{A/N: I know Hanji's pronouns are They/Them, but in this I will address them as She/They/Them. Please don't come at me, I just find it hard to write with Hanji's pronouns just to make it easier. I fully respect her pronouns, so if it offends you.....I'm very sorry.....}
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NEXT MORNING - TRAINING GROUNDS
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Stretching my aching limbs, I walk out from the mess halls after having some warm green tea, letting a tiny yawn leave my lips for a brief moment. Adjusting my eyes to the bright and sunny sky.
My fingers drifts around my loose hair pulling it up, before wrapping a tie around into a high ponytail as usual feeling my bangs frame my face.
Didn't sleep much at all last night, making it harder for me to adjust to everything.
"Morning Captain Akira," one of my squad members greets, seeing Lena walking away from the girls barracks.
"Hmm?"
Turning slightly to my side I see her lightly ruffling her own blonde hair for a moment, her deep brown eyes grew lighter the more she basks in the sunlight.
"So........what do you want us to do?" She asks softly, finally halting before me. "You're watching over the three with Flagon's squad, right?"
Nodding I hum softly.
"Yeah, but you three can come or you can go train," I suggest, knowing that sometimes they need a little freedom with choices for now. Especially when we're preparing for the next expedition, which wasn't far away.
"Oh....okay, so have you seen Renji and Jonas?"
Furrowing my eyebrows I noticed that they weren't in the mess halls, making me loop around searching across the HQ premises.
"Either training or with Flagon's squad already,"
Nodding she heads over to the mess hall to grab a bite to eat, as we both parted ways for the time being. A few soldier's were busy doing their own thing, huddled in their groups and squads while some were just heading to the mess halls.
The sound of chattering in the area brought me to a sense of peace, knowing we still have many soldier's with us. Just trying to be grateful for everything here, and what i've got now.
Soon walking past everyone I head over to the barracks again placing my ODM gear on for the day, adjusting the heavy steel upon my hips.
Clanking the steel a few times, I soon make sure my blades were replenished along with my gas heading out.
***
Finally arriving with reins in hand I reach the training grounds, where there were grand trees were stretching to the sky. The cluster of the forest was where we used our ODM gear, finding it easier to learn how to come up against a titan without another second to waste.
Slowly swinging my legs to one side, I hope down scratching my horses chin softly before tying her up to the post nearby.
"Sure is quite sunny today," I muse softly, my feet slowly walking over towards where the horse training is being held.
My eyes drift up seeing two figures not far from me, slowly coming to a halt.
"Morning Akira!!!!!"
I blink a few times to see them waving towards me, noticing Moblit standing beside his squad leader. Hanji Zoe.
"Hanji.......wasn't expecting you here,"
She smiles brightly, shifting her spectacles slightly, "I know, I wanted to see what these three can really do on the ODM gear!"
Staring upon the crazy scientist, I nod with a gentle smile.
"Right sounds good, I'm just....gonna check on the horse training,"
Trailing off directing myself around I could the distant yelling, and laughter bursting in the distance. The pounding of the hooves thunder down the ground, the fits of giggles leaving a familiar girl's lips.
The dust collecting from the ground, as the hooves dig into the earth.
My eyes widen taken back, to see Isabel already riding her horse around, like it was all natural to her. Her bright auburn hair flies in the wind, her smiles brightening the atmosphere making a smile curl upon my lips.
"Seems like she's a natural," I murmur to myself, already satisfied with her skills.
Walking over towards her she picks up on my presence, and flicks the reigns making her way over to me. She steers her horse around before halting to a stop beside me, gently patting her horse.
She grins widely, "Look here big sis, these horses are so amazing!" She exclaims, as I smile folding my arms.
"They're specifically bred to outrun the titans, and to withstand the amount of stamina during our expeditions," I smile warmly. "Usually horses like this are sometimes worth a normal citizen's lifetimes earnings, so only survey corps, Military and the Garrison are allowed to own them."
Her eyes sparkle in amazement.
"Wow, no wonder they look so healthy and strong!" She exclaims, leaning foward she pats the base of the horses neck. "Aren't you gorgeous, you're so beautiful and strong."
She begins to coo and babble to the mare.
When I started riding horses a few years back, it all came natural for me. It was like I knew what to do, but due to so many experiences in the past, horses like these guys were meant to withstand any weather conditions. Remembering my first expedition starting out, my horse tumbled over me due to the wet and slippery mud.
Soon Isabel sits up straight, "How about you? Can you ride?"
Scoffing with a smirk following after, I fold my arms while hiking an eyebrow.
"Of course I can........we all started somewhere," I reply, turning on my heel. "Anyway I'm gonna check the ODM training, take your time!"
"Alright!"
Chuckling softly to myself, I make my way over to Flagon and the others. Soon walking towards them, noticing Flagon already looking stressed as usual. The moment I arrive he soon notices my presence, not noticing his face blushing in response scratching the back of his neck.
"A-Akira........M-morning," He greets, as I smile gently.
Closing my eyes with a warm smile, I hum gingerly.
"Morning Flagon, Moblit......Hanji, so..........who's trying the ODM?" I question, placing my hands on my hips.
Flagon blinks a few times, before clearing his throat.
"Levi is......"
Looking towards Levi whom was just standing there analysing the gear we have given him, he should know by now how to adjust it. He turns around before drawing the blade out, until he whips them backwards. My eyes slightly widen with the way he was holding them, with me thinking I was the only one to grip it like that.
"Hold on, what do you think you're doing?" Flagon questions him, stepping forward. "Those blades wasn't made to be held that, you want to be the first to die outside the w--"
I angle my eyes, "Flagon.......I hold them like that too, don't forget that," I warn him, scolding him discreetly and calmly. "Besides it might be comfortable for him
He scratches the back of his neck sheepishly, looking slightly embarrassed.
"S-Sorry, Akira...."
Turning to Levi he held a sharp scowl look in his eyes towards Flagon, facing his back away from us preparing to fly through the trees to prepare him.
"Tch, maybe that would happen, to you," he remarks, gesturing to Flagon.
Flagon's eyes fly open taken back from Levi's smart comment, making me smirk.
"It only matters that I split the nape of a titan's neck, right?" Levi questions, rhetorically before turning back to us. He glances sideways, "I'll do it my own way."
Flagon was going to intervene again, but I held my arm out.
"Just let him learn himself, remember......he's very strong and quite good with embroilment," I remind him, watching Levi step away from us.
Hearing the sharp click of the controller gun, he activates the grappling hooks before flying incredibly fast in an instant. He begins to do flips and sharp turns, that were beyond some of our new rookies who've trained for three years. This man was exceptionally talented, someone close to me perhaps.
"Was he in the Cadet Corps?" Hanji questions, taken back from the sudden skills.
"N-Not as far as I know," Moblit replies, making me turn to see a smile soon turning to one of those overly crazy smiles grinning ear to ear.
She begins to grow bashful in thought, "Nice, this fires me up!" She intensely grew interested. "It all depends on how you do it. Searching for titans, subduing them.....things are getting interesting!"
Stepping forward I activate my ODM gear to see how well he's going deeper in the forest, clicking the controller the hooks dig deep in briefly into two large trees before pulling myself forward.
"Wait!" Flagon calls, before activating his ODM and began to follow along.
I flew high up into the air increasing my speed, feeling the wind rush past me pounding against my ears. The sudden rush of adrenaline pumps through my veins, giving me that euphoric feeling flowing through me.
Soon my attentions to see a sudden wooden titan popping out below Flagon and I, as we both land down upon a branch analysing how Levi would approach this. Swiftly landing, my footing almost slips off in the wrong angle for a moment, when a hand wraps around my waist quickly.
He slightly grunts in response, turning to him I send him a smile.
"Thank you,"
He pulls me back to my feet, "Sorry," he apologises, realising he did something wrong.
"No need to be sorry," I assure him, before turning back to see Levi come to a halt. He then pulls himself high up right above the wooden titan, and up to a tree branch angling his blades down. He soon pushes off and swings down, slicing the nape with one fell swoop. His quickness was more thrilling and amazing to watch, realising I might have a rival.
***
Levi finally returned back to where Hanji and Moblit were standing, as both Flagon and I returned back after a while. To be honest I wanted to practice myself again, as I knock the side of my tanks making sure they were filled up and ready.
"Alright......now watch Akira's demonstration," Flagon's voice deepens, while I send him a harsh look.
Shaking my head, I exhale deeply not wanting anything out of this.
"I'm just wanting to get some training in," I explain simply, before stepping forward.
"Ooohhhhh," Hanji's voice starts to get riled up, clasping her hands together. "Finally we get to see her in action!!!!"
Levi seemed to be a little confused, but yet amused.
Activating the grappling hooks with one swift motion I charge in letting the steel wire pull me in, feeling the wind brushing past me yet again. Clicking in both my controllers into the spare blades, inserting them I draw them out again. I then shoot my grappling hooks out again as they all dig into the tree high above, hoisting my body doing a flip.
The wind pounds against my ears deafening around me, but my main focus was to be quick with the wooden dummies.
Swooping down a wooden titan appears before me, making me swiftly shift my grip, the blades falls downwards in my hold.
With a little momentum I angle my body before doing a one eighty degree spin, slicing the nape with what little space I had. My body soon flies up avoiding the wooden dummy, before continuing along the tree line.
My hair glides through the wind, as my senses pick up on another wooden dummy right behind me.
I let my grappling hooks pull from behind before letting my body bounce backwards, doing a backflip before sharply angling my blades downwards again. Finding the titan no taller than a twenty metre, I spiral upwards sending it to splinters.
I continue this for a few more minutes, trying to dive deep into my mind trying to find different and small ways to simply dodge the titan or how I would approach it. While doing so I didn't realise the looks Levi and Flagon were giving, as I slice my way through the many dummies. Spiralling, colliding and slicing.
My head begins to throb again, making me slightly wince.
Finally calling it a day I fly back down nearby the small group, landing gently on my own two feet giving myself to recuperate. My blades were almost at it's breaking point in shattering, as I carefully place them back in dusting my aching hands.
"Wow, that was amazing!" Hanji exclaims, clasping their hands together. "How are you so incredibly fast? I mean....I've seen you fly around all the time, but I don't understand how you're so fast?!"
To be honest I don't even know myself, but I only used what I can do to push us further.
"I don't know, anyway.......Flagon!" I call to him, seeing him turn around.
"Yes?"
I gesture to the training grounds, "Time to do some hand to hand combat,"
Nodding he begins to head over, while Levi stood there studying me.
Turning to him I arch an eyebrow, "Is there something I can help you with?" I question, a hand rests against my hip.
His gaze soon diverted away from my own, clicking his teeth before following Flagon.
***
Watching Farlan's swift movements while fighting alongside my brother I knew he wasn't as strong and skilled such as Levi, but I knew he was very good with decision making and he is intellectual. Judging by his character since he got here, that's all I saw from him.
His movements were rather slow and slightly hesitant, but when it came to the ODM gear I've noticed he had more of the advantage.
"Shit," Farlan curses, rubbing his jaw noticing that my brother hit him a little too hard. "Damn you little brat, I wil--!"
He went to raise an intentional beating upon him, making me sigh deeply.
"Oi!"
Grabbing both their attention, I fold my arms.
"Farlan.....the point of this is to see how well you are," I inform him, when he scoffs.
He raises an intimidated glare towards me, "Why do we need to fight? Aren't we like killing twenty metre like titans?"
I nod in agreement with his point, but sometimes we have to learn self defense in case.
"Yeah, but you need to understand that you need to learn how to defend yourself," I also point out to him, earning an irritated growl in his throat.
He looks a little embarrassed by his question, which kind of backfired.
Walking away the two resume training, watching Farlan's stiff posture slowly become relaxed. Analysing their tactics, I've noticed my brother's stances were growing stronger and stronger by each day. His raven locks cover his eyes while he swiftly moves in fast motion, he soon uppercuts Farlan sending him back.
"What the heck, how are you strong?!" Farlan cries out, in annoyance. "Wow, you're such a challenge........no wonder you're in the survey corps."
Renji smirks lightly, "All thanks to my big sister, she helped train me,"
"Sister? Pfft.....hahaha," Farlan bursts out laughing, lifting his head up seeing a serious look within Renji's eyes. "Wait.........so....who is your sister, anyway?"
"It's confidential, no strangers should know," He replies sharply, making stifle my laughter.
Lifting my head up, "Hey Renji, it's fine.....you're allowed!"
Renji's eyes widen, getting confirmation from me instantly.
Farlan's eyes drift over to me for a moment, then back to Renji. Soon his eyes shift over again, connecting the dots together as his eyes widen.
"W-Wait, her?"
Renji smiles proudly, with a small nod.
"Yep, she's trained most of the rookies here," he replies, lending a hand down to Farlan whom was still on the ground pissed by getting knocked down by a kid.
Couldn't blame him thought, it was a little shameful, especially being a thug.
"Well I guess, I can't wait training with you more," Farlan smiles, holding a hand out to shake Renji's.
Slightly taken by his willingness to train with my little brother, was actually quite a sight for me to witness. Usually he would kick the idea of anything that was from me, and I even thought he would turn down Renji, instantly knowing I'm his elder sister.
Soon it was Isabel's turn as my squad member Lena stepped in, as the two begin to train together. Watching all three training against my squad members gave me a better idea on what level they were at, especially when I trained my members.
I took in their strengths, weaknesses, their IQ levels....anything to figure out who they are in their unique way.
While watching with my hands resting against my lower back, the sun showers over us causing the humidity to rise a little. Sweat starts to align along my forehead, as I wipe it away. Soon I hear someone approaching me, seeing him standing there.
"What can I do for you, Levi?"
"I wanna have a rematch from the other day," he bluntly challenges me, making me raise an eyebrow.
"Rematch, huh? Okay...." reluctantly I couldn't pass up a challenge.
Slipping off my jacket I wore my usual black shirt beneath, taking off my ODM gear. The steel equipments firmly hits the ground, as I step over it making my way over to the area where he stood. We both were almost the same height, which would equal our strength just by remembering our fight the other day.
His steel eyes pierce into my own, taking his stance.
Repeating the same I hear dead silence around, digging that everyone has stopped in what they were doing. All attention were on us two, but all my mind was focused on him.
Soon he makes his move charging towards me, as my eyes widen with how quick he was.
Reacting rather quickly, I move to the side. His hand balls into a fist, almost striking me from the side. My hair flicks in the air, before I bend down swiping my foot beneath his own feet. He jumps high up quickly, before I backflip away. He lunges towards me, but I quickly disappear from before him. A shuddered gasp leaves his lips, finally appearing right behind. I strike beneath his knees, causing his body to almost tumble forward. Yet he only did a commando roll, softening his fall.
We both stood apart for a moment, not even breaking a sweat except the heat.
The tension filling the air made it hard to breath, especially with him around. Ever since we first met, I don't understand.....I don't understand this strange feeling around him.
Suddenly he bursts straight for me as he begins to send punches my way, as I block the attacks with my forearms. He went to do an uppercut to my jaw, but I retaliate the attack taking his fist and twisting his arm again. He grunts slightly, as he jumps bouncing back untwisting his arm and sends a heavy kick to my head.
Holding in the painful groan, I felt something warm rolling down my nose.
He then sends another unexpected kick, kicking me in the head again.
My body was slammed to the ground suddenly, not understanding what was happening. My head spinning suddenly when out warning.
Sharp pain tears on my bottom lip, licking it I tasted a metallic taste lingering on my tongue.
Blood.....goddammit...
Before he could pin me down properly, I roll to the side and jumped back to my feet. My head throbs against my skull, but I remain facing him head on.
"I'm surprised, not many survive those blows," He comments.
Smirking I shrug my shoulder, fists blocking my front.
"Maybe I'm just lucky," I remark calmly, smearing the blood from my nose.
Soon within a second I disappear from my spot, sending a heavy kick to his side without him blinking. He didn't have time to block the attack, seeing him collapse to the ground. I stood above him, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm surprised you survived that one," I smirk.
One of my special moves in combat training is that my body can quickly move in a blink of an eye, not a sound to be heard. Yet watching him in this small fight of ours, I understand why many feared him down in the underground.
I wonder what Erwin Smith has in store for him?
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