A/N: Hello everyone! Recently, I met a friend who I lost contact with, and we had a very good conversation. She told me that she wrote an AOT fanfiction, and she sent it to me so I could read it. I asked her if she was going to post it, and she said no, but I could. I am NOT taking credit for this story. The only thing I am taking credit for is a few little edits in it! Anyways, on with the story!
Fear. It was my friend, my sibling, perhaps even my father. Fear taught me all I needed to know about the world and the terrible creatures that inhabited it. Fear had shown me how dangerous each and every step could be.
But as most children, I was rebellious at times. I hated the way Fear abused me and never let me do anything that the other children were allowed to do. I did them anyway. I was punished for my disobedience until I was pushed back into line, but I knew my father was getting weaker and weaker. He was growing old, just as I was growing up, and I knew we would soon go our separate ways. I would live my life the way I dreamed once my father died. I simply continued to rebel to bring his demise closer.
And he died.
I knew he died when I left the walls protecting all of humanity. I had decide to venture past these cages when I heard the Recon Corps would be passing by Shiganshima to leave and scout out any more possible land.
I found where they were staying the night before their departure and stowed away in one of the coaches. They rode out early the next morning, surprising me a bit. I clutched the fabrics obscuring me from sight as we bumped along the road. The next time I looked out, I saw a sight I had never seen in person.
A Titan.
It was breathtaking, how large and inhuman this creature was. It took no time in taking a hold of a body. I didn't know who the soldier was, nor did I care. What worried me was the fact that I had stopped moving. I waited until the rumbling of the Titan was no longer felt and climbed out of my refuge. I looked around, only to see that I had been abandoned. I felt a rush of excitement as I took off towards a nearby forest, scaling the first tree I could and looking around. I knew how unsafe these Titans could be, so I decided to avoid the ground as much as possible.
I grew up alone for twelve years, adapting to life without provided necessities and learning how to hunt for my own food while avoiding the Titans. I had only had a few run-ins with Titans, but I managed to escape with the help of the surrounding trees.
I jumped to another tree, sitting down on my low branch. A strange sound came from my left, one that did not sound natural. I furrowed my eyebrows and stood up once more, moving towards the direction of the sound. I saw a Titan being attacked by a group of blurs. Taking refuge on a higher branch, I watched the scene unfold.
An unknown number of blurs executed a flurry of attacks near the ankles, managing to sever the Achilles' tendon and forcing the Titan to fall. Another two blurs temporarily removed its arms. As it began regenerating, something sliced out the nape of its neck in two swift movements. I was honestly in awe of the fast movements of these things.
Well, "these things" stopped moving, allowing me to see just exactly what they were. A group of four humans stood near the decaying body of the Titan, checking the strange contraptions against their thighs. They seemed to be discussing something, but I couldn't hear from my distance. I moved closer to the clearing they resided in, sitting on a lower branch than my previous one.
"…isn't possible. It has been years since we lost that coach."
"He said she had to be on it. We can't risk letting this girl turn up after having been outside of the walls for so many years. If she is alive, and she returns to the walls, people will believe it is safe out here and we will lose more people."
I furrowed my eyebrows at the words of the last soldier. Surviving for twelve years outside the walls makes me a threat to humanity?
"Worry not, I shall not return to the walls."
The soldiers looked around, three of them completely freaked out from my voice. The third, much shorter than the rest, looked straight at my tree. I knew he couldn't see me because of how well I knew the fullness of my trees.
"So you are alive. That should be impossible."
"Consider it impossible, for you will not be returning with news that you found the missing girl outside the walls. She is dead."
The short one directed a strange gaze towards me, but I paid it no attention. "Let us see you."
"Why?"
"To assure you aren't dead," the only female of the group said.
"Then that would contradict the fact that I am dead."
"It's not a fact if it is a lie."
I grinned a bit. "Perhaps, but how can you be sure? For you will never see me."
The short one shot himself towards my tree with the strange contraptions. I moved away silently, camouflaging into a tall tree a few feet away from where he landed. "Where did you go, brat?" the man said.
"Are you trying to look at me?" I asked playfully.
He moved again, towards the sound of my voice. I moved as well, circling around him. "Quit moving," he stated lowly.
"My dear human, I have hidden from Titans for twelve years," I teased, moving into a hole in my tree as he moved closer. I dropped to a lower level in the tree and walked out on a lower branch, jumping to another tree.
"I don't have time for hide and seek."
"Too bad, we should play some time," I continued, moving silently into a new tree as he followed. I moved a bit quicker, heading towards the clearing since I had led him away. I saw the other three humans watching with small pleased expressions on their faces. I couldn't help another grin.
"I'm done with your shitty game."
"Language," I scolded, laughing as I continued to move just out of his grasp. He was getting faster, however.
I stepped onto a slightly unstable branch, knowing he would hear the sound. I let it creak under my step, making a bit louder on purpose before moving on. He turned his head towards my direction, a strangely confident look on his face.
He stepped onto the unstable branch. Given that he was a heavier weight than I, the branch cracked and gave out beneath him. Caught off-guard from the sudden occurrence, the man fell towards the ground. The green cape that was fastened around his neck caught on a branch nearer to the ground, saving him from the dangerous fall. I giggled as I watched him struggle. The other humans laughed as well.
"Well, Grumps, maybe when you get a better attitude, I'll think about playing fairly. I hope to see my friends again some time."
I left the group, heading towards my makeshift home. It was a thicker section of wood where a group of four trees had grown closely together and overlapped each others' branches. There was a naturally-grown flooring made of the overlapping branches.
I pulled myself over the edge of the flooring and sat down, looking at the pile of metal on one corner. It looked similar to the pieces the humans had been wearing. I had salvaged them from one of the soldiers that had been left with my coach. There were straps as well, which I didn't exactly understand how to put on. I had, however, taken the time to observe everything about the human that was searching me. I smiled excitedly and attempted to put the straps on based on the mental image I had recorded not long ago.
They felt as if they fit correctly this time. I looked at the metal contraptions and put them on, feeling the weight against my legs. I removed them once more and sighed in comfort. There was no way I was going to wear the weighted chunks.
'Perhaps I should return to the walls. I will simply avoid telling anyone of how I survived the last twelve years and make up a cover based on my old home.' With that decision in mind, I laid down and fell asleep.
I woke up, unsure of how long I had been asleep and finding it to already be nighttime. I stood up and retrieved my bow and arrow, moving down to the ground since the Titans were inactive at night. I retrieved all of my traps and tied the rewards to my belt, setting new traps before moving on. I found four rabbits, a fox, and a raccoon. I then went to a river in a forest clearing and began to fill two canisters. I would be filling two at a time to prepare for my trip, as well as trapping enough meat to last. If my friends didn't return, I would have to make the dangerous trek alone. I would use all of the animal skins as temporary camouflage to the Titans.
Finding myself to be a bit sweaty and dirty, I undressed and tied my clothes and meals into a tree so that no friendly animal would attempt to steal them. I kept my trusty dagger on my thigh in case things became dangerous. After bathing in the waters, I redressed and sat down next to the river, watching the current flow along the smooth rocks. I saw a few fish and retrieved my bow from my back, stringing an arrow and running as quietly as possible along side them. I aimed as I ran, stabilizing my stride as much as possible for an even shot. I released the arrow and strung another, shooting a second fish before targeting the third. Before I could release my bow, I bumped into something and fell.
I growled in annoyance, standing up and feeling my knee begin to bleed. I scoffed and retrieved my other fish before stalking over to retrieve my missing arrow. I found it resting in the palm of a human. I recognized the man from before, glad that my mask was in place as protection from the cold night air. "Return so soon?"
"Tch," he replied, causing me to grin. "I was told to find you and negotiate for you to come back with us."
"And be locked up in a cage? No way, José. I would rather die by the hand of a Titan than to be imprisoned for being an outsider," I replied shortly. His steel grey eyes glowered dangerously at me. I glared back.
"What is your name?"
"Nunna," I replied.
"Nunna…"
"…your business," I finished. He seemed to intensify his glare. I grinned, even though he couldn't see it, and took off down the bank of the stream. I ran into the trees, scaling the closest one and taking refuge inside a hole.
"Get out here, you f-"
"Language!" I scolded again, climbing to a higher level and coming out on the other side. I moved on through the trees, leaving him behind. I checked behind me occasionally to make sure I wasn't being followed.
Once I felt safe, I returned to my home and packed up all my things, leaving them in a neat pile near the edge of my floor. I then headed off in the direction of where I had first found the humans before, hoping they would still be there. I found one of the humans in the trees, scanning the branches in sight. I grinned and decided to play around a little. I made it to the same tree, many branches above him. He wasn't leaning against the tree, so he didn't feel the hole. I moved silently to the branch he was resting on, taking a long, pointy stick and pushing it out of the hole.
He turned and walked straight into it. As he recovered from the shock, I pulled the stick back inside. He turned to look for whatever had hit him, but found nothing. I inwardly laughed when he turned away, and I poked him again. He turned quickly and grabbed the stick, pulling it out of my hands. I frowned and moved up to a higher branch, not yet wanting to get caught. I moved a good amount away from the man and sat down on a low branch, listening in on the conversation of those below.
"…escaped again?!" one girl exclaimed, following with laughter that was far too loud for comfort.
"Her knee was bleeding. She could attract Titans. We need to move," the short one, my favourite, replied. I rolled my eyes, looking to my knee.
"Titans don't come because of shed blood. They come for large groups of humans, if not a human alone." I grinned as I spoke, standing up and moving through the surrounding trees. They didn't seem to be moving from their spots, so I stilled for a moment. "You would think that all these years of Titan study would show you how stupid your little 'walls' are. The rest of humanity, gathered together in one spot where a simple hole in a wall would exterminate the last surviving members of our species."
"You know much about the Titans. Care to explain how?"
"Twelve years of living with them,"
I replied, shrugging lightly. "I observed them for a long time before beginning interactions and learning how to survive."
"Why won't you let us see you?" a new girl asked.
"Because I do not know you. I do not trust you."
"What could you possibly do by showing us what you look like?"
"Risk having to return to my father," I openly stated. "Though I do believe he has passed."
"You're father is dead," the short human said. "We know because he is the one that asked us to find you. It was his dying wish."
"Bull," I remarked. "He simply wanted me to die with him. Do not mistake my words for lies; my father was cruel, abusive, and manipulative. He used whatever means necessary to get what he wanted. He even used his death to attempt to drag me back to the walls so that I would die with the rest of humanity."
The humans seemed shocked, but I did not care to hear their opinion. I hid myself inside the trees, waiting for them to believe I had left. "What did he do to you?" Strike one. "Did he abuse you?" Strike two. "Hello?" Strike three, all from the new girl that had joined.
"Shitty-Glasses, she left." I grinned and silently peeked back out, watching them as they went to their horses. I was saddened to see that they did not have a cart, but I knew they would be returning eventually. "Let's go. Erwin will be happy to hear she is still here."
I sighed, knowing that they would try to convince me again to return to the walls with them. I would, but not with their knowledge. Surely when they return with a larger group, they will bring a cart as transportation if they plan to bring me back. I watched as they left, grinning a bit as I tied myself to the branch and laid down to sleep.
"Are you here?" I awoke to the loud calling of an unfamiliar voice.
"Me?" I replied, knowing he was looking for me anyway.
He looked to the woman. She nodded. "Yes. I am Erwin, leader of the Survey Corps. One of my groups was here yesterday. I was the one that sent them to find you."
"Ah, so you're the boss of the Eternal Void of Grumpiness?" The woman began to laugh, and I myself couldn't help a small smile.
"Levi, yes."
"I'm not coming back."
He sighed, amusingly frustrated. "Will you tell me why?"
He waited for a response, but I didn't speak. I walked up to the edge of the tree line. "Stay there." He nodded. "My father requested you find me when he died. I have survived twelve years outside your walls. If my story leaks to the public, they will think they can survive as well, and then leave the walls without any knowledge of how to do so. I will put humanity at risk. If I return, you will lock me up to prevent this."
"You are not the only one with secrets," he calmly stated. "Levi has secrets as well. I trust him enough to lead a squad in the Corps. He is Humanity's Strongest Soldier." He attempted to get a good look at me, but my face was masked. "You will earn your place. You have done nothing against our laws, therefore we have no reason to lock you up."
"I would like to request another day to consider your offer," I replied.
"Can I have your name?"
"When we meet again tomorrow."
He made a valid argument, but I did not want to risk my chances. I knew for a fact that people were capable of lying believably. I had also seen that he had planned to take me back if I had tried to run. His group was positioned all around the clearing. When Erwin had called them all back, I decided to hear what they would say.
"She requested one more day. We will keep the same plan tomorrow. As of now, take cover in the trees. Hanji, hide the cart as best as possible." The group split up. I watched the woman, Hanji, moved the cart into a thicker section of trees. Knowing that these humans would most likely not know how to hide something so simply, I waited until everyone had settled and moved to the cart to cover it with my extra animal skins. I had kept such a good stash throughout these twelve years. I also had enough for each person to cover well enough for safe travel. I would like to return in one piece.
After leaving a neat pile of animal skins and a note, I hid myself inside the cart under all of the tarps and cloths in the far end. I made sure to hide my bag and try to keep the tarps looking as they did before I moved them. It took a long time, but I heard everyone up eventually, the thin covering of the cart allowing me to hear the comments decently enough.
"Erwin, she left." My Eternal Void of Grumpiness! I could recognize his voice anywhere.
"How do you know?"
"A note."
I heard the paper ruffling before a female voice rang out loud and clear. "Dear Erwin and company, I would like to formally decline your request to return to the walls. I knew that if I told you in person, you would have taken me anyway. However, I left you with a parting gift for risking your lives to travel here. The animal skins, freshly washed and completely clean, will temporarily pass under the Titan's nose. I covered the cart as well so that your travels would be safe. With hope and peace, Ace."
"Ace." The voices stopped for a moment. I was curious as to why, but Levi's voice had me captivated. He said the name so delicately, as if it would break if spoken too loudly. "Brat probably made up a name she liked. No one would be named Ace inside the walls." I frowned but shrugged. He was partially correct. It wasn't my name, merely my initials.
"Let's just go. This was a waste of our time."
Knowing that the trip would probably take a while, I allowed myself to fall into a light sleep. I was awakened when the moving of the cart stopped, unsure of how long it had been since the animal skins over the cart blocked out sunlight. I was moved a few more times before permanently settled. Once every voice faded away, I snuck out of the tarps and secured my bag to my back. I then quietly made my way through the surrounding streets. It had been so long since I had left that nothing seemed the same. I looked up in hopes to see the wall, but it was too dark out. Luckily the night gave me good camouflage. I took in my surroundings, memorizing every path and where it led. I then ventured further into town, wandering around for a while until my feet began to ache. Not wanting to stick out like a sore thumb in my cloaked appearance, I snuck into a house and stole some clothes. Once outside, I took refuge in the cart-storage area where I had awoken. I changed quickly, putting my mask and cape in my bag.
I adorned a pair of fitted white pants and a black sleeveless shirt, my tan skin standing out like a sore thumb from the times I had spent lying in the sun near the treetops. I used the reflection of a discarded metal plate to look at myself. Twelve years truly did a lot to my appearance. My hair had grown out very long, the dark brown locks falling messily across my face. I moved my fringe constantly, deciding to find something to pin them back when I got the chance. My blue eyes seemed to be more vivid than I remembered. With a light shrug, I looked around the area the carts were left. There was no building, so I decided to hide in one of the carts and get caught as a homeless kid taking refuge inside them. Just as I settled down to sleep again, I heard a lout scream outside. I shot up and slipped my old clothes, mask, and cape on, finding comfort in my disguise. I then moved to the rooftops, scanning the area for any signs of the person that screamed. I saw a woman being…touched by three men. That was enough for me to conclude these men were bad news, so I jumped down to their level, scowling under my mask in disgust.
"Hey, why don't you let her go?"
"Lookie here, fellas," one of the men said, turning to look at me. The other two followed in suit. "Hey, masked freak, mind your own business."
"You know what's best about meeting someone in a mask and cape?" I began, slowly walking forward as managed to catch their attention. The woman caught the hint and ran off. "They can be quite mysterious," I continued, motioning for the men to follow me. "Let me show each of you an experience to die for."
I lured them away to an alley. "Take turns, or else you will be disappointed," I said softly, pulling the first one in by his hand. His hands wandered a bit, but I moved away. He watched as I flicked my cape back, revealing the form-fitting black crop-top I always wore. I smirked as his body shook. I then spun around, letting the cape flare behind me as I slowly undid the button on the top. I then dropped the cape, hearing his breath intake. I then grabbed a knife from my waist belt and concealed it in my hand as I waltzed back up to him.
"Mm," he hummed, his voice deep. I traced my free hand across his shoulder, moving around behind him. I then kicked the backs of his knees, grabbing a fistful of hair and pulling his head back. I rubbed up against him to keep him unsuspecting, hearing him moan. I then quickly slit his throat, dragging the body over to the wall and draping the cape over him.
Once finished with the other two men, I retrieved my cape and checked to make sure there was no blood on it before returning to the carts. I snuck back into my makeshift home and packed my disguise up once more, putting on the common clothes.
