Chapter 26: No Regrets Part I
Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin
Previously: The group is shocked by the Titan in the Wall. Some begin to think more about their situation and better understand Annie's. They decide they will definitely come back for season 2.
The group took a minute after Erwin's declaration to take deep breaths and calm themselves. They doubted they'd need to pay as much attention to the extra episodes but it was still intriguing and they didn't want to miss out on anything.
"Hey, quick message. You will be watching the extra episodes focusing on some of the other people in the room. You have the option to skip but these first two episodes will be un-skippable because fair's fair."
"What does that mean?" Sasha wondered.
Christa's heart lurched. She really hoped it wasn't what she was thinking. I'm not that important. There hadn't really been much screen time with her as there had been with the rest of the 104th crew. Surely the TV wouldn't play out her past. A feeling of dread began welling up. She really didn't want to relive that and she especially didn't want it revealed to everyone else.
"The last time Candy declared an episode un-skippable it was..." Armin trailed off, looking at Mikasa, her face closed-off at the reminder.
"And it was fucking unnecessary," Eren glared accusingly at the TV.
"We could be watching someone's personal life experience again," Petra agreed.
Suddenly, everyone paled thinking about their worst or most humiliating memories and hoped fervently Candy wouldn't show them to everyone.
Soft, easygoing music played as the shot opened to a blue sky. A bird flew by over a beautiful city, losing a white feather which floated gently down toward the ground.
"That's Sina," Hange observed curiously. "Mitras, if I'm not mistaken."
The feather landed on a small gutter drain on the side of the street.
The commander glanced at Levi and noted the somewhat uneasy expression on the short man's face.
It slipped through the space between the bars and continued to float down. This time it came down from the dark and brown rocky ceiling instead of the light-filled and blue beautiful sky, to the city below.
Levi's breath caught up in his throat.
"Is that the Underground city?" Armin leaned forward in interest.
"I've heard of that place," Jean said. "The city below the capital. It's the safest place from the Titans, behind the three—two—Walls and under the ground. But most of it is also overrun with criminals and vagrants. The cesspool of Mitras." A thought occurred to him. Come to think of it, isn't Corporal Levi from there?
Christa shuddered. "Living barely seeing the sun, that's awful." While she may not have had the ideal childhood, at least there was always food on the table and the warm sun on her skin and the fresh, clean air to breathe. She was immensely happy the episode wouldn't be focused on her.
Levi's not gonna be happy about this. Erwin thought. Candy must've known he'd try to skip and made it impossible beforehand, taking the option away from them. I can see why she would. Levi was a private person, but they'd watched so many of the others' deep, personal thoughts and experiences.
He'll be forced to relive his loss just as the others have. Hange grimaced, having the same train of thought as the commander.
Petra was tempted to look at her captain to gauge his reaction. But she refrained, knowing having someone stare, regardless of the expression, would only piss him off. A sweep around the room confirmed some had a clue as to whose life they would be watching.
It's only fair we can't skip Captain Levi's tragedy when we couldn't skip Mikasa's. Eren thought. He still felt some irritation, remembering episode 6. He was intimidated by the man and held a great deal of respect for him but when it came to Armin and Mikasa, he wouldn't care if it was Humanity's Strongest or not, he would not stand for anyone hurting his family. It's gonna suck though. He swallowed with difficulty, thinking back to watching his mother die again.
Three pairs of feet clambered by, grabbing the attention of a middle-aged man, "Huh…?"
His face was a blank canvas but Levi's insides were churning, leaving him feeling sick to this stomach. A part of him badly wanted to see his friends again but the idea of seeing them die and experiencing that pain again was horrifying.
Wires shot above their heads and three figures flew by, the last one knocking over boxes of merchandise. The men on the ground ducked as apples and packets of food spilled everywhere. A young man reached down to grab one of the packets and took off running.
Levi's heart hammered at the familiar scene, the memory playing out in his head, losing the last shred of hope he had that the episodes weren't going to focus on him.
"Hey, hold it!" The merchant yelled as the man ran away.
"Bastard!"
"They had us! It's those pests again!" The merchant yelled.
"There they are," another man pointed. "Someone call the Military Police!"
Levi, Farlan, and Isabel flew away. "Yahoo!" Isabel grinned.
"They're pretty good," Connie said. "For a bunch of thieves."
Farlan ran before taking off, following after the leader.
Which turned out to be a familiar face to the viewers.
Several people gasped, eyes going wide.
Connie shrank. "Uh..."
They began whispering.
"Is that Corporal Levi?"
"We're watching his past?"
"Oh, he's gonna be pissed..."
"I'm just glad it's not me."
"Yeah, me too."
No one dared to say it out loud but everyone—aside from Erwin—was very curious to learn more about the origins of the famous Humanity's Strongest Soldier.
The three flew through the air with ease. Farlan looked over his shoulder, "Levi! They're here! The pursuers!"
Levi looked over his shoulder to see the multiple figures in military uniform chasing after them.
"Heh," Isabel smirked. "The Military Police again? Haven't learned their lesson, have they?" She turned forward. "Hey, Levi! What I said was a cool line, wasn't it, big bro?"
They must be close if she's referring to him as her brother. Petra thought.
It was so familiar. His self-proclaimed sister's smile and her tendency to seek his approval. It was so strange. Nice but also strangely unsettling watching someone who had died.
"Are you an idiot?" Was Levi's response.
"Yeah," Farlan said, "they haven't yet and are still sending those elite soldiers."
"Those merchants must have alerted them," Levi said.
"Most likely." Farlan smiled. "Last time, we got quite a bit of a donation from their safe."
Mikasa watched with arms crossed. Levi had been the worst when the scene her past was revealed had come up. At least Erwin and Hange believed it was important to their cause, feeling sympathetic for her, and Petra had tried to figure out a compromise. He had been the least sensitive, not showing any compassion.
Now he'll really understand what it feels like. To have his most tightly guarded memory, a moment in his life that helped define him, when he was most vulnerable, it was only fair he experience what it was like for that to be revealed to everyone without permission.
A part of her felt guilty and horrible about it. The more she thought about it the more it grew and she stubbornly pushed it back. But it wasn't my decision. She had no control over the situation. Still, she had a feeling she wouldn't be enjoying it as much as she thought she would.
"We saved them from getting any fatter and further ruining their health," Isabel said. "They should be grateful."
Levi was quiet for a few seconds. "Farlan, Isabel, let's go!"
"The Underground district," Candy narrated. "It's located under the safest land, that is being protected by the three Walls."
"So this is before Wall Maria fell," Armin said.
"Levi joined in 844, the year before the breach," Hange said.
That's only six years. Eren had thought for sure Levi had been part of the Survey Corps for a decade easily.
The Underground city appeared with its rocky ceiling sky.
"An abandoned underground. Left over from the sealed Immigration Plan."
Four children sat against a dirty wall in the desolate city, bleak expressions on their faces.
What a truly awful place to live. Christa thought. Deep inside though, Historia didn't care too much. It almost felt good to know she had it better than many others. Christa shook her head to get rid of the thoughts. Everyone deserves to feel the sun's warmth and smell the clean air! Especially children.
"In this land cast aside from the light, it is not rare to find those who are born and raised here to rot away without even having seen the surface once."
The bird flew off the statue of a headless angel missing one wing.
That's so sad. Sasha couldn't imagine living in such a place. It made her feel suffocated just thinking about it. When she thought of home, images of trees, the sky, the sun, the forest, and the animal life came to mind. No wonder Corporal Levi never smiles. He hasn't had much reason to until only recently. Up until six years ago, he'd lived down in that hellhole. If it were me I'd take every chance I got to smile and laugh.
A whistle echoed through the worn and dirty brown buildings. A dark-haired boy sat limply against a wall while another one smoked on a roof. A building with red roof tiles appeared. Inside, Farlan divided up the cash in his hands, "Here, sorry for the wait." He handed it to the three young men sitting on the couch and they cheered. "Payment for both last time and this time."
Levi sat nearby at a roundtable, cleaning his knife with a white cloth.
"Here," Farlan handed a share to a downcast young man sitting by himself.
"Ah, thank yo—" Jan noticed the extra money rolled in half to hide it.
He was always kinder than he let on. Levi thought. Nervousness bubbled in him, thinking about Farlan and Isabel's deaths. What if the TV showed their deaths really were his fault. He shook the thought out of his head. No, the Titans killed them. He thought about Eren's mother's last moments, crying for them not to leave her. What if it showed him something similar, something heartbreaking. He didn't know how he'd handle it.
Farlan glanced at the other three, "You guys better not spend too much even if it's a mistake. We're being observed."
"We already know. Let's go guys."
"Yeah!"
Levi continued to clean his knife as the sounds of the door opening and footsteps leaving was heard. Jan was the last to leave, pausing once before leaving.
"Jobs have been a lot easier since we got our hands on the 3D Maneuver Gear. Everyone's shares has increased too."
Levi inspected his weapon, "It seems one has increased more than the others."
The recruits exchanged looks, wondering how he was going to react.
"What's the reason?"
Farlan looked down, "His…Jan's leg has gotten worse again… You've noticed, right? Medicine is really expensive. The price went up too. Seriously, these damn Underground merchants." He glanced over at his friend. "Have you heard? The Stairway Toll also went up."
"Yeah…"
Stairway Toll? What's that? Jean was tempted to ask but thought better of it. Levi was probably upset and he was not going to risk making himself a target since Candy was not an option.
"With that, it's even less likely for the poor to ever see the sunlight," Farlan said.
Pay to see sunlight? That's fucked up. Eren frowned. Not that he was entirely shocked to learn of such a thing. In some aspects, he knew humans were worse than Titans.
"We have to buy our way up no matter where we go." Farlan's voice narrated.
A man handed money to some men who were guarding the base of a large set of stairs going up, all of them wearing the same expression of hopelessness.
"Even if you manage to pay and get outside, without citizenship you can't stay for long."
Two boys sat in an alley, wearing blank expressions.
Petra's heart was full of sorrow at the depressing situation. It was no way to live. A life without purpose. They're not living. They were barely even surviving. They're just...there. It was heartbreaking.
"Apparently the lack of sunlight causes people's legs to go bad."
A man with lifeless eyes sat, leg out before him with a crutch leaned against the wall next to him, as people continued to walk by.
"It's not like knowing it will change anything though."
This is just depressing. Ymir thought. It left her unsettled, bringing up old, painful memories of living not too different on the streets of Marley. She didn't even have a name until that man had found her and given her an identity. She had worn it proudly, even until they had injected her and shoved her off the wall to let her roam as a mindless beast. She glanced at the other viewers. For years, she had vowed to live only for herself and had kept silent about Marley and Eldia, refusing to be used again and getting dragged in the middle of their conflict.
"Your mother's was the same, wasn't it?" Levi asked, not looking up. Farlan didn't answer. "So…that's why. Even so it still looks like a large sum."
"It's compensation. It…might already be too late. At the very least, I hope he finds a good hospital."
"I see."
Isabel should be barging in soon. Levi couldn't rip his eyes away from the TV. He never thought he'd see his friends again. And he would get to watch them die again. And so would everyone else in the room. It made him angry and sad but he was powerless to do anything about it. He glanced at Mikasa, Eren, and Armin, now truly understanding how uncomfortable it was having your life put on display for everyone.
Farlan looked at the money in his hands. "How much more do we need…to be able to live up there?"
There was a noise outside. "Hm?" Levi stood up and started walking over. He stopped when someone or something hit their door. He exchanged a glance with Farlan.
Knife in hand, Farlan wrapped his hand around the doorknob and looked at Levi, who nodded, switchblade ready. He threw the door open and Isabel fell in with a surprised yelp, arms wrapped around her waist, landing at Levi's feet.
"I was wondering where she was," Hange muttered.
"I think this is when they first met," Erwin guessed.
"What? It's just a kid," Farlan walked over. "That surprised me."
"Not…a kid…" Isabel breathed loudly. "I'm not…a kid!" She glared at them.
"Is that so?" Levi said. "I won't feel bad for kicking you out then. I'll let the fact that you dirtied the floor slide."
Some of them couldn't help but snort.
"Get out now."
"What? You can't even move?" Farlan asked.
"Of course I can!" Isabel replied aggressively.
Armin noted the mark on her cheek, "She looks hurt."
"Don't look down on me." With one hand, Isabel began struggling to stand up. A little bird was revealed in her left hand.
"What a strong-willed kid," Farlan said.
"Over here!" A man's voice came from outside.
Isabel's eyes widened. Still struggling to sit up, holding the bird close to her chest, she lost her balance and tilted to the side, back hitting the door.
"Hm, bastard," Levi said, "you're being chased?"
Farlan looked at him and asked, "What should we do?"
Outside, three men came to a stop outside their house. "Shit! That brat…she really bit me," he looked at his hand.
"Why do I have a feeling he deserved it," Christa said.
"He probably did," Sasha said.
"When she's caught, I'll be the first to have fun with her."
The viewers exchanged disgusted looks.
"Filthy beasts," Eren muttered darkly.
Mikasa glared at the TV, fists trembling. She wished so badly men like that would come after her now. But she knew they wouldn't. They always pick on the small and the weak. The vulnerable. They'd never go for someone who could and would fight back.
"I hope you guys beat the shit out of them, Corporal." Sasha's words were met with nods.
Levi and Farlan stood leaning in the door, watching them.
"There's no fun or anything on a brat like that," another voice said.
The boss chuckled, grinning.
Petra looked revolted. He actually likes that she's not a grown woman!
The anger and disgust grew on their faces.
The man noticed Levi and Farlan, "Hey, there's a dirty little kid over here, right?"
"Those are the only kinds around," Farlan replied.
They chuckled at his words.
"Huh? You guys are the thugs in this area?" He stopped at the base of the stairs.
"Which of us are?" Farlan muttered.
He noticed Isabel sitting against the door. "Hey… I've found her."
"I thought as much." One of his lackeys said. "Are you guys friends?"
"Not at all," Farlan said.
Eren clenched his fists, glaring. It's not what he would have said.
Mikasa scowled at the TV. They were going to help her, weren't they? Else her fist was going to fly right into Levi's face, consequences be damned. She took a deep breath. Of course they're going to help. They become friends later.
"Then hand her over to us," the second lackey said. "You'll be sorry if you cover for her. After all, she tried to get past the 11th Stairway without paying."
That grabbed Levi and Farlan's attention.
"You guys should know, the 11th stairway is under the jurisdiction of one of the nobles, Lord Lobov. Anyone who tries to pass there without paying is prosecuted."
Isabel sat, head bowed, as one of the lackeys spoke up, "Of course you guys will be charged too for being her accomplices." Her head snapped up in surprise at his words.
"I don't care anymore. Move away from her!" The boss said, walking up to them. He placed his hand on Levi's shoulder as he stepped through the doorway.
Quickly, without so much as blinking, Levi brought up his arm and sliced the man's hand. Blood coated Levi's knife and the pervert stumbled back in surprise and pain, holding his bleeding hand, red covering his pinkie.
"That was cool!"
"Served that creep right!"
"You go, Corporal!"
They cheered him on, grinning.
He looked up and his eyes widened when Levi went straight for him.
The sounds of a beating, fist meeting flesh and sounds of pain, was heard as Isabel watched, gaping, while Farlan's face remained uninterested.
The group continued to smile, nodding in satisfaction.
It definitely helped improve his standing in Mikasa's eyes.
Levi grabbed the man's collar, glaring down at him. "Don't touch me with your filthy hand. I might get dirty." He shoved the man back down the stairs and into his lackeys who barely caught him.
They couldn't help but laugh. And Mikasa had to roll her eyes.
"Oh, Captain," Petra giggled.
He's so fucking cool. Eren thought in awe.
"He doesn't it even try," Ymir said.
I wish I could do that. Jean thought, admiration all over his face.
"You can't do it like that," Farlan began, smiling, as Levi cleaned his knife. "We always prioritize hygiene. Wash your hands and come again."
They burst out laughing.
"I like him," Christa smiled.
Sasha nodded, "He's funny."
"These guys are dangerous. Let's go!"
The lackeys left, carrying their boss.
Isabel stared at Levi, awestruck. He turned to her, "Hey, how long are you going to hold it to your stomach?" His words broke her out of her stupor. "It'll die, you know."
"B-But…I thought it'd be warm." Isabel held up the cloth with the little bird looking around.
"What's with the bird?" Farlan asked.
"It got lost on its way here. Probably through some duct. So I thought I'll bring it up to the surface."
Farlan appeared surprised by her answer. "Don't tell me you tried to break through the Stairway just for that?"
She probably won't survive. Neither will he. Ymir had a feeling everyone at least suspected it but no one wanted to voice it.
"This guy would want to fly in the sky instead of being here underground," Isabel stroked the bird's back gently.
"Well, that's fine, but," Farlan knelt by her, "its wing is injured, you know."
"Really?!"
Farlan sat on the long gray couch and finished bandaging the bird's wings. Isabel leaned forward in her seat, smiling, "You're really good, you know. That's right, what's your name? I'm Isabel."
"I'm Farlan…and that's Levi."
"Farlan… and…" Isabel looked over to where Levi sat on a chair. "Levi, big brother."
"Big brother?"
"Listen! Please…let me become one of you!"
"What?" Farlan looked at her.
"You guys have been using 3D Maneuver Gear, right? I've seen it before!" Isabel recalled standing in the street and watching them fly above her. "I felt really envious. You guys flying around like birds. Please, I want to try it too!"
"What do you think?" Farlan asked Levi.
He stood and started walking to the door.
"Please!"
"If you stay here, learn how to clean before you learn 3D Maneuver Gear."
They snorted.
No surprise there. Eren glanced at his right. "When he first assembled the squad, did he make you guys clean too?"
"Yes," Petra chuckled. "You can imagine how shocked we were."
"All too well."
"Huh?" Isabel turned to see him leave. "Huh?" She turned to Farlan for an answer and he smiled, nodding. "Thanks, big brother!"
Levi walked down the stairs, passing by some young people who were hanging out there.
The scene closed with a young man playing the guitar.
A montage of Isabel learning to use the 3D gear appeared: excited to try it on for the first time and hanging upside down in the next one with Farlan and Levi standing by with arms crossed.
"Look familiar, Eren?"
"Shut up, Connie."
Isabel held the fully healed bird happily and Levi threw open a window, white cloths covering his head and most of his face. The three stood around, holding brooms. Isabel did not appear too pleased, the bird hanging out on her head.
The group giggled at that.
Isabel tore into her bread as the three sat outside. She coughed and beat her chest before offering the loaf to Levi. He pushed her face back, ruffling her hair.
Levi felt his heart fill with joy at the good times and pain from the loss. Knowing what was going to happen, the wait, was the worst. But he also didn't want to reach that scene either.
They're going to die. Mikasa recognized the look on his face. She could not bring herself to feel any satisfaction knowing he would go through the same thing she and Eren had gone through. Being forced to live through her tragedy, knowing what was going to happen, she may have wished it on him in the heat of the moment when they were watching her story but she didn't know. It's just cruel.
Isabel flew, a little awkward, over the cheering group of men with Levi and Farlan following. She held out her arms, eyes closed, a smile on her face. The three stood below a massive hole in the ceiling through which sunlight shone down. Isabel released the bird. A white feather floated down and landed gently in a dirty puddle.
The trio was walking toward their home when they stopped, noticing a tall, well-dressed man checking his pocket watch. He put it away and saw them. "What's the deal, old man?" Isabel asked. "You want something?"
"I've come for a job request."
Disappointment and dread filled Levi's stomach. Already? He was hoping to have more time with his friends.
"Didn't you get the wrong house? This is not a handyman shop," Farlan said.
"I promise you a reward."
Levi replied immediately, "Go home!" Though a little taken back, Isabel and Farlan followed him without a word.
"I've already paid the deposit though."
That grabbed their attention.
Jean had a bad feeling about it. He recalled how emotionless Levi had been, discovering his dead squad. The expedition, the threat of the Female Titan, had forced him to damper his emotions and prioritize recovering their biggest asset over avenging his team. How he was going to react after his friends died when he hadn't dealt with death on a monthly basis, he found himself curious to know. This is from six years ago. He wondered if within a few years, he too would become apathetic after all the death.
"You're kidding, right?" Farlan said. "This is the first time we've seen you."
"That's true. But you should already know…" The man turned his head to look at a red and yellow carriage across the street. "…about him." A man brought Jan to the carriage where the other man waited.
"Jan!" Farlan called out.
"His leg is already at its limit. He needs to get treatment at a hospital on the surface… Isn't that right, Levi?"
"What's the meaning of this?" Farlan demanded.
Ymir's eyes narrowed, "I smell trouble."
"Maybe it's good," Connie offered optimistically. They looked at him skeptically. "...Yeah I didn't really think so."
"After all..." Armin trailed not, glancing at Levi. Isabel and Farlan. Petra never mentioned them when she was telling Eren about Corporal Levi's past. He hadn't said a word about them either. And from the expressions Levi had been sporting, a mix of astonishment, joy, and sorrow, it wasn't difficult to guess the two had passed away.
Petra was having similar thoughts. Not to mention, Candy said fair's fair. Which meant since they weren't allowed to skip parts of the episode with Mikasa's history, they couldn't with Levi's. And likely it was for the same reason. Poor Levi. He just saw us die and now he has to watch his friends die again.
"I told you, didn't I? It's a deposit for the job. You'll listen to the details now, right?"
"Fine, then," Levi said.
The two men in hats carried Jan into the carriage.
The gray-haired man led them up the 11th Stairway in silence. Light poured onto the platform before them as they neared the exit. Hands up, they shielded their eyes for a few seconds. A carriage waited at the top of the stairs a few yards before them. "Are these the guys?" A deep, masculine voice asked.
"Yes, I've heard they're excellent."
Inside the red carriage with a golden lion figure on the side, a hidden man with a small mustache sat.
"Who the hell are you?" Levi asked.
"It's understandable that you're wary of me. But you'll learn it's okay to trust me."
Farlan scoffed, "How could we?"
"The fact that I'm here says everything. I'm at great risk just by being here. Have you received the deposit already?"
"I don't know how things work on top, but in our world it's called taking a hostage."
"That's just a contingency plan we laid in place. When you have successfully completed the job, you won't only be getting a large sum of money… But also, citizenship on the surface."
Isabel and Farlan gasped.
"Is that how they reach the surface and become part of the Corp?" Christa wondered.
"I don't know but I'm not sure about this guy," Eren said.
"Do you ever regret accepting the offer, Levi?" Hange asked him.
"At the time, we were convinced we'd regret not taking the chance."
"Do you now?" Erwin asked but received no reply.
The three checked their gear and a man left, pulling on his coat.
"Levi, everything's ready," Farlan said.
They walked through the street.
"We got confirmation on Jan. He's in a first-rate hospital. The identity of that man is also confirmed. This job is the real thing!" Farlan said.
"We gonna do it, Levi?"
Levi was scowling.
A flashback to their meeting with the nobleman appeared.
"I'll tell you one thing…"
Levi and the others stopped.
Regardless of whether you accept this job or not, the target will still make contact. In other words, you can't remain unrelated in this matter."
"Big brother…" Isabel said as they walked through the streets.
"Carry on as normal. But if, they appear just like he said they would… We'll start the job."
A cute black dog appeared on the screen. "Come here," a man said and the dog looked over. He crouched, "Here… Huh?"
They giggled when the dog turned and walked away instead.
Was it a part of the plan? Hange mused. Send in a cute dog to distract one or two persons, moving them away from the cart and making it easier for the ground crew to snatch the goods and flee.
"What the hell are you doing?" A man demanded, standing next to a cart loaded with crates.
"I'm sorry," he said sheepishly.
"I see," Petra said. "Now we're at the point where the episode began."
What's this job they're supposed to do? Jean thought.
They leaned forward, curious to see where it would go.
Three pairs of feet ran. They flew over the cart and knocked the cargo to the ground. Apples and packets of food fell out. A young man snatched some up and ran off.
"Hey, hold it!"
"Bastard!"
"They had us! It's those pests again!" The merchant yelled.
"There they are," another man pointed. "Some call the Military Police!"
Levi, Farlan, and Isabel flew away. "Yahoo!" Isabel yelled.
Farlan looked over his shoulder, "Levi! They're here! The pursuers!"
Levi looked over his shoulder to see the multiple figures in military uniform chasing after them. Behind the MP soldiers that were following them were four cloaked figures.
Petra gaped, "I bet they're Scouts!"
"Heh," Isabel smirked. "The Military Police again? Haven't learned their lesson, have they?" She turned forward. "Hey, Levi! What I said was a cool line, wasn't it, big bro?"
"Are you an idiot?"
The group laughed at the bummed out look on Isabel's face.
If they are Scouts, can they beat them? Eren wanted to know how good they were even before they'd had formal training. If Captain Levi trained them they must be really good.
Levi executed a maneuver and turned a corner and the Military Policemen fumbled midair to keep up.
They rolled their eyes.
The cloaked figures followed them with ease. Levi's fingers moved in quick, precise movements.
"Whoa!'"
The hooks shot into the walls on either side of him and Levi stopped and drew back as two figures flew past him.
"That is so fucking cool!"
Levi flipped back and flew away, joining his friends.
"Those movements…" Farlan looked behind him. "They're not the Military Police!"
"Yeah… No mistake," Levi said. "It's them. The Wings of Freedom crest…" He recalled Erwin turned to look at him, his face mostly hidden by the hood. "The Survey Corps!"
"Commander Erwin!"
"You're the target," Armin said.
The four Scouts came after the trio.
"What? Really!"
"Shh!"
"Heh," Farlan smirked. "As people who battle the Titans, they're as different as expected."
"You guys… You know, right?" Levi said.
"Of course," Isabel replied confidently.
"It's the job, right?" Farlan said. Then he and Isabel split off.
Two Scouts chased after them and the other two followed Levi.
Faces eager, they glued their eyes to the TV, wondering if he what amazing maneuver he could perform in a city.
Now then, let me see how good… Levi began his evasion. …the Survey Corps really is! Heflew close to the ground before moving up and over a railing, through a crawl space, running in the dark path, and jumping out of a hole in the wall.
"That's so fucking crazy!" Eren yelled.
"Yes." Mikasa couldn't keep the impressed look off her face.
Jean gaped. "How did you do that?!"
"Maybe he's not really human," Armin said jokingly.
"He's got his own level of badass," Sasha declared.
"Can't argue with that," Ymir agreed.
"He's so amazing," Christa gushed.
Connie had stars in his eyes. "He's totally my hero!"
Petra turned to Levi, "Looks like you're going to have some very devoted fans after this."
Levi snorted.
"Just you wait," Hange winked at Petra.
Erwin thought back to their first expedition, smiling in amusement, as he resumed the episode. They haven't seen nothing yet.
Levi jumped out the building's window. Erwin ran out of an alley before him, surprising him, and he quickly shot up and over the building across from him. He glanced back to see Erwin land on the roof of the building he came out of before looking forward, flying under the cover of a wooden structure.
Suddenly, it collapsed over him as Mike attacked.
"Did he get him?!"
"No way!"
Mike forced Levi in a downward arch and sent him into a cart stacked high with empty crates. He skidded on his feet as the fallen crates broke around him.
Levi slid on his back. He brought his hands up, springing himself and flipping back to his feet. Hand shooting behind his back, he flicked out his knife, grabbing it as it spun and swiping at Mike.
A few people actually squealed.
Mike snapped his head back to dodge, making a surprised sound when the next attack sent his sword flying.
"Did he just disarm him with a knife?!"
"Shush!"
Mike brought up his other sword and Levi gripped the knife with both hands, charging. Erwin came down from above, blocking him. He pushed Levi back and went right for him, holding his sword to the short man's face. Levi's scowl deepened in determination as he grunted.
"Stop it. Take a look around you."
Levi's eyes darted to the side, seeing a male and female Scout escorting a subdued Farlan and a struggling Isabel.
"Let me go…you bastard!" Isabel cursed. "Damn it all!"
"Levi!" Farlan yelled.
Levi shifted his gaze back and slow released the grip on his knife, letting it fall to the ground. He and Erwin stepped back. "You're quick at reading the situation."
Levi glared at him.
"This was all just part of the plan, though, right?" Armin said.
"Probably. No way would he have been able to defeat Corporal Levi otherwise," Connie boasted.
Sasha elbowed him, "Er, no offense, Commander."
Erwin didn't reply.
Jean snickered, "I think he took offense."
Probably it was part of the plan, getting captured. Mikasa found it a little suspicious how quickly the fight was over. Fighting and then pretending to lose, no it was much easier to let it play out this way, fighting but not losing and only giving in because his friends were captured.
Mike placed the black handcuffs on Levi and stepped back. Isabel and Farlan were on their knees to Levi's right. Erwin stood before them. "I'll ask a few questions." He held up the handle of his 3D gear. "Where did you get this?"
None of them said a word.
"You guys are skilled with 3D Maneuver Gear. Who taught you all that?"
Again, the three kept silent.
Erwin walked toward Levi, "You're the leader, right?" Levi didn't say a word, head bowed, hair covering his face. "Were you trained in the military?"
Levi glared at him. Mike grabbed the back of his head, bring him and slamming his face down into a dirty puddle.
Farlan and Isabel gasped and she said, "Bastard!"
"Jeez," Petra muttered. Next to her, she noticed Levi was less than pleased at having his face shoved into the disgusting, black water. He probably scrubbed it three times the first chance he got.
"I'll ask one more time. Where did you learn to use the 3D Maneuver Gear?" Erwin asked.
"Not from anyone!" Farlan finally spoke. "We learnt it by ourselves!"
"Really?"
"Shouldn't be surprised really at this point."
"Self-taught, you say? I don't buy it."
"It's just so we're able to rise even a bit in this dirty garbage place! People like you guys who're used to sunlight won't understand."
Farlan's words gave them pause. They had never really thought about how much we take the sun for granted.
To these people, it's a privilege. Armin agreed with Eren that they were trapped in the Walls. But for the people living in the Underground, we're living the good life. Free. It put things into perspective.
When you think about it, we've had it pretty good. Eren had never really thought about.
"That's enough! Let big brother go! Don't be cocky just because you're soldiers!"
Erwin's eyes moved away from them. Levi glared furiously, one side of his face in the dirty water. Mike pulled him up. Water dripped from his face.
Levi felt the urge to wipe his face.
Erwin knelt in the puddle, "My name is Erwin Smith. And yours is?"
Ymir caught it immediately. They thought the commander was looking down on them. But he knelt, in the same dirty puddle, reaching their level and talking to them as equals. Did he really mean to state he didn't think he was above them or was he just being clever?
"Levi."
"Levi," Erwin said. "Why don't we make a deal?"
"A deal?"
"I will let your crimes go unpunished. In return, lend me your strength. Join the Survey Corps."
"How could you get their crimes dismissed?" Armin asked the commander.
"They weren't dismissed per se. The MP were happy to make Levi and his friends the Corps' problem. Worst crime they committed was stealing."
Levi didn't bother correcting him on the last part. It might be the worst his friends did. Not him.
"I really doubt they could have caught the three themselves," Hange said. "The Military Police was probably happy to let the Corps catch them and deal with them. Levi and his friends couldn't cause trouble anymore so as far as they were concerned, the headache was taken care of and they could close the case."
"So joining the Survey Corps was punishment?" Petra asked.
"I can see them looking at it that way, yes," Erwin said.
"They probably assumed the high mortality rate would take care of it," Ymir said.
Levi and the others looked somewhat surprised. "And if I refuse?'
"The Military Police will have you. Considering your crimes, you and your friends," Erwin stood and walked away, "won't be treated nicely." He stopped and turned to them. "Choose whichever you prefer."
"Fine." Levi spat, shaking the water from his hair, and glared furiously. "I'll join the Survey Corps."
The scene closed with the two of them staring each other down.
I'd probably change my offer. Worried he might kill me in my sleep. Connie thought.
"There's one more part, right?" Eren said.
"Yeah," Petra nodded.
They were all looking forward to seeing Humanity's Strongest Soldier on his first expedition.
Everyone except Levi who was bracing himself.
Please Review~