*

COURTHOUSE

Silently coming from the back, I made my way to the front and stood beside Levi.

The quiet murmuring of the people within the large room, echoes with stillness lingering. Scowling and distant glances were sent Eren's way, hearing provocative language also quietly being addressed about him. Levi stood beside me, shoulder against shoulder while my eye remains forward. With an expressionless face, no one would know what's running through my mind.

Yet everyone in the room purposely held scowling glances, which they wanted to show their disgust towards Eren.

"Tch, seriously......" muttering to myself, a hand interlaces with me discreetly. He squeezes my hand for a moment, lowering his head with a nonchalant look towards Eren.

His voice deepens, "Erwin will clear things up, he's persuasive enough,"

Reluctantly I nod relaxing my shoulders, still not fully recovered from the attack on Trost. My body was aching, it was just all so sudden. Recollecting my own thoughts, I was just lucky to be alive.

Eren was knelt down with his arms back, with the shackles looped around a large pole in order to prevent further damage. Seeing him like this, tore my heart, wondering what Carla would think of him now?

Levi soon releases his hand from mine, while my eye turns to see Erwin standing tall. His blue clear eyes were brighter, despite how dim the room was.

I knew that look all too well, but then again aren't we all curious.

Soon the sound of the gavel being slammed a few times, gained the attention from everyone on the Premier. "Alright, shall we begin?"

It was rare to see the premier himself, but seeing him taking his coat off and rolling his sleeves, showed how relaxed and composed the old man was. No ounce of worry, but was imperturbable. That being said, I've only met him twice since I joined the scouts. Watching from afar they soon begin questioning Eren, while my eye scans the crowd. Many people were even silently wavering, eyes filled with fear because of what Eren's capabilities are.

They continue the proceeding of the Court, but soon it was coming down to where Eren was confused as much as we all are. My question was how he grasped that kind of power, how he managed to have something and not have known for years. Who knows at this point...

Listening in I didn't realise my jaw was tightening, while my fingers gripped the hem of my sleeve. All of this was sudden, but I couldn't bring myself to protect him till we have custody.

"To begin.....The Military police will now present their case," Zachary announces, shifting the focus on Nile Dawk.

My eye turns to see the Commander of the Military police, "Thank you, my name is Nile Dawk! I am Commander of the Military Police...." He begins, while I all knew too well what the Military police are like. Cowards, each one of them are. ".....Our recommendation, following a thorough examination of his physiology subject Eren Yeager should be disposed of immediately."

Silence soon rests, allowing people to process their opinion of the matter.

"We acknowledge that yeager's abilities played apart in turning back the latest titan incursion.......however..." Eren's eyes worriedly glances Nile's way. ".....as has been stated, his mere existence is creating a swell of rebellious sentiment. For the greater good, after we have gathered all the information that we can from him, we would see him made a fallen warrior of humanity!"

"Unacceptable!!!!" someone objects, seeing a priest speaking up with full bitterness in his tone. He points accusingly towards Eren, "This verminous fiend has defiled the mighty wall......"

He continues rambling on, before Zachary stops him from going any further.

"...and now I'd like to hear the Scout Regiment's proposed plan," he shifts to us three, as eyes focus on us.

Erwin nods, "Yes sir, as the Commander of the Survey Corp," he began, he stood tall with confidence. "I, Erwin Smith, propose the following......Let Eren join our ranks. Reinstate him as full member of the Scouts, and we will utilize his titan ability to retake Wall Maria......That is all."

Hearing people whispering and murmuring about our statement, Zachary seems to be in thought with this sudden and short proposal. We are asking a lot here, especially containing an assumed threat.

"Hmm? Is that it?" The Premier questions.

"Yes, with his assistance, sir," Erwin replies. "I'm certain we can reclaim Wall Maria. Ergo, I believe our top priority is perfectly clear."

"Quite bold. Assuming you were given clearance, where do you plan to launch this operation from?" Zachary raises an eyebrow, wondering what Erwin's true plan is. "Commander Pyxis, the wall in Trost District has been completely sealed, is that correct?"

Glancing over to see the Commander standing not far from the premier, "Yes, I doubt it's gate will ever open again," he confirms.

"We'll depart from Calaneth District, to the east," Erwin continues. "From there, we'll make for Shiganshina......A new route can be established as we proceed--"

"But that's ridiculous!!!!" a merchant yells out, cutting Erwin off. "Our time and money would be better spent sealing up all the gates! They're the only parts of the wall that the Colossal titan can break, right? Let's reinforce the blasted things and wash our hands of the entire affair!"

"Tch, dammit," I mutter, rolling my eye in response.

"Shut your mouth you spineless merchant dog!" one of our scouts snaps. "With a titan on our side, we can finally return to Wall Maria!--"

"We can't afford any more of your childish antics!" The Merchant fires back. "Or your delusions of grandeur!"

I side glance to see if Levi was bothered, but he remains nonchalant and composed only to notice him about to speak up.

"Squealing louder won't help your case, pig!" he comments, bluntly causing the merchant to gasp. "While we're bolstering our defenses, do you think the titans are going to stand idly by?......and when you say 'we can't afford' do you speak for anyone other than your fat merchant friends?"

He has a point, I couldn't argue because he was basically saying what's going on in my mind. We risk our lives, while these people sit and do nothing but eat. We train, and learn, while they learn how to gamble with money, drink and sleep around. We're all doing the hard work, trying to put everyone's hearts and mind's at ease right now.

Folding my arms, I close my eye to ease the pain in my head.

"Do you pigs even realise that most of our people are struggling just to survive off what little land we have left?" Levi questions, rhetorically while the merchant was a little intimidated by Levi's words.

"I-I'm simply saying that sealing the gates, is the only guaranteed protection we've got--!" He reasons with humanity's strongest, but mainly to everyone else that opposed this man's ideology.

"Hold your tongue, you vile, belligerent heretic!" the priest scolds the merchant, beside him. "Are you really suggesting that we lowly humans meddle with Wall Rose, a gift to us from on high? The wall is a miracle, and it's divinity transcends human comprehension. Don't you understand? It's the cult's fault......"

Fluttering my eye open inhale slowly, trying to not allow my thoughts to be blurted with frustration and annoyance. Both the Merchant and the Priest kept running their mouths at each other, bitterness and anger towards each other was just getting annoying.

Sharp and loud taps came from the Premier, pulling us back to the main issue.

"Order! I ask that you save your personal sentiments for a more appropriate venue," The Premier asks nicely, before turning to the main point we're all here for. "Now then Mr yeager, I have a question for you......As a soldier, you have made a solemn pledge to answer humanity's call. Can you still serve by controlling your ability?"

Eren was light sweats nervously, "Yes! I will, sir!"
"Oh? Is that so?" my eyes narrow for a moment, wondering what else he has to ask. "But this report from the battle for Trost contradicts that statement.....Just after transforming, it seems you made an attempt to crush Mikasa Ackerman."

Eren snaps his head towards Mikasa, with shock and disbelief wavering in his eyes.

"...And who is this Mikasa Ackerman?" Zachary questions, as his eyes scan on our side of the courtroom. I shift my weight to my right side, while I side glance to where Mikasa stood.

"Me! That would be me, sir!" She replies.

"Alright, then.....is it true that Eren Yeager assaulted you while he was in titan form?" He questions her, knowing it was the truth. Rico and I discussed over that detail, knowing Mikasa would be infuriated by that.

She remains quiet for a moment, awaiting her answer while Eren stares at her for a while waiting for the truth.

"Yes, all of that's true,"

The crowd gasps in shock knowing now what Eren has done, but was it intentional? We weren't even entirely sure, as we were only going round in a loop of assumptions. Seeing Eren's eyes staring at her in horror, means he didn't even know he attempted such a thing.

"However, he also saved my life twice before," Mikasa speaks up again. "And in each circumstance he was using his titan ability. The first: shortly after Trost fell, I was nearly killed by a titan. But then Eren came. He stepped in and protected me."

My eye slightly widen, not knowing about this surprised me.

"The second time: he transformed to shield Armin and me from cannon fire," She continues. "I implore you to take these facts into consideration."

"Objection!"

My eye narrows turning to Nile, knowing full well he has something to say about it.

"I have reason to believe that personal feelings play a large part in her testimony!" Nile announces, wondering how he figured it out. "Let the record show that Mikasa Ackerman was orphaned at a young age, and was subsequently taken in by the Yeager family."

That's right, Mrs Ackerman was murdered along with Mr Ackerman by bandits, when Mikasa was around nine years of age I assume. I didn't have much time with them then, but......I do care about the loss.

"....What's more, our own internal investigation into this matter led to a most shocking discovery!" Nile informs everyone, wondering what he means by that. "Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman, at the tender age of nine, dealt with three adult kidnappers by stabbing all of them to death. Granted, this was done in self-defense! All the same, one cannot help but question the violent nature of the act. Knowing all of this, should we really invest in him? Money, manpower. Perhaps the very fate of us all?"

His words were giving me a headache, already bored by what I've already been told. Pinching the bridge of my nose, my eye closes to ease the tension building up.

"Maybe she's one! I bet she's not human either!" A merchant yells, pointing towards the young girl. Her reaction was taken back, and even more confused by the accusation. She held no words, but I had plenty to say about that. With our little known heritage, our clans were allies.

"Yeah, you're right!" Someone agrees. "We should dissect her, just in case!"

Everything was escalating so quickly my mind was stirring, when suddenly Eren yanks the chains with a furious expression, "Now hold on a second! Maybe I'm a monster that you want dead, but you leave her out of this! She's innocent!"

It was actually surprising seeing him lash out, especially about Mikasa seeing he would sometimes push her away. I guess there was some form of a bond together, because she's been loyal from the start.

"Like we'd trust you!"

"It's the truth!" Eren fires back.

"She must be one if you protect her!" The man fires back.

The boy jerks his arms hearing the chains clanging against the pole, "Stop it!"

Everyone falls silent or gasped with shock, while I felt this sympathising feeling in my chest. He was dealing with a lot at once, because his voice was breaking and his eyes were bloodshot. We just need to prove we can restrain him, and control his abilities sooner than later.

All eyes were now on Eren, "You're wrong," his voice deepens, as a shadow casts over his eyes for a moment. "About it all.....but you're so intent on pushing selfish agendas, you're blind to what's in front of you."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Nile questions in shock, finally taking Eren seriously.

"What does it even matter, none of you have even seen a titan," The boy continues on, while I relax my posture. "So why're you so afraid, huh?......."

He takes a pause only to see more determination, strongly reflecting in his eyes.

" There's no sense in having power if you're not going to use it to fight!" Eren raises his voice. "If you're too scared to fight for your lives, fine. Let me do it! You-- You're all cowards!"

Stunned by his words, and how confidently he spoke towards the Mp's surprised me even more. Hearing the force of the chains clang against the pole, I could see the strength of a strong will coming from him.

"Just shut up, and put all your faith in me!!!!!"

Everyone was too stunned to even speak for a moment, as everyone was silent. My eye turns to see the Premier's reaction to all this, but a calm expression across his face while processing his words. The sound of someone preparing a rifle makes my head perk a little, turning to see the Mp's.

Nile grits his teeth turning his soldier beside him, "Ready! Take aim, dammit!" ordering his soldier sternly, but before all that could be accomplished I felt Levi's shoulder brush against mine. About to speak hesitation sets in, before he smoothly and calmly climbs over the fence and towards Eren.

About to question Erwin if it was necessary now, the sound of a boot hitting flesh echoes in the room, sending a tooth from his mouth. Mouth still agape by this, I close it before remaining calm hoping this was appropriate here and now. Too late for questions, the room was still silent and stunned to speak. My eye narrows, feeling sorry for Eren now, but this was part of our plan.

Eren glances up for a moment with confusion across his face, only for another kick by the knee to his face. Levi grabs a fistful of hair and kicked him again, not realising my hands were balling into fists. Lips pressed into a thin line, I held back the grimacing and tried to wait for everything to fall into place.

Would this really work, Erwin? We're only gambling with this, like we did before when Eren sealed the wall, but still.....

He was really beating the shit out of the poor kid, and by the looks of it Mikasa was looking appalled by the situation. Soon a murderous intent draws her face, only to see Armin holding her back. The sound of flesh being pounded, and the gutteral sound of blood being choked up from hits to the stomach. Blood drips down his nose and lips, as it coats Eren's chin. Levi soon stomps on Eren's head, making me wince slightly.

It looks like he's gotten stronger since we saw each other last.......

His boot remains on Eren's head against the floor, "You know, personally, I think nothing instills discipline like pain," Levi spoke up. " You don't need a good 'talking-to' what you're in need of, boy, is to be taught a lesson....and you happen to be in perfect kicking position."

Levi soon kicks Eren a few more times, to clear the very point we are telling the Premier. He continues on, hearing the painful cries coming from Eren knowing full well he can inflict pain.

Nile's eyes were wide, "N-Now hold on, Levi!" reaching his hand towards him.

Levi's foot was pressed against Eren's face, as the boys back was against the pole. The Captain turns his head around, "What is it?" taking his foot off, to face the Mp's Commander.

"It's dangerous, what if he gets angry?" Nile warns him, assuming the worst. "Turns into a titan?"

Levi being Levi ignores him and kicks Eren again, "What are you talking about?" Levi crouches down and lifts Eren's face up, with his fingers gripping the boys hair forcefully. "Afterall, you guys just want to dissect him, don't you?"

He stood up releasing Eren, while staring down at the bloody mess of his abuse.

"During the time that he was transformed, they say that Yeager was able to kill twenty titans before he finally ran out of strength," Levi continues. "As an enemy, his intelligence makes him all the more dangerous....But I could still take him down without a problem, and of course I doubt he would ever go up against Akira. How many of you can say the same? Before you torment the beast, you'd better think. Can you actually kill him?"

My eye scans across the conflicted crowed, still feeling unsure my strength and Levi's alone was only assumed. All the more reason to place their trust in us, knowing confidentiality enough that we both can indeed take care of Eren. Warmth spreads in my heart, knowing what I was capable in doing.

Erwin soon raises his hand, "Sir, I have a proposition!" he announces.

The premier nods, "Proceed,"

"There's still too much we don't know, and no doubt his danger will be ever present," Erwin continues forth. "As such, I suggest this: Eren Yeager will be placed under Captain's Levi and Akira's supervision....and we'll conduct a recon mission outside of the wall."

"Yeager will join you in this excursion?"

"Yes sir, and you can look upon the mission results yourself," He replies. "And if he successfully controls his ability.....Eren will have proven his value to mankind."

"Eren Yeager will be closely supervised?" The Premier questions. "And if he should lose control?"

I raise my head, "I can definitely kill him," Levi said. "Speaking of that will go for Akira as well......if it ever comes to that.." He turns to the Premier. "..The only downside is, there's absolutely no middle ground."

Levi glances my way as our eyes locks for a moment, nodding towards him.

The Premier nods, "I've made my decision,"

With that he soon dismisses us, allowing everyone to begin chattering and move out of the courtroom slowly. I breath out heavily, not realising the air I held in was trapped. My shoulders roll forward, while pinching the bridge of my nose to ease my headache for a moment.

"Soon it will be handled," I hear Erwin speak up, turning to him with confusion. "You go find Hanji, and take Eren to get himself cleaned up."

Nodding, I soon follow out joining with Levi as held Eren's arm tightly while still in shackles.

*

"Well that went better than expected," Hanji comments, while I focus on his wounds dabbing some alcohol cotton balls. "Does it hurt?"

She leans over my shoulder, while he winces lightly.

He groans, "Yeah,"

Their eyes light up pushing me aside, "Yeah? Describe it to be me!"

Standing aside I chuckle softly while dusting my bloodied hands, wiping the red away. A smile rests upon my lips seeing how well he's healed up, as he pressed a cold pack against the side of his left cheek.

The door opens to see Erwin walking in, "Sorry about all that, but the theatrics did get you placed in our custody," he apologises, while I grab the medic kit and closed it.

Eren shook his head, "No, I understand," he replies, rather politely and meekly.

"I can assure you the pain was worth it," Erwin assures him, while I sat on the arm of the chair. Folding my arms, my eyes rest on the boy. "We played our trump card at the perfect time."

Erwin bends to Eren's level, seeing a small