Author's Notes: Well folks it has been some time huh? Well you can blame COVID for that! Yep I caught it, but thankfully it was not to serious and I only had it for 2 weeks and I'm all better!...(With the addition of an annoying cough but like I said I'm all better) now let's get back to what you are really here for.
Here we get a little look in the past of two and perhaps three of our favorite Pyschics of this series.
Chapter 7: The Past.
Since the crew of the Gotengo set off on their journey things have been calm on the Island of Paradis. The Kaiju that refuse to aid humans remain calmly in their forests, Mountains, or lakes while the people of Tanakibo and New Eldia continue to thrive as best as they can.
Within the church of Deliverance Miki watches passersby from the window of her office. Though she enjoys the peace she can't help but wonder how long it would last, coupled with the hope that the group are successful in their missions, especially when they find out about the extra passenger they have on board.
"Getting worried?"
The sounds of Levi's voice broke Miki's gaze away from her window as he entered the room.
"Just wondering how long it'll take for Moll to realize that Lora snuck aboard," Miki answered.
Levi nodded.
"She always seemed to be the stubborn type, but then again so is Moll."
Miki chuckled at that statement.
"That's twins for you, but I'm guessing you're not here about Lora's absence."
Then Levi looked at her with a serious look-which seems to be his only expression mind you, But Miki kept her attention on him.
"I've been thinking lately," He started. "About you and the twin's telepathic powers, where you three taught how to do that?"
Miki nodded.
"Yes, I helped Moll and Lora when I first met them, and my grandmother taught me."
"So, she had those abilities too?" Levi asked as Miki nodded.
"My Parents as well."
Silence filled the room between them until Levi spoke.
"So, if your family posseses that ability then here is my question; why didn't your family do anything when the king was still in power?"
Miki sighed knowing this moment would come. Without giving an answer she stood up from her seat and walked over to a safe on the right side of the room.
Closing her eyes she turned the dial three times, knowing the combination by heart.
Miki opened her eyes, staring at the door as she hesitated. Miki took a deep breath and urged herself to get it over with, opening the door. Inside was an object wrapped carefully in cloth.
She placed her hand on top of the cloth covering as memories flooded her brain. Recollecting herself the priestess picked the bundle up and walked back to the table.
"There's a few things to explain," Miki said as she began unwrapping the object on the table. "Starting with this."
Levi watched carefully as Miki revealed the stone tablet beneath the wrappings.
Dead bodies of multiple gigantic crabs littered the shoreline. At least two crew members were still unaccounted for, but otherwise no casualties.
Inside the medical bay of the Gotengo Mikasa laid on the examination table as her friends observed.
"Luckily she's suffered no concussion," the medic stated. "But she'll have to stay bedridden here until I give the word."
Eren just stood in the hallway outside, right by the door so he could hear.
How could this happen? He thought. What caused her to break? Ghidorah's been dead for years. I can understand the trauma he caused, but what happened back there?
He clenched his fist as these thoughts swirled in his head.
Why didn't she say anything? How could we fall so apart?
A hand touched his shoulder. Looking behind him he saw Moll attached to that hand.
"Don't worry," she said. "She hasn't forgotten about you."
"I thought you were against eve's dropping in people's heads?" Eren said.
"Didn't have to," she answered. " You've never exactly been Mr. Subtle."
"All crew members report to main control! Repeat: All crew members to main control immediately!" Gordon's voice echoed through the metal halls via the intercom.
Eren went towards the direction of the main haul, but making sure to keep up with Moll.
"Well since you brought it up," Eren said. "I want to know everything."
"She has trauma," Moll said half interested. " There's not much else to tell."
She was keeping an eye out, making sure there was no sign of Lora being caught. Hopefully Moll could satisfy Eren enough to make a break for it and check the cargo hold.
"No, it's more than that," Eren continued. "Our whole childhood she wouldn't leave my side. She always spoke her mind. Now she won't tell me anything. This is something else."
Moll sighed.
"It's not just the pain she endured," the psychic confessed. "It's extremely emotional. Ghidorah used her, and she blames herself for everything he did."
Eren's heart skipped a beat.
"Mikasa let him inside her head, believing it would help others, the weight of it all is buried deep," Moll continued. "She's been keeping it all held back."
Made sense. Mikasa was always too stubborn for her own good. Now that stubborness is tearing her up from the inside.
Fear, blame, these are things he doubted she'd ever admit to feeling before this.
As the information swirled in his head, they arrived at the main haul of the Gotengo. What Moll saw shocked her.
Gordon sat in a chair on the opposite end of a table, staring right at her. In front of him the fragments of the tablet. In the chair next to him was Lora, her hands tied with rope while two crew members stood behind her.
Sorry, Lora said to her sister telepathically.
"Moll," Captain Gordan said. "Sit."
Behind her a large crew member placed his hand on her shoulder, escorting Moll to her seat.
The whole time Captain Gordon's eyes stayed fixed on Moll's. No wonder her sister couldn't have just used her powers on him. That stare could intimidate a rampaging kaiju.
Once Moll was seated, guarded intensely by the man who escorted her, Gordon began to speak.
"Gentlemen, ladies," Gordon said loudly. "I've called you all in here because I don't keep secrets from my crew. I EXPECT the same out of those under my command. So imagine how I felt when I find out there's a massive sqwabble outside while some stowaway smuggles something onboard my ship!"
At that last point the Captain gestured at the fragmented artifact on the table in front of him. Everyone in the room looked at the rubble.
Eren stared deeply at the tablet shards, especially at the one with the cross symbol. As he did, he began to feel...uneasy. Like a child would when by a scary animal.
As if instinct took hold, he stiffened and began to back away, snapping back to reality when he bumped into Armin him.
"Eren, are you okay?" Eren quickly turned away from his friend, "I'm fine, Armin."
With his awareness back he focused on Gordon.
Even MORE baggage to figure out later, Eren groaned inside his brain. Perfect.
"There's two things in this world that piss me off," The Captain continued. "Placing my team in danger, and stowaways. Congrats girl, you've won the jackpot, two-for-two! Now explain yourself!"
"Please," Lora said. "It's my fault! She didn't know I was onboard! Don't-"
Gordon slammed his fist onto the table, silencing the young psychic.
"Well?" The Captain said staring right through Moll.
Moll let out a sigh.
"The first thing to know," she began. "Is that this wasn't planned out. She's right about me not knowing she was onboard, but I take full responsibility for keeping this a secret."
Gordon loosened a little, but not much.
"If it weren't for her," she continued. "We wouldn't have found the stone."
Lora hung her head in guilt.
"You must know what it is," Gordon growled. "Why else send her to sneak it back here?"
"We know of it, but we don't know everything." Molly went on. "There's one that looks like it back home."
There were some muffled reactions in the crowd. The Captain raised his hand, signalling for quiet, then continued staring down Moll.
She promised to keep it secret, but it seems now she has no choice.
"It started after Wall Maria was breached..."
9 years ago...
It had been two weeks since Wall Maria was breached by the Colossal Titan. Moll was still seeing the moment an abnormal burst through the crowd of refugees heading towards the boat, scooping up people in its hands and scarfing them down like a glutton.
That's how their parents died.
As Moll sat with her back against the wall of the alleyway, an orphan at 12 years old. Over and over, the most important thing her father told her on that day repeated:
"Whatever happens, keep going. Keep your sister safe."
She tried so hard to keep the tears down, not showing weakness to Lora just across from her. At least one of them needed to stay strong.
"Moll," Lora said softly. "You're hungry."
Lora was right. Molly hoped not to say anything about it, but Lora knew. Ever since they were very little the two always seemed to know what the other was feeling. They never questioned it, it just felt normal.
"But you're not," Moll replied.
"That's because you gave me the bigger portion last time."
"True."
Lora stared at Moll intensely.
"You're going to keep bugging me about it until I eat, right?" Moll said.
"Right," Lora said.
Molly sighed.
"Ok. Come on."
The two got up, passing by the fellow homeless littering the streets. Their goal was the marketplace, which seemed less crowded then yesterday. This time they had to go to the west wing. If they went to the same spot over and over it would raise suspicion, and the guards around here have been keeping a more watchful eye ever since this district got more refugees.
"Alright, same as usual." Moll told her sister. "Don't go too close to the stalls. And remember; feel hungry."
" Alright," Lora said sadly.
"I know you don't like doing this, but it's either this or stealing. Do you want that?"
"No."
"Alright then, let's go."
Lora nodded and went off as Moll hid behind a cart to lie low.
Lora looked around, observing everyone around her. A large man with a bag caught her eye. She walked up to him, digging deep within to feel as hungry as she could.
"Excuse me sir," Lora said.
"What do you want?" The man replied. "I've got places to be and I don't do charity! My boss will have my head if I'm late."
Behind the cart Moll focused on her sister and the man she was talking to.
Come on, she thought. Fall for it...
"Actually no," the man said, lost in thought. "He did cut the cooking staff's wages last week...the HELL with him!"
He reached inside his bag and tossed out a large beet to the young girl.
"Charge him full price for less! Better a streetrat than him."
"Thank you mister!"
"Go away, now!"
Lora ran off as she placed the beet inside her bag. She looked around to pick another target. By the barrels? No, that guy looked mean. Center of the square? Solicitors.
It was then she noticed a dark-haired lady picking up bread over at one of the stalls. She seemed nice enough.
"Excuse me miss," Lora said, catching the lady's attention. "I hate to bother you, but we're a little short for bread money this week..."
That's right, Moll thought from her post. Fall for it...
The lady came closer to Lora, kneeling in front her and placing her hand on the little girl's shoulder.
"Why are you pretending to be hungry?" The lady asked.
Huh? Moll thought.
"I...I don't know what you mean..." Lora said nervously.
"You're not really hungry," the woman continued. "But you are faking it well...really well."
Lora began to get really sweaty.
"Is your friend over by the cart hungry?" The lady asked.
What?! Moll said internally.
Moll noticed the woman leading Lora closer to her current location. What just happened?
"It's alright," the woman said only a yard away from Moll's hiding spot. "let's talk about this."
She realized they've been caught. Molly came out of hiding, giving the lady a surprised face. The woman looked back and forth between Lora and Moll.
"You two...look the same!" The strange woman said on shock.
"That's because we are twins," Lora said.
"Really?"
"We don't want any trouble here..." Moll began.
"So you're the hungry one?" The woman asked Moll.
Moll was about to answer when the lady spoke up again.
"Tell you what, if you come with me, I'll make sure both of you get fed. Deal?"
Moll had to think about it. It was a little strange she was able to read them so clearly. As hungry as she was it wasn't a good idea to go with a complete stranger.
"Ok, deal!" Lora popped up.
"Lora!" Moll sneered.
"Alright then," the woman said placing a hand on their backs. "Down this way."
The odd woman lead them down the street.
"So, one of your names is Lora. What's the other?" She asked.
"She's Moll," Lora answered.
"Lora and Moll, eh? Haven't heard names like that before."
"What's yours?" Lora asked.
"Miki."
"But what's your last name?"
"Seagusa. Why?"
"Our mother taught us to call adults by their last name."
Miki fell quiet for a second. She sensed how sad that made the young girl feel.
"Oh, here we are!" Miki said as they approached her door.
The next couple of hours were a little awkward for Moll as she sat at a stranger's table, watching as her sister helped Miki prepping up vegetables for a stew. Who is she? And how did she know exactly what to say to get Lora to open up to her?
Come to think about it, her facial features looked oddly familiar. They kind of reminded her of her sister...and a little bit like...
...Like her parents.
Miki placed a lid over the pot she placed on her fireplace spit. Lora and her joined Moll at the table.
"Before we eat, I want you two to try something for me," Miki asked as Lora sat beside her sister.
"And what is that?" Moll said.
Miki pulled out a deck of cards.
"I'm going to hold up a few cards," Miki continued. "And I want you try and see what's on the other side by focusing right...here."
She tapped on her forehead.
"Ready?"
Moll wasn't too sure about this.
"Uh...sure." she said.
"I'll do it." Lora said.
"Good," Miki said, raising the first card.
The two followed her instruction and focused.
"Uh...a snake?" Lora said.
Miki changed the card.
"Now this one?"
"A dog," Moll said.
Miki pulled up another.
"A fairy?" Lora answered.
Another card was drawn.
"A spear." Moll said.
One last card.
"It's...ah," Lora started. "It's...I know what it is but, I forgot the word."
"It's a dragon!" Molly said. "You always forget that word."
"I think I've seen enough." Miki said, placing the cards face up in front of them. "Looks like I was right about you two."
To their shock, all of them had pictures: a dragon, a fairy, a dog, a snake and a spear. They guessed right every time.
"How...how did we do that?" Lora said a little freaked out.
"Because the both of you are like me," Miki told her. "We can read minds."
"You...can read minds?" Moll said sarcastically.
"I can," she answered. "Here, give me your hand."
Moll rolled her eyes and gave Miki her hand. Miki held it tight.
"Your first lost tooth was in the back," Miki said digging into Moll's mind. "Everytime your parents fought your first instinct was always to run to your sister because she said the right things to you every time. You broke your arm trying to climb that tree in your yard two years ago, took every spider you saw in the house outside so your dad wouldn't squish them, and the last thing your father told you was-"
"Ok, ok! I believe you!" Moll said, pulling her hand away. "How do you do that?"
"Later. For now, I believe the stew is ready."
She went over to the fireplace, pouring the vegetable stew into bowls. The meal was nice, and the atmosphere was homely. The three shared conversations that ranged from Miki's job in the cloth making business to the children's upbringing. Afterward, Ms. Seagusa offered them a room to sleep in. It wasn't the most luxurious stay, but the girls were just glad to sleep somewhere indoors for a change.
The next morning they sat at the table again, fully rested and enjoying a few bites of bread as Miki rummaged through a chest she had nearby.
"You asked why I was able to read your mind, right Moll?" She asked as she searched.
"I did," Moll answered.
Ms. Seagusa then placed a stone on the table before them, etched with symbols.
"What is it?" Lora asked.
"It's something my Grandmother left me," Miki began. "She told me stories about my family's ancestors. She called them the Elias."
The children looked in awe at the artifact as she continued.
"According to her, the Elias lived in a far away placed called Infant Island. They came here to these lands long ago during a famine and settled. Over time, they intermixed with those who already lived here. Anyway, she told me this stone tells the story about how our people were granted a special gift, one that lets us connect to others. This gift was given to the Elias by their protector."
"Who was the protector?" Lora asked.
"She didn't know," Miki said. "The stone is just a small piece. I don't think the rest survived."
"You're saying...we are Elias too?" Molly asked.
"I think so," Seagusa replied. "And I think there might be more people like us out there. Somewhere."
"I want to help find them!" Lora said.
Miki was surprised.
"Me too little one."
The next couple of years were extremely productive. With the girls help Miki began to find more people with the pychic touch. Fliers, asking around, conversing fortune tellers and street performers, even just trying to 'sense' anyone different. Along the way, Lora and Moll learned from Miki's teachings to learn to harness their hidden potential.
Their efforts payed off, finding just under a dozen people who shared similar gifts. Some who's power was empathic, some telepaths, even one man who could see short glimpses into the future. Eventually the group began to share stories, and traded secrets they learned to controlling and expanding their abilites.
The biggest secret they discovered was that through connecting their minds via meditating seemed to boost their psychic effects, even when joining with those who didn't share the same mark.
It became less of an experiment and more of a social group as the years went by, becoming bonded more and more by friendship rather than shared heritage. The twins and Miki were fine with that. It was like an extended family.
But it changed during the second breach.
Wall Rose had been broken, the first Titan invasion in five years. Titans began coming in. Unknown to them at the time, Reiner and Bertholdt were observing their assault as the Survey Corps were fighting to hold them back.
It happened during the usual gathering of Miki's little group when panic broke out in the streets. Everyone ran as a pair of Corps members tried tirelessly to keep a Titan at Bay.
"We need to get out of here!" Miki shouted out to everyone inside.
The evacuation of Seagusa's house went swiftly as their friends poured out the door.
Lora just stared at the Titan, memories rushing back to her of the Abnormal ripping it's teeth through her parents.
She couldn't let this happen.
"Lora! We have to GO!" Moll shouted as she pulled her away.
The group ran a few blocks, until they reached a dead end. A building collapsed onto the road ahead, blocking their path.
"We need to find a way around," one of their group's members called out.
Lora's head swirled with emotion. In this short time she forgot all the pain and fear she once felt, finally obtaining peace. It was all happening again.
And then an idea hit her.
"Ms. Seagusa! Wait!"
Miki turned to face her.
"You said our people had a protector," Lora cried out. "We should try to call it out!"
"Lora, we don't have time for this," her sister scolded.
"You said we had a gift," Lora continued with tears down her eyes. "I think we should use it. Maybe if enough of us called out it might come back, getting rid of the Titans!"
Miki thought it over. If their people did in fact have a guardian, then maybe the powers they had inside was meant to summon it. It was a long shot, but she didn't want to see anymore death. It was worth the risk.
Closing her eyes Miki Seagusa let out a psychic call to their friends to join together. They locked hands in the street and cleared all thoughts. Together they focused on one thing, calling out towards the unknown.
Their focus stayed strong against the screams surrounding them, but it finally broke when a gust of wind began to build up slowly. What made it stranger? The wind was going upwards.
Everyone opened their eyes, looking for the source. Eventually they looked upward, seeing the clouds swirl into a vortex.
Suddenly a gigantic black sphere shot out from the vortex, landing a few miles away from their current location. A massive cloud of dust burst up, followed by a shockwave that nearly knocked the girls back and shattering every window.
All eyes were fixed on the impact site, watching the fog fade to reveal the thing that would change their world forever...
Godzilla.
Back at the Gotengo, Present day...
"We were unaware at the time," Moll continued. "But there were people around us that saw what we did. Word began to spread quickly on how The Great Predator came at our call, cementing the theory that mankind has a protector. We call that protector Deliverance until we can make contact and know it's true name. That tablet, I thought, might complete the gaps in our knowledge."
Gordon looked over Moll, then over to Lora.
"Was this your plan all along?" He asked her.
Lora sighed.
"No," she said. "I stowed away for personal reasons. Neither of us knew the tablet would be here. I take the blame for all of this."
Gordon looked down at his feet, weighing his options.
"Take them both to holding," he ordered the crew members at the girls' side. "Keep them there until I fetch for them personally. I'll think it over how to deal with them. Everyone else: to your posts."
The twins were escorted away as everyone went to their stations, feeling uneasy over what might happen next.
"Hernandez," he said to Randy. "Place a marker on this island's location. Label as LAST RESORT designation."
"On it captain!" Randy called out.
Gordon then gave the signal to the crew to prepare for departure. After minimal efforts, the ship went under, ready to search the endless sea for their next discovery.
As everyone headed to their posts, Eren quickly made his way to his cabin, his mind throbbing slightly.
"What is going on?" he said holding his head, "How could looking at that cross cause-"
Then image started flashing in his mind.
Towns and ancient structures crushed.
People fleeing in terror.
Two Adult Anguirus roaring in the chaos.
A single woman standing in the chaos.
Then A large Titan facing off against the two Kaijus.
Then finally a silhouette of a large Moth headed straight to him.
"Please end the suffering."
Eren let out a gasped after hearing those voices. He started taking deep breaths and suddenly he released he was clenching his fists and jaw. What did he saw? Was it something to do with the stone?
And why was he feeling such hatred towards it?
Author's Note: Well that was something wasn't it? What is going on here, well hopefully you guys won't have to wait a couple more months, with my health ok, new episodes of Attack on Titan airing and Godzilla vs Kong on the way, my creativity has sky rocketed.
So be prepared for more action in the next chapter!