Brianne can hear her squad taking position around Cap's Pub through her tactical ear-piece.
Curtis: (through ear-piece to Brianne) Easy Company is stationed around Cap's Pub. We're going to quietly take down the 3 assailants standing outside. On your word, we'll barge through shooting, so you need to duck.
Brianne clears her throat quietly, signaling the plan is a go. The man looks at Brianne suspiciously and recognizes an ear-piece in her left ear.
Man 1: (furious) Take that out! Take that ear-piece out right now!
The man pushes Erwin down to his knees and points his shotgun right at his head to convince Brianne to take the ear-piece out.
Brianne: (calmly) Alright, I'll take the ear-piece out.
The squad hears Brianne speak this through their ear-pieces, and they know they need to make the move now before anyone gets hurt. Porter, Katy, and Cherrie quickly and stealthily take out the 3 men in front of the pub with their bare hands. The 3 throw the men aside so that the other squad members can get into position right in front of the door to the bar.
Man 1: (still points his gun to Erwin's head, paranoid) Who's out there? Who is out there?!
Brianne: (calmly) My company.
Before the man can react, he moves his head to the side and Brianne notices the man has his own tactical ear-piece, something that has clearly been sold off by the Military Police. Brianne knows someone is talking through his ear-piece because of the expression on the man's face.
Brianne: (at the top of her lungs) NOW!
The squad storms in through the pub, and Brianne forces the gang and Erwin to duck. The squad starts shooting everyone who isn't ducking, which is all the assailants. When the shooting is over, Curtis runs over to Brianne, Erwin, and the gang (Chase runs to Kim to make sure she's alright) while everyone else examines the dead men on the ground.
Curtis: You okay, Bri?
Brianne: Yeah, I'm fine. Good job, Curtis.
Curtis: Yeah, too bad they're all dead though. We should've saved one for interrogation.
Brianne just puts her hand on Curtis' shoulder, and she looks at Erwin. She walks over to him and he stares at her.
Brianne: Are you okay?
Erwin: I'm fine. I'm unscathed.
Brianne: We should head back to the palace, see if anyone knows anything about what's happening today.
George: Hey wait, what about us?
Mike: Yeah, we almost got our asses filled with bullet holes because of you!
Keith: What if those people come back?
Erwin can see Brianne is worried for her friends, and he doesn't want the gang to die because Brianne has already lost her two best friends because of him.
Erwin: I'll stay and protect them.
Ryan: Dude, you got kidnapped with us. To be honest, I don't feel safe with you protecting us, man.
Brianne: (ignores Ryan, to Erwin) Would you do that for me?
Erwin: (nods) Of course. It's the least I can do. You go find whoever is doing this.
Brianne nods and is about to walk away when Erwin grabs her hand. She looks back at him, and he kisses her passionately. Brianne is shocked by Erwin's sudden kiss, and she nearly melts in it. The other squad members awkwardly start walking away to give Erwin and Brianne their space. Erwin pulls back and looks into Brianne's eyes, and she looks up into his eyes.
Erwin: Don't get yourself killed.
Brianne: I won't.
Chase walks up to Kim and hands her a tactical ear-piece.
Chase: (whispers) If anything happens, you tell me through this. Just press this button to turn it on.
Chase shows her the red button, and Kim nods. Brianne and her squad head back to the castle, and they still see most of the MP there trying to clean up the bombing mess.
A ferry from Trost District is making its way through the waters towards the Capital. There are regular attendants and there are also quite a few Military Police on board. At the lowest level below the deck, a few of the soldiers are guarding 3 large suitcases.
Soldier 1: Did you hear about the bombing at the castle?
Soldier 2: What?! A bombing?!
Soldier 3: How the hell did that happen?
Soldier 1: No one knows, but a lot of soldiers died.
Soldier 2: Weren't Dok and Ackerman going to get married today?
Soldier 3: Yeah, they were supposed to.
The 3 soldiers immediately jump onto their feet when they see 5 men walk up to them wearing gas masks. Those masks are not available to anyone besides the Military Police after the recent invention of a deadly nerve gas for biological warfare. The nerve gases inside the 3 suitcases are protocols, and they are being shipped to the Capital so that the King could observe the effects of this gas being tested on criminals. The King has heard about the effects this gas has on a human being: first they convulse, then they slowly die a long and painful death because of the paralysis of all the muscles.
Soldier 1: Hey, get back-
The 5 men immediately start attacking the soldiers, and they knock all the guns away from the soldiers. The soldiers are outnumbered by the men, and one of the masked men find the keys to the suitcase.
Soldier 3: No, no you can't open them!
The masked man unlocks one of the suitcases and looks upon 2 large canisters filled with smog inside them, the toxic gas. Before the soldiers can shout for the man to stop what he's doing, the masked man presses a button and the canister opens. The toxic nerve agent spreads throughout the bottom level, and the man then opens a vent and lays the canister in there so that the gas could spread throughout the entire ferry. The 5 masked men watch the 3 MP soldiers convulse like an epileptic, and they walk away from the murder scene.
The nerve gas is released inside the ferry, and people start dropping like flies on the ground. No one survives on the ferry as the 5 men jump onto a nearby rowboat, rowing away with the 2 suitcases left over, each with 2 canisters of the toxic nerve agent. The 5 men watch the ferry crash right through the port, the ferry unable to be stopped because the captain is dead. People near the port run away from the crashing ferry so that they don't get crushed, and the ferry immediately comes to a halt nearly 1 mile deep through the port.
Brianne and her company spot their captain, Philip Stauer, helping to clear the wreckage within the palace. They all run to their captain immediately.
Company: (salutes) Captain.
Philip: At ease, soldiers.
Brianne: Do you know anything about what's happening today, sir?
Philip: Follow me.
The squad follows Stauer away from the bomb scene, and they can see that Philip looks extremely distressed.
Philip: We've just received word that the Military nerve gas has been stolen from a ferry that was transporting it. Two have been used on the ferry, and everyone on it is dead. There are 4 canisters left.
Brianne: (connects the dots) The bombing was a diversionary cover to steal the nerve gas...
Philip: We must track down the people who stole the canisters before they use another one.
Curtis: We should head back to the MP building, gather up the rest of our full squad. I know they can help us.
Brianne: Alright. Everyone, go gather up the rest of our year and bring them to the MP building. We'll have a lot more resources to work with over there. And Curtis, if you get a chance I want you to check up on Tony, see how he's doing and if he's awake.
Curtis: You got it, boss.
Brianne: Let's go.
The squad splits up, and Brianne goes with Captain Stauer back to the MP building. In just a few minutes, the rest of the 85th Trainee Squad arrives. They grab an empty Situation Room, and they all sit around the round table.
Brianne: Is everyone here?
Porter: Curtis went to check up on Tony.
Nadia: Tina went to the bathroom.
Larry: And Charlie isn't here.
Brianne: Where is he?
Larry: We couldn't find him anywhere.
Brianne: What do you mean? He was supposed to stay in the castle to help clean it up.
Philip: Let it go, Brianne. We need to begin the briefing now.
Brianne: (nods) Yes, sir...
Tony wakes up, and he can hear the bustling inside the MP building. His entire body is completely sore and he slowly opens his eyes to see Curtis.
Curtis: Hey, man. How you feeling?
Tony: (weakly) Missy? Where is she?
Curtis' face drops.
Tony: Where is Missy?
Curtis: I'm sorry, Tony...she's dead.
Tony: (shocked) Wh...
Curtis: She was too close to the explosion. She didn't make it...I'm so sorry, man.
Tony starts crying and bursts into tears hysterically...
When briefing is over, Edgar leaves the Situation Room and heads to the bathroom. He sees Tina walking out of the girls' restroom perfectly timed.
Edgar: Hey Tina. You were in the bathroom this whole time?
Tina: Take this, Edgar. I need you to give this to Brianne.
Tina grabs Edgar's hand and shoves a little piece of paper in his hand.
Edgar: Why can't you just-
Tina: Don't ask questions. Just do it!
Tina then walks off quickly, and Edgar takes a look at what the paper says. His mouth drops when he reads it, and he's stunned for a moment...
Chloe: Guys...what's that smog?
Everyone looks out through the glass, and they notice smog coming out from the top level offices. They notice people coughing and quickly falling to the ground.
Philip: Close the doors and vents now! It's the nerve gas!
In a state of panic, Katy quickly shuts the doors while Larry, Cherrie, and Chase shut the vents tightly. Some of the soldiers run to their Situation Room and bang on the glass so that they can open the doors for them, but no one makes a move.
Philip: (order) Don't open the door for anyone or we will all die.
The squad stands there in complete horror, watching their fellow MP soldiers dying off in a gruesome manner.
Chloe: Oh my god, Edgar!
Brianne looks and sees Edgar running towards the Situation Room with a paper in his hand. He starts slowing down as he's coughing, and he falls to his knees. Edgar is still trying his best to make his way to the Situation Room, and he climbs over dead bodies to get to Brianne. Brianne falls to her knees with tears in her eyes, watching Edgar struggling to get to the glass to show her the paper in his hand. With his last bit of strength left, Edgar puts his hand to the glass to show Brianne the paper in his hand: "Charlie is responsible". His hand then falls lifeless, and Chloe cries her heart out seeing Edgar's dead body on top of a pile of other dead soldiers' bodies. Brianne rests her head against the glass, looking down at Edgar. Stauer puts his hand on Brianne's shoulder, and she doesn't flinch.
Philip: Now is not the time to grieve, Brianne. You know that.
Brianne quickly wipes her tears away with her sleeve, and she stands back up on her two feet. She looks back to her squad.
Brianne: We need contact with the outside. We're stuck in here until the gas dissipates.
Chase: Kim has my tact piece. I gave it to her before we left the bar.
Brianne turns on her tactical ear-piece.
Brianne: Kim! Kim, can you hear me?
Kim: Whoa, Brianne?
Brianne: Give the ear-piece to Erwin now. I need to speak with him.
After a few rustling noises, Brianne hears Erwin's voice.
Erwin: Brianne?
Brianne: Erwin, I need you to go find Charlie Glay. I need you to detain him and interrogate him. He's responsible for everything that's happened today.
Erwin: Alright. Keep your piece on.
Erwin is about to leave Cap's Pub when the gang asks him where he's going.
George: Hey, where are you going, man?! I thought you were gonna protect us!
Erwin: More important matters have surfaced.
Keith: What the hell do you mean more important matters?
Erwin: You have guns, don't you? Use it if need be.
Erwin quickly leaves the pub and heads to the castle still talking with Brianne through the ear-piece.
Erwin: Where are you?
Brianne: I'm in the MP building. I'm trapped in a Situation Room. A nerve gas has been released in the building.
Erwin: (halts in his tracks) What?!
Brianne: Don't worry. Some of us made it. I just need you to find Charlie and get information out of him.
Erwin: Alright, I'm almost at the castle.
There in the castle, Erwin spots Mike Zacharius and Levi.
Erwin: Mike, Levi, I need your help.
Levi: Have you seen Brianne?
Erwin: Yes, and she's fine. We need to find Charlie Glay. He's responsible for everything that's happened today.
Mike and Levi look at one another, and they nod following Erwin. After searching for a few minutes, they spot Charlie standing by himself. The 3 walk over to Charlie, and Charlie knows something is wrong by the look on their faces. Charlie takes a step back, and he knows he's been caught. He immediately makes a run for it and Mike, Erwin, and Levi split up to catch Charlie.
Charlie makes a dumb move and heads into an alleyway. Levi is there to greet him, and Charlie turns around but Mike is right behind him with Erwin flying down from the rooftop. Erwin throws Charlie into an empty building, and Charlie tries to scramble on his feet. Mike and Levi hold him down, and Erwin looks Charlie in the eyes frightening the mole.
Erwin: What is your involvement with today's events?
Charlie: (petrified) I don't know what you're talking about-
Erwin punches Charlie hard across the face.
Erwin: (furiously grabs Charlie by his shirt) Do NOT play dumb with me! You were responsible for everything that's happened today...the bombing of the castle, the ferry, the nerve gases being stolen...it was all because of you.
Charlie: No, no what are you talking about?
Erwin: (screams in Charlie's face) You could've killed Brianne today. She could've been exposed to the nerve gas! You could've killed her!
Erwin beats Charlie down, and Levi has to stop Erwin before he could kill Charlie.
Charlie: (scoffs) You think I'm scared of you, Erwin Smith? You don't know the people I know. You don't know real fear.
Levi kneels down and looks into Charlie's eyes, sending chills down his spine.
Levi: He may not, but I do.
Levi takes out a pocketknife, and he plays with it.
Levi: You know, Erwin and Brianne may be lovers, but Brianne and I are family. She's my little sister...did you know that? And do you know what happens to people who threaten to hurt my sister?
Charlie is quiet.
Levi: Do you remember nearly 3 years ago about the story of 2 MP soldiers who stole Brianne's baby? One was missing, and one was found chopped like a baby lamb in the sewers. Yes, babies are precious in this kind of world, but that baby going missing was insignificant compared to the pain I watched Brianne endure because of her loss. Anyone who hurts my family, I will kill. (points knife to Charlie) And you, Charlie...you're next.
Charlie doesn't say anything, and Levi stabs the pocketknife through Charlie's knee cap. Charlie screams in excruciating agony as Erwin and Mike watch.
Levi: (glares at Charlie) Who are you working for?
Charlie: I can't tell you. I can't say anything.
Levi starts moving the knife around in Charlie's knee cap, and he screams even louder. Mike covers Charlie's mouth with his hand to muffle the screaming.
Charlie: Alright! Alright, I'll tell you! Just stop!
Levi: Not until you start talking.
Charlie: Captain Logan and Rummings! They're the ones who gave me the orders!
Erwin and Mike look at one another in shock.
Mike: Captain Logan...do you mean Captain Robert Logan? The captain of the 13th Legion of the Survey Corps?
Charlie: Yes. He and Captain Rummings are behind this, but they're not the masterminds.
Levi: Who is?
Charlie: I don't know. I swear, I don't know who it is. They didn't tell me.
Levi looks back at Erwin and Mike.
Charlie: Please, you have to believe me. I'm telling you the truth.
Erwin nods, believing that Charlie wouldn't know the top dogs in this whole conspiracy. Erwin nods to Levi, and Levi looks back at Charlie.
Levi: If Brianne is hurt in any way, I'll finish you off.
Erwin: Mike, detain him.
Mike takes Charlie as his prisoner, and Erwin and Levi walk off.
Levi: How are we going to prove Logan and Rummings are behind what happened today?
Erwin: Simple. Pit the two against each other.
Levi: How?
Erwin: (holds his tact ear piece) With this.
Logan: Come in.
Erwin enters Logan's office, and he sees Rummings there with him. Erwin keeps his cool as he enters normally.
Erwin: (salutes) Sir, the castle has been cleaned and all bodies have been accounted for.
Logan: Good work, Erwin. And the press?
Erwin: Commander Heller has already given his statement, and they're ready for yours, sir.
Erwin walks over to Logan's white handkerchief, and he sticks his tactical ear piece into it. He folds the handkerchief neatly, and he tucks it into Logan's breast pocket for him.
Logan: Thank you, Erwin. You know, when I retire, I'm thinking about promoting you to being captain.
Erwin: ...that would be an honor, sir. And...sir...excuse me for saying this so abruptly to you and Captain Rummings...but there seems to be a rumor going on.
Rummings: What rumor?
Erwin: Well...(scoffs and shakes his head) it's complete nonsense.
Logan: Spit it out, Erwin. What is it?
Erwin: People are saying that today's events must have been aided by a highly ranked Military worker.
Rummings: And what does that have to do with us?
Erwin: (calmly) I just wanted to let you know so that you could be prepared for any of the reporter's questions, sir. They're going to ask you if there is anyone you know that could possibly be linked to today's events, any high-ranking official you can think of that would want to do this.
Logan: Thank you for letting us know, Erwin. You are dismissed.
Erwin salutes Logan and Rummings, and he steps out. Erwin quickly walks over to an empty room with Levi there. He has a recording machine with the tact ear piece right next to it so that he can hear Logan and Rummings' conversation.
Rummings: What the hell, Robert. How would anyone come up with that kind of idea?
Logan: I don't know, but we need to remain calm.
Rummings: How would they just deduce that it was a Military official? They must be on to us.
Logan: Walt, you need to calm down. No one knows that we're involved with what happened today. No one.
Rummings: Unless Glay talked.
Logan: Charlie did not talk to anyone. He knows better than that, especially with the people he's involved with.
Rummings: I have a bad feeling about this, Robert.
Logan: Just take my lead, Walt, and no one will find out. We just need to get through these next few hours, and then we'll be able to leave the Military and live a quiet life.
The door flings open, and there stands Commander James Heller of the Military Police with his other captains to subdue Logan and Rummings after listening to their recorded conversation.
Logan: C-Commander Heller.
Heller: Detain these two captains, soldiers.
Military Police officers immediately detain Logan and Rummings.
Rummings: What's going on, Commander?
Heller: You two are under arrest for conspiracy and threatening the welfare of the citizens of the Walls.
Erwin steps in, and Logan and Rummings look at Erwin.
Logan: Erwin! Erwin, thank goodness you're here. Tell Heller that we have nothing to do with what happened today.
Erwin: Sir, we heard everything.
Logan: What do you mean?
Erwin walks up to Logan and takes the handkerchief out. He shows Logan the tactical ear piece hidden in his handkerchief, and Logan is horrified.
Logan: You...you set me up...
Erwin: May you never see the light of day again, sir.
Heller: Take these two away.
The officers take Logan and Rummings away after they've incriminated themselves. Heller turns back to Erwin.
Heller: Good work, soldier.
Erwin: Thank you, sir, but I didn't do it alone.
Heller: I understand you're the second-in-command in Logan's legion.
Erwin: (nods) Yes, sir.
Heller: I'll have a talk with Commander Shadis. I'll put in a good word for you, soldier, to be the next captain.
Erwin: (surprised) Thank you, sir.
Before Heller walks away, Erwin stops him.
Erwin: Sir. Have you heard anything about the MP building? Has it been cleared from the toxin yet?
Heller: It's being cleared now.
Erwin: (nods) Thank you, sir.
Erwin heads out, and Levi runs after him.
Levi: I saw Logan and Rummings being taken away.
Erwin: Yes, and the MP building is being cleared now.
Erwin and Levi make their way over to the MP building, and they see piles and piles of dead bodies being taken out of the building due to the nerve gas. There they see Brianne with her squad staring at the dead bodies.
Levi: Kid!
Brianne looks back and is relieved to see Erwin and Levi. They all run to each other, and Erwin embraces Brianne first tightly.
Erwin: I'm so glad you're okay, Brianne.
Brianne: I'm fine. I'm glad you're okay too.
Erwin matches foreheads with Brianne, and he looks into her eyes.
Erwin: I love you so much, Brianne.
Brianne: I love you too, Erwin.
Brianne then looks at Levi, and she smiles. Erwin lets her go, and she hugs Levi tightly.
Brianne: Thanks for your help.
Levi: Couldn't have done it without you, kid. So, what are you gonna do now?
Brianne: I'm gonna go talk to Edgar's parents, and then we've gotta search for Tony.
Erwin: What do you mean search for him?
Brianne: He's gone. We went back into the ICU, but he wasn't there. The blanket was swept aside, and it looks like he just walked out of there on his own.
Levi: What do you think happened to him?
Brianne: I don't know. I hope nothing bad. Curtis told me he told Tony about what happened to Missy before the nerve gas went off. When Curtis went to check up on everyone else after the gas was taken care of, Tony disappeared. Who knows where he is or what he's doing.
Erwin: He must be grieving for Missy.
Levi: Want us to help you with anything?
Brianne: (shakes head) No, I'll be fine. Just wait for me at Cap's Pub, yeah?
Levi and Erwin nod, and they watch Brianne walk off. Niles notices Brianne, and he runs to her.
Niles: Brianne!
Brianne looks at Niles.
Niles: Are you okay? I heard you were in the building when the nerve gas was released.
Brianne: I'm fine.
Niles: (catches on quick) We...need to talk, don't we?
Brianne: Yeah.
Niles: (weakly) Looks like we gotta plan our wedding all over again.
Brianne: Niles...I have to be honest with you...
Niles is silent, waiting for Brianne to speak.
Brianne: I...I actually wasn't going to go through with it...the wedding.
Niles: What?
Brianne: I just...I couldn't...I can't do it, Niles. I can't marry you.
Niles: W-Why not?
Brianne is quiet.
Niles: Is it Erwin?
Brianne nods.
Niles: (sighs and scoffs) I was afraid of that.
Brianne: I'm sorry, Niles...I really am.
Niles: Yeah, I know. That baby...is it even mine?
Brianne: ...I don't know...
Niles is quiet.
Niles: Guess I just don't stand a chance against Erwin, huh?
Brianne doesn't answer, and Niles smiles.
Niles: You should go. It's fine. You should go to him...
When Brianne takes care of her business back at the MP building, she accepts the fact that Tony is gone to be by himself and that he'll need time to deal with the fact that Missy is dead. She heads over to Cap's Pub where she sees Levi, Erwin, and the gang drinking together before closing time. Brianne joins them, and the gang talks about their usual nonsense while Levi, Erwin, and Brianne sit at a separate booth to talk.
Erwin: How was everything?
Brianne: (sighs) Tony's gone. He's just gone.
Levi: Are you gonna try to look for him tomorrow?
Brianne: No. I'm sure he'll come back when he's ready. We're going to hold a funeral for everyone who's died today. There'll be a ceremony tomorrow, but the burial will be in a few days, maybe a few weeks. There's a lot of dead bodies, a lot of notices to be sent out, you know?
Levi: Yeah.
Brianne: So I need a place to stay. My dormitory was part of the section of the castle that was blown up.
Erwin: You can stay with me.
Brianne: Actually, I was hoping I could stay with you, Levi.
Levi: (surprised) You sure?
Brianne: Yeah.
Levi: Yeah, that's fine.
Erwin: Have you talked with Niles yet?
Brianne: Yeah, I have.
Erwin: ...how did it go?
Brianne: He let me go.
Levi: So it's done between you two?
Brianne: Yeah.
Erwin holds Brianne's hand, and she gives a tired weak smile.
Levi: Well, I'm gonna head out. I'll see you later tonight, alright?
Brianne: Alright.
Levi walks out of the pub, and so do Brianne and Erwin together. They walk out hand-in-hand, and they walk towards the park with the tall hill. Brianne feels as if she's in a dream, being together with Erwin the way they used to be when they were younger. Brianne's heart keeps telling her that she'll never let go of Erwin again, that she'll be greedy and keep him forever with her.
The love between Brianne and Erwin had occurred accidentally. She knows that another day will come when her love for Erwin will be tested again, and she doesn't have confidence in herself to deal with that time when it comes after such a wearisome day.
Erwin: You know, I got promoted to Captain today.
Brianne: Really?
Erwin: (nods) I've replaced Logan as Captain of the Survey Corps' 13th Legion.
Brianne: That's good news. You'll be a great captain.
Brianne can see Erwin is secretly very happy about his promotion, being able to be one step closer to his dream of leading his legion out beyond the Walls to search for foreign life.
Erwin: Everything can work out.
Brianne: What do you mean?
Erwin: Between us. We'll be okay, won't we?
Brianne: (not confident) Yeah...
Erwin knows how not confident Brianne sounds. Erwin walks backwards to look into Brianne's eyes while she walks normally looking up into Erwin's eyes.
Erwin: You know, I've been thinking, Brianne. I think this baby could be our second chance. I know there's a chance it might not be mine, but I don't care. I want to help you raise your baby. I love you, and I'll always take care of you.
Brianne: Thank you, Erwin.
Erwin: I love you so much, Brianne.
Brianne: (smiles shyly) I know. You already told me that.
Erwin: I know. Just...after what happened today, I was afraid that I lost you. I was frightened when you told me you were stuck in the MP building with the nerve gas released in there. I was afraid you were going to die, and it made me realize just...just how much I can't do without you. I just want to be with you all the time.
Brianne smiles, feeling her heart fluttering with Erwin's words of love for her. She's so happy right now listening to Erwin tell her how much he loves her while looking into her eyes the whole time. Brianne feels as if nothing can now stop her and Erwin's love for each other.