Chapter 9: Monsters

Our existence was announced on the paper the next day. We were left in the dark about the human's reaction which worried me. Although I had stressed and announced the rules to the slayers, none of them seemed to take the situation seriously. However, none of them went outside like we suggested so our existence to the humans was passed off as a rumor. That changed however when we joined the Survey Corps on their next expedition.

I sat back in the horse's saddle and simply stared at the base exit in front of us. Behind me was a wagon without a cover being pulled by two horses. In that wagon were the Elite slayers, anxiously waiting for us to start heading out. Ace and Slane rode at my sides; Ace had a fiery passion in his eyes while Slane had his usual serious gloomy expression. I took in a deep breath in order to calm down my nerves. We were going to be introduced that day. The horses in front of us began to walk forward. I tapped my horse with my heels and it started walking forward out of camp, walking among the crowd of soldiers. When we arrived into the city, the crowd of people stared at us astonished. It was announced we would be leaving with the Survey Corps but they couldn't believe their eyes. There we were; the beasts that slaughtered countless titans. Their muttering and staring caused me to feel tense. I glanced away at a group of people who stared at me nervously. Their reactions were not a good sign for the future.

"Open the gates!" Commander Erwin ordered, "Prepare to move out!"

"Hey June," Ace called. I looked over at him. He stared back at me with a confident grin on his face. Using his slayer arm, he gave me a thumbs up, "Take it easy. You're doing great."

I smiled back at him and nodded back at him, "Thank you Ace."

"The gates are open!" Erwin cried, "Move out!"

I kicked my horse which caused it to start galloping forward. We were out of the city quickly without any hassle. I finger whistled three short quick breaths.

"Slayers shift and move to your assigned squads!" I cried.

-A few weeks before-

"Slayer-human bonding training?" Erwin asked.

"Yes," I replied, "I propose the slayers should assign themselves to a squad and they will protect that squad. It would help the slayers in their slayer form to trust humans more so we won't have anymore incidents like with Levi and Mira."
Erwin nodded his head affirmatively, "It would help to not have titan slayers trying to kill us. How would you go about the training though?"

I replied confidently, "I had been planning this for a while now. The slayers in their slayer form would chose a human or humans they want to work with. The two of them would then undergo several bonding trials and exercises and do their training together. After they trust each other completely, that slayer would be able to assist their squads and prevent less casualties on the field."

"That actually seems like an excellent idea. We should start this training as soon as possible before we leave," he replied.

-Later the next day-

The Survey Corps stood in front of me and the slayers behind me. The slayers were each in their slayer form and stared uneasily at the Survey Corps soldiers and vice versa. I took a few steps forward, driving all eyes on me.

"Alright, so I know you've already been told what would happen but I am going to remind you anyway," I announced, "The slayer will choose who they would like to work with. There is no backing out. Once a slayer has chosen you, you're stuck with them."

I looked back at the slayers who stared at me ready for my cue. I nodded, "With that out of the way, let's begin."

I turned my back on the Survey Corps and lifted the cloth on my eye to communicate with the slayers, "Remember, your choice is long term. Choose wisely."

I lowered my cloth and joined Ace and Slane in the corner of the room, watching the scene play out. Both sides stared at each other awkwardly. Con was the first one to hesitantly walk forward. He was followed by Mira, then Charlotte, Alph, and the others. Mira hesitantly approached Levi with her ears pinned back. Levi stared back at her and offered his hand out to her. Mira hesitated and stared at it for a minute. She then rubbed her head against it and sat next to him.

"How could I guess that Mira would choose Levi?" Ace commented.

Elli walked up to Commander Erwin, holding her head up high. Erwin stared up at her with a curious gaze. Elli stared back down at him . She then excitedly cawed at him and bopped his nose with her beak.

"Well that's something you wouldn't expect," Slane commented, "Of all people, Elli chooses the commander of the Survey Corps."

I crossed my arms and grinned, "Let's just hope he'll be able to handle her."

-Later-

I was working with Levi and Mira. Despite what had happened last expedition, Mira was still skeptical about Levi in her slayer form. However, her trust in him was slowly building… SLOWLY building. Mira stood on the opposite side of the room than us, glaring at Levi and quietly growling. I stood next to Levi, both of us staring at her.

"Alright, this should be easy considering what you've done for her in order for her to understand you," I explained, "You need to show her that you are strong enough to lead her."

"Sounds simple enough," Levi replied, "What's the catch?"

"She may try to kill you if she thinks you're a threat," I answered, "However, you won't be harmed. If things goes wrong, I'll be here to stop it."

"How am I suppose to show her I'm the boss if she'll attack me if I threaten her?" Levi questioned.

"That's kind of the point," I replied, "Each slayer will act differently. Some attack, some cower, some stalk, whether they see you as their leader or not depends on your reaction. They are no different than ordinary soldiers. Are you ready?"

He looked back at Mira and nodded, "Yes I am."

I backed up a bit and watched the scene play out. Levi and Mira took a minute of staring at each other. Mira lifted her lips to reveal her sharp teeth in a threatening manner. Levi took in a deep breath and stepped a couple steps forward. Mira growled louder with each step forward he took. He stopped and glared at her dead in the eye. Mira hissed at him as a final warning to stay away. Levi again started to walk forward; Mira began her attack. She dash towards him and jumped up with her teeth and claws bared. Levi held his arm out to defend himself. Mira's jaw meet his arm and glared at him. I was surprised however. She wasn't biting down. I looked back at Levi and saw why. He had the toughest, most intimidating expression I had ever seen. WHat would usually be fear in a prey's eyes, Levi showed no weakness. Mira stared at him wide-eyed and let go of his arm and backed up hesitantly. She crouched her body in submission and apology.

"Are you alright?" I asked him.

"I'm fine; it's just a little bite," Levi replied.

I looked at his sleeve to see a small red dot staining it, however it was nothing compared to the damage she really could've done.

"Now is time for the real test," I told him, "Hold your hand out to her. The gesture she is doing is common among slayers. It's how slayers apologize to their Alphas when they have done something wrong."

Levi stared down at her and examined her. He held out his hand, close to her head and she gently brushed it against his hand. She stood up and brushed up against his leg.

"Well, if you ask me, you two seem to be doing just fine," I commented.

Levi glanced at me and nodded. Mira focussed her attention on Levi, waiting for him to do something.

Levi and his squad rode forward, guarding the supply wagon's right side. Running at his side was Mira. His squad rode confidently from her presence. As she ran beside Levi, Mira's ears began to pick up heavy noises. She glanced ahead to see a titan lumbering slowly toward them. She pinned her ears back and ran ahead. Levi set off a black flare as he watched her run ahead. The titan bent down to pick her up but she jumped out the way and used her claws to climb up its tall body. As the titan bent its arms behind it in order to grab her off, Levi used its distraction as an opportunity to kill it. He jumped off his horse and slashed off the nape. The titan stood still for a second before falling forward and hitting its face hard on the floor.

"Wow, what a pair!" Petra praised.

"June's idea really was great!" Oulou commented.

Meanwhile, at the front of the formation was Commander Erwin, Mike, and Hanji. The three of them each had a slayer at their side; Elli with Erwin, Con with Mike, and Lavender and Ark with Hanji.

The sound of flares attracted their attention to their left side. Red flares broke through the sky and slowly drifted in the wind. Erwin pulled out his flare gun and shot a green flare towards the east.

"It smells terrible," Mike commented.

"The titans sure are active today," Hanji added.

Another flare gun went off nearby, this time on the right side. A black flare. The flare was closer than Erwin would have hoped for.

"Elli," Erwin called.

Elli's eyes moved to look at Erwin. He pointed at the black flare. Elli let out a loud cry as she jetted over to the flare. Erwin watched as she dived into the trees. The next second she flew out the forest with a twelve meter titan in her claws. She threw it away from her and dove down at it, crushing its neck under her claws. Seeing that the titan was dead , she flew back over to Erwin and cawed merrily.

"Good job!" he exclaimed.

After riding for several hours, we had finally arrived at the abandoned village from last expedition. The soldiers wandered around with their different tasks they needed to perform. This expedition was going to be short. We were delivering supplies to this village since it appeared to be the perfect base for the Survey Corps, considering that it was close to a river and surrounded by plenty of trees. The trip was also meant to test how well my idea would work for the slayers. I would only assume it did since the soldiers seemed relaxed. An hour or so later, we were back on the trail. There were little casualties during the 53 expedition. Despite that fact however, our return was not treated well by the citizens. For once, the mission was a success, but that was overruled by their shocked faces of the slayers appearance.

"THOSE are the slayers?!" a woman shrieked.

"They're hideous," a man sneered.

"How could the Survey Corps work with such monsters?!" a man cried out.

Ace growled in frustration. I turned my head to look at him. He locked his jaw together and tightened his fist, "How could they say things like that?!"

"Ace," I called out.

Ace looked over at me, his eyes filled with anger from the crowd's comments.

I shook my head, which caused him to let his jaw go, but he glared forward. I stared forward as well, trying to pretend the crowd wasn't there. That was when I heard a lady scream. I jerked my head in the direction and saw Alph nervously stare at the woman. He walked forward one step, causing the lady to scream again.

"Get away from me you monster!" she cried as she threw stones at him.

Alph flinched as one stone hit his eye. He hissed at her causing her to cower in fear. I jumped off my horse and ran over to the scene. I stepped in between Alph and the woman. Alph glanced up at my face. I revealed my eye in order to talk to him.

"Alph! What are you doing?!" I cried.

Alph replied, "She smelled sweet. I remembered smelling flowers like that before. When I looked at her, she started screaming and go crazy!"

"That girl's one of them too!" a man hollered, "Just look at her eye!"

"Alph, stand by horse," I ordered.

"Yes Alpha," he replied.

He walked next to my horse and I lowered the cloth in order to hide my eye and hustled to my horse.