//------------------------------// // Erwin Smith: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 4 // Story: Attack on Titan // by Gojizilla54 //------------------------------// After setting out to establish a route to Shiganshina, the Scout Regiment encountered an intelligent Titan, the Female Titan. As soldier after soldier fell, the regiment rushed into a Forest of Giant Trees, much to everyone's puzzlement. "Who can possibly stop it, if not the Levi Squad?!" yelled Eren. "Another's one dead! We could've saved him, too!" "Choose. Will you can trust yourself or you can trust the people willing to put their lives on the line for you?" asked Levi. "I'LL GO WITH YOU!!!" yelled Eren. "FIRE!!!" yelled Erwin. "You don't mean...?!" asked Eren. "They're going to take that Titan alive?!" "What do you think of that, Eren?!" asked Gunther. "We caught that Titan!" "This is the might of the Scout Regiment!" yelled Oruo. "Now do you see?!" "Yes!" shouted Eren. Levi and Petra landed near Erwin. "It looks like she stopped," observed Levi. "We can't drop our guard yet," said Erwin. "I'm just impressed you managed to lead her to this spot." "The credit goes to the rear squad members who gave their lives fighting her," said Levi. "They bought us time. It would've been impossible otherwise." "At least they didn't die in vain," said Petra. "Is that so?" asked Erwin. "Yes," answered Levi. "Thanks to them... we get to see who's inside this one's nape. Let's just hope they're not wetting themselves inside there." The Levi Squad continued to ride ahead of the Female Titan. Eren couldn't help but to look behind him. "An Abnormal?!" wondered Eren. "Or is it like the Colossal Titan? What, did Commander Erwin actually...?" "Hey!" shouted Oruo. "Quit spacing out!" "Eren!" called Lightning Dust. "You can think later! We need to get further ahead!" "Right!" yelled Eren. Back at the capture point, Levi drew out one of his blades out. "Wait Levi. We need to be extra cautious," said Erwin. "Waves 2 and 3! FIRE THE SPARE ROUNDS!!!" Erwin lifted his sword up. Several Scouts covered their ears as the special targeting restrained weapon was fired once again. All of them continued to fire on the Female Titan completely immobilizing it. On the forest's edge, several Scouts all heard the weapon firing in the distance. Christa looked down to see a Titan grabbing the bark on the tree and was staring to climb up. The sight frighten Fluttershy even more. "They're starting to climb up..." said Christa. "Nobody told me they could climb!" shouted Fluttershy. "Yeah," said a female Scout with blue eyes and short blonde hair, which was parted slightly to the right with short bangs and an undercut. "If they make it up this far, perhaps I'll step out of the way. Although... I suspect we'll soon be given orders to withdraw anyways." "Does it have something to do with those explosions inside the forest?" asked Christa. "I don't know," answered the female Scout. "Well, I'll be on higher ground," said Fluttershy. She then grappled to a branch higher than Christa and the Scout were standing on. On the northeastern edge of the forest, Sasha was squatting down on a branch and looking up in the sky, next to Rarity, who was also squatting down. Mikasa was standing on a nearby branch next to Sasha with Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Indigo Zap next her. "Mikasa, what do you think those sounds were?" asked Sasha. "Are the cannons being fired inside the forest?" Mikasa stood still and didn't talk to Sasha. Reiner was kneeling down on his branch, his head was looking down at the swarm of Titans while his gaze was on the sounds he heard from the forest. Bertholdt, Ymir, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat were by his side standing on their own branches. "I didn't see them bring any cannons in, though," figured Reiner. "What's with all the noise?" asked Ymir. "Hey, Bertholdt! Do you know which way Christa went?" "Sorry. I don't," Bertholdt responded. "Hey, what you two?" asked Ymir. "No clue," replied Sugarcoat. Conny leaned against the bark of a tree, sighing impassively. Next to Conny was Lemon Zest and Pinkie Pie. “What are we even doing now, and why?” wondered Conny. “I wanna go home...” “I wondered what are those sounds?” asked Lemon Zest. “It must be a party cannon,” suggested Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie why do you always come up with these stupid answers?” asked Lemon Zest. “What do you mean, I’m a genius,” Pinkie Pie claimed. Lemon Zest rollers her eyes and groaned as Pinkie Pie was still thinking of what the noise was. Jean, Armin, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight Glimmer watched fearfully as a Titan was pushing itself up a tree and was starting to climb up. “Let’s move away guys!” yelled Jean. “Right!” Armin responded. “Girls! Let’s go!” “Right behind you,” said Starlight Glimmer. All of them jumped off the branch and swung further into the forest. They all landed further away and observed at the Titan as it was climbing. “Looks like the bastard’s got the hang of it,” said Jean. “It’s got better and better at tree-climbing.” “I’ve seen a Titan killing another Titan, but I’ve never seen a Titan climbing,” said Starlight Glimmer. “The scary thing is that this means they can learn,” said Armin. “Although I’m sure it’s also different for each Titan.” “Armin. They seem to be up to something inside the forest,” observed Jean. “And I think I’ve figured it out what it is. They lured the Female Titan here to capture it.” “Wait the Titan you fought?” asked Sunset Shimmer. “Yeah,” replied Twilight. “No wonder why the center goes inside the forest.” “Or to be more precise, to capture the human inside,” Jean concluded. That was Commander Erwin’s goal...” Inside the forest, the Levi Squad have got off their horses and tethered them to a small tree. They all were on top of branches talking about the capture. “... from the very start,” said Eren. “Wasn’t it?! Still, I can understand keeping it from us rookies, but you guys too?! You all have been in the Scouts for a long time!” “Man, you’re annoying,” insulted Oruo. “Are you suggesting the commander and the captain don’t trust us?!” asked Lightning Dust. “No, but that’s what this means doesn’t it?!” asked Eren. Oruo looked at Eren and a furious glare until he couldn’t handle his voice. “Lightning Dust! Knock his fucking teeth out!” boomed Oruo. “Switch his front teeth with the back ones!” “No, Eren’s right,” said Eld, crossing his arms. “What are you saying?!” asked Oruo. “The captain must've had a reason for not trusting us implicitly," Eld responded. "Like what?" asked Gunther. "There's only one reason he couldn't trust his comrades," said Eld. "There's someone in the regiment who can either turn into a Titan or is working as a sort of spy for them." "You think so too, right?" asked Jean. "That there's someone in the regiment." "I think there is," Armin responded. "It could be a possibility," said Sunset Shimmer. All of them watch as the Titan stopped climbing and looked straight at them. "A spy? Are you sure?" asked Gunther. "At the very last, the commander must believe so," said Eld. "I assume the only soldiers informed of this operation were the ones who survived five years ago." "I see," said Gunther. "So that's why..." "Yep, that's gotta be it," said Oruo. "Get it, Eren? That's what's going on." "In that case, it can't be helped," said Lightning Dust. "Yeah..." Eren whispered. "Five years ago was when the wall first fell," said Lightning Dust. "Could they be using that fact to narrow down suspects on the assumption that's when the spy got inside?" "Does that mean this person killed Sawney and Beane too?" asked Eld. "The commander asked me something that happened..." said Lightning Dust. Eren the gasped as he remembers what Erwin said to him when the news of Sawney and Beane's death had surfaced. "What do you see here? Erwin asked. "What do you think the enemy is?" "Is that what that meant?" wondered Eren. "We might've been allowed to join the operation if we'd known the answer to that question," said Eld. "I doubt any of us could have, though." "Well, I knew, but I decided not to say anything," said Oruo. "Do you guys know why? "Why?" asked Lightning Dust. "What, you mean you don't know first soldier?" asked Oruo. "I guess guys like you wouldn't know, huh? You're nowhere near my level yet, after all." "Oh shut up Oruo! Petra was right on you trying to intimate Captain Levi?" asked Lightning Dust, annoyed. "Cause if I remember, one of our mission you were so cocky that a Titan grabbed you and me and Levi had to save your ass." "If this succeeds, we might actually learn the truth about this world," Eren speculated. "Still, even for that... too many soldiers have died." Eren winced at the recent memories of the Scouts died due to the Female Titan, making Eld to redirect his attention to Eren. "Do you think the commander was wrong to do this?" asked Eld. Back at the forest edge, the Titan that was climbing on the tree lost its grip and fell onto the ground. The Titan impacted the ground on his bottom. Armin, Jean, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, and Sunset Shimmer looked at the Titan on the ground. "He wasn't in the right, I'll tell you that," stated Jean. "If we'd actually been told that a Titan had inside info, we would've have handled things differently. You own squad members, for example..." Armin was still haunted by the deaths of Luke Cis and Dieter Ness, the even was still fresh in Armin's mind. "No, it was wrong," said Armin. "What?" asked Jean. "How can you say that? Do you know how many soldiers have needlessly died?!" "Jean, in hindsight, it's easy to say should've been done," said Armin. "But, no one can tell how things will turn out. Yet, at some point you have to make a choice. The lives of a hundred comrades... or the lives of everyone inside the walls. The commander chose He chose to throw away the lives of a hundred comrades." "That seems very unlikely of him," said Sunset Shimmer. "I mean shouldn't he be the one to keep the casualty count low?" "I know, but it's a difficult choice, if you were the commander what would you do?" asked Armin. "The same thing as what the commander would choose," Sunset Shimmer responded. "Eren," called Eld. "If you don't know already, you'll soon learn why Erwin Smith was put in charge of the Scouts, and humanity's hope." "It's why he even has Captain Levi's trust," stated Lightning Dust. "That's assuming you survive long enough of course," said Oruo. Eren was still feeling unsure of this. "I don't have much life experience yet... but I do know one thing," said Armin. "If there's anyone who can bring about change, it's someone capable of giving up what matters most. In particular, people who are capable of abandoning their humanity when force to rise above monsters. Those who can't abandon anything... can't change anything." Jean, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight Glimmer all listen to Armin's words. "FIRE!!!" yelled Erwin, once again. On top of a branch, Hange pulled the trigger of the weapon and the barrel fired. Seven hooks pierced the left side of the Female Titan's bottom. The wires then were pulled back to ensure it's maximum restrain. "Do you like that." asked Hange. "Now you can't scratch a single itch or move a single muscle. And you will probably never will again. The more your wounds heal, the stiffer your joints will get!" Hanji giggled a bit, enamored by the ingenuity of these weapons. She then turned to serious confusion as she looked up at Erwin, Levi, and Petra above. "Still, why haven't they extracted our esteemed guest yet?" she wondered. "What are Levi and Miche doing?" Both Levi and Miche jumped off their branch and used their ODM gear to latch on to nearby trees, both of their blades aimed for the Female Titan's wrist. Just before both of them could strike, a crystalline plating covered the entirety of both of her hands. The two soldiers spun and struck at the hands. As their blades impacted the hands, it only managed to snap the blades off the base and only took out chips of the plating. Erwin and Petra looked at their attempt of strike. Miche then came back to the branches at their level. Miche showed them their blades and shook his head, telling him that striking her is worthless for now. Erwin then looked back now at the Female Titan. "I never seen a Titan use that type of defense, besides the Armored," said Petra. So she has the ability to cover portions of her body with hardened skin..." Erwin thought. "Much like the Armored Titan I've heard about. Will it weaken if we continue an ODM sword assault? There's no time to try. In which case..." Erwin then lifted his hand, calling a Scout. The Scout then landed next to him. "Yes, sir?" asked the Scout. "Prepare to blast it," ordered Erwin. "Blow off the target's hands." "Yes sir, however, there's a rick of our standard artillery could take out everything on the inside as well," warned the Scout. "Then let's attempt to sever the wrist instead," said Erwin, putting his hand on the Scout's shoulder. "Fire an all-out salvo on my signal." "Understood!" The Scout swung down to the Scouts that were stationed on the ground. Once he landed he gave out a hand signal, calling them to reload the barrels. Meanwhile, Levi stood on top of the Female Titan's head, blades drawn out, and his eyes were filled with fury. "Knock knock. Just come out, will you," demanded Levi. "Seriously what can you hope to gain by stalling? If you're thinking we'll let you go we won't, if you're thinking of trying to escape, don't. All you should be thinking about are the good men you killed today. You killed our men in all sorts of different ways. Was it fun?" The Female Titan wasn't capable of any facial expressions, considered that her face was pierced. Levi could feel that it was trying to find every last option of survival inside its head. On top of the branch, Petra had her gaze on Levi, letting out a huge sigh. "Well, I'm having fun," continued Levi, stepping forward. "I take it you're the same way. If there's anyone who knows how I feel, it's you. Oh, right. There's one thing I need to ask. You're okay with me cutting your limbs off at the joints right? I mean they'll grow back, right? I'm talking about your actual body. Can't afford to have you die on us, after all..." With her options running out, the Female Titan took a deep breath, shocking Levi in the process. The Female Titan's pupils shrunk. With all the air filled in her lungs, the Female Titan lets out a loud, booming screech, enough to blow wind out of the air, causing everyone around the Female Titan to cover their ears from the scream. The scream was heard across the forest and the forest's edge. The scream alerted all the Scouts, including. The scream was enough to cause Fluttershy to squeak and go to Christa and hug her tightly. Sasha looked up in the sky and Rarity was closely hugging Sasha. The Female Titan the stopped screaming, leaving nothing but a void of silence. Levi cleared his ear with his pinkie before focusing his attention to the Female Titan. "Holy shit," he said. "You startled me there." Below, Hange and Moblit both stood still in fear. Moblit continued to cover his ears in fear. "Were those her dying screams?” wondered Moblit. Miche then flew up to Erwin quickly. He then started to sniff a couple of times be sure he was correct, and sure enough he was correct. Miche with a worry stricken expression on his face, knew something was wrong. "Erwin," Miche spoke. "I smell them." "Which direction?" asked Erwin. "All directions, all at once!" Miche responded. "Lots of them!" "Wait, you don't mean..." said Petra. Erwin's eyes widened in shock, looking at his right, a couple of trees started to rustle around. Without any warning, a Titan then appeared, then another Titan appeared, and more Titans started to appear. Then, a huge horde of Titans started to run into the forest in all directions and angles towards the Female Titan and completely ignoring the Scouts. Back at the forest edge, Armin, Jean, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, and Sunset Shimmer were all horrified as the Titans that were on the forest edge started to run into the forest. "What the...? They're rushing into the forest all at once!" shouted Jean. "Why are they ignoring us?" wondered Starlight Glimmer. Countless Titans started to storm into the forest and ignored all the Scouts on top of the branches. On top of a branch, Ymir, Bertholdt, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat all watch as the Titans continued to storm into the forest. "What?" asked Ymir. "There's no way," said Sour Sweet. "Does this mean they're all Abnormals?!" asked Conny, zipping through the tress with Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest. "Doesn't matter! Don't let them through!" yelled a Scout next to Conny. "COMMENCE COMBAT!!!" Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Indigo Zap started to draw their blades out. "What the hell?" wondered Rainbow Dash. "What was that all of a sudden?!" asked Mikasa. "Please, wait!" yelled a frighten Sasha. "I've heard screams like that before! In the forest where I'm from! It's the sound a cornered animal makes when it's ready to give up everything! I was taught the end of a hunt is when you have to be most careful!" Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Indigo Zap looked at Sasha "So you're telling us to be careful?" asked Mikasa. "Please be a hundred times more careful than normal!" shouted Sasha. "You will die if you don't take the forest seriously!" "I'm from the mountains too, actually..." stated Mikasa. "Wait. Really?" asked Indigo Zap. "You're a vegetable farmer! You won't understand!" warned Sasha. "I see," replied Mikasa. "Sasha's hunches are often right," thought Mikasa. "And it's usually only before something bad happens... Armin said Eren might be in the rear of the center rank, as I recall..." Back at the capture point, Titans were started to close in the Female Titan, Erwin knew the time has come and lifted his blade up. 'Hurry with artillery!" ordered Erwin. "Erwin!" called Miche. "The first wave is coming from the east! They're close!" Then, three Titans appeared running towards the Female Titan. 'Wagon defense squad! Intercept them!" ordered Erwin. Three Scouts jumped off their branch and zipped towards at the Titans, hopping to distract them. Much to their surprise, the three Titans completely ignored them and ran pass them. "They're ignoring us?! Are they Abnormals?!" wondered a Scout with short, blond hair, and light stubble on his chin and cheekbones, and wearing thick-rimmed glasses. "Three Titans have broken through!" yelled a Scout on the ground. "Captain Levi!" called another Scout. Levi was still on top of the Female Titan's head and stomped on it with his boot. "Hey what did you do?!" asked Levi. "Called up some friends didn't you?!" Levi then looked up at his trust soldier, who was looking out. Petra drew her blade out, ready. Levi then looked at the three Titans running towards the Female Titan. He then fired a hook at a nearby tree and pulled himself towards the three approaching Titans. With his speed and dexterity, Levi spun around like a propeller and ricocheted from each Titan's nape, killing them. A smaller Titan ran towards the Female Titan's leg and bit off the flesh of the Female Titan's leg. Erwin observed above the branch and was shocked to see the sight. "It went for the Female Titan?" Erwin thought. Erwin looked up and saw a mass horde of Titans starting to run towards the Female Titan at every side and angle.. "Titans coming from all directions!" yelled a Scout. "All soldiers, commence combat!" ordered Erwin. "Defend the Female Titan at all cost!" As instructed, Hange, Moblit latched on to a tree and were ready. Then, all the Scouts jumped off their branches, including Petra and went towards the Titan nearest to them. As the Scouts started to kill off each Titan, one Titan would slip through and would begin to devour the Female Titan. Erwin watched his soldiers did all they could do against the swarm. Petra was busy killing the smaller Titans, unaware of a giant foot coming down. Levi saw the Titan and Petra, who quickly swung towards her. Petra looked up to see a giant foot, she then knew her faith and closed her eyes. Levi quickly grabbed Petra before the Titan could stomp on her. Petra opened her eyes and see Levi carrying her in his arms. Petra's face was now burning and blushing madly. "Hey, don't lose focus," said Levi. Petra nodded and Levi let her go as she swung off, continuing to do her job. Levi looked at Petra as she started slicing the Titan's nape off. Levi then redirected his attention to the amount of Titans. The endless horde of Titans started to overwhelm the Scouts as they try to defend the Female Titan. The Titans started to feast on the Female Titan. Even with the combined forces of the Scouts and humanity's strongest soldier, Levi, humanity's second strongest soldier, Miche, and Levi's most trusted soldier, Petra. They were completely overwhelmed. "It's no use!" yelled Hange. None of the Scouts couldn't handle the endless horde of Titans. Blood sprayed everywhere as the result of slicing the Titan's nape. A small drop of blood sprayed on Erwin's cheek. As the Scouts continued to kill more Titans, the Female Titan's body became less and less as the amount of Titans devoured. Then, the head of the Female Titan was ripped off her body. Seeing the Female Titan getting devoured into a bloody pulp, Erwin knew that the mission was over. "ALL SOLDIERS, WITHDRAW!!!" yelled Erwin. All at once, every Scout withdrew and landed on a nearby tree. "Redeploy the formation!" order Erwin. "Return to Calaneth District." The other Scouts could only watch as the mass amount of Titans devoured the Female Titan. Hange took off her goggles, allowing herself to cry over the fallen Scouts. Miche was panting heavily from all the Titan killing, while other Scouts started to cry at their defeat. Levi and Petra were hanging on the same tree next to Erwin, who all three of them were looking at the feast. "We've been bested," said Erwin. "Can't believe that just happened," said Petra. "What's with that pathetic look of yours?" asked Levi, wiping some of the blood off his face. "This goes to show that the enemy was prepared to throw away everything," answered Erwin. "I never imagined our target would resort to cannibalization to dispose of information" "After all that blustering we did in the court room, this is how it turns out..." said Levi. "If we waltz back there now, who knows what'll happen to Eren or us." "We can think about that once return," said Erwin. "For now, we need to focus on returning without sustaining any further losses. For now." "The steam is impairing visibility," Erwin thought, looking through the pillar of vapor rising. "It could hinder smoke signal communications." "Petra and I are going to get my squad," said Levi. "Wait, Levi," Erwin spoke. "Replenish your gas and blades first." "We're low on time and I have to last already," said Levi. "Why?" "That's an order. So as you're told," stated Erwin. "Whatever you say, Erwin," Levi responded. "I'll trust your judgement." "Captain, I'll go with the squad," said Petra. Just as she was about to fly, she was stopped. Levi held on to Petra's hand, causing a blush as she felt his soft hand touching her hand. "I'm not losing you to another Titan foot," said Levi. "Yes, sir," she responded. Petra then stood next to Levi, but this a little closer to him. Levi looked at Petra, who was getting to him, Levi ignored and allowed Petra to get close to him. Levi then started to refill his supplies, Erwin continued to look at the Titans feasting on what was left of the Female Titan. Shortly after, a blue smoke signal was fired in the air next the steam of the Female Titan's corpse. Then, more blue smoke signals were fired in the air. Christa, Fluttershy, and other Scouts near them saw the blue smoke signal clear. "The withdrawal signal," said the female Scout with blue eyes and short blonde hair, which was parted slightly to the right with short bangs and an undercut. "We're all to withdraw and return to base on horseback." "Right!" Christa responded. "Can we go now?" asked Fluttershy, still shaken up. "What?! It's all over?!" wondered Jean, hanging on the side of a tree. "What happened back there?" wondered Sunset Shimmer. "Is it already mission over?" asked Starlight Glimmer. "Seems like it," said Twilight Sparkle. "Alright! We can go home!" exclaimed Conny. "Weee!" yelled Pinkie Pie, throwing up her hands in the air. "I was just staring to like being here, besides with the scream and all," said Lemon Zest. Mikasa, Sasha, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Indigo Zap all saw the the blue smoke signal. "Just what's going on?" wondered Mikasa. "Is Eren alright?" Inside the forest, Eren and the Levi Squad saw the blue smoke signal in the distance. "Looks like it's over," observed Gunther. "Let's get back to the horses! Prepare to withdraw!" "You heard the man," spoke Oruo. "Let's go see what the bastard riding inside looks like." The Levi Squad started to check their gas cylinders and restocking their blades. "Did they really find out who it is?" asked Eren. "All thanks to you," said Lightning Dust. "But I didn't do anything," stated Eren. "You trusted us, remember what Petra said?" asked Lightning Dust. "Things turned out this way because you chose to stick with us. Making the right call is a pretty hard thing to do, you know!" "Hey, now," called Oruo. "Quit pamperin' him, Lightning Dust. How was he any help? All he did was whine like a pathetic little brat. I guess making it back alive might be considered praiseworthy, but only after the mission's over and done with. Just so you know, twerp, an expedition ain't over 'till you're back home." "Yes, I get it already!" nodded Eren. Oruo then zipped off, while Eren and Lightning Dust followed him. The Levi Squad zipped through the forest undisturbed. Eld turned around to face Lightning Dust, Eren, and Oruo. "Oruo! Lightning Dust! For a couple of soldiers who cried and pissed their pants during one of our battles, you've really grown!" Lightning Dust screamed in anger and was horrified by Eld's betrayal, while Eren was both surprised and dumbfounded. "I thought we never speak of it again! You want Eren to stop respecting me?!" shrieked Lightning Dust. Eren looked back at Lightning Dust, still in complete shock. "Whoa! Seriously?! Levi Squad's first picked member pissed herself?!" wondered Eren. "It's the truth," stated Eld. "And, just who know, I never pissed myself, Eren." "You imbecile! I'll have you know I have the highest kill count!" yelled Oruo. "I'm the best, you moron!" "Shut up Oruo!" yelled Lightning Dust. "I have the highest kill count to the point where Petra got jealous and asked me for tip for Titan killing!" "There's more to a soldier's merits than just kill counts!" stated Eld. "Shut the fuck up, you idiot!" yelled Oruo. "Lightning Dust! Does that mean it sprayed everyone in mid-air?!" Eren wondered. "Knock it off!" yelled Gunther, looking back at them. "No one cares whose pissed their pants, focus on the job in hand! We're outside the walls! For the record my shorts have always been dry!" Somewhere in the middle of the forest, a mysterious Scout was on a branch, having its hood covering its face. The mysterious Scout pulls out a signal flare and fired a green smoke signal in the air. Back at the Levi Squad, Gunther looked up and saw the green smoke signal in the distance. "That must be a message from from Captain Levi," Gunther thought. "We're rendezvousing with the captain!" he shouted. "Save the chatter until we're home!" Gunther landed on a nearby branch and pulled out his signal flare. He shot a green smoke signal in the air. The mysterious Scout saw the green smoke signal in the distance. The Scout dropped its signal flare and pulled out two blades. The mysterious Scout then started swinging towards the source of the green smoke signal. Back on the ground, Miche, Erwin Hange, and the rest of the Scouts rode down the path back out the forest, contemplating what would happen next. "Erwin," called Hange. "Why did you have Levi replenish his supplies when theirs no time to waste?" "The Female Titan was eaten," Erwin responded. "But did you see the person inside get eaten? I didn't." "Are you saying?" gasped Hange. "Yes. If, as you deduced earlier, we're dealing with a type that remains able-bodied after de-transformation. And, if said person had equipped themselves with ODM gear in advance... that mean's they're now wearing one of our uniforms, and have blended in with the rest of us soldiers." The mysterious Scout then caught up to the Levi Squad. The mysterious Scouts caught the attention of Gunther, who looked at his left. "Captain Levi?" wondered Gunther. "Wait... That's not! Oh shit!" realized Gunther. "Who are you?!" The mysterious Scout didn't answer. The Scout then spun its body towards the Levi Squad and pulled its swords back to attack. With a puff of gas coming from the main housing of the ODM gear. Gunther tried to protect himself, but the Scout was fast and precise. With no time to react, the Scout sliced the back on Gunther's neck. The attack shocked the the Levi Squad. Gunther fell, his wire caught him, but his motionless body body swung into a tree. His head collided with the bark of the tree as his body just went completely limp and dangled there. "Gunther!" called Eren. “What?! Why?! Talk to me!” Gunther didn't talk as his body dangled . When Eren got close to Gunther's dangling body, he looked with horror. As Gunther Schultz had died, blood poured from the back of Gunther's sliced neck. Gunther's head was held up by the skin and muscle in front of his neck. The mysterious Scout swung through the forest quickly. The Scout then landed near the leaves of a nearby tree.