A new life
Chapter 5: Two months later
Word quickly spread about Levi's kills outside the walls. The newspapers dubbed him Humanity's strongest to which he was disgusted. Lucky for Levi when he and the rest of his squad would go out for supplies no one looked for someone fitting his description. The man the papers spoke of was a step from a demi-god. It was someone more like Erwin; a tall man with strong features who could command soldier to their death. Levi had to admit that after Mike got promoted Erwin didn't seem quite so bad. Levi almost wanted to believe the words he spoke. Erwin's squad seemed to believe in him. Especially four eyes.
"You take too long," he told Hange. Levi refused to step into that messy dorm room. Like most of the vets Hange stayed in the dormitory with a roomate. "I won't be late because you are constipated." Hange walked out of the dorm room.
"If I was constipated I wouldn't be in my room. That doesn't make sense."
"I don't know your disgusting habits," said Levi. They walked toward the gymnasium. Captain Erwin ran a streamlined unit. Every other day they had physical training included sparring. The other days they practiced 3D maneuvers; mostly drills that Erwin created. If they were lucky they got to have one day to themselves.
During sparring practice Erwin's squad practiced more than defense drills. More often than not the squad left practice a little bloody. As they walked to the gym Hange babbled on about something boring. Along the way they passed two soldiers from another squad.
"I wonder if he's going to practice in that frilly cravat?" one of the men sneered. Levi stopped walking.
"Levi?" asked Hange.
"Why the fuck do you care what I fight in?" he spat at the man.
"Oh forgive me, M'lady," said the man. He gave a sweeping bow for emphasis.
"You bitches keep fucking with me," Levi asked. "I can give you the whooping you're looking for."
"Come on Levi," Hange said and tugged on his coat sleeve. He turned around.
"Yea, you better go. As if I could be scared by an underground runt like you."
Levi balled up his fist. "You should be scared," he hissed.
"Admit it," the man continued. "You weren't a thug were you? No, too pretty for that; you were hooker."
Levi whipped around to strike but before he could take a step Hange leapt forward and decked the man in the face. "That's enough," Hange yelled at the man on the ground. "Both of you get out of here before I report you."
"Hey, you hit me!" argued the fallen man.
"What?" Hange glared at the men.
"We're going; we're going," said the fallen man's companion.
"Come on Levi," Hange turned around. "We're already late." Levi nodded. Maybe this one wasn't such an idiot, he thought. They continued to walk to the gym.
"You didn't have to do that," said Levi.
"You're still on probation right?" Hange replied softly. Levi nodded. Ever since they came back from the wall there plenty of glory hunters who wanted to test Levi. It reminded him of the underground. When he was a brat everyone wanted to test him until he built up his street credit. Here in the Survey Corps Levi heard the passing rumors, mostly from the new recruits, in the cafeteria or the bathroom when they didn't think he was there.
'Who does this guy think he is?'
'What are we doing this for? If he can just show up and make us all look bad?'
'What is the brass thinking bringing some criminal into the Survey Corps? Don't we have it bad enough?'
After the last fight Levi got into to, Erwin put him on three months' probation when he wouldn't rat on who started the fight. Levi wasn't a snitch. Not over something as stupid as a fight. Of course when Erwin told him Levi acted disinterested. He shouldn't care if he got in trouble. His stay was only temporary. Just until I find a better place, he thought.
"Hange, Levi" called Captain Erwin called to them as they entered. "You're late" Hange saluted at the mention of their names.
"Sorry sir," said Hange. "Something happened on the way from the dormitory."
"Carry on," Captain Erwin said to the two sparring in the middle in the room. He walked over to the latecomers. "Something happened?"
"Hange had to shit," said Levi.
"Language Levi," said Captain Erwin. He looked down at Hange's bruised knuckles.
"I did sir," Hange said quickly. Only a fool wouldn't know that something more suspicious than bathroom practices happened. "It's a lot better now. Levi helped." Captain Erwin eyes grew wide. He looked from one to the other. Erwin put this little situation away for later.
"We are doing something different today," he changed the subject. "You will pair up and spar until one is pinned. We will do this until only one remains. That person will challenge me."
"He's pinned sir!"
Captain Erwin turned away. "Thank you Anderson," Erwin turned. "Prepare yourselves." He told them before walking away.
"Yes sir," said Hange.
"Why the hell would you say that I helped you with your constipation?" Levi said once the captain was out of earshot.
"I'd do it for you" said Hange. They took off their jackets and hung them on one of the wall hooks.
"Pervert,"
"Would you rather I tell the truth?"
Levi grit his teeth and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
"Hange, Sonia, you're up," said the Captain.
"Yes sir," Hange ran to the middle of the circle, the tossing the glasses to leave. If he had to say something nice about four eyes it was that Hange had passion. When Hange's mind was set to something Hange found a way to make it happen. Just like pinning her dorm mate in just a few moves.
"Not bad," Levi said handing Hange the glasses.
"Coming from you that is a major compliment," Hange said.
Levi scoffed.
"Levi, John," called Captain Erwin.
"Win," Hange told him.
John was another interesting character in Erwin's band of misfits. John was a broad man with a lofty height of 6'5 who was surprisingly quick. He had a reputation of using brute strength when killing titans. In their previous bouts Captain Erwin would call a draw because neither would back down. The first time they sparred John made the mistake of trying to pick Levi up. That was also the last. Today would be different. All he had to do was pin the bigger man.
"Begin."
John lunged forward. Levi jumped forward to take hold of John's hand. Using the fist for a base Levi swung up to John's throat. He curled his left arm like a hook around John's neck. Levi spun around using his weight to knock him off balance. John was too stunned to react. He fell to the ground with a thump. It wasn't until Levi straddled his chest and pinned his arms as he had done only months before to Erwin that John realized what had happened.
"Well shit," John said from the ground. John wasn't a bad guy. He and the other members within Erwin's squad treated Levi kindly even if they were a bit odd. "That's only going to work once."
"We'll see," said Levi. He patted John on head before rising. If the Survey Corps was for maniacs Captain Erwin's squad was the island of misfit toys. John, for example, was known to lick his blade after killing a titan. Hange had borderline personality disorder. And then there was Levi; the titan killer with no formal military training from the underground.
Hange was beaten during the second match. Levi's second match was against Clare. She was known for her speed and making bird calls while using her 3D gear. She and Levi were the same height but the deciding factor was that Levi could break out of her grapples. When the match was over he helped her to her feet.
"It appears that I will be your opponent," said Captain Erwin. Levi straightened the rolled cuffs of his shirt while the captain gave his jacket to Anderson to hold. Levi thought back to when he pinned Captain Erwin at the castle. He wouldn't be able to use that move again. He knew enough that Erwin was a fast learner and the same move would not work twice. Levi braced himself. This time he would attack. He balled his fist and moved to a ready stance. He would make quick work the tall leader.
Captain Erwin smiled. Levi frowned. This was more than just practice the way Levi saw it. He had to prove to the taller man that he was stronger and would not be controlled by someone like Erwin or anyone else. First legs, then shoulders, Levi thought. Not enough to hurt him but enough for him to feel it.
"Begin," said Anderson.
Levi stepped forward. He brought his fist up as if he was going to punch. He moved his left leg to step in toward Captain Erwin's knee. At the last moment Captain Erwin pivoted right. He pushed Levi hard. The smaller man stumbled but didn't fall. He swung right to bring his fist in to protect for possible attack. He pivoted to bring his left around for a punch only to be pushed again. This only pissed Levi off even more. Each time Levi turned to swing he was pushed like a doll. Levi no longer cared about hurting him.
He swung wildly in an effort to hit his target but each time was denied. He didn't see the change in step or the foot that slipped in front of him. When he pivoted this time Levi fell to the ground, hitting his forehead. The fist intended to for Erwin's jaw was twisted behind his back. What little air hadn't been knocked out of his lungs was forced out when Erwin's knee pressed into his back.
"Son of a bitch," Levi cursed trying to push the bigger man off of him.
"It's over now Levi," Captain Erwin said. He kept the smaller man down with a grip that tightened each time the smaller man moved.
"Just as one would expect from Captain Erwin," said Anderson. "Good job sir." The others in his squad cheered.
Erwin kept his eyes on the wiggling man below him. He was reminded of a puppy he once owned. It was a stray dog that he fed dinner scraps. Erwin's mother hated the animal but his father said he could bring it home once he broke it from its wild ways. What a time to think of such a thing? Erwin thought.
"Levi," Erwin said in a softer tone. "The match is over. Stand down." Erwin held Levi's wrist tight but brought it down his lower back so it didn't hurt his shoulders. "It is alright now." Breath by breath the smaller man seemed to calm down. He relaxed his fist and placed his forehead on the ground.
"Get off of me," Levi said quietly. The tone was firm but not angry. Captain Erwin released Levi's wrist and rose to his feet. He brushed aside the hand that Erwin offered to help him to his feet. Levi dusted off his pants.
"Good practice today," said Erwin. Anderson brought him his jacket to put on. Levi joined the circle of squad members. "Dismissed. Levi, Hange, Clare, stay behind."
"Yes sir," said Hange and Clare." The squad members walked away over pick up their jackets from the hooks. Captain Erwin took his time adjusting his coat while the three waited. Levi was annoyed already. He could be doing something else right now instead of waiting for whatever Erwin was going to scold them about. So far, Levi's experiences being called after class were not good ones. Anderson picked up a stack of folders. He passed the papers to the three.
"As you know the royal games are approaching," said Captain Erwin. "The three of you have been chosen to represent the Survey Corps in the 3D races."
"3D races?" Levi said in disgust. He knew all about the games. It was the best time of year to lift extra coin and jewelry from the royals who watched. Why would he want to be a part of something like that?
"Yes," continued Erwin. "It is something that the Survey Corps has won year after year. This is because we always send out best."
"I'm not doing it," Levi said. "Find someone else."
"Levi," said Clare. "I don't think you have a choice. It is an honor to be chosen. "
"I'm not doing it." Levi repeated slowly to make sure Clare understood him. "Chose someone else." Erwin grit his teeth.
"Levi this is an order and you should follow it."
Levi scoffed. "I'm sure that there is some other idiot who wants to play in your stupid game but I'm not going to do it." Erwin's thoughts strayed back to the stray puppy. No matter how he tried to discipline it, the little dog snapped at him. There were a couple times that Erwin was sure that the dog would run away but it always came back when Erwin brought his dinner.
"If you feel so strongly it may be best that you do not participate in this year's games," Erwin said calmly. "John is also strong with 3D gear. It will be an even trade."
Levi scoffed.
"Clare, Hange," Erwin continued as if he hadn't heard the sound. "Read over the drills. We will practice them tomorrow."
"Yes sir,"
"Dismissed." Erwin said.