Three years have passed. After countless days of excruciating training, both physically and mentally, the 104th Cadet Corps has officially graduated. Many of those who initially joined the Cadets left soon after - the exhaustion was too much for them to endure. Following graduation, the approximately two-hundred graduates have exactly three choices, three military departments they wish to join.

Firstly, the 'Garrison Regiment'; this department is the largest of the three in terms of active military personnel, this is because the Military Police have an extremely restrictive on eligibility. Only the top ten most competent graduates are eligible to join. Additionally, many graduates are swayed away from the Scout Regiment due to their extraordinarily high mortality rate. The purpose of the Garrison Regiment is to protect the Walls of Sina, Rose and, formally, Maria against the Titans as well as managing battle equipment such as cannons. The commander of the Garrisons at the current time is Dot Pyxis.

Secondly, we have the 'Military Police' - membership of this division is the ambition of many Cadets. As stated previously, only the top ten most competent trainees are entitled to join the Military Police; members of this division are situated within the innermost wall of Sina - home to a wealthy populace and substantial resources. However, although unbeknownst to most, this department is commonly considered the most corrupted of the three due to its poor leadership, and constant misuse of power.

Finally, we have the 'Scout Regiment', their membership consisting of head-strong individuals with substantial combat experience and impressive combat abilities. The purpose of this branch is to venture outside the Walls; eliminating titans, recovering lost territory and conducting research along the way. Unfortunately, this regiment possesses an extremely high casualty rate, as much as sixty percent of those who take part in Scout expeditions have lost their lives by the time said expedition has finished.

Now, among the 104th Cadet Corps themselves, the top ten best overall performing trainees are:

Krista Lenz: 10th

"Krista is not as physically capable as most, but her proficiency with omnidirectional manoeuvre gear as well as her agility is among the best. Her ability to work within a team are additionally impressive."

Sasha Braus: 9th

"Sasha is a quick-thinker with tremendous instinctual abilities, possibly originating from her past as a "huntress" as she calls it. She is extremely agile with manoeuvre gear, but, doesn't work the best when working with a team."

Connie Springer: 8th

"Connie has an impressive sense of balance and is effective at vertical manoeuvring. However, he has got a slow mind and commonly makes strategic mistakes."

Marco Boll: 7th

"Marco is a highly capable fighter and highly effective team-captain; his competence as such has saved his comrades numerous times during training."

Jean Kirstein: 6th

"Jean possesses a deep, complex understanding of the vertical manoeuvring equipment and excels at exploiting said skill. He can also take in a situation at a moment's glance, but his personality resembles that of a drawn sword, which tends to create conflict - especially with Eren."

Bertholdt Hoover: 5th

"Bertholdt has mastered every individual skill that's been taught and I believe he has a lot of potentials. But he lacks drive and tends to leave decisions to his fellow comrades."

Reiner Braun: 4th

"Reiner is incredibly physically capable; strong as an ox and has a will to match. But more than anything, he has earned the trust of his comrades; his capabilities within a team are that of a military commander."

Annie Leonhardt: 3rd

"The angle of approach of her slashing attack is impeccable; she carves deeply into the target. Personality-wise, she tends to be a loner and has trouble cooperating. But, her abilities in hand-to-hand combat are formidable."

Mikasa Ackerman: 2nd

"Mikasa has exceedingly mastered every single difficult subject with perfection, her talent is historically unprecedented within the Cadets - making her a highly valuable asset to humanity. However, her overbearing care for Yaeger has resulted in her abandoning her mission in favour of ensuring his safety, regardless of if he's in any actual danger or otherwise."

Eren Jaeger: 1st

"Eren is a master at hand-to-hand combat which is deadly if he plays correctly and his aptness with manoeuvre gear is impeccable. His strategic mind is amazing, and his efficiency to work within a team is phenomenal. Even he has an emotionally deprived mentality, he still takes care of his team or Squad. He takes advice and suggestion from his Squad before making a plan. "

Positioned in a salute, all approximately two hundred 104th Cadet graduates stood, lined up in the order of their respective ranking. On a podium, Instructor Shadis maintained an intimidating stature whilst both simultaneously offering the Graduates' praise and criticism. Proceeding this, all Cadets (now official soldiers) were sent to a canteen in which, as a reward, food such as bread, meat, potatoes were in abundance - much to Sasha's delight.

"Connie, Jean! Look at all this food!" Sasha ecstatically screamed, salivating at the mouth.

"Yeah, look at all the food, forget the fact that this is a one-off and we're gonna be working tirelessly from now on since we're soldiers an' all". Jean sarcastically replied.

"C'mon, Jean! Don't be like that! Enjoy yourself, man!" Connie stated, attempting to ease his friend's apathetic attitude.

"What's got you so down anyway? You're in the top ten, we both are! We can finally join the Military Police and live comfortably!" Connie suggested.

"Y-Yeah, I suppose you're right... It's-It's just that I feel I could do more, not just live the life of luxury, but actually contribute to the betterment of humanity." Jean admitted.

"Jean Kirchstein, you'll start sounding like Yaeger if you keep talkin' like that" Overhearing their conversation, Thomas interjected.

"Oi! Don't compare me to Yaeger! That's the last thing I need to hear..." Jean retorted, clearly offended by the comparison.

Outside on a flight of cobble stairs, Eren sat alone with a metallic glass full of alcohol, thinking through just how he's going to prevent what happened in Trost in his former timeline. When he thought about Hanji and he smiled a little while taking a sip of his alcohol.

" I hope you doing well, Hanji " Eren thought to himself.

When Eren gazed into the sky, it was magnificent and colourful - the star glittering the sky while a beautiful full moon enlightened the dark captivating night. Eren remember this scenery, it was the scenery when he first fell in love with Hanji.

"When The Female Titan killed my comrade, I was grieved and I blame myself because of it but you came. You give me a hug and comfort me, you say it not my fault they die. You help me Hanji, you help me get over it" Eren giggled when he remembered what Hanji do to comfort him, it was nice to reminisce it again.

"Back to the main topic, Bertholdt will still attack the Wall, nothing has happened thus far in this timeline that would contradict that. I suppose I cou-"

"Eren? I've been looking for you; what're you doing out here? It's freezing, you'll get cold". The worried voice of Mikasa interrupted Eren's thought process.

"It's far too noisy in there". Eren said whilst gesturing to the cafeteria,

"I'm trying to think, the loudness is distracting" Eren stated to Mikasa.

Seeing his justification as satisfactory, Mikasa approached the staircase to sit down beside Eren. "What're you thinking about?"

"What's next." Eren replied, technically not lying to Mikasa, just his answer vague.

Mikasa, naturally, assumed Eren was referring to the Scouts, "You mean the Survey Regiment? But, Eren, you came first, you should join the Military Police." Mikasa Suggested to Eren.

Despite the fact that she very much knew endeavouring in changing Eren's mind is an act of futility, she still tried to reason with him against throwing his life away by rushing into danger.

"I just wish Eren would value his own life more, I'm afraid one day his selflessness will be the death of him. It's not that I doubt his abilities or anything - the last three years has shown he's more than capable. It's just... It's just I'm wishing I could be with him, wherever he may go" Mikasa was uneasy by Eren's decision to join the Survey Corpe.

"Mikasa, I made up my mind years ago. You know that". Eren replied, considerate but stern nonetheless.

"I know that that's why I'm coming with you. I'm joining the Scouts as well". Mikasa decided to join The Survey Corpse

"Fair enough. Although, I'm not certain regarding Armin; he's ineligible of joining the Military Police, so that leaves either the Garrison or the Scouts. What do you think Armin?" Wondered Eren while looking at his back.

"I'm joining you guys, of course," Armin answered Eren question.

A voice came from behind Eren and Mikasa. Confused, Mikasa turned around to see Armin shutting the canteen door behind him before proceeding to approach the two soldiers.

"How'd you know I was there?" Armin questioned as he sat to Eren's right.

"If you're joining the Scouts, you need to improve upon your stealth. I could see you coming a mile away". Eren responded.

"Are you sure Armin? I mean, you're a brilliant strategist; your tactical expertise would work well in the Garrison". Mikasa reasoned.

"I considered that too, but it simply wouldn't feel right without you two with me along the way". Armin justified his decision.

"...I suppose you're right, it wouldn't be the same without us three altogether, regardless of where we may be". Mikasa agreed

After a few moments of silence, Armin turned to his friend, "Hey Eren, you should go back inside - you haven't eaten anything today".

"Right". Eren replied before standing up and heading towards the cafeteria.

Eren sat on an empty table, silently eating his meal whilst pondering his next move, albeit less efficiently than before due to the canteen noise. Turning his head, he saw a very familiar face stumbling towards him, an empty glass of what was obviously beer in hand.

"O-Oi Y-Yaeger... Y'kn-now, y-you're a bit of a d-dick, m-man" Drunken Jean expressed to Eren.

"Jean, go to bed. You're clearly pissed out of your mind ", Eren advised, because he was not particularly in the mood for Jean's drunkard antics.

"H-Hey! W-what you say 'bout my Mum!?" Jean aggressively retorted, his voice slurred from the intoxication.

"Oi, Marco!" Eren called out, after seeing his attempts at reasoning had proved futile.

Interrupted from his conversation, Marco turned towards Eren's voice. Seeing Jean stumbling around brought out a sigh in him; he approached Jean, dragging him away whilst apologising on Jean's behalf to a blatantly fatigued Eren.

In the darkness of the night, a very different meetup occurred farther away from the main grounds.

Reiner, Bertolt, and Annie were sitting on a series of tree stumps, looking rather serious.

Reiner looked at Annie. "So, how did it go?"

Annie sighed.

"Not too good. I ended up crawling around in the inner city's sewers. There was this man in a black cloak with a black gas mask who was different from the others. It was The Reaper, He's skilled. He doesn't catch me on purpose which I don't know why?" Annie explain to the group

"Tch!,The Reaper " Reiner grunt because he seeing news after news about The Reaper

"The Reaper was one of the wanted criminals in the wall, The Military Police try to capture him but he always somehow or somewhat escape, he charges for many things, one of them is murder."

"I heard that the victim is a criminal who stole and sold 3d manoeuvre gear on the black market, They found the lifeless body floating down the river. " Reiner thought to himself.

"Even if I make it into the military police, with him being there, there's a limit to what I can do." Annie closed her eyes and explained.

"A limit, huh…" Reiner frowned at Annie's explanation.

"Let's take the intel we've gathered until now and go back to Marley. It's already been more than five years since we got here. Whatever information we have, they'll welcome it." Annie looked at Reiner uncertainly and gave her suggestion.

"You really believe that?" Reiner asked while looking at Annie seriously.

Annie didn't respond to Reiner's question.

"With these results after five years, Marley's definitely going to be disappointed." Reiner stated to the group.

. "Then what? What do we do?" Annie glanced away and asked

"We destroy Wall Rose." Reiner squat and drew the rough sketch of the wall and pointing at Trost district.

Annie and Bertolt looked slightly shocked but waited for him to elaborate.

Reiner continued. "Whether or not there's a promise of pacifism, it makes no difference to our plan to locate the founding Titan. When us trainees are gathered at Trost, the Survey Corp will be out on a scouting mission. The inside of the walls will fall into total chaos, and we trainees will also be forced to fight. We'll hide like that, and even if our bodies can't be found, there's no way people will think we're still alive."

"After that, we'll mix in with the refugees and enter the inner capital. Depending on the situation we can carry on being soldiers too. Even if we don't make it into the top ten, we can still become local Military Police. The key is to be in a position where it's easy to follow the King's movements." Reiner stood up from his squad.

"Many of your friends will die, though. They may all die…" Annie grimaced.

"How many times do I have to tell you? They're not my friends. Unlike us, they're Eldian devils. However, it doesn't hurt to gain their trust." Reiner knelt down again but in front of Annie.

"Do you honestly expect me to believe that? I've watched you interacting with them. You've never been a good liar, and despite what you claim, I think deep down you know these people aren't really devils. If you wanted to keep on believing that they were nothing but devils, then you shouldn't have formed bonds with so many of them. It'll only make things harder for you." Annie scoffed at Reiner.

. "At least I know where my loyalties are. Are you sympathizing with these devils? Is that why you opposed to destroying Wall Rose?" Reiner's face darkened.

"...no. I know my place. If you think destroying Wall Rose is what needs to be done in order for us to complete our mission and go home, then so be it." Annie scowled.

"Good." Reiner nodded

"I'm sorry for putting so much pressure on you lately." Reiner's face softened.

"Let's leave it for tonight. We'll discuss things again tomorrow…" He slowly stood back up and instructed

On the top of the cabin behind the group stand a man with a black cloak with his familiar gas mask sigh and talk to himself

"You do it to be a warrior but I am a protector for my people who bore and raised me."

The following morning, several of the graduates were stationed on the wall surrounding Trost district, tasked with cleaning the cannons and keeping watch. It was the same day that Survey Corpse will do their expedition

Eren same as ever wakes up in the morning doing his morning routine but it has slightly different, he wants to talk and warns Hanji about the upcoming attack of Colossal Titan.

As he walks through the morning busy street of District Trost, he sees Hanji but she doesn't fully button up her shirt. It shows her cleavage and Eren sees some people watch Hanji with their lustful eye.

"I WANT TO KILL THEM! KILL THEM!,SOLVE AWAY YOU DAMM LUSTFUL EYE" Eren is angry at the thought when seeing people watch Hanji, his crush like that.

Eren put his hood up and walk to Hanji who is chilling herself out before doing their expedition. Eren stops in front of Hanji and talk to her.

"Why are you showing too much Hanji-san? People watch you with their lustful eye, they think lewd about you " Eren nags Hanji while putting all her button up. He was worried after all.

Hanji is surprised by a man coming up to her and lecture her about clothing. She quickly realizes this man was The Reaper. Her mysterious friend that helps her knowing about titan and help her build The Thunder Spear, mostly The Reaper points up what mistake she does that could be fatal for the user

" It was nice hearing his real voice not the muffled voice cause by the mask " Hanji just speechless when hearing his real voice. The voice that sounds with love and care.

When I look up, I cannot see his full face, only his bottom half saw but it was perfect to Hanji.

"Even his face was masculine, I only saw the bottom half but it already shows off a sign of handsomeness " Hanji already admires The Reaper face even if just half of it.

Eren took Hanji hand and put it on his cheeks. It makes the woman in front of him blush like the scorching sun.

"Please don't die Hanji-san, stay alive. " Eren was worried about Hanji. He always hopes that she will remain alive.

"I can help myself, Reaper " Hanji reassure Eren while smiling. To people, The Reaper was a monster but to Hanji, he was a cute lion.

"Ahh take this Hanji-san " Eren give Hanji-san a folded paper that has information about the incoming attack on Trost.

"You will see me soon enough, just wait a little bit." Eren takes one step back and again while smiling beautifully at Hanji. Little by little Eren disappears from Hanji point of view.

In her view, he saw that The Reaper disappears from the crowd of people. She opens the paper and she was gobsmacked as heck! Why?

In the paper writing a simple message with a black ink

" Colossal titan will attack again, he will attack the Wall Rose. He will appear on Trost District, prepare yourself up. I will take care of them but please come early. "

Hanji quickly gave this message to her Commander, Erwin Smith.

There it stood; the towering Wall that encompasses the town of Trost, protecting its populace from the hideous, ever-growing hordes of inhumane monstrosities known to humanity as the titans. To many, this wall served as a guardian against the titan threat, but to some, it was merely a barrier holding back all potential ambitions of freedom, exploration and salvation. Upon the top of this Wall was a small brigade of newly established Cadets, assigned to cannon maintenance and cleaning duties - which, yes, may appear to many to be rather mundane and unexciting, but, to them, anything is better than having to serve as combatants against the titans.

"Hey Armin, have you seen Eren? Wasn't he supposed to be on duty with us?" Connie asked, confused regarding his friend's absence.

"Apparently, this morning, he told me he was assigned to a separate task by the higher-ups - he didn't tell me what that "task" was, however". Armin added his input.

"Oh really? It seems to me he just wants to slack-off". Connie suspected.

"That doesn't really sound like Eren though, he's not one to procrastinate on his duties". Mina stated, overhearing Connie's and Armin's conversation.

"That's true; it's very unlike Eren to do something like that..." Armin agreed.

Dragged from their thoughts, Sasha came over, her mouth salivating whilst blatantly and unsuccessfully was trying to conceal something inside her military jacket.

"H-Hey guys, look what I f-found..." Sasha said.

Revealing the item, the others could see that she was in possession of some well-cooked meat, which was only accessible to aristocrats and high-ranked military officers.

"Sasha! What the hell!? Where the fuck did you get that!" Samuel asked in amazement.

"What? I found it lying around in the kitchen, no biggie". Sasha replied, attempting to downplay her obvious act of theft.

"You mean you stole it, you stole meat?! Sasha, you can get arrested for that!" Connie informed her in distress.

"I could... but only if they find out; it's not like you guys are going to tell anyone right?" Sasha asked, somewhat slyly.

Using manoeuvre gear, Eren was scaling the exterior of the Wall, searching for the exact spot where he knew the Colossal will transform. Eren's plan is not to directly confront Bertholdt in person, it's to transform into a titan and utilise his hardening abilities to seal the hole in the gate immediately.

I can't reveal my true identity to the Warrior's just yet, it's much too early for that. If they knew, it would most probably result in them accelerating their plans.

Reaching the gate, Eren ensured he had efficiently secreted himself with his cloak to avoid being successfully identified. Looking below, he could just about deceive the figure of Bertholdt at the foot of the gate. Seeing this, Eren readjusted his position to prepare for the inevitable explosion caused by the Colossal Titan's appearance.

It happened in the blink of an eye. One second, Connie could see the grassy lands of Wall Maria stretching out into the horizon, the sky nice and clear. The next second, his view was obstructed by a massive head, lacking any skin, red muscles showing, its eyes cold and calculating.

Connie froze as it took him a few seconds to process that he was looking at the infamous Colossal Titan, and it was only a few feet away.

"WHAT?!" He yelled in shock.

The next second, a cloud of steam blew everyone off the wall.

Connie hissed in pain as the hot air hit him, and he flailed in the air before the years of training kicked in and he used his gear to grapple onto the wall.

After steadying himself, he was able to see that most of the other graduates had also managed to grapple themselves onto the wall.

One, however, had not.

Connie looked in horror at the one unconscious graduates who were plummeting to their death.

" THOMAS! " Connie scream top of his lunge

Sasha, who was near where Thomas had been, released her gear, ran down the wall, and attempted to snag Thomas's leg with her hook in order to save him.

The hook grazed his calf but did not penetrate, and the young man continued to fall, the wire dangling uselessly above him.

"NO!" Sasha screamed.

"DAMN IT!" Connie yelled.

He looked over, trying to see where is Eren

He looked around frantically. Where's Eren?

Then he spotted the ruined gate, with debris strewn all across the ground and dust billowing out.

Connie felt himself shaking slightly. They're going to get in. Again. It's happening again.

Then, he remembered what Eren had said the previous night, and he tried to steel himself.

He was right. It's up to us. I don't like that this has been thrusted on to me, but...I'm not going to let his death be for nothing.

"GUYS! THE COLOSSAL TITAN IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! WE HAVE TO TAKE IT DOWN NOW! FOLLOW ME!" Connie pulled his blades out and raised his voice to get the others attention.

Connie began to soar up the wall, and after a few seconds, Sasha and Mina followed him as well.

As they got near the top, they saw the Colossal Titan raising its arm up.

"EVADE!" Connie yelled

They jumped off the wall and grappled onto the Colossal Titan's body. The next second, the Colossal Titan's arm swept across the wall, knocking down all of the cannons.

Connie watched the cannons fall in dismay. And I spent so much time scrubbing it too…

He brushed away the absurd thought and rallied the others to go for the nape.

But before they could get too close, the Colossal Titan let out a cloud of steam.

"OW!" Mina shrieked.

"SHIT, IT'S HOT!" Sasha coughed.

The next second, the steam vanished, and the Colossal Titan was nowhere to be seen.

After grappling back onto the wall, they looked around in shock.

"What the hell?! How did that huge bastard just vanish into thin air?!" Connie shouted.

Disheartened, they climbed back onto the wall.

"All of you! Operation Colossal Titan response is in effect. I expect you to take part. Report to HQ. If you got close to the damn thing, we need details." A Garrison soldier ran up to them and instruct them what to do.

"SIR!" The graduates all saluted.

"This is bad. Another breach...how are we going to make it through this? We need a miracle. " As they made their way to HQ, Connie glanced back at the ruined gate. Praying miracle will come and save them