Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent
Chapter Eight
"You bastard," I snarl.
"I'll inform you that I'm completely legitimate," he mocks me.
I have to restrain myself from attacking him. Could this be counted as treason? I hope so. Probably not though as Eric would have made up an excuse for that back when Tobias and he were rivals.
"Eric?" I ask in a tight voice.
"Sorry Zero, it's legal. Full members have the right to challenge a leader," he informs me with regret.
"Anything else?" I ask when I see his solemn face.
"If they win, they take leadership."
A gasp from the crowd enlightens me. Apparently it wasn't a very well-known rule. I bring my hands together, cracking the knuckles and then rolling my neck.
"Well then. I'm just going to have to beat the shit out of both of them, aren't I?" I smirk grimly.
"Why so cocky… Zero?" Peter leers at me, "I've gotten better since initiation, you know."
"Wait, you were in initiation together?" Javier butts in.
"Yes. And I beat him badly. So why on earth he thinks that he can beat me, I don't know," I sneer.
"Jeez, Zero, now you look like me," Eric mutters.
"Shut up, Eric," I command.
"Yes Ma'am," he murmurs. I can almost see his hand twitching to jump into a salute!
"Anyway… Peter. I'm not the prodigy for nothing. You seriously think I would just stop practicing my skills? Or that I'd forget them? Ha, fat chance there," I snort, "And as far as I can remember… I came first. What did you come? Oh yeah. Second. Cause I beat you. Remember that?"
Peter snarls, contorting his face gruesomely. I step towards him aggressively, hissing.
"Would the competitors please take to their corners!" Eric's voice cuts in.
Just as Eric finishes speaking, the doors burst open with a crash. I glance over, doubling when I see Tobias there. I'd totally forgotten that he'd gone to get a muffin.
"Four!" I gasp.
"I guess I made it," he grins.
"Just in time," I mutter.
"Uh, Zero? One question. Why is Peter in the ring?"
"Oh, he challenged me." I say offhandedly.
"Ah, Okay. Beat the stuffing out of him then."
"I'll be sure to," I grin savagely.
His eyes widen before he yells, "Behind you!"
I spin round, ducking a roundhouse kick. With a snarl, I launch myself at him. I hold my strength back, suppressing my speed as well. With them repressed, I am at less than half my best. I contain my dark chuckles when a full out smirk slides on to Peter's face. The absolute idiot! Did he really think I'd go full out immediately?
"No offense, Zero, but you do seem a little – how'd you put it? – Ah, Rusty."
"Well then, Pete – can I call you that? I don't care, I'm your leader I can do the fuck I want. You're dumber than I thought."
He snarls at the nickname, "Don't call me that! You won't be leader for much longer."
"That, my dear Pete, is where you're wrong," I leer viciously.
With those last words, I attack. I strike like a snake, blindingly fast kicks assaulted him before drawing back just as fast. After a few, I stop and draw back to the edge. Red marks show the forming of bruises. His arms, huddled in in an attempt to protect himself relax. He comes out of his huddle and glares at me.
"That's what I get for going easy on you, I suppose," he states, analysing the forming bruises.
"Peter, Peter, Peter. We both know you just can't accept that you're worse than me," I mock him.
"Or is it the other way round?" he sneers.
I don't think I've ever been so… angry. Of course, that's not the real word for it. I don't think there is one. It's like every piece of frustration ever inflicted upon me has been built up, hiding like a volcano about to erupt. In the past, it's cooled down, just like the beginning rumblings of an earthquake that die down immediately.
My face smooths out as I breathe in deeply. I stand there, almost in meditation. A wave of something, something so serene runs through me. Could it be peace? I don't think I've ever felt that before. So odd, to think I'm at war with myself so often that I've never even felt calm.
A snarl comes from in front of me. Previously, before… this, I would have sprung away. I would have been wary, have focused immediately on the threat. Not now though.
It's almost as if I can feel him. The slightest vibrations of the air. The rapid beating of his heart. I don't think I can though. How would I know? I've never been in this position, never had the experience.
I open my eyes in the nick of time. A fist, clenched tightly, is rushing towards me. I tilt my head to the side, missing it by millimetres. The next move, for the shifting of his foot indicates it, will be aimed at my abdomen. I sway backwards.
Peter's wide eyes stare at me, full of emotion – mostly negative.
"Not possible!" he growls.
"Well, Peter, it is with me," I smirk.
The unknown emotion inside of me recedes. It's still there, I can feel it… it's just not dictating me anymore. I can feel the anger again. And it feels right.
"Honestly, you idiot, it's like you're an initiate again," I chuckle, "Still falling for the same tricks too."
"What tricks – "he says immediately. I sweep my legs under him, knocking Peter off his feet.
"That trick."
"Ha!" he laughs in my face, "you think that'd finish me off?"
"No, Peter," I shake my head as if dealing with a particularly troublesome child, "I thought that this would." I say as I launch myself into a difficult sequence of hits. Aiming all over the body, they are angled to make lasting bruises.
After a while, I stop and step back. For the first time in a while, I register the crowd around me. I completely forgot they were there. As I regard my opponent, I come to the conclusion that I may have gone slightly overboard.
"Yeah," I wince as blood starts pooling around him, "Bit over the top."
"Zero!" Tobias runs up to me, "Are you okay?"
"Yep, Four. The prick didn't land a hit on me," I laugh off his worry.
"Alright! And the winner of this fight is Zero, Dauntless prodigy and leader!" Eric yells through the microphone. The crowds raise a mighty cheer at the statement. I whoop and jump on Tobias' back.
"Go, horsey, go!" I shout in reminisce of last night.
"Sir, yes Sir!" he calls. I am paraded around the ring, pumping my hands up into the air.
"Remaining as a leader!" I scream out to the crowds.
Hellooooooo
Sorry :( Another week... Thanks to I believe in nargles too for being amazing!
Technically, niki, it is WITHIN a week :) So... can I have chocolate and cookies?
Personally, I think you guys are lucky. I nearly left it on another cliffie! Phew... Sorry for the late update but I'm experiencing writer's block...
Thanks for all the amazing reviews, and keep being amazing!
MG
