Being One Of Us

by hArdcOrecArtoonmAniac

The Fabricator returns with a new ploy to destory the Stitchpunk- create some of his own! Are these new "Negative" dolls truly evil or is there something more? The story deepens with visions of the ghostly Zero. A story of understanding and innocence.

3. Part II: The Hybrids

Author's Notes: The second part where I show you a little bit of negative "culture". So we're intoduced to most of the negatives (accept -7 who I'm saving just to bug you). The reason I gave them names is so that they arn't confused with the original nine. Also we get to see Negative's treatment of his kin. A theme in the story is how one bad influance can cause a chain reaction: Slasher is as bad as he is because Negative taught him to be that way, Negative's ruthlessness is a result of being tarrorized by the Fabrication Machine, the Fabrication Machine was corrupted by the Chancellor . . . So basically, everything that everything happens in the story is the Chancellor's fault XD

Yes 7, I see similarities between you and 1, deal with it! I'd also like to mention that Negative is the repersentative of the Fabricator (their self-proclaimed god) to his kin who arn't allowed to seem him - so Negative's more close to being Pope doll than 1! But 1 will always be better in being a pimpope!

Part II: The Negatives

That night there was no moon to speak of. It was in the sky but behind a massive wall of choking black smog. It was a happy night for the machines at the Factory. The Fabricator had just brought to life his final rag doll, -9. Her red number was stamped upon her chest by -1 in a ritual that had honored all negative-numbered dolls (save -1 himself).

-9 was the lastborn. Strong and imposing, sitting on all fours appearing to be a black lion lit up by the red of the furnace. Built to be equal in all ways, -9 was not only an agile fighter but an intelligent philosopher. She was made from a black soft leather purse with black fur trim. The trim now ran down along her mane and back and across her chest. A silver zipper ran from the back of her head to the tip of her long tail. Her claws where of heavy iron with retractable razor claws, able to deal damaging blows and slice through fabric. Pieces of leather connected her arms to her legs giving her the ability to glide. Her eyes were red orbs glowing against her dark body. She was a beast in a rag dolls' body.

-1 was the ambassador for the Fabricator at the naming ceremony. In the ritual -9 will be given her name. -1 was never given a name but had taken it upon himself to make a name for himself; he is now known as simply Negative – Negative the firstborn. Negative had also made himself separate from his kin to remind them of his authority of above them as the Fabricator's representative. Negative was clad in a black cloak (that was too big for him) running down over her feet and dragging behind him. His sleeves came over his hands. On his head was the hood of his cloak, shaped in such a way that he would be mistaken for a cobra. He always held his snake staff: made from a femur bone with a snake skull attached to the top, behind the skull was a shining gold disk and tied to the back of that was a rattle snakes' tail.

-9 sat on a platform in front of the Fabricator, Negative stood by. All around the platform were the glowing eyes of the machines. It mostly consisted of Seekers, Skouts and Ant Machines but there was also a Cat Beast, a Winged Beast, a Seamstress and a few other new mechanical creatures. At the front of the group where twelve tiny red orbs watching, they where the other negative-numbered rag dolls. The negatives watched as their final sister was given her name.

"It is the gift of the Fabricator that we see our last sister before us. Without the Fabricator we would not exist. Hail the Fabrication Machine!" Negative shouted and the machines bowed and cheered (some of the rag dolls were less enthusiastic than others)

Negative approached -9 who promptly stood on two legs and respectfully bowed to him. Negative dipped a claw in red ink as the Fabricator looked on.

"Your training is complete and I honor you with your name. -9, you shall from now on be known as Tzarina, the queen of the Beasts, for your mastery of communicating to and controlling our machines" He crossed the "9" on her chest with a red slash, "It is of the duty of you to carry out and ensure the will of the Fabricator."

Negative stepped back to allow Tzarina to accept her praise. She pushed her head back into her chest and then thrust her body foreword while letting out a loud roar. She was answered by the roars, shrieks and screams of approval from the Beasts.

"Boy, she's got a set of pipes on her." Commented a patch-covered light gray doll

"It's not a wonder why the Beasts took a liking to her." Answered a worn and torn up four-armed doll

With the end of Tzarina's roar also ended the ritual. The Fabricator went back to building more machines. The beasts dispersed and went back to their duties. Negative went down the steps leading to the area where all his rag doll kin where gathered. Tzarina leapt down after him. The leader of the negatives was soon joined by his loyal law enforcer, -8, Slasher.

Slasher was bright red with black tar-stain markings. He was tall but very thin, if it were not for the number written on his chest one would not be able to tell he was 8's copy. Slasher was once a red pin cushion: even as a doll he retained needles, sticking from his elbows, back, claws, jaw, and head – not to mention he had the nastiest set of teeth out of the machine-made rag dolls – all to help "enforce" Negative's will. His name was given to him because he was pugnacious and would slice up whomever disobeys the firstborn leader. If that wasn't enough to keep the others in line, he sported a syringe at the end of his powerful tail, whomever was unlucky enough to be in its path when he brought it down would have been impaled.

"You, healer!" Negative demanded, the gray ragdoll immediately stood at alert, "Where is Dapple? She wasn't at the ceremony"

The gray ragdoll fidgeted with his black claws and answered meekly.

"She snuck off again."

"What!" Negative barked, "You know this, why did you not try to stop her? I'll see you sliced for this!"

"I-I tried to s-s-s-top her but she left any way!" Bright sparks came from the patch of exposed wires on the gray ragdoll's head

"Does that thick-headed girl know what danger she could put us in!" Negative shouted in a rage

"Don't get too upset Negative, she just wanted to explore a little." The four-armed rag doll spoke in a quiet voice, he tried to put a tree-clawed hand on Negative but Negative jerked away

"Her meaningless explorations could spell the end for us. Her carelessness will certainly get us discovered!" Negative snapped

"She means no harm Negative, she's just very curious." The four-armed doll said, his gray friend nodded at the statement

"I will not have it! We have rules!" Negative retorted, his silted eyes narrowing as the pair shied back

"Negative, sir." Tzarina interrupted, she clearly wasn't interested in this conversation

Negative's anger lessened a little when he turned to the newest ragdoll.

"Where is the seventh-born? I've been introduced to everyone but I've never seen a -7." Tzarina said

"Bah! -7 chose to leave us - he's off being a weak-minded coward out in the Emptiness somewhere. I say good riddance to that arrogant-"

"With all due respect Negative, you are the one who is the coward." The four-armed doll boldly approached the albino leader

"Don't speak to me that way you old fool! Fabricator help me, I'll have you hanged, you worthless bag of scrap!" Negative struck the old doll knocking him to the ground

The gray doll ran to the light tawny four-armed doll. Suddenly Slasher stomped a pace toward them with a roar and exposed fangs. The gray negative cowered but kept his place by his friend. Negative tugged at the rope collar tied around Slasher's neck.

"Leave them be! You need not punish them for a simple outburst. I ended it easily myself, thank you!" Negative said and Slasher went to his place back at Negative's side, "Now Sparks,"

The gray doll lifted his head at the sound of his name.

"Take Cicatrix back to his room, I've had enough of his ideas for tonight." Negative motioned with his claw and turned away

"Come on Cic, let's go." Sparks pulled the four-armed doll to his feet and they walked out of the chamber

Tzarina watched the two disappear into the dark room. The gray negative had a "-5" printed on his back and the tawny negative had a "-2". She looked back over to Negative who was mumbling to himself.

"Unruly wretch . . ." He hissed

"Is something bothering you, sir?" Tzarina blandly asked

"Hm? Oh, nothing I haven't been dealing with for the past few days. I'm surrounded by idiots; perhaps the Fabricator had made a mistake in making the others." Negative moaned walking to a door with steps leading down

"Me, sir?" Tzarina asked fallowing the old white rag doll as he sat down on one of the steps, his feet dangling above the below stair

"You? No, not you. I like you. Come, sit, sit." Negative offered tapping the ground beside him

Tzarina lay down with her arms neatly tucked under her chest. She wrapped her long tail around her body.

"You didn't step in when Cicatrix had an outburst. You took no side, you simply observed without a word. I had not seen anyone do that before. It means you want to learn as much as you can then make an intelligent opinion yourself, am I correct?" Negative asked, his tone was much less stinging than how he'd talked to -2 and -5 earlier
"Yes. How do you know that?" Tzarina asked

"Ah, you're just like me." Negative smiled, exposing his needle teeth

Slasher didn't enjoy this new doll getting all of the leader's attention.

"Master, what are your orders for me?" Slasher asked rudely stepping in on their conversation

"Huh? Oh, Slasher." Negative grumbled dryly, "Go get Dapple and leave me be."

"As you wish, master" Slasher replied and took off

"You seem wise" Tzarina observed as she eyed Negative, "I want you to teach me what you know. I want to see how you see."

Negative was surprised. No one had ever wanted this from him. Slasher only wanted to serve and please him, all the others where obedient and kept their distance – but never had he been asked to become a teacher! Of course the old snake was more than happy to take in a doll as a student, a friend, perhaps even a daughter.

Small insects that had recently reappeared chirped and sang in the Emptiness. The moon was quarter-empty that night and most of the smog cleared away, reduced to only puffs of black clouds. The sky was a smooth shadowy blue dappled with orbs of white. The nighttime made the Emptiness and docile deep blue. Skittering about in this night was a single negative-numbered rag doll made of striped wool. Her sleek body covered in thick horizontal blue-and-black stripes. Her frail hands, with clay-decorating hook claws, quietly pawed the small leafy plants. She lashed her skinny tail made of yarn with a paintbrush head at the end, the tip of her tail was spotted with whiteout. At the top of her head was a tuft of white fur. She explored the plant with her claws when suddenly a small cricket jumped out of the shrub.

The sleek ragdoll with a red "-6" on her back turned and watched it hop away. She fallowed it, bounding on all fours. The insect landed on an upstanding rock with a green bush behind it.

"Wait, come back." Called the striped ragdoll slowing pace, "I just want to play."

But the cricket hopped into the bush. She dove after it, sliding off the edge of the rock and her head burst out from the other side of the bush. Soon she was far more interested in another creature. Her one round eye and one silted eye looked in delight upon the small black-and-white ragdoll sitting at the top step of a large cathedral. The black-and-white doll was staring blankly at the stars above.

"Brother" Said Dapple, the black-and-blue negative, in glee

Dapple, hardly able to contain her joy, took a bound toward 6 but her tail refused to move with her and she plopped to the ground. She swished her head around to see the spiked red torment that was Slasher, his two-hoofed gray foot on her tail. The towering red negative snorted at her dauntingly.

Dapple dropped her head and began to fallow him home without as much as a word. Her unmatching eyes glanced back at the black-and-white ragdoll desperately before she disappeared into the Emptiness.

6 sat on the highest step of the large stairway leading into the Sanctuary's only entrance. His eyes hadn't moved from the glittering dots above since they first appeared. Everyone else was asleep. He whispered quietly;

"We shouldn't be here, something's gone wrong now. Why did you send us back?" 6 desperately eyed the great blue beyond, "I don't understand. I'm scared. Maybe if I sleep you will tell me."

6 whimpered and crawled under a fallen stone slab pushed on one of the great wood doors. He hoped the purpose of his and the other's return would lie in his dreams, just like the futures that he'd witness before. 6 curled up in the darkness of his cove and quickly fell to sleep.

Inside the bell tower 10, formerly 1, the newly appointed leader, slept in his own bed made of worn white cleaning rags. The elevator to the top had not yet been built but 10 preferred being up high, like a cat, it made him feel safe. He made his makeshift room on a rafter a couple meters up. 10 had never been anyone to let himself get bogged down to too many questions but he dream he experienced last night troubled even he;

At first it was all dark and silence, there was nothing - save only the sound of his ticker, a vital mechanism in the chest that supplies the body with energy, letting us know its functioning properly with it's rhythmic "tic-tick, tic-tick, tic-tick". He felt something clutch him around the waist. Something warm pushed his face, fallowed by a;

"Go on then, wake up." The voice was startlingly loud compared to the quiet of his ticker

He forced his eyes to open for the first time and jerked himself out of grogginess. At first all he saw through his narrow eyes was an orange-yellow blur blocked out by a dark figure. When his optics finally focused he found himself in the grasp of a huge monster, staring at him inquisitively.

"It worked, I can't believe it." Boomed the monster

He shifted his body and found he could not escape the monster's hand. He began to panic. Putting his hands on the monster's fingers, he tried to pull away but he would not budge.

"Whoa, it's okay, calm down." Said the monster reaching for him

He glanced at his own silver claws noticing they where sharp. The hand was about to close in on him, he desperately swiped at it with his claws. Bright red liquid oozed from the three cuts on the monsters hand. The monster shrieked and he was dropped to the ground.

Scrambling to his unsteady feet, he leapt onto one of the shelves above the table. He dove behind a book and out of sight.

"Ow." He heard the monster whimper, "Where'd he go off too? Come on out, I won't hurt you." The monster called

There was some red liquid on his hands, he curtly shook it off and backed away further into the shelf. His back brushed on something and he swung around, behind him was yet another monster! It was pale and thin, the monster gasped and backed up just as he did. Soon he realized it was no monster, just his reflection in a mirror. While he stood admiring himself when tapping sounded from the far end of the shelf.

"Hello?" He called out

He was not answered. He put it off and continued to stare into the mirror. More shuffling, followed by a soft voice. He turned again.

"Who's there?"

But the noise had gone again. His eyes darted and he reluctantly looked back into the glass. Movement again, and it was closer now, it was accompanied by short giggling.

"Keep away, I'm warning you!" His voice trembled

But the noise did not cease. He took a few steps back. He was surrounded by monsters! The giggling was coming from above a book. He quietly walked toward it. The laugher was right above him. It suddenly stopped then the book began to lean forward. He jumped back when a white monster tumbled from its spot on top of the book.

The pale monster stood up, he found it strange it looked much like him. She was close to white in color, made of thin silk. Her hands were quickly put together, small and frail. She had large white eyes and a round face. She was crudely made, some pale scraps hung loose on her small body. She was unsteady on her feet when she stood up. She reached her fragile hands out and grazed his chest. She spoke up in an airy, childish voice;

"It's you; I've been waiting for you!" She fell over foreword but clutched him around the waist to keep herself up

"Pardon my asking" He started, feeling slightly awkward that she was holding him, "But who am I exactly?"

"Oh, you mean you don't know? It should be on your back." She said letting him go and leaning on the book

He craned his neck and forced himself to get good look behind him. He then turned back to the small rag doll.

"It's 1? Is that it?" He asked

"I guess." She suddenly gasped, "Why are you up here anyway? I think the Toymaker's looking for you."

"You don't mean - the monster?" 1 asked

"He's not a monster! He made you- and me."

"This brings me to another question, who are you, why should I trust you?"

"Um, I don't really have a name, but I'll go see if he can give me one!" She piped up and reached for 1's claw, missing many times before he took her hand instead

The child started to walk further back into the shelf.

"I do believe he's this way" 1 said nudging her the other way

"He is? Oops, sorry."

They walked out from behind the pile of books and quickly the Toy Maker spotted them.

"Oh there you are, 1. I see you've made a friend." The huge creature came toward them, "You better not have hurt her, she's very fragile you know." The Toy Maker added rubbing the scratch on his hand, "Good thing she's talked some sense into you."

1 scoffed. They were lowered to the large flat area of the table. The child stumbled out of the Toy Maker's hand and plopped to the ground, 1 rolled his eyes and stepped down.

"Mister Toy Maker, can I ask you something?" She asked facing the wrong direction, 1 curtly guided her head toward the human

"Yes, what is it?"

"Can I have a name too, please?" She asked still a little off direction

"Hm. I suppose it is only proper for you to have a name now. But what shall I call you?" The Toy Maker paused in thought, "Well, since you where created before 1, it's only logical you should be named 'Zero'. What do you think, 1?"

"I don't care." 1 mumbled

"I think it's pretty!" Exclaimed the enthralled child

"Zero it is then!" The Toy Maker responded

1 watched as he nudged her to turn around. With ink he scribed an ink "0" on her back, she squirmed.

"That tickles!" Zero said

1 stared into the young girl's new name, the black number over the white silk. Everything began to blur and distort.

"1, please stay with me. Don't go." Zero's voice echoed, "I wanna play."

"10, get up! 10, it's morning!"

And there was 8, hovering overhead with his two arms thrashing him awake. 10 leaned up and pushed the huge Stitchpunk's hands away.

"Yes, yes, I'm awake! Don't touch me" 10 grumbled getting off the bed

"Sorry, 1- Um, 10." 8 whimpered

"I'm sure you are" 10 placed his hat in its spot and shooed the guard away, "Go down, I'll be right there"

8 thundered down the recently constructed stairs leading down from 10's perch. 10 checked that his new outfit was on right in the glass shard by his bed. As he went over the morning's announcements in his head he looked at the own zero on his back.

He thought, Strange, that dream seemed familiar - like I've seen it before

The leader shook off his suspicions and put his white cloak on before heading down. At the ground level the group of four were starting to emerge from their sleeping dens as well. 2 and 5 were having a pleasant chat when they noticed 6 drag himself in from outside the Sanctuary's entrance, he had an inky claw on his back and his head drooped to his chest.

"Good morning 6." 5 greeted the striped doll

But he was not answered by the chipper response he'd grown so use to years before. He was answered by a moan as 6 came over to them.

"Is something the matter, you look sick" 2 asked approaching him

"Under stars, didn't have good sleep" Slurred the unhappy artist, "No dreams."

"I didn't sleep too good last night either, we all have those nights" 5 tried to perk him up when he was interrupted when 10 broke in;

"I third that!" He strutted down the stairs in his full monarchial attire, "Rarely can the three of us have empathy with one another, correct 5?"

5 didn't like his tone; something still bothered him about the elder. 5 didn't answer but tried his best to not appear aggressive. 10 paused for an answer.

"Indeed" He growled when he received none, he continued, "Today we have work to be done. Yesterday's progress was slightly less than I expected . . ."

Because you just sat around the whole time, 5 privately commented

" . . . Today I believe we can finish the new elevator, provided 8 brought a new bucket. When all's done we can assess the damage done up there, with any luck the fire left it intact and we may return to our original rooms. Everyone's tasks are as fallows . . ."

Oh yeah, I'm sure you'd like your throne room back so you can sit around some more, 5 thought

The elderly leader had finished his speech and everyone began to go about their assigned tasks. All but 5 who, if he were even paying attention to know what he was supposed to do, did not want to stay in the Sanctuary. 5 needed to find 9 before 10's power got out of hand again. He knew he didn't have the courage to stop 10 himself. Despite his grudge, 5's over-friendly personality prevented him from hating 10 completely, after all, 5 knew he tried his best. 5 approached the white-clad rag doll.

"10, can I ask you something?" He asked

"5, it's you." 10 said in a bittersweet tone, "What is it?"

"I was wondering if, instead of working on the elevator, if I could go out into the Emptiness and try to find 9"

10's expression was unreadable, 5 would have had to guess it was a combination of aggressiveness and sorrow. 10 was quiet for a while, his eyes shifted in thought, then he answered;

"Yes, you may come and go as you please" 5 sensed his words where forced, "1 wouldn't let you into the Emptiness."

10 turned away from him and left to supervise to others. 5 was relived to find that he was given permission - but even if 10 said "no" 5 would have still gone. The one-eyed doll was slightly troubled by 10's difficulty with answering the question, maybe he still wanted to hold onto his protective ways. 5 put the thought aside and headed out into the ruins of the Human-City, surely his best friend, 9, would know what to do!

It was around the same time on that morning, outside the Factory, -2, named Cicatrix, and -5, named Sparks, where studying a crop of grass struggling to grow in the acrid place. The golden sunrise was in its full color as it had not yet risen high enough to be blocked out by the black smog produced by the Factory. The pair of negative-numbered rag dolls where rarely let outside, that being mostly because Negative disliked their fascination with nature - it's a waste of time, he would put it.

Sparks was slightly smaller than average size, thin and covered in many stitches and patches of different color – his original body color was light gray, most of his patches roughly matched it. He had thin, weak claws made of black steel. His tail was a white electric plug, he often fiddled with it when he was nervous. He had chisel-like teeth special to cut through rope or threads, aiding in his job as a healer. Out of his head was a blown open patch of wires on one side, his wound was never fixed because it was a terrible agony just for the wires to be touched and Sparks simply would not cooperate.

Cicatrix was made of dirty burlap and was the smallest of all the dolls. Despite his small, plump body he was actually extremely strong because of his four heavy iron arms. Although he was hardly a threat, his body was abused, rusty and old, and he is a strict pacifist – only using his power of he's pushed. In addition to his heavy limbs he was adorned with two welding tools coming out of his shoulder. He was designed to build machines. Cicatrix had taken in Sparks as son as no one else seemed to accept his "condition".

"This is a nice patch" Sparks said crouching to look at the yellow grass growing beside the Factory's dark iron walls

"Good find, Sparks" Cicatrix congratulated the gray, patched doll with a gentle touch to his back

"C-C-Cic" Started the gray doll as a few white flashes came from his head wound

"Hm?" Answered Cicatrix

"I like the plants and the insects" Spark's head suddenly snapped to the side, "CUPCAKES!", He blurted as his wires shorted out, "Oww . . . " He whimpered

"Are you okay?" Asked the four-armed doll

"Yes, it was just a little glitch" Sparks said, he turned his head back to the small doll, "I want to make something" He suggested

"All right then, let's see what he have here" Cicatrix answered after a warm chuckle

Sparks quickly scampered around the area grabbing a few shards of scrap aluminum and wiring lying in the dust. He brought them to the elderly doll and Cicatrix went to work. Cicatrix took and bent the metal with ease as his friend handed each part to him, he welded it with two appendages sticking from either side of his shoulders. It was with such speed and skill he could easily be compared to his creator, the Fabrication machine - however, rather than creating killing machines, the old burlap doll created a small, thin creature.

"All right, your turn Sparks" Said Cicatrix handing the tiny machine to the gray doll

Sparks took the four-legged aluminum creature in one claw and took his electric plug tail in the other. He put one black claw to the prongs and yellow electricity created a path into his hand. He dropped his tail to fall limp to the ground and put his claw into the little creature's chest. The yellow energy went into their creation.

"Oh!" Sparks yipped when the creation came to life and jumped out of his hands

Their baby landed on the ground on her four thin legs. She joyfully jumped around, squeaking and bobbing her thin head. Her eyes where large and glowed yellow. She wagged her wire tail and jumped toward her creators.

"I see she gets her energy from you Sparks" Cicatrix said, he groaned then lowered himself to the ground

"Are you okay?" Sparks asked sitting by the old doll

"Just a little fatigued." Cicatrix answered dropping himself to the ground, his heavy body landed with a thud

"It's okay - - QUIZNOS! MM - MM - MM - MM - MM! TOASY! - - I still have a little energy left in my hand" Sparks meekly offered, he put his black claw to the four-armed doll's chest, "Better?"

"Yes. Of course, it doesn't reverse time. I might not be with you for very long" Cicatrix suddenly became very serious, "I'm getting old Sparks"

"Well, s-so is Negative! - - BLUE! - - But this isn't happening to him!" Sparks retorted, "It's that bully Slasher who keeps beating on you, it's his fault! Look at all your stitches, who caused them?" Sparks voice became choked with emotion and his wires started to short out

They where interrupted by a thundering roar. The burlap doll and the gray doll turned their heads toward the source of the roar. It was the red negative, Slasher, announcing his presence as he usually does. He returned from the night before and was bringing -6, Dapple, back home. Slasher walked into the mineshaft leading inside with Dapple tugging herself behind. The black-and-blue rag doll lifted her head and glanced at her friends. Cicatrix and Sparks also adopted her into their friendship, she also was not accepted by the others because of her two different eyes.

"Hello." She solemnly greeted the pair

"Shut up!" Snapped Slasher striking her behind the head with a gray claw, "Keep your mismatched eyes in front of you and march your way into Negative's room!"

Dapple disappeared into the dark hole. Cicatrix and Sparks watched contemptuously as the spiked, red doll approached them.

"Good morning scrap bags!" Slasher greeted them, "How are my favorite moth-eaten cripples today?"

"Graced to be in the presence of Negative's narcissic, officious peace-keeper" Cicatrix sarcastically responded

"Yes, thank you" Slasher answered unknowing he thanked an insult, "The mismatching eyed female is gonna get in so much trouble with Negative - I can smell it! He's so great when he's angry at you weaklings! Just so long as two certain underlings don't talk back to him again"

Slasher turned around and slammed a hoof into Cicatrix's gut. The red doll scraped dirt upon the pair and happily trotted into the Factory.

"That tyrant" Sparks whispered

Their creation jumped into Cicatrix's four arms. The pair was quickly cheered up by their dog-like machine.

"What should we name her?" Asked the four-armed doll

Sparks' mind was still on their mistreatment by their leader and his deputy. The gray doll rose his head and answered;

"Hope."

Cicatrix looked into his friend's eyes, seeming to understand.

"Do you think there's more types of life we haven't found yet?" Asked Sparks

"Of course there are!" Cicatrix answered jubilantly, he pointed his two left arms into the healing woodland ahead of the Factory, "You see out there, far beyond Human-City, far beyond the forest, beyond those hills, is a vast world full of discoveries. Someday Sparks, we'll be out there."

"Such pointless dreams" Snarled an unpleasant female voice

It was the lastborn, Tzarina. She leapt down from atop the mineshaft entrance.

"Tzarina, what are you doing out here?" Cicatrix asked, "I know you're new so you probably don't know, you need permission from Negative to leave the Factory"

"Sew it shut, old timer" Tzarina rudely answered rolling her eyes, "I wasn't born yesterday! Negative game me full roaming privileges, now I'll be on my way."

Sparks entered shyly, "Wait, - - COOKIE! - - do you want a little energy, you never know-"

"Hush!" She croaked, "I don't need any recharging, I'm -9!"

"Well before you go - have you seen the twins any where? I haven't seen them since the ceremony" Sparks asked

"They're probably out, Negative gave them roaming privileges too. Now leave me be!"

And Tzarina tore away, beating the ground with all four of her heavy claws.

"So he gives that windbag and the pair of morons roaming privileges and not us? Why of all the stupid old beasts . . ." Sparks commented after she was out of sight

"You've been around long enough, you know Negative's never fair" Cicatrix tried to force a positive tone

The old rag doll stood to his rust-stained hoofs fallowed by Sparks.

"We'd better go in and make sure Dapple isn't in too much trouble"

Dapple stood in the large room, once used to store Walkers aside from the Fabricator's chamber, that Negative claimed as his own. The room was littered with the remains of Walker machines, blown to peaces when the Factory was destroyed. Because the room had no windows, there was very little light other than the little rays of dusty orange struggling to get out of the small spaces in-between the rubble pile blocking the chamber's entrance. There were also the dull flickering light bulbs, most of which were shattered so that only the floating twisted filament could be seen, placed around Negative's throne being made of a stack of gas bombs. A few bombs had leaks so the dim lights where distorted in the twisting poison air.

Negative loomed above the sleek striped doll atop his preach of metal, Slasher took his spot on the lower seat beside him. Dapple stood in the large open space before her leader, looking up at him - his red slits glowing over his shadowed body. And behind him, illuminated by the orange beams from behind, was a shred of the fascist flag.

"What did you see?" Asked the firstborn leader

"New plants, unusual animals, human trinkets . . ." She answered

Up from the tunnel leading into Negative's room emerged Sparks and Cicatrix.

Dapple finished, ". . . And another creature like us."

From the other end of the room Sparks gasped involuntarily. He and Cicatrix quickly drew in closer.

"Where? What was it doing?" Cicatrix asked

"You saw WHAT?" Snapped Slasher stomping to full height

"I found another rag doll, he was one of the originals. He looked very friendly, perhaps we could-"

"Enough!" Negative commanded slamming his snake staff to the ground

The eyes of his staff opened revealing a bright white glow, so inviting that everyone below stared into it and their minds where blank. No one moved, no one thought - except for Dapple, who's mismatching eyes where immune to Negative's hypnosis. Negative already knew he could not force his will upon her with his staff. The leader stepped down from his perch and stopped only two paces away from Dapple.

"You see too much" Negative hissed, "You must learn to control your thoughts!"

"I want to become family with the Stitchpunk" Dapple replied

"No! I forbid it!" Negative realized his hypnotizing hold on the others, "And that's the end of it!" He turned and started to walk back to his throne

Dapple took a step toward the old snake.

"I see too much - you see nothing" She stated

Negative quickly snapped his head around toward her, his body fallowed.

Negative lifted a finger toward her, "Slasher, remove her eyes!", He clicked his claws and Slasher tore down from the pile of steel

Cicatrix cried out and ran to defend her but he was far too slow. Slasher stopped in front of the frightened striped doll, his needle spines rose up from his body. The red doll rose a claw, snarling, and slammed it into her face. Dapple dropped to the ground, lifting her head, her eyes were knocked out. She blindly scrabbled on the ground and Slasher came closer to drive the punishment home.

Cicatrix's claw locked onto Slasher's wrist and bent it out a place. Slasher wailed and turned his head toward the elderly doll and sank his huge fangs into Cicatrix's back. Slasher tore the old doll away and threw him into the ground. Cicatrix turned himself over to protect his now exposed iron spine and ribs. Slasher lifted his powerful tail and brought it down into Cicatrix's belly, impaling him all the way through. The spiked red doll picked him up and smashed him into the ground again, bending one of his legs.

"That will do Slasher" Negative spoke up clicking his claws

Slasher immediately took his place back by Negative's side. Dapple was cowering at the sounds of her friend in agony and Slasher's misguided fury. Her leader watched her pathetically try to find her footing.

"Now you see nothing" Negative said

Dapple lifted her head up toward him and looked visionlessly to the leader.

"You are the one who is blind" She whispered

Negative suddenly realized Sparks was there, frozen in terror. He walked to Sparks and held his snake staff, eyes aglow, out to the disturbed creature.

"You witnessed none of this."

The sun was now high enough to be caught in the black smog clouds produced by the Factory. Not very far from the Museum 3 and 4 where chasing small insects around. They were told to stay in sight but wondered past a few tall buildings on their quest to catch the hopping-flying bugs. Unknown to them they were being watched by twin pairs of red orbs.

3 had cornered one of the bugs and crept up slowly on it. The hopper perched itself on a cement brick. Its wings twitched and it cleaned it's antenna, blissfully unaware of the blue hooded doll that eagerly crept up on it. 3 was about to catch it and catalog it when it suddenly stood at alert. The bug jumped away. 3's head came up from the grass he crouched in. He didn't make a sound, what scared it away?

He stared into the grass behind the block, the tall green plants briefly rustled. 3 flashed a questioning greeting but was met by no answer. He walked closer to the tall grass.

The grass burst open and 3 was tackled by two dark figures with glowing red eyes. He and the dark dolls crashed down the rubble pile, 4 was alerted and released her bug to check on her brother. She soon found 3 on the ground and two shadowy hooded figures loomed over him, cackling like hyenas. The other twins where marked with a red "3" and "4", both with slashes through the number. They had gray bodies and heads, black arms and legs, a pocket sewn on to their bellies and red eyes. Both had camo-pattern hoods and capes, -3 had green camo and -4 had turquoise. -3 was slightly taller with a broader face, -4 was was thinner with both eyes seeming to focus in different directions. The dark pair crowed loud and unpleasant laugher. 4 did not enjoy having her brother laughed at, she flashed;

"What's so funny?"

Of coarse 4 wasn't expecting an answer but the other twins appeared to understand her clicks completely. She was answered by cackling but she also understood what their words would have been;

"Oooh, looka wha we have heea" -4 answered in an airy voice, all words seemed to blend together

"Pfft, I beet up hoppa-jumpa more treatenin' den dis" -3 had a lower, over-articulate voice

At first, 3 and 4 had a hard time understanding the pair because of their speech style. 4 helped her brother up.

"Just who do you think you are?" 3 bravely clicked

"Nip" -3 snickered

"Tuk" -4 laughed

"Why did you tackle me, Nip and Tuk?" 3 clicked

"Why?" Nip barked

"Yeah - why?" Tuk repeated

"Shuddap!" Nip snarled to her sister

The little structures holding Tuk's hood in shape pulled her hood over her face, she shyly hid in her hood.

"Cause we biggur! We strongur, toughur an' smartur!" Nip barked standing over 3 and 4

"You're only a centimeter taller than us!" 4 blinked in defense

"You stupid, dirty, stinking, drooling hyenas most certainly aren't smarter than us!" 3 flashed stepping up to the bullies

"You'ra stoopid!" Tuk growled

"You're just bullies!" 3 blinked

"I bet you can't even read!" 4 clicked

"We can reed!" Nip grumbled

"Prove it" 3 said, "Read our names"

"Uh"

Nip and Tuk stared into the single ink symbols on the twins chest's. The numbers meant nothing to them. They were never thought to read and had a little interest in learning. Nip and Tuk's red orbs stared for a long time. If they had saliva, it could be assumed the dull-witted sisters would be drooling.

"Well?" 3 clicked, trying to sound friendly

"Ia - Ia - I dun reed gud" Tuk whimpered

"Want us to teach you?" 4 blinked

Tuk nodded her head vigorously. Nip growled and bonked her on the head with her black-and-silver fist, now it was apparent why Tuk's eyes were always out of focus.

"I know wha it say!" Nip snarled, "It say 'two pipsqueaks dat gonna get it good'!"

Nip leapt foreword and the rods holding her hood in place opened revealing bright orange inside. Suddenly sharp long fangs appeared fallowed by a startling screech. Tuk soon did the same. 3 and 4 where so startled by this they jumped back and tumbled down the hill of rubble.

"Haha! Scarin' dose lit'l shrimp is betta dan readin' anyday, huh?" Nip cackled

"Yeah!" Tuk giggled

3 and 4 fell down the ruins and landed on the ground, right on top of 7 who had been screeching for them. 7 swiftly got to her feet and pulled a sharp spear from a holder tied around her waist. When she realized it was the twins she put it back.

"3, 4, what do you think you're doing?" She asked harshly

She was answered by a strobe light of flashes and clicks while the twins desperately pointed to the top of the hill. 7 turned her head to look but Nip and Tuk where long gone. She looked back at the twins accusingly, the twins desperately pleaded that they weren't doing anything wrong.

"Stop it" She ordered and the their eyes became dark, "You had me and 9 worried, what if a machine got you? I told you to stay in sight!"

The twins started to click again, desperate to explain but they were cut off.

"You deliberately disobeyed me! And now of all times, you could have been killed!" 7 scolded

The twins fell silent and started to walk back toward the Museum. Of course, for the kids at least, 7's rage couldn't last long. She fallowed them.

"You can stay outside" She said calmly, "Just keep where I can see you."

It was getting close to midday by the time Tzarina had reached her destination. She jumped and stalked up the outcrop of twisted iron, formerly a tank. Her strong, yet slightly undersized, shadowy figure climbed up her mountain with the dim gray clouds behind. Because it was blustery, occasionally the sun came through in yellow pools. She jumped up onto a surface close to the top, her red orbs shifted hastily. No one was around so she pushed opened the tattered, old journal she'd found in the Fabricator's room and had taken it upon herself to study it personally. While one might assume she'd be gawking over the images depicting creatures like herself, Tzarina was actually more interested in the passages written about the humans - She was intrigued with the cause of their fate. After extensive study, she would allow herself to create her own opinions on the former rulers of the planet.

At the base of Tzarina's mountain wondered her positive-numbered counterpart (whom she'd already contemplated the existence of) searching for answers, ironically, not unlike her. 9, holding his lighted staff, strode on a thin ledge, that had little more than enough room for himself, between the demolished tank and a deep drop off leading into a muddy sink hole. The youngest Stitchpunk had been wondering aimlessly for the whole morning, his feet restless and his head full of pounding questions: Why couldn't he contact his dead friends? Had they abandoned him? Had he ever contacted them, or was it an illusion his mind had created to keep him sane? Was he sane or was he going mad? And what about those machines? Were they illusions too? What was happening to the world he thought he knew?

His black shadow, Tzarina, had finished reading and was resting on a beam of steel sticking from her mountain. She had questions of her own: Who was the owner of that mysterious journal? Why had the humans had been so foolish? What if they were still around? And the Fabricator - why was he there? And her - the others - why had he created them?

Both young rag dolls where too deep in their own thoughts to have noticed each other. Fate brought the savor and the shadow together; the beam Tzarina preached herself on broke free from the twisted metal and she fell down the mountain.

9 hopped back at the sudden sound, the beam crashed down first, then a shadowy figure dropped in front of him. Lifting its maned head he saw red beast eyes. 9 instinctively took his staff in both hands, knowing machines didn't like light, to keep it at bay while he thought of a way to outsmart it. Tzarina raised her head and saw a tall figure looming over her waving a ball of flame at her. She hopped up onto all fours, unsheathing her razor claws and baring her silver fangs. The pair circled each other. Both were aware they were not faced with a monster but another rag doll, nonetheless they had a instinctual distrust of the other. One stalked on four claws and the other waved a bright orb; a strange fighting style for either to behold. They were so perplexed about the others actions they no longer where about to strike for battle, instead they stood confused. At the same time they spoke;

"What are you doing?" The savor and the shadow asked

Tzarina scoffed and jeered; "You fight like a human, hiding behind your weapons, knowing without them you'd have your throat torn out" She rose to two legs, "Predictable"

"Where did you come from?" 9 asked now more interested in how this black creature came to be than fighting her

"9!" Echoed 7's voice in the near distance

Tzarina started to back up toward the ledge of mud, her orbs wide and alert.

"9! Where are you! 9!" The white rag dolls voice drew closer and Tzarina backed to the cliff

"Wait!" 9 called but it was too late, the dark doll jumped

He rushed after to grab her but was surprised when she was blown up by the breeze, the wind catching in the wings of fabric connecting her wrists her to knees. But her gliding ability was soon no longer the mystery because printed on her chest was 9's own number, in red, slashed out. 9 was unable to find words and before he could even call after her she had glided down into the dark hole. Of course 9 wasn't allowed to stand and be confused for too long before 7 arrived.

"There you are!" She said turning him around by the shoulder, "I turn my back for five seconds and everyone in the Museum is gone - if you want to take a walk you tell me first! You don't have anything to protect yourself with - am I the only one who's got any common sense around here!"

"Huh? Um, sorry 7, it's just been - eventful the past few days" 9 responded

"You really shouldn't think of things that much, you'll hurt yourself" She spoke more softly

"I know you didn't come here just for me. Is something wrong?" 9 asked

"Of course, the twins snuck off again" She breathed, "Have you seen them?"

"No, not today"

The twins weren't too far away from their surrogate parents. They had found a new book lying around in the rubbish and had just managed to stand it upright. 3 and 4 stared into the wall of text, frequently turning the page after they'd finished memorizing the one they were on. They couldn't have been more content.

But this didn't last, who should come along but the two dull bullies, Nip and Tuk. The twins couldn't have made it more convenient for them; standing in the two walls of the book. The pair of dark trouble makers climbed silently top the book and gazed upon the little pipsqueaks below, amused. Nip and Tuk balanced themselves on either side of the open book holding each others claws, with one claw holding on to their side. They quickly brought themselves together and brought the book with it, it slammed shut on the twins with a snap!

Nip and Tuk weren't done yet. They hopped down quickly and shoved the book, with 3 and 4 trapped inside, down into the massive sink hole. The book slid down and splashed into the mud below, opening and releasing the disoriented twins. Nip and Tuk cackled from their spot at the flat ground above the sink hole at the (now very wet) twins.

3 and 4, who were otherwise pacifists, weren't going to take that kind of treatment to their book. 4 noticed a nearby rubber band and two twigs sticking out of the mud. She rapidly clicked her plan to her brother and he ran off to collect the pebbles laying the muck. 4 put the one end of the rubber band onto one stick and stretched the opposite end to the other stick. 3 ran back with a handful of tiny rocks. Nip and Tuk were too busy with laughing to notice the hooded Stitchpucks made their makeshift slingshot before it was too late; Nip was slammed in the head with a rock and plopped to the ground.

Tuk ran to help her sister up but was pushed away and Nip barked to charge. The sisters thundered toward 3 and 4 but didn't get very far before they were stopped by the onslaught of pebbles pounding their bodies. Tuk was stuck in the leg by a flying rock and pulled it up to grab it in pain but she fell over and tripped Nip. Both dark twins plopped into the mud much to the amusement to 3 and 4.

"Ya moron! Ya trip'd me!" Nip snapped

"Nuh-uh, you tard! You trip me!" Tuk barked in protest

"I ain't no tard, you are!"

"You!"

The sisters began to scrap, biting, slapping and snarling as they tumbled down the hill. Before 3 and 4 knew it they had been hit by the conflicting sisters. Nip stopped attacking her sister and instead went for 4. 3 tried to save his sister but Tuk prevented him from getting close. It wasn't long before they were all a jumble of fighting dolls, clicking, barking, flashing and yelping, becoming filthy in the mud. 7 and 9, who were walking on the other side of the sinkhole, heard the commotion and started running.

"3! 4! What are you doing?" 9 called

Nip and Tuk heard the cries from behind a stack of rubble, soon the other Stitchpunk would be there and they would be in big trouble! But Nip and Tuk where far from busted, they had a secret trick. They slammed their adversaries, still struggling, to the ground. Staring up, 3 and 4 watched helplessly as the bullies' eyes started to flash in a hypnotizing strobe light; a corruption of the original twin's flashing eyes. As soon as 3 and 4 were sedated Tuk started to run.

"Wait!" Nip barked, her sister halted, "Before we go . . ."

The ruffians pushed the twins together, putting them into fighting poses with each other. Nip and Tuk bonded away cackling. When 3 and 4 woke up they started to attack the other, flickering furiously;

"Tell me go, big dumb bully!" 4 struck 3 oblivious of who she'd just hit

"You can't just pick on us like that!" 3 hit his sister not realizing it was her

"Twins!" Came 7's shocked voice from the top of the sinkhole

3 and 4 turned their heads toward her voice to see her and 9 rushing down to them. They looked back and suddenly pushed away from each other.

"I'm not one of them! What are you doing?" 3 flashed bewilderedly

"What are you doing?" 4 clicked

The siblings where yanked away from each other. 9 clutched 3 by the shoulder.

"What did you think you were doing?" 9 asked

"Don't you dare hit your brother!" 7 scolded jerking 4 a little

"What happened?" 9 asked a little more calmly noticing 3 was starting to tear up

The twins pointed up to the ledge of the hole but Nip and Tuk where gone again! They tried desperately to get them to believe them. While 9 watched curiously, 7 wasn't amused by hearing the same story again.

"Not this again" 7 growled

"There's nothing up there" 9 added a little more gently

"We saw them! They ran away!" 3 flickered but his words where not understood

"I don't want to hear it!" 7 snapped

"7, calm down" 9 insisted in vain

"They did the same thing last time they snuck off. Now I come and see them fighting" She hissed to him

"You've never fought before" 9 said looking at the twins, "I've very disappointed in you, I don't want to see it again"

3, distraught that he was ignored, hid his face in 4's shoulder and started to weep. 4 put a hand on her brother and glared up and the pair of Stitchpunks defiantly.

"I'm not going to be disobeyed!" 7 snapped, "Both of you are going to stay in the Museum with us for the rest of the day, and that's the end of it"

She herded the twins ahead of her. Her and 9 started to walk to short distance back home. 3 refused to looked at the white doll but 4 glared at her the whole way, 9 noticed this and understood what 4 was thinking but was unable to say, so he spoke up;

"You sounded just like 1"

7 halted and stood, an aura of anger surrounded her.

"What did you just say?" She rasped

"I said, you where acting exactly like 1" 9 pressed

"Don't you ever compare me to that murdering, selfish, lying coward!" 7 roared

"7-"

"I am nothing like him!" 7 turned and started to dash away

"Wait!"

But 9 knew it was fruitless to pursue her, she would have to calm down on her own. He glanced back to the twins who shared a look of uncertainty.

"She'll come back, she always does" He said, "Let's go home and get you cleaned up"

Sunset was nearly finished that day, the bleak sun was starting to turn red as it disappeared under the hills in the distance. Sparks played with their new creation, Hope, while Cicatrix sat close by and watched quietly. Slasher stepped out from the mineshaft leading to Negative's chamber. He put his hoof on the marble Sparks and his pet where playing with.

"Negative wants to speak with you two" Slasher rumbled

Sparks and his friend shared a wary glance. Sparks picked up Hope and they descended into the Factory with Slasher occasionally nudging the sluggish Cicatrix to get him to keep up the pace. They entered the massive hall and saw Negative seated upon his perch, his profile blackened by the red sunset filtering through the flag behind him, his snake eyes watching unblinkingly.

"You wanted to see us, Negative?" Cicatrix asked formally, meanwhile Sparks pet Hope trying to get her calm down

"Plainly - If I hadn't I would not have called for you, you stupid scrap" Negative hissed rising and making his way down his throne

"What do you want?" Spark's voice croaked with fear

"The Great Machine, ruler and creator of us all, has sent me to inform you that your purpose is to put into use posthaste" Negative had obviously rehearsed his statement, "Your talents of building are not meaningless, it's the will of the Fabricator you aid to create machines"

"I understand" Cicatrix said was some of his old brightness returning to his eyes, "I wouldn't have it any other way"

"W-What about me?" Sparks squeaked

"You also, it's the Fabricator's will you accompany Cicatrix in machine-making by bringing them to life, what with your abilities" Negative stated

"Really? I mean, there's nothing else I'd rather do" Sparks grinned, the first time his leader had given him any news he liked

"Negative, I'm touched, really I am" Cicatrix his putting a claw on the shoulder of the leather doll

"Charmed" Negative replied after a half-hearted chuckle

"I never would have imagined that you'd assign me to create life forms, while normally you scold us for it"

"I do suppose your happiness would quicken the speed at which you create the Fabricator's war machines"

Abruptly the mood in the room reversed and became dark with the beginning of night. Cicatrix took a step away from his leader.

"What?" Rasped the four-armed rag doll

"You where fated to create war machines, the Fabricator's killing soldiers. They will finish off what wretched life was allowed to take roots again on the wasteland that should rightfully belong to the machines!" Negative spoke the words repeated to him over and over again by his creator

"This isn't what I thought you meant Negative, I can't kill anything!" Cicatrix choked his tears away

"You won't, your machines shall" Negative turned away and started to walked back up to his throne

"No! I will never allow any creation of mine to become a mindless, murdering beast!" Cicatrix shouted, taking a step toward the pale elder, he allowed everything he thought of Negative pour out for the first time, "You slimy, scheming snake! Blindly fallowing your creator! Using your words to swindle the innocent! If I had a heart as black as yours I'd - I'd kill you myself! You see nothing but what the Machine tells you!"

Negative swung around back toward him, his needle fangs bared in a scowl.

"Your words are empty. All your time spent trying to rebel against me - it's all an imposable dream! Ha! And without your voice those under me shall stay where they belong, loyal to the Machine!" Negative spat in the smaller doll's face, he clicked his claws, "And now you speak no more! Slasher! Silence him - forever!"

Slasher tore toward the elderly doll. Hope leapt from Sparks' hands and ran to try and save him. Slasher felt the tiny machine gnawing on his leg, he kicked her away and slammed his hoof down upon her. Hope was killed.

"No!" Sparks called out and started to run toward his friends but was stopped when he witnessed the terror of what happened to Cicatrix

Cicatrix hardly had time to lift an arm in defense before Slasher racked his needles across the old dolls chest. Cicatrix dropped to the ground and Slasher lunged his head into his exposed ribs. Cicatrix let out a caterwaul of pain before his voice suddenly silenced. Slasher reared his head up, the old doll's voice box in his jaws. Cicatrix was swatted aside and Slasher crushed the voice box in his jaws. The four armed doll lay on the ground, silently wailing in pain. Sparks couldn't do anything, he stood in his spot frozen and sick with fright only to become more terrified when he saw Negative's red slits where fixed on him.

"I cannot allow your ideas to impede the will of the Fabricator any further" Negative hissed clicking his claws, "Slasher, chase him out of our territory. If you catch him, kill him."

Sparks' red orbs shrank, he felt as if he were going to faint or vomit when suddenly he noticed a red mass of spines and teeth speeding toward him. The gray patched doll scrambled back realizing the mortal danger he was in. Sparks, powered by the will to survive, sprinted up the tunnel leading to the outside - the only place he could be safe. He glanced behind him and saw a silver blur and felt Slasher's teeth snap onto his throat. Poor Sparks was shaken helplessly in the brute's fangs, his shrieks where silenced when a wire in his neck was broken. But he was not dead, he realized, he had his vocal cords cut. Sparks fought back and scraped his back feet across Slasher's belly and he was released.

Sparks was outside the mine shaft within seconds, he looked back and saw he was still being chased. Before he could run away Slasher grabbed his hand in his jaws, flinging the gray doll away from the Factory. Sparks landed in an old trench, agony surged through his arm. His hand was ripped clean off. The gray doll didn't want to take any more wounds and continued to flee. Running on all fours like a terrified deer he was pursued. Not far behind him, Slasher tore the ground up like a hungry bear. Sparks turned a corner and slammed into a black figure.

It was Tzarina, Sparks thought he'd never be happy to see that crabby windbag! He tried to speak but his voice was gone. Tzarina stared at him puzzled. She looked past the tank she was behind and saw Slasher running in her direction. She didn't need to know the details but could tell the gray doll must have been sentenced to death. A voice inside her told her not to allow Sparks to die. She snatched him by the back of his neck with her claws, Sparks yelped soundlessly. Tzarina threw him down a hill of rubbish and out of sight. Sparks tumbled to the ground and quickly hid and watched Slasher approach Tzarina.

"Tzarina, have you seen the patched pipsqueak? Did he run by here?" Slasher demanded, "Where did he go?"

"Sparks was heading toward the river" Tzarina said

Slasher thundered off.

Sparks looked up with wide red orbs. He had not noticed how beautiful the black rag doll looked before he saw her sleek figure in the white moon. Tzarina looked back at him, and fixed her ruffled mane. Sparks realized he might never see her again, he could never go back to the Factory in safty. Tzarina appeared to understand that also and dipped her head to say good bye. Sparks took one last glance back at the shadowy doll and slipped into the Human-City.

As Tzarina watched Sparks go she felt a new odd feeling about the nervous gray doll. No longer did she see the waste of fabric Negative told her he was, but a living thing fully deserving of a peaceful existence - perhaps worthy of a place in her heart. But not the place of a father and a mentor Negative had filled, something different that the loner could not put a name to.

Tzarina decided to confront Negative about Spark's exile. She let herself into his chamber and saw he lied tiredly on his throne, rubbing the lines of age and stress on his face. Normally she wouldn't bother him while he's feeling like this, but the thought of Sparks' suffering was more powerful than her respect of his depression issues.

"Negative" She said sitting in front of his perch

"Tzarina, my child, you've been out a long while" He answered

"You sent Slasher to kill Sparks" She stated frankly, "He's harmless"

"Yes Tzarina, he is harmless. However, his ideas where a threat to the will of the Fabricator" Negative spoke with no emotion, just repeating what he'd been told by the Machine so many times

"So was Dapple's?"

"Yes. And Cicatrix. For that they must be punished" Negative's face was in his claws, hiding the unreadable expression on his face, "The Fabricator's will is the only one that matters"

"What's your reasoning for this?" Tzarina asked

"Sometimes - Many of the flawed must be sacrificed for the good of one perfect"

The moon was half way to its highest point and there was little light in the Sanctuary. The main chamber was abandoned and dark, only two pairs of white eyes lit up the room. The dark pair scurried around with their eyes aflame. Soon Nip and Tuk came about the bottom of the bell tower, above them was a source of light, flickering orange, coming from a platform way up there. The sisters also noticed the string connected to a pulley at the top. The bucket elevator was at the top but Nip and Tuk were strong enough to climb up the string. They began their accent and as they went up they noticed voices from the clock room.

The large clock was blown out, leaving a large open circle with the night stars behind it. The floor of the room was still mostly there, save the crumbly black spots that fell in. The whole floor they covered in an old peace of chip board found outside, to make sure nobody fell into these holes. All other parts of the ex-throne room where charred into a white dust - save anything metal or stone. The white ash blanketed the room as a ghastly reminder of the life once lived there. Nip and Tuk found a comfortable seat atop the remains of a plank and watched the meeting of Stitchpunk in the dust-covered room.

10 stood atop a half-burnt book so that he could see over everyone. 2, 6 and 8 where gathered around him as he called off the work for the day. Everyone was coughing when the wind coming from the open hole where the clock used to be blew the ash around.

"Acckkhem! Today's tasks are finished, we've gotten farther than I've expected." Said 10, "Now that we're safe up here, we may sleep in peace - I hope." He added recalling last night's dream

"Now 1, we aren't really safe up here. That huge hole in the wall is begging for some evil beast to come barging through" 2 pointed out

"I - I was getting to that. We'll repair this room tomorrow, I think I found a tarp large enough to cover that." He glanced to the stars, remembering the terror that had broken the clock in the first place, he got himself frightened just thinking about it

"1, are you all right?" 2 asked noticing the leader was starting to tremble

"I'm fine" He croaked glancing nervously at the clock, "I mean - I'm 10. Don't call me that!" He turned his head suddenly to 2

2 backed away from 10's angry scowl. 2 could tell something was seriously wrong with him and didn't want to trouble him any further. He motioned for 6 to fallow him, the striped doll groggily took to his feet and fallowed 2 to the sleeping quarters.

"6, is something wrong?" 2 asked looking at him

"Can't dream, I don't see any use in sleeping. We shouldn't be here" Slurred 6 not even bothering to lift his head

"You must be sick" 2 said putting a claw on 6's forehead, "If it makes you feel better, I'll let you sleep in my room"

"What's the use for sleep, he won't talk to me any more - - Something's happened" 6 stared hollowly at the elderly Stitchpunk

"He? What do you mean?" 2 asked but 6 hard turned away and started to go into 2's room, "You don't mean - your premonitions?"

6 halted and looked back at him and answered dully;

"The Toy Maker. He's abandoned us, 2. No dreams"

"1 said something about having a weird dream earlier - perhaps something is disrupting them, but the only time that happened was the day before the Machi-" But 6 had disappeared into dark blue shadow of them room

2 glanced back toward the throne room, it was clear 6 must dream of his creator and predict the future by them. But what of 10's dream? He mentioned a "Zero" - this concerned 2. It was clear to him then that something serious was interrupting the balance of their world.

"8." 10 spoke abruptly as 8 was exiting them room

"What?" 8 answered and politely has he could

"Have you seen 5?"

"Um, no. Not since sunrise" 8 answered after pausing in thought

"He's up to something" 10 hissed to himself

"Do you want me to find him, 10?" 8 asked eagerly

"That's something 1 would do, isn't it?" 10 breathed

"Huh?" 8 grunted

"1 would do that - 10 wouldn't. 10 is perfection. I'm to be perfection" 10 mumbled to himself, he rose his head and addressed 8, "No. He'll come back, we must trust each other now. You may go"

8 blinked unsurely, it was clear to even he now that the old leader was slightly daft. The large Stitchpunk left for his own room. 10 dropped from his book and walked to the remains of his throne. Before the blaze he would sleep there, but now it seemed precariously unsafe. He looked up to the open circle in his room, expecting any number of monsters to come pouring through at any time. He swallowed hard and left the area, looking for another sleeping place.

Two dark figures scurried from the above wood framing after him, giggling like hyenas. 10 turned quickly and looked up to find the four red eyes glaring at him, moving swiftly and snickering.

"8- !" But no sooner had be begun to yell did Nip and Tuk jump him

He was slammed into the floor by the pair and gagged so he couldn't make a sound. Nip and Tuk pushed their faces toward him, sneering with steel fangs. 10 stared and the hideous monsters, frozen in terror that his fears had come true. Beasts! Beasts! They'd gotten in! And he was their first victim! He had failed his duty to protect the others and himself!

Soon his panic halted and he stared blankly at the sister's flashing white eyes. 10's struggle waned quickly and he lie still, optics opened completely. Nip and Tuk released his body, trying to keep their cackling quiet. Tuk whipped out a squeaker from her pouch and tested it briefly. Nip nodded approvingly and used a single claw to cut the thread stitches holding his chest shut.

2 could hear the twin sister's mocking laugher from the throne room. He made his way quietly toward the noise. Once he was close enough to see, he noticed Nip and Tuk hovering over the sedated leader. He at first mistook them for 3 and 4 but then noticed their gray and black bodies.

"Hey, what are you two doing?" He asked walked toward them

The sister's heads shot up and they stared at 2 with wide red orbs. At the sight of him Nip and Tuk dashed away. 2 dove out of their way and watched them jump onto the elevator strings and slide down. 2's gaze lagged at the elevator before turning back to 10 who was staring to wake up.

2 helped 10 up, both where startled by a squeak ringing out.

"What was that?" 10 snarled his narrow eyes darting about

"Hmm." 2 pushed a claw into 10's diaphragm, the high-pitched squeak sounded again

"Don't touch me!" 10 snarled pulling away

"It's you" 2 said

"What?" 10 growled, he put his golden claw into his body and again he squeaked, "What a completely degrading sound! Those two weren't beasts at all, they were foolish children. Well, their little joke is finished! I want it removed now!"

"All right, don't get so worked up, it's rather funny" 2 chuckled and pulled open the hole in 10's chest

10 let out a sharp, painful cry when 2's claw went in.

"Calm down, it mustn't hurt that much" 2 responded, he added after a pause, "It's in there pretty deep but if I could just dislodge it from your-"

"Achkk! Keep your claws out of me!" 10 cried after a sharp jolt of pain, 2 quickly brought his hands back out, "You imbecile! You have no idea what you're doing, do you!"

"If you didn't move it wouldn't hurt so much!" 2 suddenly snapped angrily

"Moron! You did that on purpose!" 10 snarled

"If you hold still I can get it out of you, but it'll hurt a little, deal with it" 2 sighed trying to calm himself down

"You call that a little? I don't need this- I'm leaving" 10 turned his back on 2 and started to walk away

"Your chest is still open" 2 added at 10's back

10 paused and looked back at 2.

"Um - certain things, I permit you to do" 10 grumbled, "Sew me up"

In 2's room, 6 sat up in the bed with eyes wide open. Still as stone, silent as the stars he stared at through the burnt out window, head pounding with frustration. What was the point in trying to sleep now if his creator no longer visits his dreams and guides him? It's no use. They were all abandoned - nothing mattered anymore.

6's feet tapped on the floor as he walked through the bell tower, everyone else was asleep as far as he knew, they wouldn't miss him. He blindly jumped down the stone steps of the Sanctuary's doors and into the nighttime-blue Emptiness.

Being out here seemed to calm him, his mind slowly reentered his body as he forgot his worries. Now he was just exploring. Soon 6 spotted a nice, white-dappled paint brush head, he could try using that to paint with. 6 trotted over and tugged it to find it was attached to blue yarn - and attached to the yarn sat another striped rag doll!

The very unhappy black-and-blue female marked with a red "-6" turned her head toward him. Instead of eyes, she had a white rag tried around her face.

"Hello." Greeted her soft voice

"Why are you unhappy?" 6 asked sympathetically

"I was unhappy but now I am not. Now I have company." Her head fallowed 6 as he sat down by her, "New family makes me very happy"

"Me too" 6 answered and repeated, "Family." 6 continued, "I'm 6"

"Brother 6" Said the eyeless doll with a soft smile

"Who are you?" 6 asked eagerly

"Dapple"

"Sister Dapple" 6 responded

"Brother. Sister." Dapple looked sightlessly to her new friend, "Might I see your family? I want to be family"

6 nodded and took her hooked claws and started to head off the direction of the Sanctuary. He was surprised when she pulled her hand away and backed away from him.

"No. My firstborn said I cannot go past this point" Dapple whimpered slowly nodding her head

"Oh. But then you can't see them" 6 answered distraughtly

"I can see, I can see feelings. I can see them through you" Dapple smiled and sat back down

6 sat with her. The odd pair sat underneath the stars that night and Dapple started what was to be many nights of secret visits; She said, "Let me see them with your words."

It was getting close to moon-high that same night and 5 finally found his way to the Memorial. He dove behind a steel scrap, his chest heaving. Behind the steel snuffled and snarled three possum-skulled beasts. They where horrendous! Stalking on six long legs, their elevated bodies covered and slices of spotted hyena skins, hooked tails lashing and large rubber ears rotated for any sound the one-eyed rag doll dared make. The cackling beasts have been tracking poor 5 all day and, although they where no more than twice his height, he was not about to meet them personally any time soon! But to his relief the matriarch of the Cackle Beast pack called off the hunt and the three padded silently away.

Once the poachers left 5 breathed a sigh of relief and to his luck he'd been chased right to the place he'd been meaning to go before he met those mangy beasts! 5's happiness was short lived, 9 wasn't there. 5 stamped his copper foot in the sand.

"If those ugly monsters hadn't chased me all day I would have got here sooner! I bet if I was here during the day I woulda-" 5 cut himself off with a frustrated snort

As he turned to leave he thought he saw red. He took a double take in that direction and spotted two glowing red orbs watching him from the shadow of the Workshop. 5 knew the eyes of a machine anywhere and quickly grabbed and sharp object from the ground and forced himself to face the threat. He walked closer and closer to the eyes, but the red lights didn't budge - they trembled. 5 found that odd, any machine would have attacked him by now. It was difficult to see with only one eye but 5 saw the gray outline of a rag doll surrounded the red orbs. Mistaken he dropped the weapon and said;

"I'm sorry. I coulda sworn you where a machine"

But the red orbs backed away, quivering nervously. He gray patched doll tried to wire his fingers but couldn't do so with only one hand. He twitched as bright sparks fired from the wires sticking from his head, illuminating his petrified face for a second.

"It's all right. You're hurt, I'll help you. Come out" 5 coaxed gently

The gray doll scurried into the moonlight and to 5's side and mouthed a "thank you" to him.

"Oh boy, you're really beat up" 5 said within seconds of looking at the new rag doll, "You look like twelve flying beasts fought over you"

Obviously the patched doll didn't understand the joke. 5 took the shorter gray doll by the shoulder and started to walk him in the direction of the Sanctuary.

"It's okay, I'll fix you up and maybe you can tell us where you came from and what happened" And 5 added distastefully, "But I bet 10 won't be happy about it"

Characters (In order of apperance/mentioning)

*~* Stitchpunks *~*

9 . . . To Save Us

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Made from burlap, hands and feet molded from copper. Body held shut by a brass zipper. Normal height. Most advanced and refined of the Stitchpunk beings.

Details - Perviously defeated the Machine, now lives in peace with the other three surviving of his family, 3, 4 and 7. Is unable to let go of his departed friends and visets the Memorial often seeking guidance. After loosing contact with the spirits at the Memorial he becomes confused.

10 . . . To Perfect Us

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Made from canvas, steel claws, poorly constructed. Held shut with two belt straps. Of average heigtht and skinny figure. The firstborn of the Stitchpunk beings.

Details - Once the protective self-proclaimed leader of the Stitchpunk, lost his influance quickly once 9 appeared. Upon realizing he was no longer a use to the group, killed himself to save 9. Changed his name to 10, a number recognized as a symbol of perfection, to mark his second term and Stitchpunk leader. Had a squeaker lodged in his chest that he's often humiliated by.

2 . . . To Inspire Us

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Made from a mix of burlap, canvas and leather put together in patches, bronze hands and worn wood feet. Held shut with a shoelace. Weakest and shortest of the Stitchpunk beings.

Details - An elder and kindy inventor and medic. Killed in part by 1's intention and a mistake of 9's. Other than 9, the only one that seems to understand 6.

5 . . . To Guide Us

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Made from pale burlap with a leather eyepatch, copper hands. Held shut with two bronze buttons. Smaller than average.

Details - Reluctant student of 2's and map-maker. Killed by the Fabrication Machine. Distrusts 10, knowing his intentions in 2's murder perviously. Veiws 9 as a superior leader to 10.

8 . . . To Gaurd Us

Number Placement - Shoulder

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Male

Anatomy - New skin is a brownish-tawny fabric, steel-and-copper hands and feet. Large and bulky. Held together with two clips.

Details - A devoted fallower of 1. Killed by the Fabrication Machine.

7 . . . To Defend Us

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Bleached canvas-like fabric skin, copper hands and feet, held shut with a blue-green button. Smaller and more nimble than the majority of the others. Large scar on back from a battle with the Cat Beast many years ago. Hates 1 for reasons not fully understood.

Details - Perviously a loner and Beast-slayer, after the defeat of the Fabrication Machine now lives with 9, her apparent mate, and 3 and 4. Still retains her independant nature.

3 . . . To Teach Us

Number Placement - Chest

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Made from blue, striped gardening gloves, hooded head with steel hands and wood feet. Small. Broader face, larger and hands and taller than 4.

Details - Child-like and twin of 4. More curious, outgoing and more easily hurt than his sister.

4 . . . To Define Us

Number Placement - Chest

Allegiance - The Stitchpunk

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Made from blue, striped gardening gloves, hooded head with steel hands and wood feet. Small. Smaller mouth, hands and slightly shorter than 3.

Details - Child-like and twin of 3. More cautious, rational and shy than her brother.

0 . . . To Remember Us

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - N/A

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Made from think white silk wit ha few stray scraps and threads hanging off her. Thin aluminum hands. Big sightless eyes. Extremely weak.

Details - Playfull but sickly Stitchpunk. No one is sure weither she existed or is a figment of 10's imagination.

*~* The Machines *~*

Ant Driods

Allegiance - The Machines

Gender of Species - All Male

Anatomy - Several legs and many red eyes attatched to a single black section of its body. Slightly larger than a Stitchpunk.

Details - Created by the Machine, a quick-moving minor machine used primarily to stand look-out for the Machine or collect parts for him.

The Fabrication Machine

Allegiance - The Machines

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Massive machine with two body sections with many arms and tools attatched, one massive processor for a head with a red eye, apposable tail attached him to his Factory.

Details - His processor was built by the creator of the Stitchpunk and his massive body added on so her may create war-machines. The cause of the exermination of life. Killed by 9. Created Stitchpunk beings of his own to eliminate the original nine, however his main motivation is something unknown. Rules Negative and in turn, the rest of the hybirds, with fear and intimidation.

The Skouts

Allegiance - The Machines

Gender of Species - All Male

Anatomy - Rat skull head, raptor-like body with springs in legs. Long whiplash tail. Highly aposable fingers. Stitchpunk-sized. Fairly inteligent and programed with pack mentality. Shakes victems until dead.

Details - Created by the Machine. Fast, nimble but very fragile. Used to collect items and patrol boarders.

The Cat Beast

Allegiance - The Machines

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Long monkey-like legs, cat skull head with one lightbulb eye to see at night and spiked back. Two-and-a-half Stitchpunk heights.

Details - Created by the Machine. Nimble and powerful but uninteligent. Enjoys toying with her pray. Killed by 7 but salvaged by the Machine.

*~* Machine-Stitchpunk Hybrids *~*

Negative (-1) . . . The Innocent

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Male

Anatomy - White leather skin, frail steel claws, bone tail with stinger, needle fangs. Held shut with two buckles in an "X" across the chest. Red slitted eyes. Shorter and scrawnier than 1.

Details - Created by the Machine to be the leader of the others of his kin. Skittish and very weak but self-loving and irritable. Worships the Machine like a god, fallowing him blindly however often regreats the bad things he's been forced to do. The only hybird to speak directly to the Machine.

Tzarina (-9) . . . The Understanding

Number Placement - Chest

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Made from a black purse with fur trim. Fur runs down head like a mane, over chest and down back going into a long tail. Zipper runs down the back of her head. Heavy paws with razor blade retractable claws. Red eyes and soild silver fangs.

Details - Created by the Machine as a soilder and heir to Negative if he should die. Deeply reaspects elders for their apparent "wisom". Hostile and pig-headed but cannot fight the almost motherly side inside her. Heavy claws make her attacks ineffective on foes that are too fast to be hit.

Sparks (-5) . . . The Healer

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Majorly a tough gray fabric with patches and stitches. Many stitches along his face and a "Y" insision on his chest. Black metal claws and a white electrical plug for a tail. Shorter than Tzarina and skinny. Red eyes. Exploded patches of wires stitcking out of a wound in his head.

Details - Created by the Machine to recharge himself and bring machines to life. Sparks is submissive and jumpy. He tries to please everyone and tends to be friendly to those who show kindness to him. The wires often glitch causing Sparks to convulse and scream something from his memories - usually something unuseful.

Cicatrix (-2) . . . The Strong

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Dirty pale burlap skin covered in several patches and stitches. Smallest of all the hybirds and Stitchpunk. Plump. Four heavy arms modled after the Machines', two other apendages sticking from shoulders for welding. No tail, wire-cutter teeth.

Details - Created by the Machine soley for laybor. Able to lift things three-times his weight but his health is fading fast. Peacefull and fasinated by nature.

Slasher (-8) . . . The Loyal

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Made from a red pin cusion. Has stripes of black tar drawn on him. Rows a neddles rising form head, back, shoulders and jaws. Tall and skinny. Medical needle tail, red eyes and huge needle fangs.

Details - Created by the Machine as an enforcer of Negative. Dense and misguided by Negative. Enjoys tormenting the "lower" dolls, being Cicatrix, Sparks, Dapple, Nip and Tuk.

Dapple (-6) . . . The Seeing

Number Placement - Back

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Made from a wool black-and-blue striped sweater. Patch of white fur on head as hair. Frail hooks for fingers. Long tail with the head of a paintbrush at the end.

Details - Created by the Machine to design beasts. Speaks in a slow soft voice. Loves all of her kin, even Negative and Slasher who abuse her. Has dreams for a "family". Takes punishment without fighting back, even if she's undeserving.

-7 . . . The Independant

Number Placement - Unknown

Allegiance - Unknown

Gender - Male

Anatomy - Unknown

Details - Ran away from the rest of the hybrids for an unknown reason.

Nip (-3) . . . The Loving

Number Placement - Chest

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Head and body made from gray denium, arms and legs made from the same material. Green camo cape and hood, bright orange inside. Black and silver claws. Pocket swen into belly. Boarder face and more heavyset than Tuk. Red eyes. No tail, small fangs.

Details - Created by the Machine as a worker. Enjoys picking on anything smaller or apparently weaker than herself. Loves the company of her sister but dosn't realize it until she's alone. The leader of the sisters.

Tuk (-4) . . . The Careing

Number Placement - Chest

Allegiance - The Machine

Gender - Female

Anatomy - Head and body made from gray demium, arms and legs made from same material. Turquoise camo cape and good, bright orange inside. Black and silver claws. Pocket sewn onto belly. Skinner than Nip and has unfocused eyes as a result of being beaned on the head too much by her sister. Red eyes. No tail, small fangs.

Details - Created by the Machine as a worker. Enjoys fallowing Nip around. More friendly than her sister but still enjoys her wicked ways. A little slower because of being hit on the head too much. More submissive than Nip.

*~* Others *~*

The Toy Maker

A scientest and ex-toy maker hired by the State to create the Machine. The Machine was taken away from the Toy Maker before he was able to complete testing on it. Only after the Machine went mad with power did he create the nine Stitchpunk creatures to continue life on the dead Earth. Died after bring 9 to life.