Hello and welcome to A NEW WORLD, A NEW CHANCE.

Before we start, a note to anyone reading my Severus Snape story:
Yeah it's gonna be a long while before I return to that.

Before we continue, I'd like to make some things clear. This is not only a time-travel fanfic, but also a STRONG Alternate Universe fanfic. As in various lore bits, ages and even genders have been changed in this new World. More will be explained as you read ahead in the chapter. Either way, I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 1: "Nightmare"

What happened?

Eren's eyes stared up at a charcoal sky, rays of light bouncing around the vast expanse of the void before him like flies. Pulling his hands up, he pulled away loose strands of brown hair from his face. Soon, he became apparent at the surface below him. He was on his back, upon ground that lightly moved and dug into itself as he sat up.

The Eldian's green gaze soon shifted over the land, and to the great beam of light before him. Like a growing tree, a beam of pure, gold and blue light emanate from the middle of the sea of sand, like some kind of oasis. Looking up, it branches separated into millions upon millions of paths.

He was here, Eren thought. But how? The last thing he remembered was…

Shock coursed through his body, with instinct kicking in. Eren growled, touching his neck, feeling it. It was still there. Gabi had decapitated him completely. He had to admit, the child was persistent. She reminded him of himself in his early days.

Checking the rest of himself, he saw that he still had his white flannel shirt on and his black jacket, pants and boots. A Jaegerist wardrobe, adopted by his followers. Frowning, Eren slowly stood up and started walking. Thoughts coursed through his mind, thinking back.

Did he manage to get to Zeke before he was decapitated? If he did, where was Zeke? He should be with him.

Nearing the great tree of light, Eren stopped, as he saw a form come out of it. In a slow walk, carrying a bucket in one hand, a short, petite form walked forward. Doused with a mane of brownish gold hair, Eren stared down at her as she slowly came up to him and knelt at the ground, by a flock of flowers he hadn't seen before. They were of a violet color, and she began to pick them out from the sand and put them in the bucket, watched cautiously by the Titan-shifter.

"You've come a long way." the woman said. Jaeger slowly approached her and watched from a few feet away.

"Ymir, I presume."

"Yes."

A long bout of silence came over them. Eren stared down at her, before frowning. Scratching at the back of his head, he hummed.

"So what now?"

Ymir seemed to stop in her work, looking up at him in a side-long glance. Violet eyes met green ones and Ymir soon looked away, picking up the bucket full of flowers and marching back to the light. Frowning, Eren followed her.

Eren at first followed her in silence, but soon, having not gotten an answer, Eren sped his movement up and soon stood before her, forcing Ymir to stop in her tracks. The both of them stared at each other, before Eren asked again.

"I've seen what I've needed to see, Ymir. I ask only the power to finish what I started. What my father started."

Ymir stared at him for a long moment.

"Do you regret it?"

Eren blinked, scowling. He then arched an eyebrow.

"Regret what?"

"You alienated your loved ones. Plotted against your brother. Risked the lives of your friends. Forced hundreds to fall for you. You have wished death upon the world and you began this cycle. This cycle of sin. Why should I give my power to one who does not see his own sin?"

Eren stared at her wide eyed. Somehow, in some way, Eren stared into those purple eyes with a feeling he had not had for four years now. Ever since the Ceremony after Shiganshina, he had pushed forward. Ever silent and distant about his true plans. His true ambitions. Not even to his comrade, Zeke, who he planned to trick.

"And you're telling me I should let my brother grant our people a barren pasture? That I should not wreak vengeance upon the world for what it has done to my people?"

"They are my people, too, Eren. And no. Neither option will help." She stared into his eyes with a wise understanding, one that made Eren look away in guilt-ridden anger. Eren turned his back upon her and watched the tree in silence.

"... Why even ask?"

Ymir seemed to grow quiet at this. Frustrated at that, Eren turned around and spoke again.

"Why ask?"

"Because if we do not stop and question ourselves, our past actions… Are we truly human?"

Eren blinked at Ymir's answer. He stood quiet, as she continued.

"What it means to be human, I've gathered, is to understand. Is to think. One of my people once said "I think, therefore I am." A funny thought, no?" She didn't smile at that funny thought, nor did Eren, as both stared at each other in silence.

"... Why am I here?" Eren finally asked.

"You should know that. You sought my power, yet I will tell you now: you're not getting it."

Eren glared at her with fury, approaching her and clasping his palms onto her shoulders, squeezing. Breathing heavily, Eren growled.

"Then why am I here? Why bring me here?"

"You're dead. Isn't it obvious?" For the first time, Ymir's face changed. An amused and curious eyebrow rose, and Eren blinked, stunned. Letting go, Eren stepped back and looked around himself.

"This is the coordinate."

"Yes. The place where all Eldian paths connect. I am its keeper. Its founder. And the one who holds both seed and sapling. What are you, Eren Jaeger?"

Staring at her, he let her continue her train of thought.

"Are you a human? If so, then can you call yourself that? Moving forward without a thought of remorse? Of regret? Are you who you claim to be? The boy with a loving mother? A caring father? A friend that anchored you? And a girl that loved you ever since you stood over her captors, bravely saving her? Can you even call yourself Eren Jaeger, let alone human?"

"Enough." Eren growled out.

They stared at each other for more than four minutes, before Eren sighed.

"... Then what now?" He asked, a defeated gaze resting at the ground between them.

"You said it yourself once. If you don't fight, you can't win. Do you want to win, Eren Jaeger?" Ymir asked, cocking her head at him. Their gaze met again, and Eren nodded.

"Yes. I do."

"Then I ask you again. Do you regret it?"

Eren looked into himself once more. Looking away, he shut his eyes. His failure to defend the 34th Squad. His failure to lift the lumber over his mother's crushed legs. His failure to love Mikasa like he should have. His failure to protect Armin and to not cost him his entire life. His failure to save Erwin. His failure to save Hannes. His failure to see reason every step of the way.

From his closed eyes, tears started to form. The first in four years, Eren's green orbs opened and looked upon violet orbs. Ymir's eyes, themselves, spoke that she saw what he saw. As tears started forming, Eren slumped down to his knees. Now in Limbo, he was defeated. All that he had done…

What he had told Mikasa before all of this.

"Yes."

That single word seemed to echo across the sea of sand. The tree's low hum of light was the only sound for what seemed like hours, as a pregnant silence landed between both Founder and Titan-shifter. Soon, Ymir knelt before Eren and rested a warm hand upon his cheek. With a thumb, she wiped one of his tears.

"Shh… You've been through much, Son of Jaeger. You've been through so much… This World has punished you, and for that, I am sorry, my sweet Child. I know what you have been through."

Eren sobbed for a moment, letting Ymir speak.

"But,"

Eren's eyes looked up, glossed over with salty water as he started up at her. Ymir smiled slightly, a warm, welcoming face that let Eren calm down a bit.

"There is hope…"

She handed him her palm. Blinking, Eren brushed some of the tears and soon took it. She stood, and he stood. Then, with her free hand, she picked up her bucket and led Eren. Both held each other's hand, though Eren thought nothing of it. They slowly approached the tree. Eren was so close that the light was almost blinding.

Ymir stopped and soon faced Eren, now not smiling.

"The Paths… They work through memories."

Eren blinked, and reaffirmed her, though needlessly. "Yes."

"But they work not only through memories, but also alternatives… Above us is a void of space. Above us are millions of paths. Though what you know of them is only a small drop in the water. Every single path, every single branch, is a story. Not just of a single person, mind or group… But of a World. A World where there are Eldians. Across time. Space. Memory. Past, present and future. Parallels of unimaginable count… You only need to reach out and find one."

Eren blinked. He looked down at his feet before looking up at Ymir, confused.

"W-what do you mean?"

"I will give you another chance, Jaeger. Not in this world, no. Your time has come. Its fate will rest with others, I am afraid… But I can give you a new start. It will not be the past, no. But it will be an alternative. Where you can redeem yourself. And bry your regrets."

Eren stared, mouth agape. He closed it, blinking and steeling his features. Wiping a stray bit of tear around his eyes, he nodded. "What must I do?"

Ymir's gaze departed toward the tree.

"Let the coordinate guide you, sweet Child."

Eren had let go of Ymir and had turned toward the tree. Gazing into the light, he winced, and soon asked, though he did not see that Ymir was walking away already.

"Where will it take me?"

"Even I do not know. Good luck, Eren."

Gulping, Eren closed his eyes. Already straining from the light, Eren extended his hands to either side of him, giving his all to the light. Ymir turned at the last second, watching as Eren engulfed himself into the blazing light and disappeared. For Ymir, she simply closed her eyes with a content sigh.

For Eren, it felt like he was weightless.

The Light had died.

He was in free fall.

Then he could not close his eyes, as flashes came to him. He could not scream. A bloodied street. A boulder. The wings of freedom. Crystalized wall. A Titan inside the walls. A great tree reaching up the sky. A child holding his mouth as he watched his parents burn alive. A swift kick to Eren's back as he landed upon sand from a high wall. Titans walking over the grass fields of Maria. Then, her eyes. Grey eyes.

Finally, he closed his eyes-
And screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! AAAAAaaaah… Ah… Hah... Hah..."

Eren stared into the darkness. It was night, as bugs outside chirped. He was in a bed, a neat mattress under him. He had pulled back his covers and was staring wide eyed at nothing, as the moonlight cast a shadow of himself over the place he sat.

Blinking his wide eyes, their green orbs traced across the room. Cupboards, shelves, even a chest. Things he hadn't seen for many years. Things that…

Soon, he heard footsteps. Tensing, Eren was still quite shaken from what felt like a dream. No, it was reality. It was reality. He had died. He had met Ymir. But it felt so surreal. His entire life. 19 years had passed before his eyes in a flash of light that felt like years, but seemed like seconds. He couldn't scream. He could only scream when he awoke.

Was it really real? Had it happened?

"Eren, darling?"

Eren tensed up. Looking at the door, it was ajar, held open by what Eren did not expect. His mother. Her black hair still tied into a knot, her yellowish amber eyes full of life. Her delicate skin, dressed over with sleeping robes. She looked younger than he remembered her.

"M-Mom?" Even Eren was surprised by the immaturity of his voice. It croaked as he opened his mouth to speak, and he sounded like… a child. A small boy.

Confusion, shock and fear were on his face, and his mother had noticed, as she began to come closer, a candle in hand, held up by a small plate with a metal hook through which her finger held it up by.

"Oh, Eren darling, you're crying. What happened?" His mother had marched up to his side, meeting his anxiously shocked gaze with her own motherly worry. Wiping tears that he had not felt were there, Eren gulped and reached out.

Soon, Carla blinked as her son held her so close to himself that she could've sworn he wanted to kill her by smothering her. Putting the candle by his bed, she chuckled a bit, hugging him back and patting his back.

"Oh, Eren… I'm right here, darling…"

"Mom." Eren said, almost as if making sure it was her. He still held on, and for a long bout of silence and Carla chuckling at times at the situation, Eren still held on. Finally, he let go and faced her.

"What happened, darling?" Carla asked, putting her palm on Eren's cheek and letting its warmth make Eren feel calmer. It did, and Eren sniffed before speaking.

"A… really bad dream… it's nothing."

"Is everything fine?" Then, Eren whipped his head around and did his best not to cry again. His father, Grisha, was there, holding a candle of his own. His spectacles held tired eyes and… Was that a fuller beard? His dad looked much older now. His confusion and tears must've shook Grisha, as the man was by Carla's side and his heavy palm was on his son's forehead.

"Not a fever, but clearly distressed. What happened, Eren?"

"He says it was a dream, dear. I, for one, believe him." Carla said, idly looking at Eren's sheets. Slightly embarrassed, Eren frowned at his mom.

"Mom, no, I didn't…"

"Ah, you didn't wet the bed, very good." Carla said, trying to break the gloomy mood with a warm smile and a pet on the head, making Eren even more flustered. Eren huffed, cleaning his eyes with the sleeves of his nightgown idly. Grisha smiled at him and rose up.

"Good boy. Can you tell me what the dream was about?"

Eren visibly froze and his pouty face became hardened again. Eren rubbed his eyes and sighed.

"It was stupid… I…"

"You can tell us, darling." Carla continued to pet his head, as Grisha stood over him in both an imposing and fatherly nature. Eren noticed he was in his work clothes, actually. He must have come here from the basement, having no doubt heard Eren's horrified scream.

"... I saw the Walls get breached by Titans and… and…" Tears began to form in his eyes. Eren cursed those tears. He shouldn't cry, but he understood that his child body wasn't used to it yet. A lot of things were different, however. He never had his own room. And father never had a beard that was almost identical to Zeke's apart from color.

"Oh, Eren. It was just a dream, nothing to worry about…" his mother soothed him, and Eren began to calm down, slowly laying back down.

"Nothing like that is ever going to happen, Eren. Don't worry." But Eren could hear Grisha's true thoughts. It was a strong possibility that it could. Eren, nonetheless, smiled and nodded at them.

"O-okay…" He said, before sighing and laying down into the bed under him. Sighing contently, he began to pull the covers himself, helped by his mother. It felt very good getting tucked in again, after so many years.

With a soft kiss of goodbye on his forehead, Eren watched as his parents left, closing the door. He was too tired to try and think right now, so, saying his last hopes that this all wasn't a dream, he went back to sleep…

It wasn't a dream.

Eren Jaeger was the younger brother of Grice Jaeger and Fay Jaeger, his older brother and older sister respectively. As a six year old, Eren did not get to meet his brother and sister that much. Both had signed up for the military a year ago, to gain their rights as Citizens.

Eren had to know more of this alternate world. Indeed, his thoughts had been confirmed. Ymir the Founder had sent him into another Eren's body. Their minds were melded, and over the year, Eren began to understand the letters that appeared so foreign at first, and the various foreign words and customs. Soon, their minds were one, and Eren Jaegar, at age seven, knew what the world held for him.

His father was almost 50. The man was older than in the Old World, and if Eren had to guess, maybe he wasn't the Attack Titan. Either way, his father never let anyone in the basement. And he still had -the- key. The same bronze key that started it all.

Next to this, Eldia was different. They called themselves either Eldians or Humans. And the Titan War hadn't begun 100 years ago, but 200 years ago. The 'First King of the Walls' of the Line of Fritz created them and hid away for 100 years, until the people gathered in revolution over a 60 year period called 'The Troubles'. During this, revolutions were led by small peasant revolts wanting more freedom and say in their rations and taxes. Some were led by teachers and lawmen, who sought to know more about their hidden and apparently little-known history as Eldians.

The language was different. Eren still could tell that it sounded like the one they spoke in the Old World, but there were new words. King was now Kaiser, Commander was now Commandant and Leader was now Fuhrer. Moreover, 40 years ago, Premier Zackley, of this world, together with 'Commandant' Pixis led 'The Red Rose Revolution', which brought down the Monarchy for good and instated a Republic.

Though militant, the Republic prospered, most of all the people of Marialand. The lands within the walls were named after the Walls. Marialand, Roseland and Sinaland, with the exception being the capital of Mithras. And now there were more districts. Wall Maria had around 8 districts, for each point of the compass.

Shiganshina was now Sternberg. Trost was still Trost, luckily. The geography confused Eren, too, with the Walls seemingly doubling in their expanse of land. However, all of this studying and snooping of this New World's lore had been caught up to.

One day, Grisha was home earlier from a round to the Hospital. Eren had come to find out why his house was bigger- his father was a pretty wealthy man. Though he may not look or even act it, his father was both respected and well-off, supplying his family with all that they needed. Carla was, as before, a diligent and trusting, as well as loving, Housewife. However, neither was a Citizen.

Eren found out that a Citizen was someone who had served 6 Years in the Military. The Military before the Red Rose Revolution was a singular 'Legion', loyal to the King. However, due to the revolutions before it, it expanded, and was susceptible to cult personalities and independent generals. Enter 'Reichsmarschall Zackley' and the up-and-coming 'Commandant Pixis', who led their forces to victory over Mithras.

After this, the three 'notorious' arms of the Military were made. The Militarische Polizei, who upheld the peace of the Reichsfuhrer, Darius Zackley. The Garnison Legion, who upheld the peace in the various Districts of Maria and Rose, but also maintained the Wall, supplies, taxes and security, a bit different from the Old World. And finally the Pfadfinder Regiment, much like the Scout Regiment of old, it is as small as the Polizei, but more skilled than both other Corps combined.

Lickily, Levi Ackerman and Erwin Smith were still within it, known for their bravery and willingness to sacrifice for Humanity. As well as for their strength and mind, respectively. Shadis was, apparently, already an Instructor in the Kadett Legion, as per his older brother's letters.

The existence of his siblings had come as a surprise at first. Then an alien feeling, before morphing into one of love. Though he had not met either, both his sister and brother were in their 3 year training period. His brother wanted to be an MP, while his sister a Garnison soldaten.

Both wanted to become Citizens. Though they could buy land, raise families, take on other jobs without Military service, there was one liberty they did not hold- the right to vote. As well as to hold your own firearm without being a military man and/or woman. This explained how his father was not a citizen, but was still regarded as a great medicine man of Eldreich. Though he was too old to enter into Military service and gain his right to vote. Carla, however, had entered, and was still considered a Garnison Reservist- someone to call upon when manpower was low and bodies were needed. But that hasn't ever been a thing to worry about for the past four decades- 200 years, even.

Either way, when Grisha came home from the Hospital, Eren did not hear him, before it was too late. In Eren's hands was what Grisha had never seen rest within them before.

"Eren? Is that a History book?" Grisha asked, amused. Eren almost jumped out of his skin, but chuckled.

"Uh, yeah… I kind of want to be like brother and sister, but I haven't had the time ro properly read up on everything yet… I kind of want to join the Pfadfinder Regiment…" Eren said, expecting something like verbal accusation from his father. But green orbs met green orbs, and Grisha sighed.

While cleaning his glasses, Grisha relented. "If you wish that, I will not stop you. Every boy and girl deserves the chance to gain the liberty to vote on this Nation's future, especially you, Eren." With a ruffle of his hair, Grisha walked off.

His father was strange. It was almost confirmed he was still a Marleyan-Eldian with the singular fact that Eren was named Eren, after Mister Kurger. But that still left up to question as to why Grisha was so… old. He had married his mother, Carla, when she was around 17- the age of consent, Eren was surprised, was 16 in this World, unlike the 18 in his World. That would make Grisha around 29 back then. However, he was nearing his late 40s, and showed no signs of decay due to the Curse of Ymir.

If that was even a thing here.

If Marley was even a thing here, either...

Luckily for Eren, he had time. Apparently, he had been born around 3 years before his original date of birth, making the fact that when 845 would roll around, he would be 13. Now he was 7. He had 6 good years to prepare for them. Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie. If they even existed. And if Marcel wasn't eaten.

Eren buried his mind into the History book before him. Thinking on the billions of possibilities made it spin. Soon enough, he would be able to enter MIlitary Service at 15. Beforehand, he wants to see if he can somehow get his father to open up about his past and help him deal with the Marleyan Warriors.

A knock came from the door, and Grisha stood up to open it. As he did, he spoke cheerfully. "Ah, young Arlert. How is your Grandfather?"

Eren smiled, looking at the door. At least Armin hadn't changed. After the day when Eren came into this World, he had gone to Armin's home, seeking to see him in the spot they would usually meet. To his surprise, he was there- but not alone. Bullies had come, calling him a heretic. Apparently, it was still taboo to think about the outside world. The Wall Cult was now an accepted Religion, holding sway over many, even the youngest.

Eren beat the bullies off. With his experience, thanks to the Original Annie, he was able to scare them off with his maneuvers and sheer rage. When Eren offered his hand, Armin had asked him who he was. Thinking quickly, Eren introduced himself, and so, their friendship began anew.

And it began anew with the want to see the sea. Both had agreed to join the Kadett Legion and find their way in the Pfadfinder Regiment, to see the outside world. Of course, Eren wanted to see the sea. But he also wanted to know if, this time, they were being punished for the sins of their ancestors, oblivious to the truth of the world.

For this, he had to see his father, maybe after…

"Eren!"

"Huh?" Eren had been thinking so much he didn't even see Armin stand by him and continue to smile. He must have seen Eren gazing off into a distant corner or something. Quickly smiling, Eren continued. "Oh, Armin, hey."

"I suspect you boys will want to play around outside. Now, Eren, you know what I've told you."

Grisha said, warningly, though haphazardly at that. Eren's mother was the more assertive type in the family, not hearing out Eren whenever he tried to justify the harsh beatings he gave to Armin's bullies from time to time or his incessant praise of the life of a Pfadfinder. Grisha was simply warning Eren to not be too ballsy.

And Eren wouldn't be.

"Of course, father. Come on, Armin." Eren smiled alongside Armin, running out of the House and heading to the Northern gate of Sternberg. On their way there, they passed Hannes. Instead of being a drunk, Eren was pleasantly surprised to see 'Uncle Hannes' be the Commandant of Sternberg. He had even grown his hair out, combed it and fetched up an equally gingerish-blonde mustache to boot. At the moment, he was simply making rounds around Sternberg, spotting the two boys.

Eren playfully saluted Hannes, happy about two things. One, the salute hadn't changed and two, the World had changed Hannes for the better. Smiling, Hannes returned the salute, having stopped his small group of soldiers following him around.

Armin simply waved and ran off alongside Eren. So far, the Garnison had proved both vigilant, but also lazy. It's to be expected. Their Red Roses now meant something, too. Still being led by now-Reichsmarschall Pixis for 40 years had made it a sign of loyalty not only to the Eldreich, but also Pixis himself.

Reaching the northern gate, they passed through it and soon entered the lush and fertile lands of Marialand. After the Red Rose Revolution, many farmers had joined as Militia and earned the rights of Citizens. Soon enough, large proportions of Marialand were made into farmland, making Marialand the breadbasket of the Eldreich. It was more beautiful than the Old World lands of Wall Maria. Here, Armin and he would play out fantasies of fighting Titans as Pfadfinder soldaten and talk about the various books that either of them had read.

So far, life has been pleasing. And, as the sun set and Eren watched it, whilst Armin read through a book beside him, Eren feel at peace. His mind, however, wandered down to the path going toward the East from the northern gate. That path was one Eren knew all too well. It headed into nearby mountains.

To the Ackermann family.

EDIT NOTE: Updated grammar and small bits.