Eren woke up, he had opened his eyes to a beautiful pair of greyish blue eyes that were so mesmerizing that he found himself lost within them. He didn't comprehend what was going on at first. He was captivated by those eyes. Those eyes that stared deep into his soul, learning his deepest, darkest secrets and fears. His heart twisted so painfully when she spoke his name. So sweet yet so harsh. It hurt him so much, the knot twisting again and again in his heart. He wanted to die. Leave this cruel world behind and join his mother up in the heavens. Her touch felt so good against his skin. She had slapped him yet it felt amazing. He wanted her to slap him more. It'd be an excuse, for her touch. She came closer to his face, to his ears. He wanted to capture her lips and never let go. He wanted to hold her and never let go. She screamed in his ear, but it felt so good. That voice so beautiful, so elegant, so dangerous. He loved it till his heart ached painfully. He wanted to cry, scream, scream until his lungs gave in. He couldn't care what the world thought of him. He needed support, emotional support. His emotions have been bottling up. And he wants to break that dam, let his emotions flow freely and destroy anything and everything in its path.

"EREN!"

He snapped to his senses and gasped heavily,"What?!"

"You zoned out there."

"Huh? Oh! Right, sorry." he yawned.

She looked at him strangely then shook her head," Anyway, get up. You have to go."

He sat up and leaned against the wall, cracked his fingers and slapped his lips together. Blinked his eyes multiple times then stood up. He looked at her and his heart throbbed painfully. He looked at her face. Her eyes, her lips, her nose and every other feature carefully " Thanks for waking me." He wanted to say more but he couldn't find the right words. So to not further embarrass himself he walked out the room.

Nearly an hour later, the scouts were doing their final preparations. He sat on the horse given to for the mission. Besides him, were Armin and Mikasa, both sadelled up and ready to go.

"Alright. Listen up soldiers!" Hanji said, her voice ranging out," We're gonna go through the Shiganshina district. We'll encounter titans there too. However, don't fret. We will be provided cover just until we're out of the walls. Our mission is not the safety of the scouts but to capture Reiner Braun and Berthold Hoover." she stopped to take a breath," I can not guarantee the safety of anyone, but know this. If you die your deaths will not be in vain. This is what you signed up for soldiers! So if death comes, embrace it like a soldier."

"Not the most motivational speech, but I think it did the trick." They turned around their heads to look at,

"Annie?"

"Can I speak to you Eren? It's important." She started to walk away once she said it.

''Hey hang on. Wait a sec, Annie!" He ran after her until she stopped in a shadowy place."Annie? What is it?"

''Promise me, Eren."

He looked at her confused,"Promise what?"

"That you will come back to me."

He felt it, the desperation in the word 'me'. His heart twisted so...so painfully. He shook his head apologetically." I'm sorry. I can't give you comforting lies. But on the contrary, I can give you one solid promise," she looked at him so...hopefully," I'll try my best not to mess up." He offered her a strained smile,"Okay, Ann?"

She didn't answer him, instead she opted to look on the floor, expectedly. The urge to hug her, to hold her close to him. He couldn't resist it. For all he knew, he wasn't even sure whether he'll see her again or not. So he moved in close and hugged her, held her close to him, to his heart. She stayed still, unmoving. But she didn't push him back. Instead, she laid her head against his chest and enjoyed the temporary warmth . His frantic heartbeat, his rapid breathing. It soothed her and reassured her that everything will turn out accordingly.

They heard his name being called." I have to go now."

She nodded and he broke the (one-sided) hug. He was pretty sure he felt her sniff he didn't say anything."Annie?" She looked into his eyes, into his soul. He was once more captivated by those mesmerizing greyish blue eyes." I love you. And when I come back, I'll make sure things work out."

He turned around and walked away. She reached out with her hand. She wanted to say something. Anything to keep him to herself for just for a little more time. However, she couldn't find her voice to speak. A sob escaped her throat but he didn't hear it. How could he? He was gone now. He left her. Just like her mother had.

Her emotions have been a swirling whirlpool since last night. She couldn't decipher between right or wrong. Good or bad. Or love and hate. She needed support. Emotional support. And the only one who can support her right now. was gone now.

The scouts had been riding for nearly two hours now. The sky was beginning to shine too. Fortunately for them, no casualties had occured during their journey. The had some encounters with the titans, but they were taken down easily. They were near to their destination, according to Hanji that is. Just then, they saw a flash of lightning. Not the flash that comes from thunderstorms, but a flash similar to when Eren transforms. Followed by the flash, they heard a mighty animalistic roar. The kind of roar that a wild beast would unleash. The kind of roar that was quite similar to Eren's roar, but only with a little low pitch.

"Someone transformed! Be careful you all!" Hanji yelled from up front.

As they neared the structure, they saw smoke rising. Mikasa accelerated her horse and raced through towards the structure and fired her hooks. Cutting down a titan that was about to devour a petrified Christa. Behind Christa, came Connie and...the traitors. Seeing Reiner and Berthold, acting as if worried, sickened him to the core. He felt like vomiting. His emotions were amalgamated. He was glad to see Connie and Christa. But on the other hand, Reiner and Berthold... Enraged him. Mikasa exchanged some words with Christa just as the scouts fired their hooks and cut down the nearby titans. Eren fired his own hooks just as Hanji gave some orders. He distantly heard Hanji yelling for him. But he couldn't turn around because he had locked aim on a certain titan. As he successfully cut down the titan, he made some happy comments to himself, about killing his first titan. However, his small victory was short lived as his wires intertwined them. Causing Eren to fall.

He heard someone saying something to him, but he brushed it off by agreeing to whatever he was saying.

"HEY!"

He turned around to see Connie waving his hand and running towards him. Behind him were Reiner and Bertholdt. His blood boiled when he saw through their fake facade. Acting all worried and tired. For the sake of their mission, he put up a facade of relief." You guys! I'm glad you're all okay."

"Barley." Connie replied,"If it wasn't for Ymir, we'd be dead. Speaking of, where is she?"

A while later, they were on the wall. Continuing the mission given to the rescued scouts. Turns out Ymir was a shifter too. And that had Chri-Historia wounded up too much. Her facial expression hadn't changed since they left the tower. She had even tried to reason out with Hanji, convince her that Ymir had no evil intentions. Hanji had, however, agreed to look thoroughly. Although she didn't seem to really mean it. She's been down ever since. Ymir being in a coma didn't help either.

Eren, being who he is, walked up beside Historia."Hey." He offered her a forceful smile."How're you feeling?"

She looked startled when he addressed her. However, she was quick to regain her conscious," Well apart from being scared, worried and angry, I'm fine." her tone was sarcastic. But she did mean it though.

He made a 'hmm' sound," So it seems. What are you scared for?"

"Ymir."

"What are you worried about?"

"Ymir."

"Okay then, what are you mad about?"

"Ymir!"

"Dear god! Is there anything apart from Ymir for you to say?!"

"Ymir!"

"What?"

"What!?" They looked at each other then burst out laughing.

The rest looked at them as if they were crazy, given the situation they were in. But, they didn't care.

"Eren?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for trying to cheer me up. I really needed that and appreciate it." She smiled at him. His heart throbbed painfully at how similar her smile seemed. Blue eyes, blonde hair. It hurt him. His face saddened. That didn't go unnoticed," What's wrong? Did I say something?" She worriedly asked.

He shook his head dismissively," It's no-nothing. Nothing you have to worry yourself with anyway."

She looked at him concerningly. Like how a mother would look at her child." Eren, you ca-"

She was cut off by,"EREN!"

Eren turned to see Hanji calling out to him. He controlled his emotions before replaying, he didn't like being interrupted,"What?!"

"Come here for a sec."

He looked at Historia who shrugged her shoulders. He walked towards Hanji." Quit goofing around, Eren and help." She looked at him suggestively. He was dense, but not that dense to not understand what she meant. And she meant to play along. He nodded,"Right, ma'am."

He helped Armin investigate the walls. Behind him was Reiner, complaining about his hands. How much it hurt all. Him and Bertholdt exchanged some words, but he didn't pery on that. Beside him was Connie who was being helped by his adoptive sister.

He sighed," Get a hold of yourself, Reiner. This is what you signed up for. Or did you have other motives to begin with?"

Reiner gasped heavily," You're right. This is what I signed up for. What's wrong with me." He covered his face with his uninjured hand." I'm so close to home now. I can't chicken out!"

"Is everyone done yet?" Hanji said, her voice echoing around," We need to to move to further check."

They heard stomping. They looked down the wall to see Hannes. Mikasa gasped.

"Hannes!?"

"It's the Garrison squad. They came to tell us where the hole is." Hanji said wide eyed.

Moments later, Hannes was hanging by the wall, struggling to get up. Eren extend his hand to him to which he took gratefully." There's no hole in the wall." He took a breath,"We searched the whole night looking for one. But we didn't find any."

"What do you mean 'no hole'?!" Hanji exclaimed.

He looked at her straight in the eye, then answered," We bumped into the soldiers from Krolva. Just to be sure we didn't miss anything, we retraced our steps but still couldn't find any hole. Not only that, we didn't encounter any titans either. If there was a hole, the titans would've been swarming everywhere."

"But there are titan inside the walls! And we are sure of it too!" Armin said. Hannes only shrugged.

"Either way, we're heading back to Trost district then. We'll await further orders there." Hanji declared

"Are you sure you didn't drink Hannes?" Eren asked skeptically.

"I didn't!" he exclaimed." Either way, why are you here in the first place?" No one answered him. He shrugged,"Titan or not, don't let your guards down even for a sec, got it? I'll be off now. I have to submit reports now and then," He drooled a little bit,"Ima drink for the whole night!" He jumped off the wall, firing his hooks and returning to his squad.

"There's nothing wrong with the wall." Eren repeated. The others walked away from him, following Hanji.

"Eren." He turned around to Reiner. He looked at him questioningly, "Have a minute?"

"What?" Eren snapped.

"We need to talk." Reiner replied, keeping his cool.

"About what?" He was wary of him as he spoke. Even Mikasa seemed wary as she slowed her pace to near halt. He sighed but nodded nonetheless," Very well." He walked to Reiner and looked at him impatiently all the while tapping his feet.

"Five years ago, me and Berhold were the one who broke down the wall." He looked at Eren," I'm the armored titan and Bertholdt is the colossal titan."

Bertholdt was very alarmed by Reiner revealing this to Eren," Why are you telling him this!?"

However, Reiner ignored him and carried on," Our primary mission was to wipe out all humanity and retrieve the coordinate. However, I believe we can overlook the 'wiping out humanity' part if you agree to silently come with us. I know this is sudden, but you have to come with us."

Before Reiner can say further, Eren punched him at the face. He was really trying to avoid any fights but Reiner seemed to have a different mind set." I told you get a hold of yourself, didn't I? You're just tired that's it." For the sake of a smooth flow he even offered a darn smile.

Reiner gasped shakily." You're right. I'm just tired, that's all." he smiled miserably. His smile then turned into a frown." This isn't right. I've been here too long for own good. Three years of this madness. Surrounded by idiots! Why'd there have to be people like this? Why?!"

Reiner gasped heavily," NO!" He shouted. Gaining the attention of almost everyone near them. He grabbed Eren's hand." You're coming with us. This isn't a request. THIS IS A DEMAND!" he took off the piece of cloth that Historia had wrapped on his arm. His wound steaming." I've got no road to follow other than the path of a true warrior! I know i'm a half assed piece of shit! But as a warrior, I WILL FULFIL MY DUTIES TILL THE BITTER END!"

Bertholdt looked shocked himself," Reiner, right here?! Right now?! We're doing this?!"

"Yes right here, right now! We settle this once and for all!"

Just then, Mikasa made her move by slashing at Reiner and Bertholdt.

She was about to finish Bertholdt, she yelled.

"EREN! TRANSFORM!"

She was unsuccessful as Reiner pushed her out the way just as she brought her blades down on Bertholdt. Both Reiner and Bertholdt looked at him as the lightning begin to form around them. Bertholdt seemed worried and petrified. However, Reiner looked serious, the most serious anyone has seen him. The wind picked up speed as the lightning intensified. Eren faintly heard Armin's voice, but he couldn't decipher what he said.

The lightning struck the two shifters, causing a huge gust of wind to flow towards them. Followed by the wind, came the smoke/steam. Eren tried to keep his balance as best as he could. However, that still wasn't enough, the wind was too strong for him and he flew, quite literally. He managed to grab and somehow hold to the edge of the wall.

That still wasn't enough, the wind and steam kept emitting so he had to let go in order to breath and not get burned by the hot steam. However, from the steam, came out a armored hand that grabbed Eren's body from flying away. Eren looked into the eyes of his ex-commarde, his hate and anger fueling him. The colossus titan extended it's arms and grabbed Ymir's fragil body. Seeing Ymir being abducted, Historia screamed her name, it was futile. The Armoured titan dug his one hand into the wall and jumped down all the while keeping Eren in the other. As they fell Eren closed his eyes as tears leaked from it. "I'm going to return to the home that was taken away from me. That's all I care now." These words, his words were ringing through his head.

He brought his hand over his mouth and bit through the flesh,

"DAMN YOU! YOU TRAITORS!"

In mid-air, lightning struck and steam blew off Eren causing him to transform, ripping Reiner's hand off. He gave out a beastly, animalistic roar and punched Reiner as hard as he could. The two fell to the ground. The smoke and debris covering the vision of the scouts. However, they had other matters at hand to wait and watch.

As soon as Eren recovered from his fall, he punched Reiner. First with his right hand and then his left. But it seemed of no use as the armoured titan barley flinched. Those punches were futile as Eren lost both his hands. The armoured titan seemed to be expecting this as he made his move. He punched Eren with his left hand and Eren flew like a rag doll. He lost his hands and now part of his face too. He lied there, on the ground.' Reiner, you shit! Going on and on at what it means to be a soldier. Talking about honor. Were you always holding back during close combat?! Combat training must've been a joke to you!'

'And here I thought you to be a real stand up guy. Calm under pressure. Intensely focused. A sort of guy who put his comrades before himself. DAMN YOU! I'd given anything in the world to be half as strong as you! You were OUR BROTHER!'

"EREN!" He snapped out. Eyes wide.

'Hey, Reiner, shitface!' his hands were almost healed now.' I don't know what kind of shitty face face you're making' He clenched his jaw,' but I hope you miserable pieces of shit are pleased with yourselves.' he saw his nightmare vision. The walls breaking, his mother being devoured. And that just fueled his anger,' You should be erased! Trash like you can't be allowed to exist. What were you thinking? Talking about loyalties and righteousness. It disgusts me! Just thinking about you makes me wanna puke! You pest! It's time for you to BE EXTERMINATED!' He leaned out and gave a mighty roar and punched Reiner with all his might...it was futile. Reiner punched right back. His punch, a devastating blow, threw Eren away more than a thousand yards.

As he flew, he got a flashback. Of when him and Annie trained together. He remembered Annie using a particular skill on him to take him down without relying on strength.' Why am I seeing this now? Is this what they call having your life flash before your eyes?' he narrowed his eyes.' Actually, who gives a shit? It's not like it matters. Not when I feel like this!' He wobbly stood up. Unbeknownst to him, that flashback gave him an idea.

"Eren!" he Heard Armin's call," Back down! You can't win in a fistfight! Eren please! Make a break for the wall. Forget about capturing them. Your safety is more important!"

As Reiner neared, Eren roared and drove in to punch Reiner once more. At the same time, Reiner drove his fist too. However, that punch was a hoax as Eren crouched his head and body and tangled Reiner's arm and pushed him to the ground. Preventing Reiner to move. Reiner was too shocked to comprehend what happened. And due to that he let his body loose for a fraction of time. And in that fraction, Eren wasted no time in getting on top of him, pinning Reiner. He put his left hand on Reiner's right one, he used his right leg to hold Reiner's left arm and he raised his right hand to punch Reiner.' I don't know what the hell you guys are trying to accomplish by doing this, but now that I think about it, your master plan seems to have a few holes in it.' Reiner managed to free his left arm and slapped it against his side in an attempt to throw him off.' WANNA ERADICATE HUMANITY!?' He brought his right leg from Reiner's right side toward his head and his left leg from under his arm and locked legs. Now that their positions were changed, Eren held Reiner's right hand using his left hand. And with his right hand, he put it on Reiner's leg to prevent him from standing.'MAYBE NEXT TIME DON'T TEACH ME HOW TO KICK YOUR ASS!' Seeing he'll need his right hand too, he let go of Reiner's leg and grabbed his right hand, twisting it. His technique worked as the armour around Reiner's shoulder cracked.'IT'S WORKING! I'VE GOT HIM LOCKED! THERE'S STILL A CHANCE!' Reiner, still struggling, managed to pull Eren's right leg and tried standing up. However, Eren was not going to let that happen. 'I DON'T THINK SO!' He twisted Reiner's hand, going in a reverse motion. He unhooked his legs then wrapped it again. But this time, his legs were wrapped on a different spot. His right leg, under Reiner's arm behind his back and his left leg over Reiner's arm behind his head. He roared and pushed Reiner to the ground, locking him under his legs. He roared once more and pulled Reiner's hand as hard as he could manage. YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!' His work paid off when finally Reiner's arm ripped off. Reiner grunted as Eren got on his feet.

"Eren?" he turned his head," Can you hear me? Run away. You've got to get closer to the wall. They're trying to abduct you! We can't let that happen! Trust me! Escape is our best option!" Armin and Mikasa exchanged some words as the Armoured titan rose. Finally getting over his shock.

"Both of you, GET BACK NOW!"

As soon as Armin and Mikasa retreated, the armoured titan took a step forward. Eren turned his legs and dashed towards the wall. As Eren reached the wall, he brought a gust of strong wind with him that would've sent the soldiers falling if it weren't for their ODM gear.

"Nice one Eren! Good call!"

He faintly heard Armin's voice as he was busy keeping guard of Reiner. Hanji jumped on Eren's shoulder." Listen up Eren! If we're going to get you out of here, you need to buy us some time. Think you can manage one of those joint holds and break of his legs? Our blades don't do much good against him. He can't be outmuscled but he can be outsmarted if you play it right." He looked at hanji then nodded. She seemed surprised and shocked as she blushed and made an embarrassing sound. She recovered quick," I'm counting on you Eren!" she fired her hooks and was off to a safer position.

'This is the one time where running away guarantees victory! You guys are screwed for betraying us! You've backed yourselves into a corner!' unbeknownst to him, Reiner had almost shed out his armor from his legs. And then he ran. Ran faster then they could blink and slammed himself against Eren. knocking him against the wall. He pulled away just enough to let Eren fall then pinned him and threw a punch. Eren dodged his first punch so he punched again. He punched again. 'THE LEG! GO FOR THE LEG!' He grabbed Reiner's right leg, pulled his leg towards himself and pushed Reiner away in an attempt to break of his leg. However, that only pushed Reiner away, freeing Eren. He wasted no time getting up and taking a few steps back the took his fighting stance. Reiner crouched then sprang forward. 'I CAN'T DODGE THIS! WELL IF I'M GONNA GET SLAMMED! BRING IT!' As Reiner tackled him Eren wrapped his legs around his torso and locked his arms over his head. Effectively locking Reiner's head in place. 'YOU'RE MINE! YOU SON OF B*TCH!' He stretched Reiner as much as he possibly could.' DARN YOU! AND NOW IT BOILS DOWN TO STRENGTHS!' Try as he might, he couldn't damage too much as long as Riners's legs were up. To his aid, Mikasa pierced through the spot behind Reiner's leg. 'MIKASA.' He looked at her gratefully. Now that one of Reiner's leg was down, it made a lot easier for him. 'TRY FIGHTING WITHOUT A HEAD A**HOLE!' He put more force in his hands. To his relief and the shook of the spectators, the armor around Reiner's nape cracked a good amount. ' HE'S GOING DOWN!' He heard the scouts encouraging him. However, he was too engrossed to pay attention to what they said.

However, Reiner wasn't done by a long shot. As he pushed himself and Eren with one hand and one leg a little further. He somehow managed to raise his head a little. And then he screamed/roared. The scouts were alarmed as Hanji ordered," Everyone be on guard, he's calling for backup!"

The very atmosphere seemed to change. The winds picked up. The clouds disappeared and the sun shone harshly upon them. And then,"LOOK OUT! ABOVE YOU!"

The panic in the voice of the soldier caused Eren to be distracted. He looked up just as the colossus body of the titan fell on him. The fall of the titan caused a nuke to go off as a mushroom cloud appeared. Sending everyone below the wall back flying in a painful manner. Mikasa tried to stand her ground. However, the blast was simply too strong for her fight it. She too flew. Even when on the ground, she tried to stand up, but her injuries held her back.

By the time the smoke cleared a bit, the armoured titan was off to it's destination. Taking Eren with him.

Please answer this.

Q) how did Armin become the colossus titan? I know he ate Bertholdt, but what caused him to turn into a titan in the first place?

I'm not a manga reader so someone give me details. This question is very important for this story!

2Q) I was thinking about pausing this story until S3 is fully out, so that I may have some insight as to how Eren gains skin hardening ability. What do you think? Or I could carry on and make up something of my own.