the other side of the sea - reiner braun x reader.

Change of Plans.

Magath and I reach the building Mikasa is currently on the rooftop of. I'm waiting with bated breath for the right moment to head inside. I keep looking up to the sky and back down to the door. I can't quiet my nerves, I'm just waiting for this to all go to shit.

And then I head a smash of glass and shouting coming from above. "Now." I say without hesitation, and Magath shoves the door open. We start up the stairs to provide back up for Mikasa when I hear it. "We're under attack! Mikasa Armin and Connie have switched sides! They've betrayed Eldia! Kill them!"

Shit shit shit. That happened quicker than I expected. "Head to the basement!" I hear Mikasa yell right before an explosion sounds off. Magath and I turn the corner and see the mechanics being held by gunpoint. Mikasa charges from the stairs but I don't hesitate. I fire off 3 shots, all hitting their mark. All 3 gun man go down in a puddle of their own blood.

"This way! All of you!" Magath yells. "We can hunker down in the basement. If you want to stay alive, come with me!" We make it down to the basement, but explosions are shaking the building above us. "The only way out is through the enemy." one of the Azumabito says. "We'll be fine. We will be safe down here for when our reinforcements join the fray on the surface."

I start to grow anxious waiting in the basement. I heard Reiner and Annie transform a few minutes ago. I wish I was up there fighting. Mikasa left to provide back up, but Magath and I are still down here, waiting to get these mechanics to the ship. I hear thudding come down the basement stairs and grip my gun out of instinct. "Don't shoot it's us." I hear Jeans voice. "We need to get moving." Jean and Hange have arrived for us. I motion for the Azumabito to follow us and we go.

We follow them down an alley to a small staircase that leads to the street. "The only way out of here is with the flying boat. If you want to live, you're going to have to get it up and going." I say to one of the mechanics. "I'm afraid that's just not possible. It takes us a full day to get the boat ready to fly."

I stop in my tracks. Hange slowly turns around. "I'm sorry. I don't think I heard you." She says timidly.

"We need an entire day to service the boat. The time might be cut in half with the right equipment, but even that might be a stretch." Jean is wearing a look of horror. My mouth is agape but I don't care.

"You've got to be kidding me. There is no way we can protect you and the port that long." Magath says. "Well be too late." Hange starts. "The rumbling can out pace a speeding horse. And there isn't a single obstacle out there that can slow it down. Half a day from now they will be 600 kilometres inland."

Jean gasps. I drop my hand to my side, I think of my dad, who is surely going to be trampled to death in a few days time. I press my nails into my scarred palm and clench my eyes shut.

The head of the Azumabito clan chimes in. "I have an idea."

She leads us to a room with a map. She explains that there is a small coastal city in Marley, she tells us there is a hanger there that would be ideal for servicing the boat. We need to set sail for the hangar now to beat the rumbling. We can tow the boat behind the ship.

"Safe to say we won't be flying from this port. L/N, I need you to go inform the titans of the change in plan. I will clear a path to the ship. Tell Annie to signal Pieck ASAP. Do I make myself clear?" I stand up straighter. "Yes sir." I run up the stairs and out into the street. I swing onto a nearby roof when I see Annie and Reiner being overwhelmed by the thunder spears. "Shit."

I shake off my nerves and swing over to them as fast as I can, I hook onto Annie and stand on her shoulder. "Change of plans! We need to get on that ship ASAP. I'll try to fend these guys off but we need to get Pieck and the kids over here, now!" Annie nods. I release my hooks and swing towards the oncoming firepower.

I land on a roof with one of the Jaegerists. Thankfully, I catch him by surprise and shoot him twice with my gun, he goes down instantly. I hear footsteps barreling towards me, I clip my blades on and swing. I catch 2 men in black suits in the throat and watch as they choke on their own blood.

I've never taken a life before today. I don't have time to think about it, I need to keep moving. I see that Pieck has loaded Gabi onto the boat. Where's Falco? I look out over the port and see Annie and Reiner, both on their knees, Annie's head falls to the ground and Reiners unmoving. I don't think as I swing towards them. I can't see through the steam coming off of them but I don't care.

I clip my hooks into Annie's limp body and scream out while I slice my blades up into the soldier heading straight for them. I see Conny fighting off incoming Jaegerists in the alley and keep going. We need to hold them off as long as possible.

I feel a quick rush of air fly past me and it takes me no time to realize we're being shot at. "Conny!" I yell. I swing towards the roof but see that Mikasa has beat me to it, she cuts down 5 gun man like it's nothing. Jean shoots another one and I turn around when I hear Pieck leap through a rooftop and take multiple soldiers with her.

The firepower shifts to Pieck and she is showered with thunder spears. I look around at my comrades and watch as they all fight like hell. But it's not enough, they're going to blow down the boat. I start sprinting towards the enemy when I see that familiar flash of yellow light. I look back to Annie and Reiner and they are right where I saw them last. What is happening?

I watch as Falcos jaw titans forms and he leaps towards the guy with the red hair. The leader, it seems. I hear Jean yell for us to get going and my feet start moving before my mind does. I am swinging towards the boat, cutting people down as they step into my path. I feel like an unstoppable force right now.

Is that what my life could've been like? If I would've been a warrior? I am just about to the ship when I see it. The red haired Jaegerist, swinging his arm back, about to throw a thunder spear straight at the boat. It's too late. We werent fast enough.

I watch in horror as he brings his arm forward to shoot it down, but he flinches. Right before he releases the spear, someone shoots him. Time starts to speed up again as the thunder spear narrowly misses the boat and the soldier falls into the water. I look down at the boat and see Gabi standing there, gun in hand.

Mikasa cuts down dozens more Jaegerists, giving us an opening to board the ship. I land on a roof in front of Pieck. "I'm going to tell Annie and Reiner that we need to go!" I yell. I look to my left just in time to see Falco leap towards me, mouth open. I swing away just in time but when I look back, he has his mouth clamped around Piecks neck. "Falco!!" I yell. I see Magath running towards them with a blade drawn. Pieck wraps her arms and legs around him while Magath cuts Falco out of his titan.

We manage to pull Annie and Reiner out of their titans. Mikasa and I carry Annie while Jean and Conny help Reiner. We make finally it to the boat, but before we can get on, Magath hands Falco to Onyankapon and announces he is going to provide back up while we set out. There is another boat in the harbour and he is going to stop anyone from getting on it and following us. I turn to stop him but he's already running off.

"Wait! Magath wait!!" I yell, but he either doesn't hear me or ignore my pleas. "We have to go." Mikasa says beside me. I turn my head and force my feet to move forward. He's sacrificing himself so we can continue on, he wouldn't want me to squander that chance.

I'm standing on the deck of the ship, we're sailing away and I see the boat explode in the water. Pieck has her arms wrapped tightly around Gabi who has tears running down her face.

I tilt my head down, close my eyes and say a silent goodbye to General Magath.