Training, Eren's Struggle, Meeting Historia

(Author- Hey, I hope you all enjoy! If you do then please feed this story all the power stones you got! I want them all lol. Anyways enjoy.)

--1 Day Later--

"First we'll evaluate what abilities you have! Anyone unable to do this can't even serve as a decoy and they'll be sent to the frontier." The Sergeant shouts as he points to the large poles with cords that attach to the ODM gear.

These machines are used to test your balance and talent at ODM the gear we will use to fly around and kill titans.

Eren, Armin, and I all stand in the front row as we watch the first group of trainees being hooked up to the gear.

"3! 2! 1! Lift!" The moment the Sargent gives his command they lift off the ground. 3 of the trainees are pretty wobbly, 1 is unable to stay upright, and the last one, Mikasa, remains perfectly upright. Steady as a rock.

I then whistle, "Dam. Mikasa's talent is incredible. Steady as a rock first try."

Eren nods, "Yah. Mikasa's always been like that. Whether it's physical strength, speed, or talent, she's always been gifted. Honestly. I can't imagine her dying to a titan. She seems more monstrous than they are." He laughs jokingly at his final comment drawing a chuckle out of Armin and I.

"Next Cadets!" The sergeant shouts.

With this order, Armin, Eren, and I all head over and strap on the ODM harness and wait to be lifted. "Lift!" He man shouts.

With this order, I swiftly get lifted off the ground. It's strange. I'm dangling in the air, but I feel pretty normal. I'm definitely wobbling a bit, but I'm pretty balanced. The Sargent walks past us. He nods to Armin and I, but then looks at Eren who is currently flipped upside down.

"What are you doing Eren Jaeger? Pick yourself up!" He asks a tone of venom in his voice.

Eren groans. "Dam it!"

The rest of the day was jus simple drills and workout. Nothing that I couldn't handle. Though, what has me worried, is Eren. He seems incredibly frustrated at this morning's events. I mean, who wouldn't' though.

Eren, Mikasa and Armin then walk over. Mikasa then asks, "We're heading over the to ODM test machines. You coming?"

I nod. "Sure. Let's go."

Try after try, Eren is raised on the machine but quickly flips over. After nearly 30 minutes, Eren states, "Okay, I think I got it this time, Armin raise me."

Armin nods and slowly begins to crank the machine up. Eren seems to be able to balance at first, but he then quickly slips and slams his head on the ground. "What the hell!" He shouts.

"Eren!" Mikasa whispers while I sigh and shake my head. Eren simply sighs, "It's getting dark. Let's get something to eat."

With that, we finally head to dinner. Sitting at the table we eat in silence for the first few minutes. Then, suddenly Mikasa starts to speak, "Eren. You should give up on becoming a soldier. There are other ways to fight rather than by throwing your life away."

"Mikasa. Don't." I state calmly while continuing to eat my soup.

"Why not! If he keeps training like this then even if he makes it he'll just die!" She shouts at me.

I then turn to her with a look of anger, "So? That's his choice."

Eren then stands slamming his chair back, "Shut it! Mikasa, you know that until the day I die I will forever continue to try to become a soldier.

Killing all the Titans is what I will do. I swear it. I know it sounds ridiculous, and that it seems impossible, but I am sure as hell going to try my hardest. So don't tell me to give up." He scowls.

Shen then grips her fists before looking down, "But it doesn't matter how bad you want it."

Eren then grips the table in anger, "Why not?"

She then replies, "Because in the end it's not you who gets to decide if you become a soldier or not."

As soon as she says that, the bell rings signaling it is time to get to the barracks. Eren, Armin, and I get up and silently leave without another word.

Once we return to the barracks and climb into our beds Eren asks, "Yo. What's the trick to staying upright"

I sigh, "It's just a matter of balance and shifting your own weight. Nothing more and nothing less."

Eren nods. "Yah."

Armin then mutters, "Don't worry Eren. You got this."

Eren nods, "Thanks. Armin Izuna."

With that, he rolls over and goes to sleep.

After a little while, and I ensure everyone's asleep, I quietly slip out of bed nad pull my shirt on. Making sure not to wake anyone, I slip out of the barracks and carefully avoid the patrols as I slip into the woods.

After a few more minutes of walking, I reach my destination. In the middle of the woods, with a chilly breeze blowing through the air, I find a small lake.

I then walk out onto the dock and sit down onto the downslope of a grassy hill and lay down on the slope staring up at the moon and stars.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Comes a voice from behind me.

Surprised I turn around to see the girl with long blonde hair. "Oh, it's you. You surprised me there." I reply.

She then giggles, "Well, actually, you surprised me. I wasn't expecting to find someone else in my spot."

I chuckle before replying, "Yah well, I found it when I went on a walk during lunch. I thought it was nice enough and it was far enough away that the guards won't patrol it."

She nods, "Yah."

I then turn to her and ask, "Well? You just going to stand there?"

She then laughs before walking over to me and laying down a few feet to my left. "I'm Christa Lenz, nice to meet you."

I nod, "Izuna Hanji. It's a pleasure."

We sit there in silence for a few minutes before I ask, "So, can you drop that fake smile of yours? I've seen those kinds of smiles so often that it's easy to notice it."

This catches her off guard. "Eh? Wh-what are you talking about?" She asks as she bolts up to a sitting position and stares at me.

I sigh, "You know exactly what I'm talking about. That fake smile is annoying me."

After a moment she nods. Her expression changes from shy and happy to rather normal if not a little cold. "How'd you know?"

I then reply, "I grew up with the scouts. Everytime they return they always try and put on those same fake smiles when they were in front of me so I wouldn't worry."

She nods, "I see."

I then continue, "Perhaps I shouldn't ask this but what the hell. Why are you hiding behind that smile anyway."

She sighs, "Your right. you shouldn't be asking that."

I chuckle, "I know I shouldn't but I just did. You going to answer or not."

She then plops back on the ground before replying, "Sure why not. You already know I'm hiding something anyway. It's easier to pretend to be kind and likeable. Being yourself will just make life harder."

I nod, "Yah, I can understand that. I also find it incredibly stupid."

"Huh!?" Historia asks while look over at me.

I chuckle before replying, "You see. I have been raised in the scouts, but there is one thing, that from the very beginning I fell in love with."

"What's that?" She asks curious.

"The Wings of Freedom." Saying this brought a smile to my face. "You see, I will join the scouts. The reason I want to join the scout is because I want to be free. More importantly to that, I want everyone inside these walls to be free.

Free from the terror of the titans, free from these walls that entrap us, and free from hiding behind masks of happiness and satisfaction." For the last part I turn and look at Historia.

Seeing this she the turns her head away from me before replying, "I see."

"So? What's your dream?" I ask her.

Seeing this she looks at me once again surprised, "My dream?"

I nod, "That's right."

She then places her finger on her chin and thinks for a minute, "I don't know. I've never thought about it. Though, if I had to pick something, I'd not want to hide behind that mask any longer."

I smile seeing as I had gotten through to her a bit. "I see. Well, that's another thing on my list of goals then."

Hearing this, a real genuine smile creeps it's way onto her face as she looks at me. Seeing this, I can feel some heat rise to my face. I quickly shake it off though.

"Please keep what I'm about to tell you a secret." She asks quietly.

"Hm?" I ask curiously, "Sure."

She then sighs, "My real name is Historia. Nice to meet you."