Raising Holi

By Fatala

The third semester of college has finally started. Almost all my friends are still here except Edwin and John. I miss them, but atleast Justin, Martin, A.J., and Chuck are still here to keep me partially isane. Because of all the project coming up I won't be able to keep up with my fanfics as much as I'd like to. So most of my facfics will be on hold for awhile.

Just so that everyone knows Holi is pronounced the same as Holly.

Chapter 2: Unexpected Memories.

"Optimus, Optimus Prime. Can you tell us what the damage was to the energy research facility?"

"How much energy did the Decepticons steal?"

"Is there anything you wish to say?" A mass of reporters and journalists asked. He had been far from in the mood to deal with the media at that moment, and it reflected in his tone of voice and what he had said next.

"Almost an entire community has been destroyed, and all you can ask about is the energy research plant?", he turned to the crowd; his voice as cold as steel and his optics expressing his aghast at their questions. "How can you be more concerned about an research building than your own kind?", he asked his tone changing to one of anger. "Over a thousand people died today and you don't even bother to ask why or how it happened. Do you even care!" At that the entire mass was silent. He wouldn't have been surprised if several of his had stopped at his words as well.

"You said 'almost'. Does that mean that there was a survivor?", a new voice asked almost sheepishly. But instead of answering he turned away leaving a stunned and questioning group of reporters.

Optimus turned off the monitor sighing in disgust, not at the reporters but at himself. That day he had let his emotions cloud his mind which just sent all his frustration and anger flowing at them. It had been almost a week since the Riverview attack. Since then Optimus hadn't heard much from the hospital. The last thing they had heard was that she was in stable condition which was a definite improvement. She had been in intensive care fighting for her life as the surgeons operated on her. A broken arm, several broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Right now all that seemed nothing now that he knew she would pull through.

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(County General Hospital.)

At first everything was a blurr, than her world began to clear to reveal lights and shapes. She woke up in a bed in the children's ward of the hospital. Why she was there she didn't know, but that was not what she was concerned about. 'Where's my daddy?', she asked herself sitting up. The room was mostly white except for the various animals painted on the walls. Right now she was alone, being the only one occupying the room at the moment.

"Your awake, that's good news." She turned to see a nurse walk in. The nurse was dressed in a normal, white nurse uniform. She was tall and had short orange hair. "I'm Sarah. What's your name?", Sarah asked politely.

"Holi."

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Later that day in the hospital's outside recreation area Optimus Prime was discussing Holi's condition with her doctor.

"Her name is Holi Day and she's five years old. Besides that, there wasn't much more she could, or would tell us. She has psychogenic amnesia. This has resulted from the psychological trauma of the incident, unlike the other forms of amnesia which instead result from the physical trauma. Because of this her mind has blocked out almost all her memories, kind of like a defence mechanism for her psyche. Because of this she doesn't remember anything except her name and age.", said the doctor in a calm professional way. "Besides her amnesia, she also suffered blunt force trauma to the cranium, from being buried and had petechial hemorrhaging which was from a lack of oxygen. She came very close to suffocating in the collapsed house. But so far her physical recovery has been successful."

"When will she regain her memory?"

"That's what I'm concerned about. Her memories could return in a period of days to years like most cases, but then again she may never remember her life before the incident. Most traumatic amnesiacs never recall the event which triggered the memory loss either."

"You mean she doesn't even remember her parents?"

"It doesn't seem like it. We're still unsure how much she remembers though."

"Why is that?"

"She refuses to talk to anyone except the nurses. I think it might be a good idea if you or one of your men were to speak to her. It might help her remember something, or to at least open up and tell us more."

"Personally, I would not what her to remember such events. But I will have some friends visit her."

"I understand."

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Holi was busy, happily coloring with crayons and a coloring book that the nurses had given her. But she was interrupted by a knock at the door which caused her to look up.

"Hello, Holi. It seems you have some visitors today.", said Sarah sticking her head in. Holi cocked her head to the side confused at who could be visiting. With that the nurse left letting Spike, Sparkplug, and Bumblebee in. At seeing Spike and Sparkplug Holi became nervous, she didn't know these strangers. She grabbed onto her pillow tightly like a security blanket. But once she seen Bumblebee duck into the room she noticeably relaxed, she didn't recognise him but there was something familiar about his blue optics that comforted her.

"Hello young lady. My name is Sparkplug, this is my son Spike, and our friend Bumblebee.", Sparkplug introduced trying to convince her to trust them.

She held on to her pillow and shut her eyes tightly trying to remember something, anything. At first everything was blank but slowly she began to break threw the darkness which clouded her memories.

"I remember explosions, and screams. People running someone pushing me in a house. A chilling, hollow laugh followed by a sickening crunch. Then there was a loud vibrating crash and everything dissolved into darkness." Holi then stopped trying to remember something else. "I then remember, there was a bright light and there was voices talking. I don't remember what they said but I do remember one of their faces.", Holi said looking back up at them. They all listen as she described the clearest of her memories.

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The next day Optimus Prime was talking again to the doctor in one of the hospital's private outside areas. He had listened to what Spike, Sparkplug, and Bumblebee had told him about their visit to see Holi and decided that this was something he had to do alone.

"Are you sure you want to do this?", the doctor asked looking up at him

"I feel it's my responsibility to give so closure to her.", explained Optimus Prime. 'And to myself.', he added into himself as an after thought.

"If that is what you wish. Then I'll leave. A nurse will be down in a minute with her.", said the doctor before leaving the Autobot leader alone to wait. He did not have to wait long as the door opened a few minutes later as a nurse lead Holi outside. After explaining that she'd be back in a minute, the nurse left the two alone. Optimus looked down at the young girl in front of him. The small child who's features were once obscured by blood and dirt, now stood in front of him. Her skin was light, but not pale; she had dark blond hair which fell about shoulder length, and she had bright baby blue eyes. She was dressed in a small hospital gown and had her arms wrapped around a stuffed bear. The only indicator of her injuries was the white bandages which were warped around her head.

"Hello, Holi.", said in a gently voice as he knelt down in front of her. She looked up into his blue optics, instead of being afraid she seemed to be mesmerized by him. 'It's him!', she thought to herself happily as a smile broke out on her face. Optimus was a little surprised at what she did next. She ran to him, dropping her bear and wrapped her arms as best as she could around his leg in a hug. He put on of his hands around he in a gently enbrace. Holi looked back up at him with a tearful smile as she happily called out the only name she knew to call him.

"Daddy!"

To be continued . . .

I finally finished this chapter. Happiness! Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I hope I did this chapter as well as the first one. And please continue to keep reviewing.