Your friends remained frozen, not taking another step as Nicolo held the knife dangerously close to Falco's throat. The same arm holding the knife was held against you, keeping you in place. You shot a warning look to your friends, telling them not to try anything.

"Stop...! Please, not Falco!!" Gabi pleaded for her friend's life.

"What's this brat to you!? He took the hit for you! You care about him!? I cared about someone, too! She was an Eldian! Spawn of the devil! One who loved my cooking more than anyone!! She saved me from this shitty-war! Her name was Sasha Braus, the girl you stole from me!" Nicolo exploded.

"There were people I cared about who were killed too! They were shot by your Sasha Braus! That's why I got revenge! She killed people first!"

"Who gives a damn who killed first!" Nicolo wasn't hearing what Gabi had to say, pushing the knife dangerously close to Falco's throat. Gabi wasn't helping her case either.

"Nicolo...give me the knife. Come on." Mr. Braus finally spoke. Your stomach dropped, your eyes pleading at Nicolo handed the knife over to him.

Mr. Braus made his way over, your grip tightened around Falco. You wanted to say something, make Mr. Braus reconsiders. But that would be almost selfish of you. It wasn't your choice. But at the same time, Falco doesn't deserve this!

"Don't do it, Mr. Braus." Hange stepped forward, trying their best to diffuse the situation. "Please put the knife down."

"She was a hunter, y'know?" he answered.

"Huh?" Hange asked, a little confused.

You listened closely as Mr. Braus went on to say that it was up to the adults to carry the sins of the past. To your shock, giving Mrs. Braus the knife, who safely placed it down on the table.

"Nicolo, let Y/N and Ben go." she ordered calmly. Nicolo was hesitant to do so but eventually you felt his arm loosen his grip.

You wasted no time getting your distance away from him. Your legs almost gave up from the shakiness, Mr. and Mrs. Braus were quick to come to your side and slowly brought you down to your knees. 

"Let's set you down now...easy does it." Mr. Braus spoke calmly.

"You alright?" Mrs. Braus asked. You nodded.

"Thank you..." you spoke before gently laying Falco onto the floor. Being mindful of his head.

"How did this happen?" Mrs. Braus asked.

"Nicolo hit his head with a wine bottle. I'm more worried if there's glass shards in his wound." you explained.

"Mia...you okay?" Mr. Braus asked.

Gabi's words caught in her throat as she was trying to take everything in. You could sense that she was both in disbelief and confusion. After everything she's done, why was everyone treating her and Falco so nicely?

"Do you...really not hate me?" she asked. Just as she said that, you saw a figure coming in from behind her.

"Wait, STOP!!" you called out.

Mikasa wasted no time catching and stopping the hand with the knife being held. Which was seconds away from being plunged into Gabi's head. The culprit being a blonde hair girl whom you never met before.

Mr. and Mrs. Braus quickly apprehended the girl, who was called Kaya. Kaya with obvious pained fury in her eyes screamed at Gabi.

"How dare you kill her! You murderer! I thought you were my friend!!" she yelled. Her words made you flinch, but you wanted to keep your focus on helping Falco.

"Y/N, are you okay?" Hange asked.

"I-I'm fine. I'm fine. We need to rinse his face–!" Your words stopped. It was then that now getting a closer look, you smelled something familiar.

–

"Here..." a familiar man gave you a small bottle. You studied curiously.

"What is this?" you asked.

"This is a very important substance. Spinal fluid from a titan shifter." Your eyes widened.

"You mean...this turns Eldians into titans?" you asked. The man nodded. You began to get scared. Why were you holding this? It wasn't your time yet! The man laughed.

"Don't be afraid, child. It isn't time yet. I gave you this sample not for you to taste, but to smell."

"Why? I didn't think this would give off a smell." you responded. The man opened the bottle for you, guiding it towards your nose.

"I want you to remember this smell. You never know whether someone in your life would try to trick you into drinking it. We live in a twisted world, child. You must learn to outsmart those who may be against you. Tricky to deceive your enemies, but dangerous to show them no mercy..."

—

"...!!" you recoiled back in shock. Your eyes widened as you started breathing heavily. Hange looked at you in surprise.

"Y/N!? What—!?"

"WASH IT OFF!" you yelled, pointing at the wine stains on Falco.

"What do you mean–?"

"NOW!" In an instant you were storming towards Nicolo, with such speed that Jean and Connie couldn't react fast enough.

*SMACK*

Everyone in the room gasped as you smacked Nicolo across the face. So hard that a bruise was already beginning to form. You grabbed him by the collar of the shirt and pulled him forward to face you.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" you exploded.

"Y/N–!"

"The bottle! You knew what was in there!? YOU BASTARD!! Who else did you give it to!?" you demanded, staring at Nicolo's frightened and almost calm expression with intense fury.

"Y/N, ENOUGH!" Hange got ahold of you and got you away from Nicolo. You continued cursing out Nicolo as Hange calmly brought you out of the room.

"Go with Armin and Mikasa to check on Gabi. We can take it from here."

"Hange, you don't understand–!"

"Y/N! You need to calm down!!" Hange spoke to you sternly, the look they were giving you was enough to snap you back to your senses.

They let out a heavy sigh, relaxing their hold on you.

"Just...go. We can take it from here. We'll wash whatever is off of him immediately." Hange gasped as you grabbed ahold of their arms, staring at them with pleading eyes.

"Please...! Bastard might not even say it, but there was something in the wine bottle. Falco's in trouble." you told them before sprinting off to find Mikasa and Armin.

Knowing Hange, they would have tried to pry if you told them that what was in the wine bottle was Zeke's spinal fluid. You weren't going to have to explain to them about how you were even able to sense it.

Your chilling words were enough for Hange to quickly go back in the room and demand Nicolo for answers.

—

"Y/N!" Armin said your name as you abruptly entered the room. You tried your best to look presentable and calm, but your anxiety was still up.

"What's happening back there? Is everything okay?" he then asked. The look on your face was a dead giveaway that everything was not okay, so you tried speaking instead.

"They're helping Falco out right out. He should be okay. Nicolo is still apprehended. I might have exploded on him so Hange sent me here." you explained. You gasped slightly as Mikasa was suddenly by your side and took a hold of your arm.

"You should sit down." she said, not giving you much of a choice to argue. She gently guided you towards their table. You can only stare at her in awe.

"Mikasa..." you thought. You then realized you were staring for too long and looked away. Your face was getting hot.

"Dammit! Why now!?" You were placed down in a seat. Right next to Gabi in fact. Both of you become tense a bit and shift awkwardly. It was quiet for a moment before she spoke up.

"Why did you protect me?" she asked the three of you.

"I don't have a reason for that." Mikasa quickly responded. Gabi's eyes met yours.

"You mostly protected Falco, but you still tried to protect me. I don't get it. You were there when I killed your comrade. I'm the one who bludgeoned the guard. Falco didn't do any of it. It was all me. Kill me instead, not him." she continued.

You said nothing as your eyes drifted onto the table. But you shook your head, letting her know you didn't want to kill her.

"...we won't kill you." Armin answered.

"But you want to, do you?"

"I don't want to kill you. Kill this, kill that. Is that all you think about? Just like someone I know." as he said that, you heard the door open.

You looked over to see who was walking over. Your eyes widened as your tongue caught in your throat. You abruptly stood up by instinct. Mikasa and Armin both shared your wide-eyed expression.

"Eren–!" Armin began to speak, but Eren lifted up his hand. An open cut was present on his palm, you gripped the table sheets, keeping your lips sealed.

"He cut his hand!? More importantly, how did he find us!?" you thought. If he was here, then that could only mean...

"Shit...the damn Yeagerists are here? There was a rat in the restaurant, how else would they have found us!" 

"Y/N...take a seat." The first thing Eren says to you in a while. It didn't sound like a request. Not wanting any trouble, you slowly sat back down in your seat. Your hands laid out in front of you.

There was then a knock at the door.

"We're going ahead." you heard Floch's voice. Eren replied with a simple okay. You aren't surprised he would have ended up with the Yeagerists. You regretted not punching his face back then.

----

Everyone was silent. No one attempted to speak, you certainly weren't going to. You knew Eren was going to escape. He told you after all during your meeting with him in his cell. But with everything that's been happening, you were scared out of your mind right now. Especially with Eren's open wound to which you feared he might transform at any second.

"I just wanted to talk with you guys in a quiet setting. We can settle Eldia's problems without conflict. Hange and the others will be fine. We're just moving them."

"We're the ones who wanted to talk to you. We just wanted to know what you were thinking Eren...what made you decide on your own to attack Marley....if Zeke and Yelena have really gotten you on their side...?" Armin asked.

Eren looked over to you, his emotionless eyes staring at your fearful ones. He looked at you because he saw your lip's part and you were fidgeting. He was giving you a silent warning.

"I am free..." Eren replied as he leaned back in his chair.

"Huh...?" you three asked in confusion.

"Whatever I do. Whatever I choose. I do it out of my own free will."

"You met Yelena in secret the night of the rail opening, right? Has this been all your free will since then?" Armin asked.

"That's right," Eren replied.

"You're wrong. You're being controlled. You're not the kind of person who'd involve innocent civilians and children, even if they live in the enemy state. You've cared for and thought about us more than anyone..." Mikasa said.

"Mikasa...I don't think he's that person anymore." you thought sadly.

"Haven't you!? You saved me from being kidnapped...and wrapped this scarf around me...out of your kindness, right?"

"I said keep your hands on the table," Eren ordered darkly.

Mikasa flinched and did as she was told.

"Eren--" you opened your mouth to protest, but Eren shot you a warning look.

"You've always been good at keeping your mouth shut. Why are you struggling to do that now?" His words would have cut you deep, you could feel Mikasa and Armin flinch in anger from that comment.

You however kept quiet again, returning Eren's dark look. Telling him not to go there. Unfazed, Eren faced forward again.

"I hid in Liberio and spoke with Zeke. Brother to Brother. I learned a lot then. Zeke knows a lot more than Marley does." Eren replied.

"Armin...you're still going to by and seeing Annie, aren't you?"

Armin flinched at his question.

"Is that of your own free will? Or is it Bertholdt's?"

"Wh...what do you...?"

"If memories play a big role in forming who a person is, that means part of you as become Bertolt. A part of an enemy soldier that feels love for another enemy soldier is influencing a significant part of your judgement. You, an advisor to Eldia, holder of the nine titans. You weren't like this before. You never backed an enemy. Your judgement was always able to lead us to the answer. But every time you open your mouth now, it's 'let's talk' you're absolutely worthless. Armin...Bertolt's gotten to your brain. You're being controlled by the enemy."

You watched Armin's expression turn into pure horror as Eren said those words.

"Eren, stop...!" you weakly said, trying to stop him.

"Eren! What are you trying to do!?" Mikasa asked.

"I'm just saying. There's nothing further removed from freedom than ignorance. I learned about the Ackermans there too. The reason you're strong, Mikasa."

You began to get a bad feeling about this.

Eren then began to tell the history of the Ackermans and how they were built to be protectors of the king and follow orders.

"In other words, you cling only to me....because of your instincts as an Ackerman."

"Eren! Stop it...! Please!" your voice becoming a little louder as Mikasa sat there, stunned. But of course, Eren pretended like he couldn't hear you.

"You obeyed my order at that moment when you were facing death. "Fight" Apparently when all those conditions are met, the instincts hidden inside the Ackerman clan's blood will awaken. You were even given the experience in battle accumulated by every past Ackerman by way of a path. All because you happened by chance to trick yourself into believing I was the host you had to protect."

"You're wrong..." Mikasa said.

"I am? How?"

"It wasn't...by chance...It's because it was you...I was able to become strong. Because of you, Eren...it was because of you..."

Eren coldly brushed off her words as if it was nothing. Your heart was breaking for her. 

"Apparently once an Ackerman awakens, they often find themselves suffering from headaches. They say this happens out of the true self trying to resist being forced to protect its host...sound familiar?"

Mikasa's eyes widened.

"No..."

"What I'm saying is, the real Mikasa died at the age of nine years old. Leaving only you behind, ever faithful to your Ackerman instincts."

"Eren! Why would you--!?" You covered your mouth, stopping herself. Armin looked at you.

"Tell her what!?" Armin asked. You faced forward with an expression of horror.

"Y/N...what did he tell you? No...is that what this is about. Is he making you do something!? He's making you hide something from us, isn't he!?" Armin was beginning to connect the dots, but he still didn't have a full answer.

"..." you looked at Eren. His emotionless eyes on you again. He was warning you silently again.

"I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn."

"Y/N!!"

"Leave her alone, Armin. Now..." Eren ordered.

Armin opened his mouth to protest but you shot him a pleading look. He listened to you and backed down. Eren's attention went back to Mikasa.

"No...I..." Mikasa was on the verge of breaking.

"A clan who lost their true selves, created only to follow orders. In other words...slaves."

"Stop it, Eren!" Armin shouted.

"Do you know what I hate most of this world? Anyone who isn't free. That, or cattle."

"EREN!" Armin said louder.

"Eren, STOP IT!" you cried out.

"Just looking at them made me so angry. Now I finally understand why. I couldn't stand to look at an undoubting slave who only ever followed orders."

You could see Mikasa being utterly destroyed by Eren's words. You couldn't take it. Eren then glanced at you as if giving you a sign of what horrible thing he was about to say next. Your eyes widened.

"Eren...don't do it." You begged, tears threatening to come out of your eyes.

"Ever since I was a kid...Mikasa...I've always hated you."

That done it...

*CRASH*

The chair behind you fell as you abruptly got up from your seat, your hands gripping the table sheet.

"EREN!!!" You screamed out.

You looked at Mikasa, tears were coming out of her eyes.

Armin immediately retaliated.

"EREN! HOW DARE YOU!?" He went to throw a punch at Eren but was immediately blocked by Mikasa, which surprised us all.

"MIKASA!?" You cried out.

"See? All you've ever done is life according to what your Ackerman blood has told you to do."

"N-No!" Mikasa cried out as she let go of Armin.

"That's all you are!"

Armin managed to throw a punch at Eren, which sent the table falling forward and onto the ground. Eren was knocked out of his chair. At this point you've reached your limit and began crying.

"ARMIN, DON'T!" you cried out. But Armin was already throwing another punch, which Eren managed to dodge and throw a counter one on him.

Eren grabbed ahold of him and threw him towards the glass cabinet. Armin slammed against the cabinet, glasses fell onto the floor, creating a loud noise.

"Mister Yeager!!" two Yeagerists burst into the room at the noise. It was like your body was frozen. You couldn't move.

"I'm alright." he simply replied. He continued facing Armin, who was struggling to pull himself together. He wiped the blood from his mouth.

"Armin...we've never fought before, huh?"

Armin went to throw another punch but failed when Eren punched him instead. Which then he then proceeded to beat him up.

But before he could land another hit on Armin, something inside of you snapped.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" you rushed towards the two of them and grabbed Eren by the hair, pulling him back. You managed to land a hit on his nose as you did.

Eren grunted as you continued pulling him back, but unlike old times, Eren wasn't going to let you beat him that easily.

"GRK--!" Eren managed to land a hit on your face and push you away, you slammed against the fallen table.

"Y/N!!" Mikasa cried out as she ran to your aid.

"Ngh..." you groaned in pain as you rubbed your swollen cheek. You looked down at your hand to see it stained slightly with blood. Your hands shook at the sight. You can't remember the last time you've been hit like this.

Being hit only caused more trouble as seeing Eren hit you gave Armin enough adrenaline to try and hit at him again. To which Eren expected and focused his attention back on him.

"YOU DON'T TOUCH HER!" Armin yelled. To which Eren continued his beatdown.

"Y/n..." Mikasa tried finding her words, but she was still being weighed by too many emotions at once. Her hurtful expression was enough to anger you more.

But your priority was getting Eren off of Armin. Not having no other choice, you dug into your coat and whipped something out.

*BANG*

A bullet flew past Eren's direction, grazing his cheek in the process. The sound loud enough to stop his actions and slowly back away from Armin. Armin fell to the ground, completely defeated and hurt from the fight.

The bullet you just fired was shot through the wall, nearly missing Eren's head by a few inches. Your intent wasn't to kill him, just to get him to stop.

Everyone turned in your direction, seeing a pistol in your hand. Mikasa eyes were wide, both in shock and confusion. Since when were you keeping that!?

Rage was just pooling through you at this point, you didn't even notice blood was dripping from your nose. You aimed your pistol at Eren, causing the two Yeagerists who were also holding guns to point them at you.

"Drop your weapon!!" they ordered.

"I don't take orders from you." you coldly said.

"We will shoot!"

"Shoot me and I'll land another bullet through his skull." That was a lie, but you'll maybe aim for his legs.

"You little--!!" Eren held up his hand, signaling one of them to stop.

"Lower your weapons. She won't shoot" Eren continued before slowly turning to face you.

"She doesn't have it in her." despite his emotionless face, his tone was almost mocking. Your hands shook slightly.

"Want to test that theory?"

"Y/N, don't!" Mikasa finally spoke up. She looked at you with pleading eyes.

"Please...just stop." You couldn't say no to her. You lowered your pistol but gestured Eren away.

"Get away from him." you ordered. Eren only stared at you as he slowly backed away a little. You wasted no time running to Armin's side.

"Y-Y/n..." You heard Armin weakly say.

"Armin..." You broke down crying, helping him up slightly. Mikasa slowly went to join you two.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." You cried weakly.

"I knew it...you wouldn't turn against us..." he spoke weakly.

---

Eren's emotionless eyes remained on you, crying as you checked to make sure both Mikasa and Armin were alright. His focus was on your swollen cheek and bleeding nose. He physically shook a little at the sight.

"Y/N." he spoke. You looked up at him, your expression flashed from anger to fear as he brought his hand up to his chin and made a forward motion with it.

'We need to talk.' he said through sign language.

"Mister Yeager! Are you okay!?"

"I'm fine," he grunted. He put his attention on three of you again.

"This wouldn't have happened if you told us where Zeke was. Come along and behave. Take 'em along with the brat who killed Sasha. But leave her. We have unfinished business." he order to two Yeagerists, pointing at you.

"What!? No!" you cried out. But of course, that didn't do anything. Mikasa and Armin also weren't keen on the idea.

"Eren, please! Don't hurt her!" Mikasa begged. Armin grunted as he struggled to get up from Mikasa's arms.

"Is that it? Is that all you came to say? That you wanted freedom just you could hurt Mikasa and Y/N? Tell me: who's the slave that bows to a bastard again?" Armin asked.

Eren physically reacted to that question, giving a hateful glare to Armin.

"Who are you calling a slave?" He asked aggressively.

"He's right though. And you know it..." you spoke figuratively. The look Eren gave you would have sent shivers down your spine, but you held your ground.

"...I liked you better when you didn't talk." He said to you.

You didn't react but Mikasa and Armin definitely did. They didn't say anything, but their expressions told you that they never expected Eren to say that.

"Let's go." he continued.

"Where?" Mikasa asked.

"To Shiganshina. Where it all started." The Yeagerists began to take them out of the room.

"No! Stop! Don't take them away!" you began to retaliate, but Eren held you back.

"You'll join them later," he said.

Soon it was just the two of you. You harshly yanked your arm out of Eren's grip, you made your way towards one of the tables. You quickly wiped away any tears to straighten yourself up. 

You were shaking. So many emotions were pouring through you. Mostly you were afraid. Why did he make you stay back? What is he planning on doing with you? 

"You should really take better control of your emotions. You won't like where you end up if you don't," he said as he wiped his nose.

"..." you didn't reply as you gradually tightened your fists.