The World is Cruel (Shingeki no Kyojin fanfic)

Welcome Back, Old Friend

 Nyra was happily hugging onto Jean's arm, while Marco held onto his older sisters hand. He hopped happily beside her, pointing around at things that were interesting to the four year old. Nyra just giggled watching her little brother, picking him up and kissing his cheek. Jean smiled over at them, turning his head as he heard two loud gasps. "Nyra!" and, just like old times, Jean quickly grabbed Marco just as a tearful Sasha rammed into his girlfriend. "We thought you died!" she cried, burying her head in the girls neck. Nyra smiled softly, hugging Sasha gently. "I'm sorry. I should've come back. Forgive me." "I forgive you! Don't leave again!" Sasha yelled. Nyra smiled softly, hugging Sasha, and looking up at Connie. "I hope you're taking care of her. She is a lovely girl." Nyra smiled.

"Nyra!" Jean turned as Mikasa, Eren and Armin came over. The purple-eyed girl smiled, as she stood herself up. "I haven't seen you three in a while. Eren. Congratulations on sealing the wall once more." Nyra smiled, as the trio engulfed her in a hug. They had lost so many people, that having one back was a huge relief. "We'll get you back to HeadQuarters. Heichou would like to see you, now that you're back." Armin smiled. Nyra nodded. "Armin... do you ever miss her?" Nyra asked. Armin paused. There was a time when mentioning Annie's name to Nyra would make her shut down. Now, she talked freely. "Everyday. You do too, don't you Nyra?" Armin asked. Looking to Marco and Jean, then at the walls, Nyra sighed softly. "Everyday."

The group was silent for a moment. It was because of Annie that their friend had gone missing, presumed dead, for so long. Three years to be exact. Three years of torture for Jean, three years of being pretty lonely for Nyra, three years of feeling like failures for everyone else. Three years for change altogether. Looking around, they took in each others differences.

The boys had grown taller, Jean still being the tallest of the group. They had all grown with more muscle, most notable in Jean and Eren. Armin was now helping with all future planning for upcoming expeditions. Connie was still bald, but he had become smarter, and from all the sharp turns he had taken before left him with some scars. Eren still looked the same, aside from being taller and more built. but the look in his eye had changed, as did his personality. He seemed softer, and more open. Jean was quite the sight now. His hair had grown a bit longer, and he seemed much harder and withdrawn since the whole incident. He hadn't been so hardheaded, more depressed, but, they knew with Nyra back, it wouldn't take long for him to go back.

The girls hadn't even grown. They had grown prettier, no doubt, but there hadn't been much change. They were slimmer, but with some abs, like Mikasa. Sasha kept her hair trimmed to where it was, while Mikasa's had gone back to her how it was before they had joined the Trainee squad. Mikasa seemed more open, and had the will to do so much more. Sasha still ate like a pig, but she didn't seem to complain about being hungry as often. Nyra was still pale, her purple eyes grew brighter, and her hair grew longer, now past her waist. She kept it maintained, and her fringe remained in place perfectly. She seemed much happier now.

They were all eighteen or nineteen now. They had matured, grown, fought battles, had fun, shed tears, and many other things. But the most important fact, was that they were still alive, and back together.

~~

"Mrs. Martins. It is a pleasure to have you back." Levi said. Erwin, Mei and Hanji at his side. "We've established a new squad for myself. Your friends are in it. I request you are in it as well, but there are a few things. I need to make sure you've still got it. Your brother was a liar, and a great manipulator. We know you have that in you. We've seen it many times. But we have to test your mental stability, and your skills." Levi explained. Earlier, Mei and Nyra, after a happy reunion, had settled down to talk, and Mei warned her about this. The violet-eyed girl nodded. "I'm ready. But my little brother.." "He will stay here with you and Jean." Erwin said, watching Marco, who, despite the situation, was walking in circles around his sister humming. Nyra sighed in relief hugging Marco. "Thank you. All of you." Nyra sighed, while Marco hugged her back, playing with his sisters hair.

"We're sorry for all you've endured." Erwin spoke up. Nyra shook her head. "It's what life is now. I'm glad I found out sooner then later." she admitted sadly. Hanji put her hand on Nyra's shoulder sympathetically.   "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve this. Nobody does."

~~

She had taken out an impressive amount of titans. Or well, the cardboard titans. Of course, they knew the real deal would be harder, but with twenty five titans down, they knew she could handle herself. Jean, Marco and the others were allowed to watch. They cheered her on when they walked put, and Nyra happily sent a smile their way. She was back to being herself again, well, they all hoped at least. After witnessing that Nyra didn't hesitate to stab Annie, her utmost best, and closest friend, they didn't want her getting upset again. Not like that. They were going to test Nyra's mental stability. That was what they all needed to know. They couldn't take any risks after the entire incident.

"They haven't come back for you. She hasn't come back for you. They most likely let the titans attack us. They pushed the boulder. They're the reason Noa's dead." Levi said. Nyra stood the uncomfortably.  The words undoubtedly hurt her. "You we're always on Annie's side. Why can't she take your side? She's hurt you one to many times." Levi added. Nyra took in a breath, offering Levi a sad smile.

"I want to dismember her. Every time one of her damned body parts grow back, I want to cut them off and throw them to the titans for food. I want to do the same to Reiner and Bertholdt. I stabbed Annie I'm the back because she stabbed me in thew back. I wanted her to know what it felt like." Nyra said, closing her eyes. "But... I know they betrayed humanity. I could've killed them all when I had the chance.. But I was selfish. I didn't kill them because they all saved me one way or another. They're bastards, yeah. I agree with that. But, they're our friends. Or they were at one point. But they could change. Maybe they'll have a change of heart, and they'll come back and give us the answers we need." Nyra said, opening her eyes, while a single tear rolled down her cheek. "We all had seconds chances. If I had too, I would manipulate them. Just to get answers. I promise I'm stable. I know that three years ago, I didn't handle it very well. But there are things we all have to do." Nyra said, looking up at the sky. "Maybe the three of them were normal people. Maybe one day, they woke up and they had the power to turn into titans. What if they're being threatened to do this. Reiner... you saw him. I think they still want too be a soldier." Nyra said, looking back to Levi. Levi nodded. "You're a smart girl, Mrs. Martin's." Levi complimented. "Anneliese Moreau. That's my real name. Anneliese Moreau, younger sister to Justin Moreau, or, Noa Martin as you know him by." Nyra uttered softly.

Jean smiled from where he was, while the others conversed quietly about her name. "Did you know about this?" Eren asked. "Three years ago she told me." Jean smiled. Everyone would keep calling her Nyra, but now, they knew her real name. There were no secrets between them all now. They had Nyra back.

"Well, Welcome to the Elite Squad, Annelise Moreau. It is a pleasure to have you back."