Years passed in what felt like a blink of an eye. Shadis stepped down and named Erwin as his successor. Unsurprising, as Erwin became the backbone of the strategies when Shadis began to doubt himself.

Levi earned title as captain and squad leader of his own team. He trained their strengths to better their chances of success. And soon they became known as the most powerful squad in the Survey Corps.

Since Levi was the head of the squad, he was named Humanity's Strongest. He detested it, but didn't argue. It gave rise for hope. Hope that the Survey Corps will succeed.

The few that died in his squad, he personally sought their families to give the news. He earned his second nickname from doing this tradition.

Death's Shadow.

He found this nickname ridiculous. This one he did voice his dislike for. But once the name was given, it spread and there was no stopping it.

Mike and Hange became squad leaders respectively. Erwin liked Hange's way of thinking, however their search for answers about titans wasn't very popular. So because of this Erwin settled with Mike as his second in command.

However everyone knew Hange would be the next candidate if it came down to it. They didn't care, too preoccupied with learning about titans. This way the responsibilities of being second in command wouldn't interfere with the research.

Levi was still known as stoic, hard edged and an attitude. But to his squad they saw him in a different light. They watched him, and as years went they saw that he really did care. He cared so deeply that he shoved it and buried so he wouldn't be crippled.

And so they defended their captain's honor whenever someone complained or talked behind his back. It was to the point the majority gave up talking about him. Until the fresh recruits started up, and the process was done all over until they learned as well.

Even the greenhorns noticed Levi couldn't care less for anyone who tried to give him orders, unless it came from Erwin. And of course the two sharing last names made people question and wonder. Rumors started, and Levi found each of them wild.

"Now they think we're married." Levi scoffed as he walked into the office. His words earned a laugh.

"Next they'll wonder which of us wears the dress." Erwin joked, earning a glare.

"Don't you dare feed into these stupid rumors." Levi threatened.

"You know I won't." The commander chuckled, not at all phased at the glare.

Levi moved his way closer. He was going to make another threat as a joke, but then he noticed what Erwin had been reading. Reports of the new recruits that will be graduating training soon.

"Anyone catch your eye?" He couldn't help but ask.

"Yes. A lot, actually. Many will be top of the class this year. Or close candidates. Three of them have made it known their sights are with us." Erwin moved the papers to show them.

Eren Yeager. Mikasa Ackerman. Armin Arlett.

"Shiganshina?" Levi noticed their town origins.

"Survivors of that day. And still they aim for Survey Corps." Erwin admired their determination.

"Hmph. Either they're very brave, or very stupid."

"Or perhaps a little of both. Oh, there's one name that also caught my eye. But I doubt he will come to us." Erwin shifted to pull a single report out.

Jean Kiersten.

"Who?" Levi knew it rang a bell.

"Remember the boy that wished us all to die? When your squad leader died and we brought the news to the family?"

Oh.

"So then he's got a backbone, after all." Levi shrugged.

"Yes. But again I doubt he will join us. It is noted he and Eren clash, especially with their views of the Survey Corps."

"For the better." He agreed.

Some days later.

"Want to come with me to meet Eren Yeager?" Erwin proposed one evening.

They had returned from their mission. When they arrived at the wall, titans were swarming the gate into Trost. Erwin sent Levi Squad to have a look over the wall while the rest of the Survey Corps took care of the titans outside.

The gate was blocked by a large boulder. And that was peculiar. Nothing came to mind of their known weapons or technologies that would move such a large and heavy thing.

Levi found his answer on the top of the wall. A titan, collapsed and deteriorating. And from its neck a person. Two recruits rushed to the boy's side. Titans trapped inside Trost made way towards them.

So Levi did what he did best.

"The boy who can become a titan?" Levi knew he met him briefly, before the boy was rounded up by the Military Police.

"Yes. I've been given permission to speak with him. I can only take one other." Erwin nodded.

"Why me?" Wouldn't Mike or Hange be better candidates?

Hange would be the first option that came into Levi's mind. Their obsession with titans would no doubt have a field day with the boy. Mike would be second simply because of his status.

"Your opinion matters on whether we can control him to join us."

Levi understood what Erwin wanted. Propose to the courts, sway them with his speeches of how this boy's power can be used for the greater good. And who better to control the boy than Humanity's Strongest?

"Yes." He almost smirked in excitement.

And so they went. Levi remained in the background while Erwin talked with the boy. He couldn't help but study Eren closely. He couldn't help but feel disappointed.

This boy can really turn into a titan?

There was nothing special about him. Average height. Muscles not defined due to the fact he was still young and had some growing to do. And for a someone who had the power of a titan couldn't even escape the chains on his wrists and ankles.

Levi found himself bored.

Until Erwin asked a specific question.

"Why do you want to join the Survey Corps?"

"Because, I have to kill all titans!"

Levi blinked at the change of tone. His thoughts were brought down from the clouds and he studied the boy again. And those eyes burned with a wildness that warranted a closer look.

He moved closer, almost leaning into the bars as he peered between them. Eren blinked at the sight of him, as if suddenly aware he was there. Warily he watched him. But still the determination lingered.

The eyes of a monster stared back. Wild and yet to be tamed. Even so he was wary of the captain's presence. He understood when he was in the presence of someone similar. Levi almost smirked. The only reason why he didn't was because he would eerily look like Kenny if he did.

"Will he be a good fit with us?" Erwin noticed the way those pale eyes lit up.

In other words, can he be handled?

"Yes. He will fit right in." Levi knew without a doubt he can shape this boy.

Ironic. He promised himself not to do what Kenny had done. And yet here he was, excited and looking forward to shape someone. There will be vast differences of course.

When they left the wildness to those eyes lingered on Levi's mind. He never thought he would come across someone with eyes like that. Determination, bravery that can also be mistaken as stupidity, yes. He's come across that numerous times.

But a kindred spirit of someone who understood the ways of survival, to push the boundaries to come out on top. That was entirely different. And Levi gave up wondering if he and Kenny would be the only ones.

At the court, Levi had front row seats. But even Erwin's specialty wasn't going to cut it. The boy even began to yell, that he wished to fight titans. His demeanor wasn't helping.

So Levi casually made his way over and kicked the shit out of Eren. He noticed two people from where the recruits moved. From the corner of his eyes he saw a girl, readying to defend Eren. But a blond boy held her back.

He ignored them to focus on Eren.

When the deed was done he gripped the brown hair. Levi noticed the wild in those eyes dimmed. This was almost too easy.

"For a titan, he seems relatively tame." He drawled. "But should he ever lose control, I won't have any trouble to kill him."

Levi let go. Eren managed to keep balance so his head didn't smack the floor. And the captain returned to Erwin's side. By the silence he knew that they had won their argument.

Erwin gets what he wants, after all. And Levi ensured that whatever it was will be done. He felt bad on the kid. He had been brutal and unrelenting, but he had to in order to make a show to prove his point.

"Eren Yeager is on trial to join the Survey Corps."

Mike and Hange were the ones to collect the boy. When Erwin didn't need Levi at his side anymore he joined them. He noticed Eren shifted uncomfortably.

"Relax. You understand why I had to do it, don't you?" He was testing the level of intelligence.

"To show them that you can keep me in line." Eren gulped.

Levi noticed he avoided the word control.

He remained silent as Hange cared for the boy's wounds. They told Eren to open his mouth to reveal the missing tooth. And to everyone's awe, it had fully grown back.

"Actually, I lost an arm and a leg when a titan ate me. Then when I was in its belly, I transformed. And when the titan body tired out, I had my limbs back." Eren blinked when he made the connection.

"That is...amazing!" Hange was almost a puddle of goo.

"Oi, control yourself. You're a little old to be fanning over a kid." Levi glared.

"I can't help myself! Think of all the mysteries I can uncover with Eren's titan form!" They squealed.

"And you will not conduct strange or borderline insane procedures all for the name of research." Levi grit his teeth.

They needed Eren on their side, not give him reason to turn on them. The boy scooted closer towards the captain in favor of moving away from Hange. They were centimeters away from touching, and Levi felt his hands getting twitchy.

"Oh, sorry!" Eren noticed.

"Don't be. I'm unused to people being so close." Levi blinked.

For a boy who has a wild heart, he was easy to intimidate. Then again having the shit beat out of him would be deeply ingrained within his brain for years to come.

"So does this mean you're not married to Commander Erwin?" Eren blurted out.

Curse whoever came up with that theory. Levi hoped they rot. It's become so popular that somehow people believed it. And any attempts to dispute it would only make things worse.

"I am so sorry! That came out of my mouth!" Eren panicked at the scowl.

"Just don't do it again." Levi decided to let it go.

This time.

Later that evening, Erwin insisted Eren was there with them while the graduates chose their paths. Levi found everything boring as per usual. He was rarely here during these events simply because he would make a poor example.

The names were listed and Levi found his mind wandering.

"Jean Kiersten."

The name grounded Levi. He blinked as he focused on the young man. He was annoyed at how tall he was. So much for the little boy who barely came to his waist.

"Survey Corps." He announced.

Levi stared. He wasn't sure how to react to this. Jean turned, and their eyes met. And the young man froze. He glared, and Levi bristled.

"What are you looking at, mama's boy?" Levi snarled.

Jean blushed, a mix of embarrassment and fury. And it was enough to break the glaring contest. He wandered closer to the group, but well away from the captain.

Erwin sent a warning glare. Levi shrugged, not at all phased. He shifted his gaze over their new recruits. This was the largest number yet to join. He knew why.

They were following Eren because of the fire within his heart.