Chapter 20:The 57th Expedition.
This was not the first time Gohan had a drink,which was the silverflask that he took from Eren,which was Pixis's. But this time,he had a drink in a bar,with some food and a girl. His drink was a mug of ale,to which Gohan was not very fancy. He was only paying his attention to the very particular dishes he craved for,a medium rare steak.
This was what happened,well back at the HQ they did feed Gohan and they all had gone to bed. Then when there was an hour before sunrise ,Petra,seemed to be so free without nothing to do,hafd decided to wake up earlier and had wakenned up Gohan and brough him to Trost ,to this very pub. She ordered for herself and Gohan a beer each,which was also the momment he had ask her if he could order some food,she nodded. And she regretted imidately when he ordered for a steak . Most people would have asked them to pay before getting seerved such expensive treat,meat was rare if not unaccessible in any place that was not Wall Shina.
The bartender eyed him,he looked at his scout cloak then gazed upon his tail,the man stared at the boy long spikey hair and his white head band before opening his mouth "So you're the angel of Trost,huh?"
"The what of Trost now?"Gohan interupted himself from taking a sip from the mug. And then the boy sensed it,the eyes of the people who were staring at him. His tail was his distintive feature that made him unique and different,out of a hundred people he stood with the other would still know which was him just by looking at the brown long thing of his. But unknowingly for him,he has became a hero in those people in the bar's point of view and he was easy to be spotted.
"Yeah,my daughter's in the Garrison,you saved her life. And by extention you also saved mine." Answered the bartender "You can pay for the steak later. How do you like your steak?"
"Medium rare,I always have it medium rare."
The bartender walked away into a door,possibly leading to the kitchen.
"Did that just happen?"Gohan asked his companion.
"Well,you sure get yourself a free meat,which most likely I'll pay for it." Petra answered him.
"No,I mean the whole 'angel of Trost' thing."
Her eyes widenned when she heard his correction. He didn't know.
"You'd saved a lot of people in Trost. Garrison troops,Cadets and civilians,those who have friends and families." She explained "So they're all basiclly in your debt." The elite scout took a sip of beer "Not to mention,people've seen how you perform in battle and the walls are thin here,figuratively speaking. People here worship you and you're not a 'blending in' kind-a-guy"
He did not enjoy hearing this,it created too many unwanted attractions. This probably making his abnormal aparances even more stand out than he has expected it should be. All he wanted to do was to saved people,not searching for fame. On the otherhand,maybe it was why he got famous,he hadn't intendedly search it. He grinned a bit,intrigued by such ackknowlegde ….or it was the smell?
Both the hands of the young Saiyan tapped violently on the bar out of full excitement when the bartender put a smokey plate of steak in front of him.
Tilft her head,Petra did. 'That was strange,where did they get beef from?' Oh,no,that was not beef she thought not. All terrible imagination apeared in her mind as she tried to assume what kind of meat it was until she settled herself to assume it to be pork,or rat,hopefully not,but most likely,the latter.
Knife and fork the bartender gave Gohan. If Gohan did not care about his manner,he would go full Saiyan mode and uses his hand to grab the meat and devoure it like a predator. But the boy was too well educated to do such a thing,he decided to use the utensils. He took the pleasure with the sound of the knife doing its work and more pleasing his face was when he brough the fork with the small piece into his mouth. It has taken a few bite until Gohan remembered that he was not the only one in the bar.
"Want some?" He offerd Petra the whole plate
"No,thanks." she declined,waving off her hand "You're the hungry one not me!"
"Just's been waitin' for you to say that." He continued with his meal before asking her another question "Do the others know about this?"
Had to blush she did. Petra fidgetly glanced around and stutered
"Y-Yes."Gohan took it as a 'No'.
"You sneak a minor out to a bar without the permission of the captain." that so Gohan spoke "Oh Kami,we're AWOLing."
"We're not getting caught"Said Petra , sip her beer . "I just got bored,and…. a bit afraid."
"What do you afraid about? Oh,yeah the expedition."
Her eyes were getting wet as she started to sob .
"Do you know that …. I wetted myself during my first mission?" Asked Petra,sniffling and looking at his eyes.
"Not until you tells me." The young boy replied,cutting the meat "It's okay to be afraid. Can't really blame you...or laugh at you, most people are scared when they face danger. It's totally normal." He bite another piece.
"Were you scared on your first combat?"Okay,okay now she's drunk
"It was not Trost,for the record. It was when my uncle kidnapped me. I was only four so I couldn't really made it clear whether or not I was afraid."
"Wait what? You said that you fought your uncle when you were just four?"
Facepalming was what he did,he didn't even remebered the event very clear to explain.
"You see,he was hurting my dad. I had no choice." Petra was more confused than ever "Oh ,you're asking how. Oh well ,it runs in my family to be strong. Especially my father's side. He still beated me though. He was dominating us until Piccolo took him out."
"Piccolo?Wasn't he your mentor?"
"More than that,he took me in after my father was kil...mortally wounded."That was close,he almost slipped the real back story of his own. "And then he trained me as a fighter . He's like a father to me."
Living in Wall Rose,Petra saw enough brutallity between gangs like everywhere else. But according to many sources,the poor folks in Sina had worse,they were caught between the Freakshow Gang and the Wolfpack,not to mention the MP. What ever this fight Gohan mentioned was,it must had happened before Lady Winter rise to power.
"Do...you like fighting?"Blenched Petra,
"No,no, I do not. But I had to ,those people I fought had done terrible deeds." taken aback by her question,Gohan answered regardless "In fact,some of them scared me."
"Who?"
"Frieza,and his Ginyu Force." Why was he telling her this?
Puzzled her again,Gohan did,the girl tilted her head after hearing those names.
"One of them snap my neck,I've thought that I'd die."He continued before Ral could asked "And Frieza,you have to see him for yourself to know how terrifying he was."
Her giggle was in Gohan least expectation.
"What so funny?"
"You. Gohan Son. The Angel of Trost. The one who outbested our Captain Levi. Actually got terrified?"
"I am human,I have my fear just like you have yours." The boy scatched his cheek "Everyone has fear. I bet even Levi has one."
"Levi does not fear death." Her reply followed with a hiccup.
"Mortal fear is not the only fear." Gohan explained "You think why does he act so emotionless?The man believes that if he does so,he won't have to mourn you."
Petra repeatedly nod at Gohan's statement , the squad had guessed the same,but they didn't want to make any assumption.
"Though,one thing." Petra reddened face narrowed into Gohan vision as the boy spoke "Maybe you should go to bathroom before the expedition."
He did enjoy the steak however the manner he ate it. For his credit he did not forsaken his dining courtesy,still he had to eat the full steak when Petra shoved it right into his mouth. Her red face became redder as she glared at him,not to mention some wingles had been shown.
As a response to this aggressive behavior,without chewing Gohan swallow the steak whole ,and Petra fingers,which he relased.
"You look beautiful when you angry."Said Gohan,and whom he said it to hid her face under her sleeve. "Though I think we should get back before everyone wakes up ,and you are drunk."
"You're right!Bartender,I'm not gonna give yo aany tip,buuut how much for the beer and theeee.." Petra tried to speak properly.
"You needn't."Said the bartender "The fella at that table has already done it."
He pointed to the table near the entrance,which was already unoccupied.
"Oh shit nugget!It must have been Levi. Prepare to hear him shit storm us when we get back." swore Petra.
"It was not the Humanity Strongest,I assure you two." Said the Bartender.
Gohan and Petra both stared at the empty table,in theỉ head overwhelmed with questions. Who was this guy?Why did he paid them for?
"Salute!"
Heeding the order from the sergeant,the scout recruits placed their fists on their left chest with the remaning hands rested on their backs.
"My name is Squad Leader Ness." The old veteran with the white badana introduced the recruits to the stable "And this is my horse,Charlotte." He pet his horse. "She likes to chew hair ,so watch out if you don't want to go bald."
As if he just has jinxed himself ,the horse begun to chew on his badana,the squad leader struggled to free himself from the maw and pled to the cadets to help him.\
The training began in the next day,which consist mostly on the long-distance formation that the Commander Erwin had devised more than field training. Despite the formation's detailed nature,the position of Gohan Son and Eren Jaeger was nowhere to be seen. The recruits's postion would be between the scout support squad and the wagon unit. They would follow the spare horses and the relay communication.
Rumors had spreaded, that Commander Erwin had sent letter to Winter Industry to bargain the prices of the Lady's support. With the medical and modern equipments ,it would give them an edge angaisnt the Titan,but the result was expected to be negative. Fortunately,thanked to Gohan demonstration at the recruitment evening,fifty percent of the cadets had joined the Corps,gaining advantages to the expedition.
"So is it Gohan or Eren the key player?" Asked Ymir ,talking in class.
"A Titan Shifter and an ace of aces?" Connie answer her question "If I have to guess,the Ki User is much more needed than the Key Holder."
"Tell me about it. Without the fucking key ,Gohan still able to kick down the door of that basement." Jean added.
He turn to the left to find Reiner staring at him with a suspicous look. But before the buff guy could say anything,Armin interupted him.
"They are equally inportant,Gohan gives us strength to fight the Titans and Eren give us more knowlegde about them."
"Let's just agree that Gohan is more competence than Eren shall we."To the recruits suprise,this came from Mikasa . 'You better keep yourself and Eren safe,Gohan.'
Eren squad were residing at the meadow while they discussing the battle plan of the up coming expedition,with the absent of two.
"If that tailed freak do anything to her" Oulo did not sound happy "I swear to God,I'ma fucking kill him"
When the squad decided to wake up this morning ,they had failed to assemble Gohan and Petra. This incident stirred a worry among the S.O.S . According to procedure,Levi would have to report them to Command whom would most possibly discipline the two. Yet, he decided not to and proceed to start daily regulation and ultimately,briefing.
"They're probably go out having a day off without leaves." Answered Levi "They'll be back soon,and I'll get them for this. But before that ,can you ,Oulo ,brief our rookie where would we be?"
Before the old soldier could reply,Gunther decided to do his job and answered the question for his comrade .
"Yes ,as your command,sir." The he crouch down by Eren and pointed at the map. "Our squad will be here,in the center. We'll be on standby ."
"So far back to be in combat." Eren left his remark.
"It's the most secure position in the formation." This was Eren got it,he was not going to kill any Titan .It all was just a test,to see if he would able to get them to Shinganshina. He was to valuable to battle. "Not even the supply team has this luxuries. Usually expeditions were supposed to be just go and head back type of mission,but know is more adventurous thanks to you and Gohan."
"I understood,sir."Bowed Eren.
And then they heard galloping coming closer and closer,to which direction they got their eyes on as they saw Nimbus and his riders.
"Well,about damn time you two show up." Scolded Ouro
"Gohan Son and Petra Ral,reporting for duty, captain."They saluted right an instance after they dismounted.
Silent replied them,until Levi walked towards Gohan and give both of them a quick "At ease" and without warning,he grabbed Gohan collar.
"Cap'n" Cried Petra
"It this just a joke to you,the regiment?" Coldly he spoke and coldy he stared at him "Or,you consider the Survey Corps is not very matter since you are stronger than everyone?"
"Okay Captain,I can explain,it was me. I snuck him out,I've decided that we should have some times together."
Levi gave out a sigh as he released Gohan. For some reasons,he would prefer that Gohan and Petra just being reckless ,with Gohan who started it. But now,it was clear to him that something was brewing between the two. Fraternisation was dangerous to the mission as either would joepardise it to insure the other well being.
"You know what ? I'm gonna stop this before it starts." He said.
"Stop what,sir?"Asked Petra.
"Stop this romance nonsense. You have no idea what it can lead to. It effects the mission,your dicision would be affected,hencefor,endangers the mission,endangers your life,endangers everyone."
"I'm not quite following you right now. What did you just say,Captain?" Confuse Gohan.
"If you think I would let some new order of priority horseshit compromise the safety of the squad,you make a mistake,Son."
Gohan finally understood.
"You think I would mess up the mission in the event it would endanger Petra?" He replied "I assure you,even if she and I have a thing.."He rephrased after seeing Petra frowned. "I'm not quite certain if we do have a thing,I won't ever be put in that situation. Because you saw what I can do back in Trost ,and you know that all choices is my choice. So quit your worrying."
If the captain satified with Gohan's answer ,he didn't show it. Levi backed off a few step before he turned to face Oulo.
"Oulo will brief you about the plan,after that you train us and then you and Jaeger go clean up the stable."
"Well I guess this is not worse than your training anyhow."Said Eren as he was swiping the floor of the stable. Gohan training had been physical training and ki training which was desvastating .Only Levi was the one who make progress but the rest of them not so much. Then when the desvastating traing had finnished ,Levi asigned the boys to stable cleaning,to which somehow Eren prefered . "You even get to feed Nimbus."
"Oh yeah he's a good boy " Responded Gohan as he feed the whitestalion a carrot. He might be the one who enjoy the stable work the most ,he got to reunited,fed and pet his four legged friend whom stick with him in Titan territory for 3 years. "We been through a lot together."
"Hey ,if I don't know you good enough. Or atleast I think I know you you good enough. I'd would assume you value him more than Mikasa ,Armin and Me." Said Eren.
Gohan switched from feeding the white one to brushing it before replied to Eren "No,he just my noble steed and you three are my family."
Eren frozed when he heard this, abite blushing. "You meant it?"
"C'mon now you people took me in when you don't have to"Gohan never left his eyes from the horse he brushing "The way I know how this world works,it 'd be a luxury."
'It'd be a luxury that if I don't have to endure all thesse cheesiness."Yelled oulo as he holding his cup of tea. Despite his backache from the training he endured,he still has to minitor the too young recruits.
Before any of the two response to Oulo patroniseing opinion,the heard rumble acrros the court yard,to which they know it was their friends.
"Oulo ,cam we go and see our friend?" ask Eren.
"Fine if you return to work soon enough"
Gohan and Eren paused their work and ran out with cheer to see their friends faces:Reiner Berthold,Sasha,Connie,Ymir,Krista ,Mylius,Jean,Mina,Ymir and of couse Armin and them was 50 others and more to comes,thanked to Gohan inspiring speech
"Mikasa ,Armin."
"Gohan ,Eren."
"I though we'll never meet you guys" Said Gohan.
Eren was statled when Mikas held his hands and asked "Did they do anything terreble to you?The Like inspecting your body or gove you mental test program?"
"No,nothing like that"
The she switch her eyes to Gohan.
"Did they feed you good enough?Do they know you have to eat fove time normal people portion?"
Gohan answered "No ,I was not underfed."
"That short went way to far.I'll pay him back in kind some day" She mentioned Captian Levi.
To ease the tension,Gohan indicated to other people.
"Hey look is every one else"It make Eren pay atteion to the other,few faces surprised eren
"I though you guys were dead."He said to Mylius ,Mina and Nac
They lokked at each other then replied "Yeah we would've if not for that is why we join the Survey Corps."
Now this were reiner who opened up "Annie sent her regard,Gohan. She said that she will look for your mom when she in Shina."
"Thanks."
Jean approach with his cold face.
"I heard Gohan said that you joined."Ssaid Eren
"Marco is dead"Jean responded
Thiis frozed the angel of trost ,not just because he respected Marco as a friend ,but he thought he has ensured every one safety by killling majority of the titans in trost.
"BUT HOW?"
"I think he died bravely when he meeet the one that you didn't kill" Said Jean " It's not your fault"
"You have a fine speech you know that?" Said Ymir "Making my Krista has a hot for it"
"Enough talks,I think it's time for your traing." Said Gohan
Everyone widen they eyes when they heard Gohan ,they didn't know they have to do any thing with him before the expedition.
"I promise the court to train every recruit in the recon Corps with ki technique,so find my self qualified to ask you to move to your training areaa."
No matter how gentle Gohan vocabulary seem to be, the recruits started to collaspe before Gohan sent them into the back òf the wood for training.
To Your Excellency Commander Erwin Smith ,
I have taken notice of your proposal for my mordern equipments. I would like to help you ,but with the current issues with the Senate prevented me to commit such action.
Equipment supplying will not be available during this current time. My appologies.
Your Sincere,
Lady of Castle Jutnar
B. Winters
Erwin put down the letter in dissapointment,barely,since he knew it would have not worked either way ,he simply give it a try. He had sent to Lady Winters to ask for her modern equipment,which he knew would be declined. Winters was the only one who got through the loop hole of technological advancemen ban,but limited,her equipment only more advance than the common tools but they made differences. What the Regiment needed was medical equipment and upgrades for the ODM Gears. Those said equipment would reduce a good amounce of cassaulty in the expedition.
The door creaked open,revealing Levi behind it who innitialy stepped in.
"How the boys?"Asked Erwin.
"Well,he're training the recurits."Replied Levi,Gohan training was harsh as ever,his physical training was destructive to anyone except the grass fed ox Reiner. His ki training was tiring as only a handful of people start to feel the energy in their body. Mikasa the the brat who always defended Eren,she almost performed the Solar Flare,Reiner the ox, Berthold the tallest,Ymir the silence one ,and Eren make some progress but not quite mentionable. "He did promise at court to do so."
"He did make such promise."reafirmed coldly Erwin. "Your squad ready for the expedition?"
"Always,sir."
Erwin winched as he thought of the future expedition. It would be a different expedition . The Regiment has more than a hundred recruits thanks to Gohan's speech and Gohan himself. Gohan training. And Eren's mysterious power. And the atmost important mission in the expedition:finding the collaborators of the Titans within the walls.
A few months later.
The bells rang as scout regiment were at the gate of the Wall ,about a thousand was gathered in front of the exit of the district Gohan could not remember the name of.
Prior the the start of the expedition,things were continued. Gohan training has made few remarkable progress:Reiner,Berthold,Ymir seem to feel ki in their bodies;Mikasa and Levi were barely performed the solar flare;Eren was only a starter. Gohan and Petra 's courtship was also making progress,which the couple started to barely hold hands.
"You were right ,that gate is unessessariliy big." Levi told Gohan as he realized how big the gate actually was.
No one replied to the captain. They heard children talking in admiration toward them.
"Look,it's the Survey Corps!"
"They're so cool!"
"It's the Angel of Trost,look at his tail."
With the titans being lured away. The cogs and the chains started to crack as the gate opened.
"It'll be a privilege fighting along side with you guys" Said Gohan to his squad.
"Likewise" answered his squad with the exception of Levi.
Petra and Gohan eyed one of other ,they about to say something but interupted by Commander Erwin.
"AT THIS MOMMENT MANKIND STARTED TO STEP FORWARD! THE 57TH EXPEDITION COMMENCE!SURVEY CORPS!ADVANCE!"
Next Chapter :The Female Titan
I'm sorry for taking too long to update. Clinical Depression really make a toll on my work. I'm sorry if I forced and rushed Gohan romance and training,the former really not my strength. I really need help with my work plus a Beta Reader.