Aftermath
The horse galloped across the fields as the remaining garrison, Military police and scouts retreated back to wall Rose, no words are said, as the sacrifice made to retrieve Eren was consequential.
Jean clung onto Armin's back, struggling to hold on, his head bandaged from the chaos that ensued by the titans being hurled at them, Jean only found himself waking up with the unsteady pace of the horse.
Section Commander Frey kept to the front of the group, with Commander Erwin strapped to his back, the blood loss with his now missing right arm, caused the man to sway in and out of consciousness, yet the fearless commander willed himself awake, never the less Erwin need medical attention as soon as possible.
Frey reared his head looking to the soldiers behind lagging behind "Come on Soldiers!" Frey bellowed "You can slow down once your inside the walls, if you want to be titan food keep at your pace"
That made the soldiers quicken their paces, the thought of death seem to have a great impact on motivation, the quicker they are far away from death the better.
Armin glance to the side to see Mikasa, morose, her eyes distant as if she had forced herself into her own mind, forever lost within them.
Armin could not even imagine what is going through her mind, in a span of two days, her world have turned upside down, Annie, Alan's mental breakdown. Find out that he is the leader of the 'warrior's' that cause the deaths of thousands of people and friends.
Only to see him perish underneath all those titans that was meant for Reiner, ironic how he never want to hurt her, yet his death is what hurt her the most.
Armin, turned his gaze away, leaving him into his thoughts. The way Alan drawn the titans onto him, what other powers did he hide?
Somehow Armin felt that it is not the last time they be seeing Alan, Armin is certain that the man had another trick up his sleeve for any situation, yet Armin is sure Alan did not account the suicidal decisions Commander Erwin made with the horde of titans charging into them and how Eren has the ability to control Titans.
Eren's value for Humanity is apparent that he is not expendable and critically important. The Man who can control titans. Mankind's greatest weapon.
Speaking of who, Eren seem to be in a state of shock over the events, apparently he ordered titans to devour and destroy the titan that killed his mother, yet the question Eren is mulling over through his head, how did he activate that power?
It happened when he touched that titan, yet still able to order the titans to charge down the traitors. Is he special? Eren can only think, this new found realisation filled him with even more determination, his value doubly so, he would have to work hard, fight hard to earn his right for the people tha have sacrificed themselves for him.
Yet Eren can only think about Mikasa infront of him, nothing he would say can only wake her up from her stupor. Everyone around her must be thinking the same thing, pity for her, yet her composure is of stone, her emotions buried in the eyes of the public, not saying a word in case her own voice betrays her.
The walls drawing near as they reached the gate to the city.
"OPEN THE GATE!" Frey bellowed, seeing the garrison soldiers scatter, as they hurriedly crank the gears and the stretching of thick rope, as the gate to wall rose opened, Frey did not wait for the gate to open fully, as the soldiers rushed inwards, eager to be away from titan territory.
"Have Medical help on standby, we have wounded, that need tending to" Frey ordered.
"Under what rush Section commander?" Captain Kyle bellowed, his features rough, his black hair messy as it is tied into a bun, the thin silver glasses rested on the bridge of his crooked nose.
"Captain Kyle, as you can See Commander Erwin have lost an arm, if you stop me now, I throw you to the damn titans and piss on your chewed up corpse" Frey threatened, seeing the Captain paled when his eyes rested on the man behind him.
"Very well" Kyle clearing his throat to step aside "Head to the headquarters, is end garrison soldiers ahead to warn the medic's"
Frey nodded his head in thanks before darting ahead, seeing two garrison soldiers rushing ahead, more in fear of losing their Captain to the crazy threats of the survey corps.
Eren watched as commander Erwin was rushed into the building on a stretcher, Hange was left to see Frey as they convey reports, before the section commander turned to the group, seeing the garrison returning to their respective places within the wall, the military police, seem to be shell shocked from the ordeal, as they suffered heavy casualties.
Eren never like the MP's since they are members being in the top ten, never to be close to the titans, they supposed to be the best, but it goes to show that being in the top ten does not even matter anymore. Cowards the lot of them.
Frey turned his attention to the remaining scouts, as he eyed every one of them, until his eyes rested on Mikasa, as the poor girl gaze only rest at the floor, still retreated in her mind.
"Everyone take a separate room, get rested up, we be heading to wall Sina within a week" Frey ordered before turning to leave as he planted a cheeky grin "Try not to fuck too loud" hinting towards Sasha and Garrus as both are blushing as they look away from each other yet they doubt anything will happen due to the thoughts that rushed through their minds.
"We should eat before retiring to bed" Bruno suggested, as his thoughts are distracted.
Izzy seem to perk up with the prospect of food "Good idea, Sash, food" Izzy drawn out the last word as she happily grabbed hold of Sasha's hand dragging her away, despites Garrus's protests.
Bruno calmly walking behind, before Connie called out.
"Where are you guys going?" Connie asked, to which Bruno turned his head.
"In the direction of food" Bruno simply put before following the girls, his eyes rested on Christa, no, Historia, the poor girl, her best friend abandoning her to the enemy, the knowledge would be hard to swallow, then again a lot of facts would be hard to comprehend what happened today, Bruno's felt disgust and betrayed when he called Bertholdt a good person, Reiner to be the one to look out for all of them, Alan for being kind and yet they turn out to be the ones to destroy the walls, killed countless of innocents, but why? Why did it have to happen?
What was there endgame? A question for another day.
Historia, quietly walked away to a vacated room to sleep in, not too hungry to eat, the feeling of hurt filled her heart, the last words Ymir have said was that she was sorry, sorry to leave her alone in this cruel world? Sorry she aligned herself with those that have turned their backs on them. So many questions, for now Historia only desired sleep, wanting to forget about today.
Jean opted to turn in, due to his head wound, a lump with no gash, luckily, worst he will get is a migraine in the morning, lazily moving in Historia's direction, a long-needed rest wait for him.
Leaving Eren, Armin and Mikasa alone in the stoned hallway, one leading to the direction of food, the other the direction of sleep.
"Should we get something to eat, before turning in?" Armin requested, but seeing Mikasa's dauntless eyes, as if trying not to break, predicting her choice before Armin could ask.
Mikasa was already waling to where the rooms were kept, the need to just be in one of them, to be alone with her thoughts.
"Hey, Mikasa…" Eren called out before Garrus held onto Eren's shoulder, whirling his head to see the guy looking past Eren, to Mikasa, pity apparent in the black eyes of his.
"Let her be Eren" Garrus spoke, ignoring the protest about to erupt "If someone needs alone time, that girl needs it" nodding to Mikasa, disappearing into one of the rooms.
Silence dragged until a wailing cry echoed through the halls, Eren and Armin flinched, now noticing the silence Mikasa have been on the journey back, how she refused to talk as her thoughts were in disarray.
Eren clenched his fists into a ball, holding in the anger, never have he heard Mikasa reacting like this, the built up emotions crashing down and she is alone to face it, trying to move forward to where she hid herself, Garrus kept a firm grip on his shoulders.
"Let go" Eren warned, as Garrus still held firm.
"What can you do Yeager?" Garrus asked "Hold her? Tell her everything is ok?"
Eren flinched again, of course he would try that.
"That girl have seen the world collapsed in front of her, no doubt since Stohess, she worried over that bastard, and now the bastard turned out to be one of them? What can you possibly say to comfort that? Garrus chastising Eren's rash behaviour.
"When did you become the sound of reason?" Eren joked, yet the humour was not there.
"I've always been the voice of reason, just because I'm fucking shit breath doesn't mean I can't be the voice of reason" Garrus rolled his eyes, not the greatest counter argument but anything is better to try and console a devastated woman that would prefer to be alone and come to terms on her own.
"He's right, sort of" Armin spoke up "Give her time, it has been a long day, we eat, and everything will eventually be ok"
Eren cast his eyes on the barren hallway as the cries still resounded.
Eren will kill that bastard in the worst way imaginable, sadly the titans got to him before he could do anything about it.
Nothing was said that night, as they ate and drank their fill, the revelation of Eren's newfound power to control titans, unaware the desperate attempts of Alan and Reiner in retrieving him.
All retired to the rooms provided, as Eren walked past the room where Mikasa lie, pressing his ear to the door, not a sound to be made as all was silent, sighing he searched for a room which is closer, feeling powerless to help and protect her, Eren clenched his teeth, fighting the anger down, he trusted the guy to do Mikasa right, trusted to protect her when he can't.
Alan fooled them all and now Mikasa is paying for it dearly, why couldn't he saw it sooner, the damage is done, Eren must get plenty of rest for tomorrow, ever since today they need to understand his power if they were to fight against Reiner and Bertholdt again.
Unaware Mikasa lay on the bed, unable to sleep, as she stared at the ceiling, memories flashing by her, unable to control it.
"Do not be sorry for showing weakness to me, I love you no matter what you do"
"No Matter What"
Those were the words spoken to each other before the expedition, how real it felt, how he shown his vulnerability, his emotions laid bare, clutching to her heart, he must have wanted to tell her, those moments of hesitancy that he shown.
Looking back, Alan resisted at first, but eventually gave in, ever since Annie, she knew she was losing him to the darkness she recognised within.
Can she really blame him for hiding something so terrible, if he were to tell her, would she still love him the same? Mikasa blinked as she tried her hardest to hate him, yet what he has done before that, was not fake, he shown care to not just her, but Armin and Eren, but the man that she witnessed perished underneath the titans, was not that man she loved, what she saw was a ruthless man, the warrior that was hidden.
Closing her eye's, listening to the steady beat of the heart, it mourned the loss, wishing it more time to love. Yet Mikasa, now finds herself even after everything she has seen, what she have felt, after her despair crashing down, coming to terms that Eren is her only family now, she still loves the man, her man.
The world can be so cruel, but there is no beauty without him.
Morning came as the soldiers recovered from their ordeal, they trained, and they thought of recent events, attempting to forget.
Few days have gone by as Mikasa refused to talk despite attempts from her friends, she prefer to be left undisturbed. Noticing Eren's frustrations, they moving to the Scouts HQ near wall Sina, apparently Hange and Frey agreed, once the Commander recovers, they should move far away from wall Maria in case the armoured titan and the colossal titan attack while they are still recovering.
Erwin woke from his slumber as leaned up, noting he was in bed, looking to his right now non-existent arm, strange, it is something he must get used to.
"About time you woke up" a voice echoed, Erwin glanced to the sound seeing Levi leaning against the wall, in his casual clothes looking him over "You look like shit"
Erwin chuckled, a pleasant Levi response, noting to of his section commanders noting his awoke posture.
"Commander" Frey saluted "We awaited for you to awake from your deep slumber, it has been four days since the titan attack"
Erwin nodded, he is grateful that Frey cut to the chase and told him how long he was out without asking, he has good initiative, yet not too keen on making sacrifices like he.
"There is something you should know" Hange butted in "We went to Ragako village with Connie Springer and confirmed the titan laying on his house shown a striking resemblance to his mother"
Wait what? Erwin trying to register the information, "What are you trying to say hange?"
Hange looked to Frey, in return nodded "We come to believe that the titans use to be human"
The atmosphere stilled, at the new discovery, titans used to be human?
Levi felt a bit sick at the thought that he destroyed what use to be remnants of humanity yet seem more disturbed that Erwin was smiling at the new piece of information, as if another piece of the puzzle just placed itself.
"Huh" Erwin spoke, becoming excited at this newfound knowledge "Anything else?" his voice with renewed vigour and more determined in finding out the truth his father spoke about that led to his disappearance.
"Eren Yeager, apparently controlled titans for a brief moment, it is the reason why we manage to escape" Frey adding in the information.
"Your Shitting me" Levi, spoke, intrigued that there is more to Eren's power than they led to believe.
"If I may commander" Hange stepped forward "Once we get to our HQ near wall Sina, I would love to do more experiments to fully understand Eren's power"
The excitement oozing out of Hange like a plague as Erwin thought through the information given, there is another reason why Hange have requested, they are to be against the enemy who have perfect control over their titans, plus the knowledge in using it to full effect, the damage they would have caused if Eren has no understanding, the risk of Eren losing control is minimal against if he were to go in a fight against the titan shifters again. Yet Erwin need to clarify one more thing.
"What of the Immortal Titan?" Erwin questioned, fully aware of the name Alan possessed.
"Sacrificed itself, so the others can get away" Frey answered, yet doubtful.
"Wait, there was a third?" Levi shot around, eyeing the group sceptically, he have recently arrived, and also to hand pick members into Levi squad.
"Ah, you didn't know" Frey casually spoke.
Levi scowled "No shit I didn't know, would have been useful to know when I got here yesterday"
"It was Alan Braun" Erwin spoke, knowing Levi would not bite harshly if it was coming from him, since he has been in a coma for a few days.
Levi leaned back to the wall, a loss for words, the kid had potential, and a great deal of strength even Levi could feel, but to be a titan, that may have answered a lot of his questions.
"One less piece of shit to deal with then" Levi just spoke, not too happy with this new piece of information, he kind of liked the kid ever since the little spar they had.
Erwin nodded then turned to Hange "Granted, but only to see the limitations of his titan power, but also to see if he can tap into controlling the titans, that would be a great benefit for all of mankind"
Hange squealed excitedly, much to the frustrating to both Levi and Frey.
"Levi, Frey" Erwin drawing their attention "I come to know that you both wish to conduct new members to your squad, due to heavy losses"
"Yeah, the Immortal Titan, wiped out my squad in the attack" Frey spat, pretty sour at the thought "I got an eye on a few, no doubt the captain does as well"
"Yeah, the brats seem to survive the worse" Levi agreed, eyeing a few from the 104th "We can split a few, but I get Eren's sister"
"Got a thing for Asians?" Frey teased, seeing the scowl forming on Levi's face, made it more enjoyable.
"More like since Eren is under my supervision, I need the best, plus she needs to keep an eye on since of what happened" Levi stated out, all to aware of the relationship she once had.
Frey stood in thought and nodded "I get the guy that pisses you off quickly" referring to Garrus, the mere mention of the guy made Levi scowl become even worse.
"You can take that shit stain for all I care; you can get the partner as well and clean up after they fuck" Levi pushing the pair onto Frey.
Frey laughed out loud, already enjoying the idea of catching them in the act and coming up with ways to punish them.
"Very well, for the time being, Levi and Frey you two will have to cooperate with each other, since I rather have those near Eren, any objections?" Erwin declared, leaving no room to negotiate.
"As long as Frey handles the two fucking rabbits" Levi said in his own manner of speaking, to which Frey only nodded in agreement.
"Very good, we will leave tomorrow to the HQ, there are further things I need to make clear" Erwin said, a feeling he had ever since he woke up.
Sun rises above the walls, as Mikasa calmly walked the edge, looking out into the distance, few titans roaming about as a few stood watching, eyeing the walls, sensing the humans residing within, it is like a dinner bell, it was never understood properly but the titans are drawn to a large population of humans, it is like an all you eat buffet for them, some got close to the wall, where the garrison eyed them critically, ever since the knowledge that humans can turn into titans, leaving nothing to chance they blast them away with cannon fire, hoping to destroy them in a single shot.
Efficient and devastating, they only target those that got near to the wall.
Mikasa can only watch as a small titan gets blown away, watching it steam and disintegrate, yet couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, titans are always watching yet it feels like someone is watching her specifically, turning her head to see Eren standing nearby, his eyes planted on her.
She has been isolating herself, unable to face them, some soldiers had the nerve to question her, asking her if she knew all along.
How can she? She swore to protect Eren, why would she align herself threat would bring him harm, yet their point is that bedded one of them. The thought brought anger in blood as it rushes through her veins. She trained, she ate, she slept, a pattern she took on for a few days, receiving orders Frey that they be heading out tomorrow, to the HQ near Wall Sina.
Even Captain Levi came up to her, she expected him to scrutinise her, yet he did not, he told her, she is in his elite squad, a squad to supervise Eren, it took her off guard, yet was more than happy to oblige, yet his words after, put her into thought, she never thought she would hear from him.
"Do not regret the choices you make, move on with no regret"
Wise words from a guy whose attitude, and mouth is as vulgar as anyone would expect from Humanities strongest soldier.
Yet her thoughts return to him, her heart.
"You're thinking about him, are you?" hearing Eren, the frustration obvious.
No reply as Eren waited and stood, silence irritated him.
"Move on from him Mikasa, he betrayed you, forget about him" Eren gritted his teeth "If he loved you, he would have never done what he did"
Mikasa hissed a pained breath, how is it easy to move on just like that? Unable to speak once again.
Eren rubbed the back of his head, realising how harsh it sound, began to think of a new way to snap her out of it.
"Mikasa, just let him go" Eren began again but more softly "He chose his side, you have chosen yours"
"But he's dead" Mikasa suddenly said, fighting back the tears, her heart breaking once more.
Eren, now a loss for words, hating the fact Garrus is right, there are no words of comfort.
"Then keep fighting" Eren spoke "We are family Mikasa, I don't want to lose you to yourself, just keep moving forward"
Moving Forward.
Dammit Eren, those are his words, his words of encouragement, yet the feeling felt right at the same time. For Eren's sake, she would have to.
"You are right" Mikasa softly spoke "I have to keep moving forward, you're the only one I have left right now"
Eren lowered his eyes before returning them to Mikasa's grey eyes, a small smile grew on his lips.
"I know" Eren spoke "Let's go, Armin and the others are worried about you" gesturing her way from the edge of the wall, Mikasa looked back, before walking along side Eren, finding a new purpose yet her heart still remained with him.
The next day come to a few people displeasure as Garrus was marching half naked out of the main building with Frey in tow, half infuriated and half amused at the sight, Sasha covering her face in embarrassment, as she crept by Bruno and Izzy, fully clothed.
Apparently Garrus and Sasha was caught in Commander Frey's bed, as Frey was finishing off reports for the commander only to return them two going at it in his bed. The look on Levi's face was more amusing how he gave Frey a told you so look.
"Do I have to ride, with my balls hanging out?" Garrus complained, as everyone saddled up, Bruno shoving Garrus's pants and trousers in his pack, Frey ordered to give it him back when they arrive to the HQ.
"If you didn't go fucking in my bed Dreiken, we wouldn't be comparing which balls are bigger" Frey spat, pointing to the horses balls that Garrus have to ride on.
"Those are bigger than mine" Garrus cried out "How was I supposed to know that was your room?"
Frey shot him a look as if he was talking to someone incredibly stupid "Never mind knowing if it was your room or now, I'm curious to know what made you decide to fuck next to the commander's room where you are all informed upon?!"
Garrus paled looking over to Sasha's ghost like expression of pure horror as said commander rode pass them, not even looking at their direction, but all too aware that commander Erwin heard it all.
"So quit your fucking whining, ride that horse until your balls are small enough to compare to a fucking titans balls" Frey ordered, having none of the shit Garrus is spewing out of his mouth.
Izzy leaning to Bruno "Titans doesn't have balls do they?", to which Jean and Bruno laughed to their hearts content, how they love Izzy's innocence sometimes, the girl is too much to bare sometimes.
"I think that's the point Izzy" Jean chuckled "your beard is coming nicely Bruno" noticing the beard forming around Bruno's face, despite being bald, his facial hair seem to become quite longer.
"As Garrus once said, puberty and a midlife crisis have hit me at the same time" Bruno recited from memory "But yes, it is coming quite fine, I am in a good mood"
"Your going to make it bushy?" Izzy asked, quite mesmerised with the beard forming.
"As it would naturally come, my father had a fine beard" Bruno grinned "We may meet him, if we have leave to do so when we arrive near wall Sina"
"you used to live in Stohess correct?" Connie asked, as he overheard the conversation.
Bruno gave the little profound genius a glance and nodded "Indeed, he made weapons for the military, if my memory serves me well, he has a contract with Garrus's father" looking to Garrus in case he didn't hear it, Garrus was never fond of his father being mentioned.
Connie shot up coming to realisation "Wait, Garrus father is the owner of Dreiken Merchant association"
"Of course, you idiot" Jean chastising "His last name Dreiken is a dead giveaway, I hear the Dreiken's have great connections to the royal family and nobles alike"
Bruno hummed in confirmation, regretting to mention Garrus's father "We have met during a business meeting, we became close friends shortly after that"
"Wow, I like to know more of you Bruno" Izzy beamed, her smile innocent and beautiful, the three boys around her blushed at the sight, Historia seem to be quiet and taken the company of Armin, who seem to distract her thoughts from Ymir.
Good, the more focused they are the better, As the group left the gates, unaware they are being watched.
"That be one silver sir" A elder woman, selling her fruit at her stall, as a man watching, the grey cloak covering his head and face, pulled out a silver coin out of his pouch, to place in the woman's open hand, before taking the apple in return.
Taking a bite out if it, as the stranger strolled past the gates, its eyes focused on the group riding out in the distance. Narrowing them close as it sighted the target where Eren Yeager rode in the formation.
Turning to the main building where the commanders came out, no, they would have the information on them, heading to their new base of operations. A smile crossed the face, as a new plan was formed.
A/N: A little breather since there are time lapse between events in AOT, for Erwin's recovery and the time the scouts have to go into hiding because of the royals plus I get to be creative and create a bit of Garrus comedy to satisfy my own amusement and a bit of character interaction before shit hits the fan, but overall I am happy to see people are enjoying this fiction and the reviews, pushed me to move forward, 3 chapters in a span of few days, I'm spoiling you guys too much :) but much love to you guys, I appreciate the critic and support all the same.
Myzor: I can understand having Expectations when enjoying the development between to characters, yet I have planned and thought about every step of the way in this story, I understand the need to know about a few details, but on can not rush without ruining the story and the feels, well the feels and drama we have to overcome, As Alan Braun say Keep moving Forward.
EBREUSAUSAR: Thank you for the kind words, I aim to have the chapters come out in good quality, I wouldn't mind some negative critic if it allows me to develop and hone my writing skills but I aim for my readers to enjoy it non the less. Thank you for the review and hope you enjoy the story so far.
SaintlyGrim: I'm estactic you enjoy and love the story so far, and yes you nailed on the point how everyone seem to enjoy and love that the OC remained as a warrior despite the circumstances, I agree there are not a lot of warrior fanfics with the OC not switching sides because they see the wrong in their actions or they are romanced with one of them, I see that as defeating the purpose of them switching to begin with, Can't create drama and feels if it goes cliché. Hope your basic goes well, I respect those that join the military. I salute you sir and thank you for the review, it is greatly appreciated :) hope you can enjoy the story as it goes by during basic.