Chapter 5 United Once More As Family
Back in 1's Room, he was still standing at his Balcony. He had saw the others go out, but he figured since they were all together and not far from Home, they would be safe. At least he could still see them in the Distance, even if they did look like far away specks moving. He sighed to himself as he thought back to just a bit ago. Why did he always have to fear? Why did he always have to be an ass about things he couldn't understand? Why was he always afraid of the unknown? Maybe it really was to blame from what he saw at the beginning of the War. After all, he was the Protector. He was suppose to Protect everyone. Instead he made everyone fight amongst their selves.
As he was lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear 3 and 4 get out of his bed. And he didn't hear them come and stand on either side of him either. Not till they started flickering their eyes at him. He jumped a bit, then looked at the Twins.
"Don't do that! Have you no respect for your Elders?!"
They just laughed silently while 1 gave off a humph and looked out where he was looking at. They both smiled as they saw the others out there. Well, most of them. Two were missing, and they didn't know which two. Not without going to the Telescope, but they were still recovering from earlier so they both decided to stay put for now. Being around 1 made both of them feel safe just like 7, 8, and a few of the others. Most of the time they got along with everyone. Some of the others they still were hesitant about approaching. As they continued to watch the others with 1, it would be only a bit more before all three of them would be off running outside.
Meanwhile, back on the Bottom Floor of the Library, 9 had lead 5 outside the Door to the Book Room and was gently patting his back. 5 looked up at him wearily and smiled.
"I'm fine 9. Really. I just felt sick there for a bit. It's really nothing to worry about."
9 Just shook his head.
"We'll get 2 to look at you later on. Stitchpunks don't get sick like that out of the blue for nothing. What if something is really wrong with you? It would be better to be safe than sorry later on."
5 just laughed at 9s Persistence. Another thing he loved about him. Always caring and always there to help and lend his hand no mater what and who it was with. Yes, this was another quality he admired about his love. His Persistence. 5 just kissed 9 on the lips taking him by surprise. As they parted he smiled to him as he began to talk once more.
"Your Persistence. No matter what it is you always have to press on and find the answers. I can see why 6 likes you to and trusts you so much as well. It's another thing why you get along with us all so wll. Your perfect in every way 9."
9 busted out laughing at this. As he thought a moment about it, he realized he was actually right. Maybe this is why everyone loved him and considered, even after what he did, getting some of them killed, brining them back to life, why they were able to forgive him. It wasn't the fact that he killed them, no, it was the fact he went all out to revive them as well.
9 looked at 5 who was in turn beaming up at him and he kissed 5 passionately now, not caring about anything in the world. As they slowly parted, 9 asked him a question.
"So, what do you want to do now? Want to go back and read books and try to find out a few things?"
Before 5 could answer him, they heard something. After listening a bit, they realized it was the Bucket Elevator going down full speed. Curious, they looked around the corner. As the doors to it swung opened, out came running 1, followed by the Twins. As soon as 1 saw both of them he just rushed past the two with the Twins in tow calling out.
"Follow me! No time to explain! Make sure you have your Hooks 5 and your Light Staff 9! Theres not a moment to loose!"
Confused by their Leaders behavior all of the sudden, and not about to argue, 5 quickly went up in the Elevator and rushed to the Workshop. After grabbing his Bag and slinging it over his shoulder, he rushed back down to the ground level. He met 9 there who had already picked up his Staff, and the two rushed out after 1 and the Twins.
Out in the Wasteland, things were nuts as one would say. 2 was hiding in a can with 6 who was injured. Something had attacked them out of the blue, and before anyone could move, 6 had been slung across the Waste to some other trash, his right leg taking the blunt of the blow. It was torn a bit, and he was whimpering. As the other sought out a hiding place till they could see what had attacked them, it was 8 who had first saw it.
It was a Machine yes, but one they had never seen before. One of the rouge ones still running around. It looked like a huge Bison. It had these two Horns coming out of it's head and it's face had these huge eyes and nostrils as well. It's front half was larger than the back half, and it also had what appeared to be metal hoofs for feet. Standing, they estimated it to be about 15 feet tall. Huge compared to their size.
7 had just finished up sharpening one of the nail files down to a point, then she had used some of the other trash she found to make it into a sword. It was an old cross broken off at the top, and with some wire she was able to make an excellent weapon out of it. Thanks to one of 8s grinding stones he carried with him in his side pack, they were able to pull it off. Now they just needed a plan on how to attack. 8 and 7 made their way to the can carefully avoiding it gaze as it kept turning to both sides looking for where it's prey had run off to. Occasionally it would flair its nostrils, steam coming out of them in irritation.
Slowly and carefully, not even known to the others, they heard a small noise to the right of them. 8 and 7 immediately got ready, but were surprised at what they all had came face to face with. There, hiding around some of the other rubble near them was none other than 1, 3, 4, 5, and 9. 7 wanted to curse at them for bringing the Twins, but knowing that they would be better off together anyway, she had to let it go. As they other 5 can into the can, 1 was the first to talk. Of course they had to whisper to avoid detection, but what to do was the problem.
"How did this thing find you all?! And why didn't you see it sooner?!" He hissed out.
7 just looked at him angrily and replied back in a heated whisper.
"It just came at us out of the blue! We don't know where it came from! One minute everything was fine, the next this thing was here on top of us!"
2 just was the next to talk. He had a bit of fear on his face, but with the others here now, everything would turn out alright.
"It most likely has been tracking us for some time, but out of sight and being careful as not to be detected."
6 talked next followed soon after by 8.
"I...I was just there gathering up things...Next thing..."He winced a bit and had to hold his tongue for a sec to before continuing. "I was thrown up against something......"
"I didn't even hear it to Boss. It was like it just appeared. Sorry.."
1 just sighed.
"Nows not the time for apologizes. How to beat this thing is what we need to figure out."
As soon as 1 said that, 6 pulled out something from his side pack he always carried. It was a small bottle of Ink. Something he used in emergences. Then he also pulled out a piece of folded up paper. Knowing 6 had thought of something, 1, 8, and 9 looked out to keep an eye on the Beast while he unfolded it very carefully and quietly. As soon as that was done, he began to draw it. Once he was done, he looked at the others.
4 looked at it and he motioned to everyone else. The rest of the others scrambled around him along with his brother 3, and that's when he began to point. First it was the eyes, then it was the horns. Next he pointed to the hoofs. Understanding what he was saying, they now knew what they all had to do. But how to do it was the problem.
Suddenly, 9 got an ideal. He looked firmly at everyone.
"Guys? This might be a bit crazy, but it will work. We just have to be ready to run when 1 tells us to. After that, it will all be downhill from there."
As 9 told the others of his plan, 1 almost chocked after hearing it.
"9! Are you trying to get us killed again?! That's suicidal!"
7 and 2 had to smile at the plan.
"Actually, it will work. It will confuse the Machine, and it won't know what to do."
"Then all we have to do is let the rest be done. It's crazy, but I think it most definitely will work. And if we do die this time, at least all of us will die together."
1 just sighed again.
"I swear you all are going to be the death of me one day."
9 and the others laughed. As 9 patted 1s shoulder, he knew that 1 was learning along with the rest of them.
"With our skills, this will work. We've never been together in battle, all of us, and with our skills combined, I beleive we can take on anything. So is everyone ready?"
1 got up and looked out where the beast was. His role in this was a dangerous one yes, but he was to Protect the others. With 7 and 8 backing him up along with the rest, it would work. It HAD to work. No more running away. No more being scared! It was time to prove to everyone what a Leader he was to them. He reached out his hand, and 7 put the freshly made sword into it. As he put his Staff on his back through one of his Belt Buckles, he knew once he and the others stepped out there, it was all of nothing. Casting his fears aside once more, he ran with the others following him. Once out in the opened, they stopped.
Taken off guard and surprise, the Machine growled at them all. It didn't expect all of it's prey to come out at once. Were they trying to make things easier for it? No matter. They would all soon be dead and then it would continue on its way. They all looked determined at the beast. They were here together facing one for the first time. With their roles, and together, nothing could stop them. Yes, some were afraid, but in the end, it would all be worth it.
1, To Protect Us.
2, To Inspire Us.
3, To Define Us.
4, To Teach Us.
5, To Guide Us.
6, To Lead Us.
7, To Defend Us.
8, To Guard Us.
9, To Save Us.
This was the values of the Stitchpunks. They knew this, and knew their roles well. Some learning other roles and feelings to as they went along. Together they could not be beat! 9 could feel 5 take his hand and hold it as they stood there side by side with the rest. He smiled knowing that this would be one of their greatest battles ever. Maybe even more than when some of them fought the B.R.A.I.N. it's self. As 9 squeezed his loves hand, the Beast Machine charged. This time though, they were ready. Because they were after all, United Once More As Family!