Attack On Titan: Wings Of Crystal
Chapter 74: Sneak Attack
The Earth trembles as Titans clash. Just when Lazarus thought he could end the Rumbling before it had a chance to begin, The Beast Titan shows up and pummels him with a fist full of rock. His former roommate standing tall at the top of the wall looking down on him like the incompetent person he was. He could've joined him in his Euthanisation Plan. They could've been brothers again. But instead, he chose to continue playing the part of a make-believe hero.
"Zeke! You traitor! How dare you look down on us and throw rocks in our faces?! Have you completely forgotten who you're aiming at? Don't screw with me!" Lazarus mentally declared.
"A traitor to whom exactly? You? Or Marley?" Zeke clarified. "I was never loyal to either of you. I have my own reasons for using the Founder's power."
"What could possibly be more important than getting rid of the power of the Titans?!"
Rather than answer telepathically, The Beast Titan spoke aloud for everyone to hear. "Why don't you come up here and find out, Brother?! Let's have our rematch right here, right now. If you win, I'll tell you everything. If you lose then you lose."
The Winged Titan looks over to the left side of the wall where Pieck and Magath are. The big gun was now trained on Zeke, ready to open fire. Lazarus stands up and looks up at the Beast. He sneakily uses his wings to connect with the Crystal and Armoured Titans, touching them lightly.
"So be it! But I won't be holding back this time!" Lazarus declared, remembering the rules Zeke instituted during their fight over Annie's fate the last time they were here.
As he speaks, the new War Chief channels his Titan energy into Reiner and Michael, increasing their strength and stamina. Their wounds regenerate much faster than before, allowing both of them to get back up.
Around the same time, a bright flash of yellow erupted a few feet away from them. Eren had transformed into a new Attack Titan body with already hardened arms.
"You two deal with Eren. Zeke's mine!" The Winged Titan growled.
The Beast Titan retaliates and throws another clump of stones towards them. The Crystal Titan summons a barrier to shield them. The stones impact the crystal wall hard, unleashing a shockwave of wind that knocks some of the nearby Yeagerists and WOC out of the air.
Eren summons a Titan-sized greatsword and swings it at Reiner's torso. The armour prevents him from cutting him in half, but he still manages to cut pretty deep into him.
The Beast Titan wasn't done yet. Digging his sharp claws into the corner of the wall, he breaks it up into more small chunks for him to throw. This time he was aiming the airships above. Reeling his left arm back, he hurls them at the airship on the far left of the V formation.
The stones shred through the blimp, causing it to explode. The flames spread to the one next to it, knocking it out of the sky.
Willy Tybur was racing past the panicked crew members trying to put on a parachute. He suspected the airships would be Zeke's target at some point and was prepared for it. His airship begins to tilt in response to the burning one impacting the side. He and everyone/everything aboard was getting bumped about, making the simple act of pushing a button difficult.
He eventually got the cargo bay doors open and dived out, free-falling away from the flaming zeppelin until he freed his parachute from the pack. Magath spots his approach through his big gun's scope.
"Zeke, damn you! … Pieck, Willy managed to escape. Hurry to his location!"
"What about Zeke?"
"We'll let Averbach soften him up for us. Once we secure Tybur, we'll sneak up behind him and blow out the traitor's nape!"
"Roger that." The Cart Titan complied. It races along the top of the walls to the right, away from The Beast Titan and towards where Willy was floating down.
The Cart Titan only made a few feet until she was bombarded with more rocks thrown by the traitorous Beast Titan. Pieck and Magath fall over the outside of the district but manage to hold on thanks to her Titan's fast reflexes, grabbing the ledge of the wall.
"I don't like our odds in a straight firefight with The Beast."
"Too bad! I'm punishing that traitor myself! Lazarus can have what's left when I'm done with him."
"Sir, look!"
Coming up on their right was another squad of Yeagerists led by Floch, tasked with taking out The Cart and its gunner before they could fire another shot at Eren. It looks like Lazarus was on his own for the time being.
Erwin and his squad were now the ones forced to be pinned down by the combined punishment of the Yeagerist's gunfire and The Beast Titan's flurry of rocks. The former Scout Regiment commander angrily gazes up at the giant monkey. His fingers tightly grip the hilts of his blades.
"Levi… Wherever you are, I hope you haven't forgotten my final order to you… No, you wouldn't have. I know you're not dead. I still believe you will follow through on that order and strike him down!"
The Beast Titan takes up his signature pitcher's stance, ready to throw again. This time his eyes were set on the Wings of Crystal.
"IT'S LINING UP FOR ANOTHER THROW! TAKE COVER! GET OFF THE ROOF!"
Erwin and the WOC all move as quickly as they can to get off the roof before impact. Erwin and a handful of them make it, but the others are reduced to blood splatter on the roof tiles.
Zeke exhaled and directed his attention towards Eren battling Reiner and Michael. Though his younger brother was holding his own against the two bulky powerhouses, he could tell he was struggling to keep them both at bay. Michael's constant use of switching out one weapon for another also didn't help.
Michael tosses his spiked mace to Reiner and summons a double-bladed axe in its place. Both of them swing their weapons at Eren's shield with such intensity that it shatters immediately, leaving him with just his greatsword.
Zeke decides to even the odds by hurling more rocks at them, allowing Eren to slice the back of Michael's knees, forcing him to fall forward. He was about to finish him off by thrusting his sword into The Crystal's nape, finishing off Michael for good. He was too blinded by rage to recollect keeping him alive for Mikasa. But The Armoured Titan swings his mace at The Attack's head, knocking him hard to the side and right into an abandoned house.
Zeke was moments away from gathering more stones until he was tackled by Lazarus, sending him over the side. The Beast Titan quickly reaches out and grabs the ledge of the wall. Now it was The Winged's turn to look down on him. His eyes filled with rage. Smoke seeped out the corners of his mouth in response to his literal burning wrath. But he took a calming breath and pulled Zeke back up, which was confusing given their situation.
"Can't let you fall there and rush towards Eren. Like you said, this is between you and me!" The Winged Titan spoke slowly and clearly.
The Beast Titan got back up on its feet and stared down at The Winged standing a few feet away from him. Now this brought back memories. This is exactly the same as their second match. It was even taking place in the same location thus connecting their paths after it diverged four years ago.
"Feeling nostalgic yet?" Zeke asked. "Felt like such a short time ago when you challenged me to save Annie. Now here we are, fighting again… Only this time it'll be to the death!"
"This fight is only happening because you have allowed it to!" The Winged Titan replied. A sudden memory flash of Zeke and Lazarus hanging out as kids appeared in Lazarus's mind. Why? Why now was he thinking of that specific moment? Was it because he was forced to battle his second friend? Has to be, he thought. What other reason could there be?
"Ever since we reunited on the top of the very wall all those years ago, I knew you'd changed. The Zeke I knew always looked out for his fellow Warriors. You looked out for me in the academy! We were brothers!"
"… Except Eren is my true brother." Zeke simply responded.
"Only by blood! Turns out we both share the same blood as well! Don't give me the whole "Eren's true family" bullshit! We're cousins you and I. Eren doesn't know you like I do… or knew. Maybe I don't know the real you at all. Maybe the Zeke Yeager I grew up with was an invention. A disguise to hide who you are… Tell me, Zeke. Who are you really?!"
There was a pause as The Beast Titan blankly stared back at his cousin. Behind his back was another fist full of gravel.
"If you succeed in defeating me, I will answer that question. No tricks. No lies. I will be an honest man just this once. I promise."
"I no longer trust you or your promises." The Winged Titan spreads its wings out to the sides and puts its fists up in a fighter's stance. "One way or another, I am getting answers… May the best Warrior win."
"I am the best. Always was." The Beast replied mockingly. "I've defeated you easily during our first match. You barely won our second… I'll make sure you lose this third and final round!
Zeke tightens his grip and immediately thrusts his arm forward, unleashing the cluster of stones at The Winged Titan. Lazarus leaps off of the wall to the opposite side of Shiganshina and takes flight.
The Beast Titan attempts to gather more stones but The Winged breathes a huge fire blast towards him, forcing Zeke to back away. His fur was scorched from the blast. He barely got away in time. He rigorously pats his furry shoulders, putting out the embers before they could grow into flames.
With him distracted, The Winged Titan dives down and tackles him again, his sharp claws digging into his ape chest. The Beast halts his skid across the wall and kicks Lazarus up and over him using both feet, Lazarus landing flat on his back so hard the railway track underneath him broke.
The Beast Titan grabs him by the horns and pulls him up onto his knees. Then, using his free hand, he grabs onto Lazarus' right wing. His right foot digs into The Winged's armoured back as he pulls on the wing. The Winged Titan roars in intense agony, feeling the pain of having his wing pulled off increase with each second until he can feel his skin and muscle connecting it to him rip and tear. Blood gushes out of his back as his wing has been violently torn from his body.
Zeke repeats the process with the other one, tearing it off like a kid ripping off the wings of a butterfly. He tosses both wings over the side of the wall. They land atop the green fields of grass in Wall Maria's inner lands. The blood still leaking out the ends, staining it red.
To finish him off, Zeke reels his left arm back and delivers the mother of all bitch slaps across the back of The Winged Titan's head, knocking him further down the top of the wall. But Lazarus was able to stick the landing and get back up. His body twinges with discomfort, still recovering from the violent loss of his wings. How many times has this happened now, he wondered? He feels like this has happened more often than he would've liked. His wings were his greatest asset. Getting rid of them was a smart move from a tactical standpoint, but he still hated it. It was even more discouraging seeing it being done by Zeke.
"Now it's an even fight again." Zeke taunted him, only adding to Lazarus' anger.
"You always liked to fight dirty! It's why I lost to you the first time. You took advantage of the fact that I wasn't used to my Titan powers yet, it's only now that I realised that… You wanna fight dirty?" Electrical energy started sparking out of The Winged Titan's body, responding to his desire to defeat Zeke once and for all. "Then let's fight dirty!"
The Winged Titan roars and charges for the Beast on all fours like how the Jaw or Cart Titan ran. Zeke would've let loose his own battle cry too if it weren't for those who'd drank his spinal fluid all gathered together in the capital of Shiganshina. Now wasn't the time to call the Titans into battle. He needed to save it as a last resort in case he or Eren were in a pickle.
For now, The Beast Titan runs towards The Winged with its arms stretched out, mere inches away from meeting him and kickstarting the main event of their fight.
While the fight rages above, the people at their feet must take up arms and charge into the fray, like it or not. Mikasa, Jean, Sasha, and Connie strap on their ODM gear and help Eren fend off Reiner and Michael.
Yelena stretched her arms out to the side and smiled with delight as the Marleyan airships came crashing down still burning. She was so focused on the glorious battle taking place in what she believes will be a pivotal moment in human history that she couldn't hear the approaching footsteps and a slamming cane behind her.
"Enjoying the view?"
The volunteers' leader glances over her left shoulder to see her uncle walk up next to her wearing one of Lazarus' ODM gear he'd stolen off the soldier he killed earlier. She recognised the Wings of Crystal logo on the side of the canister. It wasn't one from this island.
"Where'd you get that?"
"Acquired it from one of Erwin's soldiers." That response sparked a reaction out of his niece, forcing her to look at him directly. "Wait, don't tell me you didn't know he was still alive?"
"Of course I knew!" She retorted, denying his assumptions. "I just didn't think he'd risk coming here and exposing himself."
"It is no surprise to me. He's come to rescue his beloved son… He cares deeply for a child that isn't even his blood."
The two Oppenheimers continue to watch the conflict below. Atop the wall, they can see the Beast and Winged Titans taking turns exchanging a lethal blow to the other. The Beast Titan managed to shove a huge chunk of wall into the Winged's mouth, preventing him from breathing fire, though it came at the cost of getting electrocuted by his bioelectricity.
Things seemed to even out with Eren now that his friends had joined the fray. They all fire one Thunder Spear into their backs, damaging the Titans severely. Eren uses this opportunity to continue his approach to The Beast and make physical contact.
With The Beast Titan occupied, Erwin and his squad continue their assault. The Wings of Crystal scale the wall and lend assistance to Pieck and Magath who had their hands full with Floch and his unit.
"It's almost time, Uncle." Yelena addressed him without taking her star-filled eyes off Zeke. "Zeke's destroyed Marley's aerial fleet! The moment has finally arrived! History is about to be written! The Yeager brothers are on the brink of bringing about a new era in the world. Everything we've been working towards is on the verge of becoming a reality!"
We? As intelligent as Yelena had proven herself to be in his eyes, she failed to see the true outcome of this conflict. Eren never agreed to Zeke's plan, he was only pretending so he could get into contact with him. Poor Yelena was too blindsided by her fairytale ending with her beloved to see the reality of the situation, he thought. Just like Subject 14.
He cannot keep up this charade much longer. The time for him to come clean to the only family he had left has come. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. For reasons unknown, he doesn't have the courage to tell her the truth. Why? Was it because he was afraid of seeing her reaction to the news? Scared to see her feel hurt and betrayed by someone she trusted as much as Zeke himself?
Ludwig lets out a sigh of defeat. He really wanted to come clean this way rather than use the coward's way out, but there was no other choice. Reaching into his right pocket he pulls out a sealed envelope with Yelena's name on it. Inside contained a letter explaining his true intentions and him admitting he was only using her to get close to Eren.
This will break her heart, assuming she had one. If she did, she sure as hell didn't inherit it from him. His heart stopped beating years ago when he lost Felix. It's how he remained unfazed when dealing with heavy topics or showing no remorse for killing and experimenting on a baby. Although to even his surprise, he still felt a moment of guilt for betraying his last blood relative.
He shook it off and discreetly placed the letter in Yelena's jacket pocket. Thankfully she was too focused on Zeke to notice.
"You know I won't always be around to look out for you, Yelena." He spoke up, getting her attention.
"What do you mean by that?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Once this plan of ours succeeds you'll get your happy ending with Zeke. When that happens, I can't see myself being a part of it… I know we haven't been together long enough to formulate a strong parent/child bond, but I have grown quite fond of our partnership. It's a shame it'll be ending soon… I see a lot of myself in you."
"…Uncle?" She replied slowly, taken aback by his heartfelt words, but also slightly cautious, knowing this was out of character for him.
"Know that whatever happens next, I am proud of you, and it was never my intention to hurt you."
"Hurt me? What do you-
Before she even had a chance to finish her question, Ludwig was gone from her sight. She spots him leaving down the stairs behind her, catching a glimpse of his top half before disappearing. Just what did he mean by "hurt her"?
Among all the chaos high and low, Colt and Gabi were undergoing their own mission to find and rescue Falco, who's still missing after their capture at the restaurant. They watched The Attack Titan limping towards the inner gate where The Beast was locked arm-in-arm with The Winged. A huge plume of steam was emanating from the wounds he'd sustained from his fight with Reiner and Michael.
"We've gotta stop them!" Gabi proclaimed.
"The two of us? What could we do? We should focus on staying alive and let Titans fight Titans. We've got a battle of our own to worry about now… Let's move. I'm gonna rescue Falco. You should head south. Stay outta sight until you reach the airship." Colt instructed before turning to leave, only to be stopped by Gabi grabbing his arm.
"No, I'm going with you! Falco saved my life more than once, and now his life is in danger… I'm supposed to be the best in our unit. The successor to The Crystal Titan. The only reason I'm alive right now is because of him. There's no way I could abandon him to save my own skin!" She responded with such intensity, showing how serious she was to the eldest candidate.
Colt just stared at her in shock. This was the first he'd heard about her being Michael's successor. Nobody but Falco knew of this because Erwin had sworn her to secrecy. He would've asked her to explain herself on the matter, but now wasn't the time. They need to find Falco.
The two of them were then alerted to the sound of a grappling hook cable shooting out behind them. Someone with ODM gear was approaching their position. Instinct takes over Colt as he grabs Gabi and pulls her behind a building, hiding in an alleyway.
The oldest Grice brother held his nerve as he quietly loaded his rifle and pulled back on the hammer. He closes his eyes and focuses on his hearing. Whoever it was seemed to be aware of their presence, as he could hear footsteps heading in their direction.
Gripping his rifle tightly, Colt jumps out of hiding and points the barrel down at the approaching individual, finger on the trigger, ready to fire. He stops once he notices the Wings of Crystal uniform. This was one of his allies.
"Stand down, Grice. It's me." The soldier lowers his hood, revealing it to be Erwin Smith himself. Colt lowers the rifle and sighs with relief.
"Commander Erwin. Sorry, I thought you were one of them."
"Erwin?" Gabi rushes out of cover and sees the reinstated commander standing before her. She smiles, glad to see him again. Erwin returns the gesture, sharing the same feeling.
"I am glad to see you're safe, Gabi. Where's Falco?"
"He's still missing, sir. Colt and I were looking for him." Gabi explained.
Erwin scans his surroundings, checking to see if any Yeagerists are around. They were in the clear for the time being.
"I'll help you find him. We must stick to the shadows. Yeagerists are everywhere. Stay close." He instructed as he headed down the alleyway. Colt and Gabi follow close behind.
Neither Colt nor Gabi had the slightest hint as to where Falco was being kept. But Erwin knows the districts of The Walls like the back of his hand. Scouts and Garrison usually hold prisoners in the castle headquarters as a temporary holding before they're escorted to the capital of Wall Sina. If there was any place Falco would likely be, it was there.
"Sir, why is it just you here? Where's the rest of your squad?" Colt asked.
"We were forced to scatter when The Beast Titan threw rocks at us. My unit is still dealing with the Yeagerists, as well as making sure Eren doesn't reach Zeke. I was on my way to assist them until I spotted you two. Those men and women were handpicked by Willy Tybur to fight by my side. I trust they can handle things on their own a little longer." He explained.
"What about Michael?" Gabi asked.
"Stopping Eren without killing him makes things difficult, but I have faith he'll keep him busy until Lazarus gets another chance to eat him."
"So, you're really on board with Lazarus' plan?" Colt questioned.
"I am only supporting what I believe is the best outcome for my people on this island. If Lazarus can erase Titans from this world and make Eldians human, then it's the best option we've got. Destroying the world should never be an option unless there are no alternatives."
"And you believe Lazarus is the better of the two?"
"…Yes." Erwin simply answered. He couldn't understand what Colt was getting at by asking him this. "You have doubts about Lazarus' plan?" He asked curiously.
"Honestly, I don't think it matters what I think. I never thought much of Lazarus like Falco did. I didn't have much of an opinion of him at all. I never agreed or disagreed with any choices he made… I guess I'm just more focused on saving my brother than the fate of the world."
"I see… That's a reasonable response. That's mostly how I feel about Michael and my comrades on both sides. That's why I believe Lazarus' plan is the better outcome because it involves the least amount of bloodshed."
The trio remain silent after that talk. They keep their eyes and ears open for any Yeagerist spies. The bright orange hue from the burning airship made hiding in the shadows impossible. They were now forced to rush out into the open and pray they found Falco before the enemy found them.
They duck behind another wall for cover as ODM users come rushing by, too fast for Erwin to identify as friend or foe. As they waited for an opening, Gabi asked Colt what the big metal pipe he'd been carrying around was.
"This is an anti-Titan rifle. Something the military whipped up using technology adapted from the Allied Forces. Pretty tough to get a kill with it though. You gotta hit the nape dead on and at a good angle." He explained.
"Shhhh, we've got company," Erwin whispered back, keeping his eyes fixed on the group of MPs. None of them bore the mark of the Yeagerists so they weren't enemies. "Judging by the armbands, I'd say they're prisoners of the Yeagerists… How crude. Using Marley's system to pick apart our people like that."
Erwin soon spots Falco standing with them. He too had a black armband on his right arm. However, it was still unclear what the armband was meant to represent yet.
It didn't take long for Falco to spot Erwin peeking his head out from behind the building. Behind him was his older brother. He was honestly shocked to see them here together. Had Erwin agreed to come rescue him? Most likely he came to save Michael instead but happened to bump into him on the way.
"You see something?"
Now it was Erwin's turn to appear shocked. The one who stood with Falco and asked him that just now was his old friend from his Cadet Corp days, Nile Dok. The commander of the Military Police Regiment. Erwin quickly ducks behind the wall before Nile can see him. He wasn't ready to face him yet. Like everyone else, he believes him to be dead. How could he explain himself should Nile see him now?
"It's my… brother," Falco answered him, still stunned to see him and Erwin together.
"I see." Nile suddenly grabs Falco by the arm, pretending to lead him to a secluded area and tie him up, to hide from the other MPs that he's helping him reunite with his family.
Colt holds his rifle up to his chest, ready to shoot the soldier the moment he reaches them. But Erwin places his hand on the barrel and forces him to lower it.
"Hold your fire. The man escorting your brother is an old friend of mine… Nile's a family man. He would never harm a child, even if they were an enemy… Falco's in good hands." He reassured him.
Still conflicted, Colt turns to Gabi who nods in agreement. Colt reluctantly lowers his rifle just as the MP commander steps into view.
Nile's eyes widen with bewilderment. He unknowingly loosens his grip on Falco's arm, allowing the boy to run up to his brother and hug him. Gabi joins in, happy to see him unharmed.
Time was at a standstill as the two leaders stared at each other. Nile felt like he was seeing a ghost. He was told Erwin had died heroically on the field of battle, leading a suicide charge against The Beast Titan. He died roaring with pride, unafraid of death. He was devastated when the news reached him. It took a long time for him to come to terms with losing his best friend. Yet here he is standing before him, wearing a different coloured Scout uniform, bearing the mark of the invading force combating the Yeagerists.
"Er- Erwin?"
"Hello, old friend. It's been a long time." Erwin replied in the only way he knew how. This isn't how he wanted things to go but he doesn't have a choice.
Nile slowly approaches Erwin and stretches his hand out to touch his shoulder. He gasps when he sees Erwin's right arm emerge from under his cloak and grab his hand. Not only was he alive, but he now had both his arms. The last time he saw him he had only one arm. He'd lost his original arm to a Titan as he led the mission to retrieve Eren from the Warriors.
"This isn't a dream or hallucination. You're… really here!" Nile uttered still in shock.
"I am, Nile… I'm afraid I don't have time to explain everything. I still have a mission to complete."
"Mission?" Only now does Nile find the time to question Erwin's uniform. "Those invaders are your men?!"
"They are. But it's not what you think. The Wings of Crystal are not loyal to Marley. My loyalty is, and has always been, to our island. I formed this regiment to bring an end to Marley from within. But now our objectives changed… We're here to stop Eren from destroying the whole world."
"Destroy the world? You mean The Rumbling?"
"Yes." Erwin looked into Nile's eyes as he answered, showing him how serious this was. "I don't give a damn about Marley. But I do not wish for the rest of the world to suffer the same fate. We Scouts have fought like hell, sacrificed so much to give the people the hope of one day seeing the world outside The Walls. And now Eren wishes to destroy that world… Nile, believe me when I say, my devotion to the cause hasn't changed."
"Commander, we have to go." Colt tugged on his cloak, reminding him of what he said before about staying out in the open too long.
Nile looks back at Colt and the kids, then back at Erwin. It would seem he's made some new "friends" in Marley. Out of context, anyone would see this as an act of treason. But he knows Erwin better than anyone else. He would never betray Paradis. When he told him he wasn't with Marley he believed it. He wouldn't lie to him about The Rumbling either.
When Erwin was sentenced to death, he noticed that same look when he was brought before the council. Before the coup d'etat was successfully pulled off. He should've had his back then. Those were his final thoughts before his supposed death.
It is only a matter of time until Zeke screams and turns him into a Titan. If this were to be his final moments on Earth, he'd die having Erwin's back this time.
"You better get those kids home safely then. This is no place for a child."
Erwin nods with respect and locks arms with his friend. "I trust you won't reveal my secret to the others?"
"Mmhmm. Even if I wanted to, I doubt they'd believe me… Good luck, Erwin. Dedicate your heart and soul."
Erwin smiles and performs the Paradis military salute in front of him. Nile responds in kind. "Always… Goodbye, my friend."
He turns away and follows Colt and the kids back the way they came. Nile watched them walk away until they were out of view and rejoined the other MPs released from their prison cells.
Erwin and the others take refuge inside an abandoned birdcage store to gather their bearings and rest. Colt sat with the kids in the corner away from the windows whilst Erwin stood guard at the front door, peering out the small window near the top. From his current angle, he catches glimpses of Lazarus and Zeke still duking it out atop the wall. It looked like Lazarus was winning.
He managed to catch The Beast's left arm and pulled it behind him. The Winged Titan proceeded to violently bend his arm backwards until it snapped. Zeke was mustering all his will to keep himself from screaming in pain to avoid summoning the Titans too early which was easier said than done.
The Winged Titan roared as it tore his arm off, ripping it out of its socket. But he didn't stop there. He then proceeded to beat Zeke with his own arm. Patches of brown fur and blood flew from his body with each strike, adding insult to very literal injury.
Mikasa and the others seemed to be pinned down by the Marleyans camped out on the roof, unable to get to Eren. Allowing Reiner and Michael to recover and continue their attack, and they were not alone.
The Jaw Titan had recovered from Eren's punch and charged him again. This time he had him. Eren was too weak to defend himself and Zeke was preoccupied with Lazarus.
"It looks like this battle may be over soon. But we'll hold off on the celebrations until after the mission is done." Erwin commented.
"Agreed," Colt added. He directs his attention back to Falco, checking him for any injuries. "Are you hurt, Falco?"
"I'm fine… I can't believe you came, Brother." He looks up at Erwin. "You too, Mister Smith."
"It's Commander Erwin now." He sternly replied, his eyes still fixed on the commotion outside.
"…You were right all along."
All eyes turned to Gabi who was curled up against the wall between Colt and Falco.
"There truly are no devils on this island. They are people like us." She muttered under her breath.
So, she still had some doubts, Erwin thought. He should've figured as much. He recalls the first few days in Marley when he became a teacher like his father before him. Gabi was the angriest, and most brainwashed, out of all the kids in his class. She even had the guts to stand up from her seat and shout at him, claiming what he was telling the class was all lies.
It made him realise just how much damage Marley's done to their psyche. Just like Lazarus' generation and the Warriors before them. He tried his best, but he knew deep down he couldn't undo years of manipulation in a few months. That's why Michael offered to take her under his wing. He'd hoped his story would help influence her. Although she did begin to see the truth about Paradis, she wouldn't be 100% convinced until she saw what it was like for herself.
"You finally managed to put a mental image with everything I've told you. I'm glad." Erwin turns away from the window briefly to look at her. "What made you come to accept it?"
"It was… when Sasha's family invited us in." She answered slowly. "I see now what Michael was talking about. Before you came along, we just mindlessly agreed with that, even though we never met these people, they all had to be devils. I even called you a devil's advocate."
Gabi's eyes filled with tears, no longer able to hold back her emotions. She felt terrible for still having doubts about Erwin even after all he and Michael had done. She felt like scum for trying to kill Sasha in front of Michael in a blind rage. And it was because of her actions that Falco was infected with Zeke's spinal fluid.
She gets down on her knees and lies down forward before Erwin, begging him for his forgiveness. "I'm so sorry for all those hurtful things I said. I'm sorry I didn't take your teachings to heart. Had I listened to you I would never have let my desire to kill Eren bring me here! I let you and Michael down!"
Erwin stops peering out the window and lightly approaches the bawling Gabi. Kneeling to her level, Erwin gently strokes her hair, forcing her to lift her head and look him in the eye. He wasn't angry or disappointed in her. His face wore the look of a concerned professor who wanted to be there for his student. There was a warmth behind the small smile on his face, allowing her to stop crying for a moment.
"You didn't let me down, Gabi. Just the opposite. I never held a grudge for the things you said to me, nor did I when you decided to come here on your own. And certainly not now… I knew from the moment I took up teaching that there would be kids like you. Children other people I know would see as a lost cause. Unable to fix the damage done by the Marleyans. But I never admit defeat. Never surrender. It's how I was raised and how I raised Michael."
"I knew it would take more than stories to help you see the light. I went through the same thing when I was brought to Marley. I wanted to know the truth of the outside world so badly. My desire to honour my father's dream was so strong that I was willing to listen to Lazarus despite all he had done. I listened to his story. Like you, I didn't fully believe him. But he spoke so genuinely that I felt I could trust him. That's why I chose to go to Marley. Once I saw what it was like I knew he was telling the truth. It is a corrupt nation that treats all Eldians like dirt, only having a use for them when it comes to the Nine." He gently caresses her left cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb.
"You and I are no different. You've seen the land I come from for what it truly is. You know now that Marley was wrong… You're ready to be fully trusted with The Crystal Titan."
Gabi gasps in response to that last statement. Did that mean all this time he'd been testing her to see if she truly accepted Paradis as its own nation of honest people like her? If so, does this mean she passed?
Unfortunately, Erwin didn't clarify on that question. He helps the young Braun onto her feet and dusts off all the dirt she'd gotten on her clothes. Falco and Colt were moved by what Erwin said to her. She looked like she needed that talk.
Falco's smile faded just as quickly as it formed. There was something he'd been keeping from the others for a while now. It's been eating away at him ever since Liberio. Now was the only time for him to come clean. Hopefully, the others will forgive him.
"I helped cause the massacre in Liberio."
Colt, Gabi, and even Erwin were surprised by what they'd just heard. They remain quiet to allow Falco to explain himself.
"I made friends with a hurt soldier who turned out to be Eren Yeager. Not realising who he was, I helped him sneak letters to his allies. And then they attacked our home. Eren kidnapped Reiner's mom and killed her right in front of me. Reiner was forced to let her die to save me… Udo and Zofia are dead because of me too."
"Aunt Karina… is dead?" Gabi hesitantly asked. Falco could only muster up a small nod in confirmation.
"That wasn't your fault, Falco." Erwin attempted to ease his conscience, but Falco wasn't done talking yet.
"Also, I- I'm in love with you!" His cheeks blush bright red. It took all his confidence to finally say those words to Gabi. He did just what Lazarus told him. To wait for the right moment and just tell her how he felt. Gabi and Colt were even more shocked to hear that than they were his involvement in the Liberio Massacre. Erwin simply chuckled.
"Look, the truth of it is, I only became a candidate for one reason. To keep the armour from you. I wanted us to get married. I wanted you and me to be happy together. When you told me you were going to inherit The Crystal Titan, I was relieved. Because it meant you'd get to live a long life whilst also being free of its curse."
Gabi was dumbstruck. How can she respond to that? This all felt too sudden. It all made sense now. Back in Liberio, he said, "I'm doing this for you". Back then she was too oblivious to understand what that meant. Now she does. She had no idea he liked her that way. Especially considering all the times she's been rude to him. How could he love her after all that? It's no wonder he idolises Lazarus so much. Both of them have the same tastes in women.
"Wait. Why tell me this now?" She finally spoke after what felt like hours of processing his love confession.
Falco's head lowers to the floor. "Just thought I'd take this chance to say my piece now… before I turn Titan."
Erwin's eyes widen. He approaches Falco for clarification. "What do you mean by that?"
Falco takes a deep breath before going in-depth about Zeke's plan to utilise Operation Grapevine to turn all the high-ranking officers within Shiganshina into Titans via Marleyan wine contaminated with his spinal fluid. And all who drank the wine wore red and black armbands.
"No!" Erwin muttered under his breath. He thinks back to his reunion with Nile moments ago. He was wearing a black armband too. He'll be turned into a Titan. His shock was soon replaced by anger. Anger towards Zeke. This'll be the second time now he'll turn citizens of Paradis into Pure Titans, just as he did years ago with the people of Ragako Village. His hands clenched tightly just thinking about it.
"Then we've wasted enough time! Let's go! We must warn Lazarus before Zeke gets the chance to summon Titans to his aid!"
"Right!" All three candidates shout in unison. They all follow Erwin out the front door and onto the empty streets. Colt hopes that maybe Zeke will hold off on using his scream once he learns Falco has drunk the wine, believing he likes him as much as Lazarus. But Erwin knows Zeke will use any means to win. He'd proven that during the Battle of Shiganshina.
Things were not going well for Zeke. Lazarus was being relentless in his attack. Though The Beast fought well against his Winged foe, the fight started turning into a battle of endurance. The much older Zeke couldn't compete with the constantly recovering stamina of Lazarus. "Curse Ludwig for making him so strong!" he thought.
He was down one arm and forced to crawl away from the slowly approaching Winged Titan behind him atop the wall. By now his wings had grown back and stretched out to the sides, casting a menacing shadow over The Beast Titan.
Eren watched Zeke struggle from below whilst trying to push Reiner and Michael off of him. Both bulky Titans had him restrained. Both his arms were locked to the sides. The Jaw Titan took this opportunity to close in on The Attack Titan. Reiner and Michael position Eren's head down, exposing his nape for Galliard to cut into once he was within range.
Mikasa, Jean, Sasha, and Connie were still pinned to the roof thanks to the camping Marleyans on the rooftops, so he wouldn't be counting on receiving help from them.
How could he not have foreseen this? Eren wondered. This battle played out much differently in his vision compared to what was actually going down. Then again, his visions didn't include Lazarus and Michael. Sooner or later, he will find out why that is. Until then, he's forced to use up the last of his recovering stamina for one last unexpected Warhammer strike.
The Attack Titan roars as a massive burst of hardened spikes burst out of the ground at high speeds, giving Michael and Reiner little to no time to counter it. All three Titans end up skewered once again by the spikes, lifting them off the ground.
That attack took a lot of energy. Eren's movements grew even slower than before, taking him even longer to reach the Inner Gate.
Eren's will to continue the fight allowed him to use the last of his strength to break off one of the shorter pillars from its base and position it upwards, holding it like a javelin. He was aiming it at Lazarus who was almost on top of the former War Chief.
The Attack Titan roars as it lunges the pillar towards his greatest foe. The pillar spun as it flew towards its target. The Winged Titan only catches it at the last second out of the corner of its right eye before the spike stabs him in his side. The Winged Titan roared in response to the pain, forcing him to back away and take his crimson eyes off of The Beast.
The Winged Titan narrows its eyes at Eren and is tempted to fire its own hardened projectiles at him. But he was kicked over the opposite side of the wall by The Beast Titan using both feet. Lazarus fell over once more and to add insult to injury, landed on his left side, digging the spike further into his body.
Eren's attack was a diversion. Distracting Lazarus long enough for Zeke to gain the upper hand. Now he was free to assist his younger brother against the other three Warriors.
The Beast Titan gets back up, grabs another handful of wall chunks and singlehandily hurls them at the immobilised Titans. All three of them scream as they can feel their bodies getting ruthlessly torn to shreds by the barrage of debris. The three Titans' sudden movements break the pillars they're impaled on, allowing them to fall to the ground with a deafening thud. The hardened spikes were still embedded in their flesh.
"Argh! Shit! That hurt!" Michael thought to himself. He attempts to get back up again, but his Titan body wouldn't move. His Titan eyes wander to the spike, and he realises why. "Damn Eren! His spike pierced my spine! My motor functions are gone!"
He wonders if Reiner and Porco were having similar difficulties too or if it was just him. Since neither of them were moving he feared it may be the former.
"Lazarus, if you can hear me. You need to kill Zeke now! I know you said you can't because he's your friend or whatever. But Eren's almost within range of him! If we can't stop Eren, then we must ensure he doesn't start The Rumbling through him…. I'm sorry, but it is either us or him!"
The Beast Titan gets down on one knee and clutches the nub where his left arm used to be. The loss of his left arm reduced his accuracy more than he had expected. Fortunately, all three of them were close enough that missing would be nigh impossible.
"Eren, we're so close. A few more steps and we'll have made our dream come true. Just keep moving, my brother." Out of the corner of his eye, Zeke spots a plume of white smoke rising into the atmosphere coming from the top of the wall to his right. He knew instantly that it was coming from The Cart Titan.
"… The Cart Titan. So that's where my dear little Pieck met her end. Such a tragedy. Of all those I didn't want to see killed; she was among the-
He interrupts himself when he suddenly sees The Attack Titan pointing at him. The Beast tilts his head in confusion. Why was he pointing at him like that? Oblivious the the looming shadow cast atop him.
"BEHIND YOU!"
Zeke glances around and spots The Winged Titan hovering in the air behind and slightly above him. Before he could react, Lazarus unleashes a devastating fire blast at him. The Beast Titan shoves his hand in his mouth to prevent himself from screaming and calling the Titans too early. Holding back his screams of torture wasn't easy. He could feel the flames biting down on his whole back, singing his fur and melting the exposed flesh. His jaw grip only strengthened as the pain intensified. He ended up biting right down to the bone of his hand, adding more suffering.
Eren's eyes widen in horror, worried for Zeke. Not because he cared about his life, but because he was essential to his plans. If he dies here, there will be no Rumbling.
The Winged Titan eventually stops and watches The Beast Titan squirm and grunt desperately trying to put out the fire on his back. He lay down on the wall's surface, desperately rubbing back and forth like a bear scratching an itch against a tree.
When it was finally over, Lazarus landed back atop the wall and grabbed The Beast Titan by the neck, his sharp claws digging into the side of his neck and lifting him to eye level. Zeke groaned in agony still feeling the pain of being burnt. The smell of burnt fur filled his nostrils, causing a disgusted reaction. Guess it's true what they say. Burnt fur smells really, REALLY bad, he thought to himself.
If only he could see the state his back was in now. His fur had blackened, and his skin had melted down to the muscle. It's a miracle he's still alive right now. Though Lazarus may finish him off momentarily.
"I've won this round, Zeke. Now, answers! Why are you doing all this?! What is it that you want?!" The Beast Titan only groaned in response, triggering a rage within Lazarus. "TELL ME!" He roared, strengthening his grip around Zeke's throat. His claws dug deeper into his neck, causing The Beast to cough up blood.
He wanted to know the truth so badly. He thought knowing would help him understand. Fill some crater in his soul. Fine, he'll tell him. He did give him his word. But instead of wasting time talking, he'll show him.
The Beast Titan grabs the side of The Winged's head and brings it towards his. A burst of electricity sparks between them as their foreheads make contact.
Lazarus is shown a glimpse of Zeke's past. He was playing catch with his predecessor, Tom Xaver. He was much younger, roughly around the age he was before he and the others received their Titans. He looked so happy back then. Sharing a strong bond with his mentor and fellow candidates. That was the Zeke Yeager Lazarus grew to see as a brother. This was it. This is where he finally sees what it was that changed him that day.
At first, it looked like just an ordinary day for these two. Playing catch as they chat about their lives. But things started taking a turn when Tom shared with him the discovery he made about The Founding Titan's ability to change the anatomy of an Eldian's body. Something he had known for a long while. Tom figured it out when he read about an epidemic spreading worldwide, causing a massive decline in the process. But the disease vanished from the Eldian Empire. The Founder at that time rewrote Eldian's bodies and made them immune. Lazarus assumed this was all new to Zeke at the time. He had no idea just how connected to the Founder Eldians were.
"…Then …would it be possible for the Founder to make it so that none of us can have children anymore?" Both Tom and Lazarus' eyes grew as wide as their lids could physically go.
"If Subjects of Ymir stopped giving birth then Titans would be gone from this world within the next hundred years or so, right? And if that happened, then the world would be free from fear and suffering at the hands of Titans. What's more, if we Eldians hadn't been born in the first place we wouldn't have had to suffer either."
He tosses the baseball back to Tom. The ball hit his glove but he didn't react. He was still shocked by Zeke's idea. "Mister Xaver?"
"…I never intended to tell you this, but many years ago I had a wife and child. In our foolish youth, Lucia and I decided to remove our armbands and hide our identities, trying to live like normal people. And for a time, it worked. We both ended up marrying Marleyans… But Lucia got lucky. The man she married was a soldier who had a more positive outlook on Eldians. When he figured out who she was he chose to look past it. Though they had to end things to protect themselves."
"And you?" Zeke asked hesitantly.
"I wasn't so fortunate. My wife, the mother of my son, was a proud Marleyan. She hated Eldians as much as any other and viewed us as devils. I knew she would find me out eventually… But I never suspected that when that day came, she would slit our son's throat and then her own."
"Oh my god." Lazarus thought aloud. "Lucia never mentioned this to me. She must've promised she'd keep it a secret… Poor Tom."
"I decided to become a Warrior because I wanted to kill myself in the grandest way I could." He slowly kneels down to pick up the baseball. Instead of standing back up he wound up staring at it. "But over the last thirteen years, I ended up immersing myself in Titan research. Getting to know you. Playing games of catch… We had fun, right? I looked for my dead son in you, Zeke. I used my Titan powers to run from my sins, all the while wishing that I'd never been born to this world." Tom breaks down into tears, holding the ball close to his face. Zeke approaches his mentor and comforts him while Lazarus watches.
What he said just now. Lucia once said something similar to him the last time he properly hung out with her on the beach in Odiha and ate ice cream. "I saw the child I always dreamed of having in you, Lazarus." Those were some of the last words he'd heard her say. She and Tom were a lot more similar than he thought.
"I'll inherit your Titan, not for Marley's sake, but the sake of the world. I'll take the Founder and I'll use its power to save everyone. I'll end our cursed race! Freeing the world from its fear of Titans and freeing our people from their suffering!" He declared pridefully, raising his fist.
That was the end of the first memory flash. The second one showed Zeke and Tom talking in a hidden alley beside the academy. This was the day before Zeke inherited The Beast Titan from him. They were discussing the final details of this big plan they'd been working on. Lazarus stayed quiet and listened carefully to every word.
"Listen, this is something I've kept secret from Marley. There's a way to break the Vow Renouncing War. And well, as luck would have it, you're the one person who could make use of it… If a Titan who has royal blood comes into contact with the holder of The Founding Titan, then the Founder's full power can be drawn out. However, that power won't be yours to direct. What it's used for will be up to the Founder's host. Essentially, you're like a key to a lock. This means you need the Founder to be held by someone you trust. Someone who can understand our Euthanisation Plan… And I think you've already found that someone." Tom explained.
"Who? Lazarus?" Zeke asked.
"He's the only successful subject of the False Founder Project. And I've noticed he's taking a liking to you. He looks up to you, that boy. No wonder Lucia loves him so much… You can use your brotherly bond to persuade him to steal The Founding Titan and use its power to make our plan a reality."
"I see what you're saying. But it won't work… I know Lazarus very well. Perhaps too well. I know he will never agree to this. If anything, he will most likely do everything in his power to stop this plan from happening." Zeke pointed out.
"I respect Lazarus as he is, but this Euthanisation Plan is bigger than relationships. I can't let him interfere. I have to find a way to stop him... If only we could've saved some of the research behind the False Founder Project." He turns to Tom, hoping he may have a way to do that.
Tom sighs and looks at Zeke. "Well, not all of it was destroyed." He waits for Zeke to give his full attention before continuing. "Before the explosion occurred, I stole some of the research. The Marleyans wouldn't allow Eldian researchers like me to get involved unless they were handpicked by Thomas Tybur himself. That research is locked away from Marley. Hopefully, it will have the answers you seek."
"Where is it?"
"Once you inherit my Titan you'll know where to find it… It's a shame you and Lazarus can't do this together. But I know you'll find someone else. Someone who truly understands the good our plan can do for the world." Tom steps out from his side of the building and pulls Zeke into a tight embrace. Both mentor and candidate hold each other tightly, knowing this will be the last time they'll get the chance to. Neither of them wanted to let go, wishing they could stay like this forever.
"And I promise, I'll always watch over you, Zeke."
"Don't worry, I'll find them… Father."
The Winged Titan gasps for air and backs away from Zeke. He lets go of The Beast Titan, allowing him to get his air back. Clasping his neck to stop the bleeding. He let out a few coughs before addressing the new War Chief.
"Now do you understand?" He asked rhetorically. "The only way to save us Eldians… Is to put us out of our misery."
"That was your plan?! That is what you threw everything we had away for?!" The Winged Titan growled venomously, acting like he was offended. "How could you be so selfish? So ignorant! Do you not see the amount of good my plan could do?!"
"Your plan was built on false hopes." Zeke interrupted. "The difference between us, Laz, is that you can't tell the difference between expectations and reality. Say you do make all Eldians human, what do you think will happen after? Do you think the world will instantly forget what they were and see them as regular people? That's a load of bullshit and you know it!" The Beast Titan shouted back.
"I know that! You think I didn't know that?! Of course it wouldn't be that simple! But it's still the best hope we Subjects of Ymir have to maintain our rightful places in this world. You wanna take away our people's hope of passing on their stories, their legacies through their children?! ANNIE IS CARRYING MY CHILD!"
"She'll still give birth-
"But countless other Eldians won't!" Lazarus cut him off. "What if Michael wanted to have kids someday? Or Pieck? Or even Gabi and Falco?! You'd take that away from them just to get rid of Titans? And you really expect Eren to agree to a plan like that? Obviously, you don't know your "brother" as well as I do."
The Beast Titan stands back up again. Steam seeped out of the holes in his neck, his whole back, and his nub. "Eren is my true brother. I have to hold onto the hope that he'll help complete my Euthanisation Plan… I can't let Mister Xaver down."
The Winged Titan glances down at The Attack Titan who was just standing there, still getting his strength back so that he could continue his approach. Michael was right. He can't let his feelings obscure what needs to be done. Zeke needs to die. There's no talking him out of this.
The Winged Titan conjures a sword in his left hand and raises it to Zeke. "You're going to kill me? Your own cousin?"
"You're the one who said we were never family. I'm sorry you feel that way, Zeke. But know that I will remember you as the one kid who walked up to me and extended a hand of friendship. But for the sake of the world, I must destroy you and eat Eren. But I am glad I got to know your true feelings… It makes it easier to forgive myself."
"Lazarus, I-
Before either Zeke or Lazarus could say anything more, General Magath fires a shot from the anti-Titan cannon at The Beast Titan, taking out a whole chunk of his right shoulder, narrowly missing his actual body within the nape.
It was revealed Pieck had made the Yeagerists think they'd killed her and used the steam as cover to shield the Marleyan gunners hiding under her bones. Magath used this temporary set-up to take out The Beast's nape whilst he had his back facing them.
The Beast Titan flopped forward, falling over the edge of the wall and hitting the ground so hard it caused a small crater. Yelena's joy-filled expression changed to one of despair at seeing her beloved come crashing down to the Inner Gate.
Zeke was down for the count, but the Wings of Crystal knew he was not out. Eren could still make contact with The Beast's body and begin The Rumbling on contact.
The Attack Titan starts stumbling towards Zeke once more, stretching his arm out to touch him. He was almost within range.
But The Winged Titan jumps off the wall and free falls down. His wings flap intensely, slowing his descent until he landed a few feet in front of The Beast Titan, blocking Eren's view of his older brother.
Eren stops and stares down Lazarus, raising his fists, ready to begin their next round. Lazarus responds by raising his sword to him.
"Still stumbling forward, huh? Just stop already! The last person in the world who should have that power is you, Eren!"
The Winged Titan briefly glances back at the downed Beast Titan before returning his gaze to the weakened Attack Titan. Those two deserve each other. Both of them have very fucked up ways of ending the cycle of hatred. His may not be the easiest of plans, but at least everyone gets to live if he used the Founder's power. In the hands of Eren Yeager, it will bring only humanity's extinction.
"You wanna get to him, you gotta get past me first!"
Everyone better pray to God there isn't so much as an ounce of life left in Zeke Yeager… Or else he's gonna scream.
To Be Continued