Really quick warning before you read the chapter, DO NOT CONSUME RAW MEAT (unless properly checked and prepared such as with sushi) YOU ARE NOT FRECKLED JESUS AND HIS NEW GANG. This will be touched on again in a later chapter.
And I just have to say, that since some people die, pairings will change later on. I can guarantee JeanMarco and Eremin though. And Sasha and Connie are gonna get married because they both had the thought of "hey we're best friends and don't seem to like other people so why the fuck not?" And I can't break up Ymir and Christa/Historia(I may keep her name Christa for at least this part of the Shadows Series, but I can guarantee the next part, she will be Historia. It all depends on if this story stops at the part I want it to)
But romance is not a top priority in this story. This chapter and a few after it are actually going to focus on Marco finding out a few things and leaving some very open and key plot points. There'll also be some above ground things, but not much.
Also, Hanji is female in this story. I've read ones where Hanji is male, I've even read a really good one where Hanji goes by the ze/zhir pronouns. But for the Shadow Series, Hanji is female.
I also want to appologize for all of the lines separating things here. My computer and fanfiction seem to be at a heavy disagreement when it comes to anything but these damn lines separating things.
Chapter 2: It seems to run in the family.
"So then, he really is dead?"
The clear night sky hung heavy over the small group. After joining the Scouting Legion and reuniting with Eren, they had spent most of their time talking about the attack. It surprised him just how many of his friends had joined. Out of their group, only Annie had chosen another branch.
Sasha nodded solemnly to Eren's question. "Yeah. Jean was the one to find him." Her voice was quiet, muffled against Connie's shoulder as she looked over to the silent boy. "He…it was bad."
Eren fell back against the wall behind him, his arms tightening their grip around Armin's waist. "And it could've happened to any of you…" He whispered, horrified at the thought. "Marco…Mina, Samuel, everyone…" They had lost too many of their friends.
"We can't dwell on it." Reiner spoke up from his spot next to Bertholdt. "They're dead, that's that. Think of it this way, they're safe."
Armin smiled sadly, looking up at his best friend. "Reiner's right Eren. They don't have to be hurt anymore. They're safe and sound."
"Yeah." He smiled back to Armin. "It doesn't mean it doesn't hurt us though." Eren's gaze traveled over to Jean's, his eyes locking with the others. "We'll just have to do our best for them. We'll make them proud of us."
Giving a curt nod, Jean looked away, focusing instead on Christa's hands that were holding his own. "Look, just don't get any more of us killed alright? And try and attack one of us like you did Mikasa, and I'll kill you myself."
"You and about ten other people." Eren muttered. Levi and his squad were giving him no breaks, neither were Hanji or Commander Erwin.
Looking up at the clear sky, he could have sworn the stars seemed brighter than they ever had been. "We'll make them proud." He vowed. "I know we will."
The heavy weight against his head woke Marco from a deep sleep. He huffed, realizing it was an arm that had strayed onto him. It had been a week since Farian and Isabel had rescued him, a week since he agreed to join up with them. The infection that had almost claimed him was gone, leaving nothing more than a few bad scars on his face, neck, shoulder, and arm.
"Hey, they're your first battle scars! Proof that you're a survivor!" Isabel had told him. Marco smiled at the memory.
Shoving Farian's arm off of him, he sat up. Their little home- it was strange calling it that- was a simple branch off of a tunnel under what Marco believed to be Trost, though it could have gone further inside the Wall. It was small, but comfortable for just the three of them. Marco was thankful for the nights during training when everyone would be too tired to make it to their own bunks and would just land in a heap together, it was what staying with Isabel and Farian reminded him of. There were no proper beds, but a single sleeping place big enough for the three of them.
Marco looked around, seeing Isabel already up and moving. Her eyes were glowing with mischief, the first sign that she already had a productive morning. In the few days he had been well and conscious enough to spend time with the two, he realized Isabel would always be up before Farian doing something that he probably did not want to know. She was up before the sun and almost always back before it had risen too, or so Marco believed. It was hard to tell the time of day from where they were.
"G'morning Isabel." He said around a yawn, climbing over Farian to stand up and stretch. Isabel watched as he winced lightly with the pull of the scars.
"Morning Marco. I hope you're feeling good today, because guess what I was able to get." She was grinning, matching the mischief Marco had seen before. "I found some Maneuver gear that was missed after the clean-up. It still works too."
"That's great." He smiled, accepting the cup of water held out to him. "But what are we gonna do? I can't exactly go out there with the Training Corps badges on my jacket."
"We have an extra cloak without the badge on it, you'll be fine with that on." Isabel explained. "Wait until after breakfast and then we can start."
While Isabel woke Farian, Marco was fixing breakfast. It was not much, only what they could manage to get from quick steals either in the underground towns or by risking an above ground trip. Something new had found its way into the mix that day. Rabbit? He guessed. Meat was not something the trainees had cooked often, Marco only cooked it once before with Sasha and Christa's help. The boy remembered Sasha talking about it once though.
"They're tiny, so there's not much meat. It also makes them harder to catch." Sasha explained, using her hands to attempt to show the others the size of the animal. "But they're an easy kill, and they don't taste all that bad."
I wonder where Isabel got this from. "Hey, Isabel, how are you supposed to cook this?" He questioned.
"Huh?" The cup of water she held over Farian's head stilled. "Oh, just cut it up. It doesn't need cooked."
Marco raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? Meat's always cooked."
Isabel tilted the cup, forcing the cold water to spill onto Farian before replying, "We've never cooked it before. Even when Levi was with us, we didn't cook it. The meat's pure, like the vegetables, it can be eaten raw."
What in the world…? Marco looked back down at the pieces of meat he had been cutting. What the- His eyes widened. Frowning and checking the bowls to be clean, he put the meat into two of them along with the bread and apples Isabel had laid out. A third bowl for himself had just the bread and apples. They may be able to eat the rabbit raw, but Marco was taking no chances.
"Oi! Isabel what the fuck was that for?!" Farian sat up, glaring at the woman. "A simple 'wake up' would've worked!" He shook his head, water droplets scattering from his hair.
"It would not and you know it! Anyway, breakfast's ready. And after breakfast we're taking Marco out to teach him how to use the 3DMG down here."
Marco smiled as the two continued to bicker lightly. They remind me of the others… He smiled sadly. I hope they're safe…wherever they are.
"Alright! First thing's first, is the gear fitting ok?"
Marco chuckled at Isabel's bouncy attitude. She was pretty eager to get him moving around, and he would be lying if he said he was not just as eager. I've spent so much time using the gear to get around, it's weird not using it for a week.
That was not the only weird thing Marco noticed. He had seen soldiers get hurt less than he was, but they were out for more than a week. It was something that had bothered him since the third day, when Farian had commented about the wounds already beginning to scar over. Marco had brushed it aside as nothing though.
Maybe you're a titan shifter too. He joked to himself, knowing it was not true.
"It feels a bit weird," he finally answered Isabel, "but it's only because it's not the gear I'm used to."
"You'll have plenty of time to get used to it down here." Farian commented. "Just remember, it's different swinging around from stalactites and in tunnels than it is swinging from trees and buildings."
"The gear works in tunnels?" Marco was having a hard time picturing using the gear in the tunnel he had found. It was far too small, and there was not much for the lines to grip to except the ceiling. He had a feeling that would not be a good idea though, just out of fear of the tunnel collapsing on top of him.
"Of course!" Isabel said. "Most of the tunnels here are pretty unevenly carved out and fairly large, there's loads of hardened soil for the gear to grab onto."
The younger boy nodded in understanding. "Have any of the tunnels ever collapsed?"
"Not within the past ten years." Isabel smiled. "They're safe. Now come on! Enough questions, I'm assuming you at least know the basics, so just try and keep up." With that, she activated the gear. The line anchored into a hanging stalactite, pulling her with it.
Marco followed her, with Farian close behind. Using the gear underground felt far different than above in the open air. He had to watch that he did not aim too high, or he would hit the ceiling. Too low and the gear would either not catch onto anything or it would break the tip of the stalactite. This is why she wanted me to practice. He realized.
Stopping at a steady spot after a few mishaps, he watched Isabel and Farian closely. Their movements were different from the others he had seen. While Isabel seemed more comfortable just swinging her way through things, it was what Farian did that caught Marco's attention.
The gear would slow as Farian was approaching the anchor point and detach just as his feet hit the object. He was quick about attaching the lines to the next object and used the momentum from the landing to propel himself to the point.
That's something we never learned how to do. They were taught to use the gas tanks as propellers, not their own strength. The layout above ground is different though, there aren't many chances to do things this way. He saw how Isabel seemed to use less of the gas to stay in movement as well.
Taking a look down, he noted how much more dangerous it would be if the gear failed. They were high up, or rather, the ground was further down. And the pointed stalagmites did not look too friendly to him. For someone not used to the rough terrain, getting around should have been next to impossible. He was glad for Isabel taking the lead and showing him how to do things, and for Farian staying close enough behind him to help out if he messed up.
Isn't there supposed to be an underground city here? Marco looked around. He remembered there being talk of one, but he did not know exactly where it was. Out of the corner of his eye though, he could make out what looked like a few run-down buildings. It was a city, not too far away from their current position, but far enough to leave them some privacy. It seemed to be closer to the tunnel where they hid out.
"Marco come on! Don't just sit there!" Isabel called from a ways ahead of him. Marco wasted no time to get to her. "You're doing great, but try aiming a bit lower. Last thing we need is for you to lose that pretty little head of yours."
"It's not exactly pretty anymore." Marco joked.
"Oh come on, scars add character!"
Farian rolled his eyes. "No use arguing with her. Even Levi gave up after the first month of her calling his hair pretty."
"It was pretty! When he had it longer anyway." She pouted, "But then he cut it all short. His bangs were the same though, sorta like Marco's…"
"Isa is there any other reason for this trip besides getting Marco used to things?" Farian prompted.
"Of course!" She smiled. "An exploration of one of the tunnels. I just wanted to make sure he could keep up before we went."
"What's so special about an old tunnel?" Marco wondered.
"This one, goes right under the capitol."
Marco blinked in surprise. The capitol…where the Military Police is stationed. "Isabel I don't think it's a good idea."
The blonde looked confusedly at him. "Why not?"
"It's just…" Marco thought for a second. "Well, what if we're seen? I'm supposed to be dead, remember? And I'm not so sure they'd be lenient on you if they capture you after Commander Erwin said you could stay. What if they call him in to catch you again?"
"He has a point." Farian sighed. "Military Police would take him for questioning and I don't think that would be pretty. And the last thing I want is to get caught like that again; the last time was just downright embarrassing."
"What are we supposed to do all day then?!"
"Would it kill you to just have a quiet day?"
"Yes!"
"Too bad, head on back. Besides, it's his first time out since we found him, don't need to tire him out too much." Farian pointed back the way they came. Isabel pouted, but went off in that direction. He waited until she was gone to turn to Marco, looking the boy over. "Well, Marco Bodt, seems like you have more to hide than what you're saying. Anyone else would be biting at the chance to get out here, even if they were escaping from death… especially if they have someone special worrying over them." Was all he said before following Isabel.
It was not until Marco followed them that he realized something; he had never told Farian his last name before. Just how did he know it?
The moon hung high in the darkened sky, casting a pale glow through the opening in the ceiling of the cave. Marco sighed as he looked up to it. Jean…did you still join the Military Police like we wanted to do?
"You seem to be hiding more than what you're saying." The words rung in Marco's ears. There was more that he was hiding, but everyone had their secrets. He had just as much right as them to keep his own. Even if he did want to share them, he had no idea how he could.
His mind was far away from the secrets though, focusing instead on the others. He wondered how things were going for them; where they went, what they were learning, how they were doing, he worried about them. I just hope he isn't too hard on them, if they joined with him. There was no doubt in his mind that at least three of them had joined the Scouting Legion. Eren was dead set on it, and Marco knew Armin and Mikasa would follow him.
"Stay safe guys." Marco whispered. "At least until things calm down…then I can come and join you."
"Join the Scouts? Are you mad?"
Farian's voice made him jump. He had not realized that they were back from their little trip. They were right to come back when they did the first time. Marco was tired by the time they reached the cave, the scars on his arm protesting loudly. While the other two had left, Marco took a small nap.
"Not mad…it really just depends on where Jean is."
"So mystery man finally gets a name." The brunette commented dryly. "And if he's in the Military Police? You're a criminal now just for associating with us, think that would go over well with them?"
"I'm…not sure." It was true. Just that afternoon, he hesitated with going anywhere near the Military Police. Would he really join them?
"Just give it up." Farian sighed. "Look, there's no way you can go out there any time soon if someone's after you so don't worry about it."
"Alright." Marco sat up. Farian and Isabel sat beside him. He grimaced as his stomach twisted in a slight pain. Hunger was nothing new, but it became more pronounced with nothing to distract him from it. Underground though, food was even scarcer. The rabbit and apples and bread from that morning were lucky finds. Isabel was probably above ground to find the rabbit, a risky move in itself.
"Farian, you've been staring at Marco like he's a puzzle, what the hell are you trying to figure out?" Isabel finally broke the silence, and Marco looked over to find that Farian was indeed staring at him. The man had been doing that a lot in the past week.
"What is it?" He questioned.
"Your name, it is Marco Bodt, correct?" Farian questioned.
Marco nodded. "Yes, it is. But how do you know that? I never mentioned a last name, and neither did the list of the deceased."
"Do you have any siblings?"
He nodded again. "Yes."
"How many, how old?"
"One, twenty-one, though I haven't seen him since he was twelve."
Farian hummed. "One sibling, twenty-one years old, safe to assume a brother since you said you haven't seen him." He thought for a second. "You have the strangest quirks too; checking the bowl when you knew it was clean, knowing your exact limits when it came to the maneuver gear, hesitating at the raw meat when others would just eat it without a care. Your brother, would his name happen to be… Levi?"
Isabel gasped, looking from Farian to Marco. "Wait wait wait, Farian, you mean Marco is Levi's younger brother?!"
Marco closed his eyes. He expected them to figure it out, just not as soon as they did. He thought it would at least take a few more weeks, with what little he had told them. They did not look much alike, and Marco did not think about it often enough to even say something passingly. But Farian was right, it was the small things that had given him away; things that had been drilled into him since he was able to walk.
Opening his eyes, he looked at Farian and Isabel. Isabel's shock was apparent, but Farian's expression was unreadable. "Yes." He finally said. "Levi, Lance Corporal Levi, is my older brother."
