Attack on Titan: Secrets of Marley (SNK x OC)

Chapter 27: The Ultimate Reversal

Gray sped through the buildings, his heart heavy. He was moving at a disconcerting speed through the field of ruins left by Bertolt. God, the guy was a weapon of destruction in his own right.

He tried to find out where his friends were, but they were all nowhere to be found. Well, all but two. Eren and Armin were standing much further back, on the Wall. Eren was still in Titan for, sitting with Armin on his shoulder.

They were a long way from Gray but he could see them thanks to his vision and the fact that he was flying.

- My God, he thought. How long had he spent with his body burnt to a crisp? He thought he'd only been there a few seconds, but given the situation, it seemed much longer.

Then, suddenly, Bertolt used a technique he had never used before, or at least not with such power: he burst into flames. A wave of heat and flame was propelled through the whole of Shiganshina and Gray didn't have time to see it coming before he lost consciousness in the flames...

***

- Gray, said a voice in the darkness. Oi, Lehmann, wake up!

He opened his eyes with difficulty, his blurred vision gradually replaced by familiar faces leaning over him. Mikasa was there, her expression tense, a wrinkle of concern between her frowning eyebrows. Beside her, Jean was scanning his surroundings, on guard, as if waiting for danger.

Gray straightened up and stood up quickly, before their astonished eyes.

- Take it easy, Gray, said Jean. You've taken quite a dose of heat in the face. Are you sure you all right?

- Perfect, he growled, as he passed them.

The reason was simple: he'd seen Reiner, his hair gone and wounded, sitting against a wall, watched by the others.

- Gray, muttered Hange, one-eyed, certainly lost in the explosion. We've got him.

- He wasn't dead, then? he asked.

- Obviously not, she replied. He still had enough energy left to fight. In any case, we'll be able to inject him with the serum.

Gray turned his head sharply towards her, surprised and shocked.

- What serum? he asked.

Hange seemed to blame herself for a few seconds, but she answered:

- Rod Reiss's serum. We've got one in reserve.

Gray turned his head towards Reiner and looked at him. He was going to pretend one more time because he wasn't sure if he was going to transform now. He was going to play his part for a few more minutes and discreetly dried a tear on his cheek.

- So, you're gonna lose your powers, you traitor? he asked, staring at him.

But he never got the answer to his question. At that precise moment, he knew that he had failed his mission, that he had made an error of judgement. A simple mistake that changed everything.

Hange's blade was against his neck.

- Don't make the slightest move, Lehmann, she growled. If you try, you'll lose your neck.

Gray didn't move his body a millimetre, but he turned his gaze towards her, who was standing a little further away, thanks to the lenght of her blade. Gray put all his hatred into his eyes, hoping to make her move, but she didn't move an inch.

- You will kindly come with us, she continued, in the same deep voice. And you will answer all our questions.

- What d'ya really think you know, Hange? he asked, a hint of irony in his voice. He had to get out of this situation at all costs.