Din:'You will remember what I am about to teach you.'

Din:'Presistence without insight will lead to the same outcome.'

Din:'When one chooses to walk the Way of the Mandalore, you are both hunter and prey.'

Din:'This is the way.'

Mikasa ended her little training session for the moment as she looked outside the window to see the sun rise over the horizon. Morning dawned upon her telling her to get ready for the new day ahead of her. She grabbed her belongings from the Scout workout area and made her way upstairs to her room. Distant rumbles and pops were all she heard on the way to her room followed by the occasional yelling.

Mikasa:'Hm, so they're at it again?' She thought. She stopped at one of the windows and looked outside.

Scouts rushed on the ground, forming two lines, one behind and in front. The first line fired and ducked followed by the second.

The lone 15 meter captured titan that was let loose by Mando was their target for today's mock expedition. As soon as their ranks fired off their rounds, all had duck down to allow the cannons from behind to fire at the titan.

The incoming barrage of rounds pounded away at the monster, effectively killing it after a round struck through the nape.

Mikasa:'Oh, they killed it.'

The titan fell face first, what was left of it, and started to let loose heavy amounts of steam. The Scouts all watched their work and cheered at the successful outcome of this mock session. Celebrating too early, a pair of titans followed behind the first and made their way towards the frontline Scouts.

Scout rifleman:"There's another one!"

Scout Officer:"Well we can't let him down, reload and fire at will!"

Scouts:"Understood!"

With the order given, they all broke off their line and used a new form of ODM gear to maneuver out of harm's way. They picked off the two titans from tall trees and shot out their eyes. Losing their sight, the two titans swung randomly and eventually collided into each other.

Scout Officer:"Fire the cannons!"

Another barrage of cannonshells flew at the titans and exploded all around them with devastating effect. Smoke and dust kicked up, obsuring the Scouts vision wondering if they finished off the last two threats. Finally, the dust settled and in it's place the steam arose.

Scout rifleman 1:"We did it!"

Scout rifleman 2:"It works!"

Yells of cheering sounded throughout the forest as Mikasa watched all members of the newly formed Scout Infantry Unit celebrate her father's new forming.

Mikasa:'Hm, it worked out in the end. Time to find dad.' She left the window opening and ran down the hallway.

___________

All members of the SIU (Scout Infantry Unit) returned back to the starting area to lock up their weapons and clean them. After several years of trial and error, Hange with the help of Mando, created new weapons and new ODM gear that was bound to change the playing field. No expeditions took place during that time since no one was pressuring them to produce results. The nobility had a good 'talk' with Mando as he made his way into several well-known names households and forced them into submission. He forced them to give the Scouts more funding and to stop giving them a bad reputation while also telling them to lower the numbers of the Military Brigade.

Of course, some didn't agree but the many noblemen and women he chatted with were more than willing to give, in exchange for their lives that is. During one of his chats, Mando came across a tough enemy. A man in a dark trench coat and hat, tough as nails and an experienced fighter in every aspect. The two entered a scuffle and fought with each party exchanging blows to each other but Mando ultimately won the short bout. The man left but not without mentioning Frieda and leaving a warning to him.

'If ya want yer little girl to live the good life, give up Frieda and we'll stay off yer back.'

"Din...Din...DIN!" Hange called out to him. After gaining his trust, Din only allowed them to know his first name as they've always called him 'Tin-man'.

Din:"Huh?

Hange:"Are you alright?"

Levi:"We were talking about today's results and you're just fucking off in your head."

Din:"Sorry, I was thinking of something."

Erwin:"Whatever it was, I'm sure it can't be more important than this. Anyway, today's results were favorable with the new unit quickly shifting their focus to the pair of titans that you released Levi."

Hange:"Levi! Why did you do that!?"

Levi:"Those kids were celebrating too early, I needed to show them what it would be like if they celebrated like that ever again."

Din:"I can see they did better than expected. I'm more than sure that they'll be ready given a couple more mock sessions."

Erwin:"Agreed...but we'll need more titans."

Din:"What? What happened to the rest I've brought?" He asked. A certain crazed scientist started to whistle and look everywhere but at the three men looking at her.

Din:"Nevermind, I'll see what I can do. Anything else?"

Erwin:"I'm planning an expedition soon, hopefully with the training our selected Scouts received, they can be of help to us on the battlefield."

Din:"I've no doubt they will be of great help."

Levi:"They've gone against actual titans and took them down without pissing themselves. That itself is an accomplishment."

Hange:"I agree, I think it's time we should go on one to test our capabilities against more targets. This can help us gain more data and help us improve on our flaws."

Erwin:"Very well then, I'll have a meeting with Premier Zachary to get his approval. In the meantime, rest up and prepare for whatever may come our way, meeting adjourned." The four got up and left Erwin's office after discussing important topics regarding their new battle tactics.

Levi and Hange both left to do their own thing, tea and titan research. Erwin stayed in his office to continue on paperwork and Din left to his room. He ignored just about everybody on the way there as it was an important day today, one he couldn't miss. It was Mikasa's birthday today as she was turning 15 meaning she could now join the Scouts. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking but he would have to listen to his little girl's request either way.

Din:'Tough being a parent...' He inwardly sighed. Finally arriving to his room, he opened it to find it dark and empty. Slowly, he closed the door and moved forward step-by-step causing the floor to creak with each step he took. Someone in the room heard the creaks and launched themselves towards him.

Mando thought fast and defended himself from a lethal blow to his ribcage. The armor was certainly strong but it only covered his front chest down to his abdomen, leaving his side vulnerable to attacks. A right hook was thrown from the attacker, hitting him in his left side. Grunting from such a powerful blow, Mando focused on the enemy. He saw the attackers leg about to hit his right thigh, thinking fast he grabbed their leg and punched their stomach. That person didn't like that so they responded with a perfect counter.

A monstrous punch put Mando down on his face, ending the fight.

Din:"Gah!"

???:"Dad, are you okay!?"

Din:"You did good...and I'm fine." He replied, getting up and laying back against the wall.

Mikasa:"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you that hard!"

Din:"You're fine, kid. You did great so don't worry about me, you would've killed the enemy on the spot with your strength." He ruffled her hair to calm her down.

Din:"Anyway, happy birthday kid."

Mikasa:"Thank you...but you held back. I thought we agreed you would stop doing that so I can fight you equally."

Din:"If I did then you would have already been dead from the beginning. There were plenty of mistakes I noticed and you left too many openings in your defense. You did get a good hit on me but that's because you let your anger get the best of you. Stop that."

Mikasa:"I'm sorry, I promise I'll do better." She apologized and then sat right down next to him against the bedroom wall.

Din:"Well?" He asked as he got up.

Mikasa:"Well what?"

Din:"You don't want to go and celebrate you birthday?"

Mikasa:"Can we go to Mrs.Jaeger's room and celebrate it with them?"

Din:"Hm, I have a better idea, let's go." He held his hand out to which she grabbed it and held onto. She may be getting older but when it comes to her father, she quickly turns into a spoiled kid again.

Mikasa:"Can I request something?"

Din:"I thought you already had a request?"

Mikasa:"This is another one though, it's really important."

Din:"Then what is it?"

Mikasa:"Can I fight with the DarkSaber? Can you teach me how to use it?"

Din:"No, I'm sorry but there's a Creed I still follow and if you use without the blade acknowledging you, there will be consequences to that."

Mikasa:"Okay..."

Din:"Maybe one day when it deems you worthy but not now."

________

The two of them later arrived at the Scout messhall.

Mikasa:"I thought we were going to Mrs.Jaeger's room?"

Din:"I'm hungry." He replied. He opened the doors and the two were greeted with confetti.

"Surprise! Happy birthday!"

Mikasa:"Eh?"

Hange basically threw herself at the young girl while everyone else walked up to her.

Hange:"Happy birthday, Mikasa! Ooohhhh~, I already remember the day you're dad brought you here! Such a tiny thing you were!"

Petra:"Happy birthday Mikasa! Here, let me help you." She walked up to her and started to peel Hange off of her.

Erwin:"Congratulations on another year, Mikasa. Have you thought about joining the Scouts yet?"

Carla:"What!? Din, I thought you talked with her about that!" She yelled out to which he only shrugged his shoulders.

Din:"I did, didn't work."

Mikasa:"I-It's my choice! I want to join to be with Eren and Armin! I want to help them both retake our home and hopefully push back the titans!"

Frieda:"Well if that's what you want, just make sure you stay safe and out of harm's way, Mika. Ohhh~, I think of you as my little girl too so don't go out there and break my heart by dying." Frieda walked up to the birthday girl and gave her a great big hug.

Mikasa returned the hug and tightened her grip around Frieda as over those couple of years, Carla and Frieda are both mother figures that she looked up to. She was thankful to them both as they helped her learn more things and gave her the love she was missing from a mother. Carla also joined in and gave her a hug as well, the heartwarming sight caused Din to smile underneath his helmet.

Levi:"Alright, will anyone be serving food or will we be just hugging the entire time? I'm pretty sure everyone here is hungry too."

Din:"Sure, let's go and eat."