Part Two

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Chapter Fourteen:

For The Future

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"Thank you for sticking your neck out like that for us." Erwin said sitting beside Rico, who was watching over the hoards of people who were starting to turn in for the night. Erwin could see Sol looking around in a panic, checking the injured, like he was looking for someone. "You didn't have to."

"We're friends, right? You'd do the same for me." She looked at her bullet wound. The painkillers had worn off, and with that the pain of being alive felt real again. She could feel her pulse throbbing in the wound. Despite the pain… It was beautiful. It reminded her of just how fragile it all was, and how no matter what, no matter the pain, the human body would continue to fight. "Besides, humanity can't afford a loss like this."

"Technically, we could." He looked to sleeping Orion, who was proof in himself that humans would always live. They would always have children, who would grow up to be brave and strong. His eyes fell on Levi and Hanji, who were curled up together, leaning on a wall. The day had been exhausting for them. The twins were in the arms, feeding off of their parent's exhaustion. He could make out Armin and Jean in a dark corner, secluded. Armin had his head in Jean's lap, asleep, while Jean pet his hair to soothe his worried and ever busy mind. Love. There would always be love too. "There are other groups of humans out there. Humanity would continue to exist, even after our defeat."

She looked to him, surprised. Did that sound like defeat? Had being out there changed him? If he had given up… Then maybe they really didn't stand a chance. "Are you saying we shouldn't fight, just because there are others? Erwin-" She was starting to get angry, glaring at him. How could he say such a thing?

"We should always fight. Regardless of how many people are left in the world, scattered across the globe…" Globe! Ah, Rico didn't know about that did she? He would have to show her some of the artifacts Sol had brought! "Life is so precious, Rico. We should fight for the lives behind the wall who have yet to experience freedom. Who have yet to feel completely safe in the chaos… Who have to constantly worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time." He noticed a slump of her shoulders, she had calmed down, "If only you could see it out there, You would understand. I haven't even gotten to see it all, but the things Hanji and Levi have told me about, that they have seen! There's an entire world out there, and we know nothing of it."

His eyes started to shine, and Rico nodded, compelled by his passion. "I would love to hear about it… But my place is here. I'm needed here, and I'm far more useful patrolling the walls than soaring the skies." She placed a hand on his shoulder, turning her attention back to the people. Mikasa, Eren, and Sasha were having a deep conversation about what Sasha had seen and the people she had met, and in exchange for information, the two were offering her sweets. Sasha was all too eager to exchange her experiences for food!

"I know. How have you been, Commander?" Her new title felt strange in his mouth. They were equals now. He had always considered her his equal before, but now it was official now. Cast in iron.

"Well, when I'm not drowning in paperwork or getting shot while saving your ass, I'm dealing with bureaucratic assholes, who very much wanted you dead, by the way." She reached for some water, taking a gentle sip before passing it to him, watching him take a swig. He ended up dribbling it down his chin, he was still out of it. "Wow. You can't drink on your own?" She laughed as he passed her back the canteen.

Erwin laughed, wiping it with his sleeve. "Shame on you for noticing the little details, pervert." He winked at her, which caused her to blush, "Watching me drink, Rico, tsk tsk. There's a few words for women like you." He joked, which earned a punch on the arm. "Haha, well, how have you been? Not work, not the title, how is Rico?"

"Well, for a while I was furious with you." She sighed, the blush still on her face, "You left without even saying a word to me." Apparently she had been more emotionally invested than he had been. Typical Erwin. "But I kept coming back to your office, as if you would still be there… It was strange. I never stopped doing it. Armin was always really kind whenever I showed up, and would often ask me for advice… So it wasn't like it wasn't productive… But I could never get used to the feeling of you not being there." She could see Erwin blushing, goodness, this was starting to sound and awful lot like a declaration of love! "It's not like that! I'm just…! Happy you're back… There. I said it. I missed you, you're an asshole for leaving me hanging. You didn't even leave me a note." She didn't expect to pick up where they left off. He had gone through too much out there, his gaze was distant, his hair dull, his smile strained, he even had a few grey hairs sprouting.

He smiled back at her, apologetic, "I'm sorry. I left the walls without permission…" His smile faded gradually as his sentence dragged on, "Had I left a note, you might have been labeled as a conspirator… It's a little late for that I suppose." Given she had a bullet wound now, and was holed up underground instead of peacefully in her bed. "Go to sleep." He said, removing her glasses. "You need it."

"So do you." She folded her arms. Everything was blurry now, "I'll go to sleep when you do." He would probably stay up all night thinking if she didn't forcibly stop him. He needed rest. He had been gone for so long… "Tomorrow, we can talk about everything."

"Deal." He said, leaning back into the cart, her glasses hooked on his shirt. She did the same, folding her arms behind her head. Both fell asleep before long, content with their companionship, and comforted by knowing that the other was only a foot away. They occasionally stole glances at one another, reminding themselves that everything was okay now, that the other was there.

Sol had looked everywhere. He couldn't find Penny. Stella had been searching as well, but Sol knew. He knew as his knees hit the pavement that she wasn't there. He had searched the wounded, the few corpses they had gathered, and the sleeping faces. She was nowhere to be found. She wasn't here.

Tears filled his eyes as he sobbed silently. He didn't notice Stella come up and put a hand on his shoulder. "How could I… It's my fault, Stella. She led a titan away from Orion and I. I knew… I knew it was crazy. But something told me that she would make it… Why didn't she?" She was dead…

"Don't be upset. You'll take away her honour." She knelt beside him, turning him to that he would face her. "I know it's hard. But you're the king, and she is a soldier. She was supposed to give her life for yours, and you saved her son. She would be grateful that you continue to live, and that he does as well." She hugged him, letting him cry into her shoulder. Penny… When would you want me to tell him? She had a duty that she still had to complete.

"I know, Stella, I know… But that doesn't change how I feel. I don't want anyone to die. It's selfish." Three soldiers were just beheaded to give them time, to make their story believable. Three great men. But Penny? Penny was… "I loved her." Sol admitted, looking up to Stella, "How could I not know this until now? Stella, I-"

Perhaps now was the time she was supposed to tell the truth. "Your brother did too, Sol. There's… Do you remember when you woke up, and Eld was there to greet you, with your father? And they were telling you everything you needed to know?" She waited for him to nod. He's… so broken. "They lied to you that day. Penny…. Was supposed to be the Queen. She was your brother's wife. That night, when the ship blew up… She was on duty even then. She dove in the water to save her husband… And found you instead. She's your older brother's widow. Orion is the true crown prince. The citizens were ordered never to speak of your brother, Ephraim again. You were so frail when you came out of the coma… No one wished to hurt you."

Sol's eyes widened. It made so much sense. Why Orion had his eyes. Why they acted and looked so much like each other. Why… Why is father had been so intent on killing Orion. Why Penny had always been so intent on protecting Sol… "Stella… I don't want to forget her too. Penny was… is... She was everything that our kingdom needed."

Stella nodded, "You won't forget her. You have her son to look after, to make sure he grows into the fine prince that he is destined to be. That's your duty now. To protect our kingdom, and to protect him. For her. Serve her as she served you, My King." She felt her heartstrings snap, seeing him look so pathetic, grovelling beneath her. "So get up. Stand tall. She's with her husband now, waiting in the skies."

He nodded, getting up, and helping her as well. The skies, huh? Yes. That is why we are here. The children of the underground, those with great futures, were always named after the skies. It was a tradition to take a newborn to a seer, and he or she would always tell the parents if the child was destined to see the above. Ephraim, heaven's prince, Sol, the sun, Stella, the stars, Aluna, the moon, and Orion… The hunter of the stars. Penny wasn't one of them, but maybe.. She was the freest of them all. "To the Skies, Stella."

"For the skies, My King." She bowed with a smile. This was the Sol she knew. This was the Sol destined to unite the worlds. "To the heavens and back."

Sol informed everyone of Penny's death the following morning. No one took it well. Penny had been such a beacon of sunshine for them all. It of course was the hardest on Orion, but he was determined not to cry. "Mama did what she had to." He would say whenever someone asked about it. He didn't think of himself as a little boy any more, he was eleven, he had to be strong for her. After all, she would be with his father now, right? Even though he didn't know who that was. Sol was looking at him differently though, it made him nervous. Perhaps it was out of pity.

Despite their grief, it was time to get to work and form a plan. Levi tried to tell Hanji to rest, but she was determined to help, at least on the strategy portion of the plan. Rico and Erwin had been knocking heads since they woke up, trying to figure out the best way to handle their situation. Rico brought in the Garrison's best, and those she trusted not to be spies for the military police. It was a delicate situation. If those from central found out where they were, they might be rushed and everyone would be killed.

Armin paced the walls, gears turning. Erwin watched, looking to Mike, "Does he always do this?"

"Whenever he really needs to think, which is a lot." Mike smiled. Erwin used to do that once upon a time. "He pauses whenever he has an idea. So just wait for the pitter patter to stop."

Hanji smiled, looking to the map beneath them. The map of their home. "So, what have you two come up with so far?" Undoubtedly they already had the basics outline of a plan.

Rico bit her lip, folding her arms, "We're going to have to hold out for a bit. I'm likely under investigation, as would be most of the survey corps and Armin, Mike, and Nanaba especially." She was tapping her foot now as well, radiating stress. Erwin put a hand on her shoulder, and she stopped.

Levi leaned against a wall, until he heard Siegfried coo, and bolted up. He was just playing with Hanji's mess of hair. He wouldn't be useful for a while according to Nanaba, as the kids needed to be attached to Hanji, and would feed often, which Levi obviously wasn't capable of handling. "How long?" He asked, relaxing when Hanji patted the little boy's nose.

"Two months, at least." Rico sighed, "Central is likely to keep the investigation up that long, and make sure we're not behaving differently. Right now they think I'm tending to the bullet wound they so kindly gave me, so I'm off the hook for a few more days." She looked to the three that she had mentioned earlier, "You two need to get out of here and act normal. Now that Erwin is officially dead, it's likely that one of you will be officially promoted to take his position, given that you would be the most capable. Unless they intend on shooting you up the ass."

Armin popped up, "It will be me." He pushed his way into the circle, "I'm the least experienced, despite having held his position for all this time. They'll want me to mess up the first expedition since his death. To shatter what's left of the survey corps. I'm a lot more likely to mess up than Mike or Nanaba in their eyes, as I've been on the fewest expeditions." They all nodded, seeing that this would most likely be their logic. "As for getting us all of out of this mess, it's likely we'll need a scapegoat."

"Me." Both Rico and Mike said at the same time, and glared at each other.

"I'm the one with the authority to make a mess like this. If it's you, they'll take it out on Erwin as you're loyal to him. I'm of an entirely different branch."

"They may kill you Rico." Mike said, ignoring the looks that Nanaba was giving him. He was making a decision like this without even talking about it!

"No shit." She said, folding her arms again, blowing her hair out of her face. "But they won't. Pixis would roll heads to the floor if they tried." Even though he was no longer technically in the military, he was still a well feared force.

"Right, I forgot you're his puppet." Mike huffed, and Rico looked ready to kill him. "Watch out, you can't get emotional or kill someone without his consent."

"Listen here you-" Erwin put his hand between them, deescalating the situation. "We'll discuss this later." Erwin would have volunteered, except for the fact that it had to be someone on the inside. "For now, we discuss how we're going to get out of here without all being killed."

"Go to the masses." Levi said. "As far as the common populace will be concerned, we'll be heroes." Everyone looked to him, surprised, all of them had avoided going to the masses with things in the past. "We're already heroes to them."

Rico nodded, "You three were mourned immensely. You likely will be again now that you're officially dead." She started to pace as well, "It will be like gods returning from the dead… If the government tried anything to hurt you… There would be a revolt. They're well aware of that. They would have to try and work things out, and give us all proper appeals." Of course, the more awed the populace was, it would be to greater effect, "We need the largest populated area. One that the King himself is afraid of."

"Ehrmich." Erwin said, "Your hometown." One of the bait towns of wall Sina.

She nodded, "We're the most armed. A revolt from Ehrmich would lead to a lot of bloodshed, and of course panic within wall Sina itself. I could coordinate it myself, the people there trust me, being a Brzenska. It would be different if an outsider tried… We're not exactly a trusting group." She glared to Mike, giving the hint that she could kill him with a thousand different weapons, and he glared right back. "It wouldn't be strange, me going home. So we wouldn't be suspected. Of course… If they figure it out…" They would kill her entire family. Make it look like a complete freak accident. Of course, they would put up a hell of a fight. She laughed nervously, her eyes taking a shine that so many had seen before, panic.

"Don't die." Hanji said, "More importantly, don't get caught."

"We should consider going to multiple towns. There are four of us." But the populace wouldn't recognise Sasha, "Three that they'll recognise immediately." Erwin looked to Levi, "Levi would have the greatest impact."

"I can't believe you told them I offed myself, and they believed it." He scoffed, shifting. "So I'll speak to Ehrmich. Hanji and Erwin will take Stohess and the main district." Focusing on Sina would put pressure on the King. "Sol, Stella, and Orion will split between us and add credibility to our stories, but they'll believe anything we say." How had he gone from thug to hero? The line between the two was so blurry. "Rico will monitor communications, until she is arrested. You will likely be as soon as the MPs find out, you're the one that lied to them directly. Mike and Nanaba will pick up where she leaves off. Armin, you will be on 'sick leave' watching the twins." He smiled, and Armin looked nervous.

Hanji thought that Armin was a good pick. He was calm, cautious, and thought clearly. She wouldn't be able to bring Gloria and Siegfried into what could quickly turn into a warzone. "It won't be for a couple months, so Levi, Nanaba and I will teach you everything you and Jean need to know." Nanaba was surprisingly good with kids. Well, it made sense, given that she had delivered kids before.

Jean looked to the group surprised, having heard his name from where he was loading supplies, "Sorry, you called?"

"You and Armin will be watching the twins we we raise hell." Levi said plainly, taking Gloria from Hanji, who was starting to fuss, wanting to play. But her brother was hogging all of mommy's hair. "You two will be fine."

Armin sighed, "Well… They are cute." He smiled, and Hanji let him hold Siegfried. "Aw Jean look! He likes me!" Armin started cooing to the baby, and Jean leaned over, agreeing about how cute the baby was.

The older soldiers watched the pair fuss over the baby. They had been serving for a number of years, it was only a matter of time before they settled down for themselves. Not that the older soldiers were any sort of example… But Armin and Jean were different. "You two are gonna be great parents." Nanaba said, everyone was thinking it.

Armin blushed, looking up at Jean, "We haven't really thought about it let, everything is so crazy. It'll be awhile." He said with a smile, keeping it professional, unlike some people he knew. "Maybe when we're thirty."

Jean nodded, "Sounds good." They were supposed to be hiding their relationship. But it would seem that the others had figured them out, so maybe there was no need to hide it any more. Armin had been insistent on it though. "So, do I get to know this plan?"

Levi shrugged, "Armin can tell you later, we're still working out the details after all." Levi looked at the map again, they would need to figure out who took what district, "I think Hanji should take Stohess. The people there don't exactly like Erwin." He thought of when they captured the female titan, the citizens of Stohess had had it out for Erwin ever since that incident. "Erwin can take the main district, not too close to the main capital though, you need enough time to get the hell out of there when central finds out. Sol should be the one to go with you." Sol wasn't a part of this conversation, as he was taking care of his soldiers. They would just have to run everything by him once they had figured it all out.

Rico nodded in agreement, "Don't get shot. Again." She elbowed Erwin, who nearly fell over, "Oi."

"Just dizzy." He sighed, regaining his balance. "I fell on my head yesterday after all." He forced a smile, and Rico grabbed his arm, dragging him off to rest, worried he would hurt himself. The others watched, baffled.

"Rico and Erwin sitting in a tree." Nanaba started to sing softly, earning a laugh from Mike, who quietly sang along. "K.I.S.S.I.N.G." They spelled out, earning a glance from Levi, and they quieted down after that, but were still laughing to themselves.

The meeting ended when the kids started to cry, both feeling hungry. Hanji and Levi had to head off to tend to them, and the others couldn't continue the meeting without them. So they got back to work doing the physical labour that needed to be done, as well as tending to the wounded.

Orion had become extremely helpful in the coming weeks while they waited. Rico, Nanaba, Mike, and Armin had to spend most of their days away, given that they were being watched, and Rico had to coordinate a pretend revolt.

He wanted to learn everything from the titan killers that stayed to protect them. Most adults blew the little boy off, but Eren had been more than happy to teach the strange boy. As such, the two grew close, and Eren would often let Orion ride his back, or help him stack boxes. He quickly learned how 3DMG was fastened to the human body, as Eren would let him undo all of the straps, and put them back on him.

Sol began to panic when he heard Orion telling Eren, "I want to kill titans too!"

Orion couldn't do that. He needed to be safe, for the kingdom. Penny would want that, and so would the few people who knew of his existence. But Orion wouldn't listen to him. Ever since he heard about his mother, he wanted to kill titans. He wasn't malicious, it was more of a fascination. To Orion, his mother had been the most powerful human underground, he idolised her like any young child does their parents. The fact that the monster was able to kill her… He wanted to be able to defeat them. By doing so, he would complete his mother. He would do what his mother hadn't been able to do.

Hanji tried to tell him that what he was feeling was common to every parent whose child said that they wanted to be a soldier. But she also tried to explain that now that they had the moss… The battle was going to change. They just needed to figure out how to best use it. Of course, soldiers would continue to lose their lives… But it wouldn't be the slaughter that it was before. If Aluna had still been alive, perhaps Hanji wouldn't have been having such trouble studying the moss.

She was studying it whenever she wasn't with the twins, but giving how scare the equipment that Rico had been able to smuggle down there, it was difficult. Nothing seemed to be going right in her eyes, and it infuriated her. Armin had helped whenever he could, but he couldn't be down there constantly, and those above had been burying him in paperwork, almost as a punishment. "I just can't do it, Levi. I can't." She sobbed, burying her head into his shoulder, "I don't know why."

She had been strangely depressed ever since she gave birth, no matter what she did, she was just gloomy. Logically, she knew she should be happy. They were alive! But she couldn't shake the blues.

Levi knew exactly why she felt she couldn't do it. "Hanji, you're under so much pressure." The weight of the world was on her shoulders. "You're in shock, everything is happening so fast, and you know we're all counting on that precious brain of yours. So breathe, take the time that you need. We're safe now, You can do it…" The pressure of having to save the world, while being the mother of two newborns? He didn't blame her. "How can I help, Hanji?" She tilted her chin so that he could meet her eyes, "Just say the words, I'll do it."

"I need… You to cream more moss." She said, "With the mortar and pestle." Mortar and Pestle! What were they, in the stone age? She had machines for this! How had scientists before her gotten anything done? Even the prep took just toooo long! Sure, she knew the importance of patience, but this was just too much. "And to heat the furnace… to keep the metal liquid." Being near the heat for so long was making her sweaty and dizzy.

Levi nodded, checking on the twins that were strapped to his back before getting to the moss. Hanji got them both some water, trying to use the moss liquid that she already made in the forging process, but it only made a mini explosion. She sighed, handing shaking. The moisture is what's causing that… So I should dehydrate the power to see if it maintains its bioluminescence…. But it's unlikely given that the life processes of the plant are what cause it to begin with… She felt her blood pressure spike, and began to pace. But dehydrating the plant will kill the cells… ending the bioluminescence… But if it does… then why does the paste still glow? There has to be water for it to glow… But there can't be water in the forcing process, it causes an explosion and weakens the integrity of the metal. It might snap if we try to use it to kill titans and be completely useless. "Ugh what do I do?!" She yelled, pulling at her hair. She felt like screaming. Why couldn't she do this? Why?!

"Hanji." She heard her fiance's voice, trying to calm her down. "Please… You're going to do this." He had glowing green goo splashed on his face, "You need to step away from it for it a bit, and come back to it with a fresh pair of eyes. Go get some rest, you haven't been sleeping well." He put the pestle down, going to her. "Please, Hanji." He couldn't stand to see her like this. Not his happy, bubbly, and energetic Hanji.

She shook her head, looking to the molten ore. "I can't yet, Levi. People are counting on this. Having an application for this new technology will strengthen our case. It won't be something that the government can ignore." She rubbed her temples, and then the bridge of her nose.

"Let me get you some tea then." Levi said, kissing her chin. She wasn't going to relent, so there was no point in arguing over it. She would rest when she had her breakthrough, until then, he would just have to wait.

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THANK YOU!

To everyone who continues to read and show their support, it means the world to me.

This story has grown with me a lot. It's been two years since the start!

So please, allow me to continue writing this, and entertaining you.

Here's to part two!

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