| Backround: | The Leichtenberg family is one of a long line of Scouts. And Walter Leichtenberg reluctantly carried on that tradition with much persistence from his father, Wilhelm Leichtenberg. Wilhelm was a grim and bitter man, the titans had taken not only his leg but many of his comrades' lives as well. And he was hellbent on making Walter his instrument of revenge, in which he succeeded. Walter became an exemplary Scout, quickly rising to become a Team Leader. Whenever he had the chance between his expeditions, Walter visited his home in Calaneth. While there, he often paid a visit to a young barmaid at the small tavern in which she worked. Her name was Yvette. The two were wedded while Walter was on leave, and after a few months (While Walter was out on an expedition), Locke Leichtenberg was born. A few years after him, his younger brother Theo.
In the Year 845, Wall Maria was breached. Any who survived the Titan onslaught sought refuge within the confines of Wall Rose. Those who lived on the eastern side of Maria fled to Rose by way of Calaneth. Many moved on to other areas, but many stayed, living in refugee camps set up in a few of the city's plazas. Famine spread fast, and tensions seemed to rise even faster. Soon there was very little food for the original residents of Caleneth, let alone the refugees, which made people angry and mistrusting. Yvette was devoted to others despite it all, she saw past her own strife, and taught the now 13-year-old Locke to do the same. She taught him that behind every face was a person, and behind that person was someone they cared for someone that filled the same role that his younger brother filled for him. And that everyone had a reason for their actions, whether right or wrong, naive or informed. Locke took his mother's teachings to heart and soon became known among the refugees as a particularly helpful boy. Some days he would simply help the malnourished and crippled with tasks that had become difficult for them. Others, when he could manage it, he would help some of the young refugee mothers scrounge together some extra rations for their children. Unfortunately, the famine persisted, and with so much territory lost to the Titans, it seemed that it would remain that way until enough people died off.
One fateful day, The Operation to retake Wall Maria was announced. The preparations began immediately, and once again Locke watched his father put on his uniform and ride off. At the time, the child never would have guessed the true intentions behind the operation, still, something felt different than all the other times he had watched the same scene. To add to the weight of it alll, not only did he watch his father ride off this time, but also many of the new refugees he had befriended.
Of the 250,000 sent, less than 200 returned, Walter was not one of them. Locke and his brother excitedly awaited their father's return, as they always did, but he did not come. Even before they were informed of his death, Yvette somehow knew that her Walter was gone, and sat silently in her room as her tears soaked the floor. Once they had received word, her children joined her in her grief. Even Wilhelm, the bitter old man, wept for the death of his son and instantly regretted his harshness toward him. It was the only thing he regretted in all his long years. Locke remained in his room for days, not even the soft and comforting words of his mother could console him. One night, while he lay awake, his pillow soaked in tears, he felt someone sit on his bed next to him. When he looked up it wasn't his mother, nor his brother, but his grandfather who looked back at him with deep, understanding eyes. After a long bout of silence, Locke confessed that he now wanted to carry on the Leichtenberg tradition despite his late father's wishes against it. He would become a Scout and take the fight to the titans, to do his best to be a soldier that protected the innocent, that fought for those who couldn't, even if he was only to die as fodder, if it made a difference,if could save but one life from being ruined, it would all be worth it in his eyes. His grandfather, to his surprise, protested but seeing as there would be no change in the lad's mind, the tired old man decided to do all he could to make sure Locke didn't end up like Walter.
Locke did not enlist in the cadets right away however, with his father's death his family was in a tight spot. His grandfather was getting ever closer to death, and his mother would be hard-pressed to take care of both Wilhelm and Theo by herself. Therefore, Locke stayed to help out until his grandfather passed. Who, in the meantime did his best to tell Locke all he could of his time in the Survey Corps, partially hoping to scare him out of his decision, but if that failed, then to tell him what to expect. He also gave Locke a few tips on maneuvering in the ODM gear he would have to learn to use. Two years passed quickly and one night Wilhelm died peacefully in his sleep. Theo was now old enough to help around the house, and it was time for Locke to enlist.
He Joined the 104th cadet corps, in which he trained rigorously for Three long years. He was a pretty average cadet and didn't draw too much attention to himself, but he did manage to make a decent group of friends. One thing his instructors noted was that what he lacked in both strength and speed, he made for in his skill in using ODM gear and improvisation. Not to mention his steadfast nature. He was described by a few of his peers as being dedicated, loyal and protective, though he found much enjoyment in teasing others, as well as being a bit mischievious, also being described as blunt, calling things how he saw them and usually saying whatever came to his mind without it much thought. He rarely took anything completely seriously, usually finding at least one opportunity to make a joke or otherwise make light of any situation, almost never looking at anything pessimistically.
Locke was now 18. Three years had passed and the 104th Cadet Corps found themselves awaiting the choice that lay before them, the choice of which regiment they would join. Despite Eren Jager's influence swaying a few to reconsidering the scouts, most of those not eligible for the Military Police were going to settle for the Garrison. Locke's ambitions stayed the same, however. He was to join the Scouts, as he had planned all those years ago. Yet, many of them would never even get the chance to choose their regiment. The unexpected battle for Trost began when the Collassal appeared for the second time. Officially beginning Cadet Locke Leichtenberg's military career. He would go on to fight in Trost losing many fellow Cadets he called his friends. He would soon after join the Survey Corps and fight to take Wall Maria, doing what he could to help fight the titans back. He would also be one of the few scouts to avoid capture by the crown when the Regiment was outlawed. After living through many a traumatic event he would start to become more reckless, thinking of himself as already dead and becoming even more willing to lay down his life for the cause of mankinds survival, even more so to protect those he cared about, or anyone else who needed it. |
