Nest & Wings (Annie Leonhardt x Male Reader)

Chapter 36: A New Assignment

Two days after the trial,

With the promotion, you realize that you'd no longer be part of Hange's squad. You had mixed feelings about it. While you were thrilled about getting your own squad, you recall how welcoming they were when you first joined the Scouts.

You head over to meet Hange and the others before your promotion was made official. They were excited to see you and express how they were worried about you after you escaped with Annie.

"So, did you learn anything new about titans out there?" Hange asks you excitedly.

"Hmm... I don't recall anything significant, but I did take down a three meter class barehanded this one time." You tell her.

"Huh? Seriously? That's insane! Was it heavy? Did you fight it? What was it like? TELL MEE!!!" Hange's eyes were twitching from excitement as she said that.

"It wasn't as heavy as it looked. I ran out of gas and I couldn't reach the nape on foot. So I made it trip using an anti-personnel combat technique I learned from Annie and took it down using it's own momentum." You explain.

Hange comments, "I see. Annie's combat techniques really are something aren't they? Eren almost took down the Armored Titan using one of her moves after you left."

"By the way, what was that contraption at the gate?" You ask her about what you saw upon your return.

"Oh!! You mean the Executioner from Hell? It's a semi-automatic titan killing device. Eren helped us build it using his titan hardening. What do you think?" She asks.

The Executioner From Hell? It was definitely a name only Hange had the capacity to come up with.

"Functionally, I think it's cool, but visually it's not as impressive as Annie's though. You should see the wall in Shiganshina sometime. Annie did a really good job of making it look seamless." You answer.

"What? She can control her hardening like that? I wonder if we can train Eren to do that." she comments.

"I don't think so. She said something about it being unique to one of the other titans... the Warhammer Titan she called it. She's only able to use that ability because Marley experimented on her." You explain how titan shifters had unique abilities, and it was likely possible to gain another shifter's ability by consuming their spinal fluid.

Hange seemed really intrigued by it and immediately asks Moblit to take a note on it. "That's it! Eren was able to use hardening after ingesting the contents of a bottle that said 'Armor' on it. I think he found it in Rod Reiss' bag back when he turned into that monstrosity. Maybe it's one of the Armored Titan's abilities."

"Hmm... you might be right, but I wonder where he got it from. I mean... the Armored Titan has been in Marley's possession for a hundred years after all." You comment.

You look around and notice Nifa in the distance wearing a bandage on her head, looking a bit unwell. Some of your squad mates were missing altogether. When you inquire as to what happened, the excitement suddenly fades and Hange looks somewhat depressed.

"We lost them during the uprising. A secret faction in the Military police took them out while they were guarding Eren and Historia. Levi's uncle was their leader. Kenny the Ripper, he nearly killed Nifa. Luckily, Levi pushed her away just in time and the bullet only grazed her head." Hange explains.

You walk over to Nifa and talk to her. You felt bad for her as she was really kind to you and helped out a lot when you first joined the scouts.

"How are you feeling now?" You ask her.

"I'm alright, I just... I haven't been at my best since getting injured." Nifa answers.

As you spoke with her, Hange walks over and asks, "Hey so... you need members for your squad, right? How about Nifa? She's got loads of experience she can share with you."

"Wha-what? But Captain... I'll just drag them down, won't I?" Nifa asks worriedly.

"I don't think so. Your knowledge about titans will surely come in handy out there even if you're not at your best physically. I'd love to have you on my team!" You say and try to make her feel welcome.

"There you go then, I'll make the arrangements." says Hange. She takes you to the side afterwards and explains why she wanted to put Nifa under your care.

"I'm sorry to burden you like this, but you've got the best track record of keeping people alive following Commander Erwin. I can't afford to lose another member after what happened, so I'm counting on you, alright?" she explains.

"No problem, Capt- I mean Hange-san! I promise, I'll watch her back till she gets better!" you answer and reassure her that you'll take care of Nifa.

❋❋❋

Three days later,

Now that you've gotten a few days to rest, Commander Erwin summons you and the other Captains for a strategy meeting and briefs you on the updated agenda for the Survey Corps.

After the meeting, he calls you over and says, "I approved Nifa's transfer to your squad. But that's still only two members besides yourself. I recommend you find a few more before heading out." He then relays the information to the other squads, asking for volunteers.

Later that day,

Captain Levi and Petra were the first to approach you. He explains how Petra wanted to join your squad and asks if you'd take her in.

"Huh? Are you sure?" You were genuinely shocked as to why she'd even consider that. Petra always had a deep admiration for Captain Levi and it was baffling why she'd leave his squad to join yours.

When you point it out, she explains, "It's no longer the Levi squad I once knew since all my friends are gone. I guess I felt out of place when the new members replaced them."

Annie was visibly disturbed hearing it and immediately apologizes to her. Petra says that she can't forgive the Marlean Warrior who killed her friends, but instead she would try to look at Annie as a different person going forward.

It was interesting to talk with Captain Levi now that you were equals— by rank at least. Nevertheless, you couldn't help but admire him as he shared his experience regarding the recent events. You also learn his last name in the process.

Levi Ackerman... it suddenly made sense why he and Mikasa were so overwhelmingly strong as he explains how they come from a family of genetically modified soldiers who used to be the king's personal guards decades ago.

The second person to volunteer was Rico. You were baffled once again as she was a Squad Captain herself and would have to step down in rank to join your squad.

When you inquire as to why she'd do that, she answers, "I watched my entire squad get eaten and couldn't do anything about it. I don't feel qualified to be a captain anymore. But I believe you'll succeed where I failed so I'm willing to support your cause."

"But... I'm no different, you know. I couldn't do anything when a twelve meter class killed Captain Ludwig in Trost." You tell her how you froze during your first battle.

"Ludwig... I've known him since we were cadets. If it's him we're talking about, I'm sure he dived in and got himself killed trying to protect his comrades. That's not a bad way to go, you know. I'm sure it must've had some impact on you as well." She explains.

"Yeah, everything I did after that was to make up for it." You explain the vow you made to yourself.

"That's exactly what I meant. The point is, you didn't let that discourage you, instead it motivated you to dive into a titan's mouth to save me just moments later, remember? I think you'll make a fine Captain." She encourages you.

With that, you now had a squad of five. Once their transfers were approved, you and your new squad head off for Shiganshina. The night you got there, you treat everyone to some meat you bought with the money you got as compensation after the trial. It was your way of showing gratitude to them for believing in you.