Duty and Freedom
A Choice was given, Take the freedom you desire or bound to the Duty your forced to take.
A fist came swinging to Alan's direction as he simply stepped back, each step at a time, swerving to the right, ducking under another fist, this is starting to get tiresome, not that he is tired just the fact Eren couldn't hit him.
Ever since they emerged from some random hole, how they survived Alan can only guess, Levi ran off in a different direction, Mikasa only carried Eren, since the markings on his face, he transformed, yet the closeness of the pure titan and sheer size should eviscerate them, only the armoured titan and his titan could survive due to the armoured plating and plus the titans body endure such heat, or maybe being near Bertholdt, gave an immunity? Does not matter the fact is they should be dead.
But ever since Eren cast his eyes on him, all that energy seems to come out of nowhere, amusing how he is using it to try and beat him to a pulp, morning is rising and they seem to forget they have a gigantic titan dragging itself across the floor to the capital, it was good to see Historia alive, the girl seem to want to say something to Alan, but seem to choose another time to do so.
"Eren stop!" Armin called out, Eren halting his fist as it came inches to Alan's face, amusement evident.
"Armin, do you know what he has done? I told if I saw their faces again, I will give them the most painful death" Eren glared furiously, Mikasa seemed to watch the hole spectacle, not even daring to choose sides when it comes to the two.
"He came for a truce to rescue you, seeing there was a bigger threat" Armin stating the facts "he saved Mikasa's life and Mine, if he wanted to kill us, he would have done so"
Eren twitched, Armin would never lie to him, Mikasa seem stoic, she seem to not jump to Alan's side, Eren would assume she would seeing her heart or whatever, She seemed partially bound to him, Eren doesn't like that, there is no free will behind her, she would choose sooner or later, this bastard had done so before.
Armin on the other hand, the looks of him trusted Alan part way, maybe because of Mikasa or Alan's actions, still Eren does not trust this snake, not after everything he has done.
"I'm keeping my eyes on you" Eren seethed before backing off walking to the others, Garrus taking off his own shirt to hand to Eren, Eren blinked before taking it, Garrus is simply weird. Walking away far from Alan with Armin and Mikasa following.
Bruno leant sideways and whispered to Izzy's ear "Why did he take his shirt off?"
Izzy joining in "To keep Eren warm maybe or decent?"
"Eye Candy" Garrus simply spoke up, winking to Sasha, Bruno and Izzy groaned, of course he would, yet became sullen for a moment, as the thoughts of Christian rushed to his mind.
"Something on your mind?" Sasha asked, sensing his sudden change of mood.
"I just keep thinking about what happened, Christian, Rickard, they both died, for what? All because of that fat bastard, I mean I'm wasn't even strong enough to kill him, and seeing Christian kneeling down, his guts pouring out, I didn't even have the strength or the will" Garrus simply stated, he could see Christian in front of him "Even through all that anger, if I killed him there, I would not be any better than my own father and Rickard and his family wouldn't come back"
"Perhaps true strength comes from the ability to not take a life, but to simply walk away" Bruno interjected "There are many types of strengths, you chose to walk away, there is strength that many would not have"
Garrus nodded, a good thought, Bruno have grown wise the past month since Trost, but all that be stomped down by the traitor.
"Yes, true strength to walk away a slowly dying person in excruciating pain, to be crushed to death" Alan spoke as he walked past, before stopping as if a light bulb lighten up "He could still be alive, slowly dying, bleeding and crushed to death"
Izzy grimaced "you know what, I use to think you was a kind considerate person, but your just an arsehole" both Garrus and Bruno gaped, when did Izzy swear?
Even Alan blinked for a moment, as if he is considering on who this person is, that was blunt and direct.
"It be a mercy to kill them quickly instead of a long painful death" Alan collecting his thoughts "I just made it painful the guy"
Before anyone knew it, Izzy planted a fist into Alan's face, Mikasa tensed but stayed by Eren, Armin noticing this, strange.
"So, you have grown a spine" Alan spat blood out of his mouth as steam slowly steamed out of his mouth.
"What's going on?" Frey moving in, before seeing the healing of the titan before turning to the group as if asking what they have done.
"he insulted Garrus" Izzy declared, standing firm in her actions, before the intense stare of the section commander looked to where Mikasa stood and where they stood, enough distance for a little explosion without harming her.
"So, you smack him, drawing blood" Frey nodded to the steam, then nodding to the distance where Mikasa is standing, sensing this Mikasa moved closer, Armin keeping is distance, understanding why she suddenly moved.
Bruno narrowed his gaze upon realisation, pulling Izzy away "Now is not the time" not flinching at the stare from Izzy "Think before acting"
"thank you, Bruno," Frey breathed, looking to Alan, who just shrugged, until eh sound of Levi trudging behind.
Alan noticed a wooden box carefully placed into his inner pocket of his cloak, as if subtly put, meeting each other eyes, a little silent battle ensued, as if Alan is curious with the new object placed in his hands, Levi on the other hand simply walked past him, not giving a damn.
Alan thought for a moment, seeing Historia still alive, Levi holding a wooden box… Oh no, Alan internal alarms went off, he may seem unchanged on the surface, not willing to let on he knew what Levi now have in his possession.
"We must head to the capital immediately Levi" Frey urged, nodding to the slowly moving titan, dragging itself across the floor in the distance.
"It will take a day at that pace" Levi assumed maybe less "Saddle up, we must inform Erwin of what is happening, hopefully things have gone well on his end"
With that Frey bellowed orders to saddle up, ordering a few scouts to keep tabs on the titans movements, any sudden changes must be alerted, if the titan were to make a change of direction, they must know.
Galloping hard to the Capital, the quicker they get to their destination, the more time they can scrounge up to counter the new threat.
Mikasa, unbeknownst to her, kept near Eren, not wanting him to be captured since he is not out of the danger yet, Alan on the other hand, kept to the back, alone.
Armin glanced back, finding it strange, why is he staying with them, usually their temporary truce have come to an end with Eren finally rescued, yet his eye's is telling a different motive, either he see's the titan as a threat, or something else is needed to be done that involves the capital. It is clear to Armin that he isn't interested in killing them anymore. The conflict is easily seen, maybe they can still convince him to join them.
Alan was thinking as many emotions conflicted, until a sudden trot slowed to the rear, seeing the blonde hair, the blue eyes of Historia, interesting how they are galloping, she finds this moment to speak her mind.
"Is Ymir safe?" Historia asked, Alan expected this, he knew Ymir's fate.
"For the time being" Alan simply said, Historia's eyes drooped, in thought, something else on her mind.
"Why would she join you guys if her life is forfeit if she stayed with you" Historia asked again about Ymir, Alan respects her persistence to understand why, it is a question that everyone asks these days.
"She killed and ate our friend, not out of malice, no one could control themselves, in pure titan form" Alan simply put, enough that the others will not hear "She felt the need to repay the debt, that's all I can think of why"
Historia rode along him for a moment "She encouraged me to stick true to myself and not let anyone decide for me, it is what made me from refusing my father, saving Eren" Historia's face frowned "I don't give a damn, to what happened to the world anymore"
Alan pitied her, listening to Historia, he is glad that she refused the titan power, a terrible curse and she would hate herself even more, she cared for people, disregarding her own self, even those that turned against her, she still cared.
"Why did you help us?" Another question, Alan rode in thought.
"To make sure Eren doesn't get eaten, simply that" Alan stated, as Historia titled her head.
"Why are you still here? You could go back to Reiner, make sure Ymir stays safe" Historia spoke again, Alan frowned, Ymir's fate have already been sealed, no matter his position or the power he holds, he is already have something to lose.
"unfinished business" Alan simply spoke, as his eyes looked forward to the group in front "Make no mistake, I will admit this to you, I am an enemy in the eyes of everyone around us, no matter what good I will do, it will forever be overshadowed by the atrocities I have done"
"Armin, Mikasa think your redeemable, given enough time, they will as well, You have a choice now, stay true to who you are and know who you are" Historia stated, as if it was something that easily attainable, Alan said no more, leaving himself to his thoughts.
Reaching the walls, galloping through the main entrance, may scouts and garrison troops stand in the streets, keeping order, Erwin came to greet them, his face as serious as ever.
"Erwin" Levi greeted, noticing a few things are quiet "I take it your little coup is successful"
"Indeed" Erwin simply stated "The nobles would sacrifice mankind, a clause in the law that humanities survival comes first and thankfully Pixis, Niles and Zachary was on board only if the nobles goes against what we were fighting for"
"How lucky" Levi spoken dryly "What of the pieces of shits?"
Erwin raised his eyebrow "I'm assuming the nobles, they are arrested and thrown in prison, thankfully Matheus Dreiken was the one ordering the shutting of the gates to wall Sina"
"So, the biggest fat shit turned out to be useful after all" Levi grunted "Stupidity runs in the family"
Erwin frowned "Not all Levi, remember that one sacrificed his heart so we could get to this stage"
Levi silencing himself, of course Rickard Dreiken "Your right about that, still the older sibling is dead, but Erwin… we have a bigger problem on our hands"
Erwin raised his other eyebrow, growing weary with more problems turning up after one crisis after another, but Erwin has to keep fighting, he is awfully close to the truth.
"Old Rodd turned into a titan, say about three hundred feet tall" Levi casually spoke.
Erwin was surprised to say the least, glancing the group moving in, Alan riding amongst them, if Erwin would break composure in shock, he would have done so now but keeping his composure under lock and key.
"Levi" Erwin spoke, lowering his tone "I believe there is an explanation for his appearance"
Levi not even glancing behind, knew who Erwin is talking about.
"He basically had us by the balls, now I don't know what he's up to now" Levi spoke, not entirely trusting him, the kid is a mystery, he helps them, with the intention of it being temporary, now eh done his job, he still kept around.
"I see" Erwin mused, this has been a very strange week, but now, seeing Historia, this would help steer humanity into the right direction but now they have a threat literally coming onto their doorstep.
"What is the stance of the titan moving in?" Erwin asked, the more information the better.
"Crawling it's ass towards us" Levi shrugged "Frey led a few scouts to keep eyes on it in case it changes it's mind and see if they can stop it, but for now it's coming for dinner"
"How long do we have?" Erwin asked again.
"Frey say's a day, I say a few hours" Levi guessed, titans tends to be overly excited when coming near to a large population.
Erwin nodded, thinking of a plan "Braun" calling out Alan's name, the person startled, not expecting his last name to be called.
"How long do you think the titan would be on the wall" Erwin asked.
Feeling eyes on him, Alan not too happy about the spotlight, "Few hours, few days, either way it's coming here?"
"Do you have idea's in stopping it?" Erwin asked, expecting the laugh to follow, it seems he is not entirely on their side still.
"I rather sit back and relax, grab some food while I watch" Alan shrugged, a few disgusted looks, but he didn't care "Figure it out on your own, I just be on standby if it goes to shit"
"thought as much" Erwin confirmed, worth a try at least "Armin, do you have any ideas?"
"We know it's too big to walk on it's leg, it's only movement is the use of the arms, if it comes close into cannon range, we could disrupt it" Armin said out loud, thinking more contingences.
"Very well, and if it reaches the wall, the weight will no doubt crush the wall opening up" Erwin asked, knowing if the enemy know that the capitals walls were to be destroyed then the enemy only need to break a few walls during the chaos, eyeing Alan, as first glance he is taking no interest but very obvious he is listening intently.
"Do we have gunpowder sir?" Armin asked.
"Want to throw barrels at it? Armin?" Jean asked, trying to see the reason.
"It needs to stand up, the arms would be on the walls, if we take out the arms with two wagons of gunpowder, we will launch it, bringing it down, we should have another load and use Eren in his titan form to shove it in it's mouth" Armin concluded.
Alan huffed, not bad.
"How would that kill the thing?" Connie asked, he could only see gunpowder being shoved in.
"He's betting on the steam from the titan to set off the gunpowder" Alan heaved out as eyes turn to him.
"It is closer to the nape if Eren shoves it right in, but risking himself to the blast, you could lose him in this little tactic" Alan pointing out.
"I can harden myself, I be fine" Eren blurted out, Levi giving him a look to shut him up, Alan stayed silent, so Eren gained the ability to harden his titan form, extremely high resistant to explosions.
"Is it possible?" Erwin asked, since steam does not set of gunpowder.
"I'm unsure, because we haven't quite tested or unsure how it works" Armin admitted, it is a shot out of the dark.
"oh, it will" Alan dismissing his fears "It's highly dense and extremely hot, just smash it in the back of the throat and the impact would take care of the rest"
"How can we trust your word?" Garrus spat "you could be saying that to watch us fail"
Alan grunted in amusement "Then don't, I'm the closest titan expert you have, I could be lying, I could be telling the truth," Alan grinned tapping his nose, saying no more.
"What have we got to lose?" Eren grunted.
"Everything?" Alan chipped in, ignoring the daggers darting at him.
"We should gather the gunpowder immediately; we don't know how much time we have left" Erwin ordered, as all saluted and began preparations, hopefully Frey would come with better news, speaking of titan expert Hange is not present?
"Levi, where is Hange and her squads?" Erwin seeing Levi tensed for a moment.
"Parts of Her squad been killed in the Ambush in Furlough, Hange have been injured in the rescue operation to rescue Eren, she's currently been put into recovery" Levi addressed Hange's situation.
"Ah, that is unfortunate" Erwin grimaced, hopefully she would make a full recovery "Let's press on, or we lose all moral if the titan breaks down our wall"
"Agreed" Levi stated, before moving out.
An or tow, maybe longer until they see steam moving on the horizon, Alan stood on the wall, as he kept eyes out, thinking, planning, yet he the words Historia said to him, struck something inside him, he hates when people do that, it makes him lose focus of his duty.
Hearing steps next to him, expecting it to be Mikasa, to his surprise the tall man of Commander Erwin stood, how very brave standing alone with the enemy, Alan respects and admires him, he fights for what he believes in, even losing an arm he continues to fight, Alan have an assumption that he fights for something more on a personal level.
"I do not know your reasons for being here" Erwin asked, Alan listened expecting it to be distrust but yet the commander throwing him off guard once again with his next words "But you have my thanks in aiding us in retrieving Eren, even though our goals are different"
Alan blinked, taken aback "It is a far worse fate if the royals were to have the power of the titans in their hands"
"Why do you believe that?" Erwin asked, Alan knew he would try to gain information out of Alan through simple talk, the commander is not stupid after all.
"Because they would make the world a terrible place" Alan simply stated.
Not mentioning the fact Eren can not use the coordinate, which a Royal blood can, the bloodline of Ymir herself, only those of her direct line can use it, how ironic, the subjects of Ymir hold the titan power, yet he is a subject of Rufus, what makes him so special and so much stronger than the normal titans.
It is because Ymir have been split into Nine, while Rufus is whole, yet he has no control over the titans of Ymir, why is that? Alan would need to look it up, since his upbringing he never been to concerned about it until now, Historia's words, does he truly know what he is, do the people of the walls hold the answers, Alan contemplating over this for a time.
"You could join us after this?" Erwin changing the subject "You shown even after rescuing Eren to be redeemable"
Alan huffed in amusement "I doubt it, I have caused thousands of lives lost, I believe there would be a trial"
Erwin paused for a moment, "That is indeed true, there would be a trial" knowing where this would go.
"Yeah thought there would be, I doubt just Mikasa, Armin will be enough" Alan mused.
"You have Historia's respect, the word of the queen can weight favourably" Erwin placed in, it is true that Historia is the one who said he is redeemable, but it would be a long road for the others to accept it.
Alan lowered his eyes, in thought, the freedom to choose, he and Mikasa could be happy? No Eren's mother is dead because of him, he is not the type to let that go easily, plus Mikasa is now standing by his side, something have happened, or maybe he has changed and did not see it. His thoughts and feelings are confusing, maybe while they battle this out Alan would take the time to have a really good think.
The titan now visible in the distance, the dinner bell have rung.
"We will see" Alan said, Armin near, overhearing the conversation as he worked on the mechanism on the wagon.
The cannons raged forward as garrison soldiers cry out for faster reload, the beast moving forward slowly, the eye popping as it scraped its face across the dirt and stone ground, Alan can only chuckle.
"What do you find funny?" Mikasa now standing next to him.
Alan paused before nodding to the titan "Do you think that titans feel pain? Or do you think whoever they are, are aware from within?"
Mikasa blinked, it is true after recent knowledge they used to be human, but now they are mindless beasts "Who they are no longer matters, they threaten all of us now, it is our duty to stop them"
Alan nodded, duty, he has a duty, but in his reach is freedom, but would he be absolutely free from the duty he has to uphold?
The galloping of horses below, signalling Frey and his scouts have returned, they appeared tired, as Frey flew up to the wall where Erwin stood.
"that titan is not stopping" Frey breathed "Once it got closer to the capital it moved faster"
"you have done enough Frey, do you still have strength to give your all at this moment?" Erwin asked, pleased that Frey stood up straight, giving the salute.
"I would give everything, my heart and life to ensure victory" Frey affirmed, as the cannons halted, the beast moving ever so closer.
Steam furiously sprouting from the titan, as it drawn closer.
"It's getting to close for the cannons commander" A garrison soldier cried out, along with a few MP's resorting to rifles, as if that would do any good.
Erwin wasting no time turned to Armin, "Be ready, your plan must work or we will fail here"
Armin nodded, grabbing Sasha, Sasha has the sense of a hunter, always knowing the right time to strike, and since she has a sense of these things Armin concluded she be the one to state when to fire, because of the titans healing capabilities, the wagons must hit the arms at the same time, toppling it down, for Eren to move in.
"Eren, before the titan hit the wall, transform and be ready" Erwin ordered "I hate to say this but wait for the right moment, the jaws should be open for you to force the explosive in, make sure it is deep enough, if you don't destroy the nape then it would only heal itself, this is our only chance to stop this beast"
Eren nodded, determined more than ever, he has the chance to prove he can make a difference, no more people rescuing him, it is now or never.
They waited until two enormous long thin arms outstretched above the walls planting its palms, the red muscle contracting as it heaved itself up, towering above all to see.
What a marvellous sight as the insides of the stomach torn open, the ribcage bare for all to see, amusing as only muscle steam rushing out, the face now gone, holes and a tongue dangle out. Screams from below as the civilians watched in horror, thinking and believing the titans have come to end all of humanity.
Alan was fascinated at least, it was even bigger than he has anticipated, as the colossal can only have the head peering above the walls, but this titan has it's upper body towering high, if it crashes through it would crush everyone in the district, can't really eat anyone without a jaw and teeth.
The wagons full of gunpowder loaded one ach side, a distance away from the arms, the force of the impact would trigger the explosion.
The walls cracking under pressure and weight, Armin gritted his teeth as held onto the cord, where the sides of the wagon have gas canisters, enough to use the thrust to create the impact needed.
"HOLD" hearing Sasha's voice, as they fought against the steam of the titan, cannons now firing at the arms from further away, trying to weaken them, they need to get the titan lower for Eren, the cannons hitting the arms as it slowly moved down from the pressure.
"HOLD" Sasha called out, Garrus nearby, Bruno holding his mouth stopping him from saying something stupid from the panic.
The titan lowering then "NOW!" Sasha cried out as the wagons launched to the arms, impacting simultaneously, causing the titan to fall forward it's face now in reach, through the smoke and steam yellow lighting flashed as Eren's titan roared holding onto the huge load of gunpowder barrels.
The titan reared it's head, the gaping hole making it all too easy as Eren charged, hardening his body as the arm thrusts into the hole, the force of the impact igniting, an explosion erupted within the nape, chunks of flesh scattered in the air.
"The chunks are too big Erwin!" Frey called out, Erwin widened, he is right, the titan could still heal itself back up.
Drawing his sword "SOLDIERS! Cut those chunks, before it would be able to regenerate"
The scouts cried as they launched in the air after the chunks, preparing to cuth them through before they hit the ground.
"Commander Erwin, let me join them" Historia called out, as Erwin turned to her.
"I would not advise doing that" Erwin disagreed, Historia is too valuable for her to risk her life but seeing the fire in her eyes, this is a more personal level "But I cannot stop you".
Historia sighed a breath of relief before rushing to find her ODM, only to see Alan handing his over to her, Historia nodding in thanks as she hastily fasten it to her, launching high in the air.
Alan is impressed the determination in a few, noticing Armin not joining in, of course, he does not have the skill to do so, Erwin focusing from the distance.
Alan moved forward, his face expression stoic, seeing Armin turning to him.
"What would you do now?" Armin asked, seeing Alan no longer have his ODM on.
Alan stood in thought "I have a lot to think about, joining your side, knowing who I am, then I remembered something"
Armin felt uneasy, the atmosphere rising, not from the heat of the decaying body but something else.
Alan continued to move forward, taking one foot in front of the other.
"There are good in this world, there are bad, but no matter what happens there is never a right or wrong, just as it is" Alan mused "I have made a promise Armin, a promise I would bring them home"
Armin opened in shock, realising, how could he not see it at the start, Alan wanted to come here, he has all the information and near here is Katrine district.
"You're here for Annie" Armin concluded, as he stood back at Alan's movements.
Alan continued forward "Bingo, Eren is no longer my concern, I have been given the chance to join you, I decided not to"
"Why Alan? Doesn't Mikasa meant anything to you?" Armin noticed Alan's falter as his expression pained at the thought.
"I have come to terms with the consequences that will happen now" Alan now in front of Armin in a swift movement the knife that haunted him, imbedded in Armin's throat as Alan stared into his eyes.
"I am sorry" Alan spoke regret in his voice as he pulled the knife out as the gurgle of Armin's shocked voice reached his ears.
"I don't know what is right anymore, but now, I have to face the consequences, as a Warrior, I will fulfil my duty to the end and a promise to fulfil" Alan watched as the life left Armin's eyes.
Alan seeing the others destroying what is left of Rodd Reiss, Commander Erwin stared at him, unable to do anything, sadness shown in both eyes, Alan stepped back from the wall, slicing his hand, falling backwards away from those who witnessed his decision.
Yellow lightning emerged for all to see, the titan forming as he landed, running far away, knowing he have left a wake of vengeance, she will never forgive him for this, right now Alan focused to the direction of Katrine district, his goal all too clear.
A/N: I'm going to leave that here, no theatrics, just one simple movement, swift and simple, now we know why Alan came with them, what a twist I would think, hope you guys enjoy the chapter :)
Myzor: yeah don't think it would happen now, Alan made his decision, staying true to who he is, a Warrior.
Reddituser776: I can never seem to find it, be nice to see peoples opinions of reddit, quite enjoyed reading different opinions about it.
Spunkthatclit: Damn what a name, yeah lowkey, I am trying not to get it in your faces but it is a Fanfiction... writers control DAY and NIGHT!
Seniourpoundtown: Your name reminds me of slap on titan, which is funny, it is good people are recommending it, I see that as an achievement, I am assuming interaction between Levi and Eren as they do in the manga and anime, if your referring to the shipping, i'm sorry not going to happen.
Bluebee13: Never said Rufus is better than Ymir, I plan to answer that little creation in later chapters, I only gave puzzle pieces for you guys to question and figure out in a way.
EBREUSAUSAR: Thanks for your concern, I'm good thank you, just work taking up my time, and redirecting where I want my story to go, reviews are important so I can give along think about it, I seen how Alan is not making an impact until now, i'm pretty excited to go in the unknown and see where the story will take me :)
Hope you guys enjoy the story so, thank you for reading it this far :)