You and Levi round back to your assigned position in the formation once you reach the gate and Erwin takes over from there. You saw him give you and Levi an approving look, which you assumed meant that the plan is more leveled toward success.

The gate rises and you know your arms instinctively tighten around Levi because he puts his hand on yours for a moment before setting off through the gate. You're somewhat nervous, to keep it vague. You've never rode with anyone else on horseback and this whole plan could result to shit any moment, but you have faith in both Erwin and Levi that they can pull it off.

"Long-range formation! Let's go!" Erwin commands loudly.

The Scouts scatter across the land and Squad Levi falls back to be in the safest position in the centre and on standby. It's clear that the formation is precise when almost immediately, you spot a red flare in the east. You can't see any other soldiers at this point, but Levi sends up a red signal as well then Erwin shoots a green one farther west.

The soldiers aren't to engage, but when you see a black flare, you know it's inevitable. Another black flare is up, then a cloud of yellow to signify the Right Wing Spotters have suffered too many casualties to continue on.

"Something's not right," you hear Petra say from your left. "I think the formation is off."

Shit.

"They're already noticing," you whisper in Levi's ear. "What do we do?"

"Ignore them," he mumbles back. "Smoke signals--green. Oluo, pass it on!"

"With pleasure, Sir!" Oluo replies, sending up the flare.

Another soldier approaches from the right and rides next to you and Levi.

"Reporting, Sir! The early warning network is compromised! One of you will need to rely the message down the line!" he states.

Levi looks over his left shoulder. "You heard the man, Petra. Go on."

"Sir!" Petra replies and takes off to the left side to keep the message going.

"Black smoke!? An abnormal!" Eren shouts, spotting the mist first.

"Eren, fire the signal," Levi commands before lowering his voice. "This is a disgrace. Lot of good the formation does if the bastards can bore into it that deeply."

"We're still safe where we are. We have to keep moving at the same pace to get to the forest at the precise moment, if my calculations are correct," you whisper.

"Erwin should be getting there any minute to secure the equipment," he utters.

You remain silent as the forest comes into view just in time to see Erwin leading his squad inside. Keeping a steady pace, you make it to the treeline in under three minutes and race through the trees in time to see the rookies show up and taking orders. Petra meets up with the six of you and you know this will be the start of their cluelessness.

"Captain!" Eren yells from directly behind you.

"What?" Levi says.

"Come on, Sir, we're in a forest! We won't see a titan until it's right on top of us! The center rank's totally cut off, something's coming up on the right, isn't it? So what are we supposed to do? Avoid titans or defend the wagons?"

"Quit whining and move on from the obvious already. Neither of those are an option anymore," Levi answers steadily.

"What are you talking about?" Eren questions.

"Haven't you noticed what's around you? Take a look at these big ass trees--perfect environment for 3D Maneuver Gear, wouldn't you say? Take my advice, Eren. Calm down and use your head. The best survival tool is your brain," Levi instructs.

"Yes, Sir!"

You know his words will give a sense of calm to all the members, but they're all suspicious by now. You can see them from the corner of your eyes and the terrified sweat is on all their foreheads. But you understand their fright, because even though you know what's going down, you're a little scared yourself. So much can go wrong.

A puff of black smoke rises beyond the trees and you know that means one of the target titans has entered the forest. The main phase of the plan is beginning.

"Blades drawn, now!" Levi directs. "It'll happen in the blink of an eye. Be ready."

You pull out only your right blade to keep a firm hold on Levi with your left hand as he takes out both of his and grips the reigns at the same time. You hear the footsteps getting heavier from behind and look over your shoulder to see the titan you didn't think you would.

"Move it! Let's go!" Levi yells, speeding up with the group.

"Levi, this titan isn't either the Colossal or Armored. It's clearly female, but has to be like Eren. It's showing signs of intelligence," you whisper.

The female titan suddenly breaks through an array of trees and lands right behind the squad. You tighten your hand even more on Levi and you can openly admit that nothing has made you more scared than this 15-meter monster chasing after the seven of you.

"It'll be fine. Only a little longer, okay?" Levi assures you.

Your throat feels dry after that unexpected jolt of adrenaline so you nod against his back and mentally prepare yourself to engage if necessary.

"Holy shit!" Gunther exclaims in shock. "How the hell are we supposed to pull off basic maneuvers in here!?"

"It's catching up!" Eld hollers.

"Captain!" Petra cries. "Engage the 3D Maneuver Gear!?"

Levi looks back and you know he wants to give them some sort of order or reassurance, but it could jeopardize the mission, so he simply looks straight ahead.

"The Rear Reinforcements!" Petra yells as the men shoot around the trees and attack the female titan.

Almost immediately, they're taken out and smashed into pieces against the trees.

"Captain!" Petra screams. "Your orders!?"

"It's dangerous! Let's take it out!" Oluo shrieks. "Tell us to engage, Sir!"

"Captain!?" Eren pleads.

"Captain!" Petra begs. "(Y/N), please!"

Your eyes widen a fraction at her plea for you. You didn't expect to be dragged into this as well, and now you realize how hard it is for Levi to keep the secret from them, because a sudden wave of guilt hits you hard in the gut.

"Give us your damn orders!" Gunther demands.

"(Y/N), give us something!" Oluo bellows.

It's a few more yards of galloping and incessant begging from your fellow squad members before Levi reaches down for the flare gun.

"Everyone, cover your ears, now!" Levi shouts and raises the gun in the air.

You don't bother following the order and let the deafening ring of the round vibrate your eardrums as you put your sword away. The sound causes the female titan to fall behind for you all to continue ahead.

"Was that an acoustic round?" Eren asks with his hands over his ears.

Levi locks eyes with him over his shoulder and yours. "Remind me, what is our mission? Is it to simply act on impulse in the heat of the moment? Let me answer that question for you--it's not. This squad's mission is to keep this brat alive, whatever the cost. Don't forget it."

Levi peers forward once more now that he's given his lesson and reasoning for his actions.

"We keep pushing forward on horseback, is that clear?" Levi orders with an edge to his voice.

"As a bell, Sir!" Petra replies.

"But for how long? We can't keep running forever!" Eren exclaims. "She's right on top of us as it is, if we don't do something soon--"

Eren's cut off by the presence of the female titan once more gaining on the group and another bundle of soldiers going after her and failing in their assassination attempts.

"They keep coming! They're all going to die if we don't turn around and do something!" Eren cries.

Your head whips around on it's on and you narrow your eyes.

"Eyes front, Eren! Stop looking behind us and keep moving forward! Keep your pace with the group or you'll get us all killed!" you command with an authoritative tone.

"We have to help them, please! If the Levi Squad can't take her out, who can!? They don't have to die!" Eren pleads.

"Do as you're told, Eren!" you say.

"How can all of you ignore what's happening!? Are you telling me to abandon my comrades!?"

"Yes, that's exactly what we're saying! Listen to your captain and shut the fuck up!" you yell.

The others are silent at your voice because you have never raised it in such a threatening and demanding way. On the contrary, Eren puts his swords away and pulls his hand to his face.

After your outburst, you're not scared anymore, just ticked off and not understanding why anyone would want to be a Squad Leader, but you'll have to assume that position in only a couple of minutes, so there's no time to back out.