A/N: Forewarning. I have not watched AOT/SnK, only other fanfics about them. So good chance that there are inaccuracies to characters.
"Thank you for your patronage, please come again!" The exuberant, cheerful voice spoke.
The bells on the door chimed as a pair of people walked out from the store front. Their eyes watched as the two moved past the window from outside, and once they were out of view, they took a massive breath of relief as they moved out from behind the counter, carrying a box.
Their gaze swept over the items of their store, taking stock of their products.
What they sell was not something you would find at your local store located at the corner of your usual spot. It was also nothing illegal, in the case that inspectors were to make a surprise visit. A few times that had happened, they had to relocate.
What did they sell? Nothing out of the ordinary; The regular red potions that restores a person's vitality, blue potions that replenishes a person's supply of energy - from both mental and physical fatigue. A special green potion that strengthens one's skin to prevent cuts from even a razor sharp blade, and the assortment of other vials for genetic modifiers to give resistance to volatile elements such as burning, freezing, piercing gales of wind, being stoned or electrocuted.
Of course, all of these liquids such as perfumes weren't the only things they sell.
They had natural materials such as roots, mushrooms and grasses of different types not found within the world, making them extraterrestrial in origin; thus, that made them exotic. Especially the rocks, and the blood of various races and species.
Poisons and curatives.
Pain-killers and energizers.
Drugs and medicine.
Alcohol and Salves.
Pills and powders.
One of these things which the world had no concept of, and in turn, things that he would never have touched before this with another job in his world.
For any others, the chances they come across such resources is null, below zero. For him, however? It was as simple as turning a dial, and to walk in the back of the store.
He restocked the bandages, the pouches and bags to hold them, the potions which were hung upon a rack by their necks, and the boxes which contained all earthly materials which could be seeped and/or grinded.
He took hold of a wheel and turned it, making the contents of the shelves move to reveal a blocked entrance that makes it easier for him to reach the back. This wasn't done for security purposes, as robbers would realize if they tried finding anything of worth back here, for it was a break room… Well, his break room as he was the only one here. This was installed for the awe-factor to be witnessed by the customers. Granted, if it fits in the world. Otherwise it would just be a regular door.
As he opened the door that revealed the dark mask of a bird, looking straight into his eyes. The room which was supposed to be his breakroom didn't exist, and was flooded with pitch-black darkness that suffocated even the ambient light outside. The world has twice more shadows than it previously contained.
"How's my 'Number: One' employee doing?!"
The face of the worker did not budge a muscle, as he slammed the door shut in the mask's face.
The worker opened the door again, and the mask was gone with the room brightening back up.
"I hope you haven't been doing that to our customers, Logan~" The man with the mask spoke behind his back with a mock expression of being hurt.
"Only because it's you." The man sighed as he looked over his shoulder and replied. "How are you doing, boss? You've come to check up on sales?"
"Nothing so mundane, Logan."
The two were now in the light of the breakroom, shattering any hidden illusions upon their person.
The worker was a young adult male in his early twenties, short black hair and red eyes and milky-white complexion. The clothes he wore beneath the store's brown apron was a blue hoodie over a long black T-shirt, with white leggings and blue shoes. Eye-catching as there was a difference in that his build was a foot over, being around the required six-feet of height. His fit was very lean and lanky, granting him a great arm span to reach difficult places compared to his boss.
The supremely ordinary look wasn't because the man had no sense of style, but an absolute necessity that allowed him to conform to norms of the societies they infiltrated. A disguise.
Compared to his boss, however, it was lacking in what people would call a fashion-sense.
A black grayish cloak and the trenchcoat beneath that covered the body. Worn around him was a belt that had a leather satchel wrapped upon him, and a thread of rope that hung with what appears to be condiments. The long sleeves within black leather gloves that were strapped and buckled on, and with boots of the same hue that went with the attire, even the wide brimmed hat upon his head.
Not to forget; The boss also wore a strange mask as it covered his entire face, his entire head wrapped in a black cloth that was tucked within the mask that had an avian beak, and glass lens tinted red for their eyes. Beneath the cloak that trailed behind him he wore a steel ball, which was a pomander necklace.
He came walking in with a cane; It was fancy enough to gain attention, but it wasn't pompous to the point of boasting over-glorified wealth. It remarkably looked all natural, to the point that the wood itself seemed to have been grown into its specific dimensions instead of being cut and groomed. The neck and handle was white with the latter sharing the same features of the user's mask. At the 'center', the place which aligns with both the handle and stick, was a very sparkly gem. At the 'back' of the cane's 'head' was a charm of crossing swords, linked with a small chain.
Logan heard the man before him chuckle. A chipper voice that seems to echo and can be heard clearly despite the lack of walls around them.
"I've been well, and I'm sure to be even happier soon."
It was a telling sign that made Logan groan. "Found another 'opportunity'?"
"Indeed!" The Plague Doctor cheered. "How about it?"
Logan gestured to the aisles of half restocked shelves. "Same protocol?"
"Same protocol." His boss then swung his cane behind him, opening up a rift in space that swirled like a whirlpool.
With a natural obligation, Logan began walking through the portal, quickly behind followed by the being behind him.
As they disappeared, the sign outside of the shop flipped around to show the word 'Closed' on the door. A note appears below it, stating the reason for being closed, and not clearly minding the young child that dropped their treat, screaming about ghosts and a shop being haunted.
The world was a beautiful place, yet it was also a cruel reality. None knew this more than those that work within the Survey Corps that venture beyond the walls. And beyond those walls was a world untouched by human hands, where nature thrives with resources untapped.
It was also where the Titans ruled. Giant humanoids, with skin, hair, eyes, hands and feet like any other human. What they desire, however, went against the rational mind. They desire human flesh, live ones, and they're smart enough to know which were expired or not. Those caught within their grip meet grisly ends.
It was the Fifteenth-Expedition outside the Walls that a lucky break was made.
A massive clearing, not of nature, but of the very beings that would kill them without another thought was stopped by a barrier. One giant ring of fences and towers made of metal that appeared out of nowhere outside the gate of Wall Maria. It would make your hair float up and stand on their ends if they got too close. It was dangerous to hook onto, lest they face the greatest shock of their life, literally as when they witnessed a fried-up Titan could attest to.
Once the report had been made, there would be an attempt at penetrating the barrier to investigate it. As it could ward off the Titans, it was an invaluable space to take over as a safe space to finally let them breathe. Yet, it also begged the question of why they had done so, especially within Titan-Infested territory. How could they be living among these killing machines?
And in the Twentieth, what it took to get here; Young Erwin may believe they found the origin of this mystery.
When they galloped towards the walls of steel, it was with the Titans on their heels. They took advantage of the defenses scattered around the clearing, where there were wide openings the expedition could make use of to lure Titans into the steel towers' killing field. It was absurd as to how easy it was done. But it was a maze that they had to navigate, something that practically kept out the cannibalistic giants very well. Tall and powerful they were, they had no greater intelligence than that of an animal.
They reached where the plates did not touch; the very ground. The approach was tested and proved safe, so long as no one touched the metal. They felt what seemed like fuzziness that spread over their bodies and clothes, and what was buffed against their momentum, almost like rushing through a waterfall.
The fuzziness disappears, replaced by a sense of security. Their heads turned back, now noticing the swarm that encroached. Lights of blue and yellow sparked, and began tagging their closest limbs. Their tan-leathery hides turned charred and black, even if they did not relent - their advance stopped.
Erwin's eyes scanned over the rest of the interior, and what lay within was not they've seen on top of the walls.
"Are these… Plants?"
They stood atop stones that were a few feet taller than houses, fashioned in uniform sorts of colors. Lording over the boulders were vegetation, grasses and leaves possibly higher than trees. At the top of their peaks were all kinds of differently colored petals of flowers. The red of roses, the purple of lavender, and the yellows of sunflowers.
Something ordinary being items of interest once more due to one change in detail.
"Sir!" One of the scouts called out as their commander stood by.
"Well… We came this far. Just going back now would be a waste."
Before them was a pathway of gravel. Leading to the end of that path was clear, only obstructed by the large stalks of flowers.
A building that was designed as a storefront. Bright within, they see a large shadow of a figure move across the window. Behind that window too, were shelves. Laying upon the largest cushion anyone that ever saw, were an assortment of extremely large vials and corked flasks filled with various colors of liquids, enough to see that there were more shades of color to it than rainbows.
"Be on guard. Safe as this place is from the Titans, whatever lives inside here has both nerve and the strength to live outside our walls. And there may be more of them."
Taking to their commander's warnings for what it was, the corps moved in a steady formation ready for anything. As they remained of their surroundings, many could not help but be attracted to the scenery around them. It definitely smelled better than the outside had ever been.
It didn't take long for a commotion to start riling up again. A loud buzz from over the top of their heads made them stop and look up, an action well practiced due to the dangers they've regularly faced. One of the gigantic plants was swaying, its stalk leaning to one side.
"Don't draw any attention." Shadis raised his hand, halting the swords being raised.
Erwin looked upwards, and saw a creature with stripes of black and yellow, with a pair of wings of fast audible beatings almost similar to a horse's trot. Yellow suds dusted over its body as it went about whatever it was doing.
Crossing their path was another creature, one more that was more familiar to a majority: That being a giant ant, about as big as a dog. Grasped within its mandibles was a ball of leaf.
They come upon more peculiar sights. One was a butterfly, its giant wingspan once casting a shadow over the entire corp as it came to rest on the side of the road they stood upon. Within the garden bed, they studied a worm slowly burrowing into the soil within the shade made by the vegetation.
Further in, Erwin sees the faces of his fellow soldiers becoming more at ease. This place was wondrous and serene if nothing else. Before they knew it, they came upon the large-scale structure. The peace felt before was now subdued, as trepidation felt upon what was obviously the entrance. The giant door was imposing as the giant gates to the wall. Now that they were here, they were stumped with a question: How do they get in?
"Commander Shadis, Sir! We can get in from up there!"
With observant eyes, Erwin spotted a possible entrance. Ascending, they hop on ledges like cliffs, and walls like platforms until they land upon what seemed like a narrow beam. Landing with the others, they stared ahead in what he had pointed at. Before them was a human-sized keyhole.
It was easy passing through it, like stepping over a ditch. Once they stepped inside, Erwin shivered. The warm spring air suddenly became a sterile winter chill, like stepping into the middle of a new season.
Erwin spied the displaying bottles on the shelves displayed on the front windows, along with the rest of the many peculiars within. Despite the gigantic size and assortment of oddities, there were many things that wouldn't be out of place of a regular store. Despite the familiarity of such a place, it did have its strangeness barring the immense size. The strangest part of the atmosphere was the melodious music and singing. With no performer in sight, yet it seemed to be all around them.
He could feel it. They all could feel it. The familiar thundering and earth-shaking stride as they watched a giant walk through the spaces between an aisle. It was just as big as the rest of mankind's vicious predator, and yet it was… odd. The giant looked very normal, having no sort of deformities that would be associated with Titans; In looks alone, it would look like just any other normal human, it was even wearing clothes, as strange as it was.
It made strange noises, sounds not very audible yet it was a familiar action. It was grumbling.
"Safe to say we found the thing in question, Commander." Another spoke. "Your orders?"
"This is new enough to ask for opinions." Shadis turned towards the rest of his men. "Don't say anything dumb."
"We're in its territory. I highly doubt it would welcome us, judging by what was outside." One said, referring to the devices outside which stemmed the Titan horde, with a few nodding.
"Why not just talk to it?" A younger man than Erwin blurted out, drawing all eyes towards him. Prompting him to explain further. "They're wearing clothes, manning the storefront of a shop, and the thing basically hasn't detected us despite how the other one chases from basically nowhere… It's worth a try!"
"Safe to say then…" Shadis commented. "That we keep out of sight and investigate further then. If it's hostile, don't hesitate."
There were some complications to the plan.
Travelling inside was no problem, it was easy to move about, and unlike the outside, they had many areas to climb.
The problem was grabbing its attention.
They first tried by way of calls and yelling, but they stopped after five minutes of yelling to prevent anyone losing their voice when it yielded no results. They then tried in the ways of distraction that resulted in the events that became more stranger than they thought.
Five men pushed a giant glass over the edge of the countertop that would've fell in front of the strange Titan. Yet the glass that should've crashed onto the floors, it halted, and before their very eyes, it started rising back where it originally was placed. Even if it didn't crash, the fall itself should've drawn attention, yet the giant was still passive in response.
How did that happen? Was it magic, or some kind of machinery which they couldn't see? He would think that there isn't anything smaller considering their size and it, but once more; the situation was throwing their conventional sense of reality out of the window.
The attempts continued on throughout the day. Many were failures, but some that worked brought a face of irritation to the giant. It was a bit joyful seeing them rush around the shop, catching the multitudes of items with the competence of how a dog catches a ball. However, it was a failure in getting the thing to notice them that was making this all the more hassling for them. It began to set in the minds of the many soldiers that this thing was perhaps not a Titan.
Erwin felt it strange, and perhaps no one but him noticed it, but it was like everyone was beginning to see things in a different light. Gone was the massive apprehension that was plaguing their minds, and only a healthy amount of curiosity.
It was only until the giant sat down behind what seemed like a registration counter that any sort of headway was made. It was overlooking a thin book it was flipping through, a facsimile of a smile on its face, that a chance was taken.
As they flipped to a new page, Erwin and a few others were some of those that volunteered, landed on top of the page, practically making the giant jump back a few feet in surprise.
"Hey you overblown your head! Talk to us!" The soldier from before that suggested talking to it called out, with a hand raised, pointing towards its direction.
They watched with a critical eye as it raised its hand high. The rest and the commander had taken position around it, ready to fly into the fray the moment it did anything dangerous. Fortunately, nothing like that would occur. The giant gasped the object placed within his ear, as the previously muted melody suddenly became that more louder; the singer's words becoming more clear and audible.
"Oh yes, one day I know, the curtain will surely fall~"
"Soundless, the echoes lie within me still-" With a click, the music and singing stopped as the giant pulled the other contraption from his other ear.
"Tiny people?" Confused as it was, it posed a question. The very act of it speaking further cemented the strange situation.
"To you perhaps…" Erwin commented. "What're you doing here?"
"I work here." The giant answered simply. "Are you customers?"
Erwin and the rest of the Volunteer group shared a look between them all. Erwin looked back up to where Shadis was, seeing him give the go-ahead nod. "What do you sell?"
"Anything, really. Food, drinks, medicine, games." The Giant replied back with a bored voice, as if telling the same answer for the hundredth time. They gestured their arms towards the back of their group. "Go take a look. Any questions you may have, you can ask and see if I have the answers. Be careful stepping through the aisles though, some things fell, and the floors have not been dried yet."
"...Are there weapons?"
"We do have a smithy; Although you're not allowed there to use it unless you have signed a contract. Even then, you need to become a member of a certain membership order to receive the right to use that contract."
"Member?" Erwin questioned.
"Our merchant organization offers a membership deal to our customers to save on purchases and various benefits."
The giant said as he pulled down what looked to be a very flimsy board that showed various pictures and letters. "For us, those who are in our membership program, we call them the 'patrons' following in the order of the rainbow colors. 'Red Patrons' have ten percent off on their purchases, and earn ten points for every one currency that they spend. 'Orange Patrons' have fifteen percent off, and eleven points for every one that they spent, and so on. To use the Smithy, you need to be a 'Yellow Patron' at least."
"You can start off as a 'Red Patron' by buying it, and we'll go through the necessary details. It's short, so no need to be afraid." The giant held his hand in a placating measure.
"To advance in membership, you must be signed-on with us for at least a month or hold a total of two-thousand points. The time and the points increase as you gain a higher level of membership."
"Is it possible that you can help set up what you have outside?" Erwin asked, his thoughts churning through ideas. "The ones which can fry what's outside."
The giant blinks as he thought with a raised eyebrow. "Are you perhaps talking about the electric fence? I mean, yeah, I can, but services like that cost a fee…"
The giant looked down at him with a scrutinized gaze. "I believe I can cut half the cost considering your guy's... stature. For that alone however, I am gonna need quite the down payment."
"How much is this going to cost?" Erwin couldn't help but question.
It was a question that perhaps Erwin shouldn't have asked, as the Giant then showed their greatest resemblance with their eerily cannibalistic cousins by showing a smile.
"Zombies?"
It was midday, with the sun setting halfway through the sky that made it look like fire is when Erwin, Shadis and the rest of the Survey Corp watched as their big ally was hammering a giant sheet of metal between two giant steel poles.
The funds that the Survey Corp had wasn't alot, compared to the rest of the branches. Yet, it was enough to field a protective barrier to lead back from where they came from. Unlike what was had around the store, these 'Electric' fences weren't the unlimited power version. For that certain supply, it would be beyond the Corp's fund for a millennia.
What they had now was the best they could get. An electric fence with a power supply that can last for a millennia, it was absurd. What it cost them was information and technology such as their ODM gear. What the giant wanted them for, they didn't know, but he wasn't arguing. There wasn't a thing that the giant could do with them given their size.
"Aren't these things what they are?" The Giant asked back as he pointed beyond the electric fence's perimeter. "Their skin may not be rotting, but they're disfigured, and worst of all is that all of them being regenerators. Splatting their brains didn't work, but cutting off their heads did."
"Bigger or smaller, and all they do is just eat." The giant shook his head. "No wonder you call them 'Titans'."
Unlike their clothed friend, the Titans beyond were in a state of being drawn in. The ones that stayed away were the Abnormals that strayed from the defense the giant had placed, as wiser than the rest of the Titan horde that was stemming in, only to destroy themselves when they're near the fence.
A not so small number were in a different state, during when they were beginning to set up the fence. Hoarfrost flowed outwards from their icy shells that surrounded their leathery hides, trapping them inside. It was no surprise that the Titans affected by their state of being was the result of their contracted fellow.
"So, they're like your 'Zombies'." The commander began to speak. "If they're so similar, how would you suspect that they come about?"
The Giant chuckled, and he shut a large box that had levers and switches. "Well, I'm no scientist. But I think I've seen enough to call myself an experienced man."
"You said that it was only a century before Titans started showing up and ruling the world, right?"
"That's what history tells us." Erwin spoke, but he had different suspicions from what the books say. He remembers the talks that he had with his father, about how there were other humans still out there.
"So…" He hummed, pausing in thoughts. "Mankind ruled as the dominant species before their arrival, where they're then forced into a dark reality that had them chasing all the way here."
"If nothing else existed, then the common origin point would probably be some kind of virus or bacteria that would affect the human body."
Like a dam bursting, the comment created a wave of chatter amongst the Scouts, as dark thoughts were brought to the forefront of their minds.
Shadis himself was affected as the rest of them. "Say again? Human?"
"It is the general cause and effect for mankind in a situation like this. A sudden threat, great enough that would disrupt the entire world order in a quick enough manner-" The giant turned to them. "-That not a single one within your homes in the walls would remember the outside world?"
"And what would this be called?" Shadis asked before looking towards the others.
"Hey! Have someone take note of this!" The commander ordered, having some of the soldiers begin to bring out pencils and paper.
"Post-Apocalypse." Was the giant's answer as they scratched their heads. "A place where there is the destruction of a world, where society has collapsed, and the remains of human civilization are left to pick up after the event of the Apocalypse."
"Zombies, from my knowledge, are also called the 'Undead' or 'Living Dead'. They wander and roam, and if they see a human, they are driven by a desire to consume their flesh. They're identifiable because of their rotten bodies, and foggy eyes, and they make groans."
The giant gives off a laugh. "The stereotypical place for them to rise is from graveyards, but I digress. It just seemed close enough to think that something happened to humans that could've given the rise to Titans."
The talk sounded like nonsense, but they remembered the sudden appearance of a megastructure not too far from Wall Maria. And unless every Garrison soldier had been drunk every day on the job, it was something that would've been so out of place they could've spotted from over the walls. The fact that they haven't previously encountered the dwelling of the giant, not to mention the posts that made up their fence which made their trip possible, was far out of the realm of comprehension as if they popped into existence from out of nowhere.
"How would a world survive that kind of event?"
"Their ultimate goal would be finding a cure. Obviously, this is easier said than done. In a Zombie Apocalypse, you would have to find 'Patient Zero'."
"For your situation with the Titans…" The giant held his chin. "You would have to find the Origin of the Titans or kill them all. Each of these options… It will take a miracle to save this world if that's the case."
"Will you not continue to work with us?" Shadis asked the Giant. "We could use all the help we can get."
To their dismay, the giant shook their head. "I am a shopkeeper merchant, I'm not a warrior. I can only protect myself for survival, not go against the rules of nature which this world seems to hold in high priority."
The answer seemed to demoralize the group of soldiers. Seeing this, their commander could only feel the gnashing of his teeth as he gritted them.
"...What would happen to your business if we were gone?" In a quick moment, Erwin asked, drawing their attention and the rest of the group. "You can't exactly trade with the Titans. And if it isn't us, what is the reason why you would be here?"
This was going off on the assumption that this giant had longevity, considering its way of contract was worded. If it could last a millennia, then it is reasonable to assume that their friendly giant could live longer than that. They were reluctant to fight, but they still came out to install the new protection even when they knew it meant danger which strikes him as not being cruel like the Titans they know. Above all, they kept expressing themselves as a Merchant: which meant that wherever they head to or go, they do so in order to make a profit.
Erwin's question seemed to hit the nail on the head, as the giant paused as they looked straight up. Moments turned to minutes as it looked towards the disappearing sky. From the frown on their face, Erwin could practically see the gears turning in the giant's head.
The giant blinked before looking back at him again. "I believe you're correct in that assumption."
"Let me speak with my boss and see what I can do."
The giant then pulled something out of its pockets. It was rectangular in shape, and one side had brightened up with light. With a well-practiced motion, the giant held it up near to the side of his head as they waited for a response.
Ring~
Ring~
Ring~
Click!
["Logan! This is a surprise! You never text, you never call… It's almost as if you're embarrassed of me~"]
"Boss, is this what you meant by an 'Opportunity'?"
["...Explain."]
"This world is in a post-apocalyptic state. Humanity here is tiny as a mouse, and there are man-eating giants which I share their size with. The people express that Mankind is not long for this world."
["I get it what you're saying. A pity then. We're going to have to find another world to do business."]
"They wish for our help in saving them from this fate."
["No can do, Logan. You know the law: We are to remain as a neutral entity and non-interfering as possible unless they have created a contract or a request that does require our help. But I have gut feeling that they're only a 'Red Patron' if there are none."]
"What they call 'Titans' act no better than beasts. There isn't even a tribe, or any intelligent kind. Is it not possible to relocate them to another world where it's safer for them?"
["Logan, my chum. Non-interference regards the moving of a world's potential from their native universe as unlawful. The reason why this is in place is so that gods and entities don't engage in soul-trafficking. After the events of 'WIH-XIII', the migration of souls is skewed and the reincarnation cycle broken in so many damned ways."]
["I can not express how prevalent this issue is right now. Trucks driving accidents which kill a person have 'Somehow', enough force to throw their souls into another world. Deities having temper-tantrums and offing a human, and because many worlds' rules of resurrection state that they can't be brought back as the same person, they're given the chance to head into another world."]
["And don't get me started on the ones who do this implicitly! My predecessor was a grave offender of this exact rule. Her pass-time was plucking unlucky fellows from worlds and throwing them into dangerous situations for her amusement. Argh! I can just feel that lady's laughter. That sicko makes me sick. Especially what she done to our class and teacher, and even her other half!"]
["Ahem... So: No, Logan. We can't bring those people anywhere. There'll especially be those people who are too stubborn to go. Only the few who trained for that world get the thrill of living that kind of life. The only ones that can world hop, are if they're associated."]
"...What if we take them as 'Employees'?"
["...*Noise: Shuffle*."]
"..."
["...It might just work."]
"Alrighty, I'll see you later." The giant nodded, making feel like the conversation to an invisible friend was about to come to an end. "Take care, Boss. Yeah, bye."
Bringing the phone away, the giant looked back down to the Survey Corps in its entirety. "I think we may be able to come into an arrangement."
[Clause 1: "In the agreement that those that chose to become employees of 'Xer's Shop', I am to bring the following: Food, supplies and technological knowledge to the Survey Corps. In return, those of the Survey Corp will work within 'Xer's Shop', such as janitors, guards, aisle stockers, with its guaranteed benefits once they join - I.E. healthcare, hourly wages, vacation and sick days, all that implies - and will not be abused from the company's authority once they're employed. If either party goes against the agreed-arrangement after signing, they must pay compensation to the affected side…"
Clause 7: "...Once signed: I, Logan Rex, will have the time-allowance of one year to allow the Survey Corp to recruit more soldiers and bring over their friends and family in those who want to depart. A message will be given when time is halfway, third-quarter of the way, and when nearing the deadline to leave…"
Clause 13: "In the event of an emergency: I, Logan Rex, hold responsibility for the health and welfare of the newly recruited employees…"]
"Is everyone here?"
Holding an old-fashioned clipboard, Logan looked over a table of their shop's new recruits. From where he sees, there were dozens of them, hundreds perhaps. In terms of numbers, that was a lot.
Those that knew him were relaxed, and those that were only now just seeing him the first time held an apprehensive gaze at him.
This situation came about in a misunderstanding of what the other party needed from what they wanted. What the Scouts expected was further assistance to embolden their assault through Titan-infested lands. What they got, was a ticket out of the hell they were trapped in, one where they didn't need to go through risk that borderline on suicide. Once it sank, when they realized the opportunity that awaited them, few could hold themselves from celebrating. And they told him that they spread the word.
His only question was how did they get so many people to join in? He wasn't a political mastermind by any means, but he had a feeling it had to do with all those important-looking people he was introduced to, with their important-looking entourage. The time of hour was nearly upon them, before the shop will be gone from its place in this world.
"Who here is the leader of your lot?" Logan asked, as he saw a familiar face step forward. "Erwin?"
"Erwin Smith, checking-in sir!" The man replied back.
Logan double-checked the papers on his clipboard. "You're not missing anyone, right?"
Erwin nodded. "We made a plan of action. For it to work, some of us have to stay behind."
"Understandable." Logan said, shaking his nerves out from his body and cracking his neck. "Let's-."
His words cut off as he felt a heavy vibration. The ground beneath his feet rumbled beneath him as a shadow overcast from the window. Getting outside the door, his gaze went upwards, and he could feel what his smaller friends could feel when they saw what was awaiting outside.
A titan, yet not a regular-looking one. It was looking for spider-like as its gaze was held down in a long cast at the storefront. What was it trying to do? Scouting what was here? Trying to scare him into submission? Its presence was similar to certain entities that too looked over their subjects.
Grabbing his rifle, Logan aimed it upwards towards the face of the towering Titan. With the squeeze of his trigger, a golden globe shot upwards at a speed faster than a bullet. Again and again, three lightbulb-like projectiles trailed upwards and splashed Spider-Titan's face. It was an instance where it roared, screaming in pain as its face was slowly disintegrating up to its head.
As soon as it appeared, it vanishes like lightning.
Logan looks behind him back to the table. He couldn't tell what his face was making, but probably not something pretty judging by the soldier's reaction.
"I don't want to be here anymore."
Erwin nodded in understanding.