A Family of Magic
BOOK I: The Cat of Dreams
Morpheus was all alone now-no family, no friends, no home. How could he keep them with his so called "gift"? You see, Morph was the "Cat of Dreams". He had the ability to make others dreams come true. This happened to everyone he met, whether or not the dreams were good or bad. Morph was also, for lack of a better term, a shape-shifter. He could become anything his heart desired. But, these false identities always got him into trouble. It had gotten so bad he tried to completely seclude himself from society. He didn't know it, but these problems only came about because he had not yet learned how to harness his power.
Morpheus didn't want any trouble. He just always seemed to find it. He learned how to navigate the streets of London under the cover of night- finding food wherever he could, never trying to even give hints about his powers, never even talking to another soul. He was so lonely, but morph never showed it. He'd never learned to. Morph had never cared for another, for no one had ever cared for him.
From the next alley, Morpheus heard a blood-curdling scream. Being curious as he was, he investigated. From atop a dumpster, Morph watched the horrid scene.
"You know Demeter hates you! WE ALL DO!" Bombalurina was backed against the wall with Macavity's claws at her throat. "She loves Munkustrap! NOT YOU!!"
"You will make your sister come to me," hissed Macavity, "or YOU will die!"
Without thinking, Morph shifted into a snake and struck at Macavity. His glowing eyes, one green and one blue, glared as the Mystery Cat limped out of sight. His glare then turned to Bom as he realized what he'd done. Shifting back into his feline self, he ran off as fast as he could.
Early the next morning, after Bom had made her way back to the Junkyard, she told Old Deuteronomy what had happened: "Have you ever heard of a cat that can change forms like that, Ol' D?"
"Up until now, it was thought to be only a legend," Ol' D told her. "He is known as the 'Cat of Dreams'. He saved your life. You now have him as your protection."
Morph was back in his hole in the alley thinking about what he'd done: "WHY? What was I thinking?" He had no idea what her name was or why Macavity had attacked her (all cats know of Macavity). Something had come over him that made him feel for her like he had felt for no other. And he had to see her again, even if it meant exposing his "gift". He HAD to see her.
Nearly a week had gone by and Bom hadn't gotten any sleep since the incident. She got up and walked out of the Junkyard to clear her head. Who was this "Cat of Dreams" and why had he chosen to save her life?
Through the mist off the Thames River, Bom saw a pair of glowing eyes, one green and one blue, staring at her. She wanted to run, but those eyes were drawing her in like a magnet. The glowing eyes came closer until she could see a jet black cat.
Bom was trembling as she heard the strange cat speak to her softly: "Don't be afraid. You can go if you want. I'm not stopping you. I wanted to see you again."
"Wh-who are you?" Bom's every word was stuttered. "Why did you save me?"
"My name is Morpheus. The truth is, I don't know exactly why I did what I did. Please trust me. I don't want to hurt you.."
Morph kept rambling on and on about how this was the first time he'd spoken to another in months and about his loneliness until Bom said softly, "You poor thing. Let's take a walk and you can tell me everything. I promise I won't judge you."
Though they barely knew each other, Bom and Morph talked just like they were old friends. He told her about his past and how his gift had nearly ruined his life and she explained why Macavity had attacked her in an attempt to win back his former flame, Bom's sister, Demeter.
It was nearly dawn when they made it back to the Junkyard. "Morph, must you go?" Bom asked him.
"Bom, do you realize what your friends would think if they saw me? This is more than any magic they've ever seen. They wouldn't understand. I'll meet you by the Thames tonight," He gave her a quick nuzzle and left.
After she watched him leave, she was met at the Junkyard entrance by a very upset Demeter and an angry Munkustrap.
"Where were you?!" cried Demeter. "We were worried sick that Macavity might have gotten to you again!"
"Just out," sighed Bom. "How can so many dreams come true in just one night?"
"You mean to tell us we had cats out looking for you all night while you were frolicking with some strange tom!?" demanded Munkustrap. "You are like a sister to me, Bom. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"I'm fine, Munk. Morpheus would never hurt me."
Just then, Old Deuteronomy walked in: "You were out with the 'Cat of Dreams'. Weren't you, Bombalurina?"
The entire tribe, who had by now gathered around Bom, grew still. Bom suddenly burst into tears and ran away as fast as her four legs could carry her.
Demeter chased her sister through the maze-like streets of London until Bom was finally cornered.
"What's going on!?" cried Dem. Who's Morpheus?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"Morph was there when Macavity attacked me," sobbed Bom. "He saved my life. When I finally talked to him last night, I knew the story Ol' D told me about the 'Cat of Dreams' was true. I know I shouldn't feel this way already, but I thing I love Morph. I'm crazy about him."
"Demeter was at a loss for words. When she finally did speak, she said, "Well, we better head back. There's still lots to do before Mistoffellees' birthday this weekend."
Suddenly, a paw clamped over both of their mouths. "Not so fast, ladies!" Macavity hissed. "You're coming with me!"
Meanwhile, back in the Junkyard...................................
"You don't look so good, Misto," Skimbleshanks was sunning himself on the Old Ford when his friend walked by.
"I had that dream again," was Misto's reply.
"You mean the one about your brother? You know he's dead. That dream doesn't mean anything."
"I saw his face this time, Skimble. He was jet-black with different colored eyes, one green and one blue, just like Ol' D said he was."
"You know perfectly well that black cats do not have different colored eyes, Misto. You were mistaken."
"I know my big brother is alive, Skimble. I can sense it. I'll find him one day, or I am not The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees.
....................................
Morpheus waited by the River Thames for Bom. "She has to come. She promised she'd be here. There has to be something wrong." He took off like a flash for the Junkyard.
When he got there, he was jumped by Munkustrap. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THEM!!!" he demanded.
"Get off me! What are you talking about!?" came Morph's reply.
"Bom and Dem! WHERE ARE THEY!?"
"First of all, who's Dem? And I haven't seen Bom all night. She was supposed to meet me by the river. What's going on? Is she in some kind of danger. Morph was trembling with confusion.
Unaware of what had been happening, Misto and Skimble strolled up, still of the subject of Misto's missing brother.
"I keep tellin' ya Misto, there is no cat with---" Skimble was cut off.
"one green eye..one blue eye," Misto was barely whispering. "My brother, is that really you?"
"Mistofellees? It's me, Morpheus. I've been searching for you all my life."
"Bless the Everlasting Cat! I knew you were alive!"
Ol' D, who had been watching the entire thing from the Magical Tire, spoke up. "I see you have finally found each other. Soon, I will tell you the story as to why you were separated. But now is not the time. Bom and Dem are in terrible danger. Misto, Munk, go with Morph to Macavity's Layer. But remember, only the 'Cat of Dreams' can win the final battle. Morph, you will need every ounce of your power to do this."
"I can't control it, though."
"Yes, you can. Think of your power as another body. And remember: 'Feiti primus, cum alter corpus' (become one with the other body). Now go, before it is too late!"
Morph, Misto, and Munk carefully made their way into the underground. They found the sisters locked up and guarded by Macavity's henchrats with the Mystery Cat himself sitting close by.
"I swear, if he so much as lays a paw on Dem, I'll kill him!" Munk whispered fiercely.
"Easy," Morph tried to calm him. "I have a plan. Misto, do you think you can conjure up some sort of distraction?"
"I think I can whip up something."
Morph, keeping out of sight, slunk around to the other side of the cavern to where he was closer to the sisters. He looked back towards where Misto and Munk were hiding and saw bright blue flashes of lightning coming out of the tunnel next to them. Way to go, Misto! he thought as the henchrats ran to investigate, leaving only him, the sisters and Macavity in the cavern.
"I see there is no one here but us, ladies!" Macavity snarled. He pulled Bom out of the cage. "Tell me where the 'Cat of Dreams' is! NOW!!"
"I'm right here," Morph proceeded from his hiding place. "Come and get me." "Morph, RUN!" Bom pleaded. "Save yourself!"
"SHUT UP BITCH!" Macavity sent her flying across the room.
"Feiti primus, cum alter corpus," Morph whispered under his breath. "Misto! Munk! Get Bom and Dem out of here, quickly!"
Morph shifted into a hawk and flew up to the ceiling. From there he dive-bombed towards Macavity and sent him hurling into a pile of rubbish. Shifting to his feline self, he went over to the helpless Mystery Cat. "I could kill you right now, but then I'd be just as low as you are." With that, he left.
That Saturday at Misto's and Morph's Birthday Party...................
"You know, Morph," Misto exclaimed happily as he opened his presents, "I'm three now, still in my prime. I've got a beautiful queen, Jemima, five wonderful kittens, and you, Brother. What more could a cat ask for?"
"You're right, Misto. I have found my home and a mate. What more could a cat ask for? But I still can't help wondering what this secret is of Ol' D's. I mean, how big could it be?"
"Don't you worry about that. Ol' D will tell us when the time is right. For now, we've got some celebrating to do!"
A fast dance tune started up. "Hey Morph!" Bom shouted. "Get out here and shake your groove thang with me!" he hurried onto the dance floor.
"Come on, Jemima," Misto said to his mate." Let's show these two how it's done."
Then, Misto and Morph shared their first mindspeak. LIFE IS GOOD!!!
BOOK I: The Cat of Dreams
Morpheus was all alone now-no family, no friends, no home. How could he keep them with his so called "gift"? You see, Morph was the "Cat of Dreams". He had the ability to make others dreams come true. This happened to everyone he met, whether or not the dreams were good or bad. Morph was also, for lack of a better term, a shape-shifter. He could become anything his heart desired. But, these false identities always got him into trouble. It had gotten so bad he tried to completely seclude himself from society. He didn't know it, but these problems only came about because he had not yet learned how to harness his power.
Morpheus didn't want any trouble. He just always seemed to find it. He learned how to navigate the streets of London under the cover of night- finding food wherever he could, never trying to even give hints about his powers, never even talking to another soul. He was so lonely, but morph never showed it. He'd never learned to. Morph had never cared for another, for no one had ever cared for him.
From the next alley, Morpheus heard a blood-curdling scream. Being curious as he was, he investigated. From atop a dumpster, Morph watched the horrid scene.
"You know Demeter hates you! WE ALL DO!" Bombalurina was backed against the wall with Macavity's claws at her throat. "She loves Munkustrap! NOT YOU!!"
"You will make your sister come to me," hissed Macavity, "or YOU will die!"
Without thinking, Morph shifted into a snake and struck at Macavity. His glowing eyes, one green and one blue, glared as the Mystery Cat limped out of sight. His glare then turned to Bom as he realized what he'd done. Shifting back into his feline self, he ran off as fast as he could.
Early the next morning, after Bom had made her way back to the Junkyard, she told Old Deuteronomy what had happened: "Have you ever heard of a cat that can change forms like that, Ol' D?"
"Up until now, it was thought to be only a legend," Ol' D told her. "He is known as the 'Cat of Dreams'. He saved your life. You now have him as your protection."
Morph was back in his hole in the alley thinking about what he'd done: "WHY? What was I thinking?" He had no idea what her name was or why Macavity had attacked her (all cats know of Macavity). Something had come over him that made him feel for her like he had felt for no other. And he had to see her again, even if it meant exposing his "gift". He HAD to see her.
Nearly a week had gone by and Bom hadn't gotten any sleep since the incident. She got up and walked out of the Junkyard to clear her head. Who was this "Cat of Dreams" and why had he chosen to save her life?
Through the mist off the Thames River, Bom saw a pair of glowing eyes, one green and one blue, staring at her. She wanted to run, but those eyes were drawing her in like a magnet. The glowing eyes came closer until she could see a jet black cat.
Bom was trembling as she heard the strange cat speak to her softly: "Don't be afraid. You can go if you want. I'm not stopping you. I wanted to see you again."
"Wh-who are you?" Bom's every word was stuttered. "Why did you save me?"
"My name is Morpheus. The truth is, I don't know exactly why I did what I did. Please trust me. I don't want to hurt you.."
Morph kept rambling on and on about how this was the first time he'd spoken to another in months and about his loneliness until Bom said softly, "You poor thing. Let's take a walk and you can tell me everything. I promise I won't judge you."
Though they barely knew each other, Bom and Morph talked just like they were old friends. He told her about his past and how his gift had nearly ruined his life and she explained why Macavity had attacked her in an attempt to win back his former flame, Bom's sister, Demeter.
It was nearly dawn when they made it back to the Junkyard. "Morph, must you go?" Bom asked him.
"Bom, do you realize what your friends would think if they saw me? This is more than any magic they've ever seen. They wouldn't understand. I'll meet you by the Thames tonight," He gave her a quick nuzzle and left.
After she watched him leave, she was met at the Junkyard entrance by a very upset Demeter and an angry Munkustrap.
"Where were you?!" cried Demeter. "We were worried sick that Macavity might have gotten to you again!"
"Just out," sighed Bom. "How can so many dreams come true in just one night?"
"You mean to tell us we had cats out looking for you all night while you were frolicking with some strange tom!?" demanded Munkustrap. "You are like a sister to me, Bom. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"I'm fine, Munk. Morpheus would never hurt me."
Just then, Old Deuteronomy walked in: "You were out with the 'Cat of Dreams'. Weren't you, Bombalurina?"
The entire tribe, who had by now gathered around Bom, grew still. Bom suddenly burst into tears and ran away as fast as her four legs could carry her.
Demeter chased her sister through the maze-like streets of London until Bom was finally cornered.
"What's going on!?" cried Dem. Who's Morpheus?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"Morph was there when Macavity attacked me," sobbed Bom. "He saved my life. When I finally talked to him last night, I knew the story Ol' D told me about the 'Cat of Dreams' was true. I know I shouldn't feel this way already, but I thing I love Morph. I'm crazy about him."
"Demeter was at a loss for words. When she finally did speak, she said, "Well, we better head back. There's still lots to do before Mistoffellees' birthday this weekend."
Suddenly, a paw clamped over both of their mouths. "Not so fast, ladies!" Macavity hissed. "You're coming with me!"
Meanwhile, back in the Junkyard...................................
"You don't look so good, Misto," Skimbleshanks was sunning himself on the Old Ford when his friend walked by.
"I had that dream again," was Misto's reply.
"You mean the one about your brother? You know he's dead. That dream doesn't mean anything."
"I saw his face this time, Skimble. He was jet-black with different colored eyes, one green and one blue, just like Ol' D said he was."
"You know perfectly well that black cats do not have different colored eyes, Misto. You were mistaken."
"I know my big brother is alive, Skimble. I can sense it. I'll find him one day, or I am not The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees.
....................................
Morpheus waited by the River Thames for Bom. "She has to come. She promised she'd be here. There has to be something wrong." He took off like a flash for the Junkyard.
When he got there, he was jumped by Munkustrap. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THEM!!!" he demanded.
"Get off me! What are you talking about!?" came Morph's reply.
"Bom and Dem! WHERE ARE THEY!?"
"First of all, who's Dem? And I haven't seen Bom all night. She was supposed to meet me by the river. What's going on? Is she in some kind of danger. Morph was trembling with confusion.
Unaware of what had been happening, Misto and Skimble strolled up, still of the subject of Misto's missing brother.
"I keep tellin' ya Misto, there is no cat with---" Skimble was cut off.
"one green eye..one blue eye," Misto was barely whispering. "My brother, is that really you?"
"Mistofellees? It's me, Morpheus. I've been searching for you all my life."
"Bless the Everlasting Cat! I knew you were alive!"
Ol' D, who had been watching the entire thing from the Magical Tire, spoke up. "I see you have finally found each other. Soon, I will tell you the story as to why you were separated. But now is not the time. Bom and Dem are in terrible danger. Misto, Munk, go with Morph to Macavity's Layer. But remember, only the 'Cat of Dreams' can win the final battle. Morph, you will need every ounce of your power to do this."
"I can't control it, though."
"Yes, you can. Think of your power as another body. And remember: 'Feiti primus, cum alter corpus' (become one with the other body). Now go, before it is too late!"
Morph, Misto, and Munk carefully made their way into the underground. They found the sisters locked up and guarded by Macavity's henchrats with the Mystery Cat himself sitting close by.
"I swear, if he so much as lays a paw on Dem, I'll kill him!" Munk whispered fiercely.
"Easy," Morph tried to calm him. "I have a plan. Misto, do you think you can conjure up some sort of distraction?"
"I think I can whip up something."
Morph, keeping out of sight, slunk around to the other side of the cavern to where he was closer to the sisters. He looked back towards where Misto and Munk were hiding and saw bright blue flashes of lightning coming out of the tunnel next to them. Way to go, Misto! he thought as the henchrats ran to investigate, leaving only him, the sisters and Macavity in the cavern.
"I see there is no one here but us, ladies!" Macavity snarled. He pulled Bom out of the cage. "Tell me where the 'Cat of Dreams' is! NOW!!"
"I'm right here," Morph proceeded from his hiding place. "Come and get me." "Morph, RUN!" Bom pleaded. "Save yourself!"
"SHUT UP BITCH!" Macavity sent her flying across the room.
"Feiti primus, cum alter corpus," Morph whispered under his breath. "Misto! Munk! Get Bom and Dem out of here, quickly!"
Morph shifted into a hawk and flew up to the ceiling. From there he dive-bombed towards Macavity and sent him hurling into a pile of rubbish. Shifting to his feline self, he went over to the helpless Mystery Cat. "I could kill you right now, but then I'd be just as low as you are." With that, he left.
That Saturday at Misto's and Morph's Birthday Party...................
"You know, Morph," Misto exclaimed happily as he opened his presents, "I'm three now, still in my prime. I've got a beautiful queen, Jemima, five wonderful kittens, and you, Brother. What more could a cat ask for?"
"You're right, Misto. I have found my home and a mate. What more could a cat ask for? But I still can't help wondering what this secret is of Ol' D's. I mean, how big could it be?"
"Don't you worry about that. Ol' D will tell us when the time is right. For now, we've got some celebrating to do!"
A fast dance tune started up. "Hey Morph!" Bom shouted. "Get out here and shake your groove thang with me!" he hurried onto the dance floor.
"Come on, Jemima," Misto said to his mate." Let's show these two how it's done."
Then, Misto and Morph shared their first mindspeak. LIFE IS GOOD!!!