Miguel considered himself faster.

When he was younger, he wasn't fast like his littermates were. He was just someone who couldn't run as fast, but now, he was faster. This was proved when Antonio challenged him to a race and Miguel had won, despite Antonio declaring he had cheated. Miguel didn't think too much of his brother's words because he knew why he was faster now.

Sofía didn't say much when her brother came stomping into her room, mumbling how Miguel had cheated in the race. In fact, she didn't care at all because she knew Antonio was still working on his scared trait. Despite being much older than a month old, he was still scared of anything you would put in front of him, didn't matter if it was good or bad.

In all honesty, when Miguel was not training in night or day, he was out trying to make something of himself. He started helping around the town despite everyone saying how they got what they were doing, and didn't need help. It was clear they did, so Miguel helped anyways. Until he was told he should scramble off to deal with someone body else who dared to get close to him.

The man who said that ended up with almost a broken finger.

"You almost broke his finger," Evil hissed out. "You should've done so, my nephew. It would've proved so much more than you did."

"It would be wrong," Miguel mumbled. "I can't risk allowing them finding out how strong I am, can I? It would be wrong."

Evil narrowed his green eyes and hissed loudly while his eyes sparkled with deep rage and Miguel (almost) tripped back onto the ground while Evil spoke with deep hate and anger. "Wrong?! WRONG?! The world is cruel, wicked! And you call breaking someone's finger wrong? You, my aprendiz, have much to learn."

"T-tio," Miguel mumbled, "calm down."

"No," Evil shook his head. "I will not."

Miguel gulped down his fears and backed up from his uncle and held a firm look before making his paws into fists. "What do you need to get out of here, and we'll go from here. No more sessions."

"How do I know you will not run, eh?" Evil asked, stepping forward. "How do I not know you will run back to your los padres?"

"Because I won't." Miguel promised. "I truly will not run to them, tio. I promise you that much."

A few days after that little spat between them, Miguel didn't leave his room after that. He knew he had to prove it to him somehow, but everything seemed like it wouldn't do. His uncle was a hard one to please, and he knew it to be perfectly clear. He had seen others being put down by him, proving how powerful his uncle was.

But how he could prove to Evil, he was like him?

Miguel shook his head, na. He wasn't like Evil in any way possible because he knew they did things differently. He didn't break that guy's finger like Evil would've, just bruised it and growled at him.

Anyone could tell he wasn't like his uncle!

A knock at his door made Miguel groaned slightly before allowing whoever it was to come in and he was almost shocked to see Sofía standing there, along with Antonio and he rolled his eyes softly. What could his siblings want this time?

To say how different he was from back then?

"You missed breakfast," Antonio told him, sitting down at the desk chair while Sofía stood up. "Not saying it's a bad thing, but… you never do. You always come late or early."

"So?" Miguel asked. "I didn't want to eat, I'm not hungry."

Sofía rolled her eyes this time. "Antonio, it's clear he doesn't want to speak, so we can leave him alone. He doesn't need to be spoken to like we're his parents, you know."

"He's my brother," Antonio grumbled, crossing his arms. "I can speak to him whenever I want."

"Odd, I remember you moving away from me when I sat near you," Miguel hissed. "You tell me how you can speak to me whenever you want?"

"Because we're brothers," Antonio answered. "Nothing much to that, it stands for itself."

Miguel looked at him for a moment, and shook his head, choosing to ignore his brother for now. Antonio could spit out random things at the most random times. "Sure, sure, Antonio. Go with that."

"I'm serious." Antonio growled.

"Both of you are idiots." Sofía hissed out. "You're acting like brats."

"Says the little princess," Miguel teased his sister and she narrowed her eyes at him with a small smirk on her face. "At least I can put up with you."

"I'm hurt by that," Antonio faked his hurt. "I guess this...is normal for siblings to fight, huh?"

"Yeah, guess so…" Miguel nodded.

By next week, Miguel didn't feel like training with Evil, despite how he showed up in his dream once again, showing his sword and demanding Miguel to summon his own with the power. But Miguel looked at him before waking up right at one in the morning. He sighed, and rubbed his eyes.

The night was dark out, it was fitting when it came to being Autumn, and Miguel never found himself liking the season, but it was okay. His favorite season was either Spring or Summer, but never Winter or Autumn.

Sitting outside on the window, Miguel allowed one of his legs to drop down to hang off. His back rested on the edge of the window, and he yawned. He yearned to go back to sleep but he would just see his uncle again, and he didn't feel like facing Evil. Not today.

By one thirty he was back asleep, but didn't even see his uncle appearing. Maybe he had gotten the message about not wishing to train? Or was he just upset that Miguel left without a second thought? The black cat couldn't tell and nor did he want to. He was fine without knowing.

A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his slumber, and saw himself looking into the eyes of the Duchess.

"Hmm…." Miguel rubbed his eyes. "Duchess? What are you doing here? What time is it?"

"Nearly ten," Duchess replied. "We seen you sleeping on the window, and wondered if you had forgotten to get into bed. What are you even doing on the window?"

Miguel yawned. "I guess I fell asleep when I woke up early in the morning, I thought fresh air could make me ready to head to bed again, and seems like I was right about that."

"You're lucky I came up here before your los padres did." Duchess joked, placing her hands on her hips. "Now, I wanted to tell you they went out to the thieves' market. Puss demanded he was to go with her for some reason."

"Alright, I guess I have free time before papa returns." Miguel sighed. "Duchess? Can I ask you something?"

"Always."

"Does… does papa have a brother?"

The Duchess froze, and blinked. "Does he what?"

"Have a brother."

"I don't think so, why are you asking?" Duchess asked, tilting her head slightly before sitting down on the chair. Miguel shifted in his spot, and the woman gave a firm look to him. "Miguel, why are you asking me this?"

Miguel fidgeted with his paws. "Because… someone in my dream came to me, and... said he was papa's brother. My uncle. Antonio, Sofía, and mine's uncle. He asked about mama a few nights ago."

The Duchess froze and nodded. "I see. Well, ask him yourself when he returns."

"Alright…"

The Duchess flew the door open to her house and stomped inside, surprising Artephius but he quickly recovered from the shock when he saw her moving to the big bowel they used for magic, and he was quick to move by her side and watch her throw some potions into the bowel.

The old man cocked his head to the side. "Whatcha doing, Duchy?"

"Miguel has told me something," Duchess replied, not looking at Artephius. "I fear it may be what I think it is."

"What did he say?" Artephius asked.

The Duchess looked at him. "He said he had a visitor in his dreams, Arty. The visitor claimed to be his papa's brother." She looked back to the pot and grabbed a bag full of powder. "There's only one feline who could say that."

"His actual brother?" Artephius asked, then he gasped. "We could invite him over! Have a celebration to welcome him!"

"No, Arty," Duchess shook her head. "This feline isn't good, and only one could be able to do such a thing."

"Who's that?"

"Arty, do me a favor, and tell Puss to come see me when he gets back." Duchess told her boyfriend. "He needs to see this, and it should be ready by the time he arrives."

Artephius blinked before shrugging. "Okay, Duchy!"

She heard the door open and close, and sighed heavily. If she was right, then there was something going on. If she was wrong, then this would be for nothing but it couldn't hurt to keep an eye on the youngest son. Besides, he was more open to anything to be able to prove his worth to the town.

To San Lorenzo.

It took nearly a few hours before the door was slammed open. The Duchess didn't need to look to know it was Puss and Dulcinea because Puss was the first one to speak about what she needed.

The spell was nearly ready too.

"This will only be a moment longer," The Duchess told them. "I just need one more thing."

Puss shared a look with Dulcinea. "Duchess, what is going on? Artephius said you needed us when we returned. He said something about a… dream visitor?"

"That's why I'm worried," Duchess said. "Miguel mentioned something about a dream visitor."

"Usually they are good," Puss chuckled, "I do not see why you are worried about this."

The Duchess looked at him while she dropped in the last item. "The visitor said something about being an 'uncle'."

"Uncle?" Dulcinea blinked. "He doesn't have an uncle."

"I know," The Duchess said before moving to speak words underneath her breath before stepping back and looking at the smoke cloud. "Show us… who it is."

Puss held a firm look while he felt Dulcinea grab his paw. Whoever this was, he would be answering to him. Big time.

But the image was shown, made all three of them freeze up, and one word snuck pass Puss's mouth.

"No…"