Armin Arlert stood vigil watching the remains of the Marley Hotel crumble to the ground. It was a great attraction, one that he had visited many times but now all it brought him was some undeeded guilt

His friends had betrayed him and the rest of his forces had pulled out, some had been unlucky. They had remained. It was something that he could never forget, they trusted him and he returned it. They all knew that Jacob Peralta could not be allowed to draw another breath on this earth and so enacted their plan. 

Oh, here they stood, the remaining members of the warrior unit. They had some rebuilding to do, just as he was going to walk away. They all heard the footsteps coming from the Marley, it revealed Mikasa Ackerman, as well as her cousin, Levi. They did not move, hands on their weapons and they looked completely unscathed. 

"Armin! Eren told me that he had met you, this is a surprise. I would appreciate it that you gave him back to us, you can see that this is not over, not yet. The Festival is over but the war has yet to be done, your organization is crippled and we have the high ground!"

Erwin Smith had finally revealed himself, dressed in a black leather jacket. The sigil of the Eldians, the wings of freedom sewn into the breast pocket of the jacket. 

"Erwin Smith, my people looked for you on the battlefield, this is most curious. You survived, how?"

Erwin turned his head away and eyed the police vehicles heading down here in the distance, they had little time. They were viewed differently in each city. The Foundation would have the advantage if this went to the legal system. Still, he had a few moments to spare. 

"Jacob Peralta. He was a good man, he fought for what he believed in. You all fought for what you believed in, for that, you have my respect. Still, we have Porco Galliard in our custody. I suggest that you give Zeke Peralta back and you may have your precious warrior."

Armin thought about it for a second. He knew that Erwin was an honorable sort, he kept his word, as did he. It would have been a deal to define what would go on from here. Now he had little time to decide, actually, Erwin did. He was more aware of that, he stepped forward, not going any further in case of attack. 

"No. Porco Galliard is not loyal to our cause. Who else gave the information to Zeke? I am not stupid Mr. Smith, I know that Zeke received a call. Days, even weeks before the festival. It was how he moved in, Jacob Peralta had been getting help from his brother. I see that already, now is the time to leave Commander. Your resistance is crumbled and the former Nine-Nine detectives will never follow you."

Erwin bowed his head, he already knew that might have failed. Still, the type of man that Armin was became clear. He was not a gambler, he believed things at face value but also checked with his own facts. So, did he truly believe that Jacob Peralta had perished? 

"You've clearly earned your position Armin. It's truly a shame that you are not here with us. You would have been useful but fate is a cruel mistress. Still, I would not be where I was without a few gambles..."

What he had said just dawned on Armin as a few of the unseen warriors aimed their guns at him, Reiner, Pieck, Annie, and Bertolt. They had them surrounded, taking Annie, Zeke, and Eren. This was a clear move that had been planned from the very beginning, the warriors had soon revealed themselves. 

It was Rosa Diaz, Terry Jeffords, and Raymond Holt. 

Members of the Warden Resistance had infiltrated the warrior unit. Allied with Erwin Smith, it had seemed that Armin had bet wrong, losing three considerable people but the Eldians and Wardens had backed away...taking their prisoner and rescued prisoners with them. Leaving behind a seething Armin, as well as his warriors.

He had been played and he would make sure that they felt his wrath...