A/N: Welcome to Endgame! All the storylines are beginning to fuse as we approach the end of the road with this fic. It's so exciting, because I think this fic has been going for a long time, maybe even a year. Thanks to all those who've read and reviewed, it's much appreciated. I like concrit, so please continue to review and tell me honestly what you think. I've got more stuff on the way, so keep your eyes peeled. Enjoy the chapter, and I promise I won't make you wait as long for the next one.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Cats.
Shameless plug: I've got several rps on the go, and my website has been relaunched. Please come visit!
Chapter 16 - We Could Be Heroes
It had taken a long time, but finally Mistoffelees and his companions had reached London. Now it was the tux who took responsibility for navigation, since he knew the city better. He was much happier now, feeling a lot more cheerful now that he was back home. Although he wasn't completely able to shake off a certain sense of forboding, which was easily attributed to the state the Junkyard had been in when he left it behind. He wondered what Macavity would do, the ginger tom would be livid that he'd vanished, that he was certain of.
Contrarily, Freki had become more silent than ever, and even Diazi was quiet. Her long ears twitched at every sound and she was behaving much more like a rabbit would be expected to behave if there was a fox watching from the distance. The group of animals just carried this air of unease that Mistoffelees seemed oblivious to. It took them longer to gain ground in the city than in the country, because they had less places to hide. Eventually, they found themselves in the field behind the Junkyard.
"Mistoffelees, wait. Before we go to greet your tribe, how will they react to us being here?" Scrofa asked, wrinkling his snout as he fished for scents.
"It depends.If Macavity is still around, it might be more difficult," the tux answered.
"He is not." Situla pointed out, "I checked. The tomcat that is in charge has black fur, spots and a golden mane. He's being helped by two others, one white with black patches and one silver with stripes."
"Munkustrap! He's alive?" Mistoffelees cried out, shocked and amazed. "I need to go in there now."
"You cannot." Freki said, a growl to his voice.
"Why not?"
"Because, we shall not be responsible for returning such a demon as you to the Jellicle tribe. They are a liability as it is."
"Wh- what do you mean?" Mistoffelees stuttered, backing off a bit. Without his magic, he would have no chance to defend himself against the wolf, never mind the other animals too.
"You will soon find out."
Any answer Mistoffelees might have had to that was cut off by the sound of a scream from within the Junkyard. The tux jumped, turning around to see if he could see what was going on.
"It is time. We musst move quickly." Situla urged.
Mistoffelees was panic stricken, contemplating scaling the Junkyard fence when suddenly he wasn't on the ground anymore. He yowled, feeling teeth gripping the scruff of his neck tightly. The wolf had picked him up, like a kitten and he was helpless.
"No! Put me down!" he protested, but it was pointless as Freki ignored him.
The Jellicle tribe were all together for once, although this was no time for celebration. They were huddled together in a haphazard group in the main clearing, each one of them eyeing the cats surrounding them. The kittens looked terrified, and many of the toms looked horrified. Alonzo was sporting a bloody nose, several scratches and bite marks and a rebellious scowl. Munkustrap nursed a nasty gash on his shoulder and a torn ear. A few of the other toms also had signs of injury, the worst off was probably Tumblebrutus, who held his broken arm up across his chest and was on the verge of passing out.
Surrounding the Jellicles was a large circle of toms. These were obviously not ordinary cats, they were all tall and stocky, brown cats with dark tabby markings and yellow eyes. They were the Scottish wildcats and they had struck suddenly, catching the tribe off guard and thus succeeding in subduing them. Their strength lay not only in their numbers, but in their abilities to fight.
"That all of them?"
"Aye. I think so."
"Ye think so? Or you know so?"
"I know so."
The toms talked amongst themselves, thick accents making it difficult to distinguish any one voice. However, the conversation prompted Munkustrap to look around at his tribe. It truly looked like the wildcats had managed to herd every single Jellicle cat, just like a flock of sheep. Except, the fluffiest member of the flock seemed to be missing. Another check confirmed it. The silver tabby shifted closer to Alonzo, nudging him with an elbow to get his attention.
"Ow! Watch it, that hurt," Alonzo hissed, glaring at his friend. Apparently the tabby's elbow had found a nicely bruised rib.
"Sorry. Where's Tugger?" Munkustrap whispered back.
"What? He's right over... oh."
"What are you two queens yapping about?" one of the wildcats demanded suddenly, standing in front of the pair.
"Nothing," Munkustrap replied quickly.
"Disnae look like nothing."
"We were just wondering," Alonzo began, giving Munkustrap a pointed look, "what you were planning on doing with us.
"All in good time, Spot. All in good time." The tom waved a paw airily, walking away from the indignant Alonzo.
"I'll give him 'Spot," the black and white tom growled.
"Calm down. Where the hell is Tugger?" Munkustrap prompted, to drag Alonzo's attention back to important matters.
The maned tom glanced back into the Junkyard one last time, before dropping silently to the ground on the other side of the fence. This was no cowardly flight, he had gone to find help. He'd had a lucky escape, managing to slip past the tom sent to fetch him and run off. He would keep running, until he found someone who could help. He'd even have asked Macavity, if that had been possible.
"Shit, shit, shit." Tugger cursed the whole time, once he was out of earshot of the Junkyard. He kept running, panting now from the exertion and taking random corners to get rid of any tails. He turned one last bend, and stopped dead.
"Uh..." the maned tom managed.
"Can I help you?" the wolf asked.
"Uh... sure. You could start by not eating me."
"I don't like cat. Not enough meat, and too much fluff to be worth bothering about." Freki answered. "You look troubled."
"Understatement of the year," Tugger replied, shrugging. He tried to adopt a casual manner, but it was difficult when faced by a very big dog. Or a wolf. "Actually, maybe you could help. I'd make it worth your while, 'course."
"Depends. I don't help just anyone."
"See, I live in this Junkyard, right, my brother is the Leader of our tribe. We've got into a tight spot with some strange cats, and they kinda need help.You just said you don't eat cats, but you got anything against chasing 'em?"
The wolf shook his head. "Not at all. I might just have what you're looking for. Come with me."
"Thanks," Tugger replied, nodding for Freki to lead the way. "Glad you can help."
"It is my pleasure."
The maned tom followed the wolf to a dark alley a block from the Junkyard. They stopped at the end and Tugger turned to face the wolf again, feeling just a little bit nervous of the larger carnivore.
"Uhm... there's nothing here."
"I know."
"So why'd you-"
The question never got finished, as the wolf lashed out with one heavy front paw, knocking the Tugger down instantly. He groaned, trying to get back up but was hit again and blacked out. Freki picked the fluffy cat up by his scruff and carried him off, dropping him in a large cage beside a small tuxedo cat, who was also out cold.
"Who's that?" Diazi asked, staring curiously at the incredibly fluffy tomcat.
"Jellicle. Brother of the Leader, so he's important to them even if he lacks magic," the wolf answered.
"Ah. So what's next?"
"The wildcats have already moved in on the Junkyard. They want revenge on the Jellicles for introducing magic into domestic cats, as we know. They already suceeded in taking out Macavity, and now they are looking for his son. We cannot let them get to Mistoffelees, whatever the cost. The Jellicles are not strong enough to eliminate the wildcats alone, and we must help them."
"Why?"
"To keep them out of the way. We need Mistoffelees, and they won't give up without a fight. So they will get a fight. Situla, you stay and watch the cats, we're going to go and become heroes."