OK, I can explain. This story wasn't originally supposed to be published, and it's really a last-minute thing. In fact, I'm even 'writing' a separate Attack on Titan fanfic right now, but no crossover was planned.
Until I got my eyes back on Cross Ange after years, re-watching it, and I have to admit... wasted potential. The concept is solid and Ange is actually an interesting character in my opinion, from Norma-hating princess to pretty much the opposite. The rest of it though, well, it's kinda meh, if not straight-up bad. Fanservice is all over the place, the main villain is... pathetic to say the least, while everything else is essentially rushed. BUT I couldn't help but notice that the show, despite its obvious flaws, had some aspects in common with Attack on Titan. One of the best series ever released as far as I'm concerned. If you've watched AOT then you know. So I thought to myself, why not give it a try? Which is what I did xd.
So here I am, writing another crossover. For now, a test. Enjoy my friends.
In the vast expanse of the utopian World of Mana, where the boundless power of the Light of Mana granted humanity every conceivable luxury and comfort, one might imagine that conflict, crime, poverty, and devastation are nothing but distant memories of a bygone era. This world, shrouded in the illusion of perfection, appears to be a paradise untouched by the woes of the outside realm.
However, beneath the facade of tranquillity lied a dark current of discrimination and oppression. Within this seemingly idyllic society, there existed a group of individuals known as the Norma, females born into the world but unable to harness the Light of Mana to create, only to destroy. Branded as aberrating and degenerate monsters, the Norma were subject to systemic prejudice and ostracization as their very existence was seen as a threat to the fragile balance of harmony that the world of Mana wished to maintain.
"Humankind has evolved to harness the light of Mana but Norma rejected it to live on their strength. They are violent, cold-blooded creatures. Therefore, they must be purged from this world immediately." That was the oath that all the leading nations followed almost blindly to maintain the current status quo.
Amidst the various nations that enjoyed the power of the Light of Mana, there was one that distinguished itself among all the rest: the Marley Federation. One of the six nations of this world, and one of the largest and most notorious out there, Marley sustained his global power not only through rapid technological development, but also managed to maintain a solid military defence thanks to the power of the Titans in its possession. The power of the Titans was wielded specifically by the Eldians, a sub-category of humans uniquely capable of transforming into these colossal beings., however, it has been scientifically proven that only the Eldians possessed this extraordinary capability.
And how this power was harnessed: to fight.
In a remote area of the continent of Marley's southern regions, a battle was erupting. A loud roar pierced the air, echoing throughout the battlefield, as one of the invading DRAGONs descended from the sky, however its descent was abruptly halted. With a ferocious slash the Jaw Titan lunged forward, its razor-sharp claws tearing through the rosy coloured skin of the Schooner-Class DRAGON, causing its lifeless body to drop on the ground. The Jaw Titan was an assault weapon, its powerful jaw and teeth could shatter even the hardest of metals. Using its trademark speed and agility, the Jaw Titan's form moved its way through the DRAGONs horde, dodging and evading incoming attacks, and struck back almost immediately with striking precision.
DRAGON, an acronym for Dimensional Rift Attuned Gargantuan Organic Neototype, huge draconic beings that have appeared for several centuries now, flooding the earth through portals called the Singularity. Three classes were currently known, Schooner, Brig and Galleon-class. Each and every one of them with their own differences.
Ascending from the sky, two pairs of DRAGONs dived down at their target at high speed but the Jaw Titan did not relent. From a close distance, it hurled hardened multiple shards of claws-like javelins, launching them through the air with furious swipes. The sharp projectiles repeatedly pierced the gargantuan creatures, killing one pair of them on the spot. Attempting one more assault, the last two Schooner lunged forward attempting to reach the Jaws only for it to evade their grasp and take out both of them with one slash of its hardened claws and its strong, deadly bite, proving its notoriety. Relying on its agility and superior speed, the Jaw Titan leaped upward and teared through a descending Schooner, tossing it away.
As the Jaw Titan carved a path through the chaos, the Armoured Titan stood firm at the forefront of the battle, its towering bulky form and its armour-like plate segments glowed in all their glory. The Armoured Titan was mostly specialised in defence, but one of its charges alone could break through multiple walls at once. But with due research and refinements, it has become a force to be reckoned with in battle. Its skin forged dense, armour-like projectiles from its forearms. With a swift movement, it hurled these projectiles from his forearms, propelling them towards the incoming DRAGONS with incredible force.
The projectiles soared through the air like metallic javelins as they hurtled towards their targets with astonishing speed. With a thunderous impact, they struck the DRAGONS with devastating force, piercing their armour and sending them plummeting to the ground. With its path momentarily cleared, the Armoured Titan lunged forward with a thunderous sprint, its massive bulk piercing through the lines of the grounded DRAGONs with destructive strength.
Meanwhile, nearby, the Cart Titan lumbered forward with purpose, its back laden with two large machine gun cannons capable of piercing through the DRAGONs' scales. The Cart's speed and longevity allowed the shifter to sustain the form for several days without too much difficulty, serving as a supporting role in the battlefield. While the Armoured Titan engaged the DRAGONs in close combat the Cart Titan positioned itself strategically on top of a cliff, its cannon relentlessly unleashed its blasts at the gargantuan invaders.
As the Armoured and Cart Titan held the line against the onslaught of DRAGONs, the Female and Beast Titan moved into position, ready to unleash their own brand of devastation upon the enemies. Being the most versatile and the most adaptable, the Female Titan capitalised on these traits by manoeuvring amidst the swarms of DRAGONs. It wielded two large pistols with remarkable skill, juggling them effortlessly while unleashing precise shots and delivering powerful kicks to fend off the Schooners. But the Female Titan's arsenal was not limited to firearms alone. Not only it possessed a high combination of great endurance and mobility, but its hardening strikes were incredibly destructive. With a fluid motion, it seamlessly transitioned from ranged attacks to close-quarters combat, its powerful kicks striking with bone-shattering force, increasing their potency drastically due to its enhanced hardening capabilities.
With a primal roar, the Beast Titan made its presence known in the battlefield and took up its stance on top of a nearby cliff, its long powerful arm cocked back as it prepared to hurl the debris at the approaching Brig-Class DRAGONs. With a mighty heave, the Beast Titan launched the sharp objects with pinpoint accuracy and sheer throwing power. Every piece of debris thrown impacted with every DRAGON under Zeke's aim, causing gashes and wounds in their scales. One by one, the Brig-Class DRAGONs lifelessly fell to the ground, despite their larger forms, the Beast's throwing capabilities. Despite its ape characteristics, the Beast Titan was a fearsome adversary to face, it was large, strong and precise, it was terrifyingly good at long-range attacks, being able to wipe out several enemies with nothing but a fist full of boulders.
As the dust settled from the previous assaults, a new threat emerged from the depths of the Singularity; a Galleon-Class, a massive DRAGON with apparent magical capabilities, its imposing form casting a shadow over the battlefield as it emerged from the swirling portal. Its deep green scales glinting in the desert sun and its fourteen eyes gleaming with bright shades of crimson.
As the Cart Titan relayed the warning to the Beast Titan, it began to speak with a voice filled with urgency. "Zeke, Galleon-Class approaching. How far is Bertholdt?" Pieck asked her superior.
Zeke's gaze narrowed towards the opening gate. "He's on his way." He replied, keeping close attention to the emerging enormous DRAGON. "Should arrive... about now."
As the Chief spoke, all eyes turned skyward, where a lone plane streaked across the horizon. Within its cargo hold, the last incoming titan shifter came into view, glimpsing the DRAGONs coming out of the portal after the rear cargo door opened. Sighing deeply and readying himself, Bertholdt plummeted from the plane… and with a bite on his hand, he unleashed his transformation, the air crackling with energy as his colossal form erupted from the ground below.
The force of the explosion sent shockwaves across the desert canyon, engulfing it in a blinding flash of light and heat as a mushroom cloud erupted upwards, towering over the surrounding landscape. As the Colossal Titan's form crashed to the earth below a large number of Schooner-class DRAGONs were obliterated in an instant, while the Galleon-Class DRAGONs bore the brunt of the explosion, its massive bodies engulfed in the heat of the steam and consumed by the inferno. The Colossal Titan was considered a god of destruction, not only did it stand at 120 meters tall imposing a significant threat on the battlefield, but its lethal abilities included emitting scorching steam upon appearance, high physical strength and unparalleled destructive capabilities.
With a sense of relief washing over him, Zeke witnessed the aftermath of the Colossal's strike, as the Singularity rift finally closed. As the dust began to settle and the chaos of battle subsided, Zeke emerged from his Titan's nape, emitting a small puff of steam from it.
Taking a moment to collect himself, Zeke reached for his glasses, polishing them with a handkerchief. "Success." He announced calmly, his voice carrying a tone of mild satisfaction. Despite the destruction left in their wake, the War Chief remained largely unfazed, as he scanned the area with watchful eyes, several corpses of DRAGONS, decaying Pure Titans and aircraft wrecks alike were scattered around the desert canyon area. "I guess it's safe to say we're done for today."
Later on, as the fire of the battle ceased to exist, the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the desert landscape, the Warriors gathered at the campsite, a heavy silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the crackling of the campfire and the distant echoes of battle.
The Warrior Unit was a group of Eldians chosen by the Marleyan government to inherit the powers of the Nine Titans and served as elite soldiers. These warriors undergo intense training and are sent to fight to protect humanity of the world of Mana from the DRAGONs.
Zeke, the cunning strategist with eyes that betray a hidden agenda. Reiner, the stalwart defender burdened by the weight of his past. Bertholdt, the quiet giant whose unwavering loyalty belies a tumultuous inner turmoil. Porco, the brash and impulsive warrior driven by a thirst for protection. Annie, the stoic martial artist whose motives remain shrouded in mystery. And Pieck, the clever tactician whose keen intellect is matched only by her unwavering resolve.
Placing down his spoon on his plate, Zeke, the group's de facto leader sat at the head of the camping table, his expression unreadable behind his polished glasses. "Well, that was quite the skirmish." He remarked, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. "Well done everyone. Once again, this is a great victory for Marley and the world of Mana."
"Yeah…" Reiner trailed off and nodded in agreement. "Things look like to be going in our favour against the DRAGONs, this horde mostly had Schooner-class, with a few dozen of Brig, pretty unusual if you ask me."
"Probably because they still believe they're dealing with a few Mana users." Zeke stated with his cigarette between his teeth, taking out his pocket ashtray. "It's not surprising considering their ability that solely work on Mana users."
"At this point I wonder if DRAGONs have any sort of intelligence." Pieck pondered, sipping her own soup. "In a way they somewhat remind me of Pure Titans, but unlike them, they seem to have consciousness and they also appear to be able to assume formations."
"Who can say. According to Yelena and her entourage, DRAGONs mostly follow their predatory instinct. It's not clear whether they possess a conscience or not." Zeke commented with a hint of curiosity in his tone, lighting up his cigarette. "Still, it was fascinating. I don't think I've ever seen so many DRAGONs in one place before. And since some Brig and even a Galleon also showed up, it appears they decided to bring out the heavy artillery."
Bertholdt looked thoughtful as he chewed on a piece of dried meat. "Do we have any intel on why the DRAGONs are becoming more aggressive lately? It feels like they're being driven by something."
Zeke leaned back, considering the question. "We've been guessing that something or someone, is riling them up, leading to more attacks here and on Arzenal."
Bertholdt made a nod in understanding. Annie remained silent from the time being, focusing on her soup, deciding not to butt in the conversation at hand, while Bertholdt sported a troubled look on his face.
"So…" Pieck broke the silence with a pointed question. "How many casualties this time, Zeke?" she asked gloomily.
The War Chief puffed a cloud of smoke from his mouth. "Approximately two hundred."
Porco perked up from his meal, questioning with a frown. "What the hell, Zeke?! Are you kidding me? That's about twice as much since the last Singularity!"
"I know, but considering the extra weight of the last Pure Titans used and the soldiers sent to the frontline, I'd say the number is pretty much on point." Zeke answered logically.
Pieck sighed. "Yeah… Marley's been accelerating and expanding the Mutation Titan Program 'to ensure this world's safety from the DRAGONs' as they say, which means more sacrifices on the table. Plus the fact that the non-Titan Eldians can use nothing but a simple aircraft doesn't exactly help reducing the losses either."
"Hm. Expanding?" Bertholdt asked. "Does that mean it's going to spread worldwide?"
Zeke shook his head, realising smoke from his mouth. "Unlikely. Since ninety percent of the Eldians are confined in Marley, the possibilities remain rather low. It's no wonder they've been containing us in once place, the more Eldians out there, the more useful we can be." He explained. "Don't forget it was what allowed us to strengthen our Titans."
The Mutation Titan Project, in simpler terms, Marley's most ambitious scientific undertaking regarding Titans. Thanks to the expertise of Marley's leading scientists, extensive research and experimentation resulted in the enhancement and adaptation of the Nine Titans' structure and capabilities.
"And seeing how fast science is progressing, I wouldn't be surprised if Marley manages to create intelligent Pure Titans in a few years' time." Zeke continued with a light quip. "And who knows. Maybe they'll even find a way to break our 'curse' for good."
"Maybe…" Porco muttered under his breathe in an uncertain tone. "But still…"
"If it's to save our motherland and our people, that's enough for me." Reiner chimed with a serious look on his face. "It's our duty as Warriors."
"Of course you'd say that." Porco snorted quietly, rolling his eyes.
Zeke stood up from his spot and at his subordinates. "For now rest my brave Warriors, you've earned it." He conceded with a small smile on his lips, placing his cup on the table. "We'll carry out a follow-up of the area in the morning."
Under the moonlit sky, Angelise stood poised on the balcony, gazing out over the vast landscape of the Misurugi Empire below. The sparkling lights of the city mirrored the stars above her, creating an illusion of harmony and tranquillity. Beside her, Momoka dutifully stood behind her lady.
When Angelise's lips escaped the soft sounds of the 'Eternal Story', she felt a familiar sense of comfort. The song, passed down for generations by the royal family. Tonight however, her thoughts were not consumed by nostalgia, but by the weight of his impending responsibilities. With her sixteenth birthday approaching, Angelise was struggling with the uncertainty of her future. As the first princess of the Misurugi Empire, she had to uphold her family's ideals and lead her people to a future of peace and prosperity.
As the air was blessed with Angelise's voice, her mother, Queen Sophia Ikaruga Misurugi soon joined her on the balcony. With a gentle smile Sophia sang along with her daughter as their voices harmoniously blended together. After a few moments, she spoke with a warm and affectionate tone.
"You are exactly the same as when you were a child, Angelise." Sophia told her daughter gently. "Whenever something upset you, you would come here and sing this song."
Angelise nodded with a small smile tugging on her lips. "It's like... it's like the song has the power to cleanse my soul." She confessed, placing her hand on her chest. "To wash away all the doubts and fears that weigh me down."
Sophia's gaze softened as her hand reached out to gently brush against Angelise's shoulder. "It truly does, dear." She agreed, her tone filled with quiet understanding. "Eternal Story was written to guide our family and people, to help us follow the right path."
"Follow the right path, yes…" Angelise's brow furrowed slightly as she pondered her mother's words thoughtfully, as her gaze drifting back to the city below. "Mother, I love this world with all my heart." She confessed with a quiet reverence. "The light of Mana chases away the shadows of war, poverty, inequality... Humanity is able to live in a perfect world because of it." She smiled at her own words. "Which is exactly what I needed to advance and discover my true path."
"Are you saying you found it?" Sophia inquired curiously.
"I've searched for it to follow once I become empress." Angelise nodded as she revealed the events of the day. "I encountered my first Norma and a rebellious Eldian today." She confessed, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.
Sophia's gasp was audible, in a mix of surprise and concern. But she said nothing choosing instead to study Angelise's face.
"Those mutants who cannot use Mana, as well as those uncivilized Devils that can transform into gigantic monsters… Mother I don't understand, why do you believe such beings exist? Is it to disrupt our harmony, to sow discord, or to simply defy our understanding?" Angelise asked pensively.
"We are still searching for the truth. Nobody knows the cause of the Norma being only female, nor do we understand the origins of the Eldians and their ability to turn into Titans." Sophia's response was measured, her gaze steady as she met her daughter's eyes.
"Yes, we know very little." Angelise nodded in agreement with a pondering look on her face. "Mother, I wish to find the solution to these riddles." She declared in a resolute tone. "If we could be able to eradicate them all at once… only then, I'm certain the world will know absolute peace."
Sophia's expression softened with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "My dear. The solution to these riddles may not be as simple as you believe. Our world may be perfect on the surface, but perfection comes at a cost, and can be archived through sacrifices."
"Mother, I don't understand what you mean." Angelise spoke in confusion.
"Angelise." Sophia began gently. "Let me tell you a story, a story of a woman named Christa."
Angelise blinked her eyes in recognition. "Yes, I've heard of the legend of Christa." She admitted reflectively. "But I've always considered it just that, a legend, shaped and passed down through the royal families to uphold their power and authority."
Sophia nodded her head as she carried on her tale. "Legends often contain grains of truth. While the tale of Christa may have been embellished over time, there is no denying the profound impact it has had on our society. She was said to possess a fierce determination to fight for humanity and freedom, standing against insurmountable threats. Her courage and selflessness became the foundation of her story, inspiring countless generations. It's a story that has shaped our society and instilled values of courage and resilience."
Angelise was deep in thoughts. Christa was known to be a simple human girl, someone who fought teeth and nails to protect humanity. But the tales she read in the past were steamy and did not go into much detail, as Christa appeared centuries ago.
"To protect what Christa achieved, we must eradicate the monsters and the devils of the earth." Ange said in a more resolute tone.
Sophia shook her head gently with a tender smile on her lips, as she approached her daughter. She reached up and removed the family ring from her finger. "My dear daughter, sometimes true protection comes not from eradication but from understanding," she said softly. "There is more to these beings than what we perceive."
"Mother?"
"Angelise." Sophia pulled off the family ring she wore on her finger and stretched it out towards Angelise. "I want you to have this."
"The family ring?" Angelise asked, staring at it confusingly as its teal-coloured head shimmered in the moonlight.
Sophia nodded. "Indeed. This ring has been in our family for generations. It symbolizes our duty to seek truth and lead with reason and wisdom."
Angelise felt a rush of emotions, her confusion giving way to a deep sense of connection with her mother. She smiled warmly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you, Mother." she whispered, stepping forward to embrace Sophia.
'Remember sweetheart, the world is often more complex than it appears. There is usually more to a story than what we are told. Keep this in mind as you step into your future.' "May the light lead you to the right path." Sophia whispered, continuing to hug Angelise.
The Warriors' outpost stood in a rugged terrain, it consisted of a group of tents arranged in a rough circle, each marked with the emblem of the Marleyan army. The largest tent, which served as the command centre, was in the centre of the camp, its canvas walls reinforced by wooden poles and ropes to withstand the weather. Nearby, a small fire was crackling in a stone-lined pit with a pot hung suspended above the flames, filled with the remaining water from the earlier meal.
Inside their own tents, Reiner tossed and turned fitfully in his sleep, his restless movements betraying the turmoil within his mind.
Bertholdt's aircraft descended into the clearing, its engines whining as it hovered above a large pit at the center of the devastation.
"Reiner, over here!" Reiner heard Bertholdt's urgent voice.
The Armoured Titan's holder approached the spot where Bertholdt stood, Reiner pulled himself free from the neck of his Titan and followed his comrade's gaze.
"Reiner, look..." Bertholdt's voice was a strained whisper as he pointed towards the centre of the clearing. Dozens of bodies scattered around.
'No...' Reiner recoiled in horror, his stomach churning as he struggled to comprehend the scene before him. "No... this can't be!" he muttered, his voice shaking with disbelief. "They were..."
"Hey Reiner!" Bertholdt called his friend out in a worried tone.
Reiner continued to thrash about, caught in the grip of a nightmare.
"Reiner snap out of it!" Bertholdt exclaimed.
Suddenly, Reiner jolted awake with a gasp, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to catch his breath. Beside him, Bertholdt concern etched across his features as he reached out to gently shake his friend.
"Are… are you alright?" Bertholdt asked with concern as he looked upon his troubled comrade.
Reiner took a moment to collect himself, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tried to push the memories of his nightmare aside, wiping the sweat from his brow with a trembling hand. He gripped his head with his other hand, slowly recollecting his composure.
"…Yeah, just a bad dream." he murmured.
Bertholdt's brow furrowed with concern as he regarded Reiner with a thoughtful expression. "Was it... about, you know, that?" he ventured tentatively, knowing all too well the weight of the memories that haunted them both.
Reiner nodded, a heaviness settling over him as he recalled the events of that day. "Yeah..." he admitted quietly. "I can't seem to shake it off my head."
Bertholdt sighed in a nervous manner, his gaze distant as he contemplated their shared past. "Do you think... we should tell the others?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course not!... we pledged our cause to defend Marley from the DRAGONs to atone for our people's crimes!" Reiner immediately turned down. "Revealing such thing would only raise more questions, distracting us from our purpose to protect humanity!" Bertholdt's eyes trembled in recognition as he witnessed his friend's state.
"Reiner…" Bertholdt voiced in concern.
Reiner took a moment to collect himself as he tried to push the memories of his nightmare aside. "You… you understand what I'm saying, right?" He asked with a reluctant sigh.
"Yeah. I know. It's hard to forget." Bertholdt said hesitantly. "But still, are you sure you're alright?"
"I… I don't know. What we saw that day, dammit." Reiner slammed his fist against the pillow. "Why won't it just go away?"
Bertholdt's eyes travelled downward, unsure of what to make out of it. "Let's go join the others, and… try not to think about it, not too much, alright?" He suggested, hoping to shift the focus and bring some semblance of normalcy back to their morning.
"Sure… let's." Reiner nodded in agreement, the weight of his thoughts still persisting on his shoulders.
Reiner and Bertholdt walked out of their tent, the cool morning air providing a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere within. The deserted canyon area stretched out before them, its rocky terrain a constant reminder of their isolation and the dangers that lurked beyond. The sun had begun to rise, casting long shadows across the ground and illuminating the rugged landscape with a golden hue. In the outpost camp, the surviving Eldians were scattered around, some tending to minor injuries while others simply rested, their weary faces reflecting the hardships they had endured. The aroma of food cooking over an open flame wafted through the air, providing a small comfort in the harsh surroundings.
Porco and Annie were on breakfast duties, diligently preparing a meal from the limited supplies they had. A pot of porridge bubbled over the fire, accompanied by a few meagre pieces of dried meat and some foraged herbs. It was a humble meal, but in their circumstances, it was more than enough to sustain them. At a nearby camping table, Pieck and Zeke sat with a portable coffee maker between them. Pieck looked up from her task of pouring coffee into tin mugs as Reiner and Bertholdt approached.
"Morning you two." Pieck said with a smile despite the bleakness of the previous battle. "How did you sleep?"
Reiner managed to smile a little, trying to mask the lingering unease from his nightmare. "Could have been better." He replied, glancing at Bertholdt who nodded in silent agreement with a small smile of his own.
Zeke looked up from his mug, his eyes sharp and focused. "We've got a lot in our hands today." he said, gesturing for them to join the table. "But first, let's get some food."
Reiner and Bertholdt nodded and took a seat, the tension in Reiner's shoulders easing slightly as he settled in, causing Bertholdt to sigh briefly in relief. Porco approached with a couple of bowls of steaming porridge, handing them over with a gruff nod.
"Eat up." Porco said in a blunt manner. "It's not much, but it'll keep you going."
Annie silently followed with a small tray of dried meat and herbs, her expression as stoic as ever. She placed the tray on the table and sat down, her eyes briefly meeting Reiner's before shifting away.
Porco sighed, stretching his arms above his head and rolling his shoulders. "You know, we could really use someone with the light of Mana right now. It would make this whole thing a lot easier." He commented, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"And risk the imperial guards breathing down our necks?" Pieck asked with a joking smile.
"Well, at the very least we could cook a proper meal in no time, heal people's wounds, maybe even summon a bit of warmth in this godforsaken place." Porco pointed out as he joined the other warriors.
Annie remained silent, her focus on the portable coffee maker on the table. The device hissed softly as it brewed, without a word, she picked up the portable coffee pot and silently prepared a fresh brew for herself and the others.
"Speaking of mana, have you heard the news?" Zeke spoke up with a mug of coffee in one hand while holding the front page of the newspaper in another.
"What news?" Bertholdt asked, grabbing his own mug.
"Tomorrow's the day they're baptizing and crowning the new princess of Misurugi." Zeke explained.
Porco turned around. "Huh, why? Isn't she fifteen or something?" he asked as he gulped down his morsel.
"She is, but look at this." Zeke nodded in confirmation, reaching for the newspaper he had been reading. He unfolded it, revealing the headline, catching the Warriors' collective attention.
'Misurugi Citizens Gather for Lady Angelise's 16th Birthday Celebration; Baptism Ceremony Set for Noon Tomorrow in Arcadia.' The front page of the newspaper read. Arcadia was the capital of the Misurugi Empire, and one of the wealthiest places in the world of Mana as well as the residence of the royal family.
"So it's going to be something big, huh?" Reiner said.
"Apparently, the royal family believes she's up to the task." Zeke informed calmly. "Her recent words about the 'Norma plague' and the wish to 'find a way to eradicate them all' gained her widespread public acclaim."
"In other words, she's essentially cut from the same cloth as the rest." Porco snorted almost derisively. "Just one more spoiled princess in the branch, nothing we haven't heard of already."
Pieck interjected with a thoughtful expression. "Not necessarily." she countered with a calm shake of her head. "Not all royalty is the same. Take Misty Rosenblum for example. She is different."
"Yeah, and annoying as hell if you ask me." Porco pointed out.
Pieck couldn't help but smile at Porco's reaction. "Oh, come on Pock." She teased in a playful tone. "You know Misty's not like the rest of them. She's got a good heart, even if she is a royal." She asserted, knowing full well that he didn't appreciate the nickname.
"Don't call me that, Pieck." Porco retorted in annoyance.
Zeke and Reiner chuckled lightly at their interaction, while Bertholdt sported a small smile.
The Cart Titan shifter let out a brief giggle. "Anyway, Porco has a point. Why crown someone so young as her?" Pieck questioned, looking back at Zeke. "Wouldn't her brother be more suited?"
Zeke gestured at the newspaper. "Well according to the news, her brother's endorsement was key to Angelise's rise to empress, he insisted she was more than fit for the position and motivated her towards the throne."
"Wait, didn't her brother suggest the idea of applying stricter measures on the small Eldian communities in Misurugi?" Porco asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but the Misurugi and Rosenblum empires are on good terms with Marley and the Tyburs." Pieck reminded. "And that means that any 'stray' Eldians would likely be handed over to Marley."
Zeke nodded in agreement with Pieck's assessment. "That's precisely the case."
"Bastards. So much for being the 'Devils of the Earth'…" Porco sighed in dismay.
Annie, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Would you rather have the entire world against our backs again?" Annie asked with a bit of edge in her tone.
"You're the last person I need a lecture from, Annie." Porco shot back. "As if you really give a shit about the people around you. All you care about is yourself and get back home."
Annie's expression hardened. "I wouldn't go there if I were you, Galliard." She retorted sharply, narrowing her vision.
"Oh yeah, and what would you do, huh?" Porco asked with a frown, not faltering from her steely gaze.
Annie glared back in response, clenching her spoon with her hand. Even though Porco's words were harsh, Annie recognized that there was some truth to them.
"What's wrong, Annie? Cat got your tongue?" Porco questioned in irritation.
"Tch." Annie's face twisted in annoyance but she held her tongue, not dignifying his comment with a response. Instead, she returned to her coffee-making, her movements sharp and precise.
Before the argument could escalate further, Pieck intervened, her voice calm and soothing, a stark contrast to the brewing storm. "Alright, enough you two." She said firmly, but with a gentle undertone. "Let's focus on the task at hand. Zeke, what's the plan for today's meeting?"
Zeke was about to respond when his watch emitted a soft beep, indicating an incoming call. With a practiced motion, Zeke raised his wrist to his mouth, activating the device. He glanced at the screen and saw Yelena's name flashing. With a slight frown, he answered the call. "Yelena." He greeted her. "What's the update?"
Yelena's voice crackled through the communicator. "Zeke, how did the encounter with the DRAGONs go?"
Zeke's expression softened a bit. "It went smoothly, despite the higher-than-usual casualties." he replied, glancing at the others around the table. "The Warriors handled it well. Minimal casualties on our side."
"Good to hear." Yelena replied, a note of satisfaction in her voice. "Are the Warriors all present?"
Zeke hummed with a nod, even though she couldn't see him. "Yes, they're all here." he confirmed, his eyes scanning the group: Reiner, Bertholdt, Porco, Annie, and Pieck.
Yelena's tone shifted slightly, becoming more formal. "The Tyburs and the higher-ups want to speak with you all." she informed him. "They're requesting your presence in Liberio tomorrow morning."
So, as you can see, I decided to give the Marley's cast the role of 'main characters' alongside Angelise. In the AOT canon Marley is the second most important continent of the world, but still, we barely saw anything of it. Sure there's Liberio, but other than that, not much else was introduced, truly a shame.
Oh and before I forget, yes, I made the Colossal Titan larger, why? Well, I figured 60 metres high was not 'colossal' enough, which actually isn't. At least compared to modern-era buildings in the world of Mana.
So if you guys have anything to say about this, well, write me a review. Adios!