Chapter 10

Before the 57th expedition, with Aya's request, Eren and his group of six are now with the Levi Squad. Katrina says, "I can't believe you manage to make us a part of the Special Operations Squad..."

"Indeed...to think Captain Levi will pick all 4 of us in the squad other than you two..." Odom adds.

"That's because the Levi Squad can be trusted with the information of you being Titans." Aya says. "And Captain Levi is my father as well."

"To think that the commander is your father, no wonder you ranked number 2." Peter chuckles.

As they are riding on their horses with the other squad members, Oluo says, "The old Survey Corps HQ... Originally, it was an old castle we remodeled. So it certainly looks imposing. But being so far from the rivers and walls, it ended up being useless for the Survey Corps. It was established right after the Survey Corps' formation when ideals were all they had. But I never imagined that this giant ornament would end up being the perfect place to hide the four of you."

Eren, Katrina, Odom, and Peter can only lower their heads, and Oluo says, "Don't get cocky, new kids. I don't care if four of you are Titans. I can't believe Captain Levi will spend all his time with brats like you..."

But before he can finish, he bites his tongue and blood comes out, Petra says, "It's no wonder you bit your tongue, talking up a storm while riding a horse!"

"First impressions are important." Oluo retorts. "They are stunned."

"I think they were just surprised by how dumb you are. Especially one of them is Captain Levi's own daughter." Petra sighs.

The six of them are tending to their horses, and they ignore the conversation with Petra and Oluo. Katrina says, "But still, those are the members of the Survey Corps Special Operations Squad. Petra Ralls, 10 Titan kills and 48 assists."

Peter says, "Oluo Bozad. 39 Titan kills and 9 assists. By any definition, they're the best."

Odom says, "That one is Eldo Jinn, 14 kills, and 32 assists."

Eren says, "And Gunther Shultz, 7 kills, and 40 assists. They're the best of the Survey Corps, specially selected by Captain Levi. And if we lose control, they'll be the ones who kill us."

"Come on, we have been training our Titan abilities for 5 years, we are fully controlling our Titan abilities." Peter says.

"But I'm very sorry for the Titans we killed, they are also people like us, just because they were injected by Marley..." Odom sighs. "How long are we going to keep this a secret?"

Aya says, "Nobody believes us unless we manage to find a way to create potions for them. We are lucky that the Survey Corps believes in us."

Mikasa says, "Not all of the Survey Corps, we only pick a few."

"Look at all the weeds." Eldo says. "It's terrible."

"It hasn't been used for years." Gunther says. "Inside, it's probably covered in dust."

"That is indeed a serious problem." Levi says. "We'll begin immediately."

Then all of them are tasked to clean the rooms inside the castle. Peter says, "No wonder he is Aya's father..."

Odom says, "Clean freaks..."

Katrina says, "Shut up, you two, with all the dust here, no wonder we need some serious cleaning."

Mikasa decides to say nothing as she continues to clean the area.

Eren then walks to Levi and says, "I've finished cleaning the upper floor. Where are we going to sleep?"

"You and the three others will sleep in the basement." Levi says. "Aya and Mikasa will sleep in the room beside me."

"I see." Eren nods since it will be convenient for the other squad members to contain them when things go wrong.

Aya says, "Since you're done, Eren, can you help me with this room?"

"Sure." Eren says as he helps her, Levi stares at the two of them, hoping nothing happened between the two of them before leaving to inspect other rooms.

"You two seem adorable to each other." Petra comes into the room, much to the two's surprise and they blush a little. Aya asks, "Is that really obvious?"

"Your reactions aren't all that uncommon." Petra shrugs. "You must be wondering what kind of person is your father since you only met him a few days ago, right, Aya?"

"I'm curious about that as well. All I heard from Mom is that he is a hero and she admired him." Aya says.

"The real Captain Levi is smaller, more high-strung, and more violent than people think - an intimidating man." Petra says.

"I think I can relate to Aya after hearing that." Eren says, only to be earned a glare from Aya and a cloth onto his face.

"Rude." Aya pouts, "But I'm surprised how close he seemed to follow orders from above."

"Because he's powerful and influential, you assumed he wouldn't let formalities hold him back?" Petra asks.

"I mean, I thought Dad wouldn't take orders from anyone." Aya says.

"I don't know the details, but before, he may have been just like you said. Before he joined the Survey Corps, he was a famous thug, operating in the capital's underground." Petra says.

Aya says, "Then it was true...My Mother was saved by him from the underground, and that's why she fell in love with him. It was when he bore me that he joined the Survey Corps..."

"I'm not sure what happened, but I heard Captain Erwin brought him into the Survey Corps." Petra says.

"Captain Erwin?" Eren asks while continuing to clean the floor.

"Hey, Eren!" Just then, Levi walks back in, "That isn't nearly good enough. Redo the whole thing."

Eren frowns, and he goes back to clean the room.

With Commander Erwin, he already informs Hange and Mike about the information. Hange says, "So you say that the four new recruits can turn into Titans?! That's awesome!"

"But are you sure they can be trusted?" Mike asks.

"That's why I have the Levi Squad look after them. Besides, they also reveal some things that answer a lot of my questions." Erwin says.

Then he also discusses the plan to the two section commanders, and they can only nod in agreement.

Back in the castle, everyone just finishes dinner. Eldo says, "We'll be on standby for a few more days. I heard we're already planning a large-scale expedition beyond the walls in a month. Not to mention, we'll be bringing this year's graduates along, too."

Gunther asks, "Is that true, Eldo? That's pretty sudden. The Titan attack must've taken a toll on the new troops."

"It probably terrified the brats." Oluo smirks while drinking the tea.

"Is that true, Captain?" Petra asks.

"Making plans isn't my job. But knowing Erwin, he has more on his mind than we could imagine." Levi says.

"It's true that the situation has changed. I'd thought that all of our sacrifices thus far to lay a route to retake Maria had been negated by a single blow. But now we have an entirely different hope." Eldo says while they stare at the six new recruits, who tense up.

"I still can't believe it. But what do they mean when they say you turn into Titans?" Oluo asks.

Eren frowns, "You see, there are 12 different Titans who have the ability to shift into Titans. And the four of us are chosen. The way to trigger is a self-inflicted injury."

Katrina says, "Like biting our hand or using our blades to cut our hand. We can become Titans on our will."

"You said there are 12, so I must guess that the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan that we saw before are also like you guys?" Petra asks.

"Of course. And I'm sure that there are more of them to come." Eren frowns.

Just then, Hange rushes into the room and says, "Hello, Levi Squad...How are you enjoying the castle?"

"You're early." Levi says.

"I couldn't wait any longer!" Hange says. "Erwin told me everything, and I can't believe there are four people who can turn into Titans!"

Eren flinches a little before turning into a slight scowl, and he knows very well that Hange is against the idea of having him using the Rumbling. But then again, it doesn't matter since she will die to the Rumbling.

"Hey there, guys. I'm in charge of investigating the two Titans we've captured in town, and I'd like you to help with tomorrow's experiments. I came to get permission." Hange says.

"Experiments?" Katrina asks. "What kind of experiments?"

"Something very fantastic!" Hange says.

"But we can't give permission for ourselves." Peter says. "We don't have that authority..."

"Levi, what's their plans tomorrow?" Hange asks.

"Cleaning the courtyard." Levi replies.

"Okay, then! It's settled! See you guys tomorrow." Hange says.

"But what do you mean by experiments with Titans?" Eren asks.

"Please, stop asking..." Oluo tries to say, but it's too late.

"I knew it. I thought you looked like you wanted to hear..." Hange says. And the other members of the Levi squad leave.

Katrina says, "We've also done some experiments with the Titans, maybe it will be better if we share our opinions together."

"Really? You guys are doing experiments with Titans too? That's fantastic!" Hange says with delight.

"So what kind of experiments have you done?" Mikasa asks.

"We tried communication, sadly, they can't talk human, but seeing their interactions were amazing." Hange says.

Then she explains that they don't need water or food. They have vocal organs, yet they don't need to breathe. All they need to stay alive is sunlight. Hange says, "So what about you? What kind of experiments have you done?"

Aya asks, "Squad Leader Hange, what will you think if Titans are humans like us that are forced to change into them?"

"What? That's a really funny joke, I mean, Titans and Humans are not possibly the same, right?" Hange asks.

"However, that's an undeniable truth." Eren says. Katrina takes out a box and says, "With our blood and spinal fluid, we created a lot of the serums to return the Titans back to humans. May I have permission to use them on the two Titans that you captured?"

"Of course you can!" Hange says. "I will like to see how Sonny and Bean look like when they become humans..."

Aya says, "Squad Leader Hange, I want to ask if there's enough space outside of the castle?"

"Huh? Why do you ask?" Hange asks.

"Oh, it's time, I guess?" Odom asks. "You see, we usually train our Titan abilities during this time. It's one of the ways that we do our experiments."

"Oh! Can I watch it as well? I want to see how you train!" Hange says.

"Of course." Eren says, "Though we've better be quiet, I mean, maybe the Levi Squad would want to sleep."

As they all head outside, they didn't realize Levi is behind them as he decides to see what they're up to.

During the training, it is usually one of them who transforms into a Titan while the other four are trying to fight against them. And they also take turns and they also figure out new strategies.

When morning comes, Hange says, "That's amazing, all of you, but won't you guys need some rest? I mean, you just stay up all night training."

"For some reason, when we become Titans, we are not usually sleepy." Katrina says.

"Maybe for us and the twelve titans that we mentioned, however, I guess the pure titans won't be able to do this kind of training with us, considering what you said, they need sunlight."

Behind them, Levi is watching, and he just gives a small smile before walking into the castle, knowing that these kids might be really capable.

Just then, a soldier named Moblit rushes and yells, "Is Squad Leader Hange here? The test subjects...both Titans were killed!"

This causes them to widen their eyes in horror. After rushing to the spot, they see two Titan skeletons on the ground. Hange lets out a scream and yells, "Sony! Bean! This can't be real! Tell me it isn't real!"

"Those test subjects were very valuable...Did one of the soldiers do it?" Gunther asks.

"Yeah, we don't know who yet." Eldo says. "They were both killed at the same time before dawn. By the time the watchmen noticed, they'd used their Maneuver Gear to get away."

"So this was a deliberate plan, involving two or more people..." Gunther says.

Oluo says, "Look...Squad Leader Hange's gone nuts."

Petra just elbows him, and Katrina mutters, "Damn it...looks like we can't use our serums..."

"Well, we do know who the killer is." Eren sighs. "We have to let everything play out the same way if we want to reach our goal."

The other five nod before leaving and preparing for the upcoming quest.

Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, all four of my OCs, Mikasa, and Eren are now in the Levi Squad, and they decide to reveal some of their secrets. I hope you like this chapter.