Helloooooo everybody! First of all I would like to apologize that this has taken awhile to update. Life's been busy and of coarse I went on vacation when I posted the last chapter plus I got other stories to write for as well. But nonetheless this has been updated so yay! Before we begin the disclaimer though I got two things I gotta say though. First of all being a big thank you to the new followers of this story! Hope you guys are enjoying it so far. Also guys if you can do me a big, big favor and vote in the poll on my profile that would be wonderful. It's reguarding this story and I need the results by the next chapter. So far only one person has voted. Alrighty! So lets begin! Attack on Titan belongs to Hajime Isayama Danny, Asher, Millie, Dyke and Bodhi all belong to me. Enjoy~!
The next day was the day that training had officially began. First and foremost, the Cadets would learn how to balance on the 3-Dimensional Mobility gear. Seems simple enough right? It was all a balancing act. However since the gear was the main weapon used against fighting the titans, it was vital for the cadets to get ahold of the gear.
"It's aptitude test time so listen up!" Shadis hollered standing in front of a large contraption that can only be best described as resembling one of those baby harnesses. "There is no place for you here if you cannot perform! Fail and be shipped to the fields!"
And so the first set of cadets were strapped into the devices. Though some a bit shaky at first they all managed to hold themselves up right.
Well, almost all of them...
"WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION JEAGER?!" Shadis screamed as he saw Eren hanging upside down in the harness.
"Why am I- How do I work this thing?!" Eren thought in a panic.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!" Danny screamed from two people down as she began to lean backwards. Next thing she knew her legs were up in the air and the whole world was upside down.
"Straighten yourselves up!" Shadis ordered.
Danny gritted her teeth tried to swing herself forward to straighten herself up. She felt her body begin to rise but as it did her, her foot got caught in one of the cords. She twisted and squirmed trying to get free but this only resulted in her getting tangled up in the cords, her fellow cadets not trying very hard to hold back their laughs.
"This can't be happening..."
Later on that evening before dinner, Eren, Armin, Mikasa and the twins had snuck away for Danny and Eren to get in some more practice on the harnesses.
"Just remember the basics and you should be fine." Mikasa advised as Armin and Asher strapped Eren and Danny-respectively- into the harnesses. "No need to try any fancy maneuvers. Just focus on your balance. Then distribute the weight evenly between the belts on your waist and your legs."
"Easy for you to say." Danny huffed as Asher finished strapping her in. "You and that Bodhi kid were the best out of all of us on using these things."
"Come on now, don't be like that." Asher said. "Just do what we say and everything will be fine."
"And loosen up your stance a little bit." Armin added. "If I can do it I know you two can."
Danny took a deep breath. "Alright."
"Okay." Eren said determinedly. "A loose stance but balanced. Lets give it a shot Armin."
"You ready?" Asher asked his sister as he walked over to the crank.
Danny nodded, determination set in her brown eyes. "Lift me up bro."
Asher and Armin made their way over to where the cranks were and they both slowly began to turn the handles. Eren and Danny soon felt their feet lifting off the ground.
"Loose but balanced. Loose but balanced. Loose but balanced." Danny whispered.
And for all of 3.5 seconds, it worked. But then...
"Wha-HWAAH!"
"AAAH!"
Eren and Danny shrieked as he began to fall forward and she began to fall backward. Asher, Armin and Mikasa flinched as they watched their friends hit their heads HARD on the ground. The sound of their skulls hitting the ground echoing in the air.
"Danny! Eren!" Armin cried.
"Oh sh**!" Asher swore as he quickly lowered Danny down and unstrapped her while Mikasa and Armin took care of Eren.
"Are you guys okay?" Mikasa asked worriedly.
Armin frowned as he lifted up Eren and saw red liquid slowly seeping down his forehead. "He's bleeding!"
"Alright, that's enough! No more today." Asher said as he hauled a slightly out of it Danny to her feet. Mikasa slung one of Eren's arms over her shoulder and the group headed off towards the infirmary.
"Hey Daz, he was talking real big about butchering the titans but he got real quiet after 3DM training, didn't he?"
It was during dinner time later that night and Eren, Asher, Armin, Danny and Mikasa were sitting at their table. Danny and Eren both of whom had their heads wrapped up tightly with bandages. Danny hung her head and played with her food while Eren just stared off into space.
"I guess it's the fields for him and that girl tomorrow." Daz said breezily. "Can't keep wasting food on the useless."
"Hey why don't you two just stuff it?" Asher snapped glaring at the two boys with a look that could kill. Daz and the other boy stiffened and looked away sheepishly and the table fell into silence once more.
"Eren?" Mikasa said grabbing the dazed brunette by the shoulder. Apparently she gripped his shoulder to hard because Eren cried out in pain.
"Worrying wont solve anything." Armin spoke up. "And there's still some time to get some training in before morning."
"I'm pathetic." Eren sighed completely ignoring the blonde. "How am I supposed to kill them if I can't even stand up straight?"
"I don't think my head can take any more hits without any serious brain damage." Danny winced, lightly rubbing her head.
The table fell into silence. What were they going to do? If Eren and Danny couldn't get it then they'd all be separated.
"Maybe it's time to let that dream die."
Four pairs of eyes all shifted and looked at the black haired girl sitting next to Eren.
"What do you mean?" Eren asked.
"I think you and Danny should give up this attempt to be soldiers." Mikasa said, staring straight ahead.
Silence.
"Are you crazy?!" Danny exclaimed slamming her hands on the table. "No way! Incase you forgotten Mikasa, we all made a promise and I have every intention of seeing that promise through! I'm not leaving my brother or my friends!"
"There's a lot more to fighting in combat than just throwing your life away in vain." Mikasa continued calmly.
"What are you saying?" Eren asked growing angry. "After everything we saw that day?! After what happened to my mom?! Your crazy if you think I'm just going to walk away."
"The whole reason why we're even here in the first place is too keep others from going through what we did! So we don't have to live our lives in fear anymore!" Asher jumped in.
"I get it." Mikasa said calmly. "But it doesn't matter how determined you are.
"Hey wait what do you mean?" Eren asked confused.
Mikasa straightened her posture and looked her friend and her adopted brother dead in the eyes. "Because whether or not you two are fit to be soldiers isn't up to you."
She was right. As much as they hated to admit it, Mikasa was right. Determination and willingness to help meant absolutely nothing if they couldn't use their only weapon to fight against the enemy.
The bell began to ring, signaling that dinner time was over. The Cadets began to gather up their dirty dishes and head out of the mess hall. All except for Mikasa.
"You misunderstand." the Oriental girl said looking down at her lap. "I didn't say you should return to the field by yourselves. I wouldn't dream of it. Because wherever you go, I'm going to go with you."
At the last line Mikasa finally looked up to look at Eren...only instead of Eren, she was greeted by a gaping mouthed Sasha. It was then and only then did she realize that the entire cafeteria was empty aside from the two of them.
"So uh..." Sasha began after an awkward moment of silence. "Are you saying that your NOT going to finish that?" she asked pointing to Mikasa's half eaten loaf of bread.
Mikasa looked at the bread and then back at Sasha. She reached over and grabbed the bread and held it in full view of Sasha. Sasha smiled and her eyes began to sparkle, her mouth salivating as she imagined the soon to come fluffy goodness.
But then the unthinkable happened...
Mikasa...ate...the bread. Right in front of her.
Sasha had never experienced such disappointment in all of her life.
"We are screwed Eren!" Danny groaned as she and the boys walked out of the mess hall.
"Don't give up hope yet, Danny." Armin said. "I have an idea."
"Lets hear it." Asher encouraged.
"Please!" Eren begged.
"Surely someone might be able to help us." Armin stated simply.
"So we just...ask?" Eren asked.
"Yes." Armin nodded. "Ask for tips, for a demonstration. Anything."
"We don't have much of a choice." Danny sighed. "Okay. I'll ask around in the girls cabin and you three handle the boys in your cabin. There has to be at least one person who'd be willing to help."
Apparently they thought wrong. Every girl that Danny asked for help either gave her advice that she already knew ("Its all about balance." or something else along those lines) or just blew her off completely.
The red headed girl sighed heavily and looked around her cabin, who had she not asked yet?
Her brown eyes scanned around the cabin at the chattering females until she spotted a girl sitting off to the side away from everyone. She had light blonde hair tied up in a messy bun and piercing blue eyes and a big pointy nose. Danny gulped. The girl's overall appearance seemed...cold.
But she had to do it. This was the only girl she hadn't asked yet. So she took a deep breath and strode over the girl shooting her a friendly smile. "Hi."
"If your here to ask about tips on using the 3DM gear your out of luck." the blonde girl snapped not even looking up.
Danny reeled back a bit in shock. "How-how did you-"
"You've been going around the cabin begging everyone to help you." the blonde finally turned and looked up at her. Danny shuddered, feeling as if those icy blue eyes were piercing her soul. "It's quite pathetic."
Danny narrowed her eyes, feeling a bit insulted but sighed in defeat. "I know. But I have to try. My brother and I didn't come here for nothing."
"Maybe it would have been best if neither of you had come at all." the girl said icily. "Dedication and desire all add up to nothing if you can't perform."
"Just who the hell do you think you are?!" Danny gasped insulted.
"Annie. Annie Leonhart. Nice to meet you." she said sarcastically.
Danny placed her hands on her hips. "You listen here Annie Leonhart. You might not think that I got what it takes but I'll prove you wrong! I WILL master the 3D gear and I WILL graduate and join the Scouts!"
"I suppose we'll find out tomorrow then." And with that Annie stood up and walked off, leaving behind a stunned Danny. The red head growled and clenched her fist as she stormed past her fellow female Cadets and out the door, slamming the door hard behind her. Once outside Danny let out a shaky sigh and sat on the steps.
"I hope the boys are having better luck than me."
They were not.
"What's the trick to posture control?" Connie asked smugly after Eren, Armin and Asher had come to him and Jean for help. "Hard to say. Guess I got the gift. You just got to feel it, ya know?"
"I'm trying to figure out your trick." Jean began, absolutely loving the fact that the high and mighty Eren Jaeger was reduced so low as to ask for his advice on training. "You screwed up every way imaginable short of equipment related asphyixiation."
"Pleeease guys!" Eren begged desperately. "You gotta help me! I'm begging you!"
"That's funny, wasn't it just yesterday you said that if you can't handle the pressure you gotta leave?" Connie asked.
Eren recoiled back, looking on the verge of tears.
"No wait, was it if your a complete idiot you gotta leave?" Connie asked himself scratching his head. "Something like that."
"Come on guys lets go." Asher mumbled and began to walk off. Armin having to pull Eren by the arm.
"It's hopeless." Eren whispered. "It's completely hopeless."
"There must be somebody we haven't asked yet." Armin said.
"It's no use! We asked everyone Armin! Everyone! Danny and I are done for!" Eren groaned hopelessly. "They might as well just ship us off to the fields now!"
"If you'd quit your stupid whining for five seconds Jaeger than you'd realize that we haven't asked those three yet." Asher deadpanned.
Eren looked up and saw where the red head was pointing. Across the room away from everyone else was Dyke who was sitting with two other boys in on a loft. One a very tall, nervous looking boy with dark skin and black hair. Sitting next to him was a strong, muscly looking boy with blonde hair.
"Lets give it a shot." Armin said. "We don't have anything to lose."
So the three boys made their way over.
"Um...Hey!" Asher greeted causing the three to look up.
"Uh, hey." the muscly blonde greeted.
"Can we talk to you three for a second?" Armin asked.
"Please?" Eren begged, looking up at the three with wide, green begging eyes. The trio looked at each other, the tallest of them beginning to break out into a sweat.
"Sure. Climb on up." Dyke said motioning for the three to come up. One by one, Eren, Armin and Asher climbed up onto the loft where the trio was sitting.
"So what can we do ya for?" Dyke asked adjusting his seat as all six of them sat down. "And better yet who the hell are you?"
"I'm Asher, that's Armin and that's Eren." Asher introduced.
"Dyke Raymond." Dyke grinned and pointed to his two friends. "The tall sweaty guy is Bertholdt and Mr. Muscles is Reiner."
"So what can we do ya for?" Reiner asked. Armin and Asher looked at their bandaged friend.
"Can...Can you teach me how to use the 3D gear?!"
Dyke, Reiner and Berholdt stiffened, not expecting that.
"If Eren and Danny, our other friend, Danny, can't learn how to balance they'll be shipped to the fields." Armin added, blue eyes looking worried.
"Come on! I heard from everyone your all really good at it!" Eren pleaded desperately. These three were his last chance. "Bertholdt?! Reiner?! Dyke?!"
Reiner crossed his arms. "Sorry kid but there isn't any special trick to just hanging there. If it's advice you want I'm not your guy."
"Ditto." Dyke spoke fiddling with the gold necklace around his neck. Bertholdt remained quiet.
That was it. They were out of options. It was official. Eren and Danny were done for come tomorrow.
"Alright." Eren sighed looking down, his body sinking.
"Lets just hope it comes to you and Danny tomorrow." Armin said.
"Thanks anyway I guess." Asher mumbled as the three started to leave.
"Hold on."
Asher, Armin and Eren froze and all three turned their attention towards the gentle giant known as Bertholdt.
"Aren't the three of you originally from Shiganshia?"
"That's right." Armin nodded.
"Then you should know firsthand how terrifying they are." Bertholdt continued. "Why on earth would you want to be soldiers?"
The three boys looked at each other before Armin answered.
"I didn't see the things Eren did. He saw the bloodlust first hand before anyone realized how bad it was."
"My sister saw a titan up close and was chased by one. If I wasn't there to pull her out of the way..." the red head trailed off, visibly shuddering as he thought of almost loosing his twin sister. "Our dad was a Scout and he died when Danny and me were three. We don't want anyone else to grow up like we had to with a loved one lost to one of those monsters."
"What about you Blondie?" Dyke asked glancing at Armin.
"Me?...Well I just couldn't sit idly by as the world government failed territory retrieval operation."
"I see." Bertholdt whispered looking down.
"So where are the three of you from?" Armin asked changing the subject.
"A small town west of Wall Maria." Dyke explained looking down as he fiddled with the strings of his tunic. "Dad was a Garrison who was killed when the wall broke."
Asher frowned sympathetically. "I'm sorry."
Dyke shrugged still avoiding eye contact. Though he acted nonchalant his body language said differently. "It's fine...we all knew there was always a risk..."
"What about your mom?" Eren asked.
"Died when I was two." Dyke said and the loft once again fell into silence. "With no one else left and no where else to go I decided to come here. Hopefully make my life at least a little bit useful somehow."
"What about you guys?" Armin asked Reiner and Bertholdt.
"Reiner and I were both from a mountain village just south-east of Wall Maria." Bertholdt explained.
The three boys stiffened. Eyes wide.
"But then that means..."
"Unlike the more prosperous river towns, our village didn't receive word right away." Bertholdt explained grimly. "The titans were on us before we even knew what was going on..." the black haired boy looked down and hugged himself tighter. "It happened at dawn. All the livestock were so restless. Soon after we heard these rumblings that just became louder like thunder. Eventually I realized those rumblings were the sound of death getting closer. I...I looked out my window and..." Bertholdt froze as he flashed back to the image of the smiling titans face, staring at him as he opened his window. He snapped back to reality and continued. "After that well, everything is just a blur. I think we all just paniced."
"Hey easy now. Your just getting yourself worked up again." Reiner cautioned. Bertholdt took a breath and tried to calm down.
"Right." He turned back to the three. "Basically what I've been trying to say is this: The six of us aren't like the rest of them."
"Them who?" Asher asked.
"The others here who've never been witnessed to the titans horror."
"Hey." Reiner said placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder.
The six males looked around the room at their fellow Cadet members. All of them happy and laughing and joking with their friends. None of them plagued with the nightmares from that day. That horrible day that changed everything and turned their lived upside down.
Reiner, Bertholdt and Dyke looked at each other, the three of them having a silent conversation with their eyes before they turned back to Eren, Asher and Armin.
"Alright. We're in." Reiner said.
"We'll help." Dyke nodded.
"You will?!" Eren asked, immediately perking up.
"We'll go after lights out once everyone is asleep." Reiner explained the plan.
"I'll let Danny know." Asher grinned.
"Danny!" Asher called as he ran out of the boys cabin and ran to the girls where he found his twin sitting on the steps.
Danny perked up upon hearing her name and saw her brother running towards her. "Any luck?!" She asked almost begging.
"Yes!" Asher grinned. "We got three guys to help. Reiner, Bertholdt and Dyke."
"I have no clue who any of them are but I love them!" Danny squealed as she hugged her brother. "There's hope! Maybe I wont have to go to the fields afterall!"
"ALRIGHT MAGGOTS LIGHTS OUT IN FIVE MINUTES! GET TO YOUR CABINS NOW!" Shadis' voice echoed across the yard and the remaining cadets that were still outside hurriedly rushed for their respective cabin.
"Meet us out here once everyone is asleep." Asher whispered. Danny nodded and the twins went their separate ways.
About half an hour later once Danny was sure that all the girls in her cabin were sleeping, Danny quietly slipped out of her bed, slipped on her boots and her forest green cloak with a Trainee symbol on the back, and she quietly snuck out the door where she was greeted by six males.
"It's about time you got here." Eren said annoyed as the red headed girl approached them.
"Sorry." Danny smiled sheepishly. "I had to make sure everyone was asleep and Sasha kept moving around-" she was cut off as Dyke suddenly materialized next to her and took her hand in his. He leaned in close to her and lowered his eyelids giving her a seductive smirk.
"So you must be the infamous Danny I've been hearing so much about." Dyke purred as he ran his finger down a strand of her hair. "I must say you brother and friends failed to tell me just how...beautiful you are."
Danny immediately felt her cheeks burn and she felt extremely uncomfortable. "Uh..."
Armin meanwhile shuffled a bit and shot Dyke a look but the black and blue haired boy failed to notice. Asher clenched his teeth and began to take a step forward but Reiner beat him to it.
"Knock it off Dyke!" Reiner scolded pulling the flirt back much to Danny's relief. "Sorry about him."
"It's okay." Danny smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. "Your Reiner, right?"
"Right. And that's Bertholdt." the blonde said jerking his thumb at his best friend.
"We better get going." Bertholdt said. "Before Shadis catches us." And with that they were off.
"I cant thank you guys enough for doing this." Eren said gratefully.
"Same here." Danny said. "All the girls I've asked said no."
"Most of them are here for show." Bertholdt said as he lead the way, holding out a lantern. "To do just what society expects in a world where your labeled a coward if you choose field work by the time you turn twelve. Propriety demands our service. With that said I'm really no different from the others. I joined the ranks hoping for assignment to the Military police. Tucked away in the interior. If that doesn't work out I'll give up entirely. I don't really have the fortitude for anything else."
The group of seven had now left the camp grounds and were walking through the forest, climbing over legs and trekking the long trail, being sheltered by the leaves of the trees that towered over them.
"There's no shame in caring about your life Bertholdt." Armin said softly. The group had reached a wire fence and they climbed over it. (Well stepped over it in Bertholdt's case) "We all do."
"Do we?" Reiner asked no one in particular. Armin, Eren and the twins looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.
"I'm going to return to the home that was taken from me. That's all that matters to me now." Reiner continued on, his voice full of determination and his golden eyes narrowed. "I WILL do it. No matter what."
A moment of heavy silenced passed between the group.
"What about you?" Bertholdt asked looking at the Shiganshia teens. "Why did you sign up?"
The twins fell silent for a moment before they spoke.
"Our father was killed by a titan." Danny began. "Our mother died when Asher and me were born so he was our only parent."
"But after he was gone, if it wasn't for our older sister having to raise us..." Asher trailed off not wanting to think of what would have happened. "Long story short, Danny and I don't want anyone else to go through what we went through."
"Loosing a parent to the titans you mean?" Dyke asked.
"Not just a parent. Any loved one." Danny explained. "Truthfully what was the final clencher for us deciding to sign up was when our sister lost her fiancé some years back. The news about destroyed her."
"Danny and I don't want to just sit back and do nothing." Asher said determinedly. "Were tired of living in fear and we want to fight back! We want to help!"
"I see." Reiner said before turning to Eren. "And you?"
"Why'd I join?" Eren mumbled looking down at the ground. The horrific scene of him watching his mother get devoured by the Smiling Titan flashing though his mind. His hands clenched into fists and his green eyes narrowed, a furious aura surrounding him. "I decided I have to kill them."
The tone of Eren's voice was full of so much hatred and anger that Bertholdt, Reiner and Dyke had to look back at him.
" I wont stop till every single titan is dead and rotting. Dead. Every last one."Everyone else glanced at each other uneasily, not sure how to respond. The rest of the journey was spent in silence, giving Eren a chance to calm down.
"You saw what those monsters are capable of and you still want to take them on?" Reiner finally asked after awhile.
"Damn right." Eren nodded. "It's just...after screwing up the training I don't know if I'm cut out to be a soldier."
"Same here." Danny said sadly.
Once more the group fell into silence as the seven teens began to climb up a small mountain. Finally they reached the top and the Shiganshia teens felt their eyes widen at the sight that lay before them.
The dark clouds moved, exposing the pale moon that shone their light upon the crystal clear, sparkling water of the lake. Pine trees littered the area as far as the eye could see. They were so high up they could see the clouds lazily drifting above the water. It was beautiful to sum it up.
"Whoa..." Asher and Danny breathed in absolute awe. Armin and Eren just took in the scene, with wide eyes.
"We'll take if from step one: Belt adjustment. By tomorrow you two will be experts." Reiner turned around and looked directly at Eren and Danny, a confident smile pulling at his lips. "I know you've got what it takes. I can see it in you. I can see it in you. Both of you. Am I wrong here?"
Eren smiled for perhaps the first time that day. "No. We wont fail."
"We can do it! And we will do it!" Danny grinned widely. "Thank you Reiner. Thank you."
It was the next day and the moment of judgment day had arrived. All of the Cadets had gathered around the harness that would decide Eren and Danny's fate. Eren was up first, already strapped in.
"Eren Jaeger," Shadis began staring the boy square in the eyes. "Are you ready?"
"Yes sir!" Eren proclaimed without hesitation. He looked out at the sea of Cadets all watching him waiting to see if he would succeed or fail. Eren immediately spotted Mikasa, Armin, Asher, Danny, Reiner, Bertholdt and Dyke standing in the front of their lines. Their expressions ranging from stoic, to nervous, and to encouraging.
"I'm going to do it. I have to. I may not be as talented as the rest, but nobody, NOBODY has more guts."Shadis stood up straight, hands behind his back as he continued to look at the brunette. "Proceed."
With the order given, Thomas began to crank the handle and Eren felt his feet begin to lift off the ground. The moment of truth had arrived.
"The moment of truth. I wont fail again." Eren swore. He looked out at his friends, waiting on him with bated breath.
"To hell with working in the damn fields!"Eren clenched his teeth together and jutted out his arms for better balance.
"I'm not giving up! NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT!"And then...he stayed.
The Cadets immediately broke out into applause and cheers.
"I'm doing it?!" Eren thought in disbelief. "No way! I'm doing it!" A huge grin was plastered on his face. He was doing it! He didn't have to go to the fields!
But then...
Eren's smile fell as he felt his center of gravity being knocked off and he began to tip. Eren flailed and desperately tried to stay upright but the next thing he knew the world was upside down.
"Oh no!" Danny gasped while the others gasped in shock. Shadis frowned sympathetically as he walked over to the upside down youth.
"No! Not yet!" Eren begged trying desperately in vain to righten himself. "Once more! I can do it!"
"Lower him." Shadis ordered. Thomas did as was told and Eren collapsed onto the ground on his hands and knees, still in the harness.
"I...I'm finished." Eren whimpered, his eyes beginning to fill up with tears. This was it. He tried and he failed. There goes his dreams of joining the scouts.
"Wagner," Shadis suddenly said looking at the blonde. "Please exchange belts with Mr. Jaeger."
"Huh?" Thomas asked confused before snapping out of it and straightening up. "Uh Yes sir!"
Everyone looked up at the bald instructor confused. What was he up to?
"I cannot believe it." Asher mumbled a few moments later as everyone stared in disbelief.
Eren was once again in the harness and suspended in the air. However this time he was balancing perfectly fine.
"Your equipment was defective." Shadis explained holding the belt from the previous harness in his hands. "If given a piece of functioning gear you might not be worthless after all." he paused and looked down at the belt in his hands. "Quatermaster didn't notice this broken clasp. Might have to visit the supply depot and crack a couple skulls."
"But he still did it." One cadet pointed out. "Even while wearing that busted gear."
"Amazing." Another Cadet named Franz breathed in awe.
"So you mean, I-I didn't wash out?!" Eren asked hopefully.
"You made the cut." Shadis said simply.
"Hey Danny," Asher suddenly said excitedly. "Maybe your gear was busted too."
"It's not." Shadis said turning around to face them and looked right at Danny. "You just suck."
Danny's expression fell into one of heartbreak and disappointment, hurt a little bit.
"But we'll see if you still suck today." Shadis said. "Wagner, lower him down."
Once Eren was on the ground it was Danny's turn."
"Good luck Danny." Armin whispered, giving her an encouraging smile.
"I'm gonna need it." Danny said nervously. She jumped a bit as she felt an arm sling across her shoulder.
"Don't worry gorgeous, you'll do great."
Danny half glared at the black and blue haired boy and looked at the intimidating harness worriedly. She gulped, took a deep breath and stepped forward once Eren was out of the harness.
"Lift her up." Shadis ordered once Danny was securely strapped in. Once again Thomas began to crank the handle and Danny felt herself being lifted off the ground.
"Just remember what you learned. Deep breaths. Stay calm." Danny thought to herself. Soon Thomas stopped turning the handle and Danny was suspended up in the air. And so everyone waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited some more. A full minute had passed and Danny still kept her balance.
"You made the cut."
Danny looked up, a ridiculously huge grin plastered on her face.
"SHE DID IT!" Asher cheered leaping into the air and the rest of the Cadets cheered as well.
"It seems like things worked out for them." Reiner said as Thomas lowered Danny to the ground.
"She looks so happy." Armin grinned as the girl ran over.
"We did it! We did it!" Danny squealed as she ran over and took turns hugging her friends. "We did it Eren we did it!" she said once she hugged the brunette boy.
"We're in!" Eren cheered. "We're all in!"
"Congratulations." Mikasa simply said. All the while the group was unnoticed as Shadis watched them.
"Wyatt, Cecelia, my old friends. Today should bring you both pride. Your son and daughter are soldiers."
Later that evening as the sun painted the sky brilliant shades of orange, pink and purple, Shadis was riding on his horse through the woods and the rest of the Cadets zipped through the trees on their 3D Manuvering gear.
"WHAHAHAHAHAHOOOOOO~!" Asher laughed manically as he hit the gas and sped off, swinging from one tree to the next.
"THIS IS SO FUN!" Millie cheered as she retracted her wires, free fell for a bit and then latched them into a tree before swinging off again. Although Bodhi didn't say anything the grin plastered on his face said it all.
"THIS IS AMAZING!" Danny exclaimed. And amazing it was. The feeling of the wind whipping through her hair, the sensation of being high off the ground, her stomach did flip flops everytime she'd move upward but she loved it. She loved every second.
"I wonder if Dad felt like this the first time he used the gear?"
"Danny!"
Said girl turned her head upon hearing her name and smiled as Armin flew in next to her.
"I-I just wanted to say I'm proud of you." Armin said sincerely, smiling at her.
Danny smiled back, touched. "Thank you Armin."
Armin smiled back. Was it just Danny or did his cheeks look a bit red? Before she could get a better look though the blonde boy flew off in a different direction. Danny shook it off and shot her hooks once again and shot off, flying above the trees.
She got a wonderful view of the sunset.
Lords of mercy this is looooong! _ I didn't think I'd ever finish! But I did so yay~! Hope you guys enjoyed. Bye for now. :)
