Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent, any of the characters or any of the dialogue that comes directly from the text.

It's been a while but I hope a few of you are still out there! I know it's a bit slow in regards to Eric X Tris but like I've said, I'm trying to keep them as in character as I can while still managing a different outcome than the book.

Chapter 5

The training room is already buzzing as I make my way inside. I hang by the door and try to assess the initiates. I am looking forward to seeing what these transfer are made of. I've seen the dauntless born fight and with their years of training I have no doubt that their skill levels will far exceed the skill levels of those currently in front of me.

Four is standing facing the board which shows who will be matched up for today's fights. I scan it quickly and notice that the space next to the Stiff's name is blank. With an odd number of transfers remaining I'm not surprised that someone will be spared from today's activities but I wonder briefly why Four has chosen to spare her in particular.

"Since there are an odd number of you, one of you won't be fighting today," says Four, stepping away from the board and looking briefly at the Stiff. I watch her face as the realization that she won't be fighting dawns on her. A fleeting look of relief flits across her face and I find myself disappointed by it. But who can blame her I guess? She IS very scrawny and there's no way she has ever been in a fight before. It's natural to be relieved that you've avoided getting your ass kicked.

Still, after watching her during shooting practice I was looking forward to seeing what she had to offer during hand to hand combat.

I turn my attention to Will, the blonde Erudite transfer and Al, the large Candor transfer. My money is on the Candor boy, he may have looked pretty pathetic the night I walked them back to their dormitory, but he is large, taller than the Erudite boy by at least half a foot, and that puts him at a natural advantage.

The fight starts as the two boys put their hands up by their faces and shuffle in a circle around each other. Al manages the first hit, punching Will hard in the jaw. I can't help but smirk as Will stumbles to the side bringing one hand to his face while blocking Al's next punch with the other. Al is slow, but powerful something I hadn't anticipated. Will hooks a foot around one of Al's legs and yanks back, knocking Al to the ground. Al scrambles to his feet. They face each other and begin to circle again. I see them both look over at Four and I am bored. Do they not understand that they are supposed to fight each other? Sure they've both gotten a lick in, but come on.

I look down at my watch wondering how much longer they are going to pussyfoot around before finally getting in the game.

"Do you think this is a leisure activity? Should we brake for naptime? Fight each other," I shout, losing my patience.

"But...is it scored or something? When does the fight end?" Al asks, dropping his hands.

"It ends when one of you is unable to continue," I say. Or does ANYTHING at all. Jesus, they've each made one move. Do they think they have proven anything with this nonsense?

I look over at Four as he opens his mouth and I can already tell he's about to piss me off. "According to Dauntless rules," he says, "one of you could also concede."

I narrow my eyes at him, yup, I knew whatever he was going to say would be irritating. "According to the old rules," I say. "In the new rules, no one concedes."

"I brave man acknowledges the strength of others," Four throws back.

"A brave man never surrenders." I stare him down for a moment, reminding him that I rank above him and hold the authority here.

What do these kids think is going to happen if they end up in a real fight? Do they think if they just throw their hands up and say "I acknowledge your strength" the other person is just going to say "thank you" and walk away? No, they are either going to step up and stand their ground or they are going to get their asses beat regardless of whether or not they try to concede.

"This is ridiculous," Al says, shaking his sweat covered 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?" Will asks, grinning. "Go on, Try to hit me slowpoke."

Will puts his hands up again. I see determination in Will's eyes that wasn't there before. Finally. Let's do this thing boys.

Al tries a punch, and Will ducks. He dodges another punch, slipping around Al and kicking him hard in the back. Al lurches forward and turns. He charges at Will, grabbing his arm so he can't slip away, and punches him hard in the jaw. The larger boy's eyes roll back in his head, and all the tension leaves his body as he crumples to the floor.

So I was wrong, the Candor boy has more fight in him than I expected. Interesting. Let's see who else manages to impress me.

"Get him up," I say curling my lip. "Next up—Molly and Christina!" I shout as Al drags Will's body out of the arena.

I can't help but sneak a peek at Tris as Christina makes her way to the arena. She looks nervous. I watch as she wipes her palms on her pants and try to decipher the look of concentration on her face. What is going on in that head of hers? Since her arrival she has shown bravery and resolve. While her size leads me to believe she would lose this fight, I don't think she would go down without giving it everything she has – as little as that would likely prove to be.

I snap my attention back to the arena when I hear a loud grasp. Evidently, the small Candor girl has managed to kick the much larger girl in the side. Without warning, Molly dives at Christina's midsection hitting her hard, knocking her down and pinning her to the ground.

The girls are already proving to be much more aggressive…and more entertaining.

I continue to watch with interest as the larger Candor girl punches wildly at the smaller girl's head. Christina manages to move out of the way a few times before Molly finally lands a punch straight to the middle of her face. Blood runs down the side of Christina's face and splatters on the ground next to her cheek. I consider calling the fight and crowning Molly the victor but Christina suddenly screams and punches Molly in the ear, knocking her off-balance and wriggling herself free.

I'm impressed. I really didn't think she had it in her. My eyes follower her as she crawls away from the larger girl and I realize she is crying. I can't help but roll my eyes. There is nothing I hate more than crying. And crying in the middle of a fight? Come on! Pull it together.

Molly is on her again, kicking her side, sending her onto her back. I watch to see how she will retaliate, considering ending the fight once more.

"Stop!" wails Christina as Molly pulls her foot back to kick again. She holds out a hand. "Stop! I'm…" She coughs. "I'm done."

Why did she have to do that? Did she not hear me explain the new rules? The fight ends when one of them falls unconscious…or I decide it's time to stop. They both put up a good fight and with the amount Christina's blood on the floor I think it's fair to say Molly won this one. But if I let this go…well then I show them weakness. If I let this go…my authority could be questioned.

God damnit.

I walk slowly towards the center of the arena and stand over Christina with my arms folded. I look at her and say, barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry, what did you say? You're done?"

I watch as the girl pushes herself to her knees. When she takes her hand from the ground, it leaves a red handprint behind. That's right, get up I will her. Change your mind and keep going. Don't make me do something I'll regret.

But instead of getting up she simply pinches her nose and nods at me. I sigh internally. I can't let this slide. These initiates need to learn to respect me. I'm grateful in this moment that Four has left the arena allowing me to avoid his inevitable objections.

"Get up," I say quietly before grabbing the girls arm, yanking her to her feet and dragging towards the door. I know what I have to do to nip this in the bud.

"Follow me," I say to the rest of the group.

In the back of my mind I wonder what Tris will think of what is about to happen. But I quickly dismiss that thought. Why should I care what she thinks of me?

Thank you for reading! As always, any feedback is welcomed! 3

-MWB