I know, I know... What's wrong with me for posting two chapters in such a short time? I'm proud. And I really should do stuff for University. And that's the reason for the updates. I'm a master at procrastination. :D

Anyways, as always thanks to Lyn for betaing, mileyismyhorse and Fire Kitty 12 for reviewing and Hotarubia for being awesome and helping me write this chapter.

And here it is. Enjoy!

FOUR POV

This Choosing Ceremony is the first one that I've attended ever since my very own. I would have been contented by staying away from it for the rest of my life. Why? Because all of the leaders from every factions are here- including Marcus. And I've seen far more of Marcus than I would have liked ever since I became a leader. That is the exact reason why I've never wanted to become a leader anyway. But who am I to complain about that? If I have to meet Marcus every once in a while, Tris has to be with him every single day and face god knows what from Marcus.

I'm sitting in the black mass that is Dauntless and gaze down at Johanna Reyes. She is also the person who conducted my very own Choosing Ceremony. And even like this I hate seeing Marcus from across the room. When I see him, I still feel so weak and helpless. I've never been able to grow out of that fear despite the countless times I've tried to fight it in my fear landscape. He still gives me that feeling just by seeing him smirk like he used to. It makes me feel as if everything which is happening to my sisters and I are so wrong and I can do nothing to fix it. The powers are all in his hands.

I can see Tris sitting beside him. Of course she wouldn't miss this ceremony, even if it means she has to sit next to Marcus through the whole ordeal. She is such a strong person. She always have been. Not only has she lost both her parents, but she also has always been Marcus's favourite victim. I have no idea how she can stand a life with Marcus. Every day, I still wish that I could have welcomed her down by the net three years ago. Because of her stay with Marcus, she has changed. The only good part about it is that it has made her stronger, fiercer and I'm very proud of what she has accomplished despite everything. I have a high and deep respect for her.

Liz has changed as well. She's more matured and determined. I hate to see her grow up too fast. She should have had a really pleasant childhood. Instead, she got abused and had to watch her brother abandon her and her sister sacrificing herself. Who wouldn't be permanently affected by that?

Right now, she is sitting very upright and is surrounded by a determined air. So I guess she has come to a decision. I can only guess at this point. I'd love to have her with me and I meant every single word I said to her yesterday. Still I'm aware that Dauntless is a place where no one would exactly wish his baby sister to transfer to—well, maybe except for the Dauntless borns or if her brother is a man like Marcus.

I know that this year, I have to keep my distance from the initiation and the initiates if Liz is transferring to Dauntless since II am sure that I won't be able to hold back my 'protective brother' attitude if she is there. I'll still help her wherever I can, but there isn't much that I can do.

I force myself to turn around and look elsewhere. I can't just stare towards Abnegation throughout the whole ceremony. Here, I am Four, the Dauntless leader. Not Tobias the former Abnegation and big brother. Faction before blood…

Some 16 year olds are already staring at me and they are also starting to giggle because I am looking at them. I send them a brief glare so that they can leave me in peace again. When I refocus on the ceremony, I notice that I missed a whole lot part of it since I was lost in my own thoughts. There were already a few initiates who have gone up the stage, deciding where to spend the rest of their lives in. Zeke is actually here with me. He always loves to come here, to cheer for the future Dauntless and to ride on the train with the initiates. We sit next to each other, but he leaves me alone. That's why I'm such good friends with him – he knows when I need my own piece of time.

I nearly forgot that he was sitting next to me, so I jump a little when he hollers and cheers for a black-clad boy who seems vaguely familiar. While I muse where I might know him from, he makes his way back over to Dauntless again, only this time as an initiate.

There are no outrageous choices. Some Candor and some Erudite transfers to Dauntless and some switching between Amity and Abnegation. Nothing out of the order. I don't really pay attention to the individuals. I'm only thinking about Liz and the consequences of her choice, whatever that might be. Dauntless and Abnegation might have some equal ideals, but that's where the similarities end. It's hard to imagine my little baby sister, who was merely 11 when I left her, to be amongst those loud, obnoxious, daring and stupidly brave Dauntless. There surely will be some bad consequences on Tris though- when aren't there any? Marcus will find fault in everything.

I'm worried about initiation. It's hard and rough and no one will give Liz a special treatment just because she have had a tough childhood or because she is my sister. The latter might only result in much higher expectations and standards for her.

"Elizabeth Eaton!" Calls out Johanna Reyes.

Liz walks confidently onto the stage with her chin held high. She reminds me of Tris—small but very sure of herself. A sudden wave of realisation washes through me. How could I even for one second really doubt her? She is strong—almost like Tris, but definitely much stronger than I am. I should never forget that. After all, she was abandoned by her own brother, had to watch her sister face so much hell and had to face Marcus's demons since she was very, very small.

I curl my hands into fists as I watch Liz slowly and deliberately cutting her palm. She looks back once, to meet Tris' eye, then she inhales deeply and walks over to the left side of the stage. The side where both the Abnegation bowl and the Dauntless bowl are situated. As she raises her hand, I hold my breath. It leaves me with a rush when I hear the sizzling sound of blood hitting the coals. Zeke nudges me with his elbow and sends a smile towards me. Then he stands up with the rest of Dauntless to greet the most recent transfer. Recovering from my shock of happiness, I get up as well and feel a smile spreading over my face. Liz is going to be with me! We're going to be together again! I join in the cheers and claps with all my heart. For now I just indulge in the knowledge that Liz will be near me and far away from Marcus.

While I sit down again, I lock eyes with Tris and we smile to each other. Liz is safe for now and that's what's most important to the both of us.

Still, the familiar sense of foreboding settles in my stomach again when I catch a glimpse of Marcus' face; he isn't pleased. Not at all. I fear for Tris. I still don't know what is really going on, but I have to get her out of there soon. It kills me to watch Tris from a distance, when she is so cold and sort of apart from the world. She knows very well how to hide it, but I can see right through it. And what I see is terrifying. Yet, I have no idea how to help her. I'm trying to gather some information and get a hang on what's going on. I thought that would be easier if I was a leader, so one day I walked straight into Max's office and told him that I reconsidered and accept the position as a leader. He was surprised, but pleased and never asked any more questions, which was fine by me.

The truth is, it didn't help me much. I get to see Tris more often, yes, but the gathering of information is still as impossible as before. I sometimes see Max and Eric having private discussions and meetings which seemed suspicious, but even searching their offices haven't brought much light to the mystery. There is some stuff here and there, but I can't build a bigger picture and that's driving me insane.

I'm broken out of my reverie once more by the whooping and hollering of my faction. Apparently, the Ceremony is over and it's time to leave. Everyone gets up and storms down the stairs. I wish I could just let go for once and let the spirit that surrounds me affects me. But I'm still too deep in thought; and I have an appearance to keep.

I leave the hall as the last one and arrive at the train tracks just as the train does. I'd love to make sure that Liz is alright, but I have to remind myself to keep the distance. No favoritism. So I just get into the first cart, together with Zeke, Lauren and Shauna and some other Dauntless members. Zeke and Shauna moves into a corner of their own and I know better than to disturb them now. Instead, I just lean against the wall and enjoy the wind blowing at my face. I feel someone next to me and turn to look at who it is. Lauren.

"Strange not to be waiting at the bottom of the net anymore, right?" Lauren quit being an instructor when I did. Now she's working at the fence and we only see each other occasionally. She's just having a day off and decided to spend it at the Choosing Ceremony.

"Yes, it is." I answer, not really in the mood for small talks right now. Lauren seems to get the hint because she is silent afterwards and just leans there next to me.

When it comes to the jumping part, I mentally curse myself for agreeing to go to the ceremony. I'm still very much afraid of heights and originally swore never to set foot onto this damned roof anymore.

With a small sigh I steel myself and tell myself to just ignore it. I jump and make it safely to the roof. Everything else would have been an embarrassment for any leader of this faction.

I watch the initiates getting off the train and search for Liz. When I see her jumping I briefly hold my breath, but she makes it. She falls and has probably scraped her elbow, but she is safe and alive and not factionless. That's all that counts.

With that in mind, I make my way over to the ledge and welcome everyone to Dauntless. I'm doing my best to keep up the Four-mask, but it nearly falls every time I look at my little sister.

With this patch, like with every other patch, shock registers when I tell them to jump off the building. To be honest, I can't really blame them. Only one face stays more or less the same – Liz'. Of course, I have told her everything about initiation there is to know.

She steps forward when I ask who wants to jump first. I keep my face blank, but internally I am glowing with pride. I wink at her when she passes me and ask her a quick "are you alright?". She winks back and nods and then purposefully goes to the ledge and jumps without further ado.

I hear someone whistle behind me and I can't help myself from glaring at the boy.

This is going to be interesting…

Sooooo, I hope you liked it! I wrote it till late in the night, so if it seems off at times, there you have your reason. I'm sorry for that.

xx