"Life will be interesting only when there is an element of surprise in it" - Hamsalekha
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The decent was mostly quiet other than the squeak of the wooden stairs which made them feel as if they were going to give out at any moment beneath them, sending them plummeting into the darkness below.
"Relax, just one foot in front of the other" Ian said knowing what was going through their minds as the pace had slowed, from when they had set off, "These stairs have held a lot heavier going down them then us, you'll be fine".
"If you say so" Conny grumbled from the back as he took another step down the creaking steps
Sasha peered over the banister "How many Titans were there again?" she asked hesitantly as they got lower and lower into the belly of the beast so to speak.
"Six, thus why there is six of us" Mikasa answered not looking away from ahead of her, focusing on each step she took instead of peering over the edge like the others.
Sasha made an 'oh' sound before continuing to look down below almost unable to tear her eyes away from the murky depths they were walking into, though it wasn't much darker than the already dark stairs they walked down only being lit by the odd torch at every corner.
Silence took back over the group as they decent slowly continued, each step making the cadets more and more worried knowing exactly what they were walking into.
Ian could feel the tension rising in his unit so he decided it would be best to distract them, "I'll go over the plan one more time, so everyone listen in" he said in a hushed tone, "When we reach the lowest flight we'll slip under the banister and on to the rafters, it will be a tricky move and definitely a tight fit so be careful" he looked to each cadet.
"Once up we'll spread out in the area above where the elevator will descend and wait for it, once it has gotten low enough and lured the Titan's in, we'll mark our target and wait for the Captains call to fire, once it's shot and the Titans are blind we attack, jump from the rafters and drop onto the nape letting gravity do the work, we'll only have one shot so aim carefully" Ian said before looking ahead seeing they were close to the bottom now.
"Is everyone ready?" He stopped and looked back getting an affirming nod from each cadet, "Okay, here we go".
Slowly Ian creeped down into the open area of the gas room, peeking around he saw some dark shapes shuffling in the distance with the footsteps lightly shaking the lower steps, Ian took a few cautions steps further down followed closely by the other cadets who each watched the area around them, looks of worry and concern spreading across their faces knowing how vulnerable they all were in that moment.
A groan echoed around the chamber stopping them all in their tracks, they looked around slowly searching for any sign of them being spotted or the approach on a Titan but it seemed as if the darkness that hid the Titan's seemed to be working for them as well, as while Titan's were more than capable of smelling out a human, they still had to find them, usually this was easy as many would panic and go running but if you remained calm and moved slow, it was possible to avoid the detection of a Titan.
This was what Ian was relying on, slowly he guided his unit down the steps wishing the steps would make less noise but it was something they'd just have to minimize as much as they could.
Eventually they reached low enough to be able to crawl under the banister and onto the rafters above; looking at the gap Ian saw that it wouldn't be an easy fit, first you had to wriggle your body under the banister and perch yourself under it just to be able to reach for the wooden beams used as the rafters, then once grabbing a hold of them you'd have to pull yourself up by twisting your body out from under the banister then up and over the beam to finally get your perch atop the rafters but between the stairs an the beam, you'd be dangling unguarded.
Ian looked to the cadets behind him, "Watch then follow me, one at a time" he whispered as quietly as he could and after the Cadet's nodded Ian began the tough task of getting onto the rafters.
He placed a hand under the banister and pulled himself under immediately hearing the buckling of his blades on the stairs, sighing slightly frustrated he quietly removed them from where they had been attached to his belt loops and handed them to Marco who nodded in understanding.
Ian continued by pulling himself under until his upper half was hovering over the emptiness below, glancing down to make sure there were no Titan surprises below, he extended a hand and lightly grasped the beam before his fingers slipped off, leading to Ian, almost loosing his balance, being saved by the hasty Marco and Sasha who grabbed his jacket keeping his upright.
He looked back and gave a nod of thanks before looking back to the beam, he tried again this time daring to scootch his body out more to find a proper grip, slowly he grabbed a firmer grip on the beam and giving it a hard pull to see the strength, happy it would hold his weight, Ian extended his other hand and got a grip on the beam.
His body now twisted as he had to reach around to grab a firm enough grip he gave the beam one last pull before pulling his body forward, he felt the strain on his arms immediately as they took his whole weight while he dangled on the air, quickly he hoisted an arm over the beam and pulled his leg over to finally hoist himself up and into the rafters.
Taking a second to find his balance he got his feet on the beam and assumed a crouched position and turned back to his unit; Marco was next, he too removed his blades and passed them over to Sasha before ducking under the banister and setting his position, luckily for him he hadn't been the first to cross so now simply extended his hand out for Ian to grab a hold of.
Once Ian had a firm hold of both Marco's hand and the rafter, Marco pushed himself back slightly to hover more of his body over the edge and using his other hand to grab the rafter himself then pulled the rest of his body over the hang just like Ian had but now with extra support from the man hoisting him up.
Marco quickly found his footing on the rafter and got the rest of his body up then turning and taking the blades offered by Sasha and re-clipping them back on.
Sasha was next, followed by Annie then Conny; it was easy for them now as the tallest Marco and Ian were able to grab a hold and hoist them over with ease and as they did, they would spread out along until they were almost wrapped around the shaft.
There was one more left, Mikasa knelt below the banister, knowing it would be the most difficult for her, she'd unclipped her blades and passed them over to the awaiting Marco who took them and set them on the rafter, but a look of shock overtook him as he did.
"Haphephobia…" He quietly muttered, enough for Ian to glance and him with a confused expression but the groans in the darkness made Marco not want to even make a noise; glancing around to make sure they hadn't gained any attention he looked back at Ian before slowly mouthing the words "Fear… of… touch…".
Ian's eyes went wide as he looked back at Mikasa who was readying herself to get over then snapping back to Marco, "Get… it… over… quick?..." he mouthed carefully back to which Marco took a moment to understand before shaking his head.
Quietly he indicated his fingers between the two of them "We…" he mouthed before touching the back of his hand with his fingers "…touch…" then he pointed to Mikasa "…she…" he brought his hand back and imitated heavy breathing with raising his chest quickly and opening and closing his palm in front of his and making his eyes wide "…panic…attack…".
Ian's own eyes went wide as he looked back to Mikasa now knowing full well she had to do this on her own, "Shit" he thought as he indicated for Marco to join the others in spreading along the rafters while Ian waiting nearby but moved to the side so Mikasa could get a hold of the rafter, but it wasn't looking good.
Ian the tallest of the unit had struggled to get his own grip on the wooden frame, almost falling himself and Mikasa's size was much shorter than his own meaning the distance she'd have to separated herself from the stairs to the wood was much larger, her only real hope, was a jump between the steps and rafter.
Knowing this, Mikasa had got herself under the banister and perched herself on the steps that hung slightly over the sides, she reached behind and grabbed the underside of the banister to keep herself steady knowing full well it wasn't even worth trying to reach.
Ian looked around to make sure they hadn't gotten any attention; he could see movement from the shadows but nothing bearing down on them, so he looked back and gave Mikasa a nod before putting a bit more distance along the rafter.
Mikasa readied herself and did a few mock jumps, stretching her hand out mimicking a grab for the wood and then after a couple of moments, she pushed herself off the steps and leapt for the wooden rafter.
While it wasn't a far jump it was a precise one and luckily this time, Mikasa had aimed it right getting her arms hooked over the wood supports and slowly hoisting herself up with a sigh of relief on her lips once she was up.
She looked over to Ian who nodded in approval then handed her blades back; gratefully she took them and took her position on the rafter until finally they were all set up, now all they had to do was wait.
It wasn't long though; they had made it just in time as from above they could hear the heavy cranking of the elevator signalling it's decent and so they readied themselves for attack.
Above on the wooden elevator, the Cadets had been lined up in two ranks around the base, the front rank was crouched down while the rank behind stood all aiming their weapons out granting a single clear shot for all.
Sky stood in the middle of them all putting his weight on his right leg as the elevator slowly descended, the elevator buckled slightly as it got lower with the weight of the cadets with their rifles, but it held firm though Sky could tell the cadets were nervous regardless.
Many were shaking slightly as they tightened their gips on the rifles, many had removed their fingers from the triggers to avoid accidentally pulling it and firing early; Sky looked around and to his surprise not all of the Cadets were taken by fear, or at least they could hide it very well.
Reiner was one of these, he stood stoned face with his rifle pointed straight out and not a hint of nerves showing, a bead of sweat didn't even trail down his head, funnily enough Reiner was the one with the most on his plate, he had been chosen to be given an extra set of blades they had which he now wore, should one of the rafter unit fail in killing a Titan, it was Reiner's duty to attempt it himself and hopefully succeed.
They all knew this was a one-shot opportunity they had here, if anyone failed now, it could all be over, and they'd remain trapped in the Armoury.
The gas room opening slowly got closer with each second and the Cadets tightened all their grips not knowing if the other unit was even in position, for all they knew they had been caught and the Titan's were now waiting for them.
This common fear spread through the Cadets as many glanced around nervously and the shakes got worse around the group, "Relax" Sky said getting all their attention as they looked at him, "If you let fear take over, it will be the end, keep it buried deep inside and don't let it show, that will keep you alive" he advised with a nod.
The Cadets turned back around and took heavy breaths tyring to calm themselves as the bottom was mere seconds away.
They elevator with all the torches lit came through the hole in the ceiling illuminating the nearby area, slowly Sky reached up to the rope that held the elevator up and have it a few tugs to signal to the few cadets left upstairs to stop cracking the lift down and after a few more seconds in stopped in the middle of the room just below the shaft.
The room was silent and dark, all that could be heard was the faint shuffling on feet in that distance that would periodically stop then start again.
Sky looked to the rafters to see the six poised and ready, he searched and saw the face of Ian illuminated by the light who gave him a nod to which Sky reciprocated then turning back to the darkness.
"Remember, wait until for my call" he said before raising his fingers to his lips and blow a loud and sharp whistle around the room which bounced off the walls back at them, there was no doubt the Titans knew they were here now.
The shuffling began slowly, likely the indication of them turning their attention to the noise before they saw the illuminated spot and began a slow approach, to be sure, Sky let out another whistle definitely getting all their attention before continuing to watch out for the now approaching Titans.
The sound of steps came from all around them and began closing in, they weren't too heavy indicating that the report was right, and the ones down here were only small but that didn't put many at ease, a small Titan is still more then capable of eating you.
No one looked away from ahead of them, looking for any sign of a Titan approaching from the darkness as the steps continued getting closer and closer.
In the rafters, Ian's unit looked around for any sign on the approach in order to get in position above them, none of them could be sure what was worse, sitting alone in the rafters above hoping you didn't fall or dangling in the middle of the room like a worm on a hook.
The first Titan began to emerge, its figure emerged from the darkness, it was a small lanky looking one that wobbles with every step, a smile was plastered across its bloodied face as the remains of flesh and jacket clung to its teeth.
Another stepped from the darkness the other side, followed by another and another, all emerging around them surrounding the elevator until seemingly all of them emerged, quickly counting to double check there were six in total, one to the front, two to the left, two behind and one more on the right.
They were all small, but some were girthier than others with different facial expressions, some smiled, some scowled and some look plain stupid but all of them were definitely Titans, eager to tear them all apart or devour them whole.
The nerves around the Cadets all returned as a few shakes began again, one of these being Daz who's grip on his rifle was iron tight turning his knuckles white as he watched the Titans loom closer and closer with each vibration.
His finger found itself slowly falling from the metal trigger guard to sit on the side of the trigger as death approached closer and closer to him, slowly he began to wrap his finger around the trigger itself feeling the need to pull ebbing closer to him.
He didn't care about the plan, he wanted to live and this Titan ahead of his stared right into his eyes, he could see his fate approaching, it picking him up and stuffing his panicking body into it's mouth before swallowing him who sending him into the dark pit of his stomach where he'd join so many other who'd met the same fate as he soon would be.
He bit his teeth hard almost cracking them as he shut his eyes tight with fear wanting to open them to see he was back at home with his family in his nice warm bed, though when he forced them open again the dark sunken eyes were still bearing down on him and a yelp escaped in shock before he tried a snap back the trigger in fear.
In a sharp breath, a hand had grasped over Daz's stopping his itchy trigger finger, glancing back Daz met the eyes of Sky who seemed to peer into his soul, "Hold firm, wait for my call, we're going to need every last shot" he warned again but didn't move.
"Keep that fear deep inside, think of your family, those you love and hold dear, this about seeing them after this, how happy you'll be then anything to distract yourself" Sky suggested seeing Daz relax a little as positive thoughts went into his mind.
Sky let his grip up and slowly pulled his hand away though moved it to his shoulder to keep a firm grip on the boy as the Titan's continued to close in on the bait, they were only a mere few meters away now and so far none had noticed the rafter unit.
Ian looked below as a Titan began to pass under him, it's focus solely on the elevator group.
He looked across to the other members of his unit and waved to get their attention before beckoning them into position, they had to move slowly and carefully along the thin beams as to not gain any unwanted attention.
Ian beckoned Conny to move along the beam so he'll be directly over a chosen Titan, he slowly shimmied across the beam before his foot slipped on the wood sending his leg dangling over the edge and his chest into the beam.
The Titan below him stopped in it's movements, Conny's foot mere inches from it's head, time froze for the boy who stared wide eyed at the top of the Titan head below him and he dare not move an inch.
"Hey dumbass, over here!" Reiner shouted throwing a small coin at the Titan getting it's full attention back as it began moving again and Conny slowly moved back up to the beam breathing a sigh of relief.
The rafters unit was in position above the six Titans as the were closing in now a mere arms reach away, the Cadets moved the fingers to gently apply pressure to the trigger in readiness along with shaky breaths.
"Steady… wait for my call…" Sky said staring down a Titan ahead of him as it took one last step forward and opened it's mouth slightly in anticipation, the metallic smell of blood wafted across the group as they could clearly see the remains of the comrades inside the jaws of death, torn cloth and flesh, in some places the badges were still intact allowing the to read the names of the dead which while it sent a small shiver across some of them, it enraged more of them and steeled their resolve pulling their rifles tighter not wanted to miss this shot at revenge.
"Steady…" Sky muttered again waiting for the Titan's to make the first move, he was waiting for the moment they were at point blank range.
The Titan's stood for a moment before taking one large step forward, their eyes lining up right against the barrels.
"FIRE!" Sky Exclaimed and instantly the room lit up with the light of multiple rifle shots each round finding it's mark in the soft eyes of each Titan all of them stumbling back in shock reaching their hands up to cover their eyes, "RAFTER UNIT ENGAGE!" Sky shouted his order out.
Without another word Ian, Marco, Annie, Mikasa, Sasha and Conny jumped from the beams descending down on the stunned Titan's below, their blades were raised above their heads and they brought them down with all their strength aiming for the nape.
Ian sliced his Titan's nape clean down and landed on the ground with skill and grace as the monster fell over limp before being joined by others falling on the ground with a thud as Mikasa and Annie landed with similar grace with Marco and Sasha a bit less so.
Conny however had move trouble, he brought his blades down cutting into the nape of the Titan but his blades didn't go deep enough and didn't slice through the nape enough, he realised this as he crashed into the ground and fell on his rear staring up at the intact nape.
The Titan's vision while blurred and damaged still turned in an attempt to find Conny, even reaching out a hand to try and grab at him.
Conny scrambled back as panic overtook him seeing death stumbling about for him but luck is on his side today, the sounds of unsheathing blades echoed out as the large Reiner jumped from the elevator on to the nape of the Titan, his own weight pushing the already stumbling Titan down into the ground.
It groaned but swiftly Reiner rammed his book into the back of it's head to force it down and made a clean cut through the nape finishing the job.
Conny stared awestruck at Reiner perched atop the fallen Titan, "Y-You saved me… again…" he breathed fast as he glanced between Reiner at the Titan, "I owe you everything Reiner".
Reiner shook he head with a laugh before jumping from the Titan and walking to Conny, "Don't think about it" he grinned offering him a hand which he accepted gratefully as Reiner hoisted him up to his feet, "It's what friends do".
Conny nodded as the elevator descended to the ground, settling between the fallen Titans, meanwhile, Ian and Marco had run to the doors by the stairs and closed them, ensuring there would be no more disturbance from Titans for the time being.
They all looked around to make sure the six Titans were definitely the only ones before all gathering around Captain Sky, "It's all clear, the supply room is secure" Ian said with a nod.
"Good now we can resupply, everyone get resupplied on gas and blades we're going to be fighting our way out of here!" Sky ordered getting an immediate 'Yes Sir' before the group dispersed "Daz, run upstairs and let the others know it's clear" he ordered.
The nervous boy nodded and with a swift 'Yes Sir' charged up the stairs to deliver the good news.
Everyone rushed about re-gassing and collecting new blades that people didn't even notice when Milieus tripped over some fabric on the floor, when he rose he looked back to see what it was and saw a small sliver of cloth on the ground.
Reaching out he grabbed it and found it was a tougher material than cloth, it was leather, like their jackets, pulling it closer he realised it was a sleeve off one of their jackets, and the badge was still intact "It must have been torn off?" he questioned looking at the badge to see the small name sewn into it.
Ruth D. Kline
Milieus' eyes went wide as he read the name, he knew Ruth, he hadn't spoken to her much but he did know her, she was a good conversation, a nice chat if you would, and was very friendly and Milieus' wished he'd spoken to her more.
But now he couldn't, he looked at her torn sleeve and realisation sunk in, she was gone just like so many others just like Thomas and Nack were.
"Milieus?" a voice asked beside him, glancing over he saw the confused face of Annie looking at him, "Everything alright?" Annie had been the only one to notice him fall in the commotion and had been watching him wondering what he was looking at.
Milieus didn't answer, instead he showed the sleeve to Annie who inspected it seeing the same name sewn into it as Milieus had before he was able to find the words, "Ruth… she's gone too…" his expression had become blank as he looked back to the sleeve, "She's just gone… I'm never going to see her again, or anyone else".
Annie knew who he was on about, Thomas and Nack of course, they were his closest friends and they were gone before anyone knew what had happened, the feeling of guilt returned to her gut as she looked at Milieus.
His dark eyes stared off into nothingness as reality fell back upon him, he must of put the thoughts of loss to the back on his mind during the attack but it was now sinking back it and that his closest friends along with many others are now gone forever.
She couldn't help but feel sympathetic for the boy along with the guilt she felt, there was a battle going on in her mind trying to find the right words to say, "Milieus… I'm sorry…" the most simple but only words she could think to say in the moment, she didn't know if he was even listening to her anymore, looking at him, it was like he'd shut off to anything else.
"I'm so sorry, I-I should of done something Milieus, I know I could of, if I'd stepped in, if I'd stopped this…" Annie wanted to rant to him, she wanted to vent everything quietly to him, seeing him like this reminded her of her failures to protect her friends, "I knew there was more I could do, I was just too scared to…".
"To do what…" his quiet voice replied as he stared wide eyed at him, he glanced over to her a little, "What could you of done Annie, what are you telling me?" he asked as he words sank into him and a small glare appeared, "Did you know something?".
"I-I…" her own words wouldn't come, she couldn't think of them, she needed to vent but this wasn't the way, this wasn't how she could and not to him of all people so instead she just stared at him lost in her own mind that was racing to find an answer.
He sighed, "Look at me now, trying to accuse you of something" he looked at the sleeve one last time, "It just doesn't matter, nothing will change will it" he dropped his arm down and turned to walk away "I just wanna go home… then wake up from this nightmare…" he added as he walked to the gas drum leaving Annie standing on her own watching him leave, the sleeve slowly falling from his hand.
Annie felt all the guilt well up inside her again as she gentle reached her hand towards him but he was already far from her, "I'm so sorry Milieus…".
"Keeping a secret won't do you any good" a cold voice said behind Annie who snapped around to meet the eye of Sky, "It'll just make it more painful in future when the truth does come out, it always does eventually" he warned before walking away to the gas himself leaving Annie alone to think by herself a moment before she to moved to re-supply.
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Christa descended in the elevator with Eren and Mina along with a few other cadets, Eren was still breathing steadily but there was no change in Mina who still sat frozen in shock; slowly they entered the gas storage when the Cadets were just finishing up with the re-supply, as they landed Christa was presented with two filled gas cannisters by Reiner who smiled at her before walking past and begin inspecting the straps on Eren.
"Christa!" Mikasa said running up to the blonde, "Are they okay?".
"They're alive Mikasa, but nothing else beyond that" She looked around to them, "Eren still hasn't woken up and Mina still won't move" shaking her head she looked back to Mikasa, "I wish there was more I could do.
Mikasa looked to them with concern hating that this time, she was powerless to do even a thing, "They'll be safe soon don't worry" Marco said appearing out from the darkness, "We're planning the escape now, the Captain and Lieutenant have a plan already" he smiled seeing relieved faces.
"Form in!" Sky called almost on que and the Cadets ran to gather around him, "This is it, now we attempt a breakout from the Armoury is everyone re-gassed and bladed" he asked getting and immediate confirmation, "Good now we'll be leaving through the front doors, "Myself, Ian, Marco, Sasha, Bertholdt, Conny, Mikasa and Jean will be the vanguard, we'll be covering you while the rest of you retreat to the walls, is that clear!" a loud confirmation was returned again.
"Good now Reiner and Annie, go get Eren and Mina, you'll be getting them out of here" Annie looked confused as Reiner ran off before he eyes settled back on Sky, "Did I studder Cadet?" he glared at her.
"Sir!" she said running off to collect Mina.
"Cadet Artelt, you'll be in command of the other unit, take the lead and guide them out, once their at the walls I want them formed up and counted understood!" he looked to the blond who nodded hesitantly not really wanting the job but was too nervous to refuse it, "The rest of you move to the front door, we'll be exiting out from there, Marco and Sasha, you stand ready to open the door!" he ordered and they all ran to form at the door.
"Ready for this?" Ian glanced to Sky before down at his leg.
"I'll be fine, let's just hope they've not given up on us yet" he muttered before walking towards the door.
Reiner and Annie had reached the two, immediately, Annie hoisted Eren up and placed him on Reiner's back, the blanket that was draped over him have been tightened around his leg to protect his wound more, "Don't you drop him, he's almost out safe" Annie warned as she tightened his chest straps to Reiner's again.
"Yeah I will" he muttered quietly before standing up again, "Just make sure you make it yourself" he glared back before tuning to pick up Mina and put her on Annie's back, a word wasn't shared between them and when his finished attaching Mina he walked away without another word.
Annie shook her head before looking at her shoulder where Mina's head was resting, Annie brought he hand up and gently touched Mina's head, "I'm getting you out of here, just like I promised Mina" she whispered to her before joining the others.
"Reiner and Annie, you both stay at the back" Sky ordered, the Cadets had gathered either side of the doors with Marco and Sasha holding onto the door bars ready to open it at a moments notice, "Everyone ready!".
"Sir yes Sir!" they all shouted back.
"Good, ready?" Sky asked quietly looking to Ian who nodded, together they held up a flare gun each pointed to the doors, "Marco and Sasha, open it up!".
They nodded and together pulled back the wooden door bars and grabbed the handles before pulling them back slowly, allowing light into the room which was occasionally blocked by shadow.
The door pulled further and further open revealing large pairs of legs in the way all stopping hearing the door open and once it was fully open hands had begun to touch the ground and large hungry faces of Titans blocked the door way.
Fear spread around the Cadets but it was quickly silence by the confidence of the officers, "Cadet's cover your eyes!" Ian ordered they did immediately he pulled the trigger and a shot fired out bit it was now flare, it was flare shaped but had a yellow tinge to it, it cut through the air heading straight for the Titans exploding into a bright flash of light engulfing the room and blinding the Titans sending them stumbling back from the door.
Sky fired right after, his round the same and it cracked to the ground outside letting out another bright light blinding the nearby Titans in it's glow, "ADVANCE ON ME!" Sky called pulling his blades and charging from the doors using his ODM to propelling him out and up swiftly followed by the 'vanguard' unit who shot out over the stunned Titans with the remaining Cadets following suit in a wave of courage all of them realising escape was mere moments away.
The Titans remained a problem and a few were able to regain some focus and reached for the escaping Cadet's but the Vanguard was too quick, one caught on the side of the wall reached out for the wave of escapees but found Marco and Sasha swiftly slicing across it's arms stopping it's attack before Mikasa shot pass slicing the nape wide open.
The group fell in behind Armin who simply did what he was instructed to do, he eyed the wall ahead on them and took the lead towards it, glancing back he saw the others behind him charging right for the wall not thinking for anything else.
He looked back to the front, a Titan moving out from the houses blocking their path, it's head snapping towards them a sick grin on it's face.
For moment Armin hesitated, not sure the action he had to take, he was no leader, Sky had dumped him with the job as a simple one in theory to just lead the others out but what the hell was he to do when a threat presented its self.
Blades shot out from behind him embedding themselves deep into the Titan's eyes before Ian shot across from the other side slicing the nape with Sky the appearing over Armin re-loading his blades, "Armin just get them out, we'll cover you!" he shouted before swinging around a building to cover the back and makes sure the way was clear.
Amrin nodded not getting a real chance to answer, the Captain had giving him this position for a reason, he trusted him to do his job, now it was up to Armin to trust the Captain and his squad to do theirs and cover him, swallowing his fear he looked back to the unit, "Follow me, we're almost there, keeping pushing forward and us as much gas as you need!" he screamed back at them trusting that was the right thing to say in the moment.
At the back Annie and Reiner entered the street being the last ones out, they swung around the building and followed behind the others keeping up even with the extra body weight, looking around they saw Mikasa flanking them from the side glaring over to Annie giving her a non-verbal warning to look after Mina and Eren.
Annie focused ahead dodging around a falling Titan that Bertholdt has just sliced the nape of with assistance from Conny as they continued straight.
Reiner depressed his triggers more shooting a bit ahead to keep and Annie followed suit firing her hooks into a building and propelling her self further along, the safety of the wall getting closer with every metre they covered, she knew that they just needed to escape and Eren along with Mina would be safe.
Titans had begun to close in from around seeing there were still meals in the walls, seeing this everyone seemed to pick up space, the hope of safety stopping any of them caring about conserving gas, they had plenty to spare.
Their biggest problem though was the Titans as the walls, clawing at the stone to try and get up to the Garrison soldiers above who looked down with disgust.
Along the wall however were the squad mates of Lieutenant Ian; together Rico and Mitabi walked along the wall looking for any sign that Ian had come back yet, "Gah, it's been hours where the hell is he!" Mitabi snapped kicking a loose stone from the wall off the edge onto the Titans.
"Ian's a soldier, he knew the risk going in!" Rico stated coldly continuing to walk along with Mitabi running to catch up.
"I know but it's Ian, he wouldn't be careless, especially in combat" he retorted, "He should be back, he'd pull back when he knew there was trouble".
"He might not of had the chance Mitabi" Rico responded again not looking to him, "Trost is hell now, Titan's swarm everywhere, chances are he got surrounded alongside that Mikasa girl".
"So that's it huh? Ian, they guy we've known for years is just dead and you don't care" Mitabi snapped grabbing Rico by the arm to pull her round to him, "What the hell is wrong with you!".
"Nothing is wrong with me!" she shoved him back with a glare, "You think I don't care, Ian was my friend too but he took a stupid risk going after that girl, he always was too kind and that hell down there is exactly where it got him!" she hissed.
"You think I don't want him back here with us, believe me Mitabi I do but I've wasted enough time wishing for friends to come back that never arrive!" she took a few breaths to calm back down, "We owe it to him to move on, hold out hope if you want, but I'm done dreaming".
Mitabi sighed as he watched Rico walked away before in frustration kicked a bucket used for water off the side annoying some nearby soldiers but their protests went silent with a glare but as Mitabi looked back something caught his eye, "Hey Rico!".
"Ugh, what now Mitabi" she muttered annoyed glancing back at him.
"What's that?" he pointed towards the Armoury.
Rico cocked and eyebrow but walked to the edge of the wall and followed the point of his finger to see what he was pointing at, looking out she saw multiple shapes moving across the street heading right for the wall, pulling a telescope from the inside of her jacket she snapped it open and looked down to see the shapes closer.
"It's Cadets!" she called out getting the nearby soldiers attention who all ran to the edge.
"You sure!" Mitabi asked running up to her.
"Yeah and it's not just them" she said handing the telescope to him to look over.
Sure enough looking through he eventually located Ian moving along side them, "IAN!" he called out shaving the telescope back to Rico and running along the wall, "We have to clear a way for them, unless you still want to be a pessimist!" he shouted back.
Rico ignored the comment and agreed running along calling out to move the cannons down the wall along the on build ralline they had been placed upon.
Back down Armin saw all the Titan's in their path, there was swarms of them all trying to pull up the wall to get inside even clambering over each other not caring for anything but their next meal.
Slowly though many realised the next meal was coming right for them, they began to turn was saw the Cadets charging right for them; there were simply too many for the Vanguard to take out on their own the only hope any of them had was to hope they made it through to the wall.
Sky readied his blade as they moved closer along side Ian he moved beside him, they knew they had to cover as best they could, many of them may not make it this time though, this was worse than the amount around the Armoury and now they didn't have any flash rounds for escape.
Annie gritted her teeth as they neared, she made a promise and was fully intend on keeping it this time, no matter how many she had to get through, Annie would see both Eren and Mina to the other side of that wall.
Though the combat never came, as the loud sound of cannon fire echoed around the walls, great plums of smoke rose from the tops of the walls as the large round fired down upon the hoard cracking into their heads and some cutting through their napes, to the survivors shock, the sight of multiple Garrison soldiers above greeting them with calls of surprise and joy, beckoning them to make their way up.
A path had been cleared through the Titans and wasting no time they shot through the rising steam attaching to the wall and propelling up not for a moment looking back focusing only on the escape they felt would never come.
With a burst of gas Armin first fired over the wall and landed with a skid at the top followed by the other Cadets many just crashing into the ground in cheers of joy and happiness.
At the rear Annie and Reiner saw their chance and boosted their way up, the speed they rose tore the blanket from Eren's leg sending it hurtling past Annie while swiftly dodged it with a curse before they landed atop the wall a bit away from the others.
Seeing they all escaped the Vanguard followed suit landing atop to stone walls as the Titans began to recover from the cannon blast though they were not too late.
Sky landed with a stumble his leg still not at perfect but he settled to sit on the ground for a moment content they had finally made it, "Sky…" Ian said walking up to him offering a hand, "Thank you… for all your help" he smiled as Sky took his hand and accepted his help in getting him up.
"It's fine, it's just my job" he answered as he hobbled over to look down on the Titan's, "Looks like someone was looking out for us" he said looking at the cannons lining the walls.
"Ian you did make it!" Mitabi exclaimed in joy as he run up to his friend followed slowly by Rico.
"Yeah, did the others retreat okay?" he asked wiping some sweat from his forehead.
"Those rear squads along with the Elite squad are all accounted for, we've got none from the Vanguard and this looks like what's left of the middle guard" Rico reported.
"It is, I saw the Vanguard myself, they've all been wiped out, we're all the survived down there" Ian informed with a sigh, "If it wasn't for Sky, I doubt any of them would of made it".
"Sky!" Mitabi said shocked looking around to the made only now turning to face them, "When did you get here?" he asked still in shock at seeing him.
"I was in the hospital, realised I could do more than sit around waiting for evacuation" he answered while crossing his arms and limping up to them, "Is there any news of a counter attack?" he asked to which Rico moved to answer.
Mena while Annie was panting as Armin helped unclip Mina from her back, she felt the weight leave her and turned to help hold and move her to rest against a nearby barrel, "Good job Annie" Armin praised with a smile.
"Thank you Armin" was her response before looking around before settling her eyes on Reiner who'd pulled Eren off himself as she could see the head and body of the boy with the rest being covered by the panting Reiner.
"Did everyone make it?" Annie asked looking to Armin who rose from looking over Mina.
"Yes, we all did, thanks to the Garrison support we're all accounted for" he smiled happy for it to all be over for now, as they were there was no life threatening situations going on for them.
Annie nodded looking over the walls to see the hole the other side that started it all, "Armin can I ask, is there anyway to seal the hole?" she looked over to him.
Armin looked over, "Well short of blowing the wall above there is nothing feasible, there was a plan to move that large boulder over to the wall to be used in case it was broken down but there is no way to move it" he answered.
"So is Trost lost for good?" she asked not looking away from him.
Armin sighed and moved to answer before a figure ran up to them, "Armin!" Mikasa called as she sprinted over getting their and the officers standing nearby attention, "Is Eren alright?".
"Mikasa, yes he's fine, Reiner has him over there" he indicated to the large boy who hadn't moved in a while, "Reiner is everything okay with Eren?" he called him but there was no reply.
"Reiner? Is everything alright?" Annie asked stepping up to him suddenly he fell on his rear his eyes pointed straight at Eren as he crawled back slowly unable to look away.
"T-That's impossible…" he whispered unable to look away.
"Reiner what are you-" Annie tried to say as she and other walked up only to find her own words cut off by what she saw.
Mikasa gasped and covered her mouth in shock as the officers gathered around at the commotion with Sky even being taken aback, "What the… it was gone…" he muttered in shock.
Eren looked fine, even better than fine, his face looked peaceful, his chest rose slowly and steadily, both arms were clean and looked soft, as if he'd not had a rough day, his right leg was perfectly intact in a limp position to match his unconscious state.
But this was not what had them all shocked, it was his left leg that scared them, for as they stared at where the mere stump of an upper thigh had been they could now see the lower thigh, then a knee cap, a lower leg and part of a foot with everything but the toes.
Then they saw with their own eyes even through the steam rising off the foot, the toes appeared to form from the foot up, it took only a minute or two but after they were back the steaming stopped and there is was, Eren once again whole, as if his leg had never been missing.
"T-That's impossible… there's no way that could of just happened…" Ian said what they were all thinking, believing he had just crashed and was now in some sort of dream.
Unfortunately for the group they had not been the only ones present, appearing at the noise of cannon fire the senior officer of Garrison forces Captain Kitz had been standing on a mount above the others having a view of the whole ordeal.
"CAPTAIN SKY!" He screamed staring down at the group, "Explain why the hell you've brought a Titan behind these walls!".
Time froze around them all, not one person knew what to say all to shocked to speak but one thing was obvious to everyone, somehow or someway, Eren Yeager had gained the powers of the Titans.
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