Deploy

After being accepted in Survey Corps, Shen quickly earned the title of "Nature's Warrior". He was said to be stronger than the "Humanity's Strongest", but Shen cared little about it.

"You summoned me Commander?" Shen asked Hanji.

"Yes. I have a mission for you." Hanji replied.

"What mission?" Shen asked.

"You see, outside walls, there is this town, which is unaffected by the Titans. No one knew why Titans never attacked there. Later it was found that the town has a King, who somehow got hold of a technology that can control even Aberrant Titans. He is using it to torture people. We found one of the refugee recently. They sought help. They were injured badly. We couldn't save them." Hanji paused. "So we want you to save them, being the Nature's Warrior."

"I'll be on it tomorrow." Shen replied.

"Good. So tell me who you are taking in your team? Hanji asked.

"You know that I don't work in teams. Mostly they bring me down with them." Shen replied.

"Shen listen, you have all great qualities of a soldier, but you lack quality of a leader. Your team spirit is weak. You need to learn it well." Hanji said.

"But I..." Shen was about to reply when Hanji cut him off by saying, "I've assigned Vine for this job, since she's the only one who can handle you, compared to others who couldn't."

Shen clicked his tongue.

"You too have this habit like Levi?" Hanji said, shaking her head.

"Do not concern yourself with that. I'm going to meet Vine then." Shen said and left.

Vine was in mess hall, drinking evening tea, wanting to rest.

"May I have a word with you Vine?" Shen said, appearing behind her.

"Oh Shen? Yes, tell, what do you want to say?" Vine asked.

"Are you aware of the mission we are about to be sent?" Shen asked, sitting on the chair, opposite of Vine.

"Yes. I'm happy I'd get to spend more alone time with you." Vine replied.

Shen went silent.

"What's with the silence? Are you embarrassed?" Vine said smirking.

"Listen Vine. I think this is time you too know about the truth." Shen said with a serious face.

"Truth?" Vine asked.

"Come with me after finishing your tea." Shen said.

"Lets go." Vine said, quickly finishing her tea.

They both left the hall and was in the open courtyard.

"Tell me, what you wanted to say?" Vine asked.

"Hop on my back." Shen said, bending little in front of her.

"What?" Vine asked in confusion.

"Yes. Hop on." Shen said.

Vine listened to him and did what Shen said.

Shen jumped. Vine was surprised, as Shen jumped too high. She felt as if they both will touch the stars. She looked towards Shen. He was unfazed, as if he was habituated. She looked towards ground to check how above they were. The city appeared tiny. The street lantern lights appeared smaller than ants. She was wondering how high can Shen jump.

"Hang on Vine." Shen said.

Vine struggled to nod, but the winds didn't allow her.

Suddenly it all came to a halt. Vine, who was hiding behind Shen's back, struggling to stay on his back, peeked down, towards the ground. She saw Shen was floating in air.

"I'll drop you here behind this tree. Stay there and don't come out unless I tell you. Is that clear?" Shen said with a serious tone.

Vine who was still shocked nodded absent mindedly.

"I shall practice here then." Shen said faintly which Vine heard.

Shen dropped her behind a huge tree, and walked out in the open. Vine was still wondering who Shen is. He has inhuman strength, can jump, rather fly.

Moments later, Vine saw a group of Titans emerging out of darkness. She was worried for Shen. She looked towards Shen, to notice that he was grinning.

He adjusted his trousers, and a tail type thing came out.

Vine was debating whether what she has witnessed ever since she met with Shen in the mess was true or not, when Shen started screaming.

She looked towards him.

She noticed Shen's eyes turning red, body growing hairy, and suddenly he grew in size to transform into the Giant Ape creature again.

Vine again started questioning herself whether this was all a dream or not. She pinched herself twice to check, but no, it wasn't a dream. Its reality.

Within moments, the Ape creature killed all the Titans present in the area, and started screaming.

Vine suddenly remembered of the rumor that died long ago. According to the rumor, years ago a baby was found in an spherical object. It had spiky hair, was naked, appeared like a normal human, except for the fact that the baby had a tail. Suddenly, the baby opened its eyes and converted into a Giant Ape type creature, going on a killing spree, until morning. It vanished since then. The people named it, the Demon Baby.

Vine was surprised to know that the man with whom she was moments ago, is the Demon Baby.

The Ape creature converted back to Shen.

"I bet you are afraid of me, now that you've known about my true identity." Shen said.

"How do you know what I was thinking?" Vine asked.

"When you think, you use energy. I trained myself to read energy movements, leading me to read your thoughts. However, I can't read thoughts of people who have stronger minds." Shen replied.

"Why have you brought me here?" Vine asked, coming in a defensive stance.

"You think I'm going to kill you?" Shen asked and smirked.

"What's with that smile?" Vine asked.

"I hold the power in me to destroy this world, by just twitching my finger. If I wanted, I would've killed you all already." Shen replied. "Moreover, I was sent here to destroy this World, but see, you all are still alive, aren't you?"

Vine went silent.

"Come with me." Shen said and started walking.