Enjoy, don't, whatever. Just writing out what's clogging up my brain to relieve stress. More on this story at the end of the story. Oh, don't own this anime/manga series, almost forgot that.

Titans. Titans. TITANS,,,

For as long as Eren Yeager could remember, the behemoths this word was associated with sparked an anger, a passion with himself like no other. They were the reason that he, along with the rest of humanity, were entrapped within the holding pins that their government called The Walls. They were the reason he had been driven from his home within Shiganshina, a district of the outermost Wall, Wall Maria. They were the reason why, in losing his home, he had also lost his mother. His mother, killed and devoured by a Titan as he was carried away. Carried away by a soldier who'd always been drunk on the job, and who had now proved was a coward in the face of humanity's threat.

It disgusted him to see that it had taken losing his district, along with the entirety of Wall Maria, to snap humanity out of its dull stagnation. Truly, he'd thought the various military branches to be vigilant in their defense, but they were clearly not ready for the Titan threat.

As it had always been.

But no more. Eren Yeager was done with humanity's acceptance of their place in the world. He would apply for military training at the proper age, burn his way through it all with the searing inferno that was his will, and join the Scouting Legion. With his position, he would slaughter all Titans in his way, not forgetting his true goal: awaken humanity from its peace, and drive it towards claiming its rightful place on Earth.

ABOVE THE TITANS!

Titans. Titans. TITANS!

"…I've decided, Mikasa." The hard voice of Eren could be heard saying, as the boy reluctantly nipped at his share of bread for the day. Around him, his two childhood friends could be seen, eating their own shares with much less hesitance. Mikasa Ackerman, a girl with soft, onyx hair and calm, blue eyes that didn't seem to fit on one who had recently watched her adopted mother die to a Titan. The other, Armin Arlert, a timid-looking boy with chin-length, dark-blonde hair and radiant blue eyes that spoke against his nervous nature.

"What have you decided on, Eren…?" Mikasa spoke, none of her weariness showing through in her voice. Truth be told, she was worried the young boy had decided to join military training after so long being indecisive. He was a smart boy, a bit hotheaded, but he thought things through. Almost too much, sometimes. Capable of defending himself, Mikasa still followed him wherever he went, intent on looking out for the one who had saved her in the past.

"In a year's time, when I turn thirteen, I will apply for militant training." His tone brooked no room for argument, meaning he'd have none of Mikasa's overprotectiveness. He knew she cared for him, and he returned the sentiment gladly, but sometimes it bugged him to no end how much she worried over him.

"Th-that's great, Eren! Maybe I'll apply, too. We can explore outside the walls together, when we join the Recon Corps!" Armin was truly excited, despite being nervous about the Titans. Mikasa didn't exactly share the sentiment, but…

"I will be joining as well. Someone needs to look out for you two." Protective as always, Mikasa simply turned her gaze on them. First Armin, who flinched away and nodded; then Eren, who simply stared back twice as hard, causing Mikasa's calm gaze to fall to the ground. "…If you'll have me, Eren." She whispered gloomily.

Nodding to himself, Eren simply clamped his hand on the girl's shoulder, causing her to jump at the action. "Of course, Mikasa. I'll need you by my side as I pursue my goal, after all." He offered a small, but genuine smile, the first he'd shown since the fall of Wall Maria.

Blushing beneath her scarf, Mikasa hurriedly nodded her head. "Hai!" She still hadn't forgotten how shaken she, as well as most everyone who had been on the evacuation barge, had been at the strong-willed boy's speech. She would gladly follow him to the ends of the Earth, wherever those may be.

Turning, Eren settled his gaze upon Armin, who seemed to gain confidence from his calming, friendly eyes alone. "You'll be needed as well, Armin. I'm sure you'll shape up into a fine soldier alongside the rest of us." "O-of course, Eren." Armin replied happily, glad to have such an inspiring person as a friend.

His eyes then turned down to his unfinished bread, finding it to be almost inedible at the moment. Oh well, he'd save it for later. Right now, his mood was keeping him from thinking of anything but what he planned to do, what he planned to achieve. What he planned for humanity to achieve.

Eren finally settled his gaze upon the distant wall, hiding what was surely a beautiful sunset from his view. His gaze hardened upon a few soldiers who still seemed to laze about atop the wall, drinking from large bottles. "Humanity shall no longer stagnate. It shall no longer live as livestock, caged within these walls to be slaughtered by the waiting, hungry Titans. Instead, it shall rise up, take up arms, slaughter every last Titan…" He breathed in.

Time seemed to slow, as he imagined the gruesome visage of the abnormally-large Titan, glaring heatedly at those lax, uncaring soldiers. Ready to devour them, ready to breach yet another wall, and to unleash the Titans upon humanity again. It made him burn with tempered, focused fury.

"…and it shall claim its rightful place. Above the Titans."

Titans. Titans. TITANS…

This is simply my attempt at a more levelheaded Eren, one that still wishes to slaughter the Titans, but also wishes to protect humanity. In his own way.

Hope you enjoy this small tidbit of a chapter, as it's simply a prologue of sorts.

Also, I'll try my best to most other characters as they are, but I see this Eren having a much bigger impact on how people act.

Seeya soon.