Earlier

Careful to not stitch Levi's right eyelids together, Hange slowly sews the lieutenant's wounds up. "Everyone got turned into Titans, but only you survived. It must be for the same reason you're able to survive these injuries. Because you're an Ackerman." Done with the stitches, Hange places the first aid equipment away and sits on the blanket the unconscious Levi lays on with her hands on her head. So much has gone on...and so much more she doesn't have a clue about since.

"Well, now what do we do? We can't stop Zeke on our own… We just have to count on Joshua or Commander Pyxis… Even if Eren betrayed Zeke, if that means the Jaegerists will still use the spinal fluid to control the island, we'll be on the run here for the rest of our lives. It must be that our time has come. You might feel like you're doing the right thing, but...times change and you find yourself in a cell. Maybe we should just live here together. Right...Levi?"

With no response from the man, Hange finishes applying bandages to his face, then rises and goes to work on fixing up a cart to carry Levi in. As she hammers the wheel in place, the world around her becomes a night-blue sky over a sea of sand.

"Hear me, all Subjects of Ymir. My name is Eren Jaeger. I now speak to all the Subjects of Ymir by way of the Founding Titan's power. Every wall on the island of Paradis has been unhardened. All of the Titans buried within them have begun to walk. My goal...is to protect the people of Paradis Island who bore me and raised me. But the world desires the extinction of the people of Paradis. Over countless years, their hatred has grown beyond this island. They surely will not stop until they have killed every one of the Subjects of Ymir. I reject their desire. The Titans of the walls will trample and rumble all the lands beyond this island. Until the lives there...are eliminated from this world…"

As the world returns to normal, Hange is frozen in place, shaken with fear and surprise. "Just now...was that…the whole world...Eren…"

"The Beast…" Hange turns around, surprised to see Levi awake. "That piece of shit. Where is he?"

"You don't need to get up," Hange states as she lays Levi back down. "Zeke went to Shiganshina with the Jaegerists. Half a day has passed since then… What happened?"

"I screwed up. I wasn't able to figure out...that he was ready to die… I let...him get away again."

Hange lowers her head. "I'm sure you want revenge, but for now…"

"If we keep running and hiding, what will that get us?"

"Oh. So you heard me talking to myself."

Levi turns his head in the direction he found Hange initially. "What you're making?"

"That?"

"You're going to pull me...by horse?" Levi sighs as he faces Hange again. :I know you… You're not able to stay out of the action."

She chuckles halfheartedly. But Levi is right about her. "Yeah, that's right… I can't."

Present

"My goal...is to kill Zeke. Our interests align. Theo Magath. Pieck Finger."

Magath raised his pistol up, the barrel directed at the sky. "Levi Ackerman. It seems you have the strength to stand against the Nine Titans. But how do you expect to dodge one of my bullets looking like that?"

"I can't dodge any bullets. But I'm presenting myself to an enemy in this sorry state. Shoot or listen. It's up to you."

Magath lowers the gun. "Then we'll listen before we shoot. You said you'd kill Zeke. Where is he now?"

Hange shrugs. "My guess is that he's trying to win over Eren so he can use his royal blood. Well...win the Founding Titan over."

"Seems like you know it all, Titan Doctor Hange," Pieck comments. "Even more so than Marley. Have you seen this Founding Titan for yourself?"

"I know it's unbelievably large, and that it seems impossible to conquer. So...we just have to do this together. Let's combine forces. You get it, right?"

Joshua

As night falls, Gabi and I continue our pursuit. With Ragako Village between Wall Rose and Wall Sina...well, what used to be those walls, we take a detour along the western side of Trost and head directly for the wild. Thankfully there's a gap between Sina and Rose's Wall Titans, but unfortunately, their footsteps can be heard even out of sight. It's not as loud as it was in Shiganshina, so the girl and I may get some sleep.

If I know Connie, he's not going to ride through the night and exhaust himself. There's a good chance Falco has awoken by now, considering it only took a few hours for Armin and Eren to wake up themselves. So we call it a night in the plains, tying our horses to one of the nearby trees and making camp. I think an hour or so has passed since we've done all that and eaten, so I close my eyes to the sound of unnatural footsteps of angry, vengeful Titans. How the hell they stood up for a hundred or so years, I don't know.

"Can I...ask you a question?" Opening my eyes, I look in Gabi's direction, the girl curled up in the Scout's cloak. Nodding to her (and eager for something other than the rumbling in my ears), Gabi voices her inquiry. "Back when Eren said Reiner did something to you...what was it?"

I knew this question would eventually come. Looking away from her to the fire, I decide that the best answer is the complete one. After all we've been through the last day and more, she deserves the truth. "Nine years ago, when your cousin, Bertholdt, and Annie broke through Wall Maria, it was the Armored Titan that broke the inner gate. I was inside the Walls, that's where I lived and I happened to run into my parents while running for my life. But large debris from Reiner's exit crushed my parents… On that day, I swore to join the military and defeat the Armored Titan. But I didn't know it was Reiner."

Gabi lowers her head. "Oh… So there was a time you were friends?"

I nod. "Yeah. For three years, we trained together. When I formally met him, he and Bertholdt took Armin, Eren and I out into the woods at night, and we learned what each of us wanted to do. Eren, believe it or not, just wanted to destroy all Titans; Armin wanted to see the ocean, but those two, they just wanted to return to their hometown. I thought it was from the village they said they were from, southeast from Wall Maria in the mountains, but… Anyway, he was a dependable guy, an inspiration to us other boys. He ranked number two in our class, under Mikasa."

"Where did you rank?"

I smirk. "...You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I was number 11, behind a few people who...weren't as skilled as me. But at the time, I hadn't come into who I am, but I know now my instructor saw my potential. It didn't come until Trost… Bertholdt broke the wall again and Titans flooded in. Some of us trainees were already at the wall, so we did what we could until the main forces were mobilized. But skipping through all those details...those cadets who survived, only a few of us joined the Scouts. Everyone in my inner group besides Annie, including Bertholdt and Reiner."

Gabi sees my sorrowful expression. "What happened in Trost?"

"...What didn't? Eren first transformed there...we beat the Titans for the first time...my best friend and the girl I liked died...everything truly began that day. Not long afterwards, we met the Female Titan, just to narrowly miss capturing Annie. In the aftermath of that battle, we saw the first Wall Titan. Then Zeke turned the people of Ragako into Titans, but since we didn't know of the spinal fluid or Zeke then, we thought Titans breached the Wall Rose again but outside the city. Then… Bertholdt and Reiner revealed themselves. They kidnapped Eren and the Jaws Titan back then, but we managed to get Eren back. Ymir, who was the Jaws, she went with your cousin and Bertholdt willingly. Then the next time we met them was back in Shiganshina. We lost all except eleven of us, but managed to feed Bertholdt to another, injure Zeke to retreat, and free our home from the Titans within the next year. But when I last saw your cousin… I swore revenge. I would kill his family as he killed mine, destroy his home as he did mine, and then kill him. Eren was right, I said all of that."

"...Not too long ago, before the attack, Marley was at war with another nation, a few I think. There was the Eldian unit I was part of, since us candidates participated in the war despite not having Titans. I...destroyed a mounted machine gun with some dynamite."

I don't know what that has got to do with my story, but if we're comparing feats, "I survived being eaten by a Titan by throwing a grenade in its throat. The night prior, held off a Titan assault during the night, the only survivor of the attacking force… Well, not at the time, but with Ymir dead, I guess that's true now."

"You're amazing," Gabi says sincerely. "I guess there is some truth to the idea that this island is full of devils, just not how we thought of you people…I shot another soldier that night, before entering the aircraft. I hurt that guard in the prison. Almost attacked Kaya twice, then continued to blame her and the rest of the island for something they never did. In truth...there are devils on both sides of the walls. But if you swore to kill my family, why did you save me?"

"Because… That night, before we attacked Liberio, I met your aunt and Annie's dad. I told them our story while Tyber told the truth of the world. When I sensed Eren was about to transform, when Tyber officially declared war, I pointed my gun at your aunt's face...and shot her in the shoulder." Balling my fist, I glance up at Gabi. "Three times prior to today, I could have killed you. When I came to take Pieck out, you, Falco, and Magath were right there. I didn't do it then because I...couldn't kill people for defending someone who's a Titan when I've done it myself twice. When I was told you shot Sasha, I couldn't kill you then because I blamed Eren, not you. Then, when you told me you were Reiner's cousin, I couldn't do it because… I don't know. I couldn't bring myself to kill you then and there after saving your life, just like I couldn't kill Reiner when I had him… I couldn't continue the bloodshed between me and him. I didn't have the will anymore back in Liberio, not even in Shiganshina earlier today. I'm tired of fighting… I'm tired of vengeance.

"Oh."

"But I don't blame you for shooting Sasha. If I was in your position, I would have done the same. Probably not as good a shot as you are, but all the same… Kaya and you have made up, Mr. Braus has forgiven you, you don't need to look for it from me. Sasha's alive, and...well… I guess I won't be the one to kill the Braun family." I look up to the night sky, sighing. "I never knew he wanted this. Sure, we talked about destroying our enemies outside the walls, but...the whole world? I can't accept that."

"Do you think...we can stop him, Eren?"

"At this point… I wonder if he will stop himself…"

The next day

"Falco! Get away from him!" We make it to Ragako Village just in time. Gabi and I see Connie and Falco down the dirt road, the soldier with giant brushes in his arms. They turn in our direction as Gabi continues to yell at her friend, "He's trying to feed you to a Titan because you've inherited the Jaw Titan!"

"Huh?"

Falco is suddenly seized by Connie, my comrade holding the boy with a blade to his neck. I stop my horse, gritting my teeth out of concern for the boy and knowing the pain of the young man. "Connie, stop!"

"Stay back! Get away, you two!"

"Connie!"

Connie backs up and climbs a ladder up towards the rafters of the building his mother is housed. "Shut up! I don't want to hear it! Don't say a word! You wouldn't understand! You're going to tell me it's better to keep him alive, right? And that I should give up on my mom! How can someone who's as right as you...ever understand what an idiot like me has to say!"

As Gabi jumps off her horse and asks Falco to use the power of the Jaws, I slowly drop down and sigh. I don't want to do what I have to do, because I do understand why Connie is doing what he's doing. But there's only one way to stop him...and to do it… "Gabi, please forgive Connie." I shoot myself up to the rafters, beating Connie up and landing just above his mother's waiting mouth.

Shaken by my move, Connie further presses the blade against Falco's neck. "Hey! I said stay back!" I say nothing back, but begin to rummage through my pocket. "Hey… What are you planning… Say something! Joshua!"

"You just told me to not say a word! So…" I hold a round object in my hands, and glare at Connie. "I'm going to show you." I leap down and nearly throw the grenade in the Titan's mouth, only stopped by Connie throwing himself at me. We roll on the ground, groaning as we hear Falco and Gabi reunite.

As the tension dies, Connie sits up, looking at me like I'm stupid. "You didn't activate it. You...could have died. What were you planning on doing?"

"I… I don't know. But I wouldn't have died, whether by your mom's hands or yours. I trusted you loved your mother that you wouldn't let me kill her, but I know you wouldn't kill me because everyone would hate you. Sasha especially."

"...She told me to become a great soldier when she sent me out into the world. And yet her son...nearly killed a kid and a friend. That's the kind of soldier...I am."

I raise my head up, staring at the Marleyan kids. "...Me too. I tried...to be a leader, just like the Commander. Look where that got us."

"Joshua, I...want to become a soldier my mother will be proud of. So...let's go and save some people in trouble."

Later…

"So that's what's happening so far," I tell Connie as the four of us stop in Trost for a meal. Fortunately, the last of the Wall Titans have left the area, so the rumbling has ceased. The people seem to be happy and life looks normal, despite the last day or so being so loud.

"But is it true, what Armin thinks," Connie asks as he swallows some pie. "That Annie might be back?"

"Yeah. Reiner lost his armor when the hardening was undone, so there's the possibility that…" Connie and I look to our right, to a pair of aqua blue eyes, short, blond hair and a crumb-filled hooded face that stares back nervously. Dropping my jaw, I barely manage to say her name. "A-A-Annie?"

She swallows her pie nervously, which invokes Connie's funny bone. "GAAAAAHAHAHAHA! Annie...Annie's gobbling down a pie!"

"Connie, come on," I say while also trying to manage my own laughter.

"What a sloppy eater!"

"Annie! We're here! And look at this…" I look up and above Annie's head to two other people, one with a similar appearance to Annie and another, with brown eyes, red hair, and an armful of food. She nearly drops it all before setting it on the table and walking up to my standing form, holding the side of my face. "What happened to the sideburns? They look scruffy. And why are you crying, you idiot?"

"It's been a long month...Sasha."

Connie wails as he throws himself on Sasha. "You're the idiot! You...you died, and your last word was 'Meat'? You fucking idiot! Jean and I were worried!"

Sasha pushes him off her. "Go away! Anyway, what are you two doing in Trost, we heard everything was going down in Shiganshina."

"Long story." I take my seat back, with Historia and Sasha sitting on the other side. "But why are you two here? You're supposed to be in the hospital, and you're supposed to be at the residence."

Historia smiles. "I was at the hospital visiting Sasha when the rumbling happened, and we ran into Annie as we made our escape. I'm sure the world is in turmoil that the queen is missing at the same time the rumbling begins...and speaking of that, what is going on?"

I sigh. "Floch and the Jaegerists are assuming control. The military took a huge blow when Zeke transformed the higher ups into Titans, the volunteers were imprisoned, and I left Jean to...try to keep things sane. I bet that is not going well...and, of course, the rumbling." I turn to Gabi and Falco, the kids watching and eating silently. Gabi especially looks nervous, she's sitting by the girl she shot. "But we have three of the Nine Titans accounted for. Armin, of course, Reiner's recovering in a secret location, and...we have a new Jaws."

"A new Jaws," Annie asks. "Wait, so did Marley get it back? How?"

Connie chuckles. "You, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Eren weren't the only shifters in our midst. But I guess Armin never said anything about Ymir, huh?"

"No… I don't recall that, of all I heard from him and Hitch while in the crystal."

"Anyway, Zeke is MIA as far as I'm concerned, so is the Cart. As for the Attack, Warhammer, and Founder… Eren walks along the Wall Titans."

"Any plan to stop him," Sasha asks.

"No," I state regretfully. "Of course, I'm leaving that to Armin. My current concern is Hange and Levi. We haven't seen Hange since the Jaegerists arrested us, and if Zeke escaped Levi, something must have happened. But I know Hange was leading them to Zeke. If they're alive, I bet they're together… Heh." I smirk as I look at the girls. "But I guess we can let the Jaegerists run things to the ground, since the queen is missing. Eren poses the greater problem, so our best option now is to focus on him.

"What are you thinking?"

"Something the 104th Cadet Corps and the Scouts are crazy enough to pull off… But I need to get to Jean first."

The next day

"People of the Empire! Thank you for gathering here today! And now… It is time for us to execute these two volunteers who dared turn against the Eldian Empire!" As full of shit Floch is, I can admit he's great at speeches. Only he could say such bullshit and convince everyone is not. "With this, we Jaegerists will inherit Eren's intention to rule the world! It will be a declaration of our reign over the island of Paradis!" As the people around me cheer, Floch points his pistol at Yelena, one of two volunteers that kneel at the center of the gathering. "This criminal is named Yelena! She took up arms against Marley and supported the Eldian Empire, but her true aims were different. They were to put the Founder's power into Zeke's hands and to make his euthanization plan into reality, wiping every last Eldian out! Eren may have defeated Zeke and stopped their plan...but she acted as his faithful servant all along!"

"She was always a filthy Marleyan!"

"Die, you harlot!"

"Go to hell where you belong!" I have no love for Yelena, but… Not even I think she deserves execution.

"Yelena! Any last words?"

"...Are you going to shoot yet?"

As the people call for her death, Floch silences them and turns his attention to the other volunteer. "I'm not shooting yet! This criminal is named Onyankopon! He worked hard for Eldia, ignorant of this euthanization plan! But he dared say he'd choose death over a life serving the Eldian Empire! If you've changed you mind, now is the time to-"

"HAAHAHAHA! I assisted Eldia in order to save my homeland from Marley! To help all of you, as well! As a result of my assistance, my homeland will be trampled, my family slaughtered! And now? Are the only ones left here a bunch of pathetic nativist bastards? Is that it? HAHAHAHA! My life is not so precious that it would be worth flattering the likes of you! Every one of you here has to know! The outrage that is sudden, indiscriminate murder! Why do none of you understand?" Onyankopon turns to the man standing behind him. "Stop standing there in silence! Say something! Jean!"

Jean looks ahead to me, seeing me nod. Immediately, he shoots in Onyankopon's direction, the gunshots echoing loud and clear in the sky. "Damn, I missed…" As Floch questions what Jean just did, the soldiers on the fort's roof become struck with alarm as the Cart Titan. It makes its way over to the gathering, mouth wide as it threatens to eat the volunteers and Floch. "Floch!" Jean pushes Floch out the way, getting consumed in his place.

"The Cart Titan!"

"They got away!"

"It ate Jean!"

"Yelena too!"

"After them!"

"Equip yourselves!"

"Carry the injured!"

"Hurry!"

"Dammit! Where's Mikasa? Hurry up and make sure she's… Where's Mikasa...Gah!"

"Jaegerists, you dumbfucks." Everyone pauses as I take hold of the stunned Floch, dragging him with me to the edge of the fort's roof. Buying the Cart Titan and the others some time to escape, I decide to have fun with Floch and his gang of fanatics. "Ah, finally. I've been waiting days for this, no, years. What do you say, Floch? How about a suicide charge down to the death?"

"Ngh...Unhand me! Shoot him!"

"You know, I remember a certain comment you made not too long ago. You said something about Mina, did you not… Jackasses and jack-women of the Eldian Empire, we have kidnapped Queen Historia. If I die here, she and her unborn child dies. So go ahead, shoot if you dare-" I fall off the roof as a shot is fired, dropping off the fort. Hearing the scared voices of the Jaegerists for their leader, I adjust myself using my equipped ODM and safely drop Floch face first on the ground as I land right behind Sasha on her horse. Holding her waist and kissing her cheek, I take my other gun from her. "Good timing, let's go!"

Sasha turns back to the downed Floch. "Is he dead?"

"Oh, he'll wish he was... To everyone else, we join them."

"Get up." Annie kicks Reiner in the face, suddenly rousing him from sleep.

"Ngh… Wha?" He stares up, first in confusion, then in total shock as he sees Annie for the first time since, as far as I know, when we graduated. "Annie?"

"Calm down, Reiner," Gabi says as she and Falco drop down to his side.

"Don't worry. We're all on the same side."

"Reiner," I say as I reach my hand out to him. "There's no time. We're going now."

"...Where?"

"To do the impossible. To save the world."