Animal Instincts, Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Battle Strategies


Meanwhile, a certain terracotta twin with a scar over her left eye and a `scruffy' ginger tom were discussing fighting techniques.

"Look Mac, magic is the best way to go! The physical side of things will just accentuate the attack. Magic is best."

The female feline used strong gestures to relay her point across. Something resembling a growl came from deep in Macavity's throat.

"My dear Callisto," he replied mockingly. "I pride myself on knowing a little more than you about the Jellicles. And rest assured, they are up to casting a fair amount of magic. There's your sweet twin for starters."

Callisto sniffed with contempt.

"Her? She just has a little fire magic, that's all. Easy to deal with."

Macavity rolled his eyes.

"How do you think she was initiated into the tribe? She was tested on fire magic and I was watching. You underestimate your opponents," the ginger tom replied, running a freshly sharpened claw down Callisto's torso, just enough to open a scratch.

Callisto glared at him anger, before unsheathing her own claws.

"Who cares? If Rubena's the only one we to deal with, we're home free!"

Macavity exhaled loudly.

"Again, Callisto, you underestimate your opponents. Alyzria, the rude Siamese, has a considerable amount of elemental magic."

Macavity's lip curled as he remembered the way in which the Siamese had caught him off-guard with her dagger. It would not happen again.

"And of course, there's Magical Mister Mistoffelees."

Callisto frowned. "Who do you speak of, this Mistoffelees? I do not know of him."

Macavity laughed.

"Only the most sought after magician in London! Surely you've heard of the conjuring cat?"

Callisto growled. Now she remembered. Little pipsqueak!

"Indeed. But all he can do is disappear and cast lightning."

Macavity had had enough. He seized the tigress by her upper arms and stared straight into her eyes.

"Don't push me," he hissed angrily.

Callisto cocked a quizzical eyebrow.

"Don't underestimate me," she replied huskily.

And with that, she leaned forward, and before Macavity knew it, her mouth was hard on his own, silencing his angry reply.


Alyzria squealed as the trampoline which had been dropped in the Junkyard propelled her several feet into the air.

"Wow, 'Lyz, that must have been at least three meters!" Pouncival said appreciatively before testing the springs himself, resulting in a similar effect.

"Look who's talking, Bouncival," Alyzria retorted. "Oy, Rubena, wanna test the springs?"

The tigress was sitting next to the trampoline, trying to hide her grin.

"I don't think so," she said. "I very much doubt the safety of this contraption."

"Stop giving me that sophisticated jabber," Alyzria called from her current position in mid-air. "Start talkin' normally again!"

A blank expression which could break into a wide grin at any moment spread over Rubena's features.

"Sure, like, whatever, 'Lyz."

"That's better!" Alyzria yelled before lifting off again. "Oy! Where you two going?"

The last question had been directed at Pouncival and Tumblebrutus, who had left the doubtful safety of their new toy to walk towards the tigress and position themselves at each of her sides.

"May I have this Bounce?" Pouncival asked gallantly with his best bow.

"What?"

"Affirmative is the only answer we can compute," Tumblebrutus continued.

With that, they hoisted the tigress off her feet, each holding her by one arm.

"HEEELLP!"

Alyzria grinned at her friend.

"You should be able to get yourself out of this fix easy enough," she called.

"You're right!"

Suddenly, the two toms had to struggle to hold on to her. They found themselves whirled around as if Rubena were some sort of out-of control caroussel. Once they were properly dizzy, the tigress dug her heels into the ground.

"That all you got?" Tumblebrutus panted.

"Takes more than that to throw us off," Pouncival wheezed.

The tigress pouted.

"Don't flatter yourselves. If you weren't such squirts, I would fight you much harder! As for your present condition - I might hurt you!"

"Squirts?" the two toms cried in outrage. "That's it, you're in for it!"

And so, Rubena found herself dragged onto the trampoline and forcibly bounced around. Finally, they let go of her.

"You're mine," she spluttered and attacked the two perpetrators.

"Not being a very good example for the younger generation, are we?"

Rubena whirled around to face the source of the familiar baritone voice.

"Aaw, c'mon Munkus, don't be such a stiff! C'mon 'Lyz, I might need your help here!"

Now it was Munkustrap's turn to be faced by two relentless foes. He yelped in surprise as Rubena and Alyzria got hold of him, Alyzria his arms and Rubena his legs.

"And a-one, and a-two..." Rubena yelled as they swung the silver tabby back and forth as if to throw him onto the trampoline.

"We'll catch!" Pouncival called down to them.

However that was unneccessary, because Munkustrap had already been lifted onto the trampoline, barely restrained by a pair of madly giggling felines.


Chapter 14