All of the New Liberian volunteers, Good Eldian Society members, and escaped Marleyans that were involved in the kidnapping were arrested by the Military Police. After being brought in they were questioned on their motives and their families were put under investigation. They all expected the "devils" to automatically arrest them, but they only arrested the Brauns and the Gillards as well as a few others who they confirmed knew about the plan and were involved in one way or another. The remaining relatives were spared, and the majority of them became grateful that they were not in Marley anymore. This also prompted a few of the captured Eldians to reveal that it was the Marleyan Military Commander Magath who gave the Warrior Candidates instructions to take the Founder for Marley. Some, like Gabi, stayed quiet. Their trials took place and they were given appropriate sentences in prison based on their level of involvement. Pieck and Falco were spared due to their confessions and acts of sabotage.

"Jean, I'm sorry for trying to manipulate you," Pieck said to the Shifter in the court after she was found innocent (mostly). "You're a good man. I have nothing but respect for you."

Jean turned his head, keeping his arms crossed.

"Thank you for notifying me about Connie's family. I owe you for that."

Pieck smiles at him.

Ones like Gabi who had Sasha to vouch for her were given two months in juvie.

"Before I am taken away I have something to say." Gabi shamefully turned to the Braus', Kaya, Mia, and the others in the court. "I'm sorry. None of you are devils, you're just people. The only one here that's a devil is me. I wanted to hurt you, to kill everyone on this island and take no prisoners, so I could get praise. And I convinced myself you were evil, deserved it, so I could think I was good. It was sick. I just thought that if I did, then the world would forgive me and the rest of our people for the crimes of the Eldian empire. That we would be free. But I was wrong. I hope someday you can forgive me."

The Braus couple exchanged looks with each other, though the kids were more hesitant. But Kaya was at least a little sympathetic.

"You're not a devil, Gabi. You were just a kid."

"We hope you will be alright, dear," Mrs. Braus said.

"A'm sure she be fine," Says Mr. Braus. "She a tough girl."

"Mia?"

Mia was crossing her arms in stubborn defiance. And Gabi averted her eyes.

"Be well, Gabi," Kaya said.

Gabi smiled sadly. She looked at her cousin, Reiner, who was there in the court. His hands were bound and he was closely watched by two MP's. Reiner looked at her sympathetically while he shot a critical look at his mother and other relatives.

"Reiner, I understand how you must feel now. I'm sorry."

Reigner sighs. "It's ok, Gabi. It's ok. Permission to hug my cousin, Judge Zackly?"

"Ugh, permission granted," the judge, Darius Zackly says uninterested.

Reiner walked up to his little cousin who was at the stand. Gabi wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him. She let her tears fall onto his shoulders. Karina, her brother, sister-in-law, and nephew watched the exchange, feeling guilt and stupidity over their actions. Especially since those actions had put Ben away until at least his mid-twenties and the adults away for decades.

Before Gabi was taken away, Falco and his family promised that they would take Gabi in as soon as her two months were up.

Reiner also promised to be there for her whenever he could, and to take her in as soon as his own service was up, just a few more years. Before his mother and family were taken away, he said this to them: "Mother. I can forgive you, for everything. You just have to be sorry. Uncle, Aunt, Ben…I was in the same boat as you all once. I wish you well."

Meanwhile, a search party was out looking for Porco Gilliard. An artistic drawing was made on his Pseudo-Titan form from the five witnesses recounts and every military member was on the lookout for the flying Titan.

But the biggest part of the trial was the persecution of Niccolo. However, thanks to Niccolo's guilty plea, the knowledge that he ultimately told the truth, helped rescue the captives, and assertions from Kess and a few other Marleyans that their captain was forcing him, the jury took it easy on him.

"It's a pity," Zackly tells Niccolo. "I was looking forward to having you punished the same way as your Maryland cohorts. But don't think your getting off scott-free."

"Yeah!" Samuel Linke-Jackson shouts from the Persecution table, to Sasha's annoyance. "Attach him to one of your piss-drinking machines!"

"YOU are marked for not listening to him when he told you," Zackly tells Samuel. The MP sits down embarrassed as Sasha smirks a little satisfied. "Now as for you, Mr. Fischer. There is this new restaurant being built that is exclusively going to hold military personnel. We're going to place you there so we can keep a closer eye on you. And if you attempt to contact any of your fellow Marleyans or traitorous Eldians again, you will face criminal charges.."

Niccolo nods. "Understandable, sir. But for how long?"

"For as long as we deem necessary," Zackley says. "Now will Sasha Braus take the stand?"

Sasha stands up and anxiously walks to the stand. Niccolo walks by her and wishes her good luck as she sits down and he sits at the Defense table along with Hange and Levi. Niccolo looks over at Samuel who mouths that he's dead. Niccolo ignores him and Zackly begins his assessment.

"Sasha Braus. Aside from the fact that the victims included your own family, the whole reason this happened was because of your careless conversation with the enemy."

"I know. But I-"

"You created a great security risk, not just to yourself but to the whole island, by sharing information with Mr. Fischer. You indirectly aided terrorists who were attempting to help our greatest rivals steal the Founding Titan from us and you considered giving up yours. It is my personal recommendation that you be fired from the Survey Corp and stripped of your Titan. How do you plead?"

"Guilty, your honor," Sasha looks down. "I know I messed up. Words can't describe how much shame I feel. But I just want to say this. Ultimately, I think we all want peace with Marley or atleast for them to stop wanting to kill us. So I wanted to get close to Niccolo and know him as a person, and for him to know me. And look, we became so good friends that he defied his captain for me. He risked his life to save my family and several other Eldian children. I do not regret that much and I hope more people from both our countries can follow this example."

Niccolo smiles. The jury mutters among themselves. Some agree with what Sasha had said, others are rolling their eyes. Samuel stands up.

"Oh, yes. You and the Marleyan are VERY close." Samuel clears his throat. "Through my observation, the relationship between Sasha and Mr. Fischer extends far beyond a close platonic friendship."

"Don't listen to him. He's just mad because I didn't return his feelings."

Samuel smirks wickedly at Sasha. "I bet you would have if I was blonde and cooked for you. Right." He then mumbles. "Whore"

Niccolo smacks his hands on the table.

"Don't you dare talk to her like that!"

"Samuel, that is way out of line!" Hange agrees. "Now, Premier, I know that Sahsa made a mistake. But I assure you that she is a loyal and dedicated soldier. What happened here was just one mistake."

"How loyal can she be if she's screwing around with a captive?" Samuel asks.

"Enough, Linke," Levi says.

"What? Captain, she's given out critical information."

"Hey now, me and Sasha only shared basic information about ourselves," Niccolo says. "Koch wanted me to get deeper information from her but I refused."

"Personally Identifiable Information that was still used to hinder our island's security."

Zackly smacks his hand on the table.

"Order! Order! However, Linke is right, Sasha Braus. I must ask you to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Sasha Braus, are you and Mr. Niccolo Fisher in a romantic relationship?"

Sasha's eyes widen. Niccolo averts his gaze away from Sasha and Samuel's face is a mix of smugness and jealous discomfort.

Levi stands up. "Premier, that hardly seems like an appropriate conversation for a court case."

"Oh no, I think this is highly appropriate for this Sasha Braus, your statement."

Sasha is silent for a minute as she collects her thoughts. Her eyes dart between her family and the man she does love. Finally, Sasha speaks.

"No, sir. Me and Niccolo talked. We became close friends. I enjoyed talking with him and eating his food. But one of the things that he confessed to me before the trial was that he felt guilty over being forced to flirt and seduce a 16-year-old while he was 19. He considers me a minor and therefore it would have been highly inappropriate for such a relationship regardless of the situation. I swear to you, we have not even kissed on the lips since the day we met."

Niccolo, Jean, and Connie sigh. They all know Sasha's true feelings but what she says is also true as well.

"Connie Springer. Jean Kirsten. The court now requests your verification."

Connie rubs his head. "Oh, uh…Yeah, they were cool. But there was nothing romantic, so to say. I mean, he commented that she ate like a pig." "Yes, I assure you their interactions were always within established boundaries," Jean says.

"They are liars!" Samuel shouts. "I bet she and this Marleyan bastard were fucking in the bushes when no one was looking! And that one!" Samuel points to Jean. "He wants to fuck the former Cart Titan! I can see it in his eyes!"

Zackly bangs his hand on the table.

"Mr. Link-Jackson. If you do not calm down…." Samuel raises his hands in defense and sits down. "...Good. Back to business. Sasha Braus. I have decided that you will be allowed to remain as an active member of the Survey Corps. However, you will be marked and you will be watched to avoid any further incidents. You will also be forbidden from seeing Niccolo Fischer and your Titan will be taken and given to the next available soldier."

"What!?" Sasha turns to Niccolo, who shares her worried look.

"Hold on a second Premier," Connie steps forward. "Now I can understand wanting to take away her Titan, but you can't stop Sasha from seeing Niccolo."

"Why can't I?"

"Uh…Because he's a chef and Sasha likes to eat?"

Zackly looks at Connie as if to say: "Really? That's your argument?"

Hange stands up. "Sir, I talked to Sasha after reverting her parents back to human. She fully acknowledges her mistake. But, if you recall, their interactions weren't just composed of Sasha telling him things about herself. Niccolo also told Sasha things about him. Sasha, tell the court some of the things about Marley that you learned from Niccolo."

Sasha starts. "Well…I learned that there is a group in Marley that is dedicated to helping the Eldians on the mainland achieve equal rights. He told me about his family who all serve in the military. And he told me some of the propaganda that they tried to teach him in school."

Zackly scoffs. "None of that is important. Our spies in Marley have told us that and more already."

Niccolo stands up.

"Premier Zackly. I take full responsibility for-"

"This isn't about that. This is about removing weak links from our military. And a soldier who has been compromised is a security breach."

"Well…then…I offer myself to the Paradisian Military!"

Now everyone's eyes are turned to Niccolo, who can't believe he just said that.

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" Zackly asks.

"I…Yes, I offer myself to the Paradis Military if you forgive Sasha Braus."

"Niccolo…" Sasha gasps. "You don't have to."

"If I went back to Marley I would probably just get conscripted or be guilt-tripped by my family into enlisting again. Besides, I'm already a traitor for helping you. Everyone back home will hate me. I might as well stay here where I have some friends and I get to serve as a chef. And if you don't trust me, then you may lock me away. Just don't punish her anymore."

"...No, you don't have to do that. I will voluntarily give up my Titan and leave the military," Sasha declares.

"No, Sasha, you shouldn't-"

"Enough, both of you!" Zackly shouts.

Levi addresses Zackly again. "Premier, first of all, me and Hange are the ones in charge of Titan distribution, not you. Second of all, with Historia currently attending the UN meeting in Albion to build peaceful negotiations with other nations, some of our own making an attempt to understand the Marleyans sounds like an asset to that. I know for a fact that the queen wishes to promote cultural exchange programs and eventually make safe passage to and from Marley a reality within the next fifty years. The captives have been freed and the hostile Marleyans and Liberians have been weeded out from the ones we can trust. Also, now we have someone who has been in the Marleyan military and understands how most of them think. So here is my proposal. Sasha gets to keep her Titan and occasionally visits Fischer. I will keep an eye on them at all times, and if I catch him trying to sweet talk her and her sharing information she shouldn't, I'll kick both of their asses."

Sasha, Niccolo, and half the room wince at the thought.

"Very well. But we will be discussing whether or not Ms. Braus gets to keep her Titan."

Levi and Hange nod.

"You devils will never win!" shouts a former warrior candidate named Theodore Greene and a member of the Good Eldian Society. He is shirtless and he is chained to his knees on the floor. His neck is bound by a chain in front of him while his hands are bound from the back. "Porco escaped your treachery and he will return to reign down fire on you all! You may have won this battle but you haven't won the war! You will pay for what you and your queen have done to Marley!"

Erwin ignores his rants and he cracks his knuckles. He lets the power of the Founder flow through him thanks to the temporary access that Historia asked Ymir to give him before she left. He can use a fraction of the Founder's power without a person of royal blood having to touch him. Such power includes being able to look into the memories of all Subjects of Ymir.

"Sorry, my hands are cold."

Before the confused prisoners can react, Erwin presses his hand against Theodore's spine. Erwin browses through his most recent memories and goes back several months to just before he came to this island. Erwin looks at the last memory of the conversation between him and his fellow Eldians with Commander Theo Magath, the head of the Marleyan Warrior Program:

"Eldians! Finally complete and total redemption for the sin of being born with the blood of the devil has fallen upon you. The Island Devils are bringing you into their abode. Use your military training and retrieve the Titans that we lost as well as the Founder. Once you return to Marley, you will truly be Honorary Marelyans. You will be the heroes who saved Marley, neigh, the world from the Island Devils. And purged yourself of the sins of the Eldian empire. All of Marley is counting on you. Do not fail us."

Half the warriors erupted into cheers, but it was Colt Grice, older brother of Falco Grice, who raised his hand.

"Sir, with all due respect, won't this violate Marley's peace treaty with Paradis? If we do this, we could start a war."

"These orders come directly from the Chancellor himself, Grice," Magath says. "Yes, it will break our agreement and start a war, if you are caught. But it was always the intention of the party to simply abide by the Devil's demands for now and then attack when an opening presents itself. But with your efforts, you will be there to do just that, and then Marley will be the dominant world power again. With Paradis' resources plus the Rumbling Titans at our disposal, no one will be able to threaten Marley again. And the Chancellor himself stated, and I quote: "That he yearns to trample that cursed island for daring to blackmail my country"."

"What are you getting cold feet for, Grice?" Porco asks.

"Don't you know what those devils did to Marley?" Gabi asks. "What they did to us? What they have done to us all now? This is our chance to make the devils pay for their sins and earn our freedom!"

Erwin Smith removes his hand from Theodore's back. The Liberian prisoner recoils after having re-experienced that memory and looks warily at Smith.

"What did you just do?"

Erwin doesn't answer him. He just leaves the room as his prisoner continues to call for him.

Outside the cell, Erwin faces Dina and Pixis.

"Well?" Dina asks.

"It is true. The Good Eldian Society was working on orders given to them by the Marleyan Military. And directly from their government. The Chancellor himself, even though he knew it was in violation of our treaty."

"Good," Dina says. "Then we are in the right. Let's send the Colossi to Marley and take back what is ours."

"We shouldn't do anything without Queen Historia," Erwin says.

"She is just a child."

"She is also queen," Pixis says. "She should at least be in the room."

"Erwin, you have access to the Founder and me. Come on, we don't need Historia."

"And with your son in captivity one could say that I don't need you either, Dina," Erwin says. "I shall message Historia and tell her what I learned. Then we will discuss how this shall be addressed."

"What do you mean discuss?" Dina asks. "We told Marley that if they did not comply with our demands we would go to war. I know that Historia wants to make Paradis look nice so we can build relationships with other countries. That's good. But if we don't respond as we promised we're going to look weak! Besides, how many countries will really condemn us for taking over Marley?"

"No one, but the use of millions of Colossal Titans might," Erwin Smith reminds her. "One rash act of aggression could ruin all of our efforts until now. Even our own allies don't fully trust us. Though I agree, we need to seek compensation. That is why, again, I shall notify Historia. The head of the Tybur family will be there and she can negotiate with him."

"Are you going to leave the fate of our country to the decisions of a teenager who got herself pregnant?" Dina asks, critically.

Pixis shrugs. "Well she has three other teenagers with her to help her out."

"Historia has proven herself good at negotiating," says Erwin Smith. "We trust her. And if she calls and says she has an issue one of us will personally head to Albion to negotiate for her. But for now our main concern is protecting this island from immediate threats. And that includes finging Porco Gilliard."

Dina frowns.

Later,

Utgard Castle; Wall Rose

Dina sits on her throne. Before her are her followers as well as Darius Zackly.

"So do you want me to find Smith and take the Founder NOW!?" Floch asks.

"Even if we took the Founder now it wouldn't be that easy," says another member of the Jaegarists. "The monarchy is not absolute anymore, remember? We still need a parliament decision."

"Please! With the Founder we can force them to comply."

"Let's not be too hasty," Zackly says. As he talks his face contorts into a vicious grin. "Historia will be meeting with a Marleyan ambassador and we just told her what happened. Maybe we can use this incident to turn the rest of the world against Marley even further. Blackmail them into giving us the Warhammer-Titan."

"Also, Smith has complete control of the Founder for two weeks," Dina reminds him. "Attacking him right now would be too dangerous, if we can even get him alone and away from Ackerman."

"Right…With any luck Historia will stay away for longer than two weeks and then we can strike."

"That…would be a nice thought. What about our plan to get one of our own one of the nine?" Dina asks.

"I'm going to try to get the Female Titan transferred to one of our own but Ackerman and Zoe are being stubborn," Zackly says.

Dina sighs. "Push for Sasha Braus to give up her Titan as much as you can. The Good news is that we already have some of us next in line to inherit the Titans after the others terms are up. For now keep trying to get one of our female members the Female Titan, so it can be transferred to me."

"What about the Pseudo-shifter Serum I gave you?" Surma asks.

"Yes, and I took that." To prove her point, Dina slit her palm with a nearby knife. It releases steam and knits back together. "Right now I am capable of helping another activate the Founder, but we have seen through my son that a royal nine is capable of great things. Floch, I want you to keep an eye on Smith at all times, be ready to strike when I give the order. But for now me, Zackly and some of our allies in the parliament are going to try and convince the others to agree to a counter strike against Marley. Take over the continent, or at least the procurement of the Warhammer (for now). However, I think that this incident has been a blessing in disguise."

"How so?" Floch asks.

"Many of the Marleyan-Eldians who had their doubts about us are turning around."

Zackly nods. "Most of the ones we arrested and their families willingly shared information just by telling them that their innocent members will be spared being arrested. Finally realized that we're better than those bastards in Marley who would have arrested them all. The ones involved in the kidnapping are in jail and were discovering more and more members of the Good Eldian Society who were in on it. Soon we'll have all the idiots locked up and away from the immigrants that actually have sense."

"Not all of them," says Dina. "The settlement of New Liberio is still as closed off as ever. Apparently some of the people who were involved were volunteers from there and they made some of their weapons. They have been arrested but there's still plenty of people in that walled off area waiting for Marley to come. We need to do something about them."

Floch smiles sadistically. "Thin the herd?"

"No not yet. Doing that now would draw suspicion." Dina reaches into her pocket, again, and pulls out a vial. "My late husbands journal gave me some ideas. He once cured a plague that ravaged the district before he cured it. Send one of our own in and tell them to wait a couple of months before releasing it. It will be easy to dismiss it as a natural outbreak from living in a small space out in the forest and if they don't want to come to the city to get medical help from "devils" it is their own fault."

Floch smiles as he takes the vial containing the plague.

"Now Zackley, how are our Marleyan prisoners doing?"

"I just had them transered. They are sitting right next to the former king's court."

Dina, Zackly, and Floch all grin. Zackly dreams of putting the Tyburs and those incharge of Marley through the same thing. Floch is frustrated with Dina for not using the opportunity to overthrow the Parliament but he bides his time. With any luck, they may not need too and Paradis will take control of the continent soon enough. Dina shares a similar thought, thinking that Marley will be their first step towards rebuilding Eldia's global empire. It is certainly something that she intends to do before Historia's 50-year plan comes into fruition, lest Eldia lose their gift from god forever.

Several Days Later

Niccolo's, Wall Rose

"Your seats are this way. Your waiter will be with you shortly."

"Thank you."

Niccolo pulls out a chair for a Garrison to sit at the table he led him too. The restaurant is packed with members of the military and members of their families. Niccolo is the head chef and the waiters are his fellow Marleyans or hired workers, although the restaurant itself is owned by the Military and Niccolo was told that he must check in with them every week. The bell at the door rings and Niccolo sees Connie, Jean, and Marco enter the facility.

"Hey, Niccolo."

"Hello Connie. Jean. Marco. Nice of you to finally stop bye."

"Yeah, so "Niccolo's" huh?" Marco asks.

"Yeah, I was quite surprised by that myself. But I guess no one would eat in a restaurant called "Marleyan Cuisine"."

"Are you being treated ok?" Jean asks.

"I got to select the waiters myself, so yeah. I'm fine." Niccolo looks guilty. "So, uh, how are Griez and Koch?" Connie shrugs. "We haven't heard from them."

Niccolo nods. "May I get you up with a table?"

"Actually, I came to let you know that there's a health inspector," Connie says with a wink. "We gave her a key to the back and she's inspecting your work area right now."

"Health inspector?"

"Go on and look."

Niccolo rushes to the back and enters the kitchen. Rather than a health inspector, he sees Sasha leaning against a table smiling at him. Niccolo's heart races seeing Sasha for the first time in days and takes steps toward her.

"I got us some lunch to share together. It's rice balls from the Hizurese restaurant."

Niccolo smiles. "Oh, delicious. Thank you."

Niccolo reaches into the bag and takes out the foil-wrapped ball with his name written on it. Sasha takes the one that has her name out and licks her lips.

"What did you get?"

"Well I got you unagi because you said it is your favorite. But I got the one with the raw salmon belly." Sasha drools as she starts devouring the riceball.

"You know, as a chef I should be offended that you're eating food from another restaurant," Niccolo teases.

"Well, you shouldn't have to cook all the time."

The two laugh.

"So, uh, how are you?"

"Zackly's still trying to get my Titan revoked, but Levi and Hange are fighting for me. But part of the deal is that I stay away from you for a while."

"But, you're here now."

"And that's why Connie told you I was a health inspector." Sasha giggles. "But I'm hoping in a few months I can convince them to at least let me eat here."

"I'll be happy to serve you and your family, on the house. How are they by the way?"

"Out of the hospital, and looking forward to meeting you." Sasha smiles and blushes. "I was thinking, in a few years when my five year term is up I can transfer my Titan to someone else. Then, I don't know, maybe you and we can give us a go?"

Niccolo blushes and smiles. Then he reaches forward and grabs her hand.

"I would like that very much."