Chapter 13-Expedition part 3/ for the sake of humanity

School will be starting soon so please be patient if I am not able to update within a week or two. Thanks for reading! Also a big thanks to Peter! He helped out a lot with my story ad came up with his own last words. I tweaked them a bit to fit into the story. Thanks for being patient! Please review and let me know what you think of the action scenes! this is my first time writing an action scene so please give me tips or pointers! Thanks again for reading and following!

John POV

I hopped onto the closest horse that was already saddled. I shouted for all of the survey corp members to join me in my sudden quest for the west. Armin was trying to tell me that Peter would probably chase after the titans and take care of them before they reached the sector. It was a possibility but I didn't care. I was tired of getting the boring job, I needed excitement and Peter just provided me an excuse to not be cooped up all day. I managed to gather about twenty survey corp scouts. I quickly turned my horse to the west and took off. Armin stayed behind to help the garrison troops clean up and rebuild the stables. I headed out with my small squad right behind me. I soon came across clearing once I exited the forest. I saw Peter's squad in the distance on my right. I decided to head in his direction and catch up. I wasn't able to get next to him but I still got pretty close behind. We continued on and soon saw the top of the sector. My breath stopped as I took in the sight before me on the horizon.

Reader POV-That morning

Everyday was the same. Start on the construction, fill the 3DMG with gas, and resupply the night we returned. Everyday was the same, so why did today have to be so different. As much as I loved killing these little shits, I didn't want this to ever happen while we were on this expedition. Then again, I have never had such luck in life. Today, fifteen fucking titans showed up at my doorstep. It was barely around nine o' clock and the job I signed up for was already past my limits. Most were heading toward us from the west but some from the south decided to join the party. As soon as one of the scouts spotted one of the suckers, I called up everyone and told them to stay at the top of the wall. With Levi being on Hanji's side, I could only hope for Mikasa to be coming by for Eren. Eren...Eren!

"Eren! Once those titans close in on us, I want you to transform and help me take them out." I quickly fastened all of my belts to make they were secure as my squad waited for the titans to get closer. Rico, one of Pixis's captains, looked at me as if I was insane.

"Excuse me, but I don't believe Mr. Jaeger is capable of being stable once he's tranformed." She turned toward me but was still glaring at Eren. I knew she was there when Eren was entrusted with the duty of plugging up the hole in Wall Rose. She still hasn't warmed up to him much but I wasn't going to let her opinion ruin our chances at surviving this mess.

"I know he screwed up the first ten minutes but he still got the job done, right? All I care about is that we all get out of this alive. I don't care if he takes apart parts of this wall! As long as he helps me get rid these titans there won't be a problem." I smiled at her, reassuring her that we'll get the job done.

"Ms. Shadis! The titans are within 100 meters of us," the scout informed me before returning to her post.

"Alright, Eren you ready?" I walked over to my old trainee and slapped his back, he stumbled but his gaze turned to me. "You'll do fine, just remember what Hanji told you about transforming, okay?"

"If you think so, Ms. Shadis." Eren still looked really nervous about transforming ever since his training with Hanji.

"I know so. What happened to all that energy about killing all of them? Come on, kid! Get back into that crazy spirit and get hyped. If you do berserk, I'll be right there to help you, okay?" I tried to reassure him but my patience was wearing thin as the titans got closer by the second. Most were ten-meter class or shorter so Eren shouldn't have any problem about taking them out quickly. This is actually the first time he's going to be useful besides being lookout. He would always fidget and worry if something happened to one of his squad members.

"Alright, let's do this." And that's all it took before a cloud of smoke appeared. Lightning struck as Eren took a dive off the wall, blinding everyone for moment as his transformation took place. As he was preparing his titan form, I ordered the survey members to follow my lead once I gave the word.

I've never been much of a morning person but I guess it's a good thing I had my coffee. I hopped onto Eren's shoulder as soon as he was stable and I pointed toward the large beasts running toward us.

"Sick'em, boy." All hell broke loose at that moment. Eren charged into the closest titan and I jumped off, landing onto a shorter titan. I was quick to sheath my swords and cut off its neck's weakness. Most of my squad members weren't as crazy as me and waited at the wall for the titans to come closer to them. I spun in the air and aimed my maneuver gear at the next titan. This went on for a few minutes before the other titans reached the wall, then shit just got even crazier. Trainees coming in left and right, they easily swerved around the majority and were successful in getting behind on the enemy. By the time it was noon, only two titans were left. Wait, one left. Nope, none left, now. Eren was just having a tough time on taking both at once. We were able to get rid of the enemy and Eren changed back into a human. Soon afterwards he collapsed and I told one of the squad members to nurse him while the others got back to work. A few of the soldiers had to pick up the bodies that were crushed or partly eaten as they tried to take down a titan by themselves. We were able to continue to work on the wall for an hour before a mini earthquake shook some of the cadets and startled my squad. One of the scouts looked around and spotted another group of titans from the east coming in. Six more titans decided to come and visit us. I already lost almost half of my squad so hopefully Mikasa would be here soon. Eren is still worn out from his last transformation and is no condition to fight. As luck would have it, three more titans from the south saw our wall and wanted to check it out. Naturally, we had to take action. With fewer people I had to make a plan for the trainees so they wouldn't be as reckless as last time. My scout called to me, letting me know that Mikasa's and Peter's squad were coming to us. I exhaled in relief. It would have been hard to do this with less people so I'm grateful that they were able to come and aid us.

I decided to start the party without them and head on out. Eren still needed to rest so I devised a quick plan with my survey members. We started out on horses, racing toward the titans from the south. Peter's and John's crews were still near the horizon and Mikasa's squad would probably be gaining on the titans from behind. I glanced over my shoulder and saw all of my soldiers. They were grinning my way and we're proud to have me as their captain. They all depended on me so we can avenge humanity and our homeland. Their lives are resting are on my shoulders and they wouldn't have it any other way. Over the past few months, I've been able to get to know most of my squad and learn about their history. One used to be a young bartender but also gave great love advise. Another started his own flower business to help his family financially but had his sister take over when he wanted to join the military. A few of them were childhood friends and did everything together. Once I got to know each and every one of them a little bit more, it gave me a determination to keep them safe. If I had the strength, I would protect them all and let them return home alive. No such power existed within myself alone but I learned that I can get stronger by working together. I can hone my strategy skills so the likeliness of survival can be greater. I wish today can be that day where our power is at its greatest and no force can bring us down.

"Let's give them a show," I smirked back at my comrades and kept moving closer to the titans. My heart was pounding as my horse kept its pace and brought me closer to the enemy. Once the titans were at close enough distance, I raised my sword and aimed my 3D gear to the nearest target. I felt like I was flying through the air as my cord was bringing me the arm of nine-meter titan. I whistled and my squad split into two groups and went on either side of the titans. The elite members took the plunge and flew into the sea of titans. They quickly made their ways to the necks as the rest of the two groups started to distract the titans and separate them. It was going according to plan until one little flaw. A deviant titan, a small one but still fast, made its way to left and ran straight toward my comrades that were on the ground after killing a titan. I couldn't lose an elite so as fast as I could I killed the titan I landed on and called for my horse. I made my way around the titans and the wild movements of my soldiers but I soon realized it, I was too late.

Peter POV

I felt like I was flying as my horse was galloping to the end of the of the forest and into the plains. The titans came in sight but were still very far away. John was gaining on me, trying to beat me to the battle. I saw a ghastly sight before me as I looked to the left of the wall. A bloody battle between mankind and titans. Each fighting to live and to continue to survive. I raced on and soon reached the wall. I brought my medical team to the injured at the top of the wall. After aiding the fatally wounded, I went back to my horse and led my squad of scouts to the epic battle against our sworn enemy. My former captain was trying to save one of her comrades but they were already in the grasp of the small titan. I would have to leave the task to her since I knew I wouldn't reach them in time. I glanced to my right and sought out for any other soldiers in harm's way. All of the titans were fairly spread out so no one would have to take on more than one or two titans. I steered my horse in the direction of John and his three opponents. He was currently leading the three titans, along with the help four other survey members, to a small forest where they would have the advantage in the tall trees. I followed after them, tailing the tall beasts. Once they reached the entrance of the group of trees, the four other people split into pairs going left ad right. John continued straight while one titan followed each group in their separate direction. The third titan kept walking in John's direction, not noticing my presence not far behind it. John took off into the trees and flew in different patterns to distract the titans, I took this opportunity to land in a nearby tree and make my strike on its neck.

"Not cool, Peter. I had a plan and everything. You can't have all of the fun, ya know." John gave me his infamous glare and I smiled smugly back at him. I flew onto his branch and pulled him under my arm. After giving him a manly noogie, I told him we could have a race. I will go left and he will go right and whoever exits the forest first, after killing their titan, is the winner. John reluctantly agreed and off we went. I found the left pair in no time. They appeared to be leading the titan further away from the way entered. I caught up in a jiffy and tried talking them into a simple plan. Before we could proceed with my instructions, the titan lunged forward and caught the man on my right and stopped. I jerked my horse to turn around as I readied my maneuver gear. I aimed the mechanism to its shoulder and went at full speed. I sliced its hand off as it brought the soldier up to its mouth. The hand holding the terrified soldier fell to the ground. The titan let out painful groan and swipe its other hand to me. The one I just chopped off was regenerating. I had no time to spare. I needed to think of a plan to escape temporarily. I ejected the rod from its shoulder and flew into a nearby tree. The titan faced me and then turned back to the man on the ground who was now being helped by the other recruit. Both looked up to see the titan staring straight at then. I shouted at them to run and get out of here. They were frozen in fear. Even if they wanted to move their legs, I doubt they could.

As quick as I could, I jumped off the branch and twirled in the air. I could only hope that the titan would not move as I tried to cut off its nape. Instead of walking toward the trainees, it simply reached behind with its hand and caught like a fly. It shoved my body into its mouth and tried to swallow me whole. As much as I would have loved to satisfy its appetite, I planted my feet behind its teeth and pushed its jaw open. The titan had tight close on me so it took all of my strength to free myself from the cavern. I almost out until I slipped on its saliva and snapped its mouth shut. My left leg was still in its mouth and was soon swallowed. I screamed in pain as blood poured out of my gaping wound. One of the trainees came toward me and quickly bandaged my leg. The other was distracting the titan and lead it off to the other group. Great, I thought, I probably lost to John by now. The one aiding my wound led me to my horse and helped onto the saddle.

My pride couldn't handle any more of this babying as if I was helpless. I could probably walk on my hands but I still wouldn't be able to get on my own horse without assistance. The bandage was already soaked in my blood. The woman suggested we head back to the wall and have me taken care of. I scoffed silently and told her that wouldn't be a good idea. I still had business to take care of. I needed to kill that titan myself. There was no way I was heading back without some kind of awesome story with a happy ending on my part. I mean, who doesn't love a happy ending. I ignored the rest of her suggestions and raced my horse in the direction of John's group. My leg was still in pain and a bouncy horse ride was not helping. Once I saw my target I stopped my horse and continued on by maneuver gear. Flying was the best way to travel as always. The overgrown beast had already made it to John's group so I decided to do my job quickly rather than take my time and get my full revenge. Then again, I guess it was getting back at me for slicing off its forearm. It grew back though! I triggered the gas to speed up and help me take out this titan once and for all. I headed straight for its neck and wasted no time in ending its life. John's titan was still jumping toward his comrade in the trees.

"I win!" I flew to John but the titan caught in the air. "Shit! Again, seriously!"

John started freaking out and tried to come with a plan. He already lost one of his trainees early. He wasn't sure if his stomach could handle another scene of some titan playing with its food. He shouted at the other guy to fly by the titan's face. Once he caught the titan's attention, John went around and aimed for the neck.

"John," I called out. If right now might be the last moments of my life or I become mute from trauma, I would at least like say something to let my dear friends to remember me by.

"You are my dearest friend, John, you're pretty much my little brother and tell everyone in the platoon that they are and always will be my family, I love you all but I failed to protect you, I'm sorry."

"Shut up, you fool! I won't have your blood on my hands! There is a way out of this! You will survive!" He kept shouting the words of surviving this mess. Maybe he needed to make himself believe rather than think about his best friend and rival dying by the grasp of a damn titan. I pulled out my dagger as placed my torso into its mouth. I digged the blade into its tongue and gums, there was no way I was going down without a fight before I let this bastard eat me alive. I tossed the dagger outside opening of its mouth and prepared myself mentally for my inevitable death.

John pov

"NO!" I shouted at the titan as Peter was swallowed. My anger was rising as I saw the monster take a step forward toward my other comrade. With tears in my eyes and my hands on fire, I leapt at the beast and took my blades. I killed it within seconds, or so I thought. In my blind rage, I aimed to low and missed the precise cut on its nape. It continued its advance as the soldier ran toward his horse. I quickly wiped my eyes with my sleeve and tried to kill it again. Maybe there was still a chance to save Peter. Maybe if they have slow digestion systems, I could slice open it's navel and free him from the acid inside. After chopping off its nape, I quickly proceeded to the stomach area and made a huge cut. Within the time it took to kill the titan twice, minutes would have passed and he could have drowned. The contents of its stomach poured out into the grass. Some were crystallized bunches of people who were swallowed long ago. I tugged the hole wider so I wouldn't have push the crystal. It slid out and stopped once it reached the dirt. I stepped into the acidic puddle and searched for Peter. I could only wish for a miracle that he survived.

I could only recall to my memories of how he would pick himself from any spar or injury and continue to smile at me, always reassuring me that he was fine. His eyes showing that his body had still not recovered from a broken bone but his mouth saying he was up for another spar. I laugh as my eyes continue to spill its tears. That big lug always had a way of fooling me from his pain. But not this time. This time his body floated on top of the liquid. I pulled him out and laid him onto the grass. His left leg was missing so it probably would've hurt to try and swim above the surface. I looked up and saw his face. His peaceful expression on his eyes, his mouth in a slight smile, and his clothes soaked in the acid. I whistled for my horse and placed my late rival onto the rump of my horse. I was hoping that on the way back he would move and scare me. I kept hoping and hoping that he would make some kind of movement. My hopes were crushed when I saw the dagger on the ground, not even a few meters away. I walked over and picked up the small knife. I held it to my heart. I gave this to him as a token of our rivalry. He used it in our academy days when Ms. Shadis and her brother had the idea of letting the trainees try to survive in the forest for a few days in pairs. We were paired up and he prepared and cooked all of the meals we ate. I scavenged for the meat and berries because I had the most knowledge on survival skills. Peter was the one who was able to carry out my directions. I placed the precious dagger into the satchel of my horse. I hopped back on and called out for the trainee. I told him to stay behind me and calm himself. He nodded but his hands were still shaking from all of the events that happened today. I, too, was scared on the inside but I had to keep a strong expression for the ones younger and less experienced. I headed to the way we entered the forest and then started in the direction of the wall. Before I could return go the battle and aid Ms. Shadis, I would have to bring Peter to the infirmary at the top. I kept on with my foolish thinking that someone would have some kind of vial that could bring back my best friend. For the sake of humanity, he has sacrificed himself many times. He never once let someone else take the lead. He would always stand tall and show off his pride. He would prove his strength and protect all of his comrades. Peter, one of the greatest squad leaders, died because I couldn't save him. I couldn't save him and I let him die. My vision blurred as I saw the wall coming closer to us. Some of the garrison troops were rushing toward is on horses. Before they could reach me, my sight was lost and my consciousness was fading.