When Jack had returned from his side-trip, he was received by scolding as expected. 25 was furious upon seeing him. 70 and 4 tried to explain what he had thought of doing as a positive thing but the leader refused to listen. And with her anger came the signature cross-eyed look. 25's eyes, since she was a baby, would cross when she became nervous or very upset. It still to this day, had not changed. He tried not to laugh watching her yell as her eyes glared to the middle of her face, the anger not seeming to affect him.
The others gave little words of encouragement to the returning arrivals, all three of them welcoming their newest member Infinity. 1000 and 999 had spotted her on the missions beforehand, knowing that she was a bit of a drifter. But with 32 now joining them, she had a friend to talk to. The two children gave little giggles as they played around Walker, who was staring at his leg in discontent. The others were getting the campsite ready for the evening. They would stay there until the letter 25 sent returned to that area.
The Library housing their parents needed to be safe, otherwise it would jeopardize the mission at hand. Walker gave a loud sigh, trying not to seem sad as his daughter pranced about him.
Owl spotted this right away and came over as 4 was examining him. "What's wrong honey?"
"I…can't even feel my leg anymore." He told sadly, knocking a fist against it. "The cold is locking up my gears completely. I mean there was some sparks in it before…but now…" He felt his face, closing his optics. Owl pat his back, "When we return home, I am making sure that 5 gives you a brand new leg. I'll even help build it if I have to.
The tallest doll gave a smile, kissing his wife gently on the forehead. "Let's get to bed."
When the letter arrived at the Library, the majority of the stitchpunks were left to clean up a big mess. 0 was now in a hospital bed under intense care of her son 5 and her husband 2. She had been severely injured during the beginnings of the battle with H1N2. Not to mention their guardian 8 had left the premises, saying something about finding his girl. 7 was cursing herself for not protecting her mother more, pacing back and forth.
22 watched her with worried eyes as she dribbled ink on the paper to return to her daughter. The eagle stood in a waiting pose, watching everywhere with fine blinking eyes to make sure no harm could enter. 3 flashed his eyes to his wife, the two hugging briefly. 22 smiled to him and stated, "Your sister is okay."
He gave a giant smile and asked her to write questions for them to answer. In the meanwhile, 6 was huddled close to the rivers, looking to 700 and his wife. The two women were conversing about the recent attack, investigating where the two evil stitchpunks had come from. He shuttered, thinking of what his twin children had to go through. He spotted 22 writing the family note and silently drew closer. "6? Are you okay?"
"Can…can you mention something about Miu and 24…I want to know how they are…I mean I am sure your daughter is keeping them in line. He is her fiancé and everything…" He was very nervous, moving his inked claws through the fine twists atop his head.
22 gently blinked, holding his shoulder as she sat to continue writing. "6…." She told gently in her motherly tone. 3 gave them some space, standing on her other side as she spoke, "25 loves 24 with all her might. She would never let anything happen to him. Nor would he let harm come to her on purpose. And Miu is her best friend. They love each other. Because even without parents to guide them, the group out there is a family. And they protect one another. We taught them to be like that." She pat his head, "And you should be proud of that."
The letter was near completion after she checked off that it mentioned all the ones that had left. She bit her fingers, thinking about something. 8…he was gone too. She added a small note at the end and made sure the ink was dry before getting up. 9 stared to her as she rolled the parchment up and handed it to the great bald eagle. The bird opened its wings and began to fly into the skies. "Go, and Godspeed my friend." 22 told pointing to the north and watching it sail off, feathers gently following it.
25 sat upon her fiancé 24 in their tent once more, hugging him slowly and staring at him. "You know my mother always did think it was a bad idea for us to get married."
"Why?" He asked gently, touching her white face with a hand trying not to claw her with his sharp fingers. She smiled as she grasped the ink nubs, staring at them silently. "She told me that I should be dating more than one guy before knowing who to marry. But…" She flashed her eyes briefly and gave a warm smile, "I always knew it was you."
15 was watching the skies, Al slowly repeating her actions. She looked through her make-shift telescope given by her father and spotted a few white feathers. She didn't make a sound until the vibrations of flapping wings could be heard. Roy looked like he was having a bit of trouble, holding a thick parchment in his claw. When he began to land 15 jumped up, going past Al swiftly. He blinked, trying to catch up. She smiled widely and started to run down to the campsite. She nearly tripped over 32 and Infinity playing together, avoiding them carefully before entering 25's tent. The leader was in the middle of cuddling with her fiancé again so she was not instantly welcome to 15. But the gardener explained what the letter was and instantly the others were called in when word spread to H1N1. All eagerly trailed to a flat rock where she had the letter unfurled, trying not to get it wet in the deep snow. 24 and Pi stood next to 25 as she began to clear her throat, getting a head count before she started to read.
"This is in my mother's handwriting. She writes: Hello children. I am happy to hear you are all doing okay. Your efforts have sounded very difficult but I know you can topple any obstacle in your way. I am very excited to hear that 999 and 1000 have joined you all. Give them my wishes, they are good people despite what they may think." 1000 gave a bit of a grumble at this, "why does she always gotta be so soft?" 999 gave a soft laugh and gently pat his head, intent on listening as she did so.
25 giggled a bit but continued to read, "As for here at the Library, 0 is completely fine. She received a bit of injury after the attack from H1N2." The twin of said stitchpunk cringed in anger, but 115 held her shoulder. "The 13s at this point are assisting her in any way possible. We didn't have the protection of 8. He left a few days ago, saying something about finding someone special to him. But besides that, everyone here is keeping you in their prayers, hoping that you will be coming home soon and safe." She trailed off a bit, knowing how much of the letter was left. She made sure to focus again, trying not to whimper in the loneliness of not having her parents to guide her. "As for my individual wishes…Pi your mother and father both are desperate without you. They have been defending with more of a purpose, knowing how much it means to you being on this mission.'
Pi stared to the note and then at her leader. She bit her lip, trying not to give a sign of weakness. "37, you better treat that girl right!" 37 looked about as the others gave giggles. 25 shrugged, "That's all it says about you."
He grumbled and crossed his arms, trying not to hide himself in the shadows to prevent the others from giggling. "15. Your mother and father are so proud of you. You should see your plants; they are growing bigger every day, just as you are." 15 smiled and blushed at this, twiddling her ribbons. "H1N1 and 115, you two should stop denying your relationship all ready! Love is a special thing, and you two care about one another right?" The two looked down but then to each other, their hands intertwined. 25 smiled at her mother's words and started again, "Tobias and Kayia, it makes me so proud to know you are still with them. As for Jack, tell him to keep in line. That boy has always been a trouble maker. But I believe 70 will do that for you. She is a wonderful child." 70 smiled looking down a bit before 25 read more, "Beautiful 26, you are a pride to your parents and the entire society. Your voice rings with harmony and will bring all together. As for the new arrivals, it brings such joy to my soul to hear of the newest little ones. I remember Infinity, such curiosity and intelligence. AS for Al and Lily, good luck within your new family. I cannot wait to see my little niece 32." Said stitchpunk girl blinked and held her parents' hands gently, blinking up at them, "What's the leader talking about?"
"You have an auntie. It's her mother. She's your cousin remember?" 32 smiled and giggled, holding onto his frozen leg. There was just a brief warmth from her but after than his leg went stiff again, sighing as he almost collapsed onto his cane. Owl held him up just as her name was being called, "Owl…my dearest friend. I entrust every being of my family with you. The birds listen as you speak and so you are never truly alone. Guide them well…as for Walker. I miss you brother. I've heard of your exploits with Theta. I trust that you two have kept each other in line." The two brother figures smirked at one another briefly, "As for Theta solely, I know that you are keeping 25 safe. You've vowed to since she was a baby. So if she comes back with any mutilations…well let's just say it won't be pretty mister!"
Theta rubbed the back of his neck. "To all of you, I am so proud and we are all eager to see you home. Your parents are keeping you in their prayers. And 25…I know deep down that you are doing the right thing. You are the perfect leader for the family. And remember, we are all family…" She faded off and looked sadly to the letter, sniffing a bit as she rolled the letter up a bit. 24 pat her shoulder, the two sharing a kiss. The stitchpunks looked inspired, holding their heads up a little higher now.
"All right then. To the north I presume?" Pi asked as she held 37's hand tightly. 25 nodded, pointed but they all paused hearing the bushes rustling. The crisp snow crunched with the footsteps of another stitchpunk.
H1N1 suspected it to be a villain but they were all shocked when they saw 8 bursting into the campsite. He gave a softer look upon seeing 25. He mumbled a bit and scratched his head a bit, "you…you 22's kid?"
"Yeah! You're uncle 8. Creator!" She ran over to him and hugged around his waist gently. The large stitchpunk blinked at first confused by the plethora of dolls before him. But he returned the leaders hug. Soon another doll came out and everyone's eyes widened. It was the other 15, the one that had been with 8 since they had first encountered her in the Emptiness. "25? 24 and Miu…Pi? Wow…I never thought that we'd find you here. We've been looking for you guys forever!"
"Really?" 26 asked with a happy expression, her optics wavering. The others just swarmed to the two, welcomes and hugs spread around for about half an hour.
But 15 warned the dolls, "You cannot progress any further up North. There is a barricade blocking the city."
"Well we have birds as well." Owl told with confidence. The pale 15 smirked, playing with 25's jewel as she prepared for the armada to appear.