The Republic of Eldia AKA What if the Tyblurs and Marley weren't as successful in keeping the Mainland Eldians oppressed

Nothing goes according to plan.

After the Fall of the Eldian Empire, and Karl Fritz's flee to Paradis Island, Marley had wasted no time in securing the Power of the Nine, the Tyblurs aiding them in dealing with any uprising from the shifters or the Eldians in general. For a time, it seemed, that Marley truly would take Eldia's place.

But all it took was one shifter willing to turn against them, to risk away everything. The beast titan came as a great hound and reminded Marley of why Eldia ruled for ages. Not even the Tyblur could defeat the titan, a form of great speed to counter the Warhammer's tethered nature.

In time, the Eldians rioted against the so-called "heroes" that Marley proclaimed themselves to be. War was waged, shifters were stolen or lost, and nations choose their sides

In a surprise turn, Eldia had reformed into a republic. Allegedly a temporary measure until the Founding Titan was back in the hands of the Mainland branch of the Fritz family. The Line of Karl was considered the line of False Kings. Not that they could do much about it, for now.

For the better half of a hundred years, a stalemate had been formed between the two factions. Neither side truly at peace, but both rarely fighting one another in the open.

And all of it lead to this...

"I don't understand, Lord Kruger," Grisha said in bewilderment. "You want me to be...your successor?"

Eren Kruger nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry to spring this on you. When you're on a timer, every moment seems precious, but it still finds a way to slip through your hands," he explained, his face gaunt and tired, making him look older than he is. "I normally wouldn't ask this of a man so young. Thirteen years isn't a long time."

Grisha nodded mutely, admittedly intimidated by that prospect. "But I'm just a doctor. I'm not a soldier or anything-"

"That's exactly why," Kruger interrupted. "The Attack Titan will help you fight more than you can imagine. The instinct for battle is in its very power. But what I'm asking of you requires something more than a soldier."

Grisha could only stare on without comprehension.

Kruger closed his eyes. "We want you to infiltrate Paradis."

Grisha inhaled sharply. "Paradis? But...the King of the Walls will-"

"Do nothing," Kruger interrupted. "Not at first. We've been scouting that place for years, Grisha, and learned much. Karl the Coward erased everyone's memories in the walls."

"He...I...why would he do that?" Grisha asked in alarm.

"We're not sure entirely," Kruger answered. "But the King of the Walls appears unable to act freely. But in order to infiltrate the walls, we need someone who can blend in and survive. They have genuinely not changed much in a hundred years."

"So I am to find the King of the Walls and then...what?" Grisha asked.

"If they can't be reasoned with then we must take the Founder from them," Kruger answered firmly. "You must take it from them."

Grisha frowned. "But if I'm discovered-"

"You'll be killed. Or worse, your mind erased," Kruger confirmed, placing a hand on Grisha's shoulder. "But if you do this, and you succeed? We can free the people of the Walls. Take back the Founder. Even end this damn war finally. Maybe then we'll see a day when nobody is worried about Marley and Eldia ripping each other's throats out."

"...Why now?" Grisha asked with a frown. "I know your time is running out, but I don't see what the difference is between asking me now and asking me thirteen years from now?"

Kruger nodded to that point. "Marley is planning to do that same."

Grisha stood up in shock. "The Rumbling...?"

"That's the worst-case scenario," Kruger admitted. "Just behind that is the MArleyans taking it and managing to unlock its power. Unlikely, but still."

"How long...?" Grisha asked with a frown.

"We don't know. That's why we're asking you now," Kruger admitted tiredly. "If we don't send someone soon, they get there first. And we have no idea what'll happen then."

Grisha grimaced. "What makes me so much more qualified than anyone else?"

"You were a medic in war zones, Grisha. You were someone that wanted to help people even in that kind of hell," Kruger answered. "You even treated the enemies that called you devils. Even if you hated it."

Grisha frowned at the memories, trying not to well on any of his close calls with death.

"That's why I picked you. No matter how much you dislike a situation, you can push forward and get the job done," Kruger continued. "If you refuse, I won't judge you."

"...Will I have all the privileges as one of the Nine?" Grisha asked, getting a nod. "Including the promise that my family will be taken care of?"

"Of course," Kruger answered. "Do you have a wife...?"

"A sister," Grisha answered whimsically. "We lost our parents in a skirmish from Marley. She's all I have left."

Kruger nodded. "Anything else?

"...How much time do you have left?" Grisha asked thoughtfully.

"A few months still," Kruger assured. "Final business?"

"Among other things. My sister... it's silly, but we promised we'd ride an airship one day," Grisha explained with a sad smile. "I might not survive this mission, even if I succeed. So I'd like to fulfill that promise at least."

"An airship?" Kruger said in amusement. "I suppose I can help with that."

Grisha wasn't surprised that he had a visitor when he got home, a blonde woman staring at him with an empty look on her face. "Lady Dina," Grisha greeted tiredly.

"Grisha, don't. We're not in public," Dina said with a sigh. "You said yes, didn't you?"

Grisha rose an eyebrow. "You knew?"

"I tried to prevent you from ever being offered," Dina answered with a sigh. "Grisha, I love you. I've loved you since that day I met you treating soldiers."

"And you were like something out of a fairy tale: A royal princess, sneaking out to tend to the wounded in secret," Grisha said with a chuckle.

"This isn't a joke!" Dina exclaimed. "Grisha, if you do this, you'll die in thirteen years. And Ymir only knows the time you'll spend on that forsaken island."

"I know, but if I don't-" Grisha started.

"Someone else will! Anyone else! Just not you!" Dina said, placing a hand over her belly. "Not the father of my child..."

Grisha stopped at that. "Child? You mean...you're pregnant?!" he said in a mix of joy and sorrow.

"Yes, Grisha! I'm pregnant! And I was so, so happy when I found out. Now..." she inhaled to hold back a sob. "Grisha, if you do this, you won't see your son born. You'll be DEAD by the time he's just starting to be a man."

"...If I had known that, I probably wouldn't have had the heart to agree," Grisha admitted in bitter amusement. "But now..."

"Now...? "Dina repeated desperately.

"Dina," Grisha said with a pained look. "If I don't do this, and whoever else doesn't succeed...our son might not have a future. None of us might have a future. And as much as I want to see that for myself...I'd never forgive myself if Eldia fell and all our dreams with it, if I could have done anything to stop it."

"Ymir damn you, Grisha Yeager!" Dina whispered, trying not to smile or cry. "Why did I have to fall in love with a fool like you? Why must the Power of the Titans be cursed with such short lives? Why...why must this be so cruel?"

Carefully, slowly, lovingly, Grisha embraced Dina and held her close. He had no answer. The only thing he knew was that Eldia's future, their hope lay in the walls. Held by the very ones who took that hope from them.

And he had to take it back. For the Freedom of his people, his nation, and his family.

End of Chapter

Honestly, one of my "leat likely to get an expansion" ideas but the plot bunny needed out. This is probably a bit more realistic than canon. The fact that Marley was able to keep all seven of the nine long enough to brainwash everyone is basically plot armor-levels of unlikely. Still, yeah, the basica idea here is that Eldai still exists on the mainland, which leads to other nations stil lallying with them and the enitre "Everyone Hates Eldians" thing is not nearly as bad. Its closer to a Cold War situation.

Anyway, while being short, I hope some of you liked this idea at least.