Munkustrap sat on the tyre, keeping watch on the playing kittens.
It had been two weeks since his talk with Quaxo and his nephew's behaviour had improved greatly. He had gone back to lessons with Cori and Tantomile, his fur was groomed to its normal state once again, and he was talking to Munkustrap once more.
Speaking of the little Tux cat, Munkustrap mused, smiling, as said Tom came to sit beside him.
"How are you going, Quax?" Munkustrap asked, wrapping his arm around the small Tom and hugging him, ignoring the angered looks the Jellicles were giving them. Quaxo gave him a pointed look, also ignoring the looks being sent in his direction.
"It's Mistoffelees now, Munkus," The fledgling corrected him. Munkustrap gave a sigh. Quaxo had insisted on being called by his alters name now, Mistoffelees, as he believed his original name was associated with Macavity and wanted to get rid of it, so perhaps the Jellicles would begin to trust him once more.
"Alright, alright, Mistoffelees," Munkustrap gave in. Mistoffelees gave a grin, his purple-green eyes lighting up. "So, how was your lesson, Misto?" Misto smiled at him.
"Good, it felt good to get the magic out again," Misto admitted, idly brushing his fur down. Munkustrap nodded, feeling relieved. Misto had been so close to dying yet again, if he didn't release his magic soon.
"And how are you feeling?" Munkustrap asked him gently. Misto paused for a moment, lifting his purple-green eyes to look at the Jellicles who kept clear of him, who threw him untrusting looks.
"It's still hard," He admitted. "It hurts." He snuggled in close as Munkustrap wrapped both arms around him, hugging him close.
"I know, buddy, I know, but they'll come around eventually." Munkustrap murmured in his ear.
"I hope so." Misto murmured. Munkustrap gave him a final squeeze before letting go.
"So, have you spoken to Vicky lately?" Munkustrap asked him, trying to change the subject. Misto gave a small nod.
"Yeah, Bustopher had some meetings to go to, so she came here for a while yesterday." Misto told him. Munkustrap frowned. He didn't remember seeing her.
"She was with the Queen-kits all day, and with Jenny," Misto added when he saw the look on Munkustrap's face. Munkustrap gave a nod.
The Queen-kits would go spend time in one of their secret spots to gossip when Vicky came around.
"So, how is she?" Munkustrap enquired, leaning back on his arms. Misto nodded.
"Good, Bustopher has been taking her to see all of these dance shows, and she's been trying to learn the dances," He told him. Munkus nodded.
"She is quite talented." He mused, before looking at Misto. "Quite like yourself," Misto blushed, rubbing his arms.
"I'm not that good." Misto mumbled awkwardly. Munkustrap chuckled and shook his head.
"Misto, you are an extremely talented dancer, don't sell yourself short." Munkustrap told him firmly, smiling. Misto's blush deepened.
"He can't help it, he is short," A deep voice chuckled. Misto glared at Tugger as Tugger came to sit beside with them, squeezing himself in between Misto and Munkustrap. Munkustrap rolled his eyes and shifted over so he didn't end up with Tugger half in his lap. Tugger winked at him before turning his attention back to his pouting nephew.
Munkustrap turned his attention back to the yard as Misto and Tugger started teasing and bickering with each other. Munkustrap smiled as he listened to the two of them. He knew Misto was feeling better now that he was back to teasing and bickering with Tugger.
Now it was time to focus his attention on the planning of the Jellicle Ball which was just over a week away.
There was so much planning to do, he had to make sure all the songs were in order, that the Jellicles knew all of their parts, and he still had to direct the Aweful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles as it was a favourite story of Old Deuteronomy's and it was essential that every ball there was a story told.
Munkustrap was broken from his musings as a dark laugh rumbled throughout the clearing, causing the Jellicles to freeze in fear, looking around fearfully.
"Macavity!" Demeter cried, pointing to the banished Tom as he stood on top of a junk pile, gold eyes staring coldly at them all, his lips twisted into a dark grin.
Munkustrap stood up on the tyre, giving a small nod to Alonzo, who nodded back, before he started to move the Jellicles away from the junk pile.
"Ahh, good to see my baby brother isn't taking my threat lightly," Macavity chuckled as he watched Alonzo move the Jellicles away before turning his attention back to Munkustrap, who had leapt down from the tyre and was now standing in the middle of the now-empty clearing.
"What are you doing here, Macavity?" Munkustrap called out calmly, watching Macavity's movements closely.
"Why, can't I come visit my old home?" Macavity asked innocently as he slid down the junk pile to land on his feet neatly at the bottom.
"You know you've been exiled." Alonzo spat as he walked to stand beside Munkustrap. Macavity's cold gold eyes flickered briefly to land on the black and white splotched Tom.
"No one asked for your input, Patches," Macavity sneered before he started to pace back and forth. Munkustrap glanced around, seeing Skimble, Cori, Mungo and Tugger hiding in the shadows, waiting in case they were needed.
"What are you doing here, Macavity?" Munkustrap asked him once more. "You know you're not meant to be here." Macavity shrugged, lips pulling into a grin as he looked at Munkustrap once more.
"I told you that I wouldn't let you forget me, that you all would pay for exiling me." Macavity spat. Munkustrap tensed, waiting for Macavity to make a move. Macavity laughed loudly as he saw Tugger, Cori, Mungo and Skimble edge out of the shadows, all prepared to fight him if needed.
"Really?" Macavity laughed. "This is it?" Macavity leaned against the old oven, eyeing off the six of them.
"The aging railway cat," Skimble scowled at him at that. "The stuck-up ego-maniac," Tugger hissed at him, fur bristling angrily. "The mystic," Cori raised an eyebrow, paws sparking in warning. "And the newbie thief." Macavity indicated to Mungojerrie, who raised his eyebrows in surprise that Macavity knew who he was. Macavity looked to Munkustrap and Alonzo once again.
"And then there is you two," Macavity purred. "Alonzo, who thinks he is better than he actually is," Macavity's gold eyes flickered to Munkustrap and he ran his claws through his wild red head fur. "And the only threat to me, my baby brother." Munkustrap just looked at him, expression betraying no emotion, but Macavity could see the sadness in those emerald green eyes, but he pushed that thought aside.
Macavity leapt back, hissing in shock, as a lightning bolt suddenly exploded at his feet.
"And then there's me." Macavity tilted his head, surprised, as Mistoffelees leapt down from the tyre, coming to stand beside Munkustrap, his purple-green eyes flashing dangerously, his fur had turned black and had started to sparkle.
"Ah, so my son is against me," Macavity mused, though he would never admit it, he was a little bit proud that the tuxedo fledgling had stood up to him.
"I was never with you." Misto spat.
"Now, now, Quaxo…"
"It's Mistoffelees!" Misto hissed at him, causing Macavity to raise his eyebrows in surprise. Munkustrap gently put his arm across Misto's chest, pushing him back slightly and stopping him from lunging at Macavity.
Though he knew Misto was strong magic-wise, he knew Macavity was stronger and he didn't know if paternal instincts would stop Macavity from hurting, or even killing, his own son.
Macavity just laughed, the sound echoing around the yard.
"As fun as this has been, I need to be going, you know, being leader of the Hidden Paws and all," Macavity smirked. "But you'll see me around, I have things planned for you," and with that warning, he disappeared in a flash of blue light. Munkustrap gave a sigh, his body relaxing.
"Alonzo, give the word that it's safe." Munkustrap murmured. Alonzo nodded, honey eyes looking back to the spot Macavity had disappeared from.
"Yeah, yeah, sure thing." He replied, giving a small smile and patting Munkustrap's shoulder before he left the clearing. Munkustrap looked to Cori, Mungo, Skimble and Tugger, giving a small thankful nod, before turning his attention to Mistoffelees, who looked back up at him, his fur returning to its original state.
"Was that the smartest of ideas, Misto?" Munkustrap asked him, his green eyes concerned. "He could have hurt you."
"He could have hurt you too," Misto pointed out. Munkustrap sighed, looking at his young nephew worriedly.
"I've been trained to fight, I've had to fight him before, but you…"
"I have my magic," Misto interrupted. "I told Old Deuteronomy a long time ago that I would use it to help the tribe, and if I have to use it to fight and protect the ones I love, then I'll do it!" Munkustrap smiled at his determination.
"Just be careful, okay?" Munkustrap murmured to him, pulling him into a hug. "Only intervene when you absolutely have to, I don't want to lose you." Misto smiled, hugging Munkustrap tightly.
"You won't." He promised.
"I might know some magic that can come in handy for Misto to use," Coricopat spoke up as he walked over to them. "Defensive and attack spells," Munkustrap gave a nod.
"Sounds like a good idea, just in case." Munkustrap agreed. Cori smiled.
"I'll go find the right books." Cori nodded before he turned and left, heading for his den, Tantomile joining him at the edge of the clearing.
"I might see if they need some help looking through their books," Misto murmured suddenly as he spotted the other Jellicles returning to the clearing. Munkustrap could see that his nephew was uncomfortable and gave a nod, smiling reassuringly.
"Sounds like a good idea," Munkustrap assured him. "Maybe you can find other spells that you might like to learn?" Misto smiled and nodded, hugging him once more, before he headed off after the twins.
"'Ow did 'e know who Oi was?" Munkustrap turned and looked at Mungojerrie, who was talking to Tugger, Skimble and Teazer.
"Macavity knows a lot of things," Tugger mused. "He did say he was the leader of the Hidden Paws now, so that'll be interesting."
"Pretty sure the boy keeps an eye on us too," Skimble added. Rumpleteazer shuddered and hugged her brother's arm tightly.
"We've 'eard things 'bout 'im on the streets," Teazer told them. "Never thought we'd meet 'im though." Mungo nodded in agreement.
"What things?" Tugger asked curiously. Mungojerrie looked at him.
"Well, 'e's the second in charge of the 'idden Paws…well, leader now," Mungo started. "And 'e's ruthless, and that's why 'e's da one ta be handed the boss role," Mungojerrie frowned suddenly.
"'Ang on, why is Macavity interested in the Jellicles?" He asked. "What did ya do to 'im?" Tugger and Skimble exchanged looks, hesitating.
"Macavity used to live here." Munkustrap answered, causing the four to look at him. Though Macavity was exiled from the Jellicles, he was still family.
"He killed two members of our tribe and was exiled because of it." Munkustrap continued. Rumpleteazer's brown eyes widened in shock. Mungo's eyes narrowed as he looked at Tugger and Munkustrap.
"'E called ya 'is baby brother." Mungojerrie accused. Munkustrap nodded.
"Macavity is Tugger's and my brother," Munkustrap answered. He would never lie about that. Macavity would always be his brother, no matter what he did.
"Damn," Mungo breathed, shocked.
"So you're Misto's and Victoria's uncles?" Teazer questioned, confused. Tugger grinned at that, nodding.
"Yup, Sparkle-butt and Snow-white are our family." Tugger answered proudly. Munkustrap smiled at that. He knew how much Tugger loved his nephew and niece.
"Ohh, so that explains why ya and Munkus stood up for Misto when we found out that Macavity was 'is Dad." Teazer mused, looking at the two. Munkustrap gave a small half-shrug.
"Yes and no." Munkustrap answered slowly, trying to figure out how to word it. "We stood up for him because we know he's harmless and has a big heart, he would never hurt us." Teazer smiled at him, looking to Mungo before rolling her eyes as she saw the frown on his face. She nudged his arm and looked to Munkustrap again.
"We know 'e'd neva 'urt us." Rumpleteazer told him. Munkustrap smiled and nodded.
"How are you guys going with ball preparation?" Munkustrap questioned them, deciding to change the subject after noting the stormy look on Mungo's face. Teazer's face brightened at that.
"Good, Oi'm so excited!" She chirped. Mungojerrie nodded in agreement.
"Always ready, my lad." Skimble chuckled, winking at Munkustrap. Tugger gave a sly grin, tucking his thumbs into his belt.
"Oh, I've got a few surprises up my sleeves," Tugger winked. Munkustrap looked at him pleadingly.
"Please tell me you're kidding," Munkustrap pleaded. "Don't do anything stupid, please, Tugs?" Tugger just laughed.
"Ah, don't stress, Munkus, you'll go grey early!" Tugger laughed before he looked at Munkustrap. "Well, you already have, but don't worry!"
"Tugs, it's my first year preparing the ball!" Munkustrap protested. "I don't want to screw it up!"
"Ya won't, lad, don't fret!" Skimble reassured him, throwing a look to Tugger. Tugger just smiled.
"I'm not going to ruin it, relax, bro!" He laughed. "Well, I have a few things to go do," Tugger winked once more before he turned on his heel and sauntered off, his fan-club immediately swarming him. Munkustrap stared after him forlornly.
"Don't worry, Munk, we'll make sure he doesn't get too out of hand," Skimble promised him, before patting his shoulder reassuringly and walking off, Mungo and Teazer following his lead.
Munkustrap only hoped that Tugger didn't have too many surprises planned for that night.
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Oops, sorry it's taken a little while, but I just got a new job and I'm working a lot!
So if the next chapter takes a tiny bit longer, sorry!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP!