Raising Holi

By Fatala

Ha, ha, ha. I told you I'd be putting it up and a day sooner than expected. This is the first time I've ever put up a new chapter exactly when I said I would. Muhahahaha!

Ok, I kind of cheated a little. I've actually had this chapter done before I finished chapter 6. It was a rainy miserable day so it helped me get in the mood for this chapter. But don't worry, the next chapter will be on a much lighter note.

And if your behind; read Chapter 7.

Chapter 8: Haunting Past

Late one night a strong and positively nasty storm raged outside the Ark. Even though the Ark's hull was made of some of the strongest metal on Cybertron, the sound of the howling winds and crashing thunder could still be heard within. To most of the residents of the Ark it was nothing new. They had seen such storms come and go before, it looked and sounded worse than it really was and would pass in a couple hours. But for Holi, who was asleep, the pounding rain and clasping thunder were not the sounds of a storm; but instead were sounds of her nightmares.

In her sleep the small girl tossed and turned as one such nightmare flooded her mind with terror. A thunder clasp rang through the base becoming an explosion when it reached Holi's ears. In her nightmare she was alone. The distinct whistle of missiles flying over head, the booming explosions that would follow them, and the screams of people trying the flee filled her mind. Following the sounds came blurred images. Images of her running; from what she didn't know. Dirt and pavement flew up from her right as a explosive hit the ground. The force of it sent her flying off her feet, crashing to the ground hard. Lifting herself up Holi groaned in pain before she notice that something warm and sticky was beneath her hand. Lifting her hand Holi screamed at seeing her hand covered with freshly spilt blood. What terrified her more than that was seeing where the blood had come from. Behind her were a mound of corpses; men, women, and children all with the twisted expressions of terror and horror that had fell on their faces right before their deaths.

Holi scrambled backwards, broken sobs came from her dry throat and tears began to stream down her dirty face. Her backwards scrambled was suddenly stopped as her back hit something hard. Immediately she froze, terror clutching her as she slowly looked up at what was behind her. The image she received, although blurred and distorted, sent a new wave of horror through her. A large metal giant stood behind her a twisted, evil smile plastered on his face. Both his hands and feet were covered with a thick coat of blood and other human bodily fluids Holi did wish to know of. The cannon on his arm still smoked from having been recently fired.

He said something although Holi couldn't hear it, it sounded fuzzed out like noise on a crackling television screen. Even though she could understand what he said the twisted smile on his face was enough to know it was wasn't good. A large black hand reached down ready to swallow her up in its grip. But with another throat scratching scream Holi got up and ran down the destroyed street. As she ran she spotted something that seemed familiar; a white house with green trimming. Changing her course towards the still standing house Holi's heart ached hoping someone was there. Her mind held a small spark of hope, believing that if she got there that those within the house would make everything go away.

But as she drew near the small spark of hope was snuffed out. Where the front door once was, was now a large gaping hole which tore deep into the house. Coming up to the house Holi looked in; what she saw made her eyes grow wide. A pair of grown ups laid there in a pond of fresh blood. She couldn't see there face but she didn't need to. Tears poured down her cheeks as she rushed over to them. Ignoring the blood which was staining her skin and clothes she violently shook them begging, pleading, for them to get up. As she shook the lifeless bodies she felt as if her heart was being torn to shreds.

So intent on trying to awake the dead couple, Holi didn't notice that the giant had caught up to her until she saw an ominous shadow fall over her. Looking, she saw once again the large hand coming for her. With another heart wrenching scream Holi bolted up in bed ending the nightmare.

Holi's scream did not go unnoticed. Optimus was awoken from recharge at the sound of her screaming cry. Without a second thought Prime rushed out of his quarters bolting to Holi's which was right next to his. His spark drummed in his chest fearful that Ravage or another Decepticon had gotten in and was in her room.

"Holi!?" Prime called his daughter's name as he rushed into her room barely waiting for the door to slid out of his way. Looking around the room he found no Decepticons, only Holi curled up in a shivering ball on her bed. "Holi what's wrong?" he asked walking over and kneeling the best he could at the side of her bed. Looking up at him, Optimus could see the tears staining her cheeks and the shaken expression on her face. With a sobbing cry Holi came out of her balled up position and wrapped her arms, or at least tried to, around Optimus' nearby arm. The tears continued to flow as Optimus looked down at her. Putting one of his hands over her, his thumb gently stroked her back in a soothing fashion.

The small action seemed to be helping as he noticed that her shaking was slowly starting to stop and her sobs became less. Once Holi had calmed down Optimus picked her up cradling the small girl in his hand as he leaned against the opposite wall. Bringing his hand up to his chest Holi nuzzled his chest, but not without a held back sniffled.

"What happened Holi?" he asked gently as his blue optics watched her with fatherly care. Holi at first froze as her mind did a quick replay of the nightmare. But instead of dissolving into tears she was able to stay composed; except for several small tears which snuck out and rolled down her drying cheeks.

"It was a nightmare. A horrible nightmare." Holi said her voice sounding slightly cracked as several more held back sobs tried to make their way out. Seeing that she was still very shaken Prime reached down, picking Holi's teddy bear which was on the floor instead of her bed; most likely from her twisting and turning. He handed her the brown bear which she gladly accepted; her arms wrapping tightly around it. As he watched her Optimus wondered it this nightmare was about her past. He knew that it might not happen but Optimus was concerned that this could be the start of the post-traumatic stress disorder that the hospital doctor had told him about. The last thing he wanted was for Holi to be tormented by the horrible incident her mind had blocked out. He silently prayed, that it was an unrelated nightmare.

"What was the nightmare about?" Optimus finally decided to ask hoping that it would help Holi to calm down if she told him about it. Holi remained silent for a minute before answering.

"I don't know, I don't want to know; but there was lots of explosions, screaming, and death." Holi started curling the best she could while still holding onto her bear. "People were dieing. I could hear their screams. I ran; as fast as I could away but it followed me." she continued starting to shake again.

"What was following you?" Optimus asked concern. His hope of it just being an unrelated dream was quickly fading.

"The one who killed everyone. He was coming after me." If there was anything else to tell him it was cut off as she began to cry again. Optimus began to stroke Holi's back again as he tried to calm her down again.

"Shhh, it's ok Holi. Everything is ok." he said in a hushed voice.

"But what if he comes after me again?" Holi asked looking up at her father. Her tearful eyes pleaded for a reassuring answer.

"If he does than I'll stop him. He'll never get you." Optimus reassured her.

"You promise?" Holi asked using her pajama sleeves to dry her tear filled eyes.

"I promise. He'll never get you as long as I'm here." he replied with a smile behind his face plate. Seeing the smile through his optics Holi managed to a small smile. Now that she had her father's promise Holi hugged her bear as she leaned into Optimus' chest. Slowly her eyes began to close as sleep began to reclaim her.

"I love you daddy." she whispered before she fell back to sleep unafraid of the nightmare coming back.

"I love you too Holi." Optimus said a smile in his voice as he watched the small human fall back to asleep knowing that she was safe in her father's arms.

To be continued.

Wow. A serious chapter; been awhile since I've written one of those. But don't worry next time it'll be nothing but fun. But no hints, don't want to spoil it for everyone. Just gonna have to be patient and wait.

Now for the reviews that prompted me to update earlier than planned.

Nope Jazz hasn't babysat yet, only appeared a couple chapters back; ViolentBigGirl. And Prowl learned never to argue the illogical with a child; because they'll always win. Heh.

I've already got Red Alert and Ratchet ready for future chapters, Frog1. Ratchet will probably get his chance in Chapter 10, Red Alert will have to wait a little longer though.

Glad you enjoyed the chapter Elita One, Breezy411, Blood Shifter.

It's ok Princesssuzie. My mind's got at least the next two chapters planned out.

Good questions T.L. Arens. But the answers will have to wait for later. School won't come in for awhile longer but it'll be fun what the Autobots will do.

Thank you everyone for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter even though it's serious. Now I go to work on my cosplay costume. Until next time, bye!