Macavity gave Mali free rein once more, though he had to know when she was going to see Misto. Mali looked over to the sleeping Tugger. Most of the Jellicles had chosen to sleep together in the large den, just so they could keep an eye on one another. Mali was in the middle of the huddled mass, a dozen or so tails on her back, just so Macavity couldn't take her during the night. A paw took hers. Mali looked over and saw Cinnamon smiling sleepily at her. Mali smiled back and closed her eyes.
Mali's eyes flickered open when the door to the den quietly opened, throwing a line of light onto her. Mali felt suddenly weak and her eyes closed once more.
Tugger stirred and stretched out, being careful not to wake any of the sleeping cats. He looked to his right briefly before looking away and then quickly looking back. Tugger quickly scanned the den, looking for the silver figure with the black stripes.
"Mali?" Tugger cried out, panicked. Other cats quickly woke up. Mali wasn't in the den. Macavity stormed in and Tugger immediately lunged at him.
"Where is she?" He yelled. Macavity pushed Tugger off him.
"Where's who?" He asked, genuinely confused. Tugger snarled.
"Mali!" Tugger yelled. "She was here and now she isn't!" Macavity's silver eyes widened in shock.
"What?" Macavity shouted. "I've had guards outside this door all night, she couldn't have gone anywhere!" Macavity ran outside and ordered the yard be searched for her. Tugger stood outside near the den door, rubbing his arms in a silent panic. The hench-cats scoured the yard, trying to find some trace of Mali.
"Mac!" Tugger turned his head to see Griddlebone running toward Macavity.
"What is it?" Macavity growled.
"Reema is gone!" Griddlebone told him. She paused as she looked at the henchmen running around the yard.
"What's going on?" She asked slowly.
"Mali's disappeared." Tugger said quietly. Griddlebone stared at him in shock.
"Sir, we found this," One of the hench-rats appeared and handed Macavity what looked like a small silver band, tufts of silvery fur stuck to it with blood. Macavity let out a maddened scream.
Mali gave a small groan as she woke up, even though her eyes still hadn't opened, she knew she wasn't in the junk yard anymore. Mali's blue eyes snapped open and she saw she was in a family home. She looked around and saw Reema staring at her.
"Where am I?" Mali asked, looking around the large lounge-room.
"The home I frequent." Reema answered. Mali slowly pushed herself to her four paws.
"They've gone away for a few days so they won't know," Reema muttered.
"Why did you bring me here?" Mali breathed. Reema shrugged. "You're going to get my family killed!" Reema just stared at her.
"I'm protecting my grand-kit," She said coolly. Mali paced back and forth.
"You never cared about me, why do you care about my unborn kit?" Mali asked, agitated. Reema walked to her side and nudged her back toward the cat bed. Mali looked at her and saw that she looked completely different.
"I never wanted to abandon you," Reema said quietly. "But Macavity persuaded me to after he found out who the father was and I feared for my life," Reema sighed.
"I watched your father for a long time and after I had you, I dropped you off in the alley where I knew your father's family walked every day." Mali was confused.
"Why did you act so cold to me in the yard?" Mali asked. "Why did you try to hurt me?" Reema looked away.
"Because I've gotten Macavity to believe I don't care about you…if I showed him that I did he would know I would be a threat." Mali placed her paw on her stomach, wincing slightly. Mali realized she wasn't exhausted anymore and looked to her right forearm. The band wasn't there but she missing a tuft of her fur.
"It wasn't good for your unborn kit," Reema murmured. Mali gave a small oh.
"Why did you take me from the junk yard?" Mali asked. "Macavity will kill them!" Reema looked at her.
"As soon as you had the kitten, he was going to kill it, your mate, your father and everyone you cared about." Reema said bluntly. "I couldn't let him kill the only kitten I will ever have." Mali was silent for a few moments.
"He was going to kill everyone I cared for?" Mali asked quietly. Reema nodded. "Because he wanted me?" Reema nodded once more. Mali sighed, tears filling her eyes as she realised why Macavity would kill her family. Reema watched her closely.
"Your kitten is due any day now," Reema said quietly. Mali looked at her.
"What?" Mali asked, she hadn't realised she was that far along.
"When you were out, I used my magic to determine how far along you are," Reema explained gently. "You are due any day now." Mali nodded and looked to Reema.
"Reema, when I have this kitten, will you keep it safe?" Mali asked. Reema was shocked.
"What are you going to do?" Reema asked.
"When I have this kitten, I'm leaving it to you before I go back to the junk yard." Mali said quietly. Reema was shocked.
"No!" She cried out. Mali turned her head away.
"Please, what can I do to get you to change your mind?" Reema asked. Mali remained silent. Reema left the house soon after.
Mali opened her eyes when she heard the cat flap open and close.
"Reema, is that you?" Mali asked sleepily. Mali saw a flash of claws in the darkness.
"Afraid not, pretty." A set of jaws grabbed Mali by the scruff of her neck. Mali struggled, yowling. She heard screams echoing through the night. Mali struggled in the grip of the Pollicle which held her. A hench-cat was grinning broadly beside the dog as they exited the house. Reema was battling eight hench-cats, lightning flying from her paws and at the cats.
"Reema!" Mali cried out as she tried to detach the scruff of her neck from the Pollicle's mouth. Reema gave a yell of anger and fought of the second reinforcements of hench-cats. Mali stopped struggling as she heard a scream of pain. She let herself go limp in the Pollicle's jaws. She was carried back to the junk yard and dropped unceremoniously on the ground in front of the tyre. Macavity glared down at her. Mali looked back toward the dog in disgust.
"Could you have least tried to keep your slobbering to a minimum?" Mali growled, swiping at the slobber on her silver fur.
"You think you could escape me?" Macavity growled, approaching her.
"No, I didn't escape; I was taken against my will." Mali corrected absently, determined to get the slobber off of her fur. Macavity snarled and slapped her. Mali fell back, her paw on her burning right cheek. She glared at him.
"If she had given me the choice to go or not, I would have said no!" Mali yelled at him. Macavity snarled and lashed out, Mali rolled out of the way.
"Take her back to the den!" Macavity yelled. Mali was grabbed and dragged back to the large den.
"Tugger!" She cried out as she fell into his arms. Tugger wrapped his arms around her.
"What happened to you?" He asked, worried.
"Reema took me away to save me…to save all of you." Mali murmured in his ear. Tugger stiffened.
"Did you plan this?" He growled. Mali pulled back, startled. Mali crept away slowly, still facing the livid Tugger.
"No," Mali whispered. "Why would I leave you to face him?" Tugger turned his back on her. Mali sat in the corner and stared blankly as the cats in the den brushed her off. Mali placed a paw on her stomach, shocked. Mali's head shot up as she heard pained cries and screams. She placed her paws over her ears. Her nightmare was beginning to become true. Macavity's hench-cats appeared in the doorway and herded all of the Jellicles out. Mali gave a ragged scream when she saw what was awaiting them. Tugger's arms wrapped around her once more, holding her back. Macavity was standing at the tyre; at his feet laid the bloodied forms of Munkustrap and Mistoffelees, they were completely still. Mali howled loudly, several paws rested on her arms, trying to comfort her. Mali glared at Macavity, tears pouring from her eyes.
"Tugger, let me go," Mali growled quietly. Tugger saw the look in her eye and released her, backing away slowly. Mali let her power reach full height, her paws sparking menacingly. Macavity wasn't aware what was happening yet and Mali used that to her advantage. Mali released all of her power at once at Macavity. Macavity was hit and fell back. Mali felt pain course through her entire body as she collapsed.
"Hang on, princess, hang on!" Tugger muttered as he caught her.
"She needs Jenny!" Coricopat's voice yelled.
"She has overdone it," Tantomile's voice said quietly, disbelieving. Mali's eyes rolled back into her head and she went limp.
Mali gave a cry of pain as she came through. Why was she hurting like this? She had never hurt like this when she used her powers before.
"What's wrong with her?" Mali was startled, that voice was weak but she knew it was Munkustrap.
"I-I don't know," Jenny's voice echoed. Mali collapsed once more.
"I'm sorry, dear, you've lost the kitten," was the voice Mali heard when she came to. The pain had somewhat subsided and she opened her eyes, looking for Jenny. Jenny was kneeling next to Cassandra, comforting her. Mali realised what had just happened, Mali hadn't lost her kitten… Cassandra had lost hers.
"Mali!" Mali was engulfed in a pair of strong arms.
"Dad!" Mali breathed, hugging him tightly.
"Where's Misto?" Mali asked. Munkustrap pulled back, his face solemn.
"He's over there," Munkustrap said, looking over to the corner of the infirmary.
"They hurt him pretty bad." Mali looked at the small black mass curled in the corner. Mali went to get up when she was pushed back down.
"No, no, no!" Jellylorum said. "Your kitten is due any moment and you are way too exhausted to move." Mali lay back down on the collection of shirts and sighed. Jelly then moved on to bully Munkustrap.
"And you!" She said sternly. "Didn't we tell you to rest? To eat?" Munkustrap smiled sheepishly at her.
"Hey, Jelly," Mali asked quietly. Jelly turned back around.
"What happened to Cassandra?" She murmured. Jelly knelt by Mali's side, pretending to check her over.
"After you passed out, when Macavity was out, there was a fight between us and the remaining hench-cats. Cassandra was pretty hurt." Jelly muttered. Mali nodded.
Hours went by and the infirmary started to empty. Munkustrap and Mistoffelees were the only ones left with Mali. Munkustrap was lightly dozing in the spot he was in while Misto was still out of it when Mali gave a cry of pain. Misto shot awake and looked at Mali, Munkustrap snapped out of his doze.
"Misto, you're awake!" Munkustrap said in surprise. Misto crawled over to Mali's side and took her paw.
"What is it?" Jenny asked, flustered as she made her way over.
"I-I think I'm going into labour," Mali panted. Jenny herded Munkustrap outside. Tugger walked over when he saw Munkustrap standing outside.
"Hey, I thought you were going to be stuck in the infirmary for a few days," Tugger said to the bruised, skinny and scratched Munkustrap.
"Mali's going into labour," Munkustrap said, shocked. Tugger grinned.
"I'll go get Demeter!" He said cheerfully before taking off. Munkustrap was glad that Macavity had been overthrown, he couldn't get to Mali. Demeter and Bombalurina ran back with Tugger. All three of their faces lit up in excitement. They all looked at the entry of the infirmary when they heard a particularly loud yowl. Moments passed, and several yowls, before Misto stumbled out, using the wall as support.
"A Tom," Misto announced weakly. Munkustrap grinned.
"What did you call him?" Tugger asked.
"Quaxo," Misto laughed weakly. "He looks like me." Jenny appeared by the doorway.
"You can come see them if you want." Misto headed back into the infirmary, followed by Tugger, Demeter, Munkustrap and Bombalurina. Mali was sitting up, her newborn kit in her arms. She smiled tiredly at them. Misto sat beside her, grinning broadly. Munkustrap knelt beside Mali and looked at the small mewling kitten. It was like a small version of Mistoffelees, a black tuxedo cat. It was wriggling in Mali's arms. Mali sighed and rubbed her head against Misto's, purring deeply.
Munkustrap made his way over to Mali's and Misto's den, the boot was open, letting the afternoon sun in. Misto looked up when Munkustrap approached.
"Hey, Munkus," He said softly as Munkustrap made his way into the den. Mali opened one of her eyes and gave a small smile from where she was napping. Quaxo was climbing over her back. Munkustrap looked at the young kitten, whose blue eyes were an exact copy of Mali's eyes.
"Hi, Dad," Mali yawned. Misto took Quaxo from her back so she could sit up. Quaxo bounced around the boot, playing with whatever he could find. Munkustrap looked at Misto and Mali, who were sitting side by side, Mali's head was resting on his shoulder.
"How is he going?" Munkustrap asked, watching his grand-kit scramble around the den.
"He's going fine," Misto said, his green eyes focused on Quaxo's movements. Mali rubbed her eyes and smiled tiredly at Munkustrap. Quaxo chose that moment to leap into his mother's arms and purr loudly. Mali smiled lovingly at him.
"Cwan I go pway with Cwarbuckety?" Quaxo said with his little lisp. Mali nodded and Quaxo jumped out of the boot to join Carbuckety who was standing outside of their den. They both ran off.
"Don't go too far, Quaxo!" Mali called after him.
"So, how is being the Jellicle leader going, Munk?" Mali asked. Munkustrap smiled wearily.
"It's a task, I'll say that much," He said. Munkustrap had taken over the role of Jellicle leader after Deuteronomy was murdered. He still did his protector duty though, but Alonzo was now officially the Protector. Mali and Misto were also on protector duty, Munkustrap had been a little hesitant to give it to Mali but she convinced him saying it was in her blood. Mali stretched out and shuddered. Munkustrap watched her, mystified.
"Having a kitten is a lot of work," She grinned. Munkustrap laughed.
"I know, I raised you, didn't I?" Mali poked her tongue out at him. Munkustrap gave a stretch as he stood up.
"I better get going, see you around," He said before he leapt down from the boot. Misto gently nuzzled Mali lovingly. Mali nuzzled him back as she watched Quaxo play with the other kittens. Mali startled when Coricopat's and Tantomile's heads popped up. She put her paw over her heaving chest.
"Sheesh, some warning next time!" Mali gasped. Misto gave a small snigger. Coricopat and Tantomile made their way into the den. Cori grinned at Misto and Mali while Tantomile retained her dignified air.
"What brings you to our den?" Mali asked, her tail entwining with Misto's. Misto smiled at her before looking back at the psychic twins.
"We just came,"
"To see,"
"If Quaxo,"
"Was showing an signs,"
"Of having powers," Mali shook her head as the twins finished each other's sentences.
"Can you just talk in unison?" Mali asked. "It's less confusing," Cori grinned.
"We know," He said. "We just did that to annoy you," Mali sighed. Misto gave a small cough.
"You were saying?" He asked.
"We have come to watch Quaxo," Tantomile said.
"To see if he shows any signs of having powers and which power at that," Cori finished. Mali scratched at one of her ears absentmindedly.
"If he has powers," Misto began, looking at Mali. "Will he have the same as we do?" Cori gave a slight shake of his head.
"Not always, no, but he can have a mixture of both of your powers," Cori said slowly. Mali frowned. Coricopat and Tantomile stood up.
"Do not tell Quaxo that we are watching him," Tantomile instructed gently. "It will be easier to assess him without him knowing," and with that they both leapt gracefully from the boot. Mali stared worriedly after them. Misto rubbed his head against Mali's.
"He'll be okay," He reassured her. "If he has powers like us, Tant and Cori will train him to use them properly," Mali gave a small laugh.
"Yeah, but will he go to them?" Mali asked, grinning, "Or will he ditch them like we did?" Misto gave a thoughtful hmm before looking at his mate and smiling.
"He's starting to take after to you," Misto grinned. Mali looked horrified.
"I hope not!" Mali said, "I don't want to see him fighting Pollicles," Misto bumped her shoulder.
"Hypocrite," He murmured, Mali gave a playful growl before tackling him to the den floor. They rolled around on the ground, playfully batting at each other with their paws.
"Aren't you two supposed to be responsible and mature parents?" Mali paused from where she had Misto pinned on the den floor. Demeter and Bombalurina were looking into their den.
"We're still allowed to have fun," Mali said, prodding Misto's nose. Misto gave a small growl before flipping Mali onto her back and pinning her there. Demeter and Bombalurina casually made their way into the den and settled down on a cushion. Mali swatted at Misto's head. Misto pressed his nose against Mali's, Mali responded by playfully tugging on one of his midnight black ears with her teeth. Misto purred and licked her nose.
"Oh, enough of that," Bombalurina said, a paw covering her eyes. Mali pushed Misto off her and rolled over so she was lying on her stomach, facing the two. Misto sat by her side, licking her ears. Mali had a small smile on her face as she twitched and flicked her ears out of Misto's reach. Misto didn't give up on his task. Demeter watched them, mystified. She sighed and shook her head, a small smile on her lips. She saw how in love these two young cats were.
"Mali, it's your watch," Mali nodded to Tumblebrutus as she stood up.
"See you all later," Mali grinned as she leapt out of the boot, following Tumblebrutus.
Mali lay perched on a metal sheet on a high junk pile; she had a pretty good view of her part of the yard. Mali's ears pricked when she heard, what were meant to be, hushed voices, but they were failing miserably.
"C'mon, Quaxo, before anyone notices," Mali sighed when she heard Carbuckety's voice float up to her.
"I dwon't know," Mali shifted into a crouch and leapt, landing in front of the two kittens.
"Hello boys," Mali said lightly. Carbuckety stared at Mali, his eyes wide in horror. Quaxo startled and leapt into the air.
"Relax," Mali grinned. "Now why would two young kittens like you be trying to sneak out of the junkyard?" Mali asked. Carbuckety looked really nervous. Mali sat down in front of them.
"C'mon, Carbuckety, what's out there that you wanted to see?" Mali asked gently. Carbuckety looked at the ground.
"We just wanted to be more like you, Aunt Mali," He muttered. Mali frowned.
"Like me?"
"Yeah, you weren't afraid to fight Pollicles," Mali rubbed the back of her head nervously.
"Are you kidding me?" Mali laughed. "I was terrified," Quaxo stared up at his mother in amazement.
"Trust me, kits, there is nothing interesting out there except for the slobbering Pollicles," Mali said.
"Slobberin?" A deep voice said from behind her. The two kittens in front of her trembled. Mali turned around and grinned.
"Buster, long time no see," Mali said brightly, hugging her friend. Quaxo and Carbuckety stared in shock.
"Wait, you're friends?" Carbuckety asked. Mali nodded, turning back to face the kittens.
"Yes, he almost got me confined to the yard for life," Mali said. Buster tilted his head as he stared at Quaxo.
"'Ey, dis one looks like Misto," He said gruffly. Mali gave a small laugh as she turned back to look at Buster.
"That's because he is mine and Misto's kitten," Mali explained. Buster's brown eyes widened in surprise.
"Ya didn't tell ma ya were pregnant," Mali gave a small cough and looked back to the kittens.
"Why don't you two run back to the yard and I won't tell Munkustrap about this, okay?" The two kittens nodded and ran back. Mali turned back to Buster.
"Wait here," She said before finding Pouncival. Pouncival took over her spot while she and Buster went for a walk.
"Why didn't ya tell ma ya were pregnant?" Buster asked as they sat in the shade of a tree.
"Because I found out when Macavity took over the yard," Mali said bitterly. Buster looked shocked.
"The 'Hidden Paw' took over the yard?" He asked, shocked. Mali nodded.
"He killed Old Deuteronomy, imprisoned Munkustrap and Misto in different dens and almost killed them." Mali turned her head away, her blue eyes distant.
"Couldn't ya use ya powers?" He asked quietly. Mali shook her head.
"No, Macavity had already thought ahead…he brought my birth mother in and they had designed magic inhibitor bands," Mali sighed. "Misto and I were forced to wear them."
"How'd ya overthrow him?" Buster asked.
"Reema, my birth mother, took me from the yard and tried to help me and my unborn kit by taking the band off my arm and taking me away from Macavity's rule," Mali gave a heavy sigh.
"Macavity's henchmen found us and took me back, I was forced back into the large den where we were all staying and then they dragged us outside." Mali gave a small cough.
"At his feet lay the bloodied forms of Munkustrap and Mistoffelees, I thought they were dead, all I remember was screaming and Tugger holding me back and then me telling him to let me go," Mali frowned. "I was told I gathered my power to full height and released it all at once at Macavity, the next thing I knew I was waking up in the overturned cabinet which is our infirmary." Mali sighed, a smile on her face.
"I was out for a couple of days apparently and the day I finally fully came to was the day I had Quaxo," Buster smiled at Mali before frowning.
"Do ya think Macavity will come afta ya again?" Buster asked. Mali nodded solemnly.
"I know he will," She said gravelly. "I just hope he leaves Misto and Quaxo out of this," Buster and Mali parted ways and Mali went back to the yard.
"Mum!" Quaxo called cheerfully when she headed back to their den. Tantomile and Coricopat were sitting with a confused looking Misto in their den. Mali leapt up into the den and sat next to Misto.
"What is it?" Mali asked worriedly.
"Quaxo is telekinetic," Cori said. Mali's eyes widened.
"He can move objects with his mind, as we witnessed, and can transport himself," Tantomile explained in detail. Quaxo looked up at his parents thoughtfully. Mali gave him a reassuring smile.
"Will you help him learn about it?" Mali asked of the twins. They nodded simultaneously.
"As long as he shows up…unlike you two," Cori grinned. Mali looked back to Quaxo.
"Aunt Mali, we're bored!" Leeway complained. Mali looked to Percy.
"Hey, Perce, Cinnamon, you up for an excursion?" Mali called out. Percy nodded and rose to his feet silently. Cinnamon got to his feet a lot more noisily.
"What's this I'm hearing about an excursion?" Munkustrap asked as he approached.
"I was just about to come see you," Mali smiled. "Is it okay if Percy, Cinnamon and I take the kittens out for a walk?" She asked. Munkustrap gave a small shrug and a smile.
"Sure, I don't see anything bad about that," He said. "Just as long as the kittens' parents say its okay," The kittens bolted in different directions. The kittens were back in no time, all with permission.
"Don't lead them astray, Mali," Munkustrap called after them. Mali turned to look at him, walking backwards.
"As if I would do such a thing," She called back, grinning. The group made their way through the park.
"Stay close kits," Mali warned. Mali froze suddenly, her heart racing as she caught a familiar scent.
"Percy, Cinnamon, protect the kittens," Mali said slowly. Percy and Cinnamon flanked the sides of the kittens and, with Mali, surrounded the kittens in a triangle formation.
"Babysitting?" A sly voice asked. "That's what you're being reduced to?" Mali hissed.
"Back off, Macavity!" Mali warned. Quaxo watched his mother's paws glow blue. Macavity's eyes scanned over the five kittens, his eyes coming to rest on Quaxo.
"He's a new one," Macavity purred. Quaxo trembled as Macavity's intense stare remained on him.
"He looks a lot like magical Mister Mistoffelees," Macavity said slowly, taking his eyes off Quaxo to look back at Mali.
"Except he has your eyes, Mali," Macavity grinned evilly.
"So this is your kit…pity, I thought you had killed it when you overused your power trying to overthrow me," Mali hissed.
"We did overthrow you, murderer!" Mali snarled.
"M-Mum, what's going on?" Quaxo stuttered. Mali glanced behind briefly.
"Stay quiet, Quaxo, its okay," She reassured them. Mali turned her gaze back to Macavity. Macavity's eyes roamed up and down Mali's body.
"Creep," She muttered. Percy and Cinnamon kept their eyes on the surrounding area, making sure no hench-cats snuck up on them. Macavity gave a small hm.
"I'll see you around," Macavity promised before leaving. Mali stared after him, a sense of foreboding rising in her.
"Mum!" Mali poked her head out from her den.
"Yes, Quaxo?" Mali asked, yawning. Quaxo made his way into the den. Misto rolled over and opened his eyes when Quaxo walked in.
"How do you know Macavity?" Quaxo asked. Mali hesitated.
"We, uh…" Mali looked at Misto, who had sat up and was staring at them.
"We'll tell you one day, Quaxo, just not at the moment," Misto intervened. Quaxo looked from his mother to his father. Misto had walked over to Mali's side and was running his paw up and down her back, his paw skimming over the many scars hidden under her fur.
"It's really bad isn't it?" Quaxo asked. Mali gave a weak smile.
"Time for bed, buddy,"
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