I knelt down on the water tower with blades still at the ready. Gunfire echoed through the night sky. My gray eyes watched as Mikasa joined Eren atop of his Titan body.
"Commanding Officer Vivien." I looked over my shoulder to see a Scout.
"What is it?" I questioned him.
"Lookouts have spotted the Jaw Titan approaching. He hasn't transformed yet. I suspect he will once he's within range of Eren." The Scout informed me.
I stood back up, "Where?" I asked him.
"From the west, he's by himself." He responded immediately. I looked back at the Scout and held out my handles sideways.
"Good work. Get back into position and help the others." I ordered.
"Ma'am!" I jumped off the water tower and quickly headed west from the theater.
I looked down below at the streets. Rubble, blood, and dead bodies littered the ground. I ignored the sight and kept my eyes open for the Jaw Titan. My eyes narrowed on a figure in the distance running towards where the theater is. It was a man with blonde hair undercut and it was gelled back. He wore a Marleyan uniform with a red Eldian band around his left arm.
"There you are." I muttered. I fired my hooks into an adjacent building and stood on the side of it.
"Porco Galliard. So you're the one who took the power of the Jaw Titan back from Ymir." I called out to him.
Porco stopped his running and looked up. His hazel eyes widened seeing me on the side of a building. His face quickly turned into a glare and pulled a knife from his belt.
"I know you. Your hair looks different but I've seen your face. You were in her memories. You're one of them, the ones Zeke warned us about. You're an Ackerman." Porco stated. He opened his palm and set the blade against his skin.
"The way how Zeke and Reiner talked about you Ackermans, made it seem like you people were invincible. You look like any other Island Devil to me. You made a mistake showing yourself to me. I'm one of the best Warriors Marley has to offer. You're as good as dead." I raised a blonde brow at that.
"Really? Then why is it you weren't sent to the island years ago? Oh wait," I gave a smirk, "You weren't a Warrior then, were you?" Porco glared at me with anger in his eyes. He let out a yell as he sliced his palm open. That's it, get angry and charge. The Jaw Titan is notoriously quick. Ymir was quick back then and easily outpaced ODM Gear. Porco is underestimating me which gives me an edge to this fight.
The bright yellow light flashed as lightning struck down and thunder sounded. Porco's yell turned into a Titans roar as the Jaw Titan pounced towards me.
I released the hooks above me and refired them into Porco's flesh. In an instant I swiftly used the gear and blades to slice up. My blades tore into his flesh as I spun with them. I sliced over his clavicle and wrapped around close to his nape. Porco let out a wail in what I assume was pain.
He's faster than I thought and had ducked down last second. And because of that, I narrowingly missed the nape. I wanted to cut him out but now my blades just grazed him. His actual body felt my blades cut into him.
I hovered in the air with my gear, "What's the matter? I thought I was as good as dead?" I mocked him. Porco landed on a rooftop and I could hear a growl as he looked at me. He turned his head in the direction of the theater.
Without warning, Porco ignored me and began to head towards Eren and the Warhammer. I narrowed my eyes on the retreating Titan.
"So, you finally figured out I was just goading you on huh?" I muttered before sending my hooks forward and following behind Porco.
I neared back to the theater and saw Eren back in his Titan form. He held a hardened shell similar to one like Annie's. Porco crawled around the building and pounced on Eren's back. He leaned his back and opened his jaws. He was aiming at devouring Eren.
"Eren!" I heard Mikasa yell.
My hooks shot into the ground below, "I don't remember saying you could leave!" I shouted as I spun my blades as I passed Porco. My blades made contact and sliced the unprotected jaw muscles of Porco.
I redirected my hooks last second before hitting the ground. My boots skidded against the ground before launching back into the air. I looked up to see Porco's jaw was around Eren's neck but unable to bite down. I could see Porco's eyes shift down to me in the air. His eyes looked at me in bewilderment.
Eren took this time to slam back against the building. Eren pulled on the hair of Porco's Titan. Before Eren could throw him off, Porco used his hardened claws and sliced up Eren's hand. Porco used this chance to try and escape.
Mikasa flew above me and aimed a Thunder Spear where Porco was about to grab. The explosion caused Porco to be knocked back down onto the ground. Mikasa and I both redirected our hooks and shot back into the air.
"Scouts! Surround the Jaw!" I ordered out. Scouts began swinging from the buildings in all directions. Thunder Spears armed and ready to be fired.
Porco slowly began to pick himself back up. He looked up at the amount of Scouts flying towards him. Like Annie many years ago, I could see fear in Porco's Titans eyes.
My eyes widened as my reflexes kicked in. I dodged my head to the side as a bullet went flying past. I heard the sounds of more bullets being fired.
"Take cover!" I heard someone yell.
I began evasive maneuvers in the air and dodged the hailstorm of bullets. My eyes caught sight of the Cart Titan on top of a roof with its gear on. I fired my hooks into a building and launched myself towards a glass window. I curled up my body as I broke through the glass and skidded against the wooden floor board.
"Viv!" I looked to my right to see Jean in his uniform. I jumped to his side as more bullets fired into the building.
"Hey, glad to see you're still in one piece." I commented as I backed up against the wall next to him.
Jean gave a lopsided smirk, "Barely. Nothing like almost getting filled with holes. But we took too long, the Cart Titan showed up." Jean commented.
"I can take it down but I'm going to need help to get close enough. The gunners on its back are the biggest issue." I stated.
"That's a lot easier said than done, Viv." Jean countered. The gunfire ceased, allowing us to peak over the wall. I saw a flash and Eren was suddenly in the air with more hardening from the Warhammer.
"Shit, come on Eren. We don't want to stay here any longer than we need to." Jean cursed under his breath.
The ground beneath us began to shake as large thuds got louder. I narrowed my eyes seeing the Beast Titan beginning to show its ugly face.
"Looks like he's finally here. Let's go." I said. I ran for the window and jumped back down to the others. Jean followed right behind me. Jean and I landed next to our squadmates. Another Scout dropped down in front of us. Besides me, he's the only other one wearing a Scouts cloak. Captain Levi stared hard at the Beast Titan in front of us.
"Kill all of them, let none escape." The Beast Titan proclaimed.
"Stay alive. That's an order!" Captain Levi yelled out. The Captain charged forward as the Beast Titan did the same.
The rest of us followed our Captain and flew around the area with our gear. Gunfire began to rain down on us again from the Cart Titan artillery. My jaw clenched as I saw Scouts getting mowed down by the Cart Titan artillery. One Scout went above the Cart Titan and aimed a Thunder Spear. I looked at it in interest seeing the guns weren't firing at him. There's a blind spot for all the weapons. Porco swiped away the Scout and landed next to Pieck. The two stayed still, so I used that chance to get closed to Jean.
"Jean! I have an idea how to beat the Cart." I told him as both of us landed on the side of a building.
"What? How?" He asked.
"The gunners have a blind spot. Directly above the Cart Titan, the guns can't aim high enough. The Jaw's defending that blindspot but if there's enough distractions going on. I can sneak behind, get into that blind spot and disarm the Cart Titan." I instructed.
Jean nodded, "You got it. I'll let Connie and Sasha know. We'll keep her distracted while you set up for the final blow. Don't forget to sever some limbs. The Cart Titan can transform multiple times a day." I gave a confident smirk.
"I know, I was there for all the briefings. Good luck, Jean. Stay alive." I told him.
"Same to you, Viv." Jean took off in one direction and I took off in the other. Instead of going high and being spotted by the Titans on the roof. I stayed low to the ground as I swung around the buildings.
A loud explosion sounded in the air and the night sky turned bright. I stopped on top of a roof and looked at the large explosion off towards the docks.
"Armin made it." I muttered to myself. My eyes then glanced back to Pieck and Porco as the explosion died down and the night sky returned.
I watched as Porco merged back with his Titan and took off running to Eren. I gave a smirk as I released my dull blades and clipped on new ones.
"One of Marley's best Warriors huh? You're hot tempered and lose your cool when you're backed against a wall. That's to my advantage, thanks for leaving Pieck's weakness wide open for me now, Porco." I shot my hooks into the roof and took off into the air.
"Pieck! There's one behind!" I heard one of the gunman yell.
"Shit! It's a bad angle!" I heard another one yell. The Cart Titan looked up and I made eye contact with her glowing eyes.
"It's you." I heard Pieck say through her Titan form.
"Hnngh!" I heard the familiar voice of Captain Levi to my left. The Beast Titan was slashed at the nape of his neck by him. The Beast Titan fell as other Scouts surrounded the Cart Titan. I heard an explosion down below and saw smoke come from the Beast Titan. Zeke should be getting out of here by the Captain now.
"Pieck! We got company!" The soldiers began firing at the Scouts surrounding them. I heard a single sniper round go off and one of the guns stopped firing. I didn't need to look to know it was Sasha that got the shot.
"Jean, now!" I yelled as I readied my blades.
I refired my hooks down to the Cart Titan's nape. Jean hopped onto the same roof and skidded on the ground. He launched a Thunder Spear at Pieck's metal face armor. The explosion went off in Piecks face. I let out a cry as I came down onto Pieck's nape. The moment both blades sliced into the Titans nape, Piecks human form sprouted out. My piercing gray eyes met her shocked dark ones. I set my feet on the neck and swung my blades again. Pieck let out a cry in pain as one swipe of my blades severed her arms and legs from her Titan body.
"Take out the guns!" I yelled to the Scouts above. I swung my body and kicked Pieck away from her comrades.
"Viv!" Jean flashed by and grabbed me as the Thunder Spears launched at the gunmen. He launched over the building before grabbing my arm and swinging me out. I caught myself with my gear and swung next to him. We landed on another rooftop and retracted our gear.
"The Cart Titan is still alive!" I heard Connie yell from across the way.
"Seriously? She was severed from the nape and blown up by Thunder Spears." Jean asked in disbelief. Gunshots echoed in the air as Marleyan Soldiers began shooting the Scouts above. I could two figures carry the very injured Pieck away.
"I'm not too surprised, remember how Reiner seemed impossible to kill?" I reminded Jean.
"Yeah. I was kinda hoping that was just an Armored Titan power of his. Not applying to the others. Speaking of, why the hell hasn't Reiner showed up yet?" Jean questioned me.
I narrowed my eyes at Eren as he fought against Porco, "Eren told me not to worry about Reiner. That he had a plan for him." I stated. Jean looked at me confused.
"Well that's vague," Jean turned back to watch the fight, "but I guess whatever Eren did worked. Reiner's a no show for this battle. The battle could have been different if he was on the field." Jean admitted.
"Maybe." I muttered. Eren…what did you mean by you would take care of Reiner? What did you do?
Porco seemed to have the advantage using his claws to rip Eren. Eren blocked another swipe before Mikasa dove in. Porco jumped up and climbed up the hardened structure. He dodged Mikasa's attack with ease this time.
"Damn he's quick." Jean said.
"Yeah, I noticed it earlier when I fought him. He's faster than Ymir's Jaw Titan. To think his brother was originally meant to breach Wall Maria nine years ago. I don't think I'd want to imagine the destruction that would have followed if the Jaw Titan was with them." I commented.
"Yeah, no kidding." Jean stated before looking up in the sky, "Hey, our ride is here." I looked up where Jean was. The airship was steadily lowering its altitude and getting closer to us.
"Yep, and excuse me. I'm going to have a Jaw Titan to stop here in a second. He'll be going after it for sure." I pulled out my parry blades and shot off from the roof. As I predicted, Porco began to run his way to the airship.
"Viv, left!" I heard Mikasa shout from below me. Porco was taken by surprise as Mikasa cut off his right leg. I came in from above and cut off his left leg. Good luck running with no legs.
I landed on the rubble below and retracted my hooks back. I was about to run off when something in the corner of my eye got my attention. I stopped and turned my body to look. My eyes widened seeing what looked to be two Titan hands poking from the ground. Not just any Titan hands either, armor plated the back of the hands and fingers.
"Reiner?" I ignored the sounds of Eren and Porco coming from the main courtyard. I sheathed my blades and approached the hands. I placed my hands against the fingers of the hands and peaked inside.
My breath caught in my throat seeing Reiner half transformed and unmoving. I looked behind me for a brief second. Eren was tearing off Porco's remaining limbs. I don't have long, the airship will be here soon and we'll need to go.
I looked back towards Reiner and slipped through the gap between the fingers. The air wasn't as warm as I thought it would be in here. Titans give off heat but the hands weren't? Titan Shifters have incredible abilities but Eren once said his powers failed him when he gave up on living.
I approached Reiner's body and knelt down. Is this why Reiner's like this? Has he given up? A frown formed on my face as I stared at Reiner's face. With his partial transformation, his facial bone structure resembled that of his Titan form. I reached my left hand out and caressed the right side of his face. His face was still warm and I could feel a faint breath on my hand. He's still alive.
"Reiner, I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm going to say it anyway. Don't give up. I know you still have some fight left in you. Reiner, you need to stay alive because if you don't…then I lose you forever. Call me selfish but I'm not ready for that." I heard a loud sound behind me. It almost sounded like glass shattering. I looked over my shoulder and could see Eren holding up Porco. Blood dripped down Eren's chin as he drank something. My eyes widened seeing the shattered remains of the hardening shell. Did he use Porco's jaw to break the hardening of the Warhammer? Eren…what the hell happened to you over these last two years? The old you would've never done this…
I closed my eyes before looking back at Reiner, "You need to live, Reiner." I said softly. I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his unmoving ones. I separated from the one sided kiss and leaned my forehead against his. I pulled back completely from him and climbed back out of the Titan's hands.
I ran past the rubble and shot my hooks up. I landed on a roof and watched with horror as Eren continued his onslaught. Porco had already given up on the fight. He wasn't even attempting to try and flee.
"Reiner! Help us!" My eyes widened hearing that voice. I recognize that voice. That's Gabi, Reiner's cousin and she's calling for him. My eyes darted down to the Titan hands that were still among the rubble.
"You have to save Galliard! He's about to be eaten! You hear me! Help us! Reiner!" I stood still at Gabi's pleas. I couldn't tell where her voice was coming from but it echoed through the area.
"Reiner!" I heard a mix of Gabi and Falco's voices scream. Falco is here too?
My eyes looked back down to Reiner, "Reiner, fight back. Don't you dare give up on me now. Not after everything we've been through." I muttered under my breath.
Eren lifted up Porco and opened his jaws wide. Yellow light came from the lightning behind Eren and lit up the night sky. I stared in surprise seeing Reiner's Titan form but not fully armored standing behind Eren. He's up!
Reiner charged at Eren but wasn't going for a punch. Reiner reached behind Eren and grabbed hold of Porco. When Eren punched Reiner away, Reiner flew back but took Porco with him. Reiner remained on his back where he landed. Porco was now safe next to him.
"Glad to see you still have some fight left in you." I muttered.
"Viv! It's time to go!" I looked up to see Jean and Connie. They attached their gear to the airship flying above.
"Mikasa! Get Eren and withdraw!" I yelled out to my sister. I grabbed the handle to the Anti-Personnel Gear and fired it towards the airship. I launched up in the air as I saw Eren get out of his Titan form. I narrowed my eyes on his figure. Him and I need to talk once we get back home. I need answers.
I landed on the metal bar next to the opening on the airship. I looked down to see other Scouts flocking back to the airship.
"Need a hand?" I looked up to see Armin holding out his palm. I smiled and reached up for his hand. I clasped my hand around his arm and he did the same. He hoisted me up into the airship. His face still had his markings from his transformation.
"You okay? I know what you did wasn't something you were exactly thrilled about." I asked him as we let go of each other. Armin grew a sad look on his face and casted his eyes down.
"You know, after I did it. The only thing I could think of was "this must be how Bertholdt felt" all those years ago." Armin admitted.
"Yeah, I know the feeling. I asked myself that question watching Eren kill all those people. What makes us any different from Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie now?" I asked Armin.
"Nothing." Armin barely said above a whisper. Yeah, that was my thought as well. There's nothing different between us anymore. Damnit Eren, you made us do this!
I opened the sliding door to the end of the airship. Armin had stayed behind waiting for Mikasa and Eren to show up.
"Ah Vivien, glad to see you made it back." My eyes glanced over at Hange. Next to her was our guest or rather informant. His Titan marks still on his face, glasses, blonde hair with a beard, and blue eyes. He was in his military uniform but missing all four limbs.
"Zeke Jaeger. The Beast Titan himself. You know, you should really consider yourself lucky. If it weren't for Eren, you'd be dead right now. Especially after the hell you put us through four years ago. You laughed and had your fun killing us, didn't you? Made it a game for your sick fantasy, and you call us devils." I said with venom dripping from every word.
Zeke looked up at me, "Vivien Ackerman. Humanity's Fiercest Soldier is what I believe the Eldians of Paradis call you correct? A title well deserved seeing how you fought today. I wouldn't be too hostile to me, you know. After all, if it wasn't for me keeping Reiner's little secret. They would have fed him to the next candidate years ago." My eyes narrowed on the man dangerously.
"The hell are you talking about?" I growled out. I walked over to Zeke and knelt down at eye level with him. My cold icy glare staring at Zeke's amused blue eyes.
"Right, I wouldn't expect you to know. Four years ago, I saw the little exchange between you and Reiner before Pieck rescued him. At the time, I didn't know who you were and Reiner denied anything between you. I later found out who you really were and confronted Reiner during our time together in the Mid-Eastern War. His expression told me everything. He said one thing but his face said another. If the Marleyan military discovered one of their Warriors had a love affair with an Island Devil. They would have blamed him even more than they already were for the failures on Paradis. Enough to sentence him to an early grave and pass down the Armored Titan to the next Warrior. I promised Reiner I would keep his secret. I would not tell anyone that the Armored Titan of Marley fell in love with an Ackerman of Paradis. I will say, it's quiet the power couple dynamic. One of the nine Titans together with the result of human experimentation with Titan DNA. You people did get that memo right? I made sure Eren sent it in a letter." I narrowed my eyes on Zeke. To think we discovered the true reason why the Ackermans are the way we are through Zeke of all people.
Our bloodline is the result of Titan Science being used on humans. Hundreds of years ago, Eldians experimented on mixing Titan DNA with humans. The results were considered accidental but it worked in Eldia's favor. They ended up creating humans with Titan blood flowing through their veins. It took an "awakening" to fully access the powers, but once an Ackerman did. They gained incredible strength, speed, reflexes, and memories of Ackermans past. It's how Captain Levi, Mikasa and myself know exactly what to do and when to do it. It's the memories of Ackermans before us driving us to do it.
I stood back up and glowered down at Zeke. I said nothing as I sent a swift kick to his head. He grunted in pain and turned his head to spit. Blood and a tooth was spat out from his mouth.
"That's enough, Vivien. If I'm not allowed to kick his head in, then neither are you." I looked over my shoulder to see Levi standing with Armin, Mikasa and Eren. My eyes lingered on Eren for a moment longer than the others.
I looked down at Zeke now being quiet. Dried blood on his face and his steam coming from his wounds. Eren was tied up now and was sitting down. More had joined us at the front of the airship. Yelena had come in with her disguise. She added a fake beard to her disguise since the last time I saw her.
"How long are you going to make me look at that thing?" Levi questioned her.
"Why? You don't like it? Everybody seemed to." Yelena commented sarcastically. She removed the fake adhesive beard and threw it to the ground.
A loud muffled bang was heard behind us. Myself, Levi, Mikasa and Armin turned around.
"Are they still celebrating our victory over there?" Levi questioned.
"Who knows. They're going a little too crazy if you ask me. I leave Jean alone with them thinking he can handle them. Guess they're more scared of me than him." I stated.
"Anyone could have told you that, Viv." Armin stated bluntly.
The door suddenly opened to reveal Jean standing behind two kids battered, bloodied and tied up. My eyes widened recognizing Falco as one of the kids, and that girl…is that Gabi?
Zeke gasped behind me, "Gabi, Falco…how did you get here?" Zeke questioned. The rest of us remained silent as Gabi and Falco stared wide eyed at Zeke.
"What about you? We thought you were dead." Falco stated.
"They took you alive? But how is that possible? Why would you let them?" Gabi questioned in disbelief.
Levi stepped up, "Who the hell are these kids?" He questioned.
"They're Marleyan Warrior Candidates." I answered Levi. I stepped up next to Levi and looked down at the two kids. Falco's eyes widened seeing me.
"Miss Grimason?" He muttered under his breath.
I crossed my arms across my chest, "Sorry Falco, that's not my name. I'm sorry that Eren tricked you like that too." I informed him. Falco had hurt go across his face. His eyes cast down on the floorboards.
"They somehow killed Lobov and then used his gear to climb aboard. This one shot Sasha before we could catch her." My body froze and my eyes widened hearing Jean's words.
"Wait…what..? Jean, what do you mean Sasha was…shot?" I asked quietly.
Jean frowned and casted his gaze down, "I…don't think she's going to make it." I let out a staggered breath.
Without a second thought, I rushed past Jean and headed for the front of the airship. I heard other running footsteps right behind mine.
I slammed open the door leading to the back and ran out. I stopped seeing Sasha's lifeless body lying on the floorboards of the airship. A pool of blood was under her and a blood soaked bandage tied around her waist. Her eyes were dull and lifeless.
Armin and Mikasa stopped right behind me. Connie looked up at us with his eyes wide. Tears started to form in his eyes.
"Guys…she's…she's gone…" Connie muttered.
I took in a shaky breath as my lip quivered and tears formed in my eyes.
"Sasha!" Myself, Mikasa, and Armin yelled in unison. We rushed to her side as Connie got up. He stumbled off mumbling about telling the others. I gripped Sasha's wrist as I bowed my head as tears flowed down my cheeks.
Memories of Sasha throughout our cadet years, on the Levi Squad, and rebuilding Paradis flashed through my mind. I couldn't stop the sobs that came from me. Out of all the deaths, this one hurt the most so far. Sasha was one of my closest friends. Everyone on the Levi Squad is. We went through so much, survived so much and for what? She's dead…she's dead because we were forced here. Sasha's dead because Eren forced our hands! She's dead because of Eren!
Anger and sadness mixed together in me. Eren Jaeger…as far as you're concerned you mean nothing to me anymore. Any faith and trust I've ever had in you is no more. Sasha would be alive if you had never ran off two years ago! No more death. I've had enough of death.