Chapter 14

The Trial

It had been a four days since Trost was reclaimed. Kara heard the Cadets were helping with the clean up and a lot of Cadets were killed during the attack. Kara was happy to be back in HQ with the Scouting Regiment. His squad saw him more relaxed now that his daughter was back with him.

Erwin and Levi had gone to talk to Eren. Kara stood brushing Lucky. She hadn't seen any of her friends since joining HQ. She still was shocked that she kissed Jean after they took back Trost and she left him standing there.

'He probably hates me now. But he's joining the MPs. I'll never get to talk to him again.' Kara thought.

"Stop daydreaming brat." Levi's voice came. Kara turned to see her father coming in with his horse.

"How's Eren doing?" Kara asked.

"He just woke up. He's determined to kill Titans. The MPs was to kill him and experiment on him." Levi said. Kara's eyes widen.

"Father. They can't. He's our chance to take back Wall Maria." Kara said.

"I know. Tomorrow is his trial. Your coming with me and Erwin. Your one of the witnesses along with your two friends that helped protect him." Levi said.

"Yes father." Kara said as she looked away. They be going to Wall Sina, her old hometown. Levi saw the worried look.

"Your not to leave my sight, but stay with your two friends. Whatever happens in the courtroom tomorrow. Remember. We're doing it for Eren's sake." Levi said. Kara nodded. "Go help Petra with dinner." Kara headed inside. Levi watched her go.

The next day in the courtroom. Kara looked around, uncomfortable. Hange was picking up Eren from the cellars.

"Kara!" Armin's voice came. Kara found him and Mikasa waving at her. Rico was with them. She headed over to them. "Your here as well?"

"I'm one of the witnesses so I had to be here." Kara said.

"Jean was upset you left without a word. Marco has been trying to talk to him." Mikasa said. (AN: Yes. Marco survived.)

"I been helping Hange with the two Titans and kind of found out that I was part of the Scouts at the last minute." Kara explained.

"We'll at least let him know we saw you." Armin said.

"Don't bother. He's joining the MPs. I'll hardly see him." Kara whispered. Armin and Mikasa shared looks. Jean was still debating joining the Scouts and was starting to lean towards joining. The doors open and Kara looked to see guards bringing Eren in. They sat him down with his hands behind his back and a pole going between hisback and hands. Eren looked around and his eyes land on Armin, Kara, and Mikasa. His eyes widen, surprised to see them. The door opens and Premier Zachary steps into the Courthouse. He sets the jacket down on the desk and sits down.

"All right. Shall we begin?" Zachary said. He picks up the papers and straightens out his glasses. "Your name is Eren Jaeger. And as a soldier, you have sworn to give up your life when called to, for the good of the people. Is that correct?"

"Yes." Eren said.

"As an enlisted soldier during a time of war, military doctrine demands your tribunal be held as a court martial. As Commander of our armed forces, this matter is left to my discretion. Thus, I will decide whether you live or die." Zachary said. Kara clenched her jaw as Armin's eyes widen. She glared at Nile an old family friend who stood with the MPs. Nile wasn't looking her way. "Any objections?" Eren looked down.

"No, sir." Eren said.

"Your astuteness is appreciated. Let us proceed. As expected. covering up your existence has proven quite fruitless. And unless we publicly disclose your existence one way or another, we risk the outbreak of widespread civil unrest. A choice must be made. And the regiment that takes custody of you will determine your fate. The Miliitary Police or the Scouting Regiment? To begin. The Military Police will now present their case."

"Thank you. My name is Nile Dawk. I am Commander of the Military Police. Our recommendation, following a thorough examination of his physiology, subject Eren Jaeger should be disposed of immediately." Nile said. He looked at Eren. "We acknowledge that Jaeger's ability played a part in turning back the latest Titan incursion. However, as has been stated, his mere existence is creating a swell of rebellious sentiment. For the greater good, after we have gathered all the information that we can from him, we would see him made a fallen warrior of humanity."

"Unacceptable!" Kara looked at a priest that stood with civilians. "This verminous fiend has defiled the mighty Wall." The priest said.

'One of the deranged Wall Cultist. Of course their here.' Kara thought as the priest went on.

"And now I'd like to hear the Scout Regiment's proposed plan." Zachary said, turning towards Erwin.

"Yes, sir. As the Commander of the Survey Corp, I, Erwin Smith, propose the following: Let Eren join our ranks. Reinstate him as a full member of the Scouts, and we will utilize his Titan ability to retake Wall Maria. That is all." Erwin said. Silence filled the room.

"Hm? Is that it?" Zachary asked.

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

"Quite bold. Assuming you were given clearance, where do you paln to launch this operation from?" Zachary asked. He looked towards Pyxis. "Commander Pyxis. The wall in Trost District has been completely sealed, is that correct?"

"Yes. I doubt it's gate will ever open again." Pyxis said.

"We'll depart from Calaneth District, to the east. From there we'll make for Shiganshina. A new route can be establish as we proceed." Erwin said. A merchant slammed his hands onto the railing.

"But that's ridiculous! Our time and money would be better spent sealing up all the gates! They're the only parts of the Wall that the Colossal Titan can break, right? Let's reinforce the blasted things and wash our hands of the entire affair!"

"Shut your mouth, you spineless merchant dog with a Titan on our side, we can finally return to Wall Maria!"

"We can't afford any more of your childish antics, or your delusions of grandeur!"

"Squealing louder won't help your case, pig." Levi said. People gasped and Kara had to bite her lip from laughing. "While we're bolstering our defenses, do you think the titans are going to stand idly by? And when you say we can't afford, do you speak for anyone other than your fat merchant friends? Do you pigs even realize that most of our people are struggling just to survive off what little land we have left?"

"I'm simply saying that sealing the gates is the only guaranteed protection we've got!" Merchant said.

"Hold your tongue, you vile, belligerent herectic! Are you really suggesting that we lowly humans meddle with Wall Rose a gift to us from on high? The wall is a miracle. And its divinity transcends human comprehension. Don't you understand?" The Priest said.

"It's that cult's fault. They're the ones who delayed the garrison's arming of the Walls." Armin whispered.

"That shows you the sick ammount of support and power they've got. I dont' trust them at all." Rico said. Kara clenched her jaw.

"Innocents could have been saved if they didn't stop the Garrison from arming the Walls." Kara whispered. The Merchant and the Priest continued their arguing til Zachary pounded his hand on the desk. Silence filled the room.

"Order! I will ask that you save your personal sentiments for a more appropriate venue." Zachary said. He was glaring at them. He looked back at Eren. "Now then Mr. Jaeger. I have a question for you. As a soldier, you have made a solemn pledge to answer humanity's call. Can you still serve by controlling your ability?"

"Yes! I will, sir!" Eren said.

"Oh? Is that so? But this report from the Battle of Trost contradicts that statement." Zachary said. He picks up a piece of paper. "Just after transforming, it seems you made an attempt to crush Mikasa Acherman and Kara Ackerman." Eren gasped. Kara studied him.

'He doesn't remember.' Kara thought. Mikasa and Kara glared at Riko.

"What'd you expect? You want me to lie in the report? Glossing over that important fact could potentially spell disaster for us all." Rico said.

"And who is this Mikasa Ackerman and Kara Ackerman?" Zachary said.

"I'm Mikasa Ackerman." Mikasa said.

"And I'm Kara Ackerman, sir." Kara said, looking back at the Premier.

"Alright, then. Is it true that Eren Jaeger assaulted you while he was in Titan form?" Zachary asked. Mikasa looked away from the Premier. Kara could feel Levi's eyes watching her.

"Answer the Premier honestly. Eren's future depends on it." Rico said.

"Yes sir. All of that's true, but I tackled Mikasa out of the attack from Eren." Kara said.

"Yes. All of its true." Mikasa said. There were whipsers and gasps in the courtroom.

"I knew it! He's a wolf in sheep's clothing!" The Merchant said. Kara gritted her teeth. Eren was staring at Mikasa in horror.

"However, he also saved m life twice before. And in each circumstance he was using his Titan ability. The First: shortly after Trost fell, I was nearly killed by a Titan. But then Eren came. He stepped in an protected me. The second time: He transformed to shield Armin and me from cannon fire. I implore you to take these facts into consideration."

"Objection. I have reason to believe that personal feelings play a large part in her testimony. Let the record show that Mikasa Ackerman was orphaned at a young age and was subsequently taken in by the Jaeger family. What's more, our only intel investigation into this matter led to a most shocking discovery." Nile said. Mikasa and Kara were both glaring at Nile. He looks at a piece of paper. "Eren Jaeger and Mikasa Ackerman, at the tender age of nine, dealt with three adult kidnappers by stabbing all of them to death." There were more gasps in the room. "Granted, this was done in self defense. All the same, one cannot help but question the violent nature of the act. Knowing all this, should we really invest in him? Money, manpower. Perhaps teh very fate of us all?" Kara clenched her fists behind her back as whispers fill the room. The Merchant pointed at Mikasa.

"Maybe she's one! I bet she's not human eitehr."

"Yeah, you're right. What about the other girl next to her? They got the same last name. Maybe they both are. Dissect them too, just to be safe!"

Levi felt a vein about to pop as he was glaring at them. Erwin had to put a hand on his shoulder from saying something as Mikasa and Kara looked like they wanted to kill someone.

"Now hold on a second! Maybe I'm a monster that you want dead, but you leave Mikasa and Kara out of this! Both of them are innocent!" Eren yelled. Mikasa's eyes widen.

"Like we'd trust you!"

"It's the truth!" Eren yelled.

"They must be Titans if you protect them."

"STOP IT!" Eren nearly screamed as he pulled at the chains.. Silence filled the room. "You're wrong. About it all. But you're so intent on pushing selfish agendas, you're blind to what's in front of you."

"Wait. What do you mean?" Nile said. Eren looked at Nile and glared.

"What does it even matter? None of you have even seen a Titan, so why're you so afraid, huh? There's no sense in having power if you're not going to use it to fight! If you're to scared to fight for your lives, fine. Let me do it! You.. You're all cowards!" Eren said. Kara had a smile on her face as the MPs look at Eren in shock.

"What?"

"Just shut up. And put all your faith in me!" Eren yelled. Silence filled the room. Nile looked at one of the soldiers.

"Take aim, damnit!" Nile said. Kara's eyes widen.

"Right! Yes, sir!" The soldier said as he took aim with his gun.

"NO!" Kara yelled. Levi was over the railing and running at Eren as Eren gasped as he stared down the barrel of the gun. Levi swings his foot and kicks Eren in the face. Eren's head goes flying back and a tooth falls out of his mouth.

"Huh." Eren said as he looked up at Levi. Levi kicks him in the chest. Levi grabs Eren's hair and pulls him up as he puts his knee in his face. He continues to kick Eren as people watch on. Mikasa was gasping and goes to attack Levi, but Armin and Kara stopped her.

"Mikasa wait." Armin said.

"But he's attacking Eren." Mikasa said.

"He's doing it to protect Eren and the Scouts to get custody. If you want Eren to live, let this happen." Kara said through gritted teeth. Mikasa's eyes widen at Kara's words. "Trust me. My father wouldn't be doing this without a reason." Mikasa looked back at Eren, who was getting his head stomped on by Levi. Blood was coming out of his mouth. Levi stood with his foot on Eren's head.

"You know, personally, I think nothing instills discipline like pain." Levi said. He looked down at Eren. "You don't need a good talking to. What you're in need of, boy, is to be taught a lesson. And you happen to be in perfect kicking position." He continues kicking. Eren was gasping and groaning in pain. Everyone watched in silence. Kara thought her father was having a little to much fun, kicking Eren. Nile held up his hand after awhile.

"Now hold on, Levi." Nile said. Levi had his foot pressed to Eren's face as he looked at Nile.

"What is it?" Levi asked, sounding bored as he brought his foot down.

"It's dangerous. What if he gets angry? Turns into a Titan?" Nile asked. Eren looks up at Levi. Levi gets one last good kick in.

"Don't be silly." Levi said. He grabs Eren by the hair and pulls him up. He looks at Nile. "After all, you guys just want to dissect him, don't you?" Levi drops Eren, who was groaning in pain. He looks around. "Kara. Come look at Eren." Kara let Mikasa go and quickly jumped over the railing to run to Eren. She knelt next to him.

"Eren." Kara whispered.

"Your father knows how to beat someone." Eren whispered. Kara smirked as Eren looked up at her.

"During the time that he was transformed, they said that Jaeger was able to kill twenty Titans before he finally ran out of strength. As an enemy, his itelligence makes him all the more dangerous. But I could still take him down without a problem. How many of you can say the same? Before you torment the Beast, you better think. Can you actually kill him?" Levi asked. Erwin raised his hand.

"Sir. I have a proposition." Erwin said. Kara and Eren looked at Erwin.

"Proceed." Zachary said.

"There's still to much we don't know. And no doubt, his danger will be ever present. As such, I suggest this: Eren Jaeger will be placed under Captain Levi's supervision. And we'll conduct a recon mission outside the wall." Erwin said.

"Jaeger will join you in this excursion?" Zachary asked.

"Yes, sir. Then you can look upon the mission's results yourself. And if he successfully controls his ability Eren will have proven his value to mankind." Erwin said.

"Eren Jaeger will be closely supervised? And if he should lose control?" Zachary said. Kara looked at her father.

"I can definitely kill him, if it comes to that. The only downside is, there's absolutely no middle ground." Levi said. Kara stood up. Mikasa was still glaring at Levi. "My daugther will be helping make sure he doesn't lose control." Zachary looked at Kara. He stroked his beard. Kara held her breath.

"Hm. Then I have made my choice. Eren Jaeger will be handed over to the Scout Regiment and under Captain Levi's control." Zachary said. Kara sighed in relief. Eren was freed. Kara went up to her friends.

"You won't have him kill Eren will you?" Armin asked. Kara shook her head.

"It's why I was pulled into the Scouts to help with Eren. He'll be fine, Mikasa." Kara said. Mikasa sighed and nodded.

"Brat. Time to go." Levi said.

"Coming, dad." Kara said. Kara followed Levi and Eren out of the courtroom and into a little room off it. Eren was sitting in front of Hange as she cleaned his wounds. Kara stood with her arms crossed, still parinoid at what the people said about her and Mikasa.

"Well that went better than I expected." Hange said. Eren winced as she touched one of his bruises. "Does it hurt?" She pulled away and Eren put a cloth to his face.

"Yeah." Eren said.

"Yeah? Describe it to me!" Hange said. Eren gasps.

"Leave the kid alone, Hange. He just got beaten up." Kara said, rolling her eyes. Miche stood by the window as Erwin walked over to Eren. Levi stood glaring from the corner.

"Sorry for all that. But the theatrics did get you placed in our custody." Erwin said.

"No I understand." Eren said.

"I can assure you the pain was worth it. We played our trump card at teh perfect time." Erwin said. He got down on his knees in front of Eren. "You have my utmost respect." He held out his hand for Eren. Eren gasps. "Eren, I'm gald that you're on our team." Eren gasps and Kara smiled.

"Uh? Me, too! Glad to be here, sir!" Eren said, shaking Erwin's hand. Levi came over and sat on the couch. Eren flinched as Levi put his arm on the back of the couch.

"Dad. Don't go scaring the kid." Kara said. Levi ignored her as he looked at Eren.

"So, Eren." Levi said.

"Sir?" Eren said.

"You don't resent me now, do you?" Levi asked. Eren looked at Levi with a terrified look on his face.

"No. I can see that what you did was necessary, sir." Eren said, looking away.

"Good. Then you understand." Levi said.

"Still, don't you think you went to far? I mean, you knocked his tooth out!" Hange said. She pulled a cloth out and revealed the tooth.

"You picked it up? How disgusting." Levi said. Hange knelt in front of Eren, ignoring Levi.

"This is a precious sample I'll have you know!" Hange said.

"Just be glad people like that aren't dissecting you." Kara said. Hange kicked Kara's leg. "Ow."

"Don't you dare compare me with them. I would never even dream of killing him." Hange said. Levi rolled his eyes. Hange looked at Eren. "Hey, Eren. Let me take a look inside that mouth of yours!" Eren hesitated but opened his mouth. Hange gasped. "It grew back!"

Back to the Cadet Corps. Jean stood on the porch watching the sun go down. Mikasa and Armin had come back and said Eren was with the Scouts now and they had seen Kara. He was still annoyed that the Scouts took her before they had a chance to talk. The kiss after Eren had plugged the hole had left him in complete shock. Marco joined him on the porch. He saw the fustration on his friends face.

"Have you decided where your going?" Marco asked.

"I'm joining the Scouts. I want to see Kara and be where she is. Your still joining the MPs?" Jean asked.

"I figured you were after the Trost incident. I plan to join the MPs still and I think Annie plans to as well. I'm sure we can see each other soon as we got days off." Marco said. Jean put a hand on Marco's shoulder. "Just don't let her slip away from you, Jean. She's good for you."

"I don't plan to." Jean said. They head to get food.

AN: Yes. Marco is a alive. We'll see him here and there through the story. Think Jean deserves to tell Kara his feelings. Til next time.