I'm With you [[ErenLeviArminXReader]]

Return To Trost

Not everything has a happy ending. I've know that since I was a child. Things aren't always going to go the way you want them to, and when they don't you just have to kneel down and accept it.

I've always hated that. The thought of giving up just because life told you to. If that's the way the world's gonna work then I say screw it. Fate can try all it wants to catch me out and cheat it's way to victory. But I know it's game, and I don't intend on losing.

I made up my mind years ago, when I met Mika, that no matter what situation arose I would change myself to best suit it. If a battle called for speed, I would gain it, if it called for strength, I'd give it twice as much.

Nothing's going to stop me from getting the happy ending we all deserve. And as long as I have everyone with me.

I can fight until the bitter end.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Try your best to ensure no one recognises you, if they find out a member of the scouts has returned early, it may cause an uproar." The commander tells me his orders, and I salute before exiting his tent.

If I need to conceal my identity, then this has to go. I remove my cape and jacket and throw them on the ground behind me.

It has not long turned morning, and the entrance to Trost is almost half a days ride away. So if I set out now, before anyone has awoken, I should get there but mid day. That should be plenty of time, right?

With a confident stride I take a seat upon my horses saddle. My ODM gear is strapped to my sides and I'm ready to ride. Without looking back I ride onwards to the north. Missing the Captain's unusually warm glare as he emerges from a tent as I leave.

It may be a foolish idea to leave without any other soldiers, but as far as I'm concerned, if a Titan should appear I am more than skilled enough to take it on and win.

--------A Few Hours Later--------

My ride almost comes to a close as Wall Rose comes into view.

Wait.

No.

Oh god please don't let it be-

A hole, at least 10 metres high, right where that gate should be. Did the colossal Titan show up? If that's the case then the Armoured should be close by.

One thing was for sure.

Wall Rose was in danger of breach, and Trost was soon to fall.

Evaluating my options, I find the best course of action is to leave my horse here and scale the wall.

Once I come into range and my anchors are in place, I abandon my steed and begin to climb.

Once at the top I hear faint screaming. I put all my energy into clearly hearing just one.

"YOU'RE USELESS!! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DIE!"

I'm taken aback by what I hear. That sounded... Like Armin.

Without further hesitation I head in the direction of his voice. I only have these tanks of gas and the swords I brought with me. I'm not prepared at all but I'll sure give them hell-

A 7 metre Titan appears to my right. I sink my anchors into its neck, then charge around it and slice perfectly through its nape.

I take a minute upon a rooftop to watch it's body decompose into steam. While I'm doing so I spot some thing from the corner of my eye. Is that a cadet jacket?

Following from where it was, I see tiles sprawled across the rooftop, as if someone had been thrown from one end of the street to another.

My god... Who...

And then I spot them, the entirety of the 104th cadet core, all on top a set of houses. Well almost all of them. I'm about to call out to them when I catch Mika and Armin's conversation.

"Where's Eren?"

Armin looked up to her with tears in her eyes, and I felt some growing in mine. Without hesitation I spring to the roof they are on and look to him with obvious fear in my eyes, ignoring everyone's welcomes.

"5 members of the 104th cadet core... died heroically on the field of battle. Thomas Wagner-"

I caught in my thoughts during the middle and only caught the last bit.

"... Eren Jaeger."

That's when my heart stopped. All the chaos around me became silent, and my comrades around me became empty shadows.

"These 5 fought bravely in the face of danger, but weren't able to make it back". He looked to me, and began bawling.

"I'm so sorry, you just got back and... he should have died in my place I-"

I cut him off by taking a tight grip on his hand. I have him a fake smile and he just watched in awe as I turned to the others.

"Marco, you are all stuck here because you are out of gas, and by the looks of it from here, the supply team has fled and headquarters has been overrun by titans. Is that assessment correct, cousin?".

"Y-Yes but"

I catch the eyes of Jean, Connie, Saha, Ymir and Christa. Then I look directly into Mika's eyes. Her blank expression gives so much away. She's screaming on the inside but isn't letting it show. I suppose I'm just not as brace as her in the face of my friends death. But I'm sure it will sink in for both of us soon.

I raise my sword high so all the soldiers can see it.

"I'm strong. Way stronger than all of you. I'm a Captain for gods sake. I'll go to headquarters and take out the titans there."

"Are you crazy!?" Connie asks me with genuine worry. "We all know you're strong but... you can't take them all on. Not after-"

"Stop whining Connie. You can all come with me if you wish, but if your too scared then I suggest you not bother and wait here for a Titan to eat you where you stand. Things are looking grim but if all of the 104th cadet core work together like we did back then, we can do this".

And with that I take a dive off the roof and begin making my way to headquarters at top speed. I don't know if I can survive this, but then again.

Adrenaline is the best pain relief.