Attack On Titan: Zero

Season One: Chapter 4

MIKASA'S POV
I punched Eren, stopping him from shouting at Armin, "If Armin's a parasite then so are we. We're no better. Your mother told you to survive, so you have to survive." I said as I handed him the bread, forcefully shoving it into his mouth. I can only hear a mumble, as tears began to flow down Eren's cheeks.

I'm sorry I couldn't protect you... Y/n... I'll make sure Eren stays safe... I wish you could... Just.... Come back to me... I need you.

ARMIN'S POV
"Armin, I want you to have this." My grandfather said, as he slowly took his straw hat off his head, and gently placed it in my hands.

"W- Why do you want me to have this?" I asked, looking at the hat in my hands. It was big, a bit big for my head, and looked large in my hands.

"I'm going to go somewhere."

"W- Wha- Where?" My eyes widened.

"I'm going to Wall Maria." He said nonchalantly.

"W- Wall... M- Maria? W- Why?!"

"There are too many refugees, Armin. They're sending the older ones of us to try and fight back."

"What?!" I felt my eyes sting.

"That's how it is. I'm sorry Armin."

"P- Please don't go! You can find a way to stay, r- right?! I'll find you a way to stay! Just- just please don't!" Before I knew it, I felt hot tears running down my face.

"Armin," He placed his hands on my shoulders, I struggled to look up at him through my blurry sight, "It'll be okay." I saw him smile.

"No it's not! It's not!" I continuously shook my head and yelled.

"I'll miss you, Armin."

EREN'S POV : Three Months Later
"Hey, you kids," A man beside us called at us, we stopped our cultivating work, and looked at him, "I know it's hard right now, but you're all young. You have a future ahead of you. So make sure you don't waste it trying to make this sick land grow. Find something you want to do, and do it." He smiled.

I took in his words for a second. What do I want to do...

I want to exterminate those Titans. Every last one of them...

One Year Later

"Armin..." I frowned, he pulled his grandfather's hat closer to his chest, and cried, "I... I'm signing up for the military next year."

"If you're joining, then I am too"

"What?! Mikasa, you can't! You'd just be wasting your life away!"

"It's my choice."

"But, what would Y/n think? He wouldn't want you in dang-"

"Keep Y/n out of this!" She snapped. My eyes widened, and I felt myself begin to shrink.

"S- Sorry." I knew bringing him up made her lash out, but I wasn't thinking.

"You know that without me, you'll die an early death." She said matter of factly.

"Y- Yeah... Whatever" I mumbled.

"I- I'm joining too" Armin said, slowly looking up. Still teary eyed.

"Not you too, Armin!"

"I- I want to join, Eren. "

"Why?! Your brains will land you an amazing life! Why do you want to throw that away?!"

"I... I'm joining the Scouts! You can't change my mind."

I was surprised at Armin's sudden loudness, but I sighed. It didn't seem like he was willing to budge.