Three years ago, before the events of the attack on Marley occurred. The so-called devils of Paradis Island didn't come up with the attack all on their own. You guys had a little bit of help along the way.

It all started when Marleyan ships made their way towards the island. Once the warriors had failed their mission, it was up to them to figure out the truth. Hange took this as an option to gain new allies.

The first fleet that came was immediately subdued, managing to get all of the occupants on board "hostage." One of them you learned the name of Niccolo.

It didn't take long for the main ship to arrive, you hid along Jean, Connie, and Sasha. Watching as Hange came running forward. Eren was carrying the main ship onto shore.

"Hello, friends from Marley! Welcome to Paradis Island!!" Hange greeted them.

"I'm Hange, here to greet our guests who've come so far across the sea! Come along, let's have some tea! By the way, we're already friends with this guest that arrived before you! Isn't that right, Niccolo!?" Hange gestured to where Captain Levi was holding Niccolo hostaged.

You let out a sigh while watching the scene play out, hiding behind the rocks with the rest of your friends.

"This is not going to work..." you whispered.

"Not really any other way to convince them, Y/N. Besides we have Eren to intimidate them," Connie softly spoke.

"Knowing them, that's not good enough. If only my ability wasn't limited to just Eldians..." you added. Manipulating them would have been much easier.

"Shh! You two, quiet down." Jean shushed. But you ended up being right, the plan was beginning to backfire.

"Captain! Forget about me and shoot these devils!!" Niccolo shouted.

While Hange tried to calm Niccolo down, the Marleyan soldiers on the boat were beginning to retaliate.

"Understand this, you disgusting devils! Marley doesn't mingle with filthy blood! Go drink your pig piss with your filthy friends!" the captain yelled as he aimed his gun at Hange.

"Huh!? Are you sure you want to do that!? Even though there's a titan standing behind you!"

You were surprised that despite being carried all the way here, they didn't notice Eren in titan form standing behind them quietly the entire time.

The captain wasted no time running to the ship, Sasha began to take aim.

"Sasha, wait!" you stopped her.

"What is it?" she asked.

You said nothing as you can see one of the soldiers slowly making their way behind the captain as his back was turned.

"We'll never yield to you devils! Well, say hello to this!"

*BANG*

Everything went quiet for a moment; you could see the captain falling to the ground. Having been shot in the head by that soldier you were watching. Your friends stared forward in shock; you were surprised yourself.

"Hands up, Yelena!"

The named soldier, Yelena, took off her helmet as the rest of the soldiers on board were subdued.

"Hange, I'd be happy to accept your invitation. Let's have tea!"

Was this a trick? No, she was serious.

—

Apparently the two soldiers who decided to become your allies were named Yelena and Onyankopon. They seemed pretty compliant in sharing information and answers, however you guys still had your doubts.

Although your abilities in emotions were only effective to Eldians, you had some limited ability to sense deception in non-Eldians. You were highly perceptive, being able to find the tiniest hints if someone was lying.

"Before we have some tea, mind if Y/N here checks you out? I think it will help us be a little more at ease." Hange explained.

They didn't put up a fight, which was already a good sign. They also seemed to know you.

"So, you're Y/N. The current holder of the Root Titan, second daughter of the L/N family. Marley's traitor." Yelena practically said everything to be known about you.

The air was almost tense as you could feel your friends looking from Yelena to you, waiting for you to react. Even Onyankopon looked over at Yelena before looking at you. You said something but slightly smirked.

"Is that what everyone is calling me back at home?" you thought.

"Trying to distract me now?" you asked.

"No, do what you need to." Yelena replied.

You stared at the both of them for a while, trying to make out any tiny details in their expression. They just continued to stare forward at you, their eyes not leaving your form. You were kind of creeped out.

You closed your eyes to tune into your sensitive ears.

"Why did you do it? Shoot your captain I mean?" you asked.

As Yelena explained their reason, their heartbeats remained the same. No quickened pace or any sudden movements. You opened your eyes.

"No deception. Either they're really good at hiding it or they're telling the truth." you spoke, turning to face your group.

"You can watch us from afar if that makes you all comfortable," Yelena suggests. You looked over at Hange.

"I say we hear what they have to say," Hange decided.

—

Your friends watched from the sidelines, carefully watching the hut that Hange and Levi were speaking with the two new allies.

"Sasha...wake up." you whined, trying to shake Sasha's head awake.

"That huge lady of theirs shot and killed their comrade. Wonder what her goal is." Connie spoke.

"Who knows? Whether friend or foe, she's still not to be trusted."

"Eh? Not taking my word for it, Jean?" you asked teasingly. He was almost flustered at that.

"You said it yourself! You couldn't tell!"

"They're not Eldians so of course it would be harder for me. Even now, I can still sense no deception." you explained while continuing to ruffle Sasha's hair.

"Y/N...stop it!" Sasha whined.

"Wake up then!" you argued. She yawned in response.

"Sasha, no napping!" Mikasa pulled her up by the ponytail.

"But their willingness to share information is unbelievably lucky for us." Armin spoke.

"Yeah, we've been really lucky. We stopped their landing by pure chance. If Marley comes in force, we'll be screwed. We've gotta do something." Eren replied, everyone turning to face him.

It was quiet for a moment before you spoke, "And what exactly would that be, Eren?"

Eren said nothing as the both of you locked eyes. Of course, he wouldn't tell you. He already knows you've been suspicious of him for a while.

Before anyone could catch on, you quickly changed the subject. "Think I should try interviewing the allies we make and adding it to the book?"

—

It was then that you all found out there have been secret agents in Marley. Their goal, to protect the Eldians.

A meeting was held with the higher ups, Hange read on the paper which explained Zeke's plan. But of course, some were not happy about the idea of aligning with Zeke. Which was understandable, he's the reason former Commander Erwin and hundreds of other soldiers were killed in retaking Wall Maria.

While listening, you recorded important things said during the meeting. You couldn't help but agree with some of the doubts being said. It was obvious there was more to Zeke's plan than what he wrote on the paper.

"According to Zeke, he has a secret plan to solve the Eldian issue. To carry it out, it requires the Founding Titan and a Titan with royal blood," as Hange read, you saw Eren react to those words. You glanced momentarily at him, sensing something bubbling up inside of him.

Suddenly, he stood up. Everyone went quiet as they turned to face him. You stopped writing, wincing at the almost intense emotion he was feeling. You took in deep breaths, trying to calm yourself down.

"He's telling the truth. I remember the one time I was able to use the Founding Titan's power," as he explained, Captain turned to face him.

"You...why did you keep quiet about this for so long?" he asked.

"I was concerned for Historia's safety. I couldn't let her get made into a titan based on some hunch. But it was careless of me."

"We'll talk about this later,"

"What about you, Y/N? You think what Zeke says is true?" Hange asks while they hand you the paper. Thanks to Historia's promise to you on researching what she could do in your family's past with the royal family, you were able to find out the ability to sense deception on objects touched by Eldians.

Upon letters she sent to you, she explained that indeed, your ancestor and the first holder of the Root Titan did work under the royal family as their personal advisor. You weren't surprised though, with the ability to manipulate emotions. Negotiations back then must have been easy to settle with.

"What he wrote here is true," you spoke while handing the paper back to Hange.

"That settles it, Zeke's secret plan holds up."

"Are you nuts!? You're really going to trust them!?"

"We can't have all those soldiers on the island!"

"We ought to hang 'em!"

Hange explained you couldn't do that. You guys were in need of volunteers.

—

Thanks to the secret agents, you were able to lure more fleets onto the island and capture more Marleyan soldiers. It was fun for the most part, discovering a whole new world and seeing how complex everything was.

"By the way, why do you have dark skin Onyankopon?" Sasha asked one time. You whipped your head over to her.

"Sasha...! You can't just ask that!" you began to scold her.

"Because our creator thought, 'It's more interesting with a mix of people.' You subjects of Ymir are the same. We exist because we were wanted." Onyankopon answered.

"Who created us?" Armin asked.

"The one who gave the Founder Ymir power. God." He was right in a sense.

—

"Huh? You guys have never tried seafood before?" Yelena asked as you and some of your friends looked down at the foreign dishes in front of you.

"Niccolo's a master of Marleyan cooking."

"Jerks. If you don't like it, don't eat it. Eldians like you don't–"

"Sasha...!" you gasped as Sasha began devouring the food in front of her.

"SO GOOD!" she turned to you.

"Y/N! You have to try this!"

But before you can argue, she stuffed one of the weird looking fish into your mouth. You gagged in surprise before your eyes sparkled in amazement.

"Hey, no fair!!" Connie complained.

"This is good!" you complimented, eating calmer compared to Sasha.

"Niccolo! You're a food genius!!" Sasha started to cry. Niccolo seemed to like that comment.

"S-stop eating like a pig!" Niccolo scolded. Connie also joined the digging in. 

"At least you have manners..." he spoke while watching you eat. 

"Compared these two!? Of course, she does!" Jean commented. 

"There's plenty more, so take your time." Niccolo went back to facing the pot. He was definitely flustered.

"Y/N, are you open for another interview with me?" Yelena asked, grabbing your attention. You gulped down your food before speaking.

"I should be, whatever time works best."

"...May I also join you?" Niccolo asked. Your eyebrows went up in surprise.

"Huh? Really? You said you weren't interested, at least talking to a traitor like me. Why the sudden change of heart?" you asked.

"I changed my mind, that's all. Is that a problem?" he asked, almost getting embarrassed at your questioning. You shook your head in amusement.

"Not at all."

—

You covered your ears as Eren practiced his shooting at the range. Armin was happily talking about how despite the initial tension, the soldiers you "captured" were slowly warming up to you all. Setting aside all of your differences.

"Armin. Have you seen Bertholdt's memories?" Eren suddenly asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. But there's nothing really helpful." Armin replied. You wondered what was with the sudden question.

"There's not much time. Zeke has less than three years left,"

"Uh, about that. Is it really okay to go forward with Yelena's plan?"

"What do you mean?" Mikasa asked.

"Is using the rumbling to threaten the world the only way to protect the Eldians? That will make us devils that terrorize the world. Shouldn't we try to talk before it comes to that? Talk about any misconceptions." Armin suggested.

"Misconceptions? What misconceptions?" Eren asked.

"You know, like how we're scary."

"The world sees us as monsters who can turn into Titans. They're not wrong."

"But there are Marleyans who look like us," Mikasa said.

"How many? Most of the Marleyans are sitting in cells."

"I think we all just need more time," you spoke.

"That's right. And to buy us that time, we have to keep them at bay." Eren replied while taking the shot.

"...what's with that kind of attitude?" you asked.

"What are you getting at?" Eren asked. You glanced away.

"Nothing, you just seem...different lately."

—

*NOW*

"What's a Marleyan like you doing here!? Get out of here! This graveyard is for all the people, your kind killed!"

"Stop it, please! He's with us!" you argued while pushing the man away from Niccolo.

"Can somebody help me out!?" you called out. Jean, Connie, and Mikasa rushing to your aid. The man eventually stopped.

"Damn, Marleyans. They should just piss off." he grumbled before walking away. You turned to Niccolo.

"Are you alright?" you asked.

"Dammit...! She's...Sasha's really dead, isn't she!?" Niccolo cried. You stared at him, trying to hold back tears.

"Yeah." Connie answered. After Niccolo calmed down, you all explained what happened.

"Y/N tried to diffuse the situation but the kid who sneaked on the airship ended up shooting anyways. Killing Sasha? It's too ridiculous to be true..." he spoke.

"It was no ordinary girl. She'd been trained."

"A warrior candidate?"

"I let my guard down, that's how they were able to board the ship. I'm sorry,"

"No...I should be the one apologizing..." Everyone turned to you.

"I was stupid. Stupid to think of using words to try to stop her. I felt it. The bloodlust, the anger. Getting revenge was the only thing on her mind. I thought that by directing all that anger on me, she would have pulled the trigger on me." you explained, your eyes staring at Sasha's grave.

"But you would have died!" Mikasa spoke.

"And Sasha wouldn't have–!" you argued.

"You shouldn't feel regretful. You did everything you could to prevent it. You guys shouldn't be apologizing. All I did was cook her food," Niccolo replied.

You choked back a sob. The number of times you've been told it wasn't your fault was starting to get frustrating. You really wanted to believe it, but you just couldn't.

"But that just tells me how you really feel, Y/N. Willing to take the fall if it meant saving your friends." Niccolo added.

Sasha's family came by to pay their respects and mourn, you all gave them some space. Niccolo offered to cook food for them for free, which Sasha's dad accepted. He turned to you.

"You the chronicler?" he asked. You nodded.

"I see...we heard what you did." you bowed your head down.

"I'm sorry! Sasha...she was a good friend to me. I didn't know her as well as everyone else might have. She treated me kindly despite all of that." you paused to wipe the tears.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save her...!" you couldn't meet his eyes. Mikasa and Jean placed one of their hands on both of your shoulders.

Sasha's father went quiet for a moment. Seemingly trying his best to keep it together. He shook his head slightly.

"No. We don't blame ya for what happened. Not one bit." he continued.

"I—We just wanna make a request. If you can write a little something for Sasha. It doesn't have to be much. Something to honor her by."

It was then he gave you the idea for something new to write in the book. A chapter dedicated to all the friends who have lost along the way.

You finally faced him; he was holding out his hand for you to shake.

"Of course," you sniffed.

After Sasha's funeral, you took the time to reflect on a lot of things. You couldn't help but shake the feelings of doubts you had. As much as you tried to push these thoughts away, it kept flashing back.

Why does everything that happened so far make you feel like you're right back to where you started when you were on Marley's side? Instead of finding ways for peace, you all unleashed attacks because you didn't have a choice.

While recording for the book, you found yourself mumbling to yourself as you tapped the pen against the paper. You understood his reason back then.

"In order to live...we must fight. Fight...or we all die."

"Isn't that right...Eren?"