Awakened

Chapter 7

Annie couldn't believe this.

She didn't want to believe it.

One moment she saw Mikasa striding in with anger in her eyes and the next moment she was stone cold. Annie knew she didn't imagine what she saw in the raven-haired girls eyes. She knew she saw that protectiveness in there.

A protectiveness over her.

But then Mikasa shut down and couldn't even meet her eyes, like she was nothing. Maybe she was to the Captain, and Annie found that thought heart wrenching. Nevertheless she confronted the hurt with cold nature her father instilled in her.

She met Hange's excited gaze. "What do I have to do?"

Hange grinned. "Shift."

Annie's crystal blue eyes widened. She may be in better shape than yesterday, but she was obviously not her best right now. Shifting might knock her unconscious for days, maybe even weeks, and who knows what these people might do to her when she was completely helpless. Experiments or murder were at the top of that possibility list.

Hange tossed something to her, and Annie caught it out of reflex. She opened her palm and saw her iron ring there. She looked back at the Scout.

"Why?"

Hange rolled her eyes. "Again with the 'why.' Why can't you just accept something nice without questioning it?"

"Questioning motives is what has kept me alive."

"Hmm, yes. I'm sure it has." Hange said with a wave of her hand. "However I'm sure you know many things about this Titan power than our dear friend here, and I, would like for you teach him."

Annie narrowed her eyes and spared a glance at Mikasa. The Captain met her gaze and looked away. Annie gritted her teeth.

"Eren," she said, turning to the green eyed boy. "Get in standard fighting position."

His eyes lit up in excitement. He nodded and brought one foot behind the other, raising his fists.

Annie brought her hand up and looked at the ring. It's been a year since she's used it. A year since she's fought. A year since all that darkness.

She hesitated, wondering why she would willingly endure that nightmare again. She was tired of the blood. Tired of the violence. Of the death. She wanted peace, and in that crystal she felt peaceful.

Annie looked at Mikasa again. The Captain still stared away, but seeing her Annie knew that her crystal brought her a false peace.

Her true peace, didn't involve her being alone.

Annie tore her gaze off the Captain and put the ring on her finger. The small point in the ring slipped out, incredibly sharp, and she brought down her thumb.

The metal slashed at her skin, spilling blood, and she waited for the familiar warmth of her Titan to cocoon her.

But nothing happened.

They all waited for a full minute until Erwin spoke up. "Cut yourself again."

Annie did so, like a robotic soldier, and still nothing. She barely felt the cuts on her fingers.

She hoped her expression didn't show anything at all. Something was wrong. Never before had her power rejected her.

"Bring a blade. The wound probably needs to be deeper."

"Of my ring didn't work then neither will a blade." Annie said, letting the blood drop to the floor. Truth is, she didn't know whether it would work, but she wasn't about to let them slice her up for the sake of a show.

"Did I ask for your thoughts? No. Bring the blade." Erwin replied and Annie panicked.

Mikasa sure as hell wasnt going to help her. Not now. What exactly did he want from her anyways? He wouldn't be this pushy of her shifting if his only reason was to teach Eren. No, that session didn't require his presence.

A Scout came with his blades flat on his hands, giving them to Erwin. Annie tried to keep her cool. Gods they were going to cut her up until she shifted. How many wounds would that take? One? Ten? Thirty?

Her wounds weren't even steaming. All her Titan abilities were gone, so was her healing. If Annie was right and the worst case scenario was about play out, the one where Erwin continuously hurts her until she shifted, then she would die from her wounds.

Erwin grabbed one blade, and walked to Annie.

Her heart started to beat fast in anticipation and fear. Actual fear. She didn't realize the promise she made Erwin in his office. She basically gave herself to him. She would have to follow his commands, no matter what. Even if he did this.

She steeled herself to be strong, to withstand what he will do, but then a hand grabbed Erwin's shoulder, pulling him back.

"Hey Annie," Tauriel said, walking to her now. Annie grew confused as Tauriel came up to her.

"What d-"

Tauriel punched Annie in the jaw, sending her stumbling to the side.

"You think you're so tough and high Ice Princess?" Tauriel sneered. "Come and show me your Titan."

Tauriel swung her hand again at Annie but the blonde pivoted on her foot and twisted. She kicked out and hit Tauriel right in the ribs. She got knocked to the side, but twisted and kicked at Annie too.

Annie blocked it with her arm, but the impact made her stumble. Her arm throbbed from the force.

Tauriel lunged and Annie ducked under the punching arm and wrapped her arm on Tauriel stomach, bringing her down to the floor. Annie wasn't on the offensive, nor did she plan to be. Her goal wasn't to maim the girl to the point of unconscious, only to defend herself.

Tauriel fell but then she brought her legs up and locked them around Annie's head, holding her right arm. Tauriel tugged at it, bringing Annie's head closer to hers.

She could feel Tauriel breath in her ear as she whispered, "Beat me if you want to get out of this."

~~~~~~~~~~
Um... 1000 views?!?! TF

Thank you guys so much my heart is swelling 💙

Sorry for this horrendously short chapter it was originally put together with chapter 6 but as you probably read from my AN it was published early as a bday gift AND I didn't want to write the fight scene in this chapter I got lazy but dw you'll hear of the fight next chapter

ANYWAYS thank y'all for reading and I hope life is treating you well 😊