It's Just A Scratch: Chapter 1

Green trees towered tall above the woodland canopy, encasing a baron pathway engulfed in a light fog. The morning sun shone down, illuminating the darkness, casting away the remnants of the twilight hours. A calming silence engulfed the forest, keeping it frozen like a picture, a pristine work of art portraying perfection, a glistening utopia of tranquility.

The distant echo of horse hoofs emerged, ricocheting from tree to tree, tearing apart the picturesque paradise.

"It's all clear!" a masculine voice called out, rapturing the sunlit canopy.

The voice belonged to none other than Commander Erwin Smith of the survey corps, charging a small squadron along the fog filled pathway.

Positioned on his right hand side, Captain Levi. With a stern expression, he rode along side Erwin. A powerful aura surrounded the squad, with both Erwin and Levi at the helm it was clear the group would be a force to recon with.

Following closely behind, a small assortment of the 104th squad. The group consisted of Mikasa Ackerman, Eren Yeager, Armin Arlert and Jean Kirstein.

Holding perfect formation, the group moved swiftly beneath the trees, clearly focusing on their destination.

"Everything seems to be going according to plan." Erwin announced, looking about the area in attempt to survey the current situation.

"I wouldn't speak too soon." Levi stated as a black flair cascaded into the distant horizon.

"An Aberrant sighting?" Armin questioned, "We've only just left the Trost district, isn't it a little early for us to be running into trouble?"

A look of dissatisfaction graced Erwin's face as he reached into his jacket pocket.

"Damn it, I was hoping it wasn't true" Erwin mumbled under his breath.

After a few moments of preparation and selection of the appropriate colour, Erwin raised his arm, firing a green flair into the western sky in order to change the direction of the larger formation.

"We're only 10 minuets in and we've had our first Aberrant sighting, remember, if anything happens regroup at the safety point as specified earlier." Erwin turned to look at the troops following in his stead, simply nodding, before turning back to the oncoming horizon.

Erwin lead his troop onward through the flourishing greenery, heading down a west bound path in hope that his fellow recon corps had clocked the signal flair.

-X-

"Reiner! Look!" A sharp voiced hollered.

Reiner turned to see Sasha, riding beside him, pointing upward toward a rocketing green beacon.

"So the formation is taking a west bound route?" Connie questioned, his eyes locked firmly on the sky.

Riding through the baron wasteland that had once enlisted the protection of wall Maria, the trio of 104th trainee class graduates traveled on horseback, positioned on the right hand side of the overall formation.

"We must have run into some sort of difficulty to the east" Reiner stated, preparing his flair gun in order to relay the message to fellow troops.

Shooting a green flair to mirror that of the previous, the troop proceeded to move westward bound.

"What's happening anyway? Why are we on this expedition?" Sasha turned to ask Reiner.

Letting out a sharp sigh Reiner looked back at the brunette in disappointment.

"Well, if you hadn't skipped the briefing to grab lunch you might have some idea" Connie laughed, jumping into the conversation with a teasing remark.

"It was worth it, since everyone was at the briefing I got a larger share!" Sasha replied, her cheeks ruptured into a deep scarlet as her mouth began to water thinking of the delicious food from the survey corps kitchen.

With a light chuckle at the girls strange obsession, Reiner proceeded to explain the mission.

"There is a conspiracy that titans are evolving and becoming smarter due to an increase in Aberrant titan attacks. We're here today to test that theory." Reiner explained.

Sasha looked toward him, eyebrows raised prompting him to continue.

"As the Aberrant titans seem to have an attachment to Eren, it is likely that they will attack the centre of our formation. Our job is to alert the centre squadron if an Aberrant appears, this will enable a change in direction to avoid any attacks. When we reach 10 miles into wall Maria territory we will retreat, this will be signified by the blue 'retreat' flair from Commander Erwin, the formation will then turn and head home." Reiner continued.

"What will this achieve?" Sasha asked, looking slightly confused by the aim of the expedition.

"Well, if there are many Aberrant sightings, the conspiracy will be proven true." Connie added, in attempt to aid Reiner in his explanation.

"And if proven true, humanity will have a greater understanding of the Titans." Reiner explained.

A warm smile graced Sasha's face as she looked to Rainer and Connie, not one word followed. They nodded amongst themselves in agreement, for humanities sake, it was clear that they would go to the ends of the earth. For that is what it means to be a member of the survey corps.

A sudden rush of black clouded the air, grabbing the attention of the trio. Three simultaneous black flairs cascaded into the sky, two from the west and a third in the east.

"Aberrants..." Reiner spoke, staring out into the distant horizon.

-X-

Continuing in their new westward route, Erwin turned to the rest of his troop.

"That's 5 miles, we have now reached the half way point." He stated, he pursed his lips in attempt to continue his statement, however, a sudden interruption stopped his thought process in it's tracks.

Three simultaneous black flairs rocketed into the sky from all directions. Shock raptured the entirety of the troop, the 104th squad members looked to Levi and Erwin for instruction. Without hesitation Erwin reached for his pocket, he then proceeded to shoot the blue 'retreat' flair into the smog filled sky.

"This has clarified the conspiracy. Our main priority is ensuring Eren's safety as we travel back to wall Rose." Levi demanded, breaking out of his previously silent persona.

"Operation 'Early Retreat' is now in action." Erwin announced.

The troop nodded in unified agreement, ready to begin.

It had been previously affirmed in the briefing, if trouble were to arise and the squad fell under threat, Mikasa and Levi would hold of any attacks while Eren was escorted out of harms way. Mikasa, with a burning desire to protect Eren and a strength like no other, proved an obvious choice to aid Levi in the defense operation.

The small squadron grinded to a halt.

"Stay safe." Mikasa whispered under her breath as Erwin, Eren, Armin and Jean proceeded to rotate, heading off in the direction in which they came. Levi and Mikasa were left, stationary in the Forrest.

"Alright. Make sure you're 3D maneuver gear is equipped correctly." Levi advised, his voice as icy as ever.

With great ease Levi stepped down from his horse, ruffling his hand swiftly through his hair in the process. He continued to adjust and prepare his maneuver gear in complete and utter silence as Mikasa clambered off her horse.

The atmosphere was strangely tense, an awkward silence lingered in the air as they proceeded to prepare their gear. Both Mikasa and Levi acted as though they were alone, neither one acknowledging the others presence.

The forest became uncomfortably quiet, a gentle breeze tickled the trees causing them to elegantly dance in the radiant sunlight. The gentle shimmer of the sun and the soft morning breeze were both welcoming and warm turning the forest into a sumptuous paradise, the pristine canopy stood calm, almost as if frozen in time. Waiting.

Mikasa stopped for a moment. Sunlight glistened across her soft face as a gentle breeze ruffled her dark hair. Closing her eyes she took in a deep breath. Levi looked up from his maneuver gear, watching as Mikasa looked off into the distance, a gentle smile decorating her face.

"What are you doing?" Levi questioned, looking toward Mikasa with a bewildered expression.

"Isn't it beautiful." She turned to face him, gesturing toward the surrounding woodland. Levi raised one eyebrow before looking up to the surrounding canopy.

"Is it?" He coldly responded.

Mikasa's face morphed into confusion. Looking toward Levi, he stood with a calm stance continuing to prepare his gear. It was as though the beauty of the forest was lost on him, he seemed completely unfazed and uninterested by the sunlit canopy. Disheartened, Mikasa continued to fix up her gear.

Breaking the peaceful atmosphere Levi's head shot up, his eyes burning with a fiery passion.

"They're here." He stated.

Instantaneously, an Aberrant charged through the canopy, it's contorted face and deformed shape tore through the picturesque woodland. Faster than lightning Levi shot into the trees, within the blink of an eye he had sliced the neck of the Aberrant sending it flailing to the ground. His eyes were vicious, almost animalistic as he looked upon the creature in disgust.

Mikasa followed Levi's lead, taking down the next Aberrant with a few swift movements. The aberrant crashed down through the canopy, decapitating trees and shrubbery in the process.

All fell silent once more.

Mikasa shot an urgent glance in Levi's direction. She stood in preparation amongst the trees, waiting to be instructed on the next course of action.

Breaking the silence, an additional three Aberrants charged into the woodland clearing.

Without hesitation, Levi sprung into the air, majestically taking down two of the charging Aberrants without breaking a sweat. His expression stayed stern, nothing seemed to break through his emotionless demeanor. Mikasa stared, completely in awe of the powerful aura surrounding him.

Levi was rather mysterious, thinking about it, no one really new much about him. Mikasa couldn't help but stare as Levi hurtled between the trees with unbelievable power. His presence was almost overwhelming when in combat.

In a frantic rush, the third Aberrant charged, it's arms flailing about in an uncontrollable manner. Mikasa jumped from her position, ready to activate her 3D maneuver gear. However, she clicked the trigger, but nothing happened. The cord had become inexplicably jammed in it's holster. A sickening shock raptured Mikasa's expression as the realization hit. Hurtling forward, the rouge aberrant extended it's left arm, brutally snatching Mikasa into it's grasp.

Levi spotted the incident within his peripheral vision. His eyes widened as he surveyed the situation. Without haste, he sped into battle.

The aberrant held Mikasa, it's large hand firmly locked around her waist. It's tense grip tightened by the second as she frantically searched for an escape. The sound of metal maneuver gear being crushed and contorted masked the sickening sound of Mikasa's shattering bones. She clamped her eyes shut, a feeble attempt to withstand the intoxicating pain tearing throughout her very being. Taking deep breaths, Mikasa tried to stay calm, her mind fumbling for a rational course of action.

Like a bolt of lightning Levi sliced the titans forearm, tearing through a vital tendon the creature had no choice but to release it's grasp on Mikasa. The semi conscious girl slipped through the titans hand, only to be swiftly caught by Captain Levi. Holding Mikasa firmly to his chest Levi took the Titan down within seconds.

Silence engulfed the woodland canopy once more.

It was clear no more Aberrants were present, allowing Levi to rejoin with the luscious greenery carpeting the woodland floor. His expression appeared slightly troubled as he lay Mikasa onto a patch of grass.

"Hey, are you awake?" He asked, his voice stern yet somehow calming.

Mikasa's eyes flickered open to see the captain kneeling beside her. Her eyes widened as the realization of their current situation occurred. In a frantic panic Mikasa pushed up in attempt to sit, her face morphing in pain with each movement causing her to fall back. Within the blink of an eye Levi's arm shot behind her, supporting Mikasa as she lowered to the ground.

"Don't move, you've been badly injured." The captain stated, his eyes widening as he clocked onto Mikasa's mangled legs. Her white uniform had been stained with a dark scarlet emphasizing the severity of her injuries.

"Did we stop them?" Mikasa mumbled, clearly pained as each word past her lips.

"Yes." Levi replied bluntly, as he began to asses her leg injury's. However, that's all it took for a soft smile to grace Mikasa's weary face.

All that bothered Mikasa was Eren's safety, and knowing the Aberrants were defeated allowed her troubled mind to lay at rest.

Looking up Levi scanned the woodland surroundings in hope of spotting one of the horses. Unfortunately they were no where to be seen, they must have scarpered when the Aberrants appeared. A glimmer of hope engulfed his expression as he remembered the emergency relay point lay only a few minuets from their current location.

The safety point, chosen by Commander Erwin, was an abandoned building with a small basement. The location was proven safe and as it lay moderately close to wall Rose it was a perfect point to seek shelter in the case of a freak emergency such as this.

Tearing some cloth from his cape, Levi proceeded to wrap some of Mikasa's more serious wounds in attempt to temporarily stop the bleeding. With ease Levi lifted Mikasa into his arms, though he wasn't the tallest of men, he was surprisingly strong. Falling in and out of consciousness Mikasa found comfort in the warmth of Levi's chest against her cold body, her legs felt unusually frail as she lay limp within his grasp.

"Just stay awake a little longer." Levi kept prompting, his icy voice somehow soothing to the broken girl.