You were walking atop Wall Rose doing a morning stroll. You were alone, for everyone else was frantic about the possibility of Eren Yeagar helping humanity in the fight against the Titans.
In the distance, you could spot Commander Erwin and Commander Pixis walking on the wall as well. You were sure that they were discussing their beliefs on where Yeagar should end up. You haven't had direct contact with Erwin or any of the other Commanders for a few days so you were unsure of where the Survey Corps stood. What you've heard has been that Erwin plans to take Yeagar in as a scout.
You believed that it was logical, thinking back to the last fight and Yeagar's impact in the reports. You've also heard that the Military Police wanted to dissect him and then mark him as a fallen soldier.
"Captain Y/N," you hear a voice call, interrupting your thoughts. You look up to see Erwin approaching you.
"Commander," you reply with a salute. He nods and then you relax. You've known Erwin for a while so normally you're pretty casual, but on duty you prefer to keep professional. "I would appreciate it if you could attend today's court case," Erwin requests.
The one on Eren Yeager? Not to be rude Sir, but I've been out of the loop with information about him, I don't think I would be too useful in court," you inform him. "Yes, I'm aware though I would like Captain Levi and yourself to attend. The odds are not exactly in our favor, but we do have a proposal prepared."
"And that proposal would be?" you question. "Well it depends how the debate unfold," he simply says. Your eyes widen slightly, "So you're literally just winging this case?"
"All we ever do is wing things Y/N, this shouldn't be much different. Anyhow, I do expect your presence there," he tells you. "Sir," you say with a salute as he walks away.
You feel a bead of sweat drip down your neck. "That quickly turned from a request into an order," you mumble heading back to your quarters.
You enter the courthouse a few moments before the case begins. Because of your rank, you get plenty of salutes as you make your way to the Survey Corps members. You stand next to Captain Levi, and to his left is Commander Erwin.
"Captain Y/N, glad you could make it," Erwin says with a hint of sarcasm. "Hey, you never actually told me what time this thing started so I was just playing it by ear," you say with a scolding tone. You notice Levi eyeing you and you smile slightly at him. He nods in return and then turns to tell Erwin something.
You wouldn't exactly say you're friends with Levi, acquaintances would probably be the best word for it.
You hear the door shut loudly, and who you can assume is Eren Yeager stands at the entrance of the room. Behind him are two Military Police who are most likely his guards. Yeager looks around taking in all of his surroundings. You look around yourself and notice everyone staring at him with either fear, interest or both.
Alright, move it!" one of the MP yells, shoving the boy forward with his rifle. "How rude," you mumble. They continue to walk to the center of the courthouse. "On your knees, now" another MP orders. Yeager obliges and they lock him in place. The two members of the MP make their way over to the side where the Military Police stand.
Alright, shall we begin?" Darius Zackly says before looking at a piece of paper. "You name is Eren Yeager, and as a soldier you have sworn to give up your life when called to for the good of the people, is that correct?"
"Yes," Yeager simply replies. "As an enlisted soldier during a time of war, Military doctrine demands your tribunal be held as a court marshal. As a Commander of our own forces this matter is enough to my discretion. Thus I will decide whether you live or you die. Any objections?" Zackly finishes. Your eyes narrow slightly trying to figure this whole thing out. "No sir," Yeager replies. "Your astuteness is appreciated."
"Let us proceed. As expected covering up your existence has proven quite fruitless. And unless we publicly disclose your existence one way or another, we risk the outbreak of wide spread civil unrest. A choice must be made, and the regiment that takes custody of you will determine your fate. The Military Police or the Scout Regiment. To begin the Military Police will now present their case," Zackly says reading the paper word for word.
"Thank you. My name is Nile Dok. I am Commander of the Military Police. Our recommendation following a thorough examination of his physiology. Subject Eren Yeager should be disposed of immediately. We acknowledge that Yeager's ability played a part in turning back the latest Titan Incursion. However, 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," Dok finishes.
As he finished speaking a wall cultist begins to freak out about him defiling Wall Rose. You roll your eyes as he goes on. "So it's pretty much if he gets sent to the Military Police he dies and if he gets sent to us he helps us take back Wall Maria?" you question quietly. "That's the plan," Levi simply replies. Zackly asks the cultist to stay quiet and then turns towards us. "And now I'd like to hear the Scout Regiment's proposed plan."
"If we even have one," You mutter quietly receiving an elbow to your left rib. You glare at Levi and he continues to look straight.
"Yes Sir, as the Commander of the Survey Core I, Erwin Smith, propose the following: Let Eren join our ranks. Reinstate him as a full member of the Scouts, and we will utilize his Titan Ability to retake Wall Maria. That is all," Commander finishes. The courthouse immediately fills with whispers.
"Hm? Is that it?" Zackly questions a little shocked as well.
"Yes, with his assistance, I am certain that we can reclaim Wall Maria. There go, I believe our top priority is perfectly clear," Commander responds. "Quite bold. Assuming you were given clearance, where do you plan to launch this operation from? Commander Pixis, the wall in Trost District has been completely sealed is that correct?" Zackly asks. "Yes, I doubt it's gate will ever open again," Pixis replies.
"We'll depart from Calaneth District to the east from there we'll make for Shiganshina. A new route can be established as we proceed," Erwin says glancing at Zackly.
"But that's ridiculous! Our time and money would be better spent sealing up all the gates! There 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!" a merchant says frantically. A scout from behind you says a rude remark to the merchant causing you to look behind you with a glare.
"We can't afford anymore of your childish antics or your delusions of grandeur!" he says back only speaking for himself.
"Squealing louder won't help your case, pig. While we're bolstering our defenses, do you think that Titans are going to stand ideally by? When you say we can't afford, do you speak for anyone other than your fat merchant friends? Do you pigs even realize that most of our people are struggling just to survive off of what little land we have left?" Levi says causing you to giggle quietly.
"I'm simply saying that sealing the gates is the only guaranteed protection we've got!" the merchant replies. The same wall cultist from before starts going off about changing the wall. You sigh slightly and put a lock of your H/L H/C hair behind your ear. The two start bickering back and forth until Zackly calls for order.
"Now then Mr. Yeager I have a question for you. As a soldier you have made a solemn pledge to answer humanities call, can you still serve by controlling your ability?" Zackly says turning towards Yeager.
"Yes, I will Sir!" he responds honestly. "Oh? Is that so? This report from the Battle for Trost contradicts that statement," Zackly announces. He pulls the report closer to his face. "'Just after transforming it seems you made an attempt to crush Mikasa Ackerman.' And who is this Mikasa Ackerman?" Zackly asks the witness stand.
"Me, that would be me Sir," A taller girl with short black hair says. "Alright then, is it true that Eren Yeager assaulted you while he was in Titan form?" Zackly questions her. She hesitates for a moment and the girl standing next to her tells her something.
"Yes, all of that's true," she says causing gasps and whispers. "However, he also saved my life twice before 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 a protected me. The second time, he transformed to shield Armin and me from cannon fire. I implore you to take these facts into consideration!"
"Objection!" Dok says. "I have reason to believe that personal feelings play a large part in her testimony. Let the record show that Mikasa Ackerman was orphaned at a young age and was subsequently taken in by the Yeager family. What's more, our own internal investigation into this matter led to a most shocking discovery. Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman at the tender age of nine dealt with three adult kidnappers by stabbing all of them to death!" he says causing multiple gasps from the audience. You feel a tick mark appear on your forehead. "Granted this all was done in self defense, one cannot help but question the violent nature of the act. Knowing all of this, should we really invest in him?"
"Even if she does have personal feelings towards Eren Yeager that does not change her testimony if it is the truth. And with the kidnappings, were the two of them just supposed to stand by while they got kidnapped? In the way of self defense, I think most people would have a violent nature," you proclaim against his statement.
"Maybe she's one," a merchant says pointing towards Mikasa Ackerman. "I bet she's not human either!" Other merchants start suggesting ideas as well.
"Now hold on a second! Maybe I'm the monster that you want dead, but you leave her out of this!" Yeager yells facing the Military Police. "She's innocent!"
"Like we trust you!"
"It's the truth!"
"She must be one if you protect her!"
"Stop it!" Yeager yells, pulling the bar that is keeping his handcuffs in place. "You're wrong, 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?" Dok questions.
"What does it even matter? None of you have ever even seen a titan. So why are you so afraid, huh?" Yeager responds. You can't help, but let a little grin appear on your face as he talks back to the MP. "There's no sense in having power if you're not going to use it to fight! If you're too scared to fight for your lives, fine. Let me do it! You, you're all cowards! Just shut up!" he yells pulling harder on the handcuffs. "And put all your faith in me!"
"Take aim dammit!" Dok tells the MP standing next to him. You feel Levi hop over the fence in front of us. As the Military Police gets ready to shoot Yeager, Levi kicks him in the face causing one of his teeth to fall out. Levi kicks him in the gut, knees him in the face and continues to beat him in front of a shocked crowd.
"U-Um Commander?" you question quietly, glancing over at him. He just puts a finger up to his lips to hush you.
Yeager continues to cough up blood as Levi starts to speak, "You know personally, I think nothing instills discipline like pain. 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." He finishes and continues to beat the shit out of him.
"N-Now hold on Levi," Dok says putting his hand up. "What is it?" Levi says with irritation in his voice. "It's dangerous. What if he gets angry? Turns into a titan?" Dok says clearly terrified. Levi kicks him again. "Don't be silly, after all you guys just want to dissect him, don't you?" he questions.
"During the time that he was transformed they say that Yeager was able to kill twenty titans before he ran out of strength, as an enemy, his intelligence just makes him all the more dangerous. But I could still take him down without a problem. How many of you can say the same? Before you torment to beast you better think, can you actually kill him?" Levi asks looking towards the Military Police, the merchants, and the wall cultists.
Rather cocky of himself if you ask me.
"Sir! I have a proposition." Erwin says with a hand raised. "Proceed," Zackly instructs him. "There is still too much we don't know, and no doubt his danger will be ever-present. As such I suggest this; Eren Yeager be placed under Captain Levi's supervision. We'll conduct a recon mission outside of the wall."
"Yeager will join you in this excursion?" Zackly questions.
"Yes sir, and you can look upon the missions result yourself. If he successfully controls his ability, Eren will approve in his value towards mankind," Erwin tells him. "Eren Yeager will be closely supervised? And if he should, loose control?" Zackly further asks.
"I can definitely kill him if it comes to that, the only downside is there's absolutely no middle ground," Levi tells Zackly.
"Hm, then I have made my choice. Eren Yeager will be placed in custody of the Scout Regiment. Case dismissed," Zackly finishes before getting up. Erwin, Levi and Yeager quickly leave and you follow short behind.
You all head upstairs and go into a secluded room. Commander Hanji tends to Yeager's wounds and asks some strange questions at that.
"Sorry for all that, but that theatrics did get you places in our custody," Erwin says. "No I understand," Yeager replies. "I can assure you the pain was worth it, we played our trump card at the perfect time," Erwin says as he continues to comfort him.
You lean against the wall waiting for a chance to introduce yourself. Levi moves from his spot on the wall to sitting next to Yeager. They make small talk and then Hanji starts scolding Levi. She then reveals Eren's tooth.
"Wait you picked that thing up? That's disgusting," You say, scrunching your nose. "This is a precious sample, I'll have you know," Hanji says towards you. "Hey just be glad that people like that aren't dissecting you," Levi says. "Don't you dare compare me to them."
"Oh Eren, I forgot to introduce you, this is Captain Y/N L/N," Erwin says motioning towards you. "Pleasure," you say with a wave and a smile. He quickly salutes at you and you roll your eyes. "No need for that," you tell him flicking him on the forehead.
"Y/N," Erwin says. "Yes?" you question, turning towards him. "I would like you to join Levi's squad as co-captain," he informs you. You glance towards Levi for a second. "Wait a minute..." you said and put your hand up to your chin. "Are you demoting me?!" you start to whine. The Commanders in front of you start laughing. Causing your face to flush. "No, nothing of the sorts. We just figured we could use you in protecting and possibly taking down Eren, here," Erwin replies.
You start mumbling to yourself, "Sounds like a demotion to me."
NeonOfFairyTail 6/4/2017
