The memories overtook her there, by the wall. A stabbing pain shot through her, and Y/N had slumped against the rough stone, forgetting her own danger, and simply remembered her apprentice. Akako's laughter, her smile, the way she used the 3DMG as if the machinery were her wings, and had always belonged with her. Y/N hardly  took thought to the time, her pursuers, or the bloody cuts in her palms where she had dug her nails in an attempt to ease the pain.

The sun was halfway to its zenith before Y/N realized that day had come. The chill of morning had fled, and had taken all Y/N's dreams with it. She started into reality, and walked away from the Wall, former grace forgotten.

She was as clumsy and disoriented as a newly born filly, feet stumbling over every cobble, until she bumbled into something much larger than a cobblestone.

"Watch where you're going!" A boy with brilliant green eyes spat as a smaller boy bent to pick up the bread Y/N had knocked from his hands. The third, a tall girl, stood to the side, but looked ready to fight to the death should Y/N attack.

Recognition danced in Y/N's eyes for a moment as she realized who the trio was, though they, fortunately, did not realize who she was. Then the blonde boy stood, and his gray eyes met Y/N's with the force of a thousand battering rams.

"Arlet?" Y/N whispered, stunned. Then she reached forward, gripping his shoulders. "Arlet! Your cousin!Where-"

The girl tried to step in, but Y/N knocked her away, eyes frantically searching those of the blonde boy's. The girl skidded to a halt a few feet away, and lay motionless.

He seemed confused for a moment, then gasped, as if someone had struck him. "A-akako?" His voice shook, trembling with confusion.

"Yes! Where is she?" Y/N's eyes were wild as she glanced around the street as if Akako would appear.

The blonde boy- Arvin, she thought his name was- began to cry. Not enormous sobs, but tiny, suppressed hiccuping cries, silver tears slipping gently away from his gray eyes.

"I-I couldn't- she- tried... tried to- but- then... she-" Arvin murmured around the tears.

"No... no!" Y/N whispered. "Please, what happened?"

"I... Eren and Mikasa... I couldn't find them... and... a big one, maybe 10 meters-" The brunette stood stock still, as if in shock as Arvin continued- "She was faster than.. than I'd ever seen... she had swords... and she knew- she knew how to use the 3DMG... and-" Arvin choked, looking away.

"She... for you?"

"I didn't deserve it." Arvin said softly. "I should have died instead." His words were softer than the breeze.

"What?" The brunette interrupted. "Armin, you never said anything!"

"You didn't ask." Arvin- Armin said bitterly, "You were caught up in your own losses and never-" He stopped, looking up at Y/N. "It was all my fault."

Y/N was too horrified to say anything as Armin helped the girl up and left quietly, the brunette still jabbering on about revenge.

~~~

Y/N did not resist.

After all, she consoled herself, with the force they sent, it would have been more futile than a cockroach begging the shoe not to fall.

No one hesitated this time. She was bound tightly and hauled straight to a small waiting room outside the courtroom, waiting for the people to assemble within.

Then she was taken in, tied to a pole, and told to defend herself.