CHANGES
I'll see you in 2000 years.
- Year 867, somewhere underground:
He is racing through the alleys, running for his life. It's actually pretty fun, really. Cutting corners, jumping boxes, looking high and low for a better escape route, thinking on his feet. Those guards were actually in need of some exercise. It seems like the newer technological advancements implemented in the last thirteen years had made them soft. He can count only five guards or so, so far. "I can lose them," he thinks.
Even the brand-new radio equipment seems not to be working. Probably out of range so far underground. No response, no reinforcements. Maybe he can breathe safely now, and just keep going. But never underestimate your enemies. And don't forget the power of the good old vocal cords. It seems that shouting is still effective, and not out of range; and so is the old police whistle, not to mention the commotion already made in the underground city streets.
That's when he sees that old friendly familiar face, the face says it all: "I told you so". You don't even need the words, it's all deep within the disappointment. There, deep inside the eye. He gently slows down, almost stopping, to meet the old man; breathless, but still smiling, enjoying himself, a young soul looking for danger, curious about life, still looking.
"I told you not to go looking around, making noise. How many times do I have to explain to you the gravity of the situation that we are in? We've been made, now we need to mov-"
"I'm already moving," he answers, still running, one more time, gaining speed again. He waves goodbye to the old man. "See you soon!"
There are now fifteen soldiers or more, or at least that's what he can count. Merchants were watching, people gossiping, kids mesmerised and cheering. "Uncle is right. We've been made, been discovered, these people won't forget. We've been made, I'm calling too much attention to myself. If only they could see me now, what would they think? I guess we have to move again." he thought.
The boy pondered about his situation for a few seconds.
"I can't take it. Sorry, Uncle, there's no point in this, I'm done running," he made his decision.
He stops. Completely cornered, with nowhere to go. Putting his hands up, he looks all those guards in their faces. Some show up in the buildings around, two in the right building, one in the left; at his back there's a wall, right in front of him were eight more guards and four more arriving, guns aimed. There's no escaping it now. A tall guard gestures so some can position themselves around him, just to make sure the boy is completely surrounded.
The boy notices these guards are way better dressed than the soldiers you would see underground, with better equipment and better weapons. They are Royal Guards.
"Her Majesty, The Queen, has a quarrel with you," the tall man says while gesturing and moving his hand down to properly position his gun. He is aiming his gun with precision at the young boy.
"A quarrel?" the boy laughs.
From the roof of a building down the street on the left, a flock of birds rises up rapidly, clumsily knocking on the tower bell. The loud and unexpected haunting sound attracts the attention of the guards. And as they come back to their senses, the boy is gone.
End of prologue - "The Chase"
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PS.: Before this story starts, I need you to know that I'll keep the original manga as it is, still as somewhat of a "basis" for this story, I'll be calling that "the darkest timeline" (unofficially) Officially I'll be calling it "The old World" which is also the name of Change's first overarching arc! [March, 19th, 2021]
2 PS.: I wrote this before Chapter 139, this chapter of my fanfic was written over a month ago, I did not make changes to my original plan after 139, the story will follow as planned, so consider this to be vaguely based on the final arc up to chapter 138. [April, 19th, 2021]
3 PS.: This is the revised version of this Chapter. Thank you, SailorChronos1, for helping with the text! I hope is easier to read and more comprehensible now. This is my first ever attempt at writing in a second language and I'm learning a lot! [May, 25th, 2021]
- Creative Tree
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The Old World
Part One: What Happened to Them?
Chapter One: "The Field"
- Year 854
It was very difficult to notice the beauty surrounding them. High up in the sky, the wind, the clouds, the sunrise. That bright light was shining on a devastated world down below. No one said a word for at least the first two hours. Plain silence, which was an odd thing after their ears were already accustomed to the loud noises of Titans stomping the entire world. Just plain silence, that is all there was now.
"All I can see is red, it's getting pathetic," said Jean with a tired look on his face. "How long until we reach the ocean?"
"Well, this is not an airship; it's not like we can calculate its flying speed. Does anyone have a timepiece?" asked Onyankopon.
"Now, that's a stupid question," interrupted Connie. "We should be glad we are still alive here, flesh and bones, all limbs accounted for."
"I'm sorry, I-" Onyan tried to apologise but Connie continued.
"Stop whining, Jean. Falco should be the one complaining, he's the one who's been carrying our weight all this time-"
"There it is!" Gabi exclaimed, showing her smile for the first time after such a long while, as she pointed at the big blue strip of ocean they could barely see on the horizon.
"Great!" Onyan smiled. "According to our starting direction, this should be the shortest sea path between Marley and Hizuru. It shouldn't be long now."
The scenario had changed completely from the one before. In just a few minutes they became completely enveloped by the blue of the sky and the ocean; a very peaceful feeling none of them had felt since all of this started weeks ago. Just the six of them, the blue sky, the even bluer ocean. Peace at last. But not completely. If they looked closely at the water, they could see debris and ship wreckage. Onyankopon looked at the waves intensely and impatiently.
Levi finally broke his silence. "You won't find them, it's useless, we are too high up. We can barely make anything out on those waves down below."
Falco was feeling guilty, sure: a lot more people were dead, they were just amongst the others. But those other deaths, they hadn't been caused by him. Those people in that ship were safe, they could probably have made it somehow. Maybe, or maybe they would just die later; but still, their deaths as they were, in the ocean, that was in his hands, that was his fault.
"I know, maybe I'm hopeful they made it back to Hizuru, or another smaller island nearby. The ship had lifeboats, so maybe, maybe they are still out there, somewhere," Onyankopon said, trying to be hopeful, but failing miserably at it.
"I guess we will know when we get there," said Levi, ending the conversation.
Somewhere within the Island:
"She looks so beautiful! Just look at her! She's perfect," said one of the nuns in the orphanage, who held the small baby girl. "She needs you, Your Majesty." The nun gestured as if to give the baby to the Queen.
Historia was looking through the window, calm, attentive, contemplative. And completely ignoring the words of the old woman.
"Is it over?" she asked.
"Well," said the nun, "you are well rested and the baby is clean-"
"I wasn't asking about the labour," she interrupted, annoyed. "I can't hear the noises anymore. I still could before, even if it was faint, but everything seems calm now. What was the last news the messenger brought us?"
"Last we heard, there was some struggle down at the docks, but nothing has been confirmed. The place is completely destroyed, but by human hands, not by your Titans, Your Majesty. Unfortunately there isn't much more that we know, there were no surviving witnesses," the nun said nervously while rocking the small baby that the Queen refused to hold.
"Why am I only hearing about this now?" Historia responded angrily.
"I am sorry, Your Majesty. The information only arrived when Your Majesty was already in labour. I apologise." The nun tried to justify the mistake, hoping to be on the Queen's good side once more.
"Tell them to send a troop to investigate the situation. And I want the new information to be delivered to me as soon as possible; it doesn't matter the situation I am in." Historia gave out the order sharply.
The nun exited the room, still rocking the baby in her hands. Before she could speak with the guards, the doctor quietly took her aside.
"How is she doing?" the doctor asked.
"She is still rejecting the girl," the nun answered quietly, almost in a whisper. "She is still in shock. I wonder how long this will last; she needs to feed the girl, the baby is so small and fragile. I don't want to think of the worst..." she continued while worriedly looking at the baby's sleeping face.
"Let's not then. Besides, babies are resilient, she's probably stronger than she looks. I'm sure she will be a great princess! And our great sovereign someday!" The doctor gradually increased his tone just to assure the faith of his fellow patriots.
The nun gave the Queen's message about the harbour inquiry, and the Yeagerists started discussing it amongst themselves. Their mission was to keep the Queen safe, make sure there wasn't any attempt on her life in such a delicate situation. They were under strict orders, until their unproclaimed King came back, to defend the orphanage at all costs.
"If we send even a small troop, we are still making ourselves vulnerable. It's too risky," said one of the soldiers.
"We could send someone as a messenger to deliver this mission to another squad," said another one.
"But we don't know what is happening out there. It's dangerous to leave the Queen with even less protection than what we have here," said the third one.
"We should follow orders; do what Her Majesty told us to," said the doctor. "The threat of a Marlean attack seems less likely now. The baby was born, the Queen is healthy. You heard the last messenger: the people are rejoicing outside, our people. The plan worked! We will be in peace now. Eldia will be great again! Thanks to your Savior and King. Now, designate a squad to do what your Queen asks. Don't second guess Her Majesty; let's keep putting our trust in them and everything will be fine. Trust me." He said it in the most pompous way possible as he walked back into the Queen's quarters with the nun and the small newborn.
As they walked away the nun asked the doctor, "I suppose they don't know-"
"No one is supposed to know. The Queen gave her orders," he interrupted firmly but quietly.
"What a speech," said Historia as they walked into her room. "But don't be so cheerful, it's not over yet," she continued as the doctor looked embarrassed. "The walls in this building are quite thin, and you are all very loud." As she finished, her baby started to cry. She looked away.
The good doctor looked at the little thing in the nun's arms. "You need to feed her. I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but hear my advice: she needs your warmth and care," he pleaded.
"We know how difficult this has been for you. The labour-" the nun began, trying to help, but she was interrupted by Historia.
"The good doctor took care of it. I don't want to hear a single word about this. This story dies here. Do I make myself clear?" The doctor and the nun nodded their heads respectfully.
It took a couple of minutes of silence, of Historia still staring out the window as they could all hear the baby's faint, sad, miserable cries. Finally, she moved her head in the direction of the nun, and extended her hands to hold her newborn child.
Flying over Hizuru:
They finally arrived on Hizuru's shores. When looking down at the destruction, they saw that the place was in a much worse state than when they had left there, not even two days ago. A flattened land filled with debris and red stains; it seemed, like in Marley, the rain hadn't come down yet to wash away the blood.
"There's nothing left here. Everything is completely destroyed," said Jean in a disappointed tone. "Everyone is already dead here too; I don't know why we hoped they wouldn't be." He continued, "Is there anything down there that we can use?"
"There has to be. I refuse to believe those Titans sank all of Hizuru's ships! Let's just keep looking," Onyan responded, still trying not to let go of hope.
Levi sighed; he was done thinking of the ones he'd lost, looking down below was not easy.
"We are pressed for time. We need a ship that can fit all those people, and we also need enough coal. At this point it would be a miracle to find anything. Maybe we should consider a new plan," concluded Connie. "Those people are depending on us."
It would take a miracle.
It took a few more minutes of flying up the shoreline, looking for any sign of anything they could use. At that point, all of them were questioning if this was the best course of action, or if they really should consider something else. What a waste of time then.
But that's when it happened. They could see a faint outline of a massive ship down there, in the distance. Falco flew in its direction. The closer they got, they could see that the ship wasn't in the best shape: it looked like it had been underwater and it was in need of repairs. "It's better than nothing," affirmed Levi.
As they drew closer, they could see little figures scurrying up and down the docks: human figures, which seemed impossible at the time. Getting even closer, they started to recognise those figures.
"What a sight for sore eyes!" Kiyomi exclaimed happily as the group landed on the docks. "I gather it's finally finished, the destruction has stopped, the tremors are gone. Well done, you are all humanity's heroes," she praised them.
"It's not over for us, not yet," Levi responded. "There's a group of people stranded in Fort Salta, we need a way to rescue them."
"How did you find yourselves a ship?" Onyan asked. "I'm relieved, but I am not going to lie, this seems like a tremendous stroke of luck!"
Kiyomi explained, "It just presented itself to us. The thing seems to have risen back up from the depths after a storm. It still needs repairs; we were lucky we made to this harbour. We need some time to repair it, but when it's done we probably have enough coal to go to Salta." Kiyomi continued, "If there are any humans alive out there, we need to make sure they receive the proper care. I sent a group to look for survivors here in Hizuru as well. It seems unlikely but we need to be sure. The engineers mending the ship can help you with the rescue; I need to go see the state of my country."
"It will take forever to count and know how many people are still alive, and to evaluate the state of the whole world right now," added Jean.
"For now, Paradise Island is most likely the place with the majority of survivors, but we don't know much about what is happening there either," replied Onyankopon.
"About that," said Levi, looking back in Falco's direction. "It seems you have things under control now."
Levi turned to address The Jaw Titan: "Do you think you still have energy for a trip to the Island?" he asked the young Titan Shifter. Falco nodded back at him.
Levi turned to address The Jaw Titan: "Do you think you still have energy for a trip to the Island?" he asked the young Titan Shifter. Falco nodded back at him.
"Are you sure, Falco?" asked Gabi worriedly. He nodded again, gently trying to pat her head. "I am going with you then," she told Levi.
"I am going too," added Connie.
"Then I'll stay and help with the Fort Salta rescue," Jean told his friend. "Please tell my parents that I am alive, if you see them. And Connie," he clasped his friend on the shoulder. "If the nightmare is over for us, it probably is for your mother too."
"Don't give me too much hope, I have a lot to think about as it is," Connie replied. "Besides, you saw what happened to the Colossals. I'm trying my best not to worry too much."
"Well, don't ponder too much on it then. You'll be home soon," said Jean as he tried to comfort his friend.
Arriving in Paradise:
Falco could barely hold up his wings by the time they reached the destroyed harbour. As they touched the ground he quickly removed himself from the Titan and passed out in Gabi's arms. Connie rushed to help. Levi approached the soldiers that he saw conversing amongst themselves and taking notes.
"Captain Levi!?" exclaimed one of the soldiers, who began to shower him with questions. "Where did that flying monster come from? And were you here when all this happened? We don't seem to have any witnesses. Is it done? Was the rumbling successful? Are we the winners?" Levi stared at him, he crossed his arms and didn't say a word.
"Did you see what happened or not?" asked another soldier, more impatiently.
"Barely," Levi answered. "Can you help them get to Ragako?" He pointed at the other three. "I need to go somewhere else; I made a promise."
"We could spare a couple of soldiers to aid them. Since the rumbling is done, and we are not expecting any counterattacks any time soon. But the rest of us need to finish this inquiry. The Queen wants to know what happened here," answered the first soldier.
"Take me to her," Levi responded. "I can tell her everything she needs to know."
Under the scalding sun in Fort Salta:
"It will be ironic to die here of starvation, after surviving everything else we went through," said Reiner as he was sitting down in the sand, contemplating their situation.
"Thirst will kill us first," added Pieck, sitting down next to him.
"We can't afford to stand around waiting for rescue. Pieck is right. We need to look for a well and organise rations. Work with what we have. We survived this far. Let's not waste it," said Mr. Leonhart, taking charge.
"And what about him?" Annie asked her father.
She pointed at Eren's crystallised body there, laid on the ground at a safe distance from them. She was watching carefully since it had revealed itself, emerging from the inside of the worm-like creature after it completely steamed out. It had been over half a day since then, but the crystal was still emitting a faint steam.
"I can't believe he was inside that disgusting creature this entire time," Reiner said.
"Well, it's not like it would make much of a difference knowing," argued Pieck. "That thing seemed invincible up until the very end. If it hadn't steamed out on its own, we would never have found him there."
"Do you think Mikasa is still somewhere in that maze?" Reiner asked, turning to look at the oddly shaped maze that was made out of Colossal Titans after they were hardened again.
"Last I saw, she was next to Levi. He didn't say a word before he left, but she was probably killed by Eren's second transformation," Annie said sternly, but with a sad tone in her voice.
"I could climb up that thing and have a better look at our surroundings," suggested Reiner. "Maybe there's a nearby town that is still standing. And if I find any signs of her out there, it would just be a bonus."
"There's nothing out there," Annie snapped back at him. "Weren't you flying on Falco's back long enough to see it? Everything around us is dead. The few people here are probably the last survivors of all of this," she remarked.
Silence fell upon them after that. Annie's father stared at Eren's crystal in the same way as she had been staring before.
"How was it for you, dear? How does it feel? Can we even be sure if he's alive in there?" Mr. Leonhart asked.
"It's like a never ending dream," Annie answered, "and he most certainly is alive. It just remains to be seen how long he'll be hiding in there."
Back at the Orphanage:
Historia seemed happier now, the wondering eyes of the innocent child looking at her won her over and made her smile again. She was pacing back and forth around the room, humming a lullaby, rocking her baby girl to sleep as the maids were cleaning the room.
One of the nuns announced the Captain's arrival, and she signalled to let him in.
"Congratulations on the birth. I believe the monarchy is safe now," said Levi in an ironic tone while crossing his arms and leaning against one of the decorated walls. He was waiting for the maids to leave the room.
"Captain, I'm glad to see you are alive," responded Historia with her dead eyes.
"Are you? I don't buy that. I can't believe you went along with this, supporting Eren's stupid plan. But now to think of it, you're probably crazier than he is," Levi said.
"It was either us or them," Historia responded with grace and a hiss of anger. "We had to move quickly, to protect our own."
"Spare me your bullshit. I'm not one of your brainless followers," Levi snapped back at her, raising himself up again and walking forward.
"There was nothing else we could have done. We needed to get rid of our enemies, for good," the Queen maintained. "Otherwise, our people would never stop being hunted."
"Really? Are all those people outside this Island our enemies then?" he exclaimed. "All the peaceful nations? The civilians going about their day? The children?! How would you like it if that little one in your arms right now was trampled down by a gigantic monster and turned into red jelly? You're a mother now, so tell me: how would you feel if it was your child?" He angrily pointed at the small baby in her hands.
Historia looked at her daughter with care and worry.
Levi continued, "Why don't you go outside of this comfy room and see what's left of the world out there? It isn't a pretty sight," he scolded his once squad pupil.
"What is done. It's done. There's no going back now. The past will never change. We can only move forward," she remarked to him with a reprimanding look, and a stronger tone to remind him of her status. She was the Queen.
Levi didn't care.
There was silence.
Historia broke the silence in the room. "So, is that what you came here for? To reprimand me about things I already know? It won't work. I made up my mind about this a long time ago. I am in peace."
"I am not here for you, and you know that. I made a promise," Levi responded and then continued, "I have to admit, that's a bold strategy, using the children as human shields. It fits your perverted ideals."
"They are not shields. You were there when I took a vow of raising the orphans, and you supported me. I have royal guards here for their protection, as much as my own," Historia responded.
"If I knew you were going to brainwash those poor kids into joining your cult, I would never have endorsed any of this. Now, where are you keeping the children 'safe'? Is it in a room as luxurious as this? I doubt it." Levi justified himself while looking around the royal quarters.
"Did you come to take him with you?" Historia asked.
"Of course I did. I am the only family he has," affirmed Levi.
"The boy was left in my care-" she was saying as Levi interrupted her.
"I am not leaving my nephew with you. He is my own blood, and you are dreaming if you think I am leaving him here to become a brainless moron like those guards outside," Levi said, and turned to leave. "Oh, and I almost forgot. Consider this as my resignation. There's no point in a Survey Corps if there's no world left outside to explore."
He left the room.
Somewhere near Shiganshina:
"This is weird," said Gabi. "The bleeding doesn't seem to stop..." she trailed off while cleaning up Falco's wounds.
"He is at his limit. It might take some time for the regeneration to kick in," said Connie.
"He's losing too much blood... At this rate, I'm worried for his life," Gabi said, anxiously.
"Let's take him to a hospital then. You are right, we could be losing him," Connie said.
"But what about Ragako? And your mother? I know you are eager to see if she's okay. Maybe I should take him to the hospital on my own," Gabi suggested.
"No way! Ragako can wait. I'm taking care of you both. If my mother knew that I refused to help the boy who saved my life so many times, she would scold me nonstop," Connie said, laughing to ease up Gabi's mind.
Back at Fort Salta:
The sun was going down; some water and rations were expertly divided amongst the last survivors of the rumbling, but night was coming and darkness is a dangerous thing. They were expecting Falco to come back with news of a ship or some other method of transport. Also, since Eren had revealed himself to be crystallised, it was all the more reason to hope for the Jaw Titan's return. After all, there was nothing else that could break that crystal, and they knew it.
"We should just start walking," said Mr. Leonhart.
"Maybe you were right about climbing up that maze," Annie told Reiner. "We could transform and try it. Up there we can get a better view, and see if help is still coming. If not, see what is the best direction we could start walking towards," she proposed.
"Do you think you still can?" Pieck asked, as she looked at her own bloody bandaged arms.
"What do you mean?" asked Reiner.
"My wounds are not healing properly, and I feel... I don't know... Don't you guys feel ...strange?" she wondered.
"Are you suggesting we lost our shifter abilities?" asked Annie, confused.
"There's no way!" Reiner said in a humorous tone. "I feel the same as always. You are probably just tired. I'm sure your healing will work better once you are rested, don't worry about it-"
As Reiner was jovially talking, a familiar sound unnerved him. They all looked down on their side. The crystal was slowly breaking.
Eren was awake.
- Year 867 - The Boy was Lying on a Field
He had to open his eyes. Whenever he closed them, he was back there, or nowhere: blood, a rose, a strange man, a castle, toys, a tree, a statue, fire burning, pain. The sky. The sky? He woke up from a nightmare. Or was it? It was already gone, completely wiped again.
The boy stared at the birds flying in the sky, the clouds, the wind, the grass. It was a nice day. But which day was it again? He looked around. It took a couple of seconds for him to realise where he was. He was there again. He had been on that field once before.
"Why am I here again? How did I end up here?" The boy was looking into his fading memories, trying to make sense of what had happened...
He startled.
He could hear steps coming towards him. He knew it. He was in danger. That primeval instinct kicked in; adrenaline rushing, he slowly reached for his small blade. He was ready for whoever was coming. His uncle'd taught him well.
The boy quickly made a move on his assumed assailant: knife right to the throat. In a split second. He was inhumanly fast. But with superior speed, and clearly better technique than the young boy - the kind you only get with years of experience - the older man blocked the boy's attack and quickly disarmed him. Make no mistake. Just because the man had whiter than white hair and only one working eye didn't mean that he was useless. Appearances are deceiving.
"I knew I would find you here," said Levi.
- Year 854 - Among the Orphanage Children
Levi slowly walked into the room. All the children were there, along with some guards, and some nuns as well, supervising the orphans. Most of them were joyfully playing, running, chatting, being happy children - like children, completely unaware of the situation in the world outside. Innocent. Pure.
He scanned the room, and his eye stopped right on the corner: there he was, the small boy was playing on his own, away from the others. In his own little world. Levi didn't recognise the toddler right away; he was taller and a little older, of course, but there was something else. The boy was sad. He himself didn't know why, he was too young to understand anything, but you could see it in his face as he tried to distract himself with a couple of toys he'd gathered.
"He hadn't made any friends since his mother left him here. Poor thing. He's not very communicative," a nun told Levi.
"He doesn't actually speak yet, not to strangers anyway," Levi told the nun. "I'm the only one, besides his parents, who has actually heard him speak. But he was always smiling, he's a happy child, but maybe this is not a great environment. He was taught not to trust strangers."
"Tell me about it. He was crying from the moment he noticed his mother leaving, and he has been crying all day ever since!" the nun said, annoyed. "But yesterday, he stopped, and he's been like this, just quiet. He seems to cry only for himself," she noted.
Levi walked towards the boy, who looked up and smiled, a sad half smile, but a smile nonetheless. Levi smiled back at him in a similar way. The child looked at the door, he had been expecting Levi not to come alone. Where were his parents? He kept waiting for the door to open again. Nothing happened. The boy turned his head down again and concentrated on his toys. Levi crouched down to his level, staying in his sight, the uncle then put his mutilated and bandaged hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Hello, Azzy," he said to his nephew. "I know I'm not the one you were expecting. I promised your mother I would take care of you, if something were to happen." He tried to hide the broken tones in his voice.
The boy looked up at him. His big blue eyes could stare through Levi's soul. Levi knew those eyes. "He knew. Since yesterday, he knew they weren't coming back," Levi thought.
He held the boy in his arms.
"Come on. Let's go home."
Levi said.
Levi said.
End of Chapter One: "The Field"