Early update! Lots and lots of talking this chapter. I hope I don't bore you all... (･_･; Chapter might be a bit predictable because... well you'll understand soon enough.

Enjoy! ^^

Why the Military Court?

Why on earth am I brought here? This place is meant to judge soldiers and military personnel- I became one too but... why is the military judging my fate?

"Move." One of the men commands and nudges me forward.

As I walk into the room I attract everybody's eyes like magnets. People whom I've never seen before look at me curiously like I'm an animal in the zoo. Others though, look at me with a dark expression in their eyes. I see normal citizens, the Survey Corps on one side, opposite of the Military Police..

"Kneel." The man says and when I take a second too long he kicks me, causing me to fall to my knees.

"Bastard." I hiss under my breath, softly enough for only him to hear.

"What did you say?!" He nearly shouts and with the room being as silent as it is, everyone hears it. I turn my head, and when I do, I'm greeted by the handle of the gun.

Pain spread rapidly through my cheek. Completely powerless with my hands behind my back I close my eyes and decide to calm down. After a few deep breaths I open them again and glance back to the man. "We haven't even started yet." I smirk mischievously. His facial muscles twitch at my comment but a command from the Military Police holds him back. He huffs before disappearing out of my sight.

I look up again as I observe the people around me. Immediately I see Erwin and Levi standing on the front row on my left. Seconds after I notice Jonah and beside him stands Kay, to my surprise. Apart from him, everyone is dressed in their uniforms. I'm both happy and wretched to see him there. It must mean they've involved him in the matter, or did the idiot involve himself? Knowing him it's probably the latter. He offers me a small smile and so does Jonah. The edges of my lips turn upwards but it lasts only a second. I haven't spoken to them yet, haven't explained myself. So why is Jonah smiling at me when he knows why I am here? Why I joined the Survey Corps in the first place.

When I turn to the side of the Military Police I at first notice no familiar face, but when I observe closer I realize someone I truly despise is standing amongst them. Carson. He made the top ten and joined the Military Police. When I eye him he grins and I cringe meeting his gaze. Quickly I scan over the rest of the crowd and notice two faces I'm actually happy to see.

Yuza and Ella, it has been a while since I had last seen them. I had hoped that when we'd meet again, it would be under different circumstances though. I nearly smile as I lock my eyes with theirs, but they both immediately look away. Confused I shake it off and now focus on the judge that's sits down at the large chair in front of me.

Darius Zackley, the man that will probably make the final decision about my fate.

'We will trust you blindly on this one and depending on the outcome we will plan a next move.'

Hanji's words echo through my mind and I sigh, letting my head hang down. They should know by now, when it comes to talking I'm not the one to rely on. Leave me with others tasks, anything but me putting up an act without script.

"Well then, let us begin." His voice is heavy and surprisingly present. "Jaclyn Rosenthal?" I look up to eye him.

"That's me." I say, not sure what to answer. I've never attended these things before, how would I know what to do or how to behave. Is that what she meant by blindly trusting me?

"You're a soldier that has sworn her life for the public good, correct?"

"Yes, sir." I answer as fast and confident as possible, letting no tentative tone to be heard.

"One week ago Erwin Smith has received a letter that stated you've been hired to assassinate Levi. What makes this a special case is that the letter also states you are hired by someone from the Military Police." He reads out loud from a paper, and then puts it down as he folds his fingers, his gaze uncomfortably piercing into me.

"I will conclude today what force will take custody of you; they will decide your fate further on. Will it be the Military Police, or the Survey Corps? That decision lies entirely in my hands. Any objections?" He asks.

Well if I had any, which I have, it wouldn't matter now would it? "No." I answer stern. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to act but at least I know that's the right answer to give.

"Then, I ask the Military Police for their proposal." He glances over to the left and motions for them to start.

When I look to my left my heart skips a beat, or fifty, my eyes threaten to go wide as I just on time control my expression. Instead I bite down on my tongue as I close my eyes until I hear him speak.

Zack Ross himself is standing there. "After a thoroughly investigation into Rosenthal's past, we've concluded she was once an underground criminal who has bought her way up with the money she most likely earned from her crimes. She then took on a job request, from whoever that is remains unknown. We propose that she tells us everything she knows in order to find the one responsible for this, then lock her behind bars." He finishes and nods to Darius.

My eyes remain glued onto him in disbelief. He who hired me, is trying to get me locked up. I even haven't said his name to Levi or Erwin. Up until now I would've never directly sell him out, I'll leave it for them to figure it out themselves but now...

"We will hear the Survey Corps' proposal next."

I boil with anger but I tear my eyes off him and I look at Erwin who's next to talk. I remind myself that my actions here decide my fate, I can't act reckless now.

"Yes, sir. I, 13th commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin Smith will present my proposal." He starts and eyes me for a brief second.

"Jaclyn has been an official member of our forces and has already joined two expeditions in which she delivered outstanding work. We want to continue to work with her in the future. However, right now our main objective is to unmask the mastermind who's behind the planned assassination of Levi. We need her cooperation in order to find out." He explains.

"That's all."

I wait a moment for him to continue but it remains silent. Unsure I look around me. That's all? That's all you have in order to convince him? I try my best to keep a poker face and not show my hint of worry but even I find Zack's story somewhat more convincing. And I'm talking about myself here.

"That's all?" Darius joins in with my surprise.

"Yes, we think it's clear what our priorities should be, and in this case it means finding out who within the Military forces wants Levi killed."

He hums. "I see."

"Wait a minute!" Someone behind me yells and I turn to look at the man. "She tried to kill Levi and if she were to succeed, she would be a threat to humanity! By killing humanity's strongest, there'll be no hope left!"

"Yes! She tried to take that away from us!" A woman, also a citizen, from the other side yells.

Zack uses the opportunity to feed on the insecurity of the civilians. "We're talking about a greater issue here. She's not just a criminal, she's also exceptionally skilled. A training report stated that she fought four of Levi's squad members all at once and she overruled them. Also an expedition report stated she took on numerous Titans at once, even some of the most competent soldiers wouldn't be able to accomplish this. With her strength I do believe she is a threat as she uses it for bad intentions such as murder." Zack finishes, never even once looking me straight into the eye.

Honestly, how dare he come up here himself and try to lock me behind bars.

"Yuza Matsura, Ella Wall, Carson Alcott." Darius then calls them out as they hold their hands up. "You were roommates for over a year during the trainee camp, your thoughts on Rosenthal?"

"She was quiet and didn't attend the training most of the time." Ella says as she too avoids my gaze.

"But she attended every class and even though she never attended training, she was still rated as number one from all trainees." Yuza says and it feels like he is talking in a protective way. But maybe it's me who hopes that's the case, because they have every right to doubt me. Hell, they have every right to talk me into the ground right now.

"I would say she's very unreliable and violent, a woman with a foul mouth. During the graduation test she stopped me from fighting the Titans and afterwards she had beaten me up, I don't know if she tried to kill me but I think there were no consequences for her." Carson says.

"She had saved my life during that test." Yuza quickly adds.

"I would like to say something." I hear Jonah's voice call out as he holds his hand up. "As a friend and fellow colleague I would like to clarify a few things." He says seriously like I've never seen him before, his deceptive youthful face turning ten years older.

"Jaclyn Rosenthal is a very reliable soldier. She has proven countless times that she lives up to her promise of giving her life for the public good and fellow soldiers as well. If she ever intended to join the Survey Corps and kill Levi as her only objective, then that has changed. Without her a lot more soldiers would've fallen. For now we need her in order to unmask the person behind this and I, along with the other Survey Corps members have put faith in her that she is on our side and will do anything in her power to put an end to this." He nods to Darius who squints his eyes and looks thoughtfully towards Jonah.

"Kay Andreasen." Zack speaks up again. I didn't know someone's voice could get on my nerves like his does. I look at him, he points across the room and I follow the direction until my gaze reaches Kay. "He might have been her accomplice since they left the underground together. He must be involved as much as Jaclyn, maybe he is the one to actually kill him while she distracts Levi."

Kay's eyes go wide as I think he too is perplexed.

"No! You're mistaken!" I suddenly speak up for the first time, words leaving my lips without a second thought. "I am the one who was offered the job and I am the one that accepted it. He has nothing to do with it!" My voice sounds incredibly weak and desperate.

"He must be guilty too!" Someone from the public agrees with Zack. I see his lips slightly turn at the fact that he succeeded getting the reaction he was trying to provoke so easily.

No... Take me down. As long as he's safe I don't even care at this point, but don't take him down with me. He was the one that actually hid it from me because he was reluctant about it going wrong, like it has right now. People from the public yell all at once. All I can think of is that they'll do the same to Kay as they will do to me. I can't let that happen. No matter what.

"No..." I start soft, but the people remain shouting, their voices overpowering mine. I look up to Kay and he now looks not frightened but rather determined. Knowing him he probably thinks he's also responsible and will accept his fate, not leaving me behind.

The voices are like whispers in the back of my mind, bugging me and gradually becoming louder as time passes.

"She wants to take away the hope of humanity. He is just as guilty. They deserve the death penalty!"

I hear people scream and the last line has me losing it.

"Just shut up for a moment!"

My voice booms through the spacious room, quieting everyone by doing so. On a softer tone I continue speaking. "You aren't even thinking this through, do you realize it's someone from the Military Police that wants Levi dead, not me! I was just simply following orders." I try to explain.

Suddenly I'm lifted by my collar and to my surprise, Levi's face is an inch from mine. A second of silence passes until he lifts his fist, with full force sending a blow to my stomach and throwing me back to the ground. I faintly hear people gasp while I choke on my breath. He had taken me, and I everyone in the room, completely by surprise.

"She comes close to my strength, but she's not able to kill me." Levi says and I look up to him. His expressionless face and dark eyes pain me. He looks more than ready to beat the hell out of me. Did he secretly resent me all along? Because this sure as hell is convincing.

"You're in the perfect position on your knees to kick you." He mocks and somewhere I can feel myself getting angry but I keep my raging mouth shut.

Before I realize what is coming next, he kicks me in the face and blood splatters in the air. I open my mouth but I'm silenced by another blow. If he tried to silence me he definitely succeeded, because it feels like my face is on fire and every movement stings like fuck.

"Do you really think she's able to kill me?" He looks over to the public and Military Police.

I let out a shuddering breath as I stare at the ground, realization hitting me. I slightly smile, so this is what Erwin has come up with huh? Levi showing everyone right here and now that I am no match for him.

I'm on my knees, handcuffed and in front of a hundred people. It feels like all my dignity has been taken already, I don't care about such insignificant things like pride anymore at this point. So knowing it is to my benefit, I take every blow welcoming and without protest.

"As you can see, I can easily defeat her." He stands with his back to me, talking to Darius. "The time she spent with us during the expeditions she has never disobeyed me." I did, a lot of times, I think as try to suppress a faint smile. "Therefore, Erwin and I believe we can trust and use her in order to find the person responsible. I propose you let her in our care, if she were to disobey me." He looks over his shoulder to me. "I will kill her. I won't forget she is paid to end my life after all." The act and his bleak expression aren't faltering, not for a moment, he's so believable to the point I doubt again if this is an act after all.

"I was sent here to kill Levi." I state as a matter of fact, because, well it is. The judges' eyes shift beyond Levi to me as he also turns around to see me standing. "However, I do want to help find the one responsible for this. If I fail they will vent to someone else to finish the job. Please let me in their care so I can help put an end to this." I slightly bow my head and bite my lip. Was I convincing enough for everyone to believe my words? Can I be as believable as he is?

Nervously I keep waiting, standing while moments of silence pass.

Prepared to hear the verdict, in which I will be handed over to the Military Police, I slowly look up and see that nothing has changed. Both Darius and Levi's eyes remain glued onto me, in surprise?

"You're not in a position to make demands." Levi says almost inaudible.

He turns around and puts a step towards me, a frown and troubling look on his face. My eyes go wide as all the air is knocked out of me. Suddenly I feel dizzy as I cough and fall forward into Levi arms, his strong hands grip tightly around me. I struggle to keep my eyes open and within seconds everything goes pitch black as I feel the grip of his hands loosen and my body falls to the ground.

This chapter has greatly been inspired by episode fourteen in the anime, obviously... I hope it wasn't boring despite that fact!
Ok so I know, there's very little of Levi these chapters, next chapters will be different! (I hope, I never know myself tbh.) Upcoming chapters will also be longer!

If you have the time and feel like it, please review. Let me know what you think!
Constructive criticism is also appreciated anytime. ^^

Cha: Hey! i'm a french viewer and i wanted to tell you that i really love your story, she's cool and Jaclyn is an interesting character, i want to thank you for taking the time to post chapters fast and do not stop :) good luck and bye ! - Thank you! Somehow comments are so motivating and they truly make my day! I'm happy to hear Jaclyn is likable since that's something I will probably forever worry about lol. Again thank you and I will keep trying to update regularly!