Chapter 25: Plots and Plans

Your POV:

I was sitting with Levi and Eren, waiting for the rest of the people to arrive for the meeting. I was getting used to the crutches on my way down and can get around a little easier.

I hear Levi and Eren chat about something, but I wasn't really paying much attention to what they were saying. I'm excited to hear what is going to happen next. If Armin really knows the identity of the female titan that is amazing news! I have to heal up fast so I can help in any way I can.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," I hear Erwin's familiar voice as he steps into the room, "Glad you made it, (y/n). How are you feeling?"

"I'm well, sir." I nod at him, not wanting to draw too much attention to myself, I don't want to talk about me. I want to talk about taking down the female titan.

Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Hange and another cadet I didn't really know follow Erwin into the room and take seats.

"Alright," Erwin started, sitting down next to me, causing me to smirk when I see the pissed off look on Levi's face, "I'll make this brief and to the point. Cadet Arlert here believes he can identify the female titan, she is someone in the Military Police."

Armin was sitting on the other side of me, "That's my smart boy!" I squeal and give him a quick kiss on his cheek. I didn't have to look around at the men in the room to know they are all glaring at me.

It took Armin a minute to compose himself, "Yes well, I have reason to believe it's Annie Leonhart."

I hear Eren gasp when he hears the name of the girl, "Armin, come on you can't be serious. Annie is our friend, we trained together! She taught me how to fight! What are you even saying?"

"Wait," I gasp, "Is she the one you told me about when I was helping you with your hand to hand combat? The one I said, 'you'll see her again someday,' about? The one I said I would like to meet one day?"

Eren looks at me and nods. I can't help but burst out laughing, "Don't take this personally, Eren, but I don't think I'll get along with her very well."

I know it's an inappropriate time to laugh, but I can't help it, irony is my weakness I suppose. I can laugh in the weirdest situations, "I'm sorry, it's not funny, it's not funny." I tell myself quietly.

"Anyway, I know it's hard for you to understand Eren, but I'm sure I'm right." Armin tried to reassure Eren.

"Well where is your evidence, Armin?" Eren countered, "You can't accuse someone of something like this without proof."

"You mean other than the fact they look a lot alike?" Armin argued, "She knew I was referring to you when I said, 'suicidal maniac' for one-"

"So what?" Eren interrupted Armin, "A lot of people would have made that connection!" Eren must really care about this Annie person, it's kind of sad watching him try to defend her.

"Eren, you wouldn't have known this because you were already in the scouts at the time, but after that mystery person killed Hange's titan subjects, we were asked to submit our gear for inspection," Armin affirmed, "When Annie put her gear forward, I realized it wasn't her's, it was Marco's. She was trying to hide her actual gear; don't you find that suspicious?"

Eren is silent, he seems at a loss for words. "Come on, Eren," Armin continues, "When you were fighting her, did you not recognize any of her moves? She helped you train right? You would know better than anyone what her fighting style was like."

Eren seems deep in thought. I remember hearing about Hange's titan subjects being killed by someone who was skilled with 3DMG. Anyone who killed those titans is not on the side of humanity, that much is clear.

"Each of those individual pieces of evidence may not prove anything on their own," Armin sighed, "But when you put them all together, it is far too suspicious to ignore."

Still, it must be hard for Eren to come to terms with the fact that someone he considered a good friend and mentor, may actually be the female titan.

"Anyway," Erwin clears his throat, "Since we know her identity, we can make a better plan of attack. I was hoping to do this sooner, but I believe we should wait a few weeks until Levi and (y/n) are in better shape to help. We will need as many skilled soldiers as we can get. The female titan may let her guard down a little more if we don't act right away."

"Do we have the time to wait?" Hange inquires, "Haven't they sent a summons for Eren yet?"

"Not yet," Erwin answers, "But we can't step foot in the capital yet, as soon as we do Eren will be taken into their custody. I propose we use Stohess district as a means to trap the female titan. We'll send in a convoy and use Eren as bait. Stohess has a series of underground passageways, we can use that to lure the female titan underground. That way, if she transforms it will be very difficult for her to move."

"What if she doesn't fall for your little trap?" I question him, "What if she were to transform above ground?"

"Then the fight will be up to Eren." He answered simply.

"If that happens a lot of people will die, property will be destroyed." I comment more to myself than to Erwin.

"Indeed," He nods, "The losses will be great, but think about what we will be gaining. Capturing the female titan will be a big step for humanity as a whole. If you say that's not worth it, I won't believe you. All victories come at a cost, but we have to continue pushing forward."

"My best friend, Celeste, works in Stohess a lot," I bite my lip nervously, "Not to mention Peter's office is there too."

"If the female titan is lured to the underground passageway, it is quite a distance from the lounge and Peter's office." Erwin reassures me.

"But if she transforms above ground and runs, she can go in any direction," I argue, "There is no telling what she will do, and Eren will have to do everything he can to try and stop her. That will include buildings getting caught in the crossfire, killing those residents."

"I'm aware of the risks, (y/n)," Erwin sighs, "It will be unfortunate if it comes to that, but we have to do what we have to do to capture the female titan."

I chew on my lip nervously; I know we have to do this. But plans go wrong all the time, especially when it comes to titans. But I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to Celeste or Peter. Perhaps there is a way I can warn them without telling them what is going on.

I listen silently as they go on to talk about the operation in Stohess. Ideally, I should be able to tell Peter at least, how will I even talk to Celeste? I haven't seen her in 3 years. She could be dead for all I know.

Maybe I'll ask Peter about her, see if he can get her here somehow. Or maybe I can meet with her somewhere else... I'll ask Peter about it today; he should be in his office here today.

Author's POV:

Conrad was making his way to Lawrence's office with Celeste. The terrified looking brown haired girl was visibly shaking at the thought of having Lawrence call her to his office like this. Usually when she gets called to the office it's for a punishment. But she has no idea what she may have done, she has been following all the rules and making her clients satisfied.

When they reach Lawrence's door, Conrad knocks, "It's Helios, sir, I've brought Clio."

"Come in." Lawrence greets them from behind the door.

Lawrence smiles at Celeste's terrified blue eyes, "Hello my pet, there is no need for you to worry, I have a job for you." He motions for her to take a seat in front of his desk.

Conrad stands by the door, waiting to be dismissed or waved in by Lawrence.

"How may I serve you, sir?" Celeste asks nervously.

"Well, you see Clio, I have a bit of a problem and I was hoping you could help me with it."

"Of course, sir," she replied automatically, "I'll do everything within my power."

"Helios over there," Lawrence begins to explain, pointing his finger at an embarrassed looking Conrad, "Has lost his grip on a certain family I need to be in good graces with. Because of Helios' shameless gallivanting, I am in trouble with the Sanderson family."

Celeste fidgets nervously in her seat, she knows where this conversation is going.

"So," Lawrence gives her a sweet smile, "I need my Clio to get into Benjamin Sanderson's good graces."

"(Y/n)'s brother?" She shivered. She has met him on various occasions, she has always liked him. He is a very kind man and cares a lot for you.

"Yes. Also, if you agree to it, I will have a very special reward for you." Lawrence cajoled, "You had a baby recently, correct?"

Celeste froze up completely as soon as he mentioned her son, and she could feel tears running down her face.

"As you may have been informed, the father refuses to take responsibility for the child," Lawrence continues, giving her a wicked smile, "So, as you know, your baby will be sent to the underground and raised there."

"No!" Celeste cried desperately, "Please, please let me have him. I beg you, sir!"

Lawrence puts his hand up to her, silencing her immediately, "I'm prepared to allow you to keep custody of him and raise him here. But only if you do as I ask and seduce Benjamin Sanderson."

Celeste couldn't stop herself from shaking, she had never felt so conflicted in her life. You were the only person who tried to protect her, the only one that looked out for her. She felt sick at the thought of betraying you.

But she knows what happens to any babies born to Lawrence's pets. If the fathers do not want the child, they are sent to the underground and raised under horrible conditions. Making them grow up in such a brutal environment just breeds more and more underground criminals. Lawrence takes precautions when it comes to his pets and birth control. The method isn't exactly ethical and doesn't always work.

Celeste's baby was only a couple months old and was taken from her right away. She loves you like a sister, but she's a mother now and she knows her baby will not have a good life being raised in the underground.

'I'm so sorry, (y/n),' She thinks to herself, 'but I have to do this, I have to save my baby. Forgive me'.

"What must I do?" Celeste asked Lawrence quietly.

"That's what I like to hear!" Lawrence clapped his hands, "That's a good girl, Clio!"

Celeste felt horrible having to go along with Lawrence. But she will do anything to protect her baby. She knows what they are raised to be underground, her baby wouldn't be the first baby sent to the underground, and he wouldn't be the last.

But she has a chance to raise him herself, even if it means going behind your back, she will do what she must.

Your POV:

I was told to go straight back to the hospital wing after the meeting, but I wanted to wander around a bit. I hate being stuck in a bed all day, I just wanted some fresh air.

I hopped along on my crutches and decided to sit out on the grass in the sun. I carefully set myself down on the ground and sigh with relief as I lay back and feel the sun on my skin. Not sure how I'm going to get up... What with my broken leg in an awkward cast, and my ribs hurting when I bend forward or back. But that's a problem for later.

I hum quietly to myself, eyes closed and enjoying the warmth of the sun. "What are you doing?" I hear a deep voice ask me from above.

I open my eyes to see Mike smirking down at me, "Oh no, not you." I groan playfully.

"What do you mean?" He crosses his arms and continues to stare down at me.

"It hurts my neck to talk to you, you're too tall. Whenever I talk to you and you stare down at me like that, I feel like a helpless little woodland creature."

Mike laughs and sits down next to me, "How were you planning on getting up?"

"I was waiting for a big strong man to save me in my moment of need." I sigh dramatically.

"I'll help you, but not if you're going to hold a knife to my throat again." Mike chuckled.

"Are you not over that yet? That's just how we say 'Hello' in the underground." I tease him.

"How are you feeling?" He asked in a more serious tone.

"I feel fine, promise. I'm not having hallucinations anymore if that's what you're worried about. Oh! I completely forgot to ask! How did it go with the bar tender?"

"You remember that?" He smirks at me, cheeks turning a light shade of red.

"Of course I do, she was a hottie! Were I not so drunk at the time; I would have stolen her from you." I wink at him while returning his smirk.

"Yeah, well she was hitting on Erwin first." I can feel a little hint of jealousy flare up in me a bit. I've never been a jealous person... But I can be territorial, a 'get off my lawn' kind of person. But Erwin isn't mine and neither is Levi for that matter. But I still feel a little hint of 'being territorial' when I think of either of them being with anyone else.

I can hear Mike laugh at the face I'm making, "Don't worry, he didn't respond to her advances at all. He was too distracted by a certain someone."

"True," I agree, "His one true love is and will always be Titans."

"That's not what I meant."

"Oh!" I gasp, "You meant Captain Levi?! I knew it!"

"You're hopeless." Mike sighed and lay down next to me, looking up at the sky.

We were both just enjoying the gentle breeze and the quiet together when I hear a voice. A voice that makes me shoot back up into a sitting position, groaning in pain from my ribs because of my sudden movement, "(y/n) (l/n)!"

It was Ellen stomping towards me. When she reaches me, she lowers herself to my level so she can be close to my face.

"When you came to Peter's office after you were assaulted by Lawrence, you told me you wouldn't do anything reckless! You promised to come back unscathed! You said not to worry, you would be fine! That's what you said, you said that to me!" Ellen chastised me as I just give her an innocent look.

"Well, I did make it back though!" I smile at her, hopefully she will accept the brighter side of the situation.

"I could strangle you, do you know how worried I was?!" Ellen fumed, "What would I have told Jack and Ellie?"

"That you released me back into the wild to be with my own kind, or brought me out to a farm somewhere where I can run free, or whatever lie you tell children when their pet dies." I offer, giggling a little bit.

"(Y/n)!"

"Ellen, you may have to get used to the idea of me dying. That just comes with the job, I'm sorry that I made you worry. I won't promise you my safe return anymore." I appealed to her, hoping it will calm her down a bit.

"Come on," She sighed at me as she stood up straight, "The kids are here, they're with Peter."

"Okay," I smile at her and try to get up on my own. Mike notices my struggle and lifts me to my feet for me and grabs my crutches.

"Thank you." I nod at him as I follow Ellen into HQ and toward Peter's office.

Author's POV:

Reiner and Bertolt were relieved when they heard that you were okay. The last time they met with Annie before the expedition, they asked her to leave you alive if possible.

Honestly, they didn't think she would, but she did as they asked and kept you alive. When they came back from the expedition, they heard a rumour that you did not return. They didn't believe it at first, but it turned out to be true in the end. They worried about you alongside everyone else on base.

There was talk about them sending a group of volunteers out to find you, and of course they offered right away. But they only wanted experienced soldiers out there.

They had to fight the urge to go out and find you themselves. Reiner wanted to transform and take you to the outer edges of the island. He was hoping maybe Zeke would be there, and hopefully they could somehow convince him to take you somewhere safe. Away from the carnage that is inevitably going to go down on this island.

They were surprised when they realized you actually gave them the correct position in formation that Eren was in. Reiner was able to confirm it with Armin when they were on the expedition and was able to communicate that to Annie out in the field when they ran into her.

There isn't much they can do for you now, if they are planning on a counter attack against Annie, they haven't heard anything about it. But they agree to try and keep their ears and eyes open just in case, it's too dangerous to ask outright. They can't draw any attention to themselves.

Meanwhile, in the capital Celeste is making her way back to Lawrence's residence after a short session with a client. The man was usually gentle with her, so he was a nice client to have. Being requested by him almost felt like a break.

As she turns the corner she runs right into Benjamin, "Oh! Sorry Celeste!" He laughs after bumping into her and catching her so she wouldn't lose her balance, "I wasn't paying attention, I was just looking for Helios."

"To punch him?" Celeste giggles nervously, "I heard about him and Katrina."

"Yeah, I love saying I told you so to her, especially after she put (y/n) down so much for her warning her about him. But she is still my sister, and I do still feel I should defend her honour." Benjamin admits to her.

"How is (y/n)? Is she well? I heard she is back safe inside the walls."

Benjamin's grey eyes narrow a bit when he thought about you and how you almost died out there. He felt guilty, he's your older brother and he wanted to do everything he could to help you. But he couldn't and it weighed on him a lot.

"Yes, I was going to go see her in a few days. I need to have a talk with her about her life choices." Benjamin said, rubbing his long dark brown hair anxiously. He had always had a little crush on Celeste. She is pretty, kind and the fact that you trust and love her.

"May I go with you?" Celeste asked carefully, "I haven't seen her in years, I miss her so much."

"Of course," Benjamin agreed quickly, "I'll come get you with my carriage in 3 days, in the morning if that's okay with you."

Celeste only smiles sweetly and nods at him. Benjamin walks her the rest of the way to her dorm and bid her farewell.

As soon as she closed the door behind her, she cried silently to herself. She prayed for her son and prayed for you to have mercy on her.

Erwin's POV:

"Hange, is there a reason why you're still here?" I grumbled at Hange as she continues to stare at me behind my desk.

"No reason," Hange tries to say nonchalantly, "I just thought you would enjoy some company while looking through your mail after I brought it to you!"

I narrow my eyes suspiciously at her, what is she playing at? "Oh!" She exclaims suddenly, "This looks like an interesting invitation!" She grabs a letter out of the stack I was currently going through.

I yank it out of her hand, "Hange, what are you doing?" I chastised her, "I'm pretty sure those are addressed to me, not you."

"I know," she groaned impatiently, "But it's an invitation to a fancy party!"

"Yes, and?" I growled, "Commanders within the different regiments always get invitations to things like this. I never go, why should this be any different?"

"Well if you were to bring a date... Maybe there is a certain pretty little (h/c) haired girl you could invite..." Hange encouraged me. She has the subtly of an abnormal titan who has their sights set on you.

I was about to wave off her suggestion, but she may be right. It may be nice to get away from HQ with her. It is in Orvud District, so it's not like I'm inviting her to go into the capital.

"Little bit of drinking, little bit of dancing, then you can invite her back to your room and-"

"I get it, Hange," I interrupt her, "I'll consider it."

"Okay!" Hange smiles brightly, "Alright, I'll leave now, see you at dinner!"

Ah, so that's why she was hanging around. I look at the invitation again. The date is set about a week after our plan to capture the female titan in Stohess. I look at the name on the invitation, Harvey Banning. I believe he is a prestigious doctor who is also a nobleman on the king's council. I wonder if (y/n) has met him before.

I don't know if I'll go, I guess it depends on how angry the higher ups get after we complete our mission in Stohess. That being said, it may be nice to spend alone time with (y/n) in a different setting.