Aaaand done! Wow. This chapter is quite long, mostly to make up for the last one. This chappy was beta'd by none other than KappasRule! Anyways, review, review~
I own neither DGM nor SNK
Lenalee turned the knob and swung open the door. She held a cup of coffee in her hand, to refresh her older brother as he continues to research.
When she opened the door, however, she saw a taller man, his back was facing her. He wore dark, tattered clothing as if he was trying to blend in. Lenalee stood shocked, for she did not know this man.
However, someone collapsed in front of that man, and the taller man was holding a now bloodied knife. The man that had collapsed had a dribble of blood down the corner of his mouth. Lenalee couldn't help but cry, "Nii-san!" in both shock and defiance. She felt tears prickle at the corners of her eyes.
She was young. She didn't understand why he was dead.
Lenalee had dropped the coffee, spilling the steaming hot beverage all over the floor. "And you must be the scientist's younger sister."
After a moment of staring, Lenalee gathered up her courage and yelled, "Innocence, activate!"
Her dark boots lighted, and she glared at the man. "I don't know who you are, but I think you should leave now."
Year 850, Courtroom
"You do realize that was more than one question?" Eren asked after recovering from the shock of Allen's speech/interrogation.
"Quit being a smart aleck, and answer!" Allen reprimanded.
"I am willing to do whatever it takes to get Humanity of its cage. If I must use something I can't completely control, so be it! I will teach myself how to use it and I will not let it control me!" Eren yelled into Allen's face. Suddenly, the stoic mask Allen had been wearing dropped off, and was replaced by a calming smile.
"Just the answer I was looking for." Allen got up from his position kneeling in front of Eren and began to walk away. Before he was more than five feet away, he stopped and said, "No one said you had to teach yourself. Someone else can teach you." With that Allen left, leaving Eren with a dumbfounded face as he tried to understand what the albino meant.
So Allen decided to question Eren, after all. Levi thought to himself as he watched Allen crouch in front of Eren and talk to him. He was so quiet that no one could hear what he was saying, but it seemed serious.
Before the hearing had started, Levi had seen Allen pacing in front of the building, and seemingly having an argument with himself. Levi knew from his missions with the albino, that if he didn't stop it now, Allen would be there for hours. So with a sigh, Levi headed over to Allen.
"…but if I go in there, I could help him… but I could also end up getting him into more trouble… What should I do?!"
"You should get in there and help the brat out." Allen whirled around at the sound of Levi's gruff voice.
"Oh Levi I didn't see you there!" Allen exclaimed while trying to keep himself from getting a heart attack at the sudden scare.
"Allen, if you want to help the kid, then go help him. He is sort of like you, and wouldn't it be good for you to have someone like you that you could talk to?" At Levi's statement, Allen raised an eyebrow.
"But isn't he also like you, Levi? After all, he also wants to kill all the titans." At Allen's subtle hint, Levi sighed.
"You realized that the scouting corps wants him, have you?" At Allen's nod he continued. "Why don't you go and use your authority as a member of the Black Order to talk to him. You could ask him if he plans to use his powers and if he has the determination to learn to control it. If you think he does, give me a signal, like a wink or a nod, and I will get him into the survey corps." Allen stared at Levi with a gob-smacked expression.
"…What is it?"
"You… actually came up with a plan by yourself. I'm so proud of you! Little Levi is finally starting to think of ways to solve problems instead of just rushing in and doing something incredibly stupid." During his tirade, Allen got a tissue out and started wiping away the tears streaming down his face. With a huff, Levi turned around and started walking back to the building.
"Levi?" Allen called out, causing Levi to stop, yet not turn around. "Don't hurt him too much, okay?" Levi started walking again while calling back,
"No promises."
With a start, Levi came out of his flashback to see Allen walking away from Eren. He caught Allen's eye and saw the imperceptible nod he gave.
Well, looks like it's my turn.
As everyone watched the mysterious boy with the black cloak leave, Levi took the moment to approach Eren, before anyone could act. Levi brought his leg back, and tore it across Eren's face, causing shocked reactions from everybody. A tooth scattered across the floor, trailing blood. Eren's blood.
Armin had to hold Mikasa back, and Allen was all but forgotten for the moment.
Levi took a handful of Eren's hair, and Eren gritted his teeth, bracing for what was coming next. Tightening his grip, Levi connected his knee to Eren's face, and Eren, being exhausted, fell forward, breathing deep, ragged breaths. Levi placed his foot on Eren's head, pressing him to the ground.
"This is just my opinion," He started, increasing the weight on his foot. "But when it comes to teaching somebody discipline I believe pain is the most effective way." Levi felt like he was antagonizing Allen. "What you need most is not a lecture, but a practical lesson. Besides, you're an easy target for my kicks now that you're crouching."
To emphasize the matter, Levi continued to kick and kick at Eren, causing even more blood to drip on the once clean floor. The courtroom stared, and Armin was having more and more trouble holding Mikasa back. Eren's breaths became more and more ragged after each kick. "Wait, Levi…" The Military Police leader tried.
Levi had his boot in Eren's face, and he glanced at the soldier's direction. "What is it?"
"It's dangerous." Intrigued, Levi took his foot off of Eren's face and turned to face the soldier. "What if you trigger his transformation?"
"What are you saying?" Levi held a handful of Eren's locks. Eren held a half-dazed expression. "Weren't you going to dissect him?" Levi watched as the Military Police silenced, and the man held onto his gun tightly. He smirked. "You know, seems like, after he transformed into a titan, he killed off twenty titans before he was exhausted. The fact that he possesses intelligence can spell serious trouble for you, if he were to oppose the military police as the enemy." They all just stared. "If that happens, he will be your problem, not mine, you know. What will you do when that happens?"
He raised his voice. "You policemen and all those who've been picking on him should really consider this: will you really be able to kill him if you were to fight him?"
"I have a preposition, sir." All eyes turned to another Survey Corps soldier. "A lot of things are unclear of Eren's 'titan power', that is why he will represent a certain potential threat. In the case Eren is put under our watch, Corporal Levi will be able to take countermeasures if need be." The man continued in a stoic manner. "Rest assured, a man as skilled as corporal will handle the matter accordingly at the crucial moment. And if you need more, that boy that had spoken to Eren earlier has… experience in the matter."
"Oh… well, it's too bad that boy left." The judge shrugged, and turned to Levi. "It's up to you. Will you really be able to 'handle the matter accordingly', Levi?"
"If we're talking about killing him, then I have no doubt in my ability to do so." Levi found his gaze traveling to a certain Asian girl, being held back by a blonde boy. She was glaring daggers, knives, and anything sharp at him. "The problem is, no in between solution exists." Levi said, without flinching under her gaze.
"Looks like our discussion is over. Let me pass judgment, then."
"Sir, please wait a moment!" The MP interrupted. "Erwin, I want to ask you something. What do you plan to do about the inland situation?"
Erwin, the commander of Survey Corps, answered, "I fully realized that our activities in the lands beyond the walls depend on the stability of our society. As such, it was never my intention to disregard the problems of the inner-land." Erwin turned to face the judge. "That is why I have another preposition to resolve that tension. I plan to calm the inland people's worries by proving that Eren can be a valuable asset to mankind in our next mission outside the walls. I would like you to postpone your judgment until then."
A pause.
"Oh… so you want to take him to the outer lands… they better take him and get out of here as soon as possible. And if we're lucky enough, he'll die here. It's decided then." The judge said, raising his voice.
"Eren Jaeger is to be put in the Scouting Legion. However, he is to return here again depending on the mission results."