"EVERYONE SUIT UP! YOU'RE FINALLY GOING TO FACE TITANS TODAY"

The silence after that was a tell-tale sign that almost no-one was ready for it. Up until that moment, all the cadets had to do was train with the gear, study, and wrestle between each other. Jean was sitting on the ground, almost crying.

"Why did it have to happen today? I was so close to getting out of this town and live in the interior!"

Jean's feelings were shared silently between many people – even though they all knew that facing Titan was inevitable, almost no-one actually took a moment to properly think about it.

Plenty of people were too scared to even move, although the threat of execution was propelling them to prepare themselves.

"Don't worry Hannah, I'll swear I'll protect you!"

Mikasa was looking left and right for Eren, after they went to gather their own gear and stock on gas – after she stopped for a second to watch Franz and Hannah, she had even more resolve to find him quickly.

I'll protect him. No matter what!

She finally found him, talking to Armin, who seems to be having a panic attack at the idea of facing Titans and not run away. Deciding to help Eren reassure their blonde friend, she pushed away her thoughts of talking to Eren.

"We're going to divide you into three groups: vanguard, middle guard and rearguard – the priority in here is to protect the citizens! Vanguard will deal with the Titans, middle guard will help the van guard by not allowing Titans to slip through, and rearguard will help with the evacuation process!"

Eren had only one thing in mind – to kill every single Titan that was stupid enough to face him. He already failed to kill the Colossus Titan, and he was mentally kicking himself for failing.

If I didn't fail, this wouldn't be happening right now! I have to make up for it

Looking around at the other cadets, he only saw scared faces. And one that betrayed no emotions. After their talk a few days prior, he and Mikasa had spent more time together, trying to make up for always pushing her away and yelling at her. A lot more people noticed this change, especially Armin, who apparently couldn't be happier. But they never talked about what would happen in these situations – Eren knew that Mikasa didn't want to leave his side, and although he was reluctant as well, he didn't want to disobey orders.

"Stay close to me, I'll protect you"

Eren was about to reply, when the commander spoke up: "Ackerman! You'll stay with the rearguard – we need skilled soldiers to help civilians and maintain order!"

"But with my skills I would only be wasted! I should be with the other-"

A hand on her shoulder stopped her pushback, and made her turn and look at the body attached.

"Mik. You should follow orders. Trust me. It's gonna be ok"

"In moments of chaos orders should be ignored! I don't-"

"Mikasa!". Eren grabbed both shoulders and interjected – " You can't fight this! You're better suited to protect civilians!". Mikasa knew that he was right, but she still couldn't help but worry, her feelings evident on her face. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. Just...do me a favor". The raven hugged the brunette strongly, wishing that she didn't have to let go.

"Don't die"

"I'm not going to – you have my word on that. I told you already, I'm going to protect you every time I can!"

They let go of each other, eyes staring at each other, both wanting to not go the opposite way, but both understanding that they couldn't do anything about it.

"Armin! Where's Eren?"

Armin looked up at Mikasa, tearing up.

How can I look at her? I failed them both. They always protected me from everything, and yet I couldn't repay them one time.

Armin didn't reply, instead just staring at the ground, feeling shame take over him.

"Armin? Are you hurt?"

When the blonde looked up, Mikasa understood what had happened.

Eren didn't maintain his promise. He's gone.

Armin was feeling even worse after watching Mikasa's face. There's nothing there. Why isn't she crying her eyes out? Is she that strong? Am I being so weak right now?

All of the cadets were busy processing what just happened – they were all almost out of gas, with no way of climbing the walls and no way of replenishing their tank. The cadets in charge of replenishing had holed themselves up in HQ, and a bunch of 10 meter Titans were surrounding the building from all side, climbing on it, trying to get inside. And they had just seen most of their friends die.

Surprising even herself, Mikasa took charge of the situation and spoke to everyone. "I'm a stronger soldier than you. I can go ahead, and clear the road. You guys should then follow me.". Without waiting for any confirmation, she lept towards HQ.

For a moment, no-one moved. Everyone was just staring at the figure causing through the air, moving towards almost certain death.

Jean suddenly spoke up, catching everyone's attention: "What, did we learn to let one of out own die alone or to join them? LET'S GET A MOVE ON!"

Sasha was next, telling off everyone else, who, after seeing their companions go alone, in turned screamed all at once, lifting each other's spirits. Even Annie was caught up, allowing herself to join up with the shouting and chasing after them. Reiner and Bertholt went next, their imposing builds adding to the scenery.

The 104th squadron was ready to claim back their city.

Armin was initially shocked that Mikasa was able to bounce back and create this wave of courage that affected everyone. He was still thinking about Eren's last words, and yet he couldn't help but feel adrenaline rush through him. I shouldn't feel this way...Eren died because of me. How is Mikasa doing it?

After searching for her, he noticed that she was getting farther and farther away. Too fast if they wanted to conserve gas.

She's...wasting all of her gas! She's not thinking clearly! She's gonna run out before she can reach HQ!

Mikasa had just sliced a Titan's neck, with much more force then necessary – she was unconsciously taking up Eren's mantle, and she was hell bent on taking out those monsters.

He's gone...gone forever...my family...

Suddenly, she didn't feel the push from the gear anymore, and she felt herself fall down to the ground. Instead of trying to readjust herself in order to protect herself, she just let herself fall down, not even attempting to cover her head. Luckily, she fell onto a shop tent, which slowed her descent enough for her to crash onto the ground, without injuries, just some scratches. Mikasa just felt tired. She knew titans were near, but she didn't care. She had lost her family, again.

She was alone, again.

A 15m Titan appeared from the corner, its eyes focused on her. She knew what was going to happen if she didn't move.

I can't go on living...I can't fight this...Eren is gone...

She kneeled on the ground, weirdly peaceful. The Titan was nearing, but she didn't even flinch at the noises it was making. She was taking deep breaths, looking around, looking up, at her fellow recruits, cruising towards a suicide mission she created, who still didn't notice her or just thought she died.

Eren's face flashed before her eyes.

"If you don't fight, you don't win"

He did say that...if I don't win, I die. Will I still remember him after I die? Will we meet again?

Her eyes flashed with anger – "If I don't fight, I don't win – if I don't live, I won't be able to remember him"

She stood there, blade unsheathed, staring down a beast 15 times her size, much like a predator would look at a prey. She had no gas left, no way of reaching the neck, no way of escaping.

I will carry on Eren's will!

A shadow rapidly stretched across the street, and a giant fist smashed the Titan's head, followed by a loud shout, full of rage.

A Titan had just punched one of their own.

Mikasa could only stand there and watch the scene with stupor – what happened was never heard of before. Titans didn't fight each other. Yet this one was currently pummelling the head of another one, again shouting and screaming. For some reason, Mikasa felt somewhat comforted by the sight.

Why...why does this bring me hope?

She was immediately lifted up to a roof by Armin, who had swooped down to catch her after seeing her fall. They crashed onto a roof nearby, both grunting from the hit. Connie was not far behind, and was currently rushing the duo to move on. "Come on! We've got 2 15 meter Titans here, and I don't plan to stand around much longer! We've got to move now!"

"That Titan wasn't interested in me, it just attacked the other one!"

"Abnormal! There's plenty that we don't know about! That's all we need to know about-"

The abnormal swung a fist onto the other Titan's head, ripping it from its neck, and the head crashed onto a building. The trio could only stand there and watch as more Titans attacked the abnormal, who was still fighting them, still shouting in rage.

For some reason, Mikasa still found a small amount of comfort in that shout.

after they reached HQ*

Now that everyone was full on gas, they were ready to leave for the wall. Mikasa however, stopped and noticed the abnormal that saved her begin ganged on by other 4 Titans.

"Maybe we should go help it – kill the Titans that are around it, and"

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING REINER?" Jean shouted at the boy, not believing what he just heard. "Why would we risk our lives to save a Titan?"

Annie interjected between the 2, making them look her way. "Maybe it could become an ally – it is more powerful than cannons, it could come useful in these situations"

Mikasa was still staring at the Titan, who suddenly twisted, throwing away the Titans that hanged onto his body, crashing them into a building, killing them. It took a couple of stabilising steps, only to then crash on the ground with a resounding thud. Steam started to grow from the disintegrating body.

"So much for helping it and the possibility of an ally. It died. Let's go to the wall"

Jean was about to grab Mikasa's arm when suddenly she jumped down to the street, racing towards the fallen Titan.

It can't be! Armin...he can't be alive!

A body started to rise from the steam, and everyone else stopped and watched in awe.

Is...is he really there?

Mikasa rushed to the body, hugging him. She dropped her head onto the chest, waiting, seeing if she could hear anything, eyes watering from what she was seeing.

Reiner, Annie, Bertholt, Jean and Armin were flabbergasted as well, they couldn't even move.

Eren! You're still alive!

Mikasa started to bawl her eyes out, crying for finding again her best friend, her family. She cried until she didn't have any more tears to spill, until her voice went hoarse, continuing to hug Eren.

Eren...you kept your promise...I'm sorry for doubting you...you saved me again...Thank you!

After the boulder events, trial, and survey corps recruitment*

The first time he saw her, he froze. To find out that he almost killed her sent him into shock, and to find that information at the trial for his life wasn't the best place – he had to hear that they wanted to kill her as well as him, thankfully Erwin and Levi had managed to convince the jury to let him under their control.

He didn't want to go talk to her for fear that she might hate him. He had tried to ask for her while in the cell, but they kept on denying him. If it was because of protocols or fear, he couldn't tell. What he could tell was when it was done out of hatred for him. He didn't want Mikasa to look at him like that. He didn't think he could handle it. But he couldn't stay there forever, and he didn't want to go back to their old interactions. Bracing himself for whatever reaction Mikasa could have, he made his way towards the other cadets.

"Hey guys!"

Mikasa almost jumped when she heard his voice. She turned around faster than she realised, eyes immediately locking on the brunette that she's been wanting to see for days.

"Hey Eren! It's been so long! How are you?" Armin started, sensing that Mikasa was still frozen on the spot. He also had problems maintaining a level headed tone. He would trust Eren with his life, but he also knew that not everyone would have the same reaction as him or Mikasa – he already overheard some soldiers talking how it should've been better to just kill Eren to avoid possible problems, even though he did plug the hole and effectively stopped the flow of Titans single handedly.

"It's good, nothing happened yet – we're planning to help me train with...my powers. So I have to work with a squad leader in order to gain more control when I'm in my Titan form"

The words "So I don't hurt anyone again" were left unspoken, but everyone understood them.

For a while, the trio just stood there, looking at the ground, no-one knowing how to break the tension. Arming decided to just leave his two best friends alone, knowing that they had a lot to talk about. "I'm going to go and talk with the others, so that we can be ready to meet everyone else!" and with that, he left.

Both Eren and Mikasa mentally thanked their blonde friend, understanding why he did that sudden exit. Immediately Mikasa started to prod at his body to check for any injuries. When Levi had started to kick Eren, she almost jumped out to shove that pipsqueak into the nearest wall and threaten anyone who dared step foot in their direction, but that wouldn't have done them any favors. "Are you ok? Did they do anything to you? How are they treating you?" . Eren just stood there, shocked at seeing that her reaction didn't change. He was about to talk and he heard someone else approach them.

"Eren. Is it true that you tried to kill Mikasa?"

Jean asked coldly at the brunette. The raven interjected immediately, staring down Jean.

"He was just swatting a fly"

"I didn't ask you. I asked him. We're supposed to be working with him, to help him take back our city, and we're supposed to just accept that he might at any moment attempt to kill one of us?"

"Squad leader Hange is working on some training regimes to help me control myself..."

"Answer the question Eren. Did you try to kill Mikasa"

The blonde just stared down the pair of green eyes, daring him to answer , while also ignoring the pair of blue eyes and black eyes. Mikasa sure was scary when she wanted to.

"Mikasa isn't everyone else. We're not blindly going along with you for whatever reason. Whether you like it or not Eren, you have our fates in your hand. We're counting on you to not screw up here. Now answer the question"

"I...apparently I did try to kill her...I wasn't in control...b-but then I managed to plug the hole! I was conscious the entire time...so...I don't know how to make you trust me again, so I can only tell you that I'll work harder than any of you!" Eren grew more heated for every word that he was saying, feeling anger at Jean throwing doubts onto his usefulness, but also shame to know that he was effectively correct.

"That's enough Jean. Eren, let's go talk"

Mikasa shoved Jean aside and dragged Eren with her towards an isolated part of the camp. They desperately needed to talk to each other.

When they felt that they were far enough away from everyone else, they turned to each other, the bravado they both experienced earlier gone.

"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know what he's saying. He doesn't know how exactly you protected us"

"He does have a point though...I did attack you..."

Looking up to her, he noticed a scar on her cheek.

I don't remember seeing that scar before

Lifting a hand to cup her cheek, he rubbed his thumb over the scar – "How did this happen?"

Mikasa faltered in her answer, struggling to look at him, deciding instead to focus on the ground.

Oh...I did that...

If Eren was experiencing doubts before, the knowledge that he not only attempted to kill her and almost managed only made things worse. Tears started to collect in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Mika...I-I... have no excuses..."

"You weren't yourself Eren, after that you manage to control yourself and prevent any other Titans from entering the town...you didn't do this to me, it was something else...not you"

Eren found himself being hugged by Mikasa, her strong arms not wavering one bit, circling him, head leaning on his shoulder. He couldn't believe that she didn't hate him. He hated himself, how could she just ignore that?

As if feeling his predicament, Mikasa strengthen the hug and whispered: "I could never hate you Eren. There's almost nothing that you can do or say that will make me hate you. Don't worry"

She doesn't hate me...

All of a sudden Eren reciprocated the hug, making sure to tell Mikasa just how much she meant to him, by squeezing her tightly and grasping her arms strongly. Eren had just begun understanding the depth of his feelings for her, and even though he still didn't know for sure, he knew that he didn't want to stay away from her again.

Armin and the others were busy watching the pair hugging, and even though Jean was almost seething at the boy, he too could see what those two felt between them.

Oh well. I'm happy for her, that's all that matters.

Meanwhile almost every other was softly smiling at the duo, Reiner and Bertholt almost tearing up at the scene, which cause Sasha to laugh at the duo in an amicable way.

Armin knew that in the following days, they would be riding towards the open fields, trying to uncover more secrets, but for now, he could just relax with his fellow trainees, and just watch his two best friend experience something new, together.