"Hey there, buddy! Where've you been?"

The sudden interruption pulled Alfred out of his trance, his legs having led themselves towards where a large congregation had gathered. It was Gilbert who had addressed him, and while he still wasn't on 'buddy' terms with him, he'd come to realize that life was too short and fragile to worry about trivial things like sharing secrets. He took a look around him as he melted into the crowd. Connie, Sasha, Matt, Feli, and Gilbert; the usual gang. Not too far off, he saw the characteristic red scarf that Mikasa wore, and assumed that Eren and Armin were close as well.

"Hello? Earth to Alfred?"

"Huh? Oh! Sorry about that, "Alfred raised a hand to rub the back of his neck as Sasha stood with arms crossed, pouting up at her friend, "Guess I couldn't sleep well last night."

The girl smiled and patted his shoulder.

"I know. It's a pretty big day for us all, isn't it? I just can't believe that we're already graduating!"

"Yeah! Seems like just yesterday that we all meet each other in the mess hall after one of Commander Shadis' scathing lectures." Feliciano spoke up, just as cheerful as ever.

"Those were the good old days, huh? When all you had to worry about was where your next meal was coming from because Sasha had stolen your first." Connie teased, earning himself a swift smack on the head.

"Hey! I didn't eat all the food, okay?"

The group laughed.

"So why is everyone gathered like this again?" Alfred pulled the conversation back to the present, somewhat distracted by the number of people that had seemingly gathered together with no real purpose.

"Did you forget already, Al? Since the graduation ceremony is today, representatives from the three military branches have come out in order to enlist. While we see the Military and Stationary Legions every day, special representatives from the Survey Corps are on their way."

Alfred's eyes lit up, kicking himself for forgetting that they were among the graduates' attendees.

"Yeah, "Gil chimed in, "I heard that even Commander Erwin and the Special Operations Squad were in attendance. Apparently things are getting pretty desperate out there…"

"Wait , wait, wait," Alfred raised his hands, temporarily preventing the conversation from going in another depressing direction, "Did you say the Special Operations Squad? With Corporal Levi?"

"Yeah, Alfie. Did that Titan do a number on your ears too?"

Alfred punched Gilbert in the arm in a half-teasing-half-warning manner before turning to Matthew.

"Matt, you know what this means, right?"

Matt took a step back from his enthusiastic roommate and offered a small smile. Here he goes again…

"Matt, I get to live out dream! Obviously the other leaders will tell the Commander what happened a few days ago and my heroic defeat of the Titan-"

"But the Titan got away."

"And of course they'll notice how skilled I am to be among the top 10 in all the trainee squad, so they'll without a doubt choose me too-" Alfred paused, as if waiting for Matt to catch up with his train of thought and finish his sentence for him.

"Join the Special Operations Squad." Matthew obliged.

"You're truly a mind reader, Mattie." Alfred slung his arm about Matt's shoulder, hugging him to him and letting out a boisterous laugh.

Matthew sighed as Feli and Sasha looked on wearing equally delighted grins.

Suddenly a hush fell over the crowd, idle chatter turning into excited whispers as the rocking wheels of carts and the thundering of dozens of hooves filled the air. The Alfred's group refocused their attention towards the main gates of the trainee headquarters. A deafening clank echoed across the flat land to reveal a parade of greens and tans, all mounted upon prime specimens of horses in muted hues of blacks and browns. A cheer was raised near the front of the spectators which soon multiplied ten-fold as it reached where Alfred and the others were positioned. The spaces between them grew significantly smaller as their classmates all pushed towards the front, to admire the amazing men and women who were privileged enough to be soldiers in the Survey Legion.

Alfred was blessed with the fact that he was tall, in fact, next to a certain Bertholdt Fubar, he and Matt were the tallest among his classmates. As the spaces grew increasingly cramped, shorter trainees, such as Armin and Connie, would be shafted, having to retreat to the back.

"Hey Connie, want me to put you on my shoulders?" Sasha smiled sweetly, giving the small boy a light pat on the head for emphasis of his minute stature.

"Oh, shut it, Potato girl! I can see just fine without you." Was his stark response, but before he could protest, Alfred had already pushed both him and Sasha to the front, giving them a playful wink as the two looked back in confusion. Alfred was a buzz with anticipation as the procession continued along the road to the main offices. A few scouts were leading the way, men with unknown and frankly unwanted names that Alfred only now mildly regarded because he'd soon be joining their ranks. They continued to walk in droves, all sharing the same solemn expression. Alfred knew that it was no easy task to be outside the walls, constantly dealing with the threat of a Titan attack with every step you took. However, he reasoned that if you were hoping to enlist members onto your team and provide hope for humanity, the least you could do was crack a smile.

"Ve~! Look. It's my older brother!"

Feli pointed out from beside Alfred to a young man (who looked eternally angry with the world) riding on a dark brown mare. He looked remarkably similar to Feliciano, so much so that he would have thought they were twins had it not been for his friend's remark.

"You never told me your brother was in the Survey corps."

"Heh, he doesn't really like the word to get around...I think it's because he's extremely lazy, despite being a really good fighter!"

Alfred smirked. "Sounds like someone else I know."

Feliciano tilted his head to the side, oblivious.

"And who is that?"

"Nevermind." Alfred sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, Alfred, look! There in the middle of the group."

Alfred had turned his eyes back to the front just in time to catch the tall and unforgettable stature of Commander Erwin Smith. Back before the fall of Wall Maria, the Commander had come to visit Alfred's town many a time, speaking with the local Stationary troops to ensure that up-keep on the Gate and its surrounding areas were in check. The man didn't seem to have been affected by time at all, wearing the same stoic expression, carrying the same air of total authority over a Legion of the most talented warriors in all of Humanity with little opposition. His large eyebrows, which were not unlike those of a particular Corporal that Alfred knew, were furrowed, but there was at least some semblance of a smile on his face. This was a man that demanded up-most respect, and the man that Alfred above all else to impress.

Beside him rode another man of great power: Humanity's greatest fighter: Corporal Levi. His dark hair bounced ever so slightly with the fall of his dark steed's hoof-steps. Intense, deep-set eyes stared straight ahead, paying no attention to the calls of admirers and fans as they passed. Alfred had been warned before-once again by the same thick eyebrowed Corporal- that the man was of a shorter stature, but the reality of it was still mind-blowing. He was almost as short as Connie, and Alfred didn't even think that was possible! The individuals that followed after Levi were faces Alfred didn't know but hoped he could, as the bundle of soldiers that followed were none other than the Special Operations Squad. It pleased him to no end when he spotted a perky chestnut brunette who was in step with Levi. She was wearing glasses. Maybe there was a place in the Survey Corps for this new Alfred afterall.

As the Commander and his Legion passed, one by one, a salute had started from one end of the line and was moving like a wave down the ranks. Alfred pounded his chest proudly with his right fist, standing tall and straight with pride. His companions mirrored the ritual and dared not lower their hands until the entire company had passed. The parade had ended, and soon his classmates returned to their preparations for the ceremony that was to begin later that night. Alfred's group had begun dissipating as well, saying their farewells and suggesting they all meet in the mess hall for dinner before the proceedings. Soon only Matthew and Alfred were left. Alfred inhaled deeply, grinning from ear to ear.

"Matt-Matthew-did you see them?"

"Yes, I saw them." Matthew responded, not resisting the vibrant youth who was shaking him for emphasis. "I'm pretty sure that everyone saw them."

"I know, I know-but did you SEE them? They looked so amazing riding on those perfect horses, wearing those 'Wings of Freedom' like badges of honor and strength."

Alfred gushed, resisting the urge to hug Matthew in his exhilaration and instead parted from him, to watch as the Legion had now made it to where their own leaders were waiting. He spotted their head instructor Keith Shadis easily, his bald head glinting in the noon-day sun. Next to him stood Lieutenant Louis, and just to her right Corporal Kirkland.

Both Corporals regarded one-another with mild disinterest as the Commanders chatted, Shadis letting out his vaguely terrifying laughter as Erwin seemed bored with the whole endeavor.

"Hey, Al?"

Matthew's voice had grown very quiet, laced with concern and, if Alfred was correct, a small hint of sadness. He tore away from the business of gods and smiled back at Matthew.

"Yeah, Mattie? What's up?"

Matthew paused, as if trying to put the jumbled up emotions in his mind into words, but they just weren't coming together. Finally he spoke.

"Are you really serious about going into the Survey Crops? You've heard the stories from the others...from the Stationary troops that we shadowed during our training. There's nothing to be gained by joining them except for death." Matthew tugged on his sleeve anxiously, not raising his eyes up to meet Alfred's. "Why don't you join the Military Police? You'd no doubt raise in the ranks really quickly, and you're still protecting the King and the great wall Sina? Or maybe you could come into the Stationary Guard with me and we could protect other villages from suffering the fate of our own? With your talent and bravery, could could become a Captain in no time. And maybe-"

"Stop, Matt. Just stop."

Matthew retreated a bit, biting his lip. His eyes never left the ground.

"You know that ever since I joined the Military, I've wanted to be a member of the Survey Corps. I will always respect the Stationary Guard for their attempts to save my village from the destruction of those Titans, but there's no way in heck that I'm going to lower myself to a pompous, selfish bigots in the Military Police that do nothing but sip tea and wait for instructions from their master in king for every breath they take. "

He paused, repositioning himself to face Matt directly.

"If we're ever going to stand any chance of beating the Titans, of getting outside this cage we call our home, then we have to get under the Titan's skin. We have to figure out what makes them tick and exploit it until there's nothing left! Everyone just seems to think that we can sit by and wait for them to attack us, living on the edge of existence as nothing but parasites on a dying planet. I'm just astonished that you're falling for that too, Matt. Gah, sometimes I think Eren and I are the only ones that get that."

"But Alfred, you Corporal Kirkland's in the Military Police. Do you think he just walks with his tail between his legs, doing nothing for the sake of Humanity as a whole?"

Alfred dug his nails into his palm, torn between the world of his own creation and the world he'd come to know once he'd been forced into the responsibility of adulthood at far too young an age.

"He...He's different."

Matthew gazed up at Alfred, his tone and expression becoming softer.

"I just want you to realize what you're getting yourself into, Alfred. It's not all glory and prowess, Heroic battles and sacrifices. It's about death, the acceptance of defeat, and survival. That's all I want to do, Alfred, help everyone-no matter who they are-survive. If you understand that, and feel that the Survey Corps is the only way to do that, " Matthew took a step towards Alfred, "then I won't try to stop you."

Alfred's eyes met his best friend this life had so graciously provided him with after he'd lost everything. He thought of all of the new friends he'd made, the laughter they'd shared, the good times and bad. Matthew was right: it really all was about trying to live another day. To live so that you could experience those things with more and more people, regardless of whether death lay around the next corner. They all lived for the now so that they could live in the future. That was something every human being had a right to.

With a rush of inspiration, he shifted his eyes back to the Survey Corprs, who were in the middle of unloading their provisions and stalling their horses. The chestnut woman with glasses was toying with the pint-sized Corporal, who had now been joined by a lovely young woman with shoulder-length auburn hair. They smiled genuinely at one another (all except for Levi, who seemed perpetually serious), and laughed, no different than how Alfred laughed and carried on with his own teammates. They had seen death. They had known it all their lives, and yet they still lived to see another day, for the promise of that new day. He looked back at Matthew, who was still waiting for his answer.

"Yes, Matthew." He answered without hesitation. "That's the only way I know how to make sure that every single person that I meet, that I have encountered along the way, can have some ray of hope for the future."

The ceremonies were conducted under the relative safety of night, as Titans seemed to have a dependence upon the sunlight, and the entire 104th Trainee Squadron was in attendance. That is, all except for Marco, who had a legitimate excuse and yet to awaken from his relative coma, and his ever watchful companion. Alfred was somewhat intrigued that Reiner and Bertholdt were MIA as well, but the thrill of the evening kept him from wondering about it too much. Headquarters was washed with the warm glow of hundreds of bonfires, the subtle wind causing their shadows to dance upon the cabins and walls. A few of the Survey Corps seemed on edge, the flickering shapes perhaps calling forth memories of the great behemoths that were often hidden in them.

Erwin took the stage, addressing every member the 104th, from the highest ranking of the troops that had been positioned in the front, to most unqualified slackers who'd barely managed to graduate. They truly were in desperate times, Alfred had correctly assumed, as usually on the top ten recruits would ever been considered for the corps. Erwin did his best to make a stirring case, his words touching Alfred's very soul and fortifying his mission to be humanity's hero all the more. Yet, when the time came for choices to be made, he watched as dozens of his classmates stormed out of the arena. Matthew and Feli were among them, Matthew touching Alfred's shoulder fondly before disappearing into the hoards that could not bare the pressure, could not offer up their whole selves for the sake of survival.

In the end, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Sasha, Connie, and a few others whom Alfred recognized but didn't truly know stayed.

"Those of you who remain are among the bravest in all of Humanity. Your decision tonight is one made with great, and heavy burden as your prize. Whatever reason you have chosen to stay, you will be the spark, leading the way into a better world. Thank you all."

As the groups departed, Alfred approached Eren and his gang, offering his congratulations and relief that his fellow classmate had survived the attack. They shared a moment of eager visions for their future in the Survey Corps before another had joined the conversation. Alfred knew who it was without looking and offered a quick dismissal from the group to see Corporal Kirkland waiting patiently behind him.

"Jones."

"Corporal."

The two nodded. They both knew that this was truly the last time they'd have a chance for goodbyes. This morning had only been a preliminary farewell. Eventually, Kirkland raised his hand to offer the graduate a sturdy handshake. Alfred took it reluctantly, but with a proud sense that they were one step closer to being equals.

"May we meet again on terms when our lives are not at stake."

"Give it a few more years when I've become the Hero of Humanity and maybe we can grab tea or something." Alfred smirked, squeezing his Corporal's hand harder. "Is that what your British folk liked?"

Alfred caught the tiniest glimpse of a smile on the man's face.

"Yes, Alfred. That sounds like a capital idea."

Alfred gave one last salute before spinning on his heel and heading back towards his cabin. He found Matthew inside packing, having been told that he was moving to the Stationary Guard in Trost in the morning. Alfred, likewise, would be leaving in a few days with the Survey Corps as they prepared to go on another expedition outside the walls.

"Hey Matthew?" Alfred spoke up amid taking down various trinkets and tokens he'd gained over their three years.

"Yeah?" Was Matthew's reply, not deviating from his work.

"I'm gonna miss you, brother. You better not die before I come to visit you in Trost, okay?"

He heard a stifled sob from Matthew's corner of the room, closing his eyes to fight back his own that dared breach the surface of his tired lids.

"Y-you too, Alfred. Make it a promise-"

Alfred was known for many things in the 104th training squad: his dashing good looks, his overwhelming charisma and presence, and of course his skill as a soldier. However, the thing that he prided himself most with was never breaking a promise, and ensuring that anyone who made a promise to him never broke theirs.

"I promise, Mattie."

Author's Note: Another feels-filled chapter! Sorry about all the Alfred/Mattie dialogue. After watching Episode 22, you get a lot of emotions about life and death and what it really all means to these warriors who are risking everything to make a difference in the world, you know? I want to thank you all again for your AMAZING support. And to all the new followers, welcome :D; This story gets more and more complex and confusing as I go along. Thank goodness for references, as I don't remember half these characters names! Hopefully going to start incorporating more SNK characters in it soon as Alfred and the others hit the road. Let's see what happens to them next~ *doesn't even know herself*

~Faux