In Attack on Titan Season 4, Episode 25, “Night of the End,” the new alliance between the Scout Regiment and the Marleyans Warriors gets off to a rocky start. The very recent violence and the animosity it created hasn’t disappeared and Yelena attempts to use that to her advantage. Hange’s plan to stop Eren requires more allies. Jean Kirsentein is concerned that even if they are successfully stop Eren his action will cause the world to continue to “hate Eldians“, and Eren will “retain the Founding Titan for another four years”. Hange agrees but believes genocide isn’t the answer.

The Marleyan military and the Scouts gather around a campfire and Theo Magath doesn’t seem convinced that the Eldians will stop Eren. He’s still prejudice and doesn’t think they’re capable of “justice.” Jean is insulted. He asks Magath why they should be considered “devils,” for simply protecting themselves from Titans. Magath notes that people feared the “rumbling” and Eren has now proved that they were justified. Magath makes a good point, however, he ignores the role Marley has played in Eldian oppression and Eren’s appropriate hatred of them. Annie Leonhart asks the most pressing question, can the Scouts kill Eren?

Mikasa and Armin argue that they will attempt to use diplomacy. Annie’s doesn’t trust Mikasa and Armin to do what may need to be necessary. She fears the alliance will devolve into a fight if the Marleyans attempt to kill Eren. Mikasa’s feels attacked and assumes a combative stance proving Annie correct. If Mikasa and Armin cannot resign themselves to having to kill Eren then it’s likely they will fail. Despite this, Annie expresses a similar desire to save her father, and will be accepting of a peaceful resolution. It’s implausible that Attack on Titan will end with diplomacy willing out. I think there’s too much bad blood between the Marleyans and Eldians for this alliance to last.

The episode pivots to the backstory of Yelena. Turns out she’s a Marleyan. Yelena quickly seeks to sow more discord by reminding everyone of the crimes both sides have committed. She reminds Reiner Braun of his Wall Maria assault and Armin’s destruction of Liberio when he turned into the Colossal Titan. This doesn’t seem to work until she brings up Marco Bodt’s death. Reiner is remorseful but Jean doesn’t care and attacks him. In the chaos, Jean hits Gabi when she tries to defend her cousin. Regardless, everything calms down the following morning. Jean apologizes (only to Gabi) and tells her he will help. The path of the alliance is blocked by the Jaegerists armed with anti-Titan gear. Floch Forster has taken Kiyomi Azumabito hostage. If the alliance wants to get to Eren they’ll have to fight together.