Content Warnings:

•Season 4 Part 1/2 Spoilers
•Mentions of Death
•Strong Language
•Violence
•Ghosts
•Blood
•Death
•Panic
•Guns
•War

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Flashback

"I ain't cut out for this, (nickname)!" Your father exclaimed as he had attempted to fix your hair (disregard if you don't show, have or have very short hair). The poor man was still brand new to girly things and the older you got, the more difficult it was. "I'm gonna have to have Tamara help 'ya." The man sighed which made your face contort to disgust. "No way! I don't wanna be around her!" You complained and crossed your arms over your chest. "Sorry, (nickname), that's the way its gotta be." Your father shrugged then left your bedroom.

You sighed to yourself and looked in the mirror at your appearance. It was painfully obvious a man was the one responsible for how you looked everyday. Your clothes never matched and your hair was never neat (disregard per the previous statements if they apply to you). You, yourself, hardly knew how to take care of your appearance. Everyone else made it look so easy, especially at the Girls Home.

The next time you went, your father had stayed to chat with Mrs. Akimoto after dropping you off, probably to discuss the matter. If he was willing to learn, perhaps he would spare you the "bonding" with Tamara. You would rather continue to deal with mismatched clothes than have her be responsible for you, instead.

However, he still recruited Tamara to take you out to the market one day for new clothes as you were getting taller, outgrowing your old wardrobe. You were not at all thrilled, to say the least. You walked a few steps behind the obnoxious woman, not wanting to be seen near her in public. As you glanced around, you noticed all sorts of girls with their mothers as they helped them shop. To them, you looked no different but that was actually not the case. Tamara was not your mother and she would never be such. You always promised yourself that.

"Your dad said you need new clothes. Go pick out a few things." Tamara said coldly and pointed to a table of girl's clothes made by an old woman. You looked over at the table before approaching and politely nodded at the woman behind the stall. You felt incredibly overwhelmed by all the options, not knowing what looked best or what would fit. You stood there and pondered, eyes darting back and forth between each article.

"Um... I don't know what I like." You nervously confessed to Tamara after you approached her at a different stall. The strawberry-blonde woman sighed irritably before she even made eye contact with you. "How come?" Was all she asked with a bored look. "I... I uh..." You stumbled over your words, always nervous under her glare. "Come on." She sighed again and led you back to the clothing stall.

After that, you had no say in what she picked. She figured that since you did not know your own taste, she would make all the final decisions just to get it over with. She hated being around you just as much as you did. To her, you were nothing but a nuisance, and your dislike for her was not helpful for her reputation. Yet, you were surprised she had gotten you nice-looking clothes when she always tried to make you look bad. Although, it probably would not do her any good to get on your father's bad side when she constantly tried to be the sweet angel. You never understood why, though.

Flashback End

"What are you doing here?" You ask as soon as you realize your aunt, Lux, is imprisoned elsewhere. You had already asked Commander Hange if they would consider releasing her to help your squad in this fight but unfortunately, they thought it was too risky at the moment. You understand their point, as there is a lot going on, and releasing your aunt would only add to the problem when you don't have the time for it.

Jerking yourself away from one of the Yeagerists, you approach her cell, which will soon be yours as well, staring at her, wild-eyed. "Those same guys of yours brought me here." The older woman explains, meeting you at the bars that separate you. "We don't claim them, anymore." You mumble, glancing over your shoulder as the others bring your comrades. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you out, though." You sigh, looking down but you feel her hand reach out to lift your chin back up. "I don't blame you or anyone, its simply not the right time yet." She smiles anyway. "When this is over, you'll be free, I promise." You grin, sensing a presence approach you from behind.

Looking over your shoulder again, the same Yeagerist takes off your restraints and shoves you inside the cell along with your comrades. "Geez, could have been more gentle." You mutter, glaring at the man afterward. He simply gives you a look of disgust before following his comrades back out, after locking you in the cell along with your own comrades, ones you can trust.

Its not long until Sasha's family joins you in the large cell, your eyes widening at the sight. Why are the Yeagerists doing this? Her family has no part in this, why are they subject to being punished as well? Deciding to sit down to clear your mind, your aunt does the same, glancing around the room at your comrades. "I guess I've never properly met your team." The woman comments softly, almost admiring your comrades. Lifting your head, a small grin captures your face, nodding. "Yeah, why don't I introduce you, then?" You suggest, earning a nod in return.

Your squad groups around the table, exchanging looks with the stranger sitting beside you, wondering who she is. "Everyone," You start to gain their full attention. "Let me clear the confusion and introduce you to my aunt. She came back with us on the airship from Liberio. Unplanned, by the way." You chuckle slightly towards the end. Armin's sky-blue eyes widen a fraction, surprised by the news. "You have an aunt?" He asks, as if he did not hear you properly the first time. "Yeah, I was just as surprised as you." You laugh a little, trying to forget reality for a moment. "So... she's from Marley?" Jean questions, a bit confused by the story. "Yes, originally. Her mother and I were sent to Paradis many years ago but I returned to Marley by offering my aid to their Military. I never wanted to do anything with them but they promised my life if I offered myself." Your aunt steps in to explain.

Making a bit more sense now, the others nod in understanding. "Hey, that's pretty cool, though. Y'know, to find long lost relatives." Conny shrugs. "I think so too." You grin, glancing over at your aunt. "Thanks for listening, though." You then add. "We're honored to meet you, uh..." Armin blushes slightly out of embarrassment for not knowing her name. "Oh, just call me auntie Lux, or Lux." The (color)-haired woman crinkles her nose, making him smile. "Okay, Lux." Armin replies.

As the positive energy slowly dies out and reality settles back in, everyone falls silent for a few minutes as they scatter about the cell. "So? All we can do is sit here while it all plays out?" Conny asks out loud while he leans against the bars. "Armin, could you bust out of here as a Titan?" He then looks over at the blonde, sitting at the table still. "No. I'd just destroy the city. Unlike Eren's Titan, the Colossal Titan can't do something that precise." Armin responds, sipping tea that Sasha's father had offered him.

"So? Why did Eren beat you to a pulp? Its about time you tell us." Jean speaks up, standing near a wall. "He said hurtful things to Mikasa. I swung at him and he hit back." Armin answers calmly. "Huh?" Conny turns towards the blonde's direction. "He hurt Mikasa? How?" Jean questions further, protective over the ravenette. "Well-" Armin tries to explain but Mikasa cuts him off. "Stop. Its fine." She mumbles. "No, its not. What exactly did he say?" Jean continues to pry. "Forget it, Jean. We already know he's a total piece of shit. Now he's lost his mind and hurt the two people he should care about most." Conny sighs.

"I think if he was sane, he wouldn't do it without a good reason. Do you think there's some sort of meaning behind it?" Jean wonders but three people approach the other side of the cell. Turning to face that direction, you're caught off guard to see Yelena and Onyankopon with the Marleyan Nicolo spoke to earlier. "Long time no see, heroes of Shiganshina, and Lux. It pains me to reunite in a place like this." The lanky blonde female bows forward a bit, right hand resting over her heart. The mention of your aunt makes you glance her direction but she looks at Yelena emotionlessly. "Hey! You're on their side, too?! Let us out!" Conny barks at Onyankopon, gripping the bars.

"That's a lot to ask, considering you guys put me on house arrest. Just sit quiet and behave until Zeke and Eren meet." Onyankopon responds. "You..." Jean mutters as he approaches the bars. "Must be nice, Yelena. Everything went exactly how you planned. Through you, Eren moved how Zeke wanted. Raiding Marley, getting people's support, using wine to take over the Military... Now, Eldia and the Founding Titan are yours. You can crush Marley and avenge your homelands. Isn't that the real reason you came to the island?" He continues.

"This place was primitive. We brought it out of the past." Onyankopon speaks, looking to his left. "So you and your pals could enjoy it. Once you ruled, that is." Nicolo glares through the bars. "You were tricked and lost. That's all it is." The other Marleyan on the other side of the cell glares at Nicolo. "Greiz! Looks like you sold us out to get promoted to Yelena's lackey, you snitch!" The blonde Marleyan's brows stitch together. "Are you dumb? Its you who sided with the devils and betrayed us!" Greiz taunts as he grows closer to the cell. "What?" Nicolo furrows his brows further. "You had the hots for some Devil spawn who reeked of potatoes!" Greiz's words spark an outburst in Nicolo as he reaches his arm through the bars to try and grab him.

"I'm gonna kill you!" Nicolo shouts, being pulled back by Jean. "Chill, Nicolo!" Jean snaps, struggling to hold him still. "You wouldn't shut up about her, day and night. Stupid me thought you'd get a grip when the bitch died." This time, Greiz irritates you. Those hurtful words sting just as hard as losing your brother. You couldn't imagine anyone speaking like that about him. Hell, you would lose your mind.

"What'd you say?!" Nicolo yells, face showing complete anger. "I'll make it easy to understand. That spawn of the devil whore was-" Before Greiz can finish his sentence, Yelena points a gun barrel at his right temple, immediately pulling the trigger. Shrieks fill the room for the sudden murder but you stay frozen in shock, staring at the man's body as his spirit slowly rises out of his physical being. Eyes glued to him, he eventually notices your stare, exchanging the look before disappearing into the air in the blink of an eye.

"I apologize for his disrespect. This island has no need for those who would call you devils. Believe me, our true goal is nothing as hollow as getting revenge on Marley. Our goal is to end the cycle of hatred to save Eldia and even Marley. No more secrets. I'll tell you everything about Zeke's plan to save the world: his "euthanization" plan." Yelena apologizes for the man's behavior, going over Zeke's plan, after.

"Stop children from being born?" Armin asks the taller blonde after she explains a bit further. "Correct. That's Zeke's euthanization plan. All suffering brought about by Titans will disappear from the world. Gradually. Peacefully." Yelena responds. "Wait. How is that peaceful? If Subjects of Ymir slowly die out, we'll only have geezers to defend in the end. How do we protect ourselves? You think they'll leave us alone?" Jean questions. "The rumbling can serve as a deterrent as long as the Founding Titan and the royal bloodline are preserved. Fortunately, Queen Historia was blessed with an heir. As long as Subjects of Ymir inherit the Founder until her child passes away..." Yelena trails off.

"You talk like this is a sure thing." Jean glares at her. "Sure things... Certainties... No nation can claim to have them. Each one has its own share of problems. But there is one certainty, and that's the threat of Titans. Their history of tears and bloodshed will be put to an end... by Zeke and Eren. I don't know how long humanity will last but its hard to think that a greater feat will ever come to pass. People will speak of the brothers as legends for millennia to come. Like the gods of the past. Even after their deaths, they'll be seen as saviors who shone over humanity." Yelena becomes a bit teary as she talks.

Suddenly, Armin gets a bit emotional, himself. "Something wrong?" Yelena turns her head towards him. "No... But to think your cause was so noble... It touched my heart!" Tears trail down Armin's face, leaving you a bit surprised. "That's wonderful. I'm glad to know you understand." Yelena grins at him, tears still in her own eyes. "Yelena! Come quick! Invaders!" A man yells as he races down the hall towards her.
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Your head had started bugging you again, finding it best to sit down to try and collect some silence while you have the chance. Sitting against a wall, you bring your knees to your chest to rest your head against your bicep. Luckily, it doesn't take long for you to space-out, and forget the commotion surrounding you. Everything is peaceful for a moment, all you do is focus on your breathing, now.

However, though, a slight tremor is felt underneath you. Hardly thinking anything of it, you continue to inhale deeply before slowly releasing it. This time, a bright light shines through your closed eyelids, irritating your headache even more. Shifting, you bury your face within your arm now, hoping the light goes away. Unfortunately, the sensory morphs into different senses. Now, you feel a sharp pain in your hand, traveling to the side of your face. It goes on and on until finally, it feels like a burst, enough to make you jump in your spot. Almost paralyzed in place, your chest heaves as only your eyes scan the cell, meeting every single pair that belongs to your comrades.

"Y/n, what's wrong?" Armin asks gently, sitting at the table. "Did you have a nightmare?" Mikasa wonders, leaning forward across the table to see you. Jean and Conny exchange a glance, equally as worried but do not know what to say. Slowly, your head then turns up towards the right, seeing your aunt stand nearby, eyes wider by a fraction. "What did you see?" Her voice is almost mute. A warm sensation envelopes your head, almost feeling like you're in a bath, and a bucket of relaxing water pours over you. However, that is not the case when you cup the side of your face, pulling your hand away to inspect it. You're left with staring down at a trail of blood that got smeared from the pressure, the smell of metal overtaking your nose. Staring in shock, you do not realize that only you can see it.

"Y/n?" Another voice questions but you ignore the call, focusing on the blood. As you wipe your face again, your entire palm is stained crimson, the low candlelight reflecting in the living paint. Before you can delve too deep, a large object feels as if its impaling the right side of your waist. Cringing at the feeling, your eyes grow large when you fit all the puzzle pieces together. Abruptly pushing yourself up from the dusty floor, everyone follows your lead as you rush towards the bars. "Commander Hange!" You desperately shout, voice echoing throughout the empty hallway. "Commander Hange, please! Help us!" You yell again, clenching the cool iron bars.

Eyes stinging in frustration and desperation, your knuckles turn pale from the force you add, pressing your head between the bars. "Yelena! Anyone! Please!" Your voice grows weak from the straining volume of it. Confused and concerned, someone pulls you away from the bars to face you, eyes trailing up/down/across to land on hazel ones. "Snap out of it, Y/n! We can't have you lose your mind down here!" Jean warns, his expression showing genuine worry. Taking a few breaths, you slowly nod but quickly change when his face returns to your mind. "N-No! We have to get out, now!" You try to pry out of Jean's hold, only finding yourself being pulled away by him and now Mikasa.

"Stop! Let me go! We have to leave or else-" You get interrupted by Conny. "What the hell is going on?" He raises his voice over your fearful one. Feeling the need to step in, Lux places a hand on Jean's shoulder, looking up/down/straight at him with a calm expression. Meeting her gaze, the sandy-brunette turns to face you again before carefully releasing his hold on you. Eventually, Mikasa does the same, exchanging a glance with Lux. The older woman guides you to sit back down but at the table this time, holding your shoulders. Looking over her own, she meets the confused looks of your comrades. "She saw something that we can't see, I'm sure you all know of this?" She raises a brow, awaiting an answer.

"Yes, we knew." Armin decides to speak up for everyone, who is still comprehending everything that's happened in the last minute or so. "Y/n, what did you see?" Lux asks again, turning her attention back to you. Swallowing a lump in your throat, hands holding the sides of your face, you think about how your Captain would scold you for talking about this in the presence of a Marleyan. However, you have to reject his rules. "Captain Levi... he's..." Your voice falls quiet as your vision replays. "He's going to die... if we don't get there." You mumble, causing the others to gasp. "Is this your squad Captain?" Lux openly asks. "Yeah." Conny quietly answers, in shock over the news. "Tell me about it." Lux rounds your side, sitting in the empty chair beside you. The others follow along, gathering around the table while Sasha's family keeps their distance.

"I felt rain... and this burning feeling. There must have been an explosion of some kind but... its bad." You whisper, dropping your right hand to see even more blood on it, racing down your wrist to your forearm. "Is there a cloth? There's so much blood..." You mumble without much emotion, eyes glued to the palm of your hand. Puzzled, the others don't understand what you mean, as they cannot see any blood. Lux glances up towards your comrades before returning to look at you, slowly understanding. "Keep talking, Y/n. One of your friends will find a cloth." She gives Armin a look to which he complies, scrambling around in search of one.

"Zeke... he..." Your left hand snakes around your waist, grasping your right side. "There's something in him. It feels like... a Thunder Spear. It must have exploded and-" Your throat runs dry just as Armin retrieves a cloth from Nicolo, handing it over to Lux. The older woman quietly thanks the blonde before gently dabbing your dry hand off. The more you share, the clearer your vision becomes. Everything plays in your mind like you are there yourself, watching as a spectator. The fear in his eyes before the exact moment the pin comes loose is haunting, everything being lost in a blinding cloud-white flash.

Coming back to your true senses, you gaze down at your right hand which is no longer bloody but still faintly stained. Pursing your lips, you inhale deeply to hold onto for a moment, exhaling through your mouth. "Someone has to find Captain Levi before its too late... his injuries could be fatal from infection... neglect... He has to be found." You whisper dryly, rubbing your temple with your left hand. "Hopefully someone out there will. Maybe even the Commander if they're able to." Armin suggests, keeping positive.

After you've calmed down, Mr. Braus puts two-and-two together from overhearing your conversation, finally recognizing who you are. "You're... Y/n (Last name), right?" The older male steps forward from a corner of the cell, a bit nervous. Looking up, you gently nod at the gentleman. "Yes, sir. That's me." You respond, eyes on his. "The girl who sees ghosts?" He then asks, almost in denial that its actually you. A small grin forms on your face, grateful to have a change in subject as the vision of your Captain was giving you anxiety. "Yeah, still me." You nod again, sensing where this is going. You also feel Nicolo's sudden interest in the subject, curiosity getting to him.

"I've wanted to talk to you about your daughter, actually." You speak before he has the chance to ask his next question, which was in regard to Sasha. "You... did?" The man exchanges a look with his wife, expression showing slight shock. "I guess now is our only chance, if you don't mind." You show him the chairs across from you which he gratefully takes a seat. "Not at all, if you don't mind, of course." He shakes his head, sitting beside his wife. "First of all, she's always around. Including now." Your gaze trails off to the side where you see Sasha appear beside her mother. "And she's forever grateful for your love, Mr. and Mrs. Braus." A smile grows on your face when Sasha meets your gaze.
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The sound of roaring above ground echos in the far distance, causing pebbles of stone to fall from the ceiling. "What the?!" Conny exclaims, looking up. "Its begun. The Titans... have started to move." Armin replies. Suddenly, footsteps rush down the hallway, a man panting heavily with each strike. Now, on the other side of the cell's bars, you look up to meet a familiar face. "Onyankopon. What's going on outside?!" Jean shouts, gripping the bars. "Marley came flying in on airships. There's about 500 soldiers, plus the Armored, Jaw, and Cart. And Eren is fighting alone. But he's struggling. He's not gonna last. Marley will steal the Founder! Help us! We've gotta protect Eren!" Sweat beads on the man's face as his shaky hands fiddle with unlocking the door.

"Are you shitting me?!" Conny yells, bursting through the door once its unlocked, shoving Onyankopon against a wall. "What's this "we?!" This is your fight! Why should we listen to you, you traitor?!" Conny tightly grips his shirt collar. "S-Sorry! But if I went against Yelena, she would've blown my head off!" Onyankopon struggles to get out. "Eh?! You were just pretending to be nice to us while plotting to take over Paradis with your wine! I'm fed up with getting betrayed all the time! By Reiner! Bertholdt! Annie! Eren! I'm sick of it, dammit! Why the hell should we help Eren if it means none of us can have kids?! Well?!" Conny becomes more aggressive, worrying you, and your comrades.

"Wait!" Onyankopon gasps for air as Armin reaches out to place a hand on Conny's left arm. "Let's hear him out, Conny." Armin says calmly. "I honestly had no idea. The wine, the euthanization plan... The volunteers didn't know!" Onyankopon explains once he catches his breath but this provokes Conny. "He's telling the truth." Nicolo steps in, defending the other male. "Yelena told us to keep quiet. She said not to tell the volunteers." He finishes.

"Besides, I don't want Eldians to get euthanized! I want to build Paradis together and beat Marley side by side! That's why I threw everything away to come! I gave my all to the people of this island! And I did it because I believed this island had a future! Kids are the future! If the euthanization plan is carried out, what's the point of all our effort?! Believe me!" Onyankopon begs towards the end.

"I do." Armin confesses, looking down at the male kneeling in front of him. "Armin?!" Jean turns to face the blonde. "You once said this: "We exist because we're wanted, including Subjects of Ymir. Its more interesting with a mix of people." You've shown that your views basically go against Zeke's. You're that kind of person. On your feet, Onyankopon." Armin steps forward to reach a hand out and help the man up, to which he accepts.

"I believe you, too. But what now? If we help Eren and Zeke, it means letting the euthanization plan happen." Jean questions. "No, we can stop the plan. But if we owe those two, we can't protect the island." Onyankopon's voice goes quiet. "So, what are you saying we do?!" Conny raises a fist, startling the man. "If nothing else, show off the rumbling's might to the world." He answers. "The rumbling's might, huh?" Conny mocks, not really believing him.

"What do you think, Mikasa? Do you want to help Eren?" Armin decides to ask the ravenette beside him. All eyes turn to her as well, waiting for a response. "I want to. But like Eren said, its probably because of that... Because I'm an Ackerman. This isn't my own will." Mikasa replies, looking down at the red scarf in her hand. "I think Eren lied and made that up." Armin says sternly, finding it foolish. "But its true that I get headaches from time to time. Why do you think its a lie?" Mikasa asks nonchalantly. "Why...? Huh? You guys honestly think Eren wants to stop Eldians from having children?" Armin looks around the quiet room.

"While I don't think its like him, its not that outrageous-" Jean begins to respond but Armin cuts him short. "It is outrageous! This is Eren!" The blonde's sky-blue eyes are wide. "So why doesn't he oppose Zeke and Yelena?!" Conny interjects. "'Cuz he doesn't have to! The Founding Titan's power is ultimately his to use! When Yelena brought up the idea to him, we had no other choice! If he refused, who knows what Yelena would've done? But if he goes along with it and convinced them he's their ally, he can protect the island with the rumbling! Nobody will dare touch Paradis Island for 50 years!" Armin balls his fists confidently.

"I've been saying Eren's dangerous since we were cadets." Jean speaks up after a long silence, jaw stiff. "That he's a shithead who would lead us into hell. Still, I always envied that asshole for being so cool. And it pisses me off to say it but I don't want him to die just yet." Jean confesses, catching you by a bit of surprise that he would admit that. "I'm sort of proud of you." You mumble, earning a subtle eye roll from the sandy-brunette.

"Yeah. If he dies like this, I can't slug him in the face." Conny holds the side of his head. Lifting his gaze, Onyankopon gasps. "Let's go!" He calls, leading you all towards the staircase. "Follow Nicolo and Sahsa's family. Its too dangerous for you on the battlefield." You order, glancing over at your aunt. "Understood." She responds as you follow the others, trailing just behind you. Its been a painfully long day, feeling as if you had been imprisoned for months, already. Your only hope as of this moment is that Captain Levi is found and well. You don't know how your squad will survive without his lead, granted, Commander Hange is still alive in the hands of Yeagerists.
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Gearing up in your original ODM, you almost feel as if its taking in a breath of fresh air. Finally, you will be doing something to help but also, you've missed the wind against your face from flying around on your gear, especially the original kind. Leaving the base, you silently follow your comrades up a set of stairs, guns and Thunder Spears in tow.

Just overhead of you, two burning Marleyan airships plummet to the ground, a trail of smoke following behind as they explode from impact. This, is now an entire war zone, as you had done to Liberio. Nothing will ever be the same after today. As smoke clouds gradually make a clearing, you're able to spot part of the Wall, beyond the current battle.

"The Shiganshina gate was blocked." Jean comments, noticing the lack of exit. "Zeke brought down their ships!" Yelena exclaims from behind you, standing on top of a half wall, arms extended from her sides. "The moment which shall change history is at hand!" Her eyes twinkle in astonishment.

Spotting Eren's Titan slowly limping toward Zeke's on top of the Wall, the Beast Titan throws crushed rocks straight at the Armored, temporarily taking him out. "Um... I think Reiner's the one that needs help." Conny stares with wide eyes. "Why... is Zeke... here?" Jean mumbles, his memory filling in as soon as the words get past his lips. Turning to face you, your eyes meet him halfway, knowing the answer. However, he understands that he has to act as if none of you already know what happened. Then, Jean narrows his eyes on the back of Yelena's head, angry. "Hey! What happened to Levi and Hange?!" He yells. "It seems they were beaten by Zeke. He promised to meet Eren at a certain time and place." Yelena responds smugly.

"There's no way!" Conny grits through his teeth. "We don't have much choice! Only Zeke and Eren can save the world! We've gotta help the Yeagerists bring them together!" Armin announces as he stands in front of Yelena. You all quickly draw your swords upon her reaction, which is a deathly stare, straight down into his eyes. Armin's own eyes stare back into her dark ones, showing as much fear as one would for a Titan. Then, suddenly, her face contorts to that of a happy child, confusing you for a second. "Please help Zeke and Eren. I believe in you." She smiles warmly.

Immediately, you all spring off the balcony, and head into action. Marleyan soldiers litter Shiganshina, a town you once knew as a lively one. One that took a turn for the worst and became the open door to a lifetime of war. Landing on a rooftop, you position yourselves behind a chimney, spotting the Beast Titan just in time for a weapon of some kind to blow out his shoulder and neck.

Dammit!

As the Beast leans forward, his body falls to the ground in slow motion. A large cloud of dust fills the atmosphere surrounding his limp body, unmoving. However, Eren keeps pushing forward, needing to meet Zeke no matter what.

Peering over the roofline, your eyes grow large when the Jaw Titan unhinges its jaw to latch onto Eren's left leg. Almost unfazed, Eren swings his hardened arm down into the Jaw Titan's nape, smashing it flat until he's no longer biting his leg. As Eren goes in for a finishing blow, something zips by and completely blows off Eren's hand and part of his forearm. "What the hell was that?!" Conny exclaims, shocked to see the hardened crystal Eren formed to be taken off so easily. Narrowing your eyes to see better, you spot the Cart Titan on top of the wall, where Zeke used to be at. "There!" You point up at the Cart.

"The Cart Titan! We've gotta deal with her first!" Armin shouts. "Armin!" Mikasa gasps, just as he finishes. She lunges for the blonde, rolling away with him as a few bullets pierce the shingles where he once crouched over. Conny spots the two soldiers responsible for the charges, swinging over to throw a Thunder Spear through the window. The explosion erupts inside the house, debris shooting out. "They're in the houses!" You hear him shout over the ruckus, to Armin, and Mikasa.

"Fall back! This way's no good!" Jean waves his direction, shooting his anchors to retreat. Pushing yourself up off the roof, you follow the younger male's lead through the city. "We've gotta take out these soldiers." Mikasa comments, near you. "Yeah." Armin agrees, glancing to his right when you hear voices. "Wrap around! Let's get behind them!" You see dozens of Garrison soldiers on horseback, splitting between two streets.

Landing on a different building's roof, you crouch next to Jean as you wait for Armin to land. "He's got the right idea. We can't fight them head-on. Let's sneak behind 'em." Armin looks over his shoulder at the remaining Garrison. "Not a bad idea. We should consider it." You turn your gaze to Jean for his opinion in the matter. "Armin and Mikasa should take down the Cart. Y/n, you too. They could use your ODM agility." The sandy-brunette responds. Just then, you hear a loud roar, probably belonging to Zeke.

Its begun...

Dozens and dozens of bright yellow-green flashes blind Shiganshina, signaling the spawn of Titans. All of which were once your comrades and superiors. "Dammit..." You curse under your breath as you make your way towards the Cart Titan for the sneak attack. You were so close to avoiding Zeke's scream but alas, you failed, and now your Military has taken a blow to its members.

Armin goes in for the initial blow, tossing a Thunder Spear straight for the Cart's rear. "Bring him down!" Marleyan soldiers shout as they evacuate the Cart Titan's giant gun, aiming for the blonde. Quickly, you swing in with Mikasa from behind and tear the two soldiers to shreds before they have the chance to harm Armin. "Its over! Its over for you guys!" The Cart Titan narrows its eyes on you both. "We've only just started." You mumble to mainly yourself, no sight of giving up on any of your horizons.

Charging in for battle, Mikasa goes straight for the Cart while Armin dodges a snap of its jaws. You jump in to help by raising your swords, flying past the Cart's face to distract it while Mikasa attempts to chop off its limbs. Then, you hear the deafening sound of a powerful gun blast, everything seeming to go deaf after it.

Falling back to the Wall, your head throbs with an obnoxious rumble, sounding like the world is ending. What is it? Why is it so loud? You can barely hear yourself or anything surrounding you, its terrifying. The once clear blue sky is pooled in scarlet, shifting to a world of absolute destruction, no longer a safe haven. Trembling, you feel the surface beneath you crumble into minuscule particles of dust. Then, you feel the wind catch you as you fall back to the ground, almost forgetting your current state, thinking you're playing a game of free-fall with your brother, Quincy.

As your eyes slowly shut, you accept the game, wanting to win. You always want to beat him, no matter what. As the wind becomes stronger, the closer you near the ground, your breath is suddenly stolen, causing your eyes to pop back open just in time. A thick bolt of lightning strikes nearby, large enough to be the Colossal's presence, if not larger. Cracking beneath you, large grooves form in the Wall just as you had seen moments ago.

No... This can't be real!

The Wall begins to crumble beneath the Cart, shocking Mikasa, and Armin just as they are ready to fire their Thunder Spears at it. With time running out before you actually plummet to the ground, you hear several explosions sounding as the ring of Shiganshina's Wall follows the same fate. Titans, so many of them, too.

There has to be hundreds... if not thousands!

Spotting Armin and Mikasa, you run off what is remaining of the Wall, immediately launching your anchors to follow them to safety. Skidding to a stop on a roof, you watch in horror as these beasts all follow one leader, made entirely of bones. Staring, paralyzed in your spot, the leader is humongous, even more so than the Colossal. Coming to your senses, you feel Eren. It has to be him in there, leading the thousands of Colossal Titans to Marley. He started the rumbling.

Buildings crush beneath their deafening footsteps, not moving away to avoid objects. Anything in their path is doomed and there's nothing one can do about it. To be on the receiving end of this terrifies you to no other, what have you just allowed to slip past your fingertips? Is this truly the end?

"What is that? Its enormous... It looked like it appeared from where Eren was. That's..." You can just barely hear Mikasa speak over the thunderous doom. "He did it! Eren did it!" Armin shouts but both you and Mikasa struggle to hear. "Speak up!" She shouts, only looking like she was moving her lips. "We won!" Armin's mouth moves but neither of you can understand. "What are you saying?!" You plead in fear, not knowing what to do. "Eren has control of the Founder! If the rumbling has begun, Eren's the one behind it! He's gonna crush the global alliance assembling in Marley! Eren's our ally! He's always been!" Armin yells as you lean in closer with Mikasa to hear him.

You were both right. It is Eren leading the charge to Marley. "Where did Jean and Conny go?!" You frantically look down at the streets below you, in search of the rest of your squad. Nowhere in sight, you fear the worst for them. They could have gotten trapped in the midst of it all. Not now. Those two felt like brothers to you and you were all so close, even closer since Sasha passed. This is the very last thing you want to deal with.

"You're kidding! That's odd... No it can't be! Mikasa! Y/n!" Armin shouts over the rumbling, catching your attention. Turning around, there are no longer any Walls in sight, something you never thought you would see. "Even Wall Maria has come down! If he's just crushing the global alliance, what's the point?! Shiganshina's Wall should be plenty! Why give up the Walls to attack?! If he's just crushing the alliance in Marley, why use so many?!" Armin's eyes are wide in fear.

Suddenly, you're transported to a place full of sand, and gleaming stars. In the middle of it all, it looks like a beaming, crystal-white tree, branching out like roots at the top. "Hear me, Subjects of Ymir." A familiar voice fills your head, as you find yourself back in Shiganshina. "I heard Eren's voice!" Mikasa gasps as you all transport to the strange location again.

"My name is Eren Yeager. I'm using the Founding Titan's power to address all Subjects of Ymir. I've undone the hardening of Paradis Island's Walls and the Titans buried within have begun their march. My goal is to protect the people of Paradis Island, the place I was born. However, the world wants to exterminate my people, and not just on the island. They will not stop until every last Subject of Ymir is dead. I refuse to let them. The Wall Titans will trample every inch of the world beyond this island until every last life beyond our shores is wiped out." Eren's echoing voice fades away.

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Words: 6,663

04/10/22
Again, I was not expecting to have another chapter up so soon but that's usually how I go, after one is published, the next is up within a few days and then, I disappear for a few weeks <3

I may also try to slow down a bit to stretch out my book because we're already in season 4 part 2 and there's not much to go off of, especially now that the series is over, besides the remaining manga chapters. If I catch up with the anime, I may have to write based off the manga which will be different for me but I'm not opposed.

Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying the book and once again, thank you for reading! I really appreciate it! Until next time!

~AlpineBreadStick