Brianne sits on the edge of her bed looking down at her slightly bulging stomach. It is before the break of dawn, and she sits there staring down at her stomach. No one knows that she's pregnant because she doesn't look like it. Brianne's baby bump is so small for being 4 months in, and she's been unable to do strenuous exercise and training lately due to the growing baby inside of her. She's torn between taking care of her baby and continuing her nightly watch as the Nightman, but Brianne has chosen to take care of her baby and not put the baby at risk. For the first time in a long time Levi, Farlan, and Isabel agree with Brianne's decision to rest the Nightman at least for another 5 months, even if it means that they won't be able to see Brianne at night for the next 5 months or so...
Alfred notices Brianne's slippage as of recent, and he watches Brianne unable to run the easy 20 laps. He watches Brianne holding onto her stomach in pain, and as Brianne makes her way to her 14th lap Alfred calls for her.
Alfred: Ackerman!
Brianne makes her way over to Alfred and salutes him. He can see she's in pain but holding it in.
Alfred: What's going on, Brianne?
Brianne: Nothing, sir. It's just...a bit of a cramp.
Alfred knows that's not the case and that Brianne is just downplaying everything.
Alfred: Drop by my office after dinner. We need to discuss this recent slump of yours.
Brianne: Yes, sir.
Alfred: In the meantime, take the rest of the day off. Say that you're sick.
Brianne: Yes, sir.
Alfred: That is all.
Brianne: Thank you, sir.
Brianne puts her hand down from the saluting position, and she slowly heads back to her cabin. Brianne decides to just stay in bed for the rest of the morning, and she completely forgets that it's lunch time when she sees her door open. Erwin quickly comes into her room with a napkin full of bread, and Brianne grins widely.
Erwin: I saw you leave early, so I figured I'd bring you some food in case you forgot about lunch.
Brianne: Thanks, Erwin.
Erwin puts the napkin full of bread down onto Brianne's bed carefully, and the two share a passionate kiss. He gently lays his hand on her stomach, and he feels her slight baby bump. Erwin and Brianne match foreheads, and he becomes breathless feeling this baby of his developing in his one love's stomach.
Erwin: (looks into Brianne's eyes) How are you feeling today?
Brianne: A little more tired than usual, but I'm fine.
Erwin: Wayne noticed, didn't he?
Brianne: (nods) He wants to talk to me later tonight.
Erwin: Does he...know that you're pregnant?
Brianne: I don't think so...I don't know. What do you think he'd do if he knew?
Erwin: I'm not sure.
Brianne: You know, I've been thinking. This baby won't be due in another 5 months or so, and you're graduating in 2 months.
Erwin quietly looks at Brianne trying to say what's on her mind.
Brianne: (struggles) I know you're going to join the Scout Regiment...but what if you have to go out there when I'm going to give birth? (looks at Erwin) I want you to be with me when...it happens.
Erwin holds Brianne's hands warmly with his, watching Brianne worrying herself.
Brianne: I'm...(sheepish) I'm kinda scared, Erwin.
Erwin: Of what?
Brianne: Of everything. I mean...this baby is going to change our lives. We can't just think about us anymore. We have to think about this baby now, our baby.
Erwin: We'll take it one step at a time together. (cups Brianne's face gently) Don't be scared of being alone, Brianne. I'm going to be there for you.
Brianne looks into Erwin's eyes and is naively comforted by his words. She and Erwin are both still too young to understand the responsibility of having a baby, of raising a baby in the kind of environment the two wish to thrive in and see their future in, Erwin's being in the Scout Regiment and Brianne's being in the Military Police. The two are still too young and inexperienced to know how life-changing a baby will be, and they innocently embrace the future-arrival of their baby with open arms thinking a baby will only bring them joy.
Brianne arrives at Alfred's office after dinner, and she knocks. She hears him telling her to enter, and she does. She salutes Alfred, and he motions for her to close the door behind her. Brianne does so, and she walks forth.
Alfred: Take a seat.
Brianne does quietly.
Alfred: So...how many months has it been?
Brianne: Sir?
Alfred: How long have you been pregnant?
Brianne is stunned that Alfred figured it out so quickly, and he chortles.
Alfred: My wife was pregnant once too.
Brianne: (pauses) It's about 4 months in.
Alfred whistles, taken aback that Brianne has been going through training with a 4-month-old baby growing in her. Alfred then takes out paper and starts writing as Brianne watches. She can't see what he's writing, so she sits there quietly until Alfred is finished.
Alfred: This is a note excusing you for the next half-year.
Brianne: Sir?
Alfred: You need to take a leave of absence, Brianne. You need to think about your baby, and I'll be damned if I allow you to continue your training while you're pregnant.
Brianne: (refutes) Sir-
Alfred: I won't hear it, Brianne. I know you want to continue your training, but there is no physical way you'd be able to keep up. Besides, it won't be long before your squad figures out you're pregnant if they haven't already. (holds up the note) This note states that I have granted you leave of absence due to a family situation. It would be best if we make everyone else think the same.
Brianne: ...what would happen if anyone finds out that I'm really pregnant, sir?
Alfred: You and the father of that child would be branded for the rest of your careers in the Military. You'd bring great shame to your father's name, Brianne, for getting impregnated during the middle of your training.
Brianne is quiet.
Alfred: Pack up your things and leave at midnight. I'll alert tonight's night-watch to allow you to leave.
Brianne doesn't know what to say, so she just salutes Alfred and walks to the door. She pauses and looks back at him.
Brianne: Don't you want to know who the father is, sir?
Alfred: At times like this, I believe ignorance is bliss.
Brianne nods and leaves Alfred's office. She first heads over to her cabin to start packing up all her belongings, which isn't much except for her suit and weapons. Brianne then looks out her window, and she sees the 5th years exit the cafeteria after finishing their dinner. Brianne then heads out her cabin to head to the barren field where Erwin already is waiting for her. The two smile under the bright moonlight, and they share a kiss.
Erwin: What did you and Wayne talk about?
Brianne: He wants me to take a leave of absence for half a year.
Erwin: (shocked and pauses) Starting when?
Brianne: Tonight.
Erwin: Where will you go?
Brianne: Back home, I guess.
Erwin is quiet, not knowing what to say.
Brianne: I think it'll be for the best. It'll be fine.
Erwin: Write to me when you get home. Let me know how you're doing.
Brianne: I will.
Brianne and Erwin walk side-to-side under the moonlight, walking laps around the field.
Brianne: Erwin, do you have to join the Scout Regiment?
Erwin looks at Brianne.
Brianne: I mean...you'll be gone for so long when you go on missions. When would you be able to see your baby?
Erwin: I'll visit you as often as I can. And when I have enough money, I'll buy us a house so we can all live together. You, me, and our baby.
Brianne doesn't want to argue again. She's made her legitimate point again and again, and Erwin understands what Brianne is saying about how dangerous it is to join the Scout Regiment. He knows himself how most of the Scout Regiment end up dead or critically wounded, but those few who survive year after year, they are deemed indestructible. It's as if they are made of steel, unable to be destroyed or worn down one bit. Erwin accepts the consequences that'll come with joining the Scout, including the possibility of losing his own life, but he's determined nonetheless to prove his father right. It's the same kind of will Brianne has in joining the Military Police to avenge her father's legacy.
Erwin: We'll be apart for only 2 months.
Brianne: What if they send you out right away?
Erwin stops Brianne and makes her look at him.
Erwin: You don't have to be worried, Brianne. I'll always come find you, no matter where you are and no matter where I am, I'll always find you.
The skies sparkle brightly in the dark night sky. Brianne and Erwin stand there in each other's embrace, and Brianne can hear Erwin's heartbeat going for miles. As the two stand there in an embrace, Brianne now feels in her heart the kind of love her mother and father shared together. Though Brianne's is only in a puppy stage, she gets a taste of what it means to have a worthwhile life. Brianne feels as if her and Erwin's heart united as one and manifested itself into flesh form, the growing baby inside of her. Love seemed to take Brianne and Erwin by surprise, and tonight is a night they wish would last forever. Brianne knows that her world is meant to be shared with Erwin, and she feels deep in her heart that she and Erwin were meant to see this monstrosity of a world together.
Erwin walks Brianne back to her cabin, and the two enter together. They share a passionate kiss, and it gets heated up quick. Brianne leans Erwin down onto her small bed, and she gets on top of Erwin to his excitement...Erwin pulls out of Brianne from behind, and he plops onto his back in bed as Brianne lays on her back gently. Brianne cradles with Erwin, and she rests her face close to Erwin's neck/chest. He puts his arm around Brianne's shoulder to keep her close, and Brianne rests her hand on Erwin's sweaty chest.
Brianne: I'm gonna miss you, Erwin.
Erwin: You act like this is goodbye.
Brianne: It sort of is, don't you think?
Erwin: Just for now, but it won't be for long.
Erwin kisses Brianne sweetly on her lips as a sign of reassurance.
Erwin: Remember, I'll always come find you, alright?
Brianne: (looks up into Erwin's eyes and grins) Alright.
Brianne, Levi, Farlan, and Isabel hang out with the gang of Cap's Pub. Brianne, Levi, Farlan, Isabel, Mike, Kim, George, Ryan, and Keith are all at an outside restaurant eating lunch together to celebrate Brianne's arrival.
Mike: (reading the newspaper) Hey! Remember that one artifact that was discovered a few days ago in Shiganshina District?
All: Yeah.
Mike: Well it says here it's been auctioned off to a private bidder here in the Capital.
George: And?
Mike: Don't you see, George? This artifact doesn't belong in a home. It belongs in a museum. I mean, it's a piece of history, not some furniture for your house. Come on, who agrees with me?
Keith: Yeah, you know what? You're right, Mike. Artifacts belong in museums, and that's that.
Ryan: So what are you suggesting?
Mike: We go to that person's house and ask them to donate the artifact to a museum.
Kim: Oh yeah? You're just gonna walk right up to them and ask them to donate something they paid thousands of coins for?
Mike: Oh don't you worry about what I'm going to say to them. If anyone can be persuasive, it's me.
George: Wait, wait, hold on there, Mike. Now, I'm going to be straight and honest with you. No one's going to listen to a single word you say because first, you're ugly as hell. Second, you're shady as shit. I mean you are a real sleeze-bag, Mike. And third, you are ugly, Mike, very very ugly. So as The Looks in this group, I'll do the talking.
Brianne: But what if they still don't wanna give you the artifact?
George: (annoyed) Then I'll just glide in like a shadow and fly away with the artifact like a falcon. With my grace and skilled coordination, I will do what is right and bring the artifact back to where it rightfully belongs.
Isabel: So what's the plan then? How are we gonna do this?
George: Brianne, you'll come with me to persuade this family to donate the artifact to the museum.
Brianne: Why me?
George: Because we'll go posing as husband and wife, and we'll make up some story about something tragic and we'll get them to donate to the museum.
Brianne: Why can't Kim go instead?
George: Because you're pretty and she's ugly.
Kim glares at George with her mouth open with anger.
Mike: I'll join you two.
George: No, Mike. You'll just scare those people away with your ugliness.
Mike: I don't give a shit. I'm coming with you two. Who else is gonna keep paying the rent to this shitty ass bar you guys own?...
The gang go to the house that holds the artifact by following the newspaper article like detectives. George, Brianne, and Mike approach the house and they notice that the front door is slightly open.
George: Watch the magic happen guys.
George knocks on the door and nudges it open. He calls if anyone's there, but no one answers. He enters the house, and everyone follows in after.
Brianne: (whistles) Damn, this place is fancy.
Brianne ends up traveling upstairs without George or Mike noticing. She's mesmerized by how grandiose this house is.
George: Oh goddamn it, where's Bri?
Mike: Maybe she went upstairs.
George: Come on Mike. Let's get her and leave. The owner is clearly not home-
Mike and George hear a woman's voice getting closer and louder, and they immediately run upstairs as quietly as they can. A woman is in the house with them packing frantically. George motions for Mike and Brianne to follow him into a room. They all run into the master bedroom and George and Brianne hide in the closet while Mike hides under the bed. The woman comes into the room and pulls out her luggage. She starts cleaning out her bathroom, and they know it's a matter of minutes until the woman will go to the closet.
George: (whispers angrily) Damn damn damn! This was such a goddamn stupid plan!
Brianne: We need a plan to get out of here.
George: Yeah well plan one is for you to lower your voice, Bri.
Brianne: (angry) This is as low as it goes. I say we just ambush her right now. You put her in a choke-hold and I'll hold her down-
George: No no, goddamn it, Bri. You're just escalating things. We can't be doing this kind of shit anymore. Somebody always comes in with a ridiculous plan, and nobody stops to wonder how stupid that plan is. Next thing you know, we're in some crazy situation where we've broken into somebody's house and that somebody is home.
Brianne: Alright, I understand but first off, you were the one who came up with this ridiculous plan. Second, right now you gotta help me come up with a plan to get out of this house. We don't have to choke-hold her, but we need to get out of here before she finds us.
The woman leaves the bedroom to grab other things. George and Brianne walk out of the closet quietly. George kneels down to the bed and motions for Mike to get out. Mike gets out from under the bed.
Mike: I'm gonna go check the other rooms for the artifact.
George: No Mike, we're bailing on the artifact. It was a stupid plan.
Mike: What? You're pussying out already? Don't you remember what you said to all of us at the restaurant? You said you were gonna "glide in like a shadow and fly away with the artifact like a falcon". What happened to that speech, huh?
George: (short pause) It was a damn good speech. Persuasive, I admit.
Mike: Yeah, exactly. Besides, these people don't deserve to have the artifact. It belongs in a museum.
Brianne: Mike, when the hell did you start giving a rat's ass about what museums collect? Just 2 hours ago, no one cared about this artifact.
Mike: So what's your point?
Brianne: That we shouldn't be acting on beliefs we just acquired 2 hours ago.
Mike: Well then don't allow me to read newspaper articles that'll outrage me into believing things!
Man: Honey?
Woman: Oh sweetheart! You're here!
George: Crap, there's a man in the house now. Hide in the closet.
George, Brianne, and Mike hide in the closet again and they see the woman running upstairs, hiding her luggage under the bed. They hear the man and woman's conversation.
Woman: S-So what are you doing here, hun?
Man: I just popped in to get a jacket. It's freezing out there. What about you? I thought you were going to be out all day.
Woman: O-Oh, yeah, I just came in to grab a jacket too.
The 3 look at one another confused at the woman's suspicious lie.
Man: Well I have to get going. I'll see you later, hun.
They hear the front door open and close.
Mike: That was weird.
Brianne: Totally.
George: Very strange.
The 3 quietly walk downstairs to get out of the house, and Mike bumps into a table making a bit of noise.
George: Goddamn it, Mike, you uncoordinated spatially challenged son of a bitch. I am not going to get tied up because of your clumsiness.
Mike: (glares at George) I hope these people tie you in their basement, and I hope they rape you for 10 years.
The 3 continue down, but they hear the woman coming up. George pushes everyone back up, and they hide in the bedroom closet again. The woman goes to a different room, and the 3 listen to the woman's every movements. They know she's finishing her packing, and the only thing the 3 can do is stand there silent like statues, creeping on the oblivious woman. A few minutes later after the woman leaves her bedroom, they see a person quickly approaching the closet, and they gasp seeing Levi. He enters the closet a bit out of breath.
Levi: Hey guys.
Brianne: Levi? How the hell did you get in here?
Levi: You guys were taking a long time so I snuck in to see what was going on.
George: So you can just sneak right in while we're having trouble sneaking out?
Levi: Well it wasn't easy, you know. I mean there's a lot of rooms in here with a lot of closets. I had to go through every closet starting from the first floor-
Girl: Hi Mama, I'm home.
George: Oh goddamn it, now there's a kid in the house.
Brianne: You know what? We just gotta make our move. We just gotta go for it or else we'll never get out. Levi, how'd you get in here?
Levi: Front door.
Brianne: Okay so-wait...the front door?
George: You just waltzed right in through the front door?
Levi: Well, I had a little hustle going on, but yeah, the front door.
The 4 can hear the woman talking to her daughter about going to Rose Park.
Woman: Baby, what would you say if we could go to Rose Park everyday?
Girl: Everyday? But how?
Woman: Well we're going to move to Utopia District! I've already packed your things so let's get going.
Girl: Did you pack Anna?
Woman: Um, is that the bear?
Girl: No, that's Teddy. Anna is the dog, and I like her more than Teddy.
Woman: Alright then, go get Anna but hurry.
The 4 wait a few seconds before heading back downstairs quietly. Someone knocks on the front door, and the woman opens the door. The 4 run to the jacket closet and hide, listening to the conversation.
Woman: Oh Gary, what took you so long?
Girl: Why is Gary here?
Woman: Well sweetie, Gary's going to be coming to Utopia District with us instead of Daddy.
Man: How would you like it if we could go to Rose Park everyday?
Girl: We're moving without daddy?
Man 2: (storms into the house) Gary, you son of a bitch! I followed you to my house!
Brianne: (gasps) Oh my god, oh my god. / Levi: Holy shit, dad's home. / George: This is bad, this is bad. / Mike: That's the dad.
Man 2: I'm gonna beat the shit out of you, Gary!
Levi: We should just break out now.
George: Are you crazy? A massacre is about to break loose out there.
Man 2: Alright everybody just shut the hell up! (silence) Now, we are going to talk about this like a family, and I don't care if it'll take all night.
All 4: (groans)
Brianne: I can't do all night, guys. I've got a baby to feed.
Levi: I don't have it in me for all night.
George: Screw it. Let's just walk right out through the front door.
Brianne: Yeah, they got a lot on their plate already, they won't notice us.
Levi: Their marriage is falling apart, they have other things to worry about.
George takes in a deep breath and opens the closet door. He walks out first with Brianne, Levi, and Mike following behind in a line. They slightly pause when they're at the front door because there's a direct view to the common room. There, they see the family crying and sitting on their couches.
George: H-Hello. / Brianne and Levi: Good evening. / Mike: H-How's everyone doing?
The family is in such shock seeing strangers trying to walk out through the front door so nonchalantly.
(2 months later)
Brianne hears the bell gates ringing loudly, signaling the Scouts are going to leave for their next mission. Brianne's heart pounds in her chest. Just a few days ago, Erwin graduated from the Military training camp and enlisted in the Scout Regiment. He didn't have time to meet Brianne after his graduation because all the new members of the Scout Regiment were being trained on how to make it alive outside for their upcoming mission, but the two have kept in touch via letters.
Brianne takes a step out of the abandoned building, and she makes her way to the main street, unable to run because of her big belly. She pushes and shoves her way through the crowd, but there's no way she can make it to the front. Brianne pulls back, and she climbs onto a rooftop. She perches herself on the rooftop, and she watches the Scout Regiment leave on their horses. Brianne scans the soldiers, and she spots Erwin. He rides next to his best friends David Palm and Charlie Buchanan. Niles Dok joined the Military Police.
The Scouts are a few yards away from the front gates, and Brianne jumps from rooftop to rooftop to follow Erwin. She shouts for him, but he can't hear her from all the other people blessing the Scouts for their perilous journey ahead. Erwin just rides his horse unable to look up at the people saluting the soldiers and wishing them the best of luck. Erwin feels guilty for being unable to see Brianne before he leaves on his very first mission. He wanted to see Brianne dearly, but he just was unable to because he was too dedicated learning how to survive outside the Walls.
As Erwin rides his horse, he wonders how Brianne is doing and if she knows he's leaving for his first mission. He casually glances up and he notices something in his peripheral. He looks to his right and sees Brianne jump a rooftop so that she can catch up to him. Brianne looks at Erwin and is relieved he finally notices her. She smiles and she waves her hand. Erwin smiles and he waves back.
Brianne: I love you, Erwin! I love you!
Erwin can see what Brianne is shouting though he cannot hear due to the crowd. His heart is at peace when he sees the front gate open, and he can see the trees and immensely large grass field up ahead waiting for him. Erwin looks back at Brianne, seeing her continue to shout those words.
Erwin: (smiles and nods) I know.
Brianne watches the Scouts finally ride out past the gates quickly, and her heart drops when she sees Erwin gone past the Wall. Brianne can't help but cry as she's perched on a rooftop, worried as hell for Erwin's safety...
The moment the gates behind the Scouts close, about a dozen Titans head towards the Wall. The Commander of the Scout Regiment, Keith Shadis, scans the field of the oncoming titans heading their way.
Shadis: Diamond Formation!
Erwin, David, and Charlie are in the same legion, and they ride to the right flank. 2 titans are coming their way from the right, and Erwin notices David getting his 3DMG ready.
Erwin: What are you doing?
David: I'm gonna kill that ugly motherfucker.
The rookies have been trained to not engage in fighting the Titans unless absolutely necessary because the elders know what kind of caution they need while roaming through the open world. However, rookies don't understand how to tread lightly and instead most react from their feelings which gets them killed. The leader of the right flank, Robert Logan, steers off more to the right to take care of those 2 titans getting closer and closer. Logan signals for 5 soldiers to take care of those 2 titans, and David is the 4th of 5. Erwin stays back with the flank and he watches David latch his 3DMG into a titan's body. He lunges forward up into mid-air, and he circles around his titan. As he flings himself upward, the 2nd titan jumps up and swallows David whole. Erwin's mouth drops, unable to believe what he just saw happen before his eyes.
Logan: Stay alert! Stay alert!
Erwin hears his captain's words, and he watches the titan that ate David fall down dead as the 4 other Scouts slash the nape of the titans' necks. The right flank rides towards the forest up ahead. The Scouts know that titans can't travel far in the forest because they tend to run into strong tall trees, which only hinders their movements.
Logan: Head for the forest!
Logan rides ahead with the rest of the flank riding for their lives towards the forest. The entire left flank is completely obliterated by 4 titans, and those 4 titans are heading right towards the right flank. Erwin sees the 4 titans heading their way, and the bottom flank steers off to take care of those 4 titans. Erwin watches all of this, analyzing everything that is happening. Out of the 8 Scouts in the bottom flank, 2 of them get crushed under titans' feet, 3 of them get swallowed whole similar to how David died, and 3 of them get torn apart by the titans' teeth being eaten limb from limb. Erwin feels sick to the bottom of his stomach watching this massacre that occurred in a span of 7 minutes.
Erwin sees that the 4 titans are heading right towards his flank now that the left and bottom flank have been completely wiped out. Logan signals for 3 Scouts to take down 1, and Charlie rides away with the other 2 Scouts. They're joined by 5 other Scouts from the top flank, and all 8 Scouts ride together towards the 4 titans. Charlie propels himself off his horse and sinks the 3DMG hooks into the right titans' body. He makes a sharp turn in mid-air, and he flings himself upwards. He manages to get a clean slice into the nape of the titan's neck, causing the titan to fall on its face dead. The other Scouts get rid of 2 more titans, and one more is headed straight for the right flank. The top flank just made it into the forest, and the titan comes straight for the right flank.
Erwin watches the titan running his way with its mouth open. It looks like its drooling with the thought of feasting on the Scouts' human flesh, and Erwin watches the titan draw nearer and nearer. Erwin knows deep in his heart that the flank won't make it out alive if that titan keeps drawing nearer, and he looks back up front to see that everyone is focused on getting to the forest rather than stopping that titan. Erwin knows the forest is too far and it's too big a risk to continue riding on together, so he steers off towards the titan. The flank sees Erwin steering off, but they don't stop. They continue riding on to the forest. Erwin doesn't steer off too much, allowing the titan to come to him. As he gets closer to the forest, the titan gets closer to him. Erwin looks back at the titan, and he sees it lean forward to reach out for him.
Erwin shoots his 3DMG hooks into the ankles of the titan, and he flings himself backwards away from the titan's grasp. The titan's reaction is too slow, and Erwin knows it. As he flings himself backwards, his boots skid hard on the grass. Erwin slows down to maneuver around, and he propels himself upward towards the titan's neck. He slashes the nape of the titan's neck, and the titan falls forward on its face. It skids into the forest face-first, breaking down tall trees in a juggernaut momentum. When the clouds of dirt drift away, the Scouts look up to see Erwin standing tall on top of the dead titan's head, victorious. He holds onto his two blades, looking down at his first kill.