In the year 845, two terrifying new breeds of Titan appeared, the Colossal and the Armored, barrelling through the outer walls as if wholesale destruction was child's play. The territory couched within the circle of Wall Maria was abandoned. Twenty-percent of the human race perished and one-third of out territory was lost. As the Titan onslaught advanced, our only choice was to withdraw behind Wall Rose. Five years later, the Colossal Titan reappeared in Trost. Humanity had failed to stop the Titan onslaught. Cadet Eren Jaeger, tragically consumed early in the battle, later emerged, miraculously from the fallen body of the Abnormal.
Couple of minutes earlier
"Marco, I'm.. I'm done fore," said Daz. "I can't fight the Titans anymore!"
"What's wrong?" asked Marco.
"I saw my friends devoured right before me eyes!" Daz replied. "I saw them get eaten alive and yet I felt no sorrow, no hatred... Only overwhelming relief that it wasn't me!"
Daz then grabs his head with both hands.
"But it's going to be my turn next," said Daz. "Now I understand. The true nature of our jobs is we're going to fight Titans until we are bitten to death."
A wagon carrying the injured pastes by the cadets.
"If I'm going to get devoured, I might just as well end my life now!" shouted Daz.
He grabs his sword, but Marco holds him down.
"Stop it!" yelled Marco. "Get a hold of yourself! You're not the only one. We're all fighting our fears! Just look at Sasha. She remains a proud soldier despite all sh's been through!"
Sasha then screams in agony surprising both Marco and Daz.
"Um... I have a real bad abdominal pain," said Sasha. "So could you please count on me as one of the wounded?"
"IT'S ALL OVER!!!" shouted Daz pulling out his sword.
"Stop it!" yelled Marco.
Jean heard the commotion and ignored it.
"Yeah, I can see why they needed to put out that gag order," said Jean. "Just take a look at the situation they're already in now. If they knew about Eren..."
Then, cannon fire was heard alerting all the stationed cadets and Garrisons.
"Cannon fire," asked Reiner.
'Why'd they fire just one shot?" asked Jean.
"Hey, look at the smoke," said a male Garrison. "It's inside the wall!"
Reiner and Jean came outside and saw the smoke billowing in the distance.
Everyone questioned on what the smoke was and what caused the cannon to fire.
"What in tarnation is that?" asked Applejack.
"I hope Eren and the others are okay," said Fluttershy.
"Is that Titan vapor?" asked Jean.
Reiner pulled out his controller grip. He then latched on to a side and was flew up.
"Hey!" called Jean.
Then, Bertholdt, Annie, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack followed Reiner. Then, Jean followed all of them. All of them got on the roof and started running towards the smoke
On the other side, Eren's partial Titan stood in place. The blown off arm started steaming and blood evaporated. Armin and Mikasa were inside the Titan's rib cage. Several Garrisons were terrified at the sight, including Woermann and the female Garrison. On top of the roof, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Jean, and the rest of the girls were watching the event below.
"What the hell's going on?" asked Reiner
"What in the world happened?" asked Rarity.
"Hey, what's large figure?" asked Starlight Glimmer.
Inside the Eren's partial Titan transformation, Mikasa and Armin were protected by the rib cage. Mikasa placed her sowrd down on the ground. Armin looked up at the rib cage as the bones started to crumble as Eren's titan attempted to move. Woermann and all the Garrison saw the Titan move which disturbs them all.
"It's alive," said Ian.
"Captain Woermann!" called the female Garrison.
The Titan twitched its head, disturbing Woermann even more.
"Wait and see how it goes!" yelled Woermann. "It's to dangerous to get any closer! Maintain formation and stand by. HAve the cannon squad load another round!"
The Titan's eye started to twitch and started to move its head. Inside the Titan, Eren woke up to see flesh covering his face and his arm consumed by the flesh. Eren twitched around inside the Titan. The nape then started steaming and Eren got out of the nape. Eren's arm was still stuck in the flesh of the Titan, then he pulled his arm out. Eren looked in fron of him and saw the Titan's head. The Titan then started to evaporated after Eren exited out of the Titan.
"What is that?" asked Eren.
"I remember hearing cannon fire,' said Armin. "There was a tremendous noise, crushing impact, and immense noise after that... And now we're inside a massive skeleton."
"Eren protected us," assured Mikasa. "That's all you need to understand right now."
Armin smiled at Mikasa and noticed something on a ground.
"Flowers... Just on the inside?" Armin asked.
"Hey!" called Eren.
Eren started running towards them.
"You guys alright?" he asked.
"Eren! What's this?" Armin asked.
"I have no idea," Eren replied. "But this thing is going to evaporate. Juts like a Titan's corpse. Let's get out of here."
Eren walked towards the amount of Garrisons still waiting and stopped and looked at them from a distance.
"I don't know if they're gauging the situation or just dazed from shock," said Eren. "But the Garrison's not doing anything right now."
Eren then spotted the cannon squad reloading the cannon.
"However, they'll probably resume attacking eventually," said Eren. "I don't have the confidence to negotiate with them after showing them this."
Eren then pulled out his necklace with the key hanging from it.
"But I started to remember one thing," said Eren. "The cellar. The cellar of my home. My dad said I'd understand everything if I went back there. He's also the one responsible for what I've become. If I get to the cellar, I just must fine the truth behind the Titans as well."
Eren slammed his hand on the bone of the rib cage enough to crack it.
"Dammit!" yelled Eren. "Why'd he hide it, then? Wasn't that the information the legion was looking for, even if it cost them thousand of lives? Wasn't that mankind's hope? And it was locked away in our cellar all along? What the hell was he thinking?
The rib cage started to crumble and crack.
"For the matter, where the hell is he?" Eren asked. "He's left us on our own for five years now..."
Eren," called Mikasa. "We've got other matters to deal right now."
"Right," said Eren.
Armin, Eren, and Mikasa started running.
"The smoke is clearing up!" yelled a male Garrison.
"Attack as soon as you see them!" yelled another one.
"Let's end this without wasting time!" shouted a third one.
"Hold fire!" shouted Woermann.
Then, the skull of the Titan snapped off and fell to the ground, causing smoke to cover the Garrisons. They all covered their face from the smoke.
Next to the Titan, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin huddled around.
"I going to get out of here," said Eren.
Mikasa and Armin were surprised at Eren's comment.
"Where are you going to go? And how?" asked Armin.
"To begin with, anywhere but here," replied Eren. "Then I'll get over the wall and head for the cellar. After I transform into a Titan again, that is."
"Can you do such a thing?" asked Armin.
"I'm not exactly sure how I'm doing this myself," replied Eren. "But I think I can. It's very hard to explain with a word how I move my arm.
Eren looked at his hand.
"In that moment, all I though about was protecting us from the cannonball," said Eren. "That explains the skeleton's decay losing durability and other functions. I'll becoming a more powerful one this time. One that's fifteen meters tall, like when I beat the living shit out of those Titans."
Eren's nose started to bleed.
"Eren!" called Mikasa. "You're nose is bleeding."
Eren wiped his nose and looked at the blood on his finger.
"You're really pale and breathing heavily," said Armin. "That's going to be something abnormal with your body."
Eren then wiped the rest of the blood off his nose.
"I don't care about my health right now," said Eren. "I've got two ideas. As long you don't try to protect me they'll let you two stay alive. I've caused you loads of problems already. So I think I'll do things on my own from here."
"No kidding..." muttered Armin. "I..."
Mikasa broke in.
"Eren," called Mikasa. "I'll come with you."
"Now way," groaned Eren.
"If I'm not able to keep up with you, feel free to leave me behind," said Mikasa. "But that the same time, I'm free to ignore your orders as well."
"I'm telling you to cut that shit out," said Eren. "I'm not your little brother and I'm not your snot-nosed toddler!"
On the other side, the female Garrison walked towards Woermann.
"Captain Woermann, the cannon is close to being almost completely reloaded," said the female Garrison.
"Well done Rico," said Woermann.
"We're ready, sir. What are your orders for the next attack?" asked Rico.
"All troops will await my signal!" shouted Woermann.
"Yes, sir," said Rico.
On the other side of the Garrisons, Eren and Mikasa were arguing while Armin thought of something.
"The Garrison have not yet shown any signs that they intended to attack us through the smoke," Armin thought. "If they were, Mikasa would have reacted faster that a stray cat. Assuming they reloaded the cannon in the shortest possible time. I guess it'd take them around 20 seconds on top of that to fire. Eren will most likely spring into action and be long gone before that happens."
Armin then remembers the time where Eren and Mikasa save him from the town bullies.
"Why am I thinking such a thing at a time?" Armin questioned. "Is it... Could it be because these are our last moments together? When it's all said and done, at the moment of truth. I was a coward. Same a right now. I can't count the number of times they've come to my rescue. But I was always so weak. I could never reciprocate the favor."
Armin then remember the time was still in training.
"I still haven't earned the right to think of myself as their equal," he thought. "I can't afford to try and repay their kindness by going with them. I'd only end up slowing them down."
Then, it went silent and Armin closed his eyes.
"I'm afraid this might be the last time," he thought. "The three of us will ever be together."
He then remembers the time where he showed his book about the outside world to his friends.
"Listen, Eren, I won't..." said Mikasa
Eren then broke in.
"Just wait a second, would you? If you recall, I said I had two ideas," said Eren.
"Yeah, that's right," said Mikasa.
"Armin," called Eren. 'I trust you to make the right decision."
Armin looked at Eren with confusion.
"What?" he asked.
"Now hear me out. And yes, I'm aware of how unrealistic this plane is," said Eren. "The best-case scenario? I try to use my Titan ability strategically. It should be under military direction."
Eren then looked at his hand and back to Armin.
"This might sound crazy," said Eren. "But if you can convince the Garrison Regiment, right here and now, that I present no threat to them, I'll trust you, and we'll go with that option. That's my second idea. If you don't think you can get it done, then my last resort is the first idea.
On top of the wall, the cannon squad was turning the wheel and was aiming at their target.
"You've got 15 seconds to decide," said Eren. "Think you can get it done? Listen, I'll respect your opinion either way."
Armin was too scared to replied. On top the cannon was then set.
"Eren, why would you leave such a major decision up to me?" asked Armin.
"Because you keep a level head," replied Eren. "You always choose well, no matter how ugly things get. I figure that's worth relying on."
"When have I done that?" Armin asked.
"Come on, you do it all the time," said Eren. "Take five years ago. If you and the girls hadn't gone to Mr. Hannes for help, Mikasa and I would've been eaten by Titans."
Then, the spine of the Titan broke apart hitting the ground blowing Armin's hair and realized something.
"That's how you see me?" Armin questioned. "You don't think I'm a poor excuse for a friend? I had convinced myself that I was just a burden to all of you."
Tears started to wield up in Armin's eyes.
"But you never... You never thought of me that way at all!" Armin realized.
"Armin! Our time is up," warned Eren.
On top, the Garrisons placed the firing pen, and the Garrison gave the order that it was ready.
"Artillery crew has reloaded, Captain!" yelled Rico. "It's your call sir."
"Eren and Mikasa have enough faith in me to put their lives in my hands and I have complete trust in the two of them. More than anyone else in this world," Armin thought. "And that fact alone is all the convincing I need!"
Armin the got up and Mikasa and Eren looked up at him.
"I'll persuade them, trust me," assured Armin. "You tow just act as non-aggressively as you can, agreed?"
Both Eren and Mikasa nodded. Armin then started running towards the Garrisons..
"Since Eren first appeared and fought as a Titan, something has been gnawing at the back of my mind," Armin thought. I haven't had a chance to collect my thoughts yet but I can do this! I'll just have to think as I talk!"
Armin then increased his speed and took off is ODM gear. Armin runs out of the smoke.
"Halt! Halt!" yelled Woermann.
Armin stopped and put both of his hand up in the air.
"Is this supposed to be your true form, monster?!" asked Woermann. "I don't buy it! I'll give the signal to fire, I mean it!"
"Eren isn't a foe of humanity!" assured Armin. "We're willing to cooperate with Military Command and we'll share everything we've learned about his powers!"
"Your pleas fall on deaf ears!" yelled Woermann. "He revealed his true form and because of that threat, he can't leave here alive! If you insist that'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 proof!" yelled Armin. "The fact of the matter is it doesn't matter what we percieve him to be!"
"What?!" shouted Woermann.
"The reports say hundreds of soldiers saw him," said Armin. "And those who were say they saw him fighting other Titans! And that means they saw him get swarmed by the Titans as well. To put it plainly, the Titans recognized him the same way they see each and every human being, as they're prey! It doesn't matter how else you may look at it! That's an irrefutable fact!"
It was all silent after Armin explained about Eren's Titan.
"Kid's got a point," said a male Garrison.
"The Titan is on our side?" asked another.
Several Garrisons lowered their swords and muskets down. Woermann looked around and refused to listen.
"PREPARE TO ATTACK!!!" yelled Woermann at the top of his lungs. "Don't let yourself be swayed by his cunning lies!"
Armin was surprised and so were Eren and Mikasa.
"The Titans' behavior has been beyond our comprehension," said Woermann. "I wouldn't put it past them to assume human form. He's speaking our language in an attempt to deceive us! I REFUSE TO LET THEM CONTINUE THIS BEHAVIOR UNCHECKED!!!"
Every Garrison soldier lifted their sword and musket ready. Armin was shocked at Woermann's words.
"Its hopeless... He let logic give way to hysteria!" Armin thought. "Too frightened to think it through. Eren! Mikasa!"
Armin looked back at Eren and Mikasa for help. Eren then nodded at Armin. Armin then realized what would Eren do. With an angry glare Armin turned around and saluted with his right hand on his chest..
"I AM A SOLDIER!!! AND I HAVE DEDICATED MY HEART TO THE RESTORATION OF HUMANITY, SIR!!!" yelled Armin at the top of his lungs. "NOTHING COULD MAKE ME PRODUCER THAN DYING FOR SUCH A NOBLE CAUSE! IF WE WERE TO USE HIS TITAN ABILITY AND COMBINE IT WITH MANPOWER WE HAVE LEFT, I BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT! WE CAN RETAKE THIS CITY!"
Rico and Ian were shocked to hear Armin's words. On top of the roof, Jean, Bertholdt, Annie, Reiner, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, and Lemon Zest were hearing Armin's speech below.
"FOR HUMANITY'S GLORY! IN WHAT LITTLE TIME I HAVE LEFT TO LIVE, I WILL ADVOCATE OF HIS STRATEGIC VALUE!!!" yelled Armin saluting.
"Captain Woermann, his words are worth considering, sir. Maybe we should..." suggested Ian.
"QUIET!!!" yelled Woermann. "Don't let their words sway you. They're all traitors! I swore an oath as an officer. I will crush all insubordination!"
Woermann started lifting his hand up, shocking Armin. Mikasa was about of grab her sword and Eren and was about to bite his hand to transform. Woermann then lowered his arm, but was stopped by someone behind him.
"That's enough," said Pyxis holding Woermann's arm. "You should really do something about your nervous disposition, Captain Woermann"
Pyxis then lowered Woermann's arm.
"Commander Pyxis?" asked Woermann.
Pyxis then looked at Armin, who was still saluting.
"Can you see this soldier's heartfelt salute?" he asked. "I've only just arrived, but I was informed of the situation on the way. You go take command of our reinforcements. I think we could at least do these young soldiers the favor of hearing them out."
Armin fell and on his knees and started panting heavily. Eren and Mikasa were surprised that Armin's speech.
According to reports from the Scout Regiment, it was anticipated that the Titans would appear from the south. Thses reports were proven accurate when the Titans attack Shiganshina District, located on the southern side of Wall Maria. Therefore, it was surmised that their most likely target would be the fortified city of Trost, on the southern side of Wall Rose.
Trost District, Inner Gate
Pyxis was walking along the wall and looking at the amount of Titans against the wall and started drinking. While Armin, Mikasa, and Eren waited for him on top of the wall.
Dot Pyxis, the commanding officer responsible for the southern territory. The man in charge of the defense of the Trost District. The man full authority over preserving humanity's most valuable remaining territory. The man is also notorious for being genuinely eccentric."
Pyxis looked down at the wall and saw a group of Titans trying to crawl up the wall.
"Nope. Not any of you," said Pyxis. "Being eaten by a Titan wouldn't be so bad, if it was a sexy lady one
On the ground Woermann was walking around and wondering.
"What the hell is going on through the Commander's head?" asked Woermann. "Going up there with those freaks and not bringing any bodyguards!"
"Well, sir," said Rico. "That's the Commander. He's well know for taking a less traditional approach."
"Captain Woermann," called Ian. "We have finished assembling the troops, sir."
"Well done," complimented Woermann.
He looked at the amount of cadets and Garrisons with no emotion in their faces.
On top of the wall, Pyxis looked over the city of Trost, while Eren, Mikasa, and Armin were behind waiting for Pyxis.
"That's that," said Pyxis. "So visiting this cellar clear everything up?"
"Yes, sir. Well, at least I think so," replied Eren.
"For the moment, there's no saw to validate all of the claims you've made," said Pyxis. "For now, I'll just catalog them in my head. But I can usually tell them the difference between the unctuous and the sincere, which is why I personally guarantee your safety."
Eren and Armin sighed in relief while Mikasa looked at both of them.
"You're Cadets Armin Arlelt. Is that correct?" asked Pyxis.
"Yes, sir," replied Armin.
'You mentioned a plane to harness this so-called "Titan ability" and then utilize your friend's power to retake the city," said Pyxis. "Do you believe it would work? Or were you grasping at straws to try to save your hides?"
"Well, it's both, Commander," replied Armin. "I was going to suggest that Eren, using his strength as a Titan, could lift that giant boulder. We can use it to block off the wrecked gate. That was the best idea i was able to come up on the spot. I just wanted to make everyone see how Eren's ability might provide a solution to the problem we all face."
Pyxis turned around to see the giant hole across from him.
"Granted, i was pretty desperate to survive," said Armin. "Desperate to survive, huh? That's as credible a reason as any, son."
Pyxis took out his canteen and started drinking from it. He then turned around to Eren.
"What do you say, Cadet Eren Jaeger?" asked Pyxis.
"Say, sir," asked Eren.
"That hole. Do you think you could plug it up, son?" asked Pyxis.
"Well, I don't know," replied Eren. "It's possible. But at the moment, I don't understand my power anymore than you do. It's just, i sort of feel irresponsible giving you an answer. Because I don't know really know."
"Ah, yes. Of course, my apologizes," said Pyxis. "I asked the wrong question. Are you willing to, Cadet Jaegar, or not?"
Pyxis and Eren look behind them and imagined at the area that would be lost if the inner gate were to fall. Eren looked back at Pyxis.
"I'll do it," said Eren. "I'll do it! I don't know if I can seal that hole. But I'll do it!"