Chapter 11
Annie let out a sigh of relief as all Cadets managed to get inside the HQ. Looking around, she was hoping to see Finn. But sadly, he was nowhere to be seen. She clenched her fist in anger. She glared at Reiner, who just ignored and decided to lean against a desk. Annie wanted to punch him in the face, but she stopped. She saw how Jean picked up a Cadet, who hiding below the desk, and punched him in the face. Marco had to hold him back.
„Jean! Stop!" -Marco pleaded, trying his best to stop Jean.
„You Cowards!" -Jean snarled."You've left us on our own! People are dead because you didn't have the guts to do your job!"
„Titans were coming at us from every angle!" -A female Cadet came to her friend, trying to protect him."They've overrun the supply room, okay?!"
„It's your job to deal with it and back us up anyway!" -Jean snapped back. Suddenly, they heard something. It was getting louder and closer.
„Everyone, get down!" -Someone yelled, and suddenly a wall at the end of the room exploded.
Few Cadets were blown away, hitting the floor hard. Everyone saw two Titans staring at them. Because of their fear, many Cadets booked it off, running away as fast as they could. Only a handful of Cadets stayed, some ready to fight, while the others too scared to run.
'This…This is it. This is the reality…' -Jean thought as Titans were staring at him, ready to eat. Time seemed to slow down as Jean saw a giant fist hitting the Titans right in front of him."What the?!"
Jean just saw a Titan hitting their own. He stared at the Titan in utter disbelief and shock. On top of it, Jean heard a window crashing next to him. He saw that Mikasa, Finn, Armin, and Connie made it back.
„Shit, I was actually running on fumes!" -Connie said with a laugh. He knocks on his tank and it was now empty."I don't know how We made it, but We did!"
„Sure We did." -Finn agreed with a smile. He scanned the room and saw Annie. Their eyes met at last. Though he knew that she was relieved to see him, Annie was also angry.
„Thank the Walls…" -Armin said, ready to kiss the floor beneath him.
„Hey! Check it out!" -Connie suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the Titan outside of HQ."We found an abnormal who's got a bone to pick with other Titans! And the best part- He could care less about us!"
„Listen to yourself! A Titan is not going to help us." -Jean tried to reason with Connie."You're out of your mind if that's going to work."
„It is working." -Mikasa interjected."For whatever reason, It's rampaging against them; stand back and let It do fight them."
„Mikasa's right." -Finn agreed with a nod."Not like We have any other choice. That Titan is our only way to survive, right now." -They watched how the Abnormal Titan was wrecking its own kind."Might as well catch our breath. We don't know when We're going to fight again."
As other Cadets moved down, Finn and Annie remained on the upper floors. They wanted a moment to themselves. Annie practically dragged him to an office nearby. At first, Finn was expecting to get hit by Annie. But to his surprise, She pulled him into a deep kiss. She then punched him in the guts.
„Okay…I deserve that…" -Finn agreed while wrapping his arms around his belly.
„You bet you do!" -Annie said harshly."Do you have any idea how worried I was? I thought that you're dead. Where were you? What happened to your squad?"
„They are dead…." -Finn lied, not looking her in the eyes."Only I made it back. When I was trying to retreat, I found Armin…"
„Armin? Why didn't you go with him?" -She questioned, confused.
„He…He told me what happened to Eren." -He answered truthfully. Annie saw the pain in his eyes."In anger…I went after the Titan that ate him…"
„…" -Annie wanted to punch him again. But seeing how much he was hurting, she decided not to do it. If it was Finn who was eaten, she'd probably do the same. Pulling him into a gentle hug, she said."I'm so sorry…"
„That's when I ran into this abnormal Titan." -He continued. Annie was listening closely. She was curious about the Titan herself. Why would It attacks its own kind?"So I decided to follow it for a bit, then I found Mikasa and the others."
„That was reckless…" -She said with a worried tone."That the creature could've turned against you…"
„I know, but I wanted to understand why…Why would It attack its own?" -Finn explained, earning a tired sigh from Annie."Sorry for making you worry like that…"
„At least We won't have to worry about it once this is over." -Annie said after ending the hug."Let's just get the gas and get out of here."
„Right." -Finn nodded.'Shit…I gotta find a way to capture that Shifter. Can't just head back as nothing happened. This is the moment We've been looking for…'
After joining the rest, Finn and Annie were briefed with a plan that Armin came up with. It was simple really. Lower the Cadets via the lift, and let them distract Titans with muskets. Once blinded, the seven most skilled Cadets will strike Titans napes. It was a great strategy.
Fortunately, it did work. Everyone did their part, and now, they could rejoice. Everyone restocked their weapons and gas. They were ready to leave at any moment. But they all needed a moment.
„Remember calling me a leader?" -Jean asked Marco. He nodded."Don't ever call me like that."
„Don't take this the wrong way, but I think that you're a leader because you know what's like to be weak." -Marco explained with a smile."You're scared, like all of us. You can understand us and thanks to that you made a good call. We're alive thanks to you." -He put his hand on Jean's hand."We'll make it back together. Alright?"
„Yeah…" -Jean agreed, hiding his blush.
Once everyone was ready, they rushed out and went for the Wall. But some Cadets remained. Armin saw Mikasa and Finn standing on a roof, looking at something. Joining them on the roof, Armin gasped. The Abnormal that helped them was being eaten by other Titans. Why were they eating the Abnormal? There was never a case of cannibalism among the Titans.
„What?! Cannibalism?" -Armin was shocked."It can't regenerate like the others?"
„Let's just leave it!" -Jean said to everyone."That Abnormal did its job. We can go!"
„We shouldn't." -Reiner protested, surprising everyone."It would have been a waste to let go of a Titan that's fighting with its own kind. We can learn a lot from it"
„As much as I hate it, Reiner's right." -Annie reluctantly agreed. Finn was taken back by that. Wasn't she the one telling him that it was reckless to get close to a Titan?"Think about it, Jean. It's better to use a rouge Titan than waste cannons."
„Are you guys out of your mind?!" -Jean yelled at them."We have a path out of this nightmare, and you want to stay?!"
„They're right." -Finn nodded."It's going to be dangerous, but We have to fend off the attackers." -He looked at the Attack Titan.'I don't want to bring them into this…I really don't, but I might not have much of a choice."
„Do you hear yourself?" -Jean stared at Finn in disbelief."That thing is not our new friend!"
Suddenly, they spotted another Titan coming. That sudden appearance triggers the Abnormal Titan. It ripped itself from the captors and charged at the incoming Titan. Despite losing its arms, the Abnormal managed to lift the Titan by its neck. Everyone gasped, seeing how the Abnormal used the Titan as a weapon to smash a 5-meter class Titan. Then, with an impressive force, the Abnormal threw the Titan in its mouth at the Titan next to it. Both Titans went straight through the building.
„Holy shit…" -Jean muttered under his nose."What the fuck is with this Titan…"
„Gotta admit it…That Abnormal is quite impressive." -Finn said and everyone agreed.
'So…It's a shifter.' -Reiner thought, watching the Titan roaring into the sky.'But it's not the Founder. Whoever it is…He or she might be of use to us…'
„Shit…" -Finn cursed, seeing the Attack Titan fell to the ground.'Great…The shifter is going to get out now. I wonder who it might be…?'
Everyone saw that the Abnormal Titan nape was letting out steam. They saw a figure partially attached to the flesh of a Titan. It was a human male. Upon closer inspection, they immediately recognized who it was.
'No…No…NO! Why?! Why Eren of all people?!' -Finn screamed inside of his head."This can't be happening…"
He wanted to believe that his eyes were deceiving him. But as soon as he saw Mikasa jumping down and rushing toward Eren, he knew that this was reality. Eren was the Attack Titan. Now he had to face it somehow. He was going to bring Eren into his world, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Even from up here, Finn could hear Mikasa crying. She was holding his unconscious body, trying not to let go. While feeling immense relief that Eren was alive, Finn also felt worried and anxious. His friend will now be a target. Not just to Marley, but also to Paradis itself. He needed to find Commande Pixis. Pixis was the only person who could keep Eren safe for the time being.
„Gwaah!" -Eren woke up with a scream. He felt like had the worst nightmare possible. Being a Titan, rampaging on the streets of Trost.
„Ereh! You're awake!" -Mikasa exclaimed with a relieved smile. Eren rubbed his eyes before looking at Mikasa and Armin surrounding him.
„Thank the Walls…" -Armin said with relief as well.
Eren was confused as to where he was right now. Looking to his right, Eren saw that he was on top of a wall with a good view of Trost District. He had no idea how he got here. The last thing he remembered was being in the mouth of Titan, saving Armin.
„What happened?" -Eren asked, slowly getting up.
„I don't really know how to explain it." -Armin admitted, not looking Eren in the eyes.
Eren glanced at Mikasa who was also averting her eyes from him. He then looked around and saw Finn. He was talking with Commander Pixis. Judging from Finn's expression, it was something serious.
„Another predicament I see…" -Pixis said while curling his mustache."So you didn't have any idea that Eren Yeager is a shifter like you?"
„No, not at all…" -Finn admitted, looking down."This isn't good."
„Agreed. And for a moment I thought We caught a traitor." -Pixis said with a sigh."This will make our mission more difficult…Or maybe not."
„What? Why?" -Finn asked, confused.
„We can use that to our advantage." Pixis explained."By having your friend exposed as a Shifter, We can track down the enemy easier. After all, they will try to get as close to him as possible. I think We can assume that the traitors are amongst the Cadets."
„It's quite possible." -Finn nodded."We have to get Eren to the Survey Corps. So, any Cadet that will join is a suspect." -Making sure that Eren ends in Survey Corp custody is the only option. If not, there was nothing that could stop the Government from killing Eren.
„It would be wise of you to change the Regiment you want to join." -Pixis advised."Somebody has to keep an eye on Eren Yeager. You're our best bet."
„With all due respect, what if the enemies find the Founder?" -Finn asked, clenching his fist."It's still possible that the Founding Titan is close to the King. If that's the case, then somebody has to make sure it won't end up in their hands."
„Aren't you friends with Eren Yeager?" -Pixis asked, glancing at Eren who was staring at them.
„I am…But I also know that if We lose the Founder, We're all doomed." -Finn explained."I indeed feel conflicted, but…"
„Say no more, Soldier." -Pixis said, placing his hand on Finn shoulder."I completely understand. It's not an easy decision. Still, We need to wait for Commander Erwin to return."
„What should We do now?" -Finn asked, looking down at Trost.
„We need to prove Eren Yeager worth." -Pixis explained."I vouched for him, but even that won't keep him safe for too long."
„You want him to go there." -Finn stated, and Pixis nodded."He never used that power before. It's very risky for him to go out there. He might even attack humans…"
„Which is why you'll be assigned to go with him." -Pixis said and looked at Mikasa."You can take your female friend as well. I've heard a lot about her skills. She seems to be close to Eren Yeager as well."
„It's still risky, but if that can help Eren…Then I'm ready." -Finn said firmly.
„Good." -Pixis smiled."But first, you might want to explain the situation to him. Leave the details for later, though."
„Yes, Sir." -Finn nodded and turned toward his friends. Mikasa and Armin were talking to Eren who seemed to be in a state of shock. He had to choose his words carefully when talking to his friend."Hey…I'm glad that you're okay."
„What the hell…" -Eren wasn't even looking at him.
„Did you tell him?" -Finn asked, and Armin nodded."I see. So I don't have to explain that part."
„Am I…a monster?" -Eren asked with empty eyes. They all stared at him with worry."I'm a Titan…"
„No! You're a human!" -Mikasa protested."You're not a monster, Ereh! Don't even say that!"
„She's right." -Finn agreed."You're a human, Eren. You just didn't know that you're a Titan Shifter. Not like We knew it either…"
„Huh? What are you talking about?" -Armin asked confused. Mikasa and Eren stared at Finn puzzled.
„There is no time for me to explain." -Finn said with a sigh."But I'll as soon as I can. Right now We have bigger problems."
„You mean the Titans and the breach?" -Armin asked.
„I've already sealed the breach, so don't worry about it." -Finn explained, earning shocked expressions from his friends."It's Titans We have to worry about."
„What…What do you mean? How could you seal the breach?" -Mikasa asked, believing that he was joking.
„As I said, I can't explain it now." -Finn said, rolling his eyes. He knew that this will be a pain in the ass later."We need to prove Eren's worth. He has to get back out there and kill as many Titans as he can."
„What?! What do you mean by proving himself?" -Mikasa was angry. She just got him back and now they wanted Eren to go back."Ereh already killed a lot of Titans. Why does he have to prove himself?"
„Because nobody believes he's a human, right?" -Armin asked, and Finn nodded.
„Yeah, it's risky, but Eren doesn't have a choice." -Finn said, looking at Eren who had a hard time grasping as to what was happening."Eren…? Are you still with us?"
„I don't understand…I don't understand anything anymore…" -His voice was broken. Eren's world was falling apart."How can I go back out there? I don't even know how I've turned into a Titan in the first place!" -He was suddenly slapped by Finn. Eren felt a sharp sting on his right cheek.
„Yes, you can and you will." -Finn said seriously."Have you forgotten already? What about your revenge? Weren't you the one who was always talking about exterminating all Titans? Now that you have the means to do it, you're backing away?!" -He grabbed him by the shoulders."What about all the soldiers who died today?! What about Mina and Thomas?! Do you want their death to be meaningless?!"
„No…No! I-I don't want that!" -Eren gritted his teeth.
„You don't want other soldiers to risk their lives to reclaim Trost, right?" -Finn asked.
„No! I don't want that either!" -Eren exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes."If I have the power to stop this, then let me burden this all!"
„Eren…Even you can do this on your own." -Finn corrected him."That's why I and Mikasa are going with you. Somebody has to make sure you won't start destroying everything around you."
„What? If I turn into a Titan, then how can you stop me?" -Eren asked, looking at Mikasa and back at Finn.
„I have the means to stop you." -Finn said with a small smile."Listen, to transform, you need a goal in mind. Something to hold onto. You also have drawn your blood, so either bite yourself or bring something sharp."
„Huh? Draw out blood? Why?" -Armin asked.
„Believe me, I actually don't know that." -Finn said with a shrug."Listen, We don't have a lot of time. Come on, get up."
As soon as Eren got up, Pixis came to talk with them.
„I am to believe that you understand your situation, Cade Yeager?" -Pixis asked calmly.
„Yes, Sir. I'm truly in your debt." -Eren said seriously.
„If anything, you should thank your friend." -Pixis said with a smile."Who knows where you would end up if it wasn't for him. Anyway, I need to give a speech to our soldiers. Mind coming with me for a moment, Cadet Yeager?"
„Not at all, Sir." -Eren nodded. With that, Eren followed Pixis, leaving Finn, Mikasa, and Armin alone.
„Finn, what the hell is going on?" -Armin asked, making Finn sigh again. Mikasa was looking in worry at Eren who was walking alongside Commander Pixis.
„I understand that you must be confused." -Finn said and looked at his friends."But please, keep this conversation to yourselves. Do not tell anyone about this…"
„Not even Annie?" -Mikasa asked, turning her gaze toward Finn. She knew that the two were close, even more than that."Don't you trust her?"
„It's not a matter of trust." -Finn replied with a sad expression."I don't want to bring her into this. I didn't want to bring any of you into this, but it's too late now. Besides, she wants a peaceful life. Bringing her into this would be unfair…"
„Is Ereh in danger?" -Mikasa asked, hoping that Finn would say no.
„I'm afraid he is…That's why We need to everything to keep him safe." -Finn said seriously, looking down.