Revolution

Liberio

The news of Reiner's murder spread like wildfire through the media. As the government decreed a national mourning period, almost every home in Marley discussed if the government had something to do with this sudden terrorist attack against a more powerful leader, an eldian than was a link between all nations.

During Reiner's public funeral, some small protests began to erupt, surrounding the government buildings and near the ceremony, causing for the Interior Guard to be deployed. The protests were violently repressed, which only served to spark a larger indignation and suspicion on the people.

Two days later, riots and fires were widespread through the city and martial law was instated. The eldian youths had rallied on a general cry for justice. The few elders were shocked to see such a sight, never in the old world had something like that ever happened, either on Marley or Paradis. After a few days of general protest, a shortage of food, water and power appeared. The protests no longer involved exclusively the eldian population, but the citizens in general, in all the nations. The government was hanging by a thread.

Former minister of industries Iro Aganyu returned to Liberio on the first day of protests and was jailed as a conspirator and for corruption charges. A propaganda campaign immediately started, funded by the Rohr Industries and executed by Hizuru agents. Aganyu and Kaspar Rohr were promoted as messianic figures, who had warned the people of the government impopular policies and lenient disposition for Marley supremacists.

On the third day of protests, as a counter measure for the protests, Aganyu was freed, whom immediately began to take control of the organization of the protests, meanwhile the 4th Prison already weak security had essentially become partial in favor of Ackerman.

On the 5th day, total mayhem ensued on the city, as the protestors broke through the military's barriers, as many soldiers and some officials decided to retire their support to the government. Many government buildings were burned and more importantly, all inmates of the 4th prison were freed. All the ferries from the port were filled with Paradisian citizens returning to their homeland, with many stowaways and refugees fleeing the chaotic situation of Marley.

The nations, through their own estate military, sealed their borders to prevent more attacks and to stop the flood of migration to Paradis. By the afternoon of that day, the government had collapsed, with some ministers fleeing to Paradis, and others seeking protection on one of the nations.

Aganyu and his allies took control of the Gubernatorial Palace and assumed the communications of Marley. He was de facto instated as interim president of the Confederacy. Curiously, Ackerman had not appeared anywhere in all that time and was not mentioned as a member of the new government.

The next day, as the new government started to take shape, Aganyu announces he was going to make a statement regarding the future of the nations…


Tongo

The least populated and most isolated of the Marleyan nations had become a safe haven for refugees and political dissidents due to the difficulty for the national military to reach the main towns and cities in case of suppression.

Onyakopon: Armin… how you feel about all this?

Armin: I prefer to not talk about it

Onyakopon: Have you noticed how some of the refugees look at you?

Armin: I can take their hatred… we need to focus on the next battle and how to win this war… this one was lost before it even began… at some point… some of them will understand… I guess now I can understand a bit… how Eren felt…

Armin, Annie and Christine were housed on the grounds of the Tongo Estate Government, so they were under heavy security. Gabi, Falco and Levi were also guests of the estate and lived on the same grounds.

Levi spent most of the time alone, either in his quarters or looking over the tall walls of the estate.

Falco: I feel like a coward…

Annie: You have a family now… it's normal that you preferred their safety over everyone else…

Falco: Still… don't you feel like that Miss Annie?

Annie: A bit… but I'm sure… we'll get our chance to fight…

Gabi carrying Pierre: Can you please not curse us with war Miss Annie?!

Christine sulking in a corner: I hope there is a battle

Gabi: HUH?!

Christine: And why are you lying Miss Gabi?! I heard you say that you wanted to use that giant gun to blast some heads!

Falco and Annie laugh, while Gabi is embarrassed: Damned snitch!

Christine: Are you not itching for blood Miss Gabi?! I DO! I WANT TO USE ALL THE THINGS MOM TAUGHT ME!

Gabi: Look how you are raising your daughter Miss Annie! Talking like a crazy person! WHAT THE HELL!?

Annie: I might be a bit concerned… but she can hold on her own and help if the situation required it… I guess it was not a mistake?

Falco: I'm a bit scared to be honest…

Christine approached Falco: Were you not a soldier too Mr Falco?! Are you not itching for a battle too?!

Falco: In any case Cris, this is a matter for us adults to deal w…

Christine: NOPE! I'm helping you. She runs to her room to bring something.

Gabi: What is she doing?!

Annie: You'll see. It's quite impressive if I say so myself…

Christine runs back with a drawing pad: TADAH! MY DESIGNS! LOOK!

Gabi and Falco are shocked to see the drawings. They are detailed plans of weapons and modified tanks that did not need rails, armored planes… although the drawings were clearly made by a child.

Gabi: What the… did she really made this Miss Annie?

Annie: Yup… she might be a small girl… but has the mind of the best military general… clearly my daughter… and Armin's... Don't tell him about this…

Christine: HEHEHE NO ARMY CAN BEAT MY WEAPONS HEHEHE…. I just need someone to make them… sob…

Falco: What if we show this to Mr Levi?

Gabi: As if… he's been sulking ever since we came here…

Annie: Maybe this will spark some life into him… especially coming from a child…

Gabi: Yeah I guess… he must be feeling like a childless parent right now…


Over the walls

Levi was looking down over the city. He saw the military guiding the refugees to centers. He looked at the concerned and despaired faces. He couldn't help but to remember the times he used to watch over other walls… he feels desolated… he asks what everything was for… all the death… all the loss and mistakes… he thinks about what Mikasa said to him… and an image of Sasha comes to his mind…

Armin: Captain?

Levi: I want to be alone.

Armin: Sorry to bother you… but I thought you might would want to know what Aganyu will say… I believe it will involve Paradis…

Levi: Hmm…

Armin: We'll be at Onyakopon's office, come if you want.

Levi is silent.

Aganyu's broadcast was being transmitted through the radio, which had been made available for the citizens to hear by the military. The message was sent to Paradis as well...


My dear citizens, I speak to you in a position that I never thought I had to serve,

But the circunstances of our nation radically changed in such a short period of time.

You, the people, have expressed your power in an unprecedented manner,

All nations coming together in a single banner, justice and tolerance,

An old scourge of the old world that crept back into ours,

And sadly, the former government never took that threat seriously, to say the least,

As a descendant of two of the poorest nations, I hope I can represent all of the people in a better way.

This message is not only for the people of Marley, but for the entire world for a reason,

It's time for a real union of the people, we are still so few that division is a way of extinction,

It's time for eldians, marleyans, tongolese, Hizuru and Aydiari to come together as one.

This are godless times, the old traditions died with our past,

Despair, sadness, melancholy are prevalent on the society as a whole,

It's time to open our hearts, our souls for new ideas, new leaders, new idols,

New faith on our new world, coming for the old, a true fusion of times,

I ask you… to have faith… on the changes to come.


Paradis - The Royal Palace

Pieck: Well that was cryptic.

Connie: It was scary as hell, what did he mean by all that?

Jean: Wasn't it just political bullshit?

Pieck: No. I don't think so.

Ymir: It felt like a command. To begin something.

Pieck: Exactly.

Historia and Mikasa were silently brooding and concerned.

Leo was standing idly by the door, he assumed the role of royal guard for Historia, Ymir and Mikasa… even if nobody asked him to.

Historia: A revolution… is that Ackerman's goal?

Pieck: To me that always was the plan… what exactly that meant is what we don't know… and still don't.

Jean: It doesn't seem that Aganyu is looking to be the messianic leader himself…

Connie: You think he means Kaspar?

Ymir: That would be the obvious answer… so it probably isn't.

Pieck: Well it has to be him… he is missing in action… and the other contenders that fill the role he talks about… are Mikasa and Sasha.

Mikasa is shocked: What?!

Historia starts to shiver of nervousness.

Pieck: Think about it… you are all Ackerman's. You are the Azumabito heir. Sasha is still seen as a divine figure, the daughter of The Redentor, heir of Eren and Ymir.

Jean: But neither of them are willing to accept such a thing…

Pieck: Are we sure of that?

Mikasa getting angry: What are you suggesting?

Pieck: I'm concerned about Sasha's state of mind… I think I'm starting to understand Ackerman's play…

Leo was listening very concerned.

Historia: What you mean?

Pieck: I think he intends for Sasha to become some sort of divine figure… of his use.

Ymir: Come one Pieck… she has always hated that idea…

Historia: That's true… isn't that right Mikasa?

Mikasa doubting: Y..yeah…

Pieck: I agree. It's a long shot for Ackerman to be able to radically change Sasha… at least at the moment I don't think it's possible.


The next day - Dauper

The Blouse estate was housing several refugees, mainly families with children, the rest were given food and sent to Shiganshina, the city selected to receive the flux of refugees from Marley.

At break of dawn, everyone was asleep. The refugees were in their tents.

Meanwhile Sasha was still awake, waiting for the sun to come up. She tried her best to sleep as little as she could, as she would always have dreams that made her wake up in tears, even if she couldn't remember them.

At that moment a cloaked figure approached her. It was a hunched and thin old man.

Man: Excuse me dear, can I sit by your side? It looks like you could use some company.

Sasha turned and was shocked to see Kaspar Ackerman in front of her, with all his limbs back and his faced burned on one side.