Chapter 3>

Nightfall had an emboldening affect on the small watchful team of cats who were dangerously close to Macavity's would-be lair. Being cramped in a small dark space all day long did not settle very well with any of their natures and the need to venture out was overwhelming. They had not heard from Munkustrap in some time and Plato was due to arrive very soon.

"This is as boring as Tugger's rants about 'imself." Jerrie finally snapped. "Oi'm getting out there." He said as he stood.

"Don't be so daft, man. You know the henchcats of the Hidden Paw are all about. If they see you, you certainly won't have to worry about hearing Rum Tum Tugger's rants ever again." A wide eyed Alonzo warned.

"Quiet!" A suddenly alert Coricopat jumped up.

They all turned in time to see that they were being watched by one of the dark henchcats!

"Well, if it isn't Jellicle Jerrie!" The nasty cat with the arched back mocked. "Not looking too good these days, mate. Has the junkyard softened you up?"

"Why don't you troi to find out, Blatherskeet." Mungojerrie recognized his old emissary at once.

Before another word could be spoken, Alonzo lunged in attack. The cats were on the verge of screaming loudly in their fight when Coricopat drew both of their attention with a simple whistle. The cats were entranced for a moment until Coricopat lost his concentration for he was not used to working without his sister in tandem. Blatherskeet shot a quick swipe at Alonzo who immediately held his arm in pain. But next, it was Blather who was caught in surprise by a pair of very strong legs wrapping around his. Plato had arrived not a moment too soon.

"What should we do with this one?" He asked Alonzo who was reeling with pain.

"We can't let him go now." He ordered.

"We must. I will take care of that. Jerrie, help Plato hold him down." Coricopat ordered.

Jerrie stepped forward with gritted teeth and held the wretched tom down.

Coricopat moved forward and caught Blatherskeet's stare full on.

"This did not happen, it was only a paranoid part of your imagination. You will go without this knowledge." He looked to the others with different eyes. "Release him, now."

They let go of a confused and bewildered cat who wondered away as though he were on a bag load of cat-nip. No one would believe his story now, if he remembered by morning.

"Go back Alonzo. I'll stay in your place." Plato offered.

He had no experience in leading a group but he was tall, strong and imposing with his coat in of shades of brown and a face marked of wicked black lines. His appearance carefully concealed a more gentle nature he had around the queens of the tribe.

"No. I can manage. Return to Munkustrap and let him know that all is well for Old Deuteronomy is likely to have sensed what happened already." Alonzo was certain of that.

Plato relented to his orders and left food for the team before returning home with news of what happened.

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Rumpelteazer was not there to hear the news about the cats almost being discovered when Plato had returned. She had gone to Victoria Grove for a rest and she was a bit confused when she returned to see her friend Quaxo, a shimmering black cat consoling his assistant in magic Cassandra. She guessed that some magic trick must have gone terribly wrong and never that Cassie's dearest mate had been injured in a fight. She slipped past the two only to be encountered by a second pair who seemed oblivious to her presence. Munkustrap was speaking to his betrothed Demeter, a golden marked lady-cat of similar appearance to her niece Jemima. They were talking in hushed-tones about what had happened to the look-out team and they seemed so enwrapped with each other that Rumpelteazer barely made an effort to sneak past them. If only they had spoken louder, she would've stopped in her tracks to hear the story. As she left the yard, Quaxo interrupted their conversation.

"Munkustrap, I want to go and take Alonzo's place. I'll do whatever Mungojerrie and Coricopat instruct but I know I'm old enough and ready for this mission."

Munkustrap bowed his regal tabby head in agreement. "Not just yet, Quaxo. I must think about what our next move will be first."

Quaxo walked away, but was not pleased with that response.

She was in the clearing! The notorious Rumpelteazer and done it again. Would've been more fun if it hadn't been so easy, she thought to herself with a laugh. But just then her fledgling overconfidence had let her down for someone did see… She turned to see a shadow in the darkness just behind her."

"Ooo's there?" She asked aloud.

"Don't worry, Rumpelteazer. It's only me." The figure stepped out of the darkness.

It was Electra!

Rumpelteazer let out a laugh.

"Go on, then, afore you get caught out 'ere."

"No, I want to go with you. I know you're up to something fun. Please let me." Electra was not easily dissuaded.

Rumpelteazer thought for a moment. If Jennyanydots or Jellylorum knew that she was influencing one of the kittens, she would probably lose an ear over it. Electra seemed so excited and curious though and if she was sent back now, she might tell the others what Teazer was up to. Teazer finally agreed and the two were off into the darkness and who knows what.

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The next morning Jemima was grooming herself in the sun's early light when she saw Electra trotting across the yard.

"Electra! Over here." she called out.

"Hello, Jemima. You're up early." Electra greeted.

"I went to sleep early. It was dull in the yard last night everyone was so upset about what had happened."

"But they're okay, right? I mean Alonzo is going to be all right?"

"I suppose so. Why are you up so early?"

"I haven't been to sleep." Electra stated almost proudly.

Jemima's wide eyes grew ever wider.

"I'm just having a little bit of fun. Rumpelteazer is showing me how she gets into places."

"Electra! You know better than that. What would the others say? Why are you doing that?" Jemima sat-up straight.

"It's okay. There's no harm done, we didn't take anything last night. Just sort of crept around someone's shed while they weren't there. Found some interesting stuff but I have a plan, Jemima."

"What?"

"You'll see soon enough. I don't want to hear Pouncival or anyone else say anymore that I'm too scared or to too shy to do want I want. What I'm going to do will prove it."

The kittens laughed, but Jemima laughed nervously for she didn't like this plan already.