Pyrus: I own nothing but Miki and all her wonderful antics thanks to my friend's kittens Cleo and Louie. That's my disclaimer so eat that Broadway people and who ever else owns it!
Chapter 1: The New Task
Mistoffelees was sitting high up on a chair at the top of a teetering junk stack. He knew that the Jellical's loved warm days spent in the 'none' smelly parts of their junk yard. He stretched as he heard a dainty bell tinkling down one of the many well worn paths toward the clearing below him. He curled back into the shadows allowing his black coat to blend with the dark shadows, but he quickly brought his head back out with a sigh of relief as he saw Munkustrap and Demeter walking out of the drain pipe and into the clearing.
"But, neither of them has a bell?" Misto realized just as someone else entered the clearing.
His heart skipped a beat when he caught sight of one of the Jellical princesses. Her fur shined in the warm morning light. Her eyes were a glittering silver blue pools that seemed to grow in beautiful and depth the more Misto stared into them. The same eyes that always seemed to make his stomach do back flips each time they looked into his own golden eyes.
Victoria, or as her father called her Tori, was happily prancing around the clearing, while he father and mother sat calmly on the huge truck tire. Mistoffelees smirked as he silently made his way down toward the family. Bouncing off of the trunk and landing gracefully in the center of the clearing causing Victoria jump, setting off the same dainty bell-like sound again.
He was stunned. It wasn't right, she had only worn diamonds on her collar the last time he had seen her, but now the collar had a golden bell attached in the center.
"Who could do such a thing?" Misto thought to himself.
"Someone who didn't really love her." his inner thought back to him.
Mistoffelees stopped his thinking when another kitten walked in. Jemima was stunned as she came out of the gutted oven and saw Mistoffelees looking at Victoria. Victoria took her sister's appearance to look away from Misto's confused golden eyes and join her sister.
"Jemima...Victoria..." Munkustrap called in his smooth commanding voice.
"Yes, Father?" Jemima called as she and Victoria ran over to their parents.
"Please call the group out."
"Yes, father." the two said in unison and with a nod, before breaking.
Victoria traveled to the center of the clearing that Misto had just vacated to give her room. Jemima on the other hand had turned and started climbing up to the top of the old truck and then onto the old train car above it. Both looked at each other and nodded. With that nod Demeter kicked the boom box allowing soft notes to flow out of it, signaling Jemima to begin the call.
There's only two types of people in the world
The ones that entertain and the ones that observe
Well baby, I'm put-on-a-show kind of girl
Don't like the backseat, gotta be first
As Jemima began to sing Victoria trotted over to Munk and passed her bell. She then turned back toward the center waiting for her cue. Misto took his seat inside his drain pipe waiting for the big invitation.
I'm a like the ringleader, I call the shots (Call the shots)
I'm like a firecracker I make it hot
When I put on a show
At the end of the fist verse, Victoria began her dance. The dance and the song matched perfectly in sync in only a few steps. Both calling the cats and hypnotizing them as they not only watched, but listened as well. The cats soon began to converge on the small clearing, though most stayed up in the pillars of garbage that lined the clearing in attempt to watch the princess below as she danced her heart out to her sister's song.
I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins
Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break
I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage
Better be ready, hope that you feel the same
All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus
When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus
Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do
Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor just like a circus
There's only two types of guys out there
Ones that can hang with me and ones that are scared
So baby, I hope that you came prepared
I run a tight ship so beware
I'm a like the ringleader, I call the shots (Call the shots)
I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot
When I put on a show
I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins
Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break
I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage
Better be ready, hope that you feel the same
As the others arrived and took their seats to watch, Victoria's dance began to slow. Mistoffelees was ready to jump in just like in the Jellical ball, but before he could leave his pipe someone else got to the moving white body before he could.
All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus
When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus
Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do
Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor just like a circus
It was Plato. He, and not Misto, had been the male to dance with the white princess even if he had jumped the gun a little and interrupted the end of the dance. Mistoffelees could feel his heart shatter as she willingly accepted the new male as a dance partner.
Let's go (was the cue)
Let me see what you can do
I'm runnin' this like-like-like a circus
Yeah, like a what? Like-like-like a circus
All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus
When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus
Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do
Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor just like a circus
All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus
When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus
Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do
Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor just like a circus
Even after the call had ended Misto didn't come out, while the rest of the Jellical tribe congregated before Munkustrap and Demeter ready to hear why they had been called. Only after his daughters had taken their seats beside the tire steps did Munkustrap begin to speak of his callings.
"Now my brothers and sisters of our glorious Jellical tribe. I have news just in that Old Deuteronomy has just left with Mungojerrie and Coricopat. He told me to pass on the fact that he will be back in a little, while after his business in town has been finished. Okay Jellicals lets move on, I'll see you all again tonight."
Those in the clearing all bowed out, while Misto's angry thoughts toward Plato intensified as he saw the older tom stand and walk toward Victoria, and then sitting a little to close to her for Misto liking. It was only when ruby sparks began to fly off his coat did Misto's mind stop focusing on Plato. He looked over his shoulder and began licking his fur trying to calm himself.
When Mistoffelees was finally calm he chanced to look up only to find that everyone had disappeared into the other parts of the junkyard. Deciding it was safe to come out, Misto stretched in the high noon sun rays letting them quickly warm his fur. Misto look up at the sky wishing for rain to match his mood, as he thought about how most of the cats would be heading back to their human homes about now but not him.
His family had left deserting him almost 2 months ago, so now his new home was the junkyard. He had promised himself that he wouldn't need a human home just like his brother, Alonzo who had been living all his life in the junkyard. Misto had moved into the drain pipe and it wasn't so bad, but he would need a better home once the winter began to set back in.
Misto had absentmindedly began walking through the clearing when suddenly he was tackled by 2 blurs of fur, one white the other calico. The kittens giggled as they sat on top of him. Out of the corner of his eye Misto spotted Electra and Etcetera racing into the clearing with George, Pouncival, and Victor trotting close behind them.
"Tori...Jemmi...its...lovely...to see you...both...but could...you lovely...princesses...kindly get off...me?" Misto asked getting only little gasps of air since they both were sitting on his rib cage.
The two princesses looked at each other briefly before looking back at Mistoffelees an evil glint in their very opposite eyes.
"NOOOOO!" the two chorused together light blue and dark brown eyes glinting in happiness.
They both laughed until suddenly Jemima was lifted off Misto. Misto, finally able to breath again, twisted easily under Victoria's weight, since she was much lighter then Jemima, until he was able to toss her off. This sent the two rolling until Misto pinned her beneath him, taking extra measures not to hurt her. Misto licked her forehead showing her defeat before rising and freeing the snow princess, who shook in an attempt to rid her self of the dirt her coat had colected.
It was only then did Misto turn to see his saving grace. Alonzo stood not to far from his brother with Jemmi dangling from his mouth by her neck. Jemmi had her front paws crossed and a defeated look on her face as she dangled only a inch or two above the ground.
"Lonzooooo Put me Down," Jemima complained.
The black and white tom gently put her down so that her back feet touched the ground, but still held her by the neck. Only after Misto had licked her forehead in defeat did Alonzo release her. Misto then continued on his way to the old train car, were Jemima loved to sing from.
He stood guard as he also watched the kittens and young toms play down below. He could still hear that same bell coming from Victoria's collar and it just reminded him that Plato had staked his claim on her, even if she still didn't smell like him.
Once again Misto had to calm himself before the others saw his sparkling fur. The twins, Coricopat and Tantomile, had taught him that secrecy was the best thing a cat magician could learn. But while he had been clearing and calming his mind a new aura entered through the main gate.
"Misto…" came Alonzo's semi-distressed voice.
Misto stood and jumped down to comfort the kits after Victor and George had scared them with some sort of cruel prank. He had been trying to calm them when an unknown aura was about to enter the clearing.
"Alonzo…." Misto called softly, his voice carrying both worry and a sternness that Alonzo picked up instantly.
"Girls come here…please." The black and white calico cooed warmly, a smile gracing his features.
With a little persuasion from Mistoffelees the kittens left him to join Alonzo in the gutted out oven. Their heads low, ears back, and tails between their legs as they passed Victor and George, but a the warm smiles from Pouncival, Tumble, and Alonzo kept them sure the other two wouldn't do anything stupid. Once they were all in the oven with Alonzo curled inside with them, while Pouncival, Victor, Tumble, and George stood in front of it keeping the kits out of site.
Misto on the other hand took the forefront alone waiting for the unknown cat to appear. The shadows from the setting sun played with the lines in his face making him look much scarier then he meant. For when the cat appear he jumped slightly at Misto's stern and frightening face. Plato let out a deep breath through his nose, but Misto soon saw that the older tom wasn't alone.
Dangling from his mouth hung a strange furry object. It looked much like a brown sack, which frightened Mistoffelees a little, but nonetheless he could hear the kits quite mumbling behind him. He signaled the okay and to Pouncival and Tumble who sighed with relief before allowing the kits out of their confinements. Etcetera and Electra bounded off to greet Plato, but Misto stopped them so he could see what the tom had brought back.
"Plato, What's that?"Misto asked the older tom.
"Why, Misto its a kit," Plato replied after dropping the kit lightly on to the ground.
"Old Deuteronomy sent Coricopat back, Cori found me and told me to take her to you." Plato explained further after seeing Misto's confused look.
Misto was now curious as Plato finished his story. Why send the kit to him? Why not Jelly or some other female? Misto trotted up to the little lump of fur, which had started to move. This kit was very different to the others Misto had seen come and go through the junkyard. It was the size of a human's palm, about a month old, and in had a pure coco brown coat.
"Her name is Micari." Plato said as he motioned for someone to come to him with a flick of his tail.
The little princess, Micari, no Miki he would call her opened her eyes. They were like Victoria's but instead of light blue Miki's were a smooth silver green color. Miki stood slowly and attempted to walk toward Misto, her eyes locked on his, but after only a few steps she tripped. Without thinking Mistoffelees caught her in his mouth, with unbelievable reaction time. The kit's shocked look quickly faded as the gently yet stern jaws caught her making her giggle lightly.
Misto set Miki down in between his front paws making sure she would stay. As Misto looked up preparing to thank Plato for delivering Miki safely to him, but the magical cat stopped short his words lost within his throat. There before him stood Plato smiling lightly his chin resting on top of Victoria's head. Victoria chanced a glanced at Misto her light blue silver eyes filled with a strange sadness.
"Plato..." Misto stated sternly, in an attempt to cut off the feral growl that begged to come out of his throat.
Plato jumped waking from whatever thoughts had been going on with in his head. He swiftly pushed Victoria away, a little to roughly, causing her to stumble and fall. Misto suppressed yet another growl of anger at the said scene.
"Good...Now thank you for bringing Miki here. You may take your leave now." Misto said before scooping up Miki and rounding up Tori, looking her over cheeking if she was okay. Together the trio walked back toward the gutted out oven where Jemima began comforting her sister, and Misto set Miki down for Alonzo to see. Out of the corner of Misto's eye he noticed Plato still standing in the clearing where he had left him, so like any parent Mistoffelees raised his lips in a silent threat to the other male.
Plato glared back, but bowed toward the group before leaving the clearing. Mistoffelees then called for Munk and Demeter. The couple soon came through the hidden walk way through the tall garbage pill. Only after they had taken their seats on the large truck tire did Mistoffelees begin the story of how the kit had gotten there.
"Misto I think its your turn to babysit to get your official title as a Jellical tom." Munk said with a smile.
"She looks old enough to eat solids." Demeter chimed in looking at the kit in her arms.
"Your task is to raise her as any other cat. She needs to learn how to hunt, where to sleep, how to avoid detection, and not to speak while humans are present. At the next Jellical Ball we will see how you have fared with your task." Munkustrap said with a smile.
"But the drain pipe won't be safe or warm enough to raise such a young kit."Misto said worry etched into his eyes and face.
"That's why you and Alonzo are moving into the space Tugger had under the tire." Demeter said scooping Miki into her gentle motherly jaw.
Both stood and trotted off the tire so they stood next to Misto before Munkustrap un-hooked the center hatch that lead down into the secret room. Demeter lead the way down into the room Miki still dangling from her mouth. Misto soon followed and was surprised to see a half way clean room. The room was much warmer then the pipe he usually slept in. The floor was covered in blankets and pillows of all different colors, thickness, and sizes.
"See its a great place to raise a kit. Its much warmer and safer then your old pipe." Demeter stated after dropping Miki into a pill of blankets.
"Thank you Munk and thank you Demeter. I'm sure she loves it." Misto said as he sat down and watched Miki try to jump toward him.
"I'm glad you do. Now we shall bid you both good night then."Munk said as he and Demeter turned and left, closing the hatch behind them.
As the hatch closed Misto could see that the evening light still shown through the thin cracks in the walls of their new home. Miki still jumped around lightly trying to catch the slim rays of light. Misto laughed lightly at his new kit's antics. But as he watched he began to study her.
Miki looked very healthy for an orphaned kit a little thin, but not deathly thin like some of the other orphan kits Misto had seen. She was had an amazing coat that seemed to shine with its own light as she danced around in the light falling from pillow to pillow. Finally Miki settled on a rather large pink pillow, which complimented her milk chocolate coat perfectly.
Misto then stood and began to collect more of the pink and light blue blankets. He then formed a small bed area around the pillow Miki had chosen. He kept wondering when his little charge would speak, but for that moment she seemed a little to young for that. Misto was jolted from his thoughts when Miki yawned.
"Come now little one you've had a rough day. Time for bed." Misto cooed pulling a light pink blanket over her tiny body.
Miki just nodded before closing her green eyes and drifting into a light sleep. Misto curled around Miki when noticed her shaking muscles, but she soon calmed when his warmth surrounded her reassuring her that it was indeed safe here. Misto took this time to clean her a little before allowing himself to drift into a light sleep, but his sleep was much lighter then Miki's.
Misto could still hear every cat above him trotting lightly through their junkyard home. He could also hear the cars in the streets and the dogs outside the junkyard in the houses. He heard everything else up to a mile all around him, this even included the mice with in the junk above him.
Suddenly though the hatch opened. Misto's head shot up teeth bared in surprise cause he hadn't even sense the person coming toward the hidden home or finding the hatch to the home. But Misto's alarm calmed when the slim white and black face of Alonzo appeared upside down in the hatch.
"Hey, bro. How's the kit?" Alonzo asked before flipping into the room and closing the hatch behind him and locking it.
"Fine, but be quiet I don't want her waking up." Misto replied before resting his head back on his front paws and sleeping.
Alonzo quickly and daintily found a bed to sleep on in the now dark room. Misto could hear his rhythmic breaths join Miki's as Alonzo too drifted into a deep sleep. In his head Misto laughed, only his brother would be capable of sneaking up on him when he was asleep...well maybe Victoria to possibly.
Misto was still listening to the rhythmic noises when a small whimper and a stumbling cat could be heard above near the drain pipe. Misto stood taking the extra measures not to move Miki to much. The magical cat left the secret room into the hidden door that exited into the drain pipe. Misto crouched low to the floor of the pipe blending with the shadows ready to pounce. He saw the moon escape from behind her cloud, bathing the clearing in front of him in a silvery white light.
There she stood tears falling down her face as she sat in front of the gutted oven. She stood and slowly walked toward the center of the clearing, where she began to dance in the moonlight. As Misto watched he noticed that she wasn't as graceful as she normally was. She stumbled twice and faltered many time, but the longer Misto watched her it just got worse and worse. She tried to spin, but her feet failed her and sent her falling toward the ground.
Misto was out of his shadows in no time flat catching the white princess. He gently lead her away from the moon lite clearing and into the pipe's shadows. Her eyes soon opened to see Misto's dark amber eyes looking back at her, worry emitting from his deep amber pools of sun light. She blushed lightly as she noticed how close their faces were to each others.
"M-M-Misto..." Victoria strutted diverting her eyes from his and looking back at the clearing.
Misto was once again hypnotized by those soft silver blue eyes and Tori's angelic voice. He smirk inwardly at the fact that he still had come to her rescue even if he was the only one around to see her fall.
"Thanks... Misto." Tori said head down, eyes hidden by the shadows.
"Your welcome princess." Misto said bowing goofy causing Victoria to laugh, but as he looked up at her he saw that her bell was missing.
"Tori...where's your bell?" Misto asked standing and sitting across from the white princess.
"I took it off... I don't like Plato that much, but I want papa to be proud of me..." Tori explained eyes shifted down toward the pebbles at her feet.
"Tell you what in the morning I'll talk to Munk for you." Misto promised rubbing his head against her cheek to reassure her of his promise.
"Really? Would you do that Mist?" Tori asked jumping up and down.
"Of course I would," Misto replied, stopping himself from adding 'Because I love you.'
"Thanks Misto. Night." Victoria said pecking him on the cheek before running off back toward her human home.
Misto touched the place she had kissed him before smiling and heading back home. He was greeted by the same deep rhythmic snores of his brother and Miki. As Mistoffelees curled up around the small kit to protect her, he noticed her rub gently up against his belly, welcoming him back. Laughing slightly he licked her forehead before closing his eyes and drifting back into his light sleep waiting for the day to return and to see how much his little kit could grow before the Ball.
Though unbeknown to the magical cat was that Miki would play a larger role in the Jellical society and in Misto's own life then he would have ever imagined. Misto also was unaware of the cat who was swiftly leaving the junkyard to help Old D with whatever he had been sent out to do.
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Pyrus: Well the ending is really bad and rushed but I had to end it there so review and tell we what you think? Flames welcomed.