POV: Armin

Armin felt as the feeling in his legs finally return. Upon standing up he heard a blood curdling scream from down below. He made his way down quickly from the Crows nest where he had been stationed for the majority of the battle. As Armin reached the bottom, his eyes widened in horror to see a completely broken Eren in Levi's arms. Levi seemed to not allow anyone near Eren. His usual stoic face was washed in fear and protectiveness. Levi's Alpha pheromones were pulsing throughout the ship. Mikasa was shouting at Captain Levi to give Eren to her but they were getting nowhere. Both were panic stricken and irrational. Armin gulped down his nerves and worries. He had to talk to Levi and get Eren somewhere that was not in the middle of a now graveyard of men.

"Cap..ptin Le ...Le…Levi, sir," Armin started. No one seemed to even paying him any mind. Armin swallowed his nerves one last time. Now was not the time to be afraid to talk. Eren needed someone rational to get him somewhere more safe and secure. "CAPTAIN LEVI, SIR, IF YOU WANT EREN TO GET ANY BETTER PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!" Armin watched as both grey and striking eyes turned to look at him instantly ceasing any argument. He saw in his peripheral vision as Erwin and Hanji walked up to try to assess the situation and what seemed like the entire crew's eyes landed on him. Armin swallowed once more and continued but more relaxed yet firm. "Captain Levi, Mikasa we need to get Eren out of this bloodbath and into a more secure location. Captain Levi, sir, please as gently as you can pick Eren up without putting any pressure on him. As soon as he is in a safer location I will explain how he can be treated."

Levi and Mikasa nodded their heads and Levi proceeded to pick Eren up in a princess style so gently it seemed as if he was not even holding him. "Hanji," Levi barked gently. "Yes Captain?" Hanji replied. "How did the infirmary hold up during the battle?" Hanji looked slightly down for a moment before answering. "A few canon balls went straight through the center of the room wrecking some of the medical equipment and the hospital bed." Levi nodded in response seemingly thinking to himself before continuing. "I will use my quarters. It went seemingly untouched and being next to Mikasa's and Armin's quarters, that will allow them to watch over him more easily." Everyone nodded in approval and Levi made his way up to the Captain's quarters on the ship.

Armin watch as Hanji cut away the blood filled clothes off of Eren before Levi set him down on the bed. Mikasa came back into the room with towels and a water bucket to try and remove some of the blood and dirt off of Eren. Levi never moved from Eren's side. He took the towel from Mikasa and started to wipe the blood from Eren's broken and steaming body and face. Soon after Erwin entered the room with a clean hospital robe and as gently as Levi could he placed the garment on Eren and tied it around the back. With all the movement Eren had done, he would little but occasionally scrunch his face in pain. It seemed as though his brain had shut down his conciseness while his body was healing. "Armin…Armin…Brat!" Armin jolted back from his thoughts to see an extremely concerned Mikasa looking down at Eren and an equally-as-concerned Levi, Hanji and Erwin looking at him. Armin knew they must be waiting what only he could provide: answers. He knew he was going to have to indulge his soon-to-be crew in some of the more private information about his travels with Eren and Mikasa. Armin didn't 100% know if it was his place to tell them but he gave a quick glance to Mikasa who nodded her head slightly, tears glistening in the sides of her eyes. If they were going to join Levi's crew, they had a right to know what they were getting involved in.

"What I am going to tell you three is extremely sensitive material and I hope that you will not divulge it to anyone else," Armin began. He knew Eren didn't want more people to know about this but he knew Eren would not wake for give or take 3-5 days. However, Levi more than anyone needed to know what he was getting involved in now. Armin watched as the three of them nodded their heads. "Well, I would like to start off and tell you that I think Eren is going to come out of this more easily than you think possible." Armin watched as they all glanced at him in disbelief before continuing. "Ok… I know this is going to sound a bit out there… but Eren's body has regenerating abilities and although I have never seen any damage to this extent, I know for a fact that the steaming you see coming off his body is proof to me it is working." Armin watched as the three of them glanced again over to Eren and nodded again before Levi spoke up. "How is that even possible?" Armin looked once more at Mikasa who gave him a nod of approval to continue. Armin took a long breath. "Captain, sir… you may want to take a seat it. It's a bit of a long story." Armin watched as Hanji, Erwin and Levi nodded sitting down around Levi's desk and Armin pulled up a chair next to Erwin and began. "Well..."

~~~~~~~Flash Back 16 years ago… March 30 18xx POV 3rd person~~~~~

"It's a boy!" an excited doctor proclaimed. Carla Yeager sighed in relief finally slumping back into the bed. The doctor walked away to clean the baby. Carla smiled to herself. "A baby boy!" she said tired but excited. Carla knew from that moment she would do anything in the world it took to keep her baby boy safe. To keep Eren safe. "Perfectly healthy!" the doctor exclaimed again walking back to Carla with the bundled up baby in his arms. "You did wonderfully, honey." The doctor bent down kissing Carla on her head while passing Eren to her. "Thank you, Grisha dear." Grisha and Carla watched as baby Eren opened his eyes looking up at his parents faces for the first time. "He has your eyes…" Grisha began. Carla tensed slightly as Eren has her green eyes.

Green eyes were early signs of Omegas being as they were a recessive gene. However, sometimes like herself those children developed into Betas but definitely not Alphas. "Honey, I am a Beta though. Green eyes don't automatically make a child an Omega. You know that." Grisha bent down kissing her head again. "I know, sweetheart. I guess I was only hoping for another Alpha but I am sure he will be a great addition to our family." Carla nodded slightly saddened by Grisha's disappointment and snapped her eyes up as the door to the room creaked open. She saw as the small eyes of Grisha's son from his first marriage peered in the room. Carla never cared that Zeke was not her biological son. She loved him as her own since marrying Grisha.

Zeke would be 12 years older than Eren and was an Alpha like his father. "Do you want to meet you new brother?" Carla said quietly not wanting to startle Eren. Zeke nodded excitedly and ran to the side of the bed, climbed up and peered down at the bundle. "He is so little and… kind of wrinkly," Zeke said crinkling his nose. Carla laughed softly. "They all look like that, sweetheart." Grisha lifted Zeke from the bed "Ok, Zeke, time for bed. It's late and you have classes at the palace tomorrow," Grisha said firmly. "Yes father," Zeke said a bit downhearted. He wanted to spend a bit more time looking at Eren.

~~~Skip 3 years ahead.~~~

"Mom mom!" Zeke said excitedly. "Guess what I learned today?!" "And what is that, sweetheart?" Carla asked as tending to Eren. "I learned about the foul creatures known as Omegas." The last words seemed to leave Zeke's mouth with a hiss. Carla frowned only slightly. Carla was never truly content with the ideals the kingdom has instilled in people about omegas. She would never tell a soul but one of her closest friends growing up had been an omega in hiding. Her name was Ellie. Carla had found out one-day walking in on a conversation between Ellie and her mother. She swore to never tell a soul though.

When Ellie turned 12 she had her first heat but couldn't hide from the guards so a hunt was called for her. Carla had listened in horror as men from the RMP scurried through the forest chasing her until they had finally cornered and killed her. The RMP had questioned Carla about her relationship with Ellie. She was forced to deny that Ellie had given any signs about being an omega. The guilt had burned in her for so long. If she could have saved her she would have but she couldn't, she didn't. From that day forward she decided she would not be a coward anymore. She would never deny a person the right to live based on who or what they were.

"Mom! Mom! Are you even listening?!" Carla snapped back into reality from her memories and nodded. "Yes… yes, sweetheart, of course I'm listening." Suddenly Grisha entered the kitchen walking over and kissing Carla on the cheek. "So, what are you guys talking about so excitedly?" Grisha began. "Well, dad…" Zeke began telling Grisha how they had learned about Omegas in class and the dangers they propose to society. "Son, that is 100% correct," Grisha beamed back "Omegas are foul creatures that deserve to have nothing but a knife to their throats." Carla winced slightly as the two boys continued with their discussion of Omegas as she set the table for dinner. Fear was slowly creeping into the back of her mind. In a few days she would be getting the kit to test for Eren's dynamic. "What if… no," Carla thought to herself silently. "Eren will be safe no matter what the result says."

The test slipped from Carla's hand. Her knees were weak. She fell to the ground as a silent sob left her throat. Eren. Eren, her baby boy. There was no denying it. Eren was an… omega. Carla started to cry silently only brought back by the quiet cries of Eren from his crib. Carla stood up immediately walking to his crib and pulled Eren into her arms. "Eren, Eren my baby boy… what will we do?" Struck by her need to keep Eren safe, she placed him back into his crib. The day was Thursday. Carla sent a silent thanks to any god above willing to listen. Grisha and Zeke would be returning late due to late night meetings that took place at the palace on Thursdays. Carla glanced at the morning sun. She had approximately 10 hours before they would return. Carla knew she had to go. She had to leave Zeke. She had to leave Grisha... they would kill him. They would kill Eren. Carla would not let that happen.

~~~5 Years later.~~~

Carla glanced out the window to see the three children playing in the flower field. A smile formed on her lips as she watched Eren pretending to be a pirate protecting Armin from an officer that was being played by Mikasa. Mikasa would win of course but it never stopped Eren from trying his absolute hardest. Mikasa was only just 2 years older that Eren. When Eren was 5, he and Carla had been walking through the market. Eren spotted Mikaza sitting in an ally alone. She wouldn't talk much when Carla had asked if she was lost but when Carla asked her where her parents were, Mikasa had only said they had died earlier that year in a fire. Carla watched as Eren had taken off his red scarf Carla had just given him as an early Christmas gift and wrapped it around her.

Carla looked down once more before her decision became concreated. "Dear, what's your name?" Carla asked softly. "Mikasa," she replied softly. "Well, Mikasa, would you like to come home with us? It's not much I but It's warm and I promise to take care of you." Mikasa had began to sniffle slightly and nodded her head. Carla watched as Eren reached out and grabbed her hand. He started leading her out of the market and back towards their home.

The other young boy's name was Armin. He was a year older than Eren but seemingly much smaller. He lived with his grandfather a few houses away and had befriended both Eren and Mikasa who had seemed to adopt him themselves. He was, according to Eren, "pushed around by big headed pigs." Carla chuckled to herself slightly as she continued to watch the kids play.

Carla had explained to Eren very early on the danger his dynamic was to him and the people around him. Eren often hated his own dynamic knowing it was the reason they always had to move or live so far away from villages. However, Carla made him promise to never be ashamed of who or what he was. She made him promise to keep fighting no matter what. Eren had to survive. Carla wanted nothing more than for her baby boy to be happy, bursting of energy, and alive. Eren had looked her straight in the eye and promised her that he would never say any of those horrible things again. He promised that he would always fight and never give up.

The only other people who knew about Eren was his adopted sister Mikasa who they had told after she had walked in on Carla explaining Heats to Eren. Carla knew she would have to tell her one day soon and was fearful of that day. Mikasa had accepted it no questions asked and promised to protect Eren from anyone who dared try to "Hunt" him. The other person who knew was Armin. This kid was borderline genius and seemed to pick up on the subtle hints and quiet conversations that happened between Mikasa and Eren but again did not seem to mind at all. The three of them seemed almost glued at the hips at all times.

Carla's smile faulted slightly. She knew they would have to pack up and leave soon and that would mean the children would have to say goodbye to Armin. It made her sad because Eren, other than Mikasa, had always had trouble making friends and knew he would miss him dearly… but if somehow they would come with them? Carla shook her head. Dinner was ready and she called the children inside. They sat around the table excitedly chatting about some new discovery they made on their adventures when Eren turned to her. "Mom? Can Armin stay the night so we can all log our adventures together in our adventure book?" he asked. Carla looked up from her dish and swallowed her food. "Of course, honey. Armin, just be sure to check with your grandfather ok?" Carla said hesitantly. "Ok!" Armin replied happily.

~~Later that night~~

BANG! Carla shot up as a banging on the door rang through the house. She ran from her room only to be talked to the ground and her arms restrained. She struggled but it was futile as the grip was too strong. "Tsk tsk tsk, mother. You should know you can't fight out of my grasp," a voice said. Carla's heart dropped to her stomach as the especially cold voice of her son Zeke whispered into her ears. "Did you really think you could run forever, mother?" said Zeke callously. "Obviously she was more foolish than I thought," said another cold voice from the dark living room. Suddenly, the lights flicked on and Carla looked in horror to see Eren tied up and gagged crying on the lap of her husband Grisha.

Next to them on the floor laid an unconscious Mikasa and Armin also tied up. "Let him go, you monster!" Carla screamed. "Now now, Carla sweetheart, no need to be so angry." Grisha stood up throwing Eren down to the ground and walked up to her. His eyes were cold. Cold, dead and no longer the eyes of the husband she once loved. "Now, as nice as it has been to see you, my move," Grisha said coldly. "I have an extremely important part that you have to play in Eren's development for me."

Carla shivered as the understanding dawned on her. She turned to Eren who was looking up at them fighting his bonds trying to escape to her. "Eren, Eren dear, Mommy loves you." Carla began to tear. "Eren…. Never stop figh…" Carla gasped in pain as a sharp object penetrated her stomach. Carla fell to the ground and let her eyes rest one last time on Eren who was now screaming at her to be okay. Carla reached her hand out one last time stroking Eren's face. "Eren, Mommy loves you, don't ever forget that." Carla's hand fell limp and her once bright eyes went dull and she moved no more.

~~~2 Years later~~~

"Dadddy, please stooooppp," Eren screamed as the needles penetrated deep into his knees. Grisha was pumping some new concoction into Eren again in hopes it would trigger his Omegan defense pheromones. The pain was excruciating. Eren watched as Grisha pulled the needles out and the skin began to steam. "Well, it seems the new serum didn't affect the regenerative powers," said Grisha fascinated. Eren watched as Grisha wrote more notes into his book. "I don't feel anything different from your pheromone though. Tsk tsk," Grisha tapped his pencil on his note pad. He had been experimenting on Eren secretly since bringing him here. It had begun with Grisha triggering Eren's first heat. The heat and pain had almost been unbearable as Eren screamed in pain. Eren shuddered. The last heat had passed just 1 month ago which gave him another 5 before his next heat.

"Now now, Eren, if we don't start seeing some results I can't promise for your friends' safety. Eren peered over in horror to his friends, who were chained in their cells, began to scream as the chains holding their arms and legs started to separate. "No no please," Eren yelled. Grisha watched in wonder as Eren's eyes suddenly flashed from green to gold and back. The screaming stopped. "What was that? Now that's what I am saying, Eren. You need to work with me and I promise I wont hurt your friends," Grisha said intriguingly. Eren swallowed the vile that had risen in his throat. He had almost lost control. He couldn't let Grisha know his experiments were working, not when they were so close to escaping "I… I don't know… It just happens sometime… when I get mad…"

Eren choked out. He had to tell Grisha just enough to keep his attention away from Mikasa and Armin. He just had to make it through today's torture. Their plans to escape being the only thing keeping him sane over the next excruciating hour. Grisha squeezed his nose between his fingers. Eren sighed quietly in relief knowing it meant he was too tired to keep going. "Tie him back in his cell," Eren finally heard Grisha tell the Alpha guard at the door. Eren watched as Armin and Mikasa were released from their chains and returned to their cell which sat next to his own.

Eren collapsed to the ground as the guard threw him back into his own cell. He sat for a moment on the ground trying to regain his focus. Whatever Grisha had pumped in him today was making the world spin slightly. "No" Eren said to himself quietly. Today was the day they would break out of this place. Eren felt a slight surge of energy flow through him as he stood back to his feet. Eren looked over to Mikasa and Armin who looked at him with worried eyes. Eren began to give them silent instruction that they would still go about the escape tonight using their secret sign language. They had been developing this language together in secret in the cells at night when everyone slept. They developed this in order to never speak their secret aloud. It gave them a way to communicate silently without having to worry about being overheard.

Armin and Mikasa nodded when Eren finished with his instructions. They would wait two hours before the plan started. Grisha would be sleeping and the next guard will have just started his shift which would last 7 hours before Grisha's return. Eren, unknown to Grisha, had indeed awakened his Omegan defense Pheromones as Grisha called them but to Eren they were his Command Pheromone. It gave him an ability to control an Alpha within a certain range to him. He had been practicing daily with Mikasa at night. He could not use it for long as he would begin to feel pain in his fingers and soreness in his neck. He had come to a point where he could control Mikasa's body movements for about 5 minutes before the aching started.

Eren sat awake in his bed waiting for the cell. It was time. Eren released the latch on his neck collar and started to focus his command pheromone to the guard at the door. Eren smiled triumphantly as heard the guard drop his rifle and start walking towards the door. Eren had no time to spare. The guard walked to Mikasa and Armin's cell first and unlocked it. Mikasa, who was already standing at the door, immediately grabbed the guard's sword and plunged it through his chest. Eren released his command pheromone and only felt a slight twinge in his index finger.

Mikasa caught the body and laid it silently on the ground. Armin grabbed for the keys heading to Eren's cell as Mikasa raided the now dead guard for any useful supplies. Eren refastened the leather guard around his neck again as Armin opened his cell. Immediately, Mikasa joined them and they fell in a small embrace with each other for only a moment. Eren had not had any physical contact with anyone other than his father's experiments since being brought here and it filled him a little with warmth that he forgot he could feel.

~~~Back to present~~~

"So, after about 6 years of running and traveling we were ambushed by this RMP brigade that caught us off guard and that's how we ended up aboard that ship." Armin finished. Levi, Hanji and Erwin looked back at him. Their expressions were blank as they processed the information. Hanji started with the first question. "Why didn't Eren use his power on the RMP ship to escape?" Armin looked over to Hanji and pointed back at Eren. "You see that strap around his neck?" Armin began. The three of them nodded. "It acts as a double edge sword to Eren. See, he can only use his command pheromones without the strap on but when he takes it off he is also at his most vulnerable."

Armin paused glancing at Levi. "If an Alpha were to take hold of him when he could no longer use his command pheromones and bite into his neck scent gland, he would be tied to the Alpha in a mating bond for the rest of his life. It is irreversible." Armin jumped slightly as a small growl escaped Levi's mouth. Erwin cleared his throat and joined in next. "So, Eren couldn't use his power because RMP never took his collar off and he was being restrained?" "Yes, exactly." Armin replied.

They sat for a few moments more allowing the rest of the information to settle in with only a few questions here and there from Hanji. "So, Eren will be okay?" Levi asked calmly. Armin nodded "I don't know exactly how long it will take, sir, because he has never had such intense damage but based on what I have seen his regeneration abilities do, he'll survive." Levi finally stood up with a relieved sigh passing through his lips and walked to Mikasa's side looking down on Eren. Eren was still steaming profusely but unconscious. Levi turned his head from Eren to the other two of them again. "My offer still stands: you three, as far as I am concerned, since last night have already become part of my crew. That means no matter the battle you are fighting, me and my crew will always have your backs."

Armin smiled and looked down with tears in the corner of his eyes nodding. Mikasa also nodded looking down. "Now! Hanji, Erwin!" Levi barked "Yes Captain!" replied everyone. "We have a shit fest to clean up! Get you and the crew into gear and I want this ship shining by the time Eren wakes up!" Levi barked loudly. "Sir! Yes, Sir!" Erwin and Hanji replied in unison and they left the room. "You, brats," Levi continued, "We have a lot of work to do out there! Watch over him and if you notice any changes, you find me immediately. Is that clear?!" Armin looked over to Mikasa and the both nodded. "Sir, yes Sir!"