Armin woke suddenly in a sandy plain under a starry sky. He had just explained to the marleyn survivors how they had stopped Eren from completing the rumbling. He had been given memories of speaking with Eren, who claimed to have been unable to change the future that was the rumbling. "So why am I back here in the paths realm?", he wondered.
"Armin?", asked Mikasa.
"Mikasa! What happened?", asked Armin.
"That's what we'd all like to know," said Levi cooly from behind them.
Armin stood and took in the sight of Reiner, Peik, Annie, Gabby, Falco, Mikasa, Levi, Zeke, Hange Zoe and Erwin Smith. "Erwin?", asked Levi, taken aback.
"I've been shown what happened through memories, he spoke to me, Eren. Levi, thank you.", said Erwin.
"Thank me?", asked Levi, now annoyed.
"You shouldered the weight of my dream and rid the world of titans. All the death… wasn't in vain.", explained Erwin.
"I think 80 percent of humanity would disagree with you," said Peik.
"My friends…", Eren's voice came from the glowing pillar of Paths in the sand. His adult body could be seen waiting for them.
"Eren!" Mikasa ran to him and embraced him before taking a defensive stance against the others.
"Why are we here?", asked Gabby.
"You're the precious friends of my own. After Yimir witnessed Mikasa kill me, she was able to send her past self that memory so she could create another timeline where she let king Fritz die. She lived with her children and never passed down the power of the titans, leaving me here with the full power of the founder.', Eren explained.
"The full power…", Zeke wondered aloud.
"Eren…", Armin took in the sight of his friend, who he thought was lost forever.
"Now that I'm really in control I was able to show myself the memories I needed to see, to find another way. Time has essentially reverted to when my severed head landed in Zeke's hand.", explained Eren.
"Then the rumbling!", began Falco.
"It never happened, but I needed you all able to fight together, and to preserve your freedom, I've allowed you all to keep the memories," said Eren.
Levi narrowed his eyes. "You're telling me you wiped out the rumbling, changed time, and now you're just asking us to trust you? Just like that?"
"Eren…", Reiner was stunned, many of them were.
"If this is true-", began Erwin.
"Then I might just let you off with a severe ass kicking," said Levi.
"What about Jeane and Connie?", asked Armin. "And Porco!", said Falco.
"Once we secure the new world I'll bring them along. The moment my head lands in Zeke's hand, all willing Eldians will be transported to a new world free of humans. A world where our people can try to find peace.", explained Eren.
"The founder has such a power?", asked Zeke. "I never even dreamed of such a way. I spent my whole life believing that Eldians were doomed to repeat history. But if that's not the case…" Eren Nodded.
"A new world?", asked Hange with excitement. .
"I've brought you all here to help me secure the new world. From the memories of the new future I've seen, there are many empty worlds where we are going. Once we get one, I can banish the power of the titans for good.", explained Eren.
"Are there people there? WIll this stop the cycle of hate?", asked Erwin.
"The people there will appreciate our abilities. After helping them, we'll have a whole world to ourselves. Their people have traveled the stars, and found many worlds around them. More than all the stars in the sky.", Eren explained as he looked to the starry sky above them.
"Many worlds!", exclaimed Hange.
"Eren, how can you trust this future? You told me that time exists all at once for you, that you got lost and confused.", asked Armin.
Eren finally smiled, "I've seen memories from years and decades in the future now Armin. I trust all of you, to find the proper path. My friends, even my enemies", he looked about the group, "I beg for your help in this plan." Eren bowed to them earnestly, pleading for their help.
"Eren, if we can stop the rumbling and our people can have a place of peace, I'm with you.", said Reiner.
"Reiner!", said Gabby and Peik.
"If Erwin and Handge is here, and I'm not a titan right now…", Falco wondered aloud.
"It's just as you think. There's nothing stopping me from bringing every Eldian who's lived to the new world. I was shown by my future self, how to open doorways, or portals as the locals call them. Portals leading to all sorts of places.", explained Eren.
"Seas of ice and fire!", said Armin.
"Eren, can we really trust each other? Can we all work together?", asked Annie.
"Can we trust you?" Levi asked him.
"I've seen many possibilities, and I can't do this without every one of you. Annie, your father can live out his days in peace with you and Armin.", Eren said.
"Eren!", Armin blushed.
"And you can bring the dead to this new world as well?", asked Erwin.
"Those willing to live in peace.", said Eren.
"It's worth trying. Without Yimir, I can't even attempt my own plan.", said Zeke, rubbing his beard.
"The rumbling will really be undone?", asked Peik.
"It's already erased, a new future has been opened up to us. There are lives I can't bring back, the non Eldians from the Marley attack, and many others. But thanks to Armin I looked for another way as soon as I could. Can you all live in peace? Reiner, you three killed half a million, and I can live with you. Can you all live with me?", asked Eren.
"You can live with us?", asked Reiner.
"Reiner, I thought I told you that day. You were just kids, and we're the same, you and I. I always dreamed we would explore the world together," said Eren.
"When do we leave? I can live with you, but it will be on the other side of this new world.", said Peik.
"As long as we don't teach our children to hate each other, we can create a world worthy of our dreams. As for when…", Eren turned to reveal a swirling blue circle, a portal. He took the hands of Armin and Mikasa as they walked through the portal to whatever waited them on the other side.
. . .
Armin squinted as bright sunlight flooded his vision. The haze faded as a beautiful landscape opened up. Vibrant mountains, hills, plains, forests, creeks and odd, geometric structures that were seemingly solid metal. His gaze shifted upward and he realized this world wrapped around the sun, or local star. The whole group was stunned by the landscape and world they found themselves in.
"What kind of world is this Eren? Eren what all did you tell yourself?", asked Hange, full of awe.
"Stay focused Hange. Eren, where are the people we're bargaining a world with?", asked Levi.
"If my memory serves me, we need to cross through the mountain, inside of a tunnel like those metal buildings," said Eren.
"Just how much can you see Eren?", asked Zeke.
"Even less than before. But this time it's hopeful, and we're all together.", said Eren.
"Eren if I use my titan we can cross the plains quickly," said Reiner.
"Isn't that my job?", asked Peik.
"We don't have your equipment Peik. Reiner can shield us if we are attacked as well.", explained Zeke
"It will due, as far as plans go.", said Erwin.
"You're all free to use your powers, but remember that everytime we shift into a titan I have to mold it in the paths world." explained Eren.
"Eren… that would take…" Zeke began.
"After what I've been through it's honestly cathartic to spend time there. This is the least I can do after what I put everyone through." explained Eren.
The group didn't argue that point as Reiner stepped away and with a rush of steam and bolt of lightning shifted into the armored titan. The scouts climbed aboard with their ODM gear as Reiner held the others against his shoulders.
"Eren are you alright? I could help you mold the titans you know." offered Mikasa, seeing the long distance reflected in Eren's eyes.
"I think I'd like that, but I don't deserve-", Eren began as Armin slapped his shoulder.
"Don't even start with that Eren. You've stopped the rumbling and given Eldians a chance," he said.
Erwin waited for everyone to climb aboard before giving Reiner the signal to move forward with his hand. The wind rushed past them, the greenery a blur, as Reiner dashed towards the mountain.
"I don't suppose we'll be fighting titans again right?", asked Hange.
"Worse.", said Eren, his mind elsewhere.
. . .
The team made it to the strange metal doorway without issue and Reiner left his titan to steam away. Eren walked with purpose and placed his hand on a circle along the wall and the doorway hissed open.
"I wonder who would build like this?, Hange asked aloud.
"That I don't know.", Eren said as he seemed to just realize it himself.
"Wonderful.", said Annie.
The team entered the dimly lit hallway, lights and metal geometry covered the walls. Sometimes what seemed to be symbols were written in light. The hallway opened up to a larger room, and several flying metal contraptions could be seen moving about from inside the walls to inside another.
"Eren?", asked Levi as he grabbed his blades.
Eren held out a hand to stop Levi as a sentinel approached them. A yellow light was emitted and passed over them. Just as quickly as it came it left without a word.
"Metal animals?", asked Hange.
"I get the feeling we weren't meant to be here," said Erwin.
"Greetings unknown reclaimer variants!", a voice bellowed through the room.
The team made a defensive circle and looked around, the sentinels not bothering with them, and the voice had no obvious body.
"Armin swallowed, "Eren, have you seen this?"
"Your kind are not recognized in the archives unknown reclaimer variant. While all true reclaimers will inherit the mantle, that time has not yet arrived. I must insist you exit this facility at once.", the voice said without emotion. It felt unsettling to them somehow, like it wasn't human.
"Show yourself!", yelled Zeke.
"I'm not presently at your location, but if you'd be willing to leave this facility, there will be no corrective measures taken.", said the voice as the door across the room opened.
"Corrective measures?", whispered Falco.
"Just what are you?", asked Hange with unnatural joy.
"5 1 9 Adamant Retainer, monitor of this shield world. And who are you that accessed the portal network? Your kind aren't in any records I can find", the voice continued.
"We've come seeking peaceful refuge, have the reclaimers here been attacked yet?", asked Eren.
"Yet?", wondered Armin.
"Not presently. A reclaimer force just entered through a portal today. Recently another, smaller group had come, the first in 100,000 years, they were attacked by an alien conglomerate and are currently hiding.", the voice explained.
"100,000 years?", asked Armin.
"I'd be happy to lead you to the nearby reclaimer outpost, they've just broken ground. Oh my, oh no… It appears that they have been alerted. This is most unfortunate. Both the aliens and the promethean combat platforms are preparing an assault!", said the monitor.
"An assault?", asked Erwin.
"You can't attack the prometheans, correct? We will lend aid to the reclaimers.", Eren announced suddenly.
"Your help would be most welcome, indeed I cannot interfere with the didact's forces. Please follow this sentinel, variants it will lead you through the facility. Please avoid attempting to deviate course, or corrective actions may be taken." the monitor said cryptically as a familiar flying metal thing moved slowly into the doorway.
"It doesn't trust easy.", said Peik.
"Neither do we, and we have no other leads. I elect that we follow through.", said Erwin.
"I concur.", Zeke agreed.
"Eren?", asked Mikasa, lost in thought, just hours earlier she had heard his breath stop. Felt his severed head. Now he acted like it didn't happen.
"We should move, our new friends will be under siege before we arrive.", he said as he walked through the doorway, a hand pulling Mikasa along as she hesitated, was this the Eren she knew? The Eren that had hope? She pushed the thought aside, knowing now that her Eren had returned with his moral compass intact, she hoped.
. . .
After a long walk through metal corridors and across bridges of light over a dizzying black abyss the team made it to a final doorway exiting to the outside. A gargantuan metal drum with jagged edges and cannons swirling around on its hull was flying away from them. The words UNSC Spirit Of Fire could be seen briefly as it rose above the clouds. Its size was bigger than dozens of Marley's best ships, and those didn't fly!
Hange fell to the ground in astonishment, and Zeke was left mouth agape. "So this is what mankind is capable of.", he said.
Large ships of red and orange with jagged curves flew past the clouds toward the reclaimer vessel. Loud cracks rang out at a steady pace,echoing from down the mountain side. Across a forested field a metal rectangular building was hosting human beings with rifles. Their bulky grey and green armour stood out to the scouts. Attacking them were more metal animals, or people? There were grey humanoid forms with bright orange eyes.
"Those are our enemies", Eren said with an eerie chill, "And that's who we'll be helping.",he pointed to the humans.
"Just how can we help people that can do that?", Gabby asked, pointing to the sky.
"Gabby, let's not forget that the scouts very nearly captured nearly all 9 titans despite being technologically a century behind us.", said Zeke.
"Right.", she said as Falco gave her a hand of reassurance.
"Reiner, ready to carry us down the mountain?", asked Erwin. Reiner nodded confidently.
"Scouts and allies! We've come to secure a future for all we've lost and fought for. This is the first step into the unknown and our first time meeting these people. Let's try our best to show we mean to assist them! We cannot let our hearts waver now! The Rumbling challenged all of you, but that was defeated. This shouldn't scare any of us! Shinzou Wo Sasageyo!" Erwin gave a fierce speech.
Reiner roared and transformed in a whirl of steam and lightning nearby before the group quickly boarded his colossal form. Their blades ready and gleaming in the full sunlight. Reiner's form shook the land and caused boulders to break free with them as they slid down the dusty mountainside and into the forest, the survey corps rushing into the unknown once again.
. . .
Major Derek Slade, ODST veteran, was now in control over their first FOB on the shield world, and not 10 minutes later they got into a giant firefight. Men were scrambling to take any cover they could around the half made sandbags and loose equipment. Slade hated leading from the rear, but understood it was necessary. The Prometheans as Isabel called them, were teleporting throughout his lines like fish in water, and they were the shrimp.
Suddenly, as if things couldn't get worse, a bolt of lightning struck the mountain nearby. Steam, dust, and boulders slid down the mountain to the forest below. Slade was confused but too busy barking orders and answering radio chatter to even have a single thought related to it. A marine radio and camera operator suddenly began screaming bloody murder, "CONTACT! WE GOT A GODDAMN MONSTER INBOUND! FROM THE MOUNTAIN!"
"Come again Marine?", asked Slade, worried his men had cracked under the pressure.
"Confirmed sir! Three O'clock!" said the marines' partner operator.
Slade looked out to see steam bellowing from the forest, heading right at them. The ground shook from colossal steps as an armoured red giant burst through the treeline, charging right at them. Slade took a long breath and remembered why he fought the monsters, he remembered his home world. "Get tactical Marines! Right flank, focus all fire on the giant!"
Twin chainguns on the perimeter bunkers spun up with a deafening roar, sending a wall of lead straight into the charging giant's chest. Marines scrambled to shoulder rocket launchers, the hiss of an anti-tank missile streaking through the air, only for the giant to leap into a side step to doge, not slowing down at all. It roared, steam pouring from its mouth like an ancient war cry, then hurled itself into a roll. The Marines barely had time to process what was happening before it started crushing Prometheans like bugs under a boot. As the steam dissipated several humans could be spotted now running from the giant towards them.
"Human contact! Repeat those are humans out there!", said his operator.
"Orders sir?", asked his partner.
"If we lose this FOB the Spirit will be fine, if we anger a local faction of humans however..", Slade thought fast and said, "Hold your fire! Hold your fire on the giant and humans! Operator I want a squad of those humans asap! This could be a first contact scenario! I repeat we have a new contact! Contact the Spirit next and prep for Cole protocol! All operators wipe these computers clean yesterday!" Slade made his orders.
"Sir, Hellbringer squad Scarlet Raven is on its way to make a path for the contacts! Sir, the Spirit has acknowledged Cole Protocol for this FOB and is prepped herself! Sir, our lines have fallen apart!", the operator called out.
His radio network had become a corus of confused and desperate marines, some of them awed by the giant, some of them still fighting for their lives. "Fall back! I repeat fall back! Form a wall around the computers! We have to ensure Cole protocol is underway!", Slade spoke into his radio to the entire ground force.
Slade watched the marines he swore to protect get cut open and composed by the forerunner weapons. Promethean knights shooting fish in a barrel. As they formed a more cohesive wall of retreating marines, most of whom were saying their prayers, tree trunk sized, white, bonelike spikes erupted from the ground and impaled the majority of the promethean force that was giving chase. The promethean knights and soldiers shrieked as they broke apart and composed. A hush fell over the battlefield,the marines unsure if they were being helped or heading into the frying pan. The giant roared, shaking his tent, and continued to stomp and crush the knights.
"Now that's not something you see everyday… Look there! Back at Three O'clock! Scarlet Raven has the contacts, say again Scarlet? Sir the contact was the source of the spikes, I repeat, contacts are fighting the prometheans!", said his operator.
"There on our side?", a Marine asked as a wall was formed around the entrance of their FOB.
"Look at that!", said another.
"Get tactical Marines! We've got an impression to make! I don't want any wet pants if that giant comes over here! Understood?", announced Slade.
"OORAH!", came the marines answer.
The prometheans began to retreat and teleport away as quickly as they came. His Hellbringers brought the new contacts through their line, his marines murmuring. Several worse some kind of uniform with a pair of wings, though it lacked any real armour. Others wore old timey clothes, and were those two children?! The giant suddenly let out a burst of steam as a grown blonde man exited its nape, the body disintegrating. "I need a raise," Slade thought.
"Erwin smith, commander of the Survey Corps.", a tall man in uniform extended a hand to him.
Slade shook the man's hand firmly and was genuinely happy to have his men alive, even if he had to clean up this mess. "Major Slade, UNSC. I take it the giants with you?", he asked.
"Correct, our people, Eldians can turn into titans, though it is very complex.", Erwin said.
"I can explain more at some point!" Zeke chimed in.
"Eldians huh? Wait, have your people been in this shield world all this time? Since the fall of the forerunners?", asked Slade.
A marine whistling at the length of time ascribed broke the silence like a knife.
"Negative, if you'll have us, we'd like to explain. I believe we can help each other, Major.", said Erwin.
"The first friendly contact we've had! It's a goddamn miracle!", Slade thought. "I hope so, let me contact our ship and Captain Cutter. Operator, priority 1 to the Spirit!"
"Aye sir! Sir, Spirit is reporting victory over the three Banished ships that attacked us! It was a total rout!"
Slade raised an eyebrow. "Damn. Three ships? What the hell did we hit 'em with?"
The operator smirked. " Isabel, she put a Mac round straight through the lead ship's reactor. The others ran like hell after that."
Slade whistled. "That'll do it."
"Sir i've got Captain Cutter ready for holotable.", gave the operator.
Slade nodded and an image of Captain Cutter appeared on the table next to them. "Major, have your boys cleaned up that FOB? How is the Cole protocol progressing?", asked the Captain.
"Aye Captain! We've wiped the hard drives after contact. They're humans sir, and they saved our sorry asses, although…", he cleared his throat, "They can turn into giants. Crazy i know but we've got the video sir, sending now.", explained Slade.
"I see, well it beats the flood any day. I'm Captain Cutter of the Spirit of Fire, tasked with protecting Earth and her colonies."
"Commander Erwin, Survey Corps.", Erwin gave the salute of the walled Eldians.
Cutter nodded slowly, appraising the man, "Well arrive shortly for a proper meet and greet, for saving my men you have my thanks, I hope we can remain on friendly terms."
"As do we, Captain.", said Erwin.
"Captain, you're heading the wrong way.", Eren interrupted.
"Eren!", Mikasa scolded.
"Please forgive our resident idiot Captain, I'm sure we can find an appropriate punishment.", said Levi.
"Captain, one of your men will soon report that 4 new contacts have appeared through a portal. They're human, but not from here. Without your support the Banished will crush them, their ships will be momentarily disabled.", explained Eren.
"Come again son?", asked Cutter, genuinely confused.
"Sir!", a voice was heard over the hologram, "We've got 4 new contacts. All ships of the same make, but not one we've seen! Sir this is first contact, or is this now second contact?"
Captain Cutter was silent for a moment.
"Sir their ships are floating dark! Their sitting ducks for the Banished!", said another voice.
"Red alert! We're going in! It seems our meeting will have to wait, if those are human souls it's our duty as the UNSC to protect them. Major Slade, do some recon and clean up that FOB for our return. Keep me apprised as to our… guests."
"Sir!", said Slade simply.
The captain nodded, "Cutter out."
The Marines stood in stunned silence as the man from inside the giant came to join them, flesh marks across his face. Then, someone finally spoke, "I, uh… I think I just crapped myself."
A few nervous chuckles broke the tension. Another Marine whistled low.
"Okay. So… that's a thing that happens now."
"You got that on camera, right?"
"Oh yeah. Isabel's gonna lose her mind."
Falco and Gabby couldn't help but chuckle after the rush of racing through the front line with the Hellbringers.
"Alright Marines, let's clean up and prep for the Captain! I want this place spotless, and bring out the fine china.", Slader gave his orders and another OORAH was received as the marines began to scramble to work.
"Major, the Survey Corps would lend our hands to the task of clean up.", said Levi, causing the younger Survey Corps members to gulp. Levi's idea of clean was otherworldly.
. . .
Venator Command Room
Anakin heard several voices as he shook in darkness. Voices he knew, but couldn't place.
"You were told not to interfere!", said the father.
"But she can with impunity!", yelled the son.
"What she is doing is what is written, my son you have upset the natural course of events. I have no choice but to set things straight.", explained the father.
"I only saved lives and spread the truth, father.", the son sighed in resignation, "What will you do with them?"
"What I must, those affected will be sent elsewhere, never to return.", said the father.
Anakin woke up with a start and held his head, suddenly remembering the hyperspace anomaly, "What happened?"
"Ah so you've decided to join us.", quipped Obi-Wan.
Anakin sat up to respond but fell back in head pain.
"Easy Sky-Guy! You've got a head injury, maybe a concussion.", explained Ahsoka.
"What happened Snips?", Anakin asked again.
"We were thrown out of hyperspace into this micro dyson sphere. Artificial sun and everything.", explained Rex.
"First time travel, now this?", asked Anakin.
Admiral Yularen appeared in hologram on the central table, "Gentlemen we've got one ship going by the name ghost, one Kanan Jarrus is asking for you Anakin."
"Kanan? Captain, they are friendly!", relayed Anakin.
"Understood. Our ships will need several minutes to get back online, the anomaly seems to have shut us all down, but the engineers are confident they can get us back online.", said Yularen.
Outside the viewport, instead of stars a planet's surface surrounded them along with the sun. The once-proud Venator-class warships hung in space like wounded animals, their engines flickering weakly as power struggled to return.
"I sense there is more news in the bad variety.", said Obi-Wan.
"You're correct as usual General, we have a dozen ships of smaller size heading straight for us, we think they are charging weapons. We need all men to the fighters Generals.", explained Yularen.
"I'm on it!", said Anakin.
"Master, you're not ready to fly! You just hit your head, hard!", scolded Ahsoka.
Anakin stood and dusted himself off, "I'm fine? See? I need to be out there with the troops! Obi-Wan, our fighters."
"Yes, yes, of course, you're fine." He gestured at Anakin's head. "That explains why you're currently swaying on your feet."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Master, I'm fine."
"You just had a vision and a concussion, and now we're in a warzone. Forgive me if I'm not convinced."
"Right, the vision.-", Anakin began.
"Sir we've got some kind of transmission coming in, i can't identify it fast enough, it's nothing we've ever seen!", said a clone trooper at a console.
"R-2! Help them.", instructed Anakin.
R-2 beeped and bobbled as he put his spike into the computer and began helping untangle the message and stabilize it for their coms array.
"Sir it's coming through now!", said the clone.
"Nice work R-2.", said Anakin. His droid spoke to him again and Anakin alone laughed.
"Put it through.", said Yularen.
The audio w\started as static before becoming clear in common, "This is Captain Cutter of the UNSC Spirit of Fire, the inbound fleet heading towards you is hostile, I repeat Hostile! We'll arrive shortly to assist and establish contact. This message will repeat every 10 seconds."
"I've got a bad feeling about this.", Rex broke their silence.