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 the long awaited chapter!
Chapter Eight: We Move Forward
"Alright," Eren finally says. "I'll do it! I don't know if I can seal the hole or not. But, I will do it."
Gianne, Mikasa, Gage, Sereak, and Armin watched Eren carefully. Commander Pixis just stared at him, now accepting his final answer. The elder man showed his genuine smile once more and chuckled. He was back to his peaceful nature.
"Excellently said," he patted Eren's shoulders. "You have the heart of a lion."
Sereak looked up quickly. Gage gave her a weird look.
Commander Pixis stood up from Eren and Gianne, abandoning the two as he moved towards the edge of the wall. The others watched him look down from where he was, calling out to the soldiers patiently waiting for direct orders.
"Attention staff officers, we have a plan to flesh out!"
"Wait, we can't actually move forward with this kind of strategy, it was just something I tossed out there!" Armin said.
"We can't just desert it either." Gage said. His arms crossed over his chest, thinking deeply about the situation.
"He's right," Sereak spoke, directing her attention to Armin. "You were the one who came up with this plan in order to save Eren and Gianne. We have to make them both the solution to this problem, or else they'll be executed. So you better not be backing out of your own plan now."
"N-No, I didn't mean it like that, it's just… it was just an insane idea that I thought wasn't going to be put to use. I expected the Commander to dissect some parts of my plan and redesign them to make it his own. I didn't expect him to actually go along with it."
"I was thinking the same thing, except, he seems like a guy who knows what he's doing, like he's got everything under control." Eren said. Everyone turned to him.
"You think so?" Armin said.
"I do."
Gianne also stood up from where she was knelt down. Her gaze was glued to the floor, deeply in thought after this whole event. After Eren told his story and revealed his key that unlocked secrets in the basement of his home, Gianne was getting curious about certain things.
"Gianne?" Gage seemed to notice her. However, she ignored him and turned her attention to Eren.
"Eren… there was something in the Commanders eyes that reveal suspicion about the whole story you told him." He looked up at her, their eyes locked hard on one another. The others watched them intently. "Even though he tried to hide it, he seemed almost frightened about what we revealed. Like he knew this wasn't just natural."
"I pretty sure he's keen about the problem, Gianne." Eren said.
"What are you talking about?" Gage asked.
"We're talking about another worry we may have to deal with after this mission, and I'm pretty sure the Commander has the same feeling as us." Eren answered.
Everyone was curious, and too puzzled to comprehend what the duo was discussing. However, Armin questioned a little further.
"What's that?"
"The Titans aren't our only foe." Eren revealed.
Gianne nodded in agreement.
The group gasped.
Commander Pixis came back with two more Garrisons by his side.
"Look sharp soldiers, the fate of mankind rest on your shoulders."
-:-:-:-:-
The day was almost over. The multicolor sky was shown with thin clouds floating by. The sky was a mix of orange and red, the color of another defeat from the Titans.
Soldiers from south of Wall Rose were gathered in the next town after Trost. Daedre thought there were more than a hundred men and women–all ages–called here by Commander Pixis Dots. He spotted a majority of familiar faces from the 104th Trainee Corps; Krista, Daz, Ymir, Conrad, and so on. Though, the number was overruled by the amount of new faces. The men and women must've been the Garrison soldiers that were already experienced with their work. Daedre expected them to be brave and strong-willed after Commander Pixis called for a sudden mission. These soldiers did not look battle ready at all. They all kept muttering to each other about the plan to reclaim Trost. Apparently, one Garrison soldier spilled out the secret mission and everyone was frantic about what they just heard.
"A plan to retake Trost?" one soldier said.
"You're kidding, right? I don't know the kind of technology that can seal that hole." another complained.
"Going into Trost would be our deaths!"
"Since we can't seal that hole, all we can do is die defending Wall Rose's gate."
"Damn it… are they that desperate?"
Daedre couldn't hear anymore. He tuned out the hopeless voices and turned his attention to Sylvia. Like everyone else, she was waiting patiently with terror in her eyes. Though, she tried to calm herself down with the help of her witty sarcasm. With a fake smile–and a sudden shiver–she said:
"This place is so lively, right Daedre? I mean, all these words are so spirit lifting."
"You're not very encouraging either." he replied.
She gave him a foreseen glare, "Why would I be? No one seems to mind the negative atmosphere going around here."
"Shouldn't we at least try to think positive thoughts at times like this? Maybe a cheerful attitude will save your life!" he said with a fake smile. Pushing away the long side bang from his eyes, he witnessed Sylvia's glare get even darker.
"Sorry if we can't be so optimistic and gay all the time."
What she just spat to him stung. Though, he wasn't sure if she was referring to his sexuality or his carefree personality. Expect, he never actually told anyone about his interest in men, so he hoped Sylvia meant the second option.
"No! I don't want to die!" Both Daedre and Sylvia turned around to Daz after he shouted out. He was knelt down, shaking, while both his hands squeezed his head. "Let me see my family!"
"Dammit Daz!" Sylvia called to him. "If you grip your head even tighter, you're going to commit your own death!"
This made Daz freak out even more. Out of nowhere, Conrad walked up to the scene and gave Sylvia a look of annoyance. Daedre knew Conrad hated unnecessary commotions.
"Was that really appropriate Shelton?" he questioned her.
"Shut up, no one wanted you here anyway!" she spat back.
"Hey, Daz, you're being too loud…" Marco, who was right next to Daz, tries to comfort him. Daedre didn't know what to do. He too, wanted to get wild and cry to the world about this mission. He too, was also afraid of dying. However, he didn't have a family anymore. He had no one to run to at a time like this. This was his only option left for survival.
The thought made him stroke his pierced ear.
"The ones who can't seem to control themselves are the ones who are going to die faster." Conrad said to Sylvia. "So why don't you get your shit together before you do something stupid."
"You bastard, just because you're in the top ten, that doesn't give you the right to tell the other cadets what to do!"
Conrad narrowed his eyes. "I see why you didn't make it to the top ten. You're noisy voice must've made Commander Keith lower your score on our final testing."
Sylvia's eyes flashed with rage as she flew towards Conrad and swung her fist at his face. With the same determination, Conrad blocked Sylvia's attempt punch with his arm while his other hand wiped out something from his jacket. Daedre watched with awe as Conrad pointed the tip of his short spear to Sylvia's throat. Sylvia froze when she felt the cool tip dig slightly into her olive skin.
"Back away, right now." he ordered calmly.
With a click of her tongue and one last livid look, Sylvia moved away from Conrad while the young man put his spear back into the jacket. Soon, he walked away in another direction.
Sylvia's face was red. Daedre knew he shouldn't bother her right now. Though, his attention was caught when a soldier walked up to Daz, who was still uncontrollable.
"You there! I heard you!" the Garrison soldier called out to him. His face was also quite angry as he glowered down at Daz, who had tears in his eyes. "Are you saying you want to desert your mission?"
Daz swipes his face up with wide eyes. "Yeah! That's right! This is nothing but mass suicide! It's just ridiculous!"
"Have you no respect for humanity? For order? If I choose to, I could kill you this minute!" the soldier placed a hand on his grip, getting ready to draw a blade from his metallic scabbard.
"Go on ahead…" Daz said, standing up. Daedre heard the sharp hissing noise the blade made when it was out. Daz looked ready for a fight for his own life. "It's a hundred times better than being eaten by a Titan!"
"Stop it Daz!" Marco cried and grabbed the boy's shoulders to push him away. Daz didn't enjoy Marco's presence that much.
"No! Let me go! I won't go back there!"
Daz was much louder than Daedre expected. The other soldiers and trainees began looking to one another, searching for an answer to this situation they were put in. Daedre could hear their whispers quite clearly, and it still wasn't very uplifting.
"Did you hear that?"
"Given the circumstances, I don't blame him…"
"Do it…" a male Garrison soldier said, walking up to a girl who was speaking with her friend. "Be loud… and get others to go along as well."
Daedre couldn't believe what he was hearing. Were these soldiers really that despairing? How could he even call them soldiers now, they were being cowards. He felt his body heat up with complete rage. Touching the scar on his cheek, he caressed the mark with his two fingers. Next, he touched his earring again for some slight comfort. It brought memories of home back to him. He had to go back to Shiganshina. He had nowhere else to go.
Suddenly, a young man with a pair of welding goggles strapped to his head and a scar on his left cheek appeared before the male Garrison soldier and the two girls. He wasn't as tall as the man in front of him, but his silver eyes seemed to look down on him. He also didn't wear a Garrison uniform. Daedre felt like an idiot for not noticing the famous Wings of Freedom badge on his jacket.
"Oi." he said, sounding cold as a winter's wind. "Stop encouraging the trainees to retreat from their mission, you son of a bitch. With that attitude, how did you manage to end up in the Garrisons? Better yet, become a soldier? Weakling."
"W-What the hell is you're problem?!" the man furrowed his brows, countering back with a glare. "In the Garrison, a lot of us aren't happy either. We'll take advantage of the chaos and leave!"
"Leave and go where?" Jean said, cutting into the conversation. Daedre didn't notice him before.
"To see my daughter. Eventually, this wall will also fall."
"Cadet Talicorn! Commander Pixis is asking for your presences." a Garrison soldier called, running up to the young man with the goggles.
Talicorn nodded with a blank expression and left the scene. Soon, commotions began breaking out again.
Daedre could only sigh. There had to be one spark of hope someone had to offer. Looking around and seeing all these grim faces, Daedre began to doubt himself. Though, he had to prepare himself for what was about going to come next.
-:-:-:-:-
It felt like hours standing in one position. Antonio felt his legs begin to ache, begging him to bend or crouch down on the floor. Though, he feared that if he moved a muscle, something unwanted would happen. Everyone was waiting for something. An announcement most likely, but when will it start?
Antonio turned to each comrade next to him. Ymir and Krista looked perfectly still, but Connie kept shaking. Sooner or later, he might explode. Annie was nowhere in sight, yet again. Though, he was sure she wanted some alone time. Apparently, Eren getting revealed as a Titan before everyone's eyes seemed to bother her a lot. He decided to break the silences.
"I'm really hungry right now." he said.
Turning, Ymir gave him a weird look while Krista gave him a response.
"I think you can get some bread from the supply area, if it's really important."
"No, that's fine." Antonio sighed. "I just wanted to start a conversation."
"Well no one is in the mood, so shut up." Ymir spat.
Antonio looked to the floor, feeling rather glum again. He wondered how the others were doing, especially Eren, Gianne, and their friends. He thought about the consequences Eren would have to put up with, now that the Garrisons know of his Titan power. When he turned into that skeleton Titan in order to protect his friends from the cannon, Antonio didn't know what to think or believe. Then, Armin's speech about using Eren for some mission to defeat the Titans was mind-blowing. Antonio knew Armin as the very timid intellectual, but somehow, that Armin seemed to be gone. He grew up. Everyone grew up. Antonio wondered if he did as well.
Abruptly, a scream was heard.
"Kill me!"
"Not again…" Ymir muttered. Antonio could fully understand that feeling of irritation. They chaos ended a while ago, but it seems like it was about to repeat once again.
"If you're going to execute me, do it now!"
"You're sure? I'll do it!"
However, before the murmurs of anxiety could increase, a loud roar was heard from above the wall. A volume so great it managed to silence the entire group of soldiers that were gathered in front of Wall Rose. Every person averted their attention to the one man that seemed to have all the answers to the expected mission.
"Attention!"
Garrison Commander Pixis.
Following everyone else, Antonio looked up to the man who now stood before them. Commander Pixis had his feet at the edge of the wall with his hands tightly behind his back. On his far left stood Eren Jaeger who was still as a proper soldier should be with that same determined expression plastered on his face. The crowd was dead silent, waiting for the final words to be heard.
The Commander started.
"I shall now explain the plan to retake Trost. For this mission, our objective is to seal the hole where the gate was destroyed. Let me introduce you to the one who will seal the hole for us…"
Pixis gestures a hand towards Eren. As if on cue, Eren steps a couple feet forward and salutes to the entire army. Antonio cocks a brow in utter confusion. Actually, he wasn't sure if confusion was the right word.
"From the Trainee Corps, Eren Jaeger…"
The reaction from everyone was of course, rather expected. Many were perplexed, and fretful. Others were vexed, believing this to be some kind of mockery towards the soldiers. And there were some who didn't know what to think. They just gaped at the young man, Eren, like fish.
Antonio was overwrought to hear the rest of what Commander Pixis had to say, but he forced himself to listen a little further.
"He is the result of a top-secret project to turn humans into Titans. He can create and control a Titan's body. He will become a Titan, pick up the giant boulder by the shattered gate, carry it over and seal the wall. Your job will be to protect him from the Titans while he moves the boulder." Pixis finishes.
Antonio thought the plan was too straightforward.
"You're lying!" someone called out. Antonio recognized the panicked voice. Daz was starting again, making Antonio sigh. "I won't put my life on the line for a plan I can't even understand! What do you think we are? We aren't– We aren't pawns for you to sacrifice!"
As before, one young man begins a wild fire of protests and doubts. People shared their own thoughts with one another while a majority of them followed Daz's words, agreeing with him completely.
"A human weapon?"
"He's lying!"
"He thinks we're stupid!"
"He's telling us to die here today!"
"I'm leaving!"
A middle aged Garrison soldier begins walking through the crowd, evidently abandoning the mission. A couple trainees from Antonio's school also followed in his lead. When a few other eyes noticed this opportunity, they also left their positions. However, one soldier tried to stand his guard and keep the other soldiers in their place. Antonio remember him from before; Commander Kitts.
"Ready to die, traitors? I'll kill you right now!" the man said. At the same time, he drew out a blade from his maneuver gear.
The soldiers surrounding him backed away, including Antonio. He made sure both Krista and Ymir were behind him, preventing the wild commander from injuring them. The soldiers that were leaving came back to also draw out their weapons. This is barbaric, Antonio thought to himself. Were these trustful soldiers, who Antonio looked towards as great heroes, really going to start a massacre? We're supposed to be fighting the Titans, not our own kind!
Despite being up on the wall, there's a possibility that one man can hear and see everything. Commander Pixis must've noticed the uproar because his next words seemed to relieve many. "Here is my decision! I shall pardon anyone who deserts now. Once you succumb to the Titan's fear, you can never fight them again. Those who have learned that fear should leave."
The crowd took the commanders words seriously and turned their heels. Antonio gaped at what he was witnessing. Even Krista seemed stunned.
"Is he serious?" she asked.
"I– I guess so…" he said.
He was going to continue, but Commander Pixis cut him off with his booming voice.
"And anyone wishing their parents, siblings, and loved ones to feel that fear should also leave!"
A white silence was filled throughout the whole area. Antonio scanned his eyes on every person, seeing their expressions changes dramatically. He saw what Commander Pixis was trying to do. These people still cared after all.
"Let me tell you what happened four years ago, about our attempt to retake Wall Maria. As I'm sure you're all aware, the operation was no more than the government's way of dealing with its inability to feed all the unemployed. It was a culling. The reason why no one speaks of it is because by sending them outside these cramped walls, we were able to survive within them. All of humanity, including myself, bears the weight of that sin!"
Antonio couldn't agree more to the speech. He could recall his time spent with Annie at the refugees when they evacuated to Wall Rose. After the government announced the operation to take back Wall Maria, Annie told him it was a greedy excuse us humans could have done. He never understood what she meant by that, but spending the last couple years as a survivor, the pieces slowly began coming together. It was a sin, but it was also the human instinct for survival. However, he never wants anything like that to happen again. People were better than this. He knew they were.
-:-:-:-:-
"Because so few escaped Wall Maria there was never any open rebellion, but what about now? If Wall Rose falls, the sacrifice will be more than twenty percent. The territory within Wall Sina won't support even half the remaining population. If humanity falls, it won't be because we were eaten by the Titans, it will be because we killed each other. We must not die even deeper within the walls. I beg you, to die right here!"
Gage never expected the Commander to be very expressive about what happened four years ago, though, he was glad his suspicions were true. But, he could not afford to waste his time thinking about the past. Humanity was now on the line of extinction, he had to be ready to prevent that from happening.
It took a while for every person standing here today to digest the speech. The people on the wall looked more firm about the mission. Gage stood beside Gianne and Sereak while Mikasa was with Armin. They just graduated a couple days ago, inexperienced with the Titans and the military. Yet, all of them, including Eren, acted like they've been fighting this war their whole lives. He wondered if he also looked like them, because he could feel the same emotion racing through his body.
Soon, the Commander left his spot and called over a Garrison soldier, requesting three squad leaders whose names Gage could not hear. Armin left to go discuss a few more plans with the two other soldiers that were with Pixis before. Everyone was now preparing.
When Eren came towards the Gage and the others, Mikasa was the first to speak up.
"Eren, how are you feeling?"
"Fine." he said. His tone was dry.
"You don't have to do this if you know you can't handle it. We can find other solutions–"
His teal eyes flashed with rage as he snapped to her. "What are you talking about? This is the only solution we got!"
"I know!" she fought, "but you've already dealt with–"
"Mikasa." Gage interrupted hard. He knew that if she continued, Eren would just get even angrier. There was no time for his stubbornness. Her soft grey eyes travel towards his aquamarine ones. Gage witnessed the anxious and fear she held.
"Eren can manage. You don't have to worry."
It was that time, Gage could finally understand Mikasa. It was clear these two were quite similar when they had someone special they needed to protect. He could understand her loneliness when she wasn't needed, the attempts to get stronger just to prove herself, and the fear of losing the only family she had left. Yes, Gage just connected with Mikasa Ackerman. For a second, he thought he saw her look rather relieved.
"Look Mikasa, there's no point on stopping this mission, it's either do or die now. And if you ask me, I want Eren to actually succeed with this mission as much as everyone else." Sereak said.
"Yeah Mikasa, everyone is counting on me." Eren said.
"You don't have to carry the weight on your own…" Mikasa said.
"I have Gianne and her telepathic powers to help me with this."
"I'm just guiding you Eren, you're gonna have to do the lifting by yourself. But Acker– Mikasa," Gianne turned to the girl.
Everyone was shocked. For the first time, Gianne has actually called Mikasa Ackerman by her first name. Those two would only acknowledge each other by their last names, showing their sign of respect and also because they're not close enough–or civil enough–to call one another by their first names. This was a big step for Gianne. She really wanted to prove she was capable of doing the right thing. Though, Gage noticed how she restrained a disgusted look when she said Mikasa's name.
"I swear, as a soldier of humanity, I will help Eren no matter what. And I promise I'll protect him and keep him alive, even if it cost me my own."
Gianne went into her salute. Mikasa watched her closely. No one was able to read her emotion. However, she responded, rather lifelessly, but still respectful.
"T-Thin… t-t-ta-tank… thanks."
The two girls looked away, obviously embarrassed about what they've done. Even Eren, Gage, and Sereak felt extremely uncomfortable about what they've witnessed. Eren managed to save them from the awkward atmosphere after he spoke up to ask Gianne a question.
"Gianne, do you know how long you have your powers?"
Gianne came out of salute and was taken aback by the sudden questioning. "Honestly, no. This is the first time this has happened."
"Then how were you able to get inside my head?"
"I don't know. I just didn't want to die so I called for help. The last thing I remembered was getting shoved in your mouth and holding on to your tongue for dear life. However, you swallowed me and my mind went black."
Gage sent a dark look towards Eren, irate about what Gianne revealed. Eren, trying his best to ignore him, commented.
"There are two theories I have about this: it's either genetics or someone has gave you these powers, like what my father did."
"No and no. I was never born like this and if someone did do this to me, then I would've told my brother or both Gage and Sereak."
"This isn't normal though." Sereak said.
"Of course it's not! What other person has this kind of ability?" Gianne replied. "But for some reason, it felt natural. Like I've did it before… except, I can't recall a time doing it."
Right, she couldn't control the Titan before when Shiganshina was being invaded. However, it's not like Eren is any different from a normal Titan–besides having more common sense–making Gage wonder if Gianne would have the ability to control one. Gage watched her closely, suddenly remembering something.
"She always gets a migraine whenever a Titan is near."
"That happened before when Eren turned into a Titan to protect us from the cannon." Mikasa added.
"And when the Colossal Titan came to Trost today," Sereak said, her eyes slightly wide, realizing something. "And the time it came to Shiganshina which was four years ago. Gianne, do you know what this means?"
Gage watched Gianne think for a moment. It took her a few seconds for her own eyes to grow wide. She backed away a few inches, unable to believe the sudden reality. Gage couldn't believe it either, but he had to say it, or else, she won't.
"Gianne," he started. "I think you had this power for a very long time."
-:-:-:-:-
Antonio thought he would be an excellent decoy.
Standing around, doing nothing, and possibly get eaten by a Titan.
His group was rather small compared to the other ones. However, he was happy to know that Sylvia was with him. She, however, did not look too glad to be here at all.
"I can't believe we're doing this. Stupid Jaeger…" she muttered. Antonio did not know how to respond to her, knowing full well that if he said one thing, she might slash at him. If he was going to die, he'd rather die trying to talk to her.
Maybe this whole plan wasn't a waste after all.
Their squad decoy leader, Alexander Cobalt, spoke out. "As Commander Pixis has said before, our main job is to lure the Titans to the edge of the wall. As the chosen squad leader, I won't make any promises that either of you will be eaten by one. You're soldiers of humanity; you should know that by now. However, I will use all my capability to guide you on this mission. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Antonio wondered how the rest of his friends were. He knew Daedre was with Jean, Marco, and Connie, but what about Annie? Also, how were Eren, Gianne, and their friends as well? He hoped they were okay. Having more than one friend was actually nice.
"Stop with that stupid expression, you look like an ugly Titan." Sereak said.
Antonio snapped from his thoughts rapidly and looked at the girl. She was very tall, possibly a few inches away from his height. Her auburn hair was weaved in that same braid she wore all the time, little strands poking out of its tightness. Her playful eyes and smug countenance gave away her regular personality.
Antonio countered her attitude with a rather silly smile.
"I'm sorry if I'm not appealing like you Shelton."
For a moment, Sylvia's expression changed to slight embarrassment, until her normal one came back. She fought.
"Well aren't you charming, Antonio."
That caused him to freeze. Antonio wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or not, but before he could reply, their squad leader called out to the group.
"My group, move out! Get ready to enter the battle zone of Trost!"
-:-:-:-:-
It was time to go now.
Gianne and Eren would depart from their friends and go with the top Garrison soldiers; Ian Dietrich, Rico Brzenska, and Mitabi Jarnach. They would guide both Eren and Gianne during this mission and protect them if need be.
No one was taking it lightly.
"I should come with you." Gage said.
"You can't though." Gianne said, "You and Sereak are on the decoy squad, along with Mikasa and Armin. You need to help the other soldiers. Eren and I have our own mission to do. Besides, we'll be protected by the top Garrison soldiers."
Gage was stung by her blunt words, almost like she didn't care at all. He just wanted to aid her as much as he could, but she just said she didn't need him. How come it always came down to this between them? Gage has worked so hard to prove himself, just to keep being Gianne's helpless friend? He's had enough of being put down. He wasn't going to take this from her or anyone else.
Standing taller than before with more self-esteem built within him, Gage glared down at the short red-head, taking charge for the first time. Both Gianne and Sereak were astonished by their friend's new change of attitude.
"Gianne… I came in sixth for the Trainee Corps., I've managed to kill Titans today, I saw so many of our own die, I watched you get hacked out of Eren's stomach, and I almost witnessed you, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin die during the cannon fire. From now on, I'm never going to let you out of my sight again. I'm coming with you, whether you like it or not."
Looking up to his height, Gianne just kept her gaze on him, realizing how tall he was, and how much he's grown. Gage stared back at her, forcing himself to keep still. His eyes were narrow and his mouth formed a stern line. Sereak looked between the two, wondering what they both were thinking.
"O-Okay…" Gianne said.
"Good." Gage said.
Gianne was the first to turn around, ending their intense staring contest. She traveled towards Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. Mikasa was also trying to convince Eren to let her tag along. However, Eren's stubbornness got the best of him, as usually, and he snapped at her to back off. Gage felt relieved to know that Gianne was able to listen to him.
"I think you just frightened her." Sereak said.
This caught Gage off guard.
"Eh? I didn't mean to!"
"Oi! You kids!" a sudden man called out.
Both Gage and Sereak turned to meet Rikken Talicorn, who walked towards the two rather slowly. His welding goggles were still strapped to his head, looking like they've never come off ever. Rikken's face was rather sullen, as if he had a brawl with someone.
"Where's this so called "special squad" I'm assigned to?"
"What do you mean?" Gage asked.
"The group that's assisting that Jaeger–Titan–whatever the hell he is… kid." he said.
"You were also chosen for that?"
"Yeah, it turns out we need a Titan expert with him and a Survey Corps member was just what they needed. Commander Pixis said it was sheer luck that I was around."
"Have you killed Titans before?" Sereak asked.
Rikken gave her a look, "Of course you brat, why do you think I'm still alive? However, I'm needed more for other reasons."
"What other reasons?"
Their conversation was cut short when Ian Dietrich called out to the group. Everyone's attention followed towards him as he called Mikasa's name. She was highly interested in what he needed.
"Ackerman, I want you in the elite squad. We could use your skill."
Mikasa's face lightened up. It's the first time Gage has seen her very content.
"Talicorn, you made it." Ian said. Rikken gave a nod. "Alright then, if everyone is ready, I believe we should start this operation now. Let's move out!"
The elite Garrison soldiers plus Eren and Mikasa moved in one direction. Before Gage and Gianne could follow, Gianne gave Sereak one last hug. The dark haired girl returned hers quickly before breaking away. Soon, Gianne, Gage, and Rikken ran after the elite squad.
"Listen up." Ian started. "I don't know what you are, but that's not important right now. What really matters is that we get you to the boulder so you can seal up the hole. Understood?"
"Right!" Eren said.
The group was a half mile away from their previous spot, aiming to reach for the boulder that rested a mile up a head. The three Garrison soldiers, Ian, Rico, and Mitabi were immensely focused on this assignment while Rikken carelessly tagged along. The group listened closely as Mikasa mothered Eren about his conditions, seeing how he was getting rather irritated by her constant worrying. Gage wondered if Eren really did appreciate the things Mikasa did for him.
"Hey you two, this isn't the time to play house." Rico said, running closer to the two.
"I-It's not like that." Eren replied.
"So you mean to tell me that we put the fate of humanity on to a stuck up brat like yourself. This better be worth it." Mitabi said.
Mikasa glowered at him.
"Enough everyone!" Ian said.
"Well this is dramatic…" Rikken muttered to Gianne and Gage. They both agreed silently. "Hey, red-head, you don't have to be so edgy about this."
Gianne turned to him, sweating a little. "I-I'm not… it's just the pressure, that's all."
"Yeah? Well, if it makes you feel any better, your job isn't has important as Jaeger's. You're just like the rest of us here, the assistance to the giant. However, your job isn't useless either."
"I guess so…"
"Rikken, why are you so carefree about this?" Gage asked.
"Honestly, I'm not. I'm actually pissing myself at the moment." he said, his tone dry. "But I'm a soldier of humanity, meaning that I'm allowing myself to die if it's the only way we have to succeed. Tell me, what branch do you both want to join if this operation does work out?"
"The Survey Corps." Gianne said, her hair getting tangled from the run.
"Same." Gage said.
"Then I want you two to promise me something if I die here today. I want you to remember these names. Hanji, Jane, Atlas, Petra, Steven, Levi, Mike, Erwin, I can keep going on but I don't have the time. Anyway, I want you two to promise me that you'll remember their names. They're comrades, trustful people, and they have lives. I respect them very much and they deserve more than what they're given. So please, tell them what I did here today if I don't make it."
"Understood, sir!" they both said.
-:-:-:-:-
Sereak followed Armin to the group of soldiers that were at the edge of the wall. When she noticed her classmates gathered around certain areas, she sighed with relief.
"Everyone is okay." she said.
"Poljor?" she heard her name. Turning around, she found Jean staring at her with wide eyes. She also did the same thing.
"You're still alive?" she asked.
"Oi! What the hell is that supposed to me?" Jean said, offended by her words.
"Nothing, never mind…" she said, "I'm just relieved some of you are still here."
"Everyone get ready!" a soldier cried out.
-:-:-:-:-
The elite squad gets closer to the boulder, about a few meters away from their destination. One by one, each soldier activates their 3D maneuver gear, soaring through the now desolated city. Rico lands on a nearby roof to shoot a green smoke. The mission has now begun.
Eren flies closer to the boulder.
Withdrawing his cables, he falls towards the earth.
With one bite of his hand, the boy explodes with sudden electricity, smoke surrounds the whole area, and Eren crushes a nearby house with his mass.
Gianne's familiar migraine hits her, but not as painful as before. However, her cringe made Gage worried a little. She reassured him with a confident smile.
Gianne, Gage, and Mikasa land on a close roof together, watching as Eren forms into the Titan he was before. Standing up and stepping out of the smoke, he was a full grown Titan. The young adults watch with amazement as he gives out a sudden roar. His whole body was producing smoke. His once teal eyes have now changed to glowing green ones.
From afar, Ian, Rico, Mitabi, and Rikken watch the scene.
"I don't know any technology that can move that boulder, but I have faith Eren can manage." Mikasa said.
"Of course he can. How's your head Gianne?" Gage asked.
A hand was on her head as she tried concentrating. "I'm fine. Though, I can't hear any of Eren's thoughts yet."
"Try harder–" Mikasa cut herself off. She turned towards Eren's Titan form, as did Gianne and Gage.
Eren was just standing there. His back was towards them, revealing the smoke still seething out of his body. The Titan was still for a very long time. He wasn't doing his job.
Suddenly, he turned around, looking at them.
Those glowing green eyes made Gage shudder. They felt like swords trying to go right through him.
"What's going on?" Gage asked.
"Eren? Gianne, do something." Mikasa said.
"Okay, hold on. Maybe if I–"
Gianne didn't have time to finish. When she heard Mikasa's gasp, the feel of Gage grabbing hold of her waist, and the booming sound of Eren's fist connecting with the roof they were on, Gianne knew one thing.
Eren was attacking them.
*Author's Note: OMG! BluePhoenix has finally updated! Am I right? Is that what you're all thinking?
So, long time no see huh?
Well, if you're so interest in where the hell I've been, let's just say I was helping my own friends with their fanfictions. See, my best buddies have come to realize that they can't live without me and my big imagination, and they've been using me to help them improve their stories on Wattpad. So I had to take a short (okay, extremely long) break from my own works to help improve theirs. Now, I have all the free time I want to continue this story.
Also a reason I left; if any of you read the manga to Attack on Titan, then you would possibly know how much of a disappointment it's becoming. No spoilers, but I hope Isayama knows where he's going with this amazing masterpiece. Also, like what Isayama did, I had to change the ending to Black Skies because of some things we find out in the manga. Yes, it's that insane.
But have no fear because this time (and I mean it) I won't abandon this story again. No, it's actually a really good story in my opinion and I met such great people to have it abandon. You are all patient saints and I would like to thank you for supporting this story and being very kind towards my disappearance. Though, I will say, since I'm changing the story a little (mostly after the battle for Trost), I am going to make this story a little darker.
Okay yes, Attack on Titan is already a pretty dark story but let me tell you, we have Game of Thrones.
Yes, I have read the Song of Fire and Ice and let me tell you, it was very inspirational. So here's what I plan to do, I plan to make this story much darker than I intended it to be so far. So yes, I will possibly have more death and yes I may kill of a couple characters and yes I may have surprising scenes and NO I intend to not write any sex scenes (unless you want me to you horny bastards).
Also, I'm hosting another casting call for a few more OCs. So… if you know anyone who wants to be a part of this story, please tell them about me. Or if you're an unlucky person who's reading this right now, your luck may change! Just PM me your OC and I promise you he or she will have a life in Black Skies. So, question of the day (chapter?) is…
QUESTION #2: If any of the Black Skies OC characters had a life in the world of Fire and Ice, who would they be?
Gianne: A very annoying Stark girl
Gage: Also a Stark
Sereak: A Greyjoy
Daedre: A Martell
Antonio: A Martell as well
Sylvia: Possibly the dragon queen (Khaleesi!)
Conrad: A Baratheon
Rikken: A Lannister
Until next time, I hope you guys have a great week!
-Gianne Starken: BluePhoenix34
-Gage Butler: FlyBoy56
-Sereak Poljor: Jauntues Tigerwolf
-Daedre Moche: Pixpi
-Sylvia Shelton: RoseTyler10
-Antonio Rodrigues: crankiestnebula
-Conrad Gorman: Shrapnel893
-Rikken Talicron: RagingKoopatroopa
-Phoenix
