The Iron Titan fell backwards, blue electricity covering its body. Eunice lowered her hand slowly. I stared at her in shock, 'What just happened? ' The Titan straightened again and brought its hands on top of us. We split up, zipping around its head. "Ooooooooooo~!" Hanji squealed, "Do that again, Eunice!" I raised an eyebrow but Eunice nodded, rising up over the Iron Titan. Her gear retracted and she fell towards the Titan, both of her hands lighting up with blue sparks. 'What the hell?!' Eunice touched the Titan's head and it exploded in a storm of steam. Once it cleared, the only thing that remained was Eunice and Levi's bloody body. The survivors ran over to them. "It...escaped..." Levi breathed, his eyes closed. Krista covered her mouth, "W-we can't keep going... Not with so many like this..."
"No," Erwin said clearly, calmly approaching on his horse, "We must keep going." Levi sat up, "Erwin is correct. We must-" He didn't finish, shaking violently as he grabbed Eunice's pant leg. Angry and frightened soldiers shouted loudly, "We can't go without Captain Levi!"
"There's another intelligent Titan!"
"WE'RE SO SCREWED!"
Erwin raised a hand, silencing their voices, "We can't return. We would risk losing our secret weapon."
"WHO FUCKING CARES!?"
I lowered my head. Some people still despised me and would throw me away at any moment. "Commander Erwin, if I may suggest something." All eyes turned to Eunice. Erwin frowned slightly, "And what is that?"
"The mission was to go to Shiganshina and learn about the Titans, correct?"
"Yes?"
"Well, you just learned that, besides the female Titan and...Eren, there's another intelligent Titan that's a bigger threat than the Armored Titan."
Erwin was silent. Why was it taking him so long to answer? "Oi, Erwin!" He turned to Hanji who was technically dragging Levi towards her horse, "We need to go back now. Levi might not make it." Panic spread through the soldiers as they rushed to mount their horses without waiting for an order. Erwin turned to Euncie, "Listen carefully; I saw what you did. I can't help but be weary of you. So, Ackerman." Mikasa looked at Erwin in surprise, "Yes?"
"Keep an eye on Hansen. If she tries anything..." I stared at Erwin. What was he thinking now? "...kill her. I will not risk anything."
"This is ridiculous..." Levi complained, rubbing his head, "I'm perfectly fine."
"Of course you are," Eunice said, her hands in her lap. Mikasa looked at me but I ignored her as I sat beside Eunice. But, in all honesty, it was kind of funny to see THE Captain Levi acting like a little kid. "You should have kept going and just let me be." Eunice sighed, "You're lucky you aren't dead."
"Says who? I want to die. My own skills failed me when I needed them most."
"Which is when you rely on others..." I said, raising my head. This surprised Levi and he fell silent. The door was thrown open and Hanji burst in, grinning, "Oh Eunice~" Eunice jumped, "Oh god..."
"Are you ready?"
"No," she grumbled, standing up. Mikasa reached over and removed the handcuffs Eunice had been ordered to wear. Levi's eyes widened slightly, "What's going on?" Hanji waved her hands, "Don't worry about it~! Come on Eunice." Eunice trudged out of the room behind Hanji, rubbing her wrists. As soon as they were gone, Levi sat up, throwing the covers off. "O-oi!" I exclaimed, "Captain!"
"What is it?" he questioned darkly, sending chills up my spine. Luckily, Mikasa responded, "You aren't done recovering. You've only been resting for less than a day."
"Are you going to stop me?"
"Of course not. If you have to move, at least avoid doing things. Walking should be fine."
He sighed, "You two, please leave." Mikasa nodded and took my hand, lifting me and dragging me out of the room. "Hey, Mikasa! Ease up!" I said, trying to rip my hand away. "No. We need to talk." She pulled me outside and kept walking until we were somewhere in the trees, "Eren..." she said slowly, not letting go, "Stay away from Eunice."
"Eh? Why?"
Mikasa sighed, "You saw what she did to that Titan." I frowned and ripped my hand away, causing her eyes to widen, "Big deal! In case you didn't notice, she saved us!"
"Eren, please calm down..."
"Why the hell should I!?"
She closed her eyes, "If she could critically injure a Titan with impenetrable skin, just imagine what she could to a normal Titan." My eyes widened, "Eunice would never hurt me."
"How do you know?"
I blinked, looking at her as if in a daze, "Huh..?" Mikasa looked at me, a strange coldness in her eyes, "You hardly know her. What makes you think she wouldn't kill you?" I closed my eyes, "T-that's crazy... You're crazy! Why would you think of something like that?!"
"I don't want to lose you."
My eyes snapped open, "Are you...jealous?" Her cheeks turned a faint pink, "Of course not! Why would I be jealous of a spoiled brat?" Anger boiled inside of me, "How the hell is she spoiled?!"
"She hasn't dealt with Titans before nor has she seen the things we've seen. Eren, she acts like she can do whatever she want, she acts like everything she says is right. If she had come back to report, Levi may not have been hurt but, instead, she tried to handle it herself and wound up hurt and begging for attention."
"STOP IT!" I shouted, steam coming from my clenched fists, "Why are you saying things like that!? She hasn't done anything to you!"
"The world favors her... She never had to face Titans..."
Just because she hasn't ever faced Titans before doesn't mean the world favors her... Right?
"The world is a cruel place, right?" Her eyes widened. "We've had to watch our friends die and we live in constant fear. Eunice and everyone else from Evergreen and Brooke never had to fight Titans and, because of that, were nearly destroyed in less than an hour. If anything, the world hates her more. So..." I paused, Mikasa staring at me. "I don't want you to say such selfish things about her or anyone unless you've actually thunk things through." We looked at each other in silence for a while. "At least...be a little careful..."
"Fine. But stop hating on her for no reason."
Mikasa opened her mouth to say something more but I brushed it off, turning away and walking back to headquarters. What the heck has gotten into Mikasa? Eunice isn't a threat.
Right...?
To be continued. . .
Ah! I think the first AoT fanfic is finally complete!
Thanks to all who patiently waited and supported me while I tried deciding whether or not to leave it as is or continue it.
I read through it and was inspired to continue it.
Thank you all so much and please forgive me for the lack of updating!
Until we meet again!
-ShockScythe