To Guest: "I am the King of references"
The story of Attack on Titan is not changed in any significant way. Any time skipped plays out as in the original story. I will skip the battle of Trost until Eren waking up after having shifted into a titan. K, thanks, bye.
Chapter 2: Lies and Fangs
The dream like memories that drifted through Eren's head shattered into harsh reality. He was leaning on Armin; Mikasa stood between the boys and a large group of soldiers. They were afraid, pointing the anti-titan blades the three cadets. Murmurs of 'Monster' and "Titan' passed in waves from their mouths. "Eren," Mikasa turned back to the boys, still maintaining her defencive position, "are you alright?"
"W-what's going on?"
Before Mikasa could answer the garrison's captain stepped forward. Eren flinched at the gaunt man's scent. He reeked of fear and his movements were anxious. "Eren Jaeger!" He shouted, the strain in his voice palpable, hitting every one of Eren's predatory instincts. "Are you a Titan or human?"
"I'm human," he didn't even need to think. The answer was so natural and so obvious, why did he feel like it was a lie?
However, the man was to afraid, to worried about preserving his own life. He ordered the cannon to be fired. Mikasa acted in an instant, dragging him out of the way but Armin wasn't so fortunate. A primal instinct surged through Eren. He would not allow his pack to die; Mikasa, Armin, Reiner, Connie, Sasha, Christa, Yirm, Bertholdt, Annie, Marco, even Jean, they were his pack now and he be damned if he let any of them be killed. His arm wrapped around Mikasa shoulder, pulling the half asian back towards Armin, and after hooking his other arm around the blonde, bit into his palm. The fangs sliced through his skin easily. Protect.
An incompleat titan was formed in seconds, one arm outstretched intercepted the cannonball. Mikasa and Armin were sheltered from the blast by the construct's ribcage. The evidence was before everyone now. Eren was a titan shifter. The cadets made hurried plans. The cannon was prepared for a second volley. Armin tried his best to convince the garrison to peace. Commander Pixis intervened. Eren could tell by the whiskey on his breath, the commander was drunk, very drunk.
Eren sealed the gate in the Trost district and was imprisoned pending trial. Captain Levi and Commander Erwin of the Scouting legion promised their defence for Eren, who intern stated his intention to join the scouting legion. After his outburst in court, accusing the MP and other government officials of being cowards Levi took the opportunity to show that Eren could be controlled.
Levi slammed his boot down of Jaeger's head, forcing the teens face onto the floor. Each blow was swift, immediate discipline. While the other members of court were shocked into speciation, Erwin kept a calm expression. There was a brief, nearly inaudible growl, feral and lupine. Levi looked at the boy's defiant golden eyes, his canine teeth appearing longer and sharper than most humans. For just a moment, Levi doubted he was sober. Another kick to the young man's face and the strange features evaporated as if they were never there to begin with. He was eventually stopped and custody of Eren was transferred to the Scouting Legion.
Hanji reaction at having a titan to study on demand could be described as orgasmic. She was the first person to look at Eren's injuries, informing them that his missing tooth wasn't missing anymore.
Eren did his best at adapting to the new circumstances. For starters, he found it hard to trust Levi at all after what had happened in court. The beating had triggered a defencive response; had he not the experience and restraint necessary Eren probably would had wolfed out and ripped the small man to pieces. Petra was kind and smelled like autumn, Eren's favorite season. Ulo was the only other one to make a big impression, he was a klutz that tried to imitate Levi. It was annoying. On the whole the group seemed admirable and not altogether same.
It was fortunate that his pack, with the exception of Marco who lost his life in the battle for Trost, was joining with him. What wasn't fortunate was the new level of security and attention that would be paid him. The full moon was the night Eren selected to go out hunting as such nights provided plenty of light to see by and the cadets also used such nights for 'shenanigans'. If he was to be discovered missing in the middle of the night most would assume that he and another cadet were having a late night rendezvous. With the way things had played out however, he would more likely be hunted down and killed or killed when he returned. It certainly wasn't helpful that no one seemed to sleep!
The room he was to stay in had been converted from a dungeon storage room. Two large crates and a few blankets were his only bedding, not that the wolf minded much, it was softer than stone and could be comfortable if arranged properly. The fact that it was underground would also help if he somehow turned into a titan while asleep. Windowless room or no, Eren could feel in his blood the rising of the moon. He became restless pacing back and forth in his new cage. Even though the manacles that had held him days before were gone, he could still feel the chains choking him. He was never meant to be caged. Eren was a member of the Wild Hunter clan, a Jaeger. He snarled to himself. So powerful and yet so helpless. Pathetic.
He was going to sneak out. He had to. With this in his heart Eren slipped past all the guards, silently picking his way through the brush into the woods. There was a hill where the forest began to grow thick. The moon was low. In his wolf form the whispers of the world filled his heart and he raised his voice to join in the chorus.
The song of the lone hunter reached down into the castle stirring Levi from his office chair. He had fallen asleep while doing paperwork, the image of glowing golden eyes pierced his dream. The grey eyed man looked out the large window into the cloudless night. On a distant hill a wolf was silhouetted against the moon. Its howl died away and, taking one last look at the castle, it vanished into the woods. Levi was sure that wolves weren't native to this side of Rose and what's more, it seemed abnormally large. The grip on his chair arm tightened as he was filled with an emotion he had not experienced before. Fear. Fear of some unknown ancient creature even more mysterious than titans.
The next morning, mess hall
Eren stared at the food on his plate. He was still full from last night. The hunt lasted longer than anticipated and he barely made it back before Levi kicked in his door. All the other cadets were stuffing their faces. Mikasa kept giving him worried looks. Sasha was eyeing his plate. With a huff, Eren slid the dish in her direction. Sasha gave an excited squee before tearing into his rations. Eren could feel Levi watching him from across the room, uncomfortable and analytical, though not as bad as Hanji's gaze which caused him to shudder.
Mikasa, mother hen as always, took note of Eren's reaction but misinterpreted the source. "You shouldn't be picky, Eren," she chided in monotone, "you need to eat whenever you can to keep your strength up. Here," she extended part of her loaf to him.
"No, really, Mikasa. I'm fine. Besides, I wouldn't be able to eat if I wanted to."
Of course such comments made the situation worse and she absolutely wouldn't let it go. Armin came to his rescue after a brief laughing fit.
After breakfast the corpsmen had a break before drills. Eren used this time to relax, lying down under a tree in a sunny spot. The warmth seeped through his clothes, tickling over his tanned hide, and filled him with a drowsy energy. He closed his eyes and allowed the scents and sounds of this new place to settle in.
Dozing off, Eren dreamed of his home in Shiganshina, the alleyways he used to explore, the other people he met, most of whom were undoubtedly dead. He had a unique relationship with a large tabby tomcat. The striped grey feline had a wit and ferocity that seemed similar to Levi. While the cat was never friendly with the young wolf he was rarely antagonistic. Conflict occurred mostly when other cats were about. The tabby was clearly smarter than his kin, and with the knowledge of such herbs as Henkan no hana, Eren often wondered if the cat had experienced a human-level of self awareness.
For the first time in five years Eren actively remembered what his father taught him. The full list of species the Henkan no hana could be used on wasn't known, however there was speculation that it was limited to predators or guesses that showed a relative intelligence. It is possible that cats, clever as they are, could be transformed with the petals just like wolves. There were certainly species of bird that could do the same. Eren only knew of medicines that affected wolves and humans however.
The napping boy was roused with a swift kick to the ribs. Levi was standing over him with a deathly glare in his steel grey eyes. "Get up, Jaeger." Begrudgingly, though he didn't show it, Eren stood and looked down at his irritated superior. "Report ot Hanji for testing." Eren hadn't heard the order but was lost considering just why he would dream of the tabby of all things.
Levi clicked his tongue. Eren wasn't even trying to listen, the kid was somewhere else entirely, staring off into space like a dullard. He seized the scarf tied around Eren's neck to yank the brunette's face down to Levi's level. Whatever he was going to say died in his throat. Eren's eyes had snapped into focus suddenly a bright shining gold. Just beneath the scarf fabric was what felt like a dog collar. Levi's eyes widened slightly.
"Sorry, sir," Eren's voice had taken on a think, inhuman accent, fangs flashing in the sunlight while he spoke, "Hanji wanted me, right? I'll head over there right away."
"Good." While the elder's voice didn't hint at anything, that same instinctual fear rose like a pillar in the back of Levi's mind. He was sure Jaeger could hear his hammering heart. As soon as he released the scarf the golden hue faded from Eren's eyes. All menace had disappeared from him replaced by a look that could only be described as 'sheepish puppy' while Eren bounded away. Levi fixed his eyes on the hill he had seen the wolf on last night before glancing after Eren's retreating form. "Is that kid really human?"
Later that night everyone was gathered again for the evening meal. Eren actually ate this time. The greenhorns from the 104th south were abuzz about something. While Levi normally wouldn't care what was being gossiped about the conversation caught his attention. The bald one was going on about someone named "Sharp" and how he followed Eren around. It seemed that he was the de facto mascot of the 104th. There was a kind of sport involved in finding him too with rewards varying from no chores to more rations.
"So we were at the winter grounds right, and Eren just wander out in a blizzard like the suicidal dumbass he is. Of course we go out to find him but instead of Eren we met Sharp for the first time. Let me tell you," he prattled on to some of the veterans, "that guy is really fucking huge. He was at least 4'7" at the shoulders. Can you imagine a wolf that big!"
Levi nearly spit out his tea, his thoughts echoed by the scout Connie was talking to. "There's no way, right? A wolf the size of a horse? You must have been seeing things."
"Nah, but that's the awesome part! All five of us saw him but Sharp kept popping up in the woods around the training camps. He and Eren got a bond or something, like packmates. You heard that howling last night too, right? It's Sharp. Ain't no other wolf sound like him."
Levi placed his cup down staring at the tinted liquid. It seemed so ridiculous but it was the only explanation he could think of. Sharp wasn't following Jaeger, Sharp was Jaeger. He looked up at Eren. His heart nearly stopped. He was staring at Levi with a serious expression. Their eyes locked grey and gold before Eren raised a finger to his lips in the gesture for silence. Eren knew that Levi had figured it out. While the shorter man's mind raged against his sudden inability to act, his body refused every order. He couldn't even look away, Eren's eyes had mesmerized and terrorized him. Petra's gentile "Captain?" snapped him out of the stupor and he tore his eyes free of Eren's gaze.
"Hm?"
"Are you alright? Y-you're… paler than normal." Her face was full of concern.
"I haven't slept yet," was his blunt and truthful response. With that he stood suddenly and stalked off to his office.
The moonlight was still bright and streaming through the window. Levi collapsed into his chair and buried his face in his hands, desperately trying to steady his breathing. He looked out the night time scene, a quiet calm finally spreading up his arms. The door opened and was closed silently. His heart leapt into his throat and he quietly cursed his instinctual reaction. Levi was greeted with a glowing amber stare, Eren's face hidden by the shadows. "What are you?" he murmured.
"What do you think I am, Heicho?" There was again that inhuman tint to Eren's voice that sent a chill through Levi's blood.
"A monster."
"A wolf."
"Then, are you here to destroy humanity?"
"No." There was a painful pause where Levi and Eren stared at eachother for what felt like eternity before the boy spoke again. "I don't like you. You and your squad are here to kill me if I lose control and you beat me at the trial. Those thing… I understand the necessity and am thankful. I won't take what you feel must be done personally, however… if you tell anyone about my secret I will take it very personally." He turned to leave, lingering at the door, "I won't hesitate to kill you either."
Levi was left there, heart pounding in his ears, fighting just to keep rational thought. But the thing Eren didn't count on, was that humanity's strongest never lets anything keep him down long. He clenched his hands together and smiled. He had found another challenge to make him stronger. "Touché, Eren Jaeger."
So, That was fun I hope. Not quite as long as chapter one but I feel like it is sufficient. The cat will come into play later, don't worry. Just to clarify, Mikasa doesn't know that Eren is part wolf. Levi has figured it out and now it is time for conflict. Eren is not OOC, by protecting his secret aggressively from smarter people like Levi and subversively with more naive or trusting people like his friends Eren is defending his family in the Shingeshina wilds. The thing that wolves need fear are humans, not titans. Armin falls into the too trusting category and I don't think Mikasa would care.
