Prologue
Everyone was summoned, a loud crack like never before was heard below, Hanji and her men fully armed, followed the pursuit, preparing for the worst. Frighten and completely baffle. It had been many months since Annie's fall, and after constant surveillance, everyone grew tired. Their interest faded. Hanji was no longer amused, she could only stare at a person in deep sleep for so long before calling it quits. Her amusement relied on living things, things that can attack her for one, things that can move and create panic in those around her. Only then, Hanji was content. But this, this was boring. A solidified person with no means of communication, Hanji didn't want to admit that Levi had a point when he called her 'storage, wasted space'. She was gradually becoming one. The staff even stop polishing it, at first they grew terrified of waking her up, seeing her eyes open; the first few days were very exciting for Hanji. But nothing happened. Until now.
It was out of sheer luck that Jean, Mikasa and Eren were nearby when they heard the loud crack. They were all confused and stare all over the place wondering what it was. It was only until they saw panic in their peers, making haste towards the dungeon that alarmed them. They knew instantly what was happening.
"She's going to attack!" One shouted, that was enough to make them all follow pursuit. "But that's impossible!" Jean shouted behind Eren, who was following Mikasa. Neither made any comment, to their knowledge her turning into a Crystal was also impossible. None were sure what to believe in anymore. Perhaps that was the reason they were running towards the danger instead of running away like many before them. They were curious.
Inside, Eren remembered an old friend; that was reason enough to follow after his sister, whereas Mikasa's intention wasn't quite clear. She was the one that spoke to her before her fall, maybe it was guilt. Not that anyone knew, whatever the reason, it bewildered both men to see her sudden interest spike.
"Bar the doors! Let no one in!" Levi commanded as he saw the three running pass him without any hesitation. He crossed expressions with Mikasa and glared for an instant. He then quickly made the assumption that having her present wasn't really such a bad idea. Mikasa stared back in silence and kept looking straight ahead as she saw many men gather around having their swords ready, hearing Hanji shouting in the background looking at some mist in the distance. "What. . .?" Mikasa muttered slowing down.
There was a louder crack, more men shouting, hearing the fear in their voices filling the walls. "Is that steam!?" Jean asked, coming to a stop. Eren's eyes were widened, he was reminded of the colossal Titan. "What if she transforms!?" He shouted, he just made things worst. Some started to run away, they all knew that the blast would burn them all away. "Then we'll die today!" Hanji shouted with such amusement, fire in her eyes, utterly excited at what was presented to her as she draws her blades quickly.
"Good to see you on our side! Be sure to strike when the opportunity arrives Eren!" Hanji shouted, approving his need for transformation if needed. "His blast along will eliminate us! This isn't safe! We must leave!" Jean shouted and took a few steps back noticing that he was standing next to a ticking time bomb that was Eren. "Hey, what are you guys doing!?" He questioned once more. Mikasa took a step forward and pushed a feared soldier out of the way, the touch alone made the poor man freaked, he was so frightened he ran away. She looked back and saw Eren trembling with his thumb near his mouth contemplating Hanji's words. Her expression worsens and sees Jean quickly smack him on the head. "Stop it!" He cried, more terrified than anything. For a second there, she was grateful for his presence. Her attention quickly returns to Hanji who was in the front lines.
"Move." Levi ordered coldly shoving Eren aside and glared at him denying his intention of transforming as he reaches up to Hanji. "Don't tell that idi-" His voice quickly halted as a series of cracks were heard, none like before, all of the men stood silently, frighten, staring at the crystal coming undone, the dungeon becoming full of steam, Hanji's eyes widen, her mouth dropped, fascinated by what was happening before her. She took a step forward and held her hand up getting ready to strike, not willing to give her the chance to transform. "WAI-" Mikasa began and just as quickly a sudden blast of hot air was release knocking everyone out.
Mikasa braced herself with her jacket covering herself "AHHH! HOT HOT HOT." Hanji shouted rolling around on the floor. She might transform!Mikasa's mind alerted herself, feeling responsible she quickly launches forward, grabbing a nearby blade, blinded by the steam, she swings her blade once, clearing her view and comes to a complete stop.
Frozen, she's utterly frozen as she sees a small child within.
"Let me at her! Let me at her!" Hanji shouts as she quickly comes running next to Mikasa and quickly freaks out upon her discovery.
They were both staring at a blond little girl with big blue eyes.
"Annie. . " Mikasa said softly, making Hanji's mind spring back into action. "Huh!?" Her outburst startled the poor girl as she shook inside her overgrown clothes. Mikasa blinked at this. Her eyes were glued to her.
Nothing made sense anymore.
Final Note: It's very difficult to write something you have very little knowledge about. When it comes to this A/U that I created last December, I had a ton of images in mind, specific scenes, but only when I told myself, that I needed to render everything in writing, everything got confusing. I had no idea where to begin. And I still don't, besides creating a Prologue; which is just a pathetic excuse to set the stage. I mean everyone who has venture my blog has seen my artwork, they can get a good idea of what happens. But how do you say 'oh and she's now held responsible for her, the end' without making it sound so rash and stupid? I figured that drawings alone would be enough, but because of my nature, that wouldn't t satisfy me. I like to complicate everything. If anyone is familiar with my fiction FORCED, this will be similar. I intent to explore the subconscious of Mikasa and her everyday struggles as she takes the role of Annie's guardian and the consequences that come with it. Yes, it will be angsty, and there will be times where I would just like to kill myself. Much like FORCED did, but now I'm dealing with a 5yr old. You can imagine my excitement. Hopefully I'll see you next chapter as I'll probably explore the merits of raising a child and how fucked you are because of it.