Soldier With Wings of Freedom

Wall Rose Part 2

We stood around and listened to what the member from the Vanguard Squad had to say. I stood next to Elizabeth and on her right, Jean stood next to her with Levi on his other side. We stood across from Erwin and Commander Pixis who was leaning forward to hear the guy kneeling on the ground.

"We found no abnormalities or breaches in the wall..."

"I thought so." Commander Pixis said.

"B-But the situation is grave anyway!" The man exclaimed and we looked at him surprised.

"When we were on our way back to deliver our report, we encountered The Scouting Legion Force lead by Hanji! They had several new recruits from the 104th training squad not equipped with 3D maneuvering gear with them... Among those recruits...! There were three...! WHO TURNED OUT TO BE TITANS!!!"

"What the hell are you saying?! There were... More Titans among them?! Th-Three you say?! Who?!" Jean yelled. Erwin gave me a look as he yelled and I placed my arm in front of him as he took a step forward. He saw my arm and stopped as I shot him a serious look.

"Jean, wait!... What happened after their identities were exposed?" Erwin asked.

"The Scouting Legion engaged the Colossal and the Armored Titian! When we joined in the battle it was already too late-" tears started to form in his eyes.

"And in the end-"

~~~~~

I was putting on my harness after I changed into a pair of pants. I was wearing the same shirt and vest as before with my hair still down. My mind was running a thousand miles per hour thinking about what just had happened. Nannaba died protecting the unequipped cadets and no one has seen or heard from Mike. I thought back to what happened not even ten minutes ago.

"My men, get ready we are heading out to Hanji's Squad!" Erwin ordered as he faced everyone.

"Hold on Erwin." Commander Pixis said then he turned around to face him.

"My men are coming with you."

"Then will you be my Second in Command?" Erwin asked.

"No.. Erwin..." Pixis said and Erwin looked at him confused.

"I don't think I am the right person for this position. It belongs to someone else." He explained then he looked at me. I looked at him confused then at Erwin as a light clicked in his head.

"I know what you mean and I think it is the perfect position for her." Erwin agreed as he looked at me.

~~~~~~~~~

When I was done with the harness I started putting on my gear when I heard the door open to the stables. I looked up to see who walked in as they walked towards me.

"You're really going out there. To fight the Colossal and the Armored Titan?" Levi asked.

"Yes. and you're not going to stop me... No matter how much you try." I said as I looked back down.

"I knew you were going to say that... But going out there is suicide. Even for the most powerful soldier in the military... You're injured arm is just going to slow you down." He said as he stepped forward.

"Then I will die as a Reluctant Hero... and be with my team again," I said not looking up at him.

I finished putting my gear on and looked back up with a surprised expression on my face. Levi stood a few inches away from me with a worried look on his face. He moved my bangs away from my eyes as he brushed his hand against my cheek.

"I don't want to lose you too, Melissa... There is... There's something I wanted to tell you for a long time... But I was too afraid." He said as he looked into my eyes.

"Afraid? That isn't like you to be afraid, Levi. What is it your trying to tell me?" I asked as I looked back into his eyes as I tried to read him.

"I will just come out and say it." He said as he closed his eyes.

"I love you, Melissa Smith!"

I looked at him shocked and speechless. I couldn't believe what he was saying. My heart was pounding so hard that I was afraid it was going to jump out of my chest. He looked back into my eyes and he leaned closer. I closed my eyes and I felt something warm brush against my lips.

I couldn't help but kiss him back as he placed a hand behind my head. He wrapped his other arm around my waist pulling me closer.

"Captain Melissa! We need you out here!" Someone yelled on the other side of the door as they knocked. Levi pulled away and let go of me as he stepped back.

"You must go." He said as he looked away.

"Levi..." I said and he looked back at me. I walked up to him and I quickly kissed him on the cheek then ran to the door. He looked over at me surprised and I smiled at him.

"I have the same feelings for you," I said. He smiled and I opened the door and ran out of it.

I ran up to Erwin's side as he was explaining the plans. Elizabeth walked up next to me with an extra Scouting cloak. I looked at her and she held it out to me. I took it and thanked her as Erwin stood up.

"Get on your horses we are heading out," Erwin ordered. He looked at me as I threw the cloak in the air wrapping it around me. I smiled at him with a nod and he nodded back. We walked over to our horses and hoped on.

"Fisher!" I yelled and he rode up to me.

"Yes, Captain?"

"Keep your eyes on me and stay close. " I said and he nodded. I rode up to Erwin who was in the front and rode through the gate.

I looked over the wall while we rode our horses on top of it. The valley beyond the wall seemed peaceful but I know what is truly out there. I looked forward as Erwin rode in front of me and I saw the group up ahead. Erwin held his hand up and we all made our horses stop. He jumped off his horse as I followed.

"Commander Erwin!"

"Huh?! Even the Military Police Tagged along!" Two men said. The soldiers got excited and started yelling some stuff. I landed on my feet turned to face Erwin.

"You arrived just in time, Sir!" Another said.

"Is the situation the same?" Erwin asked.

"Yes, Sir!"

"Hanji?!" I heard another yell surprised and I looked over at who it was. Hanji had crawled over and grabbed someone's ankle. She didn't look well and I ran over to her.

"Hanji?" I asked as I kneeled next to her.

"G-give me... The map..." She struggled to say. She let go of him and he ran to get the map. He came back as Erwin stood next to me and everyone gathered around.

"There's a forest of giant trees here, although pretty small. That's where you should head to..." She said as she pointed to a spot on the map.

"Well... I doubt the Armored Titan would bother to cover his tracks in any case... Still... there's a very good chance they're heading there."

"What makes you think so?" Elizabeth asked.

"It's a gamble, but... even if they have the power of their Titan form, they're still in danger from other Titans outside the wall. After all the fighting they had to do, they must be exhausted- Not as much as Eren, but still... It seems that even Annie had slept for a long time after her rampage. Now let's assume for a second that their place of destination lies beyond Wall Maria. Let's also add to that the fact that at the moment they have no stamina left to cover such a long distance. With that taken into account, their immediate concern should be finding a place to rest where Titans won't reach them! So that they can stay there at least until nightfall when titans become unable to move!" She said as her voice grew louder.

"You have time until nightfall! If you can make it to that forest before nightfall, you just might be able to catch up with them!"