56.
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CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX — Vindication
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...
-Unspecified Location; Wall Rose Territory-
As it turns out, both Marlo and Hitch had truly wanted to help— and they had done exactly as promised.
The two may have known little about the grand scheme of things, but what information they could give was quickly classified as invaluable.
Not only were maps marked— littered with checkpoint locations and plotted trails for the search parties— the two MP's even went as far as leading their small group straight to one of said road blockades.
It was then, while obscured by thick foliage and shadows permitted by the evening sun, that Levi had dismissed the duo. And it was only following their departure that a quickly formulated, certifiable harebrained scheme was set into motion.
Minutes later, the war cries of Jean, Sasha, and Connie resonate across the rolling fields as they steer a wagon down the hill, crashing straight through the checkpoint and into the neighboring encampment like a haphazard battering ram on wheels.
Immediately, alarmed shouts fill the air followed by angered orders calling for action; proving the sudden onslaught successful as the group of Military Police personnel is sent into a frenzy in hopes of defending their post.
The trio continues to plow through the camp mercilessly, their direction aimless as they mow over anything standing in their way.
Many MP's are forced to duck aside to not get flattened, while others find great difficulty in firing rounds at the constantly moving target. And it's only within this moment of mayhem that Levi, Rosalie, Mikasa, and Armin make their presence known; picking off stragglers and those unaffected by the first assault.
The noise and constant action bleed together. Muddied. A near sensory overload to the senses. It's a cacophony of destruction. A symphony of chaos. Time seems to slow in the heat of conflict, making the confrontation seem longer than it really is. However, in all actuality, it ends almost as soon as it begins.
The change feels abrupt to those left standing. Their bodies still buzzing with anticipation; the air around them was still ripe with the last vestiges of adrenaline.
However, for the first time in days, it's there amongst the destructive carnage of unconscious MP's, wrecked tents, and broken barricades that the group of six rogue Scout cadets finds a small sense of relief in the dusty breeze.
The sound of something being drug across the ground has their heads turning; weapons readied and muscles coiled, primed for further action.
Levi, the source of the noise, looks up as he emerges from behind a partially collapsed tent. "It's me." He calls gruffly, and it's only when he's in full view that they notice the high-ranking official he effortlessly hauled across the ground by the collar.
Armin steps forward. "Captain, he's…"
"With the Interior Police. I've got a few questions for him." Levi informs, seemingly unbothered by their looks of unease as he motions towards the tree line. "Let's move."
...
...
-Unspecified Location; Wall Rose Territory-
Dusk gives way to night quickly following the excursion at the MP checkpoint, and Levi's interrogation was well underway.
"STOP IT—!"
In response, Levi simply kicks the man in the face once more before kneeling in front of him. "Where are Eren and Krista?"
The MP officer sneers, teeth stained pink from the blood he spits on the ground. His gaze roams over the surrounding group with scathing contempt. "Oh, you're so brave… That checkpoint back there was just full of recruits who could barely wipe their own ass! You think you're some sort of hero, beating them down?!"
"What an atrocious thing we've done." Levi replies sarcastically as he stands to his full height.
The MP says nothing and— much to his credit— doesn't fold under the scrutiny.
A moment of silence follows before Levi moves again. This time, quicker than the blink of an eye, he kicks the man again; shoving the toe of his boot into the male's mouth.
Startled, the MP sharply cries out around the leather insole. Blood begins to dribble from his mouth as a few of his front teeth are knocked loose, and all he can do is stare up at Levi with reignited fear.
"What's more atrocious is this mouth of yours… I suggest you start talking while you're still able to use it." Levi advises threateningly as he mercilessly pries the MP's mouth open wider, nearly making the male choke as he shoves his boot in deeper. "Now. Where are Eren and Krista?"
When Levi yanks his foot away, the MP slouches forward with a rasping cough; red-faced and heaving as he expels the blood and drool that had gathered in his mouth.
Once he regains some form of composure, he looks up. "It's no use! All that's left for you now is to run and hide inside these walls, covered in mud and shit!" He spits vehemently, a manic gleam forming in his eyes as he grins a now edentulous smile. "If you don't turn yourselves in, every last Scout we've captured will get the noose! Starting with the most guilty of all: Erwin Smith!"
At that, Levi surges forward and grabs the man, spinning him around and pinning him face-first against the tree he previously leaned against. Then, without hesitation, he bends the MP's arm in an odd direction with a quick jerk.
A sickening crack fills the air and those watching the interaction from the sidelines flinch at the sound.
As the MP cries out in pain, Levi scoffs. "Shut up. That's for not answering the question… Nonetheless, some Scout's lives are more valuable than others. Only those dumb enough to acknowledge that, join us." He releases his hold on the male then, allowing him to pathetically slump against the trunk of the tree. "Tell me where Eren and Krista are at."
By this point, all fight seems to have left the MP as he looks over his shoulder, his eyes wide and tearful. "I— I don't know! I'm not allowed to know…!" He weeps, trembling from both pain and fear. "Kenny Ackerman is a very cautious man!"
Everyone perks up at the familiar surname.
"Ackerman?" Levi parrots curiously, eyes shining with intrigue as he briefly glances in Mikasa's direction. "I know Kenny… Is that his last name?"
The MP nods. "It is, but—"
"It's true, there's a lot of things he doesn't divulge… Especially the important stuff." Levi interrupts, muttering the last part more to himself than anyone else. Brushing the thought aside, he steps closer. "But you must have a rough idea. So, you best try to remember."
The MP whimpers, flinching violently when Levi grabs hold of his good arm. "STOP IT!"
"You still have plenty of bones to break." Levi replies simply as he begins to pull the arm back.
"You—! You're insane!"
Levi stares down at the male dully; his apathetic features sharply shadowed by the overhead moonlight, making him appear all the more menacing. "Maybe I am."
The MP hiccups a sob and squeezes his eyes tightly shut, bracing himself for another influx of pain when Levi's grip on his wrist tightens.
However, before anything else could transpire, Sasha readies her bow and notches an arrow; peering out into the darkened landscape beyond their refuge of cover. "Someone's coming up the hill!" She hisses, and the warning sends the group into a flurry of movement.
Levi pushes the captured MP down, keeping the male pinned to the dirt with a well-placed knee to the back as his hands fly to the handles of his blades.
Rosalie and Mikasa both silently draw their blades in tandem and back behind the trees closest to them; while Jean, Armin, and Connie duck low into the underbrush and reload their rifles.
"More than one…!" Sasha warns a second time.
Seeming to feel a sudden burst of courage, the MP cranes his head to smirk smugly up at Levi. "Told you so, Captain. It's no use… One way or another, the Scouts will come to an end!"
The next few minutes are tense and silent as the two strangers draw closer. However, once they reach the tree line, they pause for a brief moment before lowering their own weapons. Their hoods are removed soon after, revealing two familiar faces.
It was Hange and Moblit.
Instantly, the MP's face slackens with realization. His expression growing more and more distraught as everyone relaxes their stance and comes out of hiding.
Hange grins and pulls out a folded piece of paper from the inside of her cloak, waving it in the air slightly. "News from the Capital." She informs as she strolls forward to hand the parchment to Levi.
Seeing that it was a newsletter from a well-respected paper that operates from within Wall Sina— Berg's Newspaper—, the group huddles together; impatiently gathering around Levi to read it alongside him. All finding it unnecessary to read further than the promising headline.
FRAUDULENT KING OUSTED; SURVEY CORPS TO BE EXONERATED
"…!"
Hange beams as she watches them all light up with understanding. "There you have it. The coup d'état was successful! Premier Zackly has temporary control of the Capital and Administrative District… For the time being, the Nobility hasn't rebelled."
Surprised, Armin looks up from the paper at her words. "But what about the Boss Reeves incident?"
Hange smirks impishly. "We got a confession that proved the charges unfounded. His son Flegel really pulled through big time…" She then nods towards the paper still in Levi's hands. "Just like it's written right there. It shows that the charges were bogus, they abused their power, and that King Fritz was a total fake. All of our actions were justified self-defense… So, in other words, we're free people now."
"…"
It takes a moment for her words to fully process, but once the information sinks in, large smiles practically split their faces. A cumulation of joyous laughter and triumphant cheering follows, much to the chagrin of the captured MP a few feet away.
Gleeful, Sasha wraps her arms around Mikasa's shoulders; forcing the usually stoic girl to sway in place.
Connie— cackling like a madman— pulls an equally tickled Armin into a headlock, playfully mussing the blond's locks with a knuckled fist despite the protests he receives in return.
Jean cheers jovially and hoists Rosalie into the air; the brunette in turn, letting out a startled yelp that's quick to morph into exuberant laughter as he begins to spin them both around.
And although he doesn't join in on the excitement, Levi can't stop himself from smirking as he turns back to the duo in front of him. "Looks like the gamble payed off."
Hange nods. "Yeah. But it wasn't just Erwin, though. The choices of many managed to change the world."
Levi's expression turns somber. "And I managed to kill the three people you loaned me. I'm sorry." He apologizes, nodding when she waves him off. He then turns to look at the group of celebrating teens behind him— who were only now just beginning to calm down. "The thing is, part of the Interior Police, Eren, and Historia are somewhere else. If we don't find them soon—"
Before he could finish the thought, Hange steps forward and holds up a small book. "I may have a clue about that. Let's get there and put an end to this battle."
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