Fanfiction: The End (1-11/11) Ritzkin 11

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Title: The End
Rating: PG-13 for things that aren’t happening in this chapter
Summary: All things must come to an end

You should be reading the Ritzkin Arc in order, to understand everything that's going on.

I do not own Cats!
And so begins the conclusion of Ritzkin’s saga…

The End

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“Munkustrap! Munkustrap, Munkustrap, Munkustrap!” Tumblebrutus came barreling through the junkyard, splashing through puddles as he called for the Protector. Munkustrap glanced up at the shouts, sighing and removing his paws from Demeter’s waist.

“I’m sorry, Deme…”

“Duty calls,” Demeter answered, leaning up to kiss Munkustrap’s cheek. “I don’t mind, Munkus. I’m glad the tribe is safe in your paws. You make me feel safe.”

“You’re an angel,” Munkustrap purred, nuzzling Demeter’s nose. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Stay dry,” she murmured, kissing him softly.

Munkustrap left a blushing Demeter in his den as he stepped out into the rain to greet the youngest guardian. “What is it, Tumble?”

“Monniks!” Tumblebrutus gasped, pointing toward the junkyard entrance. “The whole tribe!”

Munkustrap’s eyes widened, and he leapt into action. “Tumble, find Fleepit. Have his fleet alert Deuteronomy and Milton. I want Pollicle back-up. Demeter!” He shouted for his beloved queen. When she poked her nose out, he grasped her paw. “Gather the kittens and young queens in Jenny’s den. Stay there until a guardian tells you it’s safe.”

With the arrangements made, there was nothing left for Munkustrap to do except go and meet the Monniks head-on. He really didn’t want to meet his old family… but he had to. He was the Protector. It was his job to protect.

<><><><><>

Munkustrap had been expecting the Monniks to be invading the yard… but they weren’t. The entire tribe was sitting at the entrance, shifting their paws and scowling at the rain that hadn’t stopped for five days now. Leviticus himself lounged at the forefront of the tribe, with the haughty Macavity standing alert by his right paw.

The Monniks were not alone. Alonzo and Admetus were standing in front of them, claws out, fur bristling. Mistoffelees was there as well, lightning crackling through his paws. He looked haggard, though, and his posture wasn’t as straight and proper as it usually was. Munkustrap knew that Mistoffelees always felt exhausted when it rained, due to the fire element of his magic. Rain and cold were his worst enemies. Still, he was standing out here, protecting the tribe, despite being miserable. Munkustrap patted his shoulder.

When Macavity spotted Munkustrap, he stepped forward. Munkustrap tensed, readying for an attack, but Macavity merely bowed to him.

“Greetings, Jellicle Protector. On the behalf of Leviticus, Leader of the Monniks, I would request an audience with Deuteronomy, your leader.”

Munkustrap felt a moment of panic as everyone stared at him. He didn’t have much experience with formal language, and Macavity’s smirk wasn’t helping matters.

“No,” he finally said. “You can speak with me, and I shall pass your message along, but I will not grant you an audience with Deuteronomy.”

Macavity’s smirk was fading, and he opened his mouth again, but it was Leviticus who spoke. The old tom rose to his feet, shaking water from his coat. “We come to you seeking asylum,” he began. His voice was just like Munkustrap remembered it, quiet, raspy, and slurred with an accent that came from hanging around the quarters of mob family heads. “These constant rains have swelled the river. The low-lying areas of our lands are flooded. Our nurseries are completely under water. Our food is fleeing, running to the higher grounds of your Jellicle lands. We wish to follow, to keep our paws dry. At the very least, we are looking for shelter for our queens and kits, until the waters recede.”

As Leviticus spoke, a sleek grey rat darted toward Munkustrap, ignoring the way dozens of Monnik eyes focused on it, and the way Monnik tongues licked Monnik lips. None of the Jellicles reacted in this way. They knew this rat wasn’t food.

General Fleepit tweaked his whiskers in a salute to Munkustrap. “Alerts given, Precter!”

“Thank you,” Munkustrap murmured. Then, “General, tell me – have you been seeing an increase in the numbers of your fleets?”

“Oh yesyes,” Fleepit answered with a toothy grin. “Rats from the lowlow grounds join us. Like the water, not the flood.”

“We are not lying,” Macavity muttered.

Another Monnik rose and approached Munkustrap, shaking rain from a red coat. “Darling,” the Monnik purred, lifting her face to Munkustrap’s gaze. “Won’t you help us out of the rain? The poor kittens are half drowned…”

Munkustrap’s eyes widened as he recognized this queen. She was skinny now, the skin stretched tight over her face and ribs, beginning to fade like Grizabella had, but she was still beautiful, with thick, ginger fur and a fluffy tail.

Burelle.

His mother.

“I can’t promise anything,” Munkustrap told her. “But… Admetus. Could you and the General escort Leviticus to Deuteronomy?”

When Admetus stepped forward to collect Leviticus, Macavity made to follow, but Munkustrap stopped him with a paw on his chest.

“Only Leviticus,” Munkustrap said. “You stay out here, with me.”

Macavity glared at Munkustrap, letting sparks gather on his paws. Mistoffelees hissed a warning, stepping forward and pointing a claw at the ginger tom. Macavity glanced at Mistoffelees and decided not to fight. Even in his tired state, Mistoffelees looked dangerous, with sparks of lightning now running through his fur. He backed down, sitting beside Burelle. “We are wet,” Macavity muttered.

“So are we,” Munkustrap answered.

The Monniks sat and grumbled in the rain while the Jellicle guardians watched over them all. The return of Leviticus couldn’t come soon enough.

Eventually, though, Leviticus did return, and Deuteronomy accompanied him.

“Monniks,” Deuteronomy said, in his deep voice, lifting his paws so the Monniks knew where to look. “So long as you follow the law of the Jellicles, you are welcome to stay with us until your home is safe and dry again. You may not hurt or harass another cat. For further rules, speak with your leader. For now… come out of the rain.”

[Shannon]

THE END?! -sobs-

But, so far, this looks interesting. Oh, and, Grizabella was awesome. -nods-

I loved General Fleepit. xD

[Wolfjet]

I agree, Fleepit rocks. Can't wait to read more!

[Arya]

Fleepit is love.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

The End (2/11)

[/center]


The rain stopped three days after the Monniks arrived at the yard, and Macavity and Munkustrap went to inspect the Monnik lands. They each brought one other guardian with them – Alonzo came with Munkustrap, and Macavity brought Surripus, a large black tom who had grown up with Macavity and Ritzkin.

Alonzo wrinkled his nose as they waded through belly-deep water. “This place is a mess!”

Munkustrap nudged floating trash away from him, curling his lip at the sewer-like stench. “There’s no way you can return to this any time soon,” he said.

“Looks like you’re stuck with us,” Macavity said, lifting a paw and shaking it off. “Oh, don’t look so happy. We don’t like staying with you Jellicles any more than you like us infringing on your lands.”

“Come on,” Surripus said, looking toward the Jellicle land. “Let’s just get back. I don’t like being wet.”

All the cats agreed with Surripus, so they turned and began their trek back to the junkyard. Once there, Munkustrap and Macavity went to report to Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The two old brothers were found sitting on the tire, indulging in light conversation.

“Munkustrap?” Deuteronomy took his attention from Leviticus to look at the Protector. “What did you find?”

“The river is completely swollen,” Munkustrap answered promptly. “Much of the Monnik lands are in two to five inches of water. The drier areas are too inhabited by humans to be feasible homes.” He shook his head. “They can’t go back. It’s not safe.”

“Macavity?” Leviticus turned to look at his own lieutenant.

“Nothing to add,” Macavity said idly, examining his claws.

Leviticus nodded and dismissed Macavity with a wave of his paw. Deuteronomy smiled at Munkustrap. “Thank you. You may go, too.”

Munkustrap did go, but not far. He climbed onto a rocking chair and laid down, resting his chin on his paws with a sigh. With the Monniks in the yard, Demeter had refused to leave her den any more than necessary, and Bombalurina wasn’t letting anyone in to see her. Tugger was also absent. The rain had kept him inside. Knowing Tugger, though, he’d probably show up tomorrow. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were also steering clear of the Monniks, and all the guardians were keeping their eyes on the Monniks. Munkustrap wished there was someone to talk to.

There wasn’t, though, so Munkustrap contented himself with eavesdropping on the leaders. They were talking about their tribes, mostly, but then the conversation actually turned to Munkustrap himself.

“The silver tabby, he’s your son?”

“Munkustrap?” Deuteronomy smiled. “All Jellicles are my children.”

“He is a good lieutenant.”

“Very good.”

“A good warrior?”

“One of the best.”

Leviticus smiled, flicking his thick tail back and forth. “I’d be interested in adding him to my tribe.”

Munkustrap’s ears went up, and he lifted his head. What!? No!

“Excuse me?” Deuteronomy said calmly.

“He is a fine cat. I have many followers among my Monniks, but so few leaders.” He blinked lazily. “The Jellicles are short on queens of good kitten-bearing age. I shall offer you some of my queens in exchange for Munkustrap.”

Munkustrap looked down at Deuteronomy, shaking his head slowly. No, no, no…!

Deuteronomy didn’t even look up at Munkustrap. “I’m afraid I just can’t accept. I do not trade my tribe members.”

“I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse…”

“Excuse me,” Deuteronomy said, looking up now. “Munkustrap, would you be at all interested in joining the Monniks?”

“I’d rather not,” Munkustrap answered honestly. “I’ve devoted my life to the Jellicle tribe already.”

Deuteronomy nodded before turning back to Leviticus. “So long as Munkustrap wishes to remain a Jellicle, I will be able to refuse your offers.”

“Hmm…” was Leviticus’ only reply, looking not at all upset.

Munkustrap laid down again, keeping an eye on Leviticus. He did not trust that cat.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

The End (3/11)

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“The Monniks are still behaving themselves, for the most part,” Admetus told Munkustrap in his evening report. Some of the toms are telling Pouncival raunchy stories, but not doing anything bad, and Plato and the big one-eyed tom have gotten into a couple more fights, but I still think Plato’s starting them.”

“For which we do not punish the Monniks. Munkustrap sighed. “I believe that tom’s the one who killed Cattivo, though. We can’t really blame him for being upset.”

Admetus shook his head, growling under his breath. “If I wasn’t a guardian, I’d probably be trying to kick their tails, too.”

“What about Leviticus?”

“Asleep, with four queens around him.”

“Monniks?”

“Of course.”

“And Macavity?” Munkustrap looked out over the yard.

“Umm…” Admetus shuffled his paws.

Munkustrap whirled around. “You lost him!?”

“All the Jellicles are safe!” Admetus replied. “I checked with everyone. I couldn’t find Macavity, but I figured at least he’s not causing trouble.”

Munkustrap sighed. “Thank you. Continue to keep an eye on the Monniks. I’ll go try to find Macavity.”

Admetus nodded and turned away. Munkustrap sighed, rubbing his face. At least Admetus had checked with all the Jellicles to make sure Macavity wasn’t hurting them. Munkustrap still wanted to know where his brother was.

A quick search of the junkyard didn’t reveal Macavity’s whereabouts, so Munkustrap sat down again to think. What would Macavity want in the junkyard? Deuteronomy? He was in his den, the old piano, and safe. Alonzo was guarding him.

Mistoffelees, maybe? The little conjurer had upset him at the last Jellicle Ball…

But no, Mistoffelees was over at the nursery dresser, doing tricks for the kittens (even the Monnik kittens. Apparently, Macavity never showed off for them).

Munkustrap sucked in a breath, his eyes widening. Demeter. What if Macavity was after his old mate?

Turning quickly, the silver tabby ran to Bombalurina and Demeter’s den. Neither answered when he called to them. Munkustrap tentatively poked his nose in, but he could only smell the two queens. Macavity hadn’t gone in.

The fur on the back of Munkustrap’s neck crawled, though. Macavity was around here, somewhere. Maybe… in the back? Bombalurina and Demeter’s den was unique in that it had a backyard of sorts, an area completely surrounded by rubbish. It was very hard to access the backyard from any way other than through the queens’ den, but you could get on the rubbish piles nearby.

This was where Munkustrap climbed to now, moving stealthily over the junk. Once he climbed back there, though, he saw a splash of red fur. Macavity was here!

The ginger tom wasn’t doing anything, though. He was simply lounging on a pile, chin on his paws, watching Demeter and Bombalurina. The two queens were outside, lying in the fresh air and talking softly.

Munkustrap slid over to Macavity’s side, prompting the other cat to look up at him. “She is beautiful,” he said softly.

“Which one?” Munkustrap asked with a frown, careful not to meet Macavity’s eyes.

“Demeter.” Macavity put his head back on his paws, continuing to watch the pair. “She was my mate once, you know…”

“You hurt her.”

“I…” Macavity closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head. “I did not mean to. I did not realize she was not ready.”

“You tried to kidnap her.”

“She was kidnapped from me first,” Macavity pointed out. “But… I just wanted to talk to her. And I could not, with the way all the Jellicles always hung around her. I needed to talk to her…”

“Why?” Munkustrap asked, carefully lying down beside Macavity.

“Because I…” Macavity looked back to Demeter, watching as she stretched and giggled at something Bombalurina had said. “I love her,” he whispered.

Munkustrap frowned, and Macavity smacked his paw against the ground. “Oh, I know what you are thinking. How could I possibly love anyone, right? I am such a heartless monster!” He shook his head, lowering his ears. “It is just an image, Munkustrap. Surely you understand how important it is to show your tribe a strong, fearless leader. Someone who has no weaknesses, no faults. Love… especially in the Monnik tribe… that is a fault.” He turned to look at Munkustrap, his expression forlorn. “But I did love her. I just… never knew… how to show it.”

Munkustrap turned his head to look at Macavity. His older brother really did look so broken-hearted over Demeter, from the downward twist of his lips to the slumped posture and drooping ears, to the eyes that almost seemed ready to… Munkustrap suddenly couldn’t breathe, as he felt Macavity’s hypnosis slam over him, trapping him, locking his muscles and preventing him from moving.

Macavity shook his head, a more usual smirk on his face. “Tsk, tsk, Munkustrap. Did I not just tell you that love was a weakness? But you, with your big Jellicle heart… you actually fell for my sob story. How sweet…”

Munkustrap couldn’t say anything, could only stare horrified at Macavity as he tried to break the hypnotism. He prayed that Bombalurina or Demeter had noticed something above them, but neither queen seemed to have heard the soft talking of the toms.

“Now, Jellicle Protector, come this way. Take a walk with me.” Macavity rose to his feet and bounded through the rubbish. Munkustrap couldn’t not follow, though he did try.

Macavity led Munkustrap to Macavity’s own temporary den, an upturned trunk at one end of the yard. He made himself comfortable on his bed while Munkustrap stopped in front of him, his body waiting for more orders.

“You, dear Munkustrap, have a very important mission ahead of you.” Macavity kneaded the cushion he was lying on. “Leviticus wants you to be part of the Monnik tribe, but you are absolutely devoted to these Jellicles. It is sickening. I do not really see why he wants a soft-hearted wimp like you, but…” Macavity shrugged. “He is the leader. So, here is what we are going to do.” He rose to his paws and began circling around Munkustrap. “I could hypnotize you to join the Monniks, but if you ever broke it, you would just come running back here. That wouldn’t do. I need to make sure you cannot come running back.” He stopped in front of Munkustrap and grinned wickedly. “So, tomorrow morning, when you go to make your report to Old Deuteronomy… you are going to kill him.”

[Munkustrap Etc.]

The End

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Munkustrap stared in shock and horror at Macavity. No! No, he wouldn’t! He couldn’t! He couldn’t kill Deuteronomy, the old cat who had given him everything – a home, a friend, a life… He tried again to throw off the hypnotism, but it was not easy to break, like the rest of Macavity’s spells. The Mystery Cat had gone all out with this one.

Macavity reached up and tweaked one of Munkustrap’s ears. “Good kitty. Now, one more thing before you go back to your own den and pretend everything is normal. Keep this our little secret. Do not go around telling other cats that I have hypnotized you, all right? Nod, show you understand.”

Munkustrap felt himself nod, and Macavity’s grin only grew. “Go on, then. Good night, Munkustrap…”

Munkustrap didn’t get a wink of sleep. He kept hearing Macavity’s voice in his head, over and over again. You are going to kill him. You are going to kill him. You are going to kill him… Deuteronomy… Old Deuteronomy… he was old, yes, but not ready to die! And not by the paws of his Protector! There were so many things wrong with that… so many things…

All night long, Munkustrap curled up into a ball on his cushions, tucking his nose into his tail and trying so hard to break the hypnosis. He shivered constantly, but the most he could do to oppose Macavity’s command was shed a few tears. No… he whispered in his mind. No, please… don’t make me kill him. Don’t make me kill another cat… no… Macavity…

<><><>

Meanwhile, in another part of the junkyard, Tantomile and Coricopat were curled up together, nose to the other’s tail. In between their circled bodies, little Etcetera, Tantomile’s daughter, was flopped on her back, paws twitching as she dreamed. The twins’ orange eyes were slits as they spoke to one another mentally. At the same time, as if they were one cat, they rose to their feet. Coricopat shook Etcetera awake gently while Tantomile glided to a back corner of their den and unearthed two collars.

“Whaaaa?” Etcetera yawned as she sat up, scrubbing at her eyes with her paws. “Whazzup, Daddy?”

Coricopat smiled. Etcetera was not truly his daughter, but neither he nor Tantomile had ever bothered to tell her that Mungojerrie was the kitten’s true father, and not Tantomile’s twin brother. He had helped his sister raise Etcetera, and had acted as her father. Mungojerrie was just needed to make sure the kitten was Etcetera, someone Tantomile had seen in a dream as being necessary for the safety of the junkyard. “Your time has come, Etcy. Your hour of importance is at paw.”

Etcetera’s eyes widened, and she leapt to her feet, trembling with excitement. Her parents had always told her that she would be very, very important some day, that she would do something that would save everyone, and that they would know when the time was right. It was now! Now that she got to be a hero! She couldn’t wait. “What do I gotta do?”

“Take these,” Tantomile said, placing the two collars in Etcetera’s paws. “and go to the bridge between the Monnik and Jellicle tribes. The water is high, so be careful. On the Jellicle side, there are rocks near the edge of the bridge. Go and sit on the one closest to the water that is not wet, and put this collar on.” She touched one of the two collars. “Wait there for Munkustrap. When he sees you, take off the collar and answer any questions he asks you. He will tell you what to do. Obey Munkustrap. Do as he says.”

“I gotta leave the junkyard?” Etcetera asked, her eyes wide as she stared at the collars. “But… but… I’m not allowed to!”

“We’re giving you permission, Etcy,” Coricopat said, stepping forward and giving the kitten a hug. “You will be safe.”

“You will do well,” Tantomile added, hugging Etcetera from her other side.

Together, the twins finished, “You will help save the junkyard.”

And Etcetera grinned at her parents.

[Wolfjet]

Argh! Cliffhangers! What's Etcetera up to, and how is Munkustrap ever going to break out of this? Needless to say, I can't wait to read more... Update soon!

(And BTW, sorry for not reviewing the last chapter...)

[Arya]

Etcy and Fleepit = LOVE!-is a sucker for cuteness-

Alicia: I'm a new born kitten ou know, I'm cute.

Me: But your my character, it isn't the same. AND YOU CAN'T TALK SO SHUSH!

[Shannon]

Etcy being Tant and Mungo's baby?

I love it!
=D

So adorable.

"Whazzup daddy-shizzle, yo?"

[Electra (Nia)]

Wait.... This doesn't meant that the whole board's going to end does it? -panics and then sobs- CURSE YOU, MARCHING BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-shakes fists towards air in anger- CURSE YOU!!!! -continues to sob-

Oh, and NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT DUET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHHHHHH -sobs more-

[Munkustrap Etc.]

The board's existence does not rely on the story. The story was the springboard for one character on the board. Nothing more.

[Electra (Nia)]

Oh.. *feels stupid* Duh.. I should have known that....

[Munkustrap Etc.]

The End (5/11)

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“And the Monniks?” Deuteronomy asked, glancing over at Munkustrap as they sat on the tire, discussing the tribe in the morning. “Have they been giving any further problems?”

“No, Sir,” Munkustrap answered. You are going to kill him… “The Monniks are behaving themselves, for the most part. Pouncival has been getting an earful of raunchy stories, and Plato and Hedrunkus got into another fight, but Admetus believes Plato started it.”

“Again?” Deuteronomy sighed. “Perhaps he should be my guard. Alonzo hasn’t been picking fights with them…”

Munkustrap nodded, looking at his paws. You are going to kill him… He could feel his claws slide out, against his will, and he closed his eyes, trying to force them back in, to break the hypnosis. He was so tired, though… so very tired. He had been fighting it all night, with no luck. Why would now be any different.

“Munkustrap?” Deuteronomy placed his paw on Munkustrap’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”

<><><>

Munkustrap didn’t remember much. Something in him snapped out Now! and he just turned, claws lashing out, followed by his jaws sinking deep into Deuteronomy’s throat. When he tasted blood, he pulled back, spitting out fur and skin. Deuteronomy stumbled back, a look of shock on his face. That, Munkustrap did remember. That look of shock and disbelief, the expression Deuteronomy died with. Munkustrap stood there, panting, blood dripping from his mouth, from his paws. Everything seemed frozen in time for seconds, minutes, days, years… Deuteronomy was a crumpled mass of fur and blood. Munkustrap’s ears were ringing.

There was a horrified shout of “No!!” and time started up again. Munkustrap barely had time to lift his head before he found himself tackled to the ground, a paw in his stomach.

“Oof!” Munkustrap tried to get away from his attacker, but the grey-patched tom wasn’t letting him get up. Admetus looked just as shocked and disbelieving as Deuteronomy had, but he raised his paws and slammed them down on Munkustrap’s head, mercifully casting him into darkness…

[Wolfjet]

*is in shock* No. No...

*cries*