17WHOO! It's been a while and I have a few announcements! First sorry for being inactive :( I abandon this story for a while but I got some motivation out of no where yesterday so extra long chapter for you guys :) I finally get into all the action! Second, if you guys like Tokyo Ghoul I have an Ayato Kirishima x reader story on my profile so you can go read that! Anyway thanks for sticking around and reviews are always appreciated!
1 Day Before the Expedition...
It had been a beautiful warm day. The sun cast a gorgeous glow and the breeze was just right. The walls were peaceful for once. The citizens felt a positive energy from the giant star in the clear blue sky. Now it gave a vivid sunset signifying the end of a glorious day. Nobody could have ever guessed that the day following this one would be full of death.
The Survey Corps' cafeteria was alive with soldiers at every table. The buzzing of their chatter of worry and dread could be heard from a mile away. Many talked about the upcoming expedition. They described their fear and regret for joining. Some cried while some faked injuries on their legs or arms. Anything to get them out of harms way.
'Cowards.' Eren thought. He took a spoonful of his soup.
He felt no sympathy for those who chickened out. This was the Survey Corps. They had to fight. This is what they chose. If they couldn't handle it, they would never get anywhere in this reality. Although Eren couldn't help but feel his own anxious emotions for this. He quickly pushed them away with the anger in his personality though. He is not weak. He can do it. He has friends to protect. Family to protect. He won't let them die on him. No. Not again.
From across the cafeteria, Levi sat alone with a cup of tea in his hand on a table clearly meant for two and only two. His aura of coldness floated into all those who passed by the table.
Eren starred pensively observing the Captain.
Levi clenched his jaw. He could feel eyes on him from people at the cafeteria. Of course he knew what they were talking about. The woman who once sat across from him. Now just a memory. In his mind he could still hear her laughter and the sound of her voice. He could picture the dimples by her smile. He could feel the warmness of her hands. The sensation of her lips touching his.
The more he thought about her, the angrier he got. Too many things have been taken away from him at this point. The emotions inside of him ran in all directions begging to be released somehow. He wanted to scream. To destroy everything in his path. He wanted to let the world know how bad he's hurting inside. But he couldn't. He would never allow himself to do that ever again. He will never allow himself to open up to anything again.
His hand squeezed the cup under it until his knuckles turned a shade of white. He swallowed. He knew he was about to burst. Levi quickly stood up as the cup fell onto the floor and shattered behind him causing soldiers to turn their attention to him. He walked passed tables that turned away from him in fear. Levi went out the cafeteria feeling the hole grow bigger in his chest.
"Corporal doesn't look so good does he?" Armin piped up sadly next to Eren.
"Of course he's sad. It's the first expedition without his fiancée. I would be devastated too." Came the angelic voice of Krista.
Ymir scooter closer to her not wanting to imagine life without her beloved Krista. The thought was just unbearable.
"He didn't even show up to training yesterday. Not much of a captain if you ask me." Mikasa added a bit angrily. She had many bones to pick with him but remained cool due to Erens plead.
The whole table soon began to strike in conversation.
"Actually last night around midnight, I heard crashing coming from his room as I passed by to get to the cafeteria." Sasha started quietly.
Connie perked up next to her.
"You said you weren't going to the cafeteria last night!" He yelled loudly.
Sasha laughed and threw a hand behind her hair. "Well there was left over chow mien and it-"
"Chow mien?! AH Sasha how could you!" Connie interrupted, mad at his friend for not being invited to join in on eating his fourth favorite food.
"Hey! Keep it quiet you two. I don't need to get into more shit with other squad leaders." Jean retorted annoyed at the bickering pair next to him.
There was an exchanged laugh that Reiner and Bertolt could not join in on. They weren't the least bit afraid of what tomorrow would bring. If anything, they were pissed. Extremely pissed. Well Reiner at least. Yato had declined their offer which would make it a little bit harder for them but Bertolt reassured they could make it. Annie even put her part into it and claimed that she could do it. With or without Yato's help. They weren't little kids anymore. They were growing up. It was time for them to take matters into their own hands. Their cold bloodstained hands.
The thing they didn't know is that tomorrow, would be the surprise of a lifetime.
Present Time, in the Forest...
Annie in Titan form ran behind the Special Ops Squad, passing giant trees and slapping away any Survey Corps soldier that flew near her with her blue eyes on the prize. The final piece in the plan. Eren Jaeger.
With every powerful step she took, the ground vibrated and gusts of dirt blew into the sky. Her short blonde hair was swept back and she didn't intend on slowing down any time soon. Not until she got what they needed. She wasn't going back home empty handed.
Eren looked back in horror. Every pore in his body screamed for him to transform but he couldn't. He wouldn't. He knows she's after him. He knows he's the target. But what the hell was going on? They had gone into a forest of giant trees instead of the usual routes. Did they know the female titan would be here? Something had to be up. Actually, nothing seemed right about this. It was a twist of events from the start. Even Levi left his squad on their own to who knows where. 'But why?' He thought. Did they plan to do something concerning the female titan?
Eren looked back at his team. Their cloaks flew behind them as their horses galloped along the ground as fast as they could.
They were all equally confused but they had deep trust in Levi. Whatever he devised for this expedition they would go along with even if it may have meant their lives... That's their loyalty.
"Oi! Eren keep your eyes forward!" Oluo shouted to his distracted comrade. Eren glanced over to him before turning back forward. He gripped the reins on his horse tighter.
'What's happening? Where did Levi go?' He wondered to himself.
The stomping from the titan still emitted behind him. He felt a powerful of blast wind hit his face before everything turned into almost slow motion.
As soon as their horses passed the canons, Annie looked to her side and saw the canons that awaited her and Erwin Smith. She had fell right into his trap.
"Fire!" Erwin ordered throwing his arm in the air holding his blade.
Annie's heart nearly stopped. Within seconds, hundreds of cannons went off at once with hooks piercing her skin. With each shot, a blinding blast would flash. She instinctively covered the nape of her neck. She had stopped running and stood their for what seemed like years. She felt the blades pierce the flesh from all directions at once. Her heart pounded in her chest fearing the worst. Had she failed? Would it all be over? Where were Reiner and Bertolt? Another set of canons was fired sending more blades into her calves and thighs. She kept her eyes closed. She couldn't face that their plan was somehow discovered. Or was it? How did the Survey Corps even... More and more canons were blasted into her body. With each sting, she felt even more as a failure.
Eren and the rest of his squad looked back at the scene in complete disbelief. He was right! Their plan did involve her. It all started to make some more sense but...what happens after this?
"He can't intend to take that titan alive!" Eren commented, catching a glimpse of Erwin.
"Well Eren see that? We caught that titan!" Gunther retorted.
"This is the power of the Survey Corps! Don't underestimate us fool! Do you get it now?" Oluo followed with his usual pompous tone.
Petra erupted into a smile knowing that they could in fact trust Levi. She was just as surprised as everyone else but was glad that Eren could finally stop doubting them.
After a few moments to take in what had just happened, a wide smile grew on Eren's face. He felt pride flow all throughout his body. This is the adrenaline he had wanted out of the Survey Corps after all.
"Yes!" He responded ecstatically.
As soon as they were out of sight, Levi took the clear and flew up to Erwin's branch with his gear. He looked up to Erwin who kept a sharp glare on the female titan.
"Looks like it stopped moving. We can't lower our guard. But you did well, leading it here." He complimented flatly. He didn't think Levi would fail him anyway.
Levi, already knowing he did well sighed.
"Men in the rearguard squad died buying us the time we needed. We couldn't have done it without them." He answered to his superior a little sadly. Although when it comes to Levi, you never know what tone he's using.
"Is that so?" Erwin asked stoically.
"It is."
Levi changed his focus to Annie. She starred all around her frantically struggling to break free. Her arms and legs attempted to rip from the steel wires but failed. She was in complete panic mode looking for any way to escape.
"Thanks to them, we'll be able to see who's inside this thing." Levi spoke dryly.
The two men both looked down to her from their spot in the branch. Her enormous body was noticeably shaking with every second. Another set of canons blew into her left calf. She was completely immobile. Escape seemed nearly impossible.
"I hope they haven't pissed themselves." Levi added.
Erwin shifted in his position beginning to move away from the subject of the female titan.
While they were there alone in a spot where no one could hear them, he intended on telling Levi about the search team he had sent out. Using Yuki's old route from the last expedition, they hoped to retrace her steps and find her dead body assuming it hasn't been noticed by a titan and eaten or by nearby bugs. It was an unsettling operation to organize but it had to be done.
"Levi," Erwin called sternly.
Levi turned his gaze to face his superior. He noticed the sudden change of expression in his face. His lips were pursed and his odd thick eyebrows were furrowed.
"A search team has been sent out within the forest to look for the remains of Yuki Ken. Any findings will be reported to me and passed on to you." Erwin informed. There was no easy tone to say it with.
Levi looked back to Annie reluctantly. He felt the pang in his chest again. His jaw clenched and he squeezed the blades under him. Erwin knows that it's still a sensitive topic but if he didn't tell him, he knows the corporal would go into rage mode. As he has done before when remedied with memories of his dead fiancée.
On the other side of the forest...
Yuki was dressed up and down in her freshly cleaned maneuver gear. Her tanks were full and her blades were as sharp as knives. She emitted a strong aura of confidence which she desperately needed. Of course she was ready but it was the anxiety that took over.
Yato was prepared with gear as well but he was very nervous. He still had so many unanswered questions. He understood the plan but who is the titan they're after? Will his kids be here? Is Annie the titan? Does he really want to go back inside the walls? All this commotion going on in his head made him feel dizzy. He probably shouldn't dwell too much on the matter anyway. It was a huge distraction to him. But going back inside the walls...just to see all that suffering again...
Yato looked over to his partner. The small woman was putting on her green cloak. It wrapped around her perfectly with the wings of freedom showing proudly on her back. Yuki tucked her raven hair under the cloak. She had stayed up all night to wash it just so it could be clean for today. He doesn't know why though. It's just a cloak with a few smudges of dirt right? As far as he knew, Yato didn't care for messes. He'd keep bread crumbs on the floor and dust on the windows until it became convenient to clean it up. She was different though. Always complaining about the mess here or the mess there but after living with Levi so long, she got used to such a clean room.
"Ready?" She asked, pulling her hood over head. Her gaze traveled to his eyes.
Yato hesitated for a moment. He clutched his blades feeling a bit uneasy. Was he really ready? The thought of going back inside the walls brought upon old guilt that he couldn't live with. Just seeing all those lives he ruined. Orphaned children, childless mothers and fathers all because of him. Is this something that he really wants?
He looks down to his shoes feeling the poignant memories of faces screaming in horror and small children holding the corpses of their dead siblings and friends.
'Of course it is!' he vaguely convinced himself. It had to be. For Yuki's sake.
"Yeah." He responded lightly. Yuki smirked. She was so confident. Through her dark eyes and porcelain features, he somehow found comfort. Odd comfort. The grip on his blades loosened and the blood flowed back into his fingers. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. There's no going back now.
He flashed Yuki a grin. "Let's do this."
At the entrance of the forest...
On the outskirt of the forest, the 104th trainees waited on the giant tree branches. Some were shaking in their boots wanting to go home while others awaited a chance to kill a titan. One thing in common they all had though was that they were all grateful to even be alive at this point. After witnessing their friends die in front of them, the reality of going outside the walls really fell heavily.
Titans were gnawing up the trees holding the members of the Survey Corps. They had their mouths open exposing gigantic teeth ready to take even bigger bites. Some brighter titans were trying to climb up the bark. The scared soldiers didn't even dare look to see if they had made any progress.
"Um, it's climbing up." Krista called worriedly. Her round blue eyes starred down at the titans watching them pace around the grass land.
"Yeah. If it gets this far, I'll move out of the way." Nanaba reassured to the worried newbie. She had hoped to put a sense of security in her new comrades since she is in charge of them after all.
"But I don't think it'll be long before they issue withdrawal orders." Nanaba continues softly.
"Does that have something to do with the explosions we've been hearing deep within the forest?" Krista questioned.
Nanaba looked out to the forest for a moment and then back to Krista. "I don't know." She lied in response.
Krista slumped back into the tree wishing Ymir was with her at that moment. She could really use the comfort of having someone hold her. Instead she's standing alone cowering in her own fear.
On the tree next to her were her fellow comrades Sasha and Mikasa. Sasha was crouched on the floor with her back on the tree. She was terrified. Confused, but really who wasn't? This was all so sudden and weird. This wasn't the type of feeling she was expecting from her first expedition. The loud noises in the forest didn't help either.
"Mikasa, what do you think that sound is? Are they firing canons in the forest?" Sasha trembled to the other girl on the tree with her.
Sasha kept kept her blades pointed up as the sound of titans snarling below her filled her ears.
Mikasa didn't answer her. The only thing on her mind was Eren. She knows he's deep within the forest and those canons...they can't be for him right? He has to be safe and okay. He has too.
Three trees away from her stood a very pissed Reiner. He had no doubt that it was Annie who was the cause of the canons. She failed the plan which means he and Bertolt might have to take matters into their own hands. Although it is risky at a time like this but what bothered him the most was where the hell was Yato between all of this. He should have at least heard the canons and maybe seen his precious Annie in Titan form right? Nothing here makes sense.
"It's really loud out there." Ymir piped up on the loud boomings. She looked around her surroundings not spotting her miniature girlfriend. She felt a sharp pang in her stomach.
"Hey Bertolt," Ymir called from the tree next to him.
"Do you know where Krista went?" She inquires, not letting any fear lurk in her tone.
"Sorry. I don't know." Bertolt responded, disappointing her.
'Fuck.' She thought to herself. If Krista wasn't by her side, her safety was at risk. Only Ymir can protect her the way she needs to be. They will be forced to wait until this is all over for them to see each other again. And it will be over very soon, but not with a little surprises and death in the process.
On a tree not far from hers was Jean. He was deep in his thought and unlike his comrades thought about what could be going on. He had a slight theory but no one near him but Armin could understand and bring in their own thoughts. He looked to the boy on the tree across from him. Armin was pure brains and it would surprise Jean if he hadn't already though of something. I mean, everything is just completely out of place here. The loud booms heard deep within the forest, the sudden change in routes. Something had to be up, and it sure as hell has to do with the female titan they had encountered earlier.
"Armin," Jean hollered. The blonde snapped away from his own thoughts and turned to face the boy across from him clearly.
"Sounds like something is going on deeper in the forest. I think I have some idea of what." Jean began.
...
Yato and Yuki sat on a long wide tree branch near where Annie was being held. Yuki purposely sat on the end so she could get a full view on what was going on even if it was a little hard to see. She got a full view on Annie in the wired spikes as it was planned. She was covering her nape as predicted. All seemed to be going smoothly so they might not even need to interfere. A slight wave of relief passed over Yuki. Sure she planned everything out already and trained but the plan was fairly complicated and she just wanted to see her fiancé. Yuki's eyes dotted away from the titan to try to find someone else in particular. The person she really wanted to see.
Levi.
After a month of separation, he was finally going to embrace her frame again. The gap between them would close in an everlasting hug. She was finally going to hear his voice in real life rather than in her thoughts. Countless nights were spent inside the cold cave where Yuki laid by herself on a small bed. The spot next to her felt so empty without him. She would usually end up staying awake the whole night replaying her favorite memories from their relationship. Their first kiss, when they moved in together, when he proposed... A tear would escape but it would quickly be wiped away. The only thing that kept her going was the long fantasized moment they'd see each other again. What a surprise it would be. It made her heart ache at the thought that he probably thinks she's dead. That feeling would soon disappear though and be replaced by anger. The truth is that she's been dead inside for a while, but with the upcoming events, she had never felt more alive.
'Levi...I'm coming back to you now.' She thought clutching the engagement ring he had given to her. A small smile spread over her mouth.
"Hey Yuki I can't see anything! What's going on? Is it time?" Yato groaned snapping Yuki from her thoughts.
She turned to face him with a slightly angry expression. "No it's not. I told you I'll tell you when it's time now please shut up." She replied in a hushed voice.
Yato exhaled and slumped back down in his spot annoyed. From his spot, he couldn't see anything and was growing restless.
Up a couple hundred feet away was where the Survey Corps had camped out. The female titan was in the center still stuck in wires surrounded by dozens of soldiers ready to strike at any second. Levi stood aimlessly on her head where her blonde hair roots began. He grew more frustrated by the second with such an unresponsive subject.
"Hey, why not just come out? We don't have time to waste." Levi tempted.
Annie was all ears and could hear everything he was saying. She still couldn't comprehend that she had failed and won't accept that the humanity has won. She was more angry at herself than at anyone. This will not end here. There has to be an escape. There has to be some way to end this nightmare because if they capture her, it's all over for Annie and her friends. Everything would be discovered.
"What do you think will happen to you now? Do you believe you can escape?" Levi sneered without emotion. It was almost as he was reading her mind.
Annie didn't respond in anyway. She was still thinking for a way to run. The only defense she had at that moment was to harden herself but that wouldn't last forever.
"I wish you'd consider all the trouble we're going through. As I recall, you killed my troops in various ways." He continued while holding onto his blades.
"Did you find it fun?" Levi asked her knowing he probably wouldn't get a straight answer or any answer in general.
"Right now I'm having fun." He added stoically.
Again, Annie was unresponsive and planned to remain that way. He can't be here forever right? He has to leave and stop talking to her at some point. Levi sure could plant fear with just his voice.
"Well, so you are right? I think you can understand me." He proceeded. He continued to speak in dark tone.
Suddenly, an idea popped in his head. Since she's being so quiet and boring, telling her their new plan would defiantly stir her up. Good notes for Hange and fun for Levi just to see what she would do.
"Oh right, I wanted to ask you something." He tempted. He felt her shudder under him which washed a wave of satisfaction over him.
Annie stiffened. What would he ask her? What does he want? She waited there paralyzed not wanting to know his question.
"Is it okay if we cutoff your hands and legs?" He asked plainly, crossing his blades. He pushed a glare on her with steel daggers.
Annie felt a pang in her chest of sudden panic.
"They'll grow back right? I'm talking about your limbs not the titan's." He emphasized coldly.
Her blood nearly stopped cold. The hardening isn't going to protect her from this. They would really go as far as blowing her hands off. Even her real body.
Levi stood there with a sinister expression. No smile though, it was his eyes that created the fear in Annie.
With this one last sentence, the female would be sent over the edge.
"We need you alive after all."
There was a dead silence. That was the last straw for Annie. Who the fuck asks that type of question? It's time to get the hell out of here. Annie could only think of one thing right now but it might not be the smartest. If it means she'll escape though, she's in.
She tilted her head upward and opened her mouth. A loud growl like sound was emitted vibrating all through the camp. Many people quickly turned in her direction picking up their blades at the sudden noise. No body could predict her next move.
Levi's breath hitched.
Annie's pupils dilated. She stiffened her entire body and opened her colossal mouth. She let out a deafening roar that emulated all throughout the forest. Soldiers immediately covered their ears as tightly as they could as her voice rang in the air even louder. Levi, being right on top of her could hear her no matter how tight his hands covered his ears. Her scream was thunderous and fierce. It echoed all to the entrance of the forest. The new soldiers up front could hear her fearful roar. The leafs shook and gusts of wind traveled through the trees. Reiner and Bertolt both shocked exchanged looks knowing it was Annie. Others looked towards the center of the forest in fear. Yato and Yuki both equally shocked stood up rapidly. Her roar sounded more like a cry for help which could only help indicate her next move. Yato looked around hastily. Yuki was surprised at the sudden outburst and picked up her blades. 'What the hell is going on?!' She thought to herself. This was not a part of their plan. It wasn't even a consideration it was so sudden and out of the blue. How drastically would this change the current situation? Yato tried to see over Yuki's head to hopefully catch a glimpse of the whaling titan. Her roar was powerful and could probably be heard from miles away. Annie knows though that one simple bellow is all she needed.
She abruptly finally closed her mouth sealing her lips tight. She had successfully managed an escape plan that no one could prepare for. All she could do now is hide her smirk. The soldiers still poised there in shock as their ears tried to recover from the ringing after affect. It lurked through their ear drums like a broken siren. On the ground, Hange commanded that Moblit write all this down in the notepad. He quickly scribbled down words with his pencil observing every detail the female titan expressed after.
Levi still remained on top of her head unfazed. "Well that was a surprise." He remarked bitterly. He let out a breath before hearing a rumbling sound in the distance.
From Erwin's safe spot on a tree he commanded, "Prepare more canons!" Whatever Annie did, Erwin didn't expect it to be good. It would only be safe to tie her down with more spikes.
Mike quickly glided through the air before landing with a thud next to his superior. "Erwin it stinks." He hurriedly stated.
"What direction?"
"Multiple sources from all directions at once." Mike responded, preparing his blades.
Erwin's blood stopped cold. His breath hitched as he realized the female titans intention but before he could make out his next move, it was already far too late.
The titans that were once bothering the new soldiers at the entrance turned their attention to the location of the roar. They all immediately started running instinctively knowing the cry of a cornered animal or in this case titan. To them it meant food. Their large feet stomped harder and harder on the ground as they neared the prey.
"What's gotten into them?!" Someone questioned as every soldier on the trees activated their gear and chased after them.
"Who cares! Don't let them through!"
Back to where the captured titan was, Erwin quickly ordered, "Cart guard team, intercept!"
A group of 3 titans made it first into their formation. They ran with their arms swaying back and forth all with the same goal. To devour the titan that called for help.
"The first wave is coming from east!"
The team of skilled soldiers all raced to the incoming titans. Their swords were stretched out ready for impact but the titans oddly ran past them as if they weren't even there. They looked back to the titans in confusion.
"They ignored us? Are those aberrants?!" A male called out.
"Three are breaking through!" Someone else warned. The titans all headed for the larger females legs.
"Captain Levi!"
Levi looked to his left and saw the 3 titans hurdling towards him. "You just did something didn't you, bitch?" Levi hissed. He stomped on her head lightly feeling extremely annoyed.
He jumped into the air and sliced the thick nape of a 15 meter class. Blood began to ooze from the wound only to be evaporated immediately. The other two titans surrounded Levi only to suffer the same fate. Their large bodies fell on the dirt ground with the piece of flesh which was once their nape landing next to them.
Another 4 meter titan ran into the formation and took a bite out of Annie's right calf. It held onto her leg and nibbled on her meat like a child.
'So they are after the female titan?' Erwin thought. That confirmed his previous theory then. Their target was prepared to loose everything and her scream...it wasn't an ordinary scream. It was a cry of a cornered animal of course with nothing left to loose. Having known this, the shifter would be able to escape the grips of the Survey Corps and disappear once again.
"Titans from all directions!"
Erwin snapped his eyes open. After all the trouble he went through with this operation, he wasn't gonna let her escape without a fight. "All men, engage! Defend the female titans even if it means your lives!" He bellowed.
All at once, every single soldier in the area hopped off the trees and attacked the titans feasting of Annie. The titans were devouring any piece of muscle she had on her body. They were shredding her piece by piece until only a skeleton would remain. The Survey Corps members slashed and sliced as smoke began to clog the air. It began to become harder for anyone to see in front of them but still they advanced. Slices of flesh were being thrown into the air. Giant splatters of blood darted everywhere but then evaporating immediately. Titans fell onto the floor one by one landing on top of one another. The scene looked like a complete massacre. Even with all the soldiers fighting at once though, it simply wasn't enough. She had called too many and exhaustion began to sprout through the soldiers.
Yuki watched from her spot in the tree in complete disbelief. Every soldier was moving so quickly. She wondered if it would make a difference if she was there with them. This whole event took a sharp turn and called for a new plan. The female titan was going to escape again. The only thing she could do Erwin had already ordered and it didn't seem to be working. What difference could her and Yato do? 'Cmon Yuki think!' She angrily pondered to herself. Her heart began to race. She needed to do something quick. By all means necessary, she would not let Annie escape.
"Hey Yuki what's going on?!" Yato demanded. He could tell she was panicking and racing through her thoughts. It was all displayed through her face. She turned to him meeting his confused and angry expression before coming to a sudden realization.
Bingo.
That's it! His titan! If he transforms and destroys the other titans surrounding the female titan then that would give Yuki time to intercept with her main weapon. Once she throws the homemade explosive onto her nape, the flesh will be blown off exposing the spy before they have time to escape! Perfect!
She quickly grabbed his wrist. "Yato you need to transform into your titan and kill all those surrounding the one in the center!" She exclaimed in a desperate tone.
"Huh?!" His blue eyes widened. Yato was taken back by her sudden plea. It wasn't like her to change what she claimed to be a final word but her face and voice were serious.
"B-but the plan-"
"Forget the plan! Do this now for the sake of humanity!"
Yato's mouth shaped into a perfect 'O'. He looked into her eyes for a moment to see if she really wasn't screwing around with him. They showed no sign of humor. She must have a good reason to suddenly completely change her plans and call on a new task as impulsive as this right?
She let go of the grip on his wrist. The blood flowed back quickly into his fingers.
Yato looked at Yuki then to the edge of the wide branch. His palms began to sweat and his breath became shaky. 'Use my titan?' He thought. Hadn't his titan only caused destruction? Didn't he want to change for the better? If he then does kill all the titans surrounding the one in the center as Yuki had instructed, what good could that do to humanity? It doesn't matter what he did or how he was viewed. Nothing could change the blood stained on his hands. All the lives he took away but if what he does today in fact make him a hero then...could it really wash away his past? This new plan to 'save humanity'... He didn't understand but Yuki seemed too. And he had strong trust in her. Although the fear of not knowing how this would work out tried to drown him mentally, he had faith in Yuki. Whatever she says, he trusted. 'It's gonna be fine.' He thought before taking a soothing deep breath.
She starred back at him with a reassuring grin. She had so much confidence in him. She knows he will do the right thing and succeed. If it's the last thing he does...
Yato spun away from his partner. The smaller woman got a view of his back. His hair lightly being picked up by a quick breeze. 'I'm ready.' His fists clenched as his legs began taking him to the end of the branch.
Erwin still stood alone on the vacant branch. His eyes scanned the sight before him. All his soldiers were advancing towards the titans with the goal to protect the female titan. All the blood flying above them and gigantic bodies falling to the floor. Although from his point of view, they were completely outnumbered. There was no point left in fighting. There was no point for more casualties to fall under his command.
"Retreat men!" Erwin commanded, no longer having the energy to bear at his failure.
All of the soldiers rapidly returned to the nearby trees in extreme exhaustion. Their bodies leaned on the trees and branches as their bodies tried to calm themselves. The now dull blades were put back. They starred at the titans through heavy breaths not believing that even with all of them here, they had managed to loose.
Hange stood in her position with her goggles on her head. They had let the female titan escape and she was beyond pissed. She shut her eyes knowing they'd go back inside the walls with still no conclusions. Possibly Eren could be taken away from them causing a huge disadvantage in taking back Wall Maria and finding real answers about the titans. At least she had gotten notes about a titan shifter's re-
Suddenly, a blinding yellow flash of lightning struck the dirt ground with force. A storm of dirt poured into the atmosphere. The giant body of a titan appeared out of thin hair. Shining skin, swaying jet black hair, and blue piercing eyes to match his already terrifying complexion. His mouth opened exposing sharp pointed teeth and a jagged jaw. He let out a monstrous roar. It ripped through the hair resonating all throughout his surroundings. The sudden outburst turned every single head of the Survey Corps member including Erwin and Hange immediately in shock. Their eyes landed on the unfamiliar titan. Of course the first assumption would be Eren, but he wasn't that close to their camp. Squad Levi had taken them almost across the forest. This titan didn't resemble Eren and that roar was something different. Hange on the spot recognized him. Her breath hitched. Her eyes widened in complete disbelief.
'I-It's the azul titan!' She thought quickly. That feeling that she'd see him soon was real. Another titan shifter now lay in the Survey Corps hands.
Yuki's back was pressed against the branch by the explosion of air. Even though she had buried her blade into the wood to hold on, Yato's transformation was a powerful force. She managed to open one eye feeling specks of dirt and dust fly in. She covers her coughs with a clenched fist. Upon opening both eyes, Yato's titan came into view. It stood an astounding height of 17 meters.
She stood up wearily plucking her blade from the bark. Running towards the edge of the branch, she activated her gear and glided to the top of the titan's head. Every one of her moves up to this point have to be steady and quick. Her dirty boots landed on the roots of his thin hair. Yato could feel the female land on his head. He had complete control over his titan and was ready to take his next order from Yuki.
'This is it.'
Both of their hearts were pounding. The adrenaline in her body was breaking free. She couldn't believe that it was finally time. Even with all the sudden turn of events, she had been trained to expect the unexpected. Using her gut, she planned to maneuver a plan that could potentially save humanity.
She put her hood over her hair. 'No going back now.'
Extending her legs on top of the shaking body, she flared out her cloak. She looked straight ahead to see the titans devouring Annie. It was their chance now to try to make a difference. Humanity would not lose today. Not without a fight.
"Advance!"