Cost Of War (Pieck x reader)

57th Expedition (Part 2)

Y/N Pov

The green flare shot off into the sky as we turned in the direction that was signaled. We road for some time, just going straight. Annie is somewhere in the formation, but I don't think she'll reach the center rank in some time. We just have to wait. Well, that's what I expected until I looked to see black smoke signals fired off closer to center rank than expected. I could try to push towards the center as well-

"Where is that abnormal going?!" Jean asked as we all looked in the direction of the black smoke signals. Annie is fighting her way through the formation. I know she'll do good. She'll fucking decimate them. I hope. We just continued riding.

"Wait, we're going East. We've just been riding for a while now. Doesn't that mean that we're going to run into..." Armin started speaking the forest of giant trees came into view. We studied the forest a bit, actually. A town was made in it. But abandoned because of the titans. But the trees are practically perfect for fighting titans. Good spots to grapple onto.

"Only the center rank is to go through the path! Go around the forest!" A scout came riding past us as he yelled orders to us before speeding past to inform more soldiers.

"Hey, now." Jean spoke after we got the order as we started to ride around the forest.

"What are we doing at this sightseeing attraction?! Now we're really straying from our original destination and return point!"

"I don't know. I don't know, but this is what commander Erwin decided. He seems to have some plan in mind, but..."

"Plan? Are you kidding me? What, is he gonna throw a welcome party for us rookies at this tourist spot?"

"No, I don't think so..."

"That was a joke. Either way, we got that giant after us. Regardless of what plan he has, we can't afford to stop here. My guess is we're passing through here on our way to somewhere else."

"No, Jean. Think. This forest is full of gigantic trees. They're kinda perfect for ODM gear. I think the commander knows something we don't." I said as we rode, before a scout came from the trees. 

"All solders! Halt!" The scout ordered us as we stopped. He quickly landed and walked up to us.

"All right! Listen up, rookies! We're going to take up intercept positions! Unsheathe and wait in the trees! If any titans try to enter the forest, stop them will full force!"

"Umm, sir? Why would we need to-"

"Shut up and follow orders!" The scout cut Jean off as he zipped back into the tree line. Well, those are orders. Orders are orders. 

"You gotta be kidding me. What the hell's happening?!" Jean asked as we followed the scouts orders, unsheathing our swords and zipping into the trees.

"Hah. This gives me the perfect spot to shit on the titans like those birds did to me-"

"Y/N, how can you joke in a situation like this? This is insane... First we abandon our original plan of establishing a logistics base... Then, instead of running home with our tails between our legs like we should, we go on a daring sightseeing tour... And, if that wasn't enough, now we're just supposed to stand here and keep titans out of the forest? Him and his idiotic orders..." Jean started rambling. Before directing his anger at our higher up who was on another branch. The one who ordered us to station in the trees. Even though those weren't really his orders, more of the commanders. Whatever.