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Trost District: Former Survey Corps HQ...
[Oluo]: The old Survey Corps HQ. Originally, it was an old castle we remodeled. So it certainly looks imposing..-A guy name Oluo said. (Y/n), Eren and everyone else in Levi's squad was heading to the Survey HQ, each of them riding their horse- But being so far from the rivers and walls, it ended up being useless for the Survey Corps. It was established right after the Survey Corps's formation, when ideals were all they had. But I never imagined that this giant ornament would end up being the perfect place to hide them..
Eren turns his head back, to see (Y/n) almost asleep from Oluo's words, but Louis elbowed her to wake her up. She opened her eyes wide, Levi turned to Eren and stared at him. He instantly turned around as a bead of sweat fell from his cheek.
[Oluo]: Don't get cocky, new kid..-Oluo states, leaning closer to Eren-
[Eren]: Sir?..
[Oluo]: I don't care if you're a Titan. I can't believe Captain Levi will spend all his time with a brat like you...-His horse steps on a rock, causing it to jump a bit and make Oulo bite down his tongue, hard. Blood spills out while Eren leans away from him-
[Y/N]: That must have been painful..
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[Petra]: It's no wonder you bit your tongue, talking up s storm while riding a horse!..-Petra holds her hips as she scolds Oluo-
[Oluo]: First impressions are important. The new kid almost pissed his pants..
[Petra]: I think they was just surprised by how dumb you are..
[Oluo]: Either way, my plan worked...
[Petra]: You didn't always talk like that, did you? If..if you're seriously doing it to imitate Captain Levi, please stop..You aren't like him in the slightest...
[Oluo]: Trying to bind my hands, Petra?..-He scoffs, looking up at her- You haven't followed all the necessary steps to become my wife...
[Petra]: I wish you'd bitten through your tongue and died. Going on and on about how many Titans you've killed..
[Oluo]: Don't worry..-He says, looking in the direction of (Y/n) and Eren, as the two of them placed their horses on a post- I bragged about the rest of you, too...
[Eren]:......-He approaches (Y/n) as he whispers to her- Those are the members of the Survey Corps Special Operations Squad..
[Y/n]: Yes! Also known as Squad Levi..-She says, looking at him with a smile. Eren looks towards Petra-
[Petra]: You're pathetic!..
[Eren]: Petra Ral. Titan kills, ten. Assists, forty-eight...-He continues pointing to the next person while (Y/n) listens attentively- Oluo Bozad. kills, thirty-nine. Assists, nine. By any difinition, they're the best..-The two notice two other men walking together-
[Y/n]: Eldo Jinn. kills, fourteen. Assists, thirty-two. And Gunther Schultz. kills, seven. Assists, forty. They're the best of the Survey Corps, specially selected by Captain Levi..-He nods and looks at the group, a sweat falling down his cheek- Hey, are you okay?..
[Eren]: Yes, only, if we both lose control, they will be the ones to kill us...
From afar, Gunther places his arms across his chest.
[Gunther]: Look at all these weeds. What a mess..
[Eld]: It hasn't been used for years. Inside, it's probably covered in dust...
[Levi]: That's a serious problem..-The two turn to see Levi, eyeing the place with disgust- We'll begin immediately..-The next moment, Levi slams open some windows and changed into some cleaning cloths-
And so, everyone's mission today was the clean the castle. Eren goes down some stairs and enters a room where (Y/n) and Levi were. He saw (Y/n) cleaning the place with a broom while Levi looked out the window.
[Eren]: I've finished cleaning the upper floor. Where should I sleep?..-He asks, approaching him. Levi lowers his mask and states nonchalantly-
[Levi]: You sleep in the basement together to (Y/n)..
[Y/n]: In the basement again?..-She asks, making them both look at her. She walks over and stands next to Eren without taking her eyes off Levi-
[Levi]: Of course. The two of you can't control yourself. If you're underground, we can contain you if you turn into a Titan while half-asleep. That was one of the conditions of your coming here. It's a rule you'll have to follow..-Levi glances over Eren's shoulder and lets out a quick sigh- I'll inspect the rooms. Eren, take over here and you (Y/n), keep cleaning this room..
Levi walks towards the exit, (Y/n) watched as he walks past her. Levi leaned close to her ear and whispered.
[Levi]: I still haven't forgotten your attempt to attack me...
[Y/n]: Yes, sir..
They both watch him go, Eren lets out a snort, without stopping cleaning. Petra comes down from the stairs, brooming, until she sees them both.
[Petra]: You look disappointed, Eren, (Y/n)..-Eren quickly turns to her-
[Eren]: Excuse me?..
[Y/n]: Huh?...
[Petra]:....-She continues to smile at him- Ah, I'll just call you Eren...Like Captain Levi does. Here, he sets all the rules...
[Eren]: Sure, I don't mind..But did I really look so disappointed?..
[Petra]: Your reaction isn't all that uncommon. He isn't the perfect hero that people say, right? The real Captain Levi is smaller, more high-strung, and more violent than people think-an intimidating man..
[Eren]: No, what surprised me was how closely he seemed to follow orders from above..-Eren says-
[Petra]: Because he's powerful and influential, you assumed he wouldn't let formalities hold him back?...
[Eren]: Yes. I thought he wouldn't take orders from anyone...
[Petra]: I don't know the details, but before, he may have been just like you said. Before he joined the Survey Corps, he was a famous thug, operating in the capital's underground..-Petra explains, brooming the floor-
[Y/n]: Why would someone like that...-She asks. Petra shrugs-
[Petra]: I don't know..I'm not sure what happened, but I heard that Captain Erwin and Captain Louis brought him into the Survey Corps...
[Eren]: Captain Erwin?..
[Y/n]: Captain Louis?...
[Levi]: Hey, Eren...-Levi calls, coming down the stairs-
[Eren]: Y-Yes, sir!..-He jumps while (Y/n) and Petra act if they were cleaning-
[Levi]: That isn't nearly enough.. Redo the whole thing...
(Y/n) and Petra watched as Eren walks out of the room while Levi follows behind. (Y/n) sighed as she swept the dust off the floor.
[Y/n]: Captain Louis and Captain Levi are very close...-She asked Petra, who looked at her quickly-
[Petra]: Yes. They know each other very well, they never separate..- She says with a smile, (Y/n) cocked her head in confusion- And it's because Captain Levi says it to him often..
[Y/n]: I understand...-She nods, looking the other way- Now I understand why he's so angry with me, it's not just that I attacked him at that moment... but also because I attacked Captain Louis...
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[Mike]: Then, in thirty days, we're going beyond the walls to set up resupply points? And we're to bring along new recruits from this year's graduates, too..-Mike cocks a brow as Erwin was apparently making a map for the outside walls- If there will be any new recruits, that is. Regardless, I believe it's too soon...-Mike suggested-
[Erwin]: Eren's present circumstance and (Y/N) is only a temporary measure. We must demonstrate to the Center that they a benefit to humanity as soon as possible. Otherwise, we'll have the Military Police after us aga--
[Mike]: You can't be honest, even with me, Erwin?...
Erwin stops making coordinates and turns to Mike, who had his back turned away from him.
[Erwin]: You're as sharp as ever, Mike..
[Mike]:.....-Mike sniffs- But not as sharp as you..-Erwin gives him a small smile before going back to his map-
[Erwin]: I'll tell you when the time comes...
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Everyone was at the dining tables, drinking their drinks. Eren sat at the end of the table while (Y/n) was next to him. Levi places his teacup down and looks up at the group.
[Levi]: We'll be on standby for a few more days. I heard we're already planning a large-scale expedition beyond the walls in a month...
[Eld]: Not no mention, we'll be bringing this year's graduates along, too..
[Gunther]: Is that true, Eldo?..That's pretty sudden..-Gunther says- That Titan attack must've taken a toll on the new troops..
[Oluo]:...-Oluo picks up his cup, taking a quick sip before replying- It probably terrified the brats..
[Petra]: Is that true, Captain?..-Petra turns to Levi-
[Levi]: Making plans isn't my job. But knowing Erwin, he has more on his mind than we could imagine..
[Eld]:....-Eld crosses his arms on the table- It's true that the situation has changed. I'd thought that all of our sacrifice thus far to lay a route to retake Maria had been negated by a single blow..-Eld looks at (Y/n) and Eren out of the corner of his eye, muttering- But now we have two entirely different hopes..
(Y/n) and Eren tensed when they felt all eyes on the two. Eren looks at the table as Eld continues speaking.
[Eld]: I still can't believe it..But what do they mean when they say they turn into a Titans, (Y/n), Eren?..
[Y/n]: I don't really remember what happened..
[Eren]: I was so desperate, I couldn't think. But the trigger is self-inflicted injury. I take my hand like this... Wait..How do I know this?..
[Levi]: You know we won't get anything out of (Y/n) and Eren that isn't already covered in the reports..-He takes a sip from his cup- But I'm sure a certain someone has other ideas. Maybe fiddle around with both, and even kill them, (Y/n), Eren...
[Y/N]: Someone?...
The sound of someone hitting against the door causes everyone to jump, well, except for Levi. The person knocks on the door, making Petra shoot up and open it. There stood Hanji, rubbing her forehead, next to him was Louis with a small smile.
[Hanji]: Hello, Levi Squad...How are you enjoying the castle?..
[Levi]: They arrived early..-Levi states directly. Hanji whines, stepping inside the dining hall. Louis rubs his neck as he lets out a small laugh-
[Hanji]: I couldn't wait any longer!..-She starts walking towards (Y/n) and Eren-
[Louis]: I am sorry..
[Y/n]: Squad Leader Hanji?..-She asks, Hanji smiles at her as she steps between (Y/n) and Eren-
[Hanji]: Hey there, (Y/n), Eren.. I'm in charge of investigating the two Titans we're captured in town, and I'd like like both of you to help with tomorrow's experiments. I came to get permission..-She hugs (Y/n) by the shoulders, bowing down forward, looking at them with a smile-
[Y/n and Eren]: Experiments?.. What would I be doing?..-They said at the same time, making Hanji gasp with excitement-
[Hanji]: Ah, they are so beautiful as a couple..-When you said that, (Y/n) and Eren blushed- Something totally awesome!..-Hanji replies quickly, playing with her fingers as she starts to fantasize-
[Louis]: Hanji, don't bother the children...-He said with a joking tone-
[Eren]:..Uh?..-Eren sweats, scooting a bit away from her- W-well..Neither (Y/n) nor I can give you our permission.. we don't have that authority..
[Hanji]: Levi, what's Eren and (Y/n) doing tomorrow?..
[Levi]: Cleaning the courtyard...
[Hanji]: Okay, then! It's settled!..-She turns to both of them, grinning from ear to ear. She kneels in front of the two and grabs one hand from (Y/n) and the other from Eren- (Y/n), Eren. See you tomorrow!..
[Y/n]: R-Right..But what do you mean by experiments with Titans?..-She instantly perks up- U-Um, What do you mean by "experiment"---
[Oluo]: Hey, stop..Don't ask!...
[Hanji]: I knew it..I thought you looked like you wanted to hear..
At this, Levi and everyone else starts to get up.
[Levi]: It can't be, come on Louis..-He says letting out a sigh, grabbing the boy by his hand as they leave the room-
Hanji grabs the chair where (Y/n) was sitting and pushes it next to Eren, causing her to gasp silently as everyone left the room. Hanji pulled up another chair and sat down to be in front of the two.
[Hanji]: If you really want to hear about it...That's just fine..I'll have to tell you..About the boys we captured..-Hanji gets herself comfy on the seat and then explains- We started by repeating the experiments from the last five successful captures..
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[Hanji]: Hi, there!..-Hanji smiles at the two chained up Titans in front of her. The first Titan was panting and wheezing-
First, we tested if communication was possible..
[Hanji]: How are you doing?..-Hanji takes a step forward to the Titan- What's your name?..Does that hurt?..-As the Titan starts getting more active, the soldiers around her start to grow warily for her-
[Soldier]: Sir, you're too close!..
Next, Hanji approached the other Titan they captured.
[Hanji]: Hi, there..-She leans a bit it forward- Nice weather we're having..Hungry?..-At that instance, the Titan goes to bite her, but Hanji moves away just in the nick of time, laughing like a madman- That was close! Too close!..
[Soldier 2]: Sir, it's too dangerous!...
Unfortunately, we reached the same conclusion as before, that communication was impossible.
As Hanji goes to approach it again, it tries to bite her, but it doesn't even get close at all.
But my time with the Titans has been so fulfilling that I could almost forget the weariness from my daily toils..
[Hanji]: Once upon a time, there was a tribe that ate humans..-Hanji starts, telling the story to each of the Titans, pacing back and forth- I'm not talking about you Titans. I'm talking about a human tribe. They hid in a cave, deep in the mountains, and attacked travelers on the road, stealing their valuables and eating their flesh..-She stops pacing and faces the two Titans, makes two soldiers groan-
[??]: The Squad Leader's started the usual naming ceremony again...
[?? 2]: Yeah, what was it last time?...
[??]: Chikachironi and Albert..
[Hanji]: For twenty-five years, they kept this up. They say that there were more than five hundred victims in all. That's probably even more than the number of humans you're eaten..-Hanji smiles- And they tried preparing them in a number of ways. They made steaks out of butts. Cut thighs into chunks for stew. They would chop up, knead, and bake the tougher flesh as mincemeat. They made sausage of the blood and organs..
As she progressively continues her story, soldiers tense up.
[Hanji]:...-She removes her glasses and places them on her head, leaning forward to them- Yes, they were capable of cooking..-She then points at the two Titans with glee- That's one difference from you..-At this, several soldiers start to throw up- But that tribe of cannibals was captured after a single mistake, then executed..Just like you two. You made the mistake of attacking humanity, and you were captured...
[Hanji]:...-She then starts to take steps forward to them- And so, I'd like to give you the names of the male head of that tribe..-She stops and points at the shortest Titan- You're Sawney..-She then points at the tallest Titan- You're Bean. But don't worry..I won't have you executed..-She then does the most unthinkable thing she had down, she goes and holds Sawney's finger- Nice to meet you, Sawney..-She then does the same to Bean- And you, Bean..Let's all be friends...,
And so, I named the seven-meter class Bean, and the four-meter class Sawney.
Their next plan was to the cover the Titans up in a tent, to see how they react in the dark.
Next, we tried cutting them off from sunlight. We know that Titans start shutting down as the night progresses. So we wanted to experiment to verify that sunlight was powering them somehow. There were large individual differences as to how they were affected.
In the tent Sawney was in, Hanji was holding a lantern, giving him a warm smile.
[Hanji]: You did well, Sawney..Goodnight. See you tomorrow..
-After losing access to sunlight, Sawney started slowing down in an hour..
[Hanji]:...-Hanji was now inside Bean's tent, knees to her chest while the lantern sits beside her- You really like to stay up late, Bean..That's fine..I'll stay up with you..
But Bean was fine for three hours..
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[Hanji]: I was amazed yet again. They don't eat or drink..They have vocal argans, but they don't need to breathe. For energy, all they require is sunlight. What if we deprived them of it for an extended period? I am curious, but it wouldn't do to have them die on us. We killed the last boys we caught by mistake..When we experimented with cutting off their heads, we took off the backs of their necks, too..Chikachironi and Albert were their names. Their smiles were so cute..
(Y/n) and Eren quickly look at each other for a few seconds before looking back at Hanji.
[Hanji]: I feel really bad about what we did to them..-Hanji sighs, looking down away from the two- I never want to feel that way again!..
[Y/n]: Hanji-san..
[Hanji]:....-But then, she stood up and grab both their shoulder, squishing them together as she exclaims- And then, we started touching their bodies directly..-(Y/n) and Eren started to sweat, having her so close- to test their sense of pain!...
The painful memory flashes in her eyes, remembering the blood spewing from the Titan's eyes. She was crying furiously in her memory as she had a spear stuck up in Bean's eye. One of her soldiers approaches her, trying to calm her down.
[Soldier]: Sir, you don't need to scream, too!...
[Hanji]: How can I not?! Look at how much Bean is suffering..-She screams, pulling out the spear- Bean, stay strong! Endure it!..-She then goes onto the next eye, stabbing it as she cries even more-
(Y/n) and Eren look at her with their mouths ajar as the sweat trickled down their cheek.
[Hanji]: We had to see if Titans had any vulnerabilities beyond the backs of their necks. It was an extremely difficult task..
She looks back in her memory when she stabbed Sawney in the heart, who the Titan was breathing heavy.
[Hanji]: Sawney..Look, it's gone right into your heart. Doesn't it hurt? How does it feel?..
Unlike Bean, Sawney was introverted, and rarely responded. She then remembers Sawney making some noises, causing her to perk up.
[Hanji]: What? What's wrong?..-Sawney goes to bite her, but she moves away-
[??]: Sir, get back!...
She then starts to laugh maniacally.
[Hanji]: That was really close, Sawney...
[??]: As this rate, you'll really die!..
(Y/n) and Eren look down while Hanji continues explaining.
[Hanji]: So Sawney isn't good with self-expression. He just kept trying to bite my head off..
[Eren]: Uh, Hanji-san?..-(Y/n) and Hanji look at Eren as Hanji hums- How can you stay so cheerful around Titans? I mean..they've almost wiped us out. They're our natural predators. And you've seen what they can do hundreds of times..-She turns her head away from him, nodding-
[Hanji]: You're right..I've seen many, many friends get killed by Titans right in front of me..When I first joined the Survey Corps, it was hatred that drove me..But then, one day I realized it. It was after I'd kicked away the head of a theree-meter Titan. It was light..Extremely light..The Titan's body..
The attention of both grew as their mouths parted once more. She turns to both of them and says.
[Hanji]: Something that size shouldn't even be able to stand, much less walk, on two feet. That's true of all of them. I once cut off an arm, and it didn't weigh nearly what it should have..I'm told when you became a Titan, the body appeared out of thin air. I believe that the Titans we see and the Titans of actuality might be different things altogether...
[Hanji]: Something that size shouldn't even be able to stand, much less walk, on two feet. That's true of all of them. I once cut off an arm, and it didn't weigh nearly what it should have..I'm told when you became a Titan, the body appeared out of thin air. I believe that the Titans we see and the Titans of actuality might be different things altogether...
She pours the two a cup of tea and hands it to them before turning away and pouring herself one.
[Hanji]: For decades, we've tried to fight the Titans with hatred in our hearts. I want to try and see them from a different angle than the current norm. It may end up not meaning a thing. But I'm going to do it anyway!..-Eren goes to grab his cup of tea and take a sip out of it-
[Eren]: Since I joined the Survey Corps, it's been one surprise after the next. Not just Hanji-san..Everyone here is odd. It's like a den of madmen..However..The Survey Corps is a group of people who desire change!..
[Y/n]: Hanji-san..-She turns to her while raising an eyebrow- Could you tell me more about your experiments?..-She flushes, never has someone ever wanted to know the experiments she's been doing-
[Eren]: Yes, I also want to know more about your experiments..
[Hanji]: Really?..
[Eren]: Yes! I think it is better for tomorrow's experiments if we know the details..-Eren asserts-
[Hanji]: Th-That's true..Yeah. There is a lot of stuff I skipped..I'll give you more details. But it'll take a while..
[Y/n]: That's fine!..-They both just smile-
[Hanji]: When we first captured a Titan, this was my hypothesis..
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[Hanji]: And thus, we didn't learn anything new from these experiments. You should have learned everything I just told you when you were a trainee. You knew all that, right?..
Hanji kept talking and talking. (Y/n) had fallen asleep in Eren's arms while Eren had bags under his eyes as he spoke tiredly-
[Eren]: Yes..I knew it all..
[Hanji]: So let's go over it once more, this time adding my own hypotheses..-At this Eren groans a bit-
[Eren]: What? Um, I think-
[Hanji]: First, the Titans..
[Soldier]: Is Squad Leader Hanji here?!..-Her soldier screams, slam opening the doors, causing (Y/n) to wake up quickly- The test subjects..Both Titans were killed!..
[Eren]: (Y/n)?..-(Y/n) she looks at him while she yawned- Are you okay? You look a little pale..
[Y/n]: Yes, I'm fine..
He smiles at her before approaching her, placing a kiss on (Y/n)'s forehead, making her blush. He slowly walked away, they both had a twinkle in their eyes.
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As the whole group speed themselves on their horses and arrive, Hanji screams in agony to see the skeleton remains of her Titans.
[Hanji]: Sawney! Bean! This can't be real..Tell me it isn't real!..-She continues to scream as others sweat. (Y/n) and Eren had their hoods so that no one would recognize them. Gunther goes and whispers to Eld-
[Gunther]: Those subjects were very valuable..Did one of the soldiers do it?..
[Eld]: Yeah, we don't know who yet..-Answers Eld- They were both killed at the same time before dawn. By the time the watchmen noticed, they'd used their Maneuver Gear to get away..
[Gunther]: So this was a deliberate plan, involving two or more people..
[Hanji]: Sawney!..
[Oulo]: Look..Squad Leader Hanji's gone nuts..-Petra turns to his voice and growls, jabbing his hip-
[Y/n]: What is this?..
[Levi]: Let's go..-(Y/n) and Eren turn to see Levi- It's up to the Military Police now...
[Eren]: R-Right...-Before leaving, they both stayed to watch the scene one more time until Eren felt two hands on his shoulder-
[Erwin]: What do you see?..-The two jump and peer over their heads to see Erwin- What do you think the enemy is?..-They both look at him with confusion as Erwin blinks- I'm sorry to ask something so add...
[Louis]: Erwin...-He calls him, while he and Levi waited for him-
With that, Erwin walks off with Levi and Louis.
[Y/n]: Commander Erwin..
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Preview...
The hunt for Sawney and Bean's killers begins. Meanwhile, Mikasa, Armin, and the other graduates of the 104th Trainee Corps grapple with their own thoughts as they choose their affiliation.
Next episode: ‹What Needs to be Done Now: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 3›