Leadership Qualities: A Big Four/ Divergent Crossover

Redemption

“So...Lori and her associates are controlling the country, we're just a cover image, and Elsa is somehow involved?"

“Yep."

“Pretty much."

Hiccup leaned back onto his pillow and rubbed his eyes. “Well, I guess we need some info about whatever Lori is planning."

“How are we gonna do that?" Punzie asked. “Elsa's the only one that...Hiccup, you can't be serious!"

“S'matter?" Merida yawned, tugging on sports bra and yoga pants. I'm ashamed to say I couldn't stop throwing glances.

“Hiccup is suggesting that if you and Elsa make up, she might give you information."

Merida tensed up and flopped on her bed. She stayed so quiet I thought she fell asleep. Then I realized she was crying. I began to advance towards her, but Punzie was obviously better equipped to handle this.

“Mer?" Punzie said gently, sitting at the edge of her bed. “Merida? You alright?"

Merida carefully rolled over and sat up. She rubbed her eyes and shoved her hair out of her face.

“Ah owe ya all an explanation." She said in an accent that dated to ancient days. “Jus' let meh calm down and Ah'll tell ya."

Out of impulse, I went over to her and circled her in my arm. She stiffened up at first, but calmed down almost as quickly. “Okay...I'm calm...Elsa and I used to be great friends. Laughing, playing, ya know, kid stuff. We were like a friend trio. People called us the Golden Three-"

“Umm, Merida? Isn't a trio three people?" I asked carefully. She just sighed.

“We had another friend named Hans. I liked him a lot, but he and Elsa started dating, leaving me alone. Elsa kept setting my friends up with guys I liked, so I was really lonely. Then she began teasing me whenever I came to events with the other couples. 'Where's your boyfriend? Never mind...' 'Do you think my boyfriend would like this? Wait, you wouldn't know' …"

“Harsh." Hiccup said, and Punzie and I nodded in agreement.

“When I confronted her about it, she'd tell me I was being too sensitive. I've never liked her since."

“Don't worry Merida. You've got us now." I said, giving her a small hug. She gave me a soft smile and stood confidently.

“You're right, Jack! And Hiccup, I'll try to do what you said." She said, and pulled on a T- shirt. “Now let's get going. I don't want Adam to tear our heads off."

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“Ah, you've decided to show."

Adam said this as we walked into the Training Centre, and everyone snickered. But, Merida had come prepared.

“Hey, Adam! How are things with Belle?" She asked, and he stiffened. Merida stayed there with a smug smile, while Adam ducked his head and muttered a quiet, “Gather around the ring."

“First fighters are Merida and Elsa." He said swiftly and left the Training Centre. What Merida had said obviously bugged him more than he let on. Merida was about to step into the ring, but I grabbed her arm.

“Remember, Merida. We've got your back." I said, and she smiled.

---------------------------------

The fight was fast.

Merida swept Elsa's feet from under her and dropped her elbow into her windpipe, effectively cutting off her breath. Then, Merida proceeded to sit on her chest, making her squirm. She stayed there for about 5 minutes, then Elsa passed out.

Adam came back from his little crying spree, took one look at Elsa, and told us “Undesirables" to take us to the clinic. Hiccup and I carried her while Merida and Punzie opened doors and things. We settled her on a bed and simply waited for her to wake up.

When she finally did come to, she looked around at us in fear.

“Get away from me!" She shrieked, but Merida just rolled her eyes and walked a little closer.

“So...Elsa...you know Lori?" She said cautiously.

“Duh. But I won't tell you how! Loser!" She added for good measure. Merida clenched and unclenched her fists, but she stayed calm.

“Elsa, I know you know Lori. She was the social worker at the funeral, right?" Merida asked. Elsa tensed. She'd struck something sensitive.

“Yes," Elsa whispered. “Then, at the Ceremony, she went to work for the government. She'd been thinking of it for months. Constantly, pouring over notes, making calls, and making visits. The odd thing is, she still seemed to be in control. A couple weeks after the funeral she said to me, 'Elsa, running a country is hard work.'"

Before she could go on, Ariel, a dark haired man and a wise-looking woman burst into the room.

“Terribly sorry, Elsa," Ariel said. “But we need a word with our Country Leaders."