Chapter 2: Thunder Spears
Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin
Previously: The Survey Corps group returns and are excited to watch the mission to retake Wall Maria.
Update Schedule: I forgot to clarify last chapter there's no set schedule. It will probably be more or less the same (this time I just had some things to deal with that kept delaying this chapter). Anyway, I hope you're all doing well. I'm able to work from home so it's been fine for me. Stay safe!
A large group of Titans stood to the left and right of the Beast Titan.
Up on the Wall, their hoods up, the Scouts stared.
"If I die," Connie spoke up, "I'm totally going to ugly cry, I'm warning you now."
"Just don't get any snot on me," Ymir said, though Historia sat between the two of them.
Connie grinned and said, "I'll make sure to project in your direction."
Levi came up behind the commander. "Erwin, he's gonna climb up." He looked off to the side, Erwin and Armin doing the same.
On the ground, the Armored Titan crouched, releasing steam. White crystal appeared over his hands, lengthening into long, pointy fingernails over his hands and feet. Suddenly he took off towards the Wall. Planting his foot into the wall, he began to climb.
"All troops!" Erwin said to the soldiers as the Armored Titan's clawed hand dug into the Wall. "Avoid clashing with the Armored Titan! Stay away from him!"
"Roger!"
"Hange, why didn't he signal to attack?" Eren and his group stood further along Wall Maria, watching Reiner's Titan scale it. "What's he thinking?"
"He's watching the enemy's movements," Hange explained, staring out at the Beast Titan and his horde. "Because Reiner and his friends prepared some sort of grand welcome for us."
I'll bet they did. Levi thought. We'll make sure to pay them back in kind.
Erwin noticed the Titan to the Beast's right. It was on its hands and feet. That quadruped type is carrying luggage on its saddle. It wasn't one of those that just transformed. In which case, is that the enemy's scout? If it took notice of our approach and informed Reiner, that must mean… He imagined the small Titan spying on them in the forest.
Historia pointed. "There's the Cart Titan."
Petra nodded. "So it was the one spying on us and told the Beast Titan about our approach."
"If we can somehow capture all of them," Eren began, "we can severely cripple Marley's power without even having to feed those Shifters and transfer their power over to soldiers from our side. They'll only have the War Hammer Titan left."
"The War Hammer sounds like a tough one," Sasha said, conjuring up the image of an Armored-type Titan running around carrying a giant hammer. "Glad that one's not around."
"But they still have an army and superior technology and possibly allies," Erwin pointed out. "At the very least, even the nations who do not like them might band together with them just to destroy us."
"We've talked about it but we really should look into getting some friends too," Hange put in. "Won't be easy, though."
"But first we'll need to deal with this group," Levi said. "The rest can come after."
Levi pulled up his hood.
"That quadruped type down there is an intelligent Titan," Erwin said, startling Levi and Armin. "No, there might even be others."
"So we're sure the scary-sounding one won't be there?" Sasha asked. "Cause things could change and we might end up with that one instead of the Cart Titan."
"No," Armin said, "it's like we discussed before. There's only one Titan-Shifter unaccounted for and it sounds like a combat-type. Marley won't keep a support-type Titan home and send out all of their fighting types, leaving the place undefended. Titans are their unique weapons that no other nations possess, after all. It's not smart to send out their remaining fighting type Titan."
"Oh yeah. Good point."
That Titan…has luggage? Armin thought. Two barrels showed on the Titan's back. What could it be?
Bringing up his elongated arm, the Beast Titan roared as he brought it down on the earth, creating a fissure and causing birds to flee from the nearby trees. On his signal, the smaller Titans began to charge.
"They're moving!" Hange called out. "Multiple two- to three-meters approaching!"
Connie burst into laughter. "I'm sorry but I can't hold it in!"
"I'd be so scared out there, but here," Historia giggled, "it looks so funny."
It got the rest of them laughing as well.
"They're so terrifying when you're facing them," Jean said, "but man, they're pretty hilarious when you're not running for your life."
"I used to love this duality of theirs." Hange sighed, thinking of a simpler time.
It's just like the raid at Utgard Castle… Erwin observed the horses below. They'll go after the horses first. Their primary objective is to capture Eren, but… To achieve that, they'll take away our only escape option.
"So," Eren said, "he's not a particularly imaginative guy, Zeke. Just rehashing the same thing."
"Don't underestimate your opponent and get stuck in outdated thinking," Petra warned him. "They could have other surprises we haven't seen yet."
A drawing appeared on the screen: Eren's crystallized Titan blocking the hole in the outer gate of Wall Maria, the Scouts atop the inner gate of Wall Maria with Reiner on the Shinganshina side and the horses and some Scouts in the town on the opposite side, finally there was the Beast Titan with his group creating a half-circle at the end of the town thus trapping the group within that space.
With Wall Maria still being deep in Titan territory, Erwin thought, we have no means to get back without horses. Just by killing our horses, it completely blocks our escape and severs our supply line.
Hange memorized that image and doodled it before she could forget. She could ask Erwin to pause but it was necessary. They would probably end up talking and wasting time at some point. No need to waste any more time now when she could easily remember the map on her own and note it down.
Levi noticed her religious note-taking. "We'll hope for this same scenario and battle plan from them but prepare for anything else they might come up with." He had taken it upon himself to ensure they didn't get too focused on what they saw on the TV and only prepare for that. "With the changes we made, we can't blindly trust what we see. We have to be flexible."
"I know," she agreed, finishing up the drawing. "All we can do is hope we kept it enough on track that they make a lot of the same decisions so we're able to counter with ease them because the same scenario plays out."
The TV showed soldiers sitting with despairing looks on their faces, Titans surrounding them in the distance. Whether it takes one week or a month, they can simply wait until there's nobody who can move. In Erwin's vision, Eren sat cross-legged, head down. Without any of the risks of battle, they can waltz in and take Eren once he's too weak to resist.
Erwin gazed at the taller Titans that stood immobile. Right now, the fact that all those larger Titans are staying in formation is proof that their only purpose is to cage us in.
"Commander!" Armin said quickly. "The Armored Titan is close! And we still don't know where Bertolt is!"
"Yeah, I know," Erwin said, still deep in his thoughts. At this point, what I fear most…is that Reiner and Bertolt slaughter our horses unchecked. Therefore… He straightened.
"Are you finally ready to say something?" Levi asked. "I could've had breakfast during the wait."
They giggled at his casual response.
"Everyone's tense as hell but he's making jokes."
"That's Captain Levi for you."
"Dirk Squad and Marlene Squad! Protect the horses at the gate with Klaus Squad!" Erwin turned to his left and pointed his sword. "Levi Squad and Hange Squad! Take down the Armored Titan! Employ the Thunder Spears at your own discretion!"
"Thunder Spears?" Eren echoed, curious. "That sounds awesome."
A trio of soldiers stood with long gray tubes on their backs.
"What are those things?" Petra said. "A weapon? A tool?"
"They look kinda plain," Ymir said, wondering what their purpose was.
"Could it be some sort of concentrated ultrahard steel spear?" Sasha threw out a guess.
"No. We've considered something like that already," Hange explained. "You can make it extremely hard and dense but that leads to the metal becoming prone to shattering."
"Achieve your objectives whatever it takes! This moment! This battle! The survival of humanity depends on it! Once more, for humanity…give your hearts!"
More than a few of them were tempted to slam their fists over their heart and answer Erwin's battle rally.
The soldiers jumped from the Wall as they replied, "Yes, sir!"
"Here we go again. Fingers crossed."
"Please don't be like the 57th Expedition! Please don't be like the 57th Expedition!"
"You hear that?!" A Scout on the ground by the horses said after Erwin's proclamation. "Turn the table on the Titans coming for our horses!"
"Sir!" Marlowe said with the others.
Connie recognized him at once. "Hey, it's the mushroom hair guy!"
"Wasn't he in the Military Police?" Mikasa said, remembering Annie compare him to Eren. "What's he doing here?"
"Maybe he transferred," Historia said, shrugging. "That's cool. He mentioned wanting to clean up the Military Police, but I guess he gave up on that and joined us instead."
"Must've figured he'd have an easier time helping us wipe out the Titans instead of cleaning up the corruption in the Military Police," Eren said snarkily.
"Wait! Levi, Armin!" Erwin stopped them. "I did say Levi Squad, but I need you to stay, Levi."
"To protect the horses and not Eren?" Levi asked.
"That's right." Erwin pointed his blade at the Beast Titan. "And to strike him down when the chance comes. You're the only one I can entrust to take on the Beast Titan."
"I hope we get to see Corporal Levi go ham on that giant furball."
"It's gonna be a hell of a fight."
"Nah. It's Corporal Levi. Let's face it, it's gonna be a slaughter."
"Either way, I'm all for it!"
"Understood. Since I failed to kill that armored brat earlier, I'll make up for it with the Beast Titan's head." Levi jumped off and started making his way down.
"He's so cool."
"Zeke's done for."
"Yeah. But fucking Reiner better not survive again."
"I swear if he makes it out I'm going to be convinced he's got a deity watching over him."
"Armin, I have a plan for the Armored Titan."
"Sir."
"There are two halves in this battle for humanity's fate. And one of them…I'm putting on Hange and your shoulders."
Eren reached out and slapped Armin on the back, grinning. "Try not to let all of our people down and get us killed. Our fate may rest in your hands."
"Eren, stop that," Mikasa chided as Armin gulped.
The Armored Titan reached the top of Wall Maria and crouched there, looking out at the Scouts, who were keeping out of reach of the small Titans by staying on the roofs, and also saw the Scouts protecting the horses. They are all gathered in one place, Reiner thought. I'll kill the horses and make a break for it. That's good enough. No matter how strong Captain Levi is, he's still no match for our war chief.
A few of them actually laughed at the claim.
"He's delusional if he—oh, wait, yeah I guess he kind of is."
"Corporal Levi is going to wipe the floor with Zeke."
"I hope so," Historia said eagerly, recalling the deaths of Nanaba and her squadmates from the previous season. Nanaba had been kind and good to her. The others hadn't deserved their fates either.
"I can't wait until Captain Levi squashes their confidence and puts them in their place."
Inside his Titan, Reiner stared ahead, Levi's sword still in his neck. The red muscles pulled it out. That was close…
A diagram showed a brain and the human spine. Yellow illuminance representing Reiner's consciousness moved down from his brain to his spine. If I was any slower transferring my consciousness to my body, I would've died instantly. A sword went through the neck in the drawing after the transfer was done.
"Interesting." Hange was intrigued. "It doesn't matter if the brain gets destroyed. The nape is the most important in their human forms, too. They can transfer their consciousness to their spines. This is very good to know. Image if we took out his brain and let our guard down thinking he was done."
"It's the source of our power," Ymir said, "the spinal fluid. It's why—what did Candy cal it? SanTitan?—it's why that Titan didn't become human because it never ingested Eren's spinal fluid. Only swallowed him whole."
"Is it possible, do you think, if we separated the brain from the spine it would prevent a Shifter from accessing Titan power?" Hange theorized.
"You mean chop off their heads?" Petra asked. "Or do you mean sticking something into their necks?"
"The latter. I'm imagining placing something flat into their napes that will act as a physical barrier between the brain and the spine. Effectively turning them into quadriplegics."
"That would make it easy to detain them," Erwin said. "A simple gag would prevent them from biting their tongues. So with the possibility of physical injury being taken out of the equation, they'll be unable to transform. And without the use of their limbs, they wouldn't even be able to put up a fight."
"We can test it out easily. I'm game," Eren volunteered at once.
"Sounds horrible and unpleasant." Ymir sighed loudly. "Alright fine. But Eren goes first."
"Thanks, you two," Hange said, trying not to let her excitement and curiosity overwhelm her because it was probably going to be very uncomfortable for the two of them.
How did they even think to look inside the Walls? Reiner flashed back to coming out of his secret hiding place and Armin's startled face. Armin? Was it you? He narrowed his eyes. No… It doesn't matter. With this, our long journey is finally coming to an end.
"Oh, it'll come to an end alright," Jean vowed. Just not the end they were expecting or hoping for.
Reiner gasped, noticing Erwin standing a short distance away, eyeing him. Erwin Smith…
"Do you see the look on his face?" Jean asked. "He's not intimidated at all."
"I've said it before, but fuck," Connie said admiringly, "the commander's got balls of steel."
Don't get distracted, Reiner told himself. I've got to kill the horses first.
Lightning erupted behind him in Shinganshina and he looked back. When the steam cleared, the Rogue Titan stood in the middle of the street. Eren! Reiner thought, shocked. Why did he show up unprovoked? They should be painfully aware that he's our main objective. What are you thinking?
"I see," Petra said. "They're dangling juicy bait in front of Reiner hoping he'll bite."
"To change his target from the horses to Eren," Mikasa realized, "who will be able to defend himself." But the horses and the Scouts guarding them would die if the Armored Titan went after them. They had no chance against him.
The Rogue Titan turned and began to run.
To flee south and escape over the Wall? Reiner considered.
A drawing showed Rogue running to the edge of Shinganshina, jumping over, running parallel along the Wall back in the direction he came from and climbing into Wall Maria's territory then heading deeper into the island. If he's alone, he could escape as a Titan to Trost without a horse. And were that to happen, we'd have no reason to stay here and fight. Even if we did manage to annihilate the Scouts, we can't let someone who mastered hardening in two months go back to the Walls.
"Two months," Erwin repeated. Without knowing when the last time the Warriors ran into the Survey Corps, it was difficult to guess when this mission was taking place. If the last time was when Reiner and Bertolt kidnapped Eren, then the mission was around seven to eight weeks away.
"I can master it in two months, huh." Eren still hadn't made any progress with crystalizing his skin, but he was getting better at multiple transformations. The improvements were small but they were there. Knowing he would get there, at a rate that impressed Reiner, made it easier for him to keep his resolve and not lose hope. It was enough to get him through knowing that he was capable of doing it.
An image flashed in Reiner's head of Eren directing a mindless Titan, Mikasa sitting beside him in shock. If he learns how to harness the Coordinate's full power, it'll be too late. No, wait. This is weird… Reiner watched Rogue. If he really was escaping, he would've transformed after using 3D gear to scale the Wall.
Rogue continued to run, the Armored watching him from the Wall.
Why would he transform when Shiganshina is surrounded by Walls? I get it! They're trying to… Reiner glanced back at Erwin, who had a challenging look on his face. …change my target from the horses to Eren! The Armored Titan stared at the commander and Erwin pulled his hood down, not breaking his gaze. Not giving me time to think, are we? Dammit, Commander. And I climbed way up here… The Armored Titan slid down Wall Maria.
Good! Eren thought. He took the bait!
"He wants to use Eren as bait?"
"Yes," Armin confirmed to Hange, "those were Commander Erwin's orders."
"He'd resort to using Eren as bait just to protect the horses?"
"You're kidding…" Mikasa spoke up. "And what if Reiner chooses to kill the horses anyways?"
"No, he should chase Eren," Hange said thoughtfully, bringing up her hand to her chin. The drawing appeared again with Rogue coming up behind the Beast Titan. "If Reiner does go after the horses, Eren will keep going and wrap around behind the Beast Titan." Then came an image of Rogue charging at the Beast from behind with soldiers attacking him from the front. "With Levi, the Scouts, and Eren, they can pincer and fight the Beast Titan. Erwin must have said that, right?"
"Yes."
"Even if it doesn't go as planned, by having Eren flee like that, it'll confuse the enemy enough to break their ranks. It all depends if Reiner can see that far ahead."
Eren remembered Reiner at the chalkboard in the classroom during their trainee years, explaining something. "Knowing him," he said, "I bet that he will."
"Alright!" Hange said and they followed her. "We'll take on the Armored Titan in Shiganshina!"
"Hold on!" Armin threw out his hand. "There's one more thing I'm worried about. Bertolt is still in hiding somewhere."
"Where is he hiding?" Historia could not figure it out.
"I'm also wondering where you are," Armin said, realizing they still hadn't seen her.
"Yeah..." It was driving her crazy too. Everyone was out there putting their lives on the line, fulfilling their duties to the military, and their people and taking part in such a historic event, and she was nowhere to be seen.
"We don't know how far ahead in the future this takes place. Something could have happened—"
"Don't say that," Sasha interrupted Jean, as if him saying it would make it into reality. "Anyway, she could have food poisoning for all we know."
Eren shot down that theory, "We all eat the same food from the mess hall."
"Let's just keep watching." Historia didn't want to waste time. Besides, the more they focused on it the worse she was going to end up feeling. It was going to be anxious and horrible with only wild theories running around instead of the factual truth. Better to just hope the TV could clarify soon. It'll be okay either way. As long as the TV showed what happened to her, whatever catastrophe struck her, she would know to avoid it.
Armin thought back to when Rogue had the Armored Titan in a lock, then the Colossal Titan fell on them from Wall Rose. "The last time they fought, Eren had Reiner on the verge of defeat, but Bertolt's attack caught him off guard and he ended up their captive."
Eren's expression soured, remembering his stolen victory.
"We all know the win was yours," Mikasa comforted him, patting his shoulder.
"It was two on one," Armin added. "So it was cheating."
Rogue stopped and turned, ready to fight the approaching threat. The Armored Titan stalked towards him menacingly.
"It's a simple counter-strategy," Armin continued, "but let's fight away from the Walls.
It might've been a fluke, but I've beaten you once already. Rogue slowly stepped to the side. An old weed-choked fountain stood between the two giants. I had it in the bag. One-on-one, I can win. When it comes to hand-to-hand combat, Annie was a tougher opponent by far! Crystal appeared on his fingers.
"Get him, Eren!"
"Smash his face!"
The Armored Titan ran at him.
"Duck! Duck!"
Ymir winced at the screaming from her couchmates.
Rogue dodged the punch, the force of the swing causing shingles to fly off the roof of the nearby building. Next, the Armored went low and tried to grab his legs but Rogue dodged again, pushing him with his hand. The Armored slid but was on the offensive again.
The others began cheering and yelling.
"Kick his face in!" Hange shouted particularly loudly.
Levi winced at the volume. "He can't hear you. How many times do I have to say that before you stop trying to blow out my eardrums?"
"Makes me feel better!"
Rogue ducked another punch and slammed his fist into the Armored's face. Do you have any idea…where we're standing right now?! Pieces of the yellow plating cracked.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!"
"Another one! Do it again!"
"Oh, I love these slow-motion punches. So satisfying."
"Keep doing that!"
"Kick him in the balls!"
"Whoa, Historia, easy there."
"Also, he's got none."
"Oh, right."
Eren remembered Hannes carrying him and Mikasa as the boy saw the Smiling Titan kill his mother.
Of course. It was Jean's least favorite clip. Can't have a season without being show this a hundred times.
The Armored Titan was sent flipping to the ground. This is the place…where I… Shots of the broken and abandoned town flashed on the screen …where we once called home! Rogue threw up his head and roared. I'm taking it back.
Home, Mikasa thought longingly. Eren and Armin also felt emotion well up in their chests, making their eyes water.
"It will definitely give them an extra incentive," Petra said, glancing at the three from Shinganshina. "Fighting in their—for their—hometown."
"That it will," Hange agreed.
Steam rose from the mashed side of the Armored Titan's face.
I'll slaughter you all… Eren vowed as Mikasa, Jean, and Armin stood on a roof, Thunder Spears loaded and ready on their arms. …and take back what you stole! All of it!
"They've got those Thunder Spear things!" Sasha gushed, not knowing what they were but getting pumped up nonetheless.
Connie nodded. "I want to see them in action."
"Do you really think they can penetrate the armor?" Historia wondered.
Jean shrugged and said, "With a name like that it better be big."
"Guess we'll see," Eren said, eager to watch they the spears did.
"How'd we even get technology like that?" Mikasa asked.
"That's what I'd like to know," Erwin said.
In Shinganshina, soldiers flew over the group escorting the horses.
"Recruits! Move the remaining horses west!"
"Protect the recruits with Dirk Squad!"
"Where, Marlowe?!" Floch asked him.
"Huh?"
"Where do we tie the horses?!"
"W-We were told not to put them all in one place," Marlowe answered. "Not here. Farther."
"Three-to four-meters coming from the east," a soldier reported, flying by.
That's…a Titan?" Marlowe watched Levi approach the two Titans running toward them. Levi quickly took out both. "Captain Levi!"
"This will never not be satisfying."
"Tell me about it."
"Now's our chance! Hurry!"
"Clean up the small ones already!" Levi yelled. "Do it before the Beast Titan moves! And no casualties! Don't you dare die!"
"Sir!"
"Shit," Levi cursed, looking around, "this is pathetic. The weak ones die so fast. Should've kept 'em up there." He looked to the Wall, where Erwin stood.
Struggling with three- to four-meter Titans… Erwin watched them fight against the Titans. Casualties all over the place… The Scouts aren't nearly as strong as they once were.
"With Squads Levi and Mike dead, aside from Corporal Levi the best and most experienced fighters are gone," Jean said, worried for Corps on the TV. And with many other veterans soldiers also dead, the Corps was so weak.
Mikasa sighed. "And the big ones haven't even started moving yet. How are they going to survive against them if they can't even take out the small ones?" She wished she could be there to lend a hand.
"Are they really going to be able to beat them?" Ymir was skeptical. "If they can't even take down the small fries and the big ones start moving..."
"But they've got Corporal Levi to help out," Historia said, trying to be optimistic.
Armin disagreed, "He can't do everything. Besides, he has his own objective he needs to fulfill. If the others can't fight on their own without him saving them constantly, how's he going to reach the Beast Titan without tiring out? Reiner called Zeke their war chief, remember? That means he's better than him. And he's older too so he's bound to have more experience. He won't be an easy opponent."
"What can the Beast Titan do?" Petra was unable to come up with any ideas. "If it's like what the Hange on TV said and the big ones are only there to trap us in, Zeke will be the one to start attacking. And he's going to be worse to deal with than the numerous tall Pure Titans."
"I don't have any clue either," Levi said. "But when he starts going on the offensive, I have a feeling it's going to get ugly."
However, without all those sacrifices, we never would have made it this far. An image of a young Erwin in a classroom appeared, he was standing, talking to the teacher. When I was a trainee, I told the others about my father's theory, which I also believed. In the next one, he was eating outside with a group of friends.
"He looks...like a baby commander," Historia said and her couchmates giggled.
And that once I was a Scout, I would prove it. A teenage Erwin stood with his class at graduation. But after I joined the Scouts, I stopped talking about it for some reason. No, that's wrong... It wasn't some reason. Erwin stared, gaze lost, remembering holding his arm, injured, as a Titan behind him ate a comrade. I had realized something. That only I…was fighting for myself. That only I…had a dream I wanted to see.
An adult Erwin stood on a stage, addressing the graduating class. Before I knew it, I was giving people orders and inspiring my comrades. On stage, he executed the salute. Saying they should give their hearts to humanity.
Thus, I fooled my comrades… Mike restrained Levi as the corpse of the Titan that had killed Farlan and Isabel steamed behind the two. Fooled myself… Erwin led the charge during the operation to rescue Eren from Reiner and Bertolt.
Well, this is uncomfortable. Erwin thought mildly. He did not want anyone seeing his selfishness and weakness. Now more than ever he couldn't be anything but the infallible Survey Corps commander. They couldn't lose their faith in him. It was bad enough being forced to confront an ugly truth. But having other people see it was much worse. Every time they saw him now, would they think he throwing away lives only to achieve his own dream and not considering the welfare of their people?
Historia knew that all too well that no one was perfect. She wouldn't condemn him for being human. He may have gone about it for selfish reasons but they were the right decisions and they had benefited from them.
"Sometimes I forget he's just a person too," Jean said, the human side of Erwin clashing against his image of the indomitable commander. He's got his own dreams and goals. It's not just all for the Walled people's sake he does what he does.
Eren shrugged. "Makes no difference to me what his motivations are. Whether his actions stem from his own personal desires or for the sake of our people, if it all leads to the same destination." As long as that remained unchanged, he could get behind it. Eren would only be unable to follow the commander if something came up and Erwin put his own selfish wants above what was best for Paradis Island.
"He's not led us wrong so far," Armin said. Erwin had saved Eren from the MPs, sent Levi to retrieve him from the Female Titan, and the commander had even led a suicide charge to rescue Eren from Reiner and Bertolt. He was willing to give up his life then to ensure Eren's survival, even though it meant his own dreams would die with him. Armin didn't see him as selfish. He was going to keep faith in Erwin to keep getting them through it.
And upon a mountain of their corpses… Erwin stared dispassionately down at the bodies below him. …I now stand. Mike and Nanaba's lifeless faces stared back at him.
The image brought forth memories of her failure as a leader. I hope I can avoid any leadership positions in the future. Mikasa had immaturely shouldered it once and failed, during the Battle for Trost, getting the trainees to follow her while going off on a suicide run before coming to her senses. The experience had stuck with her since and she had vowed never to be so careless again if she found herself in a lead position.
"This is why I wouldn't like being a squad leader," Petra said, thinking about the heavy burden that came with holding her subordinates' lives in her hands. She was happy enough following orders instead of giving them. "All that responsibility."
"I'm sure you'll get there one day," Levi commented, not exactly making her happy. "Especially at the rate we're losing soldiers."
"Can you imagine bearing the weight of so many lives?" Connie shuddered. "Knowing your decisions can result in their deaths? I'm scared just thinking about it."
Sasha nodded. "Glad I'll never be a commander."
"Commander Potato-Head. Has a nice ring it to, actually," Ymir said, trying to lighten their mood. Internally her thoughts were the same as Eren's. Even if his reasons were self-serving, as long as Erwin's actions were of benefit to their side she'd live with it. Though she knew it wouldn't stop her — and she figured some of the others as well — from at least once having a tiny doubt in the back of her wondering if a decision Erwin made was really the right one because it might not be for their people's sake, but his own.
And yet, the basement lingers at the back of my mind. Erwin thought and glanced to the side. Even if this plan fails, I might be able to reach the basement before I die… The basement Grisha Yeager left behind… The truth of our world…
Erwin wondered if after listening to this secret confession of his they thought he was a selfish bastard. That even now the thing on his mind wasn't finishing the mission, but that he would be satisfied even if the mission failed as long as he got to see the basement and learn its secrets, thus fulfilling his own personal goal. After all, they were expected to put their lives down for the cause while his thinking was more self-serving.
"They can understand you're only human," Hange said to him. "No matter how much we like to pretend otherwise."
Levi grunted, in agreement with Hange. "In the end, you always make the best decision for us."
Eren cried out in anger as Rogue punched the Armored Titan into a building. Those experiments paid off! He continued to hammer against the Armored Titan's arms, which he crossed to defend himself against the attacks. These fists are all I need to fight! Rogue caught him in the face, shattering the armor with a metallic screeching. By focusing the hardening on one spot, it gets even stronger! Since his armor's spread across his whole body, I can smash it like thin ice!
"I've gotta keep that in mind!" Eren balled up his fists before him.
"The Armored Titan used to be such a huge threat," Connie said. "An unbeatable foe. Now he seems almost useless, always getting beat up but somehow managing to get away to lose another fight."
Rogue back up and the Armored Titan stood. "Too slow, you big oaf!" Eren yelled as Rogue threw out his hand on the Armored Titan's face to keep him away. Rogue turned to move but the Armored Titan managed to grab his ankle. "Shit!"
With a cry, the Armored Titan lifted him up and brought him down on a building.
"Never mind. I take back what I said about Reiner becoming useless."
"Got too cocky," Ymir scolded, referring both to Connie and the Eren on TV.
Still holding Rogue's ankle, the Armored Titan pulled him out, lifting him and bringing down his fist, driving Rogue into the ground, splitting apart the earth.
"Fuck, that's gotta hurt," Jean said, wincing.
"Did he get him?" Mikasa asked worriedly.
Sasha jumped to the worst-case scenario. "What if he got him in the neck?"
"No," Petra said calmly, "he won't want to risk killing Eren and losing two Titans powers at once. Then they'd have to begin their search all over again."
After the steam and the dust appeared, Rogue, having moved his head to avoid the punch, grabbed the Armored Titan's wrists.
"Phew!" Connie said. "Close one."
Levi crossed his arms. "You can't get arrogant just cause you got a few good hits in, that's how you lose."
Mikasa landed on a roof. "Hange!"
"Not yet!" Hange said, stopping on the neighboring roof. "Everything rides on the first attack! Wait and trust Eren will give us a good opening!" She took off.
Eren gritted his teeth as Rogue tried to keep his face away from the Armored Titan's teeth.
"That metal rod is your new weapon?" Eren asked.
"They're explaining it!"
"Do you think it'll be too much to ask we get the whole design and sources used for this technology?"
"How far away do you think we are from creating these?"
"I hope they—"
Hange waved her arm frantically. "Shut up, everyone, shut up!"
Hange stood in front of the classroom. "You could at least call it a spear," she said, holding one in her hands.
"Wait, pause!" Hange yelled and ran to the TV.
"Don't touch the screen!" Levi shouted, getting the jeebies just at the thought of her leaving her gross handprints on the glass. He pulled out a handkerchief, just in case.
"Are you copying down the information written on the chalkboard in the background?" Erwin asked.
"It's pretty clear. The illustration names and explanations of the different parts." Unfortunately, it didn't list any more than that.
"Any idea what it does?" Jean inquired.
"I have a guess. Just watch," Hange said and returned to her spot. "I think this will be good."
A large group of Scouts was gathered before Hange. "The Corps of Engineers really pulled through for me. Using technology kept secret by the Interior Police, that is."
"Greedy fucks," Levi said, not surprised, "hoarding the good shit."
"I can't believe their rationale," Eren said in frustration. "Our side is getting massacred and they're hiding technology that can help us win."
"Wait," Petra interjected, "how'd we get it from the Interior Police?" They weren't exactly the sharing type.
Hange nodded. "I'm wondering about the same thing, Petra. I highly doubt they just decided to out of the goodness of their hearts donate this wonderful information and the supplies to us."
"That's going to make getting our hands on Thunder Spears difficult," Erwin said. If it was an invention they created themselves then it could be done more quickly. But technology kept secret by the Military Police? That was going to make it harder. And she said the Interior Police. No one else seemed all that suspicious about the wording, probably accepting it just as Military Police from Mitras, the capital in the center of Wall Sina. Erwin had heard rumors, though, of a secret division within the MP. This seemed right up their alley. I wonder...
"I told them, basically, we needed a weapon we could use against the Armored Titan."
"Against the Armored Titan?!" Armin repeated.
Armin was hoping there would be a clue somewhere they would help them get their hands on this weapon. If it can help us take out the Armored Titan, that will be huge. And with the element of surprise on their hands, they might even be able to take Reiner down, who, so secure in the knowledge they were powerless against him, might not even put up a defense and make it easy for the Scouts.
"Our blades were all but useless against the Armored Titan," Hange continued. "As long as he didn't show an opening in his hardening, all we could do was watch Eren fight the Armored Titan from the sidelines."
Mikasa recalled the futileness of her attacks as Rogue and the Armored Titan faced off after Reiner and Bertolt had revealed their identities.
It was one of the reasons why Mikasa was eager to try out the Thunder Spear. She didn't want to feel powerless again, being forced to watch from the sidelines, useless.
"It's true…" Jean said. "We couldn't stop him from taking Eren away even if we wanted to."
"Back then," Connie said, remembering them on the Armored Titan, trying to reach Eren who was protected by the Armored Titan's hand, "if the commander hadn't drawn a horde of Titans to him…"
"Thus far, the only attacks effective against the Armored Titan have been Eren's strangles and locks as a Titan."
As he listened, Eren thought back to his practice in using his hardened fists against tall trees in a forest.
"Also, we have high hopes for his 'hardened punch' from recent experiments. However, the mission won't succeed with only those as our weapons. While it's important we plug the Wall, more so than that, we must kill Reiner and Bertolt, who are responsible for destroying the Wall."
They nodded. Otherwise the two could bring down the Walls again and all of their efforts and the lives lost during the mission would be in vain.
If only we had Titan serum of our own. Hange lamented. There was still the option of feeding any captured prisoners to Pure Titans. But they would have much preferred to turn their own soldiers instead of Eldians who were banished from Marley.
"So you're saying you want us to stab the Armored Titan with those spears?"
"It's easier just to show you," Hange responded. "Let's step outside."
Birds took off to the sky and the group watched with open mouths, some covering their ears to protect against the metal screeching.
A tall, thick tree lay fallen over.
"That looks promising," Sasha said in awe.
"But a tree is very different than Reiner's armor." Jean seriously doubted the composition of the tree was anywhere near as tough as the Armored Titan's skin.
"If we're going to start trying to produce the Thunder Spears early, I volunteer to test out the prototypes," Petra said eagerly.
"Me, too," Mikasa jumped in. She couldn't wait to get her hands on this new weapon.
"I also—wait, never mind," Connie said, changing his mind. "I might accidentally blow a hole in myself instead of a tree."
"Yeah, no kidding," Ymir said, "best to leave it to the experts."
"It's powerful, as you can see. It's like a strike of lightning." Hange picked up a Thunder Spear, tapping her sword handle against it. "Hence the name, 'Thunder Spear.' However, is it enough to bring down the Armored Titan?" The group still stared, stunned. "We won't know until we try. It's effective against normal Titans, but to deal a blow to the Armored Titan, it'll take a little more work."
Rogue and the Armored Titan continued to struggle, with Rogue trying to get him into a submission hold while the Armored resisted. Eren cried out, trying to keep the other Titan restrained.
Shit! Reiner cursed when Eren managed to get him off of him and sent him rolling. I guess biting Eren out of there isn't something I can do by myself. Soldiers approached them. I've got to resort to that…
"Go now!" Hange ordered, almost reaching Rogue.
They leaned forward, eyes wide and glued to the TV, intrigued to see their newest weapon at work.
They're making a move? Reiner spotted Hange flying near Rogue. I knew they've been gradually surrounding me, but… Using Rogue as an anchor, Hange and Mikasa flew toward the Armored Titan. What can they even do to me with their blades? I've got hardened armor covering every inch of my body. The two closed in on his face. They can't even scratch me!
"I hope they make him eat his words."
"At least it'll make it easy for them to reach him and deliver the first blow."
With a grunt, Hange and Mikasa each launched a Thunder Spear, heading towards the Armored Titan's eyes. They pierced the skin, causing blood to pool out. Flying past his head, the two soldiers yanked out the wires. Two explosions went off on his face and the Armored Titan howled.
"Holy shit it worked!"
"I want a Thunder Spear! Somebody get me one!"
"They got him!"
"Do it again! And don't stop until he's down!"
"Can't take chances with Reiner, the slippery little fish."
"I can't believe those stupid MP bastards were hiding something so awesome!"
"Think how easily we can take out regular Titans and clean our Wall Maria with the Thunder Spears!"
We did it? Eren thought, seeing the smoke.
No, not yet… Hange thought. The… Thunder Spears are so destructive, they're dangerous even to those who fire them. If you anchor to the Titan as if to slash it like normal with your blade, you'll get caught up in the explosion. A drawing of a Scout appeared as he was blown to pieces when the Thunder Spear connected with the nape of a Titan while still attached to the soldier. Which means the only chance to use Thunder Spears…is when the target is surrounded by multiple standing objects.
"Okay, we're definitely not letting Connie near one of those without protective gear," Ymir said teasingly.
"Wanna make a bet, you hag?" Connie challenged her. "I bet I'll master it before you."
"You're on."
As Hange spoke, Jean, Connie, and other Scouts headed for the Armored Titan. "We can only attack with Thunder Spears in situations exactly like this," she said. The soldiers appeared behind the Titan, who sat on his knees, hands covering his face. "Right here and now, we've got to settle it!"
Jean and the others launched their spears. Two Thunder Spears embedded into the Armored Titan's back, below his nape. The soldiers pulled the wires. Reiner's eyes widened. Multiple eruptions exploded on his back and some soldiers were sent flying back.
"It can be dangerous to the wielder, too," Petra observed. "Still, I'd love to get my hands on one."
"Even if you aren't caught in the blast," Mikasa noted, "the resulting force of the explosion might result in injury. So if you're sent flying and hit something in the wrong way, you could die."
"W-We got 'em!" Jean yelled, seeing the steaming hole at the base of the Armored Titan's neck. "It worked! The armor on his nape is peeling off!"
"Now we don't have to rely on just Eren or Ymir to take him down," Historia said enthusiastically. "We can do it ourselves!"
"But like Hange on TV was saying," Jean spoke up, "to use it we have to surround the target. Imagine he's moving and we shoot the spear, he gets far enough away the spear will separate from the wire by itself, triggering an explosion with the soldier is still attached being caught up in the blast."
Connie skid to a stop, sitting on the roof. "R-Really?" He adjusted his cloak.
"The spears worked!" Sasha said, landing near him.
"Do it again!" Hange commanded fiercely. "Attack again with Thunder Spears and finish him off!" Her words were met with distraught looks from Connie and Sasha whereas Mikasa and Jean appeared grim.
"Reiner…" Sasha said softly.
"It's been at least two months," Sasha groaned. "We shouldn't be like this." Their enemies wouldn't have hesitated.
Connie nodded, unhappy with himself. "We're soldiers. At this point there's no excuse like it's a big shock to take in." Jean and Mikasa weren't thrilled over blasting Reiner but they were still professional about it.
"Don't be so hard on yourselves," Historia told them. "You didn't hesitate in attacking him first."
"Reiner always manages to slip away. What if our incompetency leads him to escape and he kills more of our people?" Connie wouldn't be able to bear it.
Ymir waved her hand. "You're fine. Quit panicking. Just make sure not to do the same thing out there for real."
"You guys!" Jean said, glaring at them. "I thought you were ready if it ever came to this! Let's do it!"
Sasha and Connie nodded firmly.
"See?" Ymir pointed. "You two were stressing over nothing."
But we did give into weakness for a second, Sasha thought. Hesitancy had no place on the battlefield, as Shadis used to say. Be they Titans or humans, it still applied. If you froze against the enemy it could mean death, either yours or a fellow soldier's. So she took a breath and resolved herself to do better.
Together, the soldiers converged on the Armored Titan again, firing off their Thunder Spears.
"W-Wait!" Reiner said in fear as seven spears pierced the skin, a couple of them only a foot from his face.
"He's fucked now."
"Hah! Try weaseling your way out of this one!"
"You just jinxed it. Watch him do it now."
At once they went off. The Armored Titan let out a rasp and the rest of the Thunder Spears exploded behind him in continuous explosions.
"I want a Thunder Spear now," Historia declared longingly.
"Me too," Sasha said, smiling.
"You two also might blow yourselves up. Probably take me with you cause I'll have the bad luck of being nearby."
Historia stuck her tongue out at Ymir.
Ymir snorted, "Very mature."
Historia sighed heavily. "I also want to know where I am."
"That is weird that it's shown everyone else in the room—aside from me, obviously—but not you," Petra said, thinking about all the other people who had shown up. "We even saw that ex-MP boy, Marlowe."
Erwin wondered if her absence had to do with the Church of the Walls or her noble family, due to which Pastor Nick had stated Historia was someone of importance, or because Ymir decided to go with Reiner and Bertolt. "We might find out later. If he's important they'll show it," he reasoned.
"Bertolt's making me nervous," Armin said, still wracking his brain to figure out where he was hiding. "We still don't know where he is and he's the biggest threat. No pun intended."
"True," Mikasa agreed. "If he's able to see what the Thunder Spears are capable of from wherever he's hiding, he won't even allow us to get close enough to take the shot."
Connie couldn't see how they were going to defeat him. "He can burn and push us back with his steam. We will be stuck at a distance and he can just take a stroll and stomp us into the ground."
"The Colossal is without a doubt our hardest adversary in this fight," Jean said, nodding. "Even with our Shifters and hardening and the Thunder Spears, it'll be difficult to take him down. The element of surprise is going to be key here."
"The easiest and safest route is to attack when he's still in his human form," Petra said. "They know that so they're hiding him."
"Let's play the next episode and we can see what they've got planned." Eren was impatient to see the mission unfold. They were finally retaking their home. He'd always known they'd get to this, but actually seeing it really cemented that it was happening, and he was eager to watch more.
Levi also wanted to get on with it. "I want to see what that Beast Titan can do." Though he was confident in his abilities, it never hurt to know what your opponent could do, learn all his tricks.
Maybe, if it works, we can try that method of cutting off Bertolt's brain from his spine to separate him from his Titan power. Hange thought. She exchanged a look with Erwin and said, "Aright, let's watch the next episode."
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