Cori lifted his head when he heard someone enter his den. He saw Old Deuteronomy and lowered his head once more, breathing out deeply.
"What state have you reduced yourself to, Coricopat?" Deuteronomy's deep voice asked. Cori just closed his eyes…wishing his sister was there with him, but they had been told to stay apart, that they couldn't stay in the same den.
Deuteronomy was afraid that she would turn him back to the way he was, to telling everyone the truth.
A paw ran down Cori's side, rubbing up and down his ribs.
"Coricopat?"
"Don't act as though you care," Cori croaked. "You only care about your own gain," Cori crawled away from Deuteronomy's paw, collapsing on a cushion on the other side of the den.
"We're getting Munkustrap back," Cori rolled over so fast he fell off his cushion.
"What?" Cori breathed.
"In an hour, the…trustworthy Toms of this yard will be going to Macavity's lair, accompanied by Mytos's tribe," Deuteronomy said simply, his eyes staring at the different posters on the wall.
"No," Cori whispered. Deuteronomy stared at him.
"Sir…you're going to destroy him!" Cori cried out weakly. "Don't take him away from Macavity, you'll kill him!" Deuteronomy looked at Coricopat, his dark eyes calculating.
"Tomorrow you will tell Mytos how Macavity bewitched both you and Munkustrap," Tears rolled out from Cori's eyes.
"No, please," Cori croaked. "I…I-I-I c-c-can't betray m-my friend!" Deuteronomy just raised an eyebrow.
"What about Tantomile…and Admetus?" Deuteronomy watched, silently smug, as the dark calico gave a rough sob, collapsing back on his cushion and burying his face into his arms.
"Alright!" Cori sobbed, his voice muffled. "Alright!" Deuteronomy stared at the sobbing Tom, whose back was heaving as he cried out his pain. Deuteronomy got to his feet and left.
Munkustrap laughed as he and Macavity rolled around the purple carpeted floor, playfully batting at one another with their paws. Munkustrap managed to pin Macavity and smiled, leaning down and licking Macavity's nose.
"You win," Macavity laughed, before pulling the silver Tom into his arms. Munkustrap rested his head against Macavity's chest, hearing his beat loud and fast. Macavity was humming softly, his paws running up and down Munkustrap's sides. Munkustrap began purring, his head nuzzling at Macavity's chest.
"I love you," Munkustrap said, smiling at Macavity. Macavity smiled, leaning forward and kissing Munkustrap.
"I love you too," Macavity murmured, rubbing Munkustrap's cheek. Munkustrap rested his head back on Macavity's chest, falling asleep to the sound of Macavity's heart beat. Macavity lay awake still, his paws running through Munkustrap's soft silver and black fur. Macavity smiled, and slowly got up, pulling the sleeping Munkustrap into his arms. He carried Munkustrap back over to the mattress and set him down, before lying beside him and pulling Munkustrap into his arms. Macavity nuzzled Munkustrap's neck.
"I love you," Macavity whispered to the sleeping Munkustrap. "My gorgeous mate,"
"Love you too, Maccy," Macavity startled as Munkustrap replied, his baby blue eyes opening slightly to look at him. Macavity smiled, nuzzling Munkustrap. Munkustrap wrapped his arms around Macavity and they both fell asleep.
Cori watched from his den, with a heavy heart, as the party gathered up, ready to leave. Plato was leading…damn it, with an unwilling Alonzo and Mungojerrie forced to go with him. Jerrie was glowering at the ground, his arms folded angrily across his chest, his sister mirrored him. Alonzo was standing near him, glaring at Plato. Asparagus was talking to Plato, Bombalurina and Skimble, who had also been picked for the team. Mistoffelees was standing to the side, his arms hanging limply by his sides, his face pale.
He didn't want to go.
Skimble, Plato, Asparagus, Bomba, Rumpleteazer, Mungojerrie, Alonzo, and Misto all looked up when Mytos's tribe walked in. Cori shook his head, looking sadly at them all.
Plato, Asparagus and Bomba led the way, with Skimble following reluctantly. Alonzo, Misto, Jerrie and Teazer all exchanged looks before following on, their shoulders slumped.
Cori retreated into his den, his heart heavy.
Munkustrap gave a tired laugh as Macavity collapsed on top of him, breathing heavily.
"Cute," Munkustrap laughed breathlessly. Macavity gave a tired growl. Munkustrap smiled, rubbing Macavity's ears. Macavity purred, nuzzling at Munkustrap. Macavity sat up and stretched. Munkustrap pouted, looking at him. Macavity looked back and gave a laugh at the pout aimed at him.
"I'll be back soon, gorgeous," Macavity laughed, patting Munkustrap's chest. Munkustrap sat up, taking his paw.
"Unless you want to come too?" Macavity smiled, tilting his head.
"Of course," Munkustrap grinned. Macavity stood up, taking Munkustrap's paws and pulling him up from the mattress. Macavity looped his arm around Munkustrap's waist and they walked from the room.
A few hours later, they were curled up together on Macavity's throne. The hench-cats just walked by, not really seeming to care…why should they? When Macavity and Munk were together, then they weren't being yelled at.
Munkustrap and Macavity both startled at the sound of a loud bang with yelling.
"Griddlebone!" Macavity yelled out, sitting up but keeping both of his arms wrapped around Munkustrap's waist. Griddlebone appeared, looking flustered.
"Find out what's going on!" Macavity ordered. Griddlebone nodded, heading off to find the source. She had just reached the door when it burst open, sending her flying across the room.
"Griddle!" Macavity and Munkustrap cried out as the white Persian went flying and hit the wall opposite. Macavity and Munkustrap tore their eyes away from the unconscious Queen to look at the cats flooding into the room.
Mytos walked into the room, and paused. He saw Macavity and Munkustrap sitting on the throne, Macavity's arms wrapped around Munkustrap's waist, while Munkustrap had his arms around Macavity's chest, looking at the cats, freaked out. Munkustrap cried out and began kicking as he was grabbed and wrenched from Macavity's arms and away from him. Munkustrap was struggling in the grip of the large Tom that had him. Macavity got to his feet, his fur bristling, his silver eyes flashing angrily.
"Let him go…now!" Macavity snarled at the large black Tom. The Tom just gripped Munkustrap tighter. Munkustrap cried out, struggling to get loose, struggling to break free.
"Let him go!" Macavity roared, lunging at the Tom. He was caught by Plato half-way through the lunge. Plato and Macavity fell into a fight as Munkustrap still struggled to break free.
"Let me go!" Munkustrap yelled, clawing at the Tom's arms. "Let me go, let me go!"
"Mac!" Munkustrap cried out.
"I'm coming, Munk!" Macavity called out, clawing Plato across the face. Alonzo stared at his best friend, who was struggling to break free of the grip across his waist, to break the grip of the large Tom who had him. Alonzo hated the pain and anguish in his friend's eyes.
"Mac!" Mytos walked over to Munkustrap, looking at the struggling silver Tom, who was panicking and struggling too much to notice him.
"Macavity's bewitched him good, sir," A dark gray Tom said, standing beside Mytos. Mytos nodded, reaching up and grabbing Munkustrap's shoulder, squeezing. Mytos watched as Munkustrap's eyes rolled back and he went limp.
Macavity roared in anger as he watched Munkustrap go limp, unconscious, in the Tom's arms. He lunged but was hit across the head. Macavity fell to the floor, semi-conscious.
"Munk," He croaked, reaching out. Mytos stared at Macavity's paw.
"Munkus," Macavity whispered before everything went dark…the last thing he saw was Munkustrap being dragged out, his head lolling around limply, before everything went dark.
"What do we do to him?" Plato asked, staring hatefully at Macavity.
"Leave 'im," Mungojerrie growled, glaring at Plato. "E only 'urt ya cause ya deserved it!"
"We could just finish things now," Asparagus muttered. "No one being terrorised by Macavity anymore,"
"Don't you dare," Alonzo hissed. "He's unconscious, you'd be a coward if you killed him now..." Alonzo turned and stalked from the room.
"And you'd destroy Munkustrap while you were at it!" Alonzo called back. Mytos frowned. Misto looked at Jerrie and Teazer, who were kneeling beside Macavity and Griddlebone. Jerrie was making sure Macavity was still alive while Teazer was looking over Griddlebone. Mytos was mystified by the Jellicles behaviours. Plato, Asparagus and Bombalurina were all for killing Macavity…while Alonzo, Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, Mistoffelees and Skimbleshanks didn't want to separate Macavity and Munkustrap.
"Skimbleshanks," Mytos called.
"Aye?"
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why were you hesitant to come here?" Mytos asked. Skimbleshanks blinked, looking down at his feet and readjusting his vest nervously.
"It's better not to talk about it," Skimble muttered and left. Jerrie and Teazer got up and left as well. Mistoffelees looked down at Macavity sadly before leaving, tail trailing dejectedly behind him. Mytos watched as Plato, Asparagus and Bomba left before he left himself, his cats following him.
Munkustrap woke up half-way back to the yard and began struggling weakly before giving up and crying softly. Munkustrap was set on his feet and the Tom kept his paw on the back of Munkustrap's neck, making sure he didn't run. Munkustrap just lowered his head, tears falling silently from his eyes. Misto moved so he could walk beside Munkustrap, he gently grabbed onto Munkustrap's arm. Munkustrap looked at him, tears still falling from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Munkus," Misto whispered. Munkustrap looked back at the ground, tears still falling silently from his eyes.
They arrived back at the yard and walked into the clearing. Deuteronomy was waiting on the tyre, a trembling Coricopat waiting near him.
"Munkustrap," Munkustrap lifted his head, looking at Deuteronomy. Misto let go of Munkustrap, feeling Munkustrap's rage.
"Why?" Munkustrap asked, growling. Deuteronomy stared at him.
"How could you?" Munkustrap yelled. "I love him, why can't you just accept it and let it be?"
"Munkustrap, you don't know what you're saying…" Deuteronomy said softly.
Munkustrap snapped.
"I know what I'm saying!" Munkustrap yelled at his dad. "I was happy for the first time in years when I was with Macavity, he actually cared for me!"
"And we're mates, Dad…Macavity and I are mates!" Munkustrap watched as Deuteronomy's eyes went cold and dark.
"You have been bewitched, Munkustrap," Deuteronomy looked to Coricopat, who was staring at the ground, close to hyperventilating.
"Coricopat knows," Munkustrap looked to Cori, seeing him flinch.
"Coricopat,"
"Y-Y-Yes," Cori whispered.
"Tell them," Cori stared at a spot on the ground.
"M-Macavity…it's true," Coricopat said, his voice shaking. "H-He bewitched us both," He was unable to look at anyone in the eye. Deuteronomy just raised an eyebrow.
"Cori," Munkustrap whispered, in disbelief. "Cori…why?"
"I'm sorry," Cori sobbed, falling to his knees.
Munkus, I'm so sorry! Munkustrap startled at the wail in his mind.
Y-Your dad threatened Tantomile, I-I-I couldn't risk her…I'm so, so sorry, Munkus!
Munkustrap looked at his friend. Cori shakily lifted his head, staring at Munkustrap through pained eyes.
"It's alright, Cori," Munkustrap said out loud. Cori broke down again. Munkustrap looked at his dad again.
"So it's not just my life you're making miserable!" Munkustrap snapped at him. "You're destroying Cori by making him lie for you…because you threatened his sister!" Munkustrap was bristling now.
"Why are so determined to make my life hell?" Munkustrap yelled. "WHY?
"Plato…take Munkustrap to your den, keep him there,"
"Oh, hell no!" Munkustrap hissed, snarling at Plato. "I'm not going anywhere except back to Macavity!" Plato grabbed Munkustrap's arms.
"Mistoffelees!"
"Yes, sir?" Misto stepped up nervously, the small Tux looking meek. Munkustrap looked at Tugger, pleading, as he was dragged off by Plato. Tugger went to go to him but Alonzo quickly grabbed his shoulder.
"That's not going to help," Alonzo murmured to Tugger. Tugger sighed, lowering his head sadly.
Munkustrap was shoved into Plato's den. Munkustrap yelled out angrily, pressing the pads of his paws against the side of his head. Munkustrap heard Misto's ragged voice cry out in protest but Munkustrap didn't pay attention to it. He just pressed against his ears, tears falling from his eyes.
Could life get any worse?
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Naww…poor Munkus and Mac!
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