Mable: Here I am with chapter two! I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their kind words. ^-^ I don't know why I was so gloomy, but I feel a lot better now! I don't own 9, Enjoy!


Our Past Mistakes

Chapter Two

Nine's rest was interrupted an unknown amount of time later when he awoke to the sound of footsteps. The human's shoes made a clicking noise on the marble floor as a tall female crossed by the bookshelf. He roused himself enough to pull back as far as he could into the lines of books and watched as she adjusted the shelves with books resting on some sort of cart. While his pulse began to speed when she kneeled and pressed a book in right beside him, he only dodged by moving over and she wasn't really looking into the shelf while she set the books back.

Soon the woman moved on and as Nine peered out to watch her he wondered if she was some sort of Librarian. Either way, the Library was empty now, and his optics went to the high windows to try and judge what time it was. Because it was overcast he knew it was hard to tell but it looked about evening time. He stretched a bit tiredly before rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright," He spoke to himself to ease the tension, quiet enough that the woman couldn't hear, "I'll just have to find someplace safe until I find a way back to the present."

Yet all of this was simple enough to say but not nearly enough to do. He still couldn't even fathom what he was doing in this time let alone try to figure out how to get back. At this moment he could hear the librarian moving back through the area and passing by the shelves towards the exit of the building. Nine didn't think anything of it until suddenly the light in the Library died. It wasn't pitch dark as he realized after his eyes adjusted to the darkness. The front door opened and shut before a chiming noise came from it, like metal, followed by the door locking.

Now Nine was alone and was technically safe for the time being which was relieving. He stood after a few minutes and stretched his arms and back, "Alright. Maybe I can make some sense of all this." He climbed onto one of the desks and turned on a small lamp, which was remarkably easy because of the constant flow of electricity, then started looking for newspapers. That seemed like the easiest option and thankfully there was one folded on the desk that he unfolded and looked through the headlines.

"Rebels attack science facility." Nine read out loud, blinking to himself, "Rebels? There were already people against the Machine?" He read further into the column and realized quickly that these weren't any rebels to be proud of. They, and the soldiers, were mentioned to be violently attacking one another. Nine read further, "As each side grows more aggressive we can only hope that the progress will not be stunted." He read out loud before looking at another column, "New weapons being released to combat threats."

This proved that the war was still present, just hadn't yet spread to the Machines attacking. In fact, there was only one column amount the Fabrication Machine and all it did was describe a brief interview with a Scientist about the Machine. Nine noticed quickly that it claimed the interview was taken before the Machine was moved into the factory. "It was before they took it from the Scientist, but now they have, so… Julius Bergeron, is that…?"

A sudden noise from the distant side of the Library caused Nine's head to shoot upwards. Paranoia set in as he scanned the shelves. Even though the Beasts weren't yet aggressive to humans didn't mean that they wouldn't yet attack him. Perhaps one was patrolling around the Library looking for him, perhaps the one from before. He continued to search until he was certain nothing was there. Then he looked back to the newspaper, "Maybe I should just find the Scientist… I can survive alone, but how long?"

The second noise was a clear indication that someone else was there. Especially when the noise was a tapping of metal on the marble floor. His pulse quickened and he looked for a hiding place. Soon he decided that the logical place would be under the desk. He quietly crept over to the edge and climbed down using the drawers' nooks as places for his hands and feet, knowing that turning off the light could draw more attention to him than it actually staying on. The desk was close to the ground and he had to crawl underneath it.

As he belly crawled across the floor he listened closely to the sound of tapping. It circled the desk and if he looked carefully he could see the occasional flash of red. Then a new noise alerted as well. It sounded eerily like footsteps and Nine turned his body around to crawl in the other direction. He managed to make it halfway across, through the dust collecting on the floor, when suddenly the red eye appeared. Right before him, branded with the color of the Machine, on the other side of the desk, and it started to come forward.

Now he could see little legs under the body that scampered it along and the rest of its body was missing. Perhaps it was detachable. Even with this finding Nine found a new fear and as is rushed him he crawled backwards. Quickly, as fast as he could. The second he was out from under the desk he stood and jumped back, only to slam into something else before stumbling to the marble floor. His body went into sudden reflex mode as he stood and ran towards the back of the Library. His mind raced in desperation.

"The Machine is still alive in this time… If it gets ahold of me I- There's no telling what it will do. Even if it doesn't have the Talisman. What if it uses me to find out about the future? To hurt the others?!" Nine's body was frantic and he stumbled over his own feet as the walls seemed to close in. The Library was foreign for him; even in the future he didn't know the complete layout exactly. It was as though he felt that same fear as when he was ambushed by the Cat Beast with Two, except now he was completely alone in the manner.

He came upon the pool quicker than expected, now a lovely fountain that was completely cleaned and organized. It was quite a sight to behold, but Nine barely noticed as he ran along around the edge of it, looking for an escape route. He stopped long enough the get his bearings only to realize that the footsteps were coming after him. Quicker, following, and he looked back to see the red eye in the distance. Both parts of the body were together again, or perhaps two beings coming at him, either one Nine not exactly wanting to face on his own.

He looked around before heading further into the back of the Library, past the shelves and statues, ducking behind a potted plant and waiting for it to come after him. It wasn't long until he could hear its steps as it circled the area, obsessively seeking him out, and he tried to quiet his panting. He knew he couldn't go on like this; his body was beginning to let him down from the constant stress and he would have to get away quickly. "I have to get to the Scientist. He's the only one who can help me."

As the noises crept in he suddenly paid more attention to the shelves above. It came to his attention that the books were stacked so well that a gentle nudge could send them off of the shelf and falling to the floor, making them relatively good projectiles. This was the best idea he had and climbed upon the lowest shelves' books and onto the second shelf, then to the third, and then waited. He positioned himself by a bookend and stared down at the isle below, waiting for something to pass by.

As expected, something eventually did, and that something was the creatures in question. They were definitely separate beings and if Nine looked closely the one almost looked Stitchpunk sized, but was wearing some sort of cloak. The way it was following the small machine was as though it was leading it, so Nine wasn't sure what the symbiosis he was watching was, but decided to still strike. After all, they were clearly hunting him, and nothing friendly would stalk him silently. He waited until they were under him then pressed his back to the other side of the book, shoving it off.

Unfortunately the two moved in separate directions and the book fell between them. The Stitchpunk like one looked upwards and Nine realized he was caught. Out of reflex he moved back to push off another book that again plummeted, above the small Beast that was moving down the aisle at a quick pace. Every time Nine shoved a book it would nearly hit the small Beast, but would miss at the last second, and Nine began trying one after another. The small one was toying with him; it went in circles, it moved out of the way, but it still stayed in the isle and taunted him, making squeaking noises as it did.

Nine's attack was cut short when suddenly the other creature climbed onto the shelf beside him and started running towards him. Nine turned to run down the shelves, planning to climb back down and get out of the area as quickly as possible. At the end of the shelf he shoved one last book that plummeted to the floor before turning around to climb down on the book below. Unfortunately he wasn't quick enough. The other being grabbed ahold of him and tried to drag him back onto the third shelf as Nine pulled back and attempt to climb down further.

His foot caught the book on the second shelf and pulled it back enough that he could stand on it. He attempted to rip his arm back from the vice grip, becoming more desperate, until the point that he actually felt gravity betray him as the book slid out. It happened so quickly that Nine almost wished the other's grip had been tighter as he suddenly plummeted to the floor. He hit the marble roughly, not even landing on either of the books, and immediately pain shot through his leg and hip.

It was so striking that for a second he couldn't even move. He even wondered if he would be able to stand. Eventually he was able to roll over and climb to his feet, even if his leg was hurting badly. The red eyed Beast was staring at him but didn't approach, and because of this Nine took the time to limp down the aisle once again, trying to escape before the other got the idea to chase. By time he was nearing the pool he heard the footsteps again and looked back to see the taller creature running behind him.

Now that he got a good look it looked a lot like a Stitchpunk from what little he could see of it, but he knew better as One wasn't created yet and it was running around with a Beast. Though his clouded mind was instead going to other things, "I'm not going to be able to outrun it. There's got to be something… The pool!" His mind focused on the incoming fountain. The ledge that he could see into it, "I doubt machines do well in water…" He limped closer before realizing how foolish his idea was.

He looked back to see it almost upon him and decided to take the risk. He jumped, plummeting through the air once again, but instead of hitting the hard ground he plunged into the water. It was colder than expected and he sunk towards the bottom. Kicking his good leg and arm he was somewhat able to keep himself partially afloat. Yet even though he knew he couldn't be injured by the water, he just had a feeling after being soaked in the rain, he suddenly realized that he couldn't keep himself up long enough to get in a breath of air.

He tried to keep himself from panicking as he got another gasp of air. He wasn't sure what parts inside of him made him breathe, but whatever they were they weren't getting any oxygen at all. He struggled to get to the edge, tasting the cold water in his mouth as it sunk through his fabric and touched his interior metals. His leg was pulsing in pain. Finally Nine's copper hands grabbed at the edge of the pool and he struggled to drag himself upwards out of the pool. His body just felt sluggish and it took a few seconds before something grabbed at him.

It felt like a hand that helped hoist him onto the marble, but the rush was just too much. He collapsed to the ground, staring into nothing as his vision slowly closed in until it disappeared altogether. Surprisingly there was a few last seconds of consciousness when all he could feel was his slow pulse throbbing before he blacked out entirely.

At one point Nine did awaken only to register that he was cold and soaking wet, and being carried through the streets of Luxembourg. Streetlights glowed through the steady rainfall and panic spread through as he wondered if he was being taken to the Machine. Everything ached and his world went dark again.

He wasn't exactly sure of what he was seeing other than the fact that it clearly felt and looked real. Not some sort of machine copy, it was a real doll, a real fabric covered being. Stumbling upon the Library was a lucky if not obvious break and part of him thought that he was lucky to come when he did. It was absolutely nonsensical; it put itself into danger under little provocation. As he took it into the Workshop in the attic he knew it needed to be looked over. It hadn't been walking right and even in its unconscious state it was shivering.

He crossed to the back of the workshop and pried open a drawer filled with various fabrics before laying it down inside, using some softer cotton to dampen its burlap to dry it. It moved a little, weakly, and as the nearby Beast stared down on it he felt the need to check the leg. It was dislocated slightly and he had to force it back in, somewhat glad that the other was still unconscious. It popped into place and his hand felt over the hip to make sure it was fixed, which it was. Then he pulled back and just stared at this.

"Where in God's name did you come from?" He murmured to himself in clear questioning before rubbing his forehead tiredly. Finally he caved, exhaled, and lifted the zippered doll before moving him somewhere more comfortable.

Nine's head was foggy and a soreness was spreading through his leg. His optics flickered open and revealed a fuzzy world that he couldn't made odds or ends of. He closed his head again to stop the incoming headache and felt around him. It felt like he was in a small bed or cot of some kind. It was warm and he was relieved that even though he was slightly damp he couldn't feel it very well. Slowly he opened his optics again and looked around. It took a few seconds before he suddenly recognized the room and perked.

It was the First Room without a doubt except fully intact. He sat up and while he was unsteady he looked around in wonder. It looked so surprising to see the First Room fully intact and as he looked around he could hear movement on the far side. Then he suddenly wondered who brought him here. "Was it the Scientist?" He asked himself before hearing the movement again and trying to see over, but couldn't see much past the surrounding box the bed was in. He swung his legs over, letting them rest on the floor as he massaged his aching head and leg.

He could hear footsteps and paused his actions. They were small footsteps, like a Stitchpunk's, and for a second he mulled over whether it was One who was already born or the creature from earlier. It got close and he looked upwards before finding himself stunned. The creature from before was standing right before him but with the clearly lit room, and the fabric which was now realized to be a hooded cape was pulled back. It was clear; this wasn't a machine, it was another Stitchpunk.

It stood about as tall as Nine himself stood and, strikingly enough, looked a bit too much like Nine for him to be comfortable. Of course there were differences, but it seemed to carry the same pattern as he and Five did. Its fabric was even burlap, though much lighter if not completely stark white. It was also slightly more slender, its front held closed with hooks and loops or hook and eyes. He could see why he thought its hand were claws as he glanced down. They resembled One's almost. It stared at him with a furrowed expression and Nine was sort of stuck on what to do.

After all he just realized the thing he was running to escape from was another Stitchpunk, and one he couldn't recognize for the life of him. There was only nine Stitchpunks and here was an extra. He almost felt a little meek, or maybe it was because the other was simply staring him down, and spoke, "Uh… Hello?" he asked and the other's furrowed look disintegrated, "Oh good, I thought I was going to have to translate a mute." The sarcastic and somewhat flat comment nearly took Nine aback. Mostly because he wasn't expecting it to be so forward so fast.

The voice was simple enough. It seemed young like Nine's, but wasn't as high in pitch, and carried the same tone that One's did, which Nine thought was referred to as an accent. It was definitely male though. "No, I can speak." Nine answered, giving a little embarrassed smile, "I just… I didn't expect to see anyone else." The other took a relaxed stance. "I could say the same thing." While the sarcasm loosened slightly, he still seemed suspicious, and Nine almost understood why. After all, according to both the other shouldn't exist, or at least he guessed.

"Though I could have guessed from your behavior. How is your leg?" Nine tested it and went to stand, "Sore, but I'm okay." He got to his feet and then just stood there awkwardly before reaching his hand out in a friendly manner, "Sorry about earlier. I had no idea you were another Stitchpunk." The male scrutinized his hand before taking it, but instead of shaking it he just starting to look it over, moving it around with one hand, "It's fine. Considering the fact you jumped into three feet of water I didn't expect you to be in your right mind."

Nine was slightly offended, but more noticed how the other was looking at his hand and raised a brow. The other glanced upwards and noticed, "Interesting design. I don't think I have seen one like it." He tapped his finger on the palm, "Oh, no, of course I haven't." It actually sounded like another suspicious comment, but was followed by, "But I digress. I did not mean to startle you earlier. You can never tell when humans are listening so I couldn't risk calling out to you. They seem to have eyes everywhere nowadays."

This seemed to answer some questions. "Yeah, I wasn't even thinking about that." He decided not to mention the Beast yet. The other male then asked, "Now that we're acquainted, where exactly did you come from?" He bluntly asked with slight disbelief and Nine paused. He couldn't mention the future, he had already probably changed something by being found by this other male. "I'm not really sure. I just… Appeared? It's hard to explain, like I just woke, and I couldn't remember anything beforehand."

A little bit of a lie, but not enough that he felt too bad. "I'm Nine, by the way." The other just stared in silent questioning. "Here, look." Nine explained, turning around and showing his inked on number, and now the other male looked taken aback, "You're numbered… Were there any others?" Nine shrugged and turned back to face the other male. "I just go by Nine." The other slightly shrugged as well before Nine asked, "Do you have a number? I'm guessing not." The other almost smirked a little, a small nudge of a smile.

"No. I wasn't numbered. My father calls me Child." Nine perked, "Child. Your name is Child." Though thought to himself, "And he considers being named after a number any different?" Then rubbed over his sore thigh tiredly, "Umm, earlier, when I hurt my leg, what was that creature with you? It looked like a machine which was sort of made me get the wrong idea." The male finally looked away and whistled. A few minutes passed and nothing happened except Nine went to sit back down, tiredly doing so. Child acknowledged him.

"It's still late and after nearly drowning yourself you may need to rest further." He whistled again, interrupting any of Nine's comebacks, and the zippered male shivered as he grew a bit cold. That was, until suddenly the Beast from earlier appeared, and he stared at it. It looked the same, like a miniature spider with a red eye. Nine watched as it scuttled over to Child's feet and started to almost scratch at him with one leg. Child just looked down at it unfazed, "This is Pet. He's one of mine so don't expect him to be any amount of a threat."

Nine watched the spider beast as it looked at him. Before it had seemed so aggressive and yet now its eye was wide with curiosity. Child kneeled down and stroked Pet's back patiently. Seeing him touch the Beast seemed to ease Nine enough that he came to kneel down, Child abruptly standing again, and Nine reached out to touch Pet. Pet reacted to the new touch positively and released a squeaking noise. "Hello there, Pet." He greeted, smiling a little, "Sorry about earlier. You don't seem so bad now."

"He's not anymore." Child explained before stating, "Pet was created using the remains of one of the machines." It was almost as though he was fishing for a compliment and luckily for him Nine was curious. "Did you create him?" Child's bit of a smile widened, "Indeed I did. He is my companion and more loyal than anything that the Machine could've created. He acts more like a living creature as well, able to feel affection." Nine noticed that Pet was pushing into his hand almost affectionately and continued to stroke.

"He certainly acts like it, but you know about the Machine?" Child seemed to become a bit disturbed, but not at Nine himself and instead at the Machine. "I am very familiar with it. You?" Nine excused quickly, "I was reading a newspaper that was talking about it… how long has it been building, been creating?" The other male looked over towards the workbench and Nine hoped that the answer would help him regain his bearings some. It was hard to imagine what year it was and he needed more of a stable point.

"Since the humans decided that there weren't enough stay bullets being thrown around? I'm not sure, but then again they never reveal everything that's going on." Nine couldn't say he was too surprised with Child's hostility towards the Machine, but it was a little confusing that it was actually before the Machine supposedly attacked, and aimed at the humans too. Nine didn't know exactly what to say and decided to instead, "Well... What are you doing here?" Child responded with, "I live here." In that same, mocking tone.

Nine corrected, "Not like that. I guess I mean, where did you come from?" Child responded with, "Here." Nine was now growing a little impatient and insisted, "Were you created by the Scientist?" He bluntly asked and the other paused before answering, "Of course I was." Nine nodded and rubbed at his thigh again tiredly. Now Child changed his tone to a lighter one, "We can discuss more in the morning. Get some more rest." He insisted and Nine agreed, a little relieved to get some most rest and feeling a little unsure as it was.

The other Stitchpunk was questioning him already and he didn't have an adequate answers at the moment. So, instead, he climbed back into the bed before looking back to the other, "I can sleep somewhere else if this is your bed." He felt the need to offer, yet Child insisted, "It's fine. I can find an easy alternative. Worry about your own health, for once." He muttered the last part under his breath and started over to the far side of the Workshop, Pet following along behind him. Nine laid back down on the pillow and stared above him at the roof high above him.

Something didn't feel right inside. His head seemed to be constantly pounding and only occasionally stopping and he actually felt as though he was not in his fabric. In a daze and trying to continue to accept that he randomly fell through time. Logically it made little sense, but there wasn't any other explanation. Yet he found it even uncanny that striking his head had led him here. Something in that thought was gnawing at his mind. "What if I really am lying in a ditch somewhere?" He tightened his grip around his arm, "No, it can't be. It feels too real and I have too much control for it to be a dream."

He then wondered if he was actually dead and that naturally brought on thoughts about the others. A sharp pain entered the center of his chest as he thought about them, gone, never to return. He knew this was an opportunity to make it right, but he didn't know how. All that he knew was that he had to adapt quickly, because he didn't have much time before he could end up back in a warzone, and facing back against the Machine.


Mable: I'm hoping to get chapter three posted in three days or less, so keep an eye out and I'll try my best! I hope everyone enjoyed!