A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on september 22nd, 2021 @ 2:47pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙴𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃,
𝓦𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚂𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝙱𝙴 𝙳𝙾𝙽𝙴, 𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝙱𝙴𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙸𝚅𝙴, 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝚃𝚆𝙾.

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THE MILITARY POLICE WERE DOING a gear check. Two Titans were killed last night, and they were eager to find out who was behind it.

"When did you last change shafts?"

"Six days ago. After the clean-up operation." Sasha replied.

"Just as the records say."

"Okay, next. You..."

"Christa Lenz, squad 42." Christa replied.

"Check for wear."

"Guess you can be punished for killing Titans..."

"It's weird, but those were valuable test subjects."

"Sure, but why look for the culprit among us trainees?"

"Yeah. We just finished the battlefield clean-up today. Everyone's exhausted."

"They must've really hated Titans." Josiah heard Connie comment.

"Yeah. But in reality, they've ended up helping the Titans... Their desire for vengeance may have been fulfilled, but it's a blow to humanity." Armin agreed.

"I think I kind of get why they did it because I'm also an idiot..." Connie began. "Before I saw the Titans, I seriously planned to join the Survey Corps. But I never want to see another. And today, we have to decide which force to join."

"Damn it." Connie mumbled. "Hey, Annie, what did you think? Even Jean said he's joining the Survey Corps."

"Huh? Jean said that?" Armin asked, widening his eyes.

"Are you sure we're talking about the same Jean?" Josiah questioned. "The Jean I know talked shit about the Survey Corps every chance he got."

"Nothing in particular." Annie simply replied.

"You're joining the Military Police right? Maybe I should, too." Connie claimed.

"If someone told you to die, would you do it?" Annie questioned.

"What? Of course not." Connie responded.

"Then why not make your own decision?" Annie asked. "Armin, Josiah, what about you two?"

"I... I think if you know why you have to die, there are times when you simply must. Not that I want to." Armin replied.

"I see... You've made your choice." Annie muttered.

"Yeah... I've been thinking about doing it for a long time." Armin admitted.

"Seriously? Armin, you, as well?" Connie questioned.

"He's not the only one." Josiah cut in.

"You too, Josiah?"

"Change isn't going to come unless you do something." Josiah said. "I'm going to be apart of that change."

"You're weak, but you have guts." Annie told Armin.

"Th-Thank you." Armin mumbled. "Annie, you're actually pretty nice, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"It seems like you don't want us to join the Survey Corps. Isn't there a reason you want to join the Military Police?" Armin questioned.

"Not really." Annie admitted. "It's only that I want to survive."

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The cadets were all gathered at the ceremony grounds. Josiah was with Armin, Sasha, Annie, and Connie as he leaned up against the wall. Jean walked over to them.

"Jean... You're really joining the Survey Corps?" Armin asked.

"Yeah." Jean replied.

"Why, all of a sudden?" Sasha questioned. "I mean... Aren't you scared?"

"Huh? Of course I don't want to join the Survey Corps." Jean responded.

"Th-Then why..." Connie began.

"It isn't that I decided the Titans don't scare me. And I won't say something like, "the best should join the Survey Corps." I'm not as eager to die as some." Jean interrupted.

"You mean Eren?" Connie asked. "He already joined the Survey Corps."

"Trainees, line up! Line up before the stage!"

"I'm not risking my life because someone convinced me. This is a job you can't do unless you decide for yourself." Jean finished as he walked off.

It was nightfall as the cadets were lined up. Josiah took notice of Erwin at the front.

"I am Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps. Today you will choose a military branch. Put bluntly, I'm here to persuade you to join the Survey Corps." Erwin began. "During the Titan attack, you learned how terrifying they can be. And how limited your own power is. However..."

"This battle brought humanity closer to victory than it's ever been. Through Eren Yeager's existence. By risking his own life, he's proven himself, without doubt, a friend to humanity." Erwin continued. "With his help, not only did we stop the Titans' advance, but we have a way to discover their true nature."

Everyone widened their eyes at this. "We believe that in the basement of his Shiganshina home, there are answers about the Titans that he himself doesn't have. If we can reach that basement, we will find a clue that will end this century of Titan rule." Erwin went on.

"The basement?" Reiner questioned.

"We've already advanced that far?"

"If we learn what they are, we can end this!"

"We will head for the basement in Shiganshina. However, that requires us to retake Wall Maria. In other words, our objective hasn't changed." Erwin said as a map was shown. "But with the Trost gate sealed, we'll have to take the long way around, from Karanes to the east."

"The four years we spent laying a route for a large army have gone to waste. In those four years, more than sixty percent of the Survey Corps lost their lives. Sixty percent in four years... An insane figure." Erwin continued. "Any trainees who join will participate in our excursion beyond the walls, in a month. We expect thirty percent won't return."

"In four years, most will be dead. But those who survive will become superior soldiers with a high survival rate. Knowing these discouraging facts, any still willing to risk their lives, remain here. Ask yourself... Are you willing to offer your beating heart for humanity? That is all." Erwin finished.

"Anyone who wishes to join another branch is dismissed."

One by one, Josiah's classmates began turning away. Josiah could hear his heart beating against his chest.

"If I turn around, I'll hate myself for the rest of my life." Josiah thought. He could see Jean, Connie, and Sasha were also battling with themselves.

Josiah closed his eyes as an image of Soren, Clayton, and his mother appeared in his mind. He opened them back up again.

"I know what needs to be done..."

Soon after all the cadets left, only Josiah, Jean, Armin, Bertholdt, Reiner, Connie, Sasha, Mikasa, Ymir, and Christa remained.

"Can you die if you're ordered to?" Erwin asked.

"I don't want to die!"

"I see. I like the looks on your faces." Erwin said as he closed his eyes and opened them again. "Then I welcome everyone here to the Survey Corps! This is a true salute! Offer up your hearts!" Erwin added as he did the salute.

Everyone else followed as they saluted. "Everyone..." Armin muttered.

"This is terrible. The Survey Corps..." Jean stated.

"I'm scared! I want to go home..." Sasha sobbed.

"I don't even care." Connie commented.

Christa looked like she was about to cry. "If you were going to cry, you should have left." Ymir told her.

"You have done well to endure your fear. You are brave soldiers. You have my heartfelt respect." Erwin told them.

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The next morning, the new Scouts were at the stables, learning how to ride a horse.

"I'm Squad Leader Ness. And this is Shallot, my horse. She loves to chew off your hair, so be careful if you don't want to be bald. Nice to meet you all."

Shallot grabbed Ness' hair cap. "Hey! S-Stop it, Shallot! Hey, someone grab her!" Ness said.

The sun was beginning to set as the new Scouts walked by. "Hey, Mikasa! Armin! Josiah!" Eren's voice called out.

"Eren..."

"Feels like it's been a long time!" Eren exclaimed.

"Eren, did they do anything bad to you?" Mikasa asked, holding his hand. "Like investigating every square inch of you? Or psychological torture?"

"No way." Eren replied.

Mikasa's face darkened. "That short guy went too far. Someday, I'll see him pay for it." She said.

"You don't mean Captain Levi, don't you?" Eren questioned.

"Hey, Eren..."

"It's been so long!"

"What? Everyone's here?" Eren asked. "But if you're here, then... that doesn't mean you joined the Survey Corps, does it?"

"Is there any other reason we'd be here?" Connie questioned.

"So only Jean, Annie, and Marco joined the Military Police?" Eren asked as Jean walked up behind Eren.

"No way... Not you, too!" Eren said in shock.

"Marco's dead." Jean informed.

"What was that? Did you say Marco's dead?" Eren questioned.

"Seems not everyone gets a dramatic death. I don't even know how he died." Jean responded. "He died without anyone knowing, or anyone seeing."

"Marco..." Eren mumbled. Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a shout.

"Hey, new kids, get over here! Your uniforms are here!" Ness shouted.

Everyone put on the green Wings of Freedom cape. Josiah put his on as it made a whoosh sound.

He almost could've sworn he saw Soren and Clayton turning around and smiling at him. However, when he blinked, the image was gone.

After getting their cloaks, the soldiers gathered around to hear the plans of the expedition.

"Are you really..." Eren began.

"Yes, we'll also be participating in the mission." Mikasa finished.

"Hey, Eren. I heard that when you turned into a Titan, you tried to kill Mikasa. What does that mean?" Jean asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay, too. Thanks for asking, you bastard." Josiah mumbled in annoyance, making Connie and Reiner snicker in amusement.

"No. Eren was trying to hit a fly..." Mikasa tried to defend Eren.

"I wasn't asking you." Jean countered. "Mikasa, it looks like the wound on your cheek is pretty bad." Jean said, pointing to his cheek while Mikasa turned away to hide it. "When did you get that?"

"I've heard it's true. When I became a Titan, I tried to kill Mikasa as well as Josiah." Eren admitted.

"If you heard, then you don't remember it, right?" Jean asked. "In other words, you had no idea you even had this Titan power, and you don't have the means to control it."

"Yes, that's right."

Jean sighed and turned to the rest of them. "Did you hear that? This is the situation. Humanity and our lives depend on him. We'll probably die just like Marco, without Eren ever realizing it."

"Jean, what's the point in asking Eren these questions now?" Mikasa questioned.

"Listen, Mikasa. Not everyone's like you, willing to die for Eren's sake with nothing in return... We should know what we're dying for. Otherwise, we will hesitate when the time comes. We want something in return from him. So let me see what he has to offer. And whether it's worth my life."

Jean then grabbed Eren's shoulders. "So, Eren... I'm really counting on you." Jean informed.

"Right."

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City bells were ringing as the Survey Corps were getting ready to go on another expedition.

"We've driven away all the Titans in the area. Thirty seconds until we open the gate!"

Eren had a look of determination as he heard gasps. Curious, he looked over and saw two young kids around the age he was when he saw the Survey Corps for the first time.

"It's the Survey Corps!"

"They call the emblem on their back the Wings of Freedom!"

"So cool..."

Eren gave them a smile and turned back around.

"It's time! Humanity will take another step forward. Show me what you can do!"

The soldiers cheered and raised their swords in response.

"Open the gate!"

The gate soon began to open. "Advance!" Erwin shouted as the Scouts headed forwards.

"We will now begin the 57th expedition beyond the walls! Onward!"

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A/N: Another chapter done! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 2017 words.