Utgard Castle
Have you ever considered being confined in a building, wearing only casual clothes, it is pretty nice, comfortable. Forget the scouts in full uniform and gear, your basically sitting there having the time of your life as the sound of Reiner and Bertholdt playing chess right next to you, the humming of brains, as they strategize their next move, did you know it took Reiner five whole minutes and end up moving a pawn forward.
The Genius play right there, you can almost be certain that he will get check mate in the next five moves with that pawn alone.
Garrus can only watch them play and think, about to move to then think some more, it is driving him insane, Sasha is not being any help sitting next to his left staring at the window, with Connie the genius doing the same thing.
'Fucking do something instead of sighing and doing nothing!' Garrus mental state is getting out of hand as he looks around, Bruno in front seem to watch with the chess play with interest. Always interested when the next move would happen, apparently, he wants to play winner which the duo happily accepted, even if it takes all day.
Good for him, least he finds the waiting so fun. Ymir and Christa are talking about stupid shit as always on what they think is happening, Izzy, well shit, Garrus did not know that Izzy was in the 104th, small world.
"My village is to the west of where we are now" hearing life coming from his woman, Garrus jolting his head round, taking interest or the first time since they got here.
"Hmmm my village is to the south" Connie spoke in turn, "You know Ragako Village, they think I was to puny to become a soldier"
His expression bored and lazily staring out the window "Look at me now making it in the top ten, it takes a genius to get in there"
Garrus eyes him critically 'Yeeeeeeees, a Genius, then you be able to be the best soldier ever, wait hold on, he beaten me in the ranking by one, can't really say much'
"My village won't let me return until I'm normal" Sasha lazily spoke, before turning her head pointing to Garrus to her side "Don't you dare say anything on that"
Garrus, held his hands defensively at the accusation that she thrown at him.
"Sasha, baby" causing the girl's cheeks turn bright red at the compliment "I don't need to say anything to show how not normal you will never be"
Sasha popped her mouth open and closing it again before placing her hand on her chin, pretending to be in deep thought.
"You are right, I am with you" Bruno and Reiner chuckled at that remark, Garrus now gaping like a fish.
"But I am Normal" Garrus exclaimed "Bruno back me up here, my best buddy, old pal"
Bruno turning to Sasha "You have my condolences" before returning to Reiner as he moved the castle forward, for Bertholdt to move his bishop in an instant.
"Nice move" Bruno congratulated.
"It's the amount of times he played against Alan" Reiner laughed "You have gotten better Bertholdt"
"I learn from the best, I see you have stepped up your game" Bertholdt shot back, having a grin of his own.
"Speaking of which, Garrus did you mention that you have family in Stohess?" Reiner asked.
"Yeah? What of it?" Garrus asked "My brothers are in the MP and my father no doubt robbing the poor of all their wealth" shrugging to the question, Sasha looking at him sympathetically.
"You miss your family at least?" Reiner asked. Keeping up conversation, it be interesting to know at least a little about him.
"Only my second Eldest brother Rickard" Garrus admitted, not too keen on talking about his whole family, thinking about it, then again Rickard is the only person he considers as family.
"Maybe I should visit him later when this is over and done with" Garrus mused "I like you to meet him Sash, you like him"
Sasha taken aback, blushing at the thought, Garrus never invites her to meet family. Talking about family.
"I want you to meet my father first, since you know we are a thing" Sasha stuttered, it is how she was brought up when a woman found a man she wants to be with and also customary for the father to give his blessing.
Garrus blinked a few times, registering and interpreting her words "You make it sound like we are getting married"
Sasha coughing up air at the sound, by the walls it did sound like that.
Garrus patting her back laughing "Easy shitbreath, we have to be normal first for that to happen"
Connie chuckled before returning his gaze to the window "Man I wish I can go to my village now; I swear tonight if we still in here I sneak out"
Reiner looking to Connie "I help you if you want" understanding of wanting to see family more than anything, he wishes Alan were here.
A thought past his mind, what would happen if Alan is here right now? He be kicking their asses at chess, he always like to be a step ahead of the opposition, always enjoy having them play how he wants. Bit controlling but he always like that on the battlefield, Trost was when he let lose a bit and his ordering of where to strike and where to go was like he was enjoying the moment of being in control, which was important for a soldier, even when it doesn't go in his favour, he always seem to turn it around.
Like that play war in training, Reiner was proud of him that day, it was seeing his Brother enjoying the frill of playing soldier.
Playing soldier… shaking the thought he returned his focus on Bertholdt as he moved his pawn forward, interesting move.
"So, Bruno, what about you?" Bertholdt asked, they never actually asked Bruno about him, since they stuck in here, they may as well ask.
Bruno grinned "About me? Well what can I say, I was born and raised in Stohess, childhood friends with Garrus" nodding to Garrus who seem to give Sasha the look, as if he wants her look.
"What of your family?" Bertholdt asked
Bruno leaned back in thought "My old man is a gunsmith, who makes guns for the military, my mom stays at home"
"Any siblings?"
"Nope, only child" Bruno casually stated, it would be nice if he had a younger brother or sister, then again if he had he would be there to teach them things like his father did.
"So, what is with the look?" Reiner asked noting his baldness and the stubble growing on his face, for fifteen he looks older for his age.
Garrus laughed "Bruno hit puberty and a midlife crisis hard at the same time"
"What about you guys?" Bruno ignoring Garrus 'truth' asking in return, noting how their expression turned sorrowful, apparently not a good story.
"Only have a mother" Reiner said.
"I only have a father who is…" Bertholdt paused rethinking his words "Was unwell, titans came to our village after the wall was breached, we were the only survivors"
Well Bruno felt shit for asking "Sorry, must have been tough"
"Yeah, but I have Alan as a brother, he is well, like a brother to both of us" Reiner spoke looking to Bertholdt, smiling at the thought of him.
"You guys met in the refugee camp, right?"
Reiner blinked and grinned "Yeah, that's right, he was something on first impressions that's for sure" Reiner looking down, remembering how they first met, guy was all alone and Reiner welcomed him, it was like they were meant to cross paths.
"What was he like when you guys first met?" Bruno intrigued, since the subject of the guy was avoided from time to time.
Reiner leaned back from his chess game, lost in his thoughts, the guy had it rough, the loss of his only blood family, Alan never talked about his mother, but Reiner knew very well that she died at giving birth.
His mother was a strong woman, some thought to be the last of her lineage until they met Mikasa, pausing for a moment, that would be a disturbing thought, hope they are not related, best not talk about his family, but rather focus on the positives.
"Hmmm, he's a lot more jovial now, he always makes jokes when the moment doesn't call for it." Reiner thought "Bertholdt, remember the first impressions he gave Annie"
Bertholdt chuckled at the memory "He called her a miserable cow, soon regretted it though"
Garrus and Bruno listened intently, they guy they trained with had a mouth and blunt personality, perhaps what happened when the walls fell made him mellow out.
Garrus mused that Alan's attitude rivalled his, they would have kicked the crap out of each other if they met back then, come to think of it they kind of beaten the crap out of each other in training, Garrus just let him win.
All laughter was halted when Sasha leaned on the table before jolting up panicking.
"Who put the meat in the bitch" Garrus jolted away, caught in surprise.
"There's rumbling coming from the south" Sasha instantly yelled "Might be titans"
The room filled with silence at the remark, Izzy gaped, Bruno furrowed his brows, Garrus had a look whether to think this is a ploy to get out the room.
"Sasha, that is not funny, if that were true" Reiner eyes bulging "That would mean wall Rose have been breached" looking to Bertholdt in confusion, how is that even possible.
Christa and Ymir paused the conversation, unsettled fear etched their faces.
"Ok, ok, Good joke" Garrus stood up "Shit breath, have you lost it? Do want to have some meat?" Sasha shot him a perplexed look.
"I'm not joking" Sasha exclaimed before lowering her voice "Do you really need to make it out that I want your dick"
Garrus shrugged, until the window behind him opened up.
Nanaba knelt on the window ledge, he expression serious in a do not fuck around type of way. The scouts next words confirms their fears.
"Titans are coming fast, get outside and saddle up on the horses, we don't have time for you to gear up" Nanaba ordered, as she watched everyone getting up and rushing outside to where the horse gear are kept.
Mike watched the titans incoming, as they charged to their location, where the hell did, they come from, this just confirms that the 104th have no spies in their midst if the wall could possibly be breached.
Garrus heaved his saddle on the first horse he seen, to his amazement, Bruno soon had saddles on tow horses as he lifted Izzy onto the horses back, damn that guy got a crush on the girl, before lifting himself on the horse, tightening the straps round, securing the saddle.
Mike and the other scouts soon joined theirs horses already geared up.
"Move out quickly to the next town" Mike bellowed as the group darted outwards, titans gaining ground with each minute wasted.
Entering the open fields, Garrus seeing a titan in the distance to his amazement, the titan clocked in on them and performed jerked movements spinning in the air, as it speed increased. That's the first time he saw a titan have spasm attack, damn these titans are getting stranger by the day.
"Who knows the area around here?" mike ordered "We need to evacuate the towns nearby from titan attack"
"My hometown is north west from here" Sasha called out; Connie's expression seemed haunted.
"My town is to the south" Connie turning to Mike's eyes "I need to go there, to see if anyone made it out"
Mike watched him for a moment, understanding that his home village would already be ravaged but the kid is determined "Alright, make it quick, split into groups, Nanaba go with Recruit Springer, Gelgar you go with recruit Blouse"
Reiner rode next to Connie "I'm coming with you, I did say I help you sneak out to see your village tonight" smiling towards the stressed Connie, who only nod in thanks.
"I'm going with Shit breath" Garrus called out, Sasha nodding.
Bruno and Izzy rode with Connie, no doubt the more eyes the better where titans are concerned.
Mike took some scouts towards the town ahead, as the group split in different directions heading to their respective destinations intended to reduce the civilian casualties against the titan threat.
Cloud broke in as Garrus and Sasha rode hard, to her home village, remembering the conversation Garrus can only laugh, with Sasha eyeing him with suspicion.
"What is so funny?"
"We must be normal now" Garrus replied, his amusement grown obvious, Sasha blinked a few times as her brain registered, until narrowing her eyes, if they were not in a hurry, she would smack him for his jokes.
Looking ahead with the village in sight, hoping that they made it in time, the clouds starting to overshadow, as the tree's and grass are devoid of sunlight.
Garrus galloped to Sasha's side, some scouts that have accompanied them moved out to nearby villages, due to Sasha's knowledge of the area, only Garrus stayed by her side.
"Looks desolate" Garrus grimed at the thought, no on in sight.
After saying that a squeal of a young girl rang through out as a small titan loomed over near the barn as it tried to get inside.
"We have to distract it Garrus" Sasha shouted, Garrus looked with shock.
"How shit breath? Throw rocks at it?" Garrus seethed, rocks would have nothing on the titans when they are focused on a snack right in front of it.
Sasha grimaced until a house nearby caught her eye, with a bow and a quiver of a few arrows. Right next to it is a pitchfork, those will have to do.
"This may sound crazy" Sasha blurted out "Grab that pitch fork" as she jumped off her horse, rolling, snagging her skirt across the floor, slightly ripping it on the side, not that she mind it gave her more mobility in her legs when hunting.
Garrus jumped as well, dirtying his white long-sleeved shirt as the buttons came loose on his black waist coat. Looking at the tear in her dress, Garrus gave a strange noise of arousal with how Sasha looked as she grabbed the bow and throwing the quiver over her shoulders like a bag.
Sasha looked at Garrus, noting his state of arousal, rolling her eyes grabbing the pitchfork and throwing it to Garrus which in return grabbed the wooden staff as he shook of his focus of distraction.
"Now what?" Garrus muttered as the titan now getting on it's knees as it tried to get into the barn still, the girl inside screaming as she tried to get the small hole to the side, her blonde hair dusty and dirty from her attempts of escape.
"She's stuck, we need to grab that titan's attention and you're the best person to piss it off" Sasha ordered, her voice stern and harsh, 'Damn, that's sexy' Garrus thought, kind of enjoying this side of Sasha's, remembering what she said.
"Wait? What?" Garrus registering what she said, looking down to the pitchfork and remembering back in Trost to the titan still bent over in the barn as it tried to get to the now trapped girl.
"Seriously?" Garrus exclaimed
"Just do it or help me now Scar face" Sasha seethed, ignoring his arousal at her temper.
Giving in Garrus gritted his teeth, charging towards the hind quarters of the titan, plunging the pitchfork deep into its arse.
The titan jolted upwards, the head crashing through the roof as its head slowly turned to the penetrator, its face not smiling but looking extremely pissed off, the huge eyes fixated on Garrus.
The sound of the crashing of the barn spooked their horses as they ran away in fright, 'Well shit'.
Garrus stepped back, noting how Sasha ran to the trapped girl pulling her out as the titan stood up, wood clinging onto its skin as the monster tore the roof apart as it stomped to the offender.
'Why do I have a talent in pissing of titans' Garrus whining in his head, until an arrow shot it the cheek of the mouth, the titan turning to Sasha, the young girl crying as she stood in fear.
"Get out of here now" Sasha yelled at the top of her voice as she shot another arrow into the eye, the titan groaning from the arrow popping the eye, blood oozing as steam rose from the wound.
The girl stood in awe at the bravery, until another arrow shot from another direction into the other eye, seeing an older man joining the fray, his hunting coat and hat grey but visible, riding a horse.
Time stood as they caught sight of each other, as the two looked upon each other's faces, dragging an empty horse to his side, rode to Sasha and the young girl, the scarred face boy ran to her side, instantly lifting her up onto the saddle, plus heaving the young girl, while keeping an eye on the titan stopped in its tracks as it writhed in pain.
"Take my hand son" The older man ordered, which Garrus accepts, getting on the back of him as they rode, meeting up with a group who are escaping the titans ravaging their village.
Escaping from the older man looked to Sasha, who seem to keep eye contact.
An awkward silence did not escape Garrus, but for Sasha's relief kept quiet.
"It has been three years Sasha, how have you been" the man spoke as they rode.
"It has and I have been fine, father" Sasha replied, noting the pale complexion on Garrus's face as he looked back and forth, seeing he is on the back of her father's horse.
"I see, we have been giving horses to people to escape the titans, I am glad to see you alive" Mr Blouse smiled, seeing his daughter protect a young girl.
"Same as you father" Sasha shuffling in her saddle, Mr Blouse noting her discomfort for some reason.
"What is wrong, Sasha?" asking her, noting how her cheeks gone red.
Garrus predicting what she is about to do, mouthed a warning not to, fearing for his life, last thing he wants is the father knowing that the guy he helped deflowered her daughter.
"Father, I like you to meet, Garrus" Sasha nodding to Garrus, paling into a shade of white.
"Pleasure to meet you Garrus" Extending his hand, awkward that they are riding a horse, the shaking not helping to grab hold properly.
"You to Mr Blouse" Garrus replied meekly, Mr Blouse noting the fright in the boy's posture, looking to Sasha and back to the boy.
Oh, that makes some sense.
"I hope you are taking responsibility of Sasha's health" Mr Blouse spoke, his tone indifferent, Garrus looking more petrified.
"Yes sir" Garrus's voice taking a different pitch, amusing both Sasha and Mr Blouse.
"He has been very kind to me father, I did think of having you two meet each other, under different and better circumstances" Sasha spoke as they rode with the group.
"Indeed, I believe you would have to meet up with you fellow soldiers?" the question obvious.
Sasha can only nod, halting his horses "I will take the girl, you two best be safe, I would hate for you both to be in unnecessary danger"
Bidding their farewells, as they split.
Riding the opposite direction from the titans Garrus clinging onto the back of Sasha.
For some reason clinging on the back of a horse going up and down is quite relaxing, especially after an awkward talk with the father, did I mention awkward, yeah I may have four or five words max but it is better than saying, Hey there Mr Blouse I'm the guy who is with and fucking your daughter. I might have a career in pissing off titans and shoving things up its ass, yes that sound like an obvious career choice.
"Garrus, you did ok, father was actually fine with me and you" Sasha spoke to calm his nerves, even she was nervous.
"He might have caught on we was together, but I think he throw into the titan's mouth if he knew that rattled all walls for so many years" Garrus blurted, trying not to think about the ifs.
"Yeah, that would be terrifying, but my father is a kind man, he always wants us to help people and not be selfish with ourselves" Sasha spoke, remembering how she gotten angry with him when she can't eat meat off the ground and how he chastise her for not thinking of others, it what drove her out the forest and joining the military.
"I only care about me and you Sash" Garrus replied, Sasha cheeks flushing, that Garrus's way of showing how he cares, she wishes that he extends that beyond just her.
Seeing in the distance a group of riders bounding across the fields, Sasha decided to head over there in case they are civilians.
To her relief it was the rest of the scouts, only Nanaba, Gelgar, Lynne and Henning, the whole of squad mikes escorting the rest of the 104th.
Gelgar seeing them in the distance, waved them down "Damn, good to see you guys still alive" seeing Garrus and Sasha on the horse "Where's your horse Dreiken?"
Garrus looked at the oily haired guy "Titan fucked it" causing Gelgar to blink before chuckling
"That's a sick joke" Henning's called out not amused with the mouth.
"Yeah, yeah, where the sniffer leader" Garrus called out then looking at Connie "What's up with him?"
Reiner looked at Connie with unease "Nothing Garrus, just a titan crushed his house"
Garrus looked to Connie and back to Reiner, he is not stupid but there is more to it than that "Ok, where's the guy that sniffs people like a dog" for Sasha to slap his arm.
"He is holding off titans in the town we left, he be meeting up with us later" Nanaba replied, amused that the kid got balls with the attitude he is showing.
"So, he is all alone, fighting titans?" Garrus face blank at the thought, yeah that guy be dead.
"He's the second strongest next to Captain Levi, have faith in his abilities" Lynn spoke, her brown fringe getting into her eye as she flicked it away.
"Still it is not wise to fight titans on his own" Bruno spoke, his features stern "Greatest or not, if he counters those that breached the wall, he will not survive"
Nanaba looked to Gelgar for a moment, doubt starting to set in. "We are heading to Utgard castle, we be spending the night there till morning, it's an old castle, but the merchants use it to store their supplies"
"So we are to snack on the provisions by shady merchants" Garrus spoke up, noting the faces of the scouts, not hiding that they plan on doing so "It belongs to the Dreiken's family merchants, so we can pig out on it" the group cheered at the thought and declaration.
Feeling Sasha's smile at the thought of food, in the end his woman be happy for the night.
Bruno rode next to Garrus noting that the guy wanted a talk in private, tugging on Sasha to make a bit of a distance from Connie, Bruno already knowing the subject at hand.
"So, what exactly happened at Ragako?" Garrus asked, while Sasha focused on the riding but also listening as well.
Bruno looking onwards back to Garrus "Apparently a titan talked to Connie"
"Seriously? He maybe a genius but a titan whisperer" Garrus joked, finding it bizarre. "I bite what did it say?"
"Welcome Home" Bruno said, something about that sent shivers down Garrus's and Sasha's spine. Silence loomed for a bit.
"It's not impossible, I make titans look very pissed off, but talking? Kind of hard to believe" Garrus thought, before enquiring a sound of distance neighing and hooves.
To their surprise Alan was riding towards them. Christa turned her head, even more surprised.
"Alan! What are you doing here?" exclaiming, turning the other scout's attention to the newcomer riding towards the group. Alan have a look to his eyes that did not fit right but nodded to Christa.
"Oh, you know Christa, can't seem to get away from friendly faces" Alan grinned, bringing the blonde a small giggle, Ymir not to impressed that Alan is stealing Christa for a short moment, not that he cared, there are more important things to think about.
"Alan Braun, what brings you here now?" Gelgar spoke, curious on his arrival of late, looking to the sun as it starts to set, kid must have ridden hard for a long while.
"Was ordered to meet with you guys at the outpost you guys was in but you guys wasn't there" Alan replied, his face stoic, but his eyes spoke volumes of something else.
"Well there might be a breach, Mike held off the titans during our escape, he should be meeting up with us" Nanaba spoke watching Alan move to the front of the group.
Silence lingered for a while as Alan face moved into doubt, Nanaba watched how his composure broke for a bit, he knows something.
"What happened Braun" Nanaba demanded, knowing the answer already.
"I take it Mike was in the town not too far from the outpost?" Alan asked, both Gelgar and Nanaba nodded, leaving Alan to sigh "Well let's say the titans was already munching on a guy"
"You didn't help him?" Gelgar growled, the suppose strongest soldier did not help mike at all.
"What was I supposed to do, as I said he was already getting munched on when I arrived, help a dead man and get myself killed" Alan retorted biting back with venom.
"Don't fight, Braun is right, there's nothing he can do" Nanaba intervened, no point bickering and grieving at the same time over something they cannot control, diverting back to Alan once again.
"Whatever your purpose is to come to us would have to wait, we have a possible breach and knowing the commander he would want us to make that our top priority"
Alan nodding to the order, not going to argue, which he would prefer, still the fact there's a breach, gave him some relief, that means Reiner is in the clear, yet another thought crossed his mind about the beast titan, should he tell inform them about another intelligent, no its best not to cause a panic now.
"Where are heading?" Alan asked, until Garrus coughed, drawing his attention.
"Utgard castle, something that my bastard of a father stores his wares" Garrus grinned, some people are perplexed how he knew about this "Why I say that now, well he does that to avoid taxation, bastard is smart, but not smart enough if his sons knew his shitty operations"
"Any booze?" Gelgar asked, oh he is an alcoholic as well, no surprise.
Garrus grin widened "The best wines as well" Gelgar being incredibly happy and satisfied with hat piece of knowledge.
"Full speed to Utgard!" Gelgar declared rearing his horse to go faster.
"Wait Gelgar" Lynne called out, rearing her head to Garrus, a little miffed "great going kid, there better be booze there or he kill you"
Henning's and Nanaba laughing as they had the recruits pick up the pace. Garrus paling at the thought, did his father store booze there?
Reiner and Bertholdt rode next to Alan, smiling at their brother's return.
"How did it go at Stohess?" Reiner asked, Alan's face smile mellowed a bit, as the memory flashed quickly.
"Complicated" Alan can only say "Let us say, there was more things I can't say right now, but in time I can" nodding to the others.
Reiner getting the hint that Alan is in no position to talk about it freely "Secret stuff that they tangled you in, don't worry when this is all over, we can talk about it"
"That would be best" Alan spoke, Bertholdt concerned for him as Bertholdt is the only person seeing the conflict in his eyes.
The castle in view was impressive at least, a big massive circular tower, with the compounds in ruins, to civilians it is a place of ill omen, to the merchants, tax free warehouse.
The group trotted at slow pace, confident with the sun going down, the titans will not be able to move at night, enough to give them time to rest before setting out to wall rose in the morning.
Garrus jumping off the back of the horse strolled to the gate before turning round opening his arms.
"Welcome to the now not so secret storage of the Dreiken's" before opening the door inside.
"Please keep in mind, the Dreiken's horde exotic goods even from the capital themselves, so whatever you find, go nuts" Grinning as his friends giggle and laugh at his extravagant welcome, like he was the lord of the fine shitty, ruined establishment.
"Help yourselves" turning to the smiling group of his friends "Anything to rob that old bastard some money" muttering the last part to himself.
Entering the cache of the merchandise that Garrus mentioned, he was not lying as Gelgar pulled out some booze but saw one bottle of wine that caught his eye, as he held it in his hands as if something precious.
"That little bastard is my new favourite person"
"Gelgar, you're on duty, you can't drink" Lynne sternly said as she chastise the senior scout.
"Lynne! This is vintage wine, only nobles in the palace drink this stuff" Thrusting the bottle in her face as Gelgar marvelled the object "You can at least give me to drink this spectacular shit"
Lynne narrowing her eyes as she grabbed the bottle out of his grasp "No. you're on duty Gelgar, drink it when we are done, I need you on watch tonight"
"What! Why? The titans be out for the count tonight, we be safe" Gelgar pleaded.
"Well you can't be drunk and hungover this morning" Nanaba interrupt his little hissy fit.
Conflict etched Gelgar's face, debating whether or not, submitting with a yell of rage, stirring the recruits from their little treasure hunt.
"Right you little fucks, You see this bottle" snatching it out of Lynne's hands "If I catch you drinking from this, I kill the lot of you" before placing it back into the small wooden box he found it from.
Alan was leaning against the wall, casually observing everyone as they rummaged through, grabbing hold of stuff that wasn't tied down.
A voice called out the group, as Nanaba held out a scroll, as she looked down on it.
"Who's the fastest rider?" calling out "The sun have barely set so now is the best time to head out for a little job that is needed"
Murmurs crossed the room, Alan slowly nudging up.
"I'm the fastest going" Alan volunteered, Nanaba looked him over seeing how tired he is.
"No can-do Braun, you look like you been through some shit" looking over to see Sasha, "You managed to regroup with us with chunky over there on your back"
Garrus giving a middle finger as he rummage through a box and telling people the best stuff.
"Yes ma'am" Sasha agreed as Nanaba shoved the scroll in her hands.
"Take these directly to Commander Erwin, we could have done it sooner but" halting her words, Mike was supposed to give the order.
"I will go straight away" Sasha responded immediately, running out, before giving Garrus a kiss before sprinting out to the wilderness.
Blinking "Well she wasted no time" smirking to the guy "good luck kiss to you?" winking at he guy blushing at her words.
Turning herself to Alan his eyes narrowed, before patting his shoulder.
"Your no Levi, hell you might be better than him, but know your limits kid, that way you survive better"
Alan lowered his gaze leaning back against the wall, his mind lost to his own, reverting his gaze to everyone, as Reiner lit the torches they have found, ever so considerate, chuckling to himself.
Night has fallen quickly, as Lynne and Henning's took watch on the tower top, Gelgar and Nanaba resting until their watch.
"Why do they have to keep watch?" Connie murmured, not understanding why since the titans are immobile at night.
Bruno looked at him and chuckled "Connie, Garrus said merchants use this place as storage, last thing we want is for people coming here"
"What? But titans are out and about" Connie exclaimed, still not understanding the situation.
"It's easy Connie" Izzy pointed out "They are doing illegal stuff, they may not know what's happening, but they send goons out to check on the stuff, am I right Garrus?"
"You got that right, I can't help remembering the number of goons the old fart contracted in his little private shit, hell he's in with the nobles" Garrus muttered, not entirely thrilled in talking about the old man.
"Wait, you had connections?" Christa piped up "Your father could help you right?"
Garrus looked at the poor girl like she was stupid, wait she does not know, no harm in her thinking that way, damn why does she have to be a goddess, no wait he got Sasha, she's the true goddess.
"Meh, me and the old fart don't get along, but he thinks I don't care what he says so he just does business in front of me, kind of thrilled that I joined the military" Garrus shrugged, not to keen on breaching the subject again.
"Guy got daddy issues, Christa" Ymir called as she wondered out the room in search of more stuff she can find.
Alan watched Reiner follow her out, Bertholdt leaning against the wall next to him.
"You think Reiner will try and pull?" Bertholdt joked, only for Alan to huff in amusement.
"You know better that Ymir would rather eat that blonde Christa to death then get near Reiner" Alan mused, be funny to see him try and woo her, only to see him get smacked.
"What's up Alan?" Bertholdt finally asked, is Alan so easy to read right now.
"Nothing much, seen Mike get eaten, outran titans, normal day really" rubbing his eyes, man he felt tired.
"I'm going to grab some shut eye" Alan murmured as sat down and nodded off to sleep, Bertholdt watching him, a small smile crept on his face.
Observing his state, his jacket slightly torn, Bertholdt calmly reached into the pocket, retrieving his diary, maybe he can hold onto it in case Alan decides to lose his only jacket. His white uniform trousers torn as looked on, his cape ragged and ripped as if he went through hell, something didn't go well before Alan met up with them, either something happened in Stohess or something happened on the way here, either that it's trouble to see him in this state.
Bertholdt is concerned for his mental health, he never seen the guy so conflicted, his face never shown it but those that observe the eyes more closely they can see a different window into someone's mind.
Hearing the light snores from his friend, showing he fallen asleep, dead to the world.
"You be ok Alan, you always will be" Bertholdt murmured, hearing steps coming his way, to see Bruno standing there.
"He looks like he been through hell" Bruno pointed out as he stood nearby. Looking down Bertholdt hummed in agreement, not quite sure if it's the understatement of the century.
"Since we here, have you got someone special in mind?" Bruno spoke casually, Bertholdt stuttering in his voice.
"What prompt you to ask that?" panicking at the question.
"I meant no harm, simple question" Bruno held his hands up smiling "You look like a man whose heart has been stolen"
"Really?" Bertholdt asked while scratching his nose "I don't know about that"
"Call it a feeling, but don't answer, I apologise for prying" Bruno patted his shoulder, relieved to see Bertholdt relax.
"Have you?" Bertholdt blurted out, Bruno raising his thick eyebrow in amusement. His gaze dawning onto Izzy.
"You could say that, it's funny, I never gave much interest during training, but when you saw the right woman" Bruno focus on the smile as Izzy chatted with Christa, Garrus seem to be swigging on the, oh that's the wine Gelgar threatened people to kill, that cheeky bastard.
"It felt time slowed for a time, but you can never have the courage to lay out your feelings" finishing off his thought.
"Yeah, I know the feeling" Bertholdt murmured, looking to his feet, his thoughts returning to Annie, how her hair sway in the wind, the smile she drawn to her face. Unaware that Bruno focused on him now.
"You're a good guy Bertholdt, I'm glad to have met you" Bruno spoke, before returning his gaze back to Izzy, just missing the frown form on Bertholdt's face, now looking at Alan sleeping with his head down.
'I'm not a good guy' "I'm sorry Alan" He can only whisper, guilt welling up in his stomach.
Not too long as Reiner was with Ymir, watching her rummage through the box, Garrus said there's unique quality goods in that box that he does not understand.
Picking up a can Ymir observed it for a bit "Humph just a tin of trout" before handing it to Reiner.
"Trout eh?" Reiner snickered before looking at the label, his face fell as he looked at the unknown writing. "Ymir, how did you read this?"
Ymir halted her rummaging dread quivered within her, as she slowly turned her head to Reiner, shocked at the revelation.
"Are you even?" Before Reiner could finish his words, Lynne cried out from the Stoney stairs.
"Guys you best get your ass up to the tower quick" alerting everyone to her, Alan still asleep in the commotion.
Reiner looking back to Ymir but decided to hold the subject for later rushed out the room, to see Alan sleeping. 'Dammit Alan, how can he be asleep in this chaos' rushing to his brother side, kneeling down, slightly nudging him violently, Alan eyes shot out, as his hand unsheathing the knife from his leg as he drawn it out, his breathing heavy.
Bertholdt yelped as he jump back at the hostile action, Reiner remained focus and calm, expecting this, its not the first time he had to deal with this reaction, it's like he was trapped in a bad dream, if someone else that isn't him wakes him up from it without waking up on his own they be dead. Their eyes meet for a moment, as Alan regained his senses, his breathing calmed, cursing under his breath as he sheathed his knife.
"What's with the wake-up call Reiner" he mumbled noticing how everyone is rushing up the stairs. Reiner watching the chaos unfold.
"I don't know, but let's head to the top of the tower to find out what's going on" Alan nodding as Reiner lifted him up to his feet as they climbed the stairs.
Having the cold air hit Alan in the face, was a bit of a wake up call for Alan as his eyes adjusted to the moon light, how he would give to fly about, still carrying his ODM gear on him, walking to the edge his eyes widened as titans roamed towards the tower they stand on.
"I couldn't see them in the dark, only when the moon light shown they just came out of nowhere" Lynne explained, horror formed on everyone's faces.
"This is impossible, how can they be moving in the night" Gelgar spluttered, not understanding how the titans are moving without sunlight "The sun been down hours ago" hours? How long was Alan being out for.
"Midnight walk?" Garrus spoke, some eyes looked to him as if telling him to shut up, rolling his eyes, no one can take a joke anymore.
"Erm guys, what the hell is that thing?" Connie shouting pointing out in the distance "That is too big to be a normal titan, look at it"
Everyone looked beyond to see the beast titan swaying its arms, ignoring the tower entirely.
"Damn that Titan hit fucking puberty" Garrus spat out, in disbelief "Someone go shave that fucker, Bruno I found new hair for you" only to have Bruno to look at him to shut up. Seriously no one can take a joke these days.
Looking to people's expression, a lot were surprised yet two stood out the much, Reiner and Bertholdt seem to look like they shit themselves, did they counter this big furball before?
Alan looked at Reiner and Bertholdt for a moment then back to the beast who is heading to the wall, titans now starting to attempt climbing the tower, not good, if they tried climbing, they would topple the tower down.
"Well this just got complicated" Alan muttered, hearing Gelgar getting pissed.
"What you guys doing? Fuck off will you" Gelgar seethed as he watch one titan trying to ram into the small door "You fuckers are stopping me from drinking that bottle of wine, AM I NOT ALLOWED TO GET TRASHED!" roaring the last sentence in frustration.
Nanaba drawing her blades as she looked at the rest "You guys stay here, tough guy you're with us, lets show them how we use these ODM gear". Alan nodding as he looked to the others, saluting his hand to them before stepping on the edge, he maybe tired, but he still got strength to protect his friends and family that is for sure.
Lynne, Gelgar, Henning's, Nanaba and Alan leapt from the edge down to the titans swarming as they activated their ODM gear, swooping around the tower slicing the napes, in unison, more titans come crawling in.
It is a never ending onslaught, as they consume gas to avoid being grabbed, Alan slicing the arms and hands, giving other time to react while the titans are healing their missing limbs, there are too many to take out their napes without getting caught themselves, with only the tower as their only advantage there is not a lot of places to manoeuvre and the titans are a death trap if they use them.
Bodies piled up in front of the door, as Lynne cut one down, her eyes widened as she now see the entrance being smashed open, the small titan could already be making its way to the vulnerable recruits within.
A titan fell next to her as Alan rode the fall down "Get your head in the game, titans not going to wait for you to fight back" Alan seethed, not to pleased that a veteran scout lowered her guard.
"A titan gotten in" Lynne argued back, Alan jolting his head to the broken doors.
Fuck this is not good, Conflict pursued in his mind, if he chase after the titan, the others be one less man to fight of the titans, if he does not then the others be in danger. Breathing deeply gripping his sword, he roared in rage as shot towards a hand reaching as he used his gas to fire upon the arm slicing the nape, he has to have faith in their abilities to fight off one small titan.
Cursing himself further as the night went on, titans after titan Alan seem to cut through flesh like butter, not enjoying his time, comparing all his fights Trost is a walk in the park compared to this, least he has a whole range of places to cling onto, perching near the top of the tower, a huge crash resonating inside tells him they encountered the titan, seeing the window nearby, maybe he could help. Yells and roars could be heard as Alan leapt to swing to the window, only to jolt hard to the side as a titan was rammed out of said window, Connie, Bertholdt and Reiner heaving heavily, as the titan went splat onto the hard ground, it's nape destroyed on impact.
"You guys ok?" Alan shouted; his concern noted in his voice.
Bertholdt breathing heavily, nodded as sweat poured out of him, Reiner looks like he is in pain, seeing that, Alan instinctively swung himself onto the window ledge, sliding through, his eyes fixed on Reiner.
"Alan, I'm ok, go help the others" Reiner biting down the pain as he tried to hide his arm from his view, Reiner knows what Alan is like when Reiner is in trouble or hurt, hence why he wants Mikasa around more often, it seems like that are both normal around each other.
"Your not Reiner" grabbing his arm to see the bite deep in his flesh, that's going to hurt "We should get this bandaged quick, once we get out of here, we clean it and robe it up again" muttering to himself.
Looking down the stairs, No go, there could be more titans.
"Alan you got to help the others, they be in trouble if you don't help" Reiner pleaded, somehow Alan is not having it, his focus now on him.
"They are experienced scouts Reiner, they can handle a few titans, besides I lessened the hassle" Waving off the pleas, before heading up the tower stairs with he three in tow, Bertholdt gulping and Connie happy to be alive.
Upon entering the room seeing Alan entering.
"Did we win?" Izzy asked, hoping for the best since Alan is here.
"Do you hear the titans outside? Of course, not" Ymir spat as she stood nearby Christa.
"Reiner's hurt, we need a bandage or something to stop the blood, put it in a sling" Alan spoke, rummaging through the boxes in search of first aid. Hearing a rip, Alan turned his head only to see Christa ripping her skirt, showing her smooth leg as she wrapped it around Reiner's arm.
Both Alan and Garrus gaped in surprise as Bruno laughed at Reiner's serious expression, as the poor guy tried to keep his composure.
Alan could swear he heard Reiner whisper 'Marry me' as the Christa's smooth leg shown through the tear she made.
Nope, Nope, he has Mikasa, the sexy gorgeous goddess, who might be climbing four walls, worrying about him. Oh yeah, he be having her checking him over. Alan hopes she be alright, she be charging headfirst if she knew what is happening now.
Laughing to himself, Alan felt relieved he can laugh now, funny how the thought of Mikasa, made him laugh during all this mess.
"Oh, he gone crazy now" Garrus called out, before he could say no more a crash through the tower seeing Gelgar breathing heavily, seeing the bottle of wine in front of him, grabbing hold before trying to drink out of it, a titan hand swiped him out of nowhere as the group watched in horror.
"Doesn't look like they have things under control" Connie muttered, turning to Alan, his frown apparent.
"So much being the damn best" Alan seethed climbing the stairs.
"Which one of you bastards drank the fucking wine" hearing Gelgar scream as they ran to the top as his ear curdling screams rang out in anguish as the titans tore him to pieces, Nanaba rushing into help only for her to be grabbed, Lynne and Henning's are nowhere to be seen.
Looking down at the titans ripping and biting down, as fountains of blood turn to mist as the senior scouts are devoured.
"I feel guilty drinking that wine" Garrus muttered, Bruno patting him on the back, Izzy, rubbing her neck, apparently Garrus was not the only one feeling guilty about the wine.
The titans finishing off their meal turned to the tower once more, dawn is approaching slowly, as things are looking even worse as the titans clawed at the twoer, threatening to topple it down.
"Damn, if these bastards keep at it we all be dead" Reiner pointed out.
"Christa, remember when I asked for your real name if I show you my secret" Alan heard Ymir, his mind not fixed on her. "Connie your knife please" her hand outstretched.
"What? You going to fight the titans with this tiny knife" Connie exclaimed, not quite believing, for only for Ymir expression becoming more serious.
"It is something I kept to myself for a long while" snatching the knife out of his hand, walking to the edge of the tower looking down.
Alan widened his eyes at the sight, wait? What is she doing?
"YMIR!" Christa called out only for Reiner to hold her back as she watch Ymir leapt slicing her hand.
Alan eyes opened more in shock as a yellow flash of lightning emitted as Ymir turned into a titan, a small titan, with scraggily long hair, nose crooked with arms as long as the tower itself, yet her eyes are dark and unseeing.
Alan gritted his teeth at the sight, are there no fucking end to shifters.
"Reiner? Isn't that?" Bertholdt muttered, with Reiner shocked himself.
Alan watched as the Ymir titans used its jaws to rip the nape out of a titan, his eyes narrowed as he gritted his teeth, anger rushing through him.
"Alan!" Christa cried "HELP YMIR!" Alan whirled himself, before cursing to himself, as he checked his gas, quarter empty, enough to do some damage at least, being on his last blades he leapt off into the fray.
First time fighting alongside a titan that doesn't want to kill you was strangely satisfying, Alan can think of, as Alan strikes the nape, using Ymir as a way to manoeuvre easily, while at the same time Ymir protecting him, as she rip arms off with titan blood spouting all over as it disappears as it touch the ground, good, titan blood would be hard to get off anyways.
Titans still surrounding the area, as they bite into Ymir, Alan can only move as fast as they come as one falls another takes its place.
Grunting on a plan on taking them out quickly and Ymir could not keep up in her titan for long, looking to the tower, he gambled.
"Ymir" Alan shouted, as the titan reared its head to him. "Pull the tower down" the screech from the titan might as well be Ymir calling him stupid but seeing no other choice she complied.
Launching to the top as the others panic.
"Alan, I thought you be crazy, but you have lost your fucking mind" Garrus roared seeing Ymir starting to tear at the foundation. So they heard his little plan
"You best hold on and prepare to jump, Alan yelled landing beside them, seeing the tower began to topple.
The tower now leaning forwards as the group held onto the edge, this is going to hurt as the tower moved forward, hearing screams as they fall, might have been Garrus, as the tower crashes down. Jumping at the last second, as the group stumbled narrowly missing the rubble, only to se Ymir half of her titan body trapped underneath the rubble, a small number of titans remained as the rubble took out the majority.
Checking his ODM, the damn thing have busted on the way down, great, looking around to see something he could use, in his head, his blood screeching the knife pulsating to his leg, it calls to him once more. Looking to the titan approaching, he unsheathes the knife feeling eyes on him again, what was he supposed to do with this against a fifteen metre titan.
Gritting his teeth prepared to fight, a swoosh came flying through as the titan fell, blinking at the sight Alan looked at his knife, did he just do that? Then seeing another titan fall, noticing the scouts from Stohess have arrived.
Mikasa landing nearby her eyes transfixed on him as she slew the titan that came for him, her eyes stare in relief and the smile perked on her lips happy to see him alive.
The Red sun slowly rises, they have survived the night.
A/N: Damn I went the extra mile as a treat for the 30 chapter milestone, took me a while till I'm satisfied, I enjoyed writing Garrus because he is in a way my little treat to myself to be humorous in my stories and I hope you guys enjoy him, yeah it is a Garrus chapter but at least we get to see the background of some OC's, anyways I hope you guys enjoy this chapter :)
Myzor: Alan is still in denial about Reiner, Annie is one thing Reiner is a whole different scenario, sorry if I didn't show his escape, in Garrus's point of view they didn't know what happened to him, to them he just met up with them, in future chapters I show you how he escapes in full detail. Could Alan be a shifter? that's a good question, we find out soon enough. Thank you so much to being a loyal follower and reviewing my chapters, I fully appreciate the effort you make to do so, thank you and enjoy the story. :)
Mcbastable: Hello there stranger, good to hear from you, how would he cope, well I be happy to announce the next chapter, we will definitely get to see how he copes with Reiner and Bertholdt, can't say no more, hate to spoil the plot I have been working on, Thank you for the review and I hope you have enjoyed it.