New chapter is out as you can see, I hope you enjoy it.
Pov/Reiner:
"Are you an idiot?" Annie hissed at him. "If we don't kill the Titans they captured, then they could learn about them. And if-"
"And how would you suggest we do it then, even if you don't get caught they'll start suspecting there's a traitor among them.," he said aggressively, cutting her off.
"Not if we use ODM gear, they'll think it was just a soldier who hated Titans who killed them," she hissed.
"This won't help getting the Founder," he said, trying to reason with her.
Her eyes narrowed. "If you wanted to get the founder, you would have broken more than three walls already. If you wanted the founder you wouldn't have let one of the walls get sealed."
He sighed before speaking. "Well, you can kill them if you want to, but I'm not getting involved."
"Fine," Annie said beginning to walk off.
He reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Don't blow our cover."
She pulled her arm away, breaking his grip with minimal effort, then walked off into the night. Dammit, Annie, you're going to get us caught. But then again… I think Eren already suspects we're traitors.
It had to start eventually, He clenched his fists drawing blood while he stood still delving deeper into his thoughts.
Damn you Marely. Damn you for sending me here.
Change pov/Eren
The old scout headquarters came into full view, the castle had once been the headquarters for the Scouts but had been abandoned long ago, the scouts had instead moved further inside the walls and left the castle to rot.
Even now he remembered his days here with the Levi squad, trying to figure out his Titan power. Things were simple back then, there was no Marley, no other Titan shifters. There was just us and the Titans.
Oluo road up next to him and leaned close to him and spoke to him in a hushed voice.
"Don't get cocky rookie," he turned his head slightly to look at Oluo.
"You shouldn't speak while riding a horse," his eyes narrowed at the statement.
"You won't be so cocky after you spend a week with-" he was cut off as his horse stumbled causing him to bite down on his tongue, sending blood onto his cheeks and down his throat.
Oluo tried suppressing a yelp but failed, drawing everyone's attention to him. He grabbed his tongue which was bleeding profusely and tried to stop the bleeding while the scouts nearby were stifling their laughter.
Oluo rushed over to the well as soon as they passed the gates and was quickly followed by Petra.
Blathering like that on a horse, of course, you bit your tong."
"I was making a first impression," Oluo responded holding a cloth around his tongue.
"That rookie was quaking in his boots."
"I think he was just surprised by what a fool you are," he left them to their banter, walking towards Levi and the rest of the squad who stood before the gates which like the rest of the castle had fallen in to disappear. Moss and ivy grew all around it, while the wood itself was chipped and slightly rotten.
"This place hasn't been used in a long time, so it's kind of fallen into disrepair." One Scouts told them.
Levi looked at the gates. "Fix it up, immediately."
Time skip:
By the time they were finished night had fallen, so like last time he went and joined the others for some tea.
"We'll be ordered to stand by for several days most likely, Eld told them breaking the silence of the room.
"But I hear they're going to be launching a large-scale expedition, well past thirty days beyond the wall. And that they're going to bring the recent graduates into the mix." He finished
"Eld is that true," Gunther asked. "I mean they just suffered a Titan invasion, isn't it a bit too soon."
"I bet the brats were paralyzed with fear," came Oluo with his usual arrogant demeanor.
"Is this true captain?" Petra asked.
That's his department… he's got a lot more to think about than we do," Levi told them.
Listening to the conversation with no great interest he sat silently sipping his tea.
"That's true. "The circumstances have changed so much, on one hand, the Maria recovery route we sacrificed so much to secure was sealed off in an instant… but a completely new hope has sprung up in its place," Eld explained looking at him.
A silence embraced them for a moment before Eld asked him the question he had been expecting.
"So Eren what happens when you become a Titan," Eld asked him.
"Well, my memories of it aren't clear, most of it's fuzzy. But the second time I transformed I knew what I was doing, it was all clear."
"What about the crystallization or whatever you did to plug up Trost," Eld asked.
He shrugged, trying not to give anything away.
"Well-" Eld was interrupted by the arrival of Hange, who burst through the door.
"LEVI squad!" She shouted enthusiasm etched in her voice. Hange, you loved Titans so much, and they were the ones who killed you. And you never got to see the flying Titan.
She walked towards him the room once again filled with silence. She pulled up a chair and sat down looking into his eyes.
"Squad leader Hange,"
"I am currently handling examination of the two Titans which were captured. And I would like you to assist me in the experiments we will be doing tomorrow, Eren." She told him. "I stopped by to get permission."
"Well, I don't have control over what I do these days, so I can't give you permission."
"Levi?" Hange asked glancing at the captain. "What is on Eren's agenda tomorrow?"
"… Cleaning the yard," Levi answered dryly.
"Great then, it's settled. See you tomorrow Eren," Hange said standing up
"Do these experiments involve me having to transform?" He asked her.
"Not these," she replied already walking away.
"Well, prepare yourself Eren. Once she's through with these subjects you'll be next," Eld said jokingly. He would save them.
The next day:
"SONNY! BEAN!" The scream of Hange rang throughout the castle, it was a scream not of pain, but loss. The scream was filled with the pain of losing a loved one.
"They were important to test subjects. What kind of moron would…"
"If they weren't morons then why'd they do it?" Another whispered.
"Let's go… The rest is up to the Military Police Brigade," Levi told him appearing next to him.
"Yes, sir."
He turned around to see Erwin standing before him.
"Commander."
Erwin leaned down and grabbed his shoulders then spoke to him in a hushed tone.
"What happened here? What do you see? Who do you think the enemy is?" Erwin asked.
"The enemy… is waiting to strike," he replied surprising Erwin with his answer.
Erwin let go of him, his face filled with mild surprise, he left without another word moving swiftly towards Hange the crowd opening up for him as he went.
Time skip:
Erwin walked up onto the stage overlooking the cadets who now numbered below two hundred. Among them were facing, the faces of people that had died before him. All of them hoping for a brighter future, a future that never came.
"I am Survey Corps commander Erwin Smith. The king has granted me authority over all the Survey Corps activity." A fake king Erwin, a fake king you would replace. "Today, you choose which division to join. The reason I'm up here is to invite you to become part of the Survey Corps." The cadets remained motionless, but fear and guilt were still etched upon their faces.
"But I should warn you. In the recent Titan attack, everyone experienced what the average excursion is like. I'm sure nothing else in your lives came close to. Though you're trainees, you experienced sacrifice. As a result, I'm sure you came to know your limits and the terror of the Titans."
You always were one for inspiring speeches, Erwin.
"Nevertheless. While it is true we suffered heavy losses during this attack. The human race has advanced towards victory like never before. By now everyone is aware of the existence of, Eren Yeager. Through his actions and all of yours, the Titan incursion was halted, and we have obtained a path to understanding the true nature of the Titans."
The cadets seemed to only get more confused as Erwin continued.
"I'm not at the liberty to tell you much regarding Eren, but believe me, he's already proven himself as an ally who's willing to lay down his life if it is necessary. You all saw him when he sealed the gate of Trost, and now we hope to seal Maria and Shiganshina using the same method." Whispers spread throughout the crowd.
"And we also know that in the basement of his old house in Shiganshina district lies answers about the Titans that not even he knows. If we can get to his basement, then I believe that we can find the clues that may free us from a century of Titan domination."
"His basement?" Reiner asked, sounding utterly confused.
"If we're on the verge of finding out what the Titans are, then the situation must not be that bad." And once again, the crowd of cadets was filled with whispers.
"And yet, if we are to perform a full investigation into that basement In Shiganshina, we first need to retake Wall Maria." Erwin continued. "In other words, our aim is the same, but now we can no longer use the gate in Trost district, we have to take the long way around from eastern Karanes district. The path that took one of our battalions four years to clear is completely lost."
"During those four years over 90% of the Survey Corps were killed. That's 90% in four years. Even in the best case, sending another battalion to wall Maria would mean five times the casualties and twenty years of work. Those aren't realistic figures." Erwin stopped and looked at the cadets who seemed to want to join the Scouts less and less by the minute.
"The Survey Corps is always looking for talented people. Since many are killed every time we go out, we suffer from a chronic shortage of personal. I won't hide it. Those who join the Survey Corps will participate in an expedition beyond the wall one month from now. A supply route needs to be put in place as soon as possible."
"I believe the mortality rate for new recruits going on their first expedition outside is about 50%. But those of you who survive while becoming superior soldiers with a higher survival rate. Now you are aware of the dismal state of affairs. Those who are still willing to put their lives on the line remain here."
"Let me reiterate. Those who stay here to enter the Survey Corps will likely die. Ask yourselves if you really have it in you to sacrifice your life for humanity. That's all… Those who wish to join the other divisions are dismissed," Erwin finished his speech, and for a moment no one moved, then one by one they left, and slowly the crowd shrank until less than thirty remained standing.
Erwin waited a moment longer before speaking.
"If you… were told to die. Could you do it?" Erwin asked them.
"I don't want to die."
"I see. Everyone, you look good. Very well, I welcome the newest members of the Survey Corps. Devote your hearts to the cause!" He shouted out to the remaining once cadets, now Scouts members.
"YES SIR!"
"Erwin held the salute to his chest watching as the last of the cadets left, Annie and Jean amongst them
"Everyone," Armin said looking amongst those who remained.
"Ahhh Shit. This is the worse goddammit. The Survey Corps of all things," Milieus stated still trying to come to terms with what he had done.
"Uhh. I hate this, I'm scared. "Sasha whispered tears running down her face.
"I just don't care anymore," Connie stated.
"You have withstood your fear well… you're brave soldiers. You have my heartfelt respect."
Time skip
"EREN. ARE YOU READY TO TRANSFORM" Hange shouted down, at him for the third that day. Three times already he had transformed, each time Hange wanted to do another experiment taking samples of the Titan crystal whenever she could.
"YES. I AM!" He shouted back, the scouts around him were tense and were staring at him with anticipation
He raised his hand to his mouth and bit down on it filling his mouth with his blood.
Lightning sparked across his body and was quickly followed by golden lighting which trailed across his body. He was surrounded by lighting and then multiple powerful blasts of lightning struck him at once.
He was surrounded by a golden glow and streaks of lightning. Steam released from where he stood standing blowing the scouts nearby back as his Titan rose from the steam, eyes blazing green he stood to his full height, towering over the scouts he looked down at them, terror filling their faces.
He looked up at Hange, who was ecstatic at his transformation. She looked down at him buzzing with excitement.
"EREN! CRYSTALLISE NOW!" Hange shouted at him.
He nodded slightly and kneeled watching as the scouts tensed up at his movements.
With a single thought, his Titan began to harden, the diamond-hard crystal traveled up his body turning flesh into diamond. His body quickly was unable to move, as the crystal hardened his limbs and joints his Titan became motionless.
He pulled himself out suddenly, smashing through the crystal he fell backward and onto the ground leaving his crystalized Titan body kneeling in front of the cliff.
He felt himself blackout, darkness quickly covering his vision he collapsed the sound of footsteps ever nearing.
Dammit, Hange. You just don't know when to stop. And finally, darkness fully overtook him, with not a sound to be heard.
I know this chapter was shorter than the usual but there really wasn't much to write about here. Also, I am sorry about the amount of time skip.