The Beast Titan
The scouts scrambled, forgetting the crystal that lay nearby as they launched onto the walls. Luckily the sun is bearing down on the other side but by the hour it creeps over the top, threatening to reveal itself to the titan's face as it remained emotionless, for now.
"Quickly find something to cover it, whatever you do, do not let the sunlight hit it" Pastor Nick exclaimed as he bellowed orders as Hange eyed him critically not understanding what is going on, apparently, he knew something and whether he likes it or not she will get it out of him.
In a short amount of time, wooden poles were built as rope hastily tied to I's mast as they lowered huge cloth over the hole where the titan stood.
Few other scouts kept perimeter watch as they intend to have no civilians getting near and cause wide mass panic, it would be chaos if information like this would get out.
As all of this was happening, Alan can only look at the face as the cloth slowly covers, hiding from public view and the sunlight which enables titans to move, a sickening feeling fell in the pit of his stomach, looking to Annie, entombed inside the blue crystal.
"Did you plan this Annie?" Alan calmly asked "Or did you just climb for the sake of climbing"
He knew he wouldn't get an answer out of her, yet he want to get inside that mind of hers right now. No point in talking to Annie now, soon she will be whisked away underground under heavy guard.
Apparently Hange summarised along with Armin, whoever the Immortal titan is, would be very keen in retrieving her, using her as bait to lure the titan in, or to avoid more casualties, either way they are not too keen in facing another shifter while Eren is slipping in and out of consciousness.
The Immortal Titan, that thing finally have name, why does it have such a name? Is its long living? Is it unkillable?
Doesn't matter, just like everything else it can be killed, halting his thoughts for a moment, thinking back in the day. He was prepared to sacrifice people to achieve their goal, it might have come to no casualties yet when they were to attack Annie, he wasn't prepared to do so then.
Alan's brow furrowed, regret, guilt washed over him, he doesn't know anymore.
What is wrong? What is Right? Would he be willing to do what is needed. He wished it never came to this, it was so simple.
One Enemy, One Target.
Now they are everywhere, could he trust those he can call friends. Placing a palm onto his forehead as memories of smiling faces flashed before his eyes, both living and dead.
What would happen when he see Reiner and Bertholdt, what would he tell them then. 'Oh hey guys, guess what, Annie is the female titan, don't worry she is now encased in indestructible blue crystal', yeah that would go very well, how can you explain to your brother and best friend that one of their close friends ends up being a titan.
Closing his eyes, resisting the urge to howl in rage as everything in his mind begin to crumble, he can see it now the buildings on fire as the buildings crumble, the Immortal Titan towering over them as it roared in fury.
Unaware that Mikasa watches him, her heart broke again, seeing his inner conflict, ever since when they told him of Annie, his temperament have changed, there was moments where he distanced himself and became cold, yet when Mikasa be around him, she stokes the fire whelming within him, as the man that snared her heart resurface.
"Alan?" Mikasa asked, seeing the man slowly looking to her, his features looking very tired, holding out her hand to grasp his, only to pull him closer to lean her head on him, even if it's a short moment, they have duties to attend to with the mess that happened.
"How long do I have to carry on Mika?" His eyes sullen as Mikasa looked up to him, confusion settled in, until remembering about Reiner and if Reiner turns out to be Armin's suspicions then they would look to Alan and Bertholdt….
No, he's trusted, Alan would have protected Eren, yet his eyes looked like he is very tired, guilt set in from keeping something important, looking away, hoping that Alan didn't notice.
Unfortunately, he did.
"Your hiding something Mika" releasing her breath she held onto, her features turning stoic to hide the guilt from showing, futile as it is.
"I cannot say" Mikasa whispered, knowing the Scouts and Hange are nearby, very secret information that Commander Erwin forbade them from saying in front of him, if Reiner turns out to be the traitor as well, Alan would go off the deep end jeopardising everything they worked for if he were to know now, but yet would it be worse to when he found out at the end.
Mikasa couldn't lie to him, he would pick up on it if she did and the trust, they built will crumble for withholding something important.
Alan narrowed his eyes, annoyance, distrust, or something extremely sensitive, yet why does everyone knows something that he doesn't, come to think about it, Armin was avoiding him, guilt painted all over, Eren knew something since after that chat they had on the way towards Stohess, Mikasa, had guilty expression as well.
It started ever since Annie was revealed to be the traitor, something clicked into place, when Erwin asked how Annie knew about the centre and Armin was very reluctant, the Captain diverted the subject back to Annie being the traitor, Erwin must have clocked on as well since Alan was in the room.
Alan's dark blues widened shooting his glance to Mikasa.
Mikasa felt a chill down his spine, Alan figured it out, it was inevitable, but what brought relief but also great concern how anger did not show in his eyes but fear, fear that if his suspicions are true then it be devastating.
"Alan don't do anything rash" Mikasa spoke now knowing how he would behave. What came next was truly unexpected, Alan chuckled.
"In the End, I can only move forward" Alan muttered to himself, before closing eyes, taking a deep breath, until a commotion from atop the walls drawn their attention.
To their surprise Pastor Nick was dangling from the edge with Hange holding onto him.
Before they get up the wall to find out what's happening a deep voice called out before they were to investigate.
"Braun" turning to see a scout courier arriving to the scene, his features rough yet appear to be one of the section leaders "Head to where the 104th are being kept, tell Mike of what happened here"
Alan looked at him in confusion "Just do that sir?"
"Yes, Mike and his squad would know what to do" the courier nodded "Do not delay" ordering him to get going, the sooner he finds out the reactions of the 104th the sooner they find the second spy.
"Sir, should I come with him?" Mikasa interjected, yearning to keep an eye on him.
"Request Denied" Courier spoke adamantly "These are the commanders orders, he also need you to be watching Recruit Yeager, Braun you need to get moving now"
Mikasa, nodded at his order, before Courier head out back to Erwin's position within Stohess, seeing how he is in a rush "I need to report to the commander on the recent events especially that" nodding to the titan in the wall, Commander Erwin needs to know asap, for Humanity need to be prepared for the worse.
Alan narrowed his eyes on the commander but deciding to head to where the horses are kept, but first he may need to refuel up on gas, blades are no trouble.
Saddling up he rode fast, as the sun rises, Mikasa watching him leave, a feeling within her telling her that things will not end well by the end of the day.
Returning to her attention to Eren, as he was lifted into a cart, taking him to inner Stohess, for him to recover from the fight against the female titan.
The courier about to saddle up to head to the military police HQ where the commander resides until another scout breathing heavily.
"Section Commander Frey!" he called out.
Frey turned his head eyeing him quizzically "You're from Section Commander Mike group with the 104th? I have just sent a courier to inform him on recent events"
"Titans are within Wall Rose, the 104th have moved out to evacuate all villages before they be hit" the scout breathed heavily.
Dread rolled down Frey's spine, he just sent a lone scout into an ambush that maybe crawling with titans.
Hardening his face, this is grave, the second titan might have decided to breach the wall, possibly using it as a diversion to rescue their prisoner.
"Very well, I will inform Commander Erwin immediately, inform Section commander Hange, I can not delay" Kicking the side of his horse galloping down the streets with all his might, today have become a lot graver for humanity as he thought.
Alan galloped along the dirt road leading to the buildings where the 104th lay, should be arriving in no time with the speed he is keeping at, yet something irks him, the events that unfolded, it felt like it wasn't that long ago that he and Annie had a private conversation back in Trost, words of friendship, promise that they will get out of it alive, reassuring words that would calm them down, and the smile she gave him, was it all a lie.
It wasn't a lie a voice crept in his mind, dark and intruding.
Shaking off the voice he imagined he ventured still, the tree's overlapping his sight as rode.
You promised she will return home
No, he did, he swore he did, how was he supposed to know she was the female titan, how was he supposed to predict or even imagine that she could be a traitor.
Alan clenched the reigns tighter, his mind furrowed, Annie came from the village that have been overrun by titans, only her, Reiner and Bertholdt escaped.
She mentioned she wants to return home to her father…. Wait.
Alan cursed himself, of course he felt even stupid thinking about, her father was supposed to be dead if she escaped, maybe he thought she wants to be where he lived, wait what of Reiner and Bertholdt.
No, they wouldn't do that to him, he trusts them, yet doubt, guilt sinking in.
Your Lying to yourself
Clenching onto his diary within his jackets pocket, he's not lying to himself, he escaped the titan that nearly killed him in Shinganshia, he escaped, Reiner was there in the refuge shelter, he helped him, sworn brother he would never betray Reiner, nor would Reiner betray him.
Stop Lying to yourself
Alan growled, I am not lying to myself, I have love where I thought I wouldn't have, I have a brother that I can call upon if I were to be in trouble, I have friends that I can rely on as well, I am free to choose who I want to be.
Are you really free?
The question halted his thoughts, he's a soldier, restricted to his duty but he has the freedom in his free time. Doubt settled further into his heart, coming out the woods clearing, the compound in sight, something is amiss as he notice no scouts are stationed on guard.
Have there been a change of plans, orders that surpassed his knowledge, entering the compound, the buildings abandoned.
They were meant to stay put until further information arrives, taking a deep breath, he listened, he feel the stillness in the air, not saying a word he trotted through the compound until seeing in the distance his fear taking hold.
Titans are surrounding a small town.
Reiner the first name came to mind as he kicked the horses side going into full gallop, intending to get there. What were titans doing inside wall Rose, has there been a breach.
Impossible, but then again, the colossal titan have not been sighted, it might have obvious if it would appear, thinking through his memory on the culprit, the Immortal Titan, it could have been that bastard.
Gritting his teeth, shaking his head, no, that bastard wouldn't be able to dent the walls as it is very thick to begin with.
Forget about that, they are in trouble and if he dawdles they will die.
The abandoned town was getting nearer, seeing someone slicing the nape of a titan, if Alan can predict it would be Mike seeing how efficiently how he ran across the arm of the titan and using his brute strength alone, sliced the nape.
Getting closer, he can hear his whistles, but held his horse back when a sight of a bigger titan walked casually.
Alan couldn't help but stare in fear, as he saw the titan, smiling yet it is covered in hair from the head to the shoulders, as it trailed around it's legs and arms, its sure look like a beast. He seen to be an abnormal, but his gut is telling him this is not an abnormal.
If Garrus was here, he be calling it every hair related name under the sun. Yet What Alan couldn't help but watch in fear, his horse halting as he watches the titan walked across the open field.
Looking around he saw titans surrounding the town just hiding, waiting for something, this has gotten even more bizarre, Alan never saw titans reacting like this.
Deciding to keep a distance from the town, it's too open, and if the titans would gang up on him now, it be the expedition all over again, Alan doubt that furry would get him out of a jam.
Slowly circling seeing Mike standing on the roof, he's on his own for the looks of it, no doubt unaware of the titans in hiding.
There has to be a way to alert Mike without drawing attention to himself, unsaddling hiding in the nearby woods near the town, it's the only cover he be able to get.
A galloping of a horse came running across the fields into the path of the beast titan, that's good maybe Mike can escape easily and if any titans follow Alan can use Mike as the distraction needed to take the drop on him.
Except to both Mikes and Alan's shock the horse was immediately grabbed by the Beast titan, the horses neighs as if frightened and panicked as it writhed it's hand, blood starting to ooze out of it's mouth as the beast titan clenched, lifting its arm until launching the now dead corpse with full velocity knocking Mike off the roof, as he slammed into the ground.
The Beast Titan walked forwards, its head leered towards Alan, seeing him, it's eyes narrowed and the smile still on its face. Before diverting back to Mike.
Alan can only watch as a small three metre titan grabbed hold of mike, opening its jaws as it chewed on Mikes lower legs.
What caused Alan to stop in his tracks is the beast titan opened it's mouth to speak.
"Keep him still, do not eat" The beast commanded, noting that the titan ignored its command nibbling onto Mike as he screamed in pain.
The Beast annoyed grabbing hold of the titan crushing its head and nape "I said do not eat" killing it instantly, as Mike clumpered down onto the floor.
Mike stood there in shock, unable to speak, noticing his gear have broken on his hips.
The Beast kneeled down, holding up the contraption in his fingers.
It's voice deep, yet calm "Do you know what this is?" waiting an answer that felt like ages, the beast's eyes narrowed tilting it's hairy head.
"Do you speak or understand my tongue?" thinking that would be the appropriate question possibly thinking that he doesn't speak its language.
Mike stilled in fear, no voice escaping as it was trapped in fear, shock at the talking titan.
The Beast grumbled, as it mutters to itself before standing up to its enormous height, turning its back on Mike.
Alan assumed that it would let Mike live, but grimaced that Mike sheathed a blade out of his scabbard, roaring out full might.
The Beast noticed this, amused "So you do have a voice" before diverting its attention to the other observer. "Do what you wish with that one" the command echoed.
Mike now seeing the titans creeping around the buildings as it moved at command, surrounding Mike as they devoured him.
"NO! NO! Someone Help me" Alan can hear the screams as Mike now becoming devoured, in his hesitation Alan could not move, cursing his mind that he allowed a fellow soldier die mercilessly in the hands of the titans.
"So, he can speak my tongue" the beast even more amused "A pity"
Alan can feel its eyes, drawn to him, Alan watch in fear before something in his mind snapped, seeing a titan incoming as it bound towards Alan ignoring the command to kill Mike.
The Beast seeing this, narrowed its eyes, the smile now gone "Leave that one alive" satisfied that the titan halted its tracks as Alan prepared to kill it, unsure what to do.
The Beast kneeling down to his level, the smile now forming on his face.
"Well, it is not nice to eavesdrop" the deep calm voice echoes in his mind "I'm feeling generous today, perhaps you can fill in the dots that your 'friend' could not"
Alan looked back to the ripped-up corpse of Mike, before turning his attention back to the Beast.
This will be a shitty day in the end.
In Stohess, Eren woke up as his Emeralds slowly opened, it is still daylight, leaning up to see Mikasa, unfolding her scarf, focusing on it for a long while, a feeling of dread looming over her.
"How long have I been out?" Eren asked stretching the kink out of his neck.
"A few hours" Mikasa plainly said "Alan had to cut you out before you gotten out of hand" her focus remained on the scarf, remembering the amount of times Alan wrapping around her neck, yet remembers the one time Eren did it for her.
"Did he now?" Eren remembering back a sharp cut into his titans nape yet, he is thankful Alan only cut enough to grab him out without slicing him to death "I'm surprised he managed to not kill me"
Mikasa hummed in agreement "I trust him when he done it, I believe he went with a feeling, he cares for you"
"He cares deeply more for you" Eren cutting her short "Still, I thought he be waiting with here with you"
Mikasa halted her hands, she heard the news about a possible wall breach and Alan is riding right into it. Clenching down onto the scarf in her hands.
She should have gone with him, that way she would know he's safe, she couldn't get over the near death on the expedition and the darkness that settles in both his mind and heart, worries her to no end, yet she chose to do her duty and what she have been ordered to. Watch over Eren until he wakes.
"He have been sent to inform Section Commander Mike of what happened" Mikasa stoically spoke, not wanting to mention to Eren of the breach until Erwin told her so, he is very adamant that Eren hears it from them.
Eren's face fell, the memory of Annie tears, vivid in his mind. He couldn't do it, in his impotent rage, he couldn't kill Annie, the tears made him doubt.
"He be ok Mikasa, he's tough and yeah it's…" Eren pausing his words, who is he kidding, he flipped when someone betrays him that he considers friends but then again Annie was just someone they trained with, still it doesn't make it right for her to be the female titan hell bent on capturing him, even the Immortal titan, hearing the name of the second titan that appeared in the expedition.
"He's not ok Eren" Mikasa forcing down the sadness threatening to appear "He's out there on his own, he figured it out about Reiner, about his possible involvement"
"Reiner is not a traitor, maybe it was coincidence about what happened" Eren hastily spoke "Perhaps Armin could be wrong on this one, I mean, fuck, how did Alan find out?"
Mikasa, halted her thoughts, he figured it out because she couldn't lie to him. Refusing to answer, Eren can conclude that he was smart enough to figure it out.
"He be ok Mikasa, when he gets back, we can be there for him" Eren spoke softly, Mikasa nodding in agreement, not trusting her voice at the moment.
A knock at the as a scout walked in, Section Commander Frey peered his head through, his hair scruffy, his blonde beard peering through.
"Ah Yeager, right on time" He spoke, professional in his deep voice "the Commander wish to see you when you wake, Ackerman, you can come along if you wish".
Getting up from the bed, throwing a brown jacket over his shoulders as they followed the section commander down the stone corridor, a few paintings of farms trailed down, as the red carpet followed through.
Commander Erwin awaited in a huge office as eh watches outside, listening to the reports.
"There is a possible breach in wall Rose, as titans were sighted coming south towards Mike's squad" the courier spoke, informing Erwin, Erwin heard it all before from Frey, but it's best to have a second source to give him information.
"We can believe that Mike can handle the situation without trouble"
Erwin looked back the courier, then to Levi, his face unreadable.
"Yes, we hope that will be the case" Erwin spoke. "What of Hange's report of the titans in the wall?"
"Section Commander Hange, have acquired more information out of Pastor Nick" the scout reading of the report given "There is a possibility that the walls have titans inside them"
Now that is a dreadful thought "How many does she think there are?" Erwin asked.
The scout halted for a second before clearing his voice "Section Commander Hange is still figuring that out, she will give an estimate in the next report"
"More like trying to get inside, just to rub herself against them" Levi spat out, Erwin can only roll his eyes at the comment.
"Hmm, hopefully we will understand the mystery of the titans, but for now we have to concentrate of the possibility of a breach" Erwin spoke, Levi nodding in agreement, a little annoyed that he is still out of commission.
The doors opening up with Section Commander Frey leading Eren in along with Mikasa.
"Ah, Eren, hope you have recovered well" Erwin spoke "You will be geared up soon and go along with Section Commander Hange as soon as possible"
Eren taken aback a bit perplexed "For what sir?"
"There may be a possible breach in the wall, once you find it you can transform only to plug up the hole" Erwin spoke, watching Eren's eyes bulged at the thought of a breach.
"We will be coordinating with the Garrison and the Military Police since this is a crisis against Humanity" Erwin sternly spoke, "We must find the breach and plug up the hole" Erwin ordered.
"What about the spy?" Eren asked, what if the spy found out what happened and cause the hole for the titans to file withing wall Rose.
"We may have to put that on hold for the time being, if we are lucky we might be able to accomplish both, but the protection of Humanity must come first" The order given leaving no questions to be asked, Frey leading the two out to make sure they are geared up.
"Erwin, can this situation get any worse?" Levi asked, as Erwin returned to his position looking out the window.
"I do not know the answer to that Levi" heaving out a sigh "I will be heading out with the rest of the scouts to assist with searching the breach"
Leaving at that, as an impending doom loomed over the survey corps, it is like something big will happen, but what remains a mystery towards them.
A/N: Damn this was hard to write, had to re watch season two to get the grasp after focusing season one, but yet I finally am satisfied I have done it some justice, the next chapter will focus on the 104th, mostly our famous scar faced cultured foul mouth Garrus, enjoy the chapter guys :)
Myzor: Alan has made a big impact in Mikasa's life, Alan has abilities that are surprising, in future chapters I may feel tempted to explore deeper in Alan's past, seeing how I kept it a mystery. But thank you for the review and hope your enjoying the story.