As you guys know I own nothing except new characters and events so in turn I make no money from writing.
There was only one day left until the attack, I was taking out one of the upper levels, I had my own group, in it was Marlene, Peter, Fiona, and Brock who was now dressed in Dauntless clothes instead of Abnegation, with four factionless men whose name I don't know. I was a little upset Tris wasn't in my group, neither was Christina so I would be worried about my friends the whole time. Peter knew the building so he was good to have. Where we were headed Jeanine would be so there would be a mass of Dauntless Traitors.
I didn't want destruction and mayhem rained down on Erudite. Well, technology is supposed to make life better. No matter what you believe, there's a technology out there for you. And when all was said and done Cara was going to lead Erudite into a new world, one without greed and the hunger for power.
I walked from Tobias' room Tris was snuggled into my brother. My feet not making any noise as I walked down the stairs the house was packed, but at least they kept their voices low. "Good morning Ava," Evelyn smiled.
"Morning." I give a nod before walking into the kitchen taking a seat at the table alone. I poured water from the pitcher taking small sips, I dressed in black pants with a short black T-shirt my long hair tied back. "Hello Ava," I sighed.
"Hello Edward," I smile, I wonder who made all these inventive eye patches for him. "So how are you?" he smiled back I could tell his hand was inching closer to mine.
"I am well Edward. How are you?" I ask him grabbing my cup with the hand he was trying to grasp. His face never changed but I noticed he didn't move his hand either, he would try again.
"Can we make this official?" he said. I looked to him "Excuse me Edward?" I can't fathom what he is suggesting.
"You and I, together," he laughs.
"No," it comes from the door way, a calm but menacing voice we both turn seeing Tobias his arms crossed over his chest with Tris at his elbow. "You can't make that choice for her Four." Edward stood from the table in a manner that depicted he would try and fight Tobias, a grave mistake.
"I can and as you just see I have. Leave Ava alone, I rather her not have a relationship with you Edward." Tobias had this smile on his face it was neither warm nor welcoming.
"I have to meet Marlene," I say "I have to meet with Will and Lynn, we are in the same group," Tris says with that we leave the men scowling at each other.
"He is relentless," she laughed as we parted ways I was meeting Marlene and Fiona, who once had Brock back wasn't such a bitch. I wasn't surprised to see him and Peter waiting with the girls when I arrived.
"Sorry, ran into a problem," I said "Did it have one eye?" Peter asked I gave him a look "Yes," I sighed.
"Alright, we will have the restricted level. Our target is a known Matthews's supporter, correct Peter?" I look to him "Yeah," was all he said.
"We will have heavy fire, once they know we have infiltrated the Erudite building. Plus we will have to watch our backs with our factionless companions, we have no clue when they will turn on us. I want you on my right Marlene and you on my left Peter, Fiona and Brock you well as a team cover our front and back, one set of eyes in both directions."
"I got you covered Ava," Marlene smiled I knew she would be worried for Uriah but our heads would only be in the game, until the end.
"I figure if they look to be turning on us we will have to dispose of them," Fiona says her eyes fierce as I gave a nod "Agreed," I sigh.
"Get sleep, because I need you to bring your best tomorrow. Dauntless has a few rough days ahead of us, as you all know Tris and Chris have spread the word. We know the Dauntless that remain are faithful to us," they all gave a nod, even Peter this was his ticket back into Dauntless.
It was at least good seeing Brock back in Dauntless, he couldn't do Abnegation but he knew he wasn't allowed to come back. But we bent that rule this once, we have lost much in the span of weeks. Marlene heads off in all likely hood to see if Uriah is done with his group "How are you feeling?" Peter asks as we walk up the street.
"I am well, thank you. Just doing all I can to make sure our world survives. How are you doing? I can't imagine being here is comfortable for you," I smile looking at him sideways, his lips pull up.
"I'm adjusting, but hopefully it won't be long before we are back in Dauntless. Even though I'll only get to guard the gate from large beasts, I rather that. I mean hey I still have a lot to make up for,"
"You do, but it's not an impossible feat to change, even for you Peter." I saw Tris, Will and Christina heading our way. "I just want to say I won't turn on you. I know Four thinks I will, but I won't," then he walked away his fist stuffed into his pockets.
"Are you Okay?" Tris says but I give her a look "I'm fine, he was assuring me I could count on him to not turn on me tomorrow," I smiled as we walked the streets "So I have good news at least," Christina turned walking backwards our eyes on hers.
"Well tell us, the suspense is enthralling," my voice sounds tired and sarcastic "Come on tell us Chris," Tris says from next to me.
"Will asked me to marry him, after we are settled back into Dauntless," I screamed hugging her with Tris whose scream was much shriller than mine. The sight must have been odd three girls hugging in the middle of the road, all crying and screaming.
"Congratulations," Tris wiped a tear away "Yeah, you guys belong together." I added they really did, I admired the love they had it was young but it was made of steel, it would last. We stopped next to Tobias "Come to help?" we looked at each other before starting to help the small group finish the cleanup. Even since we have been in Abnegation I haven't been back to the spot, to the spot I shot Eric changing my fate, I knew then I could have pretended to be controlled or ran but I chose to save Tris and Four. I was tired now as it was done, Tobias held his hand out for Tris, Will was hugging a smiling Christina as I slipped away.
"Couldn't take it?" it was Peter "It's not that, they all deserve to be happy. But when they notice I am there I see it in their eyes, not pity but sympathy I guess. But I am fine," I say he is leaned against the house he is staying in.
"You will be fine, I don't think I have met anyone as tough as you. Well Eric, seems to be made of nails, deadly nails. But come in," he moved to the side as I walked in, this would be the last place they would look. I just needed a small break, I was happy, happy for them all but tomorrow was a whole other game entirely.
I sat on the small sofa "What do you think about the factionless?" I asked "They will turn, your mother wants full government control and with them she has the force to take it. She will take Candor and Amity, only she will not spare a single Amity she seems to hold a long grudge with Johanna. I have also heard she will let Edward kill Tris if the opportunity arises." He wasn't joking, I was reading him, his body language everything he was lying.
"Well I'll warn Tris, but it might be safer if I take out Edward before we leave." I mused.
"He's with six other men, he's her favorite lackey. Tobias is a toy, she knows how to press his buttons, and I mean I have to give it to her. Using her mother status against her own children, with you it just doesn't seem to stick,"
"I don't consider her my mother, that roll belongs to Johanna. I will have to deal with Edward, he will be closer to my group, and Tris is with Tobias tomorrow. But I say we take it a step at a time," I lean my head back looking up at the ceiling.
"I am sorry Ava, one day I will say the same to the Stiff. I was jealous at first with just you, you seemed to be a natural. Then she was getting better, I saw you training her, then in our second stage, I didn't stand a chance I have sixteen fears. I think I knew Eric liked you from the start but he wasn't afraid to punish you either,"
"All's forgiven, but with Tris you have a lot more to make up for you didn't try and kill me. I won't lie there was something between Eric and I since I first came to Dauntless, but it was weeks before he acted on it."
"But I better go or they might come looking and think you have done something horrible to me," I laughed getting up, a little dizzy but we walked out together and headed up the street.
"I was looking for you," Tris ran up her face red "I'm fine, I was talking to Peter."
"Oh, hello Peter," she nodded "Tris," he did the same, he didn't call her Stiff, it was a small improvement.
"Come on you can join us, we started a fire." Tris offered Peter who looked nervous but did join us after all. He sat close to Tris and me. Will and Christina next to Tris, Marlene and Uriah next to me as Lynn was messing with Zeke and Shauna. The sun was gone and I knew the next time I saw it, it would mean the battle has begun.
Even as I lay in bed a few hours later with Tris, I knew I would see him tomorrow, I just hoped he didn't try and kill me. "Are you scared?' I heard in the dark.
"To a point I am, I mean we are invading Erudite, Eric and all the Dauntless traitors are there. There is a lot to be worried about,"
"Agreed," I felt her hand in mine it always felt calmer, a low sound was heard as the door opened and shut. "I think Edward is planning something," Tobias said.
"He is, Peter over heard and came and talked to me it's why I was missing for a few hours today. Evelyn has given her permission for Edward to take out Tris, you will have to watch her tomorrow Tobias," I say low hearing the growl trying to escape his chest as the bed dipped.
"I was going to take him out myself, but he has been surrounded," I yawned "I will take care of it, Tris don't worry," I knew he was touching her head. "I'm still here," I snapped.
"Kind of hard to forget when we are holding hands Ava," Tris laughed a little but you could tell she was worried. But we fell asleep, I was tired…well I was always tired now.
I was awake, Tris and Tobias as well today was the day it was going to happen. I sat with Tris as Tobias went to the bathroom "We will be okay," Tris said her hand placed over mine.
"Yes we will be," I smiled back I stood I was four weeks as of today, my clothes were set out on the chair. I turned seeing Tris undressed, I pulled on Lynn's contrast leather zipper pants with a black bra as Tobias walked in. "I will meet you ladies downstairs,"
"We should be down in a few minutes," Tris touched the side of his face he smiled kissing her forehead before he walked out leaving us alone to dress. I shook my head as I pulled on the black ruched side long sleeve crop top, sitting to pull my socks and boots on.
"Watch your back today Tris," I said "You too, I will have Tobias since we are headed to the control room. You're taking out a key Erudite," I sighed standing up sliding the dagger into the holder on my thigh, looking at her.
"I will be fine, I have Marlene and Fiona to watch my back. I know my team will have heavy fire, but we should manage," I brushed my long wavy hair before pulling it into a ponytail keeping it from my face.
"Come on," Tris says.
We walk out our feet making little noise on the stairs, and for once the house is empty other than our friends. I looked at each one Will, Chris, Uriah, Lynn, Marlene, Tobias, and Peter all sat eating as we walked in.
"We leave soon," Tobias said handing us cans of something, I sighed sitting on the arm of the sofa eating Peaches. The room was silent "This is nerve racking, all the quite. We are heading into battle, and we just sit here being all melodramatic about it," Chris said standing up looking at us.
"Well it doesn't seem so silent now," I smile at her but the door opens and Evelyn walks in with her band of misfits, Edward walks next to her.
"I am glad you're all ready, my children can we speak for a few moments?" she smiled Tobias gives me a look, urging me to get up.
We face her in the kitchen "Once this is all over you both will be much happier. I know you will understand why I have done all this," she smiled reaching to touch my cheek, I moved back.
"Avalon, please. I gave you a top ranking position today, you get to take vengeance on the men and women who used you, tested on you. Tobias you will secure the control room," he gives a nod because it was time.
I walked out Tris was hugging Chris, I hugged Lynn "See you after the battle," this was our goodbye, we walked with our group so I wouldn't be with my friends, well not all of them.
Uriah hugged me so tight "Please make sure Marlene is okay, I nearly lost her once," I closed my eyes seeing Marlene hanging off the building only her hair in my hand saved her.
"I will Uriah, I will do everything in my power to," he hugged me again "Time to march," I sighed grabbing Tris and Chris, Will was talking to Uriah now. We hugged all three of us, remembering the first time we meet holding hands leaping off the train together.
"Be safe," I whispered as Will came hugging us.
It was a nice day out once the sunlight hit us "Here," Peter passed me the gun, I held it as we walked. Fiona, Brock, and five factionless walked with us, we had a little ways to go, but as we walked time was slipping by.
"Remember our plan," I whisper to my friends Peter was at my left with Marlene to my right, Brock and Fiona covering my front and back. The factionless with us milled around us, I didn't like it. Tobias and Tris's group is pretty close, Chris, Will, Uriah, and Lynn are further back.
Tris looks back and smiles, I smile back before she faces the front, we have to move over a hill, and large slab of fallen building. Peter held my elbow when I nearly fell over a rusted iron beam.
The Erudite building is close, we head south towards the marsh. We started to move away from other groups, we all had key targets and obstacles to go after. "Good luck" Tobias kissed my forehead, and Tori touched my shoulder as my group passed theirs.
"To you as well," I say but I don't look at Tris now, or any of my friends to think they might not make it out alive.
"Stay low, we will move up this side before making our way into the building. We will draw heavy fire, be ready," I say we move together, we are going through a side door as a group goes through the front they will unlock this in the next minute.
"This is taking too long, I told Eve letting you guys help was a mistake," an older factionless man said.
"This is coming from a man who couldn't pass his initiation into his chosen faction." Fiona smirked as he turned on her his gun up, I moved mine was now pressed against his head.
I gave a nod as my friends each held theirs up to the other factionless, who jump to his aid "I was wondering how long until you turned on us, I guess we just eliminate the threat we seek Justice before peace. I won't risk our lives having you five milling around," I pulled the trigger, dropping one hearing gunfire clear as day next to me, now we have five factionless dead as the door unlocks.
"Ready," I say as I open the door my gun out seeing it had already began "Staircase, now," I call seeing Dauntless traitors fighting their once friends. Brock gave us cover as we kicked in the door running up the staircase, he was behind us now as we made our way up. Slow and steady but we met no resistance as we made our way up each flight of stairs.
I peeked out the window seeing them starting to move Jeanine, I saw Jeb it was now or never even as two females took Jeanine to wherever, I came for another.
"Marlene and Peter cover me," I say loud enough as we swing the door open, I fired in rapid secession with my friends.
Jeanine looked at me right before she was pulled out of the way, a cold fury was seen in her eyes "It failed," I called out with a smirk.
The lab wasn't destroyed but it was damaged, we raided through it making our way to section A. But now we are under heavy fire, I duck behind the wall "Well this is fun," Marlene smiled firing.
"Indeed it is," I laughed peeking around the wall seeing Jeb, his gun aimed near me, I winked firing behind him but he turned and started firing on the Erudite with him "Ava, move," he called as I ran staying low.
"Thanks Jeb,"
"He is here, near the control room," he said as we made our way to Sector A, a man was sitting alone in the chair when we walked in.
"I knew you come for me, the death serum has been destroyed and all traces of it gone. David was lacking knowledge when he gave us this, now let me tell you something. I never wanted this, but I went with it none the less. Eric destroyed the facility on the Fringe, beyond the gate. He did what I asked going against his mother, my wife. David was evil and he was going to wipe all our memories and start over. But now after this all who are left can rebuild make a better world, for my family,"
Oh god, Eric's father. I give a look to Peter he was here for some time "He isn't bad Ava, but he would have been killed if he defected," Peter said his gun lowered as Jeb agreed.
"Fine, Marlene take him to Dauntless headcounters. Cover her, watch him until I arrive, tell Shauna I sent you."
Marlene gave me a look but understood she couldn't defy me "Come on sir," she said "you will be under fire, watch yourself,' Fiona said as we watched them take his father and run.
"Let's go, we killed him," I said making our way down the corridor, I have walked these before "Left," Peter says as I fire seeing another body falling, this was unnecessary.
I turned a corner seeing two dauntless traitors holding Tobias his arms held firmly. Two male Erudite's with a gun held up could be seen, but I wouldn't be able to hit them with the glass blocking them. A door opened and Eric could be seen as the gun fired, I screamed running but I would never make it, but I had to try as another female scream was heard.
But I fired hitting the men holding Tobias once I was close enough, I turned seeing Tris going feral on the man holding the gun, a dagger was in his neck as she screamed, kicking the other in the chest as Peter fired. Brock and Fiona covered us. Tobias his eyes wide looking down, now I dropped to my knees sobbing, uncontrollable and erratic, Eric was laying in front of Tobias a small pool of blood around him his eyes open. I crawled to him as Tobias and the rest cleared the hall, I was on my knees next to Eric, who was pale but smiling at me.
"Hello love, you can't stay here you need to move," he grabbed my hand "Not without you Eric, you saved my brother. I can't lose you, please," I felt Tris her arms around me.
"I love you Ava, I think from the minute I saw you jumping from the train in the bright yellow, I was in love. Just be happy, I made so many miscalculated choices, then I met you and the time to change them was gone. I wronged you and for that I will always be sorry, I still don't like four but I couldn't let you lose him. I want you to go now, more are on the way" blood was on his lips.
I kissed him "I can't leave you," my head on his chest "Take her now, make sure she is safe," he yelled.
Peter picked me up, I kicked and screamed "Peter let me go!" but Brock helped him "Go please,"
"I love you Eric," as gunfire was heard I was dragged away as Fiona and Tris covered Peter, I saw Eric not moving blood pooling around him. Tears fell my vision blurred as I screamed, it was full of pain.