Chapter Four

Chapter Four

"Where are we going?" Finn asked leaning over the edge of the wagon. The Scouts had made it through the city and were in a forest.

"Scout headquarters." Canada said. "We'll have to figure out what to do from there."

The Storm Hawks nodded. They looked into the trees noticed and different animals. They asked about them and the pair of Scouts happily answered. The Scouts finally made it back to their headquarters. Matthew dismounted and tied Glacies and Mondi to a post before helping the Storm Hawks out of the wagon. Gilbert was at his side as they heard footsteps. Canada looked over his shoulder to see Erwin and Levi.

"Matthew, Gilbert." The commander greeted. He looked over the Storm Hawks. "Who are they?"

"Some old friends." The Canadian said.

"Oh, right." Erwin said confused. "I'd like to speak with you two and them. Take care of your horses first then meet us in the boardroom."

The couple nodded as the pair walked off. Matthew gestured for the Storm Hawks to follow him. He untied Glacies and Mondi from the post. He started to lead the horses towards the stables.

"Careful." Canada warned. "Don't walk behind them. They could kick you."

The Storm Hawks nodded and moved to walk beside them. He lead the pair of horses and tied them off near their stalls. Gilbert lead the pulling team over and tied them too. They didn't know who they belonged to or if they were still alive. The Scouts took the equipment off the horses before brushing them down. The Storm Hawks were curious and wanted to help. Matthew explained the process and let them help with Mondi and the pull team. He knew Glacies would try to bite them. Once they were done they lead the horses to the pasture and let them go.

"You just leave them there?" Stork asked raising an eyebrow.

"Ja, they just run around and socialize." Gilbert explained leaning on the fence.

"Don't they need a bed to sleep in?" Piper asked watching the horses run and play.

"No, they sleep standing up." Matthew said. The Storm Hawks looked surprised. "It's a defensive thing. If a predator sneaks up on them they're already up and ready to go."

"That's so cool!" Finn said. "Can we do that?"

"You can try." Canada laughed. His mood shifted. "We shouldn't keep Erwin waiting. Let's go see what he wants."

The couple lead them through the building to the boardroom. Matthew pushed in and held the door for everyone. Erwin and Levi were already inside and waiting. The commander gestured for them to sit. They looked a bit nervous, but did. Canada and Prussia sat across from Erwin and Levi.

"So, old friends?" Erwin started. The Canadian nodded. "Who are they and how do you know them?"

"They're the Storm Hawks." Matthew said. He quickly introduced each member. "Way back when, before the titans, I ended up getting sent to their world. They helped me get back here."

Erwin looked confused, but didn't ask any questions. He knew how old the nations were and all of the troubles they could have had in the past. Besides the proof was sitting right in front of him. He wanted to ask about the green man and the one with horns, but he didn't want to anger or offend them.

"I guess it's time for you to return the favour." Levi said sipping his tea.

"We need to go back. We've got a war to finish." Aerrow said and the others nodded.

"How are we going to send them back?" Erwin asked. "We don't have anything close to that kind of technology."

"There is the discord crystal." Canada said.

"You still have it?" Piper asked and he shook his head.

"No, not on me." The blond shook his head again. "I know where it is, but it's outside the walls."

"It's really our only option." Gilbert said biting his lip.

"It's way up north, close to the Nunavut Manitoba boarder." Canada said. He knew only Prussia would understand what he was talking about.

"Could go and get it." Erwin said. "How many days of travel there?"

"Probably about four or five days depending on weather." Matthew said. "It's not exactly the best ground for horses to travel on either. It will be cold so there won't be many titans."

"You'll all go?" Levi asked. The couple looked at each other and nodded.

"It vould probably be best. Just encase we made it up there and can't get back." Gilbert said. "They'd still be able to go home."

"Right." Erwin nodded.

"They'll need training. They don't know how to ride a horse. It would be good for them to learn the 3dmg just encase." Matthew said.

"That would be awesome!" Finn said and the others, accept Stork, nodded eagerly.

"It vould give us time to plan and prep too." Prussia said and the Canadian nodded in agreement.

"Shadis would be the best for training." Erwin said taking notes. "We can send them there later in the day."

"We'll go with them." Matthew said sternly. "Keep them from getting into to much trouble."

"That might be for the best." Levi said and Erwin nodded.

"Okay." The Commander agreed. "Train for about a month or two than come back here to gather supplies and give a status update."

"That'll work." Canada said and Prussia nodded. "We'll leave a bit later in the day."

Erwin nodded and they all stood to leave. The couple lead the Storm Hawks into the mess hall. It was completely empty being mid day. They all sat around a table.

"Guess I should probably properly introduce you." Matthew said with a smile looking at Prussia. "Gil, these are the Storm Hawks: Aerrow, Radarr, Finn, Piper, Junko and Stork." He gestured to each and they smiled. "And this is Gil."

"Hallo." Prussia said with a bright smile. "I've heard a lot about jou guys. It's nice to actually meet jou."

"All good I hope." Piper said and Gilbert nodded. "It's nice to know Mattie found someone."

"Thank you for helping us." Aerrow said gratefully. Canada smiled gently.

"It's the same thing you did for me." Matthew shrugged. "You're like family. I wouldn't have just left you to the titans."

"How did the titans get here?" Finn asked. "They're terrifying!"

"We're not really sure how they got here." The blond said. "As far as we know it was a science experiment gone wrong."

"Very wrong." Finn said and the pair nodded.

"Humanity was almost completely wiped out when they came. There was close to eight billion people and now we're hovering around one million." Matthew shook his head.

"Wow." Aerrow said quietly.

"How did jou guys end up here?" Prussia asked raising an eyebrow wanting to get to a hopefully lighter topic.

"We were doing a normal supply run, but ended up walking in on a witch who was trying to steal from the cyclonians as well." Aerrow explained. "I guess she thought we were guards or something. She cast a spell and we were here."

"How long has it been for you since I left?" Matthew asked. "You still look young."

"It's only been like a month or two." Piper said shaking her head. "It was weird not having you remind us to eat well or worry about little cuts."

"Have you been eating well?" Canada asked with a smile raising an eyebrow.

"Oh yes, very well." Aerrow said with a nervous smile. The Canadian rolled his eyes.

AN: I always feel bad having Erwin as the bad guy. He and Jean are my favourite aot characters. I haven't watched or read aot since shining waves so it's been like two years tho.