Coricopat stared at his friend in shock and horror as Munkustrap just stared up at the rotting apothecary sign.
"W-What?" Cori stammered, breathless.
Munkustrap had been killed and then brought back to life?
It just didn't seem…possible.
Munkustrap sighed as he pushed open the door, wincing at the loud creak it emitted. Cori frowned as he looked up at the shop sign once more. He had walked past this place many times before, but he never recalled seeing it. Still frowning, Coricopat followed Munkustrap into the dark store.
He sensed a powerful magic at work here.
"Munk, h-how do you know this cat? I mean, how did you come across him?" Cori whispered. Munkustrap kept his sharp green eyes focused on his surroundings, making sure no one was hiding in the shadows of the abandoned store.
"When I was a slave, one of my masters and his followers beat me horribly after I fought back when he tried to…tried to abuse me," Munkustrap tripped over his words slightly. It still filled his heart with horror when he remembered it.
"After they had beaten me, my master decided I wasn't worth the trouble and wanted to sell me, so he and a few others went to take me to the markets to sell me…but on the way, due to my injuries, my heart gave out." Coricopat stared at his friend, horrified. Munkustrap's face was blank as he spoke, but Coricopat could see the pain in his eyes.
"Next thing I knew, I shot awake, gasping for air," Munkustrap continued. "My wounds had been treated and bandaged, but I was alive once more."
"How do you know you died?"
"Because he told me," Munkustrap answered simply. "I remembered everything going black, struggling to breathe as everything started to just go…numb." Munkustrap glanced at Coricopat.
"He had been out walking, just getting the feeling that he needed to, when he came across my master and his followers about to throw my body into a ditch…he knew he could save me, he was told to save me."
"Told by who?" Cori questioned.
"The Everlasting Cat, young Coricopat," A croaky voice suddenly echoed from the darkness. Munkustrap and Coricopat winced; covering their eyes as a bright light suddenly appeared, illuminating the room.
"Tobias," Munkustrap murmured as he took his paw away from his eyes once they had adjusted to light. The black and grey elder Tom grinned as he took in the now grown-up Munkustrap.
"Ah, Munkustrap, look at how grown up you are!" Tobias chuckled. Coricopat just blinked in surprise as he looked between the two.
"How do you know our names?" Cori asked, suspicious. Tobias grinned at the mystic, laughing.
"My dear boy, I know a lot more than you think," Tobias winked. "I have a friend who keeps me informed," Tobias gestured towards the ceiling vaguely.
"Now, what are you seeking from me?" Tobias asked, as he hobbled over to a table filled with vials and herbs. "You couldn't have found me unless you were seeking me." He answered Coricopat's unspoken question.
"My ward has fallen ill," Munkustrap spoke up quickly. Time was of the essence.
"He was practising his magic with Coricopat and Tantomile when he suddenly collapsed, and now his fur keeps changing colours and sparkles keep appearing within his fur." Tobias looked up at Munkustrap, frowning, as he was deep in thought.
"How is his heart beat?" Tobias questioned.
"Fast and irregular." Coricopat answered.
"Does his fur usually change colour when he uses his magic?" Tobias continued as he grabbed certain vials and bags, placing them in a satchel.
"The parts of his fur that are white generally go black and he gets sparkles in his fur," Munkustrap informed him. Tobias nodded as he placed a few more items in his bag.
"I will go to him," Tobias told them. "But I require payment."
"You've got it." Munkustrap spoke up. Coricopat looked at him.
"What sort of payment?" Cori asked, worried. "We don't have much…"
"Just some of your blood, that's my regular price," Tobias spoke up easily.
"Blood…?"
"It helps with certain spells and concoctions of mine," Tobias said simply. "Now, shall we go? We haven't any time to lose." Munkustrap nodded and the three left the shop, heading back to the junkyard as quickly as they could.
"So, Munkustrap was telling me you brought him back from the dead?" Cori questioned, just wanting to make small talk and get rid of the nerves bundling up in the tense silence between them.
"Yes, the Everlasting pushed me to take a walk and so I did, and found this little one about to be ditched on the side of the road." Tobias explained. "I intervened and told them I could bring him back, but it would take some time."
"How long?" Cori asked, seeing Munkustrap glance at them, interested.
"It took about three days for my concoctions and spells to bring him back, with help from the Everlasting, and another week for him to completely heal and be well enough." Tobias continued. He looked at Munkustrap sadly.
"Broke my heart when those horrible bastards came back for you and dragged you away, I wanted to keep you, to free you…but the Everlasting told me she had plans for you and to let you go," Tobias gave a chuckle at the end. "I see her plans now,"
Silence fell between them once more as they neared the yard.
"Munkustrap, I can feel your worry and fear for the young one," Tobias spoke up suddenly. Munkustrap gave a small nod of his head, his worry showing on his face. Cori could feel it coming off it him in waves and knew how he felt. Stomach twisting, hard to breathe, trembling, crippling anxiety about Quaxo's future was felt between a few of them, but Cori knew Munkustrap would be feeling it the worst as he had sworn to protect the young Tuxedo kitten ever since he was brought into the yard.
"I will do whatever is in my power, and with the Everlasting's help, to help him," Tobias promised the young Tom gently. Munkustrap's face softened with relief.
"Thank you," Munkustrap murmured. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost him…" Tobias nodded sympathetically.
"He's in the infirmary," Cori spoke up as they entered the yard once more. The three quickly walked to the infirmary. Jenny looked up as they entered. Tantomile glanced around, tears wetting her eyes, from where she knelt beside Quaxo, his paw clasped in hers. Tugger had entered the den too, and was slumped in a chair beside the bed, head in his paws.
"Any change, Jenny?" Munkustrap asked worriedly as he padded over to sit beside his charge. Tobias walked over as well, looking over the young Tom-kit, expression serious.
Jenny shook her head sadly.
"His heart beat is still beating far too fast and is irregular," She said quietly, her brown eyes watching the new Tom as he examined the unconscious Quaxo. Munkustrap sighed sadly. Cori rested his paw on his shoulder comfortingly. Tobias frowned, his expression becoming sombre as he looked into Quaxo's purple-green eyes.
"Tobias?" Munkustrap questioned, his voice pleading, begging the elder Tom to tell him that he could fix his nephew. Tobias pulled back from his examination of the young Tom.
His face was grave as he looked to Munkustrap.
"This is something I cannot help." Tobias said gravely. A pained moan emitted from Tugger as Munkustrap's breath hitched in his throat.
No.
It couldn't be.
"W-What is happening to him?" Jenny asked, giving a small sob.
"His magic has personalities," Tobias sighed as he began to explain. "When he isn't using his magic, his fur is in its normal state, and he is the polite, shy Tom that you know," Tobias looked back at the unconscious Tuxedo. "However, when his magic takes over, so does his new personality, his fur changes and he becomes confident,"
"But, he's still shy when it comes to his magic," Tugger croaked.
"Not really," Tantomile replied softly. "As we've progressed in his lessons, you can begin to see the changes in his personality."
"So, he has split personalities?" Jenny asked. Tobias gave a small hum.
"In a way," He replied. "They work together, they are two halves but yet it is him." Tobias glanced at Quaxo once more.
"So, why is Quaxo's magic doing this?" Tantomile choked.
"His halves are fighting against one another, trying to become the more dominant side, to defeat the other half, instead of being united." Tobias suddenly frowned, a thought coming to him.
"However, I do believe I remember a way to help Quaxo," Tobias said suddenly. "Do you know who Quaxo's parents are?"
"His mother died when he was a kitten and we don't know who his father is," Jenny spoke up. Tugger slowly lifted his head, brown eyes meeting Munkustrap's green ones as an unspoken thought went between them.
Tobias sighed sadly.
"Well, there goes Quaxo's only hope."
"Why? How could his parent save him?" Munkustrap suddenly asked. Tobias looked at him, brow furrowed.
"His parent, the one with the magic, can help steady his magic and help his two halves merge together so they can work in tune with one another." He explained. Munkustrap looked back at Quaxo, thoughts racing.
There was still a chance to save him.
Macavity was the answer.
But did he risk it? Did he risk Quaxo becoming an outcast as the Jellicles find out the truth? Did he risk losing Quaxo's trust?
"So, the parent just needs to give him some magic to help steady him?" Munkustrap tried to confirm, his heart racing in his chest. Tobias gave a nod in confirmation.
"Jenny, is Quaxo okay?" Jemima asked as she edged into the den. Tobias looked at her with interest. Munkustrap shot to his feet, going over to Quaxo and wrapping him up in the plush blue blanket.
"Munkus, what are you doing?!" Jenny yelped, shocked. Tugger just looked up at him, brown eyes watching his movements carefully.
"Taking him to his father,"
"But-but, we don't know who…!"
"We do," Tugger spoke up, before looking back at Munkustrap, who was making sure Quaxo was tucked up snugly.
"Are you sure this is the best idea?" Tugger just asked him quietly.
"It's his only chance, Tugs," Munkustrap replied.
"Do you even know where to find him?" Tugger questioned. Munkustrap faltered, looking at the young Tom.
He didn't know where Macavity was.
However, he did remember one thing.
"He said if I needed him, to call him," Munkustrap said absently.
"Then do it," Coricopat spoke up. "It's his only chance."
"I can't call him here," Munkustrap murmured. "Everyone would freak out."
"Go to our den," Tantomile offered, "It's furthest away from the clearing." Munkustrap picked up the small Tom, cradling him close. Jenny came over to wrap Quaxo up more securely.
"Just call us if you need us," Cori told him. "We don't know what Macavity will do." Munkustrap gave an absent nod.
"It'll take him a while to stabilize," Tobias informed him.
"Got it," Munkustrap answered, just wanting to go call Macavity and get Quaxo well once more.
"And while you do that, I believe I can help this young Queen with her eye-sight," Tobias smiled as he walked over to Jemima. "Let's find some moonlight, and Coricopat, Tantomile; I need some of your blood to make this work."
"Go, Munkus, get Quaxo help," Jenny whispered as she gently kissed Quaxo's cheek. Munkustrap nodded and quickly left the den, swiftly dodging the Jellicles who tried to stop him.
Munkustrap reached Coricopat and Tantomile's den, where it was silent, no Jellicles around. Munkustrap looked at the unconscious Quaxo cradled in his arms.
"You're going to be okay, Quax," Munkustrap whispered to the young Tom as he nuzzled him. Munkustrap straightened up, sighing.
"MACAVITY!" Munkustrap cried out.
A loud crack rang out throughout the silent night.
"This better be good," Macavity said, bored, arms crossed against his chest. Munkustrap looked down at Quaxo as he gave a pained moan. Macavity's eyes flashed to the bundle in Munkustrap's arms, his gold eyes widening when he caught sight of the unconscious Quaxo.
"H-He needs your help…or-or he won't make it," Munkustrap's voice quivered as he stared at Quaxo's pale face. Macavity walked over, resting his paw on Quaxo's chilly forehead. Macavity gave a nod, emotion swirling within his gold eyes.
He couldn't allow his son to die.
Quaxo was one of the only things left of his beloved Nalah, and it would destroy Macavity if he lost him.
Macavity's heart gave a painful tug as he looked at his son worriedly.
"I won't let him die, Munkus," Macavity whispered, voice thick with emotion. Munkustrap gave a nod.
It was time to save Quaxo.
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Sorry for the wait but things have been crazy these last couple of months!
We had our house broken into and things were stolen, including my lap-top, so I had to wait to replace that (thankfully, things were backed up), then family members being sick, needing surgery, then my anxiety being a general pain in the butt…
But hopefully this chapter sort of makes up for the wait?
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP