Titans. Scouting Legion. Garrisons. Military Police. Walls. Doppelganger. 2,000 years in the past. How much more unbelievable, logic defying, and plain out mad could one school trip get? He really wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he had become accustomed to the life he was dragged into. Aeron had been granted the right to wonder around as long as he stayed out of the way of the soldiers. He had gained the trust of the Commander by answering his questions, giving out lessons on the outside world, and even saving a recruit who had been challenged to see how much water he could down in one gulp, it ended badly for both of them, CPR is not something a teen-age boy wants from another teen-age boy. Aeron had even relaxed just a bit when around the 'Mad Scientist' Hange Zoe.
Erwin had insured him that Hange would not be allowed to experiment on him, but Aeron was still distrusting. After all there was still the cold-eyed Levi, he always wore a scornful scowl. Though a good thing was he got along with his twin and the other young soldiers, well most of the young recruits, there was a few he didn't like much, such as a tall boy with horse face named Jean. Jean had a haughty attitude, looking down on others, and bragging about random things. Jean would also jump at the opportunity to insult someone he didn't like. Aeron had taken a liking to Historia, apparently she was the Queen of the 'Walls.' He was very shocked to affirm that the small fragile looking blond was the ruler of an entire . . . nation, maybe?
Aeron had warmed up to the life style, but he hadn't given up on trying to come up with a way home. Nor had he given up trying to figure out how even got here. Every waking moment he spent replaying the chain of events. Aeron never was able to figure out what that light or the breeze had to play in his transportation. It was frustrating. But that wasn't the only thing he was spending his time on. For some reason Erwin had insisted on him learning to use '3D Maneuver Gear' what ever that was. He soon found out when he was trained to use the strange metal boxes with steel cables in them. They taught him to ride a horse and even how to use swords. He couldn't help thinking as to why they were doing this for some suspicious youth they found in a suspicious place. Aeron had learned a few things about the 'Expeditions' and what they were for. With the knowledge of such came the knowledge of how to kill the traumatizing 'Titans.' Cut the nape of their neck.
Aware his hands were vaguely shaking, Aeron clenched his hands into fists. What the heck? Had he heard correctly? Fear had risen through his conscious. He had to know, had he heard correctly? "Uh, would you mind repeating what you said, Sir?" Aeron went wide-eyed at the verification Erwin gave him, "I want you to take part in the next Expedition." The Expedition? Outside that huge wall? With those giants running around everywhere? Did he have a say in the matter? Probably not. The only thing he could do was put the skills he learned to use. But why did they want him to come with them? Was it some sort of test of trust? Or was it something else?
Over the course of a few weeks, Aeron was tutored on the formation of the Expedition. He was also informed of the meaning of each of the colored smoke missiles. He was to be riding with Levi and Eren near the middle of the arrangement. Being told that was the safest place in configuration. Aeron became some what lenient at the information. Maybe they'd be lucky and not converge with the titans. How he hoped that'd be the case. Though judging by his current location in space and time, he guessed he didn't have very good luck.
Finally the day of the Expedition arrived. Aeron straddled his horse, Gunnar, a large brown beast with black speckles across it face, a short shaggy mane, and an equally shaggy skirt that reached its knees. The horse was steered up in between Eren and Levi. Once everyone was together the horses were set on course, headed to the exit of Wall Rose. He had heard the stories of how titans had almost taken over Trost District, but was saved by the Survey Corp. He heard other mysteries too, such as when titans invaded Wall Rose but there was no breach to seen, and some houses had been blown away from the inside, with no human in sight, even the fact that there was a titan laying on Connie's house who looked like his mother. The tales gave him shivers. He wasn't as eager as Hange at going outside the Walls.
The large gate was opened, the lines of horses galloped through the tunnel to the light on the other side. Barren land greeted the soldiers as they broke apart and into their formation groups. The other groups split up, they went to flank the formation on the right and left, the supply wagons traveling at the rear. Just as planned, Aeron, Levi, and Eren rode together in the middle of the formation. Aeron observed the expressions on Eren's face, serious and focused, much like Levi's regular expressions. Aeron decided it wiser not to ask questions, he may seem nosy.
A distant bang was heard. Aeron looked to the left, the direction the sound had come from, he saw black smoke rise into the sky. What had black meant? Something about irregular titans, maybe? Another sound was heard, this time from the front of the arrangement, it was green. The smoke fired from the front signaled the Scouts to change course. The faction Aeron was in steered to the right, headed away from the scattered black residue in the sky. There was a period of silent riding, so more smoke, just the echo of horse hooves on dirt. They continued of their way, red smoke then green smoke fired of occasionally. After a while of voiceless travel a yellow flare was sent up. The flare signaled the exhibition had been terminated. The course was changed and another silent trip awaited the Scouts. Or so they thought.
Suddenly three bangs were heard, this time there was both black and red and something much more traumatizing. There was a purple flare! The purple flare was used in emergencies, like someone had been caught by a titan. It seemed this was the case for the right flank. Another flare, a blue one, signaling retreat.
Bang . . . Bang . . . Bang Bang Bang . . .
Footsteps. Loud and uneven. A titan, about 9 meters tall with a limp was racing towards the middle on the formation. Blood smothered its large forever-smiling mouth. Aeron looked on in horror. "Damn it…" Levi cursed under his breath, "there are barely any trees around…" Aeron was confused, then he saw Levi turn his horse and rush at the limping titan. Mesmerized by Levi's smooth movements, as the titan reached out to capture him but was too slow. Levi had already grappled the titans left shoulder and swung around to the right, cutting the titans nape clean off. The giant fell to the ground with a thud, steam rising from it, slowly evaporating the corpse. Aeron was so captivated he didn't notice that Levi was already back beside him on his horse. This Levi . . . How can he be so fast! Aeron thought to himself. Then he remembered something… there were three flares. This one looked like an average titan, that meant there was another one around. An abnormal one.
Aeron listened closely, searching past the sound of galloping, past the whistling wind, past everything. Then he found it, to the East of his flank he heard the patient predatory grunts of the aberrant titan. It was waiting for its prey to cross its path. A mindless hunter. Aeron turned his head to look at Levi. "Sir! There is an irregular titan to the East just up ahead!" Aeron yelled over all the noise. Levi and Eren looked at him, Eren with a bit of surprise in his eyes but Levi with his usual expression. "And how do you know that, little shit?" Levi had raised his voice to be heard but he had his usual tone. "I heard it!" Aeron responded. Levi did show a hint of expression with this comment. Disbelief. Probably thinking something like 'how the hell do you expect me to believe that?' But sure enough there was a flare, a black one, just up ahead to the East. Levi looked at Aeron. Skepticism. Luckily whoever was in the flank at the East seemed to have defeated the aberrant.
The Scouts were able to make it back to the wall with minimal losses. The crowd that had gathered on the side of the rode cheered at the Scouts as they came back principally triumphant. Aeron heard people ask why there was two Erens. He wanted to tell everyone his story so they'd stop thinking he was related to Eren. Granted they did have the same surname as well as given names that sounded alike, they even looked alike, but they were not related in anyway. Aeron sat in silence on Gunnar, going over the experience in his head. There was something he himself did not understand about the trip. How had he heard that aberrant titan from so far away? And with so much noise as well. It seemed he wasn't the only one who wanted to know what went on within him.
Once the Scouts made it back to their castle base Aeron saw Levi dismount his horse and walk up to Erwin. He reckoned that Levi would tell him about the deviant titan and Aeron having heard it from at least 20 meters away. He knew he was right because as he walked the horse to the stables, he saw Erwin from the corner of his eye. He had winced a bit, eyes wide, and then the fact he was now looking over at Aeron. But when he noticed that, he noticed something far more terrifying than a titan. Hange Zoe. Hange had been standing in a shaded nook near the castle wall. Aeron watched in terror as Hange started blushing and laughing manically. God, no! She had over heard Levi! Aeron was frozen with fear as Hange charged at him with full speed. "Shit!" Aeron cursed under his breath as he dodged a killer tackle with a swift side step. Hange just got back up and ran over the Aeron, still flushed and chuckling. For about the one-millionth time since Aeron knew Hange, she started hyperventilating and speaking large words that no one but her knew the meaning to. Once again, utterly menacing. Aeron wanted to get away quickly, but he couldn't. Hange had grabbed his wrist while tried escaping. He looked over to Erwin, with the pleading eyes of a frightened pup. Thankfully it worked. Levi and Erwin approached. "Oi, shitty Four-Eyes, let the brat go," Levi said bluntly. Erwin also agreed, while using less insults. Hange let go but continued talking away.
"IF WE FIND OUT HOW HE HEARD IT, HE COULD HELP US AVIOD TITAN CONTACT ON THE EXPEDITIONS! MAYBE IF HE COULD MEASURE THE PRESSURE OF THE TITANS BREATHS THROUGH SOUND WAVES WE COULD EVEN GUESS HOW BIG THEY ARE!" Hange was in a maniacal fantasy world. She had gathered a crowd of Scouts who wondered what made Hange so ecstatic. Erwin and Levi quickly ushered Hange and Aeron into the castle and up to Erwins office where they could discuss matters peacefully. Well mostly peaceful with Hange.
"So, Aeron, can you tell us how you found that titan?" Erwin asked patiently.
"Well, after Captain Levi killed the standard titan, I remembered that there was a black signal as well, so I just sort of . . . tried to hear its footsteps or breathing?" Aeron reviewed.
Aeron wasn't entirely sure how he did it either. Levi had scoffed. Hange had squealed. Erwin had tilted his head a bit. The sound of other recruits in the halls and outside resonated in the awkward silence of thought. Levi broke the silence, "This is a damn waste of my time," and he left with that. Hange had giggled a bit and mumbled quietly, "If it's a waste of your time, then why'd you report it?" Luckily for her Levi was already half way down the hall outside.
After a few more questions on the strange phenomenon, Aeron was dismissed. He had met up with the young soldiers near the stables. They had tried prying into what happened, but Erwin had asked all those who already knew about what happened to keep quiet, that included Aeron. He so wished he could tell, so that someone may be able to discern what had happened with Aeron. He had never felt that way in his entire life, until now that is. It was strange, and honestly, as he thought of all those people who wanted to be special or wanted adventure, he thought he would gladly trade places with them. And it was true. He never asked for any of this, he had been content with his normal life. He wanted this to be a dream, the titans, the Scouts, the Walls, the forest, all of it just a dream. But he knew it was reality, he had already tried pinching himself. Well actually a panicked Scout stopped him when he tried. Aeron never knew why.
Hey Everyone! It's me, BlackRide! Thank you for reading my story! I love writing!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ATTACK ON TITAN!
Also, for you people who love reading, I try to make the chapters long-ish, each chapter should have around, say 2,000 to 3,000 words. Thanks for reading!