"You had us worried there for a while, sweetheart."
He jerked his head to the right. He was laying on a couch in a big round room. There was a chair opposite of the couch where he lay. To the right a white tiger tabby queen stood. She was a matured adult queen, he assumed. He felt incredibly better, but his chest was still incredibly sore. Another queen, a butter calico, came up behind the white tiger tabby.
"How's he doing?"
"He's recovered remarkably, thanks to you Jelly. But that was just physical injuries."
She frowned, then began to walk towards him. At once, he drew his legs up to his chest, his ears were laying flat against his head, and unnoticeably he winced at the pain he caused to his chest. Jenny placed her paw on Jelly's shoulder.
"I don't think that is a good idea."
"But his brother is on the way."
Plato gasped as he backed up, falling off of the couch. He inched his way to the corner and rolled into a ball.
"Jelly..." Jenny silently scolded her.
Skimble and Gussie cane into the room yawning. "How was your little nap?" Both toms blushed.
"What happened to him?" Gussie whispered.
They shrugged,"Munk, Tugger, and Alonzo are coming to find out. But they really just want to see how he's doing."
Skimble wanted to pull the tom into his arms to comfort his. His mates sensed this and all three silently shook their heads.
He sighed,"When will they get 'ere?"
"Any time now..."
Their eyes went to the corner. The tom was completely hidden, only showing a white blur of his fur. Just then, Munkstrap, Alonzo, and Tugger stepped into the den. Munkustrap frowned when he finally saw Plato.
"I see he's finally up,"Tugger tried to lighten the mood.
"Plato..." Alonzo whispered.
His head snapped up to observe the trio of toms.
"We should go,"Gussie proclaimed.
The quad retreated back to their bedroom.
"If you need us, don't be afraid to ask."
"Thanks, Jelly."
As soon as the were out of the room, Munkustrap began to walk closer to Plato. Frantically, he clung to the corner, tears already forming behind his eyes. Tugger dropped onto the couch, Alonzo right along with him.
"We're not going to hurt you. We just want to know what happened to you."
His eyes went wide and he shook his head.
"Give it up, Munk. Maybe it's better that we didn't know."
He gave a small sigh and sat down in the chair. They sat in silence for a few minutes.
"H-He..." They all snapped their heads up to listen to Plato. The Ginger- White tom started again.
"He kept saying I was...his baby brother. S-So I stayed out of twisted loyalty." He moved into a more comfortable sitting position. "I-I can't...why?"
He choked but held back the tears. Tugger tried to speak up, but Alonzo silenced him. Plato looked into Munkustrap's eyes,"At first, he'd just want me to run some errands. But soon he'd have me recruiting other's. When...when I saw him kill a young princess, he had grabbed me, and pulled me into an abandoned alley. There a tom, roughly my age...he had mystic power's. I-I...I was tortured. Then the mystic jumbled up my memories. So I wouldn't remember. It...It wasn't permenant. Every time my memories would return, they'd put me through the same torture and the loss of my memories. Soon though that didn't work, and I could...remember everything.S-So every night...Macavity...would enter my cell."
He covered up his face with his paws,"Oh rumpus! He promised me he'd perform a different form of torture each night. So th-that I-I w...wouldn't get numb to the s-same torture. Th-this went on for two monthes. T-toward the end." He took a few deep breaths,"My body couldn't take it. P-Plus he had gotten bored with me." He gripped his chest,"I can s-still feel his paws digging in my chest." He start sobbing, as tears ran down his cheeks,"He had tortured me, but didn't heal me. Then later, the next afternoon, still abused a-and bloody, he threw me out for dead. He e-even let his en-enforcer's...hunt me down, like a damn sport. I-I don't even know how I managed t-to get here."
He began to uncontrollably cry. Both Alonzo and Munkustrap were on the floor embracing their youngest brother. As for Tugger, he still sat on the couch. His paw was covering his mouth to keep from vomitting. Alonzo had tears streaming down his face. A few tears were running down Munkustrap's face as well,"Don't worry. You'll be safe here. You can live here with us, that is if you want to."
Plato's whole body was shivering,"Why...ware you being so nice to m-me?"
Alonzo held on tighter,"That's simple. You're family, plus that's just how we are. We three, are your older half-brother's."
****
Peacefully the tuxedo cat slept. He was dreaming about the most delicious cream he had ever tasted. His mouth started to water, even though he was fast asleep. The wind gentley ruffled through his fur, down to his tail. His ears perked up and he opened one sleepy eye. He couldn't beleive it, his humans were in the living room by the fireplace, calling his name. Mistoffelees sat up and looked at the street below him. He was about on the roof. He snickered at his silly humans. He twirled around to go back to sleep. Suddenly, he felt a distinctive scent in the air. Magic sparks began to fly out of his paws, and his eyes went wide.
**What could this mean?**
He peered over the city into the distance, all the while sending chills down his spine. He slipped into the window and back into the house. He was quick on his feet, so he wouldn't alert his human's to his presence.
**I've got to warn the twins about this.**
****
Demeter wandered through the yard with no sight of him. She had glanced everywhere, but had no luck. She plopped down onto the tire with her eyes downcasted. In the distance, a young tom looked at the golden queen. She looked so tired and just plain depressed. He frowned and slowly came out of the shadows. He gradually made hi way to Demeter,"You know...you look better when you smile."
She looked up at Alonzo and gave a real smile.
"That's better. So you mind telling me what's wrong?"
Demeter shrugged,"It's nothing really. I just can't find Munkustrap. Do you happen to know where he is?"
Alonzo frowned,"He's at the infirmary, visiting."
"Oh.." She got up to go in that direction. She gave a backward glance to Alonzo and her heart sank. His back was turned to her, his tail and ears were pointed downward, and his shoulders were slouched.
"Alonzo!"
He turned around and Demeter hugged him. He looked down at her puzzled. Uncertainly, he placed his paws around her waist. At the sound of her purr, Alonzo pulled back,"Deme?"
She gazed up at him and quickly claimed his mouth. She licked his bottom lip, moaning when she heard him moan. His tail intimately wrapped itself around her tail. At once, Demeter jolted up and peered around her. She gripped at her chest as she sat on the tire. **It was just a dream?**
"That must have been some dream." Bomb smirked at her friend and took a seat next to her.
Demeter looked at Bomb, who only winked at her. The golden queen flung herself around Bomb's waist and cried violently.
"Sh..sh. Was it something I said?" Bombalurina patted Demeter's head. "You don't have to tell me what's wrong. I'm just here for you."
She sighed, as she listened to the small sobbing. Finally, she pulled Demeter into an embrace.
"You shouldn't be crying, girl. I bet Munkus is an excellent mate. Why cry about it?"
She continued to stroke Demeter's back. She was going to try to pry further, but decided against it. The two queens stayed in each other's arms. Before long, Demeter's sobbing had slowed down and almost stopped.
"It..It wasn't Munk!" Demeter choked out, the sobs threatening to return.
"Calm down, Deme. What do you mean?"
Demeter looked up at her face,"My..my dream. It wasn't about Munkustrap. I-I kissed Alonzo."
Bomb was still upset with Alonzo, but she was there to comfort Demeter, not dump her problems on the poor golden queen. Demeter began to sob again.
"Don't cry, Deme. It was just a dream. It doesn't mean anything."
"But, I don't think it was just a dream!"
"You mean...your seeress gift?"
"Yeah..."
Bomb rubbed her paw through Demeter's fur,"But Deme, those are just possible future's. You love Munkustrap with your whole heart. That's not going to happen. You and Munkustrap are going to be together for a long time....you'll be together until you go to the heavyside layer."
"Bomb, but what if I do fall in love with Alonzo. I'll hurt Munkustrap. I don't want to do that."
"Aww, Deme. You're not going to hurt Munkustrap, because you are not going to leave Munkustrap."
"But-"
"Deme, another thing. Alonzo would have to love you, too. Don't take this the wrong way, but he's never even showed any interest in you."
Demeter wiped away her tears, then laid back down onto Bombalurina's lap. "I suppose you're right."
Bomb smiled,"Of course I'm right. See you have nothing to worry about."
"Do you think I should tell Munkustrap about it?"
"Oh..." Bomb bit her lip,"I don't think that would be a good idea."
She nodded her head in understanding. She looked off in the distance and saw Munk, Tugger and Alonzo with Plato, just outside the quad's den. Demeter was still cautious and leary about Plato, but ultimately was concerned. She didn't know what had happened to him, but felt sad and agreed that Plato could have sanctuary. The quads children were running around the four toms, playing. Desperate to change the subject, she lightly touched Bomb's knee,"So, Rumpleteazer is still wearing your pearl necklace."
Bomb nearly laughed,"I know."
"And that doesn't bother you?"
"Not really. It looks alot better on her, don't you think so?"
"Good point."
****
Plato cautiously followed his brother's out of the den. There were seven youger jellicles running about. A white queen had run in front of him in order to catch the ball. He backed up and winced when her tail touched his leg. After catching the ball, she looked up at him.
"I'm sorry. Did I...run into you?"
Munkustrap placed apaw on Victoria.At once, Victoria knew this was the tom who almost didn't make it.
She graciously smiled at him,"Looks like you've decided to stay..I'm Victoria." She blushed,"If you ever need a friend."
"Viccy!"
"Yeah, I'm coming,"She turned her attention back to Plato,"Well it was nice to meet you."
Victoria turned and began to walk away.
"P-Plato."
Her head glancced back, and her face positively beamed. She waved then got back to her game.
Tugger winked at Plato,"Seems like you're a little smitten with her."
He shrugged,"How-How long was I out?"
Tugger looked to Munkustrap and Alonzo, and Munkustrap decided to answer,"Well you were ina coma state for about a month. No one thought you'd make it through, but Jelly insisted to keep you in the infirmary. She didn't want to think that we might lose you."
Alonzo nodded and then continued,"Three weeks after we brought you in, your condition started to improve and look up. So Jelly got Gussie and Skimble to move you onto the couch. Then, a week and a half later...today, you woke up."
Plato nodded,"So..how did I even survive?"
Tugger cracked a smile,"That'd be thanks to Jelly. She's a healer. She stabilized your internal injuries, and even fixed three out of four of your broken ribs."
But I lost so much blood. Macavity is the only one with my blood type."
"Wrong,"Tugger spoke,"Alonzo here as your blood type,too."
Alonzo shurgged,"I didn't want you to die."
"But what if I did?"
They all stood silent and confused. Except Munkustrap, who held a sympathetic look. Finally, Munkustrap spoke up,"Do you still want to die?"
Plato observed them then looked back at the giggling kittens.
"No, I want to live here. I just wish that I could forget about all of it, you know."
Alonzo gentley touched Plato's paw, and the ginger-white tom shivered a little at the contact. "You'll like it here, Plato."
He silently agreed as the four began to walk away from the quads den.
"So what's it like here?"
They all laughed.
"It's great!"Alonzo cheered.
Munkustrap agreed,"It really is. You'll like it alot. We were hoping to have a festival, so that'd youd be able to join the tribe properly. Plus it would give you a chance to meet everyone. But after all you've been through, a festival might not be a good idea. I don't think you'd be up to it."
"Maybe not, but being around the others...might help me to get comfortable around them, eventually."
Tugger jumped up enthusiastically,"Alright Plato! We're going to party tonight!"
Plato finally gave a small smile as he continued to follow them. They entered a narrow pathway, dens of all kinds were located on both sides.
"We are right next to the central yard. If you take this pathway all the way to the end, you'll emerge in the central yard. A oven to your right, and a pipe to your left." Munkustrap spoke in answer to Plato's unspoken question.
"For the most part, all of these dens are empty. Except that one." Alonzo pointed to a den, where you had to climb to gain entrance into the den. "Cassandra and Exotica live there. It's a good sized den, however, lately Cassandra has been in there alone. Her sister has disappeared."
"But hey, there are many other den's to look at, if you don't want to live in any of these," Tugger said.
Plato looked at the rather large den at the end of the path.
Munkustrap chuckled,"When Old Deuteronomy used to live here-"
"Old Deuteronomy.."
"Yeah, he's your father." Alonzo softly spoke.
"I know...used to? Is he dead?"
"No, no...he prefers to stay with human's in his old age. He still comes here every year at the jellicle ball."
Plato gave a sigh of relief.
Munk continued,"Anyway, back then, Old Deuteronomy was quite the queen's tom. He had many mat'es so they lived in this huge den. What did we used to call it?"
Alonzo shrugged, but Tugger chuckled,"We called it the mansion den."
They nodded simultaneously.
"How about this one?"Plato entered into the den next to the mansion den, to the right. They followed in suit, then looked around. It was a good sized den, but was made more for a triad, or a couple with a couple kittens. Munkustrap noticed that he ginger-white tom's cautiousness and protective shields were down and he looked relaxed as he inspected every inch of the den. The silver tabby shook his head at Alonzo and Tugger.
"Doesn't matter that his is for a triad, he needs this," he whispered to them.
They finally agreed with Munk, who cleared his throat.
"You like it don't you?"
Plato smiled,"I really do."
"Then welcome to your new home."
He smirked,"Thank-"
The four toms all shot their heads up.
"Did you hear that?"Plato whispered, his cautiousness and shields were back up.
"That sounded like Cassandra!" Alonzo shrieked as he ran out of the den.
"Alonzo, wait." Munkustrap left after him.
"You can stay here, but I'm going to find out what's going on." Tugger left too, and soon Plato found himself following after them.
Once outside a queen as holding Alonzo,"Don't worry, Alonzo. Cassandra is fine. But her powers are growing."
Munkustrap came up behind Alonzo, placing a paw on his shoulder,"Are you sure, Tantomile?"
She nodded,"Me and Coricopat felt it as well, and came running to find Cassandra."
"Where is Coricopat?"Tugger thought outloud.
"Inside comforting Cassandra."
"Bomb's not going to like that,"he snickered.
Tantomile focused her attention on the tom in the background,"Ah, I see Cassandra will finally have a neighbor."
The three toms looked back at Plato.
"Don't worry Cassandra doesn't bite. You'll like her. However, sometimes her power gets a little overwhelming for her."
"So...I'll hear whimpers coming out of her den now and then?"
She smirked,"Something like that."
"Hey Coricopat." Tugger withheld giggles.
They all looked up at him. He still clutched Cassandra as he made his way to the ground.
"Well?"Munk and Tantomile asked in unison.
Coricopat looked down at Cassandra, who buried her face deeper into his chest,"She's fine. Just a little shooken up."
She shivered, but kept a firm grasp around Coricopat.
Alonzo bit his lipand felt Munk's paw grip his shoulder tighter,"Cassie?"
She refused to look up.
**Give her time.** Tantomile warned.
Tugger sat down figuring they'd be here a while.
Plato finally walked up next to Alonzo," So is it always eventful around here?"
A few of them chuckled. "Everyday,"Tugger managed to say.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see Mistoffelees appearing soon. He had to have felt it a bit sooner."
Tantomile nodded, but frowned,"This jellicle is giving off so much energy and emotions with that energy...they might not realize that hey have mystic powers."
"If that's the case, we'll have to be prepared alot sooner than anticipated."
Munk nodded,"If you all felt it, I'm sure Macavity has, too, by now."
"This jellicle, will be here within the next month or two."
"We'll be ready by then,"Alonzo reassured the group.
"You three...are mystics?"
Tantomile and Coricopat looked to Plato,"Yes, why, is there a problem?"
Plato stood his ground, but inside he was petrified,"N-no.."
They both silently entered the toms mind.
~**~
Plato silently cried as he struggled to free himself of his binds. The high window revealed that it was night-time. And just as usual, Macavity entered his holding cell with a silver and grey tom with red and black markings following behind.
"Please, no..."
Macavity quickly grabbed the back of Plato's head and hissed,"No? Here I give you the chance to live another day..and you're ungreatful."
His claws gradually came out and he relished in Plato's agonizing scream. The blood ran down his face and mixed with his salty tears.
"NOOOOO!"Plato screamed as Macavity's other paw slashed into hs lower stomach. He raked his claws up to hs shoulder. Huge gashes trailed from his shoulder, down to his lower stomach. He let ou another scream, but was instantly cut off when Macavity's claws ripped holes in his cheek and just below his jaw. Behind him, the young silver tom was laughing.Plato grunted and spit up some blood, as Macavity kicked out his kneecap. He began to relax a little at the sound of his ouwn blood dripping down his body and splashing onto the floor. There wasn't much left for Macavity to do, until he grinned,"Chaos!"
The silver tom began to laugh again,"Yes boss?"
"Get her."
A truly horrified look crossed Plato's face. Chaos left, and Plato squinted his eyes shut. He just wanted this to be a nightmare, to have it all go away. But when he opened his eyes, Macavity stood there licking off Plato's blood from his own claws. Finall, Chaos returned with an all white queen, with medium length hair.
"Plato!" She screamed.
He tried to speak, but Macavity had slammed the back of his head, hard onto the concrete wall.
Chaos still had a good grip on her,"Aw, what's the matter, Risty? Can't stand seeing your first love being tortured?"
She was crying,"Plato...let us go!!"
Macavity waltzed over to her,"Whatever for? We brought you here, because you have some news to tell Plato...right?"
She looked at him wide-eyed and shook her head. He drew out his claws and peirced his eyes at Plato. The tears kept falling from Plato's eyes.
"Seems like this whore is pregnant with your child."
Plato gasped,"No...don't. Stop! Risty..."
Risty cried and shivered in Chaos' arms.
"But it was just tradgic Plato. Risty suddenly had a miscarriage."
"NOOOO!" Both Risty and Plato screamed.
Yet it was too late as Macavity sliced and diced up Risty's stomach. She was screaming in a mixture of sadness and pain.
"I love you so much, Plato!"
"Nooo...Plaese, don't." He pleaded with Macavity.
Macavity began to evilly laugh as he jabbed his two claws into her chest, cutting her heart into. Chaos dropped Risty, who fell limp to the ground. Plato was sobbing so hard that his body violently shook, his lip quivered, and he began to choke. Quietly, Macavity made his was back to Plato. He licked the side of his cheek, but Plato quickly jerked his head away. "See you again tomorrow night."
Both toms left, but Chaos came back in, wheeling a baby begal tom in.
"Little Hanz here, will fix you up," he flashed a grin as he held the kitten up to Plato.
"No...no. Let me Die!"
But Hanz had already placed his paws onto Plato's body, and quickly, all of his wounds had healed. Plato waited till the two had left before he began to cry again.
"I loved you, too, Risty. I...I'm so sorry."
~**~
Immediately, the twins pulled their minds back from Plato;s witha gasp. Coricopat had unconsciously tightened his hold on Cassandra. Tantomile's eyes welled up and her legs gave way from underneath her. Unprepared, Munk, Alonzo, and Plato gasped, but Tugger had rolled and caught Tantomile in his grasp. As soon as she felt arms around her, Tantomile buried her head and openly cried. Shocked to see one of the twins crying, Tugger craddled her closer to his body. "Just let it out Tomie." Tugger whispered.
"What's wrong with her?"Alonzo was full of worry.
Munkustrap matched his tone,"Coricopat, what's going on?"
Before Coricopat could explain though, Plato cut in,"I...can explain."
They all looked to him, even Cassandra.
"They went into my mind, and I assume witnessed one of my torturess nights. Not sure which one, they were all pretty bad."
Tantomile was still crying, but felt better as a paw stroked her back. "It...I'm not sure if you want to know."
He shrugged,"I've already been through them."
She whispered,"Risty..."
His paws clutched into fists, and he spoke through gritted teeth,"I need to be alone for a while. Uh, just call when the festival is going to start."
He retreated back to his new den.
"Whose Risty?" Tugger commented.
Tantomile suddenly blushed, realizing who was holding her. "Apparently, she was his mate. She was pregnant with his child when Macavity murdered both his unborn child and Risty. Right in front of him."
Munstrap growled in a new-found hatred for the ginger tom.
"That bastard!"Tugger hissed.
"Maybe we should cancel the festival Munk."
"What festival?...And what's happening?" He glanced at Coricopat and Cassandra practically fused together, and Tantomile and Tugger laying on the ground intwined.
"It's a long story Mistoffelees."
He shrugged off Tantomile's answer.
"We're still going to celebrate. Plato wants to attend the festival, so we shall continue. Plus it will be good for Plato. Not all expirence's are bad."
Mistoffelees gave a wierd look,"Cool, festival. I'm glad I cam back then."
"And you cam back why?"Alonzo spoke out.
"Oh right! I came to warn you Tantomile, Coricopat."
Tantomile slowly got off of Tugger and they shook their heads,"We felt it too. It especially shook up Cassandra."
Cassandra gradually agreed,"It was so cold, and lonely. I've never felt such sorrow."
"What are we going to do?"
"Nothing, for now Mistoffelees.There is nothing we can do."
They all nodded to Tantomile. Tugger stood up while Munkustrap spoke,"We should get the festival underway. By nightfall, the festival will begin. There's not much time, so let's get a move one."
****
George and Victor were competing in a heated game. They were the team leader's. One George's team, was Bill Bailey, and Rumpleteazer. Victoria, and Carbuckety were on Victor's team. Then of course, Sillabub was on the sidelinees keeping score. Rumpleteazer had been down since her twin, Mungojerrie has appeared and disappeared from the yard in the past month. And she figured it would only get worse from then on. However, this current game was definately lifting her spirits. Jenny sat just outside watching the game, curled in the arms of Gussie. At the moment, George's team was winning.
Victor growled,"You've got to be cheating!"
"Me? Cheat? Why can't you accept that your younger brother might be better at something than you are."
"Why you!"
"Look at mister high and mighty! You always have to be the best. All of our parents favor you, but no, you have to have all of our siblings loving you, too."
"You're just jealous because I was born first."
"Jealous? Why...we've won the gam already, right Teaze, Bill?"
"Yeah!"They cheered.
Jenny and Gussie laughed at them.
"You're two sons have been competing with each other the moment they entered this world."
"They always will be in competition. Remember when Carbuckety came...then they competed about who loved Buck more."
Jenny started laughing again.
"Alright! Let's start the last round,"Sillabub chimed.
George smirked,"With pleasure."
He drew back the ball and forcefully flung it in the air.
"hey, that was an illegal move,"Buck whined.
"Yeah, that's not fair."
George squinted his eyes seeing the ball sitting up high on some cases of dresser's.
"It was a bad move George. So you have to get the ball."
George though over Victor's words,"fine."
"Be careful,"both Teazer, and Bill commented.
George nodded and ran to the case of the dresser's. Without further delay, George began to make his way up the desser's. He smoothly placed one paw over another.
"What is he doing, Gussie?"
"Looks like he's trying to get the ball he threw."
"But Gussie, those dresser's aren't stable...it's dangerous."
"Now dearest-"
A rough scream was heard, followed by a harsh grunt and a loud thud.
"George!"Victor screamed.
All of the siblings and Gussie had begun to run to the fallen George. Jenny slipped inside to warn Jelly. She walked into the bedroom and found the pair sleeping. Simble had his amrs around her, and rested his head on hers. She almost felt sorry to disturb such a pretty peaceful moment.
"Jelly."She said firmly.
Jelly groaned, then opend her eyes,"What is it JEnny?"
She bit her lip, and Jelly shot up at her silence.
The sudden movement awoke Skimble and he tumbled out of bed,"What's thee sudden, urgency?"
"It's George, he fell."
Jelly ran into the big room, just as Gussie and Victo carried him in.
George grimaced in pain,"No, don't touch me!"
"Relax son, Jelly will heal you."
"Yeah, everything will be okay, bro."
George looked to Victor,"Did, did my team win?"
Victor laughed,"Yes, your team won by a long shot."
"Yes!"He cheered, before groaning in pain.
Jelly followed them nto the infirmary, where George was placed onto the table. Jelly looked to them both before sitting near George's head.
"Come on Victor. We'll wait in the main room."
Gussie lead Victo out leaving Jelly and George alone.
"You'll be just fine George." She started to place her paw above George, but was stopped.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"I'm just going to find out what's wrong with you.I'm going to scan you. Hopefully, it'll only be a sprang."
He held his breath and nodded for her to continue. He had his eyes squinted shut when he heard her sigh.
"I'll be right back alright?"
"Okay, uh...mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"ARe you mad at me?"
"Of course not."
She left the infirmary and into the main room. Sillabub was hiding behind Skimble, obviously scared for her big brother. Victor stood in between Carbuckety and Bill Bailey reassuring them. Victoria stood in front of Gussie, who held her by the shoulders. Just next to Gussie, Jenny stood with her arm around his waist.
"Well?"Skimble spoke up, once he saw Jelly enter.
"He'll be okay. He;s got a broken leg. After I reset his leg, I'll be able to heal him."
Back in the infrimary, George lay in silence. He heard the murmurs of his family talking in the main room. But something was still unsettling as it raced through his body. He let out a low growl and whipped his head back. His paws clutched onto the shee,"What's happening to me?"
He let out a strangled hiss. His eyes were squinted, but he still heard the frantic footsteps. Jenny and Skimble stood there in shock.
"George honey." Jelly whispered.
"Open your eyes, son,"Gussie coaxed.
Hesitantly, he opend his scared eyes, but quickly calmed down at his parents faces. Jelly was smiling.
"Is something on my face?"George absent-mindedly said. They shook their heads.
"You,"Jelly paused,"You've inheritated my healing ability."
He looked down at his leg. It was completely healed. Gentley, he lifted his leg into the air.
"Whoa! My leg. It's completely fine. It doesn't even hurt anymore!"
Gussie glanced towards the entrance of the infirmary,"Victor?"
The brown tabby shrugged,"He was showing signs of being a healer a little while ago. I just wasn't sure, and had to ask."
George looked confused.
"George this is exciting."
"Ay don't know 'bout that, Jenny."
"Nonsense. What do you think Jelly?"
"Well it's amazing."
"I'd have to agree."
"But you don't understand...when I found out that I had the gift I was older than George is now."
"What does that mean?"Skimble scratched his head.
"I beleive that she's saying George's healing is more advanded than her, or will be once he get's older."
They all glanced at Gussie.
George immediately sat up,"Why do I have it? What if I don't want it? Does it always hurt? How do I learn to use it?"
"Calm down, we all know you have questions. If you're willing, I'll teach you all about your power."
They all waited, when George finally nodded his head.
**Jenny..**
**Yes Coricopat? Oh! George has the healing gift.**
**George does? That's great news.**
**It really is. Though George is a bit confused and I'm sure very overwhelmed.**
**I'm not surprised.**
**So what is it that you want?**
**Right, well Munkustrap has decided to hold a festival for Plato, tonight. Really, it's going to start soon.**
**A festival, is that poor tom up for it?**
**No, the poor thing has been through alot. Apparently, Macavity killed his mate, Risty and their unbron child. But Plato insists on having the celebration.**
**Plato himself, huh? Alright, we'll be in the central yard, soon.**
**See you there, then.**
**Good-bye Coricopat.**
"...And then you'll be the hero!" Victor and George started to giggle. Jenny had catched the last of their conversation.
"What's up Jenny?"
"Yeah, ye looked distant."
"There's a festival tonight."
"Really?"
"Yes Jelly, in honor of Plato."
George and Victor shot up and ran into the main room,"Alright, Party!!!"
****
Word always traveled fast in the yard, everyones business always seemed to be everyone else's business. Plato had walked into the yard wide-eyed. It was nightfall, but there were different sets of lights on, making the yard light up with a certain glow. He imagined that all the jellicles were present, but he didn't know everyone so he wasn't sure.
Munkustrap approached him with a golden queen on his side,"Welcome Plato. this is Demeter...my mate."
Plato slightly backed away,"I-I'm Plato."
She nodded,"Umm...well come on. The dancing's about to start."
"Dancing?!"
"It's alright, if you want you can just watch,"Munk bowed as they headed to the tire.
Tugger had placed an arm around Plato, who winced at the contact,"Hey bor! Don't you just love it here?"
"Its festive."
As they made their way to the car, Plato slipped away and sat atop the trunk. Music hit the air, and the quad were the first jellicles out dancing. The four jellicles were dancing an elaborate dance. The two oairs would constantly switch their partners. Once they were finished with the dance all four bodies were intwined together. Applause was heard, but their seven children were clapping and hollering the loudest. They continued to dance, but George dragged Victor onto the dancefloor laughing. Carbuckety had dragged both Billie and Teazer to dace. Buck was on one side of Teazer, while Bill was on the other side of her. Back at the tire, Bomb seductively walked up.
Her tail brushed against Munk's leg,"Care to dance, stud? Of course if it's okay with you, Deme..."
Deme smiled,"Of course, go have fun."
Munkustrap jumped off of the tire, gripping the scarlett queen's paw. "I'd love to dance with you, Bomby."
Most of the jellicles were surveying the two on the dance floor. Bomb was laughing in the silver tabbys arms. The others were too busy wathing them, or dancing themselves to botice Alonzo sitting next to Demeter.
"They don't bother you?"
She managed to not look at him,"Not really. Munks my mate, and Bomb is my best friend, I trust them. Im not worried."
"The two do look pretty good together though."
"Yeah they do. I'll give them that."
"Still, that should be you out there."
"They can have their fun."
Alonzo stood up to leave,"You should have some fun, too."
He headed out onto the dancefloor, but something made him go back to Demeter.
"Yes?" She hissed.
He decided to ignore her anger for now,"Would you like to dance?"
She finally looked up in his face. She paused, still remembering her dream. The look on her face gave her away, and he kicked himself as he walked away. However, he felt a shy paw on his arm.
"I'd like that alot."
He grinned as he placed his paws just above her waist. She blushed whe she noticed her body pressed against his. Maybe it was the dream, or the music, or a deep feeling in the pit of her stomach, but she wrapped her paws around his neck and laid her head agains his chest. Plato frowned. Everyone, well most everyone was on the dance floor, except him. Tugger was twirling Tantomile around, and Coricopat was gliding his paws down Cassandra's back. When a paw touched his shoulder, he flinched.
"I'm real sorry..."
He looked her over, shivering,"No, it's fine. So they tell me you're a wonderful dancer, Victoria."
She nodded modestly,"Why don't you find out for yourself?"
His eyebrow inched up his face at what she was implying. He didn't know why, but he wanted to improve himself, because of her. He wanted to be alright. "Okay.."
The pair sauntered to an open spot. Nervously, a paw went through his head fur. She giggled, before placing his paw on her side and the other in her own paw. They picked a slower rythmn, than the music. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Mistoffelees twirling a giggling Sillabub under his arm. Boldly, she leaned in closer to him and rested her head against his chest. She noted his muscles tense, but smiled when his body soon relaxed. Viccy bit her lip as she glanced into Plato's eyes.
Sweetly, she spoke," You know, Risty would have liked it here."
He glared, but instantly shook his head of his emotions,"Yeah, she would have loved it."
"I really would have liked her. I don't want to offend you, but I wish that I could have met her."
"you two would've probably got along great. She would have liked you alot." They smiled at each other.
--
Later, after the festival was over, Tugger approached Plato.
"Did you like it?"
"It was so fun."
"Well, if that's the case, then wait until you attend the jellicle ball."
"The jellicle ball?"
"Yeah, it's ten times great than tonight."
"Really? Than I can't wait..."
"Obviously, and Victoria, she's dancing the courtship."
"What's that?"
"Well usually a queen, sometimes it can be more than one. But they'll dance one at a time. A tom will then dance it with her, and they become mates forever."
"Forever?"
"You know what I mean. Besides it's frowned upon, if a couple decided's to break their relationship."
"So why are you telling me?"
"No reason. Just seems like Viccy's sort of into you."
****
Macavity peacefully laid on his fluffy white blanket in his round office room. Exhaustedly, he raised up to fluff the one side of the blanket, before laying his head back down. A rough yawn escaped his lips, and he closed his sleepy eyes. He was quite comfortable, and was about to go to sleep. But a knock on his door decided otherwise.
He growled a deep intimidating growl,"What is so urgent this late at night?"
"We are sorry, sir,"Lucious humbly said as he and Lucifer entered the room.The two black enforcer's made their way to Macavity, and silently stood in front of him.
The ginger tom rubbed his eyes,"Alright, what is it?"
Lucifer groaned in fury. Macavity evilly grinned,"I see, Sylvia is still being bothersome..."
Lucifer ran a paw through his mane,"Indeed. We weren't sure how you'd want to handle this situation."
"We do think you should handle it. You're oh so persausive."
Macavity let out a laugh that would make any normal jellicle run in fright.
The twin brother's bowed,"Your orders?"
"Bring the girl to me."
They left rather quickly, running into the small tier tabby. They didn't hate the tom, but they didn't like him either. A growl escaped Lucious, and'Hey watch it' came from Lucifer's mouth. Mungojerrie just shrugged his shoulders and slipped into Macavity's office.
" 'Ey boss."
Macavitys face twisted into annoyance and out of place happiness. He still didn't know what to make of his newest recruit. But from what Exotica has told him, seeing Mungojerrie accept to his arrangement made him like the tiger that much more. Not to mention, he was an excellent theif.
"Is this important Mungojerrie?"
"Oi think it is...Griddlebone, she's waitin' in a few rooms down fer ya."
Macavity kept calm,"Sylvia, her sister, has an appointment with me. So I'll need you to keep Griddlebon busy for awhile, until I'm done."
"Sure thin'. Wha's your appointment 'bout? If ya don' mind me askin'."
"Not at all. Apparently she has been misbehaving. So I'm going to teach her a lesson. Tell me, do you have a problem with that?"
He hoped the young tom didn't, or it would be a repeat of Plato.
"Not at all sir."
"Here she is boss."
"Let go of me, you big black baffoon!" She hissed more so at Lucifer than Lucious.
Mungojerrie waltzed to the door,"Don' worry 'bout Griddlebone."
Lucious and Lucifer closed the door behind them, but stood quard just outside.
Macavity stood up, looking down at Sylvia,"Do you know why you're here, Sylvia?"
Meanwhile, Griddlebone began to pace the floor. She had grown extremely impatient ever since Mungojerrie had left. The door opened, and the dark burmese walked towards her. "Hey Gridds."
"Why must you call me that?"
"Well personally Griddlebone is too long. Besides were pretty close right?"
"Yeah, I suppose you are right."
"Exotica, Griddlebone..."Mungojerrie entered.
"Hey Jerrie,"They said in unison.
"Sorry, bu' Xottie, restrain 'er."
Without thought, Exotica hooked her arm through Griddlebone's and forced her to the ground.
"What?" Criddlebone choked out. But that's when the three jellicles heard a loud shrill scream. Griddlebone went wide-eyed,"Sylvia? No!"
As griddlebone began to struggle, Mungojerrie leapt on top of her,"Jus' calm down now."
"Calm down, but my sister."
"We know Gridds."
"He's raping my sister!"
"It could be worse."
"Let me go! Get off of me."
"Oi can' do tha'."
"You'd feel different if that was your sister, Jerrie...or even yours!"
Exotica entered Griddlebone's mind,"Just calm down everything will be better in the morning." Suddenly, Griddlebone fell asleep.
"Wha' did ya do?"
"I made her think that she was really tired."
They both got off of the white persian. Exotica turned to Jerrie and smiled,"She'll be much calmer by morning."
***FIN
-Year One Illustrations by Extwo