AN: This chapter is quite a bit shorter than the last few chapters. I apologize about that.
Chapter 16: Into the Scouts
As the morning light shined through the windows, Dillon slowly opened his eyes. He felt worn out, like he ran a lap or two on the Wall. For a moment, he couldn't remember why he felt that way until he noticed Annie's head resting on his bare chest, her normally combed hair in a mess. Last night's events quickly came to mind, making his face flush red. He still couldn't believe that he and Annie had sex. There were so many things that happened, things that he couldn't understand, things that he actually freaked out over. It was awkward, to say the least, but there were some things to like.
Gently, he stroked her bare shoulder, causing her eyes to flutter open a bit.
"Morning," Dillon whispered.
For a moment, Annie just stared at him, almost as if confused by what was going on until she, too, remembered last night's antics. "Dillon? Did we really…?"
He gave a slow nod. "Yeah, we did."
Slowly, she got off him, purposefully avoiding his gaze as she stared at the ceiling. Her normally cold eyes were filled with shock and regret.
Whatever good things Dillon thought about vanished just by seeing that look on her face. "Annie, I'm-"
"Don't go there," she said quietly. "I just… I never expected this to happen."
"Neither did I," he admitted. "I didn't expect a lot of things last night. Sorry for freaking out."
"For what it's worth, I understand." Annie grimaced. "I thought it was bad when we had to sit through sexual education last year."
Dillon looked away, though his thoughts were broadcasted to her. I couldn't even get it right.
"That's not what I meant. I mean, you didn't do bad. It was just awkward. There were things I liked, and I know you liked some things, too."
"Maybe we should change the subject," he suggested as his face turned red again.
"No, we need to talk about this," Annie said, turning towards him. "I don't want to leave here thinking we made a mistake."
He was quiet for a moment, thinking about this whole situation. They had given themselves to each other, and there was no turning back from that. They were far from being masters of something like this, but still… "It wasn't a mistake. I'm glad we did it."
"Because got the chance to see me naked?" she asked.
"Because it was with you and not someone else," he answered.
Now, Annie was blushing, too, though sadness crept into her expression. "I'm going to miss you, Dillon."
"I'm gonna miss you, too, but I'm going to make it back." He stroked her bare shoulder. "And when I do, I'll take you out on a real date."
In took her a bit, but Annie closed the distance, pressing her lips against his. "I'd like that very much."
They stayed in a bed for a little longer before hitting the showers. It was the longest they ever had, but the hot water in Wall Sina felt much better than the water during Training. After the shower, Dillon and Annie quickly got to work on the bedroom to remove as much evidence as they could of them being there. It took about an hour, but they managed to remove all evidence of them being there. However, Dillon was dreading the eventual conversation he would have with his parents regarding their… actions. They were smart enough to put two and two together.
Once that was finally done, the two took a carriage back to Trost. Upon arrival, they went their separate ways. Annie had to pack up her room for her eventual move to the Interior, and Dillon wanted to speak to a few of his comrades. Trost was still undergoing repairs, but the city was slowly getting repopulated. The talk among the civilians was how a Titan saved their lives and how the idea of retaking Wall Maria didn't seem so out of reach anymore. Some went far as to start praying to the Rogue Titan for deliverance from the evil monsters beyond the Walls.
Great. Another cult. Dillon thought with a grimace. As if the Wall Worshippers weren't enough.
The sour thoughts were quickly quenched when he spotted the two people he had not seen in a while. "Franz! Hannah!"
"Dillon," Franz greeted with a grin, giving him a hug. "Haven't seen you in a while."
"Same here," the blacksmith responded, returning the hug as well as giving one to Hannah. "I'm glad you two made it."
"So are we," Hannah said. "There were a lot of close calls, but we survived."
It was easy to tell that the Trost Invasion had an effect on the two. After what happened, Dillon believed more people were gonna sign up for the Garrison instead of the Scouts, and he didn't blame them. If it weren't for his powers, he wondered if he would be as confident to join the Scouts as he was now.
"I'm guessing you two are gonna join the Garrison Regiment?" Dillon asked.
Franz nodded. "We've seen enough Titans to last a lifetime, but if they break in again, we'll be ready to fight."
"Well, I'm happy for you two," he said with a small smile. "You deserve to have time for each other."
This time, they didn't deny it. In fact, Hannah smiled at that, though there was a blush coming upon her. "We're going to look out for each other from here on out."
"Good." Dillon let out a deep breath. "I'm going to join the Scout Regiment. I can put my powers to good use there."
"It still baffles me," Franz admitted. "A guy with psychic abilities and now a human that can turn into a Titan. What the hell is going on?"
"No idea," Dillon said, shaking his head in amusement. "Who knows? Maybe the next abnormal person that comes around can breathe fire or something."
"Let's hope that doesn't happen," he responded nervously. "I'd rather not have to get my sanity checked on a regular basis."
"In any case," Hannah interjected, "the Scouts are lucky to have someone like you."
Dillon blushed in embarrassment.
"I know I should have said this a long time ago, but thank you for saving our lives," Franz said sincerely. "If it weren't for you…"
Dillon looked away for a moment. "I wish I could've done more." Before the two could say anything else, Dillon put an abrupt end to the conversation. "I'm going to look for the others. It was good seeing you guys again."
"Take care, Dillon, and good luck," Hannah finished as they departed.
The blacksmith sighed as they disappeared. This was one of those times where he didn't want to think about that day and all the people that were killed by Titans. It was moments like those that made him wonder if joining the Scouts was a good idea after all. Despite his promises, there was no guarantee that he would be able to survive the Expeditions. He shook his head in annoyance. Now wasn't the time for paranoia. He made his decision and he was going to stick with it.
As he wandered around the city, his thoughts drifted to that woman he saw in Eren's mind. There was something about her that seemed… strange. It didn't feel like a memory where Eren was interacting with her. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the more he thought about that woman, the more he wanted to know who she was and why she existed in Eren's mind. And then there was that voice. He could've sworn he heard someone before he left Eren's mind.
Knock it off, Dillon. He rebuked himself. You're about to be joining the Scouts and you're more interested in trying to figure out a random woman and random voices. Priorities.
There were many things he needed to think of, the most important one being his mind blocks. Annie was right about one thing among others: he needed to be at his full strength if he was going to be fighting Titans. He needed to remove a block before the Expedition. His mind had finally healed up since the invasion, so there wouldn't be added dangers to the process. All he needed to do was figure out the opportune moment to do so with his dad.
"Dillon," a familiar voice called out.
He turned around to see Jean walking towards him. "Hey, Jean. How are you?"
Jean sighed. "Barely hanging in there."
Dillon gave a sympathetic nod. "I know the feeling. I'm sorry I missed the funeral."
"Don't be," Jean replied, leaning against the side of a building. "There was nothing you could do about it."
"So, what are your plans now?" Dillon wondered.
"I've decided… that I'm gonna join the Scouts," Jean answered, though it was hard for him to say that.
That surprised Dillon. He honestly believed that after everything that happened, Jean would be far less inclined to join any other branch than the Military Police. "What changed?"
"Reality punched me in the gut," he explained. "It's like Eren said: we have to fight or else Trost will only be the beginning."
"I see," Dillon said as he stood next to Jean. "You know what the last thing Marco said to me? 'Don't lose your optimism.'"
Jean chuckled. "Marco was one of a kind. Outside of Reiner, he was one of the most likeable cadets in the 104th." He let out a sigh as he thought about previous events. "He saved my life in Trost. Part of me wonders… if that's what killed him."
"It wasn't your fault, Jean," Dillon assured. "The battle was a high-risk high-reward situation. We were all prepared to die so that humanity could continue to survive. If it wasn't for the timely arrival of the Scouts, you'd be adding my name to the list of casualties."
"I know," he responded. "It's just hard to move from what happened."
"I don't think anyone's moved on from Trost, Jean," Dillon told him. "It's gonna be a while before that happens."
The two men stood in silence. They would be joining the Scouts soon and be facing the danger head on. They could only hope that things would change with Eren's abilities. That thought alone gave them a small measure of comfort. With Eren's determination to kill every last Titan, those monsters would rue the day they invaded Shiganshina all those years ago.
(The next day)
Of course this had to happen. Dillon thought grimly as he stood with his friends.
After the Battle of Trost, two Titans were captured to be researched and experimented on. For six days, the scientist of the Scouts, Hanji Zoë, spent as much as she could with the two so she could get some answers regarding them. However, last night, someone killed them, effectively destroying any hopes humanity had of learning more about the Titans. The 104th was ordered to turn in their ODM gear and be questioned about their activities by the Scouts.
"When did you last replace your shaft?" the male Scout questioned as he perused documents pertaining to Sasha's ODM gear.
"After the mop up, sir," she answered. "That was six days ago."
The female Scout crossed her name off the list. "She's clear."
"Okay, you're good," he stated before addressing the rest of them. "Who's next?"
Krista spoke up. "I'm with Squad 42. Krista Lenz, sir."
As they questioned her, Dillon watched the scene with crossed arms. The cadets were tossing around theories as to why someone would kill the only Titans they had. The most common one was that a soldier was consumed by his hatred to the point where he slaughtered the Titans for revenge. It wasn't implausible, but it was highly unlikely. The consequences of killing the captured Titans were far too great that someone with the most vitriolic hatred for the monsters would think twice.
Dillon, however, had another theory in mind, and it was a frightening one: there was a traitor in their midst. The job was done professionally and quietly, so it wasn't a random soldier consumed by rage. This event had been planned from the start. Killing the Titans ensured that humanity would not discover anything useful about them. But what possible reason would anyone work with the Titans, creatures that ate humans? What could they possibly gain?
A soldier seeking revenge, or a traitor working with Titans. Dillon concluded, shaking his head. This whole thing is a complete mess.
"Guess someone hated looking at those Titans more than I did," Connie said.
"The sad thing is that they may have helped the Titans more than anything," Armin replied. "All that knowledge lost and for what? Someone's personal revenge? It just doesn't make any sense."
"Well, it might sound dumb, but I'm glad they did it," Connie confessed.
"What?" Dillon asked, slowly turning to his bald friend.
"Before I actually saw a Titan, I was convinced I wanted to be a Scout and take them all on," he explained. "Now I never want to lay eyes on one again. And today, we have to pick which regiment to join."
"Whatever you think is best, Connie," Dillon answered quietly.
Connie sighed in annoyance. "Hey, Annie, do you think Jean meant it? You think he's serious about signing up for the Scouts?"
Armin looked at him with surprise. "Wait, Jean said that?"
"Who cares?" Annie questioned in that cold tone she was known for.
"So, you're sticking with the MPs, huh? I'm starting to think I might go that way, too," Connie admitted.
"Tell me something," Annie said. "If someone ordered you to die, would you do it?"
Dillon wondered if that question was directed at him too. The lives lost in the Scouts were not to be taken lightly. It was very possible that men and women died because they were ordered to so that the others could live. If it came down to it…he wasn't sure. It was like having to choose between humanity and Annie, a choice he never wanted to make.
Connie's eyes widened. "What? Of course not."
"Well… then my advice is that you do what's best for you," she said. "And what about you, Armin?"
"I think I might," Armin answered. "If the situation truly called for it and my sacrifice might save others. Not that I'd want to."
"So, you've decided then." Annie sounded saddened from Armin's response.
"I've planned to join the Scouts from the start," he said.
"Come on. Not you too, Armin," Connie pleaded.
"I'm impressed," she admitted. "For a mouse, you've got guts. I'll give you that."
"Uh, thanks, I guess," Armin replied with a bit of a smile. "You know, you don't have to hide that you care anymore, Annie."
Annie raised an eyebrow at him. "Huh?"
"You're trying to discourage us from the Scouts. You're looking out for us," he explained. "Is that why you're joining the MPs? I bet you think you can do some good there, too."
"Can you guys see those headlines?" Dillon asked with a small grin forming on his face. "How Annie Leonhart singlehandedly takes down the drug lords hiding within these Walls?"
"I think that's a little much," Connie said with a shake of his head.
She rolled her eyes at them. "Whether I do that or not is irrelevant. I just want to live and give myself and Dillon a chance at living a good life together." She let out a sigh. "Look out for him, will you? He gets himself into trouble when I'm not around."
"You can count on us," Armin assured.
"Thanks, Mom," Dillon muttered.
Annie gave him a look of warning, but she didn't respond.
Connie still had trouble wrapping his head around it. Ever since he knew Annie, she was always the cold creepy girl that could stab him in the middle of the night if she wanted to. Now here she was, looking out for them like she actually cared about them. The reason for that was standing right next to him.
Once everyone was cleared, Dillon, along with many of the cadets, headed straight for the platform where Commander Erwin was going to try and persuade the 104th to join the Scouts. He had a sinking feeling that more were going to say "No" than enlist. With the dangers of the Titans exposed to them in the worst way possible, all of them were terrified of those creatures. Whether or not that fear would overcome them was up to them.
"Hey, Amsdale," Reiner called out as he got closer. "Come here!"
"What's up, Reiner?" Dillon asked once he reached him and Bertholdt.
"Bertholdt has something to say to you," he explained, nudging the tall cadet to talk.
Bertholdt cleared his throat and sighed. "I'm sorry. It wasn't fair of me to treat you like the bad guy."
Dillon nodded. "I understand why you were upset. No hard feelings." He held out his hand. "Truce?"
Hesitantly, he shook it. "Truce."
"With that out of the way, what Regiment are you two joining?" Dillon wondered.
"Military Police and Garrison Regiment never really appealed to us," Reiner said. "We want a chance to strike back at the Titans, so that's what we're going to do."
Dillon remembered these two lost their homes to the Titans. "Scouts it is, then. You know… we just might have a chance now."
"Because we enlisted?" Bertholdt asked.
"Of course not," he answered bluntly. "We've got a Titan on our side now."
Reiner chuckled at that. "That we do, Dillon. That we do."
"Cadets, fall in," a nearby sergeant ordered.
Quickly, the cadets started filling up the space in front of the platform. For about an hour, they waited for Erwin and the other Scouts to show up. By that time, night had fallen upon them. Torches were lit throughout the area to provide light for everyone. Once everything was set, the commander stepped out onto the platform.
"Good evening," Erwin greeted. "I am Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps, also known as the Scout Regiment."
How many names does this regiment have? Dillon wondered.
"Today, you will choose your regiment," he informed them. "Let's cut to the chase here. The Scouts need you. We need all the warm bodies we can get. After the recent Titan attack, you now know firsthand the horror of which they are capable…as well as the limits of your own skill. However, this battle's aftermath gave humanity a big chance for victory. I refer to Eren Yeager. After selflessly risking life and limb, he has proven beyond a doubt his unwavering loyalty to our cause. Hope live in him. Eren didn't just help deter the Titan invasion; he's offered us a means to discern the truth of their origin."
That caused a stir in the 104th. Eyes were widened, and whispers were voiced throughout them. To learn the origin of the Titans could lead to their ultimate destruction. Humanity's freedom could be just within their reach. However, there were some who doubted his claim, brushing it off as a propaganda stunt to get more people to join the Scouts.
Erwin went on. "Intel suggests that the cellar of Eren Yeager's home in Shiganshina holds a vital secret regarding our enemy. We will form an expedition to find this secret. We find it, and use it to break free of the Titans' tyrannical hundred-year reign once and for all."
Shouldn't be that difficult. Dillon thought. A straight shot to Shiganshina, we find out the truth, and we're back home.
"Before we can reach the aforementioned cellar in Shiganshina," he continued, "another problem must be dealt with. We must retake Wall Maria. Of course, this is much easier said than done."
On cue, Mike and a female Scout stepped out of the shadows holding a crude map of the Wall cities. Dillon recognized her as the Scout that saved his life in Trost.
"Now that the gate in Trost has been rendered inaccessible, we'll be forced to stage future operations from the Karanes District further east. Thus, the battalion route we've been establishing is now completely useless to us."
Dillon raised an eyebrow. Why are you telling us this stuff? Wouldn't that information be best told at the Scout briefings?
"Over the course of those four years, we've incurred losses in an excessive sixty percent. Sixty percent in four years! That's a horrifying figure. A month from now, we will conduct a recon mission outside the Walls. Recruits among your ranks will be expected to take part. I estimate a third of them will die. After four years, most will be dead."
And just like that, the cadets went from being excited at the prospect of winning the war to being mortified by the reality of the situation. Erwin wasn't pulling any punches and he wasn't about to glorify life as a Scout. The best Scouts were the ones who knew the risks and still joined up anyway.
"But those who endure will amongst the most capable soldiers alive," Erwin assured. "Now having heard this dismal state of affairs, whoever still wishes to put their life on the line and join us…remain here. But first, ask yourself: can you give your heart? Can you give everything for humanity!?"
To have that be demanded of them was a tall order. Unlike the other branches, this one truly required for soldiers to be willing to die for their people. It was a burden that whoever joined would not take lightly.
"That is all," Erwin finished. "Those who want to join other regiments are dismissed."
And just like that, people started leaving the area in flocks, Annie being among them. As she passed Dillon, he grabbed her arm for a brief second, making her face him for the last time.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," Annie said softly, kissing him on the lips. "You'd better come home."
"I will."
With that, Annie joined the cadets without a backwards glance.
For a brief moment, Dillon felt a surge of fear rush through him. He had seen what the Titans were capable of, and he had seen people get eaten by them. He truly realized that he could be next, that he could end up as nothing more than Titan fodder, begging and screaming for his life as giant teeth came down upon him.
No! He told himself. You are not going down that road. Not now. You are a soldier of the 104th Cadet Corps. You have incredible abilities. You are going to live.
In less than a minute almost all of the cadets had left except for 18 soldiers. Among them were Mikasa, Armin, Ymir, Krista, Jean, Sasha, Reiner, Bertholdt, Connie, and Dillon. While there weren't many people here, the fact that most of the Top 10 stayed behind spoke volumes to the Scouts.
"I ask you," Erwin said. "If you were ordered to die, could you do it?"
"We don't want to die, sir," Jean shouted.
A small smile appeared on the commander's face. "Of course. Let us hope that you don't, then. You who stayed? You are now one of us! Allow me to welcome you to the Scout Regiment! This is a genuine salute, soldiers!" He slammed his fist against his heart. "Together, we give our hearts!"
All 18 cadets saluted, most of them trying and failing to stay composed. Most of them were terrified of staying and half of those people had tears streaming down their faces.
"Joining the Scouts," Jean muttered. "This is so stupid."
"I just want to go home," Sasha cried.
"Oh, man," Connie stuttered. "What the hell?"
Hearing Krista softly cry was enough to break Dillon's heart.
Naturally, Ymir offered her "helpful" advice. "If you're gonna keep crying, then don't stay."
Dillon was about to tell Ymir to shove it when Erwin spoke again.
"Those of you standing here have worked through your fear," he stated. "You have proven yourselves courageous. Each one of you has my respect."
I… I made it. I'm a Scout. There was no turning back.
Remastered Edits: I decided to make the morning after a little more awkward between them, especially given the context. I adjusted the dialogue a bit with Franz and Hannah to replace any statements that didn't sound like something that would be said. Other than that, there weren't many edits.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I shall see you all in Chapter 17… another old-shame chapter.
