Chapter 39

Eren, Aya, and Mikasa are now standing in front of Armin's grave which is near the tree. Eren says, "Hey, Armin... I know you probably hate us for keeping secrets from you. But we know that you will never agree with the Rumbling."

Aya says, "Armin... we all miss you, we really want to show you what's outside the world, why do you have to die so early..."

As they are still praying, they hear a commotion and they are surprised to find Falco rushing toward them. "Falco?" Aya asks.

"Lady Neumann... Mr. Kruger, no, Eren Yeager." Falco says while kneeling in front of them. "Please... Do you really need to start the Rumbling? Back then, you said so yourself, we are all people, and we're the same, so why must you need to activate the Rumbling and kill everyone?"

Eren sighs and says, "Falco, you are one of the good kids, however, all we want is for the island to be safe. Just like I said, the world wants to exterminate my people, they won't stop until every last of us is dead. If the Rumbling is the only way our race to survive, then so be it."

"But what about the good people out there? Not everyone hates the Eldians!" Falco begs, "Are you going to kill them as well?"

"If we can determine who to live or who to kill, of course, we want to spare them." Aya says. "However, there are also innocent people on our island as well, does that stop Marley from attacking us? No. We watched our parents die by the titans that Marley created."

As Falco notices the grave, he asks, "This is..."

"This is Armin Arlert. He's our childhood friend, but he died four years ago because of the Warriors." Eren says. "It is not just him. We lost almost everyone because of them."

Aya says, "So where are the other Warriors? If they're hiding then tell them to forget about it."

Falco says, "I come of my own free will, I understand your hardships, but still, I can't give up on my family... My uncle used to be an Eldian Restorationist, he was sent here after being found out by the Marley Public Security. My brother and I only joined the Warrior program just to live..."

The three of them look at Falco, Eren says, "Then let me ask you, do your parents loathe Eldians on the island just like the other brainwashed Eldians?"

Falco has tears in his eyes and says, "We... we are forced to... if we don't... we will be punished..."

Mikasa says, "So what should we do?"

Eren turns to Mikasa, "Call Lady Azumabito and tell her to bring Falco's parents to the island."

Mikasa nods as she leaves, and it is then they hear Gabi and the others calling for Falco.

"Falco, where are you?" Gabi yells, and Falco gasps, "The others... they're here..."

And when the former warriors notice Falco with Eren and Aya, they are shocked. "Falco!"

Eren suddenly takes out his blade and steps in front of Aya. "Move one more inch and Falco's head is gone."

"You..." Gabi growls and Aya says, "And we're not joking. How dare you show up here..."

"Eren, just give us Falco, we don't want to fight you." Reiner says.

"Yeah, you don't want to fight us, you just want to kill us because we are filthy devils of the island." Eren says. "You've attacked our hometown three times! And you think we'll believe you when you say you don't want to fight us?"

Aya says, "If you want negotiations now, you should have done it four years ago instead of trying to kill us. Reiner and Annie. I'm pretty sure you know whose grave this is, right?"

When they notice the grave, Annie asks, "Armin's... dead?"

"Yeah, Bertolt killed him. Before his last moments, he still wanted negotiations. But do you know what those guys reply? 'If I agree to talk, would you all agree to die?' You also told us that we're not devils that you think of, but we still need to die." Aya says with a glare.

"But that's Bertolt and Zeke..." Reiner says.

"Oh? And you guys have never thought the same thing? It's a good thing they are already dead, aren't they?" Eren growls.

"Eren! Aya!" Mikasa manages to bring Gloria, Jean, Connie, Sasha, Hange, and Levi to the scene. Levi says, "Aya, they didn't hurt you, did they?"

"No, Dad. We're fine. They are here for negotiations." Aya says.

"Negotiate for what?" Hange decides to ask, and Magath says, "I know that trying to negotiate with the devils is not a good idea."

Eren says, "Obviously they want us to stop the Rumbling, and once the Rumbling is stopped, they're obviously going to find a chance to eliminate us for good."

Aya says, "And we're not going to let Eldians die. Eldians suffered for 2000 years because of those nations. We spared those nations all the time and they still want to attack us. Even if we give away our Titan powers, they also want to attack us. The proof is 10 years ago when they broke the wall and caused a lot of our families in Shiganshina to be killed."

Gloria walks to Commander Magath and says, "Commander Magath, really funny to see you here."

"Gloria Tybur." Magath says. "To think someone from the Tybur family would betray Marley and join forces with Eren Yeager..."

"I might be from the Tybur Family, but I'm still an Eldian. It is thanks to them that I learned the true history of Eldia, and I also learned how they are traitors who create a fake history of Helos. I am also disgusted at them for having the War Hammer Titan but not using it on wars, which is why I do this just to get the War Hammer Titan for myself."

Eren sighs, "Saying all these things are getting us nowhere. I suggest that you all leave us alone. We might have started the Wall Titans, but they have never left the island. Now you have what you want, so leave before we try to kill all of you."

"You mean... the Titans never left the island..." Falco asks with confusion.

"Yes, during our negotiations with the other nations, we also find someone who is willing to help us. That's why we promise to bring them to either Hizuru or this island to avoid being trampled by the Rumbling." Eren says.

"So... there is still a chance for my Dad to live..." Annie gasps.

"Who knows?" Eren steps forward and says, "After that speech, we give out, it is obvious that the Eldians outside the world are panicking and they will try to tell the nations about this. However, you have other reasons to be worried about that."

"W-What do you mean..." Annie says.

"My father used to be an Eldian living in the Liberio. Do you know why he joined the Eldian Restorationists?" Eren says while glaring at Magath. "He has a sister who was killed by public security, she didn't do any crime, only because she's an Eldian. If that can happen, what will happen if they try to tell everyone the Rumbling is happening?"

Magath mutters, "The Public Security... will probably kill them for causing a scene. None of them see the Rumbling activated, they will probably think that they're making a scene and will try to kill them."

Jean says, "But you already have the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers and Hizuru save the innocent people and their families, right? Maybe you can save them as well?"

"Why should we save their families?" Mikasa is the one who says and it causes everyone to be surprised. "They are still our enemies, they killed a lot of our people."

Eren says, "I might be able to save Falco's family because their family used to be Eldia Restorationists. However, what about others?"

Gloria says, "Reiner Braun, by opening a hole in the wall, how many of our people do you suppose were devoured by pure Titans? Slipping into the walls, sharing joys and sorrows with your 'comrades' here? Then three years later, you decide to do the same thing and let your 'friends' be devoured. And now what? You're pretending to be our comrade again?"

She turns to Annie, "Annie Leonhart, you killed an awful amount of Scouts during the 57th expedition, and you also trampled the residents of Stohess in great numbers."

The next is Pieck, "And Pieck Finger, you did say that you'll do anything if we save your father, but after a few hours you decided to turn your back on us. We know that you're just tricking us so that Eren will show himself in front of you Marley military, but why would we help you after that scheme?"

And then Gabi, "And you did a bold move by shooting Lady Neumann, if she didn't have the power of the 12 Titans in her, who knows what will happen?"

None of them are saying anything, Jean says, "What's the point of saying those things? Are you trying to air out all our grudges so we can get our minds straight? I'd say it's very considerate of you."

Eren says, "And there is also Marco. Why don't you tell us how you kill him? Annie? Reiner?"

Annie lowers her head and says, "I took off Marco's Vertical Maneuver Gear. That's why a Titan ate-"

"Annie was only following my order." Reiner says. "Marco overheard the secret conversation I had with Bertolt. In fear of our cover being blown... I thought the best way to silence him was to have a Titan kill him. I slammed Marco into a roof while in the air. And while I hold him down so he can't move, I had Annie take his Vertical Maneuver Gear from him. Marco then stuck there until a Titan came up and ate him."

Jean asks, "Did Marco say anything at the very end?"

"He said, We haven't even had a chance to talk this through."

"Yeah. He's right. We haven't been trying to talk this over! That's why we've been fighting each other to death like this, isn't it?" Jean asks.

"It's still not too late. We've been at each other's throats all this time. But at the very least, we're now talking without trying to kill each other. Who could've imagined this? To talk things right here right now?" Hange asks.

Reiner decides to continue talking, "As I watched the Titan eating Marco... I wondered why Marco is being eaten."

"Eh?" "Then I flew into a rage and killed that Titan. Claiming it was for Marco -"

"That's enough!" Jean says. "You're saying the guilt messed with your head, right?"

"Don't forgive me. I really am just helpless -" "I said enough!"

"I'm sorry." Just then, Jean punches Reiner and he continues to do it time after time, forgetting that Reiner doesn't even have the Titan power. "Don't do it, Jean!" Mikasa and Connie try to stop him, but Jean yells, "Let go of me!"

Just as Jean is about to punch Reiner again, Gabi takes the hit instead. She says, "I'm sorry... We... our wish... was to slaughter all of you... on Paradis. We wanted the world to accept us, to forgive us. That's why we kept hoping for the devils on the island to go away. And now, my mom, my dad... and everyone on Liberio will be gone because of it. I'm sorry. I know it's very impudent of me to ask this... but please..."

Then Eren sighs, "Guys, let's go. The queen asks us to meet her at Miltras this evening."

The others glare at them before leaving "It's not working..." Gabi says while tears are coming out from her eyes, and Magath also frowns after seeing them.

And here is a new chapter, this is the alternate version of the alliance gathering, and I hope you like it. The next chapter will be the battle.