3rd POV
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After three days of Colith continuously bullying any guard who had the balls to throw the slightest dirty look at Eren, the day of the trial finally arrived.
"Ugh, would kill for a bath right now. Hey you, what time is it?" The woman asked one of the guard as she held her head upside down while her legs rested on the wall. The two guards present flinched a bit as the one she was talking to quickly answered.
"i-it's 9 AM ma'am...d-do you need anything..?"
"hm...no, what bout you Eren?" she redirected her attention toward the gaping teen who was at a loss of words.
"uh...I got to pee?"
"OF COURSE!", they hurriedly brought the flabbergasted teen to the toilet to not anger the woman who cackled before changing her position. Her back now rested on the wall as she waited for them to come back, which they did moments later.
The news concerning two cadets able to shift into titans shocked every inhabitant of the walls, and their reactions to the matter differed between Sina and Rose. While the people from Rose were regaining hope, expecting a lot from these new saviors, those from Sina were having doubts and were not believing it. They were mostly dreading a new flood of refugees, more worried with their comfortable lifestyle while it didn't change anything for those living in the underground as they were already busy surviving on their own to care about it.
Their identities remains hidden to the public eye, yet those high placed/Nobles and military corps were aware of it as well as the few soldiers who took part in retaking Trost, and their sole presences gave an insane advantage during the operation, thus proving their importance for humanity's possible victory. When the soldiers got wind of the strongest cadet involvement, some of them got afraid while others simply expressed some curiosity about this mysterious cadet, which included all the guards who were to watch them.
Which leads us to now.
Colith's presence frightened the two guards who were unfortunate enough to find out that she was indeed the Monster with terrifying strength their commander, Nile Dok wanted to recruit in their ranks. If it was just the other brat, they would've ignored any of his requests but this woman was terrifying! One guard even fainted after she glared at him for calling the teen a demon, and that glare...oh walls.
"You good? I hope they didn't bother you, hm?", Colith casually asked with a neutral face yet her sharp gold eyes were boring holes onto the poor soldiers who flinched.
"Stop that! You're gonna get us in trouble!"
"boo, I'm so scared, note the sarcasm."
"Colith I swear to Maria-"
A CLANG interrupted the one-sided bickering, causing the two to whip their heads toward the bars where a brown-haired woman with glasses tightly gripped the metal while intently staring at them. Colith's eyes brightened at the sight of the familiar four eyes while poor Eren got uncomfortable and a bit wary.
"hi there! You must be Colith and Eren, right?", she chirped. "Did they treat you well?"
"Heya," Colith waved, which made sparkles of excitement appear around the crazy scientist, "No worries they did."
"OOH! YOUR SKIN IS SO PRETTY UP CLOSE! WHERE ARE YOU FROM? HOW DOES IT WORK? DO YOU APPLY SOM-"
"Squad leader Hanji! I don't think this is the moment for that!" the two... people? accompanying the bubbly woman appeared next to her while the two guards inched away from the crazy woman. Colith's eyes shifted on the new presences, immediately recognizing them.
"Oh you're right, Ilse! Sorry for my outburst but I got so excited when I finally met these two hehe!"
The freckled brunette heaved out a sight before looking inside the cell, curious as well. She noticed a frightened teal-eyed boy sitting on a bed with chains attached to his wrists before gaping at the familiar golden-eyed woman who was currently staring at her. She was about to talk but Hanji interrupted her.
"Almost forgot, you both got a chance to finally get out! But you'll have to put these on !", she showed them two pairs of handcuffs.
Shrugging, Colith easily complied, to the two guards' surprise who thought she would threaten the Survey Corps soldiers as she did with them. After putting on the cuffs, the two shifters were escorted toward the trial room. As Eren was getting more nervous about the issue, Colith simply looked up, having missed the warmth of the sun on her skin. She needed that melanin come on.
"My name is Hanji Zoe, and like Ilse here said earlier, I'm a squad leader. This is a fellow squad leader Mike Zacharias." she pointed at the tall male who was busy sniffing a disturbed Eren before pulling back and smirking.
Colith looked at them in amusement, finding the situation funny before speaking.
"Is that so? I'm Colith Tobe, and the little guy here is Eren, aaand I guess I didn't need to introduce myself since you already knew about us." she chuckled getting a laugh from Hanji.
"Excuse me but, how come you're so calm, aren't you scared for what's to come?", Ilse finally voiced, having been silently observing the ebony woman from the beginning. She got everyone's attention, even the two guards.
"Should I be? I don't think I've done anything worth getting killed," she felt Mike sniff her but continued. "Plus it would be a dumb move to kill your only advantages against titans, right Eren?"
The boy jolted when he felt everyone's eyes on him before hesitantly nodding.
"Soo, how do I smell?", she casually asked Mike who lifted a surprised brow before quietly grunting.
"...Vanilla."
"OH? Thought I'd stink like a rat! Told you to take that soap, jaegerbomb! You probably stink!" she chuckled getting an offended squeak from the boy who almost forgot the situation they were in.
"I don't wanna smell like a girl!"
"But it's better than smelling like horse shit, child! I'm sure that's why Mike smirked at you!"
The three scouts watched in surprise the tall woman tease the teen as if their lives weren't at risk at the moment while the two guards wisely kept looking forward. It seems like she was doing it on purpose to distract the boy from stressing further because they could feel his unease from the moment they exited the cell, given approaching trial that could seal their fates. Hanji smiled.
'She seems confident about the trial's outcome... Erwin was right, she's definitely hiding something, HOW EXCITING!!' Hanji noted.
They stopped in front of a big mahogany door Colith immediately recognized. Since she and Eren were aware of the next step, they got silent and finally departed from the three soldiers who wished them good luck.
'What a bunch of ugly people!'
As soon as Colith and Eren set foot in the room, all eyes were on the two cadets, especially the sole woman of color in the room. Surprised gasps from several civilians engulfed the place while those who had never seen her began commenting on her unexpected appearance.
'Yeah I know, y'all never saw a black person in yo life but staring at people like that is hella rude!', she sighed, ignoring the long stare she was getting.
"why is she so dark...?"
"do you think it's a disease?"
"How disgusting!"
The two guards stiffened as a vein appeared on Eren's forehead when he heard the awful comments directed at her. He was about to react but Colith spoke, stopping him on his way to snarl.
"Do you guys hear something? never thought trash could speak, right?" she playfully said out loud startling everyone, even the higher-ups who didn't expect it. Commander Pixis chortled while Armin and Mikasa sweatdropped at her antics but were glad to see them in good shape.
Baffled by her confidence, they could only watch as she walked to the center of the room, head held high, not giving a fuck about the whispers and snarls coming from the nobles and rich merchants. With only one pole available for Eren, they had to bring a chair so Colith could sit down. No no, she didn't threaten the guards to do it, of course not! She just looked at them and they gladly provided it.
A door opened which instantly silenced everyone as the General of the three branches, Darius Zackley entered, leisurely walking towards the judgment table before settling down with a grunt. The man obviously had no desire to be there, but unfortunately he had duties to fulfill.
"All right, shall we begin?" It was a rhetorical question, of course, since he continued, "You are Eren Jaeger and Colith Tobe, as soldiers you both have sworn to give up your lives when called to for the good of the people, is that correct?"
'Bro I already died once, but whatev-'
"Yes/Indeed."
"As enlisted soldiers 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 you die-"
Colith zoned out, already knowing where this would go. She didn't show any emotion betraying her lack of attention as the man continued his speech until it came to the regiment's part. She then looked toward the military police, smirking when she saw some of them flinch under her gaze before looking at the scouts, her eyes brightening at the sight of the corporal and commander who both held a professional look as they stood.
'damn they be lookin good~'
Armin followed her gaze as it landed on the stoic corporal before quietly sighing in exasperation because he definitely knew what she was thinking about.
"To begin the military police will now present their case."
"Thank you! My name is Nile Dok, I am the commander of the military police. Our recommendation following a thorough examination of their physiology-"
"Ew, perverts!"
"Goddammit, Colith!" Eren hissed as a sudden panic grew inside him when he noticed everyone's wide eyes directed at the female who did nothing but snicker in response.
Some people released scandalized gasps, outraged by how frivolous she was while others were surprised by her bold words in a situation like this. Nile was at a loss of words as a microcough escaped him while a loud snort coming from Hanji caught everyone's attention.
"..excuse me." she sheepishly said while struggling to keep a serious face but wasn't fooling anyone with her shaking shoulders. Next to her, Mike smirked slightly, showing his amusement.
"Tch, is this brat even realizing where she is? It's like she has a death wish or something."
"I'm afraid not, Levi...she's obviously not taking this seriously...odd."
Erwin kept scrutinizing the golden-eyed woman who didn't seem at all worried by the dangerous position she was in. She was drastically different from the nervous girl he bumped into two years ago in Trost who couldn't even keep eye contact with him.
Levi grunted at the tall blond words as he held a frown. He certainly noticed how she gazed at him but choose to not linger on it.
'the hell is wrong with this brat?'
While everyone was busy reacting, Nile choose this moment to drown the mood with his next words.
"Ahem...subjects Jaeger and Tobe should be disposed of immediately. We acknowledge that their abilities played a part in turning back the latest titan incursion. However, as has been stated their mere existences are creating a swell of rebellious sentiment. For the greater good, after we have gathered all the information that we can from them, we would see them made as fallen warriors of humanity."
"UNACCEPTABLE! THESE VERMINOUS FIENDS DEFILED THE MIGHTY WALL-"
Zackley almost groaned when pastor Nick started his bullshit about the sacred walls and whatnot before pinching the bridge of his nose. He quickly silenced the loud man who growled in response before glaring toward the two shifters, especially Colith who raised a taunting brow at him that aggravated the man.
"And now I'd like to hear the Survey Corps proposed plan."
"Yes sir."
'Sheeeesh~'
"As the commander of the Survey Corps, I, Erwin Smith propose the following", He looked at them."We should utilize their titan's abilities to retake Wall Maria. That is all."
"hm? Is that it?"
"yes, with their assistances sir, I'm certain we can reclaim Wall Maria. I believe our top priority is perfectly clear."
"Yeah, what he said." Colith agreed as well as some people living in Wall Rose who were able to watch the trial. She received a warning look from Zackley which really didn't faze her.
"Quite bold, assuming you were given clearance, where do you plan to launch this operation? Commander Pixis, the wall of Trost has been completely sealed, is that correct?"
"Yes, I doubt its gate will ever open again." the bald old man's gruff voice answered.
"We'll depart from Karanes district to the east, from there we'll make for shiganshina. A new route can be established as we procee-"
A random merchant voiced his thought, interrupting the commander.
"But that's ridiculous, our time and money would be better spent sealing up all the gates! They're the only parts 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 two titans on our sides 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." Everybody snapped their head toward the annoyed corporal. Colith ascended, "While we're bolstering our defenses, do you think the titans are going to stand idly by?"
'I could make them do that.'
"And when you say We can't afford, do you speak for anyone other than your fat merchant friends? Do you even realize that most of our people are struggling just to survive off what little land we have left?"
While the merchant tried convincing more people with his reasoning, that psycho Nick agroo'ed him as soon as he had the occasion to, until Zackley had enough and smacked the table loudly.
"Order! I ask that you save your personal sentiments for a more appropriate venue! Now then mister Jaeger I have a question for you. As a soldier, you have made a solemn pledge to answer Humanity's call. Can you serve by controlling your abilities?"
'hm he didn't ask about me, that's not good.' Colith's eyes narrowed as she looked at Rico who wisely choose not to meet her gaze.
"Yes, I will sir!"
"Oh? But this report from the battle for Trost quite contradicts that statement, just after transforming, it seems you made an attempt to crush Mikasa Ackerman but got prevented from doing so by Miss Tobe here."
Before anyone could doubt Eren's credibility, a voice startled them.
"EXCUSEZ MOI! May I say something?" Colith asked Zackley, who reluctantly granted her permission to speak. "The reason behind Cadet Jaeger's inability to control himself was because it was at the time his third time shifting! which would prove to be difficult for anyone with new power at hand, hence his need to train it. And it occurs that, as the only shifter here with enough understanding of this new ability, I propose to supervise him."
The statement was met by different kinds of reactions from the public while Zackley considered her words. Meanwhile, Erwin found himself pleasantly surprised by that proposition. He hadn't taken into account her mastery of this foreign power.
"With enough training, he'll be a great asset to all of us here, I can assure you," she affirmed in determination as she stood or more..sat her grounds, confident of the outcome.
Eren glanced at her with surprise and hope since he didn't know what he would've done if she wasn't here to stop him in time. Also, it meant that she knew she could turn into a titan for a long time, unlike him. A pang of hurt clenched his heart at the thought that she hid it from him and the others but he, kind of, understood...it wasn't like she could have said it from the get-go. who would've believed her? Even he had a hard time processing this whole thing, and those weird memories appeared out of nowhere ever since he...shifted and made the matter worse.
His eyes shift to Mikasa and Armin who returned his glance, probably sharing the same thoughts as him minus the titan part. That is until the MP commander spoke his next words.
"Objection! I have reason to believe that personal feelings play a large part in this statement! Let the record show that Miss Tobe took Eren Jaeger as well as Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert in right after the fall which shows us that she has deep connections with those three. Again, Her afirmations could be a trick to mislead us. She could be toying with us, considering our lack of information which could be effortlessly solved once we extract the necessary information from them."
Colith's lips twitched downward as Nile kept on.
"Additionally, our own internal investigation into this issue led to a more shocking discovery!"
'Bitch don't you dar-'
Her eyes widened, as she looked rapidly between Eren and Mikasa. 'He better not antagonize my—'
"There is no known records of any Tobe family's existence in the walls, which led us to the next conclusion: Cadet Tobe...is hereby no citizen of the walls!"
'Phew, he didn't rat them out.
wait...
This nigga—'