Outside the Walls (Attack on Titan fanfiction)

Chapter 5- Training

Ayano's POV

"Alright scouts, let's move to our designated posts! Train your hardest today!" the coach shouted.

"Yes, sir!" The scouts saluted, each moving to a designated area. Except Ayano. Hanji lead her to a tripod, the poles stretching to the heavens.

"First I'll show you how to balance with your 3DM gear. Connect those two cables to your straps and I'll hoist you up." Hanji explained. Ayano did as asked, and was lifted off the ground. After some adjustment, (and situations where she almost did a face plant on the ground) she found her balance quite easily.

"Perfect! You're a natural at this! You might even be competition for Mikasa!" Hanji giggled as she lowered the girl down again. Hanji also showed her that she could control the gears' spears with the blade handles. Next she gave the girl some metal boxes containing something that clicked when moved.

"Now we move on to the blades. Let me show you how to equip and change your blades." After a few demonstrations, and some exercises, Ayano also got the hang of that. Hanji was beside herself with excitement.

"Ooh~! You're like some prodigy! Next are the flares! Although we only really use these on expeditions." Ayano wrote the flares down and shot a few practice flares.

"Now I'll teach ya how to direct the cables. This is where it gets a little tricky." Hanji explained the various buttons and nodules. Ayano surprisingly felt as though she knew it by heart and caught on quickly. She then got the hang of wizzing in straight lines.

Hanji then led her to the group of scouts at the sparring area. "Coach, this cadet will be joining scout group B from here on!" Hanji perked up.

"Very well. I directed your scout group to the stables while you were occupied." The intense looking man turned to the girl. "Welcome, soldier." Ayano, after Hanji had shown her earlier, saluted the coach.

"Thank you, sir."

"You can just wait inside that circle until someone's ready to fight you." Ayano did as told. She waited inside the dirt circle, watching the other pairs struggle against each other.

"Hey, you," a deep voice stated. A stocky scout stood at the edge of Ayano's circle. He was big and buff and looked downright scary. "Mind if I'm your opponent?" Ayano shook her head.

"No." He stepped inside the circle and both took their stances. The giant scout moved first, thrusting his fist towards her face. She dodged it, moving in closer. She placed her hand in the middle of his stomach and, swiping his feet out from under him, she flipped him. He landed behind her, a hard thump grabbing the attention of some of the scouts.

"Hell, that hurt..." he groaned. Ayano turned toward him.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't ask for the rules. Does this mean that I win?"

"Not yet, sweetheart." He jumped up and they locked hands just as he wanted to push her. "You have to get me out of the circle." Ayano considered this for a while, straining against the huge man. She then let go and stepped aside, letting him tumble forward. He landed face first, outside the circle.

"Do I win now?" the girl inquired, tightening her pony.

"Yea," he said as he spat out dirt.

"Oi, brat!" Ayano looked up when she heard an annoyingly familiar voice. "Report to my office immediately." Levi called from the window, then disappeared again. Ayano sighed.

"Fine..." she grumbled.
Ayano climbed the stairs and knocked on Levi's door.

"Name and business." His monotonous voice said from the other side.