The Guardian's Tale (AOT fanfiction)

-The Other Side of The Wall-

The Military discussed the facts that had been revealed in Grisha Yeager's journals and of course, the Military Police was largely against sharing the contents with the citizens. According to them, if the general population of the Walls was to find out that our actual enemy was the world, it would cause chaos.

"You really wish to deceive them once more ?" I asked before I stood up. "That's what you guys are suggesting isn't it ? That we keep the citizens docile and blind like the late king did ?" Rage started coursing through my whole body and I could feel flames start to form under my hands. "If we do that, then by what ideals did we oppose King Reiss ? That would just make us greedy bastards is all."

"You truly are Erwin's daughter." Commander Pyxis commented as I sat back down. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

A small smile formed on my lips as the flames under my hands vanished. Not a moment after, Historia decided that they would announce the truth, reasoning that all they would be doing is restoring their memories that King Reiss had stolen. Of course though, the part about who the true royal family was would be kept a secret.

(.........)

At the military ceremony, I brushed my fingers over the marks under my eyes and clenched my fist hard enough to draw blood until Jean grabbed my hand.

"Yuki...calm down it's alright." He reassured me.

"Jean...I..." I turned to him, horror filling my eyes. "I almost killed Reiner...and I...I was so damn useless...I could've saved more people...so why didn't I ?"

He silently pulled me in for a hug but quickly let go when he spotted Hitch coming towards us. She looked quite tired and...a bit different than last time. She seemed softer in a way.

"Well if it isn't the brave heroes of the Walls." She greeted. "I just wanted to watch you guys get your medals."

I gave her a small hug as Jean tried to comfort her, saying that Marlo was very brave until the end. He tried to encourage Floch to corroborate and I raised an eyebrow at him as if to ask if he was sure that this was a good idea.

"I rode right beside Marlo, just like me, he joined as an urgent recruit." He said. "But unlike me he was brave and a natural leader. Our situation was hopeless and it seemed to us 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. He was an amazing person. But in the end...I'm sure he wished he'd never volunteered."

Clearly upset, Hitch left after saying that she would laugh if Flosh screwed up the ceremony. Jean turned to him and scolded him for his insensitive remarks but instead of apologizing, Floch defended his actions saying that someone had to tell the truth. As anger coursed through my body, flames started to form around my fist but Sasha, sitting on a chair, placed her hand on mine and shook her head. She was right...this was a ceremony for our fallen comrades.

"You should be dead and Erwin should stand in your place." Floch told Armin. "I'm not alone in thinking that. All of us do. Everyone who read that report had the same thought : Why wasn't Erwin the one that was saved ?"

"You BASTARD !" I yelled as flames engulfed my body. "You know NOTHING ! You don't know what it's like being in Commander Erwin's position. You're all selfish as always. Nothing's changed. Even after he died you couldn't see the hell you've all added to his life !"

Eren then stepped in and asked Floch what he knew about Armin to justify saying that and Floch agreed but countered, saying he knew why he was the one standing there now. He said he believed that Armin was only saved because Eren and Mikasa got in the way and so did Captain Levi. Eren told him to shut his mouth but FLoch refused to back down and accused Eren of thinking he was always in the right and that this was the only reason he never gave up. When Mikasa tried to calm Eren down, Floch praised her for acting more like an adult because at least she backed down in the end. As I saw Mikasa's face fill with guilt and shock, the flames around my body only got hotter.

Jean pushed Eren and Floch apart before their confrontation could go any further and asked Floch not to do this at a funeral for our fallen comrades. As said that, I noticed people staring at me like I was a monster and I turned away and let the flames vanish.

"As for you three." He said, addressing Connie, Jean and I. "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 Corps 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 ?!"

"Listen." I said coldly as my eyes turned scarlet. "I get it. You saw comrades die, how sad. I recall you were quite curious to know why we were so different. Well there's your fucking answer." Pure rage started coursing through my veins. "You want fair ? Well tough shit cuz this world isn't about to give you fair. You didn't join to save humanity. You joined for the glory and the title of hero, thinking that this would be easy. Back there ? I had to choose between seeing my best friend die or seeing my father die. You think you have it rough ? What the fuck do you think we've all been through ? The only reason your bitchass is here right now is because WE fought and watched our comrades die. It's because Commander Erwin took on the role of a Devil to save humanity. So don't tell us what's true because you don't know shit. You think one day on the battlefield makes you an accomplished Scout ? Well it doesn't. You chose this path and now you have to pay the fucking price for it and that's YOUR fault. So don't come bitching to us just because you threw your life away because guess what, we don't give a shit."

As flames started to form under my feet, Captain Levi placed a hand on my shoulder and my eyes turned back to their original golden color.

"Alright you brats. It's time." He called out. "Line up."

TO BE CONTINUED !