Death: Before we start, this is a sequel to Too Little, Too Late. So if you haven't read it, please back out now and read that baby of mine before starting Forever Or Never. For you won't understand what was going on, you will be confused and that's no fun.
And finally, finally this is when my story branches away from the magna. Now I don't have to double check and decide what to keep in and what to leave out from now on. Keeps a great huge weight off my shoulders, actually. So, without further ado, please enjoy.
Chapter One Isolation
=3=
It started out like any normal expedition. With the Survey Corp grown in major numbers, and an increase of funds and popularity since they reclaimed lost territory, they could venture beyond Wall Rose with increased number of expeditions as they took out the remaining titans between Wall Rose and Wall Maria. Despite the great loss of lives two years prior, including Commander Erwin, the Survey Corp was thriving with new hope.
Commander Hange led the front lines as they surged through the gate. They adapted the formation that Erwin had used in all of his expeditions, for it was still the most effective method to venture outside the wall in search of titans. Since that crippling victory the previous year, there has been no sign of the Beast Titan, or the Armored Titan, either. Not even Ylmir has been sighted, not since before they sealed up the hole made by the Colossal Titan nearly a decade before.
In this expedition, Hange had planned to hopefully take back an old fortress that had once been a hold for the Survey Corp before Wall Maria had been breached. It was the first bold move of expanding outside of Wall Rose. The plan was to slowly expand out, all the while eliminating titans caught between the walls. If the conditions of the fortress was in good enough condition, then the Survey Corp would shift to live here until they were one hundred percent positive they eradicated the titan threat to allow citizens expand further out.
This fortress was towards the west, and nearly exactly halfway between the walls. So they were taking a risk of possibly spending the night somewhere that wasn't exactly safe if it wasn't up to standard. Hange considered this fortress over the one Erwin had chosen to spend the night on the way south towards Shiganshina, simply because the latter was too damaged from years of abandonment. Hopefully this one would be in better condition, enough for the Survey Corp to set up base.
And with only facing a few titans, the Survey Corp made good time and the fortress was within sight a little after high noon. Hange slowed the pace, wary for any titans that were hiding around. Cautiously, they sent in a few Scouts to have a good look around before giving off any signals that they were in the clear.
"It looks like it's in good condition. Even the abandoned village here is still standing." Hange commented, noting how the walls were strong and the roof wasn't crumbling in.
"Maybe we can finally advance forward from here. It would be a big step for humanity." Armin commented, and the commander nodded.
"I don't sense any titans here." Eren informed, drawing his horse closer to the commander, the Special Forces Squad keeping close to him.
Since Captain Levi's disappearance, Mikasa took up his old position. Since she was his second in command, there wasn't really anyone else to be named captain, even if Jean took up captain of the Queen's Guard. If he had been named captain of both squads, it would have been too much on his plate. However, even if Mikasa was a great captain, she tended to be way overprotective of Eren during missions.
"Huh...then what's taking them so long to get back?" Hange pondered, and just then two squad members returned to report.
"There aren't titans." One of them stated.
"Then why aren't you using signals?" The commander tilted their head.
"We have found signs of someone living here. Judging by what we've found, it's only one person. Considering we don't know if it's friend or foe, we thought it be best not to use signals until we figure out who it is." The other Scout explained, and for a moment there was stunned silence.
It could very well be one of four people taking refuge here. But who?
Eren felt hope swell in his chest. Unlike everyone else, his hope to find Captain Levi had remained strong these last two years, and finally they had a sign. But he knew he shouldn't get his hopes up too high, for the identity of whoever was hiding out here could be Zeke, Reiner or Ylmir, too. Even so, he felt elated.
"Okay, I will send in a few squads. If you happen to find this individual, please raise the alarm. If it is indeed an enemy, restrain them. If they happen to be the missing captain, move with caution. Last time he was seen, he wasn't mentally stable. Inform me as soon as possible and bring me to him to assess the situation." Hange gave the instructions after recovering from the shock.
"Can we be one of the squads?" Eren volunteered, ignoring the glare from Mikasa.
"And what if they laid a trap out for you?" She frowned.
"You guys will have Scouts nearby to help if it comes down to that. And, if in case of emergency only, Eren is allowed to transform. Just...go easy on the buildings, please? I hate rebuilding." Hange smiled weakly.
"I promise I will do my best, commander!" Eren gave his word, an so he and his squad were on their way.
When they entered the small village they took to surveying from the rooftops to have a better view. One look at his squad and Eren could tell everyone was thinking the same as him. They were all anxious to see if the individual residing here was Levi. Since his disappearance, this squad had been most eager to locate him out of everyone else in the Survey Corp.
Even Jean and Sasha put time aside to come for this expedition, despite their work load in the Queen's Guard. For a big step like this, they wouldn't miss out on it. And by the looks on their faces, they were glad they did.
"Think it's him?" Connie was the first to break the silence.
"I don't know. Maybe." Mikasa shrugged.
"Who else can hide in broad daylight?" Eren pointed out.
"But...last he was seen, he was blind. And it didn't appear as if his titan gene would fix his sight." Sasha pointed out.
"Maybe his worked at a slower rate? His healing abilities didn't kick in unless he was in serious danger." Jean theorized, remembering the one time the captain and Eren spent the night outside Wall Rose, and even though they returned all bloodied up Levi's wounds had healed completely.
"Yeah, a lot can happen between then and now." The Titan shifter surmised.
Suddenly they heard shouting. And then there was the distinctive sound of glass breaking. Before they could take to the air, someone busted through one of the windows on the second floor of a building across from them. The figure had black pants, boots, and the top half was overshadowed in a long black tattered cloak. Their face was overshadowed by a hood.
The gear being used had seen better days, and for some reason Eren was glad to see they didn't have blades.
The figure caught sight of them and quickly turned to try and escape their pursuers and not get caught by the Special Forces Squad. However, Mikasa was quick to follow after. And with her initiative the rest of the squad took action as they sped after them. Being veterans now, the members of the Special Forces Squad were the fastest around in the Survey Corp.
Even so, they had difficulty keeping up with the individual.
And there was something familiar about the maneuvering tricks this person used in an attempt to thwart them. It was familiar enough to almost anticipate what they were thinking, or react fast enough to keep up.
There's no mistaking those moves. But we have to see a face.
"Hey! Slow down! We just want to talk!" Eren shouted, the first to address the individual.
Suddenly the individual executed a rather cunning move. They used both lines on buildings on either side of the street, and suddenly they were pulled into an abrupt stop and they lost a little bit altitude. The majority of the squad went flying passed as they tried to slow down but couldn't. The last to pass over the hooded figure was Eren, and he managed to slow down just enough and he leaned forward in an attempt to face the stranger upside down in the air.
Teal green eyes stared into piercing blue grays.
"Captain!" Eren exclaimed with a gasp.
Levi stared, uncertainty in those eyes as they narrowed suspiciously. And for a split second there was confusion, but also a hint of recognition. It was enough to give the man pause, and then he was surrounded. He was forced to land, and he searched for any means of escape.
"Don't approach him! Someone send a green flare!" Mikasa cautioned, landing next to Eren.
Connie sent off a green flare, the entire squad unable to shift their gaze away from the man. There was no doubt about it now, the build and height matched Levi, and the fact Eren briefly saw his face was enough. Levi stood, body tense and ready to spring into action as he silently tried to plan his escape.
"Captain Levi, please, lower your hood and come with us." Mikasa was in captain mode.
"...Is that what my name is?" He spoke with caution, earning confused stares and gasps.
"You don't remember?" Eren inquired, relaxing his body.
"...So many memories. I don't even know who I am, or what has happened to humanity. I thought, since my escape, that there weren't anymore of us. So I found this place and learned to survive." He stopped short, debating whether it was safe to continue or not.
"Tell me, are you by chance one of the original nine now? I'm also a host to one of the nine, my name is Eren Yeager. I'm host to the Attack On Titan. What about you?" Eren stepped a little closer, but stopped when the hooded captain stepped back.
"I can't say. You're all in danger just by speaking to me. Let me go. If you found me, he's not far behind." A part of Levi came through, his voice became dark with an undertone of fear.
"What do you mean we're all in danger?" Mikasa tensed up.
"Just let me go! There's no stopping him, he will be here now that you idiots found me." He persisted.
"We can't just let you leave, you've been gone for two years and you expect us to just let you go and watch you disappear again? Don't you want to see Lavena? She misses you! Don't you remember your fucking daughter!?" Jean growled, and the head underneath the hood tilted in confusion.
"...Daughter? Which child are you speaking of? There's too many memories for me to distinguish one child from another."
"You really don't remember, do you? What happened to you, captain? What happened to the Levi we all know?" Eren furrowed his eyebrows, as he tried to step closer.
The tension broke and the former captain sprung into action. He swung a kick at Eren, who anticipated the move and blocked with his arms. He then grabbed hold of the ankle tightly. The Titan shifter used enough of his strength that the other couldn't move. Levi nearly lost balance as he tried to wrench his leg free. And suddenly a memory came through and he gasped.
Levi was remembering when he had been blindfolded, arms restrained behind his back. He met a cheeky brat who needed to be taught a lesson, and so he swung a high kick at his head, not needing eyes to guess his height. And the brat was quick to react, effectively blocking him and held his leg there.
"Eren...?" His recognition came out softly, and the Titan shifter grinned.
"Yes! You remember! Do you remember anything else?" He got excited, and Levi struggled with more vigor.
"Get away from me! Let me go! There's no stopping him on a rampage!" He twirled with enough force to free his leg, and as much as he wanted to send another kick at Eren, he stopped himself.
"Do you mean Zeke? The Beast Titan?" Hange showed up, landing behind the captain who had been missing, and effectively pulled his hood down without considering the consequences.
"Oi! Don't fucking sneak up on me, shit four eyes!" Levi bristled, as everyone gasped, throwing a punch.
His hair had grown, just down his shoulders. He had it slicked back, and now those who had seen Kenny, could finally see the resemblance between Levi and his uncle, aside from the eyes. Hange had anticipated the punch, knowing his habits, and effectively blocked him without batting an eye.
"Good to see your memory is somewhat coming back." Mikasa sighed, and the commander blinked.
"You have memory problems? Oh! You can see again! When did that happen? How did you get your eyesight back? Did you get so heavily injured that your gene kicked in and you were able to see again?" Hange was into full scientific mode, and Levi growled as he pushed them away.
"The fucking Beast Titan injected me with some shit, and I was forced to eat the previous host of the fucking Wings of Freedom! Now let me go before..." Levi stopped short, and he tilted his head as if he were hearing for something. He tilted his head the other way as he looked up, towards the south.
His eyes dulled over, and his face blank as he concentrated.
"Levi? What's wrong?" Eren cautiously placed a hand on the tiny shoulder.
"...He's coming." He spoke with such fear, it was strange coming from who considered Humanity's Strongest.
Seconds after he gave the warning, black flares went off. In an instant Hange grabbed Levi as he tried to make a run for it, and somehow the commander managed to keep a hold of him despite his strength. What Hange was counting on was that in a panic, Levi wouldn't know how much strength to use in order to get away.
"Commander! It's the Beast Titan!" Someone reported.
"Squads, assemble and lay a trap. Eren, transform at will. Be sure that the Beast Titan does not reach the fortress." Hange gave the orders, and immediately everyone scrambled to follow them.
"Let me go! He won't stop until he kills me!" Levi struggled even more frantically, and managed to elbow the commander in the face. The grip on him lessoned just enough to break free.
Don't run away! We can help you!
Eren reached out with both Titan mind and body, having already transformed. He held the squirming captain gently, and Levi tensed in the hold. He was held up and sort of close to Eren's face.
"I can't lose anymore people because of him. I already lost so many...because of me." He choked, and he shuddered when the Beast Titan released an angry roar as he was intercepted.
Trust in us, have faith in us. Stick with the commander, okay? Let us take care of him.
Eren urged, his green eyes flashing with sincerity.
Pale blue gray stared into green. And he was nearly overwhelmed by memories that were flooding his brain. His memory was jumbled, but he was finally starting to remember. And finally he had a solid identity after trying to sort through so many memories of the hosts of one of the original nine Titans. His eyes hardened as he stood, shoulders straight and back tense.
"No...hand me some blades. It's time I stop cowering in fear by him." The part of him that was Levi came through fully, as the rest of his memories came back.
"Here, take some of my extras. Glad to have you back, captain." Hange grinned, landing on one of the hands.
Glad to finally be back.
Levi quickly added the blades to his gear, and with a curt nod he set off alongside the Special Forces Squad. The members cheered and whistled, delighted to have their missing captain back. Even Eren released a roar as he ran beside them, heart elated at the sight before him. It had been so long since he had seen this man in the air, and he took in the sight and committed to memory, for he had been dreaming of this day.
"How much gas you have?" Mikasa inquired as they drew closer to the fighting just outside the outskirts of the town in the overgrown trees.
"Enough to last. This time around I'm killing him, original nine or not, he's dead after everything he has done." Levi hissed, and he sped faster.
"Just...what did he do to you, captain?" Jean sensed there was more history here than they knew.
"Now isn't the time to explain." Levi growled, as they were almost upon the scene of Scouts struggling to ward off the Beast Titan.
"What's the plan?" Connie gulped at the sight.
"First, take out its arms, then its legs. Eren will be distracting it while we take it down." Mikasa already had a plan.
"Couldn't have said it better, Ackerman." Levi smirked briefly.
The squad dispersed to grant Eren room as he roared and charged at the Beast Titan. He learned not to throw first punch, instead he held his arms out to meet the longer arms halfway. The force of his charge pushed the other back a little, but it wasn't enough to topple him over. Zeke started to push back, and it became a war of strength as they went back and forth.
Connie and Sasha went at the long arms, while Mikasa and Jean went at the legs. Levi went straight for the eyes, being the only one bold enough to get so close to a large mouth that could swallow him whole. And it sort of became part of his signature move to take out the eyes since he had done such a move on Annie.
His blades pierced through the eyes, and Levi smirked coldly as blood sprayed over him.
"Oi...remember my promise I made to you? Well guess what, shit face? I'm about to uphold it." He laughed darkly, and his eyes flashed golden, and the markings of a titan shifter stained his cheeks.
He drew away as the Beast Titan jerked away from Eren, as its arms and legs gave out on him. The Beast Titan fell and it weakly started swinging its arms around as a last form of defense. And while it was down, it summoned more titans with its will. The first to come to his aid was none other than the Armored Titan.
Reiner charged at Eren, nearly trampling over the Beast Titan in the process. The two roared and growled as they attempted to overpower the other on equal ground. Levi withdrew from the Beast Titan, as he couldn't get at the only weak spot. He gritted his teeth as the Beast Titan forced the healing process to speed up, steam coming off of its body.
"Keep going at the arms! Cut them off!" He yelled out, and the Special Forces Squad sprang into action once more.
I will not allow you to slip from my grasp again!
They managed to cut one of his arms off before a horde of titans charged through the trees. With them came more Scouts, and they yelled in unison as they swung down from the trees. They met the charging horde halfway, and it was instant chaos.
"FOR COMMANDER ERWIN!"
Levi paused, hanging from a tree as he took in the impressive sight. And it had been so long since he heard that name. He almost choked up, but he resisted. Now wasn't the time to get emotional. He turned his gaze at the Beast Titan as his fast healing brought back the use of his legs, one arm and sight. It would take a little longer for the other arm to regrow, and that was something he couldn't speed up.
He swung in at the same instance as the rest of his squad, since they were the only ones who could focus on the Beast Titan while those not fighting the horde scrambled to gather the specialized weapons to help Eren fight the Armored Titan. Levi tried to aim for the base of the neck, but he silently cursed when the Beast Titan anticipated his move and pressed its back against the nearest tree to protect the weak spot.
"Not so tough, now are you? Tch, how pathetic." Levi scoffed loud enough for Zeke to hear him.
As he went in for another attack on the eyes, he was suddenly tackled hard into the ground by the four legged titan Zeke rode around on. Levi found it difficult to breathe, the force knocked the air out of him. And his head hit the ground hard enough he was dizzy and almost blacked out. And as his squad shouted out to him, Zeke had pulled himself out of his titan body and the Beast Titan released an incredible amount of steam covering the area around it.
While the Special Forces Squad struggled to see, Zeke had no trouble jumping down from his titan body onto the four legged titan. He stared at the fallen captain, who was choking from the steam, debating whether or not to kidnap him or end him now. Suddenly Eren jumped into the steam as he had thrown Reiner into the trees, and he roared high pitched, his eyes flashing dangerously at his half brother.
You will not be taking him!
Eren was crouching, lowered his head to glare at Zeke, who stood his ground without even flinching.
Fine, he's your problem then. The Wings of Freedom is as useless as Ylmir.
And like that, Zeke turned his mount and scrambled away just as the steam cleared. Reiner followed after him, eager to get away from the Survey Corp now that they had weapons to do damage to him. A few seconds later the Scouts had taken care of the last remaining titans that had charged from out of nowhere.
Only when the danger was for sure gone did Eren release his titan body. He pulled out and quickly made his way closer to Levi, who struggled to stand after being tackled and almost crushed. And Eren couldn't hold back what he had longed to do the first second he caught sight of his face. He rushed up to Levi and pulled him into a tight hug, even so far as to swing him around a few times as he openly cried.
"Brat! Put me down!" Levi squirmed, unused to being hugged and twirled around.
"I never lost hope. I never lost hope we would find you again. I was so scared that we would find you dead. And yet here you are, alive, and thriving, and you've been out here this whole time." Eren choked on his sobs, and he could hardly believe this was actually happening.
Levi relaxed into the hug, as those words sank in. He felt his demons subside, unsure how to proceed. They weren't used to being comforted by someone who wasn't Erwin. And as he breathed in Eren's scent a foggy memory came forth, and he tensed as he recalled a night someone spiked the drinks with tasteless and odorless alcohol. His cheeks burned bright red, and he was slightly grateful his face was mostly hidden.
"Did...did we have drunken one night stand?" He whispered just enough for only Eren could hear.
The titan shifter tensed, as he considered his words very carefully.
"Please don't be mad at me." Eren bit his lip.
Levi drew away and punched him in the face.
"Eren!" Mikasa drew closer, and he held out an arm to prevent her from throwing the other captain down.
"No, I kinda deserved that one." Eren nervously laughed, rubbing his jaw.
"What did you do?" Jean inquired curiously, noting the hint of blush on the usually stone cold face.
"Let's just say whoever spiked the fucking drinks in the party I hosted is going to be digging their own grave." Levi hissed, heading towards Commander Hange, and behind him he hadn't noticed how Jean paled.
"So...why did he punch Eren?" Sasha tilted her head.
"Um...let's just leave it at it was a very drunken night that may or may not have lead to some things." Eren blushed deep crimson.
"Wait...you and the captain...?" Mikasa glared darkly, her eyes darkened to almost black.
"He didn't initiate I did!" Eren yelled at the top of his lungs, and quickly put his hands over his mouth.
"Oi. Keep your voice down before I sock you so hard you won't be able to talk." Levi glared.
"Eren and Levi sitting in the tree, K-I-S-S-I-" Jean was interrupted in his sing song moment when the short captain was suddenly behind him and with a swipe of his foot, a twist of his arms the captain of the Queen's Guard was flying over Levi's head and down on the ground with a loud thump.
"Anyone else want to join him?" Levi eyed everyone nearby.
He was met with desperate shakes of heads.
"Good. Now, excuse me, I've got a few years to catch up on." Levi turned and made his way back to Hange.
At least it's good to see him back to normal.
=3=
Death: Phew. So, how's that for a good first chapter? Yes? No? Maybe so? I will explain a little more about Levi's two year disappearance in the next few chapters. And also, I have a theory.
We all know Eren is host of one of the original nine titans. Okay then, that explains his abilities that makes him different from other titans. AND he can transform back and forth between human and titan forms. So, by judging by those differences, who's to say that we already don't know of a few others of the original nine?
I have a strong belief Zeke and Reiner are definitely hosts to originals. Zeke is the only known animal titan/morph, and he can control mindless titans, same ability as Eren. While Reiner may not be able to control them, it's unknown if he really can or can't, but look at him. He's the only titan with a thick armor of skin not many things can penetrate.
Doesn't that sound like a really great advantage for first experiments of human titans for war?
What about Annie's crystalization? Or Bertoldt's enormous size, to take down even the fucking walls?
However, I'm still unsure about Annie and Bertoldt being hosts of the original nine. For one, their skin is inside out. For two, Annie can't fully crystalize compared to Eren when injected later on with the ability. Maybe they're branches of one of the originals? I mean, there had to be people after the original nine, which were a success, but then something must have gone wrong with each generation, hence why most of the time the titans can't remember being human and transform back.
Or maybe the original nine weren't the first human titans, but the first success? And the few before them were deformed, like, as mentioned before, skin inside out, and unable to fully use special powers the nine could? Either or, it brings to question about the original nine and their identities. However, if Annie or Bertoldt were to be put into question of being one of the nine or not, I like to believe Annie more than Bertoldt.
Reason 1) She has a lot more going for her than Bertoldt, who can only use his size to his advantage and has a time limit, for transforming takes a lot of energy and he can't do it too often or he will be weakened. She is of decent height, strength, and speed, with the fact she can crystalize parts of her body.
Reason 2) Her memories. Before she crystalized when she was captured, she thought of her father, who was holding her while she appears to be in shock. Now, this is only a theory, but my idea is that he's dying, he wants to ensure she would survive, and then had her be signed up for experimentation so that she could survive. Or perhaps this was after the experimentations, and he hugs her to prove to her that she's not a monster. But he tells her she must remain strong, no matter what obstacles may come, she must live.
So yeah, that's my theories. I'm still unsure if Annie and Bertoldt were hosts of the original nine, but I can say I highly suspect Zeke is, considering he shares many of the same abilities as Eren can. Let us not forget that, even if his mother strayed from royal family, he's still of royal blood, which plays a major key role here. And after him would be Reiner, for the fact he has a really huge advantage in battle compared to everyone else.
So, please without further ado, leave a review!