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The true King withing the walls... Rod Reiss and his devious schemes were foiled. The Scouts succeeded in rescuing Eren, (Y/n) and Historia. However... Appearing before them was... Rod Reiss, transformed into a Titan.
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The Titan continues to drag itself towards the walls, the Titan continued to set trees to flame and making a trail behind it.
[...]: What the hell are you thinking, Erwin?! Keep the citizens in the city without evacuating?! By the time it's dawn, that Titan will be all over us!..-The Garrison soldier shouts at Erwin's stupid plan, grabbing the commander by the collar of his jacket-
[Hanji]: That Titan is an Abnormal..-Hanji speaks up, resting her left hand on the table while her right was in a cast. The soldier turns to her, his eye twitches as he yells-
[...]: What the hell does that even mean?!...-Hanji straightens her back and begins to inform the clueless soldier-
[Hanji]: The target Titan is strangely attracted to high concentrations of people. Hence, Abnormal. It means the fellow will turn a blind eye to a small village, ignoring it in favor of reaching this fortified city. If right now, you were to evacuate the citizens within Wall Sina, it would be drawn towards them, destroying the wall and all in its path. In the end, it would reach Mitras, with the greatest density of people... and deliver a devastating blow to humanity. On our way back, we attempted to use Eren Jaeger's power to control Titans, but...Rod Reiss' Titan shoed no reaction..
Earlier, while everyone was still on their horses and Eren, (Y/n), Historia and Hanji were on the carriage, Eren had stood up and attempted to stop the Titan from moving, giving the air a punch.
[Eren]: Stop, Titan!. Hey, stop! I'm talking to you!. Can't you hear me, idiot?! Rod Reiss, that means you! You tiny old man!...
As soon as he said that last sentence, Eren has stiffened and began to sweat extensively when he felt the captain's eyes at the back of his head.
The Garrison soldier gives Hanji a look as Erwin looks down at him and explains once more.
[Erwin]: If we are to stop that Titan, we must do so outside the walls of Orvud District. For that to happen, we must have the citizens act as bait. However, this doesn't change the fact that our first duty as soldiers is to protect the citizens..
As he explains, at this moment, other Garrison soldiers are knocking at the resident's doors and directing them to line up over to the wall.
[Erwin]: Supposing we're unable to halt the target, we'll take measures so that not a single citizen is killed. We'll announce an emergency evacuation drill for Orvud District, so if needed, the citizens will be ready to evacuate at once...
The soldier narrows his eyes, contemplating before he lets out a small sigh and meets Erwin's eyes.
[...]: It seems there's no other choice...
[Erwin]: The body of our target is the largest we've seen. As such, it presents an easy target. Wall-mounted cannons should prove highly effective, but... If that's not enough to bring it down..-Erwin looks over at both Eren and (Y/N), as everyone's eyes had landed on them- The Scout Regiment will throw everything we have at it..
Everyone continued to stare at them, making the two feel a bit uncomfortable. Eren and (Y/n) glance at each other for a quick moment before the girl looks down at the floor. Eren purses his lips, remembering what happened with (Y/n) and Rod Reiss.
The Garrison Regiment were lined against the walls, cannons ready to open fire. The Titan was extremely close at this point while citizens had gathered around, hearing a soldier announce to them to answer their confusion.
[Soldier]: As part of this drill, dummy Titans and cannons will be used! It'll be a large-scale exercise like nothing you've seen before! However, we ask you not to panic! Remain calm and follow our--
[??]: Ma'am...-An old man spoke up, looking at the female soldier- I gotta get my store ready for the day, so can't you let us go home?..
[Soldier]: Customers won't be coming today. Take the day off...
[??]: I don't think so, lady..
Eventually, this causes gossip to occur around everyone, still confused.
[??2]: What's with the drills when we're so far north?..-One says-
[??3]: The military outs the government, and now this?..
[??4]: What do you mean?..-A third person asks-
[??3]: I'm saying this is all just a demonstration of their power...-A citizen tells another- To prove that now the fake King is gone, they're the ones in control...
[...]: So, we're being dragged through this for no reason at all?..-Then another speaks out-
[...]: Yeah. At this rate, I think I prefer the fake King, even if he was incompetent...-One nods-
[...]: H-Hey! Look over there!...-One shrieks. causing everyone to look over and gasp-
There was a big puff of white smoke. As the citizens become even more confused, the Garrison soldier, who was actually a Garrison Captain, declares everyone to fire at the incoming Titan. The soldiers aim and fire, but it does barely and damage on the Titan besides making fairly medium-sized holes in it. The continued to fire at it while Eren, (Y/n), and the others watch on the walls.
[Louis]: Well, how's that..?..-Louis mutters to Levi, as the soldiers continue firing and firing at the Titan-
[Erwin]: The ground cannons seem even less effective...
[Levi]: Of course they are. The wall cannons barely hit the nape, even with the better angle. What's the problem?..-
[Erwin]: It's a mishmash of soldiers... Cannons they scraped together... Superficial leadership. To top it off, this is a northern region. Unlike troops on the front lines, they have no battle experience. However, this is the best we're going to get, and that's a fact...
[Levi]: Yeah, that much is painfully obvious..-Levi says- Yet again, your strategy for the Scouts boils down to another gamble. Just like everything else you conjure up..
Then, the sound of Hanji's voice shouting was heard.
[Hanji]: Erwin! I bought the goodies!..-The group turns to Hanji as they see barrels and ropes by her- All the gunpowder, ropes, and netting I could find! We'll have to assemble it ourselves though..
She then makes her way over to Levi while a soldier walks by them pushing a barrel with two spears on it.
[Hanji]: Oh, and this! There's another on the opposite side. The trigger's held in place, so when it's fired, it'll wind itself back up just like ODM gear...-She then turns over to Levi- So, is the artillery doing any damage?..-Levi looks away-
[Levi]: Slightly more than a pissing insect..
[Hanji]: Then we're really planning on using this?..
Levi just looks over at her, Erwin begins to give orders to the group.
[Erwin]: Levi, Louis, Jean, Sasha, Connie... Take care of that side...-He says, referring to the right. And quickly jog their way over to the other side. Over at the left, Mikasa, Armin and Hanji are gently putting barrels underneath a spread-out net while Historia, (Y/n) and Eren are untangling the ropes-
[Hanji]: How should we do this? Let's see... Try to imagine we're wrapping up a nice gift for someone special...-Hanji tells as Erwin makes his way over to Historia-
[Erwin]: I believe you've heard from Levi, Historia..-She looks at him in the corner of her eyes while the commander continued his talk- Supposing we live through this, we'll have you become the Queen, ruling our world in the walls. Naturally, having you on the front lines poses a problem..-Historia finally looks up at him-
[Historia]: I doubt it will work. You think the people are so naive that they'd bow to a ruler in name only?..-She stands up, making Erwin narrows his eyes at her-
[Erwin]: What is it that you're thinking?..
Then, the sound of cannons firing echoed again. Eren looked over at Historia talking to the commander, then began thinking to himself.
[Eren]: 'Historia... Just look how strong she's become... For the longest time, I thought she was the weak one..-He looks away from her then to the ground- 'The weak one was me. Somewhere along the line, I thought myself special. Which is why, when other soldiers died for my sake... I accepted it like it was natural. The same goes for my Titan powers. I hated Titans more than anything... but when I became one, I thought nothing of it. I wanted to believe that strength was all mine. That's exactly how a weakling thinks...
He looks at the rope he discarded for a while and picks it up to tending the ropes.
[Eren]: What's the next step? So what if I'm able to plug up the wall? Is that enough to save humanity? I'm not special, I'm nobody..-He looks over at the houses below, stands up, and continues to stare down at them- But... it's all of humanity that got the short end of the stick...-He then begins to mumble to himself- ...being stuck with me as their trump card...
He then notices four little kids, gathered together and looking at the wall. It reminded him of himself, Armin, Mikasa, and (Y/n). While staring at them, Armin is checking the barrel on the net, making Eren notice.
[Eren]: Hey..-Armin looked over at Eren, then glanced over at the thousands and thousands of houses- The kids in this city remind me... of us that day..-Eren admitted as Armin took a few steps to him-
[Armin]: Yeah...-Armin replied- Nobody thinks today is the day a Titan bigger than the wall attacks...-Armin turns back around and continues on with his job, along with Eren- They might end up seeing the same sight as we did that day..-Armin said- But..-He grunts, tightening a rope on the barrels- There's one big difference. Atop the walls, soldiers stand to face the Titan. And that would be us...
(Y/n) walks over to Eren, seeing the four children. But when she looked at a family in the distance, a feeling of sadness appeared in her. She sighed when she remembered Rod Reiss's words, Eren looked at her silently.
[Hanji]: Yeah stack it up on the edge..
Mikasa places a container full of gunpowder on top of another barrel. Eren looks over at Mikasa, who wipes a small sweat on her forehead before picking another container.
When he looked at her, the memory of when they were kids appeared in his head. He remembered where he, and Mikasa were rushing their way over to his home and discovered his mom trapped under the rubble of what remained his house. He remembered how they tried to save her, even if they were weak he remembered they were trying. Then, he remembered the Smiling Titan.
[Y/n]: Eren...-He blinked as he saw (Y/n) call to him-
[Mikasa]: There's no time to stop. Keep your hands busy...-Mikasa stated, as the two went back to hoisting and tightening barrels together. Eren paused, glancing at his hands real quick, before suddenly punching himself across the face-
The girls and Armin shot their heads over to him, concerned and confused.
[Y/N]: Eren!...
[Armin]: Wh-Whoa! What are you doing?!..
He punches himself again and he tries to go for another punch, but Mikasa rushes over and grabs his wrists behind him while Armin and (Y/N) pace over.
[Mikasa]: Making a wound? It's too early for that!..-Mikasa says, looking over his shoulder to see blood dripping from his nose-
[Eren]: No... Just beating the shit out of a useless brat. I hope he's dead and gone for good...
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[...]: Fire!..-The captain screams as more of the cannons continue to fire- Adjust your aim for a moving target!..-He announces as the Garrison soldiers adjust the cannons lower to hit the Titan- Focus all cannons on its nape! Fire!..
The titan stops in its tracks as it had reached the walls, and the cannons hurled down at the crawling titan. Once the cannons had stopped firing, the captain notices the flesh ripping apart on the titan's body.
[...]: Good! That ripped off its flesh! Finish it off with a volley!..
But before the soldiers can aim at it again, the titan let out an enormous amount of hot steam towards them, instantly blocking the heat from their faces as they hiss.
[Connie]: Argh, hot!..-Connie shrieks-
[Louis]: Shit, not good...
[Levi]: The wind changed direction!..
[Soldier]: Captain!..-A Garrison soldier shouts- I can't see a thing!..
[...]: Doesn't matter! The target is straight below! Fire away!...
And so, the cannons were fired once more, the hot steam slowly calmed down and the air started to clear up and they notice the Titan lifting itself up.
[Erwin]: Are we too late?..-Erwin muttered when suddenly, the Titan's hand shoots up in the air and slams it down on the wall-
The four kids below lookup at the wall, and gasp as they see the Titan hold on the wall and stood up. The Titan lifts it's head up and it was a horrific sight to see. Due to it dragging itself on the floor, half of the Titan's body was gone, and only muscles, organs, and bones were shown.
The titan straightens itself up, its guts fall from its body and fall on top of the wall along with blood dripping. It lets out a roar as this makes all the citizens scream and begin to run as far away from it.
The titan looks down at everyone for a moment as the Garrison captain yells to his comrades.
[...]: Retreat! Everyone, retreat!..-The captain looks over at the titan, who's grip is now tightened on the wall, making him whimper- Shit... It's breaking through... The city I grew up in... is done for..
Then, a hand was placed on his shoulder, making him flinch and look over to see Levi.
[Levi]: Stand back, Captain..-He says, while behind him, Louis pours cold water on Connie, who closes her eyes, Jean and Sasha do the same with themselves- We'll take it over from here..
[Armin]: Eren, (Y/N)..-Armin calls to them- We're up..-Eren looks over at him, giving him a small smile-
[Eren]: Right..
Armin turns around and goes to head for his position, but Eren stops him when he calls out to him.
[Eren]: Armin..-The boy looks over- another thing's different from then. "It might not be all they hoped for, but now..-Eren smirks-
(Y/N) looks at the two of them silently, she turns around while smiling. Thinking of the plan she had made, no one will stop her. She will be the one to kill Rod Reiss, no matter what.
While that, the children from below are quickly running away, but they stop when an electric ball of light appears on the wall. They turn around and gasped at the sight of both Eren's Titan form.
[??]: Is that.. a Titan?..
[Armin]: We're good to go!..-Armin states, as him and the scouts, pour cold water on themselves. Then, Sasha and Armin quickly line up the blade-barrels, waiting for Erwin's command. Erwin holds a red flare gun in his hand and raises it in the air-
[Erwin]: Let the attack...-The titan looks down at the commander- ...commence!...
The flare had been shot, and both Armin and Sasha pressed down on the handle and having the zipline connect in the titan's hand. They press it down again, this time, the ODM gear was activated and the two let go as it wheeled it's way over to the hand.
[Sasha]: Take this!..
Both barrels had crashed against the Titan's hand and caused an explosion, making it lose it's stability and holding onto the wall even more.
[Armin]: Yes! It's losing balance!..-Armin uttered, covering his face when the titan let out its hot steam again. The titan's head falls against the wall with a loud thud-
Erwin looks to the side, seeing (Y/n) in her human form. And in that moment he remembered when he spoke to her.
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[Erwin]: So, you're not going to continue with the main plan..-He told her, (Y/n) looked at him and nodded firmly-
[Y/n]: Yes, Rod Reiss and I have unfinished business..-She looked at him with a frown- You, Levi or anyone is not going to stop me. I will kill Rod Reiss...
Erwin looked into the girl's eyes, seeing the anger she contained when she said those words.
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[Erwin]: You will fulfill those words, (Y/n)...-He thought, looking at the girl before looking forward again- Eren!!..
Eren emerged from the steam, running down the wall while holding the gun-powered barrels wrapped around the net. The kids below watch in shock and confusion as the titan's enormous head looked up and looked over at Eren. As Eren ran, the plan from earlier echoed in his head.
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[Levi]: o you're saying... In order to defeat that Titan... we'll stuff gunpowder into its throat... and hope it's enough to blow up its nape?..-Levi asked, looking at Erwin as the group had gathered around a small table and looking down at the map displayed-
[Erwin]: Correct..-The commander replied-
[Louis]: With the heat that it's producing, I imagine it'll ignite without a detonator. So as long as it hangs its mouth wide open for us like an idiot...
[Erwin]: An explosion against its nape won't have the desired effect..-Erwin interjected while drawing a quick sketch of the titan- Which is why the explosion must go off from the inside. But the target may be protecting itself by dragging its face along the ground. For all we know, it may not even have a mouth to open. That's the gamble this time...
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Once Eren got close to the Titan's mouth, he lifted the net while letting out a roar and threw it at the Titan's throat while breaking the net in the process.
Everyone watched, in hoping it will work. The barrels blast in the Titan, which causes the Titan to explode into small pieces. A bright light and a huge wind from the explosion makes Eren cover his face.
Bits and chunks of the titan's flesh fly everywhere in the sky, which causes Erwin to announce.
[Erwin]: All troops! Finish it off with ODM gear!..
(Y/n) smiles as she looks around, searching for Rod Reis's nape. Without a second thought, the Scouts go and latch onto the flesh and cute them up.
[Erwin]: It may be gigantic, but its vitals are still one meter high and ten centimeters across...
Mikasa locks onto a piece of flesh and cuts it in half, which soon makes it dissolve into nothing.
[Erwin]: Unless we destroy the main body, it will regenerate and form another shield of heat..
Levi comes in and cuts one as well.
[Connie]: Hot!..-Connie shrieks, cutting one up-
[Jean]: Shit! Which is it?!..-Jean mumbles, searching for the nape in every direction before he notices Historia coming from below- Huh?! Historia?!..
She only stares up, eyebrows furrowed as she remembered the small conversation with Erwin not too long ago.
[Erwin]: I understand your reasons, but... I can't approve of you entering combat...
[Historia]: Commander, please! I've finally grasped the duty I was meant to fulfill! That's why I'm here right now!..
[Erwin]: Do you remember what happened to (Y/n)?..-He asks, Historia gasps when she remembers that moment. Erwin sighs- Well, in any case ... With my body as it is ... I can't exactly stop you, can I? ..
[Historia]: But this is the first time I've gone against my parents... This is my first fight... with my father..
[Y/n]: I have to find Rod's nape..-She thought. While looking around, (Y/n) had spotted the nape fly past her. Her eyes widened efore she made her way over to it-
When (Y/n) was close to the nape, she saw Historia behind her. (Y/n) looked at her with a frown. At that moment, Historia remembered what happened to her.
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[Historia]: Sorry, (Y/n). I didn't want any of this to happen ..
[Y/n]: I'm not interested in your apologies, History. Nothing will change what happened in that place..-She looked at her with a frown- Nothing will change what your family did with mine. My parents ... they are dead because of Rod Reiss...
[Historia]: (Y/n)...
[Y/n]: So remember, Historia..-She approached Historia- I'm the one who will kill Rod. Not you...
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[Y/n]: For my family and Eren..
(Y/n) looked at Historia with a frown. (Y/n) ignores her and flies towards the back of her nape quickly while Historia follows her from behind. She finally reaches the nape and quickly cuts it in half. Suddenly though, when (Y/n) had sliced it. Rod Reiss's memories when he was young flared in Historia's eyes.
[Rod Reiss]: Father! Listen to me, Father! We can kill the Titans, once and for all! Why?! Why don't you understand?!..
...
[??]: You know I'll be fine, Brother. Pray for me...
...
And then, another memory.
[??]: Leave me alone!. You are hurting me...
...
[Rod Reiss]: Alma, you're the only one who understands me...
Then, the sound of her sister's voice ringed in.
[Frieda]: Leave it to me, Father. I won't lose to the ghost of our ancestors!..
After the memories had finished, Historia let out a loud gasp and the sound of Rod's screaming was the last thing Historia will ever hear from her father. The citizens had stopped running away and had watched the scene unfold in front of them, confused and still a bit frightened.
Historia lands on top of a carriage. Citizens look over at her and begin to murmur to one another.
[...]: Was our city just saved?..
[Soldier]: Hey... You okay?..-One of the Garrison soldiers calls out to Historia- Are you injured?..-She doesn't say anything but continues to breathe heavily-
[Historia]: Was that all... my imagination?..-She thought to herself- Am I... really... acting on my own accord?..-She sits up from her spot, immediately looking down at the ground as she continued to contemplate- I... don't know..But...-She then stands up and looks at the civilians in front of her- The one always going with the flow is... without a doubt, me..
[Historia]: I am... I am Historia Reiss. The true ruler of the walls..-She announced-
She looks up, seeing (Y/n) looking at her as Rod Reiss's blood evaporates from her body and blades. The two stare at each other.
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Over at the ruined chapel and broken rubble, Kenny walks limply over to a tree, a sudden memory occurs of a former Titan-Shifter before Frieda was talking in his head.
[??]: I'm afraid... I cannot die right now..-The man bowed down at a younger version of Kenny, leaving Kenny confused- Please, forgive me...
Another memory occurred when he met a boy in some room.
[Kenny]: Gimme a damn break... You hear me, don'tcha?..-The boy looked up at him- Gotta name?..
...
[Pastor Nick]: That's why I'm able to do any job asked of me. Are you any different?..
...
[Caven]: Doesn't matter to me. It's all pointless anyways...
...
Kennt had soon reached the tree, removing his gear off of him and sliding his back down against the bark wood. He held his bleeding chest and closed his eyes, thinking about the boy he raised and abandoned later wards.
[Levi]: Kenny...
Kenny opens his eyes to see Levi, Louis and another soldier holding their guns with one aimed at him.
[Kenny]: Oh, gee...-The injured man uttered- It's you?..-He coughs up blood mid-sentence as Levi wasn't fazed by this and began to talk-
[Levi]: Your comrades we fought... They all ended up getting crushed. Are you the only survivor?..
[Kenny]: Seems that way..-Kenny replies. Levi narrows his eyes down at him, then looks over at the soldier next time him, stating-
[Levi]: Report back. Me and Louis are fine here..-The soldier looks at him and nods-
[Soldier]: Understood..
[Louis]: Levi..-He calls out to him, Levi turns to him silently- I'll be looking around, okay?..-Levi nodded silently as Louis went the other way, leaving Levi and Kenny alone. Levi gets a good look at Kenny until he broke the silence-
[Levi]: With those burns and the blood loss... there's no helping you...-At this, Kenny just smirks-
[Kenny]: Yeah? I wonder...
Kenny then opens a small box to reveal a syringe with the Titan serum in it, making Levi widen his eyes and left his mouth open a bit. Kenny pulled out another syringe that contained blood
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Preview
Levi stumbles across Kenny on the brink of death. In his hazy and fading mind...he remember the man he once called a friend.
And a new memory comes to Kenny when he saw Louis.
Next episode: "Friends"