Where it all Ends
Who is the real Devil, those that we believe to be, or the one's we deny to ourselves
Fire burned through the circle created, stand tall the Colossal titan, some call it the God of Destruction, as it leave nothing behind in its wake, a power not to be used lightly, the wise would hesitate, but in matters of war, it is just a tool to be used, damn the consequences, a means to an end.
To Alan, he is just Bertholdt, and many other names that came before, who are only human, forced to choose to commit such acts with a heavy burden.
Alan can feel the rumble underneath his feet, the heat of the muscles exposed, the steam escaping, it is slowly decaying, it is a game changer, not for a battle of attrition, ensure that the enemy does not advance, make sure Bertholdt reach the walls so he can breach it once more.
Levi watches from atop the rooves, the small titans rushing with force towards the town, they are to kill the horses, or maybe distract them from something else.
"SOLDIERS!" Erwin cried "Stop those titans, recruits stay with the horses" seeing the scouts did as they are told, this battle seem to be on the enemies favour, but they still have to try and find a way out of this situation.
A logical strategy, have the veterans take care of the titans, the recruits would cower seeing the titans in a very long while, Levi charged forward, slicing a titan squeezing through an alley way, these bastards would try and do anything these days.
Dispatching the titans was easy enough, seeing how they have to move to the front stopping them getting to deep into the town, Levi perched onto a roof, as the sound of crashing emerged from the other side of the wall, 'did anyone survive?' no doubt the other bastards did, what of Frey? That by the book fool better still be alive, he still need to kick his ass over the shit he had to clean up the day before, that rabbit…. Levi mulled over the sight of that stupid brat, sacrificing himself, even now dead, Garrus seem to still piss him off by just thinking of him.
A sound of crashing coming closer to him, in slow motion, seeing rocks the size of balls come whizzing across his face, Levi leapt down immediately as a barrage of rocks come hurling into their direction, those that are caught unaware have been turned to minced meat, as black dust and red mist flood the air as the Beast titan scattered the deadly projectiles at the start of the town.
"AHA!" Zeke smiled, as he picked up another boulder, crushing it between his beastly hands "Do you think I could get more on the next shot?" his head turning to Pieck, watching her bring forward another boulder ready for him to 'pitch' forward.
"Honestly, I would use the boulder and crush as many buildings giving them less places to hide" Pieck stated.
"You're no fun Pieck" Zeke frowned "True it is easier that way, but where would the fun be if we outright kill them all" throwing another scatter of crushed stone scattering across the buildings, the sound of screams can be heard, fear is the best tactic, makes them try and create new strategies.
After all that Alan have told him, Zeke have high hopes, they would try one the most daring manoeuvres, something to spice this up. Especially since this Commander Erwin, outsmarted Alan in the most crucial of moments.
"As you say war chief" Pieck spoke, as she retreated back to roll another boulder forward.
"Bah, if Alan were here, he would give this a shot, a competition of gentlemen" Zeke mused, oh what fun, they may as well make this a game, seeing the enemy is trapped with nowhere to go, throwing the next barrage of rocks.
"War chief, you know better than I, he would lose patience and just charge them all down" Pieck spoke, rolling another boulder forward.
Zeke sighed, of course he would, but still he give it a try a first few times and fail because his titan would more likely crush the boulder into dust, then decide to elegantly put it 'fuck it' and charge.
"Ah true, still, More entertainment for me"
Zeke hopes they are having more fun on the other side of the wall than he is.
Alan gazed through the fire, standing over Reiner, keeping watch, the colossal titan striding through rubble, reminding him when they first came to this very place at the beginning, the cry of innocents, running in fear from the titans they have brought, the feeling of the boy in rags in his titan hand, glancing towards his right hand, he could hear the screams, the begging for his life, it is something that can play on the mind as the sudden heaviness weighed, yet nothing is there, without thinking, his hand crushed into a fist, yet Alan felt numb, unable to feel, glancing to Reiner, how he lay on his back, protecting himself from further attacks.
Eren is still out there, he must end this quickly, there is always a chance that things would unexpecting tip into their favour, Alan knew that they might try something, but very confident that it would be too late, without Armin, they would bicker amongst themselves, but he knows they will go down fighting, Alan could respect them for that, the freedom to choose how they go down instead of laying down and waiting for death to claim them.
"Rest easy brother, come when you are able" Alan spoke inside his titan, gazing around, they are hiding, opting to keep his distance away from Bertholdt, hoping they would focus on him, seeing the bigger threat, the element of surprise on his side, but where they are, is a different question, they could be heading to the river, that is flowing through the district, they could be heading there, to escape the fire, no, they might be aware of him.
So many variables, then again, their lives and the whole of their 'Humanity' are on the line.
A roar echoed through the district; Alan watched Bertholdt. Suddenly stopped, the direction of his head leaned to his right, found them, Alan pounded into the direction where Bertholdt, ignored them as he continued forward to the wall, Eren must be pissed being ignored, Alan mused as he charged, let's change that and give him some attention.
Ramming through a building, an, open wide street with Eren standing in the middle, what remained of the scouts perching on him, caught by surprise by Alan's sudden appearance.
"WATCH OUT!" Connie can be heard, shouting as they dispersed, missing the collision as Alan tackled Eren to the ground, in an instant Alan bit down and ripped Eren's jaw off, enough of that biting from last time, feeling Eren, struggling to get out of his grasp, yet something Alan can feel in his gut something is coming from behind, a scream filled with rage emerged behind him, quickly rolling out the way, exposing Eren, Mikasa halted her attack, nearly firing her thunder spear into Eren's face, if she didn't have control Eren would have met the same fate as Reiner, Alan must be very aware of her.
Seeing his titan getting up, the growl emitting from the titan, Mikasa, knew he is not amused, he wanted her to fire that explosive at that moment, with Eren out he could easily focus on them.
Eren quickly got up, steam healing his missing jaw, quite amusing to see his tongue flapping about with nothing to hold it in.
"Eren" Frey ordered "Go after the colossal titan, we handle this guy"
With that Eren ran off to Bertholdt, foolish, what could they possibly achieve, nothing can stop the colossal titan.
Alan chewed on his cheek as the choice given, chase Eren and risk being blown up, or fight these veterans that know his movements, with the risk of being blown up, such an unfavourable situation, facing off those hell bent in destroying him, noticing a few going to the sides of him, leaving an opening to chase Eren, Mikasa, no where is she? If Alan were to admit, he is more cautious around her.
Moving to the left and right, moving to destroy buildings around him, the scouts backing off in the sudden attack, narrowly escaping the sporadic movements of Alan's titan arms.
"What is he doing?" Jean exclaimed, watching the titan destroying the buildings around him, as if possessed "It's like he's snapped and lost control"
"This would be the best chance to get in, there right?" Connie hesitated, is this some trap, is he making it easier.
"No, he's making it hard, to get the advantage on him" Frey pointed out, noticing how the tall buildings are brought to rubble, smart man, only way to gain any altitude is using the titan itself, meaning fighting on his terms.
"We backed him into a corner" Sasha growled, not far from the truth, she just wants to kill him, pointless attacking if there's not a slim chance of getting him.
Mikasa retreated back, watching the buildings turn to rubble, homes destroyed, it made her even angrier, she hoped he would chase Eren, that way they can take out his legs, it would be careless to attempt to attack his nape, seeing what happened to Moblit, he's adapting far quicker than expected, the reprimand given by Frey, when she attacked Reiner with the spears, it gave Alan some warning and caused more damage than good, but at least the assault on Eren have ended.
Frey stared down the titan, it's focus remaining on him, seeing the stand-off, the first to move, Alan remaining where he stand, the open playing field, Frey counted, as he glanced to the others, how they slowly slinked away, Mikasa near him, that's it big guy forget about everyone else, forget about Eren, hearing the roar, Eren made, signalled the attack.
"NOW!" Frey roared, seeing Alan moving into a defensive stance, before turning round, shooting off to the colossal titan.
"What the?" Alan spluttered in confusion, seeing the scouts from different directions retreating, Mikasa following closely behind Frey, looking at Eren in the distance, attacking Bertholdt, well, apparently halting him in his tracks my pushing against his leg.
The leg swung high, lifting Eren up, until being shot onto the top of the wall, as the impact scattered stone, Alan glanced back to Bertholdt, the scouts advancing on the attack.
Growling at how they intentionally made him think they be holding off, even knowing it is futile, who could of thought of that, another realisation hit him, Mikasa, how the woman made him feel proud at that moment.
"Mikasa, your forcing me to do what I don't want to do" Alan couldn't help chuckle, as he bound towards the action.
Mikasa flew high above, as the thunder spears shot from her hands, towards the colossal nape, not expecting the blast of steam rushing from Bertholdt, narrowly ducking away from the explosion and shrapnel spreading above, the situation getting complicated.
"Fall BACK!" Frey cried out seeing the plan failed, as the scouts rushed out the area, Eren still unconscious on top of the wall, the guy is safe for a brief moment, far away from the titans below, the immortal titan rushing forward, noticing the ruse is up, they can't go against him, hoping Mikasa could give more information on his way of thinking.
"Right guys, time is running out fast" Frey breathed as few caught their breath, Izzy and Sasha keeping an eye out, Alan would soon follow.
"Any more genius ideas guys?" Frey quickly asked, the situation dire, "The plan was a long shot, but good thinking Ackerman, it gave us some time"
"We just need to find a way around that steam on the colossal titan" Jean pointed out "It's like our hooks become unattached when it blow off steam"
"yeah and Eren is knocked the fuck out on that wall" Connie panted, the adrenaline kicking in from the steam attack "If Armin were here, he would have figure it all out by now"
"Well he's not here" Frey spat, Mikasa shot him a glare, but couldn't meet his eye "We have to think and fast, Mikasa, you do realise you're the only one that can think like him"
"What's that got to do with the situation?" Jean, groaned, until a deep voice diverted their attention.
"It is because she became a threat" Bruno groaned under the pain of his wounds.
"Bruno, what? How?" Izzy spluttered "You should be on the wall resting, where is commander Erwin?"
"He has to command those on the other side of the wall" Bruno calmly spoke "It is not looking good"
"But you're not well to fight, you could get yourself killed" Izzy spoke, noting the burn marks on his throat "How did you burn yourself?"
Bruno grunted, wincing at the pain as she slightly touched his throat "A question for another day, right now, I have strength to fight, I have observed, I could not assist the commander, but I can assist you"
"What do you have in mind?" Sasha asked, controlling her anger, but seeing Bruno pained her, half expecting Garrus to pop up out of no where saying something stupid as he always does.
"The colossal titan burns off his muscle, the steam intoxicating, it can be used against him" Bruno spoke as quickly as his throat allows him "The armoured titan may come along anytime soon, we need to deal with that as well, I have brought more spears, yet not enough against the other titan"
Mikasa listened, as Bruno slowly placed his gaze onto her, a sudden feeling crept within her gut.
"You want me to face him alone"
Sudden silence filled the air, despite the sounds of thunder across the area, a titan emerging, Reiner have recovered, time is against them.
"Indeed" Bruno nodded, it is an impossible task, but something crucial seeing that Alan would realise that Mikasa had some part in the dupe.
"Absolutely not!" Jean shouted, veins popping out of the absurdity that have been spoken "You're asking her to go to her death"
"I have faith in her skill, wherever she goes, he will follow, we need him far away from Reiner, otherwise we will all die" Bruno spoke, being calm, very unusually calm, as if already have something mind "I have a plan against the colossal titan, but I only need Eren"
"Why?" Izzy alarmed, noticing something behind it, Bruno must have a deep thought behind this, how dangerously calm he is, she would half expect him to go after Alan after Garrus's death, yet it appears Bruno, has been pondering on his future actions, something not sitting well with her.
Bruno, turned to her, his face show some form of regret but quickly changed neutral "You would have to trust me" leaving the discussion to a close.
"Right, you heard the man, Bruno give us the remaining spears, Mikasa good luck and don't hesitate" Frey ordered, Izzy remaining in her spot, an unsettling feeling in her gut, "Come on, we have to deal with the armoured titan"
Bruno watch her go, before heading to Eren, tightening the bandage around his waist, the pain is a good means to focus, even when he is faced with his own mortality, gazing over the edge, seeing the scouts amounting to something.
As soon as the impact hit the wall, Levi shot his eyes up to see Eren lumped over, did the brat attempt to take on the colossal titan without a plan?
The continuous barrage of stones scattering closer towards them, the senior scouts ripped to shreds and the buildings crumble, inch by inch, no where to run and many options running out.
Levi became worried, it appears the beast titan have pinpointed where they are, as it got closer and closer with each rock thrown, what remains, are the recruits, cowering with the horses, sooner or later if they don't get out of this they be shitting rocks out of their intestines.
He could convince Erwin to grab hold of Eren and take a few to make their escape, at least some would survive the massacre, but titans on the other side of the wall wouldn't allow it.
"Erwin" Levi called as Erwin stood for a moment, listening "We could escape, scatter the horses and what remains of Hange's or Frey's squad"
"What would you do?" Erwin asked, after a moment of thought.
"I would divert the beast titan attention, dragging him away"
"Impossible, you would not even get close" Erwin dismissed the plan "The titan on the other wall would give chase and the titans surrounding the beast titan would soon follow"
"probably, but if you and Eren escape, there could still be hope for all of us" Levi countered, that what mattered at this moment "If we continue like this, not one of us would be make it out alive"
"True, assuming we have no means of a counterattack" Erwin countered yet again, a spark elicited in Levi, did Erwin think of something?
"Is there a way?" Levi questioned, not believing his ears, seeing Erwin stating a simple yes, irritation grew "Why didn't you say something? Why did you keep your shitty mouth shut until now?
Erwin, glared back, distant in his eyes "If the plan goes well, you would be able to get close to the beast titan and take it down, but… it will take the recruits and my life as well to make sure it works"
Glancing to the cowering recruits as they scream in terror, covering their heads as the stones fly past.
"But like you said, either way most of us will die" Erwin halted his words "No, it is almost guaranteed we will all be wiped out" Walking past Levi, the thoughts weighing heavy n his mind.
"In which case we can stake our heroic deaths in a slim chance of victory… for this to work… for the young ones to die, an expert con man must weave a web of lies, to make it sound it is the only choice of victory" Erwin solemnly spoke, finally sitting down.
Erwin sat on a box, nothing fancy, just sitting down, contemplating, deep in thought, the chances of victory are extremely slim, like a single thread that can be torn with a simple pull, yet something else is eating him alive inside, his dream for the truth, the truth born from the seed planted by his father, the question that was asked, the answer leading to his father's disappearance, from a child, he vowed to find the truth, of humanities existence beyond the walls, ever so close the basement lies, holding the answers to everything.
"I want to go to the basement, despite it all, everything I done till now… is to see the truth, to see that I was right" lifting his left hand to his face, gazing upon it, his expression grave, but tear was shred "Yet so many times… I thought death would be so much easier, yet the dream I shared with my father kept bringing me back"
"The dream I held on for so long, and now, now I am close enough to the answers, so close that I could grab them" Erwin broke, leaning forward his hand held above his head, as the ghosts appeared in his head.
"Can you see them Levi? Our comrades? Can you see them watching us, waiting to see if their lives meant something? What became of the hearts that they have gave, to get us to this point, the fighting is not yet over"
Shadows of those appear around Erwin, as if projected in his mind, scouts watching, Hange, Mike, Petra, Nanaba, Moblit, Garrus and many others.
All watching where he sat, waiting to see if any of it matters, the sacrifice, the hell he walked them through, the decisions he have to make to make it to this stage, to be nearly at the finishing line, only to be hindered at the last moment.
Levi listened, the man in front of him, spilling the truth, the demons he held onto, the burden, the hell he walked.
Levi breathed, as rubble surround them, still looking down to Erwin, the man he had, no, still respects, someone he will follow through hell with, kneeling down before him.
"You have fought well" Levi began "it is all thanks to you, that we have come this far… I'm making the choice" now looking at Erwin in the eye, Levi fierce gaze upon his "Give up on your dream and Die… Lead these recruits straight into Hell… I promise you; I will take down the beast titan"
Erwin taken aback, surprise, relief, Erwin smile yet so small, as if the burden were lifted off his shoulders at this moment, that someone made the choice for him.
"Thank you, Levi"
Standing tall over the terrified recruits, Erwin brought the courage of the confident strong Leader, something to inspire the soldiers, one last time.
"I'm announcing our Final Operation! All troops LINE UP!" Erwin voice boomed, bringing the attention towards him as the recruits stood up, hopeful that the commander have a plan.
"We will be doing a cavalry charge. Our goal is to rush the Beast Titan... Of course, we will be making ourselves ideal targets"
Erwin continued "So we will wait till the beast is ready to throw and fire our smoke signals together, It should reduce his accuracy somewhat, While we are acting as the decoy, Captain Levi will kill the beast titan, That is our plan"
Levi resist the urge to blink, as the plan was announced, yet the details was given before hand by Erwin. Levi addressed the issue that the beast titan is in open ground with just his ODM gear, no tree and no house stand between him and the target.
"Wrong" Erwin's voice echoed in his head "There happens to be a line of objects at just the right height, sneak close using the Titans and Assassinate the beast titan"
The silence grew, as one recruit keeled over and vomited onto the floor, it is obvious, that they are leaving towards their deaths. Non moved, Erwin needs to push them a bit more.
"Standing and waiting means we will be showered by more boulders, Get ready on the double" Erwin ordered, yet they still not budge.
"Are we all… heading… to our deaths?" One spoke, a young brown headed man, a silent pause as all stiffened.
Erwin gazed into the man's eyes, no point in hiding the truth "Yes"
"If we're going to die anyways, you're saying it's better die fighting?"
"Yes" Erwin spoke the truth again, his demeanour not changing.
The scouts crumbled at the thought, yet the same man asked more questions, it is best they get it out right now.
"If we are to die anyways, no matter how we die, even it's disobeying orders, It all means nothing right?"
The prime question, the question that laid on every single mind, not just the soldiers, but all the people back home.
"You are precisely right" Erwin spoke, the reactions painful as the scout crumbled some more "It's all meaningless. No matter what dreams or hopes you had… No matter how blessed a life you've lived… It's all the same if you are shredded by rocks. Everyone will die someday… Does that mean life Is meaningless? Was there even any meaning in our being born? Would you say that of our fallen comrades? Their Lives…. Were they meaningless?"
Erwin breathed heavily; his eyes widened his eyebrows risen as the heart he is about to give.
"NO, THEY WEREN'T!" Erwin bellowed, his powerful voice echoing around him "It is us, who gives meaning to our comrade's lives! The Brave Fallen! The Anguished Fallen! The one's who will remember them… are us, the Living! We Die trusting the living who follow to find the meaning in our lives! That is the sole method in which we can rebel against this cruel World!"
Erwin bellowed as the scouts rushed to the horses, Erwin mounting his white stallion, screaming his lungs out as he lead the charge.
Zeke was having the time of his life, preparing his next finest shot, until stopping himself as he heard the screams and the pounding of hooves, blinking at the sight.
"Well, I figured they wouldn't lie down and die, but… A suicide charge?" Zeke spoke out loud in disbelief, is this the grand plan, the greatest strategy of the soon to be late Commander Erwin? How disappointing "Here I was thinking they could do better than that" raising his hand full of rocks, a barrage of green smoke shot high in the air towards him.
Fascinating "Smoke? Ah it is those signal things Alan told me about" ah well Zeke raising his arms, ready to make a pitch, the horses decided to disperse into huge spacing, clever, reduce the casualties, let's see if he can scatter the shot to take out a good portion.
Erwin charged, as his recruits screamed at the top of their lungs, the beast about to fire, if he were to go down in the first shot, he will ensure that the recruits will continue without him.
"MY SOLDIERS, RAGE! MY SOLDIERS, SCREAM! MY SOLDEIRS, FIGHT!"
Was the last they heard as the stone hit them with full force, his horse dead instantly, Erwin felt the impact into his waist, as many others around, fell in the first wave.
It is all now down to you Levi.
Zeke watched as they still charged whittled down to a very small number, still shooting their smoke at him, how annoying, all these years, they remained the same, they have not learned from their mistakes, the arrogance they portrayed, crushing his hand, until the crunch broken him out of his anger.
Zeke glanced to the dust formed, why is he getting himself worked up? He should be having some fun out of this, then again, he did expect a lot out of this, some grand final stand, yet something so mediocre.
Throwing the last towards the charge, ripping them to shreds.
"AHA! A fine shot" Zeke bellowed, triumphant over the enemy, the smoke disappearing, as Zeke glanced to his right, his titan's dead?
"What happened to them?" Zeke pondered, looking above, squinting his eyes as something is coming from the sky, something small. Wait?
It was a diversion of some kind, as the scout before him, his eyes menacing, radiating pure hatred, shooting towards him.
Is this Captain Levi he was warned about? Without hesitating Zeke roared, swinging his arm to swat the gnat away, to his shock Levi spun around his arm, shredding it to chunks, leading up to his face, slicing his eyes.
I can't see! Wait my nape!
His other free arm covering his nape from any attack, blinded, trying to hear him, smell, him, feeling the hooks dig into him, with warning his legs were cut away, toppling Zeke, his remaining arm no longer protecting him.
"You seem to be having some fun?" Zeke can hear his voice, dark and menacing "Let me show you how much fucking fun I can be"
Zeke panicked as he roared, his hardening is not going to be quick enough around his nape, sooner enough he felt piercing blades attacking his ape, Zeke breaking free, he needs to scream for the titans to attack him quickly.
Emerging his arms missing, Zeke growled, his voice about to scream, until the blade penetrated though his mouth and below his eye, unable to speak as he is now at the mercy of the devil.
"You think it's been fun?" Levi growled "Oi it's rude not speak back when talking to" digging his blade deeper, fear in Zeke's eye's, about to meet his end, as Levi raised his other arm ready to give the killing blow.
Until a roar from behind forcing him to move, the cart titan pounced out of nowhere, Pieck grabbed Zeke, careful not to bite down on him, taking him far away from the danger.
"Ah, that fucking hurts" Pieck can here Zeke as he healed, running past the titans "Kill that BASTARD!"
The titans around them turned and charged towards Levi, as the two bounds to the safety to the walls.
The smell of fire surrounded his titan nostrils as Alan prowled the buildings, listening out for any sound of movement, not too keen that they can easily see him in his titan form, expecting an ambush at any moment.
Reiner is up, good, he could assist Bertholdt, quite difficult to hear the most quiet of noises with Bertholdt's steps towards the wall, he could have sworn he heard battle cries in the distance, maybe Zeke took care of them, good he could help out for a change, but he might be having too much fun.
Alan huffed in amusement, of course he would, yet Zeke could be arrogant for his won good, but hey what can he do, Alan halted his movements, a distinct feeling settled in his gut, she's here.
Alan breathed inside his titan, he can feel her nearby, it's like they are connected still, but is she alone? The sound of gears to his right, forced Alan to break down the building, hoping to crush her, or surprise her.
Dust have lifted, the sounds whirled again, as Alan broke the building where he heard it from, keeping aware of his own space, she is starting to grind on his nerves, only he could be so sneaky, but then again he did teach how to use the ODM to full efficiency, in hindsight, he should not have done that.
At the corner of his eye, she saw him coming underneath, Alan roared as he slammed his fist towards her, seeing her swerve around her arm, planting a spear into his elbow, the explosion erupted, blowing his titan arm off, they still got more of those blasted things, growling Alan leapt back seeing Mikasa, rolling away.
Wait?! There could be more, risking to look away from her, Alan looked around, no one? Is this some trick, some trap he didn't foresee? No, he would know about it, seeing Mikasa spinning around, she swerved around him, as Alan focused on healing, and moving around her attacks, no attempt to go for his nape, what is she planning? Alan pondered, irritated how she get's away from his titan attack, Ackerman's he have to fucking love one of them.
Coming up form below Mikasa shot a spear towards his stomach, Alan leapt away, not realising the spear penetrated his titan thigh, blowing a huge chunk, rendering it immobile, Alan growled, she is forcing him out, feeling her coming high, preparing to shoot what apparently to be her last spear, Alan opened up his nape ripping his body out of the flesh quickly before her attack, only for the explosion not to come. Rolling away as he can hear her land nearby, Alan crouched over, feeling her gaze upon him.
"Clever, very clever" Alan chuckled "Could have asked if you want me out that badly" teasing her, seeing her eye's narrowed, her anger flared, how he can feel it.
The titan evaporating beside as they look at each other, Alan risked yet again to look around waiting for others.
"No back up?" Alan questioned "very brave, yet very foolish"
Mikasa remained silent, as they look towards each other, the distance not closing, they began to circle, both ready to fight.
"You used me" Mikasa spoke, Alan halted his steps, hiding the regret well "You made me trust you, I honestly believed you to be trusted that what we had meant something"
Alan bit back his tongue, unable to respond, waiting for to her to continue.
"You killed Armin… Why?"
Alan kept his eyes, glancing down to the spear still clutched in her hand "to protect those I care about"
Mikasa glanced down "I see" as if thinking about it "Yet you didn't protect me"
"The innocent people you killed when you rescued Annie, was it to protect those you care about as well?" Alan composure broke for a moment, Marie flashing before his eyes,
That felt like a punch in the gut, but it was the truth "You promise, you would never hurt me, you always be there for me, you broken you promise"
"I know" Alan spoke, his voice lowered "I will not say sorry, I will not say how I wish things were different, in the end… here we stand" widening his arms, portraying the chaos around him, the steam, the fire, the rubble.
"Here we stand" Mikasa agreed.
"I do not wish to fight you Mikasa" Alan spoke her name, seeing the wince of her expression, she doesn't either, yet here they stand "But I will have no choice to do so, I spared you on the wall, I would not do so again"
"At least we can agree on something right now" Mikasa spoke again, as they began to circle, pulling out the knife from her rear scabbard, noticing Alan's narrowed eyes, glancing down towards it, the very knife used by him, killing many, the blood stained upon it, Armin's in particular.
Alan's eyes flicker, as he breathed, in an instant, rushing forward, Mikasa feeling his fist rushing forward to her jaw, feeling the kick to her arm as the last thunder spear leaving her grasp, not yet set to explode, backing away as Mikasa slashed forward with his knife as Alan narrowly missing his throat being sliced.
Circling around Mikasa lunged as Alan back handed her, attempting to retrieve what is his, both wanting to use it on the other, Mikasa bit down on his arm, forcing him to pull away.
Alan growled, as he block the knife coming from above, forcing her back with ease.
"It is pointless, I surpass you in strength, I surpass you in intelligence" Alan growled as he twisted her arm, their faces close to each other.
"What could you possibly gain, from fighting me, even the great Levi fucking Ackerman is no match for me" Alan growled as he dislocated her arm, her pain cry echoed as she pulled away.
Mikasa gritted in pain, her arm flailing, dropping the knife, snapping her arm over, popping the join back into place, the pain renewing as she gritted again, Alan kicking her stomach, knocking her back again.
He is not holding back, he went out to hurt, he means to finish this.
"If Armin were alive, I would admit, he would turn this around" Alan breathed as he moved forward "As I said, I protect those dear to me, I will do what is necessary to bring them home" Alan asked, sincere in his offer as he tower over her, holding up the knife she dropped.
Mikasa chuckled, causing confusion "You underestimate us, you underestimate our will to fight and keep fighting" she laughed out.
Alan paused for a moment, registering her words, an explosion erupted along with a cry, sounding like Reiner.
Alan eyes widened, explaining why there is a lack of an ambush, looking to where Reiner has fallen, another crumble happened again, as Alan shot to the other direction, the Colossal titan crumbling down.
Alan looked down to Mikasa, realising she distracted him, drawing him away from both Bertholdt and Reiner, Alan growled, clenching down on his knife, bellowing a roar as he raised his knife towards her, using the momentum and pain fuelling him.
Mikasa lifted her leg to push him away, the blade missing her face by an inch, rolling away, grabbing onto the spear, with a cry thrusting the spear into his side with all her strength, not going deep to her displeasure, pulling the pin.
Panic set in on Alan as she rolled away, throwing the knife away, grasping the spear as he pulled it out, the tip glowing yellow, Alan thrown it, as the spear left his hands, explosion erupted, a cry as Alan flown across the street.
Smoke filled the area, as Mikasa coughed and spluttered, the pain in her ribs, her vision blurred, her ear's ringing, crawling forward, the knife close by, the pain not allowing her to get up at the moment, crawled ever so closely, until her hand felt the blade, the knife unharmed, what is this made of, she wonders, the smoke slowly disappearing, seeing blood scattered the street, looking further, steam furiously erupting, forcing herself up, her gear still functional.
Limping forward, the blade held firmly, her heart stopped at the sight before her.
Alan laid unconscious, hi right arm blown off, his legs missing, with gashed across his waist, his remaining arm, appears to be half missing, but what shocked her is how half his face, the skin shredded off, leaving only the muscle and bone, the untouched half barely visible his chest breathing ever so shallow, eyes closed, the dark blue of his eyes no longer visible.
This is the result of meeting the thunder spear at point blank, Mikasa's breath ran raggedly, the sight making her nasous, but slowly, she knelt down over him, grasping the knife over where his heart lies, closing her eyes, she can hear it beat steadily, trying to force herself to finish him off right here. Yet she couldn't.
"This should be easy" Mikasa's voice croaked "This should be easy… but why is it… so hard" she must do it, for Armin, for everyone that have died to his hands, yet why couldn't she do it.
She can here Eren's words in her head from when she was rescued, Fight, Fight, FIGHT!
Mikasa cried as she raised the knife, preparing to lunge, until the sound of a stampede darted towards her, Mikasa saw huge jaws widening, instantly she rolled out the way narrowly escaping its jaws.
Looking to the titan running through the street, a man glanced behind, the glasses and blonde beard sneered, seeing Alan's body gone, Mikasa, breathed even more heavily.
"Where do you think your going? You think you could take him away from me?" Mikasa glared menacingly "He is MINE!"
Before Screaming after him, and him only.
Darkness wept over, as sounds echoed, there is no sense of smell, no taste, no sound, where is he? Sense's widened, is he dead? is he alive?
Coming closer, something shouted, something screamed.
"HELP ME!" the voice cried out; the voice was terrified.
"ANNIE! REINER! ALAAAAAAANN!"
Dark Blue opened wide, breathing ragged, above is a metal ceiling, the sound of waves crashing to his side, the smell of salt filling his nostrils.
Alan jolted up, as he groaned, taking in his surroundings, the room was small, lying on a bed, around walls made of metal, some materials and medicine laid scattered to the side, looking over a pair of eyes towered over him.
"Rest easy" Her voice echoed, soft and tender "Your safe"
Alan blinked his vision returning "Pieck?" groaning as he taking in, looking to the door Zeke stood, both sighed with relief.
"How long have I been out?"
"A few hours, we carried you back, you got lucky those wounds would have killed a subject of Ymir" Zeke announced, "We are returning home"
"Did we win?" Alan asked, he knew the colossal fell and Reiner have been attacked, they could have turned it around, wait Bertholdt! "Where's Bertholdt?"
Pieck and Zeke glanced to each other, the pause, the anxiety unsettling.
"We couldn't get Bertholdt, the Eren Yeager had him by the throat, we was also chased by the monster Levi" Pieck giving out the details, Alan felt his heart dropped, Bertholdt could be still alive, remembering the box he saw the Captain held, no… Alan knew better.
"At least tell me Reiner is safe, tell me you got him out" Alan pleaded, again the awkward pause.
"Alan… be very calm" Zeke began, Pieck shooting him a glare.
No! Alan thought, No, no, no, no.
"We had only one chance to get one of you out" Pieck spoke "We tried to get Reiner, but the enemy surrounded him, there was no chance in retrieving him"
Alan's world crumbled, his best friend, his brother lost to the enemy.
"We leave you to yourself" Zeke spoke, his voice saddened in giving the news, as Pieck raised herself onto crutches.
Pieck heart sank seeing her friend break, the confident man, the one that keeps pushing, broke in front of them, no words can be said that will make things better.
Alan wept as the doors closed, the promise he made to them, the words echoed in his head.
"I promise, I will bring us home" the words he have spoken, he promised them, now his promise is broken, they are now lost to those they betrayed.
Breathing in, as his voice failed miserably to hold the pain at bay, looking out the small window of the ship that kept sailing. Marely can be seen upon the horizon.
The choices he have made, were they worth it? The choices between the Duty he was sworn to, or the Freedom that presented itself.
Standing from the bed, breathing in the sharpness of the air, Alan walked through the door, pausing to reflect on his thoughts, the advice that was given to him by his brother before closing the door behind.
Moving Forward.
A/N: No happy ending, it was quite hard to write, many drafts, I seek perfection, I seek the urge to open the way for the sequel, I seek the change in the MC, I will take a break before writing the sequel if you guys desire it, I hope you enjoyed the story as much as i did writing it. Thank you to all those that walked this road till the end, despite if they disliked it or not, I thank to all those that came afterwards for reading this story, i am till open to reviews, it would help the writing in the second story.
Myzor: She did, and still does, you knew there would be no patching, it would break the tension and the impact i need. but thank you for reading till the end despite the urge to not continue to read it.
EBRESEUSAUSAR: Alan lives in Marley, in the sequel, there be a lot of angst, a lot of PTSD, won't lie Alan will be a broken man, losing everything, losing purpose in his life. It will be a hard life for him especially because of his title of Subject of Rufus.
Seniorpoundtown: I would apologise if the ending was not to the readers expectations, but i planned the ending from the very beginning, the road to getting there was the difficult bit, I did say that Erwin's charge is must to be in it lol, but thanks for reviewing and reading this story to the end.
FREEYMIR: I prefer making AU's with OC's because i have a bit more freedom in creativity, the sequel story would take the same amount of time as the first, just need a break and plan it out. Thanks for reviewing and reading the story.
GJH28: Well definitely not getting together, but the subject of Rufus will be heavily investigated in the sequel, since the Tyburs would also be in it, especially Willy and the Female Warhammer titan, which i need a name for since she doesn't have a name.
Hope you guys enjoyed the story, the sequel would heavily be straight off the boat and the Four years between the defeat and Eren's coming in and saying hello, Hope you guys enjoy Duty and Freedom :)