845

It has been a year since Mikasa came to stay with his family. And thirteen years since he gained his Titan power. Grisha spent more time mediating in the basement. He had learned alot from the past based on what he saw. He even knew that this year the Warriors from Marley would finally be coming, though he wasn't sure when. He needed to get he Founder NOW. Grisha was meditating in the basement when he finally accessed that piece of information from the ancestral memories that he needed:

1,800 years ago, when the Founder fell into the possession of a non-royal child, the prince at the time went with the Attack and Beast Titans along with his guards to retrieve the child for him to devour himself. The boy turned into his Titan form but he was subdued by the Attack and the Beast and had his human form ripped from the Titan neck. The prince drank Titan Spinal Fluid preserved in a sealed jar and became a Titan. But as soon as his hand wrapped around the boy, the boy felt the full power of the Founder activate. He screamed in fear and accidentally turned all the non-shifter Eldians in the area into Titans. They attacked the Titan-Prince, Attack and Beast Titans for the boy and the boy fled. It was only when the Attack Titan escaped with the unconscious new Beast Titan and informed the prince's next of kin the Founder was retrieved by the Fritz family when the Attack and Armored Titans confronted him, knocked him out, then fed him to the next prince before he could wake up.

'So that's how I can use the Founder,' Grisha realized. 'I just have to touch a person with royal blood. No, I saw the prince mockingly caress the face of the boy before he drank the spinal fluid and it didn't have any reaction. The royal likely has to be a Titan. Maybe I can find Dina! No, there are hundreds, thousands, of Titans out there. Locating her would be impossible. But luckily the Reiss' have altered their biology so they can become Psuedo-Shifters! And I know one that has no affiliation with the rest! And a means of ambushing the Founder at the same time! Historia.'

"How can her mother be so cruel to her?" Carla asks Grisha.

After Eren and Mikasa stepped outside to play with Armin, Grisha told Carla that he stumbled across the Lenz household while he was in the interior last and saw first hand how neglected little Historia was. That wasn't a complete lie. He spied on the farm a few times in the past and saw how her mother ignored her and her grandparents barely spoke to her. It occurred to Grisha that the council wouldn't approve of Historias existence so the Reiss' likely wiped her memory for both her and the Lenz's protection. Still, he considered them worse of a family to Historia than he was to Zeke.

"Well from what I heard of her mother she doesn't exactly have a good reputation," Grisha says, not completely lying. "She's regarded as the local whore and the people in the area are quite conservative."

"Still, her mistakes are her own," Carla says. "She shouldn't take it out on her daughter, and especially her grandparents shouldn't." Carla thinks for a moment. "How bad is it? I think we can make space for a third kid."

"In all due time, Carla," Grisha says. "Believe me, I have every intention of rescuing Historia but there are a few things that need to be taken care of first."

"Like what?"

"Well, we need to make things situated for three kids in our home first. And then there are a few more legal concerns to worry about."

Carla nods.

Grisha knew he was probably too old to set his plan into motion completely. He was already getting tired easily and his nose was bleeding, though he hid his symptoms from his family. He just needed to decide whether Eren was truly the Attack Titan from his vision or if it could be another. In the meantime he would visit Historia when Frieda wasn't there and build a bond with her so she will willingly help him when the time comes. He figured that it shouldn't be too hard since her mother left some time ago.

It is another day at the Lenz family farm.

Historia is picking up sticks for a fire near the wooden fence as instructed by her grandmother. Historia tried to plead with her that the neighborhood boys always hang around the fence at this time and that they always throw rocks at her whenever they see her.

She asks her grandmother if she can do a different chore until they go, or her or one of the farm hands can go with her to dissuade the boys. Her grandmother ignored what she said and told her to get the sticks now.

The boys are having a conversation about how one of their teachers "suck" for giving them homework to do on the weekends. Historia didn't know what that was like. Her family never sent her to school. They don't even teach her anything aside from how to work. She (as far as she knows/can recall) had to watch her mother read to figure out how too. She tries to pick up sticks when they aren't looking and get out of the area as quickly as possible.

"Hey, it's the girl!" one of the boys, Henry, shouts.

'Oh no,' Historia thinks.

"I was just leaving," Historia says, quickly.

The boys dont listen. They smile wickedly, jump off the fence and pick up rocks.

"Get her!"

Historia covers her face and runs as the boys each throw rocks at her. They hit and hurt her body along her legs, back, and the back of her head. But before she can run away, a man's voice shouts.

"STOP!"

The boys stop throwing rocks and Historia stops running. They see a man with long dark hair and glasses running toward them. He looks at the scene with horror and disgust.

"What is going on here!?" he asks.

"Uh…we were just doing what Henry said," one of the boys says.

He and his other friend point at the boy that said "Hey, it's the girl! Get her!".

"Yeah, we were just following along," says the other friend.

"Wow, thanks guys," Henry says, sarcastically.

Grisha pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Boy, didn't your parents ever tell you is not good to throw rocks at girls?" Grisha asks. "Scratch that, don't throw rocks at people in general."

"It really hurts!" Historia shouts. "You meanie!"

"I'm not mean!" Henry shouts. Then he rubs the back of his neck. "It's just…she's always here. She never leaves the farm. She talks to animals. She's pretty. It's really weird so I just-"

"Dude, did you just call her pretty?" one of his friends asks.

Henry's eyes widens and Historia looks at him confused.

"What!? No! I just-"

"Oh, I get what's going on now," Grisha says. "Kid, if you wanted the girl to notice you, you should have just talked to her. You give her a flower. You don't throw rocks at her. Thats the wrong kind of attention."

"I…"

"I don't like you," Historia says.

Henry lowers his head and frowns.

"Ok, you kids get out of here," Grisha says. "Go on, scram, before I tell your parents what you were doing."

The three boys leave. Once they are gone, Grisha takes out his handkerchief and wipes some of the blood and dirt off Historia's face.

"Are you ok, girl?" Grisha asks, sympathetically.

"You stood up for me," Historia beams. "No ones ever done that before!"

Grisha smiles at her.

"I'm Dr. Jaeger. But you can call me Grisha."

"Im Historia Lenz, but you can call me Historia."

Grisha chuckles. "Well Historia, I was in the area for a house call and I just happened to see what was happening," Grisha lies. "I'm really glad I intervened when I did."

Historia smiles, then she frowns.

"Why?" Historia asks. "No one else cares about me."

"No one?" Grisha asks. "What about your parents?"

Historia frowns. "My mom left and I never knew my dad. I tried asking my grandparents about him but they just dodged the question. One of the farm hands told me that he was a chef that my mom whores herself too at her old work place, whatever that means."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Historia." Grisha smiles. "Well, Historia, if that's the case then how's about every so often I come visit you? We can play."

"Really?" Historia asks, excitedly. "Can you teach me things too like a teacher?"

"Sure," says Grisha. "But you can't tell anyone about me. Not the farm hands, not your grandparents, not ANYONE else. Not even if you think you can trust them. It has to be our secret. Ok?"

In the naivety of youth and the desperation for adult human contact. Historia nodded her head in agreement.

Grisha continued to visit Historia every week. He planned his times in accordance with Frieda and Rod's own visits. Whenever Frieda and Rod did come to visit, Historia refrained from telling her about Grisha, as per his request. So whenever their father would erase her memories, they believed themselves to be the only people who ever visit Historia.

A Month Later

Grisha sits with Historia under the tree on her farm. Historia is in a sad mood and Grisha is casually reading his book.

"You know, I told my wife about you?"

"Oh?" Historia asks.

"Yeah, she's looking forward to meeting you," says Grisha. "I also really want you to meet my kids, Eren and Mikasa. Also their friend Armin. I think you would like them. Just not yet."

"M'kay."

Grisha is put off by Historia's attitude. She has been solemn and quiet like this all day. Though he has an idea why.

"Historia?"

"Yes, Grisha?" Historia says.

"You know, today is mothers day." After Grisha says this, Historia becomes upset. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," says Historia, unconvincingly. "Why wouldn't I be? It's just another day."

Grisha is unconvinced.

"Historia, what exactly happened between you and your mother before she left."

Historia is silent for a minute. But then he speaks.

"She was always quiet. She never talked to me, or hugged me. One day, I tried to hug my mama. Just to see what it was like."

"...Ok."

"She threw me off her."

Grisha's eyes widen in shock.

"She did what?"

"I was happy," Historia admits sadly. "It was the first time my mama touched me. Then she said her first words to me."

"W-what were they?" Grisha asks.
"She said, 'If only I had the courage to kill this girl'," Historia says. "Then she walked away crying."

Grisha is honestly shocked. Sure, he knew that her mother left years ago and neglected her but he didn't think she would have been so cruel. He was far from a good father to Zeke, but he remembers holding him a few times. At the very least he talked to him. It wasnt always good stuff, but he talked to his son. Grisha moves closer to Historia and wraps his arms around her. Historia leans into him like a daughter being comforted by her father. She liked this, she never had a dad before.

"Dr. Jaeger, what is wrong with me?" Historia asks. "Why doesnt my own family like me? What did I do wrong?"

"You…You didn't do anything wrong, Historia," Grisha says, crying. "Some people…they just aren't meant to be parents but they end up becoming ones anyways. They mistreat the kids they think they are stuck with, and the children needlessly suffer because of it."

Historia looks at him with teary, pleading, eyes.

"C-can you take me home with you?" Historia asks.

Grisha feels his heart break.

"...Not yet, little princess," Grisha says. "I promise, someday, but there are alot of complications to work out first."

'Like what your father and sister will do when they come back and you're not here. How am I going to safely activate your Titan form? And whether Eren is ready or not.'

"But, I promise someday you will have a mother that loves you, a brother and a sister," Grisha says with a sad smile.

"Grisha…are you my daddy?"

"...No, no im not, dear girl." Grisha says. "But I'm here for you now, that's all that matters."

Historia snuggles up to Grisha. He holds her close and strokes her hair. They watch the grass on the hills ruffle from the wind in silence.

Several Months Later

Grisha has been visiting Historia whenever he could and formed a connection with the girl. Thanks to her having no memory of Frieda or Rod, she considered him the best adult figure she had. Grisha was so happy, he now has a way of ambushing the Founder and a sure way to activate it. He had snuck into the Reiss chapel before and found the cure to "capping". He just needs to inject Historia with spinal fluid from a shifter (like him) and she will gain the ability to become a Pseudo-shifter again. Now all that is left is for him to make sure that Eren is ready to succeed him (which will be very soon). His condition has gotten worse in his last year. Carla had noticed his nose bleeding several times, but he tried convincing her that it was nothing and just allergies. He could tells he didn't really buy it, but at least it stopped the questions.

Now, he is eating his dinner so he can prepare to leave for the Interior for an appointment. Followed by his routine stake-out of the Reiss family, gathering of information, and a playdate with Historia. Though Carla only knows about the first and last parts. Although Grisha knows that he is going to die and need to be eaten soon, he is less worried now than he was before. Particularly thanks to a special Titan Serum that he keeps on his body at all times.

Eren and Mikasa enter the front door, home from school.

"We're back." Grisha hears Eren call.

"Welcome home," says Carla, who was doing the dishes, as Grisha turns around to see them.

Eren and Mikasa place their backpacks by the door.

"You were away for a while," Carla says.

"Yeah, me and Mikasa decided to stay after school to get a head start on out homework."

Calra pinches Erens ear.

"Ow! Mom, why?"

"Your ears were red, that means you're lying," Carla chimes. "You were in detention again, weren't you?"

"Those damn bullies were picking on Armin again!" Eren yells. "But I beat them!" Carla moves in to pinch his ear again. "I mean Mikasa beat them!"

Grisha chuckles at the scene. While he acknowledges he wasn't the best father to Eren, he is content that he at least did better than he had with Zeke and Eren got to have a stable relationship with his mother. Grisha signs. There are a few things in his life that he regrets, not being better with his first son being one of them. He regrets that he is going to die now without ever seeing Zeke again, but he realizes that its probably for the best. The best apology he could say to Zeke would be: "I'm sorry for not being more encouraging, but you still needed to be a soldier". Grisha wouldn't have accepted that apology either. He shoves his belongings into his bag as Eren and Mikasa eat next to him.

"Oh, are you heading out dad?" Eren asks.

"Yes, I have some checkups in the interior," Grisha says. "It will take a couple of days."

"Eren says he wants to join the Scouts," Mikasa says bluntly.

A great silence fills the house. Grisha perks up as Carla turns to her son horrified. A great sense of pride feels Grisha, knowing that his son wants to join the branch of the military dedicated to protecting Paradis from the outside world. It shows him that his years of subtle pushes and letting Eren develop the ideals he needs on his own worked wonders.

Eren slams his hands on the table.

"Mikasa! I told you not to say anything!"

Carla rushes over to her son.

"Eren! What are you thinking!?" she asks scared and angry. "Do you have any idea how many people have died outside the walls!? Eaten by Titans? Killed by Marleyans?"

"I do!" Eren retorts back.

"Then why-"

"Eren. Why do you want to go out there?" Grisha asks curiously. He needs to make sure that his sons reasons are the RIGHT ones before he chooses his next step.

"I want to know what the outside world is like! I don't want to live my entire life in ignorance inside the Walls! Plus if no one follows their footsteps, then the lives of all who've died will be for nothing!"

Grisha's face is cold and stoic through his son's rant. But after processing his son's words, one thought comes to mind: 'He's ready!'

"I see." Grisha stands up and walks to the front door. "I'll be off now."

"Hold on, dear! Talk some sense into Eren!" Carla tells her husband.

"Carla, words can't hold back human curiosity," Grisha replies in a neutral tone, then he looks at Eren. "Eren, behave while I'm gone and when I get back I'll show you what I've been doing in the cellar. Agreed?"

'Yes, I will get Historia. Then I will tell you the truth about the Subject of Ymir and the Founding Titan. Then once I get it and activate Historia we can restore Eldia and you will be my successor and I can die happily knowing my son will carry on my work!"'

"Y-yes sir, you got it!" Eren shouts.

Grisha kisses his wife goodbye and whispers in her ear: "I will get Historia now."

Carla nods in understanding then he pats Mikasa on the shoulder.

He makes his way outside to the family automobile. He cranks the lever in the front and when the car starts Grisha gets inside. He is pleased with himself. It took thirteen years, but he is finally able to follow through on his plan.

"Have a good trip!" Eren yells as Grisha drives away.

He still felt guilty about condemning Eren to a thirteen-year lifespan, but he trusted no one else with this power. His son had that ruthless drive that Eldia needed to be reborn in this world. He just hoped that, in some small way atleast, his family could forgive him.

Later That Evening

Eren was running to his house, with Mikasa trailing behind him. People were either dead or injured in the street or running away in terror. It was a living nightmare, a colossal skinless Titan, bigger than the wall, just appeared out of nowhere and kicked a hole in the wall. Debris was flying everywhere, but he saw some of it land where his house was. Right where his mom is.

'There's no way our home got hit!' Eren thinks, trying to convince himself as he runs. 'Just around this corner, our house will be there, like always.'

But when Eren and Mikasa arrive, they are horrified to see their house has collapsed. With Carla's lower body trapped under the pillar.

"MOM!" Eren cries.

Carla weakly opens her eyes. The pain of the wood crushing her legs and lower spine coursing through her body.

"Eren?"

"Mikasa! Grab that end!" Eren grabs one side of the pillar, crushing his mother. "We gotta move this pillar!"

"Hurry, Mikasa!"

"I know!"

Mikasa grabs the other side as they try to lift it off of Carla. Their hands bleed, but both kids are still determined to save their mother. Titans roam the city as their massive footsteps are heard. Eren tries desperately to save his mother, ignoring his bleeding hands. Mikasa is just as determined, if not more so. She already saw one mother die in front of her. She can't lose another. Not again!

"The Titans have gotten inside, haven't they?" Carla asks. "Eren, take Mikasa and run away! Hurry!"

"I want to! I want to run away! Get up already!"

"The debris has crushed my legs," Carla tells him. "Even if I could get out, I wouldn't be able to run. You understand what that means?"

"I'll run away carrying you, then!" Eren screams, crying.

Mikasa cries too, remembering how her mothers head was split open with an ax in front of her. Right after she saw the men who kidnapped her stab her father to death. Dr. Jaeger had told her that he was making a house call that day because her mother was expecting too. She lost both her parents and a sibling that day. Now it looks like it's happening again!

"Why don't you ever listen to your mother?!" Carla yells! "You can at least do this one last thing! Mikasa!"

Mikasa struggles, but then she feels a familiar sensation course through her body. It was just like a year ago back at the cabin. After Eren killed two of the kidnappers and untied her, the third arrived and tried to strangle him to death. Mikasa picked up the knife, she was scared, but then she felt this power awaken inside her. She felt totally in control, like she could do anything. She gained this sudden burst of strength and power. She lunged forward (with a force so hard that the plank beneath her shattered) and effortlessly stabbed the man in the back. Eren was so shocked, but he thanked her and said she did a good job regardless before he called the Military Police to tell them where they were at.

Ever since then, Mikasa has been exceptionally strong. Strong enough to toss Eren around like a sack of potatoes. But this time, Mikasa feels even stronger. The brief flash of Dr. Jaeger giving her a shot when she first came to stay with them came to mind. She felt a greater power course through her. She saw a brief vision of a desert and a 3 meter sand-sculpture that looks like her, but a girl works on it in fast motion and it becomes 15 meters tall.

Mikasa growls as her eyes glow. Eren and Carla (also Hannes who just arrived) watch in awe as Mikasa's entire body emits sparks of electricity. Eren stands back and watches in amazement as she manages to lift the pillar off of Carla all by herself. Mikasa can feel her feet press hard on the ground beneath her from the extra weight, but the pillar doesn't feel heavy at all anymore. It was heavy at first but it started getting lighter and lighter. Mikasa lets out a yell before using all her strength to flip the roof upward and fall backward. Mikasa gazes in disbelief at her display of strength. Carla, Eren, and Hannes look at her with a mixture of awe, shock, and a bit of intimidation. Mikasa looks at her hands, which are steaming as the scars she obtained knit back together.

"Woah…"

"Mikasa, how did you do that?" Carla asks, as Hannes scoops her up in his arms. But she winces from the pain.

"I don't know," Mikasa says. "But I have a feeling we should thank Dr-"

Mikasa is caught off guard by Eren wrapping her in a big hug. Tears fall down his face onto her shoulders and Mikasa gasps in shock.

"Thank you, Mikasa," Eren cries. "Thank you. I promise, I'll never complain about you being stronger than me again!"

Mikasa blushes. "Thank you, Eren."

"Uh, this was nice and all but lets get out of here before the Titans find us," says Hannes.

"Er..Right."

Eren and Mikasa follow Hannes, as he carries Carla away from the devastation. Eren briefly looks back at the rubble that used to be his house.

'So much for seeing what was in the basement,' Eren thinks.

Carla's parents had a good relationship with Eren and Mikasa. They were doting grandparents but over time became suspicious of Grisha. They were unfortunately among those who perished when the wall fell.