Run | Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan

乂7乂

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Year 850, Trost District

Preceding the events of Eren nearly getting himself, Armin and Mikasa blown up, the Garrison superiors ordered the lot of us cadets to gather near the wall at the end of our rest area.

Many were rightfully fearful of the current situation. The Armored Titan still had yet to make and appearance and the thought of that happening kept them on edge.

Based on the conversation floating around, it was clear several of the soldiers and cadets shared the desire to turn tail and run away. Though, some of the more hardened soldiers threatened to kill them on the spot for desertion.

"Take back Trost?" I repeated quietly as the news made it's way through the crowd. I stood between Jean and Bertholdt, feeling rather dwarfed next to the latter. "I mean, I know we have Eren, now, but there's too many titans for him to get rid of, even if I helped him."

"I'm sure there will be some sort of plan, Armin's with them, after all." Jean muttered back, not breaking eye contact with the wall. "Dammit, Eren just had to be the center of attention again, like always."

"Are you jealous, Jean-bo, I mean, Jean." I teased briefly, referring subtly to the time when his mother visited during training camp and called him by the nickname.

"Of almost getting myself killed by cannon balls? No thanks. And never call me that again." He scrunched his face in annoyance.

"Alright, alright, calm down." I pressed some more. "Jean-bo."

"Why, you-"

"ATTENTIOOOON!" The thundering shout swept through the crowd, silencing it immediately. All eyes turned to the top of the wall. There, two tiny figures stood, overlooking the mass.

"I will now explain the strategy to reclaim Trost District. The goal of this operation will be to plug the hole in the broken gate."

Armin... How did you suggest we do that? It mustn't have been impossible if you managed to convince the commander.

"As many of you are surely questioning how we do that, we have found a way. Allow me to introduce Eren Jaeger of the Training Corps." The wary silence turned to one of shock.

"We have been conducting top secret experiments of titan transformation and this soldier is our first success. He is able to purify the body of a titan and control it at will."

"Really? 'Top secret experiments'? That's the excuse they came up with?" I scoffed just barely loud enough for Jean to hear.

"Well, do you have a better explanation for it?"

Oh. If only you knew.

"He will turn into a titan, pick up the boulder near the gate, and use it to block the hole. Soldiers, your task is to protect him from the other titans while he is carrying the rock!"

"Humans controlling titans? What kind of lie is that?!" One of the soldiers screamed out. "You expect me to believe that kind of crap and risk my life for it? What do you take us for? We're not just some disposable blades!"

Sadly, I could tell many of the others were feeling the same way. It did sound utterly ridiculous if you had no knowledge of anything other than 'Ooo titans scary. Eat humans. We die.'

"Oh my god, this is chaos." Bertholdt sputtered shakily, beads of sweat sliding down his face. "Everyone's gonna leave, and then they're gonna die because they deserted."

"Upon my order, anyone who leaves at this moment will go unpunished. If you have given into your fear of titans, you will never be able to face them again. Anyone who has done so should leave now."