Leo Simon
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The Empire Returns Chapter 6
🕑 Added 2023-04-23 11:59:42 +0000 UTC"-We'll take all the land we want back and eat meat together when it's done."
Erens words made Connie smile as he returned to cleaning the cannons on top of Wall Rose.
Connie was set on the Military Police, he'd live a nice easy life in the interior and would earn enough money to provide for his family. That was the plan anyway.
When he first met Eren three years ago he seemed like an idiot, he took Sashas punishment with her and was unfazed by retribution the Commandant gave him for his actions. However as time went on he saw that Eren was a real stand up guy, he was hard working, nice as long as you aren't a jerk and reliable. However what took Connie and the other Cadets by surprise when they first met Eren was his ambitions in the Survey Corps.
The Survey Corps have an obsurd death rate and those who aren't in the top ten heavily favour the Garrison because of it with less than ten percent of recruits actually choosing the Scouts on average.
However Connie's unshakable belief that he should join the MP's was shaken whenever Eren spoke about his ideals with such raw passion it made the nearly bald boy feel downright inadequate.
The Walls won't hold forever and if Rose falls then his village will be one of the first places to fall after Trost, and even if they make it to Sina will they even be let in? Even an idiot like him knows that Sina can't support everyone within the Walls, his family will probably be sent out to die just like Maria's refugees were.
It's thoughts like that which make him wonder if he really wants to serve under people like the Military Police anyway, people who are only in the regiment for their own selfish gain.
The Scouts are insane, even Eren agrees that you need to have a special kind of mindset if you want to join that branch, but they're also people who seek to change something, he is in the top ten of his class and apparently any of the rare few in the top ten who join the Scouts end up becoming the best soldiers that they have to offer. With Erwin Smith being the top Cadet in his class.
The final nail in the coffin was when Eren gave his speech last night, just thinking about it gave him goosebumps, his words touched something inside him in a way he isn't quite sure he understands but he knows that he'd never be complacent to stay in with the MP's after hearing... that.
He looked at Eren after they returned to work, he seemed to be glaring at the air in front of him with emotions he can't understand. Erens a very intense person and Connie would personally never wish his wrath on his worst enemy, those green eyes could burn a hole through whoever they glare at, but what is he thinking of tha-
'Crash'
He hears a boom behind him that causes him to turn around to see what-
His heart stopped beating for a second as his wide and fearful eyes landed on a massive Titan that was taller than even the Walls, it had raw red exposed skin and seemed to leak steam at a high rate off its skin as it glared down at the mere mortals below it and before he could so much as breath a word.
The Walls below them caved in under the force of the Colossal Titans foot as though it weren't made of solid stone and a wave of scorching hot steam blew them all away.
They flipped and twisted in the air before mere moments later their three years of training kicked in and they deployed their ODM gear to latch onto the wall in front of them.
"Samuel!" Mina cried put in worry as it looked like their friend had fainted from the sudden attack.
Sasha saw this and detached her ODM hook as she literally ran down the Wall at high speeds before shooting one of her gears hooks to pierce Samuel's leg causing him to hang and swing lightly but stop falling.
Relieved that his friends all looked okay Connie gazed below and his stomach fell at the sight. Trosts gate was completely destroyed and in its place layed a gaping hole that's very existence meant that the barrier between Rose and Maria was destroyed.
"They're gonna get in." He whispered to himself in complete horror as he imagined the ramifications should humanity lose the territory of their middle wall as well as their outer one.
"They're gonna get in!" He repeated himself though this time the panic, fear and dread was clear in his voice as the situation fully hit him.
Humanity is about to lose Wall Rose.
He looked for Eren, the strongest Cadet here, he'd seen the Colossal Titan before and was likely handling the situation far better than he is.
Only Eren isn't here, what the where-
"Where's Eren?!" He yelled at the other Cadets who seemed to be coming to the same blaring realisation that their classes second best is nowhere in sight.
Did he flee? Did the boy who talked big about taking Wall Maria back seriously flee after coming into contact with his worst enemy?
That didn't quite add up to Connie as much as he'd like to believe it.
Did Eren not get thrown off like them somehow? Is he still up there trying to take that thing down? Is he dead?!
"What do we do?!" Thomas yelled with sweat dripping down his forehead and wide fearful eyes, clearly terrified.
Eren might be dead, he might have fled, he might be fighting but either way they have to do something.
Connie cursed himself for being an idiot." The Colossal Titan is right up there, let's go take him down!"
He shot his ODM hook upwards and landed on top of the Wall fully intending to fight the behemoth in front of him but... it wasn't there.
His fear was replaced with bewilderment at the sight of nothing but grassland over the Walls and nothing except Titans straggling around in the otherwise flat field.
Looking down he could clearly see a thick cloud of steam and two deep footprints that were the only indication that The God Of Destruction had been here at all.
Connie might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but even he knows that a 60 meter tall monster that lords above even the Walls that keep them from the regular Titans can't simply... dissolve into steam.
Thomas and Mina joined him in gawking at the place where the Colossal Titan was once stood.
He's heard from Eren that it can appear and disappear but he always just assumed that it ran away of something, but to think it can literally appear and vanish like that is... so wrong.
"What are you doing?!" They all stopped staring when the familiar sound of ODM gear and a pair of boots were heard landing on the Walls.
A Garrison officer spoke to them in a rushed tone. "The Colossal Titan response operation is already underway! If you came near the thing we need details, return to HQ and your reports!"
They saluted out of instinct and habit before fleeing to HQ. The full weight of the situation seemed to hit them as they rejoined an injured Samuel and petrified Sasha.
Connie really hoped that Eren was alive, that they were just too scared to notice him falling and he hit his head or something. Thinking about Eren took his attention off the situation at least.
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I flew across the Wall, using my ODM gear at max speed in order to get to the boulder located in South East Trost with my blood pumping with adrenaline as I prepared to save Wall Rose.
I've gone over this exact scenario a hundred times in my head repeatedly brainstorming the most effective method of sealing the hole whilst keeping my identity hidden and that did little to cool my nerves as the distance between the boulder shortened and my heart beat quickened.
I want to keep the fact my Titan can harden a secret for when the time comes that I need to fight the Warriors, showing all your hand at the start of a game is never a good move, and if I want to seal the gate despite that my only option is to close the breach manually.
There are a few risks that come with this plan, namely the Pure Titans that will be pouring into the city in the dozens, but I also remembered that originally the Garrison advance squad managed to hold off the Titans for an undetermined amount of time before they managed to pool into the city, I'm taking a gamble here, if I'm too slow with sealing the gate then I'll have to postpone carrying the boulder to defend myself, the Garrison could turn their artillery on me, or perhaps some other miscalculation I failed to take into account could occur.
But this seems to be the best way I can seal the breach without being turned into the militaries slave or revealing all of my abilities at once.
I'm also aware that doing this will have drastic consequences, namely completely ruining the canonical way events are meant to occur, however I have no care for such things. The original way things played out was a complete bloodbath that killed off many key players that could have been a massive boon for the Walls. Ymirs betrayal, the loss of Rod Reisses bag, the deaths of nearly every single member of the Scouts. Why on earth would I want any of that to occur only for the small advantage of knowing how things will play out.
The boulder came into view and my ODM gear hooked onto a nearby building to let me mimic flight and approach the giant rock.
To rebel against Marley huh?
I thought back through the memories of the other Attack Titans, the memories of their hardships and instances where Marley made their lives miserable.
Fighting against our oppressors is the reason isn't it?
I was getting nearer to the monument that will help me stop Marleys advances on the people of Paradis with a sparce few civilians that dont seem to have notice me.
That's what what drove-
I brought my hand up to my mouth as times long past of my predecessors all passed through my mind, their tortured loved ones, their dignity and freedom stolen as they moved forward even after death.
-each of you.
With a face full of rage and righteous fury I bit down and allowed the bizarre feeling of transforming into a Titan overwhelm my senses.
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Several Cadets were located at HQ with some panicking, some throwing up with the rare few holding their composure.
Ymir however wasn't worried, even if she wanted to reveal her powers they wouldn't be of any use, her Titan is too small to seal the hole anyway.
Her mind thought back to Eren, that crazy bastard who claimed he'd knock Marley down a couple pegs. She did say she'd help him and if he can prove to her that he isn't all talk then that's fine. He could've told her that Trost was gonna be breached though.
"Hey Ymir." The freckled girl turned her head to see her goddess looking nervous, though other Cadets are throwing up so she's doing pretty good all things considered.
"Hey darling I need you to listen to me okay?" She said in a serious tone that was a far cry from her usual demeanor of teasing and sarcasm.
The sound of a few Cadets, and soldiers, breaking down with their cries of despair and the sound of fear induced vomiting being heard in the background as an uncomfortable silence hung over the two.
"Christa, if everything goes to hell can you come find me?" Her blonde haired friend seemed perplexed at her words, not that she's surprised, but she knew Christa would be safest with her if worst comes to worst, she is a Titan after all.
But before her love could respond Ymir did a double take as a massive explosion of crackling electricity and light occurred in the south east of the Fort.
Every Cadet looked on in shock and confusion as a cloud of steam blocked out the view of the entire area that lasted for a few seconds before fading.
"It's a Titan!" She heard some bearded captain yell in fear and worry as a Fifteen meter class Titan could be seen in the other side of the city.
She noted how unlike normal Pure Titans who were all disfigured of obese typically this Titan was unnaturally muscular. Ymir found her lips curving up when she compared Eren to his Titan form.
The Titan growled lightly as it ignored the petrified humans scattered throughout the area before turning its blunt fingers into sharp claws that sinked into the massive boulder in order to get a good grip on it before lifting the chunk of rock over its head with immense difficulty and started to walk to the outer gate of Trost.
"What's it doing?!" Ymir narrowed her eyes as she figured out what her classes second best had in mind.
She found her signature smirk returning thinking about the look the Warriors will be pulling when they see their plan fell apart maybe... five minutes after it started.
The Garrison advance squad leader was gazing down into the city as the Titan marched forward with each step it took carrying such a massive burden causing the ground to fissure and break under the weight as the stone roads were ruined under its thunderous footsteps that seemed to resonate throughout Trost.
The Captains suddenly shook his head at such an unlikely scene, they have a job to do and if they can hold off the Titans long enough for their unlikely hero to get to the inner gate-
"Men engage the Titans below!" His words caught many of the other soldiers off guard and they snapped out of their daze looking at their commanding officer as though he'd gone mad.
"But sir-"
"That Titan looks like it's trying to seal the gate with that boulder, we need to hold off the Titans until it does. If it becomes hostile after then we'll deal with it then!" The Captain is still wrapping his head around the situation and this might be the wrong call but... if they can retake Trost then it'll be the first time that humanity pushes the Titans back, the first time they stopped an attack from the Titans.
The Garrison soldiers acknowledged the orders by setting their cannons sights on the Titans and firing to stagger and cripple them before finishing them off by slicing the nape.
Muxh to his horror several eight to thirteen meter Titans were in a cluster heading to the city like mosquitos to a light, the enemy has power in their numbers and the Garrison aren't skilled enough to kill multiple at a time.
Soon enough the Garrison advance squad was nearly completely massacred by the Titans as the greedy monsters savoured their meals with looks of hollow pleasure on their face.
The Captain felt his heart beating nervously out of his ribcage as the remaining members of the Garrisons vanguard retreated to Wall Rose.
He peaked over the Wall to observe the status of the muscular giant
"AAAGGGHHHH!!" With a guttural roar the Rogue Titan forced the giant rock it was carrying into the decimated outer gate with so much strength that the Wall surrounding the gate splintered under the force as spider web like cracks spread to the surrounding wall and a fierce gust of wind flew in all directions that caused the Captains hair to fly in all directions.
The Captain felt in awe at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but fall on his knees at the sight of what looked like the incarnation of humanities rage.
Meanwhile the person piloting the Titan below shook violently with an uncontrollable rage as his turned towards the city and with all its might roared at top of their lungs.
"AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Every person nearby had to cover their ears to prevent themselves from going deaf and everyone who heard its roar felt an involuntary shiver go down their spine at the raw untamed hate and anger contained within their monsterous saviors scream.
Once the Titan was finished it analysed its surroundings carefully and the Garrison Captain caught a glimpse of its eyes, they were far less empty and void than a normal Titans.
With the green eyed Titan having finished its goal it took the opportunity to escape as steam leaked and pooled from its muscles and in mere moments the only sign it was even there is a fading cloud of steam that disappeared as the wind carried it away.
The Garrison Captain released a breath he didn't know he was holding as he checked on the side of Wall Rose infested with vicious and greedy monsters that were pawing and scratching at the obstacle that now sat in their once free path.
The gate was sealed. Trost was safe.
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Levi Ackerman has been named many things, underground scum, the shadow of the underground, a man who can't feel emotion and his least favourite 'Humanities Strongest Soldier'.
He never liked that title, he's still not, if he's the strongest there is then how come his men always die around him, it's the Curse of being strong when your in the Survey Corps you live and your friends die. He's been in the Survey Corps for six years, that might not seem like a lot however when you factor in the fact that the average Scout only lives for two expeditions suddenly the fact he's survived over thirty seems far more impressive.
He does his best not to regret his actions, whatever decision he makes he sees through, all you can do is go with your guts and try keep your regrets to a minimum. Even if you do end up regretting all you can do is move past it and keep choosing, keep living.
Because all that's left for you once you stop choosing is death.
"We must withdraw Levi."
The short Captain turned to the only man he'll ever call sir with his usual poker face that was perfect for hiding his true opinion on Erwins orders.
"My men died to get us here. Why stop when we can push further?" Levis eyes narrow at the blonde Commander.
If Erwin is irritated at his orders being questioned then he doesn't show it, instead he answers his trusted subordinates question evenly." A large cluster of Titans have been spotted heading north, to Trost."
Levis eyes immediately glinted dangerously at the implications of a swarm heading to Trost so suddenly. He couldn't stop himself from tensing slightly.
His subordinate Petra gasped behind him and he found himself wondering how someone so emotional could make such a good soldier. Petra is a kind young woman that he handpicked for his squad for her skills and she hasn't disappointed him for the year she's been a part of his team.
Erwin maintained perfect composure as he spoke." It's just like five years ago, something has happened, Trost may very well have been breached.
Levi gritted his teeth and after a second turned to Petra." Get the others, we're heading back to Trost." Petra nodded with a worried expression on her face before following his orders with great haste.
Steely blue eyes landed on his blonde Commander." Do you think we'll make it inside before we lose Rose too?"
Levi didn't even want to think of the ramifications should they lose Wall Rose, those noble pigs in the interior will have no problem locking the common folks out to be devoured by humanities greatest threat.
Erwins face remained eternally stoic as he walked at a leisurely pace and mounted his white stallion." Nobody can say, but we need to make it back before that happens. We cannot afford to lose Wall Rose. No matter the cost we have to reclaim Trost if it is indeed breached."
Levi climbed onto his own horse as he took his place besides Erwin. Levi likes to say he knows his Commander quite well, most wouldn't assume that 'humanities strongest soldier' was once the underground's most notorious criminal, and why would they? What business would a thug have in the military? Would they even follow orders?
The answer is simple, he doesn't care about the chain of command, he certainly doesn't follow orders from just any military superior. He follows Erwin Smith because he saw something in Levi that even he himself didn't see, he allowed him to become more than just some rebel, some thug in the slums. He follows Erwin because he respects him, he respects how he seems to just keep going, to keep seeking something that Levi can't seem to see on the horizon, he respects him because he's willing to throw everything away to achieve what's best for humanity. Whatever it is that this man can see Levi wants to see what it is. To see if it's worth it.
He'd certainly rather die for something bigger than himself, a greater goal that brings people together, than die as some famous piece of gutter trash.
His squad was quickly assembled behind him, ready to receive his orders, as he barked out why they were retreating. "We need to head back to Trost, Erwin thinks that the gate has been breached, if so we need to retreat pronto." His squad was looking pale his words with the resident copycat Oluo even biting his tongue. As annoying as his habit of copying Levis every action is he's also one of the Survey Corps finest so the stoic Captain can accept his... quirks.
At his orders the Scouts began their charge back to the Walls with several members praying that Trost hasn't fell.
There were less Titans than normal in the way so Erwin made the call to simply head back to Trost at full speed with many members having to avoid any giants in the way.
Hours pass by as they charge without rest, determined to make it back in as little time as possible.
"Hey Levi, if there are any Titans in Trost will your squad help me capture some?" Hange asked innocently with begging puppy eyes.
"Your squad is skilled enough, you don't need me." He had no idea how someone so obsessed with Titans like she is hasn't been killed by her curiosity. He's pretty sure she'd jump into a Titans mouth just to see what the inside of ones stomach looks like.
The goggled redhead stopped her puppy eyes and pouted at him. He has no idea how exactly they developed this kind of relationship. She just got really interested in his unnatural strength one fay and she hasn't really let him go since.
"We could use someone of your callibur to secure a specimen, going for a non lethal takedown is a lot harder than it seems." She spoke with excitement at the idea of securing a living monster to experiment on.
He had to be riding right next to her squad didn't he?
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They finally arrived at Wall Rose and had to withhold a grimace at the large cluster of Titans that were gathered in a horde outside of Trosts outer gate.
Levi quit his argument with Hange when she started talking about 'reasoning with Titans' it was ridiculous, he does agree that there's certainly more to the Titans than they know but what humanity needs isn't a history lesson, what they need is to find the best way to kill them all.
"So Trost has been breached." Miche Zacharias looked grimly at the scene before him but maintained his cool demeanor instead if openly showing panic, a leader needs to keep calm to ensure his men can look to his when they themselves are feeling doubtful, it keeps morale up and helps them steel themselves.
His second in command Nanaba also grimaced but made an open note of something strange." Why aren't they entering the city?"
It was certainly something to note and when the Survey Corps drew nearer to the safety of the Walls what they saw baffled even their superior officers.
Obstructing the Titans path sat a large grey object that looked as though it were filling the ruined gates opening, a few of the man eaters were clawing and pawing at it to no avail as the obstacle blocking the entrance stayed in place.
They decided to question what was going on inside of Trost at a later time when the greedy monsters lost interest in trying to budge the immovable blockade, turning their ravenous and hungry gazes on the Scouts who weren't hiding behind an immovable wall.
However once they were foolish enough to turn their backs and expose their napes to the Walls mounted cannons a volley of artillery was unleashed than caught several Titans right on their weak spot and stunning many others that weren't killed.
They quickly deployed their ODM gear to scale Wall Rose as the Scout veterans left their horses on the ground, it isn't like the Titans will take an interest in horses so they would be safe as long as the mares aren't caught in the crossfire.
Upon reaching the top of the Wall Levi pushed any Garrison officers out of his path to quickly gaze upon why exactly the Titans are unable to enter the destroyed city and could hardly believe what he was seeing.
Looking directly down at the outer gate of Trost Levi allowed an expression of surprise to overtake his usually stoic demeanor at the sight in front of him. A massive boulder that was filling the ruined gate and blocking the Titans path laid right in front of the breach. The Garrison must have moved that boulder in the South East to fill the hole.
That just didn't add up though. The Garrison don't have the technology available to move something the size of that rock, let alone on such short notice, what he's seeing just shouldn't be possible.
"Quite the sight isn't it?" Snapping out of his momentary break in character he turned to the voice besides him that was also looking down at the blockade with a tiny smile.
"Pixis what the hell happened here?" Although not polite his voice didn't carry the same blatant rudeness he'd use if he were talking to am MP, the senior Commander of the Garrison was somebody that Levi could respect, if only a little.
The bald old man played with his mustache slightly." I doubt you'd believe me if the proof weren't in front of your very eyes." He spoke with a strange seriousness that wasn't commonly heard in the eccentric old man's voice which made the ex criminal question what precisely could have taken place for even the senior Commander to take the situation with such an attitude.
"Levi we need to cut down the Titans at the front of the gate. Deploy your squad and help us end them."
Erwins orders force him to wait until a later time to have an answer to his questions. He has a job to do.
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Steam rose up from the ground as the horde of Titans layed decaying and dissolving into a thick mist.
Levi sheethed his blades as his squad and several other elite soldiers of the Survey Corps stood catching their breath.
It wasn't a particularly difficult task for then to fulfill, given that they're used to fighting Titans solo with no cannon support, but most of them needed just a second to catch their breath.
Levis mind wandered back to the boulder that was stopping the Titans, just how in the hell did the Garrison manage to get something so heavy to the gate in time?
The blonde Commander had similiar thoughts to his subordinates so began to question the man in charge of the Garrison.
"Pixis just how exactly were you able to move that boulder from the city's south east to the gate?"
Pixis shook his head with a small smile before taking a sip from his flask." We didn't."
His words seemed to confuse every soldier present so he continued." The gate was sealed with that boulder but it wasn't the Garrisons doing."
The old man ignored the confused looks sent his way at the remark and continued to recount the events that took place it Trost earlier today." This morning, about an hour after you departed for your expedition, the Colossal Titan appeared just like five years ago and kicked through the outer gate. Once it had done just that it destroyed the new cannons installed on top of the Walls and it disappeared in a cloud of steam as though it were never even here."
Hange gasped at the information on the Titan that broke Wall Maria." It disappeared? What did it look like? Did it-"
"Hange shut up and let the man finish." Levi chided her from barraging the Commander with so many questions that they lose track of why they're actually listening to him.
Hange pouted as Pixis continued." As soon as the Colossal Titan kicked down the gate the Garrison started doing their work, helping civilians get to safety, setting up new cannons to replace the ones that were destroyed and setting up iron nets to slow the Titans down."
Levi really wanted him to get to the point. Whilst the measures put in place would slow the Titans down it wouldn't be by much, they'd eventually break through and get into Trost.
Pixis seemed to straighten up as he spoke about what occurred next." However a few minutes after the Colossal Titan appeared there was a flash of light in the city and a new Titan appeared."
The Scouts surrounding Levi looked stuck between shock and fear.
Hange though, being herself, just looked downright excited." A new Titan, what did it look like? Was it any different from a normal Titan?"
Erwins eyes narrowed in seriousness." This new Titan, did it attack the city?"
Levi had similiar thoughts about thus new breed of Titan. Is it as strong as the Colossal or Armoured? Two was bad enough.
Pixis shook his head." It was fifteen meters, it just looked like a regular Titan but Muscular, and no, it didn't attack the city. Once it appeared many civilians started panicking and instead if trying to attack them it went right for the boulder and sealed the breach by walking over here. Thanks to the Garrison no Titans managed to get inside Trost before it finished its job. Once it sealed the breach it roared at the city, but made no moves to attack anyone, and disappeared, just like the Colossal Titan."
The Survey Corps member who heard were listening to Pixis were all stumped at the revelation of a Titan helping humanity, they know very little about the Titans but what they do know is that they eat people, but a Titan going out of its way to retake Trost? Its unheard of, it goes against what little they do know about Titans.
Hange however was practically frothing at the mouth." Whoo hoo! A new breed of Titan! And this one is on Humanities side! I've gotta find a report! Come on Moblit!"
The tension in the air was broken by Hanges... Hangeness as a few of them chuckled a bit at the oddballs actions.
Levi though was... suspicious. Did a Titan really help them?
His eyes turned to the boulder that was preventing the man eating monsters from getting inside Wall Rose and looked at it with scrutiny. What are this new Titans motives? Does it really care about humanity or is it just fighting the other Titans. Just when they think they're starting to learn a little about the enemy all they think that they do know is shattered at the appearance of thus Rogue Titan.
Levi finds it incredibly ironic that a Titan ended up saving the day.
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I didn't let my fatigue from transforming and carrying such a massive burden show as I guided a family back to their home in Trost.
The feeling of genuinely doing a good deed makes my smiles come easier and gives me more energy as a five year old girl gives me her thanks.
As good as it felt to save this city, to prevent these people from losing their homes as I did, something about just guiding a family safely back to where they live feels so... rewarding.
Simply acting like a good person without trying to fight or deny anyone is refreshing, it makes me feel like the good guy in all of this.
My good mood is soured by the thought. If I have my way in Marley then I'll be causing a lot of pain for a lot of people, I won't be the good guy what I'll be is an enemy.
But as good as this feels my goal, my purpose, isn't to be the good guy it's to save this island even if it means playing the villain.
I purged my mind of such thoughts. The enemy won't bless us with mercy, if we wish to snatch victory then we need to be every bit as ruthless and merciless as the enemy. If someone wants to take my freedom then I'd rather take theirs.
"Thanks for guiding us home." A blonde woman politely replied as her daughter held her hand with a very childlike innocence to them.
My lips couldn't help but curve up as I enjoyed the scene of a family staying in their home because I decided to act.
I waved off her thanks." It's not a problem, I'm happy to help out in any way I can."
Looking at the girl that was maybe ten I felt a strange sense of familiarity, like she was someone I'd recognise. Had I seen her before?
The mother looked thankful anyway, even though my actions as a Cadet were infinitesimal compared to my ones as a Titan, and entered her home. I smiled before turning to escort the next family into their own abbords but was stopped when a quiet voice spoke behind me.
"Um mister." Aborting my plans of continuing my soldier work for the moment in favour of turning my attention to a pair of big innocent eyes that belonged to the woman's daughter.
"Is something wrong?" I've always been told that my stare was intense because of my bright green eyes but seeing them be enough to just make a little girl squirm in place when I'm not even being malicious is... bizarre.
Seeing the girl shy away at the simple action of casting my vision on her I sighed and tried to speak kindly to her, though kindness isn't really my strong suit.
"Um, do you know where my daddy is?"
Her words seem to strike a cord as I figure out who precisely I'm talking to.
Whilst I don't know her name this girl looks a great deal like a sidecharacter from Attack on Titan. Louise was a Yeagerist with a downright obsession over Mikasa because of her actions of saving the blonde girl as a child. She would end up dying when a Thunderspear shard embedded itself in her stomach at the youthful age of fifteen.
It was really quite sad, her entire character was based around following Mikasa, to living entirely for another person, that's no way a person should live.
But thinking about my own relationship with Mikasa right now... am I using the girls feelings for me to take advantage of her?
The thought actually makes me feel a little slimy.
I'm in general not the best person but the thought of supporting a relationship where my girlfriends life and decisions are all entirely based on me feels sleezy. Am I subconsciously supporting that sort of behavior because it's conveniently for me, to have a powerful and gorgeous young woman be completely devoted to me to the point she'll follow me into a life of fighting and bloodshed just to be next to me.
Ignoring my moral plight I try my hand at answering the girls question best I can." I might be a soldier but not all soldiers know each other. Your dads probably fine though."
My failure at answering her question seems to disappoint the young girl as she looks at the boulder that is stopping the Titans from turning her city into another Shiganshina.
"Hey mister why did that big man help us? I thought the Titans were meant to eat us."
I found it a bit amusing that the girl is asking the Titan who sealed a question like that and decided to take the chance to answer honestly.
"I guess he doesn't agree with what the other Titans want to do. You know kill everyone in the Walls." I spoke nonchalantly
She dumbly nodded, seemingly enraptured by the words of a soldier.
Taking the opportunity to voice my real beliefs to a stranger I figured there was no point in hiding my opinion.
"To the Titans what they do might seem like the right thing to do but trust me when I tell you it's not. Killing innocent people is never the right thing to do Louise, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
And that's my real opinion on the matter, some may say that the Warriors didn't have a choice but to me that wasn't true, they could have returned to Marley and begged for leniency, they could have infiltrated the Walls without murdering countless innocent people, they could have kept their distance and chose not to get close to the members of the hundred and fourth, but they chose the path that would reap as much destruction as possible, uncaring of the people affected.
And that's why Marley are in the wrong.
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The Warriors all found an abandoned alley in Trost to discuss their next course of action.
Reiner felt like something could go wrong, but for the plan to completely fail right after it was set in motion isn't something he anticipated at all.
That new Titan.
He touched his neck as his hair stood on end as he recalled how much hatred was contained inside its roar. That thing was unlike anything Reiner has ever seen, an aura of raw uncontrollable rage seemed to shroud its presence and the intensity of it was enough to scare the Armoured Titan.
This is bad, how was Marley supposed to rain supreme like they are meant to with a whole new Shifter in the way. Whoever that is doesn't matter they are the Warriors of Marley, it's their job to bring justice for what this islands ancestors did to Marley, once they've done their duty they can go home, the true Eldians in this world can finally be accepted.
But they can't attack Trost again, it's too risky with this new Shifter lurking in the shadows and waiting to strike. If they fail because of their arrogance then everything was for nothing. Trost should remain standing for now because breaking it poses too many problems. Yeah that's the issue.
"That wasn't the Jaws." Annie said carefully, still stoic as ever but her icy blue eyes betrayed a hint of worry at this new development.
Reiner could only shake his head." No, Marcels Titan would never be that big, plus the features are all wrong." Whilst every Titan from the same power looked different based on the users physical traits they're all... essentially the same in function. The Jaws would never look anything like that.
Bertolt silently listened in with a mostly blank face yet his aura of anxiety never dropped for even a second.
Reiner gained a thoughtful look." Old depictions of the Attack Titan are all just of a regular Titan but Muscular, I'd say this new Titan fits the bill quite well."
Reiner wondered what exactly this Titans abilities were, it had to be an elusive foe to evade Marleys capture for so many years and it certainly didn't look weak.
Reiner voiced his thoughts." We can't attack Rose again, we have no idea what the Attack Titans abilities are and if they can beat us should blows come to blows." Plus it's their job as soldiers to protect humanity Wall Rose must stay-
No. He's a Warrior not a soldier a Warrior.
Annie seemed to narrow her eyes at the order." Are you sure that you just don't want to hurt your precious friends soldier boy?"
The word soldier makes his head throb slightly but he's a Warrior, he needs to stay a Warrior.
Reiner looked serious at her words and kneeled down to look her in the eyes from where she sat on a crate.
"I've told you this hundreds of times before, they are not my friends, they are Devils. We just can't be reckless, we can't return home if we are dead." Though deep down he knew that the only Devils here are them.
Annie didn't look convinced but eventually broke their staring contest." Fine, and what exactly is our next move then?"
Reiner had to concede that they are in a tough spot, Marley won't be happy if all they have in five years was a few scraps of information, as much as leaving this backwards hermit kingdom appealed to him they had a job to do.
Honestly Reiner can't help but pity them, they're downright barbaric, fumbling around with bows and arrows, cannons and swords. They're doomed to die ignorant behind these walls, it is their fate.
But he can't pity these devils, even if they are ignorant of their crimes their ancestors sins can't be forgiven, if it wasn't them it would be someone else. There's no hope for these people, all they can do is perish.
Trying to resolve himself Reiner spoke of their new plans." Me and Bertolt will join the Military Police, we'll locate the Founding Titan whilst you'll be joining the Survey Corps and make a break for it on the next expedition."
His words actually surprised both the Female and Colossal Titans.
Reiner frowned as he elaborated on his reasoning." With the Attack Titan hidden somewhere along with the Military our options are limited, if Zeke and Pieck join us we'll be able to accomplish more, plus Marley should get an update and know what progress we've made in these five years."
Annie had her issues with the plan but also figured that since her Titan is the fastest between the three of them and she did all of the information gathering it only makes sense. Though she isn't a fan of having to do all the work again.
She begrudgingly accepted his proposal." Fine."
The two of them got up to leave with Bertolt following behind.
Reiner didn't admit it out loud, for obvious reasons, but knowing that at least for now no more-
He shook his head at such thoughts. They didn't have a choice in the matter, if not them then Marley would just send someone else, they need to massacre everyone on this island from the sickest elders to the freshest newborns because nobody, no matter how small, should have the chance to destroy the world.
He exited the alley and walked past both a pregnant woman and her husband. The mother looked happy as did the man.
He had to close his eyes and steady his breath.
It's times like this that he wishes Marcel never saved him.
