Chapter Two
Friends in High Places

Mistoffelees sat inside a broken down refridgerator. The door had been broken long ago, and the tuxedo cat sat upon a shelf, flicking his tail back and forth as he angrily swatted at a plush bear. He was drowning in a sea of different emotions. He was mad at Busto for hiding this secret from him all these years, yet he had understanding for the old cat's reasons. Misto was also very restless. Part of him wanted to search for Macavity so he may put his mind at ease, but the other half thought that Macavity would just rip him to shreds.

Misto hissed and swatted the bear out of the fridge. He sighed and curled up, though his tail was still flicking about. Misto had just closed his eyes when he heard a supercilious voice shout.

"What makes you think you can nap in my cooler?" Tugger snapped. The cat's face popped out from the top of the fridge. He wore a grin upon his face, which looked more like a frown because he was upside down.

"Oh, please," Misto huffed. "The moment I step out you won't want the darn thing anymore."

"I wouldn't do that!" Tugger replied with mock surprise.

Misto just shook his head. "Why don't you just let me be?"

Tugger smirked, looking quite smug. "Oh, I see how it is." The wild cat jumped down and faced Mistoffelees. "You just found out your dad was Macavity, huh?"

Misto sat up, startled. "You knew?" he exclaimed.

Tugger chuckled. "Of course. Everyone who was anyoneknew. We all just swore never to tell you."

Misto blinked serveral times in disbelief. "So everyone's been lying to me?"

"Well, not lying," Tugger explained, licking his paw, "just creatively keeping a secret."

Misto scoffed. "Well, it's nice to know that I can trustthe tribe." He laid backdown, feeling defeated.

"So what are you going to do?"

"What do you mean 'what am I going to do?' " Misto questioned.

Tugger rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "You found out that Macavity is your daddy and you're not the least bit excited?"

"Why would I be excited? The tom's a murderer for crying out loud! And he's done worse!"

Tugger chuckled. "I mean are you going to go look for him?"

Misto gave a bitter laugh. "Would you?"

Tugger shrugged. "Eh, I've seen him enough times. He is my bro after all."

Misto sat up and jumped from the fridge. "So you think it's a good idea for me to go chasing after Macavity?"

"I don't see why not," Tugger replied. "He's the only other magic cat. Maybe he knows why your powers are being all funky junky."

Misto froze in realization. Of course! Why had he not seen it before?

"But, I don't know where to find him. Macavity's impossible to track down!"

Tugger started padding around Misto in a teasing matter. "For most of us cats, he is." His tail swished back and forth. "But lucky for you, I know someone who knows where the crazy cat is."

"It's not Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie, is it? They left the tribe months ago."

"Wrong-o," Tugger laughed. He stopped in front of Misto with a devious grin spread across his face. "The one you seek to guide you is the one and only...me."

Misto groaned. Tugger was the last one he wanted help from. "Tugger, it's a nice offer, but..."

"Hey, it's not my problem. If you don't want my help, then that's fine with me. It's your magic that'll be lost." Tugger began padding away.

"Wait!" Misto cried, running after Tugger. "Fine, I'll go with you."

Tugger grinned and nudged Misto. "I knew you'd warm up to me," he laughed.

Misto just shuddered.

In a dark alleyway were two cats. They had been wandering for over five hours, and one was getting quite frustrated with the other.

"Tugger," Mistoffelees whined, "we've been through this same alleyway six times already!"

"Pssh," said the Rum Tum Tugger. "I've never seen this alley before in my life.

"There's a sign over by that dumpster that says, 'Tugger's Secret Hideout.'

Tugger looked at the sign in surprise. "There must be another Rum Tum Tugger! Or much more better! An imposter!"

"You don't know where we're going, do you?"

"Of course I know where we're going."

"We're lost aren't we?"

"We're not lost, I just-"

"Tugger."

"Alright, we're lost," Tugger snorted.

"I knew I couldn't trust you!" Misto scolded. "I should just head to my human's house and let my powers just drain away...at least it would be less painful."

"Now, now, now!" Tugger clicked. "Let's not jump the catnip here! Just because I creatively kept a secret from you-"

"Lied."

"Fine, if you want to use such a nasty word," Tugger sniffed. "Even though I "lied" to you, it doesn't mean I don't know someone who actually does know where Macavity is."

Misto groaned. "I don't know whether to take your word again or-"

"Yay! You're giving me a second chance!" Tugger squealed. He started racing down the alleyway. "Come on!" he yelled behind his shoulder.

Mistoffelees had no choice but to follow him.

"So who is this cat that you know?" Misto asked curiously.

"Quite a marvelous one," Tugger replied. "Brilliant, and intelligent, but just a little bit crazy."

"I see. And what's this friend's name?"

"BanderinMajarian," Tugger answered.

What an odd name, Mistoffelees thought to himself. Must be an interesting tom.

"But don't get on Bander's bad side; Bander's been known to put cats in their place."

Misto nodded quietly, thinking to himself.

"We're here." Tugger announced proudly.

Misto looked around. There were a few dented trashcans, a puddle, and a rusty fire escape.

"Tugger, this is another dirty alley."

Tugger shot a look at him. "It is not. This is the correct place."

"Then where's your friend?" Misto challenged.

"Well, they're the type that needs to be called upon."

"Like a Pollicle?"

"Good gracious, no!" Tugger said. "More like a captain of a ship." Tugger started digging through one of the trashcans. He didn't stop until he pulled out a small silver bell.

"Bandy!" Tugger called, ringing the bell. "Bandy always answers the bell," Tugger whispered to Misto.

There was silence.

Misto was beginning to question this method when all of a sudden, a voice called out,

"I hear the bell!"

Suddenly, a she-cat stood before them. Her face was white, while the rest of her fur was striped with black, dark purple, and silver. Her fur was short and spiky, like she'd been electracuted. Two bright green eyes stared both toms up and down. She didn't look very happy.

"What do you want, Tugger?" she questioned.

"I just need some guidance," Tugger said nonchalantly. "How've you been, Bandy?"

"Don't call me that, Rummy," She replied icily.

Tugger frowned at the nickname. "Fine. Anywho, I need you to help us find a certain someone."

"Who's this?" She interrupted, gesturing towards Mistoffelees.

Misto sat there nervously. He was still embarassed at the thought of mistaking BanderinMajarian for a tom.

"This is the magical Mr. Mistoffelees," Tugger explained. "Well, not so magical right now."

"H-hello," Misto greeted Banderin. She looked unimpressed.

"You see," Tugger continued, "We need your help to find Macavity."

Banderin's frown grew deeper. "Why would you want to talk to him?"

"Well, long story short, Mistoffelees here is Macavity's strapping young kit. From a long time ago."

Banderin broke out into a fit of laughter. "This guy is Macavity's son?Haha! He can't be! He looks like too much of a goody two-paws!"

Misto narrowed his eyes at the she-cat. "I am not."

Banderin smirked at him. "Prove it. Levitate something."

Tugger frowned, but Misto was so angry that he decided he should do it, even though his powers were extremely weak. He looked at the nearest trash can and focused on it. He waved his paws, and the can began to shudder. After a few short minutes of straining, the can rose up barely an inch. Misto began to move it, but he couldn't hold it for very long. Unfortunately for him, it crashed to the ground right where Banderin's tail was.

The wild she-cat let out a yowl and darted away from the spot. She glared heavily at Misto and hissed, "I'm going to rip you up!"

She lunged at him, but Tugger came to the rescue. He collided with Banderin and held her down.

"Bandy, you're okay, it's just a little owie, Bandy," he cooed. He glanced over his shoulder for a moment at Misto and hissed, "Run for it! She'll kill you!"

Misto did not hesitate and began running immediately. He could hear the cat's angry mews fade as he carried himself further and further away. As he ran, he thought to himself, Great, I ruined everything. A small cat tear escaped the corner of his eye, but nothing more.