Eren looked in surprise at the small house before he, Mikasa, Connie, and Sasha walked inside.
"I can't believe we have to clean this place," Connie grumbled, "Fucking Captain Levi with his straight face saying 'This place better be fucking spotless you brats.'"
"After everything that's happened, I'm glad that we just have to clean some dusty old house," Sasha admitted.
"I'll go chop some wood," Mikasa informed.
"Wait," Eren began, "We should probably clean the inside of the house. Levi wants to make sure that every corner of the house is clean, so we might as well get the inside out of the way."
"Well, we will need fire for dinner tonight, and I'm the only one with the strength to cut the wood," Mikasa retorted.
"Um, Sasha, quick question," Connie began before pointing to the bow and arrows placed on her back, "Why the hell do you have those in the house?!"
"What kind a stupid question is that?" Sasha yelled, "So I have some form of defense against that fucking flying titan! I will shoot that monster in its eyes if it comes near me!"
"Sasha, why do you react strangely around him?" Mikasa asked with curiosity, "You seemed to react like that when you came near Optimus as well."
"You could sense Optimus?" Eren asked in surprise.
Sasha scanned the area around them before running to the door and checking if anyone was outside.
"I don't know why I can sense them," Sasha admitted, "But I just can. Whenever I would sense Optimus, I would only sense pure energy. I could tell it was him even in those weird forms he has."
"Pure energy?" Eren questioned.
"Yeah," Sasha said, "There's this pure energy in his chest that...I don't even know what it is. It's just pure and untainted. That flying titan, he a completely different story."
"Whoa, hey Sasha," Connie said as he saw Sasha shivering with fear.
"That titan, it's just chaos," Sasha proclaimed, "Pure chaos. I could sense some dark energy in his chest from a mile away. That energy...it's ten times worse than Optimus."
Connie slightly gulped before looking at Eren and Mikasa for a solution to Sasha's breakdown.
"We should probably start cleaning. It'll probably get your mind off of it," Mikasa declared before grabbing the axe next to the door and walking out.
"C'mon," Connie said as he help Sasha regain her footing.
Eren remained quiet as he walked down the hallway to find some cleaning equipment. It didn't make sense. Optimus was acting stranger than ever, a lot more hostile at that. And from what's been going on, Megatron is considered bad news for everyone. It didn't make any sense.
Eren stopped as he looked down at the hatch that lead to an underground bunker in the house. He grimaced before looking away. He didn't like the fact that the Colossal Titan was right under their noses as a prisoner.
Eren opened the closet and grabbed the broom inside. All this time he was sleeping next to the person who was responsible for his mom, and he could've ended it back then.
'Back then...,' Eren trailed off as he thought of the battle and Megatron's appearance. Who is he?
"So your assistant managed to draw what this new titan looked like," Pixis remarked to Hanji as he sat in his chair looking at the drawn picture, "I must say, he looks rather menacing than I thought he would be, especially compared to Optimus."
"You should've seen him when he fought," Hanji said, "It was brutal and awesome."
"Oi, shit glasses," Levi began, "Stop fantasizing over that titan and actually try to figure out how he knows Prime."
"Well, we're not exactly getting much about him," Hanji stated, "Optimus is practically keeping everyone away from him. Did you manage to catch his name, by the way?"
"Optimus called him 'Megatron'," Erwin answered as he struggled to sit up in his bed.
"Erwin, you need to rest," Levi stated.
"I'm fine," Erwin insisted, "What matters is figuring out if that titan is a threat to humanity because Optimus clearly sees him as such."
"Well he did just capture the Colossal Titan," Hanji retorted, "You think he might've just let the kid go if he wanted to. The guy did decapitate him."
"Optimus held the titan at gun point while you were knocked out," Levi countered.
"You two bickering is not going to help the situation," Erwin declared, "The only two who know of the titan is Armin Arlert and Jean Kirstein, but they're still worked up about the situation."
"So we let them calm down until they're ready to tell us about this Megatron character," Levi assumed, "But we know that this titan is possibly stronger than Optimus and that they've clearly met before."
"Speaking of Megatron, is he with Optimus?" Pixis asked.
"Yeah," Hanji answered, "Optimus has to go refuel, and now that there's another titan, more energon needs to be consumed."
"Wonder how that's turning out," Levi remarked.
Optimus and Megatron arrived at one of the caves in the wall and found it filled with energon. Optimus transformed into his alt mode as he pulled his crate while Megatron followed behind.
"It's strange how this world has energon," Megatron admitted, "it took me a month to find this place by accident, but it is rather far from Cybertron."
Optimus didn't say anything as he set the crate down and plucked out energon from the wall. Megatron had an unreadable expression before he sat down on the hard ground. He didn't slagging understand. He's gotten no information from Optimus about what was going on. All he knew was that humans were trying to kill all the titans or something, and he can't ask any of the other humans because Optimus won't let him even reach them with a ten foot cannon! He could just leave, but-
"Stop glaring at me," Optimus spoke as he dropped the energon in the crate, "If you are going to keep looking at me like that, then speak up."
Megatron sighed as he leaned his helm against the wall. "How long have you been here?"
"A month," Optimus answered.
'Exactly the amount of time I went into self-exile,' Megatron thought before speaking up, "And you've been helping the humans since that time?"
"Yes," Optimus answered.
Megatron was going to ask why Optimus never tried to make contact with Cybertron, but stopped himself as he realized why. Optimus didn't have those kinds of tools here, and even he didn't know how far he was from Cybertron. But he had to ask the question that's been bugging him the moment he got here?
"Why did you try to kill me?" Megatron spoke.
He noticed the Prime slightly stiffen in response before resuming his task, causing him the scowl in irritation.
"So you say to asks questions, but now you want to remain silent when I do?" Megatron scowled, "You saw me forfeit the cause."
"And immediately after words I had to give up my own spark to ensure our planet could survive," Optimus countered, "Do you really expect me to trust you when I do not even know what you've been doing for the past month?"
"I told you I left Cybertron after you sacrificed yourself," Megatron reminded.
"And you expect me to believe that," Optimus stated.
"I never said I did," Megatron declared, "I expected at the very least a negotiation, or some form of agreement between us."
"That is rich coming from you," Optimus spat out.
Okay, Megatron was not expecting that. He had to push down his murderous thoughts as he stood up.
"I come before you, trying to fix this relationship that was destroyed by the war, but you keep on glaring at me and trying to kill me," Megatron said.
Optimus dropped the last piece of energon into the crate before glaring at him. "It's amusing, because I tried the same thing with you, but you were too stubborn and arrogant to listen."
Megatron didn't say anything as Optimus grabbed the crate and walked past him. The ex-tyrant chuckled, causing the Prime to stop in his tracks.
"Has our relationship gone so far to the point where we cannot fix it?" Megatron asked.
Optimus didn't answer his question. "We must head back,"
Eren wiped the window inside the house when he heard a familiar engine noise. He smiled as he saw Optimus drive in before transforming into his bipedal mode. Eren ran towards the door and opened it, but stopped himself from stepping outside as he saw Megatron transform and land on the ground. Eren took a small step back. He still didn't know anything about this titan. Why did Optimus think that he was a threat?
Mikasa chopped a log of wood in half before looking up to the two titans. "Welcome back, Optimus."
"I see you are settled," Optimus observed.
Mikasa simply nodded her head. "Captain Levi and Squad Leader Hanji are still with the Commander. They should be here in a day or so."
"Thank you," Optimus said.
Mikasa turned her gaze towards the ex-con. "Hello."
Megatron didn't greet her back as she resumed her chores. He turned to the Prime who was glaring at him and sighed.
"I'll move," Megatron said as he walked away from the cabin, grumbling about not having his weapons.
"Optimus," Eren called out as he took the courage to run out the cabin.
Optimus looked down at Eren, his expression soften. "Are you feeling well?"
"I'm fine," Eren answered, "Everything's been pretty hectic, but I'm managing."
Megatron had his back turned towards the cabin, but he glanced back and noticed Optimus interacting with the titan shifter.
Optimus simply nodded his head to Eren as he was about to walk towards his former foe.
"Optimus, wait," Eren called out, causing the Prime to stop and look back at him, "I was hoping that we could...continue training?" Eren hesitantly asked.
Optimus sighed. "I apologize, but I cannot."
"But it's been a week and-"
"Eren, things are still complicated, and I need you to stay away," Optimus instructed.
"But-"
"Please," Optimus slightly implored, "It is for your safety."
Eren tried to protest a little more, but Optimus already walked away from him, ordering Megatron to move forward. Mikasa looked at Eren in sadness before catching something out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see a bow and arrow being pulled away from the window.
Jean tapped his fingers on the table with his other hand in his hair. Armin sat across from him, trying his best to stop shaking.
"What are we going to do?" Jean asked.
"...I don't know," Armin answered.
Jean laughed nervously. "C'mon Armin. You're the one that always has a plan."
"I don't have one," Armin stated, "We can't take Megatron on. Humanity will lose. You saw what he did. He captured Bertholdt with only a blade and crushed Ymir's face with a hand."
"I don't get it," Jean admitted, "Why the hell would Prime let someone that dangerous live?! It can't be out of mercy, can it?!"
"Optimus looked at Megatron with so much malice. It couldn't be out of mercy," Armin reasoned, "Maybe Optimus...doesn't have the power to."
"Y-you can't be serious, right?" Jean stuttered, "Those two have battled it out for a long time, but there has to be some weakness that Optimus knows about, right?"
Armin sighed. "I don't know. The only thing they can do is leave it in Optimus' hands."
"But what if Opitmus doesn't or can't do it?!" Jean demanded while slamming his hands on the table, "What then?!"
"Then humanity perishes," Armin declared.
Jean looked at Armin with dread and slumped back down in his seat. "So the progress that we've made...means nothing,"
Mikasa brought some firewood inside and placed it in the kitchen. The cadet heard footsteps from upstairs and saw Sasha walking downstairs with her bow and arrows.
"Sasha, Megatron is not here," Mikasa informed, "You can put that away."
"Hell no!" Sasha exclaimed, "I'm not letting my guard down around that titan! He made humanity's greatest threat cower in fear, and the dark energy in his chest is not helping!"
"We don't even know if he's a threat to us," Mikasa reasoned.
"If Prime is willing to kill him, he's definitely a threat," Sasha countered.
"Do you really think a titan that beat the Colossal Titan can be defeated with a bow and arrow?" Mikasa raised an eyebrow.
"I can try!" Sasha shouted, "His eyes are a weak point!"
"Sasha, we can't defeat them," Mikasa declared, "I've tried first hand to take down Optimus and it didn't work. I can't defeat him, the Captain can't, and Eren can't. The only one who can is Optimus. We have to put our faith in him and hope that he's making the right decision."
Sasha watched Mikasa walk outside with her axe before scowling. "The only reason you're so calm about this is because he hasn't hurt Eren yet."
Levi sighed in irritation before holding his hands together and hunching over. "So titan's are humans...damn everything."
"Imagine what Optimus is going to say when we tell him," Pixis remarked.
"Think we should?" Levi asked, "I don't think Prime is going to like it."
"We have to," Pixis shrugged, "Besides titans being humans may be the least of our problems."
Levi looked at Erwin who was staring at the ceiling and muttering stuff under his breath.
"He's been at it for twenty minutes," Levi observed.
"Sure he's not hallucinating?" Pixis asked.
"He keeps muttering about that flying titan, so he might be," Levi remarked.
"Can I see the drawing of him?" Pixis asked.
Levi passed Hanji's notebook to Pixis before sitting back down. Pixis opened the book and looked back at the sketches of Megatron. He then flipped a couple of more pages back to see a figure with a question mark with some extra notes.
"Friend, brother, gladiator," Pixis listed before raising an eyebrow, "Decepticons?"
"Apparently, it's the group that Prime was fighting," Levi explained.
"Autobots against the Decepticons," Pixis mused.
"Decepticons," Erwin muttered, "Deception...Because I now know the meaning of oppression and have lost the taste of..."
Erwin quickly turned to Pixis and clutched his head due to the abrupt movement.
"Erwin what the hell?" Levi demanded.
"I'm fine," Erwin reassured, "Pixis, the notebook."
Pixis gave Erwin the notebook as Erwin flipped back to Megatron's physical appearance. He held a few of the pages and compared the mystery figure and Megatron.
The appearance...the calculating look Megatron has in his eyes...the way he and Optimus were interacting...the was Megatron fought...
Levi noticed Erwin growing uneasy as his arm began to shake. He looked at Erwin to see him stuck in a trance.
"Erwin," Levi spoke, "Erwin!"
Erwin jolted and quickly closed the book in his hand. He took deep breaths and held onto the stub of his former arm. "Where's Hanji?"
"I believe she went to grab Pastor Nick," Pixis answered.
"Levi, go get Armin and Jean," Erwin ordered.
Levi sighed before standing up, "I'm getting a nurse while I'm at it."
Pixis watched as Levi walked out of the room before looking at the Commander. "What happened?"
Erwin covered his eyes with his hand instead of responding. He prayed. He prayed to whatever god was out there that he was wrong.
Eren hid behind a tree before walking as quietly as possible towards the two titans. He could hear the two bickering as he hid behind another tree.
"I told you the Autobots are still on Cybertron," Megatron stated, "I don't know if anyone attacked."
"Yet you do not have evidence to prove you claim," Optimus retorted.
"I left the planet after you became one with Primus. How many time do I have to explain that to you?" Megatron demanded.
'They really do sound like they have a history,' Eren thought.
"They are my comrades, and what makes you so sure that I can believe what you're telling me?" Optimus demanded.
"It's not like either of us can return to Cybertron," Megatron said, "This planet could be billions of light years away and this world has less technology than Earth. It hasn't even invented electricity yet."
Eren seemed a little solemn from what both of the titan were discussing. Optimus' one chance to return home is practically gone, but was it selfish for him to want the Prime to stay?
"Besides, I killed the one threat to Cybertron before I left," Megatron added, "Airachnid was stranded on Luna-1. She would've planned an attack, knowing her, so I had to intervene before it was too late."
"How was she free from stasis?" Optimus asked.
Megatron sighed. "It was Starscream and Knockout's foolish experiment on Cylas."
Eren didn't hear anything after. There was probably an awkward tension between them. But Eren had never heard of these names before: Starscream, Knockout, Airachnid, Cylas? What was Megatron even talking about?
"Stop pacing, you're over thinking too many things," Megatron advised.
Eren was confused. What? Why was Optimus...?
Eren peeked from behind the tree and looked in surprise. Optimus had his mask on, but he looked concern while Megatron leaned against a tree in apathy.
"You've dealt with situations beyond your control; I don't understand what's so different this time," Megatron admitted, "I doubt that it's because you're not leading."
"Humanity is in a world where titans rule over them. I am trying to make peace, not start a civil war." Optimus proclaimed.
"Well then I'm going the ladder: that you didn't say a word about my existence to the humans except for two," Megatron concluded.
'Two?' Eren thought, 'There are two who know who this guy is? But who would that be?
Wait a minute... Armin and Jean were the ones that reacted out of fear just from hearing the guy's name. Does...does that mean they knew?
"It was not very wise to keep that from the humans if you didn't was to create more conflict," Megatron stated.
Optimus didn't respond and instead crossed his arm. "Telling them about you would have given them more to worry about."
"And not telling them about me would also make them think you are trying to gain their trust, only to betray humanity when it suited you," Megatron countered, "I know you, Optimus. You kept it in the back of your processors, be it important or insignificant, that a Cybertronian would have come across this world. And you believed that we would've crossed paths again."
Eren felt conflicted. Why would Optimus keep that from them? Eren's heart stopped beating as he made eye contact with Megatron. He hid behind the tree and clutched his chest in fear. Should he bite his hand? Should he walk away? Was the titan going to rat him out?
"I'm going to rest," Megatron informed, "If the prisoner breaks out, let me know."
Eren took the opportunity and bolted towards the cabin.
Jean and Armin remained tense as they stood in front of an injured and bed-written Erwin with Levi and Pixis sitting beside him.
"Sir, why did you call us here?" Armin asked.
"You know damn well why," Levi responded.
"You two are the only ones that know who the flying titan is," Erwin explained, "Who is he?"
"And don't give us some bullshit answer," Levi added.
Armin and Jean glanced at each other before looking back at Erwin.
"We...made a promise not to tell," Jean answered.
"And why the hell won't you?" Levi demanded.
"Wait, Levi," Erwin ordered, "How long have you known about this titan?"
"We've known for a month," Armin admitted, "We promised not to tell and we didn't figure we had to because we thought he was dead."
"And you're still not going to tell?" Erwin asked.
"Um...," Armin trailed off.
"Armin Arlert," Pixis spoke, "I understand that you are trying to honor Optimus Prime's wishes, but you must understand that humanity is at risk. Optimus would understand that you had to tell. This titan is here, and deep down, Optimus knew that he had to show his personal demons."
Armin remained silent as he clenched his fist.
"Oi, brat-"
"Patience," Pixis said.
"He...his...name is...Megatron," Armin finished, "He's the, I guess, former leader of the Decepticons."
Erwin tried to keep his composure while Levi and Pixis were rather bewildered.
"How the hell-"
"Did this Megatron happen to be a former gladiator?" Erwin asked.
"Y-yes," Armin answered, "But-"
"You may go," Erwin instructed.
"Commander, how do you even know about-"
"You may go," Erwin informed Jean in a more stern voice.
Jean turned to Armin who simply gestured to the door. Jean opened it and the two cadets walked out of the room, allowing Erwin to take a deep breath and curse.
"Erwin?" Pixis questioned.
"Not like you to curse," Levi remarked, "And what the hell's a gladiator?"
Erwin handed Levi Hanji's notebook. "A warrior who battles in an arena for sport. Megatron is the mystery figure that he told Eren about."
"Mystery figure?" Pixis repeated while Levi flipped through the book, "The page with the question mark?"
"So this is the same guy who killed for sport, killed a politician in public, started their war, destroyed a planet, and died and somehow came back from the grave," Levi listed, "And this bastard is here on our world."
"Things got more interesting," Pixis smirked.
"Why the hell is Prime keeping this guy alive then?" Levi demanded.
"I don't know," Erwin admitted, "I hope that it is with good reason."
"You know this states that Prime is against humanity," Levi proclaimed.
"If he was, he would have left us to die multiple times before Megatron appeared," Pixis countered.
Levi sighed. "I'm not saying I don't trust him, but what he's doing now, doesn't that make you question his motives and ask if he's been playing humanity from the start?"
"If Optimus thinks of Megatron as such a threat, then why doesn't he just make him leave?" Pixis asked.
"Optimus' world may hang in the balance, and keeping him here may be the best option to protect it," Erwin guessed.
"So putting us at risk is his best option?" Levi guessed.
"He's been keeping Megatron away from us," Erwin countered, "We can't even ask Optimus why he's keeping Megatron alive."
"Rumors are starting to spread about the flying titan," Pixis added, "Do you think it's a good idea to reveal Megatron to the public eye?"
"That's out of the question," Erwin declared.
"The hell?" Levi questioned, "This guy destroyed an entire world, and you want to keep him away from the public eye? For what reason?"
"The government," Erwin answered, "They've been looking for a way to get rid of Optimus because they don't know how to control him. Optimus said no one knew that he was alive or where he was. If the government finds out that there's another Cybertronian on this world, we are already in a bad position. But if they find out who Megatron really is, you can expect for humanity to fall and for us to be executed. The Colossal Titan will have a chance to easily escape, take Eren, and destroy the walls. Megatron must remain secret from the government."
"You're basically saying that we should trust Prime's decision," Levi scoffed, "That's a pretty splendid fucking idea, since buckethead is some tyrant and Prime just spared him twice!"
"We can't go up against Optimus' power, what makes you so sure we can go up against Megatron's?" Erwin asked rhetorically, "Optimus is the only one who can, and Megatron is willing to comply for right now."
"I don't think there's much to worry about," Pixis proclaimed.
"The fuck-of course there's something to worry about!" Levi exclaimed, "If this titan starts killing people, it goes on all of our heads!"
"Let me explain," Pixis said, "From what I've been hearing, Megatron hasn't attacked humanity. If he wanted to attack, we wouldn't be here talking about the situation. And Megatron hasn't made any moves to attack Optimus, his greatest adversary. It also seemed Megatron didn't know what was going on, but still managed to adapt and help Optimus."
"Maybe," Levi agreed, "But it still doesn't help any of us trust him. We don't even know his motives."
"True, but if Megatron was still the tyrant written down about, then where's his army?" Pixis asked, "If he knew Optimus were here, he probably wouldn't have hunted him down. And if Optimus knew that Megatron was still causing chaos, he would've left humanity to stop Megatron."
"Optimus had to give up his own life to ensure life could flourish on his world," Erwin said, "We don't know if Megatron conversed with Optimus before that happened."
"Maybe they spoke with one another and decided ending the war was the best option for the planet," Pixis concluded, "Another war destroying it would just be a waste of time, and Optimus has been fighting for good all of his life. The only solution would be for Megatron to stop fighting himself since Optimus is open to peace."
"So what buckethead said about knowing what oppression was like might have contributed to the end of that war," Levi deadpanned, "I still want to talk to Prime personally about this."
"Hanji will still want to conduct research on Megatron," Erwin declared, "Make sure to keep her at a safe enough distance, Levi."
"It would be better to just keep her away from the bastard entirely," Levi proclaimed.
"That would be the same as asking you to not clean for a week," Erwin retorted, "It's not possible."
"Erwin!" Hanji yelled as she busted through the door, "I need a medic! Mobilit got shot in the arm while protecting Nick! Someone's out to..."
Hanji noticed their rather long faces and raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Hanji asked.
"Megatron is the gladiator," Erwin replied.
Hanji's faced paled before the color returned and gave the three a sinister smile. "I must study him."
"Fucking hell you are not," Levi declared as he stood up and walked towards her.
"I can and you won't stop me!" Hanji yelled.
"He destroyed a planet!" Levi retorted.
"But he's a badass!" Hanji whined.
Levi grabbed her by the ear and pulled her out of the room with her kicking and yelling.
"She will never change, will she?" Pixis smiled.
Bertholdt could hear it.
Not his former friends who were walking above him, not their muffled talking, not the chains on his hands and feet.
He could hear the voices in his head.
Why? Why? Why was he hearing voices in his head? He couldn't think straight because he couldn't tell if the voices were whispering to kill to survive or die for his crimes. He couldn't tell the difference between hallucinations and reality.
He looked at his hand to see the dark spots from whatever the flying titan did spreading to his wrist.
"What's happening to me?" Bertholdt spoke.
The Next Day
"You guys go wait inside," Hanji instructed Armin, Jean, and Historia, "We gotta go get Optimus and talk about the situation."
"Squad Leader it's not safe to go by yourself," Jean declared.
"That's why I'm going with her," Levi said as he put on a coat to hide his 3D Gear, "If buckethead tries something, I'm pulling you out."
"You're so paranoid Levi," Hanji groaned, "Mikasa! Which way did Optimus go?!"
Mikasa laid the axe against the wall of the cabin and pointed ahead of them.
"Thank you!" Hanji smiled as she walked forward.
"She's going to kill us all," Armin declared.
"Agreed," Levi said, "Now get inside,"
"Optimus," Hanji called out.
Optimus opened his optics and looked down to see Hanji waving at him. "You should not be here."
"Well we kinda need to talk to you about some important stuff," Hanji answered.
"Speaking of important, where's buckethead?" Levi demanded as he caught up to Hanji.
Optimus simply pointed to Megatron, who was sitting against a tree with his optics closed.
"So you guys can sleep without transforming into your alt mode," Hanji remarked.
"Not now," Levi hissed, "Prime, just activate your stupid human form."
"Levi, this is not-"
"Someone tried to kill Pastor Nick," Hanji stated, gaining the Prime's undivided attention, "We don't know how they found him, but we may have an idea why. We just want to brief you about the situation, and then you can continue watching Megatron."
Optimus looked back at Megatron before sighing. He transformed into his alt mode and activated his holoform.
"Make sure that it is quick," Optimus advised.
"And once that's done I can study Megatron?" Hanji pressed.
Optimus responded by grabbing Hanji by the arm and pulling her towards the cabin with Levi right behind them, unaware that Megatron opened an optic.
Levi placed his hand under the table and sighed. "You brats had enough time to clean this place up."
Eren groaned as he put a hand on his head while Levi wiped his hand. "We'll talk about the cleaning job later. We need to take about our main mission: getting to Wall Maria and to the basement regardless of what's in our way. Armin, you said you had a plan."
"I was thinking about using Eren's titan power after he transforms to plug up the wall," Armin explained, "We can do it at night too when the titans are less active. That way we won't have to carry so many supplies, and even if we do, Optimus can do it for us. We'd be able to get to Wall Maria in less than a day. But...I'm still unsure if we'll be able to succeed with that plan."
Eren looked at Optimus who was standing by the door.
"The success of the plan doesn't just depend on Prime," Levi declared as he looked at Eren.
"Don't worry, I understand," Eren said as his gaze focused on the Captain.
"Hear that, four eyes?" Levi asked, "Eren agrees."
"At the very least that's good," Hanji said, "I want everyone in the wall to feel safe. There's not many Garrison left after the Wall Rose incident, and there's civil unrest with people from Wall Rose and Sina. We can't waste time, but Eren and Optimus need to lay low for a while."
The cadets looked in shock.
"What?! Why?" Eren demanded.
"Ms. Zoe, you mentioned that someone tried to kill Pastor Nick," Optimus spoke.
"The hell?!" Connie exclaimed.
"Why would someone go after him?" Armin asked.
"Probably to keep his mouth shut about the wall," Hanji replied, "Mobilit and I went to go grab him. We told him we'd be taking him to where Erwin was. I noticed someone outside the window with a gun in hand. Everything was going so fast, I pulled Nick to the ground while Mobilit got shot in the arm. Nothing too serious, thankfully. I wasn't able to get a glimpse of what the gun-man looked like. We had to move Pastor Nick and Mobilit as fast as we could."
"So none of us are safe," Levi assumed.
"Do you believe our location has been compromised?" Optimus asked.
"No, not yet," Hanji answered, "But someone from the inside wants Eren. Probably Optimus too, but they don't know how to contain you. And we're also having problems with keeping metal titan #2 away from the public eye."
Eren noticed Optimus crossing his arms and clench him upper arm.
"So what do we do Hanji?" Levi asked, "We go outside before we're stabbed in the back by our own government, or kill them and go outside the Walls."
Hanji hesitated. "We'll do both. We'll do both at the same time."
"Sounds like something Erwin would say," Levi commented, "Now, everybody get out except the Prime and four eyes."
The teens looked at each other in confusion while Armin and Jean grew uneasy.
"But why?" Eren demanded.
"We have some things we need to discuss," Levi replied.
"What the shit are you talking about?" Sasha growled.
"Just tell us what's going on!" Connie exclaimed.
"All of you must go," Optimus ordered, earning all eyes on him.
"Optimus, what's going on?" Eren asked in desperation, "Please tell us, we need to know."
"How about everyone gets out before I kick you out?" Levi suggested.
"Eren, let's go," Mikasa said.
The teens got up one by one and left the room. Eren looked at Optimus with desperation and betrayal before Mikasa closed the door.
Levi crossed his legs. "Now let's talk about your ex-boyfriend."
"I don't get it," Eren said, "Why is Optimus keeping secrets from us?"
"We're not ready for it," Mikasa answered.
"Not ready?!" Eren exclaimed, "So much shit's been happening! We just need one truthful answer! Who's the flying titan?!"
"You don't want to know that answer," Jean declared.
"What do you know?!" Eren challenged.
"A lot more than you!" Jean yelled.
"Eren, Jean, stop it!" Armin yelled.
"Eren, there are things you don't understand! And even if we told you, you're gonna flip out like a maniac and turn into a titan!" Jean retorted.
"At least I don't need to be a titan to kick your ass!" Eren declared.
"Eren, stop it," Mikasa said as she put a hand on his shoulder.
"Jean, let's just go outside," Armin suggested.
Eren scowled as Jean walked out of the cabin with Armin.
"Eren-"
"He doesn't get it!" Eren declared, "He won't get it!"
"You don't understand," Mikasa retorted.
"No, Optimus doesn't keep secrets!"
"Everyone keeps secrets," Historia retorted.
"And why do you care?" Sasha demanded, "I thought you hated all the titans. What makes Prime so different?"
Eren rubbed his arm and was unable to look at Mikasa and Sasha in the eye.
"He's the closet thing I've had to a dad since..."
Mikasa looked solemnly before placing her hand on his shoulder. "Let's get something to drink."
Eren nodded his head as Mikasa took him to the kitchen.
"That suicidal bastard doesn't understand shit!" Jean exclaimed, "How the hell are you two friends?!"
"We could've told them," Armin suggested, "They were bound to found out anyway now that Megatron's here."
"That's not the point!" Jean yelled, "The point it Megatron: a crazy fighter who made Reiner and Bertholdt look like the Military Police is here on our world, and Optimus didn't kill him yet!"
"Optimus has to have a reason not to," Armin retorted.
"Optimus fought this guy for four million years!" Jean reminded, "What the hell could Prime be keeping him alive for?!"
"Because if I die, than the universe will fall into chaos," a gruff voice stated.
Armin and Jean paled and turned to see a male with light brown skin and multiple scars on his face. The man was wearing a purple and dark grey pants with a black belt. He wore combat boots and a gray trench coat. His gray hair was slicked back and his red eyes were staring at the both of them.
"Oh hell no," Jean breathed.
"Op-" Armin gasped as Megatron covered their mouth and dragged the two away from the cabin while they were kicking and trying to break free.
"I really wonder what made you keep this a secret form humanity," Levi remarked.
"I would've made the situation worse if I mentioned him," Optimus admitted, "Humanity already fears me. I would have only caused more chaos if humanity were to know about someone who has caused destruction throughout the galaxy."
"Optimus, wouldn't it be better to tell humanity about Megatron?" Hanji asked, "We could've prepared for him. Could've gotten the chance to fight against him-"
"I am sorry Ms. Zoe, but that is not possible," Optimus declared.
"What?"
"Why?" Levi demanded.
"Megatron is too powerful. Humanity cannot defeat him, no matter what you create," Optimus answered, "He single handedly defeated my men and has been fighting longer than I have. Megatron is not going to be defeated by 3d Maneuver Gear and TNT Cannons."
"So you're the only one that can defeat him," Hanji concluded, "But why would you keep him alive?"
"It's because of your fucking morality," Levi spat.
"Levi, it is nothing like that," Optimus said.
"Oh, really?" Levi asked, "You let Annie, the bitch that killed my squad in cold blood and tried to kidnap Eren. Bertholdt Hoover, the one who started this carnage in the first place, and you allowed him to live! I thought maybe that you would have some sense when it came to killing Megatron, but instead you let him live under the belief that everyone has the ability to change!"
"I did not keep him alive because of that," Optimus retorted.
"Then why is he still alive?!" Levi demanded, "Was it because you two were friends?! Yeah, Hanji got that when you told Eren about your history!"
"Optimus I just-"
"The Megatron I knew before perished eons ago," Optimus stated, his voice rising.
"Then you're keeping him alive because of your shitty morality!"
"Levi-"
"Because by the end of it-"
"Levi-"
"It's preventing you from pulling the trigger and protecting humanity-"
"Levi-"
"And making you a fucking coward!"
"Levi, stop!" Hanji yelled.
Optimus slammed his fist on the table and stood up. " THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY MORALITY!"
Hanji put her hands over her mouth and glanced back and forth while Levi took a small step back.
Optimus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Do you really think I would let Megatron live after everything he has done? He has done more damage than the titan shifters. He needs to pay for his crimes and I would have no issue to end the madness. The issue is that if he dies, then Unicron has a host."
"Uni-what?" Levi questioned, "This better not be some kind of joke."
"It. is. not." Optimus stated, "Near the end of our war, Megatron infused his spark with the blood of Unicron: dark energon. Depending how much information Ms. Zoe wrote down, then you would know that Unicron's spark was destroyed in the battle on Earth. Unicron was able to find a loophole to live through Megatron because of the compatibility he had with dark energon. It was by luck that my team were able to contain the threat. It was at the cost of my life at the time, but it was either my life or the life of the universe."
Unicron is the god of destruction. In his most powerful form, it took thirteen Primes to defeat. One of them becoming corrupted by his toxic power. It took my team to barely defeat him before he reached his full power. If Megatron is alive, then maybe humanity has a chance to live because he gave upon the Decepticon cause. With Unicron, there is no form of negotiation. He will destroy everything in his path: this world, Cybertron, Earth, whatever star or galaxy there is until there is nothing left. I can't take that risk."
"So the fate of humanity and the rest of the universe doesn't rely on your decision," Levi began, "It relies on Megatron's cooperation."
"Unfortunately," Optimus answered, "I'm sorry for all the madness that I am causing."
"Oh my god," Hanji breathed as she put her hands on her head, "We're so fucked."
"So how are we going to tell the brats?" Levi spoke.
Armin and Jean were slammed against a tree with their mouths covered. They looked in fear as Megatron got down to their eye level.
"Alright you two, I need answers, and you two are the only ones that know of my existence, so I'm making the assumption that Optimus told you about me. When I remove my hands, the two of you will answer my questions. No shouting, no screaming, a single cry for help, and I will knock you both out. Understood?" Megatron asked.
Jean and Armin slowly nodded their heads. Megatron removed his hands to test if either were going to scream.
"Good," Megatron said before sitting down on the ground, "Now why did Earth evolve this way?"
Megatron noticed the two remaining silent, causing him to sigh in irritation. "I said answer my question, not remain silent like drones."
"W-why the hell would we tell you anything?" Jean stuttered, "You could use that information against humanity."
Megatron laughed. "Like you humans have anything to offer me. If I wanted to, I could just destroy the gate and let the titans take care of the rest. Besides, I'm not into conquest and oppression anymore."
"Then why do you want the information?" Armin demanded.
"Because I don't know how this world operates," Megatron answered, "Optimus won't tell me anything, and as far as I'm concerned: humans evolved into titans. I can't even ask one of you humans openly. Why do you think I dragged you two out here?"
"Well-"
"Look, humanity's been in the walls for a century because of the titans. We have no history of where they came from and we don't know why they eat humans." Armin explained.
"Armin!" Jean exclaimed.
"Alright," Megatron began, "When did Optimus come to this world? I need a day and time."
"It was in the afternoon, during the battle of Trost. A month ago," Armin answered.
Armin tried his best to keep his composure. His heart was beating too fast and his hands were sweaty, but he hand to keep himself under control. He couldn't show weakness. Humanity was powerless against him, so at the very least, he had to keep a strong front.
"Do you know how he arrived here?" the ex-con asked.
"No," Armin answered, "No one does."
"When he arrived here, did the Prime look the way he does now?"
"What kind of question is that?" Jean demanded.
"I suggest watching that tone of yours," Megatron warned.
Jean immediately closed his mouth.
"The form Optimus has now is an older form." Megatron continued, "The last time that I saw him, he was more robust and was capable of flying. What concerns me most is why Optimus is acting the way he is."
The two cadets looked at Megatron in surprise. Megatron noticed Optimus' change in behavior?
"How did you notice?" Armin asked.
"We've been fighting for eons," Megatron answered, "Optimus is usually more composed. He's not the one to shoot now and ask questions later. I want to know what happened."
"We...don't know," Armin replied, "He was getting angry about a week ago, and before the fight with the Colossal Titan, he was mad at a pastor and he seemed a little more a edge."
Megatron narrowed his eyes at the two, causing them to gulp. "And that's all you know?"
Armin and Jean nodded their heads.
"This better not be some kind of trick," Megaton warned.
"It isn't. We're telling you what we know," Armin declared.
Megatron sighed. "Alright, I'll leave."
Megatron stood up and was going to deactivate the holoform, but Armin grabbed Megatron's sleeve without thinking.
"Armin, what the hell?!" Jean exclaimed.
"Why are you helping humanity?" Armin demanded, "After four million years of war, and you suddenly decide to drop everything. You hate humans, yet you're fighting for a race you despise? Why?"
Megatron glared at Armin while the cadet stood his ground. The ex-tyrant scoffed and pulled his arm out of Armin's grip.
"Like Optimus is going to let me leave this planet," Megatron replied, "And I already told, I'm not into conquest and oppression anymore."
The holoform dispersed into spark, allowing Armin to sigh with relief and collapse on the ground.
"Good job Armin," Jean remarked sarcastically, "Grab the titan that could easily snap your neck!"
Armin looked down at the hand that grabbed Megatron. It felt so cold. Megatron felt so cold.
"I apologize for not being truthful to you for the past week," Optimus told the cadets, "I had to make sure that Megtron wasn't threatening to harm humanity."
"I don't get why Megatron's a threat," Connie admitted.
"Of course he's a threat!" Sasha exclaimed, "The dark energy in his chest proves it!"
Hanji looked in surprise. Sasha can sense the dark energon in Megatron?
"Optimus, who is Megatron? Why are you keeping him a secret from us?" Eren demanded.
Optimus subtly bit the inside of the holoform's lip before speaking. "Megatron is the former leader of the Decepticons. He is the one that I was fighting for the past four million years."
The cadets looked in shock while Sasha pointed at Connie.
"What did I say!" she proclaimed confidently.
"No...," Eren breathed, "No, you...that's not...you said that he was killed!"
"Hold on, killed?!" Connie exclaimed.
"When Unicron used Megatron as a host, the damage Megatron received was repaired. So when Megatron was free from Unicron's control, he was able to gain his life back. He forfeited the cause, and that was the last time that I saw him until now." Optimus explained.
"Who's Unicron?" Historia asked Mikasa, who only shrugged.
"But why didn't you say anything?!" Eren demanded, "He's a threat! Why can't you just kill him?!"
"I cannot," Optimus answered, "Unicron would be able to take over his body because of the dark energon in his spark. I cannot risk the destruction of the entire universe."
"So you're putting us at risk instead?!" Eren yelled as he stood up.
"We're at risk either way," Levi retorted.
"Eren, do you really believe I would leave Megatron alive after everything he has ever done?" Optimus asked, "I cannot kill Megatron because I do not have the resources to contain Unicron. Keeping Megatron alive is our only option to survive."
Eren couldn't take it. Too much rage and hurt was building up inside of him. He stormed out of the room before slamming the door and walking outside.
"Eren!" Mikasa yelled as she tried to go after him, but Hanji stopped her.
"Let's give Eren some space," she suggested.
Optimus looked down at the holoform's hands to see it losing shape.
"I need to go," Optimus informed as he deactivated the holoform.
Optimus sat down and leaned against the tree. He looked at his servo before covering his face and gritting his dentas. He felt something tap his foot and looked down to see a shard of energon. He looked at Megatron to see his optics still closed while adjust his seating position.
"Wakey, wakey," a voice sing songed.
Bertholdt groaned before coughing as he felt the muzzle removed from his mouth. He saw Hanji smiling and waving while Levi glared at him.
"Time for your torture to begin," Hanji declared, "The best part about this is that your wounds regenerate, so we can continue torturing you until we're bored."
"Children...of the...devil," Bertholdt wheezed.
Levi placed a knife at Bertholdt's neck and pressed it into his skin, causing blood to drip from his neck.
"I don't think devils would fight for the lives of others," Levi retorted.
"You won't get anything from me," Bertholdt swore.
"Don't think this is all going to be about interrogation," Levi declared, "This is about what you did."
Levi slit his throat, causing Bertholdt to cover the wound and try to breathe properly.
"Have the clippers?" Levi asked.
"Right here," Hanji smiled wickedly as she waved them around, "Let the fun begin."
"Commander Erwin!" Mobilit yelled as he walked into the room with his bandaged arm, "We have a problem!"
"Is it the flying titan?" Erwin demanded.
"No it's something else!" Mobilit declared.
The merchant held a lantern and looked in awe at the blue rocks that littered the cave.
"So this is the stuff the metal titan's been using?" One of his workers asked, "It's huge."
"The buyer wants us to gather as much of this stuff as we can," the merchant declared, "We have to be careful though. Don't want any of this stuff killing us. Alright men, get to work!"
Bertholdt panted heavily as his hands and feet began to regenerate. He held his stomach as blood poured out from the wound. He kept shaking as Levi wiped the blood from his hand and knife.
"You are not a talker, are you?" Hanji remarked.
Bertholdt continued shaking, hiding his face from the two of them. Levi growled and kicked Bertholdt in the back. The titan shifter held his tongue and tried to grab the ground, revealing his burnt hand and wrist.
Hanji noticed the distorted body part and examined it. The body part was covered in dark spots and his ring finger did not fully regenerate.
"Levi, did you touch his hand?" Hanji asked.
Levi shook his head. "Either way, I not touching something that disgusting. I saw it when we brought him down here."
"Hey, where did you get this?" Hanji asked Bertholdt.
Bertholdt glared at them . "It was the metal titan."
Hanji and Levi looked at each other.
"We need to talk to Optimus." Levi declared.
"Energon didn't do that to Annie," Hanji recalled as the two walked to Optimus' location.
"Well, we never checked long term effects on a titan shifter," Levi retorted, "Far as I'm concerned, Prime didn't shoot Bertholdt."
"Hopefully, Optimus can give us an answer,"
"And if buckethead tries anything, I have my gear," Levi declared as he adjusted his cloak.
Hanji and Levi arrived to see Optimus stretching his arms and Megatron leaning against a tree and looking up at the evening sky.
"Prime, we need to talk to you," Levi said.
Optimus looked down while Megatron didn't even acknowledge them.
"Something's up with Bertholdt and we hope you have an answer," Hanji answered while Levi lifted his coat to reveal his 3D Gear.
Optimus glanced back at Megatron. "Alright, what happened?"
"Did you shoot him in the left hand with your gun?" Hanji asked while gesturing to her own hand.
"I did not. Why?" Optimus questioned.
"Well he has these dark spots on his hand and wrist and is missing part of his ring finger. When Annie got hit with energon in her titan form, the arm of her real form was disintegrating and we had to cut it off to prevent it from spreading any further. I don't know why it's slower than normal for Bertholdt. Maybe it's because of his size or-"
Hanji jolted and Levi grabbed the handle of his gear as Optimus aimed his blaster at Megatron.
Megatron glanced at the Prime and raised his servos in surrender. "Are we really doing this again?"
"You were the one that made contact with the boy, so what did you do?" Optimus demanded.
"Hey! Let's not try to murder each other!" Hanji cut in with nervous laughter, "Remember what you told us?!"
"Clearly, you've forgotten that I can fire long range attacks in my alternative mode," Megatron stated, "And I only fired with my form once. The rest of the battle I used my sword and shield, which I no longer have because you hid them for precautionary measures."
"Do you two know the effects of dark energon in the system of organic life?" Hanji asked.
"You can expect a slow death," Megatron answered, "but this creature clearly isn't human, so who knows how the creature will react. Maybe he'll degrade back to a mindless creature, or maybe Unicron will become desperate and take over his body. Who knows, which is why it would have been better to have killed him when you had the chance."
Optimus lowered his gun and transformed it back into his servo.
"Is there any way to counter act the dark energon?" Hanji asked, "it would be really unfortunate if humanity had some kind of purple undead titan."
"The only solution would be liquefied energon," Optimus answered.
"Great!" Hanji smiled.
"If you have the tools to liquefy energon or remove energon from a Cybertronian," Megatron retorted as he crossed his arms, "You humans will end up burning something to the ground before you yield results."
"Is it really that complicated without your technology?" Hanji groaned.
"Yes," the two titans answered.
Hanji yelled and threw her hands in the air in anger.
Eren sat on the edge of a cliff not too far away from the cabin. He needed some fresh air to clear his thoughts.
He was hurt. He was just...really hurt. He thought Optimus trusted him. He didn't understand why he told Armin and Jean. Why didn't he tell them and warm them about Megatron so they could be prepared?
Why did Optimus...lie?
"You're supposed to be sleeping, brat," Levi stated as he walked towards him in casual clothing, "Not make me look for you."
"Don't want to," Eren muttered.
"Want me to kick you off?" Levi threatened.
Eren didn't answered, causing Levi to grabbed Eren by the hair. "Are you trying to piss me off?"
Levi's anger disappeared as he saw Eren's tired face. "What's going on with you?"
"I'm confused," Eren replied, "I'm confused and I don't know who to take my anger out on."
Levi sighed and let Eren go. "Guess we're all that way."
"Optimus told Armin and Jena about Megatron," Eren said, "He kept some of that secret from me. I don't get it. Why?"
"I can't give you an answer to that," Levi admitted, "All I can say is Prime is running low on options and is doing what he can to protect humanity."
"Wouldn't Optimus tell us about Megatron so we could prepare for the threat?" Eren asked.
"Prime said we'd lose either way," Levi informed.
"But Armin and Jean knew! They could've told us-"
"Maybe Prime wasn't ready to tell," Levi interrupted, "We all have our own personal demons. He may not show it, but someone who's been at war for that long probably has a lot of emotional baggage. Have to think about it that way."
Eren remained quiet before yelled as Levi grabbed him by the ear back to the cabin.
"Hanji!" Mobilit called out as he ran towards her.
"Mobilit, calm down," Hanji said, "It's only been a day after you got shot in the arm. You're not fully healed yet. I need you to rest before we continue conducting experiments. Did you bring the supplies from the castle?"
"Yes, but-"
"Great!" Hanji smiled, "Let's set up a table so we can finish up the revolver prototypes we were working on."
"Hanji-"
"We have to start experiments with Eren again and I have to find a way to do research on Megatron."
"Hanji, please-"
"I wonder if he has a holoform!"
"Squad Leader, there's something important I have to tell you!" Mobilit shouted.
"Alright, alright, what happened?" Hanji asked.
"Annie Leonhart escaped!" Mobilit declared.
Blooper 1
"But he's a badass!" Hanji whined.
Levi grabbed her by the ear and pulled her out of the room with her kicking and yelling.
"So why does Levi call Optimus 'Prime'?" Pixis asked.
"Because Levi can't pronounce his first name correctly," Erwin answered.
Pixis snickered.
Blooper 2 (After Mobilit's information)
Optimus opened his optics as he heard a high pitched scream from the cabin. He groaned while Megatron yelled and threw a rock at a tree.
"For Primus sake, what is that awful noise?!" Megatron exclaimed as he covered his audio receptors.
"That would be one of the humans," Optimus answered before transforming and activating his holoform, "I will be right back."
When Optimus arrived at the cabin, Hanji was still screaming her head off while Mobilit covered his ears.
"What did you tell her?" Optimus asked her assistant.
"I just told her that-"
Levi wacked Hanji in the face with a frying pan, causing her to fall on the ground.
"Was that necessary?" Optimus asked.
"Would you have preferred to wait until she passed out?" Levi asked, "Because that takes a while."