Lando was confused they called all the cadets down for an equipment check, they have never done this before.
Two soldiers came up to him and asked.
"What is your name?" One soldier asked.
"Lando no last name. I was not put onto a squad." Lando said.
"When was the last time you used your ODM gear?" The soldier asked.
"During the battle of Trost," Lando said.
One soldier was holding a clipboard and said "Checks out."
Lando was bored; he wasn't put next to anybody he knew so he took out his journal and did his usual drawing.
With Eren.
Someone had killed the two Titans the scouts captured and Hange was inconsolable, Eren was feeding the horses when he heard Gunther and Eld talking.
"In the end, it seems they never found whoever used the ODM gear without permission," Gunther said. "Who could it have been?"
"Beats me," Eld said. "Right now, I'm more worried about the upcoming rookie solicitation. How many rookies would join us just for the hell of it?"
"Hey, Eren," Gunther said. "Is there anyone in your class who's thinking of joining us?"
"There is only one that I know for sure," Eren said.
"Who?" Gunther asked.
"Lando, other than that I don't know if anyone else is," Eren said.
"Where have I heard that name before…?" Eld said.
"He fought during the battle of Trost," Eren said.
"Oh, that kid!" Gunther said. " I heard the Judge read his report during your trial, he had over 30 Titan kills. As well as guarded you while you carried that boulder from a horde of Titans."
"Is he really that good?" Eld asked.
"I think he is better than what the rumors about him are," Eren said.
They all heard a horse and turned to see Levi riding toward them.
"Make ready at once! We are going on patrol!"
They all saluted saying "Yes, Sir!"
Back with Lando.
It was late in the evening and the sun was almost down. Lando was sitting down with his back on a wall next to Conny, Sasha, Armin, and Annie.
They were all waiting in silence before they saw Jean walking toward them.
"Jean!" Sasha said. "Are you really joining the Scouts?"
"Yeah," Jean said.
"All those arguments between him and Eren about the Scouts vs MPs were all for nothing…" Lando thought
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Sasha asked. "I mean….aren't you afraid?"
"Huh? Of course." Jean said. "I don't like the lousy Scouts."
"Huh? Then why are you…?" Conny said.
"It's not cause I'm scared of the Titans or anything like that. Nor am I gonna say that capable people should join the Scouts. I'm not like that suicidal maniac." Jean says.
"Eren, huh?" Conny says. "He's already been a scout for a while now."
"Cadets fall in!" Someone yelled. "Face the platform!"
"No one's persuaded me into risking my life, either. This is one time where the decision has to be all mine." Jean finished walking toward the platform.
Lando got up and followed everyone else.
The first to come onto the platform was Erwin Smith.
"I am Commander Erwin Smith of the Scout Regiment. Today, you choose a regiment to join. To put it bluntly, this is my invitation for you to join the scouts. I am sure that, after this recent Titan attack, you've already come to know their horror, as well as the limits of your own abilities. However! Through this battle, humanity has gained an unprecedented advancement toward victory. I'm referring to Eren Jaeger. He has proven, by risking life and limb, that he is unquestionably on our side. What's more, he has helped us not only foil the Titans' invasion, but has given us the truth behind the Titans as well!" Erwin said.
Gasps were heard all around, but Lando didn't believe it.
"He is trying to get as many recruits as possible." Lando thought.
"We have reason to believe that the basement of his home in Shiganshina houses a secret of the Titans that not even he is aware of. If we can just reach this basement, we may be able to obtain information that will help us break free from the Titans' century long tyranny." Erwin said.
"What does he need recruits this badly for? Or is he looking for certain types of recruits?" Lando thought.
"We will head for the basement in Shinganshina District. However, doing so will require taking back Wall Maria. In other words, our goal is the same as it's always been….." Then two people walk out with a map with an X over Trost. "...but now Trost's gate is unusable, we've no choice but to depart from Calaneth District, further to the east. The entire battalion route we spent four years on is now useless. During those four years, over 60% of Scouts died. 60% in four years. Truly unbelievable numbers. In one month there will be an outside scouting mission. New recruits from your class will take part in it, of which I estimate 30% will die. And in four years, most will be dead. However, whoever prevails will have become a highly skilled soldier who can survive anything. Knowing this dismal state of affairs, whoever still wishes to put their life on the line, remain here. Ask yourself…if you can give your heart for the sake of humankind! That is all. Those who wish to join other Regiments may leave." Erwin finished.
Lando was at the back and we watched swarms of people walk by him, he understood why.
Erwin watched as almost everyone left he looked at the remaining recruits till his eyes caught one in the back. He got the one he was hoping for.
"If you cadets were told to die, could you?" Erwin said.
"We don't wish to die, Sir!" Someone yelled.
Erwin smiled before saying.
"I see. You each have an outstanding look about you." He said. "All of you are hereby accepted as new members of the Scout Regiment! This is a genuine salute! Give your hearts!" Erwin said while saluting
Everyone did the salute, Lando did it much slower compared to everyone else.
"Yes sir!" Everyone yelled.
"You've done well to endure your fear. You're all brave soldiers. I respect you from the bottom of my heart." Erwin said. "Dismissed!"
The next day they were all at the Scouts HQ which was a castle, Lando would have to draw it later.
"Salute! I am Section Commander Ness. And this is my horse, Charrette. Charrette likes to pull hair, so watch out if you don't wanna go bald. It's nice to meet you." Ness said.
Charrette then took the opportunity to bite Ness's head scarf.
"You idiot! Stop that, Charrette!" Ness yelled. "Someone do something! Hey!"
After that, they were put into a classroom where they were given the Scout's new formation, Lando learned it pretty easily. Looks like they would run supplies and relay signals, and Eren got the middle, the safest part of the formation.
After that, they were walking around the castle getting a tour. Lando was walking behind Mikasa and Armin thinking about how to converse with his dad when heard someone yell behind him.
"Hey! Mikasa! Armin! Lando!" Eren yelled running over.
"Eren!" Mikasa said looking like she was about to go feral.
"It feels like it's been forever!" Eren said.
"Eren…." Mikasa said, grabbing his hand. "Have they mistreated you in any way?! Like studying and examining every bit of you or putting you through mental anguish?!"
"N-No, not at all…" Eren said.
"That pipsqueak went way too far," Mikasa said. "Someday I will make him pay."
"That pipsqueak will slaughter you before you even touch him," Lando said.
"Are you talking about Captain Levi?" Eren asked.
Out of the corner of Lando's eye, he caught his dad leading a horse and walking away from them. Then the rest of the 104th that joined the Scouts came over.
"You're all here?!" Eren said. "But…if you're here…does that mean you joined the Scouts?"
"Why else would we be here?" Conny said.
"Then just Jean, Annie, and Marco joined the Military Police," Eren said.
Then Jean made his presence known walking forward.
"Wait you too?!" Eren said.
"Marco's dead." Jean says.
Lando was standing there and let them all talk, but after Jean said Marco was dead Lando looked towards Reiner and Berthold and saw Berthold look sad for a second, Lando knew there was something up with those two. But he couldn't do anything about it.
"Huh?" Eren said. "What did you just say? Did you say Marco's dead?"
"Apparently not everyone can die in a dramatic way. I don't even know how he went out. He died all alone, without anyone knowing or seeing." Jean says.
"Marco did…?" Eren says
Then Ness yelled
"Hey, gather 'round rookies! Your uniforms are here!"
They all walked over and grabbed their uniform putting it on, Lando put his on then put his hood over his face. He liked his face hidden. It made him feel safer, probably from the years he spent with his face hidden in the underground. Lando also has been wearing that scarf he bought in Trost, it was the first thing he bought after becoming a soldier it had some sentimental value.
That night they were all in the underground of the castle talking about the new operation.
"Are you guys really….?" Eren said.
"Yes, we are taking part in the upcoming operation too," Mikasa said.
"Hey, Eren," Jean says. "I heard you tried to kill Mikasa when you turned into a Titan. What's that all about?"
"It's not like that. He was swatting a fly." Mikasa said.
"I'm not asking you," Jean says to Mikasa. "Actually Mikasa, that cut on your face looks pretty deep. When did you get it?"
Mikasa then hid the cut behind her hair.
Lando was next to Conny and whispered. "He should've just joined the MPs he is already acting like one."
And that made Conny start laughing out loud making every turn to him.
"What's so funny?" Jean asked, annoyed.
"Lando said a funny joke!" Conny said.
Now everyone was looking at Lando surprised and he just shrugged.
"Apparently it's true. I tried to kill Mikasa and Lando when I was in Titan form." Eren says.
"Apparently? Meaning you don't remember?" Jean asked "So, basically you never knew about this Titan ability of yours until now and you don't have full control over it?"
"Yes that's right," Eren said.
"Hear that guys? Sounds like this is the current situation. Our lives and the lives of all humankind rest on his shoulders. We'll probably end up dead just like Marco too; dead before Eren knows it." Jean says.
"Jean. What's the point in chastising Eren now?" Mikasa asked.
"Y'know Mikasa…."Jean says. "Not everyone is willing to needlessly die for Eren like you. We should know what we're laying down our lives for. Otherwise, we'll end up hesitating when the time comes. We're asking Eren for a guarantee. Show us what you're worth…..so we can see if our lives are worth as much."
"Let's all calm down…" Christa said, trying to ease the situation. "What do you think Lando?"
And now all attention is turned to Lando, something that he hated.
"Why me?" Lando asked.
"Because you're the only one that can stop those two from arguing," Ymir said.
"Of course I am." Lando sighed.
"My thoughts are this, if Eren goes berserk I will kill you myself," Lando said.
"Over my dead body!" Mikasa said.
"I can do that too and you know I'm capable of killing you," Lando said.
"But Erens is too valuable!" Armin said to Lando.
"If one person can turn into a Titan so can another, the king and his men probably already know how to make a human into one that can turn into a Titan. In my eyes, Eren is not as valuable as you guys say." Lando said as he walked over to Eren.
"If you mess up or go berserk you will die," Lando said. "By my hands."
Eren gulped.
"I won't fail," Eren said.
"Good," Lando said. "But if you do, you and most likely Mikasa will die too."
Lando then walked out of the basement.
Mikasa didn't know what to think, she already had thought up some kind of plan if Eren tried to kill another person and how to get him to safety. But now Lando said he was going to kill Eren and she knew she couldn't beat him in any kind of fight and there was also Levi who would also kill Eren.
Lando was walking to his bed when he passed by Erwin.
"Lando is it?" Erwin said.
"Yes," Lando said.
Erwin hands him an envelope.
"Deliver this to Levi," Erwin said. " I can't do it right now because I'm busy."
Lando took it without saying anything but he was happy he would get to see his dad. Lando found Levi's office room, he walked in and saw Levi and Petra talking about something and that made Lando uncomfortable.
"Am I interrupting something?" Lando asked.
"No." Levi said.
Lando walked over and handed him an envelope.
"Erwin said to give this to you," Lando said.
Lando wanted to get out of there now it felt awkward so he turned to walk away but Petra decided he hadn't suffered enough.
"Are you a new recruit?" Petra asked.
Lando really wanted to leave so he walked to the door saying "Yes." then closed it and walked away he was going to climb on the castle roof and finish his drawings.
"He must be shy," Petra said.
Levi didn't say anything so they got back to discussing what to do with Eren and the operation.
End of Chapter 25.
Remember to take care of each other.