A/N: to those who've said I've been re-writing season 2 instead of original content, please be patient. This chapter and the previous one is designed to only jumpstart my creative juices again. Don't worry. More original stuff is coming. I just needed to give myself a creative jolt to the brain.
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Hange Zoe slipped a double saddle bag loaded with provisions onto the shoulders of her horse, a pensive look etched on her face. Ever since the startling revelation of Colossal sized titans in the Walls and Pastor Nick's refusal to answer her questions she hadn't cracked a smile since then. How could she when humanity was at stake? Their race was at the very brink of extinction and some stupid cultist had the balls to obstruct their search for the truth?
Since entering the stable, she schooled her face into a stoic mask. No use spooking the horses or taking her anger out on them. It was dark save for the steady glow of a single torch lit above one of the stalls. Kind of like her mood right about now.
She patted her horse on the nose, deep in thought as she led him out of the stable. Due to the fact Nick still wasn't coughing up the wall titans secrets and his church's connection to them, he was being turned over to Erwin and Levi's custody. If those two don't make that bastard talk then I don't know who-
The door flew open startling her mount.
"Whoa! Whoa easy there boy!" Hange commanded, brown eyes darting to the sudden blast of sunlight pouring through the opening.
"Oi hag. We need to talk."
Hange rolled her eyes not breaking stride as she led her steed out into the open.
"Not now. I've got work to do."
"Uh-huh. Yeah. And you've got a bunch of horses saddled for a picnic." Sierra stood in front of her limbs akimbo and hands fisted on her hips. "Yer leavin' on a titan party without telling me."
Under normal circumstances Hange would've let this sort of thing slide. But time was no longer on the Scouts' side where too many unanswered questions hung like heavy morning fog over everything. "You wanna come along, grab a nag and follow me. They're already saddled so take your pick."
She was rewarded by an exaggerated sigh as Sierra walked by, throwing in a hearty middle finger her way for good measure.
Hange sighed and mounted, trying to keep a lid on her foul mood. Seriously. I need her to at least attempt to play nice. For our sanity's sake. God I'm already getting a headache and we've barely cracked the surface in light of this disturbing new information.
A clatter of hooves and a horse's whicker snapped her out of her thoughts. Sierra drew alongside, stone-faced not giving away the inner storm brewing in the depths of her being.
"Well what're you waiting for? Let's get to it hag. We've wasted enough time."
"First of all," Hange retorted, not in the mood to entertain her colleague's ill temper. "You need to check yourself. We're heading into unknown territory with this wall titan stuff. Second, since you're a part of the inner circle Erwin needs your full and complete cooperation. Third, you'll be working with Levi closely from now on, so please do me a favor and try not to kill each other. He-along with the rest of the 104th will be right next to Eren almost all the time-including Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert. Please keep in mind, Ms. Ackerman is extremely protective of Mr. Jaeger and will not hesitate to kill you should you attempt to harm him in any way."
Sierra pinched the bridge of her nose, her grip tightening on Slate's reins as she fought to maintain control of her rising temper. Calm Wolf. Git yerself under control. We've got work to do and yer acting like a fool. Anger clouds judgement. Lose it off the clock.
That didn't stop her tone from coming out somewhat sharp. "Yeah I know okay? Calm yer tits, hag. Ya thought I came to the stables for a damned heart-to-heart? Hell, no. Wasn't five minutes after I was told by some runner titans were spotted inside Wall Rose an' we're runnin' like bats outta hell to get there when surprise, surprise, Asia and Erwin Jr come sprinting outta nowhere yellin' for Eren like the world had ended. Kid wanted me to come with, but I sensed it wasn't time to leave the walls yet. So, I waved him off. Looked kinda sad, but he'll get over it." Blowing out a hard breath, she continued to will herself to return t an unflappable state. After a minute of slowing her heart rate, Sierra glanced over at her drinking buddy.
"Anyway, enough of that. Where the hell we goin' exactly?"
"Just trust me." Was the cryptic reply. When she opened her mouth to protest Hange shot her a sideways glare, the sunlight flashing on her glasses. "You can always go with Levi if you like. He's accompanying Pastor Nick for a special trip downstairs to the Underground. Maybe witnessing the poor and destitute will loosen that stubborn tongue of his and he'll give us the answers we deserve."
Screams. Blood. Pain. Fear. Smothering darkness.
It hurts it hurts it hurts…please stop it stop it stop it STOP IT YOU'RE HURTING ME!
The prospect of returning to that horrible place of nightmares made Sierra shudder. God, she absolutely hated it when the hag did this to her.
"Alright. But I swear to God, hag. If that Ackerman bitch gives me any fits she's gonna get it. End of story."
Heh. Good luck with that.
Hange straightened in her saddle, the leather squeaking under her weight.
"Right. Let's get a move on. We've wasted enough time already. We're gonna be riding on the wagon providing back up. Eren, Levi and the Pastor's gonna be there along with Mikasa, Armin and Jean Kirstein. So stay sharp."
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Temporary Scout HQ – Erwin's office
"Tch. Why can't these sons of bitches give us a moment's peace?" Levi grouched as he closed the door to his boss' office. Clad in the same black suit jacket and pants he slowly limped to the center of the room. He was tired, but that didn't stop the MPs from delivering an urgent summons to appear in front of Erwin ASAP.
"Can you go?" The taller man asked. Fully aware his lethal right hand wasn't at full peak thanks to suffering a broken ankle in battle against the Female Titan mere days ago. It wasn't fair, but Erwin couldn't entrust the task of babysitting Pastor Nick to a novice.
"Like there's a choice," Levi snapped.
"If I may say so sir," said the aide standing at attention in front of the right-hand wall holding a sheaf of papers in his hands. "Very wise we left Mike in charge of the 104th. If anyone can handle the situation, he can."
Erwin turned to gaze out the tinted window. Not wanting to think of the consequence should Mike run into a snag.
"Yes. Let's hope so." Because losing is no longer an option. We must end this once and for all or die trying.
Levi stared at the back of the Commander's head. Everything was moving too fast. While a fast resolution to the titan problem would be nice, he knew from experience it would be anything but. The closer they got to the truth, the more obstacles would be thrown in their faces.
And he was looking forward to knocking each one of them down.
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Open plains – south of Wall Sina
Mike Zacharias spun through the titan's grasping oversized hand before running up its arm, and slicing its nape with a clean, decisive strike. He landed on the tiled roof of an abandoned structure taking a careful head count.
Only four of them left. He thought musing if he should take the chance of eliminating all of his targets before rejoining the southern team. Nah. Too risky. I've bought us more than enough time. Raising two fingers to his lips, Mike whistled for his horse.
Still though, that abnormal worries me. The abnormal in question was huge, bigger than Eren's 15-meter titan form. It continued on its merry way, completely ignoring the human perched on the roof. It was roughly ape-like in appearance with a disproportioned torso, small head, broad shoulders and long, skinny arms that stopped just above its ankles. The bastard's easily over 17 meters tall. Massive. And it's the first time I've ever seen one covered in what? Fur? It's just lumbering around. Why doesn't it try to rush me? Definitely an abnormal, but-
The galloping of his faithful steed jerked him out of analyzing the strange creature in front of him.
Ah! There you are! Guess I won't have to hold out until sundown after all. However, that monstrous Ape was far too close to his horse for comfort. But maybe it would ignore the animal and just keep walking-
Without warning, the Ape titan seized his steed and lifted the struggling beast right off the ground as if was picking up a small rock.
Mike gasped at the sudden movement, eyes wide with shock. Unable to believe what he was witnessing.
"What?! It went for the horse?!" That's never happened before, what the hell? Mike drew his blade swiftly. "Ah c'mon!"
The Ape slowly turned to face his nemesis. Flat, deadened gold eyes presided over an intelligent humanoid face and sharp pointed teeth as it drew back its ridiculously long arm that to Mike, appeared to stretch for miles. His horse kicked frantically before the creature crushed it in its massive fist, blood and guts flying everywhere.
He saw what the beast's intention was half a second before it wound up and launched his dead horse at him like some crude projectile. He managed to dodge at the last second but the velocity knocked his feet out from under him and Mike found himself rolling off the roof, dislodging tiles as he fell-
-right into the eager hands of that bug-eyed tiny titan who promptly shoved his legs into his mouth and clamped down.
"Wait."
Mike froze at the unexpected sound. Watched as the enormous Ape walked up the last few paces before settling down on its haunches, creating a shockwave that shook the trees in front of it. The most disturbing to the terrified man, was the creepy grin the Ape was gracing him with.
Hold on…did someone just speak?
The midget titan chose at that moment to continue eating its prey. Mike screamed as its strong teeth bit through his pelvis.
"Hmm. You must not've heard me. I told you to wait" And just like that, the Beast Titan wrapped long dexterous fingers around the smaller one's head and squeezed, popping its eyeball and slightly crushing its jaw. Forcing it to release a petrified Mike onto the grass, legs twisted beyond repair.
Dead I'm dead I'm dead this is the end it's over I am deader than dead…oh God someone please save me!
"Now I asked what you called that strange weapon of yours." The Ape continued in its deep, guttural voice, which was surprisingly clear. But poor Mike was freaking out like he hadn't done since he'd been a cadet.
Ohmigod. It's talking. But that's impossible…titans can't talk there's no way-
"That thing attached to your waist that allows you to fly."
Dream. I'm dreaming. Yeah. This is nothing but a bad dream. Any moment now. I-I'm gonna wake up.
He couldn't command his mouth to work. His brain was frozen, when just mere moments ago he had full control over his faculties. All that came out was a string of incoherent choking noises. Unaware of the trees or the grass or sky or how unnaturally still everything was.
The Ape reached over to scratch his ear. "Huh. I'm fairly certain we speak the same language. Perhaps you're too frightened to formulate a response?" Then it noticed Mike's discarded blades on the ground. "I notice you also use swords. Fascinating. Must mean you know we reside in the nape. Oh well. Suppose I'll just take it back with me."
The sight of the Ape's gigantic hand reaching toward his prone position sent Mike into a panic attack, screaming like a wet behind the ears recruit as he covered his head preparing for the creature to crush him flat like his poor horse.
Only to hear a click as his gear was disconnected from his belt with no harm done. Task complete it stood up and started to walk away to wherever it came from.
What? It took my gear? Why? What's happening?! WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON?!
He lay there in a twisted heap. Hyperventilating. Trying to make sense of the impossible.
His mind flashed back to his conversation with Nanaba on the roof earlier that day.
"No way. As long as we keep putting up a fight-"
Mike stopped trembling. That's right. I'm an elite soldier of the SURVEY CORPS for God sakes. Not some mewling cadet fresh outta boot camp! Emboldened, he reached for his blade, eyes burning defiance. As long as we keep putting up a fight! We haven't been beaten!
Mike glared up at the Ape titan's retreating back clutching his sword in a last-ditch effort of resistance. An involuntary battle cry ripped from his throat, blade gleaming in the late afternoon sun.
That proved to be a fatal mistake.
The Ape stopped in his tracks at the man's foolish noise to issue an order to the remaining titans waiting patiently at the ready.
"Oh. You can all move now."
Mike gaped as the titans rushed his position. Realizing his error he began a frantic scramble, trying to crawl to safety but his crushed legs proved to be his undoing.
The titans seized him in their horribly strong hands and wasted no time tearing into his flesh.
"No no! Please stop! Aggggghhhh!"
Unfazed by the human's frenzied, terrified howls, the Ape watched the gruesome sight unfold, eyes dead. Like a god watching an insect struggle for its life.
"Ah, so you do know how to speak. Hmm, such a clever idea I must say."
It turned its back and resumed walking, the dead man's gear delicately pinched between its fingers.
Mike Zacharias, he who was second in strength to Levi, continued to be torn apart by the titans.
PLEASE MAKE IT STOP IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HUUUUURTS OH GOD PLEASE-!
Then his torso was ripped in half and everything went black.
TBC…
