I am currently writing a Prequel story called "A Fathers Machinations" which will show Grisha when he first arrives on Paradis to Historia becoming queen. That way the differences between this timeline and canon will be emphasized. The first chapter is currently available.

I do not own Attack on Titan, Hajime Isayama does.

Paradis 851 (mid-Autumn)

Annie Leonhart arrived at her home in Trost an hour ago. It was a long day of community service work alongside Pieck, Reiner, and Bertolt. Just another year and Historia will allow her to rejoin the Military police. Her father was helping set the table while she took the baked potatoes and vegetables out of the oven.

"Perfect," Annie says.

As Annie moves to place the hot food on the table, she passes by the calendar that she checks off every day. Only 295 more days until Historia will let her be an MP again. She looks at the clock and sees that it is almost 6:00.

"Ok good, Armin and his family should be here any moment now," Annie says.

"Ah Armin," Mr. Leonhart says. "The guy who lives in the interior but makes us prepare our home for him and his family."

"Dad, he's bringing the turkey," Annie says. "And you know the rules about letting us into Wall Sina. But after my service is done and I'm an MP WE can move there. And you know what Armin is to me so be nice. Ok?"

"Annie, your my daughter," Mr. Leonhart says. "It's my job to dislike anyone you like."

"Well his family is coming over to meet you so-"

The doorbell rings and Annie rushes to the door. She opens it and she see's Armin, holding a turkey. Behind him are his parents and grandfather. Armin had told Annie before that his parents were arrested for treason and Titanized by the royal government when he was a little boy. And then after Bertolt and Reiner broke down Wall Maria, his grandfather and hundreds of others were sent into the Walls to "take it back". However, what really happened was that King Rod Reiss secretly turned them all into Titans with the Founder's power. But since Historia took the throne and turned the innocents outside the walls back to humans, Armin has been reunited with his family. It's taken several months for them to readjust back to living in the walls. Finding new jobs and homes for them all. Armin would continue to meet with Annie and they would go on dates during her breaks or after her service. He'd met her father a few times, but he was your typical overprotective father. The fact that Armin was working for the government that is technically keeping his daughter imprisoned (for now) doesn't help much. Annie greets her boyfriend and hugs him.

"Armin! So nice to see you."

"You too, Annie," Armin says. "Careful now, I'm still holding the bird."

Annie notices Armin's parents are fixated on her. They knew full well that Annie was once a Marleyan warrior who was sent to destroy the walls and take the Founder. Also, she played a role in what led to their father/father-in-law being Titanized. Though Armin had assured them that she wasn't a bad person they were still wary of the Leonhart girl. And the fact that she admits she was only a warrior for the benefit made them trust her with their son less.

"It's nice to see you again Mr. and Mrs. Arlert," Annie says to Armin's parents.

"Annie," Mrs. Arlert says. "You're looking well today."

"Mr. Artlert," Annie says to Armin's grandfather.

"Please, call me Henry, dear," Armin's grandfather says in a warm tone. "Thank you for inviting us into your home."

Henry Arlert held nothing against Annie. If anything he sympathized with her. However, his gaze turned cold when he noticed Mr. Leonhart at the dinner table. Armin walks to the kitchen table and sets the turkey down. He sees Annie's father sitting down, with his arms crossed, looking right at him.

"Mr. Leonhart."

"Armin. How's being the Colossal Titan doing?"

"Well, I don't really use it much," Armin admits. "There was talk about using the electricity it generates for a power grid but since Historia is planning on ending the Power of the Titans in a few decades it was deemed a waste."

Mr. Leonhart nods. Though his cool gaze on Armin never wavers.

"Shall we eat?" Mr. Arlert asks.

—-

A few minutes later, The Arlerts and the Leonharts are sitting down at the table eating dinner. Annie sits uncomfortably as she catches Armin's parents staring at her. Armin sits uncomfortably as Annie's father stares at him. While Henry gives the man an "I'm watching you" sign.

"This turkey is good," Mr. Leonhart says, breaking the silence.

"Thanks, it's a family recipe," Mrs. Arlert says.

There is tense silence again.

"So, Annie. How was community service today?" Armin asks.

"Long and busy," Annie admits. "Just another year and a half and I can be an MP again. Maybe we could be neighbors."

"Is that what you want or is he making you do that like how he made you take a Titan," Henry asks, pointing at her father.

"Grandpa."

"Sorry, sorry."

"I'm trying to make up for that," Mr. Leonhart says, narrowing his eyes.

"It's something I want, Henry, don't worry,

'Of course you do,' Mrs. Arlert thinks. 'You'll do anything for a comfortable living. Even betray your country.'

"Well, I'm sure you will make a great military policewoman," Mrs. Arlert says. "Although I hope they better keep an eye on you in case something better comes along," she mumbles.

"Mom!" "What?"

"Ok, let's change the topic," Annie says. "Armin, I hear that Historia is leaving soon?"

"Yes," Armin confirms. "There is a world assembly forming in Albion. She will be going to give Paradis a seat in the council. She's going to try and negotiate with countries that haven't yet aligned with us and for better rights for Eldians."

"I guess you'll be going with her, right?" Annie asks. "You can see the world, like you always wanted."

"Not yet," Armin says. "The Colossal Titan needs to stay on Paradis."

"So only ten more years then," Mr. Leonhart says.

"Yes, exactly," Armin says. "There's still plenty of time. Though, if I find a successor I can get rid of my Titan earlier."

"But, Eren and Mikasa are going too, aren't they?" Mr. Ackerman asks.

"Yeah, for protection mostly," Armin says. "Plus they are interested in seeing the world too. I asked them to bring me back lots of pictures."

"My boy," Mr. Arlert says, proudly. "He drafted the current government system and now he's receiving personal lessons from Erwin Smith himself."

"I'm thinking of being an ambassador rather than prime minister," Armin says.

"I think you'll be great, Armin," Annie says.

Mrs. Arlert was going to make a snip about Annie not liking that in favor of a job with luxury and power. But after Annie said that she decided to be quiet.

"So when you go on a trip would you be taking Annie with you?" Mr. Leonhart asks. "Would you two be alone?"

"I-"

"Now, now, don't rush the kids," Henry says. "They have plenty of time to think about that. Annie, dear, good job on these carrots."

It is night. They had a long day working on the ships. The Paradisians that came to help them left hours ago and the nightshift guards had taken their posts. Though it is past their curfew, the Marleyan captives are sitting outside their tents surrounding their captain and a lit fire. There aren't many of them that are still there, less than ten. Niccolo sits among his fellow soldiers with a slightly guilty look on his face. This is noticed by Griez who keeps his eye on him.

"Ok everyone, let's review what we have learned thanks to Niccolo's efforts," Captain Koch says. "We now know that when the Founder is in royal hands then they cannot initiate the Rumbling without provocation, hence the need for a Prime Minister. We also know that the Queen has the ability to turn into a Titan, temporarily."

"And the former king was an asshole!" Griez shouts.

"Yes. More importantly, we know that being attacked by Eldians did not break the vow of war then."

"I think that their attack didn't break the vow of war because Eldia struck us first when they tried to wipe us out a hundred years ago," Griez says.

Half of the Marleyans cheer in agreement. Others were quiet.

"Moving on," Captain Koch says. "Also, I have been exchanging notes with the Good Eldian Society. A group composed of the Liberian-Eldians who have remained loyal to Marley. This little girl runs into camp every week and we have been exchanging information with the leader for months. They have mapped entrances for which they can sneak into Wall Sina from. They know that there is some strife within the capital as many nobles are not content with a teenage mother on the throne. They know that Smith hardly makes any public appearances, no one knows for sure where he lives. Wherever he does come out in public he is wearing an armor plating that protects his spine, and he is protected by a squad of Military Police members headed by Captain Levi Ackerman. Though not as powerful as Ackermans, the MP's are of similar strength due to experimentation with Titan science."

"I bet if we get our hands on Ackerman he could tell us where Smith is," says Griez.

"Thing is, how do we get him?" asks another Marleyan.

"What if we forced one of the guards or the shifters for information?"

"That is related to my other point," says Captain Koch. "The Good Eldian Society originally had a plan to capture one of the shifters and steal their Titan. With it they can confront Smith when he is separated from the Queen and steal the Founder. However, there is word that within the next month, the Queen is going to be leaving for a few weeks to attend negotiations with their allied countries and the rest of the world. There is no word on whether or not Smith will be accompanying her. They also told us that the only air crafts on the island are located in the southwest side of the wall, which means that she or they will have to leave Wall Sina to get to it."

"If Smith is going to be left on the island without the queen that would be a huge advantage," says one of the Marleyans.

"Once we steal the Founder from those devils, they will be sitting ducks!" says another Marleyan.

"Well not sitting ducks, did you see their army?" says another.

"That is true, Paradis is strong," says Captain Koch. "They have Titans and technology way beyond ours. But they don't have the numbers or resources. Granted, Marley isn't exactly in the position to fight now but once we crush the Mid-East we can focus on this island."

"But Paradis isn't alone," a soldier reminds them. "They have allies."

"True," Captain Koch admits. "But I believe very few are genuine. Only the ones who wish to pay back Karl Fritz's kindness in de-annexing their countries before Eldia's fall. But many more of their supposed friends only allied with them because Marley was their enemy. Niccolo's conversations with the Female Titan have also revealed that there are still lots of countries that are still distrustful of them. The Queen may be playing nice right now but sooner or later all of humanity will realize they can't let the Devils live."

"Though can we really trust these "Good Eldians"?" Griez asks.

"It's not ideal, Griez, but I fear we may have to," Captain Koch says. "They are in the best position to not only spy on the queen but also allow us to keep contact with our comrades scattered throughout the island."

Captain Koch reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded-up piece of paper. He unfolds it..

"Allow me to read you a letter that was given to me from the head of the society herself."

Koch reads the letter:

"Dear Fellow Marleyans,

Although some of the Eldians the devils stole from Marley and other countries have been swayed and tempted by their tricks, I assure you still have allies in Paradis. We are gaining followers as we speak to steal the Founding Titan and destroy the Devils from within. Once we have it we will do anything we can to make the devil's pay for threatening our great nation. So just stay put and wait for rescue. We will not fail you and I look forward to standing beside you in a world free of evil.

Sincerely,

The Good Eldian Society."

Captain Koch exchanges looks with many members of his crew. They then laugh hysterically. Griez wipes away a tear.

"Oh my god! I thought for sure all the Devils in the zones would love being in this place! It's nice to have loyal dogs but this is amazing!"

"Guess some of them really bought into the 'you owe us' crap! I mean it's true but I only ever expected them to do it half-heartedly!"

"So Niccolo," Captain Koch says. "Tomorrow, I want you to ask Sasha if Erwin Smith will be accompanying the queen and how they will get to the blimps, or flying boat, or whatever. We will then inform our allies and they can formulate a plan to take the Founder. And once we have the power of the Rumbling at our disposal we can turn every Eldian on this island into Titans! Or, crush them beneath the feet of their own walls. In any case, we will not only have won against Eldia but we will send these Titans to aid Marley and regain our former glory!"

Many of the Marleyans cheer. Others are hesitant. Niccolo, raises his hand.

"Erm, about that, Captain. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about winning the war for the sake of our country. But is killing every single Eldian here necessary?"

Captain Koch and several of the other Marleyans turn to give him strange (and hostile) looks.

"What?" Captain Koch asks. "Of course it's necessary! Those devils tried to wipe us out and wiped out many other races! It's what they deserve!"

"Yeah about that," Niccolo says. "I've been doing some thinking lately, and I don't think we should make anyone suffer for something that happened before they were born."

"You're only saying that because you've gotten sweet on the potato girl," Griez says.
"I told you, it's not like that, she's a minor," Niccolo says.

"Then how come you wouldn't stop talking about her all night yesterday?"

—-

The Other Night.

Niccolo lays in his bed with Griez in his bed above him. Niccolo has a smile on his face as he doodles a picture of Sasha's while Griez is frustrated and annoyed

.

"Do you wanna hear something crazy?" Niccolo asks. "Sasha once killed a Colossal Boar, that's a boar on this island bigger than a person, with just a bow and arrow?"

"No kidding?" Griez says unenthusiastically.

"She was in a cooking competition with Jean," Niccolo says. "She said that the pork lost to an omelet though. But the judge said that was just because she didn't include vegetables, just the steak. Funny, she offered to catch one again to show me how it tastes and then we could see if it can be tastier. I said no. Since she mentioned she almost died so no, you know?"

"Yeah…I get it."

Niccolo chuckles.

There is silence for a moment.

"She mentions she likes potatoes. Do you think I should try steamed or baked next time she comes over?"

Griez muffles his screams with a pillow.

—-

"Silence!" Captain Koch snaps. "Niccolo, Eldia wiped out whole cultures so Eldia should be wiped out. It's a basic fact of life."

"No, I think Niccolo has a point," says Marlow, a Marleyan who had struck up a few nice conversations with Connie. "I mean, kill the MP's who are jerks and the queen, sure, but maybe not every single person if they surrender. I mean I wanted to kill them all when I first got on this boat but now that I've met them it feels weird."

"You are all traitors!" Captain Koch shouts, a good portion of his crew agreeing. "Siding with the monsters who enslaved us."

"That was a long time ago, sir," says another Marleyan, Kess, nervously. "I mean, they could have killed us but they didn't. They could have unleashed the Rumbling after what we did to them but all they asked was we be nice to the ones back home. So, I dunno, wanting to wipe them out now seems kinda…bad. I know they are still our enemies but we can just put them in zones. I think that's punishment enough."

"The only reason we put them in zones is to use their Titans," Griez reminds them. "Once we get this land we won't need any Eldians anymore. This Good Eldian Society will probably get to be sterilized, at best, if they even succeed. Can't say the same for the rest of them."

Griez thinks of what will happen once the devils are gone. The Founder will be placed into the hands of the Tybur family so they can control the Colossals. They will step on everyone who opposes them while every other Eldian is either thrown into gas chambers or used as fodder on the battlefield. Fodder that will die quickly by enemy weaponry but lower their ammunition enough for Marley to strike in full with ice burst stone powered guns or whatever.

"Sir, I don't feel comfortable about this," Niccolo says.

"Why not?" Captain Koch asks, sternly. "Don't you want to do your duty to protect your country? To help Marley win the war against the world and make us great again? If you do this you will be a hero."

"But sir-"

"Or, you can be a traitor," Captain Koch says. "And treated like one."

Niccolo lowers his head.

"Yes sir," Niccolo says. I understand."

The Next Day

Sasha is back at the docks where Niccolo and the Marleyans are working. As usual, she arrives for lunch and her daily chat with Niccolo. Today, the topic of conversation was language. Sasha had heard that words are spelled backward in Marley compared to Paradis' version of Eldian. So, she confirmed with Niccolo.

"You see this can?" Niccolo says, showing Sasha a can of fish saved from his ship. "Herring."

Sasha takes the can and looks at it confusedly.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I guess I can see it now," Sasha says. "It's a little messier looking. And it's right-to-left instead of left-to-right."

"Yeah, Paradisian-Eldian was a little hard for us to adjust to at first," Niccolo says. "I wonder why our writing systems are different?" Sasha says. "I mean, it's the same language. We've only been 100 years apart."

"Who knows?" Niccolo asks. "Maybe, after the king fled to this island, Marley decided to alter it to separate us from you."

"Heh, or maybe King Conrad screwed up the language after the memory wipe," Sasha suggests. "I should ask Eren to ask Historia about that."

"Or it could just be natural divergence," Niccolo says. "I mean, different regions of Marley have their own accents."

"Really? Like what?"

"Well, the first girl that I ever had a crush on in high school was from Southern Marley," Niccolo says. "She talked a kinda like this here."

Sasha's eyes widen slightly as Niccolo changes his tone of voice to what is apparently a Southern Marleyan accent.

"When I told my mom she was far from happy," Niccolo says. "She thinks that Southerners are bumpkins, but I liked-"

"That's how we talk in Dauper!" Sasha says.

"What?"

"Yeah, that's how my family talks."

"But, you don't talk like that?"

"I-"

Sasha clears her throat. She hadn't spoken in her natural accent for so long, she needed to readjust herself.

"Yeah, lots a people in these parts made fun of ma accent," Sasha says in her normal accent.

Niccolo is surprised by this, though he is also drawn to her more for it. Though he can imagine his mother throwing a fit.

"Aye decided ta try talkin different. Just'a fit in more. Dangnammit, I haven't spoken like this in a long time."

"I get it though," Niccolo says. "It's a shame, but sometimes we have to hide parts of ourselves to fit in socially."

"Have you ever had to do that, Niccolo?"

Niccolo looks around to make sure that no Marleyans are listening in. Luckily, his captain and comrades are busy with other business. Some have returned to work on the ships. others are chatting with the friendlier guards. Niccolo sees the guard, Samual, glaring at him. Niccolo didn't know why but that one particular guard seemed to have had it out for him ever since he started talking more with Sasha. He figured that maybe Samuel had a crush on her, though Sahsa told him before that she never had a boyfriend. He would need to ask Sasha about that later.

"You promise not to tell anyone?" Niccolo asks.

"I promise."

"Ok, so you know how in Marley Eldians are/were second-class citizens." "Yeah."

"Well, it's a bit worse than just being stuck in zones, being conscripted, and receiving lower pay," Niccolo admits. "The average Marleyan hates Eldians. I mean, honestly hate their guts. Were taught from birth to hate you-them because…you know the Titan war, and the general Marleyan population wants them wiped out. They have no idea why the military and government keep them alive."

"...Wow, I knew that Marley wanted us wiped out but I figured that just applied to our island," Sasha says. "Since we're the last of Eldia. I figured they would at alteast be tolerant of their own Eldians to let them live."

"Every day I would see Eldians being harassed by Marleyans," Niccolo says. "I would be walking home from the store and see a group throwing bottles and rocks at Eldians that are working on a street shouting that they should just die. Even when they get a permit to visit parts of the city people will just yell at them. Thanks for ruining my day. You tainted this place with your presence. I saw a janitor throw dirty water at a kid once."

"That's awful!" Sasha says. "I'm glad that Historia forced Marley to change that now! Oh, sorry, Niccolo." "No, don't be," Niccolo says. "You're right, it is awful. My family is considered 'tolerant'. My dad says that Eldians should know their place but doesn't say they should be wiped out. I for one have never been fond of unnecessary violence. But…if a Marleyan sympathizes with an Eldian in public its…:

"Bad," Sasha finishes. "Practically a death sentence," Niccolo says. "I'm sorry to say this Sasha, but I never did anything to stop any of those things I told you about."

"Sounds to me like you're a coward," Samuel says, approaching them. "Or maybe you were never all that 'tolerant' in the first place."

"Easy there, Samuel," Sasha says.

"No," Samuel says. "Do you think anything has really changed in Marley since Queen Historia threatened them? They still hate us just as much as before and the Eldians there aren't happy either. The reports from our spies say so."

"Obviously things aren't going to change overnight," Sasha says. "But hopefully if we can just force them to be nice, or at least not awful, the next generations will be better on their own."

"I highly doubt it," Samuel says. "And what does not awful even mean? Like him?" He points at Niccolo. "He said that we Eldians should know our place. So what? We get to live as long as we accept being treated like crap and serving you Marleyans? You feel a little sorry for us but you're too scared to say anything. No, you are just as bad as they are. And you don't deserve to breathe the same air as either of us."

As Samuel points to himself and Sasha, Niccolo feels guilt creeping up on him. He can't help but believe that Samuel is right. He was a coward back in Marley. And he wonders if he is still a coward now. He notices his captain glaring at him from afar while working, egging him on to get new information. Information that could be used to burn this island to the ground. Niccolo doesn't even want to fight anymore, and not when an island that he knows now is (mostly) full of good people will be ruthlessly exterminated if he does. He especially doesn't want to see himself standing over Sasha's grave. She's too sweet to die young.

"Ok Samuel, what is your problem?" Sasha asks. "You've had it out for Niccolo more than any other Marleyan here. Why do you hate him so much?"

"I hate that you keep talking to him," Samuel says. "He's our enemy, Sasha, and you're acting like your friends."

"What is wrong with trying to be friendly with him?"

"You're conversations are compromising the island!" Samuel shouts. "And surely there are better men you can associate with than this dork. What if I learned to cook? Would you leave this guy alone?"

"I haven't told Niccolo anything confidential," Sasha counters. "And who I 'associate' with isn't any of your business."

'Ok, so Sasha is unaware. Noted,' Niccolo thinks.

"Aren't you supposed to be watching the other Marleyans anyways?"

"Just be careful," Samuel says, though his tone isn't one of concern. "You tell these filthy Marleyans too much and they will stab you in the back, just like they did to Karl Fritz. And, I would hate to tell our superiors that the woman who saved my life has turned traitor."

Samuel walks away, giving Niccolo a stink eye. Sasha frowns at him and then turns back to Niccolo.

"Sorry about him," Sasha says. "He's been different ever since Historia took the throne. I mean he's always hated Marleyans but it's gotten worse."

"Yeah…So I heard that the queen is leaving the island soon," Nicoclo says, remembering what his captain wanted him to find out today.

"Yes, that is right," Sasha says.

"Well," Niccolo says. "I was wondering….If it's not confidential information…." Niccolo recalls Samual calling him a coward. "If….You have any plans to see the outside world someday."

Sasha smiles at him.

"Strange enough, I wanna go to Marley."

"Really?" Niccolo asks.

"Yeah, I just want to see what it's like there for myself," Sasha says. "That is another reason why I'm hoping we get real peace soon. Though I might have to hide that I'm from Paradis. Plus, when you go home maybe I could visit you."

'Go home?' Niccolo questions. 'I haven't thought about home in a while.'

"Sasha. I promise that if you go to Marley I will make sure that nothing bad happens to you."

Sasha smiles and pats his shoulder. Niccolo blushes slightly. She wanted to hug him but she didn't want to make a scene in front of the Marleyans (who would likely shun Niccolo) or the Parisians (who could report her behavior as treasonous). Niccolo sighs.

"So, just out of curiosity, do you think your family would like me?" Sasha asks. "Aside from being Eldian I mean. I mean I think my pa would like you if you two met. So I was just wondering."

"If you weren't a Paradisian and you met my family…My mom would think you're tactless."

Sasha laughs.

"Yeah, that's true," Sasha says. "Oh, speaking of my pa. I forgot to tell you that my parents got a new farm hand to help around the place."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, her name is Kaya. I haven't met her in person yet but my pa says she's a sweet girl."

So, Samuel has a crush on Sasha. I imagine that he was always attracted to her and such had probably grown after Sasha saved him from falling to his death when the Colossal Titan appeared in Trost. Although he likely never got around to expressing his feelings due to his duty as a soldier. He's quite irked that Sasha has become close to another man, especially a Marleyan.

Armin and Annie's respective parents are wary of each other. Annie's father is your typical "I don't trust my daughter's new boyfriend" and Annie's current situation is all the more reason for him to. Likewise, Armin's parents don't trust Annie. First of all, she was a Marleyan soldier. She was sent to Paradis to destroy the walls, kill their son, and everyone else inside. And Armin telling them that Annie was only a warrior to get her and her father a comfortable life and was never really loyal to them makes them distrust her more. if a person can't be loyal to their own country how can they trust her? Meanwhile, Armin's grandfather understands and likes Annie. By contrast, he doesn't like Annie's father since he doesn't approve of how he raised her.

And yes, Armin's parents and grandfather is still alive here. It was established before that traitors and those who were sent outside the walls were Titanized rather than killed in this timeline. So they returned to human about a year ago.

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