Chapter 36: The Battle of Castle Utgard

All eyes were on the pastor when that name left his mouth. So many questions were going through the cadets' minds as they stared in stunned silence only for the door behind them to slam open, thus breaking said silence.

"Important message!" Sasha shouted, clutching a piece of paper tightly. "I'm with the 104th Cadet Corps. Oh, and my name is Sasha Braus."

No one paid any attention to her as they were still taking in the news.

"No way," Eren whispered.

"Who?" Hanji asked, turning to the cadets.

Sasha cautiously approached her, trying to hand over the message. "Sorry. This is for you, Section Commander."

Despite her efforts, she was still ignored.

"You must find her with all haste," Nick told them. "She is the key. She may know things we understand, but poorly. And with that, we come to the end of what I'm free to share. The rest I leave in your capable hands."

"But, if she's in the 104th Cadet Corps, she's at the front lines by now," Hanji said.

"Then, let's go. There's no time to lose." Eren started running towards to stables only to immediately crash into Sasha, who fell onto the ground harshly and dropped the letter.

"Watch where you're going," Hanji rebuked.

"Sasha?" Eren asked, surprised.

"Where did you come from all of a sudden?" Mikasa wondered.

Carefully, Dillon began helping the girl up. "You all right?"

She let out a groan, massaging her forehead. "Yeah, I'm all—" She gasped loudly and picked the letter back up, running towards Hanji. "I was sent to give a message to Commander Erwin, who then entrusted me to deliver this to you, Section Commander!" With a dramatic bow, she held out the message to her.

Hanji didn't quite know how to respond to that other than, "Oh, uh… okay, then. Excellent work."

She placed a steamed potato in Sasha's hands, whose face lit up with pure joy. She took a large bite out of it, thrilled to taste real food once again.

"So, who was Nick talking about?" Hanji wondered while the cadets began strapping on ODM gear.

"She was the smallest one in our class," Eren explained as Mikasa made sure his gear was attached correctly.

"Golden hair, blue eyes," Armin described. "In fact, she's, uh, kinda cute."

Annie couldn't help but smirk at that. "Sounds like you have a crush, Armin."

His face flushed with embarrassment, but he didn't comment on it.

"She's the one always hanging around Ymir," Mikasa added for good measure.

Hanji gasped at that statement. "Excuse me?"

Dillon tilted his head in confusion. "What is it?"

She shook it off for the moment. "I'll tell you all later. Right now, we have to finish getting ready."

"Annie!" Sasha practically crashed into Annie to give her a hug. "It's so good to see you again."

Awkwardly, the blonde hugged her back as she tried to breathe. "It's nice to see you, too, I guess. Can you let go before you crush my ribs?"

She released her quickly. "Sorry. I just didn't expect to see you join the Scouts. What made you change your mind?"

"It's a long story that we don't have time for," Annie answered.

Hanji unrolled the message and let out a relieved sigh. "Looks like the advanced warnings from Annie paid off. Most of the settlements have been evacuated, and we have more Scouts rallying to our position." She put the paper away and began to address all the Scouts gathered. "Right now, we are about to ride into a very volatile situation. It's highly unlikely all the Titans have been killed, so we'll need to take down as many as we can. Then, there are the Shifters we need to worry about."

"What Shifters?" Sasha asked, the only one uninformed of the truth.

"Later," Dillon whispered. "Stay quiet for now."

"Best case scenario is that we contain them quickly and take them Underground. Worst case is that we fight them out." She looked over at the Titan Shifters before her. "We can assist as much as you need us to, but I hope you two can handle them if things get dicey."

"We will," Eren promised.

"They won't get away," Annie added.

Satisfied, Hanji said, "So, that's the plan. Are we clear?"

"Yes, clear," the Scouts answered.

"Right, we have to go now," Eren declared, making his way for the exit.

"Calm down, Eren," Levi advised. "I need you all to listen. We're going our separate ways. That's how it has to be. Right now, this is all riding on you. Armin, you and Hanji are the brain trust. Use your combined knowledge to cook up solutions if things get out of hand."

Armin nodded quickly. "Right. Yes, sir."

The captain moved on. "Mikasa, I don't think I'll ever get why you're so attached to the guy, but put your skills to some good use. Protect Eren at all costs."

"Sir, I intend to," Mikasa replied.

"Dillon, I'm entrusting you to knock them out while they are in human form the second you see an opening. If they transform, assist our Titan comrades with subduing them, but don't get yourself killed because of your recklessness."

"Yes, sir," Dillon responded.

"Leonhart, keep your head down until the Shifters are neutralized. If they see you, it all blows up in our faces. I trust you know what to do if they transform. Don't blow it."

"Of course, sir," Annie assured.

Now was the time to address the final 104th member. "And you… don't screw this up."

Eren stiffened, knowing what Levi was referring to.

"Check your emotions, Eren," he warned. "Learn the meaning of the word restraint. If you let yourself succumb to blind rage, all hope is lost. We can't afford another mistake."

Eren nodded gravely. "Sir."

"Good luck to each and every one of you," he said sincerely. "Now, get out there."

"Sir!" was the chorused reply.

While the Scouts made their way towards the horses, Annie turned to see a very perplexed Sasha.

"What the hell is going on?" she asked.

"When this is over, I'll tell you everything," Annie promised before heading out with the others.

"I hate being kept in the dark," Sasha complained, chasing after her.


(Castle Utgard)

As expected, the ruins of an old castle provided little comfort for its current occupants. The floor was dusty and cold along with the fact that there was a scent of mold in the air. The Scouts considered themselves fortunate that no one was having allergic reactions to the conditions. Still, they were able to set up a fire inside, so they had warmth at least. They even had some sheets so they wouldn't have to lie directly on the cold floor.

"Someone was here not that long ago," Henning stated after having a quick look around.

"A place this close to the Wall?" Nanaba asked.

"Bandits probably used it as a hideout," Lynne guessed.

"A sign on the way in said 'Ruins of Utgard Castle," Nanaba pointed out. "I didn't know there was a historical sight around here.

Gelgar entered the area, holding a green bottle of what appeared to be wine. "Hey, look what I just stumbled upon."

"You're kidding," Lynne said in disbelief. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Uh-huh." He squinted at the label on the bottle. "Can't really read the label, though."

"You're not gonna drink it now," Lynne scolded with a disapproving look.

Quickly, Gelgar caught himself. "Don't be smart! I'm gonna save it for later."

Henning chuckled as his comrade walked to the other side of the room. "You know, there are worse ways to spend the night than having access to top-shelf contraband."

"Careful," Nanaba warned with a laugh. "You're starting to sound like an outlaw."

"I want you kids to try at get some rest," Gelgar instructed to the cadets. "There shouldn't be any Titans crawling around at this time of night, but we'll take turns keeping watch. Be ready to leave four hours shy of daybreak."

"Excuse me," Krista cut in, deciding to voice her worries. "What if it turns out Wall Rose that isn't actually compromised? Where else could they be coming from?"

There was a long pause as the soldiers glanced at each other. This was a question that had been bubbling inside of them ever since they were unable to find the breach.

"It's our job to find out," Gelgar responded, walking up the stairs that led to the roof. "Starting tomorrow."

Krista let out a sigh. "I'm just saying. The situation isn't good, sure, but is it as bad as we think? You never know, right? That's all."

"She's right," Henning agreed. "We haven't seen that many Titans. I mean, for them to have busted through the Wall anyway."

"Only within the initial sighting," Nanaba said, mulling it over. "A relatively modest handful."

Deciding to change the subject a little, Ymir glanced over at Connie. "Connie, what about your village?"

"Totally destroyed," he replied. "It was crushed to tinder and bits of rubble."

She let out a sad sigh, which was unusual for her. "I'm… I'm sorry."

"Nobody got devoured though," Connie assured. "Looked like they all got out, so there's a silver lining at least."

"I thought you said it was destroyed," Ymir pointed out, confused.

"Well, the houses and stuff were, but the people themselves must've all escaped. I mean, they had to have. The thing is, we didn't see any blood anywhere. Not so much as one drop. That's the only possible explanation." He turned to face the ground as his mind drifted back to that moment. "Still though, there's something I can't get out of my head. There was a Titan on top of our house just lying there staring at me. It couldn't move on its own, thank God. But I just… I have no idea why, but it reminded me of my mom. Am I crazy?"

"Connie," Reiner interrupted, almost irritably. "What did I tell you? It was your imagine—

"Are you serious?" All eyes went to Ymir who busted out laughing at the sheer ludicrousness of that statement. "You actually think your mom might be a Titan? Oh, honey, as itty-bitty as you are, please!"

Connie was at a loss for words. He didn't know what to feel about her response, though her next statement fixed that.

"We all knew you were dumb as a bag of rocks, but whoa, man. This takes it to a whole other level!"

"Ha hah, have your fun," he growled over her laughter. "Guess I was kinda asking for it."

"Don't stop there," Ymir suggested, her tone ever so mocking. "If mother darling's a Titan, it's only logical to assume dear old daddy is, too. Basic biology. Think about it. How else—?"

"Okay, I get it," Connie snapped, glaring at her. "Just shut up already!"

"Lock in down, you two," Nanaba ordered, having enough. "This is hardly the time for this nonsense. Get some sleep, all of you."

Silently, the cadets took to their sheets and attempted to sleep their worries away. Connie, however, was unable to do so. Despite Ymir pointing out how ridiculous the thought of his mother being a Titan was, he couldn't let that go no matter how hard he tried. He honestly believed he heard the Titan talk to him even though Reiner didn't hear it. Still, all Connie could wonder if it was true, that the Titan in his village is his mother… how was that possible?

For nearly two hours, the cadets managed to drift off into slumber save for Ymir. Once everyone, including the senior officers, weren't looking, she snuck into the room containing the contraband, opening up a case. Holding a candle in one hand, she began searching through it with the other, looking for anything edible or valuable when the door opened up behind her.

"Ymir, what are you doing?" Reiner asked, having spotted her beforehand.

She smirked in response. "Seriously? What are you doing? Here to ravage me? Don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't think you were all that into girls."

"Really?" he asked, not letting her get to him. "Well, since we're on the subject, I didn't think you were into guys."

Ymir rolled her eyes and continued searching. "If you must know, I'm scavenging for leftovers like a street urchin. I'd prefer not to meet my maker on an empty stomach."

Slowly, Reiner closed the door so they wouldn't get caught. "Look, the whole thing earlier with Connie, are you teasing him to get his mind off of things? It'd be great if you could keep that up. The less he dwells on his family right now, the better."

"What are you talking about?" she wondered, a little confused by that statement before she managed to pull out a can. "Huh, this might be good. Herring's not my favorite, but whatever."

Reiner walked over to her. "Herring, huh? Can I see?"

"Help yourself," she said, handing it over to him.

"I can't believe there's canned food here," he commented as he took it. His eyes widened as he stared at the label. "What the-? What is this? I can't read a word of it. How do you know this says 'herring?'"

Ymir froze, going silent.

"It's in another language. Ymir, how can you…?"

Slowly, she faced him, a look of fear present on her face. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not now of all times.

"Everyone, wake up!" Lynne yelled suddenly. "Get to the tower immediately!"

Quickly, the cadets and the other three Scouts arose and ran up the stairs, with Reiner and Ymir not too far behind, to see what the commotion was about. Once they reached the top of the tower, they were greeted with a sight that should not have been seen tonight.

Fourteen Titans of various sizes had the castle surrounded, their footsteps shaking the ground as they walked. Some of them were circling the tower, almost like vultures ready to strike.

"I couldn't see them in the dark," Lynne explained, her nervousness very apparent, "but with the moonlight—-"

"How can they move?" Gelgar asked, horrified like the others were. "This shouldn't be happening. The sun went down hours ago!"

"I don't understand," Krista whispered.

Connie's eyes widened when he spotted something among the Titan ranks. "Uh, guys, what the hell is that?"

All eyes focused on what he was pointing at: a seventeen-meter, ape-like Titan circling the tower like some of the Titans.

"It's gotta be a Titan," Connie stated, panic starting to increase within him, "but have you ever seen one that big? Look at it! It's more like some kind of beast. How do we—"

His voice trailed when he saw he friends watching that thing, eyes wide with terror. They, like him, had no idea what kind of monster that thing was. However, the thing changed course, walking away from the castle.

"Wait, is it—" Connie's pupils shrank when he realized where it was going. "It's heading straight for the Wall."

They were so distracted by the Beast Titan that it wasn't until a fifteen-meter Titan rammed its entire body into the tower, causing it to shake violently. If the Titans combined their efforts, the tower would collapse, and they would all die. The Titan continued ramming its head into the side of the tower while a few tried climbing it.

"Hey, hey, back off," Gelgar shouted angrily and fearfully. "Don't come up here. Don't you have anything better to do? Bother someone else! I should be drinking right now, damn it." Finally, he drew his swords. "You're standing between me and a tankard of ale. I've earned the right to get trashed!"

Nanaba would have a serious talk with the man about priorities later, but right now, the senior officers had a job to do. First things first, she pulled out a flare gun and fired a red flare into the sky.

"Who the hell could be nearby at this time of night?" Ymir asked.

"Rookies, stay where you are!" she commanded as she and the others stood on the edge of the tower. "We've got this. Let the ODM gear do what it was designed for." Drawing her swords with the others, she gave let out a loud, "Attack!"

With a battle cry, the four Scouts dived off the tower, ready to kill as many Titans as they could.

Gelgar went straight for the fifteen-meter that was trying to knock the tower down with its head. Seeing what it believed to be easy prey, it reached out for him. "You think it's gonna be that easy, big guy?" he taunted. "I've got news for you." The news came in the form of a precise sword swing that cut off all of its fingers.

Nanaba quickly followed up by targeting the nape, cut deep enough to kill it. The lifeless body fell on top of three, small Titans that were trying to get inside the tower.

If Gelgar's tone was anything to go by, he was savoring this moment as he replaced his bloodied blades with new ones. "Hot damn! You little ones should watch where you're going, dumbasses."

"I don't think you're one to talk," Nanaba scolded, more than a little annoyed with his antics. "There's no call to be so reckless. Did you have to waste your blades?"

"That's just how I do things," he said. "You'd better chalk that one up as an assist."

She allowed herself a smirk at that. "Aren't you the hero? I'll think about it."

Down below, one of the small Titans tried to crawl out from under the corpse, but Lynne landed directly on its head, halting its movements. A precise slash to the nape ended its life. She looked up from her kill and saw that the door to the tower was broken into. "Oh, no. I'm too late." Quickly, she grappled up to where Nanaba and Gelgar were and informed them the news. "The door's been kicked in." Without waiting for a response, she made her way to the top where the cadets were. "Titans are in the castle. Get below and improvise some sort of barricade. Be careful. Retreat back up here as a last resort. Now, go!"

"Got it," the cadets replied, rushing down the stairs.

Reiner took the lead, grabbing a torch as he ran. "I'll go see how far they've gotten in. You find something to board up the entrance, whatever isn't nailed down."

"Reiner, wait," Krista protested.

"What the hell?" Connie added unhelpfully.

Bertholdt pushed passed the others, trying to get to him. "Hang on, we're coming! Wait up!"

By now, Reiner had already reached one of the doors.

Connie couldn't help but groan. "Are you kidding me? Why's he always gotta be the first one to step up? Give us a break."

"I know," Bertholdt agreed. "It's a habit of his."

Carefully, Reiner proceeded through the door once he saw that there were no Titans in this part of the castle. He took notice that the door at the end of the next set of stairs was still barred up, meaning that they had to be on the other side. However, he knew that it wouldn't keep them out for long, so it was best to see how far in they were. He lifted up the barricade and slowly opened the door, taking a look.

His heart nearly stopped when he saw a three-meter Titan staring directly at him, grinning. The minute it let out a roar, Reiner pulled back and slammed the door shut, making sure the barricade was put back. Dropping the torch, he used his weight as an extra obstacle to keep the Titan out, though he knew that this was only a temporary solution. If the way the Titan was trying to break in from the other side was any indication, the door would last a couple minutes at most.

"They're in the tower," he yelled. "Get down here at help me!" The couple minutes he thought he had turned into a couple of seconds as the Titans arm busted through the door to the left of him. Is this it? He asked himself as the hand came down on him. Is this how I go out?

All of a sudden, he wasn't in the tower anymore. He was out in a field being attacked by a Titan. It almost reached him, but his friend, Marcel pushed him out of the way in the nick of time, letting the Titan grab him inside. He watched as he friend screamed for them to run as the monster opened its mouth to devour him.

No, not yet. I refuse. Coming back to the present, Reiner dived out of the way of the hand. He glared directly at the Titan as it was just about to make it through. I'm going back home!

"Reiner!" Bertholdt called out from behind him.

The blonde glanced over his shoulder and watched him impale a rake directly into the Titan's eyes. Quickly, Reiner got up and helped him push the Titan back.

"Talk to me, man. Are you good?" Bertholdt asked.

"Yes," Reiner assured, giving him a determined look. "Listen to me. We're gonna make it home. This is not how we die."

Bertholdt gave a quick nod. "Yeah, I know. Damn right!"

"Guys, heads up!" Ymir yelled from on top of the stairs.

They saw her, Krista, and Connie standing behind a cannon they had wheeled out to the doorway.

"Where'd you find—" Reiner shook it off. "Good work. Is there ammo?"

"Yeah, right. If only," Ymir replied. "We have another plan. Get out of the way!"

Quickly, the three began hitting the cannon, causing it to descend down the stairs rapidly. The two men jumped to the ground floor just as it almost reached them. The moment the Titan pulled the rake out of its eyes, the cannon smashed into it. Not only did it block the door, but it buried the Titan as well.

"May miracles never cease," Ymir said as she and the others cautiously went down the stairs.

"Yeah," Reiner replied. "It's not getting up from that. Good thing it was a little one."

"What now?" Connie asked, pulling out a knife he managed to grab. "A knife's the only thing we've got. Should I cut the nape or—"

"Don't risk it," Reiner interjected. "Get ground, you'll get hurt."

"Then I think it's best we head upstairs for now," Krista advised. "We have no way of knowing if that's the only one that got in." She gasped when she saw another Titan get through the barricade, which was heading directly towards an oblivious Connie. "Connie!"

The bald-headed cadet turned in horror as he faced a huge set of teeth coming right at him.

Thinking fast, Reiner shoved Connie out of the way while pushing the Titan's face aside. However, the Titan turned and bit down on Reiner's arm, eliciting a scream of pain from him.

"Reiner, no!" Krista yelled, who was being held back by Ymir.

The cadets watched in horror as its teeth sunk deeper into his arm, fracturing it. However, Reiner was far from out. Planting his feet and squatting underneath the Titan, he grabbed the Titan with his free hand and began to lift it into the air, rendering it immobile. Knowing exactly what needed to happen, Reiner began walking up the stairs towards one of the windows.

"Holy… what are you doing?" Connie asked. "Wait, are you… are you going to jump out the window with it?"

"We've got no other choice," he said through gritted teeth as he was just about to do exactly that.

"No, wait," Catching up quickly, Connie slammed his knife into the jaw of the Titan. "Give me a second. I think I can slice its jaw open." After a few seconds, he managed to cut the nerve that kept the jaw together. "There!"

Now free, Reiner pulled back, clutching his arm in pain, but the Titan started turning around, ready to try again. However, Bertholdt and Ymir quickly rectified that by kicking the Titan out of the window, causing it to fall to the ground in a heap.

With that done, the cadets made their way back up one of the other levels, barricading the door with poles. Ymir, Bertholdt and Connie positioned the poles so that they connected to the door and stairs, and they used bricks to hammer them in. Krista, however, decided to tend to Reiner's injury.

"What do we do if another one gets in?" Connie wondered. "Not like we'll find another cannon lying around, am I right?"

"Probably," Bertholdt answered. "Lightning won't strike twice."

Opening the bottle of alcohol Gelgar found, Krista poured it on Reiner's arm, a pained yell as a result of the liquid. "Sorry. I know it stings. Plus, the bone's most likely fractured."

"Of course," Reiner replied through gritted teeth. "That's how my luck runs."

"We'll need a splint and a bandage. Easy enough."

To Reiner's surprise, Krista stood up and tore her skirt, turning what remained of her dress into a lopsided miniskirt. He couldn't help but stare at her now-exposed legs.

"The cloth's filthy," Krista commented, kneeling next to him and tying the fabric around his arm. "I haven't been able to clean it in forever. I'm sorry."

"No sweat. It does the job." Reiner had other things on his mind, though. Marry me.

"So, you're gonna be all right or what?" Connie asked, concerned.

"I think so," he answered as Krista looped it around like a makeshift sling. "Probably."

"You know, Krista," Ymir said. "I, uh, got a little scratched up myself."

Connie rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what she was up to. "Ugh, just spit on it or something."

I hate you. Ymir thought as she gave him a deadpan expression.

He paid her no heed. "Anyways, sorry about all that, man. Seems like you're always having to save my ass. You and everyone else. Even Annie put herself on the line for me once. I owe you a lot."

"No, no, it's fine," Reiner assured. "We have each other's back. It's what soldiers do."

"I don't know. I doubt I could ever be that courageous. Has he always been like this? A self-sacrificing type?"

"No," Bertholdt responded. "He's changed a bit. In the old days, Reiner was more of a warrior."

"A warrior?" Reiner asked, confused. "I'm not quite sure I understand."

"Anyway," Ymir interrupted, having enough, "let's scrounge around for some stuff we can use. If I have to die, I'd rather not do it because we're being half-assed." She peered out the window. "Oh, wow."

The majority of the Titans were lying on the ground dead and only a few remained.

"Well, all right, then. Say what you will, the Scouts get shit done."

With gritted teeth, Nanaba dove between a Titan's legs, slashing open the Achilles' Heel in the process. Gelgar finished it off quickly before the two grappled up to the side of the tower. The four of them had been fighting for 30 minutes and yet it felt like hours had gone by. Their blades were running out and the tanks were half-empty. Still, they were getting things done.

"That's mostly it for the big ones," Gelgar announced, panting.

"Good thing we have this tower," Nanaba said, equally tired.

"No kidding," he agreed. "I think we might just survive the night."

"We'll check on the recruits," Lynne offered once she and Henning joined them.

"Okay," Nanaba replied as they made for the top.

Suddenly, there was a whooshing noise that was getting louder.

"The hell is that noise?" Gelgar wondered.

There was a resounding crash from below, causing the Scouts to look down. A piece of something big smash right into the stables, killing all the horses that resided in them.

"The horses!" Nanaba exclaimed in shock.

The sound picked up again quickly.

"There it is again," Lynne said.

"Where's it coming from?" Henning asked, looking around as it got louder.

A large rock impacted the side of the tower at the top. Nanaba and Gelgar looked up to see the crushed bodies of their comrades fly off the tower and fall towards the ground.

"Lynne! Henning!" Nanaba screamed as they grabbed their bodies before getting to the top.

Just then, the 104th cadets appeared out of the door, having heard the commotion. "Oh, shit!" Connie swore fearfully.

"They're dead," Gelgar declared as he and Nanaba laid their bodies down. "Died instantly."

"This can't…" Krista whispered, tears springing to her eyes.

"He did this," Connie growled. "The one who made a beeline for the Wall." He ran towards the edge, looking for him. "That son of a bitch is randomly—" He gasped when he saw a new horde of Titans, almost double the number they saw earlier, walking towards the castle. "Heads up, guys. We've got twice as many as before!"

"You're kidding," Gelgar replied, exasperated.

"It's like they're timing their attacks as some part of a large strategy," Nanaba noted. "This isn't random at all. We're being toyed with!"

A loud roar sounded from the Wall, almost as if it was some sort of battle cry. In response, the Titans began attacking the tower once more. With low gas and only two Scouts remaining, none of them would last against the cluster. Nanaba and Gelgar steeled themselves, ready to do what needed to be done.

However, hope was to be found as their ears picked up a new sound: the sound of horses galloping. In the trees behind the Titans, a cavalry of twelve Scouts from the advanced teams led by Mike Zacharias himself charged out, swords drawn.

"Give it everything you have!" he shouted. "Take these bastards down."

"Mike!" Nanaba exclaimed, overjoyed to see him again before remembering the other danger. "Be careful! There's a Titan on top of the Wall throwing debris at this position."

The Section Commander nodded before leaping of his horse, grappling towards the nearest Titan. "Hold out for as long as you can."

Connie chuckled out of relief as the man took down a fifteen-meter. "I can't believe he made it."

"I told you, rookie," Gelgar reminded him with a relieved grin. "Second only to Captain Levi."


From on top of the Wall, the Beast Titan glared down at the humans. He recognized the leader as the man he encountered at that outpost. He believed that he scampered off towards to Walls to fill in his superiors, but here he was, leading a fresh team of Scouts to save their lives, but that didn't make any sense. Why would there be a team ready for a Titan attack at night? They were prepared for this. Too prepared.

He began mulling over the day's events. The advanced teams, the traps, the leader acting more cautious than he should have in his presence earlier, and now this. It all added up to one conclusion: they knew he was coming. They knew what he was going to do, or at least for the most part. And there was only one person that could've pulled this off from the start and it all pointed that damn letter she sent him.

"Annie," he snarled as he ripped off another chunk of the Wall.


"Incoming!" a Scout yelled as he saw the debris coming right for them now that they knew where to look.

"Split off," Mike ordered.

They moved out of its trajectory, catching only a single Scout and causing a massive crater.

"With that Titan throwing shit at us, we won't last very long," another Scout pointed out as he took down a five-meter.

"Who's to say he won't bring down the tower?" Gelgar questioned as he and Nanaba prepared to get back into the action.

He won't. Mike thought. Not as long as his allies are up there. "Then we'll clear the way before he considers that to be an option. Gelgar, Nanaba, you've done your part. Keep watch of the Titan and inform us if he attacks."

"Yes, Commander," they replied.

While the Scouts were able to throw the Titans into disarray, these monsters were more intelligent Abnormals than they were used to. The ugly three-meter Mike encountered before jumped into the air and snatched a Scout with its hands. It wasted no time eating him as his screams filled the night. Angered by this, Mike swooped in and slashed open the Titan's nape, killing it once and for all. The Scouts, however, managed to regroup and take down two fifteen-meters quickly. Unfortunately, one of them crashed into the smaller tower, demolishing it completely. Now, the people were completely stranded on top.

"We have to get them out of there," Mike stated as he felled a ten-meter.

"There's another one!" Nanaba yelled this time.

A cluster of Scouts, noticing that it was heading for them, disembarked from the Titan they were attacking. The debris hit the Titan by mistake, taking off its head. One of the Scouts cut the nape for good measure once it fell with a resounding crash.

"You know, I think our chances of surviving just went up," Connie commented, staring with wide eyes.

"If you jinx us, I will strangle you myself," Ymir swore.

The way the battle was going, it could tip in either side's favor. Not including the senior officers, there were only eight Scouts left, but they were good soldiers. They knew how to kill Titans. Said monsters were lowered to an even twenty due to their actions. All in all, it was a coin toss.

"It's coming for the tower!" Gelgar yelled, grabbing Connie and moving him to safety. "Get back!"

This particular boulder smashed right into the lower levels of the tower, removing a good chunk of it. Part of the tower began giving way, though most of the soldiers were on the other side. Unfortunately, Krista was not one of them as the ground started to break beneath her as she ran.

"Krista!" Ymir screamed fearfully, running towards the blond with an outstretched hand.

Krista tried to get away, but the ground gave in beneath her as she fell backwards, inches away from Ymir's hand. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that this would be how she died. She always wanted to die in a way that people would remember her fondly, maybe even think of her as a hero. Yet, here she was, about to die from a fall. Unfortunately, fate decided to make her last moments far worse.

Once she was closer to ground, she was snatched out of the air by a hungry, thirteen-meter Titan. She struggled in its grip, panic and terror taking over, but there was nothing she could do as its jaw opened wide to devour her.

Mike wanted to go rescue the girl, but there were too many Titans between him and the girl. To make matters worse, another boulder came along and took out four Scouts that would've been in reach in one blow. Nanaba and Gelgar wanted to help, but their tanks were out of gas. All they would accomplish was getting themselves killed.

"Ymir!" she shrieked desperately as she was brought closer to its mouth. "Someone, help me, please. Please!"

Out of nowhere, there was a flash of light directly above her, blinding her at everyone else in the vicinity. There was a loud noise that sounded like a screech combined with a very angry roar. Krista felt herself get wrenched out of the Titan's hand into another one as blood from the Titan's cut nape splattered onto her. She was quickly carried away before the movement stopped abruptly. Krista's vision cleared as she was found face-to-face with a horrifying sight.

Holding her was a five-meter Titan with long, black hair. Its eyes were sunken in and black, giving off a very feral vibe. Like most Titans, this one had no lips, but this one had many, sharp teeth that could crunch her bones with a single bite.

Once again, Krista started struggling, even going so far to shout, "Let me go!" but then…

"Krista, it's me."

Immediately, the girl stopped her frantic actions, staring at the Titan in complete shock. It spoke. It knew her name and spoke to her. And that voice, a deep guttural snarl combined with a female voice. It couldn't be.

"Y-Ymir?"


Remastered Edits: Practically nothing aside from reminding the readers how the Beast Titan jumped to the conclusion he made. Don't worry. Next chapter will have many changes.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I look forward to your reviews, and I'll see you all in the next one.