Forgotten Memories (AOT x male reader)

FIVE | the operation on stohess

"But you're still a traitor"
{Olivia Rodrigo}
<~~~>
You were awoken by a soft knocking coming from your door. Opening it, you find Levi.

Levi: (Y/n), get ready, we have to meet Erwin in his office in 5 minutes.

You agreed and Levi left. You got ready and headed to Erwin's office. There, you found Erwin, Levi, Hange, Eren, Armin, and Mikasa sitting at a large, oval table.

Erwin: Since we're all now here I will inform you all of the plan. Today, we're supposed to arrive in Stohess to deliver Eren to the government. Hopefully, we'll avoid it.

Hange: We've identified the Female Titan as Annie Leonhardt. Stohess is where we'll make our stand against her.

Eren: Annie?! She may have been closed off but there's no way she's the Female Titan. I mean there's no evidence!

Armin: But, it makes sense Eren. And, I found her with Marco's gear. Mikasa also said the Female Titan fights just like Annie did in hand-to-hand.

After the meeting, you all prepared yourselves. The other commanding officers went off to inform the rest of the Scouts. Your squad's task was simple: if Annie transforms, take her down by any means necessary.

Arriving in Stohess, the Extermination Squad split up and hid in nearby buildings. Armin, Mikasa, and Eren had a plan to deceive Annie and get her in an underground tunnel. This would protect them from her temporarily if she transformed.

With Erwin now entering Stohess with Eren's body-double, the operation began. Hange had set up harpoon traps to possibly trap her by the plaza. You and Jean were hiding in a nearby building while Connie was in the building opposite.

You saw them trio bring Annie to the opening to the tunnel. The operation is now completely underway. You and Jean readied your blades, stepping away from the windows to prevent being seen. Soon, you saw the four begin to get more agitated; it wasn't working. Annie was about to bite her hand when Armin fired a sounding round. This caused all the Scouts disguised as civilians to rush to her and grab her to stop her. You and Jean broke the windows and began getting closer to her. Seeing her ring you were unable to even process everything until it happened.

The Scouts next to her died immediately by the blast. The rest of you were blown back several meters. Some of your fellow Scouts were blown into buildings, causing many serious or fatal injuries.

Quickly coming to your senses you got up and readied yourself. It's time for Plan B: Attack the Female Titan and assist Eren's titan.

(Y/n): Your mission is clear! Support Eren's titan and end that damn titan!

Upon hearing your orders the nearby remaining Scouts began their attack. Most of you targeted her achilles heel. If you immobilized her, her death would be easier to achieve. The other supporting scouts aimed for her hands and arms to help prevent further Scout casualties. The effort was in vain as many Scouts were crushed, thrown, and killed in various ways by Annie.

Soon after, you heard the roar of another titan. Eren finally transformed.

(Y/n): GET OUT OF EREN'S WAY! HE CAN TAKE HER FROM HERE. FOCUS ON AIDING CIVILIAN RESCUE.

With your orders all the Scouts rerouted towards the houses. All of you began ushering civilians towards the inner-gate. Annie seemed to be heading the opposite direction, proving very fortunate for the citizens of Stohess.

Eventually, you found Commander Erwin with the MP Commander.

MP Commander: Erwin, I sure hope you know what you're doing because the government WILL blame you for this.

Erwin: Yes, maybe they will. But, Annie Leonhardt was an MP. The Military Police also failed to find a threat to humanity. We're just attempting to prevent her from killing more.

MP Commander: Prevent her from killing more?! You've killed thousands of people, civilians, MPs, and Scouts alike just in this single operation! You consider this an act of necessity?!

Erwin: Yes. The civilian casualties were sadly unavoidable. But, military personnel know their potential fate. Especially the Scouts, at least they all died in the glory of battle.

MP Commander: You will answer to their families. Your Scouts get to inform them how their loved ones were killed by a ruthless killer. How you killed them, Erwin!-

(Y/n): ENOUGH! While Erwin's decisions may seem reckless and irresponsible to you, he has saved thousands of lives. The only reason some Scouts even manage to make it out of expeditions alive is because he knows how to make sure the most make it back. It's part of the job. Your MPs were bound to die eventually.

Unbeknownst to you, Levi had landed behind, and listened to your defense of Erwin. Grabbing you by your side and preparing to take you with him he addressed the two Commanders.

Levi: Sorry about him, but he is right. Erwin is one hell of a Commander.

Nodding at the two, he carried you and flew off with you. He brought you to the top of the interior-gate into Wall Sina before turning to you.

Levi: What the hell were you thinking?! Thats the Command of the Military Police! If he doesn't like what you have to say he could find literally anything and have you imprisoned!

(Y/n): He was talking shit about Erwin! I wasn't going to let him just say those things. While yes, this decision costed lives, it saved PLENTY more. If we capture the Female Titan, we could learn more about the Colossal and Armored! It'd saved thousands more. These sacrifices are not in vain!

After you finished, a green flare was shot up; the Scouts had captured the Female Titan. Right after the flare you also saw a faint blue glow emit from the same area. This blue glow you recognized from her using crystal to cover her nape. Was she still fighting?

Reaching a silent agreement, Levi and you dashed off towards the sight of Annie's capture. Upon arrival, you saw Annie encased in the crystal as Hange ordered Scouts to put a net over it. She was captured but you couldn't learn any information.

(Y/n) [angry]: DAMNIT! All those lives lost just for her to prevent herself from giving up information?! We killed all those civilians and Scouts just for her to win anyway?!

Levi: (Y/n) calm down. At least she's no longer a threat. Her inability to leave the crystal prevents her from aiding the Colossal and Armored Titans. It's still a victory.

Upon saying that, Levi nodded at Hange and grabbed you. Instantly he used his ODM gear to fly you both over the inner-gate. He brought you two to your horses.

Levi: Go get some rest. We'll talk later. You need to calm down before approaching the Commander.

He then...ruffled your hair?

Without saying another word, he sped off to accompany the other Scouts over, leaving you confused as hell. You confusedly got on your horse and went back to HQ. You decided to deal with everything later.