Accel really hated military trials. They were long boring and had civilians that in his opinion shouldn't be allowed entry.
The fact he was pretty much on his own today really didn't help his mood. The rest of his squad got the pleasure of sitting around watching the Scouts from the 104th Trainee Corps. Well at least he had Levi. This world for all its faults had given him the one thing he hadn't realised he'd wanted, a family. He knew the most of the other level 5's felt the same. Even Railgun who'd been forced to leave her old family behind, loved Mikasa more than anything. If given the choice of returning to their old lives he knew at least 5 of them would refuse. It was almost funny. To think that 5 out of the 7 most powerful people in one world would willingly give up their power for the sibling they should never have had.
It was because of that love they were here now. Trying to fight a war they currently didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning. They had knowledge, skill and most importantly each other. They may have despised each other in Academy City, but here, with their siblings lives on the line, they were each other's most trustworthy ally. Meltdowner and Phantom were only in this for their own survival, if Marley won they were all goners. He didn't care, for now they were trustworthy and that was all that mattered.
Eren was quickly led in and chained to the floor again whilst Darius Zackley took his seat.
"Right let's begin. I've read the reports from the Scouting Regiment and must commend you for capturing a traitor in our midst," started Zackley.
"Thank you sir," said Erwin.
"That being said without the quick thinking of the Advance Squad the situation could've turned out very differently. Regardless the reports say that with the authority of Captain Accel, and with both the Scouts Advance Squad and Special Operations Squad minus Captain Levi in attendance, Eren Jeager was granted authorisation to utilise his titan ability. Is this correct Captain."
"Yes sir," said Accel. This was the only reason he was here. To confirm everything in his, his squads, and Levi's squads reports. Having been the highest ranking officer on scene he'd been the only one in his squad required to attend this trial.
"Mr Jeager do you remember what happened?"
"Yes sir."
"Then please describe the incident to me in your own words."
"The Female Titan transformed the moment she saw us and the Scouts Special Operations Squad engaged her in battle. I was ordered to stay back, away from the fight. No long afterwards the Advance Squad arrived, Teit approached me and Gunha pulled the Special Operations Squad back whilst Captain Accel and Mikoto engaged the Female titan in combat."
"Are you referring to Teit Zacharias and Gunha Hanji?"
"Yes sir."
"I see, and who is this Mikoto?"
"Mikoto Ackerman, ranked 1st within the southern 104th Cadet Corps, joined the Advance Squad immediately after placement within the Scout Regiment," answered Accel ignoring all the wide eyed looks he was getting.
Zackly nodded, "please continue."
"Teit explained their plan and ordered me to transform. When I did I waited for Captain Accel to signal me, when he did I pinned down the Female Titan whilst the Advance Squad cut her out of the nape. But there was a bright flash of light and the traitor was encased in crystal."
Accel caught Zackley's eye and nodded. They'd agreed to refer to Annie as 'The Traitor' for now. They didn't need the general public throwing a fit and demanding to know how a 'threat of humanity' ended up within wall Sina. That was a headache no one wanted to deal with.
"Your recollection of the situation coincides with the reports I received. It is now clear to me that Mr Jeager is indeed able to control his ability, thus I grant the Scout Regiment full custody. Dismissed."
"Thank you sir," nodded Erwin and Accel could practically see the anger rolling of Nile Dok. Though honestly he was just glad it was over. 2 problems down god knows how many left.
10 Hours Earlier, South of Wall Sina.
"I'm bored," moaned Mikoto staring up at the sky from the roof of the former Scout Regiment HQ. Apparently this had been their base when they'd only had about 20 members. They'd spent the entirety of yesterday cleaning the place.
"Same," groaned Gunha from her left, "how do you think the trial's going?"
"Probably hasn't started yet. Doesn't really matter though, Eren will end up in Scout custody. We only needed to prove he had control after all."
"I guess," he sighed, "I wish Zoe was here."
"And I wish Mikasa was here. Lucky Teit getting to stay with his brother."
Gunha grunted in agreement.
"We did tell them who the infiltrators were didn't we?" he asked.
"Yep."
"Then why are we here?"
"Who knows," she sat up, "but this is ridiculous, they're going to suspect something's going on. Especially since we're fully armed and they can't even wear their uniform."
"You're being paranoid."
"Really? I'd be suspicious in their shoes. Besides both Connie and Sasha's villages are nearby. I wouldn't be surprised if they made a break for it soon."
Gunha grinned, "It'd be a gutsy escape."
"It's fine right? As long as we cleared up the mess," Mikoto mirrored his grin.
They looked over when Teit landed on their roof.
"Titan's are coming from the south," he said before either could greet him.
"What?! But surely we'd have heard if Trost or Krolva had been taken," argued Mikoto. Teit nodded. "Are you saying the actual wall itself is broken? But thats..."
"I know."
They all looked grim. If the wall hadn't been breached than that means someone turned the people of one of the nearby villages into titans.
"Dammit," cursed Mikoto as they jumped off the roof and each grabbed the tack for their horses. If this situation wasn't bad enough Accel had Kage so they couldn't even send a message.
Within 2 minutes everyone was riding intent on getting the word out as soon as possible.
"The second the titans reach the woods we'll split up. I want 4 separate teams recruits and soldiers alike in each unit. When I give the signal we'll scatter in different directions simultaneously. Get the word out to civilians do not engage the enemy. Who is most familiar with the area?" asked Mike.
Sasha's hand shot up, "M-Me, sir my hometown's just to the north of here. I know this region like the back of my hand. Connie too, go on tell him."
"My village, my village is to the south. That's where the titans are coming from. I can lead you to nearby settlements but afterwards, let me go home. Please," asked Connie.
None noticed the Advance Squad's pained expressions.
"Very well," agreed Mike, "guide the southern team then go to your village."
"Yes sir."
"I'll go with you Connie," offered Reiner much to the Esper's surprise.
"What no you're crazy they'll be everywhere," refuted Connie.
"You think I care. I was gonna help you get home anyway wasn't I," he turned to Bertholdt who was staring at him with and unidentifiable expression. "What about you Bertholdt? You coming?"
"Of course. I'll go as well."
"I'm sure you've already realised but this marks the new darkest day in humanity's history. If there was ever a time to give out all then it's now," said Nanaba.
"Titan's have breached the woods!" shouted Jack.
"SCATTER NOW, RIDE FOR ALL YOUR WORTH!," ordered Mike.
Suddenly the 9 titans that had been walking towards them broke into a sprint.
"WHAT THE!"
"THEY'RE FAST!"
"THEY'RE CHASING US!"
"I GOT IT!" shouted Mikoto turned her horse around.
"ACKERMAN WAIT!" roared Mike.
"Don't worry bro, when it comes to skill Mikoto is second only to Accel," assured Teit.
"No one has more guts than Mikoto, she'll be fine," grinned Gunha.
Mike grit his teeth clearly not happy but continued anyway.
Teit joined his brother on the South Team, whilst Gunha joined Nanaba on the Western Team.
Mikoto exhaled from on top of the former HQ having just finished off the last of the 9 titans.
Abnormals the lot of them.
Now all that was left was the Beast Titan. At 17 meters he towered over everything, the terrain putting her at a massive disadvantage. Not to mention he'd seen her technique. The only way she could possibly win was to catch him by surprise and slice him up before he could react. An impossible feat for nearly anyone else.
Now he was walking casually towards her, clearly not seeing her as a threat.
She tensed when stopped a couple meters in front of her and crouched down slightly.
Just as he opened his mouth she struck.
Faster than he could react she sliced him to peaces, he couldn't even harden in time as she sliced him out of the nape.
"Ackerman," was the first word that came out of the man's mouth.
Mikoto smiled coldly, "Funny, I thought only the royal family knew about the Ackerman clan. Name's Mikoto Ackerman by the way. What about you?"
The man stayed silent.
"Fine don't answer. Still what to do with you? Let's see, I could kill you. I could take you to my Commander where you would be placed deep underground and tortured for information. Or I could even turn myself into a titan and eat you," she pulled out her box of titan serum, "because as long as your limbs can't grow back you are powerless. So what's it gonna be?"
The man grit his teeth, "Zeke Jeager."
Mikoto's eyes narrowed, "Jeager? You wouldn't happen to know a Grisha Jeager, would you?"
Zeke's eyes widened, "How do you know that name?"
"I lived with him for a bit when I was a child. What's your relation to him?"
"My father. Is he..."
"He's dead. So how's Marley doing these days?"
"You know? Of course you do, you're the government's loyal dog after all."
"As if I would pledge my loyalty to such trash," she growled, "I have my own agenda."
"And what is that agenda?"
"To free the Eldian people. Not that I would expect a Marley Warrior to understand."
They knew it was unrealistic. The only possible way for that to happen would be to completely rid Eldians of the titan power. To make it so Eldian's couldn't turn into human eating monsters. They just hadn't quite figured out how to do that yet.
Someday the world was going to declare war on them, and they didn't have the power or resources to win. Technology was advancing, and eventually Eldia even with the power of the 9 titans, wouldn't be able to stand up to the rest of the world. The fear and hatred would be gone but so would they and their families.
It wasn't like they didn't have any options. Surely there were nations out there that hated Marley they could ally with. But first they had to deal with the invading Marley Warriors, their internal problems, the titans, more invaders from Marley and then try and find nations to ally with. It would take a long time but they were prepared for that.
"I seen, in that case I have a proposition for you," said Zeke.
"I'm listening."