Munkustrap was forced to explain the situation to the rest of the Jellicle tribe, who reacted as you expect to the news that not only the most feared pirate any of them had ever heard of was still on the loose, but the most feared serial killer might well be so as well.
Several days passed. Since news of Growltiger and Firefrorefiddle possible continued existence had hit, Munkustrap had put the Junkyard on lockdown. Most significantly, the old bunker had been reopened. The Bunker was a huge den, comprising many rooms and corridors, that had been carved out under the junkyard by a generation of Jellicles long past. The entire tribe had been instructed to leave their dens and move into the communal space, making protecting them easier. Only the adults were venturing outside for the odd spot of hunting, bringing back their kills to be shared with the other cats.
Erik chaffed at the confinement. He loathed being forced to hide like this. There was a rapping on the concealed trapdoor that led down to the den, three sharp raps followed by a short silence then two more knocks. The correct code having been knocked, Erik undid the multiple heavy bolts that held the man hole cover in place, swinging the door inside the tunnel. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer clambered inside, sacks bulging with stolen goods. Munkustrap and the others had softened their usually harsh view of their cat burglar ways ever since the thieves had started hauling in goods that the others couldn't get their paws on. This mainly consisted of milk and fish, along with various supplies that couldn't be scavenged from the junkyard such as medical supplies for Jenny. Their greatest contribution had been a large box of Christmas lights, which had been suspended throughout the otherwise pitch black den and powered by Quaxo and the other mystical cats.
"What have you got?" Erik asked his friends. Mungojerrie groaned as he clicked a crick in his neck. "Fish, milk, cream. We managed to steal a couple of chickens and a rabbit, along with some more disinfectant for Jenny." The tabby heaved his sack onto his back. "If anyone tells you thieving is an easy way to make a living, please direct them towards me and Rumpleteazer so we can teach them a lesson," the cat groaned as his mate and he carried off down the passage way. Erik heaved at the trapdoor with all his considerable strength, slamming it shut and securely bolting it.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer entered the large communal meeting space, like a much smaller, underground version of the main clearing above ground. The kittens were there already, playing and tumbling with each other while Old Deuteronomy, Jellyorum and Jennyanydots looked on. Rumpleteazer had recently managed to obtain some balls for the kittens to play with, and the little fur balls loved it. Etcetera slid along the compacted ground, chasing a bright green tennis ball that had been thrown by her brother Pouncival. The kit missed the catch, causing the ball to collide with a grumpy looking Rum Tum Tugger. He picked the ball of the ground, giving it a look as if it had personally insulted his mane.
The kittens, male ones included, squealed in delight, racing towards their favourite uncle. The Maine Coon laughed as they surrounded him. "How things?" he asked, shooting the kittens a dashing grin. Tumblebrutus stalked over towards Rumpleteazer. "It's pathetic," he muttered. Mungojerrie chuckled. Rumpleteazer frowned. "What's wrong?" she asked her cousin. "They're playing nicely and everything, then he has to come along and ruin it," the young adult snarled. "He's not even that great. All he's got is a stupid mane and some flashy dance moves." Suddenly Mungojerrie had an idea. "How would you like to spoil his fun?" the tabby asked. The acrobat's face lit up with an evil smile Mungo recognised from Rumpleteazer. This was going to be great.
The kittens were pawing at Tugger when suddenly the lights went dark. They started panicking, running around. Soon almost the entire tribe had entered into the central clearing, worried by the cutting out of the lights. At that moment a spot light, consisting of an old railway lantern operated by Plato, shone into being. Mungojerrie's voice echoed through the cavern. "May all kittens be upstanding and allow me to introduce the marvellous … the magical … Mr Mistoffelees!" With a flash of light and a loud bang, Quaxo suddenly stood in the spotlight, his fur glittering with magical energy. Most mystical cats, such as Coricopat, Tamoline and to a lesser extent their sisters, were secretive sorts, but Quaxo loved putting on shows for the other cats, having even invented the stage name "Mr Mistoffelees," to make himself sound more like a stage magician.
"Presto," the tuxedo cat declared, sending a bolt of lightning streaking across the cavern. The kittens cheered in delight, Tugger driven from their minds. Quaxo normally had three white legs, but he often used magic to alter his appearance. He was now almost entirely black, from his ears to the tip of his tail, with only his white face and chest marking remaining. "I require some volunteers," he said, resulting in every kitten raising their paws. Seven cats selected, Mistoffelees then had them huddle together and with a gesture, caught an old pot tossed to him by Rumpleteazer. From inside he produced a stream of rainbow cloth, which he wrapped around the cats. With a glow of light, the fabric went limb as they disappeared from within. The remaining cats gasped in amazement. Mungojerrie then handed the tuxedo tom a top hat. Mistoffelees seized a length of the rainbow pattern cloth and threw it over the top of the hat. He flashed a grin to Victoria, sitting in the audience that had gathered to watch, and removed the cloth with a flourish. There in the hat sat one of the cats. He repeated this six more times, until all seven cats had returned.
Mistoffelees bowed low as applause filled the cavern and the lights returned with a clap of his paws. The audience cheered and clapped as he took a bow. Coricopat clapped his friend on the back, congratulating him on the impressive trick. Suddenly, a cruel evil laugh filled the cavern. "Macavity," screamed Demeter, swiftly gathering her kits to her. Every cat ducked low to the ground, sniffing for the villain. The worse hit was Tumblebrutus. He fell to his knees, pawing at his ears and hissing in pain. "Get him out, get him out," the young tom whimpered as he twitched. Suddenly he started to convulse as if having a fit. Sparks started to fly from his frame and his fur started to flow as if made of light, changing colour like kaleidoscope.
Quaxo, Coricopat and Tamoline seized the thrashing tom. "He's going into into magically induced shock," Tamoline declared to the others as they held him down for her to force some herbs into his mouth. "Magically induced shock?" Quaxo asked. "It's a sort of fit," Coricopat explained. Happens when latently mystical cats suddenly erupt into power." Quaxo shook his head in confusion. "So is … is Tumblebrutus a mystical cat?" he asked. "I don't know," Coricopat answered. "An attack like this would usually be brought on deliberately by a magical cat, or else as a side effect of a magical attack." "But there's no one here," Quaxo exclaimed. "But there is … a presence," Tamoline muttered as what felt like a pressure wave pressed against the inside of her and Coricopat's laugh rang out again. "You have been meddling!" it cried, filling every nook and cranny, "In things which should have been left alone!" He paused for another evil cackle. "I you think the Napoleon of Crime was bad, just you wait until you have to deal with THE FIEND!"