Chapter 25
Eren and Aya are now sitting alone as they aren't going to continue talking to Reiner and Bertolt considering that they betrayed them. Eren says, "By the way, Aya. Your orange hair looks really nice. I mean, how many times has your hair color changed?"
"I have to guess this is the ninth time." Aya says. "Reiner said that my power is to transfer... do you think it is something to do with me having Female Titan's powers?"
"I don't know... if your hair color changing is related to 12 Titans, I think the only ones you haven't contacted are Beast, Cart, and War Hammer..." Eren says.
"Isn't she the one who ate Marcel?" This causes Eren and Aya to perk up.
"Yeah, that's my point. Ymir's motive is clear." Reiner says. "Once she turned human again, she probably roamed around and lived only caring about herself. Until she met Christa...And as cute as Christa is, we have other reasons to bring her to our side. She's an important person in the family of the Church. We also need to bring Neumann back to our side since her powers to transfer are also important. If Eren turns out not to be the Coordinate, our job isn't over yet. Having both of them with us at that point will make our search much easier."
At the same time, Eren is talking to Aya, "Hey, Aya... do you think we can take Reiner or Bertolt's power when we get the chance?"
"We could... but are you sure we could do it without them noticing?" Aya frowns.
Then they hear Reiner and Bertolt talking bout Bertolt's crush on Annie, and then Reiner decides to use the gear to approach them.
"What's wrong, Reiner? Aren't we waiting until night?" Eren asks.
"Nope. We're leaving now. Eren, Aya, don't try to resist." Reiner says.
Aya says, "You do know that I'm not a Titan shifter like you, don't get violent with me. Look at the shape that I'm in. Does it look like we can resist? Just give us a break."
While Aya is distracting Reiner, Eren quickly elbows him from behind, and soon as Reiner hit the branch, Aya quickly pins him to the ground. "Eren! Now!"
Eren tries to grab Aya's hand, but Reiner notices it and quickly kicks Aya and Eren, causing them to slam into the tree.
"Damn it... we're close..." Eren mutters. Reiner quickly grabs Aya and says, "You don't want anything to happen with your girlfriend, don't you?"
"You bastard... I'm going to kill you..." Eren growls in anger.
Bertolt approaches Ymir and Ymir asks, "Hey. Why are we leaving already?"
"Ymir, when you turned back into a human, do you remember the person you ate?" Bertolt asks.
"No, I don't remember... But if it was five years ago..." Ymir says. "Was it one of your comrades?"
Seeing Bertolt's face, she says, "I see. Sorry... for not even remembering."
"It's not your fault for forgetting. It was the same for us, too." Bertolt says.
After Aya passes out, Reiner puts Aya to the ground and now choking Eren, who tries to struggle, but he is also knocked out.
"It was the same for us. However, I am not sure about Eren..." Bertolt says.
"Do you resent me for it?" "I don't know, I'm not sure about it. You probably didn't want to eat a human either... How long were you wandering outside the walls for?"
"About 60 years. It was like... I was stuck in a nightmare that would never end."
After Eren and Aya are out, Reiner decides to tie Eren and Aya up together, he carries Eren on his back while Bertolt holds Aya in his arms while Ymir is on his back.
"For now, let's get to a place without Titans!" Reiner says as they are moving. "We need to get as far away as possible. My Titan form isn't very fast. If I get surrounded, I won't be able to protect you guys!"
"Then why didn't we just wait until nightfall?!" Ymir asks, then she realizes the smoke signals and the scouts are approaching.
"Unless they brought loads of horses over the wall, that scouting formation won't work. Someone made that call." Reiner says. "I didn't think it would happen so soon. It must be Commander Erwin. A tough opponent!"
Then more green smoke flares are into the air, and Ymir realizes that Christa might be with the group. "Reiner! Christa's here! Christa came with them! If you want her, now's the chance!"
"How do you know? You can't see her from here!" "I just know it! She's such a good-natured person, it's stupid! I guarantee she came to save me! I know it!"
"Even if that's true, it's no use!" Reiner yells. "We'll do it later!" "Huh?" "Our chance of succeeding is way too low! How will you get Christa out of that formation? Wait for a chance!"
"Wait for a chance? Seriously? Will that be after I'm eaten by one of your warriors?" Ymir says with anger. "No! I don't trust you!"
"Trust me! Christa is indispensable for us, too!" Reiner yells.
"Then get her now! Go prove it to me this instant!" Ymir yells. "It has to be now or never! I want to see her right now! At this rate... I'll never get a chance...to see her again."
"It's impossible. I'm sorry, Ymir." Bertolt mutters. "We don't even know if we can escape ourselves, let alone go back for her."
"I promise you! If anyone, it's Christa I want to save from this conflict!" Reiner says. "You have to trust us! So just bear with it! This is for Christa's own sake! Got it, Ymir?"
"Is it... really for Christa's sake?" Ymir questions and she reluctantly agrees with them.
Ymir starts to remember her past, a past of when she was just a child and brought into something that gave her the name she is known as today. But things quickly changed when suddenly soldiers carrying guns entered the place she lived in which lead to a worse hell than death itself...she and many others were forced upon walls and each and every one of them was turned into titans...and forced to roam the island beyond...
It wasn't until a day came when she ate a boy with titan powers that she returned to her human form, she didn't remember much of it at the time but honestly, no one really should remember that to begin with. But by eating him she gained the power of a titan shifter to use at her own will.
Then however a few years later Ymir did indeed overhear a couple of men speak about Christa, a girl who entered the Cadet Corps whose life some wished would never have happened, Ymir dedicated her life to finding this girl who shared a past so alike to her own. After meeting Christa, Ymir came to realize Christa was living a life of lies just as she had.
With her mind made up, Ymir interferes with Bertholdt's maneuvering, Reiner gasps. Bertolt says, "Q-quit it, Ymir!"
"Don't you think a forest like this is where I can shine the most? Well?" Ymir asks.
Before they manage to bump into a tree, Bertolt quickly uses the gear to escape. "Ymir! Stop! We'll fall!"
"Do you think I care?" Ymir asks, "If I became a Titan, I might be powerless compared to you, but I can jump through the trees and move swiftly. I could snatch Eren and Aya away from you and go back to meet up with the Scouts and probably succeed. If you don't agree to take Christa with you right now, I'll get in your way and fight you right here."
"Wh-what are you saying? Don't you care what happens to her?!" Reiner yells. "We can't help her that way!"
"Yeah, that's fine. Even if it means taking her future away, I'll do what it takes to live and meet her." Ymir says. "I might be the shittiest person there ever was. You guys don't know what it's like. She knows how awful I am, and yet she still smiles at me... that girl."
"You..." "Don't be mad at me. I have a plan for it. If I stay and fight, it should be easier for you to escape anyways! Or would you rather stay and kill each other?! Do you want me to prove how crazy I am?!"
Bertolt is slightly scared, while Reiner grits his teeth.
Back with the scouts, Katrina, Peter, and Odom are now in their Titan forms as they fight the pure Titans, and they also notice the light in the forest. Armin says, "Straight ahead in the forest! I saw a light! It's the light that appears when a Titan transforms!"
"Then we're just in time!" Erwin says. "Soldiers, disperse! We believe the enemy has already trasnformed! Locate Eren and Aya and recover them!"
They see some of the members of the police and Garrison being eaten by the Titans, but they continue to move forward. Katrina, Peter, and Odom also use their abilities to fight against the Titans, and everyone is using their gear to move as they find Ymir in front of them.
"Ymir!" Connie says. "Why are you the only one here?! Where's Eren and Aya?! What about Reiner?! Bertolt?!"
Katrina arrives and asks, "Did she turn into a Titan and fight with Reiner?"
"Did you get away from Reiner? Where are they?" Jean asks.
"Tell us anything, Ymir!" Sasha says.
Ymir is still staring at them, Odom notices that Ymir is looking at the scouts, and he says, "Is she searching for someone?"
Just then, Christa appears, and just then, Ymir opens her mouth and Christa falls into it. Peter says, "Christa was eaten!"
"Don't let her escape!" Jean yells as they chase after Ymir.
"She's fast! We're losing her!" Jean says.
"Why did Ymir do that?" Mikasa asks.
"Looks like she's cooperating with Reiner and lured us right in!" Armin adds.
"Here she comes, Reiner!" Bertolt says after Reiner gives Eren to Bertolt, he transforms into the Armored Titan and starts running with Ymir and Bertolt on him.
"There's Reiner! Eren and Aya are with Bertolt!" Katrina yells.
"This ain't over yet you hear me? I'll get them back even if it costs me my life." Hannes says glaring before Reiner and Bertolt.
"All squads! Let the Titans chase after you!" Erwin yells as he guides the horses out.
Despite initial outrage and hesitation from the MPs, the soldiers follow Erwin's lead as Hannes leads the recruits in pursuit of the Armored Titan.
"This time, I won't hesitate. I'll kill them both, I swear!" Mikasa says. "And if Ymir gets in my way, she's asking for it, too. No matter what it takes... I will!"
Meanwhile, Ymir removes Historia from her Titan's mouth, partially emerging from her nape to speak with her. Christa says, "Ymir..."
"Christa... No... Historia. Sorry... for eating you like that. I bet... you're mad at me."
"Ymir... What is this? What are you doing? We came here to rescue you and Er-" "I don't need rescuing! Just stay right there. I'm following Reiner and Bertolt now. You too. Come with me. There's no future within the walls!"
Christa gasps, and Ymir says, "Listen to me, Historia...Outside the walls isn't as bad as you think. Especially... because there won't be anyone saying that you're better off not being born."
"I'm pretty sure Titans won't be saying that to me." Christa says. "Because they'll be too busy trying to eat me!"
"Everyone has at least one or two faults! If you can just overlook that, they're not so bad after all!" Ymir says.
"Ymir! Everything you're saying and doing isn't making any sense!" Christa yells. "Could it be... that Reiner and Bertolt threatened you?"
"It's... the reverse." Bertolt replies.
"Am I right, Ymir? I'll fight them with you, so let me out of your hand!" Christa yells. "I don't care if there's something you can't tell me. No matter what happens... I will always be your ally!"
"So noisy..." Aya mutters as she is slowly waking up.
"Ymir, look! The Scouts have already gotten this close. If only we had run right away, we probably would've been able to escape. But because you forced us to bring Christa... at this rate, they'll catch us! Hey, Ymir... are you telling us we did all of that for nothing? Did you change your mind? Is that really what you want? Letting Christa rot within the walls? Don't be stupid, Ymir!"
"Ymir! Hurry up and let me go!" Christa yells.
"I can't!" Ymir yells. "Historia... To be honest... the reason I snatched you away... was only... to save myself. A long time ago, I stole the Power of the Titans from one of their comrades. There's nothing I can do against them. Sooner or later, they'll kill me. But... if I hand you over and cooperate with them... they said they would see what they could do...and try to make it so my crime goes away. Because you know the secrets of the wall, you're someone important to the Church."
Christa can only stare in shock. "Once this world started going to hell...I thought being with you would give me insurance in the future. I almost died during the battle at that castle...and that feeling scarred me for life. I'm afraid to die...I'll do whatever it takes to live...I'm pathetic...I told myself I was doing it for your sake...But really, I did it for myself. Please, Historia...Please save me!"
Christa lowers her head and says, "I told you already, Ymir. No matter what happens... I will always be your ally!"
Then both Eren and Aya finally open their eyes, and they see Hannes trying to fight the Titans with the other scouts. He looks at Aya, who nods as they try to hold their hands, but with Mikasa approaching, Bertolt is forced to move.
"Damn it...we're so close again..." Eren and Aya think at the same time.
Bertolt hides inside Reiner's armor, but Odom tries to use his beak to force Bertolt out. Ymir quickly attacks Odom as he roars in pain before getting back into the sky.
"I knew it! I'll have to kill Ymir first!" Mikasa says as both Odom and Mikasa prepare to strike.
"Wait, Mikasa! Odom!" Christa yells, causing them to stop. "Don't kill Ymir!"
"That all depends on Ymir!" Mikasa says. "What will it be? I'll kill everyone that gets in my way, so choose!"
"No, wait! Ymir will be killed unless she does what Reiner and Bertolt say! She doesn't have a choice!"
"There's only so many lives that we actually care about." Odom says. "Our enemies made deciding that easy six years ago."
"So you're mistaken to seek any compassion from us, because right now, I'm all out of time and room in my heart to care." Mikasa says. "Christa... do you pick Eren and Aya, or Ymir? Which is it? Will you get in my way, too?!"
Odom continues to use the beak to open the armor, but Reiner has been trying to slap Odom away. Eren and Aya are still struggling as they try to break the binds.
"Stop it, Eren, Aya! Don't struggle!" Bertolt says.
"Good luck with that, it's impossible to get them to calm down." Jean says as the other scouts are already outside, with Katrina and Peter already in their human forms. "They're the most irritating people there are! I know better than anyone! I hate them as much as I do. So let's beat them together. Why don't you come out of there?"
The other scouts are also stating their disbelief as Katrina yells, "Hey, hey, hey... Do you think you can just keep running away? That's not gonna happen!"
"For three years, didn't we sleep under the same roof as comrades through thick and thin?" Peter asks. "Bertolt, your odd sleeping positions were truly an art form."
"After a while, we all looked forward each morning to seeing your pose and tried using it to predict the weather." Jean adds. "But you... to think you, the invader could sleep like a log right next to your victims!"
"Was everything just a lie?" Connie asks. "Remember we talked about surviving this together? And that we'd grow old, and someday we'd all go out for drinks together? Was everything... all a lie? Was it? You guys? What were you guys thinking this whole time?"
"Was it even matter anymore?" Mikasa asks, "Just focus on cutting open his neck. If you hesitate for a moment, we won't be able to get Eren and Aya back. They are the enemies of humanity. That is all there is to know."
Eren and Aya decide to do again to hold hands, but Bertolt yells, "Who the hell would want to kill people by their own choice?! Who the hell would like to do this sort of thing?! Do you think I wanted to do this?! People hate and despise us...we've done such terrible things, and we deserve to die. Things we'll never be able to take back... But... we just... couldn't come to terms with our sins. The only time we had some respite was when we pretend to be soldiers. That's not a lie! Connie, Jean, Peter! It's true we may have deceived everyone, but it's not all a lie! We really considered you comrades! Neither of us has any right to even apologize. But... someone... Please... someone, please... someone find us!"
Katrina sighs, "You have been brainwashed for good, huh? Tell me, doing such terrible things and we deserve to die... screw those people! Just give my brother and Aya back!"
"It's no use... I can't. Someone has to be the one to do it. Someone has to be the one to stain their hands with blood."
"So you really want it to happen, huh? The Rumbling?" Aya finally gets out of her mouth bindings and says, "You really want us to kill 80% of the population like Eren saw in the future? Is that what you want?"
"Aya? What are you talking about?" Armin asks.
"Aya! Why did you tell them that?" Odom asks in shock. "I thought we're going to keep it a secret!"
"What secret? What are you guys hiding?" Jean asks.
"We'll tell you once this is over." Aya says. "Right now we need to get out of here."
And here is a new chapter, and I hope you like it.