Mable: Here we are, returning to the saga of the confused Cat Beast and his adorable caretaker, Two. Let's be honest, you come for the premise but you stay for Two. XD Anyway, I don't own 9, Enjoy!


Our Inner Beasts

Chapter Four: Defending Choices

Two appeared back in the Workshop to find Five and Cat both staring at him. He forced himself to smother his emotions. "It's fine now, I spoke to One," he insisted and crossed to Cat. "Now then. Let's take a look at how everything's holding up. Let me just take off your helmet…" He slid the bone helmet off of the former Beast's head. Cat didn't seem bothered by it and even bowed his head to assist.

Five took a step forward, "What did One say?"

A slight anxiousness passed Two's face, "…Surprisingly not much." Though it was the truth. He checked Cat's pupils, trying to focus in. "Hmm… Five, can you bring me my spare hat?" Five nodded and got it from the side, then handed it to his mentor.

"I guess you noticed that Nine used parts from your hat. We tried to save it, but it was on its last legs," Five remarked awkwardly. Now he was a little embarrassed to admit that he so willingly let Nine use it without trying to fix it."

"Oh yes! I saw that Nine used some of the parts, but the Light Staff is worth it. I'm certain that I will be able to gather the replacement pieces to finish this one and work on an extra soon enough," Two explained and put the lens on his face. He then checked Cat's optics, tapping the side of them. Cat's optics responded with a flicker of red and a twitch. "Hmm, that's a bit strange… But I don't think it is problematic. Now let me check the internal parts. Five, you will want to watch this." He coaxed Cat to lay down and then opened its front, which he had tied closed for the time being.

"Now since you are the Healer you will need to become familiar with his body, because his body is only similar to a Stitchpunk's. Here, look." Two started to point out the parts, "This is the voice module, this is his skeleton, and this strange part seems to be filled with oil. Oil doesn't seem to need to be added, but he does seem to become disoriented when oil leaks out. I don't think a full loss of oil would cause death, but it would probably leave him in the same state he was in when he first arrived." He continued to point out things.

Cat felt slightly uncomfortable. Not enough to do anything, but something about the two studying his insides made him feel like he was defenseless. Nobody had poked at him this intently since his creator had, except maybe when he was unconscious. Unable to do anything to drive them back, he had a feeling they would jump at any noise he made or swat, he finally just rolled over in the other direction. This basically cut off Two and Five's access. They stared for a few seconds before the Inventor broke out into laughter.

"I guess that means our lesson is over!" Two teased in a playful fashion. He then patted Cat's arm and turned towards Five. "We should probably move him into the Sanctuary soon. Then we can make him a proper room and bed. The quicker we get him integrated the better." Usually Two would be a little more cautious, but for whatever reason he couldn't understand he trusted the Beast. Though this led into a new train of thought. "I wonder what exactly he would be now… A Beastpunk? Not fully Stitchpunk, not fully Beast?" The Inventor hummed in questioning.

Five smiled at his mentor's good mood. He could just tell when he came down that there was some sort of dispute, so he was happy to see him recovering. "I could move some of the stuff out of the storage room and we can move him in there for a little while. I don't think Nine will mind staying in my room a little longer," Five suggested.

Two seemed content with the suggestion. "That's a great idea," he congratulated and beckoned Cat off of the cot. The lanky being climbed off and stood, replaced his helmet, and staggering out of the room with them. Cat still seemed to be in a state of shock. He listened to Two's offers, followed him attentively, but seemed most of the time to be passively idle. It didn't concern Two; he could only expect that this entire ordeal was difficult. That look it had gotten while outside, the red color fading from its optics, it signaled some change in emotional state.

Two could only hope that being affectionate and reassuring could keep it from reverting into its previous state. "This is our bucket lift. Here, watch your step," Two introduced to Cat while Five watched. "When you turn this crank it turns the lift. Here, watch." The shorter Stitchpunk took ahold of the crank and began to turn it, the lift slowly raising in the shaft. The difficulty of turning the crank and raising the lift was about equal to how much weight was in the lift; Two could still do it, but Cat's unexpected weight made him a little sluggish.

"Two, I can get it," Five interrupted helpfully. "No, no. I'm fine. I've done this plenty of- Oh." Two cut off as Cat curiously looked over the mechanism of the lift. After a few moments of tapping and studying it, he took the crank. To Five's surprise and Two's delight, Cat started to operate the crank. More out of curiosity than doing it for Five or Two. Either way, they rode to the top and then stepped into the throne room. One was still gone, but Eight was still at his post and Nine was still in with Six.

Cat began to study the room intently, curiosity returning as it studied its new location. It approached the cauldron off to the side while Nine looked out, Six peeking around behind him. The Artist gasped as he started at the male by the cauldron, knowing who he was.

"It's okay, Six," Nine murmured to him and then looked towards the two. "Is… Everything fine?" When Two smiled to him he felt instant relief, knowing the fight was over.

"Oh, yes, it's all fine," the Inventor added in. He then started to approach Cat who was looking in at the coals.

Five approached Nine and Six, noticing their previous hesitant looks. "I'm afraid to ask, but… How bad was it?"

Nine's mouth clenched slightly, "Huge. Most of it was Two too." Five looked surprised by this and Nine added with, "I don't even think One knew how to react."

The three stood there awkwardly, Five rubbing his neck, and Six quietly spoke. "I've never seen Two mad before… Did you tell him what One said?"

Both nodded and now Nine suddenly focused in. "Speaking of which, are you okay? You were alone with One and Eight while we were gone. They didn't take anything out on you, did they?" The zippered male's paranoia was rewarded with a shake of the head.

"No. They didn't even ask me… I guess One and Eight don't think I would pay attention," Six didn't seem to bothered. Instead, he looked to Nine, "Since it's okay, want to draw with me again?" He had an eager smile, hoping Nine would agree. Five was prepared to ask him to join him in preparing the new room, but hearing Six's inquiry caused him to pull back. He knew Six didn't get as much attention as he needed and he didn't want to take Nine away.

Especially after Nine gave his answer. "Sure, Six!" Nine smiled in a friendly way and looked to Five. "I guess I'll catch up with you and Two later. Two probably needs some time to focus with… Him, anyway. Did Two decide on a name or…?"

"Not really. We're not even sure what to call what he is yet," Five admitted and looked over. Two was currently explaining to Cat why they kept the cauldron. Cat was leaning against the edge of the cauldron on his folded arms, watching Two as he continued to explain. He wasn't sure how to keep a conversation, he wasn't even yet sure how to speak even, but Two seemed fine enough on his own. Occasionally Cat sent a glance back at the large doll in the corner. He sort of recognized him and knew he was a threat, but preferred to just keep an eye on him.

Though what he didn't see was the actual threat coming down the stairs.

"Oh no, it's One," Five whispered to Nine and Six and pointed out the Leader coming.

Nine tensed a little, "Should one of us try to distract him, or…?"

Six chimed in at this, "It won't work." The Artist got a look of both dread and slight exasperation. "I'm just going to be over there…" Six then disappeared into his cubby to hide. Nine looked after him in concern, but then after One who stepped into the throne room and immediately noticed the new addition. He started to stride over towards the two seemingly unaware Stitchpunks. But they weren't unaware. Cat could hear the footsteps and Two already knew who would be coming at them.

His kindly face grew firm again as he took a deep breath, then turned to face One head on. His blank stare was unwelcoming, a change from the Inventor's usual exterior. One returned it with his own glare; a mix of haughtiness, self-imposed power, and suspicion clearly visible in it. "So this is the new addition you casually dropped on me after you were done with your paroxysm," One remarked in a questioning tone, then looked to Cat. It took him about ten seconds to realize that there was something very un-Stitchpunk-like about the male.

Cat stared back, mouth clenched into what was either a strange smile or an uncomfortable scowl. One's optics narrowed, "What is this? This can't be…" Two was actually genuinely surprised that One caught on. Though his surprise turned to panic when the Leader called back, "Eight, get over here."

The shorter male stepped forwards in front of the former Beast. "One, stop. You don't understand."

Yet One was fully determined, "That thing's eyes tell me enough!" Eight stood from his post and started over towards One, his knife in hand.

Nine hurried forwards before Five could stop him. "It's not what you think! Look, he's not aggressive, there's no reason to start threatening him!"

One turned on him immediately, optics narrowing, "What is that supposed to mean?!... Oh, I see, so you already knew there was something amiss! Look at him, he's the spitting image of the Beast!"

Nine growled back, "That's because he was the beast, but he isn't anymore. He's a Stitchpunk just like we are." Two knew Nine was trying to help, but he could only wish that the younger male hadn't said that. Cat flinched behind him at the words; he had a good idea that 'the beast' was a title he didn't actually want.

One turned back on Two, "You made the Beast into a Stitchpunk doppelganger?! What were you thinking?!"

Two sputtered to defend himself, "I- He changed himself. When I found him he was injured and needed help, but Nine is correct. He is not planning on hurting anyone anymore, not if we can teach him elsewise." Eight seemed particularly horrified and appalled. He stared down Cat with a glare while Cat stared back, keeping an eye out just in case the Guard made a move at him.

The Leader, meanwhile, slammed his staff onto the floor. "You let this thing fool you and put us all at risk! All it will have to do is stay quiet and you would let it attack us all in our sleep, stab us in the back, how simple minded can you be?!" For a moment Two was unable to respond. He sputtered, noticing Eight stepping in a bit, and felt something on his shoulder. It was Cat's claw. Cat was still staring down Eight, the smile definitely a grimace now, but had put a protective claw on Two's shoulder.

Too trusting or not, Two regained his voice and stood strong against One. "Yes, One, I am a fool… Blindly trusting someone like that, you showed me how wrong I could be when you stabbed me in the back." The coldness returned along with the hurt, the frustration, and this time it was both that slipped out. "I trust this- Cat. I trust Cat more than I trust you. At least Cat never hid his intentions when he locked me in that cage."

The room went incredibly quiet after this point. One stared at Two, Two stared at the floor, Nine glared at One, Five stared in shock, Eight was torn, and Cat seemed rather confused on what exactly was happening. Eventually he actually shook Two's shoulder, trying to get a reaction, but the Inventor just turned his head slightly in his direction.

"I won't have that thing in my Sanctuary," One firmly stated, his voice slightly wavering.

This finally triggered Nine to snap, "Fine then! He can just go stay at the Library with the twins! In fact, I'll go with him!" Eight sent Nine a glare, though more of an exasperated one than a threatening one. This outburst didn't help, but by now something different was going on. One and Two were completely quiet as they stood there, almost as though in a stalemate.

Then Two spoke, "I understand." His voice sounded broken. In one instance Two had completely given up even trying. "Let me just get some things…" Two turned and started into the back. Cat followed him, his head tilting as he tried to understand why the Inventor suddenly stopped.

One's look was completely unreadable. "Boss?" Eight asked in concern. "…What am I supposed to do?" He above all the others wanted to make sure that One was alright, but it became apparent that he simply wasn't.

The Leader suddenly straightened. "What?... Ah, yes, just keep an optic out," One responded and turned to approach his throne. Nine glared at him as he did before being distracted by Five's soft murmur of horror.

"Did you hear him? He sounded so… Oh, Two." It was as though Two's response had broken Five's large heart.

Nine looked to him in surprise and then rested a hand on his back. "Should we go after him?" He wanted to check with Five who eagerly nodded.

"Y-Yeah, we really need to. I can't even imagine…" Nine nodded and looked in at Six first. The Artist was sitting in the corner with his head resting on his knees.

"Six." Six's head raised and he looked to Nine. "We're going after Two, I'll be back in a little while. Then we'll draw." Six nodded meekly and curled into himself once more. Nine hated to leave him, but he had to, and they went after Two.

Two entered into his bedroom and collapsed on the stool, head in hands, resting against the Workbench. He could feel his insides clench at everything that had been said and what he would have to do. He would have to leave with Cat; he could only wish that the only reason was because of Cat. The former Beast moved behind him and watched in confusion as Two sat there. He didn't really understand what was happening and only knew that the doll was upset. Frankly, he had no clue what to do in this situation. So he did the only thing that came to mind.

Cat laid his hands on Two's back and began to knead into him. Maybe the motion made Cat feel better instead of Two, he could already feel the tension starting to ease, but he assumed it would do something. Then Five and Nine suddenly walked in. Cat didn't care that they saw him, but Five and Nine's concerned looks soon turned to confused ones. "Uh…" Nine started and decided not to finish.

Instead, Five moved in, "Oh Two, I… What are we going to do?" He put his arm around his shoulder affectionately, holding his mentor safely.

Two looked upwards at the younger male. The look on his face was filled with sadness, "I will take Cat to the Library and… I suppose, stay there."

Five gasped at the comment, "Two, no! You can't- You can't leave! Nine didn't mean- He didn't mean you leaving!" He was firm with his words, as though he was suddenly willing to fight for it, but Two shook his head.

"Five, this is beyond Cat. One… I don't think I should stay here with One after what happened. I suppose maybe after a while, after time passes, I can return, but for now this seems like what's best. I don't want to cause a further rift in the Sanctuary," Two explained.

Five looked horrified at the thought. The stubbornness grew, "No. No, you're not leaving. You can't leave." Five leaned down to completely hug Two, holding him tightly against him. "Two, we almost just lost you. I almost just lost you. I don't want to lose you now over a fight. Not like this, not like the others…" He trailed off as he pressed into the top of Two's head. He tightened his grasp on the smaller male, his large hands clinging onto the Inventor as he tightened his grasp on him. Nine shuffled closer and placed a hand on Five's back.

Nine was the only one who heard a noise at the doorway and looked back to see One standing there. He didn't know why he had followed them or why he was watching, but he could only give a look of clear disappointment. He didn't want to say anything and ruin the moment; Two and Five were upset enough as it was. One just watched them for a few moments, both confused at the scene and yet studying it. Inwardly, One didn't know what to think, watching the clinging and whatever the Cat was doing.

Then Two spoke again, "Five, please, this is difficult for me too… But I can't abandon Cat now that he trusts me. I wouldn't be able to live with doing that." Indeed, especially after One had done this, Two was ready to stick to his ethics. He wouldn't submit now and he couldn't risk the chance of having the beast suddenly turn back against them after this project.

Five then insisted, "Then I'll come with you."

Two shook his head, "Five, you need to stay here. Six, our projects; it's safer and more comfortable for you here."

"I'll stay with Six," Nine spoke, still staring down One. "I don't want to lose you two either, but you two shouldn't be broken apart." Two didn't respond much beyond a shake of the head. He held onto his apprentice tighter, continuing their warm embrace. One felt an inward clenching at the scene. Something about it was so pathetic, so pitifully depressing, and One forced himself to stay strong against it. He wouldn't be manipulated in such childish ways by such an overdramatic scene. Two gave a shaky exhale and One finally pounced.

"Fine then! If you are all going to keep whining and making a big scene, then you can keep that damned thing!" One's voice was so sudden that most of the Stitchpunks jumped, even Nine who slightly flinched too even though looking at One. "But if you think that it excuses him from the same rules that the rest of us follow, and allows him to act like an uncouth Beast, then you can think again!" Then he turned, cape splaying, and strode off down the hall from once he came.

Halfway to the throne room he realized what he had done and mentally scolded himself for caving. He wasn't even certain why he caved either. Two had spoken to him with aggression and disrespect, turned the others against him, brought a beast into the Sanctuary, and while One had been so determined in his willingness to let Two leave before… Suddenly One didn't want him to go. Maybe it was how he had spoken to him, but One wanted to keep him close by. It wasn't just him either and as he entered the throne room he turned to Eight.

"Go find this Library and bring those three home… I won't have them being held against me."

In the other room, the four Stitchpunks stared at the doorway, all in equal shock. Even Cat, with raised brows under his helmet, and Five dared to ask, "What- What was that?!"

Even Two still looked taken aback and Nine volunteered, "It's probably because you both were talking about leaving. You said Seven and the twins left because of One, maybe he realized that three followers in a Sanctuary wouldn't be enough." This was a possibility, but Two had never seen One suddenly change his mind like that. Regardless, it was a sudden relief.

"Well, Cat, that means that we'll be staying. That means you will be staying with us," Two quietly spoke as he forced a smile at the male. It was obvious that, even though One suddenly backed down, Two was still rather upset about the situation. That would take more than just a sudden change of One's mind could fix. For the moment they had bought time; somehow Cat understood this and knew that at any moment he could be thrown out in the Emptiness. Then he would have to continue what he was doing before he changed himself.

Even as he watched Nine, Five, and Two speak, he suddenly noticed something that concerned him. He couldn't remember exactly what he had planned to do once he became a Stitchpunk. He didn't have the foggiest idea what his mission had been…

Except that it had involved his Creator.


Mable: Thankfully, One's ever-changing mind rapidly changes again to keep his Sanctuary of being emptied of its two healers… Or maybe One has other ideas? Only time will tell at this point. I hope you enjoyed and the next chapter will be posted soon!