Warrior's Reunited
"Depends on the news you want to hear" The titan voice emerged from Alan, as Zeke huffed.
"Cheeky as always" Zeke huffed with amusement "It appears Reiner and Bertholdt were correct"
"They made it back safely?" Alan hopes risen, Pieck seem to stroll back to the hole, staying into her titan form.
Zeke, pursed his beastly lips, as if contemplating, should he tell him that he beaten Reiner to a pulp over a disagreement, a duel between warriors to decide the course of their actions, maybe out of their titan forms he would tell him, it would be a great miscalculation if Alan were to hear it from either Reiner or Bertholdt, but still Reiner is still unconscious.
"Come up, we have many questions and answers to exchange" Zeke avoiding the question for the time being "Give Pieck the crystal in your hand"
"That crystal is Annie" Alan shot back, Zeke knew damn well who is in that crystal, does not take a genius especially Zeke's good eyesight.
"Humm, best be on your best behaviour, the Marleians authorities are running out of patience" Zeke warned, not to impressed that the greatest warrior in their generation has not recover the coordinate, the first failure on the man's clean record.
Alan carefully placed the crystal onto the cart titan, Pieck nodding to his direction.
"I keep her safe" Pieck spoke softly "Thank you for reclaiming her, even in the most difficult times"
Alan only stared back, yeah difficult times indeed, proceeding to move to the walls, Pieck stopping him once again.
"Remove yourself from the titan, Reiner and Bertholdt acquired a few of those strange contraptions the devils made, it is best not to damage the walls" Pieck offered, as her titan arm prodded on one of the crates.
Alan sighed before kneeling, the steam emerging as he removed himself, hopping onto Pieck's head as he wondered to the crate, opening up to see the gear inside, either Reiner or Bertholdt had the hindsight to make sure Alan has means to come back, enough gas to move, but not enough to fly as he wished.
"Thanks, Pieck" Alan thanked as he gave her his smile, the nape opened as Pieck kindly emerged her head above, her long black hair past her shoulders, her eyes sunken and her nose near enough Annie's you think they be sisters, but Pieck is a unique woman, Alan is glad she is here.
"I'm glad your back safe, but you should thank Reiner and Bertholdt" Pieck replied, giving her own smile in return, watching Alan climb the walls with the gear, glad that after his solo operation, he brought back something worthwhile with Annie resting on her titans back, Pieck knew Alan would never leave Annie behind, shame he couldn't grab the coordinate, but it is understandable when shoved in the unknown and protecting his friends from danger, Pieck does not envy his job, feeling the breeze, Pieck submerged back into her titan nape, keeping watch in case of any followers come along.
Alan landed on the top of the walls, as the beast titan completely evaporated, in front of him a tall blonde man, with a full blonde beard, wearing only tanned boots and camouflaged combat trousers, the show off not sporting a shirt, showing off all his glory.
Yet what made the man in front of him unique is the glasses he wore, far as Alan can remember he received them from the previous beast titan holder.
"Where should we begin Zeke?" Alan asked, folding his arms in front, tapping his elbow, as he wait.
Zeke cleared his throat "First in all, congratulations in rescuing Annie, although I did not believe Reiner and Bertholdt at first"
"Did you calculate her practicing her kicks in the middle of enemy territory?" Alan shot, grinning, amused how Zeke cleared his throat again, oh yes, he did.
"As you say" Zeke waving off the smug look shooting at him "But before we talk more you should know that Reiner initiated a duel between him and I"
Alan paused, as he tilted his head, that is not good "I take it he lost?"
"Precisely what happened, I ordered to focus on the coordinate, he wanted to rescue Annie, I believe you can guess the rest" Zeke nodded, not to thrilled with the atmosphere darkened around Alan, man appears calm on the outside but Zeke knew him well from a young age, a silent Alan is a dangerous Alan.
"Is he going to be punished for it?" Alan asked.
"No, I understood it was to save a friend so I won't punish him, if he were to fight again and lose or if you fight in his stead, either outcome his titan would be removed from him" Zeke warned "You must understand as war chief and the situation we are in, we must stand together, or we all would lose our titans and you a far worse fate"
Alan gritted his teeth and chewed his cheek as he put into thought, Zeke, the wonder boy did shown concern for his fellow warriors, even Alan, but authority must be shown, and punishment given.
"understood" Alan relented seeing Zeke sigh in relief.
"Still, knowing we have Annie returned to us would increase morale, resting our conscience, and we can have full focus on recovering the coordinate" Zeke wondered closely, before sitting down, holding out his hand signalling Alan to join him.
"I would apologise not recovering the coordinate as you instructed since we last met" Alan joining Zeke as they now begin their talks they tend to have beyond the walls "I take it Reiner and Bertholdt debriefed you on everything"
"Indeed, I then in turn report to the ship that have arrived with me, I may have not told them everything, that your brother and friend have told me in confidence" Zeke spoke, his words indicating a warning as well.
"What else did you know?" Alan asked, neutral in his tone, something Zeke appreciated, at least they are being civil.
"I hope you cut ties with that woman you dallied yourself with" Zeke asked noticing Alan flinch for a brief moment, ah of course he would be told about that.
"Have no worries, all connection is cut off, I killed her best friend" Alan waved off, deciding to change the subject "you know about Eren Yeager being the holder of the founding titan?"
"Yes, Reiner spoken very much how he is a great danger to the whole world" Zeke mused "I believe you have some news about him"
"I saved his ass from being eaten by the royal family" Alan spoke, Alan could have sworn Zeke smiled underneath his beard as if very relieved about it "the best friend Armin Artlert, I killed him because he's the one who figured everything out, even when we were careful, he was a great risk to the whole operation"
Zeke stroke his beard in thought "It would be very consequential if Eren fallen into royal hands, which would make the coordinate impossible to reach and the chance of the rumbling greater, tell me, why do you feel the need to rescue him and not have his power taken, or taken the power for yourself"
"Eren couldn't use the founding power, unless coming into contact of royal blood, more likely titan form, because his powers activated from a pure titan, more likely a royal blood" Alan theorised "For why I couldn't take his power for my own, we do not know the extent of my powers, we do not know if I would absorb it or the power will rush into another person, and also there would be two Ackerman's and an army of angry devils come after me"
Zeke chuckled at the joke "True, we still are trying to understand the extent of the power of Rufus and our own, all we know that your powers could not be passed onto a pure titan or a holder of the nine, we only know that your line breaks the thirteen year curse of the holder that have eaten a subject of Rufus"
Alan frowned, yeah sadly there is only one birth from every father, they learned that the immunity to the curse does not pass onto the next titan holder, it only stuck to one and only one. When he was young the current Warhammer titan holder have eaten a subject of Rufus, his father.
"If we succeed on this vital mission, you wouldn't have to worry of meeting such a fate" Zeke mused, but not entirely thrilled with the thought.
"Still need me to pop another one out before you guys can serve me for dinner" Alan joked "And no Zeke, I have not impregnated her"
Zeke opened his mouth to suddenly shut it close, beating him to the punch, Zeke likes Alan when he gets ahead of people, it shown his intelligence, even if they fail, high command would get full use out of him first before discarding him.
"Good to know" Zeke smiled, before looking up to the sky, the stars brightening the way for them, the gentle breeze coming across, seeing Pieck hopping up onto the wall.
"We are clear War chief; I shall keep further watch and rest in between" Pieck
"Very good Pieck" Zeke affirmed "Reiner and Bertholdt are safe, so have no fear for their safety, the titans surrounding this wall are under my control, so have no fear from them"
Alan nodded, he had noticed a few pure titans watching him as he ran to the wall, very aware, no doubt Zeke made sure they are only lookouts.
"What about Ymir? What of her?" Alan asked, remembering Ymir was with them.
Zeke blinked, trying to recall what he meant "Ah, yes, the girl that hold the jaws power, she is at the coast, held in the ships brig, Reiner and Bertholdt is currently about keeping watch, well Reiner is still recovering from our duel"
"How long are we to stay here?" Alan asked, he needs to know how much time they have left before abandoning the mission.
"We aren't abandoning the mission" Zeke announced, already seeing into his mind "How long do you think the enemy would attack this district?"
Alan thought, under circumstances he had lit the fire to the hornet's nest, they will be prepared and in larger numbers knowing Erwin is quite inspirational, this would be the battle to decide the fate of the world.
"Few weeks tops maybe less" Alan said, as he thought, it would take some time to increase their numbers, but the battle will be decided here "And I know they be coming here"
Zeke pondered for a moment, yes bring the opposition here, on their terms, no doubt the best are coming with everything they got, being so far from the other wall, no reinforcements will not come.
"I agree, it's best they play by our own rules and on our terms" Zeke smirked, the coordinate in their hands, Eren… he will free him from the brainwashing of their father Grisha Yeager.
Seeing Alan, Zeke shaken his own thoughts "We have time to plan for the coming battle, let us combine our minds to ensure victory"
Alan hummed in agreement, his thoughts no longer with the conversation, Zeke took that as a signal that their conversation is over.
"Have some rest, you deserve it for retrieving our fallen sister" Zeke spoke, suddenly winced at the glare given.
"She is not dead Zeke, just imprisoned" Alan lashed out.
Zeke held his own gaze "It is a shame we do not have the means of getting her out safely, the Tybur family will have the answers when we return"
"It would be useful to have her, an extra titan would be useful, should have Pieck take her back to the ship, I would hate to lose her again" Alan relaxed as he saw the crystal on top of a now asleep Pieck, the woman must have been in that form for months, bet she used him to see his eyes with her own just to get out of the nape for a moment.
"We have you, tomorrow we will all meet, but yes I may have need of Pieck to send her back home" Zeke mused, Alan seem to have a soft spot for his friends "Get some rest, I will take first watch"
"Whatever you say chief" Alan shrugged, leaning back onto the stone wall, feeling the coldness, Zeke shook his head, it is good to have their friend back.
Morning came, as quickly as Alan wanted, yet the smell of something delicious sprouted into his nostrils, it smelt like….
"Bacon?" Alan shot up, seeing the fire cooking, Bertholdt hovering over with a frying pan, Reiner, sitting over nearby.
From hearing Alan's voice, they both looked to the now awake friend, a silent pause as they both stood up, both coming in for a group hug, Alan welcomed them both with open arms, as tears instantly came.
"We thought you have died brother" Reiner spoke, as they pulled away, watching Alan wiping the tears, pretending they never came.
"Sorry I have to do that Reiner, war chiefs orders, plus I got her back" Alan smiled, to which both Reiner and Bertholdt smiled, ever so wide.
"We know" Bertholdt placing his hand on Alan's shoulder "There's nothing we could say or do to express our gratitude for what you have done"
"You came through as a warrior, but more importantly a good friend" Reiner laughed "I fought the war chief to have a rescue mission for her, after when Armin told us she was being tortured beyond despair"
Alan smile vanished, at the mention of Armin's name, sighing.
"Armin is dead" Alan breathed out, both Reiner and Bertholdt gaped in shock.
"What do you mean dead?" Reiner asked, he knew what Alan meant, yet even though, they have treated Armin like a precious comrade and friend, the thought of him dead is hard to swallow.
"I had to, he was the reason Annie was captured, he was the reason why we have been caught out" Alan reasoned, no matter what he said he, it felt wrong in a way "I had to, he was the only person to find out I was going after Annie, I…"
"you did what you have to do" Reiner stopped him, "It is not easy, but doing so, we have Annie returned to us"
"Yeah, I wish we don't have to kill them, but they are devils" Bertholdt spoke, not entirely happy about it "We have no choice"
"We always have a choice" Alan spoke "I chose to do what is right, even if it is wrong in their eyes, you know, on the wall when we were found out, I had a choice"
Reiner paused, as their minds rushed back to the moment on the wall, where they turned to betray the friends thye have made in those years they trained, how naïve they were to think it would stay that way.
"Yet you chose to be with us, your loyalty was obvious" Reiner, spoke, not entirely sure what to make of the sudden confession "Don't have second thoughts, we made and took this decision, just move forward from it"
Alan listened, he did make the decision, it cost him a part of himself, as like part of him have died, is it when he had the wall taken down, killing innocents, Mikasa, or the family? He just felt something was missing.
"What of that diary you have been writing into?" Reiner asked, knowing full well that Alan's poured his thoughts, feelings, maybe a few secrets needing to be kept away from the enemies' eyes.
Alan paused as he went to reach into his pocket, remembering he no longer have it "I have destroyed it"
"You sure?" Reiner asked "You tend to keep it on you, to lessen the burden"
"It no longer held any purpose, it has done its job, I just saw to it vanish" Alan lied, did Mikasa read it? No, if he were her after killing a close friend, she would have destroyed it without thinking any further.
"Who's cooking breakfast?" Zeke came round, seeing smoke tensing at the fire.
"Shit" Bertholdt cursed under his breath, rushing to salvage the bacon cooking on the stove, Zeke shaking his head, turning his eyes to both Reiner and Alan.
"Hope the reunion was worth burning the bacon" Zeke joked "It's glad your all up, good news Pieck is returning Annie back to the after that the ship will leave to the mainland, it will return in two weeks after maintenance and refuelling"
"Pieck bringing back any more supplies?" Alan asked, Zeke glanced his eyes to the stove and back to Alan.
"I believe we be having more bacon to burn when she returns" Zeke confirmed, the warriors chuckling to the humour "it wouldn't take her long, the pure titans are long passed into the other side, only mine remained nearby, she would make sure we are well supplied"
"As expected of Pieck" Alan grinned, the others chuckling at the joke, Pieck does have the best hindsight for everything, her intelligence know no bounds.
Pouring a cup, of what seem to be coffee, interesting, that the people of the walls do not have such drinks, only water and alcohol and Tea, remembering Captain Levi drinking the stuff.
Handing over the cup to Alan, taking in the bitter smell of the coffee, before drinking it, quite hot, but being used to hotness makes it exactly right for them.
"I have missed a good cup" Alan smiled "you can't beat coffee in the morning"
"Oh?" Zeke mused "What do you usually have?"
"Tea and water" Reiner excused himself into the conversation.
"Ah" Zeke raised his eyebrows "Well tea is more refined to say the least, is the bacon salvageable?" turning to Bertholdt, as he brought the pan over, remarkably the bacon are slightly burnt.
Bertholdt looking quite proud of himself, a remarkable achievement, a few chuckles erupted at the smug grin.
"As expected of Bertholdt" Zeke chuckled, as they laugh at the use of the phrase "Well enjoy the now crispy, and surprisingly not so burnt bacon"
An hour have past until Pieck arrived, the titan form heaving herself up onto the wall next to them, as he crouched down eye level.
"is she safe?" Alan asked, both Bertholdt and Reiner listening nearby.
Pieck's eyes planted onto him "She is bound to mainland now, I wouldn't expect her to be out of that crystal anytime soon" that is the best news they can have so far, they can't be picky, but Annie is now going home, Pieck assured that she did this to herself to keep out of enemy hands which the high command would accept whole heartedly.
Zeke clearing his throat drawing their attention.
"Now Pieck have arrived, we will need to plan immediately, Alan as he put it, stirred the hornets nest, the enemy could be rushing to here in a weeks to come, or less" Zeke eyed them all critically "I have a few ideas, but we all will be taking a part, this battle will decide the fate of not only us and our loved ones back home, but the world"
"I have read the documents you have recovered from the enemy" Zeke confirmed, bringin out papers from his cargo pants "They are not as technological advanced to breach the armour you and Riener hold, but this ODM device is a problem to fight against as they can get out of our reach"
"So it's best you and Pieck stay away" Alan spoke "their swords shatters on impact on me and Reiner, Bertholdt will simply burn them away"
"yet the colossal titan is made to be the final game changer, not ideal for battle of attrition" Zeke interrupted "Blessed we have two armoured titans, yet you can shred your armour off with ease if you want to be more flexible, but I advise to keep the armour on"
Pieck stirred for a moment as eyes went to her, Alan only smiling "If you want some fresh air, you can pop out"
Pieck eyes turned to Zeke, for him to only nod, woman needs the air, seeing Pieck open her nape, her upper body lifting out, yet her arms and legs remained inside, keeping the titan under control and from disappearing.
"May I suggest we use the holes in the walls to hide you two, our target is this Eren Yeager" Pieck becoming thoughtful "How do we propose to get him if he turns into a titan?"
"He can harden, he did it to protect himself from a close range three hundred metre pure titan transformation" Alan spoke, Reiner whistled.
"three hundred?" Reiner gaped "Makes Bertholdt look tiny"
"You have no idea, but the titan is dead, due to some strategic minds" Alan spoke before casting away the suspicious looks from Zeke "I had nothing to do with it, I only observed"
"Ah, good thinking, you stayed with them long enough to know how they work" Zeke nodded "Good intuitive"
"Won't work the third time since I betrayed them, again" Alan frowned.
"Hey, don't dwell on it, if we win here, there won't be a third time" Reiner, spoke, feeling for his brother, it is hard and bad enough doing it the first time, Reiner couldn't imagine betraying a woman he loved again the second time.
"The we must see to it we do win" Zeke waving off the insecurities "I may suggest we allow him to plug the holes up, he would have to transform twice, would he be able to transform the third time?"
"From what I saw no" Alan, reporting from memory from his observations "He be a husk on the third attempt"
"Then when the second hole have been hardened, that is when you two come out of the walls and apprehend the coordinate, do not eat him, we do not have authority to do so" Zeke warned, high command wants the powers separate as possible, the more titans the better, they always say.
"I say Reiner hide in the wall, I have an idea, that might work, but I need to venture out" Alan spoke, as eyes turned him.
"Oh?" Reiner eyed Alan "What are you thinking?"
"Remember that training exercise" Alan spoke, confusion sets in, until Bertholdt lit up.
"The one where you and Reiner led those teams?" Bertholdt asked, smiling at Alan's nod and grin "Your going to dress as one of them, are you?"
"Bingo" Alan laughed "but as I said I need to acquire the uniform, are there uniforms in the outposts?"
Reiner and Bertholdt sat in thought, as Zeke looked even more puzzled, apparently not everything was reported, a story to tell, seeing Pieck's smile, she is more interested in this exercise.
"Risky, very risky and it would throw everything out the pot if you are caught" Zeke, frowned, this is a very risky move, something he would decline if he is not convinced, knowing Alan would not argue or duel for it, not with his warning earlier.
"I killed their best thinker, Armin would have saw through it instantly, now I could blend in since they need to replenish their numbers" Alan countered, Zeke thought, not entirely convinced. "they be expecting us to be here, not me amongst them"
"What would you have to gain with the deception?" Zeke asked, before remembering the warning from Reiner and Bertholdt "Ah, the Ackerman's"
Alan frowned but nodded "They were made to combat a subject of Rufus since they were strong enough, now I have the blood of both Rufus and Ackerman, killing one won't be too much work, but they are the biggest threat"
Zeke stroked his blonde beard contemplating, valid points but need more input, turning to Pieck, as if asking her for her thoughts, the woman has the intelligence to see all aspects of the plan.
"We could have Reiner kill the horses if this Eren doesn't turn, but Reiner would have to make the coordinate a priority, in case it tries to escape, either Alan or Reiner can signal for Bertholdt to be thrown into the city, killing all within, the armour would protect them" Pieck thought "If the Ackerman's are indeed a threat, best let Alan do his thing and catch them off guard"
Zeke amused at the sudden backing of Alan's plan, but he cannot argue if two are behind it, no doubt Reiner and Bertholdt would follow suit.
"I would have the remaining Eldians, with my spinal fluid of course, we shall set a perimeter on their side of the wall, cutting of escape, Pieck, you may need to give me a lot of stones, I need to see if my pitching arm is still good" Zeke again mused himself, by Alan's posture he is fully on board with Zeke's and Pieck's part, they are vulnerable to the enemies weapons and if Alan is warning them to do so, they are dangerously skilled with them.
"If this goes according to plan, we will all return home as heroes, and peace ensured from taking out the biggest threat to our existence" Zeke nodding, smiling that the plan is solid on paper, but the execution of it should be up to their expectations, Warriors chosen for this mission, one they could not fail.
Alan looked to beyond the walls, as if seeing far across to the other side, the burden they must carry, he will get to keep his promise, the memory flashing before his eyes.
"Marcel would want us to carry on" Alan spoke, as Reiner was lifted up, separating him from Annie, their eyes looking to him, as Alan felt shame and guilt for not saving his closest friend, as the four came together in a group hug, the pain of losing their friend catching up.
"I Promise, we will all go home" Alan spoke as their heads connected, arms bound around each other, no older than twelve, the burden of the world rest on their shoulders
"Alan?" Reiner asked seeing him look afar, his brother turning to him "Are you feeling alright?"
Alan simply stared across the open fields, the town ruined below the hole they created "Remember five years ago, when Marcel was taken from us"
Reiner winced, how could he not forget that fateful day "I do, I remember out running all of you" joking, trying to lighten the mournful atmosphere, to his delight Alan chuckled for a brief moment.
"Still can, but I made a promise to you, I couldn't save Marcel, but I owe it to him to make sure all of us go back home" Alan spoke, the knife cradling within his hands "Losing either you or Bertholdt would break that promise, I will not accept that"
"Hey, Hey!" Reiner spoke softly, placing his hands on his shoulders "Do not think like that, we know the drill, we will survive this and you will keep your promise, you done it for Annie, I know you would do so for us"
"yeah Alan" Bertholdt coming out of nowhere "Trust us to play our part, we trust that you be there for us, like you have always done, I know you wouldn't abandon us for dead, Annie was proof of that" smiling as the three placed their arms on each other's shoulders.
Reunited after what felt like an eternity, their heads touching as they remembered the friend they lost, the friend that have returned, the friend going home.
Together they will fight, together they made a promise to each other, they will return home.
A/N: Yay the gang is together again, sorry for the wait, life tends to delay chapters, so if I don't post as much as I usually do, it means my job, writers block and adult duties play a part in the delay, but non the less thank you guys for your patience, enjoy the chapter :)
EBREUSAUSAR: I planned the conversation in the previous chapter but it would take away the impact of what I have intended, so it is moved into this one, it's good that your enjoying this story, just don't expect it to go how you guys would love to go, i'm planning more suffering for this guy xD but yeah enjoy the chapter and thanks for reviewing.
Seniorpoundtown: The Tyburs will have an impact and be used alot on Alan in future chapters, but couldn't say much without revealing some plots I have in mind, thanks for reading and reviewing :)
Myzor: I have something cooked up between Alan and Mikasa in the final battle, it will not be a happy reunion, but I have something that I have planned for a while, some may like it, some don't, but it's how I am going to write it but thank you for reading and reviewing.
FREEYMIR: I'm glad you do find it disturbing, I find it as well when I written as well, but I am showing that he wishes what he has done didn't happen, in war or conflicts, the innocent suffers, what I love about AOT universe is the grey area's I can play around with, never going to be sunshine and daisy's xD thanks for reviewing and reading the story
ONE QUESTION: Since you have read the story so far, Section Commander FREY or Section Commander HANGE?
I appreciate if you pop either one in your reviews, first time I am allowing you, the READER! to decide their fate :)
Don't worry about affecting the story, I have plans for either outcome.