Awakening

'The Titans have breached the walls!'

Panic and chaos reigned as the giant creatures approached with thundering footsteps. People hopelessly ran in total mayhem.

'Everyone run as far as you can!'

Screams came from every direction.

A man screamed in horror as he was eaten alive. Hundreds shared the same fate in the pandemonium.

Blood smeared all over the walls.

'Mom, mom!' A little boy cried as he was caught.

'Let him go. Leave my child alone!' The woman screeched. The boy engulfed in a humongous hand desperately struggled.

'Mommy!' Pure fear filled his voice.

'No! Please, release him!' She watches in horror as her son was lifted high above the ground.

Tears ran down his cheeks. 'Help me!' He yelled as he neared it's giant mouth.

'No, no!' Tears stain her face as she saw the look on her son's eyes.

Complete agony.

'MOMMY!' One finally scream and giant teeth clamp down.

'NOOOO!' She gave a deafening scream.

The destruction was unimaginable. Screaming…Running…Agony…Death.

Hidden in the shadows a pair of blue eyes watched as everything unfolded.

The mother fell to her knees and the life in her eyes faded. Similar events happened all around her as more Titans emerged.

This world was not kind.

'Why?' She whispered. She looks up at the sick smile plastered on it's face. That horrible smile most the Titans shared.

'WHY!' Her scream escape her lips just as she was stomped.

.

.

.

"Hey…hey! Are you listing?"

A slim, blond girl snapped out of her gaze and looked at the irritated bus driver.

"This is the last stop." He said with an irritated glare.

Annie stared at him with her distinctive stoic expression. She stood up and silently left. The conductor looked at her retreating form. "Be careful out there. It's not safe to be out this late alone in the city." He mentioned still in a bad mood, but with a hint of concern.

Where does one go when they have nowhere to go?

Countless lights illuminated the entire city. Cars flew by on the streets as she walked on the sidewalk. Her expression was blank as always compared to the people around her. Smiling, laughing, so care free, no fear.…As she journeyed through, someone striding bumped her shoulder.

"Watch it bitch!" A nameless person shouted.

City life was wonderful. The first time such occurrence happened, it did not end too well for that other nameless person. It had taken a while to get used to this place. She never knew that a place could be so noisy, so laud, so obnoxious. It was a wonder no one went mad.

She walked pass a homeless person on the ground talking to the wall.

After roaming the city some more, ironically her feet took her to the loudest place she could could've gone. She walked pass the large crowd of people forming a line and headed straight for the double doors.

"Yo, Annie. Nice of you to show up." A large bulk of a man stood in her way. He was dressed in a heavy black coat. Her stoic face never faltered. "Always with the silent attitude huh?" The bouncer asked, annoyed.

Annie didn't waste her time with him and walked to the door. His large hand gripped her shoulder. "I'm talking to you." Hostility emerged clear in his voice. Annie's eyes slowly trailed to his hand. The people in front of the line, who looked bored suddenly took interest. It was bothersome.

Just as she was about to raise her hand another less bulky man cut in and took the big guy's hand off her.

Saved her the trouble.

"Ernie, I told you last time if Annie comes by just to let her in." He said. Ernie glared at him and crossed his arms. "I thought she needed an attitude adjustment with the way she behaves."

The guy dismissed the bouncer and looked at Annie. "Go ahead Annie. I'll let the boss man know you're here." Annie walked into the club without looking back.

"She needs to be taught a lesson Jack. She comes around whenever she pleases like she owns the place." Bulky man replied.

"Listen, as long as the boss doesn't care neither shall we. Got it." He stated and walked back into the building.

"Still, someone should check that attitude of hers." Ernie said to himself.

The booming music, the body heat of the crowd, the smell alcohol, this was not her ideal place to say the least. Annie sat at the far end of the bar area. Trying to maintain inconspicuous in this place is impossible, which was annoying. Apparently every time she came here someone put a sign on her without her knowing because every guy seemed to try in hit on her. It were times like these she was glad she had so much self-control. The bartender finally came with her drink.

"Drink up." She said in a friendly tone. Annie took a small sip. She didn't often drink, but when she did it wasn't much. She didn't like her senses dulled.

"So what brings you around? The boss sent for you?" She asked.

Annie took her time and barely gave her a side glance. That's more than most people get in this place. The bartender grinned. "Oh, I forgot. No one ever tells Annie what to do." This girl was always trying to get a reaction out of her, but her efforts were never rewarded.

"Nothing, huh." She tended to another guest. "You've been coming here for quite a while now and I still barely know anything about you. You are the most tight lipped person I've ever met." She mentioned. For all she knew Annie could be ignoring her, but that didn't deterred her.

"You know if you answered at least one question I wouldn't bother you so much." She replied. Nothing.

The bartender finished with the other guest and stood in front of her. "Every time you come through those doors you come here and sit all alone. And you have this…" She motioned with her hands."…depressing vibe." Annie kept looking past her. She looked at Annie with a touch of pity in her eyes.

"Would it really be that bad if someone got to know a little about you?" Annie could pick up the tint of sadness at end. Annie's face remained impassive.

"Hey, Annie. The boss is at the office for you." Jack looked a bit aggravated. Annie paid him no mind and just followed him into the cluster of dancing people. She took one last glance back the bartender.

"Better hope, to not know."

I'll slaughter them!

Crack!

As they walked through the low lit hall the music resonated in the background. The hall was strangely empty. Usually there were a few lackeys hanging around. Arriving at the door, Jack pressed his thumb on the small scanning pad next to it. With a quiet beep the door unlocked.

Despite the blaring noise out there the office room was quiet. The magic of sound proof walls. It was a extravagant room for a nightclub. Then again she doubted the boss got all his revenue from this place alone.

"Annie! I can tell you how glad I am to see you." The man referred as the boss exclaimed behind his desk.

He seemed more…lively than usual. Was it just her or did have five extra bodyguards? He usually only had one. Maybe it had something to with why Jack looked tense.

"When Jack told me you came by I couldn't believe my luck." He said.

Jack shifted his weight to his other foot. She could sense some kind tension in the room, but couldn't figure what it was.

"I'll cut to the chase. You are the best errand boy..er..girl I have. Let me tell you that says a lot." He exclaimed.

Annie slightly narrowed her brows for a split second.

"I need you to deliver a very important package. The reason I need you to do it is because you have never asked questions and you're not the type to be easily swayed by money like most are." The guy next to her, Jack, shifted again. He looked like he wanted to say something.

"Unfortunately, that includes my men. Sometimes, a complete stranger is the person you want to trust most in certain situations." He finished. Jack couldn't stay quiet anymore.

"Sir, if she's so capable why don't you sent her by herself?" Jack exclaimed.

Annie looked at him. Didn't she always? Her eyes drifted to the box the boss pulled out from his drawer.

"Jack how many times have I told you to not interrupt." His voice was stern. Jack became silent.

"What Jack is referring to is that he will tag along on this one."

Jack didn't look happy.

Annie tried to mask the discontent from her voice. "I work alone."

"As much as I want to trust in the philosophy of trusting a stranger I'm also cautious. Jack is the exception to what a mentioned earlier. He has been with me for years. Very loyal." He answered.

"Then send him." She was getting annoyed, but skillfully hid it.

"Despite Jack's loyalty he's not…too capable in certain situations. I don't know what kind of methods you use, but you can certainly take care of yourself which is why I'm sending him with you." Jack didn't look too pleased as he was handed the box.

Neither did she.

The ride to their location was momentarily silent. She wished for it to stay so, but as she expected he didn't seem like the type to keep to himself.

"This is such bullshit. How the hell did I get stuck in this shitty situation?" Jack said as he drove.

She remain silent.

"To top it all of I'm partnered up with the silent monk here." She was considering to letting him rant on until this was over. He would shut up eventually. "I'm this close from quitting this job. That guy has really been overbearing lately. Besides, as much as I like the pay I can't be taking these kind of risks anymore." His aggravation suddenly left him and sighed. All the tension in his body suddenly left him. "My…my girlfriend is pregnant. She told me a few weeks ago." He smiled sadly. "I grew up without a father and…and the last thing I want is for my kid to go through that."

Did she ask for his life story?

"What's in the box?" She asked.

He looked at her a bit surprised. "Didn't the boss just praise you for never asking questions?"

She gave him her blank stare.

Jack sighed. "I don't know."

She didn't ask again, but she could tell he knew something.

Thirty minutes later they arrived at an abandoned farm. As expected it was isolated. Apparently, they were the first ones there.

The night sky was very calm as the moon shined above. Crickets filled the quiet atmosphere with occasional owl.

"Who are we delivering it to?"

"Aren't you talkative tonight? I think this is the most I ever heard you speak." He didn't get a responds, he didn't expect one. Annie stared out the window. He was right. She never asked so many questions, but…something about this whole situation felt …off. Her instincts were never wrong.

"The guys were meeting are some sort of secretive organization or something." Annie looked over at him. He made it sounded like he was belittling them. "Whoever they are. They're paying a lot of money for this piece of-" He cut himself of. He looked at her and just resigned. He didn't care anymore. What was going to happen anyway? They were going to get rid of thing soon.

"I don't know if you know this, but the boss likes to go hunting with his friends once a month out in mountains in the outskirts of the city." He didn't notice as Annie's eyes narrowed for a moment. Mountains?

"It's ridiculous if you ask me. Grown men that have never been taught how to hunt properly on their own. Anyways, a few months back the boss got separated from the group and came across this cave. Inside the boss found this strange crystal. It was at least 12 inches long." He was so caught up in his story he failed to notice as Annie's demeanor change. Her bangs cast a shadow over her eyes.

I'll exterminate you all!

Crack!

"I don't know how, but someway these guys found out and they've been very…adamant with boss. They-" Jack stopped as a set of lights illuminated them. A car parked in front of them. He handed the box over to Annie without looking at her.

"They'll have a harder time taking it from you if things go bad. Let's go." He got out.

Annie took a few short moments before quietly following him.

The cold night air greeted them as they approached the five men. They all had a firm composure. Looking at their faces Annie could tell these were trained men. However, their expression didn't compare to Annie's cold stone expression. Jack didn't do too bad keeping his face calm.

"Just as we agreed." He vaguely pointed towards Annie. "Where's our money?"

The leader stared at him and then nodded to his men. Jack watched as two took out tree briefcases from their car. They placed them in front of them. Jack kneeled and opened each one.

"Man, they really want that rock." He murmured to himself.

"Now, the crystal." The leader commanded.

Jack stood back up. "Alright, take it easy." He looked over at her. "Annie, give it to them."

The night's cold wind began to pick up as Annie didn't make a move. "Why do you want it?" Her voice was deadly cold.

The leader's calm didn't wavered. "That's none of your concern. The crystal." He commanded.

"Annie just give it to them already." Jack's patience began to slip.

She remained still.

They weren't going to tell her anything. The men became tense as they took out there weapons. She thought she had been careful.

"Dammit." Jack took out his gun as they raised theirs.

"One last time, the crystal." The leader aimed at her.

"Annie!" Jack yelled.

"Tch." Annie tossed him the box high up. For one whole second everyone's eyes were on the box. That was all Annie needed. Before the leader knew it Annie was upon him. She slit his throat with her hidden knife. Blood splatter and then the gunfire began.

She immediately went for the second guy, but he was faster than she thought. He shot her shoulder, making her falter. Jack fire a few shots and got the second guy on the chest. He quickly moved as the third and fourth guy fired at him. However, they manage to hit him twice in the leg and hip, taking him to the ground. The fifth guy didn't waste time and shot at Annie hitting her on the side. Without letting the pain stop her, she threw her knife right in his head. The third guy noticed and aimed to finish her of, but this time she was quicker and closer. He got one shot of before she delivered a devastating roundhouse kick right on his neck, bringing him down. Her injuries caused her to fall as well. The fourth guy, completely furious, aimed at her head. No one else was left standing.

"You bitch! You fucking bitch! I'm going to fuck you up!" He shouted as he angrily stomped over to her in fast strides. "Any last words!"

Annie held her bleeding shoulder and clutched hard, making herself bleed even more. She looked up at him with the most menacing face he has ever seen. "Do you?"

Just as she was about to make her threat true-bang! Gun shots ringed in the air as he was shot once, twice, three, four times. His body dropped dead. Gun aimed, Jack breathed heavily lying on the ground.

"Dammit, it burns!" Jack struggled as he stood up.

Annie got back on her feet and closed her eyes to clear her head. She couldn't believe herself. She almost…When had she become so rash? Calming down, she could feel Jack next her.

"Hey, Annie." He started. "Why-?" Her eyes snapped open. Before she knew it, she was shoved to the side and in a manner of few seconds all she heard were two gun shots. Annie looked over and saw the leader she thought she killed earlier now had a bullet hole on his forehead. Standing up, her eye's drift down to the body on the ground. Blood slowly pooled around her feet. She could tell Jack was fatally wounded. Her face inexpressive.

"You shouldn't have done that." She stated, voice ice cold.

He coughed up blood. "I-I didn't…mean to. My b-body jus-st moved." He stupidly smiled at her.

"I g-guess I'm…going to-to be just…like m-my old-d man after a-all." With those words he was gone. Annie's emotionless expression never wavered as silence consumed the place. She gazed up at the stars. There were a lot of them tonight, far from the lights of the city, she could see them clearly. Just like old times. This world had changed. There was no denying it…But, tonight she had been reminded that no matter how much things have changed, some will always stay the same.

"I would've had to kill you either way."

In an unknown location, deep underground something hidden in the darkness stirred.

I'll annihilate you!

Crack! A giant crystal began to break. Cracks formed all around it.

I'll purge this world of every last one of you!

As the crystal began to shatter all over, small pieces rained down around it from the tremor.

I'll destroy you with my own hands!

The pressure was too much. Small bursts chipped the crystal open from every direction.

I'm going to kill them all. Every fucking one of THEM!

The tremor became stronger, rays of light shot from the cracks. The giant crystal cocoon exploded and fragments scattered everywhere. As the tremor died down and silence returned, from the debris emerald eyes could be seen.

A JAEGER had awakened.

Auther Notes: It's been a long time since I've written anything on this site, but after seeing Shingeki No Kyojin I had to read some of the stories here. I was disappointed when I saw the lack of stories around Eren and Annie. At the beginning of the show I liked Eren and Mikasa, they were okay. Then I got to see Annie and how she made a special connection with Eren. I was a annoyed that they took out some important scenes in the anime that showed their connection. Shingeki No Kyojin knows sure knows how to make interesting characters and I mean all of them. Eren and Annie's personalities are polar opposites, but that's what makes their dynamic so interesting to me. It's subtle. To top it all of, they're enemies and that's what got it. That's the kind of conflict I love in stories.