Chapter One

"Welcome to the 97th Trainee Squad! It's always good to see youngsters joining in the fight for humanity against the Titans! This will be a hard four years, but it's just the beginning. Some of you might not make it. Some of you might even die. But those who make it through... Know that you are humanities soldiers!"

The Chief Instructor started making the rounds, stopping in front of random students, humiliating them in front of the whole Trainee Squad. His name was Keith Shadis, and this was his first year as an Instructor. You would never be able to tell by the way he strutted around like he owned the place.

"Oh, and look here! Levi Rivaille, correct?" The young man stood there silently. He was only three people down from myself. His black hair was short and choppy, with an undercut. He was shorter - shorter than me even - and seemed to be the only one not intimidated. Actually, he seemed bored. And he still didn't answer Shadis. "By the attitude I will assume you are Levi. Erwin Smith warned me about you."

"Then he should learn to shut his mouth," Levi said bluntly. All the students within a ten foot radius flinched away from the suddenly yelling from Shadis. It also earned the boy pushups until the boy couldn't support himself.

Shadis watched him do the first ten till he started down the line again. I straightened, clenching my teeth as tight as I could. But even all my hope didn't make Shadis continue. The large man stopped in front of me.

"What's your name, Cadet?"

I straightened, saluting him with my first to my heart. It hit so hard I think I might've given myself a bruise. "Petra Ral from Trost District, sir!"

"And why did you join the military, Ral?"

"To fight for humanity against the Titans, sir!" My voice cracked on 'sir.' I felt my whole face turn red. Thankfully, he took mercy on me. Shadis laughed for a good minute before going down the line. I let out a breath of relief, and looked down to the kid Levi. He was still doing push ups, and had not even slowed down. They only sign that it was actually a work out for him were the beads of sweat forming on his brow.

It was another hour before Shadis finally released us. We all turned, to go back to the barracks, but I paused. Levi was still there doing pushups. He had slowed now, and his jaw muscles were tensed. And sweat plastered his shirt to his back. I would've passed out already, if I were in his position.

"Petra? You coming?" I looked up to Caden, a friend of mine. We had joined the military together. I nodded, with one last glance at Levi.

"I can't believe that guy said that," Caden said, shaking her head. "Dumb ass. On the first day too! I thought he was smarter than that. He's only avoided the police for five years."

"You know about him?" I questioned, raising a brow at the blonde.

"Levi Rivaille? How have you not heard about him?" She gaped at me, and rolled her eyes. "He was pretty much a thug boss in some secret underground thing under Sina. Pretty much screwed with anything he could from the wealthy. Then, finally, they caught him, and gave him the ultimatum that he would go to prison, or join the military. I guess he joined the military. Better choice."

"Wow," I muttered, and looked back at the boy. He was a thug? He wasn't even taller than me! How could he have been a thug boss? As I was about to face forward, he was pushing himself up, arms shaking so bad. Halfway up, his elbows buckled, and he landed face first in the dirt. I looked away quickly.


When we got back to the barracks, older squad members showed us around. Ours was named Ray, and she was a tall girl, with long black hair and olive skin. She was commanding, and always wore a serious face. She showed us the mess hall, the bathrooms, the infirmary, and finally the stables. She told us that the horses were some of the old horses from the Survey Corps who were now 'retired.' They were still faster than regular horses, but not fast enough for the expeditions anymore. Ray went on to tell us that if we enlisted in the Survey Corps, we would get our own horse.

It was dusk by the time the dinner bell rang. It was surprisingly rowdy in the mess hall, from kids messing around to trying to start fights, to whining about the food, and those trying to make friends.

Caden herself was getting a little too touchy feely with the other cadets. I had been raised inside a conserved home. It was been completely devastating to the whole family when I declared I would be joining the Military. My mother believed I would get good marks and be able to join the Military Police and stay out of sight of Titans. My father believed I would go with the Garrison, where I might have a little adventure now and then. And by adventure he would think using the 3D maneuvering devices to scale the wall to enforce it.

They'd probably faint when they get my letter saying I joined the Survey Corps.

All of a sudden, there was a hush. I looked up, surprised to see Levi. He didn't look at anyone and didn't react to comments thrown his face. he went up to the food line, got his dinner, and exited once again.

"He is never going to achieve a rank of leadership," Caden said, leaning on me, yawning. "Almost a waste of space in here, huh?" "Or he could be amazing," I commented without looking at her.

"Oooh, do we have a little crush on the bad boy?" Caden slung and arm over my shoulder. "Miss little goodie two shoes?"

I frowned at her. "You're ridiculous, Caden." She laughed, and went back to flirt with the boy on the other side of her. Eventually, I got up, and told her to not stay up too late. She waved me off, and I exited to go back to the barracks.

It was dark outside, and about the time I usually went to bed. I stretched, yawning, closing my eyes.

And I ran into someone.

I jumped, losing my balance, and falling right on my butt. I grunted at the impact, and felt the rocks bite into the palms of my hands. I looked up, to see who ran into me, and froze.

It was Levi.

He was looking down at my strangely, like I was some creature he didn't expect to find. After a moment, I just managed to get out, "Sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."

"I can't believe you actually fell," he commented. "Did I scare you that much?"

I stared, not knowing what to say. No sorry? Even if it wasn't his fault it was the polite thing to do. He reached out a hand, and, surprised, I took it. He helped me up, and I noted how he wiped the dirt from my hands off. After an awkward pause - another one - I held my hand back out. "I'm Petra Ral."

With slight hesitation, he took my hand and gave it a shake. "Levi."


AN: Hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter!

I know Petra is much younger than Levi, but I thought this way they can grow and develop and create a stronger bond. So, not everything is going to be like the anime/manga.