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 TEN: WHO AM I PROTECTING?
While searching, she was startled to find Marco holding on her boot.
"P- Please help me…" he begged as tears pour down his eyes. "Please…"
"Marco?"
She looks behind Marco seeing Bertholdt with a killing intent in his eyes, his blades covered in blood. Was it Marco's blood? Then she looks back at Marco.
"Annie.. please save me… Bertholdt, he- he and Reiner.. they're on the titan's side! I saw them! I saw one of them turn into a titan!" Marco tells her. "Please you have to believe me!"
Annie was nervous now… she was about to choose once again which side she's on.
"Annie, we can't let him live." Bertholdt tells her. "Kill him."
"Annie what is he saying?!" Marco himself was afraid. If what Bertholdt is saying is true, then he's surrounded by people who will kill him. "You're not one of them are you?! Are you?!"
"Annie!" Bertholdt shouts at her. "If you can't then I'll do it but I have to know… if you're still the Annie I once knew."
The small blonde couldn't move from where she stood. Is this really happening right now?! Why does it have to be her again?! Why couldn't Marco have found Jean instead?!
Before she knew it, Bertholdt grabs Annie away from Marco, kicking Marco behind as titans arrived.
"NO! PLEASE DON'T LET ME DIE! I- I PROMISE NOT TO TELL ANYONE!" Marco pleaded as titans came to eat him.
"Bertholdt—"
"Don't listen to him!"
Escaping from Bertholdt's grasp, she jumps back to kill the titans eating Marco, once they were all gone, she checked to see if Marco was still alive… but he was already dead.
Bertholdt came back behind her with a disappointed look in his face.
"Annie… you could've left him."
"You could've blown your cover. If anyone saw you—"
"No one is here." Hurt and betrayed by her response, he left.
When she found Reiner, he was sitting by one of the burning houses with an unconscious Connie and Hannah beside him.
She hurried to see if they're okay and was glad to see them unharmed. However, she was surprised to receive a hit from an enraged Reiner.
"Which side are you really on?!" he shouts.
"Reiner, I can explain—!"
"You sabotage Bertholdt's attack and now mine?!" with a second hit in the face, she fell backwards and Reiner stopped. Sighing and keeping himself calm. "If he were here, he'd beat you endlessly."
"I know…"
"Then why are you doing this? You're not just betraying him you know? You're betraying us!"
"I- I don't know Reiner! I can't explain it! These people… they've been so kind and it's like living a life that we dreamed for!"
Reiner knelt down to grab her by her jacket, "You think Bertholdt and I are comfortable hanging out with these people?! We have to play it safe! We shouldn't—not even one bit—feel anything towards these people, do you understand?!"
"I'm sorry…" when Annie began to cry, Reiner pulled her head to him, burying her face to his chest and let her cry silently on him.
"I'm sorry too." He said, calmly now. "It's just… if one of us fails then this mission is likely to fail. And none of us gets to see home."
Annie cried on Reiner's chest with Reiner comforting her, patting her in the head and back. It lasted for a while before Reiner knocks her off, carrying her, Connie and Hannah back to the infirmary later on.
When she woke up, she was in the corner while everyone was busy being treated and the others asleep and resting. She leaned on the wall and stared at her hands… she haven't done anything so far to contribute to her hometown.
I'm a traitor…
In anger she hits the walls repeatedly.
Bring back Annie! Why am I being like this?! Bertholdt… Reiner… I'm sorry!
"Hey, don't do that." Rico tells her when she saw Annie hitting the walls. "If you want to throw a fit, do it outside and kill some titans. If you hurt yourself then you're not helping anyone or yourself."
Annie studied the new arrival, seeing she's wearing a Garrison's uniform.
"Give me your hands." Rico says and takes Annie's hands to treat it. Annie grunts shortly as Rico treated her wounds. "There."
"You're not a Military Police." Annie says.
"So? It's still my job to protect everyone who are inside these walls. It's part of my job." Rico tells her and stood up after treating Annie. "It takes a toll on you to stand brave in front of others, that's why don't be afraid to show your weak side every now and then."
When Rico left, Annie sighed and rested her back and head on the wall behind her.
Maybe that Garrison soldier was right… she needed to let it out at some point. But still… she had to… she will still have to…
"You alright?" Armin asked as soon as he saw her. Annie knew she had to wear her mask on.
"Should I answer the question or isn't my appearance enough?"
"Sasha's been telling people how you saved her back there. You were amazing."
Annie didn't know if she was to be proud of it… when it's the reason why she, Bertholdt and Reiner are falling apart.
"It's part of my job, that's all." Maybe having a talk with that Garrison soldier wasn't bad at all.
"The Military Police also said you separated from the squad as soon as you heard familiar screams. You recognized Sasha and Connie's voices and so you went to help them. Even if you're part of the MP, you'll always be one of us."
With those words, he stood up to help the others.
Always be one of us, huh? What a joke! I… I've never been one of you. Neither is Reiner or Bertholdt…
Curling herself in the corner, her hands formed to fists and her nails digging into her palms.
No matter what happes… I… will uphold the mission.
"I still have to… kill you all."
The following day, Annie was back to live her MP life, bored as usual. Until she heard that MP were needed to prepare for their security program for the upcoming feast for the success of protecting Wall Maria.
Annie knew at once that it was for Eren and the rest of the 104th Squad. And that would mean seeing Armin again.
The small blonde hid herself in the corner in the shadows, watching over the people while her bruises were healing. A safe place to heal.
But then Armin approached her, she turned away to keep her healing state from him.
What am I supposed to cover my face with?!
"Have you seen Eren?" he asked.
"No."
"Even if we're here in the Inner City, you're still aloof, huh?" I can't have this conversation right now Armin!
"On second thought, I think I saw your friend talking with the Survey Corps captain." But it had an opposite effect on Armin. He walks closer and she moves away. He grabbed her by the shoulder to force her to face him seeing fresh bruises on her face. Immediately, Annie shifted her focus on healing to her hands instead. "Stop bothering me!"
"Is the Military Police hurting you?" he asked.
"No." please just go.
"Then where'd you get those—" I had this since yesterday!
"We're not comrades anymore, Armin. I do't care what happens to you and I don't want you caring what happens to me." Please just go, Armin!
When Armin left, Annie was able to breathe with ease, only later to be bothered by Eren.
"Why do you keep hurting mu friend?" he asked.
One person after another, are you kidding me?!
"Why does he keep bothering me?"
"I asked you first."
"Didn't I already gave you an answer? He was bothering me." She said and took a step back as group of nobles surrounded Eren.
She thought Eren would put up a fight with her so its best to take off before it was too late.
Annie had to stay in one spot where no one would see her. Armin, Eren, Reiner, Bertholdt… she can't show her face to them right now. So staying in the shadows was best.
Everything was going well. She wished it was actually over. Until…
"JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU PEOPLE ARE?! Calling people outside of the walls 'lowlives'?! WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO SAY SO?!" Eren yelled.
What's he thinking?
"Calm down, hero, it's not like we're calling you a lowlife like them." Said the one with the soary voice.
"THAT'S BEYOND THE POINT! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL US 'LOWLIVES' WHEN YOU'RE ALL NOTHING BUT USELESS DOGS EATING 'TIL YOU GET ENOUGH OF IT!"
"Hold your tongue, young gentleman!" Who gives you the right to speak that way to us?!" they yelled back at him.
"THE MOMENT I REALIZED HOW FILTHY AND USELESS THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE INNER CITY ARE, THERE'S THIS ANNOYING FEELING OF BETRAYAL FROM YOU! MY COMRADES AND I, THE OTHER SOLDIERS AS WELL, THEY PROTECTED THIS CITY WITH THEIR LIVES—AND NOT EVEN ONE OF YOU APPRECIATES THEM—SO WHO ARE YOU TO SAY ALL THAT WHEN YOU DO NOTHING FOR HUMANITY?!"
Everyone was silent.
Annie weakly and silenly bangs her head to the wall. When I want peace, you take it from me. When I want to be alone, you come bothering me. But when I want to live like a normal person.. you stand right next to me.
Debating with herself again, she made up her mind to help the brunette boy. If he keeps this up, despite proving a point, he will be the one in trouble.
Eren was about to give the noble a furious punch but she stopped it, for his sake.
"Annie?"
"I don't agree with this dog's way or words," she said and pulls the noble out of Eren's reach, throwing him behind her, "or how he wastes his food when most of the population are starving," she indirectly tells him and everyone more of the greedy deeds the nobles have been doing as she positioned herself to a fighting stance, "but it's my job to protect this lowlife."
"Get out of my way Annie! This stupid noble needs to learn his lesson!" you still don't get it, do you?
"How dare you speak to me that way as well!" the noble shouts at Annie. "Don't think I'll forget your face you little wench!"
"You see what I mean?!" Eren wants Annie to realize that the noble deserves a beating but Annie knew from experience, that's not how it works.
There is no justice in both our worlds, Eren, but as far as my past experience is concerned, you don't win by beating someone up.
"Exactly, Jaeger. We both know this dog has no manners, but if you hit him, you're no different from him." She says and dropped her stance when she saw a group of MP and Survey running towards them.
Annie observed Eren, seeing that he finally got her message. What a relief.
"GUARDS! Arrest them!"
"JAEGER!" Levi howled. "What the hell are you doing, you stupid recruit?!"
The noble saw Levi and immediately crawled to his side, hugging his leg, dirtying Levi's boot. "Arrest them, soldier! They disrespect me and they attempted to hurt me!"
When Levi saw his dirty hands touching his boot, it triggered some anger in the captain and kicked the noble himself. "I don't remembering protecting some stinking men in robes are part of my job." He says then turns to Eren. "Jaeger, you and I will have a long talk." Then to the rest of the recruits. "All of you are coming with me too. NOW."
Behind Levi were two MP that knew and recognized Annie. "Annie!" Hitch screams. "Do you want to get your head cut off?! Apologize to them immediately!"
Marlowe lowered his head towards the noble that Levi kicked. "Please forgive her. She doesn't know what she's saying." But Annie lifted his head up by pulling on his hair. "Hey Annie!"
"You shouldn't lower your head to someone like him." She says and this enraged the noble more. He was about to slap her but then the commander of the MP caught his hand.
"I'll take it from here." He said.
Annie was summoned to his office where he will sentence a punishent to her because of what happened back at the feast.
"You have exemplary skills, but it doesn't excuse your behavior." He said. "You are suspended from any MP activity, your gear is confiscated as well! Enjoy living a civilian's life for the meantime."
Well, that would be good news for her… she will no longer worry about Hitch dragging her here and there.
Annie was walking towards the pile of dead bodies gathered to be buried but on her way to Marco's, she saw Jean, crying. She could've saved Marco back then… but then again, it wasn't her job to do that.
Annie was later startled by Reiner who tapped her from behind, accidentally hitting a bucket with her leg. In panic, she hurried and left as Jean got out and bumps into Reiner.
"Whoa Jean, You okay?" Reiner played it safe since he didn't have the time to run.
"Did you see someone pass by here?"
"No. Sorry. But hey, I'm on my way to grab some bread. Want to come?"
"No, I'm good. Thanks anyway."
Later Reiner catches up with Annie and inquired what she was doing back there. But Annie refused to answer. He pinned her to the wall when she tried to leave.
"Don't do this Annie. Bertholdt told me what you did for Marco." He says. "I thought I already told you—"
"You did Reiner! You did!" she tells him. "And I'm trying to do what I can to continue with this mission!"
"Well you're not doing anything hard enough!"
When Annie saw Jean, she quickly kneed Reiner and tripping him to lose his balance.
"Training is over." She tells Reiner. At first Reiner was confused and glared at her for a second but then he traced where she was looking.
"You want to practice too?" reiner asked.
"No. I just thought that someone needed help."
"Alright. I'll see you around. I need a break." Reiner says and walked away. Annie was about to follow him.
"Annie!" Jean called. "Why did you choose to join the Military Police?"
It was a sudden question but Annie was all prepared for sudden questionings like this. "Why didn't you?" she asked him instead.
"Because Survey Corps looked something more reasonable to join. They're the frontliners. And why are you asking me? I asked YOU!"
"You used to want to want to join the MP. What was your reason back then?" she ignored him again.
"I told you, it's reasonable to join the Survey so I moved there!"
"You didn't answer my question."
"You didn't answer mine!"
"I want to be away from what's outside the walls. Isn't that your reason as well?" it wasn't her reason… she just had to be away from them because she's gonna have to do something without them knowing. "You find it unreasonable to be a coward when everyone in your squad is going to be a member of the Survey Corps. Some people just get carried away by the flow. Even if they're against it."
Annie never realized all this time, she's been crying for help. For someone to help her… and so far no one got her message.
That night, she went to a corner to drop her wall for once and just cry it all out. She betrayed Bertoldt, Reiner… she just keeps on failing...
Tomorrow is the big day where she will have to take Eren. On their expedition. This time I have to prove to them I'm on their side. No one is going to get in the way. Not any 104th Squad, not Eren and especially Armin!
"Annie?"
She didn't want to talk to him. So she kept sobbing. Why of all times, huh Armin?
"Annie.. are you alright?"
Why won't you just go away?! Why won't all of you just go away! I thought things were easy… but right now you're making it hard for me!
Armin close the distance between them when Annie didn't respond to him, until slowly he wrapped his arms around her, feeling that she was cold. As if she's been there the whole night. It was a first that Annie didn't push him away.
For some reason, Annie was questioning herself as well. Why won't she leave? Why won't she push him away?
"Annie… I'll always be here."
Flashback:
"It takes a toll on you to stand brave in front of others, that's why don't be afraid to show your weak side every now and then."
End
Annie, who was hugging her knees, moved to cry on Armin's chest. Armin was surprised. It was also a first. It was the first time she showed signs of her 'soft spot' when around someone. She still didn't say a word though.
But Armin allowed Annie to let it all out.
"I'll always be on your side.. no matter what happens." He continued to assure her. "I didn't get it from any book this time."
Stop… Armin!
Annie's grip tightened on Armin's shirt. She wants him to stop. The more he talks, the more she will feel weak about tomorrow's attack. Although it was her fault for allowing to show her weak self to him in the first place.
"Yeah. I love you Annie. That's what I'm trying to say."
Ah there he said it. What Annie feared he would say.
Her fingernails were digging into the cloth of his shirt, reaching his skin. It hurts but Armin can pretend it didn't. For the meantime anyway.
I hate myself for letting you get to me this much, Armin.
What the two didn't know is that Bertholdt was watching. He wanted to comfort Annie but it seemed that he was too late.