This update is longer than the ones before. I'm glad for the support this fic has been getting.
I appreciate the review of requesting a Tv Tropes page for this crossover fic. And I can tell you there will be a lot of tropes spotted that can be enough for when a page is established.
#64
Fight Alongside You
Catherine's Palace
Sankt Petersburg, Russia, Euro Britannia
Early October, a.t.b. 2017
"Falco… move off. You're rubbing against my shoulder."
The blonde boy gasped as he realized he leaned his shoulder to close to Gabi's while they tried watching the plasma screen displaying the ongoing ceremony taking place at the duke's palace.
"Sorry!" Falco felt himself turn red while moving a bit away from his brunette comrade. "So sorry!"
"Geez, would you keep it down?" the silver-haired girl next to them groaned. "We're trying to listen."
"Nothing's happening yet, Zofia," Udo said. "The new Grandmaster has made an appearance yet."
"Ah, geez…" they heard Mr. Galliard groaned from behind. "How long are we going to wait for this?"
"Can you see where Commander Magath is standing at?" Falco asked.
"Not a clue," Falco's older brother, Colt said as he glanced at the screen. "He mentioned that he would be standing close to the duke's throne."
"Heh… must be a nice view than having to watch from the cameraman's angle," Mr. Galliard groaned. "While we Warriors have to sit back with a low view of the ovation. And we're supposed to be honored guests here."
Falco noted the guy didn't attempt to hide his sarcasm.
"Well, why not?" Gabi asked. "We may be only Candidates, but I would have thought they would allow you guys to join the Commander? You're Honorary Britannians after all."
"I don't think I'd like to be standing there amongst all those people," Miss Pieck said as she was lying on the sofa… like she usually is. "Just wouldn't feel natural to be keep my composure like that. And I don't my uniform follows social etiquette."
"You and me, Pieck…"
Mr. Zeke agreed as he sat between Colt and Mr. Braun, pushing up his glasses as he stared up at the screen.
"I hope this doesn't last too long. I can go for a smoke right after this."
"Hey, look!" Udo pointed out. "The camera's moving."
"The doors are opening," Zofia noted.
Right on the screen, showed the massive doors to the throne room open… to show a figure in white robes walking gracefully into the room. With his presence, the Warriors and Candidates could see a wave of reverent bows from the nobles.
But as the camera zoomed closer to look at the man. The man of the hour himself.
…
"Huh?!" Zofia said.
"Wait, you see that?!" Udo said."
"That man… he… he's…" Falco stuttered.
"He's an Eleven!" Gabi finished with widened eyes.
Magath stood amongst the multitude of nobles in the grand hall that once belonged to that of Catherine the Great.
Standing here in the hall, he wondered if the grandeur the throne room presented was on par or less than when it was built and established for Catherine the Great during her reign nearly three centuries ago. When she had gone from being only the Empress to Peter III… before she overthrew him.
Magath continued to observe the man who had entered through the gates and continued walking upon the royal carpet between the observing guests towards the duke's throne.
The man who was once Sir Michelle Manfredi's protégé… and now successor.
He was dressed in extravagant Britannian garb: white robes and sleeves, with gold lining. The golden crest of Britannia was imprinted on the back of his uniform. Parts of his garb were covered with iron. On both tips of his boots, and even at his fingers. The man was tall and fair looking, even at being in his late twenties. He had a long mane of dark blue hair that was tied back in a ponytail, and a pair of emerald-green eyes that stayed neutral while walking.
Features that were unmistakably that of Japanese heritage.
The young man continued to walk towards the throne where Duke Velaines sat. The duke was a man still in his young thirties, sporting brushed dark blue hair and mustache, and dressed with the finest white robes with purple interior.
Standing by Duke Velaines' side was his aid-de-camp, Michael Augustus, a seer from the Church, and last but not least were the three other Grandmasters sworn to the tributary empire.
Gaudefroy du Villon, Grandmaster of the Order of St. Gabriel. A tall, middle-aged man with a stocky build that was dressed in a green vest and a black cloak imprinted in the back with the golden Britannian crest. He had a hard face with busy sideburns and brows sharp as that of a bull.
Raymond du Saint-Gilles, Grandmaster of the Order of St. Uriel. The oldest Grandmaster there was, and who had retained the position for decades of his life, far longer than any other Grandmaster in the empire. Aged as he was, the man was still a capable leader of his knights and had dutifully served Euro Britannia's monarchy, even long before the current duke had been born. The man's face was noticeably aged, with the only hair on his head being the long white goatee on his chin. His robes were orange and flowing white with the golden Britannian crest hanging at the center.
Andrea Farnese, Grandmaster of the Order of St. Raphael. The younger than the other grandmasters, having a fair face with neck-long light blonde hair and marble-blue eyes. Magath noted how his blue-white robes were large enough to cover his true build underneath.
It was this man Magath had to thank for being the reason he and Warrior Unit are here in Britannia's tribute empire in the first place.
It was during the latest skirmish the empire had with Europia, that involved Lord Farnese's Order of Raphael… and what had been uncovered about it… the very reason they were here.
Before long, Manfredi's protégé reached his destination and kneeled gracefully towards the throne. And now was the moment when he would be the next grandmaster. The soon-to-be youngest grandmaster of the current four orders.
"Shin Hyuga Shaing…" Duke Velaines began as he addressed the one kneeling before him. "Do you swear to continue and serve the Empire that is Euro Britannia?"
"I swear."
"And do you swear to honor the title that is the position of Grandmaster of the Order of St. Michael?"
"I swear."
"And do you swear that you will protect and fight for all that is just and true?"
"I swear."
The duke smiled.
"Then in the name of the Heavens and the Earth, I, Duke Velaines, hereby decree: that Shin Hyuga Shaing shall be named the new Grandmaster of the Holy Order of Michael. One of the four great orders in service to the tributary empire known as Euro Britannia. Lord Shaing… you may rise and approach the throne."
The new Grandmaster of the Order of Michael rose up and stepped up and stood in front of the throne, where the other three Grandmasters joined him.
All four unsheathed their swords.
They raised their swords towards the heavens, before all their tips touched one another which set off an echo from the blade.
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
Magath, like everyone else in the hall, clapped with both pride and approval.
Wel, almost everyone…
"Pfft…" Koslow made a small snort while clapping beside him. "Well, isn't this a sight that isn't commonplace every day. Just look what the times are coming to."
"I'm not appreciating implication of your tone, Koslow."
"You know what I'm talking about sir," He replied. "With how distant we have become with our kinsman in this part of the continent, they are becoming so lax with dealing with foreigners." The man made a stink eye towards the Grandmaster. "Grandmaster is an honored position, and to think that Sir Manfredi had to be succeeded by an Eleven."
"Koslow…"
"As the world hasn't learned anything when one Eleven was made a Knight to that…"
"Enough…" Magath silenced his companion with a stern glare. "Remember, we are honored guests of His Highness. And these are the customs this country holds, especially towards its citizens… regardless of their obvious nationality." He glanced at the newly christened Grandmaster of Michael passing them alongside the other Grandmasters. "It is his future actions as Grandmaster… that I will decide if he is worthy of being Manfredi's successor."
Castle Weisswolf
Germany, Europia United
Early October, a.t.b. 2017, r.y. 228
"October 6th, Year 228 of the Revolutionary Calendar…
"I enjoy the peace and quiet now… but I know that soon… it will be replaced by the bloody cries of war.
"It has been less than a month since W-0 conducted its last mission… and already… the Wyvern Squad has lost almost of all its original members. We have now added new recruits to join the ranks of Wyvern Squadron… yet they are of a different sort I can barely understand.
"And there is the matter… regarding…"
The girl stopped her pen as her thoughts went to a certain man.
Leila could only stare out into the window. Even almost a more than two weeks since she had taken him under her wing…
The things that transpired. To his stay in her apartment complex. To their errands around Paris. To the Narva Celebration… when she saw a different side to him. And another… when he went up against a full-functioning lethal Knightmare Frame with only…
…
What else there was about him?
…
"Who are you… Eren?"
Eren blinked.
At first he had thought it was the chilling tone of a piano being played while the television screen was playing on in his quarters.
"He is here. He is darkness.
"On the Night He Came Home.
A dark figure came down the stairs with a carving knife. The pic shifted to a young woman screaming as she scrambled down the street, before the pic shifted to that of the killer's pale mask.
"This Halloween... Michael re-"
FLICK!
"Ugh..." Eren took the remote to flip the channel.
The boy laid back on his bed.
The moonlight from the window spotting over half his face.
The bed was soft enough. The quarters were alright. Smooth. Smooth metal on the walls and door in place of stone.
Rooms like this put the old bunks back home to shame.
...
Eren pulled at the object under his shirt. The thing that he had reacquired after he had retrieved his ODM equipment. One he had held for a long time.
Even after it had served its original purpose. The key shined brightly in the moonlight.
"Strange, very strange…"
Sophie quirked her eyebrow. "That's what you would call it?"
"I wouldn't use only that to describe my full review of what I'm seeing," Joe Wise said, clicking the strawberry pop in his mouth. He moved his jar full of precious flavored ones towards her. "Want one? They're very sweet."
"No, thank you," Sophie waved off, eyes directly on the screen. "I like to keep senses clear if I can spot anything on this."
The video footage taken from the damaged Glasgow… showcasing the skirmish that happened back in Paris. And Eren Kruger… with his…
"Those guns he uses…" Joe noted. "He uses them… to aim and fire those… zipline cables. They're… They're like slash harkens."
"I thought the same," Sophie noted. "And but's not only the cables… it's the thing in his suit that helps him repel in the air."
"Yes, I noticed that as well." Joe typed on the monitor to pause and look at how a trail of steam exited from Kruger's suit as he flew in the air. "I thought it was some form of helium, but I think otherwise.
"If only we can study it. See how this contraption works… then maybe…"
"Leila instructed that Kruger's belongings were not to be confiscated and that he had the right to keep them to himself. Perhaps
"Well, maybe perhaps we can ask him questions about it?" Joe smiled. "And maybe ask who made it?
"Ask him nicely?" Sophie raised an eyebrow. "I wonder if it would be that easy."
"Sophie?"
"I'm not sure about our new guest." The doctor put a hand under chin. "He acts a bit… strange."
"Are you concerned about him."
"It's not only him."
Stupid.
…
This was utterly stupid. So, stupid that the two stooges with her were acting like it was a-okay shit.
Sitting in this quarter of this castle in the middle of nowhere and being given these stupid uniforms to parade about as if they were property? Did they think they were stupid enough not to see the red flags?
"Ryo…" Ayano called out while sitting next to the window. "How long do you plan to stick around here?"
"As long as we continue to get free room and board," Ryo answered while lying back on the cot next to Yukiya's. "You know, I dig how it looks like an old castle from the outside, but it's all modern and high tech inside. Plus, there's not a rat to be seen." He glanced at their pal typing at his tablet… like he is barely seen without it. "That's a first in a long time for us, right, Yukiya?"
"Yep, that's true," Yukiya answered almost absent-mindedly as he kept typing the commands on the tablet. "What'd Ayano called them?" He glanced at the girl with a smirk. "'Icky?'"
Grrr…
"Will you stop acting like we are hanging out at some rent-free resort?!" Ayano exclaimed as she pounced off from her spot. "The reason why are getting 'free room and board' is because they are planning to slap their uniforms on us and sent us to war!"
"Oh, don't get so worked up," Ryo got up.
"C'mon," Yukiya said. "We both know the real reason Ayano's so worked up. She's been freaking out since they confiscated her dagger."
"Yeah, so what?!" the girl exclaimed with anger. "It belongs to me! They have no right! How could a Japanese citizen…?!"
"Hey, Yukiya," Ryo interrupted. "Have you finished our next game, yet?"
"Yeah, just about," Yukiya smiled as he typed more commands on his tablet.
"What does that mean?" Ayano demanded. "Tell me?!"
"Look, don't worry, you'll find out soon enough," Ryo assured.
"C'mon, just tell me guys!"
"Ayano," Yukiya said. "All you need to know is that we belong here. Trust me." He made a small grin…
"Are you sure it's a good idea to keep those Eleven… Er…" Oscar Hammel stammered. "Excuse me. I mean those Japanese kids running around, sir?"
"Why? Has there been a problem, Major Hammel?" Claus asked as he sat on his chair with his feet on top of his desk, while he emptied the contents of his flask into a mug.
Why does he have to act so careless? Hammel groaned. Just as the Deputy was careless with how he took care of his… office?
Good grief, Hammel felt sick just taking one look around at the mess it was. It was even in worse disarray than the last time Hammel had to step in here. Papers and bags were stacked in piles at the wall. Beer cans cluttered all over Claus' desk and even piled on the floor. And when Hammel turned to the wall behind him where two dirty posters of women…
Ugh…
Hammel instantly shook his head. How much of Claus' decency was falling by the day. He had it already that Claus keeps drinking on the job, but seriously…
But now was not the time.
"You do realize they are criminals," Hammel sharply reminded with a scowl. "They attempted to abduct General Smilas, killed the escorts, and they put you and Commander Macal in danger!"
"I know, I know. I was a bit shaken a bit… but well…" Claus shrugged. "Under the normal circumstances, they would be executed."
"That's right! Don't you think they should be brought to justice, sir? Held accountable for what they had done?"
"Commander Malcal brought them here." Claus waved off. "Said she wanted to use them somehow. So, why not?"
"And that includes… Eren Kruger?"
…
"Huh?" Claus glanced at Hammel's face, now confused.
"It's not only those three I am concerned about… it's also the boy that Commander Malcal brought along."
"Oh, what is that Monsieur Kruger puts you to feel such concern?" Claus asked, now curious.
"It's just…" Hammel glanced away, looking somewhat… disturbed. "That young man… there's something that sets him apart from the other three. Something… off."
"Off?" Claus tilted his head. "That's one way of putting it."
"Try calling me paranoid, but I don't tend to wave off the bad feeling I have in my stomach from time to time."
"You sound more concerned about this one young man… over the three juvenile criminals you were so worked up about only a few seconds ago."
"Because I am not secure regarding this young man Commander Malcal is letting free rein going about the castle!" Hammel exclaimed. "Especially when we know next to nothing about him!"
"Huh?"
"Unlike the three Japanese recruits… he holds no records whatsoever. No ID, no source of origin, except for a name that the database has no recollection of finding. That… and that suit he brought along with him…"
"Ah, you mean that wonderful suit full of toys," Claus said with a shake of his head. "Didn't get what it was used for… but seeing it in action on the bridge… now that was something." He chuckled. "You should have been there to see him, Hammel…"
"That's another point I like to discuss," Hammel said. "I saw the footage."
"From where?"
"It was taken from the damaged Glasgow during the incident. In all my years I have never any kind of equipment do anything of the sort like that."
"Never heard of ziplining or spelunking, Major?"
"It looked to have been capable of far more than that." Hammel shook his head. "Seriously, Claus, did you learn anything more about this boy when you and Commander Malcal watched over him?"
"Hey, look, I wasn't watching over him 24/7," He waved his mug. "I only came by once and while. I just made sure he was accommodated in his stay with Leila."
"You what?!"
"I had to take care of in Paris," Claus said. "They talked with another… sometimes I could see. Went to the Narva celebration together. Let him stay in her apartment…"
…
Claus paused when he heard the major gasped, and turned to see Hammel frozen stiff, his face almost turning pale with horror.
"Y… Y… You… can't… be… seri…"
"Oh, wait, wait, wait!" Claus waved his hands. "No, no, no, not like that. Leila's apartment had an extra guestroom. They didn't… oh, please… they wouldn't think of anything of that kind of sort."
"Even still!" Hammel couldn't stop his face from almost turning… red. "Do you understand the irresponsibility of leaving our Commander… alone with… a stranger? And a male one at that?"
"Oh, come now, Oscar…"
"If that boy were to harbor any impure motive towards Commander Malcal…" Hammel glared. "Then I won't hesitate to have my special forces execute him in place!"
"Impure? That's a little harsh…" Claus burst out laughing. "Oh, Major Hammel, I never knew you would be this considerate for our Commander."
"I'm serious, Warwick!"
"You worry too much," Claus took up his mug. "And even something was to happen… we would know. Nothing will go unnoticed with our elaborate security system here. Besides, Major…" He leaned in. "I think it's good for us to have people like Kruger around. People who won't be missed if they disappear… or perhaps even die."
"Ugh… I'm sick of those simulators," Ayano groaned as she walked the castle halls along with Ryo and Yukiya.
"Well, at least they're not like the ones that make you go round and round and round…" Yukiya said.
"Yeah, those were the ones where Ayano couldn't keep her lunch down…" Ryo snickered.
"I wasn't the only one who couldn't keep it down, moron!" Ayano glared, while Ryo giggled.
"Yeah, yeah, a little arcade to get a hang of our new knightmares is fun and all…" the tallest of the trio hung his arms back. "But… I guess it's not as hype as I hoped it would be."
"C'mon Ayano, we all know what Ryo is thinking about," Yukiya grinned. "He has a new toy on his Christmas list this year. You should since our new teammate used it to hand Ryo his hand his own ass back in Paris."
"Oh, c'mon guys," Ryo said. "You all saw what Kruger did with that suit! It's one of the reasons I've been okay to join Commander Blonde's suicide squad! Besides the Knightmares and the free board, I've been really itching to get some of that gear that Kruger guy had!"
"For real?" Ayano lowered her eyes. "You want the chance to go spelunking like that jerk?"
"You guys said it, that brat was able to hand my ass to me thanks to that suit of his," Ryo grinned. "Maybe when they stop being so stingy, we find ourselves getting some…"
"Yeah, hard pass," Ayano crossed her arms.
"Huh?" Yukiya noticed something at the foot of the wall under the window. Something white poking out. And it was waving. He walked closer and kneeled to see…
It was a paw.
He kneeled to see the crack between the bricks.
"I think I found something," He said, before he pulled at the crack with both hands. He managed to pull the brick back… and thus revealing a small tunnel inside the wall.
Inside where a black cat with a white paw, wearinga red collar glanced at Yukiya, before running down the tunnel.
"Well, well," Yukiya rose up with a smile. "That explains why there's no rats."
Shaing Residence
Sankt Petersburg, Russia, Euro Britannia
Early October, a.t.b. 2017
Evening had arrived. Several hours after the ceremony at Catherine's Palace, the celebration for Lord Shaing's success was taken place elsewhere. At his home residence.
The Shaing Residence was an expansive and fair piece of land. Fair piece of green land that stretched for a mile, with gardens surrounding a fine mansion. A mansion that was illuminated by the ongoing party taking place inside.
Inside, the main hall was bustling with a manner of colorfully dressed nobles and elites. They spent their time talking, going over to the long table set with numerous bowls of a pink punch, and many had taken to dance outside in the garden, where a band of orchestra had come to play blissful music. Magath noted that Koslow didn't waste time trying the former two.
The commander could still see his aid and good friend by the corner chatting merrily (which he rarely sees on most days) with several lords and ladies, while holding a cup of punch. His fourth one, in fact.
Magath paused the urge to roll his eyes. Koslow wasn't enthusiastic about the party's guest of honor, obviously due to his obvious ethnicity, and he seemed to be paying no mind in partaking in the festivities held in his honor.
Adjusting Koslow for his behavior can wait. Magath wished to talk to the Order of Michael's new grandmaster, first.
It was then he spotted and conversed with a woman who could tell him on where he could find Lord Shaing. The woman was very fair looking with a voluptuous figure that would apparently put doubt on her age. She had marble-blue eyes and honey-colored hair tied in a purple sash, the same color as that of her lavish dress.
The woman was the matriarch of the house. The mother of the new Grandmaster.
Maria Shaing.
"Congratulations are in order, Lady Shaing," Magath took her hand. "You must be very proud of your son."
"That's very kind to hear from you, Commander Magath," Maria smiled. "But to be honest, we owe it all to the late Michel Manfredi."
"Yes, yes indeed," Magath nodded. "I express my condolences. For the times I once known him during his time as the Knight of Two… he was an exemplary man."
"He was, yes," Maria bore a somber look. "He was such an extraordinary friend to our family. And he meant so much to Shin. Sir Manfredi adored Shin like a little brother. It was his hope that Shin would one day succeed him. I'm saddened that it had to happened most unfavorably."
"A tragedy I had not expected upon my arrival to Euro-Britannia," Magath said. "I had hoped to converse with Sir Manfredi once more."
"We all feel the same. I believe there shall be none who would ever be like Sir Manfredi, or the kindness and honor he had as a both a Knight and a Grandmaster. But I believe my Shin will honor his memory forward."
"Speaking of which, I hoped I would get a chance to meet with the party's guest of honor," Magath glanced around the crowd. "Yet, I can't seem to find him anywhere."
"Well, I'm not sure either," Maria held her chin, almost thinking. "To be honest, he doesn't really take to these gatherings. That's one of the things his sister shares with him."
"Please, come inside, Alice," Shin beckoned to the young girl sitting by the edge of the sculptured fountain. "You don't want Mother to worry, do you?"
"I hate these silly parties," the blonde-haired girl pouted as she stared up at her big brother with a pair of blue eyes. "Almost all of them are grown-ups, and they like to talk so much and are so crowded together. I don't even know a single person in there."
"Here's an idea!" She brightened when she looked up with her big blue eyes. "Why don't you and I take a drive to the coast tomorrow? Wouldn't that be fun?" She took his hand. "Please, promise me we'll go, Brother."
"I have to attend the Order of Michael's review ceremony," Shin stated.
"Oh… that's tomorrow?" Alice's expression fell.
"Yes, and I won't be back for some time." Shin said. "I'm sorry, but I promise as soon I have leave, we can then take that trip to the coast, if you still wish that, Alice."
"You mean it?!" Alice's expression brightened twicefold, before she rose to circle her arms around her brother.
"Pardon me, Lord Shaing," the moment was interrupted when both siblings turned to see a woman addressing them. The woman had short wavy red hair that had was combed and curled back, with pale skin and a distinct pair of neutral violet eyes. She wore a red tunic imprinted with the golden crest over a violet suit.
They both noticed a tall older man in a cream-colored coat standing next to the woman. "It seems you have a guest who wishes to speak to you."
"I see," Shin recognized the man. "Jean, would you escort Alice back inside?"
"Of course," His closest subordinate nodded as she walked over to guide the now-pouting girl back inside the building… leaving the two men alone.
"Lord Shaing…" the man extended his hand. "Commander Theo Magath."
"Ah, yes," Shin took the man's hand. "Duke Velaines made note of your arrival. I even recognize you during the ceremony."
"Indeed," Magath nodded. "I offer you my congratulations on your new position. I'm certain you will do your predecessor proud."
"Thank you," Shin looked down. "Though, I believe I may not be as wonderful my teacher was to me… it is not my intention to disappoint his memory." The two men starting pacing past the fountain and towards quieter part of the garden. "And it is my intention to retain the honor of the Order of Michael and serve the best interests of the Empire."
"That's wonderful hear, sir."
"Tell me, Commander?" Shin glanced at Magath with a curious twinkle in his eye. "Is it true that you brought the whole of Britannia's Eldian Warrior unit here? On behalf of the Emperor to aid the duke?"
"That is correct," Magath said. "After your review ceremony tomorrow, I would like to discuss with you and the Grandmasters regarding the situation happening at the front lines."
"And your Eldian Warriors are here use their prowess to aid our troops on the battlefield?" Shin's smile was growing with interest and fascination.
"More than likely, yes."
"The Warriors descended from the blood of the old Eldian Empire… fighting alongside us…" Shin said with brief awe. "Would it be prudent to ask, Commander. I know I have just received my position from the duke, but I would like to meet with your Warrior Unit. Face-to-face."
"That can be arranged. But I must ask… why are you interested?"
"Well, if we the Warriors are going to be fighting in battle alongside our holy Orders… then I would like acquaint myself with them." He smiled. "And I also have a proposition."
Information Available for Public Disclosure:
Chivalric Orders of Euro Britannia
Since its establishment in Europe, the monarchy of Euro Britannia had created the four Chivalric Orders of knights that serve as the main military and defense of the tributary empire. They comprise of the orders named after four of the founding knights: St. Michael, St. Raphael, St. Gabriel, and St. Uriel.
Castle Weisswolf
Germany, Europia United
Early October, a.t.b. 2017, r.y. 228
"Another suicide mission," Claus coughed a bit as he sat back on the chair across from Leila's desk with his legs crossed. Displaying now on the desk for the Lieutenant Colonel to see… with an appalling look… was the hologram displaying two sides meeting at a certain boundary.
"I mean we've been tasked with another difficult mission, Commander," He corrected himself before Leila's glare. "Well, according to this they're moving up the Warsaw garrison force, but aren't they for internal matters?" He pulled out his flask from his coat. "I can only assume that the latest public opinion poll rattled the government bigwigs.
"They know that if they can't keep the populace distracted by what's going on elsewhere it'll buy them time to cover their own butts."
SLAM!
"And so decided to send the Wyvern Squadron to drop inside of enemy lines?!" Leila yelled after slamming her fist upon her desk, her fury starting to build enough, she might as well break through the wood.
"Well, to put it bluntly," Claus raised his flask. "They're going to be used as decoys. Sacrificial pawns if you will."
"They don't stand a chance against the enemy!" Leila protested. "In its current state, they don't have the manpower or proper preparation to carry out a mission like this!"
"Can't just disobey their orders, can you? We're going to have to think outside the box, Commander. Sound reasoning won't help you."
Claus took another gulp from his flask. "I suppose that you have no choice. Here's the thing, if you want those new recruits to come back in one piece… you'll have to think of a way to make that happen. It's your duty as a Commander."
Just what was it that Leila… saw in that man?
Anna scratched her chin as she walked with her clipboard. It had been an interesting week, especially when it started when Leila and Claus returned to the castle… with those four. Three who Leila had introduced as new recruits, and as for the fourth…
There was confusion, until Leila went on to explain.
To call the aftermath awkward… was perhaps bit of an understatement.
She made her way towards her destination, the library, which she had been told that their guest had been hanging around recently. At least for an hour.
She paused when she rounded to a corner and found Eren Kruger…
The man had a pile of books next to his feet… and he continued to be… scavenging through the shelves.
He picked up one book, flipping over the page as if scavenging to find something of gold's worth. After flipping through he discarded and dropped it into the growing pile.
He went on like that for another minute, not taking notice of the woman watching him.
"..."
He stopped... and turned to take notice of her.
Anna almost balked when his green eyes directed at her.
...
"Oh... sorry..." He said, looking around himself. "I didn't notice you were there."
...
"It's alright, Monsieur," Anna said, trying to smile. She looked at the pile of books. "Is... everything alright with you?"
"Huh?" Eren looked at the pile. "Oh, right..." He sounded... a bit tired? "Sorry about the mess. I was just...looking through."
"Are you... looking for a book? A specific one?"
"Uh..." Kruger scratched his head. "Not really. I was just wondering... since this is a library. But... I don't think I will find the one I'm looking for."
"Oh. I'm sorry about that."
...
Silence.
...
She noticed he had a tall height. Taller than her... and that made almost ready to shrunk.
She wouldn't deny it… he wasn't bad looking… not at all. In fact, he was…
Anna almost turned red in her cheeks.
That Chloe. She had really had to put these thoughts in our heads with her gossip and teases about the boys.
"Anyway!" Anna composed herself. Back to business.
Leila was waiting at the table under the stone gazebo that was right outside the castle.
"Lieutenant Malcal?"
Leila perched to see Kruger walking up to the gazebo, now sporting the standard blue EU uniform that had been measured and set for him. It was still strange… and make time to adjust seeing him wearing the blue uniform imprinted with the red wyvern with white-feathered wings on the back.
"Your friend, Anna, said you wanted to meet with me out here?" Eren stopped in front of the table.
"Yes, of course," Leila gestured with a smile. "Please, have a seat." Eren pulled up a chair and began to sit down, while Leila stood up to take up a teapot. "Would like some tea? It has a very nice aroma to it."
"You really are a sucker at this," the captain sourly noted with lower eyes as he stared at his cup of tea. "I really pity you right now."
"Captain…" the former cadet whined, putting down the teapot with dismay. "This… This isn't as easy as it looks…"
"If people kept thinking that I can't imagine how the rest of humanity would go on without good tea. All these nights of showing how and you can't make the right brew? You might as well have used that valuable time to dining room."
"I already did!"
"There was a still a layer of dust underneath…" the captain's dark eyes… were still lowered. "You still missed a spot."
"Urgh!" The boy had hung his head back with a groan. To think who was supposed to be humanity's strongest soldier… had this issue for the perfect tea… and the perfect scene of a dust-free room in any part of the castle…
Eren accepted the steaming tea on a saucer. He took ahold of it and waited a bit. Before he long he took a sip.
"How is it?" Leila asked, looking a bit anxious.
"It's good," Eren said. "Tastes… delicious." He glanced down at it. "Smells nice, too."
Leila smiled almost wholeheartedly at that. "So, glad to hear you enjoy it."
"I doubt the reason you wanted me to come was to hear about my opinion on tea," Eren glanced at Leila. "Right?"
Leila's smile faded a bit. "No, of course not." She set the teapot down. "I just wanted… to ask you about something."
…
Leila sighed before she began:
"I received word from my superiors at HQ," She looked away. "They commissioned a new mission for wZERO."
…
"They intend for the Wyvern Squad to act as decoys… while the military are focused on pushing against the front lines with the enemy."
…
"When will it be?"
"Soon. Very soon."
"And when you say the Wyvern Squad… you mean only… the three new recruits?"
…
"Yes," She felt shameful to say. "But we're not ready. I thought I would have more time. More time to build…"
"Well, it doesn't it's your power to do so," Eren shut down. "And I don't think your new guests are going to take it very calmly."
…
"I want to help them," Leila stated. "I want to make sure they have nothing to fear. That they can…"
"Hmm…"
…
"Is something wrong?" Leila questioned the sound Kruger made.
"You seem awfully concerned for their well-being, Commander Malcal," Eren said, almost amusingly as he stared at his tea. "Not too long ago… these recruits are the very same who attack and killed several military soldiers, and ultimately threatened you and your General."
"I know that." Leila admitted. "I haven't forgotten it."
"Then you shouldn't have forgotten the fact that they are not soldiers. They weren't trained to. Not like the previous squadron you led before." He glanced at her. "These three are from… the Underworld. They're not the type to take orders from anyone or procure to the rules."
"I know," Leila protested. "That is why I wish to give them a second chance."
"And that second chance is on the battlefield?" Eren raised an eyebrow. "Where they will die."
"I don't want that for them!"
"It's what they might as well think."
"What?"
Eren set the cup down. "I know well enough now the purpose of these squads. The reason why… your government… would rather have… Elevens fight in these kinds of expeditions they go through… because they know they are more likely to die."
…
"Am I wrong?"
…
"No."
…
…
"You want them to trust you."
…
"Yes."
"They will have a hard time to believe that." Eren countered. "Let alone putting their trust in you."
"But why?"
"Have you ever battled?"
"What?"
"Have you ever fought on the battlefield?" Eren asked.
…
…
"No…" Leila looked down after answering that. "No, I have not."
"Then there you have it," Eren shrugged. "They won't be willing to trust someone… who hasn't experienced the stakes they will undoubtedly face by themselves when they are sent to fight. And I can tell you for a fact… what happened at Paris on the bridge… might as well be nothing to what a real battle with the enemy would be like."
…
"If only I can help change the odds," Leila said. "Or at least… find more who can assist in the mission. Help them realize… that they are not alone in this…"
…
…
"There one thing you can do."
Leila perked up at that. "Monsieur Kruger?"
"Alright," Ryo slid against a wall, making no one else saw him before going to the door. "Let's see if this plan works."
"You're serious?" Anna asked as they walked outside. "He told you that?"
"That's what he said," Leila confirmed. "I don't know why? I didn't ask him for this, but he was insistent about it."
"Certainly, you can't allow it," Anna stated. "I mean he is supposed to…"
"Oh, no…"
"What is it, Anna?" Leila asked with concern.
"Up there," Anna pointed up, and Leila looked up to higher level of the castle, startled to see something crawling upon the white stone ledge beneath one of the windows. "Isn't that your kitty cat?"
"Eliza?!"
"Just how?" Leila raced back to the interior before coming up to the hall. "How did she end up there in the… huh?" She paused… when she noticed something along the walls… an evident crack.
Eren opened the door to his quarters… and was met by a familiar sight… with a familiar character sitting in his chair, with his back to the window.
While having a familiar belt of explosives over his vest… all connected to the wired trigger once again in his hand.
"Welcome back… Eren Kruger." Yukiya greeted with a grin.
…
"For real?" Eren questioned. "This again?"
"Pardon me… but this is one of my favorite specialties."
…
"You should have known it was bound to happen, sooner or later."
…
"It's you we have to thank for our situation," Yukiya explained. "Things were going our way… that was until you swooped out with your strange little suit and took out Ryo's Knightmare. Though, I would admit... I have never met anyone having the guts to go up against a Knightmare Frame without one of their own…"
He grinned.
"That's why…" Yukiya raised the trigger. "…I'll be taking you with me… that way my friends won't have to worry about you stopping us anymore."
"You'll die if you do that."
"You think I don't know that? You think I don't have the guts to do it?"
…
"Might be such a waste."
"Such a waste?"
…
…
"Let me show you something…" Yukiya used his teeth to rip off the glove from his left hand and held it up for Eren to see what was underneath it.
"Ugly, isn't it?"
Yukiya waved his left hand around… showing a grisly scar running from between his index and middle fingers.
…
"I've got plenty more of them…" Yukiya leaned in with a grin. "You want to know where I got these scars?"
…
"I'll be wondering… before you enlighten me," Eren simply said. "But why bother if you're just going to kill us both?"
"C'mon, since this is going to be our end… I at least thought we could have one last chat before we get it. I've been wanting to have one with you since that day on the bridge."
"You might as well be giving time before the others figure out what you guys are planning, and they'll come straight here." Eren pointed out.
"Don't worry about them," Yukiya waved off. "Right now, they're watching a show I recorded to keep them distracted, unless any of them are smart enough to figure it out already."
…
"Look, I'll make it quick," the young bomber leaned back in his chair as he began. "Years ago, not long after the government started sorting all of us Elevens into the camps, I lived in the ghetto in Amsterdam. And I can tell you… it was no fun at all.
"The adults' sense of inferiority and discontent trickled down and affected the youth. The kids would then take their frustrations out on those who were weaker than them."
Yukiya rubbed the scar anxiously with his thumb.
"It was ironic to the inside of the cherry pit: the Japanese persecuting the Japanese.
…
"But I fought back… and gave it to all of them."
…
"You killed them all, didn't you?" Eren questioned.
The bomber shrugged.
"They deserved to die… so I took them out… with a bang."
Yukiya grinned at that last bit, his green eyes almost twinkling with recollection of the moment.
…
"I knew full well that after what I had done, I would be deemed too dangerous to even be kept alive in any ghetto or prison for that matter. So, I hid in the sewers, where all the other rats would scurry off to. I thought that was how I would live for the rest of my days. Hiding like the rat I was.
"Then I met them.
…
"It was when I met Ryo and his gang."
…
This time… Eren could see the bomber's briefly smile… so unlike all the other times he would grin would mad excitement. This smile was different.
"For the first time in my life… I had friends I could trust. They're the closest thing I have to a family."
…
Eren finally replied.
"When you say 'Ryo and his gang' I suppose it wasn't just Ayano back then…"
…
At that, Yukiya's constant smile faded. "No…" His green eyes narrowed. "There were more. A lot more. But like so many… we lost them.
…
"I don't give a damn about the Japanese, the Elevens, or any other race that is deemed inferior or marked with bad blood in them. I never did and I never will." He raised the trigger again. "And I'll be damned if I lose any more…"
…
"If that is what you think… then what good will you do them if you die here now?" Eren questioned.
"What good? I'd be giving them a chance."
"Chance for what?" Eren continued to question. "How are you sure they'll make it out of this castle alive? How are you sure they'll make it out there? This place is far away from any other settlements or towns. Autumn is coming quick, and soon it will be winter."
"We survived worse." Yukiya countered. "I'll admit, it would be rough… but better out there free in the cold… than what your superiors have planned for us. When they will send us to die on the battlefield for them. Just like all the other Elevens."
…
"How are you certain you'll die on the battlefield?"
"Don't act so surprised," Yukiya waved. "We're fully aware of the history of what this unit has in store for Elevens. I already managed to dig what happened to the last batch of recruits." He narrowed his eyes. "The moment we signed in… we were already choosing certain death over what worse the government would have punished us after the stunts we pulled."
"You're right about that," Eren said. "There is chance you won't make back alive. And a low chance you'll make it. But… you have something that make that probability go higher. Perhaps a better chance than the ones who came before you. Those who fight alongside you."
"Huh?"
"You said it yourself… two of your comrades… are those you consider family. Those you can trust." Eren stated. "You survived as much in the underworld… so you might as well have a better chance than the last squadron."
Yukiya leaned back in his chair. "I've never really thought about that."
"And…" Eren added. "…you'll have me."
…
"Come again?" Yukiya turned his head, now baffled. "Am I hearing things… or are you really saying you are planning to go with us into the next suicide mission?"
"I didn't stutter."
Yukiya laughed. "Seriously?! Oh, that's very generous of you! Really, that makes me happy!" His laughter died down. "What happened to the 'Elevens Only' rule for this squad? You're supposed to be an exception? Some special forces? I guess that might explain that cool gear you have. Something the good old Republic would give and allow for one of their astounding citizens."
"They are NOT my government. They are NOT my country."
Yukiya almost shifted a bit back, almost turned off by the sudden venom that was emitted from Eren's voice when he voiced those statements.
…
"Eh?" Yukiya paused, staring at Eren. "Oh? Oh, I see… lemme guess… you're supposed to be a different Number? Or was someone checked somewhere along your family tree because they had a little something…"
…
Eren ignored that.
…
"Why bother risking your life to fight alongside a bunch of kid criminals, then?" Yukiya asked.
"I've been through the hell of the battlefield. And I know what it's like. I know the chances… of not coming back alive. At least not with everyone."
…
"Well, you don't say." Yukiya turned an eye.
"What I also know… is that having comrades makes the difference." Eren glanced at Yukiya. "You, your friends, and I… we may not see eye to eye… nor do we know one another. But if you are my comrades… thrown together in the same squad… then that is enough. That means… I will fight with you."
"Oh, yeah?" Yukiya grinned. "I see now. This is the part where you promise to have all our backs and do your best to subvert our expectations and get us back all swimmingly? Is that it?"
"I can't promise that." Eren stated. "It would be foolish if I did. But I can promise this… I will fight alongside you if you can fight alongside me."
"Fight alongside each other?" Yukiya said. "That's a strange thought."
"The only way to live is to win. And the only way to win… is to fight." Eren said.
That caught Yukiya off guard.
"The only way to live… is to win. And to win… is to fight?" Yukiya questioned.
"You'll never know once you try."
…
…
"Hehe… hehehe… hehahahaha… HAHAHAHAH!" Yukiya's train of thought caused him to chuckle before erupting into full-blown laughter.
And after that…
The trigger and the straps of bombs were thrown at Eren's feet.
"Eren Kruger… I may have misjudged you." Yukiya looked up at Eren from his seat with an impressed smile. "I think you're proving to be a far more interesting kind of guy than I had expected."
Eren curled his left hand back to hide the bleeding cut on his forefinger… before the wound instantly mended with a small speck of steam.
"Trust me," Eren made a small smile. "You haven't the faintest idea."
"Ugh, dammit. Did they built this part of the castle just for kids?!" Ayano scrunched as she continued wiggle on all fours through this… 'cat tunnel' that Yukiya found.
It might as well be made for cats.
Dang it. It felt so small she could barely have space to crawl up the pace. She even felt her rear being dragged against the stone wall.
…
Well, at least for a tunnel like this, she had seen no rats. She ought to cuddle that kitty for taking care of that… perhaps.
Her struggles proved worth it when she saw light meters away.
Outside.
Jackpot. She grinned.
Alright, now she should find the cables or any power source that Yukiya said there would be to pull those idiots off the hood. Give Ryo more time to find the goods and get out of here.
She looked to see some lines near the light, and grinned to see the wires of…
Wires of… more like… vines? Roots?
Ayano finally rose up from the hole and looked to see the light was not that of an energy source or power frame, but rather was sunlight of the near setting sun.
The hell?
She was no longer in the castle, but just outside of it. At the edge of the forest surrounding the area.
Dammit, Yukiya!
…
Oh, well.
"At least, I found a way out." Ayano shrugged as she started to descend the hill.
"Are you looking for a way back to the castle?"
Ayano froze and turned instantly to see… her. The blonde having crept out of the same tunnel she had, and was standing in her glorified, pristine uniform.
Shit! Did she find out and had been tailing on her the whole time? Or did she… did she knew about that tunnel before?
"I can show you the way if you tell me what you and your friends are up to." she offered.
…
She really had the audacity…
"Talk to me. Please, I promise I'm on your side."
"Like hell you are!" Ayano raised her fists. "Why should I tell you what are up to when we know exactly what you are planning for us?! You're planning on using us to be your disposable pawns! That was your intent the day you roped us into on your team!"
"No, that's not true!" She even dared to deny it. "Just hear me out. I want to ensure your safety and I found a way—"
"SHUT UP! You've never even been on the battlefield before, have you? How many of us have to die? How many Elevens have been killed in your stupid campaign, while you sat back in your castle and just watched, huh?!"
"No, one else will die, I'll see to that myself!"
Ayano stopped at that.
"I'll be there! I'll fight beside you!"
"You gotta be kidding me…"
Ryo barely had any words after spending half the day with all of Yukiya's planning, the sneaking, and all the running… for the hope of finding at least three…
Okay… at least one of those advanced Alexander Knightmares they had spent days simulating.
Find some… and get the heck out of here.
Well, at least not before sneaking some more goods these guys had to offer.
But now… after getting into the site, and going through that long tunnel…
Dang it. That long-ass tunnel going on and on… and on… an…
Aw, dang it.
Just before he was going fall back from a long-deserved nap… he finally saw light from the other end.
About dang time.
And just when he got to it… he found the Knightmares he was looking for… but they were…
…
How can he describe it? He saw at least one of the Alexander Knightmare Frames packed into an open crevice of a…
Missile? Or a…?
No.
No, no, no.
There's no way. This kind of stuff happens only in…
"Would like me to explain it to you?"
Ryo gasped as he turned to see who approached him.
"You need only to ask." Leila said.
Eren made his way outside the castle... when he turned with wide eyes to see a sudden… yet entirely unfamiliar vehicle rolled up unto the road in front of him.
Orange. That was the first thing that came into his mind when he saw it. That was because of its color. It was no doubt supposed to be a motorcycle… yet it was far different than the ones he had seen or even picture.
It was bigger and more advanced. The two wheels, one at each side, the tires larger than he had seen.
The occupying driving it… was none other than Leila.
"Uh…?"
"Monsieur Kruger," Leila extended her hand. "There is something I wish to show you."
"Wait… now?"
"Yes," Leila nodded. "Hop on."
"Wait… on that…" Eren glanced back and forth at the… orange bike. "With you."
"This motorbike is built for a driver and a passenger," Leila gestured to an extra seat that was right behind her.
…
…
Eren didn't expect this. He was unsure of this.
He walked till he was directly in front of it, and turned to find a way to get himself into a seat…
…
Was he really supposed to just hop behind Leila and then let her drive them both on this… thing? This was different than riding in a car. Or how he started practicing for Knightmare Training on the simulators.
He swung his leg over and place himself onto the seat… his front directly in front of Leila's backside. Almost.
"I would advise you put your seatbelt on." Leila advised.
"Wait… where?" Eren looked around, till he noticed the buckle at the left side, he pulled at it, coming out more extension of the belt till he placed it over to the other side where it clicked together tightly.
Before long, Leila turned her foot over a pedal and the vehicle turned on. The tires revved up before they both turned and sped away.
Eren felt himself almost falling back if it weren't for the seatbelt keeping his lower half in place. Yet, he needed to hold onto something, seeing as Leila held on to the controls of the vehicle she was driving on.
The only thing to hold onto to keep himself from falling back… was Leila in front of him.
…
He quickly placed both hands onto both of her shoulders. They were steady for now.
Eren could only sit back as the blonde girl whose shoulders he held unto drove the cycle they were on through the dirt road of the forest around them.
The vehicle was going at a speed faster than Eren anticipated from it. Perhaps not as fast as the ODM gear can make him while propelling through the open air, but still fast enough for the wind to brush against his face. Far faster than that of while horseback riding.
And as the wind blew against his face… so did the long blonde hair of Leila Malcal.
Eren almost instantly turned his head back as the girl's long gold hair was practically flapping against his chest and his face. He wondered if she didn't take that into account or was unaware of it as she was keeping her eyes on the road. He wished it wasn't this long, or she at least put into a braid, or at least tied into a helmet.
And yet… it felt strange… and…
Eren noticed how long her hair was. It was long. The longest length of hair he had ever seen on any girl he had met.
And it looked… it felt… smooth…
Somehow, his left palm was loose enough to curl a bundle of it between his fingers… and he instantly felt the feel of Leila's hair for the first time.
It felt smooth and…
…
Her hair reminded him of... her hair… yet Leila's was lighter and longer in length.
…
Eren let loose the strands of hair and focused his hand back on her shoulder.
He wondered if she didn't care to give complaint with him grabbing onto her person like this, even if she was the one transporting him through the road. Her shoulders were… the best… and appropriate place to hold on to. He glanced down at her waist but shook his head against that point.
It was when he glanced down, he took notice of her black military skirt.
And it was flapping up because of the wind… exposing the exposed skin above what her long boots covered. The upper skin of her legs that were her…
Eren quickly turned his head away at what he almost registered to glance at…
Was Leila not noticing this?
He glanced again at how skirt was still blowing back and forth. The skin that was showing up back and forth.
...
Why was he bothering paying attention to... this?!
It was... It was... stupid! And... And disrespectful. It's not because Leila was a woman, and she had to wear... well, wear military attire that somehow... looked more revealing than back home! Meaning... ugh...
As he made forth to glance away, he found himself gazing at the area they were driving through at a very fast pace.
The sunset had come to close to the mountains, causing an orange glow to reflect on the whole of the valley. The valley covered with thousands of trees. Trees over the rocky hills and around the castle, before circling near a large lake farther away.
It looked... nice.
Peaceful.
Eren almost forgot he riding on the back seat of the bike as the road was changing around him and Leila.
He started not to mind the wind blowing against his cheeks. It felt refreshing. Different than when he rode on a horse, or when he rushed through on ODM gear.
He brought up one hand to extend it in the open air. Opening his fingers for his palm to feel the breeze.
"What… What is… What is this…?"
Eren didn't have words to describe... the metal mechanism... one of the strangest things he was seeing in front of him and Leila.
Eren had mentioned the confrontation he had with Yukiya, in which Leila responded she had similar one with Ayano, who she had found trying to leave the castle. She then went to bring the matter of tracking down Ryo, who had been looking for Knightmares in this part of the base... only to instead find the very thing Leila was showing to Eren now.
"This is Apollo's Chariot: an ultra-long range extra-atmospheric transport." Leila answered.
"A transport?" Eren asked.
"Using this new weapon, we can drop behind enemy lines for surprise commando assaults."
"You mean… it's like a flying boat?" Eren glanced back at the transport. "It can fly through the sky?"
"Yes and no…" Leila looked at Eren. "This rocket… can bring the Wyvern Squadron out of the atmosphere…"
Eren's eyes widened.
"…and allow it to drop from orbit into the enemy territory."
…
…
"What… what… What the heck are you saying?" Eren whirled to her, his disbelief of this building up. "This… this flying boat…"
"It's a rocket, Monsieur Kruger."
Whatever! Was she serious?
"You're saying… You're telling me… that this… this thing…" He glanced back at it. "It can… fly past the atmosphere? But that means…"
"Yes," Leila nodded. "It can take anyone onboard past the atmosphere and into the gravitational pull of Earth's orbit."
"But that means… in space…"
"That's correct."
"But that's... impossible…" Eren shook his head. "I never heard of anything like that before."
There were already impossible things that had become a part of his life. Things that no other could comprehend. But this... this was...
"We made multiple ground tests before the final result, and we are sure that it can work."
…
"Have you… have you ever tried it with people before?"
…
"Not quite…" Leila said.
"Then you're saying… that there's a chance it will fail… and the whole squad goes down with it."
"Nothing is sure. But in times of war, there's a chance some soldiers won't make it back alive. That said…" She stared back at him. "I would like for us all to return safely."
…
…
"Wh…" Eren's heart skipped a beat, trying to register that last line she said. "Wait… what do you mean… us all? You're not saying…"
"I did not stutter, Monsieur Kruger," Leila Malcal declared. "As the one who planned this operation… it is my duty… that this time… for this next mission… I will accompany… and fight alongside you and all of Wyvern Squadron."
General HQ
Paris, France, Europia United
"I don't care! I want you tell me everything!" Phillipe Malcal demanded with a growl. "Tell me everything about this man! Who he is. Where he comes from. I want the details!"
"I'm not up to date to give you that, Phillipe," Smilas sat in his office chair frowned as he continued to keep up with the aristocrat's rant. "There's not much to give… since we don't have much."
"What?! What do you mean?!" There was a brief pause. "I will not abide a stranger to endanger my daughter! It will be over my dead body!"
Asura Base
Sankt Petersburg, Russia, Euro Britannia
Early October, a.t.b. 2017
"Warriors, up forward!"
"Yes, Commander!"
Four Eldian individuals stepped forward and stopped in front of their commander and Lord Shaing. Jean standing by his side.
As always. He rolled his eyes at that, while he and his force stood at the side along several other knights of the Order of Michael.
Not too long ago, they followed Sir Manfredi's lead, with Lord Shaing in second by his side. And now Lord Shaing was in full command of the whole order.
And it didn't stop there. Shaing issued that they were to meet and gather to meet very special visitors. Very special indeed.
The redhead grinned.
Britannia's very own Eldian Titan Warriors. Here and walking on their land and soil.
He was feeling ecstatic.
Yet, at the same time disappointed. When he pictured meeting and seeing the Titan Warriors up close, he was hoping to see them in all their glory. As the giants that have been known to be paragons of destruction. Living weapons of war were made of flesh instead of metal. The kind that can easily scrap an entire army's arsenal…
…yet he was staring at ordinary people, wearing simple clothing. On each of their left arms were armbands. Armbands with a star in the center. The mark of being an Eldian. Except these individuals' bands were red.
The red marking them as Titan Warriors.
Magath turned to the Grandmaster. "Lord Shaing, may I present this generation's Eldian Warriors in service to the Homeland:
"Pieck Finger, wielder of the Cart Titan." He gestured to the young woman with wavy black hair and bags under her almost-weary gray eyes. She was dressed in a white uniform with a long skirt. At her side, she held crutch that kept her from… stumbling. Even so, she gave both a friendly smile and nod.
"Porco Galliard, wielder of the Jaw Titan." He gestured next to a young man of average height, bearing hazel eyes and blonde hair kept in an undercut style, which was pushed back. He wore a short green coat over combat trousers. He looked up and gave a nod, yet Ashley could tell the look in his eyes was different from that of the other warrior's friendly vibe.
"Reiner Braun, the wielder of Armored Titan." The man was tallest of the four warriors, with short blonde hair, gold eyes, and broad shoulders.
"And our war chief and inheritor of the Beast Titan," The Britannian Commander gestured last to a scruffy man older than the others. Looked old enough to be their father or uncle. He was blonde, with a moderate beard and a pair of circle-shaped glasses over his eyes. "Zeke Yeager."
…
"Howdy, do?" The bespectacled man made a small wave, before scratching his left ear.
…
"Last of all," The commander gestured to a group of five. Children, Ashley could see, except for one, who was clearly a teenager, who had a similar height with the other Warriors. Their Eldian armbands were yellow instead of red. "These are our Candidates, training to be the next generation of inheriting our Warrior's Titans."
…
Lord Shaing stepped forward. "It is an honor to make an acquaintance with all of you." He extended a hand towards the warrior called Zeke.
Ashley notice something filling the air when some of the soldiers, including the swordmasters and some of his own men looked with apprehension as their superior was making a friendly gesture to a Titan Warrior. An Eldian at that.
Ashley smirked.
"Likewise," The Zeke fellow graciously took Lord Shaing's hand. "We're very honored to meet with you, Grandmaster Shaing."
"Duke Velaines was very considerate to let the Order of Michael have the honor fighting together with the Eldian Warriors of Britannia," Shaing said. "It is my hope that we fight uphold the honor of our homeland and vanquish our enemies towards victory."
The Asura leader grinned to think on some in the hall were caught off by Lord Shaing's respectful greeting with the warriors. He noticed the fat man next to Commander Magath was rolling his eyes in annoyance. Even as Lord Shaing went on to take shake hands with the rest of the Warriors.
"Well, now…" Ashley grinned. "Things are about to get to a whole new level of exciting."
"Why's that, Master?" Joannes next to him asked.
"Don't you get it, Joannes?" Ashley kept his eyes on the Warrior characters. "This is a rare moment of a lifetime, and it has been granted to me. If I get to fight… alongside the great Eldian Warriors themselves… I get to take on the whole world!"
He brought up a hand to brush his fiery red hair back. "I'm ready to see some real action, y'know?"
There.
Alliances are being made as we speak, yet tensions are still brewed among them. With Eren and Ryo's gang with wZERO. The Warrior Unit now in Euro Britannia, and are now acquainted with Lord Shin Hyuga Shaing, now the Grandmaster of the Order of Michael.
Yet both sides, are making their wishes known to fight alongside their new comrades… if that is what gives them the best chance to win or live.
"The only way to win is to fight."
One conversation I loved doing was the one between Yukiya and Eren. There was a whole lot to expand upon that talk, and how different it was doing it with Eren. And also, regarding his choice to join the Wyvern Squadron in battle. And you know what that means…
The knight stared through the window at the quiet field while he stood alone in the hallway of the first compartment of the moving train.
It had to be the second day going towards the third since the train left Pendragon. It had far left the territory of the Empire and was already speeding along the tracks of the continent that was the territory of the Tribunal Empire.
There was still the big mass of the Russian continent to trek through before they would make it to Sankt Petersburg. Grassy fields and hills stretched on for miles, and probably will for many before they started seeing more of Russia's exotic terrain.
The knight kept on staring; he could even register his own reflection on the window.
"Sir, Kururugi." The Knight was broken from his thoughts when a guard approached him with a salute. "We should be arriving in St. Petersburg in about twelve hours."
"I see."
"May I ask how the Military Advisor is feeling?"
"He's fine. You may go now."
"Yes, my lord!" the guard gave a respectful salute before he turned away and left Suzaku alone. The Knight turned to the locked door to the room the military advisor's room was and opened it before he entered and locked it again.
Inside was a suite decorated with furniture and a television screen. On the wall was a map that displayed the railway's map that would lead them to their destination. Starting from the capital of Pendragon, across the homeland continent, going over Alaska before converging to the point that would take them through the heart of Russia, before finally reaching St. Petersburg.
Suzaku looked to the other side, where sitting on the cushioned chair was… him.
"Suzaku… please…" The voice of the black-robed… creature rasped. "…would you give me some water?"
…
"Please…" He tried extending his gloved hand… almost grasping towards the white-coated knight… so desperately. "I'm begging you. I need water."
In front of the… creature… a glass pitcher lay on the floor. Water spilling over the carpet.
The creature clutched his right eye, while his other eye was covered.
"Help me…"
The knight only stood still and observed the creature's begging… with cold indifference.
"I need… water…"
With that… Suzaku Kururugi made a grunt… while glaring daggers towards the creature.
To be continued…