Everyone gaped at the scene before them. Misto and the newcomer stared at each other for what felt like ages, studying each other meticulously. She gave him a small, weak smile.
"Your name is Mistoffelees?"
Unable to find his voice, he simply nodded. She squinted, as if about to cry.
"You look nothing like your father." She gave a small laugh.
"How…why…"
She shook her head. "No, now is not the time…Mistoffelees. I came to warn you. All of you, of Macavity's coming." She lowered her head. "But I was too late."
"What's your name?" Misto said suddenly. He took a step towards her.
"It's Hippolyta."
"Hippolyta…how did you know Macavity was going to invade our tribe?"
She hesitated, then heaved a remorseful sigh. "I am his mate. I have been for years, though I've never been proud of it."
Misto's eyes widened. "But…but then…"
Hippolyta nodded.
"But that means Misto's my nephew!" Tugger suddenly cried out.
"What?" Misto turned to Tugger, shocked. Tugger himself looked pretty shocked at his outburst. Munkustrap seemed like he didn't know where to look, while Demeter gaped at him, still holding Jonathan, who gazed on in confusion, recovering from Macavity's invasion, and attempting to do the math of the current situation in his head.
Misto choked, "You mean…Macavity's…"
"My son," Old Deuteronomy finished. "And the brother of Munkustrap and Tugger."
The Jellicles could keep silent no longer. A chorus of confused exclamations rang out, till Munkustrap called out, "QUIET!"
Everyone stared, seeing their protector in a completely new light, having learned of his relation to Macavity.
"Let our leader explain." He nodded to Old Deuteronomy, who gave him a look of thanks.
The old cat sighed before he began. "Many of you remember that my sons, Tugger and Munkustrap, did not actually spend their early kittenhood in the Junkyard. Because of their mother's death, I took it upon myself to raise them while I travelled, teaching them the ways of a Jellicle leader, so that one of them would be prepared to become a protector of the Tribe and one day, when it was needed, that son would take my place." He nodded to Munkustrap, who respectfully bowed his head. "Macavity was the youngest, the most ambitious, and the most keen to learn. He was also gifted in magic, as I learned…early on." Old Deuteronomy trailed off.
"It was my fault," Munkustrap suddenly spoke. "It was my fault that Macavity turned into the monster that he is now."
"Munkustrap…" Tugger moved closer to his brother, his tone unusually sympathetic.
"No, it's true. You, I and Father all know that. You were always close with him Tugger, but I…I blamed him for Mother's death."
"When his Mother gave birth to him, Macavity's magic was too strong for her," Old Deuteronomy explained. "If she had been in better health to begin with, she may have been able to, but in the end the birth killed her."
"And I never forgave him," said Munkustrap. "I shunned him endlessly, and never treated him as a brother."
"It wasn't your fault, Munkustrap," Tugger insisted.
His brother grimaced. "Tugger, in the end, it all comes back to me. That day we first came to the tribe, and I met Demeter…"
Tugger rubbed his brow, obviously pained by the memory. Demeter stared at the two, amazed. Munkustrap looked at her.
"He was obsessed with you when he first laid eyes on you, but…"
"But I wanted you," she finished for him. "I didn't even notice him…I remember now, the young ginger tom…how could I ever recognize him in Macavity?"
"He was so furious with me, his oldest brother, who had always been cruel to him, and now had won the favour of the queen he most desired, and on that same day, Old Deuteronomy announced that when I was an adult tom, I would be the protector. Meaning, I was next in line to be leader."
"Power was always Macavity's weakness," Tugger said riley. "Because of his magic powers, he had been so certain he would become the protector."
"Macavity's insatiable desire for power was his greatest downfall," Old Deuteronomy said. "I was certain that despite his admirable qualities, he would not be a selfless leader."
"He probably proved your point that day," Tugger pointed out. "He left the tribe, deciding to live on his own. Though he still made the occasional visit, to see me."
"And me," Bombalurina spoke up. Tugger nodded.
"Though I didn't know it at the time."
"It was probably because I was Demeter's sister. I wasn't even a full-grown queen when he found me and introduced himself, but I was stupid and became infatuated. I thought he was mysterious…" This was the first time Misto had ever seen Bombalurina blush. "But then…I fell for Tugger…"
"And despite my not returning your feelings, Macavity began to hate me as well as Munkustrap."
"He must've been filled with hate," Demeter said vehemently. "After what he did…what he did…to me…"
Jonathan looked up at his mother anxiously, and Munkustrap wrapped his arms around both of them. Bombalurina placed a comforting paw on her sister's shoulder.
Misto gulped. "Do you think…will he do the same thing to Rumpleteazer?"
"And that is why you should ask for Hippolyta's help, Misto," came Coricopat's reply.
Misto turned to his mother. "What does he mean?"
Hippolyta gave Coricopat an uncomfortable glance, obviously not used to being in the presence of psychics. She avoided Misto's gaze.
"…There's another way into Macavity's layer. One that he doesn't know about. Tonight is the second time I have ever used it." She finally looked at him. "The other time was the day you were born. I had discovered it while I was pregnant, and prepared to use it on that day to bring you here. I just couldn't let you have Macavity as a father. He thinks that you died when you were born."
Misto barely registered this. "You have to take me there!"
"No. I can't. You may have inherited his magical powers, but Macavity is still far too powerful. It's too dangerous." She looked at him pleadingly. "I risked my life to save by bringing you here, and to come to warn you. I will not allow you to fall into danger's hands!"
"You may be my mother, Hippolyta, but you are in no position to forbid me to do anything!" Everyone stared, shocked by Misto's commanding outburst. It was an entirely new side to the normally shy, small tom. Hippolyta's own jaw dropped.
"For years, I've wanted nothing more than to know my mother, to know of my past and why I came to be left here, in the Jellicle tribe. When I accepted this as impossible, I came to think that I knew what I wanted more than anything, to be chosen by Old Deuteronomy to go to the Heavyside Layer. But tonight…I realized I don't know what my heart truly desires." He took a deep breath, overcome with emotion. "All I really know, is that…it's more important to me than anything that Rumpleteazer is safe."
Tears poured down Hippolyta's cheeks. Her voice trembled, "I wish now more than ever I had watched you grow. I would have known sooner how brave you are."
Misto looked down, embarrassed. "I'm…I'm not brave at all…" he muttered.
Hippolyta looked down as well, and her remaining tears splashed on the pavement. "I will take you there."
Misto was relieved. "Thank you."
"Alonzo!" Everyone turned to Munkustrap, who beckoned his deputy over. "Make sure that the tribe remains safe." He leaned in and said quieter, "Please don't let anything happen to Demeter and my son." Alonzo nodded solemnly.
"What?" said Misto, confused.
"I'm coming with you," Munkustrap said, as if it were obvious.
"And so am I!" Tugger came to Misto's side.
"No, you can't! Hippolyta's right, it's too dangerous!"
Munkustrap rolled his eyes. "Please, Misto, I've fought Macavity before."
Misto gaped, caught off-guard by Munkustrap's sudden attitude. "Have you been hanging around him too much?" He pointed at Tugger.
"Hey, watch it you!" Tugger placed his paws on his hips. "I don't think it makes any sense for you to go face him on your own. I've told you to pick on someone your own size, Misto!"
"But-"
"We know him better than you, Nephew." Misto started when Munkustrap called him by this title. "If anyone should go, it's myself and Tugger."
"I suppose it's about time we 'reconciled,' our differences," Tugger sighed.
"Oim goin' too!"
They all turned to Mungojerrie, who was attempting to struggle out of Jennyanydots' surprisingly firm hold.
"Now that is a definite no," said Tugger.
"You're too weak, Mungojerrie," Munkustrap said. "If anything, you could do us more harm than good."
Mungojerrie sighed, and was still. "Misto," he mumbled.
"Yes?" Misto went over to him.
Mungojerrie looked at Jennyanydots, who gently let him go, making sure that he could stand. He placed his paws on Misto's shoulders, and to his surprise, grabbed him in an embrace.
"Please," he whispered. "Please bring her back safe." He could feel the damp of his tears staining Misto's cheek.
"I promise," he whispered back. "I have to go now, Mungojerrie."
He nodded and let Misto go.
He turned to see his three companions waiting for him. Munkustrap steeling himself, Tugger with a serious expression like Misto had never seen on him before, and his mother, waiting near her exit under the car. She seemed reluctant, and was clearly holding back more tears. And in her eyes Misto saw such a strong love when she looked at him, that for a moment he entirely forgot his fear. He nodded at her.
"Let's go."