Welcome back! So I recently started watching Sword Art Online and I think I'm in love with Kirito. Like seriously my god I almost love him more than Eren. Maybe a little bit more… So back to the story, sorry it's been a while, let's just say I've been busy. But I'm back now so yay. Shout out to The Everlasting Non Sequitur for your extremely helpful review, it's cuz of you I know what a Mary Sue is *thumbs up*. And well that's it. I relinquish the mic to the MCs…

Cyrena

I passed my aptitude just barely. I felt myself flipping as I was being lowered, but by that point I had already been graded and they weren't gonna strap me for that. My heart is still beating pretty dangerously as I walk around the field with Mina as the others finish their tests. All the teachers were giving tests so none of them were watching us, after our test it was pretty much just a free period. Most cadets are kept, but some of them are cut and a piece of me goes out to each of them. I finally couldn't handle it after one of the cadets broke down and cried, so I asked Mina if she wanted to go for a walk. We talked about random things again, leaving out the parts about me wanting to be a Scout. It was uneventful. Connie Springer stopped us and told me I was cute, which was weird, we threw pebbles at birds and we laughed a lot. Other than that we just talked, until it was time for Eren's test. I don't know why but I really wanted to watch him. I'm inexplicably devoted to seeing his fate, subconsciously gambling in my mind- will he make it? Do I want him to? Does it matter? The answer to that last one is no, or at least that's what I tell myself.

Eren

I hear the thud of my heart like the thunder of drums. Everyone is watching me. There's Armin in the front. And Mikasa. And Riener and Bertolt. And Sardis in perfect view. He towers over me boaring his intensely hazel eyes into my skull. Sweat drips down my cheek and it's not even that hot.

"Eren Jaeger." He says, "Are you ready?"

"Yessir!" I yell at the top of my lungs but it feels more like a cry for help. The pressure of the situation makes my body buzz like an active bee hive but I have got to pull my self together.

I'll do it… I have to do it. I might not have the talent, but I'm more determined than anyone else here! I think through chattering teeth.

Finally.

"Begin." As the Commandant declares this I am hoisted into the air, the creaky sound of machinery vibrates through my whole body and I shudder. Remember what they taught you.

Screw the glory. I don't care. But that's all I've got!

My feet are off the ground. Furrowing my brows I throw my hands out to my side and arch my back for balance.

This is my weapon!

I'm doing it. I'm actually doing it.

Cyrena

Mina and I push through the crowd of people- most from our class- to see Eren being lifted. I run into Armin's back but he barely gives me a glance, he's watching Eren and so am I. I feel anticipation and hope swelling in my gut.

Come on Eren. I think without thinking. You got this.

He is when he is five feet above the ground the spinning stops. He's air bound and he's doing it. He's actually doing it. I feel a surge of relief wash over me and a big grin break out onto my face. He looks down at his body with shock and awe. He has a million dollar smile plastered on his face and I can't take my eyes off of him. Everyone cheers, or maybe it's just in my head, but then he starts rocking and I feel something in me collapse. Armin makes a choked sound when Eren hits the ground. He's now hanging upside down, struggling to get back up but it's no use. I feel a lump rise in my throat, no tears, just pain. He's still struggling.

"No- wait! Once more!" he cries. He's still fighting, how can he still be fighting?

Sardis looks down at him. Though I can't see his face I can tell it is disappointment.

"Lower him." He says and Eren falls to his knees. I feel my heart diw when I see his face. Puffy eyes, hopeless. There's nothing he can do.

"I'm…finished…" He chokes out. The air is heavy until Sardis speaks up again.

"Wagner, give Jaeger your belt." He says. Murmurs of confusion arise through the crowd and its at that moment I realize I'm squeezing Armin's arm. He doesn't seem to notice or he doesn't mind.

Perplexed and caught off guard, Thomas quickly snaps back a crisp "Yessir!" and within minutes Eren is hanging normally from the ODM rack again. He is sweating and his face is a look of befuddlement but he is hanging perfectly none the less, better than me. But I don't understand…

"You're equipment was flawed." Sardis said. That makes sense. "If given a functional piece of equipment you might not be useless after all. The clasp on this belt is broken. I might have to visit the supply depot and crack a couple skulls."

"He still did it… even with that busted gear…" someone says.

It's amazing. I am impressed. I smile again and look at Mina. She raises her eyebrow at me and I roll my eyes.

Eren

"So…I didn't wash out?" I ask hopefully.

"You made the cut." Sardis confirms. "Now get back to your training soldier."

I feel a breath of fresh air race into my lungs.

I did it! Hell yea!

I look out at Mikasa and Armin.

What now, Mikasa? I can do it! I can fight the Titans! You don't have to worry about me anymore!

Third POV

"I wasn't sure he could pull it off." Reiner says.

"Look! His eyes are saying check me out," Armin adds.

"He's not." Mikasa says, and everyone looks at her. "His eyes are saying he doesn't have to leave me. Not anymore."

Cyrena

Later that night, I have trouble falling asleep. I always have trouble, but tonight it was different. I didn't feel dark in the night, instead I shined like a flame in secret. A heat coursing through my blood when I remember his smile. Why did I care so much? Whether he kicked it or stayed? I tell myself it's because I hate to see people fail, my cold heart is still fragile but there's a voice fighting to be heard in the back of my head. I ignore it, though, there's no need to be getting distracted or taken off track.

Training. Scouts. Dad.