You woke up, again. You were exhausted, your energy was drained. It looked you were riding back to the walls. 

And from the looks of it, the mission did not end well. 

Eren was lying next to you, his arm loosely wrapped your figure, waiting for you to wake up. 

He noticed you moving and looking at him, his eyes were wide and with heavy emotion. It was like he was in disbelief. 

"Y/n...you're real right? It's not a dream...you're actually here."

"Mmm..." You nodded, tears welling up. 

He chuckled, tears running down his face. 

"Y/n...I saw you...you died. You weren't moving or breathing, when that happened I just---" His voice broke out in a sob. 

"It happened so fast..."

"I'm sorry, for making a bad choice." He apologized weakly. 

The tears finally fell as you began to cry, crying harder than you thought. Like the tears you were holding back just came out. 

You wanted to forgive Eren, wanted to give him a sign that it wasn't his fault. 

But you knew it was...it was his decision. His decision has caused this...

But even if he didn't choose to stay, would they still be alive?

You all arrived back at HQ in one piece. You listened to the voices of everyone in the crowd, they knew you all have failed, so many lives were lost. In this moment, everyone had lost faith in the Survey Corps. 

All you could do was hide your face in shame. 

 You stood from outside the empty mess hall, apparently Commander Erwin needed to have a conservation with who is now left of the Captain Levi squad and a few others. 

"Y/n?" Eren asked. 

You turned to him and gave him a weak smile. 

"Do you remember what happened?" He asked. 

You tried to, but everything seemed to fall blank. You shook your head. 

"You...transformed into a titan."

Your eyes widened. 

No...

No... you couldn't have. 

"I'm serious. You transformed into a titan. Nearly killed me in the process."

Since when!? How...!?

"You never knew...?"

Of course, you don't know! What the hell kind of question is that!?

"We need to tell the Captain. Section Commander Hange could help--"

You shook your head. 

You weren't so sure. 

'Now's not the time.'

"Now is the perfect time!"

'Can this wait!?'

Eren couldn't believe you. 

"You can't seriously hide this from them!"

You shook your head again, looking away. Eren scoffed. 

"Fine then." Without another word, he stormed off into the mess hall. 

You collected yourself as best as you could before entering after him. 

....

 You were situated in the empty mess hall. Eren and you were dressed in your scout uniform while Captain was dressed in casual clothes. 

Why was that?

While Eren and Captain were talking, Captain sipped his tea. Once he placed his cup down, he let out a low groan as he rubbed his thigh. Your eyes widened in realization. 

He's injured...

Eren stayed quiet and looked away in shame. 

"I'm sorry, Captain. I did this...if I hadn't made my decision. I could have--...they wouldn't--" His hands began to ball up into fists. 

You stared forward, your energy still drained. As much as you wanted to comfort Eren, you couldn't bring yourself to. 

"You did what you had to at the time." Captain replied. 

The door opened revealing Mikasa, Armin, Commander Erwin and a few other people. My eyes slightly widened. 

What were they doing here!?

They all sat down and began to talk. You wanted to listen, but your mentality was still drained from what had happened. But on certain topic piqued your interest. 

The female titan identity. 

Your eyes slightly widened. 

They know it too!? Could they be thinking the same person you were thinking. 

It had to be her. She and the female titan have the same scent. Not to mention they share a tight physical appearance to each other. 

"We think it's Annie." Armin answered. 

I KNEW IT!!!

"I can't help it but, there's a lot of evidence that's tied to her. I really can't explain." Armin explained. 

"Well, if you got no evidence, might as well try." Captain replied. 

"It's our best option." Mikasa added. 

Eren abruptly stood up from his chair. 

"Are you serious!? What the hell is wrong with you!? What kind of evidence is that!?"

"So basically, we're going after her without proof." Captain said. 

"You gotta be kidding me. You all can't believe that it's her, right?"

No one responded. Eren turned towards you.  

"Y/n! You can't believe this too, right!?"

You looked up at Eren, your eyes dull. You looked off to the side. 

"I'm sorry Eren. But I'm with them on this one..."

You slowly took out your journal and wrote it down. 

'They're right. I knew it the whole time...'

Eren looked at your face, then your response. He sat back down, defeated. 

"What do you mean you knew the whole time!? Why didn't you mention it!?" Eren asked. 

'Even if I did, would you still believe me!? Would anyone believe me!?'

"Let's all calm down. Y/n, you said you knew this whole time? Care to explain?"

The room became silent as everyone awaited your answer. 

'My senses are heightened above human. For some reason I'm able to sense things others can't. Eren...you carry this sensation that is different from others. You had it for a long while, it only became stronger when you became a titan shifter and transform into a titan. The same scent was on Annie too. It didn't take long for me to put two and two together when the female titan attack.'

"No way..." Armin said. 

"You seriously want us to believe that!?" Eren argued. 

You glared at Eren. 

'See!? This is why I didn't want to mention it!' you signed at him. 

"Eren, calm down." Mikasa said calmly. 

"Interesting..." Erwin mumbled. 

'Believe it or not! But it's better evidence than going after her without any proof! You said you wanted to fight alongside me, Eren. That means we have to trust each other. So believe me when I write that this is the truth...' You held up your journal up, eyeing Eren in the process. 

"I--..." Eren turned away.

"If you had this all along, then when Hange's titans were murdered. Were you able to differentiate the senses from their titans to Annie's?" Captain asked. 

You nodded. 

"Well, that settles it."

Eren flinched, still not wanting to believe it. 

"Eren...I know you see it too. When you were fighting the female titan back there, didn't you see any resemblance of her fighting stance?" Mikasa asked. 

Eren's eyes widened. He seemed to be in deep thought. 

"Thank you, Y/n. If it haven't been for you, we would have been targeting Annie without proper proof. I believe what you mentioned about heightened senses. You and Zacharias aren't so different after all." Commander thanked you. 

"Eren, if you're on board with this. We already have a plan set up to catch her. That is if you choose to cooperate." Commander said. 

You looked at Eren for his answer. He let out a sigh. 

"Alright..."

*Time Skip*

Here they come. 

You saw Armin come back with Annie a few steps behind him. 

"Thanks again for helping us out Annie." Armin said. 

"So I'm just here to help Eren get away from the king."

"Yeah, that's all."

You began moving and soon reached an underground stairway. As you began to head down, Annie stopped in her tracks. You all turned towards her, confused. 

Oh no...is she getting suspicious?

"Come Annie, we go down here."

Annie still didn't move. Eren became annoyed. 

"What? You're not scared of dark narrow places, are you?"

Eren, don't provoke her!

"Yes. I am. Not like a suicidal bastard like you would understand. Either we're going above ground, or I'm not helping."

You narrowed your eyes at her. 

"What the hell are you even talking about!? Hurry up and get down here!" Eren yelled. 

"Shh! Eren! Keep your voice down!" Mikasa hissed. 

"Why shouldn't he? I don't know about you, but I see no people around this area."

If only she knew...

The atmosphere suddenly became intense. You decided to do something. 

'I can walk down with you if you want.' you signed. 

"What did she say?" Annie asked, not understanding sign language. 

"Y/n offered that she can walk down with you if you want." Mikasa answered. 

Annie turned to you; she was slightly amused. 

...

"I see...you never did change. You're still as kind and empathetic person that we all admired. Only now, you're not naive anymore." she replied. 

You furrowed your eyebrows. What did she mean by that?

"How would I know you're not just offering to lure me into a trap. Attack me once I have my guard down. Like you did the last time."

"...!" You stepped back in disbelief. 

"Leave her out of this and let's go." Eren stepped in front of you. 

You looked towards Armin's direction; he was gripping his hidden flare gun. 

"Annie...why did you have Marco's gear? I helped him fix it...how did you...?"

Marco's gear...?

"Oh that...I found it..."

"Those titans that Hange captured. You killed them didn't you!?"

You narrowed your eyes again. You can't lie your way out of this one, Annie. 

"So...what if I did? I didn't expect you to corner me like this." she turned towards you. 

"And Y/n...I didn't expect you to be so frightened of me. Even after everything, all those times you stared down at me with those dull eyes of yours. Why are you afraid of me now?" She asked, her eyes narrowing at you. 

Your eyes widened as you tried to hide your tension. Eren flinched back. Knowing where this was going. Mikasa and Armin were confused. 

She really is the female titan...

"Eren? What is she talking about?"

"Judging by your face, you admit that what I'm saying is true."

"I..."

No, she's talking like two of you knew each other longer than that. But you don't understand her. How does she remember you, but you don't remember her?

"That's it Annie! Enough of this! Just come down with us! Prove to us that you're not a threat that everybody says you are!" Eren shouted. 

"No...I can't." Annie replied. 

"Enough with that shit!"

"Annie...just please...talk to us." Armin pleaded. 

"Annie..." 

Annie didn't respond. 

"Enough...I can't listen to this." Mikasa interrupted. She took out her blade. 

Things are getting way too intense!

"Tell us what you're up to or I'll slice you to shreds...female titan!"

Everything went quiet. 

Then...Annie...started to laugh. She kept laughing. 

Your eyes widened as you continued to step back. She's going to do something. 

"Guess your gamble paid off Armin..." Annie lifted up her hand. You saw a ring on it. 

"ARMIN! NOW!" Eren shouted. 

Armin shot his flare gun and Annie was soon pinned down by reinforcements. Or at least...held back by them. 

You saw her move her hand again, the ring on her finger whipped out a sharp blade. You internally gasped. 

She isn't!

Mikasa knew what was happening quickly, she grabbed your arm and raced you away. Eren and Armin quickly followed. 

"GET DOWN!!"

Before they could ask what was happening, a flash followed by a huge explosion went off right behind us. Flying you all back. 

You landed harshly on the ground, but somehow quickly regained balance. You looked behind you to see the smoke disappearing. 

Your eyes widened...there was blood. 

Shit...she killed all of them...

"Is anyone hurt!? Can you stand!?" Mikasa asked everyone. 

You nodded. You were okay for the most part. 

Mikasa wasted no time sitting around, she grabbed you by the arm quickly before a giant titan arm reached inside to grab you all. 

"Did she bite her tongue!? Or used something to draw blood!?" Armin asked. 

"No, she has a blade attached to her ring. I saw." Mikasa explained. 

"Looks like our plan failed. She knew we were up to something from the very start. It's time for plan B."

"Let's focus on getting out of here first." Mikasa replied. 

You all raced down the alleyway and found a couple of members from your team approach you. 

"There they are." Armin said. 

"What's going on? Did the plan fail!?"

"Yes! It failed!" Armin answered. 

Just then a loud boom was heard. Stumbling you all back. 

"She smashed her foot in here!? How did she know where we are!?" Armin shouted. 

"I have to transform now. I can block her attack somehow." He turned towards you. 

"All of you stand near me." He bit his hand. But nothing happened. 

"Dammit! Are you serious!? Why now!?" he fell to his knees, blood leaking from his mouth and hand.

"I can concentrate on anything right now! Damn...this hurts like hell." he added. 

Should you try...?

No, if Eren said what he saw that day was true. You transforming would only cause more suspicion towards the Corps. 

Mikasa knelt down beside him. 

"Eren...think about what Annie's done. Think about what she did to your squad. You may have thought of her as the female titan before. But this time, it's really her."

"I know that! I just can't!"

You were fidgeting nervously, Annie's presence around the area was driving you mad. 

"There isn't much time! We need to get into position! Mikasa, we need to continue with plan B. Y/n, come with me!" Armin said. 

You followed Armin one way, Mikasa went down another. 

"Wait! What about me!? How will you three be able to fight!?"

Probably somewhere safe!

"The world we live in is a cruel place. Tainted with cruel people. Remember that Eren." Mikasa said before running off. 

Armin and you managed to get out, that's when you heard a loud boom. You mentally shouted. 

Yay! Eren!

You followed Armin up a building and watched the scene unfold. And just as you thought, Annie and Eren were soon battling. 

"He's trying to stop her." Armin pointed out. 

Eren was fighting with all his might, but he was losing to the stronger female. 

Come on Eren. Don't give up...

Armin noticed your worried features. 

"It's okay, Y/n. We have cadets with us. We'll be able to capture her."

But what if you don't? What if people die...just like last time?

Eren was knocked down and Annie soon made a run for it. She's getting away!

Shit! 

No way the other cadets can stop her! But maybe you can...

As much as you hated to use this...

"There's no other choice!"

You soon zipped off, catching Armin off guard. 

"Y/n! Where are you going!?"

You ignored his calls and continue to zip towards Annie. 

You could hold her off long enough for help to arrive, you hope this works. 

You weren't going to hold back like the last time. 

Old Author's Note: Possibly a double update today?