Hey guys, sorry for the wait. School sort of caught up with me. (I'm taking Physics and Pre-Calc, yay) Oh, and I had trouble writing this chapter too. I hope it's not too terrible... Anyways, this was beta'd by KappasRule, and I hope you all review~

I own neither DGM nor SNK

Year 847, Training Corps HQ

Armin was one of the few people who noticed Allen's isolation. He also noticed that a certain trio kept on pestering him for some reason. Armin never heard their conversations, but in the end of each he could tell Allen was either angry or tensed.

Honestly, Armin was a little concerned for Allen.

So he did, and it was during hand-to-hand combat training, something Armin was particularly terrible at.

He just so happened to be partnered up with Allen. They both readied in their stances, Armin was a bit shaky but Allen had this almost bored look on his face. However, that look disappeared and Allen just gave him a smile. "Ah, don't worry. I'll go easy on you. How about I catch your punches?"

Armin just through a couple punches at him. "Hey, Allen…" Armin began. Allen grunted in acknowledgement. "If you don't mind me asking, what is it do Reiner, Bertoldt, and Annie pester you about?"

Allen narrowed his eyes. "I really can't say."

"Ok…" Armin gave in. "Anyway, you can always sit with us during meal time, you know. So you wouldn't be bothered by them."

"Thank you for the offer, I appreciate it."

Year 850, Survey Corps HQ, stables

Allen had entered the stables along with Eld and Gunther. Eren was already there feeding his horse. "Hey, Eren." Allen greeted, approaching him and petting his horse.

"Oh, hi Allen… Eld, Gunther." He nodded to the two behind Allen, who situated themselves on a bench.

"Hey, Eren, there are people in your class that are joining the Survey Corps, aren't there?" Gunther asked.

Eren's face brightened slightly. "Oh, yeah, there are!" But then his expression deepened. "But, I'm not so sure anymore."

"Perhaps the Trost incident changed their minds about joining. I remember that several of you guys wanted to join the Survey Corps, especially after that speech of yours." Eren didn't respond.

"Hold on, Allen. You were part of the 104th?" Eld asked.

"Maybe." Allen answered, shrugging. "Maybe not."

Gunther sighed. "You never give us straight answers."

"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about." Allen crossed his arms.

A set of hooves interrupted their conversation. Gunther and Eld immediately stood and saluted, and Eren quickly, almost urgently saluted as well. "Reporting for duty, sir!"

Allen just stood there, smirking at the man on the horse, Corporal Levi. "We're going out for a ride." He announced. "Eren, get your horse. This would be practice for the upcoming expedition, and I'm going to need you at least ten meters behind me."

"Yes, sir."

"Are you coming with us, Allen?" Levi asked.

Allen shook his head. "My mission here is done; I'll have to go report to master."

Levi raised an eyebrow, but just shrugged. "Whatever."

"Huh? You're leaving?" Eren asked, tugging on the reins of his horse.

"Yeah. You still need practice with your titan form, but…. It's been a long time since I reported to base."

Eren frowned. "Don't you want to at least say hello to your friends in the 104th?"

"Eren, enough. Let's go." Levi snapped.

Allen tugged his horse out of the stable, and swung himself onto it. "I'm leaving now, I guess." Allen said, clutching onto the reins of his horse.

Going to HQ was a long journey. Allen had to ride back to the city, and then he had to travel underground for a few miles. He couldn't take his horse underground.

The underground city scared Allen when he was little. Allen and his adoptive father Mana used to live underground for a little while. However, as time passed and he joined the Black Order, most people of the underground city began to ignore Allen and threats stopped coming.

Eventually he reached the rickety building that was dubbed HQ.

When he strolled inside, and eventually made it to Cross's office, he was a little surprised that everyone was gathered around. Lavi was the first to notice Allen's arrival. "Oh, hey beansprout!" He greeted cheerfully.

Kanda and Lenalee turned. Lenalee smiled, Kanda just grunted. "Hey guys. Where's Master Cross?" Allen asked.

"I'm right here." He heard a gruff voice coming from a stack of paper. Seems that he has been sleeping, possibly in hangover mode. Allen grimaced. "What do you all want?"

"We've come to report, sir." Lenalee said.

"Report what?" Cross asked, standing from the pile of papers he had been sleeping in, and grabbing a chair. He plopped into it, his golem resting on his shoulder.

"Well… from our duties that you've assigned us. Lavi and I were in the Military Police." Lenalee explained. "However, Lavi…"

"I stayed by the King's side most of the time." Lavi shrugged. "Kinda like an advisor."

Allen's eyes widened a fraction. Advisor? Lavi?

"Ok, and how was it?" Cross demanded.

"Well, the King mostly avoided any advice from me." Lavi explained. "I couldn't do anything."

"The Military Police is very corrupted." Lenalee began. "We need to do something about that, sir. The commanders drink and play poker, while the cadets are sent off to do work. They don't supervise, and make sure the job is done right."

"That…. Will be dealt with another time. How about you, pretty boy?"

Kanda's eyes twitched, and he reached for his Mugen. "Call me that again and you die."

"I'd like to see you try."

Kanda grumbled. "Nothing, nothing happened in the Garrison at all."

"That's good, that's good." Cross finally looked to Allen. "You three are dismissed."

Once they were gone, Cross spoke to Allen. "Ok, brat. How was that training with Eren?"

Allen resisted pulling his own hair out. "I'm not sure I raised his stamina, but he learned how to transform under any circumstance."

"Good." Cross said, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. "He would know to transform against any titan shifter then, even if they were his friends once."

Allen nodded. "You're next shift will be with the Military Police, along with Lavi." Cross suddenly said. "You won't be directly participating in the 57th expedition."

"Directly?"

"I know what you gave to Corporal Levi. I don't really approve of it." Cross said, and Allen tensed. "But, I'll allow it once. Since he can only use this object once, he'd better use it wisely."

Allen relaxed slightly. "Yes, master."