A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on december 27th, 2021 @ 1:51pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚈-𝚃𝚆𝙾,
𝓣𝙷𝙴 𝙷𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚂.

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THE COLOSSAL TITAN FELL TO the ground, creating a huge explosion as everyone almost got knocked off the wall. Josiah was thrown back from his spot on the tree. He was on the ground as the Armored Titan bit into Eren's nape.

Bertholdt appeared from his nape carrying Ymir. He used his ODM gear to attach himself onto Reiner as they both departed.

"Eren!" Armin shouted out.

In Trost District, a female Garrison soldier was walking up to Pyxis. "Commander. Wake up, Commander Pyxis. You'll get sick if you fall asleep here." She told him while slapping his back and getting him awake. She sat down next to him.

"I can't believe you drank all this. You're not young anymore. And I'd rather not spend my days changing your diapers." She informed.

"Being cared for by a pretty lady sounds all right to me." Pyxis stated as he opened up another bottle. "So? What's the situation?"

The female grabbed the bottle from him. "Patrols were sent out once the Titans were gone from the 1st and 2nd defensive lines, but any Titan sightings are few and far between." She replied.

"Hmm..." Pyxis trailed off as he took out a pocket watch. "If Hannes and the advance squad followed the wall without problem, they'll be returning any minute now."

"It would mean they met the unit from Krolva District and turned around halfway. And they couldn't have encountered many Titans, if any. If there was a hole in the wall, it would never work out like that.

Erwin then flew down. "Commander Pyxis." He spoke up as Pyxis gave a sound of response.

"Oh. If it isn't Erwin." Pyxis said as Erwin walked to him. "I hear you've captured one of those troublesome mice."

"Yes. Unfortunately, we were one step behind."

"Hmm... But at least it will get those goons in the interior thinking. Maybe they'll reconsider how important their stale beliefs and motives are to them."

"Yes, it appears they have. Look over there." Erwin said. "The Military Police have finally been forced into an area with Titans."

Jean was with the other Scouts who weren't near the wall.

"Can't believe we didn't see any Titans."

"Was there really none at all?" Jean questioned.

"Seems so. It's unusually quiet out there."

"I wonder if they're still alive..." Jean mumbled to himself.

"Can you believe it? I thought this was an emergency." A Military Police soldier said.

"Yeah. And everyone's just sitting around here."

"Hey, Levi. Where you hiding the Titans at?"

Levi turned around to face them. "Oh? You all seem so disappointed. Sorry... A shame you couldn't fight Titans today. If you're looking for another chance, there's plenty of expeditions outside the walls. How about we join forces and face some Titans together?" He shot back.

"Uh, well you know... We're busy with work on the interior..."

"The advance squad's returned! Inform Commander Pyxis!"

Everyone was gathered around. "I see... So there was nothing wrong with the wall?" Pyxis asked.

"Yes, sir!"

"As I suspected..."

"H-However, there's a bit of a situation! We were heading back to Trost to give our report when we ran into the Scout unit led by Section Commander Hange. Along with them, there were recruits from the 104th without their equipment. And it turns out, three of them... were Titans!"

"What are you talking about?" Jean asked. "Are you saying there were more?! Th-Three more of them?! Who was it?!"

Sasha was taken aback. "U-Uh, well..." She stammered.

Erwin placed his hand on Jean's shoulder. "Jean, relax." He said.  "What happened when their forms were revealed?"

"The Scouts engaged the Colossal and Armored Titan in battle. But by the time we joined up with them to fight... it was all over."

Mikasa and Josiah laid on the wall with Armin next to them while Hannes walked up.

"Unbelievable. What a disaster. Luckily we were above so we got away unscathed. Everyone underneath got blasted by steam and wind. There's nothing they could do." Hannes stated before turning to Armin. "How's Mikasa and your other friend doing?"

"I don't see any bad wounds, so I'm guessing it's a concussion." Armin replied.

"I see..." Hannes said. "Armin... You haven't eaten, have you? I'll get you something."

Armin shook his head until Hannes grabbed hold of him. "You've gotta eat." He informed.

Clayton was running through the streets. "Jo!" He shouted out as Josiah hummed and turned around.

"Clay? What's wrong?"

"It's Soren!"

This made Josiah on high alert. "What about him?" He asked.

"They're back! They ruined one of his paintings again!"

Josiah shoved the food he was holding into Clayton's hands before he took off.

"You honestly think you'll make a profit out of lousy paintings?" A boy said, stepping on the ocean painting as Soren flinched. "No one would buy this!"

"Hey, bastards! Leave him alone!"

"Shit! It's Josiah!"

Josiah flew up in the air and kicked the guy who was stepping on the painting into a nearby stall.

"You want a piece of me?!"

"Damn you!"

"Come at me, you pieces of shit! I'm gonna kick your ass for ruining Soren's hard work!" Josiah exclaimed as another guy ran towards him. He caught his wrist and flipped him over harshly onto the ground.

The leader charged at Josiah but he easily threw a punch at the boy, sending him back to the ground.

The fight continued on until a civilian nearby had gotten a soldier.

"Hey, you kids! Cut it out!"

"Let's scram!"

The bullies ran off as Soren grabbed him from going after them. "Jo! I'm used to others ruining my work! Don't make it into a big deal!" Soren exclaimed.

"Screw that! That was your best artwork! It came from your imagination of what the ocean and the outside looked like! They'll pay!" Josiah shoved the silvery-white haired boy out of the way and went after the bullies.

"Jo!" Soren and Clayton shouted.

Josiah opened his eyes and was met with the cloudy sky. He suddenly sat up quickly and took a look around at Hange's squad who was still unconscious.

"Josiah?" Armin exclaimed. He was right next to Mikasa, who had woken up just minutes before.

He grabbed Armin by the collar. "Armin! Where's Eren?!" Josiah questioned.

"Josiah, calm down! You shouldn't be moving!"

"I understand you're worried, but—"

"We don't know how badly you're injured!"

Both Armin and Mikasa's words were ignored as Josiah looked over the wall and only saw the aftermath of the battle.

"Where is he?!"

"Eren was taken away." Armin told him. "Ymir, too, by Bertholdt and Reiner."

"Eren, he... he lost to the Armored Titan. It's been five hours since then." Armin informed.

"Is anyone... Is anyone chasing them?" Josiah asked.

"No..."

"Why not?!"

"All of the horses are on the other side of the wall. In order to rescue Eren, we have to wait for lifts to come so we can move the horses. There's nothing we can do." Armin explained.

"Section Commander Hange and the other officers are too injured to move. To even send out a small scouting party, we're going to need more soldiers than this. Soldiers with experience. Understand?" Armin finished.

"Damn it..." Josiah mumbled, clenching onto his head. "Now that I think about it, Eren and I seem more alike than I thought."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Armin questioned.

"Before the fall of Wall Maria, I was this kid who always went looking for trouble. One of my childhood friends, Soren... He wanted to be an artist when he got older. He would paint pictures of the outside world. He dreamed of being in a world where we wouldn't need to be sheltered behind walls. In a way he was like you, Armin. He wanted to see the ocean as well." Josiah replied as Armin widened his eyes at the new information.

"When him and my other childhood friend Clayton died, I was alone. But then I met Eren, you, and Mikasa. And suddenly I wasn't alone anymore." Josiah continued. "Armin, Mikasa, we're gonna get Eren back, no matter what."

Mikasa smiled at him while Armin had a look of determination on his face.

"Yeah."

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Josiah was dressed in his Scouts uniform as he heard the sound of the horses. "They're here!" Mikasa informed. By now, most of Hange's squad was awake.

"Hey! Isn't that...?"

"Commander Erwin! And the Military Police!"

"I never thought they'd ride along the wall." Armin pointed out.

"That's probably the quickest route." Historia said.

"Christa... I'd prefer if you stayed back, but..." Armin trailed off.

"No matter what you say, I won't. I refuse to wait here when Ymir was taken away. You two should know how I feel." She informed.

"Christa has a point, Armin. We have plenty of reasons for chasing after them. One of which I still can't believe... That Reiner and Bertholdt are our enemies." Connie added on. "I've gotta hear it straight from their mouths."

Erwin stopped his horse as Moblit walked up to him. "You made it, Commander Erwin!" He said.

"Is the situation the same?" Erwin asked.

"Yes, sir!"

"Good." Erwin said. "Deploy the lifts!"

Moblit felt someone grab his leg. "Hange?!" He exclaimed.

"Moblit... G-Gimme a map."

The Scouts were deploying the lifts as everyone surrounded Hange. "It might be a long shot, but theres a giant forest here. We should head straight for it. Though, it's not like they have a way to hide the Armored Titan's footsteps, but... I think that's where they're headed." They explained.

"Why's that?" Erwin asked.

"It's a gamble, but even if they have the strength to change into Titans, the other Titans outside the wall might still be a threat. Especially after all that fighting. They might not be as bad off as Eren, but I'm sure they're exhausted. Like how Annie was out cold for a while. Let's assume for now that their destination is somewhere outside of Wall Maria. Considering the distance they'll have to cover, we can assume they'll need to recover their stamina." Hange explained.

"Which means... they'll want to rest somewhere where Titans are unable to reach them. At least until nightfall when Titans can't move."

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At an undisclosed location, Eren opened his eyes. He saw that he was surrounded by trees as he had sat up. Ymir was also awake.

"Oh, Eren..." Eren looked up to see Reiner and Bertholdt on top of the tree branches. "You're awake?"

Meanwhile, the scouts were getting ready to head out. "We have until night! If we reach the forest before nightfall, we still might make it in time!" Hange informed.

"Let's move!"

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A/N: Another chapter is done! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1895 words.