Hi Folks, me again. A fairly regular update whoop!

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and for anyone who is also following Flight From Darkness, I promise it will be updated. I am simply having to prioritize at the moment. But it will be continued! Thanks for your patience.

Now then, here we go!

Disclaimer: I don't own AOT.


The forest swallows us whole, and sunlight is a distant memory. The canopy, once so familiar and homely, is now shrouded in shadow as we thunder onwards. I don't fully understand what's happening, but that isn't a new sensation anymore. I've been blinding pushing forward for months now. Except now, I had Eren to protect, and that difference made this all the harder. I could easily run off, and I could easily protect myself. But this hardnose, noble minded pain, would likely make escape difficult. But then again I don't even know if we need to escape, I don't know what's coming.

"Blades drawn. Now. It'll happen in the blink of an eye, be ready." The Captain says without so much as a backwards glance. They all obey as I stare around in bewilderment.

Ready for what? Shitting my knickers?

I look over my shoulder, and feel a chill as a pair of piercing blue eyes catch my attention through the dense trees. I was starting to seriously dislike that colour; from the Commander's cold, calculating gaze, to this thing's enraged mania. Blue and me, were officially having a falling out. I look to Eren, and I think the kid may have just lost his last grasp on sanity. Fear is throttling him. I think it's having a go at all of them, but I know I could take her. I can deal with this, I just need to figure out when would be best. When were they least likely to end up killing me in the process? I grit my teeth, that was not the priority right now.

Was it?

Ah shit… this was not a good day.

The thunder is everywhere.

I can barely think as I taste fear for the first time in… in a long time. The booming of this beast's feet matches the pace of my panicked heart. I cast my gaze over the group. They're discussing engaging with the thing. They had balls I'd give them that; big hairy stupid ones that would be pulverised in seconds.

Then we hear wires. I glance back, and wish the reinforcements instantaneous deaths, whilst the rest of the Squad seem hopeful of their success. For battle weary veterans of the Scouts, even they could be naïve. I can see it there, as that cold blonde hair swirls in the rushing wind, and those eyes flick between targets. There's a keen intelligence there, one that even has me feeling intimidated. The cries don't last long, and I feel my wish fulfilled as one by one, the cadets are sent into a bloodied oblivion.

And that's when this team starts to panic.

Determination warps into desperation.

Saddles pool into bed pans.

And faith turns to child-like dependence.

They need their captain to give orders, but I wonder if even Levi can handle this situation without breaking his composure. They yell at him, begging for guidance, but he remains silent. Come on man. Bring your fury, show this beast the power of Humanities Strongest. Or if you can't do that, at least pause before you slice my nape to ribbons?

He looks round at us, and I am amazed at the composure.

Not a hair out of place, so to speak.

God dammit why did nothing get to this guy? What the hell had he seen in his life to prepare him for this shit? His eyes catch mine and I swallow hard, his orders ring in my ears. Survive. I guess it was his focus that helped push all the messy noise out of the way. I wish I was capable of that right now, but my mind is scattered, panicked as I try and reason with my instincts, and logic against each other. Run or fight. Help yourself, or help them.

"Everyone, cover your ears."

Is he planning on serenading the bitch?

He raises his flare gun and an acoustic round rings out. I look back, but the thing is unphased. But he doesn't look disheartened as he reminds his team of their mission. I consider the fact he wasn't attempting to subdue her, but signal others in the forest. Perhaps this was more predetermined than it seemed. Perhaps this was yet another elaborate device from Golden Boy? How the hell had he known about… I stop myself, I really don't want to know.

They were all there to protect Eren. Of course they were, but I was the one to stick closest to the kid, because when push came to shove, I was expendable. I look around but see no sign of Mister Eyebrows. What was this plan, and where the hell was it leading? This bitch with the enormous wrack was catching up, and soon we'd all be smothered under those gargantuan melons.

"If we don't do something, they're all gonna die!" Eren cries out, having begun to question this madness. It seemed even his loyalty could win out entirely. It was true, more and more lives were being plastered across the undergrowth as we pressed on unharmed.

It was sick.

It was totally Erwin's doing.

I grit my teeth and try to bite my tongue against the retorts of the team. They don't appreciate his insubordinate attitude, and scold him for it. But I can tell they feel the uncertainty too. They're in the dark, and they don't like it.

"Stop whining, and do as your Captain tells you."

Petra, you're an angel of mercy, you helped me and allowed me the benefit of the doubt. Hell you even offered me comradery in this mad world, and frankly, with all bells and whistles put to rest, I love you for it. But that was over the line. So right now? Fuck you.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" I bark at her, and they all glance my way. "I get that you're all badass Levi Squad members, and therefore know everything about following orders, like fucking dogs, but this is a damn kid. Of course he doesn't want people to die, he doesn't see death as a necessary statistic, he sees it as it really is. Awful! Quit riding him, and tell him what he needs to do!"

"Trust us Eren!" Petra cries out, at last, eyes desperate in their pleading.

That was more like it.

Enough of this berating the kid for having a damn conscience.

Enough of judging a damn teenager for feeling the full brunt of the situation.

This kid didn't ask for any of this, and yet he continues to fight. I had asked for this, and I had run from the fight for a decade. I had a big debt to pay it seemed. And holy shit I'm sick of my newfound nobility. Humans are way too fucking messy. And I was beginning to feel the human side of my tremulous nature winning.

Now they're arguing with Eren over whether he should turn or not, that sense of trust turning to one of responsibility. I fight a smirk. The legion didn't exactly inspire trust. This wasn't a choice for a kid. This wasn't fair. Why should he have to figure out life, and death? I see a flash of silver far ahead, but it was stationary up in the branches. I see capes everywhere all of a sudden.

They're waiting.

What the hell?

I look at Levi and frown, this was a trap. That was the reason for the signal. They—we were purposefully leading this beast of a Titan here. I look over my shoulder and snort, she had far too much momentum for them to do a damn thing. She'd yank whatever contraption they had set up, clean out of the trees and keep on going. She'd wipe out this squad, and the kid in no time.

Unless someone slowed her down.

My muscles tense, thirsty for a stretch, and my mind fizzes as I contemplate how it will all go. Show time I guess. The coin was flipped, and I suddenly knew what I had to do. No. I suddenly knew what I wanted to do.

"Eren make up your damn mind!" roars Levi as I press my horse faster, till I'm next to the kid. I look at the Captain, and cringe. If I did manage this, without being killed in the process, he would probably finish me off. Then again, he'd probably too enraged to make it last long. Eren looks at me, green eyes swimming in dilemma.

So young.

So unjaded.

But the dilemma clears as he makes eye contact with me, and I feel my heart clench.

"I'm with you!"

He really trusts us.

Then that needed rewarding.

I grin at the Captain, and then at the kid who is begging for the latest dying cadet behind us to forgive his decision. Don't worry Eren, I'll make her pay in kind. I'll try my best to make this day worth a damn.

"Remember what I said Eren, fight for your reasons."

The others look at me in confusion and I smile at Levi's frown.

"Do me a favour Levi? Keep that idea of trust in mind. See ya, fuckers!"

And I do it.

I turn, leap from my horse and bite down on my tongue hard. I see fire, and I vaguely hear their confused shrieks. But soon it's drowned by rushing wind, crunching bones and hissing steam. I groan as the slithering sensation of newly formed searing hot flesh surrounds my consciousness, and I feel my rage solidify.

I know what I need to do.

I appear in my full form, reaching at least eighteen metres tall. Instantaneously I kneel down and brace for imminent impact with the blonde battering ram. The black crystal forms in great long spears from my shoulders, chest, and rib cage at the same time. The trap is now set. I grit my teeth at the pain of the lances formation, but turn it into a malicious grin as I meet her sky-blue, with my fiery red.

Yes.

Her determination becomes confusion.

Her sickening bloodlust melts into panic.

And her power becomes her undoing.

She smashes into me, with no time available for evasive actions. I tense against her speed and we skid along, friction searing my nerves as debris is thrown. We skid along and directly into the line of the trap. My feet burn, and my bones ache, but the crystal has done its job. I growl at the effort it takes to hold her in position, but I am thrilled to see each crystal lance having sunk deep into her. I make it grow outward, hooking into her innards, and flesh. She was mine. I had done my damned duty. We move a little, and she's shuddering as her muscles fights against me.

Little girl, please don't insult me.

You have no chance.

I give a feral roar as I straighten up, pushing her into an awkward arched position with the leverage of the crystal. She had impressive strength, I'd give her that, but I had an unyielding killer instinct that not even those cold blue orbs could comprehend. You will pay for every drop of blood you so callously spilled. The world stills, and I look down at my eighteen metre self in all her pale glory, the skin is stretched and slightly tearing in places but ultimately I'm more discreetly dressed than this bare muscled hussy. My long dark locks fall in front of my crimson eyes as I lower my jagged teeth to her cheek, and give another roar into her ear.

She growls.

She was a fighter, I'd give her that.

The dust settles, and capes appear in the corners of my eyes. If only they would let the adults play a little longer. It's only been a second and half maybe, but I do wish they'd hurry up with whatever they had planned. This might look easy, but this fiend is damned strong. I look to where Golden Boy stands with nothing short of a dumbfounded expression in place.

Surprise motherfucker.

I hiss at him, steam billowing from my jaws as I nod.

Do your worst.

"Fire!"

Ow. Son-of-a-bitch. God dammit this hurts. OUCH!

I hold tighter whilst they fire repeatedly, steel spears slicing into my flesh. They carve into me, straight through into our prey, where they stiffen joints, and hold true. The cacophony of searing metal only makes my growling whimpers echo more, and I hear a few grunts from our esteemed guest also. The fire of pain threatens to drown me as I endure. Damn it. I get it, you want us staying still. I think there's a thousand spears pinning us in place by the time the explosions stop, and smoke drifts away. My instincts scream, demanding I rage out, and yank these offending spears out of me to bring ruin upon my attackers. But oddly enough, they were also my allies. At least, I hoped they still were. So I calm my instincts, and send them to their room. Mumma needed to think. She didn't need them warbling in her ears.

The distant sound of hooves catches my attention, and I wonder if Eren will manage to persuade them I was still on their side. Then again did I want him to? By aligning himself with me, he endangered himself. That seemed detrimental to my protecting him. I mean, I had just assisted them, but perhaps Blondie Mcshitdick would interpret it as me trying to help this beastly killer. I stare into her, and I recognise the fear. It was the same that we had felt as a team, only moments beforehand.

Medicine is tough to swallow when it's your own.

I chuckle.

I may hate humanity for the filth it became, but this monster had slaughtered countless brave soldiers. She would pay. I glance behind her and see the freckled mouse, the one who stood up to me in the cafeteria. Only she isn't standing anymore. She hangs there, half plastered against the cold bark of a tree. That defiant mouth now stretched with eternal screaming. She never did find her boyfriend.

I hear someone zipping over.

I feel a chill run down both my spines.

I look over, and freeze as I lock gazes with Levi. Erwin is now smirking at me.

"Well done on leading her here, Captain. I'm more than a little impressed." Erwin says, his confidence returned as though never misplaced. I just stare at his arrogance. You have to be kidding me?! Levi bares his teeth a little, staring fixedly at the blonde in my grasp.

"We couldn't have done it without the rear contingency who died in getting us here. I don't intend to ever forget that, neither should you."

"That so…"

"I reckon this bitch is pissing herself right about now."

"Which one?" quips Erwin, sheathing his blades as his cold eyes cast their way over me. I hiss a little and hold my prey tighter. Perhaps a Titan shield would come in handy soon. Levi tenses again, his eyes meeting mine. My hissing stops. His eyes become less narrow, and his jaw not so firmly set. He seems confused. A couple seconds slip past us until he sigh tiredly, and shakes his head a little.

"You stupid brat." He turns to Erwin. "The situation is complicated, I'll deal with Senefold when we're back at base, for now, focus on your original target."

"And what do you mean by deal?"

"That's for me to decide, she's on my Squad after all, isn't she?"

"As you wish, Captain."

I look away from the two menaces, trying not to think about being put back in that cell. Those boots crunching into me. I shiver a little, but when I open my eyes I see those big blue pools are searching for answers. She doesn't know who I am, and I don't know who she is. But I know I'll kill her. Once they've gotten her out, taken her to those cells, and had their fun with her. I'll kill her. I was well aware of the fact, as a shifter, I was a rare breed in wanting to side with the Humans. Apart from Eren of course. But the simple fact was, these other shifters, I didn't understand the angle.

I didn't understand the point.

If they were trying to scare humanity out of complacency, fine. They'd done that more or less. But they'd killed the wrong people. Those in Wall Maria weren't to blame. The ones that needed shaking up, were those in the inner circles. The ones running the sham. Those bastards remained complacent, they remained wholly selfish and self-serving. These shifters were either in search of an entirely different goal, or they'd royally fucked it up. The way this woman was shielding her nape, tended to indicate some intelligence.

So I still didn't understand the point.

Levi draws his blades.

"Not quite yet Levi, a little more insurance is needed." Says Erwin, and I don't even bother to turn and see his sickening grin. "Second and third wing, fire!"

The fire engulfs my mind, and I close my eyes, only seeing my own agony reflected in those blue discs. Dammit Erwin we were secure. But I reckon the sick bastard was enjoying this, enjoying punishing my moment of weakness. I wonder if he had still suspected me of this, and had merely been surprised at my idiocy of actually giving in to changing. I hoped not. I hoped I'd scared the living daylights out of him.

But as I feel the steel once again, I wonder if I wasn't looking from the right angle. My eyes snap open, and swivel to focus on him. He remains calm under my gaze, but I see a sheen of sweat on his smooth brow. Perhaps he hated humanity just as much as I did. Perhaps he had realised, that in order to rise above monsters, and fight them properly, he had to abandon his own sense of humanity. His own idea of being human. Perhaps by being the sadistic bastard he was, he was the best hope of saving humanity. It was a dire situation, no matter which way you looked at it. This was as fucked up as it got, and I grit my teeth against laughing at the world's insanity.

Levi and Mike, the sniffy one, suddenly zip in for the kill. Or rather capture. They swirl as they go for her hands, but I hear a familiar crackling noise and internally cringe. My, my little girl, you're full of surprises. Their blades shatter as they meet crystal, and I groan a little. Things were never easy.

Levi suddenly lands on the blonde's hair and I jolt, shivering all over. I see a new desperation enters her cold gaze, and I feel a memory of that kind of terror. Even now I'm afraid of him, as I stand holding this blonde monstrosity in place, at a might eighteen metres tall. I'm trembling.

I grit my teeth, and dig my nails into her flesh, she growls back.

"Disengage from your Titan Senefold." Orders Erwin, and I pause. Could I even manage that? I can feel a wire running through my right thigh, and just across my left bicep. If they'd wanted me out, they could have aimed a bit better.

"Now Senefold. Or we tear you out."

All right, don't get your Golden knickers in a twist.

I concentrate, and feel the cold air whoosh past me. Back in reality, I hang there, connected by my legs, and my arm awkwardly held in place by the wire. I gasp at the icy air, and try to let my mind settle. But there's a lot of pain to think through. I see that they don't intend on helping me; either out of malice, or apprehension. So I draw one of my blades and cut the wires free. They retract quickly and I hiss at the friction.

Ow.

Once free, I latch onto the branch our esteemed Commander stands on, and zip over. I land in a small heap, gasping still as my body continues to burn. He's talking at me, but I just ignore him, trying to breathe deeper as my ribs refuse to unclench. My whole body aches, and my nose won't stop running this clear, red tinted liquid. That hadn't happened for a long time…

"You will answer for your actions at HQ, Senefold, that is a promise."

"Just shut up and deal with the real issue, Blondie."

"Cadet Senefold—"

"I'm not the enemy here, no, that would be the big Tit over there. You know, the one who just butchered all your soldiers, and actually did something wrong?" I grumble, lying flat on the branch, waiting for my swimming vision to clear. Transforming had always taken a toll, but it was worse the longer I waited in between. After months of stagnant human form, this was a bad one. My limbs feel like jelly, and the throbbing agony pounding into my brain is enough to make me scream. But I won't do that, that'd just be unladylike.

I spit the blood from my mouth, and watch Levi kneel down. I can only make out some of it, but the things he says to her, they make me shiver. Whoever it was in there, would be shitting it all over the place. It might even start leaking from her huge mouth. I giggle a little at the image. But as I hear him mentioning mutilating her actual body I sit up, she just drew a long breath. Don't tell me she can—

The loud call does nothing to help my headache.

Well done Levi, you poked the bear.

I get to my feet groggily, and force my legs to bear my weight.

"We have a problem."

"Explain yourself Senefold. Now."

"That lovely singing voice of hers does more than serenade Levi into loving her. Just wait, sniffer knows what I'm talking about."

Mike appears and relays the same thing, Titans are approaching and from all around. I doff my head to him and wink at Erwin. I'm not the only Titan you need to worry about right now, the other, rather less dignified variations are lumbering our way. And I'll bet they're hungry.

"Defend the Female Titan at all costs!" he orders before turning to me, and clutching my throat. "Why didn't you tell us—"

"I didn't know this was going to happen, remember Goldie? You kept me in the dark on this mission. And also, not everyone can do that, I sure as hell can't, so there was no way for me to know she could."

"How do you know it then?"

I spit in his face.

"Guess sitting down and talking with me, might have been an idea after all."

The pointless battle goes on for a few minutes as the soldiers attempt to keep her in tact. Erwin releases me, and turns with a groan as he realises the Female Titan is long gone. Eventually he pulls his pawns back. A little light leaves him, and I lean against the trunk of the tree. Levi appears next to us, and I give a weak wave, staying mainly still otherwise. Sudden movements seemed like a bad call right now. I look through the trees, hoping the rest of our squad made decent progress on getting some distance from all this. Just keep the kid safe. That was all they had to do.

"We've been bested." Says Erwin, and I almost feel sorry for the Golden Boy.

"Don't give me that shit, not now. Not yet." Levi almost sounds desperate, and I begin to shiver again. Desperation never went well when contained in that lithe body of his. I'd tried to help, I hoped he could see that.

"Think about it, the enemy was prepared to make sacrifices, immense ones."

"Just like us." I snap a little angrily, his voice seems to be edging towards glorifying this beasts actions. Like she was something to be admired. Fuck that. Sacrifice was made on both sides of this board. He looks at me, and sneers a little.

"Us?" He points to the steaming corpse as it is consumed, and the remaining black lances of mine that now lay scattered across the undergrowth. I flinch back from his accusation, but still feel it sting as he voices it. "How do we know you didn't do that in order to allow her that escape?"

"Because we're smarter than that." Says Levi, walking across the branch. I grit my teeth and look at his outstretched hand warily. His grey eyes burn with something; but I don't understand it. "I may not have yours right now, Senefold, but shit… you just earned my respect. You lying son-of-bitch."

What? I stare at him, and he nods without expression. That light in his eyes… that was respect? I shake his hand, and attempt a smile.

"J-just wanna keep you on your toes, Captain." I say, sniffing and wiping my nose as more liquid leaks out. Shit. His eyes narrow and glance down at the lances with a frown. His mind ticks.

"So what now?" I ask to distract from the obvious toll this had taken on me. I had his respect, and I wasn't about to lose it to pity. Fuck that. Progress was being made, and I didn't want to lose that if I could help it. "If we go back with our tail between our legs now…"

"Then Eren's right back in chains." Finished Levi with a click of his tongue. I look to Erwin and grimace a little.

"Or worse."

"Cut it out you two." Rumbles Erwin, eyes fixed on the disappearing mass of his target. His goal slipping further out of his grasp with every gnawing gnash of a Titan's inane grin. "For now we focus on getting back without sustaining further damages."

A flicker of Humanity appears.

I am thrown through yet another loop.

He looks at me, and adds with a frown.

"However we can."

I feel an order in those words, and give a small nod to him. Levi looks between me and his Commander and is about to say something, when I nod in the direction our Squad had fled to.

"Let's regroup—"

"No. Go with Levi to replenish his blades."

"What?" Me and the Captain say in unison, sharing a confused look. There wasn't time for that.

Levi sheaths his blades and bares his teeth at the suddenly re-composed blonde. There it is again, that damn tug of war in that sharp little mind. He has a duty, and an odd trust in that man, but underneath that is malice. Underneath that is a paradoxical mistrust and misunderstanding of motive. I look down at my bruised hands and smirk to myself as the two men argue; it seemed I had more in common with my Captain after all. My heart clenches a little. Having seen the Commander up close out here, I felt my original assumption about this regiments leader seem a little more possible. He was a bastard, but still had a heart to go with that.

"All right. I trust you." Says Levi, gesturing for me to follow him. I do so and glance back at Erwin, who stands with his head slightly bowed as he considers the failure of his day. How the mighty do fall.


LEVI POV

I guess that coin will have to stay spinning for the time being.

The decision can't be made right now, not after what she just did.

The stupid woman had put it all on the line back there, I really thought Erwin was gonna order me to end it there and then. I think it crossed his mind out of blind fear. Control was his forte, and being out of it, wasn't. He was driven to the point of lunacy, and didn't enjoy being kept in the dark. She'd fooled all of us for so long, and endured so much to conceal it. To only go and reveal herself now? To save us? I grit my teeth as we head for the supply wagon. This entire situation was bullshit, and I had the feeling it wasn't over. It didn't feel over. But really I didn't know what else I expected. Clearly she couldn't transform again, she was pale as death, and continuously bleeding from her wounds. It was disgusting, but also worrying. It took a lot to take this woman down, so clearly it took its toll on her in a serious way.

Dammit not again.

That old sensation I'd buried in the past flares up in my mind as I get new blades, and watch her focus on steadying herself as she refills my tanks. She's managing it, but barely.

The sensation feels different this time, not like with Farlan or Isabel. This is a different kind of ache, and I don't fucking like it. It's messy, and I can't deal with that right now. I just hope this idiot remembers her orders. She had to survive. I never got to understand a lot about this life, and I probably never would. In general I was okay with that, I regretted nothing. But with her it was frustratingly different, I felt I wanted to understand this.

I fix my straps across my chest, but still it's there.

Pull it together you stupid bastard.

Since when was I so damn human?

And since when was I so damn stupid.


Thanks for reading!

To all of you who so kindly reviewed for the past couple chapters, thank you so so much! It really does make my day, as a writer it is immense to know my work is being enjoyed by people! A quick list:

Little miss Banana; sorry for stealing your sister's identity, not on purpose I assure you. And thank you for the praise, I'm thrilled that you're enjoying it so much.

Wildyy; thanks for your praise, im interested as well, but still very sorry for the fact nothing has really occurred so far, I got rather wrapped up in everything else happening! But it will all come to pass soon enough, tension = other forms of tension ;)

xxBeccaxx; yeah.. the feels are potentially going to major! I hope you enjoyed! And thanks for reviewing!

Tsuyoiame: I'm glad to have drawn you in, and feel humbled by your praise, thanks so much!

If I missed anyone, so sorry, but really thank you to everyone both reviewing, following, favouriting, and of course reading.

^-^ see you next time! Fran