Chapter 36

Rescue Mission

They rode through the night. Kara was in the wagon sitting next to Mikasa with Hange and Levi in front of them. Armin was driving the cart. Jean and Moblit were in front of the wagon and Sasha and Conny were behind the wagon.

"Hange. You said you might know where they are?" Mikasa asked.

"Oh, yeah. Guess I should explain how." Hange said. She held up the book she was holding in her hand. "Erwin gave me this Scout report from an investigation on Lord Reiss' land. It details a certain incident that occurred five years ago on the Reiss Estate."

"Five years?" Kara asked.

"That's right. It was the day Wall Maria was breached. I'll summarize the most important parts from the beginning. So, as far as regional lords went, Lord Reiss was fair and well respected by the people. He had five children. The most well known of them was his eldest daughter Frieda. She was a down-to-earth girl who even the peasants adored. But five years ago, on that night, disaster struck. With the fall of Wall Maria having plunged the world into chaos, bandits raided and set fire to the only chapel around. Unfortunately for them, the entire Reiss family had gathered there to pray. And so, the entire family was massacred by bandits that night, save one. Only Rod Reiss managed to escape with his life." Hange said. Eveyone sat in silence. Kara sat with her arms crossed. Mikasa had a deep frown on her face. "To top it all off, this incident occured just a few days before Historia's mother was killed by the Interior Police. So we know that in the immediate wake of loosing his family, Rod Reiss sought out Historia. And something tells me that it wasn't out of a newfound paternal affection."

"Well, she is of royal blood. Or do you think that bloodline has some other secret?" Levi asked as he looked at Hange. Hange looked at Levi.

"It's possible, but I'm not sure yet. What really stood out to me at least, was that large parts of the chapel were destroyed. The chapel was built from stone. It would take a lot of time and effort to destroy it." Hange said. Kara raised an eyebrow at the words. "If it was bandits, they'd have taken what they could and make a quick escape. Also, Lord Reiss was the only witness. No one confirmed his story." Mikasa and Kara shared looks. "Then Lord Reiss rebuilt the chapel with his personal fortune almost immediately. What was his rush?" Jean and Moblit looked back at Hange. "When you think about it, the story could only make sense if it involved a Titan attack. It may turn out that I'm jumping to conclusions, but it's suspicious enough to merit investigation, and it's the only lead we have."

"We should ride faster." Kara said. Levi nodded. Jean and Moblit got their horses moving faster as Armin got the cart moving.

"We have to get there as fast as possible, before Eren ends up in someones stomach." Hange said.

'If its true that someone can gain the power of the Titan by eating the person that has the power, then Eren is in deep trouble. I just hope we can make it there in time.' Kara thought. They rode in silence for awhile.

"You should understand." Kara looked at her father. "This is Kenny the Ripper. If he's there, he's our biggest obstacle. In term of his threat level, it's like you'll be fighting me. Or wait. With those weapons of his, he'll be stronger."

"Then he's unbeatable. At least for us." Sasha said.

"Maybe we should wait and meet up with other soldiers." Conny said.

"No chance in hell." Mikasa said, glaring at their friends.

"Right. Course not." Conny said in a panic voice.

"If we wait for reinforcements, then Eren might get eaten." Kara said.

"You know, based on what the Captain just told us, the odds won't be entirely in Kenny's favor." Armin said.

"You really think so?" Jean asked.

"Yeah. His squad is well trained, but we have way more combat experience." Armin said.

"Have to ask. How is it that you lived with Kenny the Ripper but know next to nothing about him? Did the two of you never talk?" Hange asked.

"Not much. I only just learned the man's last name. Dunno if you heard but it's Ackerman." Levi said. He looked at Mikasa. "Might be a relative of yours." Mikasa gasps.

"I remember my parents saying that my dad's side, the Ackermans, were persecuted when they lived in the cities. My mom said her ancestors were Eastern. Her family's appearance made it difficult for them to fit in. Both groups were chased deep in the Mountains near the edge of the walls. That's how my parents met. But my father never told me why the Ackermans were never persecuted. He looked the same as all of you, so I don't think he was a different race."

"Tell me this: Have you ever suddenly felt a power awaken inside you?" Levi asked. Mikasa gasped as if she was remembering something from her past.

"I have." Mikasa said. Levi didn't look surprised. The wagon hits a rock, making everyone jump a bit.

"This has happened for Kenny Ackerman as well. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he felt an absurd ammount of strength surging through him. And in that moment, he knew just what he needed to do. And it's happened to me, too." Levi said. Kara looked at her father. "Makes me wonder."

"We are nearing the Chapel." Moblit called from the front. Kara looked ahead and saw the Chapel in the distance. They stopped in front of the Chapel and everyone gets off the wagon and horses. Hange opens the door and they step in.

"Start looking around for a hidden door." Hange said. They searched the chapel while Jean, Conny, and Armin got the supplies they were going to use inside. They finally found the hidden door under a rug. Everyone stood around it. "Reis and Eren should be inside." Levi knelt in front of Hange. "Hopefully the layout's close to what I predicted." Armin was making sure the presents were ready to be used.

"These presents better pay off considering the time we spent prepping them." Levi said. Jean and Kara stood side by side and they share looks.

"Okay. We should be ready to go now." Armin said. Levi turned to look at his team.

"Alright then. Is everyone here ready? Becasue you're all about to dirty your hands." Levi said, looking at everyone. Everyone stood with straight faces. Kara looked at her father. "Guess that's a yes." Hange and Levi pulled the door open and they climb down the steps. The found themselves in front of a huge door. Levi kicked it open. Jean, Conny, and Moblit push the barrels with wheels down the steps. They ran out into a cavern that was pure white. Kara was shocked at the beauty. Sasha sent a burning arrow at one of the barrels. The barrel exploded causing smoke to fill the area.

"Let's go." Levi said. Kara and Levi sent hooks flying and went flying into the smoke.

"Here they come."

"Shoot them down." Gunshots rang out as smoke signals flew past Kara and Levi. Mikasa was right behind them. They had their swords drawn. Levi swung around a column. He started counting the enemy. Kara moved around a column.

"Thirty-five total! In the upper parts of the pillars! Continue the plan! We'll take them all out right here!" Levi called as Levi and Kara headed towards the enemy. Mikasa went another way.

"Everyone scatter! Let them spread out, then surround them!" A woman yelled. Conny, Jean, and Hange sent hooks flying and went to join the other three. Another barrel explodes from a fire arrow.

"I can't see shit. Where did they go?" Jean came out of the smoke behind the two soldiers. Jean slashes them and kills them. Kara was flying through the air when two soldiers got above her.

"Fire!"

Gunshots rang out and Kara released her hooks and fell into the smoke.

"Where the hell did she go!"

Hooks shot up into the ceiling above the soldiers. They gasp as Kara flew up from the smoke and slashed the soldiers.

"Show off!" Jean called. Kara smirked as they flew in different directions. Kara saw soldiers going after Mikasa and Mikasa kept slaughtering them. Kara saw soldiers ahead, trying to reload and Kara quickly came on them and slashed through them. Levi was already facing off against Kenny. Kara used the columns to bounce off to avoid the gunshots and slashed through the enemy. Jean and her raced side by side as gunshots rang out. "We need to get to Eren. Time is running out."

"I know." Kara said. She turned in the air, grabbing the pouch of gunpowder that was on her hip. She tossed it. A bullet hit the pack and it exploded. Screams came.

"Let's move." Jean said. Kara turned and they moved fast. Hange was fighting with a blonde hair chick. A yell comes and Kara gasped as a hook connected to Hange's shoulder and the woman sent her flying into one of the columns. Hange hit the ground.

"Hange!" Kara yelled. Those that were still alive were moving away from the others.

"Moblit. Armin. Get Hange. The rest of us follow them!" Levi yelled.

"Come on, Kara. Hange will be fine." Jean said. Kara and Jean follow Levi with Sasha, Mikasa, and Conny right behind them. Moblit had Hange in his arms. They soon reach an area and land on the ground. They walk up to a hole where a huge net covered the area. Armin and Moblit were supporting Hange in between them as they walked. Levi noticed a hole that was boarded up. A gold light filled the cave.

"That light." Jean said.

"Shit. We're to late." Kara said.

"Eren!" Mikasa yelled. Kara gritted her teeth. A titan roar fills the air. Gust of wind fills the area and Levi's squad kneels on the ground to brace themselves. Rocks start to fall.

"Hey, guys, this place is about to collapse." Sasha said. Kara looked up towards the hole that was boarded up and gasped. The wood was gone.

"Dad!" Kara called. Levi turned. "It opened up!" Kara pointed. Levi had a look of relief on his face and stood up.

"Okay, Armin! Moblit! You take Hnge and find a way out of here!" Levi said.

"Yes, sir." Armin said.

"The rest of you with me." Levi said as he shot his hooks up into the hole. The others follow and they made it through a passage. They reached an opening to see Eren chained at the end of rock and Historia trying to free him. A wind gust came sending Historia flying. Kara jumped down and quickly caught her before Historia slammed into the wall.

"Historia." Kara said.

"Kara." Historia said as Mikasa and Sasha landed next to her. Kara looked ahead and gasped. A huge Titan was forming in the cavern. Levi landed in front of the girls.

"Give me the keys!" Levi said. Historia tossed him the keys. Eren looked back. His face was covered in blood.

"Captain. All of you." Eren said. Kara helped Historia stand as they stood leaning against the wall. Jean ran over to Eren and grabbed his arm. Levi got the other arm and started to figure out what key to unlock him. Conny crawled towards Eren. Levi got the first chain and handed down the keys to Conny.

"Conny, hurry!" Levi said. Conny grabbed the keys.

"Just leave me here. Forget it! Hurry up and escape!" Eren said.

"Stop whinning. Ya half-naked weirdo! We've got gunmen and a Titan coming at us, so pipe down!" Jean growled. Conny unlocked the feet.

"Feet are loose!" Conny said. Kara was watching the Titan. It was pushing up against the ceiling.

"Whoa. It's even bigger than the Colossal Titan. Crazy." Sasha said as Jean goes to free Eren's other hand. Cracks start to form in the ceiling.

"The ceiling. Look out!" Mikasa yelled. Jean frees Eren's other hand.

"Get back!" Levi yelled. The boys drag Eren back as rocks hit where Eren stood. Everyone stood leaning against the wall. Kara stood between Eren and Jean.

"Damn it. We'll be buried alive." Jean said as rocks fell. Kara gritted her teeth. This is not looking good for them all. Jean grabbed her arm gently. She looked up at him. He gave her a small smile. Eren slid down the wall so he was sitting on the ground.

"Sorry. I can't." Eren said. Kara looked down at him as he sat there sobbing. "I've been dead weight every damn step of the way. This power never should've been given to me. I can't be humanity's hope. I'm just to weak." Kara nearly rolled her eyes.

"C'mon. Stop playing the tragic hero." Jean said. Eren gasped and looked up at Jean. "Of course you're to weak to accomplish jack by yourself, but no one expects you to."

"He's right. You need your friends help here and there." Kara said.

"Yeah, calm it down. We've been through a whole lot worse than this, man." Conny said.

"Not that I really wanna get used to it." Sasha said.

"Still, it's gonna suck trying to fly through that mess." Kara said, looking towards the Titan.

"I'll take Eren." Mikasa said.

"It's gonna take all that we have to not get hit, so hold on for your life." Jean said, looking at Historia.

"Right." Historia said.

"It's useless. You know we won't make it." Eren said.

"So we should do nothing? Wanna sit here and hold hands til we're crushed? Or till we burn to death? You know dying here won't make anything better." Historia asked.

"Listen. I really hate that I do this to you all the time, but..." Kara looked at Levi. He looked down at Eren. "You've gotta make a choice here. Eren grabs something on the ground and lets out a yell as he ran towards the edge.

"What is he doing?" Kara asked.

"Eren!" Mikasa yelled. Eren put something in his mouth and he ate it. A gold light fills the air. Eren's Titan sits on the ground. Spiderweb crystal like substance starts to come out of his hands, forming around him and going up to the ceiling.

"Whoa. What the?" Conny said.

"Come on! Get under Eren!" Levi said. They all ran to the edge. Kara grabbed Historia and they flew down to get under Eren. Rocks continued to fall as the Titan pushed through the celiling. Eren's Titan roars. Rocks fell around the web. Kara looked up and gasped. Eren's Titan was now a crystal form.

"Father." Kara whispered. Levi looked and his eyes widen. "I think Eren found a way to seal the holes in Wall Maria."

AN: And I leave it there. Sorry for the wait. Til next time.