Chapter 1

Annia Beauregard stared out of the glass window of her apartment a moment longer than on most mornings, she liked the light blue of the sky and the soft fat clouds that flew lazily by in the early morning. Living within the walls had always made her feel like a trapped bird but the sky, the bright blue of the sky reminded her of the freedom just outside of the walls. It also reminded her that it was still possible for humanity to live freely; she thought that one day humanity will be free and live without fear, one day the outside world will be reclaimed. She then focused on her clothes, readjusting the collar of her white dress shirt, and then pulling on the sleeves and ensuring that the shirt was arranged neatly. She then readjusted her belt and smoothed her pant legs down; she had long ago developed a dislike of skirts preferring the comfort of pants. Even if it was frowned upon for girls, something her family reminded her of frequently, perhaps that's why she had come to hate wearing skirts.

She then touched her ponytail again ensuring that it was arranged neatly, it was only as she strode purposely towards the door of her apartment at the orphanage for the last time she bothered to glance at herself in the mirror. She had a small and thin frame but it didn't mean she wasn't strong, she was stronger and faster than most of the boys her age even if she wasn't as strict with her personal fitness regime as she was of late. She had narrow angled light brown almost amber eyes that were cold and hard when they met themselves in the mirror. Her small mouth was usually seen turned into a slight frown that had developed itself almost permanently into a feature on her face in her late childhood; it was a characteristic frown now. Her soft beige brown hair was tied tightly behind her head, she had wanted to cut it short for practicality's sake but the mistress of the orphanage would allow no such thing. And Annia was not the type to disobey authority-unless of course she had lost all respect for said authority. Her respect for someone once lost would be lost almost indefinitely; she had ideals and standards which must be met for her to obey. Otherwise she would do as she pleased and do what she believed was the right choice.

Although she was frowning and looked apathetic on the outside, on the inside Annia was brimming with excitement as she strode down the stairs of the orphanage. The day that Annia Beauregard had looked forward to for the majority of her life had finally arrived; it was her day of induction into military training. And more importantly her first step towards her future in the Survey Corps, she would make sure of it.

She left the orphanage without a glance over her shoulder and set forth immediately to the town square to be transported to the training base. She took nothing with her, she really had nothing of value and what she did have she had no further use of it was now property of the orphanage to be passed on to the next child.

…

She examined the other trainee hopefuls on the ride to the base assessing them the second her eyes landed on them. Sitting directly across from her was a girl probably her age or possibly a year older with red-brown hair and bright green eyes and faint freckles across her nose, Annia noted that the girl smiled easily and laughed often. She was loud and overly friendly striking conversation with all of those around her, but she had yet to notice Annia. However, Annia was well aware that she was difficult to notice, most of the time she wasn't noticed unless she wanted to be which was very, very rare. Most often she preferred solitude and observation, her social skills relatively weak.

She was conscious however that she was the slightest bit jealous of the girl who sat across from her because of her relative comfort with talking to people and the fact that she was pretty. Along with the red –brown hair her green eyes were large, bright and inviting with a slightly turned up nose to match her rounded and delicate face. Annia could tell even from sitting that this girl across from her was about half a head taller than her, but she could also tell that she could over power the other girl easily when it came to any actual physical competition.

Another trainee who had caught Annia's attention when she was observing was another very social trainee hopeful, a tall broad shouldered young boy with dark brown almost black hair and matching dark brown eyes. He had been quiet and reserved until the other males around him had started a conversation, and then he came to life. He had a loud voice that drew attention immediately; Annia noted that he could easily get the others around them to follow him with his presence and voice alone. He laughed and smiled frequently but somewhat less than the red haired girl, he also used his hands a lot more when speaking in order to gesture. His clothes indicated that he was from a poorer background and therefore used to manual labour, no doubt he was adept at physical skills, Annia may not directly be able to overpower him but she was certain she could out maneuver him or out smart him when it came down to it.

Annia sighed and continued observing the other hopefuls making notes on everyone in order to recall later if the information was needed.

When they had gotten to the base and were asked to line up by Instructor Shadis, Annia unlike the majority of the other trainee hopefuls stepped forward to the front line and stood there with her chin up and shoulders back. She did her best to stand tall and remain motionless ignoring the urge to move and shift. The dark brown haired boy was five recruits over to her left, the red haired girl was the line behind her and two girls to her right, the girl whispering to the girls on her left and right.

Annia did not turn her head to follow instructor Shadis as he passed back and forth in front of the lines of gathered hopefuls. She kept her head to the front and for the most part kept her eyes to the front and not focusing on anything in particular. It was only when Shadis was moving near her that she allowed her eyes to follow him in order to observe and examine his behaviour.

Suddenly he stopped in front of a young boy about Annia's age with short blonde hair and a freckled face, "You there, state your name and where you're from!" Shadis ordered.

The boy fumbled for a second and then forced himself into a salute, he was visibly shaking, his eyes glancing from side to side and sweat pouring down his face, "Wilson Thompson from Trost District." He managed out frantically.

Shadis nodded in acknowledgement displaying no other emotion or reaction, he turned on his heel and stalked his way in Annia's direction stopping in front of her. He leaned in close to her face and the ordered, "You, state your name and where you are from!"

She didn't hesitate, she straightened her spine further if that was even possible because she had already been standing straight and saluted crisply the dress shirt cracking from the motion. Holding that position her face unchanged she answered in her loudest voice, "Annia Beauregard born in Shiganshina!" after announcing where she was from there were some gasps and sounds of startle from behind her from hearing where she was from.

Shadis seemed to hesitate a moment before continuing something that Annia's brown eyes did not miss, "Beauregard why are you here?" He asked her in a loud voice for all to hear.

Still in salute with her chin held high she responded, "I am here to give my flesh and blood to humanity and to serve the cause of humanity until the day I die. I will fight, fight until I live!" She announced loudly, the only response from Shadis she received was a slight nod, being somewhat poor at reading people Annia could not tell if this was a nod of agreement or simple acknowledgment.

Shadis then turned and went to the boy with dark hair stopping him, the boy's smile faded when Shadis stopped in front of him. He fumbled for a second but after the second had passed he had managed to recompose himself managing to make a firm and strong salute, in his naturally loud voice that was also attention grabbing he answered, "Richard Frey sir, from …"

Suddenly the whispers behind Annia got a little bit louder and there was some giggling behind her, she knew not to turn and felt no urge to. Shadis marched back to where Annia stood brushed past her and stopped behind her observing the three girls who had drawn his attention. Annia knew immediately which one of them would be singled out, the girl with red brown hair.

"Now what pray tell girls is so entertaining that we could not continue listening to Trainee Frey?" Shadis yelled out. The girls cowered, everyone in the front line except Annia turned to watch the exchange. Shadis noticed that the girl with red brown hair was shifting uncomfortably. "You state your name and town of birth." He ordered in a much harsher tone that that used to address Annia and Richard.

In a high clear voice that sounded extremely feminine came the reply, "My name is Clarisse Jung and I'm from Dauper"

"Where is your salute?!" Shadis yelled at the girl. Annia still hadn't turned around to watch the situation but she could hear the girl behind her fumble and shift before making a salute. Shadis grunted and ordered the girl to do push ups. Annia still with her head turned heard the girl drop and begin doing push ups, Annia decided that she did not like this girl. This Clarisse appeared to have issues with authority, and her priorities were obviously not in the interest of the military. Annia had the suspicion that this girl was here only for the Military Police Brigade and nothing else.

Shadis then turned and saw that the majority of the front line had turned around, "Why is it that everyone but Beauregard has abandoned their position. Turn back around immediately!" he ordered and the shamed trainees in the front line twisted back around immediately. Many had their heads turned down out of embarrassment, but Annia noted out of the corner of her eye that Richard still had his head held high and though there was no smile on his face it was obvious he was happy and unfazed from being in trouble.

Author's Rambling Space
Well, I hope you enjoyed this. I have to admit this is the first fanfiction I have ever written so comments and suggestions are readily welcomed. I've only watched the anime and I'm writing this while I wait for the next season to air.
[I did notice that I didn't put where Richard is from, I'm not sure myself so you can choose or suggest!]

P.S. I actually didn't start the fanfiction from here, I started writing at was Chapter 6. Then decided to go back and do some characterization and introduction so if it seems off that's why.

Thank you so much for reading this! I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Attack on Titan or any of it's characters