One week later

"How are you feeling?"

I look down at my bandaged hands as I walk alongside the Captain and leader of my friends' squad with Petra tagging along too toward a small house in the middle of nowhere. "The fingernails that got ripped off are starting to grow back, So that's a good sign. Hange hasn't overworked me too much the last few days preparing for Eren's experiment."

"Good." He responds as he opens the door of the house.

Petra pats my shoulder, smiling. "It's good to see you out and about again."

"Your rowdy friends are gonna need your discipline." Proving his point, I catch my other friends arguing amongst themselves except for Historia who stands quietly by the door with wood in her hands. She's the only one to notice our arrival. "What's this commotion about?"

I stand beside Historia, nodding in greeting to her as Levi passes Eren to the large wooden table, listening to the others argue about food and stuff. I bet anything that Sasha was caught swiping food. Eren shudders as the Captain places a hand underneath the table, slides it a few inches, and analyzes his hand. "I'm quite sure I gave you enough time." A collective groan comes from the assembled cadets while I do my best to stifle a laugh. Oh, they are so in for it when we get back. "Anyways... We'll discuss your lax cleaning job another time. Eren. Hange is itching to get the experiment started."

"R-Right..."

This should be fun.

"Well damn, that didn't last long." I sigh as Eren's Titan form collapses pitifully on the ground just seconds after his transformation. We're out in a secluded area so Eren can use his shifting ability and his ability to harden, but that's failed in a matter of seconds.

"What's wrong, Eren?!" Hange calls from the cliff we, Moblit, Levi, Petra, Armin, and Historia stand upon. "Get up! The future of humanity is riding on you! Get up, dammit!"

"Hey, four-eyes, he's not quite the same this time. He's not even ten meters, and some of his body doesn't have muscle. Plus, Eren's ass is hanging out."

"I can see that! Eren! Can you still move?! Give us a signal or something!"

"Twitch once for 'yes,' twice for 'no.'" I snicker as Mikasa hops off her horse to go check on Eren.

I hear Levi groan. "Hey, that gloomy brat is acting on her own again. Time to think of a punishment?"

"No there's no signal. We're done here!" Hange and Moblit head on down to extract Eren, though it seems something about Eren interests her for her to scream excitedly. Mikasa uses her sword to cut Eren's face free from the Titan's body, leaving us above with a view of Eren's disfigured face.

Okay, that's fucking gross. "What do you make of this, Captain?"

"I guess we got a long road ahead of us before we can use the Titan hardening ability to seal the wall."

"Yes," Armin says, "I knew we'd be grasping at straws from the start."

Petra sighs. "Is this really our best option?"

"Strategically, it's not a bad plan. Instead of lugging tons of supplies, all we need is to get Eren there. Whether or not we're grasping at straws...all depends on Eren." Below, Hange gives us the order to retreat, so I wave farewell to Armin, Petra, and Historia as he walks off. Levi turns to Historia as she takes her step. "You ride in the same wagon as Eren. I'm headed for Trost District with Hange's group."

"Okay."

The next morning

Hange possesses an extra pep in her step as the three of us walk to Pastor Nick's room in the barracks. I don't get why we continue to hold him here, but it isn't like he's trying to leave either. Maybe he has nowhere else to go. Anyway, my job is to make note of anything I find suspicious in Hange's talk with the former leader of Stohess' Church of the Wall, so I carry my journal with a bookmarked page far off from where I last made an entry of yesterday's failed experiment.

"What's this? I heard Hange say as we approached Nick's room. Two men, wearing jackets of the Military Police, standing guard outside the room. I do not recall there being guards before, so my guess is as good as my superiors. So when Hange took a look for the minister and her eyes became mortified, I knew something was wrong.

"Hey!" one of the guards says pushing Hange back, "You'll disrupt the crime scene, you damn Scout!"

"Don't get any closer."

"This is our job, not yours."

The Military Police officer closes the door. "It's another robbery-murder. They've been springing up a lot lately."

Robbery-murder? The pastor...is dead? Killed by who? Who is brave or insane enough to come into a military establishment to rob and kill someone? Logically, something doesn't add up.

"Wha-? I'm not buying that! His nails were torn off!" I fell my hands twinge. It's one thing to have your nails accidentally ripped off...but to have someone forcibly rip them off... Who in the hell could've done this?

The taller of the two guards suddenly grabs Hange by her collar. "Which unit are you in?"

Before I could put this bitch in his place like he deserves, Moblit, beating me to the punch, steps forward, gripping the man's arm with unbelievable strength. I've seen him worry for Hange so much that I initially believed he was her loyal lapdog, but as I spent time with him when we're spared from Hange's shenanigans in the nearly two months I've been with the Scouts since my first mission, I know him to still have his set of balls, on display right here. "Fourth Squad Section Commander Hange Zoë, Executive Officer Moblit Berner, and our assistant Elijah Everett."

Moblit's release of the arm does nothing to quell the man's attitude towards us. "Your ranks mean practically nothing when your branch is the trash that it is. Listen here… It was no Titan that killed that man. A person killed another person. This work is out of your league."

"First Interior Squad," Hange says quietly, reading the lettering on the jacket above the left pocket."

"Why?" Moblit asks. "What's the capital's Military Police doing down south in Trost?"

"What's so strange about it?" You weren't down here a month ago when Titans invaded, but here you are when a man of some importance is killed, I think to myself. "Unlike you useless goons, us valuable soldiers are busy getting things done."

"Oh! So that's how it is!" Hange switches her tone to some form of false acceptance. "You're right, I'm worthless, really. I'm so lucky to meet great soldiers like you. Let me shake your hand!" Hange grabs the man's hand suddenly, but he doesn't retract. "I see… So poor Nick was robbed. Such a pity. Did he ever have stuff worth stealing in the first place?"

"Of course. Everyone knows the Church's trinkets are made from valuable iron."

"Huh? Nick was a pastor for the Order of the Walls?"

"What are you talking about?"

"He was a friend of mine on personal terms. But, as far as I knew the man, he was just a chair-maker. I even wrote that on his application here."

It seems the man is getting tired of Hange rubbing his hands. "Dammit, stop-"

"Though, I guess this only means I never knew Nick as well as I thought I did."

"Hey! Let go!"

Hange releases, falling back in "embarrassment". "Oh, I'm sorry! Forgive me!" She quickly salutes. "Well then, good luck with the investigation. When you capture the culprit, please tell them this: The things you did to him, perhaps you felt were righteous and just. But, personally, I couldn't care less about any of that. To you scoundrels, I will ensure you're tortured alive like my friend, and experience suffering above and beyond what you did to him. Yes, you'll be sorry!"

Yikes.

Dropping her stance, Hange turns on her heels. "Pass along that message. Excuse us." We depart from the guards, I send a final glance their way before we disappear around the corner. Out of earshot, Moblit opens his mouth.

"Section Commander, do you think they really-"

"Yeah. First Interior Squad, Djel Sannes. All the skin on his fist was split. Nick was tortured by the Interior Military Police and then murdered."

"But why?" I ask.

"Something tells me they didn't trust him to keep quiet anymore."

"I figured the Church would want to deal with Nick since he was cooperating with the Scouts. That's why I hid his identity and had him stay in the barracks, but… To think they would use soldiers to kill him… I was too careless. It's entirely my fault."

Silence befalls the large room before Armin speaks up. "The Military Police. Did they torture Pastor Nick just to find out what information he spilled to us?"

"Most likely," Levi answers. "But it was the Interior Military Police, which means there's something more behind it. So, how many nails did Nick have ripped off?"

"Huh?"

"You saw, right? How many?"

"I only caught a glimpse of him, but all the nails I could see."

I concur with her observation. "We could only see the back of one hand. I only caught a fleeting glance before the door was closed to us, so at least five were gone." I look down at my right hand. "The real question is... Why?"

"People that talk, talk after one. If they don't, peeling more won't make a difference. Pastor Nick… I thought he was an idiot, but… He didn't turn away from what he believed, all the way till the end. In other words, they have no idea we've caught wind of the Reiss family. Though someone in the government is up to no good, and their eyes are fixed on us."

"Captain Levi." A soft-spoken woman named Nifa calls to him as she walks inside the house, handing Levi a piece of paper. "A message from Commander Erwin. I went to tell him about Pastor Nick, but he sent me off with this."

Levi takes a few moments to read the letter before looking up. "Everyone, out. We leave now. Leave no trace we were here."

Search all they want, but the Military Police scouring the house for us Scouts are wasting their time. We observe their movements from the nearby cliffs, out of sight. Raising my rifle to my shoulder, I sigh as I stand with Connie and Armin watching the soldiers. "That was way too close."

"Yeah. If we hadn't left right then, what would've happened to us?"

"But why?" What would make Commander Erwin..."

"New orders came from the government," Levi says. "There's been a freeze on all Scout Regiment activity outside the Wall. They're telling us to hand over Eren and Historia."

I frown. "So they know that we know her real name..."

"By the way, right after he gave me the message, the Military Police came for him."

"They're treating him like some sort of criminal!"

"Someone's not working from the shadows anymore. They're moving for all eyes to see."

"To go that far to protect the wall's secrets… What's more, why do they want us to hand over Eren and Historia? Not to kill, but for them to obtain?"

"Who knows? Anyways, it's clear the enemy is after these two. Loitering around here is dangerous. We're moving her and Eren to Trost District."

"Why?" Moblit asks. "That's the same place Pastor Nick was killed."

"It's worse to head towards the interior. With Trost in a panic, it should be easy to slip in. And if somehow it comes down to it, we can use these in the city." Levi reveals his ODM, which most of us are equipped with, even me. "Plus, not knowing the enemy puts us in a tough spot. We need to find out who's behind this. Hange, lend me some of your squad, Elijah included." I'm glad to be going with my friends, but I can't help but feel honored to be requested by Captain Levi. I guess he sees something in me, only months ago he was more worried about me dying.

"Of course. Alright, I'm going after Erwin. Moblit's with me. The rest of you will follow Levi."

"Yes, ma'am." I look away as the conversation comes to an end, my eyes back on the soldiers searching the hideout. Something doesn't sit well about this situation, but whatever it is, we'll figure it out soon enough. As long as we protect Eren and Historia, nothing crazy should happen. We're long overdue for a break anyway.

I just know we won't be that lucky.

Trost

"Try not to walk in a cluster. We'll stand out. Eren and Historia, just walk normal." Back in Trost District the next day, us cadets except for the real Eren and Historia walk down a busy street. Jean and Armin, playing the roles of Eren and Historia, tag along in the back.

"Why is the royal family's flag hanging everywhere?" Conny inquires.

"Oh!" Sasha exclaims. "Today must be the anniversary of the King's coronation. Once a year, they hand out a haul of rations."

"Oh."

"Don't you dare, Potato Girl." I say to her jokingly. She groans, but it is worth it for making Connie and Jean snicker. Whatever lightens the mood for us.

"Meanie."

"We'll begin handing out rations!" A Military Police officer says on a podium. "King Fritz has heard of Trost District's hardship and will donate the royal family's reserves! There's enough for everyone! Line up orderly!"

"What a King!" Sasha says as the civilians begin to assemble for their share of rations. "He sure is generous."

"He's got more than he knows what to do with. People are weak, especially when baited with food." I cough lightly as I follow Levi and Mikasa, possibly saying Sasha's name while doing so. We continue to walk for a few more moments in silence, allowing me to think about recent events. To be specific, what could the government want with Eren and Historia?

Eren, of course, has the Power of the Titans, but after the rescue mission, I fear there's more to it. A month ago, he was set to be executed...but if word got out he gained temporary control of the Titans, it would be reasonable that the government would want that power for themselves. But why Historia? She doesn't seem to know any secrets, else she would've spilled the beans by now. She's a lord's illegitimate child, so she doesn't have any social standing. The only thing we know of her is her true past and what Pastor Nick has said of her.

"Watch out! Behind us!" Surprised, we step out of the way as a cart passes us. In the cart, two men grab Armin and Jean.

"Armi-I mean, Christa and Eren! They got snatched away again!" Looking to Levi, he nods to me and Mikasa, giving us the signal to head out. Since I have seniority over the others in my time as a Scout, plus between me and Mikasa, I'm more adept to leading the others, Levi nominated me to lead the cadets should we separate from him, with the younger Ackerman as my second.

"Everyone, let's go. We'll keep the cart in sight, but will not engage."

The five of us follow the cart to a warehouse along the edge of Trost. I share a rooftop window with Mikasa and Petra as we watch the situation from above. Believe me, it is one I'll always remember, but I'll be damned if I ever dream it. I know if I'm uncomfortable watching it from up high, Jean getting a closer-up is worse, and Armin, poor Armin, bless his soul.

"Yeah? You like that? Let me hear you moan. Well? How's that? Doesn't it feel good? I'm just dying to hear your cute little voice." Armin winces as girly as he can, much to the creep's pleasure. "She's more muscular than I expected."

I turn away, leaning my back against the brick building. "That bastard? He's mine..."

Mikasa nods. "We should update the Captain."

"Right. Connie, Sasha, Petra, keep your eyes open...as best you can.." We zip over to the other side of the building, where Levi keeps watch on our surroundings. We land on our knees, kneeling to keep out of sight on the ground.

"How's it going inside?"

"If we don't hurry," Mikasa answers, "they'll see through Armin's disguise...and I feel bad for him."

"It's not pretty in there for him."

"I see."

"How's your leg? Any better?" I turn slightly to Mikasa. This is the first time ever I have seen her show concern for Levi. Of course, they're relatives somewhere on the family tree, but besides that, they never have shown much concern for one another. Then again...both are cold-hearted bastards. Mikasa is also the reason Levi hurt his legs weeks ago in our fight against the Female Titan.

"I can move well enough. It's not bad. More importantly, these kidnappers. They're nothing but amateurs. Why would they be using guys like this?" Levi stands up. "You can handle the rest on your own. I'm heading for Eren. Once you've dealt with the trash, come and meet up with me."

"Yes, sir."

"One more thing… I'll tell you two, just in case. Tell Armin and the others, too."

A few minutes later, a new group of people arrive at the warehouse. Watching from the rafters after sneaking through the windows, we catch sight of this new group of men. One of them is awfully familiar... Wait a minute...

"Good timing," the merchant asshole says to Mikasa. "Make these morons push my wagon! I'll pay you handsomely."

If I didn't have the right mind, I'd beat this asshole until he can't walk anymore, but lucky for me, looks like Mikasa has something else in mind.

"Right now, my comrades are dying back there. I can't help your crisis. They are dying from fighting Titans."

"Exactly! It is your duty as a soldier to die for the survival of the citizens! Don't get high on yourselves because of the safety we had for the past hundred years!"

If that ticked me off, I know Mikasa is just as triggered. She steps off the Titan and walks through the crowd, blades still drawn. "I wonder if they understand the value of one person dying for the sake of someone else? At times, the death of one is necessary to save many."

The president apparently has friends as they step up to protect him as he threatens Mikasa. "Don't you dare! Your commander and I are old friends! One word from me and you'll be court-martialed!" The grunts come after Mikasa, only to meet my fists.

Mikasa keeps on walking, barely acknowledging me as she steps up to the balding merchant. "How will a dead body speak? As Mikasa raises one of her swords, the merchant realizes that she is serious, and steps back as her blade comes down.

"Wait!" Mikasa's sword hovers just at his throat, the stare she gives daring him to make another threat. As he shakes, the merchant sighs and orders his men to remove the wagon, thus allowing the people to escape through the inner gate.

"You're sure, without a doubt, it's Eren and Christa?"

"Yes, they match the description."

"Huh? Where's the guard?" I smirk. He's already disposed of by Mikasa who's hiding somewhere on the floor. She has my order to initiate the attack whenever she- Ouch, that was a brutal knee to the face. The third man of the group falls to the floor, then the last person is grappled to the ground. Surprised and scared, the man who was all over Armin still with the merchant boss pulls out a pistol, but he's taken care of by my descent from above, slamming his face into the ground and knocking a good amount of his teeth out. Freed from earlier, Jean and Armin tie up the men while Mikasa holds the boss down. Mission accomplished, but it's not over yet.

"Connie," I call. "Is it only the four of them?"

"Yeah, that's it! Nobody else is in the area."

"No signs of anyone else in the area," Petra confirms.

"If you move again, who knows where I'll hit?" Hearing Sasha's voice, I turn to see her arrow right beside the pistol the creep dropped from my takedown on him. The boss must have tried reaching for it. I look up to her, smiling and nodding my appreciation for her helping Mikasa.

"All right!" Mikasa orders. "First, we tie these guys up, then we meet up with the Captain."

"What do you mean?"

"His orders," I answer Armin. "...and he sends a message for all of us too."

Levi

"Captain?" Levi Lands beside Nifa on top of a building a few meters behind and above the cart where Eren and Historia ride. With Petra, Mikasa, and Elijah tackling the other problem, he has no worries about their success. With Elijah's keen sense of observation and leadership, Mikasa's ability to fight better than most, and the overall abilities of Armin, Petra, and the others, they should be fine on their own. He wouldn't admit it to their faces to prevent their heads from swelling, but those cadets are special. They've been through hardships, betrayals, and those six came out alive. As for Petra...she had a close call in the 57th Expedition. Levi is grateful for Elijah's rescue but annoyed he disobeyed orders to get it done. But he's grateful overall, even though he won't admit it.

"Well?"

"The road is crowded, but nothing unusual. It's not much farther to Commander Pyxis'. How's the body double mission?"

"A success."

"And yet, you don't look happy."

"No." Something is wrong. The Military Police can't be behind this. They're far too arrogant. They wouldn't use amateurs. This is more like... Assuming the wagon was being followed and the group was trailing behind their target.

"Captain. The wagon's almost moving again."

"Nifa, have you heard about 'Kenny the Ripper?'"

"The...mass murderer in the capital? The one that slit the throats of over 100 Military Police? That's just an urban legend from years ago, right?"

"He is real, and the stories are true."

"Huh?"

"I lived with him for a while when I was a kid."

"What? Why would you even say that? This isn't the time to be making jokes."

Levi doesn't respond to that, instead keeping his eyes on the wagon below. That's right. he wouldn't care about using amateurs. If a group was trailing their target, it would be from the rear angles, and a place high up...with a view...like where we are now! "Nifa!"

BOOM!

His warning is too late as a blast erupts from behind them...and the young woman's head splatters across the roof. Levi barely manages to dodge the one meant for him. Similar gunshots echo in the sky, a testament to the presence of Nifa's killer having allies. Taking cover behind the chimney, Levi looks back as a man situates himself on the roof. "Yo, Levi. You grown any yet?" Gas hisses as it ejects from a canister, much like if the man was wearing ODM gear, but instead of blades, he bears twin firearms. "Woohoo!" Flying up, he aims down at Levi. "Oh? It don't look like you changed at all!"

Levi angrily draws his blades to engage the older brown-haired man with a cry. "KENNY!"