Chapter 35
Getting on the Move.
The next day. Jean, Kara, Armin, and Mikasa were in town. Word was spreading that Reeves was murdered and they were blaming the Scout Regiment. Jean had a hat on while the others had their hoods up as they gathered supplies.
"The Scout Regiment has murdered a civilian!" A MP was shouting as the friends walk by. The man was waving a paper around. Some of them have evaded capture! These people are dangerous!" Jean grabbed a paper, keeping his head down. "If you spot any of the people on these posters, report them immediatly."
"Tch." Kara whispered as Jean showed her the paper. Her father was on the paper. Jean took her hand as they head down the steps.
"I told you, didn't I? These are the same bastards that unleashed a Titan here. They destroyed half the town." A man said. Jean and Kara met up with Mikasa and Armin and they head for the woods. Levi and the otehrs were waiting as they arrived.
"Captain, we bought the supplies." Jean said. Kara walked up to Levi and handed him the paper.
"The MPs were handing out these flyers." Kara said. Levi took the paper and looked at it. The others put down their supplies.
"If this is true, the Scouts will be disbanded. They say they'll be hunting for us in the mountains tonight. They're also posting guards on all the vital roads. No one can get through them without a pass. So, Captain? What now?" Armin asked.
"We need to hurry and find Eren." Mikasa said. Levi looked up.
"He'll be fine. They're taking him on a wagon. That gives us one day before they reach Reiss' estate. And we need every second we can get to come up with a plan." Levi said. Sasha turned her head.
"Captain. I hear footsteps." Sasha said. Everyone turned their heads in the direction. "Sounds like they're approaching."
"Everyone in the trees. Armin. Go to the creak and pretend your gathering water." Levi ordered. Armin got in position while the others climbed into the trees around the river. Two Mps approach Armin with their guns drawn. Armin had his back to them.
"Don't move!" The boy said. Armin stopped moving the bucket in the water. "Turn around slowly." Armin stood up with his arms up. "You must be a Scout." Armin turned and looked at them, staying calm. "Not a sound. Don't say a word. Now listen and do exactly as I instruct you to..." Kara and Levi jump from the trees and seeze the Mps, putting their swords to their necks.
"That's the way. Now hand your guns to the one in front. Armin quickly grabbed the guns from the MPs.
"Don't say a word, right?" Armin said. The others join and the MPs were stripped of their clothes and ODM gear. Armin and Mikasa tied the Mps hands. Levi seemed to be in deep thought. Conny and Sasha were on watch. Jean found some papers as he was looking thruogh clothes.
"Captain." Jean said, coming over and handing the papers to Levi. Levi took the papers and stood up.
"Now then. You're Stohess District Military Police." Levi said. He walked over to the Mps. "Private Marlo Freudenberg." Marlo had sweat running down his face and he looked worried. Kara stood in front of the two with the others. "Same assignment, Private Hitch Dreyse." Levi walked behind them. "We'll need to dispose of you." Hitch and Marlo gasped.
"Because of what you did, Stohess was a graveyard. Over a hundred people were killed!" Hitch said.
"Huh?" Levi said.
"Hey." Marlo said, looking at Hitch.
"You bastards. I bet you all think you're some kind of heroes of justice, but you're not. You dropped dozens of innocent families straight into hell on that mission of yours!" Hitch said. Kara and Jean share looks.
"Yeah. We did." Levi said. Hitch gritted her teeth and looked at the others.
"Hey, you. You're from the Southern Cadet Corps, right? So you trained with Annie Leohart. Were you a friend of hers?" Hitch asked. Jean gasped. Kara bit her bottom lip. Hitch looked down. "No. She wouldn't have made friends there, either. Way to gloomy and unapproachable for that. She was just afraid of people, like a scared little kid. Now I'll never get a chance to learn anything from her. She's officially listed as missing. You know why?" Hitch turned to look at Levi. "It's because of your Titans turned her into an ugly red stain on the streets!" Levi looked at her with a calm look.
"Actually, no, it's because the Titan we captured was Annie Leohart herself." Levi said. Marlo and Hitch gasp. Levi looked away. "Goddammit. It makes me sick. Nobody knows a thing about this world. Not us or anyone else. Except for the bastards at the center of it all." Jean and Kara look away. Levi lowers his sword. "We're letting you go, but we need to give ourselves a head start on you." Marlo and Hitch look away.
"Annie.." Hitch said. Marlo looked at Levi.
"Hey! Captain Levi! Please, let me join in your cause! I believe that the Military Police are in the wrong here. If there's any way that I can fight this world's injustice, then that's what I want to do!" Marlo said.
"Easy. Calm down." Levi said.
"I swear I won't let you down, sir!" Marlo said.
"No. I have no way of telling if you have enough resolv to make an enemy of the state." Levi said. He puts his sword away and walks so he's in front of the MPs. He looks at his team. "Let's go. Take them deeper into the woods and tie them up, Sasha." Levi walks towards Jean and Kara with Mikasa and Armin right behind him as Sasha runs over.
"Sir!" Sasha said. Jean turned to Levi.
"Hey, Captain." Jean said. Levi stopped and Kara raised an eyebrow at Jean. "Would you let me do it instead?" Levi looked at Jean and saw he had a serious look on his face. Levi turned.
"Knock yourself out." Levi said. Jean looked at Kara.
"Would you like help with this?" Kara asked.
"I'll be fine." Jean said, heading over to the MPs and Sasha came towards Kara as Jean disappeared with Milo and Hitch.
"What is he doing?" Sasha asked.
"I'm not sure. We'll find out when he comes back." Kara said. Levi stood off to the side. Kara came up to him.
"You know anything on what Jean is doing?" Levi asked, looking at Kara.
"I don't father. He might have a plan for us to get past the checkpoint." Kara said. Levi could tell she was telling the truth.
"Tch." Levi said. Kara chuckled. Jean came back with Hitch and Marlo. Kara's eyes widen as she saw a bruise forming on Jean's check.
"Captain. They will take us to a checkpoint we can get through." Jean said. Levi raised an eyebrow but nodded. Kara ran up to Jean as Marlo and Hitch got dressed. She touched his check. "Ow."
"What happened?" Kara asked.
"Hitch has a nasty arm. She hit me in the face with a stick." Jean said.
"That's gonna be a nasty bruise." Conny said.
"It'll be worth it. They are willing to help us." Jean said.
Hitch and Marlo led them towards the Checkpoint. Levi and Kara looked at the checkpoint.
"Far as I know, this is the least manned checkpoint in the region." Marlo said.
"Good. We'll handle it from here. Get back to your squad before they're suspicious." Levi said.
"Right." Marlo and Hitch said. They walk away.
"Marlo. Hitch." Levi said. Marlo and Hitch turn to look at the Captain. "We're grateful." Hitch and Marlo gasped and they did the salute.
"Sir." The two said. Levi turned towards the checkpoint.
"Alright. This time we're picking the fight." Levi said. Jean got in the passanger seat of the wagon with Sasha, Kara, and Conny standing behind him. The others were in the back of the wagon as Jean got the horse going towards the Checkpoint. The wagon heads for the checkpoint. They destroyed boxes and guards turn. The four let out yells as they charged. Levi and Mikasa jumped out of the back. Jean pulled the wagon to a stop as they started grabbing stuff as Levi, Mikasa, and Kara took out the guards.
Jean, Armin, Mikasa, Conny, and Sasha stood on the hill. Levi and Kara were finishing something up at the checkpoint. Footsteps were heard and Jean pointed a gun in the direction. Kara came out first, carrying a gun and a bag of supplies with her father behind her dragging a Captain behind him.
"Stand down." Levi said. Jean lowered his gun.
"Captian. Isn't he.." Armin started as Levi tossed the man to the ground.
"He's with the Interior Police." Kara said.
"I've got questions for him. Let's move." Levi said. He grabbed the man by the shirt and pulled him up. Mikasa tied his hands and they start heading out away from the checkpoint.
They didn't stop till nightfall and Levi threw the man into a tree. The others stood behind and watched.
"Screw you." The Soldier said. Levi kicks the man in the face. The man grunts in pain. Levi knelt in front of the man.
"Where did they take Eren and Christa?" Levi asked. The Soldier looked at Levi.
"You bastards. You think you're so brave. That post was manned by recruits. They barely even knew how to wipe their own asses. No one's gonna think you're heroes for beating them down." The Soldier said. Kara and Jean share looks as Levi stood up.
"Yeah, the guit's tearing me apart." Levi said. Kara flinched as Levi shoved his foot into the Soldier's mouth. The soldier grabbed Levi's foot. "But what really gets at me is this mouth of yours." The Soldier was groaning in pain. "I'm gonna suggest that you start talking while you're still able to use it. Now where are Eren and Christa?" Jean leaned over to Kara.
"Remind me not to piss your father off." Jean whispered. Kara smirked as Levi pulled his foot out of the Soldier's mouth. The Soldier coughs and gasps.
"You can't win. All that's left to you now is to find some filthy corner to hide in! Covered in mud and shit! If you don't turn yourselves in, then every last Scout we captured will get the noose! Starting with the guiltiest one of all, Erwin Smith!" The Soldier yelled. Kara's eyes widen and Jean gritted his teeth. Levi grabbed the Soldier and turned him around pinning him to the tree. Kara had to look away as Levi snapped his arm. The Soldier screamed in pain.
"Hurts doen't it. That's what you get for not answering my question. Some Scout's lives are more valuable than others. Only those dumb enough to agree to that join us." Levi said. He dropped the soldeir and stood up. "Again, where did they take Eren and Christa?" The Soldier looked at Levi with tears running down his checks.
"I.. I don't know. Nobody told me, I swear! Kenny Ackerman doesn't like to make his business known!" The Soldier said. Kara and Mikasa perked up at the last name.
'Ackerman? Is he related to my father?' Kara thought.
"Ackerman?" Levi asked. Mikasa gasped and Kara looked at Levi. "I know Kenny. That his last name?"
"It is but.." The Soldier started.
"He never was much of one for sharing information. Not important stuff, anyway. But I bet you have a rough idea." Levi said. He approached the Soldier and knelt down. "You'd best try to remember." Levi reaches for his not broken arm.
"No, stop." The Soldier said.
"You still have plenty of bones left for me to break." Levi said.
"He's not serious is he?" Conny asked, looking at Kara.
"If he wants information. He'll do anything to get it." Kara said, turning her head as Levi pulled the arm back.
"Damnit. Are you insane?" The Soldier asked. Kara had to bite her lip from laughing.
"Maybe." Levi said, sounding bored. Sasha lifted her bow and arrow.
"Somebody's coming towards us!" Sasha yelled. Levi shoved the Soldier into the ground. Kara quickly raised her gun along with Jean as Mikasa pulled out her swords. Kara stood next to Levi as she held the gun in ready. "And there's more then one." Kara looked and saw two people approaching them with their hoods up.
"Told you. You're beat. Struggle all you want. One way or another, the Survey Corps will be destroyed." The soldier said. Kara took the butt end of her gun and hit the Soldier in the head to shut him up. Levi gave her an approving nod and stood up. They watched as the two approached. They lowered their hoods and Kara ran out.
"Hange. Moblit." Kara said, throwing her arms around Hange and hugging her. Hange hugged Kara back. Everyone relaxed seeing Hange and Moblit. Kara hugged Moblit.
The Soldier was tied to the tree as Levi sat holding a letter and everyone gathered around him to read as Hange explained everything they missed. That the Coup was successful. That the fake King was now arrested with the traitoress goverment.
"And there you have it. The Coup was successful. Premier Zackary now has full control of the capital and government. For the time being at least, the Nobles seem to be staying in line." Hange said.
"Okay, but what about the incident with Mr. Reeves?" Kara asked, looking at Hange.
"We got a public confession out of one of the Interior Police. Reeves' son Flegel really pulled through for us. It's all written right there." Hange said. Kara looked at the paper that Levi held. "The abuse of power, the bogus charges against the Scouts, and that King Fritz was both a puppet and a fraud. It's clear that we only acted in self defense. In short, we're no longer criminals." The friends look at each other with shock and smiles filled their faces. Levi had to stand as everyone jumped in excitement. Jean grabbed Kara and swung her around, causing her to laugh. He took Kara's face in his hands and pressed a kiss to her lips, not caring her father was there. Kara wrapped her arms around Jean's neck and returned the kiss. Hange approached Levi.
"Looks like Erwin's gamble paid off." Levi said. Kara and Jean pulled apart but stayed in each others arms. Kara smiled.
"That it did. But it wasn't just Erwin who gambled. Many people had to make a lot of hard choices for this to work." Hange said. Jean and Kara looked at each other and smiled. Levi looked at Hange.
"Whereas my choices got three of your people killed. I'm sorry." Levi said. Hange gave Levi a fond look. "Here's the thing. The Interiors may have lost, but not all of them know it. They still have Eren and Historia. We need to find them quickly."
"Right." Hange said. She held up one of the books. "I think I know where they might be." Everyone stopped and looked at Hange. "Let's get there and put an end to this fight." Everyone nodded. Kara knew they were close to getting Eren and Historia back. They were no longer criminals. That's all that mattered.
AN: Finally updated this story. Til next time.