Chapter 9: The Small Blade, The Coward, and the Chance (Struggle for Trost 3/9)

Over a century ago, beings that prey on humans suddenly appeared. Their overwhelming strength quickly pushed humanity to the brink of extinction. The surviving humans constructed 3 walls: Maria, Rose & Sina, which brought them a century of peace.

But... peace doesn't last long though. Int the year 845, the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan suddenly appeared, and destroyed one of humanity's walls; and everyday life with it.

Humanity has abandoned  Wall Maria, lost 20% of its population and one third of its territory, and was forced to retreat behind Wall Rose.

In the year 850, 5 years later from the Fall of Wall Maria, the Colossal demolished another wall and allowed the Titans to be inside once again. Also in that point, one soldier who was important was fallen into the titan's guts.

Armin: *tears up* Eren! Hurry!

But it was too late, as the Titan responsible to Eren's "death" closed its mouth and bit its arm. Armin screamed. 

Mikasa killed the Abnormal and Y/n as the 00 killed the other two to save the civilians.

The entire populace was evacuated 2 hours later. Not a single person was eaten by a Titan... except for the soldiers who fended them off and died in the line of duty.

Mikasa: 'Eren. As long as I have you, I can do anything.'

But this world is full of cowards sometimes, that's why... the miracle has returned. With eyes full of determination and courage to eradicate evil and conflict.

*opening starts*

Inside the HQ was the coward Kitz who's been blocked by the Cadets because they can't let him pass.

Cadet: Please wait, Captain! Should the Titans attack, we supply soldiers won't be able to hold this position on our own!

Cadet: Please, sir! You have to stay here!

Kitz: Step aside. I must reorganize the reinforcements now.

Cadet: Behind the safety of the inner gate, you mean?

Kitz: What the hell are you trying to say? I'll have you know I'm following regulations! Obeying established regulations is a soldier's duty!

Cadet: B-But, sir! If we lose this position..!

Kitz: Enough of your talk! *unsheathes the blade* Open your mouth again and I'll be forced to punish you for treason where you stand!

Y/n watched the whole scene from his deployed drone, and is pissed at it.

Y/n: Captain, you're gonna pay, for every cowardice you've done.

Outside

Mikasa swings up high, to see the other guards situation. Some of them are talking and complaining about what's going on.

Mikasa: Why isn't anyone going over the wall? I'm sure they heard the bell signaling us to withdraw...

Then when she looked at the HQ, it was already swarmed by the Titans. But then she looked above the sky, shew saw the Gundam, it's slowly landing.

Inside HQ

Few Cadets are hiding under the table, to not let them seen by the Titans. When one of them looked at the window, they see an eye from the Titan.

Cadet (G): It's all over... We're done for...

One of them was holding a flint-lock. But then a crashing was heard near them while the other one is outside, which means the Titans are inside while there's something out there. The boy has done flint-locking the gun.

Cadet (B): There!

Cadet (G): What good is that going to do?

Then the boy just didn't answer and simply shoved the muzzle inside its mouth and pulled the trigger, making it that he committed a suicide.

Outside

Cadets are on the roofs, some are sitting down with no hope, others are fear and scare.

Connie: C'mon, Jean! What are we gonna do?!

Jean: Ain't anything we can do... They finally gave the order to withdraw, but we don't have enough gas to scale the wall... We're all gonna die now. All because of those cowards... 

Connie: You mean the supply soldiers?! What's happened to them?! Were they wiped out?!

Jean: Apparently they lost the will to fight. I can understand the feeling, but abandoning their duty to supply us so they can barricade themselves inside Headquarters? And sure enough, Titans have swarmed the place, meaning we can't even get gas for ourselves.

Connie: In that case, it's sink or swim! We'll just have to take out the Titans there! Hanging around here's no different! The Titans will just gather here too! We'll only use up what little gas we have left if we keep running aimlessly! Once we lose our mobility we're really done for!

Jean: You're actually using your head for once, Connie. But do you think we have the manpower to pull that off? Most of the veteran members of the vanguard have been wiped out. 

Cadets are covering their heads out of fear and no hope.

Jean: We're just Cadets; who can possibly take charge of a suicide mission like that? Even if someone could, its not like we'd stand a chance against the Titans anyway. And the supply room's probably got some that are the 3 or 4 meters high. There's no way we could get anything

Connie tries to find another way but he can't.

Connie: It's hopeless?

Jean: *heavy sigh* What a dull life this was. If I'd known this would happen, I would've said sooner.

Other side, Sasha was trying to lift their spirits but she can't, as she saw Armin, with a down look.

Sasha: Armin, let's go--

Sasha saw his look and just didn't say anything.

Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie and Marco are standing near the edge of the roof.

Annie: Reiner, what now?

Reiner: Not yet. We have to let them gather first.

Marco: It's no use... However you look at it, we're not getting out of this city. We're all dead. I mean, I'm ready to die and everything... It's just... what am I dying for?

But then a rumble was heard making the Cadets scared. 

Annie: What was that?

Marco: I don't know

But then they saw, something walking, to them with somethings on his hands. It's color has  a brown, with red gold and silver touch color and the ODM gear he has. It was  the 00, he's carrying Mikasa, Franz, Hannah and Mina.

They start to tense up a little bit, afraid on what's it gonna do to them, until it only puts the 00's hands on the rooftop making everyone shock that Mikasa is here with the Titan. Annie starts to become afraid of what its gonna do.

Cadet (B): Mikasa?!

Cadet (B): Weren't you with the rearguard?!

Cadet (G): Why are you with him?!

Mikasa runs up to Annie.

Mikasa: Annie!

Annie snaps back to reality to see Mikasa calling out to her. 

Mina: I'm so glad you're okay.

Hannah: Where are the others?!

Mikasa: We understand the gist of the situation. So I'm sorry for letting my personal matters interfere, but have you seen Eren?

Annie: I haven't, but some squads did  make it over to the wall...

Reiner: *points to corner where Armin is* Actually, we did find Armin over there.

Mikasa and the survivor of Eren's squad is gathering up.

Mikasa: Armin!

Armin: 'Mikasa... No! I can't bring myself to face her! All I did was survive for no good reason... if I'd known this would happen... I would rather have died with him then instead!'

But then he saw who's behind her, it was the other member of Eren's squad, Mina. Who's with Franz and Hannah.

Armin: "Mina, Franz... but how?'

Mikasa: *kneels down* Armin. You're not hurt, are you? Are you all right?

Armin just lowers his head and Mikasa just sighs of relief. She looked around to find Eren.

Mikasa: Where's Eren? 

Armin starts to tear up

Mikasa: Armin?

Armin has no choice but to face it. He looks up to Armin, with tears flowing down his cheek. Mikasa is surprised by this

Armin: We... *lowers his head* The cadets of Squad 34. Thomas Wagner. Nack Tierce... Milieus Zeremski... Eren Jaeger... These 4 members... fulfilled their duties... and died valiantly on the field of battle!

Mikasa has her hair covered half of her face. The others have a face of shock after hearing the revelation about Eren's force. While Y/n has a frown look.

Y/n: The kid didn't even make it? No wonder why he's like that.

Sasha: You can't be serious...

Cadet (B): So squad 34 is basically torn apart...

Cadet (B): The same thing'll happen to us if we try to take the Titans on...

Armin: I'm sorry, Mikasa... It should've been me, not Eren... I... wasn't able to do anything...! I'm sorry...!

Mikasa gets closer to Armin and holds his hand.

Mikasa: Armin. 

Armin looks up and sees her eyes is full of emptiness but is still calm outside

Mikasa: Calm down. Now isn't the time to be emotional. 

Armin: Huh? 

Mikasa:  Now get up. *pulls Armin up* Marco. If we eliminate the Titans swarming around HQ , we can replenish our gas supplies and get over the wall. Correct?

Marco: Well, yeah... But even with your help, there's just too many...

Y/n: 'Hang on, you're not thinking what I'm thinking...'

Mikasa: I can handle them *unsheathes her blades*

Marco: Huh?!

Mikasa: I'm strong. Stronger than all of you. *points her blade upward* I'm very strong. As such, I am capable of annihilating the Titans there! Even if I have to go it alone. As for all of you, you're not only unskilled, you're also cowards and wimps. *points the blade to them* You're a real disappointment. You can just stay here and twiddle your thumbs. Twiddle and watch.

Hannah: Whoa, Mikasa! What's gotten into you?!

Franz: You're seriously gonna take on all those Titans by yourself?!

Cadet (B): There's no way you can beat them!

Mikasa: If I can't, then I'll die. It's that simple. But... If I win, I'll live. And the only way to win is to fight!

Mikasa jumps and swings away.

Daz: Hey!

Y/n: *sigh* Well, let's rock. *taps the armor deployment device*

He powers up his GN drives. They can hear him saying the words.

Y/n: Core change: TN to Cannon! *jumps high*

They saw something at the sky, a small ship that's containing the armor set.

His TN Armor parts starts to remove from it's original body.

https://youtu.be/trgZc6HTnUo

(A/n/; Not mine, the video credit goes to the owner of this and the Gundam custom build. You can also see this video for it's looks and design. I can't find the image for it.)

He changed his legs and arms part with a red and black color.

It now has a resembling part of 00 Qant core chest piece where the new GN Drive version is placed and then placed the jetpack set now fitted with the GN Drive original version and vent shafts, incuding the changes on the ODM gear set; it is removed and replaced it with a belt.

It's shoulder parts is now fitted with the custom high-output GN Cannons that came from Gundam Virtue. He gets his weaponry for melee, is the two custom GN Sword II, and a small GN shield placed onto it's right arm.

After that the crest on it's head glowed red meaning core docking complete.(A/n: The plastic on its forehead is the crest)

All of them are shocked that it could change forms or armor. Then Y/n spoke.

Y/n: If you guys wanna get there, the time is now. I'll cover you. I don't know about Mikasa though, something tells me she's enraged with that tone and her looks.

He then boosts through using his GN Drive on his back. Others are shocked that they're both taking the risks, while them is just sitting there for nothing.

Jean: Your way with words is the real disappointment. You actually considered that motivational. *blades ready* I blame you for this, Eren...!

Mina: I've been a coward ever since then when I was a kid. I can't fight back. But the 00, he didn't... That's why...! *unsheathes her new blades*

Sasha: Y/n, I'm sorry if I don't understand your words back then, but now...! *clenches her fist*

Jean faces to all of the cadets.

Jean: Hey! Since when were we taught to let our comrades fight alone?! Or do you guys want to end up as actual cowards?!

He and Connie runs to catch up to Mikasa and 00.

Reiner: Never thought I'd hear him saying that.

*plays the OO Gundam*

https://youtu.be/SDrQQbwOtmw

The trio moves on while Armin wipes his tears and Marco facepalms.

Sasha: Come on, you cowards, weaklings, and morons!

Mina: Right behind you, Sasha!

Franz: Coming with you!

Hannah: Oi, don't leave me behind!

They jumped and swings to their objective destination. The cadets can't believe what they're seeing.

Cadet (B): Those guys are nuts...

Cadet (B):Damn it... All right, let's do it!

 All of them have their war cry and goes with the 00 which he heard them.

Y/n: Alright, let's do it. 00.

Eyes are glowed and killed the first Titan that's in his way, with his GN Sword II. 

Jean: Hurry! Follow Mikasa and the 00! Fight as little as possible! Get to HQ before you run out of gas!

Connie: Man, Mikasa and the 00 are incredible. How can they move so fast?! 

Armin notices the speed between Mikasa and the 00.

Armin: 'Wait, 00 is just using his cone-shape and that backpack behind him to move faster as Mikasa. But Mikasa's... No! She's using up too much gas! She's going to run out right away! Regardless of our skills, once we lose our mobility we're completely helpless even though with the 00 helping us!'

Mikasa and 00 slains another one, Mikasa is just killing the Titans to ease her anger but for 00, he's trying to clear a path for the Cadets to make a shortcut without using their gas too much.

Armin: 'She's not her usual, composed self at all! She's trying to distract herself from her anguish! It's only a matter of time until she...! 

And then the last of the gas dispersed is now gone. Making her fall and bump onto the roof. 

Armin: Mikasa!

He broke off and follows to where Mikasa went.

Jean: Damn! 

Connie: Jean! You take the lead and keep going! I'll help Armin!

Jean: No, I will too!

Connie: Don't be stupid! There are still Titans everywhere even though 00 is clearing them! You and his skills are needed!

Jean just grits his teeth.

00: It's all right. Knowing Armin, he knows why Mikasa just snapped at all of you. Come on, now.

Jean and the rest continues following 00; while Armin and Connie finds Mikasa.

*stops the theme*

Mikasa now lied to the clothing roof of the cart full of food, she's looking at the skies, emotionless.

Mikasa: 'Again... It's this again... *she sees her blades are broken* I've lost my family again...' 

She drops down as she just walks a little bit and kneels in anguish and grief.

Mikasa: 'Do I have to revisit this pain... and start all over from here again?'

Then a stomping was felt, a Titan is coming on her right side.

Meanwhile, Jean and the others are needed to get closer  on the base. 

Jean: 'It's no use. We can't even get near HQ. Unless we're prepared to die.'

He then saw a cadet, he ran out of gas and he just needs to climb it.

Jean: 'Crap! He's ran out of gas!'

Then the Titans are getting closer to him.

Cadet (B): Stay back!

Cadet (B): Tom! I'll save you! 

Jean: Wait, no!

Cadet (G): It's too late!

The guy named Tom is panicking

Cadet (B): Stop!

But he failed to slain it as its buddy caught the rescuer. Jean tensed up 

Jean: 'Why couldn't I stop them?! Why didn't I stop them?'

The guy is about to get eaten while the girl will die because of blood loss and her arms are pulled out however it was abrupted by a pink beam strikes to their napes and heads, incinerating the Titan's upper body part. 

The 00 just came in time to rescue and scolds them.

Y/n: What, in the world, are you guys thinking! *lends his hand* Get on!

He put them on the roof Jean is standing at.

Y/n: Next time, think. If I hadn't come you guys would've been devoured! And also if you guys didn't get in the vicinity I could've rescued one guy! You got it?!

Cadets (B) (B) (G): Y-Yes, sir!

Jean: ' We only got lucky there. If I'd made them stop, this wouldn't have happened? Am I really cut out for this? Am I really fit to have a position of responsibility?!'

Marco, Mina, and Sasha just watch Jean how could've been if 00 didn't show up. That includes the trio; Reiner, Bertholdt & Annie.

In the other side, Mikasa is still in anguish, pain and grief. She puts the broken blade back to it's scabbard.

Mikasa: 'This world is cruel. And... very beautiful.'

She looked up at the skies.

Mikasa: 'It's been a nice life.' *closes her eyes*

The stomping gets closer as the Titan is about to grab her when there's something inside Mikasa is pulsing.

Her instincts kicked in without the will to do so and she cut the two fingers of the Titan. She dodged the Titans grab with the other side again. She snaps back to reality.

Mikasa: Huh?

And she fails to dodge the third one, making her knockback to the wall.

Mikasa: 'Why?'

And then she sees another hand and she got flying to the ground when it barely hits her.

Mikasa: 'I was sure I'd given up...'

She was sent rolling after that she stands up, and she still doubts herself.

Mikasa: 'Why... am I standing up? *sees a broken fruit*  Why... am I struggling?'

The Titan is trying to stand up again but it flails itself to the ground again like an idiot. The sun shines up and the rain clouds are now fading away.

Mikasa: 'What for? After all... *looks at the sun but its blocked by the Titan* There's no point in living anymore... So what's driving me?'

She walks backwards but then she felt something, she looked behind and saw another one and looked at her enemies. But then she remembers one word.

Eren: "Fight!"

She remembers back when she was kidnapped.

Eren: "Fight! Fight!"

She felt like Eren was reminding her and he wqas on her side.

Mikiasa: Eren...

Eren: "Fight! You have to fight! Fight! Fight!"

And then she receives another memory of someone, sounding like Y/n.

Y/n: The eradication of war through force and fighting - that is Celestial Being. And the Gundam will do it... together with me! That's right! That's what I am! What all of us are. We're Gundams! 

Mikasa heard it loud and clear as she gasps returning her eyes full of fighter's will.

Mikasa: 'I'm sorry, Eren, Y/n... *tears start to form* I'm through giving up. *remembers seeing kid Eren sleeping in the grass* I'll never give up again. *remembers seeing Eren grow and Y/n pats her shoulder and her head like a big brother* Because if I die, these memories of you die with me. That's why I'll do whatever it takes to win! Whatever it takes to live' *stance herself like when she's a kid; eyes full of fighting spirit* GYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAGGHHH!!!!

But then a stomp stepped behind Mikasa, making her jump and it created a crater. Then the Titan punches the fat one making it's teeth broke and the muscles of the big one tear up a little bit. The punch was so hard it sent Mikasa and the Titan he punched backwards and a huge blood splattered on the walls.

Mikasa: What was that?

She looked to see a Titan who's pure muscular, long hair, pointy ears and teeth showing up. It breathes in and roars.

Titan: RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHH!!!!

Mikasa covered her ears, and the Titan runs forward and something strange happened. She then hears muscle and skins tearing apart. She sees the titan who just punched the other, stomping its nape now, brutally. And then she thought about that Titan.

Mikasa: A Titan... is killing... another Titan...

She seen its full face and her eyes are widen. 

Meanwhile, Armin is trying to find Mikasa.

Armin: 'Please wait, Mikasa. Be all right!'

And then he heard a strange loud roar and then he turns to his right and saw Mikasa, sitting.

Armin: 'Mikasa!'

He turns around and shots the grapple to the wall and swings by to grab her. They landed to a roof, imperfectly.

Armin: Mikasa! Are you all right?!

Then Connie lands as well beside Armin.

Connie: Are you two okay?!

Armin: Yeah!

Connie: We got to get out of here!

But then he saw two Titans

Connie: Crap?! Two 15-meter ones!

Mikasa: Wait, that Titan is...

Armin is confused about and then he saw it, a bone corpse of a dead Titan, bloodied.

Armin: Huh?!

Then they watched the two Titans face each other. But the Muscular one, suddenly roars to the other one. Then the other one roars back, the Muscular one gets in a fighting stance.

The other looked at it surprised as it can stance like a fighter. Then the pure titan just roars and engages the muscular. But the muscular one simply slaps its face hard. Making it's spinal cord broke and its head was simply sent flying to a pillar, they're surprised by this strength. The head was simply lodged into the pillar as it's face is completely bloodied.

The body of the pure one falls down in front of the muscular, not while flailing like an abnormal would do. The muscular sees it's hand is damaged and the ones are visible in his eyes, But it's soon gone when it regenerated for 3 seconds. But he seen the headless Titan getting back up again, but he stomped its nape for good measure it's dead. 

Armin: I-It finished it off?! It was actually aware of its weak spot?!

Connie: We gotta get out of here! Before that thing comes this way!

Armin: No, it's not reacting to us. Any other one would attack us for sure...

Mikasa: It seemed to grasp the concept of hand-to-hand combat too. Just like the 00. Just what is it...?

Connie: All we can do is chalk it up as an Abnormal for now! We barely know anything about them, after all. Now, let's just hurry to HQ!

Armin: Wait! Mikasa's completely out of gas!

Connie just finds out about it, just now.

Connie: Huh?! Wait, are you serious?! Now what are we gonna do?! We need you!

00: Need some help? 

They see the 00 slowly landing above them.

Armin: 00. You're here.

Connie: Wait I thought you're...?!

00: I got gas tanks here, some of them are almost running out  of it. Luckily I managed to get some from the dead Cadets.

Connie: Wait, what are we gonna-

Armin: The answers obvious! I don't have much left... but hurry and lets fill it up.

Mikasa: Armin!

Armin: It's the only option we have! It'll amount to nothing if we just keep it or transfer it to you. Just... use it carefully this time. Everyone's lives are riding on it.

Mikasa now realizes her mistake.

Mikasa: 'I took charge without any sense of responsibility for their lives... For a short time, I had even thrown away my own life... All for my own personal reasons.'

Mikasa just closes her eyes for making a mistake that even it costs her life, it'll be nothing.

Mikasa: 'I'm...'

Armin: There! *releases gas a little bit to check*

They consumed the gas tanks that Y/n has on his hands.

Connie: Wait, is it enough?

Y/n: Yep. You guys have 37 - 45% gas filled tanks. It should be enough to kill some Titans and get to HQ.

Armin: Your ODM gear still works, and I've given you all my blades. All I ask is that you leave me with this one. *picks up the broken blade* I'd rather not get eaten alive, if I can help it.

But Mikasa just grabs it and throws it away.

Armin: N-No way...

Mikasa: Armin *holds his hand*

Armin looks at Mikasa now back to her usual self. 

Mikasa: I'm not leaving you here.

Y/n: She's right. That will not be repeated again.

Armin just gasps and Mikasa helps him to get up. She then remembers seeing that Titan brutally stomping the other to kill it.

Mikasa: 'Back there... I was completely confused. I'd never heard of a Titan killing another Titan before. But I also felt a faint glimmer of elation. Because what I saw... *she saw it roared* looked like the manifestation of humankind's anger.'

Y/n: Okay, you guys go. I'll check around here to find and observe that one your talking about.

Connie: Wait, are you sure about that?!

Y/n: Don't worry. I'll be fine, you guys go.

They just nods and flies away to HQ. Y/n flies to find it and he found the abnormal they're talking about.

Y/n: 'Whoever it is... I can feel something about it through the Twin Drive system'

TBC

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