Hey guys! Here's another chapter, in which we will see if 9 will survive this close encounter with the Fabrication Machine.

In it's re-edit, Savior has now hit the 101,000 word mark! Break out the cookies and champange!

~Raindrops to all, Cel

Chapter 10: Near Escape

The Spine Machine silently raced through the wastelands. It's powerful, mechanically sinuous body flexed with each stroke of its powerful legs. The small ragdoll it had captured lay limp and lifeless in the large cage that made up its chest. He was still out cold, but alive. The Machine could easily read the warmth left in his body, could easily feel the miniscule electric currents surging from his heart through his body. It could also feel the ethereal radiation emanating from the talisman, still inside the little doll's chest. But that wasn't going to be for long.

The Spine Machine continued to sprint through the Emptiness. It headed to the other side of the city, many miles away. The destruction around it didn't daunt the monster in the slightest. This lifelessness was the norm, what the Machine was programmed to expect. Soon, the main city ebbed away, replaced by immense fields leading out into the Barrens, the land far beyond the Emptiness. The only thing the stitchpunks could ever make out in the Barrens were the vast mountains, the land out there subject to nature's severity. Suddenly, out of the swirling fog, there loomed a gigantic, rocky shape. It soon took the form of a crumbling stone citadel.

The Citadel was once a gorgeous fortress turned into a stronghold when the War of the Machines descended amongst the country. The tallest of its towers was where a huge bell resided. The Machine surveyed its surroundings, making quite sure that it was alone. Snorting, it pushed open the huge wooden doors enclosing the Citadel. It closed it with a back foot, making sure that it was latched. There was no way the little ragdoll could escape its fate. However, the Machine hadn't noticed the small sliver of space underneath the door, merely a few inches wide…

The Fabrication Machine was still insanely weak and in extreme need of repair. The Spine Machine and Cat Beast had assisted it to the Citadel, the only place large enough for the colossal monster. It could barely move, but now that it was safe from the elements, the Fabrication Machine was starting to recover. In the Spine Machine's absence, the Machine had built itself a new connection to the Citadel, using it as a power source. This was very similar to the connection it had to the factory. The Cat Beast acted as the scout, scavenging the wastelands for materials to use.

The Spine Machine crept slowly and quietly towards the citadel, keeping a wary lookout for the little beings. Its right cheekbone throbbed painfully from where the female had hit it with her spear. As it walked to the main foyer, where the Machine resided, it dropped to all fours and walked across the marble floor, it's razor sharp claws clacking eerily against it. There was very little light in here, and the entire room was littered with things that belonged to humans. The Machines didn't care, though.

As it entered the main foyer, the Spine Machine approached a small oil lamp case that had fallen to the ground. The glass was still intact, so it used it as a cage. Opening its chest, the Spine Machine seized 9 and tossed his lifeless body into the lamp. The Machine slammed it shut, and locked the cage door with a claw. The little ragdoll still did not wake, and it snorted at the ragdoll before walking away.

The Spine Machine trotted over to the Fabrication Machine and the Cat Beast. It snarled, jerking its head over to the lamp which held 9. The Machine gave a shrill growl in liking, pleased that the Spine Machine had brought a ragdoll, with a strong and young soul, to power it. The Cat Beast was shoved roughly out of the way as the Spine Machine went to work on the Fabrication Machine. It needed a few more repairs to ensure that it was strong enough to withhold a soul. After a small scuffle between the two animal-like monsters, the Spine Machine went to work on the Machine.

In the lamp cage, 9 slowly regained his consciousness. He blinked his eyes open. His vision was blurred and he rubbed his aching head. Looking up, he finally was able to see clearly and his eyes fell upon what he was captured by. For a moment, he could only stare at the three Machines, his heart falling horribly. He gasped softly and cowered against the glass. His jaw dropped as he started in horror. This simply couldn't be happening. The Machine couldn't be alive once again. He had destroyed it! His coven couldn't be in this much danger once more, not when he had just managed to bring them back. Shaking his head, furiously, 9 knew that he could not panic. His coven was in extreme danger.

Breathing heavily, he looked around desperately for an escape. There was none that he could distinguish from the stone walls that surrounded him, that trapped him. He slumped against the iron bars and thick glass of the cage in shock and distress. He stared at the hard, cold floor of his imprisonment. This wasn't supposed to happen, none of this was. He realized he had brought back the others to a still-dangerous world, and that they were in danger of being killed once more. 6…2…the twins…5…7…

Suddenly, the Spine Machine turned around from the other Machines and 9 closed his eyes tightly. He feigned unconsciousness, trying to slow his sharp, shallow breaths. He hoped to the Creator that the Machine wouldn't be able to register his raging heartbeat. The Spine Machine opened the cage door and clutched him in its razor claws, unknowing that he was now alert. He determinedly remained limp and lifeless, keeping his head slumped against his chest. With its other claw, the Machine unzipped him, and pulled out the talisman. It growled as it pinned 9 beneath its claws once more. It reached up, taking out the half of the glowing blue orb from the Machine's port. The Fabrication Machine sparked a bit, blue lines dancing across its frame. The cyan light illuminated the room. It shrieked as the power drained rapidly from its body.

The Spine Machine snorted at it, and inserted the talisman, reattaching the half of the orb to its own half in its chest. The Fabrication Machine rose in the air, spread its long, spindly arms and shrieked in triumph, its crimson eye glowing brighter than ever. It had finally returned 9 gasped as he opened his eyes, looking up, and now knew why it needed him: his soul was going to power the Machine. Knowing he had to act quickly, 9 desperately reached for an old rope lying next to the Cat Beast's paw. While they were distracted and still believing he was unconscious, 9 carefully and gently tied a tight knot around the Beast's paw and one of the Machine's claws.

The Spine Machine shuddered as the power of the orb revitalized it and lowered its head to 9. It picked him up roughly in its claws. 9, however, had a rock from the rubble clutched in his hands. The Spine Machine had raised him up and he took the sharp stone and threw it to one of its eyes with as much force as he could muster. It screamed and dropped him. It shook its head, trying to rid itself of the sudden, sharp pain. 9 scrambled to his feet as fast as he could, and ran towards the entrance of the Citadel. 9's heart leaped as he saw the sliver of light underneath the gigantic wooden doors – a small, but sure opening to the outside world.

The Spine Machine, however, was quick in recovering itself and it gave a seething hiss as it noticed 9 running across the rubble. The Fabrication Machine screamed as its prey was escaping. 9 ran as fast as his legs could possibly carry him to the opening, knowing that this was his one and only chance to make it out of the citadel alive. He knew that his chances of survival were very slim. He was right in front of the three deadliest machines that ever graced the Earth without anywhere to hide. He had one chance to make it out, or his life – and his coven – ended here.

The Cat Beast leapt for 9, its clawed paws spread wide. It suddenly jolted violently sideways. The Spine Machine shrieked as it was thrown to the ground, leg pulled out painfully to the side by the Cat Beast. Both Machines toppled to the floor, screeching in anger and confusion as the rope tangled around their claws. The Fabrication Machine roared in fury as it loomed forward, reaching an arm to grab 9. The young stitchpunk ran as fast as he could, bought a few seconds by his clever plan. He could feel the claw mere inches from his back. Suddenly, the entire Citadel rumbled as the Machine crashed against the narrow opening. The rocks cracked and rubble fell to the floor. The Fabrication Machine screeched in rage, its reach just short of grabbing 9. The Spine Machine finally untangled itself and bit through the rope in one swift snap.

Immediately leaping to its feet, the Spine Machine dived towards 9. The stitchpunk was scrambling under the small space underneath the door. He was struggling frantically, pushing against the wood and straining. Finally, he was free from the small, suffocating crack, but just as he was pulling his right leg underneath the door, the Spine Machine sprang forward and snapped its jaws upon it.

He cried out in pain as the razor teeth scraped against his metal skeletal structure, cutting through the burlap as if it was melted butter. However, his body was jamming the doors, so the Machine couldn't open them or pull him back underneath the crack. 9 struggled frantically, grimacing as he pulled his leg through the fangs of the Machine. Finally, with one well-placed kick, 9 bent the tip of one of the teeth, causing the Machine to let go. He pulled his masticated leg out of the Spine Machine's grasp. He fell forward, but quickly got to his feet. He ran as fast as he could into the wasteland, stumbling as his leg seared terribly. He panted heavily, knowing the Machine was going to be right behind him. Looking all around, he then dove into a den of broken parts to a dead Machine, a Mech-Walker, it looked like.

The Spine Machine had easily followed him, and it stood right outside the den snarling loudly, searching for 9. He was trembling, curled up in the corner as far as he could get, trying to stay out of the Machine's line of sight.

The Spine Machine couldn't see him, for the newly attained injury corrupted its sensors. One of its eyes was cracked from where the insignificant little male had thrown a rock at it. It snarled, screeched and stepped roughly on the Mech-Walker. It crushed it and nearly pinned 9 to the ground, forcing him to lie on his back. The Machine surrendered for the time being. Snarling angrily, it turned away to retreat back to the Citadel. 9 stayed hidden, however, breathing heavily. He waited until he could no longer hear the metal footsteps of the Machine, his heart beating quickly and pain searing through his leg. He clutched his knee, wincing, and peered hesitantly out of the den.

The Machine was gone, away back to its lair and all was eerily quiet. Quickly, 9 climbed out of the den. He hastened away from the Citadel and into the rocky wilderness. He ran as fast as his injury would allow and he kept casting nervous glances over his shoulder.

9 then tripped suddenly and fell to his knees into the dust. He groaned softly as his leg seared in pain. 9 managed to sit up, and he looked at his maimed leg – two long slashes went across his leg. His metallic kneecap was shown through a rip in the rubber layering underneath his skin. 9 sighed wearily, knowing he was lucky to have escaped only with this injury. He looked up and pushed himself to his feet unsteadily. He took a deep breath and tried to limp through the wastelands, trying to find the others. 9 knew that he was lost, but he had to find the others. He had to warn them.

It seemed like hours past and his strength was quickly draining away. He wanted just to lie down right here in the open, but he knew that he was risking his life and the others lives as well. They didn't know what was out there now and he did. He needed to warn them and prepare them for the war that was sure to come soon. 9 had a feeling that it had already started.

The winds howled through the dusty badlands, thrashing at 9 unmercifully. He shielded his eyes with a hand, trying to make it through the wastelands. There was nothing of any importance surrounding him. Rocks stood, lonely and silent among the rubble from fallen buildings and wires and all things that stated war. Fields stretched all the way to the Barrens. It looked as if he was upon some sort of old battlefield. 9 blinked, feeling very frightened being out here in the Emptiness alone and injured. Darkness was swallowing the countryside as the sun began to retreat behind the distant hills.

9 tried to take another step forward, trying to continue his search. He staggered, weary, until his knees buckled underneath him and he collapsed into the dust. His leg ached severely and he was exhausted. All of his strength was drained away, and the darkness was enveloping his mind and dragging him under. 9 shook his head against the ground, trying to keep hold of his consciousness. He blinked slowly, his breathing labored.

He lifted his head from the ground and wearily looked around. He discovered a dented coffee can, the entry mostly concealed by a slab of wood. It was up against an old watchtower, looming over the battlefield. 9 blinked wearily, allowing his head to drop back against the ground, taking another shuddering breath.

"5…5…" he whispered softly, trying to call out to someone, anyone, but his call was no more than an unheard murmur. "5…7…7…"

9 knew that he could not hold on to his consciousness much longer. He needed to find shelter or risk being found out in the open. 9 managed to push himself to his feet. He staggered slowly and wearily towards the can, his ripped leg throbbing intensely. He walked into the canand then his injured leg finally gave way. He collapsed against the side of the tin, then slid to the bottom. He could no longer hold on. Breathing heavily, 9 lay on the bottom of the coffee tin, closing his eyes, passing out from the sheer exhaustion.

The night was quickly falling upon the country. The sun was setting rapidly, creating a shade of dusty grey-pink in the cloud-obscured sky. 9 was still unconscious, lying injured in the can, concealed away. He was completely oblivious of the voices outside.

"9!" 5 yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth as he walked through the Emptiness. His deep voice echoed into the distance, finally mingling with the forever silence.

"5, be quieter! The Beast will hear you!" 7 hissed. The warrior was stepping as quietly and cautiously as she could across the broken landscape. Her spear was clutched in her hands, skullmet pulled over her face protectively. She was ready for the new threat that was hunting them.

"Sorry." 5 said to her, voice lowered as she wished. The two were searching for 9, looking in every corner and fissure, calling his name, hopeful he would answer. However, they had ceased calling out once they reached the battlefield. They were afraid that their calling might attract the Spine Machine to them, or something even worse that they did not even know of.

"9?" 5 whispered as he ascended a hill of broken concrete rubble and looked into the building, an old human lookout of some sorts for the war. "Can you hear us?"

His voice only echoed off of the walls, reverberating and then finally languishing once more. 5's heart began to fall dreadfully as he received no answer from his best friend. Closing his eye, he saw a picture within his mind. The Spine Machine was running to the factory, where the Fabrication Machine was still alive and at full strength. They had not killed it, and the Spine Machine lifted a struggling 9 to its master. The Fabrication Machine roared in triumph as it grabbed 9 in one iron claw. The eerie green light from the talisman illuminated his face…and three deadly lights shot out towards him…

"7?" 5 asked softly to her. She turned and looked up at him.

"Yeah?" She asked hopefully. "Did you find him?"

"No." He choked out, fearful of the next words. "But what if we never do? What if he didn't escape?" 5 asked apprehensively, his hope of finding his best friend tapering greatly by the second, his heart falling. 7 didn't speak for a moment before turning away to continue looking, her fingers tightening around her spear.

"We can't think of the 'what ifs' at the moment. We need to concentrate on trying to find him." She said firmly, trying to distract 5, and her own heart, from believing that 9 was really dead. She wouldn't allow herself to believe so. She'd never relent in looking for him until she had absolute proof that he was gone.

5 frowned and sighed sadly. Jumping down from the building and beginning to follow 7, he was suddenly alert, stopping dead in his tracks. He heard a shuffling sound, and the sound of metal scraping against metal. Turning around sharply, he saw a large coffee can that was forced up against the wall – where the sound was coming from. 5 just knew that it was the Machine, hiding, stalking them, ready to pounce.

He quickly reached in his pack and swiftly mounted his crossbow with an arrow. Arming himself, he quietly crept towards the can. He didn't call to 7 to look out, afraid it might give him away to the Machine and it would attack. Leaning against the side of the can, he readied the crossbow. He inhaled and then jumped into the open, in front of the can, pointing the crossbow into the darkness, his finger on the trigger.

He froze, and slowly lowered his crossbow. Lying in front of him, sprawled out on his side, was 9, unconscious and injured.

"7!" He called across the way to her, uncaring if the Beast heard him. He was too ecstatic that his best friend was alive, even if barely. "7, I found him!"

7 turned to tell 5 to shut up for the second time, but saw 5 standing by 9's lifeless form. 7 couldn't help but sigh in relief and she immediately sprinted to where 5 was standing. 5 shoved his crossbow back into his pack, bending down and examining 9's torn leg. He placed a hand on his shoulder, the other on his chest. 5 could easily feel the faint beats of 9's heart. He brushed his fingers over 9's lips, feeling the flutter of his friend's breath, making sure he was still alive. 5 then gingerly touched the tears over 9's leg, grimacing.

"Oh buddy. We'd better get you home." He said softly. Suddenly, 9 shifted again, his copper fingers scraping alongside the metal covering of the coffee can, which was the sound that 5 heard, and he blinked his eyes open.

"Who's there…5?" He asked in disbelief, voice low and indistinct, lifting his head. His eyes weren't focused. He only saw the blurry outline of 5 over him.

"It's okay, it's me. We're gonna get you home." 5 said, giving his best friend a relieved smile, clutching his shoulder tightly. He knew that the determined, intelligent stitchpunk would escape! He knew he was alive!

"You didn't have to come after me." 9 said, smiling faintly at his best friend, still unable to see him clearly, dazed and weary. 5 grinned even wider, though he was quite worried. 9's words slurred and he wasn't focusing. He was extremely weak and needed to be healed as soon as possible.

"You would've done the same for me. We stick together, remember?" 5 said to 9, clasping one of his hands. 9 smiled even wider, which quickly turned into a grimace as his leg gave another shot of pain and he clutched it. Not wanting him to cause more damage to himself, 5 seized his wrists and laid them gently on the ground. 9 didn't protest, but lay limply, breathing heavily. 5 then turned as 7 entered the can.

"9, are you alright?" She asked firmly as she kneeled beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes at this touch and looked up at her in surprise.

"The Machine…what…where are…7, 5, are you okay?" He asked dazedly, trying to sit up, but failed at doing so. 7 pushed on his chest gently, stopping his attempt to sit erect.

"We're fine. Now stop moving, you'll hurt yourself even more." 7 said, gently holding him on the ground. 9 stared up at her, then at 5 for a moment. His head was slightly lifted, trying to stay awake. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it with a sigh. His eyes closed as he collapsed back to the metal ground once more. 9 passed out again, exhaustion overwhelming him. Before his head hit the ground, 7 caught it in her hands and gently lay him down. She looked worriedly at 5, keeping a hand on 9's chest, making sure he was still breathing. 5 sighed as he examined 9's leg once more.

"We've got to get him home." He said gravely, and 7 looked at 9's injury. She bit her lower lip, hoping that 9 could just hang on for at least a few more hours, and she nodded to 5. Stepping around the unconscious male stitchpunk, she took hold of his wrist and placed his arm over her shoulder. 5 was taking 9 on his left side, and they stood, lifting 9. He remained deeply unconscious, his head bent to his chest. 7 and 5 ran out into the night, wanting to get him home, the stars now twinkling overhead in the inky black sky.