Sarah continued to listen Eren, as he tried to recollect on what he remembers. It sounded like a similar experience to her own, but apart from that, she lost all memory of what happened before even finding herself in the body of a Titan. In a way, she can relate to him, having the same problem in remembering, after one transforms for the first time.

The lieutenant had her arms crossed upon her chest, even while Eren began to remember about someone called "Mikasa". Was that the name of the girl who held his unconscious body, when Sarah found them? Perhaps it was. "Don't worry about her. She's safe", she reassured, keeping the same face and position. "I found what seemed to be your friends, alive and well", she added. "Mikasa and the other one will attend the trial tommorrow, as they are to be witnesses".

The fire had simmered down over time. Virtus stared into the embers of the fire, it seemed to naturally capture his gaze as his mind would either go blank, or help his think, depending on the moment.

“Are we allowed to go to the trial tomorrow?” Tushar asked curiously.

“Don’t see why not. I’ll be going.” Virtus responded breaking his gaze into the fire. He looked over at Vivi. She had calmed down, and fell asleep beside the fire.

“Do you think the lieutenant is torturing that young teenager?” Tushar questioned again.

Virtus shrugged, “I know as much as you. I know for a fact there’s something going on with the boy. I haven’t seen the lieutenant have such a vested interest into something before. I intend to find out tomorrow.”

Tushar nodded his head, “Agreed.” He stuck his hands out and warmed them up. “Alright, I’m headed to bed.” He said rubbing his eyes.

“Me too.”


Eren’s face was immediately relived when she had told him about Mikasa and his friends. “Ah. Good.” He relaxed and looked at the ground. “The trial..” Eren whispered a worried look came across his face. He had no idea how the trial was actually gonna go. Being that he was some kind of titan hybrid, they’d probably put him to death or experiment on him, trying to learn more about the titans.

His face suddenly grew angry and he hit the bars on the cell. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.” He said angrily and went over to sit on his bed, hanging his head and using his hands to prop his head up.

Sarah lightly flinched, just by her eyes. "You may not approve of my decision, but I had to turn you over", she said with obligation within her voice. "Right now, the Scout Regiment are thinking of reinstating you to use your power for missions", even after she said this, he was still on the bed. After a moment, she spoke up again. "The MPs demand for you to be disposed of."

"Don't worry, Eren", she paused; her blue eyes apparently glinting in the light.
"We've got this under control".

“Alright.” He responded to her and her confidence in saving his life. The fact they wanted to dispose him, made him angry.

He hated titans more than probably anyone in the whole world, why would they dispose him when he could be used to kill them. He wanted to make a difference.

He laid down on the bed, “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.” He said looking up at the dungeon cell.

Sarah continued to watch Eren, as he seemed to accept her confidence, as well as trust what the Scout Regiment had in store for him. That, she intended to make sure of accomplishing that goal, as well as the one to watch over him.

"Hm", she hummed, with a nod. "Rest well, Jaeger", she said, before making her departure, silently satisfied to now know who he is, as well as in remembering what her goal was.

---------------------

The next day came as quickly as the sun began to rise.

Commander Erwin had instructed section commander Hange Zoe to retrieve Eren Jaeger from the dungeons, and taken him to the court room. The judgement all comes to this, as Eren's fate was to be decided between the Military Police and the Scout Regiment. Of course, Mikasa and Armin were to be present, as they were key witnesses in the incident.

Sarah stood with Commander Erwin and Captain Levi on the Scout Regiment side, having to watch Eren enter the room, and be placed in the middle of the room, shackled to a stand, before the judge, who happens to be Darius Zackly, the head-commander of all three military branches.

Virtus and the other two maneuvered their way towards the same side as the rest of the Scout Regiment. Virtus stood a few steps behind the lieutenant but had a good place to see Eren Jaeger. He looked around the room. People talking and pointing at Eren, most likely saying hateful things, judging by the way they looked.

“I wonder what’s going to happen to him.” Vivi said looking over at the young man, chained to the ground. Virtus looked at Vivi then at Tushar, before looking back at the young man.

“Seems like a lot of commotion for a boy.” Tushar said scratching his whiskery face. “Don’t see why all the trouble for this.”

“Me neither.” Vivi agreed looking at Tushar. “Maybe the boy did some terrible crime.” She commented. A fellow member from the scout regiment overheard their conversation.

“Didn’t you hear? He’s one of those titans.” He said pointing at Eren, “He’s a monster.”

Virtus looked at the man who had just told them the news. He was definitely surprised from this information. ‘No wonder the lieutenant was trying to keep an eye on the young one so intently.’ Virtus thought, looking back at the boy.

Tushar and Vivi were equally as surprised, “Really?” Vivi asked almost whispering as she looked at the young man. He didn’t look like a monster or a threat. She only remembered his unconscious body as she took care of it on top of the wall.

A small worried look came across Vivi’s face. She didn’t want anything happen to him. Was he really an enemy of humanity? That’s what this trial was probably all about.

Her focus became more intense as she waited eagerly for the trial itself to start.

“Who would’ve thought the boy was the monster.” Tushar commented, waiting for the trial to begin.

Virtus rose an eyebrow at both of them before glancing at the lieutenant and the young man.

Sarah held her gaze upon Eren for, probably, the longest of times. The whispering behind her didn't go unnoticed, and she wouldn't exactly be surprised, due to the fact that gossip and rumor spread like wildfire. The entrance of the judge, however, had made her finally tear away from Jaeger to look before Darius.

"Your name is Eren Jaeger, and as a soldier, you've sworn to give up your life, when called to; for the good of the people, is that correct?"

Eren looked around the room as it quiet when he was asked the question. It was a little eerie and slightly intimidating. These people weren’t his enemies, he had to prove his innocence the best he could. All he could rely on was that Scout, Sarah.

“Yes, that’s correct.” He said and leaned against the pole on his back.

With Eren's answer, the judge continued.

"Since you are an enlisted soldier 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 die. Any objections?", he hoped for his cooperation.
Sarah looked back at Eren, hoping for Jaeger to remember what they had discussed the night before.

Eren sighed slightly, not giving an attitude, more so that his life was on the line and this man was the one to control the outcome.

“No objections. I’m not your enemy.” He added.

Immediately after saying that a few people around the court room booed him, and the quiet courtroom started echoing in whispers and some more conversations.

“Monster!” One yelled out. “You attacked us!” Another said.

Eren looked at the Commander, ignoring the remarks.

"As expected, covering up your existence has proven to be quite fruitless. And unless we publically disclose your existence, one way or another, we risk the outbreak of widespread civil unrest. A choice must be made, and the regiment that takes custody of you, will determine your fate: The Military Police or the Scout Regiment", he explained the process to him. "The Military Police will now present their case", he finished, allowing the MP commander to speak.

"Our recommendation following a thorough examination of Jaeger's biology. He must be disposed of immediately. He is a fallen warrior of humanity!", his gaze has been upon Eren the whole time he said this; contempt in his eyes.

"Now I would like to hear the Scout Regiment's proposed plan", Darius turned to the Scouts.

"As Commander, let Eren Jaeger join our ranks; reinstate him as a full member of the Scouts, where we will utilize his Titan ability to retake Wall Maria. That is all", Erwin sounded sure in his decision, and Sarah only hoped that, since Wall Maria is their top priority, they would need more strength to their numbers.

"Jaeger, let me ask you: Can you keep fighting for the sake of mankind as a soldier, and also use your Titan power for the same goal?", the judge turned back to Eren.

Eren looked up when addressed, “Yes.” His eyes became more focused and angry, the chains on the pole strained against his wrists making a metallic clank, “I’d gladly dedicate my life to kill the titans! Retake our land, and keep humanity safe!” He yelled. “I hate everything that is titan.” He said, calming down a little, the chains relaxed.

The people around the court were silent, looking at one each other, quietly whispering, as if they started to side with Eren.

Virtus nodded his head in approvement. Tushar and Vivi saw that and they looked back at Eren, waiting for the answer from the judge.

It was almost motivating to Virtus. It was rare for someone to move him in such a way. Maybe, there was more to something than meets the eye, some deeper underlying thing they have yet to discover.

"Is that so? Because a report from Trost states the following: 'He swung his fist at Mikasa Ackerman right after transforming'. Is Mikasa present?", Darius looked around, in search for the girl. "Is it true that after transforming, Jaeger attacked you?", he asked her.

Mikasa kept quiet for a second before answering, looking at Eren, then the judge again. She couldn’t figure out if she should lie or not.

‘What would be best for the situation?’ She wondered.

She exhaled, “He swung at me, but I dodged.”

"Can we really trust him with the fate and manpower of mankind?", one of those corrupted wall-cult members objected.

"Yeah! He's probably a Titan, who infiltrated us, disguised as a child!", another one agreed.

"Her too! How can we be sure she's human?", another one.

"That's right! We should dissect her, just in case!", and another.

“Now hold on a second!” Eren yelled, “Maybe I’m the monster you want dead! But you leave her out of this. She’s innocent!” He yelled and slammed the metal chains against the post, “Your wrong. About it all, but you’re so intent on pushing personal agendas, you’re blind to what’s in front of you.”

‘What am I even saying?’ Eren thought.

“None of you has even seen a titan, so why are you so afraid huh?” He asked.

‘Maybe I should keep quiet?’ He thought, ‘No, I’ll tell them exactly what I think. If they wanna kill me, I’ll let them know exactly what I think.’

“There’s no sense in having power if you’re not going to use it to fight.” He said with a loud stern voice. “If you’re too scared to fight for your lives, fine. Let me do it! You- You’re all cowards!”

“What?” A man said.

“Just shut up, and put all your faith in me!” Eren said.

After such a shout, the entire court room grew eerily quiet. No words were said; only faces of disbelief, and shock.

"What the hell are you waiting for?! Take aim!", the MP commander ordered, wanting this to be over and done with. "Yes sir!", the object of his execution was there, and the shooter seemed to show no hesitation to finish the job.

However, one person will not tolerate such an action. There was suddenly a kick to Eren's face, fatally knocking one of his teeth out, then a punch to the stomach. Sarah's face held no emotion, as much as she could, before sending a knee to the boy's face, right to the nose, then a kick to the ribs, and a punch to his jaw. From there, she let his head hang, before she kneeled down on one knee, and gripping his throat. "From the way I see it, you lack discipline, Jaeger. See this as a punishment for your mistake: Never speak, unless spoken to", she made him look into her blue eyes, as she said this.

The beating continued for a few more seconds. The lieutenant could only hope that Erwin's strategy would work.

Virtus made a 'tsking' noise when she had said that her reason for beating him was for lack of discipline and talking when she shouldn’t. In his mind it had nothing to do with discipline.

When she continued to beat him, he stepped forward to the edge of the wooden railings separating the court from the bystanders. He gripped the railing hard, almost enough to hear the wood snapping and cracking. Virtus’s strength was almost inhuman.

‘Isn’t this taking it a little too far?’ He thought watching her, waiting, just waiting for her to stop.

Virtus looked over at Erwin. That man was cunning and clever. The Scout Regiment was the one’s who defended him, so was it possible that this was some part of the plan? He hated being out of the loop of important plans. As soon as he could, he wanted to be the 2nd lieutenant to commander Erwin, if that’s what it would take to get on the inside of planning.

Tushar put a hand on Virtus’s shoulder as if to calm him down from making a bad decision. Virtus glanced at Tushar and relaxed a little bit, the grip on the railing loosened and shoulders sank.

‘Hmph.’ Virtus made a sound and looked at the lieutenant, waiting for the next move.

"Hang on, Sarah. It's dangerous. What if he starts raging; turns into a Titan?", the MP commander cautiously interrupted, and it eventually made the lieutenant stop her assault upon the teenager. However, kept her gaze upon Eren.

"As I heard, he killed 20 other Titans before his strength finally wore out. If he were an enemy, he might cause more trouble than the intel received. He won't be able to escape when I'm around, though", Sarah pointed out.

"Sir, I have a proposal. Why don't we put Eren under Lieutenant Sarah's and Captain Levi's supervision, and send them on a recon mission, outside the Wall? Whether Eren can control his Titan power, and whether he may benefit to mankind, should be decided based on the results of that mission", Commander Erwin seemed so sure of this.

Watch Eren Jaeger. Can you do that, Lieutenant?", Darius asked her.

"I can definitely kill him if he doesn’t cooperate. The problem is, it'll either be for all, or for nothing", Sarah answered, before lookin at Jaeger, giving him a thin smile, knowing that will not be the case.

"I've made my decision", he finally said.

------------------------------

They won. They finally won. It was all thanks to Erwin's clever thinking. They all met in another room, where Hange tended to Eren's wounds.

"We had to play our trump card at the right time. I apologize, Eren, for the brutality of my lieutenant. I want to welcome you to our team", the commander said, waiting for the teenager to take his hand for a shake. Sarah nodded to Eren to accept it.

Eren shook the commander's hand, “It’s better than the alternative.” He said. “I’m ready to help. You didn’t make the wrong decision. Though…” He said trailing off thinking, “I only know as much as you about this titan ability, which is almost nothing. I’ll have to learn to train it or control it.”

Eren figured being honest with the Scouts would be the best way to go. He had dreamed of wanting to get out of these walls since he was young. This was his best option.

Virtus watched as he leaned against the wall. The young man was pretty beat up, but felt as if he was already healing somehow. Maybe he was just being delusional.

“The new guy now.” Tushar whispered to Virtus walking over to him. “Now we have a pet titan.” He joked.

A light punch on Tushar’s back thudded. “Don’t say that.” Vivi said scolding him. “He’s just like any of us.” She argued while whispering.

“As far as you know Vivi.” Tushar said, providing a valid point.

“Enough you two.” Virtus said looking at both of them before they started getting louder and making a scene.

“Alright, alright.” Tushar said putting his hands up and smiling. “I was just joking.” Vivi rolled her eyes at him, before she looked back over at Eren and the commander.

Virtus got off the wall and walked over to Eren after the commander had introduced himself and the team. “I’m Virtus Caelum. Just a soldier in the Survey Corps.” He said giving him a slight nod.

“Y-Yeah. Nice to meet you.” Eren said giving him some respect. Vivi basically frolicked over to Eren, giving him a small wave, “And I’m Vivi.” She smiled, “It’s nice to have you on the team.” She encouraged him.

Tushar stood beside Virtus. “I’m Tushar.” Tushar didn’t really say it in a welcoming voice, mostly due to his suspicion of Eren. Tushar was a little more reluctant to trust in people because of his past.

Eren gave him a nod and looked around at everyone. He never really expected this to happen, especially being a titan. Why would the Survey Corps want him? He figured since they were an elite unit, it would be the quickest way to dispose of him if something were to go wrong.