The trick to enjoying stale bread so hard you could build a house from it, Historia found, was playing with it more than eating it. In her hands, she kneaded and tore away bit by bit until the loaf slowly became a face Historia had dreamed about for a number of nights now. Taking away a chunk there slowly became the mouth. Peeling away here and there and she had made a nose. Piercing her fingers into it and she had the eyes. Tearing away at the edge, the ears. The hair was trickier, but maybe she could make a wig from the softer parts…

"Uh, Krista? I think maybe you should consider eating that at some point…" Samuel Linke Jackson commented, a little concerned with the sheer intensity the little girl was dismantling her meal. He sat down and let some pressure off his still healing leg.

"Hmm? …Oh! Oh I'm sorry! Did you want it yourself?" Historia offered with all the sincerity her other persona could convey. Honestly she toed the line between deeply concerned and pushover sometimes.

"Oh, no, I'm good." Sam held up his own loaf. "I was just… sorry, I guess being a mom and telling you to stop playing with your food?"

He said it with a laugh, but the words left a sinking feeling in Historia's gut. 'Would it be I could have had a moment like that. Do mother's actually do that?' She pondered. The idea seemed absurd to her, her mother being even remotely interested in her existence.

Shaking her head, Historia smiled. "I'm sorry, it's just a little too hard for my teeth to break through. I thought I'd whittle it down a bit, then I got a little carried away." Without sparing a glance at her creation, she tore off what had been a crud ear and popped it in her mouth. "So, are you and Daz going to join the Garrison when the selection happens? I heard you promising each other near the fires."

"Yeah… yeah, me and Daz can't get far enough from the Titans. I was lucky, got knocked out and my leg was messed up, thank you Sasha, I got evacuated with the civilians. But Daz's talk about them…" Samuel trailed off, as he fought to stop his knee from bouncing up and down.

"…It's okay." Historia said. "Really, I don't blame you. Even just a minute with the Titans was more than enough, I couldn't imagine anyone wants to get right back to fighting them."

"You are." Samuel smiled sadly. "I know you made the top ten, but honestly Krista, I never expected you'd be up for fighting the Titans again. What does that say about me that I can't even manage to face them even once?"

"That you're only human." Historia said, smiling a more honest smile. It wasn't as bright and cheery as her Krista smiles, but somehow it was more warm and kind. "That you want to live, and have something to live for. Don't be ashamed of that."

Sam blinked, then nodded. "Thanks Krista. I… I know it's not gonna mean much, but do come see me sometime, and bring Sasha too if you can. With my new upcoming salary I can afford to get ingredients for my family's bakery, I owe her a cake for saving me. You can have yourself a slice before she scarfs it." He chuckled.

Historia giggled. "I'll be sure to do that!" She took another piece of her bread and swallowed. "So, think our friends are doing okay in the Interior? I still don't know what those soldiers interviewing us were looking for, I gave my story and they just dismissed me."

"No idea. I told them the Colossal and everything went to hell before I lost consciousness, and that was that. Daz had a near panic attack recounting the days events, but he still managed to get it out only to be left alone." Sam shrugged. "I figured it had something to do with this "Eren becoming a Titan" thing, still can't believe that's real."

"Me either. Honestly it feels like a dream." Historia looked to what was left of her crude arts and crafts project, and took a bite right out of it's face, the nose and upper lip coming with. "You're probably right though, about it having to do with Eren. Gosh, I hope he's okay…"

"Hey, he's a loudmouth but he's not stupid. He can read a room if his life depends on it." Sam smiled. "Relax, I'm sure whatever's happening, it's pretty boring."

The slapping of a hand on a wooden desk was amazingly overhead the shouting and screaming of the people in the courtroom, most of which came from the side to Adam's right. Even so, the yelling didn't die down immediately, and some very choice phrases could be heard.

"Guard your tongue you heretic!"

"He should be executed at once!"

"You should be on your knees in gratitude outsider!"

"He has no respect!"

"Lock him up for life, that'll teach him!"

And so on and so forth, until a final slap against the desk was finally getting people to reign it in.

"Well, can't say I don't like all the blowhards across from us being so rattled, but looks like our job won't be easy here." Levi commented, impassively taking the scene in before him. Adam Smasher hadn't budged from his spot just before the pole restraining Eren Jaeger and Armin Arlert, and seemed content to just stand there, taking in the room around him.

"Indeed." Erwin replied. "Be ready, I have a feeling this will be quite the interesting tribunal."

"You expecting violence?"

"I'm expecting a show."

Adam meanwhile was enjoying himself as he bathed in the onslaught of shock and anger directed his way. They certainly weren't lacking in spirit, though that was probably due to ignorance. Hard to recall when anyone had the stones to raise their voice to him in any capacity, not even over a call a whole continent away.

'Judging by the response of the people, I don't think that was the right way to go about things Adam. Is this really the best way to present ourselves?' KIPO asked, having a clear view available with both Armin's and Adam's optics taking in the scene before them.

'Maybe not, but I was actually being sincere.' Adam replied. 'Considering all these people are living in 16th century conditions, I was expecting some really ugly meatbags any minute now. Boils, missing teeth, bad teeth, patchy hair, skin conditions, stuff like that. But everyone here is relatively decent to look at, I'm relieved I don't have to put up a filter.'

'Be that as it may, perhaps we should try a bit more tact, apply a verbal filter? I'm running the numbers, I believe we could still make a positive impression if you display just a hint of civility!' KIPO said with good cheer.

Adam had to stop himself from snorting in laughter, a trait he still could do despite not having any organic bits related to such an act, some things were worth simulating. 'Sure, and maybe I'll bend the knee and talk like a knight of old, all fancy and chivalrous.'

'Sure! That could help too!'

'…Remind me to give you a rundown on sarcasm later.'

A voice suddenly brought Adam back to attention. "Ahem. Adam Smasher, is it?"

Adam turned to look at the judge's bench and the man who looked like a shoe in for Santa Claus, evidently the one overseeing this trial. He looked rather bored, which was interesting as Adam should be the most exciting thing the man had ever seen in his life.

With a nod, Adam confirmed his identity. "That would be me."

The supposed judge picked up a document off his desk and adjusted his glasses as he looked at it. "Before we begin, I just want to clarify a few things. According to several witnesses, you made several claims that this tribunal needs to confirm before we proceed. The first of which, what is Armin Arlert's relation to you?"

"Relation?" Adam questioned.

"According to several witnesses, you did… something to the boy in Trost. You then requested to accompany him, and according to a very recent report made in the last hour, engaged in detailed discussions about yourself and your… technology. Such things could be regarded as heresy."

"Heresy?" Adam asked, like he hadn't gotten a quick insight into the matter.

Dhalis nodded. "Indeed. It is a matter for debate later by order of the King if supposed knowledge of the outside world, as presented by you, would be considered heretical, despite that being the mission of the Scout's." The old man spoke the last bit with a hint of venom, sparing a glance to the stands on his left, before he looked back to Adam. "So I ask you to speak true, what is Armin Arlert? Should we consider him a traitor, someone whose defected to an unknown's side?" The way it was asked, clearly the man didn't believe so, but he needed more clarity on the subject.

Adam looked at the blonde, who looked back. "…I don't know what exactly you would deem heresy, but the kid is nothing more than my… liaison."

"Oh?"

Adam nodded. "He's my link to you people. My guide. He's the one who's been chosen to explain how your society works, to tell me what is and isn't heresy, who our common enemy is, which obviously is the Titans. His only crime is he was chosen by me to be my tour guide. He had no say in the matter, and has simply been trying to convince me to aid your people, that's it."

"I see. Then I suppose he will have nothing to fear, if he's a victim of circumstance. But that still leaves another question, one that is very important. So I will ask you here and now. Adam Smasher, are you in fact from beyond the Walls? Are you in fact from the outside?"

"I am, your honour."

And just like that, the screaming started again.

"RIDICULOUS! THIS BLASPHEMER SPEAKS HERESY! HE MUST BE PUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY!" The biggest loudmouth, a man who Adam immediately identified as a priest, shouted at the top of his lungs. "HE SEEKS TO END EVERYTHING PROTECTED BY THE SACRED WALLS! AN EVIL THAT MUST BE ERADICATED LEAST HE DOOM US ALL!"

'Ah, a religious fanatic, always fun.' Adam thought as he stared the man down. To his credit, the priest didn't even flinch. 'Definitely the sort to die full of belief and shit. Wonder if he's got any equally devoted followers I'll end up putting down?' Though what the priest was screeching did give Adam pause…

Ignoring the yelling, Adam turned to look down and address his biggest source of Intel. "Oye, runt."

Armin startled at the sudden address, and looked to his biggest source of grief. "Uh, yes?"

"Do you people really consider the Walls sacred? You can speak normally or whisper, I'll be able to pick it up over that." Adam indicated with his head the rowdy crowd.

Armin nodded. "The Walls, Maria, Rose, and Sina are considered divine by some, seeing as they are our greatest protection against the Titans. Five years ago the Church didn't have that much clout, but when Maria was breached suddenly their influence swelled."

"…I get hopeless people needing something to believe in, but really? Walls?" Adam shook his head. "Do you have a sub religion worshipping the roads? Or even the Titans?"

"Well, not a long lasting one…" Armin grimaced.

Adam was actually speechless at that. 'This nutty place… Fuck, I am so ready to get back to proper civilization.'

More hand slapping echoed throughout the room, and all was quiet again. Adam turned his attention back to the judge, who Adam was wondering if he should introduce the concept of a gavel too. "Well then, that certainly complicated things more than they already are. I suppose as far as first contact goes, this has been a rather poor display."

The judge leaned forward and looked Adam over. "Let me clear some things up for you, Adam Smasher. For a hundred years now, we the people of the Walls have lived under the presumption humankind is extinct on the outside. That Titans rule the Earth. Operating under that belief, we have enjoyed relative safety and security, our society has survived. You being here, it's raised a number of questions. The most prominent of which is this, are you a threat to the people?"

A chorus of nods and "Here here!" rang out, unsurprisingly from Adam's right again. A rather weaselly looking man decided that was his cue to speak up. "Excellent question Premier Zachary! I would like to take this moment to offer the Military Police's stance on this outsider, that he is a danger who should be executed along with his accomplice Armin Arlert. Already he has the people in a state of unrest, if word got out he truly is from the outside, the damage would-"

"Okay, I've had enough." With a simple jerk of his wrists, Adam snapped the chains binding him, and activated his Sandevistan.

The familiar green hue coloured his vision, as Adam took in the start of everyone's practically frozen reactions. Shock was forming on a lot of faces, as the chain links fell to the ground. Amazement in others. Impassiveness for the judge and a few others on the left, huh. Some stray ones were flying out and could potentially strike someone, so Adam made to grab those in a swipe of his hand. He was here to make a point, best not ruin it. Adam stepped around the falling chains and reached for the pole keeping Armin and the other goober restrained, and pulled it out in one smooth motion. Stepping forward, he made for the judges bench.

When the Sandevistan ended, the entire room collectively blinked as Adam was one second standing with the other accused, and then all jumped back as when they adjusted their view to see him holding a steel bar less than a inch away from Dhalis Zachary's face!

"G-guards! Take aim! Protect the premier!" Niles Dawk ordered, as stunned Military Police snapped out of their stupor to do as ordered, while the Scouts were surprisingly being held back by their Commander. "You there! Smasher! Step away from the premier or I will have you cut do-"

"If I wanted to kill your "premier" here, I would have done so." Adam stated, still facing forward and right arm still extended holding his makeshift weapon. "I could have smashed his head in like a watermelon. In fact I could have taken your head too, all the ones in the first and second rows, in the time it took you to blink." Adam made sure to emphasize the following, "But. I. Didn't."

Shock and fear once again entered Niles system as he struggled to pull his gut out of the sinking pit it had plunged into at the man's words. Before he could think of what to say next, a voice called out. "Wait! Just… wait a second!"

Armin Arlert struggled to stand as his hands were still bound behind him, but he was able to get on his feet and approach the bench.

"Hold it!" A guard moved to train his rifle on the much more vulnerable blonde who froze at the command. "Get down on the ground immediately Arlert before I-"

"Let him approach." Dhalis spoke, calm as ever, as he lifted a hand to push aside the bar so that he might have an unobstructed view. When Adam offered no resistance, Dhalis pushed the bar to his left to take in the armoured brute and the panicked but resolute child stopping by his side. "Well Cadet Arlert, you have something to say?"

"I-I do sir!" Armin took a breath as he gathered himself. "I ask the courts forgiveness and understanding. Adam means us no harm, I swear! He just… wishes to make a point. To show us he could escape or attack at any time but chooses not to, because he wishes to be an ally, not an enemy. Please, consider this more as evidence of his good intentions rather than a threat."

Armin looked up at Adam in desperation, who turned his head to look at the blonde. "Well, yeah. Thought that was obvious?" Adam replied as he moved the bar to rest it on his shoulder.

The silence that followed was interrupted as Dhalis stroked his beard while he hmmmmmmm'ed in thought. Nobody moved a muscle, holding their breaths.

"Very well then." Dhalis finally said. "I will take this little… display as a cultural misunderstanding. Evidently there is quite a lot to go over if Smasher here is to stay within the Walls, of which is still in question." The premier looked down to Armin, and offered a faint nod. "I must say, well done young man. This plea for understanding has done more to impress me than any childish display of might shown today."

"Oh. Uh, thank you sir." Armin said as Adam muttered "Childish?" indignantly. He turned to look back at Eren, who was still on his back, staring at a guard who had him trained in his sights. "Would you like us to be restrained properly?"

"No need." Dhalis waved off. "I think it's pretty clear the one we have to be the most concerned about making a fuss in this courtroom, such things are immaterial to him. As much as I would like to entertain the thought of asking Smasher to stand still while every chain and weight in the Walls is used to bind him, I doubt we have the time for that. So I'll ask instead that he remain civil while this tribunal proceeds, and make an attempt to follow our laws."

Everyone turned to stare at Adam, who looked to Dhalis. "…I'm willing to be… judged, by your laws. I trust this will be a fair trial, where you'll listen to my testimony?"

"Of course. We will take all evidence and testimony into account."

"So you're not going to try and burn me at the stake immediately?" Adam questioned.

"We're not savages." Dhalis replied, then, without missing a beat. "A simple hanging would suffice."

"Huh. Thought you people would just kick people out to be eaten by the Titans." Adam shrugged as he moved back to the accused's place on the court floor, standing next to Armin and Eren, who'd both taken to sitting down, the bar still in his right hand. He overheard one individual mutter under their breath, "If he's really from the outside, perhaps exile would be the appropriate sentence for a guilty verdict."

"Now then, I feel like we've gotten sidetracked enough. To get us back underway, I will open the floor to an official testimony and recount of the Retaking of Trost. Commander Pixis, as you compiled the report, would you paint for us a clear picture of the battle?"

"Of course sir. Anka, if you would?"

And thus began a recount of the Retaking of Trost, from Eren's descent all the way to the sealed breach. Various eyewitnesses testimonies were used, sanded down to the facts, which did help paint Eren in a good light. However, what couldn't be ignored was Eren temporarily going berserk and endangering soldiers lives, a fact that got almost everyone to remember who they were originally frightened of in the room.

It also cause Adam to ask, "Wait, just to clarify… you're saying this kid here can turn into one of those things?" He asked Anka while pointing with the bar to Eren.

"Uh, yes. Were you… were you unaware about that? Witnesses say you shot him just after he closed the breach."

Adam turned to stare into a pair of green eyes, as influx of memories went through Adam's mind.

"We have to keep the Titans out of the area, to clear a path and let Eren Jaeger through!"

"Oh, you know about that? Yeah, we're waiting on him, but something went wrong. Now we're trying to buy time and stop any Titans from getting close to him, over there."

"You hurt Eren. Nobody does that without paying for it."

"It was a misunderstanding, I'm sure. You weren't trying to kill Eren, right?"

"…I thought I was shooting a Titan you people had managed to tame, maybe clipped its rider… So that's what this is also about? If this kid is also a threat to the people?"

"Very astute." Dhalis offered. "And I'm sure you've deduced that this is a unique case. A human who can turn into a Titan, or perhaps, a Titan who can turn into a human. But we'll get back to that later, right now, I believe it's time to determine your exact involvement."

Adam withdrew the bar while still looking at Eren for a couple moments longer. To his credit, Eren merely took Adam in with confusion, trying to make sense of his accidental attacker. He looked to Armin, who shrugged helplessly, but whispered something that had the brunette nod in affirmation.

The recount continued, with Adam's actions being seen with a more hesitantly positive outlook. Individuals were called forth to confirm some of the more… unbelievable claims.

"And you're saying you saw Adam Smasher tear a Titan in half?" Dhalis asked, no judgement in his tone.

"I did sir." Mitabi confirmed. "I was not the only one, Cadet Derrick Engel was also witness to this unbelievable feat." The large Garrison solider turned to said Cadet and nodded, who stepped forward.

"It's true, after he emerged from the breach in a fiery explosion, and killed two Titans before with his strange weapons, he proceeded to physically attack a Titan that had just swallowed whole one of my friends. I don't think he was aware of it at the time, but when he opened that Titan up he," Derrick shuddered, as just recalling the moment was nightmare inducing, "…he probabl- no, he definitely saved her life. Saved a lot of life's, just by being there."

"If I may request it Premier Zachary, could the witnesses refrain from speculation and merely report the facts? We're trying to get a clear idea of Adam Smasher's intentions, let us not smudge the truth by making him out to be a hero." Niles Dawk drawled.

"Very well, I'll allow it. Simply the facts, Adam Smasher saved a life through his actions." Dhalis nodded. "And then what happened, Lieutenant Rheinberger?"

Anka continued, piecing together a map of Adam's route through Trost as he went from cluster to cluster of Titans. Two MP's were sent to retrieve a map of the district, who then used a pointer stick to indicate each spot. Many were astounded the giant of a man had managed to cover so much ground in such a short amount of time, as witnesses continued to step forward, recounting him appearing one second then being all the way across three blocks the next. Of course, there was always an account of a Titan dying.

"Landed on its head and turned it to pulp." One said.

"Threw a smaller one into the open mouth of a bigger one, then he forced the second one to bite down by pulling it's mouth shut." Said another.

"Used a church bell like a club, jumping around with it like it was a paper weight, and killed three of them in less than a minute." Was Ymir's turn.

The accounts just kept coming, backed up by several witnesses, until at last they had arrived at Adam's display of pitching three Titan's to the sky.

"And you confirm a Titan landed on you, Cadet Braun?"

"Yes sir." Reiner spoke resolute and true. "It just narrowly missed landing on me, Cadet Hoover, and Cadet Bodt. However it did cause the roof we were on to collapse, and I was unfortunately pined by a support beam. The Titan survived the fall, but Cadet Bodt saved me."

"Most fortunate you did not perish young man." Dhalis said. "I don't think it needs to be said, but we would prefer the endangerment of our forces be kept to a minimum."

"I'll try to keep that in mind." Adam supplied.

The recount was soon concluded, with nearly everyone soon staring at Mikasa Ackerman in awe for going toe to toe with, in their eyes, an unstoppable monster. Likewise many were looking at Armin Arlert in a much more sympathetic light.

"And that concludes the report. The Scout's returned and escorted Eren Jaeger, Armin Arlert, and Adam Smasher to the Interior while attempting to keep them hidden, and assisted the Garrison with the clean up." Anka stated.

"Thank you for that." Dhalis sat back. "Now then, the fact of the matter is, no matter how well the military tried to hide you, it is frankly impossible to keep any of you a secret. The people outside are aware of your existence, and that has caused quite a stir. Eren Jaeger, Adam Smasher, and even Armin Arlert, all three of you are to be judged based on how much of a danger and a disturbance to our way of life you are, and if we can coexist." Dhalis looked both to his left and his right as he reached for a glass of water on his desk. "Both the Military Police and the Scout Regiment have proposals for what to do with you, but I will have the final say. Before they make their proposal's, I am willing to hear whatever case you wish to make. Particularly you Adam Smasher. What guarantee do you have that you will not bring harm to the people of the Wall's?"

Everyone looked as Adam entered a thinking pose, wrapping his right arm around his middle with the bar still clutched in his mitt like a pointing stick of his own, while holding his chin in his left hand. His answer would determine everything.

"…How about… I don't care?"

Before a third bought of yelling could begin, Adam spoke up. "I truly don't care about this place. Not the people, the land, whatever wealth you possibly possess. There's nothing here that I want, that I wish to "threaten" or "disturb" or get involved in. You don't have to fear me in any way because I don't desire to interact with you in any way. All that I want? Is to go home."

Adam unfolded his arms. "Look at me. Really look at me. I'm a very strong, very dangerous man. I slaughtered the Titans far easier than your own soldiers did, and sure, that's frightening. But you know what else it is? Opportunity. Grand, grand opportunity."

He began pacing around the room, coming up to waist high fence enclosing him, looking over the soldiers who hadn't been barking up a storm this whole time. They all held firm, albeit some looked nervous at him getting so close.. "You can just point me towards the exit, and I'll leave. I will head for the outside and keep walking, and kill everything that gets in my way. Every Titan that gets in my way. That can be my whole involvement here, you won't have to do a thing. And I promise, I won't even tell anyone about you or your precious Walls, you can stay here and live life like you've always done."

Ignoring KIPO's protests at that statement as "it was their mission objective to introduce a proper Arasaka presence here," Adam turned to the other side, who all flinched. "But… would you really be content with that? That I alone escaped, and didn't use my power for your benefit?"

"Are you proposing to aid us, Adam Smasher?" Dhalis asked.

"I'm proposing you take advantage of my skills. I'm proposing that you all sit back and supply me with ammunition for my weapons, all of which are far more advanced than anything you've ever built, and let me pick off the Titans. I don't know how many there are, but it's not infinite." Adam gently laid the bar down on the ground before the judge's bench within the fenced area. "You don't have to understand me, or change your society to fit me, or even like me. Just tolerate me being here for as long as it takes for me to clear an exit, i.e. eliminate the greatest threat to your people, and we can part ways. And if you don't want to know about the outside world, that's your choice. Can't guarantee you won't have other outsiders arrive, ones who are less friendly than me, but it's up to you how well informed you'll be."

Several sources of murmurings rang out, from both sides, as many were considering Adam's words. With his audio receptors, he could pick up most of the chatter, and fine tune individual conversations as he pleased. But the the overarching theme of it all, many were enticed by such an offer. Even those on the right were wondering, could they actually be free of the Titans?

Dhalis hmm'ed again, before looking to Eren Jaeger. "And you Jaeger? Have you anything to say?"

Adam turned to look at the kid's, who were looking at each other. Some silent communication seemed to pass between them as Eren spoke up. "Uh, I guess I'd like to do the same as Adam Smasher?… Not the leaving part, if possible! But I'd like to use my power in service of mankind, to get rid of the Titans and take our home back, and beyond!"

"That's right. Sir, we have not one but two tactical advantages before us. Both Eren's power and Adam's weaponry, they can significantly reduce casualties and turn the tide for the first time in a hundred years!" Armin spoke up. "We can actually proceed outside the Walls in our lifetimes!"

"And that is your official stance?" At the nods given, Dhalis sat up and turned to the stands on his left. "I will now hear what the Military Police and the Scout Regiment have to say."

"Yes, thank you sir. My name is Nile Dawk. I am the Commander of the Military Police. Our recommendations are as follows!" The weasel face now known as Nile Dawk spoke up. "In regards to Eren Jaeger, our recommendation, that after a thorough examination of his physiology, he should be disposed of immediately. In regards to Adam Smasher, the same applies, after we have studied his armour and weapons and submitted them to the King, he should likewise be disposed of. In regards to Armin Arlert, we are willing to consider he was merely a victim of circumstance, and will simply subject him to an interrogation to gauge how far Adam Smasher's heresy has poisoned his mind, before he may eventually be released back into society."

"…"

'Okay, wow. Just completely burying their head in the sand.' Adam commented over the comms. 'Still going with execution, huh?'

'This man is certainly pigheaded. And after you made such a wonderful proposal too, baring the fact you neglected to mention Arasaka and sell the company line, I thought it was a top quality speech!' KIPO complimented. 'Maybe I should make an appearance? I've studied the data from our interactions with Armin, I'm positive I can explain myself to even the most sceptic of the lot?'

'Yeah, I don't see that happening with this lot…' Adam surmised, as Niles Dawk continued.

"We acknowledge Jaeger and Smasher's ability played a part in turning back the latest Titan incursion. However, as has been stated, their mere existence is creating a swell of rebellious sentiment. For the greater good, after we have gathered all the information we can from them, we would see them made fallen warriors of humanity."

'Oh, well that's certainly nice of hi-' KIPO began.

"Unacceptable!" The priest from before spoke up. "We have indulged these villainous fiends long enough! They must be made examples of least all we hold dear is brought to ruin! They defile the holy sanctity of the sacred Walls, if not with their presence than by directly harming it!"

'…Heh, that one cracks me up.' Adam remarked honestly. Couldn't place his finger on it, but the priest's bleating was more humorous than irritating, somehow.

Ignoring the mini outburst, Dhalis turned to the other side of the room. "And now I'd like to hear the Scout Regiment's proposed plan."

"Yes sir." A new voice entered the fray, causing Adam to turn around. A blonde with bushy eyebrows and an impassive face… right, he'd caught a glimpse of the man, talking with the Morgan Midget (who himself was in the stands) as Adam was being escorted away. 'Let's see what's behind door number 2.'

"As Commander of the Survey Corp, I, Erwin Smith, propose the following. Let us accept Adam Smasher's proposal, and have him, Eren, and Armin join our ranks. Instate and reinstate them as full member's of the Scouts, and we will utilize their full abilities to retake Wall Maria." A pause came, as Adam and presumably everyone else waited for more. "…That is all."

'…Well, at least he got straight to the point.' Adam remarked.

'Wasn't much more that he could say.' KIPO agreed.

"Hmm? Is that it?" Dhalis asked.

"Yes." Erwin confirmed. "With their assistance sir, I'm certain we can reclaim Wall Maria. Ergo I believe our top priority is perfectly clear."

"…Quite bold. Assuming you were given clearance, where do you plan to launch this operation from?" Dhalis leaned forward to address the old man who'd pawned his recounting off on his assistant. "Commander Pixis, the Wall in Trost District has been completely sealed, is that correct?"

"Yes. I doubt its gate will ever open again." The old man confirmed with an air of mirth.

Erwin immediately answered. "We'll depart from Karanese district to the East. From there we'll depart for Shinganshina. A new route can be established as we proceed-"

"Or you could-"

"But that's ridi-"

Both Adam and a portly fellow from the Military Police stands paused as they both made to interrupt the Commander. Adam stared the man down, who graciously gave the floor to Adam.

"…I was going to say, all you people have to do is supply me with materials so I can make more ammunition. Just sit back and let me take care of everything, like I was saying." Adam addressed the room.

"These materials you're requesting, what exactly would they be?" Erwin Smith asked, prompting Adam to turn and face him.

"Metals, preferably. Gunpowder would help speed things up too. You don't have to worry about the production, I'd already have that covered."

"And would you have an estimate on much metal and gunpowder you'd need?"

"I couldn't say, but let's play it safe and assume… a mountain?"

"Ridiculous!" Ah, portly was talking again. "You expect us to sacrifice a whole mountain of valuable ore just for one man!? Am I the only one who's not taking this delusional fool's words seriously?! Let us wash our hands of this lunatic and send him outside already, he said it himself, he want's to die!"

"Shut your mouth you fat pig." Ah, Morgan Midget, there's that sense of disgust for the rich fat cats. Definitely a shoe in for Blackhand. "You talk sacrifice, but what have you ever sacrificed except having a second dessert with the rest of your merchant friends? Do you even realize most of our people are struggling just to survive off what little land we have left?"

"I-I'm simply saying we can't afford to just hand over so much on just the word of a complete stranger! What guarantee do we have he can actually kill so many Titans? Or that if he succeeds and leaves, such an investment would be worth it in the long run?"

"…That's actually a fair point." Adam agreed, and he turned to Dhalis. "Your honour, permission to provide a guarantee? Or at least, an incentive?" 'Time to dangle a carrot.'

"Oh? And how exactly would you provide this guarantee?"

"By giving you one nugget of outside information. I realize you said you'll have a tedious debate over whether the knowledge I offer is "heresy," but I propose this information will be harmless. You can't do anything with it unless you go outside the Walls. And if anyone's worried, they can leave."

Dhalis's eyebrows lifted, and he sounded intrigued when next he spoke. "Well, now I'm curious myself. What is this "nugget" you have to offer?"

"Nothing much." Adam said as he unclipped the Mark 11 Projector Orb from his waist. "Just a map of the world."

KIPO got right to work saying how this was a bad idea.

Reiner had felt his gut clench and bounce around his insides like he'd swallowed a person in his Titan form, and he did not like it. This whole trial he'd tried to portray a sense of calm, if not for the other Cadet's in the stands with him than for his fellow Warriors. He was sure they were going 'Shit, shit, shit!' in their heads like he was.

When he first saw the big guy, Adam Smasher, he didn't know what he was looking at. Reiner realized he'd hadn't exactly seen the whole world, he'd only been deployed once on the actual battlefield before being sent here to Paradis. But even still, he didn't expect to see anyone who was so completely… alien. The way he moved, the way he talked, that strange armour he wore, it was unlike anything Reiner had ever seen. And his strength and weaponry… he knew the other nations of the world were advancing, playing catch up to Marley while simultaneously surpassing them in some regards. But he couldn't think of anyone who'd created something like this!

And now he was about to show the people of Paradis the world.

Logically, the Warriors didn't really have anything to fear. Though they were under strict orders to reveal as little as possible if captured or tortured, they really couldn't be blamed if a third party showed up and revealed everything. But somehow Reiner had a suspicion the Warriors would be blamed anyway. Not to mention, he had no idea how the people would react once they learnt the truth. Adam said he was just showing them a map of the world, but that alone would prompt questions, questions that might involve, "So why are we alone out here on this Island surrounded by our transformed kin?"

'Though the way he's talking, it's a little… strange.' Reiner puzzled. 'Almost like… he doesn't know about Eldians. The way he was asking about Eren, does he not know about Titan Shifters? Is that even possible?'

It… could be possible. The Eldian Empire hadn't ruled the whole world, and even now in this day and age, Marley had only just made contact with the other side of the great ocean dividing their continents. But even so, for someone to be here on Paradis and not know about Shifters…

"Now," a deeply unsettling voice interrupted Reiner's thoughts, "I want to make clear. What I'm about to do isn't magic or witchcraft or anything to freak out about. I'm just showing a very detailed map that may cause some of you to try and shoot it. So… don't do that."

'…What is he talking about?' A very confused Reiner puzzled over. It was a thought he'd be having repeatedly throughout the next hour.

"Um, Adam, that might not be enough…" Armin tried to say, but was cut off by the premier.

"You may proceed. Niles, Erwin, please keep your men under control." Dhalis stated, sitting forward in curiosity.

"Wonderful. Now then," Adam as he brought up the orb he'd unclipped from his waist ('Did the MP's really not disarm him? Or were they too scared to try?'), releasing it as it… it hovered in midair!, "Behold, the whole known world!"

From the orb a brilliant white light emerged, not too dissimilar to a flashlight. But what appeared before them, it wasn't just simple illumination. What appeared before them…

The world. Projected before the entire courtroom, a brilliant rotating sphere stood before them. Slightly shimmering, as if it was made out of light. It was like a photo, or a moving picture, and yet, it was so much more than that!

It also was upside down.

"Now, my home is here." Adam gestured, pointing to the projection, where a red light lit up on the west coast of a continent. A continent that was literally on the other side of the planet from where they were now. "And as for where you are… I honestly have no idea. Somewhere in the western hemisphere, judging by your ethnicity's, but that's still a lot of ground to cover. Britain, Germany, Norway… definitely not America, or fucking Canada. And your accents I'm having trouble placing…" Every word he mentioned, a section of the map "popped" out, seemingly a country, some large, some small.

None of those places he mentioned existed. From the first three alone, they were all parts of the Marley Empire's southern territory's, and they'd never gone by those names.

"This is… this is really the world?" Commander Erwin asked, for the first time since this tribunal had started, a look of amazement was on his face. A look that was shared by virtually everyone in the room, even the most composed. Reiner could see past the map, one Scout was practically salivating in the upper balcony.

"Yep, planet Earth in all its glory. All out there for you to see, with plenty of mountains full of mineral deposits, ripe for the taking." Adam turned to the stunned Military Police stands. "An exit to the outside and all its treasures, is that not a fair price for one mountain?"

The merchant who had been complaining earlier, he had no words, too taken in by the map.

"M-magic…" Someone stuttered out.

"Not magic. Just science. You can easily learn how to do such a thing yourselves, if your King ever allows it. But even if he doesn't, this," Adam gestured to the sphere again, the Earth again. "Shouldn't really be an issue. Think of it as a dream, if you want."

With a wave of his hand, the sphere disappeared, and the orb returned to it's owner's hand.

"So, anyone rethinking their stance on disposing of me?… And also those two?"

"H-h-h-HERETIC!" Nile Dawk bellowed, clearly panicked. "Soldier's, take aim and execute Adam Smasher!"

Reiner was broken out of his stupor just in time to see four muskets simultaneously fire. He didn't feel the bullet enter his shoulder until Jean pointed it out.

'What the hell is going on?

For once, Reiner was just as in the dark as the people of Paradis.

It was honestly more unpleasant than the bullet in him.

'Adam, I told you you were going too fast! You could have simply requested a pen and some paper and run your print subroutine, it would have been just as impressive, and informative!' KIPO bemoaned.

'And caused us to drag our feet even more. Relax KIPO, I know what I'm doing. Sure, it's a bit "Throw them in the deep end and expect them to learn how to swim," but they had to hear this sooner or later. If we're going to stay here for any length of time, I don't need them freaking out over every little thing. And besides, it's just that twit and his soldiers. The other half of the room, they're handling it a lot better.' Adam observed.

'Be that as it may, we've fanned the flames a bit. If this continues, a ricochet hitting someone important is very likely.'

'…Now that could be an annoyance. Guess it's time to break out the stick.' With a quick burst of the Sandevistan, Adam snatched the muskets out of the guards hands, taking care not to break or rip their fingers off in the process. He exited right in front of Nile Dawk, who was about to below something or other, possibly for his men to reload and fire again.

(The thought to stand by and patiently wait for two to three minutes did come across Adam's mind. "No really, take a third shot, or a fifth! I can stand here all day, as everyone else dies around me.")

Nile's barely got out a "Wha-" before the butt of a snatched musket made contact with his nose. He immediately recoiled back and clutched his face. "ARFGH! God…dammit! You broke my nose!" Everyone else backed away from him, even the priest.

"Please, that was a love tap. Considering you shot me, I think you should be grateful." Adam replied as he held one rifle out by the barrel directed to Nile's face, the other tapping his shoulder. "That goes for the rest of you. I have been nothing but patient, bending over backwards to accommodate your backwards thinking, offering you all sorts of things most people would sell their mother's for, like my services practically free of charge and information that can improve your lives."

Adam looked up to the crowd. "Like I said, you don't have to understand everything or anything. You just have to stay out of my way and I-"

A sudden strike to the back of his right knee caused him to stumble just a bit, and when he turned around, he found both muskets whacked out of his hands. One fell to the ground, while the other went flying high, only to get caught in the hands of Morgan Midget.

"That's enough. You made your points." The little shit drawled as he dropped the musket to adjust his gripe on the restraint pole Adam had laid on the ground. "If you could stop making this more of a fucking circus than it already is, maybe we can reach a verdict already."

"…Are you really blaming me for this?" Adam asked incredulously.

"I am. I had you pegged for somewhat intelligent, that you could read the room. Even if everyone wasn't asking for you to be burned at the stake, you had to know that little… whatever that was would set people off." He tested the weight of the pole, daring to take his eyes off Adam. "But I have a solution for that. Just a quick beat down to put people's minds at ease, that whatever "magic" you have isn't a problem, and we can move on."

Adam stared, really stared, and took in the absolute brazenness of the man before him.

"Heh… heh heh heh heh…," Adam laughed, the the sound causing everyone's toes to curl. "Oooooooh, I can't believe I missed this… Fine, you want to give them a show? Sure you don't want to take this outside and let that one," Adam pointed to an incredulous Eren, "Transform and fight me instead? He might actually last a minute, definitely longer than you."

"You really are a cocky piece of shit, aren't you?" The midget remarked as he brought the pole up in a fighting stance. "Not the first tin can I've had to bust open, but you're certainly the biggest."

Adam proceeded to step forward. "And you're not the first piece of meat I've splattered over the room. Hope you aren't too found of your limbs, you little-"

And suddenly, Adam found himself falling backwards.

'This is bad. This is really bad!' Armin struggled to keep calm, but in the last three minutes what had seemed like the end of a long and arduous process had ramped up again as bullets went flying and Adam assaulted the MP's Commander! Granted the man had panicked and tried to kill Adam, but still, things were getting out of hand.

He had looked around to take in the scene around him. The bullets had clearly ricocheted, but as far as he could tell nobody had been killed, thank God. But avoiding injury all together…

Jean was requesting a medic for Reiner, who'd taken one in the shoulder. The MP guard closest to them, he dropped his gun to help escort the Cadet's second best graduate to safety. Other than that, it looked like everyone else was unharmed, save off course for Nile Dawk who Adam just whacked after simultaneously disarming two MP's, amazingly. Captain Levi, he was hopping over the stand and gates, while Eren was attempting to get up and position himself in front of Armin.

Really, the whole thing was becoming a clusterfuck.

Was there any way to get the situation back under control?

Armin needed a solution and quick, but he was drawing a blank. There was still so much he didn't know about Adam and KIPO…

KIPO! She could help!

Whispering under his breath, Armin tried to contact her. "KIPO? KIPO? Please talk to me…"

The sound of her voice rang in his head once again. 'Hello Armin. Might I presume you have a request for assistance?'

'Yes!' Armin was able to cry out in his mind, not even sure if he'd done it right but too panicked to worry about such a thing. 'KIPO, if things keep going on like this, Adam's liable to make an enemy of everyone in the Wall's!'

'To be fair, he was just shot… shot at, your weapon's are fascinatingly primitive…'

'Oh forget that for now, we need a way to calm everyone down! Can you let me talk to Adam, ask him to please stand down? I know it's not ideal, but if he showed submissiveness, maybe we can build off of that…'

'Forgive me Armin, but I don't believe Adam can simply asked to "stand down." He is rather worked up, no doubt in part due to his death being called for three times despite his best efforts to be peaceful.'

'Threatening the premier was peaceful?!'

'…Admittedly his tact could use some work…'

'…You know what, forget it, I'm not going to argue that. But we need to do something!'

'Is that an official request?' KIPO asked.

'I… suppose so?' Armin answered.

'Alright then!' KIPO beamed, and Armin could practically picture her smile. 'Then say "Cyberdyne." Preferably over our private comm's but out loud works too, as long as I hear it I can execute it for you.'

'Execute?… KIPO, I don't want to kill him!' Armin said in a panic, a completely different panic from his earlier panic.

'And you won't!… Though he may be upset with you, I should warn you. But please Armin, I need to hear the word. Quickly now!'

Armin wasn't sure about this, but he took a deep breath, and thought spoke the word. '…Cyberdyne.'

The effect was immediate. Just as Adam was stepping forward to fight Captain Levi, he suddenly froze up! Completely unable to move, everyone watched as Adam tilted forward, before his initial movement cause him to fall backwards and land flat on his back, his limbs still stuck in the position they were in when standing. They stayed like that for a good minute, before control evidently returned to his body as they fell down by his sides. He continued to lie there, staring at the ceiling.

Armin was positive if Adam had a face, or even just visible eyes, he'd be displaying shock right now.

"What… what just happened?" A merchant from the MP's stands tentatively asked, as Captain Levi stepped forwards and gently prodded Adam's form with his makeshift weapon.

'Uh KIPO? What did just happen?'

'Oh, you simply activated Adam's temporary restraint feature, designed for emergency use only. This feature is only available to Saburo Arasaka and his immediate family, or Adam Smasher's carefully vetted handlers, of which two must issue the command at the same time. In this case, I deemed myself the second handler, and followed your lead.'

'….Wait, I'm sorry. Just… go back a second. What exactly did we just do?' Armin asked.

'Back in the year 2044, there was a certain… incident with Adam Smasher. The reasons are unknown to me, but he briefly went rogue and caused massive casualties that were not previously approved by the Arasaka board. For this, it was deemed an emergency shut off switch, only to be used to temporarily halt him in case he went overboard, was necessary. It can be activated by you should you deem Adam as a threat to your safety, or Arasaka's interests.'

'I… I can do that?' Armin asked, stunned. The ability to halt someone with just a word…

A loud screeching of metal on metal broke Armin out of his private conversation, as Adam, still on his back, ran his hands down his face, in what was obviously despair. His fingers left ten light scratches from the top of his head to the bottom of his jaw.

"…Uh, Adam?-"

'KIPO, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO TELL HIM ABOUT THAT!?' Adam blasted over the comms at such a volume Armin reflexively moved to clutch his head in pain, though with his restraints he failed.

'Oh, Adam are you oka-'

'Not really! Just found out that stupid little safety feature survived! KIPO, what the hell?!' Adam growled. 'You seriously restored it! Why?!'

'It was part of your design when you were defeated, and my goal was to restore you to your form prior to that incident.' KIPO reasoned. 'Even though Arasaka had it on record it hadn't been used in the last twenty years, the fact it was still a part of your design made restoring it necessary.'

'Fucking little-' Adam swore, before he brought his hand down on the stone floor, leaving a decent hand sized crater in the ground. The comm's promptly cut out, leaving Armin and KIPO alone.

'…Is… is this okay?' Armin asked. 'He seemed… REALLY upset.'

'I'm sure it will be fine! He simply has to… process this new information. But now's our chance Armin! You can properly communicate with everyone here.'

"Oye, big mouth… you having a seizure or something?" Levi poked at Adam's side, who made no move to bat Levi away or get up off the floor.

"Um…" Armin began, to which everyone looked at him. "I think… I did that?"

Levi raised an eyebrow, and stepped away from Adam. "You? How?"

"…"Magic?"" Armin said. He then swallowed, and continued. "I mean, I used science so advanced that to us it looks like magic. I can't explain it myself, not unless I'm allowed to learn, but apparently… apparently being Adam's… liaison, has given me some control over him. I can… I can tell him to stop."

Silence followed, as Armin suddenly felt very small with everyone staring at him. It was only the sound of Adam rolling over to rest on his knee's that snapped everyone out of their stupor.

If Armin felt small before, he felt downright microscopic at Adam's glare directed at him (or what he felt was a glare). Before he could protest his innocence, Eren was positioning him self in front of Armin. Even with his hands cuffed behind him, the green eyed boy didn't waver.

"Don't you dare take a step towards Armin, you hear me?!" Eren declared. "I don't get exactly what just happened, but don't blame him! You're the one who was acting out of control!"

Adam said nothing, he simply looked to the ceiling in what Armin imagined would be a long suffering sigh, before slumping his head down to stare at the ground.

"…Well, that certainly changes things." Dhalis spoke up. "I've reached my decision. Armin Arlert, I take it you can in fact, keep Adam Smasher in line? And that you remain loyal to humanity?"

"I… yes, I am, sir. And I can, at least, it appears that I can." Armin stated.

"And Eren Jaeger, you swear to use your power to aid in retaking Wall Maria? And understand that should you go rogue, you will be executed?" Dhalis asked.

Eren straightened up, and nodded. "Yes sir!"

Dhalis nodded, then looked to Erwin Smith. "I trust you can keep Jaeger in line?"

"I'll have my best man on it. Captain Levi's record is impeccable, I doubt anyone here can doubt he's up to the task."

"Excellent. And Adam Smasher?" Dhalis casually asked the slumped over giant who was very interested in the cracks in the floor. "Is your offer of aid still on the table?"

"…Yes." Adam replied, to the relief of many. "I'll help kill the Titans, and clear a path to the outside, on the grounds of mutual benefits."

"Then I hereby release all three of you into the Scout's custody." Dhalis Zachary stated.

"But sir!" Niles managed to sputter out. "Surely you can't think Cadet Arlert was actually able to, to, to-"

"Freeze Adam Smasher with but a thought? Maybe not, but then again it's hard enough comprehending Eren Jaeger. Like it or not, there are things in this world we can't afford to be ignorant about, regardless of what the King says. And I'm honestly tired of going back and forth for the day, we could speculate for weeks if Armin is merely acting or not. I'm willing to believe him, and if it does turn out to be a deception, willing to believe he's aware of the consequences." Dhalis fixed Armin with a steely gaze.

"I-I am, sir!" Armin confirmed. The last thing he wanted was for even more people to have a grudge against him!

"Then the matter is settled." Dhalis slapped his hand on his desk. "I hereby proclaim Adam Smasher a guest of the Wall's and an asset to the Scouts, who I trust will keep the King's decree's in mind as they fight on the front lines." The way it was said, it certainly sounded professional, but Armin thought he could detect a hint of… playfulness, in the premier's tone?

'Is he actually hoping the Scout's will learn everything they can from Adam? They are the least favoured regiment of the King, and are far enough away from his eyes…'

"Now, regarding the matter of needing supplies for your weapons, that will require some further debate." Dhalis said. "I'm afraid with our resource situation, it needs to be carefully considered if we can afford such an… investment. As such, this matter will have to be brought before the King." He looked to the side, and Armin followed his gaze. He wasn't sure, but it looked like the premier was looking at the blonde woman, the one who reminded Armin of Annie? She was looking at everyone on the court floor, before she turned to Dhalis and nodded, ever so slightly.

Seems Armin was right, as Dhalis looked back to the courtroom. "Therefore, Armin Arlert, Adam Smasher. You will remain in the Interior until the King makes his judgement. Naturally the Scout's will have access to you both, and you will all work together to form a suitable strategy. Nile Dawk, I'm trusting you to keep them safe."

Whatever protest Nile's was about to speak died in his throat, as he simply nodded from behind the handkerchief keeping the blood flow from his nose at bay. But no one doubted, he was not happy about this.

"Please escort these three to suitable quarters where they can be temporarily held. This tribunal is over."

"You little shit." Adam growled out the second the doors were closed to their ground floor room. He made to back up Armin against the wall, his hands at his sides just itching to strangle the blonde.

"I'm sorry!" Armin held up his own hand's placatingly. "I just needed you to calm down! The situation was getting out of hand!"

"I was handling it!" Adam barked. And he was! After he beat that midget, the so called Captain Levi, into submission, very one else would sit down, shut up, and fall in line! Carrot and the stick!

"You really weren't!"

"Listen you-"

"HEY!" Oh, right. The third room's occupant.

Adam turned to glare at the almost as annoying twerp, who glared back, coming just up to Adam's chest and standing less than a foot away.

"I don't know what your problem is, but you should be thanking Armin! He probably saved your life!"

"Oh really?" Adam scoffed.

"Yeah, really! Armin's got more brains in his head than anyone else I know. If he does something, then it's because he knows it's the right move! And whatever he did to stop you from being stupid, that was the right move!"

'That's it! I can't take it! I'm pounding his head into his chest like a game of whack-a-mole!' Adam made to follow through, when Armin got between them.

"STOP IT!" He yelled. "Just… stop! Eren, I'm really grateful for the support, but you're really just adding fuel to the fire. Let's just… cool down, okay?"

Eren made to protest, but Armin's pleading gaze had him relent. "…Argh, fine!" Eren stepped back, but kept both Armin and Adam in his sights.

Armin then turned to Adam, again holding up both hands. "Adam, I'm sorry if I did something unforgivable, it wasn't my intention! I just… I just needed everyone to calm down. I swear, I had no idea what I was doing, KIPO just told me this would stop you."

"That's just making me hate you more. You have any idea what it's like, having you in charge of me? Really, try to picture it. You triggering that fucking program any time you like?"

'Well, technically he can only activate it up to three times. Though the freeze duration can be adjusted for up to an hour, the number of times still remains-'

"Shut up KIPO, I'm pissed at you too." Adam growled.

Armin looked up at Adam, then nodded. "You're right… you're right. I'm way out of my depth with such a thing." Armin looked up. "I swear Adam, I will not use this again. Is there a way we can… remove it?"

Adam snorted. "Oh, am I to believe you'd really get rid of the best and only thing keeping me in line? You'd trust me to run free in here?"

Armin made to speak, then hesitated. "Yeah, that's what I thought. You're the smart one, so you can see how dumb an idea that is." Adam looked up, and sighed, triggering relaxants in his brain. More advanced than normal sighing, take that meatbags.

"…Alright… alright. We're still going to be working together, least until we can both get outside. So, in the interest of actually making progress on that front, and me not dreaming of your demise every chance I get…" Adam extended a hand, which Armin briefly jumped back at, before relaxing, "I'm willing to work past this. And admit, yes, the results speak for themselves, it was the smart play."

Armin breathed out the biggest sigh of relief and gladly took Adam's hand. Only to find he couldn't remove his hand. He looked back up, looking a little nervous.

'Good.' Adam thought as he leaned down. "Don't do that again."

Armin swallowed his salvia, but he didn't respond. With a simple shake, Adam released the blonde's very easily crushable hand, and stepped back. "Alright, now that that's out of the way, what's the deal with you?"

Eren stiffened, as Adam turned to address him. "Me?"

"That whole… turning into a Titan thing. What's the story there?"

Eren looked confused, so Armin explained, eager to move on from the tenseness prior. "Eren, Adam literally never saw a Titan until a few days ago, at Trost! He was being sincere, Titan's don't rule the world!"

Eren looked to Armin, then back to Adam. "Wait, so you really mean…"

"That Titan's just exist here, wherever here is? Yes. So I figure between the two of us, we can make a significant dent in their numbers before the end of the year." Just as Eren's eyes widened in amazement, Adam continued. "But I'm still curious, how do you turn into one?"

"I… I don't know. It just happened during Trost, and I haven't been able to fully process it." Eren said rubbing the back of his head. "I have no idea how this happened to me, or why now."

"And you're the only one who can turn? I got the impression yours is a… unique case."

Eren shook his head. "Actually, Commander Erwin said that the Armoured and Colossal Titan might also be like me."

Adam tilted his head. "Armoured? Colossal?"

"That's right. Five years ago, the Colossal Titan appeared at the outer district of Shinganshina, our home." Armin helpfully supplied, gesturing to himself and Eren. "It's a 60 meter tall Titan, able to peek over the Walls. It kicked in the outer gates, and let the Titans in."

"I'm going to take a stab here and say, this Colossal also kicked in the gates at, what was it, Ross?" Adam asked.

"Trost, and yeah, that was him again." Eren nodded.

"Is he a durable bastard? I saw the cannons up top, were you unable to cut him down with cannon fire? I assume even if your range is shit, a target that big you'd just have to aim in his general direction and fire."

"…Oh! No, he didn't just walk over to the Walls. He… what exactly happened Eren?"

"He appeared out of nowhere. One second, nothing. The next, a big lighting strike, then there he was." Eren supplied. "…Actually, thinking back on it, there was lighting that day too…"

"Yeah, there was… And also when you transform, lightning appears…" Armin recalled. "…Adam, do you have anything like that back home? I know you said you never saw Titans, but lightning always striking?" He tentatively asked.

"Well I do have weapons and devices that can fire electricity, sorry, lightning at a target of my choice or use it for less destructive means. But for actual lighting from the sky, you'd need lightning rod or great deal of metal. And I've never seen it used to turn somebody into a monster."

"…Wait, really? You can actually use lightning?" Eren questioned, looking at Adam with wonder. "Armin, did you know about this?!"

"Not yet, but I'm still learning." Armin rubbed the back of his head. "I've uh, I've made some interesting discoveries."

"Like what!? Tell me!" Eren was practically hanging off Armin's arm with his enthusiasm. "Did he tell you about his strange armour yet? Have you seen him take it off?! And the outside world, did he show you that strange map?!"

"No, I didn't to all three. And he can tell you everything later, but let's circle back to the other Titan, the one you called Armoured." Adam cut off the excitable brunette who was grinning like a kid in a candy store. "What's that one like?"

"Just as the name suggests, it's covered in armoured plates. About fifteen meters, though we only saw it when we were ten so we might be misremembering. It showed up after the Colossal breached the outer gate and the Titan's came in, and breached the inner gate of Wall Maria." Armin finished. "We were expecting it to appear at Trost, but amazingly, Eren was able to seal the breach without it interfering. And of course you showed up and turned the tide."

"Heh, damn right." Adam confirmed. "So you think these two are humans too, and that it's just the three of you total who can change back and forth. And for some reason, they're attacking you. You have no idea's why?"

"Well, we just discovered the possibility they were humans and not just unusual Titans. It's gonna take a bit of thinking to come up with a good theory." Armin scratched his head. "I suppose if the world outside really isn't ruled by Titans, then maybe… I don't know, I can't think of any reason someone would attack us."

"I can. Testing, entertainment, that something really valuable is here you're unaware of." Adam listed off his fingers. "Could be these special Titans are gathering combat data, seeing how useful Titans are. But with how backwards your weapons are, I'm more inclined to think it's just for kicks, that someone's feeding you to man eating giants for fun."

Armin grimace at that, while Eren snarled. "Really? You really think some sick fuck's are twisted enough to feed us to the Titan's on purpose?"

"Not the craziest thing I've seen, nor the most twisted. I really pegged this place for an artificial isolated area, someone built this place, raised you all deliberately ignorant of the world, and lets the Titans loose on you." Adam shrugged. "With this King of yours keeping you at this technology level, that theory seems more likely."

"…Ah! Ah, Adam, please don't go killing the King!" Armin hurried to whisper. "I agree, if what you're saying is true we've suffered a lot for nothing. But please, let's discuss that in private with the Scout's, at best?"

"Relax. I'm willing to hold off any overthrowing of the monarchy until he really gets in my way." Adam waved off Armin's concerns. "Now you keep mentioning Wall Maria, I've gathered that's a third wall further outside. Mind providing a map for me so I can paint a clearer picture?"

Armin nodded, and made for the desk in the room, where thankfully a stack of papers was waiting next to a quill. "Ah, it's not completely to scale," Armin said as he drew three quick circles, then four little half circles outside the bigger circles, "But this is what the Wall's look like. The distance from Wall Maria to Wall Rose is about 100 km, then 130 from Rose to Sina, and Sina having a radius of 250 km." Armin pointed with his finger to each wall. "What used to be Wall Maria's territory, that's where all the Titan's are roaming now. To think you actually managed to land in there…"

"Land?" Eren asked.

"Oh, yeah. Armin mentioned it, The Falling Star? That was me." Adam casually stated.

Before Eren could pick his jaw off the ground and ask how that was possible, a knock on the door alerted the three they had company. Before anyone could respond, the door opened, and some familiar faces made themselves known.

"Apologies for the interruption, but I wanted a chance to meet you all. Eren Jaeger I've already introduced myself to, but I still haven't officially made contact with you two." The Commander of the Scout's strode in. "My name is Erwin Smith. This here is Captain Levi and this is Section Commander Hange Zoe. Armin Arlert, Adam Smasher, might we have a few words with you?"

As everyone else filed out of the court room, Caven found herself going in a different direction from all the rest. The tribunal had gone on far longer than expected, and yet it had proved far more rewarding than the King had dared to hope.

Adam Smasher was indeed on the Island.

That was good news for the King, and good news for Kenny. His dream… his dream was so close to coming true. It wasn't going the way he'd originally envisioned it, but the look of joy on his face…

Caven knew she didn't smile, she hadn't in years. It was an act that was practically impossible for her, even if she wasn't feeling like a walking corpse anymore. But inside, she was practically beaming.

She kept walking, and like a shadow peeling off the wall, she soon had a companion, smelling so richly of fine booze any other man wouldn't be able to stand, much less carry a conversation. And yet, he managed.

"So, definitely the guy?" Kenny Ackerman asked, hands in his pockets with his head bowed low.

"Definitely. Looks just like he did in that…" Caven stumbled, struggling to recall, the word, "…That "hologram." Same look, same voice, same name. Just like the King said, he showed up at this point in time, and the Scout's would take him."

"Ah, that last part was gonna be obvious. Ain't no way we could have hauled off the big galoot to be disposed of without some serious backlash. We're good, but even we couldn't get the Garrison and the Scout's to sacrifice such an obvious advantage." Kenny chuckled. "Same goes for Eren Jaeger. And there's supposed to be, what, six of the smart ones here?"

Caven nodded. "That is what we were told. The King's been right so far, it stands to reason he'd be right about this."

"Hey now, you know it's not our dutiful leader making these predictions. It's our new best friend, the King's advisor." Kenny smirked, while Caven frowned.

"About that… I know you placed your trust in him, and I'm behind you all the way… but something about that one just feels… wrong."

"Aaaaaaah, what? You still don't like him? I would have thought seeing Adam in the… well, not flesh, but you get what I mean. That seeing Adam would have made our chum less unsettling for ya." Kenny looked to Caven with a shit eating grin on his face.

"It didn't. Adam Smasher, even knowing what he is and starting to understand… them, I still don't like it." Caven didn't shudder, but she definitely felt the urge.

Kenny nodded, then took a hand out of his pocket to clasp Caven's shoulder. "Well, it won't matter for long, so just keep it together a bit longer. We just have to twiddle our thumbs while the King jerks the Scout's around for a bit, before the real party starts."

Caven nodded. "So we're really doing this? Really throwing them into the meat grinder, so they can become like that?"

"Hey now, don't say it like that! It's gonna be a hell of a thing! The truest example of giving their hearts and lives for the cause!" Kenny said, utterly sincere. "And besides, we need to really test the limits here. The more messed up the bodies, the better. Let's see just how far these "cybernetics" can go!"

"So your mission was to go into the outside world, and reclaim it from the Titans. And you fully expected to encounter ruins or hints of human civilization long past, and would bring that knowledge back with you." Adam surmised. "And yet, somehow that knowledge walking through your front door is a problem?"

Erwin nodded as he sipped his tea. "Indeed. It would be reasonable to conclude the King never expected the Scout's to succeed, especially if you take-"

"The ban on technology, yeah yeah, I've been made plenty aware of that." Adam nodded. "Speaking of, my gun, what happened to it? Last I saw three of your men were struggling to lift the damn thing."

"We were able to get it aboard a wagon and take it to our newest base, an abandoned castle located in the East. Far as anyone in the MP's were aware, it was lost in the battle to retake Trost."

"Well, thank you for taking care of it."

He'd spent the last hour conversing with Erwin Smith, who'd introduced himself, his second in command's, and the Scout's mission.

Well, more like half an hour. Getting the "Section Commander" away from him and Eren took up a lot of time. This Hange, they couldn't seem to make up their mind who was more fascinating (which, obviously it was Adam, Metal beat Meat) and had bounced back and forth asking a dozen questions rapid fire.

Just as Adam was considering filtering out their voice entirely, if not kneecapping them, Levi had reigned them in. "Maybe don't convince the two of them to make a run for it? First impressions are important, Shitty Glasses."

"Oh my dear Captain Levi, I assure you, I have the two of them eating out of my hand." They replied with the complete confidence/delusion combo Adam had seen so many times before. Thankfully before he could show how wrong that assumption was, Erwin Smith had spoken up. "I don't suppose you'd care for some tea?"

Five cups brought in later with four present sitting down, and Levi telling the kid's to enjoy it while they can as it was a quality brand, Adam had been brought up to speed. Relatively. He still had a lot of ground to cover regarding the Titans, but that was for another day. Or week, judging by the groan Levi gave at Hange's enthusiasm.

"If I may ask, what are your plans while you wait for the King's decision?" Erwin questioned. "Naturally we should convene and discuss strategy, how to best utilize your abilities in conjunction with Jaeger. But I was also hoping to gain knowledge from you."

"Because you aren't worried about possibly being labeled a heretic." Adam said. It was not a question.

Erwin nodded. "My whole life I've dedicated myself to finding out what lies beyond the Wall's. It's driven me and the Scout's forward despite suffering massive casualties time and time again. I'm not particularly picky about learning the truth of the world first before we set out again. In fact I think all the Scout's would be grateful. Many fight simply to reclaim our home, or expand our territory one day. But I think for many, if they could know…"

"They'd die at peace, at least?" Armin spoke up. Erwin turned and nodded. "Yes. I'll admit, it's also affected my judgement regarding the retaking of Wall Maria. Naturally it's for the benefit of human… of our people should we succeed, but Eren Jaeger has informed me of his father's basement, that it might also possess possible answers."

"Oh?" Adam turned to Eren. "What kind of answers?"

"I don't know. All I remember is him telling me to protect Armin and Mikasa with this power, and that I had to go to the basement." Eren surmised. "Far as I knew he was just a really good doctor. I can't imagine what he'd have in the basement that was so important."

"Could it be the secret to making people like you?" Levi questioned. "Maybe he learnt the truth about the Titans through secret research…"

"Impossible! There's no way anyone could have made a discovery before me that I didn't learn of!" Hange interjected.

"Alright, so not that." Levi gave in easily, not up for the headache. "But it's clearly important."

"Frankly, any and all information is important." Erwin stood up and stared Adam in his optics. "I'll repeat my question, Adam Smasher. What will you do while you wait?"

Adam turned to look at Armin. "Well, for starters, Armin needs some training. As my liaison, he's been granted certain… privileges. I need him to understand them all so I can be at my full abilities. Like for example," Adam gestured to his face, still containing ten vertical lines running down it, "Armin, if you would?"

"Hmm? Oh, right! Uh, KIPO? Could you please…" Armin trailed off as he extended his arm with his palm facing Adam.

Many reactions happened at once, the most memorable one being all three Scout's saying "Tingles?" as they watched Specter leave Armin to fix Adam's face.

"HOW?! WHERE!? YOU MUST TELL ME!" Hange had practically pounced on Armin, who was desperately trying to explain.

"Adam and KIPO! Adam and KIPO! They put this in me, and have been teaching me how it works!" Armin hurried to get the words out. "I'm still learning about it, I just used it for the first time earlier today, and this was my second."

Mercifully Hange released Armin to turn to Adam. "My mind is aBLAZE with activity! So many thoughts, so many things coming together! Could it be, are you really, after all this time-"

"I'm the Falling Star, I'm from this planet, but my people, and most of humanity, has learnt how to fly, and even go into space." Adam interrupted. "And I'm guessing you'll be asking "Whose KIPO?" any minute now, so… KIPO, if you'd project yourself?" Adam reached for the orb and allowed it to float from his hand. Soon, a familiar (to Adam and Armin) pink humanoid form appeared.

"Hello there! I do hope the restraint and wonder you showed for the world map will carry over to me!"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Hange screamed, to which KIPO looked startled and was running the appropriate response for calming them down, when she noticed the Section Commander wasn't screaming in fright. Likewise, Eren was gapping at her, while Erwin and Levi were studying KIPO with barely contained curiosity.

"Armin, who is this?" Eren asked his best friend. He made to not so subtly poke her, and nearly jumped back as his hand went right through KIPO!

"I guess you could say, she's my teacher? And for what she is… there's a long answer, but the short one is, a very helpful spirit." Armin settled for. "She's not magic, hard to believe I know but she's not. She's made from science."

Eren crossed his arms and tried to think. "Not magic…" Eren shook his head. "I don't really get it, but, she's a friend, yeah?"

Armin nodded. "She is," he confirmed, turning to the other's present. "I hope you'll come to trust her, she's been nothing but helpful to me in understanding what's happened to me, and in Adam's technology."

Erwin looked to Levi, who nodded. "I'm certain we'll come around. KIPO, was it? I do hope you'll regale us with-"

"Will these wonders never CEASE!? Where did you come from?! How are you made of light?! Are there others like you!?" Hange burst out, unable to contain themselves anymore.

KIPO blinked, before smiling in delight. "I would be happy to explain! To start with, my functions began in the year-"

"Wait." Adam held up a hand. "Before you really get into that, I actually had something I wanted to do, and I think it could be of use to everyone."

All heads turned towards Adam. "I can pinpoint where on the planet we are."

"So what you're saying is, your people used the stars to navigate on the planet?" Hange had managed to contain their excitement to what Levi deemed "Acceptable Hangeness Level's," and was following Adam along with the rest of their group. It hadn't taken much for Erwin to gain the three who'd recently been on trial passage outside Wall Sina, and even though the top of the Wall was literally right there (Levi had graciously pointed out), it was deemed a quick simple walk would do everyone some good.

"Long ago, yeah. I can imagine it wouldn't really work here, as you've only got so much space to explore. But out there, people could pinpoint where on the planet they were." Adam stated. "Course science evolved and made such a thing more of a hobby, but it should still work here. Specially here, the stars are really clear here. Benefits of non pollution I suppose. That and not hacking up your lungs."

"Hmm?" Hange questioned, not quite catching that.

"Forget it. The important thing is, I can find out where we are, and hopefully, that will finally clear up where the heck I landed."

"I still can't believe you fell from the sky…" Eren shook his head. "That's just…"

"Believe me, I'm struggling to picture it too." Armin replied. The cool night air was blowing against his bare skin, reminding Armin he really needed a change in long sleeve shirts already. But the excitement at yet another revelation warmed him up real quick.

"I should say, we of the Scout's will most certainly be in your debt." Erwin replied.

"Don't worry about it. Just be glad I'm way past the age I charge you a commission." Adam replied. "I could probably make a fortune just giving you the whole history of the world, pretty sure KIPO's got it somewhere in her…"

Hange simply squealed with excitement at every word, so very eager to greet their newest acquaintance properly!

The group continued onwards. Eventually they had reached a nice little hill, just a few miles out from Wall Sina. "Alright, this should do. Armin, let out some nanites, let's give KIPO a full view of the night sky."

Armin nodded, and pointed his palm towards the sky. Specter flew out and hovered above them, while everyone waited patiently. Eren looked at his friend, questioning "Does that hurt?"

"Amazingly, no. It's really more ticklish than anything else." Armin replied, which had Hange bouncing over before they restrained themselves, muttering, "No no no, control your impulses. You made a choice, Eren tomorrow, then Adam, then Eren, then Adam…" like a mantra.

Adam didn't exactly back up, but he did check that his knife was in its holster. 'Just focus on getting out of here. With luck, they'll be eaten and you won't have entertain the weirdo.'

"Hange getting to you already?" Levi asked, coming up to stand by Adam's side. The height difference was very apparent, and yet the Captain carried himself as if he was the taller one.

"You seriously put up with that?"

"Don't have a choice, not when they're the best scientist we've got in all the Walls."

"Please tell me you're joking."

Levi shook his head. "I just want to clear up one thing. The two of us, we're not going to have a problem, are we? We'll be able to work together professionally?"

Adam turned to look down at the diminutive captain. The way he was looking at Adam, it screamed he didn't care what the cyborg thought or said. He was doing this for Adam's sake, not his own.

'Cocky little shit.' Adam thought. What he said was, "Sure. No problem. Just as long as you can keep up, junior."

"Hmph. Shouldn't be hard, with you being such a hefty boy."

Adam snickered. Seems he had a rival here. Good. Always fun to show them up, Adam needed his entertainment.

Deciding to check in, Adam rang KIPO.

'Alright KIPO, are you close to pinpointing our location? I figured with you having been in space most of your life, this should be pretty simple to-'

'I am unable to ascertain our position.' KIPO interrupted.

'…Oh, right, you're actually on the planet instead of in orbit around it. I guess you'll need an extra minute to compensate for the change in perspective.'

'Negative. That is not an issue, I had already adjusted.'

'….Okay, so do you want to tell me what the issue is or do I have to guess?'

'The stars don't align.' KIPO stated. 'They are horribly out of alignment, and that has made it impossible for me to ascertain our position.'

Adam shook his head, trying to make understand. 'I'm sorry, but… why does the stars alignment matter? I thought this was something people used to navigate all the time. Do we have to pick a different spot or something?'

'No, that's not what I mean. Stars change position overtime, over the course of many, many years. For them to be this far off course… it would indicate a great deal of time has passed.'

'…..'

Adam was starting to feel… well, horror. He was feeling a tiny sensation of horror.

'You mean… it was longer than two years to fix me?' Adam tentatively asked.

'Negative. It was two years, I made no error in that regard.' KIPO dismissed. 'But… I am considering… another, possibility.'

'What possibility?'

'Since we arrived, there have been so many questions. How was it we never heard of the Titans? Or came across the Walls? Or the people here had never heard of the outside world, to the point aircraft had never been seen?' KIPO listed off. 'I hadn't wanted to consider the possibility, but I just took another look at the schematics for the teleporter, the one used to rescue you? It was experimental, and barley tested, but it just might be possible…'

'What?' Adam asked, suspecting he would really, REALLY hate the answer. 'What might be possible?'

'….We may not be in our own universe anymore.' KIPO stated. 'Adam… this isn't our Earth.'

This was honestly difficult to write, in more ways than one, I had what I wanted Adam to convey to the people, how it would be resolved, but getting there, the opening argument, that was tricky. Had a different draft of Adam being respectful and not difficult at first, willing to keep things simple. But then I realized "Yeeeeeeah, that doesn't sound like Adam, not even one who's trying to make a good impression." So let him flex his non existent muscles to the crowd first, then he lets the trial proceed.

Ah, the good ol "Powerful being has some sort of lock or restriction in the hands of someone weaker than him to stop him from being completely unstoppable" trope. I realize Armin actually having actual power over Adam may turn some people off, but I assure you this will honestly NOT be much of a barrier in Adam being who he is. It's really to stop the people of the Walls from calling for his head. Like Eren being pummelled by Levi puts everyone at ease, a loyal soldier (who could easily be taken down by literally anyone) having the stop button for Adam satisfies the court.

Speaking of Eren being pummelled, yes, Adam was such a disturbance he took the heat off Eren and his place for Levi making a show. Thought fortunately for Levi Armin found Adam's weakness, as cool as Levi is, he would not pull a win under-equipped as he was.

And yeah, Adam has finally gotten the biggest undeniable clue he's not in Kansas anymore, how's he going to take that? "Soooooooo, remember when I said Titan's definitely 100% don't rule the Earth and if I was wrong I'd eat my own leg?…. Get the ketchup ready."