Part 3
Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer led the way, since they knew the pathways very well. They hadn’t found Macavity yet, only a large series of dark tunnels. Soon, Alonzo became very tired.
“You guys, can’t we rest?”
“Yes, I’m getting pretty tired. Didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt,” Teazer said, looking to Jer for his opinion.
“I guess… But shouldn’t we find Macavity before he finds us?”
“Jer’s right…” Teazer began.
“But what could he do to us while we’re sleeping?” Demeter asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to know,” Mungojerrie replied wonderingly.
“He could put us all in Narcolepsy while we sleep,” Teazer reminded them.
“No he won’t. Because Demeter’s with us. He couldn’t cast a spell on us when we’re all grouped together unless he wants to put Demeter in Narcolepsy too.”
“That’s true…” Teazer nodded and there were a series of ad libs from the other cats. “Maybe just a little nap would be at stake? I mean, how can we fight Macavity if-“
“No. We’re suppose to compromise with him. Not fight,” Alonzo reminded.
“Let’s just find someplace to sleep,” Demeter said. “Over there doesn’t look too bad,” she said pointing to a small spot that looked dry. The other three nodded and walked towardos the spot. It was small and below a low ceiling, but it would keep them dry.
They all huddled in the little corner, trying not to push or shove each other. There wasn’t a lot of room since they were all grown cats, but they made due.
Macavity looked at them from a compartment high above the lairs. He laughed as they were just where he wanted, if he could get Mistoffelees and his powers.
“NeCavity!” he called to his nephew. His nephew was young but strong, and ready to fight anyone.
“Yes, Mac?” NeCavity came out from the darkness of the throne room.
“NeCavity, I want you to find Mistoffelees and bring him here to me, whole and alive. And Malisa must never know.”
“Yea Mac, of course,” NeCavity nodded. NeCavity got ready to leap over the balcony when Mac stopped him with his paw.
“No. There are Jellicles down there. You’ll wake them. Go the back way.”
“Whatever you say,” NeCavity turned and exited down the stairs and through the back entrance.
He headed for the junkyard, silently making up a plan in his head. He decided he could capture all of the Jellicles with one right move, and boy would Mac be proud.
He knew that Jellicles would do anything to save anyone’s life. They should also know that he wasn’t afraid to take a Jellicle’s life if necessary. So he would attack and get one of the kittens hostage, then threaten to kill it if they didn’t follow him to Macavity’s lairs.
He crept into the junkyard and immediately spotted his prey.
Two rather small kittens were playing leap frog together. One was a multi-colored tabby-striped, the second was black and white, mostly. He tried to pick out the small one, whom he would figure was younger, and that seemed to be the black and white one.
He surveyed his surroundings, but no one seemed to be watching. The only other cat in the junkyard that he could see was one with tabby stripes and leopard spots, but he could take her out with no problem. She looked pretty weak.
In one quick reflex, NeCavity raced across the junkyard and squarely ran on top of the black and white kitten. Down she went, quickly recooperating and getting back to her feet.
“What the hell do you want?” she snapped at him, no fear at all.
He didn’t answer her, just leapt on her again and pinned her to the ground. From there he picked her up by the scruff of her neck. The multi-colored kitten came out of her trance.
“Matty!” she screeched. She immediately ran to get the tabby cat with leopard spots. She raced assumingly getting the other Jellicles, returning with over a dozen more cats.
“Alright you all!” NeCavity cried over the top of them all. “I have this cat, and if you don’t come with me to Macavity’s Lairs, I will demonstrate murder on her.” The cats gasped. “Just follow me,” he ordered, not letting go of the kitten in his mouth.
They reluctantly did so. They followed him through the junkyard out into the city and into an alleyway that led to a deep, slimy tunnel, into Mac’s Lairs.
“I got them.”
“Them?” Mac whirled around from where he was watching over the balcony. “You got them all?”
“They had to come once I had their kitten,” he grinned, showing the kitten held tightly in his jaws.
“Well, well. How about that. The Jellicles downstairs are just waking up. I think they’ll be quite surprised to see they’re mates here in Narcolepsy.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” the gray tabby Macavity knew as Munkustrap jumped in front of Macavity. “You leave them all alone. You already brought Demeter and I apart. You’ve done enough damage.”
“Have I? Have I brought you two apart? Good. Because she’s going to need someone when you’re gone. That someone will be me.” Macavity let out a long laugh.
Down below, Demeter’s ears had perked at Munkustrap’s voice. “Guys! Wake up!” She shook the three other cats.
“What is it?” Mungojerrie asked looking up.
“We have to go! I just heard Munkustrap’s voice!”
“But I’m tired,” Alonzo moaned, trying to fall back asleep.
“No! He’ll put us in sleep for eternity!” Teazer cried.
The high, shrill, familiar voice of Rumpelteazer alarmed Macavity that they were awake.
Macavity whirled around quickly and grabbed Mistoffelees by the throat and almost killed him by popping his neck.
“Good night,” he hissed as he stared into Mistoffelees eyes. Slowly, Mistoffelees fell into a sleep that he could not fight. His laughter pierced through the Jellicles’ souls.
NeCavity had finally let go of Matty, who was now fighting madly with him, hissing and claws putting cuts in him. Travie was helping her. But when they noticed Mistoffeelees dying before their very eyes, they all stopped and stared.
“You can’t kill him!” Munkustrap shouted.
“Can’t I?” Macavity asked with a smirk.
“No! Please, don’t!” Jemima ran to her brother and hugged his head, trying to wake him. “Please Misto, don’t sleep now! You can’t! Please…”
But there was nothing that could stop Macavity. He really was a heartless killer.
Suddenly, his daughter Malisa appered from the throne room.
“Daddy, what are you doing?” she asked innocently and frightened.
“Now dear, all I’m doing is—“
Demeter jumped next to Malisa and hissed at Macavity.
“He’s killing Mistoffelees, dear,” Demeter said, pulling her into a hug.
“Daddy, no!” she screamed.
“It’s alright. It’s too late. But it’s alright. We’ll take care of you. After all—I am your mother.”
Macavity hung his head in shame. He had frightened his own daughter into hating him. “Please. Go away. All of you, go away.” He shooed them away. But no one moved.
Mac had already taken Misto’s powers. He could have killed them all right there but he couldn’t believe what he had done to his daughter.
“Please Demeter, take care of her,” he gave her a hug. She didn’t pull away, but her eyes were sad.
“I can’t believe you. I trusted you. And you murdered…” but she couldn’t go on. She broke down in tears.
“I know you’ll never forgive me… but I’m sorry.”
Demeter couldn’t reply. There was nothing more for her to say.
“Macavity, we’re not going to kill you,” Munkus said. “Because having to live with hurting your daughter and Demeter will be hard enough. I’m sorry Macavity, you live a life that I pity.”
The Jellicles began to exit, Jennyanydots had taken Malisa by the paw and led her out. Demeter and Munkustrap were last there.
“I’ll… be… out… in a… minute,” Demeter whimpered and sniffled.
Munkustrap nodded and exited with no question.
“I’m sorry Demi…” he apologized again. “I don’t know what I can do…”
“There’s nothing. You hurt me…”
“I know. You should go.” Demeter nodded. She turned around a took one last look at Magical Mr. Mistoffelees.
“Macavity…” her cires turned into anger. “You’ll pay for this.”
Macavity hung his head as Demeter began her exit. When someone whispered: “No.” He looked around.
Misto looked up. “Please… don’t leave me,” he rasped.
“DEMTER!” Macavity shouted at the top of his lungs. “COME BACK!!! PLEASE COME BACK!!!!!!” there was absolute happiness in his voice. She ran back. “Look…” he uttered with a smile.
“MISTO!!!” she screamed and ran to him, hugging him. “You’re alive! You’re alive!” she went on and on. She kissed Macavity and then Misto. How’d you do it? How’d you do it?”
“Miracles happed…” Mac told her.
“This is a dream! A dream!” Demeter shouted.
Macavity smiled. “You two better get along now. The others will be looking for you.
“Thank you,” Demeter kissed Mac again. “You brought him back.”
“But I—“
“Shh.” She put her finger against his lips and walked away. “Thank you. For once, just take the compliment.”
THE
END!
