"You had to get the ugliest one, four eyes?" Levi tutted from a rooftop.

Elsie peered over the bricks, her eyes wide at the titan contained by multiple wires through it's body. It was the same maneuver used to capture Annie in the woods. Hange, blushing and wild, jumped eagerly around the titan's wiggling body. Hibolt looked stressed, shouting for her to be careful as she edged closer to it's open mouth.

"He's perfect! Five meters, full length arms and legs, no atrophy!" She spewed, giggling like a kid getting a present.

Petra looked disgusted, "It's terrible. How are we going to get it back?"

"Slice it and wrap it." Eld suggested.

Hange glowered at them, "How dare you suggest such a vile thing for Aadi?"

"Aadi?" Gunther curled his lips. "She really named it?"

Hange was foaming at the mouth with energy, "Yes, Aadi means the first, the beginning of something new! Look at this, Levi Squad, this is the first titan captured by humans! You have witnessed a paramount in our history!"

"She's insane." Oluo muttered, wiping at his blades.

Petra nodded in agreement. The squad watched as more of Hange's team appeared to help her decide the best way to bring it back to the wall. Not only would they have to drag it all the way back but also get it past the people. How could they possibly do that with this sixteen foot? Elsie knew it wouldn't happen, was more focused on when they would be returning to the district, honestly, but pretended to think when Hange peered up at her.

Elsie felt a nudge and turned to peer inquisitively at him. He nodded for her to follow, his hair in his eyes, and she happily left Hange to struggle with Aadi. They walked to the edge of the roof, away from the others. He stared over the barren town before looking at her, unreadable.

"You didn't shit your pants like I thought you would," He began and she had to roll her eyes at that. Why did he find it so hard to give a compliment? "You held your own, very impressive. The others thought it was too soon for you, they were worried you wouldn't make it. They're proud of you."

Elsie looked over her shoulder. Petra kicked Oluo in the shin, hands on her hips as she chewed him out. Gunther smiled when he caught her gaze, Eld shaking his head at the other two. Just to know that she had made them proud and proven to them that she was just as capable as a newly graduated cadet was heart warming.

"Thank you, Levi." She looked at him, taking in the relaxed demeanor he held.

He met her eyes, "I'm glad a titan didn't eat you."

"Me too. Who else would you bully?" She teased, her cheeks hurting from how wide her smile was.

Levi rolled his eyes, "I'm sure I would find somebody. There's so many idiots nowadays."

Elsie laughed and shook her head, her blonde hair falling from the bun she had put it in. She was glad she got to see this part of Levi and that he truly did like her. She didn't know what else to say, thoughts of Eren coming to mind at the idea of Levi finding a new idiot, so she turned to look at Hange fawning over her titan. Levi followed her gaze, tutting with disapproval.

"That psycho isn't taking it back, no matter how much she begs." Levi stated, eyebrows furrowed as he watched Hange practically serenade Aadi.

Elsie nodded, "I know. Go break her heart, Levi."

Levi stared at her, as if trying to find all the answers in her eyes. Guilt washed over her as they stared. Guilty for the fact that she was teasing with Humanities Strongest soldier when an entire district needed him right now. They were dying, Eren was being eaten, Armin was being traumatized with watching his entire platoon die, and yet here she stood bathing in her glory of surviving.

Without another word he flew to Hange's side. In seconds she heard Hange's hysterical wailing and turned, watching as Levi Squad laughed over it.

Elsie helped Petra put the deceased in a carriage. The rest of the Survey Corp either prepared horses or stood on duty, the group having met at the edge of town. Erwin, Levi, Hange, and Miche had gathered for a small meeting, looking grave as they spoke in hushed tones. Elsie knew there was no way they knew about the attack yet but still felt anxiety over when they would find out. How mad would they be? They would know she could've warned them.

Levi turned and headed towards where Petra and Elsie stood at the end of the carriage. Eld, Gunther, and Oluo quickly joined them, no doubt eager to return home.

"Let's get out of this wreck." Levi ordered.

Elsie nodded solemnly and turned to Suni. Eld chuckled and ruffled her hair, "You're the first person I've met who's sad to leave a expedition."

Levi met her gaze before turning to his horse.

The squad eagerly mounted their horses and galloped away. Elsie looked over her shoulder, watching as the crumbled buildings disappeared from sight. She turned back, prepared to face the disaster that awaited them. God, please save her from Levi's wrath.

Hange was severely upset, a dark cloud practically hovering over her head as they rode. Elsie would've laughed at what the other's were saying to Hange if it hadn't been for the looming chaos they were fast approaching. Her hands began to sweat, her eyes nervously flickering between Levi and to the front where Erwin was leading. If anyone noticed they probably thought it was fear of meeting another titan.

The Wall appeared and her heart thundered. Whispers broke out among the caravan.

"Is that smoke?"

"What's going on?"

"Commander Smith! What's happening?"

"There's been another attack!"

Erwin turned back, his eyes dark and furious, and directed his gaze on Elsie. She felt small as Levi turned in synch, his eyes wide and mouth turned down. She felt tears pool in her eyes and no matter how fast she blinked they still fell down her cheeks. Levi turned back, standing on his stirrups, and kicked Noir. The horse neighed and sped off, leaving Elsie with the squad. He raced past Erwin, his cloak flying, his anger a path that no one wanted to cross.

"Elsie? Is it true?" Petra gasped in horror, her brown eyes shimmering as well.

All she could do was nod. Gunther bellowed something that disappeared with the rest of the screams, the Scouts kicking their horses to go faster. Erwin took a squad with him, the rest of the section commanders leading their teams to different sections of the wall so they could climb it. There was a hole where the gate was supposed to be, the gate that they had exited from only hours before.

The smoke was thick and reeked, the sky beginning to darken. Eld led his horse towards where Levi had taken off, a good fifty feet ahead of them, and Elsie followed. Petra stood on her stirrups, her blades drawn and prepared to leave her house once she was close to shoot her wires. Gunther passed her, angry, and Oluo spat something at her that she chose to ignore. She knew they would be mad but it hurt none the less. This was something she couldn't change no matter how badly she yearned to.

There was a rumble that shook the ground and dust billowed from the hole. The squad watched as the gate was suddenly shut, a boulder in it's place.

Eren had turned titan and saved Trost. She watched as Levi zipped up the wall, Petra dashing after him. The boys didn't wait for her, gliding over the wall so they could help their captain. Elsie looked over her shoulder and watched as the rest of the Scout Regiment flew over the wall, green cloaks disappearing as they fell into the district. Elsie grabbed her blades and kicked off of Suni, her stomach flipping at what awaited her on the other side.

It had to happen, she told herself. God, how many times was she going to have to say that?