Chapter 13: Rescue

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Previously: Erwin decides to go with Eren's exploding card plan and they capture Annie without issue. Eren and others arrive late to Wall Rose. Christa begs Eren to save Ymir, grabbing his hands.


A group of soldiers was gathered around Ymir, who lay unconscious. She had been fighting to save Utgard Castle's survivors, killing Titans left and right, until they had all piled on her and began tearing into her. There were just too many but luckily for Ymir, the calvary had arrived not long after dawn broke.

Christa sat loyally by Ymir's side now, impressing on Hange how Ymir had saved them and would become an asset like Eren.

To think you've been hiding under our noses the entire time, Reiner thought. He, Bertolt, and Annie had speculated many times what had happened to the new inheritor of the Jaw Titan. Mostly they had assumed he or she perished after being reborn out in such hostile territory. They'd hoped that was the case. And the Jaw Titan's power would find its way to a newborn in Marley. They could only pray that was the case.

"Reiner, what are we going to do now?" Bertolt asked him uneasily, shooting a nervous look at Ymir.

"We need to leave the Walls."

"Really?" Hope bloomed on Bertolt's face.

Reiner felt the same ache of homesickness. He was also tired and ready to return to his own people, to his family. Their war chief's presence had been a welcome surprise. He almost wept in relief, remembering it. "We can't stay here any longer. We're fortunate Ymir never revealed anything before. But I guess it makes sense. Otherwise she couldn't run around doing whatever she wanted, not with the military breathing down her neck all the time. She couldn't reveal our identities without exposing herself. But now that her secret's out, nothing is stopping her."

"You think she'll blow our cover?"

"To save her own skin, yeah. Ymir's never hurt, much less killed, any of their people. She'll give up our identities to get clemency for staying quiet. She'll get more mercy here than back home."

"You're right about that. If she was a Pure Titan wandering outside the Walls, it means she was a criminal. Our superiors won't trust her and let her live. And she probably has no love or loyalty to her birth country."

"Worse still," Reiner said unhappily, "she has the Jaw Titan. Had it been the Female Titan it wouldn't have been nearly as much trouble. But the Jaws? Bertolt, she's the only one capable of taking down my Titan. The crushing power of the Jaw Titan is deadly. Her claws can tear apart my Titan's skin like wet paper."

"We cannot let the Corps have her," Bertolt agreed seriously. "They're useless against you right now. But if they offer her a place with them, they will finally get their hands on the one thing capable of taking down the Armored Titan."

"Where the hell is Eren?" Reiner growled impatiently, scanning for Eren.

This was the perfect spot for making a getaway. The area around the Wall here was grassy and flat. The 3D gear would be of no use in giving chase once they fled on the Armored Titan. And horses take time to be lifted up and over the Wall so it will give us plenty of time to get away. There wasn't a gate here the soldiers could ride their horses through. South of here there was also no human territory thus no obstacles—aside from Pure Titans—if he and Bertolt were to leave and head straight for Wall Maria.

Ymir was exhausted and weak. Eren would have been clueless when Reiner approached him to subdue him, easily captured with the element of surprise. We could have taken them both with such ease.

"Some of the soldiers told me, Connie, and Sasha that Eren went to Karanes to visit his injured squadmates," Bertolt said. "Erwin was summoned to Stohess to answer for the failed expedition but his scare tactics bought him another chance. By the time they got the news about the breach, Eren was long gone so he couldn't accompany Hange and the others when they came here and rescued us."

Karanes is almost completely on the opposite side of the Wall from here. Reiner gritted his teeth. Even if Eren had departed from Karanes the previous evening to get closer for when they left for this place in the morning, who knew how long he would take to get here? Dawn had only broken maybe thirty minutes ago. Are they even awake yet?

"Reiner, we can't wait for Eren. He could take hours to get here. Ymir might fully recover by whatever time he arrives. Then we'll have to contend with the two of them, Mikasa, Captain Levi, and the entire Corps plus the Garrison soldiers that may join them if the battle drags on long enough."

Damnit! Reiner felt his frustration increase. If only Bertolt could blow them all away with his transformation. But even if Bertolt resolved himself to it, it could get Eren and Ymir killed. They'd have to return home empty-handed, having lost their best, their only, lead to the Coordinate. No, worse than empty-handed cause we'll have lost the Jaw Titan in the process. Not to mention, he remembered, the Garrison soldiers numbered in the thirty-thousands. Only a third of them were combat-ready, which was still ten thousand men and women strong. We'll run out of steam and stamina before they run out of manpower.

"Reiner?" Bertolt prompted anxiously.

"Here's the plan: we'll take Ymir while she's unconscious. I'll transform and distract the soldiers. The majority of them will go after me and leave her undefended, easy for you to take. Also, grab another soldier so you can get 3D gear for yourself. You can use it to climb on my back. We can't push all the way to the edge of the Walls in one go so we'll need to take a break. There's a forest we can stop and rest at."

Bertolt nodded eagerly. "It'll give us a chance to rest up and for the Corps to close the distance. Tactically speaking, it's extremely foolish letting us get away and take Ymir with us. Erwin Smith will come after us for sure. Eren should be with them by that time."

"While we're in the forest, we'll see if we can try to get Ymir to side with us. Doubtful, I know, but we can at least try. If she nabs Christa for us we could beseech our superiors and they might look on her favorably if she delivers someone of royal blood to them. When the Corp arrives, I will leave the forest and lure Eren out to an open field. With the sparse trees, the soldiers' 3D gear will be limited and they'll be too distracted by the Pure Titans to be of any real annoyance to us."

"What about Annie? I don't feel right about leaving her behind."

"She'll be fine. They only know about our two Titans. There's no report about a third intelligent Titan that helped cause Wall Maria's downfall. They've no idea the reason the Titans invaded so quickly was because Annie led them in with her scream. Without Ymir around to talk, there's no way Annie will be exposed," Reiner said confidently.

"Right, right." Suddenly, Bertolt became anxious and nervous. "We've done all we can. So it's okay to go home, right? Before, Marley had zero intel. But now we know more about Paradis's resources, geography, political figures, military structure, weapons, technology, tactics, all of that. We even devastated a third of their population and they lost half their land because of us five years ago. And we also have a solid lead on the Coordinate." His voice became strained. "So the mission was a success, right? There's no reason we can't go home. Don't you think so, Reiner?"

That desperation, Reiner felt it all too well. This is our chance. As Bertolt said, they'd done so much already. It had to be enough. And War Chief Zeke is here. By some miracle Ymir didn't know their identities, they couldn't let their ride home slip away. There was a ship docked on the island right now and it could take them back to Liberio. "We're going back to our hometown, Bertolt," Reiner declared, his mind made. "We've done all we can here. It's time."

"We're finally going back..." Relieved tears filled his best friend's eyes and Reiner had to choke back emotion himself.

"Listen, either of two things will happen when we take Ymir: the Corps will give chase or they won't. No matter what happens, we're heading for that ship. Annie will hear about us and know the mission's done. As an MP, she can easily pass through the gates and leave to join us. It'll be a full moon again tonight and probably tomorrow night, too. She can transform when it's nighttime and travel safely through Titan territory using the moon to light her way."

"We'll wait for her," Bertolt said, nodding. "We'll sit on that wall near the ship with lanterns for as long as possible so she can find us."

"We'll stay out there all night if we have to. I—"

"Shh! Wait!" Bertolt whispered quickly. "I think Connie's coming over."

Connie... Reiner thought sadly. Poor, naive Connie. He had no idea his family had been turned into monsters and some of his closest friends were on the same side as those who had turned his village. This will probably be the last time we see each other. Once he left the island, Reiner hoped they never had to see each other again.


[Approx. Four Hours Later]

Eren II gasped while Christa jerked back.

Mikasa was between them instantly, taking Eren II's hands into her own, inspecting them for injury. "What's wrong?!" Alarm rang clear in her voice.

"Are you alright?" Jean asked Christa as Sasha placed a hand on her shoulder.

Christa looked dazed, touching her head.

"Dad... What was that?" Eren asked, confused at the images of Eren II's father that had assaulted them.

Erwin looked between them. "What is it?"

"That was so strange," Eren II said, still dazed.

"What are you two talking about?" Armin asked, soldiers gathering around them.

"I just remembered," Christa said softly, eyes unfocused. "How could I forget? She's... Frieda!"

"One of you had better start explaining right now," Levi huffed impatiently.

"Can you tell us, Eren?" Mikasa prodded gently.

"When Christa touched me," he explained slowly, "I think I saw my father's memories. He looked really upset about something. He was crying and begging, I think." There had been no words but deep down he knew his father was asking for help. But he had felt annoyed.

"But..." Armin's brow furrowed. "Why did Christa also see someone?"

"Actually, my real name is Historia," she corrected him. "It's a long story."

"Why did it happen when you two touched?" Jean wondered, appearing puzzled.

"Now is not the time," Erwin cut in before the conversation could move further. There was an intense look on his face but a second later, it was replaced by a calm and collected expression. "I must admit, this is an intriguing and strange coincidence. But we have a more pressing matter to attend to."

Historia snapped out of her stupor immediately and nodded fiercely. "We need to hurry."

"We'll deal with...this later. Eren, for now, you and Historia avoid making contact with each other."

Eren II wanted to know more. What had happened to his father? He still had no clue. But the soldier in him obeyed. "Yes, sir," he said to Erwin.

The group, minus Levi, who was staying back with Hange and the other injured soldiers, stepped into the lift.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Mikasa fretted, hovering close to him.

"I'm fine. Just took me by surprise."

"First and foremost," Erwin began as the lift started to go down, "there is no hole in Wall Rose. And we didn't find any Titans, either."

"What about the messenger Squad Leader Mike sent?" Armin questioned. "And Connie's village?"

"We don't know what happened. But one thing we know for sure, Wall Rose is still whole and intact."

"Why did they take Ymir, sir?" Eren II asked him.

"Because she's a Shifter, like you."

Armin raised an eyebrow. "Her too?"

"She saved us," Historia filled them in. "Me and Connie. We were at Utgard Castle when a large group of Abnormals started attacking even though it was nighttime."

Eren II exchanged disturbed looks with Armin and Mikasa. "At night, too, now? Not cool," Eren complained.

"And there's that Beast Titan," Connie added, shuddering as he did so.

"Beast Titan?" Eren II repeated.

"It's what we're calling it, this giant hairy Titan," Connie said. "He threw rocks from the Wall and killed the veterans protecting us at the castle. If it hadn't been for him, we might have all survived. The veterans may have been able to hold out until Hange and the soldiers came."

"Ymir transformed and fought them off until Hange and the calvary arrived at our rescue at dawn," Historia finished.

"Damn..." Eren II frowned. "More Titans hiding among us? And one of them is Ymir? We knew about the other two, got reports they were from the same village as Annie, but there's—"

"Annie?" Sasha interrupted. "What does she have to do with it?"

"She's the Female Titan," Mikasa answered. "We just captured her yesterday in Stohess."

Jean stared at her, stunned. "Annie? You've gotta be shitting me."

"She saved my life," Connie said, eyes wide. "How could she...how could she be a traitor?"

"Shocked me, too." Shame burned Eren II, recalling his failure to beat her in the Forest of Giant Trees. A small part of him felt irked that the soft Eren who grew up without any adversity made Mikasa happier, had avoided the suspicion of his longest and smartest friend Armin, and even managed to come up with a plan to successfully capture an enemy. While all he had done was hurt them and fail the Corps. I won't fail this time, he vowed to himself. He would also prove himself worthy. So far his only accomplishment was closing the hole in Trost. But that wasn't a battle. All he had done was carry a big rock while Mikasa and the Garrison soldiers fought to protect him. It was as much their victory as it was his.

"How could this be happening?" Connie mumbled, clutching the side of the lift. "Three of our friends are traitors."

"I know it's difficult to accept, but you must if we are to stop them," Erwin said, staring out into the distance.

"Can you tell us what happened with Reiner and Bertolt?" Armin requested, looking at Connie.

"Reiner was acting off when I went to talk to him and Bertolt. He was fine at first. Said he was sorry about my village. Then he got kinda weird and began rambling. It got Bertolt all nervous. He kept trying to keep Reiner from talking to me."

"Then what happened?"

"Then he...Reiner just said he and Bertolt were the ones who destroyed the Wall."

Mikasa tilted her head. "He confessed? Just like that?"

Connie nodded. "I didn't believe him. He was acting like it was no big deal. Like we were talking about the weather."

Anger coursed through Eren II's veins. "He didn't feel guilty? Didn't give an explanation?" Eren II didn't even know if there ever could be a good reason for killing hundreds of thousands of people, directly or indirectly. Deep down a part of him had wished, though, that there was, so it would lessen the stinging betrayal in his chest.

"No, he didn't explain anything. And I punched him. Told him he wasn't funny and just being a jackass. I stormed off but I could hear him and Bertolt saying they were going to go back to their hometown. Bertolt sounded really happy and relieved. That's when it happened."

"He transformed into the Armored Titan," Armin guessed.

"Our attacks were useless," Keiji spoke up. "We couldn't pierce the armor. Then we realized it was a distraction. While we were attacking him, thinking he was going for Wall Rose, his buddy, who had also transformed, took Ymir before we could think to get her out of there. He also took another soldier to get his gear. Used it to reach the Armored Titan and they escaped. That was about four hours ago."

"I knew you three would catch up soon enough so we were going full force with the preparations to go after them," Erwin explained it from there. "We can't afford to lose Ymir. The odds are stacked against us and another Titan on our side will be a huge boost, not only will it increase our fighting power but morale as well. The odds of two against three are a hell of a lot better than one against three. We may be able to do something about the Beast Titan but the Colossal Titan and especially the Armored Titan will be extraordinarily difficult for us to handle with Eren's Titan alone."

"Ymir will be a great ally to humanity," Historia said passionately as the lift neared the ground. "I know she'll fight for us."

"A lot of people are gonna die here," Jean said, staring out into Wall Maria's territory. Titan territory.

"I'm willing to make that sacrifice in exchange for a second Titan and the knowledge and power she possesses, which she will share with us willingly," the commander said. "Their deaths will not be in vain. If we lose her, at best we'll have lost a big ally, at worst we may have another Titan power to deal with down the road if they somehow get her power back on their side."

"Whatever Ymir knows or can do is dangerous enough to warrant them blowing their cover to kidnap her," Mikasa said thoughtfully. "That's reason enough for me to get her back."

"Exactly. The fact they went to that length to get her away from us means she's a big danger to them, meaning she's very valuable to us." Erwin opened the lift doors and led them out. "Now, Hange believes they're headed for a forest with large trees to rest up. Presumably, they're going to Wall Maria."

"Or planning to leave Wall Maria and this island altogether," Eren said, thinking about the memory of Grisha on a ship.

"We should probably tell them about that when we get the chance," Eren II replied. If Reiner and Bertolt planned to get Ymir off the island, there was no doubt in his mind they would stop in the forest to rest up. The whole trip was too long and they'd need to take a breather.

"There's a lot of Titans between here and there," Erwin kept going. "And we know regular Titans are just as eager, if not more so, to eat intelligent Titans than humans. That forest will be a good place to take a break before pushing all the way to Wall Maria because there are no other places for them to stop and catch their breath. Hange might be wrong, of course. But it's not like the Armored Titan can hide his footsteps. Tracking him will be easy."

"What if they're gone by the time we get there?" Jean ignored the sharp look from Historia.

"Then I suppose we'll just have to turn back," Erwin said, shrugging. "But we've got soldiers, supplies, and Eren ready to go so we can weed out as many Titans as we can on the way back. It won't be a total waste then. It'll bring us a step closer to the goal of retaking Wall Maria's territory regardless if we get Ymir back or not."

"Sounds good to me." Blood thrummed through Eren II's veins at thought of being allowed to kill Titans indiscriminately if they couldn't catch Reiner and Bertolt in time. It would make for a good outlet for his anger and frustration. He mounted his horse and waited.

"Give The Batmobile a pet for me, will you?" Eren requested and his twin complied.

Whispers from the MPs around made their way to Eren II's ears.

"Are we really going through with it?"

"Why do we have to go after her?"

"Just let them take her. No need to risk so many lives and the one advantage we have just for her. It's not worth it."

Historia, who was nearby, glared furiously at the MP soldiers, shutting a few up.

"What's the point of having a Titan power if we're not willing to use him?" Armin was shaking his head at them. "And from what Connie overhead, they're clearly making a run for their hometown so we might not get another chance to capture them again."

"They also have a better understanding of our military and geography," Mikasa pointed out. "They'll report it to their collaborators and hit us harder next time cause they where which weak spots will cripple us."

Armin nodded. "Then it'll be even more difficult for Eren to take them down. If all we do is react to them instead of being proactive, we won't win. Having Ymir, not to mention the knowledge she has, would help level the playing field a little. It could be two of ours Titans vs. two of theirs plus you and Captain Levi taking on the third one. And with the rest of the soldiers providing backup in any way we can or keeping the normal Titans off your backs, we'd have a good shot at winning."

"Do you think you can beat Reiner?" Eren asked.

"I'm going to give it my best. No one else but me can do it."

Eren wondered how Eren II was going to defeat a guy with impenetrable skin. Any punches and kicks would only result in broken bones. "Dude's built like a fucking tank. His human body is pretty swole, too." Something about the Armored Titan seemed familiar to him and Eren realized what it was. "He kinda reminds of a UFC fighter."

Eren II nodded mentally as the man's image popped up in his head. "They've got the same face and hair and body type."

"And both are ridiculously strong." Eren remembered some of the man's fights.

"That's it!" Eren II blurted out, startling his friends and getting the attention of the people around him. "I know how to beat Reiner!"

"You do?" Jean turned his horse to face him as more soldiers brought their horses closer.

"I have the strength, just not the armor. But he does."

Based on the look on his face, Armin had caught on immediately.

"Uh, care to explain?" Connie asked, not following.

"I don't need to be able to break his armor," Eren II said excitedly. "If I apply enough pressure, use holds and locks, I can take him down. Ironically, it was one of their own who taught me how to beat a stronger opponent."

"Are you sure, Eren?" Historia stared at him hopefully.

He put as much confidence as he could into his words. "Yes, I can do it. I know how to beat the Armored Titan," he declared loudly.

Word began to spread around him. "They really needed to hear that," Mikasa said when the soldiers appeared uplifted by his words.

Eren pouted. "Annie gets all the credit, huh?"

"She did teach me how to fight. Or I can tell them the voice in my head, who is a version of me from another universe, gave me the idea after watching people beat on each other on a magic box."

Erwin must've heard his proclamation because he gave Eren II a look to which the boy nodded, earning a satisfied smile from the commander. "Let's move!" Erwin ordered, and the soldiers cried out in unison, beginning their charge.


Red flares shot up from the outer layers of the formation.

Eren II ignored it. The soldiers would handle the regular Titans. His job was to handle Reiner and Bertolt. An explosion sounded in the forest with golden-orange lightning shooting up.

"Straight ahead in the forest!" Armin yelled. "I saw a light! It's the light that appears when a Titan transforms!"

"Then we're just in time," Erwin said. "Soldiers, disperse! We believe the enemy has already transformed! Locate Ymir and recover her! Battle is not our objective! Prioritize recovery and retreat!"

Eren II jumped from his horse and flew into the forest with his friends and other soldiers. To conserve energy, he decided to wait until the traitors revealed themselves before turning into a Titan.

A screamed echo through the trees.

"Is that the scream of a Titan?"

"It came from ahead!"

"You can't hide from me!"

"Wait!" Connie suddenly shot toward it. "This is Ymir!" He hung next to the small Titan. "She's the one they took! Hey, Ymir! Why are you the only one here?! Where's Reiner!? And Bertolt?!"

"Something doesn't feel right," Eren muttered while the recruits talked, hanging from the trees. "I can't put my finger on it."

Eren II ignored Ymir in favor of looking for the other two. "Where are they? If she was fighting them, they would have transformed, too. And if she was running from them, she wouldn't be ignoring us."

It was then Historia flew over. "Thank goodness!" Historia smiled in relief. "You're safe." Her smile fell when Ymir suddenly swallowed her.

Eren II stared, mouth open, his friends muttering in shock.

"Don't just stand there!" Jean was the first to take off after Ymir. "Chase her!"

Eren II was silent as the rookies talked and came to the conclusion Ymir had switched sides. Up ahead, he spotted Reiner. Before Eren II could react, Reiner jumped down and transformed. The Armored Titan quickly exited the forest and stood outside, staring challengingly at him. "He doesn't think you can beat him," Eren said.

"He's in for a nasty surprise," Eren II growled. "Get away from me!" He brought up his hand, but the men and women around him were way ahead of him, moving away so they wouldn't be caught in the explosion.

Lightning struck and the Rogue Titan appeared. He stalked toward the Armored Titan, leaving the forest behind him.

"Are you in control or should I insult your lack of intelligence?"

"I'm good. Actually, I'm better than good." It was what Eren II had been waiting for. "Wait. Lack of intelligence? You just insulted me, asshole."

"I'm surprised you caught that." Eren saw through his host's eyes and wondered where Bertolt was hiding. Ymir had sided with them and taken the only person she cared about, Historia, with her. I bet their plan was to have Reiner beat Other me, kidnap him, and let the Corps distract the Titans while they retreat. Which meant Bertolt and Ymir, with a kidnapped Historia, had to be hiding around nearby to climb on Reiner so they could make their escape. "We can't let them take her. We gotta find out why Historia can trigger Dad's memories so we can figure out what the fuck is going on."

"I know."

As Eren expected, the Armored Titan rushed at Rogue to finish him off quickly. Rogue ran at him to meet him halfway, roaring angrily. Reiner was no martial arts prodigy but he was decent at hand-to-hand combat. But deluded by his conviction he was invincible, he had his guard down. Rogue pretended he was about to throw a punch, just as the Armored Titan was doing the same. Instead, he ducked under the Armored Titan's outstretched arm, wrapping his arms around it, getting behind him. He shoved one of his shoulders into the Armored Titan's back, sending him into the ground, causing the earth to shake. Throwing his head back, holding the trapped arm between his chest and his arms, Rogue began to apply pressure, intending to rip the arm out of the socket.

"You're doing it! Keep going!" Eren cheered him on.

A hard elbow to the back of Rogue's head from the Armored Titan's other arm forced him to release the arm. Before the Armored Titan could stand, Rogue tackled him. Putting the Armored Titan's head, and the same arm he had just tried to tear out, in a lock, Rogue crushed the head and the arm against each other. It was the same technique Annie had used on him during their Training Corps years before Mikasa interrupted them and challenged Annie to a fight.

Eren could hear the soldiers yelling encouragements. Finally, he heard the sweet sound of Reiner's armor cracking. "Don't let up," he urged. "He won't last long!"

"Shit!" Jean yelled from somewhere nearby. "Eren, look out!"

Rogue was forced to release the Armored Titan to deal with a 12-meter than had managed to sneak through. On his back, Rogue tripped the oncoming Titan, rolling out of its way. "Forget this one," Eren said. "Mikasa's coming. She'll take care of it."

On all fours, Rogue scrambled after the Armored Titan, who had just climbed to his feet. He grabbed his ankle, forcing the Armored Titan to fall face first, and he crawled on top of him. Rogue snaked an arm around his throat and flexed his muscles, choking him. He shook his head as the Armored Titan tried to claw his face.

Rogue let out a grunt when the Armored Titan managed to flip over, crushing him between his body and the ground, elbowing him in the gut when he was free from the chokehold. The Armored Titan turned to face him.

"Don't let him pin you!" Eren's mind raced, imagining Rogue being flipped, face shoved into the ground and their body being ripped out of the exposed nape.

Fast as he could, Rogue brought up one leg and kicked the Armored Titan, causing him to fall backward, grunting when the heavy Titan fell slightly on Rogue's left leg.

Both scrambled to get to their feet. His healing leg slowed him and gave the Armored Titan enough time to get to his feet first and take a few steps back. He crouched, the plate from his mouth lowering, huffing like a bull about to charge.

"Shit!" Eren cursed, panicking as the Armored Titan shot forward. Rogue's leg was healed but it was too late to evade him. "You can't dodge it!"

Eren II wasn't worried. "Since I'll get knocked over anyways... Bring it!" As soon as the Armored Titan shoved his shoulder into Rogue's midsection to tackle him, Rogue brought up his legs and circled them around his midsection, wrapping his right arm around the Armored Titan's neck. "Gimme that neck!" The Armored Titan fell face fell into the ground, caught in Rogue lock. "You're mine now!"


After she had caught Historia midair, Ymir had run, ignoring the soldiers chasing her.

They would never be able to catch her. The thick forest was ideal for her Titan. She had passed by Reiner and heard him transform, distracting her pursuers while she went and joined Bertolt.

The Jaw Titan knelt, head bowed and shoulders drooped on a sturdy branch, Ymir half emerged out of the nape. Bertolt was a few branches up in the tree next to hers. He had only given her a relieved look when she came before turning his attention to Reiner, who was about to take on Eren.

In front of her, covered in saliva, Historia argued fiercely for the two of them to return to the Corps. No matter how much Ymir had tried to convince her, Historia refused to listen.

"Could it be that Reiner and Bertolt threatened you? I'll fight them with you! I don't care if there's something you can't tell me. No matter what happens I will always be your ally!"

"You don't understand," Ymir said despairingly. "I stole the power of one of their comrades. You're someone important to Order of the Walls, so you're a valuable asset to the Warriors. And fighting for my life at Castle Utgard scarred me. I'm a horrible, selfish bitch who wants to trade you for my own life. I'm afraid to die. Please... Please save me, Historia."

Rather than be shocked and horrified, Historia smiled beautifully. "Ymir, I just told you, didn't I? No matter what happens I will always be your ally!"

"Reiner!" Bertolt cried out suddenly.

Ymir watched in disbelief as Eren's Titan caught the Armored Titan in a lock, his legs wrapped out the Armored's waist, arm squeezing his neck.

"See! Eren's gonna beat Reiner!" Historia said optimistically. "They're going to lose, Ymir! Let's go!"

"If only we had run right away," Bertolt lamented, face stricken. "We probably would've been able to escape." He turned to her, accusing. "But because you forced us to bring Historia... Ymir, are you telling us we did all of that for nothing? Did you change your mind? Is that really what you want? Letting Historia rot within the Walls? Don't be stupid!"

Ymir felt torn.

"You're the one who said this to me," Historia said, pointing at her. "So open your ears and listen! Stop living for other people! From now on, let's live for nobody but ourselves! It's strange, really, but, when I'm with you, no matter how screwed up it gets I'm not afraid!"

That was all she needed to hear. Ymir felt lighter. Maybe there was no future in the Walls. But as long as she and Historia were together, living life to the fullest, what would it matter? Marley would feed her to one of their candidates and they'd use Historia however they wanted. While Ymir could live, however briefly, with the former, she wouldn't allow the latter if she could help it. Behind the Walls, Historia could live according to her own will, even if her time there might be short-lived. It was what Historia wanted. Who was she to force her not to live the way Historia wanted to live her life now? And selfishly, Ymir also wanted to live happily with her. We'll be together until the bitter end.

"Listen, Historia, I lied. I would never endanger your life. For sixty years I suffered through a nightmare and if it all happened so I could be allowed to meet you, then it was worth it. Fuck it," Ymir said, feeling guilty for her selfishness but also euphoric. "Let's just live for us."

An utterly stunning smile stretched across Historia's face, her gorgeous eyes shining. She gasped. "Look!" She pointed to a group of Titans heading for Eren and Reiner.

"No..." Bertolt stared at the scene, voice shaking. "I won't let this happen."

A cold chill swept through Ymir's body. She did not like the way Bertolt's face was darkening. The joy she had felt drained from her. Shit! She turned to Historia, speaking urgently. "I'm sorry, Historia, but I have to leave you."

"What?!" Her blue eyes became round in shock. "But you just said—"

"If he transforms to save Reiner, you'll die. Hell, I might die, too. Only Reiner and maybe Eren will survive that blast. I have to go. I won't let you die," she declared. "Bertolt!" Ymir called out. "I'll go with you guys! I'll protect you on the way back to Wall Maria."

"What about Historia?" Bertolt asked.

"Forget about her! She'll just distract me. Besides, if we take her with us and I fail to keep you guys safe, she'll be eaten. And I won't allow that to happen under any circumstances. I'm sure you don't want that, either."

"I'm not leaving you," Historia said stubbornly.

Ymir didn't say anything, retreating inside her Titan. "I'm…sorry." With a quick swipe, she destroyed the girl's 3D gear. Historia would be safe up in the trees from the Titans and could use a flare to signal for help.

Historia tried to stop her. "Wait, Ymir!"

The Jaw Titan jumped to the next tree and Bertolt quickly climbed on her back.

"WE HAVE ANNIE!"

Ymir halted and she felt Bertolt freeze. The Jaw Titan glanced back to see Historia glaring ferociously.

"We know she's the Female Titan. We successfully executed the operation yesterday in Stohess to capture her. It's why we recruits were kept isolated and under watch in Wall Rose, because they suspected two from our group were the Armored and Colossal Titans. You had better not harm Ymir if you ever want to see Annie again," Historia threatened darkly.

"Annie..." Bertolt sounded pained.

They caught her? Ymir wondered how they managed that. Marley's down another Titan. Perhaps she was underestimating the Survey Corps.

"You want Annie alive? Hand over Ymir. Let's do a trade."

Hearing the Titans, the Jaws snapped her attention back to Eren and Reiner. The Armored Titan was free from Eren's lock and both were struggling against the group of Titans of various sizes, with the soldiers trying to protect Eren, leaving the Armored Titan to be buried under a pile of bodies.

Moving quickly toward them, the Jaw Titan jumped into the fray and she felt Bertolt leave and saw him use his 3D gear. Swiping her claws and flipping from Titan to Titan, she screamed, tearing apart flesh and sending blood flying through the air.


A horde of Titans had broken through and was coming for them.

Forced to release the Armored Titan, Rogue growled in frustration. "I was so close!" Eren II scowled inside his Titan.

"Don't bother killing every single one," Eren said when Rogue started attacking the oncoming wave of Titans. "Destroying their napes will take too long. Break their arms and legs and whatnot so it'll be easy for the soldiers to kill them."

Reluctantly, Eren II listened and disabled the Titans, making them easier prey for the humans. One tiny bastard tackled his leg and managed to trip him, causing him to crash hard to the ground. Suddenly, a group of them swarmed him.

"We've gotta get out of here!" Eren shouted as Rogue was being cannibalized. He felt claustrophobic. Like he was drowning in a sea of bodies. Eren II cursed and agreed. The Titan body was too damaged. Eren spotted Erwin and Mikasa flying around. Two Titans fell, giving Rogue some breathing room and he shook a 10-meter off him, letting Jean kill it.

Steam rose from Rogue's nape and Eren II tore himself out of the decaying body. Thankfully, he was close to the ground and stumbled away after landing in the dirt.

"Fuck! My gear got destroyed when I transformed." Eren II ditched the 3D gear barely hanging on his body and ran. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see a 7-meter reaching out for him. Mikasa appeared behind it and sliced its nape. She eyed him in relief. His own relief was short-lived when a hand caught her and Mikasa cried out in pain, the horrifying sound of her ribs cracking filling his ears. "Mikasa!" Eren II screamed, terror gripping his heart.

But Hannes came out of nowhere and killed it.

Eren exhaled in relief, Eren II running wildly for Mikasa. The ground shook and Eren II stumbled, falling as he reached Mikasa. "Reiner," Eren II gritted out, glaring at the offender. Ymir and Bertolt had cleared up many of the Titans around him. Only a few Titans remained clinging to the Armored Titan. The bastard had taken to throwing them at him.

"Is she okay?" Eren asked, fear and worry stressing him out.

"Mikasa, can you move?"

Thundering footsteps paired with the look on Mikasa's face caused Eren II to feel heavy with dread.

His breath caught in his throat when he saw the Titan that was coming toward them.

Memories of his mother's death flashed before his eyes.

Eren braced himself for rage like a volcanic eruption. It never came. To his dismay, Eren II seemed frozen.

Hannes stepped protectively in front of them, holding out his swords. "How lucky that we meet again. You just watch, Eren, Mikasa. I'm about to avenge your mother and butcher the shit out of this fucker!"

"Go Hannes!" Eren cheered. His smile quickly fell when the pale-haired Titan caught Hannes, biting his arm while Hannes wailed, swiping his sword furiously at the Titan's face. This wasn't supposed to happen... He felt faint. Hannes should have been victorious. This is bullshit... This is... Hannes managed to annoy and cut the Titan enough into dropping him, but it healed quickly and locked its eyes on Eren II and Mikasa.

It was almost in a daze Eren watched Mikasa take Eren II's hands in her own, thanking him, tears in her eyes. He felt strangely bad for flirting with her. Like he had overstepped his boundaries. This isn't my Mikasa. She's his. And he's her Eren, not me. His Mikasa, and his family and friends, they were elsewhere. Waiting for him to wake up. If this Eren, whose body he occupied, died, he wondered if he would wake back up in his own body.

New revolve filled Eren II. "I'll wrap that scarf around you as many times as you want," he vowed to her.

The Smiling Titan reached out its hand.

Eren II screamed and punched the Titan. Eren felt his respect for the other boy grow. He was thrown for a loop when suddenly, all the regular Titans started charging after the pale-haired Titan. "Now's your chance, grab Mikasa and go," Eren said quickly.

Eren II carried Mikasa on his back and ran.

An order to retreat was sent out.

A soldier brought a horse over and Eren noted all their friends had made it. Armin rode next to him. Blood seeped from the cut above his eyebrow but Jean was otherwise unhurt. Historia was riding with Connie. Hannes was in the cart with the other injured soldiers. Erwin was nowhere to be seen.

We failed. Eren brooded as the Corps left the Titans behind and hurried back to the safety of Wall Rose. All the pride and happiness he had felt at capturing Annie without losing a single soldier was gone. A third of the Corps had been wiped out in a futile attempt to retrieve Ymir. What a waste. What did we even accomplish?


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