*

The female titan accelerated towards us, feeling the heavy foot stomps against the earth shake beneath us. My hair flies wildly in the raging air, as we kept moving forward at an intense speed. Flicking our reigns the horse picked up the pace, awaiting for Erwin's plan to come into play.

The female titan was soon on top of us, it's dangerous eyes were glowering down upon us. Or mostly upon Eren, it's main target.

The distance was so close, and yet we remained ahead keeping her at a distance. We needed to make this work, to allow one of Erwin's predictions and plans to be a success. More so, Eren was placing his full trust in us, knowing we're the only capable soldiers out there to defeat one of these intelligent ones.

"Come on," I mutter under my breath, inching further and further in the deep growth of giant trees. Awaiting for the trap, I could predict where they placed it, but I know we're getting closer.

The horses strides were more longer and powerful, feeling my strength sync with the horses. I couldn't look back anymore, my muscles were tenses up and my goal was to get to the trap quickly. I couldn't tell what was going through Levi's head, nor if he was afraid. 

Soon my senses pick up on something, realising a clearing up ahead, my eyes narrow knowing something is about to be unleashed. Finally reaching the opening area, time seemed to go slow for a moment. My eyes flicker around, seeing scouts all around the area, with large artillery, and traps being surrounded. 

Everything soon slows down in motion, as the titan only notices.

"Fire!!!!!!!" a voice thunders around, before everything erupted with big explosions and traps being set off. The whizzing and whirring sounds, and the titan was startled by the sudden ambush attack. My eyes widen in how amazing the artillery was, even catching the spy off guard.

Yet we did not waver and continued on ahead, but I turn around to see the titan's body impaled with multiple grappling hooks embedded into her flesh. Holding her in place with awkward angles, thoroughly placed in all difficult areas. However she knew what to do before raising her arm, and blocked her nape with both hands. 

That bitch......

They soon shot another set of grappling hooks into her body, the metal chafing together to create dangerous sparks. Soon smoke fills up the area behind us, making me face back to the front to see levi turning to the others.

"Everyone hitch your horses a bit further on, switch to ODM gear," He orders, before turning to me. "I have to break away for a little while, Akira is in charge 'til I get back, so tuck Eren somewhere safe and out of sight, away from the female titan and see to my horse!"

Taking Levi's reign from his horse, he flashes me a look.

"Be safe?" I ask him softly, only a moment he takes my hand and squeezes it. 

"Tch, of course I will," his voice was rather soft and tender, my heart pounded against my chest. He then starts activating his ODM, and flew on ahead back to Erwin. With more confidence, we're out of harm's way, all the air I held in was finally released. My heart was racing a million miles an hour, and sweat aligns my forehead out of stress.

Gunther smirks, "So what do you think of us now, Eren?!"

"Let this be a damn lesson greenhorn, don't underestimate the scouts!" Oluo sneers at Eren, seeing everyone's faces lightly lift in relief. 

With no ounce of worry, my hands loosen around my reigns sitting back a little.

"Corporal, we did it!" Petra exclaims, hearing her voice flutter more lighter and laughter following after. 

I nod, "We will talk later, let's just keep going on ahead and group up!" informing them firmly, earning a few 'yes' in response. Flicking our reigns, I held Levi's making our way to a safe location to rest for the time being.

*

Tying the reigns around the smaller trees, my hand lingers upon the rope while concerned for Levi's safety. I knew we've got her captured, and under Erwin's hands now. However I felt my stomach churning more and more, not quite understanding why I'm feeling like this.

Should I have gone with Levi? Would that make a difference?

Shaking my head I activate my ODM and flew up upon the large branches, seeing the rest already getting comfortable awaiting for further orders. Even though I was in charge, my thoughts weren't exactly positive. I do have faith in Hanji's traps, I do have faith in Erwin's plan. Sometimes you need to be prepared, if your first plan malfunctioned to nothing but disappointment.

"What the hell was that back there?!" Oluo yells angrily at me, while storming towards me. 

"Oi, Oluo, now isn't the--" Petra tries to stop him, but he brushes her off.

"I get that we made it out alive in the end, but what is actually going on?!" He demands angrily, while I stood my ground. Should I tell them the truth now, as we have finally captured the threat? He suddenly grabs my collar, almost choking me in the process.

"We were almost killed, if it wasn't for that trap!!!!!" He continues on. "Why? Is there something you would like to share? Hmm? We're risking our lives for a kid, who has powers for christ sake!!"

"I'm sorry," my voice never wavered, but it was sincere. 

"Sorry, huh?" Oluo scoffs, while glancing around with the others. He soon turns back to me, "You don't understand how scared all of us were, riding our lives behind you two!!!"

Sharp pain was sent across my right cheek, while I stood there taking it. 

All the others stood in utter shock at what Oluo did, but all I did was look him dead in the eyes. I never meant to hurt them by this, truly never did anything to take their lives on a whim. I deserved what I just received, whether I'm a superior officer or not.

"Oluo, what the hell!" Eld raises his voice, placing a hand in front of me to shield me. "You and I both know, it was hard for her to keep it covered. There was a plan in motion, I think.......right?"

"Huh? So.....you knew about it too?" Oluo retorts, but the vice captain shook his head.

"No I didn't, but that doesn't give you the right to take your anger upon the Corporal," Eld firmly replies, before glancing behind me. The stinging sensation spreads across my cheek, as my fingertips brush against the swelling.

Petra whacks the back Oluo's head, with a scowling look.

"That's for striking the corporal, you should know better," She huffs, before sending me a warm smile. 

However Eren was appalled by this, clenching his jaw.

"So that was the plan from the start?" He questions, still processing everything. "We weren't flying by the seat of our pants?......Look, I'm not complaining. I get keeping it from me........come on! Seriously why did you keep Levi's squad in the dark, Corporal? Don't you think they earn a little more trust than that, right?"

I adjust my green cloak around my cloak, while strongly keeping my eyes on him.

"Damn you're annoying," Oluo sneers.

"I hope you're not suggesting the Captain and Corporal kept the plan from us because they thinks we're a liability!" Petra shot at the young boy, taking offense by that. 

"I'm sorry, but I am!" Eren honestly replies. "There's just no other way it makes sense!"

Oluo growls angrily with annoyance, "Enough of this!" He jabs his blade in Eren's direction. "Petra! Knock the teeth out of his skull!"

Sighing deeply I wasn't sure whether to take all the blame, or see how this will unfold. They were all probably offended by Levi and I's decision, keeping them in the dark. 

To be frank right now, let them blame me. I couldn't care less now, all I know is they are safe.

"Look I hate to say it too," Eld spoke up, stepping away from me. "But he's got a point."

"Huh?"

"For being as supposedly instrumental to the plan as we were," he continues, while his arms were folded and deep thought. "The Captain didn't give us much to go on."

"I'm sorry, but we had too," I firmly say, but Eld shot me a stern look.

"You had too? You both don't even trust us," He points out, feeling my heart clenched tightly. "That's kind of a big deal. C'mon, you guys.....think about it. Maybe Eren isn't the only one who can change. Maybe someone in the regiment's a titan spy."

Everyone turns to me, knowing I know most on the real situation.

"So wait......you knew?" Eren breathes out, betrayal was only temporary. "That doesn't make sense, how-- I mean why--"

 He fumbles over his own words, as my jaw clenched tightly.

"Wait, hold on....a spy? You sure about that?" Gunther questions, in alarm turning to me and then to Eld. 

"Well not me, but.....I'm sure the Commander believes it," Eld replies honestly, before turning to me. "Rumour has it, the only people in that, know on this were the survivors from five years ago."

Levi, Hanji, Erwin and Miche and a few others.....and myself....

My eyes harden for only a moment, remembering five years ago. The painful memories flashing in my head, their screams, and blood tainting the streets again and again. Their blood curdling cries of helplessness, death wallowing in the pits of my home. 

I was there.......

I saw it unfold before me........ 

It was nothing but a nightmare.......

They weren't there when I saw my mother being crushed, or when I saw my sister being devoured. They didn't see the colossal towering over us, like we were just mere insects to him. They weren't there when the armoured barrelled in, killing many soldiers by the walls stone. 

Except Eren, he saw it all too.........

I'm not the only one.....and yet I fought, so hard until my body was at it's limit. I couldn't even remember when I passed out, or even when I killed most of the titans.

It's hurts more because I risked my whole life, all because most of the garrisons were too cowardly and unprepared......

I was unprepared too.....

But all I could do was smile and try to tuck it away, hoping to forget it. However when the breach on Trost happened, it was only mere coincidence. It was repeated, except the Armoured didn't show the moment Eren's abilities were shown to the district and the superior officers.

I knew there were spies since the beginning, but it was uncertain at the time...

"Of course, that's got to be it," Gunther claims, trying to understand and grasp whatever they need. 

Oluo lightly scoffs, "I concur wholeheartedly, hear that snivel-drop?!" Oluo calls to Eren. "There was a good reason."

Petra nods, "Right, yes a perfectly good reason," She agrees, before turning to the young boy. "It adds up. After all, in their position, it's the best way of narrowing down the list of suspects to a manageable number. Shiganshina's probably when the spy got in."

I step in, "Actually you're correct, all of you," I spoke up, admitting it as they all look at me. Taken back, "I was there when it all happened, when I fought every last titan.........except I faced the armoured. It was all a blur, but it suddenly disappeared. It didn't add up at the time, like it vanished into thin air."

"Wait, so then.....you're telling us these same spies were responsible for killing Sawney and Bean?" Eld asks me, as I nod to completely clarify his assumption.

"We only assumed, in facts after it happened the Commander asked Eren and some of you a question," I reply, recalling Erwin's deep and questionable query to us. 'What is it you think you see? Who do you think the real enemy is here?'

"So......that's what he meant, of course," Eren spoke up, realisation hits him.

"If we'd known the answer to that question," Eld says. "He probably would've let us in on what was happening today. Though, there again, I really don't think any of us could've."

"Speak for yourself my friend, I knew," Oluo lies between us teeth. "I just decided to keep my own counsel. Doubtless you appreciate the reason for my silence--"

I stop him, "Listen Oluo I know you're trying to impersonate and sound like Levi," I began, stepping towards him with anger bubbling inside. "But I was in on the plan too, and you weren't invited.....so you can stop pretending to be so high and mighty!"

He scoffs dramatically, placing on his hips.

"Okay, so how come you--"

"Because I had a hunch just like Erwin did, and we evaluated our theories on the attack on five years ago," I sharply cut him off, seeing him step away in embarrassment. "Even so, the very reason we didn't bring up about the truth of this mission is to lure the spy out. What he did was necessary, but I myself must believe in his judgement."

"I'm gonna actually agree with you, Akira," Eld spoke up, meeting my eyes. "You did what was necessary, and you had no say in the matter.....I'm sorry."

Taken back by his agreement, Petra hums in agreement too.

"Eren...." Eld folds his arms, facing the young soldier. "I can understand why you still have your doubts, but in time you'll come to realise, just like we all did, why Erwin Smith entrusted to lead the Scouts and carry humanity's hope."

"Or why even someone as cagey as Captain Levi and Corporal Akira can trust him," Petra adds, proudly making me feel more confident. Smiling softly at her heartfelt comment, her eyes meets mine.

"Indeed, live long enough and you'll understand the weight of it," Oluo adds in.

Leaning against the tree my lips pursed together in silence, feeling my shoulders weighing heavier. I pinch the bridge of my nose, with a deep exhale as my heart has finally settled down. Everyone soon falls silent, when Eld walks up to me in concern.

"Sorry......about what I said before," He spoke up softly, but at that moment a piercing roar erupts from the centre of the forest. The roar was so intense, my eyes soon widen in horror knowing what that sounded like. It seems to continue for only a few lingering seconds, until dead silence. 

Silence falls again, leaving me there stunned for a moment, only to hear something

"Titans....?" I whisper, but it was more like they all were running at once from every direction. Except it wasn't around where we were, so what was that call meant to be?

Eld groans, "Dammit, what could of that been?"

"I don't know," Oluo replies, seething through his teeth with confusion.

Eld shakes his head, "Anyway I apologise from before, it wasn't right to say those--"

"No need, besides..........it's my fault," I spoke up, assuring that they had every right to be mad. We kept this for a month, but I've kept it longer with my hunch. "Anyway......."

Soon a blue gun flare was shot as my eyes lift to see the smoke in the air, signalling that it's time to head back. Everyone was alerted, bringing relief to their faces knowing how stressful today was.

"Alright that's our cue, time to head back to HQ," I order, as Eren's eyes widen.

"Do you think they found out who it is?"

Shrugging my shoulders, "Whoever it is, it's thanks to you for cooperating and trusting in your comrades," placing a soft hand on his head. "That's big, especially in your dilemma. Some would've buckled, or failed without trust."

"Corporal,"

Petra smirks, "Lucky you get a pat on the head, we don't get that treatment," She teases the young soldier, while everyone adjust their gas tanks. Once we all adjusted our ODM gear, we set off through the trees. Flying right beside Eld, Gunther went ahead.

"Hey Oluo, Petra!" Eld calls back to them, turning his body while soaring in a straight line. "I gotta hand it to ya both. For someone who wet themselves first time out, you've come a long way!"

Petra screams out in embarrassment, "I thought we agreed never to speak of it again!"

Stifling the laughter that wanted to burst out, my smile grows wider seeing the bright faced girl.

Eld laughs, "Relax, incidentally I've never once pissed myself in battle!"

"How dare you!" Oluo accuses Eld. "I have the highest kill-count of anyone on the damn squad! Argh! Imbecile!"

"You wanna hide that stain behind your kill-counts!" Eld remarks, with a laugh. "Be my guest!"

"Argh shut your hole!" Oluo spat.

"So did it, like, rain down on everyone midair, or what?" Eren questions, out of curiosity.

"Enough! No one cares who pissed who's pants!" Gunther snaps. "Focus on the job at hand! For the record, my shorts have always been dry."

Scoffing, "You sure about that Gunther?" I smirk, when soon a green smoke was fired not far from us. Narrowing my eyes, Gunther turns to the signal.

"Must be a signal from the captain himself," He assumes. "Stow the chatter 'til we're home. We'll rendezvous with Levi shortly!"

"Wait Gunther I--"

Before I could stop him, he perches himself upon the branch and shot a green smoke signal back. However it didn't feel right, especially with the signal flare being shot randomly. My stomach was churning again, as we continued flying on ahead with Gunther ahead of us.

"Gunther, let me lead ahead," I ask him sternly, but he shook his head.

"No I will remain forward, you're our strongest so you remain behind," He replies, but something wasn't right. After a while, we soon were greeted with levi. However he had his cloak draped over his head, as the still silence was wavering. My eyes intensely inspect the figure, before the air in my lungs chokes me.

"Wait thats........oh shit--!!!!!"

"Gunther, get out of there now!!!" I warn him, but without warning the figure speed so fast towards Gunther, only blood sprays from the attack. His figure falls hanging only one wire, as his body dangles upside down. Leaning my body down further, I got a better look seeing blood spurting from his neck. His eyes were wide, the fogginess ghosting over his eyes.

"Gunther!!!!" Eren cries out, while my face was stunned.

Now, not him.....why him?

He was a strong soldier of Levi's, yet what a terrible fate to fall into....

Yet the enemy remains around us as I scoop Eren into my arms and shoved him ahead of me, while the enemy was behind us. "Come on Eren, we gotta get going!" I call out, even though it pained me more leaving his body behind, as a dangling corpse.

"We--We're just leaving him?!" He cries out, when the enemy appears behind.

Petra and Oluo appear in front of me and Eren, as we draw our blades awaiting for anything to come at us. "Who is that?!" Petra cries out.

"Keep 'em away from Eren!" Eld yells.

"Dammit! Hey Akira, what are we doing?!" Oluo questions, as I kept my body shielding Eren at all costs.

"There isn't time to retrieve the horses, make for HQ at full speed!!!" I order them, knowing we have no choice but to keep moving forward. The enemy was covered, but my eyes quick scan the hands of the mysterious scout. However, the hands were feminine.

A woman? No it can't be........but who...?

Using all our gas we began soaring through the trees at full speed, the enemy remains hot on our tail. My hand began to beat more heavily, as my palms were growing sweaty.

"Is that the female titan?!" Oluo questions. "Or.....did she have an accomplice?!"

"Damn! Whoever the bitch is, they're gonna pay!!!" Petra growls angrily, cursing the person. Her eyes flares up, enraged by the death of her comrade. "Even if it's the last thing I do!"

Soon for only a moment as I turn my head around whilst keeping Eren ahead of me, a bright light soon blinds me with a thundering sound echoing down the valley. Recognising the colour and sound of the