Humanities Counter Attack
Running at full speed, the Elite team ran across the wall, there is no wasting time if they were to achieve victory, no mistakes to be given, fear cannot take hold, they must fight.
They must Move Forward, if they do not then they cannot win, if they cannot win then humanity might as well fall.
Commander Pixis group is watching them from afar with a telescope, it is a far trek to the nearby boulder near the wall. Once in position they will signal a green flair to commence operation. During this time, they gathered the titans to the corner of the walls far away from the designated target, baiting them, as they rain down cannon fire, taking them out as much as possible. Pixis is betting everything he has on this risky operation, if they do not succeed, he will be hitting the drink hard.
Some cadets and Garrison soldiers clung to the wall above the titans, trying to reach the soldiers, far out their reach but close enough to have their attention. This is one of many tests to conquer their fear of the titans. Some refuse, mostly Daz to cling onto the walls in fear that their ODM would malfunction, causing them to fall towards the jaws of the titans, watching hungrily as they try to claw upwards towards their dinner.
Garrus is one of the few, forcibly chosen to cling onto said wall. Thankfully to Sasha's relief he is wearing pants, apparently the higher ups does not appreciate him walking around without the proper attire present.
"Are you ok down there?" Hearing Sasha calling out to Garrus.
"Oh yeah, I'm absolutely peachy, did you know that they don't react to what you throw at them at all even if you piss on them?" Garrus shouted back, nice little information to throw back at those safely on top. Catching the freckled Marco off guard.
"Garrus did you actually do what I just thought you just done?" concern heard in Sasha's voice. What could have Garrus done, soil the whites of his trousers. If he were to dangle above the titans, he at least have the luxury to relieve himself the way he wants to, even if he gets disgusted looks, better to have white trousers then brown or yellow. Seeing a green flare shot into the sky from command ordering the elite team to enter the district with enough titans rounded up in their little corner.
The operation is commencing as the second flare shot up.
Somewhere in the city, seven soldiers, zoomed through the city, anchoring each building to keep their momentum, as they moved closer to the area of the boulder, some titans becoming an unwanted obstacle, not all are attracted to the mass group of humans at the corner of the wall.
Spinning in the air, slashing the nape, Alan, moved like the wind as he hit the next titan, with speed and accuracy, never slowing. The Elite team meant to stay near Eren as he traverse closer to the boulder. Mikasa keeping a distance between Eren and Alan.
Ian, Mitabi and Rico kept close to Eren, Rico quite annoyed that the strongest Cadet is straying afar from the group, taking out titans, it was needless as they can easily manoeuvre around them and lose them with the speed they are maintaining.
Ian ordered them to leave him be, seeing that Alan is taking them out quick and efficiently, far as Ian is concerned the lad is taking out titans that may cause some pressure in the long run. Yet can't help but admire his skills, for a meagre cadet it feels like they have Levi with them, Humanities strongest soldier aiding their mission. But the difference is not in skill but their temperament and decision making. As far as the stories are told, Levi doesn't get involved with titans that are not an immediate danger to them, this kid is a devil possessed killing any in sight.
Eren, glancing to right watching Alan, dispatching another titan with ease, he can't help but feel at awe, the only way Eren can repay his efforts is to seal the breach at the gate. Determined now to play his part, he notices Mikasa, focusing on Alan a lot more than usual, Eren noticed his mood change when Pixis made his speech especially four years ago when the wall fell. Their Duty as a soldier, Eren takes pride that his Duty would enable him to be free from these walls.
Alan face became stoic as usual, but it was his eyes that displayed the change, how it darkened, turned to anger, then to sorrow. If Eren can guess it brought up unwanted painful memories, Eren could understand how it would affect a person, it changed him and he could never forget what the titans did, His mother being eaten, still plaguing his memories. Alan might have seen a lot more than he did during his escape when wall Maria fell.
The boulder closing in, Eren raising his hand, biting deep into his flesh, as a flash of yellow lightning struck where he landed, in its place the rogue titan roared in fury to the sky.
Mikasa and the elite team landed nearby on the roof while Alan dispatched the remaining titan, landing on the opposite end, seeing that the Eren titan form standing in place, heavily breathing yet not moving. Is something wrong? Why isn't he picking the boulder up? Questions running through Mikasa's mind, looking over to the other building to Alan, his eyes widened as if he realised something, before Mikasa could shout to Eren, Alan beaten her to it.
"OI! Eren! Boulder right over there, big guy" Alan immediately called out, drawing the titan's attention, before bellowing a huge roar as its fist, launched into Alan's direction.
Time stood still for the team, as shock washed over them as the roof where Alan stood, pulverised into little pieces, smoke from the debris littered the area, Eren's fist had landed. Fear as her heart jumped into her throat at the sight, why did Eren attacked him? Mikasa frantically scanned for her heart, before seeing Alan swinging around the titan, barely dodging his attack, swearing she can see blood on his face, as what appears smoke emitting around him, teeth clenched as Alan narrowly escaped death.
"BRAUN! Are you alright" Ian called out, seeing him landing on the next building next to the titan, the idiot is keeping its attention on him, sparing those around him, Ian admires his tenacity by putting himself before others, but he shouldn't do it alone, unable to decide whether to admit failure or hope that Eren can regain his senses.
Ignoring Ian for the time being, the ringing in his ears deafening his sense's, quite aggravating as it muddled his mind, Alan knew something was wrong the moment Eren didn't make a move towards the boulder, now he had to incapacitate it without killing Eren which goes against the training he have been taught to do.
Gritting his teeth, Alan couldn't help but only keep Eren's attention on him as the titan swung its arm again aiming for him once more. 'Of all the times to lose control it has to be now' Alan fumed, more annoyed that he drawn its attention first, unlucky but yet, focusing on the silver lining, if Mikasa were to call out to him first she would have had the brunt of its rage. The thought unnerved him, she would have barely avoided the fury without injury due to the shock that Eren would lose control and slam her in the roof.
"What the Fuck?" Rico screamed, her scepticism of the plan was evident in her attitude towards Eren, her hand ready on the flare gun "This mission is FUBAR to begin with" gritting her teeth at the deranged titan. Before firing Mikasa zipped to Erens head, dangling in front of his face, attempting to reach the man inside.
"Eren! Can you hear me, you have to snap out of it" Mikasa pleaded, the titan fell silent once more, staring right back at Mikasa. Its Emerald eyes peering deep into her soul.
Alan zipping in, grabbing Mikasa and throwing her aside, to her shock to stare back into face of darkened determination, his eyes full of fear as the Eren's own fist come swinging full force into its own face, narrowly missing Alan by inches. The titan collapsing backwards against the very boulder Eren was supposed to pick up.
"BRAUN! Dammit you crazy Bastard, are you injured?" Mitabi called out, seeing the man kneeling on the ground nearby, clutching his face. Mikasa propelling herself to Alan's side quickly, worry and the ill feeling in her heart making her feel sick, that's the second time Alan saved her life due to her carelessness.
Embracing him as soon as she touched the ground, her tears flowing yet again. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" Mikasa teared, only to feel Alan arm pulling her in deeper.
"Don't cry Mikasa, never cry." Alan whispered softly into her ear, soothing her distress, he could never blame her for her mistakes, not when Eren is involved, he be in the same situation if it was Reiner, but then again he wouldn't get himself killed, not when too much is at stake.
Remembering his hand clutching his face, shooting her bed backwards, her eyes and hands inspecting his face for any injury, even the slightest cut will bring guilt like no other since it will be her fault, to her relief, Alan's face is clean of any injury, noticing her distress, his smile brightened her weariness, tears still trickling down her face.
A bang caught their attention as Rico shot a red flare into the sky, signalling the operation is a complete failure, "This mission is a complete waste of time, lets retreat back to the wall Ian" Rico demanded.
Ian stood there, in thought, weighing the risks "No. We protect Yeager until he heals" all eyes shooting on him, Rico gaping in disbelief, before she can argue with facts. Ian shot her down with his own glare "What over chance would we have against the titans? Before wall Rose would fall, if you have another plan then tell me, I'm not letting the sacrifices be in vain, protect Yeager with your lives" Turning to Mikasa and Alan, "You two, got an idea how to solve this mess?"
Alan shook his head, first time for everything he didn't have an improvised plan for this, Mikasa also in deep thought unable to come up with an answer, until they heard nearby shouting. Turning their direction to the source, Armin along with Reiner and Bertholdt appeared.
"Guys what happened?" Armin shouted, disbelief to see Eren knocked out, looking to both Alan and Mikasa for answers.
"Big guy knocked himself out, lost control I would like to think" Alan explained, patting himself down as he got up along with Mikasa.
"He had one job" Reiner grimaced, eyeing the two by the titan form. "Let's do our duty and follow orders"
"Ok, ok, maybe I could, get some sense into him" Armin deduced, it's a long shot, unsure how he is going to do it but with little choice they have.
Ian nodding, silencing Rico once more "You do that cadet, everyone defend to your last breath, Titans are inbound!" Ian called out once more, as a group of titans inbound together. There's no way no matter how skilful they are can take out a group bunched up together, the possibility of the risk of being grabbed is too high, their only chance is to separate them. Other stragglers flanking on their right.
"You take care of the group; we protect the titan" Ian commanded as he Mitabi and a reluctant Rico charge to the titans coming in closer.
Reiner and Bertholdt attempting to form a plan to separate the titans they have been ordered to vanquish, Mikasa heading to the two to assist them.
"Mikasa!" Reiner surprised that she went to them "We were just trying to figure out how to separate those four titans" Bertholdt, sweating a little as Mikasa passing it off as nerves.
'Too slow'
"We have to be quick; the elite team is getting preoccupied with the titans coming from the left" Mikasa stated, checking her gas to see if she can do some damage. Before anyone can say anything, they heard a rush of wind fly pass them, turning to see Alan, charging straight into the horde.
"What is he doing?" Bertholdt blurted out in shock, looking to both Mikasa and Reiner, watching in horror as the man dived into the horde, the titans focused on him as they scrambled around the fading form.
Slicing the neck of one as Alan went into the four, his breath calm once more as something in him took over, sensing a hand reaching out from behind, he shot downwards spiralling around the arm, slicing it into tiny pieces, his eyes white from the adrenaline as his blood screeched before slicing the second nape, projecting himself to the roof as the remaining two lunged at him. There's no way he could get out of this one, seeing his options, he had one choice and it could either lead to his death if this dangerous manoeuvre fails. Call it fifty, fifty give or take Alan can only find amusement about.
To the others horror yet again, they see Alan lunging into the face of one, its jaws opening wide as it bit down onto Alan's form as he flew into its gaping hole.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Reiner and Mikasa screamed, Reiner rushing forward in instinct or vengeance, his eyes raged in fury as Mikasa collapsed, her heart breaking, sapping her strength away. Why did he stupidly rush forward without backup, without a plan. That stupid fucking idiot. Tears flowing once more, Bertholdt torn in the middle, go with Reiner or protect Mikasa as she looks unable to move. Bertholdt hated these moments, he doesn't want anyone to die but his concern for Reiner worrying he would meet the same fate or worse, the thought scares him, but yet Mikasa just collapsed on her knees, seeing the woman crying, this worried him more as Mikasa known to be strong without emotion, now she just a wreck.
Hearing the groan of the titan that ate Alan, holding its head as if something is forcing its way from the back of its head, the titan collapsed seeing its nape burst open, Alan shooting out from the hole he made.
"What the FUCK?!" Reiner stopped in his rush seeing his brother bursting out the nape then to proceed to kill the last titan with ease. Seeing him land on the roof, his eyes glazed over as if in a trance, Reiner doesn't like it when he does his lone wolf, glancing back to Mikasa, mouth agape in pure shock as she just watched with Bertholdt running to Reiner's side. What aggravated Reiner more is the grin forming on his lips, 'the guy jumped into its mouth and still grinning about it'.
"So, yeah. Bad idea going into that on my own" Alan trying to play it off coolly towards an angry Reiner and a relieved Bertholdt before a sickening crack as Mikasa appeared from thin air, landing a punch to his face. Reiner and Bertholdt stood in shock yet again, they didn't even realise she was there until it's too late to react.
Alan not so surprised as he turned his face back to Mikasa, her facial structure darkened, as she throw another punch, he allowed it. Before she can throw another Reiner called her to stop, halting her next assault.
Spitting blood out of his mouth "Yeah, kind of deserved that" wiping his mouth, now feeling fear assaulting his mind as he stared back into her eyes, anger, fear and relief? Before he could say anymore Mikasa grabbed him into a kiss, holding her tears back, before quickly parting, her eyes casting downwards in thought.
"I will kill you myself if you ever do that again" Mikasa's tone threatening, not wanting to meet his eyes. Eren's roar drawn their attention as Armin stabbed into its nape, wakening the titan up.
"So, he's alive and kicking huh?" Reiner grinned before looking to Bertholdt "Me and Bertholdt will scour the area, drawing other titans away from Eren" Alan nodding to the plan, Mikasa returning back to Eren. Reiner's eyes meeting Alan's once more "You got lucky brother, I hate to see you being killed from either a titan or her" nodding to Mikasa retreating form.
Alan's face stoic, "you know why I did it right?" a lingering silence between the three.
"Yeah, I know, keeping up appearances of being the best soldier, still how did the inside of the titans mouth feel like?" Reiner changing the subject, receiving a small chuckle.
"Let's say a wet mouth is easy to slide for that right momentum to use a shit ton of gas to force yourself from the inside, wouldn't recommend it, I barely made myself small enough to avoid it's teeth" Alan spoke "I got very lucky, but if that titan ate me, it wouldn't change a damn thing" Alan spoke looking down to his knife.
"Don't think on that Alan" Reiner spoke quickly "Your alive and we have a duty to follow this mission through, stay on her good side, come help us take the titans out from Eren, no doubt she be less focused worrying about you, when your near her" Reiner offered, he knew that woman would be the death of him, but it also applies to her as her crumpling form flashed in his mind, they need to be careful and minimise the risk of this incident happening again.
Alan looking to Mikasa, thinking its best, she be worried for him again, but Alan would bet she doesn't want to be near him. "Yeah, let's get this over with" as the rumble of Eren lifting the boulder up, walking steadily to the hole in the wall.
Somewhere in the middle of the district, Garrus and Sasha, assisting Jean in taking out the titan. Using the usual distract and bait tactics. It was lucky they came along since Jean ODM malfunctioned as the stranded Jean went towards a dead body. To Jeans surprised it was headless. 'Poor bastard' Jean frowned, removing the ODM from its corpse.
"Hurry up Horse face!" Garrus called out, Sasha was preoccupied with another titan and this one seem more intent on making sweet, sweet love to him. Zipping out of it's reach. Ever since the red flare went up and the boulder lifted, they was ordered into the city to help the plan, taking out more titans, Marco went off somewhere, Garrus didn't care as long as he's alive they can go solo.
Jean equipping the ODM rushed towards the nape, taking it out with the titan giving out a final groan, falling to its death.
Garrus looking down at the ODM, paling at the sight. "Where did you get that?"
Jean looking confused "Off a dead corpse why?" pointing towards the headless body laying in the street. It wasn't like he be needing it but Garrus's expression hinted that he may know the body. Following to Garrus as they rushed to the body. "Garrus what's gone into you"
"That's Marcus's ODM, I recognise it since he like to name it with a stupid name" Garrus pointed out to the writing crudely drawn 'Pound Town', looking at the body now, the now identified corpse of Marcus. 'God dammit Marcus' as he looked at where the head should be.
Hearing someone landed nearby Sasha and Connie hopped towards them. "Garrus, you ok?" Sasha questioned but halted her words seeing the headless corpse. "That wasn't bitten off" causing both Garrus and Jean to look at her.
"What do you mean not bitten off?" jean demanded. Sasha looking down morose, as if she didn't mean to say it.
"There's no bite marks at the base, it's a clean cut." Sasha pointed out sheepishly" Connie speechless, and disgusted at the sight.
"So, what your telling me is that one of my best friends have been murdered?" Garrus asked sceptically, 'that isn't right, why would one of our own soldiers do that? No, it must be accidental' "He could have landed on his blade, or the titan bit it off" Garrus surmised, unable to look at the corpse.
"Yeah. Could be that" Sasha quickly said, wishing to get them far away from the corpse. The thought is sickening enough knowing that it was one of his best friends they have been hoping to find alive, to see it like this, pushing the thought away.
Connie changing the subject "Garrus did you really piss on a titan?" bringing their attention, what a way to ask Connie, Jean placing his hand on his head, sighing.
"Yeah, thought they could need a drink" Garrus weakly joked, wanting to get away from this street "Let's head to the gate, no doubt Yeager needs that escort", all in agreement heading towards the gate not looking back to the abandoned corpse of Marcus.
The gate is filled to the brim with titans, Cadets and garrison soldiers fighting off the titans, geysers of blood erupted from the unlucky few caught in the titan's snares. Screams echoing, seeing Bruno, Izzy and Daz dodging titans, Daz's screams for help ringing in Bruno's ears, poor guy having it rough controlling his fear, slashing at arms coming into reach, there's too many to manoeuvre to strike their napes, all Bruno can do is hold out and protect Daz as he meekly slash at the limbs, the cuts too shallow to cause any damage. A scream indicating Izzy being caught in it's hands, as the titan about to chew on her form, miraculously Ian lunged in holding the jaws with all his strength, dragging the petrified girl out of if it's mouth before his strength gave in shutting him down with a sickening crunch.
Rico screaming out Ian's name, rage fuelled killing the titan that killed her close friend, proceeds to help Izzy, not wanting his death to be in vain when he just sacrificed himself to save this cadet's life. Rico now prioritising the cadet's safety as she defend the helpless girl, thankful for Bruno's onslaught defence. Rico have to hand it towards this Cadet as he held his own defending those that are weak, the good soldiers are the ones that tends to die more with their selfless actions.
Mikasa staying near Eren's titan form as it walked slowly towards the hole in the wall, taking out titans of all sizes, even Armin is pulling his weight in defence, he may not be strong but his own will Armin can do anything with a plan of his own.
Two titan's incomings, towards Eren, Mitabi and a Garrison soldier drawn their attention, leading them away on foot. Only for their actions leading to their own demise. Chaos ensued around, Eren, gaining ground, now seeing the hole, his roar echoes as he rammed the boulder into the hole, plugging it, preventing anymore titans entering the district. His titan form slouched over, exhausted from being in his titan form, Mikasa and Armin, landing on its form pulling Eren out, dazed from exhaustion. A green Flare erupted signalling the success of the operation.
Two titans roared nearby heading towards the trio, unable to leave Eren alone and the rest preoccupied, Mikasa replacing her blades ready for a fight. Movement glinted from above as a soldier dived into the titans, slicing their napes with pure ease, then to fling itself into the air as the titans piled on, the trio watch on in awe as the soldier landed on top, its cape flowing in the wind, bearing the Wings of freedom emblem of the Survey Corps.
"What's the situation here?" The soldier called out, his voice deep and calm, as his sullen eyes as if sleep depraved. A cheer from above called out with another member in glasses, swooping in with excitement with titans roaming about.
"LEVI!" the glasses soldier called out "Look at all those titans!" the now confirmed woman drooled over the sight.
"Oi, your drooling, shitty four eyes" The short soldier now known as Levi, his eyes still fixed on Eren, seeing him being pulled out from a titan. A taller blonde man with big eyebrows calling out orders.
"Soldiers secure the district wipe the titans around the sealed gate first and moved outwards" His voice oozing with authority as his orders followed by more members of the survey corps acting out his commands without hesitation.
"Levi, head out and dispatch the titans near the walls, Hange look over these three" The commander ordered.
"Ok Erwin, just keep four eyes drooling over them" Levi stated before heading out. As Erwin watch his soldiers head out, before turning his attention to the trio. Unable to read his face, Mikasa can only watch as some Garrison soldiers came in securing the perimeter.
Levi was dispatching titans like child's play, as he skipped from one to another, seeing two titan, peering around the building he was about to head there, to see the titan being skewered by a cadet, their eyes meet as the cadet jumped backwards off the dying titan to flip over the other one as he hooked on it's neck taking it out. Levi raised his eyebrow, 'kid got some talent' only the best and most experienced soldiers can accomplish such a feat, but then again, he could have been lucky as three more cadets taking out two other titans nearby. His interest peaked as the main cadet barked orders to the three, pointing to the titans incoming, as they scattered around the titans taking them out. 'Not bad at all'.
With the arrival of the survey corps, the veteran titan killers, the titans within are annihilated. Levi returning to the gate to witness the cadet heading towards the trio under guard, the Asian running forward brining the kid into a hug, 'Interesting' Levi thought, amused but headed towards Erwin on impulse.
"Levi, well done in securing the area, quite quick as well." Erwin congratulated.
"Yeah, the kid over there showed some promise, killed two titans like they shit" Levi nodded towards the kid hugging the Asian.
"Ah yes" Erwin calmly stated "He's the strongest cadet, he requested not to be number one, some odd reason" Levi raised his eye in question.
"How noble of him" Levi spoke sarcastically "he got some skill" eliciting a positive reaction from Erwin.
"Is that a compliment Levi?" Erwin grinned, Levi silently glaring at the tall man before walking away. Erwin watched the strongest cadet still embracing the woman, the Garrison taking away the titan boy. Giving orders to disperse to recuperate from their called off expedition due to hearing news of the breach of Trost district wall.
The casualties are high in the midst of the cadet and garrison southern corps, but today is now marked as the first major victory for mankind against the titans, the sacrifices made will not be in vain but a symbol of hope that Humanity will conquer the titans.
A/N: Pain to right, so fulfilling to get the chapter done to my satisfaction, thanks to those that have reviewed, input are considered helpful even if it's just a few words :)
Myzor King of War: Not bad at all I say so myself. Any review are helpful, positive reviews indicates I'm doing something right, but appreciated non the less, thank you.