Chapter 24

AN: Hello everyone! I am sorry for the long hiatus. A lot of crap has been going on in my life right now, but I finally found some time to write. Hope y'all enjoy :)

"Momma, can I be a Scout when I grow up?" Isabel wandered into the parlor room of her home, where her adoptive mother sat making alterations on one of Isabel's dresses. She was eight now, which meant she was growing like a weed.

Gloria chuckled. "Where did that come from, my dear?"

"A soldier from the Military Police came to our school today. It...reminded me of that place." Isabel said.

Gloria gave her a sweet smile. "That is up for you to decide. Your father and I want you to do what makes you happy."

"Even if that means leaving?" Isabel asked with wide eyes.

"We will support you, dear. If that is what you want to do, then go for it. Just promise to do your best." Gloria replied.

Isabel rushed over and hugged Gloria tightly. "I will, Momma, I promise!"

…

"We will take back the land that was brutally stolen from us. We shall eradicate the titans! We will succeed!" Commander Erwin proclaimed from his podium.

The new Scouts erupted into a battle cry. Isabel was most likely the loudest among them. From the moment she entered the Training Corps, she had her eyes set on being a Scout. People said she was crazy. Only a suicidal maniac would want to join the Scouts without even trying to get in the top 10. However, she tuned them out, focusing on her one goal: She was going to avenge her family. No matter the cost.

"Isabel!" A voice called through the small group of teens. Messy brown hair and mischievous green eyes popped up from among the heads of her comrades.

"Ellis!" Isabel giggled as her friend pushed his way through the crowd.

"How's it feel to finally be a Scout?" Ellis asked, pushing his brown locks out of his eyes.

"I'm relieved. I finally made it."

"I still think you're an idiot. You had the chance to be as far away from the titans as possible, and you chose this? You're insane, Macallister." Ellis gave her a light punch on the shoulder.

"Maybe. But…no turning back now." Isabel said, looking back at the stage. Commander Erwin and Hange were still there, but the tiny captain was nowhere in sight.

"C'mon, guys! Let's go out and celebrate. Better have some fun before we die!" An ebony-haired girl wrapped her arms around the pair. She tousled their hair, causing the two teens to groan.

"Seriously, Char, could you act any more like a child?" Isabel rolled her eyes.

"Lighten up, you two. I'm just joking around…mostly." Their friend, Charlotte, said. "Anyways, wanna go to the mess hall? I hear that they put together a tiny feast for the new recruits."

"I'm down," Ellis said.

"I'll meet up with you later," Isabel replied. "I have…stuff."

"Stuff? What kind of stuff?" Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry about it. Go enjoy your food before it's gone. Save me some meat if they have some." Isabel stated.

"Alright, rich girl. We'll get something to cleanse your palate." Charlotte laughed and ran off, dragging Ellis along behind her. Isabel made her way towards the offices, looking at the buildings as if she was getting lost in a dream.

…

Things had definitely changed since she had been there. Everything seemed…smaller. Obviously, considering she had grown considerably since the last time she roamed these halls.

"Excuse me, where is Squad Leader Hange's office?" Isabel asked a scout as they walked by.

"Go to the end of the hall. Her lab is on the right." He explained, barely paying any mind to the new recruit.

"Thank you!" Isabel called out.

She made her way to the end of the long corridor before stopping at the last door. A peculiar smell emanated from the door, which wasn't a surprise considering whose office this was. Hange was never the best at keeping things clean.

Isabel opened the door. The room was cluttered, especially the desk. Papers were strewn across the floor and nailed to the wall. A plant sat on the windowpane, long dead.

Isabel sat down and waited for her aunt to walk through those doors. She didn't have to wait long. The door burst open to reveal Hange Zoe in all of her glory.

"Finally, alone at-AGGHHHH." She screeched upon seeing the figure in her office. "How did you get in here?"

"Sorry," Isabel said sheepishly.

"I don't know who you are, but you can't just waltz in here and scare me half to death! Who do you think you…are?" Hange turned on the light, clearly revealing Isabel. The memories came flooding back to the Scout Leader. The auburn hair, the sapphire eyes, the dash of freckles across her nose.

"Sorry for scaring you, but I had to see you." Isabel said before quietly adding, "Auntie Hange."

Hange gasped. "Isabel? Is it really you?"

Isabel smiled. "Yes. It's me."

Hange squealed with delight before wrapping the teen up into a tight hug. "I KNEW YOU'D COME BACK! I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT!"

Isabel laughed. "I can't breathe."

"Oops." Hange released the poor girl and allowed her to catch her breath. "You're so big! Look at you! Fifteen years old." She shook her head in disbelief.

"Yeah…it's been a while." Isabel ran her fingers through her hair.

"Wait…have you seen Levi yet?" Hange's eyes widened.

"Um…not yet," Isabel murmured.

"WHAT?" Hange exclaimed. "He HAS to know you are here! My poor little Levi needs his sweet little girl back."

"I was going to talk to him…but I hadn't mustered up the courage yet." Isabel admitted.

"What do you mean?"

Isabel sighed. "It's been a decade since I've seen him. What if…what if he's forgotten all about me?"

"Isabel." Hange grabbed the teen by her shoulders. "That man was never the same after you left. I swear you changed his whole life for the better. In fact, we were just talking about the possibility of you returning. He could never forget you, Isabel. You mean the whole world to him."

Isabel's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly blinked them away. "Thank you."

"Now get going! That midget shouldn't have to wait forever!" Hange chuckled.

"Alright, alright, I'm going."

"One last hug." Hange grabbed Isabel and pulled her into another tight hug. "Welcome home, kiddo."

"Glad to be back."

…

"You're sure you don't want to transfer? I'm sure Nile would be happy to have you." Levi said.

"Yes, Papa. I'm absolutely sure. This is where I belong." Isabel replied.

Levi sighed. "You sure don't help my stress, kid."

"You'll get over it." Isabel chuckled.

"You're going to be put into a squad tomorrow…" Levi started. "Maybe…maybe I can convince Erwin to let you join mine?"

"Papa, I'm not going to move up in the ranks through favoritism. If I join your squad, it'll be because I deserve it."

Levi smirked. "Alright, kid. No favoritism."

"I promise, I'm going to be okay. I'm strong." Isabel said.

"I know. You're gonna make a great Scout. I'm sure of it."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna defeat every titan." Isabel proclaimed.

"I'm sure you will, Isabel. I'm sure you will."