Titan's roar managed Armin looked at the ground and saw Mikasa.

"There she is," said Armin.

Armin then lowered down and latched on to a wall, and grabbing Mikasa off the ground. Both of them landed on top of the roof.

"Mikasa! Are you okay?" asked Armin.

Conny, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare landed on the same roof.

"Mikasa!" called Sunset Shimmer.

"Are you guys all right?" asked Conny.

"Yeah," Armin replied.

"Then, we better get out of there," said Conny.

"Um... Conny," said Twilight Sparkle pointing.

Conny looked to see a Titan with short light brown hair and the Titan coming face-to-face.

"Crap! Two 15-meter Titans!" shouted Conny.

"No, that one is different," assured Mikasa.

Armin looked down and saw a giant skeleton of a Titan.

"How?" he asked.

The Titan roared at the other Titan in front of it. The other Titan roared back at the Titan back. Then, it raised both of its fists up ready. The others watched as the battle ensues. The other Titan bellowed and charged at the Titan. The Titan then throws punch on the side of the other Titan's neck, beheading it. The others on the roof watched in amazement as the head of the other Titan was careened into a bell tower. The other Titan's body fell over. The Titan then regenerated it's hand and stomps on the other Titan's nape, killing it.

"It just finished it off," said Armin in amazement. "It exactly knew where the weak spot was."

The Titan started to walk away.

"Well, I'll be," said Applejack in amazement.

"That was awesome!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

"Holy shit," said Indigo Zap.

"Whoa, never seen that before," said Sunset Shimmer.

"That was unbelievable," said Sunny Flare.

"We move to move, guys!" shouted Conny. "Before he comes our way!"

"No, he has no reaction to us," assured Armin.

"Armin's right, if it had a reaction to us it wouldn't fight the others," said Twilight Sparkle.

"it seemed to understand the skill of hand-to-hand combat," stated Mikasa. "What is that thing?"

"Just chalk it up as another Abnormal," said Conny. "There's so much we don't know. Forget about it. Let's just get out of here."

"Wait a minute! Mikasa's tanks are empty!" yelled Armin.

"What! Are you serious?!" Conny shouted. "What are we going to do without you?!"

"There's only one thing to do," Armin replied taking out his gas cylinders. "There isn't much left in mine."

"Wait, Armin we could share," said Twilight.

"We can't, all of you have a little only a little left," said Armin.

"But... but... okay," sighed Twilight Sparkle

"Hurry and switch it with yours," said Armin.

"Armin!" she yelled.

"It's the only choice we have," said Armin. "It'll be a complete waster if I keep them. But... use this gas more sparingly. So you could save everyone."

"I led the attack without any regard for their lives at all," she realized. "And before I realized that responsibility, I was even reckless with my own life. All because of my personal circumstances. I..."

"There it works," said Armin as gas puffed from the main housing. "I also restocked your blades."

"What about you Armin?" asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Just leave me," replied Armin.

"What?! That's crazy talk!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

Armin looked at the broken blade.

"If I can, I want to be avoid being eaten," said Armin.

Mikasa grabbed the broken blade and threw it off the roof.

"But... but why?" he asked.

Then, Mikasa placed her hand over Armin's hand.

"Armin!" she called.

Armin looked back at Mikasa.

"I will not leave you behind," assured Mikasa.

Mikasa helped Armin got up and all of them looked on ahead. Mikasa then recalled her sight.

"That moment... I was bewildered," she thought. "I never heard of a Titan killing another Titan. But it finally made sense to me. What I saw was the embodiment of humanity's rage."

I Can Hear His Heartbeat: The Struggle for Trost, Part 4

In the year 850, the Colossal Titan again appeared and decimated yet another barrier between us and them. Once more, mankind retreated in panic before the advance of its greatest for. Brave soul after brave soul perished, eaten alive. Eren himself fell prey to their hunger. Just when things seemed their darkest for Mikasa, out of nowhere came the unlikeliest of allies.

"There it works," said Armin as gas puffed from the main housing of Mikasa's gear. "I also restocked your blades."

"What about you Armin?" asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Just leave me," replied Armin.

"What?! That's crazy talk!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

Armin looked at the broken blade.

"If I can, I want to be avoid being eaten," said Armin.

Mikasa grabbed the broken blade and threw it off the roof.

"But... but why?" he asked.

Then, Mikasa placed her hand over Armin's hand.

"Armin!" she called.

Armin looked back at Mikasa.

"I will not leave you behind," assured Mikasa.

"But Titans are everywhere!" stated Armin. "You can't jump and carry me on your back at..."

"Great idea!" shouted Twilight Sparkle.

"What?" asked Armin.

Connie got up to Armin's face and grabbed Armin's arm.

"Come on. Let's move," said Conny.

All of them started to run towards the roof.

"Please, don't do this. It's not going to work," he thought. "Enough people have died on my account."

As they all got closer from the end of the roof, the Titan roared behind them. Armin looked behind him and an idea sparked in his mind.

"Wait!" shouted Armin taking back his hand. "I've got an idea!"

"What is it, then?" Conny asked.

"Only you all are capable of pulling this off, so it's really your choice," replied Armin. "This may sound crazy, but I think he might be useful."

"Whoa, you mean that Titan?" asked Conny.

"He only attacks his own kind. He seems to have no interest in us," said Armin. "What if we can somehow steer him to HQ and let him loose on the other Titans? Look, we know he's taken one out already. We can use him as a weapon!"

"You have got to be kidding!" shouted Conny.

"How the hell are we going to steer that Titan?" asked Indigo Zap.

"Well, something tells me he's fighting on instinct," replied Armin. "I'm almost sure if you take the pair he's tangling with now, he'll go look for others. That would lead him to HQ. We're not steering him so much as he is himself. I think it'll work. I really do."

"Think?!" You're asking us to rick our necks on a stupid gut feeling?!" asked Conny.

"If I'm right about this, we can put down the siege on HQ in one fell swoop!" stated Armin.

"It's worth a shot," replied Mikasa.

"What?! Seriously?!" asked Conny.

"Better to take a gamble on Armin's gut feeling than wait around to be slaughtered," Mikasa replied. "If there's a decent shot, why not take it?"

"She does have a point," said Sunset Shimmer.

"So you're telling me we're recruiting a Titan?" asked Conny.

"Yes. Exactly," replied Mikasa.

"Hey Conny, would you rather take on the Titans on HQ or have the Titan do it?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Conny then looked at Armin.

"We'll look like morons if we screw this up," said Conny.

"Yeah. But if we don't, look how many lives we stand to save," said Armin.

"Where there's a will there's a way," said Mikasa running.

Armin, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Indigo Zap, Sunset Shimmer, and Sunny followed Mikasa.

"It's still nuts, but what the hell?" questioned Conny.

"Just shut up and follow," said Sunny Flare.

Conny sighed and followed the rest of the group.

On the other side, Jean was still on the roof, gripping his sword and watching the Titan feast.

"Why couldn't I stop them? he questioned. "I'm the last person that should've been given the reigns!"

Jean closed his eyes and quickly opened his eyes.

"No! This is out chance!" he realized. "We can get the drop on them while they're preoccupied. It's perfect!"

"Let's go!" shouted Jean.

Everyone looked at Jean.

"Make for a break for HQ while they're distracted!" he shouted.

Jean then jumped off the roof and landing on another layer and started to run.

'Well, better late than never," said Starlight Glimmer.

She then started to follow Jean. One by one everyone started to follow Jean.

"We can do this!" Jean thought. "Hey, we run out of gas, we're dead anyway!"

"Give it everything you've got!" he yelled.

On the other side, Mikasa swung around the town and and when towards a Titan. She wrapped around it and sliced its nape. Behind Mikasa, Conny was carrying Armin, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Sunny Flare, and Indigo Zap were swinging amd following Mikasa and Conny. The Titan pushed another Titan into a building and repeatedly punched it. After killing the other Titan, the Titan looked at HQ to see more Titans.

Jean and the other cadets were gliding across and were heading into a group of Titans. Jean took the lead. All the cadets dodged the Titans, then a Titan grabbed Jean by the leg, but Jean sliced its finger off, letting him go. Jean then landed on a roof and started running. Marco then landed next to him.

"Jean!" called Marco.

"What?" replied Jean.

"You really came through for us there, man," said Marco. "We owe you big time."

"Huh?" he replied.

"Don't shrug it off, I'm serious," said Marco. "We're alive because of you! As I said, you're a great leader! Easy with that crap."

Jean the looked forward.

"We're not out of this yet!" he shouted.

Then, several Titan attempted to grab Jean and Marco, but both of them dodged it. A Titan then appeared next to a male cadet and grabbed him. The cadet screamed as he was devoured. Jean looked back wondering.

'Dammit!" he yelled.

Jean screamed as he latched on to a wall. Jean headed towards a window in the upper deck, he braced for impact as he was getting closer. Jean then crashed into the window, breaking it. He tumbled over and got up. Then, Marco and Annie crashed into a window followed by several other cadets.

"We... made it," stuttered Fluttershy.

"Yeah," said Pinkie Pie boringly.

"You think?" groaned Sour Sweet.

"How many of us made it?" Jean questioned. How many bodies did I crawl over? How many of our comrades died on my orders?"

Jean then looked to this right and saw two cadets under a desk. Jean looked them and they looked back.

"Hold on a sec," said Jean. "You guys with the supply team?"

"Yeah," replied a male cadet.

Jean then grabbed the cadet and punched him in the face. Marco came behind Jean and pulls him off.

"Jean stop!" yelled Marco.

"You cowards! you left us out there on out own! People are dead because you didn't have the balls to do your job!" yelled Jean.

"The Titans were coming at us from every angle!" cried a female cadet. "They overran the supply room, okay?"

"It's your job to deal with it and back us up anyway!" Jean yelled.

Then, Reiner heard something in the distance.

"HIT THE DECK!!!" he yelled.

Everyone heard the sound. Then, a large portion of a wall behind exploded, causing a cadet to fly and hitting the ground. Jean covered his face and looked to see a Titan's head looking inside the building.

"There's too many people! They can smell us!" realized Jean.

"Nobody told me Titans can smell us!" yelled Lemon Zest.

"They're giant humans, what did you expect," said Sugarcoat.

Everyone ran to the other side of the building screaming in terror.

"RUN!!!" yelled a male cadet.

"GET FURTHER IN!" yelled another.

"WHERE'S MIKASA?!" asked a third one.

"SHE RAN OUT OF GAS! FORGET ABOUT HER. SHE'S DEAD!!!" yelled a fourth.

"This is it," Jean thought. "This is reality. Of course it is. How deluded was I? No, on the same level, I knew it all along. I mean, when you stop and think for a second, it's obvious."

Then, two Titans looked straight at Jean.

"There's no winning. Not against them," he thought.

Then Jean saw a giant fist punching the side of the Titan.

"What?!" he asked.

The Titan's punched launched the other two Titans, their bodies were dragged onto the ground and several meters away from HQ. The Titan lets out tremendous roar.

"Wha... What the.. My god," stuttered Jean.

Then, Mikasa crashed into a window, following was Conny, Armin, and the others.

"Mikasa, you're..." said Jean.

"Girls!" called Starlight Glimmer.

The rest of the group reunited with the rest of them.

"Wow. Close one," said Conny hitting his cylinder. "I was running out of fumes. We made it here, though! Crazy, but we did!"

"How is she alive, even though she ran out of gas?" asked Sour Sweet.

"You... I... Am dreaming this, or what?" Jean asked.

"You're a goddamn genius!" said Conny slapping Armin's back. "From now on, as far I'm concerned, your word is law!"

"What was that thing?" asked Starlight Glimmer.

"Check it out guys! We found an Abnormal that's got a bone to pick with its own kind," said Conny pointing to the Titan. "And the best part? He couldn't care less about us!"

"At least he's friendly to us," said Fluttershy.

"I never heard any Titan like that before," said Sugarcoat.

"That's right you, heard me: This big beautiful son of a bitch is our ticket out of here!" assured Conny.

The Titan started to walk towards the other Titans ready to engaged them.

"You mean like fighting fire with fire?" asked a male cadet.

"Listen to yourself, a Titan's not going to help us!" shouted Jean. "You're out of your mind is you think this can work!"

"It's working," assured Mikasa. "For whatever reason he's rampaging against them. Stand back and let him do it. Trust me. You'll see."

The Titan punched another Titan in the punched in the face. The Titan then lets out a loud roar signaling all the Titans around. All of the Titan started to walk towards the Titan.

"Either way, what choice do we have?" she asked. "Right now that thing is out best chance at survival."

The Titan looked back and saw another Titan coming at him. The Titan got the other Titan in an arm lock and dragging it on the ground. The Titan lets out another loud roar as more Titans started to walk towards the Titan.

"Look at him go. This guy makes the other look like total weaklings," said Conny.

The Titan punched another Titan in the jaw and kicks two smaller ones. Inside a building a lift, was going up where the cadets were placed.

"They're not going to take this building," assured Conny. "Not with him rampaging out there."

"That's all well and good," said Reiner. "But what's to keep him from turning on us once he's done?"

"Guess we'll worry about that when we're safe," Conny replied.

"Yeah, you're right," Reiner smiled. "At least he's buying us a little time."

"Good news!" shouted Jean carrying a box in his hand. "Courtesy of the Military Police. And covered with a layer of dust.

Jean then took out a musket out of the box and loaded it.

"Are you absolutely sure buckshot is the way to go?" asked Jean. "Seems like we might as well throw spitwads. I mean are guns even effective?"

Everyone gathered around Armin, who had laid a map down of the supply room.

"I don't know, but they're bound to be better than nothing," Armin replied. "We're looking at ten Titans in the supply room, of the 4-meters-tall variety. If we time this perfectly, this much ammo ought to be enough to do the trick."

"So how does this plan of yours work Armin?" asked Starlight Glimmer.

"Step one, we lower a group into the area via lift to get the Titan's attention. Step two, when the Titans come within range, the group fires in all directions simultaneously, blinding them. Then the hard part, the moment of truth, as it were. Before the Titans have time to recover, ten of us swoop down from the ceiling and strike at their napes. That's it," Armin explained. "That's the plan. It puts all our lives on the line. We screw up, we're dead. That's a hell of a risk for one attack but it's our only chance. Ten people have to slay ten Titans in one blow, at the same time. We're going to need the best of you. The ten soldiers most physically gifted and adept with their pairing blades. You'll be the difference between life and death for the rest of us. I'm sorry. That's it."

"Sounds like a good plan," Reiner complimented.

"This plan looks foolproof," said Indigo Zap.

'Look when you make the first plan work it makes the rest a working plan," said Sunset Shimmer.

"When you get right down to it, the risk is the same for everyone," said Annie. "Doesn't really matter who goes."

"Look, I... I'm willing to be talked out of this," said Armin. "One half-baked strategy can't be our only option, right?"

"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself," said Marco. "Come on, with our situation? Cause for our only option, it's pretty well thought out. If we give it our all, we might just pull this off!"

"It'll be fine," assured Mikasa. "You just have to be confident. You're a better strategist than you give yourself credit for. I'm serious. That mind saved Eren and me more than once."

"When did I save you?" asked Armin.

Then, the door to the lift opened.

"Alright, the lift's ready to go," said a male cadet. "Guns are loaded to the stocks. Let's go kill some Titans!"

"You didn't realize it at the time," said Mikasa. "We can talk about it later."

Mikasa walked away and Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Indigo Zap followed her. Then, Conny, Sasha, Jean, Annie, Reiner, Bertholdt, Mikasa, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Indigo Zap started to go downstairs.

"Okay. I'm going to ask the obvious question. Can we do this without ODM gear?" asked Conny.

"No problem," Reiner simply replied. "These guys are only four meters tall. Their weak spot are not too far above eye level."

"He's right. Size won'r be an issue," said Jean.

'The spot is still one meter high and ten centimeters across," said Sasha.

"Back of the head to the nape of the neck," said Reiner. "Worst comes to worst, you can always just shove one of these up their ass."

"That's the weak spot? Are you serious?" asked Conny.

"Conny are you missing a brain?" asked Indigo Zap.

"That's news to me! Did I miss a day of training or something?" questioned Sasha.

"Come on. Knock it off, Reiner. You want your final words to be an ass joke?" Jean asked.

Down below, the supply room was littered of Titans roaming around. The lift containing Armin, Marco, Twlight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, and Sour Sweet was going down to the supply room. The lift stopped before touching the ground.

"Good. We;re still at seven," said Marco.

Everybody aimed their muskets at every side and corner waiting for the Titans to come.

"Okay, now, nice and easy," said Marco.

A Titan walked in front of them and stopped half way. The Titan looked to see the lift with the other cadets. Several cadets gasped in fear.

"Don't lose your cool!" shouted Marco. "Fire only when they're all within range!"

The Titan started to walk towards them.

"Steady," said Marco.

On top, Mikasa, Jean, Conny, Sasha, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Indigo Zap were on top of beams ready for their attack.

"That's right... wait for it," Reiner thought.

"Our lives are riding on this," Jean thought. "Got to make this attack count."

"Steady," repeated Marco.

Then, all ten Titans were close to the the muzzle of the musket. All of them aimed at the eyes.

"Almost," said Marco.

He then placed his finger at the trigger. Then a Titan's eyes got close to the musket.

"Fire!" yelled Marco.

All at once, the cadets pushed the triggering, firing all their muskets. Their bullets hit each of the Titan's eyes blinding them. Then, all the cadets on the top started running and jumped off the beam to their targets. Mikasa sliced her target's nape and killing it.

"Got it. How are you guys?" asked Mikasa.

Then, Mikasa and Jean landed as their target died, but Conny and Sasha missed their target. The Titan had regained its eyes back and looked back at Sasha and Conny.

"Uh... I, uh... I'm sorry," stuttered Sasha. "I didn't."

"Oh crap," said Conny.

"I didn't mean mean to sneak up on you," said Sasha.

Their Titans started to walk towards Sasha and Conny.

"Sasha and Conny missed!" yelled Bertholdt.

"What?!" yelled Applejack.

"Lead'em the hell back!" shouted Jean.

Sasha stood there in fear as the Titan got closer to her. The Titan tired to pounced at Sasha, but got out of the way.

"I said I was sorry!" she yelled.

She looked up to see Mikasa slicing the Tiatn's nape. Annie then sliced Conny's Titan's nape.

"MIKASA!!!" called Sasha. "You saved my life!"

"Are you okay?" Mikasa asked.

"Because of you I am," replied Sasha.

"Then get up," said Mikasa.

"I owe you one," said Conny.

"No worries," said Annie.

"Wow. By the skin of your teeth. You're dman lucky you didn't end up worse off," said Reiner.

Annie then walked away from Reiner and Betholdt.

"They're all dead!" shouted Jean. "Start loading up supplies!"

Everyone smiled.

"It worked!" yelled Sasha.

"Woohoo," said Pinkie Pie.

"We did it! We actually did it!" yelled Fluttershy.

Lemon Zest let out a huge sigh of relief. Marco fainted and Amrin and a female cadet caught him. Everyone was happy at the sight of refilling their ODM gear with gas.

"We're going to make it! We're going to live!" shouted a male cadet.

"No more of 'em coming in!" shouted another.

"Thank you, crazy-berserker Titan!" thanked a third one.

Sasha loaded her gear with gas.

"I caved. In front of the whole gang. I'm never going to face any of them again!" she cried.

"Dammit, feel sorry for yourself later!" yelled Conny. "Focus on escape!"

On the other side, Jean and Marco sat next to a container, refilling their cylinders with gas.

"Listen, man. What you said about me being a leader and all," said Jean. "Don't talk to me like that again, all right?"

"Promise me you're not going to take this the wrong way," said Marco. "But I don't think you're a good leader because you're strong. I think you're a good leader because you know what it's like to be weak. You're one of us. You're scared out of your mind just like we all are. It makes you so alert, sympathetic."

Jean looked at Marco.

"You made a damn good call out there," complimented Marco. "Got me running for my life. You're why I can say this."

Everyone then exited out of HQ with their supplies loaded.

"Ready, people? asked a male cadet. "Let's do this!"

Everyone swung out of HQ and headed towards the wall escaping from the Titans outside. Armin saw Mikasa, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap on top of a roof.

"Mikasa?" asked Armin.

Armin latched on to the roof as Reiner and Bertholdt came from the building.

"What are you all doing?" he asked. "We have to go."

'Look," said Mikasa. "Down there."

Armin looked and was shocked. The Titan was pinned against a building with multiple Titans. The other Titans were eating at the Titan. The Titan roared in pain.

"Cannibalism?" asked Armin. "Can he regenerate like the other?"

"This may sound stupid, but I was hoping he'd be the key of us," said Mikasa.

"I thought he would win against the others," said Twilight Sparkle.

"He helped mankind break the cycle," said Mikasa. "Turn the tide just as long enough to give us a little ray of hope."

Then, Reiner, Betholdt, Jean, Annie, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, Starlight Glimmer, Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie

"She's right," said Reiner. "He too valuable to just let it die. There's too much we can learn from him. I think it's perfectly clear our priority should be to ward the scavengers off him. He's no good to us picked apart."

"Are you out of your mind?!" asked Jean. "We've got a path out of this nightmare and you want to stay?"

"Think about it, having an Abnormal as an ally would be an incredible advantage, right?" asked Annie.

"This Titan would be a beast if it were allies with us," said Sunny Flare.

"Do you hear yourself?" asked Jean. "He's not like a new friend!"

Then, Armin looked and saw a familiar Titan in the distance.

"Oh no, it's the one that ate Thomas!" realized Armin.

The Titan used its strength pushing and started running towards the other Titan. Two Titans bit both of it's arms off and started running towards the Titan. The Titan bits down on the nape of the other Titan. Everyone watched in amazement at the sight. The Titan lifted the other with it's mouth. The Titan looked at see another one sneaking up. The Titan used the other to crush it. Then, the Titan tossed the other Titan into another one, crashing it into a building.

"Holy..." said Jean.

The Titan let out a victorious roar.

"What was that you were saying?" asked Reiner.

The Titan limped forward and fell onto the ground on it's face.

"Cause I think it's a moot point now," said Jean. "Alright, enough of this! Let's have while we can! We're lucky the ugly bastard didn't get bored. We'd have been next on the menu. Look a Titan's a Titan..."

Jean looked back and saw non of them moving. All of them looked at the ground.

"What are you looking at?" Jean asked.

On the ground, the Titan's corpse started to disintegrate. A figure removes itself from the Titan, revealing an alive Eren Jaeger. Mikasa saw and was shocked and surprised.

"Is that who I think that is?" asked Pinkie Pie as her hair started to puff up.

"It can't be," said Sour Sweet.

"Well I'll be," said Applejack.

Mikasa then jumped off the roof and started to swing towards Eren.

"Mikasa!" called Armin.

Mikasa landed in front of Eren and started running towards him. Mikasa hugged the unconscious Eren for a while, and knowing it wasn't fake. She placed the side of head on Eren's chest. Tears started to well up in Mikasa's eyes as she heard Eren's heart starting to beat. Mikasa lets out all her emotions as she cried hugging Eren. Then, Armin and Jean swung down towards Mikasa and Eren.

On the other side, several Stationary Guards monitor the Trost District over Wall Rose.

Back at the Trost District, on top of the supply HQ, Jean, Armin, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, and Indigo Zap watch Mikasa crying the alive Eren. Armin looks at Eren.

"It's him," he thought. "But his arm. His leg. I don't understand. I watched him get eaten. I watched him die. I saw..."

Tears started to well up in Armin's eyes. He grabbed Eren's hand and he then breaks down into tears. Then, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity broke down into tears to see their friend alive they all surround Mikasa and Eren.

"How is this possible," Armin asked.

Jean, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, and Sunny Flare looked behind.

"So, uh... Eren did all of this?" asked Jean.

"What do you think," groaned Sour Sweet.

Jean ignored Sour Sweet's mood swing. The bodies of the Titans that Eren killed started to disintegrate into steam.

Whereabouts of His Left Arm: The Struggle for Trost, Part 5

They first appeared over a hundred years ago. Giant, humanoid creatures with a taste for our blood. The brute strength of these aberrations was more than a human many times over. Humanity was shoved to the brink of extinction almost overnight. The survivors erected Walls: Maria, Rose, and Sina, withdrawing numbers behind them in relative safety for a hundred years. And then...

The Titan assault on Trost left us reeling. Military causalities were profound, owing at least in part to the Scout Regiment's absence at the time. Ironically, they'd embarked on a reconnaissance mission beyond the wall that very morning."

A few hours earlier

Before Colossal attack

"Heads up! The main unit of the Scout Regiment is back!" shouted a male civilian

Commander Erwin Smith was riding through the streets with a white horse.

"That's right, Commander Erwin! You give those ugly bastards a thrashing!" yelled another male civilian.

Eren and his friends watch as the Scouts leave.

"Look! It's Captain Levi!" yelled a third one.

"They say he's like an entire brigade unto himself," said a fourth one.

Levi was riding next a woman with light brown eyes, long dark brown hair, and wearing square rimmed glasses.

"Spare me please," said Levi quietly.

"That scowl will crush your fans," said the woman. "Not that it's any of my business, but from a public relations standpoint you might want to lighten up."

"Whatever Hange," said Levi rolling his eyes.

"The threshold of Titania! Can't you just envision the horrors in store for us, comrades?" Hanje asked. "If we bag an Abnormal, I'll burst with tears of joy!

"I think we've bagged an abnormal already," said Levi.

"Seriously? Where?" she asked looking around.

Levi placed his on top of Hange's head, grabbed her hair and directed to his face.

"Right here," said Levi.

"Move out!" yelled Erwin.

Then, all of the Scouts started to exit the Trost District.

The Scout Regiment's primary function is to conduct reconnaissance beyond the walls and to establish bases of expansion acting as a spearhead for human knowledge. Thanks to the ingenuity of its exemplary numbers, the regiment's survival rates have improved. They said, excursions into long relinquished territory still commonly result in a death toll exceeding 30%, a stark illustration of the disparity between our strength and that of the Titans.

A Titan was chewing on a male Scout soldier, half inside the Titan's mouth.

"One day, one day..." said the Scout. "You'll all just a bad memory. Mankind will destroy all of you! Mark my words. the last ones standing will be us!"

The Scout then stabbed the Titan's cheek. The Titan then bit down on the soldier, blood spurred everywhere, and the Scout screamed in pain.

"Gorge while you can, you bastard," muttered the Scout. "Just wait until Captain Levi arrives!"

Then, a wire flies across the Titan's nape and the hook latches on to a tower. Then, a figure slices the Titan's nape, Levi spun around and looked at the Titan as it fell to the ground, dead. Levi then looked in the distance.

"One on the right, two in the left," said Levi.

Then, a female Scout soldier with light amber eyes and light ginger hair landed next to Levi, along with two other Scouts.

"Captain! The reinforcements are here, sir!" she yelled.

"Good. Tend to our comrade below, Petra," said Levi. "You two, take the out Titan to your right. The pair on the left belongs to me."

"Captain!" called Petra.

Levi took off the started swinging right towards the pair of Titans. On the right, a Titan pounced on two Scouts. The two of them dodge it and the Titan crashed into a building. Then, Hange started swinging towards the Titan and landed on a roof behind it. The Titan looked behind.

"Don't be scared, big guy!" shouted Hange. "I won't hurt you. Cross my heart and hope to die!"

The Titan attempted to grab Hange, but she quickly got out of the way. Hange then wrapped around the Titan.

"Points for try, but you're a little slow on the uptake," said Hange.

Hange then reeled towards the Titan's nape and sliced it, killing it. She landed and and had blood on her cape. The blood then evaporated.

"See? Bet you barely felt a thing," said Hange.

Levi got close to the pair as he swung from building to building.

"I know you probably can't help being hideous," said Levi as he landed on a roof walking towards the pair.

One the pair saw Levi and attempted to grab him. Levi hopped of the roof and latched onto a nearby tower, wrapping around the Titan. Levi then sliced the Titan's nape, landing on top of the tower and immediately hopped off to the second one. Levi threw his blades into the Titan's eyes. The Titan roared in pain as Levi landed on top of its head.

"Easy, big stuff," said Levi. "Otherwise slicing your flesh could be very messy.

Levi took out a pair of blades. He then jumped from the Titan's head and started spinning, and sliced its nape. Levi then got up to a roof and looked at his handle and hand, which was covered in blood.

"Shit, it's disgusting," said Levi in disgust.

He then started cleaning the handle and his hand.

On the ground, Petra was tending to the fatally wounded Scout solider. Levi walked towards them and looked down at both of them.

"Captain," said Petra. "I can't stop the bleeding."

The Scout lied on the ground with blood coming from his mouth. Petra cover a cloth over the wound of the Scout.

"Captain... Levi..." muttered the Scout.

Levi squatted next to the dying the Scout.

"I'm here," said Levi.

"Did this make a difference? Was I helpful?" the Scout asked. "Please, sir. I don't want to die without helping mankind.

Levi grabbed his bloody hand as the Scout started to slowly die.

"You did a great job today, solider," replied Levi. "And you will keep doing it. Your strength won't die with you. The torch will be carried on by me This I swear on my very life. The Titans will be eradicated!

The Scout lets out his last dying breath and closed his eyes as he died.

"Captain," said Petra. "He's already... dead."

"Did the man hear what I had to say?" asked Levi.

Petra looked at the dead Scout soldier.

"Yes, he did," she replied. "I think he heard all of it. Look at him. That's a face at peace."

"We can hope," said Levi getting up.

Then, Levi heard someone coming behind him. He turned around and saw Commander Erwin coming in his direction.

"Levi!" called Erwin. "We're pulling out."

Petra got up in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Levi asked. "You damn well know that we can push further! My men didn't die to pave our retreat!"

"There's a swarm of Titans moving north bearing down on the city," Erwin replied.

Petra gasped in horror as Levi had a scowl on his face.

"It's just like five year ago. Something's happening to the city," said Erwin. "The wall may have already been reduced to rubble."

"Damn you," said Eren. "Damn you."

Eren's left hand was then bitten off. He then woke up and looked around. He and wondered where he was, it only had the color red. Eren looked to see all the lifeless soldiers floating around. Eren gasped in horror at the sight of heads, arms, legs, and torsos floating around. Eren screamed in horror has he backed up.

"This... This isn't real!" whimpered Eren. "We were ready. We were different from five years ago. We trained hard. We hit the books and learned. So we knew how to beat them. And know hot to survive."

"Help me. It's so hot," whispered a dying soldier.

Eren looked back to see a his mother's head floating around. He then remembers all the good times he had with his mother before it was taken away.

"Mom... Mom..." muttered Eren.

"Help me," whimpered the dying soldier.

Then the head started to sink down.

"How has it come to this?" wondered Eren. "Why has everything been taken from us? Our lives. Our dreams. Everything."

Tears started wield up in Eren's eyes and started to stream down Eren's face.

"Damn you. Damn you all to hell!" cried Eren as he reaches towards the Titan's throat with his missing left arm.

"I refuse to die like this!" declared Eren. "I'll drive them all out! Kill them with my bare hands! Do you hear me? WITH MY BARE HANDS!!!"

Then, suddenly, an enormous hand exploded out the Titan's mouth, causing it to stumble, before falling face first. As the Titan lied on the ground, Eren emerges in Titan form, causing the back of the Titan to burst. Blood splattered across a nearby wall. Eren's Titan lets out a loud roar. Eren's Titan decapitates the Titan that ate him. Then, a smaller Titan started walking towards him. He then started walking towards the smaller Titan.

"I'll drive you out," said Eren. "This isn't your world."

The smaller Titan then jumps at Eren. He punched the smaller Titan's mouth, damaging its head enough to kill it.

"I'll kill every last one of you," said Eren.

The smaller Titan fell to the ground as it lied their motionless. He starts stomps on the deceased Titan's head repeatedly.

"More. More. I'll kill more of them," said Eren. "More. A whole lot more of them."

"I'll kill them all," whispered Eren smiling.

Armin sits next to Eren with horror in his face.

"Eren," called Armin.

Eren looked up and was shocked to see the amount of Garrisons surrounding all three of them.

"Eren?" called Mikasa.

"You alright? Can you move?" asked Armin. "Look at me, Eren. Listen, you've got to tell them everything! They'll understand!"

"Armin," called Eren.

"Did you catch that?" asked a male Garrison.

"He said he'll kill us all," replied another male Garrison.

"There's not much else you can make of that," said a third one. "Son of a bitch wants to eat us. You watch!"

Eren looked around in utter confusion.

"What the hell are they talking about?" questioned Eren. "What is this ? Why are all their blades pointed at us? Those are meant for taking down Titans. What's going on? And what's with that look?"

Kitz Woermann stood behind the Garrison in fear.

"Are they terrified of me?" he wondered.

Inside Wall Rose

The rest of the cadets were resting on benches, relaxing and were trying to take their mind off of the first battle.

"I want all you cadets on standby!" yelled a male Garrison. "Look sharp!"

"I tell you. If we hadn't found the gas, we have never gotten out of Trost," said Conny.

"That shit was scary, considering the fact we almost died," said Indigo Zap.

"That sounds terrible," said Christa.

"Well, have you been listening to the story?" groaned Sour Sweet.

Christa looked at Sour Sweet, who then smiled at Christa.

"Oh, sorry I didn't mean to offend you," said Sour Sweet in a kind voice.

Before Christa could say anything, Sugarcoat broke in.

"Excuse her Christa, she tends to change moods often,' said Sugarcoat.

Christa nodded and turned around to Conny.

"We volunteered to run supplies out to everyone, but the situation was so bad," said Christa.

"Well, at least we're all alive for I care about," said Sunny Flare.

"We'd even found some gas we were going to dole out to you guys but..." said Ymir.

Then, Christa broke in.

"So, you're saying everyone who isn't here now didn't survive," said Christa

"Yeah," replied Conny.

"What about Mikasa?" asked Ymir.

"She's good," replied Conny. "I thought she made it in after us with the group Jean led."

'Hey, Jean!" called Ymir. "Mikasa got hurt or something?"

Jean gave no response to Ymir, he just sat on the bench with Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie.

"Hey, talk to us," said Conny.

Jean drank some water and started talking.

"I'd tell you if I could. They slapped us with a gag order," said Jean.

"A gag order?" asked Conny.

"What the... that's nuts," said Ymir.

"They're nuts if they think people aren't going to talk," said Jean. "Word will get out and it's for everyone to know... Well, that's it, if we survive."

"Hey, where are the other girls?" asked Christa.

"They're over there," replied Conny pointing to Sunset Shimmer and the rest.

On top of the wall, Hannes looked down at the mass horde of Titan below.

"You've got to hand it to the Engineering Corps of putting the heap of rancid Titan corpses to goo use," said Hannes. "Still just a barricade, though. We can't get too comfortable. Stay on your toes. Whatever happens next, it's bound to happen here. This is the proverbial line in the sand."

Then, Hannes looked at a male Garrison next to him.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"No, sir," replied the male Garrison. "My apologies. I completely agree. I'm just a little preoccupied about my friends in the vanguard. There was a messenger on the way to HQ with this look in his face."

"I know," said Hannes. "Difficult as it may be, you've got to stay focused on what's here in front of us."

"It it true what they say about you saving those kids five years ago, sir?" asked the male Garrison. "They're cadets now, right? Won't they be at the vanguard, too?"

"That's right," replied Hannes.

"I'm really sorry, sir," apologized the male Garrison. "Don't know why I felt the need to bring it up."

"They're good," said Hannes. "Some tough little bastards. Believe me, they know what it takes to stay alive. Two of them is just about the best fighter I've ever seen. Two of them possesses loads of inner strength. The other two is a certifiable genius. One of them is extremely shy. One is has a crave for fashion. Two of them possess strong leadership. And one of them has excitement everywhere. They'll all be fine."

On the other side, Mikasa, Eren, and Armin have not moved from their spot as multiple Garrisons surrounded them.

"Cadets Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, and Amin Arlelt!" shouted Woermann. "The three of you have jointly committed an act of high treason! Whether nor not a swift execution is the result depends on you!"

Eren looked at Woermann with confusion.

"Any attempt to move from where you stand anything I deem the least bit suspicious, will be met with cannon fire," warned Woermann. "Do not test me!"

"What," mumbled Eren.

"Answer carefully, Eren Jeager. What exactly are you?!" asked Woermann. "Human?! Or Titan?!"

"Wh... What is that that suppose to mean?" Eren questioned. "Why are they glaring at me like that? It's like they're looking at a monster. Oh god, is that what they think?"

The Garrison watched in fear at Eren.

"I'm sorry, sir!" apologized Eren. "I don't understand!"

"Son of a bitch is playing innocent," said Woermann. "Answer me, you monster! Don't try to stall with pretend ignorance! You won't stand a chance! You'll be blown to hell before you can assume your true form!"

"What true form?" asked Eren.

"Please! Scores of us saw it happen! You emerged from the carcass of a fallen Titan in full view of your comrades!" shouted Woermann. "We've let a strange creature like you slip through and infiltrate Wall Rose. Under the circumstances, even though your a sanctioned soldier by His Majesty you all risk I am well within my rights to eliminate! I will not let the situation stand! Every moment I squander mulling over your supposed innocence puts you all in further jeopardy from attack by the Armored Titan! Do you understand?! I can't waste any more time or manpower on you! My conscience will not falter to watch you die!"

"As soldiers, they all know the price of their positions," said a female Garrison with platinum blond hair, sliver eyes, and wearing glasses. "If they're this committed to defiance under threat of dead, so be it. They won't wont be persuaded. And as you say, it's just a waste of time."

"Sir, please! This may be our best chance!" shouted a male Garrison. "We'll expand far less artillery if he's in human for!'

Mikasa then walked forward with an angry glare on her face and taking out two swords.

"Excuse me!" she shouted. "I wouldn't. Not while I'm standing here. Unless anyone's feeling up to the task, in which case, well, I'm happy to demonstrate my techniques on you. And every last inch of your traitorous flesh."

"Sir, Mikasa Ackerman was assigned to the elites fresh out of training," said Ian. "Equal to a hundred soldiers, easily. If we lose her, it'd be quite the tragedy."

"Guys, can somebody talk to me now. what the hell is going on?" asked Eren.

"Mikasa! You can't fight against humans!" warned Armin. "Inside the Walls, there's nowhere left for you to run!"

"Whoever comes at Eren deals with me," said Mikasa. "i'll take on the entire regiment if I have to. This isn't the only way!"

"We need to just talk it out," said Armin. "They don't understand what's happening! They're all just scared."

While in the back, Eren was trying to process what Woermann asked him.

"Am I the only one here who doesn't think I'm a Titan?" questioned Eren. "Dammit! Why can't I remember how I got here? I'm too weak to stand up. And if I'm say the wrong thing... Is this it for me? Killed by people? What was that he said about me coming out of a Titan carcass in front of everyone? Is he insane? Why is on one making any sense? That was all just a dream. Or... If not... My sleeve. Does it mean my arm grew back?"

Eren looked at his arm and wondered.

"Am I really one of them?" he questioned. That's not possible. What happened to me? Why?"

"ONE MORE TIME!!!" yelled Woermann. "Are you a human being or a Titan?!"

Both Mikasa and Armin looked at Eren. Eren then remembers the childhood memories had had with Armin, Mikasa, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, and Rarity.

"I don't know what to say," he thought. "My life's not the only one at stake. I am..." No, I've always been one of you.

"I'M HUMAN," shouted Eren at the top of his lungs.

Everything fell to silence at Eren's response.

"So you say," said Woermann. "Forgive me."

He then started to lifted his arm, alerting everyone including Ian, Armin, Mikasa, and Eren.

"I'm left with no choice. When push comes to shove, all of us are monsters," said Woermann.

Woermann raised his arm and on top of the wall two Garrisons placed the firing pen in the cannon. Mikasa turned to Armin and Eren.

"Eren! Armin!" she called. "Head for the wall!"

"Wait! No!' yelled Eren.

Mikasa garbs Eren and started to run away. Then the necklace that contained the key appeared in front of Eren. Then, Eren remembers something.

"Eren. Behave while I'm gone and I'll let you in on what I've been doing in the cellar," said his father.

Eren then recalls another memeory.

"Listen to me. It's vital that you keep this key on you all times," said his father. "Whenever you look at it, let this thought flood over you. "I must return to the cellar."

Eren then remembers his father giving the injection.

"i'm going to give you a little something to make you forget for the time being," said his father in tears. "I'm sorry. You won't remember any of my explanation. When the time comes, know that you must reclaim Wall Maria and head for the cellar. I know what I'm doing is for the best. When the ability confuses you, let their memories ac as your guide. EREN!!!"

Eren then wrestles with Mikasa causing her to let Eren go.

"One day, the truth will come out. I swear to you!"

Eren started running towards Armin and Mikasa started to run after him.

"The journey will be a painful one. But it is yours to make!"

Woermann lowered his hand and the cannon fired.

"Mikasa's life. Armin's life. Everyone's life hinges on your being to control this power!"

Eren grabbed both Mikasa and Armin next to him. The cannon ball got closer to them and was about to hit them. Eren, placed his left hand in his mouth and clamped on his mouth. Eren bit down on his hand hard enough for the skin to break and blood to spurt out of his hand. Then, a large burst of light and lightning strikes erupted where Eren and his friends were stood. The the light forced the Garrison to shield their eyes. A giant rib cage formed around Mikasa and Armin. Then a giant hand made out of muscle formed at the direction of the cannonball. The cannonball struck the giant hand, blowing it up.

The blast was loud enough for Hannes to turn around, who was on the side and saw the smoke trail from the other side.

A huge trail of smoke was close to the stationed cadets. Jean and the rest of the girls looked at the smoke billowing up where Eren and the others were.

"What in tarnation was that?" asked Applejack.

"I hope Eren and the other are okay," said Fluttershy.

Woermann, Ian, and the other Garrisons were shielding their faces and looked at the smoke.

"I we get him?" asked Woermann.

Mikasa and Armin were huddled safety inside the rib cage. As the smoke started to clear everyone gasped in horror at the sight.

"Dear god," muttered Woermann.

Then, Eren had partially transformed into half a Titan, the left side was more constructed with muscles formed, a neck, an eye, as well as the arm, which was blown off from the elbow. The Garrisons gasped and screamed in horror at the sight.

Response: The Struggle for Trost, Part 6

In the year 845, two terrifying new breeds of Titan appeared, the Colossal and the Armored, barrelling through the outer walls as if wholesale destruction was child's play. The territory couched within the circle of Wall Maria was abandoned. Twenty-percent of the human race perished and one-third of out territory was lost. As the Titan onslaught advanced, our only choice was to withdraw behind Wall Rose. Five years later, the Colossal Titan reappeared in Trost. Humanity had failed to stop the Titan onslaught. Cadet Eren Jaeger, tragically consumed early in the battle, later emerged, miraculously from the fallen body of the Abnormal.

Couple of minutes earlier

"Marco, I'm.. I'm done fore," said Daz. "I can't fight the Titans anymore!"

"What's wrong?" asked Marco.

"I saw my friends devoured right before me eyes!" Daz replied. "I saw them get eaten alive and yet I felt no sorrow, no hatred... Only overwhelming relief that it wasn't me!"

Daz then grabs his head with both hands.

"But it's going to be my turn next," said Daz. "Now I understand. The true nature of our jobs is we're going to fight Titans until we are bitten to death."

A wagon carrying the injured pastes by the cadets.

"If I'm going to get devoured, I might just as well end my life now!" shouted Daz.

He grabs his sword, but Marco holds him down.

"Stop it!" yelled Marco. "Get a hold of yourself! You're not the only one. We're all fighting our fears! Just look at Sasha. She remains a proud soldier despite all sh's been through!"

Sasha then screams in agony surprising both Marco and Daz.

"Um... I have a real bad abdominal pain," said Sasha. "So could you please count on me as one of the wounded?"

"IT'S ALL OVER!!!" shouted Daz pulling out his sword.

"Stop it!" yelled Marco.

Jean heard the commotion and ignored it.

"Yeah, I can see why they needed to put out that gag order," said Jean. "Just take a look at the situation they're already in now. If they knew about Eren..."

Then, cannon fire was heard alerting all the stationed cadets and Garrisons.

"Cannon fire," asked Reiner.

'Why'd they fire just one shot?" asked Jean.

"Hey, look at the smoke," said a male Garrison. "It's inside the wall!"

Reiner and Jean came outside and saw the smoke billowing in the distance.

Everyone questioned on what the smoke was and what caused the cannon to fire.

"What in tarnation is that?" asked Applejack.

"I hope Eren and the others are okay," said Fluttershy.

"Is that Titan vapor?" asked Jean.

Reiner pulled out his controller grip. He then latched on to a side and was flew up.

"Hey!" called Jean.

Then, Bertholdt, Annie, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack followed Reiner. Then, Jean followed all of them. All of them got on the roof and started running towards the smoke

On the other side, Eren's partial Titan stood in place. The blown off arm started steaming and blood evaporated. Armin and Mikasa were inside the Titan's rib cage. Several Garrisons were terrified at the sight, including Woermann and the female Garrison. On top of the roof, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Jean, and the rest of the girls were watching the event below.

"What the hell's going on?" asked Reiner

"What in the world happened?" asked Rarity.

"Hey, what's large figure?" asked Starlight Glimmer.

Inside the Eren's partial Titan transformation, Mikasa and Armin were protected by the rib cage. Mikasa placed her sowrd down on the ground. Armin looked up at the rib cage as the bones started to crumble as Eren's titan attempted to move. Woermann and all the Garrison saw the Titan move which disturbs them all.

"It's alive," said Ian.

"Captain Woermann!" called the female Garrison.

The Titan twitched its head, disturbing Woermann even more.

"Wait and see how it goes!" yelled Woermann. "It's to dangerous to get any closer! Maintain formation and stand by. HAve the cannon squad load another round!"

The Titan's eye started to twitch and started to move its head. Inside the Titan, Eren woke up to see flesh covering his face and his arm consumed by the flesh. Eren twitched around inside the Titan. The nape then started steaming and Eren got out of the nape. Eren's arm was still stuck in the flesh of the Titan, then he pulled his arm out. Eren looked in fron of him and saw the Titan's head. The Titan then started to evaporated after Eren exited out of the Titan.

"What is that?" asked Eren.

"I remember hearing cannon fire,' said Armin. "There was a tremendous noise, crushing impact, and immense noise after that... And now we're inside a massive skeleton."

"Eren protected us," assured Mikasa. "That's all you need to understand right now."

Armin smiled at Mikasa and noticed something on a ground.

"Flowers... Just on the inside?" Armin asked.

"Hey!" called Eren.

Eren started running towards them.

"You guys alright?" he asked.

"Eren! What's this?" Armin asked.

"I have no idea," Eren replied. "But this thing is going to evaporate. Juts like a Titan's corpse. Let's get out of here."

Eren walked towards the amount of Garrisons still waiting and stopped and looked at them from a distance.

"I don't know if they're gauging the situation or just dazed from shock," said Eren. "But the Garrison's not doing anything right now."

Eren then spotted the cannon squad reloading the cannon.

"However, they'll probably resume attacking eventually," said Eren. "I don't have the confidence to negotiate with them after showing them this."

Eren then pulled out his necklace with the key hanging from it.

"But I started to remember one thing," said Eren. "The cellar. The cellar of my home. My dad said I'd understand everything if I went back there. He's also the one responsible for what I've become. If I get to the cellar, I just must fine the truth behind the Titans as well."

Eren slammed his hand on the bone of the rib cage enough to crack it.

"Dammit!" yelled Eren. "Why'd he hide it, then? Wasn't that the information the legion was looking for, even if it cost them thousand of lives? Wasn't that mankind's hope? And it was locked away in our cellar all along? What the hell was he thinking?

The rib cage started to crumble and crack.

"For the matter, where the hell is he?" Eren asked. "He's left us on our own for five years now..."

Eren," called Mikasa. "We've got other matters to deal right now."

"Right," said Eren.

Armin, Eren, and Mikasa started running.

"The smoke is clearing up!" yelled a male Garrison.

"Attack as soon as you see them!" yelled another one.

"Let's end this without wasting time!" shouted a third one.

"Hold fire!" shouted Woermann.

Then, the skull of the Titan snapped off and fell to the ground, causing smoke to cover the Garrisons. They all covered their face from the smoke.

Next to the Titan, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin huddled around.

"I going to get out of here," said Eren.

Mikasa and Armin were surprised at Eren's comment.

"Where are you going to go? And how?" asked Armin.

"To begin with, anywhere but here," replied Eren. "Then I'll get over the wall and head for the cellar. After I transform into a Titan again, that is."

"Can you do such a thing?" asked Armin.

"I'm not exactly sure how I'm doing this myself," replied Eren. "But I think I can. It's very hard to explain with a word how I move my arm.

Eren looked at his hand.

"In that moment, all I though about was protecting us from the cannonball," said Eren. "That explains the skeleton's decay losing durability and other functions. I'll becoming a more powerful one this time. One that's fifteen meters tall, like when I beat the living shit out of those Titans."

Eren's nose started to bleed.

"Eren!" called Mikasa. "You're nose is bleeding."

Eren wiped his nose and looked at the blood on his finger.

"You're really pale and breathing heavily," said Armin. "That's going to be something abnormal with your body."

Eren then wiped the rest of the blood off his nose.

"I don't care about my health right now," said Eren. "I've got two ideas. As long you don't try to protect me they'll let you two stay alive. I've caused you loads of problems already. So I think I'll do things on my own from here."

"No kidding..." muttered Armin. "I..."

Mikasa broke in.

"Eren," called Mikasa. "I'll come with you."

"Now way," groaned Eren.

"If I'm not able to keep up with you, feel free to leave me behind," said Mikasa. "But that the same time, I'm free to ignore your orders as well."

"I'm telling you to cut that shit out," said Eren. "I'm not your little brother and I'm not your snot-nosed toddler!"

On the other side, the female Garrison walked towards Woermann.

"Captain Woermann, the cannon is close to being almost completely reloaded," said the female Garrison.

"Well done Rico," said Woermann.

"We're ready, sir. What are your orders for the next attack?" asked Rico.

"All troops will await my signal!" shouted Woermann.

"Yes, sir," said Rico.

On the other side of the Garrisons, Eren and Mikasa were arguing while Armin thought of something.

"The Garrison have not yet shown any signs that they intended to attack us through the smoke," Armin thought. "If they were, Mikasa would have reacted faster that a stray cat. Assuming they reloaded the cannon in the shortest possible time. I guess it'd take them around 20 seconds on top of that to fire. Eren will most likely spring into action and be long gone before that happens."

Armin then remembers the time where Eren and Mikasa save him from the town bullies.

"Why am I thinking such a thing at a time?" Armin questioned. "Is it... Could it be because these are our last moments together? When it's all said and done, at the moment of truth. I was a coward. Same a right now. I can't count the number of times they've come to my rescue. But I was always so weak. I could never reciprocate the favor."

Armin then remember the time was still in training.

"I still haven't earned the right to think of myself as their equal," he thought. "I can't afford to try and repay their kindness by going with them. I'd only end up slowing them down."

Then, it went silent and Armin closed his eyes.

"I'm afraid this might be the last time," he thought. "The three of us will ever be together."

He then remembers the time where he showed his book about the outside world to his friends.

"Listen, Eren, I won't..." said Mikasa

Eren then broke in.

"Just wait a second, would you? If you recall, I said I had two ideas," said Eren.

"Yeah, that's right," said Mikasa.

"Armin," called Eren. 'I trust you to make the right decision."

Armin looked at Eren with confusion.

"What?" he asked.

"Now hear me out. And yes, I'm aware of how unrealistic this plane is," said Eren. "The best-case scenario? I try to use my Titan ability strategically. It should be under military direction."

Eren then looked at his hand and back to Armin.

"This might sound crazy," said Eren. "But if you can convince the Garrison Regiment, right here and now, that I present no threat to them, I'll trust you, and we'll go with that option. That's my second idea. If you don't think you can get it done, then my last resort is the first idea.

On top of the wall, the cannon squad was turning the wheel and was aiming at their target.

"You've got 15 seconds to decide," said Eren. "Think you can get it done? Listen, I'll respect your opinion either way."

Armin was too scared to replied. On top the cannon was then set.

"Eren, why would you leave such a major decision up to me?" asked Armin.

"Because you keep a level head," replied Eren. "You always choose well, no matter how ugly things get. I figure that's worth relying on."

"When have I done that?" Armin asked.

"Come on, you do it all the time," said Eren. "Take five years ago. If you and the girls hadn't gone to Mr. Hannes for help, Mikasa and I would've been eaten by Titans."

Then, the spine of the Titan broke apart hitting the ground blowing Armin's hair and realized something.

"That's how you see me?" Armin questioned. "You don't think I'm a poor excuse for a friend? I had convinced myself that I was just a burden to all of you."

Tears started to wield up in Armin's eyes.

"But you never... You never thought of me that way at all!" Armin realized.

"Armin! Our time is up," warned Eren.

On top, the Garrisons placed the firing pen, and the Garrison gave the order that it was ready.

"Artillery crew has reloaded, Captain!" yelled Rico. "It's your call sir."

"Eren and Mikasa have enough faith in me to put their lives in my hands and I have complete trust in the two of them. More than anyone else in this world," Armin thought. "And that fact alone is all the convincing I need!"

Armin the got up and Mikasa and Eren looked up at him.

"I'll persuade them, trust me," assured Armin. "You tow just act as non-aggressively as you can, agreed?"

Both Eren and Mikasa nodded. Armin then started running towards the Garrisons..

"Since Eren first appeared and fought as a Titan, something has been gnawing at the back of my mind," Armin thought. I haven't had a chance to collect my thoughts yet but I can do this! I'll just have to think as I talk!"

Armin then increased his speed and took off is ODM gear. Armin runs out of the smoke.

"Halt! Halt!" yelled Woermann.

Armin stopped and put both of his hand up in the air.

"Is this supposed to be your true form, monster?!" asked Woermann. "I don't buy it! I'll give the signal to fire, I mean it!"

"Eren isn't a foe of humanity!" assured Armin. "We're willing to cooperate with Military Command and we'll share everything we've learned about his powers!"

"Your pleas fall on deaf ears!" yelled Woermann. "He revealed his true form and because of that threat, he can't leave here alive! If you insist that's not an enemy of ours, show me proof! Otherwise, we'll blast him back to whatever nightmare he crawled out of!"

"You don't need proof!" yelled Armin. "The fact of the matter is it doesn't matter what we percieve him to be!"

"What?!" shouted Woermann.

"The reports say hundreds of soldiers saw him," said Armin. "And those who were say they saw him fighting other Titans! And that means they saw him get swarmed by the Titans as well. To put it plainly, the Titans recognized him the same way they see each and every human being, as they're prey! It doesn't matter how else you may look at it! That's an irrefutable fact!"

It was all silent after Armin explained about Eren's Titan.

"Kid's got a point," said a male Garrison.

"The Titan is on our side?" asked another.

Several Garrisons lowered their swords and muskets down. Woermann looked around and refused to listen.

"PREPARE TO ATTACK!!!" yelled Woermann at the top of his lungs. "Don't let yourself be swayed by his cunning lies!"

Armin was surprised and so were Eren and Mikasa.

"The Titans' behavior has been beyond our comprehension," said Woermann. "I wouldn't put it past them to assume human form. He's speaking our language in an attempt to deceive us! I REFUSE TO LET THEM CONTINUE THIS BEHAVIOR UNCHECKED!!!"

Every Garrison soldier lifted their sword and musket ready. Armin was shocked at Woermann's words.

"Its hopeless... He let logic give way to hysteria!" Armin thought. "Too frightened to think it through. Eren! Mikasa!"

Armin looked back at Eren and Mikasa for help. Eren then nodded at Armin. Armin then realized what would Eren do. With an angry glare Armin turned around and saluted with his right hand on his chest..

"I AM A SOLDIER!!! AND I HAVE DEDICATED MY HEART TO THE RESTORATION OF HUMANITY, SIR!!!" yelled Armin at the top of his lungs. "NOTHING COULD MAKE ME PRODUCER THAN DYING FOR SUCH A NOBLE CAUSE! IF WE WERE TO USE HIS TITAN ABILITY AND COMBINE IT WITH MANPOWER WE HAVE LEFT, I BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT! WE CAN RETAKE THIS CITY!"

Rico and Ian were shocked to hear Armin's words. On top of the roof, Jean, Bertholdt, Annie, Reiner, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, and Lemon Zest were hearing Armin's speech below.

"FOR HUMANITY'S GLORY! IN WHAT LITTLE TIME I HAVE LEFT TO LIVE, I WILL ADVOCATE OF HIS STRATEGIC VALUE!!!" yelled Armin saluting.

"Captain Woermann, his words are worth considering, sir. Maybe we should..." suggested Ian.

"QUIET!!!" yelled Woermann. "Don't let their words sway you. They're all traitors! I swore an oath as an officer. I will crush all insubordination!"

Woermann started lifting his hand up, shocking Armin. Mikasa was about of grab her sword and Eren and was about to bite his hand to transform. Woermann then lowered his arm, but was stopped by someone behind him.

"That's enough," said Pyxis holding Woermann's arm. "You should really do something about your nervous disposition, Captain Woermann"

Pyxis then lowered Woermann's arm.

"Commander Pyxis?" asked Woermann.

Pyxis then looked at Armin, who was still saluting.

"Can you see this soldier's heartfelt salute?" he asked. "I've only just arrived, but I was informed of the situation on the way. You go take command of our reinforcements. I think we could at least do these young soldiers the favor of hearing them out."

Armin fell and on his knees and started panting heavily. Eren and Mikasa were surprised that Armin's speech.

According to reports from the Scout Regiment, it was anticipated that the Titans would appear from the south. Thses reports were proven accurate when the Titans attack Shiganshina District, located on the southern side of Wall Maria. Therefore, it was surmised that their most likely target would be the fortified city of Trost, on the southern side of Wall Rose.

Trost District, Inner Gate

Pyxis was walking along the wall and looking at the amount of Titans against the wall and started drinking. While Armin, Mikasa, and Eren waited for him on top of the wall.

Dot Pyxis, the commanding officer responsible for the southern territory. The man in charge of the defense of the Trost District. The man full authority over preserving humanity's most valuable remaining territory. The man is also notorious for being genuinely eccentric."

Pyxis looked down at the wall and saw a group of Titans trying to crawl up the wall.

"Nope. Not any of you," said Pyxis. "Being eaten by a Titan wouldn't be so bad, if it was a sexy lady one

On the ground Woermann was walking around and wondering.

"What the hell is going on through the Commander's head?" asked Woermann. "Going up there with those freaks and not bringing any bodyguards!"

"Well, sir," said Rico. "That's the Commander. He's well know for taking a less traditional approach."

"Captain Woermann," called Ian. "We have finished assembling the troops, sir."

"Well done," complimented Woermann.

He looked at the amount of cadets and Garrisons with no emotion in their faces.

On top of the wall, Pyxis looked over the city of Trost, while Eren, Mikasa, and Armin were behind waiting for Pyxis.

"That's that," said Pyxis. "So visiting this cellar clear everything up?"

"Yes, sir. Well, at least I think so," replied Eren.

"For the moment, there's no saw to validate all of the claims you've made," said Pyxis. "For now, I'll just catalog them in my head. But I can usually tell them the difference between the unctuous and the sincere, which is why I personally guarantee your safety."

Eren and Armin sighed in relief while Mikasa looked at both of them.

"You're Cadets Armin Arlelt. Is that correct?" asked Pyxis.

"Yes, sir," replied Armin.

'You mentioned a plane to harness this so-called "Titan ability" and then utilize your friend's power to retake the city," said Pyxis. "Do you believe it would work? Or were you grasping at straws to try to save your hides?"

"Well, it's both, Commander," replied Armin. "I was going to suggest that Eren, using his strength as a Titan, could lift that giant boulder. We can use it to block off the wrecked gate. That was the best idea i was able to come up on the spot. I just wanted to make everyone see how Eren's ability might provide a solution to the problem we all face."

Pyxis turned around to see the giant hole across from him.

"Granted, i was pretty desperate to survive," said Armin. "Desperate to survive, huh? That's as credible a reason as any, son."

Pyxis took out his canteen and started drinking from it. He then turned around to Eren.

"What do you say, Cadet Eren Jaeger?" asked Pyxis.

"Say, sir," asked Eren.

"That hole. Do you think you could plug it up, son?" asked Pyxis.

"Well, I don't know," replied Eren. "It's possible. But at the moment, I don't understand my power anymore than you do. It's just, i sort of feel irresponsible giving you an answer. Because I don't know really know."

"Ah, yes. Of course, my apologizes," said Pyxis. "I asked the wrong question. Are you willing to, Cadet Jaegar, or not?"

Pyxis and Eren look behind them and imagined at the area that would be lost if the inner gate were to fall. Eren looked back at Pyxis.

"I'll do it," said Eren. "I'll do it! I don't know if I can seal that hole. But I'll do it!"

Idol: The Struggle for Trost, Part 7

Trost District, year 850. The fact that Eren Jaeger was the identity of the mysterious Titan invoked fear among his soldier comrades. There was little hop for the trail except for the intervention of one man. Dot Pyxis, the highest-ranking officer in the Southern Territory.

"I don't know if I can plug the hole but I will do it!" yelled Eren.

Pyxis smiled at Eren's response.

"Well said. You have the heart of a lion," said Pyxis.

Pyxis got up and turned around and walked toward the edge of the wall.

"Senior officers, come gather!" shouted Pyxis. "We have a strategy to establish."

Then, Gustav and Anka walked towards Pyxis.

"What? It's just a wild idea. I didn't think it would actually be execute," said Armin.

"I was thinking the same thing," said Eren. "There no point in wondering with his judgment. Pyxis porbably sees something that we obviously can't.

"Something we can see?" asked Armin.

"Either way, before we execute this strategy, we have a fundamental issue," said Eren. "The Commander clearly understands the situation."

"Which would be?" asked Armin.

"Our enemies aren't just the Titans," said Eren.

Armin was confused at Eren's words.

"The time is nigh," said Pyxis.

Eren, Mikasa, and Armin turned around to Pyxis, Gustav, and Anka.

"I will have you actively participate, my young soldiers," said Pyxis.

Eren, Armin, and Mikasa stood in front of Pyxis, ready for the mission.

On the other side, news of the mission spreads like a wildfire.

"A strategy to reclaim Trost?" asked a male cadet.

"Seriously? There's no hope of plugging that hole," said another cadet.

"What is the Commander things?" asked a third one. "It's a damn suicide mission!"

"The only option is to defend Wall Rose. Forget about plugging the hole," said a fourth one.

"I can't... I can't do it," said Daz.

"WE'LL DIE! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!" yelled Daz covering his head. "I JUST WANT TO SEE MY FAMILY!!!"

Then, a Garrison looks back to see the commotion behind hime.

"What the hell, Daz? Calm down!" yelled Marco.

"Hey! I heard that!" yelled the male Garrsion. "Are you thinking of abandoning your duties?"

"Sir, please! There's no point in just sending ourselves off to die!" replied Daz.

The Garrsion then places his hand on the handle of his sword.

"What about your obligations as a soldier for the good of humanity?" asked the Garrison. "I'm authorized to administer a death sentence at this point of out crisis."

"I'm okay with that," said Daz pulling out a sword. "I'll take that over being eaten by a Titan!"

Marco started holding Daz down.

"Get a hold of yourself!" yelled Marco.

"LET ME GO! LET GO!!!" yelled Daz. "I'M NOT GOING BACK TO THAT NIGHTMARE!!!"

Bertholdt, Jean, and the other cadets were looking around for the commotion.

"You hear that," whispered a male cadet. "He's not wrong, you know."

"I wonder if anyone over here is against this?" asked a female cadet.

"I at least want to choose how I die," said another female cadet.

"Hey, you two!" yelled a Garrison.

"I was only kidding around, sir," said the another female cadet.

"Do it!" yelled the male Garrison.

"What?" she asked.

"As loud as you can," said the Garrison. "Get everyone to freak out!"

The female cadet didn't reply.

"There are other cadets in the squadron that think the same thing," said the Garrison. "We take advantage of a distraction and get out of here!"

"If you're not here, where exactly are you going to go?" asked Jean.

"I'm going to see my daughter," replied the Garrison. "This wall is going to be broken down anyway."

"A bunch of cowards am I right?" whispered Rainbow Dash.

Indigo Zap giggled quietly for the Garrisons not to hear.

"You said it," said Indigo Zap.

Both of them giggled quietly, then Applejack broke in.

"Are you trying to get us in trouble?" whispered Applejack.

"Applejack, we're not abandoning the mission," assured Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah, those who abandon the mission get the boot or in this death," said Indigo Zap.

Then, a Garrison walks past them and all three of them kept a straight face until the Garrison was no longer in sight. A Garrison poked Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, and Applejack. All three of them turned around.

"Are you three part of the elites?" asked the Garrison.

"Yeah," replied Rainbow Dash.

"Ian needs three of you," said the Garrison.

"What about Twilight and Sugarcoat?" asked Applejack.

"Both of them heard and are heading there," assured the the Garrison.

"Okay, let's go," said Indigo Zap.

"Follow me," said the Garrison.

On top of the wall, Eren and Pyxis were walking on top of it.

"It's believed that before the Titans ruled the land, there were different races and creeds all fighting and killing each other," said Pyxis. "Then someone said, if there was an enemy that was not part of humanity, that we would all unite and humanity would stop fighting each other. What do you think?"

"This the first time I've ever heard that," replied Eren. "It seems rather optimistic. It makes me yawn."

Pyxis laughed at Eren's words.

"I agree with you, It's native," said Pyxis.

"Even now, we're struggling with such huge adversaries and we're not even close to saying we are united," said Eren.

"Precisely," said Pyxis. "If we don't unify soon, it will be difficult even to fight.

Hannes was on top of the wall and saw Pyxis walking.

"Eren?" called Hannes. "You've survived."

Hannes saw Eren giving him a hand signal.

"What? Focus on my duties? What an attitude!" he thought. By the looks of it, Mikasa, Armin, and the other girls are safe, too. Why is Eren with Commander?"

Pyxis then took out his canteen and started drinking.

"Do you want some?" asked Pyxis offering the canteen.

"Thank you, sir," said Eren

Eren then took a sip, but to only spit it out the wine immediately.

Below, Daz continued to yell and other cadets muttered to leave.

"If you're going to kill me, just do it and get it over with it!" yelled Daz.

"Don't think I won't!" yelled the Garrison.

Pyxis then stood at the edge of the wall. He then cleared his voice.

"ATTENTION!!!" yelled Pyxis at the top of his lungs.

Everyone looked up at Pyxis in silence.

"I shall now explain the Trost Recovery Operation. Our primary objective is to reseal the hole," said Pyxis.

Everyone then all paid attention to Pyxis instruction.

"He's messing with us," said Marco.

"Tell me he's joking," said Starlight Glimmer.

"It's Pyxis, what do you expect?" asked Sunny Flare.

"Humanity was never won against the Titans," stated Lemon Zest.

"As for how the task will be done, first, allow me to introduce someone. This is Cadet Eren Jaegar," said Pyxis.

Eren stepped forward and saluted.

"Eren!" asked Conny.

"HI EREN!!!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

Everyone looked at Pinkie Pie, who blushed in embarrassment. Sunset Shimmer placed her hands on her face, while Fluttershy, Rarity, and the others looked at Pinkie Pie.

"This young man is the successful product if cutting-edge research," said Pyxis. "Cadet Jaeger possesses the ability to manifest himself as a Titan."

Conny looked back at Ymir.

"Hey, I didn't understand what the Commander said. But it's not because I'm stupid, right?" said Conny.

"Will you just shut the hell and pay attention? Dumbass," said Ymir.

"Having assumed Titan form, cadet Jaeger will hoist the immense boulder on his back and seal the hole with it," said Pyxis. "Your duties are to protect him from other Titans."

Behind them, Mikasa, Armin, Gustav, and Anka were going over the plans.

"We don't actually need to fight them?" asked Gustav.

"Sorry, I know it's not my place to interject," apologized Armin.

Then, Mikasa, Armin, Gustav, and Anka heard footsteps coming towards them. All of them look behind to see Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Sugarcoat, and Indigo Zap running towards them.

"Howdy, Mikasa," greeted Applejack.

"Girls!" called Mikasa. "What are you all doing here?"

"Ian told us to be here," replied Rainbow Dash.

Then, they all over to Armin.

"Hey Armin, lay out the plan," said Indigo Zap. "We already heard we don't have to fight the Titans"

"Okay, Titans are generally drawn to large group of people," stated Armin. "If enough of us collected in the corner away from the hole, we can lure the Titans away from Eren's path. The Titans will be grouped together, so we can use our cannons and avoid casualties Of course, we can't leave Eren defenseless. We'll need a modest band of Elites to act as his bodyguards. Also, there may be Titans that enter through the hole. He will depend on the competencies of his bodyguards."

"Okay, got it," said Gustav. "We can alter the plane around that."

"This strategy depends on Eren being able to move that boulder," said Armin. "But there is nothing to assure us that he is able to do it."

"Of course, I worry, too," said Gustav. "Sending people to their death is no laughing matter. But I can understand what Pyxis is thinking."

"Yeah. Time is an issue," warned Anka. "Titans are still lumbering into the Trost district as we speak. The longer we wait, the more Titans fill the town and our chances to succeed decreases."

"With that, the chances of Wall Rose being breached increase as well," said Gustav.

"There's something else, too," said Anka.

Gustav, Armin, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat looked at Anka with confusion.

"There's a limit to how we can surpass our fear," said Anka.

On the ground, cadets were questioning on how the plan would work.

"The kid can lift a rock that big?" asked a male cadet.

"Has humanity captured and now controls a Titan?" asked another one.

"IT'S A LIE!!!" yelled Daz. "you can't expect us to die for some goddamn reason! What do you think we are?! We're not tool for you to play with!"

"Human weapons?" asked a third one.

"It's all a deception," said a fourth.

"We're being duped!" yelled a fifth.

"They're telling us to die today?" asked the male Garrison. "I'm out of here."

The male Garrison turned around and started walking away. Then, the two female cadets started to follow. Then, a whole lot of soldiers started walking away.

"What a bunch of cowards," groaned Sour Sweet.

"What was that?" asked an angry Garrison.

"Oh sorry, you can leave if you want,' said Sour Sweet in a kind voice.

"Wait! That's treason!" yelled a male Garrison grabbing Daz.

"To hell with you! My family gets the time I have left," said Daz.

Daz then started walking away. Woermann looked at the countless soldiers walking away.

"This is getting out of hand," whispered Ian.

"I know, if we don't do something we're going to lose control," said Rico.

"TRAITORS!!! I'LL KILL YOU WHERE YOU STAND!!!" yelled Woermann. "DESERTION IS ANSWERED BY DEATH!!!"

He pulls out his sword at the soldiers leaving. Everyone then started to panic.

Anyone wishing to leave will be given by my orders and will not be charged with treason!" yelled Pyxis.

Woermann looked up at in complete shock.

"Those who have seen a Titan firsthand will not expect to relive it again," assured Pyxis. "Anyone that knows the horrors of a Titan, leave us! Additionally, whoever knows the horror of a Titan but wants their family to experience the same horror, LEAVE US!!!"

Then, the male Garrison stopped in his tracks. He then imagines is daughter getting eaten by a Titan.

"Not that," he mumbled. "My daughter is my last hope."

Then, the soldiers started to turn around and head back to their spots.

"I want to tell you a story that happened four years ago," said Pyxis. "Namely, the operation to retake Wall Maria. I'm sure you know all of you know this already. Officially, we labelled it reconnaissance. But in fact, it was little more than an exercise in population control. We let ourselves believe a lie because the deaths of our fellow human beings allowed us to survive. The guilt is ours. We have a debt to pay back to humanity. The citizens of Wall Maria survived due to many casualties. But what about this time? If Wall Rose succumbs, the repercussions will me immeasurable. The resources within Wall Sina can't support half of those who live there now. Humanity will be wiped out not by the Titans, but through killing each other. We can't kill each other at this wall If we must die, let us die here in battle."

Everyone on the bottom looked at Pyxis and took his speech in consideration.

"I don't know if I'll actually be strong enough in Titan form to lift that rock," Eren thought. "But I know what I must do. I might be wrong but I must be successful! I have to be the hope for everyone."

On the other side of the wall, soldiers were preparing for the mission, loading the cannons and moving them across the rails to the horde of Titans. Then, Ian, Rico and a male Garrison with short and crop brown hair, and light tan eyes.

"Good, you're all here," said Pyxis. "You three have one mission only. Protect Eren Jaeger. Any risks associated with this operation are yours to eliminate. This is a high-risk mission, you will most likely fight a lot. Humanity depends on the success of this mission."

"Sir, mat I ask something?" asked Rico.

"Of course," replied Pyxis.

"Will this "human weapon" be able to transform?" asked Rico.

"Rico, don't," warned Ian.

"I'm sure you also have doubts," said Rico.

"Sir, pleas. This mission depends on Eren's ability, which is uncertain," said the male Garrison. "If he can't do it, there will be a large number of casualties."

"I see," said Pyxis. "Do you like losing to a Titan that much?"

Ian, Rico, and the male Garrison looked at Pyxis with confusion.

"Personally, I don't. I hate losing," Pyxis stated. "But I've been stuck on the losing side since day one."

Rico looked at Ian who looked back at Rico.

"I want to win against the Titans," declared Pyxis. "I want to be victorious over those over sized freaks."

"Of course sir, we want ti feel the same way," assured Rico.

"So we have no choice but to rely on the boy," said Pyxis. "This is very uncertain aspect is how we have a chance of winning over those Titans.

"Commander, we are ready to commence the operation," said Ian.

"Ian Dietrich, Rico Brzenska, Mitabi Jarnach, you're the Garrison Regiment's best and brightest," said Pyxis. "Win this one for humanity."

"Sir!" all three of them yelled saluting.

"Ian, I'm assigning you as squad leader," said Pyxis. "On-site contingencies will be yours to deal with."

"I am?" asked Ian.

"I have no objection," assured Rico.

"Neither do I," assured Mitabi.

"Please, sir. I'm not competent enough," Ian warned.

"Don't worry," assured Pyxis. "You appreciate alcohol, do you not?"

Ian looked at Pyxis with confusion in his face.

"You know what a good and bad vintage is," said Pyxis. "It's in your hands."

Ian then agreed with Pyxis. Behind them, Eren looked at Pyxis and the three.

"I'm so sorry, Eren," apologized Armin. "You end up shouldering all the responsibility."

"i told you before, you have a gift for strategy," said Eren. "I believe in you, Armin."

"Eren. I think I should..." said Mikasa.

Eren then broke in.

"Don't say you're coming with me," said Eren. "You're part of the decoy team."

"I can't leave you alone. By yourself, you..." said Mikasa.

"Enough!" yelled Eren. "I'm not your little brother or your child! I'd told you before."

Mikasa looked down at the floor, then Ian came along.

"Ackerman, Dash, Sparkle, Zap, Applejack, Sugarcoat! I want all of you on the squad that'll provide Jaeger with backup," said Ian.

Mikasa smiled at her instructions.

"We'll need your skills," said Ian. "Let's go. Execute the strategy!"

"Yeah, can't wait to start this!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

"We got this," said Twilight Sparkle

"Let's do it," said Sugarcoat

"Yeehaw!" cried Applejack

Armin started running towards the decoy team, while Eren, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle started running the other way.

"See you, Armin! Don't die and look out for the other girls," Eren thought.

"Yeah. You, neither," Armin thought.

Eren, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, Rico, and Mitabi were all following Ian to the boulder.

"They said your some "human weapon," said Ian. "I don't care. Just seal that goddamn hole. We'll protect you on either side. We're counting on you!"

"Right!" yelled eren.

Mikasa then caught up to Eren.

"Eren, how is your body doing?" she asked.

"I'm fine," replied Eren annoyed.

"Eren!" Mikasa called.

"Like I said, I'm okay," replied Eren. "I feel much better than we were surrounded."

"We're not playing with dolls here, Jaeger," said Rico.

"I didn't mean to," said Eren.

"To think that the fate of humanity depends on a brat like you," said Mitabi.

Mikasa looked at Mitabi with an angry look on her face.

"Cut it out, all of you!" scolded Ian. "We're almost in range of the giant boulder."

Twilight looked at boulder to see nothing near it.

"There isn't any Titans, sir!" yelled Twilight Sparkle.

"That means the decoy strategy must be working," stated Ian.

On the other side, all the cadets and Garrisons were on top of the wall while some latched on the side of the wall to lure more Titans away.

"Just focus on luring the Titans to our corner of town!" yelled a male Garrison. "Avoid unnecessary battle!"

Armin, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Sunset Shimmer, Sour Sweet, and Starlight Glimmer were on the side of the wall, while Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity were on top of the wall

On the other side of the wall, the squad was getting closer to the boulder.

"There's something I want to say, Jaeger," said Rico.

Eren looked at Rico.

"With this strategy, many soldiers will probably die," said Rico. "All for you."

"Is that part of battles?" asked Applejack.

"Well, they're battles not a tea party," said Sugarcoat.

"These are our seniors, comrades, and subordinate soldiers," said Rico. "Aside from being soldiers, death is above all of them. Remember that they are not just pieces in a game.

Inside Trost, a Titan was heading towards a group with Daz and Sasha.

"Hold position," said the male Garrison.

The Titan got closer to them.

"Not yet," said the Garrison.

Then, the Titan was a couple feet in front of them.

"A little closer, he said.

The Titan then attempted to grab them.

"Scatter!" he yelled.

The group then splits up and the Titan misses them.

"Everyone of them has a name," said Rico. "They all have hopes and fears. Alyosha, Dominic, Fine, Isabel, Ludwig, Martina, Guido, and Hans. They are all flesh-and-blood humans. There are some that I've known since cadet training. They, too will probably die for you today. You have the responsibility to make sure their deaths weren't pointless. No matter what happens. Carve that fact into your batty heart. And full fill your responsibility as though your life depends on it."

"Yes!" yelled Eren.

Then, Eren had a scowl on his face.

"I'm going to do this. I will do it!" he thought.

He then remembers what Pyxis said in his speech.

"Not once mankind ever risen above the Titans," said Pyxis. "As the Titans move forward, humanity keeps retreating. We continuously lost territory. But when our strategy succeeds, today is the day land taken by our greatest enemy will be reclaimed!

Then, the squad got to their location.

"This is the place! Let's do it!" yelled Ian.

"Aww yeah!" yelled Rainbow Dash

All of them jumped off the wall.

"It will be the first time humanity has been victorious over the Titans."

All of them started swinging around town. Rico stayed on top of the wall and shot a green signal flare into the air. Anka spotted the green smoke signal.

"Green smoke signal confirmed," said Anka. "The Elite Squad is following the strategy as planned.

"In comparison to what we've lost it may seem small. However, this small step is a giant step for mankind."

Eren started swinging across town, latching on to nearby towers and buildings. Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat were heading toward the boulder. Eren latched on to a tower and continued swinging. He landed on a roof and started running on top. He jumps off the roof and latches on to another tower. Eren dodged all the incoming buildings and lowered himself enough for the ODM gear to scratch the ground to dodge a bridge. Eren flew up in the air and clamped down on his hand enough for blood to squirt from the wound. Eren burst into a light, enough for Pyxis to see. Eren transformed into his Titan in the air and crashed into the side of a building. Eren's Titan stepped forward and let out a loud roar, ready to carry the plan.

Behind Eren's Titan, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, and Indigo Zap watch in amazement.

"It seems impossible to lift that boulder through the perspective of human," she thought. "But Eren probably has an undiscovered strength."

"Don't worry Mikasa, Eren has got this under control," said Rainbow Dash.

"You said it," Indigo Zap said.

But much to Mikasa's surprise Eren's Titan didn't pick up the boulder. It looked back at Mikasa and the others behind it on a roof.

"Uh... was this part of the plan?" asked Twilight Sparkle nervously.

"Why does it look like it's going to kill us?" asked Sugarcoat.

"Eren," Mikasa called

Eren's Titan started walking towards them aggressively.

"Oh shit," said Rainbow Dash.

Eren's Titan then punched the spot where Mikasa and the others were standing.

Wound: The Struggle for Trost, Part 8

In the year 845, two terrifying new breeds of Titan appeared, the Colossal and the Armored, barrelling trough the outer walls as it wholesale destruction was child's play. The territory couched within the circle of Wall Maria was abandoned. Twenty percent of the human race perished and one-third of our territory was lost. As the Titan onslaught advanced, our only choice was to withdraw behind Wall Rose. Five years later, the Colossal Titan reappeared in Trost and decimated yet another barrier between us and them. Once more, mankind retreated in panic before the advance of its greatest foe. Grave soul after brave soul perished. Eaten alive. Cadet Eren Jaeger was tragically consumed early on the battle, but later emerged miraculously from the fallen body of an Abnormal. Dot Pyxis, unconventional commander of the entire Southern Territory witnessed firsthand Eren's Titan form in action. Taking note of the boy's incredible strength, a plan worthy of the Commander's fabled eccentricity was hatched. And yet, despite Eren's ironclad resolve, he planned teetered on the brink of collapse even as it began.

The horde of Titans started growing and growing in numbers and the numbers of Garrisons that were on the side of wall were decreasing. Gustave and Anka were following Pyxis who was walking on top of the wall.

"We've managed to corral most of the Titans in the corner furthest from the breach," said Gustav. "Combat has been avoided as much as possible. But still, 20% of our forces are lost."

"Not lost," said Pyxis.

Anka and Gustave looked at Pyxis with confusion.

"They didn't die of losing their way. They were sent to their deaths. By me," stated Pyxis.

Pyxis stopped and looked at Trost.

"This is the threshold of our extinction, soldiers," he said. "If my actions ensures mankind's survival, history may call me "butcher" all it wants.

On the other side, Eren's Titan punched where Mikasa and the girls were standing. All of them dodged the punch. Mikasa slid on the roof and a piece of shard makes a small cut on Mikasa's cheek. She slid on the roof and crashed into a chimney. Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, and Sugarcoat flew in the opposite direction getting up and looking at Eren's Titan in horror. Mikasa got up and saw the girls on the other side of the roof. Ian, Rico, Mitabi saw the Eren's Titan going rogue. Eren's Titan lifted his left fist up.

"Ackerman!" called Ian.

Eren's Titan punched where Mikasa was, but she got out of they way. Mikasa turned around and latched on to a tower behind Eren's Titan and went to his face.

"Hey! Ackerman! Stand down! Now!" yelled Ian. "Get away from him, that's an order!"

"Eren!" called Mikasa. "I know you're in there, goddammit. I know you recognize me!"

Eren's Titan's two green eyes looked at Mikasa.

"That's right! Come on! Snap the hell out of it!" yelled Mikasa. "We've got a breach to seal up!"

"We've failed," said Rico.

She picked up a red barrel and placed it on the pistol.

"It was foolish to pin our hopes on something we didn't fully understand," said Rico.

She lifted the pistol high in the air and fired a red smoke signal.

"Eren! Listen to me! You're a human!" shouted Mikasa.

Then, his right fist had regenerated and was formed into a fist.

"Mikasa!" called Rainbow Dash.

"Get out of there!" yelled Ian.

Mikasa looked down and saw the fist.

"Oh shit!" she yelled.

She jumped off of Eren who punch himself in the face enough to knock him out.

"The hell? You're telling me that kid was a regular Titan all along?" asked Mitabi.

"Eren!" called Mikasa.

"Captain!" shout a male Garrison. "We've got two Titans bearing down on us from the front! A 10-meter and a 6-meter!

"Heads up! There's a 12-meter closing in on us from the rear!" yelled another.

"Oh what the hell?!" shouted Indigo Zap.

Ian spotted the 12-meter Titan walking towards their direction.

"Ian, that's it," said Mitabi. "Juts look at him. We need to get out of here, the plan's a bust."

"Agreed," said Rico. "Full withdrawal. We have to leave him as he is."

Mikasa looked back at Rico with an angry glare in her face.

On top of the wall, Pyxis and a large group of Garrison soldiers saw the red smoke signal in the distance.

"Red smoke. That's not good," stated a Garrison with blond hair and mustache. "Sir, best I'm afraid it means the Elite Squad hit quite a snag."

Behind them, a cadet was crying.

"This was pointless," said the male cadet crying. "My friends died like animals."

Next to the group were the decoy group, who all saw the red smoke signal.

"Look over there!" yelled a male cadet.

"What's going on?" asked Sunset Shimmer.

"It doesn't look good,' said Starlight Glimmer.

"Maybe their playing a game of hide and seek or something," said Pinkie Pie.

She continued to name all the games she could think of, everyone around her looked at her, until she was silence by a slap on the back of the head.

"What was that for?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Could you please shut your damn mouth," hissed Sunny Flare.

"I hope that Eren and the others are okay," said Fluttershy.

"There part of the Elite Squad they can find a way out," said Rarity

Armin came up standing next to Sunset Shimmer.

"It's over. They failed," said Marco.

"But how?" asked Armin.

Armin then placed his pack of gas cylinders and started running. Sunset Shimmer saw Armin running.

"Armin wait!" yelled Sunset Shimmer.

Then, Startlight Glimmer, Sour Sweet, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, and Pinkie Pie started following.

"Pinkie stay here with Fluttershy and Rarity," said Sunny Flare.

"Aww, I want some fun," moaned Pinkie Pie.

Marco saw Armin and the girls running,

"Whoa, guys!" yelled Marco. "Where are you going?"

"Commander, I recommend we revert back to defending the gate.

"Commander, I recommend we revert back to defending the gate,' suggested the Garrison. "Just give me the word, sir."

"Denied," stated Pyxis.

"Sir, shall I order a retreat?" asked Anka.

"Absolutely not," replied Pyxis. "Continue luring the enemy to the edge of town. The Elite Squad is skilled. They have leave to make their own decisions. We proceed as planned. This was an all-or-nothing proposition. I will allow those at the vanguard to determine if and when we deviate. we aren't in a position to deliver a verdict to defeat. But we are in a position to fight to the last breath. It's humanity's debt. It's what we determine we owe the fallen."

On the ground, Eren's Titan was still knocked out while Mitabi was talking to Ian.

"Ian! Snap out of it!" he yelled. "What are you waiting for? Give the damn order Conserve all the manpower we can. This was the right call. Hey, it's not like this is your fault! Come on! Look, this plan was doomed from the start! We get that. Was it worth a shot. Sure, whatever! We did the best with what we had! But all we've got left now id going back over the wall.

Mitabi started walking away. Mikasa started running at him before she was stopped by Ian.

"Stop!" he yelled. "Easy. Now's not the time. Team Rico, take out the 12-meter approaching from behind. Team Mitabi and I will handle the two front runners."

"Are you nuts?!" shouted Rico.

"In case you've forgotten, I'm the one in charge! Now, do as I ordered, soldier! We're not leaving Jaeger defenseless, period."

Rico looked at Ian with shock.

"Change of plan," Ian said. "Our job is to keep the others off of him until he can recover. Whether we like it or not, he's still our last best chance. We won't abandon him easily. We're expandable, he isn't. He can't just be replaced."

"He's a failure who caused countless soldiers to die," said Rico.

"Hey! No one talks about Eren like that!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

She was about to charge at Rico, before being stopped by Applejack.

"Hold on there Rainbow," said Applejack.

Rico then looked at Eren.

"Look at him, Ian! Are you saying you want more of us to die saving that?!" asked Rico.

"That's right," replied Ian. "Down to the last man! If that's what it takes, so be it!"

Rico and Mitabi looked at Ian with complete shock.

On the other side, Jean swung up and landed on top of the wall.

"What the hell's up with the red smoke?" asked Jean. "What happened to him?"

"I don't know, but Armin, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, Lemon Zest, and Sunny Flare are gone," replied Conny.

"But I... I think it'll be alright," said Marco.

"Yeah?" questioned Jean.

"Of course! I mean..." said Marco. "This is Eren we're talking about."

"Right," said Jean.

"I don't want to be that guy but this whole thing feels kind of pointless," said Conny.

"Hell, when's the last time a fight against the Titans didn't feel like that," said Jean.

"I don't like the idea of so many of us being dead for nothing," said Conny.

"We have to pick our battles. If we want to wage all-out war someday, we have to conserve all the manpower we can," said Jean. "This was the right call. Just be patient."

"Was it the right call, though?" asked Conny.

"Yes! Of course it was!" replied Jean.

"Live to fight another day, is that it?" asked Conny. "Right I'm in."

On the ground, Rico and Ian continued to argue.

"Ian, you can't be serious!" yelled Rico.

"What other hope against the Titans do we have?!" shouted Ian. "You know something I don't?! This is all we got and you damn well know it! I am making a judgment call here. If you have a better plan, speak up! How else are we going to get out from their feet?"

"If you're asking me how else we'll defeat the Titans, obviously I have no idea," Rico replied.

"See? That's why we can't afford to beat a retreat," said Ian. "Not just yet. We may not know what else is in there but there's hope. And as long as that's a case, we're going to fight to the bitter end. Look at us. Always scraping by. Always on the run. Don't you... Don't you want it to be over? Don't you want to make a stand? Well, this is how it's done!"

Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Applejack, Sugarcoat, and Twilight Sparkle looked at Ian, while Mitabi and Rico took Ian's words into consideration.

"This is just... This is madness," said Rico.

Rico started waliing away from Ian.

"Hey!" Ian shouted.

"I'll follow your strategy," said Rico. "I think you're right. If we're to stand, this is the only way. Just this once, let's fight a fight. Right. My team will address the 12-meter coming from the rear."

Mitabi then started walking the other way.

"Well? What we got the two in front or don't we?" asked Mitabi.

"Right," said Ian.

"Thank you, Captain," thanked Mikasa. "That was brave."

"Yeah was a hell of a speech you gave there," complimented Twilight Sparkle.

"No, it wasn't," said Ian. "There's no thanks needed. Fact of the matter is I was petrified of the mess you were about to get into."

Ian pulled out his sword.

"But you're free now. So do your thing," said Ian. "Make good use of that inborn skill."

"Sir," replied Mikasa.

"Go protect your lover," said Ian.

"He's family..." said Mikasa, blushing.

"All of you provide backup for Mikasa," said Ian

"Sir!' all of them yelled.

Ian then started running of the roof and started swinging away. Mikasa and the rest looked at the Eren's Titan, which is still knocked out.

"Why? Why haven't his injuries repaired themselves?" Mikasa questioned. "Did the earlier damage compromise him? Eren, What is this doing to you?" Oh god, what if won't be able to change back? No. I've got to stop. i'm thinking about it too much, that's all. I need to focus on doing."

On top of the wall, Armin ran as fast as he could. Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, and Lemon Zest were following Armin.

"Eren, Mikasa. What's going on?" Armin questioned.

On the ground, Eren's Titan was still knocked out. Inside the Titan's nape, an unconscious Eren was lying there with flesh covering his body. Eren's pupils started to grow.

"What's... Where am i? What... What am I doing?" Eren questioned. "Am I sitting? I can't see. What day is it?"

Eren then opened his eyes. He was back at his house. His mother and Mikasa were washing the dishes while his father was sitting on a chair.

"Wait," Eren thought. "Oh, that's right, of course."

Eren yawned and snuggled in his blanket.

"Werid," he thought

A grappled hook unlatched to a tower. Armin landed on top of a roof ,panting. Then, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, and Sour Sweet followed Armin. All them looked at Eren's Titan, which was still knocked out.

"Eren," said Armin.

"What happened to him?" asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Come on, what are you doing? Wake up!" shouted Armin.

"This isn't good," said Starlight Glimmer.

On the the ground, Jean, Conny, Annie, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and three male Garrisons were hiding behind buildings to avoid the Titans.

"Here's the plan: we don't let a single one of these ugly son of a bitches wander out of there corner," said the male Garrison. "Focus on luring them here and keeping them here. Understood? Do not, I repeat, do not engage them in combat unless you absolutely have to. I want you on the ground, three cadets per team. When you reach the wall, jump, is that clear? Die and you'll piss me off. If a Titan goes astray we'll put it down."

"What do you mean if?" asked Jean. "It's not like we can count on them to follow protocol."

"What is our situation gets risky?" asked Annie. "Are we free at our own discretion or what?"

"Whatever'll make it easier on you," said the male Garrison.

"Are we playing a game of tag?" Pinkie asked smiling.

Then, explosions of dust started to billow.

"Team Kirschtein, move out!" shouted the Garrison.

"Yes, sir!" shouted Jean

On the other side, a Titan had its nape sliced. Mitabi glided around making one of the Titans distracted. The Titan was about to grab Mitabi, but before it could grab him, Mikasa dove and sliced its nape and flew up. The Titan fell forward and dead on a roof. Mikasa and the other girls landed.

"Son of a bitch, it's behind us!" shouted Ian

"It's a 13-meter!" shouted a male Garrison on the roof. "And from the looks of it, he's about to pounce on Jaeger!"

"Heads up!" shouted another Garrison. "We've got four more coming through the gate!"

Mikasa and the other girls looked behind to see Titans coming.

'All of them look 10-meter at least!" yelled a third Garrison.

"Oh come on!" groaned Rainbow Dash.

"Right. Rear! Ackerman! Yours!" yelled Ian. "Dash, Sparkle, Sugarcoat, Zap, and Applejack provide backup!"

"Sir!" all six of them yelled.

Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle started running at the Titan near Eren.

"Keep it away from him at all cost!" yelled Ian. "Hold the rest off here!"

"Will do," said Mitabi.

Mikasa and the others started towards the Titan.

"Elite or not, two teams can't take on four Titans at once," Mikasa thought.

Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, and Mikasa jumped. The Titan got close to Eren. Rainbow Dash and Indigo Zap took out its legs, Applejack and Sugarcoat took out it's eyes. Mikasa then latched on to the Titan's nape and sliced it. Mikasa stood on top of the slain Titan's head while the others stood next to it. Mikasa looked at a group of Titans in the distance walking towards Eren.

"What's going on? Where are they coming from all of a sudden?" she questioned. "There aren't enough of us to attract this many. Unless they're coming for Eren!"

"Mikasa!" called Armin on top of Eren's Titan's nape. "Why did the plane go belly-up?"

"Armin what are you doing?!" shouted Twilight Sparkle.

"Why on earth is he slumped here like this?" asked Armin.

"Get away! It's too dangerous!" yelled Mikasa. "Something went wrong. He lost control and wound up like that!"

"How?!" asked Sunny Flare. "He should have full control of the thing! Did you try anything that worked?!"

"I tried to snap him out of it but I couldn't get him to respond," explained Mikasa. "He's been out like this for the past few minutes."

"But the plan?!" shouted Armin.

"We've had to shift tack," said Mikasa. "Right now all we can do is protect him. He defenseless. And there... There are just so many. I don't know how much longer we can keep this up!"

Armin looked at the nape and was thinking of the time where Eren emerged from his Titan's nape.

"From the back of the head to the nape of the neck," said Armin. "One meter high and 10 centimeters across."

Armin took out his sword.

"Armin!" called Mikasa.

"Tell me he's not doing what I think he's doing," whispered Starlight Glimmer.

"I'm pulling him out of here!" shouted Armin. "all of you just hold off other Titans as long as you can!"

"But..." whispered Mikasa.

"When Eren emerged from this form, it was from the weak spot," said Armin.

Armin pulled the top trigger of his controller grip and two anchors latched on to the side of the nape.

"I don't know. But something tell me that's a big part of the picture," said Armin. "How these damn things work. It's be all right. As long as I don't hit the center... This won't kill him. But, well, it is going to hurt.

Armin then lifted his sword. He then drove the sword down into the nape.

"ARMIN!!!" shouted Mikasa.

"He's actually going to do it," said Starlight Glimmer.

The blade pierced through the nape and stabbed Eren's arm. Inside, Eren felt the blade stabbing his arm and his Titan woke up and started roaring in pain. Armin held on for dear life, holding on the handle tightly.

"Armin this is crazy!" yelled Starlight Glimmer.

"Stop it! You'll get yourself killed!" shouted Mikasa.

"I'm fine!" assured Armin. "Just do what you can do to keep the rest at bay! Trust me, there are tons of other people you should be worried about! Now, Leave Eren to me and go what you do best!"

Mikasa jumped off the slain Titan's head and started running, followed by her team.

"All of you defend any Titans that are close to us!" yelled Armin to Sunset and the others.

"What about you?!" yelled Sunset Shimmer.

"Just leave me and Eren!" shouted Armin.

"Come on girls, let's go!" shouted Sunset Shimmer.

All of them started running off towards the swarm of Titans in front of them. With that it just left Armin and Eren's Titan alone.

"Eren! Can you hear me?" asked Armin.

Inside the nape of Eren's Titan, the unconscious Eren heard Armin's voice, but didn't move.

"You've got to pull it together! If you stay like this, we're all going to die! " echoed Armin. "Whatever this body is doing to you, fight it! You're Eren Jaeger, goddammit! What's the steaming lump of flesh have on you?

"What is he talking about?" Eren questioned. "Fight it? What? I'm tired."

"Come on, goddammit! Wake up!" yelled Armin. "Get out of there! We need you to wake up! Eren!"

Armin started banging the nape of Eren's Titan.

"Your mom, remember?" asked Armin. "Remember what they did to her? You were bent on avenging her death! You swore to massacre the Titans!

Inside Eren's dream, he saw Armin banging on the window.

"You're not making any sense, Armin," said Eren. "Open you eyes. Mom's not dead."

Back in reality, Armin continued yelling.

"Eren! Eren, please!" yelled Armin. "You have to push through it! I know you're in there! Listen to me! If you don't move a on, the Titans are going to kill us. It'll all end right here!

In the dream, Eren looked at Armin in confusion.

"Armin. Seriously, what the hell's gotten into you?" asked Eren.

Eren looked at the regular life of his family.

"What's this "get a move on" crap? I don't want to move anything," said Eren. "This right here's good enough for me."

Then, Eren remembered something.

"It;s not like I want to be a Scout," Eren realized.

His mother looked back at him.

Back in reality, Jean, Annie, and Conny were running on the ground. They saw their group leader getting devoured by a Titan.

"Fantastic," said Annie sarcastically. "Well, like it or not we're on our own."

On the rooftops, Mikasa saw a Titan grabbing a cadet. Then, Ian wrapped around the Titan.

"Die!" yelled Ian.

He then sliced the Titan's nape off saving the cadet. The cadet backed off in fear at the dead Titan.

"Yeah! That's what I thought, you bastard!" yelled Mitabi.

Then, a Titan appeared and attempted to squish them. All of them get away, Ian slid on the roof.

"Get some distance!" yelled Ian.

"I've got this, captain!" yelled Mikasa. "i'll help Team Mitabi!"

On the ground, a Titan was chasing Conny. He attempted to latch on the side of a building, but the hooks didn't latch on.

"What the hell?!" yelled Conny.

The Titan attempted to grab Conny, but was pierced by a hook. The Titan looked back and saw Jean behind.

"Jean!" yelled Conny.

"Get on top of the wall!" yelled Jean.

Jean started running and the Titan the started to chase after Jean.

"I'm sick and tired of people dying because of me!" Jean thought.

Jean then ran into a small ally way. He looked back to find the Titan was too big to fit inside. Jean smiled at the sight and took out his controller grips, but much to his surprise when he push the top trigger nothing fired.

"A malfunction! Now?!" Jean thought.

Jean attempted to push the top trigger over and over again, but nothing worked. Then, a smaller Titan appeared behind Jean. The Titan attempted to grab Jean, but he got out of the away.

On the other side, Conny and Annie latched on to the wall. Both of them got on top of the wall.

"Jean!" called Conny.

He looked around to a Titan chasing him on the streets.

"What is he doing?" asked Connie. "And why the hell isn't he using his gear?"

He then realized something.

"Hang on! Don't tell me it's not working!" yelled Conny.

"I'm not going to die today!" Jean exclaimed.

Jean then got into a nearby house. He entered the house and hide below a window.

"Way to go," said Jean to himself. "Dragging everybody down. Great job."

He looked at the window to see the Titan was near him. He looked outside to see dead soldier, who had been crushed a piece of debris.

'Huh, maybe I won't die to today," Jean realized.

On the other side, Rarity and Fluttershy were on the ground running for dear life from three Titans behind them, while Pinkie Pie, who was having fun with all three of the Titans.

"This is the worst idea ever!" yelled Rarity.

"What are you talking about this a fun game of tag!" smiled Pinkie Pie.

"Is this the time to play games now?!" yelled Rarity.

"Of course!" replied Pinkie Pie.

Then, a Titan swiped at Rarity, who jumped and started running faster and screaming her head off and started heading towards the wall.

"That was a close one, I thought she was going to be it," said Pinkie Pie.

Fluttershy looked back to see a giant hand coming at her way. Fluttershy screamed and started to catch to Rarity.

"Pinkie! Hurry up!" yelled Fluttershy.

"This is fun," said Pinkie Pie.

"Pinkie look out!" yelled Fluttershy.

Pinkie Pie behind to see a giant hand coming at her direction. The Titan attempted grab Pinkie, who then hopped up.

"Miss me," said Pinkie Pie. "You three need to be good at this game."

All three of them started running towards the wall. When they got to the wall, all of them latched on and landed near Conny and Annie.

"We are never doing that ever again," said Rarity panting.

"Please don't," begged Fluttershy.

"That was fun, being chased by a Titan," smiled Pinkie Pie.

Rarity and Fluttershy sighed and fell on their backs panting her exhaustion.

On the other side of Trost, Armin started telling Eren about their dream.

"Eren," called Armin. "Remember when we were kids? All we talked about was the world outside."

Eren then remembers the dreams of it.

"You know, beyond the walls," said Armin. "Frozen tundra that stretches to the skies, sand dunes, oceans, forest. The world outside my parents wanted to see. I'd always thought you'd outgrown that dream. I as kind of sad it didn't come up. But then I realized you let it go because you didn't want me to join the Scouts.

'No, I just..." said Eren, getting up.

"Tell me. Honestly," said Armin. "Even though your first step beyond the wall meant hell on earth? Gambling against the possibility of dying like my parents. Why? Why throw caution to the wind and venture outside?"

In the dream, Eren turned around.

"What kind of dumb question is that?" he asked. "Don't play dumb. You know damn well why."

Mikasa, his mother, and father looked at him.

"BECAUSE THE WORLD BEYOND THE WALL IS MY BIRTHRIGHT!!!" yelled Eren.

His dream caught on fire and everyone in the dream burned, turning into dust.

In reality, Eren's Titan started to wake up and started to regenerate his face.

Primal Desire: The Struggle for Trost, Part 9

"What kind of question is that?" asked Eren. "BECAUSE THE WORLD BEYOND THE WALL IS MY BIRTHRIGHT!!!"

Then, Eren's Titan fully regenerated and woke up. Eren's Titan roared loudy.

"Eren," said Armin

Eren's Titan roared as steam was emitted from his body, ready.

Inside a house, Jean was hiding from the small Titan that was chasing him.

"Way to go," said Jean. "Dragging everybody down, Great job."

Jean looked at the window to see the small Titan near. He then looks to see a dead soldier, who had been crushed by a piece of debris and saw the ODM gear still in contact.

"Huh. Maybe I won't die today," said Jean.

On the other side of Trost, Rico and a female Garrison landed on top of a roof.

"What are we going to do, Captain?" asked the female Garrison. "We're all that's left!"

A Titan was devouring one of their group members.

"We fall back to the boulder!" yelled Rico.

Mikasa, Ian, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat landed on a nearby rooftop near the giant hole in the gate.

"Status report!" demanded Ian.

"Five Titans approaching from the gate, sir!" yelled a male Garrison.

On the ground, the smaller Titan started to walk away from Jean's hiding spot. Jean the opportunity and ran out of the house. He quickly went over to the dead soldier and started taking of the ODM gear.

"If I wait for the all-clear, I'll never make it out alive," said Jean. "I've got to do something!"

Conny then spotted Jean on the ground.

"Jean!" called Conny. "His gear is busted!"

Then, Marco walked towards them.

"What's happening?" asked Marco.

Jean was having trouble getting the ODM gear off the dead soldier, cause of the belt.

"Dammit! Come on! Work with me here!" yelled Jean.

Then, the Titan that chased Jean appeared again behind Jean.

"Jean! Look out' yelled Marco.

Jean looked behind and saw Marco wrapping around the Titan, grabbing its attention.

"Marco! What the hell are you doing?!" yelled Jean.

Marco landed on the ground and started running away, and the Titan started following him. Jean took off the ODM gear of the dead soldier. Conny landed on a rooftop and started running in Jean's direction.

"Crap, why do I have to go and be the hero?" asked Conny.

Annie landed next to Conny and started running in the same direction as Conny.

Jean had taken off his old ODM and replaced it. Jean swung up to dodge another Titan coming in his direction. Jean flew over the Titan, but fell to the ground.

"You've have got to be kidding me," said Jean. "Why's the trigger so stiff?"

The Titan then got closer to Jean. Then, Conny came running and latched on to a building across from him.

"Jean!" yelled Conny.

Conny crashed into the Titan in the head. Conny landed on a nearby rooftop and hissed in pain.

"Are you insane?!" yelled Jean.

"What are you waiting for?!" yelled Conny. "Get out of there!"

Then, the Titan attempted to grab Conny, but he got of the way quickly. Jean got up and started running towards the wall. The Titan pounced on Jean, but Jean flew up into the air. Jean looked back, but to his surprise he saw a Titan approaching him, but then Annie flew down and with her strength pushed the Titan down. Jean latched on to a tower and his ODM gear slid across a roof. Then, Annie, Conny, and Marco followed Jean to the wall. All four of them got on top of the wall.

"You idiots got a death wish?!" yelled Jean.

"Don't even start with me man," said Conny.

"You guys made it back!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"Where the hell have you three been you didn't help us!" yelled Jean.

"Uh, we were helping, we are keeping watch," assured Rarity.

"I thought you said they could handle it?" asked Pinkie Pie.

Rarity looked at Pinkie Pie with an angry glare in her face. Then, Annie looked at Trost and saw something.

"I'll be damned," she said.

Jean looked and saw it and so did Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy.

On the ground, Mikasa and the rest of the girls heard footsteps. Rico, Mitabi, Ian, Sour Sweet, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Sunny Flare, and Lemon Zest all heard footsteps.

"Well I'll be," said Applejack.

"Oh... my... god," said Rainbow dash.

In the distance, they saw a boulder moving with steam coming from the bottom. They all watch in surprise as Eren's Titan had lifted the boulder and was carrying it to the gate.

"Eren," whispered Mikasa.

"Mikasa!" called Armin.

Armin came swinging over towards Mikasa and the rest of the group.

"Armin!" called Mikasa.

"What happened back there?" asked Indigo Zap.

"He came out of it somehow! He's determined to see the mission through to the end!" shouted Armin. "As long as we've got his back while he head's for the wall, victory will be ours!

Ian looked at Armin and knew what he had to do.

"DEFEND HIM!!!" yelled Ian. "To the last man, if that's what it comes to! Eren must reach the gate! I don't want a single goddamn Titan anywhere near him!"

On top of the wall, Jean also hear the mission.

"It looks like we're back on!" yelled Jean "Focus on keeping Eren safe!"

"But do we have to?" asked Rarity. "He could make it without us."

"Quit your bitching and move your goddamn ass!" yelled Jean running.

"That's no way how to talk to a lady," groaned Rarity.

"Shut up and and move!" yelled Conny.

Rarity stood on top of the wall, not moving crossing her arms, until she saw Pinkie Pie and even Fluttershy following them. Rarity let a sigh and followed them all. All seven of them jumped off the wall.

At the bottom, Ian turned around to Mikasa, Armin, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, Applejack, and Indigo Zap.

"The both of you, go!" yelled Ian. "I want all of you to defend Eren immediately! HOP TO, SOLDIERS! THAT'S AN ORDER!!!"

"Sir, yes sir!" all them yelled.

Then, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, and Sour Sweet landed next to them.

"Girls!" called Twilight Sparkle.

"You did it Armin," said Starlight Glimmer.

"What are you all doing here?" asked Sugarcoat.

"What do you think?" groaned Sour Sweet. "Defending Eren."

"I'm guessing all of you are part of the mission?" asked Ian.

"The is correct sir!" all them yelled.

Ian was about to run off the roof and spotted something in the distance. On the ground, three soldiers were running towards the group of Titans behind them.

"Team Mitabi! What are they doing?!" wondered Ian.

On the ground, Mitabi was leading his team towards the group of Titans.

"The ugly sons of bitches have lost all interest in us!" yelled Mitabi. "We need to get close enough to grab the're attention!"

They were meters behind the group and stopped.

"Hey, big guy, over here!" yelled male Garrison.

"You're walking away?!" yelled Mitabi. "Maybe you want us to shove our blades right up your smelly asses?!"

Then, two Titan stopped and looked behind them. The two Titans then started to chase after them. Mitabi and his team started running the opposite direction.

"it worked!" yelled the other male Garrison. "We've got two of them!"

"Run! Make a beeline for the buildings!" yelled Mitabi.

On the roof, Armin, Mikasa, and the rest of the group can only watch Mitabi and his team leading the Titans.

"They're insane! Setting foot down there is suicide," said Armin. "If they get cornered somewhere there'll be nothing they can do!"

"Yeah. I know," said Ian. "Let's move out!"

Ian jumped off the roof and landed on the ground. Behind him, two Garrison soldiers started following him.

"Everyone, follow Team Mitabi!" commanded Ian.

"Come on. We need to go," said Mikasa.

Mikasa jumped off and so did Armin and so did Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, and the others. Ian ran straight into a Titan. The Titan attempted to grab Ian, but made a sharp turn to the right.

"Over here! Come get me!" taunted Ian.

The Titan then started chasing after Ian. Ian's chase made a clear walk for Eren to go to the gate.

"I feel like... I'm about to buckle under the weight," said Eren.

Eren's Titan looked down to see Mikasa, Armin, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, and Sugarcoat all in front of him.

"Mikasa. Armin. girls," called Eren. "What are you all doing? Get to the rooftops! You'll all be killed!"

Mikasa, Amrin, and the others were leading Eren. All of them saw a horde of Titan ahead of them.

"Hey! What's the matter?!" taunted a male Garrison. "You can't catch me?!"

Then, a hand grabbed the Garrison. He screamed as he was devoured. Mitabi stopped and looked back.

"Hey!" yelled Mitabi.

Then, Mitabi was crushed by a Titan's hand.

Eren's Titan continued the path toward the gate. Inside, Eren recalls what Amrin said to him earlier.

"Why? Why throw the caution to the wind and ventures outside, Eren?"

"We're born free. All of us," said Eren.

A Titan grabbed a female Garrison and ripped her arms and legs off.

"Free. Some don't believe it. Some try to take it away," said Eren. "To hell with them!"

Eren then remebers the book that Armin showed him when they were younger.

"Water like fire. Mountains of ice. The whole list," he said. "Lay your eyes on that and you'll know what freedom is. That's worth fighting for! Fight to live!"

A Titan grabbed a male Garrison and devoured him. Eren's Titan was closer to the gate at every step it took.

"Risk it all for even a glimmer of real freedom," he said.

Mikasa, Armin, and the rest were closer to the gate. All of them looked at their left and saw Ian saving a soldier for a Titan.

It doesn't matter what's waiting outside the gate or what comes in," he said.

The Titan, then grabbed Ian and placed his body in its mouth, while while his head was exposed.

"It does matter how cruel the world can be! Or how unjust!" he continued.

The Titan bit down on Ian and his head was decapitated and the head fell down. By now, Mikasa, Armin, and the rest were just meters in front of the gate.

"Fight! Fight!" he yelled.

On the other side, Conny, Jean, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were on the gorund distracting the Titans. Marco looked back at Eren. Then, Mikasa, Armin, and the rest spotted one Titan ahead.

"There's still one ahead of us!" yelled Armin.

"I'll take care of it!" yelled Mikasa.

Then, Rico came swinging down from the wall.

"Out of the way!" yelled Rico.

She then sliced the Titan's left eye, but the Titan was still standing, Then, Starlight took the lead and wrapped around the Titan and sliced the Achilles tendon of the Titan, causing it to fall.

"It's all yours Mikasa!" yelled Starlight.

Mikasa then went around the Titan and wrapped around the Titan. She lets out a scream and dove her blades into the Titan's nape making the deepest gash she ever made. Now, Eren's Titan was now inches away from the gate and everyone stopped.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOO EREN!!!" yelled Armin.

Eren's Titan lets out a savage roar and drops the boulder at the breach, plugging it.

"FIGHT!!!" Eren yelled.

Armin, Mikasa, and the others watched in amazement. On the other side, Jean, Conny, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie watched the event.

"WE DID IT!!!" yelled Pinkie Pie jumping.

"We actually did it," said Starlight Glimmer in amazement.

"Holy shit," said Indigo Zap.

Eren's Titan fell from exhaustion. Rico was standing behind Eren's Titan and kneeled down. Tear started to wield up in Rico's eyes.

"Comrades. Your sacrifices weren't in vain," said Rico.

She grabbed her signal gun and shot a yellow smoke signal in the air.

"We made history," said Rico. "This day belongs to humanity!"

On the other side, Pyxis and his group saw the smoke signal.

"Definitely yellow smoke," said Anka. "Oh my god. The mission was a success!"

Pyxis smiled at the sight.

"Send all the reinforcements!" yelled Pyxis. "Bring the Elite Squad home."

Eren's Titan sat there as it started to disintegrate. Then, two Titans appeared behind the group.

"Min the stragglers! Ackerman! Pull back!" yelled Rico.

"With all due respect, I'm not withdrawing until I recover Eren!" stated Mikasa.

Mikasa started running towards Eren's Titan. Armin and the girls were on top of the nape getting Eren out.

"Armin! Girls! How is he doing?!" asked Mikasa.

"Unconscious and scorching to the torch!" replied Armin.

"This darn flesh won't let go of him!" yelled Applejack.

"We have to get him up the wall!" yelled Armin.

Armin tried to pull Eren, but the flesh in the Titan's nape was attached to his arm and legs tightly, not even Applejack could pull Eren out, being the strongest in the group.

"I think he's fused to the carcass!" yelled Armin. "I can't get him work!:

"Then we cut him," suggested Rico.

"Wait! We don't know what that might do!" warned Mikasa.

"How to we know where to cut?!" shouted Twilight Sparkle.

"And we don't know if we're cutting at the right place!" added Sugarcoat.

Rico ignored the three and got up. She sliced the flesh, causing Armin to fall backwards. He landed on his bottom with Eren's unconscious body. Then, a giant shadow appeared behind them. Armin looked back to see two Titans coming at their direction.

"Eren! Armin!" yelled Mikasa jumping down.

Then, all of the girls jumped down to Mikasa, Armin, and Eren. One of the two Titans started to reach out to Armin and Eren. Eren regained conscious and woke up. Then, a figure flew down and sliced the first Titan's nape. The figure then latched on to the Titan and spun and sliced the second Titan's nape. Killing them both. Armin looked back and saw the figure landing on top of one of the Titan's head.

"Mikasa?" asked Armin.

Then, Mikasa and the rest landed on the ground next to Armin and the half awaken Eren.

"Who's that?" asked Mikasa.

"That might be the fastest person to kill two Titans without problems," said Starlight Glimmer.

"That is a definition of being a badass," said Lemon Zest.

Eren looked at the figure's cape and saw two wings on the cape with the color of blue and white.

"The wings of freedom," muttered Eren.

The figure turned back to the group, revealing it to be Captain Levi.

"Pay attention, kiddos," said Levi. "This is the part where you explain to me exactly what it is I'm looking at."

Afterward, thanks to the coordinate efforts of the Scout Regiment and the Garrison Regiment's Corps of Engineers, Wall Rose once again stood as a bulwark against the Titan hordes.

Several cannons fired down at the mass horde of Titans below.

It was a full day's work dispatching the Titans, who remained corralled within the Trost's perimeter, during which the wall-mounted cannons fired ceaselessly. Most of the Titans nearest to the wall were wiped out by explosive shells. The few that remained once the smoke cleared were summarily cut down by the Scout Regiment. During the so-called clean up operation two Titans, a 4-meter and a 7-meter, were captured alive and successfully restrained. However, all told, 207 people were wither dead or missing and 897 were counted among the injured. So while the reclamation of Trost represented the first true victory for humanity in its fight against the Titans, too many soldiers had fallen for celebration to be in order.

On the ground, many soldiers wearing masks were taking the dead away or cleaning up the streets from bodies, limbs, and the blood off of the streets and side of the buildings. Jean walked down the streets wearing a mask covering his mouth and nose. He looked down to his right. Much to his shock, he sees a corpse that had half if his upper body and his head.

"Is..." stuttered Jean. "Is that Marco?"

Then, a nurse walked up towards him.

"If you have a name for this one, it'd be helpful to pass it along," said the nurse.

"I wondered where he was," said Jean. "But he's... He's not the sort of guy who, you know... Marco what happened?"

Jean started walking away from the nurse.

"Somebody knows how he went out," said Jean.

"I need his name," said the nurse. "We don't have time for this."

Jean stopped in his tracks and looked back.

"Please, son. You understand?" asked the nurse. "It's been two days since we bored up the hole in Trost. That's too long. We're nowhere near accounting all the dead. Unless these poor souls are dealt with soon, an epidemic is likely to break out. We're the first line of defense against secondary disaster. We'll lament the fallen after we've done our jobs. is that understood?"

Jean looked back at Marco's corpse.

"He was a member of the 104th Cadet Corps, captain if Squad 19, Marco Bodt," replied Jean.

"Bodt. Duly noted, then," said the nurse. "Thank you cadet, I appreciate the help. Continue."

The nurse started to walk away as Jean continued to look at Marco.

On the other side, a giant red ball with attached to a side of a building. Sasha looked at the giant ball.

"What is this thing?" asked Sasha.

"Leftover Titan vomit," replied a male Garrison.

Inside the giant ball, dead soldiers were inside of it with the expression of them getting devoured.

"Apparently, they don't have digestive tract, so once they've had their fill of people, they upchuck them like hairballs," said the male Garrison.

"That's sick," Sasha simply replied.

"Ugh. So gross," said the Garrison in disgust. "Can't even make out a face."

Elsewhere, Annie looked at a dead corpse of a cadet.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

Reiner then walked up to Annie.

"Contrition does them no good," said Reiner. "What they need is a proper burial."

Annie continued to look at the dead corpse.

Somewhere else, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were also cleaned up.

"Ugh. This is revolting," said Rarity in disgust. "Can't believe I'm doing clean up duty."

"We all do," stated Fluttershy.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I don't want any blood on my perfect uniform," said Rarity.

Then, a male Garrison walked next to Rarity.

"Here take this," said the Garrison handing a body to Rarity.

She screamed and immediately dropped the body on the ground in disgust.

"What was that for?!" shouted Rarity.

"For your bitching," said the Garrison. "Look at your friend over there she's not afraid of get dirty."

Pinkie Pie using her hair to clean up the blood on the side of a building.

"This is hard work," said Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie lifted her head and her hair was covered in blood and dust. Rarity cringed at the sight and looked away.

"What's wrong Rarity?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Nothing," Rarity lied.

"Now move your ass and clean up you marshmallow," insulted the Garrison.

"Ugh. That is no way to treat a lady," said Rarity in disgust.

The Garrison looked back at Rarity and walked towards her. He handed her another corpse, but this time he made sure Rarity didn't drop it.

"Now move your ass," said the Garrison angrily.

"Now my uniform will smell of corpse," groaned Rarity.

"No one gives a shit about you uniform," said Garrison.

Rarity rolled her eyes and started following the Garrison. Fluttershy let out quiet giggle at Rarity's face, while Pinkie Pie continued to clean the blood with her hair.

Somewhere I the dark, Eren Jaeger woke up behind bars and his hands chained to the roof. Everything was blurry to him as he woke up. He saw Commander Erwin and Captain Levi standing in front of him.

"Any questions?" asked Erwin.

"That's Commander Erwin, the head of the Scout Regiment's Task Force," Eren thought. "What's he doing here?"

Eren looked over to Levi, who was standing behind Erwin.

"That's Captain Levi!" he thought.

"I uh... Where am I?" he asked.

"i think it's obvious. Let's call it a dungeon," replied Erwin. "You're currently in the custody of the Military Police. We were granted permission to see you only just now."

Erwin then held up Eren's key.

"Where'd you get that key?" asked Eren.

"Off of you," Erwin simply replied. "Don't worry, you'll get it back. Let's talk home. Specifically the good doctor's cellar back in Shiganshina. Pretty big secrets about the Titans in there, right?"

"Yeah, I think so," Eren simply replied. "That's what dad said, anyway."

"It must suck having your dad and your memory missing in action at the same time," said Levi. "Unless, of course, that's just a cover story."

Erwin looked back at Levi with a visible angry glare.

"Enough, we've been over this already," stated Erwin. "We know he has no reason to lie. And that;s all we know. How about you shed a little light on things for me by telling us your intentions?"

'What do you mean?" asked Eren.

"Here's the lay of the land, my friend. If we want to pay your dad's cellar a visit, we have to venture back of Shiganshina," Erwin stated. "Sealing the breach there as we did in Trost would be smart way to go about, don't you think? Naturally, we'll need you special powers. Anyway you slice it, a Titan's deciding our fate. It's been conjectured that the Colossal and the Armored Titan are more or less the same as you. "It's why I ask your intentions. They could be turning the tide forever. You could save us."

"I don't know what I am," said Eren.

Eren then remembers the key that his father gave him, the happy times he had with family, the day where he saw his mother getting eaten by a Titan, and the fall of Shiganshina and Wall Maria.

"I'm going to put a stop to this! I'll kill them all!"

"Come on you brat. It's an easy question. So answer it," said Levi. "What the hell is it you want to do?"

Eren lets out heavy panting and looked up at both Erwin and Levi with an angry glare in his face.

"I want to become a member of the Scouts and slaughter every goddamn Titan that stands in my way," answered Eren.

Levi looked at Eren with little shock in his face.

"Well played," he complimented

Levi then started walking towards the bars.

"All right, Erwin. I'll take responsibility for him," said Levi. "Let the higher-ups know what's going on. Not that I implicitly trust him, of course. It's more a matter of me trusting myself to deal with him. I'll kill him if I have to. The bigwigs aren't to raise a stink. My record more than speaks for itself, I'm pretty sure. Good news, Jaeger. You're an offcial member of the Scouts."

End of Part 1

Author's Note

Can't Look into His Eyes Yet: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 1

Part 2

"Hey answer the goddamn question, you brat," demanded Levi. "What do you want to do?"

"i want to join the Scouts and slaughter every Titan that stands in my goddamn way," answered Eren.

"Well played," said Levi.

Levi started walking towards the bars

"Erwin, I'll take responsibility for him," said Levi. "Let the higher-ups know. I don't necessarily trust him, though. If he betrays us or goes out of control, I'll kill him on the spot. The top brass won't complain. Because I'm the only one cut out for this. You're in. I'm make you a member of the Scouts."

Inside the dungeon, Eren woke up from his sleep. He looked at both of his hands that are still chained. Inside his cell, the Military Police provided him with water and bread.

Interior of Wall Sina

Inside Wall Sina, news of Eren had spaerd around like a wildfire and got to every civilian.

"Hey, is it true that a Titan sided with humanity?" asked a male civilian.

"That's obviously just a rumor," replied another male civilian. "I bet the recapture plan failed and loads of people from Wall Rose are gonna flee here."

All of the civilians inside Wall Sina all read the newspaper about the recapture of the Trost District.

"If that happens, we'll have food shortages in no time flat," said the second one.

"Man, please tell me those Wall Rose people aren't going to show up here with this Titan friend of their," hoped the first civilian.

Interior of Wall Rose

"This is huge news! We have a Titan on our side!" shouted a male civilian.

"Who knows, maybe we can retake Wall Maria," suggested another male civilian.

"It's almost like it our savior," said a third one.

At the military court, a bunch of MPs were waiting for the trail to start.

"Savior, huh?" asked an MP with short black hair, dark eyes, and a mustache and goatee. "Throughot history, commoners have always been a rash lot.

"I can see this triggering a revolt against the central powers," said a MP with short blond hair.

"Not if we, the Military Police dispose of Eren Jaeger first," stated the MP. "I won't let those Scout Regiment deviants have him."

Then, a carriage stops in front of the court. An MP opens the carriage door. An old man with gray hair, mustache, and beard steps out of the carriage wearing glasses.

"Hail to the Premier!" yelled the MP.

All of the MPs saluted at the man. The man nodded and fixed his collar.

"It's certainly hot," said the man.

On top of the wall, Erwin was walking with Pyxis and talking about the upcoming trail.

"Commander Pyxis," called Erwin. "You're the top commander of the Garrison Regiment and I'm commanding officer of the Scout Regiment. Won't some disapprove of us meeting like this?"

"Oh, your're as straight-laced as the rumors say," answered Pyxis. "Still, this is just a morning walk. We only net by chance."

Erwin remained silent as they continued to walk.

"So, let's chat during our stroll," said Pyxis. "Have you heard that the Military Police want to take custody of Eren Jaeger?"

"Yes, I received word yesterday," answered Erwin. "They're going to deliberate on the matter."

"It falls entirely to Zachary to decide whether the Scouts get him of the Military Police get him," said Pyxis.

"Zachary?" wondered Erwin. "You mean Premier Dhalis Zachary?"

Dhalies Zachary walks down the ha;l of the court as several MPs salute to him.

"He oversees the three regiments: The Military Police, the Garrison Regiment, and the Scouts," Pyxis stated. "He will base his decision on one thing. Whether his existence is beneficial or harmful to humanity. If he deems him to be detriment, he won't hesitate to have Eren executed. Right there, on the spot, even. I don't want them to kill Eren."

Erwin looked up at Pyxis.

"But, unfortunately, many in the Garrison Regiment are fearful of Eren's ability," stated Pyxis taking out his canteen of wine. "The most I can do is avoid agreeing with the MP. Are the odds in your favor?"

"No," Erwin simply replied. "But we do have a proposal ready. Whether or not it'll work depends on how the debate unfolds."

"You'll be playing it entirely by ear, in other words," said Pyxis.

"Our line of work takes us outside the walls," explained Erwin. "We always play things by ear."

Pyxis chuckled and continued to walk again.

"It seems you're not so uptight after all," observed Pyxis. "It has been a nice walk, Commander Smith.

Elsewhere, Mikasa, Armin, and all the girls were in the cafeteria, eating and have heard about Eren's trail.

"A debate over Eren?" asked Mikasa. "What for?"

"I'm not sure," replied Armin.

"Probably about that incident," said Rainbow Dash.

"I don;t think so, but I think it's about what they plan to do with him," stated Armin.

"But he plugged up the wall, there should no debate," said Starlight Glimmer.

"I don't know, but my guess... is they're going to decide if he should live or die," suggested Armin.

Mikasa got up with shock in her face. Then, the door to the cafeteria opened and three MPs entered.

"Are Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlelt, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, and Indigo Zap here?" asked an MP with a brown beard.

"Yes!" shouted Mikasa.

"You're all ordered to attend this afternoon's deliberation, as witnesses!" yelled the MP.

Inside the cell, Eren got up and looked at one of the MPs

"Excuse me! I need to us the toilet," said Eren.

"You just went," said the MP.

"Can I at least get some water?" asked Eren.

"Hey!" called the second MP. "Know your place, monster."

"Monster... Yeah, that might be the case..." Eren thought. "But am I so terrifying that I need to be restrained this much? I guess I can't blame them. Even I can't understand any of this."

Eren then remembers the time where he transformed in front of the Garrisons.

"At least they haven't killed me yet..." he thought. "Come to think of it, they weren't afraid of me at all. What are they doing now? What happened to the others?"

Eren then remembers what Erwin said before he and Levi left.

"Just hang on a little longer. We'll try to arrange things somehow," said Erwin.

"How many days has it been since then?" questioned Eren. "What's happening on the outside?. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life in here, am I?"

Eren then heard a door creak open in the distance. Suddenly, a female soldier flashed in front of the bars, pressing her face between the gaps with a shocked face, scaring him.

"So, you're Eren right?" asked Hange. "You okay? How are things?"

Eren didn't say a word.

"I'm sorry you've had to wait so long," apologized Hange. "But now you have a chance to finally get out."

Eren sighed in relief, but much to his surprise.

"Expect, you'll have to put these on," said Hange offering handcuffs.

Eren groaned at the sight at handcuffs

Hange, Eren, and a tall man with blond hair, light eyes, and a dark mustache and beard.

"I'm Hange Zoë, section commander in the Scout Regiment," said Hange.

Eren got very uncomfortable as the man was sniffing him.

"And this is Miche Zacharius, also a section commander," added Hange. "Oh, he also sniffs people like that when he first meets them."

Miche smiled proudly at his sense.

"He has a habit of laughing through his nose," Hange added. "I don't think he means anything by it. Oddness aside, he is skilled enough to be section commander."

Eren had the look of confusion in his face.

"Sorry, I just prattled on, didn't I" Hange asked. "We're already here, but... No, it'll be okay! It's actually better if I don't explain!"

"Wait!" yelled Eren as he was pushed.

"It's selfish of us, but all we can do is have faith in you," said Hange. "Good luck."

Hange then closed the door shut.

In the interior of the court room, Eren looked at the roof, that had a painting of ancient soldiers fighting, having swords and spears in their hands. The Scouts, Military Police, and even some civilians were present at the court.

"A courthouse? Eren thought. "I was in the basement of a courthouse?"

The MP behind Eren pointed his musket at him.

"Get moving!" shouted the MP.

The MPs and Eren walked to the platform, one of them carried a large, metal pin that held the pole.

"Kneel here," said the MP.

Eren kneel on the platform. The other MP pulled Eren's arm back and placed the pole between Eren's wrist and where the pole was placed. Eren looked around and saw the Military Police with a pastor with his hair high up, medium green eyes, and wearing black cassock with three golden colored bands. Eren looked at the other side and saw the Garrison Regiment and the Scouts.

"What are these people doing here?" he wondered. "In fact, what is this trail even about?"

Eren then saw Mikasa, Armin, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, and Indigo Zap in the courtroom. Then, a door opened and Eren looked at the court podium. Zachary laid his suit and sat on the chair.

"Shall we begin?" asked Dhalis.

Eren didn't saw a word. Dhalis adjusted his glasses and looked at the documents he had in his hands.

"You are Eren Jaeger, a soldier who has sworn to give his life for the people," he read. "Is that correct?"

"Yes, " Eren simply replied.

"Given the extraordinary circumstances, this deliberation will be held as a court-martial. Regular law will not apply in other words," Dhalis read. "I have full decision-making authority in this matter, which includes determining whether you live or die."

"Just as I thought," Armin thought.

"This is insane!" Rainbow Dash thought.

"Any objections?" asked Dhalis.

"No, sir," Eren replied.

"Your astuteness is appreciated," said Dhalis. "I'll get to the point."

On top of the courtroom, Miche and Hange were in the top balcony watching the trail.

"As expected, concealing your existence has proved impossible," said Dhalis. "Unless we publicly disclose your existence, in one fashion or another, we risk the outbreak of a new non-Titan threat. It falls to me to decide which Regiment should take charge of you. The Military Police Regiment led by... Or the Scout Regiment... Now let's hear the Military Regiment proposes."

"Yes, sir!" shouted the MP. "I, Nile Dawk, Commander of the Military Police, offer the following proposal. We believe that, after through examination of Eren's body, he should be disposed of immediately."

Nile looked at Eren and continued to read from his document.

"It's time that his Titan ability helped thwart this latest incursion," Nile continued. "However, his existence is now stirring up rebellious ideas as well. As such, after he's provided us with as much information as possible, he will be made a fallen warrior of humanity."

"There's no need!" yelled the Pastor pointing at Eren. "He is vermin that has defiled and infiltrated... the walls built by God's great wisdom!"

"He's with the Wall cult!" Eren realized. "Everyone ignored them fiver years ago... but they've really grown in power."

"Pastor Nick, please remain silent," pleaded Dahlis.

Nick looked down in anger. Zachary turned to the right to the Scout Regiment.

"Next, let us hear the Scout Regiment's idea," said Dahlis.

"Yes, sir," said Erwin. "I, Erwin Smith, 13th Commander of the Scout Regiment, offer the following proposal. We intend to accept Eren as an official member of the Scout Regiment and utilize his Titan ability to retake Wall Maria. That is all."

Everyone mumbled along themselves about the plan.

"That's all?" asked Dhalis.

"Yes, sir," Erwin simply replied. "With his help, we can reclaim Wall Maria. I believe it's clear what our utmost priority should be."

"I see," said Dhalis. "Tell me, from where would you launch this operation? Pyxis, the wall has been completely sealed in Trost District, correct?"

"Yes," Pyxis simply answered. "I doubt its gate will ever be open again."

"We hope to depart from the Calaneth District, to the east," said Erwin. "From where we would approach Shiganshina, by establishing a new route from scratch."

"Wait just a damn minute!" yelled a male civilian. "Shouldn't we be sealing all the gates now?! The gates are the only part the Colossal Titan can break! If we can just reinforce them, we'll never be attacked again!"

"Shut up, you merchant dog!" yelled another male civilian. "With a Titan's help we can return to Wall Maria!"

"We can't put up with anymore of you childish heroics bullshit!" yelled a third.

"You have a big mouth, swine," insulted Levi. "What guarantee is there that the Titans will be kind enough to wait while we seal the gates? When you say "we" you mean the friends you're protecting so you can fatten yourselves up. Are you pigs blind to the people who struggle to survive off what little land is left?"

"I'm saying that all we have to do is seal the gates if we want to live," suggested the merchant. "

"Hold your tongue, you miscreant!" yelled Nick. "You would suggest that humans meddle wit Wall Rose, a gift from God?! That wall is a divine miracle that transcends human understanding!"

"It's their fault, it took so long to arm the top of the walls," said Armin.

"They practically worship the wall," said Indigo Zap.

"They have that much support and power now," said Rico. "They're a bad sort."

Nick and the merchant continued to argue, until they were silenced by Dahlis' hand hitting the podium.

"Order!" he yelled. "I ask that you save your personal sentiments for another venue. I wish to make certain of something, Mr. Jaeger. As a solider, can you continue to serve humanity by controlling your Titan ability?"

"Yes, sir! I can," answered Eren.

Dhalis adjusted his glasses and started to read off the document.

"But it says here in his report about the Trost battle, that just after transformation you swung your fist at Mikasa Ackerman, Rainbow Dash, Sugarcoat, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, and Indigo Zap," he read.

Eren looked at them with confusion and shock.

"He doesn't remember that he wasn't in control," Amrin realized.

Mikasa gave Rico an angry glare.

"What the hell Rico?!" whispered Mikasa.

"What, you expect me to lie in a report?" asked Rico.

"She has a point Mikasa," whispered Twilight.

"I heard you can go to jail for that," added Sugarcoat.

"And who are Mikasa Ackerman, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, and Sugarcoat?" asked Dhalis.

"We are, sir," said Rainbow Dash raising up her hand.

"Is this true that Jaeger, in Titan form, attacked you?" asked Jaeger.

Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, Indigo Zap, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Mikasa remained silent.

"So, you were saying of telling the truth?" whispered Rico.

Twilight Sparkle and Sugarcoat wanted to take back the words they just said and wanted to sink.

"It's in Eren's best interest that all of you answer honestly," suggested Rico.

"Yes, it's true," answered Mikasa.

Everyone gasped at Mikasa's response.

"I knew it! A Titan's a Titan," said the merchant.

"I tried to kill Mikasa and the girls?! Me?!" Eren wondered.

"However, he also saved my life on two previous occasions while in Titan form," assured Mikasa. "The first time, just as I was about to fall into a the hands of a Titan, he intervened and protected me. The second time, he protected Armin and me from a bombardment. I ask you take these facts into consideration as well."

"Just a minute!" yelled Nile. "I believe that her testimony is driven is also driven by personal feelings. It should be noted that Mikasa Ackerman lost her parents at a young age and was taken in by the Jaeger family.

Mikasa gave an angry glare at Nile.

"What's more, our own investigation into this matter led us to a most surprising discovery," continued Nile looking at his report. "Eren Jaeger and Mikasa Ackerman, at the age of nine, stabbed and killed three adult robber-kidnappers."

Everyone gasped at the report.

"Even though it was in self-defense, we can't help but question his basic humanity," he continued. "Should we really place personnel and funds in his hands, not to mention the very fate of humanity?!"

Everyone started to talk among themselves.

"Her too!" said the merchant pointing at Mikasa. "I bet she's not human at all!"

"Yeah! We should dissect her just to be safe," said a male civilian.

"HOLD ON!!!" yelled Eren. "I made be a monster, but she has nothing to do with this! NOTHING AT ALL!!!"

"Like we can believe you!" yelled a civilian.

"It's the truth!" yelled Eren.

"She is one if you have to protect her!" yelled a second one.

"NO!!!" yelled Eren.

Eren's banged the chains his his shackles, silencing the audience into gasping in fear.

"No... It's not like that. But your're all using speculation to push your own selfish agendas," said Eren.

"What?" asked Nile.

"In fact.." said Eren.

"Is this bad?"

"... none of you have seen a Titan, so why are so afraid?" asked Eren.

"Maybe I should stop talking... No, I'm going to tell them everything I think!"

"What's the use of having power if you're not going to fight?" asked Eren. "If you're afraid of fighting for your lives, then help me! You... cowards."

"What?" asked a bunch of civilians.

"JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP AND INVEST EVERYTHING IN ME!!!" yelled Eren.

Everyone was silent after Eren's speech.

"Take aim!" yelled Nile,.

The MP next to him took out his musket and aimed it at Eren. Before he could fire, Eren was kicked in the face by Levi. The kick was hard enough to knock a tooth out. Eren looked at Levi, who proceed to kick in him the gut. Levi grabbed Eren's head and and collided his head to his knee. Levi continued to beat Eren up as everyone watch. Mikasa was horrified at the sight and with an angry glare walked up towards Levi, but was held back by Armin and Applejack.

"Wait Mikasa!" yelled Armin.

Blood ran down Eren's mouth and nose as he gasped for air. Then, Levi stepped on Eren's head.

"My personal belief is that pain is the best tool for teaching discipline," stated Levi. "What you need now is to taught a lesson, not giving a talking-to. And you happen to be in perfect kicking position.

Levi continued to kick Eren in the head and the face. Levi then stepped on his head repeatedly. Everyone coould only watch the beating.

"How is this not illegal?" questioned Rainbow Dash

"Wait, Levi!" called Nile.

"What?" asked Levi.

He lowered his foot off of Eren's face.

“That’s dangerous,” warned Nile. “What if he gets mad and turns into a Titan?”

Eren looked up at Levi, who gave a powerful kick to his face, making him half-conscious.

“Don’t be silly,” said Levi.

Levi grabbed Eren by his hair and lifted him. His face was covered in bruises and blood ran from his nose and mouth.

“You guys are going to dissect me aren’t you?” asked Levi. “When he transformed, he apparently managed to kill twenty Titans before running out of strength. As an enemy, his intelligence makes him all the more dangerous. Even so, I could handle just fine. But could you? Whoever dares to torment him had better think long and hard. Can you actually kill him?”

Erwin then raised him hand.

“Sir, I have a proposition,” he said.

“What is it?” asked Dahlis

“Eren’s Titan ability includes too many uncertainties which pose an ever-present danger,” said Erwin. “We will pace Eren under Captain Levi’s supervision and conduct a recon mission outside the wall.”

“With Eren accompanying you?” asked Dahlis.

“Yes, sir,” Erwin simply replied. “Based on the reports of the said mission, you can decide if Eren has control over his Titan ability and his existence is of benefit to humankind.”

“Supervising Eren Jaeger, huh... Can you do this Levi?” asked Dahlis.

“Oh I can most definitely kill him,” replied Levi. The real problem is that there’s no middle ground.

Dahlis Zachary sighed and fixed his glasses.

“I’ve reached a decision,” he said.

Later on, in a inside a small room consisting of a couch, drawer, desk, and a single chair. Hange was tending to Eren's injures on his face and head. While Miche looked outside the window and Levi leaned against the wall.

"Man, talk about harsh," said Hange. "I bet it hurts."

"A little," said Eren.

"So, how exactly does it hurt?" asked Hange.

Eren only gave Hange a confused expression on his face.

"I'm sorry about that," apologized Erwin. "But it did get you placed in our custody."

"Yes," Eren simply answered.

"The pain was worth it," said Erwin. "It let us play our tramp card when it would be most effective."

Erwin kneel in front of Eren and offered his hand, smiling.

"You have my admiration," he said.

Eren looked at Erwin and was in shock.

"Eren. I look forward to working with you," he said.

"Right! Thank you, sir," Eren thanked shaking his hand.

Then, Levi walked towards the couch and plopped himself down next to Eren, crossing one leg over the other and putting his arm along the back.

"Tell me, Eren," said Levi.

"Yes?" asked Eren.

"Do you resent me?" Levi asked.

"No," Eren simply answered. "I understand it was a necessary performance."

"Good, then," said Levi.

"Still, you don't have to go so far," said Hange. "You knocked his tooth out!"

Hange unwrapped the cloth covering the tooth.

"See?" asked Hange.

"Don't pick that up. It's disgusting," said Levi in disgust.

"This is a precious sample of it's own," said Hange.

"Eren be thankful you aren't getting dissected by people like her," said Levi.

"Don't compare me with them," said Hange. "I would never kill Eren. Hey, Eren. Let me see the inside your mouth."

Eren opened his mouth wide. Hange looked inside and saw something new.

"Your tooth... has already grown back," said Hange.

Special Operations Squad: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 2

"You... cowards," said Eren. "JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP AND INVEST EVERYTHING IN ME!!!"

Levi kicked Eren in the head and face repeatedly

"What you need now is to be taught a lesson not given a taking-to," said Levi.

Dhalis sighed and fixed his glasses.

"I've reached my decision," he said.

Eren was placed in the Scout Regiment's custody is preparation for the scouting mission beyond the wall.

Trost District

Old Scout Regiment Headquarters

Eren, now an official member of the Scouts was riding on horses through the woods with Levi, and five other Scout soldiers.

"The old Scout Regiment headquarters," said a Scout with curly, light brown hair with an undercut and small hazel eyes. "Just as you'd expect from a renovated old castle. It looks fancy and all that sort of thing. But being so far from the wall and the river would be totally useless to the Scouts. That was back in the early days, when everyone had high hopes. Still, to think that this over sized decoration would end up as the perfect holding place for you now."

Eren then looked back at Levi, who just gave him a glare at him. Eren immediately turned back and looked straight. Then, the Scout got next to Eren.

"Don't be cocky, rookie," warned the Scout.

"Come again?" asked Eren.

"I dunno know if you're Titan or what, but don't assume Captain Levi's gonna stick with some wet-behind-the-ears brat like..." said the Scout.

Then, the Scout's horse nearly tripped on a stone that was exposed on the road, causing his teeth to bite down on his tongue, causing blood to squirt out. The Scout yelp in pain, freaking Eren out.

All of them got to the headquarters and started taking the horses to the stables. While the Scout was tending to his bitten tongue and Petra was standing in front of him.

"Talking to a horse is a guaranteed way to bite your tongue," said Petra.

"First impressions are important," stated the Scout. "I had that rookie scared stiff."

"Actually, I think he was shocked at how dumb you are," she corrected.

"Whatever the case, it went exactly as I planned," he said.

"Hey, you didn't used to talk like that, you know," she said. "If, by some chance you're trying to imitate Captain Levi... could you cut it out? You're nothing like him at all, actually."

The Scout looked at her.

"Are you trying to nag me, Petra?" asked the Scout. "If you want to act like you're my wife, there's more you need to do first."

"I wish you had bitten your tongue off and died, bragging all about how many Titans you've killed," said Petra.

"Don't worry. I brag about you too, while I was at it" assured the Scout.

Eren finished tending to the horse and looked at both of them.

"They're the members of the Scout Regiment's Special Operations Squad," he thought. "Also known as the "Levi Squad."

"My god, you're disgraceful!" shouted Petra.

Petra Rall. 10 Titans killed, and 48 kill-assists."

Oruo Bozad. 39 kills and 9 assists.

"They're as elite as they come," Eren thought.

Then, three more Scouts walked past Eren, one of them had brown eyes and long blond hair which had a middle parting and a bun folded at the back to keep his hair tied, and also had a small beard. Another with a short crop of brown hair that was kept to a point on the back of his head and black eyes. The third one was another female with brilliant amber hair, brilliant gold streaks in her hair, and brilliant gamboge eyes.

Eld Gin. 14 kills, and 32 assists.

Gunther Schultz. 7 kills, 40 assists.

Lightning Dust. 47 kills, 23 assist.

"Each is an accomplished Scout personally handpicked by Captain Levi. And... They're the people who'll end up killing me if I ever go out of control," he thought.

Then, Gunther, Eld, and Lightning Dust stopped and looked at the old headquarters.

"There are weeds everywhere," stated Gunther. "This place has really gone to hell."

"It's been abandoned for years," said Eld. "I bet it's really dusty on the inside too."

"I'm pretty sure there some valuable things on the inside," said Lightning Dust.

Then, Levi walked behind them.

"There's a serious problem," said Levi. "Let's get to work at once."

Levi, out of his cloak and jacket, wearing a mask, opened a dusty window. Downstairs, Petra was sweeping the floor, while Oruo was cleaning the chandler on top. Outside, Gunther, Eld, and Lightning Dust were wasing their ODM gear to clean the windows outside. Inside, Eren took off his mask and went to Levi, where he was cleaning stool of a window.

"I've finished cleaning the upstairs," Eren informed.

Levi looked back at Eren.

"Where am I going to sleep in this place, sir?" he asked.

Levi lowered his mask.

"Your room's in the basement," answered Levi.

"A basement... Again?" asked Eren.

"Of course," Levi simply answered. "You don't have full control of yourself. Should you turn into a Titan in your sleep, we can keep you restrained right there in the basement. That was one of the conditions I was given when I took custody of you. It's a rule we have to follow."

Eren nodded at his words.

"I'll go check your work," said Levi. "You take over here, Eren."

"Yes sir," said Eren.

Levi then started to walk away from Levi. Eren watched as he walked away and looked down. Then, Petra appeared behind Eren.

"You look disappointed Eren," stated Petra.

Eren quickly turned around to see her behind.

"Oh I hope you don't mind if I call you "Eren" like Captain Levi does," she said. "He sets rules here."

"I see," said Eren. "I don't mind, but did I really look disappointed just now?"

"It's not an unusual reaction," she stated. "He's not quite the great, perfect hero society makes him out to be, huh? The real Captain is shorter than you'd expect, temperamental, crude, and unsociable."

"No, what surprises me his how serious he is about adhering to the higher-ups' arrangement," stated Eren.

"You thought that because he's strong and skilled he didn't have to follow the rules like everyone else?" she said.

"Right," Eren simply replied. "I thought that he didn't take orders from anyone."

"I don't really know the details myself, but I think he might's been like that at one time," she said. "They say before he joined the Scouts, Captain Levi was an infamous rogue in the capital's underground market."

Eren was taken by surprise about Levi's past.

"So how did he?" asked Eren.

"Beats me," she replied "I don't know what happened. but I hear that Erwin dragged him into the Scouts."

"The commander?" asked Eren.

Then, Lightning Dust appeared next to Petra.

"Flirting with the new guy?" she teased.

Petra blushed at Lightning Dust's comment.

"No I'm not," Petra replied. "Just introducing him to to me and Levi."

"So, you're Lightning Dust, the member with the highest kill count?" asked Eren.

"Yep, and the first member to be picked before the others," she replied.

Eren was surprised at the first member of the squad.

"Did you know before she had the highest kill record before I took it," asked Lightning Dust.

"No I haven't," Eren simply answered.

"Well you do now," she said. "Petra even got jealous to the point she asked how I killed so many."

Petra rolled her eyes, while Eren was fascinated with her story.

"When she was picked to be in the squad she started to..." said Lightning Dust.

Her mouth was covered by Petra's hand, who forced a smile on her face.

"I think you need to clean instead of brag," said Petra.

"Okay whatever you say," said Lightning Dust.

She started walking off to the stairs and down. Then, Levi appeared next to Petra and in front of the door.

"Hey, Eren!" he called.

Petra quickly started to sweep the floor, while Eren stood there startled.

"Y-Yes?!" Eren shouted.

Levi looked at Eren with an annoyed look in his face.

"It's completely unacceptable," he said. "Do it all over again."

Eren groaned quietly and started to head towards the stairs. Petra had a little blush on her face as she looked at Levi watching Eren going up the stairs.

Elsewhere, Miche was looking at a window, while Erwin draws up a formation.

"An expedition thirty days from now to establish a logistical base outside the wall and newly-graduated rookies will be participating too," said Miche.

"Assuming any rookies do join us," said Erwin, drawing.

Miche turned to Erwin

"Whatever the case, this all seems a bit too hasty if you ask me," said Miche.

"Eren's current treatment is only temporary," said Erwin. "We need to demonstrate to the central powers as quickly as possible that his existence is beneficial to humankind. Otherwise, the Military Police or someone else will interfere again."

"Are you using rhetoric on me too, Erwin?" asked Miche.

Erwin turned to Miche, who looked away.

"I see your nose is as sharp as ever, Miche," Erwin smiled.

"Not as sharp as your," said Miche.

"I'll fill you in when the time is right," said Erwin.

Later in the night, Eld, Gunther, Petra, Oruo, Lightning Dust, Eren, and Levi were sitting around a table drinking tea. Levi places his cup on a small plate.

"I assume our orders to remain on standby will last for a few more days," said Eld. "But I heard they're planning a major expedition beyond the wall thirty days from now. And that fresh graduates are going to participate straightaway too."

"Is that true, Eld?" asked Gunther. "That seems pretty sudden to me, especially since the rookies already had to endure this latest Titan attack."

"I bet those brats were scared out of their lives," teased Oruo.

"If they survived the Titan attack, I'm pretty sure they can survive and expedition," assumed Lightning Dust.

"Is this true, sir?" asked Petra.

"I'm not in charge of coming up with missions," Levi stated. "But, knowing Erwin, he's put far more thought into this than we have."

"Indeed, there's never been a situation like this before," said Eld. "So many lives were lost establishing a route to reclaim Wall Maria. Just when it seemed like it went up in smoke, suddenly a completely different ray of hope has presented itself.

Everyone around the table looked at Eren, who didn't say a word.

"It's still hard to believe, but how does this "changing into a Titan" thing work anyway, Eren?" Eld asked.

"My memories of it aren't very clear, but it's like being in a trance," answered Eren. "I set it off by inflicting self-harm though. I take my hand like so and..."

Eren then stops himself and realized something.

"Huh? Come to think about it, why is this the only thing I know?" he questioned.

"You guys know you can't get anymore info out him than what's in the reports," said Levi. "Not that she won't try, of course."

Levi grabbed his cup and drank his tea.

"Better hope you don't end up dead when she tinkers with you, Eren," said Levi.

"Wait! Who's "she"? asked Eren.

Then, all of them heard something crashing into the door . Petra got up and picked up the bar on the door and opened it.

"Good evening, members of the Levi Squad!" Hanji greeted. "How is castle life treating you?"

"You're early," said Levi, taking another sip of his tea.

"I just couldn't help myself," said Hange.

"Section Commander Hange..." said Eren.

"Sorry for the wait," she apologized. "I'm actually in charge of examining two Titan we caught in town. I'd like you to help me with my experiments tomorrow, so I came to get your permission."

"Experiments?" Eren wondered. "What would I have to do?"

"Why... the most exhilarating thing of all, of course," said Hange, smiling and blushing.

"I'm not in position to give permission myself," Eren stated. "I don't have authority over myself, you see..."

Hange turned to Levi.

"Levi! What are Eren's plans for tomorrow?" she asked.

"Cleaning the garden," Levi simply answered.

"Great! It's decided!" she said smiling, grabbing Eren's hand. "Eren! I look forward to tomorrow!"

"Uh... right," stuttered Eren. "But what kind of Titan experiments are we talking about here?"

"Hm?" asked Hange.

"What kind of experiments are we..." asked repeated Eren.

Then, Oruo broke in.

"Hey, stop! Don't ask that!" he warned.

"I knew it," Hange said. "I thought you might be curious enough to ask."

Then, Levi and the rest of the squad got up from their seat and started walking out of the room, leaving Eren and a smiling Hange in the room

"Have fun Eren," said Lightning Dust, leaving.

Eren looked at Hange, who took a seat on a nearby chair.

"You what to know that badly, do you?" Hange asked. "Well, if you insist, then I guess I'd better tell you all about the little ones we recently caught..."

Eren gulped a bit and was ready to listen.

"I began by repeating the same experiment that we've conducted during the five previous capture," she said.

A couple of days earlier, Hange and a couple of Garrisons carrying sticks were keeping distance.

"Hello!" Hange greeted

A small Titan with short messy blond hair and light blue eyes panted at the sight of Hange and was bound to the ground.

"First was an attempt at communication," Hange said.

'How are you feeling?" she asked. "What's your name?"

"Section Commander! You're way to close!" warned a Scout with short smooth brown hair parted down the middle and light brown eyes.

Hange then moved to another small Titan with short messy brown hair and brown eyes.

"Hello!" she greeted. "Nice weather, isn't it? Are you hungry?"

The Titan tried to bite Hange, but its restrains kept it and Hange quickly backed up.

"Whoa! That was close," said Hange.

"That's dangerous, Section Commander!" warned the Scout.

"Unfortunately, I head to conclude that there's no hope of communicating with these ones either," explained Hange. "However, my time spent interacting with the Titans was fulfilling enough to make me forget how exhausted I was everyday."

Hange walked in front of the two Titans in a circle.

"Once upon a time, there existed a clan that ate humans," told Hange. "And I don't mean you Titans. I'm talkling about a clan of people. They would hide in caves on the mountainsides and attack any travelers who passed by. They would seal their valuables, kill them, and eat their flesh."

"Here we go again. Another of her naming ceremonies," said a male Garrison.

"Yeah. What'd she call the last ones again?" asked the other male Garrison.

"Chikatiloni and Albert," the male Garrison responded.

"Ultimately, they kept this up for twenty-five years, during which time they supposedly preyed upon over 500 people," she continued. "Probably more humans than you've eaten, in fact. They also tried eating them in all sorts of ways Making steaks out of rump meat..."

Everyone surrounding her, cringed, freaked out, sickened or even weirded out at her story.

"Dicing up leg meat and adding it to a stew," she resumed. "Grinding tough meant into patties and frying it. Making sausages from blood clots and innards. Indeed, they initiated the concept of "cooking"! that's where they differ from you."

A couple of Garrisons were throwing up as she continued her story about the clan.

"However, this clan of cannibals was caught and executed after making one signal mistake," she extended. "That's where you're just like them. You guys made the mistake of attacking mankind and mound up caught."

Hange started to walk towards them.

"I'm going to name you two after the man who was the leader of this clan," said stated.

She pointed to the Titan on the left of her.

"You're, "Sawney", she declared.

She then pointed to the one on the right of her.

"You're, "Beane", she declared.

Beane only growled.

"But don't worry, I'm not going to execute you," she assured them.

She held on to Sawney's figer.

"Nice to meet you, Sawney," she said.

She then placed her hand on Beane's hand.

"And you too, Beane," she said.

She got back up.

"Let's all be friends!" she declared.

Both the Titans didn't make a noise.

"And that's how I maned the 7-meter Titan, "Beane", and the 4-meter Titan, "Sawney".

The next day, a couple of Garrison set up a couple of tents over Sawney and Beane.

"Next, I tested out blocking them from sunlight," she said. "From the fact that Titans become less active as the night progresses, this experiment corroborates that they somehow use sunlight for energy."

Inside the tent, Hange was holding a lamp and inspected Shawney's movements.

"You did great, Sawney," complimented Hange. "Good night, I'll see you tomorrow."

Sawney slowly blinked in and didn't move.

"While Sawney became sluggish after only one hour out of sunlight..."

Hange then went to Beane's ten and sat in front of him.

"You sure love to stay up late, don't you, Beane?" shed asked. "That's okay, I'll hang out with you as long as you'd like."

Beane continued to growl, but didn't show any movement.

"...Beane was still his energetic self three hours later," she explained.

"It came as another shock to me," said Hange to Eren. "They don't need food or water,and even though they have vocal organs, they don't need to breathe. The only thing they need is sunlight."

Eren continued to listen at Hange's experiments with the Titans.

"I'm curious to know what happens after prolonged sunlight withdrawal, but I can't risk having them die, y'know?" Hange continued. "We've accidentally killed the previous ones we've caught. We tried decapitating some as an experiment."

Eren was fascinated and surprised at their previous experiment.

"Their names were Chikatiloni and Albert," she stated looking down. "They had such cute smiles. I did something truly terrible to them. I never want that to happen again..."

"Ms. Hange," called Eren.

Hange then got up to Eren's face, causing him to back up in fear.

"The next step was physical contact with the Titans!" she stated. "I tested to see if they felt pain!"

The very next day, Hange was crying and screaming as she stabbed Beane in the eye.

"Section Commander! There's no need for you to scream!" yelled the Scout.

"I can't do this Moblit and not scream!" she scolded. "Beane is in so much pain! Beane! Hang on in there! Stay strong!"

She charged at Bean with the spear.

Eren, now freaked out about the experiment didn't say a word.

"I needed to determine if Titans have any weaknesses besides their napes, you see," said Hange. "It was an agonizing task."

Hange stabbed Swaney in the chest, but the Titan didn't roar or any sound of pain.

"Hey... I've stabbed you in the heart... Does it hurt? How does it feel?" she asked.

Sawney didn't move or roared in pain and stayed very clam.

"Compare to Beane, Sawney seemed more introverted, and didn't respond much at all," concluded Hange.

Then, Sawney started to move.

"What is it?" she asked.

Sawney then attempted to bite Hange, but she backed up.

"Section Commander! Please stay back!" demeaned Moblit.

But much to his surprise, Hange started laughing.

"Almost got me that time, Sawney!" she laughed.

"You're seriously going to die!" he yelled.

Eren looked down and wondered something.

"So Sawney's not very good at expressing himself," she concluded. "He just trying to chomp my head off."

"Ms. Hange," called Eren. "How can you be so lighthearted when dealing with Titans?"

Hange looked at Eren with concern.

'They're our natural enemy," Eren stated. "They've driven humanity to the verge of extinction. Surely you experienced the threat they pose countless times yourself."

"I have," she simply replied. "I've watched Titans kill friend after friend right before my very eyes. When I first joined the Scouts I fought the Titan out of hate. But, one day, I made a realization after I kicked the severed head of a 3-meter tall Titan. It was light. Unusually light. The Titan's body, I mean."

"What?" asked Eren.

"When you think about it, it shouldn't even be possible for such large creature to stand and walk on tow legs," she replied. "Every Titan was the same. Severed limbs weren't nearly as heavy as they should have been. And when you transformed, I'm told your Titan body appeared out of nowhere. It's belief that how they appeared is nothing like what they really are."

Hange then poured Eren another cup of tea into his cup.

"For decades we've tried an offensive approach that feeds off hate," she said. "I want to try to view the Titans from a different angle than the existing one. It might end up as a waste of time... but I'm going to do it."

Eren then took a sip from his tea cup.

"Joining the Scouts has been nothing but surprise after surprise," he thought. "It's not juts Ms. Hange. Everyone is strange. It's practically a haven of oddballs. Still. a group of people that seeks change... That's what the Scouts are all about."

"Ms. Hange!" called Eren, grabbing her attention. "Would you mind telling me even more about your experiments?!"

"Are you sure?" she asked, blushing.

"Yes!" he simply answered. "I think it would be good to know as much as possible before tomorrow's experiments!"

"Good point," she said. "i did gloss over a lot of things just now I should go into further detail! This could be a while."

"That's okay," said Eren smiling.

"I'll start off with the hypothesis I had the first time we caught a Titan," said Hange.

The next day, Hange continued to talk without any yawns until the morning.

"As such, that experiment provided no new information, she explained. "I'm sure they teach everyone this stuff during cadet training. You knew about this, right?

"Yes.. I knew it all..." mumbled an extremely tired Eren.

"So now I'll explain things further by going everything again with my own theories," said Hange.

Eren's head was about to go down, but he woke up.

"I'm... okay," he mumbled.

Then, Moblit came running down the hall and opened the door with Eren and Hange.

"Is Section Commander Hange here?!" he asked.

"What is it?" she asked.

"The test subjects... Both of the Titans have been killed!" he yelled.

Hange with horror in her face got up quickly. Eren, Hange, and the Levi Squad rode their horses to the testing ground.

When they got to the testing ground, they find Sawney and Beane's skeleton lying on the ground from where they were. Hange screamed at the top of her lungs.

"SWANEY! BEANE!!!" yelled Hange. "No... Tell me this isn't happening!"

Hange fell on her knees and continued to scream. Eren, now sporting a hoodie watched.

"They were such valuable test subjects... Did soldiers do this?" asked Gunther.

"Yeah, they haven't found who's responsible yet," said Eld. "Apparently both were killed at the same time just before dawn. By the time the guards noticed, whoever did it had used ODM to get away."

"Who the hell would kill two Titans if they were stationary?" asked Lightning Dust.

"Beats me," replied Eld.

"So a team of at least two planned this, huh?" asked Gunther.

"It could be one, if their skilled on ODM," said Lightning Dust.

Hange continued to scream and cry at her slain test subjects.

"Just look, Section Commander is raving mad" teased Oruo.

Petra elbowed the side of Oruo hard, causing him to cringe in pain.

"How did this happen?" asked Eren.

"Let's go," said Levi. "The rest is the Military Police's job."

Levi started to walk away from Eren.

"Yes, sir," said Eren.

Eren turned and continued to looked at the sight. The, Erwin then approaches Eren from behind and placed both his hands on his shoulders.

"What do you see here?" he asked.

Eren turned and looked at Erwin's face.

"What do you think the enemy is?" he asked.

Eren only gave a confused expression at Erwin's question.

"Sorry, that was a strange thing to ask," he apologized.

Erwin then started to walk away from Eren and followed Levi, leaving the confused Eren.

What Needs to be Done Now: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 3

After the news of the test subjects being killed, the Military Police called every cadet to gave them their main housing of the ODM gear. Inside a building, an MP soldier was scanning through a document.

"When did you last replaced your shaft?" asked a male MP.

"Six days ago, after the mop-up operation," answered Sasha.

The male MP looked as a female MP was writing on her clipboard.

"Records confirm," she said.

"Alright, you're next," said the MP.

"Christa Lenz of Squad 42," she said.

"So you're telling me that killing a Titan can actually get you in trouble?" asked a male cadet.

"Yeah, it's crazy but they were valuable test subjects," explained another male cadet.

"Even so, why are they searching for the culprits among us cadets?" he asked.

"Yeah, we're worn out enough as it is, cleaning up the battlefield," said the other.

Armin stood in front of his main housing.

"This is the worst thing ever," groaned Sour Sweet.

"Whoever it was really hates Titans," said Conny.

"But pretty much helped the Titans, if anything," said Armin. "Maybe it helped quench their thirst for revenge, but it was also a big setback for humanity."

"I'm not too bright, so I think I can relate," said Conny. "Before I actually saw a Titan, I seriously planned on joining the Scouts. Now I never want to see one again. But today's the day we have to pick a regiment to join."

Conny looked at Jean who gripped his hand into a fist.

"Is Jean seriously going to...?" Conny thought

Trost District

Last night, the other cadets watched as the bodies of the dead were incinerated by the fire. Conny crouch down and started crying. Jean looked at Conny as he was crying and then continued to look at the fire. Ymir, Christa, Sasha, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy all looked down, while Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie continued to watch.

"Everyone's having regrets..." Jean thought. They never would've chosen to be soldiers if they knew what the hell awaited them... Now that they're utterly drained, that's the only thing they can think about..."

Jean walked toward the fire and crouched down in front of it. He then picked up a pick up a piece of bone off the ground.

"Marco... I don't know which bones are yours anymore," said Jean.

He then remembers the time where he found Marco's dead body.

"If I hadn't become a soldier I never would've had to worry about who's next..." he thought.

Jean then remembers what Eren said on the night they graduated.

"Are we just going to throw away all the advances in fighting techniques that cost us tens of thousands of lives so we can be Titan fodder?!"

"I know I have to fight," he thought. "But not everyone is a suicidal maniac like you..."

Then, Jean heard footsteps and turned to see Marco standing next to him.

"I don't mean any offence by this, but I think the fact you aren't strong really lets you understand how the weak feel," said Marco. "And your skill at recognizing a situation as it unfolds gives you a clear grasp of what needs to be done now, you know?"

Jean grasped the bone in his hand and got up.

"What needs to be done now..." he thought.

"Hey guys," called Jean.

Ymir, Christa, Sasha, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie looked at Jean.

"Have you decided which regiment you're going to join?" he asked. "I have"

Jean then gripped his hand tightly.

"I'm... I'm... going to join the Scouts!" he declared.

Jean the started to cry after his declaration.

Jean's hand started to shake and Conny looked back.

"Damn..." he said. "Hey, Annie. What do you think? Jean says he joining the Scouts."

"Jean is?" asked Armin.

'I thought he was going to the Military Police?" asked Sunny Flare.

"Don't really care," Annie simply answered.

"Yeah, you're joining the Military Police ," assumed Conny. "Maybe I should too after all?"

"Tell me, if someone told you to die, would you?" she asked.

"What? No," answered Conny.

"Then do what matters most to you," said Annie. "What about you, Armin?"

"I think I might, if the situation called for it and I understood the reason why," Armin answered. "Not that I'd want to."

"I see. So you've decided," said Annie.

Armin nodded.

"Although it was always my plan anyways," he stated.

"Oh, man. Not you too, Armin," said Conny.

"What about you Sunny Flare?" asked Annie.

"After the speech Eren gave out on graduation, I think I'm joing the Scouts," she replied.

"You too?" sighed Conny.

"Because as weak as you are, you two got guts,'complimented Annie.

"Thanks," thanked Armin. "You know, you're pretty nice, Annie."

"What?" she asked.

"I mean, you seem apprehensive about us joining the Scouts, plus I assume you have a reason for joining the Military Police, right?" he asked.

"Not really," she answered. "I just want to stay alive."

Back at HQ, Levi was riding his horse to gather up his squad. At HQ, Gunther, Eld, and Lightning Dust were sitting on the steps of the HQ.

"In the end, it seems they never found whoever used the ODM gear without permission," said Gunther. "Who could it have been?"

"Beats me," answered Eld. "Right now, I'm more worried about the upcoming rookie solicitation. How many rookies will be willing to join us for the hell of it?"

"My guess is half a handful," said Lightning Dust.

Gunther looked up at Eren, who was feeding the horses.

"Hey, Eren!" he called. "Is there anyone in your class who's thinking of joining us?"

"There is," answered Eren. "Well, there were. I'm not sure about now."

"Assemble!" shouted Levi. "Make ready at once! We're going on patrol!"

"Yes, sir!" shouted Gunther and Eld saluting.

Then, Eren arrived, saluting as well.

"Good morning, Captain Levi!" he shouted.

"Listen. Eren don't fall more than two lengths behind," said Levi. "You're only allowed to wander around because I'm watching you. Don't forget that."

"Yes, sir!" Eren shouted.

"Let's go!" Levi shouted.

His horse neighed and took off. Eren, Lightning Dust, Gunther, and Eld started following Levi.

Elsewhere, many cadets were stationed to wait, while Conny, Armin, Sasha, Indigo Zap, Rainbow Dash, Sugarcoat, and Lemon Zest and Annie leaned against a wall. Then Jean walked towards them.

"Jean! Are you really joining the Scouts?" asked Armin.

"Yeah," he simply answered.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" asked Sasha. "I mean... aren't you afraid?"

"I guess he has the set of balls to let go of the MP," said Lemon Zest.

"Of course, I don't even like the Scouts," said Jean.

"Then why are you joining?" asked Conny.

"It's not because I'm not scared of the Titans or anything like that," Jean stated. "Nor am I gonna say that capable people should join the Scouts. I'm not like that suicidal maniac."

"Eren, huh?" Conny asked. "He's already been a Scout for a while now."

"That explains a lot why he hasn't been with us," said Lemon Zest.

"Cadets!" yelled a man. "Fall in! Face the platform!"

Every cadet then started to head towards the platform.

"No-ones's persuaded me to risk my life, either," Jean added. "This is one time where the decision has to be all mine."

Jean then started to walk towards the platform.

"Come on guys, let's go," said Indigo Zap.

Later as night began to rise, Erwin Smith them came on the platform.

"I am Commander Erwin Smith of the Scout Regiment," Erwin introduced. "Today, you choose a regiment to join. To put bluntly, this is my invitation for you to join the Scouts. I am sure that, after the recent Titan attack, you've already come to know their horror, as well as the limits of your own abilities. However! Through this battle, humanity has gained an unprecedented advance towards victory. I'm referring to Eren Jaeger. He has proven, by risking life and limb, that he's unquestionably on our side. What's more, he has helped us not only foil the Titan's invasion, but given us a way to learn the truth behind the Titans as well!"

Everyone gasped at the news.

"We have a reason to believe that the basement of his home in Shiganshina houses a secret of the Titans that not even he is aware of. If we can just reach this basement, we may able to obtain information that will help us break free from the Titans' century-long tyranny."

"Basement?" questioned Reiner.

"That can't be real," said Starlight Glimmer.

"Things have already progressed this far?" asked a male cadet.

"If we can figure out the Titans are, we can turn the tables on them!" said another cadet.

"However badly he wants new recruits, going public with is too much... Or is this part of some sort of plan," thought Armin. "Just what is the commander looking for?!"

"We will head for the basement in Shiganshina District. However, doing so will require taking back Wall Marai," said Erwin. "In other words, our goal is the same as it's always been..."

Then, Miche and Petra laid out a map of their upcoming expedition.

"Now, that Trost's gate is unusable, we've no choice, but to depart from Calaneth District, further to the east," explained Erwin. 'The entire battalion route we spent four years establish is now useless. During the four years, over 60% of the Scouts have died. 60% in four years. Truly unbelievable numbers. In one month there will be an outside scouting mission. New recruits from your class will take part in it, of which I estimate 30% will die. And in four years, most will be dead."

Everyone started talking among themselves.

"However, whoever prevails will have become a highly skilled soldier who can survive anything," he said. "Knowing this dismal state pf affairs, whoever wishes to put their life on the line, remain here. Ask yourself... if you can give your heart for the sake of humankind!"

Everyone remained silent after his speech.

"That's all," he said. "Those who wish to join other regiments may leave."

Then, a Scout walked next to him.

"Sir. Don't you think that was overly intimidated?!" he asked. "No-one's going to stay behind now!"

Then, a cadet left, so did another, and another. It was like a domino effect, where everyone started to leave, including Annie. Bertholdt saw the amount of cadets leaving and so did Jean, Sasha, Conny, Armin, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, and did the others. Rainbow Dash was surprise to see Fluttershy leaving, she then went toward Fluttershy.

"Hey! Fluttershy!" called Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy turned around.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Isn't it pretty obvious?" Fluutershy asked. "I don't want to be part of the Scouts, it's scary out there."

"Come on Flutters, grow some balls for once in your life," said Rainbow Dash.

"And what is this "balls" you're talking about? It's death on every corner," said Fluttershy.

She then turned around and continued walking, until she was stopped again by Rainbow Dash.

"What now?" Fluttershy asked.

"Do you remember what Eren said?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"What?" she asked.

"Together," said Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy remembered the word like it was yesterday.

"What would you think happen to Eren and the others if you broke that?" she asked. "But, hey. It's your choice if you want to leave."

Rainbow Dash started walking back towards the platform, leaving Fluttershy. She stood there for a while. Then, she got the courage and started heading back towards the platform and staying there. Jean, Sasha, and Conny saw the endless stream of cadets walking out. All of them wanted to move, but couldn't.

"Damn. Please... I've already decided!" he thought. "Don't make me hate myself anymore than this...!"

"If I don't walk away now, I'll have to go through that again!" Sasha thought.

"I originally left my village to join the Military Police... Mom won't be happy," Conny thought. "And if I joined the Military Police everyone will finally respect me too."

"But now we know it..." thought Jean.

"How the Titans..." Sasha thought.

"...eat people!" Conny thought.

Later, almost all the cadets have exited, and a handful of cadets stayed.

"If you cadets were told to die, could you?" Erwin asked.

"We don't wish to die, sir!" yelled a male cadet.

Erwin looked down and smiled.

"I see. You each have an outstanding looked about you," said Erwin. "All of you here are hereby accepted as the new members of the Scout Regiment! This is a genuine salute!"

Erwin then made his right hand into a fist and placed it over his chest.

"Give your hearts!" he yelled.

The cadets including: Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Christa, Ymir, Reiner, Bertholdt, Conny, Sasha, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and a couple of cadets all saluted. Armin looked around.

"Everyone..." Armin whispered.

"Joining the Scouts... Man, this sucks," said Jean.

"I'm scared! I wanna go home," Sasha cried.

"I don't even cared anymore," said Conny.

"This is going to be scary," whimpered Fluttershy.

"If you're gonna cry, then don't stay," Ymir suggested at Christa.

'You've done well to endure your fear," said Erwin. "You're all brave soldiers. I respect you from the bottom of my heart."

The next day, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Ymir, Reiner, Bertholdt, Conny, Sasha, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were all at the Scout headquarters at the stables

"Salute!" yelled a Scout with a thin mustache around his jawline and wearing a white bandanna over his head.

All the cadets soon to be Scouts all saluted.

"I'm Section Commander Dieter Ness," he introduced. "And this is my horse, Charrette."

Dieter Ness rubbed Charrette's face.

"Charrette like to pull your hair so watch out if you don't want to go bald," Ness warned. "It's nice to meet you all."

Then, Charrette bit down on Ness' bandanna and pulling it, almost exposing his bald shot.

"You idiot! Stop that, Charrette!" he yelled.

All of them could only watch, while Rainbow Dash and Indigo Zap chuckled quietly.

"Someone do something! Hey!" he yelled.

Our training began the next day. However, it was focused less on actual combat and more on having Commander Erwin's long-range scouting formation drummed into our heads. Oddly enough, although it was a precise, calculated formation, Eren Jaeger's position was nowhere to be found.

Everyone took notes on their position as Ness pointed it out on the rough sketch.

"You rookies will be here, between the wagon defense squad and the scout support squad," pointed Ness. "Here, you will run alongside spare horses and relay signals."

Armin, Sugarcoat, and Twilight Sparkle looked down at their notebooks and wrote some notes.

Elsewhere, the Levi Squad had heard of the of the position and were reviewing it, while Levi was tending to his horse.

"Our special operations squad will be positioned here on standby in the rear of the center rank," stated Gunther.

"That's pretty far back," stated Eren.

"This is the safest position in the formation," explained Gunther. "Not even the supply wagons get this level of treatment. Our goal this time is simply yo leave and come back, though. The expedition is meant to be short, as it's also a test run to see if we can get you all the way to Shiganshina or not."

"I still don't really know what to do with this ability of mine," said Eren.

"Do you understand what the commander asked you back then?" asked Gunther.

Eren looked at Gunther and remembered.

"What do you think the enemy is?"

"Do any of know what he meant?" asked Eren.

"Nope," answered Oruo. "I'd be lying if I said I understand it all. But I..."

Then, Gunther broke in, rolling up the drawing.

"It's possible there's another goal to this operation," he stated. "But the commander decided it doesn't need to be explained to the soldiers. In which case, leaving and coming back is all we should focus on. Have faith in the commander."

"Yes, sir," said Eren.

Gunther got up and walked away.

"That's all for today's training," he said. "Prepare to head back."

The Levi Squad all rode back to HQ.

Back at HQ, Eren was in the stables cleaning up. Outside the stables, Oruo leaned against the wall and was having a drink. Eren walked out and saw Mikasa, Armin, and the rest walking.

"Oh, it's them," said Eren. "Hey, Oruo. May I go and talk to my friends for a minute?"

"Go on," Oruo answered.

Eren then started running after them.

"Hey! Mikasa! Armin! Girls!" he called.

All of turned around at Eren's voice.

"Eren!" called Mikasa.

"It feels like it's been forever," smiled Eren.

Mikasa then grabbed Eren's hand.

"Eren. Have they mistreated you in anyway?" she asked. "Like studying and examining every but of you or putting you through mental anguish?!"

"No, not at all," answered Eren.

Then, angry Mikasa looked at Eren.

"That pipsqueak went way to far," said Mikasa. "Someday I will make him pay."

"Are you talking about Captain Levi?" Eren asked.

Then, them Levi only blinked once and walked away with his horse.

"Hey, Eren!" called COnny.

"Long time no see!" said Sasha.

'How is it going?" Lemon Zest.

"How's the Scouts?" asked Indigo Zap.

"You're all here?!" asked Eren. "If you're all hear... does that mean you joined the Scouts, even you Fluttershy?"

"Why else would we be hear?" Conny asked.

"I wanted to join the Garrisons, but changed my mind the last second," answered Fluttershy.

"You know Flutters, I always saw you in the Garrison not the Scouts," said Eren.

"Rainbow Dash, reminded me that we all have to stick together," she said.

Eren then looked at the others.

"Then, does that mean Jean, Marco, and Annie joined the Military Police?" asked Eren.

Much to Eren's surprise, Jean appeared behind him.

"Wait, you joined too?!" he asked.

"Marco's dead," Jean said simply.

"What did you just say?" Eren asked. "Marco's not dead. You're just kidding around."

"Apparently not everyone can die in a dramatic way," said Jean. "I don't even know how he went out. He died alone."

"Marco did...?" questioned Eren.

Everyone looked down as Eren was horrified at the news of Marco.

"Hey! Gather up rookies!" yelled Ness.

Everyone looked up at Ness and Luke Cis, who was holding the hoodies.

"You're uniforms are here!" he yelled.

"This is going to be so awesome!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

Everyone got their uniforms and hoodies and wrapped it around them. The Scout symbol flowed in the air smoothly. Everyone stood in a line with their capes. Eren watched as they got their uniforms and could see another Scout, he turned around and Marco smiled.

Inside a building, Eren and the news Scouts gathered up to talk about the operation.

"Are you guys really?" he asked.

"Yes, we're taking part in the upcoming operation too," answered Mikasa.

"This is going to be crazy," said Sunset Shimmer.

"And fun!" shouted Pinkie Pie.

"Aren't all the Scouting missions always like that?" asked Sunny Flare. "Expect the fun."

"It's a literal mission into Titan territory," said Starlight Glimmer.

"Hey, Eren!" called Jean. "I heard you tried to kill Mikasa, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, Indigo Zap, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash when you turned into a Titan. What's all that about?"

"That's old news, Jean," said Rainbow Dash.

"It's not like that. He was swatting at a fly," Mikasa lied.

Applejack looked at Mikasa and shook her head.

"I'm not asking you," said Jean.

Jean then pointed to Mikasa's cheek.

"Actually, Mikasa. That cut on your cheek loos pretty deep," he stated.

Mikasa covered the cut with her hair.

"When did you get it?" he asked.

Apparently it's true. I tried to kill them when I was in Titan form," answered Eren.

"Apparently? Meaning you don't remember?" Jean asked. "So, basically, you never knew about this Titan ability of your until now and you don't have full control over it?"

"Yeah. That's right," answered Eren.

Jean sighed and turned to the rest of the group.

"Hear that, guys? Sounds like this is the current situation," said Jean. "Our lives and the lives of all humankind rest on his shoulder. We'll probably end up just like Marco too. Dead before Eren knew it."

"Jean. What's the point in chastising Eren now?" asked Mikasa.

"Y'know Mikasa... Not everyone is willing to needlessly die for Eren like you," Jean answered. "We should know what we're laying down our lives for. Otherwise, we'll end up hesitating when the time comes We're asking Eren for a guarantee. Show us what you're worth... so we can see if our lives are worth as much."

Jean turned around and walked towards Eren. He firmly placed both his hands on Eren's shoulders.

'So, Eren! We're really counting on you, you hear?!" he asked.

"Yeah," Eren simply answered.

Calaneth District

Sometime later, the bell rang loudly at the Calaneth District.

"Commander, it's almost time," said a Scout.

All of the Scouts were in formation in front of the gate. Everyone was on their horses and some were carrying wagons along.

"We've lured the nearby Titans away!" yelled another Scout. "Thirty seconds to gate opening!"

Petra was next to Levi, while the other Levi Squad members were behind him, ready. Eren then heard two little kids gasping. He looked at a nearby window and saw them.

"It's the Scouts!" said the little girl.

"The marks on their backs are called the Wings of Freedom!" said the little boy.

"So cool!" said the little girl.

Eren smiled at them, remembering the times he was like them, admiring the Scouts.

"This is it!" yelled Darius Baer Walbrunn. "Humanity is now about to take another step forward! Show us what're you're made of!"

Every Scout raised up their hand and swords into the air. Fluttershy took deep breathes to clam herself, while the others looked forward.

"Open the gate!" yelled Darius.

Then, the gate started to slowly raised up. Erwin was in front of the group next to Hange and Miche.

"FORWARD!!!" he shouted.

His horse neighed and all of the Scouts started to rode their horses towards the gate.

"Now commencing the 57th Exterior Scouting Mission!" yelled Erwin. "MOVE OUT!!!"

Female Titan: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 1

In the year 850, humanity successfully took back land from the Titans for the very first time. At great cost.

"All of you here are hereby accepted as new members of the Scout Regiment!" declared Erwin. "This is a genuine salute! Give your hearts!"

"Yes, sir!" they all yelled.

"You've done well to endure your fear," said Erwin. "You're all brave soldiers. T respect you from the bottom of my heart."

One month later, the Scout Regiment, led by Erwin Smith, left Calaenth District to establish a roue to Shiganshina, which is believed to house a secret of the Titans.

"Now commencing the 57th Exterior Scouting Mission!" shouted Erwin. "MOVE OUT!!!"

The Scout Regiment started to leave the Calaenth District and into an abandoned town. All of them rode on a old dirt road of the town. Miche and Hange spotted something in front of them.

"10-meter Titan ahead, approaching from the left!" Hange called.

Two Scout soldiers got off their horses and swung at the Titan.

"I'm extremely curious to know what's inside it's stomach," Hange wondered. "But I'll let the support squad handle it!"

A Scout latched on to a tower and wrapped around the Titan. A Scout sliced the nape, but the Titan didn't die.

"Dammit! Not deep enough!" yelled the Scout.

"Defend the ranks!" yelled the other Scout.

The Titan attempted to grab the two, but to only miss. Sasha looked at the battle, but a hand grabbed her head and made her look the other way.

"Don't falter!" yelled the Scout next to her. "Leave it to the support squad! Keep moving!"

"FORWARD! FORWARD!" Erwin yelled.

Eren then remembers what Gunther said before the operation started.

"The support squad will only cover us until we're through the old city," he said. "Everything beyond that is wholly Titan territory. From then on, we'll have to rely on Commander Erwin's long-range scouting formation Our special operations will be positioned here."

The Scouts then got through the old city.

"Oruo!" called Eren. "Do you think my friends can beat the Titans in a fight?"

"What the hell did you spend this last month doing?!" Oruo asked. "Listen, kid! Outside scouting missions are about fighting Titans as little as possi..."

Then, Oruo's words were cut, by his tongue getting bitten again. The Scout Regiment then got through the old city and were now on the opening. Erwin then gave a hand signal.

"Assume long-range scouting formation!" yelled Erwin.

"See you later, Armin," said Reiner falling back.

"Later, Armin!" shouted Twilight Sparkle.

"Don't wet your pants if you run into a Titan!" warned Jean.

"Right! Likewise to you!" shouted Armin.

All of the Scouts stared to get into their formation and position. Mikasa was in 3-3: Signaling, The Levi Squad was in row 5, center: standby, Reiner was in row 2-5: Signaling, Jean was in row 3-4: Signaling, and Armin was in row 2-4: Signaling.

"This formation is a forward-facing semicircle, with soldiers positioned far from each other at equal intervals yet still within clear sights on all sides," explained Ness.

All the Scouts were in their formation and started to head forward. Armin, who by now is alone, started panting. He looked back aware of something to see nothing behind him. Then, he saw two crows fly from a nearby tree.

"It's okay. Stay calm," Armin thought.

Armin then heard shots from the distance. He looked to his right to see a red smoke signal flew in the air. He then remembers what Ness said during class.

"The soldiers in the front-view spotting squads will encounter most of the Titans," said Ness.

In row 1-8: Spotting, a soldier spotted a Titan in the distance and reached for his pack of signal barrels. He loaded the the pistol and lifted the pistol in the air.

"As soon as they spot a Titan they'll fire a red smoke signal," said Ness.

The Scout then pulled the trigger and fired a red smoke signal. Then, another Scout saw the reed smoke signal.

"Soldiers who see this signal will then signal others in the same way," Ness continued.

The other Scout then fires the pistol, sending a red smoke signal in the air. In Row 2, Center: Command, Erwin saw the red smoke signal in the far distance.

"Once the commander has learned of the Titan's position, he'll fire a green signal," added Ness.

Erwin then got his pistol out and fired a green smoke signal in the air.

"Which will re-route the entire platoon around it," Ness continued. 'This will allow the platoon to proceed toward its destination while completely avoiding the Titans."

In Row 2-3: Signaling, Sasha and Rarity rode through an abandoned little town.

"However, as the terrain and other obstacles could delay their detection, we may encounter Titans inside the formation," Ness added.

Sasha and Rarity looked at their right and caught a glimpse of a Titan.

"What was that?" Rarity asked.

As they they got through the houses, a Titan crawling on all fours crashed through a house. Sasha freaked out at the sight of the Titan, while Rarity screamed for dear life. Both of them made a sharp turn, as the Titan started to chase on them. Sasha reached for the bag, but was struggling to barrel the barrel to the barrel.

"Red... Red Signal...!" she repeated.

Sasha fumbled on the barrel dropping it. The Titan then crushed the barrel.

"Sasha what are you doing?!" Rarity yelled.

"There's a Titan on our ass!" Sasha replied. "What do you want me to do? Tell you a story?!"

Then, both of their names were called.

"Braus! Rarity! Over here!" yelled a Scout.

The second Scout next to him shot a red smoke signal in the air.

"Damn! The spotters missed one," said the second Scout.

"Let's lure this bastard away!" yelled the Scout. "Braus! Rarity! Run towards us!"

The Titan behind them was catching up to them. Then, both of them had a sharp left turn dodging a bite from the Titan. The two Scouts got in front of the Titan, drawing its attention. The Titan then started to chase after the two Scouts. Then one of the Scouts thought of something.

"Break away! I'll handle it!" yelled the Scout.

"Yes, sir!" yelled the second Scout.

The second scout started to break away from the Scout. The Titan followed the Scout that didn't break away, who made sharp turns trying to loose it. The Titan was hot on his trail, then the Scout spotted something ahead. The Scout made a sharp turn to the left, causing the Titan behind to crash into a tree. Sasha then pulled up with her horse, claiming it down.

"Never again," stated Rarity.

"Sir!" called Sasha.

"It's conked out! Return to your positions!" he yelled.

Then, Sasha and Rarity followed the Scout.

Back at Armin's position, he notices something off.

"Something's not right..." he thought. "It's been a while since the last red signal, yet the formation's in disarray. Could it be...?"

Armin then remembered what Ness said.

"Keep in mind, this strategy will only work with "Normals." Titans with predictable behavior," said Ness.

Then, a black smoke signal was shot in the distance in the middle of the woods.

"A black smoke signal?!" he wondered. "It's ignoring everyone nearby and heading straight for the center of the formation?!"

Armin loaded the pistol with the barrel and shot it in the air.

"No doubt about it! It's..." Armin thought.

Sure enough, Dieter Ness and Luke Cis rode out of the woods and into the open. A Titan appeared through the woods and was speed walking towards the center, ignoring the two Scouts below it.

"...an Abnormal!" Armin realized.

Ness and Luke were hot on the Abnormal's trail and were chasing it.

"Only way dealing with an Abnormal is combat necessary!" Ness thought.

"Fuck it! No choice but to fight it!" he yelled. "Cis! You go for its nape! I'll stop it in its tracks!"

"Understood!" shouted Luke Cis.

Ness drew out two of his swords, while riding on the horse.

"An ODM battle on level ground puts us at a clear disadvantage," Ness thought. "Our chance of success are incredibly low, but we can't afford to let it wreck our formation! Arlelt's that way, as I recall. I can't let a rookie face this thing!"

Ness then stood on top of his horse.

"I'm taking it out!" he declared.

Ness jumped off his horse and latched on to the Abnormal's leg. He and his ODM gear slid on the ground and sliced the Achilles tendon of the Abnormal, causing it to fall on its face.

"Now! Cis!" called Ness.

Luke Cis jumped up and drew out his swords and swung at the down Abnormal. As the Abnormal got up, Cis sliced the nape of it and killed it.

"Way to go, Section Commander Ness!" shouted Armin, smiling.

Armin's smile was cut short, as he spotted something in the distance.

"Got it," said Ness.

Then, his horse galloped back.

"You came! You're my horse, alright," he said, drawing back his swords. "I love you, Charrette!"

Ness got on his horses and galloped away, unaware of another Titan running towards his direction. Luke Cis and Dieter Ness looked back and saw another Titan running at their direction.

"Another one?! What are the right wing spotter's doing?!" Ness asked.

"It must be another Abnormal too." Cis hypothesize. "It's ignoring everyone on its way here."

The Titan then got closer to them every second.

"Alright," said Ness, drawing his sword out. "Let's do this again, Cis!"

"Yes, sir!" yelled Cis.

"Man, two in a row... Talk about unlucky," said Ness. "Plus, this one looks to be 14-meters high. This is gonna be tough."

Then, the Titan behind them had a feminine look, had short blonde hair, having breasts, her body consists mainly of exposed muscle tissue, fingers made out of bone, and her face is laden with muscle lining had caught up to them in a matter of seconds. Both Luke and Ness got out of the way and were now next to it. Armin then shot a black smoke signal in the air and immediately lowered his signal gun.

"What the...! It's way too fast!" Armin realized.

'Don't let it go for Arlelt!" yelled Ness. "Cis!"

Both Cis and Ness jumped off their horses.

"Yes, sir!" yelled Cis.

He then latched on to the Titan's nape and swung at it. Just as he was about to slice the nape, the Titan then grabbed him and crushed Luke Cis' upper half of his body. The Titan then grabbed on to Ness' line and whipped him to the ground, killing him instantly, blood spilled from his body as he impacted the ground. The Titan then slid on the gorund, stopping herself. Armin saw the Titan standing there as it killed Dieter Ness and Luke Cis. The Titan the started to run after Armin. He saw the Titan coming his direction and quickly turned around and quickly make his escape. The Titan was hot on Armin's trail as he and his two horses galloped away.

"No! That one's different!" he realized. "This isn't an Abnormal... It has intelligence! Just like the Armored Titan, the Colossal Titan, and Eren! It's a human clad in a Titan's body! But who?! Why?! This is bad! What do I do! It's going to kill me too!"

Armin the lets got of his second horse.

"Go! Run for it!" he yelled.

Then, the Titan leaped over Armin. He looked up at the Titan as it leaped over him.

"What is its... No, what is their... goal?!" Armin thought.

Meanwhile, all of the Scouts on the right wing were killed. The ground was littered with bodies, limbs, dead horses, and sword's handles had severed hands grabbing it. A bunch of Titan started feasting on the dead Scouts.

"S-Someone, let the others know... This right wing spotting squads... are almost entirely wiped out..." muttered a mortally wounded Scout. "A Female Titan brought a horde of Titans with her..."

A Titan behind the wounded Scout picked him up.

"Is... anyone left...?" he asked weakly.

The Titan then bit down on his head, ripping it off.

Back at row 2-4, the Female Titan stomped in front of Armin, causing him to be thrown off from his horse, landing facedown on the ground. Armin tried to get up, but the Female Titan then appears above him, causing Armin to freeze in fear. The Female Titan the started reach out to Armin, but much to Armin's shock, pulls back the hood of his cloak. He looked up and saw that he was face-to-face with the Female Titan. Armin looked at the Female Titan in horror for a few moments before she draws back her hand, standing up, and started to run off, leaving Armin.

"It... didn't kill me?" he wondered. "What just happened? It pinched my hood and... My face?"

Armin the started touching his face.

"It's checked my face?" he wondered.

"Armin!" called a voice.

Armin looked to his right.

"Reiner!" he called.

Reiner pulled up next to Armin, with a new horse.

"Hey, can you stand up?" Reiner asked. "There's no surviving outside the wall without a horse, you know! Hurry!"

Armin nodded and got up. Both Reiner and Armin started following the Female Titan.

"I saw the Abnormal smoke signal," said Reiner. "Nice ass for an Abnormal, you gotta admit."

"It's not an Abnormal!" Armin stated. "It's a persona clad in a Titan's body!"

"What?!" asked Reiner.

"Hold on! We need to fire a smoke signal first!" said Armin.

Armin took out the black smoke signal barrel and placed it onto the pistol.

"Hurry. We have to let them know... there's an emergency," said Armin.

Then, two Scouts came up behind Armin and Reiner. One of them shot a yellow smoke signal in the air.

"Wait. It looks like Jean fired for us," said Reiner.

Then, both Armin and Reiner heard a shot and looked to their right. They saw ere several yellow smoke signals.

"From the right wing?! They've suffered too severe of an attack to continue to operation?!" asked Reiner.

Then, Jean and Twilight Sparkle pulled next to them.

"Apparently part of the right wing's been wiped out!" Jean informed.

"They said a whole horde of Titans showed up!" added Twilight Sparkle.

"A whole bunch of them are fast, too!" Jean added. "We're holding them off for now, but no-one's on spotted duty now! This is a serious setback! If we're not careful we could all get wiped out!"

"That's the direction she came from... Could it be?" Armin wondered. "Did she lead the Titans here?!"

"She?!" Jean wondered. "What's a Titan doing here?!"

"Is it an Abnormal, Armin?" asked Twilight Sparkle.

"No, it's a human clad in a Titan body," answered Armin. "A human who can do the same thing as Eren."

"What?!" asked Jean.

"What makes you think that?" asked Reiner.

"From the looks of it, that Titan just looks like an Abnormal," stated Twilight Sparkle.

"Eating" is all that Titans do,' stated Armin. "This results in death of course but "killing" isn't their actual goal. But as soon as more experienced soldiers went for her vital spots, she crushed and swatted them down. And she didn't do it to eat them... she did it to kill to kill them. She's unlike any other Titan in that regard. She must've been the one who brought the hordes of Titans when the Colossal and armored Titans destroyed the walls. Meaning she's consistently had the goal of attacking humankind. Or, actually... I think she might be searching for someone. If so, who? Could it be Eren?"

"Eren?" asked Reiner. "Eren's with the Levi Squad. They're in charge of the right wing."

Jean, Armin, and Twilight Sparkle turned to Reiner in complete shock.

"What did you just say?" asked Twilight Sparkle.

"Right wing?" asked Jean. "My copy of the plan had them at the rear of the left wing."

"My copy placed them at the front of the right wing..." stated Armin. "Wait, there's no way they'd be put on the front lines like that."

"Then where are they?" asked Reiner.

"The safest place in this formation, I'd assume,' suggested Armin. "Which would be... the rear of the senter rank."

"Armin!" called Jean. "This is no time to get lost in thought! Smoke signals aren't enough to explain how much of a threat she poses! at this rate, she'll take out the commanding squad too. And if that happens, the formation falls apart and we'll all die!"

"What are you suggesting?" asked Reiner.

'I'm suggesting that from this distance we might sill be able to distract her," Jean suggested. "We can by sometime to retreat. Maybe..."

"She really does have intelligence," Armin stated. "From her point of view, we're literally just insects. All it takes is one swipe to kill us."

"You don't say..." Jean said smiling. "That's some scary stuff."

"Are you really Jean?" asked Reiner. "The Jean I know only ever cares about himself."

"That's rude," stated Jean, looking down.

Jean then looked up and had an angry glare on his face.

"I just don't want to meet a disappointing end as a bunch of burnt bones that you can't even tell are mine," said Jean. "I... I know what needs to be done now! Plus, we choose to take this job! Help me!"

Armin was taken by Jean's words. Then, Armin covered his head with the hood.

"Put your hoods on!" yelled Armin. "All the way, so she can't see your face! Becuase she can't risk killing us if we can't tell who we are!"

"I get it," said Reiner, covering his head with his hood. "She can't risk killing anyone who might be Eren. Now that's a relief to know. Here's hoping she's got bad eyesight too!"

"Armin has a point," said Twilight Sparkle, placing her hood over her head. "Let's do this."

"Armin, Twilight..." said Jean. "The way you two always clung so close Eren used to creep me out, but I always knew I could count on you."

Jean then placed his hood over his head.

"Oh, thanks," said Armin. "But that's mean, thinking me and Twilight are creepy."

The Femal Titan continued to run, unaware of the four Scouts behind her. Armin, Reiner, Jean, and Twilight Sparkle caught up to the Female Titan and spitted up. Armin was on the right of the Female Titan. He then noticed something.

"Shs's a lot slower than when she came from that way," he noticed. "Is she tired? If she takes off at that speed again we'll be too late! We have to do it now! We have to act now, or else...!"

Reiner was behind the Female Titan, while Jean and Twilight Sparkle were on her left.

"All right, guys. Do it like we discussed," Jean thought. "Distract her for as long as possible so the platoon can retreat! We have to keep her as long as we can!"

"Cutting her heel tendons should be more than enough," Twilight Sparkle though. "But don't do anything crazy. We don't need to kill her!"

On the right, Armin continued to observe the Female Titan.

"She's aware of the vital spot on her nape," he observed. "She's completely different from the other Titans. Killing her is probably out of the question. At least for ordinary people, anyway.

Armin then recalls the two could kill the Female Titan.

"But maybe Levi and Mikasa could..." Armin could.

Jean and Twlight drew out their swords. Both of them got on top of their horse. The Female Titan looked back and saw both of them, surprising Armin. Jean and Twilight jumped off their horses and latched on to the Female Titan's feet, but the Female Titan makes a sharp turn, evading their attempts to hook her feet. Jean and Twilight landed on their knees and foot, The Female Titan fanned its hand at Jean and Twilight, producing a large gust of wind, blowing their hoods off, revealing both of them.

Once the Female Titan notices them both, it then redirected her attention to Armin, who quickly tired to get away. The Female Titan ran towards Armin and swiped at his horse, knocking him off, and sending Armin flying. Jean and Twilight Sparkle went after the Female Titan. Armin hit the ground hard, causing his ODM gear to fall off of him. Armin hit his head and rolled along the ground, making him half conscious. Armin's horse flew at Reiner, who ducked down, barely missing him. The half conscious Armin was bleeding profusely from his forehead and the blood covered half of his face.

"Armin!" called Jean.

Jean and Twilight latched themselves to the Infraspinatus of the Female Titan. The Female Titan looked back to see them swing towards her.

"This one's way more athletic than the other ones!" Jean realized. "We were too navïe!"

The Female Titan, still crouching, spread its stance, placing her leg out with the likeness of a frog. The Female Titan the swung at Jean and Twilight Sparkle, who both dipped down and wrapped around her. But much to their surprise, when they both got to the nape, it covered it with her left hand.

"She's protecting her nape?!" Jean wondered.

"This is really a human inside this Titan!" Twilight thought.

"Jean! Twilight!" called Reiner.

Jean and Twilight were still in the air.

"Shit! There's no escape now!" Jean realized.

Both their eyes widen up as they both saw the Female Titan squeezed her fist.

"We're dead! She's gonna grab our wires and finish us!" Jean realized.

Armin then sat up, just as the Female Titan was about to grab Jean and Twilight.

"JEAN!!! TWILIGHT!!!" shouted Armin. "Avenge that suicidal maniac!"

The Female Titan then stopped her movements and looked at Armin.

"Armin... She stopped?" Jean wondered.

"It was her! She killed him! That maniac got himself killed, as part of the right wing!" shouted Armin. "She killed him!"

Armin looked at the Female Titan, who was standing still. Jean and Twilight Sparkle landed on the ground near a tree.

"What is going on?" Jean wondered. "Did he hit his head and got confused?! This is the worst possible time!"

Jean then saw Reiner pulling back his hood.

"Reiner!" called Jean.

"She crushed my friend!" Armin continued. "I saw him stuck to the bottom of her foot!"

Reiner jumped off his horse and latched on the Female Titan's nape.

"He's going straight for the nape?!" Jean realized.

"Is he crazy?!" Twilight Sparkle thought.

Jean then knew what he was doing.

"No, he can do it! Now's his chance, while she's focused on Armin!" Jean thought.

Reiner swung closer to the Female Titan. Then, she turned her head to see Reiner. Reiner was caught off guard of this and the Female Titan grabbed him. Armin, Twilight Sparkle, and Jean all watched in horror.

"H-Hey..." said Jean.

Reiner grunted in pain as the grip of the Female Titan had tighten, causing Reiner to gasp for air. Reiner tried to push with all his might to break free, but the Female Titan's hand wouldn't budge. The Female Titan then placed her over Reiner's face. Jean, Armin, and Twilight Sparkle could only watch in horror as they saw Reiner getting squeezed by the Female Titan's hand. They all saw a burst of blood coming from the Titan's hand. Jean and Twilight backed up a couple inches.

"H-Hey! Reiner... You..." stuttered Jean.

Armin then saw the Female Titan's hand started to twitch and her fingers shift. Suddenly, Reiner bursted from the hand and a bloody mess. Reiner cut the index and middle finger of the Female Titan. Reiner's blade broke at the same time, but it doesn't matter. Reiner was alive and free from the Female Titan's grasp. Jean and Twilight Sparkle watched in amazement at Reiner's escape. He latched on the back of the Female Titan's back and swung down towards Armin and picked him up. He started running away from the Female Titan on foot. The Female Titan looked at her hand, that was steaming from the cuts. Jean and Twilight Sparkle started running away by foot

"Reiner did it," thought Jean. "Mikasa stole so much of the spotlight that I forgot he's extremely skilled and dependable too!

"I'd say we bought enough time!" shouted Reiner. "Now let's get away from her, quickly! She doesn't eat people I don't think she'll follow us!"

The Female Titan's then regenerated and stood. She then started running away from all of them.

"Look! The giant wrench is running home with her tail between her legs!" shouted Reiner.

Armin to see the Female Titan running the other direction.

"Oh, no...Why? The rear pf the center rank is that way... Is she heading for Eren?!" Armin wondered.

Forest of Giant Trees: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 2

"You rookies will be here, between the wagon defense squad and the Scout support squad," said Dieter Ness. "You will run along side the spare horse and relay signals."

"Our special operations squad will be positioned here, on standby at the rear of the center rank," explained Gunther. "This is the safest position, in this formation. Not even the supply wagon get this level of treatment."

The Female Titan increased her speed and caught up to Ness and Cis.

"This isn't an Abnormal... It has intelligence!" realized Armin. "It's just like the Armored Titan, the Colossal Titan, and Eren! It's a human clad in a Titan body!"

The Female Titan then killed both Cis and Ness.

"This one's more athletic than the other ones!" Jean realized. "Damn! We're... We were too navÏe!"

The Female Titan then covered her nape.

"She's protecting her nape?!" wondered Jean. "Shit! There's no escape now!"

"Jean! Avenge that suicidal manic!" shouted Armin.

"She stopped?!" Jean wondered.

Reiner then started to swing towards the Female Titan

"It was her! She killed him!" yelled Armin. "That manic finally got himself killed, as part of the right wing! She killed him!"

The Female Titan then grabbed Reiner and squeezed him. Reiner then sliced his way out of the Female Titan's grasp. He landed and picked up Armin, while the Female Titan looked at her hand.

"I'd say we bought enough time!" shouted Reiner. "Now's lets get away from her, quick!"

"Oh, no... Why? Is she heading for Eren?" wondered Armmin.

Out on an open field, Jean, Armin, Reiner, and Twilight were hiding behind a small line of trees and bushes, keeping them away from any Titans that wondered into their area. Jean stood on of a rock next to his horse, loudly whistling with both ring and pinky fingers in his mouth, while Reiner and Twilight were tending to Armin's wound.

"How is your ODM gear, Armin?" asked Reiner.

"It's alright. It unclasped properly so it doesn't seem to be broken," answered Armin.

"I see. That's good to hear," said Reiner.

Reiner then took out a strip of bandage.

"But what now?" asked twilight. "We only have one horse."

"If Jean's horse comes back, all four of us can get moving again, but..." said Reiner.

Jean then stopped whistling and looked around.

"Damn, what's the deal?" wondered Jean. "Reiner's horse came back. Why won't mind?"

Jean the started to whistle again loudly.

"And we can't afford to stay here any longer..." Jean thought. "Worst case scenario we'll have to leave someone behind. How will we choose who that someone should be? Armin, because he'e hurt? Reiner, because he's big and would be hard to ride with? Twilight, because there's too many, even if we three did manage to fit? Or should I go and look for my horse on foot?"

"Damn!" shouted Jean.

"It's crazy that we even considered that! The four of us managed to escape death! thought Jean. "This is one hell of a raw deal!"

Jean then whistled again even louder. As Reiner and Twilight were done tending to Armin's wound. Armin could only remember the time where he met the Female Titan again and saw her face.

"Armin! Hey, Armin!" called Reiner.

Armin the snapped from his dazed and looked up.

"I take it you're still a bit mixed up?" Reiner asked

"Yeah, I'm still a little dazed," answered Armin.

"I see," said Reiner. "Still, we need to decide now."

Reiner and Twilight Sparkle got up, while Armin was busy getting his ODM gear on.

"It's a difficult choice, but it looks like one us us has to stay behind," said Reiner

Jean looked back in shock at Reiner's words.

"Wait!" yelled Armin. "Let's fire a smoke signal first."

"Great idea, Armin," said Twilight. "If the formation kept moving forward, Row 4, Squad 3 should be nearby now."

Jean the fired a purple smoke signal in the air.

"That was an emergency smoke signal," stated Jean. "I doubt it's enough to get our point across, though."

"Armin, we'll only wait for three minutes," said Reiner. "By then, we need to choose who'll stay."

"I'll stay," said Armin.

Reiner and Twilight were shocked to hear that.

"Wait, Armin you can't be serious," said Twilight.

"But, in exchange, I need you to report something. Only to Commander Erwin, if possible," said Armin.

"No, wait Armin. You can report it yourself," said Jean, looking out. "Someone's coming! And they brought two horses!"

Twilight fixed her glasses and sure enough two Scouts were coming towards them.

"That's... Christa and Fluttershy!" shouted Twilight.

Christa and Fluttershy rode on her horse as fast as she can to the four of them.

"Guys! Are you all okay?!" shouted Christa.

Both of them stopped in front of them with the two horses.

"Huh? Hey, that's my horse!" said Jean.

Jean's horse neighed at the sight of Jean.

"Whoa, there. Calm down, Buchwald," said Jean.

"He came racing on our way," stated Christa.

"Something must've spooked him," said Fluttershy.

"Did you four fight a Titan?" asked Christa.

Fluttershy and Christa looked at Armin.

"Armin! You're hurt! Are you alright?" asked Christa.

"Yes, more or less," answered Armin.

"I'm impressed you two came here willingly after seeing that smoke signal," complimented Reiner.

"We happened to be nearby plus Christa found Jean's horse," said Fluttershy.

"You have a way with horses, not to mention a remarkable sense of virtue," said Reiner. "And Fluttershy, you have overcome anything that involves fear. We owe you two one.

"Thank you, Reiner," said Fluttershy. "Twilight, take my spare horse."

"Thanks, Fluttershy," said Twilight.

"I'm just glad. So very glad the worst didn't happen to you guys..." said Christa wiping her tears.

The sun shone upon her bright, blue eyes, and blond hair. Twilight, Armin, Jean, especially Reiner were captivated by her, beautiful, sweet, and demure face.

"She's a princess..." thought Twilight Sparkle.

"An angel..." thought Armin.

"A goddess..." thought Jean.

"One day my wife..." thought Reiner.

"Well, we'd better hurry back into formation!" Christa alerted.

"Oh, yeah! There should be orders to retreat soon," said Jean.

Jean, Armin, and Twilight got on their horses and started galloped. With healthy and well horse, all of them were in the open in line with the formation.

"Still, turning back, not even an hour after leaving the wall," said Jean. "Things look way grimmer than I thought. Plus, she's headed away from the lead command squad for some reason."

"Whose "she"?" asked Fluttershy.

In the distance, all of them saw a bunch of green smoke signals on the left and were shocked at the sight.

"Green smoke signals?!" asked Jean.

"It sounds like the plan is to change course but otherwise continue the operation," said Armin.

"Oh, no! They're not ordering us to retreat?!" asked Christa.

"What the hell is Commander Erwin thinking?!" asked Jean.

"All soldiers have the authority to decide if the operation can't continue..." said Reiner. "Have the signals not reached the command squad?!"

"Weather or not they know, we only have one option in this situation," said Armin. "Defer to their judgment."

Armin then took out his signal flare and shot a green smoke signal in the air.

Back at row 5, the Levi Squad all spotted the green smoke signals in the distance.

"Smoke signals. Green," accounted Levi. "Oruo. You fire it."

"Understood, sir!" yelled Oruo.

"It feels like we're making smooth progress right now," thought Eren.

Oruo grabbed his bag of barrels and shot a green smoke signal in the air.

"I wonder how things actually are. I wonder if people have already died on the front line," wondered Eren.

Then, a Scout coming from the right pulled next to them.

"Reporting, sir!" yelled the Scout. "It's an oral message! Right wing spotters decimated! Detection network partially out! Please pass this message on to the left!"

Eren was horrified at the reports and looked at Levi.

"You heard him, Petra. Go," said Levi.

"Yes, sir!" she yelled.

Petra then turned to the left and started heading towards the left wing

"The right wing?!" Eren thought. "Isn't that where Armin and Twilight are? Still, both of them and the others are positioned closer to the center The Titans couldn't have advanced that far in."

Then to the right of the Levi Squad, all of them saw three black smoke signals in the air.

"Black signals?! An Abnormal?!" Eren realized.

"Eren. You fire it," Levi commanded.

"Yes, sir!" yelled Eren, getting out his signal flare,

"This is disgraceful. We've let them pretty deep inside the formation," said Levi.

Eren the fired the black smoke signal in the air.

"Just over there is a Titan... Below that black smoke... someone is fighting? wondered Eren.

At the right, The Female Titan was running through an abandoned town. A Scout then whizzed by the Female Titan, who spotted him. She then covered her nape. A Scout was in front of the Female Titan and another was behind her. In front of the Female Titan, Daruis Walburnn pointed his signal flare at the Female Titan.

"Look down here... you bitch!" he yelled.

The Female Titan then looked at Darius, who fired a black smoke signal at her. She then dodged the smoke signal, causing her to stop momentarily.

"Now!" yelled Daruis.

A Scout jumped off a windmill and two Scouts jumped off their horses and all three of them latched on to the Female Titan. All three of them swung towards her.

"Three spots at once! She seems pretty smart, but she can't defend herself against them all!" yelled Darius. "Cut her spine, ligaments, or anywhere else that can stop her! ATTACK!!!"

All of them swung towards the Female Titan.

"So many are dead cause of you!" yelled a Scout below.

"We're going to torture you to death!" yelled another Scout above.

The Female Titan saw what they were doing. She grabbed on to a Scout's line and jumped, surprising all of them.

"She jumped?!" questioned Darius.

As the Female Titan began to fall, she aimed her left foot over a Scout with black hair. She crushed him like an ant and blood sprayed underneath her. The Female Titan then redirected her attention to another Scout, who latched onto a side of a building. She crushed him with her right foot. She then looked at the Scout that she was holding.

"Let go!" begged the Scout.

The Female Titan looked at the Scout. Daruis looked as the Female Titan was spinning the Scout like a toy. She increased the speed with each rotation. The force of each spin was enough make the Scout's body fold all the way. Darius saw the Female Titan coming and started to gallop away. The Female Titan lets go of the Scout, sending him far away. Daruis left the abandoned town and was now in the open.

"Reporting takes priority!" he yelled. "I have to let them know about this one!

Darius looked at his left. The Female Titan ran towards him with great speed. She kicked him and his horse far away and killing them both instantly.

On the other side, two Scouts saw the Female Titan in the distance.

"An Abnormal?!" asked a Scout. "This far in?!"

"We can't let it get any further in!" yelled the other Scout.

The two Scouts started to ride towards the Female Titan, who looked at the two.

In row 3-1: Transport, the report of the right wing had reached them.

"The right wing's been wiped out?!" asked a Scout. "Then why aren't we treating?!"

"I don't know! Commander's orders!" answered the other Scout. "Just pass the goddamn word on to the left!"

Back at the Female Titan, she saw the green smoke signals in the distance and started heading towards it, leaving behind all the carnage of the dead Scouts.

At Row 1-13: spotting, two Scouts saw the green smoke signals.

"What's the deal?" asked a Scout. "We've been going straight east for a while now."

"Yes, our destination is the old city to the south..." answered a female Scout.

At Row 1-5: Spotting, two Scouts question about the green smoke signals.

"At this rate, the formation's going to run right into one!" shouted a Scout.

"Yeah. Then it is," replied the another Scout. "A forest of giant trees!"

The two rode their horses to a giant forest on the hillside.

In Row 2, Center: Command, Erwin Smith and four soldiers rode up in the Forest of Giant Trees.

"It looks like Titan have passed through here," surmised Erwin. "The path was devoid of vegetation. Even the wagons could get through here."

Erwin and his men rode up onto the path and into the forest.

"Inform those behind us that only the center wagon defense squad is to enter the forest," he said.

"Yes, sir!" yelled two Scouts.

Both of them turning around and started heading back to the others behind them.

Behind, Sasha and Rarity spotted the center wagon defense squad going in the forest.

"Excuse me, sir..." called Sasha. "It looks like the center rank is taking that forest path. That means we'll run smack into the forest."

"Then we go around," said the squad leader.

"Yes, sir!" yelled Sasha.

Then, Sasha and Rarity followed the Scout as he banked to the left, and three other Scouts followed them.

On the other side of the forest, Jean, Armin, Twilight, Reiner, Christa, and Fluttershy rode along the right edge of the forest with several other Scouts.

"What are we doing at this sightseeing spot?" asked Jean. "Now we're really straying from our original destination and our return point!'

"I don't know... but this what Commander Erwin decided," stated Armin. "He seems to have some plan in mind, but..."

"Plan? Are you kidding me?" asked an annoyed Jean. "What, is he gonna throw a welcome party for us rookies at this tourist spot?"

"No I don't think so," replied Armin.

"That was a joke," Jean stated. "Either way, we got that giant female after us. Regardless of what he has we can't afford to top here. My guess is we're passing through here on our way to somewhere else."

"All soldier, halt!" shouted the squad leader.

All of the Scouts got off their horses and placed them near a tree.

"Alright! Listen up, rookies!" shouted the leader. "We're going to take up intercept positions! Unsheathe and wait in the trees! If any Titans try to enter the forest, stop them with full force!"

"Sir? Why would we need to..." asked Jean.

The squad leader broke in.

"Shut the hell up and follow orders!" he yelled.

The squad leader then latched on to a tree and was lifted up.

"You've got to be kidding me..." said Jean. "What the hell's happening?"

Armin thought about the orders and Erwin's plan.

On the other side, Conny, Pinkie Pie, Starlight Glimmer galloped next to each other. Both of them were slighty confused by the intentions of their leaders. Mikasa was galloping with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare.

"Hey!" called Conny. "It looks like only the center rank went into the forest. What does that mean for the formation?"

"There's no formation anymore," replied Mikasa.

"What do you mean Mikasa, we're still trying to get to Shiganshina," said Starlight Glimmer.

"Look, the forest is blocking us side squads so our only choice is to go around it," explained Mikasa. "We've lost out spotting capabilities."

"Why didn't we change course and avoid the forest altogether?" asked Conny. 'Did Commander Erwin misread his map or something?"

"I don't know," Mikasa simply answered. "It's possible we got pushed here trying to avoid the threat on the right side. Maybe."

"Wow, these tree are humongous!" said Pinkie Pie.

"That's why they're called The Forest of Giant Trees," stated Indigo Zap.

"Could we have a party in this forest?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"This is a tourist spot not a private spot," said Sunny Flare.

On the forest's edges, every Scout was on top of each branch. Everyone was keeping watch to see any Titans coming.

"This is insane... First we abandon our original plan of establishing a logistics base... Then, instead of running home with our tails between our legs like we should, we go on a daring sightseeing tour... And, if that wasn't enough, now we're supposed to stand here and keep Titans out of the forest," said Jean.

He looked up at the squad leader, who was on his own branch.

"Him and his idiotic order..." insulted Jean.

"He's going to hear you," warned Armin.

"And he doesn't even explain anything. That's a new one to me," said Jean. "But I doubt he's all that calm on the inside either."

"What do you mean?" asked Armin.

"Sometimes leader get deemed incompetent by their men in extreme situations and end up dying from mysterious stab wounds to the back," answered Jean. "It's not like that rare, is all I'm saying."

"Jean... What are you thinking of doing?" asked Armin.

"Relax, will you," begged Jean. "I'm just a little irritated at this whole situation I'm going to follow orders, of course. Keeping Titans out of the forest... You agree that's what we should do too, right?"

Armin didn't say a word.

"You look like you know something," said Jean.

"Uhh..." stuttered Armin.

"5-meter Titan approaching!" yelled the squad leader.

Jean and Armin turned back out to see a Titan running straight at the forest. It had its mouth open as its head hung to the left. Jean and Armin only watch the Titan coming at their direction.

"Why did he bring the platoon here?" wondered Armin. "Just what is Commander Erwin thinking? No, that's not right. That isn't what I should be asking. What I should be asking is... what if the Female Titan is pursuing Eren and the commander is aware of that?"

In the middle of the forest, the Levi Squad was going through the forest. There didn't appear to be any trouble for miles, but every member knew that danger could be lurking around every corner.

"Captain!" called Eren. "Captain Levi!"

"What?" responded Levi.

"What?" This is a forest, sir!" yelled Eren. "We have no way of detecting approaching Titans this far in with only the center rank! Something seems to be on our right, too. How are we supposed to avoid the Titans or protect the wagons now?!"

"Quit whining about the obvious," said Levi. "We can't do any of those things anymore."

"But why?!" asked Eren.

"Take a good look at these big-ass trees, Eren," said Levi.

Eren looked up at Levi.

"This is the perfect environment for using omni-directional mobility gear," stated Levi. "And use that middling head of yours to think. Use your brain for once if you don't want to die."

"Yes, sir!" yelled Eren.

"I see. I'm still new to this. That's why I don't understand the situation," Eren realized. "And he won't give me a simple answer because I still need to learn for myself. I bet that's how these experts learned to fight, too."

Eren then looked at Oruo.

"Dammit, what are we doing here?" asked Oruo quietly. "Seriously... What the hell's going on?"

Eren then looked at Petra, Eld, Gunther, and Lightning Dust, who all had worried looks on their face.

"Don't tell me no-one knows what's going on?!" thought Eren. "Not even Captain Levi?!

Back at the forest's edge Armin continued to think what the Female Titan is doing.

"If my theory, that the Female Titan is after Eren, is correct, then there's only one reason why we've come here. Commander Erwin intends to confront her her!"

"Armin," called Jean. "Our orders are to "keep Titans out of the forest", right?"

Armin looked down and was surprised to see the amount of Titans trying to get them.

"We don't need to actually fight them... right?" asked Jean.

Bertholdt, Ymir, Christa, Sasha, Conny, Mikasa, Reiner, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, and the rest of the Scouts looked down at the amount of Titan around the forest edge.

In the forest, a black smoke signal was shot behind the Levi Squad, alerting them all.

"A black smoke signal?!" asked Eren.

"From right behind us!" called Eld. "Must be whatever's on the right!"

"Draw your swords," said Levi.

Levi looked behind and draw his sword out.

"If it shows itself, we'll only have a moment," he said.

Everything was quiet and nobody made a sound. Behind them, a Scout appeared from the trees gliding and looks back, ready to engage in battle. Eren on the ground looked up aware of the danger coming at them. Levi continued to look straight ahead.

Then, as if it appeared from thin air, the Female Titan weaved around a tree and swatted the Scout that was gliding. After, the Female Titan started running towards Eren and the Levi Squad. Eren gasped in horror at the sight of the Female Titan.

"Move!" yelled Levi.

They all heard footsteps getting louder from their right. Petra spotted the Female Titan running next to them. The Female Titan rushed through the gaps in the trees and was heading towards the squad. With her arms stretched out, the Female Titan demolished a tree above Eren. Eren looked up in horror as pieces of wood barely missed him. Eren continued to gallop faster, while the Female Titan slid on the ground, stopping herself. She then started to chase after them, running as fast as she could catch up to them.

Eren chocked in fear as he looked behind him. Eren looked behind and saw her icy blue eyes and a hungry smile trailing him.

"It's fast!" Eren shouted.

"There's no way to avoid inside this forest!" yelled Gunther, looking behind.

"It's catching up!" yelled Eld.

"Captain! Let's switch to ODM!" suggested Petra.

"Captain!" called Lightning Dust.

Behind the chase scene, two Scouts came swing towards the Female Titan and the squad. Eren continued to look back at the two Scouts.

"You're not getting away!" yelled one of the Scouts.

"Reinforcements from the rear!" yelled Petra.

One of the Scouts swung ahead to intercept the Female Titan. The second Scout launched his hooks, attempting to latch it from the Female Titan's nape. The Female Titan tilted her head and dodging it. She then grabbed onto the line and yanked the Scout forward. The Scout screamed as his body was yanked and crushed into a nearby tree with her shoulder, leaving a giant blood pool on the side of the tree.

The second Scout swung in front of the Female Titan to strike it. Then, the Female Titan grabbed his line and yanked it back. The Scout screamed as he was yanked back and was swatted into a bloody pulp. The Female Titan discarded the Scout's body behind and continued the chase. Eren gasped in horror as to what he saw.

"CAPTAIN!!! GIVE YOUR ORDERS!!!" shrieked Petra at the top of her lungs.

"Let's take it out!" suggested Oruo. "It's dangerous! We should take care of it!"

Eld then drew out his sword.

"I'll cut it to shreds!" yelled Eld.

Eren saw what they were doing and looked back.

"Idiot! You walked right into your doom! he thought, smiling. "What you're chasing is a team of expert Titan-killers!"

Then, Eren's smiled disappeared as he looked in front of him. Levi continued to move forward and didn't draw out his sword.

"Captain Levi!" yelled Eren.

"CAPTAIN!!!" creamed Petra.

"Give us you orders!" yelled Oruo.

"It's about to catch up to us!" yelled Eld. "Let's take it out here! That's why we entered this forest! Isn't it Captain?"

"Captain!" yelled Lightning Dust. "Hurry up!"

"Captain! Your orders!" yelled Eren.

The Female Titan then started to catch up to them. Then, Levi turned back to face his squad.

"Everyone, cover your ears," he said.

No one could understand what he meant. They all gave him a confused expression, unsure of what he was going to do. Levi then pulled out his signal flare and aimed it in the air. He placed his thumb over the hammer of the gun and pulled back the hammer. Then, he placed his index finger over the trigger and fired it.

Bite: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 3

"Draw your swords," said Levi. "If it shows itself we'll only have a moment."

The Female Titan appeared and swatted a Scout.

"Move!" yelled Levi.

Eren looked up as the Female Titan demolished a tree above him. The pieces of wood barely missed Eren. The Female Titan then gave chase to the Levi Squad.

"It's fast!" yelled Eren.

"There's no way to avoid it inside this forest!" yelled Gunther.

"It's catching up!" yelled Eld.

"Captain! Let's switch to ODM!" suggested Petra. "Captain!"

Two Scouts appeared behind the chase scene. The Female Titan crushed the first one into a tree and swatted another Scout.

"CAPTAIN!!! GIVE YOUR ORDERS!!!" shrieked Petra.

"Let's take it out!" suggested Oruo. "It's dangerous! We should take care of it!"

"It's about to catch up to us!" yelled Gunther.

"Let's take it out here!" yelled Eld. "That's why we entered this forest! Isn't it, Captain?!"

"Captain!" called Lightning Dust. "Hurry!"

"Captain your orders!" yelled Eren.

Levi then turned around to face his squad.

"Everyone, cover your ears," said Levi.

Everyone gave him a confused look on their face. Levi then took out a signal flare, pulled the hammer down, and pulled the trigger. The signal flare fired a loud high pitch noise. Everyone covered their ears as they avoided damage to their ears.

Levi pulled the hammer with his thumb. He placed his index finger and pulled the trigger, firing a loud high pitch noise, everyone covered their ear.

"An acoustic shell?!" asked Eren.

Levi looked back at Eren.

"Tell me, what is your job again?" he asked. "Is it simply to give in to your emotions of the moment? No, it's not. This squad's mission is to do everything possible to keep this brat unharmed. Down to our last breath.

Gunther, Eld, Petra, Lightning Dust, and Oruo kept a serious face as they followed Levi's order as the Female Titan was stilling giving chase to them. Eren, on the other hand, was dismayed by Levi's words.

"It's not to keep an eye on me?!" Eren thought.

"We're going to keep pushing ahead on horseback," said Levi. "Got it?"

"Understood, sir!" replied Petra, shocking Eren further.

"Push ahead?! But for how long?!" asked Eren, looking back. "Not to mention it's almost on top of us now!"

The Female Titan continued to chase them, until two more Scouts swung in front of her, causing to slow down a bit and cover her nape.

"More reinforcements!" yelled Eren. "They'll get killed too if we don't hurry and help them!"

"Eren!" Face forward!" yelled Gunther.

"Mr. Gunther?!" called Eren.

"Don't fall out of step!" yelled Eld. "Maintain top speed!"

"Mr. Eld?!" called Eren. "Why?! Who can possibly stop it, if not the Levi Squad?!"

Behind, a Scout was about to strike at the Female Titan, but the Female Titan used her right hand to crush the Scout into a nearby tree, causing Eren to look back.

"Another one's dead!" called Eren. "We couldn't saved him, too!

Behind, a Scout went in front of the Female Titan and dodged one of her swipes.

"One person's still fighting! There's still time to save him!" shouted Eren.

"Eren! Focus ahead and keep moving!" yelled Petra.

"Are you telling me to ignore the fighting going on behind us?!" asked Eren. "To just run away and abandon my comrades?!"

"Yes! I am!" answered Petra. "So as the captain said!

"I don't understand why we're letting them die!" yelled Eren. "And I don't under stand why Levi won't explain! Why?!"

"Because the captain doesn't feel the need to explain!" answered Oruo. "But, you don't understand that, cause you're still wet behind the ears! Now shut the fuck up and follow the goddamn orders!"

Eren continued to look forward and then realized what he could have do.

"No..." thought Eren, drawing back his sword and lifting his hand up. "I can fight on my own, actually. Why should I always have to rely on others? I can just fight on my own!"

Eren then opened his mouth and placed his hand on his teeth.

"Eren what the hell are you doing?" asked Lighting Dust.

Eren then stopped himself from biting.

"You're only permitted to do that when your life is in danger!" Petra stated. "That was our agreement, remember?!"

Eren ignored Petra was continued to look forward and was about to bite down.

"Eren!" called Petra.

"I wouldn't blame you," stated Levi.

Petra and Eren looked at Levi was surprise.

"If you wanna do it, do it," said Levi. "Eren listen you are not inherently evil your ability to change does make you a monster, that said it could be the other way around. How are you supposed to know where to draw the line? Whether you lose control or freely give it up. Maybe it's the same.

"I want to slaughter every last Titan I can!" declared Eren.

"Eren, the difference in our experience is why we don't see eye-to-eye, that's life," Levi stated. "At the end of the day, there's no reason to go against how you see it. The choice is yours: you can trust yourself or you can trust the people willing to put their lives on the line for you. I don't know which way is better, I never have. Should I act on my own instincts or put myself in the hands of my comrades, either way there's no guarantee. So, just do the best you can and choose whichever you'll regret the least."

The squad continued to move forward. Eren looked back at the Female Titan, who was still distracted by another Scout. Eren placed his hand and was about to bite down, but."

"Eren!" called Petra, getting Eren to stop. "Trust us."

Eren looked at Petra and remembers those two words.

Days before the expedition, Eren and the Levi Squad were gathered in the cadet's lecture hall. Levi was in front of the chalkboard with a stick of chalk in his hand. Hange was sitting on a desk lightning to them.

"I've come up with a way to stop you without completely killing you," Levi stated.

"Sir?" asked Eren.

"Before, I said the only way to stop you in Titan form is to kill you," stated Levi. "But the method will leave you mutilated. It depends entirely on individual skill, though."

Levi turned around and face a chalk board. He started to draw a little diagram if a body with incisions along the legs and arms of the diagram.

"Basically, it involves cutting the nape with you in it, off the body," he explained. 'Then ends of your limbs will get severed in the process, but I assume they'll just grown back anyway. It creeps me out."

"Wait, I'm not sure how to make them grown back," Eren stated. 'Isn't there some other way?"

Levi looked at Eren with an annoyed look.

"So you want to do it without taking risk or making sacrifices?" asked Levi.

"No," Eren simply answered.

"Then prepare for the worst," Levi warned. "We're in the same boat. You could kill us. So just relax."

"Yes, sir... I understand," said Eren.

"So, I can start experimenting , right?" asked Hange, covering her mouth.

"It's risky, bit we can't risk not testing him, either," answered Levi.

"I'll take charge of the planning, then, declared Hange. "Eren… If your unsure about anything, then just learn as you go along. Anything we learn is easily worth risking our lives for.

Outside, Levi and Hange were around a well, looking down at Eren, who was at the bottom.

"Are you ready down there, Eren?" asked Hange, peering down at the well. "I'll fire a smoke signal when we're ready to begin. Everything after that is up to you!"

"Understood!" yelled Eren, raising his hand up.

"Even if he becomes a mindless Titan this dry well will hold him!" assured Hange. "I think."

Hange then fired a green smoke signal in the air. Eren looked up at the well and saw it.

"There's the signal," said Eren.

Eren then looked at his hand.

"I haven't used my Titan form since I sealed the hole in the wall..." he thought. "if I go out of control this time... the Levi Squad might end up killing me.

Eren then opened his mouth and placed his hand and bit down. On top of the well, Hange and Levi kept their distance form the well. No lightning strikes appeared or a Titan appeared out of the well.

"Did he see the signal or not?" asked Hange.

"No... I doubt we can expect this to work reliably," answered Levi.

Levi and Hange galloped towards the well.

"Hey! Eren! The test's off for now!" shouted Levi.

Levi and Hange walked got off their horses and looked down at the well.

"Did something happen?" asked Hange.

Hange looked deeper in the well and was taken by surprise. Down at the well, Eren stood at the bottom of the well, his hands were covered in blood from the bites and was drooling blood from his repeated bites.

"Ms Hange... I can't transform into a Titan..." Eren stated.

After the failed test, Eren and the Levi Squad were having tea and were relaxing while drinking.

"Not even the bite wounds on your hands have gone away?" asked Levi.

Eren looked at his hands, that were wrapped in bandages.

"No, sir," answered Eren.

"If you can't turn into a Titan, our big plans for sealing Wall Maria go up in flames," stated Levi. "Figure it out. That's an order."

Levi then started to walk away.

"Yes, sir..." Eren replied.

Lightning Dust then looked at Petra, who was locked in a daze looking at Levi, making Lightning Dust to smirk.

"Hey, if you're so caught up on Levi, talk to him," she whispered.

Petra looked at Lightning Dust, blushing madly. She got up without saying a word and walked to Levi.

"Don't loose heart, Eren," advised Eld.

"But..." said Eren.

Then, Eld interjected.

"This means you're more human than we thought," said Eld. "It's a lot better than ending up dead because you were too hasty. It was a waste of time."

"Yeah. There's no such thing as being too careful," stated Gunther.

Oruo and Lighting Dust only let out a sigh of relief.

"Why are they so calm?" wondered Eren.

Eren looked around the table to see all their expressions of being relief and calm.

"Is it actually okay that I can't turn into a Titan?" he wondered.

Eren looked back down, and picked up his teaspoon. His wounds caused Eren to hiss and cringe in pain, causing him to drop his spoon onto the grass.

"You okay?" asked Eld.

"Yeah..." answered Eren.

Eren then bent over and reached for the spoon. The tabletop was against his stomach and was preventing his reach. Whith his grasped filled with more purpose, Eren reached down for the spoon and grabbed, but Eren then pulled his muscle as he grabbed for the spoon. A large spark emitted from his hand. Eren then gasped at the sight of the spark.

Behind Levi and Petra, a large burst of steam and light exploded, blowing Eld, Gunther, Lightning Dust, and Oruo off the table. All the nearby Scouts that were around the were blown off the ground. Other that weren't near saw a small twister of steam getting smaller and smaller as the steam was blown away.

"Hey!" yelled a Scout.

"What the hell?!" wondered the other Scout.

"What was that explosion?!" asked a third Scout.

When the steam cleared, Eren was squatting on top of a partially muscled rib cage and a quarter of the backbone, his right hand was stuck inside the muscle in the shoulder. Eren tried to pull his hand out of the flesh with all his might.

"Why now?!" he questioned, trying to pull his hand out.

"Calm down," said Levi.

"Captain Levi! I don't know what...!" yelled Eren, looking back.

When Eren looked back and was surprised that Levi was facing the opposite direction of Eren. Levi was facing his squad that stood in before him with their blades out and angry faces looking at him. Eren stood complete still and was scared that his life would be killed by the squad for something he didn't do.

"I said clam down... all of you," said Levi.

Meanwhile, from the forest, Hange and Moblit were running out the forest and to the source of the sudden light and the small twister of steam, wondered what had happen.

"What?!" panted Hange. "What was that sound?!"

However, her concerned face turned into a huge smile on her face, as she saw the rib cage that Eren was squatting on. She began to grow ecstatic, her cheeks started to blush with opportunity. Hange screamed in excitement and jumped up in the air.

Back at the rib cage, the Levi squad had surrounded Eren and Levi from every side with their blades dawned out, ready to strike.

"Eren!" hollered Eld. "What the hell is the meaning of this?!"

"Sir!" yelled Eren.

"Why did you transform without permission?!" shouted Eld. "Answer me, goddammit!"

"Wait. Eld," said Levi

"Answer him, Eren! Explain yourself!" demanded Oruo.

Eren looked back at Oruo. In the front Gunther started to walk towards Eren.

"No! That can come later!" yelled Gunther. "First, you need to prove you aren't hostile towards us... no, towards humanity!"

"What?" asked Eren.

"Prove it! Now!" hollered Gunther. "You bear that responsibility!"

"If you so much as twitch that arm of yours your head's coming right off!" Oruo warned. 'I'll do it. too! I really will! Just try me!"

'Oruo! I told you to calm down!" yelled Levi.

"Captain!" called Petra. "Please get away from Eren! You're too close!"

"Why the hell are you protecting Levi instead of questioning Eren?!" yelled Lightning Dust, getting closer to Eren.

"He's our captain, what do you think?!" yelled Petra.

"No, you two are the ones who need to get away," said Levi.

"Why, sir?!" asked Petra.

"A gut feeling," Levi replied.

"Eren! You better answer!" warned Eld.

"Don't try anything cute!" yelled Oruo.

"Prove that you're not hostile!" yelled Gunther.

Eren could process his answer as Eld, Gunther, and Oruo continued to bombard Eren with questions and warning if he doesn't answer. With all the questions and threats of killing him, Eren's mind couldn't handle all of questions and threats from the Levi Squad.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!" screamed Eren. "WILL YOU GUYS PLEASE SHUT THE FUCK UP?!"

Everyone surrounding Eren all remained quiet, until someone was running toward him.

"EREN!!!" called Hange, running towards Eren.

Eren looked at the running Hange, who pushed Gunther and her assistant, Moblit out of the way.

"Can I touch that arm?! Pretty please with sugar on top, let me touch his glorious arm!" begged Hange, drooling at the corner of her mouth and blushing.

"I don't it's a great idea Hange!" yelled Eren.

Then, Hange got close to the giant red hand.

"Wait, don't..." yelled Eren.

Hange pressed her two whole hands on the hand. When her hand was pressed against the hand it started to sizzle and a small trail of steam was coming between her hand and the muscle. At the touch of her hand, she backed up in excitement.

"Ow! Son of a bitch!" shrieked Hange, bouncing up into the air as she waved her hands to fan them. "Damn, it's not when there's no skin! I'm talking crazy hot!"

"Section Commander!" called Moblit. "You're a maniac! You hear me? A maniac!"

The Levi Squad all watch, as Hange had her moment of excitement. Hange then got up and turned around to face Eren.

"Say! Is it not hot for you, Eren?!" she asked. "How is it connected to your right hand?! I really want to see!"

Eren then took a look at his right hand, which was still stuck in the flesh.

"Oh, right! If I just pull my hand out..." Eren thought, pulling his hand out of the flesh. "Come on!"

Eren placed his left boot against the muscle and tried to pull his right hand out of the flesh with all his might.

"Hey, Eren! Don't try anything funny!" warned Oruo.

With a final tug, Eren had freed his hand from the flesh. Steam came form his hand as he pulled it out. Eren fell backwards and landed on back as Levi watched him fall.

Once Eren was free, the carcass began to slowly hiss away, decomposing without Eren connected to it. Hange then anxiously put her hands to her head and ran in place, unable to control herself.

"Hold on Eren! That's was too soon!" yelled Hange. "I still wanted to study it!"

She then stopped and was fascinated at her sight. She looked on her left and saw the teaspoon was pinched in between its thumb and index finger. Eren panted heavily, glad that he made it out alright. Levi then walked towards Eren.

"Captain..." called Eren.

"How are you feeling?" Levi asked.

"Not... very... good," answered Eren.

The other members of Levi’s squad looked to Eren with persistent confusion, but defused anger.

Later in the night, Eren and Levi were inside the HQ and were sitting alone, discussing what happened ealier.

"Until they actually turned hostile, I never realized how little they trust me..." said Eren.

"Of course they don't," said Levi. "That's why I picked them. The common belief is that the first time you come back alive makes you a bonafide Scout. But up against Titans, there's never enough information. There are always too mant unknowns and uncertainties."

Eren listened intently to Levi's words.

"In which case, you need to be able to act quickly and make tough decisions based on the worst case scenario. But that doesn’t mean they’ve become heartless. Pointing their blades at you like that, they couldn't have left nothing."

"Captain Levi," called Moblit from the top of the stairs. "Section Commander Hange wants to see you."

Levi and Eren walked into the dining hall where Petra and Oruo sat at a table and Gunther, Eld and Lighting Dust were standing, with Hanji standing at the other end.

"Were you taking a long crap?" asked Levi.

"Nope. A pleasant one," answered Hange. "I got stuck explaining things to the top brass. But anyway... take a look at this."

She placed down a piece of cloth wrapping something. She then unwrapped it and revealed it to be the teaspoon from earlier.

"A teaspoon?" wondered Eren.

"Yep," Hange answer, picking it up. "That right hand you created was holding this. Between the index finger and thumb, like so."

"What?" asked Eren.

"It's hard to imagine it was through sheer dumb luck," she said. "And, somehow, it hasn't been wrapped by the heat or pressure. Any thoughts of this?"

"As I recall, I went to pick it up... I transformed right after that," explained Eren.

"I see... This might explain why you couldn't turn into a Titan earlier. Killing Titans... Blocking a cannonball... Lifting a boulder... In each instance, you had a clear goal prior to transforming," explained Hange. "It's also possible self-inflicted harm isn't the only trigger. You might need to have a goal of some sort as well.

"It's true that this latest transformation is similar to when I stopped that cannon shot," said Eren, looking at his hand. "But... Transforming into a Titan to pick up a spoon... This is crazy."

"In other words, you didn't break the rules on purpose?" asked Gunther.

"That's right," Eren replied.

Gunther let out a sigh for looking at Eld and Lightning Dust, who both looked at Gunther and nodded to him. Oruo and Petra nodded at each other. All five soldiers then placed their right hands into their mouths, biting down with painful grunts. Hange and Eren were surprised and confused on what they were doing.

"Wait! What the hell are you doing?!" asked Eren.

"Oww..." hissed Gunther, looking at his hand.

"This hurt like hell," said Eld. "Eren. I'm impressed you can bite so deeply, like this."

"We made an error in judgement," said Gunther, soon smiling. "This is our small way of paying that. So it's no big deal."

"This is worth an actual apology than just a "sorry," said Lightning Dust.

Eren was stunned at their changed attitudes.

"Our job is to keep you in check," spoke Oruo. "And that isn't in the wrong! So don't get cocky, kid!"

"I'm sorry, Eren," Petra apologized. "We were scared... You must be disappointed in our stupidity. But... Even so... We'll be relying on you, and we'd like to rely on us.

Everyone in the room looked at Eren, who was standing still not knowing what to say.

So... Please..." said Petra.

"Trust us," said Petra, riding next to Eren.

Eren the looked at Petra's hand, which still had the bite mark on her hand.

"Hurry! Decide already!" shouted Levi.

As if the memories from earlier kept replaying in his head at a mile a second, the choice became clearer the more moments that passed. Eren the closed his eyes and lifted his head.

"I'LL GO WITH YOU!!!" boomed Eren, shocking Levi.

The Levi Squad looked at Eren, making the right decision and smiled at him. Behind them, the Female Titan grabbed the Scouts."

"LET GO!!!" he yelled.

Eren looked behind him to see the Female Titan dragging the Scout's body into multiple trees. His upper half of his body was smeared against the trees. The Female Titan then toss the bottom half of the Scout. Eren then looked back closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry!" Eren apologized.

The Female Titan continued the chase. With all the Scouts dead from distracting her, she leaned in and she started to increase her speed, kicking dust and dirt behind as she got closer,.

"Target is speeding up!" hollered Eld.

"Keep moving! We're going to outrun it!" yelled Levi.

Eren looked back to see the Female Titan, now meters away from them.

"Outrun it?! There's no way...!" Eren thought. "If we keep riding with out backs to it, we'll all get squashed flat!"

Eren the turned back around and saw Levi, who was stilling moving forward.

"But, we're on the verge of death... And we're letting our comrades die..." he thought. "Yet, everyone's chosen to keep moving forward. Captain Levi is staring straight ahead. And the other's trust him fully! I... need to trust them, too. Just as they... trust me!"

Eren then heard the footsteps getting closer and closer. He looked up to see the Female Titan just feet away from him and was nearly on top of him, reaching out. The Levi Squad then pasted several soldiers hiding behind some planks. The Female Titan them stopped realizing she had fallen into a trap. The Levi Squad all looked at the trap in amazement. The Female Titan looked at her left to see Commander Erwin on the side of a tree.

"FIRE!!!" yelled Erwin.

All the Scouts covered their ears and pulled the trigger. The special target restraining weapon all fired several wires, large, jagged hooks connected by were fired out of each hole in the weapon, all going straight at the Female Titan. The Female Titan quickly covered her nape with both of her hands as she was captured. The weapon fired at every inch of the Female Titan's legs, feet, body, hands, and arms. The blasts seemed to fire on for about fifteen seconds before the last cannon fired off. With the wires holding the titan, the Female Titan was caught and immobilized.

With the Female Titan caught, the Levi Squad continued to ride out peacefully, as their purser was caught in the trap. Eren looked back, not only amazed at what had just happened, but that with their combined efforts, the Female Titan was captured.

"Hitch your horses a little further ahead, then switch to ODM," said Levi. "I have to leave for now. Eld's in charge of the squad."

Levi then looked back to his squad members.

"Hide Eren a suitable distance away from that Titan. Look after my horse, and Petra come with me," said Levi.

"Yes, sir," said Petra.

Both Levi and Petra got off their horses and swung back towards the captured Female Titan. Eren looked back at the Female Titan.

"You don't mean...?!" Eren gasped. "They're going to take that Titan alive?!"

Eren the looked back at Lighting Dust, who smiled back at him. Eren the looked at Oruo, who just smirked at him.

"What do you think of that, Eren?!" asked Gunther. "We caught that Titan!"

"This is the might of the Scout Regiment!" proclaimed Oruo. "Don't underrate us, you idiot! Now do you see?!"

Eren had just experience firsthand in their raw abilities, found the excitement and joy contagious.

“Yes!” he answered gleefully.

Back at the site of the captured Female Titan, Levi latched on a nearby branch and landed upon the branch that Erwin stood on. Petra then followed and stood next to Levi. Both of them drew back their blades.

"It looks like she's stopped," observed Levi.

"We can't drop our guard yet," said Erwin. "I'm surprised you brought in one of your soldiers."

"She's my number one trust soldier, besides Lighting Dust would be reckless," said Levi.

Petra blushed at Levi's words, when Levi went to check on her, she turned around to hide her blush.

"I'm also impressed you managed to lead her to this spot," said Erwin

The Female Titan was trying to move to get out of the trap, but the wire restrained her from doing that.

"The credit goes to the rear squad members who gave their lives fighting her," said Levi. "They bought us time. It would've been impossible otherwise."

"At least they didn't die in vain," said Petra.

"Is that so?" asked Erwin.

"Yes," Levi simply answered.

Levi then looked at the Female Titan.

"Thanks to them... we get to see who's inside this one's nape," said Levi. "Let's just hop they're not wetting themselves inside there."

The Female Titan, realizing her predicament, grit her teeth and widened her hook pierced eyes, visibly frightened for her safety is now at the mercy of the Scouting Legion.

Erwin Smith: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 4

After setting out to establish a route to Shiganshina, the Scout Regiment encountered an intelligent Titan, the Female Titan. As soldier after soldier fell, the regiment rushed into a Forest of Giant Trees, much to everyone's puzzlement.

"Who can possibly stop it, if not the Levi Squad?!" yelled Eren. "Another's one dead! We could've saved him, too!"

"Choose. Will you can trust yourself or you can trust the people willing to put their lives on the line for you?" asked Levi.

"I'LL GO WITH YOU!!!" yelled Eren.

"FIRE!!!" yelled Erwin.

"You don't mean...?!" asked Eren. "They're going to take that Titan alive?!"

"What do you think of that, Eren?!" asked Gunther. "We caught that Titan!"

"This is the might of the Scout Regiment!" yelled Oruo. "Now do you see?!"

"Yes!" shouted Eren.

Levi and Petra landed near Erwin.

"It looks like she stopped," observed Levi.

"We can't drop our guard yet," said Erwin. "I'm just impressed you managed to lead her to this spot."

"The credit goes to the rear squad members who gave their lives fighting her," said Levi. "They bought us time. It would've been impossible otherwise."

"At least they didn't die in vain," said Petra.

"Is that so?" asked Erwin.

"Yes," answered Levi. "Thanks to them... we get to see who's inside this one's nape. Let's just hope they're not wetting themselves inside there."

The Levi Squad continued to ride ahead of the Female Titan. Eren couldn't help but to look behind him.

"An Abnormal?!" wondered Eren. "Or is it like the Colossal Titan? What, did Commander Erwin actually...?"

"Hey!" shouted Oruo. "Quit spacing out!"

"Eren!" called Lightning Dust. "You can think later! We need to get further ahead!"

"Right!" yelled Eren.

Back at the capture point, Levi drew out one of his blades out.

"Wait Levi. We need to be extra cautious," said Erwin. "Waves 2 and 3! FIRE THE SPARE ROUNDS!!!"

Erwin lifted his sword up. Several Scouts covered their ears as the special targeting restrained weapon was fired once again. All of them continued to fire on the Female Titan completely immobilizing it.

On the forest's edge, several Scouts all heard the weapon firing in the distance. Christa looked down to see a Titan grabbing the bark on the tree and was staring to climb up. The sight frighten Fluttershy even more.

"They're starting to climb up..." said Christa.

"Nobody told me they could climb!" shouted Fluttershy.

"Yeah," said a female Scout with blue eyes and short blonde hair, which was parted slightly to the right with short bangs and an undercut. "If they make it up this far, perhaps I'll step out of the way. Although... I suspect we'll soon be given orders to withdraw anyways."

"Does it have something to do with those explosions inside the forest?" asked Christa.

"I don't know," answered the female Scout.

"Well, I'll be on higher ground," said Fluttershy.

She then grappled to a branch higher than Christa and the Scout were standing on.

On the northeastern edge of the forest, Sasha was squatting down on a branch and looking up in the sky, next to Rarity, who was also squatting down. Mikasa was standing on a nearby branch next to Sasha with Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Indigo Zap next her.

"Mikasa, what do you think those sounds were?" asked Sasha. "Are the cannons being fired inside the forest?"

Mikasa stood still and didn't talk to Sasha.

Reiner was kneeling down on his branch, his head was looking down at the swarm of Titans while his gaze was on the sounds he heard from the forest. Bertholdt, Ymir, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat were by his side standing on their own branches.

"I didn't see them bring any cannons in, though," figured Reiner.

"What's with all the noise?" asked Ymir. "Hey, Bertholdt! Do you know which way Christa went?"

"Sorry. I don't," Bertholdt responded.

"Hey, what you two?" asked Ymir.

"No clue," replied Sugarcoat.

Conny leaned against the bark of a tree, sighing impassively. Next to Conny was Lemon Zest and Pinkie Pie.

“What are we even doing now, and why?” wondered Conny. “I wanna go home...”

“I wondered what are those sounds?” asked Lemon Zest.

“It must be a party cannon,” suggested Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie why do you always come up with these stupid answers?” asked Lemon Zest.

“What do you mean, I’m a genius,” Pinkie Pie claimed.

Lemon Zest rollers her eyes and groaned as Pinkie Pie was still thinking of what the noise was.

Jean, Armin, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight Glimmer watched fearfully as a Titan was pushing itself up a tree and was starting to climb up.

“Let’s move away guys!” yelled Jean.

“Right!” Armin responded. “Girls! Let’s go!”

“Right behind you,” said Starlight Glimmer.

All of them jumped off the branch and swung further into the forest. They all landed further away and observed at the Titan as it was climbing.

“Looks like the bastard’s got the hang of it,” said Jean. “It’s got better and better at tree-climbing.”

“I’ve seen a Titan killing another Titan, but I’ve never seen a Titan climbing,” said Starlight Glimmer.

“The scary thing is that this means they can learn,” said Armin. “Although I’m sure it’s also different for each Titan.”

“Armin. They seem to be up to something inside the forest,” observed Jean. “And I think I’ve figured it out what it is. They lured the Female Titan here to capture it.”

“Wait the Titan you fought?” asked Sunset Shimmer.

“Yeah,” replied Twilight. “No wonder why the center goes inside the forest.”

“Or to be more precise, to capture the human inside,” Jean concluded. That was Commander Erwin’s goal...”

Inside the forest, the Levi Squad have got off their horses and tethered them to a small tree. They all were on top of branches talking about the capture.

“... from the very start,” said Eren. “Wasn’t it?! Still, I can understand keeping it from us rookies, but you guys too?! You all have been in the Scouts for a long time!”

“Man, you’re annoying,” insulted Oruo.

“Are you suggesting the commander and the captain don’t trust us?!” asked Lightning Dust.

“No, but that’s what this means doesn’t it?!” asked Eren.

Oruo looked at Eren and a furious glare until he couldn’t handle his voice.

“Lightning Dust! Knock his fucking teeth out!” boomed Oruo. “Switch his front teeth with the back ones!”

“No, Eren’s right,” said Eld, crossing his arms.

“What are you saying?!” asked Oruo.

“The captain must've had a reason for not trusting us implicitly," Eld responded.

"Like what?" asked Gunther.

"There's only one reason he couldn't trust his comrades," said Eld. "There's someone in the regiment who can either turn into a Titan or is working as a sort of spy for them."

"You think so too, right?" asked Jean. "That there's someone in the regiment."

"I think there is," Armin responded.

"It could be a possibility," said Sunset Shimmer.

All of them watch as the Titan stopped climbing and looked straight at them.

"A spy? Are you sure?" asked Gunther.

"At the very last, the commander must believe so," said Eld. "I assume the only soldiers informed of this operation were the ones who survived five years ago."

"I see," said Gunther. "So that's why..."

"Yep, that's gotta be it," said Oruo. "Get it, Eren? That's what's going on."

"In that case, it can't be helped," said Lightning Dust.

"Yeah..." Eren whispered.

"Five years ago was when the wall first fell," said Lightning Dust. "Could they be using that fact to narrow down suspects on the assumption that's when the spy got inside?"

"Does that mean this person killed Sawney and Beane too?" asked Eld.

"The commander asked me something that happened..." said Lightning Dust.

Eren the gasped as he remembers what Erwin said to him when the news of Sawney and Beane's death had surfaced.

"What do you see here? Erwin asked. "What do you think the enemy is?"

"Is that what that meant?" wondered Eren.

"We might've been allowed to join the operation if we'd known the answer to that question," said Eld. "I doubt any of us could have, though."

"Well, I knew, but I decided not to say anything," said Oruo. "Do you guys know why?

"Why?" asked Lightning Dust.

"What, you mean you don't know first soldier?" asked Oruo. "I guess guys like you wouldn't know, huh? You're nowhere near my level yet, after all."

"Oh shut up Oruo! Petra was right on you trying to intimate Captain Levi?" asked Lightning Dust, annoyed. "Cause if I remember, one of our mission you were so cocky that a Titan grabbed you and me and Levi had to save your ass."

"If this succeeds, we might actually learn the truth about this world," Eren speculated. "Still, even for that... too many soldiers have died."

Eren winced at the recent memories of the Scouts died due to the Female Titan, making Eld to redirect his attention to Eren.

"Do you think the commander was wrong to do this?" asked Eld.

Back at the forest edge, the Titan that was climbing on the tree lost its grip and fell onto the ground. The Titan impacted the ground on his bottom. Armin, Jean, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, and Sunset Shimmer looked at the Titan on the ground.

"He wasn't in the right, I'll tell you that," stated Jean. "If we'd actually been told that a Titan had inside info, we would've have handled things differently. You own squad members, for example..."

Armin was still haunted by the deaths of Luke Cis and Dieter Ness, the even was still fresh in Armin's mind.

"No, it was wrong," said Armin.

"What?" asked Jean. "How can you say that? Do you know how many soldiers have needlessly died?!"

"Jean, in hindsight, it's easy to say should've been done," said Armin. "But, no one can tell how things will turn out. Yet, at some point you have to make a choice. The lives of a hundred comrades... or the lives of everyone inside the walls. The commander chose He chose to throw away the lives of a hundred comrades."

"That seems very unlikely of him," said Sunset Shimmer. "I mean shouldn't he be the one to keep the casualty count low?"

"I know, but it's a difficult choice, if you were the commander what would you do?" asked Armin.

"The same thing as what the commander would choose," Sunset Shimmer responded.

"Eren," called Eld. "If you don't know already, you'll soon learn why Erwin Smith was put in charge of the Scouts, and humanity's hope."

"It's why he even has Captain Levi's trust," stated Lightning Dust.

"That's assuming you survive long enough of course," said Oruo.

Eren was still feeling unsure of this.

"I don't have much life experience yet... but I do know one thing," said Armin. "If there's anyone who can bring about change, it's someone capable of giving up what matters most. In particular, people who are capable of abandoning their humanity when force to rise above monsters. Those who can't abandon anything... can't change anything."

Jean, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight Glimmer all listen to Armin's words.

"FIRE!!!" yelled Erwin, once again.

On top of a branch, Hange pulled the trigger of the weapon and the barrel fired. Seven hooks pierced the left side of the Female Titan's bottom. The wires then were pulled back to ensure it's maximum restrain.

"Do you like that." asked Hange. "Now you can't scratch a single itch or move a single muscle. And you will probably never will again. The more your wounds heal, the stiffer your joints will get!"

Hanji giggled a bit, enamored by the ingenuity of these weapons. She then turned to serious confusion as she looked up at Erwin, Levi, and Petra above.

"Still, why haven't they extracted our esteemed guest yet?" she wondered. "What are Levi and Miche doing?"

Both Levi and Miche jumped off their branch and used their ODM gear to latch on to nearby trees, both of their blades aimed for the Female Titan's wrist. Just before both of them could strike, a crystalline plating covered the entirety of both of her hands. The two soldiers spun and struck at the hands. As their blades impacted the hands, it only managed to snap the blades off the base and only took out chips of the plating.

Erwin and Petra looked at their attempt of strike. Miche then came back to the branches at their level. Miche showed them their blades and shook his head, telling him that striking her is worthless for now. Erwin then looked back now at the Female Titan.

"I never seen a Titan use that type of defense, besides the Armored," said Petra.

So she has the ability to cover portions of her body with hardened skin..." Erwin thought. "Much like the Armored Titan I've heard about. Will it weaken if we continue an ODM sword assault? There's no time to try. In which case..."

Erwin then lifted his hand, calling a Scout. The Scout then landed next to him.

"Yes, sir?" asked the Scout.

"Prepare to blast it," ordered Erwin. "Blow off the target's hands."

"Yes sir, however, there's a rick of our standard artillery could take out everything on the inside as well," warned the Scout.

"Then let's attempt to sever the wrist instead," said Erwin, putting his hand on the Scout's shoulder. "Fire an all-out salvo on my signal."

"Understood!"

The Scout swung down to the Scouts that were stationed on the ground. Once he landed he gave out a hand signal, calling them to reload the barrels. Meanwhile, Levi stood on top of the Female Titan's head, blades drawn out, and his eyes were filled with fury.

"Knock knock. Just come out, will you," demanded Levi. "Seriously what can you hope to gain by stalling? If you're thinking we'll let you go we won't, if you're thinking of trying to escape, don't. All you should be thinking about are the good men you killed today. You killed our men in all sorts of different ways. Was it fun?"

The Female Titan wasn't capable of any facial expressions, considered that her face was pierced. Levi could feel that it was trying to find every last option of survival inside its head. On top of the branch, Petra had her gaze on Levi, letting out a huge sigh.

"Well, I'm having fun," continued Levi, stepping forward. "I take it you're the same way. If there's anyone who knows how I feel, it's you. Oh, right. There's one thing I need to ask. You're okay with me cutting your limbs off at the joints right? I mean they'll grow back, right? I'm talking about your actual body. Can't afford to have you die on us, after all..."

With her options running out, the Female Titan took a deep breath, shocking Levi in the process. The Female Titan's pupils shrunk. With all the air filled in her lungs, the Female Titan lets out a loud, booming screech, enough to blow wind out of the air, causing everyone around the Female Titan to cover their ears from the scream.

The scream was heard across the forest and the forest's edge. The scream alerted all the Scouts, including. The scream was enough to cause Fluttershy to squeak and go to Christa and hug her tightly. Sasha looked up in the sky and Rarity was closely hugging Sasha.

The Female Titan the stopped screaming, leaving nothing but a void of silence. Levi cleared his ear with his pinkie before focusing his attention to the Female Titan.

"Holy shit," he said. "You startled me there."

Below, Hange and Moblit both stood still in fear. Moblit continued to cover his ears in fear.

"Were those her dying screams?” wondered Moblit.

Miche then flew up to Erwin quickly. He then started to sniff a couple of times be sure he was correct, and sure enough he was correct. Miche with a worry stricken expression on his face, knew something was wrong.

"Erwin," Miche spoke. "I smell them."

"Which direction?" asked Erwin.

"All directions, all at once!" Miche responded. "Lots of them!"

"Wait, you don't mean..." said Petra.

Erwin's eyes widened in shock, looking at his right, a couple of trees started to rustle around. Without any warning, a Titan then appeared, then another Titan appeared, and more Titans started to appear. Then, a huge horde of Titans started to run into the forest in all directions and angles towards the Female Titan and completely ignoring the Scouts.

Back at the forest edge, Armin, Jean, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, and Sunset Shimmer were all horrified as the Titans that were on the forest edge started to run into the forest.

"What the...? They're rushing into the forest all at once!" shouted Jean.

"Why are they ignoring us?" wondered Starlight Glimmer.

Countless Titans started to storm into the forest and ignored all the Scouts on top of the branches.

On top of a branch, Ymir, Bertholdt, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat all watch as the Titans continued to storm into the forest.

"What?" asked Ymir.

"There's no way," said Sour Sweet.

"Does this mean they're all Abnormals?!" asked Conny, zipping through the tress with Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest.

"Doesn't matter! Don't let them through!" yelled a Scout next to Conny. "COMMENCE COMBAT!!!"

Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Indigo Zap started to draw their blades out.

"What the hell?" wondered Rainbow Dash.

"What was that all of a sudden?!" asked Mikasa.

"Please, wait!" yelled a frighten Sasha. "I've heard screams like that before! In the forest where I'm from! It's the sound a cornered animal makes when it's ready to give up everything! I was taught the end of a hunt is when you have to be most careful!"

Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Indigo Zap looked at Sasha

"So you're telling us to be careful?" asked Mikasa.

"Please be a hundred times more careful than normal!" shouted Sasha. "You will die if you don't take the forest seriously!"

"I'm from the mountains too, actually..." stated Mikasa.

"Wait. Really?" asked Indigo Zap.

"You're a vegetable farmer! You won't understand!" warned Sasha.

"I see," replied Mikasa.

"Sasha's hunches are often right," thought Mikasa. "And it's usually only before something bad happens... Armin said Eren might be in the rear of the center rank, as I recall..."

Back at the capture point, Titans were started to close in the Female Titan, Erwin knew the time has come and lifted his blade up.

'Hurry with artillery!" ordered Erwin.

"Erwin!" called Miche. "The first wave is coming from the east! They're close!"

Then, three Titans appeared running towards the Female Titan.

'Wagon defense squad! Intercept them!" ordered Erwin.

Three Scouts jumped off their branch and zipped towards at the Titans, hopping to distract them. Much to their surprise, the three Titans completely ignored them and ran pass them.

"They're ignoring us?! Are they Abnormals?!" wondered a Scout with short, blond hair, and light stubble on his chin and cheekbones, and wearing thick-rimmed glasses.

"Three Titans have broken through!" yelled a Scout on the ground.

"Captain Levi!" called another Scout.

Levi was still on top of the Female Titan's head and stomped on it with his boot.

"Hey what did you do?!" asked Levi. "Called up some friends didn't you?!"

Levi then looked up at his trust soldier, who was looking out.

Petra drew her blade out, ready. Levi then looked at the three Titans running towards the Female Titan. He then fired a hook at a nearby tree and pulled himself towards the three approaching Titans. With his speed and dexterity, Levi spun around like a propeller and ricocheted from each Titan's nape, killing them.

A smaller Titan ran towards the Female Titan's leg and bit off the flesh of the Female Titan's leg. Erwin observed above the branch and was shocked to see the sight.

"It went for the Female Titan?" Erwin thought.

Erwin looked up and saw a mass horde of Titans starting to run towards the Female Titan at every side and angle..

"Titans coming from all directions!" yelled a Scout.

"All soldiers, commence combat!" ordered Erwin. "Defend the Female Titan at all cost!"

As instructed, Hange, Moblit latched on to a tree and were ready. Then, all the Scouts jumped off their branches, including Petra and went towards the Titan nearest to them. As the Scouts started to kill off each Titan, one Titan would slip through and would begin to devour the Female Titan. Erwin watched his soldiers did all they could do against the swarm.

Petra was busy killing the smaller Titans, unaware of a giant foot coming down. Levi saw the Titan and Petra, who quickly swung towards her. Petra looked up to see a giant foot, she then knew her faith and closed her eyes. Levi quickly grabbed Petra before the Titan could stomp on her. Petra opened her eyes and see Levi carrying her in his arms. Petra's face was now burning and blushing madly.

"Hey, don't lose focus," said Levi.

Petra nodded and Levi let her go as she swung off, continuing to do her job. Levi looked at Petra as she started slicing the Titan's nape off. Levi then redirected his attention to the amount of Titans. The endless horde of Titans started to overwhelm the Scouts as they try to defend the Female Titan.

The Titans started to feast on the Female Titan. Even with the combined forces of the Scouts and humanity's strongest soldier, Levi, humanity's second strongest soldier, Miche, and Levi's most trusted soldier, Petra. They were completely overwhelmed.

"It's no use!" yelled Hange.

None of the Scouts couldn't handle the endless horde of Titans. Blood sprayed everywhere as the result of slicing the Titan's nape. A small drop of blood sprayed on Erwin's cheek. As the Scouts continued to kill more Titans, the Female Titan's body became less and less as the amount of Titans devoured. Then, the head of the Female Titan was ripped off her body. Seeing the Female Titan getting devoured into a bloody pulp, Erwin knew that the mission was over.

"ALL SOLDIERS, WITHDRAW!!!" yelled Erwin.

All at once, every Scout withdrew and landed on a nearby tree.

"Redeploy the formation!" order Erwin. "Return to Calaneth District."

The other Scouts could only watch as the mass amount of Titans devoured the Female Titan. Hange took off her goggles, allowing herself to cry over the fallen Scouts. Miche was panting heavily from all the Titan killing, while other Scouts started to cry at their defeat. Levi and Petra were hanging on the same tree next to Erwin, who all three of them were looking at the feast.

"We've been bested," said Erwin.

"Can't believe that just happened," said Petra.

"What's with that pathetic look of yours?" asked Levi, wiping some of the blood off his face.

"This goes to show that the enemy was prepared to throw away everything," answered Erwin. "I never imagined our target would resort to cannibalization to dispose of information"

"After all that blustering we did in the court room, this is how it turns out..." said Levi. "If we waltz back there now, who knows what'll happen to Eren or us."

"We can think about that once return," said Erwin. "For now, we need to focus on returning without sustaining any further losses. For now."

"The steam is impairing visibility," Erwin thought, looking through the pillar of vapor rising. "It could hinder smoke signal communications."

"Petra and I are going to get my squad," said Levi.

"Wait, Levi," Erwin spoke. "Replenish your gas and blades first."

"We're low on time and I have to last already," said Levi. "Why?"

"That's an order. So as you're told," stated Erwin.

"Whatever you say, Erwin," Levi responded. "I'll trust your judgement."

"Captain, I'll go with the squad," said Petra.

Just as she was about to fly, she was stopped. Levi held on to Petra's hand, causing a blush as she felt his soft hand touching her hand.

"I'm not losing you to another Titan foot," said Levi.

"Yes, sir," she responded.

Petra then stood next to Levi, but this a little closer to him. Levi looked at Petra, who was getting to him, Levi ignored and allowed Petra to get close to him. Levi then started to refill his supplies, Erwin continued to look at the Titans feasting on what was left of the Female Titan.

Shortly after, a blue smoke signal was fired in the air next the steam of the Female Titan's corpse. Then, more blue smoke signals were fired in the air. Christa, Fluttershy, and other Scouts near them saw the blue smoke signal clear.

"The withdrawal signal," said the female Scout with blue eyes and short blonde hair, which was parted slightly to the right with short bangs and an undercut. "We're all to withdraw and return to base on horseback."

"Right!" Christa responded.

"Can we go now?" asked Fluttershy, still shaken up.

"What?! It's all over?!" wondered Jean, hanging on the side of a tree.

"What happened back there?" wondered Sunset Shimmer.

"Is it already mission over?" asked Starlight Glimmer.

"Seems like it," said Twilight Sparkle.

"Alright! We can go home!" exclaimed Conny.

"Weee!" yelled Pinkie Pie, throwing up her hands in the air.

"I was just staring to like being here, besides with the scream and all," said Lemon Zest.

Mikasa, Sasha, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Indigo Zap all saw the the blue smoke signal.

"Just what's going on?" wondered Mikasa. "Is Eren alright?"

Inside the forest, Eren and the Levi Squad saw the blue smoke signal in the distance.

"Looks like it's over," observed Gunther. "Let's get back to the horses! Prepare to withdraw!"

"You heard the man," spoke Oruo. "Let's go see what the bastard riding inside looks like."

The Levi Squad started to check their gas cylinders and restocking their blades.

"Did they really find out who it is?" asked Eren.

"All thanks to you," said Lightning Dust.

"But I didn't do anything," stated Eren.

"You trusted us, remember what Petra said?" asked Lightning Dust. "Things turned out this way because you chose to stick with us. Making the right call is a pretty hard thing to do, you know!"

"Hey, now," called Oruo. "Quit pamperin' him, Lightning Dust. How was he any help? All he did was whine like a pathetic little brat. I guess making it back alive might be considered praiseworthy, but only after the mission's over and done with. Just so you know, twerp, an expedition ain't over 'till you're back home."

"Yes, I get it already!" nodded Eren.

Oruo then zipped off, while Eren and Lightning Dust followed him. The Levi Squad zipped through the forest undisturbed. Eld turned around to face Lightning Dust, Eren, and Oruo.

"Oruo! Lightning Dust! For a couple of soldiers who cried and pissed their pants during one of our battles, you've really grown!"

Lightning Dust screamed in anger and was horrified by Eld's betrayal, while Eren was both surprised and dumbfounded.

"I thought we never speak of it again! You want Eren to stop respecting me?!" shrieked Lightning Dust.

Eren looked back at Lightning Dust, still in complete shock.

"Whoa! Seriously?! Levi Squad's first picked member pissed herself?!" wondered Eren.

"It's the truth," stated Eld. "And, just who know, I never pissed myself, Eren."

"You imbecile! I'll have you know I have the highest kill count!" yelled Oruo. "I'm the best, you moron!"

"Shut up Oruo!" yelled Lightning Dust. "I have the highest kill count to the point where Petra got jealous and asked me for tip for Titan killing!"

"There's more to a soldier's merits than just kill counts!" stated Eld.

"Shut the fuck up, you idiot!" yelled Oruo.

"Lightning Dust! Does that mean it sprayed everyone in mid-air?!" Eren wondered.

"Knock it off!" yelled Gunther, looking back at them. "No one cares whose pissed their pants, focus on the job in hand! We're outside the walls! For the record my shorts have always been dry!"

Somewhere in the middle of the forest, a mysterious Scout was on a branch, having its hood covering its face. The mysterious Scout pulls out a signal flare and fired a green smoke signal in the air.

Back at the Levi Squad, Gunther looked up and saw the green smoke signal in the distance.

"That must be a message from from Captain Levi," Gunther thought.

"We're rendezvousing with the captain!" he shouted. "Save the chatter until we're home!"

Gunther landed on a nearby branch and pulled out his signal flare. He shot a green smoke signal in the air.

The mysterious Scout saw the green smoke signal in the distance. The Scout dropped its signal flare and pulled out two blades. The mysterious Scout then started swinging towards the source of the green smoke signal.

Back on the ground, Miche, Erwin Hange, and the rest of the Scouts rode down the path back out the forest, contemplating what would happen next.

"Erwin," called Hange. "Why did you have Levi replenish his supplies when theirs no time to waste?"

"The Female Titan was eaten," Erwin responded. "But did you see the person inside get eaten? I didn't."

"Are you saying?" gasped Hange.

"Yes. If, as you deduced earlier, we're dealing with a type that remains able-bodied after de-transformation. And, if said person had equipped themselves with ODM gear in advance... that mean's they're now wearing one of our uniforms, and have blended in with the rest of us soldiers."

The mysterious Scout then caught up to the Levi Squad. The mysterious Scouts caught the attention of Gunther, who looked at his left.

"Captain Levi?" wondered Gunther.

"Wait... That's not! Oh shit!" realized Gunther. "Who are you?!"

The mysterious Scout didn't answer. The Scout then spun its body towards the Levi Squad and pulled its swords back to attack. With a puff of gas coming from the main housing of the ODM gear. Gunther tried to protect himself, but the Scout was fast and precise. With no time to react, the Scout sliced the back on Gunther's neck. The attack shocked the the Levi Squad. Gunther fell, his wire caught him, but his motionless body body swung into a tree. His head collided with the bark of the tree as his body just went completely limp and dangled there.

"Gunther!" called Eren. “What?! Why?! Talk to me!”

Gunther didn't talk as his body dangled . When Eren got close to Gunther's dangling body, he looked with horror. As Gunther Schultz had died, blood poured from the back of Gunther's sliced neck. Gunther's head was held up by the skin and muscle in front of his neck.

The mysterious Scout swung through the forest quickly. The Scout then landed near the leaves of a nearby tree.

Crushing Blow: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 5

"Now commencing the 57th Exterior Scouting Mission!" shouted Erwin. MOVE OUT!!!"

After setting out to establish a route to Shiganshina, the Scout Regiment encountered the Female Titan believed to be a transformed human, similar to Eren. As solider after soldier fell, the regiment rushed into a forest of giant trees, much to everyone's puzzlement.

"FIRE!!!" yelled Erwin.

"Oh right," said Levi there is one thing I need to ask. You're okay with me cutting your limbs off at the joints right? I mean they'll grow back, right? I'm talking about your actual body. Can't afford to have you die on us, after all..."

The Female Titan started to scream, attracting the Titans on the forest edge.

"This goes to show that the enemy was prepared to throw away everything," said Erwin. "I never imagined our target would resort to Titan cannibalization to dispose of information...

"ALL SOLDIERS, WITHDRAW!!!" ordered Erwin. "Redeploy the formation! Return to Calaneth District!"

"Erwin," called Hange. "Why did you have Levi replenish his supplies when there's no time to waste?"

"The Female Titan was eaten," Erwin responded. "But did you see the person inside get eaten? I didn't."

"Are you saying?!" gasped Hange.

"Yes, If, as you deduced earlier, we're dealing with a type that remains able-bodied after de-transformation. And, if said person had equipped themselves with ODM gear in advance... that mean's they're now wearing one of our uniforms, and have blended in with the rest of us soldiers."

"Captain Levi?!" wondered Gunther.

""Wait... That's not! Oh shit!" realized Gunther. "Who are you?!"

The mysterious Scout sliced the back of Gunther's neck and his body dangled from the tree.

"Gunther!" called Eren.

Eren looked in horror as Gunther Schultz died instantly. The mysterious Scout then swung through the forest and landed on a nearby tree.

Erwin and his men continued to ride down the path to exit through the forest and head back to the Calaneth District. With the failure of the mission brought about by their lack of knowledge of the Female Titan, Erwin and Hange continued to discuss where the controller of the titan would be or already was.

"When the Colossal Titan disappeared, the person on the inside had equipped themself with ODM gear in advanced, which allowed for a quick escape before the steam cleared," explained Erwin. "The same thing could've happened here."

"But didn't we conclude that was extremely unlikely, based on Eren's condition after emerging from his Titan?" asked Hange. "His equipment was broken, and even his combat uniform was gone. Most of all, Eren was so fatigued he couldn't even stand on his own."

"The Female Titan had the ability to attract Titans with her shrieking," answered Erwin. "The operation failed because we hadn't anticipated that. If there are different levels of mastery to this Titan ability, we were mistaken to assume that Eren, a novice, set the standard. If we're able to get the better of this enemy we'll need to think more resourcefully.

With the mission declared over, many Scouts that were on the edge of the forest met back up with the others. All of them got back on their horses and started to ride back towards the Calaneth District. Outside the forest, Armin, Jean, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, and Sunset Shimmer, and the other Scouts were riding out of the forest.

"If we're withdrawing, does it mean the operation was a success?" asked Jean.

"If so, they might've found out who was inside the Female Titan by now," said Armin.

"I don't think so," said Twilight Sparkle.

"What do you mean, Twilight?" asked Armin.

"I mean we all heard that scream," stated Twilight. "And all the Titans that were in our area started running towards the forest."

"Twilight does have a point," said Starlight Glimmer. "It's like an alpha, when it calls their members get attracted."

"But still, I can't wait to see their face," said Jean. "Still, how was the commander so sure that she'd come after us once Eren left the wall?"

"I think it's because the Titans suddenly stopped attacking halfway through their invasion a while back," said Armin.

"What?" asked Jean in confusion.

"They went to the trouble of demolishing Trost District's front gate... but they didn't try to destroy the inner gate, nor did they take action when Eren went to seal the hole," explained Armin.

"That is right, the Armored or Colossal Titan didn't attack or appeared," said Sunset Shimmer.

"Right, but my guess is that something else suddenly came up," Armin guessed.

"Like what?" asked Jean.

"Something that took the focus off of destroying the wall," Armin responded. "Something unexpected that happened."

"Eren's transformation?!" gasped Jean.

"I think that's the only possibility," stated Armin.

"Which means basically," said Jean.

"It was someone who was there..." Armin responded. "Someone who had actually seen Eren transform. They're the Titans!"

Inside the forest, the mysterious Scout got away from the Levi Squad before they could reach it. Eren could only watch Gunther's dead body swaying side to side.

"Gunther!" called Eren, once again.

"Eren! Don't stop!" yelled Oruo, pulling him forwards. "Keep moving!"

Oruo then lets go of Eren, and now only 3 members are left, Lightning Dust, Oruo, and Eld. All of them zipped through the forest, leaving Gunther's body behind, dangling.

"But Gunther is...!" yelled Eren.

Eren was then cut off at the sight of the mysterious Scout behind them.

"Who's that?!" asked Lightning Dust.

"Protect Eren!" yelled Eld.

"Damn! What now!" yelled Oruo. "Which way do we go, Eld?!"

"There's no time to get our horses!" yelled Eld. 'Head for HQ at full speed!"

As Eren and the Levi Squad continued to fly and swing though the forest, they all kept an eye out for the mysterious Scout, who was still trailing them.

"Is it the Female Titan's operator?!" wondered Oruo. "Or, is there more than one?!"

"Damn!" Whoever it is, you're gonna pay if it's the last thing I do!" yelled Lighting Dust.

"The Female Titan?!" thought Eren. "That can't be right, I thought we caught her!"

The mysterious Scout then fell back and flew behind a tree, not coming out of the other side. Eld and Lighting Dust were facing the tree the soldier hid behind, expecting their next move each moment. Oruo and Eren had their bodies aimed forwards but their gazes aimed backwards.

"If the enemy can remain able-bodied, it's possible it can make the Titan reappear, too," said Erwin.

Behind the Levi Squad, a giant lighting bolt shot up into the sky and a bright, giant, yellow light erupted through the trees behind them.

"I hate being right," said Oruo.

"No time to lose! Move it!" yelled Eld. "The Female Titan is coming for us!"

Sure enough, behind them the Female Titan, now fully formed and restored, appeared behind the steam and trees , and started to give chase towards the Levi Squad.

"Damn you! This time I'll kill her myself!" declared Eren, placing his hand in his mouth.

"No!" shouted Eld, stopping Eren in his actions. "The three of us will take her down! You just keep heading for HQ as fast as you can!"

The Female Titan was hot on their trail and with no distractions in her way she could give a real chase.

"This enemy has forced us to rethink everything we learned that we have have no hope of surpassing the enemy," stated Erwin. "What seems the most logical strategy might be the worst course of action. Mark my words the time will come, but risking everything is the only choice we have."

"I can fight her too!" objected Eren.

"Just go! This is the best course of action!" shouted Eld. "We can't afford you to be put you at risk!"

"Have you learn nothing!" yelled Oruo. "After all of this you still doubt our skills?!"

"Is this true, Eren?!" asked Lightning Dust. "I thought you had faith in us, that you trusted us!"

Eren couldn’t help but be reminded of the similar exchange he had with the Levi Squad being chased while on horseback. Now Eren’s trust was beginning to return.

"Unless we fight that way, humanity can never win," said Erwin.

With Eren's faith and trust in his comrades overriding his belief, he lowered his hand back down and looked forward, speeding ahead of the Levi Squad.

"I have faith in the Levi Squad's victory!" shouted Eren. "Good luck!"

Lightning Dust smiled at Eren's trust, Eld and Oruo smirked at Eren's faith. The three of them turned back and swung towards the Female Titan. Eren looked back as the battle started to unfold. Eld took the lead, while Lightning Dust and Oruo were right behind Eld ready for their battle.

Eld lunged towards the Female Titan with his swords raised above his head. The Female Titan attempted to grab Eld, but Eld shot a hook behind his ODM gear. The hooks latched onto a nearby tree and reeled back Eld from the Female Titan's reach.

With a giant puff of gas came from Eld's ODM gear, concealing the Female Titan's sight. Then, Lightning Dust and Oruo swung on Eld's side and fired hooks, latching on to the muscle of the Female Titan's face, surprising her. Both of them swung and pulled themselves towards the Female Titan's face. Lightning Dust and Oruo rotated their bodies as they were pulled to the Female Titan and with their swords in their grasp and slashed the titans’s eyes, Levi style.

Eren looked back in amazement to see blood spurting from the sockets of the Female Titan's eyes. Without her eyes, the Female Titan was forced to lean against a nearby tree and cover her nape with her hand.

"We've blinded her!" Eld observed. "That should give us a minute before she could regenerate!"

"We'll finish her before then!" thought Lightning Dust.

"The hell with capturing you!" declared Oruo.

"We're gonna kill you!" Eld declared.

"We're gonna crave you up!" Lightning Dust declared.

"We'll make you pay, bitch!" Oruo resolved.

The Female Titan then completely leaned against a tree and covered her nape with both of her hands. Eld swung around the Female Titan and observed her.

"Forget about getting your eyes back! Covering your neck isn't going to save you!" Eld thought.

Eld looked at Lightning Dust and Oruo and have both of them on where to strike. Lightning Dust and Oruo got the signal and nodded. Both of them crisscrossed over one another as they swung high in the air. Their hooks were latched to a tree's bark, allowing them to tip their bodies back and for a swing in a perfect sync with one another.

With gas streaming out of the main housing of their ODM gear, both of them shot down towards the Female Titan's arms. Both of them made deep gashes against the arms. Eld then flew across the Female Titan's right arm and made a deep gash at the armpit area. Eld landed on the side of a tree bark with an angry glare.

"We'll keep slicing those shoulders till your arms are worthless!" planned Eld. "Trust me we know what we're doing! NO MERCY!!!"

Eld then pushed off a tree and made deep slashes against the Female Titan's arms. Eld started to fall back and Lightning Dust and Oruo swung in, ready to slaughter the Female Titan.

"We'll cut you to ribbons...!" declared Lightning Dust, slicing a part of the arm.

"Lop up your arms...!" declared Oruo, slicing the right arm.

"Send you to hell!" finished Eld, making a deep slice.

All three of them sliced at every inch of arm of the Female Titan. With final cuts, both of the Female Titan's arms slid out of the nape and fell limply on her sides.

"They're down!" yelled Oruo, swinging across.

"Now go for her neck!" shouted Eld, drawing two new fresh blades.

"Take out the muscles supporting her neck!" yelled Oruo, drawing a new blade.

"We can go for her nape!" yelled Lightning Dust, drawing a new blade.

All three of them swung towards the Female Titan. From a distance, Eren watched the whole battle in amazement in their synergy.

"They go it totally overwhelmed. They're good!" thought Eren. "And they pulled it off a coordinated attack just like that, without saying a word! It must be because they trust each other as teammates. That's how they've lasted so long. That's why they're so tough even after losing Gunther!"

Eren, feeling if they would accomplish their task with no problems, continued to look ahead and zip through the forest.

"Gotta keep going!" he resolved. "I just gotta trust everyone and keep moving with out looking back! That's the right choice! I finally know the right answer!"

Then, out of nowhere, Eren gasped as he remembered Levi's advice earlier in the forest.

"Truth is I don't know which is better. I never have. Should I act on my own or should I put myself in the hands of my comrades, either way there's no guarantee."

Levi's memories caused Eren to look back in horror. Eld then latched himself to the Female Titan and swung towards her.

"Say goodbye to your nape!" yelled Eld.

Suddenly, the Female Titan's right eye had regenerated and opened from her socket. With her vision mostly restored, the Female Titan clamped down on Eld. This horrified Eren, Lightning Dust, and Oruo, who all looked in horror at their second squad member: Eld Gin died in front of their eyes. Then, the Female Titan bit down on Eld, severing his lower half of his body, blood sprayed over her face as she bit down.

"ELD!!!" called Lightning Dust.

The Female Titan the spat out Eld's upper half of his body, now with a missing arm. Seeing Eld's death, Eren, now fearful again for the lives of his comrades and his wrong choice, quickly wrapped around a tree and screamed desperately in horror. Lightning Dust was caught off guard by this ability, she started to fall back and reeling herself backwards getting away from the Female Titan in complete shock.

"How?!" questioned Lightning Dust. "She can see again that's impossible! It hasn't even been thirty seconds..."

Lightning Dust looked back at the Female Titan, who looked at her next target with one eye.

"Only one eye?! She healed just one eye quickly?!" shouted Lightning Dust. "How can she do that?!"

The Female Titan then started to chase Lightning Dust, her damaged arms flayed out behind herself as it allowed her to gain speed. Lightning Dust was still shocked and at the Female Titan's ability. Then, Oruo tried to follow the Female Titan.

"Lightning! Pull yourself together!" yelled Oruo.

The Female Titan then increased her speed and leaped.

"LIGHTNING DUST!!! HURRY!!!" yelled Oruo.

Lightning Dust lets a horrified scream as the Female Titan drove her foot into Lightning Dust. Her foot crushed Lightning Dust into a tree, breaking her spine. Huge amounts of blood splattered on the side of the tree. Eren screamed in horror at the sight of Lightning Dust's death.

With Lighting Dust's death, if only left Oruo to fight the Female Titan. Enraged by his comrades' death he fired a hook. The hook latched on to the nape of the Female Titan.

"Now, DIIIIIEEEE!!!" yelled Oruo.

Oruo sliced the nape of the Female Titan, but much to his surprise, the strike didn't kill the Female Titan. The nape of had harden her nape causing minimal damage to her nape and his blades broke off.

"What the hell?" questioned an overwhelmed Oruo. "Why didn't my blades pierce it?"

The Female Titan the delivered a roundhouse kick to Oruo. His body hit every tree that was in front of him. Blood splattered on the trees Oruo's body hit. The Female Titan landed back on the ground after killing the three Levi Squad members.

Upon seeing his comrades' death, Eren swung back towards the Female Titan, filled with regret, guilt, and anger. Eren was in utter shock after his result of his decision.

"I'm gonna..." Eren thought

Eld's upper body lied on the ground motionless as the surrounding grass was covered in blood. Lightning Dust's body was against the tree with the bark covered in blood.

"I'm gonna..." muttered Eren.

Oruo's body lied there with a pool of blood from the kick.

"KILL YOU!!!" yelled Eren.

Eren then began to fall. He clamped down on his hand, he burst into a bright, yellow light in front of the Female Titan. When the bright light died, Eren had transformed into his Titan form. The steam started faded as Eren's Titan lets out a loud and savage roar. He planted his feet down as was dragging it. Eren's Titan roared loudly as it started to run towards the Female Titan.

Back at the main path, the roar of Eren's Titan alerted Erwin, who quickly looked back at the roar.

As Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Indigo Zap swung to regroup, all of them heard a roar. Mikasa recognized the roar and looked back with concern.

"That's Eren!" realized Mikasa.

Mikasa then went to the opposite direction away from the others.

"Hold on a second! Mikasa!" called Sasha.

Rainbow Dash was about to follow Mikasa, until she was stopped by Applejack.

"Whoa there, Nelly..." said Applejack.

"Applejack, let me go!" demanded Rainbow Dash.

"It's too dangerous, Rainbow, you can get yourself killed," stated Applejack.

"Why is Mikasa going then?!" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Mikasa is strong and knows better than you," responded Applejack.

"Are you saying that I'm weak?!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

"Hey! Shut up and bicker later!" yelled Indigo Zap.

Rainbow Dash groaned and started to follow Indigo Zap, Applejack started to follow Rainbow Dash.

Levi and Petra continued to zip through the forest, where his squad would be, until both of them heard the roar of Eren's Titan.

"Is that Eren?" wondered Petra.

"That roar," Levi thought. "This isn't good."

"Petra, stay close to me," said Levi.

"Yes, sir," nodded Petra.

Levi then grabbed Petra's hand and both of them wrapped around a tree to the roar.

Eren's Titan started to charge right at the Female Titan, ready for battle. The Female Titan got up and saw Eren's Titan charging at her with one eye. Eren's Titan had his left arm reeled back, and was ready to hit. Eren's Titan dipped down and attempted an uppercut on the Female Titan with his right arm, but the Female Titan quickly dodged the attack. She then drove her foot into his stomach.

Anger filled both of their faces as the Female Titan continued to push Eren’s titan back. Eren's Titan planted both his feet to keep it from sliding. Once he stopped sliding, he attempted to punch the Female Titan, but she backed up in time to dodge it. The Female started to lose her balance as she backed up, causing her to backup to a tree.

The Female Titan regained her balance and stood back up in front of Eren's Titan. Eren's Titan started breathing heavily, as the Female Titan's wounds in her arms and left eye started to his and steam, slowly regenerating. Eren's Titan, filled with rage, lifted both his hands up and lets out a heavy exhale. He furiously started to make several punches to the Female Titan's head. The Female Titan dodged all the jabs and hooks coming from Eren's Titan.

After missing an uppercut, Eren's Titan made a successfully hit on the Female Titan's chest, causing her to tumble to the ground. The Female Titan quickly got up as she impacted the ground and knowing that her wounds haven't healed, she quickly started to run deeper into the forest. Eren's Titan saw the Female Titan running away and furiously roared and started to chase her.

Levi and Petra got the forest. Levi had no emotion is his face, while Petra looked in horror at their comrades. They zipped pass Gunther's dangling dead body. Both of them looked on the ground as they passed Eld's severed upper body. Then, they passed by Oruo's body. They continued to zip through the forest and landed the side of a tree. Both of them looked down at the tree and looked at Lightning Dust's body against the tree. With visible sadness in his face, Levi could only blink to see his strongest soldier and first picked member died, while Petra didn't mutter a word, even though they had a rough path, they still respected each other as friends and comrades.

Further in the forest, Eren's Titan had caught up with the Female Titan and continued the battle. Eren's Titan the pushed the Female Titan, but she planted both of her feet to stop her. Eren's Titan continued to punch the Female Titan, she still managed to dodge the incoming punches. One of the punches managed to make the Female Titan to fall on her back. With her arms still wounded, Eren's Titan got on top of the Female Titan, and slammed her to the ground.

With the Female Titan pinned down to the ground, Eren's Titan lets out an enraged roar as he lifted his left fist up. Inside the nape of Eren's Titan, Eren was still filled with regret, anger, and guilt.

"I made the wrong decision when you came after us!" thought Eren. I made the choice to trust my teammates and it got four of them killed!"

Eren's Titan drove his fist into the Female Titan, but she quickly titled her head, causing Eren's Titan to punch the ground. The impact of the hand hitting the ground was hard enough to tear his elbow through his arm and caused some bone and muscle to be exposed. He then lifted his arm up, vow his fingers were dripping with blood and bones were exposed. The Female Titan and Eren's Titan continued to look at each other with angry expressions.

"If only I had trusted myself and fought from the very start...!" thought Eren. "It's all my fault?! I SHOULD'VE KILLED HER!!!"

Eren's Titan then drove his left fist into the Female Titan again, but she quickly titled her head, causing him to ounch the ground. This time, the impact tore his wrist open and his hand dangled, making both of them useless. Both of them continued to stare at each other with angry looks.

"Back then... I should've changed into a Titan then," he thought. "No, even earlier, I've should've fought back. And with Captain Levi there. We've would've beaten her. We've could've captured this monster!"

“You aren’t wrong. If you want to do it, do it.”

"It was... It was my choice. And because of that choice, four of my squad mates are dead! All four of them gone!" he resumed. "And I'm to blame?! No, more than anything! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!"

Eren’s Titan bent down at the Female Titan’s face and started roaring into it, the Female Titan’s only reaction being to turn its head away.

"I'm going to rip you to shreds! Once my hands heal... I'll tear you apart... piece by piece! THEN I'LL DEVOUR YOU!!!" declared Eren.

Eren’s rage and fury began to consume his titan as it lifted its arms up, jerked its head in all directions, chattered its jaw, and rolled its eyes into the back of its head. Inside the nape of his Titan, Eren smiled and was breathing heavily.

Then, the Female Titan's left eye had fully regenerated and her arms had fully healed. She grabbed the arm of Eren's Titan. With her other arm, it placed it on Eren’s Titan’s knee and pushed out of Eren’s hold, freeing herself. Eren's Titan's hand had completely healed and attempted to punch the Female Titan. She dodged the punch and kicked Eren's Titan off of her, sending him flying towards a tree.

The Female Titan got up and looked back. Eren's Titan quickly performed an uppercut, but to only clip her face. He then attempted to punch her, but she rolled on the ground, dodging it and making Eren's Titan roll on the ground. Eren's titan quickly got up and made the Female Titan lean against a tree. He lets out loud and savage and attempts another punch, which she quickly leaped to get out of the way.

Eren's Titan started to jab at her, but she dodged all the attacks. He then attempts a powerful punch, but the Female Titan hardened her hand and punched his lower jaw smashing it, like a pumpkin. The Female Titan's eyes widen as she saw Eren's Titan's upper jaw sliding against her arm. Eren's Titan delivered a powerful uppercut to the Female Titan's gut, sending her flying. With the Female Titan looked disoriented from the hit, Eren’s titan used the opportunity and charged at her. The Female Titan saw Eren charging at her and quickly got out of the way, causing Eren's Titan's head to hit his head.

Eren's Titan panted heavily from exhaustion, while the Female Titan ran off and stopped to catch her breath. With the fight not seeming to go one way or the other, the Female Titan turned around to face Eren’s Titan once again. As Eren’s Titan readied himself, something about the Female Titan struck something inside Eren himself. Inside the Titan, Eren knew what was coming.

The Female Titan drove her foot through Eren's wrist and head. Slicing both of it off and the tree near him. Without the head controlling it, Eren's Titan body fell onto the ground, as the head impacted the ground.

The Female Titan walked toward's Eren's Titan and knelt down. She then opened her mouth wide out, with tremendous strength, the Female Titan opened its jaw wide, tearing the cheeks that kept it together. She bite down on the nape of Eren's Titan and ripped it. When the nape was ripped, it revealed a defeated, exhausted, and emotionally torn Eren Jaeger.

"EREN NOOOOOO!!!" yelled Mikasa.

Mikasa quickly zipped through the forest to rescue him, but much to her horror she didn't make it in time.

The Female Titan then bit down on Eren and titled her head back. Mikasa watched in horror as Eren was then eaten by the Female Titan. The Female Titan wiped here mouth and started to run away.

"W-Wait... Eren," Mikasa whimpered. "Don't leave me."

Mikasa’s scared and horrified face soon turned to anger as she pushed the bottom trigger of her controller and sped off, chasing the Female Titan and rescuing Eren.

"Give Eren..." seethed Mikasa.

The Female Titan spotted Mikasa behind her and promptly covered her nape.

"Give Eren..." she repeated. "BACK!!!"

She attempted to use Levi's spin move, but to only clip her face. She attempted to slice at the Female Titan, but to only clip where she tried to slice. Mikasa then swung towards her face, then The Female Titan attempted to grab her, but Mikasa sliced part of her nose. She then swung from behind the Female Titan.

"Give him back!" demanded Mikasa.

She then sliced the ligaments behind her knee, causing her to fall and stop. Mikasa attempted to slice the Female Titan's hand, but her hand had crystallized before she could strike. Both of her blades broke from the base and she landed on top of a nearby tree.

"Why can't my blades penetrate it?!" she wondered.

The Female Titan then looked at Mikasa.

"He is alive!" Mikasa hoped.

She then took off her broken blades and took out two new blades.

"Eren... is alive!"

Mikasa then observed the Female Titan from her tree.

"I don't you are," said Mikasa. 'I'm going to slaughter this girl, butcher her body, and get you out of that foul place. Sorry, Eren... Just hang on a little longer..."

The Female Titan the got hung and attempted to crush Mikasa, but she quickly dodged it. The Female Titan continued to run away, while Mikasa continued to pursue the Female Titan.

"Wait!" yelled Mikasa.

Then, Levi swooped in and grabbed Mikasa, and Petra was behind them.

"Stay back for now," said Levi.

"It's dangerous," said Petra.

Levi the lets go of Mikasa and all three of them started to pursue the Female Titan.

"Maintain this distance," said Levi. "She must be worn out, too. She's not so fast anymore. It looked like she bit the entire nape off. Is Eren dead?"

Mikasa didn’t answer him, instead focused on saving Eren, whom she knew with all her soul that he was alive, from the mouth of the Female Titan.

The Defeated: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 6

After making a comeback, the Female Titan took out the elites members of the Levi Squad one after another, leaving Petra and Eren. Blaming himself for trusting his comrades, Eren made a resolute decision. He fought in his transformation state, but the Female Titan defeated him and took him away.

Levi, Petra, and Mikasa were pursuing the Female Titan from behind.

"Maintain this distance," said Levi. "She must be worn out, too. She's not so fast anymore. It looked like she bit the entire nape off. Is Eren dead?"

Mikasa grunted as she looked ahead towards her target.

"He's alive," Mikasa answered.

"I doubt that," said Petra.

"Look, the target seems intelligent and intend on taking Eren away," explained Mikasa. "If she wanted Eren dead, could've just simply crushed him. Instead, it needs her hands to fight, so she's been holding him on her tongue."

"Eating Eren could be her goal," suggested Levi. "If so, he's in her stomach, which would mean Eren's probably dead.

"He's alive," assured Mikasa.

"Let's hope so," said Levi.

Mikasa grunted again, still pent up with her emotions from Levi beating up Eren in the trail.

"This never would've happened in the first place if you just done your goddamn job of protecting him," scolded Mikasa.

"I see, a childhood friend," said Levi, looking back at Mikasa. "Let's narrow our goals down to one. First, forget of taking her down.

"She's killed too many of our comrades," Mikasa proclaimed.

"It's impossible. She has the ability to harden her skin," stated Levi. "Do as I say. We're going to set all our hops on Eren being alive and rescue him before she leaves the forest. Me and Petra will handle the cutting. You distract her."

"Right," responded Mikasa.

"Petra, stay behind, you'll come in when I call you," said Levi. "Remember, don't lose focus, I'm not losing my last member to a foot."

"Yes, sir," nodded Petra.

With that, Mikasa got in front of the Female Titan, swinging low to the ground and zipped through the legs of the Female Titan, crisscrossing the Female Titan. trying to make her obvious. Behind, Petra started to fall back to get a safe distance, but had her swords, ready. Levi was carefully flew close to the Female, looking upon the Female's next move.

Even with Mikasa's efforts, the Female Titan paid no attention to them, but was aware of Levi and Petra, who were hot on her trail. Levi, knowing a confrontation soon, he wielded one of his two swords in a reverse grip with the bladed pointing down from the bottom of his grasp. He was ready for the cutting.

As quick as lightning, the Female Titan spun around and attempted to throw a punch at Levi. Levi reacted twice as quick, he used his signature spin technique to quickly spin his body around with the blades moving in the direction of his twirl. Blood trailed him as he sliced the Female Titan's arm. Levi stopped spinning and with great speed, he lunged at the Female Titan's face, catching her off-guard. Levi drove both of her blades into the Female Titan's eyes.

Levi detached his blades from his control grip, leaving the blades stuck in the Female Titan's eyes. Levi then pushed himself off of the Female Titan's face and took out a fresh pair of new blades.

"Petra!" called Levi. "Now!"

"Yes, sir!" yelled Petra.

Both Levi and Petra shot down towards the Female Titan with a strong burst of gas from their ODM gear. Knowing that its attacker was too fast to attack, the Female Titan put its right hand over her nape. Both of them aimed under the Female Titan's arm. Both of them whirred around and spun down the female's back, then front of thighs, and then the back on the calves. Using the Female Titan to get back up, both of them swung behind the Female Titan once again and slashed her wrist. The combination cause the Female Titan to fall on her bottom and against a tree.

"They're fast!" thought Mikasa, watching at their synergy. "She can't even harden her skin in time!"

Levi and Petra continued to to slice at every inch of the Female Titans. Petra then used Levi's signature spin technique to slice the Female Titan's arm, surprising Levi, knowing that he taught her well. Both of them continued to the slice at the arms, until both of the arms slide out, exposing her nape.

"Her nape..." realized Mikasa. "It's wide open! She's worn down! I doubt she can move now! I can kill her!"

Mikasa then latched onto the Female Titan's shoulder, swinging towards Female's nape. Levi and Petra saw what Mikasa was doing.

"Wait!" yelled Petra.

"Don't do it!" Levi yelled.

The Female Titan hardened her nape and raised her hand to grab Mikasa. Seeing that she won't make it, Levi swooped in and pushed Mikasa out of the way. Levi landed on top of the Female Titan's hand, but the rescue made him unprepared for the weight of his left foot. With a loud and sickening pop, Levi had rolled his ankle and twisted it, causing Levi to wince in pain.

Levi ignored the pain and pushed off of the Female Titan's hand. Petra and Levi sliced each of the Female Titan's cheeks. With her cheeks cut, the weight inside her mouth and the crippling fatigue, the bottom jaw dropped, revealing an unconscious Eren.

“Eren!" called Mikasa.

Levi quickly swooped in and landed on the side of the Female Titan's mouth, grabbing Eren and swinging off. Petra then followed Levi quickly to get out. Mikasaa swung to a nearby tree and landed on the side of it.

"Hey!" called Levi. "Time to go!"

"Eren," sighed Mikasa.

"He's fine, disgusting, but alive," stated Levi. "What did I tell you about taking her down. We need to withdraw. Don't lose sight of what this operation is about. Don't screw this up by making this personal, you understand? He's a dear friend to you, isn't he?"

"No... I'm..." Mikasa muttered.

Levi, carrying Eren, Petra, and Mikasa zipped through the forest getting away from the Female Titan. Levi looked back at the Female Titan and was shocked at his sight. Tears started streaming down the Female Titan's eyes.

Calaneth District

Back in the Calaneth District, news of the Scout's return had spread around the town, sparking confusion and disbelief among the civilians.

"They're coming back already?" asked a male civilian. "What happened?"

"Dunno," answered another male civilian. "But I bet they're bringing back another load of corpse with them."

Inside a house, a young woman looked outside the window. Then, an older woman comes behind behind her carrying tow buckets.

"It sounds like Eld is on his way back," said the older woman.

The younger woman turns around to the older woman.

"Oh..." answered the younger woman with no emotion.

Out along the side of another house, two young boys and two older boys were doing various things. Two of the young boys were washing clothes in a shallow, sudsy tub, while the other sat on one of the stone steps and read from his book. One of the bolder boys was drying the clothes on a drying rack, while the other older boy was helping the younger boy clean.

As the boys were doing their thing, behind a man was peering into a window with a little boy on his head talking to his wife, as she was cooking.

"Think ol' Oruo will have time to stop by home?" asked the man.

"I'll set a plate for him just in case," said the wife.

Inside another house, an old man with a thick mustache and balding was sitting in a rocking chair, idly enjoying his afternoon.

"Gunther is coming back, you know," said a woman.

The old man opened his eyes.

"I see," said the old man.

Outside the Calaneth District, several Scouts made it out of the forest. Several Scouts were on the lookout for any Titans wondering in their area. Mikasa walked over to the cart that had the unconscious Eren, his head banged, lying down on his back and wrapped up up in the Scout Legion cloak. Mikasa looked to her left and saw a line of cots with bodies, fully wrapped up.

Several Scouts were carrying the dead carefully and placing them in wagons. Levi and Petra stood in front Lightning Dust's wrapped body. Petra wrapped her arm around Levi to comfort him.

On the other side, Armin, Jean were helping to load the dead into the wagon. Armin, Twilight, Sunset, and Sunset placed the bodies onto the wagon with little emotion, while Jean was obviously distressed about it.

"This is the one thing I'll never get used to," said Jean

"I doubt anyone could," said Armin.

"How my comrades are gonna die How I'm gonna die? That's all I started to think about," said Jean.

"I try not to think about it at all," said Armin. "Because if I started picturing my own death, I'd probably lose the ability to fight."

"Yeah, Jean silently agreed. "You're exactly right.

Conny and Sasha were standing by their horses, feeding them. Neither of them were particularly sad, seeing as they had survived and would be going home, but Conny knew that their survival was really nothing to celebrate.

"How long do you think we can survive?' asked Conny.

"We've managed to survive so far, at least," said Sasha.

"Yeah, so far," said Conny.

"We should be glad that we're still alive," said Sasha.

"Can you say that to the bodies of the guys who died?" asked Conny

Sasha didn’t respond, finally understanding how dire humanity’s situation was right now. Conny continued to look down at the ground, feeling worse and worse.

"We might never get to see our hometowns again," Conny muttered.

On the other side, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, and Lemon Zest were all sitting on a cart, waiting for orders to head back.

"This whole journey was such a mistake," whimpered Fluttershy. "Death was in every corner, no one to help."

"Said that to the dead," said Sunny Flare.

"This is possibly the worst than the first battle," said Starlight Glimmer.

"What now?" asked Lemon Zest.

"We should be leaving until they get the dead," said Sunset Shimmer.

Rainbow Dash then looked at a cart.

"What is it Rainbow?" asked Indigo Zap.

"Nothing, just Eren," responded Rainbow Dash.

"I'm sure he's okay," said Applejack.

"Let's hope so," said Twilight Sparkle.

On the other side, Erwin was with other Scouts as they gathered, searched, and organized the dead and missing soldiers.

"We're nearly finished, sir," said a Scout with wavy hair and the thin outline of a mustache. "However, five or so bodies were unrecoverable."

"Not even pieces of them, Peer?" asked Erwin.

"The Titans didn't leave much to recover," responded Peer. "I feel like it'd be better for the families if we didn't bring back what's left."

"Put them down as "missing," said Erwin.

"Yes, sir," said Peer. "We've spotted several Titans in the vicinity of the forest, but none are yet headed this way."

"We move at once. Inform the squads," ordered Erwin, giving Peer a clipboard.

"Yes, sir," said Peer.

"I refuse to accept this, Commander Erwin!" yelled a Scout with shaggy blond hair and light bluish-gray eyes. "We should recover them! Ivan's body was right there in front of us!

"There were Titans there too, Dieter!" stated Peer. "We could end up as casualties ourselves!"

"Then we can just take them out if they attack!" suggested Dieter.

"Ivan and I grew up in the same town," stated Jurgen. "I know his parents, too! I'd at least like to take him home!"

"Quit being selfish!" demanded Peer.

"A bunch of brats arguing," said Levi.

"Captain Levi!" called Peer.

"if you've confirmed his death, then that's enough," said Levi. "He's dead. Whether or not we have his body makes no difference."

"You can't be serious," said Jurgen.

"Ivan and the others will be put down as "missing," said Erwin. "the decision is final. Just let it go."

Erwin, Levi started to walk away from the two Scouts and Petra followed Levi.

"Do you neither of you have any human feelings at all?!" asked Dieter.

'Hey, dieter! Watch what you're saying!" scolded Peer.

Dieter could only watch as Erwin walked further away, their chances of saving their friend had gone.

The remaining soldiers of the Scouting Legion got back in formation and started to head back towards the Calaneth District. Mikasa rode next to the wagon, containing Eren. Mikasa watched him carefully so nothing could hurt him even more.

"Hey, he's okay," assured Applejack.

At the back, two wagons were carrying the dead in a cart. Two Scouts were sitting at the end of each cart, looking down. Then, one of the Scouts looked in the open and saw something that frightened him.

"Titans!" called the Scout.

Mikasa and Applejack looked back. Sure enough, behind them, two Titans were running towards them. In front of the two Titans, Jurgen and Dieter, carrying the dead Ivan on his back, galloped away to get away from two Titans chasing them.

"That's Dieter!" realized Peer. "That retarded idiot!"

Peer then shot a red signal flare in the air.

"Titan spotted by the rear!" yelled a Scout.

"Full speed!" yelled Erwin.

"i don't see any large trees or buildings," observed Levi. "We can't fight freely out here."

"Fleeing to the wall will be quicker," assured Erwin.

Levi winced and started to fall back.

Behind, the two Titans continued to chase. dieter looked back to see a Titan swiping at him. Dieter ducked down to dodge the swipe, but the ducking down caused Ivan's body to fall off. Dieter looked as his friend got further away while the Titan continued to chase them. He looked to his right to see Jurgen grabbed by a Titan.

Dieter turned around and swung towards the Titan that grabbed Jurgen. The Titan that was chasing Dieter was now chasing the wagons.

"It's about to catch up to us!" yelled Armin.

"We're gonna have to fight!" yelled Jean.

"ODM can't accomplish much on flat ground," said Twilight Sparkle.

"Look, they just keep coming!" spotted Armin.

Three more Titans started to run towards the Scouts.

"Then what do you suggest we do?!" asked Jean.

Armin looked at the wagon carrying the dead bodies.

"We need to..." said Armin.

Behind them, the Titan that grabbed Jurgen ate him like a noodle. The Titan then grabbed Dieter from the air. He screamed in fear as the Titan was about to devour him. Then, Mikasa swung up and sliced the Titan's nape, killing it. Dieter got out of the Titan's grasp with fear in his eyes.

Back at the wagons, the Titan was now closer to them as it continued to chase them.

"It's no use! It's catching up!' yelled a Scout.

"I'll get it from behind and distract it!" planned the second Scout. "Use that chance."

"Don't bother," said Levi. "Dump the bodies. Before it catches up."

'But, sir!" called Levi.

"There have been countless people before whose bodies were left behind," stated Levi. "These ones aren't somehow special."

"Are we going to do that?" asked the Scout. "Are we really going to do it?!"

"Damn," cringed Levi in pain, grabbing his leg.

"We got no other choice!" yelled the second Scout.

Both of them lowered the wagon's doors. They dumped the first body, as it rolled on the ground. The Titan behind them didn't bother about the body. Armin and Jean watched as the dumped a second body to the ground, but the body got crushed. They dumped a third body, Levi looked back to see his best soldier's body getting dumped. Levi looked forward, to ignore it. The body then started to slow down the Titan.

"That's it!" yelled the Scout. "Keep moving!"

With all the Titan distracted the Scouts continued to head towards the Calaneth District.

The Scouts then stopped and took a break to look at the directions of where they are now and how far are they.

"We leave as soon as we've confirmed our positions!" yelled a Scout. "Stay sharp!"

"We need to make a slight course correction to the east," pointed another Scout.

Dieter stood there in shock and with trauma. Then, Levi rode next to Dieter and got off his horse.

"Captain Levi," called Dieter.

Levi the walked up to Dieter.

"This is proof that they once lived," said Levi. "That's how I see it, anyway."

Levi then handed Dieter of the Scout's badge, shocking Dieter in the process.

"It's Ivan's," stated Levi.

Tears started to wield up in Dieter's eyes. They soon started to stream down his face.

"Captain..." he cried.

Levi started to walk away from Dieter and got on his horse and galloped away, leaving Dieter crying. He placed the badge on his forehead as he continued to cry.

"Let's move out!" yelled a Scout.

A purple flower was swaying in the wind in a sunny day. A young Eren and Mikasa walked up a path to their house on top of the hill.

“Eren, maybe you should let the Scout Regiment thing go,” suggested Mikasa.

Eren was shocked to hear that and turned around.

“Seriously? Why does everyone think that they’re a joke?” asked Eren.

“It’s not about what I think,” said Mikasa.

Then in the distance, the town bell starts to ring across town.

“They’re back! We can make it back when we hurry,” said Eren excitedly. “Come one get a move on, I want a good view.”

Eren grabs Mikasa’s arm and both of them start to head towards the gate.

Eren and Mikasa got on top of some boxes and saw the Scouts entering. Eren then looked back and saw and was in shock to see the injured. Many soldiers came back with no emotions on their faces. Others were badly wounded with missing limbs, eyes, and bandages over them.

“Sure taken a hit haven’t they?” asked a civilian.

“Yeah, the rest got eaten,” said another. “That’s what happens if pride takes you outside the walls."

"Our taxes are basically going to feeding and fattening those things up now,” stated a thrid.

Eren then grabbed a stick from the ground.

"Eren!" called Mikasa.

Just as he was about to hit him in the head with the stick, he stopped in his tracks.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Eren lowered his stick, now present age started to shake. Eren continued to stand behind the civilians. Now, for all his childlike admiration of the Scouts, now that he was a soldier of their division, Eren could feel firsthand how badly he and the others had failed.

Eren," called Mikasa.

"Eren!" called Mikasa.

Eren woke up in reality. He looked to see Mikasa standing next to him.

"Eren?" called Mikasa once again.

Eren got up and looked at Mikasa.

"You shouldn't get up yet," she said. "You need to rest."

"Where's the Female Titan?" he asked.

"She got away," she answered.

"Why? What about the operation?" asked Eren.

"It failed," Mikasa responded.

"What about the girls?" asked Eren.

"They're fine," assured Mikasa.

Eren lets out a sigh of relief, knowing that they're safe.

"You need to rest for now," said Mikasa.

"How did I get here?" he asked. "Did you save me again?"

Mikasa didn't answer and fixed her scarf.

"We're almost to the wall now," she said.

The cart passed over a hill, the walls of the Calaneth District were now visible. The Scouts were just a mile away from the district.

As the defeated Scouts came marching in the Calanth District, the civilians were gathered to see the Scout's return. Just like Eren's past, multiple Scouts had missing limbs and bandages wrapped around their head.

"Is it me, or are there fewer than this morning?" asked a male civilian.

"A lot fewer," said a female civilian.

"Another bad one," said a second male civilian.

"They left this morning shouting and roaring, and now their back?!" asked a third civilian.

"What did they leave for?!" asked a fourth.

"Beats me," responded a fifth. "But from what brooding looks on their faces... I'd say they succeeded in pouring our tax money down the drain."

Eren, with an angry expression tried to get up and give the civilian a piece of his mind, but Mikasa stopped him from doing it.

"Eren. Endure it," said Mikasa.

Eren looked over the cart in anger but, only to see the little boy and girl from earlier. The little boy was smiling at the Scout's return. Eren and Mikasa’s déjà vu was in fever pitch, almost imagining themselves back in Shiganshina.

"The Scout Regiment is awesome!" shouted the boy. "Even when they're so beat-up they keep on fighting!"

Eren got back down on the cart, now with a sadden look on his face.

Jean, Reiner, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, and Sunset Shimmer and Armin passed more citizens, bowing their heads or shielding their faces with their arms out of shame. Ymir, Christa, and Fluttershy looked down as they walked down the street. Bertholdt, Sasha, Rarity, Sunny Flare, and Sour Sweet all looked down in defeat. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Indigo Zap, and Lemon Zest looked down in shame, even Pinkie Pie had the feeling of sadness in her heart.

"Captain Levi, sir!" called a man. "Thanks for looking after my daughter! I'm Petra's father! I'd like to discuss before she spots me."

Petra's father took out an envelop from his vest.

"She sent me a letter, you see, She said she was assigned to serve you because you recognized her skill. She said she wants to devote her all to you. Basically, the girl's so starry-eyed that she has no idea how worried her parents are! So, well, as her father, you see, I feel it's a bit too early to let her get married to you. She's still young and has so much experience."

Levi listen to the words of Petra's father. He knew that she was alive, but didn't want to be rude and interrupt him as he spoke.

"Mr. Rall, your daughter she's behind me," said Levi.

"She is?" he asked.

He looked behind Levi to see her daughter, alive.

"Petra!" called her father.

Petra smiled as she saw her father standing in front of her.

"Dad!" called Petra, running to hug him.

"How are you?," asked her father.

"I'm fine, well minus the part where I almost died," said Petra.

"Who saved you?' asked her father.

She looked at her savior and locked her daze on Levi.

"Levi," sighed Petra.

His father was shocked to hear her answer.

"So how is the Levi business?" asked his father.

Petra looked at her father in shock, while Levi stopped and turned around as he heard his name. When Levi looked at Petra, she quickly turned her face around, hiding the massive blush on her face. Petra looked through her hair to see Levi turning away and walking away.

"Dad! Do we even have to talk about this?!" asked Petra.

"Hey, I was just asking," said his father.

"Petra!" called Levi. "We need to go!"

"Yes, sir!" shouted Petra. "i need to go, Dad."

"Okay, bye sweetie take care," waved Petra's father.

"Bye Dad!" Petra waved back.

Petra caught up with Levi, this time she was closer to him. Even though she was alive she couldn't help to think about her comrades.

Erwin passed by the angry crowd of civilians, who started to bombard him with questions.

"Commander Erwin!" called a male civilian. "Please answer us!"

"Were the gains from this expedition worth the number of lives lost?!" asked a female civilian.

"Do you honestly believe the soldiers died without regrets?!" asked another male civilian.

Erwin didn't answer a single question coming from the civilians. He continued to walk through the crowd of angry civilians.

Inside Eren's wagon, Eren covered his eyes as he started to break down in tears and started to cry while Mikasa sat next to Eren, gripping his hand tightly.

The cost and casualties incurred by this latest exterior expedition dealt a heavy blow enough to destroy the Scout Regiment's support. Erwin and the others in charge found themselves summoned to the capital with one simply order. To hand over Eren.

Smile: Assault on Stohess, Part 1

Outside a misty forest, a younger Annie Leonhart was punching and kicking a punching bag as a man watches her at her close combat skills.

"That's it, Annie!" shouted the man.

Annie continued to punched and kicked the punching bag.

"I'd expect no less from my daughter!" scolded the man.

Annie raised both her fist up and panted heavily, exhaling the cold air.

"What are you doing, Annie?!" scolded the man. "Not resting!"

Taking her father's words, she continued to punch the punching bag, furiously.

Annie’s eyes fluttered open as she sat up in her bed, she looked off into her room, which was about as messy as her untied hair. There were clothes strewn about, hanging from drawers and the bunk beds, books on the floor and a doughnut on her table.

Wall Sina

Eastern fortified city

Stohess District

Inside the Stohess District, there were beautiful buildings along the district. Multiple story buildings were across and the color was formal. The civilians that lived in the Stohess District were wearing formal clothes. The news of Eren's summoning was spread like a wild fire.

"What? You mean you haven't heard?" asked a male civilian. "The Titan boy and the big shots in charge of him are apparently being called to the capital. And they're passing through this city today."

"I see," said a male civilian wearing glasses. "Sounds like he'll get dissection for sure this time around. Whatever tha case might be, I just hope he passes through without a hitch and has the gate shut firmly behind him."

A pastor walked behind them and dropped his bag in shock.

"Did you just mention sealing the gate?!" asked the pastor. "You would suggest that we defile the walls even further?!"

The male civilian looked to see that it was a pastor.

"Maria! Rose! Sina!" named the pastor. "To define the three goddesses is to commit an unpardonable transgression!"

The pastor continued to talk to random civilians on the streets about the walls.

"They love and worship the walls as gods," stated the man with glasses. "Don't get involved."

"Man. They're still around?" asked a male civilian with a black mustache.

"Damn," said the male civilian quielty.

All three of the male civilians started to walk away from the pastor.

"Our only protectors are the walls!" continued the pastor.

Stohess District Military Branch

Annie descended down the stairs with her Military Police uniform. When she reached the ground floor multiple MPs were standing in a line.

"You're finally up," said a female MP with large amber eyes and wavy light brown hair with a goofy smile. "You look so totally scary when you're asleep that i couldn't wake you up. Sorry, Annie."

"You've been slacking a lot lately," said a tall male MP with black hair style of a bowl cut.

"What's this? Are you mad?" asked the female MP.

"She's antisocial, alright," said the tall male MP.

"Just leave her alone. She came from Trost," said Boris. "She's the only one here who's seen real action. It'll take her time to recuperate. She's just been through hell."

"Oh! I get it," said the female MP. "You have a thing for her! What can you possibly like about this girl?"

"Hitch, there's only one way to ditz like you could only get into the Military Police," said Boris.

"Oh? Whatever do you mean by that?" asked Hitch. "Say it to my face."

"Enough you two," said the male MP.

"Say it to my face," Hitch repeated.

Then, a male MP with medium-length messy brown hair, sporting a slight stubble, and tannish-colored eyes walked down the hall of the MPs. All of them saluted as he walked by them. He looked at the rports he had in his hand and started reading it off.

"Oh take it easy, guys," said the MP. "I have actual work for you today, instead of the usual odd-jobs. That's why I called you here. It's to do with the Scout Regiment group being summoned to the capital. They're passing through this town's main street today. Military Police HQ will be serving as their security escort, so we only assist while they pass through. Omni-directional mobility with city limits is temporarily authorized. You'll follow beside the convoy and help bolster security. You'll also head to the starting point by barge. That's it."

"Mat I ask something, Dennis?" asked the male MP.

"What is it, Marlo?" asked the MP.

"What are we supposed to protect the convoy from?" asked Marlo.

Dennis looked at Marlo with confusion.

"I've never heard of anyone inside this defying the royal government," said Marlo. "There may be petty criminals, but I can't imagine actual organization trying anything unless they're based outside the wall. I'm not even sure what motive they'd have."

"Oh, so you're a serious one," said Dennis walking up to Marlo. "You're in charge now. The details are all in here."

Dennis gave Marlo all the reports and started to leave the room. Marlo looked at Dennis with utter confusion.

'We officers are busy enough as it is," said Dennis. "Prove that you can handle this yourself."

Dennis then opened the door, but before leaving he turned around.

"But no screw-ups. Got it?" he asked.

He then entered the other room with a bunch of MPs sitting, playing cards, and drinking wine.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Shall we continue?" he asked. "Whose turn is it?"

Dennis then closed the door, leaving the MPs on the other side, standing.

The MPs were all stationed on a large, spacious courtyard of the headquarters. Most of them were gathered near a monument. All of them had muskets strapped on their backs. Many MPs were still bitter that Dennis gave the work to Marlo.

"Damn! This is messed up!" grunted Boris.

"Yeah, this organization's way more rotten than I imagined," said Hitch. "Well, that is why I chose it, but you get stuck doing all the work when you're a rookie here. Many, why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Bastard," whispered Marlo. "All he can think about is himself!"

"What are you talking about, Marlo?" asked Boris. "Choosing to join the Military Police makes you no difference from him."

Marlo seized up, taken aback by the response.

"No. I'm nothing like you degenerates," said Marlo. "I came to fix the Military Police!"

'Wow, Marlo," teased Hitch, clapping. "I never took you for that sort of guy!"

"How are you going to fix it?" asked Boris.

"By getting to the top, of course," responded Marlo. "Once I'm at top, I'll fix the rules and make the dishonest pay fairly for their injustices. It's that simple."

Marlo balled his hand into a fist and held it up.

"I'll simply turn them back into normal people, that's all," stated Marlo. "Back into the people they're supposed to be."

Hitch then broke out in laughter, crumpling to her knees and slapping the ground with her hand.

"Oh man! You're the real deal!" laughed Hitch. "Sorry! I originally took you for a stick-in-the-mud!"

"That's quite the noble goal," complimented Boris. "Good luck with that."

"I wonder," Annie finally spoke. "If a do-gooder like you took charge, I think that would spell the end for us."

"Oh, so you can talk," said Marlo.

"I think you're an honest person," said Annie. "Because you say honest things. I know there are people like that. It takes a lot of courage to go against the flow. I respect that. It could just be that you're all fools, though."

"No, maybe they are, but don't lump me with them," said Marlo. "Enough with this chit-chat. Let's go!"

With that, every MP got up and started to follow Marlo.

Marlo and the other MPs walked along the city's river in a straight line, ready for the Scot's arrival.

"The escort wagons will pass through the outer gate in forty-five minutes," Marlo stated. "Understood?"

"Yeah," said Hitch, lazily.

Marlo stopped in his tracks, while Hitch was yawing and unaware of Marlo stopping. She bumped into the back of Marlo.

"Hey, now!" shouted Hitch.

She then saw ferry was stopped on the side of the river, a man in a green jacket inside of it and a man in a red jacket, talking to two Military Police . Between the officers and the other man, a couple of crates with the Military Police emblem were being loaded inside.

"What's that?" wondered Hitch. "That's our equipment?"

"Must be taking it into the interior," guessed Boris.

"Still, it's strange for the merchant association to be involved," observed Marlo. "Just what are they doing?"

Then, the man in the red jacket offered them a small bag. The MPs reached inside the bag and took out a bronze coin inside the sack were indeed genuine, making their purchase complete. Marlow gasped, immediately seeing what was happening.

"They're illegally selling government-issued equipment!" Marlo realized.

Marlo, his sense of duty boiling deep inside, walked up to the MPs, leaving the others dumbfounded by his actions.

"Hey, now! What about our assignment?" asked Boris.

"Oh, man! He's the genuine article!" shuddered Hitch, excitedly.

"Well, for better or worse, we do have time," said Boris, crossing his arms. "This'll make for some nice entertainment."

The others watch as the ferry started to sail away and Marlo about to confront the two MPs.

"So, how about a drink?" suggested the MP.

The two MPs turned around to see Marlo in front of them.

"What do you want, rookie?" asked the other MP.

"I-It's against the law to sell government property," stated Marlo.

"So?"

"Government property is paid by the citizens' hard-earned tax money," stated Marlo.

One of the MPs started laughing out loud at his stupidity.

"Wow, a rookie blackmailing his superior officers," said the MP, taking out a coin out of the bag. "You got a bright future in store, you do."

He then placed the coin in Marlo's uniform jacket and patted it.

"Go and get yourself a girl or something and refresh yourself," advised the MP.

As the officers walked away, expecting the confrontation to have ended, Marlow was surprised not only by their lack of empathy for their actions.

"Wait!" he called, grabbing a MP's shoulder. "It's against the law to sell-“

Marlo was cut off by the other Mp, ramming the butt of the musket into his gut. He then whacked Marlo in the head with the barrel. His knees buckled as he fell to the ground, convulsing and hacking as he struggled to get back up, cringing in pain.

The MP then kicked Marlo in the stomach, causing everyone behind expect Annie to cringe. The MP continued to kick Marlo until he had enough and was on the ground, clutching his stomach. Annie then started walked towards the scene.

"Wait! Annie!" called Boris.

"You're under arrest for a treasonable offense against a superior," said the MP.

"Don't be stupid," cringed Marlo, getting up. "Such disrespect for the law..."

"...is acceptable," finished the MP.

The MP was about to ram the butt of the musket against Marlo's head. Then, the MP was stopped mid-strike by Annie grabbing his arm.

"I think that's enough, don't you?" she asked.

The MP looked at Annie angrily, but she failed to show him any signs of fear or stepping down.

"Sorry about that!" apologized Hitch, running up to them and putting her hands together. "It seems our idiot has caused you trouble. We'll teach him a lesson, don't worry!"

Marlo was shocked at her statement, but Hitch continued going.

"Or, would you prefer to have an even bigger problem on your hands?" she asked.

The MP looked at the civilians looked at them.

"Just this once," warned the MP to the rookies.

"Yes, sir!" yelled the rookies.

"Now, let's get that drink," said the MP.

"Yeah, I'd say we earned it," said the other MP.

Hitch lets out a sigh of relief, glad that they're situation didn't worsen. Marlo, on the other hand, was too devastated to stand. When he found his rifle still lying upon the ground. With anger and rage in his soul, Marlo reached for his weapon slowly, unsure if he should go through with it.

"Go on," said Annie. "You're going to make the dishonest pay for their injustices, right? I'm not against helping you out with that."

Marlo, still fighting himself over whether to grab the rifle or not, looked as the two MPs were escaping his grasp. He then pulled back his hand and slammed the ground.

"Damn it!" yelled Marlo.

Meanwhile, Hitch was appeasing two civilians

"You're certainly a hard worker, Missy," said a male civilian.

"Oh, no, you're too kind," said Hitch.

Annie looked at Marlo, who supported himself on all fours, unable the lose of his dignity.

"Those people you know," said Marlo. "Those fools you mentioned earlier. Would they done it?"

Annie then looked straight ahead.

"They might have," said Annie.

"You mentioned going against the flow," said Marlo. "I guess I'm just another piece of shit being swept away by it."

"i don't know," Annie answered, looking up at the sky. "But maybe that's just the way ordinary people are? Personally, even if it means being weakling swept up in the flow, being seen as a person is all I want"

Later on the day, the Scouts had arrived in the capital. Nile Dawk led the line of wagons carrying the Scouts. As the wagons rode down the street, the MPs were on the side of the street saluting with their ODM gear. As the wagons began to leave the MPs started leaving and Annie started following, passing by a figure in an alleyway.

"Anne," whispered the figure.

Annie recognized the voice and stopped in her tracks. The rest of MPs started to run off and Annie was left standing. Once the MPs left she went into the alleyway, finding it empty. She looked found another alley and Armin was standing in front of her with, fully coated.

"Hey. Looks like you're a fully-fledged MP now," observed Armin.

"Armin," whispered Annie.

Armin gave a little smile to Annie.

"Why are dressed like that?" Annie asked.

"I'm cargo carrier," answered Armin. "I'm hiding ODM gear under this rain gear. Look."

He lifted the rain coat and his ODM gear on the side of his body.

"What is this about?" she asked.

Armin then pulled back his hood.

"Annie, could you help us let Eren escape?" asked Armin.

"Escape to where?" she asked. "Defying the government's orders. Where is there to run inside these walls?"

"We just need to hide him for a while," he responded. "We won't be overly rebelling against the government. It'll basically be an act of defiance by part of the Scout Regiment. We're going to buy enough time to gather some things that will unquestionably overturn the council's say in the matter."

"Overturn it?" she asked. "There's really something that handy? How are you so sure?"

Armin squirmed trying to come up with whatever answer he needed to sate Annie and have her join him while not giving much away.

"I'm sorry. I can't saw," he answered.

"Sorry, but I can't accept," sighed Annie. "I won't tell anyone, though. Good luck."

Annie turned around and started to walk away from Armin.

"Annie! Please!' called Armin. "They're going to kill Eren!"

Annie then stopped walked as she heard the last words.

"A bunch of people who know nothing are unwittingly pushing humanity toward the brink of self-extinction simply to save their own necks! I realize it sounds less than convincing. But, even so, we have no choice but to bet on everything now! Or course, we'll try hard not to cause you trouble. But we absolutely need the Military Police's help to sneak him through Wall Sina's security checkpoint. This is our only option left.

Annie turned around to Armin, still concern about his trust in her.

"Tell me. Do I look that good of a person to you?" asked Annie.

"A good person... Actually... I've never been fond of phrasing it that way," he stated. "Because, to me, it feels like it's only used to refer to people you use for your own convenience. And I don't think there's anyone who's convenient to everyone. Which is why, if you do say no to this, that'd make you a bad person in my eyes."

Annie turned to face Armin with her icy-blue eyes. She then took of her musket and placed it on the ground.

"Fine," said Annie, turning away and placed a ring on her finger. "I'll do it."

Armin took her hand and lead her out of the alleyway. Armin tried so hard not to blush as he grabbed her soft hand, while Annie tried her hardest not to blush, considering this her first time holding Armin's hand.

After the got out of the alleyway, Annie lead the way. Annie walked Armin and the hooded and concealed Eren, Mikasa, Indigo Zap, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Starlight Glimmer, and Sunset Shimmer through the empty streets of the city, each one of them looking for anything suspicious that could expose them.

"We got through surprisingly well," whispered Eren.

"Shh!" hissed Mikasa.

"That's the mighty Military Police for you," stated Eren. "Goes to show what kind of work they do."

"Don't look around at everything," whispered Mikasa.

"You're gonna make us obvious," whispered Starlight Glimmer.

"Let's just hope they haven't realized Jean took my place," whispered Eren. "That definitely won't last for long. He and I don't look alike."

"Hey, he kinda looks like you," whispered Indigo Zap.

"It'll be fine," assured Armin. "You all have the same sort of nasty look to you."

"I don't have his horseface!' stated Eren.

"Say, where are the other girls and how are you planning to get over the wall if I'd hadn't agreed to help you?" asked Annie.

"Twilight, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet and Sugarcoat are in the plan, while Rarity, Fluttershy, Lemon Zest, and Pinkie Pie are somewhere else," answered Armin. "To get over the wall, we were going to barge through using ODM."

"That's crazy," said Annie. "Couldn't you just escape before reaching Stohess to avoid all this trouble in the first place? Why'd it have to be here and now?"

"I felt this town's complex layout would make our body-double ploy more likely to succeed," said Armin. "Plus, acting dutifully and keeping their defense down will buys us some time to escape than head-on opposition would."

"I see. Good point."

Eren and Mikasa looked at each other, while Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Indigo Zap continued to follow Armin and Annie.

"Oh, over there," Armin called, going to the right.

Protected by a flat awning, a stairway that lead to an underground passage underneath the buildings that surrounded it from both sides and behind. Twilight Sparkle, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet were waiting for them in front of it. Annie looked down into the unknown darkness from behind them with suspicion and slight fear.

"Took you long enough," groaned Sour Sweet.

"We walked so we didn't get caught," stated Starlight Glimmer.

"Oh sorry," apologized Sour Sweet, kindly. "I didn't know, sorry."

Everyone rolled their eyes expect, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, Indigo Zap. The ones that rolled their eyes knew that they would have to get use to her mood swings.

"Come on, let's go," said Sunny Flare, walking down the stairs.

"Here?" asked Annie, looking down.

"Yeah. We're going through here," said Armin. "It's what left of an underground city they were planning to make.

"Wow, I never knew that," said Twilight. "Did you know about this Sugarcoat?"

"No, I don't live in the inner city," responded Sugarcoat.

Armin, Mikasa, Eren, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, and Sugarcoat started to descend down the stairs, leaving Annie on top.

"It leads to the vicinity of the outer gate," explained Armin.

"Really? That's amazing," said Eren in amazement.

Eren then stopped and looked back to see Annie above them and not following them. Mikasa, Armin, and the rest stopped and turned around.

"Annie?" called Eren.

"You scared of the dark?" teased Indigo Zap.

"Or cramped spaces?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Yes I am," answered Annie. "I doubt a brave, suicidal manic like you would understand how to delicate damsel feels."

Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the others gave Annie a harsh look, not believing her.

"Any damsel who can flip a grown man upside down isn't weak at all," said Eren. "Cut the crap! Let's hurry!"

Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the others continued to descend down the stairs.

"No, I'm not going," replied Annie.

Everyone stopped in their tracks in shock.

"I'm afraid to go down there," said Annie. "I'm not helping unless we stay above ground."

"Annie, quit horsing around, we need your help," said Applejack.

Annie didn't move, she just stayed on the ground. Everything was quiet until Eren broke it.

"Quit being stupid! Just get down here!" yelled Eren. "Quit screwing around!"

"Eren! Don't shout!" ordered Mikasa.

"i'm sure it's fine, Mikasa," assured Annie. "Because, for some reason this whole area has been completely deserted for a while."

Out of Annie's vision, several Scouts were hiding on the rooftops with their ODM gear. Several Scouts disguised as civilians were hiding behind some crates.

"Man, that really hurts," said Annie. "At what point did you start looking at me that way."

Behind Armin's back, he tightly gripped a signal flare, shaking and looking at Annie with fear in his eyes.

"Armin," called Annie.

"Annie," called Armin back. "Why did you have Marco's ODM gear?"

Eren gasped in horror learning several things at once with this statement, Armin kept his gaze tight and focused.

"It had the same scrapes and bumps," stated Armin. "I could tell, because I'd helped him do maintenance on it."

"Yes..." Annie answered simply. "I found and took it."

"Then, those two Titans we captured alive," said Armin. "Was it you that killed them?"

"Who knows," said Annie. "But, if you suspected one month ago, why didn't you do anything then?"

"Even now I can hardly believe it," answered Armin. "I just wanted to believe I had it all wrong. That's why I didn't... Still... Back then... the fact that you didn't kill me back then... is why we're here in this situation now."

Annie, knowing that he was referring to when the Female Titan unveiled him during the expedition days ago, stood still and silent once again.

"Yeah," she finally responded. "I agree with all my heart. I never imagined you'd end up cornering me like this."

Then, a small break occurred.

"Why didn't I kill anything then," she whispered.

"Hold on, Annie!" shouted Eren. "There's still a chance you're going along with all this as part of some horrible, idiotic joke! Just get down here! There's something you can prove just by coming down here! Come down and prove it!"

"I can't go down there," said Annie. "I'm a failed warrior."

"I'm being serious here!" yelled Eren. "This isn't funny!"

"We can still discuss this as..." yelled Armin.

Mikasa then took a step and took off her hood.

"Enough," said Mikasa, revealing only a white blouse and her harness underneath it and letting her sheaths fall to her waist. "I can't listen anymore of this."

Mikasa then attached a blade to her handle and drew out it out.

"It's pointless," said Mikasa, ready. "I'm going to carve you up again... Female Titan!"

And just like that, Annie's identity had been revealed and nothing anyone could say could deny the truth any longer. Annie knew this as much, shutting her eyes and bowing her head down. She then threw it back up, her face flushed and an odd, uncharacteristic smile upon her face and lets out a couple chuckles.

"That isn't her," whispered Sunny Flare to Rainbow Dash.

Armin looked in fear as Annie broke into a full-on laugh, her body bending like a tree in a storm as she seemed unable to keep her composure. Eren and Mikasa were far too angry and determined to care about this. Annie breathed heavily to calm herself down as she focused again.

"Armin," Annie spoke. "It's nice I could be a "good person" for you. For now, you've won your bet, but..."

Annie’s smile contorted until it became deranged and psychotic.

"...my bet... begins now!" she declared.

Annie then opened her mouth and was about to bit the ring. Annie knew what was going to happen, drew out the signal flare gun. He pulled the trigger, firing a loud bang.

With the loud bang, the disguised Scouts started to charge towards Annie. Couple of them got off the roof, while others came from alleyways. Everyone gabbed Annie's limbs to immobilize her. Eren was about to help, but to be only stopped by Mikasa.

"Eren!" she called.

A disguised Scout then pulled out a cloth and placed it over her mouth, unable to bite down. With her options running out, her thumb flicked over the ring upon it, revealing a sharp hook. Mikasa and the girls saw the hook in her ring. Mikasa grabbed Eren and Armin by their bags and sprinted down the stairs. Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, and Sunny Flare all sprinted down the stairs as quickly as possible.

"Mikasa?!" called Armin.

"It's too late!" shouted Mikasa.

With Annie’s hands completely uninhibited, Annie brought her thumb down on the hook, slashing the flesh and drawing blood out. A giant lighting bolt struck down, killing the Scouts holding Annie down. Everyone in the Stohess looked in horror as a giant pillar of light towered over the city of Stohess.

Mercy: Assault on Stohess, Part 2

As Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat quickly descended down the stairs to get away from a the bright light. Eren stopped and looked behind him. He watch in horror as Annie had a giant skeleton and muscles formed erupted from her. And just like that, Annie Leonhart was transformed into the Female Titan.

"We believe we've found out who the Female Titan is," stated Erwin "Her name is..."

"Annie!" finished Eren.

Annie had completed her transformation. Eren quickly descended down the stairs to get away from the explosion from her completed transformation. Then, a bright pillar of light towered over the Stohess District, alerting all the civilians.

Several days earlier

Before the plan had started, Levi and Eren were sitting in the dinning hall, inside the Scout's HQ. All three waited for Erwin to come down. From the sound of it, the news that he had was of the upmost importance. Levi was out of his military attire, instead wearing a long-sleeved shirt and comfortable pants while Eren was still in his Scouting Legion jacket.

"What's taking so long?" asked Levi. What the hell are Erwin's men? At this rate, the Military Police escort's going to show up before them."

Levi the lifted his cup and drank his tea.

"Must be having a hell of a hard time taking a shit," he said.

Eren let out a couple of hushed chuckles, uplifted that his captain was talking this much, despite the situation at hand.

"You're very talkative today, captain," stated Eren.

"Don't be stupid," said Levi, taking another sip. "I talk plenty."

Levi then finished his tea and placed his sup on the plate. He winced at his injured leg and started to stroke it. When Eren saw this and the guilt he had started to take him.

"I'm sorry," apologized Eren. "If only I hadn't made the wrong choice then, none of this would've happened."

"I told you, no one knows how things will turn out," explained Levi.

The door of the dinning room opened, Mikasa, Jean, Armin, Petra, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, and Sugarcoat filed in.

"Sorry, I'm late," apologized Erwin.

"Not at all," assured Eren.

Eren soon noticed that his friends were in the same room, while some were missing.

"Guys," he accounted. "Wait, where are the others?"

"Fluttershy, Lemon Zest, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity didn't want to part of the plan, so they're somewhere else with the others," explained Sugarcoat. "So are they others that aren't present."

"We believe we've found out who the Female Titan is," said Erwin, getting Eren to gasp. "This time we will capture this time.

Erwin then laid down an entire map of the Stohess District. Mikasa, Armin, Eren, Jean, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, and Sugarcoat all looked the upcoming plan.

"We do it the day after tomorrow, while passing through Stohess District on our way to the capital," explained Erwin. "This will be our first and last chance at her. Once on the other side, the government will take custody of Eren and we'll have difficulty investigating those bent on destroying the walls. Both of which will foster humankind's destruction. We'll have to bet everything on this operation."

Eren nodded in response.

"The plan is this. While passing through the Shotess, we use Eren as bait to lure the target into this underground passage. Given the target's size and strength, if we can get her as far down as possible we should be able to immobilize her in her Titan form. But, in the event that she transforms before then, it'll be up to you Eren."

"Yes, sir!" Eren responded. "Are we certain the target will actually be in the Shotess District, then?"

"Yes, the target is a member of the Military Police," answered Erwin.

"The Military Police?" wondered Eren.

"But, sir, there's many female MPs in the Shotess District," stated Rainbow Dash.

"I'll take forever to find her," said Sunny Flare.

"Calm down, Armin already identified her," stated Erwin.

"How?" wondered Rainbow Dash.

"We believe that she killed the two Titans we caught alive. She might have trained with you in the 104th Cadet Corps," stated Erwin.

"Wait! Hold on a minute!" panted Eren. "The 104th Cadet Corps."

"Military Police, female, 104th Cadet Corps," Twilight quietly pieced, then shot her head up.

"Wait, you don't mean..." gasped Twilight Sparkle.

"The name of the girl we believe to be the Female Titan..." Erwin began to reveal.

"You can't be serious..."

"It's impossible," said Sunset Shimmer.

"...is Annie Leonhart," finished Erwin.

The explosion of Annie's transformation killed the Scouts that were holding her down. The resulting explosion threw debris up into the air and destroyed the vicinity of buildings around the Female Titan. Mikasa, Eren, Armin, and the others had already turned the corner into the tunnel before the blast, protecting them. The pathway that lead down the stairs was littered with limbs and heads, strewn with blood, flesh and rubble.

"Shit!" hissed Rainbow Dash.

Then, the hand of the Female Titan crashed through to reach the passageway. Eren, Miksa, Armin, and the others got up and ran away from the giant hand trying to grab them.

"Dammit!" shouted Armin. "That ring! She knew I was lying from the very start! She saw the ambush coming from a mile away! Surely there must've been a better way!"

"It's almost impossible that she saw it coming!" shouted Sugarcoat.

"Save the regrets for later!" shouted Mikasa. "What should we do now?!"

"Don't we move on to Plan B?!" asked Twilight.

"Right!" shouted Armin. "First, we rendezvous with Squad 3 and get above ground. Then, we fight Annie, the Female Titan. Eren, you'll help catch her in your Titan form, just as we planned! Alright?!"

"Yeah!" shouted Eren.

"Hey!" yelled a Scout.

"It's Squad 3!" realized Applejack.

"Did capture Plan A failed?!" asked the Scout.

"It did!" yelled Sugarcoat.

"Switch to the backup plan!' yelled Armin.

Then, the Female Titan's foot came crashing down the tunnel, crushing the two Scouts. A wave of wind and dust flew the tunnels, covering Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the others. All of them shielded themselves from the dust and small pieces.

"Shit!" shouted Indigo Zap.

"She stomped through it?!" gasped Armin.

"She basically doing everything to kill us!" yelled Starlight Glimmer.

Eren was shocked to see the motionless limbs of the Scouts that the Female Titan crushed poking through the giant slabs of concrete and earth.

"We have to help them!" shouted Eren.

"Eren!" called Mikasa, grabbing Eren's hood. "Get back!"

"Hey! Mikasa!" called Eren.

"Does she not care if she kills you?!" wondered Mikasa.

"She took a gamble," said Armin. "She gambled on Eren surviving when she made that hole. This makes her all the more formidable!"

Armin and the others started running the opposite direction of the hole.

"Annie's that desperate to catch Eren now!" shouted Armin.

"Even if that means killing us!" shouted Sunset Shimmer.

Mikasa, Eren, Armin, Twilight, Applejack, Starlight, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet all got into a safe distance from the Female Titan, for now.

"What are we gonna do y'all?" asked Applejack. "Our escape routes been cut off. Plus she'll be ready and waiting for us if we make a run for it with ODM. That said..."

Then, Applejack was cut off by the Female Titan's foot crashing through the top. Everybody shielded themselves from the dust filling the tunnel.

"If we stay here, there's not telling when she'll stomp on us," continued Applejack.

"Wait wasn't Plan B for Eren to transform?" asked Twilight.

"Right! I'll mange somehow!" shouted Eren. "Just like when I stopped that cannonball! Come here!"

Eren pulled Armin, Mikasa close to me, while the others walked up next to him.

"Here goes! Stay close!" shouted Eren.

Eren panted and looked at his hand. He then bit down his hand, blood splashed from his bite, but much to his surprise no light, or lighting bolt appeared. Eren bit down harder, enough to break the skin and. Everyone around Eren cringed as they heard the squishy sound of him biting down. Eren screamed in pain as he continued to bite down harder with all his might.

"Hurry up!" yelled Sour Sweet.

"Again?!" wondered Eren. "Goddammit!"

Eren bit down on his hand again, but fell on his knees from the pain.

"Off all the fucking times! Damn, that hurts!" winced Eren.

'You can't transform withour a clear goal, right?" asked Armin. "Try to focus again! Hard!"

"I'm trying, but it's not!" shouted Eren, biting harder.

"You're not trying hard enough!" yelled Sunny Flare.

"What do you what me to do?! Stab myself with a blade?!" asked Eren.

"Exactly, anything that draws blood!' yelled Sunny Flare.

Eren tried with all his strength and bit down the hardest he has ever done, but had the same result.

"Are you sure," asked Mikasa, kneeling next to him. "Could it be that you still have qualms about fighting Anne?"

"Eren?" called Armin.

"After all this, don't tell me you still think that Annie can't possibly be the Female Titan," said Mikasa. "What did you see just now? She killed our comrades, you know Do you still think it's not her?"

"Give me a break!" shouted Eren. "I'm trying here!"

Eren bit down on his hand again with the last of his strength, exposing the muscles of his hand and more blood pour from the bite.

"Annie's the Female Titan?!" asked Eren. "What makes you think that, Armin?"

"Annie can't be the Female Titan," said Rainbow Dash. "She's cool and she helped us in Trost."

"The Female Titan knew what you looked like from the start," explained Armin. "Plus, she reacted to your nickname of "suicidal maniac", something only our classmates would know. The biggest reason, though, is that I believe she killed the test subjects Sawney and Beane."

"The two Titans that Hange kept?" asked Twilight.

"How do you know that?" asked Eren.

"Killing them would've required real skill, so she would've used the ODM gear she'd become accustomed to," answered Armin.

'Yeah, but they held that equipment inspection," stated Eren.

"How did she pass if she killed Sawney and Beane?" asked Sugarcoat. "The MPs should have noticed."

"Because she presented Marco's gear," answered Armin. "That's how she avoided being caught."

"What are saying?" asked Eren. "What does Marco got to do with this?"

"I'm not sure," answered Armin.

"Maybe you just saw wrong," suggested Eren.

"No, I definitely recognized..." said Armin.

Levi than cuts off Armin.

"Hey kid," called Levi. "We get it? Any other evidence to share?"

"No, sir," said Armin.

"Wait, Jean," called Twilight.

"What is it?" asked Jean.

"You said you saw Marco's body, right?" asked Twilight.

Jean nodded in agreement. She then asked a question to him.

"Did he have ODM gear on when he died?" asked Twilight.

"No, he didn't," answered Jean.

"Twilight you're a genius!" shouted Armin.

"But that could be any other cadet's ODM gear," said Eren.

"Armin when you saw Marco's ODM gear what were the details you saw?" asked Twilight.

"I saw some starches marks on it and when Annie presented it it had the same marks in the same position," answered Armin.

"Bingo!" shouted Twilight.

"Personally, I think Annie and the Female Titan look alike, also," stated Mikasa.

"Are you crazy?!" asked Eren. "What the hell is that kind of evidence is..."

Levi then broke in.

"So, basically we're going after her without proof," concluded Levi.

"Without proof?" wondered Eren. "You can't be serious. why? What if it isn't Annie"

"If it isn't Annie, then she'll be cleared of suspicion," answered Mikasa.

"I'll feel bad for causing her trouble if that happens," said Armin. "But, if we don't do anything, the government will make you a sacrificial victim out of you."

"You guys are crazy, distrusting Annie," said Eren.

"Eren," called Mikasa. "Does this talk about Annie ring any bells?"

Eren the suddenly remembers the forest battle. He saw the Female Titan's position in combat.

"You fought hand-to-hand with the Female Titan," stated Mikasa. "Did you see her use any techniques that only Annie uses."

Eren then remembers the Female Titan lifting up her fist, similar position like Annie. He then remebers the way the Female Titan kicked him, similar to Annie.

"You know, don't you?" asked Mikasa.

"You know the Female Titan is Annie," she said.

Eren was still conflicted about the situation, even as he looked upon his bleeding hand.

"Then you know yopu have to fight," said Mikasa. "Or are there certain, special feelings stopping you?"

"What?" asked Eren.

It remained silent, until Armin broke the tension by drawing out a blade out of his sheaths.

"I have a plan," said Armin. "Mikasa, Twilight, Starlight, Sunset, Rainbow, Applejack, Indigo, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny, and I will exit that hole and the entrance at the same time. At one point, Annie will go after one of us. When she does, run the opposite way, Eren."

Armin put his hood back on and started heading towards the hole that the Female Titan's foot crashed through.

"Wait! Does that mean one of you all will get killed?!" wondered Eren.

"Eren, if we stay here, all of us will die," stated Sugarcoat.

"Rainbow, Applejack, Indigo, Sunny, go with Mikasa," said Armin. "The rest of you are with me."

Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare all put her hoods on.

"Mikasa! Get in position!" ordered Armin.

"Right! We'll take this way!" said Mikasa.

Mikasa, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare took out a new blade and started running towards the exit. Armin, Twilight, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Starlight, and Sunset went towards the hole that the Female Titan's foot crashed through.

"Mikasa! Girls!" called Eren. "Armin! How are you guys able to fight?! HOW?!"

Mikasa then stopped in her tracks, causing Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare to stop too. Mikasa then looked back at Eren.

"We don't have a choice. We live in a cruel world."

Mikasa and the others continued their way to the exit, leaving Eren all alone. Eren the looked at his hand, unable to believe what he was doing to fight and stop an old friend-turned-enemy. Then, ground began to shake, as Eren looked up, the ceiling and gave way, the debris falling on top of him, crushing him.

Outside, the Female Titan looked around her area, wondering where the exit, which her target would come out. Armin and the others saw that the Female Titan's strike was close to Eren.

"Eren!" called Armin.

"Already?! How?!" shouted Sour Sweet. "We just started."

Armin, Twilight, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Starlight, and Sunset all swung towards the Female Titan. As Armin and the others swung towards Eren, the Female Titan looked to her right and saw Mikasa, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare running out the exit. Mikasa swung towards the Female Titan, while the others fell behind for assistance. as Mikasa was about to slice the Female Titan, she grabbed Mikasa.

"Mikasa!" called Rainbow Dash, swinging towards her.

"Wait! Rainbow!" called Applejack.

Mikasa then freed herself by slicing the Female Titan's fingers. Rainbow Dash saw Mikasa get free, but didn't fall back. She then followed Mikasa.

"I won't let you have Eren!" shouted Mikasa.

She then spotted Rainbow Dash swinging towards the Female.

"Rainbow Dash!" called Mikasa. "What are you doing?! You'll get killed!"

"I don't care!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "I'm killing this backstabbing bitch!"

Mikasa then got up and swung towards the Female Titan, helping Rainbow Dash.

Back at the rumble, Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat landed near the rumble.

"Eren!" called Armin.

"We're coming!" shouted Twilight.

Eren was unconscious and buried by a large piece of wall, his legs were bend completely, his head was bleeding.

"Girls help me get Eren out of this!" shouted Armin.

Armin lifted a piece of wall that Eren was under, while Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet removed all the rumble that Eren was under. The Female Titan saw what Armin and the others were doing and started to heads towards them. Twilight looked and saw the Female Titan getting closer.

"Uh... Armin!" called Twilight.

Armin looked and saw the Female Titan heading towards them. Then, behind her, Mikasa and Rainbow Dash attempted to swing in front of her. The Female Titan attempted to swipe at them, but both of them dodged the swipe and sliced part of the Female's hand. The Female dragged her hand across multiple roofs, launching rumble towards Rainbow Dash and Mikasa.

A piece of the roof hit Mikasa, while a piece hit Rainbow Dash in the head. Both of them rolled on the ground and laid there, not moving. The Female Titan paid no attention to Mikasa and Rainbow Dash on the ground, but still when towards Armin and the others.

"Mikasa! Rainbow!" shouted Applejack

Ahead of the Female Titan, multiple Scouts intercepted the female Titan.

"Don't let the Female Titan escape!" yelled the Scout.

"We can't let her escape!" yelled another Scout.

The fingers of the Female Titan had regenerated and was ready to fight the incoming Scouts in front of her.

Back at the Military Police escort, the MPs all stopped and saw the large pillar of smoke rising from the other side of the Shotess District.

"What the hell is going on?" wondered Nile. "Escort Squad! I'll hold this position"

"Understood!" yelled Marlo, raising up his sword.

Marlo and Hitched ran off and swung towards the pillar of smoke.

"Something's up," said Nile to himself. "First there was a big boom, and now..."

Then, Erwin, Levi, who was wearing a black jacket, and Petra, who was wearing a white blouse and brown pants stepped out of the wagon.

"Nile!' called Erwin. "Deploy all troops immediately. We should assume that a Titan has appeared."

"Are you crazy?!" asked Nile. "This is Wall Sina, you know! No Titan would appear here!"

"Nile, remember Eren?" asked Petra.

"Yeah, the boy that can turn into a Titan," said Nile. "He's in the wagon."

"There is a person besides Eren that can turn into a Titan," stated Petra.

"What?! impossible!" shouted Nile.

Then the wagon holding "Eren Jaeger" opened, and "Eren Jaeger" hopped out of the wagon.

"Halt! Stop right there, Jaeger!' shouted the MP.

"I'm through with playing dressing-up!" grunted Jean, removing the wig, shocking the MP in the process and allowing him to run. "Never call me that goddamn name again, you asshole!"

Jean ran towards Erwin, Levi, and Petra.

"Commander! I want to help, too!" declared Jean.

"Ask Squad 4 for equipment," said Erwin.

"Understood!" shouted Jean, putting on his cloak.

Petra wanted to go and fight, but saw Levi's hand holding her hand. Levi shook his head, knowing that Petra is the only original member that survived. Petra then stayed close to Levi, visibly blushing.

"Bravado is fine and all that shit, but just remember to stay alive," said Levi.

"Yes, sir!"

Jean started to running forwards, getting his ODM gear and passing a flabbergasted Nile.

"Erwin!" shouted Nile. "What the hell was that?!"

"Commander I bought it!" shouted a Scout with a case.

When the Scout landed he opened the case, containing a new, spotless ODM gear with fresh blades.

"Good work," complimented Erwin.

"Thank you, sir!"

Erwin then placed his ODM gear on into the latches on his harness.

"Hold on, Erwin!" shouted Nile.

"All able-bodied soldiers, follow me!" ordered Erwin, ignoring Nile. "We're going to the rendezvous with the Capture Squad!"

Erwin walked forward and the Scout that brought Erwin's ODM gear rocketed off to help capture the Female Titan.

"Erwin! Stop!" demanded Nile, pointing his musket at Erwin.

As Nile pointed Erwin at gun point, the MPs behind Nile all pointed their muskets at Erwin. Petra quietly gasped, scared of what would happen to her commander and held Levi's hand tightly.

"You're committing a clear act of treason against the royal government!" stated Nile.

"Nile," called Levi. "Are you as rubbish-brained as you look? You don't seem to understand what's happening here."

"Remove your gear, Erwin!" demanded Nile.

Erwin continued to look at Nile, unwilling to yield to his demands and knowing that he wouldn’t pull the trigger.

On the other side, masses of civilians were running away for their lives, screaming and panicking. All of them saw the Female Titan and the fight between the Scouts was beginning to unfold. The MP could only watch as the creature they avoided was now in the city.

"A Titan!" screamed a female civilian. "There's a Titan!"

"What's it doing here?!" asked a male civilian.

"What about the wall?!" asked another male civilian.

"Hey... That's a Titan, right?" asked an MP on a rooftop.

"Yeah? Why?" asked another MP.

As the civilians of the Shotess District continued to flee from the Female Titan, Jean was running the opposite direction and was heading towards the MP. Jean couldn't help and looked at the MP, who were on the rooftops.

"Just look at them, not giving a shit," Jean thought. "And to think that could've been me up there too."

"Man, what got into me?" Jean wondered. "Damn!"

Back at the battlefield, waves of Scouts were coming in all directions towards the Female Titan.

"Don't try to kill her! We just need to stop her!" yelled a Scout.

A Scout zipped past the Female Titan. The Female Titan attempted to grab the Scout, but he dodged it and continued to zip. Another Scout caught him and threw him to the Female Titan. The Scout that was thrown drew out two blades and was about to attack the Female, but the Female Titan pulled the Scout's wire, and the Scout crashed into a building, killing him. The Female Titan then grabbed another Scout's wire and spun him around to another building.

"It's no use!" shouted a Scout. "She's familiar with ODM maneuvers!"

Then, Mikasa, Applejack, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, and Rainbow Dash, who has blood running from her head injury zipped towards the Female Titan.

"I won't make this easy for you!" shouted Mikasa.

"You backstabbing bitch!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

Mikasa sliced the Achilles tendon of the Female Titan, Rainbow Dash sliced the Soleus, Indigo Zap sliced the calf muscle, and Applejack sliced the ankle in front.

Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet helped Armin to flip over a huge piece of slab off Eren, hoping he would wake up.

"Eren! Say Something!" shouted Starlight Glimmer.

"Eren!" called Armin.

Then, Jean landed behind them.

"Hey! What the hell are all doing?!" he asked.

"Jean! Eren's stuck under here!" shouted Armin.

"What?! Wasn't he supposed to turn into a Titan?!" asked Jean.

"He couldn't!" Sour Sweet answered.

"I think the fact the Female Titan is Annie is holding him back," said Sugarcoat.

"What?!" shouted Jean.

"For now, we've gotta help him!" shouted Armin. "Jean give us a hand!"

Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet tried to lift up a slab off of Eren.

"He couldn't do it?" asked Jean quietly, his brow furrowing in anger.

Jean then went up to the unconscious Eren.

"Dammit, Eren!" shouted Jean. "Quit screwing around! I told you we'd need to count on you someday! We're forced to put the world, humankind, and our lives in your hands, and this is all you have to show for it?! Marco didn't... Marco can't have... Dammit!"

Eren slowly opened his eyes up. Suddenly, a large chuck on concrete flew into a bell tower, destroying the top of the tower, causing a slab to ricochet towards Eren and the others.

"Watch out!" shouted Sunset Shimmer.

"Oh shit!" yelled Sour Sweet.

Everyone that was around Eren got away from the slab. Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet rolled on the ground. Once the dust cleared, all of them looked to see that Eren was trapped by large portions of the building wall, a wooden support had drove into Eren's right-upper torso.

"Eren!" called Armin.

"It's no use!" shouted Jean. "We've gotta do something about her first!"

"The bitch is coming!" shouted Starlight Glimmer.

Jean then drew out a blade and ran straight towards Eren. Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet all followed Jean, leaving Armin alone. Armin then looked at Eren.

"Eren," called Armin as Eren slowly opened his right eye. "I said something to Jean recently. To rise above monster, we have to abandon our humanity. What we fight, we become fire with fire. Look at her, Annie can do it. I don't know why. But there it is. Simple. You have to match her heartlessness to win!"

Armin then got up and started running towards the Female Titan.

Back at the Female Titan, a Scout attempted to slice the female Titan's leg, but the female Titan crushed him into a building. The Female Titan then grabbed a Scout's wire and spun him around and a third Scout's wire. She then tossed them into a building, killing them.

"Annie!" called Armin. "If you don’t kill me this time, your feeble excuses about "you real bet starting now" will be worthless!"

As the Female Titan turned to see Armin, Jean and Sour Sweet swung down from behind and raised his hands over his head, his swords trained for the neck. As Jean brought the swords down, the Female Titan put her hands over its neck and hardened her skin, causing both of their blades to break. Both pushed off of its hand and flew off behind it.

"Shit! That didn't do anything!" shouted Sour Sweet.

"Armin!" called Jean. "This way!"

"Understood!" shouted Armin, running and zipping off. "Girls! Follow us!"

"Right behind you!" shouted Starlight Glimmer.

The Female Titan saw Armin and the others zipping off and started to give chase. Jean was in the lead, followed by Sour Sweet. Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, and Sugarcoat followed both of them, while the Female Titan was pursuing them.

"Uh... is it just me, or is she catching up to us," said Sunset Shimmer.

"It's a human inside!" shouted Sugarcoat. "What did you expect?!"

Further down the street, Hange knelt upon the roof with the trigger to the special target restraining weapon that they used in the Forest of Giant Trees. She was giggling maniacally, scaring Moblit, who was next to her.

"She's coming... She's coming," Hange chuckled.

"Section Commander," called Moblit. "You have that crazy look in your eyes."

Her crazed smile widened as Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, and Jean zipped through. Then, the Female Titan ran by and saw Hange next to her. Hange then pulled the trigger on the weapon, releasing a plethora of spike-ended wires fired at her face. Below them, more canons were firing out at the titan’s legs and waist, immobilizing her.

The Female Titan desperately tried to grab Armin, Jean, and the others. All of them avoided the grab and zipped away from the Female Titan. The Female Titan tried her hardest to get out of the restrains, but it only made the ropes hold her tightly. Finally, the wires that latched on the Female Titan yanked her and fell onto the street. On top of the rooftops, two Scouts released a net covered in spikes, which then landed on the Female Titan's skin, piercing it.

With the Female Titan caught once again, Armin, Twilight, Sunset, and Starlight swooped back down to the street to stand guard over the titan with several other Scouts that surrounded it. Hange looked upon the sight of their capture with pride, Hange twirling the rope-trigger in her hand.

"We did it," said Twilight.

"Alright!" Hange exclaimed. "Personally, I though having Plan C seemed like overkill. But Commander Erwin really does know his stuff."

Hange stops twirling the trigger and swings down towards the Female Titan.

"Now then," she said. "I suggest you be a good girl and behave yourself."

Then, Mikasa, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare appeared from behind the weapon and looked at the captured Female Titan. Rainbow Dash still had blood running down her face from her head injury and hissed in pain.

"Hey, you good?" asked Mikasa.

"Yeah, I'm fine," responded Rainbow Dash. "This is worth it for the capture."

Hange then placed her hand on the Female Titan's bottom eyelid and held the end of her blade towards the Female Titan's eye.

'You can't call any Titans to eat you this time," said Hange, her eyes raged and prying. "But don't you worry. I'll savoir the information I prise out of you instead.

Then, the Female Titan kicked out and slid her legs across the weapons destroying them that were lined on the streets. All the Scouts jumped and got out of the way from her foot. Everyone landed on the rooftops dodging the chucks of wood flying.

"What the hell?!" shouted Indigo Zap.

"She broke free?!" asked Mikasa.

"Looks like we didn't set enough traps!" realized Hange. "Don't let her escape! After her!"

The Female Titan got up and started to run away from the Scouts. Jean, Armin, Twilight, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Starlight, and Sunset started to chase after the Female Titan.

Back at the rubble, Eren still laid there, not moving a muscle. He then remembers what Armin said to him earlier.

"To raise above monsters. We have to abandon our humanity."

"Yeah, I know," Eren mused. "That's why. That's why my comrades died, because I couldn't let go."

Eren the remembers Gunther's dangling body, Eld's upper body severed, Lightning Dust's crushed body, Oruo's body laying on the ground. He then remembers his mother getting eaten in front of his eyes and the whole reason why he joined the Scouts. His eyes widened as the memory of his mother getting eaten.

Eren tried to get up using all his strength, but the wooden pillar in his chest held him down. Eren far too furious to even care. The Female Titan has gotten away with deaths of his comrades. As Eren gnashed his teeth together, the pressure making his gums bleed, he pushed into the wood and ground up it, getting ready to fight.

"I swore to kill them all, every last one!" Eren declared.

The Scouts continued to chase the Female Titan down. Mikasa and Rainbow dodged one her swipes and got in front of the Female Titan. The Female Titan picked her leg up and kicked Mikasa and Rainbow dead center.

Both of them fell to the ground, Mikasa used her gas, trying to hover above the ground, but with Mikasa's efforts, her wires tangled her feet, causing her to roll and become unconscious. While tried to use Mikasa's technique, but was to disoriented, causing her to hit her head, injuring her more, knocking her out.

"There's no time to think, it doesn't matter anymore!" Eren declared. "Just kill! Consequences be damned! DAMNED!!!"

"Mikasa, Rainbow!" called Armin.

"Because it is a cruel world!"

With all the anger and injuries building up in his body, Eren lets out a loud screamed that turned into a roar. Then, a giant yellow lightning bolt struck at Eren's place.

From the escort team, Nile and the MPs saw the lighting bolt striking down, taking his eyes off of Erwin and looking behind him.

"What now?!" he shouted.

Erwin looked at the lightning bolt and knew that Eren had transformed. Petra saw the lightning bolt and knew that it was time to put the Female Titan down.

The lightning bolt continued until it died down. Everything had stopped and wondered about the lightning bolt. The Female Titan even stopped and knew what was coming at her. All the soldiers stood in complete silence.

Then, giant footsteps came running down. The footsteps became louder and louder causing the MPs to look at what was coming. The windows nearby broke as Eren's Titan lets out a loud and savage roar and punched the Female Titan's face. The force of the punch was enough to cause the Female Titan to be launched into a building. Eren's Titan stood in front of the Female Titan, breathing in and out.

"Eren!" called Armin.

"Well I'll be," said Applejack.

"Eren..." whispered Mikasa, getting up.

Rainbow Dash got up and now had a river of blood pour down from her injury. She saw Eren's Titan in front of them. Eren's Titan then started to charge at the Female Titan. as the Female Titan got up, she saw was Eren's Titan letting out a roar and charging at her.

Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3

"We have no choice," said Mikasa, putting on her hood. "We lived in a cruel world."

"I swore to kill them all, every last one!" Eren declared.

Humanity was suddenly reminded that day. Of the terror of being at their mercy. Of the humiliation of being trapped inside a cage.

Inside a large, circular, cathedral, people were formed in three large rings in the center, the smaller of the two being within the larger outer circle. Each of them were adorned with the gold necklaces with the crests of Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sina upon them. With each of their arms clasped to each other in unity with their hands clasped to their own in prayer, Pastor Nick and two other priests led the mass outside the circle.

"Let us pray, for the solidity of the three goddesses, Maria, Rose, and Sina," stated Nick. "For our own welfare. We must no misdoubt the sacred walls. These walls of light born from the hands of the divine are made ever more stalwart through the offering of our faith. For it is only the innocence of faithful devotion that protect us from the Titans. It, alone, keeps the Titans away from.."

Pastor Nick was cut off by the Female Titan crashing into the cathedral, her body fell on the people that were in the circle. Debris and rubble fell as the Female Titan fell. Pastor Nick covered himself from the debris and looked in horror once the dust cleared.

"A Titan?!" wondered Nick. "Here?!"

The Female Titan got up and looked down at all the crushed, bloodied, smeared bodies of the people she had crushed. Eren's Titan started to charge at the Female Titan. The Female Titan then got up and started to run away from Eren's Titan. Pastor Nick looked at the Female Titan, who was heading to the walls.

"No..." shuddered Nick. "Not the wall. Stay away!"

The foot of Eren's Titan came down next to Nick as he ran, blowing a gust of wind enough to blow Nick to the ground.

On the other side of the Stohess District, several civilians ran in fright as they saw the Female Titan being chased by Eren's Titan. Both Titans destroyed buildings in their paths as they continued their chase. Some civilians ran away from the chase while others stayed in their house watching the chase.

Hange, Armin, Jean, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat did their best to catch up to the two, swing from building to building while maintaining a safe distance.

"Looks like he's in full control of himself this time around," observed Hange.

"Yes," Armin agreed. "But Eren has yet to win against the Female Titan even once."

"If he's transformed, it means he's gotta be ready for the worst," said Jean. "He won't lose so easy."

"Spirit alone can't win a fight," stated Armin.

"Armin's right, it would take more to beat Annie," stated Twilight Sparkle. "A lot more."

Eren's Titan continued to chase the Female Titan, the other Scouts that were pursuing them could see the two Titans were running into a large plaza.

"Dammit!" shouted a Scout.

"She's making a break for level ground!" realized a Scout with blond hair, and light stubble on his chin, and wearing thick-rimmed glasses, named Abel.

"So much for our gear what now?!" asked the Scout next to Abel.

"Split into two teams and go around!" ordered Hange.

"Understood!" shouted the Scout.

Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, and Jean separated and zipped away, The civilians that were on the ground were helplessly crushed or forced by the Female Titan running.

Below, the MPs quickly tried to put on their harnesses and ODM gear, completely unprepared to do anything.

"Come on! Come on! Come on!" stammered a MP.

"Son of a bitch!" cried another MP. "What are Titans doing here?!"

The MPs looked in front of them and saw the Female Titan and Eren's Titan heading towards them. All of them ran away, getting away from being crushed by both of them.

The Female Titan and Eren's Titan had reached the plaza. The Female Titan turned around and slid her hand against the tower, knocking off several MPs that were stationed there. When the Female Titan stopped, she looked at Eren's Titan, who stopped and looked at her.

"Annie, always so cynical," Eren thought. "Like everything around was pointless. Nothing but with a second look."

The Female Titan raised both of her arms up and one knee up in her traditional stance, ready to fight Eren.

"Every now and then though I can see through the act, especially when you were showing off your fighting skills," he remembered. "Maybe hand-to-hand combat didn't count against our final grade back at the academy, but to you, it was a different story altogether."

Eren's Titan slightly crouched and raise up his arms, ready to engage the Female Titan once again.

Yeah, about that much at least, it was obvious that you were a lair. Fighting's your whole world, but what are YOU exactly fighting for?! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN WORTH FOR ALL THIS DEATH AND DESTRUCTION!!!"

Eren's Titan roared and made the first move, running up and reeling back ready to punch. The Female Titan had hardened her elbow, causing the fist of Eren's Titan to punch there, making them injured and temporarily useless. The punch was enough to create a small ditch and creating a small gust of wind, blowing off the surrounding bricks. The Female Titan attempted to kick Eren's Titan, but blocked the kick and countered it with a grab. Eren's Titan lifted the Female Titan and tossed her into a building.

The Female Titan crashed into a line of buildings, weakened and woozy, tried to get up. Then, Eren's Titan crashed through some buildings, charging towards the Female Titan. The Female Titan got up and quickly ran to the left, causing Eren's Titan to crash into the line of buildings.

"Oh God," muttered Starlight Glimmer.

"Section Commander," called Moblit. "I hate to say it, but the city will be reduced to debris and corpses before long, even if we managed to catch her."

"Well, that's how it's going to be," said Hange. "We're sticking to Commander Erwin's plan, so stop babbling and get ready."

"Right," Moblit replied.

Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat could only watch as the battle continued and the deaths of many civilians.

Back on the streets, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare swung down towards Mikasa and Rainbow Dash, who were still critically injured from the Female Titan. Mikasa slowly got up and looked at her right to see Rainbow Dash still on the ground.

"Rainbow," called Mikasa quietly.

"Mikasa!" called Indigo Zap.

"Indigo, what are you all doing here?" asked Mikasa.

"Trying to get up a safe place for you to help take down the Female Titan," answered Sunny Flare.

"Rainbow!" called Applejack.

Rainbow Dash slowly got up, her face was covered in scrapes and cuts and blood ran down on the side of her face. She hissed in pain as she got up, but the pain caused her to fall back onto the ground.

"Rainbow, are you okay?" asked Mikasa.

"Never better," Rainbow Dash replied.

“Come on, let's go," said Applejack.

Mikasa helped Rainbow Dash get up, once both were on their feet, all of them zipped off.

On the rooftops, several MPs watched in horror at the two Titans fighting.

"No one said anything about this," said Hitch. "Why are there Titans fighting her?"

"What in the world is happening?" wondered Marlo.

Back at the the Military Police escort, Nile continued to point his musket at Erwin, while Levi and Petra stood in place and didn't move a single muscle.

"Titans are fighting each other?!" asked Nile.

"Yes," replied the MP. "The damage done to the city is unimaginable. Scores of civilians and soldiers have been killed or wounded."

Nile then lifted his musket at gunpoint at Erwin.

"Erwin!" called Nile. "Is this the result of your doing?!"

"It is," Erwin responded. "I acted entirely on my own authority. I offer no excuse."

Nile, angered by Erwin’s seeming disregard for the damage caused, slung his rifle over his shoulder, started walking towards Erwin and grabbed on Erwin's jacket.

"You had to have known what this plan of yours would've cause in the middle of a city!" stated Nile. "Why?! Why did you do it?!"

"For humankind's victory," Erwin simply answered.

"Bullshit!" shouted Nile, pointing his musket at Erwin at gunpoint. "You're a fucking traitor! None of the higher-ups will complain if I execute you right now!"

"If you wish," said Erwin. "But, you'll be in charge afterwards."

The statement shocked Nile, who lowered his musket down.

"Don't let the Female Titan escape. Peer is in charge of troop deployment. Beirer is in charge of provisions. Work with them and do whatever it takes."

"W-Wait!" stammered Nile. "Do you really think this is for humanity's sake?"

"I have faith it will serve as a step forward," stated Erwin.

Nile, with all the rage wanting to kill Erwin, he lowered his musket down, knowing that Erwin was right. The action managed to make Erwin let out a small gasp.

"Everyone, lower your guns!" ordered Nile. "Cuff him!"

"Yes, sir!" shouted a MP.

"Deploy all troops and focus on aiding and evacuating the citizens!" ordered Nile.

"Yes, sir!" shouted all the MPs running to the battlefield.

"Erwin, I'll let a court of law decide how to execute you," stated Nile.

Erwin watched as the two MPs placed handcuffs on his hands.

"I'll gladly accept that, once everything is over," said Erwin. "Levi, you stay put with Petra. You don't like pointless death."

"You're right," Levi replied. "I'm not fond of causing it or experiencing it."

Jean, Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat swung next to a roof and landed in a safe distance from Eren's Titan and the Female Titan.

"To rise above monster we have to abandon out humanity, what we fought we become fire with fire. Look at her Annie can do it."

Eren's Titan started to charge at the Female Titan, reeling back his arm for a punch. The Female Titan hardened her leg and kicked the foot of Eren's Titan off, knocking him down. Eren's Titan quickly got up and punched the Female Titan, who countered it with a block.

As Eren's Titan delivered the punch, the Female Titan planted both of her feet down to stop her. Inside the Female Titan, Annie remembers someone that is important in her life.

"Annie," called a man. "Annie."

The Female Titan stood back up and looked at Eren's Titan on the ground. Eren's Titan then lunged at the Female Titan, but the Female Titan kicked Eren's Titan into a building. The Female Titan tried to pull her leg back, but Eren's Titan was biting down on her leg hard upon it. The Female Titan, now enraged, hardened her fist and screamed as she delivered a blow to the head of Eren's Titan.

"I believe in you, I always have," said the man, hugging her. "I'll always be at your side."

The Female Titan lets out a scream as she delivered a final blow to the head of Eren's Titan. Eren's Titan finally lets go of his grip, freeing the Female Titan. She looked at Eren's Titan, which had blood on his head, exposing parts of the skull. The Female Titan then started to run towards the wall.

"I will kill them. Every last one," declared Eren, inside his Titan smiling in a deeper raspy voice.

As the Female continued to run towards the wall she looked back. Behind her, Eren's Titan had got up and now caught fire, his veins lighting up, and now had blue eyes. Eren's Titan lets out a savage roar and ran towards the Female Titan like a rampaging ape. Eren's Titan crashed into a building, which didn't stop him. Once Eren's Titan caught up to the Female Titan, he tackled her, causing her to slide across into a large marketplace and destroying the stands. All the Scouts got out of the way of Eren and the Female Titan.

Behind them, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare swung in towards the battlefield.

"Eren!" called Mikasa.

Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare landed on the same roof that Armin, Hange, Jean, Twilight, Starlight, Sunset, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat were on.

"Holy shit," muttered Rainbow Dash.

"He's going on a fucking rampage," said Indigo Zap.

"Help him!" shouted Mikasa.

"Don't!" warned Hange. "With the state he's in, it should be best to keep our distance."

Mikasa could only watch at Eren's Titan's fury had been unleashed. The Female Titan was huddled up with its hands covering its neck as Eren’s Titan roared loudly into her ears. The Femele Titan shifted back to toss Eren’s Titan off, but Eren, grabbed on to the Female Titan’s face and the back of its head with both hands.

Eren's Titan squeezed harder on the Female Titan's face, enough to squish it like a balloon. Blood splattered everywhere as the Female Titan's face was squished.

Nile and his MPs got the wall and looked at the battle.

"Oh... god," muttered Nile.

Erwin looked with no emotion as he looked at the battle. The Female Titan unleashed a shrill scream as Eren's Titan continued to squeeze down on her face. The Female Titan then elbowed Eren's Titan's jaw. Eren's Titan attempted to swip at the Female Titan, but she kicked Eren's Titan into a building.

With a small window, the Female Titan then hardened her fingers and started to head towards the wall. She latched on to the wall and started to climb it up.

"She's head up the wall!" shouted Jean.

"She's trying to escape!" realized Hange.

Eren's titan had got up and started to run towards the Female Titan. He held on to the legs of the Female Titan and started to bit down on her left leg. The Female Titan kicked Eren's Titan off her leg, causing her to lose the left leg. Once her left leg was off, Eren's Titan fell to the ground and the Female Titan continued to climb up.

"We can't let her get away!" shouted Armin.

Then, Mikasa flew up towards the Female Titan.

"I won't let her!" she shouted.

Mikasa sliced the Female Titan's fingers on her right hanf that weren't hardened. Mikasa screamed as she sliced the fingers on her left hand. Once her fingers were sliced off the Female Titan started to fall. As the Female Titan fell, Mikasa stood on top her face, looking down.

"It's over, Annie," said Mikasa. "Now fall."

She pushed herself off of the Female Titan.

"Annie, I'm so sorry," apologized her father. "I don't expect you yo forgive me, but please stand your ground even if the whole world is against you."

Once the Female Titan impacted the ground, Eren's Titan pounced on her. Eren's Titan went full on berserk, punching the Female Titan hard enough to decapitate her head, removing her right arm, but the punch caused Eren's Titan's right arm. The arm of the Female Titan was heading towards where the MPs and Erwin was standing. The arm crashed into the bridge, as the MPs scattered and Erwin was standing completely still.

"DIE ALL OF YOU! I'LL DESTROY THE WORLD!!!" declared Eren.

"They will despite you, they won't understand, but I will your dad always will," said her father.

Eren's Titan the lowered his head down towards the Female Titan's nape and opened his mouth.

"Oh no! He's going to eat her!" Hange realized.

"Eren! Back off!" shouted Jean.

"Don't do it!" shouted Mikasa.

"Eren!" called Starlight Glimmer.

"THIS IS FREEDOM!!!" Eren declared.

"Promise me you'll return," said her father, hugging Annie. "That's all I ask for."

Eren's Titan then tore the nape off and stopped. Inside Eren's Titan, Eren's eyes widened up as he was shocked to see Annie Leonhart crying. Everyone on the rooftops observed Eren as he had stopped his actions.

"What's he doing?" wondered Hange.

Suddenly, a bright blue light and a burst of steam emitted from the Female Titan, shocking Eren's Titan and all the MPs around it. All the MPs shielded their eyes from the bright light coming from the Female Titan.

"They're fusing?!" wondered Armin.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing," muttered Twilight Sparkle.

Then, the skin of the Female Titan’s back and Eren’s legs started to melded together, keeping Eren’s titan stuck with it. Eren’s Titan roared and looked down to see as Annie became enveloped in a light blue crystal.

"Stop it! Eren!" shouted Mikasa, landing.

Mikasa started to run towards Eren, until she saw Levi, with his Scout cloak, ODM gear, swinging down. He landed on top of Eren's Titan's nape and sliced it, revealing Eren.

"It's not a good idea to eat our key evidence!" scolded Levi. "You idiot!"

Petra with cloak and ODM gear equipped, joined the others upon the roof as they watched Levi cut Eren out the neck and pull him out. Everything was silent after the battle was over. The Scout all watch as the body of Eren's Titan started to disintegrate. Other Scouts looked at the crystallized Annie, who was inside. Armin, Mikasa, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, and Twilight Sparkle all surround Eren, who had red markings on his face. Eren's started to wake up to see his friends next to him.

"Eren," called Mikasa.

"Mikasa," called Eren back. "Where's Annie?"

All of them heard a clank and looked. All they saw was Jean driving his blade into the crystal. Jean's blades would break at every attempted making a dent in it.

"Dammit!" shouted Jean. "What the hell?! After all of this, we get the silent treatment?! Annie! Get out her! Get out her and pay for what you've done! Come one! Don't be a coward! Annie! ANNIE!!!"

Jean lifted his sword and attempted another stab, but was stopped by Levi.

"Stop," demanded Levi. "It's pointless."

Jean the lowered his sword, knowing that Levi was right.

"Make a wire net!" ordered Hange. "Let's get this thing underground!"

"Understood!" shouted the Scouts.

Hange then looked at the crystallized Annie.

"If we end up not getting any info out of Annie what'll be left?" wondered Hange. "Nothing but countless casualties, ruined lives, and unanswered questions all for what?"

Levi and Petra started to walk towards Erwin, who was in front the many MPs.

"Seems the plan wan't much of a success," stated Levi.

"No, I'd say the Scout Regiment's in the clear now," said Erwin. "Just barely."

"Let's hop so," said Petra.

Later in the day, Erin was then summoned to the Stohess city hall and was questioned by the mayor of the Stohess District.

"Erwin, we have a number of questions concerning this latest operation," said the mayor. "if you believe you knew the target's identity, why did you not ask for the Military Police's assistance?"

"Sir, given the likelihood that the Female Titan has inside accomplices, it was only necessary to involve only those above suspicion," answered Erwin.

"But how do you justify the damage caused to Stohess as a result of that?!" asked the mayor.

"Our ineptitude is to blame," answered Erwin. "I offer my sincerest apologizes."

"Apologizes won't fix it!" scolded the mayor.

"Had we left her unchecked, the wall would've been destroyed eventually," said Erwin. "The ensuing destruction would've been far worse."

"I see," said the mayor. "So do you have any proof that this devastating operation of yours has helped to prevent the downfall of humankind? I find it unlikely you'll get anything out of Annie Leonhart now."

"Indeed, I doubt we will," said Erwin.

Everyone in the room gasped silently.

"In other words... it was all for nothing?" asked the mayor.

Some time later, Eren, who has a bandage around his head, woke up and saw Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, and Twilight Sparkle. Rainbow Dash a bandage covering her head injury, like Eren.

"Eren," called Mikasa. "Do you feel alright?"

"Yeah," responded Eren, getting up. "It's weird how normal I feel. I guess Annie's still stuck in there?"

"Yeah, that bitch needs to pay," said Rainbow Dash, angrily.

"Damn. That big of an operation, all for nothing," said Jean, crossing his arms.

"Annie went that far to keep her information safe," said Armin.

"No, don't you mean to the point she can't wake up," said Starlight Glimmer.

"Man, I hate when big operations get turned into nothing," sighed Sour Sweet.

"I can't believe she slipped right through our fingers," said Jean.

"Eren let her get away," said Armin.

Everyone then had sadden emotions in their faces.

"isn't that right, Eren?" asked Armin. "If it hadn't been for that brief moment."

"Yeah," said Eren, full of guilt. "It's true. I fucked up! I froze as soon as I saw her."

"What did you see?" asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Annie crying," answered Eren.

Then, a MP enters in the room with a clipboard in his hand.

"Armin Arlerlt ,Jean Kirschtein, Twilight Sparkle," called the MP. "You're all wanted for debriefing."

"Right," said Armin.

"Guess we're up first," said Jean.

"Come on, let's go," said Twilight.

"See you later, then," said Armin.

The three of them started to walk out of the room. Jean then stops for a brief moment and looked back. Jean had a visibility sadden look on his face as he looked back at Eren and Mikasa.

"It actually felt nice," said Eren, shocking Mikasa.

"How is getting getting beaten up nice?" asked Sugarcoat.

"No, not the fight," said Eren. "Having my body come apart somehow felt... refreshing. So much so, that I felt like I wanted to die."

"Eren!" called Mikasa.

"Eren, don't say that," said Applejack.

"I don't want to now," assured Eren.

Mikasa then placed both of her hands on Eren's hand.

"I'm glad... that you came back," stuttered Mikasa.

"It too much for me to understand," said Jean, walking. "To rise above monsters, we have to abandon out humanity. That's the only way to win."

"Armin, what does that saying even mean?" asked Twilight.

"It's the one hope humankind has for prevailing over the Titans," explained Armin. "I think Eren can do it."

"I wonder. Getting rid of the Titans by becoming that kind of monster. Would that really be a victory for humankind?" wondered Jean.

As Jean, Armin, and Twilight continued to walk, a feather floats down in front of Armin and Twilight. Both of them looked in the sky to see two birds flying across the sky.

"Eat," said Mikasa.

Eren then took a bite from his bread and started to eat on what was on the tray.

Back outside, the two birds flew over the walls. Armin and Twilight continued to look at the birds as they flew over the wall. Both of them then redirected their attention to the wall.

"It won't be easy," said Twilight.

"However... I believe humankind has gained great potential for survival," assured Erwin. "There was a time when we never even imagined humans becoming Titans. Compare to then, capturing a member of the enemy is an enormous step forward. Yes, there is more out there. And we will go after every last one, even though lives will be lost. This time, it is our turn to launch an attack on the Titans within our walls!"

The Scout Regiment and Eren Jaeger's recall to the capital was rescinded, and the Scout were placed in charge of supervising Annie Leonhart deep underground. However, it would take much more time and many more lives for humanity to learn what was holding it prisoner."

Somewhere, Reiner, Bertholdt, Christa, Ymir, Conny, Sasha, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Lemon Zest were galloping into the open.

Inside the Stohess District, a part of the wall that the Female Titan climbed on, crumbled and revealing a Titan.

End of Part 2