Chp 1. Self Sacrfice
"The fate of humanity depends on this moment, this fight! Now is the time..to offer your hearts to the cause!" Was what had rung in Arthur's ear as he had heard Commander Erwin Smith of the Scouting Regiment shout as Arthur and the rest of those who had given not only their hearts but their lives as well to protect humanity as hordes of Titans had soon begun to enter the now breached Wall Rose and were not headed straight towards Wall Sina.
"Protect our last line of defense with your lives! If the Titans get through here, all hope for humanity is gone!" Captain Kitz Woermann in the Garrison Regiment had also shouted. Arthur knew that something was different in this battle. He'd brush it off knowing right now wasn't the time to ponder in a weird feeling. But he knew one thing for certain. He wasn't going to let anyone die in this battle. Not his fellow Scouts, not his friends from Eran Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, and the rest of those he had befriended back when they were all just Cadets But especially Sasha Braus. As he rode on his white horse they'd have to jump over multiple fences as in the distance he saw a group of Titans fighting two Scouts who were heavily struggling to evade each of their swings. Arthur charged right at the Titans as he then soon noticed that he wasn't alone this time.
"We need to help them, Arthur!" Sasha had shouted as soon they had both charged straight toward the group of Titans.
"Sasha?! Weren't you supposed to…agh forget it we need to kill those Titans before they kill those scouts!" Arthur had shouted as he let go of the reins of his horse and unsheathed his blades.
"Got it, Arthur!", Sasha had shouted as soon she had unsheathed her blades. Arthur quickly jumped off his horse and used his gas to propel him towards the Titans. He launched his hooks into the back of the Titan as they began to pull him closer to it he spun his body. As he spun he slashed the nape on the back of the Titans head. His body was covered in the Titan's blood as soon as the monster had fallen and dissipated into smoke.
"Leave the fighting to the Garrison and Scout Regiments! The Military Police will focus on base defense!" Commander of the Military Police Nile Dawk had shouted. Arthur's grip tightened on the handles of his blades. He couldn't be at two places at once until Sasha had emerged from another cloud of smoke.
"Arthur I'll help the Military Police with base defense make sure you help those Scouts!" Sasha shouted as she flew towards her horse.
"Got it, Sasha!" Arthur yelled as he smirked. He knew Sasha well enough that she'd be more than capable all on her own. Especially after he had seen how she was during a hunt. As Arthur flew through the air a small Titan had gotten his attention that he had quickly dispatched as he had the last one. As he continued to fight the Titans in the distance he saw two green smoke signals in the distance.
"Shit! Retreat and provide backup to the Military Police at the nearest base I got the Titans covered!" Arthur shouted to the Scouts nodding as soon they had left just Arthur and the small group of Titans. "You want me then come and get me!" Arthur shouted as he poured shining powder over his body quickly grabbing the Titan's attention as soon they had all gone straight for him. He used the hook from his ODM gear to grapple onto a tree branch as it pulled him to it. He then jumped and spun in a circle as the hook let go of the branch and launched himself straight into the air. He'd look down at the group of Titans as he soon launched his hooks onto the back of one of the taller ones and in a swift downward slash killed it at its nape. His hook let go as he grappled onto another Titan's shoulder propelled himself to the right side of the Titan and quickly killed it too. Three Titans were left as he grappled onto the one closest to him he spun again and quickly killed all three of them at their nape again. As Arthur started to descend he'd whistle to his horse. His horse galloped under him and he used his gas to help in get on it. He'd race towards the closest smoke signal as fast as possible. Occasionally he'd leap off his horse and help his fellow Scouts or anyone from the Garrison Regiment. They'd thank him as he continued to ride towards the smoke signal. Once he had made it he saw three from the Military Police struggling with three Titans while they were in the process of setting up another Last Line of Defense Outpost. Before he jumped off his horse to help them he'd replenish his gas as he was already starting to run low. He was now down to three tanks left.
"Ergh, I've been injured… Please, use this in my place to set up a base!" One of the Garrison Soldiers had shouted. Arthur had gotten the message loud and clear as he jumped off one of the three Titans he had just killed. He'd backflip in the air and launch his hooks into the next Titan and killed it with a slash at its nape. He'd repeat the same process with the last Titan allowing the Military Police to set up another Last Line of Defense Outpost. He rushed to the injured soldier's side and handed her the rest of his medical supplies. He'd whistle to his horse as he hopped onto it he saw more Titans to his right. He'd sneak attack another Titan as soon another one had found him and as Arthur went to hook onto it it had smacked him out of the air.
"Agh!... Damnit I won't go down that easy!" Arthur roared as he hooked onto the Titan and used his gas to get behind it quickly killing it with his blades. Soon another Titan came before Arthur could kill it he noticed his blades were already starting to dull out. As he hooked onto it he'd get right in its face as he ejected his blades right at the Titan. They had spun right into one of its eyes. Arthur used this opportunity to get behind it, get a fresh pair of swords, and swiftly kill it. As he got back onto his horse and made his way towards the other smoke signal just then he heard a loud crash at Wall Sina. He looked at the wall and saw rubble scattered across with pieces of the Wall too. As Arthur looked away a huge rock hit him and his horse causing the both of them to get thrown to the ground. Arthur got up as quickly as possible and ran towards his horse. Who was now missing its lower half as it had started to bleed out. With tears in his eyes, Arthur stroked his horse's head comforting it in its final moments. "Thank you, friend…" Arthur spoke as his horse had died in his arms. He'd wiped away the tears as he unsheathed his blades and used the nearby mountains to grapple onto.
"The rocks caused severe damage… Elite Squad! I want that Beast Titan dead!" Kitz had shouted as soon as more Titans had started to get in Arthur's way.
"A distress call!? Over there!" A female member of the Military Police shouted as Arthur looked toward where she was calling he saw another green smoke signal.
"Fuck! You've got to be kidding me!" Arthur shouted as he grabbed onto one of the Titans and threw explosives at the back of its head killing it. He had repeated this once more for the remaining Titans that stood in his way. After killing the last three Titans Arthur made his way to the smoke signal but for some unknown reason, he was starting to feel some pain on his side. "Shit probably just cracked a rib I can walk it off." Arthur said as just then he'd finally reached the smoke signal. Unbeknown to him it was Rico Brzenska and her elite squad from the Garrison Regiment battling the Beast Titan.
"It'll stop throwing rocks if we kill it! We have to defeat it somehow!" Rico shouted as she tried to slash at its arms.
"Understood, Captain! Listen to me Beast Titan! For the sake of humanity we have to take you down…!" A Garrison Solider yelled as the Beast Titan continued to easily evade most of their attacks.
"Be careful, Captain! It's as smart as a human!" Anther Garrison Solider shouted as soon Arthur began to close in on them and the beast.
"The Beast Titan… It's even more powerful than I imagined. We can't waste time on any other Titans right now." In the distance, Section Commander Hange Zoë spoke as then suddenly.
"This is for Nanaba, Gelgar, and my horse you beast!" Arthur roared as soon he joined Rico and her elite squad in their attempts to subdue the Beast Titan. Arthur zoomed past the Beast's attacks as he started to wear it down. "Rico have you're squad go for its legs I've got a plan!" Arthur yelled as Rico and her squad started to attack the Beast Titan's legs. The creature soon began to catch what Arthur was planning as he went to grab him he fell right into his trap. Arthur used the cords on his hooks to twist around the Beast Titan's arm and sent him flying right into it. Arthur then quickly detached his hooks and with a heavy swing slashed at the Beast Titan's neck. It roared in pain as it soon shook them all off of it as it fled the battlefield. Arthur landed and quickly replaced his blades and gas. I've only got 3 gas canisters and 3 pairs of blades left better make them count. Arthur thought to himself as he was in the air.
"Shit, it got away! But at least it won't be throwing any more rocks! Squad we're heading back towards the line of defense!" Rico and her squad left as Arthur nodded his head. As he did so he could feel something wet run down his forehead so he tapped his forehead to see what it was.
"Our performance here today shows that humanity is superior!' A scout shouted out.
"...I don't think this is over yet. What is that Beast Titan after?" Erwin spoke out.
"Come on Rose you've got this.. just can't let Sasha find out about this.", Arthur pulled up his hood and whipped the blood off his fingers. He grappled onto some nearby trees as he made his way to the other smoke signal he was originally going towards.
"Dammit, Titans are in the way! We can't create a base in these conditions! Lend me a hand!" Jean Kirschtein had shouted at Conny Springer.
"If we create more defensive bases, we can bolster our line of defense." Conny had said as soon Arthur zoomed right past the Titan he was planning on killing.
"Jean! Conny! Make the base I'll get the Titan's attention!" Arthur shouted as he once again poured shinning powder on him drawing in the small group of Titan's attention onto himself. The Titans chased after him as he grappled onto a nearby tree he turned to face the Titans and threw the rest of the explosives he had with him. Thankfully it was able to kill the majority of them leaving behind only a few Large Adnormals for him to deal with. He struggled a bit as the pain on his side grew even more but he couldn't let that distract him as he killed the remaining Titans for Jean and Conny.
"We got the base up and running!" Jean said as he grappled alongside Arthur.
"We'll join now, too Arthur!" Conny said as soon the both of them grappled alongside Arthur.
"We can't lose… we can't let them through Wall Sina…" Nile spoke as soon as even more Titans had started to approach the wall.
"Our line of defense hasn't fallen yet. We have to make sure it holds!" Erwin shouted a smile grew on Arthur's face after hearing that.
"We don't have enough soldiers to man our line of defense… Some are busy with Titans and can't join forces with us." Hange spoke as Arthur knew he had to pick up the pace as soon he had a determined look on his face that both Jean and Connie knew all too well from their time with him as Cadets. Then another smoke-green smoke signal was fired off as the three of them raced towards it. As they reached the signal to Arthur's surprise he not only found Armin but also Sasha!
"Titan's are blocking the way! We can't go any further…" Armin spoke as soon what was the three Titans they were struggling with soon turned into six.
"What should we do? We have to find a way past them…!" Just then Arthur killed two of the six Titans.
"Sasha I thought you were helping with the line of defense!?" Arthur yelled as he and Sasha grappled onto the same Titan and killed it.
"I was but then I saw Armin in trouble then well…" With the help of Arthur, Jean, and Conny the Titans that were stopping them were nothing left but smoke.
"Thank you so much! Now we can join the line of defense!" Armin yelled out as he called his horse and rode off.
"Jean! Conny! You two join Armin Sasha your with me!" Jean and Conny understood Arthur's orders loud and clear as they soon called for their horses and went after Armin.
"We're going to win the battle and make it home alive! Then we can go hunting again Arthur." Sasha said as she called for her horse as she got to her surprise Arthur got on too but before she could ask him why she already answered her question. As Sasha turned to face Arthur she noticed something slightly different about his clothes. Arthur had always worn a red sweatshirt underneath a black shirt. But for some reason that red sweatshirt had looked darker in color than before. She was going to ask him about it but.
"I'd like to go hunting again with you Sasha as long as you don't horde all the meat like last time." Arthur spoke cutting Sasha from asking her question as soon the both of them had made their way to the outer line of defense. They jumped off Sasha's horse as they killed the remaining Titans that were on the outer line of defense. They worked in tandemed as the Titan's were no match for their speed and skill. Then suddenly on the back end of Wall Sheena, a huge strike of electricity could be seen as the Colossal Titan kicked in the inner gate of Wall Sheen destroying it.
"It's trying to destroy the Wall from the inside! We must defeat the Colossal Titan and keep our line of defense at the same time!" Erwin commanded but that command didn't ring true to Arthur as there was only one thing in his mind. If Bertholdt is there then that must mean… Reiner is here as well. After Reiner had revealed that he and Bertholdt were the Armored and Colossal Titan he knew they had to pay. Whether it be in blood or not he was going to take down the Armored Titan even if it had meant the end of his own life in the process.
"Sasha go and help stop the Colossal Titan I'll finish the rest of the remaining Titans here then I'll join you!" Arthur said as he flew through the hoard of Titans.
"But Arthur!... It's suicide… sigh" Sasha knew there was no way of trying to change his mind. Ever since their first day as Cadets Arthur was always so headstrong on whatever objective he had his mind set on. From helping his friends to killing Titans, and especially stopping the Armored Titan. With a heavy sigh, she soon made her way towards the Colossal Titan as she looked back she was not just a man or even a soldier. It was a hunter. A hunter hunting his prey not for necessity but for vengeance.
"You'll pay Reiner! You hear me! You'll Pay!" Arthur roared as he sliced and diced his way through the horde of Titans. Thankfully a few of the members of both the Scout and Garrison Regiments were also nearby and had helped him. He didn't know how many he had killed already. 40… 50? Arthur thought as he continued to dismember Titan after Titan. It doesn't matter… after I'm done here I'll kill the Colossal Titan… then you Reiner. Arthur thought until suddenly he saw another green smoke signal on the left of Wall Sina. Without a moment's notice, Arthur raced over there having already killed the Titan hoard. As he did so he heard two very familiar voices.
"Dammit… I'm not gonna lose to a stupid Titan!" Marlo said as he killed a small Titan.
"There's no way I can beat this thing… Somebody help!" Hitch spoke as suddenly Arthur flew right past her killing both the Titan she was struggling to kill and one next to it. Arthur and Marlo worked together the kill the last Titan that was giving them trouble. Sadly all the fighting was starting to cost him his gas and blades as he switched them out yet again. 2 gas canisters and just 2 pairs of blades on both sides shit. Arthur knew he had to resupply but he didn't have the time as he raced towards the Colossal Titan.
"Thanks for the help! Now we've still got a chance!" Marlo yelled as he went to join those defending the last line of defense.
"I think I'll be safer with you guys… I'll fight alongside you!" Hitch said as she soon joined Marlo as well.
"They're gonna break through our line of defense… Protect it with your life!" Erwin commanded as Arthur hooked onto the sides of Wall Sina. He continued to climb and fly up the wall until he was finally inside it.
"Ugh… That lumbering brute is really annoying… Rose join me in taking the Colossal Titan down." Lieutenant Levi Ackerman commanded.
"At this rate, things aren't looking good… I'll fight alongside you, Arthur." Mikasa spoke as she soon joined Levi and Arthur as they made their way to the legs of the Colossal Titan.
"I'm going, too! I'll kill every last one of 'em!" Eren shouted as he joined the rest of them. As they started attacking the legs of the Colossal Titan Arthur looked around frantically. Where's Sasha?... I told her to-. His thought was cut short as he saw Sasha flying through the air. Like it was instinct he hooked onto the Colossal Titan and flung himself right into Sasha catching her before she could hit the ground.
"Sasha are you alright!? Are you hurt!? What-" Arthur's barrage of questions was quickly put to an end.
"I'm fine Arthur now come on we've got to take down the Colossal Titan before it does any more damage to the Wall!" Sasha said as Arthur let her go to join up with Levi and Mikasa. Arthur knew Sasha wouldn't go down so easily but after what they've had to deal with in this battle… this last stand… he couldn't lose her.
"Alright, Sasha let's take him down!" Arthur shouted as he followed Sasha toward the Colossal Titan. Together the team of Levi, Mikasa, Arthur, and Sasha were doing good damage against the Colossal Titan. They were able to take out its calves as they started to work on taking out its thighs next.
"It's finally time to settle things with you, once and for all… Rose with me!" Levi commanded.
"Yes, Lieutenant!" Arthur answered his command as they both hooked onto the Colossal Titan's thighs and spun straight for them causing the Titan to begin to stagger. It arched its back in pain as it was now starting to have major problems beginning to stand properly causing a few buildings to get destroyed in the process.
"I can't believe you did this! Nonetheless..." Sasha had begun to join Mikasa as they started to work on the sides of the Colossal Titan.
"I no longer have any doubts… This time I'm going to kill you." Mikasa said as she dealt a heavy blow to the side of the Titan. Next Sasha hooked onto the Titan's side finally weakening its right side causing the Titan to fall onto its hands and knees. With it being completely defenseless Arthur went in for its nape.
"So many innocent people have died because of you… especially my parents… Time for payback!" Arthur shouted as he dove straight for its nape. He went for the right side of its nape. Then he went for the left side of its nape. After a few heavy strikes, he could finally put the Colossal Titan out of commission for the time being. 1 gas canister left and 1 pair of blades left I'll have to make do with what I've got. Arthur thought as he discarded his now broken pair for a new one. He landed on a small building right next to Erwin and Mikasa as he saw the Colossal Titan begin to get up. Before he could do anything, Eren was already grappling onto the Titan and heading for its nape.
"DIE!" Eran shouted as he was about to strike at its nape until Reiner appeared and cut his hand with a knife suddenly yellow electricity erupted as Reiner was about to transform into the Armored Titan. Levi grappled up to Eren, grabbed him before Reiner could transform completely, and landed back where Mikasa and Arthur were.
"So, it's cards on the table time." Levi spoke as everyone looked up Reiner had finally transformed into the Armored Titan. Bertholdt now in his human form grappled onto the Armored Titan's neck with ODM gear. In the Titan's hand was Annie still stuck in her stylized prison.
"I knew it That's what they're after! Levi!" Erwin commanded as Levi was about to grapple the Armored Titan his ODM gear had gotten too damaged when he went to save Eren.
"Dammit!" Levi said as he looked back to see what had happened to his ODM gear. With Levi being out of commission until he got his gear fixed or a new pair the Armored Titan with Bertholdt and Annie in hand had started to run off. Eren chased after them immediately.
"Hey wait up, Eren!" Levi said but Eren was already too far off for him to hear him. "Great, the perfect time for my ODM gear to malfunction…" Levi said as he left to get a better pair.
"Eren…". Mikasa shouted as she went after Eren. Arthur gave chase as well and he and Mikasa tried to catch up to Eren before he could get himself killed. They wrapped around buildings and flew over some as then the Armored Titan began to climb up wall Sina. Eren, Mikasa, and Arthur grappled up the wall as they continued to chase down the Titan. The Titan hopped over the wall and slid down it until he looked up and saw Eren. Suddenly the sky was hit with a bolt of electricity as Eren transformed into the Attack Titan and landed right in front of the Armored Titan. He roared as both the two Titans were getting ready to fight each other. Soon Mikasa and Arthur landed. Mikasa looked back to Arthur and then back to the Titans. Arthur's hood may have hidden his expression but he was crossing with rage just at the sight of the Armored Titan.
"So it was only attacking the Wall to buy time for the Female Titan to be rescued… Don't let it get away!" Erwin commanded as soon as Mikasa and Arthur fought alongside the Attack Titan. "The Armored Titan escaped! Disengage from the defense and go after that thing!" The rest of the soldiers that were still alive soon joined in the battle following Erwin's command. "The Colossal Titan is powerless… but the outer gate isn't safe as long as the Armored Titan's still alive." Arthur heard what Erwin said. The outer gate isn't safe as long as the Armored Titan's still alive… Then I'll kill the Armored Titan myself… Arthur thought as then Sasha joined the two of them.
"I had to refill on gas now let's finish this!" Sasha yelled as she went to strike at the Armored Titans legs.
"After the Armored Titan! We can't let it escape." Mikasa said as she slashed at the Titan's legs as well.
"That's the armored Titan… Can we even beat it?" Marlo said as he now joined on the battle.
"This is hopeless! How are we supposed to defeat that thing!?" Hitch shouted as she joined the battle as well.
"I'll put a stop to you once and for all Reiner!" Arthur roared as she grappled onto the Armored Titan arm and got a few good strikes in. Then the Attack Titan threw a heavy left and right hook as he sent the Armored Titan staggering backward. The Armored Titan quickly recovered as he threw a kick at the Attack Titan sending the Attack Titan flying back and crashing into a few Buildings. Mikasa was about to check on Eren as then the Armored Titan killed the few Scouts and Garrison members that were still at arm's length. The Attack Titan got up and rushed at the Armored Titan elbowing it while it was busy with the soldiers sending it flying backways and crashing into a few buildings. Arthur, Mikasa, Sasha, and Erwin took the opening the Attack Titan had given them and went for its legs and arms. Mikasa and Erwin were able to take care of its legs as it began to stagger. Soon Sasha and Arthur began to make quick work of its arms as then Arthur and the Attack Titan went in for another blow. The Attack Titan threw another right hook as Arthur ran down its arm grappled onto the Armored Titan's neck and slashed at its nape. With the strength it had left as the Attack Titan went in for another attack, it punched it with its left arm causing some heavy damage. The attack Titan countered the attack as he grasped its arm and threw it over him hitting the ground hard and finally putting it out of commission.
"Alright, we stopped the Armored Titan… Good Job, everyone." Erwin said as then the Attack Titan fell exhausted from the battle. Mikasa grappled to the Titan and then finally the rest of the scouts caught up. Jean and Armin landed next to Arthur.
"Look Annie is…!" Jean spoke just then.
"That's…!" Armin pointed in the distance as soon another hoard of Titans emerged from over a nearby hill heading straight towards all of them.
"We have to hurry and transport Annie!" Jean said as he ran up to Annie. Armin and Arthur were about to follow him as Arthur was about to walk towards the now-beaten Armored Titan. I'm going to kill you, Reiner. With one intention in Arthur's mind, he held onto his blades ready for the kill until Armin stopped him.
"Getting Annie out of here takes top priority! I know this isn't ideal, but we just have to deal with it…" Armin said as he placed his hand on Arthur's shoulder. Arthur looked down as his hands shook with rage knowing he wouldn't ever get another chance like this in his life. I can kill Reiner right here right now… but if I don't then I'll jeopardize everything we've fought for… Dammit Armin why'd you always have to be right especially in times like this… Arthur thought as soon he'd join Jean and Armin in getting Annie out of here. After getting a cart and a few horses they were able to properly transport Annie out of here and back into Wall Sina. As they rode back to the Wall the hoard of Titans was starting to catch up to them.
"Faster, Conny!" Armin Yelled.
"You can only go so fast with something this big!" Conny yelled back. Arthur looked back as the hoard was starting to grow ever closer to them. He looked at Mikasa and then to Eren who had passed out after his battle with Reiner.
"Mikasa promise me you'll keep Eren and Armin safe." Arthur said as he began to reach into his jacket.
"Arthur? Wait, what are you…?!" Mikasa said confused at what Arthur had planned.
"Eren make sure you take back our home not only for our families we've and many have lost but to finally start to feel true freedom as well." Arthur placed his journal next to Eren's hand. "When you're done with it make sure Sasha gets to read it too." Arthur said as he looked at Armin and Conny.
"Armin! Make sure you can finally see the ocean with Eren and Mikasa! Conny don't just be strong as Lieutenant Levi aim higher I know you can genius!" Arthur said as he stood up on the cart that was carrying Annie, him, Eren, and Mikasa who had now realized what Arthur had said.
"I promise Arthur." Mikasa said her usual stoic face now showed a hint of sadness.
"Huh? Arthur-!?" Conny said.
"Wait Arthur what are you-!?" Armin said.
"Jean make sure you write back to your mom as much as possible!" Arthur said as he stood at the edge of the cart.
"Arthu-!?" Jean said.
"Sasha… I'm sorry but I think we'll have to reschedule our next hunt together… I'm so sorry…" Arthur said as he unsheathed his blades.
"Arthur! What are you doing?!" Sasha said tears starting to form in her eyes.
"What I must… in order to protect my friends… We all knew what we signed up for when we joined the Scouts… I just wish this adventure of ours could have lasted a little bit longer…" Arthur said as he took off his hood. His face was dark red and his blood soon covered the majority of his forehead. With tears in his eyes, he looked at Sasha one last time as he grappled onto the nearby tree and started attacking the hoard of Titans.
"ARTHUR?!" Sasah screamed out it killed Arthur to have to hear her like that but for them to live he must give not only his heart but his life as well. As Arthur continued to distract the hoard Eren had finally woken up.
"Is that…?" Eren picked up Arthur's journal as soon as everyone looked back except Sasha. Sasha kept facing away she couldn't bear to witness Arthur get killed to save them. With heavy tears running down her face, she sobbed not knowing if this would be the final chance she would get to see him. As they rode away Arthur continued to fight off Titan after Titan.
"Come on is that all you got!" Arthur roared as he grappled onto the back of a Large Titan and slashed at its nape. He used his gas to push him to the left to attack another Titan suddenly he was smacked out of the air and crashed into a nearby rock. A couple of loud snaps could be heard as Arthur soon found breathing to be more of a struggle than before.
"Okay… that's gotta be what 3 broken ribs now?", Arthur said as he struggled to get up spitting out some blood that was pilling in his mouth. He grappled onto another Titan sending himself flying upright. As the hooks let go he dove down and grappled down onto another Large Titan as he killed a few small ones. The hooks let go as he landed on the ground with a slide. He tried to count how many were left but the blood kept getting his eyes. He wiped it off with the sleeve of his jacket as he ran towards the hoard and grappled onto another Titan. He was able to score a few more kills until he nearly got grabbed by a Titan making him have a rough landing. As he stood up he noticed that his right blade was already broken. He looked up to face the hoard as then a Titan reached down to him. Before the Titan could grab him Arthur ejected his blade as it spun it hit the Titan's eye causing it to wench its back in pain. Arthur took this chance to get some distance from the Titans the best he could. As he ran the sky began to darken but the Titans continued to run after him. With only one blade in hand, he continued to fight off as many Titans as possible. He grappled onto the head of a small Titan and used it as a boost as he jumped off it. Hooking the back of the slightly Larger Titan behind it and slashed at its nape. The fighting continued even as the sky was now completely black. Arthur still fought as if nothing was going to stop him even if his body told him to his heart roared with a mighty blaze.
Back in the Barracks in Arthur's room, Eren had looked through Arthur's journal which he had always kept close to him. It had anything you could think of from all the people he's met, to each new move he learned, but with those that were his friends, there was a drawing of them with things that Arthur had done with them from how they met and how he had to help them. Then he saw a drawing of Sasha When you're done with it make sure Sasha gets to read it too he'd suddenly remember what Arthur had told him. Then Mikasa appeared in the doorway of Arthur's room.
"Eren." Mikasa spoke as she placed her hand on the doorway.
"I'm going now." Eren placed Arthur's journal on his table as he followed Mikasa out of Arthur's room. In the hallway of the Barracks Sasha, Jean, and Conny walked through it.
"Our friend never came back…" Conny said as his head lowered.
"Honestly, I'm not holding out much hope…" Jean commented as he kept his head low until Sasha drew both of their attention.
"That one will come back…! Arthur will come back! Definitely… I just know it" Sasha said as both Jean and Conny looked at her. Despite her not looking at them they both knew she was struggling to hold back her tears as she kept her head down. Soon Mikasa and Eren caught up to them. Eren walked past Jean and Conny as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"There's something in Arthur's room…that he wanted you to keep." Eren said as suddenly Sasha brushed his hand off her shoulder. With her head still down she walked back into Arthur's room. She closed the door and looked around until she found his journal right next to the lit candle. She picked up the journal and started to read it.
On the roof of the Barracks Christa sat as she looked off into the night sky wondering if Arthur would ever come back.
"What do you mean Arthur never came back!?" Hange shouted at Erwin as Moblit tried to get her to calm down. "We've got to send out a search party or a recon time anything! He was our best soldier and you're just going to let him die!? We can't just let Rose die alone there! Think of all the work he's done not only for the Scouts but for humanity Erwin! We still had so much research that needed to be done! You have to do something, Erwin!" Hange shouted as Erwin said nothing.
In the Former Scout Headquarters Levi sat alone three lit candles lit the room as Levi drank tea alone.
"Agh! For fucks sake do you ever fucking stop!" Arthur shouted as he hit the side of a tree. He didn't know how long he had been fighting these damn things but it was already night and they still didn't stop coming. He grappled onto a Large Titan and stabbed its back. It tried to swat Arthur off him but with the cable of his empty handle, he wrapped it around its arm and with his gas used it to pull it back. As it fell Arthur jumped off it and grappled away as a few small Titans had gotten crushed under the weight of it. He continued to grapple away until he hid behind a large rock. "F..Fuck I don't know how much I can last shit…" Arthur coughed up some more blood as he held his side. Each breath he took was excruciating and debilitating. He could feel the sharp points and broken pieces within him it was complete agony. But he couldn't let his mind wander off he had to either kill those Titans or run away. Then Arthur was grabbed by a Titan. He tried to grapple away but he couldn't he only had one free arm suddenly the Titan's grip tightened and his right arm dislocated a sharp, intense pain ran through Arthur as his bones were forcefully separated from their normal position. Arthur screamed out in pain as the Titan brought him closer to its mouth he swung his blade right into its eye and used his gas to free himself. Arthur grappled away from the Titans once more.
Back in Arthur's room, Sasha sat on his bed as she read through his journal. She then landed on the page dedicated to her. A member of the 104th. Uses oddly plight speech. Loves food. "I guess he had written that down back when we were still Cadets?" Sasha said softly as she continued to read. I went hunting with Sasha. Apparently, I have a knack for it. We talked a lot while hunting Sasha even reverted to her natural country accent. Sasha is ashamed of her accent. Honestly, she should feel at ease when speaking with her peers. "You did so much for me Arthur for all of us…if only we could have paid back the kindness you showed us…" Sasha's nervous about speaking naturally. If only I could boost her confidence… Sasha used her country accent with the others. They liked it. Case closed, I guess? "I still struggle a bit with it Arthur but with your help, it's not as bad as it was before…" Sasha's back to being overly cordial. Maybe that's just who she is. I feel much closer to Sasha. I also learned the value of being honest to yourself. "Being honest to yourself…I guess we both learned something from each other huh Arthur…hm?" Sasha had then just noticed a piece of the paper that had been folded as she unfolded it she began to read it. Sasha if you're reading this then it must mean you have my journal and that something has happened to me whatever it may be. Sasha after all the time I've spent with you I have always felt a strong connection with you. Something more than just a solider to a solider or a friend to a friend. Sasha…
"Okay..one…two…three!" Arthur had his hand under a large rock as he attempted to relocate it. With a loud pop, Arthur was finally able to relocate his arm. He moved his fingers and hand then made a fist. "Alright, now that that's fixed I can finally fo-" A Titan grabbed the rock Arthur had just used to fix his arm as he now grabbled away.
I wish I could have told you this in person Sasha. I know I'm kinda a jerk for having to tell you it this way but such is life in the Scouting Regiment. Sasha after helping you solve the issue with having you speak naturally. Something about me towards you just sparked something that I had never experienced before with anyone else. As Sasha continued to read her eyes ran a river of tears as she was coming to the end of Arthur's note to her.
"Okay…there's like what 20…30 of you Titans left? And one of me… If this is the end then I'm taking down as many of you as I can!" Arthur roared as he flung himself toward the hoard. He managed to kill a few. But his injuries couldn't keep with his spirit as he left himself wide open again as another Titan sent him flying into a nearby rock. He hit it hard as he started coughing up mounds of blood. As he struggled to get up he used the rock as leverage and then threw his cape into the wind. "I…wait…Reiner…Reiner….REINER!" As Arthur looked at the hoard it was filled with nothing but Armored Titans. Arthur's grip around his sword tightened as he charged straight for it. "REINER! I'LL KILL YOU REINER! REINER!" Arthur roared Reiner's name as he killed each Armored Titan. The only sound that filled the night was Arthur screaming Reiner's name and the roar of the Titans.
The feeling that I have towards you, Sasha was tough for me to understand at first. But as the days went on I began to finally understand it. It was love. I love you, Sasha Braus. I just wish I had told you that in person. - Arthur Rose "Oh…Arthur…" Sasha broke down crying as her tears ran down her face and onto the journal. Arthur may have not realized it at the time but Sasha had felt just the same towards him. But now with him gone… She'd never get to tell him how she felt. Sasha laid on Arthur's bed as she held his journal close to her chest. She continued to cry as a mixture of emotions took over her. She hated that he sacrificed himself. She knew what he did was right but… "W-Why do you… have to be so selfless Arthur… " Sasha tried to speak as she continued to cry into the night.
Arthur continued to fight hoard after hoard of what seemed like endless Armored Titans. As they continued to fight he had to stop using his ODM gear as he realized he was starting to run very low on gas. Thus Arthur made every kill count. Whatever he could do to kill the Armored Titans he did. Set up traps using his wires, making them accidentally kill each other, and using the environment to his advantage. Soon the sounds of the night began to change. "REINER! REINER! REINER!" Arthur continued to roar out Reiner's name but somehow the sounds of Titans faded until the roar of Titans could no longer be heard. "Reiner…Reiner…Reiner…" Arthur spoke harshly as the fire that had burned within him was soon extinguished. He stabbed his sword into the ground as he tried to walk back to Wall Sina. As he tried to walk back Arthur collapsed to the ground. "Reiner…reiner…" Arthur spoke as he shut his eyes. His breathing slowed down. He had finally passed out after killing hoards and hoards of Titans. He was finally done.
As the morning came Armin sat atop Wall Sina as he looked out into the wild. He was still trying to process what Arthur had said as then he was joined by Mikasa and Eren. Armin got up as soon as the three of them looked out into the wild. "It isn't gone." Eren spoke as the three of them started to watch the sunrise. "I'll bring back our home." Eren said as the sun rose over the mountain range. They all knew what needed to be done. They won't let Arthur's sacrifice be in vain.
As soon as the sun had fully risen, Arthur finally woke up. "D-Damn…how long was out…?" Arthur asked, but nobody answered. In the forest where Arthur had laid, it was just him. "I…fuck…ow…ow." Arthur tried to get up as he struggled he held his sides with his left arm. He could still feel the broken bones piercing every inch of him. And did it hurt like hell, but despite the pain, he continued to move. As he looked up, he saw his blade and his cape. As he limped his way towards his gear, he grabbed them with his left hand. He'd sheath his sword with some cloth from his sweatshirt and put on his cape. He looked around for signs of any Titans that were known where to be found around. He didn't stand around any longer as he made his way towards Wall Sina. He made himself a wrap for his arm from his sweatshirt. And fashioned himself a few more for some deep cuts he had gotten from fighting the Titans. How long have I been out? Forget it. I need to keep my mind straight. I need to get back into Wall Sina no matter what. Arthur thought to himself as he walked back to the Wall. Back home.
And that was the end of the story! I know I've been gone for months, but I really had to focus on school, so I didn't really have much time to write the hh/hb fic. I told myself I would make time, but it all just got harder and harder to actually get any free time. Then I just sorta lost the spark for writing altogether. But as time passed, I graduated high school, and now I'm going to college, yay! I'll probably have to find a job too so I don't really know how much free time I'll have but I'll try to manage it better than the younger me. Then, as I was replaying aot2, I had just finished my 2nd playthrough when it happened! The spark came back! So after I finished playing the game, I spent the majority of my time writing this! I don't really know if I'll continue this or if it'll stay as just a one-shot, though. I'll just have to let future me decide whether or not the spark for writing fanfics is still really there tbh. Moreover, remember to leave a comment that feedback is always appreciated! Like, and follow for any more updates on this fic, btw! Hope everyone reading this has a splendid day!