Chapter 54

It is not long before Eren and the others' names are widely spread throughout Paradis, because of Eren's ability to see the future, Paradis is now advancing in the world's footsteps.

Eren, Dina, and Aya are having a meeting with Zeke, Yelena, and Oyankopon. Eren asks, "So how are the Anti-Marleyan volunteers doing? Are they getting used to the people in Paradis?"

Yelena says, "You don't need to worry about that, the conflicts between both sides are getting less and less. After all, it just takes time for them to know Eldians and the power of the Titans."

"By the way, Yelena. I want to know why you're still wearing that Eldian band? We all know that you're not an Eldian but a Marleyan like Oyanbopon." Aya asks.

"I rather believe I'm an Eldian, because of what Marley is doing, and how the Eldians around the world are tortured." Yelena replies.

"I see..." Dina says. "That explains it. And I'm happy that you come to help us, because of your hard work over these three years, Paradis might be able to stand against the other nations."

"With the weapons gathered in the Mid-East War and the power of 11 Titans at our disposal, it will be beneficial to us to win the war." Zeke says. "If better, we might negotiate with other countries and free Eldians there."

Eren says, "But first, we have to be prepared for the Marley attack. They still have our last Titan, the Cart Titan, at their proposal. If comparing to numbers, we are outnumbered, however, if we use all 11 Titans and the technology provided to us by you guys and Hizuru, we might be able to stand a chance."

"You're right." Dina says.

After the talking, Eren and Aya are now at the training fields, where Mikasa and Odom are helping the new scouts with the weapons.

"How is the training going?" Eren asks.

"It is doing perfectly fine." Odom says, "They are getting used to the weapons while using the ODM gears at the same time."

"But I still can't believe we still have to be trained for the war..." Mikasa says.

"This war is happening no matter if we did the attack in Liberio or not. If anything, the attack on Liberio manages to cut down Marley's weapons. It will be like the Interior Police but much more people..." Aya says.

"All of us don't want to do it, but just as I show you through my memories, people wish for our extinction, and I'm not going to let Erich and Carla live in war and pain." Eren says.

Mikasa can only nod, and he says, "Mikasa, I also want to apologize to you."

"Eh?" Mikasa is confused. "Why?"

"When I showed you the memory of you killing me in the end, there is actually more to it." Eren says. "I wanted it to happen, that's why I said hurtful things to you..."

"Hurtful things?" Mikasa is still confused. Eren frowns as he touches Mikasa's forehead, causing her to see a scene in front of her.

She sees herself sitting with Eren, Armin, and Gabi, and Eren is acting cold toward her.

"You're no better, Mikasa." Eren says coldly. "The Ackerman family was formed to protect the king of Eldia. That day, you obeyed my orders in a life-death situation. "Fight." The situation awakened your instincts and they tricked you into feeling the need to protect."

"You're wrong." Mikasa suddenly felt her mouth moving.

"I am? About what?"

"It wasn't just a coincidence. It was you. You're the reason I became strong. You gave me that strength!"

"When an Ackereman's powers awaken, they supposedly experience sudden headaches. Because their original identity tries to fight back the compulsion to protect the host. Sound familiar?" "No."

"In other words-" "You're wrong. I-"

"You're part of a family that lost its original identity and now exists only to follow orders. A slave."

"Stop it, Eren!" Armin tries to defend her.

"You know what I hate the most in this world? People who aren't free. They're no more than cattle."

"Eren!" "Just the sight of her always made me sick. And now I finally know why. I couldn't stand looking at a slave whose existence amounted only to obeying orders. Mikasa. Ever since we were kids, I've always hated you."

After Eren breaks the memory contact, Mikasa is now crying as she kneels on the ground. Eren gives her a sisterly hug and says, "I'm sorry...but you have to believe me, none of the words I said were true, I did that because I wanted you to kill me and hate me..."

Mikasa says, "But... I..."

"Mikasa, if what I said is true, then what about Aya? Do you think I should hate her as well? She's also an Ackerman like you." Eren says.

Aya walks towards Mikasa and says, "I'm sorry, Mikasa. Odom and I were the ones who want Eren to show you this... no matter if this happened or not, this is going too far..."

Odom says, "And I should apologize to you as well, Eren."

(Flashback)

Back in Marley, Eren shows the whole memory to Aya, Katrina, Peter, Odom, and even Dina. Aya rushes up and gives Eren a slap.

"How could you do this? Eren? Are you telling me that I'm a slave? Are you going to say that you hate me as well?" Aya yells with tears in her eyes. "I'm an Ackermann as well! God damn it!"

Odom says, "And how dare you make her cry? You're going too far with it!"

"I'm sorry... I just wanted them to hate me..." Eren mutters weakly on the ground.

"And what is it about Armin being manipulated by Bertolt? If I'm manipulated by my Mom, I would never let you join the Survey Corps." Katrina says.

"And the fact that you kept punching Armin, I-" Peter says.

"Guys, that's enough." Dina says. "This isn't happening yet, and since we're not going to do the Rumbling, Eren has no need to do that to Mikasa and Armin. And besides, do you think he's not suffering when he said those words?"

Seeing the tears on Eren's face, and the fact that he still has wounds on him, Aya frowns, "You're right... I'm sorry, Eren..."

"Don't be... I was the one who did it..." Eren says.

"However, no matter what happened or not, you are still going to apologize to Mikasa." Odom says.

"But that's going too far, are you going to let Mikasa hate him if you tell them that?" Katrina asks.

"Eren already excludes her from this spying mission, I say she deserves to learn the truth." Odom glares at Eren.

(Flashback Ends)

"So you're happy? You had me make Mikasa cry and then apologize to her." Eren asks. "I hope this is what you want as a reaction."

"All right, I know." Odom sighs. "I was just being a hothead, I didn't know you were going to do that."

"Did I have to remind you of the beating I got?" Eren sighs.

Mikasa says, "It's fine... you're not that Eren that I saw in the memory, right? Everything is just a nightmare. And Eren is right, it is not going to happen, so there is no reason for me to be angry about that."

Eren nods and says, "Sorry for taking your time, we're going to find Carla and Erich."

Aya says, "We'll see you later."

At the same time, it is Armin and Annie's turn to watch over the Reiss Ranch, and they are with Eren and Aya's children. Falco and Gabi are also there, Annie says, "How long are you going to stand there doing nothing?"

Falco says, "Well, I-"

"I still can't believe you're working with these Island devils as well!" Gabi yells at her. "Did you forget what they've done? You used to be a Warrior!"

Annie sighs, "So what if I used to be a Warrior from Marley? They abandoned me four years ago. It is true I killed some of the people here in Paradis, but they are willing to ignore that fact and let me stay with them, but what about Marley?"

Falco says, "Gabi, Annie is worried about us, you shouldn't..."

"It's fine." Annie says. "She has every right to hate me, just like how I have every right to hate Reiner as well."

Armin says, "Annie... it is already in the past...right now you're not a Warrior in Marley, you're one of us now."

Annie gives a slight snort and says, "Yeah... and remind me how did I ever fall for someone really nice as you." Annie mutters.

"There's nothing wrong with that." Armin says. "To me, you might have done bad things, but you're still a good person."

Falco and Gabi stare at the two of them before turning to Erich and Carla, who are playing with the toys on the ground. Gabi has tried to kill the two children, but she can't even get to do it.

"What am I thinking?" Gabi thinks while looking at her hands. "Am I really going to kill two children who aren't even a year old? Because they're devils?"

"Gabi, are you alright?" Falco asks with concern.

"I don't know... ever since we manage to sneak here... I always thought I would lose my life here on this devil island... but the queen...and everyone on the island... " Gabi frowns as she turns to Armin, "Why? To you guys, I'm just an enemy... You guys want to kill me, don't you? Why didn't you do it?"

Armin sighs, "We really don't want to kill you. Kill this, kill that... It's all you think about. Just like them..."

"Them?" Falco asks.

Just then, Eren, Aya, Katrina, Floch, and Louise arrive at the ranch. Aya walks toward the two children and gives them a hug.

Eren says, "Armin, we're here to meet the Queen."

Armin frowns a little and asks, "The time has come, isn't it?"

"Yes, our informant in Marley told us that they are coming to Paradis. We're going to fight them." Eren says with a cold voice.

Falco and Gabi widen their eyes as they can't believe what they're hearing, that means the troops are finally going to save them.

Armin says, "No way... they're still going to attack even though we've already had 11 Titans ready?"

Aya says, "Since the World needs 6 months to gather and declare war on us, they can't wait. Floch, Louise, Katrina, how is Commander Erwin's training?"

Floch says, "Commander Erwin is getting used to the Armored Titan abilities. I'm sure he'll be fine."

"And Peter is also training Sasha with the Jaws." Louise says, "It won't be a problem."

"And if things are going to turn worse... we might be trying for the small rumbling." Eren says.

"Small Rumbling?" Falco and Gabi are confused as to what that is. Eren says, "Looks like our guests are confused about it. I'll explain it to you. We've changed a majority of the Wall Titans, so not all of them are Colossal Titans that will trample the earth. By using Small Rumbling, it won't be just like what you've seen in the Mid-East War, instead of sacrificing Eldians to become Pure Titans, the Wall Titans based on each of the Shifters will attack. You might be fighting an army of Beast Titans, or an Army of War Hammer Titans... who knows."

"You devils..." Gabi gasps and Aya says, "However, that's only the last resort. They are only used to protect Paradis. And since I have the full power of the Neumann...which means I also get to control the Titans in the walls..."

Falco asks, "How come all of you are so cool with this..."

Katrina says, "It is for the new Eldian Empire. It is time for the Eldians to rise up."

And here is a new chapter, as you can see, I decide to put the original timeline of the words Eren says to Mikasa into this, but just as a memory. I hope you like this chapter.