"Full name please?"
"Gohan Son."
"Do you know why you are here?"
"Uh…not really sir. I thought I had already told Hannes everything he needed."
The man opposite Gohan snorted. He was a member of the military police, sent all the way from the inner wall. He hated his current task with a passion. He'd been told that morning that some nobleman's brat had made his way down to the district of Shiganshina. Allegedly anyway. He'd spoken to one of the garrison troopers when he arrived with his partner. As it turned out, it was just some hunch of a local doctor. Sure the kid said he was from there, but one look at that tail of his and there was no way a freak like him could live in the inner wall. Most likely he was just some punk who wanted out of this dump. Not that he could blame him.
The MP stared at the boy opposite him for a little while longer before turning to his partner. A slight nod from her was all he needed. He turned back to the kid and let out a frustrated sigh. "The question is, did you tell him the truth."
"Umm…I don't understand sir…"
"Of course you don't… Are you lying to me kid?"
Gohan felt very nervous. "N-no sir. I would never-"
"Do you realise how long of a trip it is from the inner wall to get here? No, you wouldn't. 'Cause you're not from there are you?"
The boy's ear began to grow red. "Sir, I wouldn't lie about-"
"I know you're lying kid." The MP was shouting now. He'd had it with this kid. His day was wasted all because some freak was telling tall tales. And then the garrison "soldiers" were dumb enough to believe him.
"Leave him alone, you're scaring the poor kid."
That was Hannes. As one of the first to know about Gohan's situation he'd insisted on being present for the interrogation.
"You're supposed to help find his mother not interrogate him."
"And you're supposed to be smart enough to know when some kids telling lies. Let's go, Nina."
The MP's walked out of the room, Hannes giving Gohan an apologetic look before chasing after them.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" The MP's paused and gave slight growls. "That kid was found beaten to near death and you two aren't even gonna try and help him?"
"Listen, what happened to that kid isn't our problem, it's yours. As for his mother, even if she is in the inner wall, I doubt she wants that freak back."
Hannes growled at them as they walked away. This wasn't what he had asked for. He'd messaged Dot Pixis about getting some MP's to try and find the kid's family but instead he got these assholes. His fists clenched together. Those two had been worse than useless. If anything, all they had done was bully a small child into feeling bad about himself. Speaking of which. Hannes turned around to go and collect Gohan but the boy had already left and was walking towards him.
"Ah… Sorry kid."
"It's alright, Mr Hannes. It wasn't your fault."
"Still, they were supposed to help you. Don't worry, I'll talk to my commander and get him to send someone else."
Gohan didn't look too enthused, only giving Hannes a weak nod before walking off. Truthfully Gohan didn't know what to expect with the MP's. Part of him was disappointed with them. In the weeks it had been since Gohan had woken up, it seemed that the young boy had learnt all he could in Shiganshina. In reality, it was in his best interest to leave, even if only to investigate somewhere new. But he was also happy that the MP's had been useless. If they had taken him straight to the inner wall then it was doubtful he would learn much more than he already knew anyway.
Apparently this world had been at war with beings called titans for 100 years. Something which greatly disturbed Gohan. Not just because humanity was under threat of extinction currently, but he knew of nothing like that in his history studies. That meant that he couldn't somehow be in the past. He couldn't be in the future either since all technology he had seen had regressed from what he knew.
He had thought for a while that he could simply be on another planet, one that also inhabited humans, but that didn't work out either. There were too many similarities to Earth. Many of the flora and fauna he'd seen he recognised, even if they didn't have quite the range of wildlife his home had. There was also the fact that everyone called the planet Earth, something which was way too unlikely to be a simple coincidence. This had left Gohan stumped, though it did provide possible explanations for other things, like his diminished strength.
While Gohan had healed quickly, he hadn't been able to fully access his powers, Try as he might, he could neither turn Super Saiyan nor could he form any significant ki blasts. All was not lost though, he was certainly stronger than anyone he'd met so far. Gohan had concluded that whilst his normal wealth of ki was being inhibited somehow, perhaps by the planet itself, his Saiyan heritage meant that he was still naturally stronger.
That was something else that was bothering him. His Saiyan side had begun drawing unwanted attention. Whether it was from his tail, something he kept firmly hidden as often as possible, or his enormous appetite. A downside of living in Shiganshina was that food wasn't as plentiful, or cheap, as Gohan was used to. His first meal with the Jaegers had been very embarrassing. Although they had put it down to malnourishment and being unjured, truthfully it had been a normal sized meal for Gohan. After that first day he had reduced his serving size to the bare minimum which, thanks to his human size, was only three times as much as any normal person ate.
"Gohan!"
Eren's excited call snapped the boy out of his thoughts. Accompanying Eren was surprisingly Mikasa and Armin. What were they doing here?
"Uh, hey guys? What brings you down here?"
"What? Did you forget? I thought you were teaching me martial arts?"
Eren's enthusiasm was punctuated by him doing some punches and kicks in the air, much to Mikasa's embarrassment. Ever since Gohan had rescued Armin in that alleyway, and Armin had subsequently told Eren, the boy had been getting Gohan to teach him at every opportunity.
"Oh, no I remembered. I was just wondering how come Mikasa and Armin are here. You guys were never really interested in learning."
"Oh that. Mom sent Mikasa out after me, and we rescued Armin from those bullies on the way here."
Armin gave a nervous chuckle and rubbed his arm, clearly nursing a bruise hidden beneath the sleeve. Gohan, however, turned to Mikasa for clarification.
"Eren ran out after Mrs. Jaeger told him off."
"Mom only told me off because you couldn't keep your mouth shut."
Ah, that explained a lot. "So your mom didn't take too kindly to you wanting to join the scouts then."
Eren gave a grumble and looked away, but gave no clear reply.
"Eren, you know you should consider what she says."
"I know, I know. But there's got to be something better than this! Waiting around like sheep. Just letting the days pass by, hidden behind these walls."
Eren took his frustration on a nearby pebble. Kicking it down an alley where it bounced of a bin with a small clang. The silence dragged on for a moment before Gohan talked again.
"So, do you want to train?"
Eren seemed to pick up but didn't speak, only giving a small nod of his head. The small group walked off towards their usual training spot in silence. Eren had mentioned a few days ago about joining the scouts. It had been after he was late to one of their training sessions, apparently he had been waiting to see the scouts arrive, something which had taken a while. Gohan didn't know what to think of the scouts. On the one hand they were fighting the titans, something that Gohan instantly approved of, on the other however their casualty rate was horrific. The smart thing to do would have been to use the impenetrable walls to their advantage, advance out only a short distance from the wall instead of the excursions they made deep into titan territory. Maybe they were under pressure to come up with big results, Gohan didn't know. All he did know however was that Eren shouldn't join.
He wouldn't tell him to his face, but Eren wasn't particularly exceptional in martial arts. His poor self-control left him making hasty actions in their mock fights, often leading to his loss. Gohan had been warned when he had first met the boy that he was "hot-headed", though he hadn't realised quite the extent that Dr Jaeger had meant. And yet, Eren wanted to join the scouts. A group which technically had never accomplished a victory against the titans, and with whom only the best survived, although even the best still died on occasion. There was no doubt in Gohan's mind, if Eren were to join the scouts, he would be killed.
As they reached their training site, a small back alley which they had cleared out for practice, Gohan decided he was finally going to talk to his friend about his decision. Gohan took off the burgundy jacket he was wearing, one of Eren's spares, and stretched. He was wearing his purple gi, the same that he had arrived in. Though it was almost destroyed when Dr Jaeger had rescued him, Mrs Jaeger had been kind enough to fix it for him, even though he had insisted it wasn't necessary. She'd paid a fair price for the purple material as well. Apparently the original material which was left was in fact a high quality inner wall type, giving the Jaegers more reason to suspect he was from the upper-class. Since Eren had ran off from home in a hurry he hadn't had a chance to change and was still wearing his farm work clothes.
Once both boys were ready and stretched off, Gohan stepped into a simple stance, Eren studying him before stepping into a…well, what was probably supposed to be a stance. He'd raised his arms to protect his face but done nothing to protect his legs, a typical local fighting stance from what he'd seen. Against an opponent like Gohan however, it is woefully inappropriate. Something Gohan quickly proved when he rushed forwards. Gohan dodged the wild punch and simply slid Eren's legs out from underneath him. Eren landed flat on his butt a moment later, his face red with embarrassment. Gohan extended a hand down to him, which he accepted.
"Remember the stance I taught you."
Eren nodded silently, falling into a poor copy of his own stance. It was frankly astonishing to Gohan that it could in anyway feel natural to Eren, evident when he refused to adjust. Still, it was better than what he had before.
This time it was Gohan who rushed forward, leading with a slow, for him, kick to the boys shin. Eren reacted by lifting his leg and rotating it, blocking the hit. Gohan smirked before he threw some lazy blows for Eren to block.
It was a short while later when the two boys took their first break. Armin was reading a book in silence nearby, whilst Mikasa sat silently, having been watching and studying intensely. This was his chance. He needed to talk to Eren soon. He'd given him a chance to blow off some steam so maybe he'd be more willing to listen.
"Hey, Eren."
The boy turned to look at him.
"I don't think you should join the scouts."
Eren stood speechless. Even Armin looked up from his book in surprise. The awkward silence dragged on before Erens face contorted into one of rage.
"Oh so what, you're gonna tell me off, too?"
"It's not like that. I just don't think that you realise quite what they do."
"They're paving the way to our freedom! So that we won't spend our whole lives trapped here like animals!"
"I know, but their methods…they don't work." Eren huffed and turned away. "Listen to me Eren, if you join the scouts…you're going to die!"
"So what? You don't think I can do it? That I'm not strong enough?"
"It's not like that!"
"Were you just laughing at me the whole time you've been teaching me? Knowing I'll never accomplish anything?"
"Eren, you've come a long way in a really short amount of time, you're not weak."
"Then what is it then?"
"I just don't think the scouts are strong enough. You've seen how few of them return."
Eren growled. "You're just like mom, you don't realise how important what they're doing is!"
Eren gave a final growl before picking his coat up off the floor and running off.
"Eren!"
Damn it. He shouldn't have pressed the issue! He should have left it alone! Maybe he'd have just changed his mind anyway? Now he'd lost one of his only friends.
Mikasa laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He just needs some time to cool off, I'll go get him."
Mikasa swiftly ran off, the end of her red scarf fluttering in the air. Gohan sat on the floor in misery. Damn it, Gohan, you stupid boy. You just keep screwing up, don't you?! You couldn't save your friends because you were toying with Cell! Your dad had to step in and sacrifice himself for you because of your mistake! Now Eren's never going to speak to you again and it's all your fault!
A small tear slid down Gohans cheek as Armin came over and awkwardly patted him on the back. Eren was one of the first ever friends he'd ever had who was his age. He just didn't want him to die! Why couldn't he see that?
Gohan took a deep breath. It's alright. You're just overreacting. Mikasa is going to calm him down, then they're both going to come back and you can apologise. He let a small smile cross his face as he looked up from the floor. It was going to be okay.
A crack of thunder echoed through the air. A lightning strike hitting just behind the wall sending up a cloud of smoke.
A large red hand appeared on the wall. Slowly followed by a monstrous head of muscle, all sign of skin absent.
Gohan sat staring at the beast. Was that a…titan?
A heavy boom drowned out Gohans thoughts. Boulders whistled through the air, crashing randomly throughout the city. Except for one.
Gohan grabbed Armin by the shirt and darted out of their training area just as a monolith of stone crashed where they had been sitting. Just what was going on? Gohan stood and ran around the corner, trying to get a better view. He saw nothing, but he heard screaming. Everyone was screaming. In terror. In pain. But then he heard it, one person screamed in warning.
"The titans are coming!"
The titans had broken the wall!? How? Then he felt them. His ki senses had improved vastly since he first woke up, but now he almost wishes that they hadn't. Monstrous beings were closing in, all approaching from one hole in the wall. Their ki felt sick and twisted, whilst all those around him were terrified. Then they weren't. They began to disappear. One by one he felt them die.
No. This was horrible. It was like Cell all over again. Feeling all those lives begin to blink away.
"It's all over…countless titans…are going to overrun the city."
Gohan turned to see Armin shaking in fear. No. He had to do something. He had to act now.
"Armin, listen to me."
The boy ignored him, frozen in his spot. Gohan grabbed him by the shoulders, snapping his attention away from the wall.
"Armin! Get your grandpa and get out of here. Now!"
The boy gave a hesitant nod before turning and running away, quickly disappearing into the panicking crowd.
Gohan turned away from them. He had to make sure the Jaegers got out, he owed them that much at least.
He ran down the street, dodging between the screaming residents. He could feel them. He felt sick to his stomach at all of the destruction around him. Those not yet dead, those still suffering. He looked around at the city he had begun to call home. Tears sprung to his eyes. Damn it! If he had his Super Saiyan powers this could all be over! He could wipe all of the titans away in a single blast!
He focused his mind, forcing it away from the dead and dying around him. Focusing only on the Jaegers. He found them at their home around the corner from him. Eren, Mikasa, and Mrs. Jaeger were there. But something was wrong. She was in pain.
He rounded the corner to see the ruin of their home. A boulder sat victoriously over the remains of their house. And Mrs. Jaeger lay half underneath. Eren, and Mikasa were sat by her, fruitlessly trying to lift the roof from on top of her. The ground beneath Gohan's feet seemed to tremble as a titan stomped around the corner at the end of the road. Its face stretched into a psychopathic smile. The beast fixed its eyes on its soon to be victims before it.
Gohan broke into a sprint. He had to save them! He had to get them out of here!
"Guys! There's a titan coming!"
They glanced to him momentarily before gazing at the titan that was approaching. Eren and Mikasa began to desperately tug at the roof, trying with all hope to free their mother.
"Gohan, help us!"
He wasted no time grabbing onto the roof, however a hand latched around his arm. Carla's.
"Gohan. You can't free me. Even if you did, my legs are crushed. There's no way for me to get out. I need you to do something for me. Take my kids away. Get them out of here. Please!"
Gohan stared at her in shock. A tingling sensation creeped up his neck. The titan was getting closer. Gohan stared at it in horror. It was almost here. He turned back to Carla, pleading clearly visible on her tear soaked face. Should he do it? Take them and leave?
He clenched his hand. No. He would save her. He would save them all! He bent his legs and began to tug at the roof.
"Gohan!"
She screamed at him, desperate for him to follow her wishes. He ignored her and pulled, a loud creaking reverberating through the air. The boulder that had crushed the house was also weighting down the roof. Gohan let out a shout as he pulled on the roof harder. The creaking grew louder and louder. As did the titan's footsteps.
Do it, Gohan! You have to!
He pulled with all his might, the creaking intensified to its maximum as the roof began to lift.
C'mon Gohan! Just a little more!
The titan's footsteps sounded like thunder now. Booming with each step as it grew closer and closer.
A puff of steam could be heard behind him, followed by a few quick steps as someone steadied themselves.
"Hannes, please! You've got to help!"
Gohan heard nothing as he focussed on lifting the roof. With that boulder on it, the thing was ludicrously heavy. But it was rising. Millimetres at a time it rose. Until…
"There! Hannes, grab mom!"
A small scuffling could be heard, punctuated by sharp yells from Carla as she was pulled from underneath the house.
When he felt she was clear, Gohan dropped the roof. Turning around to see a combination of awe at Gohans accomplishment...and horror as the titan closed in.
The smiling beasts hand reached out and wrapped itself firmly around Gohan's body, trapping his arms in its grip and raising him into the air.
"Gohan!"
The boy turned to look at the titan itself. It's smile seemingly bigger as it raised its meal towards its mouth. Gohan quickly turned back to the group of people below him.
"Run!"
They snapped out of their stupefied state.
"Run! Hannes grab them and run!"
Hannes seemed shocked to find himself nodding. Quickly picking Carla up and turning around.
"Gohan!"
Mikasa pulled on Eren to turn him around, but he resisted.
"Eren, run!"
He finally looked away. Turning away to follow his mother.
Finally, they were gone. They would be safe now. Gohan turned to see his captor open its mouth. Now, it was time to save himself.