Allies and Enemies (AoT Reader Insert)

Chapter 27: In the Midst of Chaos

Arc 7: Battle Before the War

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Many things could be said about a world ridden with Titans. Many will describe it as a horror story of sorts. Others call it a miracle gift from forces out of their control. While the narrative of any one person's story will change through time, the suffering they've experienced will never change.

Suffering had been a part of Pieck's life for as long as she could remember. Heavy burdens had weighed on her shoulders ever since she was just a child. Her mother had died when she was young, and her father was suffering from the same illness that had taken her mother's life. A young child never wants their parents to suffer, and a young child never wants to be alone. So despite her father's wishes she took up the task of proving their loyalty to Marley. Although the days were long and the training was relentless, this was not what Pieck considered suffering.

At the age of 9, Pieck was sent out to fight. For the first time in her life, she was going to kill other humans. Not a lot of people want to take part in such a gruesome task, but Pieck knew better than to say anything about it. Not because she wasn't willing to fight for her country, but because she could see how much her father had wanted her to stay alive.

Pieck was sure that she would've been spoiled as a child if her father had been able to afford it. It was in his nature to want what was best for his child, so naturally Pieck wanted what was best for her father - even if that meant giving away her life for his.

It's what Pieck reminded herself over and over again through the many battles she's fought, and it's what she reminded herself right now.

"Aw... you shaved the goatee? I thought it looked great on you." Pieck mused. As she and Gabi walked onto the roof, she could feel her heart beginning to race. It had been a while since the last time she had gone undercover. Titan Shifting abilities weren't exactly specialized for use in human form, so naturally undercover missions weren't a go-to. The only exception to this rule was the Crystal Titan.

There was nothing exceptional about the Titan form of the Crystal Titan, but the ability to use its hardening without having to be in Titan form was what made it stand out among the rest. It was the reason why Crystal Shifters were most often given the task of infiltration.

This was common knowledge among soldiers (Marleyan and Eldian alike), but Pieck had never fully understood the difference between any soldier going in to infiltrate a nation and having the holder of the Crystal Titan infiltrate until she experienced it in person.

(Y/n) had been so calm and collected. She smiled and greeted her enemies as if they were her neighbours. In the midst of enemy territory, (Y/n) looked like she belonged. Or perhaps Pieck had never seen (Y/n) in a place where she genuinely looked like she belonged - but that was beside the point.

Despite being sent into the city to search for a certain individual, (Y/n) had commented on how beautiful the city was. Pieck had considered many things beautiful in her life, but beauty had been the last thing on Pieck's mind back then.

Right now, Pieck understood the sentiment of the Crystal Shifter. Paradis, although the epitome of enemy territory, was a rather lovely sight. Up close the streets weren't any different from any other city she'd been in, but looking over all of it really showed how well everything looked together.

When everything was still okay.

It was almost a shame that they were going to tear it up.

"Where is the enemy?"

Pieck smiled at Gabi, who currently clung to her hand, before turning towards Eren Jaeger - the enemy.