Trost District, year 850. The fact that Eren Jaeger was the identity of the mysterious Titan invoked fear among his soldier comrades. There was little hop for the trail except for the intervention of one man. Dot Pyxis, the highest-ranking officer in the Southern Territory.
"I don't know if I can plug the hole but I will do it!" yelled Eren.
Pyxis smiled at Eren's response.
"Well said. You have the heart of a lion," said Pyxis.
Pyxis got up and turned around and walked toward the edge of the wall.
"Senior officers, come gather!" shouted Pyxis. "We have a strategy to establish."
Then, Gustav and Anka walked towards Pyxis.
"What? It's just a wild idea. I didn't think it would actually be execute," said Armin.
"I was thinking the same thing," said Eren. "There no point in wondering with his judgment. Pyxis porbably sees something that we obviously can't.
"Something we can see?" asked Armin.
"Either way, before we execute this strategy, we have a fundamental issue," said Eren. "The Commander clearly understands the situation."
"Which would be?" asked Armin.
"Our enemies aren't just the Titans," said Eren.
Armin was confused at Eren's words.
"The time is nigh," said Pyxis.
Eren, Mikasa, and Armin turned around to Pyxis, Gustav, and Anka.
"I will have you actively participate, my young soldiers," said Pyxis.
Eren, Armin, and Mikasa stood in front of Pyxis, ready for the mission.
On the other side, news of the mission spreads like a wildfire.
"A strategy to reclaim Trost?" asked a male cadet.
"Seriously? There's no hope of plugging that hole," said another cadet.
"What is the Commander things?" asked a third one. "It's a damn suicide mission!"
"The only option is to defend Wall Rose. Forget about plugging the hole," said a fourth one.
"I can't... I can't do it," said Daz.
"WE'LL DIE! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!" yelled Daz covering his head. "I JUST WANT TO SEE MY FAMILY!!!"
Then, a Garrison looks back to see the commotion behind hime.
"What the hell, Daz? Calm down!" yelled Marco.
"Hey! I heard that!" yelled the male Garrsion. "Are you thinking of abandoning your duties?"
"Sir, please! There's no point in just sending ourselves off to die!" replied Daz.
The Garrsion then places his hand on the handle of his sword.
"What about your obligations as a soldier for the good of humanity?" asked the Garrison. "I'm authorized to administer a death sentence at this point of out crisis."
"I'm okay with that," said Daz pulling out a sword. "I'll take that over being eaten by a Titan!"
Marco started holding Daz down.
"Get a hold of yourself!" yelled Marco.
"LET ME GO! LET GO!!!" yelled Daz. "I'M NOT GOING BACK TO THAT NIGHTMARE!!!"
Bertholdt, Jean, and the other cadets were looking around for the commotion.
"You hear that," whispered a male cadet. "He's not wrong, you know."
"I wonder if anyone over here is against this?" asked a female cadet.
"I at least want to choose how I die," said another female cadet.
"Hey, you two!" yelled a Garrison.
"I was only kidding around, sir," said the another female cadet.
"Do it!" yelled the male Garrison.
"What?" she asked.
"As loud as you can," said the Garrison. "Get everyone to freak out!"
The female cadet didn't reply.
"There are other cadets in the squadron that think the same thing," said the Garrison. "We take advantage of a distraction and get out of here!"
"If you're not here, where exactly are you going to go?" asked Jean.
"I'm going to see my daughter," replied the Garrison. "This wall is going to be broken down anyway."
"A bunch of cowards am I right?" whispered Rainbow Dash.
Indigo Zap giggled quietly for the Garrisons not to hear.
"You said it," said Indigo Zap.
Both of them giggled quietly, then Applejack broke in.
"Are you trying to get us in trouble?" whispered Applejack.
"Applejack, we're not abandoning the mission," assured Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah, those who abandon the mission get the boot or in this death," said Indigo Zap.
Then, a Garrison walks past them and all three of them kept a straight face until the Garrison was no longer in sight. A Garrison poked Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, and Applejack. All three of them turned around.
"Are you three part of the elites?" asked the Garrison.
"Yeah," replied Rainbow Dash.
"Ian needs three of you," said the Garrison.
"What about Twilight and Sugarcoat?" asked Applejack.
"Both of them heard and are heading there," assured the the Garrison.
"Okay, let's go," said Indigo Zap.
"Follow me," said the Garrison.
On top of the wall, Eren and Pyxis were walking on top of it.
"It's believed that before the Titans ruled the land, there were different races and creeds all fighting and killing each other," said Pyxis. "Then someone said, if there was an enemy that was not part of humanity, that we would all unite and humanity would stop fighting each other. What do you think?"
"This the first time I've ever heard that," replied Eren. "It seems rather optimistic. It makes me yawn."
Pyxis laughed at Eren's words.
"I agree with you, It's native," said Pyxis.
"Even now, we're struggling with such huge adversaries and we're not even close to saying we are united," said Eren.
"Precisely," said Pyxis. "If we don't unify soon, it will be difficult even to fight.
Hannes was on top of the wall and saw Pyxis walking.
"Eren?" called Hannes. "You've survived."
Hannes saw Eren giving him a hand signal.
"What? Focus on my duties? What an attitude!" he thought. By the looks of it, Mikasa, Armin, and the other girls are safe, too. Why is Eren with Commander?"
Pyxis then took out his canteen and started drinking.
"Do you want some?" asked Pyxis offering the canteen.
"Thank you, sir," said Eren
Eren then took a sip, but to only spit it out the wine immediately.
Below, Daz continued to yell and other cadets muttered to leave.
"If you're going to kill me, just do it and get it over with it!" yelled Daz.
"Don't think I won't!" yelled the Garrison.
Pyxis then stood at the edge of the wall. He then cleared his voice.
"ATTENTION!!!" yelled Pyxis at the top of his lungs.
Everyone looked up at Pyxis in silence.
"I shall now explain the Trost Recovery Operation. Our primary objective is to reseal the hole," said Pyxis.
Everyone then all paid attention to Pyxis instruction.
"He's messing with us," said Marco.
"Tell me he's joking," said Starlight Glimmer.
"It's Pyxis, what do you expect?" asked Sunny Flare.
"Humanity was never won against the Titans," stated Lemon Zest.
"As for how the task will be done, first, allow me to introduce someone. This is Cadet Eren Jaegar," said Pyxis.
Eren stepped forward and saluted.
"Eren!" asked Conny.
"HI EREN!!!" yelled Pinkie Pie.
Everyone looked at Pinkie Pie, who blushed in embarrassment. Sunset Shimmer placed her hands on her face, while Fluttershy, Rarity, and the others looked at Pinkie Pie.
"This young man is the successful product if cutting-edge research," said Pyxis. "Cadet Jaeger possesses the ability to manifest himself as a Titan."
Conny looked back at Ymir.
"Hey, I didn't understand what the Commander said. But it's not because I'm stupid, right?" said Conny.
"Will you just shut the hell and pay attention? Dumbass," said Ymir.
"Having assumed Titan form, cadet Jaeger will hoist the immense boulder on his back and seal the hole with it," said Pyxis. "Your duties are to protect him from other Titans."
Behind them, Mikasa, Armin, Gustav, and Anka were going over the plans.
"We don't actually need to fight them?" asked Gustav.
"Sorry, I know it's not my place to interject," apologized Armin.
Then, Mikasa, Armin, Gustav, and Anka heard footsteps coming towards them. All of them look behind to see Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Sugarcoat, and Indigo Zap running towards them.
"Howdy, Mikasa," greeted Applejack.
"Girls!" called Mikasa. "What are you all doing here?"
"Ian told us to be here," replied Rainbow Dash.
Then, they all over to Armin.
"Hey Armin, lay out the plan," said Indigo Zap. "We already heard we don't have to fight the Titans"
"Okay, Titans are generally drawn to large group of people," stated Armin. "If enough of us collected in the corner away from the hole, we can lure the Titans away from Eren's path. The Titans will be grouped together, so we can use our cannons and avoid casualties Of course, we can't leave Eren defenseless. We'll need a modest band of Elites to act as his bodyguards. Also, there may be Titans that enter through the hole. He will depend on the competencies of his bodyguards."
"Okay, got it," said Gustav. "We can alter the plane around that."
"This strategy depends on Eren being able to move that boulder," said Armin. "But there is nothing to assure us that he is able to do it."
"Of course, I worry, too," said Gustav. "Sending people to their death is no laughing matter. But I can understand what Pyxis is thinking."
"Yeah. Time is an issue," warned Anka. "Titans are still lumbering into the Trost district as we speak. The longer we wait, the more Titans fill the town and our chances to succeed decreases."
"With that, the chances of Wall Rose being breached increase as well," said Gustav.
"There's something else, too," said Anka.
Gustav, Armin, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat looked at Anka with confusion.
"There's a limit to how we can surpass our fear," said Anka.
On the ground, cadets were questioning on how the plan would work.
"The kid can lift a rock that big?" asked a male cadet.
"Has humanity captured and now controls a Titan?" asked another one.
"IT'S A LIE!!!" yelled Daz. "you can't expect us to die for some goddamn reason! What do you think we are?! We're not tool for you to play with!"
"Human weapons?" asked a third one.
"It's all a deception," said a fourth.
"We're being duped!" yelled a fifth.
"They're telling us to die today?" asked the male Garrison. "I'm out of here."
The male Garrison turned around and started walking away. Then, the two female cadets started to follow. Then, a whole lot of soldiers started walking away.
"What a bunch of cowards," groaned Sour Sweet.
"What was that?" asked an angry Garrison.
"Oh sorry, you can leave if you want,' said Sour Sweet in a kind voice.
"Wait! That's treason!" yelled a male Garrison grabbing Daz.
"To hell with you! My family gets the time I have left," said Daz.
Daz then started walking away. Woermann looked at the countless soldiers walking away.
"This is getting out of hand," whispered Ian.
"I know, if we don't do something we're going to lose control," said Rico.
"TRAITORS!!! I'LL KILL YOU WHERE YOU STAND!!!" yelled Woermann. "DESERTION IS ANSWERED BY DEATH!!!"
He pulls out his sword at the soldiers leaving. Everyone then started to panic.
Anyone wishing to leave will be given by my orders and will not be charged with treason!" yelled Pyxis.
Woermann looked up at in complete shock.
"Those who have seen a Titan firsthand will not expect to relive it again," assured Pyxis. "Anyone that knows the horrors of a Titan, leave us! Additionally, whoever knows the horror of a Titan but wants their family to experience the same horror, LEAVE US!!!"
Then, the male Garrison stopped in his tracks. He then imagines is daughter getting eaten by a Titan.
"Not that," he mumbled. "My daughter is my last hope."
Then, the soldiers started to turn around and head back to their spots.
"I want to tell you a story that happened four years ago," said Pyxis. "Namely, the operation to retake Wall Maria. I'm sure you know all of you know this already. Officially, we labelled it reconnaissance. But in fact, it was little more than an exercise in population control. We let ourselves believe a lie because the deaths of our fellow human beings allowed us to survive. The guilt is ours. We have a debt to pay back to humanity. The citizens of Wall Maria survived due to many casualties. But what about this time? If Wall Rose succumbs, the repercussions will me immeasurable. The resources within Wall Sina can't support half of those who live there now. Humanity will be wiped out not by the Titans, but through killing each other. We can't kill each other at this wall If we must die, let us die here in battle."
Everyone on the bottom looked at Pyxis and took his speech in consideration.
"I don't know if I'll actually be strong enough in Titan form to lift that rock," Eren thought. "But I know what I must do. I might be wrong but I must be successful! I have to be the hope for everyone."
On the other side of the wall, soldiers were preparing for the mission, loading the cannons and moving them across the rails to the horde of Titans. Then, Ian, Rico and a male Garrison with short and crop brown hair, and light tan eyes.
"Good, you're all here," said Pyxis. "You three have one mission only. Protect Eren Jaeger. Any risks associated with this operation are yours to eliminate. This is a high-risk mission, you will most likely fight a lot. Humanity depends on the success of this mission."
"Sir, mat I ask something?" asked Rico.
"Of course," replied Pyxis.
"Will this "human weapon" be able to transform?" asked Rico.
"Rico, don't," warned Ian.
"I'm sure you also have doubts," said Rico.
"Sir, pleas. This mission depends on Eren's ability, which is uncertain," said the male Garrison. "If he can't do it, there will be a large number of casualties."
"I see," said Pyxis. "Do you like losing to a Titan that much?"
Ian, Rico, and the male Garrison looked at Pyxis with confusion.
"Personally, I don't. I hate losing," Pyxis stated. "But I've been stuck on the losing side since day one."
Rico looked at Ian who looked back at Rico.
"I want to win against the Titans," declared Pyxis. "I want to be victorious over those over sized freaks."
"Of course sir, we want ti feel the same way," assured Rico.
"So we have no choice but to rely on the boy," said Pyxis. "This is very uncertain aspect is how we have a chance of winning over those Titans.
"Commander, we are ready to commence the operation," said Ian.
"Ian Dietrich, Rico Brzenska, Mitabi Jarnach, you're the Garrison Regiment's best and brightest," said Pyxis. "Win this one for humanity."
"Sir!" all three of them yelled saluting.
"Ian, I'm assigning you as squad leader," said Pyxis. "On-site contingencies will be yours to deal with."
"I am?" asked Ian.
"I have no objection," assured Rico.
"Neither do I," assured Mitabi.
"Please, sir. I'm not competent enough," Ian warned.
"Don't worry," assured Pyxis. "You appreciate alcohol, do you not?"
Ian looked at Pyxis with confusion in his face.
"You know what a good and bad vintage is," said Pyxis. "It's in your hands."
Ian then agreed with Pyxis. Behind them, Eren looked at Pyxis and the three.
"I'm so sorry, Eren," apologized Armin. "You end up shouldering all the responsibility."
"i told you before, you have a gift for strategy," said Eren. "I believe in you, Armin."
"Eren. I think I should..." said Mikasa.
Eren then broke in.
"Don't say you're coming with me," said Eren. "You're part of the decoy team."
"I can't leave you alone. By yourself, you..." said Mikasa.
"Enough!" yelled Eren. "I'm not your little brother or your child! I'd told you before."
Mikasa looked down at the floor, then Ian came along.
"Ackerman, Dash, Sparkle, Zap, Applejack, Sugarcoat! I want all of you on the squad that'll provide Jaeger with backup," said Ian.
Mikasa smiled at her instructions.
"We'll need your skills," said Ian. "Let's go. Execute the strategy!"
"Yeah, can't wait to start this!" yelled Rainbow Dash.
"We got this," said Twilight Sparkle
"Let's do it," said Sugarcoat
"Yeehaw!" cried Applejack
Armin started running towards the decoy team, while Eren, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle started running the other way.
"See you, Armin! Don't die and look out for the other girls," Eren thought.
"Yeah. You, neither," Armin thought.
Eren, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Indigo Zap, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, Rico, and Mitabi were all following Ian to the boulder.
"They said your some "human weapon," said Ian. "I don't care. Just seal that goddamn hole. We'll protect you on either side. We're counting on you!"
"Right!" yelled eren.
Mikasa then caught up to Eren.
"Eren, how is your body doing?" she asked.
"I'm fine," replied Eren annoyed.
"Eren!" Mikasa called.
"Like I said, I'm okay," replied Eren. "I feel much better than we were surrounded."
"We're not playing with dolls here, Jaeger," said Rico.
"I didn't mean to," said Eren.
"To think that the fate of humanity depends on a brat like you," said Mitabi.
Mikasa looked at Mitabi with an angry look on her face.
"Cut it out, all of you!" scolded Ian. "We're almost in range of the giant boulder."
Twilight looked at boulder to see nothing near it.
"There isn't any Titans, sir!" yelled Twilight Sparkle.
"That means the decoy strategy must be working," stated Ian.
On the other side, all the cadets and Garrisons were on top of the wall while some latched on the side of the wall to lure more Titans away.
"Just focus on luring the Titans to our corner of town!" yelled a male Garrison. "Avoid unnecessary battle!"
Armin, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Sunset Shimmer, Sour Sweet, and Starlight Glimmer were on the side of the wall, while Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity were on top of the wall
On the other side of the wall, the squad was getting closer to the boulder.
"There's something I want to say, Jaeger," said Rico.
Eren looked at Rico.
"With this strategy, many soldiers will probably die," said Rico. "All for you."
"Is that part of battles?" asked Applejack.
"Well, they're battles not a tea party," said Sugarcoat.
"These are our seniors, comrades, and subordinate soldiers," said Rico. "Aside from being soldiers, death is above all of them. Remember that they are not just pieces in a game.
Inside Trost, a Titan was heading towards a group with Daz and Sasha.
"Hold position," said the male Garrison.
The Titan got closer to them.
"Not yet," said the Garrison.
Then, the Titan was a couple feet in front of them.
"A little closer, he said.
The Titan then attempted to grab them.
"Scatter!" he yelled.
The group then splits up and the Titan misses them.
"Everyone of them has a name," said Rico. "They all have hopes and fears. Alyosha, Dominic, Fine, Isabel, Ludwig, Martina, Guido, and Hans. They are all flesh-and-blood humans. There are some that I've known since cadet training. They, too will probably die for you today. You have the responsibility to make sure their deaths weren't pointless. No matter what happens. Carve that fact into your batty heart. And full fill your responsibility as though your life depends on it."
"Yes!" yelled Eren.
Then, Eren had a scowl on his face.
"I'm going to do this. I will do it!" he thought.
He then remembers what Pyxis said in his speech.
"Not once mankind ever risen above the Titans," said Pyxis. "As the Titans move forward, humanity keeps retreating. We continuously lost territory. But when our strategy succeeds, today is the day land taken by our greatest enemy will be reclaimed!
Then, the squad got to their location.
"This is the place! Let's do it!" yelled Ian.
"Aww yeah!" yelled Rainbow Dash
All of them jumped off the wall.
"It will be the first time humanity has been victorious over the Titans."
All of them started swinging around town. Rico stayed on top of the wall and shot a green signal flare into the air. Anka spotted the green smoke signal.
"Green smoke signal confirmed," said Anka. "The Elite Squad is following the strategy as planned.
"In comparison to what we've lost it may seem small. However, this small step is a giant step for mankind."
Eren started swinging across town, latching on to nearby towers and buildings. Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat were heading toward the boulder. Eren latched on to a tower and continued swinging. He landed on a roof and started running on top. He jumps off the roof and latches on to another tower. Eren dodged all the incoming buildings and lowered himself enough for the ODM gear to scratch the ground to dodge a bridge. Eren flew up in the air and clamped down on his hand enough for blood to squirt from the wound. Eren burst into a light, enough for Pyxis to see. Eren transformed into his Titan in the air and crashed into the side of a building. Eren's Titan stepped forward and let out a loud roar, ready to carry the plan.
Behind Eren's Titan, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Sugarcoat, and Indigo Zap watch in amazement.
"It seems impossible to lift that boulder through the perspective of human," she thought. "But Eren probably has an undiscovered strength."
"Don't worry Mikasa, Eren has got this under control," said Rainbow Dash.
"You said it," Indigo Zap said.
But much to Mikasa's surprise Eren's Titan didn't pick up the boulder. It looked back at Mikasa and the others behind it on a roof.
"Uh... was this part of the plan?" asked Twilight Sparkle nervously.
"Why does it look like it's going to kill us?" asked Sugarcoat.
"Eren," Mikasa called
Eren's Titan started walking towards them aggressively.
"Oh shit," said Rainbow Dash.
Eren's Titan then punched the spot where Mikasa and the others were standing.