Chapter 11: Idol

Sup guys! Today began good because I was getting ready for school and riding the bus when school got suspended because of the weather here in the Philippines. Yep, July's the rainy season and the month where schools get suspended and we can all relax and enjoy fangirling. I decided to use today to continue the story. Enjoy!


"I'll do it! I don't know if I can, but...I will!" Eren said strongly to Dot Pixis, the commander after he was asked to seal the hole in Trost in his titan form. "I swear."

His friends watched him declare this. Dot remained his posture and nodded in agreement. He patted the boy's shoulders. "Excellently said, you have the heart of a lion," he said, standing up and walking over to the edge of the wall again.

"Stand officers, up! We have a plan to flesh out!" he shouted.

"W-Wait! We can't actually be moving forward though this is our last strategy, it's just something I tossed out there," Armin doubted himself.

Saoirse faced him. "Come on Armin, wether or not it's a meant-to-be strategy, we can still use it for victory," she reprimanded.

"I was thinking the same thing," Eren piped out to the three.

They faced him.

"Said, he seems like a guy who knows what he's doing," the boy continued. "Has it all under control, like we can't see the force from the trees but he's got a bird's eyes view."

Armin faced his buddy. "You think so?" he asked.

Saoirse crossed her arms. "It's risky, but are you up for it?" she asked.

"I do." Eren answered. "Either way we've got a whole other problem to address before we can get your plan off the ground. And my gut tells me that the commander's kingly aware of it."

"Which would be..." Armin trailed off.

"Titans...aren't our only foe." Eren told them.

Armin lightly gasped. He had always believed titans were the reason why humans couldn't go outside and resulting in near extinction, but suprisingly, there was something else that's stopping them from going outside the walls.

"Look sharp, soldiers," Pixis called out to them. The quartet looked at him and Eren stood up.

"The fate of mankind rests on your shoulders."

The quartet looked more determined than ever, desperate to save Trost and attain victory that they had failed to in the past.


The news of the plan had reached the soldiers retreating in the inner wall. Of course, their reaction wasn't good at all after what they've been through a few hours ago.

"Retake Trost? Are they kidding?"

"Someone on top lost their marbles."

"Lost cause, no doubt."

"Defending Wall Rose is the only real option here."

"Jackasses. Some pure craft pushing this through to make glory."

Daz, looking pale than ever, he didn't look brave enough to do it.

"I can't….I can't go back…." he trailed off before putting his hands on his head. "We'll die! We're all gonna die!"

Marco and Keira faced him, with a Garrison soldier turning his head towards the voice.

"Not so loud!" Keira whispered harshly.

"The hell Daz?! Calm down!" Marco reprimanded.

"Stop shrieking like a civiling coward!" The leader barked, walking over to him.

"Are you trying to make an impression of your friability?!" he continued asking.

Das looked up. "Sir, please! Look at us! All of us are gonna die and be buried in graves when we get slaughtered!"

The Garrison leader reached for his blades threateningly. "You too are good to sacrifice yourself for the good of humanity, soldier? Or would you prefer I cut you right now as an example to your comrades?"

Das gave him his blade, using this as an advantage. "Do what you gotta do. I'll take it over beat than a titan can any day!"

Marco held him back to restrain him.

"Get a hold of yourself!" he said.

"Get yourself together!" Keira joined in restraining Daz.

"Let me go! Let go!" Das shouted loud enough for the soldiers to hear. "I'm not going back and I'll die there!"

Hearing his protests caused murmurs among them, wether they would go with the plan or just back out at the last minute.

"You hear that? No lie, he's got a point."

A girl faced the ground. "So, who do you think's gonna have a nervous breakdown next?" she asked her friend.

Her friend faced down in fear too. "I don't know, but Trost isn't where I wanna go…"

"Come again?" a Garrison soldier asked harshly, hearing their conversation.

The girl jumped in fright and tried to mask her fear. "I-I was only kidding around sir!" she lied.

He didn't take it. "Speak up," he said in a threateningly manner.

"Huh?"

He leaned closer to her ear. "At the top of your lungs, make as much noise as you can, cadet."

She knew what he meant because she knew that they didn't tolerate cowardliness. Jean and Janessa continued watching the cadets having a breakdown and they didn't look amused.

"Do you think everyone else doesn't feel the same way about this stupid idea as you do? Then start a damn distraction so I can get out of here!" he shouted at her.

"Seriously, what is wrong with these people?" Janessa murmured, placing her hands on her hips. "They call themselves soldiers yet they are cowards. I wouldn't call myself one if I had a gut of fear."

"Where exactly do you think 'out of here' is?" Jean suddenly asked, having enough of the situation.

The leader stopped reprimanding her and face him. "Look man, I just want to see my daughter," he told him.

"Yeesh," Janessa mumbled.

"We're all dead anyway, right?" the leader asked.


Meanwhile on top of the wall, Pixis was busy walking with Eren and Saoirse talking about the plan.

"It's thought by many that before the titans held sway, mankind can assist different scores for raises, different creeds all scratching and biting each other for blood," Pixis told them. "It's not difficult to believe that second part."

"So brutal," Saoirse said.

"You can say that again, young lady," Pixis said. "Some wise men are rather repeated to have said they'll understand I'm paraphrasing here, that humanity required an enemy greater than itself just to survive."

Eren and Saoirse exchanged looks. "What do you two suppose it could have meant?"

"This is the first time we've heard of it sir," Eren told him. "I guess…that we all join forces? Some wise men.."

"I should probably look for a book about that when this is all over…" Saoirse said.

Pixis laughed and turned to face the two brunettes.

"I like the way both of your minds work, you two are almost as twisted and syndical as me," Pixis said, facing his head back forward.

"Maybe sir," Saoirse said.

"Well it's obvious to us the guy didn't have a clue on what he's talking about, come on, here we are, an enemy greater than itself buried down, and look at us."

"I guess you're saying all unlikely people should work together, if I put it that way," Saoirse said logically.

"Exactly, if our species doesn't pull it together soon, titans will nearly be the instruments of our demise, not the cause," Pixis said.

"So, young lady, you must be the daughter of Ben Hillman, am I right?" Pixies asked.

"Y-Yes, sir, he's a very good soldier, also a squad leader," Saoirse said.

Eren leaned closer to her. "Isn't there anyone who isn't friends with your father?"

"Military Police, he hates them, but he shows respect for Nile Dok," she told him.

Pixis laughed. "Your father visits here often, he's such a great man, courageous and loyal, never backing out in such things. He's not really famous, but he's a willed fighter. You're exactly like him, seeing you now reminds me of seeing him again after he's gone," he said.

Hearing 'he's gone' reminded Saoirse of her father's death again, but Eren placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"How close are you two?" Pixis asked.

Eren and Saoirse exchanged looks. "Very close…to be exact…" Eren said. "Where are you going on with this question?"

"Haha, that's because you two were mistaken for love," Pixis teased.

Both of them turned red and looked away.

"L-Love? What are you talking about sir?" Eren stammered.

"Ah-It's not what it…looks like…er…" Saoirse grew embarrassed.

Pixis faced them with a smirk. "You see you two, these days, love is hard to obtain because of God what knows outside these very stone walls, but when you experience it for yourself, love is what makes you happy. It's the ultimate happiness, even more than exploring these walls, even than attaining victory from those flesh eating monsters. Fellow men say there's not time for love right now, but we can all prove it wrong because nothing is stronger than love, not even titans."

"Wh-Why are you telling all of these sir?" Saoirse asked.

"I'm not saying it with cause, just a little piece of advice, I don't actually know if you two like each other." he said.

"Since when did the commander became….un-commandy?" Eren whispered.

"Probably a bottle of booze love," Saoirse teased.

The three continued strolling down the walls until they passed by a man and another one, Hannes. He gasped upon seeing Eren and Saoirse walking with the commander. He knows this was his time to talk to them again.

"Eren? Saoirse?" Hannes asked.

The two turned to him.

"Well I'll be damned," Hannes said.

Suddenly, Eren gestured Hannes to drop something when he moved his finger downwards with a smug look on his face, earning a confused look from Saoirse. Hannes realised that he was telling him to get back to work, much to his humour. Seeing this made her giggle.

As they continued walking, Pixis pulled his bottle out of his jacket and uncorked it, and took a swig. He sighed freshly.

He handed the bottle to Eren. "Care for a swig?" he asked.

"Uh..yes sir!" Eren answered, taking it from him.

"Aren't you too young to drink that?" Saoirse asked.

"We've been drinking water and lame drinks for too long, let's try something else," Eren said, smirking.

"Suit yourself," Saoirse smirked.

Eren took a swig. As soon as he did, he gagged and spit out the liquid, disgusted by the taste. Saoirse winced at this, knowing how it tastes would be ugly compared to adults who could stand it.

"You like it?" Pixis asked.

"Not sure how to answer that though…" Eren said, still disgusted. He handed the bottle to Pixis, in which the commander handed to Saoirse next.

"Care for some too, young lady?" Pixis asked.

Saoirse took one look at it and grinned stupidly whilst shaking her hands, trying to mask her disgust. "N-No thank you sir, but thanks for the offer," she said.

Pixis turned back and smirked.


"We're getting killed! Just get it done and over with!" Daz pleaded for the Garrison leader to slice him, with Marco and Keira trying to restrain him.

"Shut up!" the leader shrieked.

Pixis, Saoirse and Eren stood at the edge of the wall, in front of the crowd. The commander cleared his throat.

"ATTEN-TION!" Pixis screamed at the top of his lungs for the soldiers to hear.

They all faced him.

As soon it was silent, he began. "Take note: The blueprint of the Trost recovery operation is this…" he announced. "Our primary objective is to reseal the hole! Yes, you heard right, once more, it would be done manually!"

All soldiers stared in shock after hearing the plan.

"What? That's impossible!" Marco said. "We just don't have the tick!"

"No human could lift that boulder!" Keira said.

"As for how the task would be done, that's where this fellow comes in," Pixis continued, placing his hand on Eren's back. He stepped forward.

"Allow me to introduce Cadet Eren Yeager!"

Eren saluted determinedly. Saoirse smiled.

All cadets gasped. The ones who didn't see Eren alive were as surprised as them.

"Wh-What the hell?!" Connie exclaimed.

"Don't let appearances deceive you! This young man is in fact a successful product of cutting edge on science!" Pixis said. "Fantastic as this may sound, Cadet Yeager possesses the ability to fabricate and control a titan body, at will!"

Connie gulped and faced Ymir and Krista. "Somebody tell me the commander's off his rocker, cause otherwise I'm just too thick to get what he means,"

"Will you shut up and pay attention idiot?" Ymir said harshly.

"Recall the massive boulder roughly elite from the gate," Pixis said. "Having assumed titan form, Cadet Yeager will hold said boulder on his back, shove it through the hole and voila!"

"And this is where you all come in; your job will be to defend him! Yes! Defend the titan against his own kind!" he declared.

Meanwhile, at the back, Mikasa, Armin, Anka and Gustav reviewed the blue print for the plan.

"What do you mean we don't actually need to fight them?" Gustav asked.

"There's an easier way, sorry I know it's not my place in a rough time, I mean no disrespect," Armin answered.

"That's alright, just go on with what you were saying," Gustav said.

"Right…thank you sir," Armin said and looked at the blueprint again. "See where every else is going around the titans are generally drawn to large groups of people. If enough of us are connected in a corner from the breach, we could lure the titans out of Eren's path. He could be discreet about moving the boulder. He also won't have to slow his pace while we fight the others off him. And since the titans will all be in one area, we can pick them off by a cannon fire without incurring casualties of our own. Now I'm not suggesting Eren would be defenceless, that'd be too risky. We'll need a modest band of elites to act as his bodyguards. There's no way of knowing how many titans might come through the hole when he's trying to patch it up, his security detail we need to be able to handle them."

They took a moment to process this. "Easy enough I think, we can retool the plan right now." Gustav said.

"Yes, we're making a huge assumption here namely that Eren even in full titan form is strong enough to move the rock." Armin said.

"I mean…to be perfectly honest there's very little reason for us to suppose he can, I have my doubts," Armin said. "Serious ones."

"As do I, sending people to their doom on a whim, isn't an attack to confirm of, I'm certain he's killed too many already," Gustav mumbled before facing him. "But the commander is right, we must do this."

"Agreed, we're working against the clock here," Anka said.

They were right. They had to do it now because this was the moment they could possibly reach victory for the first time in forever.

"Titans are still lumbering into Trost as we speak, there are already maybe more than we can handle for frankly. The longer we wait, the worse our chances of success become." Anka told them.

"Then it goes without saying, better our chances to bust through Wall Rose and wreak," Gustav said.

"There's something else too," Anka said. Armin and Gustav faced her.

"Even the bravest of us cannot definitely bundle our fear, not before something goes." Aka finished firmly.

~u~

After hearing the news, it raised murmurs among the cadets tied with doubts.

"The kid can lift a rock that big? Is this real? Is he saying we finally have an advantage?" the Garrison Squad Leader who tormented Daz asked.

Speaking of Daz, he reached out to the Commander. "You're lying! I'm not gonna be in Trost sacrificing myself in this crap!" he shrieked. "How is this possible to lift a big ball?! Do you expect us to live and die in whatever hell comes out of your mouth?!"

"You mean he's a human weapon?"

Sasha shivered, hesitant to sacrifice herself to help Eren get to the hole and seal it with the boulder.

"This is not how I'm going out," a Garrison soldier said. "Good luck to the rest of you."

He walked away, not wanting anymore danger than there already is. The two girls nodded and joined him. Pretty soon, many cadets walked away out of fear, and not ready to die yet.

"Oh come on," Janessa murmured.

"So God help my I'll put you on the spot-" the Squad Leader reached for Daz but he pushed his hand away.

"To hell with you! My family is the time I have left!" Daz barked.

Kitz, Rico and Ian watched the cadets walk away shamefully.

"This is getting out of hand," Ian told Rico.

"I know, if we don't act now the whole thing will break down," Rico replied.

Kitz, not wanting enough of this, he yelled out, "Retreaters! I'll kill you where you stand!"

He raised his blade, causing a few cadets to stop walking and face him.

"Decision is answer by death!" he yelled.

"Well thank that person," Janessa said, with Jean nodding in agreement.

"Anyone wishing to leave, all be my personal order not to be charged with treason!" Pixis yelled out.

"Those who have seen a titan first hand will not be a suspect of revisiting horror again!" Pixis said. "Whomever you hand the supplies to, you may leave with my blessing! Additionally with any family and loved ones they would spare from the same trauma may also leave!"

"The crowd will continue to recognise your service," Pixis said. "Thank you and good luck!"

Hearing this made the soldiers rethink their loved ones' death. Not wanting their death in vain, they turned back to the crowd and continued listening to the commander.

"Now, think back four years ago," Pixis recalled. "Namely the operation to retake Wall Maria, I'd bring it up because you all deserve to have your suspicions confirmed! Officially we labeled it cognisance! But in fact, as most of you probably know, it was little more than a purge. A thinly disguised exercise on population control. We knew this in our hearts, of course we did, if we turn a blind eye, we supported the states sponsored because of the death of our fellow human beings allowed us to survive!"

Saoirse closed her eyes and remembered her father risking his life to save her, her cousin and mother. She knew that her father didn't die in vain, and he was the reason where she is now. She got determined to live her father's legacy.

"Pure and simple, the guilt is ours, we share the blame, all of us," Pixis continued. "The citizens of Wall Maria sustained themselves in the whole sales slaughter of the refugees who'd flown to us for help. But is that fair play or not? If Wall Maria comes the population will fall by a whole other multitude! The lands comprising Wall Sina wouldn't support half of the people now living! If we wipe off the face of the earth, the culprits would not have been the titans let me assure you. No no, we have done it to ourselves. If the line isn't drawn now, it won't be drawn at all. If we must die, let us die here!"

The crowd was surprised of Pixis' speech. Perhaps he was telling the truth, maybe this was the moment they would get victory after 200 years of titan apocalypse.


After the speech, several soldiers made their way on top to meet their squads and discuss the plan, including Squad Leaders Rico, Ian and Mitabi.

"Good, you're all here," Pixis said to all of them. "You have one mission and one mission only: Protect Eren Yeager."

"Any risks associated with this operation are yours to eliminate," Pixis said. "Which I'm sure you'll surmise meaning out of everyone, your jobs are the worst."

"Our success of failure will depend on you. In fact it's safe to say the fate of mankind will reflect your own." Pixis finished.

"Sir, may I ask something?" Rico asked.

"Of course." Pixis replied.

"Are you certain about this? Depending on our hopes of Yeager, I mean," she said, hesitant.

Ian faced her. "Rico, don't."

"I'm sorry, I assume we all have our doubts," Rico said.

"Sir please, with all due respect the kids' abilities are an unknown quality, we don't have the first idea of what or will won't do," Mitabi said.

"If he can't lift the rock or worse he goes Rogue, a lot of lives would have been lost for nothing." he finished asking.

Pixis stroked his moustache. "Hmmm…you make a good point, perhaps we have to give ourselves up to the titans willingly," he said.

All squad leader gasped lightly.

"Personally this idea makes me sick, I'm a sore loser, Pixis said and turned around. "You'd think I'd be used to it, I've been stuck on the losing side since day one."

Rico exchanged glances with Ian. "'I'm a stubborn old fool though, just once I like to know what victory feels like, even after I extort to extreme measure."

"Naturally sir, I'm sure we all feel the same way," Rico said.

Pixis turned back to them. "Then I suppose we'll just have to wait and see, the boy's abilities may be an unknown quantity to do that," he said. "But I'll take it under the known quantity options."

"Sir, it's time to get the decoy operation at it's feet," Gustav called out.

Pixis faced them again. "Ian Dietrich, Rico Brzenska and Mitabi Juianach, you are the Garrison's best and rightest, win this one for humanity."

All three saluted at the same time. "Sir!"

"Excellent, Ian I'm assigning you Squad Leader," Pixis said. "On side continuities will be yours to deal with."

"Uh…but sir…that is…" Ian stammered.

"I have no objections," Rico said, earning a look from Ian.

"Neither do I, sir." Mitabi said.

"Please sir, I'm not competent enough," Ian said.

"Now now," Pixis said. "You'll appreciate alcohol, do you not?"

"Sir?"

"You know a good vintage, you know a snotty one as well," he said. "So there it is."

"…Sir!"

Eren watched as Pixis instructed the Squad Leaders, feeling hesitant and brave at the same time. He knew this was a risky task, but he knew this was for the good of humanity.

"I'm so sorry Eren," Armin apologised as he and Mikasa approached him and Saoirse.

"I was just talking out of my head, it wasn't my intention for you to be pulled into all this," Armin said.

"It's not your fault," Saoirse assured.

"Stop apologizing, the fact is that you have a gift for strategy and you know it," Eren told him. "I believe in you Armin."

"Eren, I really think I should-" Mikasa was interrupted.

"You're not coming with me," Eren instructed harshly.

Hearing this made her cringe. "You're on the decoy squad, period."

Saoirse shrugged. "I don't have to say this..but Eren has a point. You should commit to your duty instead of following him wherever he goes. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Mikasa assured before facing him. "I'm not leaving you alone. I won't take another chance-"

"Knock it the hell off!" Eren shrieked at his sister. Saoirse raised her hand to stop them but Armin held it, figuring out that they didn't need to be interrupted.

"Get it through your head that I'm not your responsibility, you're not my mother!" Eren reprimanded.

"Eren-" Saoirse tried to call out.

"Not now Saoirse." Eren answered, trying not to hurt her.

She looked down and Armin placed his hand on her shoulder. She didn't like her friend and crush fighting. But she knew if she interrupted, she would be scolded for it.

"Ackerman, Hillman, I want you two to be on the squad that will be providing Yeager with backup," Ian said.

Hearing this made Mikasa sigh in relief. She'll be able to protect her brother, including Saoirse.

"We'll need both of your skills," Ian said. "Hop Two. Let's get this started."

Armin ran to the other squad whilst Eren, Mikasa and Saoirse ran to get started on their plan. The Squad headed towards the wall that leads trough Trost.

"Let's get this straight right now; whatever you are, all I care about is you getting that rock in place," Ian instructed. "Can we count on you?"

"Yes sir! I won't let you down!" Eren replied.

"You're absolutely sure you're gonna be alright to do this?" Mikasa asked her brother.

"I got it!" Eren said.

"We believe in you," Saoirse said.

Rico watched them.

"Seriously-"

"How many times do you want me to say it? You two just do your job while I do mine!" Eren said.

Rico caught up with them. "Look, now's not the time to be playing house," she instructed.

"Come on, it isn't like that!" Eren said.

"I'm gonna say what we're all thinking here, the fact that the fate of mankind depends on a little brat like you doesn't make me hopeful," Mitabi said.

"It is gonna work, this is a foolproof plan, we just have to stick to it carefully," Saoirse said.

"All of you, stop it right now," Ian said. "We're about to be in range of the giant boulder, I'm not seeing any titans nearby. The decoy strategy must be doing the trick."

"Something I want you to be aware of Yeager," Rico called out to him. "Make no mistake. More than a few of our comrades are going to die today pulling this off, there blood's on your hands. I'm talking friends, captains, lieutenants, pions, yes they are soldiers, they are prepared to die, but remember; everyone of them is a flesh and blood person. Every one of them has dreams, hopes, fears, every one of them has a name. They're not puns, they're people. Some of them have been living together like family since cadet years. This may be the end of them. Whole family, snuffed out in a moment, whatever mission you think it is Yeager, your first and foremost concern today is making their deaths mean something. Whatever happens, you keep that lodged in your mind. Take everything that comes from deadly seriousness."

"Right!" Eren said.

"Pretty good advice there Squad Leader Rico!" Saoirse complimented.

Suddenly, she stopped and winced in pain, clutching her leg. She forgot that she sprained it a while ago. Eren stopped as well and turned back to her.

"Yeager! We have to keep moving!" Rico instructed.

"I'll be there!" Eren said, running over to her. "You okay?"

"Sorry Eren…I just…I sprained my leg a few hours ago when we were in Trost," Saoirse explained. "I think we need to get it treated first-"

"There's no time for that, we have to move," Eren said and began catching up to the group when he noticed she didn't follow him.

He turned back and Saoirse was rubbing her arms.

"You're…you're really going to do this?" Saoirse asked.

"Yeah," Eren asked, moving towards her.

"You do realise this is a risky situation, right?" the girl asked.

"I know but this is for the good of humanity," Eren said.

"What if..what if I never see you again? What if you get out of control? What if you die? What if the plan fails? All of us are going to die and I…I…"

Eren clasped his hands on her hands. "Saoirse! Snap out of it and pull yourself together! We're capable of pulling this off!" he assured.

Saoirse stared at him and looked down. "Ah…Eren….I'm sorry….I didn't mean to worry….it's just that…" she trailed off.

"What?"

"I just…don't want to lose you again…"

Eren bit his lip. She had a point. He placed both of his hands on her shoulders and squeezed it. Saoirse looked at him.

"Don't worry Saoirse….I'll be fine, I promise." Eren assured.

Saoirse smiled. Suddenly, Eren pulled her into a hug, perhaps this could be their last hug before they could possibly die during the operation. Rico ran to them.

"Hey! There's no time for moments like this, we've got to go," she said.

Eren nodded. "Yes ma'm." he answered and ran towards the group.

Rico faced Saoirse. "And you, stop worrying about your boyfriend too much, for now just try to focus." she instructed and ran after him.

Saoirse blushed upon hearing Rico mistook her crush as her boyfriend. She loves him of course, but they weren't even boyfriend and girlfriend yet. She ran after them.

~u~

"This is the place! Let's do it!" Ian said, he and his comrades reaching the edge. All of them jumped and activated the gear, except for Rico, in which she stayed on top of the wall and fired the flare gun, signalling the mission to begin.

Here we go, Saoirse leaped forward and continued flying throughout the city, following her friends.

They continued to glide towards the city, looking and moving more determinedly than ever. After what seemed like thirty minutes, Eren leaped in the air and bit his thumb, causing thunder to strike him and became a titan. As soon as they saw Eren's titan form, everyone gasped.

"He did it," Saoirse said.

He roared, confirming his success of turning into a titan. Mikasa and Saoirse watched as Eren approached the boulder.

He's got this..he's gonna do it, I know he can.

Suddenly, Eren approached the two of them instead of lifting the boulder.

"Huh?" Saoirse asked.

It was only a moment before Eren raised his arm and punched the roof they were on, meaning he was attempting to attack them.


Yay! I can't believe how far this fanfic's going.

I even imagined Saoirse's lines, I picked Cherami Leigh to be her English dub voice. Did you know that Eren's English Dub actor and Cherami Leigh voiced two characters which were lovers in an anime? Watching those lovers in english dub feels like I'm watching Saoirse and Eren together.

I'll post more next time! Awinx out for now!