LEVI'S P.O.V.

The brat had been gone for a good few hours now and Levi couldn't deny he was terrified at what happened to her. All hell had broken loss the second he decided to go find her and drag her ass back whether she liked it or not. The right flank completely collapsed. Titans brushed through all the layers and made it to third circle before Levi ran in to help and started to push them back with Hanji's squad. The flanks barely lasted 2 hours. It was pathetic. He wondered why the hell the side Dilan ran off towards hadn't burst yet either. Apparently, the side was still good, as Erwin rerouted some of their men to help Levi and the others contain the titan outburst to the right, slowing them down so the workers could finish.

Levi couldn't find the squad anywhere, so he was fighting solo. It didn't matter much to him. He was a better fighter that way, but he couldn't help but question where the fuck the others were. It was pissing him off and the worry was stirring in his gut. Add that to the fact that Dilan was on the front line's way out of his reach and he was one bitchy ass man. They had been fighting for god knows how long now. All Levi knew was that the third flare had been fired at some point. One more and they would all get to go home. Was all of this worth it? All for some fucking wooden platforms? How many had died... he didn't even want to think about it right now.

"LEVI, SLOW DOWN!" Hanji yelled. Levi ignored her, continuing to take out his emotions on the titans as he cut them down left and right, going deeper and deeper into the forest. Levi was breathing heavily as he dealt with the last one, raking a hand through his sweaty hair and cursing under his breath.

He was alone. The last time he had been this alone while fighting... well...

"Levi!" Hanji's shrill voice sounded, and he frowned instinctively as she landed on a branch next to him. "We've managed to contain the leak the commanders shooting the next flare now. We should go find Dilan." Hanji said seriously. Levi nodded.

"Do me a favour and hunt down the squad. I'll go get the brat." Levi grimaced as he wiped some blood out of his eye with his sleeve.

"Roger." Hanji said before jumping off. Levi sighed in relief as he jumped off, flying past central which had moved to the further front of the forest as the builders continued to sweat profusely while they worked. Levi could only imagine they were getting paid bank for this. Why else would they willingly come into titan country without any means to defend themselves. They were totally vulnerable. Idiots.

Levi raised an eyebrow as he slowed down, starting to reach the tree line. It was overcrowded with soldiers. They were... watching something? A titan perhaps? There's enough of them around. These guys were supposedly holding back the left defence weren't they? How else wasn't it riddled with titans like the right was? But how were they defending if they were all stuck up here?

"Fucking shift it." Levi warned as he landed on a brand and some cadets flinched, moving out of the way for him. He found a squad leader and decided to ask what the hell was going on. "What the fuck is everyone staring at?" He questioned. The squad leader, who was grappling to a tree in order to see over the large crowd, startled slightly and dropped down to the ground.

"W-well... I um... I am not sure how to explain it..." He mumbled. Levi quirked a brow as he heard the group gasp in horror.

"Oh my god!" Some girl cried.

"Fuck! Someone give me their gear, now!" Another guy yelled. Levi was fucking fed up now. He pushed through the crowds to the front, seeing a blonde, ginger, brunet and raven scramble to get their gear of and pass it to the blonde. Levi was about to ask them what the fuck was happening when he saw what they were all looking at and his eyes went wide in dread.

There. In the distance. On top of a pile of 30 or so titans. Was the brat laying down on top of them. As a 15-meter class was walking towards her.

Holy mother of fuck! Fucking shit what the hell is she doing out there?! Levi thought, not hesitating as he dived towards the ground, whistling for his horse, any horse as he did so. He got to the ground and took off running, cursing the flat land for not having any damn trees to swing on. The 15-metre got closer and Levi's heart was pounding in his chest. He couldn't lose another friend. Not another one. Fuck. Levi looked behind him as he heard the galloping of hooves and he thanked all things holy as he grabbed onto his horse's saddle, hoisting himself over as it ran past, not even skipping a beat. He pressed his horse on going faster than he thought possible, standing up on his saddle and shooting his gears into the monster's shoulder as it reached out for the brat, slicing deep into the nape and landing on the ground, breathing heavily.

He took a moment to calm down before climbing up the titan pile and looking at Dilan with wide eyes. How the actual fuck does she get herself into these situations?

"Hey!" She grinned like a lunatic. Levi almost punched her in the face. "I didn't die." She chuckled, her tried orange eyes blinking with exhaustion. Levi didn't know what to think anymore.

"I am going to fucking kill you, brat!" Levi yelled, the only thing he managed to say. Dilan smirked tiredly.

"Fair enough." She mumbled. Levi sighed in absolute annoyance and complete relief as he picked the girl up, holding her close as her body shook with complete fatigue. He had no idea what happened, but the brat had clearly worked her butt off to stay alive for as long as she did.

"What am I going to do with you?" He mused, lifting her onto the horse saddle before mounting the horse himself, letting her lean into him as he put an arm around her to keep her from falling. Dilan leant her head into his shoulder before passing out. Levi sighed in relief, holding her slightly tighter than necessary as they rode back to the treeline. There were a few titans in the distance, but they wouldn't get there for a while. The left flank was saved for now and Levi guessed that was thanks to Dilan. Suicidal maniac.

When he got to the tree line, he was met with four cadets he had no idea the names off but he did recognise them as Blondie, ginger, brunet and raven. Guess they had gotten attached to Dilan over the past couple hours or something as they immediately tried to grab her as he came within a close proximity. Levi narrowed his eyes, sending them a glare and they backed up a bit. They were not taking Dilan. He didn't even know who the fuck they were.

"Names." Levi ordered.

"Eld Gin, sir." The blonde replied firmly, eyeing Dilan cautiously. Levi didn't like the way he was looking at her.

"P-Petra Ral." The ginger added.

"Oluo Bozado." Brunet chimed in.

"Gunther Swaltzs." The spiky raven finished. Levi frowned slightly and they flinched under his gaze.

"I want a full report but get your ass up to the trees first." Levi ordered, moving Dilan a bit hoisting her over his shoulder before standing on his saddle and shooting his wires up to the top. He landed on a trunk and cadets made some space for him as he laid Dilan down, against the trunk of the tree. She looked like shit. Levi kept his face straight as he checked the girl's pulse, relieved to find it beating strong. She didn't seem to have any injuries. Simply worked to the bone. Levi ignored the eyes on him and the four who seemed to have landed behind him, brushing Dilan's fringe out of the way to check her temperature. She was burning up. He needed to take her to Hanji to make sure she was fine. Levi rolled his eyes as one of the shits behind him cleared their throat.

"E-excuse me sir... but..." Oluo tried but thought better of it and cut himself off.

"How do you know Dilan, sir?" Eld stepped up, standing firmly. Levi made sure Dilan wasn't about to fall off the tree before standing up and turning his gaze to Gin. The man swallowed nervously but kept strong. Levi had to admire the boy's courage.

"She's in my squad, blondie. Now someone care to explain why the actual fuck Dilan was out there alone defending the entire left Flank while you idiots were watching like it was some sort of sick entertainment?" Levi growled, opening the question up to anyone.

Most of the cadets looked down in shame, including Ral, Bozado and Swaltzs. The same Squad leader he talked to before cleared his throat.

"W-well. The flare signalled the move of checkpoint, so-" He swallowed nervously but Gin cut him off.

"If I may speak freely sir, I would like to explain everything that happened before the second flank decided to show." Eld glared at the squad leader and again Levi had to admire the kid's balls. The older officer spluttered, clearly about to yell out something authoritative but Levi cut him off and nodded for the blonde shit to continue. "We were being completely decimated. The command was gone, people were dropping like flies left and right. Not many were fighting anymore, jumping from tree to tree, every now and then a titan would grab them and devour them. They were picking us off one by one and there was nothing we could do about it." Eld explained a distant expression in his eye.

He snapped out of it, glancing at Dilan.

"But then Dilan came flying in. She saved Petra first, then Oluo. She rallied the troops and gave us all hope, even after telling us that reinforcements weren't coming. That we were being sacrificed like cattle to the slaughter. She brought us together and devised a strategy all by herself. Put 49 of us into squads of three. From there Dilan and I would attack each titan's weak spot while the squads dispatched to finish them off before regrouping at the trees like a domino effect." Eld explained.

Levi's eyes widened a fraction. Dilan came up with that? Of course she would the quick brat. Still, it's rather ingenious.

"It was working too until we started running out of gas. That's when the next flare was shot, and they turned up." Eld spared the squad leader a dirty glance. "Told us to get to the next checkpoint. Never mind that it was on the ground. He told us to follow orders or we would be killed." Eld explained and the Squad leader gulped nervously as Levi glared at him. Of- fucking-course. He didn't like where this was going. "Dilan offered to go herself, saying if she led the titans away, it wouldn't matter whether it was her or the entire first flank. Or what was left of it anyway. It was agreed and Dilan took my tanks before running. She attracted all the titans and she fought. She fought tooth and nail for all of us." Eld clenched his fists looking at his shoes. "There were times where I thought it was over and she just kept fighting. We wanted to go, to fight with her but we were ordered to stay." Eld grit his teeth at the last bit and Levi noticed most of the 49 cadets glaring at the squad leader who was sweating heavily now.

"W-why kill off 50 odd cadets? The girl was doing just fine and-" He started ranting until Levi cut him off, extending a blade to his throat. The atmosphere turned tense as he swallowed, his eyes wide with panic. Levi looked at him with a terrifyingly calm face, while his eyes screamed bloody murder.

"Let me see if I can get this right? Big shot squad leader thought he could get credit for holding off the left flank after taking control of the situation, saving 50 odd cadets and making the difficult decision of sending a trouble soldier into battle. It was a hard choice but what else can you do right? It was for the good of humanity." Levi said in a monotoned voice.

From the look on his face Levi knew he had him.

"Okay. Now let me spell out the reality of your decisions. You were scared to face the titans yourself and actually do your fucking job, so you ordered the first flank onto the ground as a way to buy time before the last flare was shot. You did this on the premise of following orders even though they made no logical fucking sense. A smart leader would have taken the first flank into the second considering their limiting numbers, re-strategized and attacked the titans again. No, what you did was cowardly and inhumane. You let a single soldier do the grunt work, sacrificing herself for her comrades who you were about to send out on a suicide march while you watched."

The squad leader paled further.

"You didn't expect her to, last right? You were going to send more, all of them if necessary. As long as your clothes are stained free of sweat and blood you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty right? But then Dilan starts to win. You start to think you can turn the situation around in your favour. She probably wouldn't make it right? She would fend off the left flank, but she wouldn't actually survive. The credit would fall to you, the only officer in charge at the time so you refuse the requests to aid Dilan. You watch her burn out. You watch her die. All ends happy for you right?" Levi grit his teeth, seconds away from slitting the bastards throat. He was breathing shakily at this point, eyes darting between the disappointed faces as Levi laid out exactly what the sick fuck was thinking.

"I-I..." He tried but couldn't manage to defend himself. Levi scoffed.

"You bastard. I should end you right here for negligence. For abandoning a subordinate." Levi mused, grimacing as tears filled the bastard's eyes and he started to shake.

"P-Please... I was only following orders!" He begged.

"You stopped following orders the moment you took control of this situation. You wanted the credit, you got it." Levi said sarcastically. He tilted the blade slightly, biting back a smirk as the steel nicked his flesh and he whimpered like a scared little rat, too scared to move.

Levi rolled his eyes and removed the blade, watching with amusement as the bastard's legs buckled and he fell to his knees, a sobbing mess in front of all of his disappointed subordinates.

"Rest assured I will be telling Commander Erwin of your failures today." Levi frowned as a purple flare was shot in the sky signalling the missions 'success' if you could even call it that. Levi looked out to the cadets. "Go to the centre, regroup with your squads, people will be there to sort you out and take care of any injuries you have. Go now." He ordered. The group of people saluted firmly before shooting away, glad to get more protection. The squad leader hesitated before standing on shaky legs doing the same. The only people left were him, the four shits and a very passed out Dilan.

Levi ignored them as he turned to Dilan again, picking her up. He raised an eyebrow at the four, who were squirming on the spot.

"You shits want something? I gave you an order?" He asked in a bored tone. Oluo and Gunther looked away. Petra blushed and did the same.

"What's your name, sir?" Eld spoke up. My, my, this kid has balls.

"Levi." He replied briefly, sorting out his gear. He heard some whispers and guessed they knew him as humanities strongest now. Perhaps he should have ignored the question.

"We want to know where your taking Dilan."

"Is that any of your business, cadet?" He questioned. Eld swallowed but held firm.

"I'd say so. Dilan was willing to sacrifice everything for us. We need to make sure she's going to be looked after." Eld explained. Guess Levi could respect that, but he still didn't know these people and he still didn't like the way Blondie was looking at the brat all googly eyed. He wasn't sure exactly why it was pissing him off, but he wasn't about to question it in the moment.

"Rest assure, she'll be looked after. Now fuck off and do your jobs." Levi ordered before jumping into the breeze. He looked down at the brat, sighing in relief. The idiot fended off the entire left flank by herself. What a fucking brat. Still, if she hadn't, they would have been overrun at both ends and everyone would likely be dead. Levi hoped Erwin would see that.

DILAN'S P.O.V.

Dilan scrunched up her face as she regained consciousness. The wind was whistling in her ear and it was fucking freezing. She shivered and snuggled into whatever warm thing she was latched onto, not giving a shit what it was.

"Oi, I'm not a fucking pillow." Levi's low voice rang out, holding a hint of amusement. Dilan blinked her orange eyes open, looking up at Levi. Oh right, he saved me again.

"We must stop meeting like this." She mused, tiredly. Levi cracked a smirk and shook his head in disbelief.

"You're an idiot." He said. Dilan sighed.

"I know."

"No, I mean like a really big fucking idiot." He pressed. Dilan glared at him.

"I get the point! What else was I supposed to do? Besides I kept my promise. I didn't die." She huffed, watching Levi bite back a smirk at her bratty attitude.

"You only didn't die because I busted my ass running over to save you, stupid." He pointed out. Dilan groaned at the ache running through her body. It felt like she was on fire.

"Fine, but I did my fucking best. Take it or leave it." She snapped, pain clouding her vision. She saw Levi's eyes soften slightly.

"You did well brat. I'm getting you to Hanji now. You can rest." Levi reassured. Dilan blinked, trying to understand the question. it took a bit of time, but she nodded, closing her eyes. She knew she was safe with Levi watching over her. He would keep her safe.

LEVI'S P.O.V.

Levi observed the sleepy girl fondly before refocusing as he got back into central. People were scattered about everywhere being tended to. They needed to be quick before the next wave of titans attempted to enter the forest. The wounded were being patched up, lowered down using harnesses, onto wagons where they were driven off with haste, given few guards to protect them. The wooden platforms were coming in handy so far. Still, was it really worth all this bloodshed? Guess they would just have to find out. Levi knew it could have been a lot worse if Dilan hadn't stepped up. Those 50 cadets would be titan shit and a lot of the second flank was likely to have been decimated too. The girl had good instincts and she followed them regardless of the consequences. Levi liked that sort of intuitive and it's why he wanted her as his second in command.

Landing on a platform and walking towards one of the makeshift medical tents, he looked around for Hanji, wanting her to be the one to treat Dilan. He didn't trust any of these other chumps. Dodging some running cadets, Levi found the crazy woman, scrambling over someone who looked to be in a pretty bad way. Getting closer, his eyes widened a fraction realising it was Mike. Levi quickly got in the tent and laid Dilan down on the empty bed parallel.

"Shit Hanji, what happened?" Levi asked, worried. There was a decent sized gash across Mikes stomach that was definitely going to leave a scar. If he made it that is. Hanji continued to scramble around while she answered.

"Your squad ran into some shit. Barely made it out. Thankfully my squad got to yours in time but Mike's in pretty bad shape. He got flung and cut his stomach open on a tree. Hold here." Hanji said seriously. Levi grimaced but did as he was hold, keeping pressure on the folded white cloth while it soaked up Mikes blood and stained Levi's fingertips.

"Anyone else harmed?" He asked, trying to keep the nerves out of his voice. Hanji shook her head as she prepared the needle and Levi sighed in relief.

"Squad's getting a cart ready. Did you find Dil?" She asked, worry in her tone. Levi stepped to the side a bit letting Hanji see their past-out friend and she gasped.

"No wounds that I can tell. You won't believe the shit I found her in. Only the suicidal maniac would let her herself get in a situation like that. I think it's just exhaustion, but I thought you should check her out." Levi explained. Hanji nodded and they fell into a silence while Hanji stitched up Mikes wounds. Once she was done, she bandaged Mike up and checked his pulse, declaring he was stable for now and hopefully the wound wouldn't get infected. Levi nodded, relieved his superior would be fine. He had known Mike for three years now. Even if they weren't friends, he was something of a family.

"Tell me what happened then." Hanji muttered as she started checking Dilan out.

"Idiot raced to the front lines like you said. Took control of the situation and devised a strategy, ordering the remaining cadets into squads. From there her and Blondie got the titans weak and the squads finished them off. It's how the left flank survived so long. That was until the next purple flare was shot and a second flank officer ordered them to the ground. Dilan took the heat like the crazy shit she is and fought of 30 titans by herself. Apparently, the bastard of the squad leader refused the cadets requests to aid her. She managed to kill all of them except one before half passing out from sheer exhaustion, that's when I arrived and killed the last one before it could grab her. The psychopath defended the whole left flank by herself." Levi summarised, still not quite believing it himself. Hanji's eyes were wide as she continued to check Dilan out, showing her surprise too.

"Sweet little Dil, did all that?" Hanji scoffed. Levi nodded. "My baby's got skills." She snickered and Levi rolled his eyes.

"So, she okay?" Levi questioned, eyes on Dilan. She looked too pale. Hanji smiled reassuringly, ringing out a cloth of water and washing the blood and dirt off of her face.

"She'll be just fine. From what you've told me I imagine her limbs are just atrophied from the excessive use. They'll be a bitch to move for the next few days while the lactic acid converts itself back to glucose. I'm guessing she was working on pure adrenaline, tough little fox." Hanji smiled fondly, smoothing some of Dilan's hair down. Levi sighed in relief; glad Dilan was okay. He turned hearing footsteps in time to see the squad burst through the tent.

They gasped as they saw Dilan unconscious.

"DIL!" Tabitha ran to her friend's side. The others eyes widened in shock too.

"What the hell happened?" Brand asked, coming further in too.

"Yes. I would like to know too." A deep voice demanded from behind them all and everyone tensed. Shit. Levi turned to meet Erwin and his disappointing gaze. He never did get Dilan back to report to him. Although in his defence, all hell broke loose.

"Erwin I-" Hanji tried but Erwin cut her off.

"Get Mike and Dilan on a wagon and head towards the walls immediately meeting up with the vanguard. Hanji update them on Dilan's condition, continue patching up the remaining soldiers before joining your squad and retreating. And Levi." Erwin turned his icy gaze to him. "A word." He demanded. The others spared him 'good luck' look as Erwin left the tent leaving Levi to follow. He glanced at the brat, reluctant to leave her again. Hopefully he could make this conversation with Erwin quick and be done in time to escort Dilan and Mike back to the compound. But Levi knew that was just a dream. Nothing was quick when it came to Erwin. The bastard loved to drag everything out. God give me strength. Levi thought sarcastically with an eyeroll. He knew there was no god. Not in this hell.

DILAN'S P.O.V.

"Farlan!" Dilan yelled, orange eyes darting between the crowds of people. She had stupidly run off again despite her brother strict instructions. In her defence, she was only 10 and things happened. Still that didn't mean she wasn't very, very stupid. It was dark, cold and she was in the middle of a busy crowd. It wasn't a matter of if she was going to get taken but when and that's what scared her the most. "Brother!" She called, tears clinging to the edges of her eyes."Lost? Little kid." A deep raspy voice sounded behind her and her whole body tensed up. She felt a shiver run up her spine as she turned around and cranked her neck upwards to stare at the giant man with wide unblinking eyes. He was massive, wearing all black. His eyes were blacker than coal deeply contrasting his pasty white face. his head was hairless apart from a bit of dark stubble that ran along his jaw line and there was a decent sized slash across his throat that had scared over. Dilan swallowed hard."N-no. My brothers just over there." She said firmly. Rule one of the undergrounds when you're a child, never admit your alone. The man grinned showcasing crooked yellow teeth and Dilan started to slowly back away."Are you sure, sweetie? I can't see anyone." He smirked evilly. Dilan's breath hitched in her throat as her instincts took over and she dodged the arms that tried to grab her, ducking under the huge bastards' legs and sprinting the other way. She didn't know where she was going. As long as it was away from that man it would do her fine.Dilan's lungs were screaming for air as she rounded a corner and bumped straight into someone. They cancelled each other out and fell parallel to each other on the dirty floor. Dilan blinked in confusion as she looked in front of her at a short girl. She had pale skin, fiery red hair that was tied up into two pigtails and massive emerald green eyes. The girl laughed, surprising Dilan. Not many laughed in the underground."Sorry, I'm such a klutz. Big bro says I need to watch myself." She chuckled, standing up and offering Dilan a hand. She took it hesitantly, wary of anyone who wasn't her brother. The girl looked to be her age though, perhaps a few years older. The girl helped her up and Dilan realised she was slightly taller than herself but that wasn't uncommon. Most people were taller than her."Sorry." She mumbled as it was mostly her fault anyway. Suddenly she refocused remembering why she had been running in the first place. She let go of the girl's hand and was about to bolt in whatever direction available before strong hands grabbed her around the stomach and she shrieked. "BROTHER HELP ME!" Dilan cried."I don't see your brother anywhere. Do you?" The man chuckled darkly. Dilan tensed, blinked out a few frightened tears."Hey! Let her go!" The same girl she had bumped into yelled up at the man. Dilan stared at her in horror. Why the hell wasn't she running already? The man laughed."You want to come along too? I bet I you two lovelies would fetch a hefty price." He smirked and the girl grimaced, dodging the hand that made a grab for her and kicked the bastard in the balls. "YOU LITTLE SHIT!" He yelled out in pain, dropping Dilan in favour of putting his hands over his crotch and dropping to his knees."Let's go!" The redhead yelled, grabbing Dilan's hand and pulling her off the floor to run around the man and back into the people filled streets. They ran and ran and ran and Dilan didn't question where they were going until she regained some of her senses and remembered she didn't know this girl."Where are we going?" Dilan asked shakily, lagging back a bit. They had escaped the man for now."Home, it's safe there. Me and big bro can protect you." She replied cheerfully. Dilan was shocked at this girl's generosity. How was she so nice? This was the underground. It was supposed to be every man for himself. Dilan stopped them running and took her hand back, shoving them both in her pockets. The girl looked at her with curiosity. "Something wrong?" She asked. Dilan bit the inside of her cheek."Thank you for helping me but I have a home. I need to find my brother." She explained, looking around them her stomach dropped. She didn't even recognise where she was anymore. Dilan's eyes grew slightly glossy as she felt a hand pat her on the shoulder."Well we'll just have to find him wont we? I'm Izzy. What's your name?" She asked with a bright smile. Dilan couldn't help but smile back."I'm-""DIL!?" A muffled voice yelled in the distance and Dilan snapped her head in that direction."I've got to go. Thanks for everything, Izzy." She said sincerely and Izzy smiled and nodded before Dilan ran back into the crowds. Her heart was beating fast in anticipation and longing to see her brother again after that stressful experience."BROTHER!" She called, desperate to find him."DIL!" Farlan yelled again and Dilan moved towards the sound of his voice, pushing past people and gasping when she found her 17-year-old sibling, running towards him and hugging him tightly. Farlan sighed in absolute relief, crouching down to hug her just as tightly back. "Jesus, Dil, I thought I lost you." He said shakily. Dilan hugged him tighter. "What the hell happened, I told you to stay by my side!" He switched from concerned to angry, holding her by her shoulders to look into her eyes. Dilan sniffed."R-really sorry. I-I promise never to do that again." She promised, meaning it. Farlan's eyes softened at the distraught look on her face and pulled her into another hug, stroking her hair to calm her down."Okay Dil. What happened?" He asked softly. Dilan thought about telling him about her little adventure with Izzy but decided against it. Her bother would only worry, and she didn't want that."Nothing. I-It was just scary." She mumbled, hugging him tightly around his neck. Farlan breathed out in relief, picking her up as they started to walk home."The undergrounds a scary place. We're lucky nothing happened but you can't leave me again out here. Got that Dil?" He said sternly. Dilan nodded, hiding her face in her brother's shoulder. He chuckled fondly, patting her head. "It's okay sis. I got you now. And guess what?" He said cheerfully trying to lighten the mood. Dilan lifted her head to look at him with innocent orange eyes."What?" She asked, curious. Farlan smiled warmly."I scored us both some sweets." He grinned. Dilan's eyes lit up in delight. She had heard the tales of sweets but never had such a luxury item before."Really?!" She asked with a huge smile. Farlan laughed and nodded."Yup. You know my friend?" Farlan asked. Dilan hummed."Loud one or grumpy one?" She asked. Farlan had never told her his friends names no matter how many times she asked. He had only ever told her two things about them. One of them was loud a lot and the other was grumpy. Farlan laughed."Grumpy. They scored some sweets after a recent con. But grumpy hates sweet things so they gave them to me and loud." Farlan explained. Dilan noticed he always avoided pronouns, but she had given up on trying to meet his friends now. It was never going to happen."That was nice of grumpy." Dilan smiled happily. Farlan laughed."Yeah well I thought so too. Until they threw the sweet packet at my head. It really hurt." Farlan pouted, rubbing the side of his head. Dilan giggled."Silly Farlan. You should have hit grumpy back." She laughed. Farlan chuckled."We don't hit grumpy back. They have a real temper. Best thing we can do is stay out of their way." Farlan smiled, shaking his head. Dilan tilted her head in confusion."I thought your friends are nice?" She asked. Farlan nodded."They are. Grumpy is a good person, they just don't know how to enjoy life. I hope one day when we all live on the surface they can learn how to smile again." Farlan said thoughtfully. Dilan leant her head on her brother's shoulder, tired from all the running around."Can I meet Grumpy and Loud when we live on the surface?" She asked through a yawn. Farlan smiled."I don't see why not. As long as you promise I'll still be your favourite." He added. Dilan laughed."I promise." She smiled, closing her eyes. It was the easiest promise she had ever made in her life. She loved her brother with all her heart and that would never change.

"BRAND CAN YOU MAKE THIS RIDE ANY BUMPIER!"

"I CAN'T CONTROL THE LAYOUT OF THE EARTH! WE'RE IN A FUCKING FOREST. STOP YELLING SO MUCH!"

"H-he has a point Tabs."

"Don't take his side Tobs!"

"Guys! I think she's waking up!"

Dilan groaned as she regained consciousness. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. She wouldn't be surprised if someone told her there were tiny fire ants crawling around in her blood vessels. Her body felt like it was made of lead. What the hell happened?

"Dilan? Dilan can you hear me?" Tabitha's worried voice rang out. Dilan used all the strength she had left to crack open her eyes into narrow slits. It was blurry but she could make out the silhouette of Tabitha leaning over her and the greens of the forest as they raced along. It was cold and bumpy, and she wanted to pass out again.

"Fuck." Dilan winced as there was a large bump, and the cart she was on shook her body, radiating the ache in her limbs as they moved a few inches. Would she ever be able to walk again?

"BRAND I SAID DRIVE MORE CAREFULLY!" Tabitha scolded. Dilan couldn't make out the response, but it sounded pissed.

"Tabs... help me up..." She muttered, blinking. Her vision was swimming, but she didn't like laying down. She felt a cool hand check her temperature.

"Dil you're burning up, you need to rest. Go back to sleep." Tabitha said kindly. Dilan wanted nothing more than to incline to her request, but they were in the middle of titan country. She was too vulnerable lying down.

"Someone help me up." She repeated more firmly. Her voice was hoarse, but she managed to make it louder. She heard some annoyed mumbles before Tabs grabbed her arms either side and helped her up. Dilan had to bite her lip to keep from crying out as pain erupted in her limbs. She was propped up against the back of the wagon, legs straight out in front of her. Dilan took a few deep breaths to calm the pain, feeling slightly more awake as she gained height.

"You alright?" Toby asked nervously. Dilan nodded, opening her eyes and blinking until everything came back into focus. Tabitha was on her right in the cart with her. Toby and Johnson were on horses either side. Brand was riding at the front of the cart, steering the horse. They were still in the forest. Dilan didn't imagine they had gotten very far. Having the squad next to her cause a flood of relief to swarm her and she cracked a tired smile. Then worry filled her stomach as she couldn't locate her grumpy friend.

"Where's Levi?" She asked. Tabitha smiled reassuringly.

"Debriefing Erwin. He'll be coming back with Hanji's squad." She explained. Dilan sighed in relief, nodding.

"I'm glad you guys are alright." She said, relieved. Tabitha chuckled and sat down next to her, letting Dilan lean her head on her shoulder and stroking her hair.

"We were worried. You and Levi were gone so suddenly." Tabitha informed. Dilan frowned slightly at the mention.

"Yeah Erwin made us his guard dogs. Completely stupid. I wish I was with you guys." She sighed.

"I'm not sure you do. We got in some real shit." Johnson pointed out. Brand laughed.

"We were only the second flank, dumbass. Dilan defended the entire left flank by herself. She would have dealt with our titans easily." Brand chuckled.

"True. How the hell do you have 30 solo titan kills already?! It takes veterans years to get to that number. This is only your second expedition!" Johnson said exasperated. Dilan chuckled, guessing Levi told them.

"It was actually 42 solos, 29 assists." She smirked, laughing at their frowning faces. Tabitha cackled and hugged her tightly.

"My underground girl is the best! She's better than Humanities Strongest!" Tabitha boasted. Dilan rolled her eyes fondly.

"I wouldn't say I'm at his level. I can't seem to make it past an expedition without injuring myself or doing something crazy." Dilan chuckled. The guys laughed.

"That's kind of just who you are Dilan." Toby smiled. Dilan shrugged. Guess the kid had a point.

"Yeah and that's why you've got us to pick you up after you fall down. We love you girl." Tabitha said kindly. Dilan smiled and the guys smiled back.

"I love you guys too." She said honestly. The squad had become her family. She loved them with all her heart. Was this what caring felt like? She wanted to live, perhaps still not for herself, but she wanted to live for her loved ones. Her family.

"That squad leader who forced you out there is going to get it though. I am going to kill him!" Tabitha switched from the smile to murderous in a second. Dilan chuckled.

"Yeah! Holy shit am I going to kick his ass!" Brand added. Dilan rolled her eyes.

"Thanks guys but I'm sure he'll be dealt with. I bet Levi gave him the scare of his life while I was out." Dilan sniggered at the thought. Her friend may be the most intimidating person in the world. The others shivered, obviously remembering times when Levi had given them the scare of their lives.

"Yeah, your right. I bet the bastards near suicidal now." Johnson laughed. Dilan smiled in amusement, tilting her head and jumping slightly when she saw Mike in the cart next to her.

"The fuck? What happened to him!?" She asked with wide eyes.

"Like I said, we ran into some shit. It was tight but we got help from Hanji's squad. Mike got thrown into a tree. We were all worried that was it but Hanji thinks hes going to pull through. We just need to get him back quickly." Johnson explained. Dilan nodded in understanding but she couldn't help but feel a little guilty. While she was glad she had been able to help the first flank she should have been with the squad.

"I'm sorry. I should have been with you guys." She apologised. Tabitha frowned and flicked her on the forehead. "Ouch!" She pouted.

"Don't be sorry. You were following orders, you had no choice but to go. Plus you saved like 50 people. Your amazing Dil, don't be sorry for that." Tabitha said kindly and the squad voiced their agreements. Dilan cracked a smiled, lifting her arms to hug her friend back even if it killed. She was worth the pain.

"Thanks Tabs." She mumbled sleepily. Tabitha chuckled warmly.

"No problem, girl. Get some rest, we'll get you back safe." She said gently. Dilan was about to protest but she was too tired and managed a nod as she closed her eyes ready for sleep to take her. Apparently she wasn't that lucky.

"SHIT, TITAN!" Brand yelled. And everyone snapped into action, but they weren't fast enough. Dilan had just opened her orange eyes in time to watch the abnormal ram into their side. It was on all fours, a beast of a creature. Its eyes were blood red and its long slimy tongue was sticking out of its mouth. It was easily 15 metres and even on all fours it towered over them. Straggly black hair hung down, each strand thick like ropes and Dilan felt the breath hitch in her throat as she didn't have the time to react in any way.

SMACK!

Dilan gasped, desperately clawing onto the side of the cart as the titan's whole body collided into it and they were flung in the air. Tabitha screamed as she was thrown out by the momentum and Dilan didn't have the time to grab onto her. Mike was caught up into some kind of rope so he stayed tied in, but Dilan could fell her heart drop as she heard the others scream.

The cart collided with the earth, rolling a few times. Dilan was holding on for all she was worth, eyes widening as she saw the horse that was leading the cart get thrown into a tree as it was still connected, and it snapped it's neck on impact. A particularly rough thump had Dilan lose her grip and she choked out a cry of pain as she was thrown onto the hard ground before the cart lodged on top of her, digging into her back painfully.

Dilan breathed shakily as she attempted to move. Half of her body was trapped under the cart that was tipped over backwards, wheels sticking up in the air, horse guts smeared across the forest floor. Her arm and head were poking out of the side of the carriage and she panicked as she looked around for her friends while she tried to get the cart off of her. Terror hit her full force when she realised it was too heavy. She was trapped. She was trapped in titan country.

"Fuck. Guys?! Someone help me out!" Dilan gasped, finding it was hard to breath. Her lungs were being pinned under the weight. It felt like there was a titan dancing on her spine. Dilan turned her head to the left and the sight she saw knocked the remaining air out of her lungs. No... no please... not again...

Tears filled Dilan's orange eyes as she took in the mangled body of her friend. Toby, who had been riding on the left side of the carriage had obviously taken the brunt of the hit. His horse was trapped under the end of the cart, limp and lifeless. Toby was a few meters away.

He must have been thrown because his twisted limbs were lying at the bottom of a tree, pale and broken. Higher on the tree was a splatter of blood than dripped down to his deformed corpse. Dilan could see the inside of his brains where his head was bashed in.

"TOBY!" She screamed, hysteria starting to overtake her, and she shook uncontrollably, squirming and trying to escape. She was supposed to look after him. He was just a kid.

"I've seen cowards, Toby. I can say with 100% certainty, you are not one of them." She comforted. Toby cracked a smile."Thanks Dilan. You're really nice, I'm sorry we all misjudged you." He apologised. Dilan smiled and waved her off."It's cool. I misjudged you all at first too, so let's call it even yeah?" She compromised. Toby smiled and nodded, liking the idea. "Great! Let's go kick some titan ass!" She grinned and Toby laughed."Sure thing." He chuckled. Dilan nodded in approval, making a mental note. These guys may not be her friends and she may be using them, but they were good people. She would do her best to protect them today. Especially Toby. He was too sweet.

"AGH! NO GOD PLEASE!" Dilan snapped out of her mental anguish to the screams of Johnson, turning her head in time to see her friend being brought to the mouth of the same titan that knocked the cart.

"JOHNSON!" She screamed in horror, pushing with everything she had but the cart wouldn't lift, and she was left pinned and helpless as her friend was ripped in half, his screams echoing throughout the forest. "BASTARD!" Dilan yelled, tears clouding her eyes as Johnson finally went limp and the titan spit him out like yesterday's trash, his half eaten, spit soaked remains collecting on the dirt.

"You're Johnson then." She smiled. Glancing over to Levi he bucked up some courage."Yes." He said firmly. Dilan nodded in approval, observing him before she burst out laughing. Her heavy cackling rang through the otherwise silent carriage and she realised they must think she's crazy by now. Feeling Levi or Mike was about to crack, she cleared her throat and composed herself."Sorry. Oh, man, I'm sorry. But seriously dude, we have got to sort out your tailing. I could see you from miles away." She chuckled, the friendly gesture seeming to ease some of Johnson's tension. Before he frowned and slumped his shoulders again."I really suck that bad?" He whispered. Dilan snickered and nodded."So bad. But don't worry kid, I'm pretty good at that stuff. I'll teach you." She said kindly.

"YOU FUCKER!" Brand yelled from across the forest. Dilan's teary eyes snapped over to his direction. He was covered in blood, but the injuries must be a flesh wound.

"WE'RE GOING TO CUT YOU IN HALF!" Tabitha yelled and Dilan saw her running from the other direction. Dilan breathed heavily as she watched them. She knew they were skilled, but they were fuelled by anger and grieve, this was an abnormal. They needed a strategy.

"GUYS STOP! PLEASE!" She yelled, hoping to get to them. They ignored her. "No." Dilan choked out, her heart breaking as the beast pretended to leave only to turn back round at the last minute and snap its jaws around Tabitha, severing her torso from her legs in one clean bite. Blood dribbled down the creature's mouth as he tilted it's head back and Dilan watched her friend's body as it was swallowed down the throat never to be seen again.

"Hey, um..." A voice started from beside her and Dilan turned to look at Tabitha. She was still rather pale but looked to have collected herself. The girl looked both guilty and shameful and her eyes were glued to her feet."Hey. How are you doing?" She asked. Being grabbed didn't look fun. Tabitha sighed and scratched the back of her head."Fine... you were an idiot to do that for me. A complete crazy ass stupid idiot." Tabitha said harshly before looking up at her and offering the first genuine smile Dilan had seen on the girl. "But I owe you my life. Thanks, underground girl." She said genuinely. Dilan blinked, not expecting that before cracking a smile of her own."Don't mention it. I know we didn't get off to the best start but... maybe we could wipe the slate clean and start over?" Dilan offered hopefully. Tabitha smiled gratefully and nodded, holding out a hand."You're still fucking insane but I respect it." She teased. Dilan laughed and grabbed the hand, shaking it firmly. "Hey, sorry you got chewed out by Mike. He was being a real dick today." Tabitha said casually. Dilan smiled; glad the girl was being less defensive around her."All men are dicks. They vary with how dick-ish they are each day." Dilan retorted and Tabitha snorted in amusement."I'll drink to that." She grinned and threw an arm round Dilan's shoulder as they walked back to the others. "Fucking hard being the only girl on the squad. Men are insufferable." She sighed in annoyance. Dilan laughed, a genuine happiness filling her chest. It was nice to be touched and not want to skin the person touching her.

"You can say that again. But I got your back now. You name the guy, I'll slap him." She joked and Tabitha laughed loudly.

"TABITHA!" Brand screamed in anguish and Dilan's heart couldn't take anymore.

"BRAND WAIT! FUCKING STOP!" She urged but he ignored her again, diving round the titan's side, lifting his blades and yelling out a battle cry as he attempted to cut the nape. Dilan watched with wide glossy eyes as the blade shattered in two. What the fuck?

"Shit." Brand mumbled and Dilan's stomach dropped.

"BRAND GET UNDER COVER!" She screamed, pushing and pushing but the fucking cart wouldn't lift. Brand stayed frozen, tears dripping down his face until the beast turned around and smacked into him with the back of his hand. Dilan gasped as the boy flew through the air silently. Dilan managed to catch his eyes and felt a pain in her heart so deep she couldn't breathe as he managed to give her a small smile before he smacked into a tree and his neck was snapped instantly.

"You're not mad?" She whispered. Even if she had done it with reason, she had still rejected the boy's affections."No. There's nothing to be mad about. I'm sorry about what happened to you and I wish things were different, but you can't help the way you feel. You know I'll support you no matter what." He replied gently. Dilan smiled at the comforting words, a rogue tear falling down her cheek as she hugged her friend a bit tighter."Thanks. You'll make a more stable girl really happy one day, Brand." She joked lightly. Brand chuckled a bit and pulled back to smile at her."Maybe. I still like to think that one day me and you could give it a shot though. Maybe once the war is over. I think it would be pretty epic." He smirked. Dilan chuckled, wiping her eyes. She knew she didn't have feelings like that for Brand, but she couldn't deny he was handsome and kind. The perfect boyfriend of sorts. If she wasn't so messed up, perhaps it would have been epic."Maybe." She replied kindly, her heart-warming at the wide smile that filled Brands face.

Dilan gasped for air, tears streaming down her face. She had never felt more pain, not since her brother died. She couldn't breathe. It hurt so much. Everything hurt. Why did this happen again? It was her fault. She should have protected them.

"I PROMISED TO PROTECT THEM!" She screamed at the titan that was crawling towards her, tongue dangling out of its mouth, drenched with her fallen friends' blood. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!? WHAT'S THE PURPOSE!?" She screamed, losing it completely. Her heart was completely shattered. The fragments were too tiny to put them back together.

The titan ignored her, obviously, and grinned as it slithered over to her sobbing form, picking up the cart with ease and pushing it away. Dilan gasped and coughed as she was finally allowed air again, rolling onto her back and staring up at the titan with defeated eyes.

"Just kill me." She mumbled. "Make the pain stop." She choked out, curling in on herself as silent sobs raked her body. The world darkened as the shadow of the looming hand started coming towards her. Dilan was about to let go completely when she flicked her eyes over and saw Mike was still securely strapped into the cart, somehow unharmed. A bit of hope sparked in her chest. She could still save Mike. She could still avenge her friends. They would not die without justice. She couldn't let that happened. "OKAY YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" She yelled, pushing herself away from the hand and watching as it grabbed a pile of dirt before dropping it with a sneer, eyes flicking over to her form. She was weak. Every inch of movement sent a searing pain throughout her body. Her head was pounding, and blood was oozing into her eye from a head injury that the cart incident had created but none of that mattered. This bastard took her friends from her. Its kind killed her brother. Now it would die by her hand.

Dilan shot at the beast like a bullet, driving her blades into its thick flesh. She didn't start at the nape though. Oh no. This monster was going to suffer. It was going to suffer by the hands of Dilan Church.

She was an animal, racing round the beast at the speed of light, cutting and slashing and screaming. Blood and steam were spraying out in every direction and the Dilan imagined you could hear the titan's roars for miles. She wanted it to see hell. She wanted it to experience the internal hell she was going through before she sent it straight down there.

"YOU KILLED THEM!" She cried, slicing off the tongue. It's roars where music to her ears.

"My underground girl is the best! She's better than Humanities Strongest!" Tabitha boasted. Dilan rolled her eyes fondly."I wouldn't say I'm at his level. I can't seem to make it past an expedition without injuring myself or doing something crazy." Dilan chuckled. The guys laughed."That's kind of just who you are Dilan." Toby smiled. Dilan shrugged. Guess the kid had a point."Yeah and that's why you've got us to pick you up after you fall down. We love you girl." Tabitha said kindly. Dilan smiled and the guys smiled back.

"YOU FUCKING KILLED THEM ALL!" She screamed, driving her blades so deep into the arms of the beast they split open and fell to the floor. Hot blood coated her face, but she could barely feel it.

"I love you guys too." She said honestly. The squad had become her family. She loved them with all her heart. Was this what caring felt like? She wanted to live, perhaps still not for herself, but she wanted to live for her loved ones. Her family.

"YOU KILLED MY FAMILY!" She screeched as she dealt the final deadly blow and steam exploded, the mangled titan body falling limp, surrounded by her dead friends. Dilan dropped to her knees, letting go of her blades that were slick with blood, both the titans and her own where she had held the controls so tightly, they had dug into her skin. She breathed heavily as sobs escaped her mouth and her head dropped down. I'm so sorry guys. I'm so sorry, I'm sorry. It's all my fault!

Dilan was so out of it she barely heard the sounds of gears and the feet that dropped on the floor next to her. She could feel the eyes on her, but she didn't bother to look up.

"Oh my god..." Hanji's quiet voice gasped. Dilan was a wreck, she couldn't breathe. Pain. Pain. Pain. That's all she felt. God, she wanted to cut. Dilan was so woozy she barely registered the hand on her shoulder as a person, she took a moment to realise was Levi, knelt down in front of her.

"Dilan." Levi whispered, trying to get her attention. While his voice was straight, Dilan would hear the anguish in it. He had lost his squad too. And yet she made no attempts to look up. She simply kept staring down at the dirt. It's my fault. His squad died because of me. How am I supposed to look him in the eye again?

"A whole squad..." Erwin's emotionless voice sounded. "Pathetic really." He scoffed and Dilan's eyes widened. Her shoulders tensed up and she looked up at Erwin with a furious glare.

"Bastard!" She yelled, driving a sword towards him, dodging Levi as he tried to grab her. Erwin managed to block the blade that was aimed at his throat by a hair with his hand. Dilan only got a second to relish the blood that she drew from his palm before she was tackled to the ground by Levi. Dilan squirmed and tried to kick him off of her, but Levi won with brute strength, pinning her down by her shoulders.

"Fucking get a grip!" He yelled.

"He killed them! He killed all of them! Everyone that died, he did it, he killed them!" She yelled hysterically. Levi watched her unravel with wide shocked eyes. "He took us from the squad! If we were there, they wouldn't be dead!"

"Think what you will but I live by one ideology and one ideology alone. If you begin to regret, you'll dull your future decisions and let others make choices for you. All that's left for you then is to die. Nobody can foretell the outcome. Each decision you make holds meaning only by affecting your next decision. I won't regret your squad's death as you shouldn't. Simply learn and make better decisions next time." Erwin said seriously, accepting a cloth from someone to bandage his bleeding hand. Dilan stopped fighting at his words. It still hurt and it always would, but he was making sense. Didn't stop the guilt from swarming her but it did help control it slightly and she stopped spiralling.

Dilan leant her head back on the ground, closing her eyes as the adrenaline wore off once again and exhaustion took her into the darkness.

LEVI'S P.O.V.

Levi clenched his jaw as Dilan fell unconscious again. This couldn't be happening. Not again. Surely not? He never wanted Dilan to go through something like this. The same thing he had. When he watched his friends die, he completely exploded. He demolished the titan that killed them over and over until it couldn't heal anymore, and he struck its weak spot with everything he had. Slicing it so hard the bastard's neck was thrown off of its body. Looking at Dilan's mangled titan carcass now... it's clear she went through the same anguish as him. But if the remains weren't evidence enough what they heard before they got here was.

Levi and Erwin had just finished their conversation. Levi had explained everything that happened in detail, thinking Erwin was going to be mad which was why he was surprised when the bastard started grinning madly.

"She defended the entire left flank solo. These are marvellous results." He had mumbled to himself, looking as giddy as the day Levi had caught Dilan for him. He supposed the brat was back in the blonde's good books now.

It was then after they had called their horses and gotten ready to leave that they heard it. Screams. Scared helpless screams. Levi had switched to 3DMG immediately going towards the noise, Hanji's squad on tow. The screams stopped for a bit and Levi was pretty sure whoever it was had perished before they started up again. But those screams... they were different. The anguish was still present but the blind rage... the rage he knew all too well was clear in their tone as their cries mixed with that of a titan. The titan sounded like it was being tortured. Knowing now that it was Dilan, he knew full well it had seen hell.

Entering the sight of the massacre made Levi's breath hitch in his throat. Mangled bodies of his squad were strewn about the place. Blood splattered on the trees and staining the grass. There was a deep scar in the earth where the carriage had been likely thrown by the same beast Dilan had reduced to a rotting pile of flesh and bones. Levi had to swallow down the bile as he landed, not quite believing that he had lost his squad again. They weren't friends but he did care about them. Apparently, he cared more than he let on as he was too shocked too move, starting at Dilan, broken and kneeling on the dirty floor, sobbing her heart out. He had never seen the brat so distraught and it struck a chord in his icy heart. As the others landed next to him, he had forced his legs to move towards her. He needed to be strong for her right now. He couldn't afford to crack too.

When Erwin had said the same word, he had said after finding him in Dilan's position three years ago his whole body froze over with rage. 'pathetic'. It struck a resentment in him that he had been burying for a long time and he had barely managed to overcome it in time to tackle Dilan after she pierced the commander's hand. He'll admit... for a second... he wished he could just let her do it. He wanted to blame someone for this. For his friends' deaths. For every death. When Dilan started screaming that it was Erwin's fault, Levi was starting to believe her. Until Erwin said those simple words that changed him the first time. That made him into a soldier. The words he had spoken to Levi three years ago after Levi himself had attempted to kill the blonde bastard, consumed by rage and guilt.

"Think what you will but I live by one ideology and one ideology alone. If you begin to regret, you'll dull your future decisions and let others make choices for you. All that's left for you then is to die. Nobody can foretell the outcome. Each decision you make holds meaning only by affecting your next decision. I won't regret your squad's death as you shouldn't. simply learn and make better decisions next time."

Levi felt himself calm down at the words and clearly Dilan felt the same as she stopped struggling and relaxed. The pain was still clear on her bloodied tear-soaked face and it physically hurt Levi to see her like that, but she gave into it instead of fighting. Levi wasn't sure if he preferred it that way or not.

Levi realised a shaky breath as he let go of the, now limp, Dilan, sitting back on his heel and staring at nothing with wide eyes.

"Fuck. Is everyone really... gone?" Hanji mumbled to herself, pain clear on her face. There was silence for a moment before Hanji snapped out of it. "Moblit, check for survivors!" Hanji ordered, hope in her tone.

"Yes, section commander!" Moblit replied, ordering the rest of the squad to search the bodies. Levi stayed on the ground, supressing a flinch as he heard a gag of one of the soldiers. Guess the corpses weren't that pretty to look at. "Team Leader Mike is secure Ma'am!" Moblit shouted in the distance and Levi's ears pricked. Mike was safe. Mike was still alive. That was something. That was something. Levi repeated in his head, trying not to breakdown. This was bringing back too much. He could practically see Izzy's severed head and Farlan's half eaten torso in front of him.

Levi wasn't sure how much time had gone by and he flinched when he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to look at Hanji.

"We should go." She said softly. Levi hesitated but forced a nod of understanding. Hanji smiled sadly and squeezed his shoulder for support. Levi was about to get up and pick up Dilan when Erwin laughed out of nowhere. Levi's eyes snapped up to glare at the blonde.

"Have you finally fucking lost it?" Levi spat, standing. Erwin chuckled, shaking his head.

"Just remembering something, Levi. Do you recall when we first brought Dilan in? You were convinced she was too dangerous, since she was alone, and she wouldn't have a sobering event like you did." He smiled, looking around, ignoring the disgusted looks from everyone in the close proximity. "I suppose you were wrong. I couldn't have planned this better mys-" Erwin continued to speak in a sickeningly happy tone before Levi cut him off with a sharp punch to the jaw that had the commander stumbling back a bit at the force behind the blow. Levi was barely containing his rage as Hanji gasped. There was a tense silence as Erwin regained his footing and wiped some blood from his mouth, no soldier completely sure what to do. Levi had just hit the commander after all.

"You should be glad I didn't kick your ass for that comment Erwin. That punch, however, is something I will not regret, regardless of the consequences." Levi said in an icy tone, glaring daggers at the blonde psychopath. The silence continued as Levi walked over to Dilan and picked up her limp form carrying her over to his horse. He mounted his steed, holding Dilan close as he rode into the forest without sparing anyone else a second look. I'm sorry brat. I should have been here. You shouldn't have had to see this.


Triggers: mentions of blood, guts, gore.

A/N: I'm sorry okay! I didn't want to do it... but I had to. I kind of hate myself for doing this, I really loved the squad! They were some of the best OCs I've ever created and they will be dearly missed.

Poor Dilan, can't catch a break. She was finally ready to live and she's been broken again. We'll have to see how she handles it. Although I can warn you now it's not exactly healthy.

Next chapter will have a time skip. Levi should be becoming Captain soon. A lot of things are about to change so stay tuned. Drop a comment if you can, I'd love to hear your thoughts or theories. Thanks for reading! X