What was he doing here?

"You?" Macavity hissed, looking Tugger up and down, apparently jus as surprised as I was. Tugger looked up to meet his gaze, the worry now melting into steel determination. He held tighter on to the pipe and held it up defensively.

"Leave her be, Mac." He threatened in a cold voice.

Macavity burst into laughter. "You? You of all cats think you can come up here and tell me what to do?" The laughter on his face died, souring into a threatening snarl. He was r going to play games. "Go home little brother- you might mess up your hair."

Tugger growled intimidatingly and brandished his pipe. "I said leave her be."

He took a step towards Macavity. Macavity scoffed.

"Or what? You honestly think that little thing could hurt me?" He waved his hand in the air and the pipe disappeared. "Or did you forget? I'm magic, remember. You can't touch me."

Macavity moved forward so he was right in front of Tugger, glaring down at him. My heart hammered wildly in my chest, and there was a static charge to the air. I realized with a shock that it was coming from Macavity's paws- an electric current sparking around his paws. He never used to be able to do that. My eyes flew back to Tugger and I silently begged him to do as his older brother said. He couldn't go up against Macavity, he'd be dead in a minute!

Instead of backing down, Tugger grabbed his brother by the shoulders, reared his head back, and slammed his forehead into Macavity's, sending him sprawling. Tugger gave a loud hiss and brandished his claws.

"I'd like to see you fight me with out your powers. Make it a fair fight, if you're so sure you'll beat me!"

Macavity sat up from where he landed, one paw on his head, and his eyes full of fiery vengeance. He growled as he stood, bringing out his own claws.

"Fine. It'll be more satisfying to kill you with my own two hands!"

Macavity lunged at Tugger, and Tugger dove to avoid his claws, but wasn't quite fast enough and got a good scratch on his shoulder.

"Aaah!" Tugger hissed, grabbing his shoulder as pain blossomed through his body.

"Tugger!" I cried out, panic in my voice. My mind raced a mile a minute as they circled each other, their fur bristling. Why did this have to happen now? How did Macavity get in? How long had he been watching me?

Macavity lunged again and Tugger dove down with an angry cry, hitting his knees and making him fly over his back. There was a loud crash as Macavity landed hard, then rolled back on to his feet. Tugger brandished his claws and swiped at Macavity who easily ducked and thruster his hands into his gut, knocking the wind out of him and making him fall onto his back. "You little fool." Macavity growled, fisting his hand in Tugger's head fur and yanking him up with a yowl of pain. "Do you really think you stand a chance against me?"

Tugger glared at him, his claws digging into the wrist which held his headfur. "I'm n-not going to let you h-hurt a-anyone else, M-Macavity!" He growled.

Macavity laughed maliciously, his nose only inches from Tugger's. "Especially her, right Tugs?" He whispered in a conspiratory voice. He shot at glance at me, and I felt the hate crawl over every inch of my skin. He jerked his knee up to Tugger's stomach, making him double over and crumple when Macavity let go of him. Then he turned to me.

I shrieked and struggled to stand, but he was on me too fast, his hands finding my shoulders and pinning me to the ground. My head snapped back onto the ground and my vision swam as pain exploded through my skull, blurring his face. I struggled beneath his weight, a desperate, choked cry escaping me. He shook his head and tutted. "Tsk tsk, Bombie. There's no use in fighting. I'm far stronger now, you know." He grinned wildly, his yellow teeth jagged and crooked. He wasn't the Macavity I used to know. His eyes were wide with insanity. "And I haven't even scratched the surface of my power. You'd hardly even recognize me." He ran a hand up my thigh, and I shivered, cringing away from him. There was a time I had used to crave that touch, but now it was cold and clammy, his claws scratching me painfully.

"And you can taste that power, too." He purred, and he dipped his head down to nip at my jaw. "I can show you just how delicious it is. As I can remember, you used to love my power. Scream for it, even." His tongue lapped at my neck, sandpapery and slimy. He was vile. The handsome, bad-boy Tom I used to care about was long gone. But I didn't dare speak or move, knowing it would only push him farther. My mind scrambled for some way to escape this. But all I could think about was Tugger, crumpled on the ground. Tears stung behind my eyes.

"What do you say, Bombie?" His hand caressed up my side, a snarl curling on his lips. He roughly groped my chest. "How about I make you scream?"

"No!"

Suddenly Macavity was ripped off of me with a loud cry. I struggled to sit up, my head pounding as I saw them, a mess of fur and claws and red and gold and black and yellow, yowling and scratching and biting. I wanted to do something- anything. But I could only watch helplessly as they fought. My vision was watery and it was difficult to focus. But it wasn't long before Macavity had forced Tugger down again, this time righteous anger twisting his features. His paws crackled with electricity. "Why don't you just stay down you bast-!"

"Macavity!"

All three of our attention snapped to Munkustrap, Alonzo, and Skimbleshanks running towards us and already climbing up the walls of the den. Macavity let loose a low growl, and let go of Tugger, standing up and kicking him in the ribs. Then his eyes flew up to me, their yellow irises crackling with lightning. I swore I saw a smile flash on his face for only a moment, and then he disappeared, his body vanishing into thin air.

The three toms rushed up to the top just as he did, nothing but a cloud of smoke in his wake.

"What the hell? Where did he go?" Alonzo hissed.

"Tugger!" Munkustrap bolted over to his brother, who was pushing himself up onto his hand and knees, coughing painfully.

"I'm fine." He grumbled, pushing away Munkustraps helping paws. He had patches of blood all over his fur, but whether it was from himself or Macavity, I didn't know.

Alonzo climbed back down the den to search for any trace of Macavity and Skimbleshanks moved over to where I sat, crouching beside me. "Bombalurina, are you alright?" He asked in his thick accent. I blinked at him, still processing everything that just happened. But he was waiting for an answer, so I forced myself to speak.

"Y-yeah. I'll be okay." I said and nodded, but I winced at the pain that shot through my skull. My hand moved to the back of my head and my eyes widened when it came back coated in blood. Skimbleshanks's brows creased in concern.

"We need to get you to Jenny. She can patch you two up." He slipped an arm under my shoulder to help me up to my feet, and I leaned most of my weight against him. I was too exhausted to argue. I saw Tugger stumble to a stand, and Munkustrap held on to his arm to keep him from toppling over again. His eyes lifted to find mine, and I could see the pain there, and the worry. My heart ached at the sight of him. He was hurt and it was my fault.

"That was far too close," Skimbleshanks said, shaking his head. "I don't know how he got in- the lads upped security didn't they? It's a good thing Tugger was there or-"

"Munk! Skimble!"

Alonzo came clamoring back up the side of the den, panting with wide eyes. "It's Demeter!" He shouted in a panic. "She's gone!"