Author's Note: This may contain some elements of an alternate universe as some characters from the books will appear while others will not. Most of the characters will be made up for the sake of the story. Choosing Day occurs at the age of 18 as well. Eric and Four are 2 years older than the main characters. Tris initiation class has been altered when it comes to characters.

I don't own anything of Divergent.

PROLOGUE

After the events of Divergent

The attack on Abnegation was stopped. Jeanine and Max were sentenced to execution. However, faction relations are strained out of fear for another attack on their sovereignty. Divergents are no longer hunted, yet they do not pose any important role in the development of their factions. Initiations will begin once again, but how will the factions repair the damaged lineage? Will Dauntless be able to restore the glory of their faction or remain a disappointment in the face of justice?

"Darcy, you left this at my place last night." I toss his jacket once his eyes glance at me.

He grins and presses a button to pause the computer screen. "Thank you, darling. Why are you up so early?"

I scoot to nearby seat and cross on my legs on top the control counter. "Harrison called me for a meeting. It probably has to do with my job."

"Don't be modest, Cora." He playfully smacks my arm. "You are getting that leadership position. Recently, the leaders had a meeting and –"

"Look at you eavesdropping," I turn to him, raising an eyebrow. "Anyway, you are looking at a leadership trainee."

"What?! Congrats, Cora." He pulls his arm around me and squeezes. "We have to celebrate, you know."

I stand up and nod at him, smiling. "Everything in due to time, young one." I make my way to the door and call out, "I'll see you at lunch."

The Dauntless compound is empty for the most part. The halls, once booming with laughter and transit, are deserted. These moments are rare, but nonetheless pretty. It lets my mind wander instead of having to be on alert. Harrison's office stands near the busy Pit that is piling with Dauntless members slowly.

"Cora," Harrison beams as he stacks some papers and folders, "just on the clock as always."

I take a seat, look at him expectantly. "So, am I beginning leadership training anytime soon?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. Dauntless has been going through a…rough time I should say." His eyes gaze out the small opening on the door and then glance back at me. "We are need of repairing faction relations and the initiate program. Your training will focus primarily on those two aspects and as a result of that, you will be shadowing Eric."

It is like Harrison said I am pregnant because my body stiffens at the name. "Out of all people, Eric is the best option?"

"That is his job, Cora. He is the best fit for your growth as leader." Harrison counters and throws himself on his office chair. "I know he is difficult at times, but Eric has always measure up when it comes to Dauntless."

After the whole Erudite fiasco and their plot against Abnegation, Eric handle the ugly effects with a high head. He spent a few months out of Dauntless while Harrison tried to stitch the broken pieces left from the situation. From what I heard, Eric was not accomplice entirely -it was solemnly Jeanine and Max's hole.

"I know. He is always a step ahead." I press my lips into a line and let out a sigh. "He does good work."

"You mean exceptional work," Eric intervenes while sliding through the door.

I scowl at him, crossing my arms. "But he is exceptionally arrogant and that doesn't sit with me."

Harrison eyes both of us intently and breaks into a smile. "Dauntless' strength comes from unity, so I cannot have any scattered leadership." His tone falls flat. "I suggest you both remember that for the next months."

10 months ago…

"Cora and Candie," his cold voice thunders around the training room, "in the ring now."

I let my breath out, my eyes looking at Candie's smug face. It is my second fight and I am ill prepared. I place my fists out front, one foot back and the other in front slanted. Candie strikes at me fiercely, the blow cutting the air like a sword. She continues to throw random punches, hoping they land on me. My foot connects to her stomach and manages to throw her off balance. I go for a punch and although it catches her, her nails tear into my skin and pulls me down with her.

I see a faint light for a second and then Four's face above mine.

He helps me out off the mat.

"Cora, let me see." Darcy takes my arms, his fingers gently holding them still. "You should get this patched up."

My lip stings, left eye throbs, and the rib area seems a little off. I steal a glance at our trainers and hurry to the infirmary. Sloane, the medical aid, cleans me up easily.

"Look at the bright side," he says after I wince at the alcohol pressed on my skin. "Your first time was worst, Cora."

"So, that means I am getting better?" I lazily chuckle and close my eyes to bear the ache of my body.

"Pretty soon, you'll be cracking skulls. At least you can add "can take a beating" to your special attributes." Sloane laughs and disposes of his gloves. "Now, go back up there."

As I walk through the hallways, a smile surfaces. Although I am worried about failing initiation, I try not to let it get to my head. It has only been two weeks so far. There is still room for improvement and that is coming from a former Candor.

"Where were you, initiate?" My smile disappears as Eric stands before me, arms crossed.

"I went to the infirmary."

His eyes study me, pausing at each bruise on my body. "You barely have any bruises or cuts."

"Well," I walk pass him and he follows. "Nothing wrong with being certain. Are we still at the training room?" I look over my shoulder slightly and Eric glares at me, unresponsive.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Ask for permission next time."

Present

Lunch is served and loud chatter fills the giant room. Darcy and Usha sit with me, occasionally cracking a joke while speaking about their jobs.

"Mind you, this guy shows up hungover to the store and falls on the floor, face flat." Usha chokes on her water, cheeks all red. "It sounds so cruel, but it made my day."

I snort. "It's not getting any better since there is a little fiesta tonight."

"You know what that means, babes." Usha wiggles her eyebrows. "Besides, we have something to celebrate." She and Darcy shoot me a flirty glance.

"Come on, guys. Keep this low key for a while." I wink and finish my water. "I am just a trainee."

Darcy throws his arm around me. "Your secret is save with us, darling. Consider tonight your induction to a new life."

A figure looms over us, clearing their throat. Darcy's arm drops and stares at Eric while Usha lightly kicks me from beneath the table. I shoot her a look, then turn to my mentor. "Hi Eric," my tone flat and expectantly.

"We need to talk," his eyes linger on my friends, "privately."

"I'll catch you guys later."

We make our way out from corridors, the thundering chattering still invading the halls. I dare to glance at him as we walk. He looks different. His blonde hair is slightly longer, ruffed as if he brushed it with his hands. The stubble on his chin is noticeable, something that I never saw during initiation. His eyes, though cold as always, seem tired.

"How has your day been?" I break the silence.

He snorts. "Is this your attempt at being friends?"

"Wow, that's interesting. Anyway, my day has gone swell. I met my new mentor for leadership and so, I'm definitely celebrating tonight." I flash him a smile.

"He must be such an unlucky guy." He murmurs as we go up the stairs to the apartment area.

I run up the steps quickly, leaning against the rail until Eric graces me with his presence. "So, what is the plan for us?"

"You?" He stops right in front of me. "You stay out of my way." He breaks into a smirk when a scowl surfaces. "Kidding. I am sure you are aware of the delicate task we have of rebuilding Dauntless. So, that means we will be taking field trips to the different factions and you will also assist with the planning for the next initiation class."

"Sounds motivating to say the least." I reply and walk away from him. "Do you mind if we stop by my apartment?"

It wasn't a request and Eric knows this.

I reach for my keycard and the door slides ajar. The sunlight kisses my face as I shrug off the jacket, placing it on the table chair. Eric lingers outside, his eyes peeking from each angle. How very Erudite.

"You can come in." I call out indolently, adding. "If you want."

He smirks, letting himself fall on the sofa. "You decorated this place." He

"Well, I do live here." He eyes the mini bookshelf on the corner, straining to see the titles briefly. "Tomorrow, Harrison mentioned something about heading to Abnegation."

"And Erudite," Eric adds, his hands nestled on the back of his head. "We have to schedule a faction summit and collect simulation serums."

"Do you think we'll still have initiates this year?" I glance at him while I serve myself some water. "Do you want a glass too?"

He shakes his head. "We'll always receive some regardless if it is a large or small group. Our main objective is to ensure that the faction representatives show up to discuss the future of this society."

"Where did you go for these past months?" I ask evenly.

"For probation. I spent time assisting Candor with the investigation of Erudite and I had my own community service to complete." He leaves it at that and I don't ask anymore. "Cora, this affair of restoring faction relations will be difficult. I need you to be on top of your game."

I nod. Eric was indeed tiresome. Sometimes I think it is since the Dauntless he had grown to love changed like a rug pulled from his feet. I had no doubt that he had been forced to do things that he is not proud of. "You don't have to worry, Eric. Things will get better."

He doesn't reply, just gazes out the window.

12 months ago…

I pull my white blazer tighter as I enter the testing center. Father had said the test would determine my fate. He used to speak a lot about fate like an oracle. Our house always had shelves of books ranging from fantasy to nonfiction. My readings dealt with the world prior to the war -the universe where people had the free will to explore their fate, not base it upon a test.

The Dauntless lady injects the serum and I wake up in a lone room where each scenario confuses me, igniting a quick and spontaneous reaction from within.

"What was that?" I jolt back into the chair, my heart hammering in my chest. Her face is full of surprise, not the happy kind.

"Your results were inconclusive." She grimaces, pressing buttons on the tablet expertly. "You need to go now. Speak of this to no one."

"What are you talking about? The test was supposed to tell me what I am."

Her eyes flash towards the door until she grasps my arm. "You tested for three factions: Dauntless, Abnegation, and Candor. It is called divergent."

My mouth dries and the room feels colder now.

I don't belong in one category.

Present

The Pit looks beautiful tonight. It is not rowdy, but rather smoothly boisterous with hums of the music causing a calm and blue ambiance. The rave lights are all light blue and smoke fills the corners, moving up the ceiling eerily. They knew I was coming.

Usha, Darcy, and Julien sit in our usual booth. I order the drinks as they laugh marvel at Julien's new tattoo -a tribal pattern that goes from shoulder to wrist in spirals. "It did not hurt as much as I thought it would. The sensitive skin was the underarm area though."

"I think it looks very nice, Juls." She snuggles close to him, leaning her head on his shoulder on the Dauntless-born. "I really like this atmosphere of the Pit tonight."

"Relaxing, right?" I muse, enjoying the jazz rhythms echoing around. "If only, they had more nights like this one."

Darcy smiles at the waitress that brings us our drinks and turns back to me. "You know, this is all Reb's doing. He organized the whole getup and playlist. I guess he still enjoys the Amity vibe occasionally."

"How sweet of Reb," Usha gleams, sipping her drink. "He was always soft spoken in the fields. He even used to play the saxophone back at Amity."

"He has a killer right jab, so soft he is not." Julien adds, snickering.

"I think we need this more often in times like these. People don't talk about it much, but Dauntless is severely suffering from the scandals." Darcy laments, sighing.

I pat his shoulder. "Darcs, we will rise up again. I know it. Tomorrow that is exactly what I will be handling."

Darcy squeezes my hand in response and glances at the approaching figure from the corner. "Hey, Four."

Our former trainer greets us warmly. Tris, his lover, follows along behind him with a glass in her hand. "Hey guys, fancy to see you here."

"We can say the same." I scoot over for her to sit. "How's interning at Erudite going?"

"It is marvelous." She sings gleefully. "I am learning how serums are made and assisting in the development of medicine. Soon, we will have some incredible things for the infirmary."

"Whoa, you're learning that stuff?" Usha's eyes widen as she leans forward competing with the music. "That sounds so exciting! Most of my job's excitement are the weird habits customers have."

After the scandal, Tris was sent to Erudite as a way of tying the loose ends and working with the new Erudite leader by the name of Kalen. Harrison considered her a fit since she alerted the other council leaders and stood by her values. A Divergent at her best.

I finish my drink, the alcohol settling me in a state of tranquility. I yawn, only to have Darcy's fingers snap. "Someone's tired."

I chuckle, nodding. "Sue me! I woke up early today."

It doesn't take long before I call it a night. "Cora, wait up!"

Four breathes as he reaches me out in the hall. "Good luck out there tomorrow."

Shower. Read. Sleep. The night routine uninterrupted.

What did you guys think? I am trying to experiment with the use of flashbacks in the story to gradually reveal details and character information instead of just summarizing the entire thing. Constructive criticism encouraged.