A/N: This chapter has been revised as of the 12th of September, 2018. Hey everyone, we're back again. This chapter ended up so much longer than I had anticipated. I knew it would be long but at 5,500 words minus notes?! It couldn't be avoided. All of this was stemmed off of the fact that I broke up the squad fights in between chapters so that I could fit in some more details in between. The fights in this chapter got reviewed and revised as a whole, going back to properly depict a logical and realistic fight as best as I could. Some more dialogue (both external and internal) was added as well but I really think I outdid my previous attempt by a long shot.

The fights continue on but soon enough, Celica finds herself biting off more than she can chew as Levi instigates a fight of his own with her.

CIAO FOR NOW!

LEVI'S POV:

Perhaps I had been wrong to assume so early on that Valkihar was as predictable as I had previously thought, and after watching her fight against both Gunter and Eld and more or less coming out on top, I had thought that maybe Erwin had had a point when he insisted on this dumb-ass trial run for her. When matched against men who outclassed her in height, weight, and possibly strength as well, she had found relatively quick ways to put an end to the match. As she fought Petra, however, I noticed she wasn't nearly as quick to end things, drawing out the match between them with a new light in her eyes.

Both females were quick on their feet, dodging barely glancing blows aimed at vitals, pressure points, and anywhere where they could reach to strike really. Petra didn't bother holding back; she didn't pull her punches and struck whenever there was a potential opening, and soon Valkihar fell into her same rhythm, matching her step for step as if they were fighting to settle a score or something of that nature. It was quite honestly entertaining to watch.

A faint sheen of sweat appeared on their skin, making the dirt and dust cling to it easily as the match continued. Petra swung a leg towards Valkihar's head, Valkihar ducking just in time to avoid it and in turn sweeping her leg under Petra's. Though Petra fell, she fell into a roll, putting some space in between her and Valkihar before charging forward again. Her strikes only increased in speed the longer the match went on, Valkihar blocking all of them while getting in a few of her own, all of which either missed completely or were quickly blocked as well.

They seemed pretty evenly matched despite the amount of time and intensity of the training Petra had received since she had been brought into the squad. Eventually, a couple of Petra's blows landed in quick succession, right against Valkihar's ribs. I could hear Valkihar's gasp of pained breath as they hit, stumbling back a couple paces to put some distance in between her and Petra. The fire in Valkihar's eyes burned brighter, a smile on her lips as she regained her breath, charging forward to slam right into Petra and send them both grappling at each other towards the ground.

After a brief moment of struggling, Valkihar's hands secured around Petra's arm, holding it tightly while her legs wrapped around it, her heels digging into Petra's shoulder as she leaned back with Petra's arm locked in place. It was a shoddy armbar at best, but enough to cause Petra a significant amount of discomfort. If Valkihar wanted to, she could really hurt Petra with the possibility of breaking her arm, however, I hoped that Valkihar had enough common sense to know when to stop.

"Submit, Petra." I heard Valkihar growl out, a more reserved look appearing in her eyes although the flame in them had not yet died out. Petra struggled to free herself and let out a frustrated growl in return before reluctantly tapping in submission.

It was interesting to see the sudden change in the two's demeanors only seconds later, with both of the females wore calmer looks of pride as they helped each other to stand. Comradery was a strange thing to witness at times, especially between two women since the majority of the ones I had met in life had made it a point to carry a grudge if their pride or honor had been tainted with. However, with these two, especially with Petra, it seemed as if a mutual respect had been created between them, a new spark flickering in Petra's eyes as she returned to her former spot by the fence.

"Hmph. How strange is it that it's the females of our group that put up the best fight so far?" Eld's and Gunter's eyes darted low as I spoke, a wave of what seemed like embarrassment washing over them judging from the humble looks on their faces. "It's almost kinda pathetic honestly. We'll have to remedy that soon; with Petra and Valkihar, in particular, leading that lesson. That is... unless you wanna give it a shot as well Auruo."

"With pleasure, Heichou," He agreed quickly, an arrogant smirk appearing on his face as he dramatically cracked his knuckles and neck. "Time to teach the brat a lesson."

Although I managed to keep from actively rolling my eyes at his wannabe 'Alpha' display, I did let out a small huff of annoyance as I crossed my legs and rested my chin in my palm. Either this was going to be a rather quick, sad, and unimpressive match between them or perhaps Auruo might have had something stashed up his sleeve for an occasion such as this. However, I highly doubted the latter option.

"Give me your best shot, pipsqueak," He taunted, striding out as if he personally owned the ring. He didn't lack for confidence, I could hand him that much.

"Funny, I was about to say the same thing to you, pipsqueak." She spat back in retort, making Auruo visibly seeth at the remark.

But honestly, what did he have to be mad about? Regrettably, both of them were at least a couple inches taller than me so if anyone was about to get pissed off at the remark, it would have been me.

"Tch, at least I won't be easily beaten by some greenhorn." He muttered. "You've got nothing on my experience and kill count."

It was Valkihar now who wore a seething expression upon her face, grinding her jaw in place as her hands clenched into fists.

"The only reason you have as many kills as you do is that you put yourself in suicidal situations where it's either kill a Titan by sheer luck or get eaten. Your bravado could have easily got you killed multiple times." She stated with a sharp edge in her tone of voice. "Honestly though, I don't know what's worse, your belligerent personality or your overly inflated ego."

I swore that if this was about to be a dick measuring contest between the two that I would personally kick both of their asses into the next week at the first chance.

"Enough already! Stop bitching at each other like an old married couple and settle it already."

Both them exchanged looks of disgust, the tension between them seeming almost palpable despite the open air of the outdoors. This particular reaction was the complete opposite of the one I had just witnessed moments ago, and it seemed painfully obvious as to who Valkihar got along with, tolerated, and or despised.

The woman wore her heart on her sleeve though I doubt she was aware of it. Her actions spoke more volume than her words any day of the week and her true feelings were conveyed in their entirety by the sheer intensity of her blows.

She held nothing back, anger fueling her moves as she rushed him and immediately went for a headshot. Auruo managed to avoid her blow and deal one of his own to her torso which sent her back a couple steps as she regained her breath. But she didn't wait for more than an instant before she moved again, extending her leg in a kick that barely caught Auruo in the jaw.

Shaking it off with a groan of pain, he took a couple of paces back as he wiped a thin streak of blood away from his mouth with his arm. "Lucky shot," He muttered with disdain.

"It doesn't matter. The next one won't be." She threatened, patiently waiting for him to make the next move.

He didn't hesitate either, barreling towards her as she shifted into a stance with a lower center of gravity. The punch that came from Auruo was caught, her hand securing over his wrist tightly as the other grabbed for his shirt. Twirling her body, she sent him hurdling over her and landing hard on his back with a gasp of lost breath, her foot soon cradled against his throat and pinning him in place.

Auruo struggled for a proper grip around her boot, wheezing out "Get the fuck off me, bitch."

"Damn, I missed that uselessly flapping tongue of yours." The fire in Valkihar's eyes morphed into something darker, more sinister as she pressed the weight of her foot down harder against his throat. "But call me a 'bitch' again and I'll snap your scrawny neck."

She threatened lowly, reason kicking in before she could let her anger consume her as she lifted her foot and backed away to let Auruo stand.

That little display just now solidified a singular thought in my mind as I watched Valkihar attempt to reign in her anger. She refused to be undermined by derogatory names and comments; remembering then how a similar look appeared on her face after I called her a 'shit stain' because she was falling asleep standing up and refusing to acknowledge the fact I had even said a word to her on the first day of contact I had with her.

Apparently, her anger sparked even hotter if the comment was aimed particularly at her gender, noting how defensive she seemed to be about it with Auruo in particular. But then again, Auruo had the habit of letting his mouth overrun his ass, which promptly would get it kicked shortly after regardlessly. Even so, it was interesting to see how easily her anger spilled out and I wondered how far she would go if pushed in the wrong direction.

One thing was for certain though, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', and I had a feeling Auruo was about to learn a lesson in why you should never piss off a woman who had just kicked three other people's asses before yours consecutively.

Watching them, I became curious about the way Valkihar had suddenly gone on the defensive, letting Auruo rush her first before flinching a single muscle.

"Oh, so now you wanna take me seriously as an opponent? It's about time." He stated confidently, though I knew his ego was about to a major blow in the next moment or so, judging for the calculating look on Valkihar's face.

"Are you just gonna stand there all day yapping or are you gonna come kick my ass like you planned?" She taunted, her calculating expression remaining unchanged as she took another half step back, glancing behind her where the corral's edge stood only a couple meters to her rear.

What was she planning?

Auruo sprinted forward, Valkihar turning and running at the same moment towards the fence. A look of surprise etched itself into Auruo's face as he stopped and watched as she pushed off one of the rungs and flipped over his head, landing behind him. He only had an instant to turn before her hands clamped down over his ears for a disorientating blow. Almost positive that his ears were ringing as he swayed on his feet, Valkihar ended the match with a roundhouse kick to his side, sending him face first coughing into the dirt.

Valkihar took a few steps towards him before I spoke up, fearing that if I didn't call it here, that she wouldn't necessarily stop.

"He's had enough, Valkihar. I think you've proven your point; don't you?" She looked at me with hard eyes and sighed before she approached him with an open hand to help him up.

Begrudgingly, he took it and was helped to his feet. Holding his side gingerly, he more or less limped back to the fence, leaving Valkihar still in the center of the ring.

"Are we finished for today, Heichou?" She asked plainly, her voice flat as she spoke.

I looked at the rest of the squad, who all looked worse for wear after their fights, with Auruo obviously looking the worst of them all. It was a harsh fight for sure and it seemed that Valkihar's blood had only begun to boil.

"No, we aren't."

CELICA'S POV:

It took a moment for me to realize that my ears, in fact, not playing tricks on me as I watched him dismount from his perch and shrug off his jacket. Was he really intending for me to fight him as well?

"Surely, you're joking Heichou. Right?" I questioned, my thoughts running a million miles an hour in my head as I wondered how I was supposed to fight this guy. Taking on the others was one thing even though they were all hand trained by him, but if I had to go against him one on one, I wondered if all the damage I had dealt with the others would suddenly come back to bite me in the ass.

Fuck, karma was a bitch. This had to be some sort of retribution for last night if he seriously expected me to fight him.

"Does it look like I'm joking, Valkihar?" He asked plainly as he loosened his cravat just a hair, the same usual stoic look gracing his face as he approached me.

"No, it doesn't," I stated, steeling my resolve before it could crumble into a million pieces. "Do the same rules still apply?"

"No, I will decide when you've had enough. Until then, I expect you to give it your all. There's no point in a match like this unless you take your opponent as serious as a blade of cold, serrated steel."

Cold, serrated steel, huh? It seemed like the perfect analogy to describe the man standing in front of me right now. His personality as a whole was much to be desired, blunt were his words while his eyes could cut through anyone with only one harsh glance. He was dangerous in nearly every aspect of the word and yet here he was, facing off against me as my opponent.

If I didn't come up with a plan soon, I was in for a world of trouble.

Taking a couple of steps back to measure out some distance between us, I wondered how I was going to approach him. He would obviously see any head-on strike coming from a mile away since he had just spent the better part of an hour watching my every move against the other four. However, just from all of the times I had spent around him, he was always cautious about having anyone behind him. His sixth sense for detection was almost disturbing with his ability to see every move coming, both on and off the battlefield. It would not surprise me in the least to find out how totally out of my league I was with this one.

The sound of fast-paced footsteps made me keenly aware of the captain who was charging headfirst towards me, instinctively raising my arms to block without a moment to spare as his leg connected. Just the sheer power coming from that one hit would have sent me flying if I hadn't dug in when I had. I could almost feel the smirk coming off him as he pulled back, my body instantly moving to help keep some distance as I formulated a plan.

Just watch him, anticipate his moves, and block while you wait for an opening. It was the only thing I could come up with as I tried dodging and blocking his hits, my limbs beginning to ache from the power coiled in each strike he delivered. A sudden surge of pain from my side slithered through my torso, my breath hitching as I realized that I had my left side unguarded from the brunt of his attacks. With a sweep under my feet, I hit the ground, the captain then standing at my feet with a disappointed look in his eyes.

"He who strikes first wins." He stated plainly, a hand placed on his hip. "You shouldn't let your opponent get the drop on you, at any time."

I thought back to the other night and how it seemed that he appeared out of thin air to slam me against the wall when I bolted on him. He had gotten the drop on me then and again now, but now I needed to turn the tables on him somehow.

"Kind of like the other night, right? It wasn't enough though, was it? You wanted to get back at me in a more... personal way." He narrowed his eyes at me, a flicker of controlled irritation flashing through them as he glared down at me.

"Believe whatever you want, it won't change things. You beat my entire team one on one, so what if I decided to test out your reflexes on my own terms?" He stated coldly. "But we aren't finished yet, so I suggest that you get up."

My eyes glanced over to the enthralled faces of the squad as they watched on with wide eyes and open mouths.

"If you plan on wiping the floor with me, could you do me one favor at least?" I asked with a lower voice, my eyes falling to the dirt and mud of the ground, feeling the gritty texture beneath my hands as I sat up.

"If you're asking me not to aim for your head then no. You tossed that rule out the window with that hit on Auruo." He groused. I shook my head in response, not really surprised by his assumption.

"It's not that," I informed, my eyes glancing back over to the four by the fence. "Will you send them away?"

He quirked an eyebrow up at me and crossed his arms, his eyes following mine towards the rest of the squad. "Embarrassed, Valkihar?"

"No, but this match is strictly between you and me. No one else."

His jaw worked subtly as he thought over my request, clicking his tongue before shouting out to the others. "You four, go find something productive to do until lunch! I expect you all to wash up before heading to the mess hall? Are we clear?!"

After a chorus of voices echoes out their agreement and salutes, one by one they trailed off, Petra throwing me a wary glance over her shoulder as she too left our sight with the others.

"I didn't take you for the type to have performance anxiety." He stated, trailing his eyes back down to me at his feet.

"I'm not." I voiced confidently, collecting a handful of dust and dirt in my palm. "I just needed a distraction."

Throwing the dust in the general direction of his face, he lifted an arm to shield his nose and mouth as I hooked my feet around his ankles and pulled him down to the ground. I could barely make out the surprised look on his face before I rolled back, putting a considerable amount of distance between us once more. Even though I knew that I could have easily topped him and trapped him in a guard, I doubted if I had the strength to keep the odds in my favor. If I found myself under him in turn, it would basically be game over. I needed distance to play it safe.

He recovered faster than I thought he would, bolting through the settling cloud of dust and darting straight for me. He moved as if he was pissed, sharp eyes pinning him in place as he drew back his arm. Instinctively digging my heels into the ground, I managed to deflect his strike as he extended with one of my hands and popped him on the shoulder with the other. The blow forced him back just enough to allow me time for one more hit, straight to the face, my first blood against him.

He stumbled back, reaching a hand up to gently work his jaw as a thin sliver of blood slid down from his mouth, a malicious grin forming on his face. My limbs trembled from a mixture of adrenaline and shock as I watched him while frozen in place, my blood chilling like ice in my veins. How the hell did I manage to do that? Better yet, what had compelled me to do so?

"Cheeky little shit." He growled, taking a moment to spit some blood from his mouth and into the dirt. "It's been a while since anyone's been able to get a hit on me like that. Not since Mike and Erwin."

I was dead. Irrevocably and literally dead meat. There was no changing that now, I thought, as my heart continued to hammer in my chest.

Tugging hard at his cravat, it came undone and was promptly tossed to the ground as a dark chuckle slipped past his lips.

"Alright, then. I'm game." He stated with a twinge of dark humor in his voice. Undoing the first few buttons of his shirt and rolling up his sleeves in a messy fashion, he then unsheathed a small knife from somewhere behind him, the polished silver glinting menacingly in the mid-morning light. "Playtime's over brat. Let's see how you fair when the stakes are raised."

He was crazy, he had to be! No one in their right mind would go this far, not in a simple sparring match. I had thoroughly, undoubtedly pissed him off and had admittedly become scared out of my wits as I saw him twirl the knife between his fingers.

Watching him, he suddenly seemed a little more at ease as he casually yet carefully maneuvered the blade within his grip, emanating a casual pride that slipped past his usual persona. It was as if he had become an entirely different animal now, something that I never quite seen before; still just as deadly though as the bloodlust in his eyes turned tangible with a devilish smirk. The very sight sent a chill down my spine in fear, having poked the beast and forced it to the surface.

Moving my attention to the sharp blade in his hand, I saw it move before anything else, panic driving my instincts into high gear as I did everything possible to dodge or deflect his wielding arm. I could see the ferocity in his eyes as he moved and I wracked my brain for a way to pull myself from the pits on this one. I wouldn't put it past him to actually hurt me within reason anymore, so if I didn't think of something soon, I could kiss my ass goodbye.

Backing me up with each swing, I leaned back when I saw the glint of metal enter my peripheral vision, falling back onto my hands and vaulting backward while my face missed the blade by fractions of an inch. I felt my foot come into contact with his hand, kicking the blade away and sending it off in some unknown direction. It didn't take but a moment for the captain's eyes to land on it and my mine as well as he charged for it.

I sprinted off towards him, tackling him just before his hand could reach the handle and back into the dirt with me, knocking the knife even further away. I rolled on top of him, pinning him down with my weight as I drew back another punch. His hand caught mine in his, stopping my blow in its tracks with a crushing grip. I tried again with my other hand only to have the same results, my wrists threatening to buckle under his brunt strength.

I couldn't help but notice the glint in his eyes as we stared each other down in a temporary stalemate, a look of amusement gracing his features. This guy really was a sadistic bastard if he got a kick out of this, I thought, anger threatening to boil to the surface again as it simmered in my veins.

"You're crazy." I bit out, one of his hand releasing mine to grab the collar of my shirt and throwing me violently to the side, turning his body with mine. I threw a boot up against his chest as he hovered over me, pinning my arms in the process as he hovered over me. Any space was better than none while he had the advantage on me like this.

"Maybe, but sometimes you have to be a little crazy to do the things needed to win against your enemies; whether they are Titan or human otherwise. That's the way of the Survey Corp and if you haven't quite learned that yet, consider this your first official lesson."

He lessened his grip on my hand that he pinned in the middle of our tumble and an idea sparked to life as I drew my arms back quickly, securing them in the fabric of his shirt. In one solid thrust, I tossed him over my head and onto his back, my muscles burning from the exertion. That fucker was heavier than he looked, I swore.

Fumbling to stand up, I made a break for the knife as I heard him recover. The smooth hilt felt warm in my palm as I secured in hand and I hesitated for the briefest moment before turning to face him again, wondering if I actually had the guts to attempt wielding it against him. I wasn't given much chance for deliberation as he charged, both of us dodging around each other as I watched him meticulously, his eyes casually tracking the knife in my hand.

One particular kick of mine connected with the back of his knee as I skirted around him, forcing it to give way under him. I knew I couldn't hesitate, I had to end this now, and with another roundhouse kick to his lower back, I sent him back into the dirt before he could stand again.

Pinning him down with my boot in the center of his back, I knelt over him and held the knife so close against the skin of his throat that he could swallow and the edge would nick him.

"Got you," I stated in a decisive victory, feeling his body go taunt under me.

"So sure about that?" He mocked, grabbing my wrist with the knife still in hand and squeezing hard along the main nerve. I felt the muscles in my hand go lax against my protest, losing my grip on the knife as it fell into the dirt again.

Knocking the knife away with his hand, he reached back and secured his hand in my shirt, pulling me harshly over his head in a sick twist of my own move used against me. My back didn't finish connecting with the ground properly before I took an elbow to the solar plexus, wretching a deep and painful cough from my lungs as I felt the air leave my lungs.

"Nice try, brat." He taunted as he glanced toward the knife which had glided only a few inches from me. We lunged for it at the same time, my hand securing the knife once more as I dived for it in a scramble before raising it in front of me again.

Standing on shaky legs, I saw him rise with me, brushing his thumb across a thin streak across his cheek as blood began to seep to the surface. His irises turned dark as he glared at me, hints of red glowing just beneath the black coals of his eyes.

"You'll regret that," He stated lowly, menacingly in his tone of voice.

Grinding my heels into the dirt, I tightened my grip on the knife, glaring back at him openly.

It didn't matter why we kept dragging this out anymore. It didn't matter how much of a well deserved ass beating I deserved for provoking him like this. We would settle it here.

Since the day he suddenly waltzed into my life and opened up his mouth for the first time towards me, I had tried to play nice; to play the perfect soldier for him. But he found issues with every little thing I did or said, whether he actively voiced it or not; his eyes said everything that his mouth did not.

I never did appreciate any of his condescending remarks, with Auruo's pathetic imitation of him only adding fuel to the fire, as if I wasn't having a hard enough time adjusting the sudden change as it was. It was a lot to take in still but the captain wasn't helping in the slightest.

His reaction the other night was just the icing on the metaphorical cake. Wasn't it obvious how much that "damn scrap of cloth" meant to me? If he hadn't have stopped me then I probably could have found it before the rain had set in. But no, that's not how things had worked out.

He knew nothing about me at all and yet he continued to play me like a pack of cards. He had turned my life upside down and made me feel like a flustered little child. I didn't care if it was our fight had started out of formality, a black and white test of strength and endurance. It was personal now, for both of us, judging from his sudden change in demeanor earlier.

"Make me," I growled, clenching the knife tighter as I charged him.

I let my anger and frustration translate into action, going for an uppercut before he dodged me effortlessly. I swung low with a kick, throwing my entire body weight into it and missed, twirling back around on the balls of my feet. With another swipe of the blade, he ducked quickly to swing a leg under me and send me back down to the earth.

I felt his weight settle down on me, the knife suddenly back in his hand instead. When he brought the knife down, my hands secured around his, desperate to hold him back as the tip of the knife reached ever closer to the hollow of my throat. He paused, neither letting me push his hand away nor letting it pierce my skin as it grazed the surface.

With a heavy sigh, he pulled the knife away but remained to hover above me. The stoic mask was replaced on his face as quickly as it had been removed earlier, his eyes losing their deadly edge as he spoke plainly.

"You lose."

A drop of liquid fell against my cheek, snapping me from frozen state of disbelief. The cut on his cheek had begun to flow freely now before he sat back and removed himself, wiping away the blood with his forearm.

"Get up. We're done for now." He groused, traipsing away to pluck up the forgotten cravat from the ground which was now coated a fine layer of dirt and dust. I heard him make a noise of disgust as he pocketed it and brushed himself off before going to retrieve his jacket from the post. "I'm absolutely filthy thanks to you, brat. I hope you got your rocks off on that little fact."

I couldn't help but snicker at his choice of words from my spot on the ground. My body felt heavy as lead and I didn't feel like testing out my legs again so soon after all that sudden movement. I had just barely survived a brush with death, I was entitled to a solitary moment of peace, wasn't I? But as always, the moment was short-lived, feeling a tap against the bottom of my foot to see the captain standing over me again with his jacket laid over his arm.

"Are you just gonna lay there all day like a disgruntled brat or are you gonna walk it off already?"

I let out a sigh which tasted of dirt, the bitter and disgusting taste of defeat and held an arm out for him, waiting for him to take it. He eyed me for a moment before switching the jacket onto the other arm and clasping his hand in mine firmly, pulling me to my feet while my muscles protested with every movement.

"Go wash up and enjoy some downtime before lunch. The others will be waiting for us." He ordered in a more reserved tone of voice, which was borderline 'gentle' from its lighter sound.

"Yes, sir," I replied, intentionally dropping his special honorific as I strolled past him with averted eyes.

I hadn't intended on winning against him but I didn't think that I would have been capable of taking him on in the way I had. Either way, the defeat left a bitter feeling in my gut as it mixed with the lingering pain from one of his earlier strikes, and I was suddenly glad that I had asked him to send the others way when I did. I don't know if I could face them later if they had been there to see everything as I had.

Thing was, little to my knowledge, the squad had perched themselves at the windows on the top floor of headquarters to overlook the rest of the match, as I would soon find out later at lunch.

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