Alright, so I'm going to warn all of you now before we begin as the author, this one's going to f*cking hurt, and by hurt, I mean HURT.

[Part 1: Stohess District]

The chapter opens on Annie waking up late and an establishing shot of Stohess as some merchants are heard talking.

"Hold on. You mean you haven't heard?" A merchant says somewhat scared. "The Titan kid and those big shot handlers of his have been summoned to the capital. Which means they'll be passing through here today."

"Is that so? Well then maybe this time they'll just dissect him and get it over with." A second merchant says taking a drink from a bottle of alcohol.

As he says this a person walks past them wearing a Military Police uniform however this person soon after sneaks into an alleyway and shows his lack of mobility as he enters a small building and inside are Eld & Marco.

"So, anything?" The Marco asks the person.

"Not yet. How do they move in this? It's tighter than even the cadet uniforms." He complains pulling the suit

Eld chuckles. "Simple, most don't wear it that tightly. The Military Police don't ever put that much effort into actually being dressed to fight. Their uniforms are tighter so they can look like they're capable of it, when in reality they're not."

"I can tell that much. Well, either way the plan is a go. Jean's in position and they'll be here soon." The person sits with Marco and Eld.

"Are you sure you want to retrieve Annie on your own?" Marco asks.

"Let's be clear, so long as she doesn't see any of the others, I might have a chance." He says.

[Part 2: Annie of the MP's]

Meanwhile in the Military Police HQ all of the new recruits in Stohess are lined up with Annie next to a trio named Hitch, Marlowe & Boris. The trio all speak to each other with Hitch being a playful girl, Marlowe being straight-laced and serious while Boris remains quiet only speaking when he feels necessary. They all quiet down as their captain walks in holding papers.

"Great. Thanks, guys. I called you all here 'cause I've got actual work for you today. Not just the same old crap. It's got something to do with-" One the MP captains begins to speak before stopping seeing Nico Harms walking up to him. "Nico? What are you doing here?"

"I was called in to oversee that today went smoothly." Nico answers. "The scouts will be passing through Stohess to the capital. And with them will be Eren Jaeger. It is our job to make sure they pass through without incident. Find a partner and stay with them. Leonhart. You will be with me. Don't think I haven't noticed you arriving late." He scolds Annie.

"Sorry, sir." Annie responds stoically.

"Dennis, you can get back to your stuff. I know you don't care about this." Nico smiles to his fellow captain.

"It's just a bunch of idiots going in and out." He says walking past Nico.

"Sure, we'll put it that way."

As Dennis retreats into a room Nico leads all the recruits out of the building where they huddle around him. "I know what you must be thinking, the officers are all selfish arrogant dicks. And you'd be right. This branch needs serious work. I didn't join to do a lot of work but, if I had known it was this bad id've joined the Garrison." Nico says walking with the recruits.

"So you agree it needs to be restructured." Marlowe says hopeful.

"Obviously, but, a lowly recruit like you won't get that far any time soon. I've been here for four years. Barely a damn Captain. I was hoping to be further than this. Also, don't ever interact with your superiors without orders." Nico walks forward to a pair of fellow Military Policemen. "Speaking of which. Oi! Captain Neidack, Marcelo, What is this?"

"What you want your own cut?" Niedack asks.

"I out rank both of you, I don't care for money at this point. What is this?" Nico glares at the pair.

"We're simply having the merchants guild transport some of our gear to the Capitol." Niedack says backing up slightly.

"And yet their paying you to do so? Unacceptable, lies. Offload the gear now. Or would you rather I get Commander Dawk."

"No sir! Unload the gear! Take it back." Niedack orders panicking. The pair hurry to help with the unloading as the merchants go to yell at Nico he however gives them a single look of what could be associated with malice. After they run away the recruits join Nico in watching. "A bunch of useless pigs. Wouldn't you agree recruits?"

Marlowe nods. "Yes, sir."

Annie hums. "Yes, pigs."

"Let's make this clear, you cant just barge in all the time and yell at someone. You have to use the right words, the right phrases to scare them off. I could've threatened them with moving to Trost or Calaneth District. However the intervention of commander Dawk would be a fearful enough situation for anyone in this Regiment. Commander Dawk isn't lazy he just works alone." Nico warns the recruits.

[Part 3: Heartbreak]

Later in the day as the scouts arrive the recruits start walking after when Annie stops briefly hearing her name being called. She turns to an alley way finding Marcel.

"Annie... I guess you don't have to see me go and not come back, Eh?" He asks acting somewhat smugly.

"Marcel..." Annie says his name staring at him both happily and shocked. She takes a few steps forward but freezes suddenly.

Marcel smiles at her and opens his arms and she accepts it hugging him as he returns the hug. "I need to speak with you, alone. No scouts, no Military Police, just you and me."

Annie separates from the hug. "About what?"

Marcel glances around from left to right then back to left. "Not here. I can't speak here."

"But, uh, what's with the outfit?" She asks getting a better look at him.

"The rain gear? It was Armin's idea. A makeshift disguise. I needed to hide my ODM gear."

Annie glances back. "What's this about?" She asks.

"Two things. We have a plan for Eren to escape and the second this is personal to only you and me. I want you to get out of the city as well. I'm hoping you'll help me. Marco & Jean are here too."

"Wait, escape to where? Stuck behind these walls, where can you possibly hide that they won't find you?" She asks.

"We'll only need to hide him for a short while. This isn't a mutiny. We have every intention of returning. View this as a few loyal scouts staging a small act of protest. It's a stall tactic. We need time to gather enough evidence to overrule the council's ruling about Eren. That's all we want."

"You can't be serious about this, Marcel? How can you be sure the evidence exists?"

"Because... If it didn't they wouldn't want him back so quickly." Marcel answers honestly. "Annie, like I did with you three years ago when you became my assistant, I need you to put your trust in me. Please. "

"Fine. I'll follow you." She says as she places a ring on her index finger.

"Thank you. I love you." Marcel says.

Annie nods. "I do too." The pair embrace again before sharing a brief but passionate kiss. Afterwards he and her walk through alleys

"So, why are you trying to get me out of here?" Annie asks.

"While we were outside, I had some time to think on my own... and... I want us to go through with it. That thing I said. Originally I wanted to save that for after I became commander, but... there's no guarantee that I'll live long while going out there regularly. Would you be willing to help me with it." Annie doesn't respond instead turning her face away from Marcel as he intertwines their hands.

He leads her to the tunnel and as he goes to take the first step she grips his hand a bit tighter. "Annie? What's wrong?"

"I can't." Annie says staring down into the tunnel.

"Afraid of going underground?" Marcel asks.

"Yes."

Marcel rises back up putting his forehead to Annie's. "Hey, look at me. I promise you, any action I make is with the best intentions of my family. And that includes you. You are the most important person to me. We'll only be underground for a few minutes. I'll be by your side the whole time."

Annie separates herself taking a step back. "I... I can't."

"It'll just be you and me. I have Marco waiting by the other side. Until we reach the other side, it'll only be you and me in there." Marcel says taking a step down, turning back he extends a hand his other hand hidden behind him.

"Just us?" Annie asks.

"Of course." Marcel continues down as Annie stays and when Marcel looks back he notices a few tears escape her eyes.

"How much of what you said was bullshit?" She asks wiping away the tears.

Marcel sighs. "None of it."

"I know you and Marco figured it out. You both know the truth about me. Do you hate me for it?" She asks.

"When you say the truth, what exactly are you referring to?" Marcel takes another step down the stairs.

"The Female as you called me. Your threats of experiments. Do you hate me for what I did?"

"No... I don't hate you at all... in fact I still love you despite that." He answers honestly. "I should hate you, but... being honest... I do love you. I do want to ask for your hand in marriage. I would love to do all of that with you, Annie Leonhart. But I need you to come with me." He extends his hand out to her one last time. "I'm the only one who can ensure that you won't die. They'll listen to me if I vouch for you. Annie please."

"I'm sorry."

"Then I am too, but I have one thing to ask before we begin anything else."

Annie stops herself, she had raised her hand ready to bite down. "And that is?"

"Why did you have Loren's ODM gear? I helped him buff that gear every few months... I know every dent, every scratch and every speck of dust in that gear... why did you have it?"

"Yes. I found it. Found it and took it."

"Then you killed Sawney & Beane." He points out.

"No one knows. But if you suspected all of this a month ago, why did you wait this long to say anything."

"Why did I wait?" Marcel is taken aback for a moment. "Because I didn't want it to be true! Neither Marco nor I wanted this! Annie, please! I'm begging you, just come with me and we can work this out." He keeps his arm extended an offer to her.

Marcel looks to Annie tears threatening to fall from both of their eyes. However Annie seems to laugh causing Marcel who already has a hand behind him to hold out two fingers to his rear.

"You know, Marcel, I truly do love you, for now at least it seems we'll have to wait. But... I'm going to gamble like you and Jean did. And here's my wager! " She goes to bite her finger and Marcel clenches his hand behind his back and a white smoke signal fires past his head just barely avoiding Annie when dozen's of Scout's rush in preventing her from biting down. Marcel, however notices the ring on her finger having a hook in it.

"Everyone! Get away from her, now!" Marcel orders. He leaps down the stairs as a blast of lightning erupts down and she spawns her Titan body. We get a cut to Nico who looks towards it and then sighs as he rushes away from anyone watching him as he enters a building and locks the door behind him before grabbing a string on the floor and opens it to reveal a secret passageway.

"I guess I'm on my own then." He says making his way down the passageway.

[Part 4: The Battle Of Stohess District]

Marcel, now underground grunts holding his arm which bleeds a bit a cut on his arm bleeds badly. Next to him are Marco, Armin, Mikasa & Eren. He stands for a moment a few tears leaving his face as he looks towards where she's at thinking back to the planning of this operation.

Flashback

Erwin: We believe that we know the Female Titan's true identity. She's one of us.

Marcel: (quietly to himself) Annie... why did it have to be you?

Erwin: She won't slip away this time.

Eren: Marcel?

Marcel looks up to Eren from the ground his eyes still red from the crying.

Erwin: The day after tomorrow we'll be passing through Stohess District en route to the capital. That's when we'll strike. It'll be our first and only chance to do so. Once we've set foot in the interior, the government will assume custody of Eren, and the Scouts' authority to continue operations will be limited. Thus, unless we wish to concede defeat... we must flush out the enemy now. So here's what we do. While in Stohess, Marcel & Eren will act as bait, luring the target into this underground passage. The deeper, the better. Get her well beneath street level. That done, she should be easily immobilized even in Titan form. If she transforms before reaching the tunnnel, well, at that point she'll be your responsibility, Eren.

Eren: Right. So we know she'll be in Stohess? There's no chance she'll bolt before we get there?

Marcel: She won't risk going AWOL. Even then she should know that I'm going to be in the city. And likely she'll try to contact me anyways.

Eren: Wait, you mean she's-

Erwin: Marco, Armin & Marcel have all cooperative accounts and agreed and identified her, she's an MP. Likely responsible for the deaths of Hange's test subjects. And a fellow trainee in the 104th Cadet Corps

Eren: Wha- you cant be serious. I trained with her?!

Marcel: I'm sorry, but yes. She's one of us.

Eren: No, it can't be.

Erwin: Her name is Annie Leonhart.

Flashback End Marcel POV

We immediately after her transformation begin running as I grab Eren and take him deeper into the tunnel as Annie reaches in to grab for one of us. All of us were lucky to get back before she could grab us.

"What now, Marcel?" Marco asks checking my arm, I can barely feel it.

"Damn it... that ring. She always was so protective of it. I should've known better." I say hushed frustrated.

"There was nothing you could've done." Armin tries to reassure me.

"Right. First, rendezvous with squad three. Then we need to get above ground. You can fight her in the open." I say to Eren.

"The hell do you mean, "you can fight her?" You're fighting her too!" Mikasa shouts.

"You may not care for her, but damn it, I spent three years in close proximity to her. I love her damn it! If Eren turned traitor would you be able to attack him? Well, Mikasa?!" I shout back.

Mikasa recoils before retorting. "He wouldn't ever!"

"That's what I hoped with Annie! You may have never liked her, but I love her. Just like how you could never fight Eren if it came down to it, I can't fight her." I turn away from Mikasa. "Eren, I can't do this, please I need you to do this."

Eren nods. "Right." We then see as a foot crashes down and crushes Squad three. Damn.

"You three stay in here. Marco, we're making a bee line for the exit."

"Are you sure?" He asks.

"Yeah. Likely she won't attack me at the very least. And if you stay close..."

Marco nods. "That'll protect me as well."

Mikasa glares at me. "Do what needs to be done."

"If we ever need to kill Eren. Don't bitch if I give you this order back."

Mikasa's glare intensifies. "That will never happen."

"Whatever. Try not to die and shit." I turn away from Mikasa her glare not spooking me like it used to. Once we get to the first opening I blast out with Marco directly behind me. Both of our hoods remain on as she runs for us, the pair of us blast away and she looks back down to the tunnel then to us. She's not dumb, she knows that Mikasa and Armin wouldn't abandon Eren. Even then she knows there were at least four of us that were down there. Truth be told I felt similar to Eren did.

Flashback

Eren: Annie?! Where's- Where's your evidence? Tell me!

Marcel: 1 The Female Titan knew what you looked like before she attacked. Plus from what Armin said, she reacted to his use of your "Suicidal Maniac" nickname Jean and I gave you, something only our classmates would've known of. The biggest reasons are from the forest and one other incident, she paused briefly when Marco got in between her and crushing Petra, and her hesitation at striking when I arrived to rescue you alongside Levi, Marco, Eld, and Mikasa. If Marco & I hadn't been there, it's very likely that Petra & Eld would be dead, maybe even Mikasa.

Armin: And the biggest reason I suspect her is that I have strong reason to believe she's the one who killed Sawney and Beane.

Eren: You're kinda goin' out on a limb there.

Marcel: Killing 2 titans at once would require a precision ODM strike that very few in our class would have, the only ones in our class capable of that feat, Mikasa, Myself, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie. Marco & Jean can confirm Reiner & Bertholdt we're at the cadets barracks. Mikasa was likely there as well and Armin or Sasha could tell where she was, and Commander Erwin and Captain Miche could confirm that I fell asleep in the Commander's office with no access to any ODM gear. Not to mention the gear she presented at the equipment inspection...

Armin: It wasn't her's... it was Loren's.

Eren: I don't understand. What's Loren got to do with all this?

Armin: It's unclear.

Eren: Maybe you need to get your eyes checked.

Marcel: Eren. I don't want it to be Annie either. I really don't. But when you lay down the hard facts, the only person who it could possibly be is her.

Eren: What if it's not her? What if she's not the monster you all say she is?

Marcel: Then how she acts during the operation will determine her innocence. End of story. Truth be told, Eren, I want her to be innocent more than you do. I want her to not be the female titan so badly. Jean, Marco, Armin, they were there, they heard what I said. If she's not then maybe one day, I can start a family with her. But... like I said, we need to be sure it's not her. If it is then... I don't know. Eren, either we move on circumstantial evidence or we let you get killed by the government.

Eren: Do you even hear yourselves? You're talking about Annie.

Mikasa: Eren. Don't stand there and tell me this conversation isn't ringing any bells. You fought hand-to-Hand against the Female Titan. Was there anything about her technique that seemed familiar.

Marcel: Marco & I could answer that as well. Eren, we saw it. When she kicked your head off, that was how Annie fights. I don't want it to be her, but... it's Annie.

Flashback End

I continue to swing away and watch as she gets a hit directly on Eren. I sigh and look to Marco taking off my hood as he does the same.

"Marco, go find Jean.  I'll reunite with-!" I was giving an order when Jean lands next t9 us.

"What's going on?" He asks.

"Jean, go with Marco, help Eren. I'll reunite with Hange's squad." I give the order.

Jean turns to me. "You're just running?"

"I've made it clear, I can't fight Annie."

Jean sighs. "We'll lead her to Hange."

"Yeah. Give the order, green smoke, Marco."

He does as ordered. Jean shoots forward firing a white smoke round directly into Annie's eye before Marco takes out her right eye. I then land on her head and stare directly into her eyes. Afterwards I jump back avoiding her hand as Marco gets a deep cut on her wrist. Once her eye heals the three of us taunt her and lead her down the road where she gets trapped and knocked over by Hange. I immediately go and stand behind her and send by blade into her nape, it not being crystallized yet. She notices this quickly and rapidly crystallizes around the blade as she screams in agony I shoot around her head and show her that the blade is missing.

"Annie, it didn't have to go like this. Did I... hurt your arm? I'm sorry. Then again, given the chance, you would've killed me back in the forest wouldn't you? Maybe I shouldn't be merciful to a traitor, but... oh well. I guess my heart belongs to the traitor of the walls. Who's your Armored and colossal friends?" I ask.

She then kicks around and destroys the traps before continuing to run. She grabs me and holds me in one of her hands closed, but just open enough for me to survive. She suddenly stops and this buys me time to wiggle out of her grasp and I quickly escape zipping away just barely avoiding being hit by Eren. I land by Jean & Marco sighing with a heavy amount of relief.

Jean turns to me as I land. "Well, our jobs done, right?"

"No. we need to ensure there's no escape." I say watching.

"Yes sir." Marco says.

"Where the hell is Eld?"

Cut to the building Marcel entered earlier as a thud is heard and laying on the ground with blood pouring out around them is Eld. His chest having been pierced through and his throat slit in a gory sight of brutality. As the blood stains his jacket, the jacket of his attacker is barely visible on it the ensign of the Military Police. A match hitting the floor and immediately the floor starts to spread with fire.

I sigh watching the fight continue as she beats Eren's head in. She then turns and extends an arm grabbing me again and trying to run. As she keeps her hand around me as I feel her try to climb the wall. I cut my way through her hand and once out pull myself upwards and cut her other hand as she looks at me her face full of betrayal.

"I'm sorry, I love you." I stare at her as she falls.

Annie then seems to be struck by lightning and I rush down to grab her before Eren can eat her when I feel my index finger on my right hand get encased by something.

"No!" I immediately grab my blade and cut through my finger using my other hand to blast away from her... why... why were you crying?

[Part 5: Captured]

After the fight I stand in front of Annie herself encased in a crystal of some kind. I sigh smacking a blade against it only for it to shatter.

"Damn it. I don't know if you can hear me, Annie... but... I still love you. I don't think I can ever stop that." I sigh placing a hand on the crystal. "Bring a wire net. We're taking the crystal underground. Make sure it stays well lit and keep a guard there at all times."

"Understood!" Several scouts shout before rushing off.

I then turn and walk to Erwin and say a few words to him. "It was almost perfect. If only I hadn't fallen for someone who turned out to be the enemy. Maybe I could've captured her earlier."

"It's alright, son." He places a hand on my shoulder. "You'll never be able to control who or what you fall in love with. You just have to live with that in heart forever."

"I know. I just hope I'll get to see her again one day with her adorable smile that I loved." I lower my shoulders. "Probably not. I'm... tired.. I think I'll sleep in your office tonight."

"Take my room. I probably won't be back for a few days." Father says.

"Yes, Dad."

The Scout Regiment's recall to the capital and Eren's incarceration were rescinded. Instead they were charged with guarding Annie Leonhart in her holding cell  deep underground, where they kept strict vigil day and night. Only a select few including Marcel Zoe were allowed to visit. Sadly, however... it would take a far longer time and cost a great many more lives... for humanity to discover the true nature... of what it held captive.

Chapter End.

Post Credit Scene

I sigh as I walk through the ruins of the city with Marco at my side. The pair of us watching the Military Police doing a cleaning operation. The chaos of it all. When we turn to the house where Eld had been at we find it burned to the ground. Nothings been left from in here. Nothing but ash. As we explore the building I find a pile of bones... and an ensign...

"Marco..."

"Yeah?"

"Eld is..."

"I figured. When we didn't see him during the operation, I think I kinda figured he was."

"I guess... we should tell Levi, Huh."

"Yeah. We should." Marco agrees.

I sigh turning to the wall, the building we were at being right next to it. "Oi? Is that... a Titan?" I ask. Marco then follows my gaze to a hole in the wall where we see what looks like the face of a Titan.

Post Credit Scene End.