Ok, here's chapter 2! Why you ask? Because I feel like it! Anyway's I hop you enjoy this chapter! I need at the very LEAST 5 more reviews to continue. Any suggestions are welcome so feel free to throw me any ideas!
Man, i'm hungry...
Anyways, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy... i need a sandwich... *leaves to make one*
Eren crossed his arms and glowered and Jean, trying his very best NOT to punch him in the face and start a huge fight that will have him on cleaning duty for a month. This guy thinks he can boss anybody around! Who does he think he is, the king?!
"I told you no! Fix your own stupid gear yourself! Besides i'm not that good anyways!"
"Quit lying! It seems like every time your maneuver gear breaks you somehow always to repair the thing before Levi finds out about it! That guy will have my head if he figures out mine stopped working. These things cost almost as much as a sack of salt!"
"Does it really look like I care?! Borrow someone else's or something."
"I can't, baka! We leave in 10 minutes. This thing-" Kirstien held up his damaged gear letting the titan shifter see for himself the shape it was currently in. "Is what keeps me alive outside those walls! Now fix it! I know you know how to Jaeger!"
"FOR THE LAST TIME I DON'T-"
"If you want to I can repair it." The two guys turned both their heads towards the new coming voice in the room that happened to be already ready to take action and fight. "I mean, if you want me to. Marco and myself use to work on our maneuver gear all the time together when something malfunctioned or broke. We even fixed others' to if they asked."
Eren sighed and got off the chair he was sitting in while grabbing his Survey corpse member cloak and drenching it over his right shoulder. "He's the one who fixes my gear, genius. Armin, can you repair the whiners stuff in under 10 minutes?"
"10 minutes?" The blond examined the broken object that remained in Jean's large palms and shrugged. "I guess I can try, but you might need to borrow someone else' air filter because your looks completely demolished. What happened to it anyways?" Jean ignored the question and just handed Armin his gear, thanking him before heading out the door after hearing his name being called from somewhere down the hall. Arlert examined the metal devise again before smiling and placing it on top of the wooden table in the center of the room. Eren sighed and started to make his way out the door. "Oh, Eren!"
The brunet stopped his tracks and turned his head a little. "What is it?"
"I wanna give you something at the end of the day."
"Wha-"
"Don't ask what it is!"
Eren quickly shut his mouth and pondered for second. "Well, it's not my birthday..."
Armin chuckled and pulled off the beat up air tank from the titan killing object. "I know it's not. It's just something I wanted to give you for a while, but wasn't really sure if I should." He started tinkering with some more parts while a tint of pink started to creep it's way across his small cheeks. "On second thought, maybe now's not the best time either."
Jaeger frowned and started to ask why but was cut off by the sound of Connie yelling at Sasha about something to do with the last piece of bread disappearing outside; Sasha proclaiming she had nothing to do with it at all, only enraging the guy even more. "Are those two arguing again? If Connie doesn't want his food going missing all the time he should really learn to actually eat it all and not try to "savor it", so to speak."
"Huh?You guys are still here? You should really get going before Levi leaves you behind again and has you end up cleaning the place top to bottom."
'Why is he such a neat freak?' "Yeah, yeah. I'm on my way." Eren exited the room following Bertolt and Reiner who were exiting the building themselves, leaving Armin alone in the now quiet room with only the sound of arguing and horses coming from outside.
The youngest titan fighter looked out the window towards the clear blue sky and stared at the protective wall that thankfully kept the unwanted guests on the other side. A shiver found its way to his spine reminding him again what he's getting himself into. Images of the many titans he's seen so far in life started to course through his mind like a terrifying slideshow; including the well known 40 meter titan that probably startled him most of all since just the thought of it made him gasp and stiffen up.
Eren came jogging back into the room unexpectedly just as he finished up slipping on his green hooded cloak. "Armin, we have 5 min!"
Arlert turned away from the window in one swift move and faced the door were his best friend stood nodding in agreement. "A-ah..." After watching him leave once more, his attention shot back to the maneuver gear again remembering what he was doing. Ignoring his horrible memories of the past, he closed his eyes for three seconds refreshing his thoughts and continued with the work he started.
*(Accidents happen)*
"WHY DIDN'T YOU DO ANYTHING!? JUST STANDING THERE LIKE A TOTAL IDIOT WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING IF SOMEONES IN DANGER! START WRITING A LETTER OR ASK IT POLITY NOT TO KILL ANYMORE, WHY DON'T CHA!"
"IT CAME OUT OF NO WARE, I SWEAR! I WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING IF I SAW IT COMING! chikushō-" Connie sped up his horse trotting through the large maze at incredible speed, following Reiner who was using his maneuver devise to swing from tree to tree while looking over his surroundings carefully.
"Do you see anything down there!?" Connie shook his head at the question having Reiner click his tongue in return now frustrated. After searching for what felt like hours, Reiner stopped on top of a tree branch and retracted both his grappling hooks panting silently.
Springer jumped off his horse coming to a complete stop and started looking around frantically. "He's not here...isn't he..."
"Īe, he's not..."
The 8th ranked warrior sighed and clenched his fists together tightly feeling complete rage quickly taking over his person, but just as fast as it came the emotion left only to be replaced by devastation who decided to step in at the last minute, forcing his fists to loosen up and relax as it did it's thing. A shaky breath left the young mans lips as he started to remember Armin's smiling face after succeeding one of the very goals he tries ever so hard to accomplish just like everyone else. But unlike the rest of the Survey members, Armin, bless his kind heart, is more terrified of titans then probably anything else in the world. He's very brave when it comes to strategy and planning on taking down one of the cannibals, but coming up with an attack or a free for all move of his own on the very second a titan attacks would just leave him paralyzed in fear until he's either eaten or saved.
The secret armored titan spoke up finally after a long pause and stated, "Were going to have to tell the others...You know that right?"
Connie nodded in agreement with a silent yet heard "Ah"starting to get on top of his chocolate mare.
"But who's gonna tell-"
"I will."
Nothing but the sound of leaves blowing against one another, thanks to the low breeze, was heard in the forest for another long minute until a very loud scream echoed past the boys, startling the both of em.
*(Accidents happen)*
Historia sliced the back of a 5 meter titan's neck in one swift move and watched it the floor with a loud thud; the look of satisfaction spreading across her pretty face for what she accomplished. She jumped off the things large head only earning a surprise bear hug from the one and only Ymir in return, startling the poor girl by accident making her squeak in reaction.
"Historia-chan, that was amazing! You seem to get stronger and stronger every day!" Historia blushed in response and giggled thanking her friend for the compliment.
"But Ymir-san, you did help me stop it before it left the forest. I think it's harder to catch these things without the use of my maneuver gear. I wonder why it's not working so well?..."
"Aw~ but your the one who got it right? Give yourself credit for at least that." The petite female broke out a shy smile and nodded. "Good, now I think I saw another one not to far from here. Were was it again?" The sound of heavy footsteps shook the ground beneath the girls coming from the direction behind them reveling to what looked like a 7 meter titan far off in the distance walking past a few trees and some deer. Ymir smirked. "That's the one. I got it this time ok?"
"H-Hia!" Historia smiled and ran in the dangerous direction without hesitation.
It really didn't take them long to catch up to their target thanks to its slow pace. The Titan had it's back faced towards them as it walked calmly through it's territory careful not to make contact with any trees. Yumir smirked and pulled out her weapon and got into her battle position. "Alright..." She studied it's movements making sure it didn't notice her presents and started to go for the kill, only to pull back when he stopped in his trail. "Eh?"
"...Wha?" Historia cocked her head to the side out of curiosity and watched as the giant just stood there like an idiot staring down at something while breathing heavily like a large bull stalking it's pray carefully.
The monster's stretched out smile somehow managed to grow bigger in delight as it started to bend down, picking up to what looked like a human corpse shocking The dancing titan and her partner. Yumir got her weapons ready once more seeing it place the object in its mouth and slowly start chewing on it playfully. "How dare you!" The young women ran at full speed ahead after hooking onto a near by tree getting the titans full attention. It turned around slowly spotting the humans and stared at them with it's saucer like eyes.
The blonds eyes widened in fear finally realizing what lied beneath it's surprisingly well toned jaw. Small tears threaten to run down her face at the terrible site only, to being held back by fear which stared back at her smiling. Yumir's whole facial expression changed from shock to confusion as she stared down watching the whole scene happen before her very eyes.
"Oh my god..."
"ARMIN!" Histoari screamed at the top of her lungs before having her legs break down to the floor now unable to move. "ARMIN NO!"
"KRISTA, OUT OF THE WAY!" The female jumped off the tree swiping the girl in time before the titans attacking fist hit her. Armin lied half way inside the things mouth with his eyes widened in fear and mouth slightly opened making him actually look like he could actually scream in fear at any moment and yell for help.
"W-what..what happened-"
"LET HIM GO!" Yumire put her crush down and charged at the 7 meter, eyes filled with confusion and somewhat rage. She hook shot her way to the back of the beast and sliced the back of it's neck in one swift move, making sure the sword cut in deep. Not able to scream with the body in it's mouth the beast just fell to the ground without hesitation; motionless not a moment later. Armin's other half stayed within the titans somewhat tightly clenched jaws as it hit the floor, now lying underneath its large head. Krista quickly got up from the ground out of instinct and went to boys aid trying with all her might to yank him out without having him torn in half.
Yumir walked up to both blonds and watched her friend struggle to pull Armin out of the now dead titans mouth. "Krista-chan..."
Krista wiped away most of her tears with her left sleeve and continued to tug. "Y-Yumir-san! Help me out, he's stuck!"
"Cut it out Historia. It's no use..."
"B-but-"
"But nothing...Theres nothing we can do" The tall women grabbed both of armins limp arms and started to pull on them really tightly, ignoring the strange bone snapping noises that were coming from her actions.
"What are you doing!? Your gonna snap him in two if you keep doing that!"
"He's dead anyways. I know this isn't the best idea, but now is not the time to argue. All we need is something from this guy to bring back his family, so if it means half a body-" She tugs even tighter. "Then so be it."
"WHAT THE!? OI, WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING!?"
Both girls turned from the body to the two people in front of them. Krista frowned at them and covered her eyes with both hands trying not to show any tears. "Mina..."
Reiner looked at the limp Arlert and stiffened up. "..."
"OH MY GOD! ARMIN!" Springer pushed Yumir out of the way and inspected the body himself. "W-what the heck happened to him?! AND WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO RIP HIM IN HALF!?"
"He's dead anyways, we have to bring at least something back to his parents." spoke the dancing titan before coming face to face with an angry Connie.
"Yeah, we can bring back ALL of Armin! Not just have!"
"We are wasting time. This thing will just disappearing at any moment and everything inside it, including Arlert. Getting him out in time seems risky."
The iron titan put away his weapons. "Won't know till we try." He crouched down hooking his arms under Amrin's and started to yank him upwards. Everyone watched as he slowly started to slide the body out of the dead titans mouth, followed by the flow of blood that are probably coming from the deep cuts he's gotten on his legs. Armins motionless self started to make an unsettling cracking and popping noise after Reiner started pulling him free worrying everybody around him.
A few more tugs finally set Arlert free at last, allowing everyone to see the current condition he was in. Yumir crossed her arms and sighed. "Yep, he's gone..."
Krista bent down to examine the body carefully and then propped up its head starting to give him CPR. Connie watched the girls actions for a second before quickly looking away in another direction, not wanting to actually gain hope that he'll actually wake up if she started doing that. Braun's eyes saddened as he watched Historia's tears run down her face heavily while she was pressing her lips roughly against Armin's trying to give him back the air he use to claim.
This went on for what seemed like hours until Yumir managed to stop Krista's attempt to bring back life and convince her that Armin was gone, allowing the blond to cry into her own warm embrace.
Reiner retrieved Armin and got onto Connie's horse. "I'm going to bring Armin to the cart."
Connie lifted an eyebrow."Were the other corpse's are?"
"Hia, and i'll inform captain Levi about what happened."
"So your not going to tell Eren."
"..."
"Reiner?"
"I-"
"Let's let him find out for himself." Yumir didn't look up from her lover and continued to consult the smaller female. "We'll just answer all his questions afterwards."
The male titan shifter thought about it for a second then nodded in agreement. "Fine..." He used his hand to close Armin's opened eyes leaving him to look more at rest and turned to Connie. "If you run into Eren, don't bring this up until he asks."
"Sure..." Springer looked at Arlert one last time before slinging his maneuver gear into action and taking off somewhere into the distance.
Yumir mumbled something into Krista's ear about something to do with leaving before sun down and getting lost before taking off somewhere in the far distance followed by her mourning companion. Reiner sighed started to retrace his steps finally deciding to head back; practically praying he wouldn't run into another titan. The corpse he had to carry was enough as it is.
*(Accidents happen)*
A doctor pulled out his clipboard and turned to his partner who was trying his best not to gag at the site of a dismembered corpse. "So, whats her story?"
"This was a chick!?" Shoving the clipboard into the other guys chest in frustration the older man (mid 20's?) rolled his eyes and bent down to get a closer look himself.
"She died by a sudden blow to the head that had her crashing to the ground within seconds. Her inner lungs and spinal cord cord are severely damaged and her right side of the face is completely torn off." The other guy gagged and turned away trying to think of something else. Another worker ran up to the two men and announced some more new coming corpses that were entering wall Sina by wagon as they spoke. The 20 year old nodded and wrote something onto his clipboard before asking some military workers to come help him move the body for him.
Meanwhile, almost everybody was waiting at the front gate watching the Survey corpse members enter through the walls once again after another days work of doing what they do best. A 7 year old girl and to what looked like her little brother pushed past a couple of adults and ended up in front of the crowed somehow getting a clear glace at the warriors. The little girls eyes sparkled in admiration after spotting Mikasa who was riding her horse behind the severed corpses in the wagon looking strait ahead and showing no sign of fear what so ever.
The little boy on the other hand just stared at the corpse that slowly drove by him revealing some dismembered body parts that stuck out of some wrapped bodies. He frowned and turned to Eren who happened to be looking down at the floor as if it was about to open up and swallow him hole.
"Isn't she pretty!?" The boys sister clasped her hands together and kept staring at the Japanese women in aw as if she's never seen such beauty. "How does she keep her skin so smooth like that? I wish I never had daddy's freckles..."
The younger child continued to ignore her on going rants about the female and unconsciously started to walk up to the moving kart getting a better look at the bodies.
"Looking for someone?" The boy jumped at the sudden voice and looked up to one of the survey members glaring down at him with innocent eyes.
"No, sorry miss...How many are there?"
The women smiled and held up 5 fingers. "This many times 4."
"20?"
"That's correct! Your pretty smart for your age! 8 yeas old?"
The little boy scoffed at the guess and crossed his arms. "I'm 10!"
The women laughed and patted the child on the head. "Gomen chibi, but you are short for your age. Just like a certain someone I know. My names Hange!"
"What kind of names that?"
"Yeah, I guess it's not the most common name out there. Especially for girls like myself." She examined the small child then snickered. "You look almost like someone I know! What was his name again? Armin I think. He has the same blond hair and blue eyes just like you, but the guys so quiet." She sighed and pictured the teen in her head before gasping. "Wait! I just remembered something! There was something I had to give to him a while ago!"
"Whats that?" Before Hange could answer, a young women came running up to her apologizing for her sons rude intrusion and his sudden encounter. The older sister was in the crowed waiting for him with the look of anger plasters on her face because of his sudden disappearance. After the family took off the young boy turned around one last time to look at Hange then the corpse before being tugged by his mothers arm, disappearing into the crowed completely.
Zoë blinked a few times in confusion but quickly regained her posture and continued her path down the thin road leading back to headquarters.
Eren stopped spacing out and turned to Mikasa who was already staring at him with concern and cocked an eyebrow. "Whats wrong?"
The women looked away for only a second then turned around with the same face expression. "I haven't heard from Armin in a while..."
Eren stiffened up and searched around. "Me neither...You think he's behind all of us?"
"I think so."
Jaeger sighed and looked strait ahead. "I wonder if he's ok. The last time we did this he ended up twisting his ankle somehow."
"He did? When was this?"
"You mean he didn't tell you? I think this happened about a week ago if I remember correctly; I can't believe he went out fighting today."
Mikasa blinked. "You knew but never acknowledged it?"
"I did, and I even told him to rest but he insisted that it was just a small sprain and continued walking around as if nothing happened. To be honest I thought he was lying, but no matter what I said he continued to deny it and kept on working and training as if nothing. I worry about him sometimes..."
"..." Mikasa nodded slightly and look back at the crowed surrounding them.
Not long after the Survey members arrival they managed to make it back home without anyone stopping them for questions and go about their day probable asking themselves why they are still alive and how long that will last.
Eren un-saddled his rider and tide it to it's original stable, later making his way back to his quarters only to be stopped by Jean who accidentally bumped into him at an unexpected turn. The two guys stumbled backwards and scowled at one another.
"Watch it Jeager."
Eren rolled his eyes and shouldered past his encounter continuing his way. Jean muttered some unkind words under his breath and turned around again only to bump into another sudden guest that just happened to turn the corner in hurry, making them both fall to the floor with a sudden 'oof' escaping their lips.
Kirstein rubbed his head and got ready to yell at the encounter but was cut off by him instead. "Jean! Oh, thank god! I thought you were Eren for a minute..."
"What the!? What makes you think I look anything like him?!"
Connie snickered and scratched his head nervously. "Nothing, nothing."
Jean got up and crossed his arms. "Why are you so pale? Did you almost get eaten out there or something? Also, whats behind you back?"
"Uh-"
"Yeah, and why don't you wanna see me?" Eren stood behind his light hared dirty blond friend and placed a hand on his hips examining Springer who gasped noticing him standing there.
"Oh! Uh..."
Jean looked over Connie's shoulder and spotted some corpses making there way in. "Great, I wonder how many this time..." He walked past the both of them and made his way over to the area leaving the two others in silence.
Eren frowned and turned away not wanting to stare any longer. "Man, I swear i'll never get use to that."
"Eren..."
"What is it?"
Connie lowered his gaze to the floor and clenched his fists tightly. "I-I have to tell you something..."
The half titan lifted an eyebrow. "What?" Connie didn't respond back and continued to glare at the ground. "Well, what?"
Jean pulled out the third body and placed it gently onto the soft green grass, slowly unraveling the cloth while preparing himself for the worst. His whole body seemed to shut down on him the minute a familiar face found itself peeking out of its covers, seemingly sucking all emotion from the mans face at the site of it's bright blond hair and smooth pale skin. He covered his mouth holding back a gag and just stared at the peaceful looking figure in front of him trying to fully recognize it.
"Connie speak up." Eren crossed his arms now very impatient. He really didn't feel like talking to anybody at the moment...
Connie took in a deep breath and practically yelled out the very exact words Jeager thought would never in a million years be said as long as he was still alive and breathing. "Arlert was struck down by an unexpected attack from a deviant titan. He was found in the middle of the woods only minutes after and was treated to immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, he never responded to anything we said or did...Eren...Armins dead..."
FINALLY! Done with this chapter! Sorry if it turned out lame, i'll try harder next time. Sorry it took me so long to finish, I just finished school and began summer break so chapters should be coming out faster. If not i'm just being a lazy potato and going on my iPod. Anyway's Read and review! All flames will be burned and used to make cookies for my followers. :D