A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!
unedited
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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙵𝙸𝙵𝚃𝚈-𝚂𝙸𝚇,
𝓡𝙴𝚃𝚁𝙾𝚂𝙿𝙴𝙲𝚃𝙸𝚅𝙴.
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ANNIE WAS CURRENTLY TRYING TO DEFECT the Yeagerists as she crushed a few of them with her hand. Reiner punched into a building as Yeagerists headed towards him, in which he punched away. Simon kicked a few to the buildings. The three Titans continued battling it out with the Yeagerists who were trying to attack them.
"Wh-What... did... you just say?" Hange asked, not believing what they were hearing.
"So I'm saying, it will take an entire day to prepare the flying boat for flight. With all the necessary facilities, we could try to make it fly in half a day."
"Half a day? You're saying we have to defend this place for that long? The enemy will send in as many reinforcements as they need. The Titan's power could only last a few hours at most, and we're supposed to seize this harbor for half a day?" Magath asked.
"We won't make it in time. The Rumbling's march was faster than a galloping horse. And they can also ignore any obstacles on their way. In half a day, the Titans would already cross the shoreline to about 600 kilometers inland. It will probably only take them four days... to trample the entire continent." Hange explained.
"Even if we could stop Eren with the fastest method possible... It'd already be too late for Liberio." They finished.
Jean widened his eyes at Hange's words, faintly remembering a memory. He gritted his teeth. "No way..." He muttered.
"Even if we got the flying boat going, we still don't know Eren's location. It'll take even more time to locate him. To begin with, it's impossible to hold them off for even half of a day. This is..." Magath trailed off.
"I have an idea." Kiyomi spoke up, getting everyone's attention.
All of them were soon looking at a map. "On the South from here, there's a hangar owned by the Azumabito in the coastal Marleyan city of Odiha. It's possible to service the flying boat there. By hauling the flying boat with a ship, we could sail off at once, then complete flight preparations in Odiha." Kiyomi explained.
"The Marleyan coast? Given the distance... Isn't it one of the cities about to be destroyed by the Rumbling?" Hange asked.
"Odiha is far enough away that we could get there before the Rumbling. But whether it will stand for half a day will be a gamble." Kiyomi answered.
"A gamble..." Hange repeated.
"Either way, we can't get the flying boat running here." Magath said before turning to the Azumabito mechanics. "Is there coal on the ship?"
"Y-Yes!"
"But we'll need thirty minutes before we can depart—"
"Do it in fifteen!" Magath ordered. "If you die, Hizuru will be gone along with the rest of the world! Keep that in mind!"
"Yes!"
"I'll go get Captain and the others!" Jean said.
"I'll inform Mikasa!" Hange stated as they rushed up the steps, Jean quickly following them.
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Outside, the fighting still raged on. "Take this—" A Yeagerist said until Mikasa flew in and killed him. Mikasa attaches herself to Simon's face.
"Section Commander, change of plans! We're leaving by ship and prepping the flying boat on the continent!" Mikasa informed.
"Prepping it on the continent?" Simon repeated.
"Cover them as they board!" Mikasa told him before flying off.
The Azumabito mechanics, Kiyomi, and Magath rushed out. "Run, run!" He ordered as Mikasa was on Reiner's shoulder before flying off as another explosion hit.
Floch landed on a roof along with a few other Yeagerists. "The Azumabito mechanics! Kill them!" He ordered.
The Yeagerists began firing at the mechanics as Mikasa kicked him the face before Hange sliced the other two in half.
"You filthy traitors!" Floch shouted as he began to fire at them. "Why are the Azumabito on the move? Where are they risking their life to go?"
Floch then widened his eyes. "Can it be...!" He wondered.
"Reiner!" Magath shouted as Reiner used his hand to protect the Azumabito mechanics from getting shot.
"Take this!"
Two Thunder Spears were aimed towards Reiner but not before Simon protected him as he protected his nape while the Thunder Spears went off. Magath began to shoot down the Yeagerists.
"Run, run!" He ordered as the mechanics began running once more while Annie was dodging explosions.
"Deal with the Female later! Aim for the Azumabito!"
The Yeagerists fired Thunder Spears towards the Azumabito but Annie used her arm as a shield which got blown off.
"Stand up!" Magath said. "The ship's right there!"
"Outta the way!"
More Thunder Spears were thrown as Annie as Reiner and Simon stepped in, both of them taking the Thunder Spears to the face.
"This is bad! Are they planning to complete the flying boat on the continent?" Floch asked himself as more Thunder Spears were fired at Reiner, Simon, and Annie.
"Get every last Thunder Spear we've got! They're planning on going by ship to kill Eren! Destroy the ship by any means necessary! If Eren dies, Paradis will sink into a sea of blood! The world will take vengeance on us and kill your parents, siblings, and our children! Dedicate your hearts!" Floch saluted.
Meanwhile, Pieck was in a safe place with Gabi, Falco, Onyankopon, Yelena, and Levi.
"No way..." Falco muttered.
"What?" Gabi asked as her and Onyankopon looked over.
"They're targeting the ship now." Onyankopon said as Annie, Reiner, and Simon were being overpowered. "Those three won't hold out until the ship is ready to sail!"
"Eat this!"
Two more Thunder Spears went off as it exploded on both Reiner and Simon. "I must fight too." Falco declared as Gabi looked at him. "I'll use the power of the Jaw."
"Don't do that. Your first transformation won't go well." Pieck informed.
"But at this rate..." Falco began to protest.
"Just leave it to me. I'll join the fight once I take you all to the ship." Pieck said.
"If only Mr. Galliard were here instead of me." Falco muttered as Annie got hit with a Thunder Spear. "Then we wouldn't have to stay here worrying!"
More explosions soon went off as Falco hopped off of Pieck. "Falco! Wait!" Gabi called out.
"Don't." Pieck said. "I'll take you to the ship first."
The Azumabito mechanics were getting on the ship. "Get on! Hurry and start the boiler!" He pointed the gun behind him, only to see Connie supporting Armin. "Connie!"
"His chest and stomach got shot." Connie informed, handing Armin over to Magath.
"His jaw, too." Magath noticed. "He should recover soon enough. You should..."
Magath got interrupted as Connie pulled out his blades. "I'm defending the ship!" He exclaimed before running off.
Pieck soon appeared from the water. "Commander Magath... Falco has..." She began as Magath gritted his teeth, knowing what she was about to say.
Mikasa and Hange were on a rooftop as Hange gasped. "Oh no! Their reinforcements are coming!" They informed. "We must stop them somehow. Or else they'll wipe us all out before we can do anything!"
That's when the train suddenly exploded. "What?" Hange muttered.
"The train carrying our reinforcements... They got us!" Floch said.
Falco was trying to make himself transform by stabbing his hand as Jean landed above him, causing Falco to step back in surprise.
"Falco, what are you doing?" Jean asked. "Hurry up and get to the ship!"
"O-Okay!" Falco replied.
Both of them turned as they spotted Annie's head collapsing as the three Titans were covered in steam. Simon's Titan was missing its left arm and right leg — immobilizing it.
"My body... move!" Reiner told himself.
"I can't see anything!" Annie thought.
"Shit! I'm immobilized! I guess trying to protect both Reiner and Annie took a toll on me!" Simon noted.
"Now! Finish them off!"
Connie soon appeared as he sliced at the Yeagerists that were heading for Reiner, Simon, and Annie.
"Connie!" Reiner exclaimed.
"Die! Traitor!"
Connie soon got shot. "Connie!" Mikasa shouted out before she attacked the Yeagerists that were on the roof while Jean shot one.
"If we hesitate..." Jean began.
"... the Rumbling won't stop!" Mikasa finished, wiping the blood from her face.
Pieck appeared from the roof as some of the Yeagerists were in her mouth.
"Floch!"
"I know! We'll take out the traitors with anti-personnel equipment. Hit the Cart with Thunder Spears!" Floch ordered.
Pieck easily dodged the Thunder Spears coming at her. "Oh, come on!" Pieck complained.
"Defend it to death! Defend this island! Defend our country!" Floch shouted.
Hange was running along the roof as a bright yellow light soon appeared, signaling a Titan transformation. The Jaw Titan soon made its appearance.
"Falco!" Pieck exclaimed.
"Now! Their formations are broken!" Jean shouted.
"Now is..." Connie attacked a Yeagerist.
"Our only chance!" Hange finished, slicing another Yeagerist.
Falco continued rampaging before he roared at Floch. "Damn it!" Floch screeched, heading for Falco with Hange right on his heel, managing to slice his cheek with their blade.
Floch fired a Thunder Spear at Pieck in which she dodged while Floch headed for the ship.
"It's all riding on this one shot! It just has to make a hole on the bottom of that ship!" Floch told himself.
"I'll be the one to save Eldia!"
Floch suddenly got shot by Gabi, causing him to crash into the water.
"They got Floch!"
Mikasa took down the rest of the Yeagerists as blood rained down from the explosion. The remaining Yeagerists began retreating.
"We're ready to cast off! Hurry up and board!" Onyankopon called out.
Jean flew down onto the roof. "Let's go. Before those we drove off come back." Hange said.
Falco soon crashed onto the roof and roared as Pieck stood in front of him.
"Falco! The enemy's gone now! Get ou—" Pieck's sentence was cut off as Falco attacked Pieck's neck.
"Pieck! Hold Falco down!" Magath ordered as Pieck did so.
"Falco!" Gabi called out in worry.
Magath sliced the nape of the Jaw Titan, pulling Falco out. "It's all right now. Falco, you've done well." He said.
The group were heading towards the ship as Hange supported Pieck, Mikasa supported Annie, Connie supported Reiner, and Jean was supporting Simon. Magath was carrying Falco.
"Hold him." Magath said, passing Falco to Onyankopon.
"Okay."
"Get moving at once."
"Eh? What about you?" Onyankopon asked.
"I'll guard the rear." Magath replied before rushing off.
The boat was tied to the ship as it set sail. Magath was running along the harbor.
"An enemy! There's still one left!"
Magath dodged all of the shots before someone sliced at the Yeagerists. Magath pointed the gun at him.
"Are you the one who stopped the Yeagerists reinforcements?" Magath questioned.
"That's right. Why didn't you get on the ship?" Shadis asked.
Magath lowered his gun as he looked back. "That's a captured Marleyan cruiser, isn't it? With its speed, they'll catch up the transport my allies are on, and sink it in no time. I couldn't leave it behind." He responded.
"Then let me help you." Shadis offered.
The two of them were soon inside the ship. "They're charging in." Shadis informed.
"Doesn't matter. I'm just here to set this ammo supply on fire. Now is your chance to jump into the sea." Magath told him.
"No, I'm fine. I was looking for a place to die, anyway." Shadis claimed.
"Why did you help us?" Magath then questioned. "You may have doomed this island."
Shadis stayed silent for a moment. "I saw my students heading south from the fort in Shiganshina. Together with Annie Leonhart. Realizing what they were planning, I was moved. With how they'd grown." He answered.
"If you hadn't stopped the reinforcements, it would've been all over for us. I'm sure one day you will be known as one of the heroes who saved the world." Magath said.
"Then that makes two of us."
Magath began laying the coal down. "I've done nothing I can be proud of. I ignored the voice of my conscience, turned those children into a convenient tool for the country, and ordered them to breach those walls. I've finally realized. If those kids could have lived a normal life... Who knows how happy that would make me feel." He said.
Shadis stepped forward. "Even if you can't be proud of yourself... I have respect for you." He stated.
"Hey! Open up! I said open up! What are you doing?! Open up!"
"I'm sure those kids would feel the same." Shadis finished.
"Thank you. By the way, what's your name?" Magath asked.
"Keith Shadis. And you?"
"Theo Magath."
Magath clicked the trigger of the gun as the ship erupted into flames as the others watched. Pieck held onto a distressed Gabi.
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Simon was currently sitting down, fidgeting with a silver chain that was on his neck, lost in his thoughts.
"Section Commander?"
The gray-haired male looked up to find Reiner was looking at him.
"You don't have to call me that anymore, Reiner. I'm no longer your superior." Simon reminded him.
"Right, sorry. Force of habit." Reiner said, making Simon chuckle. "How are you feeling?"
"I've been through much worse, believe it or not." Simon responded, using the wall of the ship to propel himself up. "I guess without my squad I really am vulnerable. All of them would kill those Yeagerists before they touched us."
"Thanks for doing your best. Protecting Annie and I." Reiner thanked him.
"I guess apart of me still thinks of you as that prick in the Survey Corps and not a traitor." Simon admitted. Reiner smiled a bit as the two joined the others.
"We decided with Magath that we'd go to Odiha. Or rather, we had no other choice. There was no way to save your hometown, Liberio." Hange was saying as Annie dropped to the ground.
"Then... I don't have any reason left to fight. I quit." Annie said as Mikasa kneeled down to her.
"Even if the Rumbling stopped at this moment, the destruction of Marley and Liberio is unavoidable. And Magath understood that as well. But he still put his life on the line to open the path forward for us. And he didn't do that for Marley or Liberio. He did it so that we can save even one more life of a stranger." Hange said.
"Then... Let me ask you again. Could you kill Eren?" Annie asked Mikasa. "If I tried to kill Eren... would you be able to sit back and watch?"
Everyone stayed silent. "I don't want to fight anymore. I don't want for us to kill each other again. Not with any of you... Not even with Eren..." Annie confessed.
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A/N: This was just a small view of how Simon got injured majorly since his squad are all dead. Thanks for reading!
Word Count: 2523 words.