Chapter 22:The Forest of the Giant Tree
Jean Kirsten pressed his lip on the handle of his blade just before he leaped to the air and shot a hook to the Female titan's feet and missed. The creature shifted it course suddenly as it eyed Armin,causing might wind which blown off Jean's hood. It secured its stance before curled down and swiped it arm to Armin horse,killing it and sent its rider to the ground hitting his head .
The concussed scout was facing the ground as he saw great shadow covered him. The boy looked up to see the titan's face,it was too familiar.
"Armin!" Jean shot up a hook into the titan back and ejected. He leaped forward but the titan'smovement was precise ,it forced Jean to retract his hook just by changing its pose. It threw it fist to him,but Jean was one of the top ten,he nimbly ducked before the fist touch him and whirled midair ,approaching the Titan back.
Jean fired the hook to the titan back this time,the scout was going for its nape. But as intelligent as it was,the creature simply covered the weakpoint with one of its hand and threatened Jean life with the other . The brown haired scout boy life was hanged in the balance ,he was in mid air,all the creature had to do was to grasp his wire and he would be dead.
"JEAN!DON'T LET THAT SUICIDAL MANIAC DIE IN VAIN!"Screamed Armin,causing the creature to stop. "This thing killed him!This thing killed my friend when he rushed to his death in the right flank!
Jean took the opportunity and retreated to the wood where he hid.
"Did he hit his head and gone delusional ?There's no time for this!"thought Jean as he was confused and surprised as he could ever be.
"It crushed my best friend."Continued the concussed scout "I can see his body under its foot."
Reiner removed his hood and charged the creature. He took the chance as the Titan was distracted .He leaped and shot up a grapple to the titan and rapelled toward ,aiming for the nape. Then suddenly ,the jock freezed ,The Titan was grinning to him,it no longer been distracted. And so,before he could do any thing,the titan grabbed him with it right hand,almost crushing him. Reiner could feel his friend's terror as they watched him struggle in the titan's grasp. The Titan moved its thumb to Reiner's head ,now crushed him completely.
"Hey…Reiner…you?"Panted Jean in disbelief.
Blood splattered,Reiner slice his way through the titan's hand as he made an escape. He landed next to the wounded Armin and escaped from the horrifying creature. The creature stared at its severed and steamy hand and change its direction and ran away.
"Armin!Armin!"Armin snaped out of his flashback with Reiner ringing in his ear while the jock bandage his head. "What was on your head?"
"Sorry,sorry."Armin scratched his head. "I was thinking about way back. That thing just simply changed its direction to Eren's"
Reiner visibly recoiled a bit before finish patching up his nerdy friend. "No need to worry about about that,he has Levi and Gohan covering his ass." And then his eyes widen in realization "Oh my fuck , he has Levi and Gohan cover his ass."
His realization did not escape Armin's attention,he asked. "What with the swear?"
"It's nothing." He changed the subject,pointing his finger at Armin's 3D Manuever Gear "How's your ODM Gear working?"
Armin inspected the equipment before gave Reiner a quick reply "It's fine. The binding release like they are supposed to,so it isn't broken."
"That is good to hear."The he shift his attention at Jean,who was currently whistling for his horse,which hadn't showed itself yet. "If Jean's horse comes ,the three of us could move,but now…"
At this rate ,should Jean horse could not come back in time,there had to be one person stayed behind as they could not stay in the open where the Titans could arrive at any time. But who would be left behind?Armin who was injured?Reiner,whose size made him difficult to ride with?Or maybe Jean could just went and searched for his horse?
"How about we fire a signal?"Armin suggested "If the formation moves straight ahead,the forth section in forth row should be nearby."
Then,without any hesitation Jean fired a purple smoke in to sky.
"Well,fellas that the distress sinal flare." Said Jean,hostered his flare gun "Doubtfully anyone would see that."
"In the meantime,we must decide who should stay behind."Reiner suggested "Armin,we should wait for a couple of minutes."
"I'll stay."Said Armin
"No"
"But I need you to report the information to Commander Erwin himself"Armin continued.
"Well Armin,you're gonna have to tell Erwin that yourself."Said Jean,looking at the horizon "Someone's coming. With extra horses."
The rider who also leading two other horses gradually revealed herself to the deperated trio,it was Krista. "People,are you okay?"
"Holly crap,that's my horse."Joyfully spoke Jean as he reunited with his steed.
"Did you guys fight a Titan?"Asked Krista ,concerning for her comrades. Then she noticed Armin's bandaged head. "Armin,what's with that okay?"
"Yeah,so far."Answered Armin "A rather surprise that you came this far after seeing our signal."
Krista replied Armin with a smile "I was close by ,and I happen to have Jean's mount too."
"These horses are great help."Reiner noted. "You're an exceptional nice person."
Krista Lenz wiped her tears,she seemed to be a very emotional individual . "I'm just glad that you're all alive and well .I am glad."Sunlight sparkled her face as she finished,making the three young man gaped in response.
'A god'Thought Armin.
'A fricking goddess' Thought Jean.
'Just marry me' Thought Reiner.
Green flares fired above to sky,indicating the direction of the operation. The expedition was still being carried on,Erwin had no intention to stop.
'Scheisse,that bloody damned thing is still coming and yet Erwin still continues the operation' Levi thought about the energy he was sensing behind him. "Fuck it! Oulo,smoke it."
"Roger that,captain!" Answered the scout as he reaching to his hoster.
Thought racing through Eren's mind. To the density and quantity of green smoke around his squad;it was save to assume that the operation was going very well. But he did have his questions,since the front row would face the Titan the most,there must be casualty no doubt.
In the distance,another scout galloped to the position of the squad.
"There's attack in the rear!" He shouted . "The entire right has been descimated! The scouts there either killed or routed! Please,pass the message to the left!"
"Petra,did you hear that?To the left ,now."Levi ordered.
"Yes,sir."Compliied Petra,who rode away to the left.
'The right-wing huh,that where Armin is.' Eren worried for his friends' well-being,but then he relieved when he realized Armin and the other were closer to the center. There was no way the humanoids giants could get that far. Then he had one question in mind,about the person who could solve this problem . 'WHERE THE FUCKING FUCKS ARE YOU NOW,GOHAN?'
And then he heard gunshots ,collums of black smoke appeared,indicated an abnormal Titan.
Those scouts were no match for that Abnormal,meditating on a tree branch,Gohan could easily feel four soldiers' energy quickly disappeared after they combatted the titan's energy. What ever this monster look like,it had to be 14 metres atleast and it was coming his way,where the trap would spring. Aside from the Titan,he sensed the energy of his squad,they also coming to his position,that was the good news. He was now covered his face with his hood,which significantly block his vision,but that not a broblem with a individual that could sense energy,he could kill titans left and right with his eyes closed. To further hide his identity he tuck his tail underneath his cloak.
'It'll be a showdown between a tiger and an elephant' He inhaled.
In this forest ,it was impossible to spot any possible threat such as the Titans for the entire formation.
'Should the tiger stands his ground,the elephant will crush him with her mass,tusks and trunk.' He exhaled.
However,the same forest would be the perfect area to optimize the uses of the Omni Directional Manuever gears. And there was man who willing to optimize not just his gears but also all his capabalities.
'But the tiger will never stand his ground,he will hide in the day and use his agility to skirmish the elephant during the night' He inhaled.
This man,who ironically only half a man,would be the only person to defeat the Titan that wreaking havoc to the Corps,then no one would have to die.
'Eventually ,the elephant will collapse to her demise due to exhaustion and blood loss.'He exhale and after a moment he opened his eyes 'This forrest shall be the burial ground for the elephant.'
He stood up,jumped around the the tree to find a branch with the most elasticity,eventually he found one.
"This one will do fine."He bounced on the said branch.
"This is stupid."
This was Jean commenting on a branch of tree on his earlier order,which was ordered by a senior officer to stop and ascen to the trees in order to eliminate any Titan that attempt to enter the forest. This order however contradict the entire formation and original objective.
"We established an outer perimeter base,abandoning our original mission." Jean continued to complain "We should have arrive at wall Maria if we continued,yet instead,we camped at a frickin' tourist hotspot. And now we stand here and prevent any titans from getting in?"
The scout then turned his head towards his senior officer,who gave the order.
"Fucktard." Said Jean "Give us such an insane order."
"Hey,he can hear you."Whispered Armin.
"Not to mention,we didn't get any detail of the operation. Thought,I don't think he feel any safer either." Armin's words did not stop him. "There's a saying that a leader that lost all respect from his unit mysteriously dies by a stab in his back but it's not surprisingly happens."He glanced at his blade.
"What're you trying to do?"Worried Armin.
"Do not take it seriously ." Jean assured his friend "I'm just annoyed that's a. I'll follow the order regardless."
Armin breathed out in relief ,he really worried that his fellow scout would do some thing reckless,turned out he just complaining ,that was all.
"I'll keep the titans out. That's what you think we should do,right Armin " asked Jean,which surprised the blond genius . "You know what's going on ,aren't you?"
Before the Armin could answer,all the scouts in the perimeter was interrupted by the officer's voice.
"5 meters Titan approaching!"
Standing on another branch,Mikasa was not surprised of the creature advance. During Gohan's training she had developed a technique that she could assured that Gohan already had,energy sensing. She had sense an ernomous energy that possibly causing casualty left and right in the formation,but she not very worried. For the first time in her life ,she could rest assure in Eren's well-being,if she sensed it right, Gohan was already in the forest before Squad Levi,where they also arrived.
She could deduce that Erwin had a plan including Gohan,Squad Levi and that ernomous power level. She was not worried if that plan of Erwin fail or not,because she knew Gohan could improvise quick enough to ensure Eren's safety.
Then,her chains of thought was interrupted when she sensed a numerous variant of energies ,Titan's ki. This only statled her a bit regardless of the numbers of titans approaching,after Gohan' lessons,they were just minor problems.
A collume of black smoke arose to the air ,signaling an abnormal Titan,the Female Titan to be specific.
'It's finally here.' Captain Levi Ackerman had no way to shut his energy sensing ability off.
"Black smoke!"
"It's the thing that's been chasing us from the right."
"Squad,draw your blades."Ordered Levi just before he unsheaved his swords "If that thing decides to show itself,we will not have any time." 'Which is very soon.'He cursed his new ability.
The only thing that the squad heard was the galloping of their horses as they went pass the forest. But gradually they started to hear footsteps,not walking but running,it was until then,a figure emerged from the trees. A blonde headed,skinless and feminine looking 14 meter class titan running toward them.
"Run" Levi's order was rather redundant since the entire squad had rush their horses to go as fast as possible,not forgetting to look behind for their pursuer. 'Towards the Monkey Boy.' He led his squad to another massive energy.
With its velocity the Female Titan was now relatively close to the riders ,so close that it could feel intrigued by the terror of the squad when they looked at its malicious face.
"It's fast."Panickied Gunther "There's no where we can escape in this forest."
"It's gonna catch up to us!" Said Eld
"Captain,we have to use our 3DM gears now."Screamed Petra "Captain."
The creature was close enough to hear the words of it target in front of it,it lunged it arm to the squad before something caughted it attention,a strong breeze passing behind its head. It stopped all of sudden,to examined its nape,which was unharmed. But when it look upon the ground behind it,it froze to see some of flocks of its golden hair were severed . It quickly inspected its surrounding,but was unable to spot its 'barber'.
Its behavior couldn't escape one of the Special Operation Squad member eyes.
"Holy shit,guys!It stops."The rest of the squad looked back in response to Oulo . "It must have given up."
Before the squad could let out a breath in relief,the Titan eyes turned it attention to them,and started running again.
"Me and my big mouth!"Oulo smash the rein to speeden his horse.
Although gaining some distances between the squad and the creature,but the squad had no time to celebrate their escape as the female titan came closer to them.
"Captain,permission to use our 3DM gears,sir."Eld asked Levi for order.
Before the captain could do any thing,a green blur caught the squad and the creature's attention another time as it quickly dashed pass the Titan's throat with burst of gas following it. An open wound was revealed in the creature,however in the front not the nape,but the injuries was deep enough for the humanoid giant to cover its wound and slow its pace. Once again,it looked around to find the 'cuprit' but failed to spot him.
'Damn,your ki's even stronger than that thing' Levi commented on his squad's unseen reinforcement.
"Did you guys see that?"Petra calling out for her squadmates "Whoever is that,they're protecting us."
"Then don't look back,just face forward and focus on riding."Ordered Eld "Let our protector does his job."
It took a while for Eren to figure out some thing. "Hey ,I think it's Gohan!" He only kept his volume loud enough for only his comrades to hear.
"Please,if that's the tailed freak we know then that thing would have been dead already. No offense,Captain."Said Oulo,before turn his face to the Titan. "Offense to YOU!"
The Titan was now annoyed,not because of Oulo curses,but to the unseen ambusher who lurked among the trees. It now had to slow down it pace to be aware of its surrounding thanked for that coward. Then all of sudden,it heard something like a boncing of a branch in its left. The Female Titan glanced to the left where a green figure emerged from among the trees. It grinned maliciously before wiping its left arm at the scout when it heard gas bursting and wire being shot,expecting to crush him into a tree. However when it looked to the left to see the its kill,it could not find the scout body being pinned to the tree,nor its left hand. Its eyes wide opened since it didn't even felt any pain. Shrugging this off,the titan accelerated and persued Levi squad.
"Oh,shit that thing's coming again."Warned Eren ,causing the squad to quicken their paces .'What ever you're doin',Gohan, just keep doing it.'
The hooded scout stealthily bounced from branches to branches in order to keep up with the female titan and also to find the most elastic he found a branch that was good enough and just in time before the titan got pass it. He pressed all his weight into the said branch before launched himself toward the Titan.
'Trampoline Attack'
He was ejected toward the creature by the momentum from the tree branch and the ki he used. It was until he saw the white in the Titan's eyes that he took advantage of his ODM Gears. The Titan awared of this and decided to crush him with it entire body to a nearby tree,just to miss him. The scout circled himself around the Titan's torso ,making a cicurla clean cut from its back to its breasts.
Then he disappeared ,into the trees,again.
Frustrated and angry,the Titan randomly punched and kicked down random trees before continued to persue the S.O.S,not forgetting to cover its nape with its right hand.
'Come on almost there.'Squad Levi's mounts continued to run faster than they could. " Keep moving,we'll out run the big bitch!" With their captain searching for the quantity of energy inf front of him.
"Out run it?How?"Questioned his order,Eren did 'Oh,yeah.,right,Gohan. The only person stalling that thing so far is Gohan,only Gohan. Levi and him must have some kind of plan together."
'Covering your weak point?' The hooded scout grinned behind the titan before ejecting his blades,pinning the Female Titan's right hand to the back of its head. 'If I had it my way,you have already been dead.'
He shot up two hooks into the top of the titan head before retracting himself to that position. The Titan angrily threw it regenerating left hand to slap him which he douge. The scout made a front flip in front of the Titan,hovering in front of it with the help of the gas.
"Now,"Gohan unhooded himself as he facing the Titan,revealed to it his face "you're it."
The Titan widen it eyes and gasped when it identified it ambusher. One question racing through it mind that why was not dead already?The it finally realized something,but it was too late.
"FIIRREE!"Commander Erwin Smith's voice echoed acrossed the forrest as he ordered.
Subsequencely, hundreds of harpoons was shot stimutaneously into the skinless Female Titan at all directions. There was no chance for it to move a muscle.
Yeah sorry for haven't post any new chapter in a long time,those anti-depression cause more troble than helpful.
Next chapter:Price of a Mile.