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A few days prior
[Levi]: They're so slow..-Levi says, taking a sip from his cup- Erwin and the others... making me wait... I'll be escorted out by Military Police Brigade at this rate..-He takes another sip before continuing- If I were to guess, he's probably dealing with constipation...
[Y/n]: Huh..-(Y/n) lets out a small laugh as while placing a lock of her hair behind her ear- You're talking a lot today, Captain..-Levi rolls his eyes-
[Levi]: Don't be ridiculous. I've always been quite talkative..-He places his empty cup on the plate and pulls himself up, but stops once his foot starts to ache. Eren notices this and looks away from him-
[Eren]: I'm sorry. It's only because I made the wrong choice back then... that we're in this situation...-He says, while (Y/n) lowered her eyes to the ground, remembering the death of Levi's squad-
[Levi]: I told you..No one ever knows things will turn out..
[Y/n]: Captain Levi...-She starts to speak while Levi looks at her in silence- Huh, Louis-san. He is very hurt?...
[Levi]: He is healing in his own way...-He said, (Y/n) nods while looking at Levi's expression-
Then, the sound of the dining hall doors open, making the three turn their heads.
[Erwin]: Apologies for the delay..
[Eren]: Not at all, sir..-He says, (Y/n) and Eren opened their eyes as Louis walked over to Levi, revealing Jean, Mikasa and Armin next to Erwin- You guys!..U-Um..
[Erwin]: We've found a suspect who's believed to be the Female Titan..We'll definitely apprehend them this time..-Erwin goes to layout a map and discusses a plan to the small group- Our plan is for the day after tomorrow, during our passage to the capital where we are to answer the summons--at Stohess District. It will be our first and last chance. If we miss it, the capital will take custody of Eren and (Y/N), and it'll likely become difficult to investigate those who plot to destroy the walls. Consequently, the fall of mankind will draw even nearer. We'll wager everything on this plan..
Everyone was sitting at the table, (Y/n) was next to Eren, looking at Erwin. (Y/n) and Eren nod their heads as he looks between the two.
[Erwin]: The plan is as follows: As we pass through Stohess District, Eren and (Y/N) will act as bait and lure the target to this underground passage..-Erwin points on the map- Upon bringing them to the lowest level, judging by their size and power, their movements should be fairly restricted, even if they transform. However, on the off chance they transform before that, They are the only ones we can count on, Eren, (Y/n)...-The two seemed shocked for a bit-
[Eren]: Yes, sir..As for the target..Are we sure she is in Stohess?..
[Erwin]: Yes, our target is a member of the Military Police..
[Y/n]: The Military Police?..
[Erwin]: It was Armin who arrived at that conclusion..-Eren lets out a little gasp as he turns his head towards Armin- He believes the target also Killed the two captured Titans. She may be a former trainee from the 104th, like you two..-They both gasp slightly as Eren leans forward in his seat a bit-
[Eren]: W-Wait a second.. The 104th?..
[Erwin]: The name of the girl we believe to be the person of interest is.. Annie... Leonhart..
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Annie had transformed herself into the Female Titan and causing the civilians that were holding her, killed. Inside the tunnel, (Y/n), Armin, Mikasa, and Eren look behind themselves to see blood, a lifeless body, and broken pieces of the pavement.
[Armin]: S-Shit..-Armin muttered as Annie's Titan hand budges in the tunnel, trying to grab them. They react to this and begin to run away from the hand as it was trailing behind them- Damn it. That ring... So she saw through me from the start, after all! She even noticed the ambush we planned too. There must've been another way to do this!...
[Mikasa]: Reflect on it later and let us know. What should we do from here on out?..-Mikasa questioned as her, (Y/n), and Eren look over at Armin-
[Armin]: For starters, we'll regroup with the 3rd squad, get above ground, and move according to Plan B--Fight Annie--Fight the Female Titan. Eren and (Y/N) will transform like we discussed and assist with the capture. You'll do it, right?...
[Y/n]: Yeah!..
[Soldier]:....-From a few yards, a soldier notices them running and shouts- Hey!...
[Armin]: It's the 3rd Squad!...
[Soldier]: Did the first capture attempt fail?...
[Armin]: It did! Switch to plan B!...
Suddenly, Annie's Titan foot stomps down on the soldier and the roof as this makes the four stop running. A gush of wind and dust fly around as the four cover their faces from any harm. When it starts to clear, they lower their arms and gasp when noticing the Female Titan's foot.
[Armin]: She stomped right through the ground?!..
The female Titan lifts her foot, revealing the two soldiers' bodies, beneath the rubble.
[Eren]: We have to save them!...-He was going to go towards the bodies but Mikasa grabs him and pushes him back-
[Mikasa]: Eren, get back!..-Eren looks at her while exclaiming, She stops dragging him and mutters- Is the Female Titan trying to show she doesn't need (Y/N) and Eren alive?...
[Armin]: It was her wager...-The three turn to Armin as he looks to his right, looking down at the rubble before him- She stomped through, wagering that the two of them would survive. As reckless as it was, it makes things harder for us now..-He turns away from the rubble and starts to run, leading the other three running too- Annie is desperately trying to abduct them both!..
The three kept running until they got far enough away. They kneeled down as Armin mutters
[Armin]: What should we do? Our escape route was cut off. If we try using our 3D Maneuver Gear, we'll become targets instantly. That said...-Another crash interrupts his sentence as they once again cover their faces from the dust. The dust starts to slowly get clearer, making Armin continue his sentence- Staying here's not an option when we could be crushed anytime.--
[Eren]: I'll figure something out, like how I was able to block that cannon fire that time. Just follow me!...-He pulls each of them up and pulls them close to him, foreheads almost touching- Here we go. Stick close to me..-Eren lifts his hand up to his mouth and bites on it, blood spewing as (Y/n), Mikasa, and Armin close their eyes, ready for the transformation to happen. The three open their eyes as Eren's face starts to pale- Again?! No way...-He falls to his knees and mutter- At a time like this... Damn, it hurts!..
[Armin]: If you don't have a clear objective, you can't transform, right? Visualize and focus on it again..
[Eren]: I know!...But..-He bites down on his hand again as nothing happens. Only blood drips from the hand and splatters on the cold ground. Mikasa kneels back down and says-
[Mikasa]: Deep down...you're still hesitant to fight Annie, aren't you?..
[Y/n]: Eren?.. Don't tell me you're still thinking that we're mistaking Annie as the Female Titan..-(Y/n) states sharply-
[Mikasa]: Did you not see what happened earlier? That woman's the one who killed our comrades, right? Do you still not see that?..-Eren shuts his eyes and shouts-
[Eren]: Shut up! Can't you see I'm trying?!...-He looks at Mikasa, frowning. He goes back to biting his hand as the memory from a few days ago occurs in his head-
~~~~~~🕊🕊~~~~~~
[Eren]: Annie's the Female Titan? Why... Why do you think that, Armin?..-Eren questions as Armin looks down at the map-
[Armin]: The Female Titan knew what Eren looked like from the start. Furthermore, she reacted upon hearing Eren's nickname, "the reckless idiot", when only our generation should know about it. And above all else, Annie was likely responsible for the murders of Sawney and Bean, the test subjects...
[Y/n]: How can you be sure about that?...
[Armin]: Advanced techniques were required to pull off those murders, so she must've used her 3D Maneuver Gear, which she's proficient with..-Eren looks away from Armin-
[Eren]: Yeah... but that's what the equipment inspection was for. Annie came out clean..
[Armin]: Annie brought Marco's Maneuver Gear to the inspection. That's why she maneged to avoid getting caught...
[Y/n]: Huh? Wh-What are you saying... How is Marco involved in this?..
[Armin]: I don't know...
[Eren]: Couldn't you have been seeing things?...
[Armin]: No, that was definitely something I--
[Levi]: Hey, kid, we've already heard that...-Levi blurts out- Isn't there anything else?..-Armin shakes his head again-
[Armin]: Not that I know of...
[Mikasa]: Now that you mention it Armin, I believe Annie's face resembles the Female Titan's...-She says, Eren gets up from his seat quickly and looks at her in confusion-
[Eren]: Huh? What're you saying? Reasoning like that is--
[Louis]: So basically, you have no evidence, but you'll do it?..-
[Eren]: No evidence? What's with that? Why're you doing it then? What'll you do if it's not her?...
[Mikasa]: If it's not Annie, she'll simply be cleared of suspicion..-Mikasa answers-
[Armin]: Should that be the case, I'll feel sorry for Annie. However... if we do nothing because of that, you and (Y/n) will just end up becoming Central's sacrifice...
[Y/n]: Suspecting someone like Annie is ridiculous...
[Mikasa]: Eren...has anything come to mind after hearing all this?..-Eren remembers when he was fighting with her. He noticed the fighting stance she did- You do know, don't you?..You know Annie is the Female Titan..
~~~~~~🕊🕊~~~~~~
Eren looks down at his bloody hand as he listens to Mikasa stating.
[Mikasa]: In that case, shouldn't you be fighting? Or... is some particular emotion hindering you?...-She stares directly at him, dead in the eye as Armin seethes his blades-
[Armin]: I have a plan..-The three look up at him as he uses one of his blades to point the exit- Mikasa and I will exit from that hole and the entrance simultaneously. Doing so will force Annie to focus on one of us. At that time, Eren, (Y/n), follow the one she ignored..-Armin procceds to pull his hood up and head to the entrance as Eren yells-
[Y/n]: Wait! Wouldn't that mean one of you will die?!...
[Armin]: Staying here will get all four of us killed. Mikasa, get in position!...
[Mikasa]: Ok, I'll take the front...
[Eren]: Mikasa! Armin! How? How can you two still fight?! How?!..
[Y/n]: We have no choice... The world is a cruel place.. As from one day to the next...everything changed so quickly...
Eren looked at her for a brief moment before looking at his hand, while blood was still draining. The ground starts to shake, making the two look up. They gasp when they see the roof above them break. Eren quickly pushes her away as debris falls on him. The Female Titan had stomped down, making a hole. You look up, worried.
[Y/n]: Eren!...
By now, Armin and Mikasa had gone into plan as the Female Titan turns to Mikasa. Mikasa flies her way over to her as she gets grabbed. She slices each of her fingers off and goes off to slicing her.
[Mikasa]: Annie, I won't let you have Eren!...
[Y/n]: Eren!..-She started running towards the rubble and digging, looking for Eren's body as Armin comes flying towards her- Eren!..-She and Armin gasp when they find Eren crushed. Blood dripped from her mouth and from his head, staining the floor- I'll get you out!..
[Armin]: Open your eyes..-(Y/n) and Armin start to lift the piece from the rock. Annie turns around and begins to run while Mikasa trails behind-
Annie swings her Titan hand at her, but Mikasa moves and procceds to cut her arm. The hand intacted the nearest building, sending out pieces of bricks. Mikasa tries to dodge each of them, but she gets hit by one and rolls on the ground. Annie looks down at her before walking away as soldiers from a distance get into action.
[Soldier]: Don't let the Female Titan get away! We'll stop her from getting out no matter what!...
As her fingers regenerate she gets ready to attack. Meanwhile, Commander Nile mutters as he sweats, looking where the sound came from.
[Nile]: What happened?...-He looks up at a roof, where there were three soldiers- Escort Squad! Leave it to us! Assess the situation!...
[Marlowe]: Understood!..-Marlowe calls back. As him, Hitch, and another soldier zoom away-
[Nile]: Something's off. There seemed to be some sort of explosion and...-He gets cut off when someone calls for him-
[Erwin]: Nile...-Nile turns to see Commander Erwin, Louis, and Levi standing next to each other as Erwin orders- Dispatch all your soldiers at once. We should assume a Titan as appeared...
[Nile]: What are you saying?! This is Wall Sina, you know! It's impossible for a Titan to appear here!...
From inside a carriage, the girl got out first than Jean, sighing deeply. But she was stopped by a military soldier of her grabbing her shoulders, shaking her sharply.
[Soldier]: Wait! Don't move, (Y/n)!!..
The girl tried to get away from the soldier, but could not do so due to the difference in strength. Jean quickly got out of the carriage and pulled the soldier away from the girl, causing her to look at him with wide eyes with surprise.
[Jean]: Do not touch her...I've had enough of playing doppelganger!..-He removes the wig along while the girl just looked at everything in silence, while she took off the wig she was wearing, showing her real hair- Don't ever call me that again, retard!..
Jean screamed as he ran towards Erwin, Louis and Levi, the girl kept staring at him until a small smile appeared on her face. Jean stands in front of Erwin, Louis and Levi.
[Jean]: Commander, I'm going, too..
[Erwin]: Get your equipment from Squad 4...
[Jean]: Yes sir!..-He says while putting on his green cape while Levi looked at him-
[Levi]: It's good to see that someone has the balls to go...-Levi did not continue speaking because he was interrupted-
[Louis]:....but don't forget to do your damnedest to stay alive..-He told him, crossing his arms as he felt Levi looking at him-
[Jean]: Yes, sir! ...- He nods, before running. His gaze goes to the girl from before, who looked at him with a smile for a few seconds before starting to walk away from the place-
[Nile]: Erwin! What's going on--
[Soldier]: Commander, here!...
Nile turns to his right to see a soldier opening up a case, revealing the 3D Maneuver Gear.
[Erwin]: Good work...-He thanks as he goes to put on is Gear-
[Nile]: Hey, Erwin..-Nile calls, but he ignores him and turns to the remaining soldiers-
[Erwin]: Everyone that can move, follow me! We'll join the Female Titan capture squad!...-Erwin starts to walk off, but Nile stops him by holding a gun at him-
[Nile]: Erwin, stop!...-He pointed the gun at him, but soon, five other soldiers point their guns at him- What you're doing is outright treason against the monarchy!...-Levi and Louis looked at each other in silence-
[Levi]: Nile, is your brain as lacking as that thin mustache of yours?...
[Louis]: It seems you don't even understand what's going on...
[Nile]: Remove your equipment, Erwin!...
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[Soldier]: Don't try to take it down!..Reducing its mobility is more than enough!...
Two soldiers reached out so they could cut off his limbs, but Annie gripped the cable tightly, causing the soldier to crash into the roof of a building with force. She grabs another soldier and stomps on him, causing blood to stain the ground.
[Soldier]: This is bad! She's familiar with 3D Maneuever Gear?!...-The soldier goes to attack while Mikasa zooms over, catching up to Annie-
[Mikasa]: I won't let this end that easily!...-She goes and cuts her foot as Annie stares down at her, glaring-
While all that was happening, (Y/n) and Armin managed to remove the debris that crushed Eren, (Y/n) looks at him worried and quickly approaches Eren.
[Y/n]: Eren!..Answer me! Eren!..-From behind, Jean flies in, making the two turn as he shouts-
[Jean]: Hey, what're you two doing?!...
[Armin]: Jean! Eren's trapped!..-Armin cries as Jean widens his eyes-
[Jean]: Huh?! Shouldn't he have transformed with you already, (Y/n)?...-He watches her as (Y/n) clench her hands into fists as she trembles. Armin noticed (Y/n)'s silence, so he turned to Jean-
[Armin]: He couldn't..I think the fact it's Annie is stopping him..-Jean jags his eyebrows- Anyway, we have to save him!..-The two go to lift up the next piece with stuggle as Armin calls- Jean, Give us a hand!...
[Jean]: He couldn't transform?..-He goes down and helps them, scolding- Eren, don't you screw with me! I said we'd be counting on you someday, remember?! You and (Y/n) are entrusted with the world, mankind, and our lives, and this is what we get for that?! Marco... Marco, you know... He didn't...
The three turn around to see a huge rock hitting a tower, causing it to fall towards them as they jump out of the way. (Y/n) rolls on the ground roughly and looks up to see the Female Titan fighting the soldiers, she turns to see Eren.
[Y/n]: Eren...
[Jean]: It's no good..We'll have to do something about her first!..-Jean grabs his blades and runs off, leaving the two alone with an unconsious Eren-
[Armin]: Eren. There's something I said to Jean before..-Armin starts, causing Eren to slightly open his right eye- People who are unable to abandon anything will fail to bring about change. If it's required to overcome monsters, one must toss aside their humanity. I'm sure Annie is capable of that. I don't know what she's doing it for. Regardless...those who can do so are victorious!...-Armin stands up and turns to the Female Titan while (Y/n) looked at Eren with concern. Armin runs away while (Y/n) trembled, Eren looked at her with his one eye open-
[Y/n]: I-I .. I don't know what to do... I must .. do it .. to help humanity...
Annie was killing every soldier that flew around her, trying to harm her as Armin ran in her direction.
[Armin]: Annie! If you don't kill me this time, you won't be able to make excuses like "I'll see if my bet pays off!''...-Annie stares down at him as she had her mouth slightly parted. Jean goes for the nape, but Annie covers it up and hardens her hand quickly. His blades break in two as he backs up and flies away-
[Jean]: Armin, this way!...-He nods and flies- Alright!..
[Y/n]: It was her..-She mutters as she looks at her hand, ready to transform into a Titan. But the memory that she had already hurt Mikasa, appeared in her head-
[Petra]: They both trusted us. This is the result of your decision to believe in us back then. Making the right choice isn't easy..(Y/N), you didn't decide to transform while we talked to Eren, that means that in the end you trusted us just like Eren...
(Y/n) opened her eyes when those words of Petra appeared in her head, she stood up slowly still with her hand raised. When Eren saw her get up, he tried to raise his arm but (Y/n) had already walked away.
[Y/N]: I... I'll kill her...-She mutters as she walks forward, brings her hand to her mouth but thinks for a few seconds. The wind blows, making her hair fly. (Y/n) frowns while shaking her head- I will avenge their deaths!!..
(Y/n)'s Titan appeared in everyone's vision, she roared in fury, grabbing some debris from the ground before throwing it in the direction of Annie, who started running away from her quickly. The rubble crashed into the houses, some soldiers walked away from the rubble to save their lives. Annie looked over her shoulder to see that (Y/n) was running in her direction.
Elsewhere, Hanji grins maniaclly and laughs, tightening her grip on what seems to be a handle.
[Hanji]: She's coming...
[??]: Squad Leader... Your eyes... are twitching too much...
She stands up when noticing Armin and Jean. Then comes Annie, as she turns to Hanji, watching her pull on the handle as wires and hooks stop her from running. Annie reaches out her hand to grab Armin and Jean, but they move away as she struggles. (Y/n) stops running when she saw Annie hit the ground.
Soldiers unwrap what looked like a hook blanket and let it cover her up. Armin lands on the floor while you walk forward a bit.
[Hanji]: Ok! I don't think we'd have to resort to Plan C, so what a surprise. That's Commander Erwin for you, I guess...-Hanji smirks. Her smirk drops as she takes a few steps forward- Now then...-She maneuver herself down on the ground and begins to walk- You're a good girl, so please stay still...-Hanji approaches Annie's face, places a hand near her eye, and brings close the blade she was holding. Her pupils shrink when noticing the blade close to her eye- Here, you can't call other Titans over to consume you, like last time. But it's ok... I'll take a bite in their place. A bite of information I'm going to get out of you, that is...
At this, Annie uses her foot to attack the artillerys, making Hanji back away and fly up. Mikasa lands on the nearest roof and yells.
[Mikasa]: She shook it off?!...
[Hanji]: Looks like we didn't have enough traps, after all...Don't let her escape! Follow her!..
Annie started running as parts of the artillery got stuck in her body. (Y/n) looked at her as she roared before starting to run after her, intending to kill her. Inside the Titan's nape of hers, (Y/n) was covered by the flesh inside.
Meanwhile, at the rubble, Eren was still crushed beneath the pavements as he looks back on what Armin said to him.
[Eren]: I know. When the time came... I clung to my comrades and the bonds we shared, and failed...-He remembers when Levi's Squad was nearly wiped out and his mother's death. He widens his eyes and begins to push himself up, the wood stabbing him more and more as he progressed- I'll... exterminate. No... I'll kill! I don't have time to think about whether it's right or not! Just start by moving!...I know very well that I was not the only one..
[Y/n]: I-I..I don't know what to do...I must..do it..to help humanity...
As he thinks, Mikasa flies around, attempting to slice Annie up, but she gets kicked lightly and falls to the ground.
[Eren]: Don't get caught up in ideals! Yes...
[Armin]: Mikasa!...
[Eren]: The world's a cruel place!...
Eren lets out a scream as lightning crashes down upon him. Commander Nile looks up with worry and screams.
[Nile]: What is it this time?!...
(Y/n) raised her fist, but Annie quickly dodged her attack. Annie raised her leg with the intention of attacking (Y/n). From a distance, strong footsteps were approaching. Before Annie hit (Y/n), a fist hit her.
(Y/n) turned to see Eren over her shoulder
Annie falls against a building as (Y/n) stands next to Eren, who was staring at Annie with piercing green eyes.
(Y/n) and Eren started running towards Annie as they both let out loud roars.
[Y/n]: This time, I'll be the one ... finish you off!..
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Preview...
"I will eradicate Titans from this world"
The same fury that led Eren to make that vow on that fateful day, now spurs him on... to destroy the entire world.
Next episode: ‹Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3›