SailorStar9: After getting the prologue out, this is Chapter 1 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Pairings: Established Levi/Mavis. Hinted Eren/Misaka and whatever cannon pairings there are.

Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing.

Chapter 1: Erwin Smith: 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls

"Erwin, it stinks." Mike reported after the Female Titan let out a roar after she was captured.

"What direction?" Erwin asked.

"Multiple sources." Mike replied. "From all directions at once."

On the outskirts of the forest...

"What's up with them?" Jean was shocked at the horde of rushing Titans that were charging into the forest. "They're all running into the forest? Why did they suddenly start ignoring us?"

"Ice?" Armin blinked when the forest ground started freezing over.

"Cold..." Sasha shivered as a cold front flooded in.

"Freezing Antarctic Wasteland." came a soft whisper, the resulting area ice spell flash-freezing the rooted Titans, causing them to die from hypothermia almost instantly.

Deeper in the forest...

"Ready the explosives!" Erwin ordered, hearing the thundering footsteps of the incoming Titans.

"Erwin, the first wave will come from the east." Mike reported. "They're almost here."

"Cart guard team, intercept!" Erwin instructed.

"They ignored us?" Goggles was confused when the charging Titans rushed past them. "Are they Aberrants?"

"Please return to the trees." a white shadow requested as it shot past the three squad members. "Please lend me your powers, Ferrum Polaris." a glint of steel revealed a Damascus blade was drew out. "Chilling Wave." a single sweep from the sword froze the three Aberrants in their steps.

"You just did something, didn't you bitch?" Levi growled, stepping on the Female Titan's head. Anchoring himself to a tree with his 3D Maneuver Gear, he shot forward and took out all three Aberrants' heads in succession.

"White Ripple." another wave of pure white ice shot towards the short Aberrant that was about to attach itself to the Female Titan's thigh.

"Titans from all directions!" Mike shouted as the second wave of Aberrants rushed in.

"All men, engage!" Erwin ordered. "Defend the Female Titan, even if it means your lives!"

The ice elemental then summoned another area spell, "Frozen Ground!"

The effect was almost instantaneous as the horde of Aberrants were frozen to the ground, making them easy targets for the rest of the squad.

"It's no use." the newly revealed Mavis frowned as even more Aberrants charged in, the backlash of her spell having blown off her hood. "Ice Dungeon Wave!" she locked the front-most Aberrants with her ice.

"Retreat, men!" Erwin gave the order. "Back into formation! Return to Karanes!"

"We've been had." Mavis looked at her current Commander.

"Just look at you." Levi turned to Erwin. "Don't tell me..."

"The enemy was willing to sacrifice everything." Erwin remarked. "I didn't expect the enemy to destroy itself along with the evidence by making Titans devour itself." he added, seeing the Aberrants devour the Female Titan.

"All our talk at the court martial and this is what happens." Levi tsked "If we return empty-handed, who knows what will happen to Eren or us."

"We can think about that when we return." Erwin replied. "Our priority now is getting home without additional casualties. For now..." The steam from the corpse is limiting visibility. It could interfere with our signal flare message relay system.

"I'll call my team." Levi stated.

"Wait, Levi." Erwin stopped him. "Refill your gas and blades."

"There isn't time." Levi objected. "I think I have plenty. Why?"

"That's an order." Erwin replied. "Follow it. Take Mavis with you."

"Roger, Erwin." Levi noted. "I trust your decision. Mavis." he looked at the eighteen-year-old.

"The Female Titan was eaten." Mavis stated, flying in step with Levi as they hurried off. "But did we see the person inside get eaten? I sure didn't."

"You don't mean..." Levi realized.

"That's right." Mavis nodded. "The enemy is now camouflaged as one of us."

SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Read and review.