Part 10
"When I get my paws on all four of them they're gonna wish they were never born", Exotica growled and crossed her arms. She and Amazon had been looking for their family but hadn't found any of the toms. They'd searched all day and had informed Munkustrap that they were missing. Munkustrap had been worried and had asked if they'd somehow gotten themselves into the same mess as Alonzo. The queens had said that they couldn't have been. They'd been there that night and morning.
"Calm down dear", Jenny said. "Or those kittens will get out."
Exie's eyes widened and she looked at her stomach.
"Stay", she ordered. "Daddy isn't home yet."
"So where do you think your toms are", Bomba asked from her place next to Strong, really close to him. Demeter had noticed it and was smiling softly.
"Well", Amazon said. "Amanda might have gotten cold feet getting kittens, Zoey is still going rouge, Carrie is probably with Amanda and Mia and Emma are-"
"Emma", Exotica snorted. "Really?"
"Why not it's a nice name!"
"Yeah but come on how do you get Emma from that name?"
"Do you female names on that letter?"
"No…"
"So it's Emma."
"Who are we talking about", Demeter asked. The former Stray queens looked at her and started to laugh.
"Sorry", Exotica said. "We forgot you don't know what Amz here calls the toms to annoy them."
"So Zoey is Alonzo then", Strong asked. "You keep referring to him as Zo."
"Yes", Exotica said and then groaned in anger. "Where are they?"
"Just what I was wondering", Munkustrap said as he walked up to them with Plato. "We've been looking everywhere but no sight or trace of them."
"Is everyone returned", Jenny asked.
"No Asp is still out as is Skimble."
"No I'm not lad", Skimble said and walked over.
"Anything", Exie begged him.
"No sorry lass."
"Guys", Asp walked up to them slowly.
"Asp what is it", Exie asked and hurried over to him, not caring of her big belly for the moment. "Have you found the boys?"
"No… but I know where they went…"
"What?" Munk asked and hurried over. "Where are they?"
Asp opened his mouth to answer but then there was a crackle in the air and screams and crashes. The Jellicles hid and Munk looked out in the clearing and saw Admetus sit up below TSE 1 rubbing his back. He'd crashed onto the trunk and bounced off of it.
"Mio!" he groan-yelled.
"What I got us out", Misto said getting out of a trashcan tilting the tin can on his head up so he could see. "You never said anything about getting us down."
"That hurt", Quaxo groaned getting down from a junk pile.
"YOU!" Amazon shrieked at them and stalked up to Ad and he backed away afraid of her. "You big idiots! Where the hell have you been? Didn't you think we'd get worried? And you big idiot you can't just leave your mate like that or your kits? What kind of father are you?"
"Amz let me explain", Ad tried and the other Jellicles came towards them.
"Oh don't Amz me mister", she went on furiously and then rounded on the twins. "I thought you two were sane!"
"Eep", was all Quaxo got out and hid behind his brother, that was now free from the tin can.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Misto was getting angry himself but no one noticed.
"Just look at the state you are all in", Amazon went on angrily. "What did you do? Did you go out to tussle with a pollicle or something? Or just tussling with other strays? If you needed to get a testosterone high just say so and I'll personally kick your asses!"
"We nearly got killed fighting to save innocent cats you stupid cow", Misto yelled at her and she looked at him in shock. "We had to fight all the soldiers the Stray leader had and you think we did this for fun? What the hell is your problem? Of course we knew you'd be worried but that's why we left you here Amazon! You would assure everyone there would be nothing to worry about! You keep telling us we can take care of ourselves and don't need queens to supervise us! We had the chance to save him and we did! He nearly got killed as did we but it was worth it because this shit is over now! We saved him and helped kill that bastard who took him and you're mad about it you stupid bitch!" Quaxo stared at his brother with his mouth agape. Misto's face was red in anger and his eyes was filled with angry tears and he was so tense that Quaxo worried that if no one even poked him he'd explode.
"What do you mean", Amazon asked confused.
"What he means baby", Cori said climbing over a junk pile helping a familiar form with him at the same time. "Is that we got our guy back safe and… um sound is the wrong word since we're all… well injured."
Everyone looked at him and Exie's eyes welled up with tears and she ran forward and flew into the other tom's outstretched arms.
"ZO!" she wailed and cried into his shoulder while he hugged her and rocked her. Cori slid down the pile and walked up to Munk.
"It's over Munk", he said. "The 'Stray leader' is dead."
But Munk wasn't listening he was staring at the patched tom and Cori just shook his head and walked over to Amazon and kissed her cheek.
"Hey beautiful", he said. "Sorry about worrying you."
She looked at him dumbfounded then Tantomile was there with her three kits in her arms and when she saw Ad she hurried over to him and nuzzled him and he took the kittens into his arms and hugged them.
"I'd thought I'd lost you", Exie whispered to Alonzo. "I thought you were-"
"Don't say it Exy I'm here, I'm loyal to you and I never stopped being."
She cried more and he just hugged her but then noticed someone move towards them and looked up and saw Munkustrap move towards them slowly. Exie noticed her mate looking at something behind her and turned and looked at Munk.
"Don't you dare harm him", she warned. Zo smiled and let go of her and walked up to Munk. They looked at each other and then Alonzo smiled.
"Hi there Munksy", he said. Munk smiled and flung his arms around his second in command and hugged him tight. Exy shrugged and joined into the hug. Munk was laughing when they parted and he put his paw on Alonzo's shoulder and then pointed at his face.
"You're gonna get it", he said grinning.
"Munk I've been hurting my family without even realizing it, I've not been in control of my own mind and body for a few days. What can be worse?"
"That", Munk said and nodded to something behind Alonzo. The patched tom turned and saw Jenny and Jelly glare at him and the other former Stray toms.
"Oh", Alonzo looked back Munk. "You're right."
"I think I'm gonna leave now", Quaxo said but Jenny grabbed his ear. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow." He said.
"Why didn't you come directly to us", she said.
"My ear Jenny", Quaxo whined.
"To the medical den", Jelly ordered. "All of you."
Ad looked at his family and handed the kits to her and Amazon before walking past Jenny and Jelly towards the medical den. Cori followed, slung Alonzo's arm around his shoulders as he went past him. Misto hurriedly walked up to Alonzo's other side to help him too. Quaxo… well Jenny dragged him with her by his ear.
"Are they gonna be okay", Exie asked and Munk put his arm around her shoulders.
"Don't worry, Jenny and Jelly will not give them too much trouble", he said.
"You sure Maria", Amazon asked and Munk rolled his eyes.
"Again with the Maria thing", he said.
"Of course Maria or do you like Mary better?"
Exie giggled and Amazon grinned.
"Our boys are home!" she then screamed at the top of her lungs and some others cheered for the return of their comrade.
James and his new army were watching the warehouse where Macavity hung out. James was waiting for the signal and he grabbed hold of the medallion around his neck and scanned the warehouse. Then he saw a shape soundlessly drop down on the two guards, slashing the weaker one's throat and knocking the other one out. James smirked and hurried up to them.
"Excellent work Chimera", he said. "I see you haven't lost your touch."
"Flattering will get you nowhere Jimmy", Chimera growled and then looked around. "Where's Alonzo?"
"There have been some changes in the plans. 'Alonzo' is no longer in charge", he held up the medallion. "I am."
Chimera growled darkly but James just smirked at him.
"Well get on with it", James said. "It's part of the deal."
"I made this deal with the Stray leader."
"Well for your record I am the Stray leader now. So open the gate and let me and my troops through so the fun can begin."
Chimer growled again and eleven black cats came out to stand by him their dark hisses and growls made James' skin crawl. He noticed that two of them were queens.
"W-who are they", he asked.
"Stray leader wanted us to help him take over so I brought reinforcements", Chimera smirked. "This is the beta and gamma fractions of our organization."
"O… Organization?"
Chimera smirked. "What is it leader? Not so tough anymore?"
"Shut up let's just get this over with", James said and Chimera shrugged and turned to the doors. "Ares… Iason", he said.
"Yes", Ares, a one eyed tom said.
"Will you kindly open the door for us?"
"But of course."
The two toms walked away but then turned and fired two fire balls, Chimera and the other Shadows didn't move as the balls went by them but James dropped to the ground in fright. His soldiers started to run towards the now gone doors. James flew up.
"Attack!" he ordered.
"You heard him", Chimera said and his comrades nodded and disappeared into the dark to fight. Chimera and James followed.
Macavity slashed at left and right and killed off the dull eyed cats that attacked him. He could hear his own henchcats scream in pain or as they were killed. The air reeked of blood, sweat and fear.
"Where did all these bastards come from", he yelled at Griddlebone that was killing off attackers near him with her sable.
"I don't know Mac", she yelled.
Mac got struck across the face and tumbled backwards. He rolled over the floor and when he looked up he was looking at Chimera.
"Good", he said and rose and looked at the Shadow. "Get to killing them Chimera!"
"I am", Chimera said. "My comrades are already taking care of it."
"What?" Macavity turned but couldn't see Typhon or Cand fighting. He turned back to Chimera only to get struck in the face and being jumped by Chimera and two black queens.
"TRAITOR!" Macavity yelled as he clawed at them. He struck one of the queens and she hissed before biting into his neck.
"Mac!" Griddlebone yelled and hurried over waving her sable at them. The queens scurried away and Chimera jumped backwards and landed on top of a box. He smirked.
"The Black Shadows are fulfilling their deal", he said and started attacking henchcats.
"That slimy traitor", Macavity said as Griddlebone helped him up. "If he's behind this I will-"
"Mac we must get out of here", Griddlebone cut him off.
"What?"
"Look around you", she said and he did. He saw that there were barley any henchcats left and his lair was getting trashed. "We can't win this fight, certainly not now when Chimera has betrayed us."
"Right", Macavity said. "Let's get out…" He and Griddlebone moved towards an open window. Macavity tried to use his powers of levitation but he was too injured to get them up so they crashed to the floor again. A sinister laugh echoed through the room as they were surrounded. Macavity got up and helped Griddle too. They turned to the crowd surrounding them.
"Sir", a henchcat yelled. He was being held by a few soldiers.
"Help us sir", another yelled. Ten of Macavity's henchcats were being held while the rest was dead. The fighters surrounding them looked as indifferent as ever and across the room Macavity saw Chimera and his comrades stand on a few crates. But the other Shadows were slowly fading into the shadows leaving Chimera alone. The laughter came again and the soldier cats parted so a black and brown tom could walk up to Macavity, around his neck was some kind of medallion.
"So", he said. "Is it nice to see me again Macavity?"
"James", Macavity snarled. "You're the idiot behind this?"
"Well not from start."
"Of course, it would be too hard for you to figure out on your own."
"I just like others to do all the dirty work."
"What's wrong with all these cats", Griddlebone growled.
"Oh them… well that was the dirtiest work and your Shadows helped me with that." James turned to them beaming; only Chimera was visible now but he didn't move a face. "Ugh guess he still isn't too fond of me…" He turned back to Mac. "No matter, what matter is… I won the battle."
"But I will win the war", Macavity growled.
"Oh and how is that supposed to work? Look around you. You're henchcats are dead, the ones that aren't will soon work for me, you secret service is not yours anymore." Mac noticed Chimera snarl when James called him Macavity's.
"I have more help", Macavity smirked and a rope came down from the window.
"Did anyone call for a helping paw", Esero called down. Macavity put his arm around Griddlebone and then grabbed the rope. Esero and Kaita pulled him up to the window.
"Get them", James yelled but his soldiers couldn't reach.
"Good day my lady", Kaita said as he took Griddlebone's paw helping her up. Macavity looked down at James and smirked.
"I will get to you later James", he said. Griddlebone though noticed something he didn't. Esero and Kaita were smirking and soundlessly unsheathing their claws.
"I don't think so", James said smirking.
"Sir let's go", Esero said and opened the window.
"Oh Esero", James singsang and the black and blue tom turned around. "Don't forget our deal."
"What is he talking about", Macavity demanded and turned to Esero.
"Well you see sir", Esero began and Kaita flew at Macavity from behind.
"MAC!" Griddlebone yelled and got in between and Kaita got her instead and both fell down to the awaiting soldiers.
"Griddle!" Macavity yelled and saw her disappear among all the soldier toms. "Esero!" He rounded on the black and blue tom and let out a lightning, striking the tom in the chest sending him hurling down into the crowd too.
"Traitors", Macavity roared. "All of you!"
"Mac go", Griddlebone screeched from somewhere. "Go to the Jellicles! Get help!"
Macavity closed his eyes and looked at Chimera who was looking utterly furious.
"I'll be back Griddle", he said and with a flash he was gone.
Chimera jumped down from the crates and stalked up to James and twirled him around and yelled into his face:
"What the hell are they doing here?"
James just looked smug.
"Oh you're talking about Kaita and Esero? They are just helping me."
"What? That was our job! We made a deal!"
"I made an extra deal."
"He wanted the best", Esero said. "And we gave him the best."
"You do remember what was in the deal don't you Stray leader", Chimera hissed darkly. "No word keeping, this is mine." He grabbed the medallion, only to feel a jolt of electricity surge through his body and he was flung all across the room into a few crates. He went through them too and the wall cracked behind him. He managed to crawl away from it a bit. He was dusty, bloody and bruised and barley conscious. James howled with laughter as he walked up to the fallen Shadow. He saw blood trickle down from his temple and from his mouth and the Shadow was struggling to get up.
"No you won't Chimera", James said. "From earlier experience I know what happens when you try to take this beauty with force." He stroked the medallion lovingly and looked at Chimera. "The force strikes back at you!" He let loose another bolt that caused Chimera to fly into the wall again and being knocked out. James smirked and kicked his side to turn him over but Chimera didn't answer, he didn't even move. James chuckled and then laughed manically. Kaita and Esero looked at each other and then at Chimera.
"What have we gotten ourselves into", Kaita whispered.
"I don't know", Esero answer. "But if Chimera can't take that thing…"
"Esero, Kaita", James barked. "Let's go. We must discuss our further agreements and take our new soldiers home."
"Yes sir", Esero said.
"With all respect sir", Kaita said. "But I must find Finie and tell him of what happened here."
"Where is he?"
"Keeping an eye on the Jellicles."
"I see. Well go get him then!"
"Yes sir", Kaita said and ran out and soon everyone was gone except from Chimera and the dead soldiers and henchcats. When the doors slammed shut he started to chuckle and making strangle gurgling noises and wheezing, before starting to laugh… and cough up blood.
"DAD!" Cand yelled as he ran into the warehouse. "Dad?" He ran up to his father and helped him sit up. He sat behind him so Chimera could lean his head on his shoulder.
"Dad", he whispered and hugged him, burying his face in his father's neck. Chimera reached up a paw and put around his son's neck.
"Don't worry I'll be alright Cand", he soothed his son.
"What happened?"
"This wasn't part of the plan."
"What are we gonna do", Cand mumbled.
"What we need is a new ally."
"But… who?"
"Well being faced with choosing between pest and cholera I believe Macavity will choose us."
"Who're we then? Pest or cholera?"
"Who knows… But now we know taking it back by force is useless."
"So how are we gonna get it back?"
"Killing Jimmy-boy… and take it from the ground."
Cand nodded and helped his father to get up and together they left the warehouse. Cand used his tail to hide their tracks Chimera looked at him and smiled gently.
"You missed a spot or two", he said.
"Stop smiling like that… it's unnerving", Cand grumbled as they left, but he rubbed his arm and cheek hurriedly.
Alonzo was swarmed by the other Jellicles as he told his tale. He told them he'd seen a little kitten run by the gate chased by a lot of toms. He'd hurried after to try to help the kit.
"I found him in an alley and reached out to touch him", he explained hugging Exie close to him. "He looked at me and I saw that his eyes were oddly dull and his face indifferent."
"What happened next", Tumble asked. He was sitting on top of the oven and Zo was leaning against it so he looked up at the soon to be tom.
"Well I heard a chuckle, turned around and then something flashed", Alonzo explained. "And then nothing. The next thing I can remember is waking up chained to a car with some other toms and queens."
"So you don't remember attacking us?" Jemima asked and he shook his head.
"No… Grey told me all about it though. He also explained that in the beginning you don't remember anything of what's happening while you're hypnotized. But the more times you get hypnotized the more you remember when you are out of trance."
"So…" Jenny asked. "Do you remember attacking Bustopher?"
"I attacked him?" Alonzo's eyes were wide.
"That answers that question", Deuteronomy said and sighed. "At least it is all over now."
"Yes", Admetus said and settled back hugging his mate close to him and making his kittens lie safe in their laps, wrapped in a blanket.
"Now all that's left is for Ica's kittens to come out", Quaxo beamed.
Exie looked at her belly.
"You can come out soon", she said. "Daddy's home."
Everyone chuckled.
"Munkustrap! Father!" Tugger yelled as he ran towards them with Cassandra and Victoria. The three of them had volunteered to guard the gate, not wanting to know anything about Alonzo's time with the enemy.
"What is it Tugger", Munk asked.
"It's Macavity!"
"What?" Munk flew up, Alonzo rose slowly too.
"He's at the gate", Victoria said. "And he's all banged up and bloody."
"And he swore he's not here to attack us", Cassandra explained.
"Zo, Asp come with me", Munk ordered.
"I shall come too", Deuteronomy said and the four walked up to the gate and saw Macavity lean on it, bloody, cut up and bruised.
"Macavity", Munk growled.
"I'm not here to fight", Macavity said.
"Then why are you here?"
"I need your help."
"Argh", Alonzo groaned and Asp, the only one noticing looked at him worriedly.
"Lonz?" he asked.
"Here me soldier", a voice said in Alonzo's head.
"No…" Zo answered.
"I am your master hear my command!"
"NO!" The presence left and Alonzo noticed Asp look at him and smiled. "My ribs", he whispered. Asp nodded and turned back to Macavity. Listening to him as he began his tale.
"I was betrayed by two different group of cats", Macavity said.
"Who", Deuteronomy asked.
"The Black Shadows and three cats named-" Macavity didn't get any further because he fainted. Alonzo flew forward and caught him.
"He's in a bad shape Munk", he said.
"Father", Munk asked.
"Get him to Jenny's boys", Deuteronomy said. "When he is healed we must know the name of those other traitors to him."
"Sir the Shadows were working with the Stray leader too", Alonzo piped up as he, Asp and Munk carried Macavity.
"I feared as much", Deuteronomy said.
"Who are they father?"
"Evil cats… really evil cats. The most dangerous thing about them is their ability to plan everything out to their favor. Their leaders are highly intelligent. They could rival our Mistofelees in cleverness."
"What more do you know about them sir", Alonzo asked.
"Not much. Only that they are dangerous, very dangerous."
Alonzo and Munk looked at each other and both knew this would not end well if the Shadows were their enemies.
TBC *whistles*
Quill of Thoughts - chuckling is no sign of evil it's a sign of happiness! And when I'm chuckling I never plan anything! I am just happy.
HumanGuineapig - I hope you're right.
Malurina - I would never torture my readers!