Forgetting Them All, Remembering the Few (OC fanfic)

Chapter 16

Axl's Pov

-

Im back to my old habits. Running away from my problems, refusing any help, and only talking to a few people. I dont even want to do that last one. For the first time in 13 years I am on good terms with my dad and now I dont even know who to trust anymore. Today we're going out on out 1st expedition outside the walls and I finally get to go into battle. Finally. Maybe this will be good for me actually. Might let me blow off some steam and calm down a bit.

There's knocking on my door again, but this time by Eld. Its weird because he kind of sounds mad too.

"Come on Axl! Its time to go!" He yelled.

"Okay!" I pull up my boots and head out the door. Eld escorts me to a horse and we go into the formation from before, but this time my squad is circling me instead. They already changed Reiner and Bertholdt to Eren Jeager and Ymir. Eren because he is also a titanshifter and Ymir because she requested to be with Christa. They gather around me and I give them instructions.

"Okay recruits! This is our first expedition so I will tell you what to do and what to expect!" I said with a fake smile.

"When we go into battle I will get a signal from Erwin to transform if I need to. Eren, I know you also want to transform, but please. Dont. You can trust me." He nodded. "As for the rest of you I expect that you all will move as far as possible from my titan to prevent injury. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am!" All of them replied.

"Right! Now saddle up your horses and move into position!" They did so and I walked toward Eld.

"You okay Eld? You seemed pretty mad this morning." He turned to me with an annoyed look.

"Yes. I am mad Axl. Im mad at you."

"Why? What did I do?" He was slowly getting more and more mad.

"Because Axl. I thought you had changed after your criminal days. But now you're just back at it again. So do me a favor Axl and walk away before I sock you right in the face." I stepped back and walked to my horse. Eld has never talked to me like this. Why now? Erwin directs us to the gates and starts yelling at the top of his lungs again. I dont really know what he's saying, but after about 3 minutes the gates open and we start heading out.

- timeskip-

30 minutes into the expedition and titans have already started appearing. I'm still told not to transform unlesss Erwin says so, but I remember that Annie still has her mission. She is going to attack the Survey Corps and I dont really know what to do when that happens. Do I fight her? Or do I just follow orders? Well I guess we'll find out when that happens.

- another timeskip-

We've been out here an hour and are finally gonna split apart. My squad stays with Erwin and others will follow their own orders. The soldiers to my sides are slowly decreasing until I'm left with Erwin's squad and my own.

A black smoke signal is seen in the distance meaning an abnormal is around, but then even more are sprouting. It must be a big one. This is exactly what I was expecting. I know that this titan is Annie and she is fulfilling her mission. Erwin gets my attention and tells me to check out the situation.

"Axl! Take your squad and see what is going on!" I nod and wave my squad in the direction of the smoke. Our horses gallop and I give them instructions.

"When we reach the sight of the abnormal I want all of you to move away as far as possible when I bite my hand! You are not to interfere! Take my horse and help any of the injured! Understood!"

"Yes ma'am!" They all responded. I start to feel the earth vibrating and loud footsteps can be heard. I know we're getting close. I really like having this responsibility too. People are actually listening to me and following my orders. Its awesome.

I can finally see the abnormal and I was right, it's Annie's titan. She is chasing after a squad and Jean is separating from us.

"Jean! Get back here! It's not safe!" He just ignores me and goes off to a random tree where some soldiers and their horses are standing. I direct my vision back to Annie and go faster. I see she is killing every soldier trying to attack her and I decide to fight so everyone can escape.

"Okay! I'm going to fight this thing and I want the rest of you to go into any nearby squads! Eren! Go find Levi's squad and tell them what is happening!"

"Right!" They all shout back. I bite my hand and am now surrounded by titan flesh and blood. I see Annie and run after her. I finally am close enough to make contact and grab her arm. She turns around and widens her eyes. Then she takes a swing at me and we fight until there are no more cadets around.