Chapter 5: Gaining the Advantage
After Victoria, Plato and Mistoffelees had left, Munkustrap had gone on patrol by himself. He needed to get away from everyone; clear his mind. All the complaints about Wisp he had to listen to today was wearing on his very last nerve. Yes, he understood Wisp was acting like Macavity; he knew the kittens were afraid of him he understood the adults did not like him being here in the first place. They only needed to tell him that once; they didn't need to repeat it over and over again. If they would just understand where he was coming from; Mistoffelees was powerful enough with his magic but if they had Wisp on their side as well, the Pollicles wouldn't be as big a threat as they seemed. He wasn't letting the Ghost Cat into the tribe, somehow he felt Wisp had no desire to be a Jellicle, he was just trying to gain an extra advantage over the Pollicles. Bast, why wouldn't they just trust him on this and stop complaining?
The solo patrol seemed to calm him down and by the time he got back to the clearing, he felt ready for a good nap. After telling Alonzo to keep an eye on things, he walked over to Deuteronomy's tire and stretched out comfortably. Being so worked up certainly wore him out and it wasn't long before he found himself falling into a deep sleep. However, it was not to be.
"Munk? You asleep?"
Jellylorum; what in the name of the Everlasting Cat did she want now?
"I was," Munk answered, making no attempt to hide his irritation at being disturbed, "What is it?"
"You really need to do something about Wisp," Jelly said, her tone apprehensive, "He's scaring the life out of the kittens. They don't feel safe playing outside with him laying up there watching them."
Munk groaned; he might've known. "Wisp has kept his word that he wouldn't harm anyone," he said, "I can't reprimand him if he hasn't done anything wrong."
"It's not what he would do," Jelly said, "It's what he might do."
"Fine," Munk said angrily as he rose to his feet, "You want me to talk to him, I'll talk to him. I just want everyone to stop this damn complaining."
Ignoring Jelly's next comment, Munk marched off toward the center of the clearing. Glancing up at the spot where Wisp usually was, he huffed angrily when he saw the silver cat was not there. Great, just bloody great. Now I have to comb the entire junkyard to find him.
Marching across the clearing, he noticed Jenny trying to coax Etcetera out from the tire pile. The hyper kitten did not want to go inside just yet and was frustrating the Gumbie Cat to no end. Not having the patience to listen to that, he stormed over to the pile.
"Etcetera," he half shouted, "Get your tail out of there now!"
The kitten slowly came out surprised at how angry Munk was and apparently thinking it was because of her. Tears started to well up in her eyes as she hurried off to Jenny's den. Jenny looked at the silver tabby in shock and started to say something but Munk cut her off, holding up his paw.
"Don't even start with me," he growled and turned to continue his search for Wisp. Just above him, on the junk pile, a voice huffed.
"The great Munkustrap taking his frustration out on a kitten," Wisp said as he released his invisibility, "How the mighty have fallen."
Munk turned toward the Ghost Cat and snarled, "Get down here. You and I have to talk." Wisp rose to his feet and jumped off the pile; standing face to face with the Protector.
"About?"
"Your attitude that's what," Munk snapped. Wisp simply tilted his head and smirked as if he knew that already. "What of it?"
"I am getting sick and tired of everyone complaining about you," Munk growled, "Laying up there like Macavity watching the kittens like you're trying to decide who to kill first. Nearly putting that rock through Pouncival's head and warning him you won't miss next time." He took a deep breath. "What in Heaviside is wrong with you? Swansea died two months ago Wisp. Let it go already."
In a flash, the smirk on Wisp's face vanished and his eyes brimmed with rage. He lifted his paw clearing wanting to either fry Munk or strangle him but restrained himself.
"You don't understand what its like," he snarled, his voice and body shaking, "To have the love of your life taken away from you and be powerless to stop it." He moved closer to Munkustrap who held his ground. "I am not…like…Macavity. I don't kill for the simple pleasure of it. I've changed is all. If something happened to Demeter, it would change you as well." He and the Protector glared at each other for a moment. "Word to the wise Munk; don't test me."
Things would've gotten worse between the two had Coricopat, who was stationed at the main gate, not called out that Plato was returning; alone. Breaking off from Wisp, Munk hurried to the gate as Plato nearly collapsed. Luckily, Skimbleshanks was nearby to catch him.
"What happened?" Munk asked as he came up to them. Plato was obviously hurt; bloody cuts were on his face and chest and his left arm had a nasty bite mark on it. "Where are Victoria and Misto?"
"Victoria's with her humans," Plato said, his voice laced with pain, "They found us after the attack."
"What attack?"
"Pollicles," Plato answered gritting his teeth, "Six of them. They attacked us…and they took Misto."
Beneath his silver fur, Munkustrap went pale. Things had just gone from bad to worse.
"One of them," Plato said, "Said Misto was…the source." He shook his head. "I don't know what he meant."
The source. Wisp thought that sounded familiar. He shut his eyes forcing his anger at Munkustrap away and concentrated on the night he had overheard Magnus's plan. It came into focus quickly and his eyes popped open. "The advantage,"
"What?" Skimble asked looking over at Wisp, "What are you talking about?"
Wisp came over to them. "Think about it," he said, "Misto is a conjuring cat. What's the one thing the Jellicles have always had that the Pollicles don't?"
The answer hit both of them like a ton of bricks; magic.
Misto's head hurt. He didn't remember much of what happened; he was going with Plato and Victoria, the Pollicles showed up and they started fighting then…blank. Slowly he forced his eyes to open and found he was lying on a cool concrete floor. His vision was a little blurry but it focused enough to show that he was in Macavity's old lair; in his throne room to be exact. What was he doing here? He took a deep breath and the scent that hit his nose immediately jolted him fully awake. Shapes that were blurred before now came into sharp focus and the smell was unmistakable; Pollicles. The two giant Mastiffs that had led the attack stood on either side of him; once they saw he was awake, they grabbed his arms and held him still. Misto struggled but the two dogs were far too strong.
"There's no need to be afraid my young friend," a voice said from the darkness in front of him, "We have no intention of harming you."
"Who are you?" Misto asked. A shape slowly emerged from the darkness and the tux's heart skipped a beat. This had to be the biggest dog he'd ever seen in his life; he was even bigger than the two Mastiffs. Grey shaggy fur covered his lean body and a pair of intelligent brown eyes stared at him; Misto instantly recognized him as an Irish Wolfhound.
"I am Magnus the Great," the Wolfhound said with a light smile, "I must say, it is an honor to finally meet the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees. I have heard so much about you."
"What do you want?" Misto asked, kicking himself for how timid his voice sounded.
"Your help of course," Magnus answered, "You see, you are the source of the Jellicles' advantage over us. We need you…or rather…your powers to help us to eliminate them."
"You're crazy," Misto snapped, "There's no way I would use my powers against my friends!"
The Mastiffs chuckled as did Magnus. "Ah, a fiery spirit," Magnus said, "A noble quality had it not come from such…an inferior creature."
"I am not helping you!"
"Oh but you will," Magnus said leaning closer to Misto's face. He opened his eyes wide and stared deeply into the tux's. "You will help us Mistoffelees. Listen to my voice and focus on my eyes…You will help us to eliminate the Jellicles."
His voice had a soft, almost hypnotic tone to it. Misto found he couldn't tear his gaze away from Magnus's. Suddenly, he felt as if he was being pushed back yet his body wasn't moving. Further and further back, then pressed into a small, comfortable feeling box. He felt like he was in his bed but his mind suddenly clicked as to what was happening.
No, he shouted though his mouth never moved, I won't let you hypnotize me! I won't hurt my friends! But the hypnotizing spell Magnus was placing on him was incredibly strong; though he pushed against with all his might he couldn't break it.
Magnus stopped talking in that tone and asked, "Do you hear me?"
"Yes, I hear you," Misto heard his own voice say. Damn you! Let me out of here!
"Excellent," Magnus said smiling, "Tomorrow I will have a test for you. But for now, you must rest." The hypnotized tux bowed then turned and walked out with the two Mastiffs. Magnus lay down on his bed of blankets and smiled. His plan was working perfectly; he now had the Jellicles greatest advantage under his control. If tomorrow's test was a success, the invasion would soon follow.