"You had your time, but it's over!" shouted Flegel, pointing up at the roof. "Look above you, dumbasses!"
Hange and Moblit jumped off the roof and kicked the two Interior MPs. Hange then charged towards Roger, who delivered a powerful punch at Roger's face.
Levi then shoved his boot up the captured Interior MP's mouth.
"Where are Eren and Christa?" asked Levi.
'It's no use!" stated the MP. "If you don't turn yourselves in, every last Scout we capture will get the noose!"
Nile visited Erwin in his prison cell.
"I entrusted something to Commander Pyxis," stated Erwin. "When it comes, I will only watch. It's up to you to decide. You... and them."
The doors to the throne room opened. The King and the royal advisors sat around.
In the streets of the capital, several carriages galloped down the streets. Many onlookers were confused at the many carriages.
"That sure is a lot of wagons," pointed a civilian. "What on earth is going on?"
"You don't know?" asked a second civilian. "Right now, all the heads of the military are meeting inside the castle to finally dismantle the Scout Regiment."
Behind the two civilians, a couple of MPs were constructing a gallow as many women, man, and children were looking the construction.
"See?" pointed the second civilian to the gallow. "There's the gallows for hanging their commander. I bet it's ongoing as we speak... his final judgement."
Inside the throne room, Erwin continued to negotiate with the royal advisors, trying to save the Scout Regiment from being dismantled. The King and the royal advisors listened to Erwin's reasoning.
"If humanity loses the Scout Regiment, that means humanity loses their spear," reasoned Erwin. "When enemies close in, you guard not with a shield, but a spear that eliminates the threat. Suppose now, if this instant, Wall Rose were to be breached... The residents of Wall Rose would again flee and take refuge in Wall Sina. But the earlier evacuation left stockpiles with no more than a few days at best."
"In the blink of an eye, most of the residents would be forced to fight for survival," he continued. "Wall Rose and Sina... Humanity would be split in two factions and civil war would erupt. Even if the wall was not breached, Wall Rose is continually suffering from a food shortage. It may not be Titans that breach Wall Sina... There's a chance the residents of Wall Rose do it first."
Many of MPs were whispering among themselves at Erwin's theory, while Pyxis continued to listen to Erwin's reasoings.
"Reclaim Wall Maria," said Erwin. "If humanity is to ever hope for a future, that is the only way. "
"Are you implying that the Scouts are needed for such a cause?" asked Aurille.
"Our duty as Scouts has always been to charge forth at the enemy," stated Erwin. "Cowering away will not solve anything. Or could it be... you some sort of secret plan to overcome this deal?"
"Erwin, I don't think you understand," said Aurille. "The reason you're here today is not to discuss our future within the walls, nor is it because of something as simple as murder. Clause Six, Charter of Humanity. "Thou shall not prioritize one's own gain over the longevity of humanity." You're here for this grave offense."
"Indeed," agreed Gerald. "You've refused to hand over Eren Jaeger multiple times. In doing so, you're violated the Charter."
"But Eren is vital for reclaiming Wall Maria!" objected Erwin.
"That is not for the Scouts to decide!" stated Deltoff. "Eren Jaeger is a Titan whose powers are not understood! Sheltering him within the walls is a risk to humanity! It's absurd for a single commander to have control of him alone."
"And yet, you stubbornly persisted in some plan of yours," added Aurille. "Not only did you feign his abduction and conceal Eren Jaeger... but you silenced Dimo Reeves since he knew of your plans. This is clearly treason.
"It's is not a stretch to say that you're the threat to humanity," said Roderich. "Commander Pyxis."
"Hmm?" replied Pyxis.
"The Garrison and Scout Regiments both risk their lives on the front lines," stated Gerald. "How are we to know that you're not his comrade?"
"I'm quite distributed that you believe we would align ourselves with the Scouts," said Pyxis. "Nothing is more senseless than humans killing other humans. In this cramped world that we humans have, one spark will engulf in not time. When it came time to defend Trost District, that's what I told soldiers before sending many to their deaths. If the Scout Regiment is that on spark it should be smothered at once."
"After all, if the Titans do manage to break the wall and fin hardly anyone left inside... those poor Titans might go hungry," he finished.
"Very well," said Gerald. "Allow us to discuss."
Aurille stood up from his chair and looked at the King, who has his eyes half shut, with his hand under his chin.
"Your Majesty... May we?" asked Aurille.
As the royal advisors discuss among themselves, the head of the military wait for their decision to be made. Nile looked at Erwin with a confused look on his face.
"Erwin... Is this how you want it to end?!" wondered Nile, looking at Pyxis.
Once the decision was made, Aurille bowed to the King and faced Erwin, with his hand behind his back.
"In the name of the King, I will announce your judgement," he spoke. "Erwin Smith. For violating Clause Six of Charter of Humanity, you are sentence to death. Your execution will be carried out immediately. Take him."
The MP then forced Erwin to stand up with his cuffs still on him.
"Is this what you wanted, Erwin?!" wondered Nile. "With this, you're..."
Erwin stood up, while Pyxis waited. Erwin concealed a smirk on his face, knowing it was the right time to initiate his plan from the start. Then the door to the throne room bursted open, causing everyone in the throne room to stop their action. Anka stood in front of the doorway and saluted.
"Wall Rose... has been breached!" she shouted.
Everyone's heart sank, while Erwin and Pyxis continued to look at Anka. Nile gasped in horror at the news.
"The Colossal Titan appeared out of nowhere, just liked before!" stated Anka. "Along with the Armored Titan, they broke through both gates of the Calaneth District! Currently, refugees from the East are flocking here for safety!"
"Establish a route for the evacuees!" ordered Pyxis. "Have all Garrison troops coverage and defend the East! Get the evacuees to Wall Sina! Everyone, hurry! Saving the evacuees is our top priority!"
"SIR!!!" replied the Garrisons.
"No!" shouted Aurille, causing Pyxis to look back.
"Hmm?"
"Close up all of the gates to Wall Sina!" ordered Aurille. "Don't let a single refugee inside!"
"B-But that's... all the Wall Rose residents," stated Nile. "Your command is to sit back and watch half of humanity dies?"
"It's just like he said earlier!" stated Aurille. "That's asking for a civil war! We can't let the government lose control! If that happens, it's over!"
"B-But... That's only a mere possibility!" stated Nile.
"It's enough for that possibility to exist!" objected Aurille. "Our authority is always be absolute! Now get moving!"
Pyxis gave a glare at Anka, who saluted and ran out of the throne room. The royal advisors began to discuss among themselves about the news and refugees.
"Shit..." said Gerald. "To think the wall would be breached at a time like this..."
"Though, there is a silver lining," stated Aurille. "We've already found the power. All that's left is to bide our time until the vessel takes it."
"That's right," agreed Roderich. "There's no need to be flustered by this little disaster. As long as Wall Sina hold up, we'll be fine."
"Yes, once Rod Reiss comes back," said Deltoff.
"Let's do it!" shouted an MP. "Close the gates!"
"Wait!" ordered Nile.
"It'll be too late if we wait!" stated another MP.
Nile then started to remember the words said by Erwin when he visited him in his cell.
"Who gets to choose?" aske Erwin. "Who decides?"
"What are you doing?" asked Aurille. "Hurry it up! It'll be treason if you don't!"
"No!" replied Nile.
"What?!" asked Aurille.
"I... am a human of Wall Rose!" stated Nile. "I will not allow the gates to be closed!"
"You fool!" shouted Aurille.
"I will stand behind him," said a voice.
Nile and Erwin looked behind and saw Dhalis Zachary march in the throne room with troops escorting him with muskets in their hands.
"Dhalis Zachary..." muttered Aurille.
"Are you surprised at all by their reaction, Premier Zachary?" asked Pyxis.
"No... Not a bit," replied Zachary, fixing his glasses.
"Zachary, what's the meaning of this?!" asked Gerald.
"That report was just a false alarm," stated Zachary. "Rest assured. At the moment, there has been no report of a Titan attack."
"You bastards!" shouted Aurille. "What is this farce?!"
"If you want the mastermind, it's me," stated Pyxis.
"Pyxis?!"
"It seems most of the Interior Police are off somewhere or other," he stated. "I suppose that's quite a fortunate."
"What do you mean?!" asked Aurille.
"Earlier, I declared to you that the Garrison Regiment isn't aligned with the Scout Regiment," stated Pyxis. "But I did forget to mention one thing... I'm not aligned with any of you either."
Aurille gasped in shock, knowing that they've been tricked.
"While I do possess some of the same feelings as Erwin here..." he continued. "I considered leaving things up to your government if that were the better choice for the sake of humanity. You are, after all, much wiser than us when it comes to Titans and the walls. Supposing you actually gave a damn about saving as many people as possible, I would have been fine sending Erwin to the gallows. Of course, depending on your decision, all of us were prepared to forfeit our heads. However, the answer you've given us is very clear and our suspicions were correct!"
"We may be ignorant about the Titans and their abilities and their powers, but... I daresay, we in our ignorance can save for more people than you ever could!"
"You're a fool!" shouted Aurille. "What do you think undermining us will accomplish?! The citizens will never listen to you! They obey whatever the crown says! the regional lords will have none of this!"
"It would appear you've misunderstood what this is," said Pyxis. "It's far more than a mere threat. It's a coup d'état."
Anka arrived in the throne room and saluted towards Dhalis Zachary.
"We've successfully restrained the Interior Police," stated Anka.
Aurille gasped, knowing that their plan was starting to crumble in front of their eyes.
"The thing with soldiers, they'll obey their superior officer over the king," stated Zachary.
"Especially when the king in question is a fraud," stated Pyxis. "We will put in place a new ruler of our own."
"It can't be... They're actually," muttered Aurille. "Don't even think you can get away with this hoax!"
"If that disaster had in fact happened," said Erwin. "The decision that all of you made violates Clause Six of the Charter of Humanity."
Aurille gasped in horror, know the offense used on Erwin was now used against them.
"Furthermore, is installing a fake king to personally control and run the government nor punishable by death?" continued Erwin.
Everything went silent, the coup d'état had worked, the law was now against the nobles. The plan that was planned by the nobles had now failed.
"Shit!" hissed Aurille, kicking the king's throne. "Wake up, dotard!"
"What?" asked the king. "Time to eat?"
"Shut up, you useless oaf!" scolded Aurille.
Then two soldiers restrained Aurille. The fake king, Aurille, Gerald, Deltoff, and Roderich were then arrested by the the soldiers and were escorted out of the throne room. The soldiers than uncuffed Erwin from his restrains.
"Erwin..." called Nile. "This is your victory. Aren't you happy?"
"Nile," called Erwin. "Humanity has just begun down a new path... One far more dangerous than before."
The night after Erwin's audience, the two intruders were walking the long grass. The Levi squad hid in nearby trees and bushes. Levi watched and was surprised that the two intruders pulled down their hoods, revealing it to be Hange and Moblit. Everyone sighed in relief while Pinkie fell down from the tree. Everyone surrounded Levi and Petra as they were reading the note that Hange gave them.
"And there you have it," said Hange. "The coup d'état was successful. Premier Zachary has control of the capital and administrative district. For the time being, the nobility hasn't rebelled."
"What about the Boss Reeves incident?" asked Armin.
"We got a confession that proved the charges unfounded," stated Hange. "His son Flegel really pulled through big time."
Back at the Trost District, Flegel pinned Roy to the wall of the newspaper production room, grabbing his collar.
"Don't you get it?!" asked Flegel. "The government doesn't give a s hit about saving any of us! Face the truth now, because it'll be too late when you're dead!"
"That's right!" agreed Peaure. "If Titans attack us again, there'll be nothing left this time! Not the company! Not out families! Let's print the truth before that happens!"
Roy had no choice but to give in and started to down the reports. The duo printed the newspapers about the fake king. The newspaper started to spread like a wildfire through the cities.
"Just like it's written right there, it shows the charges were bogus, they abused their power, and that King Fritz was a total fake," stated Hange. "All our actions were justified self-defense. In other words, we're free people now."
Everyone looked at each other in amazement. Then smiles started to grown on their faces. All the members started to cheer and jumped around like five years old in a party.
"WOOHOO!!!" cheered all the members.
"We did it!" chirped Lemon Zest.
"This calls for a celebratory party!" screamed Pinkie Pie. "Party cannons!"
Pinkie then stretched her arms like a rubber band and had a cannon with a light blue barrel with two pink wheels with a flower painted on each wheel, operated with a pull string trigger. She pressed on the trigger, causing the cannon to "squeak" firing confetti, balloons, and party items.
"I don't even care anymore, Pinkie!" shouted Sunny Flare. "We do need a party after this!"
"I knew all of you would like this!" chirped Pinkie Pie.
"Where did you even get that?" asked Sugarcoat.
"I never leave home without my party cannon!" chirped Pinkie Pie.
"No, she actually means it," said Starlight Glimmer. "Even though our home was destroyed."
"Well at least we ain't dead," said Applejack.
"You said it sis," said Apple Bloom.
"No... This can't be..." muttered the captured MP.
"Suck it!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "Suck it, you stupid MP! I don't even know why you joined that stupid regiment, you coward!"
"You can go suck on a fat one!" shouted Indigo Zap.
"Stupid MP," snickered Rainbow Dash, spitting on the MP.
"Looks like the gamble paid off," stated Petra.
"Yeah," replied Hange. "It wasn't just Erwin though. The lone choices of many managed to change the world."
"Am I the only one who thinks this is overkill?" asked Sunset Shimmer.
"It was worth it for the Scouts and Erwin," stated Hange.
"And I managed to kill three people you loaned me," said Levi. "I'm sorry."
Hange smiled at Levi, acknowledging the apology has been forgiven.
"The thing is, part of the Interior Police, their leader, Eren, and Historia are somewhere else," stated Levi. "If we don't find them soon..."
"Wait don't we have to go get Eren and Historia back?" asked Sour Sweet.
Everyone stopped in their celebration, their moods changed in an instant.
"Wow!" groaned Rainbow Dash. "What a way to kill the mood!"
"Party pooper!" shouted Pinkie Pie.
"I completely forgot about that," said Rarity.
"We don't know where they even are, they might be somewhere that we don't know," said Fluttershy.
"I may have a clue about that," said Hange, handing a book to Levi. "Let's get there and put an end to this battle.
Back at the capital, Zachary and Erwin stood on top of the would-be gallow for Erwin's execution. The civilians listened and watched at the upcoming plans and speech.
As a result of Erwin's actions, it was declared that the current regime would be ousted. That announcement came immediately after the military gained control of the capital and administrative district. And took place upon the gallows constructed specifically for him.
Once the announcement was done, Erwin got on his carriage, but before he could board on, he saw Nile surrounded by reporters.
"It's exactly how Premier Zachary explained in the speech," stated Nile. "In place of Fritz, a new ruler will come from the true royal family. They will be the one responsible for leading the people."
"I understand that well enough, but do you really think people will simply accept a new ruler just like that?" asked a reporter. There's a lot of civilians out there who are very worried. At this point, who do we trust?"
Erwin boarded his carriage and rode along with Zachary.
"As far as humanity's concerned, we should have let the government do as they please," said Erwin. "Like Commander Pyxis was saying, they've somehow devised a means of keeping humanity alive until now. Even if they watch as half of humanity dies, it's better than us going extinct. Should I have let Eren go, risked my comrade's lives, given up both my life and my duty, and entrust it all to the government? If humanity is more precious than one single life."
"Your duty is as painful as ever," said Zachary. "Dying seems a far easier option. In that case, why didn't you do as you say?"
"That's--" said Erwin.
"Shall I tell you my reason?" asked Zachary. "For a long time, I've hated those bastards!"
"Huh?" asked Erwin.
"They piss me off!" replied Zachary. "Those pompous pricks and pigs who think they're important... No... Maybe I actually liked them. I've been dreaming of this day to come for ages. That is... Even if you hadn't done it, I would given it a shot before I kicked the bucket."
"I couldn't care less if this coup d'état is good or bad for humanity," he continued. "I'm quite the scoundrel, right? But you're no different than me. You didn't want to die. Just like me, you prioritize yourself over the fate of humanity. I... must be very conceited to think that."
"What's your reason?" asked Zachary. "Now it's your turn to answer."
"I... have a dream," replied Erwin. "One I've had since I was a child..."
Returning that same evening, Moblit, Hange, and the Levi Squad galloped through the night, with torches held for light.
"Hange," called Hange. "You might know where they are?"
"Yeah, I'll explain," said Hange. "Erwin gave me this Scout investigation report regarding Lord Reiss' land. Most of it has to with an incident five years ago that shook up the Reiss family."
"Five years ago?" asked Armin.
"Right on the day Wall Maria was breached," stated Hange.
"Did it have to involve the Colossal or Armored Titan?" asked Petra.
"No, but I'll try to summarize the important bits from the beginning," said Hange. "As the lord of his territory, popular opinion of Rod Reiss wasn't all that bad. He had five children, and his eldest daughter Frieda was a down-to-earth girl that even the peasants adored. But that night, five years ago, disaster struck. With the word having plunged into pure chaos, some bandits raided and set fire to the only chapel around. Unfortunately, that night, the entire Reiss family was there praying together. And so, the whole family, save for the head of the house, Rod Reiss... was massacred that night by the bandits."
"Goddamn," whispered Rainbow Dash.
"To top it off, this incident occurred just a few days before Historia's mother was killed by the Interior Police," stated Hange. "in other words, immediately after losing his family, Rod Reiss sought out Historia. There must be a reason he and his lackeys are after Historia."
"The same bloodline?" asked Levi. "Is there some secret to their blood?"
"I don't know for sure yet," said Hange. "But what really makes me serious is that parts of the chapel are completely wrecked. The chapel itself is ston. It would take tons of time and effort to destroy it. Bandits would take what they can and make a quick escape. Plus, the only one who saw those bandits was Rod Reiss himself."
"Soon after, he used his own fortune to rebuild the chapel," she continued. "But why?"
Everyone remained silent listening to Hange as they continued to gallop through the night.
"If you think about it, it's actually stranger that there were no traces of Titans," stated Hange. "Even if I'm jumping to conclusions, something suspicious deserves us checking it out."
At an unknown place, Eren was still unconscious. As Eren's eyes were shut, he started to a strange vision. A dark-haired girl was brushing her hair. She then stopped and looked at the mirror. Once the vision ended, he started to regain conscious, and found himself in a large crystal cave and completely shirtless, revealing his upper body. Eren saw that his hands were restrained by chains that were attached to the wall and gagged in his mouth, preventing to to transform.
"What the hell?!" he thought.
Elsewhere, Erwin watched the Scouts hurrying to gather their supplies and equipment, ready for their rescue mission. Back at the open field, the Levi Squad continued to gallop through the night.
"Before the night is over, we'll have soldiers all over Reiss' land," explained Hange. "Unfortunately, I doubt he'll be waiting that long. If we don't hurry and get there in time, Eren may end up being eaten."
"But why would someone need Eren and Historia to be kidnapped?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Like what did he steal that was so important that they had to kidnap Historia and Eren at the same time?"
"We don't know, but we must hurry before it's too late," said Hange.
As the Levi Squad galloped faster, Armin started to take in consideration in Rainbow Dash's question.
"If a Titan eats a person who can change into a Titan and thus inherits their powers... If that's actually true... Armin thought. "When and how did Eren become a Titan, and who did he eat to gain his powers?"
Back at the Underground Chapel, Eren tried his break free from his restraints, but the chains were tightly planted on the ground. Eren then gave up and started to pant from exhaustion.
"Shit!" he thought.
Eren looked in front of him, Historia walked up beneath the platform, wearing a white robe and looked up at Eren.
"Historia?!" he wondered.