A/N: So...this was originally planned to be a double chapter this week since I skipped last week, but due to me gaining an unhealthy obsession with speedrunning Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (which also resulted in me missing last week) in less than two weeks that will be unfortunately delayed until next sunday.

Gaujay7: Glad to see you! Clash of the Titans will be Marley's first real introduction to the story, so brace yourself for that!

Goku257 & Guest: Thanks for the support!

Clash of the Titans Part II: Those You Can Trust

Top of Wall Rose, Trost District

"Seriously?" Lieutenant Anna approached a sleeping Commander Pyxis, who just so happened to be next to about a dozen bottles of alcohol in various states of emptiness. "Get up, Commander! You'll die in this cold and I don't feel like burying a body."

Pyxis startled awake, and began to pick up another bottle before Anna snatched it from him.

"Oh no you don't. I'm not about to start putting you in diapers now."

Pyxis smiled, "Doesn't sound too bad."

"Yeah, to you." Anna snorted,

"Anyway, what's the situation?"

"We sent out some patrol units. Not too many titans spotted between the first and second defense lines. And even the few sightings we did get were pretty far apart, both spatially and time-wise."

"I see. Then my suspicion is likely correct in suggesting that there isn't a breach after all."

The sound of a wire being fired and reeling was quickly followed by the appearance of Commander Erwin.

"Ah, Erwin. Is it true you caught our little rat?" Pyxis stood up, dusting himself off,

"Somewhat. Although I'm not sure we're the better for it."

"Well, it should at least force those Interior snobs to reconsider how they think. Even change the way things are done."

"Seems it has. The Military Police are actually on the frontlines for once."

"That's a surprise."

"Commander Pyxis!" A soldier lept up to the duo, "The advance squad is back!"

"No breach?" Pyxis asked,

"Correct." The soldier replied,

"I suspected as much…" Pyxis stated,

"But there's more!" Private Phil panted out, "We ran into Section Commander Hange's unit. Among them were Cadets from the 104th who lacked ODM gear. Then we discovered that...four of them..were Titans!"

"Hold on. You're saying there were four more? Who were they?!" Jean began to raise his voice,

"Jean." Erwin said sternly, "We need to move out. Now."

Alto felt like he was floating. 'What the...where am I?' He opened his eyes and found himself drifting in a place surrounded by stars.

Suddenly, he was pulled down, down towards...something.

He opened his eyes again, and suddenly he was in a grassy field. No sign of Titans or the Scouts at all, or anyone for that matter.

"Hello?" He called. "Anyone here?"

He heard sudden footsteps, and a face peered down over him.

A face that - much to his shock - looked exactly like his.

Alto immediately rolled over and got up, "What kind of sick place is this?"

"I'm quite surprised you're here as well, Alto Hajime."

Alto took another step backwards, "How do you know my real name? And it's Burke not Hajime."

"Well...depends on the way you look at it." The doppelganger said, he looked at Alto fully. "I won't hurt you, I just want to talk."

Alto stepped forward, relaxing somewhat, "Seeing as I have no idea where I am, it seems I have no choice." He sat down. "So, who are you? Exactly?"

"My name is Hajime Azumabito, and I'm your first ancestor."

Wall Maria, Forest of Giant Trees

"This is a surprising development to be sure, but a welcome one." Zeke Yeager stood over Alto's unconscious body. "We've captured the Attack, along with an additional tenth titan. We've reclaimed the Jaw, I say this alone makes those five years worth it." He stood.

"What are we going to do about Annie?" Bertholdt stepped forward. "She's still stuck behind enemy lines! Who knows what those devils are doing to her-"

"All in due time." Zeke dusted off his pants. "We can't go gallivanting on a wild goose chase for her, especially with so little information."

"Especially now that your cover has been blown." Pieck added,

"Speaking of blown. Evangelica, your father wants you back on the mainland."

Evangelica, who'd remained silent throughout the exchange, suddenly froze. "What for?" She added chilily.

"He's pushing for the mission to be pulled. If we can't show results, then it's very likely that the Paradis Operation will be terminated by the end of the year." Zeke paused, then added, "It's more than that. Several nations - Britannia, the Western Federation, and others - are colluding with various Eldian Restorationist remnant groups and other resistances to bring our nation of Marley down from the inside."

This created a collection of gasps, the Eldian Restorationists were the largest resistance group to exist in Marley. Even after the Night of Bloody Bayonets and the brief Neo Eldian War, the Eldian Restorationists held a considerable amount of power, although nothing like what they had before and during the Neo Eldian War.

"So they're preparing for a second Neo-Eldian War?" Evangelica asked finally,

"Yes, it's likely."

Reiner gritted his teeth, 'Damn those Restorationists and their Western overlords...don't they understand they're being used?'

Ymir jerked up suddenly. "Krista!" She blurted, "Reiner! Where is she?! And who are these people?!"

"I'm Zeke." The blonde man stood up, "She's Pieck." He pointed at her, "And her panzer unit escorts."

Ymir was confused for a moment, then it dawned on her and she laughed, "After all this time...I'm back right where I started."

"Don't try any funny business." Reiner warned her. "You're still healing, all you are right now is glorified titan feed."

"I'm missing a leg, and an arm, dude. I'm a stump. What can I do?"

"Give the girl a break, Reiner. We're strung up and tired." Evangelica yawned.

"So." Ymir said, "You guys have been Marleyan Warriors this whole time? Then again, I can't believe I didn't recognize Evangelica's name sooner. It's been grilled into my head so many times after all."

Evangelica looked to the side at the mention of her last name, it clearly made her uncomfortable.

"So what's a princess like you doing here anyway?" Ymir asked,

Evangelica shot her a death glare. "Are you looking to become titan feed early? Because I know a certain 15-meter that would be happy to oblige."

"Alright. No Tybur jokes. Have a sense of humor." Ymir huffed.

Wall Rose

"Hey look! It's Commander Erwin!" A scout shouted,

"And MPs too…" Sasha mentioned.

"That's a surprise." Connie said to her.

Sure enough, a convoy of all three branches, Garrison, Military Police, and Scouts had arrived lugging a convoy of elevators, gas tanks, and general equipment. Enough for an entire expedition.

"Historia." Armin placed a hand on her shoulder, "I know it's useless. But you should stay behind."

"Hah." She chuckled, "Forget it. As long as either one of those two are in danger nothing is going to keep me here. Sorry, but not sorry."

"We win or lose together." Mina placed her hand on Armin's shoulder. "Too late to back out now. For any one of us."

"Good to see you Commander!" Moblit walked up to him.

"Right. Deploy the lifts!" Erwin ordered as Hanji grabbed Moblit's foot.

"Map...I need...Map!"

"It's a gamble. And if it doesn't pay off we could lose alot of time. Especially with that new quadruped titan appearing. But I say we ride straight for it." She looked up, "Even if they had a way to cover their tracks, I'd bet a pretty penny this is where we will find them."

"Why is that?" Connie asked,

"It's simple. They're tired." Mina said, everyone turned to her, "I mean...they need to rest right? Eren was exhausted after his transformations, and even Annie had to pull back eventually right? And based on what Levi saw, she got tired in her titan form and slowed down. Meaning that their energy isn't unlimited. Point is, they need to rest, and this is the only safe spot to do it without becoming a titan chow."

"Exactly." Hanji nodded, "Say they're headed beyond Wall Maria, that's no simple hike. That's miles of varying terrain of jungle, mountain, and flatlands. Odds are, they'll hold out until it's dark."