Part Four: The Elder

8 lead 9 through a clearing in the city, probably at one time a large, beautiful square that was subject to the devastating effects of war. There were desolate, long-dead trees, and the ruins of a playground, disintegrating swings and a rusted jungle gym the only remaining evidence of a once-bright life. The rest of the square was covered with destroyed tanks, barbed wire, and shrapnel that littered everything, everywhere. 8 led 9 under a section of the barbed wire which looked like one of the extinct Mech-Walkers had torn through. 8 held up a piece of the wire for 9 to crawl under.

"Thanks, 8." 9 murmured as he ducked under, then looked around. There was a tiny flickering, white-orange light from behind a stack of sand-filled burlap sacks. It looked just like the light that had led 9 to find 2. 9 froze, blinking. He willed himself to take a step forward, but found himself unable to do so. 1 was the stitchpunk who seemed to hate him, never putting trust within him, always conflicting with 9's ideas and beliefs…the one who sacrificed his life instead…

"C'mon," 8 grunted, gently shoving 9 forward. 9 stumbled slightly, then walked forward to the sacks. He bit his lip, clenching his fists when someone called out to them.

"8? Is that you?" An overly familiar, grizzled old voice called. It wasn't pleasant and warm like 2's, but severe and grim. However, to 9, it sounded strained and weak.

"Yeah, 'n 9." 8 announced as 9 walked around a corner, fear gripping his entire being. He looked into the clearing, and saw that 8 had made a sort of shelter for himself and 1. The stitchpunk in question was crouched in the farthest corner, the tiny fire before him turning his cream-colored skin yellow. He was holding one of his hands to his chest. He looked older than ever, his sinister eyes worn and weary. His once-strong, proud form was weak and tired. He even looked more irritated than when 9 had known him.

"Nine? Nine what? What the devil are you talking about, you –" 1 began irately, but the stopped short as his narrow eyes caught sight of 9. Those eyes widened, and 1 blinked. 9 froze once more, finding himself unable to take his eyes away from 1.

"Oh…9." 1 said softly, dropping his eyes for a moment. It was like a spell of some sorts was broken, and 9 was able to hurry forward to 1. 8 wandered into the shelter, sitting beside the fire and stoking it with a blackened stick. His stoking only caused the fire to diminish, but 9 didn't correct him. He was too relieved to have found the two.

"1," he whispered, crouching beside the old man who'd caused him so much grief. "1, are you alright? Here, let me see your hand." 9 said, reaching forward for the hand that was, obviously, injured. 1 hesitated, keeping his eyes averted from 9's, then rested his injured hand in 9's – or, what was left of it, anyway.

"Oh, 1…your hand. What happened?" 9 asked, horrified. 1's hand was almost completely burned away. His metal palm was warped and twisted, and only his thumb and third finger, which was broken, remained on the left hand.

"It was burned away in the explosion…the night in which you defeated the Machine." 1 said softly, finally looking up at 9. The younger man wouldn't deny in the slightest that meeting 1 once more was awkward and uncomfortable, but his kind nature was pushing away the discomfort for the time being. 1 couldn't look away from the boy as he gently turned his hand in his own – the boy that had caused his death, as well as four others, so stubborn, the one who challenged his ways, the one who made him see the light…the one who saved him.

"You…you don't seem quite as surprised as you should. I do believe I'd be quite more frightened if I found that an old man had come back from the dead." 1 said briskly, narrowing his eyes. 9 didn't look up from 1's hand, but he clenched his jaw. He hadn't been with 1 for more than ten minutes, and he was already being challenged. Nevertheless, he kept his voice gentle and his feelings inside.

"I've already found 2. I was out here to find anyone else. 8 found me instead." He chuckled, casting a quick smile up towards 8. 8 winked, then went back to trying to save the dying fire (which he was putting out more quickly than lighting it). 1 blinked.

"2 is alive?" He said softly. 9 nodded, looking up at 1. The old man blinked again, then turned away in a fit of coughing. 9 patted his back, knowing that poor old 1 was ill as well, and needed to get home as soon as possible.

"Yes. And I think 6 and…and 5 are as well. I'm going to get you home, then I have to find the others. 2 will fix your hand, it'll be good as new." 9 said, giving 1 a smile. 1 looked at him stonily for a moment, and then, for the second time in their lives, gave 9 a small smile. 9 then took his good hand, and helped him to his feet.

"Now, let's get you two home." 9 said, beckoning 8 over. He let go of 1, who immediately swayed, then collapsed with a cry. 9 whirled around and caught 1 before he hit the ground, holding him upright. His shoulder ached with the added weight, but 9 paid no mind to it.

"Let go of me, boy. I am perfectly capable of standing myself." 1 said, shoved 9 away from him. Gripping a nearby piece of lumber, 1 struggled to his feet, his knees shaking horribly. 9 grasped his arms and helped him up, uncaring that 1 pushed him away again. He knew that 1 was far too proud to admit that he needed 9's help. However, when he collapsed again, 9 waved 8 over.

"8, help him walk, please." 9 said to the guardian, then bent down to 1. "As soon as we get you home, you'll be able to rest and regain your strength. It's gonna be okay, 1," 9 said, clasping 1's shoulder. "You're safe now."

1 blinked, tensing up, but then sighed and relaxed, allowing 8 to put an arm around his leader's waist and heave him to his feet, nearly lifting him from the ground.

"8, though I am one, there is no need to toss me around like a ragdoll." 1 snapped, straightening and brushing off his front. 8 grunted, looking irritated.

"Sorry," he muttered as 9 came around his other side, putting 1's arm around his shoulder and supporting him. Together, the three male stitchpunks walked out from the shelter and into the unforgiving Emptiness, determined to make it home.

"…I trust 2 has already told you what occurred in the Second World." 1 said, sniffing haughtily. 9 almost smiled to himself. 1 was so beside himself with having to receive help from 9, it was funny. Perhaps, one day, he will understand that 9 only wanted to help him for his well-being, not for a title or anything of the sort. Perhaps, one day, he'd even thank him…

"You guys watched over us, the whole time you were up there. Then, you were visited by a strange spirit who sent you back here." 9 said, looking around, keeping his eyes open for the trail to lead him back home.

"And…and me and the old codger…well, I had to apologize. My behavior towards him was ghastly. It was…it was unforgivable. But of course, 2 forgave me. Called me his brother. Funny – the Scientist told me that 2 was meant to be my brother." 1 was quiet for a moment. "How are the children? How is...7?" 1 said, grimacing as if the young woman's name dripped acid into his mouth. 9 remembered that 7 and 1 were in no way on good terms with one another. 1 detested 7 for her rebellious ways and 7 had nearly killed him at one point. "I can no longer see them. You've been taking such good care of them – I trust they are safe and well?"

"Yes. But the twins fell into a river. I got them out, but that's how I found 2. The river carried me into the woods, and I found him beside the bank. That's when I realized that you must be alive. You, and 8, and 6 and 5." 9 trailed off, his longing for 7 and the twins intensifying. If he'd been out on a venture to, perhaps, scavenge some supplies, then he would have no trouble being away from 7 and the twins. He knew they'd be just fine, and he'd see them in a matter of hours. But in this instance, he had no idea when he'd see them again. He was so protective of them, it hurt to be away from them. He loved them, and they were his friends. They were all he had. He needed them.

"Well…good job for your bravery. Good job for protecting 7 and the children." 1 said softly. He took a deep breath and continued. "And 9, I am very sorry. I was meant to protect my coven. And I set 2 out to perish, alone, and I didn't care what became of 7 and the twins. I was never a good leader. I've done horrible things. I…I'm sorry, 9. The war blinded me into seeing what I had forsaken – a family." 1 finished quietly, looking down. 9 was silent for a moment, looking straight ahead.

"Look, we've both made mistakes. I've made the most terrible of all. But what's past is past. Look at what we've been blessed with – we can be a family now. And we can live out our lives as we should." 9 said, and 1 smiled at him. 8 smiled too, and 9 felt, for once, that everything in the world was going to be fine.

The three men continued to walk through the Emptiness, 9 leading 8 towards their home. He continued to help 1 home, knowing that he had only two more of his friends to find. However, he contemplated on what to do – 6 had fallen into a canyon. And 5 could've moved away, out into the depths of the Emptiness. He could have even traveled out into the Barrens, as he and 7 had come to call the dead, silent world outside of the city. 9 bit his lip. What if he couldn't find 5 and 6? They'd never be a whole family…and he would forever live with the guilt that it was he who lost 5 and 6…he could never forgive himself…

There was a sudden, rapid clicking noise, and 9 snapped up with a gasp. He saw that he was standing on the porch of his home. He hadn't realized that they'd made it home. It was well into the night, desolate darkness enveloping the city, and the bright flashes of the twins' eyes startled him for a moment. Then, as he realized it was only 3 and 4, he relaxed and extended a hand to them, relieved to see them. They ran up to him, smiling widely and greeting him excitedly.

"Hey, guys." He said softly, putting an arm around them both and hugging them tightly. They smiled up at him and hugged him back for a moment before looking at 1 and 8.

"Hello, lads." 1 said softly. The twins remained still for a moment, shy and uncertain. They blinked up at 1 and 8 before smiling timidly and waving at them. 1 gave them a nod, and 8 smiled warmly at the two little ones. 9 smiled as well, then gently removed 1's arm from his shoulders. 3 stepped forward immediately and took his place (he was slightly taller than 4).

"Where is 7, guys?" He asked, patting 3's head gently as they walked across the porch. 4 held up two fingers, then pointed into the house. 7 was with 2 at the moment. 9 nodded and turned to 1 and 8.

"1, 8, go to 2. I've gathered some supplies, and he'll be able to heal you. Then rest. 7 will look after you. And, please, be nice to her. She…she's the only one I've had for the last few months." 9 said, rubbing his arm a little shyly. The twins flickered indignantly to him, frowning. He smiled and gathered 4 into his arms, then touched 3's optics with his own. The twins' offense instantly melted away as they giggled and looked up at 9 with love.

"And of course I've had these two." He said, squeezing 4 tightly. 4 buried his face into 9's neck, sighing contentedly. He loved his older brother so. 3 removed one hand and put it around 9, hugging him in goodbye. Then, he turned away and led 1 and 8 into the house. 1 cast a final look at 9 over his shoulder.

A fine young man. And I was too blind to see it…Was 1's thought before disappearing into the house, 8 and 3 still helping him walk. 4 stayed behind with 9, looking up at him curiously, but also with great happiness.

"9, won't you come see 7? She's missed you so very much. As have I, and my brother, too. Oh, please stay for a moment. We've missed you!" 4 flickered to 9, tugging on his hand and pointing into the house. There was a wide smile of excitement on his face. Although 9 couldn't understand the words in the flickers of light that came from 4's eyes, he knew exactly what he was saying. He sadly shook his head, and the smile slide from 4's pale face.

"I'm sorry, 4. I have to find 6, and 5. I'll be home before you know it. Now, I need you to help 1 and 8. Please?" 9 said, resting his hand atop 4's hood. 4 nodded sadly, his head bent, before wrapping his arms around his big brother once more, burying his face into his chest. He tried not to become upset, but he couldn't help it. He had missed 9 very much, and now he had to leave again. 9 patted his back, kissing his forehead.

"You know that I love you, and your brother. And I promise I'll come home soon. Now, run along." 9 said gently, stroking 4's hooded head affectionately. 4 nodded sadly, and then turned away and ran after his brother, disappearing into the house. Once 9 was alone, he immediately began to turn away. He wished he could run into the house, and see 7, his dearest friend, once more before he had to leave. But he knew that he could not waste precious time. He raised a hand to his heart – he had placed 7's skullmet earring inside of himself for safekeeping. Sighing to himself, 9 broke into a run across the Emptiness, keeping his eyes wide open in the darkness.

He was going to have to find some rope.