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Ch.1 Misto & His Little Sister
Summary: Need I say more?
Prologue
An old black tom cat sat outside of a regular house on a regular street
on the pleasantly cool pavement on a warm breeze night. There was
nothing important about this particular house. It had a roof, a nice
coat of paint, and a cheerful family inside. The tom could see the
lights in the house slowly start to go out, one by one. But the reason
the tom was drawn to this particular house was because of the jellicle
cat inside. He went by the name of Mistoffelees, Mr. Mistoffelees. The
black and white jellicle was well known throughout the town, and the
city for that matter. He was young and shy but already had a
reputation, 'The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees' was his title and it fit him
well. He was a wonderful Magician. He could disappear into thin air,
make objects disappear and reappear somewhere else, and he could make
bolts of lighting shoot from his paws faster then you could say
pallical.
Yes, Mistoffelees had turned out to be quite a cat, even though he
didn't quite have a handle on his powers yet. The black tom looked up at
the now dark house. His eyes where sad and had turned weak and tired.
He turned his gaze to a small bundle of black fur next to him. It was
curled in a tiny ball and lay motionless against his caked with mud paw.
He leaned down and gently nudged the small bundle, lovingly. A part of a
tiny white face appeared from the black fur and it opened its small
golden-yellow, blue rimmed eyes. The eyes were so small but so full of
life and hope, that it made the tom's chest hurt, with a pain he knew
all to well. The small bundle of black fur closed its eyes and hid its
face again.
As the tom looked at the house one last time he thought to himself, "I
will see you again my son, I will. Please take care. Be careful, and
good luck. You are both in my heart, always." He closed his eyes and
gathered up the last of his magical power and searched for the mind of
the sleeping Mistoffelees.
***3 Weeks later***
It was a warm night with a slight breeze as Mistoffelees ran through
the streets, at top speed to the Junkyard. His velvet black fur
glistened in the moonlight as he ran. He hadn't been to the junkyard for
weeks. He had been preoccupied lately. But tonight he was very exited
as he ran with a smile on his white face. He looked toward the moon as
he raced through the night. It was almost full, but already lit up the
black sky. Misto smiled to himself again as he made his way to the
junkyard.
It seemed like only seconds before he reached the loose board that led
to the junkyard. He had no trouble getting in because of his size.
Misto slipped through the hole and ran toward the area where he would
find the jellicles.
******
Victoria sat bored out of her mind. The young beautiful white jellicle
yawned and stretched. She had lazily draped over the trunk of the old
rusted car, and sleepily watched the other cats in the junkyard.
Jemima, Electra, and Etcetera tumbled around the junkyard under the
watchful eyes of Jennyanydots and Jellylorum, who were spreading gossip
amongst themselves.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer playfully bounced around trying to annoy
Cassandra and Exotica who were talking about nothing in particular.
Augustus was chatting with Skimbleshanks, occasionally glancing at
Alonzo, Tumblerutus, Pouncival, and Plato who where gathered around each
other whispering something that they liked to keep secret from others.
Bombalurina and Pallaris were giggling like kittens about some tom in
the junkyard. The twins, Coricopat and Tantomile, sat close to each
other watching the others going about their business. Lavara Nina Ketz
and Demeter were sitting in the back area of the junkyard. Sitting and
waiting for the right moment to pounce on Rum Tum Tugger and Adumetus,
who had really made them mad earlier that night and were getting them
back. And of course Munkustrap sat in his usual place on the tire
overlooking the scene.
The night had just started and most of the cats were in the junkyard.
Victoria yawned again, she wished Mistoffelees was here. He hadn't been
in the junkyard for a while. In fact, now that she thought about it, he
had only come twice in the last four weeks. Everyone assumed it was
because of the recent death of his long lost older brother, Siflay.
Siflay had been killed by Macavity about four weeks ago. The older tom
had died in his younger brother's arms, because he wouldn't kill Misto.
Macavity called him a traitor and stabbed poor Siflay in the back, right
here in the junkyard. It had crushed Misto deeply. Victoria went to see
him every day for weeks, and he said he enjoyed the company. She got
him to come back to the junkyard every now and then, but he still looked
depressed. Victoria had been worried about him since, but he assured her
he was fine.
The thought of Siflay and that cold night made Victoria's blood
freeze. She shivered. "Come on Misto," She thought to herself, silently
wishing we would come to the junkyard.
As if on que the twins Coricopat and Tantomile lifted themselves up
from their spot, and looked toward the drainpipe. A black pair of small
pointy ears appeared from the pipe and Misto entered the junkyard.
"Misto!" Victoria excitedly yelled. She got up and ran to him, giving
him an affectionate groom. He smiled and returned the gesture. " Hi
Vicki," he said as he pulled himself out of the pipe.
The twins nodded and smiled to him, and Misto smiled and nodded back.
"Hi Misto," Alonzo called from his group, "it's been awhile."
"Hi Alonzo," Misto replied "I've been . . .er . busy." Alonzo looked at
him for a second then smiled and went back to his group.
"Where have you been?" Victoria asked "I've been worried sick about
you," she sounded mad but concerned as well.
"I've been busy," He said again "Have you seen Munkustrap?"
"Yeah, he's in his usual spot," she pointed to Munk on the tire.
"Great," he said as he started to walk toward Munk. Victoria watched
him for a second, then ran after him.
"Why do you want to see Munk?"
"It's a surprise," he replied with a weird smile. He jumped next to
Munkustrap on the tire. Victoria followed.
"Hi Munkustrap," Misto said cheerfully.
Munkustrap looked at him, "Oh, Hi Mistofelees. How are you?"
He shrugged, "Gettin' by"
"That's good," Munkustrap was careful not to mention Siflay, "so what
can I do for you?"
"Well . . . " Misto thought on how to say what was on his mind. "I was
wondering, why would you call a meeting?"
Munkustrap looked at him, not sure what he was asking.
Mistoffelees saw his Munk's confusion. "I mean besides are regular
meetings, why would you call an emergency meeting?"
Munk understood this better. "Well, we would call an emergency meeting
if something was wrong, an announcement had to be voiced, a kitten
needed to be introduces, a jellicle of some importance needed to say
something, a . . . .," Munk didn't finish.
"Great!" Misto exalted interrupting. "Can you call a meeting?"
"But why?" Munkustrap looked at the black jellicle's exited white
face.
"Well, it's a surprise," He said. It seemed that was all the clues he
was giving out. The black cat jumped off the tire. He looked back at
the confused tabby and white cats. "Oh, and Munk? You might want to
call Old Deuteronomy to come."
"What?" Munkustrap jumped down and stood next to Misto. "Look
Mistoffelees," he said comely as he could, "if you want a meeting to
take place with Deuteronomy there, you have to tell me why. I can't
just call a meeting and not know the reason for it."
Misto's face fell. "Oh," he sighed, disappointed, "I'm sorry Munk,
your right. I just wanted this to be a surprise," the young jellicle
sighed again.
Munkustrap gazed at him. He sighed himself, and made a note to kick
himself for this. "All right Misto," He seemed to whisper, "I'll call
Old Deuteronomy and tell him to come tomorrow night. And I'll call a
meeting and have the tribe attend," Misto brightened. Munkustrap
stopped and looked hard at him, "But just so I don't get in trouble for
this and so I have an excuse, why?"
Misto didn't want Munk to be in trouble so he said, "I've got someone I
want everyone to meet," he said with a huge grin.
Munk looked interested, "Who?"
"Munk, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise!"
"All right, all right," Munkustrap gave up, "tomorrow, an hour after
sundown we'll have a meeting here. You'll show up right?"
"Of course Munkustrap. I'm not going to ask you to call a meeting if
I'm not going to show. Who would?"
Munk grinned, "You'd be surprised,"
Mistoffelees looked at him for a second then turned away. Victoria ran
after him, pulling on his tail for him to slow down. "Where are you
going? You just got here."
Misto looked back at her. "We've got to be ready for tomorrow night,"
he smiled. Victoria was not convinced. She wanted some real answers.
"Who's "we"?
"It's a surprise Vicki, it's a surprise," he said again, but he didn't
like confusing her so he rubbed his head agents hers, "I'll explain it
all tomorrow night, OK?"
Victoria searched his dark blue eyes for answers, but found none.
Reluctantly she nodded and rubbed her head against his white chest fur.
"I'll see you tomorrow night Vicki," he gave her one last smile and
rushed out of the junkyard, threw the drain pipe just as quickly as he
had come in.
Victoria sighed, and looked back at Munkustrap. He gazed down at her,
and shrugged. He cleared his throat. "Um excuse me, can I have
everyone's attention, please?" He called to the jellicles around the
junkyard.
Slowly the cats around the junkyard started to drop what they were
doing and walked slowly up to the tire.
"Well," Munkustrap started, "it seams that I had a request to have a
meeting tomorrow night after sundown."
A few jellicles started to mutter to each other, some wondered who it
was, and some didn't care. Munkustrap jumped down off the tire, "so I
expect to see all of you here tomorrow night." The jellicle agreed and
then slowly went back to what they were doing before Munk had
interrupted them.
"Skimble, Agustus?" Munk called, " Can you two keep an eye on this
place for a while? I'll be right back."
"And where might you be goin' lad?" Skimbleshanks asked.
"To tell Old Deuteronomy about the meeting tomorrow," he sighed. And
with that he disappeared behind some trash cans. Skimble and Agustus
looked at each other and shrugged.
**********
Munkstrap made his way slowly to the Vicarage wall, where he would find
Old Deuteronomy. The silver tabby stared at the ground as he walked.
He was thinking about what Misto had said, and it kept confusing him.
Mistoffelees wouldn't have someone to introduce to the tribe, at lest he
didn't think so. Munk concluded to wait and see what Old Deuteronomy
said.
He came to the Vicarage wall only 15 minutes later. Munk made his way
to were he would find the grand jellicle leader. He found Old Deut
staring with a smile on his face, at the almost full jellicle moon.
Munkustrap found the smile on Old Deut's face mesmorizing. His whiskers
were twitching slightly, his eyes were set on the beautiful night sky,
and Munk could hear him purring lightly.
Old Deuteronomy senced someone was there and smiled even more when he
saw it was Munkustrap. "Well, hello Munkustrap," he said, " what do I
owe this pleasure of this visit?"
"Well, I came here to tell you about a meeting tomorrow night",
Munkustrap jumped next to him.
"Oh?" Old Deut seemed surprised, "I didn't know there was a meeting
tomorrow."
"Well there wasn't, but . . .," Munk shifted uncomfortably.
"What?" Old Deuteronomy gazed at him.
"Well, Mistoffelees came up to me just a little while ago and asked me
to call a meeting, and he requested you to be there. When I asked why
he said he wanted to introduce someone, but he wouldn't say who. He
claimed it was a surprise. I don't think I was right to agree to the
meeting, I don't even know what to expect!" Munkustrap stopped and
looked at Old Deuteronomy. To his surprise he was smiling.
"Well Munkustrap, I think it was a good choice," he said, "Mistoffelees
is obviously very exited I assume," Munk nodded, "Well it's just one of
those things that you have a gut feeling about."
"But . . ," Munk stopped. It had been a long night and he looked like
he needed sleep.
"Don't worry," Old Deuteronomy said, patting him on the back, "I
wouldn't miss this. I'll be sure to come to the meeting."
Munkustrap smiled at him. "Thank you." He turned to go.
Deuteronomy stopped him. "Munkustrap?"
Munkustrap looked back. "Humm?"
"Do you ever look at the stars?" He asked as he gazed up at the sky.
"Well, yes I do . . . sometimes."
"Look," Old Deuteronomy pointed to a small star, that seem to flicker,
brightly.
Munkustrap held his breath as he gazed at it. It was beautiful.
"That ones new," Old Deuteronomy said slowly, "It's been getting
brighter every night, getting stronger, getting ready."
"For what?" Munkustrap asked still looking at the twinkling star.
Old Deuteronomy smiled. "It's preparing itself". It will soon be time
for it to go out into the world," he stopped and then whispered, "And
she will be ready. . . . "
2: Misto's Secret
The suns' rays shot brightly through the window of the living room part
of the house. Blinking, Victoria squinted her eyes and looked out the
window. She was at home, lying on her Master's seat cushion for a
chair, which is right below the large bay windows in the front of the
living room. The white cat yawned. It was mid afternoon and the sun
was still high. Victoria yawned again, and retracted her claws as she
stretched out her legs, which were stiff because she had stayed in one
place for so long.
Victoria got up and jumped off the chair cushion. She trotted over to
her water bowl and took a few laps. Her ears perked up at the sound of
her mother scolding her older sister Etcetra.
"Now what did Etcy do?" Victoria mumbled. She got up and started to
walk into the master bedroom, were she found Jellylorum, Etcetra, and a
flower pot on the floor, that was shattered. The pieces lay scattered
everywhere. It was a mess.
Jellylorum looked over at Victoria as she came in. "Hi Momma,"
Victoria said, "what happened?"
"Well," Jellylorum started, "your sister just happened to be running
around the house like a mad cat, when she knocked over the Master's
flower pot."
"It was an accident," Etcetra said in her own defense. She was trying
to make herself look as small as possible.
"It was pure recklessness, that's what it was," Jellylorum turned away
from her older daughter. "And I would tell you to stay home tonight and
not go to the junkyard . . . . ," Etcetra gave a small whimper, her eyes
were glossy with tears, " . . . . but, Munkustrap called a meeting and
he wants the whole tribe there, and that means you." Jellylorum
finished.
"Yes!" Etcetra cried in a whisper. Jellylorum scowled at her.
Etcetra shrank to a smaller size again.
"I don't think that the Master and the Mistress will be that mad at
Etcy, Momma," Victoria said trying to shed some light on her sister,
"they know she's just a kitten."
"That's not the point Victoria dear," Jelly said looking over at
Etcetra, "your sister needs to be more careful, and not so reckless."
Etcetra hung her head. Vicki felt sorry for her. It seemed as if Etcy
got in to more trouble then Victoria did with Jemima. Jellylorum would
say that Etcetra was spending to much time around Mungojerrie and
Rumpleteazer or Rum Tum Tugger. Victoria didn't think so. All she
thought was her older sister was beginning to turn into a teen-adult.
She remembered her Mother and Jennyanydots once talking about how some
kittens that were starting to grow up didn't know how to react to the
sudden changes happening in their body's, making them react in strange
ways. Victoria knew that, that was exactly what was happening with
Etcy. She hoped that her Mother would go easy on Etcetra, because she
didn't like seeing her older sister get into so much trouble.
"Now," Jellylorum looked at Victoria, "I have to go out for a while,
but I'll be back soon. In the mean time," she looked at Etcetra, "Try
to stay out of trouble."
Etcetra nodded. Jellylorum rubbed up against her and purred. Etcetra
purred back. Jelly started to walk out of the room, swishing her tail
at Victoria. "Be good you two," the calico called at the door, then
headed for the cat door. When Jelly was gone Victoria turned to
Etcetra.
"What was that all about?" Victoria asked as she yawned. Etcetra
shrugged.
"I was bored and I saw a fly," she said. Victoria made a face at her.
"What?" Etcetra squealed.
It made Victoria laugh. "Nothing, I just can't see you getting bored."
Etcetra snorted at her. "Well you've been sleeping all day! I haven't
had anyone to play with."
"Sorry. I'm just tired that's all." Victoria yawned again. "Wake me
up next time."
Etcetra giggled. "I tried, but you just grumbled and told me to go
away."
"Oh," Victoria also giggled, "I don't even remember."
Etcetra trotted out of the room, and made her way to the dining room.
Victoria followed her.
"Man that was a close one," Etcetra said looking behind her. "I really
thought Mom was going to say I couldn't go to the junkyard. Oh thank
the Heaviside for the meeting." She stopped at her food bowl. "Bless
the cat for calling a meeting, who ever did call it." Etcetra looked
back at Victoria who had settled herself on the arm of a chair.
"Do you know who called the meeting?" Etcetra asked.
Victoria nodded. Her tail was twitching uncomfortably.
"Mistoffelees," she answered.
"Really?" Etcetra gave her a weird face. "Why?"
Victoria shrugged. "He wants to introduce someone."
Etcy looked surprised. "Who?"
"I don't know!" Victoria jumped over to a window. "He wouldn't tell
me anything last night."
Etcetra looked at her younger sister. "Victoria looks so confused,"
she thought.
Victoria was indeed confused. She wanted to see Misto, and see what
was going on. He wouldn't tell her anything last night when he came to
the junkyard and asked Munkustrap to call a meeting, with Old
Deuteronomy there no less. He didn't give anyone any clues about what
he planed for tonight. She didn't know about any of the other
jellicles, but Victoria was personally going to find this meeting very
interesting.
Victoria gazed out the window and watched the sun, hoping that night
would soon fall.
********************
"Tiger? Tiger? Oh come on, Tiger where are you?"
Munkustrap's ears perked at the sound of his young Master calling his
name. Munk had made himself comfortable under one of the beds in the
young Master and Mistress's room. He got up and stretched. His silver
tiger-tabby coat was glossy even in the dark. He made his way out from
under the bed. Munk squinted his eyes, letting the adjust to the change
in the light. Then went to find his owner that was calling him.
"Tiger," Munkustrap whispered to himself. He gave a short laugh. He
acutely found his family name amusing. Because of his tiger-like
stripes and his serious manner the name fit him well. But of course, he
himself preferred his real jellicle name, Munkustrap.
Walking into the living room, Munk spotted his younger Master looking
under a chair for him. Munkustrap chuckled. He walked up behind the
young boy and meowed. The boy looked back to find the tabby sitting at
his heals.
"Oh there you are, Tiger," the boy picked Munk up and stroked his
back. "Why is it whenever I look for you, you're never there, but when
I'm busy you want attention." The boy laughed and scratched Munk behind
the ears. Munkustrap purred playfully. The boy put him down and Munk
walked into the kitchen to find his food bowl.
"Oh," the boy chuckled, "I suppose you want food now, huh?" Munkustrap
meowed in reply. "OK, hang on." The boy started to get the hard
flavored pebbles the humans like to call 'Dry cat food'. Munkustrap
himself preferred a tasty moue or bird. Munkustrap patiently waited for
his young master when he noticed outside. The sun! It was getting
lower in the sky, and soon it would be sundown.
"Oh man, the meeting!" Munkustrap ran for the open window that the
family always kept open for him. As soon as he was outside he started
to head for the junkyard. Munk felt it was his responsibility to be at
the junkyard first, being the future leader of the tribe and all.
Munkustrap was lucky, his home was very close to the junkyard. As soon
as he got there, he entered the tire area. Of cores no one was there.
It was too early for the jellicles to gather. Munk desiccated to wait
for a while before he went to help Old Deuteronomy get there. He made
himself comfortable on the tire, and drifted in and out of cat naps for
a good 15 minutes.
He didn't have to wait long before the first few cats arrived. The sun
hadn't set yet, but from behind the old rusted car came Skimbleshanks,
Agustus, Alonzo, Tumblebrutus and Pouncival.
The two younger toms, Tumblebrutus and Pouncival rushed out and started
to do flips and somersault. Alonzo came out behind them, laughed every
time they fell. Skimble and Agustus walked out shaking their heads and
chuckling at the younger toms.
Munkustrap smiled at the two older jellicles. "Hello Skimble,
Agustus," he said as he got up to greet them, "What are all of you doing
here so early?"
"We could be asken' you the same thing lad," Skimble smiled, "Ah, I was
on my way here, be'en that I have to walk past the theater, I got old
Agustus to come with me." Agustus smiled. Being that his father
Asparegus, or Gus as the jellicles like to call him, lived at the
theater, Agustus got a brake and was able to stay too. "And we ran into
these lads," Skimble pointed to the three younger toms.
Alonzo walked over. "Hi Munk," he said as he stretched, "so when's
this meeting that's supposed to take place?"
"An hour after sundown," Munk answered, "and it looks like it will be
soon."
"Hey, I was wondering," Agustus scratched his head, "who did call the
meeting?"
"Well," Munk scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably, "last night
Mistoffelees asked me to call one."
"Why in the world would Misto want to call a meeting?" Alonzo asked
with a short laugh.
Munk shrugged. "He said he wanted to introduces someone."
"Really?" Skimble couldn't help but smile. "Who?"
"I have no idea!" Munkustrap had spent most of last night pondering
over that particular subject. "He said it was a surprise."
"Well that sounds like Mistoffelees," Alonzo chuckled, "Always full of
surprise's."
"He probably has a girl friend or somethin'," Tumblebrutus piped up.
He had gotten a free moment from the tumbling, but it didn't last long.
Pouncival jumped on his tail.
"Oh I doubt that lad," Skimble pondered, "He and that pretty Lass,
Victoria have been very close lately. No, if you be asken' Old Skimble
Mistoffelees is going to give us quite a surprise tonight."
"A surprise?" A new voice was heard. "I love surprise's." A black,
brown, and tan leopard like beast swaggered out into view. Rum Tum
Tugger's thick mane blew gently in the small breeze. He had one of his
'to cool for you' smiles on his face. Behind him a slim female joined
them. The white female, with her gray and black tabby stripes, gave him
a small push. Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled as she giggled.
"Tugger, the only surprise you like to hear about is which female is
going to glue themselves to you today." She shook her small black and
gray mane.
"That's not true Nina," Tugger shot back, "I enjoy any surprise that
involves me," Nina rolled her eyes, "But you were an exemption." Tugger
laughed at his dumb joke.
"Oh haha Tugger, your real funny," She gave him a swab at the ear.
Munkustrap smiled. Lavara Nina didn't really look related to Rum Tum
Tugger. After all she was a white, gray, and black tabby, not a leopard
like beast. But they sure did act like brother and sister.
Tugger wasn't the sentimental type, but Munk knew he was happy to have
his little sister back in the tribe. Nina had run away from her home
and from the jellicles when Nina and Tugger were only kittens. She had
been on her own sense then. Until she decided to come back to the
tribe. It had been a struggle but in the end, Munk felt like he made
the right choice, by allowing Nina to come back to the jellicles.
Nina's tail waved lightly in front of Tugger. She smiled at the four
toms. "Hello Munkustrap, Agustus, Skimbleshanks," she jumped up on to
the tire and sat next to Alonzo, who was purring at her. "Alonzo," She
rubbed up against him and purred.
"Hello Nina," Munkustrap and Agustus said in unison.
"Hello there, lass," Skimble smiled, "How are you today?"
"Much better now," She said as she looked at Alonzo. The black and
white tom had a silly smile on his face.
"Hey!" Impatiently, Tugger jumped in-between the two love birds,
forcing them apart. "What am I? Chopped liver?!"
"You will be if you don't move," Alonzo growled at him. Nina just
laughed and pushed Tugger over to Munkustrap.
"So I see you and your sister are getting along just fine Tugger,"
Skimble laughed.
"Oh yeah," Tugger grinned, "Ya' know? For a spoiled, inconsiderate,
immature, brat, Nina is actually really easy to get along........owe!"
Tugger felt a sudden pain in his tail. Nina had dug her sharp claws
into it. "Geez Nina!" he wined.
"Oh Tugger, don't be such a kitten," Nina pointed a claw at him, "And
don't get me started on immature! The stories I could tell."
"Oh shut up," Tugger mumbled as he rubbed his hurt tail.
Munkustrap, Agustus, and Skimble all chuckled. Nina resumed her place
next to Alonzo.
Munkustrap looked up at the sky. The sun was begin to set fast. He
raised himself from his seat and jumped off the tire.
"Hey, Munk," Tugger called, still tending to his hurt tail, "where are
you going now?"
"The suns setting pretty fast. I should go get Old Deuteronomy."
With that Munkustrap disappeared behind a few trash cans.
Tugger shook his head. "Man, is it just me or does Munkustrap need
some sleep or something?"
"I think your right," Agustus agreed, "Munk has been kind of out-of-it,
lately."
"Ah, the lads just has a lot on his mind," Skimble said.
"Maybe," Agustus looked after Munk, who was no where to be seen, "I
still say he should relax."
"So," Nina said changing the subject, "What's this meeting about?"
"Our Magician has some surprise for us," Alonzo answered.
"Mistoffelees?"
"Yep,"
Nina had a crush on Misto for a while, even though she was a little
older then him. But Alonzo had shown the he truly loved her, and her
crush disappeared. She and Misto were still good friends.
"Well," she said as she made herself comfortable in Alonzo's arms,
"This will certainly be exciting."
Skimbleshanks nodded in agreement. He looked up at the sky. It was
getting darker and darker. So it would be nightfall and the jellicles
would start to come.
"Well Misto, lad," Skimble thought, "Tonight's your night. I just hope
you know what your doing, whatever it is that your doing."
********************
It was officially night time, only 30 minutes after sundown. All the
jellicles had gathered. They had made themselves comfortable around the
junkyard, patiently waiting for the meeting to start.
When it was time for the meeting, Old Deuteronomy appeared, leaning on
Munkustrap's arm for support (he was getting old). All of the tribe
greeted him cheerfully. When Old Deut had made himself a set on the
tire, Munkustrap turned to the jellicles.
"Well as you all know, a jellicle approached me last night, asking if I
would call a meeting. I'm glad to see that you are all here,"
Munkustrap searched through the crowed of cats, "But I do not see, the
jellicle who requested this meeting."
"I'm right here," a voice called from atop a trash can. All the
jellicles looked up to find Mistoffelees looking down on them. His
blue, almost black eyes were sparkling with excitement.
"Sorry I'm late," he said as he jumped down, "Master trouble," He
smiled and looked at Deuteronomy, "Thank you for coming, Old
Deuteronmoy."
Deut smiled at him. "My pleasure Mistoffelees. I wouldn't miss this
of the world."
Mistoffelees smiled.
"Well Misto," Munkustrap said, "You called the meeting. Would you like
to take over from here?"
"Uh...sure," he said turning to the tribe, "Well, I would like to thank
all of you for coming first of all." He was not used to being the
center of attention often. "And the reason I called this meeting is
because there is someone who I think everyone should meet."
He looked at Munkustrap. "Here we go," he said. Munk nodded, letting
him know it was OK. Mistoffelees held up a paw as if to say 'stay
here', then turned away from the jellicles and trotted to a trash can
and looked behind it. For a few seconds he just stared behind the trash
can. All the cats were silent. Tugger was starting to get impatient,
and was about to say something, when Mistoffelees spoke. But not to
them, he spoke to whatever was behind the trash can.
"Are you going to come out?" Misto's voice was surprisingly soft and
warm.
A rustle of fur moving was hear from behind the trash can.
"Why not?" Misto asked. All was silent.
"Oh come on, you know very well no one will hurt you." More rustle of
fur was heard.
"What's wrong?" Munkustrap asked.
"Shy," Mistoffelees said with a smile. He looked back behind the trash
can. "Come on. I promise no one will hurt you, OK?" There was a
pause, then another rustle of fur.
"OK," Misto said with one of his warm smiles, "Come on." He started
to walk back over to the tribe, which had been silently watching.
Mistoffelees looked back. "Come on," he said again.
It was to quick to see in detail, but a very small figure of black fur
rushed from behind the trash can, to behind Misto. Munkustrap's
whiskers twitched. The small body was small enough to fully hide behind
Mistoffelees! Well right there, Munkustrap was impressed. Misto was
one of the smallest jellicles in the tribe, and even if there was a
jellicle smaller then him, they never could hide behind Misto like that.
Mistoffelees walked right up to the group of cats, the small figure
right behind him. As soon as Misto was in the half circle that the
tribe had formed, he sat down. Looking behind himself to check on the
black ball of fur behind him, then he looked again at the jellicles.
Unfortunately the tribe couldn't see behind him because he was not that
exposed to them.
"Well," Mistoffelees said with a smile, as he looked behind him again,
"Here we are. And you know I could be wrong, but I think the tribe
wants to meet you."
The jellicles heard more moving fur from the small body. All of the
tribe watched in silence. Only Pallaris, the gray female, had the nerve
to ask the obvious question. "Who is it?"
"And why is he afraid?" Alonzo asked.
"He probably needs a tribe welcome," Pouncival said. Tumblebrutus and
Pouncival had what the twins like to call a 'unspoken glands'. They
could just look at each other and the same plan, or a thought would
transfer threw their heads. Pounc gave Tumble that exact look, and
before anyone could stop them the two kitten toms rushed behind Misto to
find the new arrival.
"Pounc! Tumble!" Munkustrap yelled at them to come back but it was to
late.
When Pouncival and Tumblebrutus looked behind Mistoffelees, they found
a smaller version of him. A small black kitten, with white paws, a
white chest, a white face and a white tipped tail, cowered behind him.
It's small golden-yellow eyes were full of fear. The kitten was
shivering and his tail was twitching nervously. And it didn't help when
it saw the two approaching toms. Immediately it's fur stood on end and
it started to hiss. The two toms were surprised at the kittens actions.
Pouncival could see that it was a little smaller then Tumble and
himself. The black and white ball of fur abruptly started to back away,
from behind Mistoffelees, trying to stay away from the toms. But upon
doing so the small kitten was exposed to the tribe.
Mistoffelees hissed at Pounc and Tumble. The kitten was also hissing
but stopped suddenly when it heard, squeals and coos from the
jellicles. Realizing it was out in the open, the kitten quickly jumped
in between Misto's front paws trying to stay hidden.
Voices from the cats filled the junkyard. "Oh how sweet.....!" "How
cute........!" "Who is that........?" "Look how small......" "Look at
the fur.......".
Old Deuteronomy smiled in surprise, at the tiny figure. The small
kitten didn't do a very good job keeping itself hidden in the front, as
well as it did in the back. All the cats stared in awe and shock at the
black and white ball of fur, curled up tight in Mistoffelees' front
paws. Misto smiled at the small kitten.
"It's all right," he said, "no one will hurt you." The small kitten
looked up at him with scared eyes.
"Lad," Skimbleshanks said in amazement, "Look how much the wee thing
looks like you." Mistoffelees smiled at him. The kitten looked at
Skimble with it's big yellow eyes. It seemed to smile at Skimble's
remark. Mistoffelees them moved his paws away from the tiny beast, and
before it could fallow, Misto grabbed the kitten by the scarf of the
neck. The timid beast, hung from Misto's mouth, as Mistoffelees made
his way threw the crowed of jellicles, and up to Old Deuteronomy and
Munkustrap.
The kitten slowly became more afraid as they approached the jellicle
leader, and future leader. It's small eyes became large and
frightened. As soon as Misto put the little beast down in front of Old
Deuteronomy, the kitten backed up against Mistoffelees as much as it
could. Old Deuteronomy just smiles warmly. Munkustrap stared in shock
at the kitten. The small cat look so much like Mistoffelees, Except
it's eyes. It even had a black bow tie just like Misto. As he gazed
into the kitten's eyes he had the weirdest feeling of déjà ve. He felt
like they had met before, but Munkustrap didn't recognize it at all.
Mistoffelees slowly pushed the tiny beast toward Old Deuteronomy. The
kitten looked up at Old Deut, who smiled in comfort. All the jellicles
were silent as Old Deuteronomy held out his paw to the tiny kitten. The
kitten just looked at it for a second, not knowing what to do.
Mistoffelees gave it a small purr to let the kitten know it was safe.
Very slowly the kitten held out it's paw which was much smaller then
Old D's. The older Jellicle took the kitten's paw. The two just gazed
at each other for a second. Munkustrap watched as a smile formed on Old
Deut's face. The jellicle leader then looked at Misto. Mistoffelees
nodded and smiled. Old Deut then looked back at the kitten. It's
bright golden-yellow eyes were not as big, but it was still scared. It
obviously didn't like being the center of attention. Old Deuteronomy
smiled to make the kitten feel better.
"You've found you way back home, young one, welcome," The older cat
released the kittens paws. But the kitten seem to no longer be scared.
Instead in rubbed it's head against Old Deuteronomy's paw, as if to say
hello. A few jellicles started to murmur, creating a small stir amongst
them.
Mistoffelees was grinning with pride. He seemed to be enjoying the
fact that the little beast he had brought for everyone to see, seem to
be a little less fearful. The kitten then turned it's gaze to the large
silver tabby tom next to Old Deut. Kitten stuck out it's nose to sniff
Munkustrap. Munk did the same. The two got a quick sniff of each
other. Some of the jellicles thought that was amusing and Munkustrap
could hear a few of them giggling and snickering. The kitten pulled
away and shrunk itself back into the safe paws of Mistoffelees. Munk
scowled at the tribe and a few of the snickers stopped. Mistoffelees
looked down at the kitten.
"Do you remember Munkustrap?" he asked. The kitten looked at
Mistoffelees and shook it's head. "No? What about Old Deuteronomy?"
Again the small beast shook it's head. "Do you remember anyone here?"
Mistoffelees turned to the tribe, for the little beast to see, but still
the kitten shook it's head.
"It's all right," Mistoffelees said with a smile. Munkustrap was
really confused. Why would the little kitten know them?
The two kitten toms decided to get another look at the tribes arrival.
Of course Tumblebrutus and Pouncival were held back by Bombalurina and
Demeter.
"I think you two have caused enough trouble for one night," Bombi
spat. Demeter nodded in agreement. The two queens approached the tire
and made their way over the three toms and the kitten. Demeter smiled
warmly at the tiny beast. The kitten stuck it's head out from
Mistoffelees' flank, watching the slim females approaching.
"Oh Mistoffelees!" Cried Bombalurina. "It looks just like you!"
Mistoffelees smile, but the kitten looked suddenly very happy. To the
amusement of the tribe the kitten then sat up, making itself look more
like Misto. It then puffed out It's chest and held it's head high with
a smile that looked a lot like one of Mistoffelees when he smiled. Loud
coos were heard from the queens, and chuckles were heard from the toms.
The kitten upon hearing the noise, thought it did something wrong and
hid among Mistoffelees' paws again.
"Oh, it's OK hon," Demeter said, trying to comfort the small kitten.
"None of us jellicles will hurt you. My names Demeter, and this is my
older sister, Bombalurina." Dem pointed to the red female next to her.
Bombi smiled. The kitten had made it's way out from Misto's front paws
to see the two queens better, but still remand close to Mistoffelees.
"Do you have a name sweet heart?" Bombi asked in a kind voice. The
kitten looked confused. It looked up at Mistoffelees for guidance on
the subject.
"Um....," Mistoffelees pondered, ".......Your favorite one." He
smiled.
The kitten looked back at the two queens. Then in a very small voice
it said, "Little Midnight."
A gasp was heard from the tribe . Whispers were heard from all around
the junkyard. The voice was very feminine and tiny. Munkustrap looked
in surprise at the kitten. It looked like a tom, but....it sounded like
a queen! He could see a few others thought the same way.
"Hey!" Pouncival said as he and Tumble came up to the tire. "How come
he sounds like a girl, Mistoffelees?"
"Because," Mistoffelees scowled at them, "She is a girl."
That got a few more gasps from the tribe. "A girl....?" "But it looks
like him....." "Are they sure......?"
"Misto!" Mungojerrie said in a mocking fashion, "Who's the lucky
queen?" Rumpleteazer, always at his side, giggled.
"Yeah Misto," Tugger echoed, "Was she pretty? How did you get stuck
with it?" A few of the toms laughed. Victoria felt very
uncomfortable. Etcetra put her paw around her younger sisters
shoulder. But of course Misto cleared up the situation.
"Mungo, Tugger," Misto said with a small scowl still on his face, "She
isn't my kitten. This is Midnile'monly, or as I nick-named her, "
Misto nuzzled the face of the kitten who purred, "Little Midnight, my
little sister ."
Victoria let out a sigh of relief. All the jellicles gather close to
see the new arrival.
"Oh Misto, she's just darling! "Jennyanydots cried as she gazed at the
little kitten, "What was her jellicle name again?"
"Um......Midnile'monly," he said, "Way to hard to pronounce or say, for
that matter," he smiled, "Besides, she seams to like Midnight better."
The small kitten purred at Mistoffelees, swishing her tail at him. She
wanted to stay close, because the jellicles were starting to approach
her. Old Deuteronomy urged Misto to take her down to meet every one.
"Come on Midnight," He said taking the hint. Midnight timidly
followed. He led her into a circle the jellicles had formed.
"You've already met Bombalurina and Demeter," Misto said pointing to
the two smiling queens, "But these three are Etcetra, Electra, and
Jemima, the youngest queens of the tribe" They smiled, "These toms are
Alonzo, Plato, Adumetus, and Rum Tum Tugger," the four toms smiled at
them, "These are the elders of the tribe, Skimbleshanks, Agustus,
Jellylorum, and Jennyanydots," The females cooed at the kitten while the
two toms simply smiled, "These are the twins Coricopat and Tantomile,"
they both smiled, "Cassandra and Exotica," the two sisters smiled, " The
two cat-buglers Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer," Misto lend over and
whispered in Midnight's ear, "Watch out for them."
"I heard that," Mungojerrie scuffed. Rumpleteazer giggled and smiled.
"Anyway," Mistoffelees went back to introducing the tribe to his
younger sister, "These two are Pallaris and Lavara Nina," the females
smiled, "You've also already met these two clowns," Misto said in a flat
voice as he pointed to the kitten toms, "But that's Tumblebrutus and
Pouncival."
"Hey!" Tumble said in their defense. But Mistoffelees was already
moving on, "You remember Old Deuteronomy, our leader, and Munkustrap our
future leader," the two smiled, "And last but not lease," Mistoffelees
made his way over to the white jellicle, "This is....."
"Victoria," Midnight finished for him, with a smile. Misto, Victoria,
and the rest of the tribe looked down at her in surprise.
"How did you know that?" Mistoffelees asked with a smiled.
"You said you had a crush on the pretty white one named Victoria,"
Midnight replied. Mistoffelees' eyes shot up. Giggles and laughs were
heard from the tribe. Under Victoria's white fur you could see her
blushing as she gave a short laugh. Mistoffelees you could really tell
was blushing. Tugger made his way up to the other side of Misto,
chuckling.
" 'The pretty white one' ," he said in a mocking voice.
"Shut up Tugger," Misto frowned at him.
"But that's what you said," Midnight crouched down, thinking again she
did something wrong. Victoria smiled at her.
"It's nice to meet you Midnight," she said, making Misto smile at her.
Midnight smiled back and purred.
"It's nice to meet you too," She said.
"Well," Mistoffelees said. His cheeks had turned back to their regular
white. "That's the tribe." Midnight smiled. She was still very shy
and stayed close to her brother. "Are you sure you don't remember
anyone?" Mistoffelees asked again, hopefully. But still Midnight shook
her head. Misto look a little disappointed but smiled. "Why don't you
see if you can make friends," he suggested.
Midnight looked at him warily and then at the tribe. All the kittens
were curios about her and Pouncival and Tumblebrutus decided they should
lead the way. The two toms approached Midnight who stared at them.
"Hi," Tumble said. Midnight gave them a faint smile. She stuck her
nose out again to take a small sniff. Tumble did the same. It looked a
little more cuter, then when it did when Munkustrap did it, so not a lot
of jellicles laughed. Pouncival thought his best friend Tumble looked
like a geek, and he chuckled. Tumble just ignored him. Jennyanydots
came up behind Pouncival and gave him a push. Pouncival fell over on
his face and hissed at Jenny.
"Mind you manners," She said with a scowl, "Go on." Pouncival and
Jenny didn't exactly get along. Pounc was obsessed with getting the
elder queen angry with him, but he didn't feel like making a fool of
himself in front of the new jellicle and Old Deuteronomy. So Pounc
walked up to Midnight and said in a flat voice, "Hi."
"Hello," Midnight replied with a small smile. The two looked at each
other. Both felt very uncomfortable, as they looked into each others
eyes. Tumble got a sudden impulse to be mischievous. He came up behind
Pouncival and pushed him into Midnight. For the second time that day
Pouncival fell on his face. This time at the feet of the black and
white queen. The junkyard exploded into laughter. Pouncival looked up
at Midnight and Mistoffelees. Misto tried to hide his laughter, by
covering his mouth with his paw, but it did no good. Midnight just
faintly smiled. Pouncival quickly got up, to save himself from any more
embarrassment. Tumble came up behind him and started laughing really
hard. Pouncival took a swab at him and hissed.
"Not funny Tumble!" Tumblebrutus couldn't stop laughing. Pouncival
took another swab at him. Suddenly a small black white paw followed,
taking a swab at Tumble as well. Pouncival and Tumblebrutus looked at
the new queen in surprise. Mistoffelees smiled.
"Oh no you don't," he said to the toms, "don't you two even start
teaching her that stuff." Mistoffelees looked at Midnight. "Do not try
to be like these two. All they'll do is get you into trouble."
Midnight nodded in under standing, but Mistoffelees knew that look in
her eye. She was hooked.
"She's going to be a tom-queen," Misto thought to himself, "great."
Most of the toms in the junkyard immediately knew they were going to
like this kitten.
But before the toms took over, Jellylorum and Jennyanydots had look
over the new queen. They walked over to Misto and Midnight and started
giggling.
"Oh! Look how sweet she looks!" Jenny cried! Jelly agreed and she
put a paw on Midnight's face. Midnight really didn't like this, but she
stayed still put.
"Oh look at this face!" Jelly cooed. "Mistoffelees, she looks just
like you!" Misto smiled.
"Na, she's cuter," he replied. But Jelly and Jenny were busy, fussing
over his sister. Frankly the other kittens didn't mind Midnight getting
their attention, after all they got it all the time.
Jenny was looking over the kitten's face when something caught her
eye. A small birth mark, or what looked like a birth mark, on the left
side of Midnight's face, down near the mouth. That looked very
familiar. Jelly caught it too.
"Now where have I seen this before?" Jelly asked as she turned
Midnight's face a little to get a better look.
"Yes this seems very familiar," Jenny nodded.
"Um....," Misto jumped behind Midnight, "that's her.....her...... oh
darn, what did you call that Midnight?"
"My birth spot," she said. She had no clue why the elder queens were
making a fuss. It was just something she was born with.
"But where have I seen this before?" Jelly still pondered. Demeter
couldn't really see and Jenny and Jelly were making her course. So she
walked up behind the two jellicle queens to get a better look.
"Here let me see," she said making her way through Jenny and Jelly, "I
have a pretty good memory, maybe I can place it."
The two queens moved aside to let Demeter look. When Dem took one look
at what Jelly and Jenny were addressing, her eyes immediately got very
large. That birth mark, it wasn't a birth mark! It was a beauty mark!
A small black beauty mark on the left side!
"Grizabella!" Demeter cried.
To Be Continued . . . .