Hello! Sorry for not being able to post any chapters lately! I was grounded…

Disclaimer: My friend and I do not own Attack on Titan. My friend only owns Crystal.

AoT4

I didn't sleep long, given that I was slowly developing a crick in my neck. I was also about to fall from my chair from how severe my shivers were. Who knew a wooden building could get so cold?

"Crystal," I heard, and just as I had said, I answered his call. I sighed and got up to move to the door, leaning against the frame.

"What is it, Heichou?"

"Can you bring me some kind of painkiller?" he asked. I simply nodded and went over to my bag, pulling out a bottle. I brought back a pill and a canteen of water. Levi took them and down the pill before giving me the water back.

"It should activate in about ten minutes. Is there anything else?"

"Sleep with me." It took my brain a few replays before I processed what he actually said. I could feel my cheeks heat in embarrassment. "You were shivering in there. I need you at your strongest tomorrow, so sleep in my bed."

"Fine," I agreed after much (not really) thought, moving to the other side of the bed. I nearly fell into a deep sleep when my head hit the pillow, surprising myself. "Try anything and I'll kick your sorry butt," I added before yawning.

"Same to you," Levi replied.

I yawned and sat up, looking to my side to see Levi still asleep. I sighed and quietly got out of the bed. I then changed into fresh clothes, dressing for my first day of training. As I began to pull my hair up, I heard Levi sit up in bed. I finished braiding my long hair and letting it rest over my left shoulder before walking over to his side of the bed.

"You start training today, don't you?" he asked. I nodded. "Get me to my office chair and leave some painkillers. I'll see you at lunch break and tonight."

I smiled and pulled his arm over my shoulder, helping him into his office. He dismissed me with a wave, so I left the room and wet to Hanji's room. "Hanji! Where do I go for sign up?"

"Mikasa is taking you! Meet her by the stables," I heard the Titan fanatic holler from the other room. She was most likely making new experiments.

I found Mikasa standing outside the stables, two horses saddled and ready to go. I smiled and pulled myself up onto a horse. "Thanks for leading me to the sign ups." She simply nodded, something I was used to. We rode in silence until we reached the town.

"Eren is worried about you."

"Tell him not to be. I'm okay," I said, looking over at her. Her eyes held my gaze, calculating me before she smiled a little.

"Good." She then turned her head back to the front, leading us through the streets. I dismounted near a large crowd of kids and smiled, handing her my reins. "Stay safe."

"Same to you," I replied. She nodded, and I walked into the crowd.

I made my way into a line and frowned, waiting impatiently behind a boy just a bit taller than me. He jumped backward just as someone in front of him swung a fist at him. I was crushed beneath him as he fell on top of me. I bit my lip and shoved him off, standing up and looking at the boy who had went to punch the kid and grabbed his collar, pulling him down to my level.

"And who might you be?" he flirted, making me sick. I scowled and punched his face, kneeing him in the stomach before pushing him to the ground. I then helped the boy that had been in front of me to his feet.

"Watch yourself. I won't always be around to beat the pulp out of every person who hates you," I stated, smiling a bit to let him know I was teasing. "My name's Crystal."

"Jamie," he replied. I nodded, and he got back in from of me. I shook my head and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Nice to meet you, Jamie," I said, offering my hand. He took it in a firm grip, and we shook.

"Thought you were just being courteous since you saved my butt and all," he said with a sheepish grin. I laughed and shook my head.

"I'm glad we'll be training together," I said, finding my mood lifted by this simple boy. Maybe he was like Armin in a way: shy, adorable, and approachable. "Let's be friends, ne?" I asked.

"Is that a Japanese thing?"

"A friend of mine got me hooked on it," I admitted.

"Friends," the kid answered. "So how old are you?"

"29," I answered. The look on his face was priceless.

"That's impossible."

"No, it's true."

"But you look so young! You have to be under 25," he said, and I saw his shoulders fall.

"Ah, I get it." He then instantly grew nervous. "Don't worry, I'm not one to tease about a crush on me. It may delight you to know you are the first guy I have known to like me, and I am flattered," I began, looking up at him. He smiled. "I am not looking for love at this time, and I do not want to lead you on. I will tell you right now not to get involved with me, both for age difference and for the level of stress. I will also be joining the Survey Corps, so there is a high possibility that I will die in the near future. Love someone closer to your age that you know will always be there for you. That girl will love you more than I ever could."

We were silent for a while, then I felt a hand around my shoulders. I flinched a bit but let him hug me anyway. "Thank you, Crystal. That really was beautiful. You will find someone eventually," he said.

After getting our training uniforms, I walked with Jamie to his group of friends. There were two other boys and one other girl. I felt myself tear up. This reminded me far too much of Levi's old squad. I bit my lip and sighed, catching unwanted attention from Jamie.

"What's wrong, Crystal?"

"Ah, nothing. I'm just nervous about training is all," I lied believably. I smiled and shook my head, willing my tears to go away. I then followed the group to the changing areas, heading off with the only other female with me.

"My name is Gina," she introduced as we walked.

"Crystal," I returned, smiling at her. I changed next to her, listening as she began to tell about herself.

"I came from Wall Sina, but I didn't live as richly as everyone thinks; I was a street rat. I came here to find some honor with my abilities instead of thievery with no true cause."

"Well, I am a street rat as well. I came from Shiganshima. I've been there all my life. I was lucky enough to escape into Wall Rose before I was killed. My parents, luckily, did not die in the fall of Wall Maria. They passed away when I was two years old," I explained. "I came here to train and assist in humanity's victory. I will not let another life be lost in front of my eyes."

We left the changing area, Gina tying her jacket around her waist while I did the same, only on my hips. I sighed, pulling my braid over my left shoulder again. "Your hair is so long," Gina said softly.

"Yeah, I have special reasons I want to leave it long. It doesn't get in the way when it's braided, so I have no problem."

"Jeremy would say otherwise, but it's up to you," she said with a laugh. I laughed as well and nodded, spotting the three boys near the large group of cadets. I snuck up behind Jamie and jumped onto his back, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"What the hell, Crystal! Get off me!"

"Hah, make me," I replied, keeping a firm grip around his neck. I felt a hand grip my forearm and try to pull it loose, but I wouldn't budge. I eventually let go, laughing at his flustered face. "Geesh, take a joke, man," I sighed, pulling his head down to ruffle his hair. He growled and pushed me away, fixing his hair while I laughed at his response.

"Hey, lovebirds, the ceremony is about to start," Jeremy told us. I rolled my eyes and turned to the front. Up on stage was my very own Commander Erwin, his cape hiding his missing arm.

"You have most likely heard the news of the last expedition by now. Those of you who have not, we lost many soldiers to the mouths of Titans. I feel great remorse for those we have lost, but their lives were not lost in vain. We have gathered more data than before, bringing us closer to humanity's victory." He removed his cape, exposing his missing arm. "This is one of the lesser injuries received as a military officer. If anyone here is now afraid, leave. You will merely be a stumbling block to our plans." I watched as many people began to walk away. It was quite sad, honestly. "Those of you who stayed, report to the headquarters for further evaluation." He left the podium area after that.

I followed my friends to the headquarters and out onto the same field I had previously run prior to my stay with the Corps. Everyone lined up and saluted, facing the director of the evaluations.

"MY NAME IS SHADIS, AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE USELESS MAGGOTS FIT TO BE TITAN FODDER. YOUR LIVES HAVE NO VALUE. YOU ARE MERELY A STEPPING STONE INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF HUMANITY'S SUCCESS. IF YOU DIE, WE HAVE SOMEONE TO FILL YOUR PLACE. NONE OF YOU ARE ANY MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANOTHER." Shadis walked up to one of the first couple people, skipping some occasionally before interrogating the next. He would point out each and every flaw visible to the human eye, emotional or physical. "AND WHO MIGHT YOU BE, MAGGOT?" he asked Jamie.

"Jamie Crossings," my friend replied.

"WHAT WALL DO YOU COME FROM?"

"Wall Sina, Sir," he replied.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

"To give my services to the King, Sir," he replied.

"YOU WISH TO SERVE THE KING? HE WILL BE GLAD TO HAVE YOU AS TITAN FODDER!" Shadis moved on to Gina. "WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT'S WITH THAT STUPID GRIN?"

"I am Gina Cartwright, from Wall Sina streets, Sir," she replied. "I find your style of interrogation quite amusing, for you think that you can break everyone in this regiment."

"LAPS UNTIL THE SUN SETS FOR SMARTING OFF TO ME CADET!" Shadis yelled, pointing off to his right. She nodded as started running. He moved on to Jeremy. "WHAT'S YOUR NAME?"

"Jeremy Pellinto," he stated. I saw right through his little mask; he was scared to death. I watched him closely. "I am from Wall Rose. I came here to join the MPs and live a life free of Titan threats."

"YOU WISH TO BE AN MP?" I watched as Jeremy was shoved back, but he pushed against the force and stayed upright. Shadis then head-butted him, but even though he was in pain, Jeremy still stayed up. "TITAN FODDER! YOU WISH TO RUN WHEN YOUR STRENGTH COULD BE USED TO FIGHT! A PANSY IS WHAT YOU ARE!"

I returned my focus to the front, but I was not ignored. "WHAT IS YOUR NAME, SHRIMP!"