amerdism: I try to keep Tanya IC but I also take cues from the original light novel source and the manga as well as the anime.

As for Being X...

warpterror: Thank you :)

See above answer for amerdism.

DarkNightNRobin: I will do my best.

From that moment on, Tanya and her mother began to set aside money to get her to Wall Rose once she turned twelve- with her birthday in January, she'd still have a good two months before the military term started in March.

The soldiers were a great help, as they suggested inns and markets for discount food and clothes during training and advice on how to get on the officer's good sides, how to properly clean and maintain the 3D Maneuvering Gear- Tanya immediately tuned them out when one suggested a secret place for couples. Even in her old life, the thought of sex and romance had never appealed to her- so naturally, her co-workers had badgered her about getting a girlfriend or wife or suggesting sites for dates for either or any gender. Her mother in her previous life understood this at least and was kind enough not to bring up grandchildren or romantic partners to her.

If she couldn't fathom such a relationship when she was a grown man, how would she do it as a little girl?

Meanwhile, her mother showed her how to repair a saddle and reins and how to ride Mercury even with her small size. When her mother first put Tanya on the saddle in front of her and then put Mercury into a gallop had terrified her, but she soon became accustomed to the speed and motion of riding the gray horse. It also helped that with the food they had on hand, Tanya was slowly growing taller and soon her feet were able to touch the stirrup.

But as she continued to expand her skills and resources, Tanya became more aware of the strangeness of her surroundings- the village reminded her of Europe during the middle ages, yet the technology the 3D maneuvering gear used was reminiscent of steam punk and the swords held the gleam and sharpness that only a modern day factory blade would have. It was deeply frustrating for Tanya and only made her more determined to get to a more urban area for more information because she was getting far too many mixed signals.

On more prying, her mother began to talk of Aren Degurachaff.

"I met him when I was visiting my parents in Zhiganshina- they had moved there because there was a doctor who would treat them properly. During that time, the Survey Corps returned from an expidition. They had lost several men and even one of their outposts- many people were very angry at them and hurled insults at the returning soldiers. But your father ignored them all and kept his head high even after everything he had gone through."

She smiled at the memory. "I knew a crush when I felt one but I approached him all the same. He was so kind but not afraid to state his thoughts. I kept visiting my parents and hoping I could see him again until he started to meet me there on his time off and... well, the rest is as you know it."

Tanya would have been intruiged by Aren Degurachaff's apparent nerves of steel but she was more concerned about the townsfolk's behavior to the returning soldiers. So what, do they actually wait outside the gates when the Survey Corps come back in? she had thought with a frown.

In fact, the entire Survey Corps felt rather unnecessary as a whole especially when compared to the Garrison and Military Police. She could understand wanting to get more land and resources, but from what the soldiers said, the land inside the walls seemed to supply everything they needed. It seemed that all the Survey Corps did was lose people to the titans and showcase how fighting these things was an exercise in futility.

Their whole existence is a joke- a reminder to stay inside the walls and not go outside, Tanya concluded. I wouldn't be surprised if this was just a way to thin out the population. It probably is.

As March began to fade into April, Tanya grinned as she counted up the money she had stashed away. At the rate she was saving, she'd even be able to afford a horse should anything happen to Mercury! She flopped down on her bed with a contended smile- she wasn't helpless, she was on her way to a career that would secure her even earlier than in her old life.

And not a peep from Being X this whole time, she thought with a smirk before falling asleep.

When Tanya usually woke up, it was through habit and was rarely awakened by anything other. But this morning, she was roused from sleep by a commotion that the animals were starting- especially Mercury, whose neighs the loudest.

Her mother was always careful with the animals so they never panicked. Even when Tanya started being around them, they never made this much of a racket and Mercury was as stoic as a horse could manage. Tanya quickly got out of bed and pulled on her shoes while grabbing the hatchet by her bedside before rounding the corner and going out the door connecting the back to the stables. There didn't seem to be anyone there but the chickens and goats wouldn't calm down and Mercury even reared up, neighs becoming frantic.

"Hey come on, there's no one out here," Tanya muttered as she checked the troughs- all filled and none of them had anything suspicious inside, so she stepped out from the shadows of the stable to the shadow of the-

Wait a minute.

Tanya stopped where she was as she processed this- she never got up later than ten, even when given a chance to sleep in. Shadows cast by the sun shouldn't be here- hell, it was impossible for shadows to be present where she was standing in the first place! Tanya turned around to find the source-

!

Her mind froze, the blood in her veins ice cold against her skin and the hatchet slipped from her fingers. Before her looming over the rooftop of the stable was a person. No, not a person- a person wasn't over seven meters tall, naked without nipples, navel or genitalia. It's expression was curious as it looked down at her, head cocking to the side and jet black hair falling over it's eyes before a grubby hand began to reach towards her.

Then, her mother was in front of her and smacked the titan's hand away with the hatchet, leaving it stuck in the knuckle. The titan stopped for a moment and Tanya was scooped up and rushed into the house before her mother slammed the door shut and barricaded it.

"They're here," her mother rasped as she pulled out a pack. "I have no idea how- but they're here. The village is overrun."

Her mind still wouldn't work, nor would her body but her mother's words hit her with a diamond-hard clarity- they were no longer safe.

This shouldn't be happening, the thought repeated over and over in Tanya's mind. The titans shouldn't be here in the mountains, not unless-

Her eyes widened in realization. Being X did this- he must have! Why else would titans appear right now?!

But even if the so-called divinity was behind this, it meant little if they couldn't survive- knowing there was no chance for another life after this one did nothing to snap her out of shock. Luckily, Tanya was taken from her thoughts as her mother pulled a dark gray cloak over her form and fastened it into place before giving her the pack, heavy and solid, and a map they used to mark the best places to go down on horse back.

"Get to Mercury and down the mountain- I know you know the way," she said in a low voice as she put down the heaviest kitchen ware on the table. "When I tell you to go, don't look back no matter what."

Tanya couldn't speak, could only nod before a shadow crossed over the window and she saw the titan peering inside their house and at them. Her mother kissed her head. "I love you," she rasped. "More than my life."

At that moment, the titan's hand crashed through the wall, reaching for them. Her mother pushed Tanya to the door leading to the stables and grabbed the fire poker sitting in the ashes before ramming it into the titan's hand. Tanya shot out of the room as fast as she could and heard glass shattering behind her, her mother shouting as the titan began to tear apart their home. She reached Mercury and placed her hands on his side, fumbling with the reins and saddle before pulling herself up.

"North path- hurry!" Tanya rasped and Mercury obeyed, running to the path down the mountains. As they went further from the house, Tanya became aware of the screams behind her and the thudding footsteps echoing behind her.

Don't look back, she repeated in her head. Just keep going, keep your eyes forward, don't-

"DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Tanya froze that this anguished scream, already turning to find the source- and saw titans of every shape and size in the town,shuffling in every which way. The townsfolk screamed as one by one, they were shoved into their mouths, limbs cracking underneath teeth and falling past their mouths. Some were even fighting over other people, pulling at their limbs like children arguing over a doll before their limbs were pulled off.

And her mother was in the titan's clutches reaching to her while one arm was trapped, tears and mucus sliding down her face and terror etched in her expression. The titan's grip tightened and her mother went slack before she was tilted over it's mouth. The titan bit through her waist and tore her body in half before tossing the bottom part away as it's teeth mashed down on the torso, red staining it's jaw and chest.

The previous last part of this chapter is no longer canon.