The killer of Sawney and Beane wasn't found by the end of the investigation. All the cadets, save for me and Eren, were suspected for some reason. I got off due to the fact that I was with Section Commander Miche on duty. However, the lack of a suspect frustrates me. Someone did it, but everyone knew where the Titans were being held. Is there a reason only the cadets were inspected?

Whatever the case, I had a job to do, and that is to somehow make Section Commander Zoe better. I find her all alone in the soldiers' office, which would be weird because she and Moblit are a package deal, yet he's the one who sent me here. She sits at a table, her body hunched over, her head in her hands. She's silent, so I'm not sure if she's crying or not. I step over to the table, taking my seat opposite of her. "Section Commander Hange, are you...okay?"

"All the trouble we went through bringing them here... I'd barely scratched the surface of my experiments."

"I'm sorry for your lost."

"Damn it. DAMN IT!" Hange slams her fists on the table, nearly scaring my soul out my body with her screams. "All the experiment preparations I made, ruined."

"Hey, we'll capture more Titans and experiment on those." That's when an unfriendly, devious, hilarious, quite entertaining thought sparks in my mind. I've been around Hange too long now if that idea is in my head. I smile like an evil mastermind as I lower her hands. "Well, we do have a Titan for you to experiment on if you catch my drift."

"Wait...experiment?" It takes Hange a moment, but once I see her glasses light up, I know she catches on. "That reminds me! I have Eren's transformation experiment to be tending to!" In her renewed excitement, Hange locks my arms to the table with her surprisingly strong grip. "No use standing around sulking, I've got scientific models to be prepping! You want to help me out too, right, Hardin? Come on now, don't be shy."

Well….it was my idea...and this should be fun. I nod eagerly, because what's better than experimenting with your friends? "Sure!"

"It's settled, you're coming with me! Quick as you can! There are arrangements to be made!"

Days later, Hange is back to her old, mad scientist self. Today is a special day, after all.

"Haha! Hahaha! The day is finally here! We're finally going to get to try out Eren's Titan transformation!"

"Um, Section Commander… You might want to contain your excitement a little." Ah, Moblit, back to being the voice of reason. Everything is good.

"Haha! But the next expedition beyond the Walls isn't far off now. We have to put Eren through his paces properly!"

"Is this business or pleasure to you?" Lieutenant Levi stands nearby, far away from Hange's bubbliness as audibly possible. I can tell he doesn't approve of such measures, but the commander authorized this long ago. Besides, we need to understand what Eren can do.

However, for me and Hange, this is leaning towards pleasure. "Don't get me wrong, I know this is an important mission for the Scouts. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't find this fun! It doesn't change the fact that this experiment could be pivotal in the survival of the human race, though. So...don't let us down, Eren."

I stand by Eren, chuckling to myself. I pat him on the shoulder, trying my best not to release my rising humor. "Good luck, Eren. We'll be right behind you!"

"Yeah… If I lose it out there and start… Never mind. I'll make it work, don't worry."

"Oh, you losing control is not what I'm worried about. But if you do, I'll pull you out, after I get some enjoyment. This will be fun."

Hange faces both of us. "That's the spirit! Okay everyone, into positions! Let's get this experiment started!"

Unfortunately, Eren was unable to transform. Maybe Levi Squad is comforted by this (maybe Moblit is most of all) but I am quite disappointed. "Sorry I didn't manage to transform."

"Don't be," Hange says. "I could see you were really trying. There must be some reason why it didn't happen. In the battle to retake Trost, you transformed three times. First when you were inside the other Titan's stomach, then when you were targeted by the Garrison's cannons…"

"And then… Yes, you're right. I transformed a third time to move that giant boulder in front of the hole in the Wall."

Hange places a finger underneath her chin. "There must be some common thread through all three of those instances. Any ideas, Joshua?"

The answer developed as the conversation proceeded. "Each instance, Eren's life-and others, if you recall the Garrison firing on us-they were all life-threatening situations."

"That's exactly what I was about to postulate. It could be that Eren can only activate his ability when there's some crisis or threat to life at hand. But that's just a hypothesis. It needs testing. So next time, we'll do the experiment outside the Walls."

"What!" Levi looks dangerously at Hange. If looks could kill, anything Mikasa has done will only be a minor bruise. "Are you serious, Hange?"

"I know it's risky, deliberately attracting other Titans to provoke Eren's transformation, but it is the fastest way to get results."

"Do you think Commander Erwin will agree to it," Moblit inquires.

"The Commander said that he'd prove Eren's usefulness. Through the success of an expedition beyond the Walls. So if we venture out there and Eren can't turn into his Titan form, we'll have lost all ways round. This experiment HAS to happen. I'm sure he'll agree to it. So prepare yourself for what's coming, Eren. And you too, Joshua."

I nod. "Understood."

"Understood," Eren says. "I won't let you down next time!"

Commander Eren did not wait one moment. Though it would be before the expedition, we got clearance to take Eren outside the Walls. We did such a thing immediately, gathering Titans to provoke the transformation, but as before, Eren couldn't transform. What was once fun is now worrying.

"Come on, Four-Eyes, that's enough, isn't it? We've taken care of all the Titans in this area now. It's over!"

"What? No! Eren still hasn't transformed yet!"

Levi scoffs as he faces Eren. "What's happening, Eren? That bite you made on your arm isn't even healing up."

Eren bows his head in shame. "Sorry, I… Dammit, why isn't this working?"

Hange sighs. "It doesn't make sense… It was the perfect setting for him to experience life-threatening danger…"

"I think," I say, "that it isn't the danger. Now that I think about it, I had another idea. In each those instances, Eren was in danger, but he also had a reason. Inside the Titan's stomach, he still wanted to fight them. Under the Garrison's cannons, he wanted to protect Mikasa, Armin, and I. The boulder, he wanted to beat the enemy. I don't think Eren isn't transforming because he can't. He has to have a reason to. A resolve. We can't force that on him, can we?"

Hange shakes her head. "No, we can't. It is a good theory… We'll need to rethink all of this."

"But," Moblit starts, "if we can't get Eren's ability to work outside the Walls… We'll be right back where we started, won't we?"

"Hmm. Well, let's call it a day for now and fall back. Moblit and I will write all this up and catch you later. Have a rest, Eren. You see to his wounds and look after him, okay, Joshua?"

"Yes, ma'am."

I return outside, seeing Eren holding his arm in pain. "Hey, here." He turns as I hand him a roll of bandages.

"Oh...sorry." Instantly, he grips his arm in pain, dropping the roll on the ground.

"Let me help you."

"No, I got it." He steps over and reaches down. That's when I hear a sharp crack, then next time I know I'm on my back, lightning darting from heaven to earth. Lightning...oh shit. I scramble to my feet, seeing Eren squatting on top of a huge, muscular arm. Great, now he triggers the transformation.

"Eren!" I use my ODM to get up to him. "What the hell happened?"

"I don't know," He says as he struggles to pull his arm out...his other arm. "Why..? Why now?!"

"Calm down." We hear Captain Levi's voice behind us. Turning, we catch the sight of Levi standing before us, standing in guard against his subordinates. Sensing the danger and the need to protect my friend, I draw out my blades as Gunther, Eld, Petra, and Oruo have done. "I said to calm down, all of you."

"Eren," Eld says, "why did you do that without permission?!"

"Answer me, Eren! What were you trying to do?!"

"No, that can wait! Prove you're not our enemy, humanity's enemy! Prove it! Now! That's your responsibility!"

I narrow my eyes at Gunther, possibly mimicking Mikasa now. "How do you expect him to do that while you idiots surround him as if he's the enemy?"

"I dare you to make a single move with that arm! I'll cut off your head!" I dare Oruo to make a move. I'll remove that muscle he calls a tongue out his mouth.

"Try your best, asshole."

"I can do it, I'm serious! Want to try me?"

"Oruo, I said to calm down."

"Captain, get away from Eren! You're too close." Damn, I would hate to hurt Petra. Such a pretty woman… but if she makes a move, I will not hesitate.

Levi, however, stands firm. "No, you're the ones who should get back. Get back."

"Why?"

"My intuition."

"What's wrong, Eren? Say something!"

"Like I said..."

"No sudden movements!"

"Prove it to me, Eren!"

"Any of you come close, I will kill you."

"...I said I don't understand..."

"Answer us! Do you think we can't kill you? I'm serious."

"I'm serious!"

"Do it now!"

"I'll skewer you all!"

"Are you even listening?"

"Okay, let's do this!"

"Don't you dare."

"Are you humanity's-"

"Please shut up for a second!"

With Eren's great shout, silence ensues, but the situation is still tense. I still hold my blades out, glaring at anyone who dares make a move. Let it be Oruo. Please, let the pig head come. I look down to Levi, hoping he'll call them off. Eren is confused, why can't they see that. He's scared, yet on a whim, they jump at him as if he is the enemy. How dare they!

"Eren!" That voice is unmistakably the voice of my superior officer. I turn to look upon an excited Hange, running towards us and pushing the soldiers. "Can I touch that arm?! It's okay, right? Right? Just let me touch it!"

We look at each other. I shrug. "You should let her do it."

"Hange… Wait a second."

Hange forgoes permission and touches Eren's Titan arm. It's only for a few seconds but as her hand certainly burns from touching the muscle, the scientist burns with passion. "It's...hot! Without the skin, it's really damned hot! Unbelievably hot!"

"Section Commander! You're too reckless!"

I sigh as I sheath my blades. "Well, you have made her happy."

"Yeah…"

She gets up. "Hey, don't you feel it's hot, Eren? How does it feel where the right hand connects? I really want to see!" Before she gets an answer, Eren tries to remove his right hand again.

"Hey, Eren!" Oruo is back on his bullshit, I see. "Don't do anything rash!"

"Shut up. I leap off just before Eren frees himself, falling on the ground in front of the lieutenant. Hange, however, begins to freak out as the arm begins to decay.

"Wait, Eren… That was too fast! I still wanted to investigate some things. Oh?" As I walk over to Hange, she stares at the Titans hands. There, we see that Eren indeed picked up the bandages. "What made this happen. Josh, you were here when the transformation occurred."

"Yes. Eren dropped the bandages and was picking them up when… Hange, I think I'm right."

"I think you are too," she says in a more serious tone. "Though picking up the bandage is not as purposeful as, say, protecting your friends or picking up a boulder, it is a purpose nonetheless. If Eren has an clear aim in mind, that is the true trigger of his transformation."

The enrollment ceremony came by quickly. The night the cadets finally choose which regiment they'll join is now upon us. While my choice is quite clear and I have conducted missions with the Scouts, I am unofficially a member. So, for me, this is just a formality. For the others, a choice to be made.

As I put my cadet jacket on, I hear knocking. Since all of the boys are gone, it must be a girl. Mikasa is with Armin, most likely. I don't hear Ymir's scolding, so either Christa got away or that isn't her. Annie is...Annie, so that only leaves one suspect. I look back, indeed seeing my favorite redhead. "Hey."

"Hey. You ready?"

"Yeah. I thought you'll be with the others."

Sasha shrugs. "Yeah, but… I need your help. Walk with me?" Seeing no reason to say no, I walk Sasha out the barracks to the cool nighttime air. We're silent for a few steps, probably because she's apprehensive about asking me the obvious question.

"It is your choice, you know."

She sighs. "I know, but...Jean, Armin, Mikasa, Eren, you… You guys are going to the Scouts."

"Jean is going to the Scouts?" I guess my pep talk to him worked.

"Yes. Claims he's not like Eren though, calling him a 'suicidal maniac.' Naturally, as I am of the top ten of our class, I can choose whatever regiment I want. But… How do I choose? I am too afraid to be with the Scouts."

I nod. "Then you have the 'secure' life of the Interior Police or the not as lavish life of the Garrison."

"Yes, but… I don't want to be a coward, however, Eren would put it."

"I understand."

"Then tell me, Joshua, what should I do?"

I stop as Sasha stands close in front of me. She's afraid, she's alone, she's searching. I remember this look on a ten-year-old boy five years when his whole world was crushed under a boulder. I remember this boy who thought the end was near, but nearby he heard another say he will get revenge. That boy, who was once me, is now Sasha. She cries now as she leans into me, though I stumble from the initial contact before I hug her, doing all I can to comfort her.

"Sasha." I push her gently off me, though I keep my arms around her waist, hers around my neck. If anyone looked at us now, they will get a seriously wrong idea. "I cannot choose for you. But I will say this: You know how the Titans eat people. What will you do with that piece of information?"

She says nothing, so I let her go so we won't be late for the ceremony. We find ourselves there near Jean and Conny in the crowd, though I can see Mikasa and Armin up ahead in the front, Christa and Ymir a row behind them, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie close to Jean. Eren isn't present, of course, for he is officially a Scout...don't see why I didn't get the same honors.

Commander Erwin steps up on stage, the man preparing to persuade the cadets to join his regiment. However, I guess he isn't looking for many recruits. It is the Scouts, after all.

"I am Erwin Smith, Commander of the Scout Regiment. To be frank, I'm here today to invite you to join the Scout Regiment. You all know the fear of facing the Titans, as well as your own limitations. But humanity has made a step towards victory like never before. I'm referring to Eren Jaeger. Our goal with his help is to recover Wall Maria. New recruits will join a mission outside the Walls in one month. There's a 30% chance that you will die at that time, and within four years, most of you will likely be dead. So, anyone still wanting to put their life on the line despite the risks, stick around. That's all. Those of you wanting to join other regiments, you're dismissed."

Good attempt at persuasion, Commander. The other cadets begin to leave, though I keep my gaze forward. I already made my choice. However, my peripheral vision does watch who stays and who goes.

Armin and Mikasa stay, and as they look back, I nod to them. Of course, we're together for our various reasons, one of them is to retake our home. Jean, so far, hasn't moved, and as he looks back, I catch his eyes. I see that his body wants to depart, but once our eyes connect, a silent message broadcasts between us.

What would Marco want you to do now, Jean?

He turns around, screaming to the heavens. His choice is made, he will stay.

I look to Christa, who hasn't moved a muscle, and to Ymir, who looks at the blonde. Wherever Christa goes, Ymir follows...and Christa isn't going anywhere.

I look to Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie. The boys, both who desired to be of the Military Police, stay put, but Annie turns around and heads out as expected. A loss, sure, but I don't care much for Annie anyway after...I got unfairly beaten.

A hand slips in right, squeezing it tightly as if they're holding for dear life. I apply the same pressure, telling them that I got them. That I got her. I face the person, seeing that she is staying as well, along with the "best soldier in the corps." I smile to Sasha and Conny, personally pleased with their choice.

In total, only a fifth of our class remain. The commander nods in acceptance, though I can see he has one final test. "Okay then! So, if I say 'die', you're ready to die, right, soldier?"

"I don't want to die, sir!" I don't know who says that, but whoever did, they're right. I don't want to die...but if I must…

"Hmmm… Well, you all look the part. Okay then! You people here will form the new Scout Regiment! Now salute! And do it like you really mean it!" My fist hits my chest maybe a little too hard, but I mean it. So does everyone else. We are the new Scout Regiment and we will do it proudly.

As we're dismissed, Reiner walks up to me. "I see you're going to be joining the Scout Regiment too, Joshua. I'm looking forward to working with you." Reiner outstretches his hand, which is weird because we've known each other for years now, but nevertheless I take it.

"Anything happens, I've got your back, Reiner."

He drops my hand, chuckling. "Well, that sure is nice to know. Bertholdt could learn a thing or two from you. Let's just make sure we don't die out there, how does that sound?"

I nod. "Like a great idea."

Back at the old Scout headquarters, I find Eren cleaning by the stables. "Well, well, well, the weapon that'll turn the tide against the Titans is out here performing duties like a maid. Now, this cannot suffice."

Eren sighs as he pauses to look at me in annoyance. "Shut up. Why you here?"

"Aren't you happy to see me? I'm officially a Scout now. Graduation finally happened."

"Oh really. All the regiment assignments should have been decided already, right? I wonder how many people we'll have joining the Scouts."

"Well, more than you'd think. Not as many as one would hope, given what we went through. Mostly everyone, though."

Eren looks at me confused. "What do you mean?"

"Eren!" We turn around to see Armin and Mikasa running up to us. Eren looks back excitedly to see our friends who he hadn't seen since he was assigned to Levi.

"Mikasa! Armin!"

"Eren! Have they mistreated you at all? Joshua always said you were fine, but I knew he wasn't telling everything." Ah, Mikasa, not skipping a beat to worrying about Eren and blaming me for everything.

Eren chuckles, as he turns to me. "No. No, nothing like that...right?"

I shrug. "Well, Levi did have you clean the entire residence. Squeaky clean, I may add."

Mikasa's face darkens. "That pipsqueak's too big for his boots. I'll make him pay for it someday."

I smile. "I'll love to see that."

Eren groans. "Joshua, Mikasa, take it easy, okay?... Hm?"

"Hey, Eren." The rest of our friends who've joined the Scouts, except Jean, show up, much to his surprise. "What are you guys doing here? Does this mean you've joined the Scouts? That only leaves Jean, Annie, and Marco in the Military Police then, I guess."

"No, only Annie," Jean says as he walks up. "Marco...is dead."

"Jean! You joined too? I don't… Wait, what did you say? Marco's dead?"

"Looks like he didn't go down in a blaze of glory, either. No one knows how he died. There was no one there to see it happen. Anyway, they tell me you tried to take out Mikasa when you were in Titan form. Josh says you accidentally transformed when applying bandages to your body. So you haven't got complete control of your powers, is that it? We're gonna need some kind of guarantee from you, Eren. We need to know you're a cause worth dying for." Jean steps up to Eren, grabbing the shorter boy's jacket. "So you better step up, Eren! Got that?"

"Okay. Yes, I got it." Jean releases Eren and steps away.

"Hey, don't take it so hard, Eren," Reiner says. "We're with you."

"Yeah," Bertholdt cosigns, "we can help."

"Tsk, you're going to scare Christa with that look on your face!" Eren says nothing, but his face says enough. Only I understand truly what it means.

"Hey, Eren."

"Hm?"

"Remember, as long as you have a clear aim, you'll be fine. Now you just to prove to the others that you're worth it."

One month later

"We begin at last." I turn to Armin, nodding. It's been a long month since Trost, but here we are in the Calaneth District, ready to embark on the foretold expedition.

"Yes. Finally." I look to the others, Jean, Sasha, Mikasa, Christa, and Ymir. I smile to the latter, winking at her. "You know, Ymir, you looking ravishing in the green."

The young woman chuckles. "Oh, do I now?"

"Yes. Words cannot comprehend it."

"Well, stay alive, maybe you can explain it to me better. Just not in front of Christa."

"I will do my best." Smirking deviously, I turn around, catching a glare from Mikasa. "What?"

"...Nothing."

"Say it."

"...You could do better than Ymir."

"Oh, say anything else, I might think you care about my wellbeing."

She rolls her eyes, sighing. "Please. I could care less about your wellbeing. It's...not like I don't care, but…" She looks at me, hoping I'll catch her message. "You know."

I hold her shoulder. "I know. Don't worry, Mikasa. We'll be alright. Besides," I lean closer to her, to tell her something that'll shake her soul, "I think Ymir into girls as well, maybe more so than guys, so you might have a better chance with her than me."

"Shut up." I chuckle as Mikasa punches my arm, though not as hard as she could. I look back at her again, seeing a very minute smile on her face. Ah, I broke the ice queen. She notices me looking, so she turns away, but the damage is done.

"Josh, you shouldn't mess with Mikasa like that." I look to Armin to retort, but his words betray his face. I shake my head, then my eyes lay on Sasha.

"You good, Potato Girl?"

"Yes, I think."

I nod. "Good. We're counting on you, all of you. We got this far in our training, let's make something of it. We beat those bastards once and survived. We can do it again, together."

"The time has come!" We face forward as a Scout in front of us barks words to us cadets. "Humanity will finally take another step forward! Show us what you've trained for!"

The gates begin to open, and the mission begins. "Forward! Now commencing the 57th Exterior Scouting Mission! Move out!"

We ride. Finally, the moment begins, one that will lead us back one day to Wall Maria. That is what we were all thinking at least, and in one case, that is true. However, it is what we didn't know about this expedition that truly sets us on our path.

Trost was just the beginning.