Something is wrong.

A light smoke covered the afternoon light. Jason was standing on the roof of a warehouse, waiting for the kidnappers to take the bait.

But something was wrong.

The Trost district was once again filled with civilians. With the titan threat neutralized there was no longer a curfew in place. Celebrations of the king's charitable rations filled the streets.

Something is off.

The death of the pastor, Erwins arrest, Levi ordering them to leave the safe house just in time to avoid the Interior. It all felt off to Jason. And entering the Trost district was too easy.

Something is wrong.

Connie and Jason were spread out on the roof of the warehouse, making sure no one suspicious would interfere with their operation. Jean and Armin were safely kidnapped in the warehouse. Eren and Historia were on the other side of town, safe with those from Hange's squad. Jason shifted his weight.

Something is wrong.

Pressurized air landed on the roof. Mikasa nodded her head to the others. Levi had given the order. All three approached the roof window, "I only saw four people enter." Connie reported, "With the two already inside, that should make it six perps. Sasha is watching from above so you guys should be able to take them out with her help." Connie kept avoiding Jason's gaze.

Mikasa and Jason nodded. Mikasa crashed into the window, with Jason right behind her.

Something is off.

Mikasa kicked an elderly gentleman. Jason punched a younger fat man. As the two finished off the kidnappers, multiple thoughts went through his head. Levi had done everything right. He insisted on heading for Trost instead of Wall Sina, as the citizens would give them cover, and the city a way to escape using ODM gear. He also came up with the plan for the body swaps. And yet, as Jason and Mikasa took down their potential assailants, the boy couldn't help but think it was too easy.

A disguised Jean and Armin tied their kidnappers in ropes, and Sasha shot an arrow at a gun that was drawn from the man Mikasa was holding. Jason held down the young fat man he punched earlier.

What if our assailants weren't these men? What if someone predicted all our moves? He didn't know why the thoughts were flowing, but he couldn't help them. Something was off. Lupa had always trained him to follow his instincts, and they hadn't failed them so far.

But Jason wanted to trust Levi.

After tying everyone up, Mikasa announced that the Captain ordered them to stay put. "Also, he left us a message." Everyone stopped to listen. "We'll be fighting humans too, not just titans."

Jason's eyes widened. Everything clicked into place. Erwin's arrest, the pastor's death, Levi's plan, moves being read.

LEVI'S IN DANGER!

Jason ran out the front doors, ignoring the cries of his squad mates, and headed east towards the Captain. No one else would die on his watch.

Something is wrong…

Levi couldn't help the thought. The military police are too arrogant to hire amateurs to kidnap Eren and Historia. This is more like…

Leaning against the chimney, Levi saw his surroundings. He decided to think like him.

Assuming the wagon was being followed… and the group was trailing their target…

"Captain." Nifa called to him, "The wagon is about to move." Her hood over her head, she was crouching next to the chimney to his left. Her yellow eyes focused. A thought came to him.

"Nifa," She turned to him, "Have you heard of Kenny the Ripper?"

She raised an eyebrow, "You mean that urban legend that hunted down military police. I've heard stories. Why do you ask?"

He scoffed. An urban legend? "Never mind." He decided to drop the conversation. Now wasn't the time to reminisce. Another question came to mind. "How was your training with Jason?"

She answered honestly, "He's strong. Stronger than me at least. I fought him in hand to hand combat and barely won. He has a sense for battle built from years of experience." She tapped the metal box on her hips, "His weak point is our gear. He forgets how new to it he is and uses more gas then he needs. I taught him how to wear the equipment on his own. At least Jean won't have to help him out with that anymore."

Levi turned to her, "Would you say he's ready for an expedition?"

She thought about it, "I don't think so. He's quick on his feet, but he's terrible at taking orders. He may have survived outside the walls on his own, but he would kill your entire team if all of you went out on an expedition."

Levi nodded, "I owe you for taking care of him."

She gave a small chuckle, "It's no problem Captain. I've grown fond of him over our training sessions." She returned her gaze to the moving cart, "He has a good heart."

Levi found his gaze returning to the cart, and thoughts about him returned. He wouldn't care about using amateurs. If a group was trialing their target, it would be from both rear angles… a place high up with a view…

He felt his presence before he heard the gunshots.

"NIFA!" He ducked to dodge the bullets, but it was too late. Gunshots fired and lightning flashed.

Lightning?

The smoke from the bullet holes in the chimney subsided. Nifa wasn't there. Levi swung to his left. There she was. Safe. Next to Jason Grace's bloodied face. Levi met those lightning blue eyes. "RUN!" he yelled before hiding behind his chimney as their assailant took another shot.

Levi heard two more shots hit the roof behind him. A familiar disappointed gruff made it to Levi's ears. "What the hell was that?" He laughed, "I know for sure I'm not drunk." It's really him. Levi did not like that thought.

"Yo… Levi." He said slowly. Levi leaned to his right. Past his chimney, he saw two figures run. Good. Nifa and Jason got away safely. But if Kenny is here then... He heard the gunshots at the other buildings where Hange's men had been. Bodies fell. Shit.

Levi heard a step. Finishing his earlier greeting, he asked, "You grow up yet?" Sounds of metal hit the roof, falling on the other side. More metal sounds came from Kenny's direction. He's reloading his gun.

A grappling hook hit the back of his chimney. ODM gear? Pressurized air released, and Kenny Ackerman appeared before him falling upside down. "Oh! It doesn't look like you changed at all!"

An anger that Levi hadn't felt in years consumed him. His handles latched onto his blade and he yelled, "KENNY!" as he threw his blade at his former mentor.