Weakness
Levi and Kaspar have locked their sights in each other, while Historia is trying to get closer to Annie's rifle.
Kaspar: I'm sorry to have caused all this trouble, but it's all for a legitimate cause you see. You'll no longer have to concern yourself about politics and can go back to the farm, Queen Reiss.
Historia angry: Who the hell you think you are? If you think Mikasa will fall for any of your schemes you are more stupid than we already think.
Kaspar: Oh? Concerned about Lady Yeager are you? Tell me slave trader, aren't you essentially the queen… just because she allows you to be? What if you have a fall out? What then? Hmm?
Levi: Don't listen to this snake Historia. I see what you are doing bastard.
Kaspar: Levi please, the adults are talking.
Historia is shaken a bit: You'll never make me doubt Mikasa.
Kaspar: Are you sure? Just look how hard her compatriots have worked to make her Queen! They knew if things went wrong, they'll lose everything. But still did it! Now that's loyalty.
What about you Reiss? Has anyone but Mikasa vouched for you? Died for you? Why are you Queen exactly? Just because you are the bastard of some asshole? I might fail… but you have already lost your crown, a long time ago. I guess all the luxury and privilege has made you blind… or maybe you were not so smart to begin with… being a farm girl and all…
Historia is clearly disturbed. Levi notices this and gets hysterical.
Levi: That's enough of your bullshit! Are you going to fire or not you fucking bastard?!
Levi hears the very faint sound of vertical maneuvering equipment from outside. He can feel his awakened power activating from within.
Kaspar gives Levi a slight smile, and keeps talking: All in good time my friends… I…
Levi gives a determined look to Historia. She looks at him back, gazes upon the rifle, looks back at Levi and gives him a slight nod. They know what to do.
While Kaspar keeps talking, Levi yells: NOW!
An instinctively coordinated triple attack ensues:
- Historia lunges herself towards the rifle; Kaspar shoots her with his left hand but barely misses her; Historia grabs the rifle rolls forward and immediately aims and shoots at Kaspar; the shot misses as Kaspar jumped and raised his right leg to avoid the bullet.
- Levi fires his equipment hooks forward and launches himself docking to the ground level swinging his blades; as Kaspar is jumping to avoid Historia's shot, Levi manages to sever his left leg which Kaspar used to impulse himself upwards.
- Mikasa's hooks burst through the window as she launches herself in a furious frenzy; she swings her blades aiming towards his arms as he is aiming Levi and Historia; Mikasa manages to sever Kaspar's right arm and cuts through the anti survey gun of his left hand.
Both Levi and Kaspar crash to the ground in pain, while Mikasa lands perfectly and rushes towards Historia.
Mikasa: Historia! Are you ok?!
Historia distressed but feeling relieved, smiles at Mikasa: Yes Mikasa I'm fine. Saving the day as usual right? Just like old times… Come, let's help Armin and Annie.
Mikasa had not noticed Armin and Annie lying on the ground unconscious, and starts to feel scared. Both Historia and Mikasa rush towards them.
Mikasa: ARMIN!
Historia: I think they are ok! But we need to get them to a medic.
At that moment, they hear a faint scream through the rubble: Your majesty! Are you there!?
Historia: Yes! We are here, we need a medic!
Soldier: Please clear away from the rubble your majesty! We are going to use a small blast to open the gateway!
Mikasa and Historia rapidly move Annie and Armin away from the rubble.
A small blast ensues managing to open the exit. Several military and MP's enter the hall in a frenzy.
The personal guard chief: Your majesty are you ok?!
Historia: Yes Karl, I'm fine please take Annie and Armin to the infirmary. Captain Levi too, if he allows it…
At tend the wounds of that man… and then take him to prison.
Meanwhile, Levi is trying to get up using his blades as impulse. He is watching the limp body of Kaspar.
Kaspar: haaahhh… That… went a bit worse… than expected…
Levi looking at him with disgust, very much in pain: Still want to make fun of cripples? Asshole.
Mikasa approaches Levi and gives him her hand.
Mikasa: Captain… come on… let's go to the infirmary so the medics can take a look at that leg… don't make me carry you… you know you can walk.
Levi smiles at Mikasa at takes her hand and start to limp towards the infirmary with the help of Mikasa.
Mikasa: By the way… It's good to see you Captain.
Levi: It's good to see you too… Mikasa.
Some minutes later – The infirmary
The nurses and medics are stressed by the sudden amount of patients they have. Meanwhile, in a private room, Mikasa is sitting by Armin, who starts to wake up.
Armin with a bandage on his head: uhh.. what?
Mikasa: Armin, relax, you are in the infirmary.
Armin: Mikasa? What happ.. ANNIE!
Mikasa holds him: She is fine Armin, she is right next to you, look
Annie is in the next bed, with a bloody bandage on her head, still unconscious.
Armin jumps out of bed and kneels in front of Annie's bed, grabbing her hand, tearing up.
Mikasa: The medics said she is fine, the damage was not important, she should wake up any minute now.
Armin tenderly puts his head on Annie's hand, slowly waking her up.
Annie: Uh… Armin… I'm dizzy…
Armin tearing up of happiness: Annie it's ok. Don't talk just rest.
Annie: Armin… I sure… was useless today… weren't I?
Armin: Shh… just rest… actually you did help… didn't she Mikasa?
Mikasa is tenderly looking at the scene: Yes Annie, without your rifle, we wouldn't have been able to stop that man…
Annie chuckling: Mikasa… saving the day… how typical…
Armin kisses her hand: Just rest Annie, you are still quite hurt…
Mikasa is very happy to see Annie and Armin as a couple… but at the same time starts to feel profoundly sad…
Historia arrives to the infirmary a few minutes later to visit Armin and Annie
Historia: Armin! Annie! I'm so glad to see you are okay!... Well… sort of…
Armin: Mikasa told me you coordinated some improvised triple attack? I wish I could have seen it!
Historia blushing: Well, it was mostly Mikasa and the captain's achievement…
Armin: Where is the captain by the way is he ok?
Historia: Yes he is fine, he did not get injured in the battle, but his leg was in pretty bad shape for quite some time… the medics recommended that they should operate on it to fix it the best they can… so they are doing that right now.
Armin: That's great! I'm so glad, he'll no longer need to be carried around… he was very humiliated by that…
Annie: He liked it Armin… and you know it.
Mikasa: Pfff… haahaha.
Mikasa starts to softly laugh, scaring everyone in the room.
Mikasa trying to stop: I'm sorry… I just got a picture in my head… of the captain being carried like a baby by Annie… and it made sense you know? Because… how short he is… pfff.
Annie starting to laugh: You truly are not human Mikasa… hahaaha
Everyone in the room start to laugh hysterically, meanwhile Levi approaches in a wheelchair, with a cast and nails on his leg.
Levi: What's the matter with you? What's so funny?
After a few hours, all of them are discharged from the infirmary. Historia invites them to stay at her personal cottage to recover from their injuries and relax.
Historia: Mikasa… I have to summon to governing council about this situation as soon as possible. The capital is in disarray… want to come?
Mikasa: No… I'm staying with Armin and the rest… I'll take care of them.
Historia: Yeah I figured… Mikasa… how... are you? Are you…ok?
Mikasa emotionless: I'm fine Historia.
Historia knows Mikasa is lying: Umm.. ok. I'll go to the cottage tomorrow alright?
Mikasa: Fine… good luck… She departs with the rest.
Historia is worried about Mikasa… and is in deep thought about the things Kaspar said…
A few hours later
Historia summoned the governing council. They decided to sever all relations with Hizuru, imprison all their officials and extradite them. All communications with the nation were severed.
It was decided to launch a full investigation about the actions of Kaspar Ackerman and to retain him permanently at Paradis, requiring an ambassador to head to Marley. Historia took control of the meeting, stressing the importance that the Eldian leader of Marley personally and at great personal stake came to Paradis to warn her personally about Ackerman, resulting in himself and his partner getting seriously injured.
She stressed the need to find truly worthy allies in this new world, and that Marley had proved themselves truly loyal to respecting Paradis culture and government. By one vote, the council approved to strengthen the relations between Paradis and Marley and to send an ambassador to the nation. Mikasa was selected as the prime candidate, pending her approval…
After the meeting, Historia went to the prison to talk to Kaspar…
Kaspar was lying on a bed, with bandages covering the stumps of his severed arm and leg.
Historia: You have failed. Hizuru's alliance with Paradis has been terminated and Mikasa's loyalty is stronger than ever.
Kaspar: Is that so? Congratulations… you truly solved everything right Queen Reiss? Too bad you are completely wrong… I have not failed at all.
Historia is shocked: What? What are you talking about?
Kaspar: You wouldn't understand even if I told you. Your farmer brain cannot possibly comprehend such complicated things. You can go now; I have nothing else to say to you.
The guards threaten Kaspar but Historia stops them: I'll go… for now.
As Historia departs, Kaspar says to her: Send my regards to Lady Yeager! She saved the day again didn't she? How typical, the little queen needing the help of the true leader of the nation… DON'T WORRY! SHE'LL DO IT AGAIN!
Historia is furious, but doesn't respond. The guards are uneasy about what Kaspar said.
Kaspar is softly chuckling: Do you see now? Still think I'm insane? An arm and a leg are a small price to pay to what we can accomplish together! Yelena the zeke-yeagerist!
Yelena is sitting in the next cell, malnourished, but with a bright look in her eyes…
The next day- Historia's personal cottage
Princess Ymir is bothering Levi, she is impressed with the nails on his leg, Armin and Annie are enjoying the scene, who are not letting Levi to get away by grabbing his wheelchair.
After a while Armin and Mikasa are discussing what happened.
Armin: That man sure is a mystery, I have no idea what he wants… everything that happened yesterday does not seem the focus of his actions… I'll go as far as to think... he planned to be captured.
Mikasa is concerned and intrigued: I... don't know…
Armin: He talked to you about some divine mission and the founder's power, right?
Mikasa: Yes.
Armin: I guess it makes sense… all 3 Ackerman's still possess your characteristic amazing strength and skills… but nothing more… after the rumbling none of you have shown any other powers… right?
Mikasa: No, I don't think so… he didn't say anything about that either… he said something about the source…
Armin: He must have been referring to that shining centipede that burst out of Eren… the source of the power of the titans.
Mikasa: But didn't that thing died… with the rest?
Armin: We don't know, it happened so fast… it just disappeared… I guess it evaporated like the titans' bodies… but we really never knew anything about it… it's a total mystery…
It behaved like some sort of parasite… but showed some intelligence by transforming all the surrounding Eldians into titans… Could it have died that easily? After being alive for thousands of years…
Mikasa is intrigued
Armin: Maybe… it's looking for another host… maybe went back to where it found Ymir… to its original place…
Mikasa eyes open up.
Armin: I don't know… this is all conjecture… in any case, it seems Ackerman did not have the information necessary to accomplish what he wanted… he would have done it himself if he knew… I guess we got lucky. You and the captain certainly made sure he can't do anything anymore.
Mikasa is deep in thought: Yeah…
Mikasa feels relieved that what Kaspar told him seems impossible to achieve… but also feels very sad…
A few hours later
Mikasa and Historia are discussing the situation and the cabinet's decisions
Mikasa: You sure managed to do the impossible… I guess I should start calling you Your Majesty.
Historia blushing: Oh please Mikasa don't tease… I really… just wanted our friends to be safe… and said what I had to for their sake…
Mikasa smiles: I'm glad… only you could have done something like that. Thank you, my queen.
Historia is even more blushed: Mikasa… you are embarrassing me…
Mikasa chuckles a bit: What happened to Ackerman?
Historia: He is in prison, he is no threat, he can barely move thanks to you and the captain… but he did say something that concerned me…
Mikasa: What?
Historia: He said… he had not failed at all. And refused to talk after that.
Mikasa is worried… but also conflicted.
Historia feeling a little bit suspicious: Do you know... what he is talking about?
Mikasa is silent for little bit and answers: No… I don't
Historia is still suspicious, but decides her friendship with Mikasa is more important than the words of a liar. She did say everything he told her after all…
Historia: Well, I guess he is just talking nonsense… In any case, have you decided if you are going to be our ambassador for Marley?
There is truly no one better for the job, and you could visit our friends!
Mikasa: I… don't know… I'll have to think about it…
Historia: Wow, now that's a great start! First time you have not flat out rejected me! I'll convince you no matter what, you'll see!
Mikasa smiles at her, but feels very conflicted about what to do… she decides to talk to Kaspar before making a decision.
Some days later - The Prison
Kaspar is reading a book, while Mikasa approaches to his cell.
Mikasa: Here – throws a ring at him – this was in your arm. Looked important.
Kaspar picks it up: OH! How thoughtful of you... this is actually our family's ring. How telling that only you saw the value of it.
Mikasa: I have been designed as ambassador to Marley to investigate your crimes. Care to help your case by giving some information?
Kaspar: You won't find anything even if you searched the entire continent, but I appreciate the gesture… but you knew that already… didn't you? And yet you still came here… Intrigued about what I said at your home aren't you?
Mikasa is silent
Kaspar smiling: Hmmm… it's natural that you don't trust me. I have lied plenty, but all in the service of fulfilling our destiny… or should I say YOUR destiny… nothing that I said to you was a lie… I gladly offered my arm and leg… just to keep the wheels of fate moving… I never intended to kill the Queen… that would have only made her a martyr… but you figured that out? Didn't you?
Mikasa is distressed... but still silent
Kaspar: Now it's up to you dear…. I can't do anything anymore… your family's future… is in your hands now…
Mikasa is distressed and insecure: I'll… not betray my friends… She starts to leave
Yelena was listening to everything and softly says: Lady Yeager… what you seek… is in Marley… in the East Military Station… nearby are some woods with extremely old ruins… dating back to the ancient Eldian kingdom… it used to be extremely guarded by the military… but after the rumbling… I wouldn't be surprised if there is barely anyone there… please my lady… fulfill your role… in shaping our future….
Mikasa is immensely distressed by what Yelena said and leaves.
Historia was waiting for Mikasa at the exit of the prison
Historia: So? Did he say anything?
Mikasa is torn: No.. he did not…
Historia: So… I'll guess the only way to know anything more… is if you go to Marley… RIGHT?
Mikasa is feeling very conflicted… and answers: Yes… I'll go.
