Cassandra eventually broke our silence,
"I...I could show you our memory of that night if you want," Cass shuddered, "But Tugger you have to ask yourself, are you ready to see this?"
I nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be."
She took my paws and suddenly we weren't in that underground den, we were in the jellicle meeting area. Munkustrap stood on the tire addressing the rest of the jellicles. His eyes showed something unfamiliar, defeat. It scared me. He spoke to the tribe,
"Well I'm glad to see that the little ones are back with us safely. But as you all know, the yard is now under Macavity's control."
I looked round and saw henchcats surrounding the jellicles, making sure no one could escape before Macavity arrived.
"As leader I shall be going down with the ship so to speak, but if Macavity asks anyone to join him for a better life I wouldn't hold it against you if you did."
"Don't be stupid Munk, we're with you to the end!" Alonzo called out. Munk gave a grateful smile before continuing.
"We don't really know what to expect so I wish you all good luck and would suggest you spend this time with the ones you love."
As I expected Munk headed straight over to Demeter and kissed her gently,
"I'm sorry," he whispered to her, "This never would have happened if Old Deuteronomy was still here."
"Don't apologise, it's not your fault Munku," Dem hugged him tightly.
"Erm, Munk," Misto stood before Munk and Dem.
Cassie's voice echoed in my head,
"Macavity drained Misto of his powers. With Misto's power plus his own Macavity became exceptionally powerful."
I continued to watch the scene.
"Yes Misto," Munk replied.
"I just want to say, thank you. You've been a good friend and leader."
Munk smiled sadly and pulled the smaller tom towards him in a hug.
"Thank you Misto," Munk choked out. One by one the rest of the jellicles surrounded them to create the biggest group hug ever. I felt a pang of guilt for not being here when the tribe needed all the help they could get.
A hush fell over the tribe and they all moved out of the hug. Munk quickly made his way towards Dem and kissed her,
"Demi, no matter what happens here I love you and always will."
"I love you too Munku," Demi whispered, tears forming in her eyes, "Be careful."
Munk acknowledged that with a nod and a gentle squeeze of Dem's paw. All the jellicles faced towards the tire as Macavity made his grand entrance. The kittens huddled together shaking at the sound of the Hidden Paw's maniacal laughter. Munk on the other hand glared at the fiend who had captured the jellicles junkyard. Macavity smirked as he noticed this,
"Ah Munkustrap, dear brother. I finally get what's mine eh? Would you care to step forward? If you're not too cowardly."
Ever since he was a kitten the one thing Munk couldn't stand to be called was cowardly. There's was no doubt in my mind that he would do as Macavity had said. Letting go of Dem's paw Munk strode right up to Macavity,
"The junkyard will never rightfully be yours," Munk hissed.
"Is that so?" Mac smirked. Striking quickly he slashed Munk across the face with his specially sharpened claws,
"That's for answering back," Mac chuckled when Munk gingerly touched his face, wincing slightly with the pain. I could feel myself tense up and hissed at Macavity.
"Tug you can't do anything about it, this is a memory," Cass said, reading my mind. I tried to calm the anger boiling up inside me and the scene continued as if it were just actors in a play.
"Do you have any last words Munkustrap?" Macavity asked with a big smirk on his face. I wished that I could have wiped that smirk off his face. Munk drew himself up to his full height, but he was still dwarfed by Macavity,
"Up yours," Munk replied with a smirk of his own.
"Well, I think I should teach you a lesson in manners," Mac said calmly.
"I think someone ought to teach you one," Munk replied with a raised eyebrow.
I frowned; didn't Munk see he was just pissing Macavity off? There must have been a reason behind him acting this way or else it was just the last way to rebel.
Macavity had had enough of this cheek. He punched Munk hard across the face; it made an impressive cracking sound. Munk fell to the floor holding his jaw. It was all Bomba could do to keep Dem from running to him.
"Macavity broke Munk's jaw in two places with that punch," Cassandra's voice informed me.
"Maybe we'll have a little less lip from you now," Mac jeered. Gesturing to his henchcats he ordered, "Take him away, I'll deal with him later."
Three henchcats restrained Munk and dragged him away from us.
"No!" Dem sobbed, "Munku!"
Bomba held her tightly, partly to stop her from running after him but also to comfort her.
"Don't worry, dear Demeter," Mac laughed, "I wont kill him, well not yet anyway. I think every tom should be allowed to see his kittens before he dies."
It was then that I noticed the slight swell in Dem's stomach,
"Way to go Munk!" I thought, but my celebration soon evaporated. The jellicles were prisoners, every one of them. Mac smiled,
"Now, if anyone wants to join me speak up."
There was silence amongst the jellicles.
"Very well, if you'll all care to step this way, form an orderly queue."
He signalled and two queens stepped up beside him on the tire, one white and fluffy, Griddlebone. The other was brown and cream; I had never seen her before. I would have remembered a pretty creature like that. The brown and cream queen took hold of Macavity's paw gladly. I could imagine her as one of Macavity's top agents. She looked deadly enough. Griddlebone was a little more hesitant to take his paw, she seemed as if she'd rather be anywhere but in the junkyard. Meanwhile the jellicles were being forced to wear collars,
"They're magical," Cass said, "If we try to escape they activate and shock us."
I clenched my fists growling, how dare Macavity do this to them?
Suddenly I was back in the underground room.
"That bastard," I hissed.
"You don't know the half of it," Bomb sighed.
A tall strange tom walked into the room, I quickly stood in front of Bomb and Cass growling. Bomb's earlier words echoed through my head, "If the henchcats found this place do you think they'd bloody well knock?!"
Just as I was about to make sure this henchcat would never live to tell where the jellicle hideout was, Bomb spoke,
"Diego, how the hell did you get in this time?"
"Ah, no major skills needed. The henchcats are getting a bit lax with their security. I just walked right in."
"Well, Grid's not here, she's had to report to Macavity," Cass said wearily.
"Well who said anything about me wanting to talk to Grid?"
"Because you always come here to talk to Grid," Cass reminded him.
"And?" Diego growled.
"And nothing."
"Anyway, who's this?" Diego asked tossing his head in my direction.
"I could ask the same of you," I replied in a bored tone.
"Diego, this is Tugger, he's part of our tribe but was away when Macavity took over. Tugger this is Diego, one of Macavity's ex henchcats. Who really should be trying to help us," Bomb introduced us.
"Hey cut me a break, I'm making my street contacts again, once that's done we can lead an attack against Macavity," Diego turned to me, "Ah, I know you, the deserter, the gray tabby's brother."
"I did not desert them," I hissed fiercely, part of that anger was towards myself. I didn't mean to leave when the tribe needed me most.
"Hey hey," Bomb stood between us, "Calm it."
It was then that Grid decided to return. I couldn't help but notice she looked a little more dishevelled than someone should after a mere meeting with Macavity. She was hastily trying to smooth down her fur again to make herself more presentable.
"So you had to 'report' to Macavity?" Diego glared at her.
"Diego," her face dropped, "I...I didn't expect you'd be coming today."
"Yeah well that's obvious," he said coldly.
"Diego, you don't understand. Let me explain," Grid pulled him down one of the tunnels.
"So them two are together then? Got a funny way of showing it," I said, shaking my head.
Cass and Bomb nodded.
"They think nobody knows. It would probably ruin their reputations if everyone knew they actually cared for someone. Anyway all the jellicles know. Macavity and the henchcats don't though," Bomb said, she then put her finger to her lips. We could hear Diego and Grid talking.
"Diego, I'm sorry but something happened since last time you were here," Grid said softly.
"And what would that be?"
"Macavity asked me to be his mate."
"So you're with him, ok I know where I stand. I hope you two are very happy together."
"Diego, listen to me please. I had to, nobody refuses to do what Macavity says and lives for much longer. You of all people should know that!"
"Then get out of here Grid, start a new life. I did."
"I can't leave the jellicles. The only way for me to leave is for you to lead an attack on Macavity and his henchcats. The sooner the better."
An exasperated sigh was heard, "Fine Grid, but next time you have to 'report' to him tell him you have a headache."
The two reappeared in the room, Diego's face like thunder.
"Tugger, you go with Diego. Maybe you can help round up enough cats who are willing to face up to Macavity," Grid told me.
You couldn't half tell that she was so used to giving orders. Would saying please have killed her? Then again, helping to free the jellicles was what I was here for. So I really couldn't complain about being stuck with Diego for the time being.
"Fine," I grumbled.
Diego on the other paw, seemed a hell of a lot happier at the prospect of attacking Macavity. Bomb and Cass gave me a quick hug.
"Hurry though," Bomb whispered, "Munk's living on borrowed time. Dem's kittens are due any day now."
I nodded, Munk's fate rested on me now. I wasn't going to let him down.
"Watch out for Satina, she should be on duty about now," Grid warned us, "I'll see if she's out there and distract her if she is."
Grid led the way out, Diego followed close behind and I brought up the rear after kissing Bomb and Cass each on the cheek.
"I wont let you all down," I promised them as I left the room. As we got to the entrance Grid signalled for us to stay put and she left the tunnel.
"Damn Satina," Diego sighed impatiently. I glanced outside and saw Grid talking to a brown and cream queen, the one from the flashback.
"What's her story then?" I asked curiously.
"Satina? She was a stray, picked up from the streets as a kitten. Macavity took her in as a servant, a general dogs body of sorts. But he must have saw potential in her, 'cause when she was older he handed her over to Grid for training. Satina's very much a perfect agent. But also a perfect pain in the arse, looks down on everybody except Macavity."
"Oh," I replied, "She seems to have a bit of respect for Grid."
"Yeah well," Diego's voice took on a bitter tone, "Grid's Macavity's mate now. That demands respect."
"Well of course," I didn't let on that I'd heard their conversation.
"I can't wait to get everyone down here and attack that ponce," Diego hissed more to himself than to me.
I kept silent and watched Grid lead Satina away,
"This is our chance, come on," I said to Diego. I got up and looking around carefully made a break for it. Diego was close on my tail, too close in fact. Guards were at the gate. When I stopped suddenly to avoid being seen Diego crashed into the back of me and we fell to the ground.
"Why'd you stop so suddenly idiot?" Diego hissed.
"Why were you following so close you prat?" I hissed back. We clambered back to our feet and heard footsteps. The guards had heard us.
"Diego," one realised before Diego knocked him out. I knocked out the other quickly.
"Come on," I said to Diego urgently.
"We should take them out," Diego mumbled, "They recognised me."
"Take them out? Out for dinner, maybe. But they're not really my type," I joked to lighten the mood, "Let's just get out of here now."
I grabbed Diego's arm and pulled him out of the junkyard.
"I...I could show you our memory of that night if you want," Cass shuddered, "But Tugger you have to ask yourself, are you ready to see this?"
I nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be."
She took my paws and suddenly we weren't in that underground den, we were in the jellicle meeting area. Munkustrap stood on the tire addressing the rest of the jellicles. His eyes showed something unfamiliar, defeat. It scared me. He spoke to the tribe,
"Well I'm glad to see that the little ones are back with us safely. But as you all know, the yard is now under Macavity's control."
I looked round and saw henchcats surrounding the jellicles, making sure no one could escape before Macavity arrived.
"As leader I shall be going down with the ship so to speak, but if Macavity asks anyone to join him for a better life I wouldn't hold it against you if you did."
"Don't be stupid Munk, we're with you to the end!" Alonzo called out. Munk gave a grateful smile before continuing.
"We don't really know what to expect so I wish you all good luck and would suggest you spend this time with the ones you love."
As I expected Munk headed straight over to Demeter and kissed her gently,
"I'm sorry," he whispered to her, "This never would have happened if Old Deuteronomy was still here."
"Don't apologise, it's not your fault Munku," Dem hugged him tightly.
"Erm, Munk," Misto stood before Munk and Dem.
Cassie's voice echoed in my head,
"Macavity drained Misto of his powers. With Misto's power plus his own Macavity became exceptionally powerful."
I continued to watch the scene.
"Yes Misto," Munk replied.
"I just want to say, thank you. You've been a good friend and leader."
Munk smiled sadly and pulled the smaller tom towards him in a hug.
"Thank you Misto," Munk choked out. One by one the rest of the jellicles surrounded them to create the biggest group hug ever. I felt a pang of guilt for not being here when the tribe needed all the help they could get.
A hush fell over the tribe and they all moved out of the hug. Munk quickly made his way towards Dem and kissed her,
"Demi, no matter what happens here I love you and always will."
"I love you too Munku," Demi whispered, tears forming in her eyes, "Be careful."
Munk acknowledged that with a nod and a gentle squeeze of Dem's paw. All the jellicles faced towards the tire as Macavity made his grand entrance. The kittens huddled together shaking at the sound of the Hidden Paw's maniacal laughter. Munk on the other hand glared at the fiend who had captured the jellicles junkyard. Macavity smirked as he noticed this,
"Ah Munkustrap, dear brother. I finally get what's mine eh? Would you care to step forward? If you're not too cowardly."
Ever since he was a kitten the one thing Munk couldn't stand to be called was cowardly. There's was no doubt in my mind that he would do as Macavity had said. Letting go of Dem's paw Munk strode right up to Macavity,
"The junkyard will never rightfully be yours," Munk hissed.
"Is that so?" Mac smirked. Striking quickly he slashed Munk across the face with his specially sharpened claws,
"That's for answering back," Mac chuckled when Munk gingerly touched his face, wincing slightly with the pain. I could feel myself tense up and hissed at Macavity.
"Tug you can't do anything about it, this is a memory," Cass said, reading my mind. I tried to calm the anger boiling up inside me and the scene continued as if it were just actors in a play.
"Do you have any last words Munkustrap?" Macavity asked with a big smirk on his face. I wished that I could have wiped that smirk off his face. Munk drew himself up to his full height, but he was still dwarfed by Macavity,
"Up yours," Munk replied with a smirk of his own.
"Well, I think I should teach you a lesson in manners," Mac said calmly.
"I think someone ought to teach you one," Munk replied with a raised eyebrow.
I frowned; didn't Munk see he was just pissing Macavity off? There must have been a reason behind him acting this way or else it was just the last way to rebel.
Macavity had had enough of this cheek. He punched Munk hard across the face; it made an impressive cracking sound. Munk fell to the floor holding his jaw. It was all Bomba could do to keep Dem from running to him.
"Macavity broke Munk's jaw in two places with that punch," Cassandra's voice informed me.
"Maybe we'll have a little less lip from you now," Mac jeered. Gesturing to his henchcats he ordered, "Take him away, I'll deal with him later."
Three henchcats restrained Munk and dragged him away from us.
"No!" Dem sobbed, "Munku!"
Bomba held her tightly, partly to stop her from running after him but also to comfort her.
"Don't worry, dear Demeter," Mac laughed, "I wont kill him, well not yet anyway. I think every tom should be allowed to see his kittens before he dies."
It was then that I noticed the slight swell in Dem's stomach,
"Way to go Munk!" I thought, but my celebration soon evaporated. The jellicles were prisoners, every one of them. Mac smiled,
"Now, if anyone wants to join me speak up."
There was silence amongst the jellicles.
"Very well, if you'll all care to step this way, form an orderly queue."
He signalled and two queens stepped up beside him on the tire, one white and fluffy, Griddlebone. The other was brown and cream; I had never seen her before. I would have remembered a pretty creature like that. The brown and cream queen took hold of Macavity's paw gladly. I could imagine her as one of Macavity's top agents. She looked deadly enough. Griddlebone was a little more hesitant to take his paw, she seemed as if she'd rather be anywhere but in the junkyard. Meanwhile the jellicles were being forced to wear collars,
"They're magical," Cass said, "If we try to escape they activate and shock us."
I clenched my fists growling, how dare Macavity do this to them?
Suddenly I was back in the underground room.
"That bastard," I hissed.
"You don't know the half of it," Bomb sighed.
A tall strange tom walked into the room, I quickly stood in front of Bomb and Cass growling. Bomb's earlier words echoed through my head, "If the henchcats found this place do you think they'd bloody well knock?!"
Just as I was about to make sure this henchcat would never live to tell where the jellicle hideout was, Bomb spoke,
"Diego, how the hell did you get in this time?"
"Ah, no major skills needed. The henchcats are getting a bit lax with their security. I just walked right in."
"Well, Grid's not here, she's had to report to Macavity," Cass said wearily.
"Well who said anything about me wanting to talk to Grid?"
"Because you always come here to talk to Grid," Cass reminded him.
"And?" Diego growled.
"And nothing."
"Anyway, who's this?" Diego asked tossing his head in my direction.
"I could ask the same of you," I replied in a bored tone.
"Diego, this is Tugger, he's part of our tribe but was away when Macavity took over. Tugger this is Diego, one of Macavity's ex henchcats. Who really should be trying to help us," Bomb introduced us.
"Hey cut me a break, I'm making my street contacts again, once that's done we can lead an attack against Macavity," Diego turned to me, "Ah, I know you, the deserter, the gray tabby's brother."
"I did not desert them," I hissed fiercely, part of that anger was towards myself. I didn't mean to leave when the tribe needed me most.
"Hey hey," Bomb stood between us, "Calm it."
It was then that Grid decided to return. I couldn't help but notice she looked a little more dishevelled than someone should after a mere meeting with Macavity. She was hastily trying to smooth down her fur again to make herself more presentable.
"So you had to 'report' to Macavity?" Diego glared at her.
"Diego," her face dropped, "I...I didn't expect you'd be coming today."
"Yeah well that's obvious," he said coldly.
"Diego, you don't understand. Let me explain," Grid pulled him down one of the tunnels.
"So them two are together then? Got a funny way of showing it," I said, shaking my head.
Cass and Bomb nodded.
"They think nobody knows. It would probably ruin their reputations if everyone knew they actually cared for someone. Anyway all the jellicles know. Macavity and the henchcats don't though," Bomb said, she then put her finger to her lips. We could hear Diego and Grid talking.
"Diego, I'm sorry but something happened since last time you were here," Grid said softly.
"And what would that be?"
"Macavity asked me to be his mate."
"So you're with him, ok I know where I stand. I hope you two are very happy together."
"Diego, listen to me please. I had to, nobody refuses to do what Macavity says and lives for much longer. You of all people should know that!"
"Then get out of here Grid, start a new life. I did."
"I can't leave the jellicles. The only way for me to leave is for you to lead an attack on Macavity and his henchcats. The sooner the better."
An exasperated sigh was heard, "Fine Grid, but next time you have to 'report' to him tell him you have a headache."
The two reappeared in the room, Diego's face like thunder.
"Tugger, you go with Diego. Maybe you can help round up enough cats who are willing to face up to Macavity," Grid told me.
You couldn't half tell that she was so used to giving orders. Would saying please have killed her? Then again, helping to free the jellicles was what I was here for. So I really couldn't complain about being stuck with Diego for the time being.
"Fine," I grumbled.
Diego on the other paw, seemed a hell of a lot happier at the prospect of attacking Macavity. Bomb and Cass gave me a quick hug.
"Hurry though," Bomb whispered, "Munk's living on borrowed time. Dem's kittens are due any day now."
I nodded, Munk's fate rested on me now. I wasn't going to let him down.
"Watch out for Satina, she should be on duty about now," Grid warned us, "I'll see if she's out there and distract her if she is."
Grid led the way out, Diego followed close behind and I brought up the rear after kissing Bomb and Cass each on the cheek.
"I wont let you all down," I promised them as I left the room. As we got to the entrance Grid signalled for us to stay put and she left the tunnel.
"Damn Satina," Diego sighed impatiently. I glanced outside and saw Grid talking to a brown and cream queen, the one from the flashback.
"What's her story then?" I asked curiously.
"Satina? She was a stray, picked up from the streets as a kitten. Macavity took her in as a servant, a general dogs body of sorts. But he must have saw potential in her, 'cause when she was older he handed her over to Grid for training. Satina's very much a perfect agent. But also a perfect pain in the arse, looks down on everybody except Macavity."
"Oh," I replied, "She seems to have a bit of respect for Grid."
"Yeah well," Diego's voice took on a bitter tone, "Grid's Macavity's mate now. That demands respect."
"Well of course," I didn't let on that I'd heard their conversation.
"I can't wait to get everyone down here and attack that ponce," Diego hissed more to himself than to me.
I kept silent and watched Grid lead Satina away,
"This is our chance, come on," I said to Diego. I got up and looking around carefully made a break for it. Diego was close on my tail, too close in fact. Guards were at the gate. When I stopped suddenly to avoid being seen Diego crashed into the back of me and we fell to the ground.
"Why'd you stop so suddenly idiot?" Diego hissed.
"Why were you following so close you prat?" I hissed back. We clambered back to our feet and heard footsteps. The guards had heard us.
"Diego," one realised before Diego knocked him out. I knocked out the other quickly.
"Come on," I said to Diego urgently.
"We should take them out," Diego mumbled, "They recognised me."
"Take them out? Out for dinner, maybe. But they're not really my type," I joked to lighten the mood, "Let's just get out of here now."
I grabbed Diego's arm and pulled him out of the junkyard.