The Awful Battle of the Pekes and What's Possible

The Awful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles

Wait! He's done! Finally! Time for The Awful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles! Munk got giddy with joy from the hard work he put into entertaining his dad. He turned away from his dad and gestured to the crowd, urging them to get excited with him and get ready for the performance. The cats scattered like mice, leaving Munk to the center, just as rehearsed, bowing to Old Duet and starting the number.

"Of the awful battle of the pekes and the pollicles-!" Munk made sure to annunciate the way Tugger told him to, spitting out each consistent so his father could hear clearly. "-of joining the fray and they-" He conducted the barking with his hands, hoping the other cats would know when they were supposed to bark, and they did it! They barked correctly! Everything was going to plan!

Munkustrap 100% stole the show, putting his all into every movement and tick. Everything was perfect... that was until Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer made their ways out on stage. They forgot their choreo for their interaction, as if their movements weren't just what he was describing in the lyrics. Then, Mungo, ONCE AGAIN, barked twice. Munk put his paw to his chest to try to get him to understand, but the next round he just did it again.

Munk wouldn't let that stop the show though! Next, Teazer had to go into a split and wiggle her tail, but instead, she started rubbing up against Munk. Which, for starters he was monogamous and was very uncomfortable with that, but more importantly to Munk, that was NOT the choreo they practiced! He shoved Teazer off of him and continued narrating.

Teazer was supposed to spin across the stage, but instead opted out to crawl between the tom's legs. Again, not comfortable and not the choreo. But he at least trusted Mungo to lead the line correctly- until he couldn't. Mungo ran directly into Munk, doing more circles than they were supposed to. Munk stopped the line, holding Mungo in place to continue his narration.

Just then, just about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The two best male dancers of the tribe, Skimble and Misto, came up for their duet, but instead of dancing in the center, they danced right next to Munku, hitting him in the face. When he thought that was bad enough, Tugger whipped out his bagpipe and started playing them, despite Munk's earlier disagreements. He immediately regretted that warm moment they had shared just the song before.

A bunch of cats were tripping over themselves and Tugger was pushing down those who weren't already struggling. Then the fluffed eared dogs came out, everyone getting in their places just in time to bark. Not that that was a good thing, the cats never controlled themselves. They barked loudly and sporadically out of cue and for way too long. If they didn't stop, Munk wouldn't be able to introduce the great Rumpus cat.

Munkustrap yelled at everyone to just shut up and stop! This could still be saved, the best was saved for last. He continued his narration, captivating Old Duet and the cats alike. He stepped up to the entrance area of the Rumpus cat as he flew in from far behind Munk. He just could not catch a break, could he? He did his little duet with the Rumpus cat, repeatedly almost being kicked in the face, the entire number ending with one last quip from Tugger's bagpipe.

Munk was disappointed in himself. How could he let his dad see such a bad version of his work. Munk knew whatever was going on was his fault and he should have done better. Munk looked up to Old Duet as he talked after the show. "Jellicle cats and dogs all must. Pollicle dogs and cats all must. Like undertakers turn to dust."

Munk let his breathing catch in his throat. What in the world does that mean? Of course we live in the dust, we're outside. We're much cleaner than those dirty pollicles though, the great Rumpus cat would know. Not that he had much time to ponder. His mate crashed down, out of breath and shaky. "Macacity!", she cried out as all the cats scattered to hide. All, but Munkustrap.

Nope, Munkustrap stayed out to protect his father. He couldn't run, he couldn't hide. The only choice he had was to stand there and hope he had enough willpower to ward off his brother by himself. Munk looked around as Old Duet felt a shaky power behind his arms. His concern vanished as he saw it was just young Mistoffelees hiding behind him. He gestured for him to join the other kittens and stay safe with Tugger.

Misto moved himself to infront of his dad before seeing Victoria and a couple other kittens come out to touch Old Duet. He immediately welcomes them and starts singing. Munk was confused, but soon joined into the dance, assuming his dad knew they were safe.

Munkustrap didn't have the heart to truly enjoy the activities of the ball after that. He was fearful for all of them, his tribe needed him to stay alert, his mate needed him to stay by her side. She was scared out of her pants after that, now also not being able to fully enjoy what the ball had to offer. Munk couldn't let her get hurt.

His body felt ready, but his mind felt hazed. He wasn't fully there for most of the ball. He only really started to pay attention once he heard the start of Skimbleshanks number. His dad started singing? Munk paid attention to the delight in his eyes. Somehow, nothing got to him. He was just a living ball of light that never felt a droop or gloom, or at least never anything noticeable from the outside. After the train crashed, Munk saw his father trying to join in the fun, so next time they trotted in a circle, Munk took his father by the back and walked him around with the rest of the cats. This plastered a big smile onto his father's face. He got so much from the simple pleasure.

Munk was finally starting to feel better, helping Skimble with his final pose. Nothing could really go wrong with his dad here. He was going to keep them safe as long as he was here. That was until Munk realized he must have jinxed it because the moment he let his guard down...