Our leader, our friend

by Avalon Invel

Eric Langford. friends with the main trio. Can the powers bestowed by his parents and bloodline save them or will he die to protect the things he loves. he finds power to combine people, abilities and souls. To become a leader but a tragedy awakens an icy hot dark side of him for the use of his powers. Can one hero's noble amilbition and obsessive smooth talk carry mankind through.

25. Chapter 25 chasing

Helloooooo people. Sorry for the delay so in exchance here is one huge chapter. Have fun.

Chapter 25. Chasing. Chasing.

(Half hour after titan escape)

"Damned . . . .bastards!" Eric groaned lying face down on the ground. He got back to his knees and looked around. The ground was burned and the grass was shriveled up. Some tiny fragments of ice was left on the site. He saw a few alive and dead soldiers lying down un the ground as well. Some had very severe burns on their hands and face. Above were titan embers and condensing dew along with stunned soldiers. "All that crap about tactics and those a-holes smash us with brute force." He muttered standing up, but felt something snapping on his skin. He stepped up to a fallen soldier and checked his pulse. Faint but still alive. "Hey wakey wakey. Rise and shine soldier we have a big day ahead of us." He said in an irritated tone. "Fi-five more minutes. The officer ain't gonna s-see anything." He mumbled in the dirt. Eric scowled. "WAKE THE FUCK UP JACKASS!" He kicked him yelling angrily. The soldier was sent flying off a few metres before bouncing off the ground and coming to his senses. "Alright alright. I'm up." The soldier stammered shakily.

"Aren't you a bit too old to be making jokes?" Eric spat. "I'm sorry sir." He said in a burly manner. "Whatever." Eric replied. "Go find every able body and tell them to round up the wounded and scale the wall. The titans might show up in hordes so hurry up." Eric ordered and turned. "And take care of the dead later if possible." He threw a sideways glance as he fumbled in his belt and pulled out his flare gun and set it up. He pulled back the hammer and squeezed the trigger. Firing a stream of red smoke.

"Yes sir." The man replied. In the mean time some more soldiers came to and relayed the command. In about an hour or so they reach the safety of the wall soon, Eric sighed. "Damage report." He demanded. "Sir, 90% percent of our forces are out of commission but fortunately only three fatalities." Another female soldier answered to him. "Are you kidding me, 90%? Shit." He cursed under his breath. "Sir what do we do. Section commander Hange is down and Yeager has been captured. The soldiers are facing second rate burns and internal damage." She reported. "Damn. (Sigh). . .Okay what about the garrison forces?" Eric replied. "Fazed but able bodied." She said. "Alright then send a runner along with one of the garrison soldier and give a full report to the Trost district HQ. If my guess is right Commander Ervin should be there. Request backup and an elevator. Let them know of the situation and remain on stand by." Eric said pointing towards the interior after turning his back to her. "Roger." She left immediately. "Wait!" He called out again. The soldier stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. "Get me a detailed map of the entire area here all the way to wall Maria." He said.

"Yes sir." She said as she left. Several minutes later Armin stirred. He slowly sat up and felt a splitting headache. He massaged his temples and looked around. He saw a handfull soldiers working hard and attending to several wounded soldiers amongwhich he saw Eric staring fixedly at a map while munching ravenously at some bread and biscuits.. 'Huh?! What ha-happened? Why am I? Oh right.' A fury of thoughts and memories hit him. He slowly forced himself to his feet catching Eric's attention. "Armin you okay? Don't try to stand up yet." He put down his map and approached. "No I'm good. I was good distance off. I just passed out of heat exhaustion. I'm okay. What happened? I mean after the colossal titan fell." He asked wearily. "I suppose you guess I saw everything right?" Eric threw a blank smile at him. "Yeah." Armin replied.

"Well yeah but I couldn't react since the explosion blasted me off my feet and the cables didn't work. And without horses I couldn't give chase." Eric replied running his hand across his grey hair after finishing his bread. "Explosion?" Armin said confused. "When Bertold tipped over and fell above us he released and intense amount of heat and steam everywhere. I was the closest so I got blasted away." Eric said.

"I think I remember that. At that time those of us at the lower part of the wall were hit with the heat wave and wind pressure from his fall and took damage enough to immobalise us temporarily" Armin.

"Yeah. The attack was so intense that even those at the top of the wall couldn't even get remotely close. But there is more." Eric.

Armin looked up curiously.

"In the middle of all that I did see something despite the blinding light and heat. Reiner managed to endure that heat and took Eren by surprise. He smashed him down and used his mouth to rip Eren out of the nape of his titan neck." Eric. Armin looked down. "But here is the kicker, when the heat and wind receded a little Bertold came out of the remains of the colossal titan body with Ymir in his arms."

"What?!" Armin was shocked. "Yeah he was wearing the ODM gear of the soldier he ate before along with Ymir and used that to jump onto the back of the armoured titan. They escaped and I've just been rounding everyone up till then." Eric finished. "So that's it huh? We lost." Armin concluded. "Yup, bigtime." Eric responded sadly. "Alright go get some water." Eric said to him, he then turned his attention back to the map. 'Think, they couldn't have left already. The wall is about about 100 kilometres away and also that 'homeland' place they talked about. To travel that far needs energy no matter who you are. What am I missing? Eren was attacked by titans all the time even in his transformed state. So did Annie. Then the same surely applies on them too. Meaning he has to deal with all the titans in his way. In his weakened state his definitely can't handle it no matter how strong he is. Then the only option left for him is to rest for sometime and continue at night, where titans become in active. But where should they stay? Where could they stay?' His eyes traced the paper for all possible locations for staying. The shortest route to the wall would be 'this' so the only place safe enough to hide out there from the titans is . . .. 'A forest of giant trees of course.' He saw a tiny patch and concluded their location. Closing the map he looked at the sun rising in the horizon. 'Should I wait till the main force arrives or . . . .? Darn those guys screwed us big. I can't sit here twidling my thumbs and who knows how much time its gonna take for them to arrive along with the fact there is no gurantee those two are gonna wait. They might even try to leave early anticipating that move. No. I can't stay here. I-I have to go but. . . How are we gonna get the horses over the wall without an elevator? Heck even if we do the tita . . ." Then a memory came to him. Last night, when they fought the titans. None of them even sensed his presence. They totally ignored him. 'Why didn't the titans attack me?'

Its because of the power we wield!

'psst. Huh why did I remember that? Its worth a shot.' He gave a crooked smile and jumped off the wall towards the inside. The soldiers attention was turned to him. Drawing his swords he pulled a switch and sent out a puff of gas to break his fall and land gracefully on his feet. He sheathed his blades and walked a few steps. He placed the index and middle fingers of his hands into the corners of his mouth. Rolling his tongue he blew another frighteningly loud whistle. A white horse came galloping towards him. "Ah there you are boy I've been looking for you. I know you aren't gonna get what I'm about to say but please forgive me." He said grimly. The onlookers from the top of the wall leaned against the edge and saw he was pulling his swords out again. "Hey what's he doing?"

"Don't do it cap. the animal is innocent."

"No way, he's not gonna do it is he."

"Is he actually gonna . . ." Several murmurs escape as he approached the horse. The animal stood its ground oblivious to his approach. Many gritted their teeth as he thrusted foreward his blade. Many turned away at the sound. Of cables being fired and the horse wailing loudly. They looked in shock as he actually moved his hand beneath the horse and lifting it off the ground. Carrying it over his shoulders as he reeled himself to the top of the wall with a freaking horse. Everyone's jaw dropped at the sight of his yet another work of lunacy. He placed the horse down and looked at everyone. "What's wrong?" He asked nonchalantly as possible. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? IS THE FACT THAT YOU LIFTED A 800 pound horse over your shoulders and brought it to the top of the wall makes no difference to you." Some soldiers yelled at him in surprise. He raised an eye brow at them and said with a smirk. "But this isn't even the half of it." Before picking up the horse and jumping off to the other side of the wall. "Whoa!" The soldiers gasped. He released an intense amount of gas to break his fall along with the startled horse. "Is he crazy? There are titans on the other side of the wall." A soldier said. Armin rushed to the other end of the wall to see Eric standing on the ground beside his horse. A small number of titans scraping on the stone wall and another small amount of titans approaching. He however stood his ground. "What's he doing?" Armin mumbled. The others also stared at him from above. Finally noticing the titans near the wall not take any heed towards him. The other group approached and walked towards Eric. He remained unmoving. "Get out of there captain they are gonna kill you?" One of them shouted. "Should we help him? I mean he didn't give any orders." Another said. "Wait his orders were to remain on stand by. He just reloaded his gas tanks and blade stocks. I'm sure he's up to something." The female soldier he previously spoke to said stoicly. They all held their breath as the titans kept getting closer and closer to Eric but he didn't flinch. They expected anytime one of the titans to reach for him and a messy fight to break out. 1 . . .2 . . .3. Nothing.

Nothing happened.

The titans passed right by him.

Not a single one of them to noticed him standing there. He relaxed and turned around and saw them scratch on the wall like the rest of the giants. "No way they ignored him. But that's not possible. They don't seem like abnormals. They are acting like he's not even there." Armin blabbered in shock. Eric clenched his fists before him and jumped in excitement. "Yahoooo! Yes yes yes. It works. It works." He bubbled in joy. Then composed himself at embarrasment of his childish behaviour. "ERIC! WHAT IS THIS? IS THIS SOME NEW POWER YOU GOT?" Armin screamed from the top of the wall. "YEAH. I FIGURED IT LAST NIGHT. THE TITANS TOTALLY IGNORE ME." Eric shouted back. Some soldiers look at him doubtfully. Eric realised their feelings. "HEY GUYS RELAX. I'M STILL ON YOUR SIDE." He said some words of reassurance. Some agreed but others still had their suspisions. "How can we be sure you aren't gonna be like them? Sweettalking us then stabbing us in the back!" A soldier said. Eric looked down and then straight in his eye.

"If my being avoided by titans means I'm bad then does the fact that titans attacking the armoured one make him more friendly." He said flatly making the men and women think twice about their accusations. He mounted his horse and left saying. "Believe in me. Don't be so one sidedly choosing out of fear. Remain on standby and wait for the commander to arrive. Then come assist me. Were taking back Eren. Just as we did the city of trost." With his back turned towards them as he rode off. The soldiers gave him a mental salute and returned to their duties.

Ten minutes later, Eric was throttling full speed ahead. He gasped heavily. 'Damn that was intense. I had held my breath the whole time. Its scary really. I thought I was actually gonna get stomped or something. All this time being hunted by titans and today I see it doesn't even matter. But this didn't happen before. I'm sure I was attacked.' He raised his hand and looked at his palm. 'Could it be those recent events with Annie triggered this? Man if this power really lasts maybe I could . . .?' He shook his head no. 'They say dream big. But that is a little too big. Plus I know something is keeping it up. It is kind taxing on me. But all those times what is the trigger. I believed that it was titan presence, but this is different. Is it possible for something more? Think think think. What did all the past incidents had in common?

.

.

Me wounded in a shit moment. Wait! Wounded. Is it possible.'

He drew his left blade and rode on for a few more minutes. Riding and contemplating he lost track of time. Finally stabilising he turned the blade around and held it up. 'This feels stupid. But all I've done so far is on stupid stunts. So why not? If it really works.' He placed the sword on his right hand and wrapped his fingers around it. The sharp edge screaming to pull at his palm. "Here goes." He said as he pulled the sword.

-slash-

(Four hours after titan escape)

A pair of black eyes began to weakly open on the wall where the injured soldiers lie. The owner of those eyes tried to sit up. A splitting headache hits her. She closes her eyes and rubs her head to remember what happened. She began to look left and right to see Armin approaching concerned. "Mikasa wait. Don't move yet. Jus . . " He was cut off as Mikasa jumped at him and grabbed him by the collar of his cloak. "EREN?! WHERE IS HE? What happened Armin?" She barked angrily and worriedly at him. Armin kept his composure and said. "Eren was taken, along with Ymir by Bertold and Reiner. Now slow down. We don't know the full extent of your injuries." She let him go and dived to the edge of the wall and looked at a crater left behind and a few small titans scrambling on the wall left from the battle. "Shit." She cursed under her breath. "Listen . . . ." Armin began to explain the series of events that unfolded after the colossal crash and burn frenzy. Along with the fact that persuit was impossible withour being able to transport horses. But as well as Eric's situation which gave her some momentary relief. "So all we can do right now is wait for backup to arrive with the elevator. The commander will join us and then we can start a persuit. If Eric already has a lead attack planned all you need to do is rest and check the damage to yourself and your gear. Section commander Hange and almost all the other senior officiers are too wounded to even move and to start an unofficial beyond the wall mission is gonna take some time to prepare right now. This also gonna cost a lot of manpower. Skilled ones which we don't have at the moment you see. So for now just relax." Armin finished. She was in a kneeling position before she sat down. Another stab of pain shot up her head. She hissed painfully

"What's wrong are you okay?" Armin muttered. "No, I'm fine I guess I hit my head pretty hard this time. Its okay" She replied. "But." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "When the female titan Annie captured him and ran I was able to persue immediately and fought her. Despite my screw up, thanks to Eric and Corporal Levi we managed to recover him right away. But this time even with Eric a whole four hours passed and we couldn't do anything." She stood up once more and picked up the scarf that was neatly folded beside her and wrapped it around her neck heavily and tightly. Covering all the way up to her nose. "Say Armin, why? Why does he always run off like that leaving us behind?" She said in a muffled tone. "I don't know. I suppose its because he's a suicidal maniac. It happened in the past all the time. I guess its the consequences of the path he chose for himself." Armin answered. "All I want. All I ever wanted was to just stay by his side that's it. But still." She sniffed inaudibly. "At least there is someone out there looking out for him." Armin said with someone in mind. "Hey kids you hungry?" An adult voice shouted out at them.

It was Hannes. The soldier they knew all the way back to Shiganshina. "Mr. Hannes?" Armin muttered. He was carrying a decently large bag with both his hands. He reached into it and pulled out a well wrapped packet of food. "Here. Field provisions. Not much of a breakfast but its solid food. Langford kinda ate off all the good stuff." Hannes said trying to keep a bright mood in the area. He gave one to Mikasa and Armin. Both mumbled a thank you and sat quietly. Hannes began to chow down on his share and finish it off with water. The other two showed no signs of hunger or eating. "Yup. Same old, same old. Not bad and not good. Its always been that way right?" They didn't reply. Hannes continued to talk. "Not too long ago it was your job to take care of the trouble. That gutsy brat always lands into trouble one way or another but you three always take care of it. Mikasa jumps first and breaks the fight while Langford drags him away by the collar. Armin talking your way out of there. That's what you call an inseperable bond of friendship that keeps you guys together and alive. Circumstances change but you guys didn't its always the same old routine." He babbled on. Armin chuckled "the height difference between local bullies and titans are a bit too conspicuous though." He said. Hannes continued. "Even so. . .despite not having any strength in fist fights he would always charge in headlong. Be it 2 guys or 6. He would always get his ass kicked and left bleeding by the time Langford shows up or we soldiers break the fight. But you know something . ." He looked up to the sky as he talked. "Though I've never seen him win a single fight on his own, I've never seen him giving up one even while getting beat. That mind numbing tenacity was something that scared me from time to time, yet Langford was the only one that could control him. He would get back up no matter how many times you beat him down. You think someone like him is just gonna obediently listen to whatever they say and follow them without question? The answer is a big fat no. I'll bet my ass that he's probably raising hell for them and pissing them off with his lunacy."

"Yeah if you add Eric into the mix, its just asking to be blown up." Armin remarked. "Yup with just the two of them he's sure to give them as much trouble as possible till someone comes to his rescue. That's just who he is right. I miss those old days of false peace. Even if they were fickle I was content in being a worthless good for nothing drunkard soldier. I'll do whatever it takes to get those days back. No matter how long it takes. Its just not the same with all four of you crazy brats." He finished. Armin and Mikasa look up with angry and determined faces. With a single "yeah." They munch ravenously on their food bars.

An hour later all but the most heavily wounded soldiers were on their feet. Geared and ready to go. Armin and the others see a large batallion approach on the very top of the wall. "Whoa. To think they would come riding horses on top of the wall. "They're here." Mikasa announced. Commander Ervin arrived and began to discuss matters with the on scene soldiers as the others worked on setting up the elevator for the descent. The remaining soldiers were running a final check on their equipments. "Krista. I'm sorry to say this but I think you should stay here." Armin offered. Krista scowled and denied strongly "I won't so don't make me repeat myself. I just can't turn my back on this while Ymir is being taken away, you and Mikasa should understand that more than anyone. Isn't that why Eric took a head start on this?" "Krista's right Armin." Another voice called behind Armin. It was Connie. With a strong face he said "We all have enough reason to persue them. Personally I still can't believe the crap thats being said about them. I refuse to believe my friends were such until I personally see it through." "Well said." A superior officer complimented him.

Commander Ervin was prepping his horse as he felt something crawl up to his feet and tug on his leg. Looking down he saw Hange groveling on the ground bruised and burned. "The . . .ma-map. Lo-look . .at the map." She pointed ahead as Ervin noticed it, in the distance a shiny broken blade was stabbed into the ground with a large paper on the ground. He personally went to retrieve it and laid it down. All of them already saw a location marked by the sword. "A forest of giant trees huh?" Hange smiled weakly. "Frost already figured it out." She said. "What?" An MP officer asked.

"After a fight that intense I gurantee you they are worn out. Armoured or huge they still have one disadvantage we all have. That is both of us become attacked by other titans. I doubt he's going to bother to hide his tracks be cause we already know who they are now and their cover is blown. Its a gamble to find them here but I don't think they have the stamina to keep going. And assuming their destination is beyond the walls they need some place to rest. I think the only place out there where they can avoid encounters is someplace high. This is the only possible place is this tiny spot of green here. And Frost is already on his way as we speak. You have to hurry, they are most likely to leave by nightfall. Its just morning. If you move now you may catch them with their pants down. Its up to you people. Good Luck" Hange said darkly while crawling on the ground bruised, bloody and burned. "LETS MOVE OUT!" Ervin yelled loudly.

(Five hours after titan escape)

Another pair of emerald green eyes poped open. Steam sizzled and evaporated off him. He raised his head only to be greeted with the faces of the two people he now came to hate. "Hey Eren, you awake?" Reiner greeted normally. Eren slowly became aware of his surroundings. "Uh. Huh? Wha . ." He croaked weakly. He tried to sit up but then realised he couldn't feel his arms. Looking down his arms ended in steaming stumps just above his elbow. This startled him "what the? My arms? What happened? What is this?" He stammered. "Hey Eren." A gruff female voice called to him from the right. He turned his head and saw Ymir also lying on the giant branch with him. Her left arm and leg were also lost and steaming. But still she had up to her forearm healed as well as her feet. Almost. "Hey look. I'm like this too. Guess we're both having a bad day." She joked grimly. Eren was trembling as he spoke then. "Ymir? I don't understand, why are my arms gone?"

"Sorry 'bout that. I did it. We were in too much of a hurry for me to bite you cleanly off your neck, your arms got in the way and happened to get chomped off." Reiner explained as he spoke in his usual manner. "I see, so I lost." Eren said quietly before suddenly bringing the stump of a hand to his mouth in an attempt to transform. Bertold lost his cool and shouted worriedly "No Eren don't." He ignored him but was stopped by Ymir herself. "Wait Eren. Take a look around you. This is a giant tree forest on the land of wall maria. Which means we're still a lotta ways off from the wall. Over there, there are way too many titans here in this location. There are abnoramals watching us from below and over there. Its too dangerous to just recklessly transform. And to put a cherry on top is those bastards. They are equipped with ODM gear, Reiner's got what you were wearing. Its stupid to transform outright. Not only can they do the same but they can also escape higher into the trees. Plus there is too many titans here. You see, even with titan powers its difficult to survive in titan lands." She explained. "Actually you guys can't transform in the first place. The power isn't that convenient. There is a limit your body can handle. Right now they already have their hands full in just healing your human body." Reiner said again. Eren shot a glare at him and barked. "Screw you! Who cares what you say anymore?"

Ymir again put up a hand to silence him. "So Reiner, I'm no genious in these titan powers but I do know the regular titans work differently than us. Hey! You said you'd talk after Eren woke up. So speak. What the hell is your motive? Where are you taking us?" She asked. "Its simple really, we're taking you back to our homeland. We already know you would not just follow obediently but. . . .if we fight here the only end result will be us left weakened for the titans to eat us. In other words whether you try to escape us or we depart it all come down after the sun goes down and the titans stop moving." He said sternly. "Oh so what made you stay here instead of running back to your 'homeland' as the armoured titan. Did you get tired and decided to take a break?" Ymir asked. "I'll leave that to your imagination." Reiner returned those words.

Eren sat back trying to comprehend the situation with his head for once. 'Think. What should I do? Looking at it this way transforming and making a break for it should be possible . . Then again can I even change in the first place. Reiner fought better than I did and he looks doubtful if he can do it. Someone as good as him to be like this doesn't make my powers any better. What's worse is that if I do transform but just end up in a weak and powerless body I'm sure the titans are gonna swarm and eat me. And with them watching like hawks at me won't give me much of an opening. This is just too good to be true.' He chuckled at the thought. 'But what about the others. The scout regiment, section commander Hange, Mikasa, Armin, Eric. Could they be heading here? No way its too dangerous. Then again danger never stopped Eric and Mikasa to plow through. Okay for now I'll just have to suppress my emotions.' Eren thought deeply

"Hey Reiner the titans at the castle moved fine at night. What makes you so sure they won't this time?" Ymir asked. "These can't move at night. You should know that right YMIR?" Reiner said. 'Say. About Ymir. I've never known much about her. Let alone the fact that she had titan powers as well and even knowledge about them. Whose side is she on anyway? What does she want? Even so I made my choice. I'll gather information. As much as possible out of them. But how? They are so tight lipped I doubt they'll spill anything here. Plus is need to figure out a way to get out of here. . .' His train of thought was interrupted. "Hey Reiner don't you have any water with you. At this rate we'll all die of dehydration." Ymir popped a casual conversation with him. "Afraid not. I get you but its almost impossible to get any right here." Reiner replied.

"Sheesh. You really do suck." Ymir.

"Yeah sorry. But now that you mention it, we've been at it for an entire day continuously. Ever since yesterday afternoon the titans showed up. We barely got to eat or drink anything. Let alone sleep. Well thankfully the wall wasn't broken. For now I'd like to sleep. We can talk about promotions later." Reiner rambled about soldier talk delusionally.

"Reiner." Bertold called out. He didn't respond. "I think we did enough to deserve it. I mean we did quite well in a situation we knew so little about. I think we soldiers deserve this much consideration and appreciation. That'd be nice." He babbled on. Eren was shocked at what he was hearing. "Hello Mr. Reiner. What the hell are you saying?" Ymir asked with an uncomfortable smile.

"Huh? What? No, I'm not saying I should be promoted to captain right away or anything." Reiner.

"No that's not . . "Ymir was cut off.

"Ah! That's right. Where did you guys get that cannon from? You really helped us out back there. And the whole thing with Krista was really strange. I mean . . ." This time he was cut off.

"HEY!" An extremely annoyed and venomous voice barked at him. Eren stood up with a menacing glare at him. "Tell me you're joking. DON'T SCREW WITH ME!" He screamed before a smoldering pain shot up his head. "Gaaahhh!" He gasped before falling back clutching his head with what formed of his palm. A small white spark pulsed out of his head and dissipated. Though the others didn't notice it he could feel it. The murderous pain.

'...EN . .ER . .REN-EREN . .AN . CAN. . YOU . .HE . .R . HEAR . .ME . .'

A spooky blurred voice rattled through the inside of his head. He could still hear it despite the millions of frozen spears impaling his brain to the point he couldn't make any sound. But slowly it receded slightly.

'EREN I'M SORRY IT HURTS SO BAD BUT. . .I'M FEELING IT TOO.'

'Eric is that you?!' Eren's head was in shambles but he could think and hear the voice getting clearer.

'WHE . .WHERE ARE YOU?! HAH'

'HOW THE HELL ARE YOU DOING THIS?!' Eren screamed in his mind which began to go numb.

"YOU W . .NNA K. .OW HOW . .O .YOU . .TELL ME . . . LOCATION. WAAAHH' his voice began to break apart again and Eren began to lose his grip on it. But the pain dissipated. Eren looked around but felt nothing. 'What the hell was that?' He was confused beyond belief but he tried to brush it aside but couldn't forget it. "Huh? What's going on?" Eren asked Reiner sitting down and rubbing the bridge of his nose and eyes. "I think I know what's going on." Ymir said. "You were originally a warrior sent to destroy the wall and kill all of humanity. But while hiding away as a soldier he unexpectedly lost track of who he was. Maybe it happened because he couldn't accept the fact he was responsible for the deaths of so many people. That to protect his sanity he completely emersed himself in that belief."

"No way. So you're telling me all this time the Reiner we knew was a delusional freak who tried to forget his crimes by just forgetting about it. That's fucked up no matter how you see it." Eren shouted.

"Yeah. Its really amazing, your time here really split your conscious in two. Fabricating your own memories. Even someone as overly sincere as. . . ." She stopped dead in her track with Reiner's shout. "Shut up! Just shut the fuck up!" "Ooohh, how scary. Maybe I said too much." Ymir mocked him.

"Why? Why are you bastards acting like you are the victims here? Bertold you asshole, what were you thinking? Tell me. When I told you what I've been through about my mom being eaten by the titans. That piece of the gate you blasted with your kick landed on my house stopping my mom from escaping. She couldn't survive because of you. What were you thinking? What?" Eren said almost tearing up at the memory of that scene with his mother. "At the time . . .I felt pity for you." Bertold told him curtly without even looking at him in the eye. This news shot straight into his heart. Eren lowered his head and snorted. "I see hehehe." He began to giggle softly. "Pity? Hahahaha. Really and you call yourselves warriors. You pitied me when you act like you feel guilty at your actions. You guys aren't soldiers, you. . . Mmmhehe." He tried to stop himself from laughing but then his face warped to something extremely dark. "You bastards aren't even warriors. You are just murderers. You've killed so many innocent people without remorse and for what. Some great cause you are too fucking ashamed to even admit it? You expect sympathy while you go around stabbing people in the back and then pitying them. You . . .you are just . .A BUNCH OF MASS MURDERING PSYCOPATHS!"

"WE KNOW THAT ALREADY! AND WE DON'T NEED ANY OF YOUR SYMPATHY OR YOU TELLING US!" REINER.

"THEN STOP SCREWING AROUND GRIEVING AS IF YOU ACTUALLY GIVE A DAMN. YOU AREN'T EVEN HUMAN! JUST MONSTERS WHO TURNED OUR HOMES AND THIS WORLD INTO HELL, YOU FUCKING MURDERERS!" Eren wailed back.

Reiner finally snapped, "WHAT IS IT?! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US?! WANT US TO ATONE? WANT US TO APOLOGISE?! TO SAY THAT KILLING IS BAD? GROW UP! THE GOODY BROTHERLY REINER YOU KNEW DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE! IF SCREAMING MAKES YOU HAPPY THEN BY ALL MEANS GO AHEAD!" He screamed back at him. Ymir laughed at their exchange of throves. "Hahaha this is getting good. I would love to see a fist fight around now." But she stopped short at the next event that was about to transpire. Bertold finally showed a more angry side to himself. "Will you two shut the hell up. Eren may be a whiny bitch but Reiner I didn't expect this from you its . . " strong white sparks appeared out of their forehead and around their heads. The three of them clutch their face in pain.

"HAHAHAHA LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE GETTING REALLY HOT UP THERE.'

All of them were stunned at the crystal clear voice that rang in their head.

"Eric!?" All three shout in unison.

'FUCKING AWESOME. TO THINK ITS COULD TALK TO ALL THREE OF OF YOU TITAN BASTARDS.'

"Aw crap." Eren said."Holy shit." Reiner screamed clutching his head. As well as Bertold "Damn it!"

Ymir felt intense chills snake across her body and she began to shiver. "What the hell is going on here?" She wimpered. "Feels horrible doesn't it. But it serves you right you traitorous bitch.' The voice echoed in their minds and the pain again lightened. "Heh, so Eric you already mastered it this far." Reiner said with a wry smile. 'Yeah I know but its mind numbingly painful.' Eric replied. "To think you were able to withstand this without any titan body I really have to commend you for that." Reiner responded. Eren was baffled he could talk this way. He tried to suppress his pain with anger. " WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! HOW ARE YOU IN MY HEAD LIKE THAT?" He shouted hard. 'Don't know but I'm still a ways off but I can smell you guys right here. And it reeks of titan stench.' He replied. "What the? Who are you talking to Reiner?" Bertold asked. "Wait, don't tell me you can't hear him." Reiner scowled at him. Bertold unable to hear anything. "So you are just talking to me and Eren eh Frost." Reiner said. 'Unfortunately so but I can still feel Bertold and Ymir right next to you guys.' "I . . can . .hear it!" Ymir stammered. 'Yeah I can too. Well what do you know? When did you make titanised contact with Eren?' Ymir heard him but more faintly than the other two. Sparks continue to flutter on their heads. "Eric! That's incredible. That you can gaahh. It hurts. But this . . .this is nothing. Are you really on your way here?" Eren yelled. 'Yup and probably the entire fucking force of the scout regiment. So sit tight.' Reiner gritted his teeth at the announcement. Eren's face lit up like a bulb. "Hehehe. This is it Reiner. They are comming. Humanity is comming. Then I'll make sure you two die the most excruciating way possible." He said venomously. "Heh. Hold your horses kiddo. You aren't gonna make something if you keep acting childish right now. If you make pathetic small fry your enemies. You won't get anything done." Ymir said. "What do you mean?" Eren asked confused. 'Ymir has a point man. These pricks are nothing compared to the real danger out there.' Even Eric stopped him. "Huh? What do you mean. Come on you are lecturing me like this even now." Eren complained. 'Listen Eren. I haven't seen much but I know for a fact my senses picked up something more inside the walls. But I can theorise that the wall didn't break and the titans had to come from somewhere. And the dissapearing people of Ragako makes it a little too conspicuous.' "Wait a minute what are you getting at?" Eren asked worriedly. 'People. The people of Ragako were turned into titans. By whatever that omnious creature is. But I'm sure there is a certain someone there who knows more than I do.' his voice had a creepy and menacing flare to it. Eren looked at Reiner's confused face and then to Ymir's thoughtful face. "Heh looks like you can tell this much just from looking at it." Ymir commented smirking. "Can't we Reiner. So you should know. . . What was that monkey?" Immediately the image of the massive titan popped in their heads. It stood at roughly 17 metres tall. Its entire body except its torso, hands, feet and face were covered in brown fur. It had elongated arms reaching up to his thighs. It had highly deformed proportions similiar to the colossal titan. A broad shoulder with a huge midbody but a small head in comparison. Also its arms looked skinny but very functioning human hands.

"Monkey." Reiner

"Monkey?" Eren

'Monkey?'

"What are you getting at?" Reiner asked curiously. "Allow me to elaborate. That 'monkey' or beast titan as I like to call it was responsible for everything. Judging from the way you two were gawking at it. I'm sure he had some importance to you guys." Ymir investigated. 'So another bastard decided to show up now. And by the looks of it he's a bigger pain in the ass than you guys. Especially all this was just a test to analyse our ability. But can I assume you know him and he's your ticket home.' Eric voiced. "You-you guys please tell me more. . ." Eren stuttered. "I'm sorry but circumstances aren't that favourable right now. But I'll tell you one thing. You're pretty retarded if you think taking those two out will put a stop to this battle. Don't you think Eric?" Ymir looked up. 'Yeah I guess so.' Eric replied. "What the hell is going on? Who is the enemy?" Eren barked. 'Enemy. Eren use your god gifted piece of shredded common sense. They are from . . .' "ERIC!" Reiner yelled.

'Guuaaahhh damn it Reiner that really hurts.' Eric yelled. Sparks emitted off Reiner's head as well. "Do you really think that this world has a future? Do you think you 'humans' can change it with some hardwork and all that crap? Even with your powers you can't hope to. Come on you too Ymir. Eren why don't you all come over to our side. Eric you are feared. They want to kill you, I have to kill you. But you can join us, we'll give you all the answers you ever wanted. But maybe if we talk. . ."

'No. I'm sorry but I have to decline. Its an interesting offer really, its tempting. But I can't. I won't betray my commrades here. As much as I want to go to that place you call homeland. If I turn my back here then everything I've worked for my parents would be like a spit on their graves. And I've had my fair share of death threats if you want to kill me then all I can say it bring it on.'

"Heh. what did I expect from a wielder of the anti-coordiante." Reiner

'Anti-coordinate? What's that?'

"What about you Ymir, don't you think any differently?" Reiner.

"I don't think so. You really expect me to trust you? You don't even trust me." Ymir

"Yes I do. Your goal is to protect Krista right?"

Ymir's smirk dropped at that and an expression of doubt formed on her face. "That right. She is the one instance we can agree on. I'm sure we can agree on the notion that we're doing something for her. And most of all do you think Eren and Eric's powers are more reliable than ours. 'Now I see. Ymir you lying wench. You were a titan turned human. You did something to them that restored your human form. And I'm sure whatever you did those whatever they are bastards are really pissed. And you thought you could screw your way out by offering Eren as compensation. Heck Krista being the last descendant of the high nobles. So you already figured out her true identity as Historia and thought you could use her as a bargaining chip. Screw that kill me and you are practically innocent. Damn the 104th cadets are the craziest bunch of people in history.' Slowly his voice began to fade away. "Ymir? What are you gonna do?" Eren asked her grimly and softly. "Who knows?" She replied.

A few hours pass after that heavy conversation. Reiner and Bertold had their personal conversation however certain words and names caught Eren's attention. Like Marcel, coordinate, the part about Krista being linked to the wall cult. Bertold having a thing for Annie. The part about them being short lived mass murderers that no one can understand besides each other. Ymir's limbs almost fully regenerate by then. Eren's were still in progress.

"REINER WATCH OUT!" Bertold yelled as he pushed Reiner away as intense razor winds throttled towards them and smashed up the wood on the branch. They were startled at the feeling. The two men looked around and saw a glint of blue and dodged again. This strike was real as it litterally chopped off the branch they were on and it fell crushing and killing a few small titans below. Eren was shocked to see who it was. But clad in scout regiments wings of freedom there he stood looking down at them with a smile. Eric Langford, Electricity pulsed around him, "made it!" He shouted. "Eric? He's already here! But how." Ymir called out. "Damn I think I know." Reiner grunted. "That was an interesting conversation Reiner but now I'm taking him back." Eric said back. "Shit we're not ready yet." Bertold told them. Bertold and Reiner were already on their manuver gear trying desperately to avoid his swords. "Damn it. These are meant to cut down large titans. Small fast ones are a nusance." "You got that right." Reiner mocked while trying circle around him with Bertold. Eric being much shorter than the two seemed out matched by the two large men. The decided to advance, they draw their blades and as Eric focused on Bertold who agile crept up to him Reiner charged in from behind. "Heh you may be good but even so you can't deal with multiple attacks on both sides." Bertold shouted. But both of them were taken by surprised as a massive pulse of energy blasted off him throwing them both backwards. He twisted around and four pairs of blades collided and shattered to pieces. He gassed upwards and ejected his sword remains and pulled out a new fresh pair. Reiner decided that it was pointless for them to fight and ordered Bertold to take Ymir while he charged towards the shocked Eren. Eren saw Reiner charging at him. With nowhere to run he was caught but didn't go without a fight. He tried smacking Reiner in the face with the stumps of his hands. This distracted him long enough for Eric to get close. He swung his hand down on him before feeling something push him back. The intensity cooled down. He realised Ymir ignored Bertold and jumped at Eric wrapping her arms around his neck stunning him. "What the . . " he squeaked out.

The strike still had some effect on the enemy as it hit Reiner's gas dispenser and split it in two making him unable to move anymore but Ymir got him. "So you decided to go with them after all." Eric said falling, Ymir raised her head to give a dark empty smile when saying, "yeah. But its for the sake of both Krista and me. So no hard feelings right?" "Hard feelings my ass. I freakin' hate you. You turn coat and now you're on their side. You really doubt humanity this much that you'd take a gamble with those who want to kill you for commiting a crime instead of those who can still call you friends. Are you really that scared of their powers?" Eric questioned her with a dark smirk. She had a confused look on her face but it hardened again. "That's right, I am. When the walls will fall they will find me. Even Krista. I have. . .I have to protect her. She is better off with them than in here. Her future is at stake here."

"Yeah right. Don't you think its up to her to decide. But her real name Historia Reiss. I think she belongs in a higher stage than with us dirty low lives. And who says she's in danger. I can protect her too." Eric shot back. The ground only a few feet below them and they were about to crash. Ymir let go of Eric and brought her hand to her mouth and bit down hard onto it. Immediately sparks followed which exploded in a blast of yellow glow and green outline. Eric facing the blast point blank felt energy pulse through him. He also flashed white sparks and burst in a white ball and blue outline. The two gigantic orbs collided with each other but the yellow was blasted away by the white. It appeared Eric's burst of energy scrambled up her transformation sequence. The light dissipated as he emerged with his skin almost glowing and intense electricity pulsing around him. His irises were getting darker and deeper blue. Ymir's titan emerged with its chest and belly skinless. The bones were burned and frozen. Internal organs visible, blood locked in place. He jumped off the ground with incredible strength and tried to punch her. But she had enough control to use her limbs and quickly crawl out of the way sending him crashing into the trees. He again used his ODM gear to get off the ground and chase after her when she tried use that opening to run away.

"Krista is on the way." He said loudly. Which was enough to stop Ymir on the spot. She turned her head around and stared at him with her black eyes.

"KRISTA IS ON HER WAY HERE!" He screamed that reached both by sound and mind as they hear the words. Reiner who managed to subdue Eren previously and Bertold awkwardly assisted him in moving because his gas dispenser was completely destroyed but they hear the words clearly. And felt something huge catch up to them. Suddenly a large titan presence creeps up to them and grab them. They were pinned to a tree and fixed in place. "Ymir! What the hell are you doing?" Bertold shouted. "NO-N . OT . .YET!" The titan spoke in a deep husky voice. "What do you mean not yet?! Eric is gonna be here any minute. Let us go! We have to escape or else he'll take us all down!" Reiner screamed angrily. Steam erupted from the nape of the titan as it lowered its head and turned away. There Ymir appeared in her human form shouting. "No I can't. If the military are comming then I'm sure Krista is with them. She's just like that. I have to see her." "Stubborn bitch, how do you expect to do that when they are this far off. Its too dangerous with him around. We're better off on level ground where he can't use his gear" Reiner shouts back.

"If Eren wakes up healed and transforms or a horde of titans show up without you at full power then we're screwed anyway. And what about those high energy pulses that hurt like hell. I think where I stand I can easily take Eren from you and hightail to the scouts." She shouted. "Stop being so selfish. You'll get your chance after we get back please trust us. I promise we'll get Krista out of there." Reiner said. Ymir scowled and squeezed them back harder. The metal of their gear were almost painfully digging into their skin. "Wait for my chance? When? After I'm devoured by your so called warriors? No way. I can't trust you." she yelled. "Please give me a little more time! Please. I may not be as strong as any of you guys but I have the geographical advantage. I can move fast and deal with him." She begged before easing her grip. "That plan goes both ways." Reiner said.

Eric was swiftly closing the distance formed between them. He saw Ymir letting the two wall destroyer titans go with a nod and then spotting him.

'I just have to hold out a little longer untill the military shows up.' The both of them say in their heads as they clash once more. Ymir tried to swipe at him only for him to dodge and slice a finger clean off. She yelped in pain and retracted. He tried to take an offensive stance and jumped high. With the tall trees he fired a cable and pulled himself high enough to gather enough momentum. He plummetted onto her as she leaped to another tree to evade the attack. He missed but slowed himself with a puff of gas and used a branch as a jumping platform to catch her by surprise and landed a solid uppercut on her abdomen. She felt no power in the hit but the raw strength broke a few bones and sent her flying upwards. She managed to grab a high branch to stop herself and regain her balance. She saw below Eric already made a break for it towards Eren's position and also gave chase. 'I don't have time to deal with her. If Reiner transforms and makes a break for it I won't be able to stop myself from killing her. And I still don't have any idea how to get through that dense armour.' Eric wondered as he looked up to see Ymir directly above him. "Shit!" He barked as he tried to accelerate. But Ymir began to crash down onto him. "GET ..BACK - . .HERE." the titan growled loudly. His eyes widened and he choose otherwise to face her. He twisted in midair and pulled back the cables. Facing her he fired the cables to he face just below her eyes. This time she was shocked as he pulled himself in and slit her eyes in half. They exploded and spilled a hot gooey mess of warm sticky eye humour and steaming blood onto him. She gave a bloodcurdling shriek and thrashed around violently as they both crashed into a tree. With the titan smashing onto Eric. He felt as if all the breath in his lungs were forced out in an instant and felt cracking in his ribs. Thankfully it didn't snap. Ymir quickly got up but jumped away unable to tell what was happening because she was blinded. This gave Eric a chance to ease up and feel his bones and slightly torn muscles to recover and regenerate. "Holy crap! If I didn't have this power I probably wouldn't we alive right now." He groaned as he tried to get up. He saw Ymir writhing in pain on another distant branch. "Hey Ymir! Do we really need to do this? I feel like this is pointless." He shouted out. Ymir hearing thid calmed down. And tried to locate the source of the voice.

Reiner and Bertold made it to the edge of the forest and tried to relax. "Damn that Ymir. All this mess because she couldn't resist seeing her." Reiner vented in anger. "Then why aren't we leaving? We do have Eren." Bertold chuckled. "Heh. Still the same old Reiner. Always worrying about other's before yourself." Reiner scratched his head in annoyance. Till he heard shots popping. In the distance they saw it. Several green flares were being fired. Among them two were sparkling white flares. The titans were running haywire and stampedeing out of the forest. "The Recon corp. they are already here Should I be worried or should I say about time. I must be losing my mind." Reiner half smiled and half scowled. "But such a large force? How did they get so many horses over the walls? Ervin must've pulled something crazy again" Bertold asked in surprise. "Now I see. Look MPs. Even they were ordered to help out. This just keeps getting better and better." Reiner said.

The battle back in the forest that was in progress had to be stopped short as Eric got distracted by the sound of the signal flare and and got slapped away to a tree. His cable gripped onto a branch and he was hanging upside down. The force of the collision caused him to spin and wrap a small portion of the wire around his leg trapping him. "Aw damn. I'm stuck." He muttered but luckily Ymir had other things to see. Specificly if Historia actually came to the scene. Eric's words rang true as she was spotted on the foreward left flank of the batallion. 'Found you. How could you be so stupid. Comming all the way here just to see me.' She wondered before turning to see Eric with a nasty grin on his face as he he was reaching into his belt. And surprising her with two flare guns. 'Two!?' She thought before he fired both at the same time upwards in a red warning smoke and a white smoke revealing his location.

"Finally."

TBC . . . . .