Erwin walks down the flooded streets of the Capital with his hoodie over his head, his Survey Corps cape blowing against the raging wind. The spring showers are particularly heavy this year. Erwin wants to grab a drink after enduring a very long night. He stayed up all night thinking up a plan to convince Brianne to stay within the Walls. It's late in the afternoon, and Erwin heads over to the nearest bar he can find. He sees Cap's Pub, and as he approaches the bar Niles steps out with a scrolled up paper in his hands looking frustrated and worn-out.
Niles: (surprised) Erwin?
Erwin: Niles.
Niles: (smiles) Damn, Erwin. It's been long, hasn't it?
Erwin: Yeah, it's been a while.
Niles: So...(hesitates) David and Charlie?
Erwin: (cold) David's gone.
Niles: (sighs heavily) Damn.
Erwin: (eyes the paper) What's that?
Niles: Oh, it's nothing. Just two guys the MP's looking for.
Erwin: Mind if I take a look?
Niles: No, go ahead.
Niles hands the scrolls to Erwin, and he looks down at the pictures of Levi and Farlan. He immediately recognizes them as the guys Brianne lives with. The wheels in Erwin's brain start turning.
Niles: Have you seen them before?
Erwin: No. Why are you looking for them?
Niles: They killed 2 MP's. One of the bodies was found in the sewers cut up badly. (shakes his head) They tortured the soldier, and then they slit her throat and threw her into the sewers to bleed out and drown in shit.
Erwin: ...And the other soldier?
Niles: (shrugs) We can't find him.
Erwin: You assume these two killed the missing soldier?
Niles: Has to be. It makes sense.
Erwin looks at the picture once again, staring at Levi. He knows that Levi must be the key in getting Brianne to stay.
Erwin: What will you do if you capture them?
Niles: Probably hang 'em or burn 'em. You can't mess with the MP like that and expect to live.
Erwin: ...what if I tell you I can catch them?
Niles scoffs, and he looks at Erwin. He sees how serious Erwin is about being the first to capture Levi and his friends.
Niles: Wait...you serious?
Erwin: Yes. If I capture them before your branch, they'll belong to the Scouts. They will be under the Scouts' protection.
Niles: Why would you want to keep them?
Erwin: Scouts' business.
Niles: Erwin, I'm telling you, man, the MP wants to kill these guys. If you catch them before us...you'll just stir up chaos between our branches.
Erwin: I welcome it.
Erwin walks away from Niles with a plan getting put into pieces in his mind. Niles watches quietly, holding the scroll in his hand.
Niles: (looking at Erwin) Good seeing you too, man...
Erwin arrives at the abandoned building with Mike Zacharius, Charlie Buchanan, and his fellow squad members. Erwin takes in a deep breath, and he looks at Charlie first. Charlie looks back at Erwin and nods, and Mike does the same. Mike stealthily approaches the building, and he kicks the door in hard as Erwin and Charlie lead the ambush. Levi, Farlan, and Isabel jump in surprise when the Scouts invade their home. Mike points his blade at Farlan, Charlie points his blade at Isabel, and Erwin points his blade at Levi. Levi immediately recognizes Erwin and Mike, and his anger ranges inside him knowing that he and his friends have finally been caught after years of thievery. He has no idea how Erwin knows of his home, but he knows it must've been Brianne's mistake.
Levi: What the hell are you doing?!
Erwin: (steps forward) If you want to protect Brianne, then you'll turn yourself in to the Corps immediately.
Levi, Farlan, and Isabel look at one another. They're surprised at how blunt Erwin is about his reason for visiting them.
Farlan: What do you mean protect Brianne?
Erwin: I'm sure Brianne has spoken to you about her desire to join the Scout Regiment.
Levi looks at Erwin, and Erwin knows it to be true.
Erwin: (lowers his blade) If you truly care for Brianne, you'd stop her from joining the Corps.
Levi, Farlan, and Isabel are silent.
Erwin: The MP is looking for (looks at Levi and Farlan) the both of you, and if they catch you they will execute you without any hesitation. If you can convince Brianne to stay within the Walls, I give you my word that you will not be executed.
Isabel: Yeah? And how're you gonna do that?
Erwin: You'll be under the Corps' protection once I arrest you, so the MP have no say on what happens to you when they find out where you are. Your lives will be saved in exchange for convincing Brianne to stay within the Walls.
Levi, Farlan, and Isabel still don't answer. Levi can't believe this guy is going this far to keep Brianne within the Walls. Levi knows that there must be a reason Erwin is so adamant in keeping Brianne safe within. He wonders what kind of monstrosities Erwin must have seen to do what he's doing right now, blackmailing a group of strangers he doesn't even know, their freedom for Brianne's safety.
Erwin: If you do not cooperate with me, I will arrest you with force.
Erwin observes the 3 3DMG on the ground near the 3 friends.
Erwin: I see you have 3 Maneuver Gears. You should know it is illegal for civilians to own Military property. I will arrest you on possession of Military property, or you can cooperate with me.
Erwin's statement pisses Levi off, and the 3 look at one another again. Farlan and Isabel know Levi wants to escape.
Farlan: Alright, man, alright. Just...let me grab my jacket. It's raining outside.
Erwin: Stop.
Erwin motions for Mike to go get Farlan's jacket. As Mike walks over to Farlan's jacket, Erwin takes out his second blade and points it at Farlan. Mike brings over Farlan's jacket to him, and Farlan puts it on. Farlan puts his hand into his pocket, and he feels the smoke bomb in his hands. He squeezes the smoke bomb so hard that it cracks and smoke immediately fills up the entire building. Erwin can hear scrambling and the strapping of the 3DMG. He then hears the hooks pierce through the night sky as Levi, Farlan, and Isabel break out through the abandoned building knowing they can never live there again. The squad run out of the abandoned building, hearing the 3DMG zipping through the air.
Erwin: Alpha, you take the girl. Omega, get the man with the brown hair. I'll get their leader.
Erwin, Mike and his team, and Charlie and his team go their separate ways on their 3DMG to find Isabel, Farlan, and Levi. Erwin hears a 3DMG echoing through the silent night, and he listens to where it goes. He hears it stop, and Erwin walks on foot towards the building where he heard the 3DMG. He comes across an old abandoned dojo in the alleyway, and he peeks inside to see Levi in there catching his breath, comforted by the dead silence of the night. Erwin takes a step back, and he uses his 3DMG to propel and break through the window. Erwin knocks Levi to the ground with the surprise attack, and he pins Levi down. Levi has a knife in his hand, but Erwin knocks the knife out. Erwin puts one hand to Levi's neck to choke him, and with his other hand he pulls out his own dagger and puts it to Levi's throat. Levi looks up at Erwin, shocked that Erwin has beaten him. Levi has never lost a fight since he was a little child, and this first loss in many years shocks Levi. Levi knows Erwin means business and that he is as determined a person as Brianne is. He can see why she loves Erwin and even looks up to him.
Erwin: Levi Ackerman, you are under arrest for thievery and possession of Military property. You are hereby sentenced to remain under the incarceration of the Survey Corps until your trial.
Erwin handcuffs Levi, and he takes him to the underground MP prison where Isabel and Farlan are already in different cells. Erwin throws Levi into a cell right next to Farlan, and Erwin looks back at his squad and Mike.
Charlie: What's next?
Erwin: I'm going to bring Brianne. Keep a sharp eye on them.
Erwin walks out of the underground jail cell, and he walks over to the Military training camp with the rain pouring down on him heavily still. Thunder rolls and lightning streaks through the purely dark sky. He walks over to Alfred's office, and he knocks. Alfred says to come in, and Erwin does.
Alfred: (sighs) What do you want this time, soldier?
Erwin: I would like to have a moment of Brianne's time.
Alfred: For what?
Erwin: I've captured her friends and put them in jail, the ones that killed the 2 MP's.
Alfred: (pauses from shock at Erwin's extreme statement) Do you think that's a good idea, Smith?
Erwin: I have no other choice. Nothing else I know would change Brianne's mind.
Alfred sighs heavily, and he nods.
Alfred: Very well. Bring her back by sunrise.
Erwin: (salutes Alfred) Thank you, sir.
Erwin quietly leaves Alfred's office. He walks over to Brianne's cabin, and he knocks. Brianne opens her door, and Erwin can tell Brianne was about to get ready to become Nightman.
Brianne: What do you want?
Erwin: Your friends are under arrest.
Brianne: ...What?
Erwin: Come with me, and let's talk.
Brianne: Wait-
Erwin: If you want to see your friends live through the night, you'll come with me now.
Brianne looks into Erwin's eyes and sees he means this. Brianne follows Erwin to the underground MP prison, and she's shocked to see Levi, Farlan, and Isabel all in separate cells just sitting there on the floor.
Isabel: Bri!
Levi immediately looks up when he hears that name. Levi stands up when he sees Brianne walking over to his cell. Brianne can't say any words. All she can do is look at her friends stuck behind the bars because of her.
Brianne: (looks at Erwin hurt) Why did you do this?
Erwin: Let's talk upstairs-
Brianne: (explodes) NOO! You answer me right now! Why did you do this?!
Erwin: (deep breath) I will exchange your friends' freedom for your word that you will not join the Survey Corps.
Brianne: (shocked) ...That's what this is about?
Erwin: Yes.
Farlan: Don't accept the deal, Bri. He's just gonna screw you over.
Mike: Don't interrupt.
Erwin: If you don't accept my terms, I will hand your friends over to the MP and they will be executed.
Brianne: Executed?
Erwin: (referencing Levi and Farlan) These two are wanted by the MP for killing two of their soldiers. If they find out that I have these 2 under custody, the MP will stop at nothing to have me hand over their heads on silver platters.
Farlan: Don't listen to him, Bri. We'll get out of this-
Mike: Shut up!
Chatter is heard above, and the MP are in the building. Brianne sees a quick look of urgency on Erwin's face the moment that noise is heard, and she knows she truly has only seconds to make a decision.
Erwin: (looks at Brianne) You need to answer me now before the MP come here.
Brianne: Okay, okay, I won't join the Scouts. I give you my word. Just let them go now-
The door above opens, and Erwin looks back at Charlie. Charlie nods and grabs Brianne making sure to cover her mouth with his hand. He leaves through another door dragging Brianne screaming into Charlie's hand, unable to be heard, as Erwin and Mike remain behind. Niles walks down, and he's shocked to see Erwin and Mike there with Levi, Farlan, and Isabel in separate cells. Niles opens his mouth to speak, but he doesn't know where to begin.
Niles: You...you caught them...
Erwin: Yes, and they are under the Survey Corps' custody.
Niles looks at Erwin, confused.
Erwin: Don't make me remind you again, Niles.
Niles: Dude, why are you doing this?
Erwin doesn't answer, and he turns to Mike.
Erwin: Stay here for the night. I'll send the others for shifts.
Mike salutes Erwin, and Erwin walks out with Niles following behind.
Niles: Erwin, talk to me, man!
Erwin looks back at Niles.
Niles: Why are you doing this?
Erwin: I need someone to make a choice.
Niles: Who?
Erwin doesn't answer.
Niles: Don't tell me it's Scarface.
Erwin doesn't answer.
Niles: You've got to be kidding me. You're still hung up on her?! Erwin, get over her, man! She's just a goddamn girl! We're talking about notorious criminals here, people the MP want to kill!
Erwin: (firmly) I can't have them killed. I need them alive. That's the only way this will work.
Niles: You know if the MP know that those 2 are here, they're going to execute them faster than you can blink.
Erwin: Which is why I'm here to ask you to keep quiet, just for now at least.
Niles: What?
Erwin: Don't say anything to anyone for a few hours, Niles. That's all I'm asking.
Niles: (suspicious) What are you gonna do with them?
Erwin: I'm going to move them.
Niles: Where?
Erwin: A place I can't confide in you.
Niles: (offended) You must be shitting me right now...you must be shitting me!
Erwin: (sternly) I am dead serious, Niles. Those 3 are under my custody, and they belong to me.
Niles: Erwin...you know I have to say something.
Erwin: I know. Just give me a few hours to transport them. I just need a few hours.
Niles is quiet, and Erwin takes that as an agreement. Erwin steps out of the facility, and he sees Brianne freaking out as Charlie just watches. Charlie notices Erwin, and he takes a step away from Brianne. She sees Erwin walking over to her.
Brianne: What the hell? The MP know they're here now!
Erwin: Not yet. I'm going to move them.
Brianne: Where?
Erwin: (to Charlie) Call the squad. Tell them to bring their horses. We're moving to HQ.
Charlie nods and runs off to relay the message to the rest of Erwin's squad.
Brianne: (desperate) What's happening, Erwin? Please, tell me.
Erwin: The MP's going to know I have your friends under custody, and they're going to come after them.
Brianne: You promised me you'd set them free!
Erwin: (guilty) That was before Niles came in and saw them. Niles is going to tell his superiors, but he's giving us a few hours head start.
Brianne: So...so what happens?
Erwin: I'm going to keep your friends under my custody until it's time for you join a branch. If you don't join the Corps, then...
Brianne: Then what? You'll let them free?
Erwin: I'm afraid it's too late for that. They'll have to join the Corps.
Brianne: ...what?
Erwin: It's the only way. I won't hand them over to the MP, I promise you-
Brianne: (explodes) Your promises don't mean shit to me, Erwin!
Erwin: (calmly) All I can give you is my word, Brianne. Nothing more. I'm sorry about the way things played out-
Brianne: (scoffs) You're sorry about the way things played out? You've got to be goddamn kidding me.
Erwin is quiet, and he watches tears form in Brianne's eyes.
Brianne: (devastated) You're going to make them join the Corps?
Erwin: It's the only way. The MP would kill them, and it doesn't make any sense for such notorious criminals to guard the walls with the Garrison Regiment. They have no choice but to join the Corps.
Brianne falls to her knees and breaks down in hysterical tears. Erwin watches her, his heart crumbling into tiny pieces as he watches Brianne weeping.
Erwin: I'm sorry, Brianne.
Erwin reaches out to touch Brianne's arm, but she swats his hand away. She gets onto her feet and backs away from Erwin. He's hurt seeing Brianne crying like this, weeping and sobbing in such pain.
Brianne: You stay away from me. I don't ever want to see you again. Please...don't ever come looking for me again. Just...stay away from me.
Brianne runs away from Erwin crying, and he takes in a deep breath to compose himself after being shredded into thousands of pieces. While spending his days beyond the Wall, Erwin was sure he and Brianne would be different. He even bet that he and Brianne wouldn't talk as much as they used to when they were together. But he now finds himself in a situation where he and Brianne talk plenty but about non-pleasant things. If Erwin had known things would come to this between him and his first love, he wouldn't have started any of this at all.
Erwin knew falling in love was going to be bad business, especially with him being determined to join the Survey Corps. He wished he didn't fall in love at all, and sometimes he even wished that what he and Brianne had was going to be a short-term fling. But he knows deep in his heart it can't be so because of how attracted he is to Brianne. At first when the two started hanging out together, Erwin didn't mind it just being a blossoming friendship. He can't even remember how it went all wrong. He knows he needs to avoid Brianne as much as possible so that they both can heal from their wounds, but Erwin knows he's going to miss Brianne dearly.
Erwin knows that if it wasn't for Brianne being alive, he'd lose the will to keep fighting and moving on. Without her, Erwin doesn't have the strength to fight every single day. It's something that he can't help anymore, something that has become innate for him. And the fact that Erwin needs to move on from Brianne makes it tough on him.
(6 months later)
Brianne puts on her coat of arms, the horse head of the Military Police, on the front of her cape. She straps her MP uniform on, and her squad meets up in the MP lounge to eat their breakfast. Her fellow squad members: Curtis Channing (2), Tina May (3), Cherrie Walker (4), Porter Cole (5), Katy Morgan (6), Chase Edmund (8), Nadia Yasso (9), and Larry Mosser (10). As Number One, Brianne holds her daily morning meetings with her captain, Philip Stauer. He tells Brianne that they've got a package coming in tomorrow early morning. After finishing the meeting, Brianne heads over to the MP lounge for her breakfast.
Brianne: Heads up guys, we've got a package coming in from Shiganshina tomorrow early morning.
Chase: What is it?
Brianne: If I knew what it was, I'd tell you.
After finishing their breakfast, Brianne and her squad take a stroll to look out for any crime. As Brianne's squad walk among the streets together, they hear the bells ringing, signaling the exodus of the Scouts for their new journey. Brianne quickly runs, but there's a huge crowd lined up already. She jumps onto the rooftop without hesitation, and she sees the Scouts slowly riding on their horses towards the large gates. She sees Erwin with his squad, and she spots Levi, Farlan, and Isabel.
Brianne: Guys!
No one can hear Brianne. She screams at the top of her lungs, and none of them notice her. Brianne tries her best to get her friends to notice her, but none of them do. Brianne watches her friends ride out beyond the Wall, and her heart drops. She prays for them in her head as she slowly watches the gates closing and the oncoming titans too slow for the gates...
It is late at night, and it is raining just as heavily. The 13th Legion of the Survey Corps is taking cover in the forest to hide away from titans' view.
Levi: I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna hunt down the Boy Scout tonight and kill him.
Isabel and Farlan look at Levi.
Levi: I'm not going to risk my life like this being a damn Scout. That's bullshit.
Farlan: Yeah. What...what we saw...no one should ever have to see anything like that...no one, man...
Isabel: I never knew titans were like that...so...so vicious, so hungry...(tears up) I can't do this anymore, you guys. I can't be a Scout. I just can't...
Farlan: (to Levi) I'll help you get rid of him.
Levi: No! You guys need to stay here. I need to do this one on my own. I can't risk you two getting hurt if it goes down.
Before the two can say anything, Levi runs away quickly on his horse not wanting to give his friends a second to refute his claim. Levi doesn't want his two friends to risk their lives searching for Erwin in the woods when they can be safe at camp with the others. Levi navigates through the forest carefully but doesn't see a sign of Erwin anywhere. It is raining too heavily, and he decides to head back, figuring that he'll have another chance at it when the time is right. As Levi is riding back, he notices fresh titan footprints on the ground heading towards camp. Levi hesitates, thinking it can't be. The titans can't be on their way to the camp; his life can't be that unfortunate. Levi rides back as quickly as he can, and he's in shock seeing 5 titans attacking camp. Farlan is trying to run away on his horse because he knows there is no way he can fight against the titans, but the horse slips on the mud. Farlan falls face flat in the mud, and Isabel tries to save him. She uses her 3DMG to maneuver around a titan, but it only causes another titan already wrapped up to trip on her wires.
Isabel sees that she's going to be crushed like a sandwich by the falling titan, and she sees Levi riding on his horse as fast as he can towards his friends. She calls out for Levi with all her might and reaches her hand out to him, but it doesn't stop the titan from crushing her to death. Farlan hears Isabel's cry, and he gets up only to realize his 3DMG is destroyed by his fall. Before he can move, he is quickly devoured by a titan. Levi is overcome by rage and he screams in anger, propelling himself forward with his 3DMG. He slays the 5 titans with such ease, guided and fueled by his blinding fury. He stands on the grass, looking at the slaughtered titans. He approaches the one that ate Farlan before his very eyes. Levi hears horses behind him, and he looks back to see Erwin and some other Scouts riding back. Levi goes into berserk mode, and he attacks Erwin knocking him off his horse. Levi punches Erwin and pins him to the ground, choking him.
Levi: (growls and glares right into Erwin's eyes) You. My friends are dead because of you! Isabel and Farlan are dead because of you!
Levi tightens his grip, and Mike steps forward quietly. Erwin is starting to turn red.
Mike: (calmly) Levi, let him go.
Levi: I went looking for you to tell you I won't be in the Scouts anymore. They wanted to come with me but I...I...I told them not to. I thought they'd be safe at camp...and I...I left them...
Levi loosens his grip slowly, realizing he was the one who left Isabel and Farlan to die in such a gruesome way. Erwin slowly gets off the floor as Levi remains on his knees staring down onto the wet grass.
Charlie: (quietly to Erwin) You okay?
Erwin: Yes, I'm fine. Mike, keep an eye on him.
Mike: You got it.
Erwin: Charlie, gather up the rest of the squad. We need to make a new camp.
