BluePhoenix34 does not own Shingeki no Kyojin, the property and creation goes to Hajime Isayama. However, BluePhoenix34 does own Gianne Starken and all the characters unfamiliar to the SNK series. Now please, sit back and enjoy!
Chapter Six: Humanity's Counter Attack
Rikken Talicron didn't go out today. Instead, he stayed home fixing the three-dimensional maneuver gears a couple soldiers broke. They all knew he enjoyed fixing machinery. Though, Rikken had to admit, maneuver gears were quite boring to repair. Sometimes, a screw would drop out causing the machine to malfunction. Other times, he would have to take apart the whole device to fix the cords, and then put it back together again. Whatever happened, he was able to fix fast.
He wasn't just a repair man, though. He had some brilliant ideas of his own. From weaponry to transport, the papers around his desk were his flesh and blood. All the ideas he had went on a sheet immediately. However, he kept is creativity a secret. He thought the world wasn't ready to meet new inventions yet. He would privately build his works from anything he found. Metal and copper were always expensive to get. Wood was easy to find.
Once, he made his own wind-maker. It was created from wood that was shaped into a flower with the petals spaced apart. He created a base and added a strong piece of string. Whenever he pulled it, a small gust of wind would blow his hair and cool his sweaty face. It was the second thing he's made successfully in his life.
Rikken enjoyed his privacy. He enjoyed having time to think. While he was working, he kept brainstorming all the possibilities that could be brought to the world.
Then, he heard that thundering boom.
His hands froze before he finished up the maneuver gear he was holding. The basement shook violently, causing him to hide under his desk, believing it was an earthquake. However, after hearing the civilians panic screams, he knew better.
It had something to do with the Titans. They were coming into Trost. This was just like Shiganshina all over again. Shiganshina... my family... he thought miserably. The scars on his body suddenly stung. Memories of that terrorizing event played in his mind. He tried to ignore it, but a spark ignited in his heart. The Titans were coming in again. They were going to attack. This time, however, he was going to save some lives. He knew he had to.
Abandoning his desk, Rikken quickly got dressed in his uniform. Grabbing his own maneuver gear and welding goggles, he ran out of his house to guide the civilians to safety.
-:-:-:-:-
The bells to evacuate the city were heard, each gong signaling any soldiers to retreat from their post. However, no one from the front seemed to move.
The day was grey. Everywhere Gage looked, Trost was completely dead. The clouds thundering laughs were mocking in his opinion. It grew even worse when the rain came down pouring on everything.
The cold drops drenched his long hair and clothes. Gage gripped his sword hilts tightly as he watched the Titan blood evaporate off the blades. His first kill laid flat on the streets with the skin smoking. Before, he couldn't get deep into the neck with the others. It was hard and the Titans were fast. Now, he thought this was rather simple. He would do it again if need be.
"Do you think the civilians got out?" Antonio asked him.
"I think so. There's not a soul in sight." Gage said. "The whole world seems so silent."
"When do you want to retreat back to Wall Rose?" Antonio asked.
"I don't know. Soon… maybe…"
"Guys, are you almost out of gas?" Daedre questioned them. Yes, it was just those three. The other members of their squad didn't make it. A wave of regret washed over Gage. He should've been able to save them, Daniel Puttman and Evelyn Francis.
"Yeah, I actually am." Antonio said.
"Same." Gage said. He was stupid to burn up most of his gas on trying to slay some Titans. At times, he thought a few were close enough to grab him, but Antonio managed to save him. It was very peculiar. Antonio wasn't in the Grad Ranks, and yet, he was able to kill four Titans easily. Gage would look to him suspiciously, but then turn away to mind his own business. "Where are those damn reinforcements?"
Gage looked around the city. It was hard to see through all the rain. The only building he was able to spot was HQ. It was taller and able to stand out. The reinforcements were there getting supplies, but no one seemed to leave. Something was wrong.
"Guys, how much gas do you have left?" Gage asked sternly.
Antonio and Daedre looked at each other, both having a silent conversation before Antonio answered. "Enough to make a couple more miles. Why?"
"Because if we use it wisely, then we'll be able to get to HQ." he explained. Pointing straight, he said. "The building is a half a mile this way."
"Sounds like a plan." Daedre said. "But if I run out of gas first before we get there, one of you is going to have to carry me."
The three turn on their maneuver gears and flew towards HQ. In the rain, the water stung Gage's eyes and made his hair even more drenched. At times, he would peek at both his sides in order to find a spot of red. So far, nothing stood out that interest him. He wondered how Sereak and his other friends were. Did they manage to get everyone out? Was Sereak still alive? When he thought of Gianne, there was an unpleasant feeling in his stomach that made him have negative thoughts. He shook them away when he spotted HQ. Immediately, his heart jumped to his throat. The squad stopped and landed on a roof, witnessing the total disaster.
Dozens of Titans were surrounding the building. Some were climbing up the platforms and walls while others were breaking inside. Big or small, each Titan was figuring out its own way to get in. Their mammoth eyes took a look through the windows while their hands smashed through the glass in order to retrieve a victim. Gage figured that the reinforcements were already devoured. The Titans didn't even notice the three gaping at them.
"Holy shit…" Antonio said. His voice gave a noticeable croak. "This is just… so unfair."
"We should try and save them!" Daedre suggested.
"We can't, unless you wanted to be Titan food as well." Antonio said.
"But we can't just stand here and do nothing!" Daedre exclaimed. Gage didn't understand what he was so worked up about. Death was death, he remembered Annie's words. Daedre can't be the hero right now. He couldn't take on death itself.
Daedre flipped his long side bang to the side. A scar on his cheek was shown slightly. "No one deserves this! No one deserves this end!"
"Daedre, that's enough." Gage warned.
"Why aren't we doing something about it?" Daedre burst with ultimate fury. His face grew darker and his brown eyes burned wildly. "Don't you think this is wrong? It's a sin to let people die!"
"Look Daedre, we just can't do anything about it." Antonio said, looking rather tired. "We don't make the rules. It's just how life is."
"Screw you!" Daedre spat. He turned to his tall friend. "Gage will help me then, right?"
Gage looked away, unable to meet his desperate gaze. He replied. "He's right Daedre. We can't do anything right now. We can barely keep ourselves alive. I know where you're coming from, though. Expect, this isn't the time to play hero."
Daedre looked stunned by his words. He averted his eyes to his feet and scowled. Gage continued. "I honestly don't know what to do now. So please, don't turn to me for help."
-:-:-:-
Meanwhile, the remaining recruits were together in a rather serious depression. Each individual too weak to fight or simply just given up. Sereak eyes went from one body to the next and they all looked the same. Their heads were down and covered, as if they were trying to block the world from their view.
"Everyone's so cheerful, huh?" Sylvia said sarcastically. Sereak wasn't in the mood.
"Don't start Sylvia. I'm sure you're feeling the same way too." Sereak said warningly.
Sylvia gave her a grim look as she crossed her arms. "I don't need you to decide how I feel or not."
"You're scared, I can tell. You're giving up also." Sereak said.
"And so what, you're not?"
Sereak looked away from her. "No, because you're only scared of the Titans and the way they eat people. I'm sure everyone is. I've seen it before, lived it, and still have nightmares about it. I don't fear them. That's why the supply team isn't here to help us."
She noticed Sylvia turning her attention back to HQ, watching the Titans overrun the building. Sereak felt so useless. If she had more gas, maybe she could kill some and find a way in. If all the recruits had more gas, maybe they could take out all of them. But they were acting like cowardly dogs. Their tails were between their legs as they whimpered amongst themselves. They were beaten up and frightened. No one wanted to die for nothing.
"Do you think they'll come, the reinforcements?" Sylvia asked.
Sereak sighed. "I doubt it. HQ is being invaded by a herd. When you're up against a group, the odds are not in your favor."
"Come on guys, cheer up!" Sasha voice was heard. Sereak knew this wasn't the moment for this optimistic girl's encouragement. "We can take them down! I can take the lead if you want."
No one bothered to look up and reply to her. Why couldn't some people be like Sasha and Daedre? Their loud enthusiasm would've helped lift some of the recruit's spirits. It may have also pushed them to be more of a fighter. Instead, they've given up. They were just welcoming death.
"Sereak!" she heard Gage's voice. Turning around, he was running up to her looking exceedingly drenched. Antonio and Daedre were also there too, wet from the rain and miserable. Antonio went up to Annie and whispered something in her ear. The blonde girl shook her head while he looked even more depressed.
Gage stopped right in front of her. "Sereak, I'm glad you're still here."
"Same to you." she said.
"Listen, are Gianne and her squad back yet? Did they ever pass by here?" he asked. His face and eyes were red. He was breathing uncontrollably. For a brief second, Sereak noticed how Mikasa finally arrived. She was looking around aimlessly until she spotted Armin.
"Gianne…" Sereak muttered. She felt like a knife just stabbed her in the chest. Gage didn't see her, so does that mean, she's still out there somewhere? "No I haven't."
Gage's face tightened into a serious expression. He clenched the hilts of his sword again, making his knuckles turn white. "Okay, I'll take my leave."
"Where are you going now?" Sylvia asked.
He turned away. "To find her."
"Wait Gage!" Sereak grabbed his arm and tugged him back. He was so tall and strong, but Sereak managed to hold him still. "You can't go now. I'm sure your gas tank is already running low on fuel."
"I'm fine." he spat and wrenches his arm free. "I have all the gas I need."
"No you don't man." Antonio announced. Gage glared at him. "You said it yourself, we don't have enough to make it to the wall. I think you won't have enough to go on this search."
"No one was even talking to you!" Gage said.
"Gage, just stay calm–"
"Stay calm?" Gage cut off Sereak. "Stay calm? How am I supposed to stay calm when I have a feeling something bad is happening to Gianne?"
"Because I trust she can take care of herself." she replied.
"Do you even care?" Gage screamed in her face. Sereak scowl darkened harder and she clenched her fists.
"Of course I do!"
Their fight, however, was over when they heard Armin's choking voice. Every individual their turned to him in order to hear what he was saying. "Our unit…" he starts. "The thirty-forth cadet unit…" he places both hands on his thighs and lowers his head. Mikasa was watching him closely. "Thomas Wagner. Nic Tius. Mylius Zeramuski. Mina Carolina. Eren Jaeger. All five of them have fulfilled their duty and died heroic deaths in battle!"
Everyone stares at Armin in silence. There were a lot of surprised looks on their faces. Mikasa looked completely dumbfounded. All of them… died? Sereak thought. She didn't want to accept this news. They were all good people. They did not deserve this fate.
Armin continues, unable to look directly at Mikasa. His tears were dripping from his eyes. "I'm sorry Mikasa. Eren died trying to save me. I couldn't do anything! I'm so sorry!"
Everyone waited for Mikasa to react. Sereak knew how much she loved Eren. She could sacrifice anything in order to protect him. She could possible die for him if she had to. Mikasa knelt down and holds Armin's hands.
"Armin." she says calmly. "Take a deep breath. This isn't the time to be emotional. Stand up." she takes his hand gently and pulled him up. His blue eyes are shiny with tears. He looked utterly puzzled. Mikasa turns away from him and goes to Marco. "If we take out the Titans around the HQ, we can replenish our gas supplies and climb the wall. Does that sound correct?"
"Yeah…" Marco replies. "But even if you're with us, there's just too many–"
"I can do it." he was cut off sharply by her new aggressive tone. Sereak was shocked to hear this new emotional voice. She lifts her sword above her head to prove herself. "I'm strong… stronger than all of you. Extremely strong. I can kill all those Titans there. Even if I'm alone. As far as I'm concerned, you are all nothing but spineless cowardly worms."
Sereak turns to get a quick peek at everyone. Their expressions were all the same. They were completely astonished by her speech. Normally, Mikasa didn't talk that much. It was almost a pleasure to hear her voice.
Mikasa lowers her sword and points to them all. Sereak could almost feel it somehow stab her pride. "How pathetic. You can sit here and suck your thumbs and watch how it's done."
"Wait, Mikasa! Are you out of your mind? That's crazy!" a girl says realistically. Mikasa lowers her sword, her face expressionless.
"You can't be serious!" a boy adds. "Trying to take them out by yourself! There's no way you can hope to beat them!"
Mikasa stares at them all blankly. "If I can't beat them, then I die. But if I win, I live. And the only way to live is to fight!" she turns, jumps from the roof and turns on her maneuver gear. In a few seconds, she's already gone.
Everyone was silent. No one dared to breathe or move. However, Gage was the first. He fired his grapple hooks to a nearby house not too far away. Everyone turned to him. Sereak's eyes widened.
"Where are you going?" Jean asks in surprised.
Gage turns to him. His expression was rather grim. "I'm going with Mikasa. I'm going to defeat those Titans and get the gas I need. I'm sick of staying with you, weaklings." he pressed the button on his sword to activate his maneuver gear and followed Mikasa's path.
It took a few moments for his words to sink into Sereak's brain. When they finally did, something made her heart scream. I'm not weak, I'm a soldier!
With that, she ran away from the others and flew away to catch up with the two. She heard Sylvia calling out to her, but she ignored the girl completely. She was too focused on going to HQ. Gage was right, they were weaklings, but she was about to prove him wrong. When she caught up to him, he turned to her.
"I'm glad you decided to come." he said.
"Of course." she replied without looking at him. "I need something to push me. You, Mikasa, and Gianne helped me with that."
After a while, the people from behind started to activate their maneuver gears as well, following the three people that lead the way. Sereak grinned to herself mentally.
I guess we're not cowards after all.
"Hurry! Let's follow them and keep the fight short!" Jean shouts to get everyone's attention. "We need to kill them all before we run out of gas!"
The Titans were closely up ahead and so was Mikasa. Following her lead, both Sereak and Gage begin cutting down the napes of the Titans necks in order to create a clear path for everyone else. Mikasa was fast and swift when she slayed her prey, but Sereak noticed something. She was way ahead because she was using too much gas while everyone else was conserving theirs.
Mikasa kept up her killing spree until her gas tank ran out. Like a bird with a broken wing, she fell from the sky and landed hard on a roof top. A gasp of pain was heard from her mouth. Her body rolled down the curve and she fell into an alley.
"Mikasa!" Armin calls out and quickly changes direction. Gage also seemed to notice this and pales. With one turn, he also followed Armin.
"Gage!" Sereak cried to him. Though, he didn't answer her. He was trying to be a hero, Sereak wondered.
"Jean! You lead the others! Sereak! Help him as well!" Connie turns his head to Jean and then Sereak. "I'll go with Armin and Gage!"
Connie was about to fly down with Armin and Gage, but he was caught off guard when Jean disobeyed. "I'm coming with you!"
"What are you talking about? There are more Titans left!" Connie says rather furiously. "We need your skills! Sereak! Make sure you help him as much as you can!" then he leaves. Jean looks down in pain.
Sereak whistles to get Jean's attention. This caused him to look to her. "Don't tell me you're getting emotional now, horse-face!"
His eyes widened to the size of dish plates. They were mixed with shock and fury while his cheeks were faded to a shade of pink. "Sh-Shut up!"
-:-:-:-
Gage searched around for Mikasa. The idiot had to use up all her gas in order to kill off some Titans. Though, he knew better. She was really upset about the loss of her adopted brother, Eren, and she got all her emotions out on the Titans and her classmates. Gage knew because it was something he would do if he lost Gianne.
Armin flew beside him looking the other way. Gage respected Armin for going out to help his friend. The two glided around the city, hoping to find the girl that fell off. Suddenly, a loud ear popping roar filled the air.
Gage frantically scanned the area around. When he spotted a figure in an open alley, he called out. "Armin, I found her!"
Using his grapple hooks to get closer down to where she was, Gage swung his body next to Mikasa's and wrapped an arm around her waist. Lifting her up, Gage propelled them up high and met a roof top. Without any effort, he landed clumsily on his feet, causing both of them to tumble on the land. Gage's head and body scream with agony, but his pain was quickly ignored when he talked to Mikasa.
"Mikasa, are you okay?" Gage asked. She looked up at him and gave weak nod. He also caught her mouthing, 'thank you', to him.
"Mikasa!" Armin landed next to them.
Connie swiftly landed perfectly on the spot, "Are you three okay?"
"Yes, we're fine." Armin replied.
"We must get going!" Connie said.
"Yeah, you're right." Gage agreed.
Gage turned his attention to Mikasa again, who looked directly at something behind him. When he turned, he spotted two exceedingly large Titans that faced each other. His stomach dropped. They were going to get spotted. Both Armin and Connie came to realize what was before them as well. Gage stood up and drew two new blades.
"Shit! This is bad!" Connie shouted. "There are two fifteen meter classes!"
"No…" Mikasa said. "That Titan's…"
Gage turned to her with a confused look. What was she talking about? Gage noticed Armin looking towards something. He followed his gaze and spotted a rotting Titan skeleton smoking up. Mikasa couldn't have done that, was someone else here? Gage wondered.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard that same screeching roar fill his ears. He looked back at the two Titans, who seemed to be threatening one another. Gage covered his ears and watched curiously as the opposing Titan replied with a roar of his own, less loud but more fierce. The other Titan began to raise his arms in a defensive position. Everyone was taken back.
"What is it doing?" Gage asked. No one had an answer for that.
With one more roar, the opposing Titan went in to attack, charging forward with all its power. The Titan responded with a swing of its fist. When the fist connected to the side of the head, an audible bang filled the air. The head detached itself from the neck and was launched to the right. The head flew for a few seconds until it crashed into a building. The body fell forward on the ground, but before the head could regenerate, the Titan stepped hard on the neck to stop it.
"Oh God…" Gage trailed with astonishment.
"It finished that Titan off? It knew its weak spot?" Armin questioned.
"We got to move before it comes after us!" Connie said.
"No. It shows no interest in us. It would've attacked right now." Armin said.
Gage looked more closely at the Titan. He had to admit, it did look more abnormal than a regular class. The body structure was completely built with indestructible muscles. The Titan's face was also shaped differently. It was square with no lips, a sharp nose, and pointed ears. The long black locks were also very unusual. No Titan should have hair like that. But the most interesting thing about this Titan was that it didn't have an interest to kill humans. Instead, it focused more on the Titans themselves. Was that kind of reality even possible to live in? Was this really a dream Gage was actually having? He quickly picked the skin on his hand to make sure. No, this was real. That abnormal Titan was very alive.
"How does it even know martial arts? Titans aren't that intelligent, are they?" Gage asked.
"He's right, it somehow knows combat skills. Maybe it's not a Titan. So what is it?" Mikasa said.
"We just have to assume it's another abnormal." Connie suggested impatiently. "We barely know anything about them..." he sighed, "Anyway, lets head back to HQ."
"Wait!" Armin stopped him. "Mikasa ran out of gas!"
"Huh? Are you serious? What are we supposed to do without you?" Connie exclaimed.
"I could carry her." Gage suggested.
"No." Armin said quickly. "You said before, you're almost out of gas, so you should save it for yourself. There's another solution. Here!" He began taking her canister and replacing it with his own.
"Armin!" Mikasa cried.
"I don't have much gas left either, but I think it would be wise if you used the rest of mine. I don't want to be baggage to you guys. So please Mikasa, take my gas. Go a save everyone." he told her. Mikasa looked down on him with disbelief. Gage was also shocked. Armin would sacrifice his own supply in order to help the others. Would Mikasa actually leave him? Gage thought about staying with him if she did.
Armin took out a blade that was broken in half. It still looked sharp, but it wasn't going to be an advantage against the Titans. "I gave you all my blades. But please, let me keep this one. I don't want to be eaten alive."
Mikasa bent down and took the blade. With one toss, the lone weapon flew over the roof and disappeared. The boys were very surprised. Mikasa knelt down to Armin's level and took his hand in her owns.
"Armin." she said. "I won't leave you here." She helped him up.
The four of them stood by and watched the Titan closely again. Gage walked beside Mikasa to talk to her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.
"Yes." Mikasa nodded. "Before, I wasn't sure if I was or not. Before, I was confused about why I wanted to live. Now, I see something that's worth fighting for."
"What's that?"
She turned to him, her grey eyes boring into his aquamarine ones. The stare was so strong he could almost feel the sensation in their look. Mikasa answered him. "Hope."
-:-:-:-
Jean and Sereak lead the group to the roof of a house that was a half a mile away from HQ. They were being blocked to continue forward. Everyone looked down in horror as they watched the Titans below them. Some were desperately reaching their enormous arms out to try and grab them.
"We won't be able to make it to HQ..." Jean said. Sereak heard him closely. "Unless we prepared to make sacrifices."
From below, one recruit with dark hair had his grapple hooks dug into a house by him. However, his gas tank was empty, trapping him from escaping. His loud whimpering was heard by the Titans. Soon, all the giants were crowding around him. Looking up, the boy held out his swords.
"Stay away!" he tried to warn. The Titans rejected his threat him completely.
Both Jean and Sereak looked at the scene anxiously. They didn't know what to do. Even the rest of the recruits froze in place to watch. Though, Antonio was holding back a very furious Daedre, who wanted to save the boy. Soon, another boy and girl flew to the victim's rescue. Sereak's eyes widened.
"Tom, I'm gonna save you!" the boy said. The girl followed him closely behind.
Jean was shocked as he shouted to them. "Stop it! You can't!" but they just shut him off.
Tom is now in a Titan's grip, shaking and crying. Sereak didn't know what to do, she was petrified. So was everyone else.
"Stop!" the boy screams. When he goes in to cut the Titan's neck, he is easily caught by another Titan behind him. The other girl is caught as well.
After a chomp sound, Tom's head was gone, leaving his neck to drip with crimson colored blood. A Titan swallowed the other boy whole, leaving no body parts for his remain. Sereak didn't notice this, but she was gripping her own left wrist tightly. She had to admit it, she was extremely scared. Looking to Jean, he was in a deep thought as he watched his fellow comrades getting eaten. Blood was squirted and everywhere on the ground, staining the city with an ugly color. Sylvia walked up to Sereak, noticing her grip.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Sereak nodded, but didn't verbally answer her.
She watched the Titans eating away, paying no mind to the children above them. Abruptly, Jean called out to everyone very loudly. "Go! Hurry to HQ while we still can!"
Jean leaps down to another house and runs off, expecting the others to follow him. Sereak watched him go, dumbfounded by his actions. Connie's words rang in her head. Sereak! Make sure you help him as much as you can! Something tugged in her body. An awkward knot was twisting in her chest.
"Is this guy for real?" Conrad said.
Damn it Connie, why did you have to make me babysit Jean? Sereak thought, sighing with utter frustration. Turning to everyone around her, she used up all her confidence and power to yell loud.
"Come on! What are you standing around here for?"
Just like Jean, Sereak jumped from the roof and landed on another to catch up with Jean. The others began to follow.
-:-:-:-
"Okay, so one of us is going to have to carry Armin." Gage said, crossing his arms.
"B-But, carrying me and leaping through a Titan filled area..." Armin tried to object. Connie cut him off when he took his arm.
"Talk later Armin! We have to go now!"
Gage knew Armin was unconfident with himself, but he was now growing extremely irritated by his behavior. They were trying to get out of the area, and yet, Armin still thought he was nothing but baggage. He had to get his head straight soon.
The group began to run forward, Connie still dragging Armin from behind while Gage ran next to Mikasa. After a few moments, the abnormal Titan's roar was heard again, causing Armin to wench himself free from Connie's grip. Everyone stopped to stare at him questionably.
"Wait! Listen to me. I have a plan." he said.
"A plan?" Gage asked. He was getting impatient with him now.
Armin nodded with a serious look. "Yes. You thee will have to execute it, so you decide. I know it's crazy, but could we use that Titan?"
The abnormal Titan was a house away, still roaring to the sky about another kill. Grey smoke floated around it. Everyone's eyes widened from the amazing question.
"Use it...?" Gage muttered.
"What do you mean use it?" Connie asked.
"It has no interest in us. It's only interested in killing the other Titans." Armin explained. "Could we, somehow, manage to lead it over to the supply area? If it defeats the other Titans, everyone would be saved."
"Lead it?" Connie said. "How would we do that?"
"I think its fighting instinctively. The three of you will defeat the Titans near it. That should make it move to find more. We can lead it right to HQ." Armin explained.
"How did you come up with that so fast?" Gage asked.
"We can't do something that dangerous on a hunch!" Connie scolded.
"But if it works, we might be able to destroy all the Titans around HQ." Armin fought back.
"It's worth a try." Mikasa said for the first time.
"Huh? You're actually serious?" Connie cried with shock.
"I am too." Gage went along.
"What?"
"Better to try something at a time like this then simply wait for death." Mikasa glared her eyes towards Connie. "Let's go with Armin's plan."
Armin's face lite brightly. Mikasa and Gage were willing to go with his plan. That seemed to boost up his confidence a little more. Gage was giving his own life for this plan. It was a fifty-fifty chance he might die trying to do it. Was he really going to put his life on the line for an abnormal Titan?
"Fight the Titan with another Titan?" Connie asked.
"Yeah, that's right." Gage said.
Connie looked down a little, still having doubts about the plan. Though, it was three against one, so he had no other option left. He raised his head a forced on a smile. "If we lose, they'll laugh at us."
Armin was now glowing with his wide smile. Gage couldn't help but smile back at his excitement.
"But if we succeed, then everyone will survive." the blonde said.
"What are we waiting for then?" Gage grinned and ran towards the abnormal.
-:-:-:-
The HQ was right there. The group was going to make it. Sereak caught up with Jean and ran beside him.
"What the hell are you planning to do?" she asked, emphasizing hell rather darkly.
"If we run out of gas, we're finished so we better hurry. Just shut up and stop complaining." he replied with an irate expression.
Sereak sighed through her nose. "I wasn't, okay? Anyways, I'm with you here and… whatever. So is everyone else. Just remember you're the responsible one here now."
Jean's face was ashen, but he tried to hide it with a courageous mask upon his face. Clearing his throat, he nods to her and then calls to everyone. "Everyone, move it!"
Jumping over another house, the group begins activating their maneuver gears and fly through a herd of Titans. The group passes by them quickly, though, some weren't so lucky. Sereak witnessed one boy getting caught, screaming for help, but was instantly swallowed. Turning to Jean, she saw a Titan's hand swing towards him and grip on to his leg. Her eyes widened.
"Jean!"
Before she could save him, Antonio cut her off and went for the Titan's neck. His blades sliced a chunk of the nape off, causing it to let go of Jean. The Titan fell forward with shame. Jean flew closer to Antonio, looking very grateful for the rescue.
"Thanks." he gave him a side smile.
"Don't worry about it, Leader." Antonio says.
"Come on, let's hurry!" Jean calls out again.
The group landed on another rooftop and began running forward. Jean and Sereak lead the way to HQ, which was only a few hundred meters away. They were almost there. They were really going to live. Suddenly, Marco lands on the other side of Jean with a wide grin.
"Jean!" he calls to get his attention. It worked. "Thanks! I only got out because of you!"
"Huh?" Jean was puzzled.
"It's all thanks to you. I told you, didn't I? You're cut out to be the leader!" Marco encourages.
Sereak held back her own voice before she agreed. For a reason unexplained, she thought it wasn't the time to be praising Jean yet. This was just a lucky event he had, being the hero. She was still quite positive that he was still a jerk who only cared about his well-being. Though, when she turned to look at him, he was smiling.
"I seriously don't know." he said.
"Is there not a better time to talk about this?!" Sylvia said to them both, catching up to the lead.
Sereak noticed how there was much more Titans as they got closer to the HQ. When the group flew towards the building, each individual was trying their best to dodge instead of attack. Though, a few comrades were getting caught again and started screeching. Sereak turned away, unable to look at the scene. Jean noticed it and cursed.
"Dammit!"
"We're almost there!" Daedre announced happily.
"Brace yourself!" Reiner said.
With one more scream the group used their bodies to smash through the windows. Sereak felt a couple shards cutting against her cheeks and a great pain when she slammed and rolled on the floor. Before she could get up, Sylvia and Sasha followed her path and landed on top of the girl. Sereak felt all the air getting squeezed out of her. She gagged.
"G-Get off!" she order.
The three got up and looked around. Glass shards were sprinkled all over the wooden floor and only a few of their comrades stood tall. Sereak noticed how their group seemed to decrease. She turned to Jean, who also seemed to realize that too. A hand was over his eye as he was thinking. A pang of guilt hammered her chest. He was trying his best to save everyone, but now, it seemed he just lead a lot to their deaths. She pitied him. To show that she patted his shoulder softly, causing him to turn to her with a questionable look.
"I'm trying to cheer you up." she said.
"Thanks." he replied dryly.
There was a sudden noise. Jean turns his head to the side and Sereak followed his gaze. There, under a large wooden table, was a girl and boy, hugging their knees tightly. Half the girl's face was covered with crimson blood. They both looked to Jean with blank stares. He stares back.
"You're part of the supply squad, aren't you…?" he rapidly grabs hold of his collar and drags him out of the hiding spot. Abruptly, Jean punches him hard in the face, letting droplets of blood fly from the boy's mouth. The victim falls to the ground. Sereak was in utter shock.
"What the hell!" Conrad said.
"Stop it Jean!" Marco cries and holds him back. Jean looked insane with complete rage.
"These bastards abandoned us! Do you even have a clue how many died?" Jean spat, squirming in Marco's arms.
Sereak slowly went in front of Jean to block his view. Her glowering eyes glared into his as she tried to calm him down. "Anger is a weakness Jean. Don't turn into a monstrous animal. These little chicks need to look up to you."
Jean was rather puzzled by her choice of words, but it got him to stop squirming and look a little calmer. The girl came out to reveal herself. Kneeling by the boy, she looked up with teary eyes as she cried to them.
"The Titans invaded the storehouse! What could we have done?!"
Jean answers venomously, "It's your job to figure something–"
"Jean!" Sereak cut him off sharply, like her voice was a sharp blade. There was no time to rant and point fingers. These innocent victims let cowardliness take over them.
A loud noise was heard outside.
"Take cover!" Reiner shouts.
Before anyone can react, an eruption filled in the entire office. Smoked and rubble covered everyone's vision. Some people were getting pushed back by the force. Sereak felt a small piece of stone hitting her head as she covered herself. When the smoke cleared, she looked up and saw a Titan's face.
"It face planted into wall!" Daedre yelled.
"No, it just opened the door with its head!" Sylvia replied sarcastically, though, she was utterly frantic.
Sereak was frozen. It appeared so suddenly. Are the Titans, somehow, getting intelligent?
"Dammit!" Jean looks at the face, petrified. "There are too many people gathered here!"
The cadets began to panic and screamed at each other. Sereak could hear them all very well.
"Hurry! Inside!"
"Run for your lives!"
"Where's Mikasa?!"
"She crashed back there! She's been eaten!"
Jean stood there, dumbfounded. The big hole the Titan created showed two more peaking inside. Their smiles were mocking. Their large eyes followed towards Jean and Sereak, who were the only two still in the office. Everyone else was gone.
"This is it…" Jean muttered. "This is reality…"
Sereak tugged at his arm, trying to pull him away. "Jean, come on!"
"What!"
Unexpectedly, the Titans were pushed out of the way. Sereak watched as a gigantic fist clashed with the first Titan's face, causing it to collide with the Titan next to it and fly away. A loud boom was heard, including a high volume roar that made her cover her ears. Sereak looked through the hole to see the body of another Titan. Then, it ran away. Jean and Sereak watched it with complete astonishment.
"What… is that?" Jean asked.
"A Titan… is attacking… a Titan?" Sereak was confused. She couldn't believe what her eyes just saw. A species attacking its own? Was that even possible? The Titans weren't animals. They didn't even comprehend the world around them. "H-How is… that even possible?"
Another crash was heard. The two turned to see Mikasa, Gage, and Armin in Connie's arms burst through the window. The group looked at them and the two stared back.
"Gage!" Sereak cried.
"Mikasa!" Jean noticed her first.
"My gas tank is empty." Gage said.
"So is mine." Connie said and tapped his tank with his fist. It made an echo sound. "But we did it. We just barely made it!"
"How are you guys still alive?" Jean question, still trying to understand that his fallen comrades have come back unharmed.
"Armin saved us." Gage said, pointing to the blonde boy. Sereak glared down at him. He sat on the wooden floor looking like he was enduring the pain he had received. Connie knelt down to pat him on the back.
"You did Armin. Your plan was a success." He said with a wide grin.
"I think you're hurting him more." Gage noticed how Armin was squirming.
"Why are you guys here?" Sereak asked. "I thought you were all at the walls by now."
Gage gives her a look and points to the hole. There, she saw a better view of the Titan that knocked out its own kind. Walking by the hole, Sereak caught every little detail. It had long, dark hair like hers that grazed its shoulders, sharp green eyes that were narrowed in contrast, and point ears. She noticed how it lacked skin around its lips, exposing its large, square teeth and long tongue. The Titan was also well-built, which was unusual to the many other Titans she's seen before.
"Everyone! That Titan is an abnormal that's only interested in other Titans." Connie announced to the people who began coming back. Sereak saw them peeking around the door. "It's not even interested in slaughtering humans. If we play our cards correctly, we may get outta here alive."
Everyone looked at Connie like he spoke to them in a different language. Maybe he did. Sylvia and Daedre gave each other uneasy looks. No one planned for this to happen. Why would they depend on a creature that's been destroying lives for centuries? Gage seemed to think this was normal. Sereak looked from him back to the abnormal Titan who started kicking away smaller classes. Maybe she should trust what she sees.
"You'd rely on a Titan for help?" Jean asked, sounding completely disturbed. "That's more delusional than any dream."
"It's not a dream." Mikasa said instantly. "I don't care if it's an abnormal or whatever. Just let it storm here for as long as possible. Realistically, that's our best option for survival."
"Count me in then." Sereak said. Gage gave her a smile.
"What?" Jean turned to her in shock. "You're actually going along with this?"
"I don't like to depend on other things to save me. But if that Titan is the only option left, I'm going to put all my faith into it." she placed her hands on her hip. "Besides, a Titan slaying one of its own? I knew this world was messed up. I didn't think it was extremely."
From behind, everyone else began to agree. They nodded their heads towards the group. Sereak wondered if they were just going along or really considering it.
"Don't worry, that Titan is stronger than average." Connie reassured.
-:-:-:-
Gage watched as Jean, Conrad, and a few other boys came out of the armory. Each one carrying a large wooden crate. Inside held old firearms.
"We found some. Courtesy of the Military Police, and covered in a layer of dust." Jean added.
They set the crates down and unlock them. Jean picked up a rifle and began to examine it. Gage shot one of them at the Trainee Corps for practice. Though, blades were his better weapon of choice. Conrad blew some dust off his weapon.
"These guns have seen some days. Are you sure they're not retired?" Conrad asked.
"I'm positive." Jean said. "Though, will three bullets be enough? Do these things work against the Titans anyway?"
Gage tuned them both off and averted his attention back to Armin. There was a map of the HQ in front of him while everyone else crowded around. He announced how he had another plan. This time, it was to kill the Titans in the supply room. Gage was completely interested. Before Armin could continue, he answered Jean's question.
"It's better than nothing. Even if there are three to four meter class Titans in the supply room, blinding them all at once isn't impossible with this firepower."
"So what do you plan to do exactly?" Gage asked. He leaned against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Well, first of all, we'll use the lift to power a large number of people into the center of the chamber." Armin points to the lift, which was right behind him. "Next, we fire directly into the seven Titans faces all at once. This will blind them for a few seconds."
"The supply room is below this floor." Daedre told Sylvia.
She gave him a look. "Yes, Captain Obvious. I knew that already."
Armin continues. "The next instance will decide everything. Seven other people hiding in the ceiling will swoop down to attack their weak spots while their blind. In other words..." he pauses. "If we follow this plan, then we'll be gambling everything on this attack. The whole point is for seven people to kill the seven Titans simultaneously. The seven people should be the most physically capable ones. You'll have to shoulder the burden of everyone's lives. I'm so sorry."
Gage knew what that meant. He said to Armin. "No need, we understand."
"Yeah, no problem at all." Reiner said.
"Whoever fails, all of us will die. The risk is the same." Annie said.
"B-But, I'm a nobody. Is my plan really the best option?" Armin muttered apprehensively. "I don't want any blood on my hands."
Daedre knelt by him and smacked him softly on the back. "Hey Armin, cheer up will ya? I'm pretty sure, no one here has any other options. You're pretty much the only brain here."
"The plan sounds very effective. I like it a lot." Sasha said.
"Don't worry, be confident. You have the best solutions when it comes to situations like this. You just have to believe in yourself more." Mikasa encouraged. Armin gazed at her.
The entrance of the lift opens with a slam. There's no turning back now.
"The lifts ready, and so are these guns! All of them are loaded." Jean said.
Everyone gets ready. Sereak takes a gun out of Jean's hand and curiously investigates the entire body. She looked through the scope and caresses the trigger to get a good feel. Gage thought she looked so different while she wielded it.
"A bow and arrow is more my choice of shooting." she said.
"I know." Gage agreed. He patted her shoulder. "Be careful on the lift."
"Just make sure you kill those Titans, Gage." Sereak said.
He nodded and was about to leave, but he paused at what Sereak said. "We'll find her soon, Gage. Dead or alive, I promise you that."
Why did he forget about Gianne? Wasn't that his whole goal in the first place? He must've been so caught up with what's going on that he mistakenly forgot about his friend. He wondered if she was still alive. Lost and out of gas. Scared and worried about death. That pushed him.
He wanted to complete this plan perfectly in order to get the gas he needed. He was going to find Gianne, even if it was a suicidal mission alone. There was no way she was leaving this world without him.
"I know." he said. He walked with the rest of the group downstairs
-:-:-:-
Gage plus Mikasa, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Jean, and Conrad were crouching down on the ceiling joist of the supply room. Gage was still like a statue, pretending to be a part of the ceiling structure. He steadied his breathing and slowed his heart beats down. Looking below, the seven Titans were filling the silent room with loud thumps from their steps. Gage kept a close eye on them, in case they did something unexpected. After that last Titan he encountered, he wasn't going to underestimate them again.
Then, the soft screeching sounds of wires were heard. The lift was coming down patiently. Gage thought he could hear every heart beat on there. When the lift stopped, everyone on board readied their guns with a clicking sound. This caught the Titans interests. They began walking forward towards them. Some of recruits began whimpering.
"Calm down. Lure them in close." Marco orders. He was trying to seem brave. Though, Gage noticed the sweat dripping down the side of his head.
Boom! The Titans footsteps get louder each step. Gage's body tensed. He wondered if the Titans were smart enough to realize what was going on. Probably not.
He turns to his right, Mikasa nods to him on from the nearest joist. To his right, Reiner did the same thing. The Titans are getting closer to the lift, their eyes barely touching the nose of the guns. More whimpers were heard. He saw Sereak with determination in her glaring face. This is gonna work, Gage thought.
"Fire!" Marco yelled.
Once they heard the signal, everyone on the lift fired their bullets. The sound was deafening and smelled like smoke from a fireplace. Gage tried to keep his eyes wide open, even if some of the ash like substance were getting stuck to his vision. When the shooting was over, the Titans took a step back. Their eyes were gone.
Everyone on the ceiling joists flies forward. Gage made contract with the Titan in front of him and swiftly slashed off a chunk of flesh. He pushed himself away from the Titan and landed perfectly on his feet. Looking around, everyone else succeeded. Mikasa's Titan was already decaying. She turned to him with a small smile. They did it.
Cheers were heard all around. Some even started to cry. Gage caught Sereak's stare. He watched her sigh with relief.
"We got them all!" Jean shouts. "Everyone, stock up on supplies!"
"Hell yeah!"
The lift was lowered down and the rest of the recruits got off. Each person went to their own special needs from gas, to blades, and to food. Gage and Sereak were getting more blades as they talked to each other.
"I'll come with you to search for Gianne." she said.
"Thanks, I need all the help I can get." Gage replied. Sereak narrowed her eyes.
"You do know I care, right?"
Gage turned to her. She was referring to before, when he scolded her about even caring about Gianne's absences. Guilt was not the right word to describe how he was feeling. He was angry, and he took in out on her. That was his best friend. She didn't deserve to get yelled at like that. Not at a time like this.
"I know you care, and I'm sorry. Extremely sorry I mean." he apologized.
"Its fine Gage," she looks down, avoiding his gaze. "But don't you trust her?"
"I do."
"Your outburst before didn't seem to show that." she noted.
"I just want to protect her. I just feel like I owe her after what she's done for us when we were kids." he looks down, a little embarrassed about admitting it. "I do trust Gianne. I just don't trust the world."
Sereak placed a hand on his shoulder. Gage looked back at her again. Her glowering expression was melting to a relaxed one. "No one trusts the world, and that's what creates fear. Without fear, we wouldn't be alert about the things around us. Gianne is capable of responding to anything that comes her way. Just like cats, they are smart and very down to earth. Sometimes Gianne will be in her own little world, but she still remembers to come back to the real one."
"I know…" Gage muttered.
"Is there something else that motivates you? Is it more than just repaying her?" Sereak asked.
Gage didn't respond.
Instead, he gave her a quick glance and went to go refill his gas tank. He took another cylinder for extra gas. He was preparing for the search.
-:-:-:-
Everyone went back upstairs, going straight to the exit. The building was filled with cheers and positive attitudes that it made Sereak sick. I can't deal with all this happy energy, Gianne was enough.
"We're free!" Daedre cheered along.
"Don't get so excited, girly boy." Sylvia said. Her sarcastic attitude didn't melt his excitement. "Trost is still under attack."
"Sylvia, just enjoy the moment right now. Put that sharp attitude aside and be positive for once." Daedre said. "We're going to live. Doesn't that make you happy?"
"I don't know. I still feel weird inside right now. Like, I shouldn't be celebrating. We already lost a lot of lives before we came here."
"The blood isn't on your hands though." Daedre noted.
"It doesn't matter. I just," she sighed after pausing. "It seems so wrong. That's all. Why aren't you sulking about this?"
Daedre face went grim. "Because I've seen this before and I'm pretty much used to it. I've seen these Titans in action before any of this."
Sylvia sulked and looked away. She was glaring at the floor. "Whatever…"
Sereak knew she lived in the cities of Wall Rose, safe and comfortable when Wall Maria was getting breached. She could retell her the time when she survived Shiganshina and went through a depressing state. There was no victory. The only accomplishment they had after was killing off a thousand men in order to save the food storage. Even that success didn't deserve a celebration from her. Sylvia was going to have to get used to the Titans, just like how Daedre and Sereak have.
When everyone was outside, Sylvia and Daedre went with the other recruits to get to Wall Rose. Sereak was about to go off and find Gianne when Gage grabbed her arm.
"Wait." he said. He pointed to the roof of HQ, where Mikasa was spotted looking out at something. Armin was there with her. "We should see what's wrong."
"What about Gianne?"
"We'll get to her soon. C'mon!"
The two flew up to Mikasa and Armin, with a couple others following from behind. "What are you two doing?" Jean asked. "We can escape, let's go already."
"Hold it horse-face, something's wrong." Antonio said.
And yes, something was wrong. The abnormal Titan roared with shear pain as its own kind tore off its flesh. They were eating it. Smoke flew up as the body tried to regenerate itself, but it was somehow failing. Sereak knew about cannibalism, but watching this made her a little sick.
"I thought uncovering the truth about that Titan might be the key, to freeing ourselves from this desperate situation…" Mikasa said.
"I agree." Reiner spoke. "If they just ripped it to shreds like that, then we won't have learned a single thing. We should get rid of the Titans currently devouring it, and at least try to keep it alive."
Jean's eyes widen. "Are you insane Reiner? We can finally escape this deathtrap."
"What if that Titan could become an ally? Don't you think it'd be a weapon more powerful than any cannon?" Annie rhetorically asked.
Sereak was surprised. How would they do something like that? The Titan was a thousand times taller than a regular man. The odds of saving it were not in their favors. Not all wild animals can be tamed. Gage looked utterly interested in the option.
"Our… ally…?" Jean was puzzled.
"Hey, you kids!"
The group turned towards the person who called to them. It was a young man with his own maneuver gear as he flew towards them. He was wearing a uniform, but the pack he carried over his back and shoulders covered his badges. Sereak didn't know which branch he worked for.
When he landed by them, everyone was able to see him better. His body was slim with pale skin and brown hair. There had a short scar down his left cheek. He also had a pair of welding goggles with red tinted lenses on his head. The pack he carried was big, bearing a lot of junk and papers inside.
"What are you all doing here? The bells to evacuate came a while ago." he said. He looked so young, but his tone sounded very serious.
"We had to get more gas, sir!" Armin said.
"Who are you?" Gage questioned.
"Names Rikken Talicron, from the–"
Before he could finish, the abnormal Titan roared again, the sound was ear shattering. Rikken covered his ears and looked at it with wide eyes.
"Titans eating… each other?"
"It's a long story, brother." Antonio said. One of his eyes was closed as he pushed his palm against his skull.
"Oh god! That's the Titan that ate Thomas." Armin said.
Sereak looked down to see a blonde, scrawny looking Titan walking casually by. This set the abnormal one off. The Titan used all his weight to heave forward and charged towards it, pushing down a few Titans devouring it from before. The Titans had no upper limbs to fight with, so instead it sank its jaw deeply into the back of its victim's neck, using it as a weapon to fight off other Titans. This shocked everyone who witnessed it.
Sereak saw how the abnormal lost both its arms and had half of its rip cage exposed from the cannibalism the Titans did to it. When it lifted the Titan in its mouth, Rikken gasps from disbelief.
"What is going on here?!" he shouts.
A rather chunky looking Titan walked towards the abnormal with a satisfying grin. Suddenly, the abnormal whiplashes and chucks the Titan in its bite towards the one walking. The two collided and fell into a building, destroying the structure instantly. The abnormal gave one last victory roar. Everyone else was petrified.
"I don't… how is that…?" Rikken breathes out. Sereak felt a little bad that he didn't know what was going on. "Is that even a Titan at all?"
"It is sir, but it only attacks its own kind." Mikasa said to him.
"This goes way beyond what we know about the Titans." Rikken said. "If only, Hanji was here…"
"What's it doing?" Reiner asked.
The group turned to witness the abnormal bending down towards the floor. It made an awkward noise that sounded like gagging. First it moaned, then it coughed, and then, the cough went wet. It took a few moments before it hacked out something yellow. It looked like a sack.
"Is that bile?" Armin asked.
"Armin, look!" Gage said.
Moaning, the creature huffed out all the air it had in it. The Titan went back up straight, only fall forward, away from the substance it choked out. With a loud boom, the earth shook for a second. The group at high level could feel the small quack, causing a few to stumble forward. The raging Titan was finished, completely. Smoke surfaced from its body. Everyone watched closely.
"Well, so much for an ally." Sereak said. She turned back to the sack and looked at it more closely. Jean and Rikken were the only ones speaking.
"It's dead? That's not possible." Rikken said.
"I think it burnt itself out." Jean said. He turned his back. "Whatever. Let's get going! There's no way that monster's on our side. Titans are Titans." he begins to walk away, but stops when he notices no one was following. Confused, he walked back to Annie's side. "What is–"
Sereak eyes widened when she saw a hint of red in the sack. Suddenly, a face appeared faintly. There were freckles. Sereak ran forward quickly, using her maneuver gear to help her down.
"Sereak, where are you going?" Gage called.
"Gianne!" she screamed. "Gianne! Gianne!"
She didn't know how. She didn't know why. All she cared about was getting her friend out of the moist sack. When she slammed into it, sticky saliva threaded itself into her clothes. She peeked inside to see Gianne's face more clearly. The girl was unconscious. Her mouth was closed. Using all her power, she tried ripping the substance apart with her bare hands. It was thick and greasy, making her hands slip in attempt. The slimy cocoon only held on tightly. Her efforts began to shake Gianne's body violently. Sereak suddenly heard someone running to her. Turning around, she saw Gage with his swords out sprinting towards them.
"Gage!" Sereak was pushed away by him. When she fell to the other side, she watched him cut open the sack with one swipe. Water poured out like puss from a pimple. Gianne went through the opening and fell forward. Her upper body was caught by Gage, who held her very tightly.
Sereak just watched as Gage pulled her out of the sack more. Her body was drenched in some kind of liquid. Gianne was finally out, and the sack deflated. Then, Gage knelt down with her body on his legs. Sereak sprang forward to check her friend by putting two fingers next to her open lips. When she felt the warm air on her finger tips, she knew instantly that Gianne was still alive. Even her heart beat was heard well enough. Though, she was completely out cold.
"She's alive." she said.
Gage looked from her to Gianne. He began burying his face in her red hair, hugging her even tighter. Sereak stood up and looked down on the two. Gianne was missing, but in the most unusual place. That Titan ate her, but hacked her out?
Sereak turned back to the fallen Titan and witnessed something else shocking. At the nape of the neck, something was emerging out. Sereak narrowed her eyes and noticed the shape of the figure. It looked like a skinny human tugging it's upper body out of the pink Titan flesh. When a sticky substance uncovered his face, Sereak's eyes widened again.
Eren.
"Mikasa, wait!" Armin called out.
Sereak saw Mikasa leap from the rooftops and run towards her brother. For an instant, Mikasa seemed so young with that perplexed and hopeful expression she had on. When she gets to him, her arms instantly embraced his body. After a few moments, she began to cry. Gage also looked up, his eyes very teary. What was going on? I thought Eren was dead?
"Was Eren, that Titan all along?" Gage asked, not sure if he should believe what he just said.
"I don't know…" Sereak replied. She looked back at Gianne. "What we just witness today, is this real?"
*Author's Note: Really got nothing to say. I just had to post this before I leave. Which is right now.
I'll be leaving for Germany in a few minutes, but I wanted to post this before I left because, I felt like Rikken needed to be introduced now. RagingKoopatroopa has been waiting long enough. Hope you all like it! I'll be back in the United States in ten days! In the meantime, hope you all enjoy the lovely spring session! And please review and support!
-Gianne Starken: BluePhoenix34
-Gage Bulter: FlyBoy56
-Sereak Poljor: Jauntues Tigerwolf
-Daedre Moche: Pixpi
-Sylvia Shelton: RoseTyler10
-Antonio Rodrigues: crankiestnebula
-Conrad Gorman: Shrapnel893
-Rikken Talicron: RagingKoopatroopa
-Phoenix
