Munkustrap sat perched on the rocking chair as he watched the occupants in the clearing. Alonzo caught his eye and gave him a grin and a nod from where he was perched on the tyre.
It had been a few weeks since Macavity had killed Trelawney and Tirus and had been banished from the yard.
It had been a trying few weeks, everyone was on edge but Munkus missed his big brother, well, the one he had been before the madness. Now the only time Munkus saw him was the flashes of ginger fur darting around the yard, upsetting junk piles near the Jellicles and ominous laughter, which was making the adults nervous.
Munkus made eye contact with Alonzo again, giving a small sweeping movement of his paw. Alonzo nodded, understanding Munkustrap's silent instruction, before leaping off of the tyre and going to do the patrol of the neighbouring clearings.
Munkus had taken to being Protector very seriously, making sure he did everything right and then some. Deuteronomy was always telling him to take an easy on himself when he was at the yard. Deuteronomy had been staying at the vicarage wall the last week or so, needing time to reflect and think after Macavity had been banished.
Munkustrap knew that his dad just needed time to try come to terms with his eldest son's banishment.
He settled down on the rocking chair, which was perched high on a junk pile, giving him a perfect vantage point of the clearing, as he swept his gaze over the occupants, watching as they talked or slept. Munkus focused his attention on the twins, who had gone a bit quiet after Trelawney was murdered and Cori had been badly hurt. He was doing okay now, just a few bruises. The two were sitting in front of their den, once again mulling over a deck of cards. They both frowned as they turned one over before glancing around at the kittens playing and entering into deep conversation.
Munkus tilted his head at the twins' behaviour.
Strange.
He rolled his eyes as Tugger suddenly sauntered by the twins, making some of the Queens' giggle and wave to him. Tugger winked at Munkus before he swaggered over to the Queens, going to flirt with them.
Munkustrap shook his head as he laughed softly.
Though Macavity was gone, at least he still had Tugger to make him laugh and roll his eyes.
Suddenly there was a pop and a squeal of fright. Munkus swung his head around as the kittens suddenly darted away to their parents and guardians, frightened. Munkus craned his head to see what had scared them and was shocked to see Quaxo standing by himself, staring at his paws in shock.
It was then Munkus noticed the sparks crackling around Quaxo's paws.
He leapt down nimbly from the rocking chair and ran to his ward as some of the adults started hissing at the young kitten as they shielded their own kittens.
"Quaxo, Quax, are you okay?" Munkus just asked worriedly.
"Munkus, get away, he's dangerous!" Jellylorum screeched suddenly. Munkus shot a look to her as he crouched in front of the frightened kitten.
"Quaxo." Munkustrap just cooed softly as he gently took Quaxo's paws in his, barely reacting as he got a slight shock from the sparks. Munkus frowned as he noticed Quaxo's paws had suddenly turned black, not their usual white colour. Quaxo whimpered, his green-purple eyes looking at Munkustrap, filled with fear.
"I-I didn't mean it." Quaxo whispered. Munkustrap pulled Quaxo into a tight hug.
"I know, buddy, I know." Munkus murmured gently in his ear, knowing that his innocent ward didn't have it in him to hurt anyone intentionally.
"Munkustrap, get away from him!" Munkustrap stood up, turning to face the Jellicles as he pushed Quaxo behind him to protect him from the angry glares. Munkustrap faced the Jellicles as he stood protectively in front of the trembling kitten hugging the back of his leg, glaring at them.
"Munkus, step away from him, he isn't safe!" Jenny breathed. Munkus looked at her, his green eyes narrowing dangerously.
"He is perfectly safe," Munkus snarled.
"He has magic!"
"There's nothing wrong with that!" Munkus growled as he stood tall. "Quaxo is perfectly safe."
"After what happened recently, I think you of all cats know that isn't true!" Jelly snapped. Munkus turned his glare to her.
"This is different!" Munkus snarled. "And I'm not going to turn against my charge because he has magic!"
"Magic is dangerous!" Munkus looked to Cori and Tantomile, noticing the peeved look they were sending Jellylorum.
"Magic is not dangerous, if it is treated right." Munkustrap said evenly, trying to keep calm. Asparagus shook his head angrily.
"You saw what just happened!" He growled. "He shocked my daughter!"
"It was an accident!" Munkus hissed. "This is the first time his powers have manifested!"
"He is still dangerous!" Jelly snapped. "He needs to be separated and locked away until we discuss his future."
"His future?!" Munkus snarled angrily, making many Jellicles jump in shock as they had never heard their peaceful protector snap like that before. "Quaxo is staying right here! You are not forcing him out because of something he can't help!"
"If you aren't going to be responsible, Munkustrap," Asparagus said coolly. "If you are letting your feelings get in the way…"
"Apparently, I'm the only one not letting my feelings get in the way of my thinking!" Munkus hissed.
"If you aren't going to act like a responsible Protector, and put aside your guardianship of the kitten, we'll take the responsibility from you." Munkus looked to Asparagus, his green eyes burning with fury.
"I dare you to try." Munkus hissed, deadly. The Jellicles paused for a moment. Munkus used this moment to seek out Tugger. Tugger was staring at him. When their eyes met, Tugger gave him a large grin. Munkus gave a small smile in return, relieved that Tugger was on his side.
"Look," Tugger spoke up suddenly over all of the arguing. The Jellicles turned to him.
"How about I go get our father and he'll tell you the right thing to do!" Tugger told them.
"Fine!" Asparagus hissed. Tugger fluffed out his mane once more before he went to seek out his father.
"But until then, I do not want him running around freely!" Munkus sunk into a defensive crouch as some of the Jellicles took a step forward.
"Take one more step and you'll regret it." Munkustrap warned. Asparagus just scowled.
"You're not going to hurt us, Munkustrap, that isn't in your nature." Munkus narrowed his eyes at Asparagus's words. They knew he wouldn't hurt them since he didn't want to risk the family he had…but Quaxo was part of his family and he would protect him.
Munkustrap suddenly spun around, grabbing Quaxo's scruff in his jaws before darting off, leaving the stunned Jellicles behind. Munkustrap weaved through the junkyard piles, climbing over large pieces of junk and squeezing through the most awkward of gaps, just to make sure they didn't follow him.
Finally, Munkus climbed into a large cupboard, pulling the door shut tight behind him before he set Quaxo down. Quaxo immediately climbed into his lap, clinging to him, as he sobbed.
"I'm sorry!" He cried, burrowing his face against Munkustrap's chest.
"Shh, you have nothing to be sorry for, Quaxo, nothing at all." Munkustrap cooed gently. Quaxo sniffled. Munkus lifted his paw away from where he had been rubbing Quaxo's back when he noticed the sparkles in Quaxo's fur. He lifted his paw close to his face so he could examine the sparkles.
"Quax…why are you glittering?" Munkustrap asked, confused. Quaxo gave a shaky shrug as he looked at the sparkles on his arms.
"I-I don't know, they just happen sometimes," Quaxo sniffled, rubbing his nose.
"They've happened before?" Munkus asked softly. Quaxo gave a nod.
"Have you ever made those sparks you made before or anything else?" Munkus asked gently. Quaxo frowned as he thought, looking at his paws. They gently sparked again.
"S-Sometimes." Quaxo mumbled.
"Quaxo, you don't need to be afraid to tell me, I'm not angry or scared." Munkus reassured him. Quaxo gave a nod.
"Sometimes I've made sparks or lights," Quaxo told him. "Rainbow ribbon also appeared and so did some spoons."
"I was wondering where those came from." Munkus chuckled as he remembered all of the spoons and long rainbow ribbon that he had found in their room. He turned his attention back to Quaxo.
"How long has this been happening, Quax?"
"A-A couple of weeks." The kitten answered before looking up at Munkustrap fearfully.
"Munk, what's gonna happen to me now?" Quaxo whimpered as he huddled close to Munkustrap again.
"Nothing, Quaxo, I promise." Munkus murmured. "Old Deuteronomy would never allow anything to happen to you and neither will Tugger or I."
"Really?"
"Really, Quaxo, we love you and you have a very special gift, but…it needs to be taught." Munkus said carefully. Quaxo nodded enthusiastically.
"I'll learn everything I can!" Quaxo promised. "I'll be the best ever; I'll make sure I can control my magic!" Munkus gently nuzzled the black ears softly. He breathed out softly, breath rushing against Quaxo's ebony fur.
"I know you will, Quaxo." Munkus murmured as he held the growing kitten close to him. The tuxedo kitten trembled slightly in Munkustrap's caring hold.
"M-Munk, y-you won't let them get rid of me…right?" Quaxo questioned shakily. Munkus hugged the kitten tighter.
"No, Quaxo!" Munkus promised him. "I will never, ever let them get rid of you!" Quaxo relaxed then, purring, as he settled down in Munkustrap's arms.
Munkus stared at the somewhat rotting wooden interior of the cupboard as he thought.
He knew Deuteronomy would never turn Quaxo out, ever…but a small nagging part of him was questioning that, questioning if Deuteronomy would keep Quaxo after what had happened in the previous weeks.
Munkus shifted slightly, wincing, as his legs started to go numb after having Quaxo fall asleep on them and having sat on the hard wooden floor for the past three hours or so.
His ears pricked up as he heard movement and Munkustrap gently picked Quaxo up, quickly and carefully moving him to a far corner of the cupboard, before he crouched in front of him, his green eyes sharply watching the large hole in the side of the cupboard.
"You really didn't think I was going to use that entry, did you?" Munkus almost leapt out of his fur in shock as Macavity's voice drawled beside him. Munkustrap turned to him, paw on his thumping heart, as he tried to steady it.
"Bast, Macavity, some warning next time!" Munkus gasped. The ginger Tom just grinned at him. Once Munkus slowed his heart rate down, he managed to get his first proper look at Macavity.
Macavity's long orange, black and white fur was no longer brushed back respectably, but was now messy and everywhere, giving him a wild and crazed look. His usual warm gold eyes were now emotionless and calculating as they looked at the kitten sleeping in the corner. Munkus noticed the stare and subtly moved to block Macavity's view of Quaxo. He didn't know what Macavity's intentions were or if he was here to make true of his threat.
Macavity grinned suddenly at Munkus as he settled back to rest on his forearms, stretching his long limbs out.
"Easy, Munkus, I'm here as your brother and have no ill-intention," Macavity winked. Munkus sighed and relaxed.
"Sorry, Mac, it's just with your threat and your appearances lately…"
"I get it, Munku, really." Macavity smiled at his baby brother. "You're the Protector and I murdered a few Jellicles and threatened you all, it's natural to be suspicious of me."
"I wish it wasn't."
"Well, after today, never lose the suspicion, Munkus, you'll never know what my intentions will be the next time I return to the yard." Macavity warned. Munkus looked at him, his emerald green eyes clearly showing his sadness at that. Macavity sighed and sat up, running a paw through his wild head-fur.
"Are you really going to live up to your threat, Mac?" Munkus questioned quietly. Macavity turned his head to look at him thoughtfully.
"I plan to make sure no one forgets me." Macavity just answered cryptically. Munkus shook his head, sighing, but decided to move on from that subject.
"Are you okay, Mac?" Munkustrap asked him. "Do you have somewhere to stay?" Macavity smiled as he settled back down, gold eyes wandering over the bare innards of the cupboard.
"I'm doing better than ever," Macavity smirked to himself. "I have found cats who truly value who I am and value my powers."
"I valued you, Macavity." Munkustrap murmured as he crossed his legs, resting his paws in his lap sadly. Macavity glanced at him.
"I know you do, Munku," Macavity replied. "But…these cats understand me," Munkus furrowed his brow as he thought about that, looking at Macavity.
What did they understand?
"Aren't you going to ask why I'm here?" Macavity asked suddenly. Munkus blinked as he was broken out of his thoughts by his brother's voice.
"Yes?" Munkus replied, unsure, which made Macavity laugh.
"I'm here because of him." Macavity indicated to the sleeping kitten behind Munkus.
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Ooooooo .
Why is Macavity there?
Hope I didn't make you wait too long for this update…and hopefully it won't be too long until the next one!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP