Chapter 50

New Train

In a year, Paradis was catching up to Marley in advances with the help of the Hizuru's. It took a while but Levi's group was helping build the train connecting the walls to the sea. It was a long process, but they were making it work. It was nearly done.

Jean and Conny were hammering a nail into the rails, both sweating in the heat. Kara and Mikasa were bringing them rails to nail in. Kara had a stra hat on from the heat.

"Hey! Is this really... they needed us to do?" Conny said between bringing down the hammer.

"Nope! They'd have hired someone." Jean said. He glared towards Eren. "If that idiot hadn't opened his mouth and volunteered our help." Eren was whiping the sweat off his face. "We can develop the island our muscles at the same time, my ass." Armin was chasing Sasha around as she tried to take the whole water bucket to drink as Eren continued to hammer in nails. Kara walked up to Jean and Conny with another water bucket.

"Well. We don't have much else to do, except wait for Hizuru's answer." Kara said, handing Conny the bucket. He took a drink as Jean leaned on the hammer.

"Uh-huh. Hopefully with their help, we can win some friends in this world. It might be a long shot, but it could be an alternative to the Rumbling. And that could save Historia from suffering." Jean said, taking the water bucket and taking a drink as Conny whiped the sweat from his head.

"Hey!" Kara turned and smiled seeing Hange and Levi riding towards them. Everyone came to greet them as Hange and Levi got off their horses. "Phew! It can't be easy, working your butts off when it's this hot out."

"Yeah, well. We have to be here to watch over this moron, right?" Jean asked, glaring at Eren. Kara came up and wrapped her arm through Jean's.

"Be nice." Kara said.

"You brats got taller." Levi said. He was glaring at Conny and Jean, who had grown more over the months. Kara maybe grew an inch, but was still short compared to Jean. "It's like you're sprouting up just to spite me." Kara rolled her eyes.

"Hear anything from Hizuru yet?" Eren asked, looking at Hange.

"That's why we're here. The Azumabitos replied." Hange said. Everyone looked at Hange as Eren gasped.

"What did they say?" Kara asked. Hange didn't look happy.

"It's no good. Hizuru either can't or won't help us with this." Hange said. Kara and Jean share looks. "Makes sense. Hizuru has a monopoly on any resources that we want to export right now, so why would they ever help us trade with other countries?" Jean pulled off his hat. "From what I hear, the world's major powers want Paradis to be the root of all evil. We're the shared foe that helps bring them together. Their hatred for us promotes global stability." Hange and Levi didn't look happy about this and no one wanted to hear this news. Kara knew it was a win or loose situation.

"Then... Do we have to rely on the Rumbling? Do we have no choice but to sacrifice Historia?" Eren asked. Levi looked at Eren.

"That's right." Levi said.

"So what? The world's decided that we're devils, regardless of what our intentions are? They can't want us to repeat the past, so why won't they consider peace?" Armin asked. Mikasa looked down.

"Probably because they don't know better. They don't know anything about us and that makes them afraid." Mikasa said.

"I agree. Our neighbors across the sea won't trust people whose faces they've never seen. So let's sail out and meet them! If they don't know anything about us, then we'll just have to teach them." Hange said. Levi gasped and everyone looked at Hange in suprise. "That's what we Scouts always do, right?" Everyone share looks, but soon they were making plans to go visit Marley if Hizuru would help.

Sunset came as they took the train back to the walls. Kara was snuggled into Jean's side as he had his arm wrapped around her. They hadn't picked out a date for their wedding yet and they were still debating, now that both were 18. But with the railroad, they had been busy to decide. Armin was driving the train as the others sat in the back.

"So, the plan is to infiltrate Marley and set up a base there, huh?" Jean said.

"I like it. Hange has a plan for everything, am I right? It's exciting. We'll all get to chow down on food from a distant land." Sasha said.

"Yeah. Wonder what we should pack. Hope that foreign food doesn't give us the runs." Conny said.

"We'll need to pack some antacids, a toothbrush, and a taste of home." Sasha said. Mikasa was glaring at the two.

"Did you even hear Hange's plan?" Mikasa asked.

"If we can just find a way to convince the world that all we want is peace, maybe our situation will change." Armin said. Everyone sat in silence. Kara stared at the floor.

"If we only had a little more time left. My time will be up in just over five years. We need to make a decision soon. About who to give my Titan to." Eren said. He had a serious look on his face.

"I think it should be me." Mikasa said.

"No. Not an option. We don't even know if Ackerman's are able to turn into Titans. And even if you could, Hizuru would be furious about it. You're their long-lost heir, remember. It can't be you for more reason than I can count." Jean said.

"Who do you think it should be?" Mikasa said, glaring at Jean. Jean pointed at himself.

"This guy." Everyone looked at Jean. "First of all, I'm a whole lot smarten than Eren. We'd replace this suicidal maniac with a gifted leader who shows good judgement in all situations." Kara rolled her eyes. "A rare specimen who can perform whatever duty is required. I don't much like getting his hand-me-downs, but hey, I'm the best candidate we've got."

"Sure, except we can't afford to loose someone that baluable after just 13 years" Kara said.

"Ha?" Jean asked.

"You should aim to become the regiment's next commander. I'll inherit it. I'm clearly more cleaver and stronger then the lot of you. Well besides Mikasa." Kara said. Conny chuckled.

"Nah. You really think the Captain will want to loose you after 13 years. He have all our hides." Conny said. Kara glared at him. "I'll inherit Eren's Titan myself. Yeah. That should work. Right?" Conny looks at Eren.

"Conny." Eren said.

"No, that won't work at all. You're way too much of an idiot." Sasha said.

"Eh?" Conny said, looking at Sasha.

"Use your head, Conny. This is a really important duty. We can't entrust it to someone who's slow, like you." Sasha said. Conny and Sasha stare each other down. "You really get my goat sometimes. I'll inherit it, okay? I'm an experienced veteran, and I've proven that I'm someone you can rely on. By process of elimination, you've gotta use me." Eren lowered his eyes.

"You guys." Eren said.

"I get that I have to, but still, I really don't wanna." Sasha said, holding up her hands. Her hands were shaking.

"Sasha. Wait. You're not making any sense here." Conny said.

"Huh?" Sasha asked.

"I mean, you know. We can't give his Titan to an idiot. You just told me that." Conny said. Sasha looked sad. "You're more of an idiot than me, which means, you just contradicted yourself, right?" Sasha just looked at Conny. Eren sighed.

"I'm not planning on handing it down to any of you." Eren said.

"Huh?" Sasha asked.

"I'm not planing on handing it down to any of you." Eren said.

"Why not?" Kara asked.

"Because you're important to me. More than anyone else. I hope... you'll live long lives." Eren said. Everyone sat in the silence. Kara snuggled closer to Jean, exhausten running through her body. Jean pressed a kiss to her forehead, ignoring Eren and Mikasa's talk. Kara let sleep take her as she snuggled close together.

AN: Happy New Year. I got a filler chapter in next chapter before we go to Marley. Till next time.