Before the chapter starts, a quick word from the author (that's me) there is some heavy language in this chapter. Some F-bombs, a few other swears, those are common, however, I do not and will never condone racism on this account, during the events of this chapter one character uses a very harmful and horrible racial slur against a black male, please note that while that language is used, I do not and will never support it. If you are offended by the use of the word, I apologize in advance, and there will be an apology at the end of the chapter as well.

[Part 1: Over The Line]

Marcel sighs, as he sits on a rock next to him, Marco having just exited his Titan. Also with them is Mina. Mina shouts in frustration as she kicks over a rock sending it down as it collides with a pillar of Titan hardening created by Marco for his endurance test. In the month since returning from the Liberio raid Marco's been working almost exclusively on stamina and memory searching.

"Fuck." Marcel says annoyed.

"Yeah, that's how we all feel." Mina says staring down.

"So Marcel, what now?" Marco asks.

"We need to get the Reiss siblings somewhere safe... Mina, get a message to Marlo get them to the Stohess Garrison Headquarters."

Mina nods. "I'll see what I can do."

"If any MP's have questions tell them the order came from me. If a Jaegerists attacks you, you have my permission to kill them."

He stands and grabs a thunderspear before launching it at the statue of Eren's Titan exploding its head and nape clean off.  "Rest for tonight, Marco... first thing tomorrow, the three of us are headed for Shinganshina District. Mina, relay a message to Section Commander Miche, If he's dead then get it to Hitch Dreyse, Jase Zachary, and Jean, Floch and Zeke must die. Eren we can feed to anyone at this point, but Zeke, needs to be killed on sight. It doesn't matter if he's fed to anyone or not, Zeke Jaeger is enemy number one." Marcel orders.

Mina nods. "Right." She climbs aboard her horse readying to ride away.

Marcel sits back down and bites his thumb. "What I'd give to still drink alcohol." Marcel comments.

"Oh, about that..." Mina comments still on her horse.

"What now?"

"The Marleyan wine... it was spiked, Jean got the news from Jase this morning, but wanted to send me here with more tangible news, so we waited." Mina says.

"Fuck." Marcel says annoyed. "Someone needs to go check on Levi and Petra. Mina, after you speak to Miche, head towards the Forest of Big Trees tomorrow, where the female titan first appeared. Look for any remnants of Levi & Petra's squad's. If any of them are still titans, kill them, even if they're Levi or Petra."

With his orders clear the Marcel & Marco head to a small cabin in the mountains to rest for the night. Mina however rides away riding through the day. The next morning they head out to their destinations.

[Part 2: The Fate of the Scouts]

Meanwhile, under a cloud of rain, Hange & Moblit ride alongside Floch and several of his personal guards. The pair share a glance. However at the location of the explosion, Zeke lays on the ground dying, however before he can the remains of Petra's titan crawls over to Zeke, ripping its stomach open it places what's left of Zeke inside its stomach under the pouring rain.  Inside a prison cell Jean & Jase sit together, the pair silently consoling Niccolo, as they speak with Armin and the others.

"He hurt Mikasa? How?" Jean asks.

"Well-" Armin begins.

"Stop." Mikasa says quietly. "It's fine."

"No its fucking not." Kase says annoyed. "What did he say, Armin?"

"Forget It, Jase." Connie says sitting at a table in the cell. "We already know he's a total piece of shit. We should've listened to Marcel years ago when he recommended someone to take Eren's Titan a year ago. Now he's lost his mind and hurt the two people he should care about most."

"I think if he was sane, he wouldn't do it without a good reason." Jean comments. "But, I agree, we shoulda listened to Marcel. Or rather, you should've, Mikasa." Jean joins the others at the table. "Do you think there's some sort of meaning behind it?"

Before anyone can answer, Yelena, along with Onyankapon, and Greiz "Long time no see, heroes of Shinganshina." Yelena says staring at Jean and Jase. "It pains me to reunite in a place like this."

"Hey..." Connie stares at Onyankapon. "You're on their side, too? Let us out!"

"That's a lot to ask, considering you guys put me on house arrest."

"Really? Then explain why I'm in here?" Jase says. "Oh that's right, because I used to take orders from Marcel Zoe. Shows what fucking friends you are. Maybe I should have sided with him. Also, you on house arrest? You're the only one who was let out, and you got a front row ticket you fucking nig-!"

Jean grabs Jase by the mouth and under one of his arms dragging him back. "Jase, that's enough."

Jase struggles and is finally let free by Jean. He straightens his uniform. "Whatever."

"Just sit quiet and behave until Zeke and Eren meet."

Jean scoffs. "Must be nice, Yelena. Everything went exactly how you planned. Through you, Eren moved how Zeke wanted." Jean looks down. "Raiding Marley, getting people's support, using wine to take over the Military... now Eldia and the founding Titan are yours. You can crush Marley and avenge your homelands... assuming that's the real reason you came to the island..."

"This place was primitive." Onyankapon says. "We brought it out of the past."

"It was "in the past" because we had our minds wiped of any advancements a hundred years ago, didn't help that advancements in technology were kept secret from us for most of that." Jacob says loudly and with no hidden annoyance. "We weren't fighting humans the same size as us, for a hundred years we fought monsters that towered over us and our buildings."

"Though... you did make one mistake." Jean says getting Yelena to hum. "You didn't kill Marcel & Marco in Liberio. So long they live you'll never be able to fully claim victory."

"You just want to use this place for your own selfish wants?" Nicolo asks Greiz and Yelena.

Greiz scoffs. "You were tricked and lost. That's all it is."

"Greiz." Nicolo looks at his friend. "Looks like you sold us out to get promoted to Yelena's lackey, you bitch."

"Are you dumb? It's you who sided with the devils and betrayed us!" Greiz shouts at Nicolo. "You had the hots for some devil spawn who reeked of potatoes!" Niccolo reaches out for Greiz, but is held back by Jase and Connie as Jean remains by the bars staring a hole through Greiz's head. "You wouldn't shut up about her, day and night. Stupid me thought you'd get a grip once the bitch was out, I honestly wish she was dead. I'll make it easy to understand. That spawn-of-the -devil whore was-!"

Before he can finish he's shot in the head by Yelena everyone watching looks on in shock & horror, except Jean, who remains cool and level headed. Onyankapon stares at Yelena surprised. "Yelena?!"

Yelena smiles. "I apologize for his disrespect. This island has no need for those who call you devils. Believe me, our true goal is nothing as hollow as getting revenge on Marley. Our goal is to end the cycle of hatred to save Eldia, and even Marley. No more secrets. I'll tell you everything- about Zeke's plan to save the world; his "euthanization" plan."

[Part 2: The Enemy]

Meanwhile seated alone in a large storage room, is one Gabi Braun, as she questions everything, Eren Jaeger enters with one soldier as a guard, however before Eren can go to far with his plan a person enters stabs the soldier in the neck and raises a pistol to Eren's head.

"Don't move. Keep quiet, Gabi." The person says holding the gun to Eren's head.

"Pieck-!" Gabi almost cheers.

"Quiet." Pieck orders. "I take it you're Eren Jaeger, correct? It's a shame... I wanted to see how Marcel & Marco were doing." She says with a massive frown. "Gabi, aim the rifle at Eren. Gabi!" Gabi does as ordered aiming directly at Eren's neck. "Eren, hands out of your pockets."

"And what if I refuse?" Eren asks.

"I pull the trigger and your brains hit the floor." Pieck says. "Ever seen it? No time to transform."

"And? Why don't you pull it? If not, why else are you here? What happens if I don't listen?"

"That's something you'll never know."

"I do know." Eren says turning to Pieck. "You won't shoot. You aren't allowed to kill the Founding Titan. Your orders are just to retake it. But for that, you'll have to turn into a Titan to eat me alive, right?"

Pieck chuckles. "Gabi, take your finger off the trigger."

"You're not the only one who would pay for defying the military. Your family in the zone would, too.  There's only one person in the world, who can kill me right now, and he's not even in Shinganshina."

Pieck smiles and laughs dryly as she raises her hands. "Yeah, I won't shoot. And eating you doesn't seem possible either, so... You found my titan foot prints from when I invaded, right? I thought I did well sneaking into your midst without being caught." Pieck says staring at Eren. "But... I have other reasons for not shooting. If you used the founding titans power, couldn't you defeat Marley? You wouldn't make the world your enemy unless you knew you could win. Do you have something more than the founding Titan?"

Gabi looks to Pieck. "Pieck, what are you...?"

"Gabi, put down the rifle."

"Supposing I did, what's your goal?"

"To free all Eldian's in Marley and around the world." Pieck admits. "I want to free my family in the internment zone. I became a warrior to get my dad, my only family, proper medical care. He survived, but he's incredibly sad knowing my term will soon be over. Before I die and leave him behind, I want to show him Eldia has a bright future." Pieck speaks openly and freely. "For that, Marley needs to be crushed. I'll help whoever I can, whether it be you, or Marcel Zoe and his spy network set up within the military. The M pin on my person symbolizes loyalty to his spy network. My golden one symbolizes my stature to give orders in Marcel's place, so what'll it be, Eren Jaeger? If we can slaughter Marley, I'll do whatever it takes."

"The mastermind of the attack on Marley... was Zeke. Now, you?" Gabi asks stunned. "What have we been fighting for?!" She shouts at Pieck. "Once the world knows that we're good Eldians, won't they let us go free?! You're the same as Zeke, a traitor!"

"Gabi. Are we Marleyans or are we Eldians? What do you think?"

"We're... Honorary Marleyans."

"Wrong. We are Subjects if Ymir. That's the one truth we can't escape." Pieck says. "No matter what we're called, we're a race that turns into titans. But like we saw at Fort Slava, Titan Power is on it's way out. As soon as Marley can't use us, they'll slaughter us all. Even if we prove we're "good Eldians," there's zero chance that we're freed. We have to secure our right to live with our own hands."

"Prove it. If you're going to cooperate with us, show us you mean it."

Pieck smiles. "I'll show you where my comrades are." She speaks hastily, as both she & Gabi notice Eren's finger having been cut.

"How?"

"If we go to the roof, I can point out where they are."

Eren nods. "Fine."

Back in the cell Armin's eyes widen as he realizes what Yelena means before everyone else. "Stop children from being born?"

Yelena nods. "Correct. That's Zeke euthanization plan. All suffering brought about by titans will disappear from the world. Gradually. Peacefully."

"Wait. How is it peaceful? If subjects of Ymir slowly die out, we'll only have geezers to defend on the end. How do we protect ourselves? You think they'll leave us alone?" Jean shouts.

"The rumbling can serve as a deterrent as long as the founding Titan and the royal bloodline are preserved. Fortunately, Queen Historia was blessed with an heir, and the Reiss siblings seem to have already moved on, with two of them already having children of their own." Yelena says with a smile. "As long as Subjects of Ymir inherit the founder until their children pass away."

"You talk like this is a sure thing." Jean says.

"Sure things... Certainties... No nation can claim to have them. Each one has its own share of problems. But there is one certainty, and that's the threat of titans. Their history of tears and bloodshed will be put to an end by Zeke & Eren." Yelena is now gloating. "I don't know how long humanity will last, but it's harder to think that a greater feat will ever come to pass. People will speak of the brothers as legends for millennia to come. Like god's of the past."

"Who should've died young. I finished your sentence for ya, fucking whore." Jase says walking away from the bars, taking a seat in one of the dark corners of the cell, Jean taking a glance at the Grey haired boy. However, soldiers are currently rushing about Pieck & Gabi, as they follow Eren to the roof, while ascending the stairs she waves her arms up and down to the soldiers below, among the group, Porco, and in the back by the doors to the room another of Marcel's spies. The pair fully make their way up the stairs and on the roof she glances back to Eren.

"By the way, aren't you using the Founding Titan's Power. Where's Zeke?" Pieck asks.

"You'll find out soon enough. Show me." Eren says. "Where is the enemy?" He asks.

Pieck smiles holding Gabi's hand as she raises her arm to point atop the wall and rotated all around her until stopping at Eren himself. A second later the Jaw Titan bursts through the ground taking Eren's leg he however is able to use this to transform, however after transforming a large spike shoots through his titans stomach, he exits Titan form for a moment and turns to the inner wall of Shinganshina, there standing atop the wall Marco's Warhammer, and on its shoulder, binoculars in hand, the Southern Section Commander of the Scout Regiment, Marcel Smith. And, coming from the south, via zeppelin, standing at an open door, looking down on Eren, Reiner Braun.

Eren takes a breath. "Bring It... Reiner, Marcel."

Marcel smirks as he looks to Eren.

"Nice hit, Marco... forget about fighting Marleyan's, our objective, is to wipe out the Jeager brothers." Marcel says staring at the field.

Suddenly a scout joins them landing next to Marcel on Marco's shoulder, she glances to her Commander then to Marco, before turning towards Shinganshina and Eren. Everyone is ready to fight, War has finally come to Paradis island.

Chapter End.

Once again, I'd like to apologize to anyone who was offended by the usage of the N-word in this chapter.