The next day I ride out to the training grounds with several other scouts to meet with Shadis.

"Keith Shadis was the 12th Commander of the Scout Regiment, and Commander Erwin's predecessor. It's been a long while since I've seen him." Hange says.

"Granpa Shadis." I say getting off my horse. He turns towards me, to find the group together. The entire group with me being, Hange, Levi, Jean, Ymir, Sasha, Marco, Armin, Mikasa, and Eren. He leads us to a room where everyone but Sasha sits.

"What's a matter Braus? Not gonna sit?"

Sasha shakes her head, her voice cracking. "No! I'm quite fine standing here, sir!"

"Let's see. If I recall back in the day, I'd call you in here a lot when I was about to chew you out. It's only been three months... and yet I barely recognize you kids."

Hange leans forward. "So Commander Shadis, or wait, Commandant now. We should be preparing to recapture Wall Maria. But tell me; why do you suppose we came to speak with you instead?"

Shadis looks directly at Eren as I lift my legs onto the chair and I get comfortable sitting crisscross. "Eren. You look like your mother in almost every way. However,the daggers I see within your eyes... those are your father's."

"Tell me about him! Tell me everything you know!"

"I don't know much at all. Not in the grand scheme of things. That said. I'll tell you a story that's of no value whatsoever to humanity. The story of my past, as nothing but a bystander. Twenty years ago, near Wall Maria, I found him standing outside the gate to Shinganshina. He said he couldn't remember why he was outside the walls. All of his memories had been lost. Everything aside from his name. Grisha Jaeger. He truly appeared to know nothing at all. Not about this world. Not about anything. While explaining the world to him, he and I were interrupted by Carla. He described the scouts in his own way... to be a Scout was to be a chosen one. I was a chosen one. That was the first time anyone had told me that. But I knew that those walls were far too cramped for me. As the years went on I wanted to show that as commander, I could get things done. Reclaim land for humanity. Then the plague hit, the only person who knew how to fight against it, Grisha Jaeger. Yet, as more time passed, I learned, I'm not special, all my expeditions failed, and I lost so many lives. Someone special. A chosen one. Those words, did not describe me. I couldn't accomplish anything. It's true. Normal people can't accomplish a thing. Special people do exist. All this means... is that I was never one of them. It's such an obvious fact, so why couldn't I see it? I was in Trost District when the news arrived about Wall Maria. That's when I remembered why, it was because of what Grisha said. I was there when Grisha learned about Carla's fate. I fell to my knees. And I'll never forget what happened. "Eren, you'll avenge her, you must." He spoke lowly as to not be heard. "I know that you can. Let's go." When I asked where he was taking you Grisha asked I not follow. I asked, why not avenge her himself? I knew he could do it. I asked if he'd curse you to. He only looked at me with wide almost frightful eyes, telling me not to get involved. When I saw a flash of light a few hours later I found you sleeping with your father's necklace on. After I found you, I carried your unconscious body back to the shelter... and left. That's when I found you, outside of scout HQ, Marcel, with a bag, in that bag was a letter, from the head of the orphanage in Shinganshina, your mother. Other kids had survived, but you were special. Your mother was a former scout who retired to run that orphanage. It's why you ended up with us after her death. And that is everything I know."

I peeked up at the last thing he said. "What was her name?" I ask, anything about my past would be wonderful.

"Helena Poland."

I nod. "I see."

"She was my squad leader when I started in the scouts." Hange says looking to me.

Eren nods. "So that's it. I see."

"At least now I know the real reason you chose to resign. Not to atone for all the soldiers you got killed, but because you realized that you're not a special snowflake. Just a delusional self-centered child." Benga scoffs.

"Apples seem to not fall far enough from the tree then I guess. It seems every commander, has some private dream they want to fulfill. Wonder what mine will be." I say loud enough for Hange to hear me.

"Lay off him, you two." Levi says.

"You had no right to keep all of this to yourself, just to spare your own ego." Hange says angrily.

"I assume that's why you let me tinker around with my machines so much. You felt guilty for my mother." I say offhandedly.

"We pledged to give our lives and our hearts for the good of mankind!" Hange shouts.

"Please, Let it go commander. The Commandant was right. Just like him, I was never special. Looks like... I was just the son of a man who was. That's all there is too it."

"After I yelled at her, this is what your mother said back. "Why should anyone have to be special? That just isn't the way I like to look at things. And when it comes to my child, I don't care if he grows up to be great. My son doesn't age to be better than anyone. After all, just look at him. He's so cute. I think Eren's special enough already. For no other reason than that he was born into this world." And you, just like your father wanted... chose to set your life ablaze, and let it burn to ashes outside the walls. I tried, but in the end, it all came to nothing. I couldn't change a thing. I'm merely a bystander."

"Coulda cut some of that from the final script but okay." I say.

Shadis sits back. "I hope this answers all your questions."

"I'll be back to ask about my mother after we retake Wall Maria." I say a bit to which he nods. We all say our goodbyes to the Commandant before mounting our horses and riding back towards Trost, which seems to be the new home for the scouts.

The Scout Regiment hurries it's preparations for the mission to retake Wall Maria. Then came two more surprises. One more thing with the potential to shape the fate of humanity.

Erwin, Levi, Hange, Pyxis and Myself stand with our two containers of the Titan fluid. We look over as Premier Zachary arrives. "Looks like I'm late. Sorry. Have any luck? We're you able to establish what's in the container?" Zachary asks.

"Other than what the Reiss trio have told us, we have a vague idea, but unfortunately  with our current technology, we can't dig much deeper. From what the Reiss siblings, Historia & Eren have all said it originates from Titan spinal fluid however it vaporizes when exposed to air, making further analysis essentially impossible. Whoever made it, must've had technology far beyond our own." I say

Pyxis nods. "In that case, rather than tamper with it, we should put it to use for our current objective."

"But to whom do we entrust it? To you, Erwin?" Zachary asks.

"No. with my wound, I would be a poor choice. These syringes, they belong in the hands of two of our best. People with the best odds of survival. Levi, Marcel, will you accept them?"

Levi glances to father. "If its an order, just say so. Why even bother asking?"

"I promised Dirk, I'd make sure to use it when only absolutely necessary." I say taking one of them.

"When we need to use this, there may not be time to plan. We'll be relying on you to make a decision swiftly, and with little deliberation. Judging when to use it, and on whom, will be your responsibility. Will you accept it?"

"Of course."

"If this dream of yours comes true, what will you do then?" Levi asks.

"I don't know, and I won't. Not until it happens." Erwin admits.

"I see. All right. I'll do it."

"Now then, I'd like to discuss that work of mine. As you know, I'm hoping to unveil it soon. Have you given it any thought?" Zachary asks.

"You mean, your still haven't given up on that?" Pyxis retorts. "If the public were to see such a repulsive display, whatever trust they have in the military would evaporate."

"I... I don't even want to know what that is."

Zachary huffs crossing his arms. "You don't know art when you see it."

"Commander, requesting permission to eat with my squad?" I ask Erwin.

"Granted."

I salute and walk away keeping the serum in my pocket as it replaces my flask, and stays behind my journal. However, that afternoon, I'm called in to speak with Erwin alongside all of the squad captains. "You spoke to Shadis, and based on what he told you, it seems that Grisha Jaeger is a human who came from outside the walls."

"Essentially, and the others, Annie, Reiner, Bertholdt, it appears he also had the power of the titans. Unlike those three who sought to undermine it, he was supportive of humanity within the walls." I respond.

Krause sighs. "If he was really that supportive of the scouts and what we do, maybe he coulda thrown a bit more information our way."

Hange hums. "I wonder. From the moment he entered the walls, he was searching for the royal family. A heavy burden to shoulder alone. If you ask me, that's not something you do unless you have an iron will and incredible resolve. And let's not forget, that same man later wanted to show his young son, eager to join the scouts, something important. Staring death in the face, he said the truth of it all was there, in the cellar. What's down there? What was he hiding?"

Erwin speaks, solemnly. "Things which mustn't be said. No. Things which can't be spoken. Things he couldn't say even if he wanted to. That which the First Reiss King wiped from our consciousness. Memories of our world. At least, that's my hope. But speculating more won't accomplish anything. The final preparations are now complete. The operation to retake Wall Maria begins in two days. Wanna know what's in that cellar? Let's go see for ourselves. We're scouts. That's what we do. I'll leave it to you to alert your squads."

Clark nods standing and walking to the door, "Right. We'll keep it quiet for now, though."

Harold grins walking in front of Clark. "I think our troops deserve some meat on a day like this."

"Good idea. Gotta show those kids the adults can be counted on." Urkle says.

I chuckle. "It's fine, Urkle, I already know you're not."

"Hey."

"What about Commandant Shadis keeping important secrets from us?" I ask.

Miche shakes his head. "Forget it."

Nanaba crosses her arms. "We don't have time to deal with him right now."

Marlene looks to Hange. "You must be so disappointed, Hange. You used to adore him!"

"Shut up!" Hange says annoyed.

"Ah, is that annoyance I hear sis?" I tease.

"Don't you start." Hange says.

The door closes behind us as Levi pushes Hange out, my smile fades, as I know what Levi will try to do, its pointless, he's going no matter what you say or do, Captain Shorty. If Erwin dies, Hange takes over, after her, Miche, after him, Myself. The only thing more important than his dream to father from what he's said, is protecting me. And while that makes me happy, I know that my immediate goal is to help him reach his dream, then I'll shoot for my first dream, to become commander, after that, to start a family with someone who makes me happy, whom I love.

As I sit with some of my squad I smirk as Harold stands and speaks to the new recruits and all my fellow 104th soldiers. "This May be a special night but we don't need the public knowing our plans. So behave like the disciplined soldiers you are."

Connie's eyes widen. "What? No way. Is that...? It is. It's meat!"

Sasha's mouth waters. "Am I dreaming?"

Harold raises his cup. "All right. Here's to the retaking if Wall Maria. A toast!"

The soldiers all cheer as I'm seated with Marco, Mina, Ymir and Petra the three of us sitting calmly getting portions of the meat on our table as the room erupts in chaos over each tables plates of meat.

"Jeez, this is sad." Petra says.

"Yeah, I agree with ya there." I say.

Ymir huffs. "Look at those sad fools."

"Hey, don't blame them, the Scouts barely get any meat as it is, or do section commanders secretly get to eat meat all the time?"

"I wish. This the first plate of meat I've had since I joined the cadets." I say.

"So you had meat like this regularly before?" Mina asks outraged.

"Yeah, Commander Erwin shared his diner with with me quite frequently."

Marco hums eating his food with a fork and knife. "Well, you're his son."

"Pseudo son. Like, think of it like this, he raised a kid who had no recollection of his past, didn't know his parents, and was homeless. Of course, I'm gonna see him as my dad. It's why so many of the scouts are like siblings to me. Petra here, is aunt Patty."

"Patty?" Petra asks.

"It was easier to call you that when I used to struggle saying r's. And hey, joining the cadets made me meet my friends.

Ymir sarcastically responds. "Ah, isn't that nice."

"And a cunt." I point at her.

"Still, it's only been four moths." Petra says.

"And I'm already a Section Commander." I joke.

Petra chuckles. "Yeah, But Erwin said you can't be C.O of the scouts until your 18 at least.

"I know, I know. It's only three years." Another riot starts as everyone gathers to watch Jean fight Eren.

Ymir sighs. "There they go again."

"We really should stop them." I say watching.

Marco stands. "You got this Jean! Show them why Marcel squads the best!"

Petra stands as well cheering. "Don't you dare lose, Eren!"

"Hey!" Everyone goes silent as Levi shouts. He kicks Eren and then punches Jean knocking the two combatants to the ground. "That's enough celebrating. Go to bed." Jean retches up the meat. "And clean that up."

"Yes sir." One of the newer recruits from the Garrison says. I start laughing as Marco & Mina go to help Jean and take him to his room, I walk outside on top of the Trost Barracks looking to the bright stars in the sky, maybe, just maybe you're all watching me from the stars above. I walk away. And moving forward, I know what I must do, Reiner, Bertholdt, one of you will die tomorrow, who will it be? I just hope you're ready to answer that question when the time comes. The following day just before sunset the scouts began to unload and lower equipment down into what used to be the territory that was once ours, what was once Wall Maria.

"Hey! Marcel! Hange! Good luck!" A voice shouts out. I look down the wall and see Flegel along with a large crowd of civilians all looking up at us.

"Flegel?" Hange asks.

The crowd cheers as we all look about, none of us knowing what to do. "Go Out there and take back Wall Maria for us!"

"The future of mankind is up to you!"

"Captain Levi! Good luck out there! Thanks for savin' our city!"

"You guys come back in one piece, all right?"

"Yeah! But get us back our land, too!"

Levi scoffs. "Someone's got a big mouth."

"Yeah, well, that celebration did get a little rowdy." Hange says.

Harold sighs. "Actually, we ordered all that meat from the Reeves company, So..."

"See, this what I meant." I say staring at Harold.

Kraus sighs. "Flegel."

Jean, Sasha, Connie, Mina shout cheerfully. "Yeah! You can count on us!"

Clark smirks. "I wonder how long it's been since the scouts got a send-off like this?"

Krause hums. "I don't know. I'm not sure if we ever have."

"Well, as far as I'm aware, at least, this is a first." Father says.

"Yes. Not an often occurrence." Miche says.

We all look to Erwin as he suddenly raises an arm. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"

The Crowd responds in kind. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Father roars. I smile to Erwin as he does this many of the scouts look to him in stupor as Nanaba places a hand on my back smiling with me.

"We got this."

"Of course we do. The Section Commanders will guard the C.O as long as we can."

Erwin shouts loudly. "The operation to retake Wall Maria begins now!" We hurry down the lifts and mount our horses, Marcel Squad is to ride alongside Erwin himself in the front rank. "Scouts, move out!" Father shouts. We begin riding for Shinganshina and I know, waiting for us there, are Reiner & Bertholdt, along with the Beast Titan.

Chapter End.