Looks like Sasha and Connie were involved in something they shouldn't have.

Or should they? I hardly believe that Erwin (or Shadis, or even Nile) just forgot to assign the task to these two. And you don’t have to be a genius to guess that Sasha will drag Connie to look for a food warehouse if left unoccuped... Or were they intentionally “forgotten” but without some specific plan in mind? Left it to chance, so to speak?

I hope that one day you can somehow return to writing.
Be sure that you will have at least one reader.

Pixis probably figured out what lies behind the suddenly manifested "ambitions" of Nile.
I feel bad for poor Anka.

And for Annie. She probably in such confusion because of these incomprehensible new feelings.

Levi and chocolate. I ship it.

Oh Armin! The opposite is true! It was you and your observations that sent Eren and his wild temper into a new stream! This is your words he repeats as a mantra to all who will listen (and not so)...

Although I am not surprised that with his problematic self-esteem, Armin perceives his own deeds in so distorting way (more precisely, ascribes them to his friends).

How did happens that Hannes didn't tought Armin (and other two) how to play poker? Kind of wrong "puerile uncle", isn't he?
Levi's squad should definitely correct this omission.

Well, "something strange in the air" can never be Annie and Ymir. Otherwise, in the canon both Bertold and Rainer (just as Ymir) would be quickly discovered by Survey Corps (after all, the abilities of Ehren were already revealed. And Mike knew him). But then what is it? Did someone prepare something "special" for Armin’s arrival?

Well, the garrison (drunk or not) is a force to be reckoned with. At least because of their multiplicity. Hopefully Hannes will visit Armin sometime. After all, he is almost a family for E.M.A.

Poor Armin does not even know that he unwittingly became something like symbol of change for people...

Ah Shadis! He already knew exactly who the “public figure” was, the cunning dog. I am sure he specially adjusted it so that it was 104-th who got the job of protecting Armin. Once a scout is always a scout, ne?

Krista and Ymir such are trolls.

Meanwhile, life continues in the Training Corps...
Oh gosh, Jean! You are a poor loser.
And I already forgot that both Annie and Mikasa earned their punishment. Ouch!

This is a very important and needed development for Armin - this realization is that he will fight for his own life (by all necessary means).

Erwin and Armin... Father-son binding time? Fu~fu~fu...

Well, if Erwin is a tricky "papa" who gonna raising no less tricky "son", then Levi is definitely a "cool uncle" (already acting as one). Who likes to embarrass people.

Neil Dawk should have realized long ago that no one with the high posts at Survey Corps has all the screws in place. But this does not make them useless, rather the opposite. "Profession costs", so to speak... He’ll probably lose his peace and sleep when/if he finds out that Erwin just stumbled upon the youngling almost-ready-successor-of-his-quest (in all means which is considered).

The old Levi team. I missed them. And was very sorry that in the canon they did not have time to get to know Armin and other newcomers well.

I can only imagine what was happening in the minds of Erwin, Levi and his subordinates when the criminals ran out to them and surrendered... I found it hilarious.

For all those abducted people, Armin really appeared as an angel who defeated their captors (given his condition) and now came to set them free. It's funny that he actually did it (if not by physical fight), even if rather forced to.

Levi's act is somethin I can easily see him doing in canon (to some Yeagerists for example).

Erwin's intricate explanation and Levi's priceless cues just made my day! You nailed it right!

The way you worked on Armin's plotting is simply amazing! His initial reaction to his own abduction, flashback and quick thinking - everything sounds convincing and in character.

I really, really like this deviation from the canon. Largely because I hope that it turns out to be more of "underhand intrigues" than open attacks... and as a result less bloody (Erwin got a good idea to deal with internal hidden enemies so that they don't get backstabbed while working). For Survey Corps that is. Corrupt guys from the military police can burn for all I care.

Your manner of storytelling (for this and previous chapters) is very smooth and captivating. The plot twists is quite believable and vivid. It is easy to imagine all this happening in the canon - that's how well you captured and conveyed the spirit of AoT.

Aww! Your take on Mikasa’s acquaintance with Armin is amazing! Eren is such a mother hen. Cute!

Oh... Well, the nurses are humans too: young and/or warm-blooded enough to appreciate the virtues of young lads with some body train. In addition to this, Armin has a rather nice face and character. Poor thing...

All the time I forget to say that I like the way you worked on other characters besides Annie, Armin and his two friends.

Oh shii... I completely forgot that from here on things will take a very interesting turn... Daaaamn.

Nevermind my complaint from the previous comment.
I am pretty sure that in this situation the canon Armin would do just that.

Gee, but it's true that women's fights can be much more cruel and violent than that of men's (special training or not). So here you are not mistaken either.

I like how Eren trusts Armin’s warning so much, even though he didn’t quite understand the urgency of the situation. Much like a canon Eren did at the very beginning. Damn, but I miss it (the good old E.M.A. friendship was one of the most beloved parts - by me - of the series).

Oh Rainer! Sometimes it's better to be silent than to speak. But I sincerely appreciate your attempt.

Humble yourself Jean, in such a close habitat for such a large group of teenagers there can be no secrets like such. On a positive note, he finally caught up with a local rumor mill. The poor fellow completely lagged behind life.

Oh, Annie is just evil! I like it!

I am glad to see Mikasa so worried about Armin (I can not stand that most of the fandom makes her into some kind of robot with the only function "to care of Eren"). Very refreshing. Even if now this concern for a friend about to go out in such a violent and vengeful way.

Ouch! Armin! Why the hell you don't care about yourself?

And Annie is crazy too! Why, oh, why does she provoke the already furious Mikasa? Whether if her guilt make her look for a fight/some beating, such an action of course this will not solve nothibg!

... Although maybe later both girls will feel better.

Someday, I hope, Armin will understands that he is not as physically weak as he thinks. In the canon, he get into the new Levi's squad, not by extension or something like that, but because his skills met the requirements (and special operations units are strongly focused on physical training).

Poor Annie, probably for the first time in her life faced a guilt like that (given her age at the time when she get behind the walls, ideological treatment and attempts to distance herself from people). It's going to be really hard.

Aww, I love Erwin, this cunning sneak, always planning ahead.
Levi and pep talk... Uh-oh. What a terrible thought...

I like this “something” that germinated between Armin and Annie. It is still quite fragile, but blends smoothly and organically into a developing situation. Damn, but I sincerely enjoy their every conversation - they both are just so in character.

"Krista" is such a shipper!

Oh Annie, you're right to worry.

Jean being Jean. Although I'm sure he did not try to offend anyone - he just sucks in reassuring people - but sure Eren never see it like that (not in this situation). And as soon as Eren react, Jean will lost all reason as well... Two idiots. And Mikasa just expertly dealed out both of them.

On the other hand, Annie seems to have the same effect on Mikasa as Jean has on Eren (I personally agree, as this coincides with my impression of the interaction between the two). True, both girls still have more control over their reactions than these two idiots.

Annie's reaction to Armin’s act is also very believable: of course she will be confused and embarrassed and as a result defensive. They barely know each other and the guy went and took a hit in her place. This, of course, is a big contrast to what she’s used to at home (considering what a competitive basis there is for just being able to become a shifter) and, to be honest, here too (survival as a refugee hardly did improve her opinion about human nature, even if she revealed the truth about unfounded propaganda).

Oh, poor Armin. He is trying so hard not to worry or upset his only family that he did not even think twice to deny himself their consolation.

Reread your story, feels just as if I are reading/watching AoT for the very first time. Really nice feeling.

Although I can say that Armin here would not agree with me. Crashing into an obstacle at high speed and without any kind of protection ... Just the thought of his injuries hurts me (I had the misfortune to be in an incident that ended for me in a concussion, with severe contusion of the soft tissues of the chest and omission of the kidneys and stuff). Although I never got anything so damn heavy as Armin just now.

I really like where this is going- I know it's been a while, but there are some grammar issues- particularly using "your" when it should be "you're." Still, excellent chapter