Prologue

The blond girl jogged to meet up with the large group in the courtyard. It was just minutes before supper, and already Annie's stomach growled in anticipation. Hopefully this won't take too long, she thought, clutching the fabric of her shirt. Over the buildings surrounding her, the sun still sprayed some light. The colors on the bricks nearly matched that of her hair.

Searching the crowd for a place to stand or a familiar face, Annie spotted the tallest person she knew. Towering over the heads of the other "warriors" Bertholdt stood. Next to him, Annie could make out the muscular build of Reiner, Bertholdt's and her best friend.

"Hey!" she called, pushing past annoyed girls and boys. Not many refused her advance. Annie was known for being a bit rough and was seen as someone to avoid conflict with. She could kick anyone's ass, even Reiner's.

Reiner heard her first, turning from his view of the main building in front of them. He grinned and leaned into Bertholdt's shoulder, nudging him. "Look, it's your girlfriend, Berty."

Bertl turned, his face bright red, and sweat dripping down to his chin. "She's not my girlfriend," he mumbled. "And don't call me Berty!"

Reiner laughed, but ignored Bertholdt's outburst to greet their shorter counterpart. "Hello, Annie." Annie socked Reiner's arm in greeting and he winced. She looked up – way up – to give Bertholdt a small smile.

"Do either of you know why we've been called here?"

Both boys shrugged and Annie sighed. It wasn't like this was common. Most meetings like this meant something big for the titan shifters in Marley. Being a titan shifter could go only one way after all - bad. You go to battle and return a victor, or you get eaten so your titan could be passed on without using up the Marleyan ruler's time. It was an honor, or at least that's what all the prospective shifters were taught. This was the only way an Eldian could make it in a world of Marleyans.

Annie shivered at the thought of how their lives previously were. Poor, uneducated, and treated like scum. All this simply because of birthright. All because of the betrayal done by their ancestors. The disrespectful Eldians who tried to fight against humans. The same Eldians that were banished to Paradis to hide behind walls. The Eldians that routinely get turned into mindless beasts for acts of treason. If they didn't exist, maybe the world would be a better place. Titans shouldn't exist.

At least, that's what Annie and her friends were taught from the day they arrived to transform into warriors. Somehow, she wasn't sure she bought it. How bad could the humans behind the walls be if they were there and the rest of humanity here?

Wall Maria was but a hop, skip, and jump across the ocean from the current titan shifter territory and Marylan towns. Yet they never figured that out after so many years. The enemy was right on top of them the whole time. Although, it wasn't like these young adults chose to be shifting monsters. No, that was forced on them from a young age with sharp needles, chemicals, and torture. Control was the key to conquer them.

Annie suddenly cringed. She remembered those days, the ones after her father practically abandoned her for the war. The only thing she had of him was martial arts training and a cold heart.

Not completely cold, she reminded herself. The only way to go completely cold is to lose my humanity. I can't let them take that from me.

A crackle echoed through the courtyard to get their attention. All chatter stopped instantly. Not a toe out of line. "Greetings," a mysterious voice boomed. "This is a special night for all of you."

Annie took a step forward so she had Bertholdt on her left and Reiner on her right. It was nerve racking enough standing between them; she did not want to stand alone.

"Those of you standing here have been selected for new research in hopes of stronger warfare. The first being a muscle enhancer for your titan forms. Only a select few will undergo this new procedure. Your names will be listed on the first page posted on the dining room doors." Annie and Bertholdt both looked to Reiner. He already possessed the power of the Armored Titan, and it was hard to imagine any more muscle on his form.

"The second group will be sent on an endurance mission to test longevity of titan shifting under a new chemical compound. This list will be on the second page of the doors." There was an extended pause and mutters could be heard over the silence. It sounded like arguing. As if these people had morals to argue about. Finally the voice returned. "The last group will be put into male and female pairs. You will be expected to produce a hybrid titan offspring. We have been very selective as to who will be undergoing this task, choosing only those who we feel have compatible powers. The names will be listed on the last page on the doors. As you were."

Annie couldn't move. Amongst her were murmurs. Many distraught faces peered around, trying to decipher who would be getting prodded with needles or prodded with…Annie shook her head. Would they make the pairs have sex?

And babies? These were all teens, ranging from 14 to 17 years old. And even some as young as 10 were getting their first rounds of shots. What place did Warriors have making children when there was a war to be fought?

"We should probably go check that list, huh?" Reiner pulled Annie from her thoughts and yanked on Bertholdt's arm. "Besides, I'm starving."

Annie gagged, her appetite long gone. She didn't want to see where her name was placed. All this training, and selection, and pain for what? She had the honor of processing the Female Titan powers, what more could these people want of them?

By the time the trio reached the dining hall, the crowd had dissipated from the large doors. Three white sheets of paper hung, one per door. Immediately Reiner went to the third list, muttering something about getting laid. Annie ignored him, shaking her head and marching to the first list, Bertholdt on her tail. Scanning the list, Annie felt her stomach drop. Her name was not there.

No muscle enhancing. That's okay, my titan can go for hours. Maybe they can make me better…

She moved to the second door and rolled her eyes over the names. Nothing. She felt her head begin to sway. This couldn't be happening.

After all I've done!

At the third list, Annie reluctantly looked over every pairing from bottom to top. There at the top were two names.

Annie Leonhardt and Bertholdt Fubar.