Pretty Little Liar (Aruani Element Shifter AU) ✔️

Twenty

I leaned back in my chair, going blank, confused. I looked up at Ymir, my mouth ajar.

"Or at least, I think so," she added, looking away awkwardly.

"Huh?" I managed through my dry mouth.

"Okay, let me explain. When I met you, you had that look in your eye. I don't know, but it's something Element Shifters feel between each other, like our emblems, you can see it. I saw that silver glint in your eyes from the start, and I just assumed that you were already a hiding shifter. I was going to say something, but then you rolled up your jumper one day and I realised you didnt have an emblem. I asked Reiner, the Earth Shifter's ancestor, and he said to keep an eye on you as a possible newcomer. Then I had the crazy idea to rashly turn you into a shifter."

"Wait, wait, does this mean I have to join the ancestors?!"

"No. Well, not in your condition. You can barely make a piece of paper move. It's up to you to decide what future you want. You can either continue living in fear of the council and your parents finding out that you knocked over the houseplant with the wind that comes from your hands, or you can fight for a better future where we live in peace and harmony, use our powers for good. But right now, somebody in the council is afraid of us. Eren wanted me to tell you this. This is important. You know the history. But that's still happening today, there's still somebody in the council thats afraid of us, somebody in the labs that want us for something. The council want us dead, and the scientists want our blood. And right now, we're trying to find a way into the council, some sort of scheme, so we can see who is behind it all. Same for the scientists. Your pal Eren has been coming to see us every week to try and discuss ways they can fight against the council. I think the first thing we want to do is cause a scare, let people like the military and the Scouting Legion know that we're here, and we want our kingdom back."

I blinked, unable to say anything other than mutter "Eren..."

She nodded, as if reading my mind. There was a tiny pause while we sipped on our coffees.

"So," Ymir started, putting her mug down. "You're in sixth form, yeah?"

I nodded.

"Okay. So, I take it you want to finish school and all that?"

I nodded again, grateful for her help.

She winked, and nodded. After a minute to think, she looked up again. "Gap year?"

"Oh... I don't know..."

"You do now. I'll let you finish high school, then by then you'll join us. You and Eren. We'll make history."

I gave her a blank face. "What? But, but what about uni? What about my life?!"

"Calm down. We'll see what happens,  yeah? Everything has to happen in small steps. Finding out about the council secrets will be difficult enough. Then god knows what will happen next. It could take years. You'll still get to go to university if thats what you want."

"It is," I muttered. I looked away, and as I did, craned my neck.

"What's that?" Ymir asked.

"Huh?" I turned back. She was looking at my neck.

"The necklace."

I blushed. "Oh umm..." I fondled the lock and key golden friendship necklaces, then hesitantly took bought them out over my shirt. "I always wear them," I said, smiling down at them.

"Why do you wear two?" She asked softly.

"Umm, well..."

"No, no, it's okay. You don't have to tell me."

"Thanks," I whispered.

There was another pause. It was too long, with Ymir looking at the table and me assessing the patterns on my cup.

"Umm, so, when do we start training?"

Ymir raised an eyebrow. "Well, seeing as there's no point sneaking around in the school any more, I'm leaving. Only for a bit. I'm going back to my parents for a while. You know, catch up and stuff. I'll be back in the summer."

"What about Christa?" I asked.

She smiled to herself. "I'll be back for her as well. I'll just say that I changed my mind about A Levels and I'm going home to my family to figure things out. Don't worry about us."

I nodded. She smiled.

We finished our drinks, then I stood up. "Thanks Ymir. You've been... helpful. I'll see you soon."

She stood up, then shook my hand. For the first time, I actually felt like she was genuinely being kind. "I'll see you Armin. Good luck. Stay safe, trust few, and don't use... it unless you're with Mike and Eren," Ymir said, careful with what she said in the public area.

And with that, we walked out and I sat in the door frame watching her walk away down a road, happy and excited.

As soon as she had gone, I turned and walked in the opposite direction, back home.

I stared at my hands as I walked. Were these powers good or bad? The secrecy of the Council had made me very intrigued, and I wanted nothing more than to find out what was going on. Why were they afraid of us? Couldn't they use people like us to their advantages? They're probably afraid of the massacre we could create with a touch of a finger. But living in fear, and in the shadows is not what I want to do.

The two necklaces hung over my clothes, bouncing slightly as I walked.

I found myself thinking; What would Annie do?

Then again, she brought that book from the library home. She would have jumped at the oppurtunity to be one. Maybe that's why she had the book? Plain interest?

I shook my head violently. Dwelling on the past was bad for me, and thinking of that book made me think of her. However, while I walked, I couldn't help but wonder where the Blacks are, and if Annie were alive, what we would be doing right now.