Hey, everyone. Thank you all for the attention and support I got right off the first chapter! It means a lot to me. Hopefully this one will be good to hint at where characters will be during the story.
RE - Super Comrade: Alice is resolved, but that won't be enough to save her from this world. Still, you'll have to wait and see!
RE - HT1318: As soon as the Struggle for Trost, things are to take a different turn overall. I hope I can keep you and many others hooked for the ride!
You all may also notice a change in Alice's appearance. I decided to redesign her for a more unique appearance, as she felt like just a Historia clone. Also worked on the new cover to fit the new design and the manga universe in which the fic takes place.
Enjoy!
Attack on Titan: White Rabbit
Chapter II: Lady and the Tramp
Keith's swift kick met Floch's shin with an echo of impact that reverberated through the training grounds, making some of the other recruits flinch in second-hand pain. Despite the seemingly mild force, Floch crumbled, disarmed in an instant. The Commandant's stern voice cut through the air, a relentless conductor orchestrating the initiation of these aspiring soldiers.
"If you aim to don the uniform, expect challenges worse than this mediocre kick, Forster! Now, on your feet, maggot! Row 1, TURN AROUND!"
Shadis's inquisition had commenced, a brutal rite aimed at forging resilience in the recruits. Each one, plucked at random from their rows, faced the ruthless scrutiny that was part of their metamorphosis into soldiers—killing machines molded to confront the looming Titan menace. Yet, amidst their shared aspiration for the safety of the Military Police, a refuge from the Titans, many secretly yearned to avoid the dreaded encounters with the giants.
Amidst the theatrics, two soldiers strolled the training grounds, observing Shadis's alchemical transformation of raw recruits into the crucible of soldiers. The spectacle held a macabre allure, and they, like spectators at a captivating drama, made it a point to witness the birth pangs of these nascent defenders whenever the Commandant, or his fellow colleagues from the Southern Division, conducted his symphony of discipline.
Keith slowly walked along the second row of recruits, each measured step intensifying the tension that clung to the air. Dread painted the faces of the trainees as they silently prayed not to be the next target of the Commandant's scrutinizing gaze. His eyes never landed directly on them, a calculated tactic that heightened their apprehension, transforming anticipation into anxiety. Yet, amid the palpable fear, a select few bore the unmistakable glint of determination in their eyes. Shadis, a seasoned observer of resilience, recognized the signs of those who had already weathered the crucible of hardship, who had already lived through their own rites of passage. Their gaze held the haunting echoes of pain, chaos, and the devastating events of two years past. There was no need for reconstruction; these recruits had emerged from the flames unbroken and unresolved.
Coming to a halt, Shadis pivoted to face the recruit positioned before him—an unassuming figure with long, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.
"State your name, maggot!" The Commandant's command echoed across the training grounds, demanding an introduction. The recruit, a short girl standing at attention, replied with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"Krista Lenz, sir!"
The pair of soldiers maintained their scrutiny as they strolled a few meters away from the assembled recruits. The older officer, sporting glasses that added an air of authority, couldn't resist the urge to probe his subordinate. "It was like that when you were training too, right?"
The soldier, reflecting on the echoes of Keith's authoritative voice, nodded in acknowledgment. "Sure it was," he admitted, the memories of his own initiation still vivid from a few short years ago. "But I never understood what's the point in intimidating them?"
"ROW 2, TURN AROUND!" Keith exclaimed once more as he shifted his focus to the third row. It didn't take him long to zero in on a perfect target, abruptly halting in his tracks. His intense gaze fell upon a young boy, who maintained a forward stare, visibly nervous. "Hey, maggot," Keith uttered, his tone strangely calm, almost a whisper.
The boy, already on edge, snapped to attention. "Sir!" he replied, executing a crisp salute. That was precisely what Keith wanted.
"What's your name, maggot?!" Keith's voice pierced the air.
"Armin Arlert of Shiganshina District, sir!" Armin declared, standing firm against the onslaught. The Commandant leaned forward, bellowing directly into Armin's face.
"Is that right?! What a dumb name! Did your parents give it to you?!"
"My grandfather did, sir!" Armin responded, his resolve unwavering.
Alice stood in the fourth row, observing the interrogation unfolding right before her eyes. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, recognizing this as a routine Military initiation, she couldn't escape the clenching of her fists in nervous anticipation, the possibility of being the next recruit in the spotlight looming over her. The Commandant's thunderous voice, a stranger's roar, felt foreign, and she wondered how she would fare under its scrutiny, having never faced such yelling directed at her. As Keith concluded his questioning of Armin, he commanded the third row to turn around.
In an instant, his gaze locked onto Alice. He scrutinized the girl, taking in her long black hair, the freckles scattered across her face, the vibrant green of her eyes, and her seemingly delicate appearance, as if she had never worked a single day in her life. Despite her attempt to evade his piercing look, it proved futile as he advanced toward her.
Commandant Shadis halted in front of Alice, his eyes boring into hers. A heavy silence enveloped them, his towering presence casting a looming shadow. Time stretched on, the weight of his scrutiny pressing down on her. She maintained her gaze forward, fixated on the Commander's collarbone, awaiting his words. Finally, he spoke.
"What is your name and where do you come from, MAGGOT!" the Commandant bellowed, demanding her introduction. Alice promptly saluted in a heartbeat.
"Alice Smith of Ehrmich District, sir!" she responded, striving to maintain her composure. Shadis didn't reply immediately, taking a moment to process. Smith? Did she say that right?
"Say that again, maggot!"
"ALICE SMITH OF EHRMICH DISTRICT, SIR!" she reiterated, this time with greater volume. A fleeting concern crossed her mind for a split second, wondering if she had erred by speaking louder.
"Smith, as in, Commander Erwin Smith from the Survey Corps?!" he interrogated her, secretly anticipating her answer.
"Sir, yes, sir! Commander Erwin is my relative!" she affirmed.
"And how is he related to a maggot like you?!"
"He is my cousin from my mother's side of the family, sir!"
Keith grumbled. "Commander Smith is a ferocious leader. I had no idea his family had rats of the likes of you! And what are you doing here, vermin?!"
"I am here to carve my place in the Military Police!" she declared, standing firm in her aspirations. Keith couldn't help but scoff at her resolve.
"Military Police? If you think some lazy, spoiled rich-brat like you who has never faced a single struggle in life will 'carve' anything other than a spot in the Garrison's sewage cleaning unit, YOU'RE DEAD WRONG!"
With a firm grip on Alice's head, he swiftly turned her 180 degrees. "Row 4, TURN AROUND!"
As Keith traversed to the next row, an unsettling sensation tightened Alice's stomach. In just a few uttered words, she inadvertently cast a shadow of her cousin's legacy and labeled herself as an unwelcome intruder. The mere mention of Ehrmich was enough; her privileged background was glaringly evident, if her untouched, unscarred appearance didn't spoil that right away. Observing her peers, she realized that, unlike the majority who hailed from the modest realms of Trost, small villages and farming backgrounds, or were simply refugees from Wall Maria, she stood as the sole representative of a higher social echelon, earning her numerous sidelong glances, some of curiosity, some of silent judgement. The question was unspoken, but nonetheless, hung palpably in the air: What exactly was she doing there among them? ~Why~?
Lost in her own thoughts and the brewing insecurity from within, Alice was abruptly pulled back to reality by the resounding thunder of Keith's interrogations, this time directed at a male recruit.
"Jean Kirstein from Trost District, sir!" the boy's voice echoed with an unmistakable intensity.
"What did you come here for?!" Keith's inquiry pierced the air, waiting for Jean's response. Jean hesitated briefly, stealing a glance at Alice before turning back to his Commandant.
"To get into the Military Police brigade..." Jean replied, surprising everyone with his composed tone amidst the tension. "... and live in the interior, sir."
Much like Alice, Jean's words sparked a subtle ripple of curiosity among their peers, drawing some sideways glances, particularly from a boy with beautiful teal-green eyes. Keith paused, wearing an encouraging, seemingly friendly smile. "I see! You want to go to the interior, do you?" His seemingly supportive demeanor lured Jean into a false sense of security, and the boy took the bait willingly.
"Yes, sir!" Jean responded with a faint smile, seemingly convinced of Shadis's backing. But without warning, Keith delivered a swift, forceful headbutt to Jean's skull, sending him sprawling to the ground. Unfazed by the impact, Keith's face twisted into his usual stoic self.
"Hey! Who gave you permission to sit down?!" His voice rang out, a blend of harsh authority and biting sarcasm. "You think someone who crumbles from a mere headbutt will cut it in the MPB?!"
Keith's head snapped to the left, honing in on a nervous breath like a predatory serpent homing in on its prey. He lunged towards the source, sinking his metaphorical fangs into the hapless recruit.
"What's your name, maggot?!" Keith bellowed, nearly deafening the recruit with his proximity to his ear. A bead of nervous sweat traced its way down the side of the boy's face as he hastily responded.
"Marco Bott, Town of Jinae, Wall Rose South District, sir!" Marco rattled off his details, hoping to cover all bases. Keith unleashed another thunderous yell, just inches from his face.
"WHAT'D YOU COME HERE FOR?!"
Time seemed to grind to a halt for Marco, his mind whirring at breakneck speed. Enlisting for the glory of the Military Police was his initial motive, but he recalled Alice's rebuke and Jean's tumultuous encounter with Shadis, the latter still trying to get off the ground. The only apparent course of action for responding Shadis became crystal clear.
"To join the Military Police Brigade and dedicate myself to the King, sir!" Marco proclaimed, a soft smile playing on his lips as he internally applauded his avoidance of sounding like a parasite or a lazy brat. Keith remained stoic as he withdrew from Marco.
"I see..." he remarked, surprisingly calm. "That's just fine. A commendable goal, I'll tell you." Leaning in, he whispered into Marco's ear, "Except I'm positive the King's got no interest in your scrawny body."
Marco's expression shifted from pride to utter shock, eyes widening in disbelief. Frozen in place, he watched as Keith moved on to the next recruit on his right, speaking to him before he was even in front of the boy. "You, maggot! Who're you?!"
"Connie Springer, sir!" Connie saluted, closing his eyes in anticipation. However, Keith's eagle-eyed scrutiny honed in on the recruit's erroneous salute. Instead of using his right arm, Connie mirrored the stance, saluting with his left. In one swift motion, Keith snatched Connie's head as if lifting a watermelon, squeezing it almost to eye level as he growled, reminiscent of a feral dog.
"You've got it backward, Connie Springer..." Keith's hot breath seared Connie's skin, fear coursing through him. "I know they taught you at the start... the salute indicates your dedication to serve the common good, heart and soul!"
His tone remained passive-aggressive. "Is your heart on your right side, Connie?"
As the disastrously chaotic scenes unfolded before her eyes, Alice couldn't help but feel a selfish sense of relief. Knowing she wasn't the only one eliciting such negative responses from the Commander brought some peace, making the humiliation less torturous. Yes, some recruits had been broken down before, specially the first one, but things took a sharp turn once they reached her. Watching Jean get up and stand at attention, hazy and disoriented, she felt less alone. And knowing he and Marco were also aiming for the ambitions of the Military Police helped even more with that.
With Connie still suspended in the air under Keith's grip, the Commander's eyes shifted to a deformed figure in the corner of his vision. As his vision focused, the munching sounds echoed, reaching his ears almost simultaneously. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. A girl was casually munching on a steamed potato right then and there, seemingly unfazed by the entire process.
As the evening of the first day arrived, casting warm, orange hues across the grounds, the girl's breaths grew heavy, and the struggle to keep running was evident. With no other option, she pressed on, fighting not to collapse. Sasha was enduring the consequences of her defiant act—eating a potato in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and responding recklessly to Shadis.
From the porch of the mess hall's entrance, recruits observed Sasha's endurance, entering the building for dinner. Some lingered, captivated by her hours-long run.
"Hey..." Connie remarked, pausing at the wooden railing. "The Commandant still has that potato girl running."
Marco, leaning on the railing, couldn't help but be captivated by the scene, feeling a connection to Sasha's predicament, figuring it could've easily been him if he'd screwed up earlier. Eren, one of the recruits Shadis skipped over, the one with striking teal-green eyes, was taken aback by Connie's observation.
"Wow. She's been going at it for five hours straight now," Eren noted, his gaze fixed on the distant figure. Even from a distance, her fatigue was apparent.
"Still," Marco began, "the look on her face when he told her to run 'til she was almost dead was nothing compared to her anguished look the moment he said she doesn't get to eat today."
As Mina, Armin, and Alice joined the trio, Connie couldn't resist speculating. "She said she's from Dauper... if memory serves, that's a hunting village with a small population, deep in the mountains."
"Come to think of it," Marco began, shifting his focus to Eren as a memory surfaced. "I didn't hear where you're from. Where did you live?"
Eren touched Armin's shoulder. "Shiganshina District, same as him. Then we moved to a refugee settlement and stayed there until we were 12."
"Really?" Marco uttered in disbelief, nervous. Connie, on the other hand, seemed excited. "Then you must have been in Shiganshina that day, right?!"
Alice felt a bit uneasy. She knew very little about Titans, not even having any idea of their appearance, besides a few illustrations in books she had seen in the pass. While she'd heard about the events in Shiganshina, the reality was that those in Wall Sina, especially from her circle, were indifferent to it all, given their circumstances. As long as the danger wasn't knocking on their doors, everything was fine. "There's no way," she interjected, drawing their attention.
She seemed a bit hesitant but continued, rubbing her arm. The entire concept behind the Colossus seemed absurd, however, and she couldn't avoid her curiosity. "I mean, if the stories are accurate, then how could anyone in Shiganshina survive that Colossus they talked about?"
Eren shot her a puzzled, slightly affronted look. "The Colossus showed up out of nowhere and disappeared. It destroyed the outer gate with a single kick. Are you saying it's all a lie?"
"Wasn't he described as a 60-meter tall Titan? How does something like that 'show up' without anyone noticing, and then disappear like that? How come no one from the Scout Regiment ever see it before?" she queried, skeptical.
"Maybe someone like you doesn't know any better. But we know very well what we saw," Eren retorted, nonchalant and dismissing her skepticism with a bitter sting. "People like you only really know about their own belly buttons, living in your castles and completely oblivious to anything outside your pathetic bubbles. We both can tell you that it was something out of this world. Both the Colossus and the Armored."
News of Eren's story swept through the mess hall like wildfire, creating a buzzing crowd around him. Casually narrating the events of that fateful day, he continued with his dinner. Annoyed by his dismissive attitude, Alice sought refuge beside Jean, determined to focus on her meal and tune out the lively chatter a mere couple of meters away, or at least try to, anyway.
"How big was it?! I heard it stepped over the Wall!" the cacophony of voices echoed as they questioned Eren for information. 'That's what my village said, too!'
Jean sipped his drink, eyes fixed on Eren at the adjacent table, growing increasingly irritated by his cocky, wannabe badass demeanor.
"Then, what about the 'Armored Titan' that broke through Wall Maria?" inquired one curious voice. Eren responded confidently.
"I saw that, too. That's what they call it, but it just looked like a regular Titan to me."
Alice, no longer able to contain her frustration, let her spoon drop, the clatter capturing Jean's attention and that of a boy seated across from her.
"Is it bothering you too?" Jean queried, turning toward Alice. She clenched her teeth, her frustration evident.
"He witnessed the fall of Wall Maria right before him... yet he acts so nonchalant," she rhetorically remarked, utterly bewildered. "He downplays it, acting as if it's inconsequential, and then still has the audacity to belittle me? Who in this world does he think he is?"
"Easy there," the boy across from her tried to soothe her, sensing her frustration. "He's soaking up the attention now, but people will move on soon enough."
"I... I guess you're right," Alice said as she sighed. "My name is Alice."
"I know," he chuckled, remembering her messy introduction from a few hours earlier. "I'm Bertolt."
"And I'm Jean," Jean said as he gave her a warm grin. "But you already knew that."
"The Titans are no big deal," Eren's voice suddenly rang out, seizing everyone's attention, even surprising Bertolt. As Eren pulled off a confident grin, he continued, much to Jean's disbelief. "If we can master the vertical maneuvering gear, they'll be no match for us! I'm done picking up stones and pulling weeds!"I'm joining the Survey Corps to wipe out Titans! And then..."
"Are you out of your mind?" Jean interjected, resting his head on his hand and looking at Eren in disbelief. "Did you just say you're joining the Survey Corps?"
Eren turned his head toward him. "Yeah...? Why...?" he questioned, realization dawning on him. "Wait. You're the guy who wants the easy life in the Military Police, right?"
"So what?" Alice's voice chimed in, entering the conversation as she turned to face Eren beside Jean. "Is there an issue with him aspiring to join the Military Police? Or are you going to act superior because he's not eager to become cannon fodder? At least he stays true to himself..."
Alice grinned, almost mocking Eren. "Unlike you, a coward pretending to be tough for a fleeting moment of fame."
Eren clenched his fist at her comment. "You've lived all of your life behind fancy rich people trash and you want to call me a coward? You have no idea about how things really are! Aren't you Commander Smith's relative? You talk about the Survey Corps as being cannon fodder when your cousin is the one leading it?!"
"I have no connection to Erwin. I haven't seen him since I was a baby, with zero memories or attachment. Until a few days ago, I had no idea we were related. I'm here for my own life and my own future, not his."
"What kind of excuse is that?" Eren asked, bewildered. "If there is cowards here, it's people like you who are too scared of fighting the enemy."
She stood up, walking to Eren, who remained on his seat, looking at her with an angry expression.
"I do not know who you believe to be, but you do not know a single thing about me. If you are to continue being such a nuisance, acting like the moral high ground because you are not afraid to waste away, that is on you. But I will not stay quiet about it, you can count on that."
As Eren and Alice's argument simmered, the resounding chime of the facility's tower bells brought an unexpected halt to their heated exchange, signaling the end of dinner. The timing seemed almost deliberate, as if the bells had intervened, weary of their escalating discourse. The recruits set down their plates and began to leave, and as they left, Jean lingered behind, catching up with Eren.
"I didn't mean to get you riled up," Jean said, stopping beside Eren. He observed as Alice departed, accompanied by Bertolt. "Can't speak for her, but I don't want to throw cold water on your plans. How you choose to live is your own business."
"It's alright," Eren gave him a faint smirk. "I had a chip on my shoulder, too."
"Then let's call a truce?" Jean suggested, extending his hand. Eren met it with a casual slap.
"Sure," he answered, making his way to the door.
As Alice disappeared beyond the threshold, Jean chuckled to himself, finding her attitude quite refreshing. Before he could think of anything else, however, a sudden cascade of long, dark hair entered his line of sight, sending an unexpected shiver down his spine. Hadn't Alice just left?
"A... Alice?" Jean stuttered, observing the figure stop and pivot toward him.
"Hm?"
It wasn't Alice. In fact, this person was entirely new to him. Her obsidian-black hair framed her striking features, her almond-shaped eyes carrying an enigmatic allure that seemed to pierce through him. He blushed involuntarily.
"Uh... I mean... Sorry, I mistook you for someone else," he stammered, entranced by the girl's appearance. She offered no response. "You're... your hair, it's strikingly beautiful…"
"Thanks," she replied, turning away without a second thought. Jean hastened to the door, following her with his eyes, only to witness her approaching Eren... and engaging in conversation with him. They seemed acquainted, close even. His heart sank at that very moment, his soul seemingly leaving his body.
The echoes of their heated debate lingered in Alice's mind like a persistent tune, its discordant notes refusing to fade. Walking alongside Bertolt, the boy decided to check on her.
"So... you got quite heated up back there," Bertolt remarked, attempting to maintain a friendly tone. Alice let out a sigh.
"I know. It was certainly unnecessary... I shouldn't blame others for thinking poorly of me. I am unwanted and unwelcome, here," she admitted with a tinge of remorse.
Bertolt sought to reassure her. "Maybe people take issue with the wealth disparity. While many were struggling to survive, others were having it way too good. But that doesn't mean you're not allowed to feel bad about it, it's not your fault you didn't know another life."
"I enlisted precisely because of that," Alice confessed, her gaze shifting to Bertolt. A smile played on her lips. "I refuse to live in my family's shadow any longer. I want to forge something I can be proud of."
Bertolt returned the smile. "Then you shouldn't worry. I'm sure you have a bright future ahead of you."
"Thank you for the support, Bertolt," Alice replied gratefully. "Say, where are you from?"
Bertolt glanced ahead, a hint of unease in his expression before responding. "A village in the southeastern mountains of Wall Maria. Me and my friend, Reiner, actually."
"Reiner?" Alice inquired, unfamiliar with the name and who it would be attached to.
"He's a tall, sturdy blond. I think you'd like meeting him."
"A charming lad, then," she quipped before shifting to a more solemn tone. "You were displaced by the Titans, then... I'm sorry."
"Worse than that," Bertolt remarked with a hint of sorrow.
The pair arrived at the female barracks where Alice would reside. She lingered outside, eager to continue their conversation. As Bertolt prepared to depart for his own barracks, he shared a parting sentiment. "News arrived too late in our village. When the Titans came, it was already too late."
Understanding the gravity of his words, Alice felt a pang of shame. "You've experienced the Titans firsthand."
"Yeah. But that's not pushing me to fight at all," Bertolt confessed cryptically before turning away. "Pleasure meeting you, Alice. See you tomorrow."
Alice raised her eyebrow, confused by Bertolt's words. Still, he refused no further explanation, instead turning away. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Alice. I'll see you tomorrw."
As Bertolt walked toward his barracks, Alice couldn't shake off the weight of his words. He seemed burdened by guilt or something similar, or at least, that was what she took from him. It left her feeling unsettled. Once in her dorm, she changed into her nightclothes and settled into her spot, distant from the others, staring at the ceiling, lost in contemplation. For a first day, it certainly was unlike any of her expectations. She could only wonder what the next day would encompass.
Under the crisp morning sky and its chilling breeze, the recruits, determined and resilient, stood at attention once more, bracing themselves for Commandant Shadis's next set of instructions. The wooden structure behind him resembled a trebuchet, with two ropes designed to attach to the recruits' belts for a hanging exercise.
"First of all, I'm going to check your aptitude! All you have to do is attach a rope to your hips and dangle, maggots!" Shadis barked, his demeanor unwavering. The recruits' objective was simple: maintain balance with the full belt attached.
"Those who can't do this aren't even fit to use as bait, as simple as that! I'll send your ass to a settlement where you'll find work planting crops and handling manure!" His words echoed with the weight of consequence, instilling a sense of urgency in the trainees. The essence of all three branches of the Military rested on mastering the 3DMG, and failure might as well meant a life relegated to the fields.
As the recruits took turns in batches, the first few showcased exceptional talent, capturing the attention of the two officers from the previous day. They strolled around, observing and evaluating the training session.
"Look at that girl," the officer with glasses remarked, looking at Mikasa. She hung, perfectly balanced, showcasing a serene composure. "She isn't quivering in the least. Looks like she already gets what to do. That's what you call natural aptitude."
Jean, Connie, and even Sasha, the potato girl, displayed remarkable ease with the hanging exercise. Their expressions varied from focused determination to genuine excitement and playful banter. Amidst this diversity of responses, the observing officer noted, "There are quite a few who can do it this time."
"Smith, you're next!" Shadis called out, drawing Alice's attention. She positioned herself under the contraption, attaching the ropes to her belt. Nervous but determined, Alice took a deep breath, channeling the teachings of her childhood in her mind.
'Okay, Alice, there is nothing to be worried about,' she reassured herself, conjuring memories of ballet and the classes she had as a young girl. 'Remember what Madame Dietrich taught you... Breathe in, breathe out, anchor your body from the abdomen...'
She closed her eyes briefly, then focused on the Commandant. A silent exchange passed between them, and Shadis signaled for the lever to be turned, lifting her off the ground. Alice, with poise and grace, found herself effortlessly dangling.
"You see that?" the officer remarked, observing Alice's success. "With all of these recruits, it seems like talent blessed us this time." He gestured towards the recruits, observing their efforts with a critical eye.
"But what about him?" the younger soldier asked, pointing towards one of the recruits who was failing miserably at their task. Following the soldier's pointed finger, Alice's gaze landed on Eren, struggling to maintain an upright position, hanging upside down.
A mischievous grin adorned her face as she chuckled, anticipating the upcoming developments. "Oh, this is going to be sweeeet."