Chapter 13: Words have Power.
The three of them were marched along a long corridor while being escorted by two armed guards with unicorn emblems on their jackets and the two scouts who they thought were here to get them.
"My name's Hange Zoe, I'm a squad leader in the Scout Regiment and my friend here is also a squad leader for the Scouts, his name is Mike Zacharias." She said while Mike sniffed the boys, leaning down and taking a few whiffs of them, Eren and Alphonse cringed as Mike sniffed them.
"Hey, ever heard of personal space?" asked Ed in an annoyed manner as Mike sniffed him.
"Don't mind him, he always does this when meeting new people." laughed Hange "He doesn't mean it in any threatening manner and beside his quirks he's a skilled squad leader." There was a few seconds of uncomfortable silence as the group continued to walk down the corridor"Oh would you look at that, we're already here." She said pretending to be concerned "But you know what, it's better if I just don't explain anything" she finished with a smile
"Huh?" said Eren
"Wait what the hell going on-" said Ed, before they were pushed past the large doors by the guards
"Don't worry about a thing boys, just speak from the heart." She responded "and remember boys we're all counting on you three." She finished, the doors slamming shut. They looked around to find themselves in a large courtroom, with a large tapestry on the ceiling and rows of seats on the left and right side on a well polished marble floor, there were balconies above them and in front of them, an open space with three elevated platforms and a large desk in front of what looked to be a throne with the four insignia of the military branches above it.
They stood there in awe at the place A courtroom? Thought Eren we was underneath a courtroom? suddenly the barrel of a rifle was then roughly shoved into their backs "Hey, keep moving!" said one of the guards, they entered the open space and were told to each stand on an elevated platform, with Ed in between Eren who was to his left, near the Scouts and Al to his right, near the Military Police, and get on their knees as a metal poll was placed to lock their shackles and hold them on the spot
Won't be able to perform Alchemy if things get messy thought Ed. Eren looked around the room; examining the faces of the people in the room, he looked to his right to face the Military Police who were led by Nile Dok, holding what looked to be sheets of paper in his hands and to his left he saw Commander Pixis along with Ian, Rico and Mitabi, Commander Erwin with Captain Levi and… Mikasa, Armin and Mina.
"Mina?" mouthed Alphonse to her
Mikasa! Armin! Eren thought as he stared at them
The three of them stared back at Eren, Ed and Alphonse, Mikasa and Armin were discussing the trial and what become of them, what might happen to Eren during lunch while Mina was talking to Annie when suddenly a member of the Military Police called out their names to act as witness and if need be to provide testimonies at court.
The sound of a door creaking open caught the attention of everyone in the room and out stepped a large old man with grey hair and beard wearing glasses. He walked up to the chair and placed his jacket neatly on the desk
"Who's he?" whispered Ed to Eren
"That's Premier, Darius Zackly; he's in charge of all branches in the Military." Responded Eren
"So shall we begin" said Darius "So your names are Eren Yeager, Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric, yes?"
"Yes" they responded
"Eren Yeager, as a soldier you have pledged to give up your life in service for the public, yes?"
"Yes sir" responded Eren
"In ordinary times your case would have been treated as a court marshal, however these aren't ordinary times as we have the Elric brothers who, although aren't part of any military branch, are also on trial; their involvement in the Trost recovery operation and desire to join a branch of the military, specifically the Scout Regiment, means I have decided to treat them as soldiers; as such I will decide which branch of the military you three will fall under custody of and ultimately whether you three live or die" announced Darius "Any objections?"
"No…" they said after some hesitation, Ed had a bad feeling about the whole situation; he, Al and Eren were now at the mercy of this man and their hopes were now pinned on Commander Erwin making a convincing case on their behalf.
"Very good" replied Darius in a monotone voice "now as many in this room must know, your existence and arrival has led to intense debate these past recent days within these walls; some call you boys demons, monster and a very threat to Humanity, while others call you a saviour and angels who sent here to save the Human race, as expected we couldn't keep your existence a secret and if we fail to produce a public statement on such we run the risk of widespread civil unrest, a decision must be made and the regiment who shall hold custody of you three will determine your fate; The Military Police or the Scout Regiment." He paused allowing the information to sink in for a few seconds "The Military Police shall present their case."
"Thank you, Premier" he said "I'm Nile Dok, the Commander of the Military Police, our recommendation is this; we shall have a thorough examination of Eren's anatomy and as for the Elrics, their outsider status of not just within these walls but within this very world makes them an unknown variable and an all to likely threat to us; as such we shall place them under interrogation to extract any crucial information they may possess, after this we shall have the three of them disposed of immediately."
Eren, Ed and Alphonse mouths' were all agape at what he was saying; he'd have Eren cut open and killed the Elrics tortured and then afterwards killed as well. Armin, Mikasa and Mina grimaced when they heard the proposal.
"While we acknowledge the vital role they had in the recovery of Trost, as the Premier has stated their mere existence has inspired rebellious sentiment; with those who control the reins of power viewing them as a threat and the masses who view Eren as a saviour and Elrics angles sent from Heaven, mainly within Wall Rose and its surrounding districts, as such for the greater good when we have extracted all the information that we can from them, they shall be made martyrs for Humanity." He finished
Ed was about to yell at Nile Dok is response at his proposal If these bastards thing they can torture and kill me and my brother then they're completely deluded.
"Unacceptable!" yelled the person standing next to Nile, he was old, had short hair, sunken in eyes and wore a black robe and some kind of big necklace around his neck. "Eren is nothing more than a pest who has slipped past the divine protection of the walls and these brothers are demons, false shepherds who claim to be angels, they talk of this other world to lead us away from the divine protection of these walls!"
What at nutcase thought Ed as he listened to the priest's ramblings with a perplexed look on his face
Wall cultists… They're the ones who have made putting cannons on the Wall a difficulty thought Eren Five years ago nobody would listen to them, now they're gained some power.
"Minister Nick, please settle down." Asked Darius "Now I wish to hear the proposal presented by the Scout Regiment
Please don't mess this up thought Ed and Alphonse
"Thank you Premier" said Erwin "I am Erwin Smith, the Commander for the Scout Regiment; we propose that Eren Yeager, Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric be inducted into the ranks of the Scout Regiment so that we can utilise their abilities to retake Wall Maria… that is all" he finished still keeping that calm authoritative demeanour.
"Is that all you have to say, Erwin?" asked Darius
"Yes sir, with Eren's Titan strength and the Elric's Alchemic abilities we stand a good chance of reclaiming Wall Maria, our priorities are clear."
We're so dead thought Ed
"A bold plan, Erwin, of course I ask where will you set up your base to launch your expeditions outside the Walls in future?" asked Darius "Commander Pixis, from what I've read the wall in Trost is completely sealed, correct?"
"Yes and it's likely that the entrance shall remained sealed." Responded Pixis
"I respectably disagree with Commander Pixis' assessment" said Erwin "I have been informed by the Elrics that they could construct an entrance using their Alchemic Abilities; meaning that we can set up base back in Trost and this also means that the last four years of work in forming a supply route won't go to waste."
"You will risk the supply path you've set up for four years if those three are allowed to join the Scout Regiment." Stated Nile
"You're talking about opening a hole in Trost when it was just sealed up a few days ago" cried a person standing on the side of the Military Police "madness, clearly the best course of action is to seal up all the entrances since they're the only places the Colossal Titan can break through and be done with this war! We can't continue to fund these suicide missions just so a bunch of soldiers can play hero! "
"That's a lot of bullshit for a pig." Remarked Levi in a cold intimidating manner "Do you really believe that the Titans will just allow us to strengthen our defenses and wait for their turn? And when you say we I'm assuming you mean you and your gluttonous merchant friends? Are you so out of it that you don't realize that there are people struggling to get by because we don't have enough land?"
"Look… All I'm saying is that sealing the gates maybe our only way to guarantee our safety"
"You heretic, Hold your tongue! These walls are a gift from God, are you suggesting that we humans tamper with God's creation!" the minister continued to go on a rant about the divinity of the walls leaving to looks of discomfort and disgruntled expression by most in the room. Suddenly the echo of a hand slamming on the table broke the minister's rant.
"Order, I suggest you save your sermonises for a more appropriate occasion" said Darius, slightly annoyed "Now I'll ask you three a question; Eren Yeager as a soldier will you use your Titan abilities for the benefit of humanity? And Elric brothers can you pledge right here and now that, in the time you will spend here as soldiers of humanity, your allegiance is to the people within these walls and that you'll follow the structure of command as subordinates to your superior officers?
"Yes sir" replied Eren eagerly
"Yes" replied Both Ed and Alphonse "We promise to do so." Alphonse added
"Interesting, because the reports produced by the Garrison officers responsible for your safety state otherwise" remarked Darius "Eren Yeager its states that soon after you transformed into a Titan you had tried to attack Edward Elric and looked to be preparing to attack Cadet Mikasa Ackerman before you were incapacitated by Edward Elric, as presented by multiple people who witnessed the event occur" Eren moved back sharply and gasped, he shifted his head to Ed who looked at him and shrugged and then to Mikasa who was giving angry glares to the Garrison Officers standing to her right. "And Elrics, it says here that after the red flare was fired into the sky signalling for a retreat, instead of waiting on the order of Team leader Ian Dietrich you both instead abandoned your squad and effectively broke the chain of command and on top of this, Edward you had mentioned a one Maes Hugh a Brigadier General, by all accounts you talked of him as if you were once a subordinate to him, which puts into question your allegiances."
Ed turned his head to look at the Garrison officers that was my promise to you Ed thought that we would make sure the deaths in Trost meant something Rico looked at Ed and Alphonse as if she wanted to apologize and explain why she had to mention it. He then turned to face Darius "Maes Hughes wasn't my superior officer, he was a friend of Al and I back on our world who died a few years ago."
"Were you ever part of the military back on your world?" asked Darius
Ed thought about whether he should answer that question honestly if I tell them I was a State Alchemist they'll send Al and I to the Military Police for sure, but how do if this isn't some kind of test of honesty? He knew that the three of us wanted to join Scout Regiment so Erwin must have told him that, maybe he told him about what I said.
"I was, but Alphonse wasn't" Ed stated clearly "I use to be a State Alchemist, but that was a few years ago and since then I had resigned my government license; I don't work for my government, Al and I came here out of our own choice to help you people, the government back on our world has no interest in you, hell there was just a huge change in leadership and the last thing they want is to be caught up in other country's affairs let alone other world's."
"With respect Premier but how can we trust their word knowing that they we're employed by their world's military?" questioned Nile "How can we ever trust that their allegiances are towards us and not still to their government? For all we know they could have been in constant contact with their world; relaying information about us and our military capabilities and as for Cadet Eren Yeager, our investigation of him has revealed that six years ago he and Cadet Mikasa Ackerman had killed three slave traders at just the age of nine years old." Gasps and whispers could be heard across the court room, Ed and Alphonse both looked at Eren, they couldn't imagine what that must have been like; to take another person's life at such a young age. "While this was in self-defense, one cannot help but question the violent nature of the act."
"Nile Dok raises some good points" said Darius "Cadet Mina Carolina, in the report it's said you were the first to encounter the Elrics, can you clearly and truthfully state whether you had seen any suspicious activity from the Elric brothers to suggest that they are operating under the orders of a foreign power?"
"None, sir." She said as confidently as she could "In the time I've know them all they've done is try be as helpful as they could to us; in many cases putting themselves in harm's way so that others wouldn't have too and the only question they ever asked me was how to kill a Titan."
"Interesting" replied Darius "And what of you Mikasa Ackerman, is there perhaps anything you'd like to shed light on?"
"Yes sir, as far as I know this is the only account of Eren losing control of his Titan abilities, he had saved my life two times before that; once when I was out of gas facing a fifteen meter with only a blunt blade and the other time was when he shielded Armin, Mina, the Elrics and I from a cannonball."
"And what about you Ian, anything to add?" asked Darius
"Yes Premier, while it is true that the Elrics broke the chain of command I believe their reason to do so was justified; they were determined to make sure the deaths of our comrades didn't go in vain and they helped in holding back more Titans from entering the city, if they we're absence from the battle then it's safe to assume more Titans would have entered Trost resulting in further casualties to the Garrison elite squads."added Ian
"I can testify to that, sir" added Rico "Edward Elric had held back five Titans at the entrance long enough for Eren Yeager to place the boulder."
"Premier, If I may, there are a few problems with their testimonies; one being that they are inclined to be biased in favor of these boys; Mina Carolina owes her life to them and Mikasa to Eren, not to mention the long standing childhood friendship between the two, and second while Mina was in close to the Elrics during the evacuation she wasn't always with them; there are gaps in their time here where they weren't under anyone's supervision, from the moment they got here, the moment of the escape to the HQ in Trost and the time they abandoned the Garrison officers; three opportunities they could have used to possibly assume contact with their world again and while their intentions may seem noble lets not forget they still broke the chain of command, so I ask you; can we really risk it? Can we really put our faith in these three; put our resources, money, our soldiers and the very fate of humanity itself in their hands?"
"We're here to help, asshole!" yelled Edward to Nile "We are willing to face the Titans and help you retake your lost land and you want to kill us instead, throw away three possible great assets to use? How did an idiot like you make Commander anyways?"
"How do we know they're friends are part of it?" cried a random person
"They said there were only two other survivors of his squad, they could have been their traitors in disguise!" said another
"Kill them just in case!" proclaimed another
"You leave my friends out of this!" yelled Eren "They had nothing to do with this!"
Alphonse looked around with a feeling of anxiety taking over his body, this whole thing had gone from bad to worse and now it's devolved into a screaming match between the Military Police against Ed and Eren
"Shut up!" yelled Eren from the stop of his lungs, silencing the courtroom "Look at you all, you're only priority is pushing whatever story makes sense to you; you've completely cut yourselves off from the real world."
"What did you say?" replied Nile
"Why does it matter to you?" What am I saying? "None of you have even seen a Titan before so why are you so afraid I should just keep my mouth shut… No if they want to kill me then I'm going to tell them what I think what's the point in having power and doing nothing with it? If you're too afraid to fight then fine we'll do it instead but don't stop us from doing it! YOU COWARDS! HOW ABOUT FOR ONCE IN YOUR MISERABLE LIVES YOU JUST SHUT UP AND GET BEHIND THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO FIGHT!
There was a few seconds of uncomfortable silence "Stand ready!" yelled Nile
"Yes, sir "they replied as they lined up a small firing squad at the three boys
Crap, what have I done? Thought Eren
Shit! Got to think of something! Thought Ed
Not like this! Thought Alphonse
But before the MPs could shoot him, Levi had delivered a shift kick to Eren's cheek, sending a tooth flying out of his mouth and right in front of Alphonse, everyone turned watch Levi as he stood there, his leg still off the ground. Before Eren could compose himself Levi sent another kick into his gut he then grabbed him by the hair and collar and pulled Eren forward to knee him in the head. Everyone watched with their mouths agape as Levi brutalised the Titan shifter. Mikasa was about to intervene and kill Levi but was stopped by Armin who grabbed her hand "Mikasa, Wait" he whispered as they continue to watch Eren get kicked repeatedly while Mina, Ed and Alphonse watched in horror as their friend was getting beaten up, unable to defend himself. Eren gasped for air before Levis stomped his head into the marble floor
"This is just my opinion" said Levi in monotone voice "But I've always found pain to be an effective way of disciplining people, you don't need a lecture you need to be taught a lesson and you just happen to be in perfect kicking position." He then continued to kick Eren, switching from kicking him in the temple to stomping on him.
"Hey!" yelled Ed catching Levi's attention, he shifted his head towards him "You think you're a big guy for kicking someone who can't defend themselves?"
Levi walked over to Ed who was in the centre of the three, Ed continued to glare at Levi even when he knew he was next to be beaten while locked to this metal poll, unable to perform alchemy. "You think you can beat me into submission?" questioned Ed
"No" responded Levi "But I know just what to do to have you beneath my feet." Suddenly Ed felt a pair of hands grab from behind his head and forcibly shift it towards Alphonse and Levi "Hey what are yo-" his stomach dropped when he realised just what was about to happen
"You aren't someone I can beat into being disciplined, but when the people you love comes into the crosshair then that an entirely different story" said Levi who then looked down at Alphonse who had a look of worry and fear
"Ed-" Levi then grabbed Alphonse by his hair and collar, pulled him forward and kneed him in his face
"No! Stop!" yelled Ed as he struggled to free himself from his the stranger's grip
Levi then kneed Alphonse in the gut, again and again and again.
"I'll kill you!" shouted Ed "I'll kill you!" as he tried to break free from his restraints, the threats only seemed to intensify the beating as he began kicking Alphonse in the temple, each time Alphonse cried out in pain
"Al!" cried Ed, as the tears fell from his eyes, forced to watch his brother get beaten in front of him and being unable to do anything, everyone watched still stunned; Armin had let go of Mikasa who was now just watching Alphonse get beaten both of them looked on mortified by what they were seeing, Mina shut her eyes trying to look away, tears falling from her closed eyes as she heard Alphonse's groans of pain and Ed crying out. Nile Dok and the Military Police watched stunned and wondered whether they should step in and Erwin watch stone faced, not a single change in his stern expression.
"Stop it…" said Eren "If you're gonna hurt someone, hurt me; he's not a monster, I am…" he tried to reason
Mikasa gasped "Eren… no." she whispered
"Please…" said Ed, visibly shaking "He's my little brother, don't hurt him… I'll do whatever you want just stop hurting him…" he was begging Levi to stop, Levi turned to Ed, kneel down and picked Alphonse up from his slump by his head and forced him upwards, Alphonse was fighting to stay conscious, blood running down his nose and his face covered in purple marks, he then let go of Alphonse head, his body falling into a slump, while the person behind Ed released his head, allowing to just look at the ground and try to compose himself.
"Sir, I have a proposal." Declared Erwin "There is still too much about Yeager that we don't know and the Elrics still remain an unknown factor to us so I propose this; that the three of them shall be placed under Captain Levi's supervision as a fail-safe in case the Elrics betray us or Yeager goes rogue, we shall conduct a recon mission outside the walls from Karanes for the 57th expedition to track Titan movements in the area ,we had deduced that should the Colossal Titan and Armour Titan strike again their next target could be the next closet entry would be that district, this also provides with the opportunity to put their abilities to the test without endangering the infrastructure we set up from Trost and if Eren has shown to be in control of his Titan abilities and the Elrics have shown themselves to be dedicated towards the cause of humanity on this world, then the three of them will have proven their value to mankind."
"The three of them will be kept under a watchful eye?" questioned Darius "Captain Levi, can you guarantee you'll be able to manage them?"
"It's said that between the three of them they've killed over forty Titans; their intelligence and abilities would make the dangerous foes, but I can take them down all the same, which means that I can handle them, they'll learn to be obedient under my watch" He said looking over to Ed who glared at him with gritting his teeth, tears still falling down his cheeks while still visibly shaking with rage. "Drawback is of course, is that there'l be no middle ground, either one of them goes rogue or tries to backstab us then I'll definitely have to kill them."
Darius closed his eyes for a second "Then I have made my choice; Eren Yeager, Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric are to be placed into the custody of the Scout Regiment."
After the court case Eren and Alphonse were sat down on a couch having their injuries examined by Hange with Edward cleaning the blood from Al's face, he placed the soaking wet rag under his brother's nose to wipe away the blood from his upper lip
"You alright? Asked Ed, concerned for Al's well being
"I should be fine." replied Alphonse "hadn't experienced pain like that since teacher."
Just then Levi walked into the room, Ed turned around and almost instantly he felt his blood boil "You!" he yelled as he swung his right fist at Levi who quickly grabbed it with his own right hand, Ed then went to swing with his left hand and that too was grabbed by Levi, the two of them were now in a stand-off waiting to see who'd break first, Ed glared at him while Levi just continued to look at him with that same expressionless face, for someone whose this short he's pretty strong thought Ed as he pushed his weight onto him.
"Brother!" exclaimed Alphonse
"Ed, what are you doing?" exclaimed Eren, stunned that he'd try to attack Captain Levi
"Edward" said Levi, in a calm manner "calm down, there's no need for this."
"You didn't have to beat my brother!" responded Ed angrily though gritted teeth
"But he had to; if Levi hadn't shown that he could control you then Darius would have sided with the Military Police and now you'd be on a wagon for Mitras to be tortured and killed" explained Erwin "What we did was brutal but it was necessary to your survival."
Ed began anger began to diminish as Erwin explained to him why, he straighten his back and lowered his hands, Levi then moved pass Ed and sat on the chair between Eren and Alphonse who flinched as he sat right next to them "So boys, are we all on the same page?" asked Levi
"Yes, sir." Replied Eren and Alphonse
"Yeah…" replied Edward is an angered hushed tone
"Glad to hear it" replied Levi "now Elrics, I've been told that I'm to teach you how to operate the ODM gear in preparation for the coming expedition."
"Indeed" said Erwin with a smile on his face "I'm postponing the expedition by about another month, which should give you two plenty of time to familiarise yourselves the equipment and you're going to be taught be Captain Levi, a master in ODM gear and someone who was self-taught."
"Now I won't make any promises that you'll come out it as experts, but at the very least you'll be competent enough to not fly straight into the mouth of a Titan." Added Levi "So be prepared we'll begin training once we get settled in to our new base."
Ed and Alphonse both looked at each other with wide eyes, trying to imagine what it'll be like to use the ODM gear and soar through the air Looks like we won't be asking people for piggyback rides anymore thought Alphonse.
Trained by Captain Levi… that's a privilege I would have given anything to have thought Eren
"Well boys, welcome to the Scout Regiment" said Erwin "I look forward to working with you three" he extended his hand towards them
"Yes sir" said Eren as he enthusiastically shook Erwin's hand, as he realized his life dream
"Thank you" said Alphonse, shaking his hand
"Yeah, sure." replied Ed hesitantly while he shook his hand, realising that he and Al took one step closer towards realising their own goal.
"Now Eren, I need to see your mouth." Said Hange, Eren obliged and opened his mouth
"Huh?" said Hange as he looked at a full set of teeth; she opened up the handkerchief to reveal the tooth that was kicked out of Eren's mouth "Your tooth…it grew back…"