Munkustrap ran for all he was worth down the desolate streets in the night. Lightening pierced the black sky, thunder crashed and soon rain poured like hard hail. Tears blended with the falling rain as Munkustrap wept and ran, slushing through the mud puddles and trying to see through his tears. Never had he ran so fast and knowing that his father was right behind him like a leapard, he didn't even think of stopping. Suddenly, he was snatched from the shadows and whirled around sharply with a yank. It was Macavity who felt at how cold and wet his younger brother was. Quickly, with a full look of concern and worry, Macavity rubbed Munkustrap's muddy fur bringing warmth to his body. He then placed his hands around the gray tabby's face, trying to bring comfort and calm him down. "What's wrong? What happened? What are you doing out here?"
With so many questions and so much stress and having it all happen so fast, Munkustrap just stood there and cried with a panic sense in his breathing. He felt faint and would have collapsed if Macavity wasn't there to hold him up. Macavity gave him a sharp jerk as he asked again more worried than ever, "Munkustrap, tell me!"
Just then, they heard their father's voice cry out from the night over the harsh thunder and rain, screaming out for Munkustrap like a demon. "What have you done?" Macavity asked with a look of fear and in a paniced tone. Not knowing what else to do for his freezing drenched brother, Macavity embraced him, keeping warm in this way.
"I can't go back." whispered Munkustrap through his shivers. Macavity stepped back wondering if he had heard correctly, "What? Why?"
Munkustrap didn't feel like explaining as he began to struggle against Macavity's grip. "I can't live here anymore! It's wrong, it's all wrong!!" Macavity grew more confused at Munkustrap's behavior, "What are you talking about?" Munkustrap continued to fight against him. "Munkustrap please, don't do this. I can fix whatever happened! I am king! You are king! I will help you!!"
Finally Munkustrap managed to escape Macavity's grip and stood there staring at his heartbroken brother who held out his paw and whispered, "Please." and Munkustrap shook his head slowly and replied in his own heartbroken whisper, "I'm sorry." and ran off, leaving Macavity to cry out in the night, "MUNKUSTRAP!"

Night turned to day. The rain came and went, leaving the land damp and filled with the aroma of a new fresh morning. Days pasted and the weather grew hot and long. The sun baked Munkustrap's body as he felt weak from lack of food and water. He had met no one since the day he left the embrace of his loving brother. He had left for deep inside him, he knew that what Macavity did, as much as he loved him, was wrong as so was his cruel father. His stomach cried out for nurishment and his throat cracked and acked for water. Suddenly, as if an answer to his prayer, the gray tabby's dark brown eyes fell upon a large stretched river that flowed with life. Immediatly, Munkustrap ran for it and tripping over a rock suddenly wasn't going to stop him as he dragged himself to the river's edge and submerged his entire head in the pure cool spring, taking vigerous gulps of life giving water that cooled his insides and brought him back to his senses. He brought his face up for a breath of air and graditude. He then looked around for any sign of life but found only thick dense trees that shaded over the river and giant boulders. Slowly his strenght returned and he pulled himself up to his feet once more. Deciding to cross the river, Munkustrap stepped lightly in the rushing water, being cautious not to slip and be taken away by the strong current. Another step and then another till then he was nearly at the center of the narrow river. He took another assuring step when suddenly a rope tightened around his ankle and jerked upward, causing the gray unaware tabby to trip, fall on his back in the water and brought out upside down over the river. Startled at this sudden occurance and alarmed at how he hung like a rabbit in a trap upside down, Munkustrap looked around with wide eyes at who could have set up such a thing. Suddenly, a voice was heard from the dense trees singing in a 'pop goes the weasle' tune:
"There once was a tom who was all alone and decided to cross the river
he's caught in our trap and hung like a rat
Now look at him shiver!!" and he ended it with a laugh that was followed by many others like a pack of monkeys. Then out of no where, a medium sized young tom leaped before the dangling Munkustrap with a jester like grin. He was a mixture of orange, red and black with two different color eyes, one green, the other violet. The tom continued to cackle amusingly as other cats emerged from the trees. The orange calico tom twisted his head upside down mockingly at the gray tom with his grin and poked him in the ribs. Munkustrap swatted at the stranger but missed as the calico backed away with a laugh. There were numerous cats, some covered with leaves using them as camaflauge in the woods. Finally, after a wihle of laughter, mocking and continuous poking and pointing, a large black tom swooped down from the trees. He was well built, black, with a brown mane that gave him the look of authority and power. His facial features were sharp and stirn. He glared at Munkustrap with questionable eyes as he slowly and cautiously approached the dangling gray tom. Respectfully and quietly, Munkustrap asked, "Could you please cut me down? All the blood is kind of rushing to my head."
The felines of the forest laughed and the leader gave an amusing grin. With one swat with his large talons, the rope snapped and Munkustrap fell head first into the cold river causing more laughter and cheers. The gray tom stood and shook himself, finding it cruel how he was being treated by these - what he concidered - barbarians. Suddenly, something caught the black leader's eyes. He was stunned how around this tom's neck was a silver medalian. Immediatly, he snatched it, stripping it from its chain that hung around the feline's neck.
"Hey!" cried Munkustrap and he gropped for his piece of jewel, "That's my medalian!"
"and a lovely piece of metal it is too!" replied the large maned tom.
"Give it back!" demanded Munkustrap as his blood began to boil. The maned leader was noticing how this tom's fury was rising and decided to ask with a chuckle, "Are you willing to fight for it?"
Munkustrap wanted no part in a fight. The forest cats cheered and yelled at Munkustrap to take their leader's offer. Munku stood there with angry eyes on the black tom and then glanced at his medalian that dangled from his paws. The maned cat then tossed the metal piece at the orange and black calico as he said, "Hold this." then turning back at Munkustrap he added, "You win, you get your medalian. I win, I take possetion of it to trade for the nessecities of this tribe and you just continue on your merry way empty handed. Agreed?"
Never had Munkustrap gotton in a brawl and never had he ever intended to. His opponent was rather large and muscular and backed with many friends. However, Munku always believed brains were better than bronze so accepted the tom's challenge bringing in the uproarous cheer of the felines of the woods. The calico grinned wickedly, knowing this gray tom was a dead cat already.
The two toms circled each other before the first move was thrown. Munkustrap ducked his flying fist but the maned tom was quick in then sticking his strong leg out and performing a sharp 360 turn causing Munkustrap to trip out from under him and land with a great splash in the river. The cats laughed and cheered some more, counting that as a point for their fearless leader. Munkustrap stood once more, slowly learning of this cat's manuvers. A sudden punch to the jaw caused Munkustrap to land once more in the river and again, the determined gray tom rose to his feet. Another harsh blow, followed by another, but Munkustrap continued to rise. Blood trickled down the edge of Munku's lip but he just wiped it away and faced the maned tom once more. This type of fighting continued, when Munkustrap tried to give a punch of his own but just wasn't quick enough. The leader dodged it and gave Munku a sharp uppercut bringing him down again. The black tom shook his head. This was coming out worse than he thought. This gray tom just didn't know how to fight. He had even tried loosening up a bit for the guy but there was just no hope for him. Again and again the tom fell. He was admirring, however, at how this gray tom just wouldn't give up. This time Munkustrap was finding it harder to recover as he slowly pull himself back up. He couldn't go on like this for much more so he had to think of something quick. Just then, his eyes caught sight of another rope planted in the water a few feet behind the maned tom. Without hesitance, Munkustrap then decided to throw a punch which the leader easily dodged but caused him to step back. Another was thrown from the gray tom and he ducked once more with another added backward step followed by another then another. Slowly, the maned tom continued to duck and step back at the swinging tom. Finally, his foot was settled in the loop under water and the rope was released swiftly bringing itself up and taking the maned tom with it upside down. The cats gasped as the black tom dangled in shock and surprise. With a mischievious smile, Munkustrap faced the hanging cat and growled, "Now give me that medalian!"
The tom spatted in his face and replied, "Never!" So Munkustrap took the rope and pulled it down causing the upside down tom to be dunked in the river head first. Munkustrap kept him down there for a few short seconds then brought him up giving him another chance to give up his belongings. When refused once more, the tom went down in the water again. This continued till finally, Munkustrap kept him down there for an extent amount of time. The tom was brought up out of the water, gasping for air and coughing. Finally, the drenched tom growled, "Fine then! The medalian is yours!" and Munkustrap smiled as he cut the ropes with his claws bringing the tom down with a splash. He arose and glanced at the calico, "Give him what's his."
Discouraged that his leader lost, the calico replied through clenched teeth, "But-"
"I said give it to him!" roared the maned tom, not wanting to hear anymore about it. Impressed with Munkustrap's work, the leader asked him, "That was very clever there - uh...."
"Munkustrap." replied the gray tom.
The tom nodded, "Munkustrap." he then offered out his paw and said, "They call me the Rum Tum Tugger."
The calico handed Munkustrap his medalian but did so with a look that could have froze water. "And that's Serric." added Tugger with a roll of the eyes. Then placing a strong arm over Munku's shoulder, Tugger guided him into the dense forest as he said, "So Munkustrap," Tugger couldn't help noticing the medalian that now hung from his neck once more along with the other several pieces of jewelry and so said, "you're not from around here, are you?"
Munkustrap shook his head as he admirred the greenery surrounding him, "No, I'm not."
"Well that's fine, I like you Munkustrap, so feel safe to stay here as long as you like. You've earned it."
Night settled in these strange lands and Munkustrap asked his new maned friend, "So, where do you sleep?"
Tugger pointed up as he replied, "There." Munkustrap looked high above him and was stunned to see how nearly an entire city was built above his head in the canopy of the trees. They were like little huts, connected with swinging unsteady but stirn bridges made of vines and logs. Legions of cats of all colors and sizes filled the trees, crossing bridges, looking for food, building and so on. Slowly following Tugger, Munkustrap climbed up one of the thick twisted trees into the dense leaves, entering into a hut. "You can stay here for the night.' Tugger said. Munkustrap thanked him and Tugger left. Feeling uncomfortable in this small room designed by leaves and mud, Munkustrap decided to sleep ontop of the hut instead..

That night images flooded Munkustrap's mind. For some odd reason he was getting visions of fire surrounding him, the smell of smoke, the cries of cats, blood stains on the walls. It all then turned to a haze where two eyes then appeared, followed by a beautiful young queen's face looking down on him with incredible eyes - eyes of strength and beauty yet filled with sorrow and depression. Tears fell upon him as a familiar tune grasped his ears. He found it strange at how all of a sudden, he felt calm and a peace that he didn't want to leave. Just then, the eyes began to fade, the singing as well along with a lonliness that suddenly crept in. Munkustrap began to scream out for what was leaving him. He suddenly felt cold. He reached out into the darkness when his paws then fell upon something else. It felt smooth yet scaled like a reptile's skin. He then heard a hissing. Slowly, Munkustrap opened his eyes. A green huge blur stood before him. When his eyes cleared, he nearly choked on his own breathing when he found he was face to face with a serpent larger than he in the trees. Munkustrap was about to let out a huge cry when suddenly a paw was placed over his mouth. "Shhh!" whispered Tugger who clinged on closely behind him. "Don't move." Together they just stared at the snake, eye to eye. Finally, after a few swift licks with its fork tongue, the giant reptile slithered away. The two toms let out a sigh of relief and Tugger chucked, "He wasn't hungry."
Munkustrap frowned, "How do you know?"
Did you see the size him? Obviously he had just eaten." and Tugger leaped off the tree. Munkustrap, who had lost all sense of sleep leaped off behind him. It was still dark, though off in the distance, one could see a pinkish glow where the sun was beginning to rise to start another day. Tugger turned and decided to ask, "Well, now that you're up, want to join us in our ritual dancing?"
Munkustrap just gave him a confused look and Tugger rolled his eyes as he took the gray tom by the wrist and dragged him deeper into the forest. They ran, shoving leaves, branches and spider webs out of their way. Munkustrap's ears pricked at the sudden sounds of laughing, singing, and flutes. An orange and red glow could be seen behind some thickets which they then burst though and came to a hault. Munkustrap was shocked to see how there before were legions of cats celebrating, dancing, chatting and laughing all around a huge camp fire that kindled like a giant red spirit. Drums were heard along with flutes, and other instruments made from shells, coconuts, fruit and bamboo pipes all ajoining in a profound symphany of jungle music that brought the sleeping forest to life. Munkustrap's eyes wondered around the area, entranced by the nightly festival. Suddenly, Munkustrap's eyes widoned. Could it be? Munkustrap's jaw dropped. It was! There before his very eyes stood Demeter socializing with Serric! Immediatly, Munkustrap ran up to the two and whispered, "Demter?!" The young queen turned at the sound of her name and her eyes too widoned along with a herrific gasp of shock. "You!!"
Munkustrap frowned, "I thought you were imprisoned-" But before Munku could finish, Demeter whispered in annoyance, "What are you doing here?" Munkustrap blinked, "Well I-" then realizing she was diverting him from her question, he turned back and asked again, "Wait, how did you,-"
Demeter rolled her eyes as she took the gray tabby's upper arm and turning to Serric she asked, "Could you excuse us for a second?" and she led him away, leaving Serric alone and quite angered by their interuption. After bringing Munku aside, she explained rudely to him, "Do you actually think I was staying there for my health? I could escape whenever I wanted to! I have my sly crafty ways too!"
Munkustrap was still confused, "So why did you stay for was long as you did?"
Demeter grew quieter as she replied, "I was there to rescue my sister. She's a captive Jellicle there and -" Suddenly it all clicked. The red feline who appeared outside the window below. Demeter was there to get her out. She had cleverly presented herself as a captive for Macavity only to help her sister from slavery. Munkustrap was speechless. Demeter stood there about ready to cry for she had tried for so long to find some way of setting her older sibling free and yet always leaving alone. For once Munkustrap felt for her and the realization of the cruelty his family bestowed in her and many others continued to sink in, getting stronger by the minute. Through her tears, Dememter whispered in a quiver, "I just want her out of there."
Caught in the silence, Munkustrap continued to stare at her. Not only was he fixed by her beauty but by her tender heart and determination that drove her to return everyday to the palace in an attempt to set her sister free. Munkustrap placed his gentle paw under her chin, raising it up so that she may look at him with her watery eyes. Then in a compassionet low voice, he said to her assuringly, "We will get her out. I promise."
Demeter froze and was speechless as first. Munkustrap hesitated as he continued, "You - you were right. What Triton and Macavity are doing is wrong." A huge smile overcame Demeter's face. "So you will help me in releasing my sister?" Munkustrap nodded, "Of course." And in that moment, the sound of the forest and the music of the tribe never sounded so sweet. Demeter's eyes that were once somber were now wide and sparkling. She knew that if it were a miracle who would free her sister, it would be none other than a cat of the royal family. Unable to contain her joy, she cried, "Dance with me!" Munkustrap's brow wrinkled, "What?" Demeter laughed as she tugged on his wrist and said there her giggles, "Come on, dance!" Munkustrap shook his head with an embarrassed grin, "Oh gosh no, I don't know how to dance!" Through her beaming smile, she said, "I'll show you!" and she took the liberty to free dance on her own as the fire blazed and kindled behind her. She followed the music as she glowed in the night. The beat was fast and indian like with the pounding of the drums, and chimes of the flute. Demeter's steps were fast, strong yet graceful and she made it all look so easy and fun. Munkustrap couldn't take his eyes off her. Finally, Demeter once again took his wrist and had him join in just as the music slowed down. He decided to give it a try. Their eyes gazed into one another's, looking over their shoulder in a ritual like dance, hand in hand and rotating slowly in a circle before the immense fire. After a few rotations, their trance was interupted as the music quickly broke into the fast rythm once again, causing everyone to proceed with their fast steps, clapping, and twirling and leaping. Munkustrap finally got the hang of it and he and Demeter danced the night through. Meanwhile, leaning on a thick tree, Serric stood, arms crossed and glaring at the two. His eyes full of jealousy and anger.