To Be Proud: Revamped

Chapter 44: A Strange Dilemma

~Bona~

      "What. Happened?"

Hoola was in her room, staring at the group of three in horror: the group in question consisting of myself, Thwok, and Pompom who was forced to use crutches to walk. We all had left the infirmary not too long ago, only a few hours after the explosion that occurred. As far as I was concerned, Thwok had caused the explosion and managed to harm Pompom in the process, damaging a good amount of the nerves in her leg. Once we got to her and Hoola's room, I knew that we were going to get an earful from Hoola. She got close to Pompom, examining the damage for herself and holding Pompom's hands.

      "It's okay, Hoopsy," Pompom spoke in a gentle tone of voice. "It...it was an accident."

      "An accident, huh? The last time an 'accident' was mentioned, I had to punch an arrogant Cybop in the eye. Show 'im a bit of Earth power, you know? Did I have to go to the infirmary and got reprimanded afterwards? Yes, but it was worth it! stupid, floating head of a monster." Hoola sounded frustrated, very frustrated, and I could see her fur puff up as she tensed.

      "C'mon, you know he didn't mean it. That time was only a scratch."

      "An intentional scratch! He purposefully grazed by you with his dingy rusty propellers and scratched you! Ugh, I'm not in the mood to get into this one. What happened? You didn't trip, did you? Did you fall? Did your leg get caught in something? Please, sweetheart, tell me!"

      "It...it was a matter of self defense-"

      "You were defending against somebody!? Oh, when I get my hands on them I'm gonna-"

      "No, no no! They were defending against something else! I just-"

      "Who did it? Who did this to my beloved sweetheart?" Hoola finally looked over at me and Thwok, and I could see some form of aggression flaring in her eyes. I shivered and looked down at Thwok, who was holding his tongue in fear.

      "Hoopsy, please-"

      "It was one of you, wasn't it? You two wouldn't be here otherwise." Hoola moved away from Pompom, making her way towards us. "Someone hurt my Pommy, and unless someone fesses up I'm gonna have to force a confession out of you two."

      "Hoopsy-" Hoola glanced at Thwok, who backed away from Hoola. She clutched a fist, lightly growling at him.

      "Was it you? You look as guilty as a shivering Gobbleygourd."

      "A-A whaht?"

      "Ugh, a scaredy-bird you dim bolt! You look guilty, so it must be you!"

      "And what if it wasn't?" I asked, getting in between Hoola and Thwok. Thwok held on to my arm, shaking a bit as Hoola looked up at me to meet my eyes. She scoffed.

      "Then it has to be you, big guy. You look like you could do a number."

      "Maybe I could, maybe I couldn't. Who knows?" Something started to build up within me, something that was building off of Hoola's anger. I kept Thwok behind me, moving my shoulders back as I did so.

      "Are you...I know you're not answering me with hypotheticals."

      "And what if I am, hm?"

      "You better stop this and give me a straight answer, big mon."

      "And what if I don't?"

      "Then I'll force you to."

      "What if you can't?"

      "Oh, I can. And I will." Hoola took a step towards me, prompting me to start growling. Thwok gripped on to my arm tighter, looking up at me.