-1How Long is Forever?
by
Draco's Daughter
Disclaimer: Cats does not belong to me. All original characters do, however.
A/N: Sorry I've taken so long with this chapter! Please forgive me!
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Last Time
"Her plans are a delicate fabric that must be woven carefully in order for events to fall in just the right way so everything turns out okay in the end," Pan replied.
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"It's only temporary, Alonzo. Munkustrap may be alive yet. Only time and the Everlasting Cat will tell," Old Deuteronomy explained, placing a paw on Alonzo's shoulder. He gave a small half-laugh as he paled a bit.
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Chapter Four: Munkustrap's Alive?
Mistoffelees sat alone near a newly formed puddle of water, looking at his reflection in the moonlight. The black cat looked as if he was looking for something in the water. Rum Tug Tugger noticed the young cat's curiosity and meditative state, he saw ample opportunity for revenge and went over hoping to startle Mistoffelees as he had been startled earlier.
"What's the matter? Lost your magic cork or something?" Rum Tug Tugger asked in a loud voice. Mistoffelees calmly looked Rum Tug Tugger in the eyes, apparently undisturbed by Tugger's entrance.
"There's hope, Tugger. I can feel him, he's not dead, not yet, but he's not doing well either. We must go to him," Mistoffelees said, nearly whining.
"What are you talking about Misto? Who do you feel?" Rum Tug Tugger asked putting his paws on Mistoffelees's shoulders.
"Munkustrap," Mistoffelees replied quietly. Rum Tug Tugger licked his lips, trying to get his throat to work and from words.
"Munkustrap's alive? For certain?" Rum Tug Tugger finally managed to say. Mistoffelees nodded slowly.
"He's on the threshold of death's door. I think a voice, or voices, might give him the necessary anchor to work towards. He's fighting to live and we've got to help him!" Mistoffelees explained frantically.
"But neither of us know where to look. There's also how we get into the veterinarians' office. It's way to difficult," Rum Tug Tugger said, running a paw through his mane.
"Leave that to me, Tugger. You underestimate my powers. Follow me, I'll find Munkustrap for you" Mistoffelees replied. But before they could set off, a familiar, sly voice rang out.
"Hello Brother."
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For a few breathless moments Munkustrap and Growltiger stared at one another. There was so much that Munkustrap had always wanted to tell his father after his death but now, face to face with him, everything he had wanted to say seemed extremely unimportant. Growltiger was merely looking his son up and down.
"It's true what they say, you are the image of me. I never realized it at the time, when I was seeing you every day but now, now I lay a new eye on you," Growltiger observed.
"I've tried my best to uphold your memory, father, and Tugger's become the exact opposite of what he once was," Munkustrap said horridly, trying to find the most important points in the past few years.
"And what of Macavity?" Growltiger asked. Munkustrap lowered his eyes in shame. Face to face with the cat who taught him it was honorable to work with his brothers, it seemed nearly impossible to speak of the ginger cat.
"He's become a criminal, the best Cat Burglar in history. He also likes to cause trouble for the tribe whenever he can. I was chasing after him when," Munkustrap replied, unable to admit to his father he was hit by a car. Growltiger allowed his son to collect his thoughts on the matter before speaking.
"In any case, you must try and make peace with your brother. It's not good for Blood Brothers to fight against one another. There never has been and there never will be any excuse for it," Growltiger advised. Munkustrap sighed heavily, Macavity was a very difficult problem.
"I don't know what to do about Macavity. He doesn't want to make peace, he wants to dominate and rule the tribe," Munkustrap replied. Growltiger shook his head sadly.
"Too late will he realize the errors he has made. As long as he is attacking unprovoked do you have any right to fight back and defend yourself and your tribe," Growltiger commanded, still the leader he once was. Munkustrap could only obey his father's commands. When he had been a kitten, Growltiger was an inspiration. Munkustrap would follow his father around the Junkyard, chest puffed out, and try to "help" Growltiger with Guardian duties. Munkustrap usually just caused a bigger mess, bringing a slight scowl to his father's face and a laugh from Pot or Pan, whichever was with Growltiger at the time. But the Guardian could never stay mad at his son for long and would eventually allow a small laugh escape his lips. That was when Munkustrap would purr for joy, he loved to hear his father's laugh. It was like soft summer rains to the young kitten's ears. Growltiger loved his sons and had always wanted to protect them from the cats in the world that would want to hurt, and probably kill, them because they were his kittens. The day the Siamese killed him, Growltiger's only thought was about his sons. He had sent Pan, Pot, and Isis away to keep Munkustrap, Rum Tug Tugger, and Macavity away from the Siamese. He had told them to stay in the Junkyard but the three kittens had come anyways. Growltiger died so his sons could live, he had made the ultimate sacrifice intentionally. He knew fighting alone would earn him his death but his sons mattered more to him. Never could you find a moment in Growltiger's life that more defined who he was than that fateful night so long ago. After that the kittens had been split among Growltiger's three advisors. Munkustrap had gone with Pan, who made sure Munkustrap's Guardian training was complete and saw Munkustrap though the trials. Pot took Rum Tum Tugger under his wing and watched him mature into the rock star, Don Juan every Queen knows and loves today. Isis kept Macavity and taught him magic alongside a much younger Mistoffelees. Ever since they had been split apart, things between the three kittens changed. Munkustrap and Macavity had turned cold to one another while Munkustrap and Rum Tug Tugger grew much closer because of their separation.
"Do not dwell on your brother's mistakes, forgive him and things will fall into place," Growltiger advised. His father's strong voice pulled Munkustrap out of his thoughts and he smiled.
"When did you become so wise?" Munkustrap asked playfully.
"When I had time to stop and think about my life and the life my sons have made for themselves," Growltiger replied, giving a smile of his own.
The moment was interrupted by Pan bounding in. "Munkustrap! You've triumphed!" Pan yelled. Growltiger's smile increased tenfold in size. Munkustrap nearly went into shock.
"I'm alive?" Munkustrap asked, not believing what his ears were telling him.
"Yes, you've won against all odds. The fight is yours. Things will be crazy for a few moments while your soul passes back into the Realm of the Living. Afterwards your mind will spend time in the Realm of Dreams while your body continues to heal. Farewell, Munkustrap. I don't hope to see you again soon," Pan explained quickly. He rubbed heads one last time with his former pupil and foster kit before turning and bounding away. Growltiger hung back for a moment.
"Son, go back in peace and safety. Reclaim your place, be who you are, and don't forget that you can only cheat death once. Forgive Macavity his mistakes," Growltiger said before rubbing heads and giving Munkustrap's fur a gentle lick. Growltiger then turned and started off.
"Goodbye father, I love you," Munkustrap called to the old cat. Growltiger paused, gave his tail an acknowledging flick, and left the area, disappearing into the mist. Suddenly, the mist began to converge and contorted to become a woman with the head of a cat. Munkustrap bowed his head in reverence, this was the Everlasting Cat herself.
"The Fabric of Fate has been woven and placed into the tapestry of time. It fits perfectly into my plan. You are to live another day, my child. Tell me, before I send you back, have you learned anything from this experience?" She asked.
"Yes, I have learned so much from both Pan and my father. I am very grateful to see them again," Munkustrap answered quietly. The Everlasting Cat smiled and shook her head.
"That's not the experience I was speaking of," She clarified. Munkustrap thought for a moment, what had he learned from being hit by a car? He examined the events again, replaying what had happened before he stumbled upon the blunder and the lesson.
"I have learned not to allow my rage to control my emotions," Munkustrap replied, feeling a little dumb for his first answer. The Everlasting Cat nodded her approval.
"Yes, your unbridled rage for your brother is what got you into this mess. Your father has told you to forgive your brother's mistakes but you must acknowledge your own before you being on the mistakes of others. Fare thee well, Munkustrap," the Everlasting Cat said, waving one of her hands. Munkustrap's vision went black and he lost track of where he was or what was happening.
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"Hello? Is this Ms. Susan? Yes, I'm calling about the Silver Tabby you brought into me a week ago. Yes, he's fine and awake. You can come pick him up if you still want him. Okay, I'll have him ready for you." The vet finished his phone call and looked over to the cage containing a very alert Munkustrap. The cat was laying in his cage, curled up and looking at the man. "You're a lucky cat, I'll give you that. A new home and a fresh start." Munkustrap started to purr at the vet's words.
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Munkustrap thought it was pretty ironic. He was riding in the very car that had nearly cost him his life. Of course, he wasn't enjoying sitting in the cardboard pet carrier provided by the vet but he had been in worse conditions before. The woman who had picked him up was nice enough, a little exocentric about cats in general, but nice. Munkustrap saw how he could easily recuperate quickly in her care. During the ride she had been blabbering on about two other cats and how they would enjoy his company. Munkustrap was very relieved, however, when the ride ended and he felt the carrier being lifted up and out of the back seat. A short trip and a swinging door later, he was in the home of Susan and Nick Carpenter. The carrier was set down and opened. Susan picked Munkustrap up out of the carrier and set him down on the floor.
"Treasure! Capitan! There's someone who I'd like you to meet!" Susan called. Munkustrap heard the tinkling of a bell, the kind of bell one usually associates with cat collars, and a white kitten with a grey spot on her head appeared.
'So this one must be Treasure,' Munkustrap thought.
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Again, I apologize for the lateness of this chapter! I've just been really busy with school and other stuff! Happy Easter (if you celebrate it!) Thanks be to Puddycat and Shadowheart333 for reviewing!