Chapter 42: Naivety
Ed goes over the blueprints for the new designs; there is a stern look on his face and contempt in his eyes as he looks up from the table and towards Levi and Hange. He sighs and shakes his head side to side slightly as if to say "I can't believe I'm doing this…"
The light from the window in Hange's office shun down on him, his body casting a shadow on the blueprints he was standing over.
"We don't have all day." Levi said in his usual cold and stern tone "Is the design right or do you need to make some adjustments?"
Ed sighed "Yeah they're as accurate as I remember…" Ed replied agitation in his voice as he slid the prints towards Hange and Levi on the other side of the table, a disappointed look on his face perfectly reflected his current mood.
Hange shifted the prints towards her looking at the design. "Amerstrian semi-automatic rifle." She read out as her finger traced the outline of the weapon and its small components. She looked at the other one "automatic heavy machine guns." She read out "All of which are weapons used by your country's army?"
"Yeah they are." Ed replied "Back when I was a state alchemist, weapons training was a part of the course."
"So these are all good then?" Levi questions. "This won't blow up in the user's face if they pulled the trigger?"
Ed looked back towards the prints "I had to relearn weapons maintenance every once in a while as a state alchemist, also I live with a mechanic so I know a thing or two about machinery and parts." Ed then looked back up towards Levi "So yeah I know what I'm talking about."
"I know you must hate this." Hange said "But we have our orders."
"I know." Ed replied "It's just… helping to make this…" he paused for a few seconds "I can't see a reason to why the army would need this… other than wanting to keep their control over everyone."
"You know the garrison and MPs use muskets and shotguns." Levi replied "Using guns isn't something unheard of even if our enemy is the titans." Ed gave Levi an unimpressed look which Levi gave back in kind. "I'm sure you've had to use one once."
"I can only think of one time we used muskets against titans… but I remember all the times you guys used muskets against other humans." Ed replied. "And no, I haven't…"
"Darius promised that if both you and Alphonse continue to comply and help us work towards setting up the foundations for a more advanced future, he'd push towards changing the system and devolving regional powers." Hange stated.
"I'm still wondering whether we've just been coned on that." Ed remarked bitterly. "It really wouldn't surprise me if that were the case."
"We'll change the world when and if that bridge comes but for now let's focus on what's at hand." Levi told him.
"You know I want to help the people of the walls progress, its difficult work but teaching people about science and showing them these new technologies…" Ed contemplated, staring off at table. "It's probably the best kind of work I've be told to do; Al and I wanted to learn as kids about alchemy from book we found in our dad's study and we want to help others learn and use everything we've learnt… but not like this."
"You and Alphonse taught Armin how to do flame alchemy." Levi pointed out.
"Al didn't teach Armin how to perform flame alchemy; Armin taught Armin how to perform flame alchemy, if Al was a bread baker then all he did was give Armin the ingredients and some general advice to make a cake." Ed retorted, looking back at Levi.
"Same thing." replied Levi "Both you and Al taught or 'gave advice' to Hange and Armin on how to perform alchemy and it's now theirs to use; whatever you teach or give to the people of the walls will at some point will be used for something you support or hate, maybe they'll create pipes for clean water or maybe they'll build more walls to separate each other based on some stupid shit and it's a real shitty thing to know you might have contributed to the latter when all you've given was meant for good intentions, but sometimes we can't control that."
"I know what consequences are, Captain." Ed replied. "I've been responsible for plenty of them. Good and bad."
"Then continue to help make these weapons, no matter if it ends good or badly." Levi replied. Ed sighs; he threw his hands up in the arm slightly as he shook his head. "Look I know I'm sounding like an asshole, I'd probably punch someone in the face if I said this to me, but it's the truth."
"You are right about one thing though, Ed." Hange interjected. "Making new guns won't help us defeat the titans." She flicked through the other prints "Artillery?" she read out "This looks something like a cannon."
"Well it pretty much is." Ed replied. "The better version of what a cannon is or the updated version of it."
"And the other one, looks like a smaller version of a mortar?" Hange added.
"That's the best way to describe it, small enough to be carried around by a person." Ed replied. "What are you trying to get at?" Ed asked, he noticed a familiar smile on Hange's face, a slight smirk which said I have an idea!
"Maybe you can't prevent the blueprints falling into Darius' hands but…" Hange said "There nothing to say you can't priorities one over the other, so why not just hold these one back for now." She said putting the prints for guns to one side. "And just send these ones for the time being." She said putting the prints of the artillery and mortars to the other. "I can argue that these ones should be prioritized, seeing our expedition to Shiganshina is closing in and having some new cannons will be important."
Ed gave Hange a soft smirk "Thanks Hange."
"Don't mention it." Hange replied with a wink. "Are you alright with this, Levi?"
"Well no rules are technically being broken here, I don't mind keeping this just between us." Levi replied, he then looked back towards Ed. "Just remember when it comes to things like this you have a responsibility to us and we to 'them.' Don't let us down."
"I understand that, Captain." Ed said "It just that back on my world I've heard and seen people kill each and what people did and they made to one up each other. And I know we just overthrew the royal government but I don't want to contribute to a scenario where people are being killed on mass. When Alchemy was first introduced to Amestris its purpose shifted towards violence than progress."
"The last thing I want is another conflict between people."
Armin watched as a large crystal cage dangled over the ten meter tall wooden titan dummy with large cushions tied towards its head, neck and ankles. The crane sitting behind the titan as it swayed from side to side slightly. The light gleaming off the bars of the cage as the sun hit it. "Drop the cage!" Hange yelled to the operator.
The cage dropped down on the titan as the long chain was let loose and was violently pulled down. The bottom of the cage slammed down upon the head of the titan, the metal bottom panels may have crushed the whole titan had it not been for the thick cushions on its head. As the cage hit the ground the feet and ankles of the titan were crushed as the panels closed.
The cage was lifted up from the ground as the chains were pulled up. The crane began to swing towards a larger holding cell with a metal girder sticking out in the middle. The panels of the cage began to turn vertically as the titan slipped through one of the gaps and into the holding cell.
Both Hange and Armin walked up towards the large holding; examining the damage done towards the dummy titan.
"So long as the neck isn't destroyed in the process I believe we can call it a success." Hange remarked. She said over viewing the dummy in the cage. Armin too examine the titan, his eyes scanning the damage; its ankles crushed and its head flatten. But the neck looked to be undamaged.
Armin didn't know how to feel.
In his mind he knew he should have felt happy, if his invention turned out to be a success then it would be a huge step towards studying the titans in a way which didn't sacrifice the lives of his comrades in the corps.
But he knew that this wasn't the reason he designed the trap, only he was aware of the more sinister nature behind it. He placed a clenched fist over his mouth as he stared at the titan. A war of ideas and morality was being waged in his mind as he stared at the undamaged cushion tied around the neck.
This is wrong…
Am I doing the right thing?
I don't want to do this…
What would Alphonse think?
Edward is going to kill me if they find out…
I'm betraying their trust…
But I can't let the door close on this…
I don't want to lose to the titans…
I don't want my friends to die…
"Deep in thought huh?" Hange said looking at Armin.
"I guess you can say that." Armin replied.
"Looks like the neck cushions are alright, that is brilliant!" Hange said with a wide smile on her face and excitement in her voice. "Your invention passed one of the hurdles."
"Yeah that great, I'm happy." Armin replied as he feigned a smile on his face. "I hope this passes the other ones." He didn't know if he meant that at all.
Maybe I can just drop the idea? Make the thing and just forget the other half of the plan he thought to himself, he closed his eyes for a second and he could see it… the titans pouring through the burst gate like rushing flood water through a burst dam. The horde devouring people… and the colossal titan, the armoured titan and the beast titan watching the destruction… in that short second he had that same feeling when he watched the titan shut it jaws and swallowed Eren… powerless.
I can't let that happen… if there's a possibility of the walls being destroyed we must have something to call upon… even if it's the very last option.
"Let's put it to the other trials." Hange suggested.
"Yeah, lets." Armin replied.
I can only hope that it doesn't come to that…
Alphonse and Mina strolled together through the streets, Alphonse turned his head slightly towards Mina, and he could see the apprehension of her face despite confident posture. He felt a bit nervous for her, one of the big milestones towards her trying to get Annie a fair trial was today, meeting with both Darius and Historia over what she's currently gathered on her case.
The two of them had been sitting at a library going over her case a few times before she suggested she get some fresh air to clear to her head.
"Do I look alright?" Mina asked Alphonse, he didn't think she was too concerned with how she looks, just wanted to take her mind of it for a second.
"Of course, don't worry about it." Alphonse replied.
"Thanks…" Mina replied "And thanks for being here, I don't really want to be alone doing this." Alphonse understood, all his life he had Ed to support him and vice versa through difficult times and right now that's what Mina wanted too.
Though at the back of his mind, that night where some of the garrison looked at them and displayed their open contempt for Mina's plan. This wasn't the first and last instance; it seemed like ever since it had gotten out every member of the army had treated them with passive aggression or contempt, hushed comments and focused eyes.
"There was a nice place with a fountain and some benches to sit on which Hitch talked about, might as well visit there." Mina suggested. Alphonse nodded his head and continued to follow her. They soon passed by a small shop when two men, both dressed in long brown military coats like them, left the shop and stood in their way. They looked at them with a cold expression and their hands clenched into fists as they tried to tower over both Alphonse and Mina, as if to intimidate them.
Alphonse didn't notice it at first but… he had seen those men before, the messy brown hair and the other one with the long dark pony tail.
"Why are you doing this?" asked the man with the pony tail. "Why are you helping that murderer?"
"That's none of your business." Mina responded as sternly as possible.
"None of our business?" the man with the blonde hair questioned "That cruel monster killed Ivan, she killed our friend." it was clear he was angry, furious even "She killed Captain Levi and Petra's comrades too, the corps had to give their relatives their mangled bodies."
"We're aware of what she's done." Mina responded "But that doesn't mean she can't be useful, that doesn't mean we can't get her onto our side."
"Our side?" one of the men replied, clearly disgusted by the idea "Nobody will accept her in the corps, not in the MPs, not in the garrison and there's no way in hell she'll be accepted in the scouts, not after she put dozen of our comrades into body bags."
"You… you were there…" the other one said looking at Alphonse "You had to carry Ivan's body to the cart… I had to tell his family about what happened to him. Why are you doing this?"
"I've known people who can change and I've seen them change." Alphonse replied. The memory of Greed and his sacrifice still in his mind and even Scar learnt to reconcile their difference and violent history.
"She can change?" the man questioned "Can you honestly say that after everything she's done, that she can be allowed redemption?" he was almost flabbergasted by the idea "You think she'll be forgiven for this? You think anyone will forgive her for this?"
"She's your friend I'm assuming." The man with the ponytail asked almost accusingly. "Do you know what she wants? Why she was willing to kill our friend or possible start all this? She's working with the damn colossal and armored titans, they're the reason we've lost Wall Maria."
Mina was silent; Alphonse didn't know what to say either because he didn't know what motivated Annie too… which made Alphonse a bit uncomfortable; he knew what Greed wanted, he wanted 'everything', and he knew what Scar wanted, vengeance for his people. But he knew what they wanted and how that aligned with his and Ed's interests. But Annie… what did she want?
"I know what she wants." Mina responded.
"And she was willing to kill our comrades to get it, you don't think she'll betray you?" they asked. "You think she'll abandon the cause she was willing to kill for just for you?"
"Like I said, she's my friend." Mina replied.
"Do your other friends know about this?" One of the men asked to both of them "How do you think they'd feel about this?" Neither Alphonse nor Mina knew how to respond to that… because they knew that while the others might have viewed Annie as a comrade in the past… those bridges were no doubt damaged. Even if she saved their lives. "Word of advice… drop this now. Because even if she can be trusted, no one in the corps will ever accept a titan shifter whose killed so many of our comrades."
Mina sat down at a stone bench with Alphonse; it was only a couple minutes since their confrontation with those scouts. She felt exhausted both physically and mentally, working and dedicating hours of her time, day and night, to creating the case for Annie and now the strain from everyone who all wanted the opposite. It felt like she was taking on the world. It was quiet between them, the sound of passersby and the rushing water from the fountain nearby were
She sat with her body slumped forward and her head facing the ground when suddenly a cat approach her, she watched as the cat with an orange and white coat came up to her, jumped onto the bench and sat in between both Mina and Alphonse.
"Cute cat" Mina said bring Alphonse attention towards it.
Both Mina and Alphonse smile at the cat, Mina tried to stroke the cat but, to her dismay, the cat seemed to sway its head and twist its body to avoid being touched by Mina. Her frustration began to build when Alphonse managed to gently stroke the head, neck and back of the cat eliciting a soft purr.
"Here" Alphonse said as he gently took her hand and placed it onto the cat's head letting her final pet the cat "I've always had a thing for animals, cats especially." He chuckled.
The cat then warmed up to Mina, laying its head on her lap as she continued to stroke the cat.
This is nice…
"Hey Mina…" Alphonse said softly "What does Annie want?" There was a loaded pause between the two as he waited for her answer.
"Her dad" Mina replied. "Annie wants to see her dad again."
This time Alphonse remained silent for a while. "Do you think… that Annie will do anything she can to meet her father again."
"What are you trying to get at, Al?" Mina asked, a little be agitated.
"I've known people to change themselves but… I've also known people who are very stubborn and single minded." Alphonse replied. "That's what Ed use to be after all."
"I promised her that I'd find a way to reunite her with her father after we're settled everything with the titans." Mina replied, it sounded just as impossible now as it did when she tried to comfort Annie using it.
She began to wonder whether Annie felt the same way too about it. In her heart she hoped that Annie had faith in her. But she also knew the realist who was Annie…
No! I can't back down from this now. She resolved Annie is depending on me at this moment and I'll go from there, no matter what.
She looked at Alphonse expression, a worried expression moulded on his face. "Mina… do you believe that?"
"I have to." Mina replied. "If I don't then I will have left my friend to die because no one else will fight for her." She paused for a few seconds again as she continued to stroke the head of the cat on her lap. "I don't care if it sounds impossible, I won't give up… I can't give up. I'll find a way to reunite her with her dad." Mina looked towards Alphonse. "You don't think I can save Annie? You think this is all going to end badly?" Mina picked up the cat and gently placed it down, letting the animal run off. She turned to face Alphonse once more, her attention now fully on him.
Alphonse closed his eyes and looked down towards the ground. "I'm sorry but-"
"Didn't you face impossible odds in world?" Mina asked, almost questioning him.
"I did, it's just-"
"Then why do you doubt that we can pull this off then?" Mina responded "We've already been through so much and succeeded, why can't we do the same here?"
"Those were different." Alphonse responded a bit sterner. "Yes, back on my world my brother and I had done something that was impossible but that because we had support from a lot of people, it was our work and sacrifice alongside others and even then we're were incredibly lucky at times. The same with everything we've faced now; even when we were outlaws who took down the royal government we had the support of Darius and Pixis." Alphonse voice sounded sadder as he continued to talk "we… you… don't have that here."
"Are you against me now?" Mina questioned her frustration spilling over.
"No that not what I meant-"
"I wanted you here to help me through this." Mina reminded him; she couldn't help but feel somewhat betrayed.
"I do want to help you through this!" Alphonse said, his own frustration slipping through. "But I have to be honest with you; even if you win the trial…you'll then have less support and more opposition than when you started. Like you first told me, you're fighting an uphill battle but it will only get harder."
"I know that." Mina replied. "You're not telling me anything I wasn't aware of."
"Just… what I'm trying to say is… please be careful." Alphonse asked. "As much as you want to stand up for your friend, you don't want to isolate yourself from your other friends too." Alphonse paused once more "And that being said, sometimes the people we trust can end up burning us if they have something they want more than the love they have for the people they should care about."
Mina sighed heavily "I don't want to have to deal with this right now." She stood up from the bench "I'm heading to the meeting. I'll see you after its done." She didn't look back at Alphonse as she walked away.
Mina sat inside the long hallway inside the district's government building; a row of windows in front of her displayed the city rooftops and the towering walls which surrounded it. There was a knock on the door. Mina turned her head to see one of the MPs open it.
"You may enter." He said opening the door for her. Mina stood up from the chair and walked through the door, a solitary chair sat in the middle of a wide round table where both Darius sat on the right and Historia to the left. The curtains of the room were half drawn leaving the room slightly darken. Mina turned her head towards Historia first; the two greeted each other with a soft smile.
"Your majesty." She said, bowing her head slightly, she then turned towards Darius "Premier." She placed her clenched fist over the badge sown on her left side.
"Mina Carolina." Darius stated. "You have a case to present to us, well to royal highness, on the trial of Annie Leonhart."
"I do, Premier." Mina replied, she pulled back the chair and sat down at the table, opening the folder was carrying. "Well I acknowledge that the case against Annie Leonhart seems impossible to argue against I would like to present my own case in her defence for the coming trial." She took a deep breath. "On the night of the raid on the Reiss family chapel, Rod Reiss used titan serum to transform himself into as a way of avoiding arrest; his titan appeared to be similar or larger to the colossal titan, it was Annie's quick thinking and actions which defeated his titan before he could fully form. It was her quick thinking that kept us alive that day."
"Yes I have heard about what happened in the cavern." Darius replied. "Her actions had saved the lives of Levi squad and our queen Historia. But have you ever considered the possibility that she was hoping to both kill Rod's titan and escape with her titan?"
Mina sat quietly for a couple seconds "I… No, I haven't considered that possibility." She replied, trying to recapture her composure "During the time we… I had retrieved her from her crushed titan, I don't know what she was thinking at the moment but I know it was her idea which saved us."
"So you took a gamble and it luckily paid off?" Darius replied, a bit perplexed "I see." Mina tried her best to keep a calm face, preventing her frustration and anger from showing. "What are the other points of your case?"
Mina took a deep breath in once and composed herself "My second point is that Annie Leonhart could be susceptible to change; from my own experience with Annie, I've come to learn more about her and that she is slowly becoming more cooperative with us."
"Your own experience?" Darius asked, looking very unimpressed.
"Annie time under Levi squad's custody, she refused to talk or surrender any information to us even through pain of torture, but I was able to establish a rapport with her which led her to being more open and provide valuable information." Mina explained, there was an uneasy feeling as she tried to remain brave under the scrutiny of the commander in chief.
"Okay, so you believe you can convince Annie Leonhart to betray the titans?" Darius questioned "Quick question, how do you know she isn't tricking you? After all I have been told that of the cadets of the 104th corps, you were one of her closet friends, have you considered that you might have a slight bias?"
"No…" Mina replied, she didn't want to admit it but she did trust Annie. Of course she did, Annie was her friend. "So far everything she has told us wasn't a lie and was used to our advantage, she has not at any point fed us any false information."
"Because it wouldn't be beneficial for her to do so now or during that time period" Darius further probed "Sorry if I'm making this hard on you, but you will have to face a prosecution which will look to tear your arguments apart so I'm just replicating the trial." Darius explained. "But please carry on."
"The information she's given has influenced our strategy and we know more about the titans and titan shifters than what we knew before." Mina argued. "If we're able to convince Annie to join our side than we can add another titan shifter to our ranks."
"Why not just have another person inherit her titan? Their loyalty would be unquestioned and it would be far easier." Darius countered, speaking as if that idea was obvious.
Because she's my friend and I promised to save her…
"Because Annie has years of experience using the Female titan and more knowledge about the titans and their plans." Mina replied. "With the expedition to Shiganshina coming up we wouldn't have the time to retrain someone and we lose a wealth of information."
"But you believe it will be possible to convince her to join us before that deadline?" Darius asked.
"Yes." Mina replied almost immediately, not wanting to show weakness or uncertainty.
"Confident are we? That will be good for the trial." Darius commented. "Anything else?"
"Building on my last point; Annie is a valuable asset." Mina continued. "As an MP she had shown herself to be competent and hardworking, closing a missing person's case which other MPs had failed to solve as well as exposing drug dens in the district."
"A standout MP, but I don't think that will be enough." Darius stated. "But we know she is skilled, it's what makes her dangerous."
"But it makes her an asset to our cause too." Mina retorted.
"Which goes back to the previous point, can you convince her to change? You say you can but realistically, do you expect to convince to convince a jury that you can do it." Darius questioned. "That may be the main obstacle in the trial, if they believe she isn't a threat but an ally in the making then maybe you can win this." For the first time in this meeting Mina felt a bit of hope "But remember not everyone is her friend like you… but they are definitely enemies." Darius turned to Historia. "Your Highness, this is ultimately your call, do you wish for Miss Carolina to represent Leonhart in the trial?"
Historia, who had been sitting quietly for the meeting replied. "Yes, Mina, if you can then save Annie."
"Thank you, your highness." Mina replied, the three got up from their chairs.
Historia walked up to Mina with arms out open, the two tightly embraced each other for a few seconds "Good luck." Historia pulled away slightly "If you do win… then… can you ask Annie about…" Historia fell silent as she stared at Mina for a second "Ask Annie about Ymir, anything about what would have happened to her, when you get back."
"Of course, I will." Mina replied. It wasn't hard to read her slight change in request. She wanted to know as soon as possible… because there wouldn't be a later. The MP standing by opened the door for Mina.
"I'll have a team of MPs escort Annie to the capital, it would be best if you can accompany them." Darius said.
Mina once more placed her clenched hand on the badge sitting over heart. "Thank you, Premier." She walked out of the door; she turned her head to the side to see Alphonse leaning up against the wall. Waiting for her.
The two stared at each other for a couple seconds, nothing said but an uncomfortable feeling lingered between them.
"Mina, I-"
"Alphonse, it's alright." Mina said, interrupting him. "We have to leave soon." She nodded at him as he looked at her with an expression of pity, like he was thinking I'm sorry but…
But then again… did anyone really believe that she can save Annie?
She didn't want to give up on Annie. She couldn't.
She didn't feel anxiety, or fear, or trepidation or even nerves as she approached the castle. For a while now she had accepted that this moment would come or at least she didn't feel it to the crippling extent she had expected. The moment captain Levi would have to confront her on her lie. She wondered what he'd say to her, would he yell or would he just tell her to get out of his sight. She didn't know but what was certain is there was no scenario where she gets off lightly.
The low rumble of the turning wheels of the carriage behind her, the clopping of the horses and the cool night air seem to calm her as she and Alphonse led the way for the carriage through the woods on the dirt path. As they reached the clearing the castle came into full view, its draw bridge open for them and a watcher on the bridge waving down others.
She led them under the bridge and into the castle's small courtyard, at the center of the area was Captain Levi, Petra and Ed. She slid off her horse, a scout guard taking the reins of both her and Alphonse's horses as the two approached, the two placing their clenched fists over their hearts.
The usual cold look on his face was ever present, his arms folded and eyes squinting slightly as he looked at them… her. "Carolina, what the hell is going on here?"
"They're here for Annie, Captain." Mina replied. "For the trial."
"I know that." Levi replied. "But why the hell are you to with them?"
"Because…" Mina sighed heavily "Because I'm going to present the case in defense of Annie Leonhart."
Levi's cold look turned sinister as his hands clenched into fists and stared daggers at her. Mina expected this. But the look of disappointment and almost disgust on Petra's face… that wasn't something she was prepared for. "You're what?" he questioned, venom in his voice. "I must be going deaf because I think you just said you were planning on standing up for that murderous brat."
Mina closed her eyes for a second and clenched her teeth "I'm standing up fo-" Levi grabbed Mina by her coat and pulled her up into the air, her feet barely touching the ground, she grabbed at his hands, trying to balance her toes on the ground.
Alphonse moved to stop him when Ed got in his way; he shook his head at Alphonse. "What were you thinking, Al?" Ed questioned "Annie murdered our squad mates." Ed looked back at Mina, he looked disappointed and ashamed. She couldn't blame him; he had to watch them die right in front of him. Of course Ed wouldn't mourn Annie's current situation or a result which led to her death.
"You realise what you're doing?" Levi questioned "That traitorous shifter butchered our comrades, my squad, who were Petra's squad mates, and you want to defend that? For what?" his clenched fist became tighter as he raised her higher, her feet now off the ground "You knew that though… that's why you had to lie to me. Petra even vouched for you. You really couldn't give a shit about the trust we had in you or how we felt about this."
"That's… that's not true." He replied, struggling under his grip. Levi threw her onto the ground. There was a scampering of feet nearby, she sat up from the floor and turned her head to see the others running towards them.
"Captain, whats going on here?" Jean asked, Sasha moved towards Mina to help her when Levi raised his hand up to stop her.
"Mina, are you alright?" Eren asked, concerned.
"I'll tell them, shall I?" Levi said, aggression radiating from his voice. "Mina's going to try and defend Leonhart." They looked at her and back at each other, surprise and uncertain on how to feel.
Jean turned his head off to the side very slightly as he sighed heavily "why?" he asked.
"Because she's our friend." Mina replied they had to understand, right?
"Reiner and Bertholdt were our friends too." Eren stated, sadness emanating through his voice "That doesn't change what they did, or what Annie did."
"What she did was kill Marco… have you forgotten that?" Jean replied, his tone was a mix of anger and sadness, he didn't want to be angry but he couldn't help how he felt, Mikasa disapprovingly shook her head too.
Sasha, Armin and Connie didn't know what to say and could only look at her with pity.
"Listen." Levi sneered at her, catching her attention "And listen well, I don't care if Leonhart gets executed and I don't care if you somehow end up winning the damn trial. But you are not a member of this squad. Not anymore. I don't care where you go or which squad or regiment they throw you in, pack your shit and that includes Leonhart, and get out of my sight." Levi turned to Alphonse "And you." he barked, his finger pointing at him "You're damn lucky we need you, otherwise I'd kick you out too." Levi turned his back to them and stormed off.
Petra looked back to Mina, her had weakly reached out to her before holding back "Sorry…" she quickly turned her back on her and followed Levi.
Mina picked herself up off the ground, dusting the dirt off her coat; she did her best to push back the feelings shame and anger that was trying to consume her.
"Mina… sorry about what happened." Connie said.
"Yeah, look we don't-"
"You guys… its fine, just leave it." Mina said, interrupting Sasha, she put her hands up slightly as if to calm them down. "You should go… I wouldn't want you to get into trouble too."
Both Jean sighed before walking away, Mikasa shut her eyes as she turned away from her, Eren gave her one last sad look before he walked off too. Both Connie and Sasha lingered, unsure if to help her or not, Connie threw his hands up a bit "I can't, I just…" he walked away.
"Mina, good luck, I hope we see you again." Sasha said, trying to encourage and reassure her, but like everyone else she left too.
Ed pulled Alphonse to the side "Ed… I'm sorry." Mina didn't know what she was apologizing for.
"I don't know what to tell you." Ed replied, he sounded exhausted and disappointed as he moved Alphonse along with him, she didn't know if he was telling this to her or to Alphonse.
Only Armin remained with her. Both she and Armin stared at each other for a few seconds. "Mina…" Armin walked up to her. "It's not too late to turn back from this." He suggested.
"What would you have me do?" Mina asked, she herself sounded tired. Of course she was.
"Drop your case, don't go to the trial and apologies to Captain Levi and Lieutenant Petra. " Armin suggested. "Don't tie yourself to Annie."
"Armin do you have any idea about what you're suggesting." The anger and frustration that she tried to keep locked away was being to surface once more. "It's already too late for any of that."
"It's not- its- it's not too late to turn back." Armin stuttered, as if hesitating. "You can walk away from this."
"No." Mina replied, resolute. "Some things we can't turn back from." She began to walk away from him, the MPs following her, but she was close enough to hear Armin mutter.
"I know."
Mina leads them into the castle, down towards the mess hall. The hall was lit with torches, bathing the hall in a warm orange. She led them to the door, the dungeon waiting for her.
"Wait here." Mina said as she opened the door. "I'll get her." An MP hands Mina some handcuff and a metal rod, the same kind used for Eren when the royals kidnapped Eren. She clutched at the cold metal instruments in her hands as she shut the door to the mess hall.
The stairway to the dungeon was dark, like an encroaching night with the sparse candles acting like close stars, she takes one of the candles and walks down the stairs, the creaking of the wooden steps and the banging of her boots onto the stone following her as she reached Annie's cell shrouded in darkness, she placed the candle down by the cell door.
She opened the cell door, the screeching metal echoing through the empty hallway. Mina entered the cell to see Annie sitting down on her bed. "Annie." She said with a small smile.
Annie greeted her with a smile of her own. "I guess it's time huh?" Mina nodded. "They gave you that?" she asked, eyeing the handcuffs and metal rod in her hand.
Mina dropped the metal instruments on the ground "I won't put them on you, not now at least." Annie stood up from her bed. Mina walked up to Annie and began unlocking the metal cuffs connected to the chains on her cell wall.
"What did I get right to have a friend like you?" Annie asked, even in the distant dim candle light Mina could see tears welling in her eyes. Mina pulled her in for a deep hug, her hands gripping the shirt Annie was wearing tightly.
"I don't know, but what I do know is that I care about you." Mina replied, she didn't want this moment to end.
They both pulled away and stared at each other with soft smiles. Annie's expression then turned into one of sadness as her eyes and the corner of her mouth drooped down.
"What is it?" Mina asked.
Annie then gripped her Mina's shoulders and pulled her down, as she quickly and swiftly delivered a kick to her chest. Mina collapsed onto the ground.
Shocked, she didn't know how to respond. Annie then delivered a swift kick into her side, flipping Mina over and sending her into the wall.
Sharp and stinging pain seemed to scream across her body, adrenaline running through her she got up quickly to face Annie. Her hands quickly clenched into fists as she positioned herself to fight back.
Annie didn't hesitate. Another fast kick, this time blocked by Mina with her arm as Mina then threw a quick punch into Annie's gut, her fist connecting the shot.
Annie stumbled back but still didn't let up, this time a strong sweep of her leg, knocking Mina off her feet and back onto the ground. Mina tried to get back up quickly before Annie stamped onto her face.
Dazing her, Mina's vision went fuzzy as she lost control of her body. She felt Annie dragging her to the chains and hard metal of the cuffs gripping her wrists. Annie began to walk away, her back turned towards her.
Mina agonizingly tried to crawl her way towards Annie, the chains dragging her down until she reached its limit.
"The cell is padded, it was meant to stop me from breaking free so it will stop the place from collapsing in." Annie said.
"Annie… please don't." Mina pleaded.
"I have to." Annie replied, resolute. "I promised my father I'd come back to him, no matter what." Annie closed the door of the cell and ran towards the staircase.
The was the sound of footsteps running up the wooden stairs, the door opening, the shocked reactions of the two MPs and finally a loud explosion like lighting hitting the floor above her.