Chapter 3: 3. The Battle of Trost Part 2
Jean could find the situation he was in pretty awkward. Well, sure having girl problems was one (specifically Mikasa), but being in the hands of a giant sentient metal titan was one of the most awkward situations he has ever been in. He was in one hand with Armin, while Mikasa was holding Eren in the other hand. Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie were on the titan's, or Optimus' shoulders as he made his way towards the wall.
There was silence as Optimus walked towards the wall carefully, avoiding the titans in the area. Suddenly, Reiner, being the joking person he is, decides to make a remark to break the silence.
"It's a pretty nice view from up here." he remarked.
Jean grew a tick mark.
"Is this really the time?!" Jean demanded, "We just saw Eren emerge from a titan, and out of all the things you could say is that 'it's a pretty nice view from up here?!'"
Reiner just shrugged as he tried to keep a steady position on Optimus' shoulder.
Armin looked over towards the wall to see a lift being lowered down.
"Over there." Armin told Optimus as he pointed in that direction.
Optimus saw the lift and walked over to it. He could see the people at the top of the wall looking down at him with a terrified face. Optimus simply ignored the fact and lifted Jean and Armin to the lift. They hopped onto the lift, as Optimus lifted Mikasa and Eren to the lift as well. Jean and Armin helped Eren onto the lift while Optimus gestured for Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie to jump into his hands. They carefully jumped into his hand as he moved his hand towards the lift. The three jumped onto the lift before they were all pulled up towards the top of the wall.
"Optimus!" Armin called out, "What about you?"
"I will fight off as many titans as I can." Optimus answered.
Armin nodded his head in understanding as they were all at the top of the wall. Before they were taken to the next lift, Armin looked back down at Optimus.
"Stay alive!" Armin yelled.
Optimus nodded his head in understanding before Armin ran off. Optimus then looked over at the sight before him. This whole place was hell, all because of these creatures. These creatures were the reason for the loss of many innocent lives.
Optimus shook his head as he activated his blades. He needed to get rid of as much of the threat as much as he could.
The eight soldiers were lowered down to the other side of Wall Rose. They all widened their eyes in shock to see the Commander and other soldiers surrounding that area.
"All of you are to leave Eren Jaeger here," the Commander ordered while having a terrified look on his face, "If you ever speak of these events you will all be charged for treason against the king."
Bertholdt looked over at Reiner before they walked away. Annie brushed her hair to the side of her face before she followed the suite as well. Jean was a tad bit hesitant, but followed the three. He looked back at Armin and Mikasa, who didn't even move.
"Just go without us," Armin said.
Jean hesitated again, but walked away from the three. The Commander looked back at Armin and Mikasa as Mikasa drew her blades.
"For not following order, you have been charged with treason, and the punishment is death!" the Commander declared.
"And then we managed to refuel, and escape from Trost," Connie finished explaining to Ymir and Krista.
"So that's what happened," Krista sighed, "I'm sorry. I requested supply deliveries for you multiple times."
"We'd even gotten our hands on the gas and all." Ymir added.
"So that means, the people who aren't here..." Krista trailed off.
Connie hung his head. "Yeah,"
"Even that Mikasa?" Ymir asked.
"No," Connie answered, "I thought Mikasa'd come here later with Jean and the others."
As if on cue, Jean came walking by with an exhausted look on his face while holding a pouch filled with water. Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie were right behind him. Jean collapsed on a seat as he drank the water in the pouch.
"Jean," Ymir called out, "Don't tell me Mikasa got hurt?"
Jean just glared at them as he drank more water.
"Jean, what's wrong?" Connie asked.
"They gave us a gag order," Jean explained, "We can't tell you."
"A gag order?" Connie asked, "So you can't talk about that Prime guy?"
Ymir looked at Connie with a confused looked. "Prime guy?"
"Not that," Jean answered, "It's something else we can't speak about. And besides, I'm pretty sure that the information about him spread around."
"Hey, what are you two talking about?" Ymir demanded, "I don't remember someone being called 'Prime.'"
Connie looked over at Ymir and Krista. "It's hard to explain, but there's this Titan that looked like it was completely made out of metal. It could transform its hand into weapons, and it had very advanced skills of fighting."
Krista looked at Connie in shock while Ymir began to laugh mockingly.
"A Titan with that kind of ability?" Ymir questioned with a smirk on her face, "Like that's even re-"
"He's not lying." Jean cut Ymir off, causing her to look over at him in disbelief.
"Did you guys hit your heads or something?" Ymir asked.
"Ymir, this isn't some kind of joke!" Jean yelled, "Honestly, if it weren't for him, more soldiers would've died."
Krista looked at Jean in confusion. "Him?"
"Yeah," Connie answered, "It's a guy, mainly because of the way he speaks."
"It spoke?!" Krista asked in shock.
Jean nodded his head. "He knew our language, and Connie was right when he said he had a lot of experience fighting. The way he fought those titans, looked like he did it his whole life. Either way, the Garrison can't keep him quiet. He's already fighting the titans on the other side of the wall. Humanity will know about both of them...assuming humanity survives that long."
Eren was confused. No, he wasn't confused, that would be an understatement. He was doing back flips in his head! The last thing he remembered was being eaten by a titan, but he honestly thought that was a dream. But when he woke up, there were soldiers pointing weapons at him. No, at them.
Mikasa had her weapons ready to go so she could fight, and Armin was sitting next to him.
They all looked at him like he was some sort of monster. Hell, even the Commander was asking if he was a human or a titan, because they were all saying that he emerged from a titan. That just sounded ridiculous, but no one was denying that fact. Not even Mikasa or Armin. Was it really true? And were they talking about the Armored Titan that was fighting the titans in Trost? What the fuck was going on?
"I will not ask you again!" The Commander yelled, "What are you?"
Eren began to panic. Armin and Mikasa looked back at him, waiting for an answer like everyone else. He couldn't screw up with his answer. If he did, then they would die along with him. He couldn't let that happen. They were all that he had left.
"I'm human!" Eren answered.
Optimus sliced off the head of the last titan that he was battling before he crushed the nape of the neck with his foot. He looked over to see more titans coming from the breach in the wall.
Optimus gritted his denta. There was too many! No matter how many he killed, more and more just came in. This was just getting too frustrating. There had to be a way to plug up that hole.
Suddenly, Optimus heard cannon fire and turned around to see a streak of golden lighting come down from the sky. Optimus widened his optics as he remembered seeing that same streak of lighting come down earlier when he was looking around this world. When he came to the spot where he saw the lighting, there was a hole in the wall.
'Has that lighting strike created another hole?' Optimus thought.
Optimus immediately transformed into his vehicle mode and drove towards the area where the lighting hit. He was on the other side of this town so it took him a while. When he reached the area, he screeched to a stop and transformed into his bipedal mode.
He was going to yell for Armin and the others, but the others humans were already scared of him as it was. He couldn't make the matters worse. He could already hear panicking on the other side of the wall from whatever that was. But it didn't make sense. Those two lightings strikes, they had to be somehow connected. There was no way it was a coincidence.
He suddenly heard a loud clanging noise and someone yelling to stop.
"You've finally showed your true colors, monsters!" someone yelled, "I'll signal! I'll signal the cannons!"
"He isn't the enemy of mankind!" another person yelled, who Optimus concluded was Armin, "We're willing to share all the intelligence we've gathered so far!"
Optimus was confused. Who were they talking about? Optimus hasn't stepped over the wall. He then widened his optics. They were talking about that boy, Eren. He must've been the cause of that lighting strike.
"Begging for your lives is useless now!" the first person from before yelled, "He revealed his true form right in front of us! There's nothing left to say! That Armored Titan is out there and easily break the wall! If you say he's not an enemy, prove it! If you can't do that, I'll eliminate the threat! Both threats!"
'Why is everyone comparing me to this Armored Titan?' Optimus thought.
"There's no need for proof!" Armin retorted, "Besides, how we see either of them is not an issue!"
"What?!" The man demanded.
"I've heard many have seen both of them in action! If that's true, then they must've seen them fighting the Titans!" Armin explained, "And that also includes the sight of the surrounding titans swarming him! Also, if the Armored Titan were here, it would've busted through the wall by now! The Titan is currently fighting and killing off the titans that are entering the city! He's even saved more of our comrades! No matter how we go about it, the facts can't be denied!"
Optimus then heard muttering that he couldn't make out, but it seemed like they were beginning to calm down. Until...
"Prepare to attack!" the man Optimus concluded was the Commander, "Don't be fooled by his clever tricks! Their actions have always been beyond our comprehension! It must be possible for them to imitate our form and speech to delude us! And even though that Armored Titan is fighting the other titans, who knows what will happen after that! We cannot allow them to do as they please any longer!"
Optimus was getting worried. He could sense the fear in the Commander's voice, but if Armin didn't convince them, they could all be killed. Optimus was about to put a distraction, but he heard Armin beginning to yell.
"I am a soldier that has long since offered his life for the revival of mankind!" Armin yelled, "To perish while obeying that conviction would be my life's greatest glory! If we were to utilize both of the Titans' powers, and add it to our remaining forces, recapturing this town would no longer be impossible! Praying for the glory of mankind, I will elaborate on both of their strategic worth with all the time I have left!"
There was silence for a moment before he heard the commander yell, "Shut up!"
Optimus transformed his servo into a gun and pointed it to the sky. The Commander was getting ready to fire. He needed to create a distraction. As he was getting ready to fire, he picked up someone telling him to stop.
"As big as you are, you've always been as delicate as a newborn faun." the newcomer said.
Optimus stopped charging his gun and listened.
"Do you not see his splendid salute?" the newcomer asked, "I have just arrived, but the messenger kept me abreast of the situation. You go command the reinforcements. I think we should listen to them."
Optimus slightly sighed with relief. They were going to be fine for now. He ran away from the wall and continued to eliminate the threat.
Commander Dot Pixis walked casually along Wall Rose while drinking from his small container. Behind him were Cadets Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, and Eren Jaeger. When he came to Trost, he was informed about the situation, and honestly, he was surprised. It seemed that Cadet Eren Jaeger emerged from a titan's body, but not before killing twenty regular titans in the process. Also, the Armored Titan, fighting against other titans. This situation was definitely interesting.
He looked down to see the titans trying to climb the wall. "No luck, huh? I wouldn't mind being eaten by a beautiful titan woman."
He looked over at the three cadets, who had pretty uneasy looks. "Would you mind explaining to me what is going on?"
Armin and Eren took turns explaining to him the full story of what was going on and what Eren saw before he transformed into a titan to stop a HE cannon.
"I see," he began, "So you believe that basement holds all the answers you seek?"
"Yes," Eren answered, "Will you believe me sir?"
"Since even you yourself can't say for sure, let's just say I'll keep it in mind for now," Pixis answered, "However, you can prove your true intentions by your actions right now. I'll guarantee your safety."
Pixis noticed the three relaxing with relief. He looked over at the blonde child who he believe was Armin Arlert.
"Cadet Arlert, was it?" he asked.
"Yes, sir!" Armin saluted.
"Earlier, you said by using both of the Titans' powers, we might be able to retake the city," Pixis recalled, "Do you really believe that, or were you just desperate to save your life?"
"It was...both, sir!" Armin answered. "I was trying to say that Eren could use his titan form, carry the boulder to the wall, and use it to seal the breach. And Eren wasn't able to, I was thinking that Optimus would be able to take on the task."
Pixis looked at Armin with slight curiosity. "Optimus? Is he a titan shifter as well?"
Armin shook his head. "He is the one everyone is referring to as the Armored Titan. However, he is not. I have seen the Armored Titan before, and he is not it. He is probably even stronger than that, and has advanced combat skills. He even save more of our comrades."
Pixis slightly chuckled. "This is very impressive, however it is hard to believe. Could you point out where he is?"
A battle cry was heard from below the wall, followed by a shifting noise. Pixis looked down the wall to see titan's heads being cut off, while some of the 3 to 4 meter class titans were being kicked away from the wall. The headless titans were slowly regenerating, but the nape of the necks were sliced off quickly.
Pixis looked in surprise and amazement as the three cadets walked over to see what was going on.
"It's hard not to miss something like that." Armin remarked.
"So you must be the titan everyone is talking about," Pixis called out.
The titan looked up at Pixis with a calm expression.
"You've made quite the impression on humanity," Pixis continued, "Although, they do mistaken you for the Armored Titan."
"I am not this 'Armored Titan' of which your kind speaks of," the titan explained, "My body parts are entirely made out of metal."
Eren looked like he was going to fall over Wall Rose. He looked over at Armin with a calm expression, like this wasn't anything new to him. He then looked over at Mikasa, who was more cautious then shocked.
Seriously, what did he miss?! This titan just spoke and Armin was acting like it was a natural thing! What was going on when he was unconscious?!
Pixis was definitely surprised now. "So you can speak as well. Cadet Arlert, you were telling the truth after all. Anyway, what is your name?"
"My name is Optimus Prime," He answered.
"Optimus Prime, it seems fitting. Since you seem to be fighting for humanity, would you mind helping us out with something then?" Pixis asked.
"What do you wish for me to do?" Optimus asked.
"We wanted you to guard Eren as he carries a boulder that could seal the breach into the wall, since the titans see him as prey." Armin explained, " And if something goes wrong, you could carry the boulder to the breach in the wall."
Optimus nodded his head in understanding. "I will do it."
Pixis nodded his head before he looked over at Eren. "Cadet Jaeger, can you do it?"
Eren widened his eyes as he looked away. "I'm not sure. I'm just as confused as everyone else is. It would be irresponsible for me to answer if I knew either way."
"Oh sorry, I asked the wrong question." Pixis apologized as Eren looked at him in confusion.
Pixis' smile disappeared as he looked at Eren with a serious face. "Will you do it or not? Which is it?"
Eren widened his eyes as Pixis looked behind him. Eren turned around to see what he was looking at. He understood. If this operation failed, Wall Rose would become territory for the titans, and humanity would no longer be able to prosper. Humanity would be extinct if this plan didn't work. This is what he was fighting for.
Eren looked back at Commander Pixis with determination. "I'll do it. I will do it. I'm not certain if I can close the gap, but I will do it."
Pixis nodded his head in understanding before he looked back down at Optimus. " Well said, the operation will proceed. However what are you doing to do during that time?"
"I will eliminate as much of the threat as I can." Optimus answered, "If there are not that many of these creatures on the battlefield, it can make the operation more of a success."
Pixis nodded his head in understanding. "Then I wish you good luck."
Optimus turned around and transformed into his alt mode. He accelerated towards the battlefield to kill more titans.
Pixis chuckled. "You found an interesting one, Cadet Armin."
"A plan to retake Trost?" a soldier asked.
"You're kidding," another soldier said, "We have no way to seal the hole."
"What is the brass thinking?" a soldier demanded, "Going back to Trost would mean certain death."
"The only we can do is die as we defend Wall Rose's gates." another soldier muttered.
"I have to return to that hell?" Daz asked himself, "No! I don't want to die! Let me see my family!"
"Daz, you're being too loud," Marco whispered to him.
"You there, I heard you!" a soldier yelled as he walked over to Daz and Marco, "Are you saying that you want to abandon the mission?"
"That's right!" Daz answered, "This is nothing but mass suicide! It's meaningless!"
"Have you no respect for humanity? For order?" the soldier demanded as he was prepared to draw his sword, "If I chose to, I could execute you right here!"
"Go ahead," Daz offered as he drew his sword, "It's a hundred times better than getting eaten by a titan."
"Daz, stop it!" Marco begged.
"No let me go!" Daz screamed.
There fighting continued as more and more people heard. Some shoulder began to beg other to start a riot, so they wouldn't have to go back in there and risk their lives. Others were already beginning to panic, begging not to go back into Trost.
Pixis and Eren arrived at the gates of Wall Rose as they finished their conversation. Pixis was simply calm as he heard the screams of terror. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
"ATTENTION!" Pixis commanded.
Everyone stopped their fighting and began to listen to the Commander.
"I shall now explain the plan to retake Trost! For this mission, our objective is to seal the hole where he gate was destroyed!" Pixis explained.
The soldiers looked up at him in shock, how were they going to do that.
"Seal it?" Marco questioned, "How?"
"Let me introduce you to the one who will seal the hole for us," Pixis continued as he gestured for Eren to step forward, "From the trainee corps, Eren Jaeger."
"E-Eren!" Connie exclaimed.
"He is the result of a top secret project to turn humans into titans!" Pixis explained, "He can create and control a Titan's body!"
Connie widened his eyes in shock as he voice squeaked. "Hey! I have no idea what the Commander's talking about. Am I just too stupid to get it or something?"
"Will you shut up idiot?" Ymir demanded.
"He will become a Titan," Pixis proceeded, "pick up the giant boulder by the shattered gate, carry it over, and seal the hole. If that fails, the titan that is currently fighting the other ones, Optimus Prime, will take on the task himself."
"Prime?" Connie questioned.
"So you weren't joking," Ymir remarked.
"However, if all goes right, your jobs will be to protect him from the titans while he moves the boulder!" Pixis said.
Everyone was completely baffled by what was going on. Carry the boulder? Was that even possible?
"Is it possible?" a soldier asked, "Has humanity finally learned to control the titans?"
"You're lying!" Daz yelled, "I won't put my life on the line for a plan I can't understand! What do you think we are? We aren't pawns for you to sacrifice!"
"I'm leaving!" a soldier declared as he walked away. Others soldier began to look at each other before they followed the suite.
"This is the death penalty!" a soldier yelled as he grabbed Daz's shoulder, only for him to swat it away.
"I'll spend humanities last hours with my family!" Daz declared as he continued to walk away.
Commander Feldman growled as he drew his swords. "Ready to die traitors?! I'll kill you right now!"
"Here is my decision!" Pixis yelled, causing everyone to quiet down, "I shall pardon anyone who deserts now. Once you succumb to the Titan's fear, you can never fight them again. Those who have learned that fear should leave! And anyone wishing their parents, siblings, and loved ones to feel that fear should also leave!"
The soldiers who were planning to leave stopped dead in their tracks, as the visions of the people that they loved were being eaten.
"I can't do that," a soldier declared as he walked back, "My daughter is my last hope."
"Let me tell you what happened four years ago!" Pixis began, "About our attempt to retake Wall Maria. As I am sure you are all aware of, that operation was no more than the government's way of dealing with its inability to feed all of the unemployed. It was a culling. The reason no one speaks of it is because, by sending them out of these cramped walls, we were able to survive within them! All of humanity, including myself, bears the weight of that sin! Because so few escaped Wall Maria, there was never an open rebellion! But what about now?"
"If Wall Rose falls, the sacrifice with just be more that twenty percent. The territory with Wall Sina won't even support half of the remaining population! If humanity falls, it won't be because it was devoured by Titans. It will be because we killed each other! We must not die even deeper within the Walls. I beg of you to die right here!"
Later, Eren and Mikasa were running on top of the wall with the elite of the Garrison troops. They were currently finding the closet way to make it to the boulder.
"Eren, are you feeling alright?" Mikasa asked.
"Yeah," Eren answered with slight irritation.
"Eren," Mikasa began.
"I told you I'm fine!" Eren said, "Much better than when we were surrounded."
"We aren't playing house here, Jaeger!" Riko told them.
"I didn't mean..." Eren trailed off, but noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He gasped as he saw the metal titan, Optimus Prime, running towards them.
"So that's the titan that everyone was making a fit about," Riko remarked.
"I can't believe that we're putting the fate of humanity into a spoiled brat like you, and that thing," one of the elite said.
"Enough you two," the second elite ordered, "We'll soon reach the shortest route to the boulder."
Optimus watched as Eren Jaeger and Mikasa, along with three other soldiers jumped from the wall and made their way to the boulder. Optimus transformed into his alt mode and raced after them. He noticed a green flare was shot into the air, but continued to drive forward.
As he arrived at the boulder, he transformed into his bipedal mode and waited. He saw Eren Jaeger arrive at the boulder. He bit his hand, causing lighting to consume him.
Optimus covered his optics for a brief moment, but widened them as he saw Eren's titan form appear and crash into a building. He then reappeared and let out a mighty roar. Optimus then noticed that Mikasa landed on a building near Eren.
Optimus waited for Eren to pick up the boulder and carry to the wall, but something was off. Optimus widened his optics as Eren turned around to look at Mikasa.
Optimus cursed under his breath as he ran towards the two. Eren attempted to throw a punch at Mikasa, but Optimus grabbed Eren's fist and tried to force him down.
"What?" Mikasa gasped.
"Mikasa, you must leave!" Optimus instructed.
"I can't!" Mikasa retorted, " Eren-"
"You never knew of Eren's abilities, am I correct?" Optimus asked as he focused on Eren.
"Yes," Mikasa answered, "Eren did not know of these abilities either."
"Then Eren must not have much experience or control over it." Optimus explained, "Which means, Eren could easily hurt someone by mistake. Mikasa, it is not safe for you! You must go!"
Mikasa was hesitant, but she then saw the three elite standing not too far from her.
"He's right!" Ian yelled, "Get away from him!"
Mikasa looked at Eren one more time before she ran towards the three.
Optimus knocked Eren off of his feet and pinned him against the boulder. Eren tried struggling, but it was to no avail. Optimus looked over at the three elite soldiers.
"Which one of you are in charge of this operation?" Optimus asked.
Ian was hesitant before he stepped forward. "I am."
"Eren may be in a titan form, but that does not excuse the fact he is still human!" Optimus explained, "More titans will come in through the whole and will be attracted to Eren. I need more time in order to regain Eren's conscious, so someone must defend against the titans coming through!"
"Are you mad?" Riko yelled, "Eren is now a dysfunctional human weapon! What makes you so sure you can regain his conscious?! And besides, you're the one to take Eren's place to carry the boulder."
"If I do not stop Eren, he will continue to rampage and attack other humans like the other titans are! More lives will be lost than necessary if that happens!" Optimus said.
Ian looked over at Riko. "Riko, use your squad and attack the 12 meter class titan. I will attack the 10 meter and six meter class."
Riko slightly growled. "Fine, I'll do it! I'll show them how terrifying humans can be."
And with that Riko took off towards her squad. Mitabi followed the suite and went after his squad. Optimus heard Ian and Mikasa talk about something and then they both left.
Optimus looked back at Eren, who was stilling struggling to break out of his grasp. Optimus slightly growled. He had to knock him out.
Optimus slammed Eren's face into the boulder, shattering a part of his skull. Eren stopped moving as he slumped to the ground unconscious.
Optimus took deep breaths as he observed Eren. From what he could gather so far, titans had the ability to regenerate. Why wasn't Eren regenerating?
Optimus picked Eren up and sat him straight up on the boulder before shaking his shoulders.
"Eren, can you hear me?" Optimus asked as he continued to shake Eren, "If you can hear me, respond. Do some kind of motion! Your comrades are dying! If you don't carry that boulder and seal the gap, your comrades will die in vain! Do you not want to save humanity?!"
"Optimus!" Armin called out as he came in on Eren's shoulder using his Maneuver Gear.
"Armin, what are you doing here?" Optimus demanded, "It's not safe!"
"I saw the red flare!" Armin answered, "Why isn't Eren carrying the boulder?"
"I do not know." Optimus answered, "Eren attempted to attack Mikasa before I intervened."
"Armin!" Mikasa called out as she was standing on a titan's head that she had just killed, "It's dangerous! Move back! Eren's unable to enact his will through that titan body! I spoke to it, but it didn't recognize me! There's no point in trying! Optimus, you need to carry the boulder, or the titans will wipe us all out!"
Optimus looked at Eren before he looked back at Armin. "Armin, is there a way you can make Eren regain consciousness?"
Armin thought about it as he eyed the nape of the neck, where Eren emerged.
"The spot on the back of the neck, ten centimeters across and a meter high." Armin recalled as he pulled out his blades, "Optimus, make sure you can keep Eren in place!"
Optimus nodded his head in understanding.
"Armin!" Mikasa called out.
"I'll get Eren out!" Armin told her. "Protect us from any titans in the area!"
Mikasa looked at Armin in confusion as he hooked onto the shoulder blades of Eren's titan form. "As long as I avoid the center, Eren won't die. It'll only hurt, a tiny bit!"
Armin stabbed Eren in the nape of the neck, causing Eren to thrash around violently. Optimus held Eren in place as much as he could as Armin held onto his blade while practically riding on his back. Optimus wasn't going to lie, Eren's titan form had strength, which meant he had to be extra careful.
"Armin, that's insane! Stop!" Mikasa yelled.
"Mikasa, do what you can do." Armin instructed, "If you go, some lives will be saved! Don't worry about Eren, leave him to me and Optimus."
Mikasa looked over at Optimus, who nodded his head. She was still hesitant, but she jumped of the titan's head and ran off.
"Do you think he can hear you?" Optimus asked.
"I don't know, but I have to try." Armin declared, "Eren, can you hear me? Come to your senses! If we don't get out of here, we'll all died! Don't let the titan's body take over!"
Armin kept repeating this process as Optimus held Eren down. Optimus could hear the screams of people dying, but he had to make sure that Eren would regain consciousness.
"What happened to avenging your mother?" Armin demanded, "Aren't you going to wipe out the titans? Don't you hate the things that killed your mother? Eren, Eren! Wake up, Eren!"
'That must be his drive,' Optimus thought, 'Revenge.' Optimus has seen this many times, how revenge would actually push someone to move forward. It was mainly with Arcee, though. And judging by what he's seen so far in this crazy world, Eren must've seen her get eaten.
"One day, we're going to explore the outside world together, right?" Armin asked.
Now that got Optimus' attention. What did Armin mean by that? He didn't know much of this world, so he was kind of going with the flow of things for right now. But what did Armin mean by that? Has humanity not been able to see their own world because of these creatures?
"Far beyond the walls," Armin continued, "is flaming waters! Frozen earth! Snow-white plains of sand! The world my mom and dad tried to see. I thought maybe you'd forgotten, but the reason you stopped mentioning it, was because you didn't want me joining the Survey Corps, right?"
Optimus could feel Eren stirring just the slightest.
"Eren, answer me, you knew that hell was one step beyond the walls." Armin said, "You might die horribly, like my mom and dad did. So why do you want to go?"
Suddenly, steam began to arise from Eren's skin as he face began to regenerate. Optimus grabbed Armin and stepped back as Eren slowly stood up and let out a roar. Optimus placed Armin on the roof, before he blocked him from view. Optimus wasn't sure if Eren was conscious now, so he had to step lightly.
Eren stopped roaring and looked over at Optimus.
"Eren, can you hear me?" Optimus asked.
Eren glared at him, but nodded his head in response.
"Do you remember the mission?" Optimus asked.
Eren didn't say anything as he turned to look at the boulder.
Mikasa widened her eyes as she heard loud footsteps. She turned to see steam rising from under the boulder. She widened her eyes with relief as she saw Eren carrying the boulder. She also saw Optimus guarding Eren with his weapons out.
"Eren." she smiled.
"Mikasa!" Armin called out as he landed next to her.
"Armin!" she said.
"Eren won!" Armin proclaimed, "Now he and Optimus are trying to get the job done! Optimus can't cover Eren all by himself, so we need to help him until they both reach the gate!"
Ian widened his eyes in shock as he looked at the two. If all goes right, humanity could win for the first time. Humanity could strive.
"Defend them both at all costs!" Ian ordered, "Protect Eren and Optimus until they both reach the gate, even if it costs you your lives! Don't let the titans interfere!"
Optimus stabbed a titan before he kicked a smaller titan into another building. He looked over to see Eren slightly struggling with carrying the boulder.
"Eren, you are almost there." Optimus told him, "You need to keep going."
Optimus seemed to have gotten to Eren, because he seemed to be trying harder to carry the boulder.
Optimus widened his optics as he saw two to three titans walking towards Eren. He transformed one of his blades into a gun and fired directly at their heads. They began to disintegrate as they fell to the ground, leaving the soldiers behind them in a daze.
Optimus noticed that the titans were clearing the area. The humans were probably trying to distract the titans that were coming through. Optimus looked over at his data and saw that he had enough energon for his blasters.
Optimus transformed his other blade in a gun and began to fire at the titans head that were near him. The titans began to drop like flies as their head were disintegrating.
Optimus saw another titan come through the breach. He was about to shoot it, but the woman, Riko, came in and cut through the titan's eye, distracting it. Mikasa then came from behind hooked onto the back of the neck before she cut through it.
"Go, Eren!" Optimus heard Armin yelled.
Eren let out a roar before he used the boulder to plug the breach in the wall. It was so much force that cracks began to form through the wall.
Optimus didn't show it, but he was relieved. The fight was finally over. He saw a yellow flare fly through the air, signaling that the mission was a success.