The enemy among us

After Annie had been interogated, she was once more knocked out with a firm hit to the head by Ban. Tossing her over his shoulder, he looked at the others as if he was waiting for them.

"It would be best if we regrouped with the Survey Corps. We need to find the kid."

Akane commented, sighing at the prospect of hanging around a selfdestructive teenager.

"Captain. We still haven't found out the numbers of the enemy and what their powers are. Is it wise to regroup with the Survey Corps?"

Lafitte interjected, earning an understanding nod from Akane.

"I understand your concerns. While we do regroup with the Survey Corps, it does not mean we will hand our quary over to them without any further leads. Chances are they will let her escape due to negligence. I suggest Soren will keep watch over her, for now at least. If she shows any signs of trying to turn, knock her out. If she does turn, call Shinobu. She had a special kind of toxin appropriate for such an occasion."

Akane commented, looking at Ban. Ban handed Annie over to Soren, who once again stuffed her mouth and made sure all the bonds were safely bound.

"Then let's depart."

Not bothering transforming, Akane began to run, her eyes fixed on the green smoke still visible in the far distance.

The rest was following behind her, Ban leisurely running as if it was as easy as breathing.

*

*

*

Arriving at the current location of the Survey Corps, they arrived in a forest. On their way they had been ambushed by titans on multiple occasions, only for them to be easily taken out by Ban's Snatch.

Spines were extracted, forming a pile on the ground as titan after titan collapsed. To ensure their deaths, the spinal cords were severed as insurance. The titans immediately started to evaporate, leaving only their skeletons behind as remains, after which those too began to disintegrate.

"That works just fine~"

Ban hummed, as the process was cuntinued up to the point they had regrouped with the main force.

Standing on large branches, were Levi, his personal team as well as Erwin.

"Your job went smoothly as well it seems. Our infiltrator?"

Erwin asked, glancing at the unconscious figure of Annie.

"One of them. I'm sure there are more of them. It seems their purpose is to retrieve Eren, as his titan form is known as the founding titan. Supposedly it should be able to create and control other titans, the way how is still a mystery though."

Akane just shrugged, motioning for Soren to put Annie down.

"How sure are you of your information? Can I assume it isn't a plot by the enemy to throw us off our trail?"

Erwin said as he too kept a close eye on Annie, his hands above his swords, ready to strike her down should she show any signs of turning.

"Oh it's a fact alright. Lafitte can get anyone to talk truthfully, if they want to or not."

Lafitte's casual smile widened at the words of his captain, giving a small nod in acceptance of the compliment.

"Then we should resume the questioning. Set down the camp. We will stay here for the rest of the day. Night is falling, so titan activity should become less as well. Once we have rested, we will depart before sunrise."

*

*

*

Night had fallen.

All the squads had spread out through the forest to set up their own camp. Only the ones among Erwin and Levi's squads were called to come, as they were not certain where the enemy could be hidden.

The only one that had been called beside them to the meeting was Eren.

Eren glanced at everyone, from Akane's group to those of Erwin and Levi.

Not feeling all that comfortable, Eren settled down besides Petra and waited for the group to resume their meeting.

"As said before, we can be certain their aim is Eren. We have captured one of the enemy, though they may still be hidden among our ranks. The one in question is Annie Leonhart, a soldier from a nation called Marley. It is beyond our lands. This is the intel we have gathered so far."

Erwin nodded at Lafitte, who stood up and walked towards Annie.

Shinobu joined him, opening a small bottle and held it beneath Annie's nose. A pungent smell spread, making a few of those present choke a bit from the potency.

The use was effective though, as Annie woke up almost immediately. Her first move, trying to bite her tongue, which didn't help at all as her mouth had been stuffed with cloth.

"Now then, Annie Leonhart. Let's continue where we left off."

Lafitte muttered.

With simple hand movements, Lafitte made the tense Annie completely relaxed.

Pulling the cloth from her mouth, Lafitte motioned for the others to ask their questions.

Erwin spoke up first.

"Who are the other collaborators currently hidden among our ranks?"

Annie remained quiet for a moment before names were spilled.

"Captain: Zeke Yeager. He has inherited the Beast Titan. Vice Captain: Reiner Braun. He had inherited the Armored Titan. Warrior: Bertolt Hoover. He has inherited the Colosus Titan. Warrior: Pieck Finger. She has inherited the Cart Titan. Warrior: Marcel Galliard. He has inherited the Jaw Titan, died in action."

Lafitte nodded, not knowing who these people were nor did he care. His sentiments weren't shared by others though, as Eren became shocked at hearing his friends were enemies, while Erwin looked meaningful towards Levi who nodded in understanding.

"What does the nation of Marley intend to accomplish with the Founding Titan?"

This time, Hange asked a question, curiosity more of a vocal cord in this than the rest.

"They are afraid the Founding Titan, also known as the Coordinate, will proceed with the Rumbling. If they want to use the many resources available on Paradis Island, the Founding Titan must be taken from the ruling family to avert that possibility."

Confusion was apparent after Annie spoke. No one was aware of what the Rumbling was, nor what its purpose is.

"What is this Rumbling you speak of."

Levi asked, his eyes set on Annie.

"The Founding Titan will awaken the colossal titans that make up the walls, ordering them to flatten the continent, killing everyone on it under the feet of the titans. This was ordained by the king that moved to Paradis in an attempt to assure peace."

After that was said Annie remained quiet. No further questions were asked, for now. They had enough time to question her when they returned to Stohess.

Stuffing the cloth back in Annie's mouth, Lafitte broke the hypnoses. Annie looked bewildered around her, aware of everything she had just said. Her eyes were set on Lafitte, a promise of death in her eyes.

"Then I suppose I will have to be a joy kill."

Akane spoke up as she looked at everyone, her eyes finally landing on Annie.

"This nation of Marley you speak of. There is no such land anywhere near this island. It is already amazing that an island this big is present in the New world, unknown to the other Yonkou and pirates. It would have already become known if there was an island big enough to be called a nation. This shows that this island is already an anomaly."

"Oh oh, I know where this is going~ Let me answer this one."

Ban said as he stood up and leaned over Akane's head, leaning a bit on her.

"They are in the same situation as me and Shinobu! They are not natives of this world. This is so crazy, first it's only people, now an island~"

Ban broke out in laughter as he slapped his thigh in amusement.

"I wish Meliodas could see this. Fun things are constantly happening in this place~"

No one gathered around the pirate crew seemed to get any of this, with the exception of maybe Levi and Erwin.

"Captain, that's three times."

Lafitte muttered, looking at Akane with a question lingering.

"The rule of three, is it? I will look into it."

Akane replied, getting a nod from her crew members.

"Marley is something we don't have to worry about. We should deal with the enemy among us first. I will solicit the help of your crew for this, captain Akane."

Erwin said, his head leaning on his intwined hands, staring straight at her.

"I knew you would do this, Erwin. Do keep their reckless tendencies under control. I don't want to hear those old coots yelling at me. Nobility should just continue acting like the pigs they are. Them not involving themselves with the things concerning the Survey Corps is already good, which will surely change if this pirate group makes a mess out of things."

Levi commented.

"I will keep that in mind, Levi. You just decide how to keep Eren out of their hands. I'm sure you already know who he is going to team up with."

Levi remained quiet to the words of Erwin, not denying or agreeing with the statement.