AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. WHY DID I WRITE THAT. I'M SORRY! I LIKE EUPHY, I REALLY DO. SOWWIE. T.T
But I was surprised by how much interest this story got for the first (CRAPPY AS CRAP) chapter (for some reason as I didn't like it at all) otherwise you wouldn't be here…so…continuing from where it was left off!
I've also got a new plot twist in store for SnG….hehehehehe. I'M EXCITED FOR IT! It came to me out of the blue and I thought it seemed like a decent idea so I motivated myself to write! X3
I also did a rather quick proof read, so they shouldn't be…THAT many mistakes but my proof-reading usually sucks so don't expect there to not be any :P
Ahem okay now read ._.
They never got the chance to confirm Eupehmia's death.
Being the trained soldier he was and living up to his ability to remain calm in most situations; the shock that had overwhelmed Schneizel as soon as the other titan blocked his path was gone in seconds. Except, he didn't do what Suzaku and Lelouch had anticipated him to do…or rather, what they wanted him to do. He didn't use his 3D maneuver gear to zip past the titan and come to the pink-haired girl's rescue nor did he take it down and rush over to save her in the nick of time.
Instead, he turned his back on her completely.
And Lelouch saw him do it.
Despite Suzaku doing everything in his power, the raven started to scream and struggle against his friend, tears beginning to form in his amethyst eyes. He was calling out—crying and pleading for his sibling's life—and he was shrieking; a screech of anger, but it wasn't directed at anyone specifically.
It wasn't because of the brunette holding him back so desperately; it wasn't because of the man who had just abandoned his sister, nor was it at the stupid titan that had blocked him and the last chance for Lelouch to ever see her again.
It was because of the world.
This cruel, messed up world which bounded humanity; locked them up in these forsaken walls like birds in a cage. No, better yet; birds in a cage at a pet shop, just waiting for some to pluck them up and say, "I want this one."
The bitter thought almost made Lelouch laugh.
Titans couldn't talk.
But maybe that's what they thought as they plucked up a human…as one plucked up Euphemia.
He wanted her.
And he was taking her from-
"LELOUCH!"
Suddenly, the raven-haired boy slipped free from Suzaku's grip and he was rushing forward, despite the cry from his friend. As soon as Schneizel saw, he sheathed his blades within his gear and darted forward.
Both of them collided, Schneizel getting down on his knees and grappling Lelouch around his waist in effort to stop him. The younger male only started to blindly swat at the man with his little fists as he yelled, "move, Schneizel! MOVE, SCHNEIZEL! I-I have to get to EUPHY! She's in DANGER!"
The ground was shaking; the titan that had stood before Schneizel was lurching closer.
"Lelouch! We have to go!" The blond garrison member retorted.
"EUPHY, EUPHY, EUPHY!"
Schneizel now grabbed the boy by his shoulders and he shook him urgently. "Lelouch, listen to me!"
Whether he was listening, Schneizel was uncertain.
He only continued, "EUPHY, EUPHY, EUPHY!"
Glancing back over his shoulder, Schneizel meet the empty, glinting eyes of the titan approaching them and he then quickly slung the screaming Lelouch over his shoulder and ran over to Suzaku who seemed to be staring up at the titan with a pale face. "Suzaku, let's go!"
"…."
"Hey, Suzaku! Come on, this isn't the time- HEY!"
The brunette suddenly broke into a run, but he was heading in the direction of the impending titan, not in the direction of Wall Rose.
"EUPHY, EUPHY- SUZAKU! WHERE ARE YOU GOING? SUZAKU!" Lelouch's cries theatrically changed and became louder and even more thunderous then before when he called out to his friend. His struggling even turned more ferocious, leaving Schneizel unable to tail after the other boy. "SUZAKU! HEY, SUZAKUU! G-GET HIM, SCHNEIZEL!"
Schneizel took the time to ignore the now bawling Lelouch and watched the running brunette make a quick detour to the side. He was sticking close to the buildings as if attempting to simply get past the titan. Still, the monster slowly glanced down at Suzaku and was now focusing its attention on him.
The blond male tried to think quickly.
He could run and grab Suzaku, but with both his hands full; he'd have trouble using his gear much less grabbing his sword if needed to become offensive. And he couldn't have them both and run; the titan was slothful, but one step covered much more ground than Schneizel would be able to and they'd be overwhelmed in little to no time. Plus, with him carrying them, there's no doubt his energy would disappear quicker than usual; a tired military personnel was a useless one.
Could he trust the two to run back to Wall Rose without him?
No, that would be dangerous. They didn't seem to know where they were going before he came along and even if he pointed them the right way…there's no guarantee that they would make it there alive.
So with no real choice left, Schneizel did what he could.
He had left Euphemia.
But he wasn't going to leave Suzaku…at least not completely…
Tightening his grip on the remotely calmed down but still sobbing Lelouch, Schneizel took a deep breath and yelled at the top of his lungs, "HEY, YOU DUMBASS TITAN! OVER HERE!"
The monster's attention now turned to the blond human holding the small raven-haired boy, not noticing Suzaku slip past its feet. Slowly but surely, it began to stomp towards them with the intent to feast on them both. Lelouch had ceased his crying now; his eyes wide and staring up at the titan with an manifestation of panic. "It's g-going to eat us, Schneizel!"
"It won't," the blond replied firmly. "I won't let it. KEEP FOLLOWING US, IDIOT!" He shouted at the titan, spinning on his heels and running towards Wall Rose.
"But…Suzaku!" Lelouch shrieked.
"Hey! I'm keeping this titan away from him at least! He'll be fine!"
This time, the amethyst eyed boy didn't retort. He just simply remained quiet and watched the titan that was now following them. Though deep down, looking at the humanoid creature scared him shitless, it was much better than looking at the surrounding area; the bodies that were crushed by the flying debris of the housings and Wall Maria's gate, the blood splattered everywhere, considering how disgustingly messy the creatures chewed. The titan trailing behind them was surprisingly sluggish and Lelouch was beginning to wonder why Suzaku had even tried to something as stupid as flee from the safety of a military soldier's protection and attempt to run past…
And then it hit him.
Euphemia.
Was he going after Euphemia…?
But there was no way she was alive…he and Lelouch both saw that titan lift her up…Schneizel didn't make it over there nor was there any other military men or women around as far as he had seen.
As much as he hated to admit it, Euphy was dead.
Or maybe…
"His father," Lelouch mumbled, more to himself, but louder than he had meant to.
"His father?" Schneizel inquired between his labored breathing as his energy was dwindling. 'Who's?"
The younger male gritted his teeth. "Suzaku's…he must have run away to go find his father…"
Stupid. Lelouch was so stupid.
Here he was making a scene, sobbing like a baby with snot all over his face for his dear sister Euphy, and Suzaku was simply on the side as quiet as a mouse. He had his father to think about, to possibly mourn for if he didn't make it…but he didn't have the time to do so. He was too busy caring for Lelouch the entire time, trying to comfort him and keep him safe…when he too, needed the same comfort.
All Suzaku had been doing was keeping everything in; staying strong.
But he finally broke.
And he ran for all it was worth to go find his father…
"He should have known better," Schneizel muttered quietly. "If anything, he's either dead or he's at the boats heading into Wall Rose. He wouldn't still be in this-" He halted suddenly and automatically Lelouch grabbed at the fabric of his military jacket to keep himself steady. "-SHIT."
When the boy followed Schneizel's gaze, there stood another titan that was just crossing over a street intersection before taking note of the two on the ground. Its eyes seemed to brighten sadistically at the sight of them and it started heading down the road towards them.
"I knew I should have taken down the asshole behind us…" Schneizel whispered to himself. "Lelouch…"
"Yes?" Came the small, frightened reply.
"I'm going to put you down and kill these titans real quick, okay…?"
There was a whimper.
"…Okay?!"
Even though there was no response this time, Schneizel pulled the clinging boy away, freeing himself and placing Lelouch down on his feet. Tears were welling up in the corners of his amethyst orbs.
Schneizel took the time to wipe them away before ushering him to the closest building and pressing his back against the wall. "Just stay right here, okay?"
Lelouch nodded and as soon as Schneizel departed; his hands squeezed air.
Oh, that's right…
Suzaku wasn't with him anymore. He had nobody's hands to squeeze.
Just air.
Schneizel went for the closest titan first; he pulled out his swords almost in a rather flashy manner and before Lelouch knew it; the 3D maneuver gear sent him soaring past the titan's head and with a quick turn, slicing into its neck with some mighty power. The titan didn't make any sound indicating pain, its jaw merely dropped and its body went tumbling forward, steam rising from the place which Schneizel had attacked.
Oblivious to it himself, Lelouch's jaw had also dropped into a gawk of pure reverence. Never had he felt so modest and impractical in his life until now. Though of course Schneizel was older and bigger, he was still a human and much smaller than these titans, just like Lelouch. Yet, he could fight back and actually kill them with only some gear and two blades.
His fear was overwhelmed by the inspiration from Schneizel and he eagerly ogled the man as he ran past him, heading for the other titan. Lelouch was waiting for another set of awesome moves until the titan suddenly flopped forward in defeat, steam rising from its neck as well. Schneizel stopped.
"Schneizel!" A voice called.
Lelouch inched closer to get a better look.
"Kanon…?"
A man with brownish peach hair and blue eyes came dashing up to Schneizel and into Lelouch's view. He had on the same military uniform as the blonde and was also apparently part of the Garrison too as he had the same symbol of red roses on the back of his jacket.
"It's essential that you get back to Wall Rose as soon as possible…they're going to close the gates to keep the titans from taking over that area as well."
At that, Lelouch's face scrunched up.
Schneizel opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped when Lelouch came running up to them, eyes once again starting to become watery. "What about Suzaku?!" He yelled irritably. "They can't just close the gates on him and leave him to die like that! You're the military, you're supposed to protect us not leave us for the titans to eat!"
Kanon tried to adopt a calming voice. "Don't yell…titans will come this way…"
Schneizel regarded Lelouch and spoke aloofly and decisively, "It's either one life or it's millions of lives. Suzaku knew what he was doing running away like that and I told him where he should be going."
"Schneizel…"
"We're going," He said, grabbing Lelouch by the wrist and pulling him. The boy knew better than to run away so all he did was silently allow himself to be dragged and hope that Suzaku was safe wherever he was.
Kanon wasn't following.
And before Lelouch could wonder if Schneizel noticed, the blue-eyed man simply said, without even glancing over his shoulder, "if you're going to keep searching…be careful."
Kanon smiled. "Of course. Hopefully, I'll find him." And with that, he used his 3D maneuver gear and was already running across a roof in the opposite direction of Wall Rose.
Lelouch and Schneizel were quiet for a bit.
"He's going to try to find Suzaku…?" The small boy asked.
"Not going to," Schneizel answered. "He will."
A way of getting into a different wall was by boat. Little rivers flowed in between the walls, and by the time Lelouch made it; the area was packed. Many military members stood by the end of the docks, blocking the ways of the rioting people who wanted to either get on a boat or were fighting to get at least their children on it.
All the soldiers were trying to keep order and peace, getting young children and sometimes even their parents (if they were that young) aboard the only 3 boats they had. Each one had a set weight limit and despite the military yelling, "THE BOAT IS FULL!" or, "THE LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED, BACK UP!" People still continued to fight, some even going as far as attempting to jump across to get into the boat. While some made it, others fell into the water. It was complete chaos.
One boat still hadn't reached its limit and Schneizel escorted Lelouch to it. A purple-haired and rather tough looking woman stood blocking people's way and when Schneizel called out to her, she glared his way.
"Cornelia!" He shouted, receiving her glare as he pointed down at Lelouch. "Child!"
He and Schneizel parted ways as the woman led him; and he noticed the Wings of Freedom was on the back of her uniform's jacket. The Recon Corps had left today though…so why was she still here?
He was very curious, but he knew it was none of his business nor was it his concern since he was a commoner and the military rarely shared news with them to begin with.
Once onboard, Lelouch pushed past crowds of other people, sticking to the edge of the boat near the railings. He searched the masses of villagers at the docks trying to get onto the heavily packed boats but there was no sign of Suzaku anywhere; not even Kanon was to be seen.
He bit back a quiet sob.
In such a world as cruel as this one, the only thing he really could do was assume the worse.
Suzaku Kururugi was most likely dead.
Perhaps Kanon was still frantically looking, wanting only to return his friend to him alive. And perhaps as a soldier, Kanon also knew, deep down from the bottom of his heart, that Suzaku would never be returned; not even a piece of him… because titans tend to not waste a meal.
Lelouch squeezed the railing of the boat.
Why was he thinking in such a sickening way? Why was he being so negative?
Where was his faith?
"Lelouch!"
The raven-haired boy turned towards the sound of a familiar, feminine voice and watched Nunnally squish her small body through the blobs of people to get to him. She looked rather sweaty and pale but otherwise well. As soon as she could, she basically threw herself into her brother's arms, pulling him into the tightest embrace she's ever given him in his lifetime.
"Nunnally," Lelouch murmured with relief as they hugged each other close. He waited, letting their reunion sink in before having to come to dark truths and questions. "Where's…?"
"Mom is fine…she's on the other side. Unfortunately someone couldn't get on the boat, but asked mother to take her child..." Nunnally whispered. "Poor thing is still just an infant, too…"
The Britannian boy nodded silently. He was glad that his mother was safe and sound; and all the more better that Nunnally was too, but when he came to a realization, he suddenly snapped at his sister.
"Nunnally! Before all of this happened and Wall Maria was kicked open, you were with Euphy, weren't you?! I told you both to go home together, didn't I?!"
The girl flinched at her brother's harsh tone. "You did…"
"And…? What happened?"
"Euphemia and I had been right down the road from home when the big titan suddenly destroyed Wall Maria's gates. So we ran home and mother told us to wait by the door while she went to go pack some things real quick…" Nunnally paused briefly before going on. "And all I did was look away from her for a second or two…and before I knew it, she was running back down the road again."
"Towards the wall?"
"Towards the wall," she confirmed. "I was going to chase after her, but I knew mother would become frightened if we both just suddenly disappeared. So I hurried back inside to get her so we could get Euphy back together…but when we both came outside; she was nowhere to be seen. I told mother which direction I'd seen her go but she said it'd mean our deaths if we went on a wild goose chase in this situation…so we both ran for Wall Rose instead…"
Lelouch relaxed a little, coming to the conclusion that his disappointment in Nunnally had been unfair. She had never been one to speak up against their mother even if she wanted to deep down and in a way, he could also understand the thoughtfulness his mom had conveyed. Their town was rather big and even if they saw which direction Euphemia had ran; there was no surety they'd find her or even cross her path. Besides, in that situation; wild goose chases were definitely out of the question. That's what it had felt like to Lelouch when he and Suzaku had been running around while avoiding the titans with no real idea of where to go. They gained no benefits from it; just simply loss some precious energy, possibly a pound or two and collected an unattractive amount sweat on their faces.
"What about Suzaku…?" Nunnally inquired, finally asking the question Lelouch had been waiting for but also hoping to avoid, especially in her case. He knew his sister was a strong one (at least that was the act she put on) but he also knew that she just cried when nobody else seemed to be around to hear her.
Nunnally used to cry at everything actually, but as soon as they met Suzaku, she tried to change. They hadn't met in the typical "our parents know each other so let's be friends" or anything, for lack of a better word, normal such as that. They had become buddies in a rather cliché way.
Suzaku was known for getting himself involved in things that were none of his business while it was of course for good reasons (he claims). For example, helping the son of Dr. Jaeger and his adoptive sister—was it Mikasa?—defend a frail boy by the name of Armin Arlert who always got picked on for simply being a bookworm. Yes, that pissed off Lelouch to a degree, but he wasn't a fighter nor was he strong and didn't have time to get involved and bark only to realize that he doesn't really have a bite. And to add to that, he also didn't need children his age who believed they were some sort of tough thugs following him around town just to intimidate him.
Still, Suzaku involved himself.
And one day when Lelouch, Nunnally and Euphemia had been on shopping duty; those same immature thugs decided that it'd be fun to try to take some food away from them.
Nunnally was quiet and she was scared. She'd seen them push Armin around.
On the other hand, Lelouch and Euphemia were infuriated. They yelled and screamed, called them names and threatened them, but in the end…they had no real bite.
With Lelouch on the ground, gritting his teeth, Euphemia growled, planning on jumping the three boys now walking away with their food. But they were stopped before she could.
By an older looking kid with curly brown hair and determined emerald eyes.
And that's how it happened.
"I'm Suzaku Kururugi," he had said. "Do you guys want to be friends?"
Feeling obligated, they agreed.
But it eventually became a real friendship. And they were all happy ever since…
Or at least until the titans did this.
Lelouch looked around the crowded boat, at his sister, at the docks full of desperate people wanting to get to safety. He had gotten so absorbed in that memory that he had almost forgot reality.
Suzaku was dead. Euphemia was dead.
There would be no more them being together, laughing and smiling together, talking together…
And Lelouch had to tell Nunnally that dark truth.
Before he opened his mouth, he noticed something… Nunnally was smiling.
She was smiling, yet her blue orbs were filling with tears. And he remained silent as streams started fleeing down her small cheeks. She was crying with no sound but it soon became quiet hiccup noises and then heart-wrenching sobs that soon followed.
"Nunnally…"
"So it's… true then?" The small girl whimpered between her cries and hitches. "Suzaku is dead…Euphemia is dead…and that's it? No more of us all going outside and drawing in the dirt…?"
He wanted to speak but she just kept relaying memories; kept making it worse.
"No more tossing rocks to each other. No more tag. No more lying around in the sun and playing inside when it rains? No more piggy back rides from Suzaku…or Euphy braiding my hair…"
Lelouch grasped her softly. "Nunnally, stop!"
"I'm going to miss it!" She nodded slowly; her eyes lost and distance. "I'm going to miss them so badly…"
"Hey…"
"But I have you," she murmured.
Lelouch stared at her in silence.
She's in pain.
She was already trying…
Already trying to occupy her broken mind with something else; anything else to make her feel better.
"And I'm going to protect you and make sure you never die. You won't ever leave me like they did."
"Nunnally, you-"
He was cut short by many shouts and screams from men.
The atmosphere became hushed; even the rioting from the docks ceased.
"WHAT ARE DOING?!"
"THAT THING IS GOING TO GET INSIDE IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING!"
"CLOSE THE DAMN GATE!"
"CLOSE THE GATE NOW! CLOSE THE GATE, CLOSE THE GATE, CLOSE THE GATE!"
And suddenly something shook the ground, making the docks rumble, the boat rumble and Nunnally almost lose her footing before she grabbed onto Lelouch for support. He was too focused on the gate.
Was another titan coming?
If so…why weren't they killing it?
Still…
Feeling the shaking of the ground, Lelouch realized something.
This titan was running fast…
Almost exactly like the same deafening, crumbling noise of Wall Maria's gates being destroyed, a 15 meter tall titan came busting through the gate, propelling any of the soldiers standing in its path away and into the air along with the debris. After blowing a hole into the gate, it halted itself and almost seemed to be watching everyone—no, maybe watching Lelouch.
Or that's what it felt like.
Though the boats were far enough away to remain outside the shower of debris from the hit, Nunnally still clung to Lelouch frightfully, but he was too stunned to even notice.
The titan had hardened plates covering mostly its whole body like armor besides the muscles in its cheeks and its eyes were bright and beady-looking. One of its armored hands appeared to be holding the side of its neck as if wounded.
All the military, including Schneizel and Cornelia whom Lelouch noticed on the docks were in fighting stance, hands on their blades and ready to attack, however the titan didn't move.
It simply stood where it had stopped itself and stared.
"Why isn't it coming to start mindlessly eating us…?" Nunnally whispered to her brother.
The raven-haired boy shook his head slowly. "I don't know…"
He then glanced at Schneizel back at the docks.
Do something, Lelouch thought as if he could silently will the soldier to fight.
Our getting here safely shouldn't just be for nothing.
His amethyst eyes flickered back, catching the small movement of the armored titan as it lowered the hand on its neck and revealed a little girl perched on its shoulder, clinging to it.
Many gasps could be heard now, from the boat and docks alike.
And Lelouch's good eyesight also allowed him to join the crowd.
That little girl is frightened.
That little girl has pink hair.
That little girl's dress is torn up and bloodied.
That little girl looks familiar.
That little girl is…
"Euphemia…!"
AND DONEEEE. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I finally updated this! Sorry the writing gets crappy at the end. That's just my style! I slowly become crappier as the chapter progresses :3
Anyway, yesss. I have an interesting plot in mind for this story so that's how I brought it back to life! Just letting you know though, don't expect any updates on any of my stories in the next 5 days…I'll be busy. Sorry! T.T (not that I'd update in 5 days even if I wasn't) XDD
But if it makes you feel better….I'll really introduce the SnK characters next chapter! :D YAAAY
And if you like this story; let me know with a REVIEW!
Cause I like those ._.
GIVE ME A REVIEW DANG IT
Okay fine. Just favorite and follow it... *goes and cries somewhere* YOU SUCK SO MUCHHHH~~!