The Guardian's Tale (AOT fanfiction)

-Trust-

I waited in a tree with Mikasa as the MPs finally spotted Armin collecting water from the stream. They told him to freeze and turn around while pointing their rifles at him but before they had the chance to take him into custody, Mikasa and I jumped down and held our blades to their necks. 

"Hand your guns to the one in front." I instructed before Armin grabbed their rifles. "Don't say a word or I'll slice your neck right here and now."

We then led them to Captain Levi and he had them stripped of their gear before Armin and I tied them up. Apparently their names were Marlo Freudenberg and Hitch Dreyse. Right as the Captain said we'd need to dispose of them, the woman snapped.

"Because of what you did Stohess was a graveyard ! Over 100 people were killed !" She exclaimed, clearly panicked. "You bastards. I bet you all think you're some kind of heroes of justice but you're not. You dropped dozens of innocent families straight into hell on that mission of yours."

"Yeah. We did." I said, looking up at her and seemingly triggering her.

"You're from the Southern Cadet Corps right ?" She asked me. "So you trained with Annie Leonhart. Were you a friend of hers ? No...she wouldn't have made friends there either. Way too gloomy and unapproachable for that. She was just afraid of people like a scared little kid. Now I'll never get the chance to learn anything about her. She's officially listed as missing...You know why ?! It's because one of your titans turned her into an ugly red stain on the street !" She yelled as I brushed over Marco's handkerchief and tied it properly.

"Actually no."The Captain spoke up. "It's because the Titan we captured was Annie Leonhart herself. God dammit. Makes me sick. Nobody knows a thing about this world. Not us or anyone else. Except for the bastards at the center of it all. We're letting you go. Bu we need to give ourselves a head start on you."

"Hey...Captain Levi !" The male called out. "Please, let me join in your cause. I believe that the Military Police are in the wrong here. If there's any way I can fight this world's injustice...then that's what I'm going to do !"

The Captain then told him to ease off and that we had no way to know if he had enough resolve to make himself an enemy of the state. Jean and I went and tied them up further into the woods as Captain Levi and the rest of the squad headed off. We stopped at a cliff and I informed them that the pans had just changed. They then proceeded to tell us how they knew what we were fighting for and Jean and I laughed.

"As if I'd take your word for it." I ginned. "I can't trust you. Not with THAT hair." I said, looking at the male. "Who in their right mind would get a bowl cut on purpose ? So how can I trust a single word you say ?"

Jean lunged at them but tripped and dropped his knife. The male, Marlo picked it up and told Hitch, the woman, to run. I stuck my knife on her throat and shook my head. Nowhere to run now. Jean then grabbed a stick and held it under Marlo's chin, pretending to have a gun. 

"Why the hell would anyone believe you'd want to join the Scouts ?" Jean asked. "Our comrades are getting rounded up like criminals as we speak. What makes you think we can win ?"

"Because you haven't quit." Marlo answered. "Despite the odds, the Scouts are still fighting. I made a mistake when I chose my regiment but you're a Scout. You chose to risk your life for others. So I'll trust you." He said, throwing the knife down. 

I then sighed, relieved and let go of the woman. I explained how we were just trying to test them and let out a small laugh. I grabbed my crutch as Jean informed Marlo that he had proven his dedication and that Levi should be willing to work with him now. We then joined back with the Captain and the others and Hitch and Marlo led us to what they believed was the least manned checkpoint. After Levi thanked them, they both headed back to their squad to avoid rising any suspicion. 

"Alright...this time WE'RE picking the fight." Levi said. 

(........)

We charged through the checkpoint using horses and a wagon and I managed to grab a member of the Interior Police. We made it to the top of a hill as night fell and we all grabbed rifles to stand guard as the Captain dealt with the MP. I looked out into the starry sky, leaning on my crutch as Levi interrogated the man. What was the right thing to do ? Should I let my clan die for nothing or should I reclaim the throne ? Would anyone believe me ? I was snapped out of my thoughts by something that the MP said.

"You can't win. All that's left for you now...is to find some filthy corner to hide in, covered in mud and shit ! If you don't turn yourselves in, then every last Scout we captured will get the noose ! Starting with the guiltiest one of all...ERWIN SMITH !"

"No...YOU BASTARD !" I yelled as I lunged at him.

However, Levi reacted before me. He flipped the man over and held his arm behind his back, breaking it. Jean placed a hand on my shoulder and pulled me back to calm me down.

"Again. Where'd they take Eren and Christa ?" Levi asked coldly.

"I...don't know. Nobody told me I swear." The man answered, crying. "Kenny Ackerman doesn't like to make his business known."

I turned to Mikasa. So uncle Kenny's last name was...Ackerman ? Well uncle Kenny was never one for sharing information especially not important stuff. Before Levi could continue his questioning, I heard something in the distance. 

"Someone's coming sir." I said, getting ready to fight. "No...there's more than one."

Jean shook his head and pointed at my bullet wounds but I ignored him and held my blades tighter. These small bruises couldn't stop me from fighting. 

"Told you. You're beat." The man said. "Struggle all you want. One way or another, the Survey Corps will be destroyed !"

TO BE CONTINUED !