Disclaimer: You get the idea, I don't own cats, blah-di-dah...
Part 4: The First Move
"What is this?!" Tanto cried, "Another book with 'real' spells in it? It's enormous!" Copat just nodded as if there was nothing unusual about the fact. "I thought my books were big before! How am I ever supposed to finish this?"
"By studying diligently and living a very long time." Copat told her seriously.
"But if I'm supposed to find a Necromancer, I probably don't have a lot of time!" She fumed, slamming the book shut with a booming thud. "The thing practically has it's own soundtrack its so big!"
Copat sighed deeply. "You pick the ones that you think will be most important, and learn those. Then, when the battle comes, you hope that you chose right."
"WHAT??!!" She shrieked. "What kind of answer is that?"
"If it bothers you that deeply, I'll help you find the ones that I've found to be useful over the years."
She frowned down at the book in her hands, and closed her eyes in thought. "All right." She whispered, "I mean, yes please. That would be nice."
Bang-bang-bang! The door shook violently as someone outside pounded on it requesting entry. "Hold your horses!" Tanto yelled, standing up from the pile of books on the floor and brushing out the practice circle that Copat had made her construct before she attempted any 'serious' elemental spells. He had recommended that since her strength seemed to lie in summoning, she out to learn the elemental summonings-fire elemental, water elemental, air elemental, and so forth. She'd been about to try a water elemental when her work was interrupted. "Now I'm gonna have to make a new circle," she muttered as she strode over to the door.
It was Tugger and Quaxo/Misto (both forms, Quaxo and Mistoffolees, were actually present). "What do you want?" She asked, in no mood for Tugger's tomfoolery.
Quaxo hung from Tugger's right arm, and Misto from Tugger's left—normally, Tugger would have shaken them off immediately, and that should have been her first clue that something was wrong. "It's Victoria." Tugger told her.
"What, she's not following you around with a blank but adoring expression?"
He rolled his eyes. "No, Witch. She's missing. Quax and Misto can't find her anywhere. Misto thinks she was taken by magic. That's why we're here and not after dear-brother-Munkie."
"What makes you think it was magic?" She asked Misto, "And wouldn't it be a good idea to tell Munkustrap anyway?"
"Got a feeling." Quaxo said. She looked at Misto, "He doesn't talk, except for magic stuff." She nodded, they were one cat after all. There had to be some limitations to the doubling. "I got up this morning, and Viccy was gone. She went out to dance in the moonlight last night, but she wouldn't have left the junkyard!" His blue eyes gazed at her earnestly, and again, she nodded. "No normal cat can get past Munku's patrol. Only Macavity can do that, and it wasn't him."
"You're certain it wasn't Macavity?"
The two little black cats shook their heads. "No, just a feeling."
"We can check that!" Teaz giggled. "Roight Jer?"
"Yeh, anyways, Oi would know if the boss were gonna catnap a Jellicle..." Jer added.
"You would'a known? Oi would'a known!" Teaz exclaimed, indignant.
Jer rolled his eyes, "Anyways, he didn'a, and if he did, we'll find out for yous. Kay?"
Tugger gave them a suspicious look, but Misto and Quaxo nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks! Who are you?"
"Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer!" The two chorused, then clasped paws and walked back into the house. As soon as they were out of Tugger, Misto, and Quaxo's viewing range, they abruptly disappeared, with a giggle and a shushing noise.
Tanto frowned, "Exo, Copat, Silly, Cass! I need some advice, quick. We may have a major problem." She turned to Tugger and Misto/Quaxo. "Thank you, you can go now. I need to work."
"We wanna help!" Quaxo cried.
"Stay out from underfoot," Tanto ordered, "and practice your magic. We might just need you when we go to get Victoria, okay? Right now, though, you'd get in the way. Go home, get ready. Be prepared for anything."
Misto nodded seriously, but Quaxo looked a bit rebellious. "All right," he said, giving her a look that said that he thought she was just trying to get rid of him. "We'll show her," he muttered to Misto as they left with Tugger, "won't we?"
"Munkustrap!" Bustopher Jones puffed into the main junkyard. "Where's Old Deuteronomy? Victoria's gone missing!" Alonzo sat up suddenly from his position lounging in front of the tire. Missing? Victoria?
"Do you have any idea what might have happened to her?" Munku demanded, leaping down from his relaxed position with Demeter by the tire.
"I found a note, but I think it should wait to be discussed until Deuteronomy is here."
"I am here," the old cat appeared from the shadowy entrance to his den, "what is it?"
"This note, it.. it..." Bustopher couldn't keep his voice from shaking, so he handed the note to Munkustrap.
"Thank you for the dancing girl. She will serve me well. Do not try to rescue her, or I will break your tribe like I broke the Naunceries. Again, my thanks. Sincerely, Lord Gohkan." Munku frowned as he read the note. Next to the signature was a wax seal of a skull.
"Does that... tell you anything about where she might be?" Bustopher asked anxiously.
Munku looked to Deuteronomy, and then shook his head. "No, but we'll find her. Threats don't stop the Jellicles from caring for their own. Alonzo! Plato! Go with Bustopher and start looking for a trail. I'm going to round up the other fighters. Tumblebrutus, you're going to help Bombalurina and Tugger guard the yard, you hear?" His tail lashed restlessly, "Now where is Skimble?"
