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The Rise of the Fourth Reich
Chapter 8: Titans Fall, Ideology Rises – Meme Edition
Word Count: ~2,200
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POV: Marcus Augustus Victor
He stood atop the freshly vaporized remains of Wall Maria, boots resting on scorched stone, cloak drifting behind him like the flag of a better timeline.
Shiganshina lay below—still burning in some places, but now dotted with black banners stitched with gold eagles and tiny, embroidered shotguns.
Civilians crawled from the wreckage, expecting to meet death.
Instead, they met order.
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POV: Civilian – Rando Guy #47
He peeked from behind a collapsed wall, clutching a pan.
In front of him stood four heavily armed men in tactical trench coats, visors glowing.
Jackson's Brothers.
One of them pointed a shotgun at a 10-meter Titan and deleted its spinal integrity.
The Titan's body folded like a chair, then collapsed in an orderly pile of ash.
> "You're free now," the man said.
Then handed him a plushie with the phrase: "I got democracy'd and all I got was this plush."
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POV: Marcus – The Address
A hovering crystal screen floated above the city.
His voice echoed through every alley, ear, and Titan-shattered hallway.
> "This world has suffered."
> "You have known fear. Death. Titans. Taxes."
> "But now… you will know me."
He raised his hand.
The Reich's symbol burned into the sky above him.
> "Your walls failed. Your kings lied. Your gods hid."
> "So I brought you something better."
He stepped forward.
> "I brought you state-issued freedom."
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POV: Levi Ackerman (losing it quietly)
> "He's preaching… while glowing… after vaporizing a Titan with a backhand."
> "I hate this."
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POV: Armin Arlert
He stared at the new school being erected—overnight—with metal walls and holo-screens.
Above the entrance: "The Fourth Reich Youth Academy – Learn, Obey, Vote."
Inside, children were learning Advanced History of Democracy—a subject that included shotguns, market theory, and correct waifu identification protocol.
> "I feel both smarter and unclean."
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POV: Erwin Smith – Reich Welcome Chamber
He stood across a velvet-trimmed table from Marcus, sipping tea labeled "TITAN TEARS: 100% Freedom-Filtered."
> "You plan to rule us?"
> "No. You'll rule yourselves. I'll just edit your votes."
> "That's not democracy."
> "That's improved democracy."
Erwin pinched the bridge of his nose.
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POV: Eren Yeager – In a Soft Room
He sat alone, staring at a glowing cube labeled:
> "Freedom Conditioning Module v1.0"
Inside the cube, a hologram of Marcus smiled and said:
> "Repeat after me: I am free because I obey."
Eren muttered it once.
Then again.
Then clenched his fists.
> "I will destroy them."
But the cube shifted.
> "Correction: You will work for them and like it."
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POV: Jackson Alpha – Operation Wall-Yeet
Jackson Alpha stood on the outer rim, unloading propaganda shells across the nearby region.
Each round exploded into:
Glowing banners
Automated plushie distributors
And subwoofers blasting Marcus's theme song: a Gregorian chant version of the Halo theme mixed with memes
> "Democracy delivered."
> Pump-action reload intensifies.
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POV: Levi – Alone on a Rooftop
He stared at the plushie in his hand.
It saluted.
He threw it.
It landed. Saluted again.
> "I'm going insane."
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POV: Marcus – Tower of Solheim (New Capital Zone)
He sat at the peak of his new obsidian spire, overlooking Paradis.
Behind him, Albedo appeared, eyes gleaming.
> "The civilians adore you. The soldiers fear you. And the plushie industry is booming."
> "Good."
> "And the indoctrination protocols?"
> "Installed in the water supply and public bathrooms."
> "Perfect."
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POV: Civilian Child – The Next Morning
She walked outside.
Saw the new flags.
The soldiers.
The state-run ice cream truck that handed her a scoop labeled "Freedom Swirl."
She blinked.
Then smiled.
> "I like the new world."
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POV: Erwin – To Armin (Later)
> "He's winning."
> "He already won," Armin whispered. "We're just catching up."
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POV: Eren – Final Scene
He sat alone in his room, hugging his knees.
A small plush Marcus sat beside him.
It whispered:
> "Let go of the rage, Eren. Embrace guided liberty."
He didn't scream.
He just stared.
And nodded once.
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