Tugger's eyes widened in his shock before he turned his glare to the older Queen and snarled, baring his teeth.
"Y-You…!" Tugger barely managed to snarl out, he was so furious. Kira just glanced at him before she went back to glaring at Munkustrap.
"You should be dead!" She hissed. Munkustrap hissed back slightly.
"They almost succeeded." He hissed back. "But it wasn't my fate." Kira scowled, her dark brown eyes narrowing.
"Munkus, let's just go." Tugger muttered to his brother. Kira snarled again, causing Munkustrap to bare his sharp teeth slightly.
"What is this?!" Kira snarled. "You don't have a name; you are undeserving of a name!"
"Don't you dare say that to my brother!" Tugger yelled. Kira's eyes flashed dangerously as Munkustrap gently pulled Tugger back, stopping him from leaping on the older Queen.
"Why don't I deserve a name?" Munkustrap asked coldly. "Because I 'ruined' your life? Because you sold me into slavery? Because I was freed and adopted and now live a wonderful life while you're getting old, losing whatever 'beauty' you had and still no one wants you?" Munkus spat. Kira spluttered angrily while Munkustrap looked on coldly.
"I'm happy, no thanks to you." Munkustrap said evenly. "I have a family who love me and I'm guardian to a wonderful, talented kitten, so all of that effort you went through to make me miserable, from not giving me a name, to abusing me both emotionally and physically, to selling me into slavery, it was all for nothing." Kira's eyes darkened even further.
"They aren't your family, they may call themselves that and give you a collar, but they aren't you family!" She hissed. "I'm your mother and I didn't even want you!"
"We love Munkustrap and have since the day Dad brought him home!" Tugger snarled. "He is part of our family and will always be a part of our family!" Munkustrap gave his brother a small thankful smile before turning back to Kira.
"And you have no right to call yourself my mother, you may have given birth to me, but you never earned the right to be my mother." Munkustrap told her firmly. "As the Protector and the youngest of the Jellicle Leader's sons, I am telling you this once and once only, you are never to come near the boundaries of the Jellicle Junkyard, and if you do, you will regret it." Munkustrap warned as he straightened up, becoming his strong, protective self. "You will never contact me again, nor will you make contact with my family or any of the Jellicles." Kira's eye began twitching in her anger. Munkustrap took in a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
"In all honesty, Kira, now that I've gotten all of that out, there's one thing I need to say." Munkustrap said calmly. "I will never forgive you for what you put me through, for the hell you forced me to live in…but I'm glad, because if you didn't, I would have never been found by the Tom who calls me his son, and who I adore as my father." Munkustrap looked to Tugger, who gave a smile.
"I would have never found my two older brothers who loved me and protected me," Munkustrap said softly. Tugger purred gently. Munkus looked back at Kira once more before turning to Tugger.
"Let's go," Munkustrap told him. "I have nothing else to say." Tugger nodded and the two started to walk away, back to the junkyard.
"I'm not done with you!" Kira snarled, stalking after them. The two brothers just kept walking, but Tugger moved closer to the tense Munkus just to reassure him that he was there.
"You've gotten the perfect life while I'm living in squalor!" She screeched. "You weren't meant to be happy! You weren't meant to survive!" Tugger threw a scowl over his shoulder at the approaching Queen before looking back to Munkustrap, whose face was cold as he kept walking.
"I swear to you, brat, I will make sure I turn your life into a living hell! You will never be happy again!" Kira yelled. Munkustrap suddenly turned, quicker than anything, and marched towards the older Queen, towering over her short stature.
It was strange how things changed.
Once it would have been Munkustrap cowering under her glare, she looked huge to his kitten self, but now he was a Tom, he towered over her with ease.
Tugger watched his brother, shocked at the anger on his face, but it was at this moment that Tugger realised what a great Protector Munkustrap was.
"If you even think about harming myself or any of my family or any of the Jellicles, it will be the last thing you ever do." Munkustrap hissed threateningly, green eyes flashing dangerously. "I'm not a violent cat, but if you dare threaten my family, you'll find I'll go to any length to keep them safe." Kira just stared up at Munkustrap, shocked. Munkustrap gave her a final glare before turning on heel and stalking away, Tugger by his side.
"This isn't over." Kira whispered darkly as she watched the two Jellicles disappear.
"Munk, Munkus?" Tugger pushed as the two neared the junkyard. Munkustrap hadn't spoken a word since they left the park and he was trembling. Tugger stopped his brother as they approached the clearing and pulled him into a tight hug. Munkustrap wrapped his arms around Tugger, trying to get in close, as he trembled.
"Easy, Munk," The Rum Tum Tugger murmured softly. "You're safe." Munkus gave a shaky nod.
"I-I know." He mumbled. "I-It just brought back so many memories that I'd rather forget." Tugger gave a small nod. He winced sadly as Munkustrap gave a shuddering breath.
"I-I need to think. I need to be alone." Munkus murmured as he pulled out of the hug. Tugger nodded. The two entered the clearing and Tugger stopped, watching as Munkustrap stuck to the edge of the clearing, slinking low near the ground, as he quickly walked, trying to remain unnoticed as he headed towards his den.
Tugger sighed sadly.
"Hey, what's wrong with Munku?" Tugger looked beside him and saw Quaxo walking towards him, having just left Victoria on the tyre.
"Heya, Squirt." Tugger smiled. Quaxo frowned at him, tail swishing worriedly, as he glanced back in the direction of his den.
"What's wrong with Munkus?" Quaxo repeated. Tugger sighed, rubbing his forehead. Quaxo didn't really know about Munkustrap's past.
"We just ran into someone he used to know." Was all Tugger said. Quaxo frowned.
"So?"
"It's…complicated, Sparkles." Quaxo scowled at his nickname.
"He's my guardian!" Quaxo protested. "I want to make sure he's alright!" Tugger grabbed Quaxo's arm, pulling him back as Quaxo went to go to the den.
"Tugger, let go!" Quaxo growled at the older Tom. Tugger shook his head.
"Sorry, kitten, he wants to be alone for a while." Tugger murmured to him. Quaxo looked at him sadly before he burrowed his face into Tugger's mane. Tugger wrapped his arms around the kitten, hugging him close.
"H-He's okay, right?" Quaxo asked, voice muffled by Tugger's mane.
"I hope so." Tugger sighed. "Why don't you go back and chat with Vicky?" He suggested. Quaxo gave a small nod.
"Alright." He murmured sadly. Tugger ruffled Quaxo's ears.
"Cheer up, Quax, Munkus is okay." Tugger smiled reassuringly at the young Tuxedo kitten. Quaxo gave a smile before he headed back over to talk to his sister.
Tugger sighed, the smile dropping off of his face, as he watched Quaxo settle down beside his sister, both of them going back into deep conversation.
It had been a shock when Quaxo's magic had been discovered, most of the yard didn't know how to react, especially so soon after Macavity's exile.
Victoria had been right by her brother's side, however, when she had heard about it. She had refused to leave his side, supporting him and making sure the other kittens were treating him nicely.
Poor Pouncival had gotten a fair right hook to his cheek after he had made fun of Quaxo and his magic. Needless to say, he wasn't saying anything rude after that.
Even Bustopher had supported Quaxo, praising his young 'nephew'. He knew Quaxo had a big, innocent heart and was incapable of hurting others.
Tugger gave a small smile when he saw the other kittens joining Quaxo and Victoria on the tyre. Tumblebrutus and Pouncival leaping onto the Tux and wrestling with him, while the Queen-kits laughed.
"What is bothering you, my friend?" Tugger looked around to see Coricopat and Tantomile standing behind him.
"It's Munkus." Tugger admitted, knowing it was useless to lie to those two, and knowing how pissed off they would be if they later found out that Tugger had lied to them about Munkustrap.
The twins frowned worriedly.
"What happened?" Tantomile asked, worried.
"We, ugh, bumped into someone from Munkustrap's old life." Tugger said slowly, unsure of how to word it.
"Who?" Cori asked, eyes narrowing.
"His mother." The twins' eyes widened in shock at Tugger's admission.
"But…what?!" They breathed together. Tugger gave a nod, bitter.
"She said a few things, which affected Munkus," Tugger explained bitterly.
"Tell us what she said." Tantomile told him. Tugger nodded and explained how they were in the park and had her storm up to them.
The twins were shaking in fury by the end of it.
"How dare she?!" Tantomile hissed angrily. Cori's green-gold eyes flashed darkly before he sighed.
"I'm going to go check on Munkus; I can help calm him down." Cori added when he saw Tugger about to interject. Tugger gave a small nod, knowing Cori's powers could help Munkustrap and hopefully stop him from having a nervous breakdown. Tantomile and Tugger watched as Cori slipped towards Munkustrap's den, going to comfort his friend.
"Will he be alright, Tanto?" Tugger murmured a few moments later. Tantomile turned to him, looking at him softly.
"He will struggle for a while." She told him gently. "But as long as he has us, he will always come out stronger than before." Tantomile gently patted his arm before she moved to talk to Jenny. Tugger looked around, meeting Bomba's eyes. He took in a deep breath, straightened up, hooked his paws on his belt and, as he breathed out, put on a flirty grin.
Tugger swaggered over to the group of Queens, consisting of Bomba, Demeter and Cassandra, ready to flirt with them.
He just couldn't help but worry about his little brother.
Cori walked softly into Munkustrap's immaculate den and headed towards the bedroom. He winced sadly as he saw his best friend sitting on the floor, curled up tightly in the further corner of the room, face buried in his arms.
Cori gently padded over and settled down beside his friend, gently reaching out and putting a comforting paw on his shoulder.
"Hey, Munkus," Cori murmured softly. Munkustrap slowly raised his head, looking at the mystic sadly.
"Hey, Cori," He replied, voice hoarse. Cori looked at his friend sadly.
"Are you okay?" Cori asked gently. Munkustrap gave a small shake of his head.
"S-She brought up a lot of old memories," Munkustrap told him. "Ones I'd rather forget." Coricopat nodded understandingly.
"It's just…ugh…" Munkustrap mumbled, burying his head back into his arms. Cori gently rubbed Munkustrap's back soothingly, knowing it was an action that calmed Munkustrap down, along with the calming vibes he was sending through to him.
After a little while, Munkustrap's trembling subsided and he turned his head to look at Coricopat, giving a small, thankful smile.
"Thanks, Cori." Munkustrap murmured, knowing what his friend did to help. Cori just smiled at him.
"Quaxo was quite worried about you," Cori told him. "Tugger managed to keep him away for now."
"Thanks." Munkustrap mumbled, sighing.
"What's troubling your mind, Munkustrap?" Cori asked softly. Munkustrap rubbed his face, weary.
"Just…just remembering everything," Munkustrap muttered bitterly.
"And being worried about her threat?" Cori questioned innocently. Munkustrap glanced at him, giving a small, knowing smile, before nodding.
"Yes, I'm worried about that too." Munkus admitted. Coricopat looked at him, giving a small smile.
"Munkustrap, you are one of the strongest Toms I know." Cori told him. "I know you will never let anything happen to any of your family, you care so much and are the bravest of us all," A small smile graced Munkustrap's lips.
"In return, Munkus, we adore you and would never let anything happen to you, nor would we let you go without a fight."
"Thank you, Cori." Munkustrap told his friend gratefully. Cori smiled before it faltered.
"Munkustrap, I hate…I hate to say this," Cori said slowly, unsurely. "But with the horrors you have faced in the part, and with this sudden shock, it will cause you to be faced with horrible memories and feelings that you thought you had long forgotten." Munkustrap winced at the gentle warning.
"W-Why warn me, Cori?" Munkustrap asked, voice shaking.
He did not want to relive those memories, those memories he thought dead and buried.
"Because you need to be prepared, Munk, and I wanted to let you know you are not alone, we will be by your side every step of the way." Cori reassured him. Munkustrap looked at his friend and gave a smile.
"Thank you, Cori."
Munkustrap was worried about the memories coming back, but he knew that with his family and friend's support and love, that he would be come out even stronger.
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I know it's been a while, I'm so sorry!
Have sort of lost my muse a bit…and have had a lot going on in RL, sorrrryyy
Hopefully next chapter won't be too far away!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP