Just for Yeager

Puppet Master

How could she be so bold in the face with such accusations?! With such arrogance?! Her words sliced through me an agony I would never forget, and her face, a mien I would never forgive. She carried herself with a blithe disregard for everyone she sucked into her selfish scheme, mocking me with her menacing gait. Eren was in no way a threat to me, or my relationship with Hange. I had it under control. Never did he pursue taking a position in my life. Yes, he would beg, but he never imposed. The very idea of him getting in the way was complete bullshit! And to the extent in which I'd be forced to take his life? Perhaps I was weak willed, but I was no killer. Whatever it was, the intention wasn't of my own; for Mikasa, she had everything to gain in framing me for his death.

She cocked her head back with a grin. "Have I ruined you yet, Levi?"

"What did you do to me?"

"How does it feel to know you were chasing a ghost all this time? That it was you who sent Eren six feet under? That it was you who dragged his lifeless body along boundary lines, and made it look like a little accident? Guess you forgot titans don't use blades; maybe some huge teeth marks would have been more convincing."

"You spiteful bitch! Tell me what you did to me!" My gun rattled between my hands, and my eyes stung from burning tears. The images of that night swept in, growing clearer and clearer every passing second. The longer I stood before this puppeteer, the more vivid my memories became. It wasn't long until I tried suppressing the dying expression on Eren's face, his last few moments among the living terrorized by a loved one. I shouldn't feel guilty, yet, it was still my hands that expedited his demise. I sought closure the only way that seemed right, but I couldn't help but feel overpowered in this standoff. The rush of adrenaline trickled out of my body and the sensation of sickness cornered me into a bluff. My legs started to quake, and I could feel my back caving in. I should shoot her now, but I wanted answers...

"And what would that do? Give you some peace of mind?"

"Son-of-a-bitch!" I unloaded one at her; she did not even flinch from the heat grazing her cheek. I gave her a warning shot, the only one she'd be given this evening. "Next one kills, I promise you! Answer the question!"

"Magic? Alchemy? Pick your poison."

"You... poisoned me?"

"I never really understood their principles; whatever altered the chemistry of the abstract mind's desires and wants—the end result suited my goal, so I went for it. All I needed was a sample for the link, and a little bit of patience for your death."

"My death?"

"The little trick does come with a price, or so the shaman says."

"You had me controlled, and now you'll have me killed?"

"Tragic, isn't it?"

"For you, maybe." I pulled the trigger, my promise a propelling shot right for the center of her head. But the bullseye shifted, and light-footed Mikasa wave-danced her way to my side. Shot after shot, I missed her; I couldn't even slow her down. But when the proximity between us was tight enough, I swept the back of my hand down her arm, nearly catching the dagger by my side. As I reflected her attack, my gunned arm swung into her back, and the butt of my pistol whipped her nape. She didn't go down so easily, having to follow through with a leg sweep. However my upper hand was short-lived, as I heard a faint straining moan from beneath my feet. The distraction allowed Mikasa to capitalize and ram her knife beneath my ribcage.

I gritted my teeth, collapsing onto the floor, but not before taking her down with me. I had her by the collar, and with the barrel of my pistol burrowed under her midriff, I fired a round. "You thought you were clever," I fired a second shot.

"you sick piece of shit!" A third.

"I will end you for what you did," Fourth.

"TO EREN!" I emptied my clip, her dying grunts music to my soul. The moment was bittersweet, her blood oozing down my fingers, my blood seeping down my shirt. Then the soft audible moaning from before whizzed past my ears again; from beneath us it crept. Nevertheless, I would savor this minute, not letting another second go to waste. I pulled my dagger, my hold on the pistol still propping her writhing body over mine. I pinned the blade beneath her jaw, and she'd quickly clasp her hand around mine at the hilt.

Then suddenly, a realization, or perhaps, a probability surfaced, forcing a hard grin over my bloody lips. "Heh, you're more fucked up than I thought, Mikasa. Stringing everyone along, including myself. You actually had me believing, had me forgetting how insanely pathetic this obsession of yours was. I may die tonight, but if what I think to be is true, then at least I'll die with a clear conscious. Don't worry, I'll be taking you with me. There's a special place in hell for folks like us. This face, right here? It'll haunt you for the rest of your days. You're not getting rid of me so easily!"

"But one of us must set him free... "