Attack On Titan: Darkest Days

Chapter 6: Graduation

Year 849

It was the year before graduation, yet the grueling exercises kept coming. The trainee's were clad with green cloaks, and twenty five pound packs. Rain poured in buckets around them, turning the dry dusty ground into mud. They lumbered along the path, breathing heavily. Shadis rode beside them, evaluating everyone's performance. 

"Pick up the pace! Run you lead-footed laggards!"

Armin dragged behind, ready to fall face down in the muck.

"What's your problem Arlert!?" He rode to the side of the struggling boy. "Too heavy for you? If this were a real mission, you'd be titan food by now!"

Alma gritted her teeth as she ran beside Mina, Lucas and Kai ahead of them. "He just loves to pick on Armin doesn't he? Bastard.." She suddenly lock eyes with him, and the two stared at each other for a moment. He then proceeded to write down something.

Alma Hertz: Could learn a thing or two about combat, marginally better in the classroom. Defends her comrades with fierce determination. Loved for her kindness and optimism.

The next portion of the exercise began after the rain let up. It consisted of hunting titan training dummies in the forest. Lucas followed closely behind Kai as the pair pushed through into a small clearing. Two 'titans' where there, along with an older instructor. They two cleaning cut through the nape of the first one but stopped short when two figure came crashing through the trees, cutting the second one. Lucas and Kai watched in awe as Mina and Annie landed gracefully on the ground, pieces of the dummy landing around them. The instructor pushed up his glasses and wrote.

Kai Lehmann: Adept at fighting with mobility gear, and one of the best in the classroom. Despite his serious exterior he cares deeply for those around him.

Mina Carolina: Considered kind, caring and sweet by her fellow trainees, although seemingly average in all aspects of training.

Lucas Rosen: Capable in both the field and the classroom, but stubborn. Well respected by his teammates for his leadership qualities.

Kai and Lucas landed beside the girls, but before they could continue the bell sounded, indicating the training was over. The four began to walk back, as their gas tanks were almost empty. They went in silence for a few minutes, when Kai decided to break the ice.

"So how many did you guys get today?" He asked, quite content with his score. "Five for me." 

"Same here." Lucas replied. 

"Um I think I got four." Mina shrugged. "What about you Annie?"

She brushed her blonde hair away for her eyes. "Seven."

The three turned to her in shock, expecting some sort of smug smile from her. Instead her face remained emotionless.

"Seven? How'd?" She walked ahead before he could finish. Kai was astonished, and jogged to catch up to her.

"You know, she doesn't have very many friends here." Mina started. "In fact, I'm the only one who dares to sit with her. I don't know if she'd want me too.... but could you sit with us tonight too? I want to try and help her out..." 

"Well.... Alma isn't very fond of Annie, so she definitely wont be too keen on the idea. But I guess one night shouldn't hurt right?"

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Kai Lucas Mina and Annie sat together, Lucas trying to ignore the stares he and Kai were getting from everyone else. They were all probably thinking that they had a  death wish. They ate in silence, and even after finishing the were quiet. Lucas left due to the awkwardness, and Mina and Kai joined him soon after.