A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on may 31st, 2021 @ 11:34am

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙴𝙴,
𝓢𝚃𝙸𝙻𝙻 𝙲𝙰𝙽'𝚃 𝚂𝙴𝙴, 𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝙱𝙴𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙸𝚅𝙴, 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙽𝙴.

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IT SOON BECAME THE DAY of the trial, and it was intense. "Julian~" Hange skipped inside his office. "Come with me to pick up Eren~"

"Do I have a choice?" Julian asked, looking up from the papers he was working on.

"No." Hange responded.

Julian groaned and pushed himself up off his desk. He got up from the chair and sighed loudly as he walked to the door.

"Don't complain, Jude." Levi called out from down the hallway.

"I wasn't complaining, shorty!" Julian shouted back as Levi poked his head from his office.

"What'd you call me?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!"

Hange laughed. "Even after all these years Levi still has some effect on you." They commented.

"You would be scared shitless too if he kicked your ass during your trainee days." Julian mumbled as they walked over to Wall Sina. Miche soon joined the walk.

"I can't wait to meet this boy~" Hange said with a big smile. "I never knew someone could turn into a Titan within their will, this is so cool!"

"Especially since I've talked to the kid. Never knew he had that kind of power." Julian sighed. "He's the same age as Jean for god's sake!"

"What kind of kid is he?" Hange questioned with curiosity in their eyes.

"Well..." Julian huffed out. "...He seems pretty determined to be in the Survey Corps—"

"Ahh, admirable." Hange interrupted. "We need people like that in the Survey Corps, ya know?"

"Tell me about it." Julian sighed. "We don't need a repeat of what happened with me. Though, it's unavoidable."

"I know, it's pretty bad." Hange stated. "But I have a big feeling that things will soon turn around..."

"So do I." Julian agreed.

They had reached the doorway of the underground dungeon. "This is it~" Hange clasped their hands together and walked down the stairs with confidence and excitement. Julian was beginning to feel bad for Eren for what's to come.

And he was right.

Hange ran to the cell where Eren was and stared at him with wide eyes. Julian heard a gasp from within the cell and felt instant pity.

"So, you're Eren huh?" Hange asked with a close eyed smile. "You okay? How are things? Well, sorry we took so long, but good news! You're getting out!"

Julian peeked in to see Eren relieved. "But..." Hange sighed and pulled out handcuffs. "...you're gonna have to wear this."

The handcuffs were then put on. Julian stared at Mike with pure shock as he sniffed Eren's neck.

"I'm Hange Zoë, a Section Commander in the Survey Corps, and who's sniffing you right now is Miche Zacharius, who is also a Section Commander." Hange explained.

"U-Uhm—" Eren seemed uncomfortable with what Miche was doing.

"Don't worry about that, he does that to people whom he meets. He has a habit of laughing through his nose." Hange reassured him as Miche let out a satisfied look.

"Also has a fetish for sniffing—" Julian muttered as he felt a punch to the arm. "What is it with you people and hitting me?!"

"Oh, and that's Julian Kirstein, you know him right?" Hange interrupted him and smiled at Eren, who nodded.

"Pardon his temper. He's been punched a lot the past few days." Hange stated.

"Why is that?" Eren questioned.

"Dunno, ask Levi when you see him— oh, if you see him." Hange replied as he let out a huge sigh. "Ah... We're here already... Well, you're going to be okay!"

Eren then looked scared. "Well, it'd be better if I don't say anything n stuff..." Hange continued and reached for the doors as the guards escorted Eren inside.

"W-Wait!" Eren called out to Hange in pure fear.

"...I have faith that you come here." Hange said. "Good luck!" They closed the doors shut and sighed.

"...You think he'll make it?" Julian asked.

"Pretty sure he will... hopefully. You know how stubborn and naive the Military Police can be." Hange responded as Julian narrowed his eyes.

"Unfortunately..." He nodded and sighed.

"Ah, hit a nerve." Hange said. "C'mon, let's go up and watch the trial."

Julian, Hange, and Miche walked up the stairs and into a room where they got the top view of the trial. Julian rested his arms on the rails and looked down at Eren.

"...and it falls on me to decide which Regiment takes charge of you, the Military Police or the Survey Corps. Now, let's hear what the Military Police proposes." The Commander in Chief, Darius Zackly, spoke. Julian rolled his eyes as they fell onto the Military Police and soon widened upon seeing someone oh-so familiar.

Marcus Bolt.

The last time Julian saw his ex-best friend, was when they graduated cadet corps. Which was eleven years ago. He had looked the same, only older and wearing the Military Police jacket. The Commander, Nile, stood up.

"Yes, sir." Nile spoke and read from his paper. "I, Nile Dawk, Commander of the Military Police, offer the following proposal. We believe that after experimentation on Eren's body, he shall be exposed immediately."

Silence.

Nile's eyes soon turned to Eren. "It's understood he helped with Trost District, however, his existence is now stirring rebellious ideas. Which is why after he provides us information we need, he'll be known as a fallen warrior." He continued.

"That's not needed!" Someone stated. Julian's eyes fell upon a priest from a church. Ah, he looked familiar.

"He's a vermin that has defiled and infiltrated the very walls God created for us! He should be killed at once!"

"Pastor Nick, please be quiet." Darius looked at the man. "Now, let's hear from the Survey Corps."

"Yes, sir." Erwin stood up. "I, Erwin Smith, 13th Commander of the Survey Corps, offer the following proposal. We will accept Eren as an official member of the Survey Corps and use his Titan-like ability to reclaim Wall Maria. That's all."

"That's all?" Darius questioned.

"Yes, Eren will definitely help us retake the wall."

"And from where will you do this operation?" Darius asked, then turned to Commander Pyxis of the Garrison Regiment. "Pyxis, is it true that the wall was sealed off from that hole?"

"Yes." Pyxis replied. "I doubt the wall would ever open again."

"We will start from the East, then head over to Shiganshina District." Erwin explained. "From there, we'll start a new route from scratch."

"Hold on a damn second!" A merchant came in. "Can't we just start from the holes the Colossal Titan created at the Wall? From there we can reinforce the walls!"

"Shut up merchant!" Pastor Nick glared at the man.

"For the love of— we can't handle your childish moves!"

"You have a big mouth, swine." Levi spoke. Julian's attention moved over to Levi, since this was the first time he spoke. Everyone looked at him with shock.

"What guarantee is there on what kind of Titans will wait for us at the walls? When you say 'we', you mean the friends you're protecting so you can fatten yourselves up. Are you pigs blind to the people who struggle to survive off what little land is left?" Levi questioned.

"I'm just saying let's seal off the gates if we want to live!" The merchant spoke.

"Shut your mouth!" Pastor Nick came in with a glare. "You're suggesting we go interact with Wall Rose, the wall God gave us? God gave us those walls! We mustn't touch them!"

"I personally agree." Marcus spoke. "Besides, why should we touch the walls? If anything, we should stay behind the walls." He sighed. "As if we'd be able to reclaim Wall Maria, how can you guys hold so much hope in this boy?" Marcus asked as he glared at Eren.

"He isn't even 18 yet, look at his immaturity. I bet he can't even control his Titan ability yet. It's simple things that make him dangerous enough for Eren to be given to us so we can prevent casualities from happening in the future. We would also be protecting the remaining people of the walls from this sort of harm." Marcus finished.

"That bastard." Julian thought.

"Y-You make a good point." The merchant mumbled.

"It's better if we focus on the people who we have now. Besides, it's what the Military Police do." Marcus added.

Julian let out a laugh, gaining the court's attention as they looked up at him. "Sorry, sorry, that's just something you'd say, Bolt. Damn, you're so predictable." He commented.

Marcus's eyes glanced up to look at Julian. "Kirstein, not surprised you're here." He said.

"You're gambling with a kid's life, and that goes for all you Military Police pigs." Julian informed. "In fact, Bolt. I bet you'd piss your pants if you saw a Titan, am I right?"

"Go ahead, Kirstein. I know you want to get whatever you have to say to me off your chest. So do it. Annihilate me. Destroy me. You know you want to." Marcus challenged.

Julian narrowed his eyes. "I'll do you one better, asshole. How about I come down there and shove my foot up your—"

Hange and Miche grabbed him before he could do anything. "Section Commander Julian. Calm down. Court's still in session. Take your personal vendettas elsewhere." Levi ordered.

Marcus just smirked as Julian growled. Hange and Miche released him once he relaxed in their grip. "He pisses me off." Julian muttered.

"...But that man did bring up something important, Eren, do you have control over your ability?" Darius asked.

"Yes, sir!" Eren responded.

"Are you sure? In a report made from the Trost battle, after you transformed you swung an arm at your sister, Mikasa. Mikasa, is that true?" Darius looked at Mikasa.

"...Yes but he has strong capabilities of recovering and doing his duty. He also saved my life twice in his Titan form!" Mikasa answered.

"Just a minute! We got into depth on more of the Yeager family to discover Mikasa is adopted. Also, further upon investigation, we found that when Eren and Mikasa stabbed and killed three robbers-kidnappers. Although this was self-defense, it does raise questions on Eren's humanity." Commander Nile added.

Silence.

Soon, everyone began to mumble amongst themselves.

"A Titan is a Titan!"

"He isn't human!"

"This is getting out of hand..." Julian thinks to himself.

"It's a spy! Wait! What about Mikasa! She's defending him! What if she's one to?" Someone pointed at Mikasa.

"Wait! Call me a monster, but she has nothing to do with this!" Eren screamed.

"As if we'll believe you!"

"It's the truth!" Eren pleaded.

"No it isn't you—"

"No!" Eren screamed and it went silent in the court room.

"You're all wrong... You're just saying things to fit your stupid agenda! None of you have ever seen a Titan in real life, so why are you afraid? What's the use of having power if you're not going to fight? If you're afraid of fighting yourselves then help me! You cowards!" Eren shouted. Julian caught Levi leaving his post.

"Shut up and give me the power to fight!" Eren screamed.

"...T-Take aim!" Nile ordered as a soldier took his rifle and aimed it at Eren.

It all happened in a flash, one second a rifle was aimed at Eren and the next Eren's tooth came out of his mouth.

Levi strained Eren's neck and kicked him over and over again.

"...My personal belief is that pain is the best tool for discipline. What you need now is a lesson, not a given talking-to. And what a coincidence, you're in the perfect position for kicking." Levi said and continued to kick him down.

"I'm having flashbacks..." Julian sighed, remembering the times Levi would beat him up during his training lessons as a cadet.

Yeah, he doesn't recommend asking Levi to mentor you.

"Wait... L-Levi?" Nile stuttered as Levi had his foot on Eren's face.

"What?" Levi questioned.

"I-It's dangerous, what if he turns into a Titan?"

"What are you on about?" Levi asked as he kicked Eren again and grabbed his hair. "You guys are going to dissect him, right?"

"From what I gather, Eren killed over 20 Titans within turning into a Titan. As an enemy, his intelligance makes him all the more dangerous, even so, I can handle him just fine."

"...I have a proposal." Erwin spoke up. "We can place Eren under Captain Levi's supervision. With that, he can keep watch of Eren in case he gets out of control."

"Hm, that seems good, Levi, care to do that?" Darius looked at Levi.

"He isn't too hard to handle. I can do it." Levi answered.

"Then my decision is made." Darius concluded.

Julian quickly walked down the halls and walked past everyone to find Eren. Only to feel someone grab him and pull him away from everyone. Julian got shoved into a wall as he looked only to see Marcus glaring at him.

"Just because you won this stupid case doesn't mean anything." Marcus hissed. Julian just glared at him.

"That threat still stands, Bolt. So help me I will kick your ass." He growled.

"Try it." Marcus challenged, pulling his body closer to Julian's. "You won't do shit, Julian. You want to know why? Because you still think of me as your best friend who you trained with. When you and I both know that friendship was long dead ever since you joined that suicide camp."

"What's wrong? Still upset about Jude's decision that he made eleven years ago? Get over it." Both Julian and Marcus turned to see Levi. "Hands off of him." Levi looks at Julian and Marcus's intertwined hands.

"Tch..." Marcus released Julian and walked off. Julian blinked as he watched him leave.

"Did he hurt you?" Levi questioned worriedly, walking over to the sandy-blonde.

"No. I'm fine." Julian shook his head.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"What are you doing anyhow?" Levi asked.

"I wanted to check in on Eren." Julian sighed as Levi sighed and took him to where he was.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Levi questioned once more.

"Levi, I already told you I'm fine." Julian exclaimed.

Levi chuckled. "And the old Jude is back." He said.

"I never left, you bastard!"

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When Julian and Levi walked into the lounge, Hange asked what took them so long. Julian simply replied a nuisance. Julian glanced on the couch to find Eren sitting and wiping his injured face with a napkin. Julian sat beside Eren and pat his back.

"I pity you, Eren. You got the worst of the worse." Julian sighed as Eren looked at him. "Levi didn't show any mercy when he kicked you around."

"Right? Talk about harsh." Hange kneeled in front of Eren and pulled out a q-tip with alcohol. They gently patted Eren's wounds and watched him wince. "Does it hurt? I bet it does."

"Yeah... it does." Eren nodded.

"How exactly does it hurt?" Hange asked with excitement in her voice.

"Sorry about that, but at least you're in our custody." Erwin gently pushed Hange and kneeled in front of him with his hand raised to Eren.

"It was our trump card that was effectively put to help us win, and you have my admiration for it. Eren, I look forward to working with you." Erwin spoke with a smile as Eren's emerld eyes lit up with excitement.

"R-Right! Thank you, sir!" Eren squeaked out and took his hand within seconds. Levi walked around and sat beside Eren, who flinched when he saw him.

"Look what you did, Levi. You scarred him for life." Julian glanced at Levi then back at Eren.

"Oh shut up, Jude." Levi scoffed at him and crossed his leg. "So, tell me, Eren. Do you resent me?" He questioned.

"N-No! I don't resent nor am scared of you. I-I understand it was a necessary performance." Eren answered and crossed his arms with his eyes to the ground. Levi's face lifted a little, showing some signs of relief.

"That's good."

"You still didn't have to go that far." Julian frowned while ruffling Eren's hair.

"He's right, Levi." Hange knelt down once more. "I mean, you knocked his tooth out!" They pulled out a closed napkin and revealed a tooth with blood on it.

"Don't show me that. It's disgusting." Levi scoffed and averted his gaze away from the bloody napkin.

"I'm not even surprised you picked it up." Julian sighed.

"It's for a good cause! I mean, now we have something to experiment on!" Hange looked at Levi.

"Eren, be thankful you aren't being dissected by people like them." Levi looked at Eren.

"Oh come on, don't compare me to them! I won't kill Eren." Hange looked offended and looked back at Eren with excitement. "Hey Eren, let me see inside your mouth."

Hange watched Eren opened his mouth slightly. They immediately looked into his mouth and was taken aback.

"...His tooth already grew back..." Hange blinked.

"Eh? Already?" Julian blinked. "Well, looks like Levi won't get a full lecture from Erwin."

"Do you want me to punch you in the arm again?" Levi asked with a clenched fist.

"I'll pass." Julian responded immediately.

"Speaking of which, what brought that up?" Hange questioned.

"You don't need to know." Both Julian and Levi said in unison.

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A/N: Another chapter is done! Also, I have published a Jean fanfiction so be sure to check it out! Hope you enjoyed!

Word Count: 3005 words.