A/N: What up?! It's FlyBoy56 and sorry for the delay! I wanted to apologize for the super late update but I finally finished this chapter. Once again I do not own Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyujin or any characters that ARE part of the actual AoT/SNK story. However, the OC's are property of myself and their respective creator's, whom I will acknowledge at the end of the chapter. Huge shout out to BluePhoenix34 for giving me a shout out and for selecting my character to be in her AMAZING, let me say it again, AMAZING STORY! So please go check out her story "AoT: Black Skies".

-x-x-x-

Lost and broken souls crowded the courtyard of the food storage facility. The surviving refugees wept and bickered amongst each other, some fighting each other over a mere loaf of bread. Inside the empty warehouse, Gage and Antonio sat on the supply rack overlooking the first floor.

Emptiness filled Gage's eyes as he blankly stared ahead, his once glowing aquamarine eyes now dull. A deathly silence followed him about, images of Gianne's demise haunting his every thought. He officially had nothing, everything he had ever known or loved has been ruthlessly taken from him. Looking down, he cast his dreary gaze on Eren and his companions, another memory forcing its' way to the surface.

-x-x-x-

"Goodnight my son." Gage's father leant down and kissed his son's forehead, ruffling his hair before tucking him in for bed.

Gage watched on as his father left his room, tired eyes rolling their way towards the bedroom window. His eyes illuminated as the moonlight reflected itself off his orbs. A content yawn escaped his lips as he stretched one last time before sleep would claim him. Heavy lids slowly draped their way down as he succumbed to sleep.

Silence filled the Butler household as the night went on, finally able to enjoy the peace night offered. Pounding on the front door suddenly violated the silence, loudly resonating throughout the house. Startled, Gage flew off the bed and crashed on the hard wooden floor. Anxiously he approached his door, taking a deep breath, he slowly cracked the door open.

Gage watched as his father took his club in hand, mother not too far behind him. Anger written on their expressions as they flung the door open. A gunshot rang out, blood splattered the surrounding area as Gage's father collapsed, dead before he hit the ground. The blood curdling screams of his mother left him paralyzed to the floor, tears pouring down the boy's face. Horror filled his eyes as the sound of footfall made its way to him.

The door hammered him into the ground; cloaked men towered over the boy as they approached.

"Come here brat! Promise I won't hurt ya!" One of the men reached out to him.

Out of fear, Gage viciously sunk his teeth into the offending hand. The man howled in pain as he brutally hurled his into Gage's face. Gage's vision went white as another man tied the rope around the boy, his small frame secure in the rope's tight grip. A nauseating feeling almost overwhelmed him as the men dragged his limp body into the living room, tossing him onto the corpses of his parents.

"What should we do with the brat?" Gage could barely make out over the ringing in his ears.

"I say we cook his ass alive! That little shit bit me!" The man he bit hollered, holding a blood soaked rag against his bleeding hand.

"That's cruel…" One of the men trailed off, Gage silently prayed, hoping somebody would save him.

"But I like it! Get the torches boys!" Gage's eyes burst open, desperately struggling against the rope.

The man Gage bit slowly inched towards him, a sadistic glee present in his eyes. He bent down to the boy and took his head in a vice-like grip, a rabid grin on his chin.

"I'd like to stay and enjoy the cookout boy, but I gotta go. Hope you like your meat well done!" The man viciously smacked Gage one last time before sauntering out the house, leaving Gage weeping against the living room floor.

Torches crashed through the windows, the sick cackles of fire filled the air as the savored the meal to come. He met the lifeless gazes of his dead parents, a violent sobbed forced its way from his throat as the flame consumed his parents. Gage wept bitterly as everything he ever cherished perished before his very eyes. Giving in to his fate, he closed his eyes one last time, ready to die.

Hesitantly opening his eyes, Gage found himself in a shroud of darkness. Confusion masked his expression as he looked around, only able to find a single door through the darkness. He slowly trekked his way towards the door, a cold chill went down his spine as he approached it. Before him was Death's door, the entrance to the dark world of Limbo.

Gage raised his fist to knock on the door, when suddenly a hand clasped his own. Startled, Gage turned towards the hand's owner and was shocked, before him stood his deceased father.

"Son, why have you given up?" His father looked down towards his son, pity written on his expression.

"W-What do you mean? I'm dead…" Gage choked out, hot tears pouring down his face.

A chuckle escaped his father's lips much to Gage's chagrin. Gage cast a questioning glance towards his father.

"There is a reason why the door is not open to you son…you still live."

"B-Bu-"

"Shut up and listen to me!" Gage immediately went silent.

"It's not your time, go on and live a happy life, please…"

As Gage took in his father's words, the surrounding darkness vanished, replaced by the inferno consuming his home. Flames hungrily ate at the rope tied around him, he screamed in agony as the fire seared the flesh of his forearms. Gage fiercely struggled against the rope, tearing through the thick threads as the fire weakened it. Finally free of his bondage, he desperately scanned the sea of flames for his salvation. The support pillars to the roof came crashing down, effectively blocking out the front door.

'The window!' Gage shifted his focus towards his room, catching sight of his final hope.

He made a mad dash towards his room, shielding his eyes from the fierce flames. With the last of his strength, he leapt through his bedroom window, glass shards launched in all directions as Gage landed in a heap. His vision faded as unconsciousness claimed him, unable to hear the calls of the patrolling garrison.

-x-x-x-

"GAGE! SNAP OUT OF IT!" Antonio begged, frantically shaking his friend, his brown eyes flooding with concern.

Snapping out of his trance, Gage turned to face Antonio, a little startled to see Eren and Mikasa standing over his shoulder.

"Gage…what was that?" Antonio asked cautiously.

Eren and Mikasa looked upon him with pity, knowing all too well what the expression on Gage's face told. Gage pursed his lips as he looked away, unable to hide the pain in his eyes.

"You don't have to tell us…but if you ever need to talk, we're here for you…" Antonio offered, hoping to comfort the boy.

Gage sat there in silence, lowering his eyes to his feet as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"I'm going to go check on Armin, see how he's holding up." Eren spoke up.

"I'm coming too, it's almost time for the guards to hand out the rations." Antonio held his stomach, trying to suppress the growling noise.

They left the storage unit, leaving Gage to his thoughts. A hand placed itself on his shoulder, causing Gage to jump slightly. Turning to face the owner, he saw none other than Mikasa standing before him. Neither said a word as they met each other's gazes, a mutual understanding reflecting in both of their eyes.

"Come, before the food runs out." Mikasa broke the silence, holding out her hand to help him up.

He looked at her hand before taking it, pulling himself to his feet. The two made departed the empty warehouse in time to see Eren stalking his way to the garrison troops, and to their horror, kicking one in the shin.

"What the hell?! You damn kid!" The guard Eren kicked growled, cocking back his fist and hurled it at Eren, connecting with his face.

The other garrison troop instantaneously kicked the back of Eren's leg, causing him to fall to the floor.

"Eren!" Mikasa cried, stepping towards the commotion; only to be held in place by Gage's firm grip.

She shot a deathly glare at him but he paid no mind, instead he watched on, waiting to see what Eren would do next.

"You don't know what it's like! You've never seen it!" Eren exclaimed, drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd.

"You've never seen what the Titans do to people!"

"Shut up!" Anger flashed in the soldier's eyes as he dangerously approached Eren.

"I apologize!" Armin leapt in between the two, desperate to deescalate the tension.

"He's just hungry and irritable! That's why he so rudely lashed out at an adult…I'm very sorry!"

Gage released his grip on Mikasa, grateful for Armin's silver tongue.

"Man…it's 'cause of us that you guys aren't starving to death, you know!"

The soldier faced about, turning his back on this kids.

"Even you kids oughta be thankful to us!"

"Of course!" Armin forced out, a bead of sweat dripped down his face.

"Damn…I refuse to let them take care of me." Eren angrily muttered to himself.

"Suit yourself, more food for me." Antonio piped up, earning a glare from Eren.

"Enough! Armin, Mikasa, take Eren to go cool off. Antonio and I will go get our rations and meet up with you later." Gage irritably ordered, his right eye twitching.

Gage watched as the three walked off, letting out a deep sigh as he turned to face Antonio.

"We should hurry, I could imagine that they're bordering low on food."

The two got into the back of the dwindling line, nervousness riddled Antonio's face in contrast to Gage's calm and collected bearings.

"I-I hope they didn't run out…" Sweat dripped down Antonio's face as his stomach growled.

A small, petite blonde stood in front of the boys. Her expression vexed as she turned on her heel to face the two.

"Will you shut up?! You're going to jinx us jackass!" The blonde barked, her light blue eyes glaring daggers at the two.

Gage looked at her with disinterest, failing to be intimidated by the small blonde.

"What are you staring at?" The girl demanded, Gage shifted his gaze to his friend and it took all his might not to face palm at the sight.

Antonio looked like he was on cloud nine, staring intently at the petite blonde. A blush clearly tinged his cheeks as a gleeful smile graced his lips.

"C-Can you stop staring please?" The blonde's cheeks reciprocating the boy before her.

"D-Does this angel h-have a name?" Antonio managed to get out.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me…" Gage muttered to himself as he face palmed.

"M-My name is C-Charlotte…Charlotte Day." Charlotte weakly replied, turning her face to hide her blush.

"I am Antonio Rodrigues! And this is my faithful sidekick, Gage Butler!"

Gage looked at Antonio like he grew another head, contemplating on how he was going to kill him. He sharply pointed his finger at Antonio, about ready to stab him with it.

"Gage, what are yo-No! Sir please!" Antonio squealed, in a manly way of course.

Desperately trying to avoid his untimely death, Antonio found his salvation as the line was almost gone.

"Would you look at that, the line finally moved up!" Antonio dashed towards the rest of the line, narrowly avoiding Gage's wrath.

The trio approached the supply cart, anxiety written on Antonio's and Charlotte's faces. The soldiers in charge of distribution looked at the three with indifferent glances, searching through the baskets for the loaves of bread.

"Sorry, but we only have two loaves of bread left. We should have more by tomorrow." One of the soldier's sadly broke the news, handing the two small loaves of bread to the kids.

Not surprised by the outcome, Gage quietly left the two, not bothering to announce his departure. He stretched his arms before interlocking his fingers behind the back of his head, casually making his way through the crowded plaza. A slender hand reached out and firmly gripped his shoulder.

"Let go of me…" Gage said darkly, turning his glare towards the owner of the hand.

He was surprised to say the least when he saw a small brunette girl, her dark hazel eyes boring into his aquamarine.

"I saw what you did for you friends back there." She spoke up, causing Gage to tilt his head in confusion.

"Look, you may not think you did anything but leave, but you allowed them to eat."

She felt her blood boil as she could still see the confusion in his eyes.

"Don't make me spell it out for you okay? What you did was a good thing, and that being said, I have something for you."

She dug through her small satchel and pulled out a loaf of bread.

"Take it, I stole it from one of the MP's so I can have it for later, but I want you to have it."

Gage looked at the bread longingly, hesitantly reaching out for the bread.

"Are you sure? I didn't even catch your name…" He trailed off, his hand frozen in place.

"My name is Nikoleta Horvath, but you can call me 'Nikki' for short." She offered him a small smile.

"Um, my name is Gage Butler." The corners of his lips curled upwards for a brief moment as his hand took the bread from her. "Thank you…"

"Just eat it before I change my mind."

As he raised the bread to his mouth, he noticed a group of soldiers carrying a litter. He placed the bread in his pocket as he watched the soldiers push past the crowd. As they passed him, his eyes widened in horror and shock as he saw who was in the litter.

"GIANNE!" Gage cried out, tears poured freely as he chased after his best friend.

-x-x-x-

A/N: The following characters are owned by and get a shout out for such awesome characters!

BluePhoenix34: Gianne Starken

CrankiestNebula: Antonio Rodrigues

Hilinarema: Danika Horton

Mistyblue00: Charlotte Day

Chocolateapples1432: Nikoleta "Nikki" Horvath