First, now that AOT officially ended, let me start by saying: LMMMMAAAAAAOOOOOO!xd!1!11!
That said, I'm still glad for the story being what it is, and the people I've met during the entire thing. I've been following the story since 2016 and while I didn't engage with the fandom as much as others I still met and talked to a lot of great people, including those who follow my fic(s), so thanks to all of you again!
Speaking of endings, I don't have the ending for this fic planned out a 100% yet (But the general idea is there), However I did pre-write an ending to my other multi-chapter fic and gave the preview to a friend of mine and he said I ruined his day (in a good way), so I'll take that as a good sign that I probably won't fumble the ending to this fic.
But could you imagine if I wrote all of this just so that in the end Floch doesn't achieve any of his goals, that'd be crazy if I actually did that haha, haha, xd, haha.
I'll still continue to write Seeking the Devil (or STD for short) for 10 years at least; even if I die, even after I die, until more than 80% of it is completed.
anyway, enjoy!
Evening of Day 19
The last of the smoke was finally clearing from the nearby burnt forest on the outskirts of Trost. Louise had nearly forgotten what it was like to see clear skies, breathe in fresh air, or, at least, as clean as the air could be in an industrial city like Trost. She had spent the last few weeks in the warm embrace of a kind couple, Mr. and Mrs. Forster, and now it was time to say goodbye.
Mrs. Forster knelt down, gently cupping Louise's face in her hands. "You're going to be just fine, dear," she said, her voice brimming with tenderness and reassurance.
Mr. Forster ruffled her hair. "You're a brave little girl," he said, his tone exuding fatherly warmth. "Your new parents are going to love you as much as we have."
With a deep breath, Mrs. Forster took Louise's hand and led her to the front door. Outside, the sky was painted in hues of golden and pink. The young girl and her temporary guardians stepped onto the porch, where a horse-drawn carriage awaited to take Louise to her new home.
Tears welled up in Mrs. Forster's eyes, and she hugged Louise one last time. "Remember, you are welcome back here at any time, so don't forget to visit once in a while, alright?"
Louise nodded, her eyes glistening with tears, before they all turned to greet Sasha's father. Her initial impression of the man brought a sigh of relief to her. As the carriage pulled away from the street, she waved at the couple from the back, feeling a mix of sorrow and excitement. Perhaps, by leaving this cursed city behind, life would become better once again.
Considering the circumstances, Floch found himself somewhat content with the current state of affairs.
The talk with Mikasa turned out to be a pleasant surprise, the thought of her not being a thorn in his side was an enticing prospect. His and Eren's squads were now more tolerable, thankfully. Though, Nifa still glared at him from time to time. Historia still wasn't sure about becoming Queen of the walls, but he was sure she'd come around eventually, whether she knew it or not the decision had already been made.
Eren was more energetic these days, excited for what's to come no doubt. Though Floch noticed that whenever the two met up, Captain Levi would shoot them both strange looks, or rather towards him specifically. It had become such a regular occurence that at this point, Floch had lost track of the number of people who looked at him like they wanted to rip him a new one.
Hannah was still Hannah, the air around her felt slightly unsettling so he kept his distance. Gordon, Ruth, Connie, Mina and Mylius were much easier to be around, for obvious reasons. Though, he noticed Armin and Sasha were more attentive to him than the rest, he could only imagine what sort of headaches those two would cause him in the future.
And then there was Sandra, it'd be best not to delve into that, if looks could kill he'd be rotting by now. He heard Oluo refer to her as vomit girl once during a joint training exercise, that nickname brought back unpleasant memories, he wasn't sure how that came to be this time around.
Regardless, a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, he now had allies he could genuinely rely on for the most part. Both Historia and Eren had been initiated into the truth, or at least part of it, and he was content to keep it like that for now. Keep dangling the carrot or so they say.
Truth, Floch mused, was a harsh mistress.
Everyone had yearned for that from him, hadn't they? To hear those fabled words that could mend the aches in their hearts. But what did they intend to do with such knowledge? No, Floch mused, not everything has to be handed out on a silver platter. These were pivotal times, and if he were the one chosen for this, then he'd do it on his terms, not anyone else's, he held the cards.
Besides, they now had the bare minimum required to set the stage for the next four years, and if Armin, Hange and the rest were bound to repeat the same mistakes then that's all they needed to hear from him, the rest they can figure out on their own when It's already too late.
"The lords of Wall Rose have arranged a grand banquet in the heart of Stohess, a celebration of our recent triumph in Trost. Naturally, we've been given an invitation to attend."
Erwin's voice broke Floch from his reverie, delivering the news with a hint of anticipation, The scout blinked, remembering he had been called up by the commander to speak. Floch ventured to inquire, "If you don't mind me asking, sir, what's our stake in this?"
Erwin met his inquisitive gaze with a thoughtful expression, "Plenty. Foremost, the premier Zackly and commander Pixis will grace the event with their presence. Equally crucial are potential supporters for our cause."
"Support from those of high status," Floch mumbled.
Erwin nodded in confirmation, "The botched evacuation and the blunders of the Military Police in the recent operation offer us a unique opportunity. We've already garnered the goodwill of those affected by the tragedy as well as the majority of those residing in Wall Rose; now it's time to ascend the ladder."
Floch's brow furrowed as he sought his role in this grand scheme, "But, where do I fit into all of this?"
Erwin cast an appraising look at Floch, before he replied, "I'd like you to blend in with the nobility, endeavor to persuade them to align with our cause."
"I don't wish to speak out of line but.. shouldn't you be the one to do it, sir? That sounds like to tall of an order to ask from me, I'm just a recruit, I hardly think a bunch of high-borns and merchants would even bat an eye to what I'd have to say." Floch frowned.
"No, I'll have my hands tied with Zackly and Pixis so I can't do both at once." Erwin set the letter down, before fixing him with a gaze. "You're not just another soldier anymore; news of your actions in Trost have spread, and I intend to use that leverage."
Floch pondered the proposal for a moment, his expression shifting as he nodded in agreement, "I suppose the words of a scout carry more weight now, having tasted victory once... or twice."
"Precisely,"
"In that case," Floch began, a hint of determination in his voice, "I have a proposal of my own to put forth."
Erwin's eyes filled with intrigue, "What is it?"
"I'd like your permission to establish contact with a few of my former classmates from the 104th who've enlisted in the Military Police. Having eyes and ears in that branch could be of great benefit to us, and as luck would have it, they are stationed in Stohess as well."
Erwin's gaze sharpened, a subtle intensity in his voice as he demanded, "You'll need to be more persuasive."
Floch maintained his unwavering conviction, asserting, "I believe you're well-acquainted with them both. Jean Kirstein and Marco Bodt were present that fateful night during our operation against the enemy titans on the outskirts of Trost. I can vouch for their reliability and trustworthiness, they've already demonstrated that much with how they kept Ymir's current status a secret."
Perhaps one of the best outcomes of that night was Jean joining the MP, for him, having an ally like Jean, someone who could be swayed to their cause and operate from within to dismantle the opposition, felt like a godsend. After all, where else could he find someone with a genuine heart, willing to stand up for what's right?
"We have no way of knowing that." Erwin argued.
"It would still be worth a shot, being a scout is all about risks isn't it? Remember, sir," Floch continued, his tone earnest, "You once said it yourself years ago. We often can't attain our dreams on our own, and it's our comrades beside us who help shoulder the burden to reach them. I have faith that these two can be invaluable to our mission."
Erwin's countenance briefly revealed surprise, before settling into a thoughtful mask as he considered the proposal.
"Very well," Erwin conceded, finally breaking his silence. "I'll inform your squad about the situation and have them escort you. We'll discuss the particulars at a later time. You're dismissed for now."
"Thank you, sir," Floch saluted, offering his gratitude before exiting the room. Erwin's penetrating gaze followed him until the door clicked shut.
Once alone, Erwin released a tension he had carried, allowing his shoulders to relax with a sigh. He approached the window, looking out at the surrounding woods. He contemplated Forster's words, recalling how adeptly he had managed to influence Levi and Mike's squads opinions of Eren in such a short amount of time, Levi's assessment was right after all.
That kid was a monster with a silver tongue.
He had proved to be resourceful, and he wanted to see the true extent of that resourcefulness. He glanced down at the palm of his hand, his dreams weren't so distant now. An enemy was held captive, slowly being broken into confessing. His most trusted men and women were out investigating the true ruler of these lands, and he was about to have a meeting that would determine the future of mankind within the walls.
The whole truth was in the palm of his hand, and now he needed to firmly grasp it.
Exiting Erwin's office, Floch ventured outside to rendezvous with his squad. With Captain Mike dispatched on Erwin's orders, he now answered to Nanaba and Thomas. The front courtyard of the castle greeted him, where the sun descended gradually on the distant horizon. Scouts and recruits milled about, some on their way to other duties, while others chatted in small clusters.
In the distance, he spotted Gordon and Ruth, diligently leading their horses back into the stables alongside a few other cadets, wrapping up a training exercise. Their cheerful waves reached him, prompting a brief wave in response before he resumed his journey to his squad.
Suddenly, a gentle tug on his sleeve interrupted his stride. He turned to find Sandra looking up at him with a hesitant expression, her grey eyes holding an unspoken concern as she wordlessly implored him to come with her. Floch took a moment to assess the situation before nodding. Together, they made their way to a secluded clearing by the woods, just on the outskirts of the castle. An unsettling silence hung between them, and Sandra continued to cast anxious glances in his direction, her head bowed.
Floch, his patience running thin, finally broke the silence with a sigh, "Great talk, Sandra. I'll see you later."
"Wait!" Sandra's urgent plea stopped him in his tracks. She grasped his wrist, her eyes imploring, "Please, wait..."
Her furrowed brows accentuated her discomfort, and she lowered her head, her bangs casting a shadow over her eyes as she released a trembling breath. "It's not fair, you know?"
Floch raised an eyebrow, pivoting to face her. "...What's not fair?"
"It's like nothing's changed since boot camp... The way you avoid me, the way you look at me. During Trost, I thought... that things were different, but now you're back to how you were before," she whispered, her voice laden with pain. "I gave it my all to be here, I tried so hard to prove you wrong since that night, but it's like you never cared."
"What are you talking about?" Floch inquired with confusion.
She bitterly chuckled, "Figures you wouldn't get it..."
"Then help me understand, why didn't you say anything before if something was bothering you?"
She gave him an intense glare, "When? Floch? When exactly should I have spoken up?" An incredulous laugh escaped her, bubbling from her throat. "During boot camp? When you shunned me? Or maybe in Trost, when we were surrounded by titans? Or on any of the days that followed? I had no choice... I didn't want to burden you with this but... it's hard, keeping it all tucked away like this."
"Sandra..." Floch extended a comforting hand toward her, noticing the tears pooling in her eyes.
She took a step back, causing his hand to falter and lower with a concerned frown. Sandra offered a sad smile as she wiped her eyes, her voice tremulous, "I've only been trying to prove you wrong, but it felt like I could never catch up. Always walking on eggshells, struggling not to hold you back, and being forced to watch from the sidelines as you pushed yourself to the limit."
"I hate feeling so useless, especially when you keep so many things from us. At this point, it's not even about the promise you, Gordon, and I made anymore. I'm here out of sheer spite. Yet funny enough, it still stings when I realize you don't want me here."
"You're right, I don't," Floch retorted, his eyes hardening. She flinched, looking up at him in disbelief.
"But that's not my decision to make; it's entirely up to you. None of you need to prove anything to me. If you're not here to stand against the titans and fight for our freedom, then you shouldn't stay," he continued, closing the distance between them and gazing down at her. "And you're mistaken—I trust you and the others with my life, but there are things better left unsaid."
Her lips quivered, and she offered a quiet, rueful chuckle, "Like five of our classmates being fucking titans."
Floch was taken aback, his frown deepening, not used to hearing her swear.
"I'm not naive, and I'm not blind either. You're not the same person I used to know. Ever since that day three years ago, you changed in the blink of an eye, and I struggled to recognize you. Maybe you hit your head and became someone else entirely, or perhaps you were just exceptionally good at pretending and I couldn't see it."
"But even then, I can still tell when you're half-assing it, you're fooling nobody but yourself if you think the others haven't noticed too. The truth is that you trust no one but yourself." she concluded.
Floch's eyes widened slightly, and a hint of vulnerability seeped into his expression as he took in her candid assessment.
"The least you can do is be honest about that instead of failing to sound genuine." Her gaze fell to the ground, her hands trembling as she clasped them. She bit her lip before confessing, "I know what you did to Hannah. I followed you downstairs and saw it all for myself."
Floch froze, unable to conceal his apprehension. He met her gaze, mouth slightly agape. She knew all along? Was that why she had been casting those peculiar glances his way? His eyes hardened as he leveled a stern gaze at her, "You can think what you want, but I did what I had to do to set her straight."
She offered a sad smile. "You know something? I think that was the first time I genuinely felt afraid of you. I've never seen that side of you before, but then you showed me those eyes again the day we cremated our dead."
"I don't know you anymore, and that scares me," she continued, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"I'm still... myself, nothing's changed," Floch retorted bitterly.
"Maybe, but I don't want to feel this way, I want to understand you, help you." her words began to break through his defenses. "You might think you're being selfless by keeping us out of the way, but you're not! You're doing more harm than good by keeping us at arm's length!" She cried out, tears now flowing freely down her face. "How can you be such a hypocrite, all the while claiming moral superiority? You insisted all those years ago that we needed to fight before it was too late. Well, here we are, ready to fight! So why don't you trust us enough to have us at your side?!"
"Because I thought things could work out, that I could count on you guys with everything, but after what I've seen lately? With Hannah? And what you all tried to do that night of the ambush? You would all get yourselves killed for nothing," Floch admitted, his frustration evident.
"You're doing it again you half-assed bastard! You told us you would have done the same, so which one is it?! Why can't you make up your damn mind?!" Sandra shot back.
"Of course it wasn't okay, all of you shouldn't have been there! I just don't know okay?! I don't fucking know!" Floch's exasperation was palpable. He furrowed his brows, avoiding her desperate gaze, "I'm scared, Sandra, just like anybody else around you. I'm scared I'll end up changing nothing and losing everything yet again." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know I need you guys, dammit I do! But... when I remember what happened to Franz, and all those that died on my orders in that castle I just can't do it. You're all... normal, not titans like Eren or Ymir, not Mikasa or captain Levi, just..."
"Nobodies," Sandra completed his thought.
He frowned, "Don't say that."
"But it's true, isn't it? You're afraid you'll lose us because we're all just another face in the crowd. Nothing special about us except for the training we received, cannon fodder if anything," she confessed. Sandra stepped closer to him, her eyes imploring him to look at her, "You think we're not aware of the danger ahead, that we're not ready for what's coming. But who is ever ready? Give us a chance, believe in us. I won't ask you to spill all your secrets to me; I couldn't care less about that but I know that I belong here by your side doing what's right, all I ask is your trust."
He regarded her with hesitant eyes, a sense of déjà vu washing over him. "Is that all that matters to you? To be here with me?"
"No, I have my own reasons for being here besides this. And so do the others. I won't speak for all of them, but the majority have taken the words you said to heart, and now they're acting on them." she assured him, giving him a hopeful smile, her gray eyes radiating warmth. "I won't back down, not back in boot camp and certainly not now."
Floch found himself puzzled by her unwavering determination. "Even after everything you've seen so far? ...why are you so adamant about this?"
The cold wind swirled around them, and Floch could feel her warm breath against his face as she clutched his jacket and pulled him closer. Standing on her tiptoes, Sandra leaned in gently pressing her soft lips against his, swallowing the shocked breath that escaped the wide-eyed Floch. The world around them seemed to freeze, and for a few seconds, his entire being was consumed by the tender sensation of her lips against his, his lungs clenched as she deepend the kiss further.
She pulled away eventually, pulling an inch away, grazing her lips against his lower lip and sending shivers down his spine. Sandra released a warm, shuddering breath against his mouth and gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes. Her hold on his jacket tightened to support herself as she closed her eyes and tried to lean back in, surprisingly the redhead didn't seem to protest, mirroring her actions if anything.
"Hey, you two! What the hell are you doing out there?! Get back inside now; it's time for chow!" An officer's voice boomed from behind them, causing both of them to jump in surprise.
Sandra immediately pulled away from him, as though he were scalding iron, and swiftly ran past him toward the castle. She quickly apologized to the approaching officer before disappearing around the corner. Floch stood there with a stunned expression for a few moments before a dark look crossed his features. He glanced around the forest briefly before turning on his heel to head back inside, the scout waiting for him gave him strange looks as he passed.
"Idiot," he muttered to himself, a mixture of confusion and tumultuous emotions clouding his mind.
Today's little adventure was finally over, and Carly's case was officially "solved". They discovered her hidden in the office of their would-be assassins, after interrogating the thug that had tried to kill them to an inch of his life. Carly had been a pawn in Stratmann and Boltz's schemes, intended to be bait for ransom, a plan that had backfired terribly on Boltz. They were astonished to learn of Carly's role in the drug's production, further complicated by Elliot Stratmann being the mastermind of the entire operation.
Carly had a part in helping her father out of debt, but she didn't agree to the drugs being distributed to the capital. Ultimately, they reached a compromise, Carly kept her freedom and walked away from everything to start a new life, Boltz's body dissolved into toxic sludge and the consequences of it all set to fall upon Elliot G. Stratmann's shoulders.
"Elliot G. Stratmann, you are under arrest for the manufacturing and trafficking of coderoin. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law!"
Stratmann's eyes widened as a squad of Military Police soldiers stormed into his office, musket barrels leveled at him. A police officer swiftly cuffed him, and his cigarette slipped from his grasp as he was led out of his home, his entire residence under investigation. As Stratmann was escorted to a waiting carriage, his eyes briefly locked with those of the duo he had hired and subsequently attempted to eliminate.
"Can you believe it? The mastermind of the coderoin operation in the heart of Stohess and right underneath our noses." Hitch commented with a whistle as she observed the man being taken away.
Boris stood beside her, shaking his head. "Who would've thought?"
Jean sighed and muttered, "Tell me about it..."
Marlowe, however, scrutinized Marco and Jean, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "You were both asking about the Marlene company this morning, and you're both quite beaten up, that can't be a coincidence."
Hitch's eyes lit up in acknowledgement. "Hey yeah! I passed off the case for his missing daughter to you guys!"
Marco and Jean exchanged a knowing glance. "No idea what you're both talking about," Jean replied with a smirk.
Marlowe frowned. "But why hide it? That, I don't understand."
Hitch's mouth fell open. "You mean you two cracked the case I handed off to you in just a few hours? And you're not taking any credit for it? What's wrong with—"
Marco hurriedly covered her mouth, his expression worried. "Shh, keep your voice down!"
"Well..." Jean Trailed, "Not exactly, the girl's still missing, but we did find the next best thing." Jean sensed that Marlowe wouldn't let the matter go.
"So, why not reap the rewards instead of reporting it anonymously?"
Jean nonchalantly shrugged. "Who knows?"
Marco removed his hand from Hitch's mouth and offered a small smile. "Is it really necessary to be rewarded for just doing our job? As long as our actions bring about positive change, that's what truly matters in the end, doesn't it?"
Marlowe looked at them with a newfound respect, his confusion softening. "I see, that's indeed admirable."
Boris furrowed his brow. "If you say so..."
Hitch couldn't contain her frustration as she shot a glare at Marlowe. "Were you dropped as a child?! That's nothing but admirable! Do you realize how much we're gonna miss out in bonuses? I could have earned so much from this! We dismantled an entire coderoin operation at its source for god's sake!"
"Figures a lazy degenerate like you wouldn't understand a thing about honor and duty." He jabbed back at her.
"Oi Hitch, what do you mean We? If I remember correctly, you passed this case on to us the first chance you got," Jean chimed in with a retort, raising a brow at the girl next to him.
"Technicalities!"
"Technicalities, my ass!"
Amid their bickering, Marco watched them with a smile, appreciative that he wasn't lifeless and dissolving inside of toxic sludge. He contemplated the mysterious stranger who had saved them, the reason Floch had contacted them, what the future held. Perhaps, in time, all of it would become clear.
Boris scratched the back of his head with a sigh. "Not everything was solved though, the daughter's still missing and I heard they found a guy with a missing tongue tossed in an alley by the industrial side."
Marco and Jean froze, before feigning innocence with practiced smiles, hiding the disturbing consequences of what they had been forced to do.
Good thing lowlife thugs don't know how to read or write.
"Let's Knock Off The Questions, People. There Are Some Things A Guy Doesn't Wanna Remember." - Marco Bodt 847 AD, at the cadet corps mess hall gathered around Eren Yeager with fellow cadets.
Ymir found herself lost, not knowing where her path would lead. She felt cornered, trapped between two equally bad choices.
Staying with Reiner and Annie meant a certain death sentence, a repayment of the second chance they had given her all those years ago. On the other hand, Floch was unpredictable, and a manipulating liar at that. After what she had seen and heard, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine that he might try to get rid of her, especially since she was privy to his lies and announced it by leaving behind a message for him to discover.
Their inevitable meeting loomed on the horizon, and she grappled with the questions of what to say and what to expect from him now that she held part of the truth. Was there any alternative? Could she escape with Krista and disappear up in the mountains? Could she take that third option or was it all etched in stone? Ymir despised this overwhelming uncertainty.
With a heavy sigh, her eyes shifted downward to the bullet hole in her shirt, the fabric still stained with her blood. She covered it with her cloak, a selfless act in the midst of the chaos. Ymir couldn't help but reproach herself for acting so recklessly. Even then, she couldn't bear to see Jean and Marco taken out like that. She still felt indebted to Jean for safeguarding Krista that night when they chased her and Floch, even if it seemed stupid to some.
She tilted her head up and to the side, observing her two companions from a distance, speaking to an MP officer they'd persuaded for intel. In a matter of moments, the trio dispersed, as Annie and Reiner reunited with her. Ymir, her tone laced with dry humor, couldn't help but remark, "So much for dedicating their hearts."
Annie shrugged, "Keep your dogs on a tight leash or they'll go looking for treats from other people. That man gave us more than enough information to work with."
Curiosity piqued, Ymir looked on with anticipation.
"Bertholdt remains in the custody of the Survey Corps, but he hasn't been transferred to Wall Sina. He's being held somewhere within the confines of Wall Rose."
"That could mean anywhere."
Reiner produced a map from his pocket. "He provided us with this. It pinpoints all the known Survey Corps hideouts."
Ymir meticulously scrutinized the map. "Damn, they really don't pay these guys much do they? Still, not much of a hideout if it can be marked on a map is it?"
Annie interjected, "In any case, we'll investigate these locations one by one. Judging by the concentration of personnel in the vicinity, we should be able to discern his whereabouts."
"Process of elimination, huh?" Ymir contemplated, holding her chin in thought.
They were now working with the hope that Floch would have made the Scouts aware of Bertholdt's value, giving themselves an imaginary window of time before Bertholdt was consumed for his titan powers. In other words, a desperate search that could end up being a time waste and an unecessary risk on her end. A shadow of doubt crossed her features, she knew this was a bad course of action, but she had no other choice for now.
Maybe somewhere along the way, she'd find the correct answer, something other than this, but for now... she met their determined gazes.
She'll see this through, until the end.
Day 20
"Well, here we are,"
Jean announced to Marco as they both came to a stop in front of the tavern Floch had designated in his letter. With a nod to each other, the two stepped inside, both dressed in casual attire, having shed their Military Police clothing. It was finally time to get this over with. After everything they'd been through the previous day, Jean wanted nothing more than to walk in and walk back out. Still, he owed Floch this much; the least he could do was hear whatever insanity was about to spill from his mouth.
The two didn't have to look for long, as a cloaked figure seated in a secluded corner of the room beckoned for them both. Upon closer inspection, they found another person sitting next to the one who was presumably Floch. The former took his hood off, confirming his identity to them.
"Hey, you guys. It's been a while," Floch spoke up.
"Yeah, it sure has," Jean greeted back casually as he and Marco took a seat.
Floch smirked. "You seem really delighted to see me again, aren't you Jean? You know you missed me."
"Whatever."
The redhead turned to Marco and offered a small smile. "Marco."
"Floch," Marco nodded back. "How are things?"
"Peachy, though, forgive me for saying this, but you both look like shit," Floch remarked, taking in their bandaged appearance. "Rough day at work? I didn't know the MP life was that fun."
"Tsk, let's not get into it, please. Yesterday was a giant headache," Jean grunted before narrowing his eyes. "Anyway, enough pleasantries; let's get down to it already. Who's that next to you for starters?" He added, his attention captured by the mysterious hooded figure.
On cue, Mikasa lowered her hood, surprising the two seated in front of her. "Hello, Jean, Marco."
Jean's eyes widened. "Mikasa? Why is she here?"
The duo turned to Floch, who clasped his hands together and leaned forward on the table, his face shifting into business mode. "Heads up; she's not the only one here with me." The two were confused at first, but they scanned the room and noticed a couple more people in casual attire discretely glancing back at them.
"Alright, what's going on here?" Jean frowned, slightly paranoid.
"I'm getting to that shortly. But I suppose you both can already guess this has something to do with what happened that night," Floch began, and both nodded with a sense of unease. "Well, brace yourselves..."
And brace themselves they should have, as Floch finished informing them about everything, Jean was half tempted to order a drink for himself, and it was only half-past noon! Marco wasn't faring much better, but he looked more composed than his partner. Ymir, Reiner, and Annie, the true extent of the corruption within the Military Police, the real king, the walls—everything was revealed to them, leaving them both feeling extremely awed and confused.
Marco spoke first, as Jean collected his thoughts. "I assume you want our help, right? Why else have you summoned us here?"
"Sharp as always, yes, I do," Floch nodded. "Times are changing fast, many things are occurring behind the scenes that we don't know about. But we have glimpsed this much of the truth, and we need to act quickly before it's all too late. Our enemies are many, and they come from all directions. If we don't put an end to it here and now, then who knows what'll happen to everyone within the walls. And it starts with you two here."
"Heh, bastard, what the hell are you saying," Jean chuckled incredulously, causing Floch to raise a brow. "Just when I thought I got away from this shit, you drag me back in..." He mumbled.
"Jean," Marco muttered next to him.
"So what exactly? You want us to spy for you? Is that it?"
"And more."
"No, thanks."
The three were left stunned by this, as Floch raised a questioning brow at him. "What?"
"Answer me this truthfully. Do you all have a plan to deal with all of this or do you not? Have you taken everything into account? If I agree to help, will I be following a plan that was carefully thought out from start to finish, or will I be following half-assed orders and hoping it doesn't blow up in my face? From the way you word this, this isn't a game. We run a real risk of being killed if things go wrong," Jean challenged.
Floch was slightly slack-jawed before he closed his eyes, his lips thinning into a knowing smirk.
"Never change, Jean."
Jean raised a brow at this, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Floch sighed and perched his chin on his palm as he leaned against the table, shrugging with the other hand. "You got me. We've got nothing solid yet, no fool-proof plans or anything. In my case, I'm winging it as I go for now, but Commander Erwin is figuring things out at his own pace. So yeah, you'd be agreeing to a total gamble. We could win and have it all, or we could be hanged tomorrow morning."
"Then you have my answer."
"Do I?" Floch retorted.
Jean frowned, before turning to scan the other occupants of the table. Eventually, his eyes fell on Mikasa, and he sucked in a breath. "Yes," he bitterly replied.
"Well, Marco and Mikasa don't see it that way."
It was true; Marco didn't look convinced by his objection. If anything, he seemed to be on their side, if that look in his eyes meant anything. Always wanting to do what's right, typical of him. And then there was Mikasa, cold as ice, her breathtaking eyes reflecting the very definition of determination. Here he was, hesitant to dip his toes into the dangerous world of Floch Forster.
"Why did you join the Military Police, Jean? To run away from it all? You thought that was a viable option?"
"Of course not!" He snapped back.
"Then what's up with you now? Can't you see? We're trying to make a difference here. Isn't that what they all say when they run off to the Military Police? Do you not understand the opportunity you're being given here? This changes everything."
His eyes widened, recalling the conversation he had with Marco. He sent a sidelong glance at him, only to see Marco nod in his direction with a small smile.
"I... Dammit, you're not letting me go, are you?"
Floch simply smiled.
"Nothing is without risk, Jean, I believe you and Marco are capable of handling it. Your help would go a long way for all of us, please consider this carefully." Mikasa implored, giving him a reassuring gaze.
Fireworks ignited within Floch's mind, witnessing the exact moment Jean surrendered himself to him. He gave a wide smile and extended his hand forward. Jean sighed and begrudgingly shook it. "Glad you're on board, Jeanboy!"
"Shut up before I change my mind."
With that said, Floch pulled an envelope from his pocket and slid it across the table. Both boys looked curiously at it before the redhead spoke up. "Very well, for your first task, I want you both to hold onto this and deliver it anonymously to the Garrison HQ south of here."
Marco took the envelope and began to inspect it. "What's this for?"
"That I cannot tell you, and you mustn't read it. You are to deliver it in a week's time, and that's all," Floch smiled.
"Why can't you do it yourself?" Jean questioned.
"We'll be busy, plus... we heavily suspect that we're being monitored by someone. We went through great lengths to ensure we weren't followed here."
"Fair." Jean grumbled.
"That is all for now. It's best that we go our separate ways. You can leave first, and remember, this conversation never happened, so until I tell you so, you don't run off repeating it back to Hitch and Marlowe, as far as they should know, you're acting independently." Floch informed, stunning the duo.
"How did you know about..." Marco trailed incredulously.
He brought a finger up to his lips and shushed them with a smirk. "I have my ways."
The two got up and left shortly after, Jean glanced back one final time to see Mikasa nod in his direction before she put her hood back on. He turned around and left, cursing the day he met Floch. But still, it wasn't all bad. A part of him strongly knew this was worth the risk, and so he set out to do his part.
Floch traced his gaze to the rest of Squad Mike hidden around the tavern and covertly signaled them to leave. One by one, they got up and went outside until it was just him and Mikasa alone seated at the table. He turned to face her, "Are you ready to get out of here?" She nodded, and the two were halfway through the tavern when suddenly someone peculiar walked past him.
Floch turned around and peeked from below his hood, coming face to face with a man with a scruffy beard in a black trench coat and a panama hat. He momentarily froze, noticing the small stain of blood on his shoes. Thinking nothing of it, he continued towards the exit of the tavern.
"Excuse me there, sonny."
Floch and Mikasa came to an abrupt stop, their synchronized gazes flicking toward the man in their peripheral vision. He doffed his hat and arched his head backward, a sly grin stretching across his face.
The sun was nearly below the horizon, casting long shadows across the tranquil stretch of green land near the abandoned city of Shiganshina. The tall grass swayed as a gentle breeze danced through the abandoned streets. Nature had slowly crept back, reclaiming everything. A faint rumbling coukd be heard in the distance, bit by bit it grew louder, forcing a flock of birds to flee up into the skies for safety.
A deep, guttural roar reverberated through the air, and a colossal figure peeked from the top of the wall, overlooking the area. The lanky furred titan suddenly went limp, steam hissing out aggressively from it's nape as a figure emerged out of it.
Zeke Yeager placed his glasses over his face, then surveyed the area through his own eyes.
This was the home he had read about as a child.
Shame it had to go.