**Interior: Night - Dimly Lit Room within the Walls - Hours after the Scouting Expedition's Return** *(The room is sparsely furnished, the only light coming from a flickering candle on a small, wooden table. Cast-iron pans and military gear are scattered about. Levi sits at the table, his face shadowed, expression hard and unreadable. His Survey Corps cloak hangs loosely off one shoulder. In front of him, a small, crumpled piece of paper - a casualty report. His hands are clasped tightly together, knuckles white.)* **Levi**: *(Voice low, barely audible)* Sarah... *(A soft knock at the door breaks the silence. Erwin enters, his face solemn. He stands at the door, hesitant.)* **Erwin**: Levi, I... *(pauses, searching for words)* We did everything we could. *(Levi doesn't look up. His jaw clenches.)* **Levi**: *(Icily)* Did we? **Erwin**: *(Sighs, stepping closer)* You know the circumstances. The Female Titan... **Levi** *(Interrupting, voice rising slightly)*: I know what happened, Erwin! That doesn't change the fact that we lost good soldiers. That we've potentially lost Sarah. *(Erwin remains silent, recognizing Levi's pain. He moves to sit opposite Levi at the table.)* **Erwin**: Levi, Sarah was one of our best. Her loss... *(Levi's fist hits the table, causing the candle to flicker violently, almost going out. His voice is laced with anger now.)* **Levi**: Don't talk about her in the past tense. *(A heavy silence falls between them. Erwin looks at Levi, seeing the man's rarely shown vulnerability.)* **Erwin**: Levi, we all cared for her. She followed me here... *(His voice trails off, guilt evident.)* **Levi** *(voice softer, strained)*: She followed you, yes, but she fought with us. She was... *(He pauses, struggling)* She was more than just another soldier to me, Erwin. *(Erwin reaches across the table, placing a hand on Levi's. His voice is steady, offering solace.)* **Erwin**: I know. And if there's even the slightest chance she made it, we'll find her. But for now, we need to focus on the survivors, on what's next. Sarah wouldn't have wanted us to give up, not now. *(Levi finally looks up, his gaze meeting Erwin's. The emotion in his eyes is raw but there's a flicker of resolve there too.)* **Levi**: Then we keep moving forward. For the ones we've lost... for Sarah. *(Erwin nods, a silent agreement between them. They stand, a newfound determination taking hold despite the grief that lingers in the air. The candle flickers one last time as they move towards the door, stepping into the darkness beyond, ready to face whatever comes next for the sake of their fallen comrades.)* **Fade to black.**

**Exterior: Dense Forest - Twilight** *(The sun is just starting to rise, casting a soft golden light through the thick canopy of the forest. Birds chirp in the distance, an eerie calm settling over the area. Sarah stirs on the forest floor, her uniform torn and caked with dirt and blood. Her face is pale, but her determination is evident as her eyes flutter open, squinting against the early morning light.)* **Sarah** *(whispering to herself, disoriented)*: Where...? *(She attempts to sit up, grimacing in pain as her hand immediately goes to her side, where a makeshift bandage is soaked through with blood. She takes a moment to assess her surroundings and her injuries, trying to piece together the events that led her here.)* **Sarah** *(muttering to herself, trying to stay calm)*: The right flank... The Female Titan... We were ambushed. *(Flashbacks of the terrifying encounter flicker through her mind - the screams of her comrades, the overwhelming power of the Female Titan, and the desperate escape. Sarah shakes her head, trying to push away the memories.)* **Sarah**: *(Determinedly, to herself)* Stay focused. You need to survive this, for them. *(She slowly gets to her feet, leaning against a tree for support. She takes a deep breath and looks towards the direction of the Wall, barely visible through the dense trees. She knows she has a long journey ahead.)* **Sarah**: I need to make it back. But first, first aid. *(She scans the area)* And some water. *(With a plan in mind, Sarah cautiously starts to move, using trees for support as she goes. Suddenly, she hears a branch snap nearby. She freezes, heart racing, and silently draws her blade.)* **Sarah** *(whispering)*: Friend or foe? *(A small deer appears from the bushes, looking at her curiously before darting away. Sarah lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and sheathes her blade.)* **Sarah**: *(Chuckling weakly to herself)* Great, now I'm getting jumpy at deer. *(She continues on, her steps slow but unwavering. Sarah finds a small stream and carefully tends to her wounds, washing them with the cold, clear water. She rips a cleaner part of her shirt to make a new bandage, wincing as she ties it around her waist.)* **Sarah**: Alright, Sarah. Time to move. You've survived worse. You can do this. *(Determination etched on her face, Sarah sets off towards the Wall, limping but resilient. The camera pans up to the rising sun, its light casting long shadows through the trees, symbolizing the hope Sarah clings to amidst her isolation and struggle for survival.)* **Fade out.**

**Exterior: Dense Forest - Late Morning** *(Sarah has been making slow but steady progress toward the Wall, relying on her survival training to navigate through the dense foliage. The morning has grown warmer, the sun climbing higher in the sky. Suddenly, the tranquil sound of nature is shattered by the earth-shaking footsteps of a Titan approaching. Sarah tenses, her survival instincts kicking in. She ducks behind a large tree, peeking out to assess the threat.)* **Sarah**: *(Muttering)* Just my luck. *(A 6-meter class Titan lumbers into view, its grotesque form scanning the forest. Sarah watches it, her grip tight on her blades. She waits, hoping it will pass. But her heart sinks as its gaze locks onto her hiding spot. She knows she has to move. Fast.)* **Sarah** *(Thinking quickly)*: I need a distraction. *(She spots a flock of birds in a nearby tree. Taking a small stone, she throws it at the tree, causing the birds to erupt into the air, their panicked squawks filling the forest. The Titan's gaze shifts towards the noise, giving Sarah the chance she needs. She bolts in the opposite direction, her heart pounding in her chest.)* *(As she runs, her eyes catch something metallic glinting through the trees. She skids to a stop, her attention drawn to a half-buried Survey Corps emergency flare gun. Hope surges through her as she picks it up, checking to see it's still functional.)* **Sarah**: This could be my ticket back... or my last stand. *(Pocketing the flare gun, she resumes her trek, now more vigilant than ever. Suddenly, her worst fears are realized as she stumbles upon a clearing, finding herself face to face with not one, but three Titans.)* **Sarah** *(Frantically calculating her chances)*: I can't... There's no way. *(With no cover and the Titans slowly closing in, despair takes hold. Then, remembering the flare gun, she makes a split-second decision. Her hands tremble as she pulls out the gun, aims it skyward, and fires. The flare shoots up, exploding into a bright red signal against the clear sky.)* *(The Titans, momentarily distracted by the flare, gives Sarah just enough time to take an evasive action. She dives into a dense thicket, crawling as silently as she can, heart racing as she prays for a miracle.)* **Sarah** *(Whispering to herself)*: Please, let someone see that. Let them find me. *(The camera pans up, following the flare as it burns brightly, a beacon of hope amidst the green expanse of the forest. The sound of distant footsteps suggests that her signal has been seen, but by friend or foe, it remains uncertain. The tension hangs in the air as Sarah waits in her hiding spot, the outcome of her desperate gamble now out of her hands.)* **Fade out.**

**Interior: Strategy Room within Wall Rose - Midday** *(The room is filled with the dim light filtering in through the high windows. A large map of the territory outside the walls dominates the center of a long wooden table, around which Levi, Erwin, Hange, Miche, and a few other captains are gathered. The atmosphere is tense, the weight of their recent losses evident in the room. Levi's expression is particularly stoic, his gaze fixed on the map but his thoughts elsewhere.)* **Levi** *(Internally)*: Sarah... could you have survived out there? *(Erwin is discussing their next course of action, his voice steady and commanding, but Levi's attention is only half on his words. Hange is animatedly suggesting new tactics for combating Titans, while Miche adds input on defense reinforcement around the walls.)* **Erwin**: We need to focus on reinforcing our defenses and-- *(A knock on the door interrupts him. An urgent-looking Scout bursts into the room, saluting quickly.)* **Scout**: Sir! A Scout flare was just spotted outside Wall Rose. Red signal, sir. *(The room falls silent, the weight of the news settling over each person like a heavy cloak. Levi's head snaps up, his heart suddenly racing. A red flare meant distress, a call for immediate assistance. It also meant survivors.)* **Levi** *(Standing up abruptly, his voice betraying his urgency for the first time)*: Where was it seen? *(Everyone's attention is now on Levi, surprised by his reaction. The messenger Scout quickly responds.)* **Scout**: North-Northeast sector, near where the right flank was... *(He hesitates, swallowing hard)* where they were last seen. *(Levi feels a jolt of hope mix with his fear. He exchanges a look with Erwin, who seems to understand the unspoken question in Levi's eyes.)* **Erwin** *(Nodding, decisively)*: Mobilize a rescue team. Levi, take Hange, Miche, and whoever you need. Find who set off that flare. *(Levi nods, his determination renewed. He turns to leave, Hange and Miche following closely, as the other captains begin to voice their support and readiness to assist.)* **Levi** *(Internally, as he moves)*: Hold on, Sarah. If that's you... I will find you. And if it's not... We'll bring whoever it is home. *(Hange catches up to Levi, her usual enthusiasm replaced with a solemn determination.)* **Hange**: We'll find them, Levi. *(Levi doesn't respond, but the set of his jaw and the look in his eye speaks volumes. The group quickly exits the room, their steps echoing in the hallway as they rush to prepare for the rescue mission.)* **Erwin** *(Watching them leave, quietly to himself)*: May you find what you're hoping for, Levi. *(The camera lingers on the strategy table, the map and its many annotations a stark reminder of the world they face outside. The scene fades as the sound of preparations can be heard building in intensity.)* **Fade out.**

**Exterior: Dense Forest - Moments after the flare** *(The camera fades in from black to find Sarah still hidden within the dense thicket, her breaths shallow as she tries to make as little noise as possible. The bright red flare's light has faded from the sky, and now only the natural light of day filters through the canopy above her. She's acutely aware of every sound in the surrounding forest--the distant calls of birds, the rustle of leaves in the wind, and her own heartbeat thundering in her ears.)* **Sarah** *(Thinking to herself)*: Please, let them have seen it. *(She dares to peek out from her hiding spot, scanning the area for any signs of the Titans or, hopefully, rescue. The forest seems eerily quiet now, the Titans that had cornered her nowhere in sight.)* **Sarah** *(Whispering to herself)*: Could they have... moved on? *(Her relief is short-lived as she remembers the unpredictable nature of Titans. She knows she can't stay in one place for too long. With a grim determination, Sarah carefully begins to move out of her hiding place, limping slightly from her injuries. She needs to find a safer spot to wait, hopeful that her flare was seen by someone, anyone from the Scouts.)* **Sarah** *(Internally)*: Levi, Erwin, Hange... please be the ones to find me. *(As she moves, the pain from her wounds becomes more pronounced, each step a test of her willpower. She leans heavily against a tree, taking a moment to catch her breath. The reality of her situation washes over her, the isolation, the fear, and yet the flicker of hope that refuses to die.)* **Sarah** *(Murmuring to herself)*: You've survived before, Sarah. You can do this. They're coming. You just have to stay alive until they find you. *(Determined, she pushes off the tree, continuing her slow trek through the forest. Her mind is a mix of memories from her time with the Scouts, her training, the missions, her friends... and Levi. His stern face, the subtle hints of care he'd shown, especially right before the expedition. These thoughts spur her on, giving her strength.)* **Sarah** *(Internally)*: For Levi and everyone else, I can't give up. *(The camera pulls back slightly, showing Sarah's lone figure making her way through the immense forest, a small beacon of endurance and hope amidst the green expanse. The natural sounds of the forest resume, a stark contrast to the silence of her resolve and the uncertainty of her fate.)* **Fade out.**

**Exterior: Dense Forest - Continuing from Sarah's Predicament** *(The sun has now climbed higher, bathing the forest in a harsher light. Sarah, despite her injuries and growing exhaustion, has managed to put some distance between herself and the clearing where the Titans had cornered her. Suddenly, she freezes. The unmistakable sound of Titan footsteps resounds through the forest, closer than she'd hoped. A chill runs down her spine as she realizes she's being hunted again.)* **Sarah** *(Whispering to herself in panic)*: Not now... *(She glances around frantically, looking for somewhere to hide or escape to but finds little cover that would hide her from the Titans' gaze. The sounds grow louder, and through the trees, she can now see the distorted faces of two Titans approaching her position. Her heart beats wildly, fear threatening to overtake her resolve.)* **Sarah**: *(Desperately looking around)* There's nowhere to... *(Just as she prepares herself for the worst, ready to fight with the last of her strength, an unmistakable noise cuts through the air - the sound of ODM gear. Sarah's heart leaps with hope.)* **Sarah** *(Barely daring to believe)*: Could it be...? *(Within moments, members of the Scout Regiment burst into the clearing, their ODM gear whirring. At the forefront is Levi, his presence commanding as he swiftly takes down the closest Titan with precise movements. Hange and a few others engage the second Titan, working together seamlessly.)* **Levi** *(Shouting)*: Secure the area! *(The Titans fall, one after the other, slain by the skilled Scouts. Sarah, overwhelmed by sudden relief and the pain from her injuries, collapses to her knees. Levi is by her side in an instant, his usual stoic expression softened by evident concern.)* **Levi**: Sarah, can you hear me? You're safe now. *(Sarah looks up at him, tears of relief welling in her eyes. She tries to speak but is overcome by emotion. Levi, in a rare display of gentleness, helps her to her feet, supporting her weight.)* **Hange**: *(Rushing over with a relieved smile)* We saw your flare! Thank goodness you're alright. *(As Hange checks Sarah's injuries, more Scouts secure the perimeter. The danger has passed, and Sarah is surrounded by her comrades, her family. The relief among the group is palpable.)* **Sarah** *(Finally finding her voice, weakly)*: I... I thought I... **Levi**: *(Cutting her off, firmly)* You're one of us. We don't leave our own behind. *(Sarah smiles, tears streaming down her face, not just from the pain but from the overwhelming relief of being found. The Scouts gather around, offering words of comfort and relief. The atmosphere is one of unity and resolve, a potent reminder of their bond as soldiers and friends.)* **Fade out.**

**Exterior to Interior: From the Forest to Inside Wall Rose - Transition** *(The scene transitions as Sarah, overwhelmed by her emotions and weakened state, loses consciousness in Levi's arms. The camera follows the swift and efficient motion of the Scouts as they use their ODM gear to travel back to Wall Rose, with Levi carrying Sarah securely. The sun is now high in the sky, casting long shadows that dance over the group as they move.)* **Interior: Inside Wall Rose - Gate Entrance** *(The Scouts arrive at the gate entrance of Wall Rose, the tension from the outside world giving way to the relative safety of the Walls. Civilians and soldiers alike turn their attention to the group, whispers and murmurs filling the air as they recognize the injured Scout in Levi's arms.)* *(Levi's expression is one of impenetrable focus, his gaze fixed ahead as he carries Sarah through the gates, the rest of the Scouts following closely behind. They move with a purpose, parting the crowd as they head directly to the command center where Erwin and other high-ranking officials await.)* **Interior: Command Center - Moments Later** *(Levi enters the command center, Sarah still in his arms, with Hange and the other Scouts trailing behind. The room falls silent at their entrance, all eyes on Sarah's unconscious form. Erwin, who had been discussing strategy with other officers, looks up, his face a mask of stoicism. However, as his gaze lands on Sarah and he processes the severity of her condition, a subtle shift occurs.)* **Erwin** *(Approaching quickly, concern breaking through his usually impassive demeanor)*: Is she...? **Levi** *(Nods, setting Sarah down gently on a nearby table used for mapping strategies, now cleared)*: She lit the flare. She's alive, but barely. *(Erwin's mask cracks further, a rare flicker of personal concern visible as he looks down at Sarah. He reaches out, almost involuntarily, to gently check her pulse, his touch careful. The room is filled with a weighted silence, the usually unflappable commander showing a depth of emotion he seldom allows others to see.)* **Erwin**: *(Softly, more to himself than anyone else)*: You did well to survive, Sarah. *(Levi watches Erwin, noting the crack in his facade. It's a silent acknowledgment of the bond they all share as members of the Scout Regiment, the family they've become. Levi then turns his attention back to Sarah, a silent vow made to protect and avenge his comrades.)* **Hange** *(Stepping forward, breaking the silence)*: We'll take it from here. Let's get her to the infirmary. We can save her. *(As Hange and a couple of other Scouts carefully lift Sarah to carry her to the infirmary, Levi and Erwin share a look. A mutual understanding passes between them - the importance of their soldiers, the weight of their losses, and the unbreakable resolve to keep fighting.)* *(Erwin finally turns to the rest of the room, the professional mask slipping back into place as he addresses the situation with renewed determination, but the brief moment of vulnerability remains, a testament to the trials they endure and the bonds that sustain them.)* **Erwin**: *(Commandingly)*: Let's focus on our next steps. We ensure her sacrifice wasn't in vain. We fortify, we heal, and then we retaliate. We owe her and every fallen Scout that much. *(The camera pans out from the room, capturing the determined faces of everyone inside. Despite the somber mood, there's a renewed sense of purpose, a drive not just for survival, but for victory, for those they've lost and those they're sworn to protect.)* **Fade out.**