Attack On Titan: Wings Of Crystal
Chapter 41: Disagreements
Pieck and Lazarus were the first ones to return to Paradis. They meet up with Zeke, Reiner, and Bertolt and began making preparations for their upcoming battle with the Scout Regiment.
While they were gone, Zeke learned everything he needed to know from Reiner and Bertolt. He was shocked to learn that his father, Grisha, had not only survived but was able to obtain the Attack Titan. Used it to steal the Founding Titan, and pass them both down to his second son, Eren.
He couldn't believe it. He has a half-brother on that island. No doubt in his mind that Grisha had somehow brainwashed him. Just like he used him to get close to the Marleyan Brass. He made a vow to himself that when he finds Eren, he would rescue him from their father's manipulation. But for now, today, he needed to focus on coming up with a full-proof plan to recover Eren.
From what he had learned of the enemy military ever since his arrival, they were aware of the power of the Titans. Though he was unsure if they knew that those powers could be stolen if they had Titan serum on them.
As the Warriors were gathering around a map of Shiganshina that Lazarus had drawn up from the memory of seeing it from above, they listened carefully to what he was about to discuss.
But the Cart Titan alerts them to danger, as she feels a vibration in the ground. The Warriors rush over to the side of the wall facing the fields within Wall Maria. Lazarus and Reiner ready their ODM gear, expecting it to be a Scout or something.
But they both sigh in relief when they see that it was the Crystal Titan exiting out of the tunnel entrance he entered yesterday when they split up. The Cart Titan was surprised to finally see the mythical Titan in person.
"False alarm. It's only Micheal." Reiner addressed Zeke.
The Crystal Titan reseals the entrance and slowly approaches the wall. Using his hardening powers, he constructs a human-sized ladder and places it against the wall. He then exits his Titan's nape and waves up at the others.
Lazarus was at first glad to see his friend still alive. But his look of joy was soon replaced by confusion when he noticed he was wearing some strange-looking ODM gear.
Michael was wearing a set of Gun ODM gear he stripped off of one of the Anti-Personal Control Squad members who died in the cave-in. He places the dual pistols in their holsters before climbing up the ladder.
As soon as he reached the top he receives a warm welcome from Lazarus, Reiner, and Bertolt. Zeke only nodded. Impressed with the fact that Michael was able to infiltrate enemy territory and escape again without so much as a single scratch.
"Welcome back, Michael." Bertolt greeted him.
"Thanks, you guys. After what I've been through I needed this."
Lazarus approaches Michael and pulls him into a bro hug before hitting him with a bombardment of questions.
"Sounds like you've been through hell. Did Erwin have you captured or something?"
"No. Nothing like that. It's a long story."
"Well, we would like to hear all about it." Zeke approaches him. He then looks over the Gun Gear he was wearing. "And I'd like to know where you got this. Did you get yourself a new kind of ODM gear to replace the one I stole from you?"
"Like I said, It's a long story. But before I tell it, can someone tell me what the hell that creepy thing is?!" Michael points over to the Cart Titan that was just resting atop the wall a few feet away from them.
"Oh? You call someone creepy the first time you meet? From my point of view, you're quite the rude little boy." The Cart Titan called out to him. "Hard to believe this is the special friend you've been telling us about." She glances over at Lazarus.
"Gah! It can talk too?!" Michael panicked slightly.
"Michael, this is Pieck. She's a Warrior like us. She's the current holder of the Cart Titan. Zeke asked me to bring her back with me to assist us in our next attempt to capture the Coordinate. Pieck, this is Michael. The legendary Crystal Titan. Told you he was real." He replied whilst giving her an "I told you so" look.
"Well, now that introductions are done. I believe I was in the middle of explaining my plan to you all." Zeke reminded them.
"Right. First, we'll listen to Michael's story, then I'll fill you all in on what's going on in Marley, and then we'll go over your plan." Lazarus suggested.
The Warriors all look at each other and all nod in agreement to that plan. They all sit down atop the wall in a circle, with Pieck still laying down a few feet away from them. Once everyone was sitting comfortably, Michael began.
Michael fills everyone in on the events he witnessed with the Reiss family and Kenny Ackerman. Lazarus was shocked to learn that there was a man who was even more deadly than Levi, and he wanted to possess the Crystal Titan for himself. What would've happened if he succeeded? He shudders at the thought.
What surprised Reiner the most was learning that his beloved Christa, or Historia as she's now known, was crowned Queen of the Walls. Part of him was saddened by this, knowing his chances with her are next to impossible now.
Lazarus feels Ymir's letter in his breast pocket. It wasn't that long ago he saw her being eaten by Galliard. She died before she got a chance to learn of her beloved's destiny. How horrible, he thought.
They were also saddened, but not overall surprised, to learn that Erwin had refused any possibility of coming to terms and allowing them to take the Founding Titan. Which meant war was inevitable.
After Lazarus shares with the others the fate of Ymir, and Marley's orders to recover the Coordinate at all costs, Zeke began formulating his plan.
He once again places the map of Shiganshina within their inner circle, allowing everyone to see. As he discusses strategies and plans of attack, he uses a pen to mark where each Warrior will be stationed. The Armoured and Crystal Titans were placed within the district. Everyone else was drawn outside of the district.
The plan was to have Pieck act as their scout and let them know of their arrival. Michael and Reiner would then hide within Shiganshina. Reiner inside the wall, and Michael in the underground tunnel beneath Shiganshina. Plan A was to stay hidden until Eren was revealed to them. If that fails and they are exposed, then Zeke would initiate Plan B. He will transform into Beast Titan along with an army of Pure Titans infected with his spinal fluid. There would be a wall of fifteen meters keeping the Scouts trapped within Shiganshina, while the smaller Titans' job would be to gather the ones outside the district in the centre where he would throw rocks at them.
The objective was to target their horses, block off all their escape routes, wait till they were exhausted, and slaughter them.
As for Bertolt and Lazarus. They would be saved as their final resort. If something were to go wrong, Zeke would throw Bertolt into the air above Shiganshina and unleash the Colossal Titan's explosion. Michael and Reiner would then retreat into the crystal tunnels, protecting them from the explosion. And if by some minuscule chance, Bertolt failed to annihilate everyone and somehow got taken down, that's where Lazarus would come in.
As the Winged Titan, he would finish off the remaining Scouts and take down Eren himself. Being immortal, he would have a major advantage. Even if he were left to fight them alone.
All in all, it was a plan that could never fail. Unfortunately for Zeke, Lazarus, the one person he'd least expect to question him, raised his hand and objected to his plan.
"Something on your mind, Laz?" Zeke blankly asks.
"I have nothing against your plan. It's just that there's one thing you forgot to include… What about the plan to rescue Annie?"
Zeke sighs. He anticipated this at some point. He was hoping Lazarus would've been more focused on the mission than getting Annie back. He should've known better.
"Why should we wait here for the Coordinate to come to us? We should invade the Scout's base and capture Eren, as well as rescue Annie. We can't just leave her there!"
"I see that you still harbour feelings towards our comrade." Zeke sympathised with him. "But retrieving the Coordinate is our top priority, as it should be. Annie will have to wait until after we bring the Founder back to Marley."
Angered by Zeke's words, Lazarus suddenly stands up and stares down at his former roommate. "You can't mean that! Annie is our comrade! We can't just leave her there!"
"You're right. She is our comrade. But we cannot risk failing the mission a third time." Zeke attempted to calmly convince him. "The reason you failed to recover the Coordinate twice is because you always let your emotions get the best of you. The first time was because of Annie. The second time was when you allowed Reiner to blow your cover and expose us. As the leader of the team, it was your responsibility to strengthen and maintain focus… You have failed."
Michael attempted to intervene, but Bertolt grabs his arm and shakes his head, telling him that this debate needed to be settled between them.
"I know I've made mistakes. But I treated my teammates as equals. Not as soldiers under my command. I trust them to speak their minds." Lazarus argued.
"And that is your weakness. You put too much trust in other people." He stated coldly. "There are times when you must rely on yourself."
"I'd rather not fight at all than fight alone!"
Zeke then decides to stand up and stare down his old roommate. He was usually the kind of man who is calm under pressure, even when some things don't go his way. But with Lazarus, he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Ever since he and the others inherited their Titans, Zeke felt it was his duty to help prepare him for the day he would lead the others to Paradis. "Did you learn nothing?" He thought.
"I learned a lot ever since I first came to this island. I learned that if you don't fight for those you love you'll always live in fear. You only believe Annie's not important because you see us only as comrades, instead of friends." Lazarus stated right back at him.
"How dare you!" Zeke angrily responds.
"You may have changed a lot since we last met. But so have we. I will always respect you as a friend and brother in arms. But I have to put my priorities to save Annie first. You can still pull this mission off without me. You've got the Crystal Titan on your side now… So please, let me save her. I promise I'll be back in time to help."
Zeke takes a moment to regain his composure before responding. The others just sat there and watched the back-and-forth disagreements between the War Chief and the Vice Chief. Although Michael, Reiner, and Bertolt did agree that rescuing Annie should come first, neither of them wanted to speak up. Zeke was still their leader and they didn't have the advantages Lazarus had to back up his disobedience.
"Recovering the Coordinate and putting an end to this war must come before all else. I'm sorry, Lazarus. But in the grand scheme of things… Annie's life is worthless."
"What'd you say?!" Lazarus grabs Zeke by his shirt collar and pulls him closer, enraged over calling the girl he loves worthless.
Now was the time for the others to get involved. Michael grabs Lazarus from behind while Reiner did the same to Zeke, forcibly pulling the two of them apart. Lazarus struggled against Michael whilst Zeke was calm and readjusts his glasses.
"Lazarus, enough! Calm down!" Reiner cried out.
Bertolt and the Cart Titan just sat there and watch the argument descend into an all-out brawl. Something neither of them would've guessed would happen. They remember Zeke acting like a supportive big brother to Lazarus during their academy days. Just how did they go from that to being at each other's throats?
Zeke sighs as he disappointedly shakes his head at him. "It doesn't sound like you're fully committed to saving the world. The hell is your problem? I thought we all came to an understanding. Did I go through all the trouble of coming here to bail you out for nothing?"
Lazarus just angrily glares at Zeke. Right now, his emotions are preventing him from thinking logically. His mind began to wander back to his last encounter with Armin. His words regarding Annie's fate started to linger in his head.
"I guess Annie was weighing you down. She's way up north in the Utopia District, being tortured. The silent treatment only goes so far. The body may heal, but her screams were a chore for her endurance."
Lazarus shakes his head dismissively. Deep down he knows it's a lie. But still, there was this one small part of him that kept whispering, "What if it's true?". Every second he wastes here, Annie is trapped within her own mind. He wanted to end her torment more than anything. What good was saving the world if she was no longer in it?
"It's clear to me you're never gonna listen to reason." Zeke addressed him again. "Your mind is out of focus and your emotions are running rampant. I cannot have that. We need the Winged Titan at its fullest if we stand any chance of winning this war. But since my words won't convince you, maybe my actions will."
Michael and the others all look in Zeke's direction. Reiner releases his hold on him so that he could close the distance between him and Lazarus, who was still being held back by Michael.
"Let's settle this argument with a one-on-one Titan battle." He proposes. Lazarus regains his composure and asks Michael to release him, curious to hear his proposition.
"A Titan dual?" He clarified, making sure he heard him right.
"Yes." Zeke simply replied. "If you win, we will launch an attack on the enemy headquarters and rescue Annie along with recovering the Coordinate. If I win, you forget about saving Annie and put all your focus on MY plan and carry it out MY way."
Lazarus liked the sound of this deal. He had the highest chance of winning this dual with the many abilities he possessed. Michael appeared to have the same thought, as he encourages him to agree. But as Lazarus held his arm out to seal the deal, he was surprised to learn there was more to this deal than he let on.
"That's not all. This dual will be a match of hand-to-hand combat. That means no flying. No fire breathing. No hardening. No weapon constructs. No high-speed regeneration. No mind reading. And the Hellfire Force is an absolute disqualification. You will only be allowed to use your two hands and feet. You're free to use your wings to shield yourself, but only for that purpose. Understand?" He then finishes off by extending his hand.
Now Lazarus wasn't so sure if he stands a chance against Zeke's Beast now. He and Zeke have sparred before with their Titans. It was during a training session to prepare them for the Paradis Operation. Zeke ended up pummelling him with ease. His loss to Zeke was the reason why the Brass made him War Chief of the Warriors instead of him.
The Winged Titan may be powerful. But when it came to hand-to-hand combat, it wasn't as skilled as the Beast or Female. He feared he might lose this dual.
Michael places his hand on his friend's shoulder. Giving him a confident look.
"You got this." He mentally encourages him.
Lazarus nods back at him before finally taking hold of Zeke's hand and shaking it, agreeing to his terms. "Deal."
The sparring match between the Beast Titan, Zeke, and the Winged Titan, Lazarus, was going to take place within the open fields of inner Wall Maria. Michael was the one who suggested it, fearing their battle could destroy Shiganshina if they went all out.
Both combatants walked out into the open fields and stood a great distance from each other. Michael, Reiner, and Bertolt were watching the fight from the safety of the top of the wall. They will not only bear witness to their fight but also determine the victor.
The Cart Titan was carrying out instructions Zeke issued it before prepping for the match. She was tasked with infecting any villagers she came across with his spinal fluid and bringing them back for them to use in their final battle against the Scouts later. As well as spy on the enemy and warn them of any actions they take.
Both combatants trigger their transformation and change into their respected Titan forms, far out of reach of the wall or any houses. Before they were like the size of ants from their spectators' point of view. Now as Titans, they can get a better look at the action.
The Beast and Winged Titans stare down one another, preparing themselves for the brawl that will determine their next course of action. Will they put the mission at risk to rescue Annie? Or will they continue the mission as planned and leave her behind?
"Are you sure about this?" The Beast Titan addresses him. "You do know who I am, right? Are you sure you still want to settle this with a fight? It's not too late to back down."
"You're the one who suggested this!" The Winged Titan growled back. "The first time we fought I was too afraid of killing you. I lacked confidence. But now I am determined to defeat you! To prove to you that I'm not a scared little kid anymore! And that everyone in our unit is important!"
"It's been a long time since I've seen the Beast Titan in action. He may have some new tricks up his sleeve. Beating him without my wings, flames, and hardening will be tricky, but not impossible." Lazarus thought to himself within the nape of his Titan body.
"Very well." The Beast Titan bellows as it just stands there, not even bothering to take up a fighting stance. The Winged Titan growls in response as he takes up his stance.
"If you're going to ignore orders from your superior. Well then, I'll have to use force."
The Winged Titan roars as it charges for the Beast. The battle had begun. Micheal, Reiner, and Bertolt watch closely as the two most powerful Warriors duke it out.
As the Winged Titan closes the gap between them, he pulls his left arm back, readying a punch to the face. The Beast Titan grins at his sloppy attempt and simply sidesteps out of the way.
He then grabs a hold of Lazarus's arm. His sharp claws dug into his hardened skin and armour with enough grip strength that he was able to pierce it, forcing the Winged Titan to roar in pain.
Single-handed, he spins Lazarus around a few times before finally letting him go and sending him flying right into the side of the wall. Michael quickly forms a protective dome around himself and the others, preventing them from falling off.
The injured Winged Titan soon collapses to the ground, causing a huge tremor that rattled the houses near the wall. But Zeke didn't give him the luxury to get back up. He followed up his throwing attack by picking up a huge boulder, crushing it into tiny, sharp chunks, and throwing them towards the wall.
As soon as the dust cleared, allowing Lazarus to see again. His eyes widened as he just now notices the barrage of stones heading his way. Given no time to dodge, the stones smash into his body, causing his armour to crack. Some of them even pierce his wing flaps, tearing holes into them. Even if he was allowed to fly, he wouldn't be able to now.
"Lazarus!" The three boys from atop the wall cry out.
"Ha ha, what? We're just getting started. Is that it? I wouldn't expect anything less, Lazarus." He taunted him. "This is turning out to be quite entertaining. All right, then. Let's have some extra innings."
The Beast Titan then quickly closes the distance by running on all fours, like how a gorilla would.
Enraged, the Winged Titan charges at him on all fours, using the Jaw Titan's technique. But as he was inches away from slashing his legs with his talon-like claws. The Beast Titan leaps up and over him, forcing Lazarus to come to a screeching halt.
"Lazarus! Above you!" Bertolt warns him.
But he wasn't quick enough. Like a bomb falling out of the sky, the Beast Titan comes crashing down atop the Winged's back, breaking his spine in the process. Lazarus roars in complete agony. Zeke then grabs his wings and starts pulling them upwards while pressing his right foot down on his back.
"I win. After all these years you're still no match for me. Yield, Lazarus. Accept the fact that you've lost."
His body was in so much pain that only increased with every second Zeke held him down. The only reason he was going so rough on him straight away was because he wanted to win. What reason would he have for going easy? Since Lazarus can never die, he also has no fears of accidentally killing him either. Even if his human body is completely crushed into paste.
As unbearable as it was, Lazarus refused to give up. He can't let Zeke walk all over him again. He needed to win. Not just to save Annie, but to also prove his worth to the cause. If he is to succeed him as War Chief someday, he has to get stronger.
"I… refuse!" He roared back at him.
He then thrusts his head back, stabbing Zeke in the stomach with his horns. The Beast Titan roars in pain and his grip on Lazarus starts weakening.
The Winged Titan makes its move by smacking him across the face with his wings and even impaling him again using the wingtips. He then grabs him by the head and performs an overhead throw, sending the Beast hurtling across the open plains.
With his spine healed, the Winged Titan was able to stand up again. Though he was still too hurt to stay upright. To counter this, he embeds the tips of his wings into the ground, using them to stabilise his balance.
Michael and the others were cheering for him from the safety of the walls. This was the first time they'd seen him, or anyone for that matter, land a hit on Zeke and knock him down. Just when they thought it was all over in an instant, Lazarus rose, still determined to win this fight.
"Throwing rocks at me was a dirty move! You said this was hand-to-hand combat only!"
The Beast Titan gets back up and wipes a trickle of blood leaking from its mouth.
"Impressive resolve. I'm amazed anybody could rise from the ashes like that. But you're still no match for me!" The Beast Titan responded, completely ignoring his complaint about breaking the rules.
If Zeke was going to break the rules, he has every reason to as well. But Lazarus decided to stick by them, even if it may cost him the victory.
The two Titans let out a roar as they both charged towards the other. The Beast raises both its arms outwards, ready to double slap him across the face.
But Lazarus anticipates it and ducks out of the way just in time. He then surprises Zeke by performing the same takedown technique Michael had taught him. He locks his arm around his elongated right arm. Then he uppercuts him in the jaw with the palm of his free hand. Then he finishes it off by getting underneath him and lifting him off of the ground.
"No way!" Reiner uttered in shock.
"I taught him that. "Michael added. "I was pissed at first when he used it against me in our fight. But now I couldn't be more proud. Weird isn't it?"
The two Warriors nod in agreement.
The Winged Titan roars as it starts repeatedly slamming the Beast overhead and into the ground a couple of times, before throwing him again.
He then goes down on all fours and attempts to catch up to the tumbling Beast Titan, hoping to catch him off guard. But Zeke wasn't going to fall for the same trick twice.
Slowing his skid across the ground using his long arms, he catches the Winged Titan leaping towards him with its claws out by surprise. He catches him with his feet and double-kicks him back, creating more distance between them.
"Damnit! He's got Laz back on the defensive. Just when I thought he had him!" Bertolt commented.
"Come on, Lazarus! You gotta get up!" Michael called out to him telepathically, knowing he'll never hear him if he were to shout it normally.
The two Titan Shifters slowly get back up again and stare each other down. Both of them were greatly injured and almost out of breath.
The Winged Titan's armour and hardened skin had pieces of it broken off of him, including his mask which was now exposing his muscled face. His wings were torn from the increased pressure of the holes made from the bombardment earlier.
As for the Beast Titan, he looked less injured compared to his opponent. Patches of its fur were gone, the stab wounds in its chest were still healing, and its left arm was simply dangled out of its socket.
Holding his nerve, The Beast Titan manages to pop its arm back into its socket, and it hurt a lot.
"It would seem… we're at an impasse." The Beast uttered between breaths.
"So… it would… seem." The Winged responded.
"I underestimated you, Lazarus. Maybe you have grown a lot since last time. "But I'm still standing!"
"I see that. But I can tell you're struggling. Honestly, I don't think either one of us has enough strength to continue this battle. I suggest we finish this with one last attack. Whoever goes down first loses."
"Agreed." The Beast Titan uttered as he takes a few steps back. "We will come at each other with only our fists. No tricks."
"Fine by me!" The Winged Titan takes up a running stance while clenching its fists. "Here I come, Zeke!"
The two Titans let out one last battle roar as they charge at each other. They both bring their right arms back, readying their final strike against the other.
The Beast Titan, standing taller than his opponent, decided to come at him from below with a well-placed uppercut to the jaw. But instead of curling his hand up into a fist, he swipes at him from below, sending the Winged Titan up into the air.
"Shit! Lazarus!" Reiner and Michael shouted out.
"And that's how it goes. How it always will go-
The Beast Titan was immediately silenced by a double-fisted slam to the head. As The Winged Titan was falling back down, he puts all of its weight into both his connected hands and slammed Zeke into the ground, forming a crater underneath him.
He ends up crashing to the ground opposite Zeke and falls flat on his back. His head inches away from the Beasts. Both Titan Shifters were down for the count.
Michael, Reiner, and Bertolt quickly climb down the wall using the crystal ladder Michael constructed before and race towards the downed Titans.
Both the Winged and the Beast were struggling to get back up again and proclaim victory. No matter how determined either of them were, their bodies have reached their limit. Whether they like it or not, this match ended in a draw.
Michael and the others climb atop the Winged Titan's body and look into its eyes, worried for their friend.
"Lazarus! Can you hear me?!" Michael asked worriedly.
The Winged Titan slowly opens up its right eye and looks at his friends. He attempts to speak, but his body was greatly damaged to the point that forming words hurt.
The Beast Titan was still able to speak, though still incapable of getting back up.
"Well well well. It looks like we both lose… Lazarus." He uttered weakly.
"We gotta get 'em outta there!" Reiner proclaimed.
Michael places both his hands on the ground and summons two blunt pillars to erupt out of the ground beneath their heads. The pillars continue to rise, pushing their heads upwards, leaning their upper bodies up enough to expose their napes.
Once that's done, Reiner and Bertolt use their ODM blades to cut the two Titans' napes open, exposing Zeke and Lazarus to the outside world. Both Warriors use all their upper body strength to tear their tired comrades out of their Titan bodies and drag them far enough for Michael to release his hold on the Titans and retract the pillars.
Both Zeke and Lazarus were physically exhausted after that fight. None of them even had enough energy to stand up on their own.
"Looks like it's a tie. What does that mean for the mission and Annie?" Reiner asked Zeke.
Both Zeke and Lazarus struggle to turn to face the other. Even in their human bodies, they could still feel the injuries they inflicted on each other as Titans. They were aching all over like they were over ninety years old and no longer in their prime.
"Since we both lose…" Zeke started, though he still needed to take a break between words. "Laz is free to… rescue Annie… But he will have to do it… alone. The mission will still go… how I planned it… Just make sure… you're back in time to help us… We can't pull this off without you."
Lazarus responds with a single, slow nod. "Thanks, Zeke."
The two former roommates then call it even with a weak fist bump. Reiner and Bertolt then proceed to carry the two of them back towards the wall. Though neither of them had any idea how they're gonna be able to get them back up the wall on that ladder without dropping them.
With their dispute over, the Warriors get back to planning their final move against the Scout Regiment.
Since Lazarus will be carrying out his mission to get Annie back, Zeke was forced to return to his original plan. At least until he returned.
After a quick and brutal skirmish, Zeke and Lazarus take some time to relax and let their bodies recover. It would be disastrous if the Scouts were to arrive much sooner than they were hoping. If they're not fighting fit, then the mission will be doomed to fail.
Night falls upon the land. The Warriors are all sitting around a campfire drinking some Marleyan coffee brought back with them, along with a metal kettle and mugs. Michael and Lazarus were sitting opposite each other with Zeke in between them. Reiner and Bertolt were of course sat next to each other. All of them were basking in the calming silence of the night, enjoying the warm sensation of the coffee pouring down their throats and warming their stomachs.
It had been years since Michael drank coffee. Paradis only had tea available to him the whole time he stayed there. It wasn't terrible, but it lacked the richness of Marley's coffee. Probably due to their limited technology.
As he sat there holding his mug, memories of his childhood growing up in Odiha started rushing back to him. At first, it made him happy, until he reminded himself of his parent's death at Lazarus's flames, forcing a frown to appear on his face.
He asked Lazarus if Marley had changed a lot since he left. Reiner and Bertolt were also curious to know. They may not have been gone as long as Michael was, but surely a lot can change in just five years.
Lazarus keeps it brief and mentions how the Brass is already training Eldian children to become the next generation of Marleyan Warriors. He also mentions Porco Galliard being the new Jaw Titan after they sacrificed Ymir.
Looking back on it, he remembers his final conversation with Ymir, and how he offered her another way to transfer the power without dying. The military has ordered him to keep this information hidden from the other Warriors. But he also promised them that there'd be no more secrets between them when he finally told them his past and the truth behind the False Founder Project.
"Screw the Brass!" He thought. After all those years of manipulation. Making them believe the people of Paradis are devils. He no longer trusts Marley, not one bit. Though he is still fighting on their behalf, it was no longer for the sake of the motherland. But for the friends and comrades he made in it. Reiner, Bertolt, Annie, Pieck, and Zeke. They all deserve to live long happy lives once their time nears its end. If he could find a way to perfect the transfer power then he could free them of their Titans, and their burdens.
Taking a deep breath, Lazarus tells them all about his final hidden power the same way he told Ymir.
As expected, some of them were shocked by this revelation. Though Reiner was more annoyed at the Brass for forcing him into secrecy than the secret itself. He already knew about it since it was first tested on him and his predecessor. He was lucky it worked for him.
Zeke and Michael were both intrigued with this discovery and started thinking of ways they could utilise this for future generations of Titan Shifters.
As for Bertolt. He was relieved to learn that there was an alternative way for him to pass on the Colossal Titan to a successor without getting devoured. Though he had no hope of that outcome happening anytime soon after learning the risk of doing it being the death of the user and the disappearance of the individual power forever.
"So let me get this straight," Michael spoke up. "You have the power to strip someone of their Titan powers and transfer it to another Eldian. But this power is a more risk than reward thing? If it goes wrong the power will be gone forever, along with the user?"
"I'm afraid so. "Lazarus regretfully answered. "Marley has forbidden me from using this technique because it's much easier and simpler to feed the users to their successors. As a result, I haven't had much training with it. Lucia was under orders not to help me master it. Any Titan power that passes through my body will become disconnected from the Paths like me. They didn't wanna risk losing any of the Nine. Or Ten, including yours, Michael."
"So my predecessor for the Armoured Titan," Reiner spoke up. "I heard he died in some kind of fire. Was that you?"
Lazarus shamefully nodded. "If done incorrectly, my own Titan's flames could enter their bodies during the transfer and burn them to ash from the inside out. If I had done it any worse, you probably wouldn't be sitting beside me right now. And there would be no more Armoured Titan."
"Then you had better make mastering that technique your next goal once we recover the Coordinate." Zeke addresses him. "For all our sakes, you better not mess it up."
Lazarus grunts in frustration. This and the Hellfire Force were probably the worst powers he ever gained. They're both so powerful, but also very, VERY, dangerous to anyone and everyone around him. No wonder many people were afraid of him.
The Warriors continued to drink their coffee in silence. They did continue conversing with each other about different topics. Such as what they all plan to do with their lives once the war was over. Zeke already knew what his goals were, though he kept it hidden from the others for obvious reasons.
As for the others, they hadn't given it much thought. Reiner, like Lazarus, wanted to become a hero to the world and prove his father wrong. Bertolt just wanted an easier life for himself and his family. As for Michael, all he ever desired was to get his past back, not even considering a future. Though there was one specific goal he had in mind that he could not tell the others about, not even Lazarus.
Speaking of Lazarus, he thought of one day asking for Annie's hand in marriage and starting a family of his own. But to do that, he needed to save her first.
"Like I said, I'm sure Annie's doing fine. She certainly isn't getting tortured." Zeke interrupted him as he scratches behind his left ear. "Calm down and consider how unlikely that sounds. If they so much as scratch her, she'll turn into a monster that can take on an army all by itself. Don't forget this is Annie we're talking about here. I bet she's hiding somewhere, practising her kicks and whatnot. She's fine."
"You don't know that!" Lazarus raises his voice in his direction. "There's no way she was able to escape that crystal shell on her own without getting captured. And the Scouts don't have the technology to break her out of there themselves… The longer she remains locked up underground, the more she suffers. I can't allow that."
"Yes, I know. You've made it clear to me where your loyalties lie." Zeke blankly responds while rolling his eyes. "You're more concerned with the well-being of your loved ones than your country. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. But you have to understand that you're risking a lot just to save someone expendable to Marley."
"You know, Zeke. You're starting to sound more like a Marleyan yourself." Michael butted in. "I may not know you as well as Lazarus does, but you feel like the kind of guy who keeps his feelings bottled up inside and just follows orders. My father, Erwin, taught me that being a soldier isn't just about following orders. It's also about going with your gut and doing what you believe to be right. Even if it goes against orders."
Zeke glances over to Michael on his left side and blankly stares at him. It's no wonder he and Lazarus are so close. It's almost envious.
"Whatever you believe, we all have the same objective. Recover the Coordinate. Once we do that, we can bring this cursed history to an end." Zeke lowers his mug and stares into it. "… It's gone on too long. We can be the ones to end this, so let's do it."
The other Warriors all look at each other and all nod in agreement. Their paths may diverge, but they all end in the same place. Even if Zeke and Lazarus have distanced themselves from the friendship they used to share, they need each other to ensure victory.
"We understand, sir," Bertolt spoke up. "Until this is done, we will keep our minds focused. This is a living hell, but we shouldn't put anyone else through it."
"He's right." Michael clenches his fists as he thinks back on all the horrors he's been through ever since he'd first gotten the Crystal Titan. The assassins. The loss of his memories. The death of so many good people could've been avoided had he made different choices. And the pain of losing Erwin to their causes. "… This needs to end!"
"It's settled then," Reiner concluded. He raises his mug high, encouraging the others to join him in a toast to finishing their mission once and for all.
"War Chief Zeke!"
But they were all interrupted by the startling deep, demonic voice of the Cart Titan. They all quickly rush over to the inner side of the wall to greet her.
"Enemy forces are approaching. They're at the foot of the mountain." She warned them.
"The Scouts are almost here?!" Lazarus clarified, surprised that they would be travelling through the night to get here.
"We better be ready for them," Michael added.
"We will," Zeke assured him. But first, he raises his mug again. The others all do the same and bring them together, clinking their drinks and concluding their toast.
"My brave Warriors. With this final battle, we'll finish our mission once and for all."
The others all nod determinedly and finish off their coffee. Zeke however drinks his too fast and ended up burning his tongue in the process.
As dawn was approaching, the Warriors clear up the campfire and empty cups and kettle. Reiner kicks them over the side of the wall, leaving a scorch of ash from the burnt firewood.
Zeke and Pieck were already in position. So now it was time for the others to take their positions as well. Lazarus needed to get ready to leave for Stohess to rescue Annie.
Before departing, he shares one last farewell to Reiner and Bertolt. Though he had faith in their abilities, there was always a possibility that he may never see them again. So he must treat every goodbye like it may be their last.
"Well, this is it. Good luck, you guys."
"You're gonna need it more than we do," Reiner remarked. "It'll be you against all of the MPs.
Lazarus scoffs in response. He glances at Michael behind him who was patiently waiting for him to follow. But there was still more he wished to say to his friends.
"Reiner. I know it has been much harder on you than it has been for the rest of us. But I never lost faith in you since we came here, and I still have faith in you now. I'm counting on you to give this thing everything you've got."
"Always." He simply replied.
Satisfied with his response he now turns his attention to Bertolt.
"Bertolt, I've told you this plenty. But you, Reiner, and Michael will be in completely separate positions. And I will be away for a while. I need you to start thinking for yourself for a change, ok".
"Yeah, I know." He hesitantly replies.
"I may have been the leader of the Island Opperation, but that doesn't mean you had to follow all my orders. You're supposed to have the most powerful Titan outside of myself and Michael. But you never use it unless you're told. I need you to be as independent as the rest of us are. Can you do that?"
"Hmph! Yeah, I will! We will win this thing. And there ain't nothing they can do to stop us!" He responded more determined than ever before.
Lazarus smiles in response. Bertolt had always been the quiet one of their unit. He was pleased to see that he'd finally gained the courage he desperately needed. Hopefully, his time to shine will appear soon.
Lazarus, Reiner, and Bertolt bring their fists together for a three-way brofist. Micheal then approaches the group and includes his fist.
"I know we got off on the wrong foot when you revealed your true selves to me. But now I know that you guys, and Annie, are just as much human as these people are. Even if I'm the only one who sees that… No matter what happens, know that I am glad to have met you, and I wanna thank you for taking care of my brother while I was away."
Reiner and Bertolt smile at Michael
"We'll see you guys later. Save Annie and make our unit whole again." Reiner encouraged his stetson-wearing leader before breaking off their brofist and running down the opposite directions of the wall with Bertolt.
Now it was just Michael and Lazarus left. Michael was leading him down the wall towards the entrance to the tunnels he came out of. Since his fight with Zeke had left him physically and mentally exhausted, he believed it would be best if he conserved his strength after he saves Annie and aids them in their upcoming battle.
"Remember, Laz. Once you enter the tunnel you'll be on your own. If you follow the pathway I'll set up for you in a moment, you should have no problem reaching Stohess. The problem is once you exit the tunnel, it'll close up behind you. You'll have to fly back with Annie once you find her." He explains thoroughly.
"I got it. But how exactly are you gonna help me navigate? We don't have time for you to draw up a map."
"Don't need to. I just need you to face me."
Lazarus chooses not to question him and does as he's told since they were pressed for time. Michael removes his hat, exposing his horns, and places his hand atop Lazarus's head, resting his fingers between the horns.
In a flash of lightning, Michael alters his mind the same way he erased his memories of him in the past, to give him instinctive knowledge on how to navigate the labyrinth without getting lost. He then removes his hand once it was done and places the hat back atop his head.
"I just transferred centuries' worth of knowledge on how to navigate the tunnels inside your head. Until now, only Crystal Titan users had such knowledge. Use it wisely."
"Since when could the Crystal Titan manipulate memories?" He questioned him.
"Oh yeah, I never really explained how I was able to erase your memories of me in the first place. Long story short, it was a side effect of the time my grandfather had his curse broken. He must've absorbed a portion of the Founding Titan's power. More accurately, the power to manipulate the mind. That power was passed down to me along with the Crystal Titan."
"Oh, I see. Well, that certainly explains things. Anyway, thanks for the info, Michael. This'll be a great help."
With that done, the two of them use their ODM gear to scale down the wall. Once on the ground, they run towards the tunnel entrance.
"Are you nervous?" Lazarus asked without looking in his direction.
"About the mission? Nah. It'll be easier once you get back as soon as you can."
"I was talking about facing Erwin, Sasha, and the others again." He corrected him.
Hearing that caused Michael to come to a halt a few feet away from the entrance. For a brief moment there, he forgot that it was Erwin who was leading this attack against them. And Sasha and the others will most likely attempt to kill him.
"I know how you feel, Michael. I don't wanna kill any of them either. They're still our friends. And deep down, I know they believe so too. But they've got a lot to lose, and so do we. Neither side is willing to back down. And it's fruitless trying to reason with them. Erwin made that clear to you when you last saw him, right?"
"Yeah… He said that." Michael lowers his head. His brow furrows as his eyes start to build up with tears of frustration. "Dad, Levi, Hange, Sasha, Connie, Jean, Armin, Mikasa… Even Eren. Every single one of those people who we called our friends is now our enemy… I thought I was ready for this! But… now I don't think I am..."
Lazarus grabs a hold of Michael and pulls him into a caring embrace.
"I hate doing this to you. Really, I do. There's not gonna be a part of me that'll convince me it was the right thing to do. But you have to be strong! With me gone, your Titan is the best chance we have of capturing Eren. And now that he's drunk your spinal fluid, he's become stronger than ever. Which means it's down to you to stop him. Reiner cannot take him alone. He needs you… I promise I'll be back in time to assist you. You have my word on that."
He breaks off the hug for Michael to properly look him in the eye.
"No matter what happens, we have to give this mission our all if we are to end this conflict for good. Hopefully, you can convince Erwin to see things your way through action rather than words. And as for Sasha, she still cares deeply about you despite your decision to join our side."
"And how would you know that?" He questioned him.
"Because she told me so herself."
"What?!" Michael responded in shock. His facial expression then changes from sadness to a bright blush of embarrassment.
"It's true. During our time off after the Retaking of Trost mission, she told me she developed a crush on you. I promised her I wouldn't tell you though because she was still trying to determine who she loves more. You, or potatoes."
The two of them start laughing out loud. It is so like Sasha to be divided between food and people.
As pleased as Michael was to learn that she did feel the same way about him, it didn't change the fact that this chance of a romantic relationship will never come to pass. Whether he tries to or not, some of the friends he's made on this island are going to end up dead.
As the sun was rising over the horizon, the two brothers decided to get a move on. They've wasted enough time already. With a slam of his hands, Michael reopens the entrance to the tunnels yet again.
"This is it. Time for you to be reunited with your beloved." He teased.
"Yeah yeah." Before jumping in, Lazarus faces Michael one last time. "We're gonna finish this here, today. We WILL capture Eren. We WILL open Erwin's eyes… And as for Historia." Lazarus places his hand atop his breast pocket, tapping his fist against the case inside, which let out a metallic clanking sound. "I'm gonna make sure she gets this letter no matter what. That's the promise I made Ymir."
"I'm sure you'll find a way." Michael turns his back to him and places his fist atop Lazarus's back as a way of telling him he'll always have his back no matter what. "I'll see ya around, Laz. Don't let me down, alright?"
Lazarus responds by placing his fist against Michael's back too. "We'll always have each other's backs, brother. Till the end of the world. Let's end this. For our friends and families."
The two Warriors nod with determination, then go their separate ways once again. As soon as Lazarus leaps into the hole, it closes itself up. With his task done, Michael rushes back to the wall and rejoins Reiner within Shiganshina. None of them knew what was in store for them once the Scouts arrived. But they all knew that, for better or for worst, this would be the beginning of the end.
As Michael gazes up at the night sky, his look of determination changes slightly, as if he is determined for an entirely different reason.
He waits until Lazarus was out of range before speaking his thoughts aloud.
"I'm sorry I can't tell you the true reason why I'm helping you and the Warriors capture Eren, Laz. I admire that you want to end the war peacefully, but you're still living a fantasy. I've lived on this island long enough to fully understand the lives of the people of Paradis. And I've lived in Marley just as long to know how they opperate. Even if you erase Titans from the world, it won't change how Marley views them and Subjects of Ymir in general. People will always hate and discriminate against each other. It's nobody's fault, it's just human nature… But I have my own reasons for wanting the Founding Titan. When Zeke told me you had royal blood, I realised that my plans are now suddenly possible. You're the only one I can truly trust, but it's too soon for you to learn my true motives. Maybe one day when you've come to accept the reality of the world… When the time comes, you will help me complete my ancestor's secret mission. The one that's been clinging to the very back of our minds like a tumour… The mission to kill the Founder, Ymir, and free all Ackermans from their curse!
To Be Continued
