Chapter 9
Attack on Titan: Original Soundtrack I - Daily Life | High Quality | Hiroyuki Sawano
Letting a loud yawn, Finn climbed to the top of the wall. Today, he and his friends were on cleaning duty. Their job was to maintain the cannons and make sure that they work properly. For some reason, Finn had a strange feeling in his gut. Today, the Survey Corp was going on another expedition. Meaning that the only Regiment capable of killing Titans will be absent.
In the past two years, Finn and the Survey Corp were unable to locate the Founder. Same with the Colossal and Armor Titan shifters. Despite their best efforts, it was as if they didn't exist. Finn found nothing suspicious about the Cadets in the Training Corps. Erwin's spies were not able to find any documents or anything that would help them pinpoint the identity of the Founding Titan. Their hard work yielded nothing.
„What?! What the hell do you mean, you're joining the Scouts?!" -Eren exclaimed in disbelief."What happened to the MP? That was your whole thing!"
„Don't worry about it. I'm allowed to change my mind." -Connie replied while cleaning the Cannon with a rag.
„I think it's because of your little speech yesterday." -Mina explained with a smile. Connie turned and glared at her with a small blush.
„Ain't nobody talking to you!" -He said, irritated."His temper tantrum had nothing to do with it."
„Take it easy. It's not like you're the only one." -Thomas said, chuckling.
„Are you serious?" -Eren couldn't believe it.
„Look at you! If you keep this up, then maybe one day You'll be a Captain!" -Finn teased with a big grin.
„Cut it out." -Eren said annoyed.'Captain Yeager? Has a nice ring to it.'
„So you're still going with the MP, huh?" -Mina asked Finn."Wanna be next to Annie, right?"
„Eh? Where did you get that idea?" -Finn asked with a blush.
„Even I can see that you two have a thing." -Connie said with a smirk."Though, I'm not sure what do you see in her. No offense, of course."
„Whatever…" -Finn said, looking away. He then saw Sasha walking toward them."Oh, hey Sasha."
„Can you guys keep a secret?" -Sasha asked, and everyone saw that she was hiding something beneath her uniform. She showed them that she was hiding a large piece of meat."Because I totally helped myself to the officer's pantry!"
„Seriously! They can throw you out if they find out!" -Eren exclaimed, his jaw hit the ground.
„What's wrong with you?" -Thomas asked in utter bewilderment.
„That's Sasha for you." -Finn said with a grin."The plan worked, I guess."
„Hold on! You're in this too?" -Connie asked shocked. Everyone stared Finn in confusion."I understand why Sasha would do that, but you?"
„Come on! We deserve something better for our hard work." -Finn said seriously."Besides, they won't find out if you guys keep it quiet."
„Don't worry, We're going to share with you." -Sasha promised, drooling at the thought of a good meal."Can you imagine sandwiches?! Huuuuuu…."
„You know that meat is rare since Wall Maria." -Mina said worriedly. She couldn't believe that Finn and Sasha managed to pull this off.
„Yeah, sure, but look at it this way." -Sasha said and quickly hid the meat."As soon as We get our lands back, We can grow more livestock. Think of it as an early celebration."
„Dammit! Alright, save some for me." -Thomas said with determination.
„Same here! If he gets a slice, then so am I." -Connie said with a huge grin.
„Yeah! I want to have some too!" -Mina said with a nod.
„Don't forget, Sasha. I'm getting a big slice for distracting the guards." -Finn reminded, and Potato girl nodded with a grin.'I bet Annie will be shocked! Can't wait to see her expression!'
„You're unbelievable, you know…" -Eren said tiredly. Looking at the Trost District, Eren smiled with confidence.'Has it really been five years? Look at us… Ready to stand tall again. We can do it! Mankind didn't start this fight, but We're going to end it…!'
BOOM
-Ost cut-
Everyone turned to see the Colossal Titan face bearing its eyes on them. They all stared in utter shock and disbelief at what was happening.
'No! Not again!' -Finn thought, gritting his teeth.'Why?! Why now?!'
Suddenly, everyone was blasted off by a large explosion of steam. Reacting quickly, they managed to hook themselves to the wall. Then, they gasped at the sight of a hole beneath them. It was the same thing that happened five years ago.
„They're gonna get in again!" -Connie exclaimed, voice filled with panic."They'll get in!"
'Dammit! What the hell are they thinking?!' -Finn thought, looking at the Colossal Titan hand clutching the top of the wall.' Don't tell me they want to provoke the Founder? Is that their plan?!'
„This is it, people! Fight or die!" -Eren exclaimed and detached himself from the wall. Firing another hook, he went flying toward the Colossal Titan."Mount the Cannons! This is our chance! Don't let it slip away!"
„Eren, stop! What the fuck are you going?!" -Finn shouted and went after him. Landing next to his friend, Finn saw how Colossal Titan was staring at them."Dammit, Eren! What are you doing?!"
„It's now or never!" -Eren shouted and charged at the enemy.
Cursing, Finn rushed after his suicidal friend. Seeing the Colossal Titan brings his long and massive arm. Eren and Finn quickly jumped away to avoid being swapped like insects. What they saw shocked them. Colossal Titan wasn't aiming at them, but instead at the Cannons. With one swift motion, the Cannons were destroyed.
„What?! He's intelligent?!" -Eren shouted in shock.
„Eren! We can't fight him like this!" -Finn shouted to his friend. He propelled himself toward Eren, narrowingly avoiding Colossal Titan's massive hand."We have to distract it! Buy some time for reinforcement!"
„Dammit!" -Eren snarled and followed Finn's lead.
'I could try and transform…That would take the shifter by surprise.' -Finn thought, hooking onto Colossal Titan's shoulder and pulling himself forward.'No! I can't do it with Eren flying around. It's too risky. This would also blow my cover…Fuck!'
Eren grew tired with just distracting Colossal Titan. There was no reinforcement coming and their friends were nowhere to be seen. He had to finish this. No matter what, The Colossal Titan will not escape this time.
„Eren, stop!" -Finn shouted, seeing Eren going for the Titan's nape.'Dammit! He's gonna get blasted by the steam!'
Quickly running along the Colossal Titan arm, Finn rushed toward Eren who was trying to stay hooked on. The steam was becoming unbearable to him, though. He felt like he was going to pass out. But he had to push himself forward. Eren couldn't let the Titan continue to rampage like that.
„Just a little bit more!" -Eren said with a dry voice. He couldn't even breathe properly. Suddenly, he felt someone pulling him."Eh? Finn?! What are you doing?!"
„I could ask you the same thing!" -Finn yelled at him."What are you thinking, you suicidal idiot?!"
Suddenly, in a poof of smoke, the Colossal Titan has vanished. There was no trace of the behemoth, only a cloud of smoke. Finn was quickly looking around, trying to pinpoint the shifter. No such luck there. Because of the smoke, Finn was unable to locate the shifter.
„What the hell?! I almost had that!" -Eren yelled in frustration. Being so close to getting his revenge, Eren could take it anymore."Why did you stop me?!"
„No! That's not how are going to talk!" -Finn snarled at Eren.
They quickly got to the top of the wall. Without a warning, Finn punched Eren in the face. Eren, who was taken by surprise, hit the ground hard.
„What the hell?!" -Eren demanded while nursing his cheek.
„You stupid suicidal bastard!" -Finn yelled."What the fuck were you even thinking?! Going off and trying to kill the Colossal Titan by yourself?! Are you that dumb?!"
„I saw the opening and I took it!" -Eren defended himself. He got on back on his feet and stared his friend down."Without the Colossal, Titans are nothing! You could have helped instead of stopping me!"
„Help you?! In what exactly? Getting burned to death?" -Finn countered, getting tired of his Friend behavior."You'd be dead without my intervention! You're not even a member of the Survey Corps! Do you even think about how We'd feel, huh?!" -He screamed at his face."Think about Mikasa! How would she feel if you would die?!" -Eren looked away after hearing that.
„Guys!" -Connie called."This isn't the time! We have a breach! It's only a matter of time before Titans get here!"
' He's right…We can't afford to lose our time here.' -Finn thought with a nod.' I could patch up the hole, but not with them here. Fuck…What their game in here?'
„Stay sharp, soldiers!" -Suddenly, a Garrison Soldier appeared."Operation Colossal Titan's response is in the effect! I expect you to take part. Report to HQ! If you got close to that thing We need details!"
The sound of a bell rung across the city, the echoes of scared civilians filled the streets. Just like five years ago, the people were terrified. But thanks to the quick response of soldiers, the civilians were able to evacuate in an orderly fashion.
The Garrison was quick in setting up barricades as well as placing a giant net to cover the breach. Using the remaining Cannons, they used them to slow down the incoming Titans. But even the Cannons had their limit. Those who were brave enough used their ODM to charge and kill as many Titans as possible.
[Trost HQ]
Dot Pixis was the Garrison's Highest Ranking Commander. Though, He was often simply addressed as "commander". Pixis was a bald man with a structured build. He had a distinguished mustache, with light skin and notable wrinkles under his eyes. As a high ranking Garrison officer, he was only seen wearing his Garrison uniform paired with a white button-up shirt and a red sash with gold trim.
He was tasked with keeping an eye on things during the Survey Corps absence. Pixis was a member of the Trust Circle. He knew the truth about the Walls and the outside world. Despite being an eccentric man, he could have been trusted with something this important.
„We're quite a predicament." -Pixis said while curling his mustache.
„Yes, Sir." -Finn agreed. They were both in Pixis's office, alone. With nobody around, they could talk freely.
„What are your thoughts, Soldier?" -Pixis asked, turning his gaze from the window to Finn.
„I believe they wanted to provoke the Founder." -Finn explained."But as We can see, this didn't work. There is no sign of the Founding Titan."
„True, True…" -Pixis agreed with a nod. Taking a flask from his pocket, he took a sip."Want some?"
„Sir, I hardly believe this is a time for something like that." -Finn deadpanned. What was Commander thinking?
„Oh, believe me, I've drunk for most of my life. I don't get drunk that easily." -Pixis said with a chuckle."Anyway, If I remember right, You're capable of this 'hardening', right? Something that could perhaps plug the breach?"
„Yes, Sir." -Finn nodded."I can plug the breach, but I need somebody to distract the Titans."
„Good. Very well, I appoint a team that will escort you to the breach." -Pixis said with a smirk."Once the hole is plugged, We're going to use the Wall Cannons to eradicate the Titans within Trost. A simple plan."
'Easier said than done.' -Finn thought with a small sigh.
„I'll inform the Garrison about a slight change in plan." -Pixis said, and Finn nodded."It's best if you go back before anyone gets suspicious."
„Yes, Sir!" -Finn saluted and left the office. On his way, he saw Annie leaning on a wall in a courtyard.
„Hey, are you alright?" -Annie asked, seeing Finn walking to her.
„Yeah, it's nothing serious." -Finn said with a small smile. He and Eren were sent to the infirmary after their contact with Colossal Titan. They had minor burns that were not serious. While Eren left, he stayed and went to meet with Pixis."Did I miss the speech?"
„Yeah, but it's nothing too important." -She said and explained it briefly."This means We're going to be Titan fodder…Why couldn't We are in Wall Sina already? At least We wouldn't have to be dealing with this…"
„I know, but it can't be helped." -Finn said with a sigh. He could see that Annie was both angry and worried."Hey, We'll be alright."
„I don't know." -She said dejectedly."The reason why I want to be an MP is to get away from this sort of thing. I just want peaceful life…That's all."
„I know that." -He said kindly."When We're done here, how about We go on a date?"
„Huh? A date?" -She asked surprised.' That's right…We've never been on one of those.'
„Yeah, I think that will be fun." -Finn said with a warm smile."Do you want to go on a date with me?"
„I, um, yeah…" -She said shyly. Despite being together for two years, she was still a tad bit shy about things like that."I'd love to."
„Then it's settled." -Finn said with a big grin."By the way, what team are you on?"
„I'm in a team with Reiner, Bertholdt, Jean, Marco, and few other cadets." -She replied with a shrug. Annie didn't really care about any of her teammates. Even the Warriors. She would prefer to be on a team with Finn instead."But I don't know about your team, though."
„Probably with some random cadets." -Finn shrugged.
„Just remember; don't risk your life." -Annie reminded. She had a sad expression on her face."Don't be a hero."
„I'll try…" -Finn said, but Annie didn't seem to like that answer."Everything will be alright."
„Promise…Promise me that you'll come back." -She looked at him in the eyes. Finn saw pain, sadness, and worry in them.
„I promise you that I'll come back to you." -Finn said, looking deeply into her eyes. After making sure that nobody was watching, He kissed her in the forehead."I love you, Annie…"
Staring at him with wide eyes, Annie's heart skips a beat. Despite hearing it before, this one felt different for her. It meant more hearing it now than before. Perhaps it was because there was a chance of Finn dying? She didn't even want to think. Annie did her best to push those thoughts away.
„I love you too." -Annie said with a small smile.
Mikasa was watching how Eren and Jean were arguing again. She was extremely worried about Eren. Especially after she heard that he engaged the Colossal Titan. She didn't want to lose him. There so many things that she wanted to tell him. She wanted to be near him; to make sure that he won't die.
„Ereh…Can We talk for a moment?" -Mikasa asked with worry.
„Yeah, did something happen?" -He asked and saw the worry in her eyes."Are you okay?"
„Yes, I am. I just wanted to tell you that if something happens, come and find me." -Mikasa said, and Eren looked at her confused.
„But We're in totally different squads." -Eren reminded.
„I know, but anything can go wrong." -Mikasa said, looking down."So please…Find me."
„Dammit, Mikasa! This isn't the time! Get a hold of yourself!" -Eren yelled at her. This wasn't really a time for something like this. Humanity's future was in the jeopardy right now.
„I can't lose you too…" -Mikasa whispered, tears appearing in the corners of her eyes. Eren's eyes widened in shock. Last time she saw her crying was after he saved her from kidnappers.
„Mikasa, listen…" -Eren said gently."I know that you're worried. But right now, We're the only ones who can stop this. We can't hide and let these Monsters destroy us." -He paused and put his hand on her shoulder."I'll come back to you, alright? I promise."
„Ereh…" -She said surprised. There was a faint blush on her face that made Eren feel fuzzy.
„Listen, We have to go. Humanity depends on us!" -Eren said quickly, trying to focus."We'll see each other after this is over."
„Okay…" -She said quietly, trying to hide her blush.
Later, Finn was ordered to meet his team on a rooftop, few buildings away from the HQ. Making sure not to be seen, he carefully made his way to the meeting spot. Landing on a rooftop, he saw three Garrison members; two males and one female.
„So you're the Soldier that Commander Pixis told us about." -One of the said."Name's Ian Dietrich. This is Mitabi Jarnach and Rico Brzenska." -The two only stared at Finn."We're heard about your 'special' case. Can you do it?"
„Yes, Sir!" -Finn said firmly.
„Good. You're now part of the Alpha Squad." -Ian informed."Remember to follow our orders. All you have to do is to seal the breach. Leave the rest to us. Got it?" -Finn nodded."Good. The operation; seal the breach, begins!"