Well there you go I brought 2 back! Now let's get the rest of them back from where the spirits go, shall we?

CHAPTER 15: DEATH IS BUT A STAGE

2 could see that 9 was confused by his words, so he attempted to explain,

"Perhaps another might be able to explain it better, a certain artist perhaps? He's been wanting to speak with you for a long time 9."

9 still looked at the old stitch with sadness and confusion.

"How can you be so calm, 2? I killed you, and yet you don't seem to care."

2's smile faded, his voice in a serious yet kind tone,

"Nothing is forgotten 9, but all can be forgiven, and all can be changed. You alone carry this guilt and blame, but no one has put it on you. I forgive you 9, but the guilt will still be there untill you learn to forgive yourself."

9 pondered the wise stitches' words for a moment.

"It does good to hear you say that 2, but I don't believe I will be able to forgive myself untill everyone is back. Besides, there is someone that I'm sure you have wanted to see for a long time as well."

2's face changed to one of pure excitement, and then 7 told Dylan of the next stitch that should return.

Moments later, 5 was set up in the contraption that 2 had found himself in just a short while ago, and for the second time that night the room filled with white light. Dylan touched 5 with the spark, and then the light died down again. Dylan still didn't show any signs of drainage from using the talisman, so that was good. The human then layed the soon to be living 5 in front of 2 and 9. 7 and the twins had backed away, this time not out of surprise, but out of respect. When 5 awoke, he looked very startled and afraid, but his friend and his mentor were there to calm him. His first words were mostly questions that all got bunched together, making 5 sound as if he was speaking nonsence. Once he was helped to his feet again, he looked back at the two stitches, then to Dylan, then to the floor on which he stood. He felt the space where his eyepatch had been burned, then looked back up at 2 and 9.

"I had died, hadn't I? How did you bring me back?"

Dylan spoke for the first time in a while.

"That was me. I used this improoved talisman to bring you and 2 back. We're gunna get all your friends back, so don't worry."

5 looked like he had so many more questions, but he was quieted by an embrace from 2. In silence, the two inventors walked off to another part of the room to talk alone.

Dylan looked back at 9, "Alright, who's next?"

9's answer was simple.

"2 said that 6 wanted to talk to me, so let's get that crazy little artist back."

Dylan responded with a nod, then took the little striped body of 6 and put him in the contraption. He activated the talisman again, and lit the room with the spark. No matter how many times it was done the stitches were always amazed at the miracle that was taking place before them. Dylan layed the body before 9, and this time the twins stepped forward as well. 9 never really understood their relationship with 6, but he guessed that they saw him as a brother, younger or older, 9 couldn't really tell. Technically he was younger than the twins, yet he still seemed to be more mature. His thoughts faded as the twins helped the artist from the ground. Once he was on his feet, 6 walked over to 9 and put a hand on his shoulder. His face showed that he was not confused or afraid of how he came to be there, since he had obviously known all along that he'd be brought back. He only told 9 one thing.

"Much to say 9, much to do, but it will wait."

With that the artist turned and followed the twins to a pile of books. Surely they had much to show him, and they wouldn't wait. 9 looked back at Dylan, who seemed tired. Had the talisman finally began to take it's toll on the boy?

"Dylan, are you okay? The talisman can be very draining, so maybe you should slow down."

Dylan's face lit up as he yawned and stretched.

"9, I'm fine, it's just getting late, and I'm tired. But I can rest later, we should finish what we started."

Dylan looked over at the last two bodies. Would 1 and 8 be the same as he remembered them? Or had they truely changed as their spirits seemed to have been? It would be a question to answer in the morning.

"Dylan, I think we could all use some rest and time to catch up with each other, we can finish in the morning."

9 walked back to 7, who seemed to be the only one to talk with now. 2 and 5 were off reminecing, and the twins had taken 6 off somewhere out of 9's vision. 7 was the first to speak.

"Isn't this great 9? We finally can get to the ending of this big adventure."

In mere split seconds, 9 had another flash. He saw images fly through his head, giving him instant knowledge. 7 hadn't noticed once it was done, and 9 responded differently then what she had expected.

"This isn't the end 7, we're just getting started."