A bit of a heads-up: in my version of this, all trainees go through a year of simple conditioning and basic strategy/theory classes, preparing them for the roughness of true military training. Jumping straight into things without prior knowledge just seems like a bad idea. So yes, at this time, Eren, Mikasa and Armin are all 14 at the beginning of this.

Don't own the anime or the manga. Woo.

Titans. Titans,TITANS…

"You there! State your name!" A booming, intimidating voice could be heard, one that would scare most trainees into submission. This voice was owned by Keith Shadis, head instructor of the 104th Trainees Squad and all-around scary guy. Most wouldn't dare to so much as think something disrespectful towards him while he was around, as he seemed to be good at reading people's faces.

"Armin Arlert, Sir! From Shiganshina, Sir!" This voice wasn't nearly as intimidating, but filled with the same amount of passion as any other soldier dedicated to protecting humanity. Armin, so far, had simply grown a bit taller, not gaining much muscle mass from his training. His intellect, however, had benefited greatly from strategy/theory classes. In his first year alone, he could be considered an above-average tactician.

"Sure you are. Good name for a retard. Your parents call you that?" Keith knew better, this boy he was demeaning was far from being retarded. He just liked to watch his trainees squirm.

"No, Sir! My grandfather, Sir!"

"Arlert, why is a retard like you here, hm?!"

"To contribute to the protection of mankind, Sir!"

"Fucking splendid, Arlert! You'll make an amazing meal for the Titans!" Armin found himself turned about, facing the line of trainees behind him. "Line three, observe this example of Titan-feed!"

"Who the hell are you, boy?!" Keith spat as he stepped in front of a blonde male. "Thomas Wagner, Sir! I'm from Trost, Sir!" "Speak up, boy. I haven't got all day!" "I'm Thomas Wagner, Si-" "Talk to me when your balls drop, Wagner!"

During all of this, Eren Yeager was gaining respect by the second for their instructor. He had a feeling this man was the reason why he'd seen so many respectable guards near the walls as of late. Keith seemed to scare a sense of duty to humanity into anyone joining for less than savory reasons. He was sure he'd enjoy his time training under the man.

Eren watched as more and more people were either scared shitless, put in their place, or both. Whether by physical, mental, or emotional means, Keith accomplished what he was there for today. All the while, Eren, couldn't help but note that he and a certain few were left untouched, for unspoken reasons. 'We few know the horrors of That Day, and are held in a different light by this Keith Shadis.' He reasoned with himself.

Just thinking of that day caused a jolt of anger to flow through him, along with something else he'd noticed after his few days of 'lost memory' two years ago. He'd found himself waking up in his bed, a key tied around his neck. He'd also noticed a phantom pain in his arm, where upon his inspection, he'd found a healing puncture wound on his arm, right over one of his veins. He'd brushed it off to be pondered later, and moved on with his life.

Now, with his anger came a strong urge to kill, to protect, to do anything really. It felt weird, but he passed it off as his controlled anger towards Titans, towards humanity's flaws, towards himself. He'd simply channel it all into his will, fuel himself with it and push forward, for humanity's sake.

Casting his gaze quickly over the lines before him, he took note of people who stood out. Reiner Braun, an intimidating blonde with a hard gaze, broad shoulders, and imposing height. He seemed almost like a Titan himself, ready to rip into his enemy at a moment's notice.

Bertholdt Fubar, tall and slender. His hair a dark brown, paired with a tan complexion. His eyes held a hint of meekness, overwhelmed by intellect and weariness. He seemed smart, but unassertive.

Annie Leonhardt. Her gaze was flat and stoic, piercing in its intent to scare one away. Her hair a nice shade of blonde, bright and vibrant in comparison to her expression. Her body seemed to be lean and toned beneath her uniform, though one couldn't tell unless they had more time to inspect. She seemed to be one immersed in self-imposed solitude.

Christa Renz had a kind, pleasant look to her face despite being set in what could be assumed to be her best "stoic face". Bright, blonde hair matching her equally bright gaze. Eren's assumption of her would be that she wished to do right as much as humanly possible.

Ymir, no last name. Gaze as stoic as Leonhardt's, stance equally untelling, she seemed impossible to get a read on from a simple glance. All he could gain from his once-over were her looks: dark-tan skin, dull-brown eyes and roughly-done black hair.

There were a few others, but he'd analyze them more at a later time. These were simply the ones who immediately caught his attention.

"Jean Kirschtein, Sir! I'm from Trost, Sir!"

"Why are you here?"

"T-to join the Military Police and live in the Interior, Sir." Hearing this, Eren tensed considerably. Another who wished to remain within as livestock. It disgusted him.

"Oh, so you wanna live in the Interior, hm?" "Yessi- Ghk!" The man known as Jean found himself on the ground, holding his potentially-bleeding forehead.

"You think you can join the Military Police if you can't even take a hit to your precious face?!"

Oh, yes. Eren truly respected this man, Keith. That much was certain.

Titans. Titans.TITANS!

"So, Eren. What was it like? How did the Colossal Titan look like?!" "Yeah, how big was he? Did he have skin?" Tons of questions were being thrown at him as he tried to eat his meal. Since he'd mentioned where he was from, he'd been hounded for details by just about everyone, even that kind looking one, Christa. He hadn't minded telling her, though. She was a pleasant conversationalist, unlike these people crowding around him.

"He was big enough to at least peak over the wall, as well kick a building-sized hole in it. He had pretty-much no skin, so he was all red muscle and cartilage." He was getting tired of repeating the same answer.

"And how were the other Titans that came through the hole? Were they as scary as we've been told?" A few looked like they'd piss themselves at the answer of this question. Eren smirked, happy that a different question had been asked.

"Of course they are. How else do you think we'd be trapped within these walls, hm?" After stating this, he slammed a fist on the table, causing most of the crowd to flinch at the sudden noise. "I'll tell you how. Humanity has become stagnant, complacent in its ways of living within the walls. Everyday, we live knowing that the wall could break, and that Titans could flood in and slaughter us all like livestock. I, myself, am here to awaken humanity to its flawed view of the world, and lead humanity towards freedom of the walls, freedom of the Titan threat, freedom of its stagnation." He glanced around, noting that almost everyone in the mess seemed to stare at him in one way or another. Sighing, Eren stood from his seat, no longer hungry, and made his way out of the building. He only spared Jean, the presumably-spineless man from earlier, a piercing glare.

Mikasa stood moments later, passing by the same man as she did on her way to follow Eren. His speeches always managed to stir up her emotions, and they were one of the main driving forces behind her joining alongside him.

Of course, she'd also noticed the way most of the female trainees looked at him, and she found herself yet another reason to go where he went: to keep women from claiming him. She reasoned that she was only looking out for him as a sister, nothing more.

Titans. Titans.TITANS…

Having sent Mikasa on her way-after giving her a reassuring hug, of course- he'd decided to remain outside and watch the stars. They didn't interest him nearly as much as what was outside the walls for the time being, but he did occasionally ponder what was up there. Before he could begin doing so, his ears caught the sound of a body flopping against the ground. 'Potato-girl,' he thought as he recognized her hair.

"Ah, Eren!" There was that kind voice he'd come to enjoy in the time he'd been here. He turned to see Christa coming his way, a stout filled with water and a loaf of bread in her arms. He smiled lightly in her direction, waving as he did. "Yo, Christa."

"I didn't think you'd be out so late, but I guess I'm in luck." Stepping beneath the light of the lamp, Eren could now see her own smile directed towards him. "I originally brought this food out here for Sasha, but she seems to be passed out. I myself am not too physically strong, so it'd be nice if you could carry her to the bunks for me." She even batted her eyes a few times for good measure, however unintentional it was.

"Fine by me," Eren intoned, swiftly picking the potato-girl up off of the ground. He'd honestly figured she'd jump to life at the sound of food being mentioned, but lo-and-behold, she didn't. "You owe me another conversation sometime tomorrow as payment, though." He added as an afterthought. It'd be nice to have a friend outside of the ones from his childhood.

"Of course, Eren." Christa replied curtly, her facing brightening further, if it was possible, at the chance to have a friend besides Ymir.

As the two made their way to one of the cabins, the aforementioned Ymir could be sighted coming beneath the streetlamp. "…Eren Yeager. Hmph, I suppose the girl could use more 'friends' anyway." Her eyes narrowed at 'friend'. She'd have to keep tabs on this boy, for sure.

Titans. Titans.TITANS!

So, there's that. As you can see, it's hard for me to characterize how people would act around Eren, especially people who have little interaction with him in the actual show.

Let me know what you think, give me any ideas you feel could contribute well to this story, etc.

Seeya.