Chapter 5: Power Play

AN: Ok, this chapter is basically a whole sequence of segmented events that take place from the Trost arc to the end of the Female titan arc. I know it seems like a lot to jump but I don't want to bore the audience with filler as I don't plan for any significant moments to really occur during this time. Next chapter will be where the story really takes off and the pace will slow down and become more meaningful. Enjoy.

I failed. In the end, I couldn't convince him to change his course. He would've been a most useful tool, but his heart and hatred is still set on conquering the titans once and for all. If I'm lucky, he'll die in the field and I may not have to come across him ever again. So why is it that this feeling is trying so hard to change my mind. Like I've convinced myself he's worthless to protect myself. Why me? Can't I just be normal and be done with this bullshit already. Whatever, it's only a matter of time before I move on and forget about Eren completely. Find the co-ordinate, bring them back and return to dad. Yeah, that's how it'll be. Annie sat on her bed reminiscing about the recent events. She asked Eren not to join the scouts. That she didn't train him only for his skills to be wasted as he became a fresh serving of titan chow. But alas, her words fell on deaf ears. No amount of guilt tripping or insults would change his mind. Honestly, fuck him… For the first time in her life, she makes an effort for someone other than her father and he just throws it back in her face, how inconsiderate. Only a jackass takes her training and slaps her in the face with it and that's just what he is – a jackass.

She nearly cried with joy as Armin showed up in tears, rambling that Eren had died saving her. She was almost tempted to show some emotion and do a little dance to celebrate but an overwhelming wave of loss and emptiness hit her. Eren Yeager, the boy that patched her up and joked around with her. The only boy that showed any indication of giving a shit about her wellbeing… Was dead. Oddly enough, despite Armin's tale which she didn't doubt was true; she still felt that Eren was alive. Almost as if this feeling, this bond, they had still existed and kept them tethered together. She felt it pulling as she turned to see a particular titan in the distance with long dark hair, no lips, and a passion for beating the shit out of its own kind. She narrowed her eyes at the beast, she felt drawn to it and she nearly started moving towards it subconsciously, but she forced herself to stay stationary. Reiner followed her gaze and spotted the titan as well, staring in confusion before looking at Annie. Her face was blank as ever but on the inside, she was in turmoil. No, It can't be. Please Eren, just stay dead. Don't let this be you, hasn't this world already done enough to me. I wish so desperately for you to die but if you turn out to be a shifter… For fucks sake.

The rogue titan fell to the ground face first as everyone observed it with caution. Soon, a slimy noise could be heard as a figure slowly pulled itself from the nape of the titan. Mikasa was instantly by their side and the steam slowly dissipated around them. Sure enough, Mikasa was hysterically embracing Eren. On the bright side, he won't have to be another pointless casualty, but at the same time it's very likely that he's the one we have to capture. If we asked him to come with us… He wouldn't listen; we fucked up when we indirectly killed his mother. He's too devoted to getting revenge, the only choice is to capture him with force.

"Reiner, what do we do?" Bertholdt asked.

"It's very possible that Eren is the one we're looking for. While it doesn't make a lot of sense that he would have 'that' power since it doesn't seem he's of royal blood. However, we have to consider that it's a possibility and we can't leave this unnoticed. Remember, we're here to capture any shifter we find so we can protect our home. Bertholdt, you and I will join the scouts and relay any information to Annie. Annie, you'll join the military police to continue getting closer to the interior. We have to be sure there aren't any other shifters."

"Fair enough," Annie sighed. "This'll be a pain in the ass," Reiner glanced at her.

"How come? He's an inexperienced shifter, nabbing him shouldn't be too hard."

"Reiner, I taught him how to fight. He knows my techniques and the only reason he can't match me is because I have years of experience on him."

"Ah, shit. This is why we don't get close to anyone Annie."

"You think I could have possibly predicted he was a shifter," she snarled.

"We have to consider every possibil-''

"Shut up you stupid oaf; I tried to do that. I tried to keep my distance from everyone and isolate myself. While you got chummy with everyone, I blocked everyone off."

"So then why let Eren in?"

"I didn't."

"Bullshit."

"I never viewed him as a friend, he was my student at most," she lied through her teeth.

"But why? I know I'm being hypocritical but why?"

"Guess I felt bad that our actions led to his mother's death. Unlike him, we still have family at home, and I couldn't bear it if I lost my father. I'm assuming it's the same with both of you." Reiner sighed and looked at the ground.

"You're right, Annie. It's a fucked up situation and we just have to keep moving forward. I'll keep it in consideration that he can probably kick my ass. This means you're the only one that can fight him, Annie." She shook her head.

"Even then, he knows my technique. If I use it titan form, he'll know it's me without a doubt. I can only use my techniques when my identity has been revealed."

"Can you simplify it to moves that are basic and a little out of your style?"

"I can try."

"Well, we have limited options. Come on, looks like the military police are causing a ruckus." With that, the three left to observe the situation.

I failed, I'm sorry dad but I wasn't good enough. Annie's titan form lay beaten against a tree as Levi and Mikasa escaped with Eren's drool-covered unconscious body. Her one chance at possibly saving their people, saving her father, was being carried away by humanity's strongest soldier. Tears leaked from her eyes as her heart threatened to rip itself from her chest. Why did this feeling have to exist? Every time she landed a blow on him, it felt like she was punching herself in the gut over and over. The worst part? He knows it was her. Right before she dealt the kick that decapitated him, she had assumed her stance to do it. She could see it in his eyes, the plain shock that revealed that he recognised the technique. He watched her murder his squad in front of him, as she killed the people tasked with protecting him. He undoubtedly hated her now, probably wished she'd burn in hell. She was an utter failure and her identity would be discovered as soon as Eren recovered. Her titan form finished healing and she began the slow trek back towards the walls to face the music.

She knew this moment would come, standing at the top of the stairs while staring down at Eren, Armin and Mikasa. What shocked her the most was that it was Armin that revealed her identity. Whether or not Eren confirmed it, she didn't know… Even if he truly didn't want to believe she was an enemy, he would've said something. She could still see the denial in his eyes, it hit like a bullet. She was his teacher, they shared blows in a way no one could understand. Does he have this feeling too? This connection she couldn't seem to get rid of.

"Annie, please!" He shouted. She could only stare at him blankly, I'm sorry. She turned towards Armin who'd finished explaining how he found her out.

"When you didn't kill me out in the field, that's when I realised. That's the moment that set this path in place.

"Yes, I let you live, why did I let you live?" He's Eren's best friend. We took away his family… I couldn't take away his childhood friend too. She looked Armin in the eyes, "It's nice that I could be a 'good' person for you, Armin. You won our little bet but I'm going to gamble too and here's my wager." It was all or nothing, she raised her finger to bite down before several people rushed her and restrained her.

(Swap to Eren's POV)

They swarmed her, gagged her and restrained her limbs. Seeing her struggle like that, my body moved on it's own. Moving to try and help her before Mikasa pushed me back and I snapped back to reality. Then, a small glint of silver as she flicks her ring to reveal a hidden blade. I could only stare in shock and betrayal as Mikasa pulled us down the stairs and a bolt of lightning filled our vision.

(Fast forward a little)

Why can't I transform? No matter how much I bite down, I just can't assume my titan form. It feels like something's preventing me from fighting her. This one stubborn feeling in my chest, like a tether, is acting like a blockade to my power. Like it doesn't want me to fight her…

It's surprising that Eren hasn't transformed yet. It's been a fair few minutes since I transformed and since then; nothing. Did something happen? Did I crush him on accident? Is he- A bolt of lightning surged down from the sky several streets away, in the exact same spot where I left them. The pounding of footsteps sounding behind me, I knew it was him. Annie turned to face him just as his fist connected and sent her flying.

It's pointless, I failed again. She fell to the ground as Eren's raging titan pounced on her and ripped her titan's head off. This is it; I'm dying here and I'll never see him again. I'm sorry dad, Reiner, Bertholdt. I'm sorry, Eren. I wish I could've been a better person in the end. Tears streamed down her face as she braced herself for the end… It never came. She opened her eyes to see Eren's titan staring at her with wide eyes. She realised, Eren couldn't bring himself to kill her. She mentally reached for that feeling between them with and tried to grab onto something, anything that bound them, and she tugged. Eren twitched a little as his hand went to his chest as if something were there. Her eyes widened, there is something there. We don't know what it is but we are bound in some way. He feels it too. Just what is this? She could hear the familiar hiss of ODM gear closing in and she closed her eyes, she was running out of time. Once again, I'm sorry Eren. She focussed on hardening the very area around her heart, something she'd never done before. Trying to see if she could close this connection between them and at least free him before they grabbed her. What happened next, she could never predict. It felt like she'd just set her chest on fire as a bright, freezing blue light flared around them. The connection reacted strongly as a searing heat burned above her heart. She could hear Eren's titan screaming in pain as he tried to clutch at his chest but realised his arms were locked in place. Annie gasped in shock as she grasped what was happening, her entire body was crystallising, like she was creating an indestructible cocoon around herself and it was spreading towards Eren. Almost like it was using their titan bodies as a source as it attempted to encase them both in a crystalline substance. The last thing she could see was Levi cutting Eren's human body out of his titan form before she lost consciousness.

Wow, that chapter was a LOT of skipping and jumping. I do apologise if it seems rushed, but I'll repeat what I was saying earlier. This is basically the filler that I would usually ignore but there are some important moments in there that I had to use. From here on, the story starts getting more original and will take on a slower and more meaningful pace as that's where the story 'really starts'. Like I mean, REALLY starts, I've got big plans for this story. Hope you'll enjoy, thanks for bearing with me. Ah yes, I know it seems like Annie talks a lot. I did think about this and noticed it with other stories I've read. However, it's pretty necessary. She feels 'different' in this and you'll find out later why this is. Remember that she only speaks in more volume towards Eren or at least that's what I'm aiming for. He's her soft spot, the only one out of everyone here that she'll bother talking to because it needs to happen so I can develop them properly and label them as a dynamic duo. If it's still a worry then don't fear because Eren's character will change with the events to come and as he changes, Annie will match his pace and it'll hopefully appear more realistic to their characters. I guess it's that Eren's a very talkative character and has a lot to say, a lot of questions that Annie just answers.