The Wings Of Our Dreams

AN: Hello there, dear readers! After giving Attack On Titan rewatch after a while and seeing the Attack On Titan 2 video game, I got hit by inspiration and just had to write this story.

And I apologize to people who are waiting for me to update my other stories, but I just couldn't keep my fingers off this story and at least get this idea out of my head.

Still, I hope you enjoy

1 The Fateful Day

Year 850

Possible Final Entry?

Who would have thought that day five years ago would be the day that changed everything. It started out normal. Me and my folks were just paying a visit to some relatives in Shiganshina, had a good meal, talked, and joked around. And the next day me, my pa and my ma were walking through the market to get some groceries. No harm done.

It didn't seem like anything bad would happen, these things never do. All I wanted was to return to my home village of Karno with my ma and pa, play with the neighbor's kids, help out my folks with chores. Maybe I would go into the woods with my pa or practice drawing with my ma.

Instead, I never made it back, even till today I still didn't. That day a monster stood over our wall and destroyed our lives with one fell swoop. The walls that surrounded us didn't seem like shields that protected us anymore, but as a slowly crumbling cave that threatened to collapse on us.

I lost everything, my parents, my home, my life… but I also gained new ones. Over the next couple of years, I made friends who more or less became my new family, and I'm not sure if I could call a regiment building a home, but it was good enough, and my life slowly began anew.

I've faced many trials, I've known camaraderie, friendship, struggle, loss, joy, betrayal… even love. I've faced many dangers, but I'm not sure if this current one will be the one where I'll make it.

I guess after everything we went through, I wanted to make sure that at least this journal has some sort of finish.

If this is to be my final entry, then I want to make it special. I hope I didn't just make it sound like a confession.

I've still to achieve all the goals I set out for myself. I still haven't been back to Karno since that day, I haven't avenged my parents, and it looks like I won't grow old enough to marry someone and raise a family.

If I don't make it, then here's a message to all my friends still with me. Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Historia, Connie, Hange, Levi (if you consider me a friend by this point), Moblit, and… Sasha.

I had a wild time with you, and I don't regret it one bit. I hope you forgive me for all the promises I probably won't be able to keep. But through all our training, all our missions, every time we ate together, slept under the same roof, and celebrated, I had the best time of my life.

God, I wish I could write more but I have to hurry!

I thank you all for being a part of this country bumpkin's life, and I don't regret a single moment with you. Damn it, I'm tearing up! I wish I knew if we could have made it past this.

And if not… then goodbye and thank you.

Love you all,

Collin Holt

Year 845

Shiganshina District

Collin, a young eleven-year-old boy was walking through the crowded marketplace with a smile on his face, located between his parents, a grocery bag in his hand. The young boy had short brown hair, with his eyes being of similar color except that they seemed to have a silver shine to them. He was dressed in a simple green shirt, brown pants, and shoes.

His dad, Karlo, was a tall man with decent muscle, short blond hair, and green eyes. He was dressed in white pants, a dark green shirt, and a brown vest. His mother, named Amelia, was a woman with light brown hair and eyes, dressed in a white shirt and blue skirt that reached past her knees.

Collin glanced back at Wall Maria, the wall that, along with Wall Sina and Wall Rose, stood tall for a hundred years, and protected them against giant man-eating monsters simply called Titans. He always wondered how these majestic walls were built but nobody had a real answer, some even just saying they were put there by God.

"Hey, Collin, no lollygaggin'!" Karlo called, his voice laced with a country accent more common at their village than for people living in the district. Collin saw that he trailed behind his parents and quickly caught up. "C'mon, son, stay close. We don't wanna end up losin' you in the crowd!"

"S-sorry, pa," Collin said. "I was just… admirin' the wall."

Amelia chuckled. "Well, they are truly a sight to behold. I remember when I was your age, would find myself constantly starin' at the wall."

"If he keeps starin' we won't be home by dinner time. And we both know how much our son loves that rabbit stew you cook, darlin'," Karlo said before giving his son a smile. "Ain't that right, my boy?"

Collin eagerly nodded with a beaming smile. "Yeah, it's the best! I hope I get to cook it one day as well as ma does!"

Both Karlo and Amelia laughed at the boy's enthusiasm.

Then they slightly flinched at the sound of bells that rang throughout the outlier district of Shiganshina.

"What's that mean?" Collin asked.

"I reckon those bells sound the return of the Scout Regiment," Karlo said. "They were on yet another scoutin' mission from what I've heard. But they weren't gone for that long."

Collin grabbed his father's arm. "Hey, can we go and check 'em out? I always wanted to see what the Scouts look like."

Amelia gained a slight frown. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Collin."

"I'm sure it won't take too long," Karlo assured. "The boy was curious ever since his grandfather, so why not?"

Collin beamed at that response while Amelia sighed and reluctantly nodded.

The family of three soon found themselves on the road near the entrance to Wall Maria. On each side of the road stood dozens of citizens of Shiganshina, and all looking at a group of men dressed in military uniforms consisting of white pants, knee-length brown leather boots, simple shirts, and brown jackets along with green cloaks with hoods. The back of the hoods had a symbol of a shield with a white and blue wing in the front, the Wings of Freedom.

However, instead of triumphant return, the Scouts looked like they've been through Hell and back several times. Among many of the men and women of the group, only a few seemed uninjured while the others sported injuries and bloody bandages, some on horses and some walking. The bleak looks on their faces didn't tell a happy story.

Collin looked shocked at the state of the Scouts, all while holding onto his dad's arm. Karlo and Amelia weren't in any better mood as they looked at the poor state of the soldiers, with Amelia wishing that they didn't come here after all while Karlo just had a look of sadness and pity.

Collin then saw the man walking in the front. He was very tall, easily the tallest person here, with short brown hair and a thin beard. Among all of them, he seemed to be the least affected.

"Pa, who is that man?" Collin asked as he pointed at the man in the front.

Karlo blinked before looking at the person his son was pointing at. "I… think that man is the commander."

Others in the crowd began then began to speak among each other, each one expressing their disappointment.

"They're back already? They barely left."

"Looks like most of them got eaten by titans."

"Heh, this is where our tax money goes. Keeping those bastards fat and happy."

"This is what you get when your pride makes you go outside the walls."

While all the words came out of the people's mouths, Karlo himself glared at them.

"Bunch of ungrateful bastards," Karlo commented. "At least these Scouts actually do somethin', unlike those Garrison drunkards and their 'guardin' duties' which they are so proud of."

"Please, don't speak like that, Karlo," Amelia said.

"It's simple truth."

Then an old woman came from the crowd and walked in front of the soldiers. "Moses! Moses!" the woman called out, making the Scouts halt. "Beg your pardon. Where is my son? He should be with you all." The woman then stepped in front of the commander and grasped his cloak. "Please, tell me he made it."

"I wish I had better news," the commander said before turning to the man next to him."Give it to her."

The man nodded before taking something wrapped in dirty cloth from one of the carts and bringing it to the old woman.

She slowly took the object, a look of horror etched on her face. She stared at the dirty cloth for a moment before unwrapping it and gasping as she saw a severed arm.

Amelia quickly covered her son's eyes. "Please, don't look, honey."

But Collin grabbed his mother's hand moved it away.

The old woman put the cloth back before kneeling down and sobbing.

"I'm sorry. That was all that's left of him," the commander said in a regretful voice. The woman then continued sobbing, with the commander also kneeling down to comfort her.

"He… he did good, yes? He was brave?" the old woman asked with desperation. She looked with teary eyes into the commander's own. "Tell my son stood his ground to the bitter end. Tell me his death meant something! Tell me his sacrifice gave us a better chance!"

There was a moment of silence as the commander kneeled there with wide eyes and an open mouth before he finally spoke up. "He was brave!" he exclaimed before looking down in shame, the rest following. "But… his sacrifice meant nothing." The commander's voice began to crack. "So with all our losses, it's ever the same." He then clenched his teeth and shut his eyes. "The day was lost! We have nothing! Your son died because of me! I sent him to his death!"

The people looked in shock at the scene as tears streamed down the commander's eyes. "I've sent all of them to their deaths! And there is nothing to show for it! All of it amounts to NOTHING!"

Collin now looked at the scene with some tears dripping down his eyes. He could practically feel the commander's sadness in his own heart. The most composed of them all was now the one who was most distraught.

The commander rose as the woman silently cried. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

The old woman rose up and left, still cradling her son's arm. The crowd parted for her to get through.

The commander and the others resumed their walking. Collin wiped away his tears as the Scouts came closer. The young boy then looked at the commander whose tears were still loose.

Then, the commander slowly moved his head, and his gaze met Collin's for a moment that seemed to last an eternity as golden eyes met brown ones.

Remembering what his grandfather had told him, Collin sniffed before composing himself. One hand went behind his back, while with the other he made a fist that found itself on his chest where the heart should be, a soldier salute. Collin wasn't sure why he was doing this, maybe because of respect, or maybe because he wanted to give the man some sort of comfort.

The commander gasped as he saw Collin saluting him and his eyes trembled. Soon after, he looked away, no doubt shameful of seeing the young man's faith in him.

Collin got a disappointed look as he saw the commander gaze away from him and dropped the salute before hanging his head.

Karlo then grabbed his son's shoulder. "I think we've seen enough. Let's go."

Collin and his parents then moved away from the crow, with Collin giving one last look at the Scouts before leaving.

It was afternoon, and the family of three finished their shopping in Shiganshina and went towards the gate leading outside the outlier district. The gates of the wall bore a symbol of a crowned woman in front of a shield, and they were currently held up with a chained mechanism so people could pass through, all under the surveillance of the Garrison.

The episode with the Scouts was still fresh in Collin's mind, the old woman desperate to see her son, the sad faces of the Scouts as they returned in failure, and the commander's breakdown in the street.

"Pa, is it true that there is nothing we can do against the Titans?" Collin asked.

Karlo looked down at his son. "I… don't know what to tell you, son. It does seem hopeless, yes. But regardless, we humans will continue to strive forward, and protect what we cherish. Remember what your gramps said, we will stumble, struggle, and suffer, but eventually, we will reach and grab the freedom we deserve."

Collin smiled. "Thanks, pa."

"Come on, you two. Enough of the bleakness for the day," Amelia said before slightly leaning to her son. "I hope you are ready for the stew. I think I'll give you two plates this time."

Collin beamed again. "Ma, you're the best!"

Then something suddenly rumbled in the distance before somebody screamed. "Oh my God! What is that?!"

The three of them stopped at the sudden scream and turned around to see what was going on. Then they saw almost everyone looking up Wall Maria in fear, and then felt that fear themselves.

A huge head stood above the wall. It had no skin at all, showing the muscle tissue and two giant rows of teeth, some steam emanating from it. A giant skinless hand was also next to it, clutching the top of the Wall.

Collin began shaking as he grabbed both of his parents. "M-m-ma, p-pa, what is that thing?"

Amelia's hand was covering her mouth as she watched the skinless monstrosity with wide eyes, while Karlo had a look of complete shock as he began to sweat.

"Im… impossible," Karlo muttered. "No Titan's that big."

Then the front gate of Wall Maria exploded picking up dust and debris as rocks and boulders were hurled, demolishing some of the houses, with a large gust of wind that sent people too close flying away. The wind was so strong that Collin and his parents could feel it.

From the hole made in Wall Maria, titans began to slowly pour in, and everyone inside began panicking. However, the giant skinless titan seems to have disappeared.

"Run! RUN!" Karlo yelled as he began pulling his son with him with Amelia also running alongside, their groceries long forgotten.

"W-what's going on?!" Collin asked.

"Doesn't matter now! We have to get out of Shiganshina!" Karlo replied.

Along with many people they ran to the gates. The Garrison soldiers quickly and desperately went into positions and began guiding the panicked people through the gate, as well as preparing cannons to fight the titans.

Collin saw more and more titans flood the streets, some even moving towards them, filling him with fear he had never known in his young life.

They passed the cannons and made it to the gates, where a lot of people tried to get through. They quickly got to the opening, but then someone bumped into Karlo and accidentally made him let go of Collin.

"Pa!" Collin exclaimed as the sight of his parents was suddenly obscured by a lot of people running through the gates. In a panic, he ran forward before exiting the gate and finding himself in a more open area.

He then frantically looked around, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of his parents. "Ma! Pa!" he called out only to be hit from behind and fall on the ground.

Then he heard more rumbling behind him, like giant footsteps coming towards the wall.

"Collin!"

He heard his mother's voice in front and saw both Karlo and Amelia running towards him.

"Oh, I'm glad you're safe!" Amelia said as kneeled down and helped her son up.

"Are you hurt?!" Karlo asked making Collin shake his head. "Good. We have to get out of here, quickly!"

Then, just as they began running, there was a crash similar to the one that was made when the skinless destroyed the gate. All of them turned around and saw a large boulder coming their way.

Everything seemed to temporarily move in slow motion as the boulder inched closer. Collin then felt some pressure on his chest before he was suddenly flung away. He saw his father with his hands outstretched showing that Karlo pushed him away as Amelia had a scared look on her face.

The boulder then crashed down right on top of them, narrowly missing Collin who lay on the ground. Collin then looked at the crushed boulder, seeing some blood beneath it. His short trembling hand slowly rose towards the giant rock.

"Ma? Pa?" he said. His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Hey, can you stand up?!" Collin flinched as he saw a Garrison soldier come up to him and grab him by the trembling hand. "Run to the boat!"

"But," Collin said in a shaky voice as he looked at the place where his parents were crushed. "I… I can't…"

"I'm sorry, but it's too late now! Hurry, hurry!" the soldier yelled as he forcefully pulled Collin with him as they began running.

Getting one last glance back, Collin saw a sight that will stay with him for the rest of his life. In front of yet another hole in the gates, stood a Titan, similarly skinless but he had pale short hair and he was covered in… Collin wasn't sure. Bones? Stone? The Titan was in a half-kneeling position, with one arm down to the ground while the other was raised behind him.

The Titan then raised his head, showing that his face was armored as well. The last detail was the glowing eyes that easily stood out in the shadow of the Wall that covered him.

Then it opened its mouth, letting out a large amount of steam along with some sparks of fire. Collin turned back and continued running with the soldier.

Collin found himself sitting on the deck of one of the evacuating boats. His knees were on his chest as his arms were wrapped around them. He saw other children and adults around him, all of whom looked as depressed as he was.

How? How could all this happen? And more importantly… why? What did his parents do deserve such a fate? And he couldn't imagine how many more people died because of all the Titans that appeared.

'Why? Oh God, why?!' Collin thought as he clutched his head.

"I'll kill you!" Collin heard someone next to him say. He saw a boy close to his age dressed in brown trousers, a green shirt, and a reddish coat. He had dark hair and green eyes which currently let tears flow. Instead of sadness, determination and anger prevailed on his face as he looked at the destruction. "There won't be one Titan in the world once I'm through with you!"

A young blonde boy and a girl with a red scarf soon joined the green-eyed boy as Collin looked at his palm, a tear dropping on it. His breath hitched as he realized only now did he begin to cry. Everything he suffered today, and for what? For nothing but the desire of monsters that plagued them for a hundred years.

Collin then clenched his hand into a fist. He found his own determination as the image of the Armored Titan was permanently burned into his memory.

AN: So, yeah, this introductory chapter is finished. I hoped that little hook I had at the beginning hooked you to this story. As you can see, this follows pretty close to what was established in the original story and the events from the game, but I'm adding my own spins on it so it isn't a carbon copy so definitely expect some divergence from canon. And yeah, one of those is that Collin, aka "Our Man" wasn't from Shiganshina.

And I implore you to leave a review. They are great motivators. And check out my other stories, they're worth it.

See you next time!