Well, it's been awhile, but I was working on my other fic. I hope you guys
like the new songs. I was afraid you were going to eat me. The results are
in this chapter. As for the disclaimer; I do not own CATS, nor do I own the
words here, other than the ones I have written.
And without further ado . . . .
Chapter Eleven ~**The Jellicle Ball, part II **~ (A.K.A. Kidnapping Fest)
The queens all stood expectantly, looking at the toms. Since none of them felt brave enough to announce the winners without being clobbered, Jennyanydots stepped up to the box and smiled to the tribe. She slipped on a pair gloves that allowed her to channel Mistofolees' magic and she clapped them together in anticipation.
Silver tendrils flowed from her fingertips and hovered over the queens' faces. They would be drawn forth from least to greatest. The silver would change according to the queen it flew before.
One of the tendrils turned a deep red, and everyone followed the line of color to Electra. She looked a little angry but not surprised. She stepped backward, leaving the long line of queens.
A brilliant azure color raced from Jennyanydots' fingers and ended before Tantomile. She nodded and stepped back. The next thing that happened was strange. One silver strand turned a light orange, the other turned to a deeper orange. These two moved at the same time to stop in front of Rumpleteazer and Etcetera. They backed off, Rumpleteazer coming up with some colorful words. She received a stern look from her mother again.
The next line, turning black as night, sped off to stop in front of Exotica. She smiled half-heartedly and backed up.
Now things got a bit tough. There were only six queens left, and they were glancing at each other menacingly. Again, two strands of color broke off simultaneously, one green, the other gold. They raced off to halt in front of Demeter and Sophanispa. The two golden queens looked at each other and grinned. They stepped backwards and left the remaining queens.
Cassandra and Bombalurina were shooting deadly glances at each other and Victoria and Jemima had clasped their hands together, shaking nervously. The last four queens were the center opf the tribe's attention.
A turquoise strand slipped quickly through the air and stopped at Cassandra. She scowled at Bombalurina and stepped back, her long legs still graceful.
No one breathed, not even to refill his or her lungs. The next strand was quivering slightly, as they did before they took on a color. It began to bleed a deep raspberry, running swiftly on to Jemima. She looked at her best friend beside her with awe, her big black eyes shining with light from the moon. She stepped back, wishing Victoria luck.
Suddenly the toms all began raucously cheering, some throwing out bets.
"Fifty parcels on Bombalurina!" Asparagus exclaimed. Mistofolees and Pouncival countered him with their own bet and they continued to shout, the amounts getting higher and higher. Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer contributed the most, 120 parcels (of nip) on Bombalurina.
"Two hundred parcels of pure nip on Bombalurina," a familiar voice called out. Everyone silenced themselves and looked behind them to Tugger who had stood and shouted this to the world. Everyone was shocked because it was hard to believe he had that much. He grinned up at the red queen and winked. "You'd better win babe."
She smiled suavely at him and wrinkled her nose. "We'll see."
Jennyanydots glanced up at Tugger. "You done?"
"Yeah, Ma," he told her. "I'm done."
"Good," she clapped again and the strand resumed their choices.
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The next change was hard to see and most didn't understand it when Alonzo cheered. He laughed at Mistofolees and began speaking of his own fortune when someone asked him what his problem was.
"The strand is turning white!" he exclaimed and suddenly, every eye was focused on Victoria, who's strand indeed had gone from silver to a brighter white. She graciously stepped back, still not losing and of her graceful beauty. Bombalurina looked shocked.
The last strand quivered and bled its luscious red color until the tip pointed at Bombalurina. A smile curved her lips and the room erupted in noise.
Demeter rushed up and hugged Bombalurina, Sophanispa standing by smiling. Once everything had died down and the cats had parted, a familiar golden fringe could be seen over Sophanispa's head. Bombalurina looked to find Tugger grinning at her, his canines sparkling in the light of the moon.
He moved toward her, Sophanispa and Demeter moving back and smiling knowingly. She looked up at him with her dark eyes and smiled, allowing him to pull her against him.
Instead of pushing him away, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Have you forgiven me yet?" he asked her, his hands warm against her waist.
She smiled and touched her nose to his. "Oh, I suppose . . ." They cuddled and kissed each other, some of the other cats groaning.
"Get a box!" someone snickered. Just as the cats were milling away, a crash sounded, sending a wave of adrenaline through everyone's system.
"No one asked ME who I thought was the most beautiful," a frightfully deep voice growled. Macavity flew from somewhere to hover above the heads of the tribe a lot of them hit the dirt and covered their heads, trembling with fear of being taken.
He only laughed in total lack of concern and tossed something down. Looking at the object, one would think that they would see it and one could see it, though at the same time, it was invisible to the eyes. The object, a seemingly solid ball of air itself, stopped in the center of the yard and exploded, sending bits of itself off in every direction.
These little bits, accompanied with his laughter, spun into cords, binding every cat in the premises to the floor. Sophanispa found herself tied to Victoria. They struggled but only a person of magical abilities (or controlled magical abilities) could free themselves. The twins and Mistofolees were untouched, but unfortunately, the others weren't so lucky.
Macavity allowed himself to light on the dirt, his wild appearance intriguing the queens once again. He would have probably given Tugger a run for his money if he hadn't been so evil.
Demeter clung to Jemima and tried to protect the younger cat with her body but Macavity, strangely, wasn't interested in her. He sauntered straight to Munkustrap and placed a foot on the tabby's back.
"Now, I know you lovely people are wondering why I am here," he told them, keeping the magical cats at bay with his yellow eyes. "And I am here to entertain. There once was a queen whose voice could melt a tom's heart with the slightest little cascade of song. One such tom was lucky enough to woo this queen and indeed, the two loved each other."
Demeter began to struggle. She knew (or thought she knew) where this was going. "Now, after awhile, the queen stopped loving this tom, though there was something between them that would have been thought to build a bond stronger than what the humans call steel. Demeter, my dear, do you know what that might have been?" Demeter glared blankly at him. "I know nothing of what you speak of, demon. Leave here before you are forced to." He chucked. "Sorry dear. No one will force me to leave. That bond . . . I wonder if anyone knows what I am talking about. Bombalurina; might you know?" The red queen looked stricken. She and Tugger were not bound to the ground, but to a wall of trash. She shook her head. "Well," Macavity sighed in exasperation. "I thought I had dropped enough hints to you while in my tender care but it seems you have not understood." He walked over until he was above Sophanispa and Victoria. Victoria hid her face in the golden queen's shoulder but the smaller one just stared up, tears forming in her eyes. "That bond is a child, my friends. The bond between the queen and tom is a child." The clearing was absolutely silent. Sophanispa's heart seemed to stop as realization filled the eyes of the tribe. Macavity smiled at her. "Yes, Jellicles, Demeter and I had a lovely little kitten, a little girl. And might you all have guessed at what her name might be? Hmm?" Sophanispa felt Victoria squirm and she burned with rage. What right had he to come here and do this to her? Demeter shrieked. Her mind was full of pictures she had shut out. A flattened tire, holding a little pale bundle of fur. Macavity's large eyes looming over her mind. The cry of a kitten and her flight from the compound. Oh, God! She had left the kitten there! How could she have forgotten her! Sophanispa, she had named her. Such a pretty name, very artistic. Even Macavity had agreed. Everything fit. The time line, the powers. She had been there all her life. Demeter cried out as Macavity's hand caressed her face. "You had forgotten, hadn't you?" he asked. "I suppose it's best to shut these things out. Things you loath to remember." He moved quickly and seized Munkustrap. Lifting off into the air, the silver tabby carried within the larger tom's arms, he shouted out to Demeter. "Come for him, you will my dear. And with you will come your loyalty to me." He left, rising over the trees to his lair.
The three magical cats ran about, breaking the bonds on the others. Once Sophanispa was free, she looked around. Eyes burned into her flesh, glares fixed on her. Alonzo nudged her rudely with his hip. She bit her lip and refused to let her tears fall.
Demeter reached for her but Sophanispa backed away. She had known that Macavity was her father, but as for Demeter being her mother, that was new information. She had never known that her mother had simply left her. She had always assumed that her mother had been killed or something.
Sophanispa turned to run into the darkness of the woods but blocking her path were Bombalurina and Tugger. She couldn't read the expression on his face but it wasn't a happy one. Bombalurina looked sad, not very comforting either. Sophanispa turned from them and bolted into the woods, her speed leaving any pursuers behind.
Jemima and Victoria looked after her, an identical look on their faces. One of sadness and wonder. It seemed once again, they alone had the power to accept the unwanted.
Tugger looked into the woods, his face a mix of emotions. "That's what she didn't want to tell me. That's why she didn't want me to know she could fly." He shook his head, his thoughts hidden. He led Bombalurina back to the ball.
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"We have to go back for him!" Demeter exclaimed to Alonzo. Alonzo was in effect, in charge now. Munkustrap being taken was a major setback for the tribe and no one knew just how to deal with this new problem. Tugger, of all people, had not voiced his opinion even though as the next oldest brother, he'd been asked to lead. He had declined without so much as a crack to Alonzo's honor and Bombalurina had worriedly asked him what was wrong. He had ignored her and anyone else who had asked that particular question.
"Well, the ball must go on," Alonzo announced, lacking in confidence. Jellylorum nodded, slightly afraid of the atmosphere around her. She moved to the side and returned helping Gus along on his feeble paws. She aided him to sitting on an old starched hat in the center of the junkyard and began to tell of his previous years and how this thespian of cats had become the greatest actor of all.
Gus' child Asparagus (the younger) decided to please the old man by dressing up as one of his old memories, the Firefrorfiddle, Fiend of the Fell. Asparagus had heard many a tale about his old man's days in the theater and knew what he was doing. (though this author may not)
Gus got more and more emotional and eventually, this all led up to his grandest adventure upon the stage, Growltiger's Last Stand.
Growltiger himself was played by Asparagus, who ran to get in place. The four crew members were played by Tugger and Mistofolees, just as usual but in Munkustrap's place was Alonzo, likewise in Skimbleshanks' position was Mungojerry. They sang of Growltiger's efforts and Asparagus (the younger) gallivanted around, flaunting his fake muscles and his surly appearance.
When Griddlebone appeared, Asparagus went nuts, kneeling before her and poetically motioning with his paws. Griddlebone was being played by the giggling and sashaying Etcetera.
When Gilbert the Siamese emerged (Coricopat), he and Growltiger fought bravely, slashing with their fake weapons. Etcetera ran off and their little brawl could be heard from somewhere not far away.
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Munkustrap was bleeding from several wounds, none of them serious however. Macavity needed him alive to gain Demeter. Munkustrap knew there was no escape because Macavity had done something to the doors. Only the fiend himself could open them by some unknown key. Munkustrap hadn't been able to see how this was done and so he didn't know how to escape. Macavity had inflicted minor pain and left him in the cell to be dealt with later.
Munkustrap was wondering whether anyone would come for him when footsteps could be heard in the hallway. There was a faint tearing sound and the door opened. Macavity entered, sneering.
"Oh, it's all coming clear to you now," Macavity told him. "You've only had a taste of what everyone else's had. You brother was strung up on my wall for a day. Would you like me to hang you on the wall?"
"You're insane," Munkustrap informed him. Macavity only laughed.
"No, you see, that's where you're wrong," he smiled at Munkustrap, his sharp teeth glinting in the dimly lit cell. "There's a difference between knowing what one wants, and insanity. I know what I want, and I'm willing to do what it takes to get it. Thanks to you, I can now get what I want."
"Demeter will not come," Munkustrap growled.
"Oh, I really think she will, and probably that little brat as well," he replied.
"That little brat is your daughter," Munkustrap pointed out. "Have you no remorse for the pain you caused her?"
Macavity thought about it. "No, not really. If she'd been a tom, we'd have gotten along great, but she was too like her mother, obedient for a time, then rebellious, leaving me alone."
"You deserve to be alone," Munkustrap exclaimed. "Anyone in your company ends up being abused." Munkustrap shut his mouth abruptly for Macavity had struck him across the jaw.
"You shouldn't say such things," Macavity growled. "I might have to show you."
"Leave Demeter alone," Munkustrap groaned, blood dripping to fall from the tip of his nose. "She can't take it much anymore. If she's here, you may destroy her."
"She is mine and was mine before she was ever your mate," Macavity snarled. "If anyone has claim to what is to become of her, it is me."
"No," Munkustrap protested. "I'd rather you kill me than take her again."
"That can be arranged," Macavity answered. "But not just yet. I've another I plan to kill."
He kicked Munkustrap in the side and left through the same door he'd entered from. Munkustrap breathed heavily and finally fell unconscious.
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Everyone was looking around, wondering what was to come next when Old Deuteronomy motioned his paw in the direction of an orangish tabby. Skimbleshanks grinned, wearing a vest and checking a pocket watch. He began to dance as everyone cried out his name.
Skimbleshanks worked at the local train station where he found a great array of things. He'd found collars for his oldest daughters and possessed quite a pallet for people of the station were always feeding him strange foods.
He was a cheerful cat, always giving the younger cats his brilliant smile. His cheerfulness had waned a bit after Munkustrap's capture but as Alonzo had said, the ball must go on.
As Skimbleshanks ran around and the other cats played with him, one cat was missing from the melee. She was wandering around alone down by the darker side of the junkyard. She was searching for Sophanispa, who had long since hidden herself in the woods.
Jemima couldn't believe that the cats had yet again shunned one who was different. Jemima was thrilled to know that she and Sophanispa were related. She was actually her aunt, but she felt more like a sister than an aunt.
Jemima didn't care who Sophanispa's father was. She was her friend and that was all that counted. She carefully followed the scent of the little golden queen and found her curled at the base of a tree, shivering and crying. She squeaked when she felt Jemima's paw on her shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" Sophanispa demanded. "Don't you realize they'll hate you for coming after me?"
"I don't care what they think," Jemima answered. "And I don't care who you're related to. I can't just abandon my friends because they have idiots for family. As far as I'm concerned, Macavity isn't even your father. No real father would have done what he did to you."
Sophanispa wiped the tears from her face. "You can't mean what you're saying."
"But I do," Jemima assured her. "You're my friend and I won't leave you until you come back with me to the junkyard. The ball's almost finished."
"I can't go back," Sophanispa answered. "They'll just shun me like they did when they found out."
"Not if Victoria and I stick to you," Jemima answered, pulling Sophanispa to her feet. "They won't say a word. We were right last time, about Grizabella. We decided to trust her and in the end, she ended up going to Heavyside!"
"I don't think I'll be going there with the blood of a demon in my veins," Sophanispa commented, allowing Jemima pull her along. The lights of the junkyard were now showing through the branches. Skimbleshanks was still singing and was now perched upon the car trunk with the rest of the tribe gathered around him, holding together what looked like a half-wits dream train. Etcetera and Electra glared over at Jemima and the golden cat, not knowing where Jemima had been. Victoria however smiled over at them.
The train fell apart and Skimbleshanks marauded around acting crazily, his bright eyes reflecting the smiling faces around the junkyard. He skidded to a stop and looked at them in shock. He was pretty much finished with his song and so nothing horribly out of place happened but his eyes narrowed as he took the two queens in.
"Jemima," he said curtly. "I do not want you associating yourself with the likes of her."
"Dad!" Jemima squealed. "She's your grand-daughter! She even has your green eyes! How can you distance yourself from her! She saved Bombalurina from Macavity!"
"Who would have never been trapped by Macavity had it not been for Sophanispa," Skimbleshanks accused.
"That's not true!" a loud voice countered. Bombalurina and Demeter moved to get in front of Sophanispa.
"Father, I am ashamed of you!" Bombalurina scolded Skimbleshanks. She addressed the entire company. "One would think you had learned your lesson with Grizabella." She turned back to Sophanispa and let forth a scream that shook a few leaves off the trees. Everyone turned to look, finding Macavity leaning against the trunk of a tree, as calm as can be. He grinned at the red queen, baring his teeth to the world.
The tribe backed up, all moving swiftly away from the evil cat. All except Sophanispa, who was beyond caring whether he hurt her or not. Jemima moved to pull her back with the rest and Alonzo cut her off, sending her small body to the floor.
"Stay away from her," he ordered. Macavity chose that moment to saunter confidently over to her and rub up against her shoulder.
"Did I not tell you this would happen?" he growled. "You cannot escape your own flesh and blood, my dear."
"You may be flesh and blood," she hissed. "But you are no father of mine." She looked at Jemima and watched the older girl smile. Macavity also noticed this and as Jemima smiled, he grinned, which looked more like a grimace on his surly face. Sophanispa saw this and a split second before he could act; she jumped in front of him.
"Don't you dare!" she shrieked. She moved towards him and he issued a powerful backhand, knocking her down and making her skid several feet. Demeter rushed to her and helped her up but by the time they had recovered, Macavity was gone, along with Jemima.
"No!" Bombalurina cried. She ran after them but Tugger held her back. Sophanispa gave a scream of pure anger and took off into the air, flying quickly after Macavity. She lost energy over the woods and fell from the air. The others did not see this, however.
Demeter and Bombalurina looked at each other, a mirror of what had happened the year before. The moved to the center of the junkyard and in a fear filled voice, Demeter began the chilling evaluation of her former lover.
"Macavity's a mystery cat. He's called the "Hidden Paw." For he'd a master criminal who can defy the law. He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the flying squad's despair, for when they reach the scene of crime, Macavity's not there."
She paused and looked about nervously. "Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. He's broken every human law. He breaks the law of gravity. His powers of levitation can make a fakir stare. And when you reach the scene of crime, Macavity's not there."
She moved farther back to where Bombalurina was watching. "You may seek him in a basement, you may look up in the air. . ." now facing the others, she pounded her point in dramatically. "But I tell you once, and once again! Macavity's not there!"
"Macavity's a ginger cat, he's very tall and thin," Bombalurina answered, her voice sultry. "You would know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken in. His brow is deeply lined with thought. His head is highly domed. His coat is dusty from neglect. His whiskers are uncombed."
She pantomimed a snake with her hand. "He sways his head form side to side with movements like a snake. And when you think he's half-asleep, he's always wide-awake!
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity. You may meet him in a by street. You may see him in the square. But when a crime's discovered then, Macavity's not there!"
"He's outwardly respectable," Demeter told her sister.
"I know he cheats at cards," the red queen replied. Demeter looked a little angry.
"And his footprints are not found in any files of Scotland Yard's." Demeter added, moving her hips suavely.
"And when the larder's looted," Bombalurina began
"Or the jewel case is rifled," Demeter added.
"Or when the milk is missing," Bombalurina continued.
"Or another Peke's been stifled!" Demeter screamed.
"When the greenhouse glass is broken!" Bombalurina escalated. They both flinched as the sound of something breaking came from their right.
"And the trellis past repair," Demeter finished.
"There's the wonder of the thing, Macavity's not there!" they shouted together. Before they could continue, a strange voice filled the air, taking up their song with a new spin on things.
"Macavity's a ruthless cat. His eyes are forged of gold. And you feel that when he looks at you, your blood has all run cold." Sophanispa had emerged form the woods, battered but alive. The next part she sort of spoke like Bombalurina had.
"His face is gaunt, his teeth are sharp, his arms are corded steel. And if he finds you on the street, he'll have you for a meal. Yet when he's deep within his lair, he cannot choose between . . .his massive stash of catnip, or his cell that holds a queen!" There were gasps and cries of anger at this last remark but Sophanispa continued, staring at the sisters who had started the song.
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. He's heartless and he lacks a soul. His chest's an empty cavity. He'll give you more than pain itself and a pain one cannot bear. He's evasive more than smoke itself. Macavity's never there!"
All three glanced at each other, and then at the moon. Their voices chorused together to create an even more frightening picture of the one their song described.
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. There never was a cat of such deceitfulness and suavity. He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare. Whatever time the deed took place Macavity wasn't there." They moved up closer to the others and told them practically in their faces, the next few lines. "and they say that all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known . . ." "I might mention, Mungojerry," Demeter added, looking at her brother. He smiled. "I might mention, Griddlebone," Bombalurina countered. "Are nothing more than agents, for the cat who all the time," Sophanispa continued. "Just controls the operation, the Napoleon of crime!" they all cried. They turned their backs to the company but the other queens were coming up to them as well. The next words were sung in an outright emotional fest. Everyone understood the horror of Macavity. "Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Maca-vi-ty! He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity. You may meet him in a by street. You may see him in the square. But when a crime's discovered then . . ." "Macavity!" Demeter exclaimed. "Macavity!" Bombalurina sang, half a step higher than her sister in pitch. "Macavity!!" Sophanispa cried in anguish. "Macavity!" the whole group cried. They all folded in on each other, the queens close enough to touch. "When a crimes discovered then Macavity's not there!"
The queens all looked up at the rest of the company and began to remix with their toms. The only queens that didn't move were the three original singers.
"Yes," a voice praised from above. "Very entertaining ands very flattering I'm sure. You forgot one very important thing though." Macavity landed behind them.
"My ultimate charm," he grinned. The three queens didn't move.
"What charm have you?" Sophanispa asked him.
"Enough charm to get you here," he spat. Rather than cower, she stood up to him.
"No charm was used to get me here. You can't force someone to think you're charming." She was utterly calm, though her worst nightmare (or reality, depending on how you view it) was standing before her.
Macavity grinned and continued to stay before the three queens. A male voice growled from behind them and Macavity looked to the rest of the company.
"You better not have hurt Jemima," Pouncival told him angrily. "I'll kill you if you've harmed her."
"Actually, boy," Macavity told him. "I only had time to lock the poor kitten in her cell before I returned to watch my praise filled song. She hasn't even been introduced properly to me, as it were."
"You are one sick bastard, you know that right?" Sophanispa asked him.
He slapped her effortlessly but this time she didn't fall. She snapped right back and scored her hand across his dark face. He staggered but stayed on his feet.
"I've always been gentle with you," he growled, his face still turned to the side with the force of her blow. "I knew you were made of tougher things like me, but you were a queen nonetheless. Allow me to give you a taste of what you would have had in the event that your had been born male." Without even glancing in her direction, he pulled back his fist and planted it in her stomach. Instead of just being winded or knocked over, she was thrown clear into the crowd of Jellicles. Most of them moved away but Tugger and Victoria knelt and tried to help her up. She pushed them away and turned over, coughing horribly. She spit out some dark fluid that looked strangely like blood. In fact, Demeter thought frantically. That's exactly what it was! She glared back at Macavity.
"Oops," he mocked. "A little too much power perhaps? No matter. Not like anyone cares about her."
"Shut the hell up," Tugger told him, his voice low in his throat. The maned tom stood and fixed his eye on the Hidden Paw.
"Why?" Macavity answered. "Do you care for the little brat?"
"And what if I do?" Tugger asked him. "There are different types of caring. This here brat is one of my closest friends and I won't take you shitting on her!" several of the queens gasped at his use of language but everyone could tell he was angry.
Macavity only smiled his sadistic grin and moved closer to the group, putting his arms around Bombalurina and Demeter's shoulders. They stiffened but showed strength by not moving.
"Well," Macavity growled. "I now have two captives in my fortress and no one has yet attempted to free them." He looked pointedly at Demeter.
She spit at him and this merited another slap from Macavity. Unlike Sophanispa, she stumbled and fell from him. Bombalurina squirmed and moved away, trying to get to Tugger. Sophanispa had stood but was hardly in good shape. She reached out to the red queen, her green eyes large and fearful. Bombalurina felt a strong vice clamp around her upper arm and turned to find Macavity. He winked evilly and lifted into the air.
"Get wise Demeter," he shouted crudely, restraining the fighting queen. "For every visit I make, I take a captive. You must come for them soon, or there won't be any of them left for you to rescue." He and the screaming, struggling, fighting Bombalurina vanished over the trees. (are you starting to sense a theme here?)
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Munkustrap knew Jemima was in the cell next to him and he had been speaking to her, though he couldn't see her. She was very frightened and was near tears when the footsteps and shouting could be heard.
"Let me go! Not again! Nooo! You sonovabiscuit! Let me go!" the cell next door was opened and a loud thud made Munkustrap flinch. He then heard a female voice. "Jemima? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
"No Bombi, I'm fine," Jemima assured her. "But Munkustrap's hurt."
"I'll be all right," he answered but just then the door opened and Macavity entered.
"Yeah," he growled. "You'll be fine once I'm through with you. A fine powder maybe." He waved his hand and Munkustrap was pulled tightly against the wall of the cell. Macavity announced to the others in the cell. "Listen carefully girls, for this is a fate you might encounter, for I do not have time to inflict my usual punishment upon you." He grinned. "And I don't think Munkustrap would enjoy that."
Munkustrap spit at Macavity and the villain laughed surreptitiously. He contracted his claws and made a deep slash across the silver tabby's chest. Munkustrap grunted but gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out.
Macavity only smiled, licking the blood off his claws. "Mmm. Could use a little pepper."
"You are disgusting," Munkustrap spat.
"Now how do you know that?" Macavity asked him. "You'll never know if you like something until you've tried it, or so my mother told me. You're the one with the bland blood." He opened the door and left. Calling through the bars, he informed them that he'd be back within an hour to "taste" Jemima next and that she best prepare herself.
"I don't want to die!" Jemima cried.
"It's alright," Bombalurina told her, cradling the smaller queen. "I won't let him kill you."
Munkustrap coughed in the next cell, "Her whole life." Bombalurina and Jemima decided not to interrupt his thinking. "Her whole life."
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"How are we going to get them back?" Victoria asked frantically.
"It's me he wants," Demeter answered. "I'll go and he'll set them free."
"He won't set them free," Sophanispa countered. She was sitting in a tree, separated from the group, her legs swinging freely. "He'll kill Munkustrap and use the others for target practice, or worse." She let the thought hang.
"Well, little miss villain," Victor accused. "What do you propose we do, hmm?"
"Victor!" Mistofolees scolded. "That was out of line!"
"It doesn't matter," Sophanispa told Mistofolees. "I won't be staying any longer after this is cleared up. It is plain that I am not wanted. However, I am willing to help return your tribe members and my way will not endanger anyone's life but my own."
"What is your plan?" Demeter asked.
Sophanispa sighed and looked up to Tugger who was lounging on a pile of junk. "It will remind one of last years' events. Tugger knows what I speak of." She jumped from the tree and stood at the base of his pile. When he gave her a confused look, she turned to the company and began herself. "You ought to ask Mr. Mistofolees, the Original Conjuring Cat."
"There can be no doubt about that," Tugger added, sitting up and continuing. "Please listen to me, and don't scoff (Sophanispa whispers these same word simultaneously and looks saddened.) All his inventions are off his own bat." Tugger gave a scrumptious grin and hopped from his perch, landing beside Sophanispa.
"There's no such cat in the metropolis," he continued, slinging a possessive arm around Sophanispa's shoulders and daring anyone to comment on her lineage. "He holds all the patent monopolies, for performing surprising illusions." He looked at Sophanispa with a grin. "And creating eccentric confusions." He leaned close and prodded her. "We're in this together, babe."
With a flourish, he introduced his baby brother. "The greatest magicians have something to learn from Mr. Mistofolees' conjuring turn." He knocked her lightly with his hip and winked. "And we all say . . ."
"Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees," she sang along with him, looking confused. He nodded quickly and she sighed in relief. He only wanted her to help him out. (for those of you who are wondering, I believe the best Tugger ever, voice and appearance wise, was John Partridge. I have heard others and seen pictures but he is by far superior to the others.)
"He's quiet, he's small he is black. From his ears to the tip of his tail," Tugger sang with a luscious swing to his voice.
"He can creep through the tiniest crack. He can walk on the narrowest rail," Sophanispa added, following his style and allowing herself to be pulled along by the ever-intriguing Tugger.
"He can pick any card from the pack," he said, holding out an invisible deck to Etcetera.
"He's equally cunning with dice," she added, tossing an invisible pair of dice.
"He's always deceivin' you into believin' that he's only hunting for mice," they concluded.
"He can play any trick with a cork! Or a spoon and a bit of fish paste!" Tugger exclaimed, he and Sophanispa making cork-popping motions.
"And if you're lookin' for a knife or a fork, and you think that it's merely misplaced," Sophanispa cried, Tugger making odd confusing hand motions that mesmerized the queens.
"You see it one moment," she began.
"And then, it is gone! But you'll find it next week," he added, both finishing the phrase. "Lying out on the lawn . . . And we all say. Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees." The said cat emerged from the sky, his fur full of flashing lights that illuminated both his white face and his ebony fur.
"Presto!" he cried, throwing his arms out and smiling brightly. A light seemed to emanate from his small body, lighting the cats' faces and cheering them slightly. They all joined in the next line. "Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees." The little tom moved effortlessly, shooting sparks from his fingertips and illuminating the junkyard in violent splashes of blue lightning.
"His manner is vague and aloof, and you would think there was nobody shyer," Sophanispa described, watching her friend move.
"But my voice could be heard on the roof, while I was curled up by the fire," Mistofolees pointed out.
"And he's sometimes been heard by the fire, while he was about on the roof," Sophanispa added.
"At least we all heard, that somebody purred, which is incontestable proof," Tugger commented, throwing in his own little move. "Of his singular magical powers. And I've known the family to call him in from the garden for hours, while he was asleep in the hall!" "And, not long ago, this phenomenal cat produced seven kittens right out of a hat . . ." Sophanispa grinned and motioned. Mistofolees picked up a hat, placed it on his own head, tipped it, and pulled several flowers from it, tossing them to various queens around the clearing. "And we all say . . . Oh, well I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees." Tugger moved to the back, watching Mistofolees dance around. He curved his arms over Sophanispa and Electra, Etcetera squatting between his knees. Mistofolees was being very cute indeed, zapping up the junkyard. He made Victoria go from the West end of the yard to the east just by using his lightning. "Magical," Tugger shouted randomly. A few nodded their heads and Mistofolees pulled out a large red cape. "And, not long ago this phenomenal cat produced seven kittens right out of a hat!" Tugger exclaimed. Mistofolees beckoned Sophanispa forward and she crawled beneath the blanket. Mistofolees rubbed his little black paws together and blew a sparkling dust over the blanket. It grew slightly larger and Old Deuteronomy watching from his perch upon the tire nodded. Mistofolees pulled the blanket away to reveal Jemima sitting there, a very confused look on her face. Though the others weren't back, Sophanispa was now within the compound. "Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees," Tugger sang softly, helping Jemima to her feet. She suddenly understood and went to hug Mistofolees. "Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees . . ." They company continued to sing this as Tugger shouted out words to describe his little brother. As everyone praised him, Mistofolees jumped into the air a vanished before their eyes, sending a shower of sparks over their heads.
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Sophanispa was now in the cell where Jemima had been kept and was receiving a frightening stare from Bombalurina.
"What happened?" she asked the golden queen.
"Mistofolees got Jemima out of here, but in return, I was put here," Sophanispa explained. "It's all right. I can get you guys out of here. I think." She moved to the door and began inspecting it.
"It has a magical seal," she assessed. I don't know how to open it. I've never seen these before." She moved to pull her arm back through the bars but caught her finger in something. "Ow!" Blood welled up and dripped onto the seal.
She stuck her finger in her mouth and was thoroughly surprised when the door opened. She stuck her head out and looked around. Macavity (like usual) wasn't there. She motioned for Bombalurina to follow her.
"Go that way," she pointed. "There should be a hatch in the room with the purple stroke on the door. I used to use that to escape. If the hatch won't open, hit the frame. It should pop open." Bombalurina nodded and hurried off. Sophanispa moved to Munkustrap's cell and peeked in. The silver tabby was pulled taught to the wall and was bleeding in several places. Sophanispa looked at the door and saw the same seal. There was a sharp protrusion that was stained reddish brown with blood. Sophanispa poked her finger with the spike and hissed as the metal went inside. She pulled her finger off the spike and watched as blood welled up in an iridescent glob of crimson. She rubbed the blood on the seal and the door opened.
She moved quickly over the Munkustrap and examined his bindings. He was pulled against the wall by the magical cords Macavity had used to hold everyone to the ground.
"Oh, crap," she whispered as she tried to get them off. They had zapped her with a faint but irritating shock. Every time she tried to remove them, the power charged her hands, each time growing a little stronger. Munkustrap was awake by then.
"So-so-Sophanispa?" he stammered. He had lost a lot of blood and was bruised all over.
"Quiet," she told him. "I'm trying to find a way to take these off without getting shocked." She looked at her finger again and thought about the blood. "Maybe this'll work." She rubbed blood over the bindings but only received a bigger shock due to the liquid.
She cursed n frustration and began looking for a knife or other such weapon, hopefully with a serrated edge. She might have to saw through the bonds.
"Your whole life," Munkustrap groaned. "How could I have understood?"
"Quiet, Munkustrap," she told him. "If Macavity hears you, he'll be coming here to stop me."
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, a blood filled tear raced down his face. "I wish I could take those words I said about you back."
Sophanispa looked annoyed and hadn't had any luck in locating a weapon. "I never even heard what you said, but I think most of it was right. Tugger told me."
Munkustrap gasped. "Tugger! He-he was right. He said that I couldn't possibly understand."
"Stop it, Munkustrap," she whispered. "It is partially my fault that Macavity has returned to torment you but can you blame me for leaving?"
Munkustrap looked at her sadly and shook his head. "How could I?"
"Save your apologies for when I break you out of here," Sophanispa told him. "We aren't out of the woods yet." She continued her search for weapons but found none.
"I'll be back," she told Munkustrap. She left the cell and ran swiftly to Macavity's private quarters. She found an old knife of his bearing a crystal hilt and a serrated edge and returned to the cell. She smelled the area carefully and was certain that there was something new. Screams were coming from the cell next to Munkustrap. She peeked in through the bars and was shocked.
Macavity's back was facing the door and he was kneeling over a body. The body was thrashing, clawing, and doing everything a normal cat in distress would do. Through Macavity's legs, Sophanispa could discern a lot of white fur. Sophanispa poked her finger on the spike and quietly opened the door, gritting her teeth through the pain. Victoria continued to struggle and was putting up quite a fight but she knew that if she didn't get away, Macavity would win. Just as she was coming to this conclusion, she saw Sophanispa. The golden queen put a finger to her lips and Victoria threw a new energy into fighting. Sophanispa held up the knife and took a deep breath, prepared to kill her father. The next few things happened either in rapid succession, or simultaneously. Macavity grabbed Victoria's upper leg and kissed her on the mouth, bringing forth screeches of anger form the white cat. Munkustrap called out to Macavity, cursing him. Sophanispa lost concentration in her anger against Macavity and swung the knife wide of her target and instead of planting it through his back and into his lungs; it became embedded in his shoulder, in between the clavicle and the scapula, not harming him other than causing him pain. Macavity turned to her and rage filled his face. "You're the one who let those two escape! Little whore! I'll give you a taste of your own medicine!" Sophanispa jumped and forced Macavity back, allowing room for Victoria to reach the open door. "Run!" Sophanispa urged her, holding her father at bay. "Use the hatch in the room with the purple paint on the door! Go! Hit the frame if it won't open! Hurry!" Macavity slapped her and moved towards the door but Victoria slammed it in his face. Rather than tear his already scabbed paw to open the door, he turned back to Sophanispa who was standing, her legs wide for balance and her hands covered in the blood form his wound. He moved towards her and pulled the knife out of his body with a slurping squelch. He grimaced, but such cats as Macavity are beyond these trivial pains. Giving her barely a glance, he slammed the knife home. After her agonized screaming, Sophanispa's vision cleared and she saw what had happened. She was pinned to the wall, the knife gone clear through the soft skin under her shoulder. She could feel the steel of the blade and knew it hadn't stopped at the bone of her scapula but gone straight through. Macavity, satisfied with her position, left her there and went back to the junkyard.
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Victoria ran as fast as her feet would carry her. Bombalurina had emerged from the woods, panting and in tears. She ran to Demeter and told her that Sophanispa and Munkustrap were trapped in the compound. She told the tribe how once Sophanispa had replaced Jemima, she'd gotten the door open and sent Bombalurina out of the lair through a hatch in the ceiling.
Bombalurina had turned back to look at the compound before fleeing and noticed that Macavity was briskly walking towards the door. She'd tried to open the hatch but the lid didn't open from the outside. She then fled the scene, terrified that she would be discovered. Macavity heard her footsteps and instead of going into the compound, he'd tried to search her out in the woods.
When Bombalurina had been safely surrounded by her fellow Jellicles, Macavity made a dive and snagged Victoria who had been the easiest target at the time.
It hadn't taken her very long to find the knife but by the time Sophanispa had returned to the cell area, Macavity was already at work hurting Victoria. The white cat bounded along until she erupted into the light of the junkyard.
The first person she ran into was Alonzo. She rapidly told him everything that had happened within the lair and demanded that someone be sent to get Sophanispa and Munkustrap out. Alonzo, though grimacing when Sophanispa was mentioned agreed to put together a party of cats to enter the compound.
He called the cats to the center of the junkyard and he began to speak. Victoria became impatient and she stood, moving up beside him.
"We have to go and help them!" she said energetically, waving her hands and jumping up and down. "Sophanispa risked her life to get me out of that cell and I know a few of you can relate to that." Bombalurina and Demeter nodded.
"Not to mention Munkustrap's stuck to a wall," she added. "There's no excuse for a cat that leaves their friends even though they're terrified. Who's with me!?" She raised her arms like a general giving commands. Tugger, Bombalurina, Demeter, Jemima, and Mistofolees stood and moved up to back Victoria. Tantomile and Coricopat joined them as well, Alonzo giving a pained look as she left his side to walk with her twin. After a few seconds, Pouncival and Tumblebrutus stood with boyish grins and joined the group. No one else moved.
Victoria began waving again. "What's the matter with you people? Mungojerry! Did Sophanispa not help you and Rumpleteazer become a couple? Would you have ever told Teazer if she hadn't helped you? Etcetera and Electra! Did she not allow you two to stay with her that night we were all frightened, even though Electra kept insulting her? And that goes for the other queens that stayed that night as well. How many of us has she helped? It's plain that she's willing to risk her life for us; we can only do the same. I ask you to toss away your narrow minded thoughts about who she's related to and help me get her out!"
Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer stood as one and moved up behind them. Asparagus and Etcetera followed as well. Electra swallowed the tears that were threatening to fall and moved up beside them. Cassandra and Exotica looked at each other and went as well. Plato and Victor joined the ranks. Alonzo looked like he wanted to hide somewhere.
"Let's go then!" Victoria exclaimed.
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Sophanispa forced herself to remain awake. She weakly curved her hand around the hilt of the knife and in one swift lurch; she managed to pull it halfway out, clearing the bone. Another pull and she was free. Her left arm was completely useless.
Moving as fast as she could and not make too much noise, she shuffled to the door and allowed blood from eh knife drip onto the seal. She moved to Munkustrap's cell and sliced through the bindings, waking him from his stupor.
They took in each other's wounds and smiled slightly, hoping against hope that they would make it out. Loping an arm around her waist, Munkustrap held her up while she served as a prop for him.
"We'll never get up to the hatch," she told him. "And the back way's blocked. The front door's the only way." She steered him in the right direction and they slowly shuffled through the winding hallways.
"He has all these hallways to confuse anyone trying to escape," she explained. "Luckily, I grew up figuring out these hallways. We're almost there." They walked a bit more and the main hall came into view. Sophanispa eyed the chains where Tugger had been kept before. She became distracted as she noticed the blood still on the shackles and she didn't see the danger in time.
"Two escapees. Did you really think you'd get away?" Macavity sauntered towards them, his right side almost completely covered in blood. The red substance had congealed and his fur was gummy with it. Sophanispa glanced toward the door.
He noticed and smiled. "It won't work. The seals on the cell doors can be opened by any blood but the exits are only opened by my blood. You can't escape."
"Wrong," Munkustrap said. He lifted himself off Sophanispa and stood steadily on his feet. Macavity growled and ran at the silver tabby.
"No!" Sophanispa screamed. She moved in the way just at the crucial moment. The knife in her hand was knocked out of her grip and Macavity issued one of his powerful blows, sending her rocketing through the air. She struck the door and slumped to the ground, mercifully unconscious. Macavity and Munkustrap began to round off. Both were slowed due to traumatic injuries so neither had an advantage in speed. Macavity however still had his powerful magic. It would prove to be a key ingredient in the next few minutes.
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The cats arrived at the compound door just in time to hear Sophanispa scream and the loud thud against the door. The toms attempted to open the door but nothing could be moved. Mistofolees was sent to work against the door while the queens were stationed back in the cave. Coricopat and Mungojerry ran around the back and tried the back door, which was shut as well. There was literally no way into the compound.
Coricopat and Tantomile joined hands, closed their eyes, and began to search with their minds.
~}{~
She was swimming through a sea of red. The color looked nice, its shiny surface making her eyes move continuously, following the ever-changing texture. Her golden fur was thick as it was in winter and the red water made it clump.
Not water. Of course, this water was thicker than normal and normal water was never so warm. Cats don't like water, she thought in the back of her mind. But I'm swimming in it so it must be okay.
Not water. It didn't taste like normal water, a little salty. And it smelled like new pennies, cured metal. Of course, the moonlight made it sparkle like a ruby. Pretty water.
NOT WATER! A voice was calling her, two in fact. She didn't want to leave the warmth of the pool. She was comfortable. "Come one! I'm comfortable! Let me be for once." But the voices continued to call her. They sounded strangely similar, yet different at the same time.
"Sophanispa! You have to open the door!"
"Door? I don't see a door. Is there a door somewhere?"
"The door! We can't get in from here. You have to let us in."
"Don't like letting people in. They always seem to hurt me somehow."
"We can save you! Open the door."
"Oh, that door," she said, remembering where she was. "I can't."
"You have to try!"
"It takes blood from Macavity. I can't get him to just open it."
Not water.
"Wait! This isn't water!" She opened her eyes but the pool of blood was gone. Well, she was in a pool opf her own blood but that was different. She realized she could still hear the voices. It was the twins.
"We can't get in. Is there some other way in?"
She couldn't respond so she thought. She couldn't get past the two bristling toms without letting Macavity know she was awake. She realized he was covered in blood.
'That's all I need,' she thought. 'But how can I get it?' She looked down at her own body and sighed. 'This sucks. I can't believe that monster is my own flesh and blood.'
She was about to up end the knife and throw it when the last words rung in her mind. 'Flesh and . . . blood!'
"That's it!" shrieked, hoisting herself to her feet. She reached up to her shoulder, scooped her fingers carefully across the wound and covered the seal in her blood.
"Please work, please, please work," she whispered. A grinding sound came from deep within the wall and the large stone door slid open. She was face to face with Mistofolees and Mungojerry.
"Hoy! Whot 'appened ta ya!?"
"Sophanispa?" Mistofolees asked.
"No time!" she shouted. "Hurry! Macavity-inside-fighting Munkustrap!" she pointed behind her and the toms swarmed in. Macavity saw them coming and shot into the air, leaving the room and compound through his own secret hole.
Only his laugh remained, reminding the cats that he was still at large. Munkustrap collapsed in Demeter's arms and he and Sophanispa were rushed out of the compound.
Well, well, well. What do you think? A little bloody but not much else holds the horror blood can inflict. Review, review, review. I live for your reviews. Thank you to Jennelle Whall for her help with Growltiger's Last Stand. I had no idea what I was doing with that bit but decided to include it anyway. I hope you enjoyed this. The next chapter will be out soon. Ja ne.
And without further ado . . . .
Chapter Eleven ~**The Jellicle Ball, part II **~ (A.K.A. Kidnapping Fest)
The queens all stood expectantly, looking at the toms. Since none of them felt brave enough to announce the winners without being clobbered, Jennyanydots stepped up to the box and smiled to the tribe. She slipped on a pair gloves that allowed her to channel Mistofolees' magic and she clapped them together in anticipation.
Silver tendrils flowed from her fingertips and hovered over the queens' faces. They would be drawn forth from least to greatest. The silver would change according to the queen it flew before.
One of the tendrils turned a deep red, and everyone followed the line of color to Electra. She looked a little angry but not surprised. She stepped backward, leaving the long line of queens.
A brilliant azure color raced from Jennyanydots' fingers and ended before Tantomile. She nodded and stepped back. The next thing that happened was strange. One silver strand turned a light orange, the other turned to a deeper orange. These two moved at the same time to stop in front of Rumpleteazer and Etcetera. They backed off, Rumpleteazer coming up with some colorful words. She received a stern look from her mother again.
The next line, turning black as night, sped off to stop in front of Exotica. She smiled half-heartedly and backed up.
Now things got a bit tough. There were only six queens left, and they were glancing at each other menacingly. Again, two strands of color broke off simultaneously, one green, the other gold. They raced off to halt in front of Demeter and Sophanispa. The two golden queens looked at each other and grinned. They stepped backwards and left the remaining queens.
Cassandra and Bombalurina were shooting deadly glances at each other and Victoria and Jemima had clasped their hands together, shaking nervously. The last four queens were the center opf the tribe's attention.
A turquoise strand slipped quickly through the air and stopped at Cassandra. She scowled at Bombalurina and stepped back, her long legs still graceful.
No one breathed, not even to refill his or her lungs. The next strand was quivering slightly, as they did before they took on a color. It began to bleed a deep raspberry, running swiftly on to Jemima. She looked at her best friend beside her with awe, her big black eyes shining with light from the moon. She stepped back, wishing Victoria luck.
Suddenly the toms all began raucously cheering, some throwing out bets.
"Fifty parcels on Bombalurina!" Asparagus exclaimed. Mistofolees and Pouncival countered him with their own bet and they continued to shout, the amounts getting higher and higher. Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer contributed the most, 120 parcels (of nip) on Bombalurina.
"Two hundred parcels of pure nip on Bombalurina," a familiar voice called out. Everyone silenced themselves and looked behind them to Tugger who had stood and shouted this to the world. Everyone was shocked because it was hard to believe he had that much. He grinned up at the red queen and winked. "You'd better win babe."
She smiled suavely at him and wrinkled her nose. "We'll see."
Jennyanydots glanced up at Tugger. "You done?"
"Yeah, Ma," he told her. "I'm done."
"Good," she clapped again and the strand resumed their choices.
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The next change was hard to see and most didn't understand it when Alonzo cheered. He laughed at Mistofolees and began speaking of his own fortune when someone asked him what his problem was.
"The strand is turning white!" he exclaimed and suddenly, every eye was focused on Victoria, who's strand indeed had gone from silver to a brighter white. She graciously stepped back, still not losing and of her graceful beauty. Bombalurina looked shocked.
The last strand quivered and bled its luscious red color until the tip pointed at Bombalurina. A smile curved her lips and the room erupted in noise.
Demeter rushed up and hugged Bombalurina, Sophanispa standing by smiling. Once everything had died down and the cats had parted, a familiar golden fringe could be seen over Sophanispa's head. Bombalurina looked to find Tugger grinning at her, his canines sparkling in the light of the moon.
He moved toward her, Sophanispa and Demeter moving back and smiling knowingly. She looked up at him with her dark eyes and smiled, allowing him to pull her against him.
Instead of pushing him away, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Have you forgiven me yet?" he asked her, his hands warm against her waist.
She smiled and touched her nose to his. "Oh, I suppose . . ." They cuddled and kissed each other, some of the other cats groaning.
"Get a box!" someone snickered. Just as the cats were milling away, a crash sounded, sending a wave of adrenaline through everyone's system.
"No one asked ME who I thought was the most beautiful," a frightfully deep voice growled. Macavity flew from somewhere to hover above the heads of the tribe a lot of them hit the dirt and covered their heads, trembling with fear of being taken.
He only laughed in total lack of concern and tossed something down. Looking at the object, one would think that they would see it and one could see it, though at the same time, it was invisible to the eyes. The object, a seemingly solid ball of air itself, stopped in the center of the yard and exploded, sending bits of itself off in every direction.
These little bits, accompanied with his laughter, spun into cords, binding every cat in the premises to the floor. Sophanispa found herself tied to Victoria. They struggled but only a person of magical abilities (or controlled magical abilities) could free themselves. The twins and Mistofolees were untouched, but unfortunately, the others weren't so lucky.
Macavity allowed himself to light on the dirt, his wild appearance intriguing the queens once again. He would have probably given Tugger a run for his money if he hadn't been so evil.
Demeter clung to Jemima and tried to protect the younger cat with her body but Macavity, strangely, wasn't interested in her. He sauntered straight to Munkustrap and placed a foot on the tabby's back.
"Now, I know you lovely people are wondering why I am here," he told them, keeping the magical cats at bay with his yellow eyes. "And I am here to entertain. There once was a queen whose voice could melt a tom's heart with the slightest little cascade of song. One such tom was lucky enough to woo this queen and indeed, the two loved each other."
Demeter began to struggle. She knew (or thought she knew) where this was going. "Now, after awhile, the queen stopped loving this tom, though there was something between them that would have been thought to build a bond stronger than what the humans call steel. Demeter, my dear, do you know what that might have been?" Demeter glared blankly at him. "I know nothing of what you speak of, demon. Leave here before you are forced to." He chucked. "Sorry dear. No one will force me to leave. That bond . . . I wonder if anyone knows what I am talking about. Bombalurina; might you know?" The red queen looked stricken. She and Tugger were not bound to the ground, but to a wall of trash. She shook her head. "Well," Macavity sighed in exasperation. "I thought I had dropped enough hints to you while in my tender care but it seems you have not understood." He walked over until he was above Sophanispa and Victoria. Victoria hid her face in the golden queen's shoulder but the smaller one just stared up, tears forming in her eyes. "That bond is a child, my friends. The bond between the queen and tom is a child." The clearing was absolutely silent. Sophanispa's heart seemed to stop as realization filled the eyes of the tribe. Macavity smiled at her. "Yes, Jellicles, Demeter and I had a lovely little kitten, a little girl. And might you all have guessed at what her name might be? Hmm?" Sophanispa felt Victoria squirm and she burned with rage. What right had he to come here and do this to her? Demeter shrieked. Her mind was full of pictures she had shut out. A flattened tire, holding a little pale bundle of fur. Macavity's large eyes looming over her mind. The cry of a kitten and her flight from the compound. Oh, God! She had left the kitten there! How could she have forgotten her! Sophanispa, she had named her. Such a pretty name, very artistic. Even Macavity had agreed. Everything fit. The time line, the powers. She had been there all her life. Demeter cried out as Macavity's hand caressed her face. "You had forgotten, hadn't you?" he asked. "I suppose it's best to shut these things out. Things you loath to remember." He moved quickly and seized Munkustrap. Lifting off into the air, the silver tabby carried within the larger tom's arms, he shouted out to Demeter. "Come for him, you will my dear. And with you will come your loyalty to me." He left, rising over the trees to his lair.
The three magical cats ran about, breaking the bonds on the others. Once Sophanispa was free, she looked around. Eyes burned into her flesh, glares fixed on her. Alonzo nudged her rudely with his hip. She bit her lip and refused to let her tears fall.
Demeter reached for her but Sophanispa backed away. She had known that Macavity was her father, but as for Demeter being her mother, that was new information. She had never known that her mother had simply left her. She had always assumed that her mother had been killed or something.
Sophanispa turned to run into the darkness of the woods but blocking her path were Bombalurina and Tugger. She couldn't read the expression on his face but it wasn't a happy one. Bombalurina looked sad, not very comforting either. Sophanispa turned from them and bolted into the woods, her speed leaving any pursuers behind.
Jemima and Victoria looked after her, an identical look on their faces. One of sadness and wonder. It seemed once again, they alone had the power to accept the unwanted.
Tugger looked into the woods, his face a mix of emotions. "That's what she didn't want to tell me. That's why she didn't want me to know she could fly." He shook his head, his thoughts hidden. He led Bombalurina back to the ball.
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"We have to go back for him!" Demeter exclaimed to Alonzo. Alonzo was in effect, in charge now. Munkustrap being taken was a major setback for the tribe and no one knew just how to deal with this new problem. Tugger, of all people, had not voiced his opinion even though as the next oldest brother, he'd been asked to lead. He had declined without so much as a crack to Alonzo's honor and Bombalurina had worriedly asked him what was wrong. He had ignored her and anyone else who had asked that particular question.
"Well, the ball must go on," Alonzo announced, lacking in confidence. Jellylorum nodded, slightly afraid of the atmosphere around her. She moved to the side and returned helping Gus along on his feeble paws. She aided him to sitting on an old starched hat in the center of the junkyard and began to tell of his previous years and how this thespian of cats had become the greatest actor of all.
Gus' child Asparagus (the younger) decided to please the old man by dressing up as one of his old memories, the Firefrorfiddle, Fiend of the Fell. Asparagus had heard many a tale about his old man's days in the theater and knew what he was doing. (though this author may not)
Gus got more and more emotional and eventually, this all led up to his grandest adventure upon the stage, Growltiger's Last Stand.
Growltiger himself was played by Asparagus, who ran to get in place. The four crew members were played by Tugger and Mistofolees, just as usual but in Munkustrap's place was Alonzo, likewise in Skimbleshanks' position was Mungojerry. They sang of Growltiger's efforts and Asparagus (the younger) gallivanted around, flaunting his fake muscles and his surly appearance.
When Griddlebone appeared, Asparagus went nuts, kneeling before her and poetically motioning with his paws. Griddlebone was being played by the giggling and sashaying Etcetera.
When Gilbert the Siamese emerged (Coricopat), he and Growltiger fought bravely, slashing with their fake weapons. Etcetera ran off and their little brawl could be heard from somewhere not far away.
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Munkustrap was bleeding from several wounds, none of them serious however. Macavity needed him alive to gain Demeter. Munkustrap knew there was no escape because Macavity had done something to the doors. Only the fiend himself could open them by some unknown key. Munkustrap hadn't been able to see how this was done and so he didn't know how to escape. Macavity had inflicted minor pain and left him in the cell to be dealt with later.
Munkustrap was wondering whether anyone would come for him when footsteps could be heard in the hallway. There was a faint tearing sound and the door opened. Macavity entered, sneering.
"Oh, it's all coming clear to you now," Macavity told him. "You've only had a taste of what everyone else's had. You brother was strung up on my wall for a day. Would you like me to hang you on the wall?"
"You're insane," Munkustrap informed him. Macavity only laughed.
"No, you see, that's where you're wrong," he smiled at Munkustrap, his sharp teeth glinting in the dimly lit cell. "There's a difference between knowing what one wants, and insanity. I know what I want, and I'm willing to do what it takes to get it. Thanks to you, I can now get what I want."
"Demeter will not come," Munkustrap growled.
"Oh, I really think she will, and probably that little brat as well," he replied.
"That little brat is your daughter," Munkustrap pointed out. "Have you no remorse for the pain you caused her?"
Macavity thought about it. "No, not really. If she'd been a tom, we'd have gotten along great, but she was too like her mother, obedient for a time, then rebellious, leaving me alone."
"You deserve to be alone," Munkustrap exclaimed. "Anyone in your company ends up being abused." Munkustrap shut his mouth abruptly for Macavity had struck him across the jaw.
"You shouldn't say such things," Macavity growled. "I might have to show you."
"Leave Demeter alone," Munkustrap groaned, blood dripping to fall from the tip of his nose. "She can't take it much anymore. If she's here, you may destroy her."
"She is mine and was mine before she was ever your mate," Macavity snarled. "If anyone has claim to what is to become of her, it is me."
"No," Munkustrap protested. "I'd rather you kill me than take her again."
"That can be arranged," Macavity answered. "But not just yet. I've another I plan to kill."
He kicked Munkustrap in the side and left through the same door he'd entered from. Munkustrap breathed heavily and finally fell unconscious.
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Everyone was looking around, wondering what was to come next when Old Deuteronomy motioned his paw in the direction of an orangish tabby. Skimbleshanks grinned, wearing a vest and checking a pocket watch. He began to dance as everyone cried out his name.
Skimbleshanks worked at the local train station where he found a great array of things. He'd found collars for his oldest daughters and possessed quite a pallet for people of the station were always feeding him strange foods.
He was a cheerful cat, always giving the younger cats his brilliant smile. His cheerfulness had waned a bit after Munkustrap's capture but as Alonzo had said, the ball must go on.
As Skimbleshanks ran around and the other cats played with him, one cat was missing from the melee. She was wandering around alone down by the darker side of the junkyard. She was searching for Sophanispa, who had long since hidden herself in the woods.
Jemima couldn't believe that the cats had yet again shunned one who was different. Jemima was thrilled to know that she and Sophanispa were related. She was actually her aunt, but she felt more like a sister than an aunt.
Jemima didn't care who Sophanispa's father was. She was her friend and that was all that counted. She carefully followed the scent of the little golden queen and found her curled at the base of a tree, shivering and crying. She squeaked when she felt Jemima's paw on her shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" Sophanispa demanded. "Don't you realize they'll hate you for coming after me?"
"I don't care what they think," Jemima answered. "And I don't care who you're related to. I can't just abandon my friends because they have idiots for family. As far as I'm concerned, Macavity isn't even your father. No real father would have done what he did to you."
Sophanispa wiped the tears from her face. "You can't mean what you're saying."
"But I do," Jemima assured her. "You're my friend and I won't leave you until you come back with me to the junkyard. The ball's almost finished."
"I can't go back," Sophanispa answered. "They'll just shun me like they did when they found out."
"Not if Victoria and I stick to you," Jemima answered, pulling Sophanispa to her feet. "They won't say a word. We were right last time, about Grizabella. We decided to trust her and in the end, she ended up going to Heavyside!"
"I don't think I'll be going there with the blood of a demon in my veins," Sophanispa commented, allowing Jemima pull her along. The lights of the junkyard were now showing through the branches. Skimbleshanks was still singing and was now perched upon the car trunk with the rest of the tribe gathered around him, holding together what looked like a half-wits dream train. Etcetera and Electra glared over at Jemima and the golden cat, not knowing where Jemima had been. Victoria however smiled over at them.
The train fell apart and Skimbleshanks marauded around acting crazily, his bright eyes reflecting the smiling faces around the junkyard. He skidded to a stop and looked at them in shock. He was pretty much finished with his song and so nothing horribly out of place happened but his eyes narrowed as he took the two queens in.
"Jemima," he said curtly. "I do not want you associating yourself with the likes of her."
"Dad!" Jemima squealed. "She's your grand-daughter! She even has your green eyes! How can you distance yourself from her! She saved Bombalurina from Macavity!"
"Who would have never been trapped by Macavity had it not been for Sophanispa," Skimbleshanks accused.
"That's not true!" a loud voice countered. Bombalurina and Demeter moved to get in front of Sophanispa.
"Father, I am ashamed of you!" Bombalurina scolded Skimbleshanks. She addressed the entire company. "One would think you had learned your lesson with Grizabella." She turned back to Sophanispa and let forth a scream that shook a few leaves off the trees. Everyone turned to look, finding Macavity leaning against the trunk of a tree, as calm as can be. He grinned at the red queen, baring his teeth to the world.
The tribe backed up, all moving swiftly away from the evil cat. All except Sophanispa, who was beyond caring whether he hurt her or not. Jemima moved to pull her back with the rest and Alonzo cut her off, sending her small body to the floor.
"Stay away from her," he ordered. Macavity chose that moment to saunter confidently over to her and rub up against her shoulder.
"Did I not tell you this would happen?" he growled. "You cannot escape your own flesh and blood, my dear."
"You may be flesh and blood," she hissed. "But you are no father of mine." She looked at Jemima and watched the older girl smile. Macavity also noticed this and as Jemima smiled, he grinned, which looked more like a grimace on his surly face. Sophanispa saw this and a split second before he could act; she jumped in front of him.
"Don't you dare!" she shrieked. She moved towards him and he issued a powerful backhand, knocking her down and making her skid several feet. Demeter rushed to her and helped her up but by the time they had recovered, Macavity was gone, along with Jemima.
"No!" Bombalurina cried. She ran after them but Tugger held her back. Sophanispa gave a scream of pure anger and took off into the air, flying quickly after Macavity. She lost energy over the woods and fell from the air. The others did not see this, however.
Demeter and Bombalurina looked at each other, a mirror of what had happened the year before. The moved to the center of the junkyard and in a fear filled voice, Demeter began the chilling evaluation of her former lover.
"Macavity's a mystery cat. He's called the "Hidden Paw." For he'd a master criminal who can defy the law. He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the flying squad's despair, for when they reach the scene of crime, Macavity's not there."
She paused and looked about nervously. "Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. He's broken every human law. He breaks the law of gravity. His powers of levitation can make a fakir stare. And when you reach the scene of crime, Macavity's not there."
She moved farther back to where Bombalurina was watching. "You may seek him in a basement, you may look up in the air. . ." now facing the others, she pounded her point in dramatically. "But I tell you once, and once again! Macavity's not there!"
"Macavity's a ginger cat, he's very tall and thin," Bombalurina answered, her voice sultry. "You would know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken in. His brow is deeply lined with thought. His head is highly domed. His coat is dusty from neglect. His whiskers are uncombed."
She pantomimed a snake with her hand. "He sways his head form side to side with movements like a snake. And when you think he's half-asleep, he's always wide-awake!
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity. You may meet him in a by street. You may see him in the square. But when a crime's discovered then, Macavity's not there!"
"He's outwardly respectable," Demeter told her sister.
"I know he cheats at cards," the red queen replied. Demeter looked a little angry.
"And his footprints are not found in any files of Scotland Yard's." Demeter added, moving her hips suavely.
"And when the larder's looted," Bombalurina began
"Or the jewel case is rifled," Demeter added.
"Or when the milk is missing," Bombalurina continued.
"Or another Peke's been stifled!" Demeter screamed.
"When the greenhouse glass is broken!" Bombalurina escalated. They both flinched as the sound of something breaking came from their right.
"And the trellis past repair," Demeter finished.
"There's the wonder of the thing, Macavity's not there!" they shouted together. Before they could continue, a strange voice filled the air, taking up their song with a new spin on things.
"Macavity's a ruthless cat. His eyes are forged of gold. And you feel that when he looks at you, your blood has all run cold." Sophanispa had emerged form the woods, battered but alive. The next part she sort of spoke like Bombalurina had.
"His face is gaunt, his teeth are sharp, his arms are corded steel. And if he finds you on the street, he'll have you for a meal. Yet when he's deep within his lair, he cannot choose between . . .his massive stash of catnip, or his cell that holds a queen!" There were gasps and cries of anger at this last remark but Sophanispa continued, staring at the sisters who had started the song.
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. He's heartless and he lacks a soul. His chest's an empty cavity. He'll give you more than pain itself and a pain one cannot bear. He's evasive more than smoke itself. Macavity's never there!"
All three glanced at each other, and then at the moon. Their voices chorused together to create an even more frightening picture of the one their song described.
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. There never was a cat of such deceitfulness and suavity. He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare. Whatever time the deed took place Macavity wasn't there." They moved up closer to the others and told them practically in their faces, the next few lines. "and they say that all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known . . ." "I might mention, Mungojerry," Demeter added, looking at her brother. He smiled. "I might mention, Griddlebone," Bombalurina countered. "Are nothing more than agents, for the cat who all the time," Sophanispa continued. "Just controls the operation, the Napoleon of crime!" they all cried. They turned their backs to the company but the other queens were coming up to them as well. The next words were sung in an outright emotional fest. Everyone understood the horror of Macavity. "Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Maca-vi-ty! He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity. You may meet him in a by street. You may see him in the square. But when a crime's discovered then . . ." "Macavity!" Demeter exclaimed. "Macavity!" Bombalurina sang, half a step higher than her sister in pitch. "Macavity!!" Sophanispa cried in anguish. "Macavity!" the whole group cried. They all folded in on each other, the queens close enough to touch. "When a crimes discovered then Macavity's not there!"
The queens all looked up at the rest of the company and began to remix with their toms. The only queens that didn't move were the three original singers.
"Yes," a voice praised from above. "Very entertaining ands very flattering I'm sure. You forgot one very important thing though." Macavity landed behind them.
"My ultimate charm," he grinned. The three queens didn't move.
"What charm have you?" Sophanispa asked him.
"Enough charm to get you here," he spat. Rather than cower, she stood up to him.
"No charm was used to get me here. You can't force someone to think you're charming." She was utterly calm, though her worst nightmare (or reality, depending on how you view it) was standing before her.
Macavity grinned and continued to stay before the three queens. A male voice growled from behind them and Macavity looked to the rest of the company.
"You better not have hurt Jemima," Pouncival told him angrily. "I'll kill you if you've harmed her."
"Actually, boy," Macavity told him. "I only had time to lock the poor kitten in her cell before I returned to watch my praise filled song. She hasn't even been introduced properly to me, as it were."
"You are one sick bastard, you know that right?" Sophanispa asked him.
He slapped her effortlessly but this time she didn't fall. She snapped right back and scored her hand across his dark face. He staggered but stayed on his feet.
"I've always been gentle with you," he growled, his face still turned to the side with the force of her blow. "I knew you were made of tougher things like me, but you were a queen nonetheless. Allow me to give you a taste of what you would have had in the event that your had been born male." Without even glancing in her direction, he pulled back his fist and planted it in her stomach. Instead of just being winded or knocked over, she was thrown clear into the crowd of Jellicles. Most of them moved away but Tugger and Victoria knelt and tried to help her up. She pushed them away and turned over, coughing horribly. She spit out some dark fluid that looked strangely like blood. In fact, Demeter thought frantically. That's exactly what it was! She glared back at Macavity.
"Oops," he mocked. "A little too much power perhaps? No matter. Not like anyone cares about her."
"Shut the hell up," Tugger told him, his voice low in his throat. The maned tom stood and fixed his eye on the Hidden Paw.
"Why?" Macavity answered. "Do you care for the little brat?"
"And what if I do?" Tugger asked him. "There are different types of caring. This here brat is one of my closest friends and I won't take you shitting on her!" several of the queens gasped at his use of language but everyone could tell he was angry.
Macavity only smiled his sadistic grin and moved closer to the group, putting his arms around Bombalurina and Demeter's shoulders. They stiffened but showed strength by not moving.
"Well," Macavity growled. "I now have two captives in my fortress and no one has yet attempted to free them." He looked pointedly at Demeter.
She spit at him and this merited another slap from Macavity. Unlike Sophanispa, she stumbled and fell from him. Bombalurina squirmed and moved away, trying to get to Tugger. Sophanispa had stood but was hardly in good shape. She reached out to the red queen, her green eyes large and fearful. Bombalurina felt a strong vice clamp around her upper arm and turned to find Macavity. He winked evilly and lifted into the air.
"Get wise Demeter," he shouted crudely, restraining the fighting queen. "For every visit I make, I take a captive. You must come for them soon, or there won't be any of them left for you to rescue." He and the screaming, struggling, fighting Bombalurina vanished over the trees. (are you starting to sense a theme here?)
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Munkustrap knew Jemima was in the cell next to him and he had been speaking to her, though he couldn't see her. She was very frightened and was near tears when the footsteps and shouting could be heard.
"Let me go! Not again! Nooo! You sonovabiscuit! Let me go!" the cell next door was opened and a loud thud made Munkustrap flinch. He then heard a female voice. "Jemima? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
"No Bombi, I'm fine," Jemima assured her. "But Munkustrap's hurt."
"I'll be all right," he answered but just then the door opened and Macavity entered.
"Yeah," he growled. "You'll be fine once I'm through with you. A fine powder maybe." He waved his hand and Munkustrap was pulled tightly against the wall of the cell. Macavity announced to the others in the cell. "Listen carefully girls, for this is a fate you might encounter, for I do not have time to inflict my usual punishment upon you." He grinned. "And I don't think Munkustrap would enjoy that."
Munkustrap spit at Macavity and the villain laughed surreptitiously. He contracted his claws and made a deep slash across the silver tabby's chest. Munkustrap grunted but gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out.
Macavity only smiled, licking the blood off his claws. "Mmm. Could use a little pepper."
"You are disgusting," Munkustrap spat.
"Now how do you know that?" Macavity asked him. "You'll never know if you like something until you've tried it, or so my mother told me. You're the one with the bland blood." He opened the door and left. Calling through the bars, he informed them that he'd be back within an hour to "taste" Jemima next and that she best prepare herself.
"I don't want to die!" Jemima cried.
"It's alright," Bombalurina told her, cradling the smaller queen. "I won't let him kill you."
Munkustrap coughed in the next cell, "Her whole life." Bombalurina and Jemima decided not to interrupt his thinking. "Her whole life."
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"How are we going to get them back?" Victoria asked frantically.
"It's me he wants," Demeter answered. "I'll go and he'll set them free."
"He won't set them free," Sophanispa countered. She was sitting in a tree, separated from the group, her legs swinging freely. "He'll kill Munkustrap and use the others for target practice, or worse." She let the thought hang.
"Well, little miss villain," Victor accused. "What do you propose we do, hmm?"
"Victor!" Mistofolees scolded. "That was out of line!"
"It doesn't matter," Sophanispa told Mistofolees. "I won't be staying any longer after this is cleared up. It is plain that I am not wanted. However, I am willing to help return your tribe members and my way will not endanger anyone's life but my own."
"What is your plan?" Demeter asked.
Sophanispa sighed and looked up to Tugger who was lounging on a pile of junk. "It will remind one of last years' events. Tugger knows what I speak of." She jumped from the tree and stood at the base of his pile. When he gave her a confused look, she turned to the company and began herself. "You ought to ask Mr. Mistofolees, the Original Conjuring Cat."
"There can be no doubt about that," Tugger added, sitting up and continuing. "Please listen to me, and don't scoff (Sophanispa whispers these same word simultaneously and looks saddened.) All his inventions are off his own bat." Tugger gave a scrumptious grin and hopped from his perch, landing beside Sophanispa.
"There's no such cat in the metropolis," he continued, slinging a possessive arm around Sophanispa's shoulders and daring anyone to comment on her lineage. "He holds all the patent monopolies, for performing surprising illusions." He looked at Sophanispa with a grin. "And creating eccentric confusions." He leaned close and prodded her. "We're in this together, babe."
With a flourish, he introduced his baby brother. "The greatest magicians have something to learn from Mr. Mistofolees' conjuring turn." He knocked her lightly with his hip and winked. "And we all say . . ."
"Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees," she sang along with him, looking confused. He nodded quickly and she sighed in relief. He only wanted her to help him out. (for those of you who are wondering, I believe the best Tugger ever, voice and appearance wise, was John Partridge. I have heard others and seen pictures but he is by far superior to the others.)
"He's quiet, he's small he is black. From his ears to the tip of his tail," Tugger sang with a luscious swing to his voice.
"He can creep through the tiniest crack. He can walk on the narrowest rail," Sophanispa added, following his style and allowing herself to be pulled along by the ever-intriguing Tugger.
"He can pick any card from the pack," he said, holding out an invisible deck to Etcetera.
"He's equally cunning with dice," she added, tossing an invisible pair of dice.
"He's always deceivin' you into believin' that he's only hunting for mice," they concluded.
"He can play any trick with a cork! Or a spoon and a bit of fish paste!" Tugger exclaimed, he and Sophanispa making cork-popping motions.
"And if you're lookin' for a knife or a fork, and you think that it's merely misplaced," Sophanispa cried, Tugger making odd confusing hand motions that mesmerized the queens.
"You see it one moment," she began.
"And then, it is gone! But you'll find it next week," he added, both finishing the phrase. "Lying out on the lawn . . . And we all say. Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees." The said cat emerged from the sky, his fur full of flashing lights that illuminated both his white face and his ebony fur.
"Presto!" he cried, throwing his arms out and smiling brightly. A light seemed to emanate from his small body, lighting the cats' faces and cheering them slightly. They all joined in the next line. "Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees." The little tom moved effortlessly, shooting sparks from his fingertips and illuminating the junkyard in violent splashes of blue lightning.
"His manner is vague and aloof, and you would think there was nobody shyer," Sophanispa described, watching her friend move.
"But my voice could be heard on the roof, while I was curled up by the fire," Mistofolees pointed out.
"And he's sometimes been heard by the fire, while he was about on the roof," Sophanispa added.
"At least we all heard, that somebody purred, which is incontestable proof," Tugger commented, throwing in his own little move. "Of his singular magical powers. And I've known the family to call him in from the garden for hours, while he was asleep in the hall!" "And, not long ago, this phenomenal cat produced seven kittens right out of a hat . . ." Sophanispa grinned and motioned. Mistofolees picked up a hat, placed it on his own head, tipped it, and pulled several flowers from it, tossing them to various queens around the clearing. "And we all say . . . Oh, well I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees." Tugger moved to the back, watching Mistofolees dance around. He curved his arms over Sophanispa and Electra, Etcetera squatting between his knees. Mistofolees was being very cute indeed, zapping up the junkyard. He made Victoria go from the West end of the yard to the east just by using his lightning. "Magical," Tugger shouted randomly. A few nodded their heads and Mistofolees pulled out a large red cape. "And, not long ago this phenomenal cat produced seven kittens right out of a hat!" Tugger exclaimed. Mistofolees beckoned Sophanispa forward and she crawled beneath the blanket. Mistofolees rubbed his little black paws together and blew a sparkling dust over the blanket. It grew slightly larger and Old Deuteronomy watching from his perch upon the tire nodded. Mistofolees pulled the blanket away to reveal Jemima sitting there, a very confused look on her face. Though the others weren't back, Sophanispa was now within the compound. "Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees," Tugger sang softly, helping Jemima to her feet. She suddenly understood and went to hug Mistofolees. "Oh, well, I never was there ever, a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistofolees . . ." They company continued to sing this as Tugger shouted out words to describe his little brother. As everyone praised him, Mistofolees jumped into the air a vanished before their eyes, sending a shower of sparks over their heads.
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Sophanispa was now in the cell where Jemima had been kept and was receiving a frightening stare from Bombalurina.
"What happened?" she asked the golden queen.
"Mistofolees got Jemima out of here, but in return, I was put here," Sophanispa explained. "It's all right. I can get you guys out of here. I think." She moved to the door and began inspecting it.
"It has a magical seal," she assessed. I don't know how to open it. I've never seen these before." She moved to pull her arm back through the bars but caught her finger in something. "Ow!" Blood welled up and dripped onto the seal.
She stuck her finger in her mouth and was thoroughly surprised when the door opened. She stuck her head out and looked around. Macavity (like usual) wasn't there. She motioned for Bombalurina to follow her.
"Go that way," she pointed. "There should be a hatch in the room with the purple stroke on the door. I used to use that to escape. If the hatch won't open, hit the frame. It should pop open." Bombalurina nodded and hurried off. Sophanispa moved to Munkustrap's cell and peeked in. The silver tabby was pulled taught to the wall and was bleeding in several places. Sophanispa looked at the door and saw the same seal. There was a sharp protrusion that was stained reddish brown with blood. Sophanispa poked her finger with the spike and hissed as the metal went inside. She pulled her finger off the spike and watched as blood welled up in an iridescent glob of crimson. She rubbed the blood on the seal and the door opened.
She moved quickly over the Munkustrap and examined his bindings. He was pulled against the wall by the magical cords Macavity had used to hold everyone to the ground.
"Oh, crap," she whispered as she tried to get them off. They had zapped her with a faint but irritating shock. Every time she tried to remove them, the power charged her hands, each time growing a little stronger. Munkustrap was awake by then.
"So-so-Sophanispa?" he stammered. He had lost a lot of blood and was bruised all over.
"Quiet," she told him. "I'm trying to find a way to take these off without getting shocked." She looked at her finger again and thought about the blood. "Maybe this'll work." She rubbed blood over the bindings but only received a bigger shock due to the liquid.
She cursed n frustration and began looking for a knife or other such weapon, hopefully with a serrated edge. She might have to saw through the bonds.
"Your whole life," Munkustrap groaned. "How could I have understood?"
"Quiet, Munkustrap," she told him. "If Macavity hears you, he'll be coming here to stop me."
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, a blood filled tear raced down his face. "I wish I could take those words I said about you back."
Sophanispa looked annoyed and hadn't had any luck in locating a weapon. "I never even heard what you said, but I think most of it was right. Tugger told me."
Munkustrap gasped. "Tugger! He-he was right. He said that I couldn't possibly understand."
"Stop it, Munkustrap," she whispered. "It is partially my fault that Macavity has returned to torment you but can you blame me for leaving?"
Munkustrap looked at her sadly and shook his head. "How could I?"
"Save your apologies for when I break you out of here," Sophanispa told him. "We aren't out of the woods yet." She continued her search for weapons but found none.
"I'll be back," she told Munkustrap. She left the cell and ran swiftly to Macavity's private quarters. She found an old knife of his bearing a crystal hilt and a serrated edge and returned to the cell. She smelled the area carefully and was certain that there was something new. Screams were coming from the cell next to Munkustrap. She peeked in through the bars and was shocked.
Macavity's back was facing the door and he was kneeling over a body. The body was thrashing, clawing, and doing everything a normal cat in distress would do. Through Macavity's legs, Sophanispa could discern a lot of white fur. Sophanispa poked her finger on the spike and quietly opened the door, gritting her teeth through the pain. Victoria continued to struggle and was putting up quite a fight but she knew that if she didn't get away, Macavity would win. Just as she was coming to this conclusion, she saw Sophanispa. The golden queen put a finger to her lips and Victoria threw a new energy into fighting. Sophanispa held up the knife and took a deep breath, prepared to kill her father. The next few things happened either in rapid succession, or simultaneously. Macavity grabbed Victoria's upper leg and kissed her on the mouth, bringing forth screeches of anger form the white cat. Munkustrap called out to Macavity, cursing him. Sophanispa lost concentration in her anger against Macavity and swung the knife wide of her target and instead of planting it through his back and into his lungs; it became embedded in his shoulder, in between the clavicle and the scapula, not harming him other than causing him pain. Macavity turned to her and rage filled his face. "You're the one who let those two escape! Little whore! I'll give you a taste of your own medicine!" Sophanispa jumped and forced Macavity back, allowing room for Victoria to reach the open door. "Run!" Sophanispa urged her, holding her father at bay. "Use the hatch in the room with the purple paint on the door! Go! Hit the frame if it won't open! Hurry!" Macavity slapped her and moved towards the door but Victoria slammed it in his face. Rather than tear his already scabbed paw to open the door, he turned back to Sophanispa who was standing, her legs wide for balance and her hands covered in the blood form his wound. He moved towards her and pulled the knife out of his body with a slurping squelch. He grimaced, but such cats as Macavity are beyond these trivial pains. Giving her barely a glance, he slammed the knife home. After her agonized screaming, Sophanispa's vision cleared and she saw what had happened. She was pinned to the wall, the knife gone clear through the soft skin under her shoulder. She could feel the steel of the blade and knew it hadn't stopped at the bone of her scapula but gone straight through. Macavity, satisfied with her position, left her there and went back to the junkyard.
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Victoria ran as fast as her feet would carry her. Bombalurina had emerged from the woods, panting and in tears. She ran to Demeter and told her that Sophanispa and Munkustrap were trapped in the compound. She told the tribe how once Sophanispa had replaced Jemima, she'd gotten the door open and sent Bombalurina out of the lair through a hatch in the ceiling.
Bombalurina had turned back to look at the compound before fleeing and noticed that Macavity was briskly walking towards the door. She'd tried to open the hatch but the lid didn't open from the outside. She then fled the scene, terrified that she would be discovered. Macavity heard her footsteps and instead of going into the compound, he'd tried to search her out in the woods.
When Bombalurina had been safely surrounded by her fellow Jellicles, Macavity made a dive and snagged Victoria who had been the easiest target at the time.
It hadn't taken her very long to find the knife but by the time Sophanispa had returned to the cell area, Macavity was already at work hurting Victoria. The white cat bounded along until she erupted into the light of the junkyard.
The first person she ran into was Alonzo. She rapidly told him everything that had happened within the lair and demanded that someone be sent to get Sophanispa and Munkustrap out. Alonzo, though grimacing when Sophanispa was mentioned agreed to put together a party of cats to enter the compound.
He called the cats to the center of the junkyard and he began to speak. Victoria became impatient and she stood, moving up beside him.
"We have to go and help them!" she said energetically, waving her hands and jumping up and down. "Sophanispa risked her life to get me out of that cell and I know a few of you can relate to that." Bombalurina and Demeter nodded.
"Not to mention Munkustrap's stuck to a wall," she added. "There's no excuse for a cat that leaves their friends even though they're terrified. Who's with me!?" She raised her arms like a general giving commands. Tugger, Bombalurina, Demeter, Jemima, and Mistofolees stood and moved up to back Victoria. Tantomile and Coricopat joined them as well, Alonzo giving a pained look as she left his side to walk with her twin. After a few seconds, Pouncival and Tumblebrutus stood with boyish grins and joined the group. No one else moved.
Victoria began waving again. "What's the matter with you people? Mungojerry! Did Sophanispa not help you and Rumpleteazer become a couple? Would you have ever told Teazer if she hadn't helped you? Etcetera and Electra! Did she not allow you two to stay with her that night we were all frightened, even though Electra kept insulting her? And that goes for the other queens that stayed that night as well. How many of us has she helped? It's plain that she's willing to risk her life for us; we can only do the same. I ask you to toss away your narrow minded thoughts about who she's related to and help me get her out!"
Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer stood as one and moved up behind them. Asparagus and Etcetera followed as well. Electra swallowed the tears that were threatening to fall and moved up beside them. Cassandra and Exotica looked at each other and went as well. Plato and Victor joined the ranks. Alonzo looked like he wanted to hide somewhere.
"Let's go then!" Victoria exclaimed.
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Sophanispa forced herself to remain awake. She weakly curved her hand around the hilt of the knife and in one swift lurch; she managed to pull it halfway out, clearing the bone. Another pull and she was free. Her left arm was completely useless.
Moving as fast as she could and not make too much noise, she shuffled to the door and allowed blood from eh knife drip onto the seal. She moved to Munkustrap's cell and sliced through the bindings, waking him from his stupor.
They took in each other's wounds and smiled slightly, hoping against hope that they would make it out. Loping an arm around her waist, Munkustrap held her up while she served as a prop for him.
"We'll never get up to the hatch," she told him. "And the back way's blocked. The front door's the only way." She steered him in the right direction and they slowly shuffled through the winding hallways.
"He has all these hallways to confuse anyone trying to escape," she explained. "Luckily, I grew up figuring out these hallways. We're almost there." They walked a bit more and the main hall came into view. Sophanispa eyed the chains where Tugger had been kept before. She became distracted as she noticed the blood still on the shackles and she didn't see the danger in time.
"Two escapees. Did you really think you'd get away?" Macavity sauntered towards them, his right side almost completely covered in blood. The red substance had congealed and his fur was gummy with it. Sophanispa glanced toward the door.
He noticed and smiled. "It won't work. The seals on the cell doors can be opened by any blood but the exits are only opened by my blood. You can't escape."
"Wrong," Munkustrap said. He lifted himself off Sophanispa and stood steadily on his feet. Macavity growled and ran at the silver tabby.
"No!" Sophanispa screamed. She moved in the way just at the crucial moment. The knife in her hand was knocked out of her grip and Macavity issued one of his powerful blows, sending her rocketing through the air. She struck the door and slumped to the ground, mercifully unconscious. Macavity and Munkustrap began to round off. Both were slowed due to traumatic injuries so neither had an advantage in speed. Macavity however still had his powerful magic. It would prove to be a key ingredient in the next few minutes.
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The cats arrived at the compound door just in time to hear Sophanispa scream and the loud thud against the door. The toms attempted to open the door but nothing could be moved. Mistofolees was sent to work against the door while the queens were stationed back in the cave. Coricopat and Mungojerry ran around the back and tried the back door, which was shut as well. There was literally no way into the compound.
Coricopat and Tantomile joined hands, closed their eyes, and began to search with their minds.
~}{~
She was swimming through a sea of red. The color looked nice, its shiny surface making her eyes move continuously, following the ever-changing texture. Her golden fur was thick as it was in winter and the red water made it clump.
Not water. Of course, this water was thicker than normal and normal water was never so warm. Cats don't like water, she thought in the back of her mind. But I'm swimming in it so it must be okay.
Not water. It didn't taste like normal water, a little salty. And it smelled like new pennies, cured metal. Of course, the moonlight made it sparkle like a ruby. Pretty water.
NOT WATER! A voice was calling her, two in fact. She didn't want to leave the warmth of the pool. She was comfortable. "Come one! I'm comfortable! Let me be for once." But the voices continued to call her. They sounded strangely similar, yet different at the same time.
"Sophanispa! You have to open the door!"
"Door? I don't see a door. Is there a door somewhere?"
"The door! We can't get in from here. You have to let us in."
"Don't like letting people in. They always seem to hurt me somehow."
"We can save you! Open the door."
"Oh, that door," she said, remembering where she was. "I can't."
"You have to try!"
"It takes blood from Macavity. I can't get him to just open it."
Not water.
"Wait! This isn't water!" She opened her eyes but the pool of blood was gone. Well, she was in a pool opf her own blood but that was different. She realized she could still hear the voices. It was the twins.
"We can't get in. Is there some other way in?"
She couldn't respond so she thought. She couldn't get past the two bristling toms without letting Macavity know she was awake. She realized he was covered in blood.
'That's all I need,' she thought. 'But how can I get it?' She looked down at her own body and sighed. 'This sucks. I can't believe that monster is my own flesh and blood.'
She was about to up end the knife and throw it when the last words rung in her mind. 'Flesh and . . . blood!'
"That's it!" shrieked, hoisting herself to her feet. She reached up to her shoulder, scooped her fingers carefully across the wound and covered the seal in her blood.
"Please work, please, please work," she whispered. A grinding sound came from deep within the wall and the large stone door slid open. She was face to face with Mistofolees and Mungojerry.
"Hoy! Whot 'appened ta ya!?"
"Sophanispa?" Mistofolees asked.
"No time!" she shouted. "Hurry! Macavity-inside-fighting Munkustrap!" she pointed behind her and the toms swarmed in. Macavity saw them coming and shot into the air, leaving the room and compound through his own secret hole.
Only his laugh remained, reminding the cats that he was still at large. Munkustrap collapsed in Demeter's arms and he and Sophanispa were rushed out of the compound.
Well, well, well. What do you think? A little bloody but not much else holds the horror blood can inflict. Review, review, review. I live for your reviews. Thank you to Jennelle Whall for her help with Growltiger's Last Stand. I had no idea what I was doing with that bit but decided to include it anyway. I hope you enjoyed this. The next chapter will be out soon. Ja ne.