Chapter 21
The Female Titan
It was a week since the mission. Luckily for Kara her injury was bruised ribs even though she thought they were broken and a cuncussion. Some of her friends were sent to another location for standby while Kara, Jean, Armin, Mikasa, and Eren were to stay behind at HQ. Eren was to be handed back over to the MPs. Kara was not looking forward to going back to Wall Sina. Levi had ordered her to stay with him or with Jean. Jean and her didn't tell her father yet that they were dating and hadn't had a chance to have their first date since they were dealing with the aftermath of their first mission.
Jean and Kara walked with everyone towards the Mess Hall. Levi and Eren were waiting for them as Jean, Kara and Armin told Erwin their suspisions. Jean was not thrilled to know that he was going to be Eren's doublt to try and pull Annie out. Jean and Kara walked together. Only their friends knew they were together. Kara wasn't sure how to break the news yet to her father and they were gonna take a day off to visit Jean's mother, who liked Kara and Jean was talking to her now. Erwin pushed the doors open and everyone stepped in. Levi turned towards the door. Eren stood up.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Erwin said.
"Sir." Eren said. He gasps seeing all his friends there. "What the.. Why.. Why are you all here?"
"We believe we uncovered the Female Titan's true identity." Erwin said. Eren gasped. "She won't slip away this time." Everyone sat down at the tables. Kara sat on one side of her father as Jean sat next to her. Papers were handed out as Some soldiers spread out a map on the table. "The day after tomorrow, we'll be passing through Stohess District en route to the Capital. That's when we'll strike. It'll be our first and only chance to do so. Once we've set foot in the interior the government will assume custody of Eren, and the Scouts authority to continue operations will be limited." Everyone sat in somber silence at the thought. Kara clenched her fists under the table. "Thus, unless we wish to concede defeat.. we must flush out the enemy now." Eren nodded. "So here's what we do." He points at the map. "While in Stohess, we use Eren as bait, luring the target into this underground passage. The deeper, teh better. Get her well beneath street level. That done, she should be easily immobilized, even in titan form. If she transforms before reaching the tunnel, well, at that point she'll be your responsibility, Eren." Eren gasped.
"Right. So we know she'll be in Stohess? There's no chance she'll bolt before we get there?" Eren asked.
"No. She won't risk going AWOL." Erwin said
"Wait, you mean she's..." Eren started.
"Armin and Kara, identified her." Erwin said. Eren looked at Armin and Kara. "She's an MP. Likely responsible for the deaths of Hange's test subjects. And threatening the death of Marco Bolt if he revealed her. I got his report and he'll be joining us with helping fight her." Jean seemed happy to hear they will see Marco again. Eren gasped.
"Wha... You can't be serious. I trained with her?" Eren asked.
"I'm sorry, but yes. She's one of us." Erwin said.
"No it can't be." Eren said.
"Her name is Annie Leonhart." Erwin said. Silence filled the room. Jean had a hand on Kara's leg. Everyone looked at Eren.
"You think it's Annie? Where's.. Where's your evidence? Tell me!" Eren said, looking between Armin and Kara.
"Obviously the Female Titan knew what you looked like before she attacked. Plus, she reacted to my use of your Suicidal Maniac nickname, something only our classmates would know." Armin said.
"Jean and I went to talk to Marco yesterday. He reports that Annie and her accomplices took his ODM gear that Annie used to slay Saney and Bean. Marco was almost eaten by the Titan, but he promised not to tell the truth and he was spared. Plus when I got up close to her when I went to kill her. Her eyes widened and she almost looks like her." Kara said.
"I don't understand." Eren said.
"Eren. I know what I saw, and the fact is.." Armin said. Levi lowered the paper he was holding.
"Okay, we get it. Do you have anything else on her? Any sort of concrete evidence?" Levi asked.
"Nothing sir." Armin said.
"Kara is right though. She looks like the Female Titan." Mikasa said. Eren shot to his feet.
"Really? What the hell's wrong with you? What kind of evidence is that?" Eren asked. Kara sighed and Levi didn't look happy.
"So basically, we're going after her without proof." Levi said.
"You're kidding me, right? This is insane! What if it's not her? What if she's not the monster you all say she is?" Eren asked.
"If it's not her, she'll be cleared. End of story." Mikasa said. Eren gasped.
"No one wants to condemn her prematurely, least of all me. But.. Either we make a move on circumstantial evidence, or we sit back and let the central government condemn you." Armin said.
"Eren. You know he's right. You want to be discected by the MPs? And not get your chance to take back Wall Maria?" Kara said. Eren turned away from them.
"Do you even hear yourselves? You're talking about Annie." Eren said.
"Eren. Don't stand there and tell me this conversation isn't ringing any bells." Mikasa said. Kara watches as Eren's eyes widen as he remembers. "Dig deep. It's Annie. You know it is." Eren looked down in defeat.
"I still don't want to believe it, but I'll help." Eren said. The plans were in place to take the Female Titan out.
Two days later. Kara rode in the cariage with her father and Erwin. Jean was being used as Eren's double. Jean wasn't to happy about it. Kara didn't blame him. Jean and Eren looked nothing alike.
"I hope they will be fine." Kara said, worried about her friends.
"They'll be fine." Erwin said. Kara looked out the carriage. "How's your ribs?"
"Better. I should be able to join the battle with Jean." Kara said. Erwin nodded. Levi sat with arms crossed. He wasn't to thrilled of not being able to join with his foot injured.
An explosion rips the sky as they reached the Stohess District. Levi swore under his breath as the carriage came to a stop.
"The plan didn't work." Kara whispered. Erwin grabbed the door and stepped out. Kara followed with Levi. Nile was looking back into the city.
"Nile!" Erwin called. Nile turned to look at him. "Deploy all troops immediately. We should assume that a Titan has already appeared."
"Are you out of your mind? This is Wall Sina! There's no way a Titan would just suddenly show up here!" Nile said. Jean opened the carriage door and jumped out with his cape.
"Who told you to move, Jaeger?" Waltz asked. Jean grabbed his wig as he glared at the MP.
"How about this damn wig said I could, moron?" Jean growled. Kara snorted. The MP gasped. Jean runs towards Kara, Erwin, and Levi. "Call me Jaeger again and it's your ass, You got that?" Jean stops next to Kara. "Commander! What's the plan?"
"You and Kara ask Squad Four for equipment. Marco will be waiting there for you." Erwin said. Jean puts on his cape.
"Sir." Jean and Kara said.
"Kara. Stay with Jean and watch each others backs. Both of you come back alive." Levi ordered.
"Sir." Jean said.
"Yes, father." Kara said. Kara and Jean take off running. Kara glared at Nile as she passed.
"Where's Squad 4?" Jean asked.
"Around this corner." Kara said. They rounded the corner.
"Hey!" Marco called, waving at them. Kara and Jean smiled. Marco pulled both of them into a hug. "I'm so glad to see you both." Kara and Jean opened the cases and started grabbing the ODM gear.
"I hope your not going to get in trouble for helping us." Kara said.
"Erwin told me that he will make sure I don't for giving the information of Annie. I'll be fine." Marco said. Jean helped Kara finish with a strap.
"Let's move." Jean said. They took off running down the streets.
"Man I haven't been here since Mom died." Kara said. She felt so unease. "I never thought I be back."
"Just stick close to me and Marco." Jean said.
"Will Erwin be alright?" Marco asked.
"He might be facing treason unless we get Annie. So let's not fail." Kara said as Citizens were running away from the Titan. Kara could see the Female Titan's head in the distance. Jean saw MPs just standing on the roofs looking on in shock.
"Useless Mp Bastards. Can't believe there was a time I'd have given my left arm to be one of them. No offense Marco." Jean said.
"None taken." Marco said. Jean sighed.
"I don't know what the hell I was ever thinking.
"Well I'm glad you decided to join the Scouts.." Kara said, smirking at Jean. Jean gave her a fond smile.
"By the way. I'm happy your both finally together. Took you long enough." Marco said with a smirk. Jean rolled his eyes.
"Let's focus on this." Jean ordered
"Eren talk to me!" Armin yelled. Kara's eyes widen. Something wasn't right. Kara ran towards Armin's voice and found Armin in a hole, moving rocks. Jean and Marco joined her.
"What the hell's going on?" Kara asked, running over with her friends. Armin looks back.
"Help me! He's stuck in here!" Armin said. Jean, Marco, and Kara gasped.
"Why didn't he just change into a Titan?" Jean asked.
"He couldn't transform! I think there's something holding him back from being able to take on Annie!" Armin said.
"What?" Marco asked.
"We'll worry about that when he's safe." Armin said. He moved a rock. Eren was laying on his stomach. "Help me get him out!" Kara and Marco help move the rock. Jean watched in shock.
'He couldn't do it?' Jean thought. Jean gritted his teeth.
"That's it!" Jean said. He knelt next to Eren.
"Jean." Kara said.
"Enough of your bullshit, Eren! Did I or did I not tell you this day would eventually come? Look at yourself! Our fate's in your hands We're out there putting our lives on the line, and this is all we can expect from our last best hope?!" Jean said. Kara put a hand on Jean's shoulder. "Damn it!" A rock hits a tower behind them. Jean tackled Kara out of the way as debrees come flying at them.
"Kara. Jean." Marco called. Kara coughed as she looked up and gasped. Eren was now laying on his back with rocks crushing him and a board through his chest.
"Eren!" Armin and Kara called. Jean pulled Kara to her feet. Jean looked at the Female Titans as Scouts were fighting her.
"Leave him! We can't do anything until we take care of her!" Jean said, pulling out his sword and took off running. Kara and Marco took off after him. Armin stayed behind to talk to Eren. Kara shot her arrows up and flew past Annie. Annie threw a soldier into the wall. Armin yelled at Annie, eniough to distract her. Jean and Kara flew down at her nape and hit crystal. Their swords broke.
"Damnit." Kara said. Jean shot back.
"Armin, Kara, Marco. Follow my lead!" Jean called. Kara and Marco shot after Jean.
"You got it!" Armin called as he shot in the air and followed his friends. Kara turned her head to see Annie following. Jean was leading them towards the Capture Squad. They reached them and saw Hange and the others waiting. Annie saw them at the same time as ropes were pullled and they wrapped around the Female Titan. Jean, Armin, Marco, and Kara moved as the Female Titan tried to grab them. Explosions came as arrows hit her. Kara gritted her teeth. The Female Titan tries to move, but is thrown back onto her back. A net was thrown over her. Kara and Jean land on a roof together. Marco landed next to Kara. Armin landed on the ground.
"Nice! And here I was convinced having a Plan C was nothing short of paranoid." Hange said. She was twirling a rope in her hand. "Oh, Commander Erwin, you genius." Hange walks to the edge of the roof. "Right. So." Hange jumps down to the ground. "Do us a favor. Behave yourself." Hange kneels in front of the Female Titan's face and looks into her eye. She points a sword at the Female Titans eye. "Oh, and calling your co-horts to dinner isn't an option. So let's not waste that lovely singing voice. In fact, let's not waste anything. No, no, I'm going to read you like bull entrails. Every part of you has its own precious story to tell."
"She's got that look." Kara whispered. Jean and Marco shook their heads. The Female Titans foot swings out, destroying the weapons. "Hange! Move!" Hange jumps out of the way. Mikasa and Armin jump out of the way.
"Damn it. She broke free." Marco said. Hange landed on a roof with Mikasa with Jean, Kara, and Marco.
"Ugh. Damnit, we didn't have time to set enough traps!" Hange said. The Female Titan stands and took off running. "Don't let her get away!" Kara took off running across the roof. Jean, Armin, and Marco followed her.
"Damn you, Annie." Kara said through gritted teeth. Annie sent debree flying at the soldiers. Kara seperated from her friends to avoid the rocks. Mikasa tried to slash the legs, but she was sent flying and hit the ground.
"Mikasa!" Armin yelled. Gold light fills the sky. Kara landed on the roof.
"Eren." Kara said. Heavy footsteps came as the Female Titan turns towards the sound of footsteps came. Eren's Titan roars as he punches the Female Titan in the face. The Female Titan goes flying into a building. Jean was knealing on the roof next to Kara.
"Bastard actually did it!" Jean said. Eren charges at the Female Titan as she stands up. She takes off running towards the wall with Eren right behind her. Jean, Armin, Hange, and Kara were following. They land on a roof as the two Titans pass.
"Well I daresay it looks like our boy's in control of himself this time." Hange said.
"Yeah. Still, though there's no guarantee this will turn out any differently than their last meeting." Armin said. Hange looked at Armin.
"Come on, he wouldn't have transformed unless he could take her this time." Jean said.
"He's got this." Kara said.
"I don't doubt that. But determination alone isn't enough to win a fight. You of all people should know that." Armin said. Jean and Kara share looks. "It'll take more than that to beat Annie. A lot more." Kara looked towars Eren and Annie as they were still running. They took off to catch up to Hange's squad.
"Damnit. She's making a break for level ground!"
"So much for our gear! What now?"
Hange, Armin, Jean, and Kara land on the roof.
"Split into two teams an go around!" Hange yelled.
"Understood." Soldiers say. Kara, Jean, Armin, and Marco went one way. Annie and Eren came to a stop in the middle of a square, facing each other. Eren roars as he goes to punch Annie who blocks the attack. Annie goes to kick, but Eren grabs her leg and throws her across buildings and into a building. Kara and Jean land on a roof as Eren charges through a building and crashes into one as Annie moves out of the way.
"They are going to destroy the city at this rate." Kara said. Jean nodded.
"Section Commander, I hate to say it, but the city will be debris and corpses before long even if we manage to catch her." Moblit said.
"Well, then that's how it's gonna be! We're sticking to Commander Erwin's plan, got it? So stop babbling and ready the nets." Hange said.
"Right!" Moblit said. The soldiers took off to get closer to Eren and Annie. They land on roofs closer. Eren and Annie were facing each other. Eren charges as Annie hardens her leg and kicks Eren. Wind blew through the city. Kara gritted her teeth. Eren comes charging back and punches Annie in the face, sending her back. Eren comes back but Annie kicks him into a building.
"Eren!" Kara yelled as Annie hardens her hand and starts punching Eren in the head. The Female Titan takes off running, thinking Eren was down.
"Damnit. The Suicidal Maniac went down." Jean said. A roar comes and Kara's eyes widen to see Eren running at Annie. His whole body looked like he was on fire. He tackled Annie to the ground, near the wall.
"Damnit." Kara whispered as Mikasa joined everyone on the roof.
"What is he?" Hange said.
"Help him!" Mikasa said, running towards the edge of the roof.
"No! With the state he's in, it's probably best that we keep our distance." Hange said. Mikasa gasped. Eren had Annie pinned to the ground. Annie threw him off, but Eren grabbed her by the face and squeezed. Blood came out. The Female Titan screamed in pain. She punched Eren. He goes to attack her and she kicks him, sending him flying into a building. Annie gets up, hardening her fingers. She runs at the wall and starts to climb.
"She's headed up the wall!" Marco called. She's trying to escape!" Hange said. The Scouts take off to try and stop her as Eren grabs onto Annie. He tries to pull her down, but Annie uses her foot to push him off. Kara latches onto the wall and heads to get above Annie.
"No, no, no! We can't let her get away!" Armin called. Kara was the closes one to Annie.
"I won't let her!" Kara called. Annie's eyes follow Kara. Kara yells as she slices Annie's fingers off. She swings back around and gets the other hand. She lands on the wall and glared at Annie as she starts to fall. Kara falls towars Annie and lands on her face. Annie's blue eyes look at Kara. "It's over, Annie. Now fall." Kara pushes on Annie's face and jumps off. Annie hits the ground as Kara lands on the wall. Eren jumps on Annie as she tries to get up and starts punching Annie. Eren rips her arm off and sends it flying. Annie's head went flying into the wall. Eren bent down towards the nape.
"Oh, no! He's gonna devour her whole!" Hange yelled.
"Eren, no!" Kara yelled.
"Eren! Back off!" Jean yelled.
"Don't do it!" Mikasa yelled. Eren rips the nape off, but Annie was still connected to the Female Titan. Kara gasped. Annie had tears coming down her checks. Eren stayed frozen.
'What is he doing?' Kara thought. White light came around Annie. Kara put her hand over her face to block the light. Kara's eyes widen as she saw Annie trying to connect to Eren. Eren roars as a crytal like shell forms around Annie.
"Eren. Get out of there!" Kara yelled. A blur comes as Levi flies at Eren and slices him out of the Titan's nape.
"It's not a good idea to eat our key evidence you idiot." Levi said. He grabs Eren and brings him down to Mikasa and Armin. Kara landed on the ground next to her father. They looked at teh rotting corpses of the Titans. Kara felt a hand on her shoulder. Kara looked at her father. He gave her a nod. Metal clinging comes and Kara turned to see Jean hitting a sword on the crystal. The sword was almost gone.
"Damnit. All the shit we've been throough and this is what we get? Annie! Wake up! C'mon, face teh music! You owe us! Don't be a coward! I know you can hear me!" Jean yelled. He goes to bring the sword down again. Levi put a hand on Jean's shoulder.
"That's enough!" Levi said. Jean looked at Levi in shock. "It's over." Jean turns back to Annie and goes to hit again. Levi goes to say something but Kara came over. Jean felt arms wrap around him. Kara didn't care if her father was standing there.
"Jean." Kara said. Jean lookked at Kara, who had him wrapped in her arms. "Give it a break. It's over." Jean let go of the handles and pulled Kara against him. Levi watched the two. Jean kept an arm around her as they walked towards their friends. Jean pressed a kiss to Kara's forehead.
"Someone get me a wire net. This thing belongs deep underground!" Hange said. Jean and Kara looked back as Scouts threw a net over Annie. Kara looked up at Jean. He still looked pissed. Kara put a hand on his chest. Jean looked down at her. She gave him a sad smile. They had captured Annie, but they knew it wasn't over.
AN: Least we got Annie captured. Till next time