~Elias POV~

On The way back home, Eren, myself and Mikasa are carrying firewood as Carla wanted us to grab some. We were running out, so there was no reason to not grab any.

Eren: Do me a favor huh? Don't let anyone I was crying?

Mikasa(shrugging it off): Yeah yeah yeah. Still though, you don't remember why?

Elias: Might wanna have your dad look into that.

Eren(sarcastic): Right, because tearing up is usually a medical thing.

Man: Is somebody messing with ya?

We then bumped into Mr. Hannes, a family friend and I wouldn't be surprised if he's drinking AGAIN.

You see, Hannes was known as a very strong alcoholic. He'd drink on the job every chance he gets. All day every day. It's no surprise that I'm starting to smell his breath that reeks of booze.

I don't have any plans on drinking in the future and I'm super glad I don't!

Eren: Hey Mr. Hannes.

Hannes: Or are you just getting on Mikasa's bad side?

Eren: No! What are you even talking about!

Elias: Ugh! You smell like a tavern, you know!

A group of Garrison Regiment soldiers behind Hannes laughed as I wasn't surprised that they're drunk too.

Soldier: Only if tears were in cups of ale.

Eren(sigh): Of course.

Hannes: You kids care for a swig?

Elias: Nah, we're good.

Eren: Aren't you, uh, on watch?

Hannes saluted and said...

Hannes: Yep! Watching the ol' gate we are. Thirsty work, playin sentry. Pinochle only goes so far to chase off the boredom. Li'l nip every now keeps us all in our courage for a spell. Perks of being a guard, eh?

Elias: Let me ask you a question: how do you expect to fight when you're all loose on your feet?

Hannes: Huh? Now why on earth would we have to fight?

Elias: Why do you think? What if they break through the walls? We'd be sitting ducks on your watch!

Hannes: Kid. Please. Use your inside voice.

Soldier: *laughs* He's got some fire in him!

A soldier walks over to us, even more drunk than Hannes!

Soldier: Listen, the only thing they ever done to the wall for the past hundred years is scratch at it. I have a feeling that if they ever get in their big head to do something else then we'll be more than ready for anything.

Eren: A feeling? Elias is right! What any of you actually done to be ready for them?! Dad says you have to stay sharp!

Hannes: Ah, good Doctor Jaeger. Yeah well, can't argue with a doctor who spared us from the plague. Thing is, he's talking about his scalpel. What we do isn't half as important. Hey, no disrespect towards your father, but a soldier's time beyond the wall kinda tends the whole situation into a different perspective. You see em all groping at the wall, mindless, dead-eyed.

Eren: Wait a minute, sounds to me you don't think that they're all not that dangerous.

Hannes: Eh.

Elias: Great, looks the Garrison has gotten people the wrong idea! Let's change it to, oh, I don't know, the Drunken Army?!

Hannes(chuckling): Good point. Look at it this way, if the Garrison's thinking what we're doing what people think we oughtta, we're up a creek. Personally, I take a lot of stock in being called as a freeloader. It means things are good. It's how I could measure a piece of mind.

Eren: Could? We live in a cage. All we do is eat and sleep. That's it. End of story. We have the piece of mind in livestock.

Soldiers laughed as we moved past Hannes and his friends.

I can't say that I'm surprised that they're drinking again and for them to not take the Titans seriously like they should, it just blows my mind that they're even in the military.

I mean, if they had a gold coin for every time they drink, they'd be in a freaking hospital because booze can damage the liver and cause death.

From what I know, when they were babies, a booze bottle fell from a bar counter into their ass, and that turned them on.

Soldier 2: Man, you were right about the kid having fire in him!

Soldier 3: Careful not to cry it out! You coming back to the game or what?

Hannes: Yeah. Hey where are you going?

Soldier: Huh. The mouth on those kids.

Hannes: They're just kids. Tend to dream bigger than life wants 'em to.

~A Few Minutes Later~

Mikasa: Eren? You should let that Scout Regiment thing go.

Eren: Seriously? Why does everyone think them as a joke!

Elias: Granted, what people really think about them isn't the issue.

All of a sudden, the bells were ringing, meaning that the Scouts have returned from their expedition.

Eren: Perfect timing! They're back! We could make it if we hurry! Come on! I want a good view!

We ran towards the entrance as we tried to get a good look, but there were so many people in the way, blocking our view.

Eren: Argh! Can't see squat!

We found a couple boxes to stand on and Eren looked happy to see them. One soldier in particular looked at us and gasped for some reason, but he turned his head away.

Citizen 1: Sure taken a hit, haven't they?

Citizen 2: Yeah. Rest of them got eaten. That's what happens when pride takes you over the walls.

(A/N: I decided to skip the one with the old lady and the severed arm because it almost made cry when I first saw it. Hope you understand.)

Citizen 3: Nothing like seeing our hard earned taxes go toward keeping those bastards fat and happy on human gristle.

Eren of all people had to hit this ignorant prick with one of the sticks we'd collected for firewood out of nowhere and he had to do something that was stupid!

He screwed up very badly and Mikasa and I had to try to stop it.

Citizen 3: You little punk!

At the last minute before a beatdown, Mikasa and I reached and grabs Eren by the back of his shirt and pulled him away into an alley.

Eren: Hey! What are you two doing! Let me go! Alright! I get it! Stop already!

With all our strength, Mikasa and I threw Eren into a Wall, spreading out all of the firewood he collected into a mess.

To be honest, it was satisfying, considering that he had to be this stupid to try and fight someone for insulting the Scouts. What I mean is that he doesn't know who they are and how they lived.

They could be nice or they could be assholes, so it's best to stay out of trouble, but of course, Eren likes to start trouble and he doesn't even realize it.

Eren: Great! Firewood everywhere! Perfect!

Mikasa: So, are you sill bound and determined to become one of them? The Scouts?

Eren: Just, help me pick these up.

Elias: Like there was much to begin with.

~A Few Minutes Later~

Once we got home, we had to get ready for some dinner, which I'm looking forward to.

I didn't get to eat lunch, so this was good timing.

Eren: Hey, we're home.

Carla: Welcome back, kids.

Carla Yeager, one of the very few people I can call family.

When I first met her, she was the most kindest woman I've ever met and it's something that shouldn't be understated. Whenever I need to vent, she would always listen and I can't ever be grateful to her for letting me become a part of the family after my dad died.

Eren opens a box and starts putting all the firewood he carried into the box as I did the same. I wanted to be shown as reliable and this is something I can't fail on.

Carla: Wow, looks like someone worked hard to keep us fueld for a couple more several days.

Eren: Whatever.

Carla walked over to us, but then she was holding Eren's ear.

Eren: Ow. What was that for?

Carla: Your earlobe's red, it means you got something to hide. Mikasa and Elias helped you again now didn't they?

A moment later, we decided to have dinner as it wasn't much, but it was filling.

Eren: Hey, where're you off to dad? A patient?

Grisha: Yes. Some folks in the interior. I'll be back in a couple days.

Mikasa was looking down on her plate until she had to say this...

Mikasa: So, um, Eren is thinking about joining the Scouts.

Carla looks back and gasps as Grisha is somewhat surprised about it. Eren was so angry that he decided to take out his anger on Mikasa.

Eren: Way to keep a secret, mouth!

Carla runs to him and shook his shoulders for a little bit. I mean, I admire Eren for wanting to join and retake our land, but what he doesn't know is that it's dangerous and he could get killed at any moment.

Here's the thing, I want to join the Scouts and regain the land we lost in the honor of my dad, but I know I could get killed as well. I'm willing to take the risk if it comes to that.

Carla: Get that ridiculous thought out of your head this instant, young man! No child of mine is going to be fodder! Do I make myself absolutely clear?!

Eren: Stop yelling at me!

Carla: Don't you dare-.

Grisha: It's a nightmare, Eren. The outside. You have no idea.

Eren: Yeah, I get it okay? But it's gotta be better than this life! I'm not stupid; I know it's ugly out there. I know there's death around every corner, but we can't just give up on it, 'cause then this nightmare's never gonna end!

Grisha: I see. Excuse me. I'll be late for the fair.

Carla: Darling, wait! Just scold the boy, for heaven's sake!

Grisha: Scold him? Dear please, mere words won't stop the boy's curiosity. Eren.

Eren got up from his seat and we had to see what was going to happen.

Grisha: Behave while I'm gone and I'll let you in what I have been doing in the cellar. Agreed?

Eren: Yes sir! You got it!

Grisha puts the key away and then left as Eren had to be told by his mom again.

Eren: Have a good trip!

Carla: I meant what I said.

Eren: What?

Carla: The whole idea is just irresponsible.

Eren: Huh? Irresponsible? So what! It's more grown up to settle for living in fear behind some stupid wall for the rest of your whole pointless life?

Eren ran away as I couldn't blame him.

Carla: Eren! Mikasa, Elias. The boy needs to be protected from himself. Promise me whatever happens, I can count on you to have his back.

Mikasa nods as she ran after Eren. Meanwhile, I had to talk to Carla.

Elias: Listen, I know you say that joining the Scouts is irresponsible, but what if he wants to help us get our lives back?

Carla: I know, but I don't want to see him die.

Elias: If it makes you feel any better, if he does join up, Mikasa and I will go with him, just so he doesn't die.

Carla: Then you'll be killed, too.

Elias: Maybe, but if that's what it takes to protect Eren, then so be it.

Later on, I saw Armin getting beaten to a pulp by the same freaking bullies.

I mean, they're so stupid, they think the MP patch is the advertising of a horse breeding camp.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Bully(snickering): So where's your sacrilege huh? Or did your philosophy say it's wrong to fight back?

Armin: As a matter of fact it does. I'd rather take a few lumps then brawl like a beast!

Bully: Oh so I'm a beast now, huh?

Armin: Take a long hard look at yourself and tell me you're not acting like one? You resort to violence because your brain's the size of a walnut. So pummel me all you want, I've already won.

Bully: Yeah? Well guess what, then I'm a sore loser!

Elias: Mhmm.

They all looked at me as I had a smile on my face.

Bully: Oh, you again.

Elias: What you've doing isn't very nice. Right now, you should leave.

Bully: How about you leave?

He turned back around before I did the same to him with no smile on my face anymore.

Elias: Because I'm the one who's his friend while you guys just want to bully him for how he is. Not while I'm here. Get out of here while you can still walk.

Bully: It's not over, punk!

Elias: I will send you to Jesus!

They ran away as Eren and Mikasa walk over to see me next to Armin, but Mikasa started to look at me for some reason.

Elias: You alright, Armin? Where'd they get you?

I held out my hand so he could try to stand up, but Armin refused and stood up on his own, which I'm fine with.

Armin: I'm okay. Thank you.

Elias: Okay.

We all decided to go by the river, just to kill some time. I mean, I had to know if Armin was okay.

Elias: What were they beating you up about, Armin?

Armin: They just heard me rambling about mankind's future lay beyond the walls. Doubt they understand half of it but still.

Eren: Idiots.

Eren threw a rock in the river while looking away. If he hates it here so much, I understand, but there's nothing we can do about it.

Eren: Why does it gotta be this way? Why can't people let us dream?

Armin: The walls are a powerful idea. We've survived for a hundred years because of them. No one's keen on tempting fate. I may not agree with that sentiment but I can understand where they're coming from. It's human nature, Eren. When's all said and done, the government's policies are a reflection of our fear.

Eren: Yeah, the rest of the herd's maybe. I say to hell with them!

Mikasa: Someone's gonna hear you. Keep it down.

Eren: What do I care? You'll rat me out either way.

Armin: Huh?

Mikasa: I never promised you anything.

Armin: Your folks know about the Scouts, huh?

Eren: Basically. And they're not too pleased.

Armin: Yeah, big shock.

Then, all of a sudden, A big boom was made as we started running towards the town square. When we got there, there was a 52 meter Titan, definitely bigger than the walls

Eren: What! A Titan!

The gate got kicked into giant bits of rock and stone. Eren, Mikasa, and myself started running the wrong way as Titans made their way in. Our mission was to save Carla. We didn't want to waste any time.

Eren: It's okay. Our home is in that direction. Mom's by herself!

When we got to the house, I saw that Carla was under a huge beam and we had to get her out of there!

Carla: Eren. Mikasa. Elias!

Eren: Quick. Mikasa, Elias, hoist that beam with everything you got!

Eren and Mikasa try to lift the beam with their strength, but it's still on the ground, crushing Carla's leg.

Carla: Eren, listen to me. My leg's been crushed. I want you And Elias to take Mikasa and run!

Eren: I want to more than anything!

Mikasa looked like she was about to cry, and I didn't blame her as we had to try and get Carla out of here before we could get killed ourselves.

Elias: Life's not finished with you, Carla. We gotta get you outta here!

I looked back Hannes flies over to help as I was lifting up the beam with my arms, but just barely.

Elias: Okay, I got a grip, on three, everyone! One! Two! Three!

We lifted it up, me the most as I could, as Hannes dragged her out, leading us to a successful save.

Hannes: Come on! We can still reach for the boats!

Elias: I'll carry her. It's better that way.

Hannes: Fine then!

I picked Carla up, bridal style, as we ran to the boats, dodging every Titan we could possibly see. We kept running until we got to the boats.