[Part 1: War in the South]

Marcel stands with Annie & Mina as the trio look to the supply HQ in disbelief.

Annie scoffs as she turns to Marcel with an annoyed tsk. "Those failures."

Marcel stares at the HQ. "Damn those cowards." He mutters just loud enough to be heard.

"How could you say that?" Mina asks the pair.

"Easily. We all just went through hell in the front lines and those cowards who just have to pick off stragglers couldn't even do that." Marcel turns to walk away as he does he sees two others land nearby. "Hey, Reiner, Marco!"

The pair turn to the trio with Bertholdt not far behind as he lingers on Annie before lightly looking to Marcel.

Reiner steps closer to the trio. "Marcel, Annie. Good you're both here. Any ideas?"

Marcel shakes his head. "Not any that don't involve sacrificing a few lives."

"You said you refuse to let a subordinate die." Mina protests,

"I refuse to let their ideals and memories go to waste. The only way a person truly dies is if they're forgotten about." Marcel retorts. "Who else is here?" He asks Reiner.

"Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Sasha and some others." Reiner says quietly.

Marcel takes a moment noting of who he sees, wondering how to get to the HQ. "Alright everyone, listen up!" He says standing above everyone, slowly he gets the attention of most of the cadets. "Who here plans to die?"

None of them raise their hands.

Marcel nods. "Who here wants to live to continue another day?" They all raise their hands. "I may not be the best speaker or the best motivator, but think about everyone we've lost already. Do you think they would've wanted us to wallow in despair? Or would they fight on! We went through three years of Shadis' bullshit! We survived harsh winters, insane training, the robbery of our own ODM gear. Are we really going to let all of that go to waste?" Slowly, the cadets gain confidence, morale is slowly lifted. "Fight. Fight for your survival. Fight! Anyone who stands with me, we're retaking the HQ and I'll be damned if I let their sacrifices mean nothing!"

Ymir huffs crossing her arms. "What you think we'll fight for you just cause you won't surrender."

"In this world, it's either fight or die. And I don't know about you, Ymir. But I refuse to lay down and take it."

Annie, Reiner, Marco, Jean, Connie, Sasha and Mina all stand by Marcel as they jump off and begin heading to the HQ in their own group with several of the others following behind. They get a few kills along the way. Marcel peers over as Mikasa drops out of the sky and Armin follows after her.

"Damn it!" He grumbles. "Jean, you're in charge! Annie is your right hand got it?" He orders starting to turn.

"What?!" Jean asks.

Marcel blasts off and lands on a roof nearby. He notices two titans standing on either side of Mikasa. However just before he can jump in, one of them attacks the other. The only other person with Armin and he is Connie.

Connie lands checking on Armin. "What's going on?"

"What the fuck?" Marcel stares in wonder.

Connie turns to the number 3 recruit. "What?"

"That titan... it just killed one of its own. Armin, get Mikasa."

Connie and Marcel look to the tian as the latter grabs his notebook.

"You're seriously doing that now?"

"Yes. If we can use this titan to destroy the ones by HQ..." Marcel starts his thought but is interrupted by Connie.

"How do you suppose we do that?"

"Get rid of titans near it. How much gas do have left?"

Connie's eyes widen. "Are you insane?!"

"We can survive with its help."

Armin returns to the boys with Mikasa. "What, what are you talking about?"

"You saw it right, Mikasa? That attacking titan?"

Mikasa nods slowly. "Yeah."

"Let's put it to use. Armin give Mikasa your gas. Connie, carry Armin behind us all the way to HQ."

The three do as Marcel orders as the pair kill several titans and as the abnormal starts heading to HQ. Marcel smirks landing on its head readying to ride the titan all the way to HQ.

"This is the perfect time to learn about you. Don't you agree big guy?" He jokes. The titan roars in what he can only assume is agreement. Marcel laughs enjoying this wonderfully. 'I wonder, is this what you meant by intelligent titans, Ilse? He really is the manifestation of humanities rage.' He thinks to the journal he read, the journal Hange found.

"Alright big guy, I've got a test for you." He looks to Marcel on his shoulder and huffs. "Don't worry, I'll protect you until you get to the test. You see that over there?" Marcel points to HQ and he follows the arm to where it is. "I want you to kill every titan that's swarming that building. Think you can handle it big boy?"

The titan roars again and starts running towards the HQ. 'It understood me? No way...! It understood me! It... it's intelligent! If we can capture this titan after the battle, we could use its power to fight other titans. That's for later.' Marcel rides upon the titans shoulder and when they reach the HQ Marcel attacks two titans blocking its path and as it clears a way for him to enter HQ just behind Mikasa, Armin & Connie. Marcel lands in front of Annie looking towards Jean.

"That was an insane idea but it worked." Connie comments.

"It was a long shot, but I know a good gut feeling when I have it." Marcel grins. "And... it's intelligent. It understood me when I told it to attack the titans here at HQ. it's fighting both on instinct and on orders. A perfect warrior for us." Marcel sighs, behind him Reiner and Bertholdt stare on amazed. Annie places a hand on Marcel's shoulder bringing hi, back to the moment. "Okay, I guess I was right to put you in charge Jean. Very few casualties. Good. You'll make a great leader one day." He says as he notices everyone who survived.

Jean turns to Marcel. "How?"

"We found a titan that's fighting its own kind. I'm affectionately calling it an attack titan. It's fighting with our style of CQC. If we play our cards right, it'll be our ticket out of here."

Jean looks at Marcel like he's insane. "Listen to yourself. A titan's not gonna help us!"

"Jean, I rode on its shoulder on the way here. It can understand us. And it can take orders from us. If we're lucky the scouts can capture this beautiful bastard and use it to reclaim Wall Maria. Then.. to take back the world stolen from us by the titans."

Nico steps forward, taking a deep breath. "That's all fine, but, Jean, Marco. The Military Police keep some old rifles in this building. Go find them. They may be useful."

"How affective will they be?" Jean asks.

"I have an idea." Armin says.

[Part 2: Gas Gas Gas]

After a bit of recon in the supply room Marcel sighs as Armin and he sit down and make a plan, after a moment of us and Nico deliberating, they explain it to the group.

Armin nods readying to explain what is mostly his plan. "We're looking at nine titans in the supply room of the four meters tall variety. If we time this perfectly, this much ammo oughta be enough to do the trick. Step 1, we lower a group via the lift to get there attention. Step two, when the titans come within range, the group fires in all four directions."

"And once their eyes have been destroyed step 3. Nine of us will jump down from the rafters after having snuck in and destroy their napes. That's the plan. It's risky, but, no risk no reward. Nine people have to slay nine titans simultaneously. Those nine... are the best. Jean, Mikasa, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Sasha, Connie, Nico and Myself. I'm sorry to everyone but, that's how it is." Marcel explain.

Annie shrugs. "When you get right down to it the risk is the same for everyone. Doesn't really matter who goes."

"Look, I... I'm willing to be talked out of this." Armin says.

"No. we need to do this." Marcel affirms Armin in his plan.

Marco nods. "Yeah. If we give it our all, we might just pull this off!"

"You need to be more confident Armin." Marcel says patting him on the back after Marco rallies the other recruits. "After all, we're the two smartest cadets of the 104th." Marcel stands and continues giving orders. "Marco, Armin, you two are in charge of the lift team. I'll lead the group that'll attack from the ceiling. I still have a bit of gas left."

As they walk down Marcel sighs, some of his tense muscles slowly relaxing, before immediately going back when Connie speaks up.

"Okay, I'm gonna ask the obvious question. Can we do this without ODM gear?"

Reiner grins. "No problem. Those guys are only four meters tall. Their weak spots are not too far above eye level."

Jean nods. "He's right. Size won't be an issue; the spots still only one meter high and ten centimeters across."

"Back of the head to the nape of the neck." Sasha says.

"Worse comes to worst, you can always just shove one of these up their ass. That's the other weak spot." Reiner jokes.

"Are you serious? That's news to me!" Connie says.

"Did I miss a day of training or something?" The fact it was joke flew of Connie's and Sasha's head.

"Come on, knock it off Reiner." Jean scolds.

"I've got to agree with Jean-Boy. You want your final words to be an ass joke." Marcel jokingly taunts.

"Hey! What have I said about Jean-boy!"

"It's either that or Horseface take your pick." Marcel takes a deep breath as they hear the clicks of the riffles all of them climb into position. 'Now we just wait for it.' Marcel thinks once in position.

Marco waits for a moment. "Fire!"

The cadets all fire, as Marcel exhales before quickly sucking in a breath and jumps down along with the others and get through his Titan easily, as Mikasa who's next to him gets hers.

Mikasa looks up to the lift team. "How are you guys?"

Bertholdt turns. "Sasha & Connie Missed!"

"Annie! We're the closest!" Marcel quickly leaps up and shoots into the air finishing what little gas he has left, as he spins around like a certain scout captain and tear through the nape as Annie goes and kills Connie's target as well.

"Marcel! You saved my life!" Sasha rushes to him from the ground hugging Marcel around the waist.

"Are you alright?" Marcel asks Sasha, patting her on the shoulder.

"Because of you I am." She cries out.

"Are you two done holding each other?" Annie says.

"Sorry." Marcel apologize. She sighs as Connie thanks her.

"Wow, by the skin of your teeth. You're damn lucky you didn't end up worse off." Reiner says to Annie & Marcel, mostly to Annie.

"Alright. They're all dead. Load up on supplies. Hurry!" Marcel orders. He wanders off to fill on gas as Annie & Mina sit by him filling theirs. "Annie..." Marcel mutters once they're alone, or more specifically, away from Reiner, Bertholdt, and Mikasa.

"Yeah?" Annie turns to Mina and Marcel.

"Now you see why I hope you don't join us in the scouts." Marcel says with a big breath,

"Yeah. But..."

"No. I've already made my decisions. I'm still joining the scouts."

Mina turns to Marcel. "But, you could join the MP's you were in the top ten." She points out earning a chuckle from Marcel,

Marcel shrugs confused. "Yeah, so? I only joined the cadets to join my family. The scouts. Alright, I'm full. Once your full on gas, get over the wall."

As they exit Marcel joins, Reiner, Annie and the others in checking on the Attack Titan. We watch as it destroys a group of its own kind. Marcel smiles albeit a bit unknowingly.

Marcel stares in amazement. 'This specimen... could be the greatest weapon that humanity could ever have.' He thinks watching it destroy another two titans. The group then watch as it collapses and then steam comes from its nape... "Is that..." Marcel starts to say seeing the body eject from the body of the titan being Eren Jaeger's.

Marcel's mind begins racing, trying to solve the idea of Eren being a Titan. 'Eren came from the titans nape... but he was dead. What the hell...?' He along with, Mikasa, and Armin then get Eren out of the Titan and bring him up to the top of the HQ. 'If the Attack Titan was Eren... Then...perhaps could we make the assumption that there are others like him? It's the only possible way.'

Jean stares blankly down. "Okay. So, uh... Eren did all this?"

"By the Wall... It's... incredible..." Marcel mutters with a large smile.

[Part 3: What A Fool Believes] (Marcel's POV)

The Titan Assault on Trost left those of the Garrison, Military Police & us cadets reeling. Owing at least in part to the Scout Regiments absence at the time, military casualties were profound. Ironically, they'd embarked on a reconnaissance mission beyond the wall that very morning.

A Few Hours Earlier

I stand on a roof with Sasha, Connie & Nico. The five of us waving off the scouts as they leave. And I notice sis spotting me. And her smile. "Give them hell! Captain! Do your best, Nana! Don't over do it, Sis!" I notice the sly smirk on Nanaba. As well as the smiles from most of the scouts as they see me and hear my voice as Hange turns to me and gives me a thumbs up. "Captain Shorty! Spare me a few for my first expedition!" I see him tsk at that comment followed by Petra and the rest of Levi Squad all seeming worried as Hange and Miche laugh a bit from it.

The scout regiments primary function is to establish bases of expansion. Acting as a spearhead for human knowledge. Theirs is a solemn and dangerous honor. Thanks to the ingenuity of its exemplary members, the regiments survival rates have improved. That said, excursions into long relinquished territory still commonly results in a death toll exceeding 30%. A stark illustration of the disparity between our own strength and that of the Titans.

After the Eren reveal, those of us who knew were put under an order to shut up and not tell anyone. Jean, Annie, Reiner, Bertholdt, Myself & Nico were all told not to tell anybody. Then Mikasa, Armin & Eren were all arrested. Damn it. Why not use him to seal up the wall? Why hasn't the Armored appeared yet? Could there perhaps be more intelligent titans, or maybe more people like Eren who can transform. What if... what if the Colossal and the Armored were like Eren. What if they had people in them too?

"I want all you cadets on standby. Look sharp!" A still panicked soldier orders.

Connie stares at the ground shaken. "If we hadn't found the gas, we'd have never gotten out of Trost. Basically we got lucky. That's it."

Christa looks down at him with a hand on his shoulder. "That sounds terrible. I'm so sorry. We volunteered to run supplies to everyone but the situation was so bad."

Ymir nods. "We even found some gas we were gonna dole out to you guys, but then everything went to hell."

"So you're saying that everyone who isn't here now didn't Uh... you know." Christa asks.

"Just about." I answer.

"Wait, what about Mikasa?"

"Shes fine. She made it in with Jean & I." I answer.

"Okay, So where in the world is Mikasa. She get hurt or what?"

Connie turns to those of us under the gag order. "Hey, talk to us."

Jean scoffs; muttering to himself. 'I would if I could. But the MP's are watching us."

"They slapped our group with a gag order." I lean back.

"Whoa. You're joking, right?" Connie asks.

"That's nuts." Ymir says.

"Its stupid to think about. They're nuts if they think people won't talk. Word'll get out and when it does... "

"Well, that is, If we survive." Jean says.

"Yeah... If we survive." I murmur. I grab my note book and start writing a journal entry about Eren's Titan. "Ne, Annie. What should I call it?"

"Call what?"

"That Titan. I'm thinking... Attack Titan. No... Fighter Titan?"

Annie rolls her eyes. "Attack Titan is fine."

"Are you sure?"

Annie nods. "Yes."

"Alright." I say finishing my notes.

The Attack Titan
15 Meters
Used by Eren Jaeger
Current knowledge on this Titan - The Attack Titan is a Titan used by one Eren Jaeger. It is currently unknown what caused this transformation, however, if that can be harnessed and used it could eventually lead to humanities victory against the Titans.

I hand the journal to Annie for her to read, I've started letting her read my journal entries though, she's not been allowed the knowledge of every entry. She's so far seen the ones on herself, Eren, The Attack, Colossal, Armored & normal Titans. As well as the info page I have for all three branches of the military. I flip over to the page on the Scouts

The Scouting Regiment
Current Commander: 13th Commander Erwin Smith
Next Commander: 14th Commander Marcel Zoe
Most Recent Commander: 12th Commander Keith Shadis
The scouts primary goal is to defeat titans, gain knowledge on where they come from and who they are, and regain land for humanity. The current death toll of the Scouting Regiment is 30%.

My attention is pulled away from my journal when Daz has a complete mental breakdown with Marco & Loren trying to help him. And I sigh.

Jean leans to me. "Well the order to keep our mouths shut makes perfect sense now. As if the situation isn't bad enough already. If they knew about Eren..."

"They'd go insane... huh?" Two members of the military police approach us and I stand with the others saluting.

"Marcel Zoe." One of them asks for me.

"Here, sir."

"The Garrison Commander, Dot Pyxis has requested for you to join him, with Captain Woermann."

I salute and nod. "Lead the way, sir." The two military police are about to start walking when we stop and look to where a canon shot was fired. "Damn it!"

I launch myself towards the shot as Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie & Jean follow after me. We land on a roof behind Woeran and I rush down the roof as Jean and the others stand on the roof in utter shock.

Woerman extends his arms giving orders. "Maintain, your distance! All squads remain alert it could strike at any time! Artillery Crew! Get the cannon reloaded!"

Just as I'm about to run up to Woerman a hand grabs my shoulder and pulls me back. Commander Pyxis. "Now, hold on, Marcel. Wait and see. That's how a commander works best, by analyzing the situation and then making a decision."

I tentatively, nod. "Yes sir."

Woerman stares forward. "Hold your fire!" I look out to the smoke to see Armin stepping out of the smoke and saluting to captain Woerman. "Halt! Halt!  Is this supposed to be your true form, Monster? I don't buy it! I'll give the signal to fire, I mean it!"

Armin stands before everyone arms raises with no gear. "Eren is not a foe of humanity! We're willing to cooperate with Military Command and share everything that has been learned about his powers!"

"Your pleas fall on deaf ears! He revealed his true form, and because of that threat he cannot leave here alive! If you insist he's not an enemy of ours, show me proof! Otherwise we'll blast him back to whatever nightmare he crawled out of!"

"You don't need any proof! The fact of the matter is it doesn't matter what we perceive him to be!"

Woerman's eyes widen. "What?"

"The reports say hundreds of soldiers saw him. And those who were there say they saw him fighting other titans! And taking orders from Marcel Zoe to attack titans! And that means they saw him get swarmed by the titans as well! To put it plainly, the titans saw him the same way they see each and every human being; as their prey! And it doesn't matter how else you may look at it! That is an irrefutable fact!"

One of the Garrison Soldiers lowers their weapon slightly and turns to Woerman. "Kids gotta point."

"Yeah, and isn't Marcel Zoe that kid the scouts have been grooming?" A second troop says lowering his rifle.

Woerman glances around, dread and panicked he shouts. "Prepare to attack! Don't let yourself be swayed by his cunning lies! The titans behavior has always been beyond our comprehension! I wouldn't put it past them to assume human form! H-He's speaking our language i-in an attempt to deceive us! I refuse to let them continue this behavior unchecked!"

Armin then salutes as Pyxis begins to walk forward with me just behind him. I look up to Annie and the others and give a thumbs up, all will be well.

Armin closes his eyes shouting. "I am a soldier! And I have dedicated my heart to the restoration of humanity, sir! Nothing could make me prouder than dying for such a noble cause! If we were to use his titan ability and combine it with the manpower we have left, I believe we can do it! We can retake this city! For humanities glory, in what little time I have left to live, I will advocate his strategic value!"

Ian turns to the captain. "Captain Woerman. His words are worth considering, sir. Maybe we should-."

Woerman steps back worried. "Quiet!" Just as Woerman is about to lower his hand to signal another canon Commander Pyxis grabs his arm and I jump forward towards Armin and the others.

Pyxis stares down the captain. "That's enough. You should really do something about your nervous disposition, captain Woerman. Cadet Zoe has shown more steely resolve in just a few hours than you have today."

"C-Commander Pyxis?"

"Can you not see this soldiers heartfelt salute? I've only just arrived a few minutes ago, but cadet Zoe has made me quite aware of our situation. Gather our reinforcements. I think we could at least do these young soldiers the favor of hearing them out."

I stand next to Armin who's fallen to his knees breathing heavily. "Hey, hey. You're good now, Armin. Mikasa, Eren, I'll be taking you with me and Commander Pyxis up to the wall. So I recommend getting dressed properly for this."

Armin nods. "Yeah."

Eren stares down at me. "Okay."

Mikasa barely nods. "Sure."

I sigh finally relaxing from that stressful moment. I nod to Commander Pyxis and shoot back up the wall. Once up top I look to the broken outer gate. Damn it my journal is more correct than I thought it'd be.

[Part 4: Salvaged]

According to reports from the Scout Regiment, it was anticipated that the titans would appear from the south. These reports were proven accurate when the Titans attacked Shinganshina District in the south of Wall Maria. Therefore it was surmised that their next most likely target would be the fortified city of Trost, on the southern side of Wall Rose.

Damn it. I'm glad we had the research, but oh well. I then flip the page to commander Dot Pyxis.

Dot Pyxis
The commanding officer responsible for the southern territory. The man in charge of the defense of Trost district. The man given full authority over preserving  humanities most vital remaining territory. He's also notorious for being genuinely eccentric.

Pyxis speaks while looking down at the titans. "Nope not any of you. Eaten by a titan wouldn't be so bad, if it was a sexy lady one."

As we sit up on the wall Eren explains the key his father gave him as well as the secrets that could be found in his old Shiganshina district houses basement. I sigh and decide to place this in my final page for my first journal.

Eren Jaeger's Basement
Eren holds the key to this basement, which inside is currently rumored to have information regarding the titans left by his missing father Grisha Jaeger.

Well, the best way to figure out if it's the truth would be the Scouts. Commander Pyxis then turns and tells them he personally guarantees their safety. "You're Cadet Armin Arlelt. Is that correct?" He asks.

Armin salutes. "Yes sir!"

"You mentioned a plan to harness this so-called "Titan Ability" and then utilize your friends power to retake the city. Do you Believe it could work? Or were you grasping at straws to try and save your hides?"

"Uh, well- -Both, Commander. I was going to suggest that Eren, using his strength as a Titan, could lift that giant boulder. We could use it to block off the wrecked gate. That was the best idea I was able to come up with on the spot. I-I just wanted to make everyone see how Eren's ability might provide a solution to the problem we all face."

I hum not turning back to the trio. "It's not that bad actually. And I established well long ago, that Eren can take commands while in Titan form. Hell, he takes better command in Titan form than he does in human."

"What does that mean?" Eren asks annoyed.

"As the 14th Commander of the Scouts I can already tell you and I will be grinding gears on you taking orders from me."

"And how do you know you'll be the 14th Commander?" Eren asks sarcastically.

"Because, I'm specifically being groomed for it by Commander Erwin. Once he steps down, The plan is currently that I will be old enough and experienced enough to take his place. Therefor, the 14th Commander of the Scout Regiment. Granted your plan did seem to be made out of desperation to survive." I turn my attention to Armin.

Pyxis hums. ""Desperation to survive," huh? That's as credible a reason as any, son. Some of Erwin's best plans are from that same reason, Marcel. Take note of that."

"On it." I chuckle.

"What do you say, Cadet Jaeger?"

"Say, sir?"

"That hole. Do you think that you can plug it up, son?"

"Well, I- -I don't know. It's possible. But at the moment, I don't understand my power more than you do. It's just, I sort of feel irresponsible giving you an answer, 'cause I don't really know."

"Ah, Yes. Of course, my apologies. I asked you the wrong question. Are you willing to, Cadet Jaeger. Or not?"

Eren takes a moment, looks at the Boulder then turns back to Pyxis. "I'll do it. I'll do it! I don't know if I can seal that hole. But... I'll do it!"

"Good. Then get some ODM gear, and while you do that, Commander Pyxis, do you mind if I bring my assistant along to help with the planning?"

"Your assistant? Who is he?"

"Not a he, Sir. Cadet Annie Leonhardt. She has been my assistant for the last three years of training sir. She knows most of the knowledge I have inside my journal. She's also helped me with further testing and development of my ODM 2.0 Gear. I'm hoping to do a few more test runs while on an expedition with the scouts. Today, may very well be her last day as my assistant as well."

Pyxis smiles. "I see. So you want to spend time with your girlfriend before the mission."

"Girlfriend? No, we're not dating..." I quickly answer to the commander, which is followed by a nervous chuckle.

"It is fine by me. Get your assistant. I'll go gather the staff officers."

"Yes sir."

After gathering Annie from the others we reunite with Pyxis as well as captains Rico Brzenska, Ian Dietrich, Gustav, and a few others. I go to reach for my flask to find it missing. When I check around for it a finger taps my shoulder and Annie is holding it with a look of utter disappointment on her face.

"Sorry." I chuckle slightly.

She sighs and we return to making the plan with the others as we do so she places her hand on mind and I feel a slight tremble from her and so without thinking, I wrap my hand around hers. As Armin explains it many of us will be sent back in just to lure titans to a corner away from both the gate and boulder. Meanwhile a small elite team will guard Eren against any titans to arrive from the gate while he moves the boulder. It's risky and it will most certainly lead to some deaths, but...

"No victory will come from no sacrifice. The number one lesson for any scout to learn is that in order to achieve some success, sacrifices will have to be made. Whether it be lives... or one's own passion. I believe it'll work, Armin. Now we just need to figure out the team that'll protect Eren."

Mikasa steps forward. "I'll go."

"I agree. Mikasa, Myself, Captain Ian, Miss Rico and a few other should go."

Gustav shakes his head. "No, Marcel, you'll be leading a squad to distract titans. With your inventions it'd be best for your maneuverability. And even then, you're the next Commander of the Scouts. You must survive."

"I can't survive if I'm going to stand back and let others die for me. I need in field experience don't I?"

Armin turns to me. "But, If you die during it, who would take your place as the 14th Commander."

"There's only one person I can think of to fit that bill. Armin Arlelt. And since you'll be on the luring squad I should be the one on the defense of Eren. After all, he'll need to learn to take orders from me."

"No..." I hear Annie say from behind me, it's quiet, hard to hear in all the noise, but I glance back to her. She looks down. It's clear she's been mulling this operation over herself. "Don't go." She grabs my hand her grip slightly stronger than I anticipated. I sigh and look into the air. What a mess.

"Fine. I'll play decoy. However, I want to choose the members of my squad."

Gustav looks to me. "And they'll be?"

"Annie Leonhardt, Loren Schulz, Nico Harms, Marco Bodt, Jean Kirschstein, and Mina Carolina."

Ian nods. "I'm sure we can get that arranged."

"Thank you."

Ian grins. "No problem. Just try not get yourself or your squad killed."

"I won't sir."

[Part 5: Kill Everyone]

As we land in the city we stand together each of us having looks of either courage or fear.

"Form two squads and stay together. Nico, take Mina, and Annie. Marco, Loren, Jean, your with me." I order everyone to their squads.

"Sir!" They all shout as we split.

"Move out!" Marco, Loren, Jean and I run about using our ODM gear to fly about and kill a few titans. I then lure a few towards a squad of elites who take the Titan off my hands. As Jean, Loren, and Marco stay nearby.

"You're playing a risky game Marcel. Don't use too much gas!" Jean warns.

"I know. If we make it out of this, you can join the MP and you won't get any guff from me. Alright you two? Loren, have fun in the Garrison."

Loren chuckles after a kill. "I will."

Marco nods. "Yeah!"

Jean avoids a Titan. "I hear ya." The four of us race around getting a few kills each as we all do our best to survive. Watching each other backs.

I watch as Jean goes down, and I lift him up. "Whats the problem?" I ask.

"My gear's busted."

"Damn! Okay, Marco, Loren! Get Annie's team and bring them over. I'll guard Jean as he gets that gear from the soldier down there!"

Loren nods. "On it!"

"Loren! Avoid distractions!"

"Sir!" He rushes off as I see two titans approach.

Jean finally gets his own gear off. I then waste some gas and kill one of the titans. Turning back I watch as Marco & Annie arrive killing two titans before I turn just to be saved by Annie who lands behind me.

"So, is this how you expected it to go?" Annie asks from behind me.

"Mostly. From the looks of it we're going to be out here a bit longer than I'd have liked."

"What do you mean?" Annie asks, the entire squad stands behind me except for Loren and Nico.

"You see the smoke?"

Annie nods. "Yeah."

"It means we've suffered a major delay. Likely Eren fucked up." I sigh and kick a piece of the roof. Jean, Marco, and Mina continue to move and not make a major group leaving me and Annie alone. "So, how long do you think it'll be before it shows up."

"It?" Annie asks.

"The Armored."

"I don't know if they ever will." She answers.

"Yeah, If he was going to show, he would've by now. Likely Eren's reveal lead to a delay. Meaning someone who knows about Eren is the Armored."

Annie turns to me, her eyes are wider than normal. "Marcel?"

"No, don't worry. I'm just thinking my thoughts. I highly doubt the Armored is one of us Cadets. Likely it's someone with a bit more knowledge about the walls. I don't trust those Garrison elites that made us do all the work. Or the Military Police."

Annie seems to relax after that. Troublesome. "I see."

I can't say it outright, but I do suspect someone within our ranks is the Armored and colossal, and they likely are to stick together. "Annie, find Mina. I'mma go with Marco. Jean is to retreat back up the walls. Return to Nico. I'll stay with Marco."

Annie nods. "Right." She jumps away and I notice she's a bit more tense than she was earlier. Worrisome. I hurry off and find Marco with a Titan taking a swipe at him. However before I reach him the finger of the titan hits his head and despite not slapping it off his eye gushes with blood when I turn and attack cutting off its hand. Before taking out its nape. I land next to Marco as he holds his eye.

"Stay in there Marco. Here let me help." He stops moving as I wrap some bandages around his head. He nods to me as I turn away from him. "Get back up with Jean. I'll reconvene with Mina and the others. Don't die, Marco."

Marco through strained breaths starts to turn away. "You too." He jumps away as I jump to a nearby bell tower and watch as an army of scouts arrive by the front gate. I jump forward heading into the main fight where I help in the destruction of several titans. Assisting the famed Levi Squad.

"Marcel?!" Petra asks.

"What are you doing here, kid?" Eld asks killing a Titan.

"Squad Leader Marcel Zoe reporting for duty. My squad is currently helping with the diversion efforts while I've moved to help defend the Attack Titan."

"You're defending a Titan?!"

"This Titan is controlled by one of my fellow cadets. I can you fill in more later. Where's Hange and father?"

"Hange's up on the wall with Commander Erwin." Oluo answers.

"Thanks. I'll be headed there now." I burst my way up, using some of my remaining gas, or rather most of it, to reach the top upon my arrival I roll on the wall and stand next to them.

"Marcel?" Hange asks.

"Hey, sis." She rushes over and hugs me as I smile and look to the Commander.

"So, what knowledge do you have on that Titan carrying the boulder?" Father asks.

"It's currently controlled by the 104th Cadet Corps Number 6 Graduate, Eren Jaeger."

"One of your classmates?"

"Yes. What orders do you have Commander?"

"Wait for him to seal the wall. We'll have Levi extract him. You go and reunite with the rest of your class. You'll join us at the ceremony. I expect you to be one of the people I see there. Also, I'd like to see what you've written down in your journals."

I chuckle and grab it from my pocket. "I only just finished the first journal."

"As expected. Shadis took it easy on you did he?"

"Hardly. If anything I was his favorite target for attack. I'll make my way back via this nice and comfortable wall that serves as our cage."

"Yes. You will. And please do."

"You did good." Hange says with a goofy smile.

"Yeah. Did you leave anything for me, Captain Shorty?"

"Shut up brat."

"Yes, sir." I hand Erwin the journal and begin making my way back. But I stop just before leaving earshot. "Hey, sis!"

"Yeah?!"

"We will find another one. Like Ilse did!"

Hange nods. "Yeah we will!"

I smile and run back Meeting with my squad halfway. "Oi, where's Mina and Loren?"

Annie shakes her head looking down. "I don't know."

"They haven't come back yet." Jean says.

"Annie, let's go find them."

Annie nods standing. "Sure." The pair of us jump down and kill a few titans saving Connie & Sasha.

"Why are you two still down here?" Sasha asks.

"We're looking for Mina & Loren."

"Mina? Last I saw her she was headed for the HQ to help Christa & Ymir." Connie answers.

"Annie & I'll head there too! You two get up the wall. We're almost out of this!" I grin.

Connie nods. "Right!"
Sasha smiles. "Sure!"

"Marcel, what'll you do if all we find is-?"

"They're alive damn it! She's the only other friend you made in training camp. So don't think she's dead."

Annie nods. "Right." As we approach the HQ we find Ymir cutting one down as Mina lands on the HQ and another reaches for her.

"Mina!" I shout. I use a burst of gas and cut the Titan down as Annie covers my back.

"Ymir! Get Christa! We'll get Mina! Get back up the wall!" I order.

Ymir scoffs. "Yeah!" She grabs Christa and rushes to get to the wall as I grab Mina and us the last of my gas to get up the wall after landing I sigh in relief as Mina is laying on the wall and I sit surrounded by my squad.

Marco sits over Mina and looks to me. "Hey, good job."

Jean scoffs hitting me on the head. "You stupid idiot."

"It's over. We won. Humanities first victory." I lay back on the wall, exhausted and exhilarated.

"Yeah. Our first win. Either way the scouts are here." Jean says.

"Congrats squad Marcel. It's our final day together as one squad."

"What are you talking about. I'm joining you." Marco says.

Jean turns to Marco. "What?! But I thought you wanted to join the Military Police."

"After today, I think I figured out where I'm supposed to be. It is my job to help lead humanity even an inch closer to freedom." Marco turns to Jean.

"Yeah, Yeah. Just make sure your resolve doesn't falter during the ceremony."

"Well, Marco, I guess we're both headed to the scouts. What about you, Annie?" Jean asks.

"I'm staying with the Military Police."

"There's no changing your mind. And I'm fine with that. I'd rather not worry that you won't come back to me." I say partially-jokingly.

Jean glances between us. "Are you?"

Annie huffs. "Just make sure you come back."

"I will. I will."

Chapter End.