Preparations

Liberio's 4th Prison

The prison was closed for the day. All the inmates were returned to their cells and it's personel were locked in their offices as government military escorts cordoned the entire premises except Kaspar Ackerman's cell.

Minister Aganyu frequently had secret meetings with Ackerman in his cell, this was treated as state secret by the Ministry of the Interior. The cell had no lock, so he could go inside.

Kaspar while reading a book on Titan science: So… their meeting ended yet?

Iro: Yes. As expected, minister Armin is very much aware of our involvement with the Helos' cells, but has no proof so he can't do anything.

Kaspar: What else?

Iro: Our intelligence source could not hear the entirety of their meeting, but it involved Minister Armin Jean Kirstein, Connie Springer, Princess Ymir Reiss, Queen Historia, Mikasa Ackerman and Sasha Yeager.

Kaspar: Oh? Sasha too? That's interesting. I guess they are planning to form a very close intelligence committee .

Iro: Seems like it. Kirstein and Springer presented their resignations to Ministers Armin and Pieck this week. Most likely they'll be staying in Paradis from now on.

Kaspar: Ah… it seems the little queen does not trust her government anymore. That's fine. Everything seems to be in order.

Iro: The cells are beginning to activate again as you wanted.

Kaspar hands him two political panflets: Here spread this around to both groups. Tell that jackass of your proxy to not screw it up like the last one, we don't need more cells to kill themselves for been handed the wrong panflet.

Iro: Would be easier if you just appointed a leader to them.

Kaspar: You know that's not smart… the chess board is already completed, no need for extra pieces.

Iro: Are your goals any closer by now?

Kaspar: Not yet. This is a long game we are playing. But my bet was successful. I just need to wait a bit more… this must be frustrating to you right?

Iro: I am patient too Kaspar… but I do expect results.

Kaspar: Are you not happy being the minister of industries? Maybe you want to back out of this hehe…

Iro: You know that's not enough for me.

Kaspar: That's why we are friends Iro. Don't worry. If one of us is undoubtedly coming on top of this is you.

Iro: Maybe I should not have said anything back then. Would have saved me a lot of trouble.

Kaspar: HA! It was fate that compelled you to talk my friend. I was ready to kill myself 3 years ago.

Iro: I'm still surprised you managed to predict something so outlandish correctly.

Kaspar smiling: I'm a mere instrument Iro… this was written long ago… some things cannot be changed no matter how hard some idiots like Eren Yeager try… we are not meant to understand many things in this world… just to know how to use them.

Iro: You are certain this could work?

Kaspar: Yes. The stage is perfect… Mikasa was never going to be the one to fulfil that role… Sasha Yeager as the source has no choice. It's what she is in her core… Minister Armin… you got too confident… maybe you care too much about that girl… too bad for you…

Armin's Home

Mikasa and Sasha had already arrived to Liberio and were preparing for their roles to play. Mikasa was going to travel frequently to all of Marley's nations in a diplomatic fashion with the true goal of gathering information and was preparing the required documents. Meanwhile Sasha was packing some clothes and gear for her survey mission.

Sasha was more than excited for what she had been tasked to do. She missed Levi, she had not see him for months by then and had grown to love him, he reminded him of his mother a lot.

Mikasa enters her room: Sasha… can I talk to you?

Sasha got anxious: Y…yes mom. Come in.

Mikasa sat in her bed: Sasha… are you sure about this?

Sasha sat beside her: Yes mom I'm ready. It's no big deal anyway. And going to be with my uncle.

Mikasa: Uncle… it's still so strange to hear you call the captain like that…

Sasha: You should call him cousin!... or uncle… I don't know what he is to you haha

Mikasa smiles: It hurts me… that we have to be apart again Sasha.

Sasha: Aw mom… we can see each other frequently we are in the same continent now!

Mikasa: I know… sometimes I feel this is some sort of punishment for keeping you with me for so long.

Sasha: Don't be ridiculous mom. I'll always come back to you no matter what.

Mikasa: That's no true Sasha… you'll get married and have a family of your own someday…

Sasha gets red: What?! I… Well I guess but that's still far off!

Mikasa gets up and stops by the door: Sasha…

Sasha looks at her still blushed.

Mikasa: Just don't wait too long… to tell him how you feel… ok?

Sasha gets flustered and embarrassed: WHAT A WAY TO RUIN THE DAY FOR ME MOM!

Armin and Mikasa were talking about their strategy for diplomacy and for intelligence gathering. Meanwhile Annie had been avoiding Armin, she had not spoken to him for days.

Armin: Sigh… I guess it's the price to pay for this…

Mikasa: Well she does have a point Armin… I want to kill you too.

Armin: Gulp… you think she'll get over it at some point?

Mikasa: If something happens to Leo no.

Armin: Geez thanks Mikasa. I'm sure they won't get hurt, the whole point of this is to prevent these groups from growing, ripping it from the roots.

Mikasa: Have you considered that Ackerman already knows about what we intend to do? He probably knows I'm here and Sasha as well.

Armin: Yes I'm aware of that. This is a game he is playing Mikasa. We need to know at least some part of his plan, he needs to feel confident. I have deliberately left holes so he can get some information. I know there is a mole in Paradis.

Mikasa is shocked: WHAT?!

Armin: Historia knows this Mikasa… it's one member of her guard and we know who it is. Luckily people who are easily swayed by money are not too smart, so he is under control.

Mikasa gets angry: You are playing too much with people's lives Armin… you truly have become a leader… how are you different from Ackerman?

Armin feels bad and guilty: I guess you have a point… sigh…

Mikasa: I hope we are not just pawns in some sick game…

Armin looks at her concerned.

At that moment the door of the house suddenly opens. It's Leo panting and sweating wearing military uniform.

Armin: Hey Leo! What are you doing here?

Leo: Hey dad… I just… Oh Lady Mikasa how are you? I haven't seen you in while. It's good to see you.

Mikasa: Hello Leo. Sasha is in her room.

Leo gets very blushed: I… that's not…

Armin: Just go Leo haha

Leo runs upstairs embarrassed while Mikasa softly laughs. She suddenly feels a cold hand in her shoulder gripping it strongly.

Annie with a death look in her eyes: What are you doing Mikasa?

Mikasa shocked: Annie! How did you sneak up behind me?

Annie with the same look: Are you being a chaperone to my son?

Armin scared: Annie calm down!

Mikasa takes Annie's hand off her shoulder: What if I am?

Annie: SO YOU ADMIT IT?!

Mikasa: Young people should be able to love Annie. Especially if they are good for each other.

Annie laughs maniacally: GOOD?! And just how Sasha is good for Leo HUH?!

Mikasa gets angry: What did you say?

Annie angry too: YOU HEARD ME! She will ruin his life!

Mikasa clenches her fists and lowers her head in anger: Take that back.

Annie: I won't. Want to fight me Mikasa? Instructor Shadis is not here to stop us this time. The winner will determine who is correct. DEAL?

Mikasa pissed: DEAL.

Armin is terrified at the situation.

Annie: Come let's go to the courtyard.

Mikasa: Fine.

Armin: Guys PLEASE! Stop this you are acting like children!

Mikasa and Annie both shout at the same time: STAY OUT OF THIS ARMIN!

Armin drops to the ground with tears in his eyes scared.

Meanwhile – Sasha's Room

Sasha was left anxious by what her mother told her. She started to change her clothes and put on her training outfit.

Suddenly Leo barges in: SASHA!

Sasha was in the mid of changing her clothes. Both of them stared at each in surprise with their mouths open in shock. Both of the got extremely blushed and embarrassed. Leo without saying anything slowly closed the door.

Leo dropped to the ground shaking. He felt his heart was about to burst off his chest. Sasha felt the same way and was weirded out about it. She finished changing her clothes.

Sasha: Leo… you can come in now if you want…

Leo slowly opens the door: Sasha... He kneels and drops his head to the ground I'M SO SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

Sasha nervously laughs: It's fine I should have locked the door hehe…

Leo: I'm sorry I just was so excited that you were he… I MEAN I WANTED TO SAY HELLO.

Sasha blushing: I was excited to see you too Leo. I haven't seen you in a while. I still don't understand how you got so tall, your parents are such shorties haha.

Leo: Yeah my mom since I was little put me in a stretching regime so I would grow taller. It's not like I'm a giant or something I have the same height as your mom…

Sasha stands up and approaches him: Yeah but look how small I am to you! I have to look up to see your face hehe.

Leo is very embarrassed and starts to unconsciously slouch: Y…yeah I guess.

Sasha slaps him in his arm: Hey you shouldn't slouch! You are pretty big look at your arms! If you do that you seem like a wimp.

Leo anxious: S…sorry I don't do it on purpose!

Sasha blushing and feeling playful: Maybe… I'm your weakness huh? HA!

Leo dripping blood from his nose: Ye… NO!.

In that moment both of them hear a ruckus coming from downstairs that kills the moment.

Sasha: Huh? What was that?

Leo: Oh no… I know what it is.

The courtyard

Mikasa and Annie had changed to training clothes. Both of them had a killer gaze.

Annie: Are you ready?

Mikasa: Yes.

Annie takes her fighting stance: Well then. Let's start.

Mikasa is idly standing.

Annie: Come on what are you waiting for? Are you scared haha

Mikasa: No. I just don't want to kill you.

Annie gets offended: WHAT?! So you are still as smug as you where back in the day huh? You'll regret that.

Mikasa: I doubt it.

Annie gets pissed and throws a punch to Mikasa, she grabs her fist but Annie at the same time punches Mikasa in her gut. Mikasa is shocked at how strong Annie is, she was left without air.

Annie smirking: Not so confident now huh?

Mikasa gets pissed: She grabs Annie by an arm and a leg and throws her to the wall.

Meanwhile Armin is petrified looking at the fight. Christine is besides him cheering for both Annie and Mikasa

Christine: COME ON MOMMY KILL HER! LADY MIKASA PUNISH MY MOM FOR ALL THE TIMES SHE SPANKED ME! HAHAHAHA!

Annie spits a bit of blood: Cheater.

Mikasa: This is not boxing. The deal was for the winner to decide, you didn't say anything about rules.

Annie pissed: All right if that's how this is going to be.

Annie lounges towards Mikasa in a fake attack, she docks at Mikasa's punch and sweep her leg making her fall, she puts her in a double lock grabbing her arm and her head with her legs.

Mikasa is choking and her arm is about to snap.

Annie: Tap! You are done! I'm going to break your arm if you don't tap in 5 seconds.

Mikasa gets furious and with the strength in her legs and abdomen she raised her body with Annie, who is shocked, and throws herself face forward to the ground hitting Annie with a headbutt to her chest, releasing the locks and leaving Annie without air.

Both of them are on the ground grasping for air, a bit bloodied and very tired.

Armin frightened: Ok guys that's enough you proved your point.

Annie and Mikasa slowly and with difficulty sit down.

Annie: No… we are still even…

Mikasa: Yeah… either one of us has to pass out…

Armin: NO STOP THIS NOW!

Christine cheering: TO THE DEATH!

At that moment Leo and Sasha came running down the stairs.

Leo: MOM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

Sasha is shocked at what she is seeing. She had never seen her mom and Annie fight before.

Annie: Stay out of this! This is something personal between me and Mikasa!

Leo grabs her and raises her: STOP THIS RIGHT NOW MOM! Annie is wriggling but cannot break free.

Mikasa is on the ground and Sasha is besides her nearly crying: Mom what is happening?

Mikasa smiles at her: Just a friendly spar Sasha. This is how we have always been.

Sasha concerned: Really? That's insane!

Leo drops Annie while still holding her: I'll let go if you calm down.

Annie fuming: I'm sorry I made you that tall and strong…

Leo with a very dominating presence: CALM DOWN.

Annie: Sigh… all right.

Mikasa smiling: I guess we both lost to our children huh Annie?

Annie smiles back: I guess so… I never had any say in it anyway… I just wanted to have some fun I suppose

Mikasa: Yeah… me too

Sasha is very confused and Leo is very angry.

Christine: Aw… I wanted to see more blood…

Armin: See what you have raised Annie?