Death by Sundown
The cries of soldiers filled the air, as Erwin rode, titans swooping in from the forest, grabbing hold any that are near, mostly those from the garrison and Military police, their inexperience against the titans cost them dearly, only the scouts know how to avoid the titans with minimum casualties, even the new recruits knew better, as they rode out from the forest with titans hot on their tail.
Unfortunate but necessary in Erwin's eyes, the armoured titan dashed behind him as it made some distance from the forest, making their ODM useless in the open field, but yet they cannot let them get away with Eren.
"SOLDIERS! The Armoured titan is there! ADVANCE!" Erwin bellowed as the remaining soldiers gave chase with Erwin in front leading the charge, titans behind and front of them as they do not discriminate, they go for anything within their reach.
"Commander!" Frey called out, as he rode next to Erwin "Titans are reaching the armoured titan!"
Looking ahead some titans manage to reach their target, a shadow launched from it taking the titans out, before retreating into the Armoured titans' arms, as a few titans stood in between, Erwin hatched a plan.
"section Commander Frey, with me" Erwin commanded, Frey nodded as Erwin and a few others separated from the others into another direction. A plan formulating, a gamble Erwin is prepared to make.
The chase was dauntless, Mikasa bounded beneath titan legs, swerving round, narrowly dodging titans' hands, a few scouts have been grabbed as they all charged into the titan horde.
Garrus was having the worse time of his life as he swerved underneath the legs, following their leader who happened to have a bigger death wish than the guy they are going to rescue.
'If only I have a stick in hand' Garrus laughed maniacally, before realising he has his blades, better than nothing, drawing out he galloped past a small titan, slashing the arse cheeks as he rode by.
"Garrus!" Izzy cried out "Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" the frightened look as the titan turned round, the face contorted with rage, started to chase the one responsible.
Bruno sighed as he watched Garrus being Garrus in times where everything is held on the edge of a knife for the sake of humanity, any other time, it would have been amusing to see a titan chasing him with steam protruding out of its rear end but today is not one of those days to be stupid.
There are more important matters and being stupid in a horde of titans is one way in getting killed easily, he may need to knock some sense in his friend's head if they survive this ordeal. Bruno features hardened as he past the last titan, his eyes gazed upon the armoured titan ahead, he will kill the bastard that have murdered Marcus.
A few of the 104th leapt from their horses latching onto the armoured titan, as they swung themselves perching upon its shoulders as Mikasa swung seeing Bertholdt being closed down as her blade splintered off the armoured hands.
Her gaze pierced menacingly seeing the frightened Bertholdt, Eren now being awake tried to resist but futile as he is bound and gagged, Alan is at the back, holding onto his knife as his gaze fixed on it, not willing to look at her in the eye.
Mikasa was glad he did not, she would not be able to hold her rage if he did, thinking if the man she loves is still somewhere underneath that coldness of his eyes.
Hearing a screech, Mikasa saw Ymir pouncing onto the back, making a swipe towards Mikasa, who in return leapt backwards and using Reiner as a means to manoeuvre.
Ymir swiped at Mikasa again, but Mikasa was not having none of it as Mikasa pierced Ymir's titan eye, Ymir howling in pain yet not letting go of Reiner's back.
"Mikasa!" Christa cried out "Ymir is helping because they threatened to kill her!"
"So, she wasn't going eat you out?" Garrus called out as he rode nearby, seeing Connie and Jean perching on the armoured titans' shoulders.
Christa ignored that remark, more focused on Mikasa, her face darkened.
"You think I care about that?" Mikasa spoke her tone dark "At this moment I don't give a fuck if she was held against her will or allied with them, if she tries again and you get in the way, I will not hesitate to cut both of you up"
Ymir stared down Mikasa, seeing the influence Alan have brought out from her, more bold and daring, or is it something they have buried deep within themselves until something they care about are in danger, they would go to lengths to protect them.
Ymir would not dare go against Alan, knowing how truly dangerous he is, Mikasa may not be at his level of danger, but Mikasa is known to follow on with her threats, she is just nice enough to tell you about it.
Leaning back on the Reiner's back she relented her left eye steamed as it began to heal, her darling Historia, standing in between, holding the darkness at bay, such a uniquely beautiful goddess of light.
Mikasa lessened her glare, looking out, more soldiers are being preoccupied with the titans, if she knows Alan, when more reinforcements come to Mikasa's aid, he will come out and that be the end of it. She need to get them out of their somehow. Looking back the soldiers taken out the titans in between, still in hot pursuit, edging closer by the minute.
Inside Eren tried to resist, kicking the breast of the armoured titan, trying to push Bertholdt closer, Alan still focused on his knife, ignoring the commotion.
"Eren Stop!" Bertholdt pleaded "Don't struggle!"
"Good luck with that Bertholdt" Jean called out from the outside "This Bastard is impossible to calm down, the most irritating guy there is, I would know better than anyone"
Jean hatching a plan to coax them out "I hate him as much as you, come on out and we can beat the shit out of him together"
An amused grunt from within hearing Alan, Jean frowned, he forgot Alan is in there since he was all silent.
Mikasa seethed, as they are still not coming out, being more aggravated then ever
"you guys are kidding right, Bertholdt? Reiner? Alan?" Mikasa can hear Connie, his voice breaking in disbelief "This whole time you deceived us and kept quiet about it? That's so cruel"
How Cruel indeed, Alan mused, still ignoring Bertholdt's struggle with Eren's resistance.
Inside Alan, eyes remained fixed on his knife, sliding his finger across the sharp edge of the blade, refusing to let the memories to flood through, glancing to Bertholdt, he grimaced, the guilt washing over his friends face, Bertholdt always the one to hold his true memories, never hiding behind an illusion that they were soldiers, always the one to remind both Alan and Reiner who they really are during those years of training.
"You guys! Tell us they were not lies" Izzy cried out, even though she knew them for a short time, she still trained with them, even when she was not noticed by them in those three years, Izzy still consider them as friends.
Garrus perched on top, as Reiner still ran.
"Hey, why are you guys still think you can keep running away" Garrus coaxed "We not going to let that happen so give up"
Alan narrowed his eyes on the blade, considering a moment of jumping out and slice the bastards throat, remembering Marcus's words how he is the one planned for his death even Mikasa's unintentionally.
Jean's voice pierced through, trying to convince them "Didn't we sleep under the same roof? Foght as comrades through thick and thin? Bertohldt… your sleeping forms were truly and art form, we used them to predict the weather with them. Every morning we loof forward to it"
Jean's voice grown sorrowful "But to think you, as the invader… could sleep like a log… right next to your victims" his voice breaking from finishing as reality hit him.
Connie's voice echoed out "Was everything just a lie?"
Bertholdt listened as memories flood through as Connie kept talking "Remember we talked about surviving together? And that we grow old together and go out drinks and get drunk together? Was everything a lie?"
Bertholdt buried his head his arms pressed forward, stopping Eren's resistance, trying to ignore the voices of his no longer friends.
"What were you guys thinking this whole time?" Connie words breaking through, Reiner unable to speak as he is titan form, Bertholdt trying to hold onto the emotions daring to break out, guilt washing over them. Alan continue to stare at the knife, as his thoughts went to Mikasa, what were they thinking all this time?
"What does it matter anymore?" Mikasa's voice darkened, filled with hurt "Just focus on cutting up their necks, if we hesitate for a moment, we will not be able to get Eren back"
Alan glowered harder, hearing her words, it is true they would hesitate, yet noting there wasn't a lot of conviction in her voice, the hesitancy he can only notice, under that anger she wants to avoid a fight.
"They are enemies against humanity, that is all there is to know"
Those words breaking Bertholdt, unable to prevent the sobs escaping, his guilt and emotions breaking through.
"Tell me WHO?!" silencing the voices and making Alan to glance to Bertholdt's outburst "Who the hell would want to kill people by their own choices?!"
Shock expressions flown over the faces that listened, Armin keeping his composure, trying to think on getting them out. Alan's eyes widened as he listened, even Eren stopped resisting at the outburst.
"Who the hell would like doing this sort of thing?" Bertholdt broke "Do you think I wanted this?!"
"People hate and despise us, we've done such terrible things, we deserve to die"
Alan hardened gaze lessened, rethinking on his actions, the people he killed, his own comrades he forced to march through hell, only to find innocent people, even loved one of them only to betray them
"things we'll never be able to take back…" Bertholdt continued "But… we just… couldn't come to terms with our sins" Alan can hear the tears streaming down his face.
"The only time we had some respite was when we pretended to be soldiers" Bertholdt forming the strength to be sincere "That's not a lie!"
"Connie, Jean, Izzy, Garrus! It's true we may have deceived everyone, but it's not all a lie!" Bertholdt shouted out, trying to get his, no… their side across, what they truly think and believe "We really considered you comrades! Neither of us have any right to apologize."
His voice no faltering "But… Someone… Please… Someone, please… Someone Find Us!" tears flowing, as his voice unable to speak anymore.
Silence roamed over after the outburst as Mikasa expression softened "Give Eren back"
Bertholdt paused for a moment "I'm sorry…" but being cut off from Mikasa again.
"I'm not asking you" Mikasa interrupted, Bertholdt halted his words, looking to Alan, his focus widened on the knife, hand trembling, Eren's eyes now drifted to Alan, who remained silent through everything.
"Alan" Mikasa spoke softly yet sincerely "Please give Eren back"
Alan's guilt washing over the composure he tried to keep under control, the way she spoke his name, not as an enemy but as his heart.
"I can't" Alan suddenly spoke, as tears trying to force through him "Someone has to be the one to do it. Someone has to be the one to stain their hands with blood"
Mikasa, voice trembled into a gasp, hearing her voice broke her, his refusal broke even more, yet the guilt was apparent, if he had a choice he would, but Alan have shed blood, protected and walked through pain just to spare Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie from shredding it, Alan took it upon himself to be that someone to create the fountain of blood, his voice gave the order, his hands killed those he consider friends.
"You guys!" the group look over to the Garrison soldier, his blonde hair and beard, showing to be Captain Hannes "Get out of there!"
Seeing Hanne's nodding forward, to see in front of them, Commander Erwin charging from the other end, with a horde of titans charging behind them.
"You got to be fucking with me" Garrus called out. As everyone jumped off, as the horses riding nearby came to their owner's aid.
Alan looked through the gaps to see Erwin charging with the titan horde.
"Well played" Alan murmured, turning to Bertholdt "Looks like I have to transform after all"
"What are you saying?" Bertholdt questioned "You mean… you're not… Reiner is here"
"Reiner couldn't fight off the titans on his own and protect you" Alan bit back before hitting the chest to gain Reiner's attention "open up bro"
The arm partially opened, enough for Alan to slide through, to see Erwin riding pass, as Alan perched on the shoulder, holding the knife he have been playing with before slicing his hand and jumping off, giving Reiner some space to run before transforming.
A flash of yellow lightning, as Alan transformed, hoping to catch the retreating scouts during his transformation, to his displeasure he did not. Alan stood in his armoured form, deciding not to shed due to the titan horde.
Looking towards the scouts retreating, Alan considered in given them some chase, until a yelp from Bertholdt, seeing the titans swarming around Reiner. Growling Alan charged into the titans ripping the titans away from Reiner, as the titans try to pry the arms open to get to the tasty treat within.
Mikasa watched it all unfold, as her heart trying to come to terms, with what Alan said, how he were to be someone to have blood on his hands, did that mean, he's the one responsible about everything that happened? Her head and blood demanded vengeance, yet her heart wishes to understand, wishes to know why.
Erwin arrived at the soldiers, watching the display unfold with the three titans fighting off the pure titans attacking them.
Erwin watched between seeing the fear, some saying it is hell, Erwin looked to the Immortal titan, as their gaze met.
"All Soldiers! CHARGE!" Erwin bellowed, startling those unaware of his presence and determination "The fate of Humanity will be determined in this very moment!"
Drawing his blade high, preparing to lead the charge "There is no future where humanity can inhabit these lands without Eren" Turning his fierce gaze behind him "We will retrieve Eren and retreat!"
Immediately slamming his drawn fist against his heart before reining his horse for the charge.
"Give Your Hearts!"
These words echoed, causing everyone to follow, the scout's spirits high, inspired more even as they charge.
Soldiers charging behind, Armin needed only Bertholdt to open up so they can free Eren, but they have to get past the titans that Erwin bought.
"Is he gone fucking crazy?!" Garrus cried out as Erwin and the others charged forward "Am I the only one to think this is mad?"
"Quit your whining" Jean spat out "This is fucking genius"
Garrus dead panned "This is not a time for jokes"
"So, say's the one slashing titans' arse's for fun" jean reprimanding Garrus's words, too Jean's delight, shutting him up. As they charge forward.
Erwin charging at the front, determination sets into his eyes and his large eyebrow's, drawing his sword, preparing to give more orders and inspiration to stem the fear settling in the soldiers as they charge forward to the horde of titans.
"ADVANCE…!" Erwin began to bellow until suddenly a titan bitten down onto his right arm, being carried away, the pain soaring through Erwin's mind from the unexpected attack.
Everyone around watch in horror seeing the brave, daring Commander being taken away.
"COMMANDER ERWIN!" Frey roared out, before leaping off his horse to pursue the titan, everyone was also about to do the same until hearing the powerful roar, hanging from the titan's mouth.
"ADVAAAAAAAAAAANCE!" Erwin bellowed pulling out the other blade with his left arm, now pointing it forward ignoring the pain of the titans grasp "Eren is just ahead! ADVAAAAAAAAAAAAANCE!" his voice carried out.
The troops forcing their way through the titan horde again, this time more and more come pounding through.
Soldiers being grabbed as blood oozed from those caught. As a small few gotten through.
Alan is getting more aggravated by the second, he knew the commander was bold, but this exceeded his expectations, the armour on his titan restricting his movements as he pound down on the napes of any titans coming near Reiner, there tracks halted, Reiner is relieved that Alan is out fighting, relieving the pressure from keeping Bertholdt safe.
Yet more titans start to cling on, despite Ymir's and Alan's relentless onslaught. Reiner forcing himself to raise his fist to shake the titans off, causing Bertholdt to be unprotected.
Alan growled as he pushed further in the titan horde, forcing his way to Reiner, not wanting Bertholdt to be eaten, he can not allow this, not now, not when they are so close of getting out of here. Bertholdt's cries, drove him forward, unaware of Armin getting passed him under the chaos.
More titans moved in beginning to attempt biting through Alan's armour, futile but annoying because they are only slowing Alan down even more. His eyes widened when he saw Armin suddenly appearing near Bertholdt, unable to see his words, Alan threw titans away from him, getting ever so closely.
Armin… I will kill you.
The thought running through his mind, the very person who forced him turn against Annie, the very person to figure it all out. He knew from the beginning; He should have been killed in that expedition. He is too smart for his own good. Alan will not allow for him to get away this time.
Alan rage took over as he crushed titans in his path, blinded to some scouts rushing pass him.
"You Fucking DEVIL'S!" hearing Bertholdt crying out with anger, as he drawn sword, wanting to kill Armin as well.
In a flash, blood spurted from Bertholdt's chest, as a gash was formed, Alan stopped, ignoring the titan on his leg trying to bite down on his armour.
How?
Until seeing a furious Erwin flying pass with only one arm. Their eyes met as Erwin fell, be caught by Frey in mid air as he was placed on his horse. Eren falling onto Mikasa's horse.
"RETREAT!" Hearing Erwin's command as the scouts move out, retreating away from them.
Damn these Bastards
Alan furiously thought, before his titan gave out a roar as he crushed the titan gnawing on him before attempting to chase after, hearing Bertholdt's yelps and Reiner's growl, turn his attention.
Alan fought the urge to chase, but his blood screeched within him, forcing him to help Reiner and Bertholdt. Eren is not worth chasing if his closest friend and brother is left to suffer.
Alan charged through forcing a titan away from Bertholdt, as Reiner's head turned and nodded in thanks.
Looking to the titan in Alan's grasp, then turning to the retreating soldiers. An idea formed.
With all his titan might, Alan launched the titan in the air, towards the scouts. If Commander Erwin likes to give them the trouble of these titans. He may as well have them back!
Reiner seeing the idea, if they cannot retrieve Eren, they might as well have him devoured and claim the one who eat him. Using one arm to protect Bertholdt, using the other to grab hold of any titans in reach and proceed to throw them towards the scouts.
Titans falling around them as the horse's panic, Mikasa eyes widened as she and Eren were thrown off, hitting the ground hard.
Chaos reigned as the titan fell from the sky, the cries of soldiers. Garrus being noticeably loud.
"Titan's are fucking flying!" Garrus exclaimed "When can titans fucking fly?!"
Bruno smacking Garrus round the face, tired of his voice already as Izzy cowered near him as they were forced into some tree's, jean nearby unconscious with Armin holding his blades.
"Enough Garrus!" Bruno roared "Instead of crying, Fight!" preparing to go all out, if he were to die, it were tod ie for protecting those he care about.
Mikasa watched the whole chaos unfold, her ankle sprained, unable to move as far without further injury, to her horro the smiling titan who ate Eren's mother approaches.
"Don't worry" Hannes rushed forward, that day he was a coward, now he will redeem his cowardice by taking the one down that brought strife to the family "Just get out of here"
Eren watched as Hannes was easily defeated, fountain of blood erupted, the Immortal titan slowly moved forward along with the Armoured.
Something in Eren just snapped, everyone is dying because of him, he could not protect his friends, nor have the strength to do either, always captured, he had enough.
"Eren" a soft voice rang in his ears, turning to see Mikasa's tears, her broken self-shown in the face of death.
"I'm sorry that we are here" Mikasa can only speak, "I always wanted you to wrap the scarf around me, like… like…" Mikasa croaked unable to say his name, even now Mikasa still loves him, her memories of Alan rushing through her mind, not willing to say it out loud, she wished she had more time with him.
Eren gazed upon her eyes, seeing that she only wanted a hug, to embrace her brother once more.
Alan you bastard, why did you have to hurt her. Eren closed his eyes, pulling away from her reach
"You will love again Mikasa" Eren declared "Not today but given time." Standing up facing towards the smiling titan now starting to kneel to reach as it did to his mother.
"Until then, I will wrap that scarf around your neck" Eren declared, before giving out a yell as he launched his fist into the smiling titans hand.
A jolt sparked in the titan shifters except Alan.
Alan looked to the Reiner's reaction, sensing a disturbing reacting in Bertholdt, Reiner and Ymir.
Something is not right, why did they react like that now? Jolting his head to see titans charging towards Eren's location.
Reiner gasped at the feeling as another jolt washed over him, seeing Alan, not reacting, of course he would not know, he is immune to the pull. Seeing the titan's now ravaging another titan, realisation dawned on him.
Eren has the coordinate, the power of the king, royal blood and Eren now have that power.
Reiner growled to Alan, to which the titan shot its head to Eren's direction, now realising the same thing.
Knowing this they charged forward, the power to control titans, lies in the hand of the worse person imaginable to hold it.
Eren Yeager.
Alan cursed, throwing all plans he thought of out the window, this was the last thing he expect, he should have eaten him when he had the chance, but how could he foresee this.
"GET AWAY FROM US!" hearing Eren's rage as jolt sparked through Reiner and Bertholdt halting their steps, only for Alan to halt noticing them halting.
Titan's gazed on the warriors, their gaze piercing hungrily, as they charge at them. Ymir bounding away with the others. Alan growled angrily, of course she would jump to their side when she ahd the chance.
Rage consumed Alan as he fend off the titans, swarming over them, Reiner being forced to defend himself, unable to protect Bertholdt, his screams echoed as Alan looked to them.
NO!
Alan thought, a feeling of fear, a foreign feeling washed over him, fear he felt ever since his father.
He can not lose either now, forget Eren, Reiner and Bertholdt are far more important, he may have lost Mikasa, but he can not lose his only family.
Family, Alan understands why he did what he did. Annie, Bertholdt, Reiner. They are his family; he would die for them.
Without warning Ymir pounced upon Reiner slashing away the titan about to devour Bertholdt. Shocking Alan, perhaps he misjudged her.
The scouts with Eren in tow escaping, as more titans rushed towards the warriors. Reiner, Bertholdt and Ymir wouldn't make it with the number of titans bombarding on top of them.
'Damn you Eren'
Alan breathed; he know what he must do.
The Immortal titan gave a deafening roar, halting the titans in their tracks, even the ones attacking Reiner, paused, before turning their attention to Alan.
Reiner eyes widened inside, 'NO' the thought rushing through him. Why did he do that? They could escape together.
Without more warning the titans rushed onto the Immortal titan, the last thing Reiner saw is brother being piled on with titans going on top.
He wanted to get in there and help him, SAVE him! Why did he sacrifice himself for them.
Ymir pulled Reiner's titan away, Bertholdt seeming to get the message.
"Reiner, he's giving us the chance to get away!" Bertholdt cried, as he watched in horror as he saw an arm ripped out of the pile, pieces of armour flying.
Relenting Reiner drawn tears as he ran, not looking back.
Mikasa watched the scene unfold, her heart bled, in the end, he was there. Her Heart was underneath that all along.
As both parties retreat, the sun setting down.
A/N: the end of season 2, what a ride, season 3 coming in, thank you guys for the review and damn, do not worry this is not the end of the story. More to come in future chapters.
McBastable: Bruno, is smarter than he let on, given enough time he would eventually connect the dots, future chapters will involve more on the scouts side, with a nice twist coming in. Thanks for the review.
EBREUSAUSAR: thanks for the review, glad your enjoying the story and helping you get through quarantine, to answer your question, his titan form is like the armoured titan, with brown hair, the eyes not being visible, just white, but it also can shed it's armour, making it able to move faster and be more flexible. More is unknown in what exactly the Immortal titan is, which you guys will find out in future chapters.
Myzor: In AOT universe there is always drama and twists. In the end will they kill each other? I can answer this one easily, they would very much want to avoid doing so, because of their feelings they would want to avoid doing so, but if the world being so cruel, they will try to resist more, showing how they truly care for each other, but circumstances forces them to go against what they truly want. But thank you for the review non the less, sorry if Alan is not what your expecting, but alas being a Warrior is never a happy one.
D0vahkiin28: Alan was a warrior from the very beginning, I will not even allow him to switch sides, because circumstances prevents him from doing so, his attachment to Reiner, the consequences if he does. As stated in this chapter he is family, like Eren is family to Mikasa. Perhaps that's a hint to Alan's mystery past and heritage. There's more I want to tell about Alan as a whole but we won't find out in future chapters. Maybe when we see Zeke in full would we find out more. I have planned Alan out down to the letter, which I added to the AOT universe. Thank you for the review and hope you are enjoying the story.