Year 840

The big day has arrived. Today, every scout of the 95th Trainee Corps will finally graduate. Today is also the day that they choose their new path, be it the Stationary Guards, Recon Corps or the Military Police.

The scouts gathered, and soon, the leading commander of the Trainee Regiment stood tall on the podium, calling out the names of the top ten best performing trainees. All of which, are eligible to apply for a place in the Military Police. Amidst the crowd stood a young soldier, nervous as the commander read out the names one by one. His name was Feliciano Vargas. He knew that he was not good enough to enter top ten, but he was okay with that. He knew how good or bad he was, and he was willing to accept it. What scared him the most was his two best friends. They were good, physically and mentally. They were hardworking as well and it was highly likely that they will make it into top ten. He was afraid that they would join the Military Police, and leave him alone. Who wouldn't? It was the safest place to be, especially with all the titans roaming outside the walls.

"Sixth place, Honda Kiku." A boy with black hair moved up to the podium next to his other well-performing cadets. Feliciano's chest tightened. Kiku was one of his close friends, and if he was up there, Ludwig would more or less be up there as well. Ludwig Beilschmidt is Feliciano's other friend. He is a much more dedicated soldier and surely he would have performed better than Kiku.

Nearing the end, the commander called out for the soldier in second position. A guy with blonde hair by the name of Alfred F. Jones went up the stage proudly.

"And in first position, our most outstanding cadet," Feliciano tightened his hands into fists, nervously waiting for the next name. If Ludwig's name is called, it would be the end for him. He would be alone, without his most trusted friends by his side…

"Ludwig Beilschmidt." Feliciano's heart sank.

.

"Feli-chan, a penny for your thoughts?" Kiku asked as he sat next to Feliciano with his plate.

"Ja, you've been really quiet today." Ludwig commented as he set his food down and sat down across Feliciano.

"A-Ah? Nothing, really… So you and Ludwig are in top ten, right? Congratulations! Now you two get to be safe within Wall Sina with the Military Police… Right?" His voice quivered at the back as he tried to hold back his tears, which were threatening to fall.

"So that's what this is about…" Ludwig said softly, and then looked into Feliciano's directions. "Feli, listen. We're not going to join the Military Police."

"Hai. We have promised you that we'll stay by you and to protect you until the end and we intend to keep to that promise, Feli-chan." He paused there as Feliciano gave a face that said he understood.

Feliciano looked back and forth the two of them, tears threatening to fall again except this time, it was tears of joy. He hugged Kiku first, before reaching over to give Ludwig a hug, constantly saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" as he did so. "You two are the best! Arigatou, Kiku! Danke, Ludwig!" His two friends just laughed as a response, happy that Feliciano was his old self again.

.

They were finishing up their conversation, just as they were almost finished their food.

"So, you have an older brother out there somewhere?" Kiku asked, putting the last morsel of bread into his mouth.

"Yup. I only remembered he looked a lot like me, but then he was taken away when we were two."

"Where was he taken to?"

"I'm not sure, but I haven't heard from him since. I wonder how he's doing… I wonder if he's here, like us! I really want to find him…"

"We'll help you, Feliciano. But for now, we have to go. We have to confirm our places tonight."

"Ludwig is right. Let's go, Feli-chan." Both Ludwig and Kiku stood up with their plates and Feliciano soon reluctantly followed.

"So, if you two are not going to the Military Police, which regiment would you choose? Will we join the Stationary Guards? Their jobs are the second safest."

There was a brief pause as Kiku and Ludwig looked at each other, before turning to face Feliciano.

"Feli-chan, we were hoping that you would follow us, and join the Survey Corps."

"S-Survey Corps?! But that's so dangerous! And we have to see those titans face-to-face… It's too scary!"

"Feli-chan, there is something we haven't told you yet. The reason we wanted to enrol in the first place is because Ludwig dreams of joining the Survey Corps."

"Ja… I'm sure you know about my family, about my father and my mother…" Ludwig paused for a moment, trying to hold onto his composure. Feliciano has heard this story. It was quite tragic. Ludwig's father was part of the Survey Corps and he risked his life to save a new soldier, and he did not make it back. His mother got so depressed after receiving the news and eventually committed suicide. All Ludwig was left with is his older brother Gilbert and their grandfather.

"So… You want to avenge them…?"

"Not only them, Feli. The main reason is because of Gilbert… It's because of those dreaded titans that he has become like this… Sure, they killed my father and drove my mother to her death bed, but Gilbert… He's a good man and he doesn't deserve to suffer like that…" Gilbert was also part of the Survey Corps. He joined for the very reason that he wanted to avenge his parents' death. However, his gears were faulty that day, causing his legs to be bitten off by a titan. He made it back alive, but with his legs gone, he can never move around freely on his on again, and that was what hurt Ludwig the most.

Feliciano looked down, he did not know about this. He was told that he had an illness and his legs needed to be amputated in order to save his life. He has only met Gilbert a few times but he could see that Gilbert was a good man, and definitely a loyal and dedicated soldier.

Feliciano finally looked up and turned to Kiku. "What about you, Kiku? Why'd you want to join the Survey Corps? What about your parents?"

Kiku took a sharp breath in. He almost forgot about that. His family has always made it top ten and always joined the Military Police. The King had a good relationship with the Honda Clan. It was like a tradition for every member of the Honda family to serve the King as part of the Military Police.

"I am joining the Survey Corps because I have promised to be with you two. Breaking a promise is not something I would do. Furthermore, I'd rather spend my days with you two out there, then in safety behind those walls. I am doing this for my comrades, or as my family says, nakama. I am sure that they will understand and respect my decision."

Feliciano gave a light smile and nodded, "I'm sure they will! Then let's go to the courtyard now! We don't want to be late, right?" He gave a bright smile and they hurried over to the plate returning station, before happily rushing over to the courtyard.