"We have no choice," said Mikasa, putting on her hood. "We lived in a cruel world."
"I swore to kill them all, every last one!" Eren declared.
Humanity was suddenly reminded that day. Of the terror of being at their mercy. Of the humiliation of being trapped inside a cage.
Inside a large, circular, cathedral, people were formed in three large rings in the center, the smaller of the two being within the larger outer circle. Each of them were adorned with the gold necklaces with the crests of Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sina upon them. With each of their arms clasped to each other in unity with their hands clasped to their own in prayer, Pastor Nick and two other priests led the mass outside the circle.
"Let us pray, for the solidity of the three goddesses, Maria, Rose, and Sina," stated Nick. "For our own welfare. We must no misdoubt the sacred walls. These walls of light born from the hands of the divine are made ever more stalwart through the offering of our faith. For it is only the innocence of faithful devotion that protect us from the Titans. It, alone, keeps the Titans away from.."
Pastor Nick was cut off by the Female Titan crashing into the cathedral, her body fell on the people that were in the circle. Debris and rubble fell as the Female Titan fell. Pastor Nick covered himself from the debris and looked in horror once the dust cleared.
"A Titan?!" wondered Nick. "Here?!"
The Female Titan got up and looked down at all the crushed, bloodied, smeared bodies of the people she had crushed. Eren's Titan started to charge at the Female Titan. The Female Titan then got up and started to run away from Eren's Titan. Pastor Nick looked at the Female Titan, who was heading to the walls.
"No..." shuddered Nick. "Not the wall. Stay away!"
The foot of Eren's Titan came down next to Nick as he ran, blowing a gust of wind enough to blow Nick to the ground.
On the other side of the Stohess District, several civilians ran in fright as they saw the Female Titan being chased by Eren's Titan. Both Titans destroyed buildings in their paths as they continued their chase. Some civilians ran away from the chase while others stayed in their house watching the chase.
Hange, Armin, Jean, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat did their best to catch up to the two, swing from building to building while maintaining a safe distance.
"Looks like he's in full control of himself this time around," observed Hange.
"Yes," Armin agreed. "But Eren has yet to win against the Female Titan even once."
"If he's transformed, it means he's gotta be ready for the worst," said Jean. "He won't lose so easy."
"Spirit alone can't win a fight," stated Armin.
"Armin's right, it would take more to beat Annie," stated Twilight Sparkle. "A lot more."
Eren's Titan continued to chase the Female Titan, the other Scouts that were pursuing them could see the two Titans were running into a large plaza.
"Dammit!" shouted a Scout.
"She's making a break for level ground!" realized a Scout with blond hair, and light stubble on his chin, and wearing thick-rimmed glasses, named Abel.
"So much for our gear what now?!" asked the Scout next to Abel.
"Split into two teams and go around!" ordered Hange.
"Understood!" shouted the Scout.
Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, and Jean separated and zipped away, The civilians that were on the ground were helplessly crushed or forced by the Female Titan running.
Below, the MPs quickly tried to put on their harnesses and ODM gear, completely unprepared to do anything.
"Come on! Come on! Come on!" stammered a MP.
"Son of a bitch!" cried another MP. "What are Titans doing here?!"
The MPs looked in front of them and saw the Female Titan and Eren's Titan heading towards them. All of them ran away, getting away from being crushed by both of them.
The Female Titan and Eren's Titan had reached the plaza. The Female Titan turned around and slid her hand against the tower, knocking off several MPs that were stationed there. When the Female Titan stopped, she looked at Eren's Titan, who stopped and looked at her.
"Annie, always so cynical," Eren thought. "Like everything around was pointless. Nothing but with a second look."
The Female Titan raised both of her arms up and one knee up in her traditional stance, ready to fight Eren.
"Every now and then though I can see through the act, especially when you were showing off your fighting skills," he remembered. "Maybe hand-to-hand combat didn't count against our final grade back at the academy, but to you, it was a different story altogether."
Eren's Titan slightly crouched and raise up his arms, ready to engage the Female Titan once again.
Yeah, about that much at least, it was obvious that you were a lair. Fighting's your whole world, but what are YOU exactly fighting for?! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN WORTH FOR ALL THIS DEATH AND DESTRUCTION!!!"
Eren's Titan roared and made the first move, running up and reeling back ready to punch. The Female Titan had hardened her elbow, causing the fist of Eren's Titan to punch there, making them injured and temporarily useless. The punch was enough to create a small ditch and creating a small gust of wind, blowing off the surrounding bricks. The Female Titan attempted to kick Eren's Titan, but blocked the kick and countered it with a grab. Eren's Titan lifted the Female Titan and tossed her into a building.
The Female Titan crashed into a line of buildings, weakened and woozy, tried to get up. Then, Eren's Titan crashed through some buildings, charging towards the Female Titan. The Female Titan got up and quickly ran to the left, causing Eren's Titan to crash into the line of buildings.
"Oh God," muttered Starlight Glimmer.
"Section Commander," called Moblit. "I hate to say it, but the city will be reduced to debris and corpses before long, even if we managed to catch her."
"Well, that's how it's going to be," said Hange. "We're sticking to Commander Erwin's plan, so stop babbling and get ready."
"Right," Moblit replied.
Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat could only watch as the battle continued and the deaths of many civilians.
Back on the streets, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare swung down towards Mikasa and Rainbow Dash, who were still critically injured from the Female Titan. Mikasa slowly got up and looked at her right to see Rainbow Dash still on the ground.
"Rainbow," called Mikasa quietly.
"Mikasa!" called Indigo Zap.
"Indigo, what are you all doing here?" asked Mikasa.
"Trying to get up a safe place for you to help take down the Female Titan," answered Sunny Flare.
"Rainbow!" called Applejack.
Rainbow Dash slowly got up, her face was covered in scrapes and cuts and blood ran down on the side of her face. She hissed in pain as she got up, but the pain caused her to fall back onto the ground.
"Rainbow, are you okay?" asked Mikasa.
"Never better," Rainbow Dash replied.
“Come on, let's go," said Applejack.
Mikasa helped Rainbow Dash get up, once both were on their feet, all of them zipped off.
On the rooftops, several MPs watched in horror at the two Titans fighting.
"No one said anything about this," said Hitch. "Why are there Titans fighting her?"
"What in the world is happening?" wondered Marlo.
Back at the the Military Police escort, Nile continued to point his musket at Erwin, while Levi and Petra stood in place and didn't move a single muscle.
"Titans are fighting each other?!" asked Nile.
"Yes," replied the MP. "The damage done to the city is unimaginable. Scores of civilians and soldiers have been killed or wounded."
Nile then lifted his musket at gunpoint at Erwin.
"Erwin!" called Nile. "Is this the result of your doing?!"
"It is," Erwin responded. "I acted entirely on my own authority. I offer no excuse."
Nile, angered by Erwin’s seeming disregard for the damage caused, slung his rifle over his shoulder, started walking towards Erwin and grabbed on Erwin's jacket.
"You had to have known what this plan of yours would've cause in the middle of a city!" stated Nile. "Why?! Why did you do it?!"
"For humankind's victory," Erwin simply answered.
"Bullshit!" shouted Nile, pointing his musket at Erwin at gunpoint. "You're a fucking traitor! None of the higher-ups will complain if I execute you right now!"
"If you wish," said Erwin. "But, you'll be in charge afterwards."
The statement shocked Nile, who lowered his musket down.
"Don't let the Female Titan escape. Peer is in charge of troop deployment. Beirer is in charge of provisions. Work with them and do whatever it takes."
"W-Wait!" stammered Nile. "Do you really think this is for humanity's sake?"
"I have faith it will serve as a step forward," stated Erwin.
Nile, with all the rage wanting to kill Erwin, he lowered his musket down, knowing that Erwin was right. The action managed to make Erwin let out a small gasp.
"Everyone, lower your guns!" ordered Nile. "Cuff him!"
"Yes, sir!" shouted a MP.
"Deploy all troops and focus on aiding and evacuating the citizens!" ordered Nile.
"Yes, sir!" shouted all the MPs running to the battlefield.
"Erwin, I'll let a court of law decide how to execute you," stated Nile.
Erwin watched as the two MPs placed handcuffs on his hands.
"I'll gladly accept that, once everything is over," said Erwin. "Levi, you stay put with Petra. You don't like pointless death."
"You're right," Levi replied. "I'm not fond of causing it or experiencing it."
Jean, Armin, Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat swung next to a roof and landed in a safe distance from Eren's Titan and the Female Titan.
"To rise above monster we have to abandon out humanity, what we fought we become fire with fire. Look at her Annie can do it."
Eren's Titan started to charge at the Female Titan, reeling back his arm for a punch. The Female Titan hardened her leg and kicked the foot of Eren's Titan off, knocking him down. Eren's Titan quickly got up and punched the Female Titan, who countered it with a block.
As Eren's Titan delivered the punch, the Female Titan planted both of her feet down to stop her. Inside the Female Titan, Annie remembers someone that is important in her life.
"Annie," called a man. "Annie."
The Female Titan stood back up and looked at Eren's Titan on the ground. Eren's Titan then lunged at the Female Titan, but the Female Titan kicked Eren's Titan into a building. The Female Titan tried to pull her leg back, but Eren's Titan was biting down on her leg hard upon it. The Female Titan, now enraged, hardened her fist and screamed as she delivered a blow to the head of Eren's Titan.
"I believe in you, I always have," said the man, hugging her. "I'll always be at your side."
The Female Titan lets out a scream as she delivered a final blow to the head of Eren's Titan. Eren's Titan finally lets go of his grip, freeing the Female Titan. She looked at Eren's Titan, which had blood on his head, exposing parts of the skull. The Female Titan then started to run towards the wall.
"I will kill them. Every last one," declared Eren, inside his Titan smiling in a deeper raspy voice.
As the Female continued to run towards the wall she looked back. Behind her, Eren's Titan had got up and now caught fire, his veins lighting up, and now had blue eyes. Eren's Titan lets out a savage roar and ran towards the Female Titan like a rampaging ape. Eren's Titan crashed into a building, which didn't stop him. Once Eren's Titan caught up to the Female Titan, he tackled her, causing her to slide across into a large marketplace and destroying the stands. All the Scouts got out of the way of Eren and the Female Titan.
Behind them, Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare swung in towards the battlefield.
"Eren!" called Mikasa.
Mikasa, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare landed on the same roof that Armin, Hange, Jean, Twilight, Starlight, Sunset, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat were on.
"Holy shit," muttered Rainbow Dash.
"He's going on a fucking rampage," said Indigo Zap.
"Help him!" shouted Mikasa.
"Don't!" warned Hange. "With the state he's in, it should be best to keep our distance."
Mikasa could only watch at Eren's Titan's fury had been unleashed. The Female Titan was huddled up with its hands covering its neck as Eren’s Titan roared loudly into her ears. The Femele Titan shifted back to toss Eren’s Titan off, but Eren, grabbed on to the Female Titan’s face and the back of its head with both hands.
Eren's Titan squeezed harder on the Female Titan's face, enough to squish it like a balloon. Blood splattered everywhere as the Female Titan's face was squished.
Nile and his MPs got the wall and looked at the battle.
"Oh... god," muttered Nile.
Erwin looked with no emotion as he looked at the battle. The Female Titan unleashed a shrill scream as Eren's Titan continued to squeeze down on her face. The Female Titan then elbowed Eren's Titan's jaw. Eren's Titan attempted to swip at the Female Titan, but she kicked Eren's Titan into a building.
With a small window, the Female Titan then hardened her fingers and started to head towards the wall. She latched on to the wall and started to climb it up.
"She's head up the wall!" shouted Jean.
"She's trying to escape!" realized Hange.
Eren's titan had got up and started to run towards the Female Titan. He held on to the legs of the Female Titan and started to bit down on her left leg. The Female Titan kicked Eren's Titan off her leg, causing her to lose the left leg. Once her left leg was off, Eren's Titan fell to the ground and the Female Titan continued to climb up.
"We can't let her get away!" shouted Armin.
Then, Mikasa flew up towards the Female Titan.
"I won't let her!" she shouted.
Mikasa sliced the Female Titan's fingers on her right hanf that weren't hardened. Mikasa screamed as she sliced the fingers on her left hand. Once her fingers were sliced off the Female Titan started to fall. As the Female Titan fell, Mikasa stood on top her face, looking down.
"It's over, Annie," said Mikasa. "Now fall."
She pushed herself off of the Female Titan.
"Annie, I'm so sorry," apologized her father. "I don't expect you yo forgive me, but please stand your ground even if the whole world is against you."
Once the Female Titan impacted the ground, Eren's Titan pounced on her. Eren's Titan went full on berserk, punching the Female Titan hard enough to decapitate her head, removing her right arm, but the punch caused Eren's Titan's right arm. The arm of the Female Titan was heading towards where the MPs and Erwin was standing. The arm crashed into the bridge, as the MPs scattered and Erwin was standing completely still.
"DIE ALL OF YOU! I'LL DESTROY THE WORLD!!!" declared Eren.
"They will despite you, they won't understand, but I will your dad always will," said her father.
Eren's Titan the lowered his head down towards the Female Titan's nape and opened his mouth.
"Oh no! He's going to eat her!" Hange realized.
"Eren! Back off!" shouted Jean.
"Don't do it!" shouted Mikasa.
"Eren!" called Starlight Glimmer.
"THIS IS FREEDOM!!!" Eren declared.
"Promise me you'll return," said her father, hugging Annie. "That's all I ask for."
Eren's Titan then tore the nape off and stopped. Inside Eren's Titan, Eren's eyes widened up as he was shocked to see Annie Leonhart crying. Everyone on the rooftops observed Eren as he had stopped his actions.
"What's he doing?" wondered Hange.
Suddenly, a bright blue light and a burst of steam emitted from the Female Titan, shocking Eren's Titan and all the MPs around it. All the MPs shielded their eyes from the bright light coming from the Female Titan.
"They're fusing?!" wondered Armin.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing," muttered Twilight Sparkle.
Then, the skin of the Female Titan’s back and Eren’s legs started to melded together, keeping Eren’s titan stuck with it. Eren’s Titan roared and looked down to see as Annie became enveloped in a light blue crystal.
"Stop it! Eren!" shouted Mikasa, landing.
Mikasa started to run towards Eren, until she saw Levi, with his Scout cloak, ODM gear, swinging down. He landed on top of Eren's Titan's nape and sliced it, revealing Eren.
"It's not a good idea to eat our key evidence!" scolded Levi. "You idiot!"
Petra with cloak and ODM gear equipped, joined the others upon the roof as they watched Levi cut Eren out the neck and pull him out. Everything was silent after the battle was over. The Scout all watch as the body of Eren's Titan started to disintegrate. Other Scouts looked at the crystallized Annie, who was inside. Armin, Mikasa, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, and Twilight Sparkle all surround Eren, who had red markings on his face. Eren's started to wake up to see his friends next to him.
"Eren," called Mikasa.
"Mikasa," called Eren back. "Where's Annie?"
All of them heard a clank and looked. All they saw was Jean driving his blade into the crystal. Jean's blades would break at every attempted making a dent in it.
"Dammit!" shouted Jean. "What the hell?! After all of this, we get the silent treatment?! Annie! Get out her! Get out her and pay for what you've done! Come one! Don't be a coward! Annie! ANNIE!!!"
Jean lifted his sword and attempted another stab, but was stopped by Levi.
"Stop," demanded Levi. "It's pointless."
Jean the lowered his sword, knowing that Levi was right.
"Make a wire net!" ordered Hange. "Let's get this thing underground!"
"Understood!" shouted the Scouts.
Hange then looked at the crystallized Annie.
"If we end up not getting any info out of Annie what'll be left?" wondered Hange. "Nothing but countless casualties, ruined lives, and unanswered questions all for what?"
Levi and Petra started to walk towards Erwin, who was in front the many MPs.
"Seems the plan wan't much of a success," stated Levi.
"No, I'd say the Scout Regiment's in the clear now," said Erwin. "Just barely."
"Let's hop so," said Petra.
Later in the day, Erin was then summoned to the Stohess city hall and was questioned by the mayor of the Stohess District.
"Erwin, we have a number of questions concerning this latest operation," said the mayor. "if you believe you knew the target's identity, why did you not ask for the Military Police's assistance?"
"Sir, given the likelihood that the Female Titan has inside accomplices, it was only necessary to involve only those above suspicion," answered Erwin.
"But how do you justify the damage caused to Stohess as a result of that?!" asked the mayor.
"Our ineptitude is to blame," answered Erwin. "I offer my sincerest apologizes."
"Apologizes won't fix it!" scolded the mayor.
"Had we left her unchecked, the wall would've been destroyed eventually," said Erwin. "The ensuing destruction would've been far worse."
"I see," said the mayor. "So do you have any proof that this devastating operation of yours has helped to prevent the downfall of humankind? I find it unlikely you'll get anything out of Annie Leonhart now."
"Indeed, I doubt we will," said Erwin.
Everyone in the room gasped silently.
"In other words... it was all for nothing?" asked the mayor.
Some time later, Eren, who has a bandage around his head, woke up and saw Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, and Twilight Sparkle. Rainbow Dash a bandage covering her head injury, like Eren.
"Eren," called Mikasa. "Do you feel alright?"
"Yeah," responded Eren, getting up. "It's weird how normal I feel. I guess Annie's still stuck in there?"
"Yeah, that bitch needs to pay," said Rainbow Dash, angrily.
"Damn. That big of an operation, all for nothing," said Jean, crossing his arms.
"Annie went that far to keep her information safe," said Armin.
"No, don't you mean to the point she can't wake up," said Starlight Glimmer.
"Man, I hate when big operations get turned into nothing," sighed Sour Sweet.
"I can't believe she slipped right through our fingers," said Jean.
"Eren let her get away," said Armin.
Everyone then had sadden emotions in their faces.
"isn't that right, Eren?" asked Armin. "If it hadn't been for that brief moment."
"Yeah," said Eren, full of guilt. "It's true. I fucked up! I froze as soon as I saw her."
"What did you see?" asked Sunset Shimmer.
"Annie crying," answered Eren.
Then, a MP enters in the room with a clipboard in his hand.
"Armin Arlerlt ,Jean Kirschtein, Twilight Sparkle," called the MP. "You're all wanted for debriefing."
"Right," said Armin.
"Guess we're up first," said Jean.
"Come on, let's go," said Twilight.
"See you later, then," said Armin.
The three of them started to walk out of the room. Jean then stops for a brief moment and looked back. Jean had a visibility sadden look on his face as he looked back at Eren and Mikasa.
"It actually felt nice," said Eren, shocking Mikasa.
"How is getting getting beaten up nice?" asked Sugarcoat.
"No, not the fight," said Eren. "Having my body come apart somehow felt... refreshing. So much so, that I felt like I wanted to die."
"Eren!" called Mikasa.
"Eren, don't say that," said Applejack.
"I don't want to now," assured Eren.
Mikasa then placed both of her hands on Eren's hand.
"I'm glad... that you came back," stuttered Mikasa.
"It too much for me to understand," said Jean, walking. "To rise above monsters, we have to abandon out humanity. That's the only way to win."
"Armin, what does that saying even mean?" asked Twilight.
"It's the one hope humankind has for prevailing over the Titans," explained Armin. "I think Eren can do it."
"I wonder. Getting rid of the Titans by becoming that kind of monster. Would that really be a victory for humankind?" wondered Jean.
As Jean, Armin, and Twilight continued to walk, a feather floats down in front of Armin and Twilight. Both of them looked in the sky to see two birds flying across the sky.
"Eat," said Mikasa.
Eren then took a bite from his bread and started to eat on what was on the tray.
Back outside, the two birds flew over the walls. Armin and Twilight continued to look at the birds as they flew over the wall. Both of them then redirected their attention to the wall.
"It won't be easy," said Twilight.
"However... I believe humankind has gained great potential for survival," assured Erwin. "There was a time when we never even imagined humans becoming Titans. Compare to then, capturing a member of the enemy is an enormous step forward. Yes, there is more out there. And we will go after every last one, even though lives will be lost. This time, it is our turn to launch an attack on the Titans within our walls!"
The Scout Regiment and Eren Jaeger's recall to the capital was rescinded, and the Scout were placed in charge of supervising Annie Leonhart deep underground. However, it would take much more time and many more lives for humanity to learn what was holding it prisoner."
Somewhere, Reiner, Bertholdt, Christa, Ymir, Conny, Sasha, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Lemon Zest were galloping into the open.
Inside the Stohess District, a part of the wall that the Female Titan climbed on, crumbled and revealing a Titan.
End of Part 2