Levi's system of black chords shot out and attached themselves to the closest building. The hook smashed into the brick with a satisfying crunch. The gas kicked in, letting out an energetic hiss, as he swung his way towards the towering monstrosity. With un-proportioned limbs, wide eyes, it was the face only Satan could love. Ha. Levi's two blades glistened in the afternoon sun. It was like he was flying. It was acrobatics and martial arts rolled into one. The green of his cape followed his shoulders, looking like a dark whirlpool.

He maneuvered his body appropriately, making it twist in 360s as his double blades dug into the supple flesh along the Titan's arm. He could hear the split of muscle but the Titan didn't feel anything. Normal wounds were useless against these freaks.

Levi swung his legs forward and his line stuck into the Titan's meaty shoulder. He prepared his blades, muscles tense and suddenly fluid as he dodged the Titan's threatening fist and cut straight into the one weak spot at the nape of its neck. He held onto the Titan until it completely collapsed into the dirt street. The other soldiers stood frozen on the shillings of the rooftops. Levi shot up to them, blades still unsheathed but dulling.

"Jaeger?" he looked among the stunned survivors: titan meat in the making.

x

"Here," spoke a slightly unnerved human Titan monster. His fists were firm at his sides, trembling. Was it out of anger or fear?

"Remember, don't get hurt and don't under any circumstances, shit yourself and become a titan."

Eren was used to the Corporal's foul language. It never bothered him, that is, unless he was insulting Eren, which just so happened to be often. Apparently he hadn't answered quick enough because Corporal growled, "Understand me?"

"Y-yeah," Eren blinked the sweat out of his eyes. But wouldn't it be easier if he could turn into a Titan? They were trying to take back the wall. They wanted Eren to help them. How was he going to help from behind the lines, cowering behind his superior? He was part of the Survey Corps and had the cape to prove it. It burned in his chest, flaring out to his fists and he gave Corporal such a hard and astute salute, he thought he bruised his chest.

"Good," Levi replied curtly and made a quick assessment of the soldiers standing around him on the roof. "Come on, keep moving. Don't sit there waiting for the Titan's to pick you up, damn it. Don't make this pointless!"

As if Eren was planning to. It's not like he'd asked these people to risk their lives on his behalf. No…it wasn't on his behalf…it was for mankind. Eren was the only hope for mankind's survival right now. The fire in his chest simmered into a heavy stone in his guts, weighing him down. He almost moved his bandaged hand to caress his stomach.

Levi was already flying ahead of them. There were only a few Titans in the immediate area and Eren knew for a fact that Levi could take them out on his own with ease, but the unit followed anyways. But he could see the heads of some of the 15m classes walk through streets at the other side of the city. The shorter ones were harder to spot from here, but he knew that the beasts would congregate where there were more humans.

We're game to them, Eren grit his teeth as he launched himself through the streets. His wires zipped as he switched from hooking to buildings on his left and right, trying to catch up to Levi, who never looked behind.

Maybe that was Eren's problem: looking behind. Damage was already done and he couldn't do anything but regret or move on. Levi chose the latter. Levi was always so level headed and expressionless, always following orders from Captain Erwin even if he disagreed. Obeying orders had its pros but Eren just didn't see Levi as a perfect soldier. No. That was exactly what the man zooming yards in front of him was: the perfect soldier.

Corporal Levi was already in the midst of dancing two 5m Titans to death by the time Eren caught up with him. Where was everyone else? The city was flooded and Eren was somehow supposed to use his Titan form to seal Wall Rose. Even Hanji wasn't sure how or if it would work. Corporal and all the other soldiers in this mission were putting their lives on the line for the small chance Eren would succeed. He couldn't let the worries distract him from the battle ahead.

A young female whom Eren didn't recognize right away leapt past him, the gas leaving a wispy trail. Before them, maybe 200m away was a tall 10m class, eyes bulging and mustache full of bristles. Adrenaline rushed through his veins. His heart was a thunderstorm pumping energy. He launched the chord on his right hip now, bringing him quickly into Titan back range. He spotted the other girl swerving in from the others die. Good, he needed the help.

It was his partner that struck the killing blow. A chunk of flesh flew off the Titan's neck. It made a strange guttural sound before crashing onto the ground, sending dust into the air. Eren mentally checked how much gas he had left as he charged forward. Corporal Levi had taken down two Titans in the time Eren and the girl took down their one, and turned his head back to briefly to make sure Eren was still intact.

Eren gave his Corporal a quick nod, I'm fine. His brown jacket and green Wings of Freedom cape violently fluttered behind him as he travelled down the streets. 3D Manuver gear always worked best when there were plenty of tall buildings to monkey through.

Corporal landed on a rooftop to catch his breath and the others did the same. Eren counted seven out of seven. How long would that remain though? Canon fire could be heard from one side of the wall where Eren figured the rest of the soldiers must be. They must be drawing the Titans towards one corner like before. How many lives would this sacrifice though?

Corporal was so focused, emotionless. Eren hadn't even seen him cry when his best soldiers had died when they were trying to capture the Female Titan. They had told Eren to trust them and instead of defeating Annie his way, they died.

In the end, the only one he could really trust was himself. He wanted to trust his comrades. They were strong but not strong enough. He wanted to trust Corporal Levi. Eren wanted to be a solid rock like him, to carry everyone's burdens on his shoulders. He knew his own abilities. He couldn't let others sacrifice themselves for him.

"Jaeger. Stay in the back, won't you?" Levi's low, stressed voice stood out among the shouts and cries of those around him. It was almost comforting. Almost.

"If I hadn't helped her-" Eren gestured towards the girl who had taken down the Titan with him.

"There would have been no difference. Agnes can handle herself. You've only got one chance, do you understand me? If you can't get your shit together, Jaeger, then peoples' deaths here would be for nothing. Do you want that? How many dead soldiers does it take to get through your shitty head, huh?"

Levi didn't raise his voice yet the words cut into Eren's body like the blades in his hands. Insults usually just made Eren mad but when it was from Mikasa or Armin or Levi, the words took more weight. Were they ashamed of him? He knew that Levi didn't trust him yet. He had to prove himself by doing his duty to mankind.

"I know!" Eren gripped his blades tighter, wanting to jump away and head out on his own but he'd be a dead man if he let his anger and stubbornness get the better of him.

"We're only a few miles from the breach in the wall," Corporal seemed to have dropped the subject to Eren's relief. "Get ready to transform. Where's Hanji?!"

"Yoohoo!" Eren caught sight of the researcher's flying body. She landed on the roof with a thud. "Hey Eren. How are you holding up?"

The presence of Hanji made Eren feel a little better. At least she was there to defend him against Levi. "O-okay I guess."

"Are the soldiers on the wall distracting the Titans enough?" Corporal cut to the chase.

Hanji adjusted her glasses with dirty hands. A small sizzle of steam signified she'd been stained with Titan blood. "They're doing what they can," she explained, her voice turning serious. Her face became dark with a furrowed brow and a distressed frown. "This is our window of opportunity. Let's get Eren to the hole and get this finished!"

Levi only blinked a reply before setting off. His speed had decreased and Eren wondered if his gas was depleting. Hanji followed the unit as they continued to the breach ahead. He could see the Titan-sized hole with large cracks spreading across the "sacred" wall and swallowed.

Only two more, smaller sized Titans had broken away from the crowd in the back corner of the city, and attacked them but Eren's comrades took care of them swiftly. They arrived at the hole and Eren ran towards it. He had no idea how he was going to do this.

The top of the gap arced high above him and he swallowed. Everyone was on rooftops surrounding him, making sure no Titan would come through. Eren had to focus. He could feel Hanji and Levi's eyes staring down on him. He think he heard Hanji shouting encouragement. His world became will alone. Fire. Burning. Heat. His body was heating up. Become the wall. I have to fill the wall or everyone could die. His jaws clamped down on his non-bandaged hand. blood flooded into his mouth and the taste was of iron. The pain hurt but this was nothing. I have to. I have to…"PROTECT EVERYONE!" he screamed.

The heat inside exploded. His heart nearly destroyed itself. Muscles burst and skin expanded. The tendons and bones connected within seconds. Flesh built upon flesh and teeth grew from a deformed mouth. Steam poured from his body and all Eren could see was Levi's wide-eyed expression.

Was he worried about Eren? Did he put his hopes on him? Trust me, Corporal. The fury blasted through every fiber, bringing him upright and into a painful roar. He blinked once, Levi in his sight. Corporal… Then his fiery world became dark.