Chains [Levi Fanfic]

Chapter 3: The Underground

The Underground was much more filthy and revolting than I had first imagined. The combination of soot and dust polluted the city, releasing a very pungent odour that made me gagged when I first entered the place. The ventilations were so poor that it made me feel suffocated after just being here for ten minutes. How could anyone live here? How could the king allow his people to live in such vile conditions?

As we got ready our gears for the mission, Miche asked the one question that has been bothering all of us at that time,

"Do you know how he looks like, Erwin?"

We turned to look at Erwin and waited for his response.

"I supposed...no." Answered Erwin casually.

Flagon frowned his eyebrows, puzzled, 

"How are we going to find him then?"

Erwin gave a shrug and replied,

 "Well, He'll just have to come out of his little slum. We'll know exactly who they are, once we see them."

Although we were left feeling uncertain of how the mission would go without knowing the faces of the targets, no one else questioned Erwin. Certainly, after the last three expedition I've had with the Scouts, I've come to trust Erwin's judgement. That's why Commander Shadis was definite to make him his next successor as Commander.

As we were moving closer to the inner city, a group of Military Police noticed us. They walked towards us with their glaring stares and smirking lips.

"If it isn't the Reconnaissance Battalion." Sneered one of the approaching Military Police.

"What are your Wings of Freedom doing down here? Aren't y'all supposed to be up there flying...soaring high, fighting off titans? There's no titans down here I tell ya." Mocked, another and the rest of them joined to laughed with him.

*Wings Of Freedom: a set of wings that's a symbol of the Survey Corps and are printed in every jacket of the Survey Corps recruits. Each regiment have their own symbol with the Military Police: A unicorn and the Garrison: two thorn roses.*

Erwin walked up to them, and we follow suit. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"There's a thug that we would like to pursuit... I believe he uses the Military's ODM gears to cause trouble?" Stated Erwin.

"Ahh that punk...He's a handful alright. Him and his two little rats. Tough job, dealing with them lot. Been trying to get rid of those pests for years." Complained one of the police.

"Well if it helps, we would like to catch them here and now. Do you know where they might be?" Asked Erwin kindly.

"Pfft... You guys? We can't even arrest them, how can you, a bunch of titan-killers?" Scoffed one of the soldiers.

Miche might've beat up that Military Police to a pulp if it wasn't for Erwin to stop him from getting carried away.

Just then, we heard a distant cry getting louder and louder.

"MILITARY POLICE! IT'S THEM! IT'S THEM! THOSE ODM THIEVES!" Shouted a man who was running towards our direction. Soon enough, we saw three flying Ninjas and the sound of gas being used up by their ODM gears. Erwin gave us a notable nod, signaling us that it's time.

"Stay behind the Military Polices, we'll engage when it's time." Ordered Erwin. All of us obeyed him and moved back, before maintaining the same speed as the Military Polices.

I was starting to realise why the Military Polices were unable to catch these thugs for years. They were moving so slow! I thought the Military Police was filled with skilled cadets - since only top ten of the graduates are able to be recruited. I guess I was wrong. Soon enough, one by one we saw the Military Polices falling off their gears. These thugs were dodging and moving in unpredictable ways to avoid being caught up. Just who are they, really? Regardless, as all of the Military Police seems to be wiped out, it was our chance to use our ODM gears in its full potential. We took out our blades, just as Erwin commanded and started speeding up our pace.