Hey everyone, welcome to my new fanfic! For the purpose of the story I have made it set as if everything in Paradis is normal, titans are the biggest threat as the threat from Marley is non-existent at the moment. Titan-shifters DO still exist. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: Greetings
"Mikasa, we're going to be late, hurry up!"
Eren, was tugging impatiently on the sleeve of his adoptive sister, his eyes wild with excitement with pools of fire igniting within them, however they were matched with a blank, dull stare.
"I don't see what all the fuss is about."
Mikasa looked disapprovingly at Eren.
"How can you say that?! It's the Survey Corps! Only the coolest people to ever walk the planet, let's go we're gonna miss them!"
Eren's eyes were now pleading with Mikasa's, she looked longingly into those eyes, the eyes she would protect above all else for the rest of eternity, she couldn't say no to him for long.
"Fine…"
She let out a heavy sigh before being pulled along by Eren, who was cheering and whooping down the dusty track.
At the road many townsfolk had gathered to welcome the Scouts as they made their way to the gates for their expedition outside of the walls. There was a warm energy amongst the crowd of excitement and gratitude. People from all over were waving handkerchiefs and clothes, bits of rags and even pillowcases out of windows, to celebrate the noble act of the Survey Corps.
"Good luck brave soldiers! Bring us back some victory!"
"Commander Erwin, lead them to success!"
"We're counting on you!"
"Go kick some serious titan-ass!"
"Safe trip!"
More and more shouts of praise were coming from the crowd as Eren and Mikasa approached.
"Quick Mikasa, up there on those boxes let's climb up so we can see!"
Before Mikasa could object, Eren was already fumbling his way up to the highest one, Mikasa joined him in one swift movement, making her ascent look effortless compared to that of Eren's.
"Well Mikasa, take it all in, that'll be me in a few years, riding along these roads with my fellow comrades, sporting one of those amazing green capes with the wings of freedom! What an honour!"
"Hmmm."
Mikasa watched the soldiers walk by on their horses as Eren spouted off about the wonders of the Scouts.
"AHHHH Mikasa!"
The sudden exclamation from Eren instantly worried Mikasa, was he hurt?
"What? What is it? Are you okay?"
She quickly began looking and feeling all over him for signs of injury.
"What? Yes – No stop that! IT'S CAPTAIN LEVI!"
Eren's eyes were lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. There was a deep admiration in those eyes for the most recent soldier to begin walking by. Mikasa simply followed his gaze to notice the same man on the big, black horse in front of them. The man was incredibly short, looking almost child-like on such a large, magnificent looking animal. He had jet black hair that was arranged in an undercut style with bangs hanging around his face. On his body was the trademark Scout's clothing with the tight white trousers, knee length black boots and green cloak with the wings of freedom plastered on the back. This particular soldier had a glistening white cravat tied perfectly around his neck, he was pristine to say the least. However, the eyes of the man were not those of a hero, they told a different story one of boredom and aggravation, there was virtually no life within them at all. This interested Mikasa. The man Eren worshipped had about as much care for these people than Eren did about chores.
"Isn't he amazing?"
Eren swooned at the sight of him riding by.
"Hardly, I'd say he looks like a miserable little shit."
At the sound of Mikasa's words Captain Levi's head snapped 90 degrees to glare at them, this startled Mikasa, how did he hear that?
"Tsk…. little brats."
Captain Levi glared for a further few seconds before losing interest and moving on.
"Go Captain Levi!"
"Humanity's Strongest Soldier!"
"You're our only hope!"
"You're my hero!"
"Marry me, Captain!"
The crowd roared as the small soldier rode past not bothering to even glimpse one of his admirers in the eye as he did.
"Mikasa! He definitely heard that you idiot! Do you realise who he is? Humanity's strongest solider! Our only hope at destroying the titans!"
Mikasa just glared at Eren, his eyes wild yet again, this time with confusion and disbelief, before jumping down from the boxes and beginning the walk home.
"Hope I never have to come across that arrogant piece of shit again," Mikasa mumbled to herself before Eren had caught up.
A knock sounded at the large wooden door to the office. Realistically there was only one person it could be.
"Come in."
"Good Evening Levi! How are you doing? What are you up to? Damn that's a lot of paperwork! I've already done mine- woohoo! Have you eaten yet? Also, I was wonderi-!"
"HANJI! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY IT ONE THING AT A GODDAMN TIME!"
Levi slammed his fists onto the large wooden desk underneath him and cursed under his breath.
"Oh, right! Hahaha! Sorry! My bad!"
"Stupid four-eyes. What is it you want?"
Levi glared up at her with deathly eyes.
"Alright, calm down Mr Sass, you know this is why you don't have many friends."
Hanji swiftly made the remark before turning around to admire an old map on the wall.
"I don't care if people like me or not I am Captain Levi, people's respect is all I need and I have that, so what is it you want, for the last fucking time!"
Hanji caught wind of his bad temper and decided to press on with the matter at hand.
"Sheesh, fine. Erwin sent me to give you this."
She handed him a cream folder with a tight binding sealed around it.
"And this would be?"
"The new recruits for the Survey Corps. He wants you to do your thing and see if any of them are worth just a tiny drop of your godliness."
The sarcasm was layered on thick much to Levi's annoyance.
"I see, if that's all, then show yourself out."
Hanji rolled her eyes and threw her arms up in frustration.
"I am near enough the only friend you have so maybe don't be such an asshole every time I see you!"
Her eyes narrowed in on Levi's making him shake his head and let out a sigh.
"I apologise Hanji, tiredness has caught up to me."
"Why thank you! Get some sleep then you idiot rather than spending all night cleaning that bloody apartment of yours."
She laughed and shook her head as she left his office.
{Levi's POV}
New recruits hey? Let's see what annoying brats we have in store this time.
"Sasha Braus."
Never heard of her, looks like a country bumpkin, probably worthless and is that really leftover food on her chin, despicable. Even her scores are dismal. Ninth in the class, what a joke. She does not deserve a second of my time. Next.
"Jean Kirstein."
He looks like he needs a good punch in the face, or perhaps several. Definitely more MP suited, wonder why he chose to join us instead. Sixth in the class, not really anything to be proud of. Nothing promising physically, brilliant just another pretty boy, exactly what we need. Next.
"Connie Springer."
Bloody hell, he actually looks like a small, yappy dog. I bet he's ridiculously annoying. Eighth in his class, again what is he even doing here? He's going to be eaten alive in a heartbeat. Tragic really. Next.
"Krista Lenz."
Is she even real? Looks like a china doll, don't tell me she even made it through training. Last in the class, oh dear. Yes, princess think you'd better stick to beauty pageants. Next.
"Ymir….?"
Is that it? No last name? What the fuck. Must be a mistake, how strange. Not even in the top ten why am I still reading this bullshit. Next.
"Armin Arlert."
This kid can't be fifteen surely. He honestly looks about five years old and like a girl, what's with the hair? Terrible physical scores but an overly impressive intelligence and strategical score, may not be entirely useless. Better off with Erwin though. Next.
"Eren Yeager."
What a dumb name. This kid looks like he wants to steal all my marbles with that glare, I'm so scared…how pathetic. I bet he thinks he can stop all the titans single-handedly what an idiot. His face just makes me angry. Only fifth in the class and he's already got a face like that, for fuck's sake. Next.
"Mikasa Ackerman."
I have never seen a girl quite like this, she looks different, oriental, beautiful. Damn those eyes, I haven't seen eyes like that except, well, my own. There is some serious pain in there, something has happened to this girl, she's seen the world properly for what it really is, a cruel place. Just like me. Perfect scores all round as well. Ironic. She is interesting. Well Mikasa Ackerman, welcome to the squad.
The 104th cadets were chomping hungrily away at their breakfast within their new home, the Survey Corps barracks.
"Isn't this so exciting we're scouts!"
Sasha squealed as she grabbed yet another piece of bread from Connie's plate.
"Hey! Who said you could eat that?"
Connie glared at her.
"Sorry too late now!"
"You're such a pig, Sasha!"
"Oh, lighten up Connie, it's our first day as Scouts, we're going to be trained by the best of the elite! Aren't you just so anxious to meet our superiors?!"
"Pfft...yeah it is exciting. I can't wait to see the Commander up close and personal rather than from a stage."
"Personally, I can't wait to see Captain Levi. I've admired him since I was a kid, he's a machine!"
"Steady on, Yeager didn't know you had a thing for Captain Levi?"
Jean teased from across the table causing Eren to throw his piece of bread at him.
"Hey! Don't be so childish!"
"Shut it horse-face you wouldn't understand, didn't you want to be all wrapped up in the interior with the other bastard MP's? What changed your mind, realised it was the least manly thing you'd ever do?"
Eren challenged him with a daring stare. Silence had flooded the table, tension was beginning to rise between the two, as it normally did.
"Guys, please don't fight it's the first day."
Armin peeped up quietly from the end of the table, he was nervous about beginning training due to him being the least physically capable of everyone there.
"Sorry Armin."
Eren and Jean both lowered their heads at the same time.
"Eren, Armin, let's go we need to clean up before morning training begins."
Mikasa pulled the two boys up by their arms and guided them out of the hall.
"Look Eren, this is the real shit now, so you have got to stop losing it whenever Jean messes with you, we're not kids anymore."
"Urgh...stop it Mikasa! Exactly we're not kids so stop watching my every move!"
Eren shoved her arm away and stormed off with his head hanging down.
*Crash*
"Watch where you're goi-!"
Eren looked up angrily to see the threatening glare of Captain Levi scorching down on him.
"Captain Levi, sir! I'm so sorry sir! I had no idea it was you!"
Eren jumped straight into his saluting position with one arm fixed across his chest and back.
"Yeager, I presume?"
"Yes, sir!"
Beads of sweat were forming at the top of Eren's forehead, this was not the way he pictured meeting his hero.
"Very interesting."