Subject of Rufus
Time seem to quicken as night came, Alan enjoyed watching the stars at night, storied can be told, some spoken that the very stars are those that came before, a little fantasy he liked to muse himself with, wonder if his mother is looking down upon him, Alan never knew his mother, only that she was an Ackerman, the picture of her in a locket that his father kept, currently back home, Alan didn't want to bring it with him, fearing he would lose it in the land of the devils, Alan wonders what she would say to him right now, Reiner's mother would be proud, the dutiful sons, loyal to each other, he owe Reiner's mom a great deal, taking him in at a young age, along with Reiner, they strived to be something, then Bertholdt came along, the three were inseparable, ever so quiet, as he let both Alan and Reiner create the idea's for their next adventure. Marcel hopped in and he and Alan became fast friends, thick as thieves as they cooperate really well, his will to drive people forward, Alan learned well.
Annie took some time to ease in, a miserable cow was the first words Alan spoke to her, soon regretted it after with her kicks coming in, Alan swore to not underestimate her again, Pieck, a sweet girl, her brains and intelligence was something Alan could learn from, 'always get ahead of your opponent' Pieck told him once and after that he done so.
Zeke, well Alan couldn't put his finger on him, it's like he's hiding something, something important, possibly because of his past, his father being a fanatic of the old Eldian empire, fools, they killed and mercilessly butchered children with their titans, the thought stopped him.
Didn't he done just that since they arrived here. He feels like he is no better than the people of the past, who are the real devils? The one's they labelled, or themselves? Innocent people lived here, ignorant of the world, and Alan butchered them all, he killed, at such a young age, the shining beacon of the Marley generations of Warrior's, the subject of Rufus. How he hated the title, a reminder that he is just like Reiner, and the rest, subject of Ymir's. Devils.
the heavy breathing of Pieck's titan as she slept stirred his thoughts, seeing Reiner keeping his eyes to the fire as Bertholdt and Zeke slept, Alan stretched as he lifted himself up to where Reiner sat, the eyes focused on the fire.
"Couldn't sleep?" Alan asked, Reiner startled, breaking out of his stupor.
"Yeah" Reiner admitted, putting small metal box back into his pocket, keeping it safe "You think Christa will be here?" a bit of hope rang in his voice, Alan frowned, has he forgotten that Christa is Historia now.
"Historia" Alan reminded, seeing his eyes blink upon realisation.
"Yeah, Historia" before huffing in amusement "To think we trained with them for years, now we be seeing them again"
Yeah, they will, but not on the best of terms, not when Alan caused them too much trouble, a simple stir from Pieck, as she lifted herself up from her slumber.
"I'm heading out" Pieck casually said, as she leapt from the wall, she must have a feeling she need to be on lookout.
"Just be prepared Alan" Reiner suddenly spoke, the feeling involving her seem to be the subject "I know you, you will try and not hurt her"
"But she will try and kill me" Alan finishing Reiner's sentence, it is obvious, that it will be a very one-sided relationship in this fight, it will be no spar, but a fight to the death, and Alan knows it.
"Exactly, you say she is behind you, but you tend to find things extremely hard to let go" Reiner pointed out as he tapped his own chest.
The metal of Marcel's dog tags grew suddenly heavy around his neck, Alan still have not forgiven himself for failing him, even if Ymir is now in their possession, it is just not the same anymore.
"Marcel's death was my fault" Reiner spoke, his voice lowering "If I did not freeze, he would not have pushed me out the way"
"It was natural to freeze, I blame myself Reiner, I should have been faster, but then again if Marcel didn't push you, I would have" Alan spoke, Reiner having survivors guilt, it is something hard to shake, especially when left alone with the demons.
The memory all to clear, Marcel screaming for them to run as Reiner was shoved out the way, Alan being close behind, the titan hand grabbing hold of Marcel, Alan also froze as he watched in horror, as Marcel watched Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie ran, Alan just stood there and watched, yet did nothing.
Alan let him die, did he? Noticing the shouts from the others forced his legs to run the other direction, it all happen so fast, but looking back did Alan even try? He nearly failed Reiner, he failed Marcel.
"Alan" Reiner spoke again, as Alan looked back in a daze, the memory quickly going "To honour Marcel, we must move forward"
"Yeah, it is all we can do" Alan murmured, the phrase was a means to snap them out of their own insecurities, Alan used it during the training with the warrior candidates, it's what drives them forward, do not look behind, eye's forward.
Now it is like a rehearsed phrase, like how he reminded himself he is a warrior, even though he drilled in into himself constantly, do not forget, do not forget.
Now he just want this all to end.
Bertholdt stirred, blinking as the sky turn to a hue of dark red coming from the distance, sun is rising ever so slowly, how long have they talked, or aware of what is to come.
"I see you are all awake" Zeke stretched, cracking a part of his neck, as if the tension have been released. Zeke mused how Pieck is no longer around, marvellous, at least she is doing her job.
"Haven't been up long" Reiner shrugged, as placing coffee beans into a pot as the water boils at the fire, prepping four cups to the side, no doubt they are going to need it.
"Ah, I hope you three are well prepared" Zeke asked, no doubt the eery feeling for the battle to come.
"I'm ready" Bertholdt murmured, suddenly not entirely confident, Reiner frowned, while Alan just watches out to the wall.
"There is no lingering thoughts?" Zeke questioned some more, tasting the air at the same time, the plan is simple, but if his comrades are not all there, then he would need them to snap out of their stupor if they were to succeed.
"Now I know Annie is safe, I'm behind this hundred percent" Reiner affirmed, only reason why he rebelled was because of Annie, the guilt of finding out she was prisoner weighed on all of them.
"What says you, subject of Rufus?" Zeke using Alan's title, a reminder in some cases but also expendable.
"Ready to go chief" Alan straightened up, ignoring the urge to salute, habits die hard for the feel of it, Reiner now pouring the coffee in the cups laid nearby.
"War chief!" a cry from below the walls, drawn their attention, to look down, Pieck head held high to meet their eyes "Torches to the woods far south, they will be here by morning"
Zeke pondered; it would give them enough time to prep the ambush, enough time to get his most valuable subjects into place, staying out of sight and his freshly made titans would be the difficult part to avoid detection.
"Very well, get things prepared" Zeke ordered, Pieck soon went off instantly, the woman knows what to do, turning to the three young boys in front of them, grasping the cup willed with coffee.
"A toast" raising his cup high "A toast to our victory"
The four downed their extremely hot beverage, only Zeke stopped midway to the extreme heat of the beverage.
Amateur, the three thought in their heads.
Casting their cups away, breaking the fire and camp apart, hiding any sign they were here, it is best that they appear to be long gone.
"Best head with Zeke, Bertholdt" Alan nodded to Zeke leaving into the other direction, as time is now in the essence.
"yeah, I do just that" Bertholdt spoke, turning to leave.
"Wait" Reiner spoke, "All this time, you have me and Alan look after you, giving orders, we will be splitting up, but you have to make the hard choices on your own and I thought that you wouldn't be able to go up for the task"
Bertholdt, frowned, right before the battle he is getting a lecture from Reiner, but listened as he always done.
"Now you have both mine and Alan's confidence" Reiner becoming positive "Have faith in yourself, as we have faith in you"
"Thanks Reiner" Bertholdt taken aback, unsure the sudden praise "Anything you want to add?" turning to Alan.
Alan just smirked "Reiner just said all that need to be said, besides let's get this over with, and when we get back, you definitely need to tell Annie how you feel"
Bertholdt's shocked expression brought a tear to both the brothers' eyes, they knew, they teased but now, it is best once they get Annie out of that crystal, Bertholdt should do just that.
Placing their arms onto each other's shoulders, as they parted, they will have each other's back, no matter the choices they make.
"You be safe brother" Reiner spoken as Alan began to run with Bertholdt.
"You to Brother, we will win this" Alan wishing Reiner luck
"Where would you be hiding" Bertholdt asked as they ran to the other end of the wall, Alan keeping his pace seeing how Zeke is near the town outside the wall, awaiting Bertholdt.
"In one of the houses just outside the wall, with the sound of hooves, would tell me when they arrive, just after that I sneak in with them as they fly over the wall" Alan spoke as he looked at the ruined houses beneath
"Zeke would throw me in when either you or Reiner signal for me to come in" Bertholdt spoke, the plan discussed.
"You only come in, when we have them grouped together, that way we can take them out in one move" Alan nodded, Bertholdt's part will play out, the colossal titan, tends to be the game changer if things goes sideways.
"Yeah, Alan" Alan listened, noting appreciation radiating from his friend "I want to say thank you for saving Annie, the things Armin told me, how she would still be screaming under torture"
Bertholdt's faced sullen for a brief moment, before hardening "I thought about what you said about killing Armin, I hate to admit this, but I'm glad he's dead"
Alan felt unsettled, for someone who have been reserved in his feelings, Bertholdt coming out like this, guy must have had a lot on his mind, still killing is second nature to Alan, does not mean he enjoys it as much.
Patting his shoulder, a brief smile "Let's finish them off then" before departing, a lot to think about while Alan waits, the timing must be perfect, for him to blend in, he hopes Mikasa wasn't nearby to spot him out.
The buildings look desolate, seeing a suitable building that have a good view of the hole in the wall, the one Reiner made on his orders, funny, such a place would bring back memories, guilt, painful, yet Alan calmly sat himself down, feeling nothing, the calm before the storm, closing his eyes, Alan breathed as he sat in silence, listening, to the shuffles of Zeke, Bertholdt and Pieck, moving about, far away from the wall.
The moment the scouts goes past the line they are marked, preparation would be used to put the titans into place, Zeke's power to control them, how fascinating, Alan ponders, is this the secret ability of the beast titan? Or is it just Zeke being the wonder boy, more questions rises, Alan ponders to past the time, Reiner, hope he made it to the secret compartment in the wall, no doubt grabbing wood and painting it the colour of the wall, still, would his presence affect the titans hibernating? So many more questions. He has time to kill.
The woods are eery and silent, as the scouts trotted through, Mikasa kept her senses alert as her eyes scanned through the tree's, silence, it unsettles her, keeping close by to Eren, as his eyes peeled through listening, waiting, expecting an ambush at this very moment, Alan is unpredictable, but he isn't stupid, the forces bulked from the new recruits joining from the other two regiments, most of them will die, an unpleasant thought, Mikasa doesn't care, Eren is her concern, she wishes Armin is here, he would try and see into Alan's mind, glancing behind, many torches filled the path, Bruno visible with the beard now grown long and bushy, Garrus and Sasha nearby, not a peep from the loud mouth, Connie and Jean, trailed to the left side as they kept alert, Connie shooting at the slightest movement, as if expecting them, strange that there are barely any titans about, it is like they pushed closer to wall Rose, maybe they be able to seal the holes in wall Maria, perhaps with Alan taking Annie back they would leave, ensuring she wouldn't be retrieved again.
The news of Alan's appearance in the district riled up the scouts, Erwin was extremely angry at the fact he walked in the headquarters in broad daylight, the manhunt was thoroughly done, since everyone who knew or were close to Armin personally did so, Mikasa felt a sudden rage at the mention of his name, Eren wanted to give chase when they found nothing, still Alan was long gone when they have returned.
The sun rising as the wall towered in the distance, beyond that, Shinganshia, a lot of memories lies in that place, many pleasant and happy, and those of despair, Eren in particular can see his mother die, over and over again, some can see Armin taking his mothers place, the titan taking on Alan's titan, he will die, he will devour him.
Erwin raised his sword, as they galloped across through the ruins of the houses lying before them.
"Retaking of Wall Maria will commence!" Erwin roared "Advance!" scouts leapt from their horses as they flew through the sky, over the wall, Levi flinging himself over, to see the district before them, many scouts took the horses as they galloped through, their main target is the hole leading to the outside, where the titans would lie.
Frey remained close to Eren as they rode through, in case of any ambush were to happen, a sudden feeling of unease washed over him, something is not right, glancing around to see scouts flying over the buildings, heading to the other side, to intercept any titan that remained.
"Eren get that hole sealed quick" Frey ordered, Eren nodded before launching to the hole, biting down onto his hand as he transformed, lodging himself into the hole made by the colossal titan, hardening, as steam erupted violently.
The steam cleared to see the hardened titan formation sealing the wall, Frey signalled a green flare, they have succeeded in sealing the wall, yet something still felt wrong, very wrong.
In another part of the district Izzy came across something catching her eye, "Captain!" Izzy called for Levi's attention, without a second to waste Levi jumped to her, only to find her holding on to mugs.
"You called me over mugs?" Levi asked, not too pleased.
"But Captain, these are made of metal, we usually don't have metal made for this" Izzy pointed out, ok the enemy is using precious metals for something trivial "Plus it looks like they have been tossed away"
"Is it warm?" Levi asked, Izzy can only shake her head, so they have been here, but for how long, for all they know, the bastards must have ran with their tails between their legs, no, that isn't Alan's style, he likes an ambush.
Hearing a thud behind to see loudmouth Garrus "Captain, there's scorch marks of a fire above on the wall, they made camp, and they did a shit job in covering it"
"What are you suggesting, rabbit?" Levi asked, Garrus smirked at the insult.
"I think they are still around, well I hope so, we all got a thing to gut the bastard" Garrus spat with venom, Armin's death laid heavily on the scouts, the 104th in particular, it's like killing a member of their family.
"You have your moment, right now, we have to seal up the other hole in the wall" Levi waving off the venom Garrus shown, they really do want the brat to show up, Levi scanned the area, a sinking feeling that he is somewhere nearby, waiting.
Erwin watched as everything unfold, the enemy have not revealed themselves, the soldiers roaming through, standing guard, Levi brought him some news that they are around somewhere, yet something felt off, as Erwin scanned the soldiers, everything, seems to go on paper, yet, where is the counter attack, surely, with the plans stolen they would be prepared, something is not adding up.
"Commander" Frey saluted, Erwin piercing him with his eyes, Eren followed nearby along with Mikasa "The hole is sealed up, no sign of the enemy"
"Very good, allow Eren to rest for a short while before sealing up the next, stay alert" Erwin ordered, as soldiers amass amongst onto the walls, as they stood waiting for next orders, "Inspect the buildings!"
In an instant few scout's leap from the walls, moving smoothly through the buildings, inspecting every room, calling out clear through each pass, non-have been found to show that the enemy was nearby.
The group above watched, Jean becoming more frustrated by the moment.
"Where the fuck are, they?" Jean groaned as he saw scouts jumping out of windows, to move onto the next.
"If Armin were here, he would figure it out" Connie murmured, something not sitting well.
"Well he isn't" Garrus seethed, something is nagging him at the back of his head and this time it isn't Sasha "Fuck, right let us think like Armin"
Amusing seeing how Garrus strained his temples, pressing his fingers against his head, as if trying to think, the guy would burst a vein if he strained to hard.
"It looks like your trying to shit yourself" Jean chastised, Armin is way too smart, Bruno seem to be contemplating, big guy haven't said a word yet, while listening to Izzy, girl comes out with stupid stuff these days, giving Sasha and Connie a run for their money.
"You know Bruno, it's weird standing on top of a wall filled with titans" Izzy, shuffled, tapping on the stone with her foot, a casual sound of stone meeting her boot "I wonder how they could get out of it, if they were to you know, come and say hi"
Bruno shot up, looking to Izzy and to the wall, could it be possible? Did they also know about the titans of the wall, tapping his foot on the stone floor, a solid thud, drawing his sword, Bruno tapped, a solid clang of stone meeting metal.
"Yo, Bruno, you ok big guy?" Sasha asked, watching the man walk about tapping the floor, even Garrus questioned him with a sceptical look.
"Interesting" Bruno murmured, looking to the scouts, wall titans, could it be truly that simple? Looking to the hole, where Eren would need to seal up, the enemy need to be in plain view, an easier way to get to him, since he would be vulnerable and unable to transform the third time, Alan would use this knowledge to their advantage, being in the houses would not make enough room to manoeuvre, it would need to be quick and precise, meaning…
Bruno shot a red flare in the air, Levi, Erwin, Hange and Frey come to him with haste, as the other scouts within the districts.
"You found something?" Erwin asked, urgency in his voice.
"No, I believe the enemy is not in the houses" Bruno spoke, Levi seemingly annoyed about to berate them "I believe they are in the walls"
"Bruno, of all the things you could have said, that is plain stupid" Garrus groaned "Why would they be in the walls?"
Frey narrowed his eyes as he glance to the hole, and then to the district "He might be onto something, we haven't seen them, but they clearly can see us"
"So, what do you want us to do, have everyone dangle on the wall and tap away?" Levi asked.
"Worth a shot" Frey spoke, turning to Hange, the woman seeming to agree, Erwin nodded, seems plausible enough.
"Men check the walls, Frey you're in charge, seeing you vouching for this" Erwin commanded, Frey saluted pulling Bruno with him.
Not noticing a scout moving suspiciously closer to one edge of the wall in particular.
Mikasa watched as the scouts tapped away as they search the wall, moving slowly downwards, Eren looking distant as he watched, until a sudden flare of red erupted from one side, alarmed looks as a cry.
"I found something!" a scout called out, until being impaled, falling to his death.
Levi, lunging himself down the instant the scout fell.
"It's Reiner!" Connie called out, seeing the man jumping out.
In the very moment, a sound of screams erupted as three scouts was hurled off the wall. Mikasa watched, why did those three suddenly jump after Levi, realisation hit her, not three scouts jumped after Levi, but one.
Seeing Levi, impaling Reiner in the neck and chest, jumping himself off before Reiner hit the ground, the three bodies falling to Levi's direction.
"CAPTAIN LOOK OUT!" Mikasa screamed.
Levi looked up to see two bodies falling to both his sides, but the middle scout, the glare of hatred piercing him as he flew, Levi narrowly moved out the way of the blade, cutting his cheek, the growl emitting, swerving himself, to come at Levi again.
"Levi! Get up there!" A scout called out, moving to intercept, the flash of yellow where the Armoured titan lay, Alan gutting the soldier, casting him aside, as he flung towards Levi, giving chase.
Levi is vulnerable hanging off the edge, Alan edging forward slicing another scout lunging towards him, the focus fixed on him, Levi now realised Alan is targeting him, retreated back to the top.
Alan flung himself in the air, landing ever so elegantly, as soon as he touched the top of the wall, a mass eruption of yellow lighting erupted around, tall titans stood tall, surrounding their escape, the beast titan lifting himself up, the smug smile, as the beast stared at them all.
Alan rushed forward, spinning his blades as he cut through the scouts that got in his way, screams and blood erupted like a fountain, moving slowly to Levi.
Levi felt tensed, never have he saw such ruthlessness, decapitating, some scouts were lucky to have a quick death, some dying ever so slowly, the eyes focused, as Alan blocked a sword from the rear, twirling around to snap a soldiers neck before pressing forward, Levi gritted his teeth, he needs to get in there or more of the soldiers die to the monster's hands.
Crossing blades as they swung for each other, as Alan deflected Levi with ease, pressing forward with no room to breathe.
Some scouts were about to press forward, "DON'T" Frey roared, seeing how ten scouts was easily decimated in the short pursuit like a knife cutting through butter, they need to do this strategically, Levi is strong, but the way Alan is pressing in him, it looks like Levi wouldn't last very long.
Alan flung his blade at Levi's direction, Levi ducked underneath, only for the blade to hit a scout in the neck that was behind him, the gurgling sound shown its death.
Alan attacked again, side stepping Levi's blade, to launch his knee to his gut, bending Levi forward, the force made Levi gasped out, the impact painful, Alan is no longer holding back, his strength outmatching his, first time Levi felt fearful for his life as the beast before him, unrelenting.
Alan lifted his fist into Levi's jaw, knocking him back, as Levi landing on his back, Alan pulling out the knife he held onto all this time, how symbolic, Levi mused, agony rushed through his body.
No words came as Alan about to lunge his knife into his heart, an eery war cry echoed, it happened quickly as Mikasa launched forward her blade swung wide, catching Alan by surprise as he just about narrowly missed death, a cutting his stomach.
Alan grunted as blood leaked from his side, his eyes widened to see Mikasa, this is not how it meant to go, seeing Bruno and Garrus joining the fray as they circle him, steam emerged as his wound healed, cursing himself to forget about Mikasa, Alan didn't want to fight her, he planned to avoid her at all costs, funny how fate decides to be cruel at the last moment.
Hatred build seeing Reiner nearly killed, Hatred to the fact even without Armin, they figured it out part of their plan, hatred after coming so close, Levi escaped his death for a short moment, he will come back to him once he deals with these pain in his side.
Mikasa lunged forward as Alan grabbed her arm, before swinging his knife, cutting her cheek, Bruno taking advantage jumped in to her aid, Alan dodged the blade, but the fist that came to follow hit his jaw, fantastic, the guy have build up his strength, it is like some god of war as Bruno came in with another swing of his fist, disregarding his swords.
Alan sliced up catching his eye as Bruno howled in pain before Alan lunging his knife into his gut as Bruno gasped before being pushed backwards, collapsing to the ground.
"BRUNO!" Izzy screamed, horror etched over her, seeing him being impaled, Garrus roared as he fought Alan.
Alan still healing his wound, it would have been an instant heal if he weren't so preoccupied, keeping one eye on Mikasa, as she fought along side Garrus, how cute, slapping her hand away as she swung, trying to use Garrus as a shield, Mikasa has some control at least, even in her spat of hatred, Alan felt for a moment proud, seeing how well she developed without him, if only things were different.
Backhanding Garrus aside like he is nothing, Alan moved forward to Mikasa, intending to take her out of the action, it needs to be quick Alan thought, as he swung his knife to her, yet something felt off, or missing as seeing Mikasa's eyes widened, as blood erupted, Alan blinked as he saw an arm fly forward, his knife in the hand.
Izzy flew in between, cutting his arm off…
Levi gaped at the sight as the weakest of the group had the upper hand, the element of surprise, even Alan did not register it until it was too late.
Alan howled in pain at the loss of his limb as he staggered back, his eyes opening again to focus on Izzy, she will pay, Mikasa pushed forward, but Alan used his left hand to bring her forward, planting his head, colliding with hers, before slashing his waist again as she fell.
Alan growled as he saw Izzy stand back, fear paralyzed her, as his glare intensified, with a howl of rage Alan leapt intending to drag Izzy off the wall.
Everything slowed in slow motion as Alan leapt mid-air, his focus remained on Izzy, in a moment, she was pushed aside, Garrus taking her place, as Alan dragged grabbed hold, taking Garrus with him.
"GARRUS!" Sasha cried as she watched the two plummets towards the floor.
During the fall, Garrus grabbed hold of his own blade, plunging it into Alan's gut as the intensified glare laid into his own, 'yeah I got one on you'.
Garrus can only laugh at this very moment, the moment he became selfless, he truly would die, his smug grin disappeared as a bright yellow flash of lightning formed around them.
In their place the Immortal titan roared.
A/N: sorry for the wait, as I said, back at work, plus I wanted this to be right in my eyes, I am debating whether to have this story finished after the battle of Shinganshia and have a sequel story, What do you guys think? Anyways enjoy the story so far.
Some that doesn't like the story, I do apologise if it isn't to your tastes, but I will admit it is not everyone's cup of tea, I appreciate the reviews and critic, It helped me develop in my writing.
Myzor: They are indeed, as you see it isn't a happy reunion, but it is what it is, but they are still alive.
Seniorpoundtown: Did I unintentionally created a new ship? Amazing how the writing turns out xD but I am still alive, just don't want to disappoint with this chapter, Zeke is arrogant, hence why Erwin's charge blinds him to Levi, no one can predict that xD. thanks for the review and seeing I'm still alive.
FREEYMIR: They are not messing around, but still have a death wish, makes me think how they survive this long sometimes lol
EBREUSAUSAR: Yeah they had the schematics, but due to Hange being Hange with her plans, they wouldn't find out until they are used on them, it be interesting to write, might be fifty chapters, debating whether a sequel story or do it with this one, debating about it, some input would be appreciated, Thanks for the review.
To the guests, I do this for a reason, annoying as it maybe, you have to consider that this is a fanfic, a warrior is BIG deal to Alan since he sometimes thinks he's not, he got to remind himself one way or another. Those that wanted a harem, you could always write a harem story to your liking, not expecting the writer's of their own story to do what you demand, no one is stopping you at all, if you want a harem, go create it to your liking, people would enjoy it, some don't, i'm not expecting this story to be the best, but if people enjoy it they enjoy it, if they don't they don't. But thanks to all the reviews, I enjoy reading them, it does give some thought into my writing. :)