Authors Note: Well here's the next chapter. Guess what tune was in my head when I was writing this. This includes a little pressie for my most faithful reviewer, a clue is that it's something Misto says later on. He he, also check out my smashing new website that's still under construction, see my profile for details. So here it is, the great escape!

Chapter 8 – The Great Escape

The next morning, the human got up and ready for work as if nothing had happened. She fed the two cats before she left, but she didn't let Macavity out of his cage, despite the tom's best efforts. The two cats tried to show her that they wouldn't fight, but she didn't seem to get it. Both were annoyed, this would have made things a lot easier. Munkustrap sat on the window sill and watched her leave. The second the car turned the corner at the end of the street he jumped down.

"She's gone. We've got about four hours, minimum, before she comes back."

"Okay, so when is Mistoffelees going to…" he trailed off as the magical cat appeared beside his cage, "never mind."

"Hi Munkustrap. Are you ready for this?" the black cat asked, looking pleased with himself.

"The sooner the better Misto. The look on your face tells me you have a plan." The silver tabby replied, noticing the mischievous glint in Mistoffelees' eye.

"Of course I do. There never was a cat as clever as me, remember?" the magic cat said proudly.

"So what is your great plan?" Macavity said impatiently.

"First of all, we have to make it look like it was the humans fault. Therefore, I think we should use a downstairs window, let her think she didn't close it properly and you got it open."

"No, first you have to get me out of this cage." the ginger cat growled.

"Do I have to?" the black cat said, looking at Munkustrap, "I have a better idea. How about if I got you out, then left Macavity here to get, you know…"

"Sorry Misto. I don't think it'll work that way. Anyway that means I would have to give up my human. I wouldn't be able to come back." Munkustrap said, grinning.

"Okay fine. I'll see what I can do." Mistoffelees sighed, annoyed that he would have to help Macavity after all.

The Conjuring Cat examined the door on the cage carefully, and used a little magic and common sense to open it. He, somewhat reluctantly, let the Mystery Cat out.

"So now what?" the silver tabby said.

"The window at the back. I'll unlock it, you guys open it." The small tom ordered.

"Why do we have to open it?" Macavity asked, staring at the smaller cat.

"I thought that would have been obvious. So the human thinks that you did open it." He said, slightly condescendingly.

Macavity glared at him, before being pushed towards the back window by Munkustrap. They didn't need anymore fighting; there were more important things to do.

The three cats climbed onto the windowsill and Mistoffelees concentrated. They heard something click. The two brothers managed between them to force the handle up, and they pushed the window open, just enough so that the cats could slip out. Mistoffelees went first, followed by Macavity and finally Munkustrap. The two larger toms took deep breaths of fresh air, glad to be outside again, but Munkustrap then noticed Mistoffelees. The small tuxedo cat was stock still, staring at something with a look of fear on his face and his teeth bared. The other two cats looked to see what it was, and saw a large Pollicle watching them.

The Pollicle was a Rottweiler, Munkustrap knew he belonged to the human next door, and that this dog hated cats. This was confirmed by the deep growl now coming from the dog. The three cats were frozen to the spot, watching the dog awaiting its next move. Mistoffelees was terrified, he had never faced a dog before, and there were too many humans around for him to use his lightning. He was not physically very strong, all his strength was in his magic. The other toms, however, were seasoned fighters and had taken on dogs before. They had assumed defensive positions and were preparing for a fight.

The dog charged at the cats, and all three got out of the way just in time. Mistoffelees sat on the window sill, but Munkustrap and Macavity were on either side of the Pollicle, both growling with claws and teeth bared. The dog hesitated for a second, before deciding to go for Macavity. The Hidden Paw fought back viciously and managed a couple of hits, but the dog managed to grab him around his middle. Munkustrap saw this and with an angry hiss leapt at the dog, sinking his claws deep into the dogs neck. The two toms had thrown all their rivalry and hatred aside, and worked together against the dog.

The magical cat watched the battle with a mixture of shock, fear and amazement. He could now appreciate that the two were brothers, but was surprised at how they worked together, helping each other. This was unexpected, Mistoffelees would have expected Macavity to stand by and let the dog kill the Jellicle Protector. Instead, when the dog managed to grab Munkustrap by the scruff of his neck, Macavity jumped up to help him by forcing the dog to let him go. The dog eventually realised that it could not win this battle; the two toms were quick and strong. He turned tail and ran off. The two brothers stood panting, and staring at each other.

The small black cat jumped down to join them. The three cats stood in silence for a long time, thinking about what had just happened.

"You fought well Munkustrap, we could work well together if you weren't such a goody-two-shoes." The ginger cat said, finally breaking the silence.

"Thanks. I think." The silver tabby muttered.

"As for you Mistoffelees," Macavity suddenly turned on the small tuxedo tom, making him flinch, "despite what you did to me on the night of the Jellicle ball, your assistance will not be forgotten."

"Was that a 'thank you'?" Mistoffelees asked, puzzled.

"No, but it's probably the closest you're ever going to get." The silver tabby told him.

"Fair enough. So what happens now?"

"I have a crime organisation to run, so I should get back there. You two have the Jellicles to go back to. Life will go back to normal. I have things to do. Goodbye Munkustrap." The Mystery cat responded , before walking off to Everlasting Cat knows where. The two Jellicles watched him leave in silence. Macavity was a strange cat, evil and cruel yes, but very peculiar. When he vanished around the side of the house, the two toms looked at each other.

"Macavity's not there." They whispered in unison, before heading towards the Junkyard.