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

edited on october 19th, 2021 @ 10:44am

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚈,
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. Julian 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..."

Marcus, who was nearby, chuckled at his comrades reaction to Levi's response. Then, he frowned. "Jules... I'm slowly understanding why you fell in love with him. Even if your oblivious self won't admit it." He thought.

"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 and Section Commander Julian. 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 laid on the wall with Armin next to her 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 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.

Zach, William, and Melody were looking at Julian and Lyon, who ended up getting knocked out because of the blast.

"Will they be all right?" Zach asked.

"I hope so..." Melody mumbled.

An eighteen year old Julian was thrown to the ground harshly by his mentor.

"Levi, that really hurt." Julian groaned. "Did you get stronger since I graduated or am I just imagining things?"

"You knew what you were getting into when you asked me to train you, Jude." Levi reminded him. "Stop being a lousy brat."

"Bastard... I'm gonna kick your ass!"

Levi caught his wrist before kneeing him in the stomach as he spat out blood and dropped to his knees.

Julian breathed heavily as Levi just looked at him. "Levi... Have I ever told you why I admire and respect you so much?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"In order to be the strongest, you have to lose a lot of people, right?"

Levi was taken aback, as he was reminded of a certain someone. "I want to be someone my little brother looks up to. I could've ran away to the Military Police, but I've chosen to do this job where I can die at any moment." Julian huffed out.

"Do you regret the choice you made?" Levi questioned.

"Of course not." Julian responded.

"Good. Now get up. We're not finished."

Julian opened his eyes and was met with the cloudy sky. He suddenly sat up quickly and groaned at the amount of pain he was in.

"Section Commander, relax. Help is here." Zach informed. Lyon had woken up before him and was standing up, since he wasn't close to the blast.

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

"Commander Erwin! And the Military Police!"

"Military Police? Does that mean Marcus is also here?" Julian wondered.

"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!"

Julian suddenly thought of something. "Lyon, I need a map." He told him.

"Right."

The Scouts were deploying the lifts as everyone surrounded Julian. "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." He explained with Hange next to him.

"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." Julian 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!" Julian informed.

"Let's move!"

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

Word Count: 1524 words.