Chapter 55
Commander Erwin is now standing in front of the scouts, he says, "Four years ago, the efforts of we Eldians have gotten to the truth about the world outside the walls. The World treats us as devils and they are willing to wipe us out. From now on, this is your time!"
The Scouts roar in agreement and Erwin yells, "I ask you, will you dedicate your heart to the Eldian Empire? Do you want to save our fellow Eldians from the abuse of other nations?!"
Everyone roars again, and this time they're doing the salute. Erwin says, "You've done all well to endure your fear, now for the future and glory of Eldia, Advance!"
All the soldiers start to march out of the Scout HQ, and Levi walks up to Erwin. "Looks like the Scouts are pumped up to fight against our enemies, huh..."
Erwin says, "And what about you, Levi? What do you think about the upcoming attack?"
Levi says, "If they dare touch my daughter or my grandchildren, they're as good as dead. I also heard that you're training with the Armored Titan abilities, how is it?"
"It's fine." Erwin says, "Katrina teaches me a lot about it during the training. And I think I'm ready to use it to protect the island."
"So where are Eren and the others?" Levi asks.
"They're at Shiganshina." Erwin says. "I suppose you're going to assist them?"
"Aren't you coming?" Levi raises an eyebrow.
"I'll come as well." Erwin says as they leave together.
In Shiganshina, Falco and Gabi are now sitting in a prison cell. Gabi mutters, "They're devils, though. So, why am I...?"
Eren says, "Hey, Gabi, Falco. If you want to go back to Marley, help us."
Falco widens his eyes and asks, "Help... you? How?"
Aya says, "Call for help on the radio to flush out intruders in the walls."
Just then, Aya is grabbed by Pieck as the pistol is aimed at her forehead.
"Don't move. Keep quiet, Gabi, Falco." Pieck says.
"Pieck!" Falco and Gabi gasp, but Pieck shuts them up.
"Eren Yeager and Aya Neumann." Pieck says. "I think I like Grey Kruger better... considering you want to protect your mistress..."
Aya says, "I never thought you'd come this soon..."
Pieck says, "Gabi, Falco, aim the rifle at Eren."
Gabi rushes to grab the rifle besides the unconscious guard, Pieck turns to Eren. "Eren, hands out of your pockets."
"And what if I refuse?" Eren asks.
"I'll pull the trigger and your wife's brains hit the floor. You'll also dead because your souls are bound together." Pieck says. "Ever seen it? No time to transform."
"And? Why don't you pull it? If not, why else are you here?" Aya asks. "What happens if he doesn't listen?"
"That's something you'll never know. Once your brains hit-"
"I do know. You won't shoot." Eren says. "You aren't allowed to kill the Neumann blood or the Founding Titan."
Eren walks closer to Pieck and says, "Your orders are just to retake the Founding Titan and capture the Neumann blood. However, if you turn into a Titan and eat me alive, Aya Neumann will also die along with me. Are you afford to lose her?"
Pieck stares at them before saying, "Gabi, take your finger off the trigger."
"You're not the only one who would pay for defying the military." Aya says. "Your family in the zone would, too."
Pieck then raises her hand and says, "Yeah, I won't shoot. And eating you doesn't seem possible either, so..."
"Pieck?" Falco asks.
"You found my Titan footprints from when I invaded, right?" Pieck asks. "I thought I did well sneaking into your midst without being caught. But I have other reasons for not shooting. If you used the Founding Titan's powers, couldn't you defeat Marley?"
Eren and Aya stare at Pieck, who says, "You wouldn't make the world your enemy unless you knew you could win. Do you have something more than the Founding Titan?"
"Pieck, what are you...?" Gabi asks.
"Gabi, put down the rifle." Pieck says.
"Supposing I did, what's your goal?" Eren asks.
"To free all Eldians in Marley and around the world." Pieck says. "I want to free my family in the internment zone. I became a Warrior to get my dad, my only family, proper medical care. He survived, but he's incredibly sad knowing my term will soon be over. Before I die and leave him behind, I want to show him Eldia has a bright future. For that, Marley needs to be crushed. I'll help however I can. If we can slaughter Marley, I'll do whatever it takes."
"The mastermind of the attack on Marley... was Zeke." Gabi says. "Now you? What have we been fighting for? Once the world knows that we're good Eldians, won't they let us go free? You're the same as Zeke... a traitor!"
"Gabi, Falco. Let me ask you, are we Marleyans or are we Eldians? What do you think?" Pieck asks.
"We're... Honorary Marleyans." Gabi says.
"Wrong. We are Subjects of Ymir. That's the one truth we can't escape." Pieck says while taking the rifle from her. "No matter what we're called, we're a race that turns into Titans. But like we saw at Fort Slava, Tian power is on its way out. As soon as Marley can't use us, they'll slaughter us all. Even if we prove we're "Good Eldians," there's zero chance that we're freed. We have to secure our right to live with our own hands."
"And Pieck proved to us by sharing information about the attack, she's our informant." Aya says. "In return, Odom already brought your father to Paradis, right now Annie's father is staying with him."
"I must say that Annie is really smart, she is not that blind compared to other Eldians living in Marley." Pieck says. "I'll show you where my other comrades are. If we go to the roof, I can point out where they are."
Aya and Eren nod as they all head upstairs, at the same time, in each corner of Shiganshina, the townspeople are already evacuated, only the 8 Titan Shifters, Mikasa, Levi, Hange, Jean, Connie, Floch leading the scouts as they are waiting for the enemy to strike.
When Eren and Aya are walking upstairs with Pieck, Gabi, and Falco, Pieck asks, "Is it safe to say you and I are allies now?"
"You can say so, however... it is not safe just yet." Aya says.
"So I want to know what is your relationship with my brother." Eren asks Pieck.
"Ever since I met him, I felt like Zeke was telling lie after lie. Four years ago, I confirmed that hunch. Only with you did his words seem true. I was quite jealous, considering that he never wanted to come clean with any of us." Pieck says, "It is until that day that I finally understand what his true goal."
At the same time, Yelena, Oyankopon, and other Scouts are already on top of the building. Pieck says, "Oh? You shaved your beard? I thought it suited you."
After arriving at the roof, Yelena whispers, "Are you sure you can trust her?"
"Trust us." Aya says.
"By the way, aren't you using the Founding Titan's power? Where's Zeke and the others?" Pieck asks.
"You'll find out soon enough. Show me. Where is the enemy?"
At the same time, a disguised Porco was getting close to the gate where Yelena and the others are standing, Pieck turns around and points at Eren and Aya, "There!"
Eren yells, "Yelena, behind you!"
Just then, Porco already fires the gun at Eren, who dodges the attack while pushing Aya to the ground. The Scouts are trying to attack Porco, but he manages to dodge the attack.
"Damn it... I missed!" Porco says.
Gabi and Falco notice that it is Porco, Gabi gasps, "Galliard?"
"I knew it won't be that easy..." Pieck mutters.
"Pieck! You're not a traitor?" Falco asks.
"Do you think I'll sell out my comrades?" Pieck asks.
"But you said we have no future fighting for Marley!" Gabi says.
"I don't trust Marley, but I do trust the comrades I've fought alongside." Pieck says.
Aya takes out the Wireless Radio and yells, "The enemy arrives! Transform now!"
Just then, all 8 Titan shifters change into Titans, while the others already prepared their weapons.
"There's the smoke signal." In the airship, Magath says. "Pieck and Galliard have exposed their locations. And there are all the Titans they stole from us and the Founding Titan."
Reiner stares at Eren as Magath yells, "Get revenge for Liberio!"
Just then, the Sky Titan appears just in front of them, and on top of the Titan, Annie is the one standing in front of them.
"Annie?" Reiner gasps in shock. Annie takes out the machine gun and shoots at the plane, causing it to fall, at the same time, Odom uses the claws on his hand to slash the plane, making a cut.
Annie says, "The target plane is falling."
Erwin yells, "Good, we wait for them to fall and we start our attack!"
At the same time, the planes from Marley are malfunctioning and Magath asks, "Was that Leonhart? Why is she siding with the devils?"
"Whatever the reason is, she should pay for her actions!" A soldier says.
"Annie... why?" Reiner gasps in shock. "Are you..."
At the same time, Galliard is now standing beside Pieck, Gabi, and Falco, as they are running from the machine guns. Pieck also transforms into a Titan as they are trying to get away as far as they can.
"Damn it... that's the same weapon that the Panther Unit used, how did they manage to obtain that this quick?" Galliard says.
Eren is chasing them with Aya on her shoulder, and Pieck says, "It seems they did a lot of changes with the help of the Founding Titan. Right now Paradis is not an enemy that we can underestimate."
"And are that supposed to be the Wall that is filled with Colossal Titans? What the hell happened to it and why did it look tinier?" Galliard asks.
Falco says, "Eren Yeager said that they manage to use the Founding Titan to change the Colossal Titans in the walls to the other 9 Titans..."
"You're kidding me..." Porco yells, "Damn it... if only my powers weren't stolen by Aya Neumann..."
At the same time, The weather starts to become snowy, which causes some of the parachutes to be broken, the ones being hit are usually equipment, and Erwin comes out of the Titan body and yells, "The enemy is fallen from the sky!"
The scouts start to use their ODM gears and weapons to shoot them. Reiner says, "Damn it... this isn't the Paradis Island that I knew four years ago..."
"Vice Chief Braun, what are we going to do?" Colt asks.
Just then, they see the Sky Titan with Annie coming in front of them. Annie says, "Long time no see, Reiner."
"Annie..." Reiner says.
"Only you would be able to convince Marley to do something this stupid, I should have known." Annie says.
"Why? Why are you betraying Marley?" Reiner yells.
"Why wouldn't I? After you abandoned me four years ago." Annie says as she tries to shoot at Reiner's parachute, but Reiner takes out the gun and tries to shoot at Odom's eye, causing him to change the course and Annie to miss the shot.
"Sorry, Annie..." Odom says as they land back on the ground.
At the same time, the rest of the soldiers manage to land at a safe spot and Pieck also arrives with Porco, Gabi, and Falco. Magath rushes towards them and says, "Gabi, Falco!"
He hugs them and says, "You two imbeciles! Who ordered you to run into enemy territory?"
"We-re terribly sorry!" Gabi and Falco apologize.
"How could you act as you please?" Magath says.
"Gabi! Falco!" At the same time, Colt and Reiner land safely as Falco hugs his brother. At the same time, Pieck says, "Commander, I have to inform you that Paradis Island is not the same as four years ago. Aya Neumann has gathered info on the anti-titan weapons that she saw in Fort Slava and they managed to replicate them for their use. Zeke is also here."
Magath says, "We came here in accordance with Reiner's worries, but what's the possibility of the enemy exercising the power of the Founding?"
Gabi says, "Commander! The power of the Founding needs to be activated by the Founding Titan and the Titan with Royal Blood. This is what Lady Neumann told me!"
"You mean... Zeke is a Titan of Royal Blood?" Colt asks.
"Since his parents were the leader of the Restorationists, it's possible." Magath says.
"Speaking of Zeke's parents, Zeke's mother is the current Female Titan." Pieck says while getting its gear on. "And the goal of Paradis is to revive the Eldian Empire stopped by King Fritz in the past."
Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, the war finally begins. I hope you like this chapter.