Hello lovelies! This is Chapter 9, well most of it, Four leaves about 3/4 of the way through, so I didn't get to write the ending where Christina hangs off of the wall :(
Well enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Divergent trilogy or any of the characters
"Since there are an odd number of you, one of you won't be fighting today." I step aside, allowing all of the initiates to see who they're fighting. I look in dismay at Tris, who's slot is blank.
"This isn't good." Christina speaks my mind. She nudges Tris. Tris winces at Christina's sharp elbow. She groans. "Sorry. But look. I'm up against the Tank." Tris frowns.
"The tank?" She squints at the board, searching for Christina's name.
"Yeah, Peter's slightly more feminine-looking minion." My eyes immediately shift towards Molly. She really does look like Peter, but she has Christina's body type and size, which is most likely why they were paired up. "Those three"—I notice Christina point at Peter, Drew, and Molly—"have been inseparable since they crawled out of the womb, practically. I hate them." I resist the urge to laugh.
My eyes are drawn back to the fight at hand. Will and Al stand on the square, hands up. I paired the two up to test Will, because everyone can clearly see that Al is a good 6 inches taller and everything about him just screams large and scary. I listen slightly as Christina tells Tris about Peter and his friends, but really I'm more focused on Will. Al just punched him in the jaw, and it looks like he isn't taking it too well. I notice Tris wince and Eric smirks. I roll my eyes softly and turn back to the fight. Will hooks his foot around Al's shin, and pulls Al to the ground. Al leaps back up. I see Christina wave towards the other Candors and she flashes them an over-happy smile. Tris mumbles something under her breath and Christina responds so loud I can't help but hear it.
"I like to think I'm helping them by hating them. I'm reminding them that they aren't God's gift to humankind." I smile softly, my back turned to the two girls. Will flicks his hair and turns to me, like he's waiting for me to do something, but I don't. I just stand there, arms crossed, waiting for someone to do something. I hear Eric sigh sarcastically behind me as he makes the animated motion of checking his watch. He circles around the square and begins to shout.
"Do you think this is a leisure activity? Should we break for nap-time? Fight each other!" His voice drips with sarcasm.
"But…" Al looks up, nervously. "Is it scored or something? When does the fight end?"
"It ends when one of you is unable to fight," says Eric, still looking annoyed. I take this as my time to enter.
"According to Dauntless rules, one of you could also concede." I look at Al hintingly.
Eric turns to me, his eyes narrowed. "According to the old rules. In the new rules, no one concedes."
I sigh. "A brave man acknowledges the strength of others."
"A brave man never surrenders."
I stare at Eric for a few seconds. He returns my glare. We are the two models of what can become of a Dauntless. I'm the one who knows when to walk away. He's just ruthless. I shoot a fast, sidelong glance at Tris, and I see she feels the same thing. I look back at Eric, and stand down. After all, he is a leader. I'm just a trainer.
"This is ridiculous." Al shakes his head. "What's the point of beating him up? We're in the same faction!"
"Oh, you think it's going to be that easy? Go on. Try to hit me, slowpoke." I look in admiration at Will. It takes guts to stand up to someone that much bigger than you. He looks so determined, and I almost root for him in my mind. But there is absolutely no chance he can beat Al. One well-aimed blow for Al and he's knocked out. That would be the case, if Al was able to land that one blow. Will continues to dodge Al's punches. Al roars, turning around. Al punches Will, hard in the jaw, and Will's green eyes roll back in his head as he passes out. Al's face goes back to it's old cuddly-teddy-bear look as he crouches next to Will. He continuously taps Will's cheek, trying to get him to wake up. Will's eyes open, and he blinks, clearly dazed.
"Get him up." Eric greedily stares at Will's body. I get up, trying to avoid the tension, and I circle Al's name in tribute of his victory. "Next up—Molly and Christina!" Eric shouts as All pulls Will out of the square. I support Will by the waist and walk him out of the room, leaving everyone in Eric's uncomfortable care.