'Year 850' 'Two years after joining the Cadets'

"Pick up the pace! Run, you lead-footed laggards!" The Commandant yelled out. The Commandant then noticed Armin falling behind a bit. "What's your problem, Arlelt?! Your dragging your feet! Too heavy for you?! Maybe you'd prefer I let you drop your gear?! If this were a real Titan mission, you'd be Titan food by now!" The Commandant said then he rode ahead. "Damn... Give it here! You're gonna fail out at this rate! We're being graded today! But you'll get points marked off too if you do that... Then make the grade without getting found out! Before I change my mind!"

Reiner Braun... Stalwart in both mind and body, and well-respected by his comrades.

"I refuse to be a burden! Even if it costs me my life!" Armin said. He then ran up to Reiner and grabbed his gear. Armin then ran ahead, catching up with the rest of the soldiers.

Armin Arlelt. Although lacking in physical strength, his aptitude in the classroom is extraordinary.

Time skip~

Everyone was practicing how to kill the Titans. Annie and Bertholdt cut the deepest, but Jean didn't cut as deep as them.

Annie Leonhart. Her slice attacks are absolutely flawless, but her reclusive tendencies make her a poor fit for coordinate efforts.

Bertholdt Hoover. His possesses remarkable potential, but lacks aggressiveness.

Jean Kirschtein. Top-class omni-directional mobility. But his volatile personality tends to cause friction with others.

"I can slice as good as those two! I'll just have to find the Titans before them!" Jean said to himself. 'If anyone gets into the Military Police...it'll be me! And maybe I'll have (Y/N) by my side. She'll be my cute girlfriend.' Jean thought to himself, grinning at the last bit about you. He then found another fake Titan to slay until Conny came over. "Thanks for the help, Jean! Following you was a good idea!" Conny said who was about to cut the weak spot of the Titan but was interrupted by Sasha beating him to it. She laughed and bounced on the equipment.

Sasha Braus. She has unconventionally good intuition, but also demonstrates poor teamwork as a result.

Conny Springer. He excels at executing quick turns, but is also a bit dim-witted.

"Here they come." One guy said to the other pulling the rope to revealed the fake Titans. You, Eren, and Mikasa were practicing on those Titans. Mikasa cut deep, Eren cut half as deep as Mikasa's, and you cut the same amount as Eren's. 'Damn! Shallower than Mikasa's again!' Eren thought to himself.

Mikasa Ackermann. Completely proficient in every area. It's apt to say she's an unmatched, unprecedented genius.

Eren Jaeger. He has no real specialties, but he's improved his grades with his unparalleled effort. And he possesses twice the sense of purpose than anyone else.

(Y/N) (L/N). Her skills are impressive. Her potential lacks in skill, but is still acceptable.

Later That Day~

     Reiner ran up to Eren to fight him and Eren flipped him over and smashed him to the ground. "Oww!" Reiner said in pain. "Sorry. I'm not good at holding back." Eren said and helped him back up. "Now it's your turn to be the rogue." Reiner said trying to give Eren the dagger. "What's the matter?" Reiner asked Eren. "I don't get this training. Why would soldiers fight other people? Only an idiot would take on a target barehanded." Eren said while having a small flashback.

     "That's irresponsible thinking. We're soldiers. There are times we can't run away, no matter how bad the situation is. No matter what the enemy is, we have to be ready for it, whether it means using cannons or combat techniques. I believe that's the responsibility of a strong soldier. Anyway, look there." Reiner said to Eren.

     Eren then looked to what Reiner was looking at. "Oh, that's Annie. She's slacking off without the commandant noticing again." Eren said. "All right, Eren. That's a slouch needs a talking-to. Let's teach her how a soldier is supposed to act." Reiner said to Eren. "Huh?" Eren said confused. Annie was just walking around when she noticed that Reiner was standing in front of her. She looked up to him and he said to her "Not fond of the commandant's head-butts? If you don't wanna end up any shorter, think back to when you first came here and start taking things seriously." "Hey, why are you being so rude?" Eren said to Reiner. Eren then looked at Annie's expression, she was glaring at Reiner and Eren felt afraid of her.

     'Man, she's mad. I thought she looked scary enough as it is, but that's nothing compared to when she's pissed.' Eren thought to himself. Reiner then put both of his hands on Eren's shoulders and said "All right! Get started, Eren!" "Me?!" Eren said while getting pushed by Reiner towards Annie. She got in fighting position and waited for Eren to come. "You know the drill, right, Annie? Here I come!" Eren said to her. Annie then kicked Eren's leg and it made him fall down. "Wh-What the...?! She kicked my leg?!" Eren said while getting up but he failed and fell back down.

     "Can I go now?" Annie asked Reiner. "No! The drill's not over until you take the dagger!" Reiner said to her. She huffed in frustration and annoyance. She then turned around to Eren who looked terrified. "Wait, Annie! You're supposed to do this in a certain way!" Eren said to her. She didn't listen and she grabbed placed her hand on his cheek to turn him to the side and she kicked him that sensed him to the ground and she took the dagger.

    "There." Annie said throwing it to Reiner. "Now it's your turn to attack me." Annie said while putting her hair to the side. "N-No... I'm not..." Reiner said. "Do it, Reiner. I thought you wanted to teach her about a soldier's responsibility?" Eren said to Reiner with dark eyes. He then looked up at Annie and sighed. "Yeah. Sometimes a soldier can't back down. This is one of those times!" Reiner said. Then in a second Annie already beat him the same way she did to Eren.

     Eren then said to Annie "That's an amazing technique. Who did you learn it from?" "My father." Annie said to him. "Your dad came up with that move?" Eren said amazed by her skills.

    "What does it matter?" Annie said to Eren. "There's no point to any of this." Annie said to Eren. "You mean this training?" Eren asked her.

    "We aren't graded on our hand-to-hand combat skills. Most people brush it off, like them." Annie said referring to Jean who is fighting someone. "Because only the top eleven cadets are allowed to join the Military Police and serve in the interior. The only one to take it seriously are natïve idiots like you..." Annie said referring to Marco who is fighting someone, Mikasa who is fighting Christa, and you fighting Armin. "...or just ordinary idiots." Annie said referring to Sasha and Conny who are fighting and The commanded squeezed Conny's head for not fighting the proper way.

    "Crap! The commandant!" Eren said. Annie then tried to hit Eren with the dagger but Eren quickly stopped her. "For some reason, in this world, the better you are at fighting Titans the further you can get away from them. How do you think this farce came about?" Annie said to Eren. "I don't know... That's a good question!" Eren said while pulling Annie down but she quickly kicked Eren's leg and it made him fall hard to the ground. Annie then put the dagger near his throat. "Maybe because it's human nature?" Annie said then she got up and said "Anyway, I refuse to be stupid enough to play "soldier" in this insane world." To Eren. She then left Eren where he is and walked away. "Looks like you're not much of a warrior at all." Reiner said to Annie who was still walking away. 'I was so caught up in getting stronger that I never realized it. It's such a clear contradiction... They're honing their Titan-killing skills just to get away from the Titans!' Eren thought to himself.

Later That Night~

     "It can't be helped. Before Wall Maria fell, only the Scouts needed omni-directional mobility, and they're a small regiment. That put ODM expertise at risk..." Armin said but Eren just listened to Jean more then Armin. You noticed this and started listening to what Jean has to say. "Give it a strong blast for just a second. Relying on inertia will save you gas." Jean said. "Easier said than done." Someone said. "Yeah, maybe not everyone can pull it off..." Jean said looking at you. You quickly turned your head to the table and blushed in embarrassment for staring at him, and trying to listen to what he's saying. Jean saw this and he smirked. "...but there's no harm in knowing about it, if you wanna join the Military Police." Jean said.

     "Yeah! I'd love to get in! Working near the king... There's no greater honor than that!" Marco said while drinking his drink. But then Jean slapped him in the back off his head and the drink got all over Marco's face. "Quit talkin' like a goody-two-shoes and say what you really think! You wanna join the Military Police 'cause it means a safe, comfy life in the interior!" Jean said to Marco who looked pissed at him. "No! I really do want to-" Marco was cut off by Eren talking to Jean.

     "It's comfy in the interior? Until five years ago, this used to be the interior too." "What's your point, Eren?" Jean said to Eren. "Jean. You don't need to go to the interior. I'd say your head is nice and spacious enough as it is." Eren said. You covered your mouth to not laugh at Jean for Eren's joke. "You little..." Jean said trailing off at the end while glaring at Eren. "Honing your Titan-killing skills to get away from the Titans... Doesn't that seem like a weird system to you?" Eren said to Jean with a glare. "You only say that now? I want that stupid system to stay in place, for my sake." Jean said and it Eren got mad. "You piece of scum!" Eren yelled to Jean. "Shut up! This is the real world!" Jean yelled back to Eren. "Eren! Quit it!" Armin said while standing up from his seat.

     You got up and walked towards Eren and Jean to stop them from fighting. "Stop it you two." You said while pushing them away from each other. You grabbed Eren's hand and tried to calm him down. He looked at your face and saw that you were worried about him starting a fight and getting hurt. His face soften and he looked down the other way with guilt.

     Jean saw this and got upset at Eren for taking all your attention. He then grabbed Eren by the shirt and screamed at him. "Screw you!" "Huh?! Let go! You're gonna rip it!" Eren yelled to Jean. "I don't give a damn about your clothes! I'm jealous!" Jean yelled back to Eren. "Huh?! What are you talking about?!" Eren yelled in confusion. Suddenly everything around him froze. He saw Reiner and Annie looking at him, Jean glaring at him, and you trying to get Jean to stop.

     'I see now... He always has to take his feelings out on others... Just like I always do. I now also know that Jean has feelings for (Y/N), and this bastard isn't gonna steel her heart. He doesn't know her like I do! I deserve her!' Eren thought to himself. He then grabbed Jean's hand away from his shirt and did the same trick that Annie did to him when she was fighting him. 'I'm going to use that move to take control of the situation!' Eren thought to himself. Annie saw what he was doing. Jean then fell to the floor and he grunted in pain.

     Everyone around Eren was amazed at the move Eren used on Jean. Jean sat up and rubbed the back of his head and looked up at Eren in frustration. "What the hell was that?!" Jean said to Eren. "A combat technique I learned the hard way while you were screwing around. A carefree, capricious life is your idea of the real world? And you honestly call yourself a soldier?!" Eren said to Jean.

     Everyone had their attention to Eren and Jean until the door opened to reveal the commandant standing there. "I heard a loud sound just now... Would anyone care to explain?" The commandant said. You, Jean, and Eren sat down. Eren sat next to Mikasa and you and Jean sat next to Armin. Mikasa then raised her hand and said something that made almost everyone laugh to the commandant. "it was Sasha. She passed gas." "Huh?" Sasha said surprised. "You again?" The commandant replied. Sasha was even more surprised. You tried to hold in your laughter again with your mouth. 'Man, how many times do I have to hold in my laughter.' You thought to yourself. "Learn some decency, will you?!" The commandant said while walking away and closing the door. Sasha was next to Mikasa moving her arm up and down, while Eren and Jean glared at each other.

     You put your hand on Jean's hand and he looked at you surprised. " I hope you plan on working on yourself with others." You said to him. "I-I-I..." Jean trailed off not knowing what to say to you. "Are you ok?" You said to him with a concern look on you face. "I-I'm fine. I just don't know how to talk to you." Jean said while looking away from you. You grabbed his face with one hand to make him look at you. "You can start by looking at me, having more confidence in yourself, and think about what you want to say to me." You said with a smile. Jean blushed more and took a deep breath. "Your amazing at training. I hope to see you at the Military Police." Jean said to you without stuttering. "Oh, I'm not joining the Military Police, I'm joining the scouts to avenge my mom and search for my dad." You say to him. Jean looked at you and his face made a depressed look. He then looked at you and grabbed your hand. "Ok....good luck." Jean said while kissing your hand. He then looked away and blushed at what he just did. You were blushing at what he did too.

The Next Day~

218 cadets went on to reach graduation.

"Give your hearts!" The commandant said. "Yes, Sir!" Everyone said while saluting. "You have three options after you graduate from the Cadets today! The Garrison Regiment, which reinforces the walls and protects each city! The Scout Regiment, which risks life and limb to venture into Titan territory outside the walls! And the Military Police Regiment, which serves under the king by policing the people and preserving order! Of course, the only ones allowed to join the Military Police are the top eleven cadets who were previously named.

11: Christa Lenz
10: Sasha Braus
9: Conny Springer
8: Marco Bodt
7: Jean Kirschtein
6: (Y/N) (L/N)
5: Eren Yaeger
4: Annie Leon
3: Bertholdt Hoover
2: Reiner Braun
1: Mikasa Ackermann

Time Skip~

     "Yes! Now I'm gonna be in the Military Police!" Conny said to Sasha. "No more worrying about food." Sasha replied back to Connie. "How did I get ranked under Eren?! Damn!" Jean said to himself while drinking.

     "Are you seriously not gonna join the Military Police Regiment, Eren?!" Thomas said to Eren. "Even after you got into the top eleven and all?!" Samuel said to Eren. "My mind was set from the very start. I didn't train all this time to live in the interior. I did it to fight the Titans." Eren replied. "We can't beat them!" Thomas yelled out, making everyone hear him. "You know how many tens of thousands of people have been eaten so far... The answer was clear after we lost 20% of our population. Humanity can't beat the Titans." He said sadly.

    "So." Eren said making him look up. "You're gonna give up because you think we can't win?!" "Well..." Thomas trailed off. "Yes, humanity has lost so far. That's because we were clueless about the Titans! We lost, but the information we gained in battle will lead to further hope! Are we just going to throw away all the advances in fighting techniques that cost us tens of thousands of lives so we can be Titan fodder?! The hell with that! I'm going to drive out every last Titan and leave these cramped walls! That's my dream! Humanity hasn't truly been defeated yet!" Eren yelled out.

     He then walked away outside so he can be alone. You, Armin, and Mikasa followed Eren. "Wait, Eren!" Armin yelled out to Eren. 'If you want to go outside the walls, be my guest! I'm gonna join the Military Police!' Jean thought to himself. You were outside and you saw Eren rub his eyes. You assumed he was crying.

     You sat next to him, Armin sat next to you, and Mikasa sat next to him on the other side. "Eren. That stuff about your dream just now..." Armin said. "Yeah, I borrowed those ideas of yours about going outside instead of staying inside." Eren said to Armin. "I'm going to join the Scout Regiment!" Armin blurted out. "Are you serious, Armin?! You were the top in classroom studies! You should put that to use!" Eren said to Armin surprised at his decision. "I won't be a burden. Even if it costs me my life." Armin said. "I'll join the Scouts too." Mikasa said. "Hey! You graduated top of the class! You should join the Military Police!" Eren said to Mikasa. "If you join the Military Police, then I will too. If you join the Garrison Regiment, then I will too. Because you'll die in early death unless I'm around." Mikasa said to Eren. "I never asked for your help." Eren said. "I don't want to lose any more of my family." Mikasa said. "What about you (Y/N), are you joining the Scouts too?" Armin asked you. "Yes, I want nothing more then that." You said while looking up at the wall.

The Next Day~

"It's here! The main unit of the Scout Regiment! Commander Irvin! Give those Titans a real thrashing!" One guy said to Irvin. You looked at him amazed. "Look! It's Captain Levi! They say he's as mighty as an entire brigade!" The man in front of you yelled out. "Ugh. Talk about annoying..." Levi said while looking at the people. He then saw you and his eyes widen. 'S-She's beautiful!' Levi thought to himself but just looked straight ahead so he won't get distracted. 'Pull yourself together. She's just another cadet! A very beautiful one.' Levi thought to himself.

     "This is nothing like five years ago! People actually feel hopeful about the Scout members!" Eren said to you. "Yeah, everyone's cheered up since then. Nothing's happened in five years." Hanna said. "They've upgraded the mounted cannons too. I doubt the Colossal Titan will show up anymore." Her boyfriend Franz said. "Yeah." She replied. "That's a load of crap, you idiotic couple!" Eren said to them. "Wh-What? Us, a married couple?" Hanna said embarrassed. "You're getting ahead of yourself, Eren!" Franz said who is also embarrassed. Eren was just angry at them. While you and Armin just smiled nervously and Armin put his hands up to stop Eren.

     "Hey, guys!" Someone said you all turned around and saw Hannes. "Mr. Hannes!" You yelled out. "Heard you graduated yesterday. Man, you brats have really matured." Hannes said to them. "You too, Mr. Hannes! You used to be a drunk, but now you're chief of the Corps of Engineers." Eren said "oh, you!" Hannes said to Eren while flicking his forehead. "I'm sorry I couldn't save your mom." Hannes said to Eren with a disappointment tone on his voice. "It wasn't your fault. We're not ignorant anymore. We won't let another tragedy like that happen. We will defeat the Titans." Eren said whiling running away. 'I don't know if I should be happy that you've grown up or not... Don't go dyin', now.

     "Huh?! You're joining the Scouts?! Conny! You were so set on the Military Police!" Eren said to Conny. "Yeah, I was! But..." Conny trailed off. "Sounds like your speech yesterday won him over!" Mina said to Eren. "Huh?!" Eren said. "M-Mind your own business! I decided it on my own!" Conny said blushing from embarrassment. "Don't be so embarrassed. You're not the only one." Thomas said who's also embarrassed.

     "Umm, everyone? I brought some meat from the officers' storehouse!" Sasha said while opening her jacket and showing the hidden meat. Everyone was shocked and scared. "Sasha! Do you want to end up in Solitary Confinement?!" Eren said to her. "You really are crazy!" You said "So much it's scary..." Conny said. "We can all share it later... All sliced up, and between some bread..." Sasha said. She was red, drooling, and huffing and puffing from thinking about eating the meat. "Go put it back!" Eren said. "Yeah! After we lost all that land, meat's become really valuable." Mina said. "It'll be fine! We can just raise more cattle and sheep once we retake our land!" Sasha said while putting the meat in the crate. Samuel took a deep breath and yelled out to Sasha. "I'll have some of the meat too!" "M-Me too! Save me some!" Conny agreed. "I'll have some too, of course!" Mina said in agreement. You couldn't help yourself. It's been forever since you had some. "Save some me as well!" You said.

    "Guys..." Eren said. "Why are you just standing there, Eren? We'll get found out if we don't get back to work!" Samuel said to Eren. "Lunch isn't for a while." Mina said to Eren. Eren then looked at the town and smiled to himself. "Five years has passed since then... Humanity is finally regaining its dignity. We can win. Humanity's fight back...is just beginning!" You said to Eren standing next to him.

    "Hey (Y/N), when you wanted to join the Scouts, were you joining because I inspired you to." Eren said smirking to you. You giggled at him. "In your dreams Eren." You said. Eren smiled at you and looked at your (Y/E/C). "Hey, (Y/N), I've been wanting to tell you something, for a very long time now." Eren said to you blushing a little. "Yeah? What is it Eren?" You asked while looking at him. "I've always l-" Eren was cut off by an explosion behind you two.

     Everyone looked up and saw it was the Colossal Titan. "What the?!" You said surprised, then a big puff of smoke blasted everyone off the wall. "Oww! Hot! Wh-What the?!" Eren yelled while making his equipment grab on to the wall. Everyone did the same except for Samuel, he was knocked out and he was falling to his death. "Samuel!" You yelled out. "Sasha!" Mina yelled out to her. Sasha ran down the wall and use the hook that is attached to her equipment and it grabbed his foot before he can fall any further. "Samuel! Stay still!" Sasha said to him. "That was close. Are you ok (Y/N)?" Eren asked you. "Yes I'm- Eren the wall...it's broken. It's happening again. The Titans are going to get in!" You yelled out. "Mounted Cannon Maintenance Squad 4! Prepare for battle! The target is the Colossal Titan dead ahead! This is our chance! Don't let it get away!" Eren yelled out while going towards the Colossal Titan. "You heard him! Let's go!" You yelled out while following Eren. Eren skinned in the air and landed on top of the wall. "Hey, there. It's been five years since we met." Eren said to the Colossal Titan.

                                                                                                                                                      To Be Continued...