Johann soon returned, carrying a briefcase with him.
"All right, Historia seems we're finally alone," said Johann.
"Father?" said Johann.
"I'm sorry for making you wait," he said placed a hand on her shoulder. "Listen, Historia, I imagine this will sound strange to you, but Helga isn't entirely dead. Your sister's memories are still alive. Would you like the chance to meet her again?"
"Yes," she said
Johann then reached into his briefcase and pulled out a syringe. Upon seeing at Ragnar recognised it from his lost memories, his mother had used the same thing on him.
'Understand, Ragnar, you can protect your friends,' she said.
Ragnar immediately realised what Johann was trying to do and warn Historia, but of course, he was gagged and unable to move thanks to the chains. The only real thing he could do was glared down at Johann.
Meanwhile, Shard and the Interior Police and taken up defensive positions around the carven when the door immediately swung wide open.
'Here they come,' she said as she had behind a pillar. She then raised her pistol, which had a mirror attached to it, allowing her to see around the corner.
She had expected to see Eret and his squad emerge from the door, but instead, rolling down the stairs were several barrels.
'Wait? What are those?' she said.
Eret and his squad immediately rushed through the door, and Heather was holding a flaming arrow.
'Shit,' said Shard realising what they were doing.
Heather then launched the hour one of the barrels, and seconds later, it exploded created a massive smokescreen.
"Gunpowder," Shard assumed. "Judging from those fires, the barrels must have bags of oil on them. This could get ugly."
Then shooting out of the smoke were Eret and Astrid.
"Here they come!" said one of her men.
"Shoot them down!"
Unfortunately for them, before they got the chance to fire green smoke and immediately launched out of nowhere, hiding both Eret and Astrid from view.
"Signal flares?" said Shard as she looked down at the rest of Eret's squad and saw them firing green smoke flares. 'We can't shoot if we can't see our targets.'
Eret flew around, counting the number of enemies around them. "24… 32… 35 in total! In the upper part of the pillars! Continue the plan. We'll take them all out right here!"
"Everyone scatter!" Shard ordered. "Let them spread out and surround them!"
The moment the Interior Police followed her commands, Hiccup, Snotlout and Valka immediately took off. Heather continued firing flaming arrows down at the barrels creating even more smoke.
"I can't see shit!" said an MP. "Dammit, where they go?"
Snotlout then emerge from the smoke directly behind him, swords at the ready and this time, he wasn't going to hesitate. Hiccup had came up with a strategy to deal with the Anti Personnel Gear, and it was relatively simple.
'The Anti Personnel Gear has a big weakness,' said Hiccup. 'The anchor points in the same direction as the gun, so want us to deploy the gun can't be aimed again. Which means while the user is moving their vulnerable from attack from behind.'
Snotlout then swung his sword down slightly of the head of the MP.
Hiccup had just emerged from the smoke behind two MPs.
"Look out! Over there, fire!"
Smoke flare then immediately shot out in front of Hiccup, hiding him from view; just does one of the MPs fired both shots. When the smoke cleared, Hiccup was gone.
"I missed?" he said and immediately anchored himself to one of the pillars. "Lost him."
Hiccup had launched himself up into the ceiling and use it as a springboard striking down the MP from the above.
"Die!" said the second MP aiming directly at him.
However, before she had a chance to fire, Heather fired in our striking her in the chest, and she fell down towards the ground.
Hiccup looked back at Heather. "Thanks for the save!"
"Just get back into the smoke before you get shot!" Fishlegs yelled.
Another MP was aiming at Valka, but smoke flare shielded her from view before he fired, just like Hiccup. He shot for the smoke, but she was gone as she had managed to get behind one of the pillars.
"Dammit," said the MP detaching the barrels on his guns in order to replace them.
'But their greatest weakness is once they fire twice, they need a few seconds to reload their weapons,' said Hiccup.
Valka took advantage of the brief period it took him to reload and show towards him, plunging his sword right through his chest.
Shard grimaced as she and her men were getting overwhelmed. 'We're getting slaughtered.'
"Damn, she's fast!" said an MP as he shot Astrid.
That was an understatement, as Astrid used the momentum when she swung around one of the pillars and managed to kill three MPs in the space of 30 seconds.
'Once they've closed the range, swords have the advantage,' said Shard.
An MP shot at Astrid, but she merely ran up one of the pillars, launched her anchor and then swung behind him, kicking him hard in the face against the pillar.
'We have to stop them,' said Shard frantically.
Her eyes then widen as she just had three of her men being killed; in an instant, she knew exactly who was responsible. She turned her head and saw advancing towards her was Eret.
'At this rate, they'll wipe us out,' she said.
Eret was about to strike at her when Grimmel came out of nowhere and fired at him. Fortunately, he was able to get behind a pillar before the shot landed use it like a shield.
"Hey, Eret," said Grimmel as he mounted himself on the pillar opposite. "I don't exactly have time to waste on you, but I just can't have you getting any further." He then reloaded the pistol he had just fired. "So be it; I'll just have to play."
He then took off and began going around the pillar that Eret was hiding behind.
"Catch me if you can, boy!" he said.
Once you reach the other side, Eret was nowhere to be seen. He had, in fact, lowered himself further down the pillar and then quickly launched himself into the air to get above him. He swung his sword down towards him, but Grimmel quickly blocked it with his gun.
"You're a lively one," Grimmel noted.
Eret quickly disengaged, and Grimmel fired at him, firing both shots, but he was able to dodge them both. Eret began flying across the carven and noticed that all the barrels have been destroyed; it will only be a matter of time before the smoke was dispelled.
Astrid quickly advanced towards Shard, swinging her sword at her, but she was able to lean back and managed to dodge it. The two of them then immediately took off in opposite directions.
Eret were still chasing after Grimmel, not wanting to lose sight of him.
"Aren't you tired of this game yet?" Grimmel asked. "All right…" He then swung by one of the pillars and vanished from sight. "I taught you this one! When you're chasing your enemy, you shouldn't just stare straight ahead!"
Eret turned and saw Grimmel firing his pistols, but he was in aiming at him. In fact, he was aiming at the wooden platform above him, demolishing it. In order to avoid the debris, Eret had no choice but to veer off course.
Grimmel then quickly advance towards inward knife in hand, not bothering to reload. "Here, dimwit!"
Eret managed to jump out of the way, but Grimmel was able to leave a scratch. Grimmel turned and aimed his pistol at him, but Eret tossed a bag filled with oil at him at the same time, fired. The shot hit the back, causing an explosion of flames.
Grimmel pulled back from the heat, but Eret dived into the flames to getting close and swung his blade towards him. Grimmel quickly used his knife in order to block the attack, but Eret had the momentum on his side and was able to break through his guard, cutting his side.
"You… bastard," Grimmel winced as he took off. "That really hurt!"
Eret began chasing after him.
Shard was still swinging across the carven.
'They know our weaknesses; maybe I can use that,' said Shard.
She then saw Valka emerging from the smoke and quickly fired at her but missed her completely.
"Huh? Though shots weren't even close to me," Valka frowned. "It looks like I found another reckless spirit!"
Valka then began to close in on Shard, who was now resting on one of the pillars. Strangely she was aiming her empty barrel at her, and Valka realised too late that she wasn't going to use her gun. In fact, she fired the anchor directly at it, pierced her right shoulder; she then swung her around, slamming her into one of the pillars. Valka then hit the ground hard, and everyone feared the worst when they saw that she wasn't moving.
"Mum!" Hiccup yelled.
Shard looked at what was left of her men. "Now! We'll reformat the defence at the fallback point! Time to regroup!"
Then she and the remaining Interior Police began to retreat, but less than half of them were still alive. Eret was furious, but before he could proceed, he immediately jumped back behind a pillar just as Grimmel fired another shot.
"Stay out of our damn way," he growled, clutching his side.
Once all the Interior Police reached the fallback point, which led to yet another cavern, Shard looked up at a couple of men on top of some wooden scaffolding.
"Let down!" she ordered.
One of them then immediately cut a rope, and a net made of iron rolled down, blocking the entrance.
Shard then quickly looked at Grimmel. "You got the ritual site!"
"We'll do," said Grimmel. "You try not to die!"
Unbeknownst to them, Hiccup had managed to sneak in without them noticing and were currently hiding behind one of the pillars.
"Guess I should follow him," he said.
At the ritual site, Johann was getting everything prepared when they heard the commotion.
"It sounds like the enemy is drawing near," he said. "This is it; we need to hurry."
"Right," Historia agreed.
Ragnar then began yelling from his gag, glaring down at Johann.
"What's the matter? Why are you glaring like that," said Historia coldly.
"Because he's realised what it is we have to do," said Johann. "The power his mother stole for him must be returned to its rightful place. Historia, that place is with you."
Historia then fell silent, realising the implications.
"The cavern we're in now was built around a century ago using the Titan power of our ancestor," said Johann. "The very same power was employed to used to build the three Walls and his thanks to those enormous Walls that humanity has survived. The voice of this Founding Titan which out to touch the people's hearts and altered their memories forever. Understand that only a few bloodlines were exempt; even their knowledge was lost over time. Today humanity knows nothing of the world before the Walls.
The only exception is your sister Helga Tradesman. Helga possessed far more than the power to become a Titan, she knew what this world was once like, and she knew what brought it to its current state. She was only 15 years old when she took the burden of that knowledge upon herself. It was eight years ago that she performed the ritual; in this very chamber, she ate her uncle, my younger brother. In doing so, Helga inherited the Founding Titan and the memories of this world as her uncle had before her, as our ancestors have for 100 years."
Historia's eyes widened. "Does that mean…"
"It's true, had she survived, Helga could have used her tremendous powers to eliminate humanities woes with ease. In time she could have wiped the Titans scourge from the face of the world, but then his mother came and stole that power away. Now that power resides within Ragnar, but it's wasted with him. The Founding Titan's might can only be wielded by a member of our bloodline. As long as he remains the better for that power, this hell will never end."
Historia then looked up at Ragnar. "Then…"
"Hey, hey, hey, just a damn minute!" said a voice.
They looked up and saw Grimmel descending down towards them.
"Grimmel?" said Johann.
"Sounds like you're saying that someone who isn't a Tradesman eats Ragnar they will get the powers of the King," said Grimmel.
"Yes, that's right."
"So then what? And if I do turn into a Titan and eat Ragnar, it ain't going to do me any good," said Grimmel looking completely crestfallen.
"What you say?" said Johann.
Grimmel then immediately grabbed him, lifted him off his feet and pointed his gun at his head.
"Let him go!" Historia pleaded.
"What the hell has gotten into you?" said Johann. "Do you think I'm lying?"
"No, I don't," said Grimmel looking furiously. "I waited a long time for this day because I knew that there was one thing you were lying about. It was the succession ritual. Damn, you prick! You knew what I was after this whole time, and you knew I didn't have a chance in hell of getting it, but you went ahead and used me, huh?"
"I'm very grateful when my brother first brought you into his service; I thought that it was one of his foolish whims, but—"
Grimmel immediately pushed the gun close to his head. "You keep on talking shit about Ake, and you can kiss this happen your head goodbye!"
Historia then immediately grabbed the gun and tried to pull it away from Johann. "Stop it! Get away from my father!"
Grimmel rolled his eyes. "Come on, this is pitiful. Don't you get it yet Historia, your daddy doesn't give a damn." He then shoved her aside. "He brought you here so that he could turn you into a monster, and after that, he's going to make you eat your buddy, Ragnar."
"That's my duty, then that's what I'll do," she said, getting to her feet. Grimmel just stared at her. "Yeah, I've decided. I'll eat Ragnar and bring my sister back; I'll inherit the world's history and exterminate every last Titan! That's my duty, then I'll do it!"
"Damnit, Historia, think about this," said Grimmel. "What the hell has this old bastard ever done for you?" He then pulled his knife and pointed it down Johann's throat. "The only reason he picked you up was because of that Royal blood of yours. This piece of trash is too scared to be a Titan himself; that's why he forced his brother and daughter to do it for him. That's the kind of man your daddy is!"
"Can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually agree with him," said a voice.
Everyone turned, and to their surprise, they saw Hiccup emerging from behind one of the pillars.
"Hiccup?" said Historia, stunned.
"Damn, I must be losing my touch; I didn't even realise you were following me," said Grimmel looking somewhat impressed.
"You had other priorities," said Hiccup, then looked at Historia. "Historia, whatever your father said about being a champion of humanity was a lie. If he was truly telling the truth, then ask why the Titans are still here?"
"Ragnar's mother killed my sister before she had a chance," said Historia angrily.
"No, I believe that she stole that power because she would not use it to save her people," said Hiccup. "If the Tradesman family really had the power to eliminate the Titans, how can were still cowering from them for the past hundred years?"
Johann then grabbed Grimmel's knife and pulled it back from his throat. "They're wronged, Historia. That isn't the truth! It is essential I do not become a Titan myself; you mustn't believe them. I'm the only man alive you can trust."
"Is that so," said Grimmel releasing him.
"Father!" said Historia rushing over to Johann.
Johann coughed out some blood and looked up at Grimmel. "Grimmel, you served me well up until this moment. You're free now, go and find another purpose for your life and live out your years. Though I would appreciate it if you eliminate this Haddock."
Grimmel looked at him and then looked at Hiccup. "It was you that came up with a plan that decimated my squad, wasn't it?"
"Yes," said Hiccup. "Looking for revenge?"
"Hell no, just saying it's quite an impressive feat. Both our family been persecuted by bastards like this," he said, gesturing to Johann. "I say you deserve to live, at least for now."
"So, what are you going to do?" Hiccup asked curiously. "You going to go back killing MPs for a living?"
"That would bore me to death, so…" He then turned around and began making his way up the steps towards Ragnar.
"Grimmel, just what are you planning to do?" Johann asked.
"If she wanted to turn into a Titan, but that's her choice to make," he said and approached Ragnar. He then pulled his head back and began removing his gag. "But I say, the boy should get a fair shot. They can both turn Titan and fight it out; if Historia wins well, then you'll have your peace." He then drew his knife. "But if Ragnar takes her life, the situation stays the same."
He then cut Ragnar's forehead, causing blood to pour over his eyes. "Going on living for the sake of drawing breath. That doesn't sound like any kind of life to me."
Johann then quickly rushed over to Historia. "Historia, take this injection, and you'll become a powerful Titan! If you can't remember, it's not enough just to bite him anywhere. To take his power, you have to drink his spinal fluid."
He then handed her the syringe.
"Historia, don't do it!" Hiccup yelled frantically, placing his hands on the hilt of his swords. "If you do, I'll have no choice but to kill you."
"I better pull back," said Grimmel as he moved himself to a safe distance while giving himself a birds-eye view of the entire show.
"Go on, you have to hurry!" Johann yelled, falling back.
Historia was holding the syringe and was trembling, but then she noticed that Ragnar had yet to transform.
"Ragnar, why? Why aren't you transforming?" Historia asked. "You're going to fight back, aren't you? You can't just let me… defend yourself!"
Ragnar then looked down at her. "The last thing I want is to kill you."
"Historia now's your chance!" Johann yelled.
"To be honest, I don't know who is telling the truth, but if I transform now, you have no choice but to do the same, and even if I don't defend myself, Hiccup was surely jumping to kill you. I don't know why my mother did what she did, but I'd like to believe that she had a reason. I only wish I could tell you what that was to give you some kind of closure. Has already been so much death, Hiccup's grandparents, Fishlegs' grandfather, the soldiers and cadets who died at Trost, everyone on Eret's squad, the people of Nexus, the soldiers who came to save me and Astrid's uncle. Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be the right choice."
Everyone was utterly silent as all eyes fell upon Historia.
"Ragnar, I remember what you said to me back in the cabin. I was so happy."
She then pointed the syringe down towards her arm, and then the memory of Ymir appeared within her mind.
'I see. Is this your idea of trying to be nice?' she asked.
Johann approached her, no doubt seen the hesitation in her eyes. "What's wrong, Historia? Are you scared? All you have to do is inject the liquid into your body."
"Wait, you never answered Hiccup's question, father," said Historia. "For 100 years, we had the power, but we didn't use it. Why didn't our family do something? If we can control the Titans, then why didn't we liberate humanity?"
"That's because the same king who built this world within the Walls for humanity wanted us to live in fear of the Titans for all of time. The first king believed this is the only path for lasting peace, but I can't tell you why. Because only those who have seen the world's memories can know.
Many years ago, my brother and I pleaded with our father to free humanity from the Titans. We asked him time and time again. However, he would not fulfil our wish. Eventually, the time came for one of us to succeed. After my brother completed the ritual, when I looked into his eyes, I understood. My brother wasn't there; he had become something greater.
An omniscient being exempt from death, who built and rules over the world we live in. Do you know what such a being is called? God. There is no other word aside from God. So now it is my secret duty to bring God back into this world and then to offer up my prayers. I am praying right now, Historia, for God to reach out and lead mankind once again."
He then started to guide Historia's hand over the syringe and slowly began pushing it down towards her skin.
'Christa, I have no business telling you how to live your life. It's not my place. So I guess when you break it down, really just more of a hope,' said Ymir inside her mind. 'Christa, live a life you can be proud of.'
Historia then immediately tossed the syringe away, and it smashed upon the floor. Johann looked down at the broken syringe and then looked at her with fury in her eyes.
"What have you done!" he roared, nearly throttling her.
Historia then immediately grabbed his arm and, with all her strength, tossed him over her shoulder. There was a nasty crack as he hit the ground and screamed in anguish.
"God, my ass!" Historia yelled furiously. "It's such an honour to become him, then why didn't you do it yourself? I'm done with your shit that I'm not gonna let you murder me!"
She then ran and grabbed Johann suitcase; Hiccup then dashed over and placed his arm around her waist.
"Had me worried there for a sec," he said and then fired off his anchors, bringing the two of them over towards Ragnar.
Grimmel laughed. "That's the spirit! This is getting good."
The moment they reached the platform, Historia reached into the briefcase and pulled out a set of keys.
"I really thought you were going to eat me back there," said Ragnar as Historia undid the chains around his waist.
"Yeah, well, now I'm setting you free," she said.
"But why? That Titan belongs to your family?" Ragnar asked.
"Oh, just shut up," she snapped yelled as she removed the chains. "I don't care about killing all the Titans, and I don't care about freeing mankind either!" "I'm starting to get sick of humanity! I say let them get wiped out by Titans! And if that makes me an enemy of humanity, so be it. I don't care if I'm the worst girl who's ever lived."
"Remind me not to get you angry," said Hiccup.
"The two of you get out of here; I'll deal with the rest," she said.
Johann began crawling his way to the broken syringe. "Father… Ake… and Helga… I'm coming. Just wait."
He then licked the contents of the syringe, which had been spilt across the floor. A few seconds after it touched his tongue, his entire body lit up, and he began transforming into a Titan.