"Did you know why they called me the "Monster of Marley"? It began when I was sent into the warrior training ground by my mother. While my mother spoke with one of the higher-ups foreseeing them. I remember making eye contact with a boy. 

This boy happened to be Reiner Braus. I don't know how I was staring at him. But from what he described; my stare sent a chill down his spine. In other words, he sensed something sinister in me. 

Before I knew it, I was on my own. My mother's request; don't go easy on me for being a noble.

Upon hearing I wasn't protected due to my status; it didn't take long for me to get picked on. But I wasn't going to be pushed around. I settled the score on those who messed with me. 

No matter how many times I was punished for attacking the same people, I kept going back to give them the same treatment. It didn't take long for everyone to fear me. Everyone but them, the ones who will inherit the next set of titans.

 If my mom taught me anything, it was to stick close to those you will benefit from. It didn't take long for me to work my way into their group..."

—

"Y/N?"

....

"Y/N..."

....

"OI! KID!!"

"Eh–!?" your eyes blinked open. That voice...

"Daydreaming again, huh? I thought you said you grew out of that." Your eyes fixated on an older blonde male sitting a few feet away from you.

You blinked again and rubbed your eyes. The blurriness faded as you realized you were surrounded by young people. All of which you got to know in your past.

These were...the later now known warriors.

Zeke, whom you come to remember his name, was sitting on a box. Since he was the oldest kid out of your group, everyone practically looked up to him. Including yourself at the time.

He overall liked you as a person. Impressed that someone as young as you was able to get into a high enough position and become a candidate to become a warrior and inherit a titan.

To be honest, everyone in your little group was impressed. But that didn't stop them from treating you like a child. They stopped over time upon realizing how hard you pack a punch, but Zeke still continued his "brotherly" attitude towards you.

Like for instance, making fun of your daydreaming in front of all of your friends. You initiated fights with him, but someone always had to pull you away so you wouldn't get in trouble.

"I'll say it again since you were in la-la-land. We're attacking Paradis Island in a few years. It'll be time to inherit Titans."

"Oh! Really!?" you asked.

"Out of the eight of us, they're picking seven!"

"Yes! I can finally be a Marleyan!" Reiner exclaimed.

You shot Reiner with a nervous smile. He seemed way too optimistic despite being the worst one here.

"Huh? Why are you so excited? Out of everyone you're the worst. Sprout is two years younger than you yet she even has more potential of inheriting one of the titans." Porco said.

Sprout or little sprout is the nickname everyone in the group gave you. For obvious reasons since you're small in stature compared to them. And you were seen as a "sprout that will grow into a tall, beautiful tree."

Everyone except Zeke. He just calls you "kid".

"Hey now–!" you wanted to argue.

"Y/N! Shh!" Bertholdt shushed, not wanting you to get involved with what was about to go down.

"Excuse me!?" Reiner spoke.

"What's your strong point? Strength? Brains? Aim? Combat ability? You don't have any of those. The only value they see in you is your loyalty to Marley." Porco argued.

"'I'll slaughter the island devils real good sir!'" he then mocked, holding the apple that has been tossed to you all by Zeke in front of him.

Reiner grabbed ahold of his hand, causing him to drop the apple onto the ground.

You grimaced; you secretly wanted a bite. 

"You're making fun of our mission!? Or maybe you're a stray Restorationist?!"

"Huh?"

"You are, aren't you!? I'll report you to the commander!"

"Then report it, you little shit!"

Reiner just proved Porco's point that he has no brains. He picked a fight with him, thinking he had what it takes to fight. But he's all bark but no bite. Porco easily punched him into the ground.

"Want some more!?" Porco shouted.

"Porco, enough!" Marcel rushed in to stop his brother. You went over to Reiner to check if he was alright.

"Hating the island doesn't make you special! Have fun waiting 13 years alone!" Porco said his peace before storming off.

"Porco!" Marcel called after him.

"Geez, the kid's the youngest here and even she knows how to act mature. Let's go, Pieck." Zeke spoke, completely disregarding the crying Reiner on the ground.

"Don't cry too long or the commander will chew me out." he added.

"Bye, Y/N–little sprout~!" Pieck bid you farewell.

You sighed. "Bye Pieck..." you replied.

Pieck took the longest for you to convince to not be seen as a kid. That only lessened her antics though. Sure, you never pick fights with her. But she was overly affectionate towards you because she sees you as "adorable".

You can't blame her for thinking that way, you're a child.

Reiner softly sobbed while you looked the other way uncomfortable. You were not the best at comforting people.

"Reiner, sorry."

"Stand up, Reiner. C'mon." Bertholdt spoke as the two of you helped him up.

"I'm going to become a Marleyan and live with my mom and dad. I can't wait 13 years. But it's like he said, I am the worst." Reiner admitted.

"You're not the worst. At least you aren't treated as a child or treated as royalty because of your family." you argued.

"But at least you're good with combat ability. On top of that, you're smart too."

"Hey, come on! When I first started out, I was way worst than you!" you replied.

"...You got it right the first few days though."

"I—I did, but I still lost some fights!" you argued.

"You're just trying to make me feel better..."

"...Is it working?"

"A little, thanks I guess."

"Besides, Porco doesn't make the decision. Loyalty is important too. Right Annie?" Bertholdt asked.  You all turned to Annie who was in her own world.

"Huh? What? I wasn't listening." she said before running off.

She was crushing something with her foot. You looked down at the spot and found crushed bugs.

Annie was a special case for you. You got along with her, but at the same time found her weird. You honestly don't know why Bertholdt has a crush on her.

"I'm going to go too. Feel better, Reiner. Bye Bertholdt." you said before running off.

You needed some time to think. Just in a few years, you'll inherit a titan. Your training is going to get harder.

But that wasn't what was on your mind. It was your opinion about the so-called devils of Paradis Island. You've been taught that they were seen as the enemies. Your whole race as a matter of fact.

Even though you sided with Marley, you were still an Eldian. You were still treated as a devil. Would getting rid of the enemies of Paradis Island really change anything? How do you all even know that they're devils?

However, you can't voice out your opinions. Talk like that would get you in trouble. None of your friends will understand.

Only Emma seemed to understand. 

—

Before you knew it, you arrived back home strongly improved. Your mother was practically proud, the only time she ever considered you. Your grandfather, the current holder of the Root Titan, never doubted you once.

Emma looked sad the day you inherited it. Once you did, everything felt surreal. You have been warned everything will be sensitive the first few days, but you'll grow used to it. 

"HUH!? What do you mean they're sending you out first!?" Reiner asked you.

You all have just received word from the commander that you will be sent out first to Paradis Island. Your mission as a support vessel is to scope out the area while you wait for the others to arrive later after you.

Which would take about 3 months.

"What the hell are they thinking!?" Porco argued.

"Porco! You can't argue with their decision!"

"Like hell I can! She's just a kid!"

"But her titan is needed. We can't argue with their decision."

"..." Porco looked at you, surprisingly not angry with you.

"Dammit! Screw all of this!" he stormed off.

"Porco! Y/N...I'm sorry." Marcel apologized.

You, however, were not okay. You were the first to be set out on a mission. By yourself! You were full of nerves!

"I–I–my stomach hurts." you spoke.

Your friends furrowed their eyebrows in worry. It was then they all remembered you were still just a kid.

"Hey, I'm sure you'll be okay, sprout. Besides, the four of us we'll be coming along to join you soon." Bertholdt tried to lighten the mood.

"But what if I fail!? What am I supposed to do once I get to the walls?" you argued.

"Remember, our plan is to get rid of all the devils on that island. Attack them when they least expect it!" Reiner got down to your level.

"You shouldn't be scared now! You're brave enough to become a warrior! You'll be known as a hero!" he added.

"Really!?" your eyes glistened.

"Yeah! We'll all be heroes!"

Hero...

Nobody will look down on you anymore.

"Okay...Okay! I'm not scared anymore! I'll bring those devils down! You'll see!" you spoke.

Your friends watched from the crowd as you were carried away. Everyone was cheering, confetti being thrown all around the place.

"Y/N!!!" you looked up. Reiner was calling out to you.

You got onto the boat and your friends waved you off.

"SEE YOU SOON!"

"WAIT FOR US, OKAY!?"

"BYE SPROUT!"

Annie didn't scream out, but she was awkwardly waving you off as your boat drifted further and further away.

That was the last time you ever saw them. 

----

"Dear! Dear!" your grandpa called out. He was soaking wet from the rain, cradling your small body in his arms.

"We need a doctor, quick!"

"What happened!? What's going on?"

The old man, sweet one at that. Found you lying on the ground that cold night. Despite you barely being conscious, you saw their kindness as an opportunity. And maybe took advantage of that.

"That was when I meant my adoptive grandparents. Having just lost their son and grandchild a while back before I came, they wasted no time adopting me as my own. I was terrified out of my mind being there. I knew I shouldn't be within the walls, I knew it was a terrible idea! But something occurred to me.

I remember my mom would frequently tell me to keep quiet when I was around her. Of course, doing anything to please her, I did. She told me before I left that if I ever talked to the devils on Paradis Island, I would be outcasted from the family. As a child, that feared me even more. So I refused to speak and kept quiet.

So then, my fake life in the walls began. Despite me not talking, everyone got to know and understand it. Over time, it felt harder and harder to find a reason why these devils should be eradicated. I made the choice to continue this life, it brought me much happiness there.

But that happiness was ruined when I ran into some old friends..." 

"Hey, Y/N?" You were resting one afternoon after ODM gear training, you immediately tensed up.

"Reiner..." you thought.

"I heard from Eren and Armin that you guys were pretty close back then. I teased Eren about this before but they're really fond of you." you could tell from the tone of his voice that there was some edge to it.

He was trying to get a reaction out of you, but you continued to play dumb.

"They consider you one of their best friends. Heh, isn't that cute? Kind of makes me jealous..."

"I used to have a friend I knew back when I was young. She disappeared long after our village was attacked by titans. Part of me hoped that she's still here, alive and walking around. I have a feeling she might be closer than I think."

"You bastard..." you cursed. 

"..." As usual, you said nothing. But your lips trembled as you tried to fight the urge to say something, biting back your anger. 

Part of you wished to say something now just to toy with him. No one would believe him if he tried to say anything about it. 

"Agh–!" Eren came landing somewhat harshly on the ground. Interrupting your tense moment.

"Ow, ow..." he grunted.

"Eren! Don't be so rough with yourself!" Reiner completely played it off, you did too.

You rushed over to his side and tried helping him up.

"Let go of me! I'm fine!" he argued.

"Don't need your pity."

'Who says I was? Lay off.' you signed.

Eren felt bad and let out a sigh.

"Right...sorry. Just unfair how you got it quick before me."

You shook your head. Honestly this guy. But you couldn't get comfortable, you felt Reiner's eyes burning onto you.

Grabbing a hold of Eren's arm, you quickly changed the subject.

'There's still some time. I can give you advice.'

"As much as I want to argue, I think I'm going to need some right now." he admitted as he let you tug him along.

You looked back at Reiner. The two of you made eye contact. 

—

"That look he gave me at the time made the pit in my stomach grow larger. It was a painful reminder I was playing everyone like a fool and showed no regrets. I thought back then, they wouldn't understand. I didn't want to be part of that life—!" 

"Oof!" You grunted, feeling a force collide into you. Bringing you back into reality and causing your pen to scratch onto the paper you were writing on. 

"I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going, miss!" a voice squeaked.

You looked down to find a young boy, badly injured and looking up at you with an apologetic gaze.

After making eye contact, he bashfully looked away. You studied him carefully until your eyes landed on a yellow armband imprinted with a white star.

The warrior candidate symbol...

"No need to apologize, I wasn't paying attention either." your voice is smooth and gentle.

"Guess I never grew out of daydreaming." you thought.

"That armband...you're a warrior candidate."

"Yeah...but it's not something I'm proud of. I don't think I even want to become one."

"Good."

"Huh?"

"It's important to live your life to the fullest."

"What exactly are you doing here, miss? This area is sort of off-limits to visitors." he explained. 

"I guess I wanted inspiration for a setting. I'm an author writing for my next book," It wasn't completely a lie. The young boy seemed interested in that answer. 

"An author? That sounds really nice, how far have you gotten?"

"I'm still only in the beginning,"

"That's really cool but you could get in trouble if you're found here!"

"Oh, I didn't realize. I used to daydream a lot as a kid, and it stuck with me. When my mind wanders and I forget my surroundings." you reacted in worry.

"Here, I can guide you back out."

"You're sweet. Thank you."

He blushed, not expecting the compliment. You went to follow him until you remembered one of Eren's letters. This was his little messenger boy. Was it best to be by him? You rather not raise suspicion towards yourself. 

"Actually, on second thought. I think I'm fine on my own." your tone changed to dismissive, looking and backing away from the boy. 

"W-wait, are you sure?"

"Yes, but I appreciate your concern." You gazed back at him, noticing him looking at your eyes.

He must be staring at the noticeable lighter shade one. You didn't blame him for staring, he's never seen a person with two different eye colors before. He looked tempted to ask about it, but unlike Eren when he was younger, he had manners and didn't pry. 

"But before I do. What's your name, kid?"

"Falco! Falco Grice, ma'am!" 

"Falco, huh? That name sounds symbolic. Reminds me of when a bird spreads its wings and takes flight." You bent down a bit.

There I met Eren's little messenger. A sweet boy who didn't deserve to be on the path that was given to him.

"Falco, mind if I ask a few questions?"