Steady We Ride
"What the fuck just happened?" Garrus seethed, unable to comprehend what he saw, Reiner, Bertholdt, even fucking Alan.
They can turn into titans, worse of all that bastard titan from the expedition that killed many comrades without remorse have been sitting and sleeping right next to them.
The question came with no reply, rhetorical in a sense for everyone present did not expect Alan to be one of them.
Hange stood there, thinking back into her memories of how they missed this important detail, a sense of dread and lack of morale loomed over the survivors on the wall, those that assaulted too close to the immortal titan as she heard correctly from Armin, have been killed outright, leaving no survivors, only Hange and a few that went straight for the colossal titan have been saved through the steam it emitted, if it didn't then it be a simple swat from the titan playing guard duty.
But still what is done is no longer their priority, retrieving Eren is now their priority.
"Get the elevator built for the other side of the wall" Hange demanded, the quicker they build it up the quicker they can give chase.
"Hange" Frey calling out "We going to need time, the rest of the MP's and garrison soldiers will come"
Looking to the sun, as it hit nearly noon, something hit Hange as a feeling came across her, an epiphany "We need to get down there before nightfall"
"Your mad?" Frey turning his head, disbelief on his face shown as the two section commanders stared each other down "Commander Erwin is coming to this location as we speak, pull it up with him" Frey spoke as he turned his attention to the soldiers, giving orders, he will help Hange maker her elevator but he will withhold moving out in titan territory unless the Commander say so.
Meanwhile as the section commander's squabble over the right course of action, Armin observed the reactions of everyone of his comrades and friends as they change into gear.
Garrus, as his self-cursed and raged over traitors, giving the suppose comrades every name under the sun, which was quite colourful in a way, even snagging his fingers in his belt as he fastened around his waist.
Izzy have tears streaking down the cheeks, more like in shock with the events.
Christa now know as Historia, have a sullen look, her eyes gaunt as her light blue's kept casting its direction to the titan side of the wall, evident that Ymir is on her mind.
Jean, Connie are coming over their shock and disbelief. Questions that could not be answered, were they traitors to begin with, did they pretend to be friends to begin with, the question that kept creeping in.
Why?
Bruno had a calm, but deathly demeanour, as his yellow eyes gaze pierced the blades as he check the detail, his finger skimming the edge, satisfied with he sharpness, something in Armin tells him that Bruno may have come up with conclusions that made sense, as pieces of the puzzle now shown the full picture.
"Bruno are you ok?" Sasha asked, disturbed how the man remained deathly calm.
"It all comes into place now" Bruno calmly whispered, as the wheels in the brain kept turning, the pieces now smoothly fitting in.
"Marcus, I think I know how he died" chills sending down Sasha's spine, even Armin's as he listened.
Bruno always appeared calm in stressful times, has a temper that he kept in check, it developed after Trost, in training he was jovial and experiencing life in his own terms, Garrus, Dorian, Marcus was his best childhood friends, always together, for them to die needlessly, one committed suicide, one found dead with his head cleanly sliced off, it would change a man's perspective.
"What has happened have to do with Marcus" Garrus bite, not too keen with their dead friend being mentioned out of the blue.
"Think about it" the voice calm and deadly as Bruno gazed drifted to Garrus "Who would have the strength to clean a head off, designed for titans only? Who would have a reason to do so?"
Garrus thought as mixed emotions washed over, confusion, anger, back to confusion "Why?"
A question that was easily answered.
"It was because Marcus, caught him out in one point in Trost" silent pause came through the group as the thought of him would kill their own. "To keep their secret he killed him, expecting the titans to hide the evidence"
Armin gasped at the thought, it makes sense, back in Stohess, how Alan tried to convince Annie to come with, how he reacted to her refusal, his scrutinizing gaze to Reiner and Bertholdt for when they talk too much, how could he be so foolish to not see how obvious it was that he was the leader of them. Yet how could he have fooled them all, until looking to the figure standing at the edge of the wall, looking to the horizon.
Mikasa, stood and remained quiet for some time, hard as a statue she remained, her emotions volatile as she tried desperately to keep them in check, her heart raged, yet wept.
Mikasa have listened to the conversation, the mere mention of him, not by name, sent conflicted emotions within her. Why is she conflicted? He has Eren in his traitorous claws, he used her to get closer to them both, a perfect cover, the boy from Shinganshia, yet she knew that boy was already dead before they truly met replaced by his killer.
But yet a part of her, felt that what they shared was real, his feelings masked but laid bare at the same, some part wanted to believe that he didn't want to go through with what he did, but his actions spoke in different volumes, he didn't kill her when she had Reiner at her mercy, she was prepared to end him right then and there, yet he lunged her off the wall instead of ending her life.
Maybe there is something that lurks within him that did genuinely loved her.
Listening to the deeds he have committed, the murders, the betrayal, somehow, she knew that darkness dwelled within him, his other side that emerges from time to time, yet she refused to see it.
Now is not the time to think of him as Alan, he is a traitor now, Eren is all she have left, and she will get him back even if it would kill her to do so.
The sounds of horses galloping drawn the groups attention as Commander Erwin arrived with more soldiers, mixed of all three regiments.
"What is the situation here?" Erwin called out, as came from below with his ODM, scanning the scene, soldiers building an elevator, big enough for horses to be transported to the other side.
"Commander" Frey saluted "Eren have been captured by the spies within our ranks"
Erwin cocked his eyebrow as he looked to the group of the of the 104th, noting that four were not accounted for.
"Who captured who?" Erwin asked, curious, but have a sneaking suspicion that he could be right.
"Ymir was one of those titan shifters like Yeager, the saved the cadets, sadly mike's squad have been obliterated" Frey spoke the obvious first "Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover and Alan Braun were the ones responsible for breaching the walls, also Alan Braun is the second titan that have killed and attempted sabotage in the expedition"
Alan Braun, Erwin frowned at the name, but yet seem mildly impressed, that would explain his strength and determination from time to time, he had fooled them all.
Well played.
Due to the other's due revealing themselves, Erwin can conclude that the latter was forced to intervene, Annie Leonhart must have put a consequence in the man's judgment.
Nevertheless, Eren's rescue must be top priority, without him, they have no chance in taking back Wall Maria and the fight against the titans. Also, he would never know the truth behind it all.
"How long until the elevator is ready?" Frey looking in question, as Erwin observed Frey looking to Hange, who is supervising the construction.
"About an hour or two at most" Frey replied, Erwin fixating his gaze upon the sun.
"Have it done within the hour, the quicker the horses are on the other side the quicker we can catch up to the perpetrators before nightfall."
Frey Saluted, before nodding to Hange, apparently, they finally come into agreement, Frey only need to hear the commander's decision before fully backing Hange.
"I will not doubt you ever again" Frey muttered to Hange, to which she snickered.
"Even in my titan experiments?" As Hange cooed at the thought that Frey would be willing to believe her experiments have merits.
Frey frowned at the gesture "Don't push your luck" to which Hange chuckled before they turn their attention to the construction.
The sun hitting its peak, as Mikasa stood waiting still, hearing steps coming her way, seeing it to be Armin, returning the gaze back outwards.
"We will get him back" Armin affirmed, Mikasa glanced then back, unable to speak, as her thoughts are not of her own.
"I am worried Armin" Mikasa finally relenting "I am worried that I won't have the strength to do what must be done"
"You have friends Mikasa" Armin interjected as he stood by her side, also looking out. "We are with you through no matter what, we can be your strength"
But would their strength be enough?
A weary thought coming to mind, when it comes down to it, would they be able to kill those that they consider friends, even though they betrayed them.
Mikasa wished she had Eren's ferocious determination, he would not hesitate to kill those that threatens those close to him. Maybe perhaps she can kill Reiner and Bertholdt, but Alan? She wouldn't have the strength to do it, her heart still beats for him.
"You're thinking about him?" Armin inquired, slience loomed over, was she that obvious with her thoughts? Mikasa can only hum in agreement, no longer lying to herself.
"As I said we can be your strength if you couldn't do it" Armin again affirmed his stance on the matter. It is appreciated yet the problem for them is not how or try to do it, but can they actually do it.
There's a strength to Alan that Mikasa only barely scratched the surface with, he held back, again and again, which shows how much control he has over himself, if he were to lose it, the memory how he swiftly took five trainees in training with missing a beat.
Yet he's more cautious with an Ackerman, ever since he learned her last name, he was very wary, it's like he knew what she is, how he can break down her mental barriers, maybe he and her are one and the same, both bound to something, or someone.
"No, Armin" Mikasa spoke after thinking on him for so long "It will take an army to take him out, or a lot more with his armoured titan form"
Armin surprised with the comment, but nodded all the same "We have to take him when he's out of titan form"
Logical, Alan is all flesh and blood, without protection, but yet harm to the user will cause them to transform, they barely scratched the surface of the titan capabilities, then again Mikasa isn't too thrilled with Hange's experiments on Eren, which sent her blood boiling, yet the thought of Eren's enthusiasm and determination to understand the enemy, calms her for a short while.
"It is not that easy" Mikasa spoke once again, not so sure if they can "Armin, I have learned a lot when we were close"
Armin paused waiting for the answer as Mikasa's face furrowed and her eyes narrowed "He is always thinking of ways and being a step ahead"
"Perhaps we need to get ahead of his brain then" Armin retorted, Alan is smart, but everyone has a weakness, which irks himself, the guy is always a trap, a trap within a trap.
"Soldiers!" hearing a deep voice call out, all turning to Erwin.
"Saddle up, we must reach towards the titan forest before sundown!" Erwin commanded as the horses are being loaded up onto the elevator.
A unified cry as soldiers saddled up onto their horses, the cranking of the gears and strain of the thick rope holding the elevator steady, it was a slow descent, a rush of nervousness surrounded those of the Garrison and Military Police, they have never entered titan territory before.
Mikasa can feel the fear oozing out, the scouts are the ones that are calm and are more determined in this mission, more experienced.
Pathetic of those that never thought the enemy they have been trained for.
Mikasa blinked at the thought, how are they? They are willingly going into something they know would end their death, how is that pathetic? Her heart tug at the familiar feeling of someone that would share such a view. No, Eren is important now. Yet the feeling is still seeping into her soul, that man have influenced her more than she would admit to herself, but in this cruel world she would fight against it.
"Don't worry Eren, I'm coming for you" Mikasa whispered, her mind set in stone, yet her heart is yearning for someone else.
The silent thud as the elevator ended it's decent, Erwin looked to the sun, the descent was slow, they would have not long, they must press forward, with full speed if they were to reach the titan forest, something Hange and Frey both agreed upon that the most logical resting place away from titans.
"ADVANCED!" Erwin cried out as the soldiers behind him galloped at full speed "SPLIT INTO GROUPS, DRAW THE TITANS AWAY"
Erwin bellowed with full force; his features sharp as his gaze drawn to the direction of his desire "WE WILL NOT RETREAT!"
"WE WILL RECLAIM WHAT IS OURS FROM THE ENEMY!" Finishing off his order as the cries and roars of the soldiers echoed as they split, some scouts accompanying the others in case of titan's intervention.
The thunderous sounds of hooves pound the earth as they charge through the plains.
Just another expedition to those already experienced the horrors outside the walls, but yet Erwin have betted all of Humanity on the table to retrieve Eren away from the enemy, at any cost, the scouts knew if they lose Eren, they will lose all of Mankind to the titans, especially now since the enemy have the ability to bring them to their knees.
Alan shot his eyes open after his short rest, he glances to Reiner who happen to sit there watching Eren and Ymir.
"Reiner, you rested?" Alan asked, seeing Reiner turning towards him.
"I have why?" Reiner questioned.
"You be transforming first, Bertholdt would have Ymir, I take Eren" Alan ordered calmly.
Reiner nodded, as Bertholdt nod all the same.
"As hell I'm letting you take me, once I get my limbs back I will kill you all like the fucking murderers you are" Eren hissed, as Reiner and Bertholdt, looked at him nervously, disturbed with the venom Eren is giving out, Alan just narrowed his eyes.
Drawing the blade from the scabbard of his ODM "Perhaps I will need to remove the legs since you can stand" Alan spoke, his tone calm but his face as stone.
"Hey, Alan, we don't need to go that far" Reiner held his hand out towards his brother "We can simply gag him, no need be too violent"
"I bloodied my hands, so you guys can keep them clean as possible" Alan hissed, Reiner flinched, Alan have done a lot for them, kept them safe, killed people as well to make it so.
Bertholdt kept quiet watching the ordeal.
"You guys don't have to worry about me" Ymir chirpily piped in waving her hands, seeing Eren's defiant gaze "Hey this is not the right time and place to start a fight"
"Least someone have some sense for once" Alan muttered before returning his gaze to Eren "I suggest you sit down like a good little boy before I have to make sure you stay good"
The sun is setting, good, Alan watched, thinking, if he knew Mikasa, she would not wait till nightfall, Erwin would make sure of that.
Commaner Erwin… Alan cursed, causing Bertholdt to turn his gaze.
"What is wrong Alan?" Bertholdt asked, concern for his friend.
"Get those two tied up, we must head to the other end of the forest close to wall Maria quickly" Alan ordered
Bertholdt looked in confusion, his brow furrowed "What did you think of now?"
"Commander Erwin, Bertholdt" Alan simply spoken his name "The guy would sacrifice the whole of his men to get him back" nodding to Eren who seem to be more interested in spitting venom then listening.
Understanding the situation "We can't wait till night, can't we?"
"Correct Bertholdt, Reiner get them tied up" Alan calling out.
"Why in such a rush" Reiner remarked, until a sound of rumbling horses can be heard. Alan whirling round to see the scouts in the distance coming closer by the second.
"Fuck, they came quicker than expected" Alan scowled "Get those two tied up now, we are leaving"
Bertholdt and Reiner jumped into action.
"Cooperate, we shouldn't make this any harder" Reiner calmly stated as hearing Bertholdt tied Ymir to him, the girl not resisting, which is good, since Alan would not hesitate chopping her up.
"Come on Reiner" Eren smiled holding up his stubs "I can't really do anything"
Reiner relaxed for a moment, considering that Eren finally saw sense and cooperate, until Eren lunged planting his right stub into jaw, knocking him down, until Eren is on top of him, beating him with the stubs of where his hands are still growing.
"Like fuck I go quietly" Eren raged "I kill you all" until a hand suddenly grabbed him round the throat as Eren was hurled into the tree, looking into the eyes of Alan, his anger obvious.
Before Eren can resist, Alan slammed his head into the tree, knocking him unconscious, Alan released as he watch Eren collapse in front of him, turning round, picking Reiner up.
"I could have handled it" Reiner spoke accepting the hand, lifting him up.
"We have no time for that Reiner, gag him and strap him to you" Alan nodding to Eren, sensing another question why he isn't "They will more likely have the scouts coming in full force with ODM, I play defence protecting your rear, once we reach the end, I take Eren while you transform"
Reiner nodded, Alan planning ahead, have the best to take soldiers out quickly "What if she is the one pursuing"
Alan paused for a moment, knowing the woman Reiner is referring to. "I would have to do what is necessary".
Not an actual answer Reiner thought, but knowing deep down Alan would not kill her, more like knock her out, not that he blame him, still Alan is determined to see this mission through non the less.
Eren now bound and gagged and strapped to Reiner's back they set out with full speed through the tree's intending to get some distance away from the pursuers.
Alan watched as the two fled, returning to the sounds of horses looking back, gripping his blade, he followed his Warriors.
The horses galloped as they close towards the giant tree's few groups split as they encircle, hoping to reach the other end from the outside, in case they try and escape in any direction, the 104th launched into the giant tree's themselves, intending to pursue from within.
Garrus and Bruno nodded to each other as they swung high as they go from tree to tree.
"How far did they fucking go in?" Garrus fumed. Bruno shook his head at his friend's impatient behaviour.
"They must have saw or heard us coming, we must be quick" Bruno replied.
"No time to lose then" Garrus muttered, more eager to get to them for answers.
"Less chatter more moving" Jean cried out, more frustrated from before, the betrayal still set in their minds.
Meanwhile ahead of them Ymir stirred, as a thought came to her, remembering the memory of the comrade she have eaten, it is no wonder why Alan seemed more hostile towards her, yet somehow the thought of Christa came to mind, her need for her being too strong.
"Guys wait" Ymir called out, as the group still rushing forward. "I said wait" Ymir starts to squirm and resist as she starts to grab hold of Bertholdt, as the guy suddenly panicked.
"Ymir! What are you doing, your going to get us killed" Bertholdt cried out, drawing the attention from the others to her two.
"Let me get Christa" Ymir bluntly spoke as Alan eyed her suspiciously.
"Why?" Reiner asked.
"She is of royal blood, she be a good prize" Ymir spoke, seeing the shocked expression changed in the warrior's faces, she must have gotten their interest.
Alan stopped in thought "You need her to keep you alive" reading Ymir's mind.
"hey, I'm no idiot, if I come with you guys it's a death sentence" Ymir boldly claimed, Alan seemingly amused by it.
"Alan, you're not considering this are you?" Reiner exclaimed "We don't have enough time, you said it yourself"
Alan looked over to Eren still unconscious then to Ymir "I'm going to trust that you will come back, if not, then you know what would happen" Alan threatened.
Ymir rolled her eyes, like she was that stupid, still, the most dangerous guy ended up in putting some form of trust, maybe he is not that heartless than she would expect, maybe it's due to his ex-lover's influence.
"Besides if you don't, I will take us both out, a world without her is not a world to be lived in at all" Ymir defiantly spoke, Alan eyed her even more, his features sullener, how he knew those words all to well.
"Bertholdt, let Ymir go, take hold of Eren, Reiner when we reach the end you will have to transform immediately" Alan finalised the order before Reiner can protest.
"I hope you know what your doing" Reiner grunted as he passed Eren to Bertholdt, even helped in tying him.
"Wouldn't you prefer to keep Christa safe from these monsters?" Alan commented raising an eyebrow, Reiner blushed, obvious he hold some form of feelings for her.
"Why? After seeing how happy you was, why making me happy?" Reiner asked, unsure why he asked such a question, Alan shoulders slumped as he watch Ymir transform, her speed unmatched as the titan swung through the tree's like an ape.
Why though? Alan could not explain it, no he could, he rather have Reiner happy, his blood demanded it, yet half of him wished things were different, wished that he wasn't born in this world on the other side of the wall.
"You're my brother Reiner, I rather have you alive" Alan simply put it, Reiner not believing his words fully.
"Yet, sacrifice yours, I know you still love her, yet you still chose our duty as a warrior over your heart" Reiner asked, Bertholdt listening to the ordeal. Yet the statement left unanswered, they know what would happen if Alan chose his heart.
His other family would suffer and pay for his actions severely, it would not be right if that were to happen and Reiner knew it.
"Let's keep moving" Alan can only say.
Further in the rear, Mikasa and her group moved forward, their eyes peeled for any slight movement, until a flash of yellow lighting brightened through the darkness, Mikasa prepared her blades incase it the others, until the sight of a swinging titan came soaring through.
Perching itself on the tree.
"It's YMIR!" Izzy exclaimed, as she perched on the tree next to her.
Connie and Sasha dropped next to her.
"How did you escape?" Connie cheered "Did you kick their asses?"
"Don't be silly she just got here" Sasha chuckled "But where are they Ymir?" asking the most important question, Garrus chuckled, finally the woman asked something sensible.
Yet the titan ignored the questions as the face moved to each scout one by one, as if searching for someone.
Mikasa, felt a feeling of uneasiness as the titan looked onto her, a glimmer of pity was shadowed in Ymir's eyes, until moving onto the next scout.
"Is this bitch ignoring us" Garrus gritted though his teeth "OI, UGLY! Where are those arseholes"
"YMIR!" a voice drawing the titan's attention shooting towards the direction of Christa, her bright blue eyes shone with the smile on her face as Christa came ever so closer.
Without warning Ymir pounced towards her, gobbling her up hole, before darting away, with everyone set in stone of pure shock.
Garrus being Garrus broke the silence with his mouth.
"I knew the bitch wanted to eat her out, but fucking hell, I didn't mean it like that" Garrus exclaimed unable to register what just happened.
Mikasa gritted her teeth as her gaze turn to Armin, who seem to be a lost for words, she wasn't their ally anymore and now taken Christa hostage, without warning Mikasa rushed forward, intending to catch up, nearing the clearing up ahead, hearing the sounds of curses and shouts, Mikasa rushed more ferociously knowing they have caught up to them at last, until a bright light of lightening happen again, this time the armoured titan, stood in it's place, two figures jumping on the titan, before it bounded out into the sunset.
As the armoured titan ran out the clearing, the sound of Erwin's roar echoed "SOLDIERS! The Armoured titan is there! ADVANCE!"
A/N: sorry for the delay, have been unwell, and building myself to continue writing, enjoy the chapter :)
McBastable: that's the thing i'm heading with, drama and twists, if you enjoy that then your welcome, will this story have a happy ending? depends how it goes.
Myzor: It is a big one, this story is the story of both Mikasa and Alan, mostly on Alan, but due to some circumstances, the next chapters will be focused on Mikasa and the rest of the 104th. Thank you for reviewing and hope you enjoy the story.