Cost Of War (Pieck x reader)

Stohess (Part 4)

3rd Pov

The female titan was thrown into a cathedral, killing all those who were inside as Eren loomed over, eyes glowing green. Eren rushed again, chasing after the fleeing female titan, who was heading for the walls. People ran in fear as the two titans rampaged through the district. Eren quickly catching up to the female titan.

"Looks like he's in control of himself this time around." Section commander Hange said as they trailed behind the two behemoths.

"Yes. But Eren has yet to win against the female titan even once."

"If he's transformed, it means he's gotta be ready for the worst. He won't lose so easy-" Jean was cut off by Armin.

"Spirit alone can't win a fight. You know that first hand. Surpassing Annie will require more!" Armin said as the female ran into an open field. No buildings around, making it impossible for the scouts to attack. It would be one on one with Eren. 

The two titans squared off, getting into fighting positions, readying for the fight. Eren was the first to attack, his punch being deflected by a elbow block, causing him to slip as a kick would be sent straight for his head, which he managed to block grabbing the leg and throwing the female titan into the buildings. Eren would smash through the buildings like a wild animal as the female would quickly flee again. The scouts being almost powerless to do anything as they watched.

"Oh man... Section commander, even if we do catch the female titan, the city's going to end up in ruins."

"That's not our concern. This is Erwin's decision. Ready the capture nets." Hange informed her comrade as they prepared with the only thing they could interfere with. But while they were setting up, one of the scouts noticed something.

"Section commander, there's a white-" But before he could finish, a blur sped past them, slashing his stomach open as a figure landed on the roof. Blades ready, having just killed a scout. 

"Who-"

"It must be that spy Mikasa was talking about from the forest. But... they said they killed him! Why is he here now? How?"

"Doesn't matter. He had special powers which makes him a threat. All soldiers take him down!" Hange commanded as the remaining scouts rushed in. But before any could get close, multiple would be picked off by spikes suddenly appearing from the roofs, impaling them. The rest rushed in, slashing at the spy as they were forced to flee, again. 

"That coil! It's connected to the spy! Follow it!" Armin yelled as a few scouts moved to follow as Armin said, but stopped, looking to their section commander.

"Go!" Hange ordered as they nodded, following after the long white coil. 

-----

Eren would rush the female titan once more, but would be toppled by the female who would harden her shin, kicking off Eren's leg. But Eren would manage to stay up right, going for a high punch which would be blocked. But would force Eren to the ground. As he would lunge forward like a wild animal, the female titan would easily kick his head into a building. Eren would keep a grip using his mouth, but would be defenseless as Annie hardened her fist. Starting to smash it into Eren's head to escape. Eren would be easily defeated after that as Annie started running again. The spy suddenly appearing on her shoulder, scouts following after. The spy performed the same thing as in the forest, creating a bow and arrow and started shooting at the scouts, managing to pin multiple. But before anything else happened, rumbling starting coming from behind everyone as a roar rung through the city.

Eren's titan had gotten up, fire burning around it as tears of fire ran down it's face. It's eyes glowing blue. It chased like a rabid animal hunting for pray as it ran on all fours, easily catching the running titan, getting it into a choke hold as it crashed through the markets. The spy being thrown off. The scouts being useless, and only being able to watch the rampage.

"Is he..."

"Eren-"

"Stop! I'm not sure Eren would recognize you right now!" Hange informed her comrade as they watched Eren, mounted on top of the female, screaming into it's ear. She tried to escape, but was easily held down, her face being popped like a balloon. The female would start screaming in pain as Eren held her hair. The female made one last attempt to escape, managing to kick off Eren as she made a mad dash for the wall, starting to scale it. But she would be grabbed by the leg by Eren, holding her down. Suddenly the spy, whose clothes were mostly burnt off rushed forward, crystal formed around their arm like a spear as it impaled one of Eren's eyes and managing to shake him off of the female. 

"She's getting away! I won't let her!" Mikasa yelled as she rushed forward, against her higher ups orders and dashed towards the female as she sliced the fingers off. Jumping onto her face.

"Annie. Fall." Mikasa would mutter as the female fell down to the ground. Knowing she was screwed. She lost. The spy couldn't do anything, being thrown by Eren almost across the city. 

Eren would easily catch her, ripping one of her arms off, as well as her head. 

"Oh no! He's going to eat the person inside!" Hange yelled as Eren moved his head down, intending to eat the Annie. 

"Eren stop!" His comrades attempted to stop him, but it was useless. His was on a rampage and couldn't be stopped. He bit down, ripping off a layer of titan flesh as Annie was revealed. Crying. She would die in this moment. She wouldn't be able to see her father. She fail-

The spy would rush in one more time. Missing limbs and half his face, he would rush in, and spear Eren's eye again, once more knocking him off balance. They would land next to Annie, playing their one hand against the titan flesh, which would suddenly start glowing blue. Before anyone could do anything, a crystal cocoon would start forming around Annie as she opened her eyes one last time. Seeing a blank face. Nothing. Just white in the shape of a human. But she knew who it was. And they were saving her. Yes she would be stuck, but they'd come back for her. Right?

The crystal would fully form as the spies body would be formed into the crystal. Everything starting to disintegrate as Eren and the scouts watched in disbelief. They captured Annie. But did they? She couldn't answer questions. She couldn't speak. But they'd come back for her. Right? They wouldn't just leave her to the enemy, right? She had all the time in the world to think now. She was stuck. Frozen. Helpless. She paid the price for failing. Getting caught. 

-----

Everything had begun steaming, failing away into dust. The scouts shad captured the crystal, but were unable to do any damage to it. Not even a chip. 

"Damn it! What the hell! After all this, we get the silent treatment?! Annie! Get out here! Get out here and pay for what you've done! Come on! Don't be a coward! Annie! Annie!" Jean yelled as he raised a blade above his head, readying to strike the crystal again.

"Stop. It's pointless. Whatever the fuck just happened." Levi would say as Jean stopped. Finally cooling down.

"Make a wire net! Let's get this thing underground!" Hange would order some scouts as she moved closer to the crystal. Military police finally moved into the area, taking in the scouts. Not for much punishment, but to move them into the bases. The battle was over. With countless casualties. All amounting to nothing. 

-----

"We lost so many today. Fuck!" Eren yelled as they moved through the town, being followed by military police. 

"I know. We can't do anything about it though." Armin said as they walked past the destroyed tunnel, where they failed their initial plan to capture Annie underground. 

"Hm? What's that..." Armin would move towards the rubble, being watched closely by military police. As he moved some rocks, it became more clear what it was.

"It's Y/N! He's... he's alive!" Armin would yell as they all moved towards where their fallen comrade was. Who was bloody, but not dead. Barely. They quickly uncovered him, pulling him out of the rubble.

What they didn't see was the crystal remnants. Buried underground. A still disintegrating cord hanging out of it.