Armin made his way towards where he knew Eren and the others were currently at. He couldn't understand what could have gone wrong... Eren was so determined. Everything had been going great and without trouble... but now though
The blonde was able to see Mikasa currently in battle a few feet away and soon noticed both Tim and Jason were near Eren's currently unresponsive Titan form, defending him on opposite ends from the Titans currently ganging up on the group
Armin landed on top of Eren's head and ducked when something flew past him, hitting the Titan's eye that had been reaching out towards him
"Never let your guard down against the enemy Armin. Be prepared to expect the unexpected" a familiar voice says from behind as the blonde turned and saw Tim with one sword drawn
Armin didn't know it now, but these words would help him one day in the future "I saw the red smoke signal and raced here as fast as I could. What happened to the plan?!"
"Went down the drain. It was a reckless plan to begin with baby bird. I'm guessing your back up plans didn't involve Eren sleeping on the job? What was it you said before? Expect the unexpected" Jason's voice says from the device currently placed in his ear with a laugh near the end making Tim sigh
Unknown to anyone, a couple of minutes before they'd engaged in battling the Titans roaming the streets, Tim and Jason had decided to wear communicators so they'd be able to talk with one another should they be separated or needed to let the other know something
The former Robin knew it was risky using their communicators this way, with the way this world had a big lack of technology compared to their own. With a hesitant look sent Armin's way, Tim replied to his brother with a monotone "Perhaps my misplaced common sense has something to do with that"
Armin looked confused at who Tim could be talking to. His answer was revealed when he noticed the weird device he had placed on his ear. He wanted to badly ask what it was when Mikasa suddenly seemed to notice Armin and Tim currently standing on Titan Eren's head
"Get away! It's dangerous there! Eren isn't controlling that Titan! I called out to him, but he wouldn't respond! There's no getting through to him anymore!"
"Coming from the girl who'd throw her life away if it involved Eren in some way. Please tell me you got some idea as to what's going on with the suicidal blockhead" Jason says, Tim hearing the sounds of ODM gear being used in the background. He ignored what Armin was saying as he walker further away before replying to Jason
Looking at Eren's Titan, Tim sighed "It's clear something is affecting him. Eren hasn't made any attempt at coming out of his Titan. If it anything it almost makes it look as if he were dead. He's in a complete state of being unaware of what's happening out here"
"He wasn't like this the first time. Heck he was destroying the other Titans without problem. Think it has something to do with him activating his powers differently from when we thought he was dead? He was eaten by Titan from what you told me before. This time he activated his powers on his own" Jason suggested before Tim could hear him cursing
"The thought has crossed my mind. But even if that were the case, why? Is it a side effect of his powers?" Tim mumbled, wondering what had caused this to happen
"Never mind figuring out the why and instead focus on getting him back on his feet. If Eren doesn't somehow snap out of whatever it is, we'll never stop fighting the multiple Titans entering from that hole. I'll join you when I can, but think of something to wake him up!"
Tim doesn't reply, but knows his brother is correct. He think about understanding Eren's abilities later. Right now they need him to seal up that hole. Tim turns back only to see Armin is no longer where he once was and when he does find him, his eyes go wide "Armin!"
Armin doesn't seem to hear him as he goes to stab his best friend in order to wake him up... only to be surprised when a sword appears out of nowhere and blocks his attack "Tim?!" he shouts in surprise, not having expected the black-haired teen to stop him
"What the heck do you think you're doing?! How do you know that attack of yours wasn't going to strike Eren in a vital spot like his heart or his head? Stabbing him isn't the answer to waking him up Armin" Tim seriously says as Armin didn't take that point in mind... what if he had hit a vital organ like the older teen said in his attempt to help get Eren out... he wouldn't be able to live with himself or face Mikasa if he'd killed his best friend or wounded him
Hearing Jason chuckle at his words, Tim ignores him in favor of sighing at seeing Armin's expression after hearing his words "Look Armin, I didn't say that to make you feel bad... I just need you to take in account any risks that could happen due to our actions"
Armin nods, understanding Tim's words as not that off a lecture, but more of advice and warning to what could have happened "What should we do then? I thought by doing this... it would help in getting him back"
"Blondie didn't have a bad idea. Getting stabbed anywhere is painful and would sure to have maybe woken him up enough for us" Jason says slightly out of breath, but Tim decides not question why and instead focus on what he'd just said
Tim can see the logic in the idea, but he's not all that sure about how this Titan ability works. He likes having all the facts before deciding anything, having the knowledge of the risks and probability of success "Doesn't mean it wasn't reckless"
Jason chuckled at the mumbled words "Coming from the guy who thought it was a good idea to use a kid who recently found out he had powers, only to use these discovered powers without any training to seal up a hole? That was reckless"
Tim looks back down at Eren with concentration. He had an idea of how he might be able to wake up Eren, but the problem was that he needed Armin to leave. He voiced his plan to Jason and after a moment, he turned back to the blonde
"Armin, I think I found a way to get Eren to wake up and back to the mission... but I need you to go and help the others" Tim says placing a hand on his shoulder
Armin was confused by the request. Wouldn't it make more sense to stay with Tim and help him out? Eren was his friend too! He wasn't about to abandon him just because someone said so. Before Armin could voice his thoughts, Tim's attention was drawn back to his communicator
"If you plan on doing this, anytime soon would be nice! I'm almost at your location, ETA 1 minute!"
"Armin, no time to debate this. Jason and I will handle this. You need to help defend us if we're to pull this off" Tim seriously says after hearing Jason's tone and fights back a sigh of relief when Armin leaves, though with reluctance seen in his eyes "He's gone. You know if I do this, it might raise questions later on about how we pulled this off"
Not waiting to hear what Jason had to say on the matter, without hesitation Tim pulled out a syringe with some type of fluid inside before moving himself towards the area Armin had been when he'd planned at stabbing Eren
Jason had arrived and was standing on the Rogue Titan's shoulder with slight concern over the fact if this plan would work or not. When Tim first voiced it, Jason was skeptical since he wasn't sure if what affected this body, affected Eren's actual body
Glancing over at his adopted brother, Tim watches as Jason gives him a hesitant nod before placing the needle into the weak point of a Titan and allowing the fluid to enter. Nothing happens at first, both brothers wondering if it was because of the body not technically being Eren's before the once motionless Titan started to stir and move as if in a nightmare
Jason moved over to Eren's ear as he got to work on his part of the plan. He knew this was a risk, giving Eren a dose of fear toxin that Tim had on hand due to collecting a sample of Crane's latest before being transported here. The former Robin just hoped they'd be able to shake off the effects before Eren became fully conscious
"Eren! I know that what you must be seeing looks and feels real, but you have to fight it! You have to face your fears, not allow them to dominate you!" Jason shouts, holding on tightly to a strand of hair as Eren's Titan is seen thrashing around before going still all of a sudden
Tim still hooked on with his ODM gear, releases the wires as he drops down before using his own grappling gun to work his way around to the opposite side of his brother. Tim had been just as hesitant in using this tactic on Eren, not knowing how it'd affect him in his current state. Everyone had different reactions in what they saw once exposed to the fear toxin from Scarecrow... he can only imagine what Eren's might be
Inside Eren's dream state
Eren is seen on the ground with his swords broken and with the bodies of his friends and family surrounding him. He'd failed to protect everyone. He'd sworn to slaughter the Titans, help free everyone from them...
"Why am I still alive? Everyone else... Armin, Mikasa... dead... they followed me and I led them to their... deaths..." Eren cries, tears falling down his face. One of his worst nightmare had come true... his desire for revenge had in turn caused the deaths of those he holds dear... being unable to even do anything and just watch as they died before him
"Eren!"
The brunette opened his eyes as he heard the familiar voice of Jason... but he was dead, crushed to death after tackling him from being crushed himself "You can't be alive" he mumbled in denial, eyes turning towards all that remained of Jason's body to prove his point
"What's the point of all this... Is this the price of freedom? Will I have to sacrifice everyone to achieve my dreams?"
"Poor Mikasa, always risking herself for little defenseless Eren"
Looking towards Mikasa, Eren found himself thinking about the time when they met. She meant more to him than he knew. He could still remember that weird feeling he felt when he overheard Jean compliment Mikasa's long hair... it was the reason why he told her to cut it, giving off a lame excuse to not seem out of character for her to notice. Eren isn't stupid, he knows his mother had probably told her to look out for him before her death just as she told him the same. He pushes her away to protect her, keep her out of harms way. Yet, in the end, no matter what he does... Mikasa is just as stubborn as him and would allow herself to be killed if it meant he live
"Eren you idiot! None of what you see is real!"
There was the voice of Jason again. He sure sounded stressed for a dead guy... but what he said got to him. What did he mean by saying 'none of this is real?' Sure feels real to him and nothing the spirit of an old friend come back from the dead will tell him overwise
"Don't listen to him? He's just a ghost trying to mess with your mind"
"Eren! Why do we fall? Why is it you're seeing what you're seeing?" a new voice cut in as Eren recognized it as Tim, but he was eaten by a Titan... is he also a ghost come back from the dead to haunt him? "We fall so we can learn to pick ourselves up. Eren, you're seeing one if not your greatest fear come true... are you going to actually let this happen in reality? Are you going to allow us all to die?"
"You're already dead"
"We aren't giving up on you Eren! Remember the reason why you joined the scouts! You once told me you wanted to explore the outside world! That you want to get revenge for your mother's death! You really think you'll achieve that in your current state! Wake up!"
"Cute, they must really care about you"
Eren wasn't sure what to think anymore. Both Tim and Jason were dead, yet he can hear them as if they aren't. They keep telling him this is all in his head, his fear come to life... was it possible this really all is in his head? Was everyone currently out their fighting for there lives?
"None of this is real! My friends are out there risking their lives and I'm not going to let you control me anymore!" Eren shouted, turning towards a dark shadow as it laughed at his words
"And just what do you plan on doing? You can't escape. You're mine! Accept the truth Eren. You can't escape who you truly are"
Eren knew it was right... it was time to stop fighting, time to see the reality of things. He glanced back at the scene before him as he sighed. This was his fear. He always pushed this image to the back of his mind, always tried to hide the fear lingering inside after seeing his mother eaten before his very eyes... but he can't run away from death, can't run away from this. In the end, he can't save everyone and Eren knew this as he could still hear Jason and Tim shouting for him to wake up... ya it was time to get back to reality, but first...
Standing up and moving closer to the shadow, Eren gave it a small smile "Thank you... if it wasn't for you, would I have spent my entire life on the path of vengeance? Would I not care about my friends and sacrifice them? You're the darkest part of me, every negative emotion in me brought to life. I've lived these past few years on wanting revenge, not thinking about the consequences or the lives that would get lost along the way. I'm done living in fear, done being consumed by my darkness. I have to accept you and conquer my fears. This experience has helped me realize just why I'm truly fighting for. Not revenge, my mother wouldn't want me throwing my life away to avenger her dead. No I'm fighting to free everyone and not allow them live in fear of the Titans. I'm humanity's last hope against the Titans"
The shadow smiled as it slowly started to disappear, the surrounding scene before Eren also disappearing as his eyes slowly opened to reveal he was still in the middle of a mission. It was time to get back in the game. Eren was back in action!
Sorry this one took awhile, like almost two months. I was going through different versions of how this one would be done. I swear I was growing a pile of papers just trying to get an idea of how to change things up with Tim and Jason being the ones to technically pull Eren out of his current state. I don't know Eren's actual fear, but I bet seeing everyone he loves die and unable to fulfill his goal of protecting them is one of them