Marley's Black Pearl

Chapter Eight: Revenge

"Good morning Iden" Pieck smiled at them as they walked through the shared kitchen of the training mess.

"Uh, hi" they replied as they grabbed a coffee cup.

"How do you feel?" She asks them.

"Fine"

Porco rolled his eyes at their short antisocial replies.

"How does it feel being a titan shifter now?" She asked them.

"No different"

"I needed two days rest after I gained the power" Pieck says nicely. Iden hummed in response.

"We're getting deployed two days earlier by the way" Porco says to them. Iden looked back to him.

"What?" Iden asked.

"Didn't Willy tell you?" He asked boredly.

"No" Iden says, Porco scoffed in return.

"Well, me and you have the glorious job of going to Paradis first and hiding out within everyone"

"Why?" They asked.

"Just ask your Master, not me" he rolled his eyes again, crossing his arms. Iden rolled their eyes back and looked forward again.

An hour later

Iden met with Willy outside in a quiet area where not many civilians were.

"So I'm going with Galliard?" Iden asked after Willy told them the plan.

"Yes, if you could watch over him, his temper gets him in tight situations as we've seen" he tells them.

"Can I be with someone else?" Iden asked.

"Why would you want that?" Willy asks, raising a brow.

"Because he's stupid and an idiot" Iden says.

"Now now, what have I told you about emotions?" Willy asks sternly, but with a hint of humour too.

"Don't let emotions get in your way, and don't let emotions affect the mission" Iden recited, almost robotic.

"That's right, and what are you doing?" He asks like a teacher.

"Letting my emotions affect the mission"

"Correct, and what are the consequences of that?" He asks.

"Poor results from the mission and more scars on my back"

"Right, so you'll do as you're told" he scolded.

"Yes Master" Iden says, internally huffing.

Shortly before leaving Marley

Iden was getting last minute checks ready with their bag in the war room. In the next room, Porco was saying goodbye to his mother who was fussing over him and crying. Pieck then popped up behind Iden as they were distracted by watching Porco.

"Stay safe alright?" Pieck says. Iden turned their head to face her.

"Course"

She approached and boldly brought Iden into a hug, resting her head against their chest. Iden glanced around quickly to see if anyone was watching. Pieck pulled away and looked at Iden. Iden returned the look.

"I trust you'll have my back again during battle" Pieck says then walks out of the room and into where Porco was to talk with his mother. Iden stood there confused as ever wondering what just happened. Then Annie came through the corner in her Marleyan warrior uniform. Her eyes scanned the room then rested on Iden who was looking at her back.