Chapter Eight – Happy Birthday Demeter
A/N: I made this chapter a little longer to make up for the previous shorter ones. Enjoy!
As Macavity waited as patiently as possible, his thoughts wandered to a particular feline; one they devised to seize that night. She danced in his reverie; graceful and enchanting. Her emerald eyes reflecting the light of the moon, glistening and shimmering like the jewels of a royal Queen.
He reminisced on the days when she'd been his and he'd been hers. A part of him ( a part so small it could be clarified as a microscopic particle ) missed her. But then there was another part of him, one who imagined the piercing sound of her screams. One who imagined these thoughts . . . and liked them.
He had changed over time, but he wasn't completely gone. A small part of the old Macavity remained, and nothing could be done about that.
"Macavity." Butch said, ripping Macavity from his musing.
"Y-yes?" he said, obviously caught off guard by the sudden interruption. Butch didn't take notice and continued.
"I have assembled my two best fighters for the job you requested. They are from the Wolf Division." Butch turned and motioned for the duo to come forward. "Their names are Riff and Raff."
The one called Riff was female. She was what was called a Husky. And as for Raff, he was clearly a German Shepard. Both possessed sharp fangs and penetrating claws. Their jaws instilled a slight fear even in Macavity; but he didn't dare show it.
"Oh, very well then. I'd like to have a word with you." Macavity said directing the two to come forward further.
"You're task is of the utmost importance. You must not harm the target, nor may you trouble her in any way more than what the job requires. All you must do is bring her to the destination Butch has educated you of. She will fight. She will protest. But I'm sure you two are capable of 'persuading' her to cooperate." Macavity grinned.
"YES SIR!" both barked in unison.
"Your target has a coat of golden fur. Her eyes are that of a forest; green. She's rather small so do be careful; she's ultimately fragile." Macavity changed his tone to hostile, "If you harm one fur on her head, I will put an end to your lives myself."
Both nodded in understanding.
"What will you do with the hostage once you've captured her?" Butch asked.
"That is my concern, not yours." An eerie silence fell over the four. "Are the soldiers ready for battle?"
"Yes."
"Then we leave at once!" Macavity thundered.
~*~
Munkustrap solved the kittens issue by sitting them with Gus the Theatre Cat. It was a smart move; now the kittens would be in a captivating, enthralling daze with Gus' stories.
Munkustrap decided that now was the perfect moment to share with Demeter his surprise.
"Let's go somewhere. I've got something I want to show you; just for today." Munkustrap said; pulling her by the paw eagerly.
"Where are we going Munku?"
"You'll see." He said smiling.
They came upon a large hedge. Munkustrap spread it open so they could fit through and get to the other side. Just beyond the hedge, a majestic waterfall stood beautifully.
"Oh Munku!" Demeter gasped. "It's so peaceful!"
"I thought you'd like it."
Demeter stood next to Munkustrap; the two stood in the moment listening to the rushing water.
"This waterfall and I have one very special thing in common Deme."
"What's that?"
"Well, see the water; how it never stops falling?" Munkustrap questioned.
"Yeah." Demeter answered.
"Well . . . I can never stop falling for you."
"Oh Munku." Demeter sighed.
They held each other in one another's arms.
"Hey Munku,"
"Yes." Munkustrap replied.
"See that stream over there?"
"Yes."
"That stream and I have one very special thing in common." Demeter stated; echoing Munkustrap.
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Well, see how rapid the water flows?" Demeter questioned him.
"Yes." Munkustrap said laughing now.
"Well, that's how fast my heart beats whenever you're near me."
"Happy Birthday Demeter." He said hugging her tight.
They returned to the Junkyard; under a love spell.
The atmosphere was calm and the kits were napping now. "I love you Munku." Demeter told him. "And I love you Demeter." He whispered back.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"Assume positions!" Butch ordered.
"Attack!" Macavity shouted.
The kits fled and everyone ran and hid. The Jellicles 'defense force' was already on the move. There were so many more Pollicles and hench-cats than Jellicles.
"Let go of me! Where are you taking me? Let me go!" Demeter cried as Riff and Raff rushed her out of the Junkyard; just as they were instructed. They snapped their gums wildly; barking like mad. "DEMETER!" Munkustrap yelled. "Munku help!" Demeter called back; frantically trying to bust through the hold the Husky and the German Shepard had on her. Demeter was so much smaller than they; her griping was of no help at all.
Munkustrap tried desperately to burst through the colliding cats and dogs. But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get through. Lost in the blitz, he hadn't realized the Pollicle approaching from behind. "Wheh d'ya thinks your goin' tabbeh?" the Pollicle barked, walloping Munkustrap with a colossal paw. He fell unconscious right then and there. All things went black and thoughts of Demeter filled his dreams.
The bombardment of Pollicles and Macavity's hench-cats overwhelmed the Jellicles. Alonzo was badly injured; as was Plato and Coricopat. Tumblebrutus fought brave and hard until he was restrained as others beat down on him. Mungojerrie was near dead and poor tiny Jemima got caught up in the mess and sustained minor wounds. But they pressed on, and then, reinforcements of their own came to assist them; thanks to Admetus who ran for help.
The neighboring tribe, the Merigal's, heard the chaos. They formed a team, and leapt into action.
Now that the tables had turned ( in the Jellicles / Merigals favor ) the Pollicles had begun to retreat. Macavity called off his attack; mainly because he had gotten what he'd truly come for. He had seen Riff and Raff successfully complete their mission; ushering a temper-tantrum throwing Demeter to the Warehouse where soon he would go to see her. Riff and Raff left her in a room alone and scared.
Damn those Pollicles! Damn Macavity; and damn me for being so helpless. Why must I be so defenseless and puny? I can't even celebrate my own birthday without Macavity intruding! Why did those two bring me here anyway? What am I here for? I want to go home . . .
~*~
After reaching a safe distance from the Jellicle Junkyard, Riff, Raff, Macavity, and Butch discussed their failure; out of breath from fleeing the battleground. "Why is it so difficult to rid the world of one tribe of cats!?" Macavity yelled frustrated. "I don't understand how we failed. We'll try again soon. And next time we will be victorious." Butch then left to aid to his dogs; injured and exhausted.
"So," Macavity started to Riff and Raff, "where is she?"
"We brought her to the place you instructed; the warehouse; down the main hall and to the third room to the right." Raff explained.
"Never have I ever dealt with a feistier feline in my entire career!" Riff confessed.
"Yes. That golden queen is one firecracker of a cat." Raff added.
"Who knew something so small had so much energy stored inside?" Riff said.
"Well done, I am proud of you both. Go celebrate your achievement." Macavity said.
~*~
Back in the Junkyard, nerves were just beginning to settle; for most anyway. Munkustrap was coming to and Bombalurina and Rumpleteazer were there beside him.
"Easy Munku." Bombalurina directed as he tried to get up - unsuccessfully. "You were bashed pretty hard."
"Is everyone alright?"
"Yeh, theh are –gratefully- no casualties." Rumpleteazer replied.
"Munku," Bombalurina started, "There is someone missing."
"It's De-" Rumpleteazer was interrupted.
"I know . . . I watched two Pollicles drag her off. I couldn't get to her. And then . . . in all the fray . . . I lost her." Munkustrap explained.
"It's alright, we're gonna get her back." Bombalurina stated. "If those Pollicles think they can steal my best friend and not have to deal with me, then they are sadly mistakin'." Bombal declared.
"An' meh too!" Rumple joined.
"We can't all go." Munkustrap said. "Just one . . . me."
"Why? It's bettah if we all go." Rumple argued.
"Seriously Munku, you'll need all the help you can get." Bombalurina enlightened.
"Then I'll bring Alonzo or Mungojerrie." He decided.
"They both got injured in the scuffle. We're your only hope." Bomby claimed.
"Very well then, I guess I don't have much of a choice then do I?"
"Nope!" Rumple replied happily.
"We'll have to come up with a plan; one that's simple but effective." Munkustrap instructed. After a few moments of silent thought, Rumpleteazer shouted, "I've go' one!"
~*~
Meanwhile, at the warehouse, Demeter had fallen asleep in the corner. Macavity had arrived and entered the room where she lay. He walked to her side and greeted her, "Hello my sweet." Demeter jumped at the sound of his voice. In the mirror behind him, she could see something jagged and reflective grasped in a paw behind his back. It was long and silver.
Her eyes widened in horror as the image was revealed. Macavity held the object high above her.
It was a carving knife.
A/N: R&R please! I love reviews. The more I get, the sooner I'll update! :)
