[Part 1: Friend or Foe]

In the middle of the woods two members of the Military Police walk together, each holding rifles. The first a young man with black hair cut into a bowl-cut and next to him a young woman with light brown hair walks annoyed as she scans her surroundings half-heartedly.

Hitch Dreyse frowns as she looks around her rifle raised up, relaxed. "Don't'cha think they have us spread out a little too much?"

Marlo Freudenberg keeps his rifle in position to quickly be leveled and fired. "We're more likely to find them if we're not all in the same area."

"But why'd I have to get paired up with you of all people? Spill it, Marlo. You scheme this up so we'd get some alone time?"

Marlo sighs. "Look, Hitch. No offense, but you weren't my first choice either."

"Oh, is that right? Well, good for you then."

"Anyway, doesn't this seem odd to you? Why would the Scouts murder a civilian then run for the hills? This is the same group of soldiers who consistently risk their lives for the sake of humanity."

Hitch shrugs. "Gimme a break. Did you forget? Think about what they did to Stohess. The way they turned it into a battlefield. How many dead bodies do you think we carried? Annie's been missing ever since. They still haven't taken her junk out of my room. It's annoying."

"But remember what Captain Nico said, "The scouts may have caused damage to Stohess but, capturing one of the enemy is something the Military Police could never hope to imagine." And let's not forget, in doing so the scouts also uncovered a Titan in hiding and took it prisoner. I agree with captain's words that day. How is disbanding the scouts what's best for humanity?"

Hitch turns drawing her rifle before shushing Marlo as they silence themselves they hear splashing water. "Listen closely..."

The pair approach the person rifles raised. Armin, the person gathering water remains calm despite the approaching duo. "Don't move! Turn around slowly. You must be a scout." Marlo orders. Armin turns around arms raised as the pair keep their rifles trained on him. "Not a sound. Don't say a word. Now listen and do exactly as I instruct you to-!"

The pair are then surprised as Levi & Mikasa place blades to their necks as their rifles are now aimed into the air. "That's the way. Now hand your guns to the one in front." Levi says quietly.

Armin takes their rifles gaining a smirk as he does. "Don't say a word, right?"

Capital City, Mitras
[Part 2: Fact & Fiction]

Under the city of Mitras is the headquarters of the 1st Interior Squad. Where they keep 'criminals' currently the only prisoner is an as of yet unharmed Erwin Smith. 13th Commander of the Scouting Regiment. He looks up as the door is opened and entering is one of the king's private interrogators simply known as Gerald.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Erwin." The door closes behind him. "I know this is sudden, but it's time for your interrogation."

Above Ground

"So, the Survey Corps murdered a civilian in cold blood? You're sure about this?" Roy, an elder reporter asks. He looks up to the soldier he's asking this too as the soldier sighs being Nile Dawk.

Nile scratches the back of his neck. "I'm told that the evidence is strong. But, with that said, I can't confirm anything I haven't seen."

Peaure, a younger reporter steps forward. "So then...the Interior Police are running this case without oversight?"

Roy grabs his journal whilst also scolding the younger man. "I'm sorry about him, Commander Dawk. Peaure here is still just a rookie. He doesn't quite understand how things work yet. Don't worry, the Interior Police aren't a subject we plan to write about. And the same goes for their new ODM gear."

Nile smiles. "Thanks, Roy. See ya." Nile begins to walk away while thinking to himself. 'That new ODM worries me. Those guns are useless against titans, but they're perfect for human combat. It's as if that gear were specifically made for killing scouts. Also, judging from the fact that it's existence was hidden from us MP's, I get the impression that we aren't off the list of people it could be used against.' Nile turns back to finish speaking to the reporters. "Anyway. We should get a report from them soon. Just be patient."

Trost District (Marcel POV)
[Part 3: The right words]

I turn a corner after seeing the son of Dimo hiding in an alley I smirk as he rounds the corner. Marco grabs him covering his mouth as the two of us use our ODM gear to bring him to the rooftops as the MP's headed by Roger continue to look for the fat bastard.

Marco uncovers his mouth and let's go of him as he falls back onto the roof. "You're the son of Dimo Reeves, right? Got a name?" Marco asks.

"I'm Flegel." He says out of breath.

"Flegel. Nice to meet you. My name's Marcel Smith. This is sudden, but if the MP's are trying to hunt you down, then I'm assuming that you must know the truth about your father's death. Could you tell me how it happened?"

Flegel places a hand to his forehead. "I made us stop so that I could piss. That's when the Interior police found my dad. There was a tall guy with a black coat and a hat. He slit my dad's throat."

"Well, I'm glad to see you survived. With you around we can make the truth known publicly." I say grinning.

"You're crazy! Haven't you seen today's newspaper? If the MP's say you guys did it, then that's the truth. My testimony means jack shit! They figured out I was there. The Interior Police know I saw everything. I'll be hunted for the rest of my life. And all I can do about it is run and hide until I'm caught. My life is over now. Shit."

"Maybe." I say standing next to Flegel both of us looking down at the city. "But that doesn't sound like living to me. Look at it this way. Or well, try to. Instead of spending the rest of your life skulking around like a scared rat until you get murdered, you could stand like a human and face your enemy. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

"Why the hell would I?! Not everyone has the same disregard for their lives as you scouts! Know what? Yeah, I am scared, and I have every right to be."

"Your Family. The company. Don't you think they deserve to know the truth?" I say, my voice becomes harsher.

"Come on! That's just what would be best for you!"

"Of course it is!" Marco grabs Flegel by his shirt. "You need to start thinking about what's best for you, too!"

"Hey! Who's making a racket over my roof!?!"

"Alright, you're coming with us, Flegel!" I say turning to run away I grab him by the wrist and although he tries to fight me he's ultimately dragged along by Marco running behind him.

"What? Your gangs already lost! Just give up! Why don't you know when you're beat?"

"Cause we haven't lost yet! And even if it's all we've ever tasted before, this will be our first major victory!"m

Forest inside Wall Rose (no pov)
[Part 4: Truth for Truth]

Levi stands with the rest of his & Marcel squads as they remove the gear from Marlo & Hitch tying them up. Levi watches thinking to himself. 'Get past the checkpoint disguised as MPs. Then snoop around until we find out where Eren is. It's a shit plan, but it's all we have. There's no time. If we don't act now, even with Ymir, we're finished.'

"Captain." Jean hands the identification to Levi of Marlo & Hitch.

"Hm? Now then, you're Stohess District Military Police. Private Marlo Freudenberg."

Marlo eyes Levi with wonder and awe. 'Captain Levi! It's really him!'

"Same assignment, Private Hitch Dreyse. We'll need to dispose of you." Levi says to himself, causing the pair gasp in fear.

"Because of what you did, Stohess was wa graveyard. Over a hundred people were killed!" Hitch shouts at Levi.

"Huh?"

Marlo whisperers to Hitch. "Hey..."

Hitch continues, ignoring Marlo. "You bastards! I bet you all think you're some kind of heroes of justice, but your not! You dropped dozens of innocent families straight into hell on that mission of yours!"

Levi looks down at Hitch. "Yeah, we did. We went through with it despite some protest from the planners."

Hitch turns to Jean. "Hey, you. You're from the Southern Cadet Corps, right? So you trained with Annie Leonhart. Were you a friend of hers? No. She wouldn't have made friends there, either. Way too gloomy and unapproachable for that. She was just afraid of people like a scared little kid."

Jean sighs. 'Actually, Yeah. I was. My Captain, Marcel Zoe, was her boyfriend."

Mina smiles softly. "Yeah, Squad Marcel. Marco, Marcel, Annie, you and I, Jean."

Jean chuckles. "Yeah. The good ol' days."

"Now, I'll never get the chance to learn anything about her. She's officially listed as missing. You know why? It's because one of your titans turned her into an ugly red stain on the street!"

Levi shakes his head. "Actually, no, it's because the Titan we captured was Annie Leonhart herself." The pair gasp at this realization as Jean looks down as does Mina. "Goddamnit. It makes me sick. Nobody knows a thing about this world. Not us or anyone else. Except for the bastards at the center of it all. We're letting you go, but we need to give ourselves a head start on you."

Hitch's eyes start to water thinking of her once friend. "Annie..."

"Hey!" Marlo speaks up. "Captain Levi! Please, let me join in your cause! I believe that the Military Police are in the wrong here. If there's any way I can fight this world's injustice, then that's what want to do!"

"Easy. Calm down." Levi says.

"I swear I won't let you down, sir!"

"No. I have no way of telling if you have enough resolve to make an enemy of the state. Let's go. Take them deeper into the woods and tie them up, Sasha, Mina."

Sasha & Mina salute Levi. "Sir!"

Jean stops Levi from walking away talking quietly. "Hey, Captain. Would you let me do it instead?"

Levi shrugs. "Knock yourself out."

Jean then takes the pair himself letting Sasha & Mina travel with Levi squad. He carries a knife to them to ensure they don't run as he holds them ahead of himself.

"You said your friend Marcel dated Annie. She never mentioned him." Hitch says as Jean keeps her walking.

"Of course not. While they did show that they we're dating it was simply that she rarely showed her emotions. Though she did try to escape with Marcel the day we caught her. So she obviously cared enough about him to try and take him with her. All right."

"We'll forget everything we saw here."

Jean grins, his voice gaining a crazed energy to it. "I know ya will, because both of you are about to die!"

"Ah, no! He said to let us go!" Marlo shouts. Hitch hides behind Marlo who places his hands in front of himself.

"The Captain might be a big softie, but I'm not. I'm ready to do what needs to be done."

"You have to believe us! We won't betray you. We know that you're fighting to protect humanity! Right? Tell him!" Marlo shouts. Hitch just nods her head in fear.

"As if I'd take your word for it. I can't trust you- -not with that hair. Who in their right mind would get a bowl cut on purpose? So how can I trust a single word you say?" Jean moves forward but trips. As he does so he lets the knife fall out of his grasp into the rocks behind him Marlo takes the knife and orders Hitch to run. Jean rises quickly holding the hands up while placing something to Marlo's chin. "What do you think will kill faster? That knife, or the gun at your chin? Feel like trying your luck? C'mon, let's race!"

"Please, we're on the same side here!" Marlo begs.

"Why the hell would anyone believe you wanna join the scouts? My comrades are getting rounded up like criminals as we speak. What makes you think we can win?"

"Because, you haven't quit. Despite the odds, the scouts are still fighting." Marlo shouts. "I made a mistake when I chose my Regiment. But you're a scout. You chose to risk your lives for others. So I'll trust you." Marlo throws the knife away. Jean sighs in relief when he's not suddenly by Hitch with a big stick. "What the?" She goes to continue when Marlo gets in the way. "Stop! He was just trying to test us!" Marlo turns shouting at Jean. "Are you crazy? Even with my hands bound, I cou'ldve taken a swing at you with that knife and done some real damage. How did you know I wouldn't do it?"

Jean sits up. "Don't ask me how, but you remind me of this annoying guy. An absolute idiot."

Marlo hums. "Makes me wonder. Is he one of the fools Annie told me about?"

"Probably. Almost all of us are fools. Luckily for me, you're just as dumb. Marlo, I think you proved your dedication. This should be enough to convince Captain Levi. We'll be counting on you from here on out."

Marlo & Hitch proceed to guide Levi & the rest of Marcel Squad towards the least defended MP checkpoint in the region before being sent back to their squad by Levi. After a quick battle with no casualties the scouts capture a member of the Interior Police and hide away with him.

Chapter End.