Author's Note: Hey everybody, boy a lot has happened huh, we've finally got Godzilla vs Kong (LOVE IT!) and we've reached the end of Attack on Titans (The manga not the anime) so boy what a ride, anyway we've finally reached the part of the story that I wanted to get to and I'm sure all of you have guessed what this island is so let's just get right to it.

PS. Sorry for the scare on that April Fools chapter.

Chapter 9: Infant Island part 1.

'Okay, this is weird,' Lora thought as she kept her sights on the bowing stranger.

This woman seems to have been expecting her, but why?

She finally stood up and smiled at Lora.

"Don't worry, Lora. I can explain everything."

Lora flinched and took a cautious step back.

"How did you-?!"

"DAYO!"

Lora jumped before she could do anything. The native woman (whom Lora assumed was Dayo) grabbed her shoulders and leaned in close to whisper.

"Listen to me: you must not be seen! Hide behind that stone, quick!"

Lora looked at a large boulder on her right and looked back at Dayo.

"But why-"

Please, Hide!

Lora was shocked. She just heard Dayo's voice in her head, and the feeling of this was akin to her sister and Miki. Could she be...?

Dayo's name was called out again, this time sounding closer. Lora decided to heed Dayo's words and quickly hid behind the boulder. She peeked around it, getting a good look at the environment.

Beyond the beach was a thick jungle with exotic folliage the likes of which she could never imagine. But something in the distance layed past it, something she couldn't quite make out. Before Lora could get a clear vision from her eyes were caught on some rustling leaves.

Lora saw Dayo turning around, picking up a straw bag. Funny, she didn't notice that before. Dayo pulled out a small metal cap and quickly placed it on her head just as a young man no older than herself emerged from the brush. He was wearing what Lora could guess was an soldier's uniform.

On his blonde-haired head he wore a similar metal cap, as well as a pair of glasses.

What started to worry Lora were two things:

1; The man was carrying a riffle on a strap over his left shoulder.

2; he was wearing a symbol on his uniform that she recognized.

'Crap, are we on Marley?!'

Lora panicked from her spot as she watched the soldier run up to Dayo, grabbing her shoulder.

"Dayo, please don't go ahead of us. What if something happened to you?"

"We'd have one less savage, that's what!"

Another Marlean soldier arrived on the scene, but much older than the former. There was a distinct aura of unpleasantness that eminated from this stranger, as if kindness itself couldn't exist in the same room as him.

The second soldier walked to the pair, glaring at the young woman.

"Were you trying to run from us?"

Instead of waiting for her answer the old soldier slapped Dayo across the cheek, causing her to fall to the ground and knocking the cap off. Lora was shocked and was about to come out from behind the rock to defend her.

Don't! Please, stay there!

Lora paused as Dayo spoke telepathically. She didn't like it, but Lora stayed hidden, glaring at the soldier and also noticed that young soldier was glaring at him as well.

"Well, savage?" The cruel Marley soldier said. "I'm waiting."

Dayo stood up and looked at him, showing no sign of anger despite the obvious red mark on her face.

"Thought...me heard...big monster," Dayo said.

Lora blinked. Why was she talking like that?

"Me try to lure it away...from saviors."

The man grinned.

"Yes, we are your saviors. You must be talking about the storm, right?"

Dayo nodded, trying to be convincing.

"That's all it was," he said as if explaining to a child. "Just a big storm, not some angry spirit."

The soldier's grin changed to a frown and leaned towards her.

"So next time do as you are told and stay by us, understand?"

Dayo nodded.

"Good," said the old solider. "Now, back to base!"

Dayo nodded again and started to walk past him until he grabbed Dayo's hair roughly.

"Forgetting something, savage?" he said pointing at the metal cap on the ground.

"Pick it up and put it back on your head!"

Dayo nodded as the soldier let go of her hair. The first soldier looked at Dayo upset like her but remained still as she picked up the cap and put it back on her head after wiping the sand off it.

Lora watched as Dayo slowly walked ahead of the soldiers. The first soldier looked like he was about to check if she was alright, but stopped as the other glared at him.

"Don't go soft on these people, Marcus," said his superior. "They're no better than those... filthy Eldians. At least they know their place."

"Yes, Sargent Cook," Marcus saluted before the two followed Dayo into the jungle.

Unbeknownst to the men, Dayo glanced at Lora, motioning with her head to follow.

Lora waited a little bit until she was sure they were out of sight as she stepped out from her position and carefully followed them. She took great strive to make certain that she wasn't seen by the soldiers.

Thankfully, Dayo didn't make any effort to look back to see if Lora was following them.

Lora guessed Dayo trusted her to follow, and for whatever reason she was going to make good on that trust.

She timed each step carefully, making sure to hide behind leaves and fallen trees every couple of seconds. There was a close call at least once, but she ducked in time.

The two soldiers held a long conversation while Lots followed. She listened in when she could.

"What about the eastern quadrant?" The young trooper asked.

"It got hit worse!" The old one said. "Giant rocks damn near smashed everything!"

"Yeah, it's weird," the other replied. "Storm was rough, but not strong enough to knock stone that size out of the ground, let alone that far."

'Like the ones back with the sea monster back there?' Lora thought.

"You'd think if it were that powerful It would've knocked that blasted 'Elder Wall' off the face of the earth," the old soldier said. "But no, not a scratch on it. I hate being around that thing. It... gives me the creeps."

Lora stopped as they reached the end of the jungle. Carefully, she hid behind one of the trees and made sure she wasn't spotted. Lora peered from behind the tree and saw a large metal wall streched over an open area. She could see three streaks of smoke emitting from somewhere on the inside.

Lora rolled her eyes at the sight.

Great, just what I wanted to see. More walls.

Lora watched as Dayo and her escorts reached towards a steel gate. The older solder stepped forward and shouted to be let in. The kinder soldier looked to Dayo and gave her a kind smile as he looked back to the gate, while Dayo turned her head and looked behind.

Lora wondered if Dayo could see her. Her answer came when Dayo lifted the cap off slightly and spoke in her mind, but it sounded oddly muffled this time.

'Stay out here... for now... will come for you at night.'

After that Dayo quickly put her cap back on before any of the soldiers caught her. Finally, the gate opened to allow the soldiers and Dayo in before closing.

Lora looked up at the metal wall. It wasn't as high as the old ones were back at home, causing her to wonder how much the walls encompassed. Just then she wondered if there were guards up top that might shoot her if she's spotted.

She looked around for cover, finding a tree with enough room in its branches to stay put until getting the ok from her new benefactor.

Fair enough, Lora had too much to think about. Did she really find another telepath all the way out here? Where was here anyway? That notebook never brought up any psychics in Marely.

Then the memories of Miki's story came back to her. Is this where the Elias came from?

She just hoped Dayo would hurry back so she could get some answers. Except one which neither could answer:

Did the Gotengo crew know she was gone?

Meanwhile, in the Gotengo.

Eren lay in the medic bay on a soft bed, knocked out cold. Over and over, he heard those same words echoing in his brain:

'Please end the suffering.'

Eren lunged upward while grabbing onto his head in frustration.

"STOP SAYING THAT!"

"Eren?"

Eren opened his eyes and looked at his surroundings. On his left side was Armin, watching him with concern, while on his right was a bed occupied by Mikasa with Jean standing by her side. Further to the right was Moll, who lay motionless in her own bed.

"Eren? Armin asked again, "Stop saying what?"

Damn!

Eren winched, he was caught. "Uh, what I meant was-"

"Is s-s-something hap-p-pening to you?" Sanda asked while holding onto Moll's hand.

"No, it's nothing," Eren answered while trying to think of changing the subject

"Like hell it's nothing!" Jean glared at Eren. "The last time something like this happened we had to deal with that three headed monster, and look what it did to Mikasa!"

Eren was about to argue with Jean but stopped once his eyes looked upon Mikasa's sleeping body. Sweat started falling from her forehead, and judging from the look on her face it seemed like she was a having a nightmare.

"Eren," Armin placed his hand on Eren's shoulder. "What is happening to you?"

"LORA!"

Everyone jumped as Moll got up like a shot from a gun, alerting the nurse.

"Miss, please relax."

"No, I've got to get to Lora!" Moll said trying to get up from the bed while Sanda was trying to calm her down.

"Wh-wh-what happened t-t-to Lora?" Sanda said.

"Come to think of it, we haven't seen her since the attack," Jean added.

Moll calmed a little, but her face still showed worry.

"She is on the island."

"Island?" Eren asked. "What Island?"

For some reason, Sanda looked away when Eren said that. Before anyone could ask why, the doors burst open.

It was Randy, running into the room, huffing like he was running a mile.

"There you guys are! Man, I wish they'd fix that intercom but listen we need able-"

The room was silent after this news until Randy took notice of Moll.

"Morning Moll. Say, where's your sis?"

Eren spoke up.

"I think the Captain should hear this."

Later, on the bridge...

"Let me get this straight," Gordon said. "Your sister ended up washed up on a shore somewhere?"

"Yes, and we need to get to her right now!" Moll stated while Sanda tried to calm her down.

"Easy kid," Gordon said. "What part the island did she say she was on?"

"Lora... didn't talk to me."

"But wait," Armin asked. "If she didn't then how do you know she's on the island?"

Moll tried to think back, looking tired and a little confused.

"I...I don't remember. I only recall a voice telling me she's there and that we have to hurry, before Marley finds her!"

"Marley?!" Eren said.

"Um, correct me if I'm wrong but aren't those the bad guys that want you all killed?" Randy asked.

"We-we can't av-av-avoid it!" Sanda said as his body shook. "We've g-g-got to get her b-b-back."

The Captain was thinking it over while the group was talking. Just then a crew member by one of the monitors spoke up.

"Permission to speak, sir?"

Gordon turned to her direction.

"Go ahead," he answered.

"There does seemed to be a potential landmass within seventy-five naughts southwest of our position. If she's on land, it's highly likely that's her location."

"Well, thanks to that Loch Ness nightmare damaging the engines we're dead in the water," Gordon remarked. "But if Marley is on that island, my guess is that they must have a base there or something."

"I think there might be," Eren suggested as all eyes turned to him. "When I got out of the ship to fight that kaiju, something was throwing boulders at it. I couldn't see who or what but I'm guessing it came from that island."

"Why use stones? " Armin pondered. "They're much more advanced than that. Unless...could it have been Zeke?"

"Who's Zeke?" Randy asked.

"A Shifter," Eren answered. "Just like me, but on their side. He's smart, powerful, and dangerous."

"Sanda, during your time with Zeke was there any mention of an island base?" Miyuki asked.

Sanda frowned. He would've rather forgotten what they did to him and his brother, but the truth had to come out.

"I-I-I-I've been there. "

Everyone was quiet.

"N-n-not often, but w-w-we had to port th-th-there b-before arriving on Paradis. Civilians w-w-were not allowed t-t-to know about it, th-thats why it w-w-was not allowed to be put on maps. Th-th-the natives c-c-called it Infant Island."

"So, chances might be she's near a military base," Captain Gordon theorized. "And if they see us, they'll send some ships over."

"Oh sure, like their old-timey battleships can handle the big bad Gotengo," Randy joked.

"Still, we should be careful just the same," Miyuki cautioned. "After all, we're still damaged by that kaiju attack."

Gordon nodded and turned to Eren. "No doubt you want to go, Yeager?"

Eren nodded.

"I want to go too," Moll volunteered. "Oh, do you have anyone onboard who is a telepath besides Lora and I?"

"Calm down kid, you can go. She's your sister after all," Captain Gordon said. "No doubt your boyfriend wants to join too?"

Gordon motioned to Sanda.

Sanda blushed but nodded.

"Ok, Armin you go too, someone has to be the level head in this group. Hell, you're in charge. Got it?"

Armin blinked at this role but saluted just the same.

"I'm going too."

Everyone turned seeing Mikasa entering the room, still in her hospital gown with Jean following suite.

"Mikasa," Eren was about to go to her but stopped himself, remembering her condition.

"Mikasa, you should get back to bed," Jean advised.

Mikasa ignored him and entered the deck, saluting to Captain Gordon.

"I'm fit for duty, sir."

"Mikasa, that is not a good idea!" Armin said.

"Captain, you can't let her go!" Miyuki advised.

Gordon marched up to Mikasa, looked her straight in the eye and glared.

"In case you haven't heard, people from Marley are on that island. The very people that want you and your friends killed, and I doubt the last thing they need is you fainting during an attack."

Mikasa stared back at Gordon with her own glare of defiance.

"I. Won't. Faint."

The atmosphere in the room was tense as these two continued their stare-off. Then Gordon straightened his hat.

"Get your gear and get dressed solider."

"Captain!" Miyuki gasped.

Eren, Sanda, Armin, Moll, shared her shock.

"Are you crazy!?" Jean shouted.

"Watch it," Gordon ordered as he took his seat. "I've seen that look on her before on many stubborn assess. No matter what I say she's going to find a way on that island." Gordon shrugged. "So why fight it?"

Mikasa saluted again and quickly made her way out of the room, with Jean right behind her.

"I think old lover boy is going too," Randy joked.

"You too, Hernandez," said Gordon.

Randy hung his mouth open.

"What?! Why?"

"Cause I need someone that knows how to work and (just in case) fix one of walkie talkies on that island," Gordon explained. "Also, I need a break from you."

Randy laughed nervously.

"Well, I have been looking to get an island tan."

Gordon stood up from his chair and looked at everyone.

"All right now. Hernandez, when everyone is ready find a life boat and start heading towards that island. Report back to me when you've established a secure base on land. Now everyone, off your asses and get to your stations!"

Somewhere inside the iron walls...

Dayo scowled as Cook and his younger cohort followed her to her destination. Three layers of security they passed already, and now taking a shortcut.

They walked that same pathway she's walked a thousand times, and she hated it more and more each time she set foot here, right between two of the four Elias Designated Zones.

So familiar with the sights Dayo didn't even need to look inside the fence next to her. Small huts packed tightly inside a barrier of barbed wire, constantly observed via a guard tower. She grew up in zone 3, though which one made no difference, each one faced the same horrors.

She grew up like any child inside the fence; sleeping on the floor with ten others in a single room while their guards sipped champagne as they watched.

It's been this way since she was born, since her grandparents were born. At least they left the children alone. Once she hit the age of sixteen, she was given a designated job. It's considered a right of passage on this island.

They called themselves Marleans, but her ancestors called them 'saviors.'

Finally, she and her captors reached their destination.

The Elder Wall.

Massive and made of intricate wooden rods that interlocked with each other, it was the oldest structure on the island. It towered over the Designated Zones as a reminder of an ancient time before the Elias were 'saved.'

There once was a large fence that blocked others from coming in without permission, as well as a mess hall and other commodities for the Marlean troopers. Only most of those things stood at the moment. Massive chunks of rock scattered about amongst the rubble. Clearly the storm did most of the damage.

Many Elias were put to work clearing the wreckage, getting the repairs up and running. Her heart sunk seeing young men pulling boulders by rope in unison, with at least three being pulled away in stretchers.

"Now, before you get back to work," Cook said grabbing hold of her shoulder. "I think you should be taught a lesson for-"

"I'll take care of punishment, Sarge." The younger soldier interrupted.

Dayo gave a frightened look.

"I appreciate your willingness Marcus," his superior replied. "But I can handle this."

"Not to overstep my bounds, sir," Marcus piped back. "But weren't you due back with the surveillance unit?"

"Good Helios, I forgot! " Cook suddenly said in a panic. "He'll have my ass on a platter if I'm late on this one! She's all yours, but be quick about it!"

Marcus saluted and took hold of Dayo by the arm guiding her to a small shed about a hundred feet away. He pushed her inside, looking around outside to make sure he wouldn't be disturbed. Inside the small shack Dayo's eyes darted around, gazing on the whips and branding irons that hung from the back wall.

Marcus slammed the door behind him and marched right up to Dayo...

... And the two held each other tightly. They shared a kiss for a solid minute before Marcus broke them apart.

"You promised two hours!" He said sternly.

"I can-"

"Two. Hours. That's the longest I could keep you covered! What the hell happened?!"

"I can explain," Dayo said with her eyes on the floor. "Something came up."

"You improvised again, didn't you?"

Dayo took the metal cap off her head, signaling him to do the same.

'The others were caught,' she said telepathically. 'Shot down. We're all that's left now.'

Marcus sighed. After a short pause he reached into his front pocket, pulling out a small jar with red berries inside. Days turned her back to him, moving her hair out of the way.

Marcus placed two of his fingers inside the jar, smashing the berries into a paste as they continued their psychic conversation.

'Are you giving up on this?' Days asked.

Marcus was put on the spot. On one hand, her freethinking and wild spirit was the reason he fell for her. On the other, she had a habit of being spontaneous when it least served them in this little rebellion.

'No,' he thought.' I just worry.'

The paste was finally ready. He used his fingers and ran them along her back, placing the paste gently in small blotches.

'But your people have been getting more roused up lately,' Marcus continued. 'It's going to be even more difficult to keep this up.'

'And the other soldiers?' Dayo asked.

'They're upping the security around the Zones. Any move from here needs to be more covert than it ever has been.'

Dayo stayed quiet as her lover continued to apply the red paste on her back. His plans were always solid, helping the rebels get further than anyone thought possible.

I was just a shame no one in her tribe approved of how she felt about him. Despite all he's done for them... he was still just a Marlean.

'We all had the same dream,' she told him. 'We think it's an omen.'

'Sometimes a dream is just a dream,' Marcus thought.

'I met an outsider today,' Dayo said. 'Like us.'

Marcus was silent, looking over the marks he made on her back. The berry paste dried in a way that perfectly mimicked dried blood. It was better this way. The only way to keep their cover was to try his best to beat anyone to the punch when she got caught. Otherwise, Dayo would get hurt for real.

'This will be our last plan,' Dayo said. 'If this fails, we'll run.'

"What?!" Marcus said out loud. "You serious?"

"If this doesn't work, then there is no hope," she went on. "If we fail we escape, just us. I promise."

Marcus knew she wouldn't just leave her people unless they truly were out of options. Whatever plan Dayo had, he had a lot of faith in.

"Alright," he said. "I've got the guard's schedule for the next week, plus blindspots caused by the storm damage. Meet me tonight in Zone 2. We'll figure this out."

They both put back on their helmets, shared one last kiss and opened the door, going their separate ways.

As Dayo returned to her post with the repairmen, Sargent Cook made way to stairway leading to the top of the Elder Wall.

Just a few moments after he passed the two guards, both wearing similar helmets, a small pack of Elias came up to the soldiers.

"Hey! Keep back!" One of the guards shouted, "Area's closed, authorized personal only!"

An elderly woman walked to the front the group and spoke out.

"We come to pay respect to the goddess," she said. "Make peace with Thunder Guardian."

The other guard answered her.

"Alright, but be quick about it!"

The group quietly made their way to the great wall before them, stopping at set of statues.

The first figure was a woman, dress in similar garb as other Elias women. The other was a man dressed in a fine Marleyan suit. Under their feet was a stone block with a carving of a moth. The natives lit candles and spoke prayers around these idols.

Meanwhile, Sargent Cook made his way up to the command room of the watchtower, looking down on all the cannons stationed on top of the massive wooden wall. His team saluted him as he entered.

"Private," he asked. "When is the blimp due to arrive?"

"Estimate two minutes and counting, sir!" One of his men answered. "Crew fully armed as instructed: harpoon guns, automatics, the works sir!"

"Good," Cook said. "Let's hope the material that Yeager cooked up makes the difference this time, these blimps take up too much materials. Lord knows The Homeland asks a lot of us already."

"Surveillance blimp in visual range!" One of the observers shouted.

Just above them a large zephlin passed, soaring over the wall and making its way above the thick, massive jungle contained within.

"Blimp inside the search area!"

Cook walked over to the telescope to get a closer look. He watched the balloon hover over the tall tropical trees on the horizon.

"That's it," Cook whispered. "We're gonna find ya this time."

After a good minute the blimp stopped in its tracks. He may not have been able to see it perfectly, but he could tell they were firing at something out there.

Suddenly, a large slick object shot out of the canopy like a spear, striking the zephlin and causing an explosion. The flaming remains spiraled back down to earth, shaking up a flock of birds.

"God DAMN IT!" Cook shouted. "Send a message to the higher-ups, we failed again."

One of his men scrambled over his telegraph machine as others paced relentlessly. Everyone in the tower was too involved in their duty that they didn't notice one of the birds kicked up by the crash was heading their way...

A big one...

Meanwhile...

Dayo begrudgingly picked up rubble at a snail's pace. It had been an hour, and the sun was picking up. But she dare not loose her pace, lest one of the guards catch wind.

Looking ahead she stared at the large factory that lay in the distance, spewing smoke into the air.

Days knew that place well. Many of her friends worked there, producing steel bars to be shipped out to the rest Marley's empire across the sea. A mile past it was the mine where the metal was harvested. It's were her father was designated...until he never came back.

Before she could stay lost in thought, something caught her ears. Turning her head to the Elder Wall behind her, she heard an enormous flapping noise coming from the other side.

With a massive this the wall shook, with a large three fingered claw gripping the top of the wooden barrier. Dayo looked in fear as the beaked face of a giant Archaeopteryx pulled itself into view.

One of the workers screamed in terror at the sight of the green feathered monstrosity crawled over the Elder Wall, causing a panic. Dayo ran for cover inside the wreckage of what once was a mess hall before the creature managed to get all 125 feet of its length onto the ground, crushing unaware people under its weight.

Sargent Cook gave the command to the wall-mounted cannon operators as guards on the ground pulled out their pistols and fired at the Archaeopteryx that began pecking at panicking by standards.

The beast took notice of the soldiers attacking it, an elderly woman trapped in its toothed beak. The monster bird whipped it's feathered, snake-like tail to smash a row of Marlean troopers as it swallowed its meal.

While not incredibly deadly to the reptilian bird, the bullets still pierced it's hide enough to bloody the emerald feathers on its wings and torso.

The Archaeopteryx lowered its head and spread its wings in an intimidation stance towards the attackers. Behind the bird, the cannons We're primed and ready. Cannonballs burst through the air and tore through the flesh, knocking the creature prone.

The theropod screeched in pain as retched on the ground, blood pouring from its mouth. Finally, the Archaeopteryx collapsed on the ground and bled to death.

The running stopped. All were silent.

The Elias faced the nearest soldier to them and slowly dropped to their knees with their face to the ground.

From up in the tower, Sargent Cook watched through his binoculars as the natives genuflected.

"That's right," he smiled. "Remember your place."

Peeking behind a broken wall, Dayo looked in disgust at the state of her people.

Bowing to the ones who call them savages, the ones who force them into labor, keep them inside a fence.

Their 'saviors.'

Dayo's fist clenched in anger. Too long she's saw this go on.

'No more,' she thought. 'No matter what happens to me this ends. Tonight!'

Author's Note. Yep, Dayo is in this one, but there's still some more things to come and that will be shown in the next chapter, which if I'm right won't take long to finish! So, stay tuned!