"This weapon is your life."

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars

Chapter 5: Soaring Freedom & Dancing Midnight

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Where the hell did I put that damn thing…?

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*GLASS BREAK*

Oops…

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Aha! Found it! Man, Eren and Cinder would probably wring my neck if someone outside our little group found this.

Note to self, get a safe for this sort of thing.

Anyway, after that whole debacle with Lionheart and Eren accidentally becoming a wanted fugitive was all sorted out, Detective Montoya from the Mistral PD asked that we get our weapons properly licensed in the system. Who knew that we were illegally carrying heat? I guess that's one downside to not going to a combat school.

The problem however is working out exactly what to put down, so I figured a quick read over my original memo on the weapons would help me out. Man, paperwork sucks. How do those people in office handle it?

Okay, here's what I've got down on the memo:

Weapon #1
Name: Soaring Freedom
User: Eren Yeager

"Soaring Freedom is a custom-made weapon designed by my genius hand specifically for use by my friend/brother-in-arms Eren Yeager, who also supplied the original blueprints that helped in the creation. According to Eren, the idea for this equipment is something he brought with him from his world, and thanks to me, this version is a variation of both the standard gear used for Titan killing, the anti-personnel gear used by that Anti-Personnel Control Squad of those lazy and moronic Military Police against the Survey Corps, and the upgraded version later used against those bastards Marley by Paradis."

"Honestly the concept of this thing is awesome. It combines both combat and movement in one. Imagine teams of people facing off against Grimm with this thing, especially if they can hook on to any aerial Grimm that are a pain in the ass to kill like a Nevermore or a Lancer."

"Note to self, ask Eren if we can manufacture more of these babies for the Kuroyuri defense members."

Mechanics:

Body of the Device – "While the original gear and the anti-personnel gear have the components located on the hips and upper back respectively from the preliminary designs Eren gave me, my plan for Soaring Freedom merges the concept of the two, and has them located in both locations. The main components of the gears, such as the wire storage, fuel source and gas exhaust port are positioned around the upper and middle back like in the anti-personnel gear, while the hooks and axles are located near the waist/hips like in the original variant. This should allow the user, this case being Eren, more freedom and ease of movement in their lower body without being too hindered by the gear."

Aero Cell – "Now because Remnant lacks that Iceburst Stone stuff that Paradis had, Soaring Freedom instead utilizes an Aero Cell for fuel. An Aero Cell is a Dust battery that uses Wind Dust as the fuel for all of the gear's main functions. Unlike the twin gas cylinders of the original vertical maneuvering equipment, or the extra-large single gas cylinder in the anti-personnel gear, Aero Cells are actually around the half the size. You would think that this would be a bad thing, and that means it holds less fuel, but the eggheads of Remnant were able to make Aero Cells really long-lasting. Meaning that in reality, an Aero Cell can last as long as or even longer than the default gas cylinders of the original gear, before needing to load up a fresh Cell. A gauge showing how much fuel is in an Aero Cell is located on a small computer device attached on the wrist."

"Also, I just noticed, but Aero Cell sounds just like aerosol… who's the brainiac who came up with that anyway? Either way, I find it hilarious, and I'm sure Nora would agree with me."

Operating Device – "Much like the other variants, Soaring Freedom's operating device is in the handles of the gear. It has triggers to both launch and reel in the hooks and expel gas from the exhaust, as well as a lever to eject spent blades."

"Honestly, I think it's cool how these things also serve as sword handles and gun grips. Combine both function and combat like Huntsman weapons."

Blade Mode – "One of the gears weapon modes, Soaring Freedom uses blades for combat against both Grimm and Humans/Faunus, kind of like those Survey Corps guys against Titans. According to what Eren told me, the blades were fashioned from a metal called Ultrahard Steel, which were the perfect material for withstanding the crazy heat Titans give off, and were contained in large boxy sheathes that hung by the hips or slimmed sheaths down a user's leg before they were attached to slots at the top of the operating device. The blades for Soaring Freedom, however, are collapsible cartridge in design, and when inserted on the top of the controls, a user can extend the blades out to full length. This collapsible cartridge design allows the user to carry SIGNIFICANTLY more blades than what the original variants could back on Paradis, and are made of a more tougher material blend then that Ultrahard stuff."

Gun Mode – "To give Eren some range when in a fight, Soaring Freedom is equipped to utilize firearms, unlike the original variant and more similar to the anti-personnel gear. At the press of a small button, the operating device partially unfolds and extends into a gun barrel and trigger, with a slot located at the back. This slot is for inserting a Dust Crystal of the user's (Eren) choosing into the gun, and the Crystal is used to generate the projectiles fired. The Gun Mode also comes with a fire selector, giving the user the options of single fire, 3 burst fire, or full auto fire. When the Dust Crystal becomes inert, the user must eject the Crystal and insert a fresh one before they can continue to fire."

Volant – "Now while this gear in my opinion is badass, it isn't without flaws. One of the biggest cons to both the original and anti-personnel variants of vertical maneuvering equipment, is that it becomes functionally useless in open environments with nothing to use as anchor points. This has proven to be fatal when facing Titans in combat in the past according to Eren, so I decided to give Soaring Freedom a workaround via the Volant function. The Volant function is akin to that of a jetpack. When activated, the pressurized gas from the Aero Cell is continuously expelled from the exhaust, lifting the user into the air and granting them full 3-dimensional movement akin to flight. This completely eliminates the problem of being unable to use the gear in open environments, however continuous usage of Volant will drain the Aero Cell faster than it would normally."

"Man, I bet those assholes in Marley would be shitting bricks if they saw the so called "Devils" flying straight toward them with this baby."

OK so that's all I have for Eren's weapon.

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Now for Cinder's. Here's what I've written:

Weapon #2
Name: Dancing Midnight
User: Cinder Fritz

"Dancing Midnight, like Soaring Freedom, is also a custom-made piece of vertical maeuvering equipment designed by Moi, this time for our gal Cinder Fritz. Unlike Soaring Freedom however, Dancing Midnight is a variation of the original Titan killing variant of vertical maneuvering gear that was used by divisions of the Paradis Military like the Survey Corps."

"If I'm being honest though, I am glad that this one wasn't as customized as Eren's, meaning it was easier and faster to build. Though Cinder did have some tweaks to make her gear more… her you could say."

Mechanics:

Body of the Device – "While Soaring Freedom had the major components of the gear positioned in both the hips and upper back, Dancing Midnight is based more around original variant. This means that the wire storage, fuel source and gas exhaust port, hooks and axles are all located near the waist/hips. Unlike the original designs from Paradis, Dancing Freedom's components are more slimmed down and curved, which allows for more ease of movement without being hindered by the original designs more boxy design."

"I mean seriously, can you imagine having to move and fly about with the edges of all the gears components digging and jabbing into you?"

Aero Cell – "Much like Soaring Freedom, Dancing Midnight also utilizes an Aero Cell as the fuel to enable all functions of the gear. See the above paragraph for information.

Operating Device – "Like with Soaring Freedom and the original variants, Dancing Midnight shares the same operating device in the handles of the gear, with the same triggers to launch and reel in the hooks and expel gas from the exhaust."

"If Emerald saw this, she'd probably say something like how lazy my notes for Cinder's gear is."

Blades – "Unlike Soaring Freedom, Dancing Midnight does not utilize a gun mode, and instead is more blade oriented like the original Titan killing variant. However, unlike the straight single edged Ultrahard Steel blades of Paradis, or the collapsible cartridge blades of Soaring Freedom, Dancing Midnight's blades are instead curved Scimitar-like blades similar to the old blades used both in Mistral and Vacuo. The blades are broad and has multiple cutting edges, although the blades are relatively light to enable the user to keep them balanced when dual wielding. And unlike the blades from the original variant, Dancing Midnights blades are not designed to break away and be replaced, so they are much more durable and maintain their sharp edges much longer before needing a touch up. When detached, the blades fold up and are slotted in sheathes on the legs."

"But did you really think I wouldn't give this bad girl some range?"

Bow – "Although Dancing Midnight doesn't have a gun mode like Soaring Freedom, that does not mean it lacks in range. Unlike the traditional gear's blades, or Soaring Freedom's collapsible cartridge blades, Dancing Midnights blades are attached to the front of the operating device rather than be slotted inside the top of it. The user then detaches the second blade and attaches it to the first blade at the front of the device handle to handle, with a small thin cable shooting out and attaching to the blades end point nice and taut. This creates a bow. The arrows used for the bow are similar to Soaring Freedom's blades in that they are collapsible, kept in a small compact disc form before the user extends them into arrows to be knocked and fired. The arrows also come in different variants such as explosive or flashbang arrows."

Volant – "Much like Soaring Freedom, Dancing Midnight also possesses a Volant mode to use for flight in open environments. See the above paragraph for more information."

OK… while it is definitely informative, and should help with filling out the legal papers, there is a problem. The memo was written for personal consultation by me and our group, meaning that I didn't feel the need to censor myself in regards to the knowledge of Eren's world. I'm pretty sure that if I put this in the system, using terms such as Paradis, Marley, Titans, Iceburst Stone and Ultrahard Steel, they'll think I'm screwing around and not taking this seriously, or I'm crazy.

…

…

…

I mean, all of us are a little crazy, but I don't think one or all of us want to end up in a padded cell in a looney bin.

As much of a pain in the ass as it's going to be, I'll have to fill in all the paperwork while being careful not to include the other world terminology.

*SIGH*

Again, how do those people in office handle paperwork?

Mercury Black
Citizen of Kuroyuri – Kingdom of Mistral
Hunt Inquisitorious – Inquisitor #5

Hey guys, The Avenging Titan here! Hope you all are doing good and enjoying yourselves.

I probably would've gotten this done sooner, but there was still stuff that needed to be moved around our new house, so that took some time.

This chapter is a bit of an odd one. In the beginning, I didn't even know what the next chapter topic should be about. A part of me was originally thinking of maybe doing a chapter about the Grimm Nine Titans, to follow up from the Eldian Nine Titans, but there was just one problem with this… not all of the Grimm Titans have been revealed yet.

Only 6 have been established throughout Act I of the main story, and we are hoping on bringing the rest in soon.

Then, as I was creating a bio for Court regarding custom weapons we made for the story, he and I both had the thought of turning it into it's own chapter. And It would allow me to do something a little different. The previous chapters were almost like the WoR episodes narrated by Salem and Ozpin. This one channels the Volume 4 WoR episodes narrated by Qrow, as evident by the sounds of objects being moved and broken by Mercury, kind of like what Qrow does in his episodes.

I remember seeing some people commenting on how they picture Qrow voicing these. Well, this one is directly inspired by him.

And of course, I can't NOT bring this up.

Attack on Titan… has finally concluded.

Over 10 years, 139 manga chapters, and roughly 90 episodes of anime, the series we have all loved and followed has reached the finish line. And it has been one hell of a ride. I first got into the series via the anime, but later tuned in to the manga due to the hiatus between Season 1 and 2 and my own impatience. And after seeing all of the emotional highs and lows, plus the jaw dropping revelations and incredible action, I couldn't wait to see it all brought to animation.

And it was worth it!

Now I also know that the ending of the series has a mixed reaction amongst the fans, and I understand their point of view, but I personally didn't have that much of problem with it. This series was never going to get a nice clean cut happy ending. After all, one of the themes is the about the cycle of violence.

What do you guys think of the ending? Did you like it? Did you hate it? Were you split 50/50? Let me know in the reviews.

Anyways, I hope you all are staying healthy and doing OK. This is The Avenging Titan, signing off!