Chapter 14: Trigger
Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin
Previously: The Corps goes to rescue Ymir. Ymir decides to be with Historia but is forced to save Reiner lest Bertolt transform. Eren II uses the Coordinate's power to save Mikasa.
Quick Reminder: Eren = Modern Eren & Eren II = Canon Eren
"Calm down, Bertolt."
"She said they have Annie!" Bertolt's voice pitched with panic. "What if they're torturing her right now?!"
"Christa could—"
"Historia," Ymir said, lying with arms folded over her stomach. "Her real name is Historia." It had been tough but they'd managed to make it to Wall Maria in one piece. After catching their breaths, Bertolt had started freaking out about Annie and pacing around. Ymir continued to enjoy the sun on her face, not knowing for how much longer she would have that luxury.
Reiner spared her a glance. "Historia could have been lying. How would they know Annie was the Female Titan? You're obvious in your affections for her. Everyone knows you like her. Historia could have said it just to get to you and happened to be right."
"Then why did she specifically refer to Annie as the Female Titan?" Bertolt demanded, voice shaking. "And why did they have all us recruits gathered in one place? Yesterday, you said it yourself that it was strange we were in civilian clothes but the veterans were armed. Eren must have defeated Annie with the Corps' help. He must have needed time to rest up. Why else would he not show up with Hange and them when they thought the Wall had been breached?"
Reiner didn't seem to have an answer.
"I bet that's why he was really late. The excuse about him being delayed because he was visiting his injured squadmates in a further district was just a lie. Eren was recovering from the fight. They suspected Annie's co-conspirators were among the Corp's recruits so we were fed bullshit information while they plotted a way to deal with us. They didn't want us getting spooked and fleeing, or alert us to the fact they'd captured one of our own so we might try to rescue her."
If Hange knew about the identities of the Colossal and Armored Titans, Ymir thought, she, and whoever else knew, feigned ignorance so these two wouldn't be alerted. They probably planned to take Reiner and Bertolt out once they were back inside human territory. As Bertolt said, the soldiers must have been instructed to lie about whatever had happened in Stohess to keep the two ignorant, making it easier to capture them later. Perhaps at night when they were sleeping and their guards were down. It was easy to take someone who was unconscious, she would know.
"Let's just say they do have Annie," Reiner finally conceded. "What can we do?"
"We go back and rescue her!"
"No. They know our faces and they'll be on high alert for a while. The best thing to do right now is to meet up with Zeke. We'll report everything we know and he'll decide the right course of action. Besides, we're going to need his help if we're going to save Annie. We have no idea where they could be keeping her."
"And what about Eren?"
"Eren..." Reiner grimaced. "Why did it have to be him? Of all people, he is the worst possible person to possesses the Coordinate."
"What exactly was that?" Ymir asked, curiosity getting the better of her. "How could he control the Titans?"
To her surprise, Reiner actually answered, "Because he possesses the Founding Titan."
"Shouldn't one of King Fritz's descendants have it?"
"Somehow, someway it's managed to end up in his hands." After a moment of silence, Reiner asked, "Why did you help me? When those Titans were all over me."
Ymir thought of Sasha and Connie. "Because Bertolt looked like he was planning on doing something stupid. Something that would have gotten either himself killed or killed the soldiers. Either option wasn't really something I was okay with." So she had gone with the option that allowed no one from either side to die. Only she would be sacrificed. It had been a price she was willing to pay.
"Why? And why did you come with us? After you'd killed most of the Titans trying to eat me and weighing me down, you could have tried to fight your way back to the Corps. Maybe you could have made it."
"Oh, well... I guess it's because I'm an idiot." Ymir sat up and looked at them. "Look, you can't just meet up with your comrades empty-handed. If you hadn't come to bust up this Wall, I would've never woken up from that hellish nightmare. You're right. I could have left after saving you, but I thought I owed your friend enough to ensure you reached your comrades safely. And because I'm probably the only one that understands the situation you're in."
"Thank you, Ymir," Reiner said sincerely. "I'm sorry that..."
You'll end up being eaten so Marley can give the Titan power I stole back to one of their candidates? Ymir filled in her head. "It's fine," she said. "It wasn't so bad. Being a good girl."
As the two made preparations to make camp for the night, Ymir remembered Historia's words. She would live for herself. What she had said to Historia hadn't been a lie. But neither was what she told Reiner. Marcel had, unwillingly, freed her from that desolate and mindless existence. And while she still felt a twinge of guilt, as far as she was concerned the debt she owed Marcel was more or less paid now that she saved his friends. At her own expense at that.
After agreeing to go back to the Walls with Historia, instead of calling out to Bertolt, she could have easily knocked him out by smashing him into the tree while he was distracted by Reiner and Eren's fight. She could have left Reiner at the mercy of the Pure Titans. Then she would have taken Historia and retreated with the Corps, handing the Colossal Titan over to them as a gesture of goodwill, to earn a pardon from the government. And it would have worked. Worst offense I've committed was keeping my identity secret. I've never hurt any of the Walled people. Yet she had chosen to deliver Reiner and Bertolt safe and secure to their comrades instead.
I kept their secret and saved their lives at the risk of my own. That's enough, she told herself. If she was to be sent back to Marley to be devoured, she would make her peace with it. Although she made a mental note to write a letter for Historia if it came to that.
However, if they did decide to make a trade to get Annie back and she saw an opportunity, Ymir would fight for the Corps and help them defeat the Marleyans. With Eren possessing the Founding Titan, there was a future for Paradis Island, for her and Historia.
When Eren stepped into the room, Mikasa, Levi, Hange, Jean, Connie, Sasha, and Historia were already present. "Sorry, I slept in," he said, taking a seat to Mikasa's right. Armin, who had come to fetch him, took a seat on her other side.
"It's fine. You were probably tired from yesterday," Hange said, sitting at one end of the table.
Eren's mind had buzzed until early morning, wondering how different the outcome would have been if they'd done this instead of that. As a result, he'd slept in late.
Sasha raised her hand. When Hange nodded, she asked, "How's Commander Erwin? I heard he was injured."
"He had a nasty fall during an encounter with a Titan and hasn't woken yet."
"He's in a coma?" Armin said and Hange nodded in reply.
Sitting at the other head of the table, Levi turned to Historia. "Tell us everything."
"I'll have to start from the very beginning." Historia recounted the circumstances surrounding her birth and her early childhood. How she was the product of an affair between her nobleman father and her mother.
They frowned when she told them about her neglectful mother.
Historia finished with her mother's murder and her father offering to spare her if she decided to live a quiet life under an assumed name, Christa Lenz. "I would say that's everything, but something strange happened yesterday. Up until that moment, I had completely forgotten about one person. Freida. She came to visit me often on the farm and spent time with me. She taught me many things, like how to read and be polite and respectful, and she loved me." Historia smiled fondly.
"You have no recollection of her whatsoever until you touched Eren the other day?" Jean asked.
"I don't know how it's possible, but yeah. I wonder if it has to do with my family. Ymir mentioned I was valuable to the Church of the Wall and that's why Reiner and Bertolt wanted me."
"Church of the Walls, huh?" Hange tapped her pen thoughtfully. "What's their connection to Rod Reiss? And Reiner and his crew? Perhaps I should meet one of those Wall priests. Anyway, please continue."
"What happened yesterday was," Historia began and Hange started taking notes, "Ymir kidnapped me and brought me to Bertolt. He was hiding near the edge of the forest. She told me she had stolen the power of the Titans from one of their friends and she owed them a debt."
"How did she steal the power?" Hange asked, greatly interested.
"She didn't specify. From her tone and her demeanor, she seemed to feel guilty about it. But I convinced her to join us. She agreed."
"Then why did she save Reiner and go with them?" Mikasa asked.
"She had no choice. She said if Bertolt transformed to save Reiner the resulting explosion would have killed us all. She did it to protect us and saved our lives. I didn't want her to leave so she ruined my 3D gear."
"That's when you shot the purple flare and I found you," Connie said.
"Before they went to save Reiner, I told them we captured Annie."
"What?" Jean frowned. "Why would you do that?"
"Because I didn't want them to kill Ymir for stealing one of their Titan powers," Historia replied. "And who cares about Annie? What good is she to our cause anyway? Ymir will fight for us. We should offer a trade, Annie for Ymir." She stared at Hange expectantly.
"There's no guarantee they won't kill Ymir. Or risk losing her to get Annie back. They might not actually believe we have her."
"You weren't there. You didn't see the look on Bertolt's face. He would go for it in a heartbeat."
"It was an open secret among the 104th class that Bertolt loved Annie," Armin chimed in. "I also believe he will go for the trade."
"Reiner may have betrayed us," Jean said, the pain still clear in his voice. "But we were his enemies. Annie is his comrade. I don't think he'll leave her behind so easily."
"I'm not so sure about this." Levi was skeptical. "What about that Beast Titan? Not only do we not know if he'll want to go through with this exchange, but if he does, we don't know just how powerful that hairy fucker really is. Imagine they kill Ymir or steal her power back or whatever. Then, when we go to seal the hole in Wall Maria and they attack us and manage to win, we could lose a valuable prisoner and one of our greatest advantages in one fell swoop if we have both Annie and Eren in one place. They know our goal is to retake Wall Maria so I'm sure they'll be lying in wait to ambush us."
Historia looked ready to fight but Hange spoke first. "We'll consider all the possibilities. Hopefully, Erwin will wake up soon. And Annie may fall under our jurisdiction but we'll still have to get Chief Zackly's permission to take her out of prison. He'll have to sign off on the exchange. Considering what Levi said, I don't think anyone but Erwin can talk Chief Zackly into agreeing."
"Fine," Historia accepted, albeit reluctantly.
"Eren, touching Historia caused you to remember your father's memories, yes?" Hange turned to him.
All eyes flew to him. "Yeah," Eren said, nodding. "I'm sure of it."
"It's an easy theory to test," Jean said with a shrug. "Just make contact again."
Eren stood and met Historia. He couldn't help but feel nervous for some reason. It's not like she's going to static shock you. He held up his hand.
Historia slipped her hand into his and...
...
...
...nothing happened.
"Anything?" Hange asked eagerly.
They shook their heads.
"Do you feel okay?"
"I'm fine, Mikasa."
"Maybe it was just a coincidence." Sasha shrugged. "You just happened to remember when she grabbed your hands yesterday."
"That doesn't explain how Historia remembered Frieda at the same time," Armin pointed out.
"Double coincidence?" Connie offered.
Jean snorted. "Do you realize how stupid that sounds?"
"I'm with Jean. The chances are far too low. It's very unlikely it was just a coincidence." Hange crossed her arms and rubbed her chin. "Maybe there are other factors we're not aware of. Other conditions that must be met. Like adrenaline or fear. That's not impossible to replicate."
"Why don't you just hold hands the entire day?" Sasha suggested, a teasing smile on her face.
"Sasha, don't be ridiculous," Mikasa said, glaring at the girl.
Eren couldn't help but take delight in her jealousy, lips twitching. "How about we give it some time first? Maybe contact does trigger it but it takes a different amount of time each time for a memory to show up. And yesterday it just happened right then and there. It was a quick flash, too. Who knows? Maybe longer memories will take more time. It's not like we're going anywhere."
"Very well," Hange said. "We'll try again in a few days. In the meantime, avoid making contact so we can test how long it takes after each touch for a memory to pop up.
"On to the other matter." Levi stared at Eren. "Do you remember how you were able to direct all those Titans?"
"I don't," Eren said truthfully. "I have no idea how that happened. Or what exactly happened. There was only anger at that smiling Titan and the Armored Titan."
"If you can learn how to control that ability..." Jean trailed off.
"We'll be able to retake Wall Maria in a breeze," Historia finished.
"It's something we'll keep an eye out for." Hange stood, notebook in hand. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be heading to Ragako village tomorrow morning so I need to make preparations."
"If it's okay, I'd like to come with you," Connie said.
"I would like you to. I think it would be helpful to have you there with me," she said before taking her leave.
Eren and the others started to stand when Levi stopped them. "Wait," he said, holding up a hand. "Don't go anywhere yet. I have news I need to share. Since my entire squad, except for one person, is out of commission and you need to be placed on teams, you're all going to be the new members of Squad Levi from now on."
"What about Eld and Petra?" Eren asked. "Won't the squad get too big?"
"There's plenty of squads with ten or so soldiers. The elite ones are much smaller, yes. But Eld, and definitely Petra, won't be returning for at least a month yet. Taking into account all the casualties of our disastrous chase the other day as well as the losses that are likely to occur during our retaking of Wall Maria, if Eld and Petra survive they'll be getting promoted. That is if the mission is a success and we manage to get more recruits."
Eren nodded in understanding. "Hey, wait!" He grinned mischievously. "Since I'm the most senior member after you, does that mean I get to be your second-in-command?" He was already thinking up Squad Levi initiations he could force them to do.
"Not a chance," Levi shot him down. "I'm sure we won't be heading out on an expedition for at least a month. Eld and Petra might be back by then. And if they aren't and I do feel the need to have second-in-command, it'll either be Jean or Armin. You're one of the last people I'd put in charge."
"What, you think I'd abuse my authority?"
"Eren would never—" Mikasa started to defend him.
"Because of course I would!"
I wonder why it didn't work. Maybe there was some time delay or something. Or was it because it had been him in his twin's body and not the body's actual owner? Could that be the cause? Eren had to consider it. Whatever the rules or inner working of this making-contact-with-Historia-causing-hidden-memories-to-reveal-themselves thing was, could it be that his presence was throwing a wrench in things? Is my being here fucking up the mechanics of...whatever it is?
Eren also needed to inform Levi and the rest about the island memory. He had remembered it too late but Hange would be back tomorrow and he could do it then. Lost in his thoughts, Eren wandered out the HQ until he reached the stables. I should see how The Batmobile is doing. Much to his joy, she had managed to make it back safely.
Two familiar voices halted him in his tracks when he reached the doorway. Armin was half standing in one of the stalls. Greetings died in Eren's mouth when he heard what they were talking about.
"Does Eren seem different to you?" Mikasa's voice drifted from inside the stall.
"What do you mean?" Despite his question, it was clear from the sound of his voice Armin knew exactly what she was talking about.
The horses, used to his presence, didn't make any more noise than they already were. Quiet as a mouse and exercising great caution, he entered the stall with Levi's horse. His captain liked taking care of his horse himself and allowed only a few individuals—Eren not included on that list—to handle her. He was confident they wouldn't enter the stall with Levi's horse so he could hide there without worry. There was a stall between where he was and the one Mikasa and Armin were in, causing him to strain his ears.
"He's just been... He doesn't lose his temper as much."
"I guess he's finally growing up."
"It's not just that. There are other things. His jokes, the way he speaks, the things he says, they're all different. He carries himself differently, too."
Of course. Of course she noticed. How could I be dumb enough to think she wouldn't? Mikasa had known Eren II since they were nine. Gone through a horribly traumatic thing together. What if she thinks I'm some sort of imposter? He shook his head. That was an utterly ludicrous notion. If one of his friends back home suddenly had a change of personality, he would never imagine—maybe in jest, he might—that someone had taken over his body.
Armin seemed to be weighing her words. Finally, he said, "I didn't tell you this before because Eren didn't want me to, but, after he was eaten, he lost a lot of his memories."
"What?" Mikasa asked sharply.
I should have let her in on it, now that Other me and I can communicate. Eren made up his mind to talk to her about it as soon as he got the chance.
"He told me in confidence before the operation to seal the hole in Trost. He was worried they might imprison him. He had this terrible power that scared everyone and he had lost his memories. What if they questioned his loyalty and decided he was too dangerous to be allowed to roam free?"
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't he trust me?" Mikasa sounded upset and hurt.
It pained Eren to hear her voice crack like that.
Armin's voice was miserable and guilty in response to hers. "He made me promise. He was just worried about you."
"Eren should have told me by now." Mikasa was quiet for a bit before she said, "That explains why he's been acting so strange. He doesn't remember a lot of what makes him...him, I guess. Exactly how much has he forgotten?"
"He's started remembering more things over the past month. I know he forgot about his mother's death until I reminded him so he would get the motivation to pick up the rock and get it to Trost's gate."
"Really?"
"He remembered who he was, who his parents and his friends were, and general stuff about the world. But he said there was a lot missing."
"And for some reason, Historia is the trigger that can help him recall things," she said thoughtfully.
Eren relaxed as they turned to the topic on why that was the case. He didn't get a chance to talk to Mikasa for the rest of the day. With so many soldiers dead, the number of chores per person had increased drastically and kept them apart. He was mostly glad about it. It gave him plenty of time to prepare for their eventual talk.
Eren lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, contemplating the conversation he needed to have with Mikasa. Snores came from around the room as Armin, Jean, and Connie slept peacefully. He yawned, feeling sleepy.
It was then he sensed his twin's return. He told Eren II about everything that happened during the day since he didn't know how much of it the other boy was aware of. "Do you think we should prepare a reason just in case their suspicions start to grow? Like how the previous holders of your Titan's power, their personalities are trickling through or something." That sounded plausible, didn't it?
"It would make sense. Just don't start overthinking it. If they ever become nervous about it, which I don't think they will, it'll be because you turned it into a bigger deal than it is. Worrying they'll think you're an imposter or something."
"True," Eren admitted. "It'll be kind of like a self-fulfilling prophecy. And we have a good excuse in Historia on how I reached that conclusion about the previous holders of this power."
"You know, you aren't that different from me. It's just you say weird things and you're more even-tempered than I am. Having seen a lot of your memories, I know we're more alike than we are different. But you are more of a scaredy-cat, comparatively I mean."
"I won't deny it." Eren shrugged. "You should tell me more about your childhood."
"That's probably a good idea," Eren II agreed.
"Oh, but first, speaking of Historia, do you think there were no new memories cause it was me in control and not you? Or cause you were totally absent?"
"I don't know. It's a possibility. Our situation is pretty tricky. We can't ask for help. You'd come off as a raving lunatic and might get locked up. I'm stuck in your comatose body so I can't investigate. Would have been nice to use the Internet." Eren II sighed longingly at the thought of firing up Eren's laptop. "Maybe I could have found something. If there ever was a documented case—or even wild theories—about something like our situation, I'm sure it would be in your world instead of mine."
Thinking about the Internet made Eren think about his world. Inevitably it brought him to a topic he'd been avoiding thinking about. "How're my parents?" Eren asked quietly.
"They're holding on, trying to stay strong. It's nice hearing their voices again."
"I hope I can go home soon." Eren felt a deep ache in his chest. No, don't cry! He quickly wiped his eyes, suddenly yearning for home.
This was why he only allowed himself to think about the positives of this new world: having an adventure, cool abilities, helping people and being a hero, getting to flirt with the girl he liked. Thinking about what he had left behind made him miserable. But it was too late to ignore that now and the flood gates opened.
A wave of homesickness washed over him. He missed his world and felt lonely here and out of place sometimes. Over a month had passed since he last saw his family, his friends, his home. He missed his Mikasa, too.
Sensing his sadness, Eren II decided to let him stew in his misery before he changed the subject. It would be good for Eren to express his unhappiness just by letting himself feel it and share it through their bond with the one person he could be completely honest with. After all, Eren couldn't share it with anyone else. It had to be hard keeping it all to himself.
False assurances about how Eren would be home soon would not help so Eren II didn't say anything. At least I can pop in now and then and see Mikasa and Armin and the others. He could interact with them and help them. The rest of the time he spent in a dreamy haze, barely feeing time pass by as he explored the modern world through his twin's memories. He got to feel his parents' love again and even meet his grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. Eren didn't have those luxuries.
After giving him a minute to collect himself, Eren II asked. "You wanna tell me about this 'basketball' and the Thunder Spears? Your brother brought me up to date on their games."
Eren perked up. "Did they make it to the finals?"
"They did. The most hated rival of your favorite team is a team called Titans." Eren II snorted. "Our worlds mirror each other in the strangest of ways."
Eren bit back his laughter, trying not to wake the other boys. "I never thought about that! Thunder Spears and Titans have a famous rivalry!"
"We share some strange similarities, but there are differences, too. I don't have a brother or a stepmother."
"That's too bad. Zeke's really cool. He taught me how to play baseball and would take me to comic stores all the time as a kid." Eren smiled, remembering the good times. "And Dina always makes my favorites when I go over to their place."
Eren II sighed enviously. "And you have grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and nieces and nephews, too. Wish I had a big family. And Halloween."
"It's pretty great," Eren agreed happily. "Since you got to know so much about me, tell me more about yourself. I've received more of your memories but I still feel like I barely know you."
"Right, yeah. Let me tell you how I first met Armin..."
"Just bring the essentials. We're not going on vacation," Levi said, taking a sip of his tea.
"I haven't been to the mountains since that extra credit survival training we did last year," Sasha recalled, shivering.
"It's about time we start experimenting with my Titan powers." Eren was beyond thrilled to explore what other abilities his Titan had. He wanted to be able to crystalize his skin like Annie's Titan did. Imagining sinking a hardened fist into the Armored Titan's face and wrecking it was very satisfying.
"When are we leaving, sir?" Jean asked.
"Later this evening, once Hange and Connie are back from Ragako."
The mood became solemn. The two had left early that morning to figure out what had happened to the boy's village.
Eren was almost certain Titans were humans. Maybe it was from watching too much TV and movies, but it seemed obvious to him. It was a theory he hadn't even shared with his other self in fear of his reaction. Not like I have proof or anything. He could very well be wrong. But if it turned out to be right, he had to react accordingly. Maybe he should tell Eren II and see how he reacted, in case Eren II wasn't around when they found out to give a genuine reaction himself. Eren was going to need to know the level of denial or devastation he needed to portray.
"Is there news on Commander Erwin's condition, sir?" Historia asked.
"No changes yet," Levi said. "But Erwin's a tough bastard. He'll pull through."
"We'll need him to," Armin said.
Eren nodded, bringing up his spoon to his mouth. There was a lot of shit coming their way, he just knew it. They were going to need Erwin if they wanted to make it.
"Um," Armin said hesitantly, "I was also wondering about Ann—"
A memory flashed in Eren's head and the spoon slipped from his lax fingers, dropping in the bowl of soup. He clamped a hand over his mouth to keep from cursing in surprise and alerting the others dining around him.
"Are you choking?" Mikasa leaned in, placing a hand on his back.
"I just... Come with me." Eren stood and left quickly, not waiting for their response. It wasn't something he could tell them in the mess hall.
They caught up with him in the hallway.
"Slow the fuck down," Levi grumbled, trying to keep up, his healing ankle slowing him.
Eren slowed his pace. "Sorry."
"What's going on? Did you remember something?" Jean asked.
"I'll tell you when we're somewhere private."
Once they filed into Levi's office, Levi shut the door. "Talk," he commanded.
"You might wanna brace yourselves for this," Eren warned as they stared at him curiously. "The Walls, they're made up of Colossal-type Titans."
Their reaction was about what he expected: mouths falling open in shock and denial.
"No, that's... It can't be," Sasha said incredulously.
"Are you sure, Eren?" Jean gaped at him. "Maybe you're mistaken."
"I'm sure of it. In the memory flash I had, my dad was staring at Wall Maria imagining countless, enormous Titans standing side-by-side. Somehow he knew that's what they were made of, I could feel it."
Mikasa looked like she was having a hard time understanding. "But how can that be possible?"
"It makes sense," Armin started slowly, getting everyone's attention. "I noticed it when we were supposed to do maintenance work on the Wall after graduation, before the Colossal Titan showed up."
"Noticed what?" Sasha prompted when he didn't immediately explain.
"Isn't it odd that despite being over a hundred years old, there isn't a single sign of wear and tear to be found? It would explain it if they're made of hardened Titans."
"But the Colossal and Armored Titans broke through the Walls," Historia countered. "How could they do that if it was made of hardened Titans?"
"They didn't target the Walls," Armin corrected her. "They destroyed the gates."
Silence fell in the room as the truth sank in.
"I've gotta tell Four-Eyes." Levi finally broke the silence. "She can have her squad test Wall Rose. In the meantime, keep this to yourselves. Hange was thinking about meeting one of those Wall Priests within the coming days. His reaction to this should be revealing." Levi frowned. "Shit, if you're right, Eren, it would explain why those religious nuts didn't want the Walls to be altered. They were afraid of the truth coming out."
Jean's eyes narrowed. "That would imply they knew the Titans were there all along."
If he wasn't so stunned by his discovery Eren would have been thrilled about stumbling upon a conspiracy.
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