After the Ball
Author's notes: Thankyou one and all for all your lovely reviews! I heart all of you! Roman de la Croix- I have undying love? ME? Oh WOW, I just, I just don't know what to say! You get my review of the chapter award for being so nice! Lolanthe- As you can probably tell I do love the odd bit of Misto torture too. Thank you for your review and enjoy the next chapter. Krissy4- I'm having a little trouble of Macavity's character. Should I make him stereotypically evil, or maybe write him as a strong genius evil mastermind? I need guidance! Morph- Thankyou for your review, please carry on reading and hopefully review more pleads. BRD- I'm glad you're liking this story, please if you read remember to review, I do so love receiving them. Lozzypop- Cliff-hangers are my forte, its also a weakness as I sometimes don't know when to not stop at one. I'll work on it, don't want my readers to die of worry for little Misto do we? ;) Jemima-luvah- Macavity, well heres the thing with him, I imagine him to be a real clever guy y'know, being so successfully evil and all that jazz, so I didn't picture him as the kind of cat to talk commonly, but he sees himself above that. I will try and make this chapter more realistic and unpredictable, though I'm not a good writer so I cant promise anything. Sorry . devilserpent- Thanks for your support. I'd like to say Misto will be fine, but I just cant promise you that mwahahahaha
Thank you to any other who reviewed, review again and I shall write a comment, its just this time I had written all the introduction before some of you had had a chance of reading it.
Ok people I'm in a crisis here, I'm running out of inspiration! I need some and I need some guidance on Macavity's character. So I am pleading with you all to give me your honest opinion on what hes like in this chapter and maybe give me some feedback and ideas on what you think he should be like. Don't hold back!
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For once in his life Munkustrap felt utterly helpless. How would he get both The Rum Tum Tugger and Mistoffelees back from Macavity without putting other Jellicles in danger? He considered telling Old Deuteronomy about the crisis but then thought better of it; his ancient father did not need to be dragged into such a stressful situation, not at his age. Instead he resigned himself to a quite corner of the junkyard to go over multiple plans, each one proving to be flawed by at least one factor. Skimbleshanks the Scottish railway cat approached a little while after Munkustrap had started thinking.
"I'm sorry laddie but the trains won't run without the railway cat," he said apologetically in his thick accent. Munkustrap nodded in agreement but secretly felt that he needed the older cat to stay and help him protect the tribe; he of course did not say this but exchanged a few polite words with him. As Skimbleshanks trotted away he called over his back, "I will keep an eye out on the trains and around that area, you never know where that fiend will turn up" And with that the cat of the railway had gone, off to his post, most likely late.
It seemed that quite a few other cats had to leave that night. Cassandra had left to 'check up' on her owner who lived in the richer part of town claiming that she had not been back for a few days which seemed suspicious. Jennyanydots left to tend to her mice but her kittens Pouncival and Tumblebrutus remained in the safe keeping of Munkustrap, and Jellyorum had gone with Electra and Etcetera. Ademetus and Victoria also departed early on in the afternoon. Even Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer left without so much of a goodbye. Munkustrap knew it was customary for many cats to leave a few days after the ball to slide back into their normal lifestyles, leaving the junkyard relatively empty for a small period of time (apart from the strays residing there) but Munkustrap could not help wondering that their abrupt disappearing acts had something to do with Macavity- they were most likely scared to be caught out by him and so left for the safety of their own homes. Finally, Munkustrap decided to return to his tribe and his mate Demeter. She could always cheer him up, he thought somewhat optimistically.
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Macavity had been enraged in the beginning at his captive's defiant attack. The small black cat 'and just out of kittenhood it seemed too,' thought Macavity bitterly, had actually inflicted pain on him. The powerful magical blow had caused the napoleon of crime to fall and remain out of breath and shaky for quite a while afterwards. However, not one to let a little pain get in the way of his 'aims', Macavity was up within the next minute (a lesser cat could well of been out of commission for a few hours) and flew towards the assaulting cat, who was now weakly on his knees, eyes clouded over in discomfort and exhaustion. He did not think that Mistoffelees was even conscious for the direct blow to his temple but it made him feel better to watch as he slumped forward a slight trail of blood falling from his head. He was defiantly unconscious now. His brother, renewed with anger had managed to rise and call out for his friend before it had happened, now he still stood with one arm clamped tightly around his waist breathing heavily and blinking so not to get blood in his eyes. Macavity, who was also finding it difficult to breathe turned to face him, he sneered at The Rum Tum Tugger as he took in his half dead appearance. Then, he remembered his deal with Mistoffelees about how he would let The Rum Tum Tugger go in exchange for his cooperation.
"You are free to go brother, but make one bad move and your precious magician won't survive the night."
"Do not call me that Macavity, I am no brother of yours," The Rum Tum Tugger hissed through gritted teeth. Macavity rose his eyebrows, "Oh no? I think I can do what I want as you cannot even hope to stop me, nor can your precious leader Munkustrap,"
As if on cue the two cat brothers Furrocat and Wiskucat entered and surrounded The Rum Tum Tugger. As they proceeded to drag him out of the room The Rum Tum Tugger cried out in pain and alarm. He could see Mistoffelees lying behind Macavity and he wasn't moving, or looked to be even alive. It worried him a great deal, but before he had time to even think of fighting back he was out of the room and half suffocated by the massive cat Furrocat's deathly grip around his neck. He felt as if his lungs were about to burst when he felt the cold ground beneath him. He looked up and found himself in the street again, not far from the junkyard- had he really been carried all this way without noticing it? Grimacing, he attempted to gain his footing once again, however the adrenaline from earlier on had all but been spent and he failed miserably. Instead he resigned himself to crawling a little way, resting a bit then moving again. "Soon," he thought, "the junkyard will be in view, if only I can get there…soon."
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The moon was out and shining brightly upon the white face of Plato. His expression solemn and stern, he was on watch with the mischievous Tumblebrutus who was actually sleeping soundly next to him, younger toms could never be trusted to stick to their posts. Plato didn't mind it; he would rather sit in the peace and silence of the night, than have to put up with Tumble's constant ramblings and distractions. Perching upon the splintered rocking chair, Plato gazed about, carefully looking for any suspicious movement- he, as a stray and nearly a fully grown tom, was given responsibilities by Munkustrap, and other than Munkustrap himself and Alonzo, he was the next in command when others such as Skimbleshanks weren't around. For good reason too. He was one of the tallest cats around, matched only by The Rum Tum Tugger and Macavity, and was quite a decent fighter. Although he preferred the serene side of life to the scrappiness of the streets, he was still street smart and was able to defend himself well; he made a productive and strong member to the Jellicle tribe. Suddenly, he was drawn out of his thoughts because of a loud crash emitting from some old dustbins cans near the entrance of the junkyard. It was loud enough to wake Tumblebrutus from slumber. The younger cat rubbed his eyes sleepily,
"What was that din?" he asked groggily. Plato narrowed his eyes and tensed, "I will go and check it out, and you go and get Munkustrap and Alonzo." Tumblebrutus, still half asleep nodded and lowered himself down from the chair, then running to the car where Munkustrap and Demeter had made their home. Plato had already made his way over to the dustbins when another clatter came from them, a can lid rolled and stopped at his paws. Looking up from the lid he spied a bent over figure stumbling over himself to get closer. Plato looked closer and gasped when he recognised him, "Tugger!" he cried rushing to help his friend.
"I couldn't stop them…Mistoffelees," he mumbled incoherently, before collapsing after the great trek he had just made. He did not hit the ground as Plato had caught him and carefully lowered him to the floor. Munkustrap had swiftly left his home to watch the scene unravel before his very eyes. Demeter has also been there with Tumblebrutus and her gasp of horror was enough to snap him out of his shocked trance. After the initial shock of seeing his brother in such a state, he was there like a bullet and aiding Plato with carrying him to a warmer place. The racket had caused other cats to now wake up and a few ventured out to see what was happening.
"TUGGER!" squealed Jemima, wailing as she saw his limp body on the dusty clearing floor, she began to run to him, to see if he was ok when she was held back by Alonzo. "Stay back, give him some room," warned Alonzo, his voice strained. He then turned to Asparagus (the younger one of the tribe) who was standing silently by him. "Keep the kittens away from here then go and fetch Jennyanydots, we are in need of her services greatly."
"Ok Alonzo," said Asparagus, as he herded the kittens back to their beds. Alonzo then proceeded to rush to his fallen brother's side where he received worried glances from Munkustrap and Demeter.
"Plato, what did you see?" Alonzo snapped angrily rounding on the stunned cat.
"Well nothing but..." Alonzo had interrupted, his voice rising in volume, "you were 'meant' to be on watch, you were 'meant' to be looking out for him!" Alonzo was known for his knack of jumping to conclusions; it caused him to get into many scraps even though he never meant harm by it. Now his brother had turned up left for dead and he could not contain his anger. He drew himself to his full height, which only levelled to Plato's chin and clenched his fists. Plato, totally oblivious to what he had done looked to him confused, "Alonzo, I was on watch, I found him staggering in here, he mentioned Mistoffelees and how he couldn't stop them." Alonzo blinked once and then Munkustrap was next to him, a paw on his shoulder, he instantly calmed down and mumbled an apology to Plato.
"Did he say anything else, anything about Macavity perhaps?" Munkustrap asked. Plato shook his head and Demeter sighed half in fear half in relief; she hoped to the everlasting cat that Macavity had nothing to do with this, yet, in her heart she felt that he did, he always did.
Moving The Rum Tum Tugger was a difficult matter. Between the 3 tom cats they managed it, but it was no easy task; The Rum Tum Tugger was after all, a large tom cat indeed. Now safely tucked away within the interior of the car bonnet, which Munkustrap and Demeter shared, The Rum Tum Tugger was laid down again, looking even worse now he was on his back and breathing shallowly.
"What did he do to you?" Munkustrap murmured using a soft paw to wipe some of the matted mane from his brother's face. Alonzo's ears perked up and he gave a low growl.
"Who do you mean Munkustrap?" Alonzo asked, having a strange feeling that he already knew by the bitterness in his brother's voice. Munkustrap locked eyes with the patched black and white tom, at once Alonzo knew for sure. Screwing his handsome face in disgust he hissed the dreaded word "Macavity" causing Plato to narrow his eyes and Demeter to scoot closer to Munkustrap. At the sound of the name The Rum Tum Tugger's eyes flickered and then opened…
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All around him swirled an eerie mist, freezing and scentless. He tried to call out to someone but his voice didn't make it a few metres in front of him and everywhere he looked there was nothing but a silvery coating on a pitch black background. Not even a sound was heard and it scared him. Never had he been to such a place. The only positive thing he could think of about this place was the fact that he seemed not to exist, he seems to just float without a cause, and that meant the pain he had felt had diminished into a pleasant airy feeling. Floating there Mistoffelees found it hard to think about anything. He knew there was something he had to remember but the comfortable sleep he was tempted by was overpowering his brain. Slowly, he closed his eyes and succumbed to the darkness. An eternity later a pinprick of pain woke him from his near fatal dream into the cruel world of consciousness.
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Macavity looked at the unconscious being on the floor, his breathing had slowed right down and for a moment, Macavity thought that the harsh blow to his head had killed him. He smirked at the thought that merely one of his claws could hold such power, but then dismissed any further elaborations on the idea and instructed Grumbuskin to make sure the 'runt' did not die on him. Macavity left the tiny dank room, tail swishing predatorily as his eyes gleamed with the slight madness that was present there. Oh how he couldn't wait for his prey to wake up, then he would certainly have some fun. It was all part of the plan. "Soon," he thought menacingly, "soon he would have the Jellicle tribe…soon."
A low manic chuckle escaped his lips as he sauntered away, leaving Grumbuskin to tend to Mistoffelees.
Grumbuskin waited for his boss to leave before eyeing up the pitiful cat beneath him and he muttered under his breath, "unlucky aint ya," he said to the unconscious form, turning Mistoffelees over so he could lay on his back instead of face down on the floor. Alarmingly his breathing had almost stopped, his chest barely rising up and down. Noticing this, Grumbuskin reached for a small bowl of water tucked away in the corner of the room, unnoticed by the captives before. He proceeded to dump it in Mistoffelees face and he found to his relief the cat spluttered and jumped up. Not one to let anyone grasp a chance of escape, Grumbuskin pinned the poor dripping wet figure to the ground who was dazed anyway. Grumbuskin looked down into the pain filled eyes and got off,
"Don't try to escape, if ya know what's good for ya." He paced over to the door, "Macavity will be pleased to know that you didn't die." Then he left leaving Mistoffelees shaking in his cold damp fur.
The wound on his head throbbed terribly as did most of his body. He figured that his head injury was the cause of his sluggishness and he fought to keep awake- to fall asleep now would mean that he may never wake up again. Next, after his self check up, he noticed that The Rum Tum Tugger had gone and he hoped to the everlasting cat he was freed, maybe he could go to Munkustrap and they could pull off a brave rescue, but the nagging thought in his head reminded him of his status in the tribe, "Merely a magician, entertainment for the kittens when they were bored. Nobody would even consider putting their own lives in danger for me, except maybe The Rum Tum Tugger and I don't even know if he's alive or not." Tears sprung to his eyes and he furiously wiped them away with a bloody paw, he would not let Macavity see him cry. He sat there for a long while, staring at the door, hoping that Macavity would not enter but then realising that it was inevitable as he was now a prisoner in what it seemed a labyrinth of rooms and corridors with Macavity's hench-cats wandering the place like a swarm of ants.
He got up shakily and felt the weakness in his legs, as if the lack of magic left something behind and it was wearing away brutally at his kneecaps. Vaguely, he remembered the short stance before Macavity when he had used his preserve magic to help out his friend, but then after that all he recalled was the face of Grumbuskin. Familiar sense of nausea stuck to him like the blood clinging to his dulled fur and the stuffed up atmosphere in the room felt like it was slowly suffocating him, Mistoffelees thought desperately of his promise to stay here and then went on to think that he wouldn't last long in such a habitat, he needed the free fresh air and open spaces of the junkyard, his home.
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At the same moment Mistoffelees was left in a trail of his own thoughts, The Rum Tum Tugger woke to find a worried familiar face hovering over him. Though his mind had not woken up enough yet to process where he was, he knew enough to figure that he was safe enough, so, emitting a soft groan he blinked to clear the blurriness and sniffed to pick up the scent of his brother.
"Munk?" he asked, not aware of the slightly leaking eyes of his brother, who was fighting the tears (of happiness that threatened to spill) rather well. The silver tiger cat smiled at his waking brother and again used a paw to move the fringe of hair out of The Tugger's face.
"Yes, it's me," he replied softly. The Rum Tum Tugger seemed to remember something just at that moment and his eyes widened and he gave a sudden jerk. Munkustrap and Alonzo went to hold him down.
"Mistoffelees, is he here?" The Rum Tum Tugger asked, desperation evident in his hoarse voice. The other cats shared looks with each other and Alonzo answered in his usual harmless but sarcastic tone, "We were hoping you could shed light on that brother."
Munkustrap glared at Alonzo for his less than polite attitude towards the subject and intervened, "What Alonzo means is, we have not seen him. You were the only one we found."
"Where did you find me?" The Rum Tum Tugger questioned, not remembering clearly.
"I did, just inside the junkyard, you collapsed before I could say anything to you," Plato answered nervously, he did not like the tension within the confined space and wanted to leave soon. The Rum Tum Tugger looked at him carefully and after a few seconds he nodded simply and then attempted to get up again.
"What are you doing? You're hurt!" exclaimed Demeter. The Rum Tum Tugger forced a lopsided smile but grimanced afterwards, "I know Demeter, but I cant just lay around to get better when Misto is in danger." He took a step and then clutched his stomach. The long gash in his side had reopened after starting to heal and was now oozing blood again, he fell to the floor in a heap of fur and again groaned.
"You are defiantly NOT moving again until Jenny takes a look at you." Munkustrap said sternly.
Tugger rolled his eyes, "Don't use the kitten voice on me Munk, no one can order me around." He went to move again but a shrill voice periced the air, "Rum Tum Tugger stop moving at once or I shall have to stop you myself" It was Jennyanydots, right on time. The shocked look on The Rum Tum Tugger's face was enough to get a laugh out of Alonzo and even a ghost of a smile on Munkustrap's face. Tugger had stopped moving.
