Title: Stealing a Goddess (3/6)
Rating: K+
Notes: A little time has passed since "The Guardians," and Munkustrap is much more comfortable among the Jellicles now. Things seem to be looking up for him. This is set during "Power to be Strong."

Really, you should be reading this arc in order, as each story builds upon the ones which came before it.

Many thanks to Puddycat for providing Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer with their voices!

The Cats RP I participate in (as Munkustrap, Etcetera, Tumblebrutus, and a variety of minor characters) is in dire need of several characters, especially a gay Quaxo/Mistoffelees (more details on the site) and Plato, Admetus, Rumpus Cat, Exotica, Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, Macavity, Electra, Bustopher, Gus, Skimbleshanks. Come check us out at o u r j e l l i c l e s . p r o b o a r d s 5 1 . c o m

Stealing a Goddess

The siblings followed Munkustrap, poking and slapping at each other whenever his back was turned, but putting on angelic expressions whenever he whirled around. Munkustrap sighed, shaking his head. What was he thinking, helping them get in the Jellicles? He had forgotten how pesky Mungojerrie could be… on his own! Now that he had a sister, they could only be trouble.

"… in trouble! I mean, she very clearly doesn't want him touching her, but the way their stupid rules work, she's his mate! We have to help her get out!"

Munkustrap frowned as he spotted Deuteronomy. The old cat was sitting on the tire, listening to Bombalurina talking about someone in trouble. Simbol was reclining on the boxes below him, flicking his tail back and forth. They were together. Damn it.

"I'm sorry, Bombalurina, but we don't have the cat power needed to storm the Monniks to free a queen," Simbol was saying, closing his eyes and letting his ears droop. "I feel for your friend, but there is nothing we can do."

"But we're the Jellicles!" Bombalurina cried, placing her paws on Simbol's arm. "We've made a name for ourselves by sticking up for those who can't stick up for themselves! We take in the lost, the hurt, the alone, we shelter the homeless, we feed the hungry… she can't protect herself! He's hurting her!"

"Is there truly nothing we can do?" Deuteronomy asked, turning to look down at Simbol.

The Protector shook his head. "The Monniks keep their queens well protected, especially the young ones. To free this one, we'd need to use all the guardians in a full-on assault… and there is a risk of casualties. Too many casualties to justify the attack. Especially since we'd be liberating the mate of Macavity. He's a magic cat, Deuteronomy. You know how dangerous those are."

Munkustrap had been listening quietly, up until the point where Simbol said, "Mate of Macavity," and then he gasped. What was Macavity up to? He had a mate, now?

"Shh," Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer said in unison, touching their paws to their lips.

If Munkustrap's gasp hadn't attracted the attention of the older cats, then that did. Simbol and Deuteronomy both looked up to where the three were standing, with Bombalurina turning to look a moment later. "Munkustrap? Is there something you need?" Deuteronomy gestured for Munkustrap to approach. "Come closer… who are your friends?"

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer looked back at Munkustrap, who gave them a nod. They bounded forward and dropped into two identical bows before the Leader and Protector. "You must be Old Deuteronomy, and Simbol! 'Straps has told us so much about you!" they said together.

"That's Rumpleteazer-"

"-and he's Mungojerrie!" The pair pointed to each other and turned their grins on the older cats.

"We'd like to be Jellicles!"

Bombalurina giggled, leaning over to Munkustrap. "They're funny – where'd you find them?"

"Loafing around on the cars," Munkustrap replied. "I thought I should bring them to Deuteronomy while he's here."

Bombalurina nodded. "Probably a wise idea."

Simbol grumbled as he looked at Mungojerrie, pointing a paw. "I know who you are, you Monnik thief."

"Excuse me." Rumpleteazer tapped Simbol's shoulder. "But I'll have you know that I'm a Monnik thief too! So don't you go givin' him all the attention!" Placing her paw against the side of her mouth, she stage-whispered to Deuteronomy, "I'm the better thief, actually, but I let him take the credit." She winked and danced back to Mungojerrie's side, out of the range of Simbol's paws, just in case.

Munkustrap was cringing behind the pair, wishing he could disappear. What had he been thinking, bringing these two in? Despite his misgivings, though, Deuteronomy laughed, holding out his paws to the pair. "You may be thieves, but you certainly are honest about it. Why do you want to join the Jellicles?"

"Well, I think it might actually have something to do with what you were just talking about, really," Rumpleteazer said, taking Deuteronomy's paw with a grin. "Mac's mate? You see, I was s'posed to be that queen… but he was icky! So Jerrie, he's my brother, you see, Jerrie and I ran off together. And we came here, and we saw 'Straps, and we asked to join. He said we should talk to you first, though. He said you'd prob'ly let us in, but that Simbol was a mean old nasty-puss-"

"I did not!" Munkustrap interrupted, staring horrified at Rumpleteazer.

The striped queen giggled and waved a paw dismissively. "Okay, so maybe he just said he was gruffer than you. That's practic'ly the same thing, right?"

"Everlasting Cat…" Munkustrap moaned, hiding his face in his paws. Bombalurina giggled again.

"Practically the same," Deuteronomy agreed, grinning at the embarrassed tabby. "So, you're fleeing Macavity and the Monniks, and wish for asylum with us?"

"Yeah, basic'ly," Rumpleteazer said. "So, what about it? Pleaaaaaase?" She purred and looked up at Deuteronomy with a big, charming grin. Mungojerrie grabbed Deuteronomy's other paw and gave his own charismatic grin, going to his knees as well.

Simbol was watching Munkustrap through this, his tail curling inquisitively. He slid his eyes back to Deuteronomy and shook his head. "They are Monniks, and they are thieves. Two strikes against them."

"They are charming and in need of help," Deuteronomy countered. "Two strikes for them. I say we let them join."

Simbol frowned, turning away, but then his eyes widened as he had an idea. "Actually, Deuteronomy… I've changed my mind. We should let them join… if they pass a test."

"A test?" the siblings asked, looking worriedly at Munkustrap.

"A test?" Munkustrap echoed, having not had to pass one when he joined.

"What sort of test are you thinking?" Deuteronomy asked Simbol.

Simbol sat up and gestured to Bombalurina. "We now have two thieves wanting to join us. They should demonstrate their usefulness by stealing something – namely, stealing Bombalurina's friend."

"Thus helping everyone," Deuteronomy murmured, nodding. "Yes. I approve. Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, what do you say? Will you help us free the Monnik queen Demeter? According to Bombalurina, she is having a very rough time as Macavity's mate."

"Deme's Mac's mate!?" Rumpleteazer grabbed Mungojerrie's paw. "Jerrie, we have to help her! She won't last two weeks with him! She's such a sweetheart," she told Deuteronomy over her shoulder. "So soft and gentle… Mac'll rip her to shreds! Jerrie…"

"Yeah, yeah." Mungojerrie squeezed Rumpleteazer's paws and nodded. "We'll get her out. Don't worry."

"And," Simbol said, looking back to Munkustrap. "You'll take a Jellicle with you, to keep an eye on you. Munkustrap."

Munkustrap and Deuteronomy both stared at the Protector, but Simbol merely gave the younger tom a slight smile. "It's time for you to have your first solo field mission. You won't be alone, but there won't be any other guardians to help you. Do not disappoint me, Munkustrap."

"No, sir!" Munkustrap said, putting his paws together, shoulders back, chin high, just like he had been taught.

With a nod, Simbol rose to his feet. "There is a two week time limit on this mission. Don't take that long."

Munkustrap nodded and held his position as Simbol turned and left. Deuteronomy also watched the Protector depart before turning back to the gathered younger cats. "Is everyone all right with this? Simbol may have assigned the mission, but as the Jellicle Leader, I can overrule him."

"I'm fine with it, sir," Munkustrap said. He figured (and rightly so) that Deuteronomy was talking to him more than the others.

"We're good," the siblings said, saluting Deuteronomy. "We'll bring Demeter here in one piece."

"Thank you," Bombalurina said, moving forward to hug Deuteronomy. "Thank you!" She reached out for the thieves, squeezing their paws. "Demeter's really one of my best friends, even though we're in different tribes. I just hate the idea of her suffering…"

"We'll get her out, don't worry." Rumpleteazer patted Bombalurina's paw. "She's my friend too… I had no idea that running away from Mac would get her in this trouble. We'll spring her."

Munkustrap approached the trio, rubbing his paws together. "Just… just let me know when you're ready to go." He was nervous about reentering Monnik territory after getting free himself. If Macavity recognized him... He unconsciously reached up to rub the scar across his neck. His fur had grown back over the months, and though it was still thin, it completely covered the old gash. Munkustrap didn't feel so self-conscious about it anymore, but just because he couldn't see it anymore didn't mean he wasn't always aware of its presence, and what it meant.

"We're ready to go," Mungojerrie said, looking over at his sister. "We are ready, right?"

Rumpleteazer nodded. "Yep. All ready! Ready, 'Straps?"

Bombalurina touched Munkustrap's shoulder and smiled at him. "Thank you, Munkustrap. Good luck."

Again, terribly sorry for the delay! To make it up for you, though... two chapters at once! Yay!