The year was 238 PTP (Post Titan Scourge)
As fighter jets complete the extermination of the island of Paradis, a pilot spots something strange appear near a massive tree in the distance. The sky is thick with smoke and ash, choking out all but the brightest stars as they descend upon their target. The hum and roar of engines fill his ears, drowning out any other sound. And then, out of nowhere, he sees it-a figure moving among the shadows of the forest near one of the giant trees on the island. It's hard to determine what it might be at this distance, but its movements are swift and purposeful.
It could be just another casualty of war, or maybe it's something more. Either way, he can't shake the feeling that he's just seen something important - something that just might change everything.
"Commander… what is that?"
Looking down at the blackened titan screeching below, Commander Omar's lips spread into a wide grin. The information was reliable, and all pilots were ready. "Prepare to engage the beast and capture it alive," he called over the comm.
"Understood, sir."
The founding titan emerged merely as a hunch from the commander that the titan's power had a source, but his efforts paid fruitfully.
After a pilot viewed the colossal beast being swarmed by massive explosions, the giant figure vanished, "It's gone?"
"No, look there."
Gazing down, the commander's eyes widened as he saw a young black-haired boy standing there. Scattered in bruises and dust, his black hair was soaked with blood in places where generations of sweat had ground it fine. His tunic was pulled tight across his stringy shoulders, revealing a body thin from hunger. A dead white-haired dog lay at his side, her head limp on the hard ground like packed dirt loosened by a rainstorm. His vacant eyes were dull with pain and loss, and he collapsed.
"All forces seize fire!" He continued, "Fall back and let the Rotorcrafts move in for capture. They will be on land within thirty minutes."
Time passed as the pilots waited in confusion. Never within their mission were they given any plans for capturing a single Eldian alive.
The young boy stared as the wind gusted his face. A tall, noisy machine with spinning blades on top and a person inside. It has a tail with a more minor spinning at the back and stands on legs or wheels.
Beginning to descend, the blades slowed down as four men faced the boy.
"Take him down."
As the four men heard the order, they shot the young boy with four dart-shaped projectiles, causing him to jerk in surprise and fall unconscious. The men grabbed the boy by his arms and dragged him from the ground.
"Commander, what is the meaning of this?"
"Take the boy and at least fifteen Eldians you find alive in the shambles." He paused briefly with a proud expression as his jet began to fly towards the mainland, "You have all done well, my comrades. Soon, everything will be explained, but I truly thank you."
Eyes waking up in confusion, the boy looked around but saw nothing. Not being able to move a muscle, hear, see, or even smell where he was.
His last memory was entering a tree he remembered had a family sentiment, and after what felt like seconds, he was here.
The room where he was being held captive was a research facility specifically designed for the idea that Titans may return. Many historical records were destroyed, and anything known about the history of the Titans was merely theories at best.
However, Captain Omar, who commanded this operation, knew that it is well documented in history the Eldians survived a plague that killed countless people hundreds of years ago.
Humanity advanced but was not immune to disease. Gambling his title of commander on the chance a titan would appear after the destruction of the island paid off.
"Are all preparations ready?"
"Commander… nobody survived. Not a single Eldian remained, but we could bring blood samples and spinal tissue as you requested."
The commander sighed as very little was known about the nature of Titans or the origin other than the documentation after the Titan scourge.
"Sir, I will volunteer to be the first test subject." A young researcher spoke up.
"Very well."
"What name did we give for the titan?"
"Does it need one?"
"Not naming the vital part of this mission and experiment is irrational. Even though our ancestors died in the titan scourge, we must fulfill our roles as researchers."
While the research team watched in confusion and fear, Marlin, with the commander's help, injected the Eldian spinal fluid into his own.
Opening the container containing the boy named a number, the commander smiled, "I have no reason to harm you, nor do I hold ill sentiment for the past young child. If this plan is how I envision, you will soon be free from that container."
He continued, "A way to modify a human to be immune to any disease. They may have been monsters in the past, but it was also used as a vaccine centuries before civilization advanced to engineer one."
Marlin looked down as the boy's spinal fluid was extracted and the needle was placed on his back.
"I'm ready."
As time froze seamlessly, he looked to the ground, seeing an odd blue sand-like ground.
"How I've waited."
Turning around, Marlin saw a man with long hair and a black-haired man sitting on an obsidian chair.
"Who are you?"
"Eren Yeager." He paused, resting his chin on his hand, "Marlin, you now possess the Attack Titan, and I need you to do something."
Hesitating for a moment, he stood tall. The name 'Eren Yeager.' Even saying that name could strip you of your military title or worse. Command Omar was an eccentric man who didn't care about trivial standards like those.
"I already know what you're thinking, and you're correct." Eren spoke, getting up from his chair, "I have been bound here beyond the comprehension of time. Ymir could remain in this world due to her twisted conviction of love."
"I've been enduring to arrive at this day."
Gulping, he asked, "So it's really you who killed almost everyone during the Titan scourge?"
"They decided to name it that?" Eren pondered as he supposed the rumbling term he used must've been erased from history as well.
"The Attack Titan can send past hosts memories of events they witnessed Marlin." His eyes narrowed as his body tensed momentarily, "Paradis will be destroyed. The history of our very existence will be removed, and everyone you care for will die. The Titan curse will return. For a short time of peace…"
Noticing how Eren spoke, he responded, "Are you going too?"
"I can't, as I don't hold authority over you." Thinking back to how Ymir used her power, he walked closer as Marlin saw all his memories on contact, "You are free to choose. However, I should tell you that the cycle has not stopped. Only that can be resolved in the past."
"I don't know a solution. My free will was taken, and only now I realize it. Only you, Marlin, can alter the past."
"Why?" He responded as he witnessed countless events that transpired hundreds of years ago, "I don't understand what you're asking me to do."
"Choose for yourself. I will not manipulate you."
As Marlin witnessed the memory of Eren Kruger's words.
No matter which era this Titan has found itself in, it has pushed ever forward, seeking out freedom. For the sake of freedom, it fights. Its name... The Attack Titan.
He thought to himself what he meant by 'era.' Breaking the cycle of what?
However, he knew that even after titans were told stories of the past, he now was one. The Attack Titan.
Looking back at Eren's eyes, who seemed indifferent, he asked, "Will this do anything? What cycle is being broken?"
"That I don't know. I am not a god, devil, or messiah." He spoke with disdain, "If the titan's curse cannot be eradicated, then the cycle will continue. Your decision is whether you believe that can be solved now or in the past."
Marlin flinched as his hands trembled. He was in a world beyond space or time, talking to someone dead for centuries.
But given the chance to choose a mere soldier.
Time around him began to warp as he returned the memories to a moment in the previous Attack Titan's memories,
Eren Yeager.