Another week had passed before Rumpleteazer had recovered enough psychologically to relate what had happened in full detail to Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy, Demeter, and Kumori. Though she was crying the whole time, she was able to push on.
"As you know, me and Mungojerrie work for Macavity. After the battle, our orders were to watch Kumori. We already knew everything Macavity would want to know, so we were figuring out a way to protect Kumori. But somehow Macavity knew; he sent a clumsy spy as a warning to not double-cross him. When we went to report at the end of the week, Mungo and I were knocked out. When we came to, Macavity was mad. He hit Mungo a few times, saying that he only put up with us 'cause the Jellicles put up with our stealing, and our sole purpose was to spy on them." As Rumpleteazer continued, it became harder for her to talk. "Then he said if Mungo was going to protect Kumori...that he would take me instead. And then he walked over to me and pressed me against him, and forced my mouth open." She stopped there, holding herself. Demeter came over and wrapped her arms around Rumpleteazer, needing no further explanation. After a moment, Teazer continued. "Mungojerrie finally conceded, and we told him everything. Macavity wanted to know Kumori's name, age, relationships, weaknesses, and her connection to him. We had to tell him about how we disobeyed his command to kill her. He left the room and then came back with the Doppleganger. He dwarfed Macavity, as big as an English Mastiff! Doppleganger looked anorexic, had long legs and arms, and oversized canines that hung out of his mouth. Macavity ordered him to beat us within an inch of our lives. Macavity left, and we ran out of the room. Eventually we ended up in the Cafeteria. Me and Mungo barricaded the door with a heavy table, and locked them by jamming a sword through the handles. The Doppleganger broke the sword, and threw the table out of his way. We ran into a cold-storage area, and the cold slowed him up a bit. We found the exit, but Macavity was waiting. Jerrie told me to hop into a truck that was getting ready to leave while he pounced on Macavity. He tried to get to me, but was pulled back by the Doppleganger. Mungo was able to trip the lock that held the door open, and it slammed shut in my face before I could do anything. The Doppleganger may not sound like much from my description, but his is something right out of a nightmare. A horror only Macavity could create. He says he only needs 30 Doppleganger's to wipe out the Jellicles, but I'd say it would take less."
There was dead silence. None of the cats present doubted Rumpleteazer's words. She sat there, quietly crying. Kumori cautiously walked over to her, then nuzzled her.
"Thanks for sticking up for me." Kumori said quietly. This caused an explosion of tears from Rumpleteazer, and she fell into a hug. Kumori didn't really know what to do, apart from hug back. Her legs could barely support the weight of the distressed adult. After a few moments, Rumpleteazer backed off and wiped her tear-stained face.
"I helped you once, and me and Mungo made a promise never to allow what happened to Demeter happen to anyone again. It's our duty as Jellicles." Rumpleteazer looked proud at that statement. Deuteronomy called all of the Jellicles to the area for a meeting.
"My children," he began solemnly, "grave times are upon us. We must prepare for battle. Doubtless you know that Macavity has Mungojerrie. Whether he is dead or alive, I do not know. Our friend Rumpleteazer just finished telling what happened. Macavity has a new kind of mutated cat, that he will attempt to destroy us with." he paused to wait for the Jellicles to calm down. "Macavity claims he needs only 30 to accomplish this. Rumpleteazer, who has actually seen this Doppleganger, estimates it to be far less. If this is true, then there would be over 6 Jellicles to one mutant." Many cats scoffed at this. Munkustrap stepped forward to give his orders.
"I want all the kittens evacuated until further notice. The elders, Demeter, Kumori, and Plato as well. The rest of you, there will be a 24 hour watch, and I want to know where everyone is at all times." The Jellicles were silent. If there was an evacuation order, even if it was only the kits and elders, then it had to be serious. The kittens, who were sitting up front, started to get fidgety. They were too young to realize the enormity of the situation. As the Jellicles dispersed to carry out Munkustrap's orders, kits started to play-fight the impending battle. One kit was Macavity, and the biggest and oldest kits were his mutant army. The rest were Jellicles, and there was a big argument over who got to be Munkustrap. Admetus won, and the "battle" began. Not surprisingly, the Jellicles won. Munkustrap, who had been watching and slightly flattered, prayed to Bast that the real battle would yield similar results.
"Did they get the message?" Macavity asked his top spy, Devilkin, as he entered the room.
"Yes sir; the kittens, elders, Demeter, Kumori, and Plato are being evacuated. Everyone else will either be preparing for battle or on the watch." The dark gray cat, with equally grey eyes, reported. He had been standing only a few feet behind Munkustrap. His fur did not reflect light; Devilkin had looked exactly like Munkustrap's shadow. Macavity had trained Devilkin himself for this very reason. Nobody ever distrusted their shadow, and he could name a few cats who even talked to it. Devilkin also had total recall. He never forgot anything.
"Excellent. Take three of Doppleganger's, and round up the evacuees. I do NOT want the kits, Kumori, or Demeter harmed. Especially not Kumori."
"Can I have a description of her?" Devilkin asked.
"Black. No bib, gold eyes and stripes, red flecks. Long legged and barely out of kitten-hood. I marked her, look on the right shoulder." Macavity said abruptly. They left the room together. "Bring the hostages to me." he added as they went their separate ways. Devilkin to carry out orders, Macavity to get the rest of Doppleganger's command. He now had 67 of his new breed, which he dubbed 'Stalkers,' and he was going to use everyone of them to get what he wanted. Kumori. With his new creations, he could destroy the Jellicles anytime he wanted.