Ragnar was still reeling over Hiccup; he knew when Hiccup told him his plan that this would be the likely outcome, though that still didn't prepare him.

"I think we both knew this was going to happen, but still trusting your plan was the only hope we had," he said with tears in his eyes. "But what you always have to take things so far?"

He then heard something behind and turned; it looked as if something larger just jumped from the top of the Wall. When the dust cleared, he saw the Cart Titan standing on the houses with Zara riding on its back.

"A Titan?" Ragnar stared.

The Cart Titan suddenly began making a move towards him, and then he quickly grabbed Clueless, placing his sword against his throat.

"One more step, and I'll slit his throat," Ragnar warned.

Ragnar didn't recognise the woman right the Cart Titan, but he did notice there were lines across the face.

'Hold on,those markets around her eyes? Are they what I think? This must be the Beast Titan.'

Zara just stared in shock as she looked at him. "I found you… Ragnar Keatson, right?"

Ragnar blinked. 'She seems to be more curious about me than concerned about Clueless.'

"You have your mother's eyes," she said.

Ragnar just stared at her because it sounded as if she knew his mother.

"What?" he said.

"Believe me, Ragnar, I get it," she said. "I know how you feel; the both of us are just victims of your mother. I'm sorry, but she's brainwashed you."

Ragnar had no idea what she was talking about. "What are you talking about?"

Zara looked up and saw standing on the top of the Wall covered from head to toe in Titan's blood was Eret.

"You're kidding; he chased me all this way," she said, stunned. "What a monster."

Eret then slid off the Wall towards them.

"Let's call it a draw, Eret," she said. "We're in no shape to fight now." He then turned and looked at Clueless. "Clueless, I'm sorry, but this is the end for you. Ragnar, someday I'll come back and save you from this."

Ragnar was now even more confused and just watched as she and the Cart Titan took off.

"That was weird," he said.

Eret then arrived on the rooftop, looking utterly exhausted.

"Captain!" Ragnar yelled, putting Clueless down.

"I just used the last of my gas; quick, give me your gear so I can chase her," he said.

"Right!" Ragnar nodded and began to detach his ODM gear.

"Hurry!" Eret ordered.

Ragnar was just about to debug his ODM gear when he heard a cough coming from Hiccup. He stopped in his eyes widened because miraculously, Hiccup was still alive.

At the same time, Valka and the others had apprehended Dogsbreath slicing off his limbs. Valka also found a containing his jacket pocket and began to question him about it.

"Dogsbreath, what is this metal case we found in your left breast pocket?" Valka asked. "Before we closed in and chopped up your limbs, you used what strength he had left to grab that it? So what's inside? Suicide pills? A bomb?"

While this was going on, Fishlegs was busy tending to the wounded, Ruffnut was unconscious, and Snotlout had dislocated his shoulder. There was nothing he could do for Valka's left eye except bandage it up.

"It's a letter," said Dogsbreath weakly.

"A letter?" Valka blinked. "What does it say?"

"It's for Christa, Ymir wrote it," he explained. "Whatever you do to me, just make sure she gets to read it."

"Only after we inspect it," she said, tucking away. She then rose to her feet. "Now then, I've got a lot of questions that you can answer…" She then drew her sword. "…but you're a tough one. If you don't want to talk, I can't make you. So I'll ask, will you cooperate and tell us everything that we want to know?"

"I won't."

"Thank you, Dogsbreath. It helps to see that you're ready for death."

She then pressed her blade against his throat.

"Valka, wait!" Fishlegs yelled. "We need him alive so we can use his power!"

Valka paused and looked at him, remembering their instructions were regarding the situation.

"Pay close attention," said Stoick holding up the syringe. "I'm about to explain how we can get maximum value from this syringe. Using its contents, we can steal any Titans powers, that goes for the Colossal, Armoured and Beast Titans. As for how we first need to defeat one of these intelligent Titans, and we will inject one of our comrades, turning them into a pure Titan.

They will be in a mindless state for only a brief time; once they consume the captived for, they will reverse back into a human but gain the power to shift forms that will. If this is achieved, then not only will we gain knowledge and a powerful weapon, we will also be able to bring back one of our soldiers back from the brink of death. Should you catch an enemy shifter, be sure to sever their limbs wanted safe to do so try to locate Captain Eret."

Stoick then handed the syringe over to Eret. "We have this only one injection; the captain will decide when to use it and on whom."

"We don't know the situation with Eret on the other side," said Valka looking at him. "And we don't have time to go and confirm it ourselves. These Titan powers have succeeded our expectations too many times. We thought we had him before; I refuse to underestimate his power again! I'll start by beheading him, but that's not enough on its own!"

Fishlegs just stared at her. "This isn't like you, Valka. If we back down from the chance to cure our ignorance, then what hope do we have beating the Titans down the road?"

"Fishlegs," said Astrid looking at him.

"We need to find out all that we can about the enemy, or we'll lose."

Valka remained silent before turning to Astrid. "Astrid…"

"Yeah?"

"How much gas you have left?"

"Not enough to find anything; I think I could reach Hiccup and Ragnar, then I'll be out."

"That's more than I have," she admitted. "Find them, Astrid. Go and evaluate the situation. Refill your gas retrieve the syringe from Eret, and bring it back to me. If you're unable to do so, then regardless of the reason, fire a smoke signal; that will be my cue to end Dogsbreath."

"Understood," Astrid nodded and then took off.

"Thank you, Valka," said Fishlegs looking relieved. "I—"

"The decision was mine," she said. "You were just a factor."

'What I speak up for him?' Fishlegs frowned. 'When it comes down to it and I still…'

Astrid had just arrived on the rooftop, and her eyes widened in horror when she discovered Hiccup's condition. However, she felt a shred of hope when Ragnar discovered that he was still alive, though only barely.

"I don't believe it; he's still breathing!" Ragnar announced.

"Wait, that's Hiccup," said Astrid with tears in her eyes.

"Captain! Get the syringe!" Ragnar yelled.

Eret was still fiddling with his ODM gear. Clearly, he still wanted to chase after the Beast Titan.

"Look, even if I do give you my ODM gear, they have no doubt reached the outside world; we can't chase them now," Ragnar pointed out. "The only thing we can do now is to try to save Hiccup's life."

Eret realised he was right about the case containing the syringe. "Right."

Astrid then remembered to signal Valka and quickly fired off a red smoke flare.

Fishlegs saw the red smoke flare, informing him that something had happened, and then he heard thundering footsteps. He turned and saw approaching Valka was the Cart Titan.

"Valka!" he yelled.

Fishlegs quickly fired off an anchor and tackled Valka to the ground before the Cart Titan could bite into her. The two of them rolled across the ground, and Valka quickly got to her feet.

"What the hell!" she said, drawing a sword.

She then saw the Cart Titan was holding Dogsbreath in its mouth. Then took off carrying both Zara and Dogsbreath with it.

"They're running away with Dogsbreath!" Heather yelled.

"What do we do now?" Tuffnut asked.

"Should we go after them?" Snotlout asked.

"Don't chase them; chances you'll just get yourself killed even if you had gas left," Valka sighed.

Fishlegs slammed his fist on the ground in annoyance. "This is all my fault! He'd be dead! He needed to die. Why did I open my big mouth!"

"I told you the decision was mine," said Valka. "Let's regroup with the others."

Eret was just about to give Ragnar the syringe when suddenly climbing on the rooftop were Floch and Dogsbreath carrying Stoick on their shoulders.

"Captain Eret, we finally found you," said Floch looking relieved.

"Sir, it's the Commander. Somehow he's still alive, but his stomach is gouged and his insider torn to shreds," Wartihog explained. "We've done what we can, but he just won't stop bleeding. He doesn't have long."

"We believe the injection will be able to help him, but what do you think?" Floch asked.

Silence fell, and everyone looked at Eret; he then pulled the syringe away from Ragnar.

"Captain Eret," Ragnar blinked.

Eret then rested Stoick on the rooftop and checked to see if he was still breathing.

"It's faint, but he's breathing," said Eret. "Have to give the Haddock's this much; they're certainly a stubborn bunch."

Both Astrid and Ragnar realised what he was about to do.

"You know it has to happen," said Eret looking at Ragnar. "Stoick gets the shot."

Ragnar then immediately rose to his feet furiously. "So you're gonna let Hiccup die?"

Wartihog eyes widened, and he stared at Hiccup's charred body. "Wait, that's Hiccup? What happened to him?"

"He used himself as a distraction to give me a clean shot of the Colossal," Ragnar explained.

"Just like his father," said Wartihog closing his eyes.

"I'm going to revive the person who can save humanity," said Eret bluntly.

Astrid then drew her sword, looking even more furious than Ragnar.

Eret looked at her. "You two? Do you have even the faintest clue as to what you're doing? It's Stoick, the Commander of the Scouts, and you're telling me to watch him die? There is no time for this; just get out of my way."

Ragnar then stopped before he could take a single step.

"Ragnar check your emotions," said Eret.

"I'm sorry, Captain, but I can't do that," said Ragnar. "Tell me, why did you give Hiccup the injection right away?"

"I was thinking about Stoick," said Eret honestly. "Considering the chance that he might be alive."

"Where you could have known that Floch or Wartihog would carry the Commander here," said Ragnar. "There's no way you would have seen that coming."

"You aren't wrong, Ragnar, but the fact remains that he is here now. So I will revive him."

He then struck Ragnar across the face before he had a chance to move, and Astrid quickly tackled him to the ground.

"Hey!" said Floch, about to move in to assist Eret.

Wartihog grabbed his shoulder and shook his head.

Astrid and soon began wrestling with Eret to get her hand on the syringe. 'He's too exhausted to stop me. I can take upon him by force.'

"You know just as well as I do that without Stoick's leadership, humanity can't beat the Titans!" Eret reminded her.

"He's right, Astrid, don't be crazy," said Floch. "There's too much at stake here."

"Hiccup is just as much of a skilled leader as the Commander!" Astrid snapped.

"Astrid's right," said Ragnar as he picked himself up. "Just think about what he's done. We used his plan to take back Trost with that boulder; he's the one who realised what Eir was. It was his idea to avoid the Titans by coming here at night… he's the one that devised the plan that saved me from the Interior Police; he's the only reason we uncovered Dogsbreath's hiding spot and the only reason. We took down Clueless! We only got this far because of Hiccup!"

"Please, Captain, just let go," Astrid pleaded with tears in her eyes. "I just can't lose him."

"You're just being selfish," said Floch. "Stoick is our leader."

"Shut up!" Astrid snapped.

"And why the hell should I? Do you think that you're the only ones who suffered through all this?"

Wartihog sighed. "I think you all should know the situation on the other side of the Wall. Out of all the troops are stationed on the other side of the wall, including those of us here, there were only seven survivors. The Beast Titan from crushing boulders at everyone, that field is soaked with the blood of our comrades."

Floch nodded. "Commander Stoick was the only survivor we could find in the charge. He came up with a plan, found a way faster strike back at the Beast Titan, and so we did. We were smashed to bits just as he planned; I'm sure the last thing they felt was fear. When I realised the Commander was still alive, I almost finished him off while Wartihog's back was turned."

Everyone then immediately stared at him.

"But then… I recognise that would be a mercy," Floch continued. "I thought to myself that he oughta taste more of this hell. Suddenly I understood if we want to stand any chance against the Titans, we need a devil! I realise that is what Stoick is and that it's my mission to bring him back! That is why a coward like me outlived the heroes around him because Stoick needs to fight on, so get out of his way right now!"

"Floch, don't!" Wartihog yelled.

Too late, he immediately approached Astrid, who got ready to swing her sword directly at him.

"Don't do it!" Eret yelled.

Fortunately arriving at that moment was Valka, who quickly restrained Astrid.

"Valka," Eret stared.

Valka then quickly pulled Astrid away from Eret as Fishlegs and the others landed on the rooftop with the injured. Gobber then arrived a few seconds later with both Dagur and Mala on each shoulder.

"What's going on here?" Gobber asked.

Fishlegs quickly realise the situation. "No, don't tell me. No way."

"This can't be happening; it just can't," said Heather.

"Please tell me I'm dreaming," said Snotlout.

"It can't be," said Tuffnut.

Valka was probably even more shocked than any of them. "No, it isn't fair."

Now free from Astrid, Eret pulled out the syringe.

Astrid screamed, trying to break from Valka's hold, but she was just too strong.

"I understand how you feel!" Valka yelled. "Believe me, it's an impossible decision for me. However, most of us are dead, and we can't afford to lose our Commander too. The Scout must endure if we lose our symbol of hope we lose everything!"

"How can you say that?" Astrid cried. "Hiccup is your son! You, of all people, know how special he is!"

"I'm saying this because he's my son, and I know that he would choose his father over himself!" said Valka. "I know he special; he has an amazing mind. That said, Stoick is far more experienced!"

Astrid then grabbed her hand and began twisting it to force her to release her, but Valka was able to break free from her.

"Listen, Astrid, there are people that I want to bring back too," said Valka with tears in her eye. "Hundreds at this point, ever since I joined up with the Scouts every day quoting a new farewell."

Valka remembered Mason shoving her to one side just as Clueless transformed. As luck would have it, they were directly beneath well, and Valka landed inside just before the explosion hit. The last thing she saw was Mason getting incinerated at a stone struck her left eye. When she regained consciousness and climbed up the well, her entire squad had been reduced to dust.

"But you need to understand. Eventually, you're going to have to let go of everyone you've ever met, including family and loved ones. I know that's tough to accept; it's tough for me too. It's hard to stay sane living like that; it hurts, it really hurts. I know, but even so, all this just have to push forward."

Astrid just couldn't accept it; she remembered all the fun she had with Hiccup back when they were children. Plus, she never got to tell him how she really felt, and now he was gone forever.

Ragnar then approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "There's nothing more we can do."

Eret looked at everyone as he got the syringe ready. "Everyone, get out of here right now! I don't want Stoick to each one of you instead of Clueless."

"Right, come on, Astrid," said Valka.

"Can't believe this is happening," said Fishlegs.

Ragnar looked back at Hiccup's body. "Goodbye, old friend. We'll never forget you."

With that, they all fired their anchors, leaving Eret alone to inject the syringe.

Eret placed Clueless down in the centre of the roof. 'Still amazing that those two managed to save you lie despite their injuries. Anyone else they would have already died.'

He then bent down to Stoick and prepared to inject him with the syringe, but before he could inject it, Stoick not his hand away.

"Don't you dare," he said weakly.

Eret stared at him. "Stoick? You're still conscious?"

"In and out, but I heard most of that conversation, and I want you to give that syringe to Hiccup," he said, wincing.

Eret stared at him. "But you're the Commander. We need you more."

"I would be a very poor father if I with my son," said he bluntly. "Besides, he's the one who took down the Colossal while I lead soldiers to their deaths. You tell me who is more deserving of staying alive."

"But—"

Stoick looked at him. "Have you forgotten that I'm the reason that those you considered family are dead? We still don't know what else there, but I think the last thing that humanity needs is an old warhorse. We need someone capable of making peaceful and sound decisions. Consider this my final order; give Hiccup the syringe."

"I could just disobey," said Eret.

"You could, but I trust that you will make the right decision; otherwise, I would never have given you that syringe. But you must decide who is better to save humanity and old warhorse, who led his comrade to death, or a promising young soldier who has saved countless lives with unquenchable courage."

Eret just stared at him, but then he began to remember what Stoick had said about love and what Grimmel had said about humanity.

Stoick looked at him. "I know you will be the right choice."

A minute later, Clueless had regained consciousness, and he turned when he heard movement. Then to his horror, he saw a 12m Titan reaching out towards him. He couldn't run since his arms and legs had been severed, so the only thing he could do was scream at the top of his lungs.

"No! No!" he yelled and then saw Ragnar the others looking directly at him. "Guys, please help me!"

However, they wouldn't budge a muscle, and it soon dawned on him that this must have been how Speedfist felt when he and the others left him to die. The Titan drew him close towards its mouth, and he knew he was going to die.

"Eir! Dogsbreath!" he cried.

The Titan and bit down on him and drank his blood.

However, the Titan before them was not Stoick. It was, in fact, Hiccup.

Eret had taken Stoick's body and joined up with Valka and the others.

"I don't get it, Captain. Why?" Floch asked, confused.

"Do you think you can forgive him someday?" Eret asked, looking at Stoick. "He became a devil because he had to. We were the ones who put him up to it, and in the end, when he finally been set free from this hell, we were about to bring him back for more, but I think it's time that we let rest."

Hiccup's Titan then collapsed on the ground, and steam exiting from its body.

Valka went over to examine Stoick.

"Stoick," said Eret. "I told you that I would kill the Beast Titan, but that will have to wait."

Tears formed in Valka's eyes. "He's… already dead."

"Oh," said Eret.

Ragnar the others then immediately swung down towards Hiccup's Titan and found him emerging from its completely healed. They all immediately crowded around him smiling, but no one appeared to be more joyous than Astrid was holding him tightly in her arms.