Quaxo's Secret Tale
By: Brittglamorra
Part 9
Tumblebrutus's Scars and Talus's Tale
OK. Hi guys. So I wanted to let you guys know that I am seriously depressed. I CAN'T FIND SKITTERNIMBLE! I was reading A Jellicle Vacation Gone Wrong, which is sooo freaking amazing…Well the story has not been touched since March, over two years ago! I have pmed Skitter to ask what was up, and I even got to the point where I asked if I could adopt the story and finish it…but no reply…I am like so scared Skitter died or something…I'm really going crazy. If you have read Skitter's work then you will understand! And that one story is amazing! I wanna know who the Phantom cat is! Graaaaa! Lol. Anywho. Enough of my ranting. On with the story.
Quaxo located his target in the very clearing where they were meant to be. He was perched high up on some junk, watching the kitten play with his friends. Then suddenly they were blindsided. Kittens tumbled every which way, and scrambled to their paws. Talus stood there panting. Tumble immediately leaped to his paws and hissed.
"Watch where you are going!" Talus's eyes narrowed in fury and the large tom towered over the kit.
"What did you say to me?!" He snarled in fury, his eyes narrowed…For a heartbeat they almost looked as though they were flaming. Tumble was unsure of himself now. His ears flattened, and his eyes widened and he took a step back, looking up at the big tom. He swallowed and spoke again, his eyes narrowing.
"I..I said watch where you are going!" He growled feebly. Talus growled, stepping towards the kit, and towering over him. He continued to advance as Tumble scrambled back.
"You think you can order me around kit? Think I am just another outsider? Well kit I have been here a hell of a lot longer than you! And you know what? I heard what you said…About my sister. She was no traitor! Quaxo is no outsider, and neither are those twins. If anybody is an outsider here, it's you….Jellicle's are kind, but all you are is bitter. Why is that little patched cat?" He closed in and suddenly Tumble realized the other kittens were gone. And Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were standing right behind him. He stopped so fast Talus had to stop suddenly. Tumble looked fearful.
"W…What did you do with the other kittens?" He asked. Mungojerrie let out and insane laugh.
"We killed them. You were right about us Tumble. We are only here to destroy the tribe for Macavity!" Mungojerrie cackled, drawing his lips back from his teeth. The young tom's eyes widened.
"W…What?" He darted away from the cats, his eyes wide and his fur bristling at all angles. Talus lunged and pinned the kit to the dirt. He squealed in terror, and Quaxo prepared to leap down. He shifted so his fur was all black and sparkling, and his green eyes glowed as though they had no pupil. Then he slid out his claws and slowly stalked down the junk pile. Talus and Mungojerrie had rolled the struggling kit onto his belly and they pinned him, facing towards Quaxo, who stood tall, eyes narrowed furiously. Tumble's eyes widened and he fell silent, with a thick swallow of fear. Quaxo blinked.
"Tumblebrutus. You accuse us of being outsiders, so now we will begin to treat you like an outsider would. Because of you we now work for Macavity. Now you had better stay still or I will rip your throat out." Quaxo snarled. He leaned forwards and pressed his nose to the kits forehead, squeezing his eyes shut and concentrating on Tumble's memories. The earliest memories shocked him and he stiffened. Both cats were temporarily paralyzed, caught in the darkness of memories.
Cold and darkness were the first memories in the kits head. But there was something else…something abnormal. There was a constant swaying. A tongue was gently rasping over Tumble's fur, but the large cat who was probably his mother was stiff with fear. She was trying to keep Tumble quiet, and the little kit did fall silent. Then there was something else. Fear overcame the other cat as there was a loud clatter, wood against wood further down the barge. The deep growl of some huge cat penetrated Tumble's young deaf ears. Whoever it was they were bearing down quickly. The cat behind him stiffened and moved away to stand in front of him.
"No! Please! We will leave….I'm sorry!" The she-cat wailed…it was not a familiar voice. The other cat snarled.
"It's too late you filthy she-cat!" He snarled in rage.
"Tumblebrutus!" The she-cat screeched in fear. Moments later there was a clatter and another young tom's voice answered.
"Hyenagorranul! Back away from Jillianucko right now!" The cat snarled. There was the sound of a scathing huff.
"You can't do anything to me you foolish kit!" Hyenagorranul snarled. There was a hiss and then the sound of a scuffle. Loud angry yowls and screeches. Claws tearing through flesh.
"Tumblebrutus!" The she-cat screeched. Little Tumble heard the she-cat launch herself across the room. There was another snarl, and scuffling.
"Jilli!" Tumblebrutus moaned. It was guttural as though liquid bubbled up from his throat. There was a she-cats screech in pain…but then something huge lumbered across the room. Little Tumble's eyes ripped open as pain laced through his young body. Something sharp lashed across his throat, and his eyes opened to see a huge dark brown tom with green eyes looming over him. The jaws stretched towards him but he was suddenly torn away. It was not the she-cat or young tom that stood there but a large brown tabby tom.
"Hyena! What are you doing! I warned you to leave Jilli and Brutus alone! You've done it now!" He hissed in fury. He lunged at the cat, and sank his teeth deep into the toms throat. The other cat collapsed, blood pooling from his throat. Then the brown tabby turned, looking through one eye, and one eye patch. He lifted the bleeding kit and padded over to the she-cat who scrambled to her paws.
"Growltiger! Thank you…My kit! Tumble!" She licked the blood at the kits throat. Then she found some things and treated the wound. When Tumble was set back down he could see a copper and white patched tom lying behind the pale brown she-cat. He was in a pool of his own blood, and the she-cat turned to him.
"Brutus…." Her voice cracked and tears plopped at her paws, mingling with the blood….The copper and white patched shape moaned in agony, and she leaned down and licked his muzzle. He blinked open remarkably pale blue eyes.
"T..take him t…to my sisters Tribe. He will be s..safe there." Brutus rasped. She licked his cheek, tears falling from her muzzle onto his face.
"Ok. I will be back. I love you Brutus." She whimpered.
"Love you too Jilli." He replied, his eyes fluttering closed.
Jilli turned to the injured kit who was barely conscious and lifted him. She raced out of the door and wound up a narrow wooden hall. Then she was on the deck. Tumble could see many cats around, staring at her with narrowed eyes. Some with annoyance, some mildly interested and others with compassion. She raced past them all and onto a wooden plank that connected the mighty ship to the shore. She leaped down and her soft paw pads slapped on the cobble stone ground. She raced along, Tumble swinging from her jaws, and pain lacing through his tiny body, at each jolt her body made as she padded along. Many streets passed and darkness had fallen, when she finally reached the Junkyard, looming up, a shadow over the street. The only light was from a garish yellowish orange street light that stood outside the yard. Jilli slipped inside and made her way cautiously through the yard until she reached one den. It was Skimble and Jenny's. There was a quiet cry from inside the den then panting, and a soft male voice comforting her. Jilli slipped inside and came upon Jenny lying in a pile of rags, a soggy kitten at her flank, and pain in her eyes. Skimble stood near her head, and Jelly was wrapping the kitten in an old blanket or something. Jenny looked up as soon as the young cat entered.
"Jilli?" She murmured in a surprised and tired voice. Jilli smiled.
"Hello Jenny. Brutus sent me….This is our kit. He was nearly killed and we were hoping you might be able to raise him as your own." Jilli murmured. Jenny looked at the kit with the bandaged throat through sad and fearful eyes. Then she nodded.
"Of course. Tumblebrutus is my brother and I would do anything for him…even if he is a lousy pirate." She chuckled. Jilli nodded sadly and set the kit next to Jenny. He instantly snuggled into the warmth of her fur, next to the other little kit. Jilli smiled sadly.
"Jenny…I don't know if Tumblebrutus will live the night…Hyena messed him up pretty bad…Hyena is the one that tried to kill this kit as well." She murmured. Jenny gasped quietly and looked up at the other she-cat.
"I…I promise I will take care of this kit like he is my own." She murmured. Jilli nodded thankfully.
"His name is Tumblebrutus as well." She murmured. Jenny's eyes softened as she gazed down at Tumble, who gazed back up in confusion, to young and in pain to understand what was going on. Jilli stared at the kit for a long time, who turned his head and met her gaze, then she turned and vanished without a trace into the night. Her pale golden eyes were forever burned into Tumble's memory, though he would never understand why he dreamed of such eyes each night. Nor why he dreamt of a monster with dark green eyes, and long white teeth, nor why he dreamt of blood. Quaxo continued to watch as the memory blocked itself from Tumble's head, and the kit grew older, forgetting all about it outside of nightmares. He thought he was the son of Skimble and Jenny, and had no knowledge of the scar on his throat beneath thick white and brown fur…
Quaxo snapped out of the kits thoughts and stumbled back, his face turned from mischievous to shocked and fearful. The others stared at him with wide eyes, Tumble looking most frightened, not knowing what the magician had seen. Quaxo walked forwards and blinked. He reached out and gently parted the fur on Tumble's throat, revealing a pink and vivid scar, a mark of where his throat had nearly been torn out. Jerrie, Teazer and Talus's eyes widened as they stared at the mark. Quaxo bristled.
"Get off of him! Now!" The two toms scrambled away from the kit, who remained crouched there staring up at Quaxo. Quaxo stared down at him. "I'm sorry Tumble. We were only joking, trying to get you back for being so hateful towards us…I…You had better talk to Jenny about that mark on your throat." He murmured, staring into the kits remarkably pale blue eyes, so like his fathers. Tumble blinked and nodded his head.
"o…Ok. I…I'm sorry I was so mean…I was not in a good mood yesterday and Jerrie and Teazer scared me…I get mad sometimes…I don't know why. I didn't mean it Misto." He whispered. Quaxo touched his muzzle to the kits head.
"It's Ok. We all forgive you. Your friends were in on this by the way." Quaxo meowed, forcing a smile. He let out a yowl and Pounce, Etcy, El, Jemi, and Vicky darted around the corner, and leaped onto the kitten, who forgot about his fear and upset, and laughed, rolling with the others. Quaxo smiled and moved to sit in between Teazer and Talus, watching the kittens. Jerrie sat on the other side of Teazer. Talus was staring at Quaxo, looking confused. Quaxo narrowed his eyes and Talus blinked. He sighed heavily and rose to his paws.
"Come with me." He meowed.
Quaxo blinked and with a glance at the kits then the twins he rose to his paws and padded after the black tom with silver shot through his fur, like frail wisps of mist. His orangey yellow eyes glowed faintly, as he sat down in the next clearing and faced Quaxo. Quaxo stared into his eyes. Talus was quiet for a long time before he spoke, his voice almost sad.
"Why is it that you hate me?" He asked quietly. Quaxo blinked.
"I don't hate you. But you know as well as I do that you are hiding something. Not just from me but from the whole tribe…from Munkus…And you have blocks on your mind stronger than Macavity's." Quaxo replied, too tired of all this rubbish to lie to the cat. Talus winced.
"Every cat has secrets." He murmured, his ears flicking back a little. Quaxo blinked with a nod.
"Yes. I have learned that more than anything else I have learned here. But you're always nervous…Always on your guard. But nobody else seems to notice." Quaxo meowed. Talus sighed.
"I'll tell you what. You tell me what you saw with Tumble, and whatever secret it is your hiding that you feel so guilty and angry about." The tom cat countered. Quaxo narrowed his eyes.
"Your magic." He growled. Talus shrugged.
"Can't do anything much. All I can do is change forms, feel emotions and appear, but I can't even control where I appear." He growled. "I can't read minds or anything. I can block my mind, but that took years and years of practice." Quaxo blinked.
"Fine. Tumblebrutus is not Jenny and Skimble's kit…" Quaxo launched into the horrific story, and Talus's eyes widened considerably. Something flitted through his eyes, as if he was suddenly remembering something from his own past. He shook his head and blinked, eyeing the young Protector.
"OK. That makes sense…but what is it that you are always so nervous about? So guilty about?" Talus asked. Quaxo's ears went back a little and he squeezed his eyes shut for a heartbeat. Then he opened them.
"I saved Macavity." He muttered. "I saved his life. He was in a terrible state. Dying...and yet I saved him..." Talus's eyes widened.
"Why would you do that Misto? He torments this tribe so badly… I…I thought you hated him." Talus murmured quietly. Quaxo looked up.
"I do…But Victoria was dying. I needed to speak to Griddlebone whom is her mother. Because it was a disease that needs kin's blood. I went to Macavity so I could get in his building and talk to Griddlebone. He was dying…He had a hole in his stomach from…well from me. But I found out Macavity is Vicki's father as well. And Griddlebone refused to help so I had to give some of my blood. Macavity cannot know that she is his daughter…I don't want him to start torturing her too. He can never know…" Quaxo blinked staring at his paws and Talus sighed and curled his tail around his nephew.
"Ok. I understand now. You had too. I won't tell you what my secret is because I don't want anyone to know or hear. But I will allow you into my mind, so long as you block it to others." He meowed quietly. Quaxo looked up at the tall slender tom.
"Ok." He murmured. He closed his eyes and pushed his mind into Talus's. The barriers immediately dissolved and Quaxo built them back up behind him. And then he was thrown into a confusing jumbled mess of memories.
Talus squealed with delight and leaped onto a tiny silver and black stripped kitten. It was Munk. A few other kittens darted around him. Tugger, Alonzo, and even a tiny version of Macavity. There were also three queen kits, Deme, Bomba and Likia…Quaxo's mother. She looked just like Quaxo but without the white. Two queens sat nearby staring at the kits with smiles…Quaxo recognize Munk and Macavity's mother. The other was unfamiliar to him. Quaxo watched as Talus and the other quarreled with amusement. Even little Macavity…or Plato at the time seemed to be happy, smiling and squealing happily. Talus blinked with a smile, and leaped onto Likia.
"Ha! Got you Liki!" He purred. The slender black queen kit squeaked and rolled over, pummeling his belly with soft paws.
"Hey!" Talus squeaked leaping away from her. He only ran into Tugger, who had grown huge in his few short weeks of life. Tugger snorted and wrapped his hefty paws around Talus's shoulders, pulling him to the ground. Talus squealed in amusement.
"Help! I'm being attacked by the lion!" He squeaked with a laugh. Tugger giggled. But suddenly Munk was there, he flung himself onto Tugger, sending the much larger kit rolling away.
"I'll save you!" Munk purred. Talus scrambled up and he and Munk closed in on Tugger. But Plato leaped up and ran over…It was Tugger and Plato against Talus and Munk. The four toms squared off then leaped. Plato and Talus, and Tugger and Munkus. The four rolled and squeaked and squealed until Bomba, Alonzo, Deme, and Likia leaped into the fray. Then it was a full blown fur ball explosion.
The memory faded away, with Talus laughing in a heap of kittens. The next memory was dark and cold, thick dark storm clouds over head, and thunder rumbling ominously in the distance. Talus was crouched pressed flush against Munkus, and Tugger. Both had their muzzles buried in a dry spot of their mothers fur bloodied and ragged fur. Munkus was silent, but tears poured down his face, and Tugger was sobbing violently into her fur. Plato stood nearby, staring through horrified and anguished eyes at her stone cold body, tears building in his glassy eyes, but refusing to fall. Two other bodies lay in the clearing with hers. Two queens. Deme, Likia and Bomba pressed against one while Asparagus and Jellylorum pressed against another. Gus, looking younger and far less confused stood behind them, tears falling down his face. Old Deuteronomy was staring at the scene through tear filled eyes, while other cats clustered around the clearing. Jenny was laying close behind Jelly, draping her spotted tail over her back, tears in her eyes. Suddenly the scene became clear to Quaxo. This was the day Munk, Tugger, and Macavity's mother had died, as well as Deme's mother, who was also Bomba and Talus and Likia's adoptive mother, and the other, Asparagus and Jelly's mother. Old D was shaking with grief but he spoke final words.
"We…We gather here together to mourn the loss of a few brave and amazing cats….Dellalora, Hillikathaya, and Jenkoloctelle. Dell, Hilli, and Jenko were each their own cats, they were strong, and beautiful, and were each wonderful friends, sisters, mates, daughters and mothers. We will mourn their loss, and we will pray they find peace and happiness in the Heaviside Layer. We will pray that the Everlasting Cat guides their paws safely along their path there, and forever afterwards, and she shall comfort each of these families as they grieve. May Everlasting always watch over our tribe, in the name of the Jellicle Moon we pray. Farewell brave warriors, and may you find peace in your new lives." He rumbled, tears falling down his face. Then he lay next to his mates cold bloody body and closed his eyes, refusing to look at his grieving sons or tribe. Talus looked around at all the heartbreak before he rested his head on the she-cats cold body and drifted into sleep…
A new scene arose, a couple months later, Munk, Tugger, Plato, Talus, Alonzo, Likia, Bomba, and Deme were laying in the clearing…all looked rather depressed, and would not play. Plato was glaring bitterly at the ground, the ever present pain in his eyes. Likia was pressed close to him, while Munk watched her with pain in his eyes. Deme was watching too, her eyes sad. Bomba, Tugger and Alonzo did nothing, simply squeezing their eyes shut. Admetus was nearby watching Alonzo with troubled eyes, but not going near to the group. After a long pause Plato stood and snarled.
"We need to go and kill that bastard that killed mother, and Hilli and Jenko!" He snarled furiously. Munk's eyes widened with fear an Tugger leaped up pressing close to his brother. Plato visibly relaxed, but his tail still lashed.
"Plato! Father said he would have no choice but to banish you if you kept talking like that! He said no violence in this tribe. We do not need to kill to win our battles!" Munk said quietly, looking around with wide eyes. Plato's paws sparked.
"Aeron killed three of us! Our mothers! Do you not see?!" He hissed furiously. "If we don't kill him he will kill more of us!" He snarled. His voice had alerted attention, Talus stood up and faced the magical tom.
"Be quiet Plato! We are all grieving and we are not talking of murder!" he hissed quietly. Plato snarled furiously.
"Shut up! You don't know anything! Your mother abandoned you and Likia when you were kits! She left you to die! You would not understand!" He snarled. Talus winced, and looked away pain and anger in his heart.
"I do understand. Hilli was our mother. Blood does not matter." Talus muttered.
"Blood means everything!" Plato snarled. Talus blinked, narrowing his eyes in fury.
"No it means nothing! Family is about love, not blood!" Talus spat. Plato snapped….He leaped through the air and landed on Talus. Likia leaped to her paws.
"Plato!" She shrieked fearfully. But the tom was in a blind rage. He tore his claws across Talus's flank. Talus howled in pain, but refused to fight back, simply pushing his paws against Plato to try to get away from him. Then suddenly Plato was swinging through open air, his paws churning furiously. Deut stood there, Plato clutched in his jaws, but as soon as the fiery tom realized who it was he went limp and Deut dropped him, glaring down furiously at the kit. The tribe stood clustered around. Skimble was there too, but he was young, only a young adult. The rest of the tribe began to gather around, some faces familiar, others not. Talus was crouched on the ground trembling a little. Munk padded to his best friends side, and looked at his brother through wide eyes. Plato was panting, realizing what he had done. Deut spoke up finally.
"Plato. You have gone too far this time! I am sorry but there can be no more acceptances. You may be my son but I must think about the good of the tribe. From this day forwards you are banished! You will no longer be allowed anywhere in or around Jellicle territory, nor will you be allowed to interact with the tribe members. If you are caught on the territory you will be treated as an enemy. Now go Plato." Deut growled…there was anger in his eyes but it only hid and unbearable anguish. The tribe looked on silently and grimly.
"Noooo! P…please give him another chance!" Tugger suddenly cried out, launching towards his brother and standing between the tall ginger tom and his father. He stared up through pleading eyes. Deut simply shook his head.
"I'm sorry Rummy. He has had too many chances." Deut meowed. Tugger whirled towards his brother.
"No! Plato! Promise him you won't do it again! Please you have to stay!" The young tom kit squeaked desperately. Plato shook his head.
"No. I'm leaving. If dad does not give a damn about mom then fine. I don't wanna stay around here." He growled quietly. Likia stepped forwards. Plato looked at her, his eyes softening considerably.
"I'm going with him." She meowed, glaring around challengingly. No cat questioned her, but several had sad looks in their eyes. Deut sighed.
"You will be treated as an enemy too." He murmured quietly. She nodded.
"Likia?" Talus murmured, eyes wide and sad. She smiled sadly at both Deut and Talus.
"I'm sorry and I understand. But…I love him. I won't stay here." She murmured. Deut nodded in understanding and Talus bowed his head in acceptance, sadness in his eyes. But Tugger piped up again.
"I'm leaving too!" He yowled desperately. Deut's eyes narrowed.
"That is where I draw the line. You must stay Rum." He growled. Tugger glared up at him.
"You can't stop me!" He snarled. Deut shook his head.
"You foolish kit. You cannot go." Deut growled. Tugger snorted and turned his back on his father, marching over to Plato. Plato was staring at Munk instead, who looked utterly lost. Then he looked down at Tugger.
"No. You can't come with me." He meowed. Tugger flinched.
"What? But she is going with you!" He spat. Plato squeezed his eyes closed then opened them, a new fire within.
"No! I DON'T WANT YOU!" He snarled furiously. Tugger stared up with huge blue eyes that filled with tears. Then he turned and ran towards the den his loud sobs echoing after him. Plato narrowed his eyes and turned away from the tribe.
"Goodbye Plato." Deuteronomy murmured quietly. Plato looked over his shoulder.
"Goodbye father. And by the way, the name is Macavity."
That part of the memory ended and a new day, sunny and bright appeared, but the mood in the Jellicle Junkyard was gloomy. Talus, Alonzo and Munk were laying close together on the Tire. Deut had kept in his own den for many weeks now. He did not often come out and had lost his happiness. Tugger too had become quiet, but when questioned he smiled and brushed it off. He mostly hung out around the queens now. He was getting older, and was developing ruggedly handsome features, and the younger and older queens alike hung near him like burrs…Jennyanydots had adopted the kits when their mothers had died. Even though she was still a very young queen she had offered, and Jelly and Asparagus, even though they were adults had temporarily moved in with Jenny and Skimble. Talus was gazing into the distance. For days he had been contemplating something, and now his decision was final. Talus was going to leave the junkyard. He blamed himself for Plato…or Macavity leaving. And he was heartbroken. His sister had left and his adopted mother had died, and Macavity's words had cut deep. Talus loved his friends like his own littermates, but he could not stay.
Later that night when darkness fell Talus wrote a note and left it for Munk and Tugger to find. Then he turned and disappeared out of the yard. He ran and ran, not reappearing. Like Macavity, Talus was not there.
Months passed and Talus kept on the move, attempting to master the few powers he had. One memory shocked Quaxo, and he would never forget the image…
Talus's paws were sparking but he had so little power it did nothing more. Then he blinked squeezing his eyes shut and focusing all his power…Something strange happened. His long shaggy fur retracted into his body, until all that was left was a short sleek layer that shone. There was more silver…His fur was short, shiny, and swirled mixture of silver and black, except for his broad white chest, tail tip and front paws. A black ragged r shape stood out against his white chest fur and his eyes were glowing red orbs. The tom looked at himself in shock, and Quaxo suddenly realized who the tom looked like…Who he reminded him of, why he had somehow recognized the tomcat when he had appeared in the junkyard. Talus was the Great Rumpus Cat. Quaxo saw many times Rumpus had darted in to save the day or foil Macavity's plans. Over and over he had done so, and Quaxo even witnessed the Awful Battle Of The Pekes and The Pollicles first paw. All of that just because he blamed himself for Macavity.
Quaxo drew from the jumbled mess of thoughts and stared up at the tom.
"You…You're…" He blinked and Talus nodded.
"Yes. I visited Munk each year just after the ball…because no cat knows me as…my other self…So technically I am not at the ball…" He chuckled. "I don't think Munk likes Rumpus all that much…I love how he usually tries to imitate Rumpus Cat's dance moves, but can never keep exact pace." He chuckled again, shaking his head. Quaxo smiled.
"But why don't you tell anyone?" He asked. Talus shrugged.
"I just like to keep it to myself. Quaxo you know how it feels to be two different cats, and half of you treated differently because of it. Nobody knows I am some famous vigilante so they never treat me different." Talus meowed. Quaxo nodded his head, understanding burning painfully through him.
"Oh, I almost resent you now." Quaxo chuckled. Talus smiled.
"Oh well. Promise to keep it secret?" Talus asked. Quaxo nodded solemnly.
"On my life." He responded.
"Good. I only decided to tell you because I suspected you suspected something, and I knew you would understand." Talus meowed. Quaxo smiled.
"Well thanks for trusting me." He purred, rolling his eyes. Talus nodded.
"No problem. Nice that you finally trust me nephew." Talus purred.
"Nice to meet you too uncle." Quaxo replied with a sheepish grin. The two turned and trotted back into the clearing where the twins and kittens were still playing. Quaxo felt so much better about his kin now, and he knew he could learn to get along with the goofy furball.
Welp! Another chapter! Hope you guys are enjoying the story!