All rights belong to Hajime Isayama
Annie tries to distance herself from Armin to spare both of them pain while Bertolt makes his move.
I Have officially marked Island of Devils as completed. When I am done with this story, I will start a new one within the "Paradis Rises" universe. It will focus on Marley.
"So, are you done dating Krista NOW?" Bertolt asks Reiner. "It's been a while."
"Not yet."
"Then when, Reiner? On graduation? Or are you going to wait until we go back to Marley?"
"I'm…thinking about it!"
Annie, who is also in the room, shakes her head in amusement.
"The bitter irony. You were the one who called the people of this island devils the most. Now you can't keep your hands off of one."
Reiner crosses his arms. "First of all, me and Krista decided to wait until she was at least fifteen before getting physical. Second, since dating her I have gotten closer to Eren and earned some admiration among the guys."
"Reiner, at this point, it seems like you are in too deep."
"Well, I don't see you or Annie trying to get too close to anyone."
Annie starts listing the things she's done. "I sometimes talk to Armin, I started training Eren after he asked-"
"You got into a fight with Mikasa the other day," says Bertolt.
Annie grumbles. "I would have beaten her if Shadis hadn't broken it up."
"I don't know," Reiner says. "Eren said that Mikasa lifted the roof off his mother's legs once."
Bertolt rolls his eyes. "An exaggeration. No non-Totan can possibly be that strong. Not even her."
"Come on, I can barely hear them," Armin says as he tries to listen in from the other side of the wall.
Armin first became suspicious of Reiner and Bertolt talking about returning to their "hometown" without giving much detail about where it was or their lives before the fall. Though Armin accepted their excuse of it being too painful at first, he was also suspicious of how Reiner asserts his mother is still alive despite not being able to see her in years. While it seemed illogical to him that the Marleyans would send child spies, he supposed it made sense if they knew that Paradis accepts military recruits at a young age. He also noticed Bertolt and Reiner sneaking off every so often to talk in private, with Annie usually joining them. However, Armin still can't confirm anything, and he wants to be absolutely sure before he tells someone. So, he decided to get more info from a more direct source.
Armin sees Annie practicing her sparring on a punching bag. When Annie isn't in training or eating alone at lunch (of course, sitting back-turned to Bertolt and Reiner at her own table), this is normally where she is. Armin is briefly entranced by how beautiful she looks when the light glistens off her slightly sweaty form and creates an outline of her figure, but he pushes those thoughts out of his head. Armin knocks on the door and Annie turns around.
"Armin?"
"H-Hey, Annie." Armin holds up his notebook from class. "I was wondering if I could use this place to study since I thought it would be quiet. But since your here maybe-"
"It's fine. I'm almost done anyway."
Anna resumes assaulting the punching bag and Armin leans against the wall behind her. He tries to make no noise that would interfere with her practice as he pretends to read his notes. After a few minutes, Armin decides to make small-talk to ease her out of her shell, whilst her mind is mainly focused on her task.
"So, I heard that scientists in the interior have developed a device to drive away Titans," Armin says.
Annie doesn't take her eyes off of, or stop beating, the punching bag. "I heard that too. They are making these radios that are supposed to emit a sound that Titans can't resist. Pretty soon, the scouts are going to be lining them all over Wall Maria to bring all the Titans to one place then lead them out."
"Which is odd because I have never known Titans to be attracted to sounds before," Armin says. "Sure, the scots sometimes carry sound grenades to stun them, but drawing a Titan closer seems far-fetched."
"Oh, I'm sure the interior has some special method for producing Titan sounds."
Armin notices that Annie has begun punching her bag harder. He could also sense a tenseness in her voice. He would assume that she knows something, but he decides to play it cool and not press it.
"It will be nice," Armin says. "Leading the Titans outside the walls without risking any more lives. But I'm concerned with the funds for such a project."
Annie stops punching and looks at Armin with a raised eyebrow.
"I never took you for one to care so much about money, Armin."
"It's not a greed type thing. Wall Maria has a perimeter of about 3,000 kilometers. Wall Rose about 840 for Wall Rose. That leaves a distance of 100 kilometers between the two walls and an area of 660,000 kilometers of total land mass. Depending on the density and spacing of the Titans within the wall and how powerful the sound blasters are, we will need to invest in hundreds if not thousands of radios. And then, depending on how they make them there is also the issue of running cables in highly infested Titan areas and the cost per square foot of each cable. How many cables? And building an antenna to broadcast it. If you consider the labor cost for constructing the devices, the price of materials, the labor of placing them around the walls, we are looking at millions being spent. And when Maria fell Wall Rose was hit greatly economically from having to accommodate such a large increase in numbers. About 1/4 of refugees within Wall Rose are homeless and without jobs and I expect that the government will need to increase our taxes to gather funds which will only worsen Wall Rose economically."
Annie shrugs. "Yeah, I guess that's true. But what do you propose then? Slice all the Titan's napes? Or let them wander around Wall Maria forever?"
"I'm not saying the radios aren't a good idea," Armin clarifies. "I'm just saying that we need to be prepared for rough times. But once the wall has been reclaimed and all those people return to their homes we can rebuild our society's structure rather quickly."
"Not too quick. A lot of areas are struggling economically but others have adapted to the changes. Plus I imagine that a few people who came to Rose that managed to get homes and jobs might not want to go back to their old ones. Going back to how things were before won't be so easy."
"That's true. Plus with how many people died that day there will still be a lot of vacant positions. And this is all even if the lords of the districts pass the proposal. Unfortunately, many people prioritize monetary gain over the wellbeing of others."
Annie scoffs. "This island is full of resources that can't be found anywhere else in the world. Giant tree wood, ice burst stone, Iron-wood bamboo, and the ultra-hard steel it makes. Giant boars are even supposed to be extremely delicious. We're standing on a gold mine. We could heal the economy overnight if we sold a few chunks of the stuff to other countries." Annie's voice goes up slightly. "If, I had to guess, Marley half-sent those killers to take down the wall for resources, not just stupid genocide."
Armin gives her a look. "Do you really think that is the case?"
Annie hesitates, something that Armin notices. But then she scoffs.
"As if the Walls are much better," she says. "Don't they Titanize people here just for getting too old!?"
Armin flinches. He is suddenly reminded of when he was a boy, being told by his grandfather that his mom and dad won't be coming home. That they had been caught trying to illegally leave the walls and were being punished for treason. Which meant one thing, Titanization. Armin's eyes tear up, knowing that his parents are outside the walls right now, walking around in that endless nightmare of being mindless Titans until someone finally slices their necks. Armin clears his throat and wipes away a tear.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm sorry for bothering you, continue."
Armin then walks away, leaving Annie confused.
"Come on, Mikasa! What does Eren have that I don't!?" Jean whines as they do their drills together.
Jean tries to disarm Mikasa and take her knife, but the Asian girl continues to outmaneuver him and keep him back.
"We and Eren have a special connection that goes back to when we were kids."
"He's basically your adoptive brother!"
"I never saw it like that."
"It's still weird! He's a lunatic who is always ranting about wanting to destroy Marley, and he didn't even notice you until a year ago. You can do better."
Jean tries to take the knife from Mikasa when she is distracted. But she overcomes it and instead grips Jean's hand and backflips him to the ground. Jean lands on his back and Mikasa stands over him.
"By better do you mean you?" Mikasa asks as she helps Jean stand back up. "I'm sorry, Jean. But I love Eren and I'm sticking with him."
Jean scoffs and walks away, mumbling about how life isn't fair. Mikasa practices tossing the knife in her hands until she hears someone familiar approach her.
"Ackerman."
Hearing that voice causes Mikasa's insides to boil. She doesn't even bother to turn around, she just takes in a deep breath and answers in a cold-hostile tone.
"Annie. Why are you here?"
"Have you spoken with Armin?"
Mikasa growls softly. "Yes. He's been upset since yesterday. What do you want now?"
Annie rubs the back of her neck. "I think I might have said something that offended him. Could you please explain to me what?"
Mikasa retains her anger, but she subsides a bit. She can't completely blame Annie if she didn't know. So the Asian turns around to face the blonde girl.
"When Armin was a kid his parents were Titanized," Mikasa tells Annie, whose eyes widen realizing where she went wrong. "They tried to leave the walls in a hot air balloon without permission."
"I see." Annie looks down. "I suppose I should apologize to him?"
"Yes, that would be nice of you. Armin is with Eren right now."
Annie wordlessly walks away.
She spots Armin working with Eren on his drills. Armin is having a hard time disarming Eren, who continues to avoid him. Annie can tell by Erens body language that he is holding back, but knowing Armin he would be offended if Eren let him win so Eren isn't doing that either. He's just going about his drills with a neutral look on his face as Armin wills himself to go through with it. Eren then spots Annie, and he glares at her.
"Hey Armin, look, the bitch is here."
"What?" Armin turns around. "Oh, Annie."
Annie tries to ignore being called a bitch.
"I just spoke to Mikasa. I'm sorry, I didn't know about your parents."
Eren rolls his eyes. "Oh, sure you didn't."
Armin raises his hand and Eren backs away. "It's ok. I'm sorry for asking you so many invasive questions."
Annie sighs. "Really, I am sorry though. That was low."
"No, you're right," Armin says. "Our society has many flaws in it. There are days when I wonder if we're really all that better than Marley."
Eren groans. "Armin, of course we are! They keep people like us as slaves and want to kill us all!"
"Like how you, Floch, and several others want to kill them?" Armin asks. "Can you say that if there were Marleyans here they would be treated differently?"
"Well…They started it!"
Annie rolls her eyes. Although she feels her respect swell for Armin.
"You know Armin, you're still my best friend but this is why those bullies called you a heretic when you were a kid."
Annie's eyes widen. She remembers that boy she met long ago all too clearly now. The bullies. The hair. The talk they had and the friends he mentioned. Annie knows for certain that Armin is that same kid she met when she first broke down the wall, but she ignores that new revelation. It barely matters at this point.
"There is nothing wrong with not wanting to be a killer," Annie says, catching Armin and Erens attention. "The world has enough selfish people who think they can kill anyone they want because they can. Enough idiots. I think if the rest of the world was more like Armin it would be a much better place."
Armin smiles gratefully at Annie.
"Well…" Eren looks down. "Unfortunately there are alot of people who don't see it like that."
Annie takes the knife away from Eren.
"You clearly aren't challenging yourself by sparring with Armin. Why don't you give me a try?" Eren nods at Annie's words and Annie looks at Armin. "You, watch and learn. Strength isn't always about how much you can lift. It's how you use your body. Observe, I am shorter than you, and yet…"
Eren charges at Annie to take away the knife. Annie swiftly avoids Eren, she grabs his hands around Eren's body and throws him down. Annie gazes down at Eren, who moans on the ground and Armin gasps. Annie looks back at him
"...I can still handle someone bigger than me."
"That is an impressive fighting style."
"It is called Jiu-Jitsu."
It is a fighting style in Veracruz. A country across the sea west of Marley which was conquered by it decades ago, and the homeland of her (adoptive) father.
Annie has a brief flashback of her father handing her a letter in an envelope.
"The people from my homeland are forbidden by law from revealing this, so make sure that you don't open this until after you get to Paradis," he said to her. Before he hugged her and asked her to come back no matter what.
It wasn't until her third day in Paradis she got around to reading that letter. Reiner and Bertolt were sleeping while she was lying in bed staring at the envelope with a lamp by her side. She sighed and opened up the letter. After reading it, she decided that she can't tell Bertolt or Reiner about it. She folded it up, put it back in her pocket, and went to sleep.
Eren stands up. "Annie, you've got to teach me that move!"
"No."
"Why not?"
Annie smirks. "Because it's not for angry idiots."
Annie feels a shadow loom over her. She turns around and sees Shadis looking down at her.
"Annie? Why wouldn't you share a useful fighting technique with one of your fellow recruits?"
Annie thinks for a moment. She turns back to Eren.
"So, after you avoid the target you look for an opening."
Armin approaches Annie as she kicks her bag.
"Um, Annie?"
Annie sees Armin holding a box of doughnuts and smiling sheepishly. Her eyes are fixated on the sweets. She has always had a sweet tooth, and they are chocolate doughnuts. Her favorite.
"Oh, hey Armin. What do you want?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to say thanks for teaching me and Eren that cool move. I learned alot from you today." Armin holds out the box. "I have something to confess. The reason I approached you before was because I was a little suspicious of you." Annie tries not to flinch. "But I want to apologize for that now."
"Apology accepted. Thank you for the doughnuts. I will have one after I practice."
Armin looks at a set of dumbbells off to the side. "Do you mind if I train with you? I want to start training more outside of class so I can build endurance."
"Fine by me."
Annie resumes kicking and punching her bag, imagining various pressure points that she would hit in combat. Armin picks up some dumbbells and feels them for a good weight for him to do multiple reps with. He thinks they are too heavy, so he grabs the next lightest set. It is still too heavy, so he grabs the set after that. It is just right, but Armin is disappointed by the weight. Annie looks at the dumbbells and shrugs.
"Not terrible, for someone your size. You need to start somewhere. If you dedicate yourself to a few reps of ten every day you'll be ready for the next set soon enough."
Armin starts lifting.
"Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to get much bigger. My dad was around five six and I'm five four."
"As long as you're strong enough to get through training, I say you're good enough," Annie says.
"I wouldn't mind being stronger." Armin frowns. "I hate that Reiner sometimes takes my bag during our drills in the forest. I would hate for him to get disqualified because of me."
"That's Reiner for you." Annie becomes saddened, thinking of Marcel saving Reiner. "Always…trying to measure up. As for you, Armin, your strength lies in brains. If you ask me, you should be working toward being a engineer, or a strategist."
Armin shrugs. "I don't know. I guess I just don't want to be the guy that always needs someone protecting him."
Annie smirks. "Ok, if you're ever in trouble I'll let you save yourself."
She and Armin share a chuckle.
"You know, I think you're actually nicer than you let people believe."
"Oh, really?" Annie says, not entirely believing that herself. "Anything else you think about me."
Armin watches her punch the bag. "I really admire your strength and skill."
"Anything else?"
Annie sends a roundhouse kick into the bag. When she does, the light from above glistens off her mostened body and Armin is briefly awestruck by the way her hair flies across her face.
"You're beautiful," Armin blurts out.
He immediately covers his mouth and Annie looks at him in shock.
"Sorry, sorry, forget I said that."
Annie looks away, slightly blushing. "No. Thank you."
Armin nods.
"Well, I think I've made things awkward enough for the day. See you tomorrow, Annie."
"Same time tomorrow, Armin?" Annie asks.
Armin smiles. "Y-yes. Of course."
Armin leaves the room and walks away quickly, not seeing Bertolt listening on the other side.
Later, Armin sits at an empty table, reading a book on the history of Paradis and before the exodus. Like many times before, he compares what he reads to other books on history and he sees various discrepancies between each other. For one thing, it says that a plague that broke out hundreds of years ago disappeared overnight thanks to an unspecified doctor discovering the cure weeks in advance and treating all the patients at once. But another account he read said that the plague vanished naturally over several weeks. Likewise, there are vague references to an "empire" that caused the downfall of Marley and other regions but Armin has never been able to find anything more about it.
But his thoughts are interrupted when Bertolt knocks on the wood of the table.
"Armin, can we talk?"
"Oh, Bertolt. Sure." Bertolt sits in front of Armin. "What do you want?"
"I want you to stop talking to Annie," Bertolt says, bluntly.
"What?"
"I've seen you two together. I know you like her alot. Well, I'm here to tell you that I know Annie and she isn't interested."
Armin recalls seeing Bertolt glance at Annie a few times. He can tell that the taller boy has a crush on her and Armin figures that he is just jealous.
"Did Annie tell you this herself?"
"Look, Annie has big plans to get into the Military Police. She can't do that if someone who doesn't even have a chance of getting in is holding her back."
"We're just friends, Bertolt." Armin frowns. "And maybe if you're jealous you should confess to Annie yourself."
Bertolt smacks his hand on the table. "There are things that you do not know, Armin. Trust me, you are better off staying away from her."
As Bertolt leaves, Armin thinks about what he said. And he re-considers that there is more to Reiner, Bertolt, and Annie than they let on. Which means one thing, he is definitely not going to stay away from Annie.
849
"Reiner, it's been two years! How long are you going to keep dating Krista!?" Bertolt yells.
Reiner shushes him. "Quiet, someone will hear you. And Krista hasn't given me a reason to dump her. If I did all of a sudden it might look suspicious."
"BULLSHIT! You've gotten in too deep! You're in love with the girl."
"She's not a girl. She's a de-" Reiner hesitates.
"See!? You can't even say it!" Bertolt puts his hands to his face. "What happened to you, Reiner? If your twelve year old self. could see you now he would report you."
"My twelve year old self was a stupid naive child who didn't know anything," Reiner says, looking down. "But I assure you, Bertolt, no matter what I am still devoted to our mission. Connie, Floch, Eren, as nice as they seem, they have all at one point said they want to stick it to Marley. That makes them devils. And it is our job to prevent that. For our country and our families."
Bertolt can sense some doubt in Reiners's voice, but he crosses his arms nonetheless.
"You better remember that."
"As long as we are on the topic of relationships, when are you going to confess to Annie?"
Bertolt stutters. His heart nearly stops and his brain struggles to find the words to defend himself.
"What are you talking about?"
"Bertolt, it's obvious that you like her."
"Even if I did, what would be the point of confessing?" Betolt asks. He looks down. "We will both be dead in nine years or so anyway."
"It's BECAUSE we're going to be dead that you HAVE to confess!" Reiner says. "So you want to be tied up, in front of the next warrior Titan ready to eat you, with a body that is failing anyway and have any regrets?"
"Were soldiers, Reiner. Blood is on our hands. We all have regrets with us already that we will carry to our graves. Or, rather into a Titans mouth."
Reiner sighs. "Be that as it may, there are some things that we can help. Like, spending our time left at least a little happy," Reiner thinks about Krista. "With someone we love and who makes us feel like we deserve it. Like we are people instead of just weapons."
"So is that why you won't leave Krista? How do you think she will react when we find out who you really are?"'
"This is between you and Annie," Reiner says. "Besides, the longer you wait, the more that Annie will start to look at other people."
Bertolt sweats.
"There is a rumor going around that Annie and Armin like each other," Reiner reminds Bertolt.
"That's just a rumor," Bertolt says with a raised voice. "They just work out and talk together. I've seen them! Neither makes a move! Besides, Annie isn't going to compromise getting back to her father."
"Still, out of all of us, Annie was the least genuinely loyal to Marley. She said so herself. We, you, should make sure that she stays away from any bad influences."
Reiner reaches into his pocket and hands Bertolt a piece of paper. Bertolt unfolds it and it is a flier for a festival that is happening in town next weekend. It is the "Fritz Festival" celebrating the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Walls by King Karl Fritz, the first king. It has advertisements for games, prizes, and many other fun activities.
"You want us to go to a festival celebrating the day the devils fled from the mainland, away from justice, and left our ancestors?" Bertolt scoffs. "You really have changed."
"Krista asked me, I had to say yes. Eren is going with Mikasa and he told me that Armin is going to ask out Annie tonight when they see each other. So you better do it now."
"Annie isn't going to say yes to this. She hates crowds."
"I'm not going to say "yes" to what?" she asks.
Bertolt and Reiner jump back at Annie suddenly entering the area. Bertolt stares at the tiny girl as she crosses her arms looking at them.
"Well? I heard you saying my name. What is it?"
Reiner grabs Bertolts shoulders. "Annie, Bertolt wants to ask you if you want to go to the festival with him. On a date."
"What!? Reiner!"
Annie's eyes widen. "Bertolt, is this true?"
Annie feels something churn inside her stomach. It wasn't like the feeling that she felt when Armin asked her earlier.
Annie and Hitch were getting ready to head out for training. They hear a knock on the door. Hitch stands up.
"I got it." Hitch walks to the door and opens it. "Oh, Armin. What a nice surprise."
Annie is suprised. She wonders why he is here, and why did Hitch have such an elevated voice. Of course, she knew the reason for the last one. Hitch had been teasing her for a while now about her and Armin, no matter how many times Annie insisted that the two of them are just people who train together.
"Hey, Hitch. Can I talk to Annie?"
"Sure. Annie, it's for you! I'm just going to give you two some privacy."
Hitch giggles as she leaves the dorm. Annie curses Armin mentally and stands up to face him. He is looking at her with a bit of anxiousness.
"Armin. What brings you bye?" Annie asks.
Armin fidgets with his hands. "Well, uh, as you know there is a festival coming up soon."
Annie's breathing increases slightly and her heart slightly faster. She hopes to god that he isn't going to ask her what she thinks he is.
"Yes, what of it?"
"Well, we've been friends for a while. And…" Armin locks eyes with Annie. "I really like you."
Annie sucks in a breath, her heart beats faster, and she feels one or two butterflies in her stomach. She tries to repress all of that.
'Damn you Arlert! Why did you have to say that!?'
"So I was wondering, if you're not too busy, maybe…you…want to go…with me…"
Annie uses full control of her facial muscles not to show it. To put on a neutral expression. But inside she is fighting the urge to scream. The truth was that she had grown quite fond of Armin as well. He is smart, and cute, and he has a good heart as well as a determination despite his drawbacks that she admires. She curses him for being like this. She curses herself for letting him get to her. If he was a Marleyan-Eldian or she really was a Paradisian she would have accepted this. But they aren't. She has a job to do, a Coordinate to steel, and a father to get back to. Which will unfortunately also result in the destruction of this island, but she can't defy her mission, not when her father's life is on the line and if she never gets to see him again if she does. So, she decides to make things better for herself and Armin.
"Armin. We're comrades, not friends." Annie steels herself against Armins surprised and hurt expression. "I let you train with me out of pity and we engaged in small talk. That is all."
Armin looks down. "Ok. I'm sorry for bothering you. See you in training."
Annie curses herself seeing Armin walk away. But she reminds herself that she is directly responsible for the destruction of Armin's home and the loss of his grandfather. She tells herself that he would hate her if he knew that and tells herself that it is for the best. Annie sits on her bed slumped over and Hitch walks back into the room, giving her a disapproving look.
"Why did you lie to him?" she asks.
Annie doesn't respond.
Now, Annie stands facing Bertolt. To be honest she is surprised to hear this. He was a good comrade, she respected him, and considered him a friend along with Reiner. But he was always so shy and quiet that him having romantic feelings never occurred to her. This revelation doesn't cause the same amount of turmoil in her stomach that Armin asking her out did. Her heart doesn't race and she doesn't feel much besides confusion. Although, thinking about it from a logical standpoint, Bertolt is a better match compared to Armin. He is a fellow Marleyan-Eldian, a warrior, they have the same goals and, ahem, life expectancy. She supposes Bertolt is also good-looking and he is least likely to turn on her. Granted, she is not entirely sure if she has any romantic feelings for him, but she is willing to give it a chance.
"Sure."
"Wait, really?" Bertolt asks, surprised.
"I'm willing to go to a festival with you," Annie says. "You're a good friend, I'm not sure if I feel more than that, but I'm willing to give it a shot."
Bertolt smiles. "Great! Great, I'll be happy to take you!"
"Good." Annie averts her eyes. "I actually just rejected Armin's invitation this morning."
Bertolt and Reiner exchange glances.
"Did you?"
Reiner thinks. "Huh, you know I think I noticed Mikasa and Eren giving you dirty looks during training."
"Yeah, I told him we weren't friends. He's probably going to be more hurt seeing me go with you. I mean, more than he already is."
"Why do you care, Annie?" Bertolt asks.
"...I don't," Annie lies.
The rumors about Annie and Armin stopped spreading after the class found out that Annie was going to the festival with Bertolt. Armin eventually asked Sasha if she wanted to go as friends and she accepted, under the condition that she pay for her food. So Armin decided to just hang out with Mikasa and Eren.
After Annie rejected Armin, he stopped joining Annie for her personal training sessions and they mostly avoided each other during training. Mikasa at times showed an attitude toward Annie, but Armin told her to be civil.
However, when the festival finally arrived, the three groups were inevitably stuck together. Bertolt, who was with Annie, needed Reiner around him to help nudge him on. Reiner was already taking Krista so he had to hang around with her "siblings" Mikasa and Eren. And Armin was gravitating toward his friends.
The festival is held at night. A cool summer breeze blows across the faces of the customers as they visit various attractions and booths. Some sell food (which Sasha and Connie gorge themselves on), and others have carnival games and prizes to win.
Such as the "shooting" game, in which Annie and Mikasa are competing against each other. It was no different from shooting during training, the two have always had a rivalry over who gets higher marks, but throughout the last week there has been actual hostility behind their rivalry.
The two girls hit each target with their cork guns, never missing, as everyone else watches stunned as the two girls glare at each other with cold fury and their date's hands fill up with prizes.
"Wow, they are really going at it," Krista whispers to Reiner, as Eren struggles to keep his grip on a giant teddy bear, a board game, fuzzy dice, and various other prizes that he keeps receiving.
"Yeah, Annie doesn't like feeling threatened and Mikasa has been old ever since Armin told her that Annie rejected him."
Reiner looks at Bertolt, who is also struggling to hold a stuffed lobster, a toy gun, a jester hat, and various other prizes that Annie keeps putting into his hands.
"I didn't want them to hate each other," Armin says, sadly.
"Then can you help me carry all these prizes?" Eren asks, losing his grip on the teddy bear.
Armin takes some things away from Eren, Krista helps as well. Reiner then grabs some things from Bertolt.
"Here, let me help you, Bertolt."
"Oh, thank you, Reiner."
"So, are you enjoying your time?" Reiner asks.
"Yeah. It's a little awkward with Armin being here though."
"Sorry, it's unavoidable considering that he is part of Krista's friend group. Perhaps you two should go to the lake where it is more private? I hear there will be fireworks later. Very romantic."
Bertolt thinks this over.
"Enough!" the vendor of the booth shouts, taking the guns away from Annie and Mikasa. "You have cleared out half of my stock! Leave before you run me out of business!"
Mikasa and Annie walk away, scoffing.
"I won more prizes than you," Annie says to Mikasa.
"That's only because that man stopped me from shooting the last can."
"I'm surprised the cans don't have seashells on them," Bertolt says.
Everyone else (except Reiner and Annie) turns to him, confused. The two Marleyan blondes don't react because, back in Liberio, many festivals that they get have at least one booth where the targets look like devils or have the nine-pointed star symbol on it. Of course, those booths are funded by the military.
"Why would they have seashells?" Armin asks.
Annie averts her eyes and Bertolt sends him a look.
"You know, because seashells are the symbol of Marley."
"That's a great idea!" Eren exclaims.
"That's a little much, Eren," Mikasa says.
"What? It will help motivate kids to fight against the Marleyans."
"That sounds like brainwashing," Armin adds.
"It is brainwashing," says Annie.
Jean approaches the group, along with Marco, Sasha, and Connie.
"What is brainwashing?"
"Oh, hey Jean," says Eren. "Bertolt had this great idea of the festival using Marleyans as target practice."
Connie smiles. "Now that I would play."
"It's a little much," says Jean. "Maybe in training but not for public festivals. We don't need to breed more Jaegers and Forsters."
"Hey!"
Sasha frowns. "I don't think we should be encouraging hatred either way."
Eren scowls. "Sasha, they sent monsters to kill us."
"Well I'm sure not everyone in Marley is like that."
Annie scoffs and Reiner flinches.
"Sasha, you have seen the images of the internment zones. They actually encourage Marleyan kids to throw rocks at our kind."
"Well honestly I think that's an exaggeration."
The three Marleyan-Eldians in the area exchange glances. Unfortunately, that is the truth. They all remembered when they were around five, their teachers in Liberio reluctantly took them on a "field trip" to the outer regions of the internment zone wall. They were forced to stand around for an hour before the Marleyan kids arrived and stood on a balcony over them. Their teachers covered their eyes as the Marleyan teacher handed each of the Marleyan kids a handful of rocks. The Marleyan kids were taught that if they hit more than one devil they would be rewarded. If they refused to throw a single stone, they would be punished, all while repeating the rhetoric that the Eldians deserve it for what their ancestors did and saying that if they don't show them their place the devils will attack them. Reiner remembered the Marleyans laughing, one saying that he was going to get that prize. Annie remembers them yelling that they (Eldians) stink and calling them "bad guys". Bertolt remembers seeing one Marleyan hesitate until he noticed the teacher and other kids scowling at him, then he threw a rock right at Bertolt's face.
"Whatever, if someone's going to take my freedom, I'm going to take theirs first."
"If only our island was bigger," Connie muses. "Then we could actually fight them so they leave us alone instead of hiding behind walls and Titans."
Jean shakes his head. "I say leave them alone as long as they leave us alone. Now, the freaks that they sent to tear down the walls, THATS who we should be after."
Again, the three flinch.
"They are literally trying to kill us for no reason," says Connie. "Screw all those assholes."
"And yet you want to be an MP instead of a Scout," Eren chides.
"You don't have to be a scout, Eren," says Marco. "When Marley invades we will ALL have to fight. And when you serve the king, you get the strength of a Titan without even having to become one. We will have the strength to defend the king from anyone who attempts to kill him. I cannot think of a greater honor."
Armin thinks. "Come to think of it, how come only the Military Police get enhancement serum while the ones who would actually go out in the field don't?"
"Because the serum they use requires rare ingredients so they can't produce enough of it," says Mikasa.
"No, Armin is right," says Annie. "It would be one thing if they gave the serum to every person who makes it to the top ten, but they only give it to those who become Military Police. It seems to me that you train so hard for the power to fight just so you can avoid the battlefield."
The Paradisians think over Annie's words. They all realize that she is right, and everyone (especially Eren) groans in frustration.
"What the hell!? I've spent so much time training to be stronger when the point is to get away from the fighting!?"
"My guess is that the person who thought of that system was a top ten MP," says Krista.
"Yeah, maybe. That and his majesty wants all the best protection for himself. The coward."
Marco gasps. "Annie, don't talk about the king like that!"
"No, Annie's a bitch who broke my best friend's heart, but she's right."
Annie turns and makes no comment.
"Don't talk that way about Annie!" Bertolt yells.
"Yeah, Eren, I said I didn't want you and Mikasa showing her attitude because of me," says Armin.
Reiner gets between them.
"Ok, that's enough everyone. Bertolt, Annie, why don't you and Annie have some alone time? The fireworks should be starting soon."
"Y-yes. Come on Annie."
Bertolt leads Annie away from the group, who briefly looks back at Armin as she is led away. Armin's mouth twitches as he watches her go and Sasha approaches Armin, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I hope she's happy."
Eren scoffs. "She didn't even have the decency to say you're her friend, Armin."
"Well, Annie is pretty aloof in general," Reiner says.
"Not too aloof for Bertolt," says Connie. "I don't mean to make you feel bad, Armin, but he is tall. Also…well you know we all shower next to each other and…"
"Ok Connie, that's enough," Armin says.
Reiner looks down. "Armin, if it's any consolation, Annie said she was lying about not considering you her friend."
"What?"
"Yeah, what?" Mikasa asks.
"She said so, she only said that because she thought rejecting you would be easier if you hated her. But believe me, things between you and Annie wouldn't have worked out anyway. There are things about her that you don't know."
Armin looks down. "If that IS true then I would have appreciated it if she told me that."
"I will say this much more, Armin," Mikasa says. "You told her how you self, and you did so on your own. Without anyone having to prompt you. You took a chance, and even if it didnt work out you went for it. That takes guts."
Eren can tell by the look on Mikasa's face that she is having some internal doubts about herself. He sighs.
"I'm sorry I never realized your feelings before."
"It's ok, Eren."
Eren looks at Mikasa right in the face. "I love you."
Mikasa pulls Eren in for a kiss on the lips. Jean groans and walks away.
Annie and Bertolt sit at the bank of the lake as the fireworks go off. The sky lights up with pink, green, blue, and various other colors in beautiful shapes and sizes.
"It's beautiful, isn't it Annie?"
"Yeah, it is."
Annie goes over her current situation. She has had a nice time with Bertolt. They diverged from the main group and walked around for a bit before sitting by the lake. Bertolt bought Annie some sweets. He dodged in front of a flying drink and saved her from getting wet (which she was really grateful for). And he has been nothing but a gentleman this entire time. And yet, she just doesn't feel any spark. She keeps thinking about Armin being the third wheel to Eren and Mikasa. The only person in the group who doesn't have a date. The sad look in his eyes seeing her with Bertolt.
"Are you ok, Annie?" Bertolt asks.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thinking that we're going to be graduating next year and soon we can get off this stupid island."
Bertolt nods. "And then if we don't destroy it, Marely will. It's a shame, I have to admit. Bertolt sighs. "But unfortunately this world is just that cruel. Reiner wants to try convincing our superiors to put most of them into internment zones, but I think we all know that Marley would rather kill everyone here. Or turn them all into Titan Fodder. Maybe we should raze this island. It would be the more humane option for everyone here."
Annie averts her eyes.
'Armin would rather press the issue until they changed their minds. He would fight for everyone to live.'
"But let's not talk about that right now." Bertolt looks at Annie. "Did you enjoy your time, with me?"
"It was…fine."
Bertolt leans in, but Annie pulls back.
"Bertolt, why do you like me?" Annie asks.
"You're the prettiest, coolest girl I know. I've liked you since we were in the program together."
"And yet you didn't confess until now?" Annie questions.
"I…was afraid to start a relationship considering how much time we have left. But now I think that Reiner is right. We need to be with who we want to be with so we die happy. Granted, in his case, I wish that wasn't an islander."
Annie shrugs. "It will make things difficult when we have to leave, no doubt. But don't go acting hight and mighty. Were all Eldians at the end of the day."
Bertolt chuckles. "Of course, some of these Eldians want to destroy Marley."
"Not even Eren wants to kill those of us in the zones. His whole life he has wanted to save us. And yet here we are…"
Bertolt narrows her eyes. "Don't forget why we're doing this, Annie. You need to get back to your father."
"You don't think that if I had forgotten I would be here with Armin instead?" Annie snaps. She immediately regrets it.
Bertolt' stamers.
"Sorry. You know what? it doesn't matter. Let's just enjoy the rest of the fireworks, ok?"
"No, it does matter," Bertolt says. "I distinctly remember you telling me that you told Armin that you didn't even consider him a friend."
"I was just trying to make him get over me."
"So if Armin was from Marley would you have said "yes" to come here with him?"
Annie narrows her eyes. "Bertolt, are you jealous?"
"Why would I be jealous? I'm the second-strongest Titan in the world and an Honorary Marleyan and he's just a short devil. Me and Reiner were worried that he was leading you astray, but luckily I was worried about you over nothing."
Annie raises an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean? If it wasn't for Armin you never would have confessed to me?"
Bertolt isn't sure how to answer that. He sweats and Annie stands up to leave.
"No, wait Annie I-"
"Bertolt, you may be strong, but you are weak. Armin is weak, but he has guts. That is all I have to say."
And with that, Annie walks away. Bertolt picks up a rock and throws it into the lake in anger.
The Next Day,
Annie watches a middle-aged man with a stetson and a trenchcoat enter a dark alleyway. She knew from her snooping in the interior that his name is Kenny, but his last name is a secret. All she knows is that wherever she goes, he is already there. She can tell by his uniform that he is part of the Military Police, although his emblem is slightly different from the others. Even so, she's heard rumors about him from her snooping around. He's known as Kenny the Ripper, a former serial killer who is responsible for the deaths of over a hundred MP's. Someone that Annie would prefer not to go against. So, she tries to both avoid a possible confrontation and possibly get another lead on where the king is at the same time.
Annie is dressed in a similar hat and coat along with round glasses. She also has her hair styled in pigtails. She tries to follow him, but when she goes into the alley, Kenny is gone. A hand touches Annie on her shoulder, startling her.
"Hey missy," says the man, Kenny, behind her. "You've got good taste in men to tail a geezer like me."
Annie is briefly intimidated by how this man was able to sense and avoid her. But she recomposes herself and remembers her cover.
"I was born at an inn. My mom, who works there. talks about my father so much, I know that it's you."
"Well, that's real touching." Annie can tell by his tone he is being sarcastic. "If you want a hug from Papa, put your hands up."
"How are you sure, it's not you?"
'Unless he's just an asshole who doesn't wanna take responsibility for his kid.'
"I made a promise to my sister. This joke of yours ain't making me laugh."
Annie wonders what his sister would have to do with anything about him having an illegitimate kid, but she is more worried that he has seen through her ruse and is ready to arrest her.
"You're so mean, Papa!"
Annie tries to kick him in the face so she can escape, but he avoids it and instead, her heel comes crashing into the brick wall. Kenny is stunned to see her impact actually shatter the concrete and he gazes into her intense blue eyes. Annie takes the opportunity to run.
"Hey, now…Having a rebellious phase, are we?"
Kenny chases after Annie. The blonde girl runs as fast as she can until she makes it behind another alleyway. She uses her ODM gear to fling herself onto a nearby roof and out of Kenny's line of sight. The old man looks around, but he quickly dismisses it and resumes his day.
Later,
Back at the base, Reiner walks in on Marco, Connie, and Thomas are watching Bertollt sleep. Bertolt has his legs crossed and leaning against a wall with his arms behind his back. Odd sleeping positions have become an unconscious habit of his ever since they saw that man's hung body years ago. And the others have made a game out of it.
"That's a new one," says Connie.
"Are his legs saying snow today?"
"Nah. That's the clear skies position."
"Bertolt, wake up!" Reiner shouts.
Bertolt awakens, disappointing the other boys.
"Annie's back," Reiner says.
"Annie? Oh, yes, Annie."
"Hey, just out of curiosity, where does Annie sneak off too every so often?" Thomas asks.
"Just into town to get sweets," says Reiner.
Connie scoffs. "She goes out for sweets a lot. And people say I'm a big eater."
"No, that's Sasha."
Bertolt and Reiner met with Annie outside the training camp.
"While you two snoozed after playing with your friends, I was busy crawling the capital's sewers. I've hit my limit if he's around."
"Your limit, huh?" Reiner asks.
"Let's take what we know back to Marley. They'll be happy to hear anything."
"Do you honestly think that? Not if it's all we have to show after five years."
"Then what do you say we do?"
Reiner thinks, then he comes to a conclusion.
"Destroy Wall Rose. It's the only way we can smoke out the Founding Titan."
"A lot of your friends are going to die," Annie tells him.
Reiner hesitates. "We have to. Otherwise, the Founder will continue to be a threat to the world." He sweats. "Also, I'm sure that the Founder will protect his people so it is only the scouts who are in real danger before he can do anything. Krista will be fine, I'm sure."
"Annie," Bertolt starts. "Are REINER's friends the only ones you are concerned about?"
Annie snarls at him. "I'm going to barf, get out of my face."
Reiner averts his eyes. "Once we get the Founder, one of us will be in control. Marley technically won't be able to do anything to the island unless we allow it. Perhaps instead of killing everyone, we can use the Founder to make the people of this island swear loyalty to Marley instead. That way they won't be devils anymore. My mom might not like it, but she could accept that the royal family were the ones who really abandoned us and the people of this island were just more victims of them."
Annie nods. "Magath is reasonable. Maybe we can convince him to spare a few Paradisians. Plus, they need people to work on mining this place's resources. Why bring in Eldian workers from Marley when they can just enslave the people here."
"Is that what you're hoping for, Annie?" Bertolt asks. "That your precious Armin will be made into a slave instead of a Titan? You think they will let you keep him when he's not forced to work in the fields? That he will even want anything to do with you?"
Annie is silent.
Bertolt looks down. "I had that dream again. Of that man who hung himself. Why did he tell us that story before he died?"
Reiner groans. "Because, if the people on this island truly are devils, then we are devils as well. Let's call it a day."
A Few Months Later,
Ever since the festival, Annie and Bertolt became the topic of conversation among the cadets. They knew that Bertolt took Annie to the festival but they never hooked up and now there seemed to be tension between them. One rumor went around that Bertolt caught Annie making out with Armin. Some say that Bertolt dumped her after one night and she hasn't forgiven him. Though Reiner did his best to smooth things over between his comrades.
Now, Annie is helping Armin get to his bed. He leans on Annie's shoulder, hopping on one leg, as she leads him down the hall. He had hurt his leg while they were both trying to help Jean win a cooking competition between him and Sasha. Between this and Jean considering stealing ingredients, they both decided that they had enough.
"Hang on, Armin, we're almost there."
"Annie. I want to thank you for helping me." Armin says.
"Oh, well, we're comrades after all."
"...Yeah, comrades."
They reach the boy's dorm.
"We're here."
Annie opens the door and leads Armin to his bed. She lays him down and rolls up his pant leg. His shin has become swollen. She touches it and Armin winces in pain.
"I don't think it broke, but you're definitely hurt. I'm going to get you some ice, then a nurse."
Annie gets up to leave but Armin grabs her hand. Annie looks at him with slightly blushed cheeks.
"Annie, can you be honest with me?" Armin asks. "If you don't want to date me, that is fine. I can accept that. But do you really not consider me a friend?"
Annie looks at him sympathetically. "Armin, why do you care about me? Surely there must be other girls. Funner than me. More cheerful than me."
Armin smiles. "Because I see a beautiful soul inside you."
Annie represses the urge to cry and turns her head. "Then you need to get your eyes checked. Trust me, there is nothing beautiful about me."
"I don't know why you think that, but I know it's not true." Armin grips her hand. "Annie, I just want to know. Please answer my question."
"Armin… you're a good guy and I wish I could be a good person for you. But I can't." Annie turns to him. "I'm going to give you one piece of friendly advice, if all hell breaks loose do what you have to so you can survive."
Annie strokes Armin's hair and puffs his pillow. Armin looks up at her with a confusing mixture of feelings. Without another word, Annie stands up and makes her way out of the room. She returns with an ice pack and later the nurse. Armin received a splint and returned to training after a week. Since then, Annie and Armin have been able to exchange friendly glances again.
850
It is the closing ceremony for class 104. The top ten graduates are in order: Hitch Dreyse, Sasha Braus, Connie Springer, Marco Bott, Jean Kirsten, Eren Jaeger, Annie Leonhart, Bertolt Hoover, Reiner Braun, and Mikasa Ackerman at the top.
Jean internally groaned over being behind Eren. A part of Eren wanted to complain about being behind Mikasa, but overall he was happy for his girlfriend.
Armin claps, feeling pride for his friends Eren and Mikasa. His eyes also glance at Annie, who also glances at him. Armin gives her a thumbs up, and she smiles back at him with a nod.
Annie, Reiner, and Bertolt look out at everyone in the area. From their fellow top ten to the other soldiers clapping them on. They feel their guilt swell up inside them, but they steal their resolve.
Reiner approaches Eren, after he has given a rant about how they cant give up fighting Marley.
"Those are some great words, Eren," Reiner says.
"Thank you, Reiner, I knew that you of all people would understand."
Reiner nods. "So Eren, I was thinking, maybe tomorrow we can take a day off and visit your family. Me, you, Mikasa, we can take Krista and your mother and go on a nice trip. I hear there is this beautiful art museum in Wall Sina."
"I don't know, we can't blow off our first day. It wouldn't look good to our superiors. Maybe in a few weeks."
Reiner is silent for a while, and then he shrugs.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right."
Reiner is with Krista at a motel. He was able to pay the manager for a room just for…two hours. His face is currently resting on Krista's breasts. It's a position that he has found himself in a lot lately. He especially needed it now, to deal with the guilt of what he is about to do tomorrow. Sure, it's really Bertolt, but he is the one who suggested it.
"Did you like your graduation present, Reiner?" Krista asks.
"Yes, it was lovely. As always."
"Are you ok? You've been awfully quiet."
"It's fine, Krista. I'm just thinking about the future. What it holds."
Reiner goes into deep thought about the Founder, and Marley, and his family back home, and her. It seems no matter what decision he makes, he's going to lose something.
"I'm sorry you're not celebrating your brother and sisters graduation."
"I told them congratulations on the phone. Mom is going to invite them over for cake this weekend. Besides, knowing those two they are probably celebrating right now."
Reiner chuckles, thinking of the look Eren and Mikasa had when the former suggested celebrating Mikasa coming in first. Mikasa lifted Eren onto her shoulder and carried him away, to his embarrassment and everyone else's amusement. That scene was (and usually is) followed by the sound of those two underneath the bleachers or in the supply closet.
"So, Krista, there's actually another reason I wanted to meet with you."
"Ok, what is it?"
Reiner sits up and faces her. Krysta covers her chest with the bed sheets so as to not distract him.
"So, we've been together for a few years. I've met your foster mother, Eren and Mikasa. But, I was thinking, maybe tomorrow we can go to Wall Sina and you can introduce me to your grandparents. Huh?"
Krista's eyes widen. "My grandparents?"
"Yeah. On that farm you said you grew up on before you were adopted by the Jaegers. It can be you, me, we can also take Eren and Carla."
Krista stares at Reiner blankly.
"Reiner, I told you about my relationship with them. They never wanted anything to do with me. Heck, handing me off to Grisha was the best thing they ever did."
"But they are your family," Reiner tries to convince her. Anything to get her out of Rose. "Don't you want to reconnect with your family."
Krista kisses him on the lips. "You, Eren, Mikasa, and Carla are all the family I need. We can go on a family trip together some other time."
"Ok, Krista, how about this?" Reiner says. "If you take me to meet your grandparents, I will tell you my secret. You can keep yours."
On their fifth date, Krista admitted to Reiner there are things about her family that no one knows. Not even Carla and Eren. And that as much as she was growing to like him she wasn't sure if she could tell him. Reiner admitted that there are things he is keeping secret too so he won't press her. But they agreed that, one day, they would share their secrets with each other. When they were ready.
Reiner knew someday she would have to find out what he really is. And he figures one Rose is down and he is in the interior wall, he won't need to hide much longer.
Krista places her small hand on his chest.
"Reiner, we agreed to share our secrets when we're ready. And until I can tell you mine, I won't ask you to tell me yours."
Krista gets up and lets the blanket fall off her. Reiner flushes. No matter how many times he has seen his beautiful girlfriend naked, he can't ever get used to it.
"I need to shower off and get going. Good luck tomorrow, Reiner."
Reiner smiles. "Ok. I should get going too. Say hi to Ymir for me."
When Krista steps into the bathroom, Reiner falls on his back.
"No…no…no…" Reiner cries and sighs. "We're only taking down Trost. She will be safe. I'm sorry, Krista."
The Next Day, On Top of Wall Rose
"Huh? You're joining the Scouts, Connie?" Eren asks as Connie polishes a cannon. "You were so set on the Military Police!"
"Yeah, I was."
Mina approaches. "But sounds like your speech yesterday won him over."
"Huh?"
"Shut up! I decided it on my own!"
"Don't be so embarrassed. You're not the only one."
Now Eren is really surprised. "Thomas, you…"
Sasha runs up to them, and reveals some meat hidden in her jacket.
"Umm, everyone? I brought some meat from the officers' storehouse!"
Eren and the others gasped at her with shock and horror at her boldness. Or is it idiocy?
"Sasha! Do you want to end up in solitary confinement?!"
"You really are crazy!"
"So much that it's scary."
"We can all share it later. All sliced up, and between some bread."
"Go put it back!"
"Yeah. After we lost all that land, meat's become really valuable."
"It'll be fine!" Sasha puts the meat in the ice box. "We can just raise more cattle and sheep once we retake our land."
"I'll have some of the meat!" Samuel says.
And that gets Connie excited.
"M-Me too! Save me some!"
Mina joins in. "I'll have some too, of course!"
Eren smiles at the scene.
"Guys…"
"Why are you just standing there, Eren? We'll get found out if we don't get back to work! Lunch isn't for a while!"
Eren turns around. He looks at the array of Anti-Tank and Plane weapons along the Wall. They can destroy any Titan or Machine that Marley sends their way.
He remembers the arrival of the Colossal Titan. The falling of the Wall and the devastation it caused.
'Five years have passed since then. But Paradis is finally regaining its dignity.
We can win! Our retaliation is just beginning!'
'But we can't get too cocky,' says the voice in his head. 'Marley still has the advantage of numbers. And we still have to deal with the issue of-'
Lightning flashes behind Eren. And the Colossal Titan appears.