HOPE YOU ENJOY 

PLEASE VOTE

End Game: Rivamika. 

Side Note: Oneshot inspired by this song. 

https://youtu.be/VVkVGczOXWA

The Ackerman's were well known, well respected and well loved.

They were known to have titles, lot of land and to be rich. 

But they never used such known truths to step on others. 

They may have lived in a small manor but rarely all the rooms would actual be used. The only time the manor would be well decorated and grand would be during the week they offer for other lords or ladies to stay in one of the many spare rooms.

And that week only came during the royals grand and glorious yearly ball that invited all those with titles to the ball. Most would cheer and jump at the chance to stand in the same room as a royal for a single evening of their life or for a single evening once a year for the rest of their lives. But many lived too far out of the kingdom to simply travel over for a single evening without having to find somewhere to stay or rest. 

Some would even take weeks or months in travel to reach the castle and any good places to stay would be claimed by those with money who lived just a few hours or days away from the castle already. So, the Ackerman's offered up their own home in good way and acted as the parts of those with money for the shake of keeping face. 

But as soon as the last guest had left, they would be as free spirted as those they've taken as their employers or those in the closest town. 

In truth some of the land that the Ackerman's owned actual held cabins and huts built among them for every worker and their family to live inside. To give them a home between the manor and the village, making walking distance either way not overly long and tiring. 

The Ackerman's were known to pay well, only asking for a tiny amount of money to go towards paying the rent but they've only ever charged for a single, cheap coin as payment. Pushing for their workers to pay towards food, clothes and books for their families instead. 

Ackerman's were known to protect those that lived on their land, known to give anyone a second chance by offering them a job to their land even if they've been charged for wrong doings before. Most of the village even knew that those that lived in the single huts, no family of their own, would be dinning with the family of three as they all shared the large portion of food cooked to cover them all. Stopping so many from having to eat alone after a hard's day of work. 

The land did farming, cattle and they had their hands dipped in the arts of clothing. An Ackerman family secret of a certain stitching passed down from mother to daughter for generations that left their clothing some of the best in the kingdom and most desired. 

It meant that it wasn't an overly shocking sight to see the Ackerman's working among their employers and happy to work just as hard as them. 

The Yeager's were known to be close friends with the family, the Doctor being an old friend to the married couple. Leaving none surprised when the Doctor's son, Eren and the Ackerman's heir, Mikasa to grow to be friends as well. Armin, another childhood friend to the pair linking them all to stand as a trio. 

The three were always togehter and always close. 

Never being seen alone and facing everything the world had thrown at them togehter. 

They would someday stand as the future and all had wished them the best.

But when they had all been in their teen years, something had changed for all of the kingdom. 

The royal family had been slaughtered during the middle of the night without any warning.

None but the rumoured affair daughter of the king, a princess taken into hiding from where she'd been living at the royals summer home. 

A new king took the crown, King Kenny, an Ackerman from another clan to the Ackerman's the kingdom had grown fond over. 

Many were forced to chose a side, either be loyal to Kenny or die. Those lucky enough to be seen as weak willed were thrown in the cells, promised to be free once their spirit dies and they give their loyalty to the new king. 

King Kenny overlooked Mikasa's parents village out of respect and a show of kindness towards the other clan members. Knowing that their clans had been at each others throats in the past and didn't want the two families finding for a home when they could just coexist.  

And the Ackerman's did their best to shelter those effected most by the new king. Hiring more and more people, keeping them safe on their land and their stomachs full with food. 

But taxes kept rising and rising and some who had lost love ones grew angry and resentful towards the rich. Even the few good ones that were paying half of their towns or villains taxes in hopes to help them.

And one night, Mikasa watched her parents head towards the castle unwillingly. Both planned to speak with Kenny, warn him over the dangers of an unhappy and poor kingdom. That why he's not effected just yet, he will be in due years. Praying that they could talk to him about standing as a better king and doing good for the kingdom. 

It was as they were heading home after such a talk that their carriage was attacked by starved and angry people of the kingdom. Killed by being stabbed and axe, leaving their daughter as an orphan. 

Those on the Ackerman lands stepped up to be an even better family for poor Mikasa. Raising her as best as they could and trying to follow into the Ackerman's footsteps in parenthood for her. Keeping her home safe and loved as well as it could be with grief in their hearts and fear in their eyes over the risk of the manor being attacked at any moment.

Mikasa still stayed good friends with both Armin and Eren. 

Most in the village having thought she'd grow up to marry the Doctor's son once they're both at the right age. All having noticed over the crush she held for the green eyed boy. All knowing that why she had grown a love for her best friend, she was still very protective over her blonde friend too. 

It's why most were left shock when she didn't runaway with both nor did she chase after them once they left. 

Unknown to the town, Mikasa knew the pair had left to join the rebellion that had newly formed. Having left to find the rebels to join them and help to take back the crown from Kenny. 

Mikasa would have liked to join, to fight back for the people within the kingdom. But she knew she couldn't leave her home, to leave all those families working under her family name unprotected if she left. She stayed, giving work and doing her best to help the town by using her own family money. 

It was a struggle but she stayed and worked hard to protect her home, those under her care and the town. 

And she had foolishly stayed attached to her crush, giving him everything she had while believing all the false promises he gave her in return. 

She gave him money, shelter in her home and the few jewellery she had.

As the years passed, her crush faded without her noticing until she was left unsurprised when the king's men had came to fetch her. Eren had stolen the one necklace her parents had owned, a very rare and one of a kind that was worth so much but could never be paid the full price. 

The moment someone helped by the rebels tried to sell it or offer it up as payment, it had been taken straight to the new king. A king who listened to the rumours over the necklace only being hidden up in a safe place only known to an Ackerman. 

Unknown to him that the spot was known by only the Ackerman and her two childhood friends who she trusted to protect it if she ever loses her life.   

She had walked the knights to the safe spot once they had arrived and accused her of being a traitor to the crown. Taken out the wooden box that held the necklace before opening it with pride, awaiting to see their shocked faces over the necklace being inside. 

But it wasn't. 

And she knew who had betrayed her only selfish thing in this cruel world. 

She never gave a name, merely allowed herself to be arrested and ordered her employers to scam and find shelter and safety elsewhere. Knowing her home would be stolen and her land attacked now she was seen as a traitor. 

She realized that the future she had once hoped for was no longer one she'd have or find happiness with. She had merely been used all along by one of the two people she had trusted most. 

She held no hate towards Armin, he had never once asked for her help. Never asked for money nor the few jewellery she owned due to being gifted it as a child by other households. He'd only send those in need of work and a home towards her and wished her a life of health as she wished the same to her smart friend. 

But Mikasa was just as loved and respected by those she had helped as her parents hand been. Many had wanted to help her and one decided to risk being a traitor themselves by rushing off towards the rebels to find a known old friend to the lady of the manor and gain help for her. 

Hence Levi, the rebels strongest man, walked out from his tent on the edge of the camp and took noticed over one of the younger but longest in staying rebel members quietly but panickily talking to a little girl. He would have assumed it was his daughter or sister if he didn't know he was as much as an orphan as half of the rebels were now. 

"Who is this child?" Levi asked once he was in close distance to be heard without any need to raise his voice. 

"She works under a dear friend of mine, sir. She's came to bring bad news" Armin answers with a sorrow look, glancing towards the blonde girl who stood with a tear stained face and an angry fire lit within her eyes. 

"What's happened?" Levi asked, growing anxious at the news brought to them. 

"Nothing to trouble you nor the rebellion, sir. It's personal" Armin hurried to explain with a grimace as he didn't mean to alert the man by accident. 

"It should trouble everyone. She's going to be hanged for a crime she didn't even commit. She's helped so many, why can't you help her?!" Louise snapped back as she glared towards her hero's best friend and knowing that he should be gathering all of the rebelling to rescue her. 

"And I will. I should have sent warning to her as soon as Eren had arrived with such a recognizable treasure" Armin replied as he looked to the girl before glancing to the side with a frown as he spoke to himself. Regretting not sending word sooner but he was so ashamed over their joint childhood friend's actions that he wasn't brave enough to tell her. 

"The necklace" Levi guessed with a small nod, remembering a night the week before where the two childhood friends were at each others throats over a necklace. The rest of the camp cheering Eren on for grabbing something so expensive but Armin had looked betrayed and disgusted over it.

Levi knew he should have cornered one of them to talk about it more privately. To understand why the closest friends within the rebellion were so against each over over a single item. It was all starting to make sense now. Eren's thievery  for the people of the kingdom has earned some nasty backlash to the wrong person. 

"It belongs to the Ackerman's. Currently belonging to Mikasa Ackerman, a childhood friend of Eren and I's. The necklace was the only item her parents had ever spend their money in a spoiling way. It was a shared wedding gift they designed themselves. Designed to show their love. It's been kept locked away for years, never worn since why it holds a high value, the Ackerman's held it as emotionally value more. Both feared it would be stolen and kept it hidden from thief's sights" Armin explained over the necklace story, a defeated expression filling his face as he talked over the one thing that the Ackerman parents had spent their money on selfishly once in their lives. 

"Eren stole something that was so easily traceable? That stupid brat is acting on impulse again" Levi hissed out as he crossed his arms over his chest tightly, knowing the man was getting out of hand if he was being so openly stupid again. 

"Mikasa has been charged as a traitor once the necklace had tried being sold. All know over the rare and one of a kind design leading back to the Ackerman's. And with it being well known to be greatly hidden, it would hint that she had willingly offered it to the rebelling" Armin weakly confessed as he stood like a kicked puppy over the terrible news involving his friend. 

"She was taken away a few hours before my arrival. She told us all to run. She feared we'd all be attacked once she was taken away and she was right. They started burning our homes and killing any who had stayed back to try and protect the manor. Please, you must find heart to help her. She's only saved us all, never betrayed those under her care" Louise cried back as she turned her attention towards Levi, knowing he was one of the few in charge and could order the rebels to help. 

"It's why you fell into an argument with Yeager the moment he showed the necklace. You knew he stole it and that it would lead to your friend being harmed" Levi assumed as he turned his attention back towards Armin, understanding the childhood friends argument a bit better now he had the facts. 

"I did. Mikasa has once loved Eren dearly and Eren had promised her a great many things during our war with the king. He's taken as much as Mikasa's been able to give him over these past few years. He's only been hurting her in my eyes. She's our friend and she's not loyal to Kenny. She's loyal to the safe heaven her parents had built on their land for the people. All those survivors we've came across and I sent away, I've sent to her and she's taken them in" Armin rambled back with a frown, eyes down casted as he spoke his true thoughts over how Eren has been treating Mikasa since they joined up as rebels. Knowing his friend has stopped seeing Mikasa as their dearest friend but as someone with money instead. 

"Return to your parents, child. We will help lady Ackerman and protect her. But she won't be pleased to hear that you've placed yourself in any danger by being linked to the rebellion" Levi sighed as he turned back to the little girl who still stood waiting to hear if they're help or not. Knowing that Lady Ackerman wouldn't be pleased if the child was punished for being near the rebels. 

"I don't have any parents. Mother starved and Father was killed for not paying the taxes. Miss Mikasa took me in, gave me a home and always kept me well fed" Louise huffed back as she glared harder towards Levi, trying to prove that Mikasa's done her better than the rebellion did. 

"She's done a lot of good deeds for this kingdom. Her help won't be forgotten or overlooked by the rebellion" Levi admitted to the girl, knowing he won't overlook the heroes hidden in the rebellion's shadows. 

"Do you promise to save her?" Louise asked, standing much taller and trying to seem more mature than she was. 

"We promise. Not head to one of the safe camps that Mikasa would have spoken over, Louise. You must do your part to not worry her by placing yourself in unneeded danger. Okay?" Armin smiled back as he kneeled towards the girl, knowing he'd at least try to save his friend. 

"Okay" Louise breathed back, giving a firm nod. 

The two young men watched as the girl ran back into the woods and were hurrying away to a safe camp where she'd be able to safely live until the crown is returned to a nicer ruler. Neither men speaking until the girl was long out of sight and those on watch on camp had passed them in their patrol. 

"Safe camps?" Levi questioned with an raised eyebrow, curious over it. 

"Mikasa had formed a few around the kingdom. She knew she won't always hold the power to protect those in the safe heaven. She also wanted to help those who were wanted by the king and his men. I've sent them her way and she's hidden them away in safe camps that even I don't hold the knowledge of the locations. We've stayed in tough by secret letters, she wishes us good health and a swift victory. Passing on news over families she's protecting and kept feed within the town, knowing a few love ones were in the rebellion and worried over them. She'd done so much from her side lines. I must leave to try and save her, she'd storm the castle for me if I was ever caught, even as a rebel" Armin ranted back with a sheepish smile as he wasn't even meant to be speaking over his friend's built safe camps. But knowing he could trust the slightly older man with the news over them at least. As well as prove that his friend has been helping the people of the kingdom all along. 

"You won't be leaving alone. We're meant to be helping those in the kingdom while trying to remove the kings crown. Not place them in danger. Miss Ackerman is titled as a traitor due to an rebels foolish act. Placing her life at risk like that is something we've never once done to any other before. I will speak to Eren over this once we rescue your friend" Levi announced as he looked out towards the woods, knowing he couldn't just leave the women to suffer when she had done the kingdom no wrong. He knew some got pulled into the middle of war but he's already tried to stop that from happening whenever he was involved. 

"No offence, sir. But I would also like the chance to speak with Eren over this matter. He's betrayed out friend and I won't forgive him for it" Armin perked up with a fire lit in his eyes, wanting to deal with his childhood friend personally after this. 

The two wasted no time in heading for the castle once they've gotten themselves ready to sneak into the castle and rescue one of the prisoners. Both sharing ideas and plans to use before deciding to just follow the flow once they've arrived as they knew the castle will be a whole new game for them.

Hiding from guards and ducking down corridors they didn't need to keep out of sight and not raise any attention. Feeling as if the castle had grown to be a maze before finally finding the dungeons. 

Both sharing a grimace at the smells and the sights left before them. 

Walking slow and quiet as they tried spotting anyone dressed as if they were born into moment. Sharing odd looks as they didn't spot anyone at first and wondered if she's either been dragged to speak to the king or had already been forced into prison rags. 

A sword pointed towards Levi chest soon caught the shorter of the two's attention, rescuing Lady Mikasa forgotten for now. 

"Drop your sword and hand over your keys.." The women ordered, prepared to take his life in needed but promising to show mercy if he complied to her demands. 

"I won't give up my sword nor do I hold any keys you'll need" Levi simply sighed as he made no effect in dropping his sword but lifting his free hand up to show no keys on his belt for her to steal. 

"Mikasa?!" Armin blurted out in shock as he got a better look at  the women threatening the rebellions best. 

"Armin?" Mikasa asked horrified to see hm down here, lowering her sword from Levi as she assumed he was no longer one of the king's men. 

"You're miss Ackerman.." Levi asked, falling quiet as he looked the women over before him. She was beautiful and clearly capable over protecting herself. But she was dressed more as a commoner than someone born into money. 

"Apologizes for not being a damsel in distress" Mikasa dryly replied as she glanced to the shorter man, unimpressed over his attitude. 

"Why aren't you in a cell?" Armin stupidly asked as he walked over to his friend, wondering why she was free to wonder as she currently was. 

"I escaped. Was hoping to start a panic by freeing as many prisoners as possible on my way out. I also started a fire on the lower floor, best we leave soon" Mikasa admitted with a small frown, knowing it was best for them to hurry and leave already. The smoke would soon fill this floor of the dungeon and the castle would soon be awoken over the smoke. 

"But we came to rescue you.." Armin mumbled back a little dishearten over not being needed to help save his friend. Feeling a bit silly just hovering around the dungeons now he wasn't needed. 

"I thank you for the rescue but never placed your life in harms way for me again. Don't be a fool, Armin. I am not worth the risk of the rebellions mind being captured" Mikasa muttered with gratitude as she walked over, concern in her eyes for her friend placing his life at risk for her as she held his cheeks in her hands. 

"I'm not their mind" Armin sulked back, looking every part the child he once was. 

"But you are a genius that has helped to save many lives. Kenny will want nothing more than to stop you" Mikasa softly says as she looks to her friend, seeing the brilliant and bright man that Kenny would take great pleasure in destroying. 

"You can scold him better once we've reached safety. The smoke is growing to this floor and we'll be left as cornered rats if we stay" Levi spoke up as he sheathed his sword, knowing such a reunion can wait until they're somewhere more safe. 

"We best be on our way. I might have lost my temper on the guards below us" Mikasa sheepishly said as he started pushing her friend towards the staircase, knowing it was best if they leave now. 

"Oh no" Armin breathed out with pure dread, remembering how Mikasa dealt with the bullies on days she lost her temper. 

"I wish to hear more over what she's done to the guards.. but escaping must be done first" Levi perked up, his interest caught before he suddenly turned serious as he could hear alarmed calls coming from elsewhere. 

The three hurried to make their escape and left by foot even after smacking a few horses to run free. Knowing the soldiers would follow the horses tracks and not think over the prisoner and her two rescuers going away by foot. 

Levi left a little smitten and in awe over the few soldiers Mikasa fought with, her ability with a sword was almost as skilled as his own. He knew with more practice that she might even surpass him and he actually encouraged her to do so. 

It also didn't go unnoticed by Armin as he watched the other two share a few bit of banter during their escape nor the fond looks they shared between one another. A spark has clearly been lit between them and Armin looked forward to watching to grow into it's own roaring flame one day that not even the strongest of winds could blow out.  

It wasn't until they were safely walking among the woods that held the rebellions main camp, it stood much smaller than any other but it was the first ever rebellion camp, kept small to be kept unfound. But as they walked, Levi finally offered Mikasa a chance to stay, in his own way. 

"Would you be willing to join the rebellion?" Levi

"My land is currently being burned as we speak and most of the people I was meant to have protected are in hiding. So, I do indeed have some free time on my hands" Mikasa 

"You'll love the rebellion, Mikasa. It's as great as we thought it would be. Most days, at least. We are doing good for the people of the kingdom. And Kenny sees us as a threat to his crown too. The smell in camp, isn't as pleasant though. I'd really cherish you more if you're able to plant some flowers outside certain members tents to freshen them up for us naturally" Armin

"Might be hard without any seeds to plant, Armin" Mikasa

"Just ask Jean, he'll give and do anything for you. Trust me. I had to snatch away the portrait over the three of us in our childhood from him at some point" Armin 

"Is he the one that gained a nosebleed when I first met him?" Mikasa 

"Knew you'd remember him" Armin grinned back with a playful wink sent her way. 

"I best give him a proper rejection so he can move on and find someone more worthy of his love" Mikasa 

"I thought she held no link to the rebels?" Levi

"Jean got a little lost on his way to finding the rebellion. He ended up at the Ackerman land instead after hearing rumours over it. He thought that what I did for the people was linked to the rebellion. Thankfully I sent word to Armin who was able to collect him during the night" Mikasa 

"He was a love sick fool the first time he laid eyes on, Mikasa. Don't blame him, most stare at her like a meal when first meeting her. She's gotten her mothers rare looks after all. But she'll always be just Mikasa to me. A women who terrifies me as much as she's my safe space" Armin 

"That's sweet of your to say" Mikasa huffed back to her friend, fondly rolling her eyes at him. 

*************************************

A/N: This is as far as I've gotten with it. The eremika was never meant to be a long focused, just hinted that she had given everything to Eren when she had loved him and realized she lost her love for him once she was stolen from. 

Than the second half was meant to show Levi and Mikasa falling in love as she grows to be apart of the rebellion and stands as one of their power houses within the rebellion like Levi is. The two teaming up more, even for jobs that don't really need them both. 

The pair falling in love and finding happiness after getting Princess Historia on the thrown and defeated Kenny. Mikasa moving towards her happy ending with Levi, both working on rebuilding and repairing the Ackerman home. Getting the people their jobs back and finding peace together. 

But I was doing this story as I've been struggling to sleep and now I'm getting to the point where I'm starting to lose the love I first held for the idea. Thought it was best to show as much as I've done and maybe return in the future.