[Part 1: Aftermath]

Later that day, when Armin awakens, he does so only to find a wounded Sasha, and the wounded Moblit.

"Sasha?! What happened? You're in horrible shape." Armin says staring at Sasha horrified.

Eren perks up in excitement. "You're up!" He runs up to his friend and hugs him. As a few moments after Armin awakens, Levi & Marcel arrive via the ODM gear.

"'Bout time." Levi says.

"Captain. What happened? I saw Bertholdt transform, but then everything gets kind of blurry." Armin gasps. "Did we fight them off? Is everyone okay?"

"Sounds like your recent memory was just about wiped out." Marcel comments.

"Huh?"

Marcel then fires an arm up and with it a signal shot, he fires the green round as Levi speaks."Eren. Tell him everything." As such, Eren follows his orders, and tells Armin everything. "Okay. Are you up to speed now?" Levi asks.

"Yeah. We won. But of the Scout Regiment that came on the mission, there are only seventeen soldiers left alive. Us."

Jean nods. "That's what it looks like. The fighting ended four hours ago, to much protest from Marcel. We've been searching for survivors, but... no luck."

"So, to be clear, we resealed Shinganshina's gate, securing Wall Maria, Reiner & The Beast Titan escaped, using Ymir as a hostage, and escaped with her, along with the quadruped." Armin retells everything that's happened. "You managed to capture Bertholdt. And then, with both the commander and me wounded, and only one enemy captured, you had to choose which of us to give the injection to. And you did. I transformed into a titan and killed Bertholdt. I ate him." Armin gags and drinks water handed to him from Jean. "Why though? Why'd you pick me? No matter how you look at it, Commander Erwin's the one humanity needed the most. Captain! Why'd you give me the injection?"

Marcel kicks Eren on the back. "Hey, Levi said to tell him everything, Jaeger. There was a... an argument to say the least, these two knuckleheads argued that you're the one that needed to survive. And when others disagreed, they staged a little mutiny." Marcel admits.

Armin looks to Eren who keeps his gaze downwards along with Mikasa. "Its true. Punish us as you will." Eren says.

Marcel hums. "Oh, you will be disciplined. But getting punished isn't the same as making amends."

Eren nods. "I know."

"Thing is, I was the one who chose to revive you in the end. Or no." Levi turns his gaze away. "It's more like I chose this to be the place where Erwin died."

"Sorry. I just don't understand. How could letting Erwin die be the right thing to do? What are the scouts without him? If he's gone, then how will we go on?" Armin asks.

Hange sits down next to Armin. "You're right, Armin. I believe it should've been used on Erwin, too. To be brutally honest- never mind. It's my fault we had to choose in the first place. It's over now. Erwin told Marcel & Levi to use the syringes as they thought best. And Levi chose to use it on you. What's done is done. Erwin's life and the power of a Titan both rest on your shoulders. No matter what anyone says, that's the truth. It's part of who you are now. Accept it."

"Wait... so does this..l mean that I need to become Erwin's replacement? There's no way. I can't!" Armin says panicked.

"Don't misunderstand us. There's no chance in hell that you could replace Erwin." Levi says. "That said, your self doubt aside, you have a strength within you that no one else can claim." Armin gasps. "Don't Let any of us regret this. Not me..." Levi squeezes Eren & Mikasa's heads. "...not either one of our mutineers here, nor anyone else. And especially don't regret it yourself. Consider that your last order from Erwin."

Sasha grunts herself very visibly in pain. "Shut the hell up." She says still asleep.

This sight makes Marcel laugh. "Yup. That's our Sasha. She's always been one to speak her mind."

Hange stands. "You know, since Erwin chose me to succeed him as commander until Marcel is 18, I'm more or less on the same boat as you. We'll just have to grin and bear it while doing what we can."

Armin nods. "I'll try."

"Good. Now that we know Armin's all right, let's check out that cellar. Eren, Mikasa. You two can come guide, Marcel, Levi and I. The rest of you stay. Keep an eye out for hostiles from here on the wall, and keep an eye out in case Ymir comes back."

Connie nods. "Got it."
Jean salutes. "Right."
Marco stands. "Ma'am."

"Eren, do you still have the key?" Hange asks.

"I do. Let's do this." The five jump off of Wall Maria with their ODM gear as they all think of stuff from the past, Marcel remembering Erwin and his fixation on the cellar.

"Its why I ask your intentions. They could be the key to turning the tide forever. You could save us..." From when they met Eren in the dungeon. "Intel suggests that the cellar of Jaeger's home in Shinganshina holds a vital secret regarding our enemy. We will form an expedition to find this secret. With that achieved, we may finally be able to break free from the Titans, and bring an end to their hundred-year reign." From the recruiting of the 104th.

[Part 2: Mysteries]

They then land and start running with Mikasa & Eren leading, followed by Marcel, then Hange, and lastly Levi. The eventually slow down to a walking pace as Eren & Mikasa seem to be reminiscing their childhood trancelike. That is until they turn a corner and see a house with a rock having landed directly atop it being such, it's where they stop.

"Is this the place?" Hange asks. The group begins to clean until working to remove a large rock that reveals a trap door. When they open it, it's relieving to find it isn't flooded. "That's a relief. I was worried that it might've flooded by now."

Mikasa looks down. "Let's go."

Levi leads with one of the crystal lights he descends, followed by Eren, then Mikasa, Marcel, and lastly, Hange. "Do it, Eren."

Eren raises the key up. "Right." He goes to use the key on the lock closing the door, however it doesn't budge.

"You okay?" Hange asks.

"What's wrong?" Mikasa asks staring at Eren.

Levi sighs. "Hurry it up."

Eren gasps. "I can't. The key. It doesn't go to this door."

Hange's eyes widen. "What?"

"That doesn't make any sense." Mikasa exclaims.

"Jaeger, move." Marcel orders. "Levi, give me a hand, see that spot right there? Grab it and pull." Marcel & Levi grab the door by two separate points and tear the door down and prop it against the wall next to them.

Hange chuckles. "That'll do it." The group walks inside the room and look about finding dozens of books, and shelves. "It almost feels like a laboratory down here." Hange comments.

"My dad was a doctor, so he was always cooped up down here mixing medicines."

Marcel hums looking around. "Makes sense. Actually, if we assume that all of these are labeled accurately, most of it seems to be widely available. And all of the books that are openly visible relate to medicine. It looks like a normal doctar's study. Not a single thing here that would rouse suspicion, surely as Dr. Jaeger intended."

"Right, if you wanna hide something from the Interior Police, you wanna be sure not to give them any leads. Hey, don't just stand there, get to work." Levi demands. "Erwin's hunches are rarely wrong."

Eren & Mikasa nod. "Right."

The group spends several minutes looking through.things, until Mikasa speaks for Eren. A keyhole in the desk. When they try the key, it works. Opening the drawer they find it empty. "Its empty?!" Eren says worried.

"Not exactly." Marcel chuckles. "Clever man. A false bottom." He removes the false opening and inside are three books and what looks like cloths. Marcel grabs the books while Hange grabs the cloths.

Hange smells one of the cloths. "The cloth smells like peppermint oil and charcoal. Guess he was using these to ward off moisture and bugs."

"If what we're looking for exists, then we've found it." Levi says.

Marcel places down the green book on the desk and Eren places a hand to open it. "After all this time. Dad might finally explain himself." Mikasa places her hand on top of Eren's the pair open the book together and on the first page an image.

[Part 3: Return]

We hear Nile Dawk Speaking to someone and as the camera passes around he's speaking to Pyxis, Nico Harms and several others.

"Then Erwin raises his hand and asked the strangest question. "How can we be sure there aren't other humans living far away from the walls?" His thinking was that since we'd never been able to search freely beyond the walls, we had no way of confirming that the rest of humanity had been wiped out by Titans completely. And yet, that's exactly what our historians would claim. Think. If our history books would claim to be unbiased, the phrasing should be "it's believed that the rest of mankind was killed." If I'm being honest, back then I felt like he was just splitting hairs. He would say he wasn't, and that it was "a deliberate choice they made! Those books- they're commissioned and issued by the royal government itself. Get it? Their intent is to make us believe we're the only humans left." Back then my response was that maybe they assumed it. And that he was reading too far into it. Back then I made fun of his theory, but he may've been right." Nile says looking down.

"If he is, you'll just have to apologize to him." Zachary says.

"Look there. The suns rising. If our heroes are going to return, it should be soon." Pyxis says.

Anka bursts through the doors. "Um! Pardon! But the scouts came back a moment ago! They did it! They reclaimed Wall Maria!"

There standing on top of Wall Rose is Marcel under his arms the books of Grisha Jaeger, and a fire, one in his eyes, one, that burns bright, just as his father's did before him he thinks to the image they found.

The previous day

"Is this a painting?" Eren asked looking at the image.

"Let me look closer. No. This is far too detailed to have been drawn by a human hand." Hange says.

Marcel then grabs it from her hand, and turns it around revealing writing on the back he reads to the group. ""This is no illustration. It was made by the gathering the light reflected off the subject and burning it into an image on special paper. Looks quite nice, right? Where I'm from, there are many amazing technologies like this. Mankind isn't gone. Beyond the walls, countless humans live in comfortable refinement. I pray the person who finds this book will be a fellow patriot."" Marcel says in awe.

[Part 4: Home]
(Marcel POV)

After our return, the scouts were applauded. While Eren & Mikasa's mutiny was kept silent, their days kept locked up were undebatable. Everyone other than those two were given a few days to recover, rest, and grieve. Marco & Mina both went away, visiting friends, family and spending more time together. Jean visited his mother, and otherwise stayed in Trost district with the scouts. Marlo returned wounded and it was soon discovered that his knee got messed up from being flung from his horse. He's since had to retire, and is receiving full payment for his service in the reclamation of Wall Maria. Sasha continued to be around Connie as they visited their respective families, or rather visited Sasha's family, and Connie's mother. I have no clue what's happening with Ymir, even if we wanted to go after her, we first need to decide on what to do about the knowledge regarding the history of Grisha Jaeger.

"And... thats everything that's happened." I say quietly. "I wonder, what made you do this? We're you forced? Did those Marleyans give you a mission? I wonder, you and the others said that you knew a person named Marcel. I assume he's the person Ymir ate before reverting. We know, many things now. Zeke Jaeger, apparently he's Eren's older brother. Reiner escaped, taken by Zeke who was wounded aboard a quadruped Titan, we're calling it the Cart Titan. They took Ymir with them. Historia's trying to urge the military into going after them, but, very few of us came back from the battle for Shinganshina. Father perished there." I close my journal. "I wonder, if I had said something else, or if, things went differently, would you... would you have joined us on the scouts? Been found out like Reiner and Bertholdt were? Would I... would I have had to fight you as well? Well, I think I'll see you later. I'm headed up to Utopia district. Before his death, father bought a house for he and I. I'm moving my stuff there. The new government has granted that I shall live there, and that I now own that property. This might be the last time we speak for a few weeks, maybe even months. The next time I see ya will probably be after winter. I'll make sure Hitch and Armin keep you company while I'm away. I, should probably also tell you this before going. Armin's taken the Colossal Titan from Bertholdt. It was given to him as opposed to father. I guess your country could be considered lucky that it was given to Armin instead of Erwin. I'll miss ya, while I'm gone. But, if you do ever come out of that thing... I still love you."

With that I left Annie underground and after putting in a good word for Hitch, Mount my horse and ride for Utopia district where I'm guided to my new house and inside is a three room house. One of the rooms was obviously set up for father, the other was mine, and the last one, a study room. Of course there's also a kitchen and place for us to go to the restroom, and a living area. That night, as I'm preparing my dinner a knock is heard and at the door,, Marco, Mina, Sasha, Jean, Hange, Miche, and Nanaba.

"Hi? Why are all of you here?" I ask confused.

"What? You thought we'd let you be alone today?" Jean asks grinning.

Marco chuckles. "Yeah, like we'd ever let you be alone today."

"What's today?"

"October 18th." Miche says standing behind them.

"Happy birthday, Marcel." Hange says bursting to the front of the group.

"Thanks." I say smiling.

We spent the rest of the day celebrating the occasion making me smile. As the next day, we head to Trost and let Eren out, upon word that Historia will be there for a meeting on the day. When we arrive, we arrive to Eren speaking to himself, leaned against the wall with his hand in front of his mouth.

"Its called the Attack Titan."

"What's that all about?. Hange asks. Eren looks over to us seemingly coming out of a daze. While Hange mimics what he does. ""It's called the Attack Titan." That's what you just did, remember?"

"No." Eren says walking out of his cell.

"Huh?! Come on! He did!" Hange says.

"No one else is arguing he didn't do it, but, let's theorize why he did it." I say grinning.

"Huh? Am I the only one who saw him?"

"No, but... I think he was just-!"

"Just what? Who the hell were you talking to?" Hange asks Eren.

"No one. It's nothing."

"You said the name of your titan, right? Are ya practicing ways to introducing him, or-?"

Levi sighs. "Let it go, Hange. He's 15 years old. We all go through a phase like this."

I turn to Levi surprised. "I didn't?"

"Because of Erwin and Hange." He retorts.

"A phase where we mutter weird crap while posing?" Hange asks.

"It is strange, almost Bizarre."

Armin sighs. "Hange, Marcel, I'll explain it to you later. It's not right with him in here."

.Oh it's that kind of phase."

"What the hell do you want?!" Eren says annoyed.

Levi opens the cell as I grab the keys and open Mikasa's door. "Get out." Levi orders.

"What? But I'm not done. I still have ten full days left."

"I'm satisfied. Hange & Marcel just gave you ten days worth of pain."

"We talked it all over with Premier Zachary, so don't worry." Hange says smiling. "If we keep the brave heroes he toppled the armored and colossal titans jailed, it kinda sends a bad message."

"And Floch is starting to get annoying with his begging for us to release you to save the island, or some dumb shit like that." I say annoyed.

"Plus, you were only defying the morons who had the Beast and the Armored Titans at their mercy but let them get away along with Ymir."

"Now hold on there." I turn to Hange. "I could've given chase, and cut them off. But I was ordered not to go after them, by you."

"Because you would've fought alone."

"With nearly a full tank of gas, and blades, yeah."

Levi bursts past us. "What's done is done."

"You're a bit too thin, Mikasa? You two had plenty to eat, I made your dinners most of these past five days." I say noticing Mikasa thinner than she should be.

Mikasa ignores me and looks to Eren. "You look... well enough."

"Yeah, I guess." He mutters.

"Bitch." I say offendedly after being ignored. I inhale sharply and loudly before Levi gives them some orders.

"Let's go. Get dressed already."

"Wait, where are we going, captain?"

"A state meeting. Her majesty has come to Trost." Levi says.

Cut to the meeting as in the center seated are the scouts three a row and five columns.
row one consists of Levi Ackerman, Hange Zoe, and myself, Marcel Zoe
Row two, Mikasa Ackerman, Eren Jaeger, Armin Arlelt
Row three, Nanaba, Jean Kirstein, Connie Springer
Row four, Marco Bodt, Mina Carolina, Sandra
Row five, Miche Zacharius, Floch Forster, Marlo Freudenberg

"The Early Life of Grisha Jaeger, The Extent of Our knowledge of Titans and Their History, and Information About the World Beyond the Walls. The only people who know these books exist are those who are in this room right now, and two scouts not in attendance, Sasha Brause and one Moblit Berner. These texts were obtained through the efforts of the 15 scouts before us, and 199 others who were lost. On this day, and in the queens presence. I'd like for all of us to assess our situation, and come to an agreement about our next course of action. The Scout Regiment's 14th Commander, Hange Zoe." Zachary begins the proceedings.

Hange stands. "Sir. The scouts have suffered a brutal, staggering blow. In exchange for the lives of many heroes, including my predecessor, Erwin Smith, we have retaken Wall Maria and seized control of the Colossal Titan, with all its fearsome strength. That said, we humans living inside the walls have just learned how precarious our situation is. I'd be relived if titans were the only monsters we had for enemies. Unfortunately, the true nature of the foe we face... is human. It's a whole civilization. One could say that it's us against the world. I'd like for Section Commander Marcel to speak about what we've learned from these books."

Zachary nods. "Granted."

I stand and keep my notes in front of me. "Sir. According to the books those living within the walls are of a special race that can turn into titans, called the Subjects of Ymir, or Eldians. At one point we ruled the world over, and many fear we will again. Despite our century of pacifism, most would like to see us wiped off the face of the earth. Dr. Jaeger was entrusted by a man named Eren Kruger to locate and steal the founding Titan from the royal family. This man, Eren Kruger was the former Attack Titan, before the late doctor, who passed it to the Eren Jaeger here in attendance." I glance to Eren who is starring off into empty space. "Dr. Jaeger did manage to achieve this mission and passed both titans on to his son, Eren. However, the founding Titan can only be brought to bear when the power is used by someone with royal blood. But... when one does take on said Titan,  they are overpowered by their ancestors will. Made fo be slaves to his vow renouncing war. We believe that since Eren has commanded pure titans in the past, that he came in contact with someone or something that allowed him to use the power. Despite his lack of royal blood, it's not impossible for him to use the Founding Titan."

Eren stands up speaking in shock. "There's no way!"

Hange looks back to Eren. "You scared me."

"Everything alright back there, Jaeger-bombastic?" I ask.

"I uh, uh... I just..."

Zachary looks to Eren. "If you've something to say, we would gladly hear it."

"Actually, I believe it's nothing." Eren sits down his eyes ghostly almost like their haunted.

"Quite." I say turning to glance at Eren. "We'll have some words after the meeting Eren."

Eren folds down. "Yes, Sir."

"Huh?" Levi says seeing Eren's reaction.

"Sorry, for interrupting, Section Commander."

"Oh, that's right. Apparently, Jaeger here is going through an "awkward" phase. He speaks out of turn and often makes a nuisance of himself." Hange points out?

"Ah. I see. That's rather unfortunate. But he is of that age." Zachary says offhandedly.

"That is all we've learned sir."

"Our foe is the world?!" One of the top brass says almost flabbergasted.

"That information should stay in this room. If it became public knowledge, there'd be chaos."

"Yes, I concur. Regrettably, we can't let this get out till we fully grasp the situation."

I glance to Pyxis and smirk, standing up. "We're going to deceive the people again? That is your suggestion, correct sir?" I say bluntly catching them by surprise. "That the citizens be kept complacent and blind just as the fake king did? If we did that, what would make us different from him? What would that make everything Commander Erwin fought for worth? What ideals did we fight king Reiss on? What did we seize his crown, and by that merit, what right did we have to do such?"

Historia stands firmly. "Then let's announce it." Many in the court gasps at this proposal. "It's only fair. This is information that the public once knew, before my predecessor stole it from them. As the people of the walls, all of us will share the same fate. Which is why we must now unite as one and work together."

With the order given members of each Section Commanders squads were sent out to the towns and villages in their Section. Of course, being as she's no long Section Commander, she was overall in charge, Hange took the south. I've been moved to Northern Section Commander, Miche remains as Eastern, and Nanaba was moved to Western. I personally relay the news to Orvud district as Sasha, Marco & Mina gives the news to the town's inside wall Rose, and Jean specifically goes to Utopia district in the north. A few days later those scouts who fought at the battle of Shinganshina were to be awarded for their heroics. Despite not wanting to go, Hange, made me and I was forced stand with Levi squad & my squad while waiting for the ceremony to commence.

"Well, if it isn't the brave heroes of the walls." Hitch says sarcastically approaching us.

"Hitch. Surprised you came." Jean admits.

"I just wanted to watch you guys get your medals."

"I see." Jean says, followed by an awkward pause. "Marlo was... very brave."

Hitch nods. "I know."

"Isn't that right, Floch? Sandra? You should tell her."

Floch steps forward. "Yeah, sure."

"I rode right beside Marlo. Just like me, he joined as an urgent recruit. But unlike me, he was brave, and a natural leader. Our situation was hopeless. It seemed to many of us that the scouts were on the verge of ruin. Just as our fear was giving way to panic and despair, he stepped in and inspired us to push on."

Hitch looks around, confused. "Yeah?"

"He was an amazing person."

Hitch nods. "I know."

"But, in the end, I'm sure he wished that he never volunteered."

Hitch looks to Floch confused as Marlo enters the room with the assistance of Mina & Marco. "Thanks for that. I'll laugh if you guys screw up the ceremony."

Jean whisper shouts at Floch. "Hey! Why did you tell her that?.

"Because. Somebody has to speak the truth around here?"

I scoff. "What? That you're a coward?"

"Listen. I heard about what you did, Floch- how hard you fought to ensure that Erwin would be revived."

"That's right. You should be dead, and Erwin should stand in your place. I'm not alone on thinking that, I'm sure you do too, Marcel."

"No, I don't." I admit, Floch looks at me surprised. "I don't think father had a plan beyond the basement. Not like Armin does. His dream ended at the secrets we discovered in the basement. It's the main reason why Levi & I chose to let him rest. He was free of this hell, and just after he was allowed to die, you wanted him to come back and suffer more." I say grimly, staring at Floch. "I hate you, Floch Forster, because of that. Because your goal was for my father to suffer more. I agree, Erwin was a better choice to live from a strategic standpoint, but, from my personal point, I'd rather he died there. Don't say that you speak 'the' truth, you speak 'your' truth. "

"What do you know about Armin to justify saying that? Not a damn thing." Eren says angrily at Floch.

"Yeah, you're right, I'm not a childhood friend of his. Hell I'm not his friend at all. But I can still tell you why he's the one standing here now. It's cause you two got emotional- Ow!" Floch says grunting in pain I grab Floch's arm as he points it at Eren & Mikasa and bend it.

"They're not the only ones who're letting emotions get in their way. The way you spoke of father back there, didn't help your argument." I say holding his arm tighter. "Saying he's a devil who can lead us to hell? That's how you described my father Floch. He's a devil because that's what you believe him to be. To me, Erwin Smith is a Hero. A hero who sacrificed everything for humanity. He rose to fight along with heroes, he didn't cower before demons. Even then, it's time you shut your mouth, Floch."

"Marcel, I bet even at your core, you're always completely certain that you're in the right." Floch says angrily,

"No, I'm not." I say honestly. "I'm in love with an enemy. I chose to let Levi choose who to give that syringe to, when I could've injected father right then and there and go as I wanted. I make mistakes, I've made many already, and I'll make many more." I say solemnly. "My only hope, is that those I make in the future don't do more harm to others. You're chastising them because of something's that's already done. Grow up, get over it."

Jean steps forward, separating us. "Jeez, what the hells wrong with you two? Hey, Floch. Let's not do this during the memorial for our fallen comrades."

"Marcel's right, whats done is done, so there's no sense in dredging it up again." Marco says stepping between us.

.As for you two. You might not have acted against your superiors, but you didn't try to stop Eren and Mikasa either.you didn't do anything but watch. Medals? For what? A memorial for who? When you guys start rebuilding the Survey Corp, you better tell your recruits the truth, or else you'll just end up with cowards like me in the ranks. What the hell are we supposed to do now that we've lost Erwin? I know that I'm just fodder. I understand that my life is expendable, but still. I should get to call it like I see it... and to decide if this cause is worth dying for."

"What'll we do without Erwin?" I respond, with a small amount of sarcasm. "What we always do when we lose our commander, push forward. And if you want out, just say the word, and you can go back to hiding behind the walls while we do what needs to be done. If you don't think it's worth dying for then run, cause I'm calling it how I see it, and I do think it is."

Armin finally speaks up. "I think Floch is right. Commander Erwin's the one who should've been saved. Maybe he could've turned this situation around. I can't though."

"How can you be so sure of that? I don't know what choice was right, so I won't pretend to. None of us know what the future might hold. I mean, we can barely imagine. Think about it. If we rode straight from Wall Maria, what would we find?" Eren says.

Armin's eyes widen. "The sea."

"Yeah, that's right. We'd find the sea. A place we've only dreamed about."

I begin to walk away as the ceremony will begin soon, and I'd rather get rid of this foul attitude known as Floch. Sandra isn't to different from him, but at least she knows where and when it's appropriate to say certain things. And after a few minutes the ceremony begins. Us scouts are lined up on three rows, squad captains and officers in the front, followed by the rest. The front line consists of Hange, Levi, Miche, Nanaba, myself, Marco, Eren, and Moblit. The second line has Sandra, Mina, Sasha, Jean, Armin, Floch, Mikasa, and Connie. Historia places necklaces on around our necks and is followed by us kissing her hands.

I will push forward, and fight, for my dreams. For I am the next commander of the Scout Regiment, I will help secure safety and security for my family, and I, Marcel Zoe, will never settle for a future without the Eldian's living in it.

Chapter End.