A/N: hey y'all I'm still alive! *waves* Sorry about the wait, but I've been working as a third party merchandiser/vendor for the last couple of months, so that's been taking up most of my time lately. And the other reason updates have been lacking: my USB drive containing all my writings (existing and prewritten material) and pix broke so I lost everything. Lucky for me, I had backups so I've been slowly rebuilding all my fics one by one. As you can imagine, that's a work in progress since I've written so much but I'll get it done. Eventually.

Silent reader:

Hey you're back! I can't tell you how lucky I am to have a reader who takes the time to tell me what you're enjoying and what I need to work on. Since I tend to lose myself within my OCs and their different quirks and behaviors, I didn't realize Sierra was coming across as an immature child. That was certainly not my intent. I did take your suggestions and made some minor changes. But keep in mind, she's returning to the Underground, the source of her worst physical and emotional pain. She's tried to stuff her trauma for a very long time. Rape survivors aren't the nicest people and you've witnessed this as the story's progressed. She runs the gambit of symptoms: (burying herself in her work, exhibiting violent, sadistic tendencies, PTSD, hypervigilance, aggression towards men, adverse to touch except for a select trusted few). That buried pain has ways of surfacing beyond her control and she hates that, but it can't be helped. Her instinct when confronted with emotions is to lash out or get verbally aggressive.

Even Levi didn't stay like a stone forever when he was confronted by his past. He changed a lot after his confrontation with Kenny and remained affected by his death. So in the future if Sierra starts acting up then it's for a good reason. Besides, she didn't have anyone who cared enough like Levi or Eren to save her from the Underground sex industry. But once secrets start coming to light, I think certain behaviors and attitudes will begin making sense to the characters closest to her. They suspected something big must've happened, esp Levi. He's taking mental notes but he isn't sure if he wants to get involved. However, due to the fact things are getting more dangerous, he needs to know where she's at mentally. And I don't think he's gonna be ready when he finds out.

Anyway, big titan hugs go out to the 99 reviews, 232 faves and 318 follows! I really appreciate everyone's love and patience with this story. As always, enjoy and review!

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Underground District – Scout supply room

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Time stood still. For a few moments there was nothing but stunned silence at the revelation that Christa Lenz was the key to humanity's future. Then Sierra shook her head, dispelling the choking tension filling the room.

"Hange. You said Erwin sent several groups out to warn surrounding villages to warn them of titan attacks. Which group was Lenz in?"

"The southern one. Why?"

In a rare display of concern, Sierra grabbed her friend's arm, tone urgent. "Did they have 3D gear on?"

Hange shook her head.

"No. They were ordered by Erwin to wait in the mess hall until further notice out of uniform. But now that the titans have launched their attack-"

"-they were forced out into the open. Without mobility." Silver eyes flashed as Sierra clicked the pieces together. "Damn it!" All because that bastard wanted to flush out possible moles within the 104th. Great. Sierra pinched the bridge of her nose, unease filling her gut. What a mess.

Levi nudged Nick none to gently in the back. "You better start praying to whatever God you believe in priest, that we get to Lenz before she gets killed. Otherwise…"

Nick swallowed, bowing his head. "All will be lost."

"And it's gonna be yer ass if that happens, Nicky."

The priest remained silent, but Sierra knew telling the Scouts even this small detail of the true royal heir's name would put him in the King's crosshairs. The longer Nick remained with the Corps he was a dead man walking. But Hange had arranged for the elderly man to be put into protective custody while they went to retrieve Historia. Sierra doubted he'd stay safe for long. If the Interior Police get involved, there's little we can do to stop them. But she didn't voice this thought out loud. Levi would be close by. Very little got past the former street thug.

Once again, the small voice in the back of her mind praised the young woman for her lessening hostility towards the short man. See? You haven't lashed out at Levi for a while. That's good. He's not going to harm you. In fact, he'd rather die than see one of his comrades hurt.

Whoa now. Don't get too ahead of yourself. He's still a man. Puts his pants on one leg at a time, same as everyone else. But there was no true heat in Sierra's mental rejoinder. Arms crossed she stood with one hip cocked the other relaxed as she conversed with her peers. A growing sense of unease blossomed in her gut and she wondered what it could mean.

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Jarell Wolf strode down the dirt-packed path as if he owned it. Beside him, his aide Giselle Zimmerman pressed as close to his side as she dared, unable to hide her growing distaste for the unwashed, haggard masses of the slums. Her boss was setting a steady, unrelenting pace that carried the pair deeper into hostile territory and she silently thanked God she stood at the taller side of the spectrum.

The passage led them until it split into a fork. One way continued straight that would take a traveler directly into the seedy heart of the District. The other branched off towards a series of supply rooms and stables strictly reserved for military personnel.

Giselle's anxiety grew as her boss deviated from the main road and strode into the quieter path. It was unlit save for torches which hung at odd intervals along the stone arches.

They quietly padded down this new passage, torch flames sputtering in their sconces. Giselle squinted at a strange patch of light further down the path. It emanated from an open door not a scant fourteen steps away when Jarell ground to a halt.

"-provide you with a name. An individual who the sacred will in its divine wisdom instructed to monitor."

Jarell's eyes widened at the male speaking in the familiar clerical cadences of a Wallist. Pastor Nick.

"Monitored?"

Damn it. He recognized Hange Zoe's distinct voice which was surprisingly low and urgent. He realized with a sick start that the man was talking. So much for his vow of silence.

"Sarge?" Giselle whispered, unease fluttering in her gut. She wanted to flee this place. Get back to the surface, breathe clean air and never give the sewers a second look. The unpleasant smell of squalor and human misery was too overwhelming, and she hated it. Only Jarell's steadying presence prevented her from abandoning her duties. "What's wr-?"

He silenced her by placing a finger to his lips. Motioned for her to remain at the entrance while he pushed in for a closer listen.

She nodded once in acknowledgement, stress pinning her tongue to the roof of her mouth. Please hurry Sarge. I wanna get outta here.

Jarell crept toward the opening as stealthily as he could. As he drew closer, he began to hear the bustle of human activity. Voices drifted out into the passageway. He settled against the wall, his sensitive ears wasted no time homing in on the conversation taking place. What he heard froze him in his tracks.

"It's a person you know. Someone who enlisted in the Scouting Regimen as of this year."

Jarell gritted his teeth, curling the hand supporting him on the wall into a fist. Don't say it old man. Hold your tongue.

He heard someone suck in a sharp breath and braced himself for the bombshell that would compel him to act.

"Her name is Historia Reiss. You must find her with all haste. She is the key. She may know things we understand, but poorly. And with that we come to the end of what I'm free to share. The rest I leave in your capable hands!"

Jarell staggered back feeling like he'd been sucker punched. What? Reiss? What's he talking about? Why is she so important that the Church would keep this from the King? Does…does the King even KNOW about this? A cold chill skated down his spine.

"Well then what the hell we standin' around for?" Sierra's voice snapped him out of his mini trance and he pressed his ear against the stone wall, knowing the risk of being caught increased twofold the longer he remained in the corridor. But this was crucial. His entire mission hinged on this conversation. "Let's go already! It'll be dawn soon and if they're at Castle Utguard, with no backup or gear, the kids are gonna die!"

Utguard. Damn it all to hell. Jarell shoved away from the wall. He'd heard enough. The man spun on his heel and ran duster flapping, towards the entrance. He'd gone not more than a dozen strides before the passage lit up with the flare of torchlight.

"Hey! Who goes there! Stop!"

He ignored Sierra's shout and pumped his legs faster, thanking his lucky stars he'd had the foresight to disguise himself.

He blew past the entrance startling Giselle who was anxiously waiting for his return. "Sir?! What's wr-"

Jarell grabbed her wrist and yanked her along his grip tight and unyielding. That frightened his aide even more who started panicking. "Sarge! You're hurting me! What's going on?"

"Just keep running!" He growled as he kept his eyes peeled for the main entrance. Got to get out, got to get out, can't get caught down here! All too soon the faint sound of horses' hooves in the passage they'd just deserted grew increasingly thunderous as they followed the same route the pair were currently on.

Giselle burst into tears as they rushed through the final lap of the corridor emerging from the side entrance. Not a few moments later the whinnying of horses and galloping hooves blew through, causing Jarell to spin against the wall, yanking his aide off her feet and pressing her to the cut stone, shielding her quaking form with his much larger frame.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, ya almost ran us over dumbasses!" He bellowed at the retreating company anger sharpening his tones.

"Sorry sir! Please excuse us!" A tall bespectacled male shouted back, apology coloring his voice. Then the Scouts were gone, pounding around the corner to the surface on their mad dash to Castle Utguard.

Jarell waited until he could no longer hear the horses then turned his attention to Giselle.

She was shaking, salty tears pouring out of her olive eyes. He noticed the angry red print on her wrist from his hand. Guilt pierced his chest as he gently reached out to soothe his distraught aide.

"Shhh, honey. It's okay. I'm here. They're gone, it's okay. It's over now."

Giselle buried her wet face in his chest and sobbed. She felt her feet leave the ground as her boss swept her up, cradling her to his chest as he made his way back to the Underground's main thoroughfare crooning soft sounds into her hair. Finding a crate a few feet from the mouth of the passage he sat down and just held her as she released her tension and fears into the soft fabric of his button up shirt.

She felt one of his large hands cup her wrist, a heated curse leaving his lips as he surveyed the damage. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I was far too rough, I-I didn't mean-"

"No," she laid her small hand on his arm, eyes watery as she sniffed away her tears. The feeling of being safe sent warmth crawling through her veins, dispersing the sense of numb distress out of her system. "Don't. It's not your fault. You-you did what you needed to do." She cursed internally that this was the second time in the span of thirty minutes the Sarge had to comfort her in the field. Stop being so pathetic Zimmerman, or he's gonna have you replaced!

He sat there quietly enough but she could tell his shoulders were tense. "This isn't over. Not by a long shot. They know."

Her eyes widened. "Sarge, you don't mean-"

"Yes." Steel glinted in his slate grey eyes. "The Pastor gave it up. They know the beginning of the truth. We gotta get back right away." He glanced down. "You said my report's due in two days?" She nodded, tears drying on her cheeks. "Forget it. I'm giving it as soon as we get out of this hole. Can you stand?"

Giselle nodded wiping her eyes and blowing her nose with a pocket kerchief. "Yes sir."

"Then stay close. Time is of the essence, and we've got no more to waste."

Without another word, the pair set off at a brisk trot, slowing from time to time as Giselle was a bit wobbly after her breakdown. But the second they cleared the Underground stairs, she let out a shaky sigh of relief at the smell of clean air.

"Hey." The tall woman glanced over at her boss who was appraising her with concern. "Go to the infirmary and get that looked at," he said, pointing to her reddened wrist. "Then you're dismissed. I'll report to the King tonight. Get some rest."

A quiet "yes Sarge" greeted his command. They continued into the city the urgency of their errand providing fuel to their tired limbs. Jarell briefly glanced at his exhausted aide then refocused on the road. After what just transpired downstairs, it became painfully clear to the senior officer that the young woman trudging next to him wasn't cut out for the field. With things heating up, it was imperative tough minds and bodies were required if the rebellion against the Crown wasn't quelled. Maybe she isn't for the field, but she could serve as my office aide. But the selection process is a pain in the ass and I don't have time to waste. I'll have to ask the King for another soldier. One who's not easily rattled. He let out a deep sigh. This was NOT going to be fun.

Underground supply room

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"Her name is Historia Reiss." Pastor Nick revealed to the stunned Scouts, not knowing the ramifications of his words. He clasped his trembling hands together almost-Sierra thought-in supplication. "You must find her with all haste. She is the key. She may know things we understand, but poorly. And with that we come to the end of what I'm free to share. The rest I leave in your capable hands!"

The storage room was silent for a few moments as elites and cadets alike absorbed the startling revelation of their fellow soldier. "Well then, what the hell we standin' around for?" Sierra snapped. "Let's go already! It'll be dawn soon and if they're at Castle Utguard, with no backup or gear, the kids are gonna die!" She stopped when a slight rustling followed by hurrying footsteps caught her ear. The short woman sprang into action, grabbing a torch from the wall.

"Oi!" Levi rumbled. "What is it?"

Sierra thrust her arm into the passage, chasing the shadows from the walls as she peered around the door frame. Just in time to catch a tall figure sprinting away down the passage. The person was huge whoever they were. And judging by the heavy tread, it sounded like a man. "Hey!" she bellowed after the mystery person. "Who goes there?! Stop!"

But the dark figure ignored her commanding shout, redoubling their speed. "Major?" Eren started to ask, when Sierra ran back into the room.

"Someone's out there! They're hauling ass for the main entrance!"

Hange leaned forward, light glinting off her lenses. "Are you serious? Did they hear anything?"

"They must've. We gotta go hag. Right now." Sierra swung around to pin the startled recruits with her silver gaze. "Alright maggots! Everyone to the horses, we leave for Castle Utguard, stat!"

"Y'all heard what she said!" A strong male voice cut through the kids' stupor. "Let's move people!" Amid the scramble to grab last minute things Sierra swung into her saddle, Slate whinnying at his mistress raring to go. She leaned over, clasping Levi's shoulder.

"Stay here. Watch over Nick. We'll be back soon."

Levi gave her a slight nod, a strange feeling in his chest at the contact she initiated. Oddly enough, not only did he want more, the longing to reciprocate her touch resurfaced. He hadn't felt the urge since the mess hall. But now wasn't the time. He'd have to bite his tongue and be patient.

Sierra sensed a slight change in Levi's demeanor, a subtle shift that in the urgency of the moment she had no time to ponder. She'd have to wait until she returned from Utguard to find out.

Maybe.

She squeezed his shoulder rolling her eyes as she did. "Don't worry, bastard. You've got the easy job."

Levi shrugged. "Whatever you say, she-wolf. Just stay alive." He swept the youngish faces in front of him with a stern glare. "All of you."

Hange clapped him on the back. "Relax, shorty. It's us. Like Sierra said, we'll be back before ya know it." Then she raised her voice.

"All troops fall out! Major Sierra and I will lead the way! Be prepared to engage when we reach Utguard!"

"Understood Commander!" The Scouts chorused.

With that, Hange and Sierra thundered out of the supply depot side by side. A loud whoop split the air as the convoy spurred their horses into a full gallop.

Sierra felt her blood begin to stir as they raced down the corridors to the main road and the stairway leading to the surface. At long last, she would be able to blow off some steam. The group rounded a curve in the side passage and Sierra managed to catch a glimpse of a long black coat disappear around the corner. They appeared to be dragging a crying woman behind them as they fled.

Seconds later the group rushed past the side entrance, cloaks billowing as they thundered past.

"Hey! Watch where you're going dumbasses, ya almost ran us over!" Sierra glanced over her shoulder at the powerful male voice accosting them. There pressed against the stone wall was the same tall figure that had rushed away from them mere minutes ago; he seemed to be shielding a woman with his body. With the brim of his newsboy hat pulled low, she couldn't make out his features. But the anger in his baritone voice was palpable.

"Sorry sir! Please excuse us!" Moblit. Sierra thought as the pair faded from sight. Good old Moblit thinking on his feet. Hopefully the elite-because his accent sounded like he came from the richest sector of Sina-wouldn't sic the Military Police on their tails for almost running a surface citizen and his companion over.

In no time, the convoy cleared the Underground and were frantically on their way to Utguard. Even though she wasn't particularly religious, Sierra found herself silently praying they would make it in time.

The ride to Utguard seem to take forever. No matter how much Sierra wanted to push the company, Hange refused to put the group in any unnecessary danger. Then she remembered why: Eren was with them and there would be hell to pay if anything happened to their most valuable asset. Sierra wondered as the night breeze streamed past their faces that she'd be able to witness the kid battle in titan form anytime soon. She didn't realize just how close her wish was to being fulfilled.

"Oi, Sierra. Earth to Sierra!"

She blinked out of her trance at the sound of Hange waving to get her attention.

"What, hag?"

"Who d'you think that was back there? He sounded really pissed."

She cast her mind back to the big man and his strong voice. "Dunno. Probably some rich surface dweller gone slumming."

"You really think that's what it was?"

Suddenly, Sierra straightened in her saddle, mental gears whirring. The image of a big man with a muscular frame back in a Sina alleyway flashed through her mind. His tone sounded familiar. Ditto his build, the swift, nimble way he moved. It can't be. No. I refuse to believe it. Hange noted the change instantly.

"What?"

"Hange, that's him. He's the dark figure that ran away from us when we were talking to Nick earlier and he spilled his guts about Christa."

"Who? The man who shouted at us? Are you sure?"

She nodded half-paying attention as the Scouts galloped down the dirt path leading southsward. The night sky was slowing giving way to the first early rays of dawn. "Positive. I've got an idea who it is, but until I can find a way to confirm, it's just a wild guess." She dug her heels into Slate's flanks and he responded with another burst of speed, cutting off Hange from speculating further. Now wasn't the time. There were titans roaming about and everyone needed to be alert.

"Faster!" Sierra shouted, her strong, rough tones ringing down the column like a trumpet blast. "Go faster! Ride like ya got titans on yer damn heels! It's your heads if we're late!"

The short woman barely finished issuing the order when a mighty rumble shook the ground. A massive cloud of dust whooshed into the early morning sky.

"Ma'am look! The castle's fallen!"

Sierra gritted her teeth at the horrified shout. The company redoubled their pace. As they drew closer to the smoking wreckage, Sierra noticed titans emerging from the rubble of the old castle. And as the party drew closer to the ruin, she could just make out the hazy forms of Braun, Hoover, Springer, and Lenz through the choking dust cloud. Hange met her hard gaze with a short nod.

"Everyone, prepare to engage! Mikasa! Kill that titan! It's gonna eat Christa! We'll be right behind you!"

"On it!"

The black-haired female instantly flew to obey, cutting the nape of the foul creature before it could snatch up its latest morsel.

The second the titan started its ungraceful fall to earth, Sierra swung her feet out of the stirrups and crouched on top of the swaying saddle.

She leapt off Slate's back without waiting for the go ahead, firing her hooks at the nearest nape she could find, blades flashing in the dawn light. A perverse glee rose up as she sliced the monster's neck clean open. Her teeth gleamed as she swung to her next victim, blades stained with blood. The Titan Ripper was loose.

Hange drew her paring blade issuing orders as she did so.

"Disperse and canvas the area! The rest of you follow me to where the titans are gathering and cut them down!"

"Got it!" A man with short brown hair called back.

Someone fired their hooks without hesitation. Hange caught sight of brown hair and teal eyes flash by her position. "Wait!" She yelled after the reckless cadet. "You're not part of the offensive!"

Sierra smirked as she flew to another titan, making short work of its nape. Too late hag. Let the kid have some fun already.

"Die!" Eren roared as his blades found their mark. He quickly spun away from the titan as it fell hooting at his success.

"Haha! My very first ODM kill!" The boy exulted feeling the adrenaline rush shoot through his body. Right before another hook slammed into his and he fell towards the ruined earth.

"Idiot! I told you to fall back!"

"Sorry sir!" Eren yelled, then winced as a sharp pain in his rear made itself known. "Ow, damn!" He mumbled. Stupid killjoy, why'd he have to do-

"Hey!" Connie's loud voice sliced through his mental grumbling. Eren glanced over, teal eyes widening in relief and shock at the sight of his friends running towards him. "Eren!"

The shifter sat up. "We found 'em!" Oh, thank God! We made it just in time!

His relief was so complete he paid no mind to the Scouts suppressing the titan threat with Mikasa, Hange and Sierra leading the charge. Five minutes later, the danger was past. But that didn't mean the convoy was out of the woods just yet. The sun was up and the risk of getting caught out in the open with wounded was a fast way to get eaten should the titans return. The silence after the chaotic noise of battle was eerie. Scouts stood on every perch they could find including the ground. Watched as the titan corpses smoldered in the rising sun, cloaks rippling in the breeze, blades drawn.

Sierra walked over to where an injured Ymir lay with her right forearm and leg missing. Blood stained her white shirt with burn marks all over her neck and face. Hange and Christa knelt on either side of the dark-skinned woman, the tiny blond girl holding the other's hand as tears shined in her sky-blue eyes. I can't believe it. She's just like Eren. Another titan shifter. She didn't think her life could get any weirder than it already was. Just how many more are there, lurking in the shadows?

Sierra drew to a halt behind Hange's shoulder looking down at the barely conscious shifter. Christa tremulously called the taller woman's name.

"Ymir?"

Much to the smaller's relief the older female cracked both eyes open, too tired to speak. That was enough for Christa.

"Just as promised," the girl said softly, the hand not occupied with Ymir's gently resting on the woman's bloody stomach. "My real name is Historia."

Sierra closed her eyes, expelling a quiet breath. One she hadn't realized she'd been holding till that moment. Nick's information had paid off. The key they'd fought and their comrades died for was safe and finally in their hands.

Now all we gotta do is make it back to the wall in one piece. Not knowing that in another short span of time, hers and the Scouts' world was about to be upended yet again with a startling discovery.

TBC…

A/N pt 2: Whew! That was quite the ride! As you can tell from this chapter, business is starting to pick up. With Jarell on his way to the King, it's only a matter of time before Kenny the Ripper and the Anti-Personnel Suppression Squad makes their grand entrance. That should be fun considering Levi and Sierra have a bone to pick with him. Big titan hugs to all my loyals who've made this story into what it is today. Love ya guys!