A Warrior's Gambit
Alan kept his distance as the group rode out, an hour's travel, the only few keeping their closeness to him is Mikasa, Garrus and Izzy.
Bruno held back along with Connie and Jean, apparently they like to keep all angles cleared with Alan involved, not that Alan minds, he needs them to help part of his plan, how delightful, that everything is going according to what he had in mind, although, Alan enjoyed feigning ignorance or playing the part of not having the upper hand, since it usually catches his enemies unawares, Alan was more delighted that Eren have been captured by the opposing side, a reason to use to get close to the scouts, not that they need to know, yet his other plan was to kill Armin, yet Mikasa…
Alan frowned at the thought of her, besides Reiner, Mikasa is his other weakness, why did he have to say all that stuff to her, why did he even kiss her? What purpose did it have? Hey, I do not want to fight you and I still love you but that is ok, I plan to still be your enemy? Why could not he leave it well enough alone, knowing it would compromise his senses.
Alan knew the answer all too well, the ping of guilt welling up again in his stomach, if things go according to plan on their 'Rescue' mission, he be able to have ample movement, and a lot closer to his true goal, how fortunate he was so happen upon the treasure of information.
Zeke gave him the mission, if they were to be revealed, to go solo and capture Eren his way, but the information given, Alan decided to forgo that plan, he has a promise to keep, and he tends to keep it. If Alan gets stupidly lucky, he might be able to take care of a problem of his own, yet the guilt creeps back up as it would involve hurting Mikasa, this time he doubts she would forgive him this time.
The warrior within himself, the blood remained calm as Alan breathed, keeping his sense alert, the mild conversation, yet Garrus seem to be the most irritating, such a loud man, still the guy has a part to play, his anger towards his brother and father would play a role, thank you shadow unit information.
Levi, keeping Armin close by, that may need to change, perhaps? No, the scouts would be on top of him if he were to go against them during the rescue and Alan would not bare go against his word of their temporary truce, he would have to wait and hope for the best.
Mikasa kept her eye on him, seeing his face stoic, but his eyes, she could see the warrior in place, perhaps this is where the focus comes from, hearing a question coming from Izzy.
"So Mikki" Izzy asked, as the horses slowed down, Alan amused at the sudden nickname, making friends indeed "What took you so long getting back to the house back there?"
Mikasa blinked, before moving her scarf to her face, hiding the blush "Rest room" is all she can mutter, Alan grunted in amusement.
"What so funny traitor?" Garrus spoke "Had to watch her take a piss?" Mikasa glowing red at the thought, why did Garrus have to be so vulgar.
"I don't do shit like that Daddy's boy" Alan retorted, amused that Garrus burned bright red, his father at the top of his list "I kept close by, like a man of his word"
"A man of his word?" Garrus scoffed "Ironic who's words you follow, going to betray you titan buddies since your trucing with us?"
Alan shot him a glare, he's not going to stoop low yet then again, being a traitor doesn't settle well "I still throw you to the titans while me and my titan buddies have a cold one and watch the titans shit you out"
"Oi!" an annoyed voice from the front "I throw you both to the titans myself" Frey shouted out, not amused with the squabble, at a time like this, they need to be silent.
"I make sure that one stays dead" Levi nodded to Alan, how delightful, should Alan feel special that they know he be the one to survive being thrown to the titans and Garrus to be mushed paste.
"We are getting close" Hange spoke out, seeing the church glowering in the distance, sun is rising "We all know the plan?" Hange spoke out, all nodded and murmurs of yes sir.
Plan is rather simple, they go in, throw smoke bombs, kill the Dog's group, stop Eren from being eaten and be out before they know it and be having tea by noon.
Alan can't help that he have been left out of the most crucial details, courtesy by Armin, it is wise not to trust him, never the matter Alan, always adapt to the situation, if it goes wrong, he'll try and salvage and make shit turn into gold. At the moment, capturing Eren is not on his to do list, keeping him out of royal hand at the moment is top priority, knowing only royal blood can use the coordinate power, Eren is just a titan shifter, yet how did he come across the power to begin with, unless… Idiots, they turned a royal blood in a pure blood titan, doesn't matter, the titan is dead, but are there more? Another question to bring up with Zeke when they rendezvous again.
The church in front, unsaddling, Levi have them stop from a distance while he checks out the area with Frey, Alan could see it is clear in the area, the question is where the trap has been laid, obviously inside the cavern.
"We could have some of our scouts find other entrances" Frey suggested as they saw the hatch leading down into the cavern, a stone stairway leading underneath he earth, torches were placed to illuminate the corridor.
"No time, we be dead and Eren eaten by the time you find another way" Levi denying the suggestion "We just throw smoke grenades in different directions and hope we don't have our guts spilled out when we rush in"
"An obvious trap then?" Frey frowned, why could not anything go into their favour.
Levi turned to Frey, not too amused "They have Eren, you expect them not to prepare a rescue mission, I know Kenny, he will be waiting"
Frey rolled his eyes, yes it was a stupid question, ever since the expedition their string of luck has not been too great, one hurdle after another in a matter of a week, it would be nice to have some breathing room "We have enough gas and blades to get the job done, let's hope those smoke bombs work"
"They will work, if I know shitty four eyes, she does not go half ass on her inventions" Levi backing up Hange, she's too excitable for her own good but when it matters, she has the best made inventions that humanity have seen.
Frey nodded, went to retrieve the rest by peering out the main door and beckon with a hand signal to come, sooner or later a few of the scouts walked in, a bit cramped for their liking, Garrus notice that Alan is in the building with them.
"I hate to be the bringer of shitty news but it would be pretty awkward if we were to all die right now" Garrus bluntly spoke, Bruno twitched to his direction, then laying his eyes on Alan, understanding the mouth.
"It would indeed, Captain, we must press forward" Bruno suggests, Levi nodding, seeing the not too interested Alan, he wouldn't do anything with Mikasa near him, that is for sure, but he would not take the risk.
Moving down the stairs, the narrow passage grows wider and wider by the minute, the scouts can breathe for a moment, seeing the end a wooden door, Levi rest his hand on the knob, an idea came to mind.
"Make yourself useful" Levi commented to Alan, Alan simply rolled his eyes, typical, yet not unexpected, walking to his side Alan simply kicked the door wide open.
The scouts behind jumped backwards expecting some kind of explosion, but to their amazement shining blue crystals stood on the other side, the entrance to the cavern shining bright as the moon.
Alan walked through, not too big to set up an ambush, seeing a arch way, a cave entrance of some kind, that is where they we will be waiting on the other end of that entrance, listening closely, he could hear orders being issued as the opposition on the other end scramble.
"Looks like they knew we are here" Alan murmured.
"No shit, you kicked the fucking door down, you might as well transform" Garrus gritted through his teeth, Alan snorted in amusement, maybe he should have done that, then they all be dead, which doesn't suit Alan for the time being.
"They knew we be coming" Levi spoken dryly "At least we know where they be"
"Hange, get your squad ready to throw in those smokes, once Levi moves in, your squad follow in to provide more smoke cover, Levi squad and my squad, get ready bloody your hands" Frey commanded, as many nodded, prepared to engage on the order.
Alan scoffed, getting their hands bloodied, they know nothing of the sort, thinking of that, looking down at his own hands, the kid he killed in Shinganshia, Marco, Marcus, the scouts he murdered along side many Military police soldiers flashed through his mind he has truly bloodied his hands to protect those he cares about.
Mikasa watched as he flexes and clenches his hands, seeing the guilt and conflict etched his face, perhaps this would be the best time to try and get through to him.
"Alan, I'm with you" Mikasa whispered, seeing him jolt his head to her "We will get through this together"
Alan's eyes slanted, as if contemplating for a moment before giving a small smile "Yeah we will"
Armin observed the interaction, seeing him like this does raise a few questions, but if Mikasa trusts him, Armin should at least give him the benefit of the doubt, for now he should watch what he does during the next few moments, not forgetting that Alan is only having a temporary truce.
Creeping along the entrance, Alan listened as all have gone silent, they are waiting, first person to move through that opening will decorate the beautiful blue crystals into a nice shade of bright red, waiting for the signal, looking to Levi, as he unsheathed the blades in his scabbard, both nodding as if coming into sync.
Levi nodded to Hange as Hange waved her hand to signal the release of the bombs, as the bombs were thrown in, confused murmurs could be heard, until small explosions echoed the smoke seeping through.
"NOW" Levi ordered, as the scouts rushed through the cover of dense red, green, and black smoke, launching themselves into the waiting confused MP's.
Levi thrusted forward into the first MP he could see, slicing it's neck as he cut through like butter, Alan leapt to the side distracting one as Mikasa, flanked from the side, plunging her blade into the neck, as the life been ripped out of the poor soul.
Hearing a cry from above, Alan turned round, launching his hook anchor into the woman screaming at him, bringing her to him as he reeled the wire in, until he came into his grasp, with a swift movement breaking her neck, tossing her slump body to the side, before launching to the crystal pillars that are formed all over the cavern.
If Alan have the chance to explore and investigate the titan crystals, it would be a marvel how they were created since the titans crystals have properties that no one have seen, which explains how it was used in their ODM gear, but sadly the technicality would have to be discussed later since there are more pressing matter to attend to.
"Get that one" Caven cried out, seeing Alan rushing forward, swerving from pillar to pillar, recognising the threat.
Two aimed at his direction, Alan manoeuvred behind the pillar narrowly missing the shots fired, least they recognise a threat when they see one, eyeing Mikasa dodging to the right pillar, she needs to keep a distance, Alan grimaced, this is one of those times that a single shot to the gut for him would force him to transform, he maybe good but the bullets fired are a lot faster than his body, it be luck that he doesn't get hit.
Hange's group advancing from the rear, firing more smoke bombs into the area, giving them more cover to advance.
"Kill those bastards firing those smokes" Caven ordered, she seem to be looking around specifically, following her gaze Kenny is already in a fight with Levi, firing above, the guy having the time of his life.
"Dreiken, take those three and get after them" Caven ordered, the older brother start shouting orders to the nearest three, they see the threat again, take out the cover and they be sitting ducks.
Alan kept his eyes out, seeing the opportunity, present itself, Armin becoming cornered, he could let him die, unlikely, Bruno and Frey would come to his rescue, narrowing his eyes, Alan gritted his teeth, before launching like the wind past a few MP's, Alan dived skimming the floor as fire spread near him, he has to keep up the pace, slowing down would mean titan as long as he doesn't get shot in the head.
Armin swerved as his body grew tired, all the training he is not meant for such endurance, two finally cornered him, as they reload their weapons, in an instant one was decapitated, Alan rushing towards him, his eyes intense, Armin knew he shouldn't have trusted him, yet the feeling of his hands on his body confused him, one moment he is on him, one moment he is thrown in the air away from harm, confusion set in once more as Alan took a bullet to his arm, as Alan winced in pain, as his arm riddled with holes, fantastic that would take a minute to heal.
Mikasa seeing the injury rushed to the one responsible, thrusting her sword into the back, cutting the wire for the guy to plunge to his death, adrenaline and anger swelled in her body, but lessened to see steam emerging from his arm, as they landed, with a heavy thud.
"Are you ok?" Mikasa concerned, Alan waving his other arm as if it were nothing.
"Just give me time to heal, I expected worse but thankfully I am just holy" Alan grinned before setting his eyes on Armin, confused.
"You saved me? Why?" Armin exclaimed, not too sure on what to make of him, Alan frowned for a bit before walking away.
"Temporary truce, it would look bad on me if I were to leave you for dead" Alan murmured before flexing his injured arm, looking like new, the bullets went through which is good, before setting off, seeing the group Caven ordered going after Hange's group.
"Why did he do that Mikasa? Thought he wanted to kill me?" Armin questioned, still in disbelief.
"Perhaps he had a change of heart" Mikasa smiled, Armin felt glad that she could smile again "I trust him"
You had the chance to be rid of him!
No, not yet
Garrus and Sasha dodged and swerved as they throw bombs in, covering Connie and Jean as they rushed through the dense smoke, pretty useful, Garrus mused.
"Dreiken, take those three and get after them" Garrus could hear his last name echo through his ears, Christian is here.
Sasha sensing his anger boil "Don't you dare" Sasha warned, knowing if he were to rush to his direction he would be killed "think like a hunter, what is the one thing I manage to teach you?"
"Patience" Garrus growled, Sasha grinning, it was one lesson she has been drilling into him ever since they became a couple. Garrus hated the lesson, every time she goes in the woods, hell even during sex she teaches it to him, who teaches patience during sex, it should be bang, done, wait, that sounded wrong in his head, should be a lot of bangs in that sentence then done.
"Focus Garrus" Sasha chided, the woman seeming to know what's Garrus is thinking, Garrus thinks Sasha is already thinking why the fuck He is thinking about sex at a moment like this, cannot be helped, it is a guy thing.
Hiding behind the rough crystal pillar, the sound of Christian giving orders, as they zipped past them, more focused on Hange's group.
Sasha nodded as they zip form one pillar to pillar, Garrus seeing Alan saving Armin, what the fuck? Didn't he have a vendetta against the blonde?
"Hange watch out!" Moblit cried out as Christian and his group charged in, firing randomly around, a scout fell to the blast.
Christian shot at the placed explosive above Hange, as shrapnel scattered, before rushing in, impacting into the distracted woman, before crushing her into the crystal pillar, knocking her unconscious.
Watching the section commander fall helplessly as she hit the ground hard, Garrus roared as he flew high then free falling towards Christian who is currently reloading in mid-air. The shock on his face was priceless as he used his gun to deflect the blade aiming for his neck, both forcing the two to hit the ground, Garrus spitting out blood as he stood up, with Christian doing the same, minus the blood, lucky bastard.
"Well, well Brother" Christian snide "Came to pay your last respects?"
"No, just came to kill you" Garrus spat "Why did you kill Rickard? Why did you kill my sister in law and their unborn child, what they have done to deserve death?"
Swiping his blade towards Christian, above the three MP's token out by Alan and Sasha, as they circle about, Alan halting Sasha from aiding Garrus. Good he needs to do this by himself.
Christian unsheathed his own knife blocking the blow, straining on the pressure.
"Why? They have committed treason against the crown by aiding you, father gave the order, I gleefully took the chance to put him down" Christian sneered, yet smiled at the thought of killing his brother, Garrus roared swinging forcibly like a rabid animal as Christian dodged and blocked with ease, the older brother obvious have more strength than the younger sibling.
"The wife, I killed first, seeing the despair in Rickards eyes, so satisfying, then I slit his throat, as he bound, accepting death" Christian rubbing the salt in the wound even further.
"You fucking Bastard" Garrus roared now using both of his swords "I will kill you and you will die like the piece of shit you always were, then father would be next"
"Father is untouchable, a noble designated by the crown, that bastard Erwin's plan of a coup will fail and he will be executed" Christian grinned, before slashing the scar on Garrus's face, reopening where his father have cut him, blood pouring down as Garrus yelled in pain, before being kicked back.
"In the end brother, you always will be on the losing side" Christian boasted as he point the gun to his head.
"See you in hell you fucker" Garrus winced, waiting for the fire, yet did not come until a roar came as Bruno pounced on the elder brother.
Garrus shocked to see Bruno, his throat peered burnt, as he punched Christian with fury he has not seen. Izzy rushing to his side, hoisting Garrus up, as Bruno fought with Christian, taken aback from the burly man.
"What happened to Bruno?" Garrus gasped, seeing red marks over his head and throat.
"Got to close to an exploding barrel, not close enough to kill him but enough to burn him" Izzy frowned, her heart stopped when the surprise explosion caught them off guard, Bruno pushed her out of harms way taking the hit himself, such a considerate soul.
Christian kicked Bruno off his face bloodied and bruised, yet the anger still there in his eyes, aiming his gun.
"Bruno, should have known you be sniffing his…." Christian stopped in his speech as blood dripped from his mouth, halting his movement, a blade piercing through his stomach, Alan peering from behind, not too amused at the scene.
"If you going to kill someone, just do it, no talking" Alan released the sword from behind as Christian fell forward on his knees.
Alan looking to Garrus, shaking his head, weak. Before heading forward, Moblit is dragging Hange out of the entrances to the cavern, until a rumble started, something is happening, seeing bright light at the other side as if someone is transforming.
"We got to get out of here now!" Alan bellowed, seeing few scouts getting out Armin included, yet no Mikasa, she must have gone to Eren.
Bruno as well, seeing Garrus staring at his dying brother.
"Garrus, we must leave now!" feeling the rumble getting intense, pushing Izzy out the way the others escaped to the surface.
"Go on Brother" Christian seethed "Why don't you finish me off now" accepting his fate, that bastard who gutting him, he hopes he be crushed from the rumble that would happen, yet Garrus, he wants nothing more than to see him dead.
"No" Garrus stepping back "Killing you wouldn't bring my family back" turning away, launching his ODM to the exit, thankfully they are closer, hearing his brothers screams and insults, he is better than him? Is he?
Reaching to the surface and riding on their horses to get away from the churhc, the rumbling continued Garrus watched to see the earth shake and crack, to their horror a gigantic titan emerged from underneath as it crawled slowly from underneath.
"What the fuck is that?" Garrus exclaimed.
Alan simply watched with interest, apparently something did not go as planned, as half the body slowly dragged itself out in the distance, steam protruding furiously, he thought Bertholdt's titan was big but that titan is maybe five times the size, it's flimsy arms moved ever so slowly, moving forward.
"Where's the nearest district?" Alan asked, Frey turning his head, then back to the titan.
"Two hours ride, the Capital to the north why?" Frey questioned "But we need to see if Captain Levi got Eren out of that mess, they were the ones closest to the explosion"
"That's a pure titan, and what do they do?" Alan asked again.
Frey paused for a moment, recollecting the lectures Hange gave, until realisation dawned "They go to the closest largest population of humans"
"Bingo, with that size, it would no doubt crumble the wall with the weight" Alan mused, oh how he is enjoying, that means he gets to tag along to the capital, which is in the direction of Katrine district, his main target of interest, still he has loose ends to deal with before heading there, perhaps this titan would give him the opportunity to tie up those ends.
Now where is Eren, best get his temper out the way before continuing forward, thankfully Levi and Mikasa would be there to hold him back, maybe rescuing Armin's life would be able to ease some of the tension as the guy seem more comfortable being near him, as if convinced through some logic, good.
Alan's moves into motion, a purpose striding in his steps, he just needs to do this one last moment of helping them, ignoring the guilt trying to seep through, he can't faulter now, not when he has a promise to keep, he will bring them all home.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, I have been reading the reviews, quite happy that some were negative, all reviews are welcome, because it helps me reconsider the direction I want this story to go, one stood out and it made me realised what Alan is truly is and I seem to follow the actual AOT story, naïve as I was, I realised by adding this character in, would change it as a whole, replanning how it will go from here, thank you for the reviews and hope you guys enjoy the story.
Mysteriousstand: I have reread the previous chapters, I came to agree that it is cringe even for me, that I have focused on that too much, thus straying what I have vision this character to be, thank you for the review, it is what I needed, too much positive reviews with negative tends to make me think that I am going the right way about it, but thank you non the less.
Myzor: nope not blood brothers, not related at all, Alan's backstory is in bits, like puzzle pieces, I never intend to give the answers straight away, I aim to make you guys question.
Freeymir: each to their own, not everyone would enjoy this story, some do. I'm using this a learning curve in writing, when I come to write a real book.
Cecilia: Frey is not going to fall in love, he's an older guy who thinks about both his troops and his responsibility.
Eats atpsus344: unique name won't lie, be cool to see what people say about it, expecting many mixed responses lol.