A NEW CHAPTER FROM ME! AND EREN APPEARS AT LAST! I apologise for the long hiatus. This has been a very difficult chapter to write especially the battle scene between Erwin and Levi. I may edit it on a later date though. Furthermore, I had to prepare for my Christmas holidays in Singapore. I live alone so Christmas with the family! Yay!. I warn you, this story is going to turn into a little mermaid, or in this case, the little merman parody just so you know… A little fluff! THE FLUFF STARTS! 'The Little Jaeger?' Seriously. I need to come up with better titles. I need to think up songs for him to sing… I can't see Eren singing 'A Part of Your World' for some reason…

Commodore Smith gritted his teeth at the number of dead naval officers that lay before his feet. Their lifeless bodies lay in rows on wooden stretchers, their throats slit open and already festering, attracting unwanted flies and scavengers. Their eyes were open and lightless, staring blankly into the expanse of clear sky above them.

His heart was and soul was black with hatred and inside, his guts wrenched. Those bloodthirsty murders had repaid him the same respects he had given them when he had ordered his own men to kill of a few of Captain Levi's men. It was as simple as that.

"Commodre Smith, Admiral Pixis would like to speak with you" Lieutenant Nanaba stated, walking towards her superior with a grim face.

Erwin was prepared for the lecture he was about to receive. It was most likely he would be fired. However, that didn't matter to him. Fired or not, he would still obtain his personal revenge and see that Captain Levi would be brought to justice and killed by his own hands.

Erwin was escorted to an erected shaded canopy. Admiral Pixis sat at a partially burnt and worn away table, reviewing maps. He did it in a way that it was forced, trying to brandish and ignore the many dead before his eyes.

"Commodore Smith, after seeing this many of our own so brutally slaughtered, you do realize what this means?"

Erwin nodded gravely.

"I do sir"

"That monster Captain Levi has gone too far. This has now become a personal matter between the navy and his men. He must be eliminated at all costs to ensure the safety of Utopia and our own men" Pixis said steely, his gaze fixed on his junior.

"I understand sir"

Admiral Pixis' gaze hardened with resolution, his descision final.

"Then you know what to do Commordore Erwin Smith of the Utopian Navy?"

Erwin saluted.

"Yes sir"

"See to it that the bastard dies. Do not fail me"

Captain Levi laughed quietly to himself. At last, it had finally come to this, the final show down between the Commodore and himself. He had anticipated this moment from the start… a challenge that would determine his right as most feared and strongest man of the Northern and Southern seas.

What a perfect day it was for Levi. The sky was bleak and dreary, darkened with looming storm clouds that pelted a frigid rain and sleet. Although cold on the outside, his body was on fire within. Furthermore, he would soon warm up physically from the battle before him.

He looked at the impressive naval fleet before him, yes the frigates were much smaller than his own tall-ship but the fleet contained more than a thousand ships. Never before did he witness such a sight, especially with Commodore Smith at the head of his own ship, wearing that satisfying mask of fury and wrath. Deep inside, Captain Levi knew the odds were against him, yet he felt no fear what so ever. Maybe his intense pride and stubbornness to fight got in the way of tactical thinking. Maybe he wanted to die an honourable death? To die and to fall as the most feared Captain that had dared to siege Utopia. He would be remembered for years to come.

"Captain Levi of the Maria. You have long over staid your welcome in Utopia. Either leave now or face the wrath of Utopia!" Commodore Smith bellowed through a megaphone.

Captain Levi smiled his crew behind him.

"My dearest Commodore, you should realize by now what kind of man I am. I accept your challenge!" he shouted back.

Levi watched a smile gracing his thin pale lips as Commodore Smith's frigate loomed forward, the others following suit to destroy his very existence.

It begins.

"Armin will you hurry up, I don't want Mikasa finding out that I'm going to the surface again!" a young merman called out to his companion, swimming amongst the lower region of the deep green kelp forest.

"Eren, your sister will skin me alive. We're meant to be hunting! If you don't come back, the others will worry. You're not Prince Eren Jaeger for nothing!" his friend said, frantic still swimming in between the constantly swaying ribbons of bottle green kelp.

"Come on. It's just Mikasa!" the first merman replied scornfully but laughter shone brightly in his turquoise eyes.

The young merman darted between the towering rock structures, covered with an array of vibrant hard and soft corals. The fish that hid themselves between the crevices now circled him with a great curiosity. He was a handsome young merman, short brunette hair that shone and dance in they rays of the sunlight. His impish smile read mischief yet he had a distinguishable strong jaw structure and was lean built. Nothing adorned his torso save for a golden cuff at his right arm. The most captivating physical feature however, were his eyes, a brilliant turquoise. The same turquoise of the undisturbed open water he lived in. They were clear, honest and held an intense curiosity towards the people who lived in the world above the waters. As a merman, he had every quality and feature of a human save for the silvery blue scales that glistened and shimmered with his every movement, following below his torso and forming an elegant tail. Despite his handsome face, his physical features weren't his tool for luring some sailors to their death. It was his voice. Rare moments, when he felt happiness he would sing to the world above. It was a melodic soothing tenor voice, gentle like the soft waves that rolled on a tropical shore.

His fellow merman companion Armin Arlert, followed him nervously. Although a merman, he wasn't as built and slender. He was thin, golden spun hair that reached to his shoulders. His facial expression was always one of distress and worry for his prince's wellbeing.

"Ten minutes on the surface and we're going back right?"

"Calm down Armin. If you get in trouble with Mikasa, just say it was my idea" Eren brushed off as if it were nothing.

"It is your idea!" Armin retaliated reluctantly swimming after his friend.

"Come on! There's a lot of commotion going on above the water. I feel so constricted down here. Let's see what's going on. It sounds like a fierce battle!" Eren said excitedly, wanting to see the action up close and personal.

Armin grimaced but continued to following, wishing with all his might, Eren would hopefully forget about his little adventures to the surface every once in a while.

Levi spat the strong metallic taste of blood from his tongue, the right side of his face bruised black and blue, a crude cut ran from the lower side of his jaw to his lips that trickled fresh blood whenever he moved his head. He had narrowly missed a bullet to his head, aimed by the Commodore himself. However, because of lunging blindly to avoid the bullet, he had damaged the side of his face. His jaw was badly bruised although the impact was thankfully not as strong to the point it would have crushed the very bone structure.

Never before had he met such an incredible foe. The Commodore was relentless with his sword, delivering blows with swift ease and precision. At last, the Captain had met his match. In his heart, the Captain knew he wouldn't leave this battle without a few memorial scars, that is if he made it out alive.

Levi parried another series of blows aimed for his chest. Each strike seemed to be stronger than the one before. Erwin's offence strength was mind blowing, his bright blue eyes set with steel and cold determination on the man that had ruined his life at Utopia. He was that adamant to kill the Levi then and there.

The pair ignored the destitute and chaos that circulated the pair. Around them, the Commodore's and the Captain's men fought. Bold navy blue mingled with the muddied rags Levi's men considered clothes, the distinguished men, fighting degenerates. The only factors that bound the men together was they were all human, fighting for their cause and the unifying colour of blood that soiled their clothes.

"I underestimated you Commodore Smith" Levi said breathlessly when Erwin graciously allowed the Captain to catch his breath.

He was confused why the Commodore could be such a gentleman at such a time. At the sword and in his eyes, he was as unforgiving and hardhearted but he abided by certain etiquette rules. His character was so contradicting that it infuriated Levi.

Erwin gave the Captain a mock bow, never taking his gaze off the Captain for a second.

"There are many things you don't know Captain Levi. I'm very unpredictable" he replied, before charging yet again.

Hastily, Levi armed himself for the next series of strikes. Unprepared for the first strike, the shock of metal against metal had almost disarmed him. Ignoring the searing fire that coursed through his left wrist and arm, he glared at the taller man before him.

Erwin smiled, thoroughly enjoying himself seeing his foe beginning to tire.

"Well Captain Levi, shall we take another spin?"

Levi cursed to himself. He just wanted this to end.

"Eren I really don't think we should be here! There are so many people, what if someone sees us?"

Eren glared at his friend, and pushed the golden haired boy back down into the water's surface. The were currently hiding behind floating debris of a destroyed mast and sail. They had counted numerous dead bodies, blood steadily seeping and clouding the clear water with a deep red. So far, no sea predator had been attracted to the smell but it wouldn't be long.

"Keep your head down then!" he whispered harshly.

Disregarding to Armin's pleas, he watched the battle a few metres away in awe, not caring if he was seen by humans. How he longed to be a part of them, to fight for a cause and protect the ones you cared for instead of being stuck with a tail, forced to hide in the unknown world.

"Eren, we must go!"

"You can go then" Eren replied when Armin tugged his arms. Although he criticized Armin's lack of bravery and curiosity, he would rather have Armin leave in case his friend got injured.

Armin was reluctant but Eren persisted.

"It's alright. I'll be fine. Go to Mikasa and the others" Eren replied gently, trying to sooth his distressed companion.

With one last sigh of exasperation, Armin gracefully dove back down to the deep blue depths, his silver tail leaving a trail of bubbles behind.

With his friend gone, Eren felt a new sense of freedom as well as relief. He didn't have to worry about Armin's safety and his worry. Wanting a closer look of the black tall ship that stood before him, he silently swam through the debris, keeping himself hidden from the eyes of humans. The ship was enormous, larger than anything he had seen in his life. With slight difficulty, he hoisted himself up to the ledge, lodging himself between the ledge of a porthole and the broken mast. He peered through one of the ship's many cut out drainage crevices, wanting to see the battle up close. It was then, he saw the Captain.

Eren's gaze was fixed on the most beautiful person he had ever seen. His face was pale but perfectly symmetrical, his facial expression a mixture of fierce determination and pain from the effort of fighting. His eyes were the physical feature that captivated Eren the most. They were dark grey, like a stormy sky but they were mysteriously bright. Like the occasional gem-stones he found on the ocean floor, the glistened brightly.

Pulling his gaze away from the Captain, he turned to the competitor. Unlike the Captain, he was much taller, had blue eyes and fair hair and equally as handsome. Eren felt an unwelcoming shiver run down his spine. Those ice blue eyes were lightless, cold as ice. Unlike the colour of deep blue, the colour of the sea, which he adored, he had never seen such a pale and hostile blue before.

"Well Captain Levi, shall we take another spin?" the man closer to Eren asked.

'Captain Levi, so that's his name'. Eren thought in awe.

Eren watched with horror as the taller of the two delivered harsh and unmerciful blows at the man called Levi. Eren could see for himself, the Captain was in no position to fight in his weakened state. The Captain was literally trembling, not from fear but from weakness and exhaustion. His breaths came out unevenly and every time he would lift his sword to defend himself, agony withered across his face. Eren wanted to scream, to tell the person to stop and beg for mercy but the Captain had no intention of yielding.

Eren held back a cry when the uniformed man swerved suddenly to the right shortly confusing the Captain and slashed his rib cage.

With a hoarse scream, Captain Levi clutched his side in effort to staunch the heavy bleeding, letting his own rapier fall to the floor.

The Commodore pointed the tip of his blade at the Captain, lifting his chin so his gaze could meet his own.

"Any last words before I kill you Captain Levi?"

Levi fought back tears of pain from the Commodore's attack. His left side burned and his own white shirt quickly soaked his own blood that trickled through his own clenched hand.

He was forced to look at the Commodore's sickening smug face. For once, he knew what it felt to be looked down upon, to be trodden on and to feel like he truly belonged to the dregs of society.

"Any last words before I kill you Captain Levi?" the Commodore asked, his mouth turning up into a grin.

Captain Levi couldn't answer. He knew this was the end. He didn't want to hang at the gallows, humiliated, less than nothing. That would be the worst way for a man like him to go. The Commodore should just kill him there where he sat but the thought of dying by this man's hand also disgusted him. Levi thought of his crew who still fought for their dreams. His mind flashed to the faces he had learned to trust and to respect. They would need him but he would die. Petra would continue where he left off. That was her destiny… his destiny was to die… but not like this.

Levi smiled astonishing Erwin completely. For the first time in his life, he smiled with gentle contentment, reserved with the fact that he was going to die peacefully. After a few moments of silence, Levi finally spoke.

"I thank you Commodore Erwin Smith. You're a great swordsman I have to admit even for a man like me. Thank you. Good bye" he said softly.

Suppressing the pain he felt, Levi suddenly swung his right leg out, knocking the Commodore off his feet. With a newly found determination, Levi ran to the edge of the railing and jumped. For a few split seconds, the sensation of wind stung against his face then the cold sharp feeling of water closed in on him. He looked up and saw the face of Petra. He felt his heart tug with guilt, watching her screaming for him as he sank deeper into the mass of blue. The impact of the water was so great, like a million knives stabbing against his body, further agonizing him but adding present relief to the burning sensation from his wound. Like an invisible force, he felt the all too familiar sensation of the need for oxygen, squeezing his lungs tightly. Hot white suns appeared before his very own eyes and the expanse of open water before him and the undersides of the ships above grew darker with every passing second. This was his final resting place. It wouldn't be long before a passing shark smell his blood and devour him. At least this was a more fitting ending for a man like him.

It was then he spotted a figure approaching in the mass of blue. Through his faded eyesight, the person drew closer and whoever this was, he or she was stunning beautiful. Warm hands supported his neck and he felt someone's mouth press against his own, soft and gentle. It was then Levi felt something glorious fill his own lungs, oxygen. Why was this stranger saving him? Although he himself was an atheist, maybe God had other plans for him. Whoever this stranger was, he was thankful. Finally at peace he allowed his mind to stray into a comforting darkness.

I'd like to thank you all for being so patient with me. I'm such a terrible person sometimes.

Love Evening Falls.