Cats Onwards

Chapter 28. Caligo's return.

*Thank you so much to @all-alone-in-the-moonlight on tumblr for the beautiful drawing of Caligo!*

It seemed to be that wherever Caligo went, hatred followed her like a bad smell; this was proven the minute she stepped out onto the Jellicle's stage. The cats were all gazing up to their benevolent leader as the stranger cat slinked into the clearing, her vibrant green eyes twinkled in the enchanting moonlight. Old Deuteronomy was the first to notice her, his kind and welcoming smile never wavering but as soon as the other Jellicles acknowledged her presence, the hostility became unbearable.

Tantomile sneered at the stranger cat as she sprinted past, Coricopat was not too far behind. He eyed up Caligo warily before stalking away. Demeter ushered her kittens away whom looked upon Caligo in confusion, Bomba sauntered past and glared at the black cat before flicking her tail violently in Caligo's face. Some cats skittered past in fear, but not Misto. He prowled right up to Caligo and stared her straight in the eye.

"Whatever you're doing here, just know you aren't the only one with magic." He sneered. With that he spun away and took a perch near Old Deuteronomy. Caligo inhaled deeply, her nostrils flaring as she tried to keep her composure. She scanned all the Jellicles, the younger ones cowered and the elders hissed in defense.

"You all think I am here to cause trouble. You think I work for...Macavity."

"Don't say his name!" Demeter shrieked, startling Munkustrap beside her. Caligo chuckled lowly at the golden queen's panic.

"Well I don't, in fact I am here to give you a warning." The stranger cat pointed to Demeter before everyone else. "To give you all a warning! He's coming." She whispered, Caligo's eyes narrowed to thin slits. Old Deuteronomy rose to his feet in concern, his paws were outstretched to the female but she recoiled.

Caligo: Heed my warning! The fear is swarming! So be clear! He is near...

When Munkustrap stepped out to the cat, interrupting her melodically mournful tune, she hissed and swiped at him before spinning away and disappearing in a cloud of green smoke.

"I don't trust a word she says!" Cassandra spat.

"She taunts us with his name!" Demeter yowled.

"She could use her magic for all the wrong reasons!" Mistoffelees snapped.

"Enough!" Munkustrap yelled, silencing the protesting Jellicles. He glanced to Old Deuteronomy for a second, giving the old cat a respectful nod of the head.

"But Munkustrap! You heard her...he is coming." Bombalurina growled.

"We don't know that for sure though." The silver tabby warned, his expression stern towards the red queen. Hesitantly, George scampered away from his mother over to his father and scratched at the tom's leg until he gained his attention.

"Pa, who is Macavity?" George queried innocently, his brown eyes were wide in curiosity. Bomba gasped as she glared towards her sister and then to Munk, Tugger reciprocated the expression.

"You haven't told them?!" Tugger spluttered. Munkustrap and Demeter's heads lowered in regret, their shoulders drooping.

"We didn't want them to live in fear of him." Demeter croaked. George, Callus and Hariena glanced between their parents as the discussion went on.

"Well imagine how scared they would be if he took them? A terrifying stranger capable of treacherous things?!" Bomba cried as she pointed a long claw to her sister. Hariena stared at her aunt in horror, her round eyes glassy. Tugger tried to pull the queen away but she violently shrugged him off, shoving Tugger away with a hiss.

"Bomba! Please stop!" Demeter pleaded. Just as the queen took a step forwards, Munkustrap lunged in front of his mate protectively. The kittens swarmed at his feet, slightly traumatized by their aunt's behavior. For a split second, Bombalurina considered spouting out the truth, it would hurt her sister, but it would keep the kittens safer...

"Macavity is your uncle! He IS to be feared because he is a horrendous fiend!" She screeched making Hariena gasp in disbelief. The young female kitten planted her head against George's chest and pulled her close. Callus peeped at his father in disbelief.

"Dad?" He murmured questioningly. Callus wanted his father to lean down and tickle him behind the ear and tell him it wasn't true. But it was. The other Jellicles were watching in utter shock at the small family's dispute. Bombalurina waited no longer for a response from Demeter or Munkustrap, she hissed viciously before leaping up onto the car and over the back out of sight.

Demeter's eyes watered as she sprinted after her dear sister but she paused at the top of the automobile to look back at her offspring. Hariena was trembling in George's embrace and Callus was resting his head on his brother's shoulder. She couldn't go after Bomba, not now. Thing needed to be fixed here.