Lyla took a deep breath as she softly kicked her horse and when she went out of the walls, she couldn't help but breathe in in surprise. A vast prairie stretched out before her and the fresh air filled her lungs. The expedition went smoothly than expected until black smoke shot through the air. Lyla eyed the smoke that was shot quite deep into the formation anxiously. Just then a messenger ran towards them.
"We have lost the right-wing observation squad! We'll have difficulty detecting titans from that side!"
Lyla's eyes widened and the nasty feeling that was dissipating stirred up again.
"Petra, you heard it. Carry it on." Petra obeyed as she left the platoon.
...
...
Even after Petra's return, they galloped for a long time. Oluo stated in a worried tone,
"Captain, at this rate we'll head into the Forest of Giant Trees. What do you think Commander has in mind?"
The Forest of Giant Trees. The trees were so tall that it blocked vision but advantaged the use of 3DM gear. The squad entered the forest and everybody couldn't make out what was going on. The Captain was calm and if he felt any anxiety, he was doing a good job masking it. The pit of Lyla's stomach grew uneasy with every step as that feeling grew. This place was always in her nightmares. Something was coming, something dangerous.
'I think I'm gonna throw up.' As this thought shot threw Lyla's head something appeared from behind.
'A Female Titan?' Lyla stared at the monster, terrified. It was coming closer to them, killing any scouts that got in its way. All the members pushed on Levi desperately.
"Captain, let's move on our gear!"
"We have to take that thing down!"
"Who would do it if not Squad Levi!"
Levi remained silent before saying, "Everyone, cover your ears."
Everybody looked confused but did as told. The next moment, Levi shot a sound grenade. Lyla looked at it with covered ears.
'What? Is Captain trying to signal something?'
"We're going forward." The members set their faces as they obeyed. Then Petra's sharp voice pierced the air, "EREN!"
Lyla turned her head and found Eren trying to bite his thumb.
"You're only allowed to do that when your life is in danger."
"But our comrades…!"
They started quarreling but were interrupted by Levi.
"Do it if you want to. You're not wrong." Everybody stared at him.
"Our difference in decision comes from experience. But nobody knows the consequences. It's always like that. Whether you believe your experience or the decision of a trusted comrade, nobody knows the outcome. Whether to believe in me and the Survey Corps, or your experience is your choice. I don't know the outcome. You choose. Make the choice with the least regrets."
Conflict crossed Eren's face.
"Eren, believe in us!" Petra said in a grave and pleading tone. Eren closed his eyes and faced forward, "I'll go forward!"
They galloped for a while until Lyla spotted scouts were at the standby. When the Female Titan neared the area a deafening bang situated as several hooks dug in to restrain it.
'I never thought he would plan to capture the titan or the person in it. Really Commander Erwin is…'
Crazy.
"All of you take Eren and get out of the woods." With that Levi disappeared on 3DM gear. Lyla wasn't sure if that was a good idea. The images of her nightmares kept floating around her head.
...
...
Something wasn't right. Really not right. Everything was going smoothly. Well yes, they sacrificed a lot but still, it felt like everything went too smoothly. As if to confirm Lyla's suspicions, a bloodcurdling cry rang through the woods. Gunther stated at the sound,
"It looks like they captured the Female Titan."
"All we need to do is join the captain and go back," Petra chimed in. Right on time, a streak of green smoke shot through the air.
"That's the sign. Let's go." At his words, everyone switched to 3DM gear but Lyla thought different.
'Something's not right…something's off. That cry, and that smoke.' Something wasn't right but Lyla couldn't put her finger on it.
"Lyla! Focus. Our mission's not over until we go into the walls!" Petra shouted. Lyla snapped out of her thoughts and nodded as she looked ahead.
"Quite a talking considering you wet your pants your first time out of the walls," Eld said with a snicker. At this Petra shouted out "Eld!" with a terrified face.
"Don't bring that up! It'll hurt my dignity as a senior member of the Survey Corps!"
'So it was real. She really did…' Lyla thought. She couldn't help but be a little amused. She heard Eren ask in a confused tone.
"But how did you? You were flying. Does that mean you sprayed it…?"
"Cut it out! We're not on a field trip. Focus," Gunther cut in. He then quickly added, "By the way, I didn't wet my pants."
Just then a hooded figure approached and Lyla felt her uneasiness return again.
"Captain!" Gunther shouted. The hooded figure neared toward them.
"Gunther-san, that's not….!" Lyla urgently shouted but it was too late. The figure had sliced through him.
"Gunther-san!" Lyla exclaimed in horror. He was dangling on his 3DMG.
"RUN!" Petra shouted and everyone started to flee on their 3DM gear leaving behind Gunther's dangling body. Lyla cried in horror as she remembered where she saw that form. From her dreams. He was hanging just like he did in her dreams. Lyla feared that her dreams would not end up just being dreams. As if to confirm her worries, a loud bang vibrated through the woods and with a flash of light something unbelievable happened.
"The Female Titan…? Lyla, take Eren and go!" Lyla and Eren both tried to protest what Petra said but Eld cut in,
"We'll take the titan."
"Do you doubt our skills?" Oluo added.
"Do you have so little faith in us?" Petra asked. Lyla pulled Eren.
"I believe in Squad Levi's victory!" Eren shouted as he followed Lyla. Lyla looked behind. The fight was already in full fledge and to Lyla's relief, the squad was cornering the titan unilaterally.
'So Squad Levi it is after all. Wait a minute, only one of the titan's eyes is smoking…?" Just as she thought like this the titan opened one eye and chomped Eld who was aiming for its nape into half.
"No way…" The nightmare flashed through Lyla's head. She changed course and flew to the squad. "You keep going Eren!" She shouted. She went directly for Petra who was freaking out.
"Petra! Straighten yourself now!"
The ginger-head didn't seem to hear Lyla.
"PETRA!" Lyla shouted desperately but the titan kicked her into a tree and blood spouted right in front of Lyla. She watched this with wide eyes in horror.
"Petra…" Lyla descended to her side and just stared at her. But snapped out as she saw Oluo come in for an attack.
"Oluo-san!" Lyla flew up to support him but before she could do anything he came flying past her and crashed into the ground. He stayed there unconscious.
"No… No way." Everything was too familiar.
Lyla realized that the nasty feeling and her nightmares were a harbinger of this. Her body trembled with rage.
"How… HOW DARE YOU!" Lyla shouted as she charged for the titan. She threw a blade at the hand that the titan stretched, which drove through its arm. She then flew right for its eyes. After that Lyla continued to slice through the titan.
There was a deafening roar and Lyla saw Eren's titan form running towards them. She quickly flew away but was flung into a tree by wind pressure as Eren's fist made contact with the Female Titan's face. She felt all air leave her lungs and everything was twirling around her. Lyla tried to collect herself and go to Eren but her body felt like it was beaten into a pulp. Eren and the Female Titan were now in a fight and Eren was losing the upper hand. She saw the Female Titan raise its leg against the wobbling Eren.
'That posture…! Eren hurry up and duck or you'll lose your head!" But Lyla's shouts didn't come out as words. All she could do was watch as the Female Titan beheaded Eren and tore his nape. It then started disappearing into the woods.
"I have to go after them…" Lyla pushed herself off the ground. Her body was aching but the dizziness has somewhat lessened. To her relief her gear was okay and no bones seemed to be broken so Lyla took off, ignoring her body's protests. Just then she felt somebody firmly wrap around her middle.
"Captain Levi?" There was Mikasa too.
"What about Eren?"
"He's in the titan's mouth sir and alive… hopefully," Lyla answered his question. The captain's arm was wrapped tightly around Lyla's waist and Lyla felt a little embarrassed as she realized this. "Uh, I can fly on my own sir."
"Shut up."
"No really, sir I can…"
"Shut up and keep still brat!"
Lyla could tell the Captain was in a foul mood so she kept still. No doubt he saw the bodies of his squad. Just then, an image flashed through Lyla's head. Instead of trees and grass, she saw a dimly lit town under her. Square roofs of the buildings passed by and soon a sudden dull pain hit her head. Lyla let out a groan as she held her head. Levi instantly slowed down a bit.
"What's wrong brat?" He demanded. But Lyla just took a deep breath as the pain eased away.
"Nothing sir,"
When the Female Titan neared them Levi passed Lyla to Mikasa.
"Keep her safe. I'll get Eren."
After that Lyla couldn't help but stare in awe as Levi sliced away at the Female Titan. Right now he was the 'Humanity's Strongest Soldier'. The titan's nape was exposed and before Lyla could stop her, Mikasa bolted forward.
"Mikasa no!" Lyla shouted out but she was already gone. Lyla saw the titan's hand coming up, ready to strike Mikasa. Instead, Levi shoved Mikasa out of the way and blocked the hand with his foot and his face scrunched in pain.
Lyla was sure that that foot wouldn't be okay. Levi sliced the Female Titan's mouth open and retrieved Eren.
"I thought I told you to take care of Lyla. Let's go. Don't forget our primary goal. Forget about killing her."
Mikasa gave the Female Titan a final smoldering look before taking hold of Lyla and taking off.
"I can fly on my own you know," Lyla protested but was ignored. She looked back and to her surprise tears were running down the Female Titan's face.
When they got out of the woods the remaining of the Survey Corps were ready to leave. Lyla mounted her horse when she heard somebody protest.
"But Commander! Ian's body is just near."
"Yes, and there are titans there as well. We are not retrieving the body. Put him down as missing."
The man kept protesting but Levi stepped in and said curtly, "You heard your Commander. This discussion is over."
Lyla heard the man shout out if the Captain and Commander even had a heart. She then heard another horse pulling up next to her.
"Lyla," it was the Captain. "You're guarding the bodies with me."
"Yes sir."
She rode back to the Walls alongside the wagon which held the deaths of this expedition, including the Special Operation Squad. Lyla held back her tears as she went back. She touched her earring, remembering the day Petra pierced her ears and gave them to her. Now Petra was wrapped in a cloth, lifeless. Lyla turned her head when she heard pounding footsteps and froze. Two titans were following them and she realized why.
The two men who protested to Erwin were now riding their horses in full speed with a corpse mounted behind them.
"Those morons…" Lyla heard the Captain say through gritted teeth. She saw one of the men getting eaten by the titan and the other one accidentally dropping his load. The titan came closer and Lyla realized that they would in no way outrun it with this load. Levi glanced down at his injured ankle and gritted his teeth.
"Discard the bodies."
Lyla looked at her Captain in shock. The bodies were all they had left. She could see the other two soldiers in the wagon hesitate too. Making up her mind she said in a firm voice.
"Wait, don't throw them." With that, she shot her hook into the titan and soared into the air. She heard her Captain call her name but she ignored it. Her body may be aching but she can still do this much. Lyla felt a shadow tower over her as the titan's hand grasped around her. She gave a cry of agony but set her teeth, her eyes blazing with determination.
"Oh, no you don't." She shredded the titan's hand into pieces and sliced off its nape. Lyla then hooked for her next target and successfully took it down. After that, she shot her grapple hook into the wagon and tumbled into it roughly. She hissed in pain as the landing wasn't really ideal.
"There, now we don't have to-"
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?" Lyla was cut by the Captain's furious shout.
A/N Okay so this was a sad chapter to write... I really wanted to save Squad Levi but I didn't trust myself in changing the story too much.
