Mr. Mistoffelees was sleeping on a sun-warmed car, when his ears began to
twitch at the sound of his name being called by Munkustrap. He decided to
ignore it at first, because he had just fallen asleep, but when Munkustrap’s
voice became louder and more intense, he realized that he should get up.
Yawning and giving his head a little shake he proceeded to stand up, when he
noticed that someone was next to him. He glanced down to his side to find
Jemima asleep, her head on his white chest. She must have appeared there,
right after he fell asleep. He licked her head gently. Her ears twitched
some, but she didn’t wake up. So, he called to her softly,
“ Jemima.” she woke up then. When she noticed that he had found her lying
next to him she became embarrassed, for she was hoping to leave before he
awoke. She didn’t want anyone to know that she had a thing for him.
“ Oh, I- I’m sorry,” she stuttered. He gave her a reassuring smile to let
her know that it was all right.
“ Mistoffelees!!” Munkustrap’s voice seemed to echo through the Junk Yard.
“ Is that why you woke me up?” Jemima asked looking at him wide-eyed. He
gave her a small nod, and she stood up. “ Well I guess you had better see
what he wants,” she said giving herself a stretch.
Once again he gave her a
small nod, and got up himself. He stretched, then took off in the direction
of Munku’s voice. When he reached where Munkustrap was, he was sitting atop
an old washer, the other male cats sitting in a semi circle below him,
waiting with very little patience for the kitten who was almost an adult cat
to show up.
“ You wanted to see me?” Mistoffelees asked after he’d sat next to
Coricopat. Munkustrap was about to scold the younger cat on responsibility,
but stopped when he found he had every male cats’ attention.
“ I called you all here to inform you that Macavity cat-napped Sootaput
last night.” He paused for a moment before continuing.
“ Rumpleteazer came to me this morning, after she saw Macavity taking young
Soot into his home. Now, I believe that he did this, because he lost
Mungojerrie, and he knows that Soot would be very easy to lead on, as was
Jerrie, but we can’t lose a soon to be Jellicle to him. Now, Rumpleteazer
has told me where I can find him, and I want you all to come with me,
because I know he will put up a fight, before handing over Sootaput. We
leave in a few minutes, so stay in close range of my voice,” he said looking
at Mistoffelees.
“ That’s all. You may go now,” he said and they all began to slink away, “
Except for you Misto.” Mistoffelees stopped in his tracks, and looked
behind him to Munkustrap, who was watching him.
“ Yes?” Mistoffelees asked as he started to walk back to Munku. Munkustrap
waited until the other cats were out of sight before speaking.
“ Mistoffelees, lately you’ve been running off, a couple of seconds before
Macavity’s been showing up. I mean you know that he’s coming before the
twins even know. How is that possible? It seems to me that you have some
sort of connection with him. Almost, like you know what move he’s going to
make, before he make’s it,” he stopped and gave Mistoffelees a chance to
explain himself.
“ Well I- I guess I’ve just been getting these feelings that let me know
that he’s coming. I don’t know why,” he said looking to the dirt floor
beneath him. He knew he was lying, but he couldn’t tell Munkustrap the
truth about how he knew of Macavity’s comings. He didn’t want to get kicked
out of the Jellicles, which he knew he would if he told the truth.
“ Well, I guess it’s just your powers that are giving you those feelings,”
Munkustrap said and Mistoffelees looked up to see if he really meant what he
was saying. From what Misto could tell, he did. “ You may go now,” Munku
said and Misto began to walk away, but then Munku stopped him again and
said,
“ Let me give you some advice, get some sleep tonight when you go home.”
Mistoffelees forced a chuckle, as Munkustrap began to laugh lightly, then
walked off. Mistoffelees went to consult with Rumpleteazer, who was
probably with the still healing Mungojerrie in Coricopat’s and Tantomile’s
chamber. He found her there along with Tantomile.
When Tantomile saw him
she gave him a sweet, mysterious, but sweet smile. He smiled back at her.
“ Um, Tant, I know this is your place, most of the time, but may I speak
with Rumple alone. Please?” She studied his face, then nodded and left
them. Rumple looked at him, mild confusion on her face, then she knew, what
he needed to talk about.
“ Does ‘e know?” she asked walking over to where he sat.
“ Not yet, but he’ll probably find out pretty soon,” he said glancing over
at the sleeping Jerrie. “ How’s he doing?”
“ Better,” she replied solemnly.
“ Misto, you can’t keep this a secret. You’ve got to take the chance of
getting kicked out of the Jellicles and tell Munku that you worked for
Macavity,” she said rubbing her head on his shoulder.
“ I know, I know, but I love the Jellicles and I don’t want to have to
leave.”
“ And my Jerrie, wanted to become one so bad, that he confronted Macavity
by ‘imself. Now look at ‘im. Do you want that to ‘appen to you?”
Mistoffelees looked over to Jerrie again. He saw how badly torn up he was,
and he recalled how badly he himself was torn up after he told Macavity off.
Then he said quietly,
“ It already has.” Rumple looked up at him, pain shining in her dark brown
eyes. Jerrie began to whimper and Taezer went over to him and began to
lick his ears, as Misto silently slipped out of the chamber.
Victoria was in a playful mood when she watched Misto come out of the pipe,
on which she sat. She got herself into pouncing position, then made her
move. She landed on his back, and that made him fall over to his side. She
began to giggle triumphantly, until he twisted around and gave her a loud
hiss, which startled her and she scurried off to hide underneath a box. He
realized what had happened and went to apologize to her, but Munku’s voice
once again rang out through the Junk Yard. So Misto said real quick and
loud enough for her to hear,
“ Sorry Victoria,” and hurried off to find Munkustrap. She came out from
under the box and watched him run off. He didn’t have to run far, for he
found the large gray and black tabby sitting on top of an old dresser about
15 ft. away from the pipe.
“ Well now this is a surprise, you’re the first one here, instead of the
last.” Misto looked to the ground, which he was getting very comfortable
with that day. When the other males started showing up, he lifted his head
again. Munku began to speak when the very last cat showed up, which
happened to be Tugger this time.
“ Now I’ve been giving this some thought, we need to break up into two
groups, and come from different directions to catch Macavity off guard. I
will be head of the first group and—,”he paused to glance around at the
faces before him, his eyes coming to rest on the black and white face of
Alonzo, “ Alonzo you will be head of the second group. You will take them
through the back alley, which will lead you straight to Macavity’s side
door. But, you’ll have to wait for my group to show up, because it will
take us a little longer to get there. Is that clear?” All the cats nodded
in agreement. “ All right then, let’s go.”
“ I’m coming with you,” Rumpletaezer’s voice shot through like a bullet as
she ran up to join the group. Munku began to object, then realized she
might be of good use.
“ Okay, Alonzo, let Taezer lead your group. Understood?” Alonzo nodded,
and they were off. Misto decided to go with Taezer.
“ I shouldn’t be coming with you guys, Macavity doesn’t know that I’m a
Jellicle.”
“ You’re kiddin’,” Rumpletaezer scoffed.
“ No, that’s why I’ve been taking off before he shows up. I don’t want to
get caught. Listen, I need to go find Deuteronomy and tell him this. Tell
Munku that for me; if he asks where I’m at.” With that Misto was off to
find Old Deuteronomy on the vicarage wall.
“ He’ll be all right,” Bom said as she lied down next to her on an overly
large pillow. Demeter had her head on her paws, and sighed when Bombalurina
said that. Bom began to lick Demeter’s ears when Electra came up to them.
Tears in her black eyes.
“ What’s the matter sweetie?” Demeter asked when Electra came to sit before
the two adult females. Bombalurina was still grooming Demeter’s ears when
Electra said,
“ I hope my daddy will make it back okay.”
“ Oh, honey, he’ll make it back just fine. You’ll see.” Demeter said and
she got up to lie next to her. Bombalurina reassured her also by saying,
“ Skimble won’t fight if he doesn’t have to. There are nine other males
with him and Munku,” she also got up to lie on the other side of her.
Electra felt a little better, and began to purr a little, as she rubbed her
head on Bombalurina’s chest. Both of the adult females began to purr with
her and they were soon asleep.
Tumblebrutus nodded and went to the side of the building to watch. From
inside the building helpless scowls from Sootaput could be heard, and every
cat wished that they didn’t have to hear it. Pouncival went to join
Tumblebrutus, and all of the other males lowered their heads. Rumpletaezer
looked to see who all was with her. She already knew she had Tumblebrutus
and Pouncival, then she saw that she had Alonzo, Admetus, and Coricopat
along with her. So, that meant Munkustrap had Tugger, Skimble, Asparagus,
and Quaxo with him.
“ He’s here,” Pouncival said barely above a whisper.
“ Okay, follow me,” Rumpletaezer said, then jumped through a broken window.
The others followed her through, and they all silently crept through the
house in search of Macavity.
Alonzo moved in with Munku, and they both pounced on Macavity at the same
time. He roared out in pain as teeth and claws pierced his skin through his
orange and black fur. Macavity ‘the mystery cat,’ had finally been taken
off guard. Sootaput had collapsed in the corner, and the cats saw that she
was badly beaten. Macavity knew the only way for him to escape was to
levitate, but as soon as he tried, Rumpletaezer jumped on him knocking him
to the floor, then she, Munkustrap, and Alonzo proceeded to fight Macavity.
Skimbleshanks had grabbed Sootaput, up in his mouth, then handed her to
Coricopat and told him to take her to his chamber. He did what he was told
and left the building.
Rumpletaezer had been thrown off of Macavity, but
Quaxo took her place. Macavity began to flash, as he weakened and the cats
watched in awe and confusion. When Munkustrap got a hold of Macavity’s
throat, he realized that he was limp, so he dropped him. Munku backed away
from Macavity, and the other two did the same. Macavity’s breathing
lessened, then it stopped. The Jellicles began to look at one another,
then, as they turned to face Macavity again, he disappeared. The cats
stayed in there place dumbfounded, and shocked, until a lady came and scared
them all back to the Junk Yard.
“ I need to talk to you about something important.”
“ Go ahead, I’m listening,” Old Deuteronomy said as he lied down.
Mistoffelees looked down to him as he began to speak.
“ You and Munkustrap let me join the Jellicles without knowing that I once
worked for Macavity.” Old Deuteronomy looked up at Misto, and said,
“ You did, why?”
“ Well, I was the new kitten on the block, and Macavity was the first cat
that I met. I found out that he had special powers, and I told him I wanted
them too. He told me that I could have them, if I would work for him. You
know terrorize a Peke or Pollicle here, and steal some meats there. I knew
it was wrong, but I wanted those powers and wanted to be liked so much that
I agreed. I was only 6 months old at the time, and I worked for him up
until you guys let me in, when I was 8 months old. I had finally got my
powers when I was 7 months old. Although about two weeks after I met him, I
met Victoria and Jemima, and they introduced me to all of the Jellicles,
except for you of course. I asked them what a Jellicle was and they told
me. I liked the idea, and I saw that I’d have a lot more friends than just
one, I told Macavity that I wasn’t going to work for him anymore, he
threatened to take my powers away, but he couldn’t, so he beat me very badly
instead. I would’ve died if the little girl of the family that I lived with
hadn’t found me,” he looked away so Deuteronomy wouldn’t see the tears in
his black eyes.
“ Mistoffelees, why didn’t you tell us this before?”
“ I didn’t want to get kicked out of the Jellicles,” Misto mewed softly.
“ That’s understandable, but that does not excuse you from not telling us,”
Mistoffelees sniffed a little and Old Deuteronomy continued. “ Look at me
my child,” Misto turned to face his benevolent leader, “ I forgive you, and
I’m sure that the other Jellicles will to, but you must tell them, and
apologize to them, and to Munku for lying to us, and keeping this a secret
from everyone.” Mistoffelees nodded and was about to leave when Deuteronomy
placed his paw on his tail. Misto turned around confused, as Deuteronomy
took his paw off of his tail, then he looked in the direction that Old
Deuteronomy was looking and saw Munkustrap coming up to them. He jumped on
the wall and was surprised to see Mistoffelees there.
“ Misto, how did you get here so fast?”
“ I didn’t go with you guys.”
“ You disobeyed me, why?”
“ He came to talk to me, Munkustrap. It’s okay,” Deuteronomy said as Munku
sat down by Mistoffelees. “ What did you want to see me for?”
“ Well we went to rescue Sootaput from Macavity, because he had cat-napped
her.”
“ Did you get her back?” Misto asked.
“ Yes, we did, and me, Alonzo, Quaxo, and Rumpletaezer defeated him, and
then he disappeared. Do you have any idea where he may have gone?”
Munkustrap asked watching Deuteronomy’s face.
“ Yes as a matter of fact I do. I didn’t think it would actually happen,
but it did. He’s been trapped in a place called the Darkside Core. It’s
like the Heavyside Layer, only it’s the total opposite it’s a place of
torture, and you cannot come back for another life once you enter the
Core.”
“ So, that means Macavity’s gone forever?” Munkustrap said very excitedly.
“ Yes,” Old Deuteronomy said smiling.
“ But there is one manner of business we need to take care of right away,
isn’t there Mistoffelees?”
“ Yes there is,” Misto said looking down to the grass below the wall and
jumped down. Old Deuteronomy followed, then Munkustrap. All three of them
headed back to the Junk Yard saying nothing.
Then Deuteronomy told the twins that they needed to be outside. They nodded
and followed them out. Then Munkustrap started to call out to all of the
other Jellicle cats, as Mistoffelees helped Deuteronomy onto the tire, then
joined him up there. When the Jellicles were all there, Munkustrap turned
to Old Deuteronomy, then sat next to Etcetera. Deuteronomy told the cats
that Mistoffelees had something he needed to tell them. He looked at Misto,
and Misto looked at him then to the group of Jellicles whom he loved dearly,
and began to speak.
“ There is something that all of you must know, I worked for Macavity
before I joined you guys.”
“ What?” the group exclaimed, but then grew silent again to let Misto
finish.
“ I am very sorry for lying to you guys, but I’m very sorry for lying to
Old Deuteronomy and to Munkustrap, the two cats that let me in the group. I
hope you all will accept my apology and let me stay in the group,” he walked
over to his leader and said, “ Can you forgive me Old Deuteronomy?”
“ Yes, I forgive you my son.” Misto then turned to Munkustrap and said,
“
Do you forgive me Munkustrap?” Munkustrap looked from Deuteronomy to
Mistoffelees and said,
“ Yes I forgive you.”
Lastly he turned to the group
of cats and asked them the same question,
“ Do you forgive me Jellicle
Cats?” The cats looked at each other, then back to Mistoffelees and Rum Tum
Tugger began to sing.
“ Oh well, I never was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr.
Mistofelees?” Then the whole group began to sing, “ Oh well I never was
there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees.”
Then Tugger
asked, “ Does that answer your question?”
Mr. Mistoffelees answered him with tears in his eyes, “ Thank you.” Then
they all began to sing again as they let him into the group one more time.
Macavity was gone, and Mistoffelees got to stay, a cat couldn’t have asked
for a better day.
