(author's note) Thanx everyone for your reviews! I'm sure by now you're ready for me to start wrapping it up and have everyone live happily ever after (so am I). Thanx for sticking with me this far! Enjoy the 11th chapter! (eleven whole chapters, I have way too much time on my paws:-P) =^.".^=
A little while later, the Rum Tum Tugger reentered the car. Jemima looked up at him and smiled.
"He's asleep," she said.
"Should I leave?"
"No, stay. I want to ask you something."
The Maine coon sat down on Misto's left, opposite from Jemima.
"Now that he's going to be okay," continued the queen. "I want you to tell me what happened."
"Me too," said a voice.
The two jellicles looked up to see that Munkustrap had entered the car. He took a seat at the foot of the blanket.
"I don't know exactly what happened," started Tugger. "I just found him on the ground and brought him here. But, he told me who is responsible."
"Who?" demanded the gray tabby. "Was it Macavity?"
Tugger shook his head.
"Not even close. It was the guard cats."
Jemima gasped. Munkustrap stared at him with a questioning look.
"Vor told me that they wouldn't be back from their vacation until tomorrow."
The Maine coon shrugged.
"They obviously came back early so that we wouldn't suspect them. I have proof."
Rum Tum Tugger, removed the spiked collar from around his wrist and handed it to his brother. Munkustrap's expression hardened. He recognized it immediately as one of the guard cats.' His shoulders sagged and his eyes turned their focus to the floor. He suddenly remembered what the magical cat had told him only a few days ago. Or at least what he'd tried to tell him. It was the truth. He was not lying. The tabby held a paw to his forehead.
"What have you done you idiot?" he thought to himself.
"I always thought they were friendly," said Jemima, still rather shocked. "And then they do this. No warning. Totally by surprise."
"Not totally," said Mistoffelees.
No one had noticed that he had opened his eyes and was listening to them. His remark confused them.
"What do you mean?" asked Jemima, helping her mate to sit up.
"They told me they would do this."
"They did?" asked an equally stunned Rum Tum Tugger. "When?"
"Just before they left. They came to my clearing and said that if I was still here when they got back, they'd kill me."
"So that's what's been bothering you?" asked Jemima.
Misto nodded slowly.
For a while, the interior of the car was dominated by an uncomfortable silence. No one knew exactly how long it lasted, but it was broken when the jellicle queen looked up at her mate.
"Why didn't you tell anybody?" she demanded.
Mistoffelees said nothing. His eyes shot toward the gray tabby.
"Misto," scolded the queen. "We could've helped you! We could've stopped them! You should have told us! If you told us this never would've happened!"
Misto looked down.
"I didn't want to worry you or anybody else," he said quietly.
Before Jemima could respond, Munkustrap spoke up.
"Tell them, Misto."
All three jellicles looked at the tabby.
"I deserve it."
"What?" asked the queen.
"Misto did tell someone. He told me."
"And what did you do about it bro?" asked the Maine coon.
Munkustrap looked at him gravely.
"I did absolutely nothing. I didn't even believe him. I called him a liar. I scolded him like a kitten. I told him not to repeat what he'd said to anybody."
Jemima turned to her mate.
"Misto, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have blown up like that."
"It's okay," said Mistoffelees, gently kissing her paw. "You were right."
"But I was wrong," voiced Munkustrap
Rum Tum Tugger sneered.
"Like Heavyside you were!"
The tabby ignored his brother and continued.
"I never should've acted the way I did. I must've been insane. I never should've presumed that you were lying. Especially since the guard cats are practically strangers and you've been a loyal and truthful member of this tribe for more than a year. I betrayed your trust. I'm just as guilty as those guard cats. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
Mistoffelees smiled and held out his paw to Munkustrap.
"All is forgiven and forgotten," he said.
It took a few seconds for the magical cat's words to calculate in the mind of the gray tabby. When they finally did, he smiled and shook Misto's paw.
"Thanks," he said.
The four jellicles turned their heads when they heard a loud voice from outside the car.
"Victoria, you're back!"
It was Etcetera.
"Wait till you hear what happened to Misto while you were gone!"
Jemima smiled.
"Sounds like Vic is back from lunch. I'd better make sure Etcetera doesn't spice up the story."
The toms nodded. Everyone knew that Etcetera had a habit of exaggerating things.
The queen stood and left the car.
Munkustrap turned to the magical cat. His face and voice became serious.
"I don't know if this is the time to discuss this, but the guard cats will be coming back tomorrow. I don't think they'll be expecting to see you."
"That's the most intelligent thing you've said all day Munk!"
"Shut up Tugger!"
Even Munkustrap spoke like that when there was barely anyone around.
At the mention of the guard cats, Misto's face hardened.
He clenched his teeth.
His eyes blazed with an angry fire.
He said nothing.
There was silence.
Rum Tum Tugger could not understand what all the hesitation was about. To him, the solution was obvious.
"When they get back, we'll kill them!" he said. "We'll rid the junkyard of those slimy murderers!"
"They didn't exactly murder anyone," said Munkustrap.
Tugger stared at him for a second or two.
"What about attempted murder with near succession?"
"That works."
"So let's kill them!"
"Wait!" Mistoffelees broke in.
The brothers turned to him. His appearance startled them.
His claws were extended.
Electricity sparked from his finger tips.
He was leaning forward.
His head was slightly bowed and he glared at them through his eyebrows.
His eyes had completely transformed.
They had once been soft and brown with a small flame burning in them, but now the small flame had exploded into a wild bonfire.
All hint of brown in his eyes had turned red.
Blazing red!
His jaw was clenched.
The fur on the back of his neck stood on end making him look almost twice his actual size.
He hissed as he spoke.
Rum Tum Tugger had often wondered what is was like when a magical cat got angry. Really angry, not just mildly annoyed.
Right now, Mistoffelees was furious!
The Maine coon couldn't help but shudder as he looked at his friend who, at that moment, bore an amazing resemblance to a demon.
"I want to deal with them myself," hissed the magical cat.
Now, it was Munkustrap's turn to shudder.
"Misto. . ." he started to say.
The tuxedo could tell by his voice that the tabby was going to object. He hissed and the electricity in his fingers grew brighter.
Munkustrap started and decided not to finish.
"They tried to kill me!" hissed the magical cat. "They tried to drive me away from my home. They reduced to the lowest position a cat could ever be in. They regarded me as a deadly virus that they had to cure."
The blaze in Misto's eyes grew steadily brighter. He clenched his fists, trying to control the sparks.
"They ripped me apart and left me to die! They attacked me when I was alone! When I couldn't defend myself! Not only did they try to take my life, but they stole my pride as well! They humiliated me!"
Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger could see the rage boiling inside the magical cat. They found themselves inching away from him. They knew that, as strong as it is, there's only so much pressure a volcano can stand before it blows.
It wasn't very long before it did.
With a roar like a lion, Mistoffelees leapt to his feet and shot a continuous stream of white lightning into the corner of the car.
It was the brightest stream that either of the brothers had ever seen. So bright, they couldn't look directly at it without being blinded.
It was hot.
Very hot.
The car suddenly felt like an oven.
The walls were white from the glare of the electricity.
Not just the walls, but the ceiling, the floor, the toms. Even Misto's black fur seemed to turn white.
His eyes were blazing red, brighter than any fire.
Then it was over.
As quickly as it began.
The two toms looked up.
They saw Mistoffelees stomping out a fire that had started in the pile of rags that he'd used as a target.
The brothers fought to catch their breaths.
They had never seen anything like that before. The side of the vague and aloof magical cat that he never let show.
Finally, the fire was out. Misto turned to the toms. The blaze in his eyes had extinguished. His forehead dripped with sweat and he also fought to catch his breath. Other than that, he looked his normal self.
"And all because I happened to be a magical cat," he said gravely.
The toms stared at him as if they did not understand. However, they knew exactly what he meant.
"I didn't put it together at first," continued the tuxedo, taking his seat on the blanket. "I thought that I had done something to them. I thought it was personal, but no. It was only because I was born a magical cat. For that, they tried to kill me. They thought they were an even match for my power. Well, they've seen nothing!"
The brothers suddenly switched from wanting to run and hide from the magical cat, to wanting to support him. They were beginning to absorb his energy.
"Do you have a plan?" asked Munkustrap.
Misto looked away and let out a frustrated sigh.
Why did that tabby have to bother with details?
He closed his eyes and thought.
He looked back at the toms.
"Yes, I do," he said. "But, I'm gunna need everyone's help."
"Hey, you got it!" said the Rum Tum Tugger enthusiastically.
Munkustrap agreed.
"Anything you need. We're with ya all the way!"
A crafty smile spread across the magical cat's white face.
A little while later, the Rum Tum Tugger reentered the car. Jemima looked up at him and smiled.
"He's asleep," she said.
"Should I leave?"
"No, stay. I want to ask you something."
The Maine coon sat down on Misto's left, opposite from Jemima.
"Now that he's going to be okay," continued the queen. "I want you to tell me what happened."
"Me too," said a voice.
The two jellicles looked up to see that Munkustrap had entered the car. He took a seat at the foot of the blanket.
"I don't know exactly what happened," started Tugger. "I just found him on the ground and brought him here. But, he told me who is responsible."
"Who?" demanded the gray tabby. "Was it Macavity?"
Tugger shook his head.
"Not even close. It was the guard cats."
Jemima gasped. Munkustrap stared at him with a questioning look.
"Vor told me that they wouldn't be back from their vacation until tomorrow."
The Maine coon shrugged.
"They obviously came back early so that we wouldn't suspect them. I have proof."
Rum Tum Tugger, removed the spiked collar from around his wrist and handed it to his brother. Munkustrap's expression hardened. He recognized it immediately as one of the guard cats.' His shoulders sagged and his eyes turned their focus to the floor. He suddenly remembered what the magical cat had told him only a few days ago. Or at least what he'd tried to tell him. It was the truth. He was not lying. The tabby held a paw to his forehead.
"What have you done you idiot?" he thought to himself.
"I always thought they were friendly," said Jemima, still rather shocked. "And then they do this. No warning. Totally by surprise."
"Not totally," said Mistoffelees.
No one had noticed that he had opened his eyes and was listening to them. His remark confused them.
"What do you mean?" asked Jemima, helping her mate to sit up.
"They told me they would do this."
"They did?" asked an equally stunned Rum Tum Tugger. "When?"
"Just before they left. They came to my clearing and said that if I was still here when they got back, they'd kill me."
"So that's what's been bothering you?" asked Jemima.
Misto nodded slowly.
For a while, the interior of the car was dominated by an uncomfortable silence. No one knew exactly how long it lasted, but it was broken when the jellicle queen looked up at her mate.
"Why didn't you tell anybody?" she demanded.
Mistoffelees said nothing. His eyes shot toward the gray tabby.
"Misto," scolded the queen. "We could've helped you! We could've stopped them! You should have told us! If you told us this never would've happened!"
Misto looked down.
"I didn't want to worry you or anybody else," he said quietly.
Before Jemima could respond, Munkustrap spoke up.
"Tell them, Misto."
All three jellicles looked at the tabby.
"I deserve it."
"What?" asked the queen.
"Misto did tell someone. He told me."
"And what did you do about it bro?" asked the Maine coon.
Munkustrap looked at him gravely.
"I did absolutely nothing. I didn't even believe him. I called him a liar. I scolded him like a kitten. I told him not to repeat what he'd said to anybody."
Jemima turned to her mate.
"Misto, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have blown up like that."
"It's okay," said Mistoffelees, gently kissing her paw. "You were right."
"But I was wrong," voiced Munkustrap
Rum Tum Tugger sneered.
"Like Heavyside you were!"
The tabby ignored his brother and continued.
"I never should've acted the way I did. I must've been insane. I never should've presumed that you were lying. Especially since the guard cats are practically strangers and you've been a loyal and truthful member of this tribe for more than a year. I betrayed your trust. I'm just as guilty as those guard cats. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
Mistoffelees smiled and held out his paw to Munkustrap.
"All is forgiven and forgotten," he said.
It took a few seconds for the magical cat's words to calculate in the mind of the gray tabby. When they finally did, he smiled and shook Misto's paw.
"Thanks," he said.
The four jellicles turned their heads when they heard a loud voice from outside the car.
"Victoria, you're back!"
It was Etcetera.
"Wait till you hear what happened to Misto while you were gone!"
Jemima smiled.
"Sounds like Vic is back from lunch. I'd better make sure Etcetera doesn't spice up the story."
The toms nodded. Everyone knew that Etcetera had a habit of exaggerating things.
The queen stood and left the car.
Munkustrap turned to the magical cat. His face and voice became serious.
"I don't know if this is the time to discuss this, but the guard cats will be coming back tomorrow. I don't think they'll be expecting to see you."
"That's the most intelligent thing you've said all day Munk!"
"Shut up Tugger!"
Even Munkustrap spoke like that when there was barely anyone around.
At the mention of the guard cats, Misto's face hardened.
He clenched his teeth.
His eyes blazed with an angry fire.
He said nothing.
There was silence.
Rum Tum Tugger could not understand what all the hesitation was about. To him, the solution was obvious.
"When they get back, we'll kill them!" he said. "We'll rid the junkyard of those slimy murderers!"
"They didn't exactly murder anyone," said Munkustrap.
Tugger stared at him for a second or two.
"What about attempted murder with near succession?"
"That works."
"So let's kill them!"
"Wait!" Mistoffelees broke in.
The brothers turned to him. His appearance startled them.
His claws were extended.
Electricity sparked from his finger tips.
He was leaning forward.
His head was slightly bowed and he glared at them through his eyebrows.
His eyes had completely transformed.
They had once been soft and brown with a small flame burning in them, but now the small flame had exploded into a wild bonfire.
All hint of brown in his eyes had turned red.
Blazing red!
His jaw was clenched.
The fur on the back of his neck stood on end making him look almost twice his actual size.
He hissed as he spoke.
Rum Tum Tugger had often wondered what is was like when a magical cat got angry. Really angry, not just mildly annoyed.
Right now, Mistoffelees was furious!
The Maine coon couldn't help but shudder as he looked at his friend who, at that moment, bore an amazing resemblance to a demon.
"I want to deal with them myself," hissed the magical cat.
Now, it was Munkustrap's turn to shudder.
"Misto. . ." he started to say.
The tuxedo could tell by his voice that the tabby was going to object. He hissed and the electricity in his fingers grew brighter.
Munkustrap started and decided not to finish.
"They tried to kill me!" hissed the magical cat. "They tried to drive me away from my home. They reduced to the lowest position a cat could ever be in. They regarded me as a deadly virus that they had to cure."
The blaze in Misto's eyes grew steadily brighter. He clenched his fists, trying to control the sparks.
"They ripped me apart and left me to die! They attacked me when I was alone! When I couldn't defend myself! Not only did they try to take my life, but they stole my pride as well! They humiliated me!"
Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger could see the rage boiling inside the magical cat. They found themselves inching away from him. They knew that, as strong as it is, there's only so much pressure a volcano can stand before it blows.
It wasn't very long before it did.
With a roar like a lion, Mistoffelees leapt to his feet and shot a continuous stream of white lightning into the corner of the car.
It was the brightest stream that either of the brothers had ever seen. So bright, they couldn't look directly at it without being blinded.
It was hot.
Very hot.
The car suddenly felt like an oven.
The walls were white from the glare of the electricity.
Not just the walls, but the ceiling, the floor, the toms. Even Misto's black fur seemed to turn white.
His eyes were blazing red, brighter than any fire.
Then it was over.
As quickly as it began.
The two toms looked up.
They saw Mistoffelees stomping out a fire that had started in the pile of rags that he'd used as a target.
The brothers fought to catch their breaths.
They had never seen anything like that before. The side of the vague and aloof magical cat that he never let show.
Finally, the fire was out. Misto turned to the toms. The blaze in his eyes had extinguished. His forehead dripped with sweat and he also fought to catch his breath. Other than that, he looked his normal self.
"And all because I happened to be a magical cat," he said gravely.
The toms stared at him as if they did not understand. However, they knew exactly what he meant.
"I didn't put it together at first," continued the tuxedo, taking his seat on the blanket. "I thought that I had done something to them. I thought it was personal, but no. It was only because I was born a magical cat. For that, they tried to kill me. They thought they were an even match for my power. Well, they've seen nothing!"
The brothers suddenly switched from wanting to run and hide from the magical cat, to wanting to support him. They were beginning to absorb his energy.
"Do you have a plan?" asked Munkustrap.
Misto looked away and let out a frustrated sigh.
Why did that tabby have to bother with details?
He closed his eyes and thought.
He looked back at the toms.
"Yes, I do," he said. "But, I'm gunna need everyone's help."
"Hey, you got it!" said the Rum Tum Tugger enthusiastically.
Munkustrap agreed.
"Anything you need. We're with ya all the way!"
A crafty smile spread across the magical cat's white face.