Sorry that this chapter is late. I fell so behind on a lot of things. I began typing it last week and finished it now. This process was slow, but I finished it.

So, in this chapter Elias appears again. Conversations are held. Decisions have to be made. And there's also something unexpected in this chapter. Check the bottom for details.

Anyways, enjoy chapter twelve. Lookout for chapter thirteen.

Hogarth ambled through the town streets, watching the lights entwined around the trees. The temperature dropped down to a brisk thirty degrees, prompting Hogarth to bundle up whenever he went out. It was two weeks before winter break and that meant Christmas. He figured he would be spending it with Dean's parents come over again. He wouldn't mind having them over, but he wondered whether the stitchpunks would be in this world long enough to celebrate the holidays with him. It was something Hogarth looked forward to. And he was going to make it happen.

"Look at that," said Hogarth, looking to at the sky. 9 emerged from Hogarth's scarf and took a peek. He tilted his head, blinking. Hogarth held out a gloved hand. "The radio said that it was supposed to snow today."

"Maybe it'll snow at night," offered 9.

In Hogarth's pockets, 3 and 4 poked their heads out of the right pocket while 5 was safely watching from the left one.

"Have you guys seen snow before?" Hogarth asked the stitchpunks.

5 peered up at the boy. "Our world," he began, "had been deprived of rain for years, so we never got to see it." He cleared his throat. "But now that it's been raining, the weather will go back to how it was."

"Your atmosphere was that contaminated?," quipped Hogarth.

"The gas did away with the organic life of our world." 5 stared off as though a vision spread before him. "Now with the Machine gone, the world will begin to heal itself."

Hogarth stopped and looked both ways before crossing the street. Once he was sure there weren't any cars coming, he traipsed to the next street. He saw a toy store and walked up to the establishment. He stood before the window. He spotted a train set laid out on the display table, the trains beetling through the small tunnel and whatnot. Hogarth peeked in through the window and spotted a dollhouse on display. He chuckled.

"Hey," he whispered to 9, "think you guys would like your own space?" He pointed to the dollhouse.

9 craned his neck and looked where he was pointing.

"Hmm."

"I don't know," piped 5, looking through the shop window.

Hogarth shrugged. "Just an idea. Besides, dollhouses are for girls after all."

He stepped away from the window to let two girls peek inside. He waltzed down the street. 9 crawled back into the scarf after a gust of wind blew in.

"I wonder what kind of present I should get Mom," muse Hogarth as he crossed the street.

"Hmm," said 5, "have you come up with ideas?"

"Not really," replied Hogarth. "All the presents I gave her in the past Christmases were really, uh, what's the word?" He taxed his mind.

"Could you give us an example?," chirped 9, peeking from the scarf.

"Last Christmas I got her a silver bracelet from the jewelry store." Hogarth stopped in front of a shoe store. "Saved up all my allowances to buy it."

"Your mother must've been happy when you gave her that bracelet," quipped 5.

"She was," said Hogarth. He took a right turn and made continued the walk. His destination: the docks.

"Where're we going?," asked 9.

"To the docks."

"Why?" 5 uttered.

"I wanna see if Elias is there," replied Hogarth.

3 flickered to him, keeping careful not to draw any attention.

'I don't think that's a good idea,' he said. His face exuded all the seriousness in his optic flickers.

"I know it's not," said Hogarth, looking down at the hooded stitchpunk, "but I need to ask him some questions."

"About the Giant," guessed 9.

Hogarth's face blanched. "... Is it that obvious?"

"Oh, it shows, Hogarth," quipped 9, smirking. 5 covered his mouth and chuckled.

His mistake being that he underestimated them proves they were cleverer than Hogarth let on.

"You guys sure know me very well."

9 shrugged and smiled.

"But I do want to ask him a few things," said Hogarth, "like when is he going to call the general?"

"That's something I would like to know as well," commented 5.

"What about his plan?," asked 9. "Do you know how he's going to go about it?"

"Not sure." Hogarth looked up. "But I'll know when I find him. We're almost at the dock."

The dock was coming into view as Hogarth crossed the street and made the rest of the walk from there. A chilled wind was blowing through the town. A boat in the distance flowed toward the dock smoothly on unfettered water. The lighthouse was going to be lit some time soon. He wondered which direction the Giant was standing when Earl the fisherman crashed his boat into him. A thought for another day. Right now he needed to find Elias.

He stepped onto the dock, craning his head to see where Elias was. People passed him, some not paying him any attention. Threading his way, he made sure none of the stitchpunks fell out of his coat. He couldn't risk them getting stepped on. Turning to his left he screwed his eyes. He didn't see Elias there. He remembered. He told him that he would be in the docks if he ever needed to talk to him. Three days had passed, and Hogarth thought he had enough time to think. But that nightmare was really etched into his retinas.

"I think I see him," said 9, pointing a finger in the distance.

At the very edge there stood a man dressed in a black trench coat. His back was to Hogarth, probably unaware of him watching. Hogarth approached him. When he was a few inches from him Hogarth mentally worded his list of questions.

"Elias," said Hogarth.

Elias turned around. It was him. There was no questioning the intimidating stare.

"Knew you'd be back," he retorted.

"Don't flatter yourself," muttered Hogarth. He stood beside Elias, not looking him in the eye.

3 and 4 poked their heads out front the coat pockets and gave Elias inquisitive glances. The man looked from the corner of his eye, focusing on the hooded twins. 3 and 4 shrank back, prompting them to hide inside the pocket.

"You come here to know about the Giant?," uttered Elias, eyes looking to the distance. He kept his eyes on the line where the sky and sea meet.

"How'd you know?," Hogarth snapped.

"It's pretty obvious, Hogarth," replied Elias. "I can see it all over your face."

Hogarth cocked his head away, eyes bulging.

"So," said Elias, turning to look at the boy, "you want to know?"

A moment of silence passed.

"... Yes," said Hogarth at last, turning to face Elias.

"Well, if you want to know," answered Elias, "reports say that he's been spotted in the Arctic."

"The Arctic?," repeated Hogarth, brow raised.

Elias nodded. "There was a blizzard," he explained, "and our spies could only catch a glimpse of him before the storm got worse. But it was him, Hogarth. I don't doubt them for a second."

5 kept his optic on Elias. His face let him know that he didn't believe him, and he thought Hogarth should do the same. But whether or not Hogarth believed him was up to him. 5 couldn't force him to believe him.

"And...," said Hogarth, "have you called the general?"

Elias shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I did," he said.

"And?"

"He and his troops will be here before Christmas," replied Elias. "We all want to get him before the holidays."

"Ain't that right?," quipped Hogarth, arching a brow. Elias didn't respond, lips unsmiling.

The wind howled. The waves crashed against the rocks, creating a sympathy most pleasant to the ears. The scent of salt permeated the air. Hogarth glanced over at Elias. Where Hogarth was shivering despite the layers of winter clothes, Elias looked like he was enjoying it. It drove the boy to wonder how he could stand the biting air. It made Hogarth think of him as the personification of winter itself. But not just winter. Winter, horror and death all wrapped into one. Hogarth swore he felt colder standing next to Elias.

"I have something to show you," said Hogarth. He peeked over 9, who got the message and pulled down his zipper. He took out the talisman, zipped himself back up and dropped it on Hogarth's palm. Balling his fist, he removed his left glove with his mouth and grabbed the talisman.

Elias screwed his eyes. He observed the talisman with burning interest. The symbols were what grabbed his attention. He didn't know what they meant, but they were fascinating all the same.

"This is how these guys were brought to life," said Hogarth, he closed his fist around the talisman. "Their creator, the Scientist, he made this and a device to transfer parts of soul into them." He pointed at the stitchpunks with his free hand.

Elias looked at each of the four stitchpunks.

"And how was this device built?," he asked any of them.

"I made a sketch of it," replied Hogarth, saving him the trouble. "I'd show it to you, but I didn't bring it with." He thought of a hook, a reason to get him to come over. "Come by my house tomorrow, I'll show you then."

"Very well," retorted Elias. He turned around. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya," said Hogarth.

Elias walked away. As soon as he was gone, 5 piped a question.

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"It might be," said Hogarth. Turning to the horizon, he tailored his next answer. "He's the only one close to the general. Well, the only one here in Rockwell, I mean. And I don't know, he can be trusted." He shrugged.

"Sounds like you're trying too hard to please him," said 9. He stuck out his hand, indicating that Hogarth hand him the talisman back. The boy did so, and 9 tucked it back inside his tummy cavity.

One of the twins flickered to him.

'I don't understand what you're trying to do,' it was 4; Hogarth recognized the use of words and the way she expressed them, 'but the way you are around Elias is commonplace. But you have to know that you can't let him stifle you. You tense up every time you look at him—'

"I can't help it, 4," interrupted Hogarth. "I feel like every time I look at him, I'm not looking at him, but at a mirror."

4 quirked a brow.

'Explain,' flickered 3 this time.

"When Elias looks at me," said Hogarth, "it's like he's showing me all the bad things I've done and throwing them back into my face."

4's expression softened and she offered a sympathetic smile. Hogarth forced a smile in return, but found himself frowning in mere seconds.

"Don't let Elias bring you down," said 5. "We don't even know anything real about him."

"Personal stuff?," muttered Hogarth.

"Right," nodded 5.

Hogarth thought on it for a moment. Since he's been here, he's never seen Elias smile or heard him laugh. To him Elias was almost inhuman. And he said he took down a drug trafficking ring on his own. Just how strong was Elias to take down a whole drug ring? Did he have any one assisting him? Maybe he did, but they were taken down one by one. And another thing. Was Elias always like this? Perhaps, once upon a time, Elias was genuinely happy before. It stifled Hogarth as he tried to picture Elias smiling.

"Whatever caused him to be this way," said Hogarth, "I sure hope it doesn't happen to me."

"Good thinking," commented 9.

"He's next to a perfect zero compared to the rest of us," said 5.

"A zero, huh?," quipped Hogarth. "Wow."

"I'd think so," interjected 9.

3 and 4 nodded.

"Do you know what I want to see happen?," asked Hogarth turning around. He began his walk back home.

"What?," asked 9.

Hogarth let out a chortled. "I wanna see Mansley crying when Elias stares at him."

5 chuckled.

"I'd like to see that as well," chirped 9.

Hogarth snickered.

White, delicate flakes danced through the air in an elegant symphony before touching down on the dead earth, covering the forest floor in a never-ending blanket of white. Hogarth pressed his hand against the window, watching in awe as the snow continued to pour down like salt from a salt shaker.

"It's snowing," he said.

"You got your wish after all," said 9.

Hogarth snickered.

"Come on," he said to the stitchpunks.

Hogarth went over to his closet and changed out of his pajamas and into a thick sweater and a pair of denim pants. He slipped into his winter boots, tying them up so they don't fall off. He picked up his backpack and went over to the window and held it up for the four to get in. The stitchpunks jumped in and Hogarth strapped it over himself and made his way toward the door. Thumping down the stairs, he saw Dean in a heavy coat and wrapping a scarf around his neck.

"Hey, Dean," said Hogarth.

"'Morning," said Dean, reaching for the doorknob. "Just goin' out to get a Christmas tree."

"Aw, sweet," exclaimed Hogarth. He peeked over his shoulder. "Hey guys; Dean's getting a Christmas tree."

"That's great," commented 9.

"We should totally decorate it," quipped Hogarth.

"Anyhow," said Dean, traipsing out the door, "see you after school."

"Have a good time," said Annie, waltzing in to the hall. Dean waved to both of them and closed the door.

"Mom," said Hogarth, walking over to the table, "I wanted to tell you... Elias is coming over."

"Oh?," muttered Annie, quirking an eyebrow as she walked in to the kitchen.

"Yeah," said Hogarth, "I told him...," his voice cracked as he got ready to say the next part, "I told him I'd show him the sketch I made of the talisman...and the transferring device."

The stitchpunks peeked from the backpack, raptly interested.

"Well," said Annie, returning with a plate of eggs and bacon, "have you talked to them about it?" She glanced at Hogarth's backpack, at the stitchpunks precisely.

4 flickered to her. Annie raised a brow.

"She's saying that I shouldn't be trying hard to please Elias," said Hogarth, keeping his gaze on 4. He took a bite of egg.

"I think she's right about that," said Annie, pouring orange juice into a glass.

"Yeah, I know, but," said Hogarth, "it's like I have to try anything to gain his trust."

"Don't you think you're putting the weight of the world on your shoulders?," asked 9.

Hogarth gulped down a swig of orange juice.

"If you ask me," interjected 5, leaning closer toward the edge of the backpack, "I don't think you should try so hard—"

"I know," interrupted Hogarth, "but he's like...always keeping secrets. By the way, he told me some news on the Giant, said he was spotted in the Arctic."

Annie's eyes blinked.

"Well, that's a surprise," she said. "Think he might be close to coming over to Rockwell soon?"

"I would love that," quipped Hogarth.

As soon as Hogarth finished his breakfast, Annie took his plate and saw her son off as he plucked his coat from the rack. Once Hogarth was bundled up, he bid his mother goodbye and traipsed out the door.

"I still think it's a bad idea to bring Elias over a second time," said 9 firmly, optics focused on the back of Hogarth's head.

"I know, I know," huffed Hogarth, his eyes on the falling snow. "But I'll know if he tries to steal the talisman. You got it with you, right?" He added quizzically.

"I have it tucked away with me," responded 9, pointing to his zipper.

"Good," said Hogarth, "but enough of that; let's head to school."

The boy walked the trail toward the bus stop, leaving fresh footsteps in the snow. Whatever was out there for him, Hogarth was ready to face it. Him and the stitchpunks.

"Oh boy!," hooted Hogarth, eyes wide.

"She's a beaut," said Dean, gazing at the pine tree.

Hogarth traipsed over, removing his backpack from his back. He unzipped it, letting the stitchpunks take a look at the tree. 3 and 4 were the first to take a peek and began flickering their optics.

"They seem to like it," said Dean, watching the hooded twins.

"Definitely," agreed Hogarth. He looked at the stitchpunks. "You guys wanna help decorate the tree?"

"Or course," said 5, smiling.

"I do," commented 9. The twins nodded.

"Great," said Hogarth, "let's go get the decorations from the attic."

The boy raced up the stairs, heading for his room first to leave his backpack and let the stitchpunks climb on to his shoulders. With that being done, Hogarth charged for the rope hanging from the ceiling, pulled on it, and the attic ladder folded out, landing on the grove in the floor. Hogarth made his way up the stairs, commencing his search once he was inside. Passing a half-open cardboard box, Hogarth moved through the cluttered path, keeping his eyes on the box of decorations.

"The box we're looking for is labeled 'holiday decorations,'" said Hogarth, eyes flitting from left to right.

He crouched down, checking the names on two boxes. One had "old toys" written on it, the other "broken appliances." 9 and 5 hopped off Hogarth's shoulder, and ran across the floor. 9 switched his lightstaff on, lighting the dim room to a certain degree. 3 and 4 jumped off from Hogarth's shoulders, their optics flickering constantly. The boy watched them climb onto an open box, hearing the rearranging of objects within. Hogarth crawled on his hands and knees, wiping away dust off the boxes.

"Hogarth," called 9, "I think we found it."

"Let me see," said Hogarth, following the lit lightstaff.

"Here it is," said 5, pointing to the box.

Hogarth took a peek and saw the label "holiday decorations" written in black marker.

"Aw, great," said Hogarth, grabbing the box. "Let's take it down stairs."

9, while gripping his lightstaff, climbed on to Hogarth's arm and perched on his shoulder. 5 followed his lead and did the same.

"3, 4?," said Hogarth, turning around. He put the box on his lap. He saw the twins running towards him. "Whatcha got there?," he asked them, noticing them holding something behind their backs.

The hooded twins showed them rusted knives. Hogarth observed them. The knives weren't that big and didn't appear that sharp. Wherever they got them from, Hogarth wasn't exactly sure why they had them.

'We think,' began 3, 'that it's time to defend ourselves.'

'We may be younger than the others,' said 4, 'but we want to fight. To protect the ones we love.'

"I like your reason for those knives," said Hogarth. "Hop on. Let's get these decorations downstairs."

Once the twins were holding on to his shoulders, Hogarth made his way down the ladder, set the box down and folded the attic ladder back in place. Picking the box up, he thumped down the stairs.

"Here are the decorations," he announced, holding up the box.

"Great," said Dean.

Annie entered the hall, a tray in tow.

"I made gingerbread cookies," she said.

"Ooh, yum," said Hogarth, eyes widening.

"Help me move this tree to the living room," said Dean.

"Sure thing," said Hogarth, setting the box down.

Hogarth grabbed the tree from the top whole Dean held it from the bottom. Together, they carried it into the living room, where Dean chose to place it next to the window. He and Hogarth set it gingerly on the hardwood floor. They tore off the plastic wrapping, tossing it into the floor.

"Looks great," said Hogarth.

"If I do say so myself," quipped Dean.

"Let's get the decorations on."

Hogarth jogged back into the hall and came back with the cardboard box. Dropping to his knees, he opened the box, pulling out shiny red tinsel. The stitchpunks jumped off Hogarth's shoulders and landed on the floor. The twins flashed their optics in awe.

Annie placed the plate of cookies on the table.

"Here," she said, "let me get in on this decorating."

Annie crouched, picked out a set of golden bells, and looked for a spot to put them.

"Hey look," said Hogarth, picking a gingerbread cookie from the plate. He showed them to the stitchpunks.

3 and 4 scampered over and catalogued the cookies. They were awed by the cookie's face drawn in white frosting. Its buttons were gumdrops.

"It looks cute," said 9, walking over to the twins.

"And delicious." Hogarth took a bite, getting a startled look from 5.

Decorating the tree took up to ten to twelve minutes. The stitchpunks pitched in on the decorating, mostly with the small ornaments. There were a few decorations left, which consisted of small crystal snowflakes, miniature bobbles and the gold star. Annie picked up the crystal snowflakes and handed them to the twins, who were perched on the tree, and hung them up on the branches. Dean took the bobbles and hung them on to the tree with 5 putting up the last four.

"Hey, 9," said Hogarth, "you should do the star."

He picked the star from the box.

"It looks a little too heavy for me," said 9.

"Here, I'll help you."

Hogarth gingerly set 9 on the top of the tree. He held the gold star from the top while 9 grabbed the bottom. Keeping his balance, 9 managed to place the star on the top. The tree was decorated and ready for the holidays.

"It looks great," said Hogarth as he grabbed another cookie.

"Yup," said Dean, "such a beautiful sight."

A knock on the door snapped them out of their euphoria.

"Who could that be?," mused Dean, turning around.

"Uh," muttered Hogarth, "I think that's Elias."

"Elias?" Dean quirked a brow.

Hogarth sidled over to the front door. He opened it, greeted by none other than Elias.

"Hey, you came," said Hogarth, stepping away.

"Did you think I'd forget?," retorted Elias, walking inside.

"Elias, hi," greeted Annie, walking to him and her son. As Elias took his coat off, Annie kept her eyes on him while politely hanging his coat on the rack. She was unfazed by his cold stare.

Dean was the last to greet the man. On his shoulders and his cupped hands were the stitchpunks: 3 and 4 on his shoulders; 9 and 5 in his hands. 4 flickered to Hogarth,announcing that she'd like to be with him. The boy did so, and she and her brother were clambering on to him, settling comfortably on his shoulders. He took 9 and 5 and held them in his palms.

"So, uh," said Hogarth, "let me just take you upstairs and...show you the sketch.."

"No," said Dean, "I think you should bring it here, where I can keep an eye on him." He pointed glanced at Dean, trying to look as intimidating as him. Dean and Annie watched Hogarth go up the stairs. Dean kept his eyes on Elias, arms folded under his chest; a finger tapped impatiently at his arm.

Hogarth returned moments later with the sketchbook in hand. He went into the living room, where the boy took a seat on the couch. Elias' eyes drew their attention to the Christmas tree.

"Nice job decorating the tree," said Elias.

"Thanks," quoth Dean, keeping his gaze on Elias.

The four stitchpunks jumped remained on Hogarth's shoulders. 4 kept her optics locked on Elias, making it known that he was to not get close to her or her brother or even Hogarth.

"Here it is," said Hogarth. He placed the sketchbook down on the bed. Elias raised a brow, tilting his head. Annie and Dean gathered round the table. Dean seated in the armchair; Annie sat on the couch while Elias remained standing.

"Would you like a gingerbread?," asked Annie, motioning to the plate.

"Don't mind if I do," said Elias. He took one, taking a small bite. All the while he felt Dean's glance boring into him. He looked at the open sketchbook.

The sketch was of the talisman inserted onto a slot, behind it a transferring device. It took up two whole pages. On the other page was a half-finished sketch of a man transferring his soul to the ragdoll.

"I tried to remake the drawing the twins showed me in one of their clips," explained Hogarth. "It's almost like the one they showed me." He ran his hand across the page.

"That's really great, Hogarth," commented Annie.

"Thanks, Mom," said Hogarth.

Elias picked up the sketchbook. He examined the detailed drawing of the soul transferring device. The drawing of the talisman looked almost as realistic as the real one Hogarth showed him.

"The way the Scientist brought them to life is...," said Hogarth, he then looked at the stitchpunks. "Why don't you explain it to him?"

5 looked at Hogarth before he faced Elias. The man put the sketchbook down on the bed.

"Okay," said Elias, "tell me how it works."

"Well," said 5, he pointed at the drawing, "see how the man has that device on his forehead?" Elias gave him a nod. "The Scientist did the same, and he—" he pointed at the bottom, "—see that button? Well, that button when pressed, the Scientist's soul would be extracted through that tube. See it?" Elias gave him another nod. "That's how he brought us to life."

Elias eyed the sketch and tried to imagine the process the way 5 explained it.

"What did it feel like?," he asked. "The Scientist transferring his soul to all of you."

"We don't know," said 5, "but it must have been painful."

"Try to think of it as part of you being sucked through a drain," said Hogarth. "That's how I think it must've been."

"You say it like you've done it firsthand," said Elias.

Hogarth blinked. "I just have a wild imagination."

Elias shrugged. "Do you have the talisman?"

"Right here," quipped 9, pulling down his zipper. He took the talisman out and zipped himself back up. He placed it in Hogarth's palm, who held it up for Elias to see. Just like yesterday, Elias' curiosity was automatically rapt by the symbols on the talisman.

"How does it work?," he asked.

"Press on it," said 9 to Hogarth.

Hogarth did so and the talisman opened up. Elias's jumped back a bit.

"Whoa," said Dean, eyes wide. His spooked expression grabbed Hogarth's attention.

"What's up?," said Hogarth.

"I," Dean looked as though he'd gotten out of math class.

Elias raised a brow.

"I...," began Dean, palming his forehead. He sucked in a breath, rested his hands on his lap, and lifted his head. "When the Giant first spent the night in the junkyard, I was having trouble sleeping. I was half-awake when I opened my eyes and looked at the TV. Suddenly the talk show changed and I saw a...some sort of laser cannon.

"I wake up immediately, and the cannon was gone and it was back to that talk show. I looked over at the window and I saw the Giant sitting up. He was looking from the left to the right. It was as if he was waking up from a nightmare." He stopped there, eyes drifting to the floor, lost.

"How come you never told us this?," asked Hogarth.

"Because I thought it was just a dream," replied Dean. "Now I think it might've been the Giant who did that."

"You never said the Giant could do that," said Elias.

"I didn't think he could," clarified Dean.

"All we know," said Hogarth, "is that the Giant could fly. He can repair himself. I know; I saw him do it. He was repairing himself in the barn after the train crashed into him." Hogarth glanced over at his mother, forcing an uncomfortable smile. "Heh, I, uh, I hope that it was okay that he...spent the night, so to speak."

"Oh, it's alright," reassured Annie. "The Giant is practically family now."

Hogarth beamed.

"Anyways," said Elias, "I've taken enough of your time. I'll be on my way."

"It was good having you here," said Annie, standing up.

"You don't know the half of it," muttered Dean under his breath, looking away.

Elias ambled into the hall, grabbed his coat and donned it on. Annie and Hogarth approached him. The stitchpunks looked on at Elias.

"We would like to have you over again some time," said Annie, handing him his scarf.

"Just call first," said Dean, traipsing into the hall, eyes on Elias.

"Thank you," said Elias, wrapping his scarf around his neck. "It was a pleasure to be here."

"No problem," uttered Hogarth.

Elias waved to them and then turned and made his way outside. As soon as Annie closed the door, the tension felt a thousand times lighter.

"Can you believe him?," said Dean.

"I know," said Hogarth.

"His eyes are like those paintings that follow you."

Hogarth shuddered, sticking his tongue out. He went into the living room, picked up his sketchbook and made his way for the stairs.

"Going to do homework," he said.

"Good, that's good," said Dean, nodding.

Hogarth thumped up the stairs, sketchbook pressed to his chest. He closed his bedroom door. Once Hogarth was on the bed, the stitchpunks jumped off from his shoulders and scampered to the nightstand. The boy opened the sketchbook to the page where he drew the transfer device. He compared the drawing to the real talisman. He pressed on it again, opening like a mechanical flower. Hogarth stared at it intensely. He looked over at the drawing again. The answer was so clear and yet, it was so muddled. His heart was telling him, but his mind stopped him.

"Guys," he said, "what would you guys say if..." He trailed off, glancing away from the sketch and to the window instead.

"If...what?," said 9, raising a stitched eyebrow.

"If...," muttered Hogarth, looking at them, "...if I were to make a stitchpunk of my own?"

9's optics widened.

"No!," he answered, voice hard as a rock. "Absolutely not. No, I mean it, Hogarth. Don't even think about doing it."

"Why not? I cou—"

"For one thing," said 5, "you don't have the proper tools to make a device like the Scientist did."

"And second of all," interject 9, "it's too dangerous."

Hogarth closed the sketchbook and handed the talisman to 9. His eyes looked up at the ceiling.

"Hey," said 9.

Hogarth faced him.

"You have to understand that I'm doing this for your own good," explained 9. "We were created for a reason. We were made to protect our world. To help it flourish. Watch over it." He looked at the talisman in his hands. He unzipped himself and hid the talisman in his tummy cavity. He zipped himself up. "Bringing us to life wasn't easy, Hogarth; it isn't a game."

"I know," said Hogarth, "I know it is, but I just thought it'd be something to try out."

"Why?," said 5.

"Just wanted to know if I'd be able to do it."

"And risk your life?," quipped 9. "No. You'd just be putting yourself through hell. The Scientist worked endlessly to bring each and everyone of us to life, and it cost him his own along the way. That's the price you pay."

Hogarth bit his lip. But still he did not answer.

9 glanced at 5. The one-eyed stitchpunk offered no solace and chose to shrug.

"Hogarth," said 9, "let me ask you. If you had to choose between friendship and infinity, what would you choose?"

This brought some attention to the boy. He glanced at the four stitchpunks whose glances told him they were waiting for him to listen and speak.

"Think about that," said 5. "What would you choose? Would you choose limitless power, or your friends?"

A spark within his consciousness erupted to life. His heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. He saw every moment with his friends in different shades. Every antic he and his friends got into. From chasing each other in the park to telling jokes and sharing laughs. Hogarth saw them all clear as day. And the strong bond they all had, that kind of bond wasn't faked.

Sitting up, he grabbed at his forehead, taxing himself to make the right choice.

"As always," he said, turning to look at the stitchpunks, "you're right." Then he added, "I guess the reason I wanted to make a stitchpunk was to hide the fact that I miss the Giant." He sighed. "I miss him all the time. I just thought it would be fun, and I still do, but hearing what you said, made me rethink that. It is a senseless act: to bring a life into the world when you're not wholly prepared for it.

"In order to bring a new life into the world, you have to prepared to tackle every trial that comes your way. And you have to do everything you can to nurture it, protect it and cherish it. That's how it was with me and the Giant when we first met. I taught him to speak, taught him right from wrong, explained death and the value of a soul." His voice cracked. "Everything he knows is because of me. He wouldn't have done any of that if I hadn't been there to guide him."

A smile spread across 9's face.

"And, in a way," quoth Hogarth, "the Giant was my...stitchpunk, to put it in a way. Albeit a giant stitchpunk."

5 chuckled, which got 9 snickering as well.

"That's a way to look at it," said 5.

"Before he crashed to Earth," said Hogarth, "I bet the Giant only had a one-track mind and only did as he was told, blindly following his instincts."

"I suppose," quoth 9, "that crashing here was a good thing. He met you, you taught him everything he knows. You were his savior."

"Yeah," said Hogarth, "I guess I was." A smile formed in his face.

9 smiled.

Remember that deleted scene from the movie? The one where the Giant had this dream and it kind of appeared on Dean's TV? Yeah, it's brought up here. And don't mind Dean's attitude toward Elias. He's just really protective. And with good reason.

And about Hogarth wanting to make a stitchpunk. Well, I don't blame him for wanting to, but what the stitchpunks told him is sensible. Not to mention that he might die of did that. 9 just doesn't want Hogarth to mess with things he doesn't completely understand.

Yeah, and the Giant is in the Arctic now. Let's see when he'll come to Rockwell. ^_^