Phew. That was a long one. Chapter four is here. Ugh, you don't know how hard I worked on this. It was a nightmarish task. Well, the good news is I got the chapter finished, that counts for something.

Also, a machine appears in this chapter. There I go spoiling it. But at least we know that someone or something from Hogarth's world built the machine. Until we figure out who built the machine, this is all we know.

So, get ready for chapter five.

The week passed by like an arrow hitting a target. Hogarth balanced his schoolwork, home life and searching for the other five stitchpunks with some ease. It wasn't exactly easy, but it was difficult having to keep the four hidden. He was afraid of his mother or Dean finding them and reacting the same way they did with the Giant. Of course, this wouldn't be like with the Giant considering their small size, but Hogarth was right on them drawing unwanted attention. Only the difference was: Kent Mansley wasn't here anymore; the army wasn't here to intrude on his life; and what's more, there was no need to bomb anyone or anything.

Hogarth spent the entire week consulting each of the stitchpunks with schoolwork. It wasn't exactly cheating per se, they weren't human, so it wasn't exactly a bad thing. It was okay to ask for help once in a while, and the stitchpunks proved to be useful. To his surprise, 9 was exceptionally good at math. Hogarth asked him to look over his math homework, and the zippered male taught him how to solve each problem. Even 5 and the twins were impressed. 9 didn't know how to explain it, but it was probably something he got from the Scientist. Like how the twins had exceptional memories, or how 5 had a knack for engineering.

At the end of the day, Hogarth spent his time wondering about the Giant and where he might be. Despite, trying to find a way to get the stitchpunks back to their world, Hogarth still thought about him. It may have been three years since he last saw him, but all he wanted was to see if he was okay.

There might be time for that, as he made his way into the woods on his bike with the stitchpunks holding on to his jacket collar. Their objective: the lake.

Hogarth wasn't doing another one of his stunts, and instead, slid to a stop, leaned his bike against the boulder and surveyed his surroundings. Removing his helmet, he gave the forest a careful scan and placed the helmet on the bike's handlebar. He grabbed his binoculars.

"Do you think we'll have any luck today?," asked 5.

"I sure hope we do," replied Hogarth. He held his binoculars to his face and took a peek. He looked in the direction of the lake. There was nothing but the still blue water, its bank enhanced by shrubs, tall grass and pine saplings. He lowered the binoculars, a look of disappointment on his face.

Hogarth climbed to the top of the boulder. On his shoulders, the four stitchpunks observed him. They could tell that he was determined to help them no matter what. They admired him for that, but it seemed like there were times where he couldn't do everything.

"We've been at this for days," said 9. "I don't think they're here."

"We can't give up now," retorted Hogarth. "What if they are here?"

"They would've found a way out of here," said 5. "They could've found your house, or the town. We would've noticed if they were here."

Hogarth laid on his stomach, keeping his eyes on the lake.

"Would we have noticed if they were riding on a handmade raft?," he asked sarcastically.

"Maybe," said 9, climbing off Hogarth's shoulder. He ambled up to the boulder's edge. "They wouldn't be hard to miss; how often do you see living dolls floating down a river?"

"Good point," remarked Hogarth, "but then, someone might've spotted them."

"That's true."

"They wouldn't let themselves get captured that easily," said 5. "I know for a fact that 1 would have everyone hide from any approaching humans." He climbed off of Hogarth's shoulder. "7, I know, would keep everyone together. 8 would probably fight off some animal—"

"I can just imagine him fighting off a raccoon or something," chirped Hogarth with a chuckle. It was actually something he pictured that certain stitchpunk doing. He put the binoculars down beside him, turning over on his right side to face the one-eyed stitchpunk. "So it's clear that they won't get captured, but they won't trust this world enough to venture outside the forest."

"That's kind of right," said 5 appreciatively.

Hogarth shrugged. The twins, who hadn't intervened in this talk, jumped off the boy's shoulder and scurried toward the edge of the boulder. 3 crouched down, looking down at the crystalline blue water.

"Careful," warned 9. 4 was the only one who nodded at him.

Hogarth stared blankly at some small pebbles. He grabbed a handful, sat bolt up, and threw one into the lake.

"What are you doing?," asked 9.

"Trying to skip a stone," replied Hogarth, "but it didn't work."

"How do you skip a stone?"

"I'll show you." Grabbing his binoculars, Hogarth stood up and made the climb down. The stitchpunks trailed behind.

Hogarth waltzed over to the edge of the lake, finding much bigger rocks to throw. He got on his knees, picked the rock closest to him and waited for the stitchpunks to catch up. Once all four were here, he prepared to demonstrate.

"You hold your arm out like this," he said, holding his right arm with the stone in his hand. "Then you calculate the angle of where you're going to throw." He looked over to see of they were watching, to his surprise they were. "And then you throw it. Watch."

He threw the stone into the lake, and to their amazement, the stone bounced across the water's surface about five or six times before sinking to the lake.

"Neat, huh?," said Hogarth, looking in the direction the stone sank.

"I'll say," commented 9, sidling up to Hogarth. Looking up at him, he asked, "Can I try?"

"Sure, but you'd need to use a smaller rock." He rummaged through the dirt for a rock small enough to fit his hand. Remembering the pebbles in his hand, he held out his hand for the stitchpunks to choose.

9 picked a small, round pebble that looked like it was carved that way. He turned to the water's edge, focused and held his arm out. Remembering how Hogarth did it, he aimed and threw the pebble. He watched it bounce across the water five times before it finally sank.

"Good aim, 9," commented Hogarth.

"Thanks," replied 9.

"Who else wants to try?"

The five of them skipped stones for what seemed like ten minutes. Hogarth took breaks to peek through his binoculars and see if they're was anything strange going on. So far, all he's seen are more of the usual. Birds flying by, another deer, a fox drinking on the other side of the lake. The twins took it upon themselves to record the fox, as well as everything else.

Their game lasted for another several minutes, no one necessarily kept track, but it was an enjoyable pastime. The stone skipping really helped pass the time, as well as distract them front their worries and fears. When the game came to a close, 9 teetered with a thought. A question he wanted to ask Hogarth but didn't think it was the appropriate time. He waited until Hogarth skipped his last stone and then walked up to him.

"Hogarth," he spoke evenly.

"Yeah?," said Hogarth, snapping his head to the zippered stitchpunk.

"Why do you call him Dean instead of dad?"

5 turned around, dropping the pebble he was about to throw. Hogarth found he couldn't work his mouth. It was really a personal question. He didn't expect this from him, or anyone for that matter, but Hogarth figured he deserved an explanation.

"Uh," he began, "well, Dean is not my dad, not biologically. He married my Mom last year." He paused. "My real dad, you've seen his picture in my room, on the nightstand."

"That's your real father?," asked 9.

"Yeah," replied Hogarth, "anyways, he died in the Korean War several years ago. He was an Air Force pilot. He was flying over Korea, and an enemy plane shot a missile at his plane. He went crashing down on the side of a mountain..." The grave look on his face let the stitchpunks know what happened.

"I'm sorry, Hogarth," said 9, putting a hand on the boy's lap.

"Thanks," replied Hogarth. He faced the lake, gazing at its surface and beyond that. "I remember when he used to bring me here when I was little," he said nostalgically. "He taught me how to swim here, taught me how to fish, skip stones. He even taught me how to ride my bike." He smiled gently, the expression on his face readable. Hogarth grabbed at his jacket. "This was my Dad's jacket. I wear it all the time now. It's like having him with me." He thumbed the fur lining on the neckline, enjoying its plushness.

"That's a nice sentiment," said 5, sidling closer to Hogarth. The twins in turn smiled and nodded.

Hogarth gave them a smile. "It makes me glad I have you guys to cheer me up."

"Anytime," said 9.

The evening sunset cast shadows on the ground. Hogarth lost all track of time and didn't even realize how late it was. He held out his arm for the four to climb up. Once the stitchpunks grabbed on to his shoulders, Hogarth made his way towards his bike. He put his helmet on and climbed on to his bike. As soon as he pedaled away, Hogarth a question to ask them.

"Hey, how would you feel about meeting my Mom and Dean?"

"Really?," uttered 5.

"Yeah. And after all, I think I'm going to need help finding a way to get you all home."

"You think they'll help?," asked 5.

"Of course they will."

The twins flickered their optics at Hogarth. He looked at 9 and 5 for an answer.

"Translation?" Hogarth quirked a brow.

"4 is asking," answered 5, "if your parents will understand when you introduce us to them." He looked back at the twins. "And 3 wants to know if they'll react the same way they did with the Giant."

Hogarth mulled over their questions. "You're right about that," he said, "and I don't know. You guys aren't giants, that's a relief." He absentmindedly gazed at the passing trees. "But then, they might think you're just toys. Wonder how I'm going to explain how you're alive."

"It'll be hard the first time around," said 9, "but with a little patience, I'm sure they'll believe."

Hogarth shrugged. He continued pedaling away.

On the way, they passed a grove of cedars, all five of them unaware of the watchful eyes that observed them. Its red-lensed eyes blinked once before emerging from behind the branches. It was a reptilian structure, about the size of an iguana with a lizard's skull for a head. Its legs cobbled out of pipes and sharp blades for claws. Its tail swished back and forth observantly. Its red optics stared at Hogarth intermittently. Whatever emotion this machine can muster, it expressed only contempt, for it knew that it would see Hogarth again.

9 and 5 watched Hogarth pace back and forth in his room, whose brow was furrowed and his eyes were as wide as saucers.

"How do we go about this?," he asked aloud, not caring which one of the two vocal stitchpunks would answer.

"You don't have to tell them right away," suggested 5, "there's enough time."

"I know, I know," said Hogarth.

Down on the floor, the twins were busying themselves with Hogarth's toy cars. It was a remote control car. Hogarth didn't notice them and continued thinking.

"We could wait until after dinner," he mused. "Save the best for last."

"How will you tell them?," queried 9. He jumped from the nightstand to the bed and walked across it to get closer to Hogarth.

"Uhhh..." Hogarth raised his arms and kept them there. His eyes darted up and down. Nothing came to mind. At least, not something that would make them freak out. Of course, they would react negatively. Maybe they would at first, but after a careful explanation, they'll warm up to the stitchpunks. It wasn't like when the Giant's hand was in the house; that one was a real challenge to route around.

"Listen," spoke 5, "do you trust your mother...and Dean?" He tried not to mention the word father when mentioning Dean, but the boy wouldn't have minded.

"Yes," responded Hogarth, "of course."

"And did you trust them when you introduced them to the Giant?," inquired 9.

"Well," began Hogarth nervously, "um, heh. You see, when I introduced the Giant to Dean first he was downright scared. Aw man, you should've seen his face." He let out a laugh. Hogarth sat on the bed, pounding the mattress with his fist. "Dean went and tried to save me, thought we were in danger." He picked 9 up from the back.

"Hey!," shouted 9, waving his lightstaff at him.

"The Giant picked him up," said the boy, "just like I'm doing to you right now."

"Oh..." It took 9 a few seconds to register the situation. "Oh!"

5 jumped off the nightstand and joined 9 and Hogarth on the bed. The boy let 9 down on the bed. He caught a glimpse of 3 and 4 waving to him. Hogarth understood that they wanted him to out them on the bed, so he did. He let out his hand for them; the hooded twins stepped on his palm and boy gingerly set them down. He joined 5 and 9, giving them smiles.

"It took him a while to explain it to him," continued Hogarth. "But I eventually convinced him to let him stay. It's a junkyard; food and a safe place to stay."

"The junkyard," uttered 5 thoughtfully. "That's where Dean works, right?"

"Right," reiterated Hogarth. "Why? You guys wanna go there?"

"Is it okay?," said 9.

"Sure," said Hogarth, "I kind of wanted to go anyway."

Standing up, he grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and donned it on. He grabbed his helmet, traipsed back to bed, and held it out for the stitchpunks. They jumped in and Hogarth left his room.

Trotting down the stairs, Hogarth strolled out the door and made his way towards his bike. The stitchpunks hopped onto his shoulders, and placed his helmet on. He got on his bike and rode off.

"You're gonna love his workshop," said Hogarth, "he's got a whole ton of sculptures and art."

"Oh really?," said 5. The word "workshop" haven gotten his attention.

"Yup." Hogarth turned his face forward, feeling the wind brushing against him.

"Just remember," interjected 9, "when we get back, I'm going to want to check the answers on that math homework."

Hogarth's eyes snapped opened. He looked over to him, eyebrow arched.

"You really know how to ruin the moment, do ya?," he said. 9 smiled proudly.

The junkyard was always Hogarth's favorite place to go. Ever since the indecent with the Giant, Hogarth found himself coming here more and more. He loved coming here and watching Dean create a new sculpture. He even let him help once in a while. Sometimes, Hogarth would find a spot far enough away from Dean's workshop, and just sit in silence and reflect on his greatest moments. His greatest, of course, being friends with the Giant.

Hogarth dismounted his bike and leaned against the wall. He removed his helmet and hung it on the handlebar.

"Okay, stay out of sight," he whispered to the stitchpunks.

"Got it," said 9.

5 leaned closer and surveyed the junkyard down to the very last mountain of rubble.

"It reminds me of home," he said.

"Like having a miniature Emptiness?," quipped 9.

"Yeah."

Hogarth opened the door to Dean's workshop.

"Hey Dean!," he shouted, hands cupped around his mouth.

"Up here!," responded Dean, it sounded like it came from upstairs. Hogarth decided to give the stitchpunks a once-over.

"Hey, guys," he whispered, "why don't you explore around while I go talk to Dean?"

"All right," said 5 uncertainly.

"Don't make a lot of noise," he added, "don't break anything."

"No problem," said 9.

Hogarth crouched down to let the stitchpunks jump off. The four leaped and ran to the armchair to their right. Hogarth found the ladder and climbed it. At least with the stitchpunks distracted he wouldn't have to worry about them getting caught. He reached the top, spotting Dean at his desk, screwdriver in hand, busily working away at his project.

"Hey," said Hogarth, approaching him.

"Hey," repeated Dean, turning around.

"Whatcha working on?" Hogarth stood by the work desk, eyes on the sculpture. It was indeed interesting.

"Just something," said Dean, gazing back at the structure, "it's part of a new sculpture I got hired to do."

"What's it of?" Hogarth tilted his head to get a better view.

"It's suppose to be like a...," trailed Dean, "...a tree compiled of scraps. It's suppose to be this metaphor on the crumbling world that is this planet." He said it as though referring to the entire world, or more specifically, the junkyard outside.

"Hardcore," said Hogarth.

"Right, well." Dean inspected a part of the sculpture. He found a loose screw and immediately tightened it. "It's going to be a lot bigger than what this."

"How big?"

"At least," he took his time estimating the size of his sculpture. "At least the size of a real tree. Not a full grown one."

"Like a sapling?"

"Kind of."

Hogarth meandered through the workshop, eyes scanning the arrangement of tools and parts. He took a glimpse outside, at the heaping mountains of rubbish. He briefly remembered the time he and the Giant were playing with an old car. The adrenaline of being spun around felt like his head was inside a blender.

"You want to help?," asked Dean. "I can use all the extra hands as I can."

"Sure thing," said Hogarth, traipsing back to the work table.

The two began working on the sculpture. It was mostly Hogarth holding up a part while Dean tightened a screw. Hogarth got to polish some of the sharp parts while being careful not scrape himself. That's what the gloves were for though. Dean excused himself to find another part that would work in place of another one. While he waited Hogarth quickly snuck back to downstairs to check on the stitchpunks.

"Hey guys!," he shouted. He glimpsed out the open doorway, timing the time between his search and Dean's return. "Guys!" He looked under a table. "3, 4?" He sat up.

"Over here!"

It was 9's voice. Hogarth twisted around, seeing the zippered stitchpunk emerge from behind a box. Then 5's head popped out from inside the box 9 was hiding behind.

"Where are the twins?," asked Hogarth.

A tug on Hogarth's pant leg let him know the twins were present. He glanced down, seeing them waving to him. Footsteps resounded from outside.

"Okay," he rasped, "Dean's coming back; hide!"

As soon as Hogarth made his way back up the ladder, the four stitchpunks hid from Dean's view, who neither noticed them or heard them when he entered. Dean made the climb up the ladder with a new part he unearthed from the mountain of junk.

"Hey," said Hogarth.

"Hey," repeated Dean. He held up the new part for Hogarth to see. "I think this will work."

"Let's try it."

Dean instructed Hogarth to hold out the part the way he showed him while he went to work on screwing it to the rest of the sculpture. When Dean was close to finishing, Hogarth piped up a question.

"Hey, what if you added something, like, um," began Hogarth, "like lightbulbs to represent fruit?"

"Yeah?" Dean looked at him, slightly unconvinced but also interested. He looked at the steel branch. In a few days it'll become part of the planned sculpture of the tree. Maybe adding something like what Hogarth suggested would look nicely on the sculpture. "You know, you're probably right."

"Yeah, I know I am," replied Hogarth.

Dean examined the piece. "I'm going to be busy working on this for days," he said, more to himself than at Hogarth, "probably a week. Two at the most."

"I'll leave you to it," said Hogarth, walking backwards towards the ladder. "I'll see you at the house."

"See ya, Hogarth." Dean waved him off.

Hogarth made the climb down. Upon reaching the bottom, he searched for the stitchpunks, which was quicker than expected. Each stitchpunk emerged from behind miscellaneous furniture. Once all were found, Hogarth traipsed outside, making his way towards his bike. Strapping his helmet, he got on and pedaled away.

When he was far enough away from the junkyard, he took note of his surroundings. The sky was calm, the wind whipping against his face, he heard the distant calls of songbirds: it was a perfect day.

"Hey guys—", Hogarth noticed 4 pointedly glaring at him,"—and girl." He added in correction. 4's frown softened into a smile and Hogarth felt he could continue speaking. "I just got an idea."

"Tell us," said 5.

"Well, it's just that...as I was helping Dean work on his sculpture, it came to me. A new art project." He held out his hand in the air as though he could actually touch the sky. "Inspired by you guys."

"Us?," uttered 9, a stitched brow raised.

"Yeah." Hogarth turned back to the road to avoid crashing into something. "It just came to me." There was a moment of silence. The four waited for Hogarth's next answer. "You see, when you guys were talking about your home, I started to imagine what it would look like with life returning. You know? A few patches of grass sprouting here and there."

"I like where the idea is going," retorted 5. 3 and 4 nodded in agreement.

"It'd be great if you worked on it," said 9.

"Yeah, I could get Dean to help me with it," said Hogarth, he glimpsed briefly at the four and then turned back to the road. He was almost close to the edge of town.

Out of nowhere something appeared on the road, causing Hogarth to swerve, nearly getting knocked off his bike. He stopped in the middle of the road, mouth agape. What stood staring back at him was a reptile-like machine. More like a robot, from Hogarth's observation.

"What's that?!," shouted Hogarth.

"I don't know," replied 5. "It must be a beast, but I thought there weren't beasts here."

"Maybe it's not from here."

Hogarth jumped off his back, dropping it haphazardly on the ground. The reptile-like beast lunged at the boy, or more precisely, the stitchpunks he was stowing away. Either way, Hogarth acted fast. He ran to the other side of the road, the beast following. It let out a staticky growl, something no human word can describe. Hogarth looked around for something he could use as a weapon. There were a few scraps of litter scattered about. His closest option was a stray branch. With no other option, he picked it up, and turned around. The reptile beast was ready to jump on him. Hogarth ducked; the stitchpunks gripped tight to his jacket's neckline. The reptile machine growled and pounced. Hogarth struck it with the branch, sending it falling on its back.

It rolled back over on its abdomen, standing back up. Electricity circled around the machine's neck. Hogarth managed to cut a wire. Then perhaps...

When the beast lunged at him again, Hogarth grabbed it by the front legs, kicking its hind legs.

"Be careful!," warned 5.

"I've got it." Hogarth groaned. He slammed it down on the ground, pieces and gears falling off. He grabbed the branch and hit the beast in the chest area. The machine let out a roar. Hogarth stood on his feet and stomped it in the face. He took it a step further and kicked its head off. The beast's head bounced across from him. As soon as its head was kicked off Hogarth knew it was dead.

He got on his feet, chest contracting with every breath he took. He couldn't believe he just did that. In the heat of the moment he just took down a reptilian beast. Neither he nor the stitchpunks expected it.

Remembering he was on the road, he picked up the beast's lizard head and threw it to his right, out of the road where no one can find it. He went back and grabbed its limp body and threw it in the same direction as with the skull.

"Let's get out of here," said Hogarth, strolling towards his bike. As soon as he got on he rode away, his limbs still shivering with adrenaline.

"Where did it come from?," asked 9.

That was what Hogarth wanted to know. Where did it come from and why. Who could've built it? Surely no one from this world. It had to have come from the stitchpunk's world. Come through from where? The first that came to mind was the lake. It had to have come here the same way the stitchpunks did. That was the only way.

If there were going to be more beasts coming his way, then he and the stitchpunks were going to be ready for them.

Hogarth sat tensely at the table.

Dinner had been cleared away and so was dessert. He spent the whole day thinking about the beast he encountered. That run-in was cause for Hogarth to introduce the stitchpunks to his mother and Dean. He needed them now more than ever.

While Dean was busy helping his mother with the dishes, Hogarth quickly traipsed upstairs to his room.

"Guys," he said upon opening the door. The four were on the bed, patiently awaiting him.

"Yeah?," uttered 5.

"I think it's time I showed you to my...parents." The last word came out forced, remembering the picture of his real father on his nightstand. Putting that behind him, he opened up his jacket pockets for them to hide in. "They're going to need you sooner than you think." He smoothed down his jacket once the stitchpunks were in his pockets.

Walking down the stairs he found Dean and his mother still busy with the dishes. He figured he could use the time to ready the four for their introduction.

"Okay, guys," he said in a hushed whisper, pulling his pockets open, "when I show you to them...be prepared for when they ask questions. Especially if they ask how you all are alive." He bit his lip. "That's gonna be a hard one. For sure."

"We'll explain it however we can," said 5.

"What about the Lizard?," asked 9. The Lizard being the machine they encountered earlier. 9 called it the Lizard for its structure.

"Maybe we should leave that part out," suggested Hogarth.

"I don't know," said 5.

The twins flickered their optics. Hogarth turned to look at 9.

"What are they saying?"

"They're saying that you should tell them about the Lizard," translated 9, peeking over the left pocket. (3 and 4 were in Hogarth's right pocket). "I agree with them, but you should save it for last."

"That's a good idea," quipped Hogarth.

Hogarth stood outside the doorway for a few short moments. As soon as he heard his parents' footsteps, he prepared himself.

"Mom," he said, coming into view. "Dean."

"Hogarth?," uttered Annie quizzically.

"There's...something I have to talk to you about." He patted the pocket on his jacket.

"Oh sure, Hogarth," said Annie. "What do you need to talk about?"

"Let's sit down," suggested Hogarth, "it'll be better."

The three walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, save for Hogarth who took a seat on the armchair. He caught his breath, feeling Dean and his mother's eyes boring into him.

"You see, uh," he started, he looked down at his pockets, "there's something I have to show you." He dug inside his pockets, gingerly pulling the stitchpunks out. He placed them on the coffee table. The four turned to look at Annie and Dean, the latter of whom expressed looks of hushed surprise.

"Oh..." Annie stood and approached the coffee table.

9, feeling fear surging up, shrank away, gripping his lightstaff.

"Guys, it's okay," reassured Hogarth.

3 and 4 clung to 5. The one-eyed ragdoll patted 3's shoulder. 4 looked at 5 before looking at Annie. She wasn't used to being stared at by humans, not since the Scientist. She felt brave enough to approach the woman.

"They're shy," said 5, smiling.

Dean dropped to his knees and leaned against the table. He arched a brow, tilting his head to get a better look.

"Well, look at that," he said. He moved over to the right, eyes alert. He reached out to touch one of them. The moment Dean's hand was near them, the moment 3 and 4 shuffled away from him.

"Guys," said Hogarth, "it's okay."

The twins glanced at Hogarth. Their optics flickered, grabbing attention from Dean.

"How do they do that?," he asked, pointing.

"This is gonna take a long time," said Hogarth.

The conversation began almost immediately once the twins were comfortable enough to be within arm's reach. Hogarth told Dean and his mother how he found the stitchpunks last weekend in the forest. Explaining where they came from was harder than Hogarth thought. When he said they came from another world, Dean and Annie were skeptical. It wasn't that they didn't believe they were from another world, that they believed, but they thought the stitchpunks were from another planet, like the Giant. It took Hogarth an amount of explaining to convince them that the stitchpunks came to this world through a hidden portal. To Annie and Dean it sounded like something from one of Hogarth's comic books. But after the incident with the Giant, they were starting to think the idea of parallel worlds to be possible.

"So," began Annie, "you're all stuck here?"

"I wouldn't say 'stuck'," said 5, as a means of correcting, "but we are trying to find out if our other friends came here the way we did."

"There's more of you?," queried Dean. 5 nodded. "How many?"

"Nine," replied 5.

"I just so happen to be the last one," said 9, turning around. He revealed his back, on which was his number written on. Dean raised a brow.

"So your number," said Dean, "is also your name?"

"That's right," said 5.

"What's it like," questioned Annie, "in your world?"

"Different than here," said 9, turning to face her. "There aren't humans where we're from. At least, not anymore. There was this war, and the machines wiped out all humans."

"God, that's awful," said Annie, face blanching.

"Yeah," said Dean.

"Speaking of," quipped Hogarth, "there's something else you need to know. After I left the junkyard I was on my bike and this...reptile machine came out of nowhere and attacked us."

"Oh my God, Hogarth!," rasped Annie.

"Don't worry," reassured Hogarth, "it didn't hurt me, or them," he motioned to the four ragdolls. "I killed it before it could hurt us."

"Well, you're all lucky it didn't hurt you," reminded Annie.

"I know, Mom," said Hogarth, "which is why I need your help."

"How can we help?," asked Dean.

"That's what I still need to figure out," replied Hogarth, "so far, I've taken down one beast machine. Who knows when more will show up."

"And," began Dean, "you want us to help you keep a lookout for any more...machines?"

"If it isn't too much trouble."

"Oh, of course not," responded Annie, "we'll help you, honey."

"Thanks, you two," said Hogarth. "I could really use all the help I can get."

"No problem," said Dean.

9 walked up to Dean. "Hey, uh," he said nervously. "I wanted to tell you... I like your art sculptures."

This brought a smirk from Dean. "Really?"

"Really." 9 nodded. "If 6 were here, he'd like them, although, he's more of a painter than a sculptor."

"Well, we artists express ourselves in many ways," quipped Dean, puffing out his chest.

"Right."

Hogarth could only smirk and shake his head.

Yeah, and Hogarth introduces the stitchpunks to Dean and Annie. I just thought it was time. After all, Hogarth's going to need all the help he can get. And there's a theme around Hogarth's relationship with Dean.

I don't think Dean would mind being called dad, but that would be a big step for Hogarth. I mean, it doesn't happen overnight, but he's getting there. I don't know when it'll happen, but it will.

Oh and, I made it where 9's good at complex math. Hey, it's called headcanon for a reason.