*

ON WALL ROSE - (3rd POV:)

Not long after word got out, and some weak soldiers were waking up, Erwin and the Mp's finally arrived on horseback across the top of the wall. With the lifts with them, they were able to lower the horses on the other side. Given the circumstances, Eren's life depended on everything for humanity. Erwin was leading everyone in, bringing hope to everyone else who remained awake.

Their two main goals was to retrieve both Eren and Ymir.

"They're here!" Mikasa claims firmly, as the rest of the recruits already had placed ODM gear on, prepared for battle.

Moblit seems to regained consciousness, being able to see help was on the way here. "Is that....? Oh wow!"

Moblit breathes out in relief, "Ah! Commander Erwin!!!!"

"With Mp's too!"

Armin was always relieved but also astonished, not seeing horses riding on top of the walls like this. It was rather unusual, but efficient enough. He peers up as they were approaching them, "Never thought they'd ride on top of the wall," he comments.

Historia softly hums, "Probably the quickest route here," She assumes, keeping her eyes on the backup.

Yet Armin was hesitant about Historia going along with them, knowing she could be a target as well. 

"For the record, I know you won't," He spoke up, earning her attention. "But....I'd much prefer if you stayed behind."

Her eyes harden, "No, not happening," She refuses to back down. "Nice try, though. As long as Ymir's in danger, nothing will keep me here......Sorry, that's just how it is."

Connie nods, "We're all in this together, Armin," while keeping his back to the two blondes. "You're not special, every one of us has a reason for going. Still trying to process mine, to be honest.......Why did Bertholdt and Reiner do what they did?....."

Connie was really pissed, and felt betrayed all at once.

".......I wanna ask while I look them dead in the eye," his eyes harden, tired and exhausted from lack of rest.

Erwin soon approaches everyone as Moblit rushes up to greet him, "Good to see you Commander Erwin," he says with relief, with burns dusting his skin. "Glad you're here!"

"Is the situation still the same?" Erwin questions, when Lena approaches him and salutes.

"Sir! Corporal Akira went missing!" She informs him, only noticing his eyes to widen slightly, but subtly. He kept his serious profile, even though he held many questions.

"What do you mean, by that?" He questions, rather sternly. "If this changes our plans--"

She shook her head, "No, no it won't! But--"

"Commander Erwin...Commander Erwin!" 

A weakened soldier that has just woken up, weakly stood up with the help of Tobias walks over to the Commander. The desperation writhing in his voice, concerned the Commander. The soldier indeed was in pain, but his loyalty was to his superiors. Clutching his torso, while Tobias aids him over, he chokes on his words.

"S-She was......she been taken!"

Erwin's eyes harden, "Who? The Corporal?" earning a quick nod. "Why would they need her? It's pointless to abduct her, so.......?"

However Lena's heart sank at the sudden change of news, wondering if the soldier just saw Akira's abduction. She desperately wanted to get her corporal back, but she also knew Levi would have her head if she didn't. Figuratively, speaking. 

"Alright, deploy the lifts!" He orders the MP's firmly, as they began to ready the lift for the horses.

Hanji suddenly grabs her assistants leg, earning a high shriek of surprise, "Hanji?!"

"Don't just stand there," She rasps out. "Gi-Give me a map."

While the MP soldiers began to deploy lifts, they also began to ready the horses and carts. With Moblit hastily bring out the map, he sprawls it across the cold surface as instructed. Crowding around, everyone began to look across the map.

"It's a gamble, but....." Hanji began, pointing to a heavy thicket of giant trees. "....the trees in this forest are massive. I say we ride straight for it.......See, even if they had a way to cover the armoured titans footprints, this is almost definitely where we would find them."

"Why's that?" Erwin asks, curiously.

"They need to recoup, they have the power to assume titan form," She continues on. "But other titans on that side of the wall still pose a threat. Especially after putting up such a fight. Yes, Eren was the worse for it, but they've got to be spent. Remember when Annie went out cold?"

Making such a fine point, recalling back to the fight with Annie. They all teenagers, and didn't sleep a wink during the outbreak at Utgard castle, and having nothing to replenish themselves. Hasty actions, lead to them make hasty decisions. Whether they thought it was wise, they knew they would be at their weakest.

"Let's suppose they're headed somewhere beyond Wall Maria," She suggests, continuing their explanation. "That's not a simple hike. They'll need all the rest they can get before covering that kind of distance. They're in no shape to make it in a single push......and if so, they'll want to catch their breath, somewhere other titans can't get to them. Odds are they'll hold out till it gets dark."

"Why can't the Corporal fight them, head on?" A soldier questions. "She's the strongest we've--"

"She injured dammit!" Hanji snaps, before coughing harshly from her dry throat. The heat really sucked out the moisture in the air, making it harder to gather water. "I-if she's abducted, like you said.......then she's most likely at her weakest. Just.....bring her back too."

The plead in Hanji's tone shifted Erwin's purpose a little, realising how Important Akira has been to the Scouts. He knew Akira would hate a meaningless death, as she wanted to die a soldier than being kidnapped for god knows what. With an expression that puts a tough facade on, he was indeed worried.

Not long after, the lift was finally set and Erwin began ordering everyone to gather.

"We have until sundown!" Hanji announces, her voice still brittle. "If we can reach the forest by then, we might just have a chance to save them!"

Erwin raises his blade, "Let's move!"

*

AT THE GIANT FOREST - (Akira's pov:)

Darkness was all I see, when constant pain throbs against my skull and body. Soon my eyes flies open with a sharp gasp of air, before finding a bright orange light blinding my vision. Squeezing my eyes tightly, I hear someone talking. Murmuring. Slowly fluttering my eyes open, a groan leaves my lips.

"Where.......what's....?" confusion sets in, not understanding where I am. 

Lifting my hazy eyes up, I soon notice larger trees in view. Weakly taking everything in, they soon land upon two soldiers. No, they're not soldiers anymore. A click, a trigger was set off like a bomb. Calmly I went to stand, when my legs refused to bend and step up.

"Huh?" glancing down, my feet were tied up.

About to untie them, the same them happened, as they were tied behind my back as well. My chest weakly heaves up and down slowly, trying to not allow myself to waver before children to not show fear. My jacket was missing, and my black shirt was slightly torn. Taking in my appearance, burns grazes across my arms, and burnt holes ran through my white jeans. Burnt holes, with black tinges around the rims.

My eyes soon fall upon two blurry figures before me, as Bertholdt seems to take notice that I was awake.

He gestures my way, earning Reiner's attention to fall upon me.

"Why couldn't you just stay asleep?" He mutters bitterly, while I clench my teeth. He strides towards me and bends down, about to tighten my binds. Without warning, I send him a hard whack against his temple, earning a deep guttural groan. He stumbles back for a moment, seeing his amber eyes narrow with such rage and frustration.

"What the hell is this? Why am I here?!" I demand calmly, even though my blood was boiling through my veins. "Why did you turn your back on humanity, or more...........who are you really?"

Reiner looked conflicted with many emotions, and judging by his reaction, he wasn't entirely sure himself. 

Bertholdt lifts his head up, "We've been requested to retrieve you back to our hometown,"

Chills ran down my spine, while my head lowers trying to register what he meant by that.

"Retrieve? Requested.......by whom?" I demand, feeling my voice almost breaking. Swallowing thickly, my eyes met Reiner's then trails back to Bertholdt. "Answer me dammit! I don't understand! You kidnap your own superior, and then kidnap Eren and Ymir against their will! You--"

"Shutup!" Reiner snaps, grabbing my wrists harshly. He pins them against the tree above my head, as his larger body towers over me. Even though there was a height difference, his strength alone was beyond what I expected. He pressed more tightly, while I peer dangerously through my messy locks to his. 

This was also between Cadet and Corporal. A student and teacher.

My chest heaved with exhausted, still not fully healed and replenished from two tireless nights. I was running on fumes, and inner rage. Confliction was wavering within me, not understanding their complete motives. Why kidnap Eren? Why turn their backs on us? Even though I've kept my eye on the assumed culprits, I still cared about them. They were once my students, and I put everything into their training.

Yet, what I'm feeling is utter betrayal, and disappointment.

"You will answer me Reiner, tell me what's going?" I order him, more calmly. Keeping myself composed, patient and emotions in check, many questions were overwhelming me. "Who wanted me to be abducted? Who sent you?"

His fingers dug into my arms, pushing into tendons and points that was nauseating. Feeling tmy hem bruising beneath his hold, all I could do was seethe through my teeth and mask my weakness.

"Reiner, should we tell her?" Bertholdt questions, realising Ymir was partially listening in while Eren was passed out.

Reiner soon falls silent, as the question was controversial. However after a matter of seconds, his grip on me loosens as he steps back running a hand over his face. He was raging on the inside, and probably tired and exhausted. Finally coming to a decision, he shook his head while pacing back and forth. 

"We won't, not until we exchange her to him," He discards the suggestion, while I was in confusion. 

Who was this man that wanted me? What's so important, to take me back to some place I haven't been before?

Shaking my head I knew my first goal was to save both Eren, and Ymir.....but in my condition? I don't have my ODM with me, and I'm past my breaking point. Not having a bite to eat, a fractured rib, and lack of sleep, I was definitely at my disadvantage. Shifting my eyes upon Eren, his arms were bitten off from the elbows. Steam emitting into the air, and Ymir's wounds were also steaming slowly.

Seems Ymir has been up before me, so it seems they are waiting on Eren or something. They're both still healing, and I'm the only one here that isn't a shifter.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath, my raven locks was messily covering my eyes.

Despite wanting to know who wanted me to be captured, my main priority as Corporal and comrade, I must protect my two cadets. I didn't understand Ymir's story, but Eren's was a big priority. With not many choices but to run, and titans looming down below, I didn't want to go out like this. It would be such a pain in the ass anyway.

Will word spread about Eren and Ymir's capture? Will Erwin come rescue him, at least? 

"I'm sorry Corporal........you won't be going back," Reiner sternly admits, while my heart sank. "You won't be seeing them again, you just need to face that reality.....no one will be missing you."

Levi's face suddenly appears in my mind, causing my stomach to churn. A lump forms in my throat, as my skin runs cold. It's been a while since I felt this way, and painful as it seems, my body was changing temperatures. Trying to shake his words off, my body was succumbing to one of my episodes again. Finding the world spinning suddenly, my head hang lowly while sinking against the tree.

"What's this?" Reiner questions, shifting his attention on me.

Anxiety was creeping back to me again, this time it felt more numbing. My eyes held bags beneath my eyes, my body exhausted to the point I wanted to sleep in peace. To be in his arms again, to feel his heartbeat against my ear while I tune out. 

"Huh? Well look who's awake," he shifts his attention, seeing Ymir awake along with Eren. They both were on a separate branch, while I was on the tree with Reiner. "Welcome back...."

Taking slow deep breaths in and out, my head was pounding. I need to calm myself, before my emotions cloud my actions and judgement. A stray tear subtly wanders down, before I shift my head to my shoulder and wiped it away. 

Eren's eyes were soon wide in shock, as everyone fell dead quiet.

Soon the young boy realises he didn't have arms to use, being tied up in his Scouts cloak. He begins to breath rather heavily, hastily trying to release his arms from the suffocating hold. Except Ymir seemed calm about the situation, as she just sat there like nothing fazed her at all. 

Once his arms were released from his cloak, a huge puff of steam bursts out of the stuffed cloak.

"What the hell?! My arms!!!!!!!" He gasps in shock, before fear struck him.

Ymir clears her throat, raising her useless arm.

"Eren! I'm uh, not in any better shape here," She tries to ensure, he wasn't alone. "Seems we're both having a shit day, but we've got a bonus. Our Corporal, Akira Yamasaki.......shame she's in the worst shape."

Eren's eyes dart everywhere, before lifting his head to meet my relieved eyes.

"C-Corporal? W-What did they...........what are you doing here? What did they do to me?" he questions, but too many was beginning to make my head throb.

Reiner sighs, "Sorry, that was.....that was my fault," he apologises, sincerely while folding his arms rather calmly. "You can pin your injuries on me, guess I was in kind of a hurry back there.....bit your nape without thinking about your arms."

He said it so casually, like Eren would accept it and move on.

"The hell? A minute ago you were at my throat," I bitterly spoke up, when he clicks his teeth harshly in my direction.

"Is that right? So.......I lost," Eren breathes out, but he held a murderous look. The titan markings still ran beneath his eyes, like stripes. His sea green eyes darkened, with such murder intent. Yet, within that moment Eren snaps his jaws into his arm, awaiting for another bright light to blind us.

Although nothing seemed to happen, but Bertholdt stood up rather quickly in alarm.

"Eren! Don't do it!" he warns him, but Eren's teeth wasn't drawing blood yet.

Ymir rests a hand on his arm, "Easy there, hothead," She tries to calm him down, before glancing down. "Take a look at where we are. This is the giant forest within Wall Maria. Wall Rose is leagues away. Which means......we're deep in the heart of titan country. See?"

I glance down seeing a titan on it's back, gazing up ready to pick one of us as it's next meal.

"I think our buddy down there is an abnormal," She assumes. "It may look like he's just kickin' back, but those eyes haven't left us once. Lot's of smaller ones down there, too. That's plenty bad enough. Another big one over there...."

Turning my head around, I notice a titan walking from a distance, behind a tree creepily.

"....fixated, but keeping his distance.....and strikes me as the shy type," She labels the titans. "....and then there are these chumps, dirty bastards, they had the foresight to suit up in full gear......'course Reiner took yours. Point is, changing into a titan isn't gonna accomplish very much right now."

While she was explaining to Eren about whatever it was, I tried to focus on unbinding myself.

Weaving both my hands slightly, I try to gain some friction with the bark behind me. Whether I get out of these or not, I'm not sure what my next move was. I'm powerless without ODM gear, and I would be a sitting duck. The other four can easily escape here, so I felt completely vulnerable.

Rubbing subtly but firmly against the bark, I could feel the rope breaking little by little.

"She's right!" I hear Reiner agree, not knowing what Ymir said after I zoned out. "Y'can't turn into titans right now, anyway. Don't count on that ability coming to the rescue. The body can only take so much. It's a little preoccupied with healing at the moment.........and the Corporal here...."

He kicks my shin harshly, earning a groan from my lips.

".......isn't a shifter like us, but surprisingly she's lasted this long," He explains, while I send him a dangerous glare. "Despite all her efforts, she's nothing but a fake hero of these walls if--"

Eren scoffs, "Don't you dare say that about her," he growls lowly, while I was taken back from his defence. "She's fought so hard, and accomplished a lot more than you can ever. Besides.......you expect me to just sit here and take the word of a liar?"

Reiner keeps a tough facade, while Ymir sighs.

"Yeah, well.....we're sort of at a disadvantage here," She admits. "It's not like we know the ins and outs of how this works. Unlike you guys, I'm basically clueless about the whole thing......Hey! Reiner! You said you'd start talking once Eren was up. Don't Cha think it's about time somebody explains, what you plan on with us? Especially why you have the Corporal?"

Reiner nods, "We're taking you to our hometown," he admits easily. "Of course, I realise neither of you is just gonna do as I ask. Like Ymir was saying, thought, this place is crawling with titans. They're everywhere. We could beat the living shit out of each other, if that's what you want....but I wouldn't recommend it. Our friends down below are hungry, and not prone to discriminate. Whether you try to cut and run or stick around, believe me when I say options are limited. We wait for nightfall."

My stomach sank further, the more I dwelled on not being able to rescue both Ymir and Eren.

"So, why didn't you stay in titan form and run all the way home?" Ymir questions. "What's the point of stopping here in the first place? You get winded and have to take a break?"

His eyes glowered down, with his broad figure intimidating the two.

"Why don't you use your imagination?" Reiner suggests, while my teeth clench with frustration. If I only was in my ODM gear, and take my chance bring those two down.

"So....we're just gonna sit on our asses till the sun goes down?" Ymir questions, while I found Eren quite silent for a moment. Thought he would be bursting out of his shell soon.

"It's a possibility,"

Dammit! Erwin should be forming a rescue squad. Knowing Hanji and their predictions, I was hoping at least they would assume Eren and Ymir would be here. With many soldiers, there would be an opening to head back to the walls, before titans can devour us.

"Wait a second," Ymir spoke up. "Those titans at the castle had no problem moving around at night. What's stopping these guys?"

"The titans here can't move after dark," he explains, as my eyes slowly widen. He knew?! He god damn knew! "But then you know all about that, don't you, Ymir?"

My attention focuses on Ymir, wanting to know myself. She wasn't taken by that comment, and remained nonchalant.

Soon everyone falls deadly quiet, taking their chances to