Erik was shocked. Jenny breathed heavily before recoiling from what she'd done. She staggered backwards. "I … I…" she gabbled, transfixed by the limp body of the henchcat. As they watched the body started to change. His fur started to fall out as if he suffered from mange, but as the ginger clumps dropped to the floor, brown hairs took their place. His body seemed to expand, growing to a larger size. Erik slowly approached the body, turning it over slowly. The face no longer resembled Mungojerrie in the slightest.
While the two cats examined the rapidly cooling body of the imposter, the real Mungojerrie stooped and took Rumpleteazer in his arms. "Come on," the tabby at hissed, gently shaking her. "Wake up." He leaned close and planted a light kiss on her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open. "Mungojerrie?" she asked through parched throat and split lips. "It's me, I came," her mate crooned, cradling her like a helpless kitten. "You came," the queen breathed, smiling before passing out again. Mungojerrie stroked her gently before picking her up gingerly.
The trio hurried down the tunnel as more and more cracks started to appear in the wall. Tamoline came skidding around the corner, accompanied by a sandy Abyssinian tom none of them recognised. "What happened?" Tamoline demanded, but the answer was cut off by a hiss of rage from her companion. "Him!" the tom thundered, baring his claw and glaring at Mungojerrie. "No, no" Tamoline snapped, stepping between the two. "Xerxes, he's not who you think he is. The tom that has been keeping you here was an imposter. Look at the scars he's got." The Abyssinian slowly back down. "You're right," he growled, though he did not take his eyes off Mungojerrie. "Why haven't you left?" Erik asked.
"Two of the prisoners need help," Tamoline explained, gesturing to the forms of four more Cats. One was a small queen kitten with golden brown fur, a broken tabby pattern and tipped ears. She was evidently unconscious. A slightly larger kitten was nudging her to get moving, though he was in no fit state to escape. One leg was kept tenderly off the ground, suggesting a sprain if not a break. The others comprised a matching kitten and adult queen. The kitten was terrified, curled up close to his mother as she licked him tenderly. They were two of the most striking cats Jenny had even seen. Both were ginger, but with thick black stripes, looking for all the world like miniature tigers. The queen looked up at Jenny as her son burrowed into her fur.
"I'm ok, but I can only carry Wiscus here. Can you two help James and Pushdragon?" she asked, indicating the kittens. "Of course," Jenny breathed, picking up the brown kitten. Erik looped on arm around the tom kitten, while the male Abyssinian Tamoline had called Xerxes took the other, helping him to hobble along. Something didn't seem right about the cat, but Erik couldn't put a paw on what it was until he looked back behind them to check on Jenny and Mungojerrie and saw what was wrong. "Where in Bast's name is your tail?" he asked, shocked. "Did they … dock you?" he asked, gesturing to the cat's tailless state. The kitten shook his head, struggling to stay upright against the wave of pain and fatigue assaulting him. "Manx," he whispered in a low voice. "Manx? What do you mean Manx?" Erik demanded. The Abyssinian patted the charcoal cat on the back. "It's his breed. Manx cats don't have tails," he explained softly.
The entrance hall was a mess, injured cats laying in the dirt left and right. Blood stained feathers were scattered all around. Skimble sprang to his feet, waving away Quaxo who was tending to him, as Jenny and the others emerged. The railway cat embraced his mate and nephew before turning to his daughter. "Is she ok?" he asked. Mungojerrie nodded silently, passing the young queen over. Skimble looked down into his daughter's face and tears started to trickle down his face. "Those bas…" the tom's exclamation was cut off by the re-emergence from a back room of Munkustrap, Alonzo and Plato. "Griddlebone got away," the silver Chief Protector spat, before seeing Skimbleshanks holding Rumpleteazer, then Jenny cradling a kitten and finally the other strange cats looking nervously at him. "You got her," the protector breathed. Erik nodded. "And who are these fine felines?" Munkustrap asked, looking at the rescued prisoners. "Prisoners," Tamoline said shortly. "Is this it?" Munkustrap asked. "There were some others that I let out," Tamoline corrected him, looking around for the missing felines. "They're gone," Victor explained. "They couldn't wait to get out of here."
The Jellicles had gotten off very lightly, with the most serious casualty being Augustus, who had had his tail broken. Mungojerrie, Plato, Exotica and Erik walked together as the rescue party returned to The Junkyard. "Thank you for coming," the tabby cat said, nuzzling his friend affectionately. "You should have heard Jemima pleading with her father to let her come," Exotica laughed. Plato and Erik sniggered along with her, the young protector entwining his tail with hers.
The rescuers staggered back into the junkyard, wearied by stress and the battle. Old Deuteronomy, Coricopat and George met them at the gate. "Thank goodness," the leader exclaimed as Skimble carried Rumpleteazer through the entrance. "Is she ok?" The railway cat nodded. "And who do we have here?" the leader asked as the rescued prisoners were led through the gate. The tigeress queen and sandy Abyssinian both bowed low before the famous old Deuteronomy. "Oh don't," he fussed. "We don't but much store on ceremony here." The cats raised their heads. "My name is Pettipaws," the queen introduced herself. "And who is this fine young chap?" Old Deuteronomy asked, looking at the kitten she had with her. The fluffy little tom cowered away. "His name is Wiscus," his mother said, trying to comfort her offspring. "And who are you my good fellow?" Old Deuteronomy continued, turning to the tom. "Xerxes sir," the sandy cat replied. "Don't call me sir," laughed Old Deuteronomy. "And are these two yours?" he asked. "No. My name is James Buz-James," the tailless kitten introduced himself. "Her name is Pushdragon," he said, indicating the still sleeping golden brown kitten.
Pushdragon, James Buz-James and Rumpleteazer where installed in the medical den, with Jenny and Jelly tending to them constantly. The female kitten woke up two days later and practically clawed Jenny' eyes out trying to escape until Mungojerrie stopped her and allowed the distraught kitten to realise that she was no longer a captive. The young tom never left the den, staying by Rumpleteazer's bedside day and night. Erik was starting to worry about his friend. The ginger cat hadn't eaten for some time and his health seemed to ebb and flow with Rumpleteazer's.
Just a quick explanation of the names. James Buz-James is mentioned in the poem "The Addressing of Cats." Xerxes, Pettipaws, Wiscus and Pushdragon were all names of T S Elliots cats in real life.
James Buz-James, Pettipaws, Wiscus and Pushdragon are all more unusual breeds. James Buz-James is (as mentioned) a Manx, a breed of tailless cat native to the Isle of Man. Pushdragon is a Chinese breed called a Dragon Li. Pettipaws and Wiscus are Toygers, a breed of domestic cat bred to resemble miniature tigers.
Finally, the story has just passed 1000 views. Thank to all of you who have continued reading, and put up with me, up to this point, and please continue to enjoy.