Death: I know, some of you are wondering, "What!? There's a part THREE!? What are you doing, Death?" Well, this is the second showdown between Levi's squad and the assassins.

But damn I am on a roll! My brain has planned out the next few chapters already, so once again this updating is going to be fast paced!

Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen The Blood Storm Part III

=3=

Levi woke early the next morning. His eyes opened just at the crack of dawn. He slowly blinked as the remnants of his dreams were pushed to the back of his mind. It had been years since he dreamed of his mother, and the dangerous games he and Kenny liked to play out of sheer boredom.

He wondered what his mother would have thought if she saw how he grew up to be some sick, sick masochist individual. She would have been appalled, he would guess, as she had tried so hard to ensure he lived.

I don't understand why. I am a bastard child myself, but I do not know my father.

It was something he had in common with Krysta, no, Historia. He envied her knowing who her parents were, at least. A part of him, no matter how many times he tried to bury his curiosity, he always wondered who his father was.

Levi sat up, and the words Kenny had said to him rang in his head. He looked over to see he had been on the outside of a three person cuddle. Armin had snuggled up against him, and Mikasa was on the other side of him.

Levi wasn't sure how exactly this came about, but he did not question it. He had experienced weirder in his life time.

So I have to return to my behavior as the Blood Storm, huh?

His blue grey eyes stared down at Armin and Mikasa. The pair were sound asleep, their faces pale, and dark circles under their eyes.

For the first time, he allowed his mind to think about Isabel. He thought about her wide grin, and bright eyes. Levi then realized why he was so drawn to Eren so easily.

He has the same eyes as her. Hers were a little more blue, while his are green, but they're still the same.

He decided then, that he would slip back into the assassin he was before Erwin turned his world around. Levi wasn't at fault for Isabel's death, but if he had seen the signs, he would have done something to prevent it from happening. He felt that saving Eren was his redemption.

And so, he walked out of the storage building and watched the sky as the sun rose. Levi cleared his mind, as his inner demons were released. However, he was restraining them, as he wasn't going to allow them to kill any members of his squad. And he didn't want to risk them falling for Kenny's promises of painful and pleasurable rapture.

Levi opened his eyes to stare at whoever was keeping watch with a blank stare.

Jean stopped, his tired mind sensing something was off. The air around the captain shifted, and he was no longer the captain the Survey Corp got to know. Jean saw for the first time the assasin show through for the first time. He felt chills down his spine when trapped under the cold steel gaze.

"Captain...?"

"Gather everyone up. We need to get ready for the day. And, warn everyone that we cannot have any screw ups the next time we cross paths with the assassins. If someone isn't going to be up to par, then I'm leaving them with the merchant's son. I cannot focus on keeping everyone alive when facing Kenny." Levi held his mask, his voice cold and distant.

Jean blinked, but nodded. He turned and went inside to pass on the new instructions. When the others were awake, they were surprised to see Horse Face shaking. When pressed, all he said was relay the information Levi gave him.

Confused and curious, the rest of the squad went outside to their captain. Everyone noticed the changes in him, and suddenly they were almost afraid of him, for never had he shown them his darker colors.

"Where was the merchant's son going to meet us at?" Levi turned to Mikasa, and even she felt her knees tremble under his cold eyes.

"Not too far from here. We don't have much food, but we have enough for breakfast. Are we eating before we leave, or on the road?"

"On the road. We can't waste anymore precious time. Historia and Eren are counting on us."

A few hours later the squad reached the abandoned fortress, or what was left of it. The walls were crumbled by time and war, and according to Jean, the place was in worse shape than the abandoned fortress where Ylmir transformed and fought off the titans that were likely the villagers unable to transform back.

The Special Forces Squad was surrounded as soon as they entered the courtyard. Levi was surprised to see the merchant's son had gathered people along for his cause. The squad looked up to see the merchant's son perched on a ledge, on the last wall that was still standing strong.

"So, you want my help?" The pudgy man had a good poker face.

"We need your help to prove that we are innocent in the charges the government has against us." Levi responded, his own mask intensified the air around them.

"See these people? They are what's left of my home village. We were one of the biggest between the walls, and our numbers suffered the most casualties. I already know the government is corrupted, after I had seen some secret fraction I had never seen killed my father and then pinned it on you lot. Prove to them that you're innocent about the other charges, and I just might lend a hand."

Levi stared hard at the man who thought he was smart to pull the strings. He chose not to say a word, for he knew they wouldn't want to listen to any word he said. His demeanor frightened them.

"We all have a dream, to take back Wall Maria, and regain the lost territory. I can't say for everyone, but I know that we strive to drive back the titans and expand. Why would we turn around and create titans and release them on the very people we're fighting for?" Jean spoke up, standing up from the carriage driver seat.

Levi didn't show it, but pride swelled in his chest. He knew either Horse Face or Armin would speak up on the matter. His squad figured how to read their captain, and knew when he wouldn't be of much help on certain matters. His cold eyes focused only on the pudgy man up high, never straying.

"Then who do we put the blame on? We have no homes, no shelter, and too many of us are starving again!" A woman with a babe bundled up in her arms spoke up.

"The govenment! Think about it, they've sent thousands to their deaths when we lost Wall Maria to decrease the number of mouths to feed!" Armin climbed up on the carriage to stand next to Jean.

"And how are we supposed to go against the high and mighty? We are powerless against them." A man scowled.

"Simple! We outnumber the officials, by far! Together, with all of you working with the Survey Corp, our voices will be heard! And we make the demands for fair treatment, and fair courts! If we didn't kill this man's father as the press is stating, then already their defense is weak." Jean raised a fist to the air.

More people were becoming riled up. And slowly, the villagers were accepting of them. Levi spoke when there was silece once more, so his voice would be heard.

"So, what say you? Will you help us or not? We need information on a family estate, where most likely two of our own are being held hostage."

The pudgy young man leaped off the ledge, and despite his weight, he landed just fine. He stood up, grinning down at the short captain. His eyes held recognition in them.

"Good to see you as a friend, instead of foe. Although we never officially met, my father made deals to your lot for several years. He talked about you a lot, and he was looking forward to meeting you."

Levi showed no emotion, his mask well orchestrated to withstand anything that came his way. His blank expression was unnerving the merchant, to say the least. And he silently relished at how the young man lost a little bit of his courage.

"I will carry on my father's good name. Since you have moved these people, I will help you. I have dirt on the officials anyway, which will greatly help your cause. Oh, and last night, I had received word that the Survey Corp was disbanded. But, a group reached out to me, and I gave them shelter."

He turned to one of the ladies, and instructed her to bring the group forward. Levi and his squad perked up, eager, as familiar faces came forward. The majority became excited to see Hange and their squad.

"Hange!" Armin ran up to the scientist.

They grinned and accepted the hug, returning it with glee. Hange caught sight of Levi, and relief swept over their face. Then they noticed how guarded the short captain was, and the perfect mask of an emotionless doll. Hange came closer to stand before Levi, trying to read those guarded eyes.

"I see you're all right, physically. Did my tests scare you to the core or something?"

"In a way. But that's not why I'm like this. As you can see, two of us are missing. Kenny and his lot kidnapped them. I believe they're at the Reiss family estate."

"Why kidnap Krysta? And why at the Reiss estate? You do know that's one of the richest families, right?"

Levi explained everything that happened. He told Hange of Erwin's ultimate plans, and that Krysta was the bastard child they were looking for, and that the assassins were indeed disguised as an Anti-Personnel Control Squad. Levi didn't relay what Kenny had told him he had to revert back to his mind state as an assassin, though.

When he was done, Hange thought over the information carefully. They turned to the merchant with a smile.

"Would you mind telling us where the Reiss estate is? In the meantime, can you rile up more people and serve as a distraction? I wish not to have Military Police show up in the middle of us rescuing our friends."

"Of course! I'll give you a map and circle the estate. And riling up more people shouldn't be too hard, I'll make sure we start inside the inner city. I want to give them a hard time, anyway." The merchant seemed more chipper with Hange than Levi.

A few hours later, the now larger number of the remnants of the Survey Corp planned over how to rescue Eren and Krysta. As Squad Leader Commander, Hange was looked up to as their leader, now. Once again Captain Levi was a silent shadow, only observing.

When they were under way, Hange turned to the short captain.

"What happened? You're not yourself."

"When I faced my old comrades, my speed and power wasn't up to par against them. As a result, I ended up injured. And I failed to rescue Krysta. Due to my failure, the rest of my squad didn't do much better." He summarized, keeping his eyes trained ahead.

"There's more to it, I can sense it. You're not the only one good at reading people, Levi." Hange pressed.

"And I am not going to satisfy your curiosity, shitty glasses."

Those around them stared, sensing the dark aura emitted from the captain. This was not his usual behavior, and one look at his squad was enough to confirm that the assassin part of him was being shown for the first time. Everyone had witnessed snippets and pieces, but never to this extent.

Hange roughly pulled their horse to a stop, stopping the line. Levi didn't make his mare stop until they were a few paces ahead. He peered over his shoulder to blankly stare at Hange, waiting for them to speak.

"What exactly happened that turned you into this? This isn't the Corporal Levi I know."

"As I stated before, I am not satisfying your curiosity." He responded coldly.

"Was it because of the test results? Because if so, I'm sorry for passing those papers to you."

"No, it's not because of the blood work you did on me."

"Okay, then this is an order. Tell me what happened, Captain Levi." Hange switched to a different tactic.

"You may be a higher rank than me, but you're not Erwin. I'm not giving you the answer you seek. It will only serve to have you lot pity me, and I don't need it." Levi stood his ground.

"Don't make me pull you out of this rescue mission, corporal."

"Threaten me again and pulling rank over me, and I'll simply leave and work on my own."

"You can't do that, it's called abandoned post. And the consequences are severe, Captain Levi."

"Need I remind you Commander Erwin cut my ties to the Survey Corp? You were there when he said it, the day those bastards arrested him. And let us not forget my papers were forged, and I have a good way of hiding from anyone who wants to find me. You lot would be out of the kettle and into the fire if they found out I'm just an assassin bargained to be used by the Survey Corp so I can be free."

For once, Hange didn't have any words to respond. No one really knew the deal Erwin made with Levi, and now it was all in the open. The air was thick with tension, as the few brave Scouts stared between Hange and Levi.

"...Why are you doing this? And why now of all times? Or has your mind finally snapped and you're on the brink of insanity?" Hange worded their concerns carefully.

"There is no other way to defeat Kenny. I don't care for the other assassins, but Kenny is mine." For the first time there was emotion in his eyes.

Hange frowned, recognizing a deep pain brought on from years of abuse, and there was also hated, but there was a hint of need. It wasn't quite lust, but the sexual need was there and out of all of the emotions Hange saw, that one disturbed them the most.

And then it all clicked in Hange's head.

"Captain Levi, I think I understand why you need to kill Kenny. However, I have one condition. And I need you to respect it, even though I'm not Erwin, I am currently the only leader here applicable for the Survey Corp." Hange urged their horse forward to stand next to Stella.

"I can't keep promises, but I can try." Levi stared at them blankly, the mask slipped on once more.

"I remember Erwin telling me of a promise he made to you. He promised that if you were too out of hand, then he will kill you. I would like to continue that promise, but I understand you asked Erwin yourself. So, instead, I would like you to name someone here to keep that promise."

"I get to choose?" Levi blinked, wondering if Hange was playing a trick.

"Yes, you get to choose who will carry on Erwin's promise. Choose wisely."

"Then I choose Mikasa." Levi didn't even hesitate as his cold eyes found hers.

"Mikasa. Are you willing to keep Erwin's promise?" Hange inquired cautiously.

"Yes. If he gets too out of hand and harms any of us, then I will kill Captain Levi."

=3=

The infiltration went smoothly, until they had found the underground caverns. It was here the assassins waited in ambush. Levi quickly scanned the opponents, and found Kenny wasn't among them. He wasn't too disappointed when he heard a familiar high pitched laugh echo in the underground chambers.

Levi wasted no time in claiming Liucretsia as his opponent.

"Look at you! There's the Blood Storm I know and love! How's the love mark I gave you? Does it still bleed? Are you ready to see which of us is the best?" She grinned when she saw his eyes wild and his demeanor was the same as he was in his assassin days.

"Let's dance, darling." Levi flashed a smirk, his voice deepened to a low baritone.

"Oh you give me the shivers, handsome!" Liucretsia giggled.

Mikasa watched the pair, feeling a little awkward at the interaction between them. She wasn't the only one, as Armin had a disgusted look on his face, and Jean wanted to vomit. The three of them didn't have time to comment when assassins charged at them.

The large group was having trouble, but they continued to make progress. The caverns only seemed to go in a straight line, so they didn't need to worry about getting lost. However, as they continued it was becoming increasingly difficult to kill off the assassins. The only pair that seemed to be enjoying themselves were Levi and Liucretsia, with their awkward remarks that sounded oddly like a couple on a romantic date, but the setting was off.

"I haven't seen you like this since the day you over killed that poor MP for slicing that bitch's throat! What was her name, again, handsome? Oh, that's right! Isabel!" Liucretsia laughed, her breathing labored, as she showed signs of tiring.

"Darling, if you're going to bring up the past, then at least choose a different subject." Levi swung his blades at her.

She dodged, laugh as she rolled in the air, just seconds faster than his weapons.

"Or else what? What are you going to do about it, huh handsome?"

"Can the two of you stop with the nicknames! It's creeping me out!" Jean yelled, but they ignored him.

"Or else I'll say from experience, you may be pleasing to the eye, but darling, a corpse could do better than you in bed."

Surprised shouts from both assassins and Survey Corp echoed in the cavern. Some were disgusted at the mental image, while others cheered Levi on. Mikasa noted how none of the assassins supported Liucretsia's defense.

"Oh yeah! At least I don't fuck my uncle!" Liucretsia yelled, her face red with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

"He did what!?"

"Did I hear her right...?"

"Is that why captain is a little fucked in the head?"

"That's...I don't know what to categorize that kind of fucked up!"

"Darling, you did not just go there." Levi glared, a dangerous glint in his cold eyes, while he ignored the discomfort of his comrades.

"Oh yes, I did handsome!"

And as she was pushing his demons out, he was pushing hers. It was a dangerous game of roulette that would end with death. And quite possibly both of their deaths. Mikasa remained close by the captain, never joining him in his fight against Liucretsia, but never far away to lend him a hand if he really needed it.

It was also means for her to quickly react if she needed to uphold her promise.

"Hey guys! We should start using the pillars on them!" Armin suggested, when he watched Sasha cut one in half and it squished two assassins.

At this point, Mikasa was having a hard time keeping an eye on Levi and her own pursuer. She took her friend's advice and made quick work of her opponent. She glanced over to see Levi, and was mesmerized by the sight.

Levi had his body bent in half, his torso bending back almost in a straight line as his gear pulled him with a burst of speed, and a blade came centimeters apart from his throat. Even though Liucretsia was crazy, and not all right in the head, she herself seemed beautiful as she tried to get at the captain's neck.

"Oh handsome, come here so I can slice that pretty neck of yours! Then I can have your head as a trophy!"

"Darling, I don't plan to die by your hands. They're too filthy for the likes of little old me."

Levi did a back flip as he was out of reach of her body. He caught sight of his cousin, and they silently agreed to take Liucretsia out together. No words needed to be exchanged, as Mikasa could see the strain on his demeanor.

She caught up to him, and together, side by side, matching speeds, they worked together. To anyone watching them would later say the pair synched like parts of a 3D Maneuver Gear, and just as deadly as their blades.

Jean couldn't help but feel envy at how perfect those two were together in battle. He knew Levi was in a relationship with Erwin, but the fact he and Mikasa so easily clicked, it was nerve wracking. They didn't even need to say a word as they carried out the same plan thought up in their heads.

"What's this? Another Ackerman? But...how can that be? There can only be one Blood Storm!" Liucretsia was now in a panic.

"No, you're wrong, darling. There is only one Blood Storm. But she is a storm of her own. One that's a lot more passionate if she's protecting her brother. She's worse when said brother is kidnapped." Levi hissed, enjoying to finally get under his enemy's skin.

Liucretsia paled. She then tried to shoot at him, but she ran out of bullets. Her blades were dull, and she rid of them. Liucretsia tried to replace them with fresh blades when suddenly she was attacked from either side from the Ackermans. Liucretsia tried to dodge, but when she looked ahead she was closing in on a rock hanging from the ceiling.

She quickly rolled underneath the rock, but as she did so, twin blades caught her by surprise. One cut her neck clean through, the other blade cut through her chest in one swift move. As the body fell, both Ackermans continued on with their matched speeds, their faces were dark.

"That...was...fucking AWESOME!" Jean bellowed, pumping an arm up in the air.

"Gotta admit, they know how to put on a good show!" Connie added.

"Teamwork at its finest!" Sasha laughed.

"We're not out of the woods, yet!" Hange reminded them, having a bad feeling rise in their guts.

Just as Hange predicted, more assassins joined the fray. They tried to surround the Survey Corp, but Levi and his squad had escaped before the others were trapped in a circle of assassins.

"Hange!" Levi yelled, about ready to turn back.

"Captain Levi! Keep your squad going! We'll deal with these guys! May the Wings of Freedom carry you to victory!" Hange gave the orders with a confident smile.

With that, Levi kept going with a burst of speed. His squad followed close behind, now becoming nervous. They didn't have much gas left, and they didn't know how long this tunnel was. Just as they lost hope, they reached a clearing.

The natural bright light from the smooth rocks blinded them for a moment. They caught a brief sight of Krysta fighting off a fat man, and at the end of the huge cave was Eren, chained up. A hoarse laugh echoed above their heads, and just in time their eyes adjusted to look up and see Kenny diving towards them.

"Let's settle this the old fashioned way, runt!"

The squad scattered, all except for their captain. Instead of fleeing, he charged up to meet his uncle halfway.

"Like I'm leaving you any room for your tricks, old man."

The pair collided, mentor and apprentice met with all of their strength. Of course, gravity played a role on who got the upper hand. They were free falling to the floor below, as Levi attempted to use his gear to slip away and out of Kenny's reach. However he found that difficult when he had to prevent his uncle from cutting away the straps that held his extra blades.

"C'mon, I want you at your best, Levi! These only serve to slow you down!"

Levi grit his teeth as he took a split second and aimed with one of the lines. With the trigger pressed he had a burst of speed and twirled away from his uncle. Unfortunately, one of the straps of the metal carriers on his legs was cut by Kenny's knife just before he escaped.

The weight was suddenly offsided and awkward. Levi was forced to land and quickly undid the straps. Both carriers fell to the ground, their scraping and thuds echoed in the cave. He didn't leave behind current blades, as they weren't dull yet, and he had no time to reach for the blades that fell out of one of the carriers when he twirled.

Levi launched into the air for another attack. They met again and again, their power and speed evenly matched. Eren watched in admiration as they danced, perfectly executing their tricks and predicting each other's moves after so many years of training and experience.

But the Titan shifter noticed something was off with the captain. He wasn't himself. His expression was devoid of emotion, and not even his eyes gave away anything he was thinking or feeling. This scared Eren, and he had a sinking feeling that Kenny was responsible.

The fight between Levi and Kenny didn't last too long, when Krysta's father injected himself with the Titan serum.

He grew into an enormous size, bigger than even the Colossal. At the moment it was just curled up in a ball, giving off immense heat that burned the air around them. And it even broke through the ceiling of the cave, and suddenly the cave was collapsing around them.

Kenny had taken advantage of his nephew's distraction and tackled him. Levi didn't have time to react when they landed on the ledge close to Eren and the squad. The captain had lost his grip on his blades, and when they landed they were out of his reach. Kenny raised his favorite knife to plunge into his nephew's chest.

Levi, thinking quickly, resorted to the same move he pulled on Farlan. With one arm he reached up to wrap around broad shoulders and pulled. Kenny was now on top of his shorter nephew, and Levi rested his chin on his uncle's shoulder. He briefly turned his head to whisper in Kenny's ear.

The captain released his hold, and pushed Kenny off of him, and blood sprayed everywhere. The Special Forces Squad gasped at the sight. In Levi's other hand was none other than Talon, and the curved knife had pierced Kenny's side.

The older man struggled to stay on his feet. And, without looking back he launched into the air, somehow dodging the falling rocks. Levi sat up, unfazed about what was happening around them. He wiped his knife and went over to his squad, huddling close together as they freaked over what to do.

"We're all going to die!" Jean screamed, losing his faith rather quickly.

"We have to think of something...!" Sasha was trying to keep a calm head on her shoulders, but the panic was starting to take control.

"There's too many rocks!" Connie yelled, pointing out the obvious.

"I'm sorry you guys. Because of me this happened..." Krysta started crying.

"All of you, stop. Calm your shit, and think. Armin, do you have any ideas?" Levi stared at the short blonde who was trying not to cry.

"Why...why are you asking me?"

"You're the one that akways comes up with a solution, am I right? If you don't, all of us will die. And our efforts would be wasted to rescue these two." Levi motioned to Eren and Krysta.

Upon looking at Eren, an idea clicked in Armin's head.

"...Eren...can you hold the ceiling up in your Titan form?"

"I could if it was just one rock...but not a whole ceiling!" Eren knew his boundaries.

Armin glanced over to his right, and saw a bag. He went through it, and found what he was looking for. He pulled out a syringe and went over to his childhood friend. Eren flinched at the sight of it.

"What are you doing!?"

"This is the Crystal Armor serum! This should help!" Armin rolled up his friend's sleeve. However, his hands were shaking.

Levi knelt down and took the syringe from the shaking blonde. With the calmness that surprised everyone, he expertly found a vein and without warning plunged the needle in. Eren hissed, and tried to jerk away, but Jean and Mikasa held him still. Levi didn't pull it out until all of the liquid had entered Eren's body.

"Now, turn." Levi ordered, his voice calm, and his face expressionless.

With a nervous gulp, Eren nodded. He leaped off the edge, and bit his thumb. He transformed with a roar, and suddenly it was interrupted as his entire body covered itself with crystal. And the armor didn't stop there, as the crystal expanded to either side of him to the walls of the cave, then traveled upwards to hold the ceiling.

The cave had an opening, but it was no longer collapsing within itself. When the dust settled, the Special Forces Squad crawled out of the opening one by one. Levi remained standing while the others collapsed, either sitting or laying down, exhausted from the events of the last several days.

Levi looked over to see Hange and their squad heading towards them. They seemed a little battered, but otherwise unscathed. Hange was limping, but nothing seemed broken.

Hange stopped short when something caught their gaze. He followed Hange's line of sight and saw a small group of Military Police approaching. In the forefront, was none other than Commander Erwin Smith.

"Guys, get up. They're returning our commander." Levi instructed his squad, and reluctantly they all stood up.

Together, the two squads met their commander halfway. Levi felt his heart race upon seeing the one face he needed to see. However, he found he despised the thick beard on the perfectly sculptured face.

Before anything was said, Levi suddenly felt alarmed. His body tensed, and he had the sense they were all in danger. His eyes scanned the trees, and he caught a familiar glint in the bushes. What made his heart stop was that the aim of projectory wasn't at him, but Erwin.

In an instant Levi bolted towards the trees. The action surprised everyone, and suddenly the aim was toward the short captain. As he drew near the treeline, he could make out the trademark hat.

A shot rang in the air.

Levi jumped out of the way, and then used his gear while he was in the air. Kenny bolted out of the bushes and headed further into the small forest. Without hesitation Levi followed after the retreating figure, with full intention of following up on his promise he whispered into his uncle's ear several minutes before.

I am the only one to kill you. Wouldn't that be poetic? After all the pain you caused me, whether or not I was willing, I am the one who shall deliver you to Lady Death as your successor.

And I will show you no mercy. Just like how you showed me none.

=3=

Death: And cut! Yes, I am adding my own twist to Kenny's death. I felt that, in the manga, his death was so anticlimactic it was sad for me. All of that shit went down, and that's how he died? I was kinda disappointed.

And don't worry, this is the last part to the title Blood Storm.

So, please tell me what you think and leave a review.