The Grumble of thunder(part 4 of storm arc)

Leif looked at Vasquez thoughtfully He's right it was on accident He thought nodding. Well at least we're in the forest now... He thought ducking under the occasional branch in the way of Kena and Vasquez. Leif, lost in thought, absentmindedly stepped on a fallen log, cracking it under his weight. Crap! Leif thought stumbling back a little, his back spines getting stuck in a nearby tree. Oh come on! I can't even get up now without tearing the tree out of the ground! He thought as he landed on his butt with a thud.

The thud caused a small tremor, one that could be heard from the outskirts of the training ground. Tobias turned to the forest, where he believed it came from. "Titans? Here?"  He asked himself. At first he froze. He stood for a minute or two before finally acting. He equipped his maneuver gear, ready for action, and headed straight for the forest.

Leona hung from the side of a very large tree, using her maneuver gear to help her climb trees and hunt for eggs. Horus circled over head, keeping an eye out for the mother of the current next Leona was targeting. As the young redhead reached into the next to steal a few eggs she heard Horus give a loud screech, but it was not the cry he used to signal for another falcon or hawk, but the one she taught him to use when spotting titans. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she looked up at her companion wondering if he had simply been confused, that was until she felt the vibrations of it's foot steps.

"Here?!" She thought aloud, unsure of how titans could have gotten so far in to the walls, especially with no alarms being raised. "Circle it!" She commanded Horus, the falcon taking off to circle over the area he'd seen the titan to market for Leona. Kicking off of the tree she was in Leona abandoned her task of collecting eggs and used her maneuver gear to make her way to the area Horus was circling.

Drawing closer Leona slowed her pace, wanting to see the titan before it saw her. Standing on a tree branch she readied her blades, using her gas jets to skip from one branch to another till she could see a large mass of flesh and spikes through the leaves. A deviant? She thought, watching for a second while planing her attack, hopping she was down wind enough to hide her scent from the titan.

Leif heard a screech, looking skyward at the falcon circling overhead. This must be one of those titan searching falcons I've been hearing about recently He thought worriedly That means its owner is right behind. He caught a scent with his sensitive nose. Its a new scent, so not Kena or Vasquez, It must be the falcons master He thought, grabbing the tree he was stuck to, trying to pull his spines out of it as he caught a glimpse of red among the green leaves. Come on come on! He thought frantically yanking at the tree. Finally, the spines came out, freeing him from the tree. Ok Leif thought in a ready stance If I get hit in the nape, Im a goner He thought focussing on his weak point. Small spines locked together to form a protective covering over it.

This was the real deal. Tobias' first encounter with a titan, however, this time is different. This time he'll be able to unleash his vengeance. He quickly ran to the stable. A row of horses stood in front of him. "Now let's see. Hm...Eenie meenie miney mo..." His finger drifted back and forth, back and forth, until it finally landed on the horse. It was the same as all the other horses, not a single difference between the few. He escorted the horse out of the stable, dusted off the saddle and hopped on. "Go on boy, go on." He urged the horse to move. It let out with a neigh and began running toward the direction of the forest.

A few moments later, Tobias was nearing the tree line of the forest. "Sorry buddy, but I got to go!" He said before launching himself into the trees. He used the maneuver gear to the best of his ability while also glancing at his gas meter every once in a while. He used the branches as boosts to pick up speed. "Who...?" He quietly questioned himself as he spotted a girl in the distance. He was sure it was a girl. As he got closer, he spotted her bright red hair.

Leona regretted not having her green scouting cloak, the hood was much better camouflage then her bright red hair. But then who could have foreseen a titan so far with in the walls? She would simply have to improvise.

Running along branches before swinging or simply gliding to another depending on the distance Leona worked her way around toward the back of the titan. She had no doubt he'd at least picked up on her scent if not seen her tell tale hair. Fortunatlly the titan appeared to be stuck to a tree. Idiot. She thought finally making her way behind the titan just as he managed to free him self. Rushing in before the giant could get turned around she leaped from the tree pushing her self forward with the gas jets, as she lifted her swords. Though the blades met their mark with in a rather graceful swing, however they were greeted with hardened spikes which shattered both of them.

"Damn!" Leona cursed under her breath as she kicked off the back of the titan's neck to get away, flipping back ward once before shooting her hooks toward the nearest tree, hopping to get up and out of it's reach before it could retaliate. Now what? She thought, unsure of what her next move should be. If I can't get to it's neck how will I kill it? Maybe I should go back in to town for back up... For once Leona was at a loss, she'd never faced a titan who could protect the nape of it's neck.

For a moment she simply stood in the tree tops, her crimson locks fluttering around her face and shoulders in the breeze. A second glance might have lead one to recognize her, the red haired green eyed scout accompanied by a gray and white falcon. Leona had earned her claim to fame when she'd been stranded beyond the wall with out a horse. Having made it back alive she was sense spoke of as 'the one who walked back.'

Leif heard a clang, causing him to turn. He looked down at the two broken blades on the ground, then to his arm blade, Is this thing really that tough? He thought, wondering about his very body he's lived in for 5 days. Well, it would have to be at least as strong as the blades to cut through those titans I saved Kena from so easily He thought looking at Kena in his hand as Vasquez was holding her steady. I can't just sit here and do nothing, but I can't communicate and Vasquez is busy with Kena Leif put Vasquez and Kena down on a branch, getting into a ready stance, his eyes glowing pure silver.

As he swung from tree to tree, Tobias occasionally glanced below. No titans in sight. He continued to follow the red head, but at a safe distance so she will not be able to notice him. His momentum stopped abruptly as he spotted the giant mass that was the titan. He stood, hanging beside a tree in awe. "Wha-...Spikes? A titan, with spikes?" This was completely new to him. Never in his life had he heard about a titan with spikes. Then he saw the girl standing a top the titan's nape. "Humph, she beat me to it."

He climbed a nearby branch, so he could get a better view of the scene. "It looks like he uses those spikes to protect himself, which means? He has intelligence!" He silently thought to himself, "What can I do?..."

Watching the titan a moment Leona saw as he seemed to set something down. Not something, someone! Se realized in shock. Why is he carrying people around with him? Are titans taking left overs home now? Leona though with a hint of sarcasm even with in her own head. Is he protecting them? She wondered, now more confused then ever.

She stood in the tree tops a moment longer, planing her next move while waiting for the titan to make one as he seemed to square off with her, in a fighting stance. Something's not right here. She thought as she stepped off the branch she'd been on, letting gravity pull her down a ways before shooting the hooks of her 3D gear to swing to a lower branch. Moving around the trees she began making her way toward the two humans the titan had sat in the trees. Though the humans were her goal at the moment, her emerald eyes never left the titan, watching and waiting for him to do something, anything really.

Leif looked at the red haired woman. I doubt that she would harm them, especially Kena, he thought carefully. But that other scent... He thought, looking up to the scents source. Oh, someone else! What should I do? He thought, noticing the rain drizzling down. He slipped on a patch of mud, crashing into the tree of the new arrival, Tearing it out of the ground. Crap! Leif thought, rushing to catch the falling man. He slashed the tree in half, diving to catch the man. He slid on the ground, smashing face first into a tree.

"Shit!!" He yelled as he fell toward the Earth. "D-Did he do that on purpose?!" He wondered. Then a giant hand appeared below him. The Titan's hand? Was he trying to save him? "Hm, either way, I won't let him catch me!" He hooked onto the Titan's hand and readied his blades as he fell. He began to spin clock wise, as best as he can, and aimed for the giant hand. As the Titan slammed into the stump of the tree, Tobias slashed at his hand with full force. Blood splattered on his clothing and face, which would leave bothersome stains in the future.

Leona thought going for the humans he was carrying might have evoked some sort of response from the titan. But instead he seemed to be going for someone else. Stopping on the side of a tree Leona hung for a moment as the titan tired to catch whoever he'd just knocked from the tree. Now what? She thought, unsure if she should risk her own life to save whoever it was from being eaten or try to find out why the titan had been carrying the other two humans. Maybe he really is trying to gather humans to take back with him. For other titans possibly? But they don't even really need to eat so why...

For once she was at a loss, unable to make sense of any of this. Thinking it best to help the person who appeared to be in the most danger she changed direction, heading for the human cutting up the titans hand. Getting close to the titan she waited to see how he would react before making a move, not wanting to get hit by one of the spikes on the giants body.

Ouch... Leif thought, rubbing his head as he got up off the ground. That wasn't very nice! He thought looking at his steaming hand. Anyway..., He thought, turning around and noticing the red haired woman behind him. Ok,this does not look good, and I don't think that I can shield my nape again. He thought, turning away from her. He leaped forward, running on all fours, deep into the forest, looking for someplace of refuge.

"Shit! He's getting away!!" He watched as the Titan disappeared into the forest. Tobias clenched his fists in anger. "He's too fast..." He turned to the redhead immediately. "You. Who are you? And, who are they?" He pointed to the mysterious soldiers. But what really was in his mind was that Titan. Spikes aren't normal on any Titan. "I should report this to the commander...There's no way that was a normal Titan." He thought to himself.

Vasquez noticed Leif receive so type of damage. He had promised Kronos that no harm would come to Leif under his supervision. Although, he was sure that Leif would regenerate and heal from something as simple as a blade slash to the palm. As blood began to rush from the titan's palm, Vasquez noticed that Leif began to retreat. That was both a selfish and wise move on his part. The least he could've done is take me and Kena with him. Vasquez rested Kena on the branch that Leif had placed them on and yelled at both of the Survey Scouts.

"Hey! You two! Stop!"

Vasquez cut off the young man who was asking the questions and intended to stop the red-haired girl in mid-motion. He wanted to prevent any further harm from befalling the titan.

"That titan is not to be touched, especially not by any soldiers outside of the Garrison Regiment. I've seen you two do enough....actually, I wasn't expecting him to be injured so easily. Sheesh! Here we were, supposed to have fun, and you two go and carve him up."

Vasquez thought to himself.

I'll have to scold Leif later. He might be a different kind of titan, but that doesn't mean he can save everyone.

Vasquez glanced over at the young man who had injured Leif. The blood was evaporating from his uniform.

Leona stopped hanging off the side of a tree when the titan took off. The other scout seemed to be ok. The sudden demand to know who she was seemed to catch Leona off guard. She hesitated giving her name, long enough for one of the soldiers the titan had been carrying to interrupt. Turning to look toward the Garrison soldier Leona's brows furrowed in anger and confusion.

Kicking off the tree she swung between a few trees coming to land on the branch with the two humans the titan had sat down. "Explain to me why that titan is not a threat, and why it is retreating rather then trying to eat us." She nearly demanded, needing to know how any of this was possible, and weather or not she could trust someone who was telling her not to kill a titan.

Glancing at the sky Leona held out her arm giving a sharp whistle. Horus came swooping in with a few flaps of his wings to land on Leona's arm his shark gaze watching the other two. "Tell me how this is possible and I'll lend you Horus to help find it."

Vasquez ran his hand through his hair and look at the Survey Scout soldier directly in her eyes, he knew this wasn't going to go well. He didn't want too much distance to form between himself and Kena. Furthermore, who knew what Leif might do given his frightened state. Vasquez sighed and looked down at the ground as the rain drizzled down his face.

"I can't disclose information about that titan to you, I'm not authorized to nor am I obligated. All you need to be concerned with is that that titan not once tried to devour you. I'll find the titan myself without your help if you choose not to come along, but the least you can do is watch over this girl while I find it...."

Vasquez pointed at Kena as his expression had now turned into a glare. He wondered why Survey Scouts were in this area anyway. Kronos apparently hadn't been doing a good job with his own promises.

"Also, I can't have you two rambling on to others about what you've seen here today...got it?"

Vasquez's tone was direct and stern, this situation was already hard enough to contain. A look of surprise suddenly formed on his face. If these to soldiers were out here then that meant that there had to be more, time was definitely of the essence now.

"Hurry and give me your answer, I don't have time to play around with your kind right now."

Vasquez was growing impatient at this point.

What's so special about that Titan? More importantly, why are the Garrison so interested in it? It seems they've met this Titan before, could they be protecting it? But why? It just didn't add up. This Stationary Guard seemed to have a lot of experience, Tobias knew that for sure. It wouldn't be wise to argue with him, but he'd also like to find out what's going on. Quite the predicament, that's for sure. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts and decided to 'just wing it'. He launched his left hook a branch above the group. As he approached them, he took a hard landing on the branch, causing it to shake mildly. He regained his balance and glanced at the girl. Another Survey Corp? I've never seen her around either...I should get out more.

Though she didn't get out much to mingle Leona had become known recently though rumors and gossip. On the scouting legions last expedition beyond the wall Leona had become stranded with out a horse and no response to her emergency flare. Despite all odds she had managed to make it back to wall rose, alive. It was soon a tale spoke through most of the major districts 'the one who walked back.' Any average scout could have kept their head down and never get recognized by most who did not know them, but Leona had a few key featured that stood out enough that everyone who spoke of her used them to describe her. Crimson hair, emerald eyes, and a falcon always on her shoulder.

"You watch over her." Leona said flatly in regards to the girl in the Garrison soldier's arms. "I know how to read Horus, I can follow him much faster then you could." Turning to take off after the titan Leona paused looking back at Vasquez asking one more question. "Does it have a name? This titan pet of your's what do you call it?"

Vasquez rested Kena in Tobias' arms and prepared to follow Leona, he was sure she'd be fine with her own kind. Vasquez was soaking wet, slightly agitated, and ready to go back to headquarters. Vasquez launched the hooks of his 3DMG into a nearby tree and trailed after Leona, he had to be careful given the wet terrain. He didn't like the thought of relying on a survey scout soldier to assist him with this. As usual, they had caused enough trouble already. Vasquez heard Leona spoke and decided to vaguely answer her question.

"I can't tell you that Titan's name, we simply know him as the Spined Titan.."

Vasquez noticed that the crimson-haired soldier referred to Leif as his "pet." Leif wasn't really a pet...actually, Vasquez didn't know what it was. The relationship between the titan and himself was just mutually beneficial.

I do however hope that Leif hasn't gotten into anymore trouble. If someone else were to respond to the sight of him like these two scouts did, he might already be seriously injured.....or even dead.

This thought raced through his mind as he wondered what condition Leif would be found in.

Leif ran, his elbow spikes scraping bark off trees. Refuge... Refuge... There! he thought, sighting a cave just big enough for him to squeeze through. He dived in, his back spines flattening into a ridge. He wandered deeper, his spines flattened against his skin. I feel bad for leaving Vasquez and Kena behind, but if I had gotten them, they would've been in more trouble he thought reaching the end of it. Now, for the sake of cover he thought, digging the tunnel deeper with his spines. He put rocks in front of him, creating a wall of stone. At least I'm dry now, Leif thought, trying to look on the bright side.

Leona moved effortlessly though the trees, looking oddly graceful as she swung from one branch to another, even jumping with a flip here and there, apparently just for fun. Every now and then when she lost Horus through the tree tops she'd give a sharp whistle, to which Horus would reply with a screech to let her know what direction to head. Horus' keen eyes easily kept sight of the titan as he fumbled through the forest. Seeing it ducking in to a cave the falcon circled out side it, waiting for Leona and Vasquez to catch up.

Leona stopped on a tree branch out side the cavern, waiting for Vasquez to catch up. Once he was in sight she didn't bother with words but simply stepped off the branch, while launching her hooks in to another to swing gently down to the ground. "You sure this thing won't kill us?" She asked though didn't wait for an answer. Leona didn't like the idea of being in such an enclosed space with a titan, unsure if her 3D gear would be able to grip the rocks like it did trees and buildings. Despite her concerns she walked in side any how struggling to peer through the dark. "Hey Spiny!" She shouted in to the cave. "Your handler misses you!" She said referring to the Garrison member as the titan's handler.

Out of the blue, Kronos had approached from behind a tree, yawning. He looks over at the woman, then into the cave. "He in there?" Kronos stretched and began to walk into the cavern, "Hey; Leif you there? How are ya doin'? These lil' guys giving you any trouble? Come on out you big lug~" He stood at the mouth of the cave, putting his hands behind his head, as if leaning on a wall. He ignored the girl for now, more focused on seeing how Leif was. "What are you doing in this cave anyway? I figured you'd be lying down in a field, staring up at the clouds or something~" he closed his eyes and smirked, "That actually sounds nice... Soft grass, pretty sky, nice breeze, the rustling of leaves..."

Vasquez effortlessly maneuvered through the trees, letting his grappling hooks penetrate through the tough bark and allowing him to propel forward. He listened to Leona occasionally whistle so that she would always know the location of her falcon. Vasquez soon caught up with Leona, he wasn't too far behind. As she stopped on a branch, he did the same, and then jumped off onto the ground below. As they walked towards the cavern that Leif apparent ran into, Vasquez noticed Leona as a question.

"You don't have to worry about the titan being violent or trying to kill you. If anything it should be the other way around, this is all your fault after all."

Vasquez had a hint of irritation in his voice. He then heard Leona begin to shout into the cave for the Spined-Titan.

"Sheesh, do you have to be so loud?"

Vasquez took a step further and attempted to call out to Leif himself.

"Hey! Are you in there?"

Vasquez was very careful about calling out the titan's human name. He was sure that Leif would recognize his voice though.