Note SFT Machine stands for: Spinal Fluid Transfer Machina. It's what the Paradisians use to transfer spinal fluid from shifter to shifter, safely. It has drugs to put the person to sleep, tubes with needles for extracting spinal fluid and replacing it with a saline solution, and needles that inject a spinal-fluid formula for healing the body.
Note: In case you didn't know, I wrote a Tv Tropes for this series: /Fanfic/IslandOfDevils Which I have included with information on my prequel.
I am also writing a prequel to this called "A Father's Machinations". Be sure to follow it so you know how we eventually got to this point.
Note: as part of Ymir Fritz's therapy Historia and Erwin took a look at her memories. They discovered that Ymir Fritz was born into a broken household. With parents that were either fighting with each other or yelling at her. Hence her desire for romance at an early age and why she latched onto Fritz (aside from Shockholm) when he took over and made her an orphan.
Inside a certain farmhouse in Wall Sina, that belonged to the now deceased Lenz family, Queen Historia Reiss (their granddaughter) is feeding her baby girl, Frieda Reiss II. She has removed her queenly attire and let her hair down. Historia holds a spoon of mushed carrots to her baby, calling it a flying boat as she puts the food into her giggling baby's mouth. The tender scene is watched by Historia's mother figure, Carla Jaeger, as she does the dishes. By her side is her boyfriend, Keith Shadis, who is putting away dried dishes. Historia's personal guard, Ymir, opens the front door and enters the house.
"They're here."
Ymir steps to the side, allowing Eren and Mikasa to enter. They are both dressed in casual clothes as opposed to their standard military gear.
"Hey, we're here," says Eren.
"Welcome," says Carla.
Eren walks over to his mother and hisses her on the cheek before exchanging a civil handshake with Keith. Mikasa hugs Historia, who tells her that it's good to see her. Mikasa smiles as she picks up baby Frieda saying: "Aunt Mikasa is here." and the baby laughs. Carla walks over and hugs Mikasa while Eren hugs Historia and ruffles the baby's hair.
"Aw, how's our adorable princess?"
"Nuh-uh, she's your niece first and a princess second," Historia says. "I intend to raise my daughter humbly."
"I take it that's why you spend most of your free time here?" Eren asks.
"That and having to be queen all the time would drive me insane."
"Hey Monkey-Boy! Your brothers here!"
Ymir yells to Zeke Jeager, who is in the other room doing a puzzle. Since being captured by Paradis and stripped of his Titan, he had been sentenced to house arrest with Carla as his guardian. This was agreed upon by Carla herself, Eren, and Historia after seeing his childhood through Grisha's memories. They agreed that "positive parental influence" was needed while also being required to attend mandatory therapy for his daddy issues and whatever Marleyan brainwashing he may have endured. It was bending the rules a bit, but since Zeke was arrested before he could do any damage to Paradis it was allowed by the Military Police. Zeke walks into the kitchen where he sees Eren.
"Zeke."
"Little brother."
When they sit down for lunch (sandwiches, watermelon, and chips) Ymir and Keith keep their eyes on Zeke to make sure he behaves. Zeke ignores them to focus on Eren. Eren is sitting next to Mikasa who reminds him to take his pill. Eren takes out a pill bottle from his pocket, takes out one capsule, and swallows it with a glass of water.
"I've been meaning to ask, Eren, what's with the pills?" Zeke says.
"Oh, let's just say it to keep me…stable," Eren says, and Zeke doesn't push it.
"So, when are you leaving for your trip, Historia?" Carla asks.
"Another week," Historia says as she wipes Frieda's mouth clean. "And for the first time in 100 years, Paradise will have a place in the world."
Zeke scoffs. "A world that hates us." He takes a sip of water.
"That's why I'm going," Historia says. "To make things better. We already have a lot of allies. If we can just convince the other nations to grant their Eldians rights and of the sincerity of my fifty-year plan, then the hatred of Eldians will shrink with each generation."
"Many of the countries formerly annexed by Marley have accepted our formula for the Titan calling serum," Shadis says. "It's made negotiating their liberties easier. There's still some issues, but it's better."
"There's also some debate on what to do with the Marleyans left behind," Historia says. "I will address that situation too."
"Historia…even if Titans vanish tomorrow, the hatred that has manifested for Eldians will never end."
Historia sighs. "I know that Zeke, but I'm afraid that's life."
Carla pats Zeke's shoulder. "As long as things continue to get better. There will always be idiots, but as long as the world at large accepts us, that is what's important."
Zeke smiles at her. But then he turns his attention back to Historia.
"So, you're going to be gone but you're leaving Prime Minister Smith here?"
"Yes, to watch Paradis," says Historia.
"Plus, we're going as guards," Mikasa says, pointing to herself and Eren.
Zeke thinks. "What about the Founder? The prime minister can't use it without you. Unless you need me or Dina too-"
"Both of you are still far from trustworthy," Ymir says.
"Ymir," Carla scolds.
"What? It's true? Anyway, we aren't worried about that. And I will be staying behind to take care of baby Frieda since I drew the short straw."
Ymir glares at Eren and he shrugs.
"Sorry, but I've always wanted to see the outside world. You can go next time."
"It's a shame that Armin can't come with us," says Mikasa.
"Yeah," Eren agrees. "But the Colossal Titan needs to stay on Paradis. But we'll make a list of all the places to take Armin too after his term is up. Then it can be the four of us. You, me, and Armin."
Eren wraps his arm around Mikasa, who smiles.
"Don't forget Annie," Mikasa says. "Pretty sure she'll be coming with."
"Ok, we can make room for her."
Zeke watches as his younger half-brother acts playfully with Mikasa. Though he is glad that their father hadn't messed him up too much (even if they still had therapeutic talks about how Grisha messed them up), he wished that Eren had adopted a similar mindset to him regarding how to solve the Eldian problem. In any case, he is sure that he can convince him of the need for the eugenics plan. He just needs to help ramp up his brother's disdain for their father so he is willing to go against his desire to restore Eldia. Of course, now Zeke doesn't even have a Titan and there's little to no chance of getting one back. But, thankfully, he's still managed to keep (secret) contact with Pieck. He just needs to manipulate her and Marcel until he gets what he wants.
"So, how long will you be gone?" Carla asks.
"Negotiations can take about a week, at least," Historia says. "Maybe seven days. But I'm sure we'll be back home by the start of winter."
When it was time for Historia to leave, she went to Erwin Smith and they enacted their plan to ensure the Founder would remain usable even when she is gone. Though Dina offered to be made into a pseudo-shifter like Historia, neither she nor Erwin were willing to really trust her given her known desire to overthrow Marley completely. Instead, they entered the Paths and spoke to Ymir Fritz personally. It is well known that most of the Founder's Power (ie creating Titans, Controlling them, and altering Eldian biology) is really just the Founder asking Ymir to do those things. And, since she was a slave to King Fritz, she only listened to commands of those with royal blood. Or rather, the commands of the bloodline of Ymir's daughter Sina, after her son Mitras (who inherited the Founder from her) created a vow specifically linking the Founder to his descendants.
This isn't the first time they have entered the Paths together. They often went in to keep Ymir company for a few hours (seconds in the physical world), shared their fondest memories with her, and brought in therapists to help her overcome her trauma. Though they still asked Ymir for "favors" once in a while, promising to fully release her someday.
"Hello Ymir, how are you today?" Historia asks, but the girl remains silent. "So listen, I'm going to be separated from Erwin and Paradis for at least a week. So, just for a month, could you please listen to Erwin? Just for two weeks at most. Or until I return. Whatever happens first."
Ymir Fritz bows. And Historia looks at her sadly. She honestly hated that Ymir Fritz still acted like their slave. She felt like a hypocrite and a horrible person. She's claimed that she wants Ymir Fritz to be free and get over her slave mentality but selfishly still giving orders to her. Though Erwin reminded her that they still need Ymir's power for now and they WILL release her after their fifty-year plan comes into motion, Historia still thinks that's another fifty years of her suffering.
"Thank you, you are very kind," Historia says to her.
"Let's get out of here, Historia," Erwin says.
"You go ahead. I'm going to stay here a while." Historia walks to Ymir Fritz and grabs her hand. "Hey, have you ever been horseback riding before? Let's go see the memory of my big sis Frieda teaching me. I know you'll like it."
Indeed, while Ymir Fritz and Historia were riding horses in the memory, there was a brief flicker of a smile on her face.
Utgard Castle; Wall Rose
After Historia took the throne, she got to work rebuilding the island. Not just Wall Sina (which had been attacked by her father) and Wall Maria and its districts, she also rebuilt the abandoned Utgard Castle within Wall Rose to use as a base for military officials.
The castle had been returned to its former glory first time in decades. The wall surrounding the two towers had been rebuilt, though twice as tall as before. The structure had been reinforced with hardened Titanic skin and the establishment had been fitted with modern phones.
Dina Fritz-Jaeger approaches the castle. She and her followers had made it their unofficial headquarters and, in their minds, the TRUE capital of Eldia. Dina had founded the "New Eldian Empire Movement" about a month after she returned to human form. Formed from well over a hundred members from the survey corps, and unofficially allied with nearly 500 members of different military positions. Though Dina expressed her gratefulness towards the Queen and Prime Minister for returning her and the other banished Eldians to human form, as well as an appreciation for her negotiation efforts with other nations, Dina formed the movement to ensure the prosperity of the island and "take control" of the situation in Marley when the time comes.
She is greeted by two of her Jaegerists (Surma and Wim) outside with a bow and addresses her as "Your Majesty". Though Dina was required by the Parliament to keep both her and her son's royal lineage a secret to the rest of the walls, she informed the core members of her loyalists: Floch Forster (her second in command), Surma, Samuel, and Wim. Dina is led inside where she sees Floch and Samuel waiting for them. They bow in Dina's presence as well.
"At ease, soldiers," Dina says.
"Lady Dina," Floch greets. "Any word on how Historia and Smith are going to handle the founder?"
Dina sighs. "Unfortunately they still don't trust me. Which puts a damper on our plans."
"Don't tell me they are going to Titanize the baby or your son," Samuel asks.
"Heavens, no! They said that they were going to inject Smith with some of Historia's spinal fluid so he could use the Founder temporarily. I doubt that's their real plan, but that's what they are telling the Parliament."
"Although we really don't need them," Surma says.
Surma holds up a vial of Titan serum. Specifically, the kind that can turn Eldians into psuedo-shifters. Their allies in the Military Police had managed to get a few samples for Dina to use. One injection and she will be able to transform into the Smiling Titan at will and keep her mind. That way, they (Floch) can use the Founder once they get it.
"No, I guess we don't," Dina says, examining a vial.
"Unfortunately getting to Smith is still a big issue," Floch says.
"Commander, er…Prime Minister Smith is guarded 24/7 by Levi Ackerman," Wis says. "Along with a squad of five other loyal MP's. And that's during the day when he's in public. His house is located next to the Queen's Palace and heavily guarded by puedo-Ackerman MP's and pseudo-shifters."
"Are any of our men part of it?" Floch asks.
"No," says Wim. "Smith and Historia were very picky about their selection process. It wouldn't be surprising if they used the Founder to read all the possible recruits minds for quality."
"If that was true then we would be hung for treason now," Floch says.
"In either case, I'm not sure I want to revolt just yet," says Dina. "Historia has done good so far as queen."
"She's done some good, yes, but she's too weak to see through the restoration of Eldia," says Samuel.
"True, but I've been making some suggestions for her negotiations with Marleys ambassadors at the UN meeting in Albion. Basically, calling off the war with other nations in exchange for submission. Historia was against it at first, but then I pointed out how small our island is compared to the rest of the nations of the world. How likely it was that we would get invaded and conquered, if not exterminated, by some other country even after the fifty-year plan works. And knowing Marleyans sooner or later they will get arrogant and attack again then she will know that we were right."
"We should reconquer the mainland before that happens," says Floch.
"I don't disagree," says Dina. "And, believe me, I have no intention of letting her erase the thing that makes Eldians superior to the rest of humanity. But let's see how the negotiations go and see what happens," says Dina. "Either Marley will accept Historias offer for aid and eventually turn on us, or they will refuse and continue to treat us as enemies. In either case, I see us taking the FOunder in less than three years, maximum."
"Hypothetical scenario," Wim says. "But what if Marley DOESN'T turn on us? At least not for a while."
"Like I said. I see us taking the Founder in three years max," Dina says. "For now let's see if we can bribe or try to get some of our own people close to Erwin Smith. Look for any openings. Anything that would allow us to get to the Prime Minister. In the meantime, I will try to get an SFT for when the plan falls into motion."
The Jaegerists cheer and Dina looks at them proudly. She wishes that her husband Grisha could be here. Similarly, she wishes that Eren and Zeke could be a part of this as well. But, unfortunately, both of them hate their father and her own son won't even talk to her. Whenever Dina tried talking to Eren there was a coldness between them. he was respectful, but dististant. As for Zeke, he refused to even look at her or respond. Even when she apologized but explained that they were only thinking of their people. It broke Dina's heart.
"I have another question," Samuel says. "When are we going to take care of the Marleyans?"
"Oh, Historia said that she's going to try to use them as bargaining chips with Marley," Dina says. "Agree to a partnership and we will ask the other countries to call off the war and give you your people back."
"And send them back home to harass Eldians again?" Samuel asks. "Screw that! Why don't we just round them up and shoot them all!? Or, better yet, hit them without shock sticks until they stop moving."
"Because doing so would draw too much attention to ourselves," Dina reminds him. "And we need to stay hidden for now. As for the Marleyans, I see no need to do that to the ones that are here. Marley kept our people captive in their country and made them slaves. Now they are stuck in ours and made slaves as well. I call it poetic justice."
"Marleyans font belongs on this island," Samuel says. "Not even as slaves."
"I don't disagree," Floch says. "But how much of that is because of that one Marleyan that Sasha Braus has the hots for?"
Samuel glares at him. "It's been weeks and they haven't talked to each other since. It's over."
"But it ate you up, didn't it?" Floch asks in a cruel, teasing, tone. "That she wanted him over you."
"Fuck the potato-loving bitch!" Samuel shouts. "I can't believe I ever liked her. I'll shoot her along with her filthy Marleyan lover."
"Easy now!" Dina shouts.
'Now I really wish Eren was part of this. He's more rational.'
"Although traitor Eldians is a problem. How are the people of New Liberio?"
"Still hostile to the Paradisians," Surma says. "I also suspect that they are in league with Marleyan Eldians within the walls."
Dina places her hand on her forehead and shakes it in frustration.
"These people…Why don't they see they are free now? I hate to say this, but we may need to take drastic measures if they continue to act this way."
"What kinds of drastic measures?" Floch asks with a smirk.
"The kind that needs to look like an accident," Dina says. "Have one of our own disguise themselves as a refugee and enter the town. Find out any information you can. Especially regarding these rumors about working with someone within the walls."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good," Dina says. "Have patience, my comrades, for the rebirth of Eldian is upon us. I promise you, in the next five years or less, Marley will be under our thumb and our empire shall span the earth once more. For Eldia!"
Wim, Samuel, Floch, and Surma all raise their fists and chant: "For Eldia!"
The Next Chapter will focus on Gabi and the Braus'.
All Comments are appreciated. Thank you.