Attack on Titan: Core

Interlude: Sieging Mysteries

6 hours ago before the operation of capturing Annie

The elite members of Garrison namely Rico, Mitabi, and Ian are walking right now with Pixis including Erwin, Hange, and Levi as they are going through the long dark staircase of the castle of the Scout's HQ.

Ian: May I ask, Commander Pixis?

Pixis: Go ahead.

Ian: Where are we going, sir? We've been trenching this staircase for like a while sir.

Pixis: Hm? Has it been that long, Erwin?

Erwin: *checks his pocketwatch* Not to be surprised but we've walked this staircase for 2 minutes now.

Mitabi: 2 minutes?! Why did it feel like 5 minutes?

Hange: We can only assume that there's a reason why he hides this base from everyone including us the MP and the royals.

Rico: But do they have to come with him?

Rico pointed out that behind her were Mina, Franz, and Hanna. But then they stopped as Erwin and Hange faced a different wall on their left. It was a metallic door with a keypad placed for security measures.

Everyone's curious about the deal with the door and Erwin simply puts his finger on the keypad's buttons as he types a PIN code: [1983]. As he finished it, the door opened with the hissing of locked air from the clasped bolts as they entered the facility and walked down into the dark room. Everyone tries to get a light on and their hands are slowly trying to get their flare guns containing flash ammo inside.

But the lights are turning on like someone's theatrics are about to begin as they loa and behold in the four platforms are his 00 CORE Gundam arsenals. They can recognize some armor sets showcased on the platform back during their expedition or reclaiming missions.

Mina: *pointing at the TN and Cannon* Those forms appeared during the Trost breach.

Rico: *pointed out at Tekkaman and Freedom* I've seen that crimson-colored armor but heard reports of having that winged gear.

???: That's because it resembles the wings of freedom the Scouts bear on their cloaks.

They were startled by the sudden voice in the room. They tried to find it but they could not identify where it came from but the voice spoke as it called to them to help out.

???: Over here.

They look around to see the person they've been waiting for heading towards them, in a wheelchair. They cannot help but feel helpless in his condition, they feel like he cannot walk after his rampage against the mobile armor. But Y/n relieves them of their worries when he stands up like normal but leaves some sounds of popping bones wincing them a bit.

Y/n: *sheepishly laughs* Sorry about that. I won't be needing this wheelchair anymore. My numb legs are finally healed, though it might've cost me to pop those sore bones I wanted to move. But anyway, why are you here?

Hange: Oh, we need some explanations about this. *shows the book*

Y/n: *eye widen* Where did you get that?

Hange: Obviously in your room while I was cleaning up. Some of the files were... questionable.

Y/n: Like what?

Hange: Is Rico holding somebody else's soul? Multiverse CORE System? Mikasa has something called a Psycho-frame in her body. Petra's connection to your Gundam that unlocks the Limiter Off mode? Those kinds of questions and answers are inside this book.

Rico was a bit surprised by her first question but it's not surprising since she's been having dreams in her sleep of a person talking to a young man whose face resembles Y/n and behind him is passing by vehicles while they were talking in one of the moving vehicles.