Chapter 10: The 57th Expedition
Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin
Previously: Eren reunites with his friends. He tells Mikasa where he will be in the formation.
The soldiers of the Survey Corps stood at the gate of Wall Rose. Eren could feel anticipation bubbling in the back of his mind. He took strength from the knowledge of his Shifting abilities and the presence of his squad as well as Eren II's determination and excitement. The Batmobile seemed to pick up on her rider's emotions and neighed. Petting his horse calmed Eren further.
"Any second now," Erd said. "You look like—"
"A pirate had a baby with an angel?"
"He's saying weird things." Petra nodded. "He's fine."
"Open the gate!" Erwin called out. The gate began to rise. "We now begin the 57th Expedition beyond the Walls! Onward!"
A few minutes later, they were well out in Titan territory. Grassy fields stretched out far and wide around them with a few small buildings in the distance. Trees were sparse in the geography except for a looming forest up ahead.
Eren had to admit, the expedition was boring for the most part. Sure Titans were sighted, including Abnormals, but he was tucked safely in the center of the formation, toward the back. They'd have to get through many squads before reaching him. Despite his fear and nerves, he still itched to run out to meet the Titans headfirst. He could handle whatever damage they dealt, the humans couldn't. But he followed orders and stayed put.
There was a green smoke round and they adjusted accordingly. Then a Scout arrived. "Reporting in! Attack from the rear!" He told Levi. "Right flank recon has been destroyed! Our recon system is partially inoperative. Pass this on, to the left."
The right flank? Isn't that where Armin and Jean are? Eren thought worriedly. "Hey, Captain—"
"Did you hear that, Petra?" Levi turned calmly to her. "Go."
"Yes, sir." She veered off to the left.
"But he said the entire right flank's been wiped out! Shouldn't we—"
"No, Eren." Levi's tone left no room for argument.
Eren still wanted to argue but felt Eren II's insistence on following orders and kept quiet, waiting for an explanation.
Eventually, Squad Levi ended up in the Forest of Giant Trees and Eren had had enough of Levi's silence and complained relentlessly—
"What's going on?"
"Where are we going?"
"Captain?"
"Hey, Captain."
"Captain. Captain. Captain."
"Honestly, are you a child?" Eren II rolled his eyes.
When Levi still refused to speak, Eren went with the classic:
"Are we there yet?"
"Are we there yet?"
"Are we there yet?"
"Are we there yet?"
"Are we there yet?"
Until Levi finally snapped. "For fuck's sake, SHUT UP!" He exhaled sharply. "Look around, idiot! At all these big-ass trees. It's the perfect environment for 3D maneuver gear. And try to use that tiny fucking brain of yours. If you don't want to die, think. Quietly."
Eren was less than pleased with the answer. "What the hell's going on? Why doesn't he just tell me?!"
"Just trust him and follow his orders," Eren II insisted yet again.
But Eren was only playing soldier. He didn't truly believe himself to be military and hated being left out. He was even more surprised to hear his squad muttering in confusion and nervousness around him. "They don't know either!" That prompted Eren II's hesitation. Eren could feel the other boy's uncertainty about whether Levi himself even knew what was going on. "Okay." Eren tried to stay calm and use logic. "Let's think about this. How do stupidly big trees and 3D maneuver gear factor in together?"
"Killing Titans," Eren II answered immediately.
Suddenly, Oluo yelled, "A black smoke round!"
"It's from directly behind us!" Gunther said.
"It's that thing that's been chasing us from the right." Erd looked over his shoulder.
"Draw your blades." Levi pulled out one of his swords. "If that thing decides to show itself, we won't have any time."
Suddenly, the Female Titan appeared, killing a soldier and racing forward. "Run!" Levi ordered.
"Boobs!" Eren yelled at the same time. "Damn, check out those knockers."
Instantly he was flooded with mortification from Eren II. "Are you trying to ruin my reputation, you damn pervert?!"
Synapses fired in Eren's brain as he put the pieces together. "Of course!" It was so obvious. Erwin's question, Levi's silence, Armin's insistence on keeping his position in the formation secret. "We're being chased by a Titan-Shifter."
"We can't get away in this forest!" Gunther said.
"It's catching up to us!" Erd yelled.
"Captain, can we switch to maneuver gear?!" Petra asked. Levi didn't reply, looking silently over his shoulder. "Captain!"
The Female Titan tilted her head to dodge a Scout's hook and grabbed the wire, yanking it to bring the soldier close and ramming her shoulder against a tree with the Scout between them, crushing him. Another soldier attacked and the Female Titan grabbed her wire and threw her over her shoulder. Squad Levi was itching to attack. But instead of moving, his squadmates kept begging Levi for permission to act. How could he keep his from us? Eren thought angrily.
Before Eren could force Levi into talking by annoying him again—maybe using a few choice insult words this time, like calling him a midget fucknugget, that was sure to incite a reaction—Levi spoke. "Everyone, cover your ears." He pulled out his flare gun and fired off a round. Instead of smoke, there was a loud, pitched noise.
"A noise grenade?" Eren said.
"What is your job?" Levi looked at his team. "To just let your emotions overwhelm you? No, it's not. Our squad's job is to keep the brat from getting a single scratch on him." Levi turned forward again. "Even if it costs our lives."
"It wasn't to keep watch on us?" Eren II muttered.
"We keep going on our horses, got it?"
"Yes, sir," Petra replied.
But Eren wasn't so down with that plan. "Are you nuts? Keep going? It's right on top of us!" He looked back. The Female Titan continued to chase after them. Two Scouts reached her and she covered her nape. "We gotta do something! They're getting killed!"
"Keep your pace, full speed!"
"But, Erd, why?! If Squad Levi doesn't defeat it, who will?" Eren demanded. If she really was a Shifter like him, and there was no doubt in his mind about that, there was no way a regular soldier could defeat her.
One of the Scouts flew at the Female Titan and she slammed him against a tree with the palm of her hand.
Eren gasped, "Another one's dead. And maybe we could've saved him!" His team kept silent, staring ahead. The Female Titan tried to swat the second man and he dodged. "One's still fighting. We could still make it!"
"Eren, eyes back on the road! Keep going!"
Fury surged in him and he felt his entire body turn hot from the anger. "Are you telling me to look away? To abandon my comrades and run?!"
"Yes, that's right!" Petra yelled. "Obey the captain's orders!"
"I don't understand why we're leaving them to die! Or why he won't explain! Tell me why!"
"That's because the captain decided the reason should not be explained," Oluo responded. "You just don't understand because you're still green! If you get it, then shut up and obey!"
"Fuck that! I'm through with this bullshit!" Eren brought up his hand.
"Stop!" Eren II command forced him to freeze midway. The squad was talking but Eren's attention was pulled by the voice inside his head. "You have to listen to them!"
"But us in Titan-form can take that thing down! If not, I bet we could at least tire her out for them to finish her!"
"I know it's hard for you," Eren II went on calmly. "I can sense your pain and frustration. You're scared shitless but you still want to jump in and save them. I know it's agonizing for you to watch and do nothing, trust me, I get it, but you can't transform."
Eren could vaguely tell Levi was talking but Eren II had his full attention now. "If you understand, why are you stopping me? What the fuck is the point of having these abilities if you're not willing to use them to save lives?"
"Maybe it's because my body's physiological reactions aren't overwhelming my judgment," Eren II explained, "but I think I understand. Based on your answer to Erwin's question when the two Titans were killed—not the lizard people crap—I think it's a good possibility they were expecting her to show up. Think about it, they didn't know who the Shifter was so they had to keep it top secret. It was to prevent a leak."
"I know that. It's pretty fucking obvious now it's not one of us so—"
"Think, dumbass, if they were expecting her to show up it means they've set up a trap. This place is the perfect spot for an ambush. That's what Captain Levi was trying to say."
As he thought about his twin's words, Eren realized it all made sense.
"Eren!" Levi yelled. "You're taking too long! Decide!"
Oh shit, did he say something? Eren scrambled for the right words. "Uh, I'll follow your lead." That was the ideal response from a soldier to his superior. Behind him, he heard another Scout getting killed. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
"See? You made the right call," Eren II said happily.
The squad was waiting for the signal to reunite with the others, happy about a successful mission.
"I guess so."
Erwin, Hange, and Mike had been ready and caught the Female Titan in a trap. Levi had told them to go ahead and wait. Now he and his squad were hanging out, checking their equipment, discussing Erwin Smith and the Female Titan's capture, and Eren decided to subtly hint at a team name change. "Let's change our team name in celebration!"
"Don't say the Avengers." Petra didn't even bother looking up, continuing to prep her gear.
Eren pouted. "Why not?"
Gunther crossed his arms. "If we were the last of humanity, then sure. But we're nowhere near extinction just yet so we're not avenging anyone."
"Okay. Then how about the Defenders?"
"We're going out on these expeditions and fighting Titans and that's going on the offensive, isn't it?" Erd pointed out.
"I guess. What about the Guardians...of the Walls?"
"The Garrison?" Oluo questioned.
"I got it! The Justice League!"
Petra destroyed that suggestion real quick. "Wouldn't that make more sense for the Military Police? In theory, at least," she snorted.
"You guys are the worst." Eren threw his hands up in disgust. "I'm not even gonna bother with Suicide Squad!"
They stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"Looks like it's over." Gunther nodded to the blue flare and turned to them. "Let's get back to the horses! Prepare to withdraw!"
Oluo stood up. "Let's go see who the bastard hiding inside is."
"No, no, no! Say: Who is the Female Titan?" Eren insisted.
"Why?"
"Just say it!"
"But—"
Erd sighed, "I don't want to be here all day. Who is the Female Titan?"
"I'll do you one better: Why is the Female Titan?" Eren laughed hysterically to himself.
"That wasn't even remotely funny," Gunther said, rolling his eyes. "Then again, his jokes never are. Let's go!"
"You did good, Eren. Because of your decision to trust us, this mission was a success."
"Quit babying him, Petra. How was he any help?" Oluo said haughtily. "All he did was throw a hissy fit. I guess making it back alive might be considered praiseworthy, but only after the mission's done and over with. Just so you know, twerp, an expedition ain't over until you're back home."
Eren was going to point out he was taller than him but thought of something better. "You jealous, bro? We all know Petra likes the twerps—" He fake coughed. "—hobbit—better." They all knew who "hobbit" was and laughed.
"Haiku," was all Petra said and Eren promptly shut up lest she spill the beans about his sappy poetry.
"Oluo! Petra!" Erd looked at them, flying backward through the air. "For a couple of soldiers who cried and pissed their pants during their first battle, you've really grown!"
"Wait, really?!" Eren burst into laughter. "No way!"
"It's the truth. And just so you know I never pissed myself, Eren."
The two complained and Eren talked over then. "Oh, I'll never let you live this down!" He grinned wickedly
"Look what you, Erd!" Petra cried out.
"Petra, does that mean it sprayed everywhere in midair?" Eren snickered and she shrieked in mortification.
"Knock it off! Are you on a picnic or something?!" Gunther demanded. "We're outside the Walls, you know! Also, I never wet myself either, Eren!" His words sent Eren into laughter again. There was a plume of green smoke rising from somewhere in the forest. "Oh. That must be a message from Captain Levi," Gunther said. "We're rendezvousing with the captain! Save the chatter until we're home!"
A small, hooded figure appeared and Eren, feeling high on success and emboldened by joking with his squad, spoke without consideration. Smirking, he yelled: "Why're you wearing a hood? We've already seen your ugly mug!"
Eren II sighed. "You're just asking for another beating."
It was one thing to mess around with his squad, trading jokes and insults, it was almost borderline insubordination with his captain. Especially a wet blanket like Levi. Uh, whoops, probably shouldn't have said that. Eren thought.
The figure jerked back in surprise at his words.
"That's not Captain Levi!"
Eren didn't have a chance to react before an explosion of lightning blinded him. He felt someone shove him. "Move your ass!" Oluo snapped.
"Your big mouth actually helped for once!" Eren II said in shock. "She probably thought you made her. Who would talk to a commanding officer that way?"
Eren, unlike his other quick-tempered self, had no problem undermining authority sometimes and defying orders. His words had probably convinced the mysterious figure they were onto her. The Female Titan ran behind them at frightening speed. Aw, not this again! Eren groaned.
"We have to protect Eren! Damn it, what do we do? Erd, where should we go?"
"There isn't time to reach the horses! Head for HQ as fast as you can!"
"Is it the Female Titan?" Petra looked back. "Or is there more than one?"
"There can't be!" Eren blurted out. His only reasoning for that was that it wasn't very movie-like. Although logically, he realized no one Titan was like another. It was impossible for there to be two Female Titans based on that. "She can probably Shift more than once! But I thought we caught her!" How the fuck had she managed to get out of that trap? He thought back to her locked in placed by a hundred cables. "How'd she managed to give both Captain Levi and Mike the slip?!" Unconsciously, he lifted his hand.
"No!" Erd stopped him. "The four of us will kill the Female Titan. You will continue to head straight for HQ at top speed!"
"What?! But we just did the whole team bonding schtick just now! You expect me to abandon you after—"
"No! This is the best move!" Gunther said stubbornly. "We can't risk losing you!"
"That's just—"
"What? Do you doubt us?" Oluo demanded.
"Do you, Eren? Do you find it that hard to trust us?" Petra asked, eyes pleading.
Fearing for their lives, angry at their decision to control him again and throw away their lives when they so obviously needed him incensed him into screaming: "I don't give a flying fuck if it hurts your feelings long as you're alive to feel!"
"Eren, for once just shut your damn mouth and listen without whining or arguing!" Erd growled. "Do not underestimate us! We're not the best Titan-slaying squad in the Corps for nothing!"
"We haven't encountered a Titan we couldn't slay!"
Their words gave him pause.
"You think Levi would have picked us if we weren't that good?!"
"We've fought your Titan, too, so we do have some experience fighting a Shifter Titan. You know we're no pushovers! Now get your ass out of here!"
Eren frowned, hesitating, before shooting forward. He turned around to see them smiling in relief at him. "If anyone dares die, I'll spread humiliating rumors about you!" He moved through the trees. Once at a safe distance, he turned around and headed back.
"I knew you were lying."
Eren scoffed, "No shit."
"You don't think they can do it?"
"I'm not gonna fight." Eren landed on a sturdy branch, hiding and watching his squad confront the Female Titan. "If they can hold their own against her, I won't interfere. But if they look like they're in trouble, I'll step in. And by that, I mean you."
"Fine by me."
A minute later, he was singing a different tune. "Holy shit! They're so badass!" Eren gushed quietly. Not like they could hear but more so out of principle.
"They won't even give her an opening!" Eren II agreed, awed.
Gunther's death hit him like a bolt of lightning, sudden and shocking.
"TAG—" Suddenly, Eren was in the passenger seat. "—in!" It was a strange sensation, playing Pharaoh to Eren II's Yugi. Or he supposed it would be fairer to say he was Yugi because Eren II had the actual skills. Panic was scrambling his thoughts. Pull your shit together, you idiot! He didn't want to distract Eren II.
Now back in his physical body, Eren II screamed in rage and despair.
Eren felt his heart break, watching as Erd tried to help Petra and both were sent flying by Female Titan's leg. Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, Oluo went for her weak spot and there was a second of hope that he got her. But it shattered as easily as the man's swords against the crystal covering her nape. A fierce, direct kick insured he was killed instantly and she landed in a crouch.
With an explosion of lightning and a roar carrying the fury and agony he felt, Rogue landed on the Female Titan before she could stand up. And he began hammering her with heavy blows but she had managed to raise her arms to protect her face. Rogue kept pounding, roaring as he did so.
Once his hands were too mangled, the Female Titan shot up and head-butted him. With his arms out of commission, his balance shifted and she broke free, bringing up her legs and kicking him, sending him sliding back into a tree. He was stunned for half a second before awkwardly attempting to stand.
Soon he was almost fully healed but so was she. Rogue took the initiative, trying to nail her with fast, strong punches which she dodged artfully. He threw in a couple of wild swings, uppercuts, but she kept dodging, not throwing a punch unless she absolutely had to.
Afraid of distracting his twin, Eren hadn't wanted to speak but the lack of communication was unnerving him for some reason, as were Rogue's uncoordinated movements. "Hey, Other Me, still there? You're kinda flailing, dude." Out of nowhere, Eren was drowning in emotions, a dizzying vortex of despair, pain, rage, sadness, and pure unadulterated hate. The onslaught was so strong he almost felt like throwing up even when he didn't possess a physical body. How can he feel so strongly? How could someone remain sane after a tidal wave like that? To his horror, the answer Eren realized, was that no one could.
Rogue was attacking wildly, his actions those of a mindless beast because the guy at the helm had given in to instinct, letting emotions surge through him and guide his actions. This is bad! If Eren II didn't pull himself together, she was going to win. Rogue was almost spasming now, unable to handle the torrent of emotions. I need to get his attention and get his head on straight. Eren thought.
He took a deep breath, then: "HEY, SHIT-FOR-BRAINS! WE'RE ABOUT TO GET OUR ASS HANDED TO US SO PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, YOU LUMBERING FUCKING DUMBASS!"
His words seemed to be working because Rogue was no longer twitching.
Encouraged, Eren continued. "That's right! That thundering cunt over there must DIE for what she did! So quit dicking around and RIP her fucking HEAD off!" His excitement over Rogue taking a proper fighting stance was squashed when he realized the Female Titan was fully recovered as well. "Well, shit."
The Titans charged at each other, exchanging blows. The Female Titan clearly had the upper hand. Her attacks were precise and deadly. Rogue choked out saliva from a particularly nasty punch to the gut.
Getting a little too enthused, Eren began his unnecessary commenting.
"Throw a left! A left! I SAID LEFT, YOU MORON!"
"That was the perfect opportunity! How could you miss it?!"
"Are you fucking blind? My GRANDMA could've dodged that!"
"Shut the fuck up, you annoying little bastard!" Eren II screamed back at last.
"Good. Are you finally fully back in control?" Eren didn't need an answer. He could feel it.
Rogue and the Female Titan continued to beat it out, but he was noticing her reactions were slowing down. She quickly put some distance between them, running away. Then she slowed to a stop and Eren could swear her shoulders were almost slumped in resignation. He didn't even get a chance to get hopeful about that because maybe it meant she was throwing in the towel, but she took up a fighting stance instead.
Arms still up, Rogue froze.
"What're you doing?" There was a cascade of memories and he understood what had stunned Eren II in his spot. "Lando!" Eren gasped. His second thought was: Damn, my money was on Christa. Taking advantage of Eren II's shock, Eren shoved him out of the driver's seat as the Female Titan, Annie, attacked and Rogue ducked.
Rogue barely avoided having his head knocked off. I don't know if I can take her, but I'll at least try. Unfortunately, even if he knew the theory behind martial arts and mentally knew what he was supposed to do, he didn't possess muscle memories that he did with Eren II's human body and definitely not the confidence to go for it. Fuck it, I'll make it work somehow. Rogue and the Female Titan stood facing each other, ready to attack at any second.
I don't hit girls, but I'll make an exception for you. Rogue charged, swinging wildly. Ten seconds later, he was sent flying through the air and landed on his ass. Ahhh! My tailbone! Fuck that hurt!
Okay, fighting her was out of the question. Rogue awkwardly struggled to his feet.
Eren II was suspiciously silent. No, Eren realized, he was absent. He mentally smacked himself. Why did he have to shove him so hard? He might've been sent Eren II back to his own comatose body in the hospital. I don't know how this whole metaphysical thing works! With a surprised squeal and bulging eyes, Rogue lunged to the side to avoid the Female Titan's foot.
Fine then. I'll just do that. Rogue edged away from her.
Then he turned and ran.
If the reinforcements were taking too long to get to him, he'd just go to them. Screw it, I'm outta here! He flipped her the bird as he fled. A quick glance over his shoulder showed the Female Titan with a dumbfounded look on her face before she snapped out of it and gave chase.
Damn, she might catch up! Then Eren had an idea. It couldn't be that hard to do, right?
Resolving himself, he continued to run. He could hear her gaining ground. Now! Suddenly, he stopped to face her. She aimed a fist at his face and Rogue ducked, knees out in a frog crouch, arms up in front of his chest. He shot up, right fist raised to get her under the chin. FROG PUN—
The Female Titan kneed him in the face.
Because of course, boxing rules don't apply to their fight and she could use her legs.
I'm an idiot.
The force of the crystal-coated hit wrecked Rogue's face, breaking his teeth and mashing up his face. Eren blacked out for a second before the healing factor revived the cells. The world spun around him and there were these awful popping sounds. With a sickening feeling, he realized she had dislocated both his arms, and panic at the situation overcame him. NO! I can't lose!
Rogue twisted his head to look back at her in time to see her bring up her leg and kick his head off.
"Eren!" A beautiful, familiar voice cried out in pain.
Mikasa? He felt choked with dread and failure. All of a sudden, the Titan flesh wrapped around his human body was torn off. Legs still stuck in the steaming body, he swayed semiconsciously. I don't want her to see me die.
Mikasa's look of hopelessness and despair was the last thing he saw before the Female Titan ate him.
References
Pirate had a baby with an angel —Avengers: Infinity War
I'll do you one better: Why is the Female Titan? —Avengers: Infinity War
Lando —Lando Calrissian, betrays Han Solo and Princess Leia, Star Wars
Frog Punch —Aoki's signature move, Hajime no Ippo
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