Part XII
Set into Motion

"Quite frankly, this is humiliating!" A man scoffed, slamming his fist down onto the table, surrounded by other men within the meeting. "Are you telling us, who have always held formality in high regard, to accept a bunch of lowlifes?! The men's morale will be tainted if we allow those underground rats to join our ranks!"

"I am in agreement with Flagon." Another Survey Corps member spoke out. "You even suggest that we take these four out on the next expedition with us?"

"I understand all of your concerns." Spoke Erwin, closing his eyes to gather the men's opinions. "But I can personally vouch for their skills. The new formation I've been working on is quite ground-breaking. It emphasises importance not on how best to kill Titans, but how we can avoid them."

"Well what those four lack is discipline and manners!" Spat Flagon in response, gritting his teeth. "You saw how enraged that girl got yourself, Erwin. She threatened to kill you, did she not?!"

"She's a character, I admit. But with training, I believe these four can amount to helping us in what I have planned. It should only require a short amount of time to do so. For now, we carry on as normal and we introduce them to the rest of the regiment."

Flagon did nothing but frown upon his Commander. But what could he do? His choice his final, whether he agrees with it or not. But it wasn't like Erwin to do something and not expect results. For now, Flagon had to go along with it.


"Attention!" Saluted the current Commander of the Survey Corps, as the rest of the regiment saluted him with their fists over their hearts. They all gazed upon the new four members of the Corps itself. Introducing new members was a tradition among them, so that they can better know each other. "From today, these four will be fighting alongside you all! Introduce yourselves!" He then ordered.

Farlan stepped forward, a large smirk on his face as he inhaled a breath of the fresh air. "Farlan Church!" He introduced.

Isabel was next, and her smile was just as big as Farlan's. Clearly these two were overly excited of the new prospects ahead of them. "Isabel Magnolia!" She called out. "Nice to meet more of ya!"

Standing slightly insecure, as she held onto one of her arms, Fury then stepped forward. Erwin's eyes then looked upon her. "Fury." She muttered, causing whispers among the scouts, realising that wasn't her real name and it caused the Commander to roll his eyes.

And lastly, it was Levi, who stood with his arms folded and looked like he held no care in the world for where he's ended up. "Name's Levi." He spoke out clearly and it was his name that roused the scouts even more, like they had heard it before.

"Levi, huh?" Spoke the Commander, glaring at him. "The first thing you're gonna need is some goddamn discipline!" He the looked over to Flagon, who appeared to have to the look of distaste upon his face. "Flagon! These will be assigned to your squad out on the next expedition!"

Flagon's eye widened. "But… W-why my squad?! Can't Erwin take them all?"

"Erwin is tasked with the soldier's formation!" The Commander reminded as he then looked at a distant Fury. "The only one he'll be keeping an eye on is Fury, who will be alongside him when out there!"

Fury suddenly came out of her insecurity with disagreement. Why was she being separated from the others? They clearly didn't like the idea either but due to their job, she had to agree. "Lovely…" She muttered with pure sarcasm as Erwin frowned at her response.

"Go show them their new quarters, dismissed!" The Commander then ordered as he departed, leaving Flagon utterly lost for words as he unwillingly led them all too where they shall be sleeping. It was a large building. It was separated into halves. One side for the males, the other for the females and within each room were bunk-beds, a small desk and a bathroom.

It was a simple living area, and the rooms were quite small. However, due to them being on the surface, the four friends cared little for how they lived. It wasn't a complete upgrade from their home down below, but it was always clean.

"The barracks." Flagon muttered, leading them into one of the rooms so that they could then see where they could be staying for the rest of their lives.

"Yeah, are we all living in the same room?!" Isabel asked with excitement. "We can all snuggle together! I want top bunk though!"

"You women have a separate section." Flagon responded. "We don't encourage raunchy situations here."

"But… Me and Fury wanna stay heeeeere!" Isabel pouted as she latched onto Fury's arm, completely oblivious to the word raunchy.

"Actually, my own space looks appealing to me." Fury admitted, as she yanked her arm away from a now confused Isabel.

"Well, this is where you two men will be staying." Flagon then went on to say as Levi made his way to the bunk-bed. Using his fingers, he ran them through the underside of the wood, leaving Farlan and Isabel looking worried as Fury looked out of the small window they all got within each room. "You four have been living in a shit hole most of your lives, but do keep this place clean!"

Levi then frowned as he felt the disgust of dirt upon his fingertips from under the mattress. He then approached Flagon, looking up at him which caused him much discomfort. "What's with that look?! You dare approach your superior like this?" Flagon questioned, stepping back.

Farlan then hurried himself in between both Levi and Flagon, looking panicked. "We're sorry!" We'll do our best to keep this place spotless!"

Flagon rolled his eyes. "Training starts tomorrow." He revealed, leaving the room.

Farlan then calmed his posture, his body no longer tense as he turned to Levi. "Levi… Don't pull anymore stunts like that, please." He somewhat begged. "We've got enough eyes on us already. Fury, you didn't help with your own stunt either!"

She looked at Farlan with genuine confusion. "What stunt?"

"Ya know, when we were cuffed up!" Isabel reminded. "You went crazy when they held down Levi. We've never seen you like that before!"

"Oh… Right." She muttered, but the truth was that she couldn't remember doing that at all. Was this why Erwin wanted her with him?

Levi then huffed as he cleaned his hand with a fresh piece of cloth. "Tch. Did you not hear what that piece of shit was spouting out of his mouth?"

"We weren't caught by accident, you know. "Fury muttered with a clear hint of it being a reminder.

Farlan nodded. "Yeah, don't forget why we're here, Levi."

"The Survey Corps will come after you all. Be sure to put up a little resistance." Levi remembered this from the unknown man who hired them for this job. "There are two things I'll have you do for me… First, you'll have to receive a document for me which is in the possession of Erwin Smith.

And secondly… to kill the Survey Corp's squad leader…

Those are your jobs. "

"Yeah, I know…" Levi muttered, as he sat down on the lower bed.

"Well… Come on, Isabel." Spoke Fury as she took a hold of her. To be honest, Fury didn't want to be around Levi right now. She knew he'd question her about this so-called outrage and until she can somehow remember, questions would have to wait.

"Where we going?!" Isabel asked as she was pulled along, both Farlan and Levi watching.

"To our own room." Fury revealed as both girls had then left the males to themselves.

Farlan sighed as he went and closed the door behind them. He was frowning as he recalled the events of when they were caught by the Survey Corps. "You saw how she reacted too, right?" He asked Levi, to which he simply nodded. "We've known Fury for years. Honestly, I believed she couldn't care less about us. But then I saw how she reacted when you were pinned down. I gotta say, she clearly does care… for one of us anyway."

"Spit it out, Farlan." Sneered Levi. He was in no mood today.

Farlan then rubbed the back of his head. "How she conveniently appeared as you were slammed to the ground? I mean, she threatened to kill Erwin Smith right then and there! And that would've really messed up this job... Maybe she was trying to help us all, but it certainly only looked like you were her focus."

"She doesn't remember." Levi responded as he laid back on his bed. "She may hide how she feels but she's easy to read. She had no clue what you two were on about."

"How could she just forget that? It was quite a performance! You think its why she's been told to stay alongside Erwin?"

Levi shrugged. "Works well for us though. Her being with him most of the time… she can find what we're looking for a lot easier than we can…"


"Why couldn't you of just told us?!"

"Do you have any idea how many lives could've been saved?!"

"This is a vital key to save humanity and you thought it was best to hide it all this time?!"

"You're selfish. I pity you."

"I thought we were comrades. No, not just that but friends! Why?!"

"Fury, say something!"

"Fury?"

"Fury!"

"Are you okay…?" Asked Isabel as she heard Fury wake up from what must've been a bad dream.

"Go back to sleep, Isabel." Fury muttered, clutching her chest as she laid back down.

"You don't need to tell me twice…" Isabel muttered. She put her head back to the pillow and closed her eyes. But Isabel wasn't the type to let things go. She pretended to fall asleep as she then listened to Fury somewhat talking aloud.

"Little Fury…" Fury whispered as her eyes were tightly closed and she believed Isabel was sleeping once again. "You'll never let me forget, will you Kenny? And now all I feel is guilt over not telling Levi that I know you, that you are why I am... Things are happening to me because of this guilt, why?! I'll never forgive you for how you treat me, but I'll put the skills you gave me to good use. I'll find you again one day… and I'll finally be able to say that I don't forgive you."

Isabel made a small frown. She had no clue who this Kenny was but it was obvious Levi knew of him. She became worried for Fury. Not knowing why she was guilty, but with the overheard revelation it was clear that it was because of some Kenny. Now Isabel had a choice…

To speak to Fury about it… or tell Levi of what she heard so that he could sort it out and maybe help Fury. But this would have to wait. Both girls knew they had training later this day and Isabel wanted all the sleep she could gather.


"The Expedition Budget, which had been put on hold, was finally approved." Spoke the Commander to Erwin as they rode in a carriage together.

"I see." The blonde male muttered.

"You're not surprised?"

"I'm just relieved." Erwin admitted with a sigh. "I had already begun my preparations after all."

The Commander folded his arms. "It appears that the leader of the faction which so vigorously opposed the expeditions suddenly came around."

"Nicholas Lobov, I take it?" Erwin asked causing his Commander to grin.

"So you knew… You told me that you were certain the expeditions would be approved, which is why you began preparations. Erwin… could it be that you forced Lobov to change his mind through some… indecent means?

"Lobov appears to have dealings with the Lang Company…" Erwin revealed, ignoring that his Commander had grown suspicious of him. "They provide goods for the Military Police. It seems he was planning to redirect the expedition funds to them. My information is reliable, sir. I've already obtained evidence of this fact."

"So… What do you plan to do?" The Commander asked Erwin as the carriage came to a halt.

"Please don't ask me any further…" Erwin muttered. "I want to act on this independently."

The Commander scoffed. "Go down a dangerous path, and you may never make it back out."

"It was only after joining the Survey Corps and coming face to face with a Titan that I came to understand just how fragile humanity is." Erwin responded as he opened the carriage door and climbed out. "Wealth… Power… Noble ideals… All of that would count for nought if Titans ever made it past the walls. Which is why I will use any means necessary to ensure that the expeditions and our efforts to take back this world from the Titans are not abandoned!"

The Commander simply nodded his head. "This was why you were made squad leader. Your ideals give our recruits hope."

With that sentiment, Erwin gave a nod as he departed away from the carriage. As the Commander strolled towards his quarters, he was too in deep with though to realise he was just passing Levi, who was on his way to meet his friends. The two glanced at each other but neither of them stopped to exchange words.

For Levi, the flashing memory that came to him was when Erwin had degraded him enough to bring Levi to his knees.

"The one to kill him… will be me!" Levi spoke to himself through his thoughts.


Training was daily. And though the course in which they were put through, they had adapted and overcame them.

Isabel became fond of riding around on the horses. She had always loved her animals. She took to calling the horse she was assigned to as, 'Vagabond.' A name she felt that fit well with her own way of dealing with things.

Both Fury and Farlan had shown great skill and improvement when it came to using their ODM. Through the practice trial of killing fake cut-outs of Titans, they both performed with ease when it came to slicing a Titan's nape, which was their only known weak spot.

For Levi, he was the main focus for a lot of gossip. His speed and strength that was shown through the days of training shocked many. He had come to use his own technique of holding the cutters that every Scout held within their ODM's, though he was scolded many times to hold them correctly. However, he always found ways to make them feel like crap by showing off how well and how much more effective he can use the cutters when holding them differently.

But the jobs had not been pushed aside, either. Every other night, attempts were made to get into Erwin's office to try and obtain a piece of documentation, but no avail. Farlan earned himself a fierce slap from Fury when he suggested that she could tempt Erwin into telling her what he knows, for she had been training under Erwin since the days training began.

"We won't find it no matter how many times we look…" Farlan muttered, as he and the other three sat with each other in the basement. They were surrounded by spare equipment and food, even cheap wine. "I think it's time to assume it's not even in his room."

"Then where could it be?" Isabel asked, then looking at Fury who sat atop of a crate reading a book. "You say you've never seen anything weird looking on him?"

Fury shook her head. "And if I did, then what? Should I tempt him into giving it up to me?" She then mockingly spoke towards Farlan, causing him to rub his cheek.

"Well what do you do with something you really want to keep safe?" He then asked to avoid any more slaps.

"Look, I'm thinking he keeps it with him at all times as it is." Fury then suggested. "Where else would you keep something than on yourself if you want to keep it safe? So, I'm throwing it out there that we could use the upcoming Expedition to our advantage." Fury closed her book and placed it beside her as Levi then listened to more of her suggestion. "Outside the walls, Erwin will be concentrated on the Titans, as well as keeping me in check as I'll be beside him in the formation he has set out. If we wait for the opportunity, may be I could be the one to complete this job for us?"

"That's… actually a great idea!" Isabel encouraged, clapping her hands. "We stay at the back with the other Scouts, make sure Fury is left alone with Erwin, so that way no one could witness it!"

"There'll be more planning to it than that…" Muttered Farlan as he rubbed his chin. "You okay with this suggestion, Levi?"

"Yeah, sure…" He muttered in response as the memory of seeing Fury lashing out towards Erwin came back to him. She still couldn't remember doing that. "But I'll be going alone and I'll be the one to kill him!"

All three of them were taken back by his idea of using Fury's plan but to do it himself. "You three, just think of an excuse to stay behind."

"Levi… Why?!" Snapped Isabel.

"None of us have seen a real Titan yet, and it'll be our first time beyond the safety of the walls. It may take all we've got just to get back alive. But if I'm by myself, I won't have you three to keep an eye on and I'll be able to do the job myself."

"So… you're saying that we can't handle it, right?" Farlan asked, frowning. "We hold you back? Worried we may not be able to control out actions?!"

"That's right!" Levi argued back. "That's how I feel about this anyway..."

"How could you say that?!" Isabel snarled, grabbing a hold of Levi's shirt. "You can't say stuff like that until we've tried!"

"What's wrong with you?" Fury then asked, in disbelief herself. "This isn't like you…"

Levi then snapped his gaze towards Fury, in nothing but anger himself. "If you of all people refuse to stay behind, then we're done talking!"

"Excuse me?!" Fury responded as she allowed Levi to walk off in a huff. "This is the best opportunity we have!" She called out to him in anger herself as Isabel and Farlan ran after him. She didn't understand the reasoning behind his anger. Behind his drive to want to do most things on his own. Fury also decided it was best to go after him. Isn't that what any friend would do?

Levi found himself sitting outside, his gaze never moving away from the night sky. Was he making the right choice by pushing his friends away just to keep them safe? That was the real reason. He didn't know what to expect outside the walls, and if he couldn't handle it, how could his friends? He didn't feel guilt for lashing out at Fury, she still concerned him the most. How could he allow her to be the one to kill Erwin after her performance when they all got caught by him? What if she couldn't control this sudden outburst of anger again and she blows everything out of proportion, revealing their job and earning them a lifetime in jail? Levi viewed her as a liability at the moment. Though her suggestion was enough to convince Levi that the expedition was the moment to strike, he wanted to be the one to do it.

"You!" Came the voice of Isabel as she, Farlan and eventually Fury approached Levi.

"We gotta talk about this!" Begged Farlan. "I can't agree with you going alone, and I doubt these two can agree to it either."

Although she was hesitant and she had returned to feeling insecure, Fury dared herself to look at Levi. "It'll be just as dangerous for you, alone or not…"

"You once told us that when we first step onto the surface, it'll be the four of us all at once, and together!" Isabel then reminded him. "Have you forgotten your own words?!"

"It's… the same." Levi then muttered. His voice was calm yet he sounded so lost and distant. "When you can't see the moon or stars, the sky up here is just as dark as it is down there…"

Fury shook her head and without thought, she hurried over to Levi and sat beside him. She had small smile upon her face and that sight was a rare one.
"The colour of the sky… sure." She spoke softly to him. "But… It is different." Levi then raised his head and looked up towards the sky again, noticing the clouds were slowly fading to reveal the bright shine of the moon and stars. He saw how it brought colour to his surroundings. "We all know that there's no block up here. The sky is as endless as time itself."

"She's right!" Isabel agreed as she too sat nearby Levi, Farlan then following suit. "It may be just as dark now but it's waaaay different than the Underground!"

"Even the moon offers us light." Farlan pointed out, smiling himself.

"We don't have to go back down there." Fury muttered, placing her hand atop Levi's shoulder. "We all pull this off, together, and we get a new life where we can see the sky for the rest of our lives.

"She's right!" Agreed Farlan. "The four of us have always pulled through. It'll be the same with these Titans."

"Believe in us, Levi." Fury continued to encourage as Levi then looked at her. His eyes widened as he then looked up towards the moon.

"Alright." He spoke. "I'll believe in you all."

Isabel then playfully nudged him as she laughed. "You sure are a stubborn one, bro!"