Author's Note: Hey guys, due to personal reasons, Rubi won't be in this fic. Colin, who voices her in my Visual novels which are based on these fics, is going through some personal things right now, so he's taking a break. So Rubi won't be in this fic
June 21st, 2018
Fukuoka, Japan
9:34 PM
The group of shadows on the edge of the forest stood firm, glaring at Eren's group. "Finally found us...?", Armin questioned, not understanding his statement. Mikasa glared, gripping tighter onto Sebastian's hand.
"Maaan, I didn't expect you to make it here this soon!", a female voice said. The red haired woman with glasses came more into light.
Eren's heart dropped, along with everyone else's. They recognized her as Hanji, one of the scientists from the lab.
"It's Hanji...!", Historia cried. "Oh crap..!", Connie froze. "How did she find us?!", added Sasha, as Eren suddenly glared dangerously, clenching his fists.
"We're NOT going back there!", he sprinted forward, about to throw a punch at her, when Levi suddenly glared, and kicked Eren's feet under him, tripping him to the ground.
"EREN!", cried Mikasa fearfully, but Sebastian held her back.
"Keep up that reckless behavior, you'll get your entire group killed", Levi sneered, glaring down at Eren. Eren glared back up at him.
"Who are you people?", he demanded, as he struggled to get up. "We're a group that rebels against the government, and how they're handling this entire mess...we have way more information than they do", Levi explained.
Eren froze up, his eyes widening as some color drained from his face. "Then why is SHE with you?", Mikasa demanded.
"I was simply at that lab undercover, to find out what they were doing and gathering information...none of you know this, but I'm the one who helped you escape", Hanji replied simply.
The group all froze, looking both in shock and confused. "We can explain everything back at base..its not wise to stay out in the open like this. More army trucks are coming this way within the next ten minutes", Levi said then.
"Hold up! You people just expect us to follow you into the woods?!", demanded Eren. Mikasa swallowed hard, as she heard her little brother's stomach growl.
They hadn't eaten or drank anything in days. Mikasa especially wasn't looking well, she gave a lot of her share to her brother after all. Eren gave his to Mikasa, but a lot of times she refused it, wanting Eren to eat.
"They could have food..", Sasha muttered, starving. "No way! This could be a trick by those people at the lab!", Connie pointed out.
"E-Eren...I think we should...", Mikasa started but she suddenly exhaled shakily, placing a hand to her forehead. "Mikasa!", Eren hurried over to her, worried, and wrapped an arm around her.
"Are you all right..?", he asked, supporting her. "I'm just...light headed...", Mikasa began. Levi frowned.
"Your girlfriend looks like she hasn't ate in weeks...", he commented. "All of you look starved, we have food and water back at base", Petra offered kindly, her voice the softest out of them all.
Eren swallowed hard, he saw how weak Mikasa appeared. Sebastian didn't look well either. Mikasa was pale, shaky and sweating a bit, she also had lost quite a bit of weight, her clothes appearing slightly baggier than normal.
They could only eat what they could find after all. And in their months of traveling, they had a few successful hunts, and were able to fish a few times. But they were now close to a city...and there were no rabbits or birds here to hunt.
They couldn't steal from stores, in a big city like this there was more security, and with them all wanted now, it was impossible.
Very slowly, Eren gave in. He sighed. "All right, lead the way", he finally said. "Are you sure Eren?", asked Armin. "We don't have a choice", Eren admitted grimly.
"Very well", Levi nodded, as he began leading them into the forest. Eren stopped for a moment, and then crouched down.
"Mikasa, get on my back. I'll carry you", he said then. Mikasa blinked. "Eren..I'm fine..", she started. "You're NOT fine, sis! You're too dizzy to walk!", Sebastian insisted, worried about her.
"I know its tough Mikasa, but please...we don't want to lose you", Sasha added, just as worried. It was no secret the group had a habit of pampering Mikasa a bit, only due to the fact she was the most injured back when all this first started.
It didn't help that she lost quite a bit of treatment she needed thanks to the lab.
Mikasa sighed, she gave in and let Eren carry her. She was stubborn, and didn't like being treated as a princess. As soon as she had food and water, she'd be back to her normal self.
Eren's heart sunk at how light she felt. She felt even lighter then she did when he first carried her, all that time ago when the bombing first hit.
Mikasa wrapped her arms around his neck, as they began following Levi's group into the forest.
They walked for a good 2 miles into the forest, before finally coming to a clearing. Surrounded by thick trees was a campsite. It was rather large, and had around ten tents.
There were tables with supplies, and crates stacked too. Dozens of water jugs were seen near the tents as well. There was a wall of firewood too, as well as five horses tethered to some posts with hay and water. Two were a jet black color, while the other three were dark brown, with one having a white star on its forehead, and another bearing white socks, while the third was all brown with no markings.
"A truck in the woods would be too suspicious if someone came across our camp, plus horses make hunting much easier", Levi explained as they entered the camp.
Armin looked around at the campsite, impressed. He wasn't the only one either. "Don't tell me! All those crates have food?!", gawked Sasha, seeing dozens of heavy crates stacked up in a large shed that was opened.
"Most of it is canned foods, cupped noodles, rice and anything that won't spoil quickly", Hanji explained. "What about meat and vegetables?", asked Sebastian curiously.
"We hunt our meat, and fish as well. There's a large population of deer in this forest, along with rabbits and birds. We grow our vegetables", Levi answered.
"That's incredible!", Connie exclaimed. "How long have you been here?", asked Mikasa weakly, but even in her state, she couldn't help but look around at the camp.
"Since two weeks after it hit...", Levi answered. "We'll explain everything once you all have eaten", Petra added.
They were led into a large tent. Inside were bunk beds, lights and carpeting. It was like luxury compared to how they were living before, sleeping in the dirt, or on rocks.
"Sis! This bed is so soft!", Sebastian stated, as he sat on it, hugging the pillow. "It's so cozy!", added Historia, as Eren helped Mikasa sit down by her brother.
Soon, Petra brought in food for Eren, Mikasa, Sebastian, Armin, Sasha, Connie and Historia. The group were in awe...the food looked amazing.
They each got cooked fish, rice, soup, some lettuce, bread and herbal tea. "I haven't seen food like this in ages!", Connie cried, as he and Sasha dug in.
Sebastian, Mikasa, Eren and the rest ate quickly too, all starving. "If any of you want water, there's jugs right outside the tent", Petra added softly, as she sat down.
"This is incredible! How..did you get all these supplies here?", asked Armin, as Mikasa chewed furiously, starving, while Sebastian downed his tea.
"Two weeks after the bomb hit Tokyo Tower, we heard about the testings in Quarantine, so we fled to here", Petra started.
"Wait..were any of you vaccinated?", asked Mikasa, finally speaking after downing her own tea as Eren practically swallowed his slice of bread whole. Armin dug into the rice. Sasha's plate was already clean.
"No, because we didn't have to be", Levi entered with Hanji, as they sat across from the group.
Eren frowned. "What do you mean?", he asked. Levi looked at them all. "It's time for a proper introduction. Welcome to the Wings of Freedom...we are a rebel group of immune survivors", he began.
There was a tense moment of silence, when suddenly their eyes grew wide. "Immune?!", Sasha gawked at him.
"You mean..you're not effected by Zetsumetsu?!", added Eren urgently.
"That's correct. Myself, my wife Petra,, Hanji, and the others here...we are completely immune to it. Because of this, we knew they'd want to turn us into test subjects, to find a cure", Levi continued.
Mikasa blinked then. "Wait...are you saying THAT'S the reason we were tested on? Because there were no immunes, the government resulted in testing on all of us?", she questioned.
"My short answer to you..is yes. But, there was no guarantee experimenting on us would provide a cure, just because we're immune. I wasn't about to let them slice my wife's brain open...", Levi answered. Petra bit her lip, but remained silent.
"But wait..if you people would have just turned yourselves in...the rest of Tokyo wouldn't have been tested on...our friends died in that lab!", Eren yelled then, standing.
Levi frowned then. "Tell me something. If Mikasa was immune, would you sacrifice her for the rest of the world?", he questioned then. Eren tensed, going dead silent.
Levi glared at him dead in the eyes. Mikasa watched Eren, her heart beat picking up slightly. Eren looked down. "No..I couldn't..", he answered, sitting back down.
"Eren...", Mikasa leaned closer to him, squeezing his hand. "But..how do you know so much about us?", asked Armin.
"Hanji went undercover to work for those sick fucks at that lab...she had information on all of you", Levi explained.
"I was in college and my major was science, they needed more staff so they took me on, as I hoped for. By getting on the inside, I was able to figure out what the government was trying to do, and in my research there I learned even more of how big this attack really was", Hanji began.
"We're listening...", said Mikasa softly. "I'll need to start at the beginning for it to make sense...", Hanji reminded them.
They all nodded, while Eren remained quiet. Hanji took a deep breath. "As you're all aware, a bomb hit Tokyo Tower last year, and then a second hit an apartment complex. We were able to uncover the bomber was a member of the terrorist group. But there's much more", she began.
"Everyone originally thought the terrorist attack was the bombing. What we didn't realize, is that it was merely a distraction from the real attack. And not just a distraction, a lure to get people out of their homes and in the toxic air", she continued.
"Toxic air...so then..those planes that day..!", Armin exclaimed then.
"You're a smart guy...those planes were spraying the toxic Zetsumetsu throughout all of Tokyo. You were all infected hours before the initial bombing as long as you were outside, or a window was open", Hanji nodded.
"Not only was it a distraction, but the emergency sirens lured people out of their homes, thus exposing them to the toxic air..", Petra added softly.
"Wait, how did you help us escape?", asked Connie then. "I left the paper with the code on the counter for you. You kids honestly think that would have just been left there?", asked Hanji.
"You saved us then..", Mikasa said, with a grateful tone.
"Thank you...but...the planes is something we already figured out...what other information is there?", asked Eren, still feeling tense.
Hanji looked at Levi, who nodded. "The terrorist group who started all of this call themselves The Titans. They believe they're higher than any sort of God...we know they originally had a base in Germany, but then they moved to Japan. They are a medium sized group of people from different countries", Levi explained.
Eren went paler than usual, his eyes widened as he fell dead silent. Mikasa noticed, but she didn't say anything yet, listening to Levi with the rest.
"From what we understand, they're plan is to, and I quote, 'cleanse the filth from this world' They seem to be a bunch of cult like religious extremeness nuts...they hired someone to design a bomb for Tokyo Tower...", Levi continued.
Eren's stomach churned, and he suddenly felt sick. He got up, and hurried out, clutching his mouth with his hand. "Eren..?", Mikasa cried worriedly.
She got up, and followed him out. "Weak stomach?", asked Levi. "Not usually...", Armin answered worriedly.
Mikasa stepped several feet from the tent, and saw Eren leaning over a tree. "Eren...", she hurried over, worried, and gently rubbed his back.
She didn't say anything, just simply supported him as Eren coughed, having finished throwing up. "I know..it's a lot to take in. We're also not used to having a big meal", Mikasa said softly.
Eren exhaled shakily, as he finally looked at Mikasa. He pulled her close then, stroking her hair. Mikasa blinked softly, but she embraced him back.
"I'm sorry Mikasa...I'm so sorry that...this has happened to us...", he apologized, holding her tight. "Oh Eren...it's not your fault...", Mikasa soothed him, trusting him completely, and knowing hearing all of this was really making things sink in.
That night, Armin filled them in on everything else Levi said and explained. They were back in the tent. Mikasa was leaning against Eren, her head resting on his arm, while Eren stroked her hair softly. Sebastian was asleep by his sister.
"While they don't know the name of the bomber, or the one who created the bombs, Levi has the names of a few of the members, but not their leader", Armin began.
"Names like Reiner, Bertolt and Gabi have been uncovered..but they're the only ones so far. But there's more", he said.
Eren swallowed hard, remaining pale. "In the time we spent in the lab, and on the run...a few more places have been bombed", Armin showed them some newspaper clippings.
"The Wings of Freedom keep up to date with what's happening, and it's not looking good..", he added. They all leaned in, looking at what the papers said.
"Hong Kong was bombed?!", cried Mikasa, seeing it. "Everyone there is infected...so was Mexico and France", Armin nodded.
"Any other parts of America or still just the North East?", asked Eren. "Still just the North East. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maine have all been locked down, to prevent it from spreading further throughout America", Armin explained.
"What else do they know?", asked Mikasa. Armin shook his head. "They know the terrorist group is called the Titans, and that they're somewhere in Japan. They also know the government are blind in the dark...Zetsumetsu is spreading like wild fire", he replied.
"But..there's Anti X", Eren spoke up. "Yeah but...Hanji mentioned a second treatment is being developed, due to the possibility of Anti X wearing off...", Armin said.
"Wearing off...?", Eren swallowed hard. "It was a new drug that was produced quickly, only meant to work for a temporary amount of time. It's been nearly a year since all this started...its very possible it could wear off", explained Armin.
"Anything else...?", asked Mikasa. "That's all they know. I do know we're safe staying with them. We have shelter, food, water and protection. Not to mention both Hanji and Petra are skilled in medical needs, as is Historia", Armin replied.
"It's safe we stay here", Mikasa agreed, while Eren nodded. "Besides, there's no where else to go", he said.
Within the next hour, everyone was exhausted. Mikasa fell asleep quickly, as Eren held her close, stroking her hair. Armin was in the bunk across, while Sebastian was on the top bunk.
Sasha drooled in her sleep, as did Connie. Historia was also fast asleep. Eren struggled to fall asleep, as he watched over his girlfriend.
She slept soundly, worn out. He gently stroked her scar, and then traced down her neck, where her red scarf was still on.
When morning arrived, Levi ordered everyone to be awake and dressed for a meeting outside. "I'm aware you're all still exhusated, but if you want to eat our food and live here, you can all pitch in", he said.
"It's 8 in the morning", complained Sebastian, rubbing his eye and yawning. "Our usual wake up time is 5 AM", Levi stated, as Sasha yawned as well.
"So..what needs to be done?", asked Armin. "I'm going to assign you all in teams of three. But first I need to know any skills you have. Horseback riding, handling a gun and/or other weapons, hunting, fishing, guarding", Levi explained.
"Mikasa Ackerman, your skills", Hanji started. "I took horse back riding lessons only three years ago, and I can use a gun, along with hunt", Mikasa answered.
"You'll be a bit rusty on a horse at first due to it being three years, but also due to the injury you received, but you should be okay...you also seem very alert, so you can pretty much do all of the things around here" Hanji stated.
"Eren Jaeger", Levi said next. "I can use a gun sir, along with hunt and fish...I've never been on a horse before", Eren answered.
"Very well...Armin Arlet?", asked Levi. "I'm not too used to a gun yet I'm afraid, a lot of my skill comes from thinking up strategies", admitted Armin.
They went through everyone, and soon Levi decided the teams. "Mikasa, Sasha and Petra will hunt us dinner. We've run out of meat, but one deer can feed us for a week. You three take horses, and Petra will lead you to where the herds usually are", Levi said.
Mikasa hesitated. "What about my brother?", she asked nervously. "He'll be trained here with this nitwit to learn basic survival", Levi answered, gesturing to Connie.
"And Eren...?", asked Mikasa, also hesitant to leave his side. They were so used to always being together, and after spending 7 months separated through cells..
"Eren, Armin and I will be getting water and fish from the river. Historia and Hanji will be tending to the horses, while Eld, Oluo, and Gunther will be keeping watching", Levi answered sharply.
Mikasa swallowed hard, she had never been far from either Eren or her brother, or just her group in general.
"Mikasa, they'll be okay", Sasha assured her softly. Mikasa didn't answer, looking down as Petra brought the horses over.
"Hey..I know my husband seems tough. But don't worry, he'd put Eren's and Armin's safety before his any day", she assured then.
Mikasa looked at her. "Are you certain?", she asked worriedly. Petra gave a kind smile. "I'm positive", she assured her.
The three girls soon got on the horses, and headed down the hunting trail. Mikasa had her gun, which now was a rifle. They had found one during their journey, and Eren helped her adjust to the kick. Sasha had her bow and arrows, and Petra had a bow and arrows as well.
She was much smaller than Mikasa, despite being older, so Mikasa wasn't surprised she didn't carry a gun. The kick would knock her right down.
"I heard about your injury from Hanji...does it hurt to be on horseback?", asked Petra softly. "No, it would have if I tried it nearly a year ago", Mikasa replied.
"How long have you and Levi been married?", asked Sasha curiously, as they guided the horses further down the trail.
Mikasa pushed a low hanging branch out of the way, as she kept a look out. "About four years before everything went to hell..we were happy. We wanted to go into business for ourselves..", Petra admitted.
"Really? Doing what?", asked Sasha curiously. "We wanted to open a tea shop of our own, and we came close to being able to afford it. I worked days at the grocery store, while Levi worked nights for the Electric company...", Petra explained.
"And then the attack happened..?", asked Mikasa softly. "Actually no...I...got pregnant", admitted Petra.
Mikasa felt the strangest sensation at hearing this, her heart seemed to flutter and she felt some color reach her cheeks...for the briefest moment she pictured herself and Eren having a baby. But then she shook her head, focusing.
"You did..?! What happened?", asked Sasha worriedly, noticing no child at the camp site. Petra bit her lip, a grim look in her eyes. Mikasa noticed Petra's silence, and looked back, worried.
"I miscarried...only 10 weeks into my pregnancy", she admitted. "Oh...", Sasha's eyes turned grim, looking down. "Petra..I'm so sorry...", Mikasa said with a tone of sympathy.
"So..our money went to medical bills, and...I became too depressed to work, and...pretty much only a month after all that, the bomb hit", Petra explained.
"Jesus...", Sasha sighed softly. "But..what about you two? What were your lives like..before all this?", asked Petra.
"I lived with my dad, we lived more in the country side of Japan. We bred horses, raised them, and even had a few farm cats and a dog. But Dad knew I felt isolated in the country, and really had no social life, so every summer he let me stay with my friends. Friends I only got to see in school, which was always a four hour bus ride for me", Sasha explained.
"Dad happened to be in the city when the bomb hit..he got infected and...before Anti X was made, he died in his sleep...", she added, looking down. Mikasa slowed her horse down a bit so she could ride next to Sasha.
She gently squeezed Sasha's hand softly. "I'm so sorry..that's..terrible..and your mom?", asked Petra softly. "She died giving birth to me...so...", Sasha admitted sadly.
Mikasa looked down after a moment of silence. "Before...all of this...I lived with my parents and my brother in an apartment. We were happy...dad worked from home on the computer, mom raised us, I spent my free time exercising, while my brother watched TV...I was never very social, we attended a private school...", she began.
"When it happened...it happened so fast..I...pushed my brother out of the way, as wreckage fell on top of me..and my parents...they...were killed instantly", Mikasa froze, slightly trembling.
It was still difficult for her to talk about. "Mikasa, you don't have to talk about it..it's all right. I read everyone's reports from Hanji...you...really got hit bad. You spent so much time with a severe injury...", Petra said softly.
"I don't want people to keep pampering me though. I'm still strong...I may have been injured but...they need to let me protect them as well", Mikasa confessed, as she wiped her eyes. Sasha had to smile. "Then maybe you get how your little brother feels...?", she asked then.
Mikasa blinked, and she sighed. Petra smiled. "Sweetie, you are strong. Very strong. But its not a crime to appear weak either. You've been through so much, we all have. Talking like this together is good therapy for all of us, trust me", she assured kindly.
Mikasa gave a small nod, as they moved in closer to where the herd was. They urged their horses to a trotting pace, as they went further into the woods.
