57th Expedition Beyond the Walls
Alan Braun
The Bells rang high in Karanes District, Riders upon their horses, in staggered lines, two carts with large sheets covering its contents.
At the Very front, Erwin, Hange and Mike waited for the gates to open. The bells rang loud, waiting for the moment.
The Garrison have been drawing the majority of the titans away from the gate to make it easier, but it is to be expected some remained beyond the wall.
Alan sat on his horse, nearby Mike, his orders are clear, assist in taking out the titans that remained near the gate and to ensure the safety of others, once his objective is complete he would return quickly to his horse before they reach open ground, since his position is situated in the outer perimeter of the right flank.
No time to waste Alan can only muse, his face stoic as the bells rang high, noting behind him of familiar faces, both close and distance.
Hearing one soldier calling out to the recruits at the rear.
"It's time, Humanity will take another step forward, show us what you can do" the recruits raising their fists in the air, giving their hearts.
Looking to his rear, squinting to see the recruits at the back to his surprise, they are calm and focused, matter of fact all are calm and focused, the veterans knew what would happen, yet they keep the recruits closer to the centre in both flanks, perhaps needing the experience to handle these situations before sending them to more riskier positions, Alan is chosen due to his reputation, grinning at the thought that he was trusted due to his skill and if he could guess his friendship to Eren and Mikasa more. His eyes scanned for the raven head, feeling that her eyes are looking for his. Amongst the crowd they could not see each other but they both knew they are thinking the same thing.
Be safe.
His attention drawn to the sound of the gate, grinding up into the walls, the walls are of hard stone, never ending when up close, glancing to the face of Commander Erwin, focused, determined, patiently waiting for the sound of the gate to grind to a halt, as soon as it did, his voice rang out.
"ADVANCE!" the commanders horse lifted to its hind legs as the Commander charged forward, as all began once his command was roared into the silence.
Under the sound of hooves, rumbling on the stone floor, the commanders voice reigned superior.
"We will now begin the 57th expedition beyond the wall!" Ferocious determination marked Erwin's face, his gaze ever forward, only moving forward.
"ONWARD!"
As the Survey corps poured out of the gate, Mike nodding to Alan to initiate his mission. In a simple stroke Alan launched from his horse to the right side of enclosed building of the human abandoned street, running across the roof tops, looking for titans, his sense keen.
A titan appeared to the left of the group, as he watched two veterans attempt to take it out, the titans groans as the second soldier cut too light. Alan can only grimaced at the sight, before zipping over the heads of the soldiers galloping, the titan was about to grab the bait scout before Alan cut deep into it's nape, the titan falling forward narrowly dodging the falling corpse, two titans appearing on the right side.
There is no end, before using his gas to fly above the horses yet again, spinning in the air as his eyes caught Mikasa's, as if in slow motion her gaze lifted towards him, a sweet smile flickered on her lips, before launching between the gap of the buildings, in view of the titans leg, he hooked on swinging round, cutting the ankles deep before using the movement of the falling titan to reach it's neck, cutting deep, propelling himself in the air.
The second titan attention drawn, as the other two scouts rushed to Alan's aid. Narrowing his own eyes, he hooked on to it's hands launching towards, moving body slightly he manoeuvred to it's wrist, his blades dancing as his own body wrapped around the titan's arm, before it rendered into diced flesh, before reaching the nape, killing it instantly.
The two scouts can look in awe as they watch the recruit that they shoved in the protection detail, wiped out two titans like it was nothing, the kid running onwards above the roof tops, leaping from roof to roof, keeping up effortlessly with the charging horses.
The guy is fast and strong, Mike can muse as he observed, deciding for himself to return to the horse, the kid have got it handled, luckily they equipped Alan's horse with extra gas and blades, for Alan to refuel for the open areas.
Upon reaching the end of the town, ahead of the group, no titans was in sight, deducing it is currently safe, taking out two more on his run. Seeing his empty horse galloping, smirking at the thought of his next stunt. Timing it right, leaping from the edge of the roof, his legs bent and arms tucked as his control took place, landing two feet on the horses back, before sitting himself down, riding forward, he could already feel the envy oozing off Garrus, could practically hear him muttering Show off as some witnessed his leap. Would have been really bad if Alan didn't land it right, he be under all types of hooves and Mikasa would be sad, might end up killing him herself for stupid stunts.
The open fields laid before him, once the distance from the town beyond the walls have been gained, Commander Erwin raised his flare to the sky, ordering the group to initiate the long-ranged scouting formation to commence.
The soldiers dispersed outwards as the command was issued, Alan road outwards, keeping in line of the veterans positioned in the outer perimeter, keeping in view of the soldiers with a fair bit of distance, enough to gallop to them to aid and same in return.
Didn't take too long for the outer perimeter to get into formation, eye's peeled for titans, either moving or still, the more information the commander has the effective his decisions are made.
Galloping in formation Alan scanned the area, until seeing a green flare emerging from the flanks, that indicates they must form right away from the flare. He hates to be the guy at the very edge, any malformation could spell disaster, yet these are veterans who experienced every day, Alan maybe good but hell even he is concerned of getting out of line.
"Don't worry kid, I got your back" A senior scout member called out. Nodding in return as Alan felt the assurance of the others.
Seeing a titan aimlessly wondering close to the line, Alan pulled his gun, loading the red flare, and proceed to fire in the air. It was amazing watching multiple red flares shot in the air, seeing the scout nearby nodding. So far so good, positioning to move left as the green flare shot up alerting the left flank.
It was continuous for the past hour as flares shot in the air back and forth, tedious yet crucial to saving lives, until a black flare shot in the air. That means an abnormal is bee lining towards the centre.
Since it is near the upper right flank, Alan have to trust that the abnormal is dealt with. Leaning his head backwards towards the other scout, his face widened in shock as he look ahead.
To Alan's shock multiple red and black flares shot in the air and sooner than later they heading into a swarm of titans rushing into his direction.
"FUCK!" Alan can only cry out as the titans are soon on top of him, the scout was soon grabbed and devoured in a matter of seconds, sooner or later the rest of the right flank are going to crash into this mess.
Initiating his ODM, launching away from the grasp of one, three titan's attention on him, swinging between one's leg as one titan crash towards him toppling the titan he was hooked on. Taking the opportunity flinging himself upwards slicing the nape of the falling titan.
The view from above was astounding, as if time allowed his sense to evaluate the situation, the right flank have been decimated as the rest of the right flank collided with the titans.
'Where the hell did this group of titans come from' Alan can grit through his teeth, until his blood screamed as realising his falling back down to the earth, a titan leaped upwards, jaws wide open, nothing to hook onto and Alan rather not retry that trick in Trost again, he had control in that, this he is just a fly about to get nabbed by a bird.
A titan hand was suddenly raised as it pushed a titan near it away, taking his only chance, he launched his hook into the hand, latching on, as it moved dragging himself away from the jaws, as it snap it's teeth, it's eyes following it's meal get flown away.
Noticing the titan, he is latched onto is not taking notice of him, deciding to move across the body, to avoid other titans, using the abnormal to get away from the horde as it bound across the field. His own horse lost, presumably dead as the titans decimate the remaining scouts, there's nothing he could do, survive, be safe, that is his mission now.
Until an arm swung at his form, leaping off the chest before the arm can collide, hooking onto the arm and using its momentum to conserve gas, now swinging and hooking onto its hind quarters, looking up to see a blonde haired titan, jolt it's head in agitation.
Alan can only snicker and bewildered at such a reaction, as if it's a woman…. Realisation dawned on him; oh, this is not good.
Seeing another hand reached to grab him, deciding it's time to drop off the titan, fell to the grassy hard floor, jolting his head up to see no titans nearby, until a loud thud as the foot of the abnormal stomped in front of him.
Looking up to see the face of the abnormal, resembling a human, two rows of red flesh under the eyes, nose shaped as curve on it's bridge, cracks on its cheeks a quite distance from its' mouth, seeing the body as well as the skin is light, with red muscles protrudes around the body, yet the eyes are bright blue, scarcely hidden from the long blonde hair, penetrating his own dark blue.
This is awkward, Alan can muse as if trying to see the intention of this titan. Never seeing the likes before, yet the figure was very womanly like, it's assets quite leaving less for the imagination, wait this is a freaking titan, a weird looking titan, that maybe debating to eat it.
Wait? Can abnormals debate whether to eat them?
Alan can only grin at his situation as the eyes narrowed at his grin.
"Well shit, I didn't get to buy you dinner before you can eat me" Alan can only joke, realising this titan is intelligent like Eren titan intelligent, if he's going to die, he might as well take a crack at it.
To his own shock the female titan made a noise that sounded like a disapproving grunt. Ok now it has gotten weirder, its eyes opening up, their eyes locking once more, before standing up to run along the right flank, leaving Alan on the ground, confused at the ordeal.
Soldiers dead and he escaped it by hitching a ride on an abnormal, a sour feeling left in the pits of his stomach, as he watch the horizon as one last red flare shot in the air, glancing to the stomps of the retreating female titan.
Why did she spare me? Alan can only think, why?
Snapping out of his thoughts realising his knife was unsheathed from his leg and laid in his hands, blinking at the object, unable to remember how it got into his hands. Lifting his own head to gaze upon the area.
He had to find a safe spot, remembering a scout saying they be heading to the giant trees to the west. Looking around determined to guess the direction of the tree's, spotting the position of the sun to determine his own body compass before running in the direction that is west, hoping at least any survivor of the right flank is still alive or he would make it to the giant tree's.
Garrus Dreiken
'Karanes district, ah how quint, how beautifully made houses like every other district and how bloody annoying with the bells ringing constantly in my ears, yes, we get it, expedition will start, let's just get it over with it.'
Garrus can think, sensing Sasha nearby, not at all bothered by the sound, lucky for her to tune her out the bells. For the bells to suddenly stop as the grinding of the gate formed, the soldier in front of the recruits demanding that they show what they made of.
As all the recruits around him raise their fists in the air, he raised his middle finger, feeling a slight punch to his waist as Sasha scold his actions, his own grin and wink, brought a blush to her cheeks, looking away.
Looking around noticing how the strongest cadet is at the front, he must have kissed a lot of ass to be up there, or maybe they shoving him in the fire to take out the titans that didn't go away from the abandoned town, better him than me, Garrus can say, as long as he, Bruno and Sasha are safe he couldn't care less of that guy.
"ADVANCE!" the order bellowed from the front as the gate grinded to a halt, as soon as his order was given out, everyone proceed to charge forwards, dust kicking up in the air from the hooves galloping on the dusty streets.
It didn't take too long to exit through the gate, noting to his left a titan in combat with two scouts, Sasha watching the commotion, fear in her eyes as they watch the titan sliced by Alan, as he cut the nape deep. Garrus immediately placed his hand on her head, turning it forward.
"Eye's front shit breath, last thing I want is for you to ram into me" Garrus black eyes serious, his only goal is to survive this expedition, he sure as hell make sure she doesn't do anything stupid.
Nodding her head in return, her head remained forward, Garrus can only glance as Alan shot himself back to the other side of the streets, if he got any lower, he could take someone's head off.
Ignoring the show-off skills as Alan sliced the arm of the titan, Garrus kept his focus forward, rather not be distracted by the theatrics. Sensing Bruno and Izzy behind him. Gazing upwards he saw the idiot leap from the roof into the rushing of horses.
"Show off" Garrus muttered, Bruno and Izzy hearing him chuckled at his reaction. It didn't take too long to get out the city until the green flare shot upwards signalling the formation to commence.
"Good luck Garrus" Bruno called out as he galloped to the left.
"Don't do anything stupid Garrus" Izzy laughed dragging a spare horse with her, Garrus growling at the remark, he's not that stupid.
"See you when we get back Scarface" Sasha called winking at him, riding forward to the middle of the left flank.
Garrus can only grin hungrily watching that ass bounce, until snapping his attention back to galloping to the left of the formation, he have to focus if they were to all survive.
Of all the luck he has, it didn't take to long for an abnormal to show up, ignoring him and heading to the centre, firing his black flare, ready to cut the titan up until being stopped by a senior scout.
"Stay in formation recruit, let us handle it" Gelgar ordered, it's like he shoved horses fat in his hair to keep that style. Gelgar launching up, along with a blonde scout, she looks like a banana, Garrus can muse.
Watching the two scouts flew around the titan like untouchable flies made Garrus realise how dangerous the scouts can be, how precise they cut, and their deadly speed made his own inferior, if rumours have it during the month, these two pushed themselves extremely hard due to a recruit out showing them.
Apparently when their pride are on the line, they will push their limits to the next level. If Garrus have to guess and grumble about the recruit, they have no chance in catching up to that monster.
The titan dispatched the formation continues forward, passing by an abandoned farm with a very torn up windmill that have seen better days, Garrus rushed past, noting between the gaps a titan stared at him hungrily.
If there is a god, fuck you. Internally screaming at another titan bounding towards him.
Pulling out his gun, ramming the red ammo inside before aiming to shoot in assumingly random position.
The red flare banged out of his gun, as a rocket propelled itself into the titan's eye, halting for a second as it howled in pain, it's one eye squeezed shut before reopening once again, a furious expression formed. That's the second time Garrus unintentionally made a titan to look very pissed off, to his own horror, it reared onto its hands and feet, bounding even quicker towards him.
Teeth bare, as Garrus swerve from the chomping jaws, narrowly missing his hood. Garrus is really not having the best of luck, maybe he shouldn't have flipped his finger, thinking back in hindsight.
"Recruit use random trees to stop its momentum" Gelgar called, unable to engage due to the speed the titan is moving at.
"What fucking tree's?" Perplexed Garrus whizzing his head frantically around, it just grass, grass, grass.
Gelgar rolled his eyes and drawn the titan's attention by going underneath it's chin, the titan now changed its attention chasing Gelgar. It was a wild chase as Gelgar expertly steered his horse out of its jaws, heading towards a conveniently placed thick oak tree in the middle of nowhere.
With the focus trained on Gelgar, the titan did not anticipate the tree as it crashed face first into the tree, stalling its momentum, taking this opportunity, Gelgar shot a red flare as he rode alongside Garrus.
"You have to remain focus kid, no good to everyone if you were to die" Gelgar reprimanded Garrus for his arrogance before turning his head back to the titan.
"Although, nice shot it it's eye" breaking the tension Garrus can only laugh, before heading back into formation, somehow luckily Gelgar and Nanaba was nearby to correct him.
Commander Erwin riding a speed, with Mike and Hange by his sides, a scout rode towards him as Erwin narrowed his eyes.
"Commander!" Moblit cried out "Right flank have been decimated by titans; the formation is compromised"
Nodding to this new information, he predict this would happen, the sacrifices made today will ensure his real objective, to capture the titan spy that hid amongst humanity. Thinking back, it confirms one of them is not the spy as Erwin once suspected Alan to be one yet his possible demise on the right flank, such a waste of a good soldier.
"Recruit Braun, a private word" Commander Erwin spoke, motioning Alan into his office.
Alan reluctantly walked into the office, seating himself down, unsure why the commander would want a private talk.
Watching intently as Commander Erwin, just sitting there, watching his every move, Alan can only repay the glare in kind.
Enduring a long silence as Alan waited for the Commander to begin what he has to say, courtesy of the man to tell him why the private talk.
Still kept his guard up when the Commander smiled, a test of some kind.
"Your letter to an Annie Leonhart of the military police, have been approved to be sent, curious, what is her relationship with her?" Erwin casually asked, it is true there is some tension after the Yeager trial between the Military police and the Survey Corps, still it is best to make sure.
In a beat "a friend from training commander. I known her fully from training but only acquainted with her after the fall of maria" Alans eyes stoic, unmoving.
Erwin can only nod, not intending to press any further, his expression is like Levi's, unreadable and the only speak facts, remembering Recruit Ackerman as she was also slightly prodded by senior female members, all the same reaction. Quite remarkable that the man before him is not entirely the same as the others.
"I may speak in confidence, that I trust your abilities, gaining confidence of Captain Levi and Section commander Mike. Not many have their respect" Erwin continued "Hence now I am passing my trust to you, Eren is not stationed on the right flank, but yet the left flank of the formation"
Alan titled his head in confusion at such information, why would he be telling him that. Resisting the urge to narrow his eyes, finding this a test of some sort, Eren is vitally important but why tell him of this information?
"I understand sir, but why tell me?" Alan carefully asked, unsure what the end game is.
"You're a smart man Recruit Braun, I am sure the pieces will fall together" Erwin retorted "that is all I have to say, any questions?"
"Only one sir" Alan spoke, Erwin nodded in approval to ask.
"And that is?"
"Am I the only one who knows about this?" Alan bluntly spoke, his eyes narrowing, Erwin eternally smirk, good question, an answer he must give, if he were to say non then the recruit will take that he is not entirely trusted, and it to be a ruse.
"There is a few that knows about this, only those that I trust, Section commander Hange, Captain Levi and Section commander Mike" Erwin listed off the names, seeing Alan visibly relaxed and nodded in silence.
"You may go Recruit Braun" Erwin declared watching the man stand from his chair, saluted and leave.
The conversation fresh in the commander's mind.
"What of the left flank?" Erwin ordered, Moblit confused from such a request.
"The left flank is secured and not compromised" Moblit replied, unsure of the question. The Alan is not the spy after all, a precaution that was needed due to his relationship with Leonhart.
Hearing Mikes orders requesting new orders after hearing more information, Erwin's eyes contort in new determination as the giant tree's come into view. If they get in there, they can lay the trap for the mystery titan.
"Have the centre formation and Levi squad enter the tree's, all troops stay on the perimeter, do not let any titans enter the forest" Erwin bellowed his order as he and a the centre formation with the two carts enter the forest, as the recruits and the select senior members parted before the tree's saddling their horse to climb the tree's.
The recruits amongst them are confused by the order.
Jean, Reiner and Armin and Christa came riding towards the giant tree's direction, for a senior scout to come collect them to issue them new orders, the confusion on their face evident as they complied. The same thought going through every single scout mind. What are they doing here?
Aligning themselves in the tree branches, the scouts look outwards, any titan that set foot gets their napes sliced, but yet a group of titans scratched and moaned as they try to reach the soldiers above, one titan laying there hands behind its head, as if it's relaxing in the sun yet its eyes set on Garrus.
"I don't know why but I really want to know what's going through that titans mind right now" Garrus watching said titan back as he looked down from his branch, a couple of chuckles from nearby branches erupted.
"Why don't you go down and ask" Jean sarcastically replied, annoyed with the situation, they are currently sitting on the branches with no further orders, no one know what's going on, even the senior members don't even know and their reply is the same, trust the commanders orders and do as your told. Their expressions evident that they are in the unknown as well.
Looking over to Armin, his thoughts lost to their brush with death, Shortly after the right flank have been compromised the female titan bounded their way as Armin came up with ridiculous theories, Jean nearly got smacked but thanks to Armin's 'suicidal bastard' comment it halted it's attack saving jean's life. Reiner nearly got crushed to death but thankfully his ox strength came to his aid. Speaking of Reiner, after learning of the right flanks demise, his thoughts laid onto the brother that was there, resigning to his fate he was the one ordered to chase after the female titan.
Maybe Reiner didn't want to feel like his brother's life die in vain, all unaware Alan is somewhere lost out in the area, with no horse and infested with titans. Yet the news didn't yet reach Mikasa, thankfully it stays that way, that woman wouldn't be able to cope.
"Armin, what do you think on the commander's thoughts?" Jean asked, knowing Reiner is nearby, Garrus also listening in.
"I think the Commander knew this would happen" Armin concluded not wanting to believe his own words.
"Speak sense Genius" Garrus spoke harshly.
"He has to make decisions that no one are prepared to make, the Commander have to strip his own humanity, to allow sacrifices to happen, it is as if, he has to become the monster to fight back against the monsters" Armin spoke, his thoughts in over drive, no doubt the female titan is in this very forest now, yet when they left it, if Armin calculated properly the titan would have reached the centre before Eren could even enter the forest, so the titan had to make a detour for some reason, but why.
Garrus laughter snapped Armin out of his deep thoughts, amusing that someone finds the situation funny.
"What so funny Garrus?" jean dryly spoke, irritated already before turning towards the maniac, his jaw suddenly dropping.
Garrus was standing at the edge with his pants slightly crumpled as a stream flew down into the lying titans face, hitting its eyes, nose and mouth.
What is even more astonishing the face contorted into a snarl, if section commander Hange was here she be having a field day watching titans' reactions, who would of thought that a titan could make such an expression.
"Oi, you crazy Garrus" Jean shouted "Finish up and be serious here" getting more irritated by the behaviour displayed.
"Jean you need to relax a bit, the titans aren't going anywhere, they can't reach us, might as well make the most of it" Pulling them back hiding his own friend away before standing back into position, eliciting a few chuckles and wolf whistles at the display he shown.
Smiling looking back out to the fields afar. Garrus can only test his luck once more.
"Besides what the worse can happen now"
A Flash of Yellow lightning emitted from afar in the west, those that bear witness, stood in fear at the sudden flash. Unable to move or speak.
Armin turned to Garrus, fear in his eyes "Garrus, did you miss anyone in the left flank?" Garrus can only shake his head, the lightning formed where the left flank have been.
Suddenly the ground shook, feeling the vibrations in the trees.
The armoured titan have played its hand, its dark armour dark as the one saw that breached the wall five years ago, its hair brown as the dirt it stands on. It's eyes shallow, as if blind. The plating falls revealing light skin from underneath, its momentum picking up as each piece falls. Teeth bare as if being free from the armour it held.
It is heading towards the forest where they guard.
A/N: Wow it has took a while to get this one right, a nice little spin from yours truly at the end here, what is this titan? Give thoughts if the different perspective works, since I thought it be an interesting way to tell from two sides of the expedition. Still enjoy the chapter, give your thoughts, it is always appreciated.
Myzor: Is it really the reason? Eren got pissed because as a brother, no one wants their sister to get it on, so he got protective, yep everyone knows now. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I always enjoy your thoughts.