Grim ♊︎ Attack on Titan

Outsmarted

After more arrows were shot into the Female Titan Hange thought it would be a good idea to give the Female Titan a biology lesson. "Poor thing, can't so much as bat an eyelash can we? Must be terribly frustrating, get use to it my dear. Biology can often times be a curse, the more our bodies heal the stiffer our joints become." She begin to look around, "Now what in the world is the hold up on the extraction of our esteemed guest? It won't be any easier, strike while the iron is hot I say."

Not long after Levi and Miche spin down hoping to cut the Female Titan nape, to their surprise she once again harden her hands in a crystalize substance. Erwin watch as Miche zip back up to him, Miche held up his broken swords shaking his head at the failure of extraction Hange new pet.

Erwin stare down at the Female hands seeing the crystal disappearing, 'An impressive ability so she can harden her skin to protect portions of her body. Similar to the one who rushed Wall Maria. The Armored Titan I believe they called him.' Eren stare hard at the Female Titan now bare hands, 'The question now is how many strikes until we can pierce threw. Too many in any even. Time is short.' Erwin thought to himself. 

He raise his hand calling down a Scout, "Yes sir?" "Prepare an artillery round. I want her hands blown off." Erwin commands, "You will aim carefully and sever them at the wrists." He place his hand on the solider shoulder, "On my signal I want an all-out salvo." The Scout nod heading to his station to relate the order. "Yes sir."

Levi zip down landing on the Female Titan head stomping on top of it, "Knock Knock. Why don't you make this easy and come out. Seriously what can you hope to gain by stalling?" Levi ask. "If you're thinking we'll let you go we won't." Levi warns. "If you're thinking about trying to escape don't. All you should be thinking about are the good men you killed today." Levi glare down at the Titan with anger and slight disgust.

"Not that you would, that's not your style is it? Remorse. You enjoy killing, which means we have something in common." Levi stomp his foot once again on her head, "Course, I enjoy killing Titans, but it's a start. And if you think I'm bad, you haven't seen the Scouts General in action. I would love for you to experience the thrill she gets." Levi smile thinking about Grim when ever she was in a fight or in battle. "Any who I'm sure we can find some middle ground. Oh that's right, now that we're on the subject let me ask."

Levi smirk, "You're okay with me cuttin' your limbs off at the joints right? I mean, they'll grow back. I'm talking about your actual body, don't want you dead yet. Timing wouldn't work." Levi growls. He grip his swords ready to strike, to his and everyone surprise the Female Titan suddenly open her mouth letting out a roar.

Everyone in the surrounding area cover their ears at the loud scream, "Nicely done, I almost lost my composure." Miche land next to Erwin, "They're coming I can smell them." Erwin turn is attention to him, "From what direction?" He ask. "From every direction, fast. Dozen." Miche warns with a very worry look on his face.

Just as he finish the sentence a hoard of Titans charge to their location like a bunch of idiots. So many Titans quickly filled the area ignoring the humans all around their target was the Female Titan. "Hey! What did you do? Called in some friends didn't you?" Levi stomp his foot on the Titan head in frustration.

Erwin knew this was no longer in their favor, "All hands commence combat! Defend the Female Titan at all coast!" He orders. Erwin watch as the Scouts took to battle trying to get as many Titan possible away from the target. Heavy hot smoke filled the area, everyone vision became compromise. The Titan numbers just continue to increase, the Scouts tried to kill as many as they all could but it was too much to handle. Erwin had no other choice, "All hands withdraw!"

Everyone backed away from the target, all the Scouts can do now is sit and wait. "We've been bested." Erwin comment to Levi. Everyone around him was tired from the fight, the Titans numbers were just too vast to handle. "Don't give me that crap. Not now. Not yet." Levi wheeze wiping the hot Titan blood from his face.

"Think about it. The enemy was prepared to make sacrifices, enormous ones. " Erwin watch as the Titans gorge on the Female Titan body. "So committed to maintain her secret. She would rather let herself be killed, be cannibalized than exposed." Levi wasn't having it, "That whole sing and dance in the courtroom and this is what we've got to show for it. We scurry back now with our tail between our legs. Eren right back in chains or worse. Grim may also face consequences if that happen." Levi warns.

"We'll jump off that bridge when we come to it. And don't worry, Grim has everything covered I'm sure." Erwin told him. "Right now our only concern is getting back without sustaining further casualties. However we can." Erwin only continue to watch the scene beneath him from his perch, 'This steam isn't helping matters. Smokes signals aren't likely to cut through the murk.' He thought to himself. 

Levi finally was able to catch his breath, "I'll gather up my squad." He was about to take off when Erwin stop him, "Not yet Levi. First replenish your blades and your fuel." Levi fought against that order, "I can manage with what I got. We're running against the clock as it is. Why?" He couldn't help but to ask. "Because I said. That's an order." Erwin sternly told him. Levi nod with a tight lip, "Whatever you say sir. I trust you implicitly." Erwin watch as he take off to the wagons with a frown on his face.

Erwin finally called it a day leading the scouts out of the forest, "Erwin, why bother having him replenish? There's no time?" Hange ask. "We saw the Female Titan get eaten but did we actually see the person inside suffer the same fate? I didn't." Erwin answers. Hange gasp, "You mean?" "Yes. Our hypotheses is correct. This isn't over, we're dealing with someone like Eren. Someone who regenerates in and out of Titan form." Hange started to understand what's at stake and why Erwin told Levi to refuel.

"Suppose that person equipped themselves with ODM gear in advance, suppose further that they're also disguised in one of our uniforms? What would your next move be?"

Gunther stare off seeing someone in a Scouts Uniform, "Captain Levi?" He ask. Narrowing his eyes something was telling him this wasn't right. "No. That's not-" The person made quick work killing the man before he could finish his sentence. 

Everyone in Levi Squad gasp at the sudden attack, "Gunther! You okay? What happened! Speak to me!" Eren gasp seeing Gunther lifeless body swinging from a tree. 

"How do you Ferret out the enemy, when it's one of your own?" Erwin concludes.