Chapter 10
Attack on Titan 2 Game OST - Strike Back of Thousand Wings
The Alpha Squad was moving in a tight formation. With Finn in the middle, Rico and Mitabi on the sides, and finally with Ian leading the charge. To make sure no one would recognize them, Ian ordered everyone to put on a cloak with a hood. It was a secret mission after all. No one was allowed to know what were they doing.
To make sure to go unnoticed, they stuck the wall. They had to avoid as much combat as possible. The quicker Finn seals the breach, the fewer Titans Garrison will have to deal with.
„We're close to the breach!" -Ian informed. Everyone looked ahead to a giant hole and a few Titans around it."Rico and Mitabi, go and distract the Titans. I and Broed will go and seal the breach."
„Roger!" -The two said and parted away.
Looking back at them, Finn couldn't help but feel guilty. He wished he could just transform and help them out.
„Focus on the mission, Cadet!" -Ian ordered."They're pros. Don't worry about them. The sooner We're done here, the quicker We can call back all the Cadets. Don't you have anyone you care about?" -Finn nodded. He had people he cared about.
„Yes, Sir!" -Finn said firmly.
„Good! Now go and seal the breach." -Ian ordered."I'll cover your back! GO!"
Launching another hook, Finn threw himself forward. He went past Ian and landed on the wall, just above the breach. Looking around, he noticed two Titans that were heading his way. But Ian was quick to attack them and managed to kill one.
„Alright, Finn….You can do it." -He told himself."You're stronger now, and you won't pass out."
Placing his hand on the Wall, Finn took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and focused on the task at hand. As he opened his eyes, Finn tightens his grip on the wall. Suddenly, white sharp spikes were erected from the ground and the inside of the broken gate. The spikes completely blocked the hole to the point where even the smallest Titan wouldn't be able to get past it.
„There…" -Finn said with a heavy sigh. Despite being stronger now, using hardening was still taxing. The fact that he wasn't used to using it was also a problem."Now, let's go and help out the rest!"
Finn charged at the nearest Titan. Narrowingly avoiding being grabbed, Finn circled the Titan until he saw its name. Hooking onto it, Finn charged and slice it. Landing on the nearest building, he saw how Titan fell to the ground.
„You don't have to suffer anymore." -He said sadly. Finn wished that there was a better way to help those poor Eldians.'Maybe one day…'
Ian, Mitabi, and Rico landed next to Finn. They stared at the now plugged hole. Finn joined them and admired his work.
„You actually did it…" -Rico said in disbelief. She thought that Commander Pixis was exaggerating about the Cadet's abilities. Despite feeling a bit wary around him, she couldn't help but feel thankful toward him."By the walls…"
„Yeah…" -Mitabi agreed, feeling a cold sweat down his spine.'Damn…This whole thing about this kid being a test subject is real. With this kind of power, We can destroy all the Titans…'
„The Mission was successful!" -Ian declared with a smirk."Now We have to get back and relay the information. The plan from there will be simple. Get the Titans close to the Walls and blast them one by one."
„Then let's head out." -Rico said, and everyone nodded.
Ost end
Going back, Finn heard a scream from a distance. He immediately recognized. It was Armin's scream.
„Armin?!" -Finn exclaimed and went toward the source of the scream.
„Hey! Where are you going?!" -Mitaba shouted after Finn.
„Dammit…Whatever, let him go." -Ian decided, surprising his comrades.
„What are you talking about?" -Rico asked bewildered."He can't just leave like that?!"
„Considering what he just did, I think We own him." -Ian explained."Without him, We would never be able to seal the breach this quick. He saved a lot of lives, you know." -He paused and watched as Finn was slowly disappearing."Seems like that scream belonged to his friend. Let him be…"
Though Rico wasn't agreeing with Ian, she knew that he was right. Without Finn, more lives would have been lost. Now they can kill all Titans without unnecessary sacrifices. They owned him big time.
„Tch, it's your call." -Rico huffed.'I wouldn't personally take my eyes off him just yet. I admit, he did save a lot of lives, but that doesn't mean he's not dangerous.'
Going as fast as his ODM gear allowed him, Finn followed Armin's scream. He found him quickly, on his knees, crying. Armin didn't even realize that he wasn't alone anymore. Placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, Finn saw how Armin jumped and tried to ran away.
„Armin! It's me, calm down!" -Finn grabbed Armin by his shoulders. The Blonde boy was trying to get away."It's Finn! Armin, stop moving!"
„Finn…?" -Armin stopped and looked at Finn. He stared at his friend with blank eyes."When did you…?"
„I heard you screaming. What happened?" -Finn asked calmly. He knew that something terrible must have happened for Armin to be in such a state. He looked around and saw a torn arm lying next to them."Where is your squad? Weren't you with Eren?"
„…" -Armin looked down, tears streaming down his cheeks. Finn's eyes widened in shock."Eren…He was…"
„You don't have to say anything else…." -Finn said, his voice empty. He squeezed Armin's shoulders, making him look at him."How did that Did Titan look like? Where did it go?"
„What? Why do you want to know…" -Armin asked, fearing the answer.
„I'm gonna find it and kill it." -Finn said gravely. Sadness, regret, and anger were visible in his eyes.
„You can't! You'll die!" -Armin protested. He already lost one friend, he didn't want to lose another one."Please! We have to retreat!"
„You do that. Now, how did it look like?!" -Finn demanded, shaking Armin in the process."Where did it go?"
„I….uh….It looked like an old man with a beard." -Armin explained with a defeated tone."Not sure, but I think it went west from here…."
„How much gas do you have?" -Finn asked, taking his hands away.
„About half or something…" -Armin said dejectedly.'Why…? Why can't We just retreat together?'
„Alright…Go and look for the other." -Finn said and turned away."I won't be too far behind…"
„Why can't you just come with me?" -Armin asked, not understanding."Don't you care about what Annie might feel if you die?"
„I do…But I can't let it go." -Finn replied with determination."Please, just go…"
„What about Mikasa?" -Finn feared that question. He had no idea how to tell Mikasa that Eren was dead.
„I'm sorry for putting this on you, Armin." -Finn said, staring into a distance."But right now, I'm the only person who can avenge his death." -With those words, he left Armin and went after the Titan that ate Eren.
„Dammit…Why…Why am I so weak?" -Armin asked himself, watching Finn leave. Looking down at the street, he saw a few Titans eating some of the Cadets he knew. If he stayed, the same will happen to him."Shit…"
'I still have some gas left…' -Finn thought while jumping to another roof.
Not wanting to waste more gas, he opted to jump from roof to roof. Only using little gas to propel himself forward. Any Titan he came across was ignored. All he cared about now was killing that one Titan.
Just thinking about it made Finn remember the good old times with his best friend. He couldn't believe he was dead. He didn't want to. But he knew better. There was no point in trying to think like that. It'd only hurt Finn more.
He was hoping that Armin left to rejoin with the other Cadets. Finn couldn't turn back now, he had to push forward. Just like Eren wanted. When he's done with his mission, Finn will go and explore the world beyond the walls.
Narrowing his eyes, Finn located a Titan fitting Armin's description. Gritting his teeth, Finn jumped and pressed the trigger on his ODM gear. With loud 'swoosh', he charged at the unexpecting Titan. As he was about to slice the nape, something shocking happened. An arm came out of Titan's mouth. Finn had to stop himself and land on the Titan's nape. He watched in shock and horror as blood spews everywhere.
Noticing that the Titan was about to fall, Finn quickly jumped away and landed on a roof next to him. Staring in disbelief, the Titan has suddenly ripped apart from the inside. With a gasp, Finn saw another Titan emerging from the now-dead Titan. Finn was not sure what was going on at this point. Then, he noticed its features and knew that this was a typical Titan or an abnormal. It was a shifter, like Finn himself.
„What the hell? There are more shifters?" -Finn said in disbelief.'So Marley send more?'
ROAR.
Finn had to cover his ear from the Titan's scream. He saw that the Titan looked at him.
„Shit…" -Finn cursed and prepared himself for combat.
But instead, the Titan shifter ignored him and turned its eyes on an incoming Titan. It was a 4-meter class Titan that was walking on all four. For an unknown reason, the pure Titan was focused on the Shifter. Out of blue, the pure Titan jumped like a frog toward the Shifter. With a loud growl, the shifter launched its fist the pure Titan. Upon contact, the pure Titan's head went flying with its body hitting the ground.
„Why did the Shifter attack it?" -Finn wondered."Wasn't that their idea to start this whole thing? And why did the Shifter ignored me? I saw him, so why risk it? The shifter should have come after me first." -He watched how the Shifter was slowly moving away, making Finn glanced at the now steaming corpse of a Titan."Eren…I'm so sorry…Perhaps I should have transformed back then. Maybe this wouldn't have happened."
Finn knew what he had to do. For now, he'll follow the Shifter around. Once he runs out of energy, he'll cut him out. At least the sacrifices made today won't go in vain. Paying one final respect, Finn followed the Shifter that was fighting against Titans.
Annie was getting impatient. Most of the cadets gathered in one place due to the lack of gas. Almost everyone was here. But Finn was nowhere in sight. Holding her arms, she aggressively tapped her foot.
„Don't get so worked up, Annie." -Reiner said with a tired sigh."I'm pretty sure your boyfriend is alright."
„I don't know what are you talking about…" -She growled at him.
„I'm not stupid, you know?" -Reiner said annoyed."I know you and Finn are hanging out again."
„So? Even if We do, what is it to you?" -Annie shot back.
„If this helps in your cover, then it's fine by me." -Reiner said with a shrug."But don't forget about our mission. That's the priority."
„Yeah, the mission…Well, it seems like your plan didn't work." -Annie stated with a snort."No sight of the target. What's your next plan, huh?"
„We stick with our main plan. Get to MP, then plan from there." -Reiner explained with a groan."I don't see coming up with a plan yourself."
„Because you're the self-proclaimed leader." -She retorted, narrowing her eyes at him."I'm just following orders."
„Guys, stop." -Bertholdt said with worry."Bickering won't help us at all."
„No one asked you, Hoover." -Annie snorted, making Bertholdt look down.
„No need to be harsh, Annie." -Reiner felt bad for his friend. He knew that despite Annie being with Finn, Bertholdt still had a crush on her."Anyway, let's focus on getting back safely."
Suddenly, they heard chatter and saw that Cadets were talking about Mikasa. She came, despite an order to go with the Rear Guard. They were asking a ton of questions, but she just ignored them all. She was looking around, and Annie knew who was she looking for.
„Annie!" -Mikasa called, and Annie cursed mentally. Despite not being her friend, she did feel bad for her. Judging from Armin's expression, she knew Eren's fate."I know that in our current situation it selfish of me to ask, but…Have you seen Eren's Squad?"
„No, I'm sorry…" -Annie said, not looking her in the eyes."I don't suppose you know where Finn is?"
„No…" -She replied, having bad feelings. Mikasa knew about Annie and Finn being together.
„We found Armin, he's over there." -Reiner informed, pointing at the broken boy sitting by a window.'Shit…This is my fault. I know it for the mission's sake, but…No, they're demons. Focus, Reiner.'
„Armin!" -Mikasa called and rushed to her friend.
'Mikasa…No! How can I tell her about what happened to Eren?!' -Armin thought, panicking.'Why didn't I die? I'm so weak…'
„Armin!" -Mikasa called again, this time her tone was more gentle. She kneeled in front of him and put her hand on his."Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you? Where is Eren?" -Armin immediately lifted his head, showing how he was crying. Mikasa froze when she saw his eyes.
„They were Cadets of squad 34." -Armin choked."Thomas Wagner… Mylius Zeramuski… Nac Tias… Mina Carolina…" -Annie winced after hearing that name."Eren Yeager…These brave five upheld their duties…They died valiantly in the field of battle!" -Everyone was distraught."I'm sorry, Mikasa…It should have been me…Eren died saving me…"
„Armin…calm yourself. We don't have time for you to get emotional." -Mikasa said in an empty voice. Even Annie was shocked by this."On your feet." -Armin did so, staring at Mikasa in disbelief."If We eliminate or bypass the Titans of HQ, We can there refuel our gear; allowing us to get back over the wall." -She explained while walking to the edge of the roof."Am I correct?"
„Well, yeah, sure." -Marco replied."But there are too many Titans. Even with you on point."
„I can do it!" -She declared, raising her sword high."I'm strong. Real strong. None of you come close! Do you hear me?! I am a Warrior!" -Everyone stared at her in shock."Know this, I have the power to slay all of the Titans that block our path! Even if I have to do it alone." -She pointed her sword at them. Even Annie felt a bit unease."As far as I'm concern, I'm surrounded by nothing but a coward and unskilled worms! You can just sit here and watch how it's done!" -Everyone was against the idea. Saying how it was a suicide mission."Then I die…But if I win, I live. And the only way to win is to fight!"
With those words, she left and charged toward HQ. Everyone just stares at her leaving them. Annie didn't want to move. If there was a chance that Finn would show up, she'd rather wait. But something inside her said that she needs to go. Perhaps there was a chance of Finn being at HQ? Trapped, with no way of escaping. She wanted to believe that. Which is why she followed Mikasa's lead.
„Hey! Wait up, Annie!" -Reiner said with no result. Annie was quick to leave them.'Dammit…Fine, I guess We're in this together. One way or another.'
„You sure like killing Titans, I'll give you that." -Finn commented with a snort."I guess there is a reason why you're called the Attack Titan…" -It was a natural conclusion. After all, there only Nine Titans, and all of them must be in Marley's control.
Whoever the shifter was, he or she was hell-bent on killing Titans. Finn still didn't understand what was the reason behind it. In all honesty, the shifter was helping them. If this keeps up, then they won't have to even lift a finger. Though, there was something off. It was almost as if the shifter wasn't fully in control. The way he acted seems…primal almost.
So far shifter killed at least 10 Titans alone. The Attack Titan wasn't showing any sign of slowing down. Finn had only 1/3 of his gas left. From a distance, he could see the Trost HQ. But even from here, Finn could see that it was overrun with Titans.
„I hope that everyone was is okay." -Finn said, thinking of Annie. He knew that she wouldn't go down easy, but then again no Cadet had experience in fighting Titans.
Landing on a rooftop, Finn saw how Attack Titan was slowly talking through a narrow path between buildings. Looking down at the street, Finn's eyes widened. It was Mikasa, she was standing before a Titan. Why wasn't she moving away?
The Attack Titan was moving toward the pure Titan. Mikasa looked as if she wanted to fight, but her sword was broken. The pure Titan wanted to snatch Mikasa, but the Attack Titan punched it straight in the face. The pure Titan was send flying, as Mikasa was pushed to the side. Without wasting any more time, Finn quickly jumped down and rushed to grab Mikasa. After grabbing her, they quickly made it back to the rooftop.
„Mikasa?! Are you alright?!" -Finn asked, making sure that he didn't hurt her by accident.
„Finn…? Where did you come from?" -Mikasa asked surprised. She was happy that at least her other friend was alive. Then, Armin and Connie landed next to them.
„Are you alright?" -Connie asked, surprised to see Finn."Dude, you're alive!"
„Thank goodness…" -Armin said with relief."Did you managed to…?"
„No, I'm sorry." -Finn apologized and turned his gaze at the Attack Titan."We have bigger problems."
„Crap! You're right! Two 15-meter class Titans!" -Connie exclaimed.
„No…That one is different." -Mikasa said, referring to the Titan with pointy ears. What they saw next shocked them. The Titan with pointy tears ballowed its fight in front of its face."It's known the basics of hand-to-hand combat?!"
„Whatever. It's probably another abnormal." -Connie snorted."Come on, We have to go!"
„Wait! Mikasa's tanks are empty!" -Armin said quickly, causing Mikasa to look down."We can't just leave her!"
„What?! How are We suppose to clear the HQ now?" -Connie inquired, gritting his teeth.
„Here…" -Armin offered his own tanks to Mikasa.
„Wait, Armin!" -Mikasa tried to stop him.
„It's alright. You need it more than me." -Armin said with a small smile. Finn looked at him sadly."Please, use it more sparingly. Everything is riding on you now. Same with you, Finn."
„Armin…" -Mikasa said, shell-shocked.' It's my fault. I made everyone follow me without thinking about their lives. I'm so ashamed of myself…Eren…You'd be disappointed with me now…'
„Your ODM gear is good to go. Same with the blades." -Armin informed."Just leave me this one. It…It's just that I want this to end me. Not a Titan." -Mikasa took the broken blade and threw it away."Why?! Why did you do it?!" -He was suddenly smacked in the head by Finn.
„Don't even think like that!" -Finn said seriously."You're not expendable. Do you hear me?!"
„We're not leaving you behind." -Mikasa said firmly, putting her hand on Armin's shoulder.
„Same here." -Connie agreed with a nod."We'll carry you if We have to."
„This doesn't make sense! You can't fight and carry me at the same time?!" -Armin protested.
„Maybe We won't have to." -Finn said, catching their attention."I have an idea…"