"It's alive!"

The three of us looked up to see the skull begin to move.

"Captain Woermann!"

The Titan skull looked towards the captain, "Eek! Look at that! Stay back! It's too dangerous! Stand by on alert! Stand by! Load the next round into the cannon!"

"Shit, they're getting ready to fire again..." I cupped my head with my hands from frustration.

"I remember hearing the cannon. There was an awful noise, then that impact, and this heat. Now we're inside a gigantic skelet-" Armin was violently shaking from fear while Mikasa didn't have one ounce of fear to spare.

"Eren protected us. That's all we need to know for now."

Armin nodded and noticed the flowers that were kept alive, "Inside here, even flowers were spared?"

Eren somehow got out of his Titan body all by himself, coming over to meet us inside the rib cage, "Hey! Are you guys okay?"

"Eren, what is all of this?!" I used both of my hands to gesture to my surroundings.

"I don't know. But it's evaporating. It's just like a Titan's carcass. We should get away!" He replied, making us all move to the outside of the carcass. "They're still just watching, waiting to see what happens next." Eren was looking at the captian and the rest of the soldiers standing in front of us through the thickness of the steam and smoke.

There was a tiny gap in the steam and smoke, I pointed to the Garrison soldiers who fired a round at us from on top of the wall, "It doesn't look like the Garrison can't see our movements right now. But eventually, they will attack again."

"After showing them that, I doubt we can talk our way out of this one... I did remember one thing, though." Eren grabbed something around his neck from under his shirt. He pulled out a gold key. "The basement. The basement of my old house. My father said I would understand everything if I went there. He's also the reason I'm like this. If I get to that basement, I'll probably find out the truth about Titans, too. Dammit!" Eren then punched a piece of bone that was nearby, sending cracks throughout it. "Why did he keep it a secret?! It's the intel the Survey Corps has been searching for at the cost of thousands of lives This is mankind's last hope! He was just keeping it locked away in the basement? What the hell was he thinking?!Where has he been these past five years, after he abandons us-"

Mikasa inturupted Eren's rant by placing a hand on his shoulder, "Eren. We've got more pressing concerns right now.

"Yeah." Eren replied.

"We'd better hurry! The smoke is lifting!"

The skeleton continued to crumble and then skull falls to the ground and shatters, spreading more smoke into the area.

"I'm... going to go away..." Eren started. "Mikasa, Armin, Célest, please come with me."

The three of us looked at each other, "Where to? How? Eren we need to think of a better idea, we can't run away from this!" I replied, Eren was obviously thinking irrationally.

"For now, anywhere will do. Then I have to get over the wall and find my old basement. Before that, I'll need to become a Titan again." Eren looked between the three of us.

"You can do that?" Armin asked, he was very concerned for Eren's well-being, especially since he said he was going to leave.

"I don't know how myself. But I think I can. Just like you can't explain how you make your arms move...." He looked down at the palms of his hands, holding them, "Earlier, I just focused on blocking the cannon fire. That's why my body had no real functionality or durability. This time, I'll try something stronger. The 15-meter class form I used to kick the shit out of all those Titans!" A maniacal smile wiped his face while he was speaking.

"Eren, your nose is bleeding." Mikasa pointed out the blood running from his nose.

Eren the wiped away the blood from his nose, looking at it, "Eren... You're really pale. Your breathing is heavy too. Doing that clearly puts too much strain on your body!" I place my hands on his shoulders, making him look me in the eyes.

He violently shrugged my hands off him, "I don't care if I'm in bad shape right now!" Then he threw his hands in the air, "I've got two ideas. If you three don't try to cover for me, they won't kill you. I've caused you enough trouble already..." He then looked towards the soldiers surrounding us, "From here on out, I'm doing this alone..."

"What? No!"

"Eren. I'm coming too." Mikasa replied.

"No." Eren then looked at Mikasa, giving her a stern answer.

"If I can't keep up with you, then don't concern yourself with me. But I don't have to do whatever you say either." Mikasa and Eren bickered like an old married couple at times, it got quite annoying, even through our time at camp.

"Cut the crap already, for fuck's sake! I'm not your little brother or your kid!" Eren barked, snapping back at Mikasa.

She was speechless, "Eren, you said that you had two ideas...?" I tried to change the topic to help us get out of the situation faster.

"Oh right! Armin and Céleste, I want you two to make the final call. I'm fully aware of how unrealistic this plan is. Even so, our best option would be using this Titan power strategically to aid the army." I was about to say something but Eren continued. "I know it sounds insane, but if you're confident that you two can convince the Garrison that I'm not a threat, then I'll believe in you and stay here." Me and Armin looked at each other, thinking about Eren's plan. "If you say you can't do it, then I'll go with my last resort, the option I described earlier."

The soldiers begin to aim the cannons at us once again, "I estimate we've got about fifteen seconds to decide..." I then looked at Armin again.

"Can you do it or not? Either way, I'll respect your opinions..." He asked desperately.

"Eren... why would you entrust us with such an important decision?!" I gripped his shoulders, the fact that there was a life and death decision on my shoulders scared me to my core.

He returned the action, placing his hands on my shoulders,"Céleste, no matter how messed up things get, you and Armin always figure out the best solution. I want to rely on you two for this decision."

Armin scratched his head, "Huh? When have I ever..."

"Armin, you've helped me make a rational decision a bunch of times." Eren replied. "Five years ago, if you hadn't gotten Hannes, Mikasa and I would have been eaten by that Titan."

The Titan skeleton continued to deteriorate. Then the spine fell behind Armin, making me jump slightly, "Armin, we're running out of time... we need to make a choice."

Armin stood up and looked at me. I could tell from his eyes, he wanted to convince them and I wanted to convince them too. We nodded to each other before turning to Mikasa and Eren, "Eren, Mikasa... we'll convince them."

"And Eren, please do your best to show them that you don't intend to resist."

Eren nodded in response, "I will."

Armin started walking forward towards the soldiers and the captain. I was at his side, showing no fear as we emerged from the smoke and steam. We released the ODM gear from our waist. The gear clang on the ground noisily. The crowd of soldiers gasped as we emerged. We then raised out hands in the air.

"Stop! I demand you to stop!" The captain ordered but we continued moving forward.

A soldier aimed a gun at us, we then came to a stop outside in the open.

The captain raised his hand, ready to signal, "You finally showed your true colors, monster. I'll signal! I'll signal the cannon!"

"Captain! Please come to a conclusion with us! Eren isn't the enemy of mankind! We're willing to share all the intelligence we've gathered about his current condition ONLY if you order all weapons to be dropped!"

The captain scoffed, "Begging for your lives is useless now! He revealed his true form right in front of us! There is nothing left to say! If you say he's not an enemy, then prove it! If you can't do that, I will eliminate the threat, including anyone in my way!"

"There's no need for further proof!" Armin replied.

"What did you say Arlert!"

"You heard him, captain! He said everybody saw him! Then they must have seen him fighting the Titans, too! And they must have seen all the Titans ganging up against him! The Titans see him as prey, just like the rest of mankind Nothing you say can change that fact!" I argued back.
The soldiers around us nodded and whispered in agreement, "That's true..." They begin to lower their weapons in the process.

The captain was left speechless for a minute, "Prepare to attack! Don't fall for this clever trap! Their actions have always been beyond our comprehension! If they can transform into humans and speak our language, that's just another way for them to fool us! We can't let them do as they please!" Then soldiers readied their weapons again.

Armin turned back to look at Eren and Mikasa. Their faces were calm. Eren nodded at Armin. Then Armin faced forward with new determination and salutes with his fist over his heart.

My heart was moved and inspired by his actions, I also followed suit, saluting along side him, "As a soldier, I swore to devote my heart to the resurrection of mankind! There is no greater glory than dying for that belief! If we added his Titan power to the might of our armies, it might even be possible to recapture the town! For the glory of the human race, I beg you in my final moments before I die, permit us to explain his strategic importance!"

"Captain, we should consider what they-" A soldier tried to reason with the captain.

"Silence!" He yelled.

The captain began to raise his arm, much to Armin's horror, he still stood guard next to me.

I looked over at Armin. When he turned his head to meet my gaze, we gave each other a soft smile, "Let's die in hell together, Armin."

"Together."

As the captain brought his arm down, he was stopped by Commander Dot Pixis of the Garrison Corps. He grabbed his arm before it made it all the way down.

"Cut it out already. You haven't changed. As big as you are, you've still got the guts of a scared fawn."

The captian laughed nervously, "Commander Pixis?"

"Can't you see how magnificent their salutes are?" He gestured to the two of us standing on guard. "I just arrived, but the situation has already been relayed to me. You go organize the reinforcements. I think it'll be worthwhile to hear what they've got to say." He then extended his arm outwards, gesturing to the two of us.

On the Trost inner wall. Commander Pixis looked over the edge at a gathering of Titans below. Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and myself stand to the side, not bothering to look over the edge.

Pixis chuckled while staring over the edge, he was standing unnervingly close, "I wouldn't mind being eaten, as long as it was by a scorchingly hot lady Titan." He then took a sip of alcohol from his flask that was kept hidden away in the chest pocket of his jacket.

Later on after the incident with Eren, we all found out the name of the woman with the short grey hair and glasses. Her name was Rico, she also has a stick up her rear because we gave her such a hard time. Rico also joined us as an extra added security for the Commander.

One soldier also joined us, relaying information, "Commanding Officer, the troops are in formation." The Commander turned and stepped away from the edge, addressing the soldier.

"Good job, you are dismissed." He nodded, then dismissing the soldier before leaving.

"So you believe that the basement holds all the answers you seek?"

"Yes sir. Will you believe me, sir?" Eren nodded his head.

"Since even you yourself can't say for sure, let's just say I'll keep it in mind for now. However, you can prove your true intentions by your actions right now. I'll guarantee your safety myself."

He patted Eren on the shoulder before walking off down the wall. We followed closely behind. Armin made some noises, I assume he had a thought.

"Cadet Arlert, you have a thought?" Commander Pixix continued walking.

"Yes, sir!"

"Earlier, you said that by using this "Titan power", we might be able to retake this city. Do you really believe that, or were you just desperate to stay alive?"

"It was... both, sir. I was trying to say that Eren could take on his Titan form, carry that boulder to the wall, and block the gap in the gate. The thought just occurred to me... But couldn't you look at Eren's power as a change to turn this situation to our favor?" Armin nervously laughed, "Of course, I was also desperate to save our lives..."

"Desperate to save... Those words are worth more than anything." Commander Pixis then reached in this coat pocket, taking out his flask, and taking a swig of drink. "What do you say, Cadet Jaeger?"

"Sir?" Eren looked up.

Commander Pixis stopped and turned to look at him, "Can you close the gap?"

Eren had to think about what he had to say for a moment, "I'm not sure. I don't understand this any more than the rest of you. It'd be irresponsible of me to answer as if I knew either way."

The Commander laughed, "Oh right, sorry. I asked the wrong question... Will you do it or not? Which is it?"

Commander Pixis stared intently at Eren. As Pixis turned his gaze past Eren, Eren also turned to look out toward the vast expanse of the world.

Eren then turned to look back at Commander Pixis, "I'll do it. I will do it! I'm not certain that I can close the gap, but I'll still do it!" I smiled at Eren's dedication and willingness to try.

Commander Pixis softly smiled, "Hmm. Well said. You're quite the man." Then he turned to the nearby soldiers. "Staff officers, assemble! Prepare to strategize!"

"What? Seriously?! Calling this plan "optimistic" would be an understatement. How can we just go ahead with it?"

Eren looked over at Armin, "I agree with you... but it's pointless to question his decision."

"Eren, Armin... I'm sure Commander Pixis can see something we can't," I turned to the two boys, who were slightly doubtful. "I think we should have a little faith." I myself also had doubts but I kept those in the back of my mind, trying to be optimistic.

"There's probably a fundamental issue to deal with before executing the plan. I'm sure the Commander is fully cognizant of that." Eren replied.

"Which means...?" Armin dragged.

"The Titans aren't our only enemies." Eren and myself spoke at the same time.

Commander Pixis continued walking off, "Time is of the essence! We have roles for you to fulfill, young soldiers!"

Commander Pixis required Mikasa and Armin's skills elsewhere. On top of the wall of Trost District, Commander Pixis, Eren, and myself were all walking along the top of the wall.

"It's said that before the Titans claimed dominance of the land, mankind was locked in endless bloody battles over differences in race and ideals. Supposedly, someone then said, "If something beyond man appeared before us as a powerful foe, mankind will take up arms together in unity". What do you make of that Jaeger?"

"There's a legend like that? Well, it seems rather optimistic. Doesn't interest me, though."

Eren's response made the Commander break out in laughter, "Your character is quite cynical, much like myself!"

"That's because even now, when that powerful foe has our backs against a wall, it's hard to say that humanity is united." Eren replied.

"True. That certainly needs to change. Otherwise, it'll be difficult to continue fighting."

Commander Pixis nodded his head before stepping to the edge of the wall, overlooking the soldiers. Eren and myself stand at his side.

He cleared his throat before erupting into a loud roar, "Attention!" His voice echoed through the air, making all the soldiers stop and turn to face him at the top of the wall.

"I will now elaborate on the plan to recapture Trost District! The objective of this plan is to seal the hole in the destroyed gate! I will now explain how we intend to seal the hole! Belonging to the Training Corps, this is Eren Jaeger,"Eren then stepped forward towards the edge and giving a heartfelt salute. "He is the product of successful top-secret Titan transformation research. He is capable of generating a Titan's body and moving it according to his will! In his Titan form, he'll lift the large boulder in the vicinity of the front gate, carry it to the destroyed gate, and seal it! Your duty is... to protect him from other Titans until he's moved the boulder!"

On the ground, soldiers processed Commander Pixis's explanations. Then a few soldiers start to leave the group.

I rolled my eyes before scoffing, "Pitiful cowards. I'd kick the shit out of all of them for leaving..."

After those few soldiers leave the group, a bunch of other soldiers then left the group.
"Heed my command!" Commander Pixis started again. "Those who wish to desert us now will all be pardoned!Once a man surrenders to their fear of Titans, they are no longer fit for battle! Those who've experienced that fear are free to leave! Furthermore, those of you who want your parents, siblings, and loved ones to experience that fear for themselves may also leave!"

Then some of the deserting soldiers return to the group, having a change of heart to their previous decision.

"Let us think back to four years ago. Recall the plan to recapture Wall Maria... Though I presume you all know this without me having to say, the plan itself sounded glorious, but in essence, it was a way to rid ourselves of the unemployed that the government was unable to support!The only reason why everyone maintained their silence was because we managed to survive within confined walls thanks to their sacrifices! All of mankind bears that sin, including myself! Because the inhabitants of Wall Maria were few in number, the conflict did not escalate. But what about now?! If Wall Rose is breached, reducing the mouths to feed by a fifth won't suffice! Not even a half of the remaining population can be supported within only Wall Sina! Should mankind cease to exist, it would not be because we were all devoured by Titans! We humans would be our own end! We must not die within narrower walls. I implore you! Die where you stand!"

Authors Note:
4/7/24: Hey y'all! I'm back! Twice in the same weekend! Isn't it crazy?! Anyways, I ain't got much to say except "Hiiii!" and "Surprise!" Hope y'all enjoyed the chapter and I'll see y'all in the next one! <3

As always, a like, comment, anything would be helpful and appreciated! I am open to all feedback and comments! :)