DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN.
Date Uploaded: August 22, 2017- Tuesday.
Note: Advanced apologies for the OOC's.
I've delayed this spin-off too long now. I decided that I will end the fic without waiting for the entirety of the manga. It's hard to play the waiting game. Sorry. So now I'm just gonna make up stuff for the past, count this as warning, this is NOT based on the manga or anime. Sorry I just can't wait. I'll make up stuff.
If you don't agree, then stop here. For those who doesn't care, then read on!
Edited: I'M SORRY I'M TOO LAZY TO RE-EDIT THE DRAFTS I TYPED SINCE MAY. I LOST IT AND NOW FOUND IT. IT'S OFF FROM THE WARRIOR ARC IN THE MANGA SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN STOP RIGHT HERE, IF YOU DON'T CARE THEN ENJOY.
Enjoy!
CHAPTER NINE: Path to the MP
Eren was later confined because he exposed his titan shifting abilities. Annie and the rest of the 104th Squad were in a separated room where they are gathered and one by one interrogated by Erwin.
Annie was shooting glances at Bertholdt and Reiner to see their reaction about the matter but they seem to be very careful not to return her gaze so she sighed and remained in the corner alone, hearing whispers and chatters about Eren being a titan.
The small blonde was sure Reiner and Bertholdt were thinking about the same thing… they found the Attack Titan and they have to report it to Zeke.
However, for some reason, Annie didn't want to do that.
She just watched as Jean freaked out as usual, spouting things about Eren, Mikasa defending Eren, the usual arguments. I wonder if Bertholdt was mad… because I helped Eren protect Trost…
After hours of waiting, Connie and the others had already left the detainment room, leaving only Armin, Jean, Mikasa and Annie inside. Reiner had just exited the interrogation room and gave Mikasa a worried look. Annie wasn't sure if that 'worried look' he's giving is sympathy for what happened or sympathy for what he's about to do.
"Eren doesn't sound to have a good life after this." He says and Mikasa's attention was caught, her eyes darted at him, her body tensing up.
"Why? What did they say about Eren?" Mikasa inquired.
"I heard they're handing him to Hanji-san for a little experimentation, but if the King declares for his execution, they have no choice but to comply." Reiner replied, Mikasa was enraged with this, getting reckless all of the sudden, grabbing the hilt of her blade and stomped towards the interrogation room but Jean was quick himself and grabbed her by the arm.
"Don't." he said sternly. "You'll make things worse for him and yourself."
While Jean stopped Mikasa, that very short period of time was enough for Reiner to shoot Annie a glare and walk away normally. Annie realized Reiner said that not because he cares for Mikasa, but because he's sending Annie a warning.
That she will be sent to Hanji to be experimented on, or worse… to get executed.
She wasn't scared. Or was she? Annie felt nervous knowing Reiner knew of what she'd done. They're friends yes but if she's jeopardizing this much of their mission then they… they might never be able to see home.
Was she wrong to help?
Was she wrong to do things her way?
Was she wrong when she did what she did?
Calming her nerves, she looked around, seeing a serious blonde boy thinking.
"Thinking of a good book to quote for your friend?" she asked, snapping Armin out of his angry thoughts.
"U- Uh not entirely." He replied.
"So you're not entirely focused of saving him from his terrible fate?" she continued to ask. She wanted his help—no, she wanted to know something from him.
"Well.. there are other mysteries that happened that same night. Like where those melting rocks came from," Annie was nervous, "or that huge Titan or how the Titans are able to ambush us and follow Captain Levi back here.. there's so many mysteries!"
I– I see. But I can't talk with you about all those things, that's a LOT of stuff!
"Considering these are all big-shot mysteries, they're not big enough to trample Eren's case." She says. She wants to know what Armin will do… how far Armin will go… for Eren.
"Annie.. can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Since I kept this whole Titan shifting secret from all of you.. what do you think of me?"
The small blonde blinked for a moment there. I remember I was the one who wanted to ask you something. But in any case… I guess I'm the one who can answer my own question. When she noticed that the blonde boy was about to add a follow-up sentence, she hushed him with a finger on his lips.
"I understand why you kept that a secret so I won't hold it against you." I… I have a secret myself, one that I can't tell you or anyone here. "Everyone here keeps a secret. It's not dangerous when you tell others, it's more dangerous when others find out before you tell them."
Talk about acting like a hero…
"Arlert you're up!"
Armin was startled. A scaredy cat. Annie was glad Armin didn't see her smile shortly at this amusing sight. Armin turned to Annie, as if asking her for permission and Annie nodded at him.
When Armin is led out of the interrogation room by Shadis, Shadis then calls out Annie's name and Annie and Armin had a short eye contact before passing by each other.
"Annie Leonhardt, recruit from 104th Trainee Squad, are you aware of Eren Jaeger's titan shifting ability?" Erwin asked.
"No." she answered straight up.
"Did you notice anything odd about him in your time with him? Assuming that you hang around with him that is."
"No, I didn't notice anything."
"Hmm…" Erwin scanned the files about Annie for a moment then leaned back to his seat. "You don't talk much with others, do you?" he said but Annie said nothing. "Any friends?"
"Isn't this question irrelevant to the case?" she said, putting a stop to whatever Erwin was planning to ask next.
"Yeah well overall recruits that I questioned, you're the only one who didn't even take a minute to keep me silenced." He commented. "I find it interesting… for someone like you to exist."
What does he mean by that?
The smirk on his face was fairly visible to the blonde but she refused to react to this.
"Well if you're not up to for a chat then you're dismissed." Erwin said at last. He watched Annie got up her seat and headed towards the door, "I hope next time you're open for a talk."
At the day of the trial, Annie silently watched in her seat. She can't have anymore attention on her. Reiner and Bertholdt or even that Erwin!
"Eren's always been in humanity's side! And now he's given an ability to actually be able to help humanity win! And that ability is to become a titan shifter!" Armin ended his speech.
"And what if he has no control over his titan body?" one of the people in the courtroom asked.
"He HAS control over it! And it has been proven twice now! Back at the Field Test.. without him and his titan ability, Reiner's squad would've experienced a casualty! Majority gasped at the revelation. "Yeah, we cheated our way to victory on that test! And the second time is when Eren jumped to save me when I fell over the wall."
Murmurs and whispers filled the place.
Annie wasn't talking to anyone though, she was more of, arguing with herself internally.
If back then I had a friend like you then maybe… maybe I wouldn't be here right now. I wouldn't have to do what I'm about to do…
I probably could've lived a normal life.
A 'normal life'… what a joke.
"Eren Jaeger is the Survey Corps' prisoner until he graduates. He is a useful asset for us and if ever he poses a threat I'll kill him myself." Levi announced. "So if anyone has problems with that, you answer to me."
Everyone kept quiet when he spoke. Annie looked down, not wanting to watch any further. The trial was done for sure. Eren… will not be executed nor will he be experimented on.
You're wrong, Reiner. That's not what Eren's fate is.
When Eren was released from detainment, Annie was at the warehouse taking her dinner when suddenly they began to hype up, knowing they'll just be jolly and talk about things, she got up and left before things got worse.
She was alone to her usual spot but she could hear their cheers and laughs from where she was.
Looking up at the sky, she was thinking about her father. Her childhood… it was nothing like this. Training wasn't anything like this either.
"You missed dinner." Armin said when he found her. Annie couldn't expect more from him.
"I didn't. You just didn't see me." She replied.
"So which part of the Military are you joining?"
"Military Police." It didn't take long for her to answer. It was… part of the plan.
"Military Police? Why?"
Why Armin? I don't know… maybe because I have to capture your friend, bring him to my hometown as my ticket back to my father. Is that unforgivable?
It sounded easy to say, but it's better not to say anything like that.
"I want to live." She said, hoping that her answer being the same with others would satisfy him, but she was wrong.
"You're a great soldier, Annie. I don't understand." He says after grabbing her hand and not letting go. Annie refused to look him in the eyes and kept her back facing him.
Why do you keep reaching out to me? What did I ever do that made you want to talk to me all the time?
But if you don't understand, then let me tell you.
"Every soldier has a goal. An inspiration. A sense of purpose. But most of all, every soldier has fears."
"And what is your fear?"
"What's yours?" she asked back.
"What?"
If you're not gonna answer, then let me tell you your fear, Armin.
"You're afraid to die, aren't you? So am I." she says. "But the difference between you and me, Armin, is that I'm a coward and you're not. Despite being afraid when titans come, you didn't let it stop you from joining the Survey." She finished her answer and finally was able to pull her hand back. "Now there you have it. Goodbye."
I can't believe I admitted to him I'm a coward…
She thought as she left.
Being admitted to the Military Police, the first thing she was given was a room and a roommate. Then basic trainings on patrol duty.
"Hi I'm Hitch Dreyse, a pleasure to be your acquaintance!"
"Sure."
"Hey that's all you have to say to me?! We'll be together for years, you know?!"
"Assuming we're both alive for years." Annie tells her and leaves the room after throwing her bag to her bed. Hitch had twitches in the side of her head after hearing this.
She stomped after Annie and strongly smacking Annie at the back of the head. The small blonde was caught in surprise by this attack and she stumbled forward, landing on a fellow recruit.
"HOW DARE YOU ASSUME THAT WE'RE BOTH DEAD ALREADY! LIFE HAVEN'T STARTED YET!" Hitch shouts across the hallway.
"Hey get off me!" Marlowe shouts when he and Annie fell on the floor. Annie got off him as she massaged the back of her head.
"S- Sorry. I was caught off guard when my roommate attacked me out of nowhere." She says.
"HOW DARE YOU SAY I'M THE CULPRIT!"
When Marlowe was able to have a good look at Annie's face, he blushed almost immediately and looks away, ashamed that he yelled at her earlier. "S- Sorry. I mean, I shouldn't have yelled at you without knowing what really happened."
Hitch was about to throw another attack but Annie, this time, was expecting it.
She rolled off Marlowe and Hitch slaps the air instead.
"I was only telling the truth, Hitch." She tried explaining to her angry roommate.
"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO STRAIGHTFORWARD?!"
Marlowe beamed at the two girls. Looks like joining the MP was the right decision he made.
While they were being taught about patrol duty, Annie was yawning as she walked in boredom, following the instructors and the group, gradually falling behind if it wasn't for Hitch who was keeping an eye on her.
"Annie! Get your feet together and don't get lost!" Hitch scolds. "Geez! If you weren't my roommate I would've left you already!"
"What about it if we're roommates? You can get another one when I'm gone." Annie tells her.
"I SAID STOP WITH THAT DYING NONSENSE ALREADY! We're both gonna live, we're gonna have a happy life together and meet our man, we'll both get married together and get pregnant together and our children will have the same birthday!"
"O- Okay I get, please stop."
But while walking, Annie happen to overhear some of the high MP talking with Nile about the Survey expedition happening tomorrow.
She wanted to hear more but then Hitch pulls her by the ear.
"ANNIE! Did you pay attention to anything I said at all?!"
She tried escaping but there was no point in following the Survey if Hitch was always dragging her everywhere. It was a new environment that she had to deal with.
Nights were her only chance.
When Hitch was asleep, she sneaks out of the room to gather information about the expedition since she missed it.
"Baby titans! Yes! We just discovered baby titans!" Hanji continued to exclaim as she happily compiled her reports.
"Y- You can stop that now four eyes!" Levi shouts out of annoyance. She's been saying it out loud over and over since the expedition. He could've endured it if she weren't saying it THAT loud!
"Why not? It's a great discovery for humanity! I'm just celebrating!
"Why you…!"
"Besides even the captain is happy isn't he? That these recruits are leading us to new discoveries…" Hanji teased.
But all of the sudden, Levi pushed Hanji to the side as he draw his blade out and slashed at the crates nearby. The bottles of wine shattered and the wine spilled all over the place.
"What was that for, Levi?" Hanji asked.
"I thought I sniffed a rat hiding nearby." He said and put his blade back to its case.
"Man you really hate rodents do you?"
But what Hanji didn't know is that Levi had a feeling there was someone around. Annie sure was relieved that she was small or her head would've fallen off. She sighed and went ahead.
Entering Bertholdt and Reiner's room, Bertholdt was already asleep while Reiner had been waiting for her.
"I thought you'd never come." He said. "I would've waited outside but we can't afford to get caught."
"First day on the Military Police was tough." She informs him.
"Even in the Survey." He tells her back.
"Do you… plan another attack?" she asked, wanting to know how she can redeem herself from last time's failure. Reiner looked back at sleeping Bertholdt then back to Annie.
"Wall Maria. This time I'll be destroying parts of the walls for more titans to enter and hopefully overwhelm the guards."
"I'll be there."
"I don't count on it."
"But Reiner—"
"When we met you, you were different from other kids. You were strong-willed and you don't hesitate to protect those dear to you. In return, we protected you as well. We protected each other and lived." Reiner said. "But right now you're not that person."
"Reiner…"
"Come talk to us again if the Annie we knew has returned."
At the day of their attack, Annie was geared up, ready to join the battle and then Hitch tells her that Military Police was needed to assist on the attack.
Good. Then she can join the battle and sneak away from the group.
Upon arriving at the wrecked city, she hurried in search for Reiner and Bertholdt. Separating herself from the group as planned. She found Reiner alright but she finds him chasing after Sasha, Connie and Hannah.
Don't save them. Don't save them. Don't save them. She repeatedly tells herself.
She watched as both Connie and Hannah used 3DMG and got away safely but the poor potato girl had a broken 3DMG, thus causing the Armored Titan to reach for her and end her.
Screw this!
Annie hurried and grabbed Sasha and swung away from the titan. She dropped Sasha after saving her and instead of satisfaction that she saved the potato girl, she was mad at herself. If only Sasha ran, if only the potato girl didn't stare helplessly at the Armored Titan then she wouldn't have done that!
"Why weren't you running?" she asked as calmly as she can.
"ANNIE! Oh my gosh thank you, thank you!" Sasha was about to hug her but Annie steps back. Does she plan on attacking me? "Geez, it's only a hug!" A hug? What for?
Sasha gave her the warm hug. "W- What for?" she asked. Her father usually give hugs when he says goodbye or when he apologizes.
"You saved me of course! I know that you're busy with the Military Police now but you still came! Wait, what is the MP doing here?"
"The Survey Corps called for some reinforcements. Most recruits are sent here to help." Annie replied.
"Oh is that so?"
"Ye—" before Annie could finish her reply, Sasha gave her another bear hug. Why? Isn't she done thanking me already? What's this for? Sasha only stopped when they heard the others screaming for help.
"Someone needs help. We should go and help them!" Annie was confused with the potato girl. Earlier she was afraid and now she's acting like nothing happened. "Hey what's wrong?"
"Oh uh," quick Annie, come up with something! "You should get a gear first. You can't fight without it."
Sasha chuckled. Right.
"Yeah. But we need to save Connie! He and Hannah went to the left. That big titan probably went after them!" R- Right. REINER!
Annie wasted no time and grabbed Sasha, dropping her with the rest of the MP for protection and recovery while she went in search for Connie and Hannah. And Reiner.
