Inside the cadet mess hall, every soldier was lined up with the body of their 3D Maneuver Gears set up on the tables for inspection. Several duos of soldiers from the Military Police went around and made sure that their devices were in check. Every soldier knew what this was for, and they were extremely anxious about the proceedings. Along with this, they were set to choose a military branch to join that evening. With their experience in Trost, the tension felt in everyone’s guts was extremely high.

Two Military Police soldiers were inspecting Sasha’s gear. One soldier was a male with short, dark-grey hair and a grey v-neck shirt. He was sitting at a desk reading over a document filled with questions regarding Sasha’s gear. The other was a woman with short, brown hair and a white turtleneck sweater. She was carrying a clipboard and jotting down Sasha’s notes as she recited them, making sure everything added up like it should have.

“When did you last change shafts?” asked the male soldier.

“Six days ago,” answered Sasha, “after the clean-up operation.”

“Just as the records say,” confirmed with woman.

“Okay,” called the male soldier, looking at Krista, “next!”

“Krista Renz,” she replied, “Squad 42.”

“Check for wear…” the soldier said to his respective other.

Two male cadets in the back were commenting over the absurdity of these events. One of them had short black hair and a square chin while the other had short, brushed golden hair.

“I guess you can be punished for killing titans,” said the black-haired soldier.

“It’s weird,” commented the other, “but those were valuable test subjects.”

“Sure, but why look for the culprit among us cadets?”

“Yeah, but we just finished the battlefield clean-up today. Everyone’s exhausted.”

Armin stood with his gear out for inspection. On both sides of him, there was Conny and his device to his left, and Annie with her device to his right. Conny was devoid of any emotion with the current and future events laid out before him.

“They must have really hated titans,” spoke Conny.

“Yeah,” agreed Armin, “but in reality, they ended up helping the titans. Their desire for vengeance may have been fulfilled, but it’s a blow to humanity.”

“I think I kind understand why they did it, and it’s because I’m an idiot…”

“Huh?”

“…before I saw the titans, I seriously planned to join the Scouting Legion… But I never want to see another. And today, we have to decide which force to join.”

Conny looked to his left to see Jean there. His arms were at his side, and from what Conny saw in Jean’s right fist, he was clenching them hard. Clearly, something was eating at him.

“Even Jean’s seriously…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

At night, at one of Trost’s plazas, the final three square pyres of deceased soldiers were being burned as a handful of soldiers watched the last of their friends and comrades be consumed by the flames. On the left, Annie, Bertolt, Reiner, and Jean stood and watched the flames and shriveling corpses passively.

Conny, Sasha, Krista, and Ymir were off to the right as they watched. Conny was the only one sitting, his hands on his head, tears streaming from his downtrodden face, and several sobs escaping his lips. Jean looked to him and the other three soldiers to his right as they too looked to the fires with sadness.

Everyone’s regretting it, Jean observed. If I’d known that it’d be this hellish, I’d have never chosen to become a soldier. Now that I’m exhausted, it’s all I can think about.

Jean stepped closer to one of the pyres, looking at the bits of charred bones that broke off and rolled away from the flames. Kneeling down, he picked up a single pebble-sized fragment and looked at it.

Hey Marco, he thought to then ashen piece. I can’t even tell which are your bones anymore. If I hadn’t become a soldier, I wouldn’t have to think about who’ll be on the pile next.

Memories of finding Marco’s body crept into his mind, followed by a particular set of words that Eren had said the day before the Trost invasion at the graduation after-party admonishing his desire to join the Scouting Legion and die needlessly.

I know we have to fight, thought Jean, but not everyone is as eager to die as you.

Suddenly, he heard echoing footsteps to his right, as well as a bright yellow light that no one but him seemed to notice. Looking there, he saw the boots of a soldier, and as he move his vision up, Jean gasped to see a phantom of Marco standing over him with his confident smile still on his face.

“I hope you won’t get mad when I say this,” Marco said, provoking a memory from the HQ storage room in Jean, “but you aren’t a strong person. That's why you can understand how the weak feel, just like you did for Fluttershy. And you're good at judging the situation correctly. You always clearly know what you're supposed to do, don't you?”

Suddenly, beyond the light he saw as Fluttershy galloped towards him, tears dripping from her eyes with a happy, loving smile on her face as she made her way towards Jean. Surprised but relieved to see her again, he held his arms out for the hug he knew he would receive from her.

“Oh, Jean!” she cried. “I’m so glad to have a–”

However, as Fluttershy neared closer and Jean shut his eyes to let his tears flow, nothing happened. Jean opened his eyes back up to find that Marco and Fluttershy had disappeared and he was still in front of the pyres with the bone in his hand. With Marco’s words and Fluttershy’s affections still buzzing in his hand, he clenched his had with the bone inside of it before standing up straight. His purpose was clear.

What I’m supposed to do… reasoned Jean.

“Hey, guys,” Jean called, getting the attention of Conny, Sasha, Ymir, and Christa.

Jean turned to face them all, but his eyes were barely holding back the tears and every future word he spoke was harder to speak by the syllable.

“Have you decided which one you’re joining?” he asked, his voice wavering. “I have.”

Conny looked up at Jean, who was shocked to see him in this state.

“I…” stammered Jean, clenching his right fist in front of his face while his left hand tried to restrain it. “I’m… I’m joining the Scouting Legion!”

With his admission and declaration officially announced, Jean began to choke up and begin sobbing himself, missing both his fallen comrade and the yellow pegasus that he still hoped to see again.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Conny looked at Jean. With his words feeling like a contract signed in his own blood, Jean trembled at the prospect of joining the Scouting Legion.

“Damn it…” hissed Conny. “Hey, Annie, what did you think? Even Jean said he’s joining the Scouting Legion.”

“Huh?” Armin quietly exclaimed, surprised by this news. “Jean said that?”

“Nothing in particular…” answered Annie.

“You’re joining the Military Police, right?” Conny asked. “Maybe I should too.”

Annie, while not giving Conny nor Armin eye contact, continued to answer him.

“If someone told you to die,” questioned Annie, “would you do it?”

“What?” Conny wondered. “Of course not.”

“Then why not make your own decision?”

Conny gasped at her answer, but then redirected her inquiry to Armin.

“Armin,” she said, “what about you?”

“I…” began Armin, “I think if you know why you have to die, there are times when you simply must. Not that I want to.”

“I see… You’ve made your choice.”

“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about doing it for a long time.”

“Seriously, Armin?” he asked. “You as well?”

“You’re weak,” Annie responded to Armin, “but you have guts.”

“Th–” Armin tried to say, somewhat off put by Annie’s unusually kind words, “Thank you. Annie, you’re actually pretty nice, aren’t you?”

“Huh?” she gasped, looking at him.

“It seems like you don’t want us to join the Scouting Legion. Isn’t there a reason that you want to join the Military Police?”

“Not really,” she answered, facing forwards again. “It’s only that I want to survive.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

At the Scouting Legion headquarters’ courtyard and stables, Erd and Gunther were drinking their morning coffee from tin mugs by the well as they wondered what happened to Sawney and Bean the day before. Eren was at the stables feeding one of the horses with a bucket of oats while Twilight and the other ponies, along with Spike stood near him. All three soldiers were in their attire and gear.

“And to think,” Rarity stated in a disgusted tone, “this is how horses eat here!”

“It looks like they didn’t find any soldiers who’ve used their maneuver gear without permission,” spoke Gunther. “Then who did it?”

“No idea,” answered Erd after a brief swig. “Right now, I’m more worried about the upcoming induction ceremony. How many among the new troops will be crazy enough to join us?”

“Hey, Eren!” called Gunther. “Are there any in your class who will request to join us?”

“There are,” Eren responded, before he knew it wasn’t fully true. “No… there were. I don’t know about now.”

“I sure hope Jean joins,” Fluttershy spoke. “I really miss him…”

“I wouldn’t get your hopes up…” Eren solemnly answered.

Levi, in his soldier’s attire and equipment, galloped up to the castle upon a dark-grey horse with a black mane and tail. Getting closer and closer, Erd and Gunther took notice.

“Attention!” Erd shouted.

Without missing a beat, Erd and Gunther put down their mugs and greeted Levi with the salute.

“Get ready,” Levi ordered. “We’re going out on patrol.”

“Yes, sir!” the two of them both shouted.

Eren broke from the group of ponies and went to greet Levi as well, giving him the customary Military salute.

“Good morning, Captain Levi!” Eren shouted.

“Listen, Eren,” warned Levi. “Never fall two horse-lengths behind me. Don’t forget that the only reason you’re not locked up is because–”

*BANG*

With the sky as bright as it was that morning, no one could see the lightning bolt that struck from up in the sky to the center of the courtyard. Erd, Gunther, and Eren ducked out of the way while the ponies and Spike shielded their eyes and ears as best as they could.

Levi’s horse stood on its hind legs and thrashed its front legs forwards. Despite the sudden shift, Levi maintained perfect control of his horse and his emotions, the horse settling down soon after, albeit circling around in a daze. Erd, Gunther, and Erin drew their swords, expecting the very worst.

“What on earth was that?” asked Eren.

“Could it be a titan?” asked Gunther.

“No,” answered Twilight, walking up to the smoldering pillar of steam with caution.

Upon it clearing up, she could clearly see the contents. There were seven rolls of gold coins as well as a large sack on the ground. To Levi’s slight confusion, the spot that had been hit by the lightning did not leave any burnt markings on the brick floor.

“Yes!” Twilight exclaimed happily, clopping her front hooves. “They came!”

“And what exactly is, ‘they?’” Levi asked suspiciously.

“The things I asked Celestia to get me,” she answered to him. “I sent her a letter.”

The doors burst open and Hanji ran out to the courtyard with Petra following close behind. Mike and Erwin were inside looking out of the entryway as their two soldiers went to see what it was.

“What happened?” asked Hanji. “Was it a titan?”

“No,” answered Levi, squinting at Twilight. “It seems Twilight has had some supplies brought here from Equestria without my permission.”

“Hey, wait a minute!” objected Rainbow Dash. “I thought that bearded-dude at the trial said we were free to do as we please!”

“Yes he did, and while you have more liberties than Eren, you are still members of the Scouting Legion under my command. And as such, any supplies, especially when they come in lightning, must be approved by me or Erwin.”

“I’m sorry,” answered Twilight sincerely. “I wasn’t aware. I thought that since my letters didn’t seem to upset you–”

“I accept your sending simple letters between you and your leader, but let this be my final warning: you must have any supplies other than letters approved by either Erwin or I.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Very good. Now, what is there?”

“If we’re going into Yalkell, which is a district of Wall Sina, I thought we might want to purchase some clothing to make ourselves appear more uniform, so Princess Celestia sent my friends and I twenty gold bits each.”

The eyes and mouths of Hanji, Petra, Eren, Gunther, Erd, and Mike were wide open. Erwin and Levi’s eyes barely shifted up, but with them being as stone faced as they were, it was a world of difference.

“What’s with the faces?” asked Applejack. “It’s just twenty gold bits. Not that big of a deal, I guarantee ya.’”

“Applejack,” Hanji shuddered, “gold is extremely valuable within the walls. With all of your coins combined, you could probably own a decent section of one of the districts!”

Now, the ponies were wide-eyed with surprise.

“Oohoohoohoo!!!” squeaked Rarity. “Just think off all the jewelry and clothes I could buy with that!”

“And what’s inside the bag?” asked Petra.

“I listened to Hanji about how salt is rare in this world,” Twilight explained, “so I asked Princess Celestia to give the Scouting Legion some as a gift. Is ten pounds plenty?”

Silence. Every human minus Erwin and Levi stood motionless with heavily stunned looks on their faces.

“Mike,” ordered Erwin from outside, a slight smile being drawn onto his face, “grab that salt and place it in the kitchen.”

“Yes, sir!” he answered.

Mike ran out and picked up the bag of salt. Giving it a few sniffs, he poked his finger and thumb into the drawstring opening, pulling out a pinch. He placed it onto his tongue, his eyes widening from the saltiness of the powder.

“It’s genuine,” he said.

“Good,” Erwin replied.

Mike walked back towards the entrance.

“I assume that’s all?” asked Erwin.

“Yes,” answered Levi. “Everything seems to be done.”

“Hanji, Petra, don’t forget. We leave for the induction ceremony at noon.”

“Yes, sir!” the two women responded with a salute.

With a nod, Erwin walked back inside, Mike following him in.

“Like I was saying,” Levi said, redirecting his gaze back at Eren, “the only reason you’re not locked-up in some lab is because I’m watching you.”

“Yes, sir!” Eren answered, quickly forming a salute again.

“Hanji, while you’re out here, take the ponies upstairs to the tailoring room once we leave. Ponies, squirt, we shall be back this afternoon. We begin the aptitude test at once upon our return, with or without your uniforms. But Rarity, make sure you have the harnesses done above anything else. You understand?”

“Yes, sir!” they all answered.

“Good. Let’s go.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Levi, Eren, Erd, and Gunther rode from the castle and off into the yonder. While Petra retired back inside, Hanji was still outside waving the soldiers farewell.

“Ah,” she sighed, turning back to the ponies and Spike, “now then, follow me!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hanji opened the door to the tailoring room, and upon walking inside, Rarity could not help but gasp in sheer pleasure. Inside was everything she needed. There was a large enough table for her to do her work on, there was a desk for her to look through the outlines and blueprints provided, sewing needles, string, yarn, measuring tape, and all of the necessary materials to make the jackets, harnesses, boots, patches, and Scouting Legion cloaks.

“There are no words!” she gasped.

“I don’t know what you have back in your world,” said Hanji, “but these are all the bare essentials for what you need to make your friends’ uniforms. You see, back when the Military was formed, each of the three branches were responsible for making their own uniforms. I just hope you’ll still be able to–”

“No, no, no! This is perfect! Oh…”

“What’s, ‘Oh?’”

“I do believe that I didn’t pack my glasses! I didn’t think they would come in handy while we were here, so I never though to bring them. Ha! No matter! I’m certain I can manage! My works weren’t lauded by Hoity-Toity and Photo Finish for nothing!”

Hanji wasn’t sure who either pony mentioned was, but she enjoyed her enthusiasm of the entire job.

“Now, let’s get those measurements.”

Rarity, using her magic, levitated the measuring tape from the supplies and held it up like she would a mythical sword. She then raced it to Twilight and began to have the tape snake around her at a phenomenal pace. Hanji tried to follow the tape with her eyes and head, but she could hardly keep track of it as it moved from one pony (and dragon) to the next. Within two minutes, Rarity put the tape back into the pile of supplies.

“Did you measure them?” asked Hanji, still dumbfounded by Rarity’s speed.

“Why, of course, Hanji!” she exclaimed, tapping at her head with her hoof. “Iron trap, you see.”

“But… you were so fast!”

“I have much experience. Now, could you all just leave me be? I must create!”

The ponies, Spike, and Hanji left the room as instructed as Rarity closed the door behind them with her magic.

“Wow,” Hanji gasped. “She has her work cut out for her.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Twilight said. “If she can make six stunning, original dresses in one day, I’m certain she can make some jackets, harnesses, and cloaks from a set of instructions.”

“I suppose you’re right…”

“So now what?” asked Rainbow Dash. “You’re leaving for this ceremony in a couple of hours, so who’s going to test to make sure Rarity did a good job when she’s done?”

“I imagine Levi will once he gets back with Eren, Erd, and Gunther. In the meantime, I have a couple of hours to spend with all of you.”

“Actually, Hanji,” Twilight spoke up. “I wanted to ask you about something.”

“Huh? What is it, Twilight?”

“You like to study titans, but have you ever once considered a, how do you say, a pesticide for titans? Some kind of disease to kill them off?”

Hanji’s eyes went wide at this prospect, kneeling down to Twilight’s level and grabbing both sides of her face, shocking her and her friends.

“What are you talking about?” she exclaimed. “There’s still so much we don’t know about them!”

“I understand, Hanji, but we also need to think of alternate ways to kill the titans if for some reason… Eren can’t.”

Hanji’s face settled down as she let go of Twilight.

“I see…” she responded. “But how would we even get that done?”

“Simple! I can ask Levi if I can have my microscopes and chemistry set sent to me from Ponyville to Canterlot to here and then ask for the proper chemicals… provided we don’t have them here, of course.”

“Alright then. I can get a blood sample from Eren sometime and we can use that for our basis.”

“Sounds good, but we’ll probably need to get this done at a better day.”

“Right. Erwin and I will be gone by the time Eren returns, so we’ll need to plan accordingly.”

“Alright. I’m going to head to my room and make sure Princess Celestia knows about Levi’s new rules.”

“Okay. I want to get ready for tonight, so I shall see you all later.”

“Alright then. Take care, Hanji.”

With their farewells noted, Hanji and the ponies went their separate ways down the hallways while leaving Rarity to her work.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The sun was beginning to set and four horses were approaching the castle. The front one was led by Levi while Eren followed close behind on a brown horse with a black mane and tail. Erd and Gunther came just behind Eren on horses of the same color. Upon reaching the stone bridge that passed over the moat, they entered into the courtyard to be greeted by each of the ponies who standed in a straight line beside each other.

To Eren’s joyful surprise, they each were wearing supposedly proper uniforms. Each one, including the miniature Spike, had a Scouting Legion jacket, cloak, and specially designed Military boots upon them. Along with being the only ponies without a harness on their bodies, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Fluttershy had slips for their wings inside the cloaks and jackets with buttoned straps keeping their wings in snugly.

Eren was impressed. They really looked like soldiers now. Levi rode up to in front of them and dismounted his horse, walking to the center of the group.

“So,” he said, “you have your uniforms now.”

“Yes, sir!” they all answered.

“Squirt, hand me your clothing and boots.”

“Sure!” Spike said, taking his cloak, jacket, and boots off.

Levi took a look at Rarity’s handiwork. While his face didn’t shift to show, he was impressed to see that they resembled an exact replica of the Scouting Legion uniform he and his men wore. Dropping Spike’s cloak upon the ground, he looked at the back of the jacket, grimacing at the scores in the back.

“Pitiful,” Levi said. “You can hardly see the Wings of Freedom because of these holes.”

“Well,” reasoned Rarity, “I had to make way for Spike’s scales.”

Levi then took the jacket, gripped it tight and began to pull.

“Levi?” exclaimed Spike, worried he was going to rip it.

However, after a couple more tugs, Levi tossed his jacket back to Spike and kicked his cloak back to him.

“It’s still sturdy,” he said. “If the squirt’s jacket can resist my pull, then I assume that will go for the others. You did a fine job with these, Rarity.”

“Thank you, Levi sir!” she exclaimed, putting the right side of her right hoof to her heart.

“But now, begins the test that will decide your fate.”

Eren gulped nervously, knowing exactly what time it was now.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

In the back of the castle, there was a large pyramidal structure comprised of three large wooden pillars and a bowed, metal bar with pulleys upon the top that held wires that draped down to the sides. Levi, Eren, Erd, Gunther, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy stood beside each other while Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Spike stood by the contraption. Each one of their belts were now equipped with two metal boxes on both sides of their waists with metal latches in them.

“This will be your test,” Levi stated. “Since Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy have wings and will not need 3D Maneuver Gears, they are exempt from this test. You however, are not blessed with the ability of flight, and so you are here.

“This machine will test your balance when you use your 3D Maneuver Gear, and if you cannot pass something as simple as this, you might as well pack up your prissy saddlebags and return home. Of course, this might be difficult for you considering that you’re more comfortable on four legs. However, I do not care about this. Either you pass this test or your trip here will have been for nothing. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir!” the four of them exclaimed.

“Good. As with the cadets, you will receive at most two times up if you fail the first time. If you fail the second, you’re out. Applejack. We’ll start with you.”

“Yes, sir!” she answered.

Applejack trotted into the center of the pyramid as Erd and Gunther went to retrieve the hanging wires. Applejack stood firmly on four hooves as Gunther and Erd both latched their hooks into the sides of Applejack’s belt. The two stepped away, with Gunther standing by the back pillar with a crank attached to it.

“Applejack,” Levi stated. “Stand up straight.”

Applejack, not wanting to evoke any wrath of his, did as he was told, lifting her front hooves off the ground and standing on her back hooves, which wobbled due to her change in balance. Levi glared at this.

“Weak at the knees, are we?” asked Levi.

“No, sir!” Applejack protested with fierce determination.

“You want to go home?”

“Sir, no, sir!”

“Good… Gunther! Begin!”

Gunther began to turn the crank, causing the wires to pull themselves up. Applejack gave a nervous gulp to swallow her anxiety, but refocused once she began to feel the pull of the wires at her harness. Soon, she felt as her body was lifted into the air. Immediately, her balance was off. Completely unaware by this change, her body swung forwards and her head slammed into the ground.

Eren immediately touched the right part of his forehead, remembering a similar injury he sustained during his aptitude test. The ponies gasped in horror upon seeing their friend fall. Not only was she hurt, but she would have only one last try before she would fail. Levi walked up and knelt down to the squirming Applejack as Gunther let her back down.

“How pathetic,” he whispered to her. “And don’t be trying to blame your harnesses either. After Eren almost failed his test, it was discovered that his fittings were damaged, so we had them fixed. Your failure is due to a lack of balance, not a malfunction of your equipment. Remember, you have one last try before I reject you. Now stand up!”

“Yes, sir,” groaned Applejack, doing as instructed.

“Sheesh,” Rainbow Dash said to Twilight. “He’s even tougher than Spitfire back at the Wonderbolts Academy.”

“He’s even tougher than Iron Will,” Fluttershy said, causing Pinkie Pie and Rarity to shudder in the memory of him.

Levi was now back in line and Applejack was back on her two hind legs.

“Gunther! Again!” called Levi.

Gunther turned the crank, tightening the wires and pulling at Applejack’s harness.

Come on, Applejack, she thought to herself. Granny Smith sure as sugar didn’t raise y’all to be no quitter.

With the tugging at full force, Applejack began to ascend. Knowing her shift in balance now, she leaned backwards a bit, now becoming upright as she was lifted higher and higher. Each of the ponies watched in terror each time Applejack jerked to keep herself up. Levi squinted, waiting for Applejack to fall. However, Applejack began to relax her muscles and find just the right spot for her to stay perfectly still.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash, recognizing this, smiled as Applejack managed to keep herself together. Applejack even shot a look to Levi, proudly telling him that she had done it. Levi and Applejack continued to stare each other down for another ten seconds before Levi saw enough.

“Let her down,” Levi said.

Gunther did as he was told, lowering the crank down to put Applejack back on the ground, who stood back on her fours with gratitude as Erd and Gunther took her hooks off.

“And?” wondered Rainbow Dash.

“She passed,” Levi answered. “She can join you.”

“Yeehaw!” shouted Applejack, galloping towards her winged friends, giving each other hugs upon her passing.

“Pinkie Pie!” he called. “You’re next!”

“That’s me!” shouted Pinkie Pie, bouncing up to the structure, making a similar declaration each time she bounded back up. “That’s me, that’s me, that’s me, that’s me, that’s me!”

“That’s just dandy,” Levi said with no emotion as Erd and Gunther strapped the wires into her belt. “Pinkie Pie. You saw how Applejack did it. Now stand!”

“Okie dokie lokie, sir!” she exclaimed, standing on her hind legs.

Unlike Applejack, her upright body was in much better control than Applejack’s was, almost if she had been standing on two legs just as long as she had been standing on four.

“Gunther! Begin!”

Gunther began to turn the crank, and Pinkie Pie’s harness was pulled as she began to be lifted up. Like her standing, Pinkie Pie did not seem to be affected by the change in balance. Twilight and her friends took a sigh of relief, feeling as if Pinkie Pie’s test was in the bag. Pinkie Pie wanted to try and swing and loop on the device very badly, but Levi’s expectant glare told her not to do so. However, after just a few seconds more on the machine, Levi had seen enough.

“Even for human standards,” he sighed, “that was about as close to perfect as one can get. Pinkie Pie, you’re good to go.”

“Yippee!” cheered Pinkie Pie with her hooves in the air as Gunther let her down.

Once her hooks were detached from her, Pinkie bounced back over to Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack, who officially welcomed her to the Scouting Legion with hugs. Levi looked at Rarity with scrutiny. Surely she was as clean and neat as she was, but with her ladylike attitude, he could only wonder if she had the chops to become a soldier.

“Rarity. Go up!”

“Yes, sir!” she spoke trotting up towards Erd and Gunther.

Gunther strapped her in. Of all the potential soldiers he was admittedly most eager to see, it was Rarity and Spike. Rarity already had a very similar work ethic to himself, but he did not know how she would fare in battle. If she did manage to pass the test with flying colors and proved to be efficient with 3D Maneuver gear, he could very well be seeing his equal right in front of him.

Spike also managed to impress Levi back in Trost. Despite not being a soldier yet, he would already have three titan kills on his record: one solo and two assisted. The dragon was small, and he was young and naïve, but of the six ponies and himself, he looked to have the most potential. With Rarity strapped in, standing, and Gunther’s hands on the crank, it was time to begin.

“Gunther! Begin!” Levi called.

Rarity smirked confidently as she flicked her hair from out in front of her eyes with her hoof. Looking at Applejack, she began to talk to her.

“You see, Applejack,” she huffed as she began to get hoisted up, “as much as you like to put me down for being so prissy, you should know that as a lady, one must keep their balance and poise perfect.”

Levi looked as Rarity, despite being upright, balanced upon the wires like a professional. Even as her hips swung to and fro to her words, she managed to keep herself up. Levi saw all he needed to. She was good to go.

“You impress me yet again, Rarity,” Levi complimented with his constant stern expression. “You’ve passed.”

Rarity gave Levi a curtsy in the air, letting him know of her appreciation as Gunther set her down. Rarity trotted over to her other five pony friends, who each greeted her back with hugs. Applejack, however, grimaced in embarrassment from Rarity’s words and immediate success as she patted her friend on the back. Eren smiled, seeing as all the ponies were now okayed to join.

“You’re up last, squirt,” Levi told Spike. “Get up there.”

“Gotcha!” Spike proclaimed, eagerly running to the wires where Erd and Gunther were waiting.

“You know, this test should be easiest for you, being as you can walk on two legs like us decent humans. However, I still wouldn’t keep my hopes up considering your small size.

“Then don’t,” Spike said as he was strapped in. “That will only make my success all the more surprising.”

“Oh… You still have impressive vigor, squirt, but your execution is all that matters here. Are you ready?”

“Yes, sir!” he answered.

“Gunther, are you ready?”

“Yes, sir!” he responded, standing by the crank.

“Then begin.”

Gunther rotated the crank, pulling the wires hooked into Spike’s harness. As Spike was lifted, he suddenly began to lose control. His balance had never been tried like this before, and his wobbling body told Levi and the others all that they needed to know. With an erratic swish of his tail, Spike toppled over, and flipped, dangling above the ground with his feet in the air.

Spike was scared beyond all comprehension. He had only one last chance to prove himself a worthy soldier. On top of that, he’d also have to deal with Levi.

“Gunther,” Levi ordered. “Set him down.”

Spike was lowered back to the ground as he tried furiously to fight his tears, unable to live up to his failure in front of him. Levi walked up as Spike, now back onto the ground stood up to face Levi with the bravest face he possibly could.

“Unbelievable,” Levi hissed as he knelt down. “Those last two ponies were able to position themselves perfectly on their first try, and you expect me to believe that a two-legged creature can’t even pass a test made for humans?”

“No!” answered Spike, his voice choked with regret. “I won’t let you down again, sir! I just need some time to adjust.”

“Most soldiers don’t need time to adjust. Were your actions in Trost just a farce?”

“Huh?” questioned Spike. “How did you–”

“Answer my question, squirt.”

“No, sir! I will pass this test. Just you wait and see!”

“For your sake, and quite possibly the sake of mankind… you better.”

Levi stood up and walked back. With Levi no longer facing him, Spike sniffled his runny nose and quickly wiped his wet eyes. Eren looked to Spike with nervousness. He certainly had the drive, but it looked to be that Spike’s youth and emotional sensitivity would get the better of him. Spike looked down at the ground, trying to focus all his energy into mentally preparing himself to succeed.

Come on, Spike, he thought. You can do this. This is no different than trying to carry a bunch of books on one of Twilight’s Sorting Days. All you have to do is concentrate. You know you want this…

“Gunther,” Levi called. “Last time.”

“Yes, sir!” he answered, turning the crank once more.

Spike watched as the wires were pulling out, but his face was no longer frightened or sad. He was almost beginning to look angry.

I want… thought Spike, to impress Levi. I want to show Twilight that I’m not a kid anymore.

Spike began to be lifted up, but Spike only added his concentration of his balance along with his desire to succeed.

I want… to show Eren, Hanji, Auruo, everyone… that I’m worthy to become a soldier.

Spike was held up, wavering as he tried to keep his balance once again. Spike looked to Levi, whose eyes only expected him to fall again. But upon looking to Twilight and Eren, they both gave him nods with assuring smiles, giving him further confidence to succeed. Spike then clenched his fists and the dragon-like slits in his eyes narrowed.

I want… to join the Scouting Legion!

Spike held himself still, and his body remained upright, getting surprised gasps from the ponies. Eren smiled, seeing that each of the seven Equestrians would be fighting by his side. Levi looked into Spike’s eyes, and Spike looked into his, giving a wide, toothy smile with a furrowed brow. Levi nodded, recognizing Spike’s talent.

“Let him down,” Levi said, allowing Gunther to lower him back to the ground

Spike took the hooks off himself as Levi approached him. Spike looked up to Levi as he knelt back down, ready to hand his verdict.

“You all have proven yourselves capable soldiers…” he said, ruffling the top of Spike’s head with the palm of his hand. “Welcome to the Scouting Legion… Spike.”

Upon hearing him call his name and not “squirt,” Spike hopped up and gave Levi a hug at his chest to the cheers of the ponies. Immediately taken aback by this, Levi pressed down on Spike’s head, pushing him back to the ground. Spike still looked to him with a smile.

“Don’t ever…” cautioned Levi, “try and hug me again.”

“I won’t!” Spike said, putting his left arm behind his back and the right side of his right fist to his heart. “And thank you, Levi, sir!”

Levi stood back up, still looking at Spike.

“Much better,” he complimented. “Now run along.”

As Levi walked to Gunther and Erd came to meet them both, Spike ran to his friends with outstretched arms and tearing eyes. Spike jumped and latched on to Twilight as the others crowded around him and hugged him from all sides. Eren looked upon the group happily. He had seven new comrades by his side. Even if the number of cadets at the induction ceremony would be few, they at least had these seven to work with.

“Eren!” cried Rainbow Dash, who flew up and gave him a hug at his neck while still fluttering above. “Looks like the gang’s all here, huh?”

Eren was about to respond before Twilight came and hugged Eren on his right side and Applejack hugged him on his left. Fluttershy hugged Eren at his waist while Pinkie Pie hugged him from behind. Rarity came between Fluttershy and Applejack and wrapped her arms around both of them. Spike wedged his way into their group hug and hugged Eren’s leg at the knee. Eren was happy to be surrounded by such affection, and he put is arms out to lay them on Twilight and Applejack.

“Ponies,” called Levi, walking up to them with Erd and Gunther, causing them to break away and look at their captain, “tomorrow, you begin your trek to Yalkell to visit Kirill. Hanji shall be joining you. You leave at sunrise. Understand?”

“Yes, sir!” shouted the ponies and Spike, each one of the ponies putting the sides of their hooves on their hearts while Spike gave a proper salute.

“Eren, tomorrow, you and the rest of us shall study Erwin’s scouting formation for next month’s expedition. Understand?”

“Yes, sir!” answered Eren, Erd, and Gunther, the three of them giving him the salute.

“Very good. You are all dismissed.”

Levi, Erd, and Gunther walked away to the castle entrance on the other side while Eren and the newly minted Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Spike watched them go. In a little bit, they would head off to their rooms to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow would be a busy day.