The Empire Returns Chapter 4

I ran quickly from branch to branch making short work of any poor Titan dummies that were unfortunate enough to cross my path as the instructor looked on with hidden satisfaction at my performance.

I spotted Mikasa ahead in my path and  promptly decided to change routes, I might be talented however Mikasa is an Ackerman, I've long since accepted that it's impossible to surpass anyone from that family of superhumans in terms of talent or raw strength so it'd be best to take a different group of Titan dummies and try not to go after any in the same direction that she's heading.

I had to resist the urge to click my tongue in annoyance as I saw Connie and Sasha in my way, they might not be the sharpest tools in the shed but they're no pushovers, and their agility, instincts and ability to make sharp turns are top notch.

In a burst of speed I used just a bit too much gas for my liking to fly forward with my blades drawn and transferred all of my momentum from my speed into the swinging force of my blades as I flew right over the dummy, making sure to Slash through the sandbag on top of the nape as I tried to efficiently transfer whatever momentum I could into swinging in another direction as to not waste any more gas.

"Goddammit Eren you stole my kill!" Connie raged in irritation as I looked keenly around to spot another Titan dummy.

I managed to spot two ahead of me however both Reiner and Bertolt managed to make short work of them before I could take the opportunity in front of me. I tried not to let it bother me however the thought of losing at anything or letting those two hold anything at all over me made my blood boil.

I pushed those vengeful thoughts aside for another day, their time would come, as I allowed those whipped dogs to enjoy their time without souring anything simply continuing with the training and showing that I'm better than the Warriors.

I relished the feeling of wind against my face as it made my hair flow in the wind as I clicked my ODM gears trigger to fire off my grappling hook elsewhere to run my blades through a sand bag that was unfortunate enough to encounter the sharp end of my steel.

"Alright maggots move on, it's the next groups turn!" We all landed and saluted our instructor with us all feeling at least a little exhausted, except Mikasa but she's Mikasa, my stamina seems to be increased to a certain capacity as a Titan Shifter however it's basically nothing when compared to the literally superhuman level that the Ackerman family receives.

Mikasa walked besides me as I panted lightly." How the hell are you not even winded after all that jumping around."

All I got in response was a shrug from the Asian girl, as though exhaustion was a foreign concept to her. Oh well at least I can turn into a Titan... then again she can fling me around like a sack of potato's.

Brushing past any pointless thoughts of comparing the two of us I took my time to admire the girl in front of me.

How the girl I like can have harder abs than me definitely wounds my pride as a man but the feeling of seeing her fidget when I just look at her a certain way definitely restores that pride.

Wait am I a pervert for liking having that effect on a girl who's 100% physically stronger than me? Probably but it's not like every man out there likes the idea of being flinged around the bedroom plus I can't help but find the idea of someone so strong acting submissive kind of alluring.

My lips twitched up at the image but I quickly shook my head, no use having those thoughts now when I'm right next to said person.

"So how'd you end up doing?" I already had an idea, she probably got about twenty or around that, I myself only got seventeen in the test so-

"I managed to get thirty." She spoke casually as my eyebrows raised into my forehead.

That's a lot, even for her.

I just accepted my fate as I closed my eyes in mock resignation." I'll never get up to your level will I? It's a good thing your on my side, how could anything possibly happen to me with you around?" She seemed to Bury her head in her scarf at my words.

Mikasa might act cold or emotionless to a lot of people but I've learned her quirks in the time that we've been together. When it comes to things that don't concern me she rarely shows emotion at all but if I'm in danger or making trouble she immediately becomes concerned and shows distress. Whenever she's shy she'll bury her head in that red scarf she always wears around her neck and whenever she shows stress or distress she'll touch the scarf on her neck.

Most of the guys in the one hundred and fourth Cadet Corps were smart enough not to develop a crush on Mikasa, whilst she is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful girls among the trainees it's also obvious to anyone with eyes that she is completely head over heels in love with me. Some shoot me jealous looks but mostly leave it alone since I'm respected by most of the others however there is one single exception.

Behind me I noticed a certain long faced boy send Mikasa a longing glance so I inched closer to her ever so slightly and grabbed her hand without warning, it was an innocent act however it's still more than enough to make Jean seethe in jealousy and make Mikasas face heat up a lovely light pink.

I was unaffected by the act but it was nice to see Jean react in such a manner, I even locked eyes with him just to rub salt in the wound.

Meanwhile Mikasa seemed to be enjoying the act as her blush faded, though still slightly present, and she eased into the feeling of their palms being connected and their fingers intertwined.

Few Cadets around noticed the act, but somehow to Mikasa such a simple act felt extremely private and intimate in a way that made it feel like their were butterfly's dancing in her stomach.

However Armin wasn't in nearly as good a mood as the stoic girl, he might be gifted academically however it's becoming painfully obvious as training continues that he wasn't built to be a fighter. He's definitely among the bottom half of the class purely because he lacks physical ability. He's also sure that the only reason he can keep up is because his ODM gear is marginally better maintained than the other Cadets with his wire having longer reach, to the sensitivity of the triggers and the perfect movement of his gears inner workings.

He isn't even completely certain that he'll be able to make the cut and not be left behind by his friends.

Armin sighed in disappointment as he leaned against a fence that was a good distance away from the rest of the soldiers in training and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Something on your mind Armin?" He opened his eyes at the realisation that he was not alone.

The girl next to him was a few inches shorter than him with a cold expression on her face with blonde hair that was tied in a bun.

Armin quickly tried to make himself seem less pitiful at the sight of the stoic girl as he straightened his back slightly.

"Oh it's nothing important. Just got a lot on my mind." He'd rather not seem weak in front of her.

Annie merely raised an eyebrow at that." Are you having doubts about your capabilities as a soldier?" The girl stated bluntly in that same monotone voice.

Armin tried to hide his wince at the girls words. Annie was an extremely blunt individual that simply told things as she saw them but he knew that it's just her way of looking out for others, to make them know their capabilities and if they can really make the cut, if not then maybe it's better I'd they do something else with their lives.

His silence was apparently enough of an answer for her." If you don't think your strong enough then why are you still here."

Armin internally mused that she seemed to make her words less harsh when she was talking to him.

He shook his head." I can't, I've got my own goals, me and Eren share that dream and I need to be there with him when it finally happens."

Armin had told Annie about the Sea and she also agrees that the view there would be nice.

Armins thoughts darken slightly. He has to admit that when Eren revealed to them that there were humans in the outside world who all hate them and raise their children to hate them he was more than a little disappointed, the outside world isn't untouched and pure like in his book. But even still he wants to see the Sea, even if it doesn't hold anything important, simply being there and seeing that sight, water as far as the eye can see, it'd be enough on its own, at least for him.

Annie on the other hand was unhappy with the stubborn boy and his decision of joining the Survey Corps, it's their job to kill everyone on the island, from the sickest elders to the freshest newborn, but she allowed herself to get attached to Armin, she just can't help it, he's so innocent and pure and good. The complete opposite of her.

When she sees Armin and how even though he was forced out of his home and even though the world was so unfair to him he still retains that goodness, he still keeps looking for beauty, she loves and hates that about him.

Her mind often wonders to other thoughts, like how many Armins she killed when she brought Bertolt and Reiner to the Walls, how many innocent lives were snatched up in the jaws of a Pure Titan that she brought into their homes.

Armin makes her wonder and consider and judge herself, make her falter. She's thought on what she's done, accepted it even, but never did she ever choose to look back and see the results of her actions for herself.

She bitterly thinks of just how many people would still be alive if she simply had the guts to kill Reiner after Marcel died. Bertolt wouldn't have the spine to rat her out and she could have spun the story and pinned the blame solely on Reiner.

She shook her head. She needs to stop dwelling on what if's.

"Well if your going to stay why don't I help you out?" She offers. Maybe this way he'll have a lower chance of being eaten.

Armins eyes shot up to her." Really?" Annie might be a loner but she's easily in the top ten of the one hundred and fourth and her skill with a sword is top notch.

She nodded with her stoic expression remaining however her icy blue eyes seemed to have melted slightly." Meet me at the training grounds later today. I'll help you with your striking form it could... use some work."

Armin was grateful and beamed at her." Thanks Annie. I really appreciate it." He smiled brightly at her offer to teach him

Annie found her cheeks heating up slightly at the smart boys smile before she averted her eyes to the side." Sure, just make sure not to keep me waiting."

Armin could have sworn he saw her cheeks turn light pink for a second but it was also gone a few seconds later so maybe he was just seeing things.

"Leonhart move your ass, your group is waiting!" One of the instructors yelled for the introverted girl and thoroughly soured her mood for making her stray away from Armins side.

Armin watched her leave with his eyes trailing her back as she walked away until she wasn't in sight.

He didn't stop smiling for a while after she left.

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Ymir had enough of Christas downright suicidal mindset as she harshly reprimanded the blonde for trying to save Daz from the snowstorm.

Seeing that the blonde wouldn't relent no matter what she couldn't stop the sigh that escaped her lips. If they want to get out of this without her being discovered then there's only one way.

She told Christa that she'd get her and Daz down safely but she had to leave them alone.

The girl was very reluctant at first but she eventually relented and Ymir transformed into her Titan form to scale down the mountains side.

She was honestly lucky that nobody caught her and she has no idea what came over her. Why risk getting caught just to help some cowardly spaz that'd probably kill himself if he was so much as in the same mile radius as a Titan?

The answer is obvious. Her goddess asked that of her, her Christa, she simply doesn't have the heart to deny her anything she wants. She'd fight the world if it would keep her safe.

Christa was taken completely off guard when her freckled friend got to the ground before her. She had a head start and Ymir somehow managed to get Daz down the mountain side.

Dropping down from the cliff wouldn't have done the trick, they'd have died from a fall a tenth that height, so just how di-

Ymir grabbed her shoulders." One day you'll learn the truth, my truth, but that day will be when you finally live for yourself. I have no right to tell you how to live your life but please Christa... be someone you can be proud of."

Christa looked down at her words as she went over them in her head. Ymir was about to walk away but then she remembered.

"That flash of light." The words came out of her mouth as nearly a whisper but Ymir heard and stopped walking away.

Ymir felt tired of lying and was going to settle for telling her it's her secret." You'll learn about that whe-"

"Eren." Ymir looked at her strangely at the mention of the green eyed boys name.

The tiny girl elaborated." About a year ago during that mountain mission when Eren saved me I saw that same flash of light."

Ymirs eyes went wide as plates as a thousand thoughts ran through her head all at once and the possibilities of if the boy really was like her.

Ymirs shocked look receded as she quickly formulated a plan." Don't follow me." She quickly spoke and broke into a sprint with the shorter girl behind her running after her as she made a break for where the survivor of Shiganshina was at this current moment in time.

She felt the frosty gale of snow bite viciously against her face as she ran with all her might to get the answers to her questions.

She came to a breaking halt as she arrived at the infirmary where several Cadets were comforting and reassuring the local scaredy cat who was shaking like a leaf.

"It's alright Daz, you could have bit it out there, your here now aren't you, now calm down and try warm up instead of-" she cut off Erens comforting bullshit as she made her presence known by speaking in a very demanding but not loud voice.

"Hey Yeager can we talk for a second? In private." The other Cadets seemed surprised that Ymir decided to stop by given that she never really hangs around with anyone other than Christa unless absolutely necessary.

Eren looked between Daz and Ymir before shrugging." Sure, stay frosty Daz. Not literally though." He made a half hearted joke that earned him a few chuckles as he got up to leave.

"Eren are you sure you should go alone with her?" Mikasa didn't even bother hiding her distrust as she analysed the lanky girl behind those charcoal blue irises as she took hold of Erens wrist.

"I'll be fine Mikasa, it's not like she's gonna pull a knife out on my ass."

Oh well it's not her fault he jinxed it.

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Ymir thrust her arm out and took hold of his neck as she pressed a knife against it gently.

Eren simply raised his eyebrow, completely unimpressed." Wow I kinda jinxed myself didn't I. Oh and threatening me at knife point? Pretty terrible way to tell a guy how you fee-"

Ymir pressed the blade a little deeper shutting him up.

"Are you a Warrior?" He had the gall to act in mock obliviousness.

"A Warrior of what?" He conveyed in a tone that said he knew exactly what she was talking about.

She glared at him as she demanded answers." You can turn into a Titan right? Are you from Marley?"

Suddenly his friendly attitude dropped like a ball and she found herself feeling slightly intimidated by the sudden change in demeanour.

"Of course not, and don't you dare compare me with those whipped dogs again." He looked her up and down with narrowed eyes.

"I'm guessing that you have the Power of the Titans but considering the way your acting I doubt that your a Warrior."

She found herself feeling threatened as the young man in front of her glanced at her with bright emerald eyes that seemed to be analysing her soul. How is she the one scared when he's being held by the neck with a knife?

He smirked lightly." You were one of the mindless Titans weren't you." He stated it as a fact rather than a question.

She was actually surprised for a moment at how quickly he came to that conclusion, he's sharp she'll give him that.

He continued without a care as the cold steel cut his neck slightly." It's nice to know that Marleys lapdogs lost a Titan Shifter before they even got into the Walls, then again they aren't exactly the sharpest tools in the shed."

Ymir found herself regarding him with extreme caution as he rattled on as though he were enjoying himself. He knows about the Titans! About Marley and seems to know about the Shifters that infiltrated the Walls.

"How do you know about Marley and the rest of the world?" To her surprise his smirk only grew until the skin surrounding his lips creased.

"My father came from the mainland using the Power of the Titans and told me everything about what Marleys doing." The casualness and confidence he was excluding made her sweat lightly.

She then recalls that when ever he ranted about killing all the 'Titans' he'd almost never actually said the word instead he'd always say 'them' or 'enemies'. Though if his father really came from the mainland then that means that there is another Titan power on the island besides the ones that busted up the Walls.

She gazed at him wearily." Your like me aren't you?" He chuckled at that before holding up his bleeding hand that was giving off steam.

She almost immediate removed her knife from his neck, it's not like slitting his throat will be enough to kill him anyway, since threatening him any further doesn't seem like a smart idea.

He rubbed his neck lightly as he scratched his ear.

His confidence suddenly made much more sense to her. She has no idea what the missing Titan power that evaded Marley can do however it has to be strong if it can give Marley the slip and given that he wasn't surprised at all when she cornered him behind the building tells her that he already knew, or at least suspected, that she was a Shifter. Then again Ymir isn't exactly a common name.

However she suddenly realised how stupid confronting him like this was in hindsight, given that he gave off no impression that he was threatened at all tells her that he's extremely confident that he can win if they fought it out.

"Now I'm gonna make you an offer." He spoke making her refocus on the dark haired teen who felt a whole lot older than Fourteen." You want to secure Christas life correct? Your obviously too important for me to simply ignore so how about we work together, as allies."

She looked at him like he was an idiot. How can he just blindly trust her like that? Even if she's not loyal to Marley it isn't like she's loyal to Eldia either. She'd have to be an idiot to blindly follow him.

Just as she was about to mock him he spoke with a calming voice." I understand how you aren't loyal to Marley or Eldia however I do know a certain blonde girl that you are loyal to. She's more important than you think both to Eldia and Marley."

Christa really? He's definitely spewing bullshit to get her loyalty-

His gaze turned serious once more." I am not joking when I tell you that she's important, her real name isn't 'Christa Lenz' that's just a facade, she is someone that if Marley capture then they will force her to bear children for the rest of her life, because of her bloodline, going out there isn't an option for her, she is the bastard child of a special family."

Ymir glared daggers as the Shifter spoke. What is he even talking about? Special blood what a load of bull, what he's saying would only make sense if-

Ymir finally came to her conclusion in which Eren didn't allow her to be trapped in shock."Yes, she is from the Royal Family."

Ymirs mind blanked out for a moment.

Did she hear that right? Her Christa has a claim to the throne? That precious little self sacrificial cute blonde?

Eren seemed to not care for her being stunned since he continued his monologue." You seem to care a lot for the girl. Your best bet at keeping her safe is to side with me, I do care about her, maybe not as much as you but I do care regardless. So side with me, help me bring down Marley, help me make sure everything in the Walls is kept safe, you don't even have to do much just don't let the enemy retake your Titan."

Ymir really had to ponder over his words for a moment. Sure he's tough and she's sure he can help retake Wall Maria, but what can he actually do against the entire world? Why should she side with him when she can just run off into the sunset with Christa on her back.

She folded her arms under her breasts." Why should I side with you? What can you actually do against the whole world? I might be over sixty years out of the loop but the hatred for this place will have only increased since I was last there. What can you do to them that makes joining you the best choice?"

He actually had the audacity to smirk at that, like she was a child that didn't know what she was talking about." Plans I have many, many plans. How about I tell you what I have in mind for-"

Ymirs ears ringed as she backed away slightly at hearing what precisely Eren had in mind for Marley. He was a maniac, completely insane, he spoke with such little care as he spoke of what if's and if they's, his plans for those who attacked the Walls, what he'd do if he managed to do this etc.

Every word out of his mouth made her dizzy, hearing him talk away was like listening to a lunatic only what he said... made sense.

She felt a little terrified as she backed away from him slightly." Your insane." Her voice lacked her usual sarcasm as wanted nothing more than to be far away from this crazy maniac.

His smirk turned positively evil at that." Maybe." He spoke as though he were happy she suddenly didn't have the bravo to threaten him.

"So many things could go wrong, how can you be sure it'll work?" She didn't even care her usual mask of pessimism was taken off as all her instincts told her to bolt it.

He laughed at that l, he fucking laughed, and slapped his knee more than a few times as though she'd just told the best joke in the world, like the idea of him failing was funny.

He stopped laughing and looked at her with a mad grin." Simple. I came up with it." He held out his hand as if  were making a deal a contract with Beelzebob himself.

"Come on Ymir. Why don't you shake this Devils hand?" He offered with glowing green eyes.