Sorry for the delay, I wanted to get this out sooner, but well life got in the way. I hope you guys like this chapter, I know its short. I do not known any characters in this chapter except Holden. Alice and Kyara belong to my friend Animegirl. If you have any concerns with this chapter, PM me or leave a review and I will get to them.
Chapter 9: Backlash Regrouping
Outside Bellwood hospital, throngs of reporters and disgruntled civilians march in the parking lot, demanding answers to what really happened with Mandark and the fusion. Police officers were called in hours earlier to prevent the ever growing crowd from rushing the doors, as well as to allow staff and visitors to access the building safely.
As the crowd surges against the wall constructed of SWAT shields, a Providence troop transport arrives, rolling to a stop thirty feet from the front door. A ramp slowly extends as the back hatch opens and Dr. Holiday, along with Rex and Kyara march down it, heading for the hospital doors.
"We don't want your kind here, freaks!"
"Go back where you came from!"
"Wreck someone else's property!"
"You're no good just like Wren!" Protesters shout, hurling tomatoes at Rex and Kyara.
The fruits land on the little girl, covering her and her bear in a thin red paste that stings her eyes. With tears now run down her cheeks as more tomatoes are thrown, Rex covers the little girl, taking the blows in place of his sister. Dr. Holiday quickly grabs Kyara's hand, ushering her inside as a watermelon flies at them.
Building the Smackhands, Rex catches the fruit and tosses it into an empty area of the parking lot, the remains of it splattering on the nearest protesters, "Kel, you owe me for babysitting Kyara while Yuki and Maya are sick," Rex mutters, walking inside and up to the little girl, giving her a hug, "Are you alright?"
The little EVO's hair is full of tomato seeds, while long streams of tomato juice drips onto the floor from her clothes.
Kyara sniffs, looking at Rex, "Why do they hate us big brother? Did we do something wrong? I wish daddy was here."
Rex sighs, patting the girl on the head, explaining the best he could to her, "They think we did something a few days ago related to that fusion. We did nothing wrong though, it's just a misunderstanding."
Holiday shakes her head, a smile on her face, "Knowing your father, he would have gone EVO and tried to scare them, but it wouldn't have gone over well with the public."
Kyara stares up at Dr. Holiday with a curious look, "Grandma, why are we here. Is someone we know not well?"
"We're here to visit Holden. You met him once at his sister's wedding, remember?"
"Oh you mean that boy with the funny pink hair who Arctos said was the same as me?"
Rebecca smiles at the little girl, "That would be him. Professor Utonium asked me to check on Holden since he was just here yesterday. He's worried the media has found a way to get into the hospital."
"Oh." The little girl says quietly, unsure about what she just heard or how to respond. She follows her big brother and Dr. Holiday into an open elevator and the doors slightly close behind her.
The elevator stops on the fifth floor and as soon as the doors part, Kyara runs out of the cramped box, pulling Rex and Holiday by their hands down the hall. Her teddy bear, Arctos, is safely tucked away in backpack with its head peeking out.
Rex slowly looks down the hallways; most were devoid of life, except for a few Urban Rangers and Plumber milling about, checking windows and other rooms.
Rex faces forward once again as they turn a corner and an Urban Ranger with short spiky hair and a piece of wood in his arms steps in front, "Halt, you don't have permission to…," the boy stops speaking, lifting the piece of wood up to his ear, "What's that Plank, you say they're clear? Well, you would know best buddy. You three can go on ahead."
Moving quickly to the side, Johnny2x4 allows Rex and his compatriots down the hallway. Being the impatient little girl that she is, Kyara pulls Rex and Dr. Holiday down the hall, until a lone Urban Ranger donning an oversized set of braces comes into the view.
"You can go on in. I wonder where Sarah is. She said she was going to bring me something to eat," the boy replies, sliding the door open.
Dr. Holiday enters the pristine white room, which has a slight smell of antiseptic wafting up from the tiles. In the far corner of the room, Alice and Gwen are conversing in low voices and it's apparent that Alice had recently been crying.
In the bed closest to the door lays Holden, who has bandages wrapped around his arms, neck and upper torso. Blossom, who is sitting next to the bed, converses with her boyfriend about a book she had brought him to read the previous day.
"Rex, please take Kyara into the bathroom and clean her off. I need to talk to Holden for a few moments," Dr. Holiday requests in a whisper.
"Sure Doc." Rex exclaims, diverting into the small room that is to right of the entry.
Glancing over her shoulder to make sure Rex had closed the door; Rebecca walks to Holden's bedside, sitting in a free chair, "It's good to see you again Holden. How are you feeling?"
"I could be better," he admits, gingerly sitting up in bed, wincing from slight pain from having Fusion Matter pumped from his lungs a few hours before, "All this media attention I'm getting is making me feel uncomfortable. I just want to blend in and go un..."
Seeing the color drains from Holden's face and Blossom thrusts a trash can into his arms. Clutching the object tightly, Holden sticks his head over it and begins to drying heaving several times, only stopping to pant when he is finished.
"Sorry about that Dr. Holiday. I guess the anxiety from Harangue's news report is really getting to me. Alice and I have both received death threats from dozens of people in the last hour. Training would be nearly impossible now."
"Rex went thought the same thing after the incident with Hunter Kain. He pulled through it and I know you will be able to also," Rebecca encouraged, smiling sympathetically at the young man, before turning her attention to the other side of the room, "Alice, Gwen, can you come over here please? This conversation concerns you just as much as it does Holden."
Nearly sliding off the bed in shock, Alice quickly grabs the attached railing to regain her composure. Releasing her hold, Alice slips off the bed as she and Gwen step lively over to Dr. Holiday.
"What did you want to see us about?" Alice queries as she sits on the edge of Holden's bed.
"Gwen, I know you might disapprove of this, but Six considers that it would be for the best if Holden started training with him earlier than anticipated. He and Knight have also discussed about how it would be worthwhile if Holden and Alice talked with Extreme Expose so that they can set the record straight about what Van Kliess said. Knight thinks it would be a perfect PR opportunity for the both of you."
"I would have liked more time to train you Holden, but I think Six is right to push up the time table. There is however one more thing I want to pass onto you the night before you go to Providence." Gwen voices in a relaxed tone.
Holden nods in understanding, opening his mouth to say but, the bathroom door bursts open at that exact moment and Kyara bounds happily out of it and up to Holden's bed, "We're getting a new guest big brother! Do you think he'll play with me while he's with us?!"
With a sheepish grin on his face, Rex exits the bathroom, shrugging at the little girl, "I don't know Kyara, you would have to ask Six about that." Kyara's smile grows even broader at the news and she hugs Rex tightly.
"Isn't there some other way other than going on national television and being in the lime light to fix this situation?" Holden objects profusely.
"Holden, I don't want to be bossy at a time like this, but you should do the interview," Blossom interject, her hand gently cupping his, "I know you're scared, but without a counter argument from you, people will believe what people like Van Kliess and Tessa say!"
Grimacing at the thought, but unable to find an alternative, Holden nods in agreement, "Then I guess I don't have much of a choice, but to do it. Dr. Holiday, when does Six want this interview to take place?"
"In three weeks. By then, he and Knight will have part of your tactical training completed."
At that news, Kyara scowls, "Aww, Grandpa will be keeping my new playmate busy! Arctos even wanted to play with him!" The little girl angrily stomps from the room and Rex runs after her.
"I'm sorry about Kyara; she is never usually like this. She must have really wanted you to play with her," Dr. Holiday apologize, "Holden, I'll be back to see you tomorrow. I'm going to corral Kyara and Rex so we can head back to Providence." Bidding farewell, Dr. Holiday exits the room and quickly runs down the hall, looking for the little girl.
Standing from her chair, Blossom kisses Holden on the cheek, "I need to get going. I'll be staying over at Gwen's house with her and Alice. Sleep tight."
Circling the bed, Blossom follows her fellow heroines towards the door and flicks the switch as she exits, covering the room in darkness.
Well, that is all for this transitional chapter. As for the next chapter, expect something explosive to happen. Until then, see you guys next chapter.
