Chapter 9
Munkustrap made his way quietly through the numerous piles of junk into the shady district of the Yard. He knew very well of how dangerous it was to be there alone, but he needed to locate a certain cat. If he could locate this cat and get him on his side, the cat could help get him and the rescue party close to Macavity's lair.
Clearing his throat, Munkustrap looked around. Then he spoke loudly: "Admetus…are you there? I need your help with something of the utmost importance."
Upon hearing his name, Admetus emerged from an upturned table, but remained hidden so Munkustrap could only see his silhouette. "What the hell are you doing here, Munkustrap?" he asked hostilely. "Leave this vicinity at once! You should know full well that you're not welcome here and that it's not safe – there are cats here who won't even give you the time of day."
"Look, I do know that, but I'm in desperate need of your help," Munkustrap implored him, "My daughter and my niece have been captured by Macavity. I have a search party ready to find them and rescue them, but we do not know where Macavity's current location is."
Admetus stepped out of the shadows. His eyes were dark and a wicked sneer had formed on his face. "Oh, I know perfectly well that your precious little daughter and her cousin went missing. Unlike you, I do not miss a single thing that goes on in this Junkyard," he taunted the Jellicle Protector. "I will help you, but you know the drill; pay up first."
Munkustrap gave a low hiss and handed Admetus a pound of catnip. "Here, this is the best I can get. If you want more, I'll get you more; but that will have to wait until Jade and Blaire are returned here safe and sound." Admetus dipped a claw into the catnip and licked it. "This will suffice, my friend." He wrapped a paw around Munkustrap's shoulder and laughed at the silver tabby's apparent disgust.
"I will aid you, but I will be in command," he spat. "I shall lead the group. You and all the other toms will listen to me and take orders from me. If that seems unreasonable, I should inform you that I am the only one who knows the terrain as well as the Mystery Cat himself. If you want to survive and save your kin, listen to me. Now leave me– I have to make a plan. I will come and get you when I am ready."
Munkustrap's eyes widened. He asked angrily "How long will that be….we can't afford to wait. Macavity will kill them"
Admetus glared at Munkustrap and bared his teeth. "He won't kill them, trust me. Macavity doesn't like to kill his captives right away. He just keeps them for company until he… how shall I say it? Until he tires of them."
The keys fell to the ground with a loud clatter, causing Macavity to jump a good two feet in the air. He glared at Frisk O'Malley, who was currently trying to open the door to Jade's cell. The trio had had recent success getting Blaire out, but for some reason they'd hit a snag with Jade's door. "So sorreh Monsieur Mac, ze keys are no' working. Are you sure you grabbed ze right ones?"
"Yes I'm absolutely sure they're the right keys, I took them from the Guard's belt when he was sleeping," Macavity answered nervously. "You're dearly mistaken, old Maccy boy," Macavity, along with Bella, Frisk and Blaire spun around, coming face to face with a Siamese tom.
"Gilbert, what are you doing here?" Macavity hissed, pushing Blaire behind him. Gilbert let out a low and evil cackle. Next to Joker and Macavity, he was the worst feline to walk the streets of London.
He was the cat who had succeeded in overthrowing Growltiger and his crew, sending them to a watery death. "Your brother suspected that you were planning something behind his back, so he gave the guard the wrong set of keys and told
me to come down and keep an eye on you."
Macavity's eyes went wide in an uneasy emotion. To Gilbert, it seemed that the emotion Macavity felt was actually fear. But whatever the emotion was, it was gone in a flash "How did he find out? I made sure I never breathed a word of my plan to anyone!"
"Over the years, during night-time, Joker would sneak into your room and read your mind, just to make sure you were being faithful. Much to his disappointment, he saw bits and pieces of your little plan. He was also able to see into your heart."
Macavity shot glance over his shoulder to the two calicos, who smiled weakly. "So I guess I'm a dead cat, right?"
Gilbert played with his nails, apparently in solid boredom. "No…but by the time he's done with you, you'll wish you were…and the same goes for your two little friends. For the kittens, well, you can imagine what his plans are for them."
"Oh, and another favor Joker asked me was to make sure you would not put up a fight when he came to get you. He wanted you to look well enough when you're brought to your new cell."
Gilbert reached over his shoulder and pulled out a silver tipped blade, stepping closer to the three cats. "Now, do you or any of your side show freaks have any final words?" Macavity pushed Blaire further behind him, passing her over to Bella and Frisk. "Get her out of here – I'll handle him. Get Jade and I'll meet you outside!"
When they didn't move Macavity raised his eyebrows and snapped "Now!"
They quickly ran out.
"Nooo… why did you have to send them away? I really liked their company, plus I wanted an audience," Gilbert smirked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"I sent them away so they could get a head start towards our hideout," Macavity answered, taking a threatening step forward. "Now shut up and prepare to die."
Macavity and Gilbert circled each other, both waiting for the other to spring. "Come on Gilbert, show me what ya got, you foreign piece of scum!" Macavity incited him.
"As you wish." Gilbert let out a growl and lunged at Macavity, clawing him and scratching his chest, leaving deep claw marks. Macavity hissed in pain and reached out, grabbing Gilbert by the wrist. He lifted him above his head and threw him against the wall. Gilbert slammed hard against it and dropped to the ground.
Gilbert lay motionless. Cautiously, Macavity made his way over to the tom's side. "I was kind of hoping for something more out of you, Gil." At that moment Gilbert opened his eyes and lashed out at Macavity, causing him to stumble backwards.
The Siamese took the opportunity and flew at Macavity, digging his claws into his chest "You're finished! Your little plan to be the Hero has failed miserably." Macavity sank to his knees, eyes going wide, his body screaming in pain.
"Such a shame, though, I was expecting more of a fight out of you, Old boy, but I guess you've gotten too soft," Gilbert sneered. Gilbert retracted his claws, letting Macavity fall to the ground, blood seeping out of the wounds. The Siamese laughed maliciously and turned away from the fallen tom. "Goodbye, Macavity," he chuckled, starting to walk away.
It was the unwisest move he could've made.
Macavity, with his white chest soaked through with the scarlet hue of blood, lurched upwards and hooked an arm round Gilbert's neck. The Siamese tom's eyes went wide and he tried to pull away, but Macavity only pulled his grip tighter. "Give my regards to my brother….When you see him in Hell" He whispered in Gilbert's ear. Then he promptly snapped his neck, killing him.
Macavity leaned down next to the dead tom and grabbed the keys for the cell door holding Jade. As he walked over to it, he said under his breath "Time to get you and your cousin back home"
"I'm worried, Monsieur Frisk. Macavity should've been 'ere by now, maybe 'e needs help" Bella asked her partner while they waited for Macavity "I don' kno' Madame Bella. But I assure you, he will be fin'. He can handle 'imself"
"Is my cousin going to alright" Blaire looked up at the two cats with uncertainty. "Why don't you ask her yourself little one" The Trio Turned to see the ginger tom stalking through the brush and a little calico kit beside him
"JADE!" Blaire squealed running to her cousin and tackling her to the ground, causing the others to laugh. Frisk walked over to Macavity's side and asked him "Are y' alright, Mac?" The ginger tom sneered "Of course, I am. Gilbert may have been strong, but he made one fatal mistake"
"What was tha', Mac?" inquired Bella.
"He let his guard down"