The great ginger cat brought a paw through his flaming-orange mane. His eyebrows furrowed into an angry grimace and his leathery nose twitched. He grinned until his yellowing teeth bit down on tongue. Blood trickled from his mouth, and he laughed.
His sunken eyes glared at his son, who was waiting for the command. It wouldn't be long now.
And yet, before he could order his son to start on the patrols, something strange overtook him. His body was shaking in an effort to hold up; he hadn't eaten anything in days and was absolutely famished. The flame-pelted cat had been so concerned with having Demeter and Jemima returned to him that he hadn't even taken in a drop of water in the past hour.
And then, it was before him. An apparition was floating behind his son. His eyes widened as he regarded the figure, until he realized that it was the Jellicle's own magical cat.
Macavity's deep laugh rumbled through the cave. His son barely moved a whisker. "Why, hello Mistoffelees. For what occasion must you be making this visit?"
Sheni turned swiftly, as if expecting to see the black-and-white tuxedo tom standing behind him in the flesh. When he caught sight of Misto's trick, he hissed, his ears laying flat against his head. "Why are we speaking like this now? We should be attacking the Jellicles!" he cried to his father. The young cat turned to Mr. Mistoffelees, his yellow eyes narrow. "I'll kill you myself, when I find you," he hissed.
"SILENCE!" One of Macavity's great, black paws moved to swat at his son, and, despite his father's hunger and thirst, the orange tabby had to swerve like a snake to avoid the injurious blow Macavity would've dealt him. "You will do no such thing. If anyone is to get their paws on The Conjuring Cat, it will be ME!"
Sheni did not seem fearful of Macavity, as other cats were, but he nodded respectfully as Macavity spoke.
Mistoffelees hadn't been so close to The Mystery Cat since he stole Old Deuteronomy from the Jellicle Junkyard on the night of the full moon. "I am making this visit to warn you, Macavity. The Jellicles are strong, and we will not take your threats lightly. Demeter and Jemima have chosen to stay with the Jellicles, and we will protect them at any cost- even if it means fighting you to the death."
The white-and-ginger tom laughed deeply. "You speak boldly, young one. But you know as well as I that your powers are not fully developed. You cannot defeat me."
"I have learned much in my time here with the Jellicles. Regardless of the strength of my powers, the Jellicles are many in number and are loyal to their cause. They will stand behind me in an effort to destroy you."
"Enough of this petty talk. If you really believe that you and your Jellicles can defeat me, then tell that rat that calls himself Munkustrap to meet me at the Old Oak as soon as the stars appear in the sky. You can bring as many cats as you like, but, as you will soon learn...I will never be defeated."
The young cat nodded back. "As you wish, Macavity. But I should warn you- Munkustrap is older and stronger than he last was. I am stronger. Given the opportunity, you will be killed without a thought of mercy."
Macavity nodded. "Then so be it."
Mistoffelees disappeared as quickly as he came.
The ginger cat's mane dragged through dust as he turned his head to regard his son again. "Go. Do whatever you must to prepare for battle."
"Should I gather the patrols?"
"There will be no need. The Jellicles will need all Toms at their disposal if they even want a chance at besting me. Their Junkyard and the surrounding areas will be unguarded. No. I need you to prepare the Troop for a invasion."
Sheni's yellow eyes widened as he realized his father's plan.
"You're meeting Munkustrap and his Conjurer alone?"
Macavity's dark gaze intesified. "Why, of course not. You will be coming with me, son."
The orange tabby's ears flicked in his father's direction. "But- if the Jellicles bring all their Toms, we'll be outnumbered. I understand you don't have much faith in the Jellicles, but going into battle like this will be fatal!"
Macavity shivered. "It will more be fatal to you if you continue to question my decisions."
Sheni sighed. "As you wish, Father."
The firey cat waited until his son left before leaving the cave himself. He'd realized that if he switched positions or even moved a muscle, his ribs would be seen through his dirty, bloodstained coat. His ears swiveled to listen before he stood, his long, plumed tail brushing the dusty cave floor. Macavity didn't care about dirt, sweat, or blood. To him, these were the reminders that he was the cat in power.
The Napoleon of Crime was no fool. He knew that if he was to face Munkustrap, Mistoffelees, and the rest of the Jellicles with only his son beside him, he would have to eat a reasonable meal and get some clean water into his thin, emaciated body. And so, when he knew that none of his Troops were looking, he left his cave and traced old pawsteps back to the forest, where a nearby creek was. He crouched low to the ground, making sure he was downwind, and immediately started to stalk a field mouse. His whiskers twitched intuitively and he took one step forward, digging his claws into a twig and alerting the small prey.
The mouse turned as if to see where the sound was coming from. Macavity growled, and the little, pink-eared creature started to flee, but there was no escape. The ginger cat rose from his spot, closing his eyes. The mouse's attempted escape had led it to a nearby tunnel in the ground, and it glared down this tunnel, as if contemplating whether or not to take the dive. Before he could react, the air in the gray-bodied animal's windpipe dissipated as invisible claws wrapped around it, squeezing out its insides over the forest floor.
Macavity's grip loosened.
It was now nothing more than a nasty smudge laying near a small tunnel, but it was still food. The white-and-ginger tom lapped it up eagerly. After his meal was eaten, he turned to the creek, licking up just enough water to clear the taste from his mouth.
The white-and-ginger Tom was so confident in his own strength that he barely gave a last look at his surroundings before falling asleep where he sat.
The sun was setting when he woke. It was time.
He hoped that his son had prepared himself for battle. It would be quite pathetic for The Hidden Paw to loose his heir over a little spat with the Jellicles.
Really, he didn't understand why these cats were being so unreasonable in the first place. When a Queen mates with Macavity, they mate for life. No matter how brutally honest he was with them, Queens always appeared to think that they could just do whatever they wanted after having forged a relationship with the fiery-maned Tom. Demeter was no different.
Macavity could remember that day as if it was only yesterday. The older sister had tried to convince Demeter that it was a bad idea, and that he was known only for causing trouble. But of course, the gold-splattered cat didn't listen. She had been easy to seduce. Demeter had remained right by his side, obeying his every command. That is, until she realized she was pregnant. Somehow, she had escaped long enough to tell Bombalurina. The older Queen had helped Demeter escape, yet not without serious injury. Macavity smiled at the memory of Demeter's charred fur as she lay on the ground in front of him, squirming and screeching in pain. If it hadn't been for that Jellicle healer, she and the kitten would surely have died.
Demeter escaped, and gave birth to his kitten in the Jellicle Junkyard. Ever since, Macavity had sent spies to the Jellicle Junkyard to keep watch over his young daughter. She was blossoming into a most beautiful female herself, but her words and actions were corrupted by the beliefs of those disgusting Jellicles.
Macavity snorted. He had almost given up on the idea entirely, until he realized how much he needed her. If anything happened to Sheni, someone would have to command the Troops. And if Jemima was anything like her Auntie Bomba, she'd be up to the task. In truth, he had no idea what his daughter would be like when exposed to her father's subjects, but he could only hope that she could still be molded into the perfect Troop leader. And if his magical gifts had been passed down to her- why, that would be even better!
"Father, are you ready?"
Macavity nodded, then guided his son out of the tunnels.
Macavity stood on a branch of the Old Oak.
"Show yourself! Have you not come to fight!?" Munkustrap called out below him. The ginger Tom chuckled darkly. The silver cat seemed frustrated.
The criminal's fur blended in perfectly with the trees. He was invisible to all, even the so-called Magic Cat. He could teleport himself from one spot to another without been detected, or even levitate above the Jellicles, if he so wanted. But for now, he just let them tire themselves out trying to scramble up the massive Oak.
The maned, golden-brown tom was on his way up next. He looked agitated, like there should be some more personal issue between he and Macavity. Was this maned tiger cat mated to one of the Queens?
A sudden burst of anger assaulted Macavity at the thought. How dare he take what isn't rightfully his? All these cats were the same.
Sheni, too, was at the top of the Old Oak, camouflaged by his father's magic. Macavity had a plan.
Instead of launching an attack on the Tugger (who was barely half-ways up the tree), the ginger-and-white Tom closed his eyes, and focused solely on the task at hand. In his mind's eye, Munkustrap glanced over at Mr. Mistoffelees with a new expression. This was not the kindness that was usually in the Second-In-Command's eyes. There was hesitation here, as if Munkustrap knew something wasn't right.
Macavity's laugh erupted from Mistoffelees' lips. The Rum Tum Tugger had stopped climbing, and was now sitting below Sheni, watching the scene unfold.
The Conjuring Cat was attacking his friends.
Excitement flowed through Macavity as Munkustrap blocked the blows that were seemingly coming from his friend. The tuxedo cat's eyes were glazed over to a dull gray, and all the Jellicles seemed reluctant to fight against him, despite the fact that he had already torn a sizeable chunk from Munkustrap's fur.
"Munkus, what's happened!?" Admetus exclaimed. He could barely speak before The Magic cat barreled over him, scratching his flank.
Munkustrap launched himself at Mr. Mistoffelees. His own tall figure was still in mid-air when he felt a strange tingling sensation under his skin. Suddenly, he was floating above the other Jellicles. "Misto, what are you doing?!" He received no reply. He let out a caterwaul of disbelief as he was flung aside like a Human plaything; his body collided with the Old Oak and he fell to the ground, limp and unresponsive.
Macavity watched through Misto's eyes as Tugger leapt from the tree, landing gracefully on his paws. He immediately wrapped his little brother in his arms. "C'mon Munk, you can't leave us hangin' now," he growled, trying to slap the other cat awake. He glanced up at Misto, and the black-and-white tuxedo cat chuckled darkly. The Mystery Cat had known Tugger since he was nothing more than a kitten, and yet he had never seen him so afraid. Tugger's sad, terrified expression gave him a boost of adrenaline that he didn't think was possible.
And then, just when he thought he had the upper hand, a spark of recognition gleamed in the Tugger's eyes.
"Macavity?"
The wild-maned cat swore and Misto mimicked him. He ran at Tugger, knowing that the maned tiger Tom would not be able to attack his young friend.
"Misto, please-" The Rum Tum Tugger's eyes were pleading with him. For a moment, Macavity felt guilt rising in his chest. He paused, realizing that the feeling was coming from his host. "You're my best friend. You're the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees, remember?"
Tugger was begging him to remember. It seemed to be working, because the little black-and-white Tom hadn't yet attacked him. "C'mon, buddy. You've got to be in there somewhere. You're always so amazing, you know. No matter what crazy trick you come up with, you always top it with the next one, and the next one. I know you're in there somewhere. You just need to show this bully of a cat that he's not in charge."
Macavity hissed. Mistoffelees wasn't mimicking him this time. Anger flared in his mind as he realized that he'd already lost his grip on the young cat. He growled, his invisiblity disappearing as he sprung from the Old Oak at Tugger, who was so focused on his friend that he didn't see the fiery-maned cat behind him.
The dullness of Misto's eyes faded away, and he shook his head, yowling, "Tugger, look out!"
The Tugger turned around, catching Macavity as the ginger-and-white cat leapt at him. They rolled away from Misto and Munkustrap, catching dirt and debris as they fought claw-to-claw. Macavity's black, gnarled claws clung to the Tugger's shoulder, jerking down in one swift swipe so as to rip the other Tom open. Tugger cried out in pain, using his back paws to push against Macavity. The bigger, more experienced Tom could not be thrown off, though, and for a moment the maned cat wondered if the ginger cat would deal him a final, killing bite. Blood gushed from the wound in his shoulder and poured down his waist. He blinked away the pain, trying to think clearly before Macavity tore him open again. The tiger tom gasped, then gave a final heave before going completely limp.
Macavity stopped. He stared down at the seemingly-lifeless Rum Tum Tugger, as if he didn't know what to make of the Tom's sudden death. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, smelling the sweet aroma of the other cat's blood. Magic thrummed in his paws as he held them over the Tugger, assessing his body.
The Tugger's dark-brown mane stirred. He blinked his eyes open slowly, then exploded from below his enemy, caterwauling all the way. He struck Macavity's face so hard that the magical cat fell backwards and barely righted himself. The Tugger barreled him over again, and he hissed, spitting at the maned cat.
"Do not think that I will hesitate to use my magic on you!"
As soon as he had said it, he started to levitate. The Tugger backed away, bracing for a counter attack, yet Macavity's expression changed, as though he was suddenly fearful of the Tugger.
"Nobody messes with my family. Not even you."
Tugger's gaze brightened with hope. "Misto-"
"You deserve to die..."
Macavity felt the air escaping him. He sputtered, gasping. His chest heaved from the effort of trying to breath, but despite his struggle against the younger cat, his vision was starting to blur. Mistoffelees' gaze narrowed as he stared deep into the core of Macavity's magic.
"Please-" he rasped, but it was no use. He could feel the energy of his magic draining out of him, rendering him useless.
He recognized the screetch of his son behind Misto, and watched as Sheni flung himself at a newly-awake Munkustrap. Despite his best efforts, his son was immediately pummeled by the older, stronger Jellicle Tom. He watched as the Second-In-Command ripped his son open, and for the first time in his existence, The Mystery Cat felt helpless against the Junkyard Jellicles.
"So, now you know how it feels to be the one writhing underneath the grip of another. Good. Maybe next time you'll think before messing with the Jellicle Tribe."
Misto dropped him. He landed with a miserable thud. For the first time in his life, he felt weak, like there was no substance left in his body. He was nothing but skin and bones, therefore, without his magic, there was nothing left to sustain him. The massive ginger Tom heaved himself up from the dust, trying hard to conjure something, anything, yet his efforts were fruitless. "No, no, NO!" Frustration boiled inside him and he clawed at the ground, feeling hopeless.
Whatever. He would come up with another plan. He watched as the Jellicles licked their wounds and took his son away. He didn't care. Sheni was nothing but a pathetic, magicless excuse for an heir. Macavity would get his magic back at any cost, and once the fight was truly over, he would gather the Troops again. All was not lost.