Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan. This is all for pleasure and to calm the voices in my head. Thank you for your continued support.

Chapter 14

Levi didn't sleep for what was left of the night. Kenny's words only added to his worries. If Kenny was right, he was royally fucked. Even if he did get out, he would be indebted to Erwin for who knew how long. Why should I trust this man anyway? That bastard turned his whole life around. And what did Levi have to show for it? He clenched and relaxed his fingers rattling the loose handcuffs that dangled over his wrists. The image of Kenny so hollow and broken replayed in his mind. That was just after six months. They wanted to put Levi in prison for the rest of his life. Why the fuck didn't I leave! He looked out the tiny window. The others would be down soon. He had to get it together. This particular melt down didn't need witnesses. Hange and Clare would just run back and tell Erwin that his trained rat was a shaking coward.

Levi pulled it together by the time his squad mates came down with breakfast. He was quiet throughout the meal, leaving Hange and Clare to carry on their conversations. Neither pushed him because they knew he was worried about going to court. They did their best to keep their conversation up beat hoping to gain some reaction. Even if it was just annoyance by their mindless perkiness.

"Ne, Levi," said Hange. "I was thinking of sewing ruffles on all of your uniform jackets." The young man nodded. "Then I thinking of going through your stuff." Levi nodded. "I may even use that fancy soap you like." At that the young man looked up.

"Don't touch my soap," he said flatly. The fancy milled soap was one of the few splurges that he left base to purchase. He would be damned if four eyes wasted it.

"There is he is!" said Hange said smiling triumphant. Levi sighed. He put down his fork and slid the dirty dishes beneath the bars.

"It's going to be alright," Clare said packing the dishes. Levi looked up at her. "Captain Erwin is never wrong." She reached through the bars to touch his arm. "You'll see." Levi nodded. Not that he agreed with her, but because he wanted to be by himself. He watched his squad mates walk up the dungeon stairs before taking a seat against the wall. They gave him a hopeful wave before they disappeared.

"Do you think he is alright?" Clare asked as she and Hange dropped off the dirty dishes. Hange shrugged.

"As fine as any of us would be, I guess," said Hange. "Come on, we have work to do." They walked back to their assigned rooms for their cloaks. Captain Erwin left them to prep the witnesses for their day in court. Since today would be mostly opening statements, Erwin asked for the witnesses to be ready for the following day. He didn't want to present these cards until the rest of his hand was ready. Once he heard the Military Police's case he would be able to plan accordingly. The extra day was also enough time to find court appropriate clothing. He knew the negative bias people had with people from the underground. Erwin wanted them to make their best impression to the military council.

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The Garrison soldiers came for Levi around midmorning. The four guards quietly led him to the surface without any of the extra bullshit the MPs put him through the day before. There were no guns pointed at his head. No overdone acts of bravado to show their authority. They didn't even check his handcuffs; trusting that Levi was securely bound. The ease of the transportation should have calmed his nerves but it only pissed him off. If the Military Police took him then he would at least have something to react too; something to fight against. There was nothing to distract from the dark future ahead of him.

By the time they reached the courthouse Levi's mind was racing so fast it could create sparks. His stomach was cramping and he couldn't keep his hands from shaking. Time was running out he had to choose. Levi fidgeted in his cuffs. The Garrison guards formed a square around him. He paused at the base of the steps. I could run, Levi thought. These soldiers can't keep up with me. I could…

"Come along," one of the soldiers nudged his shoulders. Levi stumbled up the stairs. He was screwed.

The courtroom reminded Levi of a wall church cathedral. The ceilings were as high as a small titan and painted with images of people triumphing over evil. His heart felt like a rock breaking through his chest. As if at any moment, it was going to break free and leave his body behind. He should have run. Maybe hide out in a rural village until everything cooled off. Or maybe Kenny would have taken him back. The old bastard was a pycho but not completely unreasonable. The Garrison soldiers stood around him looking like an honor guard as they led him to the raised platform in front of the military council. He had to clutch his hands to keep them from shaking. Why did I let it get this far? There is no way this was going to end well.

The commanders from the three branches of the military looked down from their elevated seats. Levi had to strain his neck to look at them. To the right, sat Commander Shardis with a tired expression on his face. That man always looked so tired. Commander Shardis was kind enough to Levi, no more than any other soldier, and he didn't appear to hold Levi's past against him. To the left, sat a woman with dark hair and a regal bearing; at distance she reminded Levi of someone but he couldn't place her. All he knew was that she was the leader of the crooked bastards who beat him and his friends down. The woman looked bored as if she didn't want to be there.

In the center, was a bald older man. The wrinkles around his eyes showed the wear and tear from years of leadership. This man offered him a kind smile. Maybe it was just the Military Police who were assholes, Levi thought.

"Mister Levi, is it?" said the old man. His voice was warm, kind of how Levi imagined a grandfather would sound. "You are accused of tampering with a fellow competitor's equipment the night before the Royal Games. How do you plead?"

"I didn't do it," said Levi.

"Not guilty, Commander," said Erwin. He should have spoken to Levi before the trial but it couldn't be helped. Erwin assumed that since Levi was a lifelong criminal he knew the ins and outs of the court system. The typically annoyed young man looked like a caged animal. He fidgeted on the platform. His dark gray eyes darted around the room looking for an escape. He wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. Erwin prayed that Levi could keep it together for a little while longer.

"Alright," Commander Pixus said slightly confused. "We will hear from the plaintiff first."

"Captain Nile Dok for the Military police," said the MP Captain. "We intend to prove that Levi returned to wall Sina with the intention of taking actions against the Military Police by altering our equipment to kill the participants in the Royal games." Commander Pixus nodded. He turned toward Erwin.

"Captain Erwin Smith for the Survey Corps," said Erwin. "We intend to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Levi is innocent of these crimes." Commander Pixus nodded again. He looked to Nile. Nile rattled on about how someone fitting Levi's description spotted leaving campus after curfew. That same cloak was found in the equipment warehouse the following morning. Levi looked to Erwin. Why wasn't he saying anything? He looked up at the three commanders who focused their attention on the lies. Erwin's calm demeanor was starting to piss Levi off. Say something! Every nerve in Levi's body tingled with anxiety.

"…known gang associations," Nile continued. "Our guards trailed Levi to the underground entrance where he no doubt received payment for rigging the Royal Games."

"You fucking liar!" Levi yelled. He had reached his breaking point. Kenny was right. Erwin didn't care about him. He wasn't going to save him from going to prison even if he was completely innocent. What did it matter to Erwin? I should have followed my instincts and ran when I had a chance. He remembered the sad shell of a man Kenny became after just six months in prison. Levi could only imagine the kind of hell waited for him there. Levi stepped forward to address the commanders but the Garrison soldiers stepped in his path.

"Levi!" Erwin growled from his place behind the safety of the wooden railing. Fuck Erwin. Levi glared at Erwin before speaking.

"Son of a bitch is lying!" Levi yelled. "I didn't do this!" Levi couldn't take anymore. He shook off his handcuffs. Before they could clatter to the ground he knocked out two of his guards. The other two were two were too shocked to react. He took care of them when he jumped off the platform. There was a glint to his right. He noticed it a second too late. A sharp pain in his right side. I have to move, he thought. Levi turned toward the windows. The….closest…exit… Levi couldn't focus.

"Levi!" Fucking Erwin, Levi thought. It's been fun. At least I didn't die underground.

THE END

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Just kidding! That would be horrible right?

Stunned gasps filled the courtroom. Commanders Shardis and Pixus looked to their peer. The middle aged woman leaned back in her chair enjoying the scene shocked expressions. A wicked smile touched her lips as Levi fell to the floor. He put on a good show.

"Don't worry," said Commander Gibson finally. "It's just enough to put him to sleep for a little while."

"That was a good idea to have tranquilizers on standby, Gibson," said Pixus. "How did you know he would run?" She sat back in her chair with amusement dancing in her eyes.

"I heard that he hasn't made an attempt to escape. It was only a matter of time." Medics from Military police attended to the wounded Garrison soldiers. Captain Erwin moved to hop over wooden railing.

"Erwin," Commander Shardis called out to the tall captain. When Erwin looked up at him the commander of the Survey Corps shook his head. The tall blond captain moved back as if restrained by invisible ropes to stand at parade rest behind the wooden beam. His cerulean eyes chilled over as he watched more Garrison soldiers bind Levi's unconscious limbs and carry him out of the court room.

"Shall we continue?" said Commander Pixus once the injured soldiers and Levi were removed. Nile cleared his throat before continuing his speech.

Author's note: I know it has been a while and it a little shorter than usual but I promise to make it up to you by posting another chapter sooner rather than later. Thank you for your continued support.