Chapter 2: The Runaways
"What's your reasoning behind what you did?" Annie asked they were finally in the Shiganshina District Eren's home. Said boy was resting on a blanket by them still unconscious. They were in a building that looked like a store originally. It was one of the few buildings still somewhat intact. Ymir was drinking from her canteen they were running low on food and water so she tried to spare as much as she could. "You've got some type of mission because you wouldn't have took him if you didn't."
"I see myself as getting revenge on the people you aid." Ymir answered her, Annie wasn't quite sure who she was hinting at but she kept her face even. "Now that that's out of the way tell me. Why are you helping the people who want to destroy ours?" Ymir asked, confirming Annie's suspicions. She hid her surprise well, she always did but she was curious on how Ymir knew this information.
"That's none of your concern" Annie said evenly, Ymir then eyed Eren before looking back to her.
"I've shown you mercy and will continue to do so if you don't want his angry ass at your throat." Ymir spoke with a sly grin, Annie wasn't affected by her threat.
"I've regained my energy, I could take him and leave. We both know your Titan is no match for mine." Annie stated, Ymir shrugged.
"I've been a Titan longer than you were even thought of little girl." Ymir shot back, she screwed the top of her canteen close and leaned back. "But now your a new asset to my plan. Your going to help him." Ymir said, Annie didn't even blink at her ridiculous plan.
"Look I have my own orders and that's to take him back to Chief that's it. I can go back home after that." Annie revealed somewhat, Ymir jumped at the revelation.
"So that's it then, they took you away from your home. I thought you wanted to fight for the Marleyan's cause." Ymir said, Annie shook her head, 'She's definitely not from around here if she knows about them.' Annie thought as she stared at her lap.
"I don't care about this war or people or humanity or none of that. I just want to go back to my Father that's all." Annie spoke, Ymir scoffed.
"So you're another selfish one huh? Should of known, look kid in this world you have to be apart of the chaos. You think just because you deliver Eren to whoever the Chief is your done? Ha! If that's what you think then I gave you way too much credit. Your the Female Titan, sure I'm not all knowing on the matter but guess what you're an asset. Whoever your chief is, all he's going to do is send you on another long ass mission and keep you away from your father even more. You refuse? He might just kill your father or anybody you hold dear. That's just how it works, the only choice you have is to join the chaos for your own cause or do what your doing. Trying to run away but end up being right dead smack in the middle of it." Annie mulled over her words, before her crystal blue eyes met Ymir's almond one's.
"Well it doesn't matter now does it? We've chosen our paths might as well walk them right?" Annie deadpanned, Ymir looked at her with mild disgust. "Reiner and Bertolt will probably be here to get me and Eren and once they find out you ate Marcel they'll kill you."
"What are their motives what are they getting out of this?" Ymir asked, Annie knew she was going to keep her mouth shut on that one.
"It's not my place to tell, not like it's any of your business anyway..." Annie spoke, Ymir was about to give a rebuttal but Eren's eyes suddenly popped open. He sat up and slowly and held his head. He groaned at his headache and closed one of his eyes as he looked to Ymir.
"So that wasn't a dream," Eren said before sensing someone else beside him. He turned his head to see Annie staring blankly at him. Eren quickly raised his hand to his mouth but Ymir jumped and grabbed his wrist before he could bite it. "Fine, I'll kill her with my bare hands!" Eren seethed as he charged for her, Annie rolled her eyes before redirecting his hand then hitting him with three punches to the face.
Eren hit the ground and growled as a stream of blood left his nose. Ymir grabbed him by the back of his collar and yanked him back. He grit his teeth as his blood boiled, Ymir leaned forward beside his ear.
"Calm the fuck down Eren she's going to be on our side... eventually." Ymir spoke trying to get him to calm down. Eren wasn't having it however and wanted his revenge. Annie shook her head emotionless, Ymir continued to hold him ordering him to take deep breaths. "Think about it Eren she's not mindless there's a drive behind every mission. She's one of us, she wouldn't have led the Titans here for no reason right? There has to be a reason right?" Eren shook his head as he yanked himself away. Annie did a back flip to her feet as he ran toward her.
"It doesn't matter! Someone has to pay!" Eren swung, Annie expertly dodged the wild punch. "Families were torn apart!" Eren said giving a two punch and kick combo. Annie blocked the two punches then side stepped his kick. "Children taken away from Mothers, Fathers ripped apart in front of their families eyes!" Eren jumped up and gave a roundhouse kick, Annie leaned backward barely missing his boot. Eren landed and snarled his displeasure of not placing a hit on her. "Mothers chewed up and swallowed in front of their own kids." Eren's rage continued to build as he looked at Annie. She stood there with her guard up and looked right through him as if he wasn't even talking. He was about to rush her again but he paused catching his breath. Ymir was about to restrain him again though it seemed he was done.
"The moment I met you I could tell you had been through a lot. You're very similar to Mikasa, so you must've led a hard life. You're quiet but your eyes tell it all Annie. Trying to hide something in plain sight, it fools most but not me." Eren said poking his thumb in his chest at the end. Annie still had her guard up she knew he wasn't done. Eren then started to laugh after a few moments. Ymir and Annie thought he had gone mad. "You three, you could of found me, why did you have to attack? I was only ten years old, you just had to terrorize and create a mass genocide." Eren's smile evaporated from his face, he then clenched his fists. "Your death will be a slow and painful one..." Eren whispered before leaning forward about to break into a run but Ymir caught him again.
"Alright hot head, you've gotten it off your chest now sit down somewhere. Do you even know where we are right now?" Ymir asked him while kicking his feet out from under him making fall on his ass. Eren grunted before looking around, immediately realizing where they were. All the abandoned and wrecked buildings and homes. Even with the sun beaming the place still looked dark and grey. 'Home' Eren thought "Titans are still around this area and we have to stay quiet and hope they don't pick up our scent."
"Really we've got to keep moving cause pretty soon the Survey Corps will be here looking for Eren." Ymir said as she observed the area, Eren and Annie stared at each other and Ymir caught it. "What you two about to make out or something?" Saying that Ymir thought back to Krista and how she had to leave her. Eren and Annie didn't pay any attention to her.
"You know what I wanna know Annie? Do you feel any type of remorse, any regret of what you three did?" Eren asked, Annie put her guard down as it seemed Eren wasn't going to get up. "Sorry if it seems like I'm a little bitter. Nobody but my Mother was taken away from me is all." Eren said with sick sarcasm, out of nowhere Annie grabbed him. She closed the distance between their faces until their noses barely touched. Ymir saw this and gave an exasperated huff and sat back.
"I give up, kill each other if you want, just keep it down. Some of us want to live." Ymir said as she crossed her arms and watch the altercation unfold.
"You listen here asswipe, I did this because I was taken away from my Father. The only person who truly understands and gives a fuck about me. You really think I wanted to be responsible of what ultimately killed your mother? Or anybody's family member? No you fucking dumbass! If it was as easy as locating you and taking you we would've done that! But that's not what chief or those people who hate our guts wanted! How'd you think I got the power? Nobody wants to turn into those mindless creatures! They only want the one that you are!" Annie seethed, she then jumped on him knocking him down. Then proceeded to pummel him. Beating him senseless, repeatedly punching him in his face, until he caught one of her fists. Blood was running down his forehead and corner of his mouth.
"You think you get to let it out?! Arrrgghhh Damn you!" Eren shouted as he threw his own punch that Annie dodged. She kept on punching him in the face until Ymir intervened. Smoke was leaving Eren's face as both their attention was on her.
"You two quit it, look I have an idea-" Annie cut her off by gripping Eren's arm and collar harder.
"No I'm taking him for myself, I'm ending this nightmare!" Annie said looking Eren in the eyes, Eren head butted her with all his might. His inner monster was pleased with finally getting a lick on her. She jumped back and landed on her butt. Eren stood up and tiny bits of electricity sparked around him. They ceased when Ymir hit him up side his head making him fall. Annie stood as Ymir growled at her.
"Annie that dumbass mission of yours is over, failed, unsuccessful! Look we're taking Eren to your village and getting your Father. Then we'll get any information on the bigger picture of it all. Then get Eren to learn how to use the coordinate, because if we're marching toward that city we'll need an army. And a big one at that." Ymir said trying to put pieces together, Annie looked at the woman skeptically.
"Someone else is behind what your doing, you didn't come up with all this by yourself." Annie stated, Ymir looked down to both of them looking at her. Eren was waiting because even he was shocked how she was putting things together.
"Yeah because how come you keep saying me and Annie? Where do you come in at in the equation?" Eren added standing up and crossing his arms. Ymir chuckled at how quickly they caught on. "Look if this is going to work I want honesty as number one priority. Cause if not then I'm going back and taking my chances there." Eren said seriously, Annie stood as well before scoffing catching his attention. She locked eyes with him and frowned. One of the rare times Annie showed any emotion. Especially after her outburst only minutes ago.
"You're not going anywhere..." She said dangerously, Eren raised his fist in front of him.
"Who do you think you are!?" Eren exclaimed, Ymir rolled her eyes and placed a hand on his shoulder stopping another conflict.
"Alright look, I'm apart of the Eldian Restoration Movement, a group of Eldians that live in the Marleyan city that's far away from here. Me and a few other people were chosen to get over their walls and come retrieve the coordinate. Once we got to you, we were to control the Titans here and attack their city. The only problem was is that we were caught and turned into Titans ourselves." Ymir explained, Eren and Annie listened to her story attentively. "Guess what that was sixty years ago." Eren and Annie both looked at the woman in shock.
"What?! You barely look a day over eighteen!" Eren exclaimed, Ymir smiled appreciating the compliment. Annie too was surprised at the Woman's age.
"I guess that after you become a Titan it preserves the human inside it." Ymir gave her guess, Eren nodded in agreement before she continued. "That's why I was fortunate enough to find you four." Ymir said referencing to Annie who gave a frown at the memory of her eating Marco. "And trust me I didn't mean too but it happened and I don't regret it because now I can complete my mission."
"I'm in as long as I get to make them eat themselves afterwards..." Eren said with venom laced in his tone. Ymir lightly shook her head.
"You know that they're only Eldians that were forced into becoming a Titan right? all of us here were a mindless Titan at one point in time." Ymir said, then she looked at Annie and wondered. But before she could speak on it Eren was already speaking.
"There's no saving them unless they eat one of us correct? Well look around there's only what six of us total right? There's thousands of them and after we take their city what should I do with them?" Eren said making a good point to Annie, Ymir was ready for the question and answered it accordingly.
"We have to find a way to reverse what happened to them. Those are our people Eren, most of them were just trying to break free from the Marley mistreatment of us. You weren't there you don't know how hard it is!" Ymir said breaking away from her non-emotional curtain. Eren just shook his head, he then thumbed at himself.
"And just like I wasn't there, you weren't here, you're family wasn't slaughtered in front of your eyes like my people our people from the walls. It's tragic how they ended up yes but that's how it's supposed to be. I know they would feel horrible knowing they killed people, countless people, I know I would even if I knew I couldn't control what happened." Eren gave his perspective on the situation, Annie remained quiet as his words sunk in. Ymir was quiet for a moment as well before coming up with a reply.
"You know you won't be able to forget it, you'll never get your Mother and Father back. It won't be as simple as wiping them all out and erasing them from history. Because someone will always have the serum, and someone will always have some fucked up mind and inject either themselves or someone else..." Ymir said coldly, Eren didn't know why but her saying he'd never get them back hit him where it hurt. Though he knew that it was just the first time anybody actually said it out loud. He fought to hold back the tears as he saw his Mother being chewed to bits again. He stared at the ground letting his hair block his eyes.
"I know that! But as long as I'm breathing and able" He spoke before looking up to her, "I'll exterminate every last one!" Eren swore once again, Annie wasn't surprised at his swear but she had to acknowledge how passionate he was about it. Ymir and him held an intense gaze as if testing themselves out on who was the more passionate. After what seemed like forever and a day to them Ymir turned her gaze to Annie.
"We'll see when the time comes then..." Ymir spoke, Annie had the same blank expression on her face like she didn't care about they're conversation. "But Annie I'm curious, who did you eat?" Ymir spoke, it was a question that most wouldn't want to talk about but everyone there now knew what the process was. Annie was silent for a few seconds, debating on whether or not she would tell them. She then turned to Eren who was watching her as well with curiosity in his eyes.
"My Mother." She said as if answering to Eren, who looked stunned for a moment then stilled his expression. Ymir saw what she did and smiled to herself. 'So trying to prove yourself to Jaeger are you' Ymir thought, now glad it was Annie who followed after them. She was about to speak but heard some loud thumping coming they're way. Annie stood up along with the others as they looked out the broken window.
"Fuck I can't see anything." Ymir breathed as the thumping started to get louder, Annie looked behind her to see Eren with an evil smile about to bite into his hand.
"I've got it.." Eren spoke before Annie gave him the death grip around his wrist, he looked up and met her glance.
"Don't" She said simply before letting go, Ymir was tempted to go outside but that stomping was too loud. They all hid in the corner beside the window with Ymir closest to it.
"It has to be an abnormal, cause the bastard is hauling ass!" Ymir whispered as the thumping drew closer. Annie was right beside her crouched down holding onto the hilt of her sword.
"Is it just one?" Annie asked, the stomping had slowed down drastically.
"It's just one but its a heavy set one." Ymir spoke, Eren didn't get it.
"It had to have been a mile or so away how did it pick up our scent that far away?" Eren asked afterwards the stomping stopped. They were all quiet until they heard a familiar voice.
"I don't think they're here Reiner, they must've went over the wall." Bertolt spoke quietly but just loud enough for Reiner and the others to hear. Eren having heard Bertolt's voice something triggered inside of him. It was familiar but it was intensified, like something was dragging his mental away. Ymir sighed in relief but Annie looked back to Eren who was staring off in space. She went to go grab his wrist but he snatched it away and bit his hand.
"Rat Bastards!" Eren swore as lightning struck the building they were in, Reiner was in his Titan when he saw Eren emerge from the building beside them. Bertolt fell on Reiner's shoulder as Eren's roar spread across the whole district. More than likely alerting every Titan in the area of their existence. Maybe even the Survey Corps, inside Reiner's Titan the teen gasped as he saw Eren's Titan mere yards away from him.
"Damn where the hell did he come from?!" Reiner said to himself as Eren punched his face in but it didn't do any damage at all. Eren didn't stop there however he threw a barrage of punches blood erupting from his fists at the constant punishment. Eren then brought both his hands together and brought them down on Reiner's back. The force was enough to make him fall to the ground. Bertolt fell off of Reiner's shoulder and hit the ground. Reiner started to pick himself up but Eren wasn't about to let up. He began punching his back but all it led to was his fists bloodied and broken. Reiner stood up and looked at him. Eren's Titan was roaring in his face, he shut him up by delivering a gut wrenching punch. Eren's Titan folded over the blow, Reiner then knocked him to the side with a punch to his jaw.
Reiner looked down and picked up Reiner and sat him back on his shoulder. Bertolt was looking around for Annie if she was in this area she had to have heard Eren's roar. Inside the building Annie was getting up rubble falling off of her body from Eren's transformation. She looked outside and was about to run and meet her comrades but Ymir stopped her.
"Wait!" Ymir shouted, Annie looked down to her. She was just now getting up getting the dust and rubble off of her. "Think about it Annie, you three aren't alone anymore. Together we can take him down and you three can be done with this and put it all behind you. Isn't that ultimately what you want?" Ymir spoke, Annie watched her for a few seconds. Her facial expression gave indifference but in her mind she was weighing her words.
"That armor is to hard, I'll have to find another way to pierce it." Eren said while inside his Titan, he made it pick itself up and watch Reiner carefully. He then narrowed his eyes at Bertolt. "Then we kill him" Eren added before letting out another thunderous roar. He charged Reiner with a plan in mind. Reiner shook his head while inside and smirked.
"So I guess I was wrong this guy's just going off of pure rage." Reiner said to himself as he prepared himself for his arrival. Reiner cocked his fist back and threw it at the Titan at the right time. Though Eren smirked while inside his Titan.
"He took the bait" Eren said as he ducked the punch and hooked one arm under his shoulder and the other around his neck. Both his hand met in the middle and then he threw his ex friend into the ground. He then pulled him backwards, the strain was enough for some of his armor to break and pop off. Reiner snarled as he tried to break free with his free hand.
"Or maybe I was wrong, why did Annie have teach him of all people?" The Armored Titan got to his knees but Eren has other plans. His Titan drove its knee in the Armored Titan's side getting him back on the ground. Bertolt was holding on for dear life on a string of muscle fiber. Eren adjusted his grip on his arm and began to pull even harder.
Meanwhile Annie was coming out of the building with Ymir. They watched as Eren's Titan ripped Reiner's arm off. They then looked behind them to see two Titans watching them. Annie and Ymir grunted when they're eyes landed on them.
"Decide Annie" Ymir said making the blonde look her way. She started to back away preparing to transform. "Its all up to you" Ymir said as she took out her blade and sliced her hand. Lightning sparked around her as she looked at her. Soon enough Ymir's Titan form was in front of her. Annie followed suit by biting her hand.
Reiner was just getting to his feet when he saw two transformations happen. Eren was in fighting stance that somewhat mocked Annie's. Reiner and Eren's attention were taken off of each other for a moment to look to Eren's right. They both saw the Female Titan and the Jaws Titan. Reiner instantly remembered that Titan, it was the one that killed their superior Marcel.
"Reiner that's the one!" Bertolt informed him, Reiner was speechless inside his Titan. 'What the hell is Annie doing with that thing? Matter of fact who is that?!' Reiner thought as Eren who was about to continue the fight whether Reiner was ready or not. But he heard stomping coming his way from behind him. He turned around just in time to dodge a Titan's attack from in front of him. Eren gripped the back of its neck and looked out to where it came. He soon saw a large cluster of them watching in the distance. Eren clenched his nails into the Titan's nape killing the being before screeching out his dominance toward the others.
The Female Titan exchanged glances with the Armored one before looking at Ymir. Eren also stood by as everybody watched each other. The other Titans walking toward them.
'If they think they're going to double team Ymir they've got another thing coming!' Eren thought as he threw the Titan in his hands at the oncoming ones. The three in front fell back causing a domino effect on the others. Eren then turned and got in between Annie and Reiner. He let his arm down toward Ymir, who crawled up and crouched on his shoulder.
'Glad I got someone on my side...' Ymir thought as Eren eyed Annie to see what move she was going to make. Their Titan's locked eyes trying to discern one another. Eren wanted to fight them all, but he thought better than to take them all at once. Not to mention Bertolt would transform if things got bad. He knew about the other Titans behind them, the odds were against them. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Reiner knocked him into Annie. Also causing Ymir to fall off, both Annie and Eren landed on the building.
Eren's Titan sat up and looked at the Female Titan. He then turned his head back to Reiner letting out a snarl. Annie herself was trying to figure out why had Reiner just done that. 'What the fuck is his problem?' Annie thought as Eren started to rise up. Eren stood up and got into a battle stance. He glanced over at the Titans, they were running now and it had seemed like they're numbers had increased. Although rage flowed through him like blood he knew that he went in over his head. He counted at least twenty Titans, add Reiner and Maybe Annie to that equaled death. Ymir's small Titan wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight against ten meters or above.
He looked over his shoulder and saw Annie stand up behind him. He looked past her to the wall, he could run for it. 'But blasted I don't want to run. Blood has to be spilled here and now!' He thought to himself dismissing the idea entirely. Time was running out, the fight was about ensue he had to make a move. He'd have to take the Titans, they all did. It wasn't like they were after just him. He wanted to give Reiner a hard time by pushing him down but he knew the extra help was needed.
Ymir's roar was heard as she ran toward Eren and climbed his Titan. The others faced the oncoming horde and readied themselves. Ymir jumped off of Eren's head and landed on her first victim. Which was a fifteen meter Titan, she dug her claws into its eyes as it fell backward. Eren was ready to kill as he drove his fist into another's mouth. Annie hardened her shin and threw it across one's legs chopping it off its body. Reiner guarded Bertolt with one of his hands and punched right through another Titan's head.