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Summary: Trinity felt out of place in Erudite. Noah felt at home in Erudite but it wasn't where his heart lay. Trinity and Noah are more alike than they ever realize and less like their mother then they realized. Their mother was close to overthrowing Jeanne Matthews after betting her IQ score and taking unethical things Jeanne has been doing to Candor and Abnegation leaders. But Erudite isn't what either of the twins want. They are going to burn their old life to the ground and raise from the ashes….
"From The Ashes"
Chapter 1 "Maverick By Nature"
I was born in and raised Erudite. My mother was only sixteen when she had my twin brother and I. My mother was a young Erudite, who got curious about sex and had unprotected sex and got pregnant. I never knew who my father was but mom told me that he died before I was born. She also said that he was an Erudite but maybe that's a lie. Don't ask how that would have happened because I don't know. But now my mother was a doctor. She has started to challenge the Erudite leadership because she knew she could win if she tried.
Our home was different from most Erudite homes. Our home wasn't all logic there was also religion, spirituality and traditions. Our mother taught us about many different religions but she believed that knowing other religions allows us to understand others. But like every other Erudite home we studied a lot. My favorite thing to learn about was psychology, biology and human anatomy. I learned human anatomy because my mother taught me acupuncture and often talks about work and things she sees at work. She believed a clear mind came from a healthy, happy body. So Tai Chi was also part of our daily life, it's a martial art that helps with stress and teaches self-defense, to be honest I don't really understands but it helps with stress. Our mother also used it to teach us self-discipline and self-control mostly.
I feft like home and school were the same thing pretty much. I had psychology, faction history, human anatomy, literature & language, sociology, advanced math and a wellbeing class. Most sixteen year olds stops taking gym but I stayed in because I quite enjoy it. Gasp. I know an Erudite that likes gym.
Despite Noah and I being twins weren't anything alike. According to studies fraternal twins are no more alike then normal siblings. Noah loved to show-off while I was happier be modest. Noah loved to debate, I rather not. Noah fallowed the rules set out for us, I didn't. I wasn't just personality that made us different. Noah was tall and thin. I was average all around. Noah had unruly dark brown hair, small dark brown eyes and porcelain-like skin. I had blonde hair, blue eyes and warm fair skin. People ask if we are dating when we are together, we both get insulted then gag. It used to make us really mad now we make a joke out of it. I must apparently look like my father because Noah looks just like my mother.
My mother hasn't been around much lately. She's been too busy gathering facts and figures for overthrowing Jeanine Matthews. She's has already beaten Jeanine's IQ results but she wanted more than to just overthrow Matthews. My mother hates Jeannie. Calls her many choice names at the dinner table. Don't get me wrong Jeannie is intelligent just like the mad scientist way. My mother says there is a very fine line between genius and insane and that Jeanne crossed it. She's also using the original Erudite manifesto on her side because she says Jeanne is using her intelligent for her own gain.
The first thing my brother and I learned was the manifesto. We can say it word for word on command now. Memorize, repeat, correct, repeat, and then start all over again. The thing is no one can pull a fast one on me that way. I know what is exactly in the manifesto.
We submit the following statements as truth:
'Ignorance' is defined not as stupidity but as lack of knowledge. Lack of knowledge inevitably leads to lack of understanding.
Lack of understanding leads to a disconnect among people with differences.
Disconnection among people with differences leads to conflict.
Knowledge is the only logical solution to the problem of conflict.
Therefore, we propose that in order to eliminate conflict, we must eliminate the disconnect among those with differences by correcting the lack of understanding that arises from ignorance with knowledge.
The areas in which people must be educated are:
1. Sociology
So that the individual understands how society at large functions.
2. Psychology
So that the individual understands how a person functions within that society.
2. Mathematics
So that the individual is prepared for further study in science, engineering, medicine, and technology.
3. Science
So that the individual better understands how the world operates. So that the individual's study in other areas is supplemented. So that as many individuals as possible area prepared to enter the fields devoted to innovation and progress.
4. Communication
So that the individual knows how to speak and write clearly and effectively.
5. History
So that the individual understands the mistakes and successes that have led us to this point. So that the individual learns to emulate those successes and avoid those mistakes.
Leaders must not be chosen based on charisma, popularity, or ease of communication, all of which are misleading and have little to do with the efficacy of a political leader. An objective standard must be used in order to determine who is best fit to lead. That standard will be an intelligence test, administered to all adults when the present leader reaches fifty-five or begins to decline is function in a demonstrable way.
Those who, after rigorous studying, do not meet a minimum intelligence requirement will be exiled from the faction so they can be made useful. This is not an act of elitism but rather one of practicality: Those who are not intelligent enough to engage in the roles assigned to us—roles that require a considerable mental capacity—are better suited to menial work than to faction work. Menial work is required for the survival of society, and is therefore just as important as faction work.
Information must always be made available to all faction members at all times. The withholding of information is punishable by reprimand, imprisonment, and, eventually, exile. Every question that can be answered must be answered or at least engaged. Illogical thought processes must be challenged when they arise. Wrong answers must be corrected. Correct answers must be affirmed. If an answer to a question is unclear, it must be put to debate. All debates require evidence. Any controversial thought or idea must be supplemented by evidence in order to reduce the potential for conflict.
Intelligence must be used for the benefit, and not to the detriment, of society. Those who use intelligence for their own personal gain or to the detriment of others have not properly borne the responsibility of their gift, and are not welcome in our faction.
It bears repeating: Intelligence is a gift, not a right. It must not be wielded not as a weapon but as a tool for the betterment of others.
Today is the day of my aptitude test. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I loved my mother, don't get me wrong, but I don't really belong in Erudite. There is too much pressure and expectations of me academically in Erudite. I'm not really that book smart outside of psychology and sciences, like human anatomy and biology. People don't understand why I am spiritual, it's illogical, or why I am physically active, mind before body. When someone isn't understood they feel as if they are on the outside of society.
I sat among the other Erudite students. They are all reading books. I'm not, I don't like to read textbooks I rather read literature. I love literature I can escape into worlds of adventure, heartbreak, friendship, and a connection to higher being that is in whatever story whether it be the Christian god, many gods or some sort of spiritual being. This type of creativity is frowned upon in Erudite. Noah on the other hand is reading a sociology textbook. BORING.
Noah and I get called up at the same time. I accidently step on his huge feet making him knock into some Candor kids. They say some sly remarks. As we walk away I did something that surprised even me. I turned around and flipped off after one boy called my brother some not very nice times.
"You have a really big mouth, better close it before you catch flies," I retorted to the Candor boy loudly. As I walk awake I can feel the group of Candor boys' eyes on me, on my backside particularly. I can see anger in Noah's face. I grin, Noah is about to explode. Noah is usually very calm but when get gets angry, he gets really angry.
"Take your perverted eyes off my sister!" boomed Noah. His face red with anger. I try to keep a straight face. The Candor boys recoil. Noah clenches his fist. I actually thought he was going to punch them but then Noah pull me in front of him and kept on walking. Yeah, so Noah's a bit over-protective. Half the time it's just the two of us and since we don't have a dad someone has to play the protector role.
Noah and I turn into a hallway and burst into laughter. The person leading us looked at us as if we were insane. Maybe we were. Would an insane person know if they were insane? No idea. Probably not.
"That look on their faces was priceless" said Noah pulling himself together. I'm still laughing like a fool.
"It was fun. But God Noah no need to get so protective," I reply. Nothing more, nothing less. Noah rolls his eyes. I walk into room five and Noah into room four. There had been at least ten groups before us, I was surprised this two rooms were open. I suppose that people were starting to finish up now though.
The wall of mirrors don't bother me. I do notice how strange I look. I had my mother's round face, average height and hourglass build but besides that I don't look like my mother. I have high cheekbones, a small nose and had some muscle tone, mostly in my legs and arms. My skin was medium fair, Noah says it looks like I have a light golden tan all the time. My honey blonde hair reached the middle of my back. My eyes are bright blue. It was strange to compare myself to my mother like that. I knew I wasn't my mother. I knew I was my own person.
I noticed a Dauntless woman. Mid-thirties I suppose maybe a bit younger or older. She has dark small angular eyes. She reminds me of my mother in that aspect. She has straight black hair streaked with gray if you look close enough.
I notice a walk with red eyes on the back of her neck.
"Are you going to stand there all day?" asked the woman a tad irritably. I glare at her. If I wanted to be talked to like that I would have stayed outside with the Candors.
"Hmm maybe I will just take my time now," I said sing-songy. I lazily walk over. I see the woman's frown smirk for a second, the corner of her eyes crinkled slightly.
"Erudites," said the woman rolling her eyes. I shrugged. I was quite bit different from the others.
"Hey don't clump me with all the rest of the nerds. I'm not like that," I reply. I sit down in the chair without me asked. I batted my eyelashes innocently. I should be nervous or creep out by the white room and the dentist like chair but I'm not.
"I can see that," said the woman. She started attaching the electrodes to me.
"I'm Tori," introduced the woman. Tori was a cool name. I wonder if it is short for something. I don't ask.
"Trinity," I replied. I hold back the urge to tell this woman everything. Where was that from? I usually don't trust people.
"Interesting tattoo," I said. I was trying to distract myself from the wires. They made me nervous.
"Observant. It's a hawk," said Tori.
"Symbolizes the sun and connection with one's spirit," I interrupt. I know a lot about symbols. They were important to my mother.
"My mother has a dragon tattoo on her back. She told me it symbolizes strength, wisdom, and cunning. She got it when she fourteen," I said. Everything has a meaning.
"Drink this," said Tori. I took the vile of clear liquid, I know what it is already. My eyes soon felt heavy and I dosed off.
I'm in the school cafeteria again. I notice it feels cold. Something is nagging me to pay attention to detail but I ignore it. I see a knife and piece of cheese.
"Choose," said a woman's voice. I am torn at first. A knife is a usefully tool but cheese is familiar. I do the logical thing I take the knife.
I hear a growling dog. I look at the dog. The red eyes. The mouth foaming. This dog was rabid. It didn't take a genius to figure that one out, not when you grow up in Amity. I remember that with an aggressive dog it is best to submit. But this wasn't aggressive but rabid. I take the knife in my hand twisting it hand. I had no choice. The dog lunged. I swung the knife but missed. The dog bite my shin and calf. I scream out. I swing again. The dog backed off.
A little girl in a white dress appears out of nowhere. I'm confused as of where she came. I didn't have much time to question it.
"PUPPY!" she cries. The dog prepares to launch then does. The little girl runs. The dog tensed and then launched. My heart began beat faster. I leapt up chasing after the dog and the little girl. I pulled all the power I could from my legs and darted. I had only seconds before the dog attacked the girl. I launched myself at the dog. I swung the knife. I hit the dog this time. I swung as second time and third time. The third time was a life ending hit. I didn't want to animal to suffer more than I had already caused.
The next thing I knew I was in a bus. The dog was gone. The girl was gone. What the heck? This isn't real, is it? A man next to me is reading the newspaper. I may as well go along with it.
"Do you know this guy?" asked the man. I look over at the paper to read "Brutal Murder Apprehended". Lovely, everyone just loves to hear about a murderer. I look at the picture of the man and then to the man talking to me. I realize it is the same man. Shit, I'm in trouble. I just know it.
"Well do you?" asked the man angrily.
"Yes, that man is you," I tell him. Soon there a gun to my head. I don't flinch. I call the man's bluff. I already had a plan in my head. He pushes me towards the door and opens it.
"Jump," ordered the man. I realizes I still had the knife. Why didn't I realize that before? Just before it looked like I was going to jump I yank my arms away and thrust my elbow into his solar plexus. I broke free. I went for the knee. The first way I could think of that would immobilize him.
Then I woke up back in the testing room. The bright lights making my eyes hurt. My stomach started to twist in painful, unusual ways. The room began to sway and swirl. This was awful.
"Stay sitting. I'll be right back. For once this isn't going to be a lie," said Tori mumbling towards the end.
I lean back in the chair trying not move. Even closing my eyes made me sick. I tried not to cry but I was panicking. Why was I sick? What was my results?
An Erudite man came back in Tori. It looked like Alexander Franks, a doctor that works with my mother. Well, a distorted version. At least, I could hear right. I couldn't see right but at least I wasn't visually and audible impaired at the moment.
"She'll stabilize in a few minutes. She might have an intolerance to serum. It's happened in some of the case studies. It's nothing to worry about," said Alexander. That calmed me slightly but the world was still very freaky.
"Her test results were Erudite," told Tori. The look on Tori's face told me she was holding back something. Maybe it's just my vision.
Knock. Knock. Knock. A woman stuck her head into the room.
"Sorry to disturb you but we have a medical emergency in room four," said the lady. Room four. Noah. Was he having the same problem? I tried to sit up more but Tori pushed me back down.
"Let me guess, the other part of the duo," said Alexander.
"Results?" asked Alexander as he left.
"Er-," I heard the woman say before the door shut.
"Stay there, don't make me strap you down," said Tori. I nodded. I just stared up at the ceiling until everything started to become still.
I sat up in the chair more. I didn't get up though. I didn't trust myself not to fall. Everything started to clear up. Thank God for that. That was horrible to experience.
"You are hiding something," I said. I wanted to know all of the truth. This test would help me choose tomorrow.
"You mustn't tell anyone this," said Tori. I nodded. Oh dear? This isn't good.
"Um okay," I said.
"Your test were inconclusive," said Tori.
Divergent. The first thing that comes to mind. I know a lot of about them. My mother is fascinated by them. She thinks they could be valuable to society. The way they think she admires and knows that it would better society. Bad idea to tell mom, I'd become a test dummy.
"Usually each simulating eliminates one faction. But in your case it only eliminated two," said Tori. Oh joy. But some reason I'm not surprised.
"Oh," I said. Filling in the space. I wanted to know more.
"By choosing the knife that eliminates Amity and by attacking the man rules out Abnegation. Well, the simulation should have progressed in a linear fashion, but well I had to change it because you skipped the Candor simulation because you became aware it wasn't real," said Tori.
"So I'm a freak of nature," I blurt out. Tori rolls her eyes. I know that isn't true but I say it anyways.
"This is our problem. My choosing the knife, attacking the dog and killing the dog showed aptitude for Dauntless. By telling the truth on the bus you show an aptitude for Candor and by recognizing the man you show an aptitude for Erudite and by attacking the man you show an aptitude for Dauntless. Interesting mix," said Tori.
"So I'm a Candor, Erudite and Dauntless Divergent," I sighed. I was in so much danger.
"I don't have to tell you how dangerous it is," said Tori. She didn't. I knew very well.
"Things will be different soon. Erudite leadership is changing. If you restore one faction the others will follow," I told Tori. This is treason what I'm doing. But I do it anyways.
"Matthews is planning a war on Amdegation and is going to use Dauntless. There is a mind control like serum. My mother found out by accident. She's challenging Matthews. Her IQ test came back higher so technically my mom is already the new leader but she's talking to Abnegation and Candor to get Matthews in jail for treason to the city," I whispered to Tori. I can least say if I die that I tried to warn others.
"You must be careful. If what you are saying is true things are going to change very quickly. Whatever you choose it will be a challenge," said Tori. I started to get up. I felt weak in the knees. I stumble a bit but managed to find my footing.
"You're free to go," said Tori. I pushed the door open. I tremble as I enter the hallway. I find Noah standing there looking just as nervous and torn. I don't ask. Too dangerous to do at the school. Noah and I walk together without a word.
We live in a very tall apartment complex on the twentieth floor. It's a very large apartment. We have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room and study. The living room and the kitchen are the first rooms you encounter and they are very well-light because of the wall of windows, creates an amazing view of the street below and the inner city. We eat leftovers for dinner. Mother is late coming home as usual. Noah reads textbooks and I secretly read a literature book called the 'Chronicles of Narnia', if anyone caught me I'd say I was reading it to study religion. How did I get Candor?
"How was your test?" I ask. Taking a huge risk and breaking several rules. I had a feeling Noah's went like mine.
NOAH'S POV
The word Divergent was burned in my mind, like a tattoo. I had never imagined myself being a Divergent. I never thought about it. I couldn't believe how sick I got after the simulation either. Trinity doesn't say anything but I can tell she got sick too. She could barely walk when we met the hallway.
Tomorrow, was my worst enemy at that moment. What would happen if Trin and I choose different factions? Who would be there to protect her from guys like those Candor boys? She doesn't realize how beautiful she is and how perverted boys are. I want to wrap myself in a hug around my sister and never let her go. She means the world to me. I mean most of the time it's just the two of us. Mom is always busy and we never knew dad. Which brings up a totally different topic. Mom says our dad died but I doubt it, I think he is alive somewhere in a different faction or in the mass of the factionless. So having no dad meant I had to protect my sister. If didn't, no one did. I also have a theory that not having a father or a father figure has a huge effect on both boys and girls.
I was also worried about what I was going to do. Where did I belong? I didn't know. I don't think anyone does at sixteen. They say the brain does fully develop until twenty-one years of age. That should be when we choose our faction. But whatever that's not my choice.
Trin asks me the dreaded question. She's taking a huge risk by asking and I can see it in her eyes that she knows it. She's also nervous. What was her test results? No, I couldn't ask. But I wanted to know.
"Erudite," I said giving one third of the truth. Erudite, Candor and Amdegation. Fun stuff, right. I could be Amdegation but I'm not sure I'd be happy. I could be a Candor I think. But Erudite is what I've grown up with.
"You?" I asked. Trin hesitates. I wonder for a second if she too is a Divergent. No, that's impossible, right? I hope not. Isn't bad enough for one of us in extreme danger but both of us? I don't care that my life is at risk but I can't even fathom Trin's life being in danger too. This is a nightmare.
"Erudite," Trin replied. Almost too quickly. She is hiding something.
"It doesn't matter what you choose I'm still your brother," I said. A small, nervous smile creeps across Trin's face. She has the most amazing smile. She could light up the world with that smile of hers. The same thing about her laugh, you cannot be mad or sad around her when she is laughing.
"Thanks. I feel the same way. This is so hard," said Trin. I could hear the pain and worry in her voice. I wished I could take it all away from her. But I can't. It's impossible.
I looked over at the clock. It was nearing nine thirty. We should get to bed. Tomorrow was a big day. I instantly pushed away the thought of tomorrow. I wouldn't sleep if I thought about tomorrow. I cursed my life at that moment.
"Trin, we need to go to bed," I told her. Trin nodded. She didn't fight it because she looked exhausted.
Our bedrooms are across from each other. Both painted blue with full sized bed with blue bedding, a closet, a nightstand, a bookshelf, a desk, and an alarm clock. Both of our rooms are equally messy. Trin's was an organized mess, she always knew where to find what she was looking for me. Me not so much. As soon as I hit my bed I was out.
It was super late, I didn't look at my clock because I didn't want to know. I heard my door creek open. I open my eyes. Even in the dark room I can still make out my sister. I move over in my bed. I know she is nervous when she comes into my room in the middle of the night. We've always been this close. I don't know what I'll do if she chooses a different faction than me. She joined me in my bed, not in that we you perverted freaks. She snuggles into my chest. I have no choice but to wrap my arms around her. I could tell from her shaky breathing that she has been crying. That forced me to become more aware.
"Don't cry," I whispered. I hated it when she tried. It was the worst sound in the world. Woman crying in general bothers me, let alone my sister. Woman shouldn't have to suffer. Maybe I felt this way because I grew up with two woman in my life at home.
"I'm scared," Trin admitted. Her voice trembled. Why was she so scared?
"It will be okay," I said trying to reassure her. Even if I didn't know if that was true or not.
"I need to tell you something but you can't tell a soul," said Trin, her voice trembling with what I could read was fear. No. No. She couldn't be. Don't let it be.
"I promise," I said. I would lie for her if I had to. She's the only person in the world I'd lie for. She means too much for me not to protect her.
"I'm a Divergent. I'm Erudite, Dauntless and Candor," said Trin. My heart stops. No, this can't be happening. This wasn't fair. She was in danger. I was in danger. I couldn't protect her because I'm in the same amount of danger. I go from denial, to anger, to fear in a matter of seconds. Is this what a girl feel like on the period? Focus, Noah, focus man.
"Well isn't that dandy. So am I. Erudite, Candor and Abnegation," I told Trin. No one says a word for a long time.
"I love you," whispered Trin. Her breathing calmed and she fell asleep in my arms.
"I love you too," I whispered back even though she was asleep.
I wished life could have stayed in that moment forever. Innocent, free, young, and happy. But nothing lasts forever.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading. I really hope you enjoy this story. Let me know if I missed any mistakes, I'm very sure I caught them all but you never know. Please review, I love feedback. So what do you guys think Noah and Trinity will choose? I'll probably put up a poll up. There will be several polls with story. One for factions and the next for parings.
