Chapter 9
A last battle
The wind was blowing harshly all around her, arousing the goose bumps all over her with is eerie howl. Victoria's white paws were dyed brown by the damp mud underneath her, and pieces here and there have been splashed onto her immaculate coat, smeared with her sweat, and then blown dry by the wind. But she had no room in her mind to mind it. Her mind was concentrated on only one thing; one goal that she was now determined to reach.
The tall, humongous trees seemed were able to devour her small form, and the thick night air seemed could suffocate her. Battling her fears, she forced her feet to continue making their steps. She muttered prayers to the Everlasting Cat to keep dangers away from her on the way, and Mistoffelees's image would float in front of her eyes every time she made a halt.
"I've got to find him, I've got to find him..." she whispered to herself over and over under her already heavy breath. Several yards from her, she noticed what looked like an exit to the forest in between the bushes, and she darted toward the way.
There were still trees around her, but relatively much less in number now. The moon was now able to fully shine on her, and Victoria looked around and sniffed the ground. What was ahead of her looked as dark as everything was in the forest, and looking around, the feeling of the place made her furs stand.
"Misto, tell me, where are you? If you can't use your voice, then use your heart! You can always feel me without seeing me, remember? Let me know where you are! Let me find you!" Victoria got down onto the ground, feeling another hot tear stinging its way down her face and landing onto the muddy ground. She's gone out too far now, and she wouldn't go back. Inside, something was telling her, that she was on the right track and was, in fact, probably getting close. She paused for a short rest, and then pushed her already fatigued body on.
Suddenly, ahead of her in the dark, she noticed some movements. Immediately Victoria hid behind a large stone on the side and peeked one eye out. It looked familiar, a large, black, demon looking cat, looking as if he had thorns coming out of him and walking like a phantom. Victoria gasped. She recognized immediately that it was one of Macavity's henchcats. A quick thought flashed through her. She was sure that she had not been noticed, so she quietly creped out of her hiding place, taking advantage of the quietness of her steps, and traced carefully behind the black tom. She was almost sure that he would lead him to the Hidden Paw, and to Mistoffelees!
Victoria pressed down her breaths and followed the black cat slowly toward what looked like the backyard of a deserted house. The black cat disappeared into a small side door, and Victoria, gathering up her courage, entered the yard and walked toward the house. The whole place reminded her of the places in the ghost books that Juliet had read to her, and she felt as if her every step was on nails and broken glasses. Not a sound could be heard anywhere, only some dim lights could be seen through the broken windows of the old, rotten house. Victoria carefully glanced around her to make sure that she was alone, and started inspecting the place.
Suddenly the door opened, and, at the sound, Victoria immediately hid herself in a nearby empty trashcan. Two black cats that looked exactly like the one that Victoria had followed came out of the door.
"Figure what the master will do with that little creep of an idiot in the basement?" one said.
"Beat me up if I have an idea," the other one said, spitting onto the ground. "Besides, how long ya figure that little kit's gonna last? The master said three days, but I doubt we'll need to worry about him for another three hours!"
"How could you be sure, dummy? No matter what that thing has magic!" said the first one, scratching his head.
"Who cares? I'm not concerned a bit what he does. Soon we'll be able to get rid of him!" The other one said again, and the two laughed and walked off.
Victoria could feel every single muscle on her body tighten into a knot, and her heart started beating heavier than a drum that she was almost afraid that it could be heard. It was him that they were just talking about, and they said he was in the basement! She pressed a paw against her chest and calmed herself a little before crawling out of the trashcan. The two toms were gone. Victoria again looked toward the house, and suddenly spotted a small window just a few inches above the ground next to the wooden stairway to the door. Her eyes widened, and, as soundless as possible, she crawled toward that black little window.
It was even darker inside than the outside, and Victoria had to press her face against the dusty glass to look in. With the moonlight shining from behind, she could see what looked like old furniture piled inside a little room. She wiped the glass with her paw and looked further, and her forehead nearly banged against the pane when she saw something black and shiny on the ground next to the furniture pile.
"Misto!" she cried out, but immediately restrained any further noise that was about to come out of her. She tapped the glass with her paw as soft as possible and called, but that heap of black thing on the ground was motionless. But she was sure of what she saw. She pushed the glass a little, but the rusty frame refused to move even half an inch. She sat back on the ground and wiped her face, feeling the anger rising from inside her chest that was almost driving her mad. She couldn't wait any longer, nor could she think. Picking up the closest thing that her paw had touched, she raised it high and slammed it against the window. The sound of glass smashing pierced through the silent night. Not even waiting to see if anyone had heard the noise, Victoria stuck herself through the broken window and slid in.
The small room smelled of staleness and dustiness, and the moon, now moved to directly above the small broken window, threw down its white light into the room. Victoria was now able to see Mistoffelees clearly, lying still on the ground, looking lifeless. Without a second thought, Victoria rushed to his side. Tears were already welling in her eyes to shield her vision.
"Misto!" she called, as she put her paws on his shoulder to shake him. Tears were pouring down her face, and she felt her whole body shaking with her sobs. "Misto, oh, Everlasting Cat! Misto!"
"Misto, wake up! Misto!" she cried, and covered herself onto the small tom. Excitements, sadness, and frustration all rushed her at once, engulfing her completely and would not allow her the chance to think clearly. All she could do was cry.
"Vicki?" came a weak voice.
"Misto!" Victoria gasped and sprung up. Mistoffelees struggled to turn to face her, and it was then when she realized, that his wrists and ankles were tied by ropes.
As if suddenly going mad, Victoria attacked those ropes with her teeth and ripped at them as if in a match of tug-o-war. In a few minutes, the ropes lied in small pieces near her feet on the ground.
"Vicki!" Mistoffelees struggled to sit up and lean himself against the wall, and Victoria threw herself into his arms.
"Vicki, how did you get here?" Mistoffelees asked.
"Oh, Misto, I'm here now," Victoria raised her tearful eyes to look at him, feeling her heard ripped into shreds at the scars on his white face. She gently stroked his cheeks with her paws, and tears were coming out of her eyes non-stop.
"Vicki, is it really you?" Mistoffelees shakily raised a paw to touch Victoria's face. "Oh, Everlasting Cat, it's not a dream this time! You're really here!"
"Of course it's not a dream! Of course I'm really here!" Victoria cried and wildly kissed Mistoffelees's lips. "Thank the Everlasting Cat, thank Heaviside, I've found you! You have no idea how scared I've been for you. The whole junkyard is going mad, and I felt I could crash my head into a steel wall if I don't find you."
"Vicki," Mistoffelees said, swallowing his own tears. "It's ok now. You can stop worrying to death now. I'm all right. It's just..." he lowered his head, unwilling to look into her eyes.
In the moonlight, Victoria could see clearly what a mess he was in. His beautiful, glittery coat was in a mess and covered in dust here and there, and almost all over him, she could notice scratch marks and bruises, although his black color did a very good job in covering up. A sharp pain attacked Victoria hard, that she buried her face into her paws and cried.
"What has he done to you, Misto?" Victoria cried.
Mistoffelees sighed, and Victoria could notice that he was doing his best holding himself up. "I can't say anything right now. I'm probably gonna run out of strength just by talking. But listen, you can't stay for long. If they find you, then we're all in deep trouble. You have to leave!"
"Not without getting you out of here!" Victoria cried.
"You can't! Not now! Not with a chain tied to my neck!" Mistoffelees cried.
Victoria looked behind him and noticed a long, rusty iron chain, which she soon realized was attached to an iron hoop around Mistoffelees's neck. Almost fainting with the rush of anger rising from her bosom, she picked up the chain and started yanking at it madly with her paws, as if believing that she could actually break it apart in the middle. But soon she was panting uncontrollably, while the chain made no reactions.
"Oh, darn it!" Victoria cried and smashed the chain against the floor. "That son of a Pollicle scum!"
"Vicki!" Mistoffelees grabbed her wrists and pulled her closer to him. Her palms were already red from the rubbing of the heavy chain.
"Vicki, there's no use doing this..." Mistoffelees cried and gently rubbed her paws. "Don't hurt yourself, calm down!"
"Can't... can't you magic out at all?" Victoria asked.
Mistoffelees shook his head. "I probably don't even have the strength to walk out of this room now. I have to confess, that my everywhere hurts..." he rubbed his wrists, which were red and sore from the rope that tied them. "But you need to go back, you understand? We can't do this by ourselves..." suddenly, his ears perked up, and Victoria noticed the terrified expression in his eyes. He glanced toward the door.
"Vicki, hide!" Mistoffelees cried.
"What?"
"It's he! Quick! Hide!"
Victoria had just managed to slip herself behind the tall old desk behind Mistoffelees, when the door was suddenly swung open. The bright lights coming from the hall immediately filled the room. Through a small hole, Victoria could see the tall menacing, horrifying form of Macavity. Standing by the door, he looked almost like an invincible giant ready to spit fire. He still looked the same with the last time when Victoria saw him; dusty and neglected coat, uncombed whiskers, and sunken-in eyes. Victoria felt her palm suddenly soaked with sweat, and her entire body shrank.
"Well, well, how are we doing?" Victoria shivered at that deep, devil-like voice. Through the hole, she could see Mistoffelees, retreating to the wall close to the desk.
"Figure they'll come looking for you, huh, little one?" the master criminal let out that sinister laugh, which seemed was shaking the walls all over.
"You're really expecting them to do what you want?" Mistoffelees said; his tone, though weak, was still filled with anger.
"Well, if they're smart enough, I'd hope so," the Napoleon of crime ambled into the room and towered over Mistoffelees, looking as if he could crush him with one finger. "And don't play smart with me, little fool. If you want to go back the way you came, then behave yourself."
"Why should I? Simply because you told me to?" Mistoffelees snapped.
"Now, after all this time, you still haven't learned a lesson?" Macavity said, glaring down at him. He suddenly picked up the end of the chain, which was hooked to the wall, and yanked at it hard, smashing Mistoffelees into the wall behind, landing hard on the ground, and coughing uncontrollably with the sudden choke of the iron collar pulled by the chain with such great force. Victoria had to put a paw over her mouth to stifle the upcoming scream.
"Remember, and I'm gonna say this for the last time! The only reason why I'm keeping you alive is because I need the collateral for what I want to get back! But if you push me too far, don't be sorry afterwards!" Macavity tossed the chain down onto the ground. "And remember, there's always the lovely whip waiting!"
The moment Macavity walked out and slammed the door behind him, Victoria dashed out from behind the desk toward Mistoffelees.
"Misto, are you all right?" she cried, trying her best to help him up.
"My neck..." Mistoffelees panted as he struggled to pull himself up from the ground and put a paw to his throat. Victoria moved her face closer to examine the iron collar on his neck, and noticed that the skin beneath the collar was already red and some places looking almost purple. Mistoffelees panted several times and breathed heavily with his mouth open, as Victoria patted his back to try to stop his coughing.
"Are you hurt?" Victoria asked.
"Not too much," Mistoffelees sighed and wiped his ears. In the moonlight, Victoria could see his paleness and the obvious look of exhaustion on his face. Dark shadows surrounded his eye sockets, and here and there on his fur, she even noticed small spots of dried blood. Victoria let out a loud sniffle and pulled him into her arms, rubbed the back of his head where he hit the wall, and cried into his head fur.
"Misto, why does this have to happen?" Victoria whimpered, "That demon from hell! May the Everlasting Cat blast him to pieces!"
"Shh!" Mistoffelees pulled away from her but nearly falling. "Keep your voice down! His guards could be around!"
"I have to get you out of here!" Victoria cried.
"You will! But not without going back to the junkyard and get help first!" Mistoffelees took her paws into his. "Vicki, I want you to listen to me carefully. Go back the way you came, send the word to the junkyard, and bring the others here. Only that way we can have a chance of getting out. There's absolutely nothing you can do here right now, other than increasing the danger of being discovered. You are so far my only hope, and you have to do what I just said, you hear? It's possible that Macavity could return any moment. So you must go while you can!"
Victoria looked into the dark eyes of her mate, the thought of having to leave him again was breaking her heart. But she was finally able to calm down and think, and through her mind, nothing else seemed to be the logical choice. She slowly nodded, and gently hugged Mistoffelees.
"All right, then, I'm going. But I won't be gone for long," she said, "I'll be back for you soon. You hang on here, and be careful, ok?"
Mistoffelees nodded and pressed a kiss against her cheek. "You be careful, too on your way back. Remember the direction, and go back and bring the toms here, but under no circumstances let Demeter even come near here, you hear? I can handle Macavity, but she can't!"
Victoria nodded and looked up at the broken window. "You'll see me again very soon, so hold on to your strength. I'll be right back!" She pressed a quick kiss onto Mistoffelees's lips, wiped her eyes, and turned around.
Mistoffelees watched her leaping onto the windowsill, crawling out from the hole, and soon disappearing into the fading night. He heaved out a heavy sigh and leaned against the wall, huddling himself up from the cold air. From the outside, he could hear footsteps. He could only pray that Victoria would get back to the junkyard safe.
When Victoria returned to the junkyard, dawn was not far away. The mist in the air dampened her fur, and for once, more than anything else she wanted the sun to rise quicker. She's been running on all fours the entire time all the way back, and hasn't stopped for one minute. By the time she got to the entrance of the junkyard, she was panting hard and sweating as if she's just run a Marathon.
When she entered the junkyard, she was surprised to see that all the Jellicles were there. When they saw her, everyone cried and surrounded her immediately.
"Vicki! Everlasting Cat, where have you been?" Demeter cried and grabbed Victoria's wrist. "I fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes you were nowhere to be seen! Bombalurina nearly turned our house upside down!"
"Vicki, how could you just walk out without telling a soul?" Bombalurina asked, "what if something happens to you? And none of us had a clue where you were!"
Victoria could only stare at the ground and catch her breath.
"Vicki, don't do this again, my child," she heard Old Deuteronomy's deep voice. "We already have one missing, and don't want a second one."
"Thank Heaviside, at least you're back safe," said Jennyanydots, "we've been looking all over for you since Demeter and Bombalurina came running wild and yelling that you were gone."
"You scared us all half to death," said Munkustrap, "one Misto is enough, Vicki. Don't make more events!"
Victoria straightened her back and looked at the Jellicles, and held back the panting that was chocking her voice. She ignored what everyone was yelling at her, and looked toward Munkustrap and Old Deuteronomy.
"I... I've found him," she said.
"What? Found whom?" Munkustrap stared at her.
"Misto! I know where he is!" Victoria cried out.
"What?" this time, the entire tribe cried out in unison.
"Yes, and that's where I've been," said Victoria, glancing at everyone. "I've found Macavity's lair, and snuck into it, and Misto's there! I came back to get all of you, because I couldn't get him out by myself!"
"Everlasting Cat!" Tugger cried, nearly pushing Bombalurina over to rush to Victoria. "You've found him? Where is he? Bring us there now!"
"Wait!" Munkustrap cried, "We can't just go like this! We'll need a plan first!"
"Oh, what plan!" Mungojerrie cried, "now that we know where he is, we just gotta go and get him back!"
"Have you thought about how?" Alonzo suddenly said, "Vicki can sneak herself around without being seen, but I doubt a big group of us can do the same!"
"That is exactly what I'm thinking," said Munkustrap, "probably a fight is unavoidable. But we have no idea how many henchcats Macavity might have, and how strong they all are. And who knows what Macavity himself might have in mind?"
"But we have to hurry and save Misto," said Victoria, "he... he's not in good shape right now. He looked like he was dying when I first found him."
Jellylorum shook her head. "Bast, that's what we were afraid of. It makes getting him out harder."
"And there's no guarantee what Macavity might do to him before we get there," said Victoria, covering her face. "So far, iron chains and claws and whips are what I've seen and heard."
Demeter clenched her fists and was already shaking up and down. Bombalurina had to hold her in her arms lest she'd fall.
"That son of a scumbag!" Tugger stumped his feet on the ground. "He's gonna pay for this soon!"
"Calm down! No use cursing here!" Bombalurina cried.
"So, what are we waiting for then? What is the plan?" Mungojerrie cried.
"Old Deuteronomy," Munkustrap turned to the old Jellicle leader. "Unless you have something in mind..."
"I can think of nothing but to go and face them," the old Persian sighed. "There's no other way, Munkustrap."
Munkustrap thought for a moment, then cleared his throat.
"All right! Everyone listen!" Munkustrap took a deep breath and called. "Now, we're going to go to Macavity's lair and rescue Misto! The queens and the kittens stay here, and Coricopat and Asparagus will remain and watch over the junkyard. The rest of us follow Vicki, and prepare for a battle!"
The toms assembled as the queens wished them luck. Demeter walked away from Bombalurina and went over to Munkustrap.
"Maybe I should come along," she said, "maybe I can find a way to talk this out. After all, Macavity knows no one else..."
"You're not going anywhere but here," said Munkustrap, "stay here with the others, and please don't go anywhere. One Vicki to protect while we're fighting is enough."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Demeter asked, "I mean, we have no idea..."
"So far, this is the only idea that we can all conceive," Munkustrap sighed, "no matter what, we'll have to try and see if it works. But don't worry. With our strength and our intelligence, we should be able to handle everything fine."
"Munkustrap..." Demeter called, and Munkustrap moved closer to her and gently nuzzled her face.
"Just stay here and wait, Demeter," said Munkustrap, putting a paw on her cheek. "I'll be back soon."
"Please, be extra careful," Demeter said as she put her paw over her mate's, and stared into his dark eyes. Munkustrap wiped away the tear that was sliding down Demeter's cheek, and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I will," said Munkustrap, "you take care of yourself."
"And... watch over Vicki," Demeter looked over Munkustrap's shoulder at the small white queen waiting to go. "No matter what, don't let her get hurt."
"Of course we won't let one piece of her fur be touched," said Munkustrap, "and it'll be over in no time, I promise."
Demeter nodded and stepped back from the tabby. Munkustrap smiled at her, and then turned around to join the other toms.
"Oh, Tugger, are you done yet?" Munkustrap looked over at Tugger who was refusing to move his face away from Bombalurina's.
"All right, all right, I'm coming," Tugger whined, then turned back to the red queen. "Stay tuned, my love, and wait for the return of the warrior."
"If you're gonna return like this, I'd rather have you not return at all," Bombalurina rolled her eyes, but quickly kissed Tugger's nose and whispered in his ears. "Go kick some Macavity butts, darling, and bring me home some booties."
"Come on, Tugger. You'll get a plenty of time for this after the job's done," Alonzo called, "right, Cassandra?"
The Siamese blushed and could only wave.
"Ya bet," Tugger winked and brushed his ears, before finally joining the rest of the group. Bombalurina went up to Demeter and waved.
"Hey, good luck, everyone!" Bombalurina called, "and what do the humans say, break a leg?"
"Oh, please, just what we need, a broken leg at this time." Skimble mumbled.
Victoria, regardless of the pressure, couldn't help letting out a chuckle.
"All right, come on, are we gonna get going sometime today?" Munkustrap turned around and called.
"Yeah, let's go and get the work done, guys," Mungojerrie called and followed Munkustrap.
"Guys, please be careful," Jennyanydots called.
"You might wanna get the medicine box ready just in case," Jellylorum whispered to her sister on the side.
"Don't worry! We'll all be fine!" The toms waved back at the queens, and together walked out of the junkyard.
"See ya, babe! We'll be back before sundown!" Tugger called back to Bombalurina as he walked away.
"I don't know what they're getting into," Demeter sighed as she twisted her fingers.
"Oh, don't worry too much, little sis," Bombalurina put an arm around her sister's shoulders. "They're a tough group!"
"But still," Demeter sighed, "I somehow have a bad feeling..." she stared at the back of the group heading toward the exit of the junkyard, and shook her head.
On the way out, Victoria stopped at a small junk pile and picked up an iron saw.
"What's that for?" Alonzo asked.
"Those chains," Victoria mumbled, and continued her way.
"Now, do we know what might be waiting for us when we get there?" Mungojerrie asked as Victoria sniffed her way toward the forest.
"We should," said Munkustrap, "Macavity could be expecting us, so we better be prepared. We have to deal with his henchcats first, and then get to Misto."
"Now, Vicki," Skimble called, "when we get there, you stay as far away as possible, ya hear? If we have to fight and watch over you at the same time, it'll be more difficult."
"Oh, don't worry about me," said Victoria, "I won't be in the way."
"But we'll still be keeping an eye on you," Plato caught up with her and said.
"You guys deal with Macavity, and I'll watch over Misto," Victoria said as the group walked deeper into the forest.
"I'm somewhat worried about the queens back in the junkyard," Alonzo sighed.
"Well, I think they'll be fine," Tugger put a paw on the black and white tom's shoulder. "Even if something happens, they have a plenty of places to hide. And they can always run back to the humans."
"Still, I can't help worrying about Cassandra," said Alonzo," if anyone is bad at fighting, it's her."
"Demeter I'm concerned with even more," Munkustrap sighed, "we left her with not a very good mood, and I only hope that she won't come out and try to look for us."
"Bombalurina will watch her, I'm sure," said Tugger, "for now, let's just worry more about what's ahead of us than behind us."
"Shh!" Victoria disrupted all conversations when she suddenly pointed toward the abandoned shack far away in the distance as they stood at the exit of the forest. Immediately everyone crouched lower and glanced around cautiously, and Munkustrap moved closer to Victoria.
"It's there?" the tabby asked.
Victoria nodded. Her fist holding the saw clenched tighter, and Munkustrap put a paw on her shoulder.
"So, what are we gonna do?" Admetus asked, "are we going to go in as stealth as possible, or are we going to knock on the door and attack?"
"Probably an attack is unavoidable," said Plato, "Macavity wouldn't be that stupid to just let us in and out."
"Vicki, you said that Misto is kept in the basement that we can go in through a window?" Alonzo asked.
Victoria nodded. "But I doubt all of us can pass by unseen. When I was alone, it was easier, and it was at night. Not, in the broad daylight, and we have a whole group, it might be hard. Perhaps some of us should face Macavity and his gang, and maybe two or three of us sneak in to get Misto?"
"It might be a good idea," Munkustrap said, "let us fight and have a diversion, and while we're keeping all the henchcats busy, two of us can probably smuggle Misto out."
"Skimble, how about you, Jerrie, and Vicki go get Misto while we keep those savages distracted?" Alonzo asked.
The three of them nodded.
"We have to be quick, too," Skimble said.
Victoria took a deep breath and raised her head high. "I'm ready for this."
"Listen, everyone, we can do this!" Munkustrap called as the Jellicles gathered around him. "We're gonna fight till the end, and we won't stop until we get Misto out. Now, we're just all gonna go into the yard and lure out Macavity's henchcats, and if we run into Macavity, we're not going to retreat, understand?"
The Jellicles nodded in unison, and Tugger walked over to stand next to the tabby.
"Let's show those cowards what we can do!" he called, and the Jellicles marched out of the woods toward Macavity's lair.
As they walked into the deserted yard, the Jellicles sniffed around, waiting for their move. All around them was creepily silent, and Victoria couldn't help getting behind Skimble and tried to soothe her thumping heart. For some reason, she felt even more nervous than the first time when she walked in here the night before.
"Where are they?" Admetus asked.
"Do you figure they knew we were coming?" Mungojerrie asked.
"Probably, I wouldn't be surprised if they were smarter than that," Plato muttered, and suddenly, the Jellicles turned their heads toward a squeaking noise coming from the door. A group of black cats with fur standing on ends were staring at them with sharp, vicious eyes, and Victoria hissed.
"About time you show up, idiots!" Tugger called, "we've been waiting for you!"
"You Jellicle fools dare to set your dirty paws on our territory!" one of the black cats grinded his teeth. "You're not leaving until you pay!"
The henchcats dashed toward the Jellicles, and the toms at the front immediately made their preparations. Munkustrap opened his sharp claws at the face of the black cat that jumped toward him, and in swing of his paw, sent the black cat back two steps.
Victoria backed away from the toms who were soon engaged in fighting. Skimble knocked out a black cat who tried to advance toward Victoria, and pulled her aside.
"Vicki, stay away!" Plato cried, while giving his opponent a hard kick in the stomach.
"Vicki, come on, let's go!" Skimble cried, and Mungojerrie, after helping Alonzo, rushed toward them and followed Victoria to the house. Victoria pointed at the broken glass, and crouched her body and quickly slipped in. Skimble and Mungojerrie followed, and soon, all three of them were in the dark, stale little basement.
"Misto!" Victoria quickly rushed toward the black fur ball huddled on the floor, who let out a moan as Vicki's paws touched him.
"Everlasting Cat, lad, are you all right?" Skimble cried.
"Misto, it's me! Misto!" Victoria shook Mistoffelees's back, until he slowly moved to turn his body to face her.
"Vicki?" a small sound came out as the small black tom blinked his eyes. He struggled to sit up, but was about to fall again as he moved half way. Victoria immediately moved forward and caught him in her arms.
"Misto, it's all right," Victoria gently kissed Mistoffelees's face. "We're here, and I'm right here with you. I'm not leaving you."
"I've been waiting for you, Vicki," said Mistoffelees, trying hard to open his eyes wide to look at her. "I knew you'd be back."
"Oh, Misto," Victoria pulled Mistoffelees into her arms and licked his dusty ears. Tears were gathered in her eyes as she stroked Mistoffelees's messy fur and felt the sticky bloodstains under her paws. "I told you I wouldn't be gone long. We're here, and you're safe. We're gonna get you out. We're all here, everyone's here! Munkustrap, Tugger... they're all outside!"
Mistoffelees looked up at Victoria and smiled, but had to close his eyes right after.
"Come on, we gotta hurry!" Skimble said, as he took the saw from Victoria. With Mistoffelees leaning weakly on Victoria's chest, Skimble began sawing madly at the iron chain the bound his neck. Victoria nuzzled Mistoffelees gently and comforted him, while Mungojerrie put his ears to the door and listened.
"Darn, this chain sure is sturdy," Skimble whined. But suddenly, Victoria felt her fur shooting up.
"I hear something!" Mungojerrie cried.
"What?" Skimble stopped and listened.
"Someone's outside... or something," Mungojerrie stammered, backing away from the door.
"It's he!" Mistoffelees perked up his ears, though not having enough strength to sit up. Victoria felt herself trembling all over.
The door was suddenly thrown open. Victoria screamed, and Mungojerrie and Skimble both jumped. Macavity fell right in through the door, with Munkustrap throwing himself over him with a loud hiss.
"Munkustrap!" Victoria cried.
Munkustrap wildly swung his paw at Macavity's face, and the ginger tom showed no weakness. Victoria noticed the scratch marks on Munkustrap, and her arms holding Mistoffelees began to shiver harder.
"Vicki, stand back! Just get Misto out of here!" Munkustrap cried, dodging Macavity's long claws.
"You dream, Jellicle scum!" the ginger cat growled and gave Munkustrap a kick, which Munkustrap luckily evaded. Skimble began sawing frantically at the chain, and Mistoffelees pulled away from Victoria and managed to support himself up with his front paws on the floor.
Macavity threw Munkustrap across the room, and the tabby landed on top of a pile of cardboard. Victoria let out a gasp, and Mungojerrie stood in between Macavity and Victoria and hissed. However, before the ginger cat could lash out at Mungojerrie, Munkustrap quickly hopped up and whacked Macavity hard with a piece of wood.
"Munkustrap, be careful!" Skimble cried as he watched the silver tabby again throwing himself toward the Napoleon of crime.
Victoria heard grumbling noises outside as Macavity and Munkustrap resumed their duel. She stretched her neck and looked toward the door, and saw the other toms running toward them. Mistoffelees tried to open his eyes wide.
"Tugger! Alonzo! Help Munkustrap!" Victoria cried the moment she spotted Tugger and Alonzo at the door. Before she even finished her sentence, the two toms already swung themselves over into the battle. Hisses could be heard from all around.
The rest of the toms watched nervously at the scuffling trio, and some gathered around Victoria and Mistoffelees. Skimble finally managed to saw open the iron collar on Mistoffelees's neck, and Victoria helped the small black tom to sit up.
"Misto, are you ok?" Victoria hugged her mate tight, feeling his heartbeats against hers. Mistoffelees replied with licking Victoria's face gently, as Skimble patted his back.
"Hang on there, lad," Skimble said, "we'll be out in no time!"
"What exactly happened?" Mungojerrie asked.
"Well, we were just about to finish every one of those black porcupines off when that son of a Pollicle showed up," Plato tried his best to catch his breath and licked the scratch marks on his arms. "So, while we continued to get on with the rest, Munkustrap had to pull away to deal with him! We came as soon as we got rid of everyone of the others!"
Mistoffelees watched nervously at the three struggling cats, and did his best to push himself upright. Victoria watched with fright as the three Jellicles' strength began to wane, and felt a rip in her heart every time she saw Macavity's claws digging into Munkustrap, Tugger, and Alonzo's fleshes. Plato and the other toms were forced to prepare for another fight.
Mistoffelees glanced around and breathed in heavily. He shook his paws until they started to glitter, and, hesitating for one second, he stretched out his right arm.
Munkustrap was already running out of breath, and was doing what he could to carry on. The pain from the scratches on his face and limps was getting too much in the way, and even with one against three, Macavity still seemed invincible. But just then, he heard Victoria scream. "Misto! No! Are you crazy? MISTO!!!" And before anyone could react, a strike of blue lightning struck out from the other end of the room and landed on Macavity. Munkustrap, Tugger and Alonzo simultaneously jumped, and the next moment, the ginger cat was on the floor, with smoking furs standing on his body and quivering from the shock. All the toms stared at Mistoffelees dazed, while Victoria had her paw over her mouth and her eyes were wide like grapefruits. Macavity winced and tried to sit up, but fell backwards right after. Seizing the opportunity, Munkustrap suddenly growled and bit down the ginger tom's neck as hard as he could, and the Napoleon of crime struggled several times, then became totally still.
Munkustrap stood up and wiped his blood stained fur as he stared down at the still Macavity, and Tugger and Alonzo looked with shock on their faces. But their dazes were soon awaken by a piercing cry.
"Misto! Misto!"
Abandoning Macavity, the toms all rushed toward Victoria and Mistoffelees. The small tom was lying still on the floor, with eyes shut tight, and regardless of Victoria shaking him and crying her eyes out on the side, made no response of any kind. Victoria covered her face in her paws and cried, tears were streaming out from between her fingers. The toms called Mistoffelees's name, and Tugger bent down to put his ear in front of Mistoffelees's face.
"We gotta get him outta here first!" Tugger raised his head.
"Is he dead?" Admetus asked.
Immediately they heard another bang. When they looked toward the direction, they saw Victoria, lying flat on the floor, motionless.
"Oh, great, just what we need at this moment," Alonzo shook his head as he rushed toward Victoria with Munkustrap. Munkustrap gently nudged her with his paw as the other toms looked tensely, no knowing what to do.
"Heaviside, what's happening to her?" Skimble asked.
"She fainted," Munkustrap sighed.
"Is... is she gonna be... all right?" Admetus stuttered, "me and my big mouth..."
"It's not your fault," Munkustrap sighed, "I'm not that surprised that she passed out. If she doesn't now she will later. Anyway, neither one of them is dead. Let's get them back to the junkyard first!"
Tugger scooped Mistoffelees up from the floor as Alonzo picked up Victoria and swung her over his shoulder, and one by one, the toms moved toward the door. Before they exited, their eyes caught on the sight of Macavity.
"What... what about him?" Mungojerrie asked.
"He's dead," Munkustrap uttered, seeing the look of relief on the toms' faces.
"He... He's really dead?" Plato walked over and kicked the ginger cat's foot.
"Yes, he is," Alonzo turned around and smiled. "We haven't even gotten a chance to thank Munkustrap yet. It's hard to believe, but the Hidden Paw is really dead!"
"Finally everyone's safe," Skimble let out a heavy sigh. "We all owe you one, Munkustrap. And you, Tugger and Alonzo, well done, too!"
"Everyone of us deserves a thanks. We've all fought bravely," Munkustrap sighed as he licked the blood off of his paws. "But for now, I think what we really need are bandages." As he spoke, he bit his lower lip as the pain from his wounds that he didn't even notice before finally started attacking him.
"Are we just gonna leave him here?" Mungojerrie asked.
"Well, I'm certainly not planning on taking him with us," said Tugger, "let him be where he belongs. This is his nest anyway."
"Yeah, true," Mungojerrie said, "gee, imagine, life from now on without worrying about Macavity. I'm probably not gonna be used to it for a while."
Munkustrap walked over and put a paw on the tiger tom's shoulder. "You will in no time, Jerrie. And what you're gonna find is, that you'll enjoy life much better."
Mungojerrie nodded. "Yeah, come on then, we gotta wake up Misto and Vicki."
"All right, are we gonna get outta this stinky place sometime today?" Tugger turned around as he moved out of the door. "Come on, let's move! Jenny can take care of these two much better than we can!"
"Yeah, back to our lovely queens!" Alonzo said and went out after Tugger.
The other toms followed, and in no time, they were away from the deserted house.