Athena and Jean made their way out to the courtyard where all the new recruits were waiting. Ready to choose what legion they would dedicate their services too. Athena stood near Connie and Sasha, glancing at Annie who was also nearby.

Commander Erwin of the survey corps came out and began speaking. Athena spaced out during his speech, but she could tell as he went on, that more soldiers were afraid. Athena focused on the commander as he said the final words "those of you who are still willing to put your life on the line knowing about these dreadful affairs, stay here."

Athena pretended to look around and eye the many soldiers that left. But she only had eyes for Annie. Annie walked away with the other soldiers, but as she looked on, she made eye contact with two fellow 104th training group cadets. Athena almost missed the look, had it not been for years of honing her reflexes. She had made eye contact with Bertholdt and Reiner. As far as Athena was concerned, Annie only associated with herself, never making friends. But, Bertholdt and Reiner made eye contact with Annie just as she made eye contact with them.

Could Bertholdt and Reiner have something to do with Marco's death?

As Athena saluted the commander one more time, standing next to a surprising amount of top 10 soldiers from the 104th she was brought out of her thoughts-

"Cadet Athena Pierce," Athena looked up at the sound of her name being called. It was Commander Erwin. Jean and the cadets surrounding Athena also looked up in surprise.

"Yes, Sir," Athena spoke firmly while saluting her superior. Commander Erwin walked towards her, ignoring the curious looks from the other cadets, to stand in front of Athena. He scrutinized her for a moment before handing her a brown package.

"Cadet Athena Pierce, you have been assigned to the Special Operations Task Force under the command of Corporal Levi Rivaille. They are currently residing at the Scouting Legion headquarters. Please report to Rivaille immediately for assignment." and with those words Erwin parted ways.

Athena could hear the whispers.

"Pierce joined the Scouting Legion?!"

"Doesn't the Corporal hand pick his squad?"

"Squad Levi already? That squad is only for the best of the best"

Athena looked down at the brown package in her hands and carefully opened the brown paper. It was the Scouting Legion Uniform, a green cape with the Wings of Freedom. So different from the two red roses she was accustomed too.

She felt movement on her side and saw Jean grab the green cape from her hands. Only to swing the cape over her shoulders and tighten the clasp near her neck.

"This what you get for always being so damn fancy," spoke Jean while the 104th cadets slowly approached the pair, "Now you have to leave immediately while the rest of us leave tomorrow."

"The corporal only saw me in Trost, it's unlikely he chose me for his squad based on the Battle of Trost-" but Athena was interrupted by Connie.

"Athena you had the highest amount of Titan kills and assists in the battle of Trost. 51 Titans."

"Not to mention you placed 1st in our class," added Sasha matterfactly.

"Pierce, don't be stupid. You also worked with the Corporal for the last attack as well," came from a quiet Mikasa. It wasn't a secret that Eren and Athena didn't like each other. But Athena had always competed for first place with Mikasa. They held a camaraderie that only rivals fighting on the same side held.

Athena recalled, yes. Yes, she did fight with the Corporal, didn't she. Right as Yeager filled the hole in Wall Rosa.

*FLASHBACK*

MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE THE WALL:

"We are heading back already? Did my men die for no reason" remarked the cold voice of Corporal Levi to Commander Erwin Smith of the Scouting Legion.

"The titans have changed direction and are heading towards Trost. We think the Walls there have been breached, like Wall Maria 5 years ago."

Hanji and Levi shared a look with the captain as they proceeded to gather what was left of the scouting legion and head back to Trost district.

As they rode to the wall, silence fell throughout the legion as they noticed that Trost district had been breached.

"Idiots, we leave the city for a few fucking hours…," mumbled Levi under his voice.

The smoke from the city and the hole in the wall became more vivid as they rode closer. Levi sent the special operations squad to handle any approaching titans as they made their way to what had been the gate.

Riding next to the commander, both noticed something peculiar as they reached the gate. A Titan had just placed a large rock in front of the hole on the gate to block anymore titans from entering.

The commander quickly gave Levi a sharp look. "Levi and Hanji, come with me now to make sure the other side of the wall is clear for us. Begin 3DM devices."

Levi, Hanji, and the commander quickly scaled the wall and found themselves staring at the devastation of Stross district. However, their eyes were drawn to the now still Titan that had blocked the gate, laying with its back against the wall. Levi narrowed his eyes at what was happening, an unconscious boy was being held by a black haired female and a blond haired male cadet on top of the titan.

The commander quickly interrupted his thoughts to point out the two titans that were approaching the large titan,"Levi, get rid of the titans-"

But before he could finish his sentence, they saw a whirl of brown approach the 12 meter titans from behind and saw the titans fall. The whirl of brown stopped in front of the unconscious boy and cadets. The whirl of brown was a small female cadet, a VERY small female cadet. She looked at the cadets and unconscious boy. From their view on the wall, Levi could see her eyes, eyes that lacked any trace of emotion.

"Damn, she's shorter than Levi," said Hange, already sidestepping the back slap Levi had prepared for her.

"Athena!" yelled the blond haired cadet.

Levi was surprised to hear curse words coming out of the small girls mouth.

"Stupid Yeager, always getting into messy shit. Armin and Mikasa, bring him back to the wall. I'll take care of the approaching Titans. There are 5 coming from the left," fiercely spoke the girl they now knew as Athena. They observed how she did not even turn her back to know that five titans were approaching.

Mikasa and Armin listened to her orders while Athena turned into a blur and began speeding towards the titans.

"Tch, stupid brat. She's on flat land," spoke Levi out loud. But faster than he could anticipate, Athena had met the 5 titans. Levi could barely keep track of her as she used the taller titans to keep her in the air and take out the smaller titans. In seconds, the 5 titans had fallen.

"She… just took down 5 titans. Who the hell is she," said Hange, excitement lacing her voice. Hange, Levi, and Erwin noticed two deviants coming for her from behind as Athena replaced her blades.

"Levi," and before the commander could finish his sentence, Levi was off to provide assistance. There was no way this cadet could take down two deviants on her own. But Levi didn't know that Athena was thinking the same thing.

As she saw Levi approaching to assist her, Athena couldn't help but think, "It's about damn time the Scouting Legion stopped spectating and started fighting." Before Levi could even catch up, Athena was off to attack the two deviants.

Athena swung around the left deviant at the same time that Levi swung around the right deviant. They had been coming from the front and needed to get to the kill spot at the back of the titans. However, they didn't have enough inertia to swing themselves behind the Titan unless-

What Erwin and Hange saw next, they couldn't put into words. Without even speaking to each other, only making brief eye contact, as though they were reading each others minds and knew exactly what the other was planning; Levi and Athena ran into each other and pushed off of each other with their legs. This gave them enough push for Athena and Levi to hook onto their deviants and place a large cut at their nape.

Already aware that the next Titans were far away from where they were standing, Athena looked down at the Titan blood that now stained her uniform in disdain. A second later she saluted Levi as he landed next to her.

"Captain!" But Athena heard more steps approaching. Commander Erwin and Squad Leader Hange appeared next to Rivaille. Athena saluted them, but only briefly.

"Oi brat, what the hell happened here," asked Levi disdainfully, earning a glare from Hange at his rudeness.

"I would like to know as well," added Commander Erwin.

Before Athena could answer, another person landed right next to the cadet. He was tall, 5'10, and had dark brown hair. He was also wearing a Garrison uniform with two roses. His face held no warmth and he looked like a man in charge. Levi, Hange, and Erwin nodded at him in acknowledgement, this was Lt. Corporal Atlas Pierce of the Garrisons. They had met him before. He was a spectacular Garrison, with a reputation for creating Titan diversion strategies. He would've done well in the Scouting Legion.

"Commander, Commander Pixis has requested your assistance immediately. He is currently residing at a makeshift base on top of wall Rosa, he will fill you in on what has been occurring," spoke Atlas firmly.

Erwin nodded and turned towards Levi and Hange, "I will go there now. Levi and Hange, grab your squads and assist with the cleanup of the titans in Trost." Erwin turned towards the cadet that had still not spoken a word, only to see Athena looking at Atlas while Atlas was staring back at her. Why were they staring at each other? Levi and Hange were curious too.

"How many Titans did you kill cadet?" asked Atlas firmly, scrutinizing Athena from head to toe. Levi wasn't really sure if the look he was giving her was professional, he frowned in distaste.

"51 kills, 18 assists," answered Athena in a small voice, still saluting. Although Levi didn't show it, he was surprised. Not only had she managed to stay alive during her first battle, but she had more kills than the soldiers in his special ops squad. Levi looked at Hange to see a shocked expression on her face (four eyes always showed too much emotion) while Erwin remained stoic and deep in thought.

"Tch, only? And you were sloppy" he answered as Atlas reached his hand out to grab her arm, examining a long cut that reached from her arm all the way down to her wrist. Once again, Levi, Hange, and Erwin were confused. How did the Lt. Corporal and this cadet know each other so personally?

"Still more than you, big brother," spoke Athena. Before Levi, Hange, and Erwin could process her sentence, Atlas was on his back, having his legs swept underneath him by Athena, "You always forget that I hate it when people touch me."

Atlas quickly recovered as Athena switched her attention to Levi and Hanji. "Captain, Squad leader, we created a diversion that attracted all of the Titans to the far east corner of Trost Your squads should be able to easily kill them while they remain distracted." She saluted one more time and departed to make her move back to Wall Rosa. Atlas following not to far behind her mumbling "talented brat" underneath his breath.

Levi, Hange, and Erwin were speechless. This little girl, who had taken down so many titans, was a Pierce, a Garrison legacy.

"I want her on my squad Erwin," Levi spoke quietly to Hange and Erwin. Hange's eyes zeroed in on Levi. Did he just put in a request to add a soldier to his squad? This was rare, the special ops squad rarely added a soldier. Sometimes they had to practically force Levi to add people to his squad.

"She may not join the Scouting Regiment, Levi. She is a Garrison legacy," spoke Erwin thoughtfully.

"Tch, she will. Look at her," Levi.

Erwin remained stoic for a second, "Hange, Levi please finish off the titans with your squads then dismiss them back to headquarters. I believe Pixi's owes me an explanation. You may join me when you are done."

***END FLASHBACK***