Chapter 1: The Jellicle Abduction

Mungojerrie skipped down the road toward his home at the Victoria Grove mansion in a frenzy of excitement. He was a rather handsome young tom; his fur was marked with black, orange, cream, white, and ginger. His hazel eyes glittered in the moonlight, as did the sliver charms set in his blue collar. He carried a bracelet in his paw.
“Wot’d you think o’ that ‘ousebreak?” he asked. His voice was laden with a rich Cockney accent. 	
“It wos a lot o’ fon!” his twin sister, Rumpleteazer, told him. Her voice was also laden with that same Cockney accent. “We su’ sca’d that lady, didn’ we?”
Rumpleteazer looked very similar to her twin brother, as you may have guessed. Her coat was marked in the same colors, but with a good deal less black. Her mischievous eyes were sparkly, like Jerrie’s, only brown, and she was a trifle smaller than Mungojerrie.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were a notorious couple of cats. They were known for being knockabout clowns, quick-change comedians, tightrope walkers, and acrobats. They had an extensive reputation, and they made their home in a grand mansion called Victoria Grove. However, this was merely their center of operations, for they were incurably given to rove. They also had a wonderful way of working together.
They were also known for being thieves and pranksters. For example, when the family they lived with at Victoria Grove assembled for Sunday dinner, the cook would appear from behind the scenes and say in a voice that was broken with sorrow, “I’m afraid you must wait and have dinner tomorrow. For the joint has gone from the oven like that!” Then the family would shake their heads and say, “It’s that horrible cat! Was it Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer?” And then, most of the time, they’d leave it at that.

Mungojerrie skipped along, admiring the clear, lovely night. Suddenly he stopped short, causing Rumpleteazer to run smack into him.
“Owwie! Wot’d ya do tha’ fo’?” Rumpleteazer asked, pushing herself off her twin’s back. Mungojerrie wasn’t paying attention.
“Do ya smell tha’?” Mungo asked. “It smells loike a…Poll’cle!”
“Nope,” Teazer said, sniffing the air for the scent of a dog, or Pollicle, as the Jellicle cats often called them. “Don’ smell anythin’.”
Mungojerrie advanced into a dark side street, much to his sister’s obvious dismay.
“Jerrie!” she hissed uneasily. “Get outta the’! Ya neva know when a Poll’cle’s gonna jump out a’ ya!”
But Mungojerrie was more curious than afraid. He kept advancing, ignoring Teazer’s protests.
Rumpleteazer moaned softly to herself when her brother disappeared into the inky blackness. She didn’t want to go into that dark ally, but she didn’t want to be out on this dark street alone, and she certainly didn’t want Mungo to be in that even darker back street by himself. She took a small, frightened step forward.
“Jerrie?” she said in a soft, rather scared voice. She was slowly advancing in the direction Mungo had gone, when suddenly…
Wot 'n the bloody ‘Eavisoide wos that!
Then Teazer recognized the sound: a bark, a growl, and some crashing sounds followed by Mungojerrie’s rarely heard scream. Too frightened to know whether to go forward or back, Rumpleteazer jumped forward. All she could think of was that scream. Only something serious could’ve possibly caused it, otherwise, Mungo wouldn’t have screamed like that. It wasn’t like him to scream so high-pitched out of mere surprise. Shout a bit maybe, but not shriek like that.
“Mungo! Mungojerrie!” she called. “Whe’ a’ ya?”
The only reply she got was a soft moan from farther ahead. 
“Jerrie!” she called again. “Is tha’ you?”
Again, she only heard a quiet moan. It sounded enough like Jerrie to persuade her to creep towards the sound. She was horrified to find her twin lying in a puddle of water, on his back, and not moving.
“Mungojerrie!” she cried, racing to him. She tenderly licked his face, and finally he woke up and gently swatted her away.
“Shhhh!” he admonished softly. Rumpleteazer was so relieved that she couldn’t help but let out one of the giggles that were another thing she was known for.
“Shhhh!” Mungo said again, struggling to his feet. Rumpleteazer slapped a paw over her mouth, trying to muffle the sound of her own laughter. What if the dog should hear her and come back? Mungojerrie lent a hand and covered her mouth with one of his own paws. Teazer was finally able to stop giggling. Once he was sure Teazer would keep quiet, Mungo took his paw away from her mouth and shook water from his coat, shivering.
“I’s bloomin’ col’ ou’ ‘ere,” he said. “Le’s go.”
They hurried to Victoria Grove and were relieved to find the master and mistress asleep. Mungojerrie was so relieved he let out an audible sigh.
“A’ ya sleepy?” Teazer asked.
“Koinda,” Mungo said. He sat in front of the fire, with Rumpleteazer leaning against him, until he fell asleep. Teazer had a harder time with it, though the fire was relaxing, especially with her twin brother safely and protectively by her side. She contented herself with snuggling as close as possible to her sleeping brother, until at last the sound of his breathing lulled her to sleep. When the early morning sun’s rays woke her up, she put on her special Woolworth pearl necklace that Mungo had given her quite awhile back and looked around for Mungo. She finally found him in the stream nearby, for some reason having decided to take a bath. She started giggling, for she knew how much Mungojerrie hated getting a bath! Every time he knew it was coming, he would try to saunter away. But when he was caught, it was something of a sight.
“An’ wot, may Oi ask, is so fonny?” he asked as he climbed out. Rumpleteazer just laughed harder as Jerrie shook out his coat, causing it to fluff up, and licked it down smooth. Mungojerrie sighed and walked up the path to the mansion still trying to smooth down his fur. Rumpleteazer regained control over herself and caught up to him as he was walking inside.
“I gotta know one thing. Wot made ya decoide ta take a bath?” she asked. Mungojerrie sat in front of the fire, drying himself.
“Las’ noight,” he said simply. “Oi got koinda beat up, an’ fig’a’d that if Oi didn’t give meself a bath, mistress’d do it fo’ me, so Oi jus’ did it moiself.”
“Oi see,” Rumple said, trying her best not to giggle. Only a small laugh managed to escape her.
“So wot we gonna do taday?” she asked, quickly changing the subject and hoping her twin hadn’t noticed the giggle.
“Oi koinda thought we’d go down ta Kensington Square,” Mungo said thoughtfully. Teazer jumped up and down in circles around Jerrie. 
Teazer was excited. They’d be almost sure of seeing one or two of their friends at Kensington Square!
“Quit that ‘oppin’ an’ le’s get goin’,” Mungo said playfully, slipping into his vest. “Oi’m droi now.”
As they neared the square, they caught sight of a reddish-colored queen named Bombalurina and her cousin Demeter sitting there chatting. Mungojerrie couldn’t help but sigh to himself. He and Demeter weren’t exactly what you’d call friendly with each other. Demeter was one of those who suspected him of being an agent for Macavity, so she stayed away from him and often shot indirect insults at him, and Mungo resented that and shunned her because of it.
“’Oi!” Teazer called. Bombalurina and her cousin turned and saw them. Demeter turned away, but not before Mungojerrie caught her rolling her eyes at him. He gave her a small scowl in return, as if to say I’m not the bad guy here! 
“Hi,” Bombalurina greeted. “Did you hear about the jewel heist in town?”
“No,” Mungojerrie said frankly, knowing the female just barely well enough to know that she was going to go into detail. Demeter shot him a meaningful look. Mungo simply turned away. It was the kind of look that told him she thought he was guilty. Though he knew he hadn’t stolen the valuables, he also knew he’d never be able to convince Demeter.
“Is ana’one else ‘ungry?” Rumpleteazer asked when Bomby had finished with her explanations.
“Oi am,” Mungo offered. He’d completely forgotten about breakfast. 
“Well why don’t you steal something then? I’m sure you could do that the best,” Demeter said. She shot him another meaningful look. Mungo just gave her a look of defiance in reply as Demeter’s cousin tugged on her tail, a sort of punishment for speaking to him so curtly.
Jerrie started to walk down the street when his eye caught something sparkling in the sunlight hidden in a garbage can. He pulled out some expensive jewelry and stared at the gems that lay twinkling in his paw.
Demeter gasped. “Jerrie…it was you!”
“Oi didn’t…Oi wosn’t…” Jerrie stammered.
“Wait until Munkustrap hears about this! You’ll be far over your head in hot water. You can’t just walk away again!”

“What do you have to say for yourself? You went to far this time, Mungojerrie!” Munkustrap’s tail thrashed angrily at the young tabby tom that sat before him. It was well after midnight, and the tom looked rather peaked. Munkustrap felt sorry for him, but still, he couldn’t let this crime go unnoticed.
“We’ve let you off easy for quite awhile now, Jerrie,” a black and white tom named Alonzo put in. “You have to take the rap this time. This is like an elephant in the kitchen; it’s just too big to ignore.”
“Exactly,” Munkustrap said, wishing the Jellicle leader, Old Deuteronomy, were there so he didn’t have to do this.
“Oi didn’ do it, goys!” Mungo insisted. “ ‘Onest Oi didn’!”
“ ‘E ain’t loyin’!” Teazer offered. She looked around for someone, anyone, who would back her up. Bombalurina might be able to…
It figu’es that Bomby ain’t ‘ere when we need ‘er!
Munkustrap cast a doubtful eye on the twin troublemakers. He liked the two in spite of their pranks and mischief, but Mungojerrie had gotten himself into hot water. He would have to set things right to get out of it.
“How do we know? We need proof,” a small black tom named Mistoffelees said quietly. Mungo was one of his friends, but he had to tell him what was true. They had no proof that Mungo wasn’t lying, and, truth be told, they really couldn’t trust him not to lie, though he didn’t usually do it to his friends.
“We don’ ‘ave none,” Mungojerrie said softly. He knew part of what was coming. 
“Send fo’ Bomby!” Rumpleteazer said fiercely. “She’ll tell ya!”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot just go get her at this hour,” Munkustrap said, though he would’ve liked to get this resolved without having to punish Jerrie. He looked sadly at the tabby tom that sat meekly in front of him, looking a little nervous. 
“I’m sorry to have to do this to you, Mungo, but you are banished from the junkyard. No one is to go near him until he sets things right again.”
Mungojerrie’s dark eyes widened in dismay. He’d expected punishment, but not a punishment like this! To be banished from the junkyard, from everyone he knew, even from his own twin! This was too harsh! He and Rumple had never been forcefully separated by members of the tribe!
“No!” Rumpleteazer cried. “Ya can’t do that ta ‘im! Ol’ Deut’ronomy ain’t ‘ere! Ya ‘ave no roight!”
“Shhhh!” Mungojerrie said. Even though he was being sent away, that didn’t mean that Teazer had to go with him. It was better for her to stay at the junkyard, where it was safer.
“No!” Rumple repeated, stamping her paw. “Ya can’t banish Jerrie! If ‘e goes, Oi goes too!”
“Ya can’t come with me, Teaza,” Mungo said, looking at her sadly. 
“But Mungo, wot if a Poll’cle gets ya, o’ Macavi’y…oh, Jerrie, ya’ jus’ can’t go! No matta’ wot Munku says! Oi loves ya’ too much!”
“Oi ‘ave ta’ go. Oi can’t look back, moi Teaza’, but Oi will come back,” Jerrie said softly.
“Promise?” Teazer asked. Tears marked her colorful fur.
“Double promise,” Jerrie agreed, brushing his sister’s cheek affectionately. He let Teazer cry on his shoulder for a moment, knowing it would soften the blow somewhat when he turned to walk away. But he himself was having a hard time choking back tears. He didn’t often cry, and he certainly wasn’t going to cry now. He would walk calmly away, without looking back, without asking for reconsideration. He had too much dignity to plead with Munkustrap over a crime he hadn’t even committed. 
The familiar feel and smell of her brother’s soft fur against her face gave Rumpleteazer great comfort, but not great enough. When he finally pulled her away, she couldn’t bear to let go of him. It took all the willpower she had to pull away from Mungojerrie. They had never been forced to separate like this, and they’d never thought they’d have to. As Mungo walked away, trying to keep a dignified and calm look on his face, Teazer broke into open sobbing. 
Mungojerrie, like he had told Teazer, dared not look back. He could hear his Teazer crying somewhere behind him, somewhere back in the junkyard, but he knew that if he looked back he’d never have the strength of mind to leave Teazer behind again. 
Oi won’t cry. Not me. Oi WILL NOT cry.
And with that, he took off running, to hide the tears that now flowed freely from his hazel eyes. 

Back at the junkyard…

Victoria ran to comfort Rumpleteazer, but the slender tabby refused to be comforted. 
“Jerrie!” she cried, racing towards where her beloved twin brother had disappeared. Munkustrap caught her and held her back. 
“Le’ go! Le’ go a’ me! Oi ‘ave ta go afta Mungo! ‘E moight get ‘urt! Mungojerrie!” Rumpleteazer sobbed hysterically, struggling to get free of the strong tabby’s grip. 
There was not a single heart there that hadn’t been melted by the enforced division of the indivisible cat burglars.
“I hope he comes back,” Victoria said, tears dripping down her delicate white face. Mistoffelees nuzzled her. 
“So do I.”

Back with Mungojerrie…

Mungojerrie stayed curled up behind a clump of bushes, sobbing quietly for a few minutes. Finally, he wiped his eyes with his paws and sat up.
Oi gotta get back in the’, he thought to himself. Bu’ ‘ow?
He knew that a good place to start would be to find whoever had actually stolen the jewels. He had no idea where to begin, but he figured the sooner he began, the sooner he’d be back at the yard with Teazer.

Back at the junkyard once again…

Rumpleteazer cried off and on for about an hour, and finally she didn’t have any tears left to cry. She could only sit and think of something to do and try to help out around the junkyard, and by now, it was surely around five-thirty or six in the morning. She’d never thought that Mungo would be forced to leave her like this! Munkustrap was being unfair, and that was all there was to it. He hadn’t even looked into the matter! He’d just assumed that, because of Mungojerrie’s past dealings with Macavity, he’d stolen the jewels. 
“Rumpleteazer? Is that you crying in there?” a kindly voice asked.
“Yeh,” Teazer said, trying to wipe her eyes with her paws before the other cat saw her.
“I thought maybe you’d like to come play with the other kittens. Etcetera and the others are missing you,” an older queen named Jennyanydots said. Rumpleteazer sniffed a little before trying to answer.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” Jenny asked before Rumple could say anything. Teazer nodded.
“Munku sen’ Jerrie ‘way!” she said. “ ‘E banished ‘im. ‘E banished moi Jerrie! Oi ain’t even s’posed ta go nea’ me own brotha now!”
“That’s too bad,” Jenny said. “What did he do?”
“ ‘E didn’t do anythin’!” Teazer cried. “Nothin’ a’ oll!”
“I see,” Jenny said.
“Oi dunno ‘ow Munku could think ‘e stole those jewels! Oi mean, ‘e moighta’, but still…Oi knows ‘e didn’. ‘E woulda tol’ me, a’ least,” said Teazer.
“I was coming to ask you if you would get this for me,” Jenny said, handing Teazer a little piece of paper. “Would you do that for me?”
“Ya mean it?” Teazer asked, jumping to her feet. “Would Oi eva!”
“Wonderful,” Jenny said. “I’ll see you back here later then.”
Jenny knew as she walked away that Rumpleteazer would see this job as an opportunity to find her brother and talk to him, but she pretended not to. Her sympathetic heart told her that the tabby queen wasn’t lying when she said that Mungojerrie was innocent.

Rumpleteazer dashed away, eager to begin her errand. Yes, she’d get Jenny what she’d asked for. But she was sure that a quick search for Mungojerrie could be worked into her schedule. She looked at Victoria Grove; he wasn’t there. She looked at all their usual hangouts, and even at some of the more unlikely places for him to be, but he wasn’t to be found. Sadly, she headed downtown to get Jenny what she needed. Just as she rounded the corner, she spotted Mungo a ways up the bank.
“Jerrie!” she called excitedly, racing towards him at top speed. Mungo turned his head a second too late. Rumple was already on top of him, snuggling him. 
“Whe’d ya come from?” he asked in surprise. 
“Oi’m ‘untin’ somethin’ fo’ Jenny,” Teazer said. She couldn’t manage to keep still; she was so glad she’d found Mungo!
“Oi got an ‘unch you‘s ‘untin’ somethin’ else too,” Mungo teased. Teazer gave him another hug. 
“Cou’se Oi wos!” she said. “Oi wos ‘untin’ you!”
“Oi though’ so,” Mungo told her. Rumple giggled and wouldn’t get off of him, which he really didn’t mind too much. “Jus’ ‘old still a minute. You’s oll ova’ me!”
“Oi can’t ‘elp it!” Rumple replied joyfully. “Oi’m so ‘appy!”
“Oi knows, an’ Oi am too, but Oi can’t go back ta the ya’d with ya. ‘Memba?” Jerrie said, not at all pleased to have to add that sour note to their joyful reunion.
“Yeh, Oi ‘memba,” Teazer said sadly. “But ya’ll come back soon, roight?”
“Roight,” Jerrie confirmed, though he really wasn’t sure. “Betta git back ta the junkya’d b’fo’ they sends ou’ a sea’ch pa’ty.”
Teazer gave Jerrie just one last cuddle and hurried off. She ran to the junkyard and gave Jenny her item.
“Thank you, Rumpleteazer,” said Jenny.
“Where’s Jerrie?” Jemima, the smallest of the kittens, asked.
“He couldn’t be here today,” Jenny said, not wanting to tell the small kit of Jerrie’s fate. Jemima followed Etcetera to play hide-and-seek without further comment. 
Rumpleteazer was just about to whisper to Jenny that she’d met up with Mungo, when all of a sudden the lights flickered and went out. The only light came from the rising sun.
“Macavity!” Demeter exclaimed fearfully. The kittens scampered to Jennyanydots and huddled around her legs. 
Rumpleteazer didn’t see anyone at first. But then she felt a paw on her back, whirled around, and came face-to-face with one of the largest alley cats she’d ever seen. He was a dark gray color with one single golden-yellow, zigzagging stripe down his back. 
“W-who a’ ya?” Teazer stammered out. This cat had a particularly intimidating air about him.
“I’m Zeus,” the alley tom said simply. 
“You’s who?” Teazer asked, dumbfounded. This strange cat named Zeus didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed Rumple about the waist and turned her in a circle. 
“Yes, I think she’ll do nicely,” he said. Rumpleteazer didn’t like the sound of that.
“Wot’n the ‘Eavyside Laya a’ ya tolkin’ ‘bout?” she asked. 
“My dear,” Zeus began. Teazer definitely didn’t like the sound of that. “I have your entire precious Jellicle tribe under my control right now, under the authorization of Macavity.”
“Macavi’y!” Teazer hissed. Then she thought of something. “You’s an agent o’ Macavi’y? Then ya must know me twin brotha.”
Zeus looked Rumple over carefully. “Is your twin brother Mungojerrie? If he is, then yes, I’ve seen him around a few times. He’s the one who betrayed us. Wouldn’t I love to get my paws on that tom!”
Rumple regretted that Demeter wasn’t nearby to hear that. But now that she knew a little more about this Zeus, she wanted to know what he planned to do with her and what he had against her twin.
“An’ tell me jus’ wot Oi’ll do noicely fo’,” she demanded.
“You’ll figure that out with time,” Zeus replied. 
“But Oi wonna know now!” Teazer objected.
“Hush up, dear queen,” Zeus told her. Rumple smacked him with a paw. 
“Stop callin’ me tha’, ya big dumb‘ead!” she said angrily. “Oi ain’t yer dea’, an’ Oi neva will be! An’ wot do ya got ‘gainst Jerrie any’ow?”
“Mungojerrie…” Zeus muttered. “The fool!”
“Jerrie ain’t a fool!” Teazer objected. Zeus led her out into the open center of the yard, where the entire Jellicle tribe was huddled together, surrounded by big, tough-looking cats. 
“Let ‘em go! Let ‘em go!” Teazer cried. Zeus shoved her into the group.
“Yeah, let us go!” Jemima called. “You’re a mean cat! Let us go!”
Rumpleteazer knew that Mungojerrie was the last hope for the tribe now. He was the only member still free. But how could she get word to him?

Mungojerrie ran silently through the ally towards the Jellicle junkyard. He’d expected to see Rumpleteazer downtown again, but she hadn’t shown up. So, he’d decided to take a peek into the yard. He’d at least get to look at her, if she was there. 
He jumped up on a pile of junk that was hidden behind the junkyard gate. He looked into the yard and was shocked to see that the entire tribe was imprisoned. He managed to catch a brief glimpse of their captor. He recognized him as the alley tom Zeus, one of Macavity’s most infamous agents.
Mungo ran lightly from one junk pile to the next, circling the yard and trying to figure out how to rescue the tribe. It seemed that everyone except him had been captured; even Teazer. So much for her being safe, he thought. She would’ve been better off with him after all.
He picked a well-hidden spot and listened in on what Zeus’ hench-cats were saying.
“Looks like they’re all here,” one said.
“No, there’s one missing,” said another. “I don’t know which one it is, though…”
“I know which one it is,” still another interrupted. “It’s that blasted Mungojerrie! The tabby tom that quit on Macavity awhile back; you know, the Cockney? The one that had it coming from Dusty, the one who really got it from Griddlebone…”
“Oh yeah, Mungojerrie,” the first cat said, musing over the comment about Griddlebone. “I heard they banished him for stealing those jewels from the jewel shop. Too bad they don’t know Zeus did it!”
“They banished Mungojerrie?” the largest of the hench-cats asked. He definitely sounded interested. Mungo remembered him as Dusty, a large cat that was about twice his size who held him in extremely bitter contempt. Mungo wasn’t quite sure of the reason, but he was smart enough to know to stay well out of Dusty’s way if it was possible.
“Yeah, I heard a couple of the kittens talking about it,” the first cat said. 
“Macavity will want that information. He’ll want Mungojerrie back,” Dusty said. “I’ll run and tell him.”
“I thought you didn’t like Mungojerrie,” one of the hench-cats reminded him. “He’s the one who got on Macavity’s good side, and worked his way up to the top. Remember?”
“I remember, and I don’t like him, but maybe if it’s me who tells him that Mungojerrie’s been banished, he’ll favor me for telling him. In any case, he’ll never favor Mungojerrie as much as he used to, reason one being that now he looks at Mungojerrie like the traitor that he is.”
“So you hope you can get back on top now that Mungojerrie’s got it coming to him from the boss?” the other cat asked.
“Yes, but I still have my own fight to pick with that Cockney,” Dusty replied. “Now, I have to run. See you later.”
Mungojerrie’s mind worked quickly. He’d have to pick the fight Dusty wanted before Dusty got to Macavity. If he could prevent Dusty from reaching Macavity, perhaps Macavity would forget about him soon. There was a large catch though. In order for his plan to work, he’d have to win the fight. Though he didn’t see how he could do it, given that Dusty was twice his own size, he decided to have a go at it. He followed Dusty into a deserted, dark ally, where no one would see or hear them. 
“Stop whe’ ya a’,” he ordered. Too late, he realized that he should’ve at least tried to disguise his thick Cockney accent. He saw a sneer form on Dusty’s face.
“Why, if it isn’t Mungojerrie, the very notorious Cockney traitor,” Dusty laughed wickedly. 
“Oi shoulda known ya’d throw an insult a’ me fi’st thing, Dusty,” Mungo countered. “Tha’ was olways the way with ya. Ya loiked ta show me up, an’ it neva wo’ked, did it now? Only made ya’self look loike a bloomin’ fool.”
“But those days are over,” Dusty said. “You left. That makes me one of the top cats.”
“Yeh, it does, an’ Oi gladly give the ‘onor wot ain’t an ‘onor ova’ ta ya,” Mungo said. 
“And where’s that unintelligent, giggling twin sister of yours?” Dusty asked, a cruel grin forming on his face. He knew Mungojerrie himself could stand a taunt, but he wouldn’t tolerate anything bad said of his twin.
“She ain’t unintelligent! She’s eve’y bit as cleva’ as you ‘ave the moind ta be, Dusty,” Mungo growled. “Take it back!”
Dusty just stared, daring Mungo to pick a fight. Mungo raised a threatening paw.
“You draw the line at murder, remember that, Mungojerrie,” Dusty said. “Although, I’m saying this as though you could actually even hurt me. You always were so much weaker than I am.”
“An’ ya say it as if Oi would stoop ta the murderin’ level,” Mungo said. “Now take back wot ya said ‘bout me sista, o’ ya’ll git wot’s been comin’ ta ya!”
He never had, and never, ever would, lower himself to murder. He had more dignity than that. Even when he had been working for Macavity, he’d never even thought to murder anyone. Even though Macavity often had asked him to, he’d always said no, it was simply too awful to stoop to.
Again, Dusty just stared, this time silently. Mungo could see it in his black eyes that he wanted to fight. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, this moment when he could fight with Mungojerrie with no one to stop him or limit him in any way. It made Mungo just a little nervous. It was clear that Dusty was perfectly ready to fight to the death, but he also knew that he wouldn’t, just for sport. Dusty would injure him, yes, maybe even bring him dangerously close to death. But kill him, no. For Dusty, this was a simple game, and Jerrie was the toy.
Mungo’s rage at Dusty’s taunts overcame his anxiety, though, and with a growl, he pounced on Dusty. Dusty took a swipe at Mungo’s face that almost broke his jaw. But Mungojerrie wasn’t beaten that easily. He took a flying leap off a garbage can, landing on Dusty’s back and digging his claws into the larger cat’s fur and skin. Dusty bucked wildly, throwing Mungo off and into a pile of junk. Mungo jumped up and swiped at Dusty’s face, leaving a thin scratch mark down his opponent’s cheek. Dusty, furious that Mungo had actually hit him, struck Mungo with all the force he had. Mungo stumbled backwards and fell, but recovered as Dusty turned around. He grabbed Dusty’s tail and bit it hard. Yelping, Dusty angrily whirled around, swinging his fist around and giving Mungo another full force punch square in the face. Mungo let out a scream and fell back. Dusty whirled and stalked away, leaving Mungo with a bloody nose and mouth.
“Ow,” Mungo muttered to himself, putting a hand to his face. His paw came away bloody. He dragged himself to the river and lay down beside it. He stuck his blood-spattered paw in the water, and surprisingly it felt good in the blistering summer heat. Though he fought it, he fell into a fitful sleep, tired out from the fight.
When he awoke, the sun shone brightly, it’s blazing heat pounding down on Mungo. About noon, he estimated. He washed the blood off his face and took a long drink as he pondered what to do next. He’d lost the fight that he’d foolishly picked with Dusty, and now it was almost certain that Macavity was after him. But that unlucky obstacle wouldn’t stop him from rescuing Rumpleteazer and the other Jellicles. He raced back to the junkyard, and staying hidden, silently watched. Zeus, he noticed, was openly flirting with Rumpleteazer, trying to persuade her to be his mate. But Rumple just swatted at him and turned her back stubbornly. 
Mungojerrie’s face grew hot. No agent of Macavity’s could woo his twin so long as he had one breath of life still in him! Without thinking, he leaped angrily into the center of the junkyard. “Keep ya paws off me sis!” 
His fur stood on end and he hissed menacingly at Zeus, showing his teeth and claws. His hazel eyes glinted wrathfully, and he looked more dangerous than the kittens were comfortable with. This was not the Mungojerrie they knew. The Mungojerrie they knew was funny and friendly. This Mungojerrie was dangerous-looking. They scampered to the older queens and huddled close to them. 
“Mungojerrie!” came the cry of several younger females, including Teazer.
“What’s this? A mouse?” Zeus asked. “Oh no, it’s only Mungojerrie. I’m glad you could join us.”
“Ya’ll be sorry Oi joined ya when Oi’m through with ya! Teaza’ll neva give in ta ya! Not whoile Oi’m ‘round!” Mungo growled.
“Hmmm, then we’ll just have to eliminate you then, won’t we?” Zeus said viciously. He waved dismissively at his hench-cats. “I’m preoccupied with important matters. Therefore, I’ll leave the pleasure of killing this mouse entirely to you.”
Zeus’ hench-cats advanced on Jerrie, but he knew the layout of the yard far better than they did. Using this to his advantage, he jumped up on top of a pile of junk and jumped over the gate. The junk pile toppled over onto the hench-cats. 

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