Preparation in Advance
"You are crazy" Pieck spoke as she and Alan neared wall Rose, few tree's here and there to cover them.
The outposts created by previous scouts expeditions had only supplies, such as gas and blades and spare ODM's but not what Alan needed, useful though, as for Pieck being here, well it took a lot of convincing but Zeke conceded since Pieck is very unknown and can pass off as a civilian and undetected while Bertholdt and Reiner are very easy to spot, it has been a while since Alan and Pieck did a duo mission.
"What is crazy? The fact we are going to slip through the gate while the scouts are doing their route towards Shinganshia, or is it the fact we have pure titans roaming nearby?" Alan asked as he held his spyglass, courtesy of Zeke and the supplies.
Pieck glanced, wearing the standard civilian clothes, no Marley uniform, it would stand out "Both".
Alan grunted in amusement, Pieck does not like having the odds against them, but Alan's plans may seem crazy and far fetched but it always have a high chance of success.
"At least you get to breath out of your titan form" Alan pointed out, Alan had to wait a week for Pieck to walk properly, being in her form for a month or so does have it's habits of crawling on all fours.
Pieck paused in thought as her fingers twirled into her hair "True enough, but still do you think they haven't saw your titan?"
"If they did, then they would have been on top of us by now" Alan pointed out, he knew them too well and having the immortal titan in the vicinity would make them all scramble.
The sound of grinding forced Alan pulling Pieck back against the wall, thankfully there is so cover, the sound of Hooves pounded onto the ground as the scouts moved out, not even risking to have a peek, Alan waited.
"ADVANCE!" hearing Commander Erwin as they charged, many hooved bounded past, their hiding spot, seeing the last scout galloped out, Alan dragged Pieck forward as they darted through the gate as it slowly drawn down, the grinding of the ropes obvious due to the strain of heavy stone.
Quickly rushing through, as they rushed to the left down the side of the wall, hearing the gates closed, Alan quickly glancing around seeing if anyone noticed, thankfully the civilians turned their backs to their own concerns as they mind their own business.
"No one saw" Alan confirmed, as he skulked towards the housing nearby, his eyes darting to the clothes, his way of clothing is obvious and if any scouts are about, he might be recognised, unless they are new then it still wouldn't hurt to be prepared.
Pieck was astounded to the civilisation, as her view of the devils were different, it's like back in Liberio, where they lived in Marley.
"I am quite glad you convinced Zeke to bring me along" Pieck spoke as she watched an argument between a civilian and a merchant over pricing.
"We are only in and out" Alan grunted as he swiped a hat, to him it's a mining hat back home, should blend him in nicely, then calmly moved to a line holding a white shirt and a black waistcoat, swiping them as well, as he folded them so he can hide them discreetly as if he just been shopping.
"Still, it is quite nice to be out of the titan" Pieck shrugged, as she eyed Alan moving towards a dress, as he glanced about before swiping it.
Seeing Alan move Pieck to an alleyway, showing the dress, that a maid would wear.
"Your kidding me" Pieck looked at in disgust "You want me to wear that?"
Alan looked at the dress and back at Pieck, her civilian clothing styled of grey pants and a white shirt, she would stand out like a sore thumb. A smirk plastered his lips, not saying a word.
Pieck rolled her eyes as she grabbed the dress, noticing they are out in the open… turning to Alan again, not too keen in getting change, easy for him as he whipped his grey top off, showing his body, Marcel's dog tags laying on his chest, Pieck frowned, Alan couldn't seem to forgive himself in failing his friend.
Alan buttoned up the white shirt, before placing the waistcoat over him, for once he looked pretty smart, but Alan was not one for these things even in front of high command or the Tybur's.
Alan glanced around again, before turning to an archway, enough room for Pieck's small frame to hide herself as she change, Alan nodded to the gap in the alleyway, amused how Pieck still adamantly refused to so.
"Pieck, we are in a dead-end alleyway" Alan chuckled, this woman liked her privacy that's for sure "I tell you what you change in there, I stand over there keeping a lookout"
"You won't look?" Pieck questioned raising her eyebrow, Alan blushed but frowned, Alan does not see her like that, he had eyes for one person, putting her at the back of his mind, Alan can only grin.
"You can feed me to a titan if I do" Alan winked, causing Pieck to roll her eyes, with his back turned Pieck got changed as she stripped, the dress surprisingly fitted her, how did Alan know that it would fit? Lucky guess.
Seeing his back still turned as he casually looked like he was…... oh, that is nice, taking a piss, any guard would see this and ignore the action, peeking round to see a guard stop and stare at him before turning away, unable to respond as Alan tipped his hat to the guy.
Pieck came out of her hiding place, seeing Alan whistle, causing her to blush.
"You should wear dresses more often, looks good on you" Alan grinned, Pieck gave a smile in return.
"What would you have done if Reiner and Bertholdt were here now?" Pieck asked as they blended into the crowd, Alan becoming a bit nervous with their names mentioned out loud.
"Well, to put it mildly, causing trouble, there is this tavern I always like to try out" Alan glanced making idle conversation as he looked around looking for a specific building.
"Sounds lovely" Pieck spoke dryly "Still why do you need me?"
Alan nodding his head in a direction, as Pieck followed "You're an unknown, excellent for covert since the scouts won't know you, to them your just a civilian, grab the newspaper", Pieck swiping the abandoned newspaper as they walked, handing it to Alan.
Alan casually sat on a fountain wall, as he eyed a group of scouts, Pieck wondered around, pretending to browse some wares.
Scouts walking in and out of a building, definitely the one, perhaps there is a back way, flicking his paper, noticing the headline.
SCOUTS FINAL VICTORY AT HAND
Alan mused as he skimmed, the past week they have made some leeway in their advancement, looks like this would be the final expedition, he sure has stirred the hornets nest, seeing how Erwin seem more aggressive in their expeditions, Alan observed them from afar, reporting in activity during Pieck's recovery, time is running out.
Wondering around the back, signalling Pieck he is on the move, a wooden door, locked for the looks of it.
"you have any lockpicks?" Alan asked as Pieck pulled a few picks from her satchel on her waist "Good keep a lookout"
Alan clicked away as he fidget with, he lock, standard as it was, should be no problem, Pieck glancing around, seeing two scouts coming their way.
"Two coming from our left" Pieck spoke, as Alan concentrated, clicking away, the scouts coming closer, seeing the two of them "No time to divert, sorry about this"
Alan blinked as he turned to Pieck, about to ask why she has to be sorry for, instantly the woman grabbing his waist coat, pulling him into a kiss, taking Alan completely off guard, Pieck turning his back to them as she closed her eyes making out they are in a deep kiss, Alan in a state of shock, his eyes would have given it away.
"Jeez, young love" One scout cooed, the male grunted beside her.
"They do it anywhere these days" the scouts simply walked past them, laughing about the eye candy they saw.
Once they have gone out of sight, Pieck pulled away, as both blushed, Alan opened his mouth, then close again, first time to Pieck's delight first time in making him unable to speak throughout the years they knew each other.
Alan blinked, looking back to the disappearing scouts, then back to Pieck.
"you mention this to Reiner, or Bertholdt I will feed you to a titan" Pieck warned, Alan dumbfound nodding, returning back to the door.
"Quick thinking as always" Alan grumbled as he fumble with the lock again, before imitating his voice like Zeke "As expected of Pieck"
"That is the only time that will happen" Pieck grumbled "Just get that lock done, unless you're after another one?" teasing in her voice, amused how Alan hastened his movements springing the lock, as the final click came into place.
"Reiner would try his luck again" Alan joked "Bertholdt would have shit himself" as he opened the door, inviting her in, how chivalry have not died at this moment.
"You seem to get the job done quicker" Pieck teased "Maybe I should actually tell Zeke, if he wants you to get the job done quicker, he could give you a kiss"
Alan face paled at the thought, feeling quite sick of Zeke tonguing him.
"A vivid image you placed there Pieck" Alan pulling a face of disgust "Don't do that again"
Pieck chuckled as they venture into the scout HQ, firstly, they came across where the uniform were kept, Alan knew that the layout is the same for all HQ's, knowing this is where the scouts venture from, what district are they in? Does not matter, it felt like he walked these halls not too long ago.
"Pieck, I think you should wait outside; I be changing into the uniform, I can walk around with ease" Alan pointed out, Pieck nodded, making her way stealthily back through the corridor to the outside.
Alan walked into the room where the uniforms were kept, scouts mission tends to be very gritty as they can create tears in the uniform, Alan wondered around, seeing boots lying about, the wings of freedom emblem stitched on the jacket in front of him, the capes draped over the hangers on the far side of the walls.
By instinct Alan withdrew the clothing needed, stripping down as he got the white trousers on, the feeling all to familiar, Pieck holding onto the grey top of his, her many specialisations of hers, always thinking ahead and having the necessary bag to hold his clothes.
The knife strapped to his left leg, where it always belong, strange to be back into scouts' uniform, only felt like yesterday.
Alan held the jacket in front, not too eager to wear the jacket, the symbol of freedom, they will never be free.
Walking back out, he could hear talks and steps moving in his direction, turning the other way, leaning against the wall, the familiar voice of Hange, the uncontained excitement in her voice.
"Moblit, I am telling you, the experiments are far exceeding expectations" Hange gleefully echoed through the halls.
"Section commander, you nearly blew yourself up the previous experiment" Moblit warned her "Yes it was a success, but the charges are very sensitive"
"They have to be, if the impact doesn't set it off then it wouldn't explode" Hange pointed out, their voices muffled as they set further away.
Alan eyed them with concern, what have they created now? Since he is in the HQ, he could try and find the commanders office where all plans will be stored, walking with stride, moving up the stairs, as Alan crept around, like a ghost he avoided a few, searching through his memory he found the commanders office, luck and fortune favoured him, the room was unlocked.
Creeping in, Alan cast his eyes to the desk, swiftly and silently moved, documents sprayed over, Alan scanned through, nothing worth taking.
Apparently, Historia is having her coronation next week, good for her, guilty about Ymir not being there, apparently Reiner wanted to give her a letter from Ymir herself, frowning Reiner is a fool if he thinks he could give it to her, he be dead before touching the wall.
Some complaints of Garrus and Sasha, same old shit for the looks of it, nothing of Mikasa, Alan was both glad and disappointed at the same time, knowing she would distract him if her name were to pop up. Deciding to search some more, another sheet, with a lot of names written on it.
List of the dead, Armin at the top of the list, Alan paused as he read the name, the life leaving his eyes, as Alan watched him die in his hands, he had to, Annie could not be saved if he did not.
Seeing a locked draw, Alan pried it open, pausing in case someone didn't hear the crack, Alan hit the jackpot as a schematic of some kind laid before him, it's like an explosive tube, he show it to the others when he and Pieck return, folding it up, placing it inside the jacket, plans for Shinganshia, just as they predicted Eren is going to harden, that's going in the pocket, best to steal for preparation, routes, theories, even, names… that is a lot of names and soldiers coming to Shinganshia.
Carrying everything he can, Alan slipped out of the office, as he let his senses widen, again like a ghost, finding his way out.
To his dismay a scout is interrogating Pieck.
"Listen ma'am you should not even be here, this area is off limits" a disgruntled elder scout, grumbled, guy looked tired, hope he doesn't recognise him.
"I just got lost, if you could at least take me to the hospital, I be forever grateful" Pieck lied through her teeth, Alan would be impressed, the elder scout sighed spotting Alan.
"Private!" Alan saluted in instinct and habit due to his training "If your free, take this lady to the hospital"
"Yes sir!" Alan spoke immediately "Come along ma'am, I take you there"
"Thank you sir, my memory isn't what it is used to be" Pieck smiled before taking his arm, as Alan guided her away from the scout, too tired to even notice that the enemy was in front of him.
Gaining some distance Pieck gave him a stern glare "What took you so long, in and out just as you said" scoffing at rh last phrase, before noticing documents and paper in his jacket "I believe those are the reason you took so long"
Alan glanced, before swinging the Scouts cloak over him, hiding the bulge of his jacket "Correct, something to look over when we get back, could help us plan even better, knowing the enemy movement"
"If we can get out without notice, the scouts will be a few days, something we don't have, if they figured out they have been stolen, they be heading to us in those days to come" Pieck warned as they made their way to the wall, the lift evident.
"Good thing your quick in titan form" Alan grinned, Pieck groaning.
"Yeah, back to being in a hot body again, it was good to get the fresh air while it lasted" Pieck sighed, as they climbed the wall, through elevators and ladders, Alan noticed Pieck has changed her clothes, wearing a cloak, when did she do that? Why did not he notice till now.
"Like I said, you took too long" Pieck spoke, reading his demeanour towards her.
Reaching the top of the wall, looking down, a pure titan roam below, that would be problematic, since they are high up, they be breaking their legs or splat on the ground, if they transform here, then the scouts who ventured out would be on them in seconds, it may have been an few hours they stayed here, but their horses are bred to catch up, unsure with Pieck but they are in the path they need to head to.
"Have a plan B?" Pieck stated, as she glanced down, Alan looked over his shoulder seeing two garrison soldiers heading towards them.
"This is where the fun begins" Alan smirked turning towards them
"What fun?" Pieck widened her eyes not too excited that Alan strolled towards the soldiers.
Alan strolled over, a grin on his face, as the two-garrison paused, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Hello There" Alan greeted.
"You're not allowed up here, Commander's orders, all scouts are to be at their HQ or out on their last expedition" One grunted, his hand laying on the sword on his scabbard, Alan glanced down then back, grinning again.
"Oh, my apologies, I tend to acquire something up here" Alan still moving forward, Pieck keeping her distance, the hood up just in case.
"We are to use force, Commander Erwin's orders" one called out, unsheathing the sword, Alan narrowed his eyes, still grinning, was Erwin expecting something? Does not matter.
"So am I" Alan said darkly, before the two can react, Alan swiped at their necks with his knife in a swift movement, blood gushing out as they fell, clutching their necks as they choked to death on their blood, Alan simply took off one of the ODM's before equipping them on, looking to the bodies, he simply threw them off the wall, giving the pure titan something to snack on while they make their escape.
"Once we get down, you could transform, since the cart can be discreet while transforming, use the wall as cover" Alan held his hand out "Hold on tight"
Pick did as instructed, wrapping her legs around his waste and his arms around his neck, Alan free fall, hooking along the walls during his descent, Pieck was frightened at the speed he was going, the pure titan gazing at them hungrily moved to their direction.
"Alan, trouble incoming" Pieck warned in his ear mortified to hear Alan chuckling, before he swung, Pieck holding onto dear life, closing her eyes as Alan twirled, a slicing sound and a heavy thud echoed in her ears. Pieck opened her eyes to the titan disappearing.
"Your pretty skilled" Pieck complimented "Are the scouts are as good as you?"
Alan grinned "Only some, the Ackerman's are the ones you really have to watch out for"
"Understood, well slice my hand and step back" Pieck warned holding out her hand, Alan complied, slicing a cut in her hand before jolting back, her transformation was quick as a flash of yellow light emerged, her quadruple titan staring at him lowering her head for him to jump on, as he grabbed hold of the hair, before bounding away, with haste, no doubt some alarm would come along when they noticed blood on the wall that trailed off the edge, thanks to Alan's methods of disposing the evidence.
Zeke watched out from the walls, listening to Reiner and Bertholdt, concern for their friend, somehow the fact he went back into enemy territory draw some concerns, bringing the cart titan with him, extremely risky even for Zeke's taste, a few hours have past, he shouldn't have agreed, the risk was too great.
"War chief, permission to set out to find them" Reiner requested, his posture stiff, as if the anxiety that Alan is in danger irks him.
Zeke looked to Reiner and back out to the open plains "Denied, I will not risk the armoured titan"
"But you risked the cart titan" Reiner countered, Zeke didn't like that, valid point but Reiner's tine is quite rude in his opinion, he would look pass this as concern for them, it was not easy with the Annie debacle.
"Pieck is an intelligent woman, Alan would ensure her safety, plus his reasoning was valid, plus you agreed to his plan did you not?" Zeke shot back, as Reiner chewed his cheeks.
"We was hoping there be uniforms in the outposts" Reiner stated, how naïve Zeke wondered "I wouldn't agree if it involves going back into the city"
"The final answer is no, if you like to duel again, Alan would not be too pleased if you were to lose again" Zeke warned, glancing to see a titan heading towards them "As expected of them, they have returned"
Reiner casting his gaze, sighing in relief, Bertholdt standing beside him, happy to see their return.
Pieck climbed the wall swiftly as she lay, Alan hopping off, Zeke was amused to see Alan in enemy uniform. Even Reiner and Bertholdt seem uncomfortable seeing him in the uniform, Zeke couldn't blame them to wear those clothes for years, must have left a sour taste in their mouths.
"My Pieck, did you manage to capture or seduce the enemy?" Zeke joked, seeing Alan scowl, Pieck chuckling in titan form, unaware words been said was close to what happened than he thinks.
"I took him by surprise" Pieck simply stated, Alan shooting her a glare.
"We agreed not to talk about that" Alan grinned, Pieck rolling her eyes.
"Hope things went according to plan?" Zeke interrupted, more interested in Alan's grin as he held out even more documents.
"Plus, some" Alan shrugged as Zeke received the papers, pushing his glasses up as he looked them over.
"Exceeding expectations as always Alan" Zeke applauded, very intrigued with the plans in front of him "Here I was regretting ever sending you and Pieck out to do this little project of yours"
"It's a good thing I did bring her along" Alan admitted, taking Zeke by surprise, always the solo warrior he was, accomplish things on his own to maximum efficiency "She got me out of a few jams, plus gave me some time to acquire these plans"
"As expected of Pieck" Zeke mused, bringing a chuckle from both Pieck and Alan, apparently something went on, did they made fun of him while they was on a coop mission, he will overlook this, since they brought a bounty of information especially from the ones they will be fighting.
"Plus, this" Alan unfolded the schematic, Zeke, Reiner and Bertholdt took more attention to what is in front of them.
"What is that?" Bertholdt asked as he looked at many lines and scribbles, a few diagrams "Hange's writing, can never read her scribbles"
"Hange?" Zeke questioned, first time he heard of this woman.
"Titan expert" Reiner waved his hand "She's like a scientist, but on titans"
"A scientist?" Zeke repeated, did not know they can be those on this island, explains how they can fight off titans Zeke suppose.
"Crazy about titans, but she has a knack for inventions" Reiner continued "This looks like some rocket, or explosive device" looking at the diagram, a big explosion drawing kind of indicates its an explosive.
"I overheard their experiments were successful, but I doubt it would be actual rockets" Alan murmured, "They are not that advanced"
"It would be a terrible thing if they were" Zeke pointed out, quite alarmed for a second "Still, the design is quite remarkable, we could use this back home"
Zeke looked over the material mentioned, frowning for a moment, one of the key components is titan crystal, why use titan crystal? It is used in their ODM gears, maybe extra thrust? Still the Marley engineers could tweak it to suit their needs.
"We can shelve this for later, right now we have their plans, for what they are to do once they reach here" Zeke flicked out a few documents "As predicted they are going to use Eren to block up the holes, they have contingency plans if they were to come across titans and specifically you Alan"
Alan raised his eyebrow "Me? Should I be flattered?"
Zeke mused for a moment nodding to Alan "Oh yes, they have designated two squads to combat you specifically, one squad for Reiner as well"
"Oh, how lovely, Alan we have a fan club" Reiner joked before becoming serious "But why us? Our armour would stop them"
"Maybe they plan to take us out before we transform" Alan pointed out "There's nothing indicating how they will tackle us, strange, I took everything that was in that draw, I couldn't have missed anything"
"Perhaps it wasn't written down as of yet" Pieck interrupt their thought "They did venture out on their final expedition, perhaps they are attempting new ideas to fight us"
"Good call" Bertholdt agreed "They don't seem to have a plan to get me" reading through the pages, nothing on Zeke or Pieck, they only thought they will be fighting three titan shifters and not five.
"We have the element of surprise on our hands" Zeke smugly grinned "They are not aware yet, that we know of their plans, hopefully they are desperate enough not to change them, it is not like they have the time to make another one up"
"I don't think so, they are determined, as Pieck said this is their last expedition, we have a few days at most, maybe less, since I stole their plans, their commander is no fool, he would hasten the attack to prevent us from adapting to their plan"
"It is a good thing, they are doing exactly how we planned it" Zeke affirmed, this battle will be too easy, quite anti climatic "With Reiner hidden in the walls, you amongst their own, they would be set into chaos"
Hummed agreements radiated as the warriors relaxed, quite anticipating the battle to be swiftly executed and the scouts at their mercy, not like they be leaving them alive, all they need is Eren Yeager, they would return to finish them off at a later time.
"It's weird seeing you in that uniform" Bertholdt quipped, as he nervously glanced to Alan as he sat there, who in turn deciding to eat an apple acquired from the crate, Pieck taking the liberty to butting the baggage back on top of her, seeing her carefully placing the crates and barrels above, Reiner tying up the knots, securing the cargo, it was a one off that Pieck could get out of her titan form.
"It's weird wearing it" Alan spoke sceptically "Who would have thought after everything, I find myself wearing it again"
"It's only brief, once we finish this, you can burn it, or keep it as a trophy" Bertholdt suggested, as Alan wriggled in the jacket.
"It is quite comfortable" Alan pondered, chuckling at the silliness, staring out, waiting for the battle to come.
Two days since the scouts returned, towards Erwin's frustration, finding his office, ransacked of important documents, reports of two garrison soldiers missing on the wall, and no one saw them.
Erwin is both annoyed and impressed, somehow Alan managed to walk into the HQ and walk right out in broad daylight and no one saw him, he asked if anyone was by the back door, as it was found unlocked by Hange later in the day, apparently a woman was outside lost and confused, wondering down the street, a senior sending a private to take her to the hospital, and a young couple making out by the door, unaware where they were.
Yet no one saw him.
"Oi Erwin, you look like your straining for a shit" Levi called out as he sat in one of the chairs, drinking his tea.
"It seems that we will never catch a break with Alan skulking about" Erwin sighed, rubbing his temple with his one arm, leaning back into the chair.
"He's not in the city or nearby, I personally searched every shit hole I can find" Levi offered, knowing Erwin's frustrations, the kid is starting to piss him off too, now matter how good he is.
"I know, I thank you Levi, all of the scouts assisted especially those friends with young Artlert" Erwin's sighed again, Alan have awakened the sleeping giants and set fire to the hearts, is was due to them their expeditions went swiftly and ferociously, their focus was multiplied tenfold, as their hatred for the traitor that took one of their own.
Levi grunted in agreement, the silent anger Mikasa shown, Eren's focus was something, shame it only took their childhood friends death to increase their skill and potential.
"You know what this means" Erwin stated, looking to Levi, as Levi lowered his cup.
"We're not going to wait, are we?" Levi asked, at this moment the scouts are having their dinner, it is like their final dinner, many recruits from both the garrison and Military police have bolstered the survey corps numbers, thanks to Erwin's leadership and the hearts given to him, they hardly lost any soldiers setting the path to their final destination.
"Yes" Erwin confirmed "We will have a good nights rest, allow the infractions happen tonight, it maybe their last time they would spend such a time" Levi scowled as Erwin referred to the brats that fucks like rabbits.
"If you say so, just so you know" Levi leaned back sipping his tea "I'm not cleaning up after them"
Erwin chuckled, Levi ever so loyal, his most trusted friend, tomorrow they will set out, the path now set and clear, the day after tomorrow would be the day where humanity fate will be decided.
A/N: Another chapter, setting up for the next, it be a while for the next update because it be the beginning of the final battle, I enjoyed writing this chapter because I enjoy Pieck in the manga, her intelligence knows no bounds and having her interact with Alan was amusing, showing what they have to do to ahem, go covert, do not take this as a ship, it's just for amusement on my part, enjoy the chapter :)
Since the reviews are mostly the same, banter just came out on whim, wasn't actually planned, but how it flowed and came, I found it funny that it just evolves around bacon, but glad you guys enjoyed that, quite surprise that non was mentioned more on Alan's subject of Rufus involving the Tybur's, goes to show, banter trumps all xD hope you guys enjoying the story so far and thanks for continuing to read it.
P.s Myzor, I will say Alan and Mikasa do not die in the battle, but don't expect a happy moments during it, that is all.