Hey guys. Here's another chapter of HSF. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter because it underwent a lot of editing here and there before I was satisfied with it. Anyways, I hope you're still into it and I can't wait to hear what you all have to say. I want to make sure this story is the best it can be so I'll write whenever I can. Let's get back into it.
P.S line breaks often represent change in scenes but will occasionally be use to switch from points of view.
"Can I come in?" Junior asked as he stood at the door to the captain's quarters. So many things went through his mind and he still found himself walking back to his parents for God knows whatever reason. He was 17. Why was he still running back to them?
"Of course," Mikasa's voice responded, prompting him to open the door and walk in.
"Hi Junior how did it go?" she asked with a bit of anticipation before noticing the sombre mood he was in, "things didn't go so well, did they?"
"Nope," he shook his head before noticing the sigh of relief she had. Her expressions were subtle, but not too subtle for him to notice.
"I'm sorry Junior," Mikasa offered him an apologetic smile.
"I know you're lying," Junior pointed out, smiling down at her.
"What gave it away?" she raised her eyebrow at him, her smile becoming playful before patting a space beside her on the bed, "come sit and tell me about it."
"Mom, when have you ever been okay with the thought of me dating?" he asked before walking and taking the seat beside her.
"Okay, okay. I may be a little negative when it comes to you and girls but…" she started, raising her hands in front of her to gesture as she spoke, "I'm a mom. I just need to make sure my little man is in safe hands."
"Hey, I'm not little anymore," Junior responded before he felt a pair of hands on his back. He looked back and found Marie looking back at him with her big grey eyes, "Hey."
"Hi," she smiled at him before she tried to say something like, "congratulations Junior."
"Thanks, Marie. Hey come here," he said before hoisting her over his shoulder and onto his lap. "Why are you still awake so late in the night?"
"Yeah, Marie," Mikasa started, "I thought I put you to sleep thirty minutes ago?" She had the same look she wore whenever any of the children had done something wrong.
The little girl then hid by burying her face in her brother's chest, "sorry mommy, I was waiting for daddy," she said, avoiding her mother's gaze.
"Sneaky little girl. I was so gonna brag to your father about putting you to sleep so quickly but boy was I tricked," she admitted with a small chuckle. She then looked back at her son, passing him a soft gaze, "do you wanna tell me what happened when you went to tell her?"
Junior then sighed, "Oh, right. Well…" he started, trying to find the best way to put it, "when I went to look for her out in the crowd, I couldn't find her anywhere so I kinda gave up and went back to the dorm to just… fall asleep," he continued, "when I got to my bed, I found two people making out and when I pulled out my flashlight, I found out it was Irene that was making out with Doug."
"Oh…" Mikasa said before throwing him a sorry look. She then urged him to continue, "what happened next?"
"I got shocked and I told them how upset I was," he responded as Marie fiddled with his bowtie, "honestly, I feel really betrayed that someone like Irene, a person I trusted so much, would do something like that to me. I don't even want to look them in the faces right now." He said through gritted teeth.
Mikasa then place her hand on his knee, "Junior, I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I know you've had feelings for her for a while now and it's painful to see her with someone else," she started, "but you must realise that Irene is her own person and she's free to do as she pleases, including dating."
"But mom, she knew how I felt," Junior pointed out, "yet she still went behind my back, dating Doug even though she knew it'd hurt me."
"Junior, just because she knew how you felt does not mean she felt the same way," she started, frowning when she noticed him sigh, "yes, it's sad that she let you brew up your feelings for so long but, that's just how things played out. You just have to forgive them and move on. There's no need to be angry at them."
She watched as her son closed his eyes, probably contemplating her words, trying to come up with a decision. He then opened his eyes, "mom, thanks of the advice," he started, "It means a lot coming from you."
"You're, welcome, Junior," she said, giving his knee a squeeze.
Boom! A loud noise was heard, accompanied by large vibrations, setting everyone in the room on edge.
"What was that?" Junior asked as Mikasa had instinctively wrapped her arms protectively around both of her children.
"I'm scared…" Marie whimpered as she clutched Junior's shirt.
Shortly after, a loud siren wailed and the sound of people rushing about in the halls could be heard.
"Calm down," Mikasa said, releasing her hold. She then stood, "I'm going to find out." She made her way towards the door and looked into the halls where many soldiers moved about. She stepped out of the room, hoping to get a clue about what was going on.
"Attention!" Sadies' voice boomed through the halls, stopping everyone in their tracks into a salute, "A large titan was spotted not long ago and it is believed to have kicked a large hole in the wall!" he shouted, ignoring the slight gasps being passed about as even he looked somewhat shook, "because of this, all of you are expected to gear up and get your bikes ready. We're evacuating the city and if you have any loved ones in town, make sure they get a spot on the evacuation busses. We only have so much space. Dismissed!"
The soldiers began to move again, rushing for their dorms to get dressed. None of them ever saw any of this coming.
Mikasa then immediately walked back into the room and found her kids looking at her expectantly.
"What happened?" Junior asked, wondering what all the commotion was all about.
"Apparently a giant titan kicked a hole in the wall," Mikasa explained.
"What?" Junior asked in disbelief. He had never heard of a titan that powerful before. Even when Hange would show him photos from her trips outside the fort. She had never showed him anything that looked like it could do that. Was it a new type of titan? He would figure it out later. Right now he needed to know, "what do we do now?"
"We get ready to leave," Levi's voice came as he had somehow entered the room unnoticed, "we need to suit up and get everyone out of here. We're headed to Fort Rose."
"Fort Rose? That's like across Paradis," Junior pointed out, "that's a long distance."
"Yeah, it's either that or we end up as titan shit," Levi deadpanned.
"Dad, titans don't have digestive systems so they don't shit," Junior said mimicking his father's tone.
"Tch! you're starting to sound like Hange," Levi's scoffed before going silent, his gaze softened before he side glanced at his wife as they locked eyes. It was like they were communicating with one another. It wasn't something he saw for the first time and he had come to his own conclusion. Maybe it was a quirk that came with marriage.
Mikasa then shifted her gaze back to Junior, "Junior, we're about to go out on our first expedition. We've seen how much you've grown and prepared for this day and we are really proud of you," she started, Junior knew where this was going but still listened, "but then, this is not going to be anything like training and the odds of us even making it there are unknown. Therefore, we wanted to ask if you would prefer to ride in the evacuation busses with your siblings or if you would still like to ride with the other soldiers?"
Junior looked between his parents, wondering if they were being serious or not. Of course he understood that they were concerned about him. They meant well but they could sometimes be a bit too overprotective. He had trained for the past year for this very job yet they still offered him an easier way out.
But then again, he had to admit that he was also afraid of this time. Sure he was one of the best students in Titan Science and was quite skilled on the 3DMG but then, he never really looked forward to actually fighting the titans. Remember, he joined to get his father's approval with no actual drive to fight.
"I don't know…"
"We won't take 'I don't know'," Levi said, walking closer to him, "it's either you'll go as a soldier or as a civilian," he then placed a hand on his shoulder, his blue eyes locking with Junior's, "so, which is it?"
Junior had to admit that he hated when his father gave him such options. It was so frustrating. It reminded him of the time he faced a bully and his father gave him two options 'fight like a man or run like a pussy' Obviously he didn't want to be a pussy so he tried to fight and ended up with two black eyes. The both of them got an earful from Mikasa later on.
Back to the present. He had to make a decision. Was he going to fight with the Corps like a man or hide in the bus like a pussy. Still, he didn't want to be a pussy, "I'll fight with the corps." He finally blurted out.
His parents shared a brief look before simultaneously nodding, "Alright, Ackerman. You best get suited up," Levi ordered, "oh and take Marie with you. Make sure she gets on a bus with the twins."
"Understood!" Junior said before standing. He then looked at Marie, "Come on, we need to pick up the twins." With that, the teenager ran out of the room, leaving his parents together.
"So he chose to fight," Mikasa said as she began to strip down, her main aim to replace her dress with her uniform and gear up.
"Yeah…" Levi responded, doing the same, "we have to trust him. We can't control him as much as we could when he was still a tiny brat."
"That's true."
"You guys are comfortable, right?" Junior asked as he had just sat Marie with the twins on an escape bus.
"Yeah," Daniel responded while holding Marie on his lap, "We're good."
"Wow, you look so cool," Dean said while looking his big brother up and down, admiring the uniform, "I wanna be a soldier too," he said in awe.
"If I could, I'd swap positions in a heartbeat," Junior mumbled before looking at his younger siblings, "listen guys. You have to stay close to one another no matter what. Look after Marie and each other and keep your seatbelts on," he spoke, "mom, dad and I are going to be fighting out there for you guys' lives so no matter what, know you'll be safe alright."
"Right," they responded in unison before sharing a brief hug with him.
"Alright guys, be safe," Junior said before walking out of the bus and finding a multitude of people fighting to get on while the security guards ushered them in.
He walked over to his bike and got on before riding towards the other soldiers. He was informed of his position on the right wing of the formation. Alongside several other soldiers.
"I can't believe we're fighting the titans today," one of the older soldiers, Mina, said with disbelief in her voice.
"Ha-ha, I don't know about you but I'm getting to Fort Rose with more than ten kills under my name," Ian said confidently.
"Don't be so cocky, kid," Connie said from his position, "remember we were told how deadly those things could be."
"What! Could look any titan in the eye like I did with Sonny Bean," He said proudly.
Junior could only wish he was as confident as Ian. He could feel his stomach swirl around in anxiety. Did this really have to happen now? He didn't even prepare himself for this day. Maybe he could change his mind and get back into the bus and wait it out. He didn't have to do this.
"Hey, Junior. Are you alright?" a soft voice called out to him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
He turned and found Historia looking at him. Everyone but Irene had adapted to calling him Junior of course to avoid the awkwardness that often ensued when both he and his father were present. But back to the present. He let out a nervous smile, "I'm alright."
"Are you sure?" Historia asked, not seeming to believe him.
"Don't worry aunt Historia," he dismissed, "I'm a little nervous but don't worry. I'll calm down in a while."
"Okay, I'll believe you," she sighed, "but if you need to talk, I'm always available," she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Alright," he returned it before shifting his gaze around. Until he managed to catch a glimpse of Irene in the distance along with the other special ops squad members. Judging by how fast she looked away, he could tell she was looking at him.
The escape busses, fully loaded, all came and lined up behind the special ops squads. This meant that it was time for them to go.
The gates opened revealing the dirt road that led back to the city. the city that was now so infested with titans that they had started roaming the outskirts.
Irene gulped as she looked outside the walls. Sure she was very driven when it came to joining the Corps and she knew very well that this time would come. The time to actually fight the battle she so eagerly chose. However, like any normal human being, she was nervous. The thought of all this was actually quite terrifying. Her mood was already in a mess considering the fact that she messed up with Junior and now she was about to face death.
"Babe, chill out," Doug's voice came from beside her. She turned and found him giving her a smile, "this ain't the time to be worrying. We're about to fight."
"Yeah, you're right," she shook her head, "I was just overthinking things. You know, despite being psyched for this, I'm really nervous."
"You, kiddos have to keep your head in the game," Levi said from in front of them, "we can't afford to lose focus because if we get fucked, so do they," he finished, motioning towards the bus behind them. They held the lives of many people in their hands.
"Of course, sir," Irene responded, nodding her head. The captain was right. She couldn't afford to worry so much that she lost focus. She glanced behind her and saw Annie and Mikasa both wearing their default expressions, not even bothering to regard each other as usual. Despite them being picked for the same squad, neither spoke to each other. But at least they were still focused.
She looked back to where Doug sat with a now focussed expression. If even he could be focussed, what could stop her? She then took in a deep breath before mimicking an expression akin to her father's.
All the soldiers became silent, awaiting instructions from their higher ups, silently waiting to throw their lives out into battle. The moment then came, "Charge!" Erwin's voice went before all the bikes revved up and they began to leave the fort.
The blonde couldn't help but enjoy the fresh air outside the fort. It had been a full year without leaving and now here she was, enjoying the breeze and the view of the green surroundings. She could only enjoy it for so long before they reached the city.
"Spread out into formation," she heard Erwin's voice through the communicator before the squads surrounding them began to spread out. "Squads Levi and Hange. You're all aware of your duties correct?"
"Sir!" everyone responded as they rode towards the city, ready to face their opponents.
Junior sighed as they approached the city, listening to the chatter of his comrades about how many they were going to kill through the communicator. Weren't they jolly.
They found themselves now on the roads of the city. Paradis appeared to have aged a bit considering that several of the walls had cracks and moss growing in them. Had it been that long?
A roar was heard in the distance and a titan had found its way in front of them, hungrily watching them as they drove towards it.
"Dismount!" their captain shouted through the communicator before several of the soldiers around him flicked switched on their bikes and shot into the air.
Junior listened to the whishing sounds before flicking the switch on his own bike, setting it to autopilot. He then shot the hooks at a nearby pillar before flying into the air himself. He sighed as he enjoyed the sensation flying gave him. it made him feel free and because he was better than a lot of others, it made him feel good.
"You're going to die! Asshole! Ha-ha!" Ian shouted as he flew towards the beast, readying his swords as he swung them at it, "Ah!" was the last thing he said before a titan leapt from the side and took him into its mouth.
"Ian!" Mina shouted before accidentally crashing into a building, a titan jumping right at her immediately.
Junior watched in horror and disgust as he saw his comrades being torn apart by the titans. He knew things weren't going to be easy but only being exposed to a titan that was bound by chains made him forget how deadly these things could be.
He gasped as another of his comrades was grabbed right beside him. Now he really regretted doing this. He didn't want to die. He should have gone on the bus.
"Levi, the right wing's dropping in number," Erwin's voice came from the communicator, "deploy two of your men to assist them."
Levi couldn't help but feel his heart race a bit. Junior was in the right wing and now it was already facing casualties. His son could very well be dead right now, "Tch, idiot!" he scoffed to himself, burying the panic that was slowly forming within him. He then pressed his communicator, "Ackerman, Smith. Check on the right wing. Fuckers are going down like flies."
"Sir!" he heard them both respond before their bikes diverted, leaving him with Annie and Doug. His mind somehow wandered back to Junior. He found himself thinking about his current condition, hoping he was still flying around trying to run away from the titans like the coward he was. "You better be okay, brat."
He quickly glanced back and noticed Doug's sudden absence, "where the fuck is Meyer, Leonhart?"
"Said something about needing to piss," she shrugged, not seeming to be concerned.
"Tch! Fucking Moron," he spat before looking back ahead.
"Mrs. Ackerman, how far are we from the right wing?" Irene asked as she rode behind the woman who seemed to be deep in thought as she rode at a very fast speed.
"I don't think we're very far," was the response she got.
A titan came from their right, rushing for them. They both ditched their bikes and rose into the air, forgetting to turn on auto pilot and thus the bikes crashed into nearby cars.
The titan roared as it reached out for them, visibly very hungry. Mikasa immediately took action dodged it, avoiding it's arm by flying under it before latching onto its shoulder and propelling herself towards it, slicing off the nape like they were told to.
Irene had to admit, there definitely was a reason for her being top of the class. She took out a titan so effortlessly on her first try.
They eventually found themselves on a roof where the remaining soldiers of the right wing sat looking miserable.
"Look, it's Mikasa and Irene," Connie started, "hey guys," he greeted, nervously waving.
Irene was the only to respond as Mikasa was already darting her eyes around, looking for no one but her son. At least Eren was safe.
"Where's Junior?" Mikasa asked, clearly panicking.
"Probably out somewhere flying," Jean responded from where he sat, hunched over next to Marco, "but forget about him. He's probably already dead. Ha… what a lucky bunch we are," he said bitterly.
"No!" Mikasa gasped before flying off, probably to search for her son.
Irene also looked terrified, she couldn't lose her friend like that. She'd feel guilty considering the terms he would have left them on. She then felt the drive to help Mikasa out. he couldn't be dead. No, he was smart, he probably found a good spot to hide. She then looked back at the other soldiers, "you guys better organise yourselves. We have to get back on track."
"Excuse me princess but as you can see," Jean started, "there's no chance of survival for us. Let's just forget about all of this and wait for the titans to find us."
"You guys just can't give up," Irene responded, "you knew what you were getting into, joining this fight. Not long ago you were celebrating about graduating yet you're here moaning about how things are over. You can't be doing this… as a matter of fact, you have no right." She then sighed, "so you guys should summon your bikes and get back to work. There are people in the busses depending on you." She then proceeded to jet off, hoping to find Junior.
"Why are you even so active?" Junior asked as he flew away from a titan. He remembered that Titans were inactive at night and didn't understand why he was being chased. Perhaps it was the sunlight being reflected by the moon that gave them so much energy.
He shot his hooks at a building and propelled himself forwards. Unfortunately, the building wasn't stable and the hook detached too quickly for him shoot and thus he dropped onto a roof, bouncing a bit until he finally stopped with a thud.
"Fuck…" he groaned as he sat up, grabbing his head where blood was slowly flowing downwards, messing his face and uniform. "Fuck…" he groaned again as a headache erupted in his head.
He could feel the ground rumble as heavy footsteps belonging to what was obviously a titan approached him. He looked upwards and found a titan looking down at him. strangely, it had a well-built body unlike most deformed titans. But it had an uglier face than most of them as its mouth seemed to go all the way down his Jaw. It looked down at him with its blue eyes as its blonde hair blew in the wind.
"Fuck!" he said before getting up and pointing a sword at it, "I swear, I won't spare you. I swear I'll kill you if you try anything funny!" He knew his threats fell on deaf ears but what could he do? He didn't want to die.
The titan opened its mouth before roaring, a gush of wind sending him back onto the floor as the loud screeching continued. It then raised its fist, ready to smash him.
"Wow…" Junior said as he looked at it. He never saw this moment coming so easily. He wasn't ready to die, but… he didn't have an option now. He now really regretted not going onto the bus this time. His thoughts then drifted over to his family, his sister, brothers, his father, his mother. Oh God his mother. She was going to be crushed when she found out he was dead. He found himself drowning in his thoughts.
"Stop!" a familiar voice shouted, snapping Junior out of his thoughts. He looked upwards and saw none other than Irene, standing above him, pointing her sword at the titan, body tense and voice authoritative.
Somehow, the titan had stopped in its tracks and was looking at her. The way it narrowed its eyes at her was almost as though it were shocked.
"I said, stop!" she continued before her eyes widened, "you're different aren't you?"
Junior watched in disbelief at what he was witnessing. Was Irene talking to a titan? No, maybe it was a dream. He was probably already dead in its stomach and was dreaming. Maybe he was going crazy.
The titan lowered its arms as it looked at the blonde girl, seeming to relax a bit.
"That's good!" Irene shouted before walking towards it, "Now step back!"
"Irene, are you crazy?" Junior asked as he watched her approach it, there was no way a normal human being would do that.
"That's a good boy," she said as it stepped away from her. She then smiled before looking back at Junior, "don't worry, I'm oka…" she said before the titan smashed its open hand down on her, dust covering the area, leaving Junior staring in shock with his jaw Agape.
"Irene!"
Hey guys. I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. I had fun writing this and I hope you've enjoyed yourself. So… there's a cliff hanger huh? Let's see what happens next in the next chapter so stay tuned. I'd love to hear what you all have to say. And I'm sorry if the POV switches are disorienting. it's my first time writing like this. Anyways…
Bye!
