Chapter Text
First Meeting: Mistoffelees
Three cats walked down the sidewalk one bright and sunny afternoon. Leading the trio was Bustopher Jones, a large black and white tuxedo cat who was obviously well-fed and well-cared for. Following him were two kittens, one a completely black tom with a few white marks, and the other a pure white queen.
“Where are we going, Uncle Bustopher?” the little white queen asked, cocking her head curiously. A small tug on his tail made Bustopher look down, seeing Mistoffelees looking up at him shyly. “Will they like us?” The kitten’s voice was quiet, and Bustopher bent down to his nephew’s height.
“They’re going to love you, my boy.” He replied, and Mistoffelees’ blue eyes sparkled excitedly. “Now come. We’re almost there.” Victoria bounced ahead of them, looking around at everything around them as they approached the Junkyard.
“Hello, Deuteronomy.” Bustopher said with a friendly nod.
Deuteronomy gave them a warm smile. “Hello Bustopher, kittens.” Victoria smiled at the old cat, and Mistoffelees looked at him shyly.
A calico queen darted up to the newcomers, studying them curiously, cocking her head. “Who’re you?”
“Hello to you as well, Rumpleteazer.” Bustopher said, and the queen ducked her head.
“Hi Mr. Bustopher.” She said sheepishly.
Bustopher shook his head fondly at the young queen’s excitement. “This is Victoria and Mistoffelees, my niece and nephew.”
“It’s nice to meet you!” Victoria said with a bright smile, and Rumpleteazer beamed back at her.
“Come on! I’ll introduce you to my brother and the others!” she squealed, and she grabbed the white queen’s paw and the two kittens ran off, giggling and chatting away. Bustopher and Mistoffelees watched them run off, and Bustopher sighed.
“What have I done?”
Deuteronomy chuckled and placed a paw on his friend’s shoulder. “Would you like to meet the kittens as well, Mistoffelees?” The young black tom looked down, moving closer to his uncle wordlessly. He didn’t want to tell the Jellicle leader that he was nervous about leaving his uncle’s side, or nervous about meeting the other kittens. He wasn’t as outgoing as Victoria, and she was already making friends with Rumpleteazer.
“I’ll introduce him to them in a bit. Perhaps introducing him to the adults first will be best.” Bustopher said, a reassuring paw on Mistoffelees’ back. Deuteronomy nodded in understanding as Mistoffelees relaxed slightly. He followed Bustopher and Deuteronomy towards a group of older cats, who all looked towards them as they came closer.
“Good afternoon, Bustopher.” An orange tabby queen said with a friendly smile.
“Hello, Jenny, everyone.” Bustopher replied. “This is my nephew, Mistoffelees. His sister, Victoria, has been stolen away by Rumpleteazer, but I’m sure you will see them in a bit.” Mistoffelees couldn’t help but smile slightly. “Mistoffelees, this is Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, Skimbleshanks, and Gus.” He gave the adults a small wave.
“What a polite little tom!” Jellylorum cooed, and Mistoffelees felt his cheeks heat up as Jennyanydots voiced her agreement.
A young male voice broke through the noise of the Junkyard.
“Dad! Dad! Dad!”
“Tugger, no! He’s talking to the adults!”
Two toms ran towards the group, one with a grin on his face and the other trying desperately to stop his companion. The latter was a silver and black tabby, with an air of authority around him already, and looking a bit older than Mistoffelees. The former was a maine coon, mainly black with gold leopard spots around his wrists and legs, and a growing mane around his neck. He had amber eyes that were sparkling with excitement as he darted to Deuteronomy’s side and looked at Mistoffelees with interest. Deuteronomy had an amused smile on his face as the silver tabby crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the maine coon.
“These are my sons, Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger.” The grey cat said, placing a paw on each of the toms’ shoulders.
“Call me Tugger! Or Tugs!” the maine coon said brightly.
Deuteronomy smiled warmly at the young tom. “Boys, this is Bustopher’s nephew, Mistoffelees.”
“is your sister the one we saw hanging out with Jerrie and Teazer?” Munkustrap asked, cocking his head. Mistoffelees nodded, and Tugger studied him intently. “Do you want to hang out with me? I can show you all the good spots in the Junkyard!” he asked, and how could Mistoffelees refuse the tom, whose eyes were wide with hope and curiosity and whose seemingly endless excitement was actually kind of endearing? Mistoffelees nodded again, and Tugger’s grin widened even more, which seemed impossible. “Follow me!” He grabbed Mistoffelees’ paw and pulled him behind him through the Junkyard as the sun shone as brightly as Tugger’s grin above them.
First Meeting: Tugger
Tugger had awoken that morning just like he always had every morning before; with his back pressed against Munkustrap’s, and his older brother’s tail lying on top of him protectively. With Munkustrap still sleeping, Tugger could smile and bask in the protectiveness of his brother without worrying about making Munkustrap sad. It had only been a year since Macavity left. A fight between him and Deuteronomy that had lasted for hours, going from verbal to physical, until Deuteronomy had used his power as the Jellicle Leader to banish his oldest son. The night after the banishment, Munkustrap had wordlessly walked into Tugger’s room in their den and plopped down beside him on the bed, their backs pressing against each other. Neither brother said anything, but their tails, lying on top of each other, spoke for them. Since that night, that was how they slept. Deuteronomy did not say a word when he found his sons the next morning. He only added a few more pillows on Tugger’s bed, as well as a few extra blankets, and greeted his sons as normal.
Munkustrap shifted beside Tugger, and the maine coon looked at his brother. “Tugger? You’re already up?”
“Yeah! Dad said Bustopher’s coming today. Maybe he’ll tell us a story from his club!” Tugger replied excitedly, and Munkustrap gave him a small smile. “Now come on! Last one to the group is a Pollicle!” The younger tom sped off, leaving Munkustrap to scramble off the bed with a laugh.
“No fair!” The silver tabby shouted, but Tugger simply grinned. The two young toms ran out of their den, towards their group of friends, who were all gathered near Jennyanydots’ den.
“Morning everyone!” Tugger said, slowing and giving his friends a grin. Alonzo held back a laugh at Munkustrap’s exasperated look, and Demeter and Bombalurina giggled softly. Tugger noticed his brother’s look of adoration towards Demeter, and he held back a smirk.
“Do you think Bustopher will let us go with him to his club?” Plato asked. He was the youngest of the group, a year younger than Tugger, who was the second youngest. Munkustrap, Alonzo, Demeter, and Bombalurina were from the same year of kittens. Tugger shared his age with Cassandra and the two calico twins, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, who came and went as they pleased.
“Hello!” Speaking of, Mungojerrie appeared out of his mother’s den, giving the group a large grin.
“Hi, Jerrie.” Munkustrap said, noticing a conspicuous absence. “Where’s Teazer?”
Mungojerrie slid down to join the group, giving Demeter and Bombalurina a nuzzle, his sisters returning the greeting. “She spotted Bustopher, so she went to go say hello.”
Tugger looked at the group of cats and looked at Alonzo. “Where’s Cass?”
“She went home for the night. She’ll be back by tonight, but yesterday was one of her human’s birthdays.” The black and white tom replied before looking away quickly. Munkustrap and Tugger exchanged an amused glance, knowing the tom’s feelings for the sleek brown queen, who was already becoming a great beauty.
“Oi!” Rumpleteazer’s call made them all turn to see the calico queen rushing towards them, a strange white queen following behind her, both queens giggling.
“Teazer!” Mungojerrie said excitedly, darting forward and leaping onto his twin, tackling her to the ground with a laugh.
Rumpleteazer groaned, shoving her brother away. “Jerrie, off! We’ve got a guest!” The white queen looked at the others shyly as Rumpleteazer returned to her feet. “Everyone, this is Victoria. She’s Bustopher’s niece!”
“Hi.” The white queen said. Munkustrap gave her a friendly smile.
“Hello. I’m Munkustrap, and this is my younger brother, Tugger.” He said, and Tugger bowed, making her giggle. “You probably already know Jerrie, Teazer’s twin, and this is Demeter and Bombalurina, Jerrie and Teazer’s big sisters, Alonzo, and Plato.” Each of the cats waved to Victoria, who returned the gesture, and Tugger noticed Plato staring at the white queen in awe. He slid down beside Bombalurina and nudged her. The red queen looked at him, and he nodded towards Plato. Bombalurina stifled a small laugh as Tugger held back a laugh
“It’s nice to meet you all. This is our first time in the Junkyard.” Victoria said.
“We?” Demeter asked.
Victoria nodded. “My brother. He’s still with Uncle Bustopher.” Tugger shot to his feet, his eyes wide.
“Tugs…” Munkustrap said slowly. “We don’t want to scare anybody.” Tugger simply grinned at his brother and took off. “Tugger!” Tugger laughed as he ran towards the main area of the Junkyard.
“Dad! Dad! Dad!” he called, spotting his father standing with the adults.
“Tugger, no! He’s talking to the adults!” Munkustrap protested. Tugger ignored his brother and came to a stop at his father’s side, looking at the small kitten next to Bustopher. His fur was sleek and black, with small white marks, and bright blue eyes that had a hint of curiosity hidden in them that Tugger desperately wanted to encourage.
“These are my sons, Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger.” Deuteronomy said with a chuckle, placing a paw on each of his sons’ shoulders, snapping Tugger out of his staring. He grinned broadly at the smaller tom.
“Call me Tugger! Or Tugs!” he said brightly.
Deuteronomy smiled warmly at his youngest son, and Tugger basked in his father’s warmth and love. “Boys, this is Bustopher’s nephew, Mistoffelees.”
“is your sister the one we saw hanging out with Jerrie and Teazer?” Munkustrap asked, cocking his head. The tom, Mistoffelees, nodded, and Tugger studied him intently.
“Do you want to hang out with me? I can show you all the good spots in the Junkyard!” he asked hopefully, and gosh he really hoped he would say yes, because Tugger really wanted to get to know him and see if he was as curious as he was. Mistoffelees nodded again, and Tugger’s grin widened even more. “Follow me!” He grabbed Mistoffelees’ paw and pulled him behind him through the Junkyard as the sun above them shone as brightly as Tugger’s grin.
Moving In
Tugger was lounging on the old car when he heard voices approaching the main area. He opened his eyes and spotted Bustopher walking through the drainpipe, Mistoffelees and Victoria behind him. He slid down off the car and darted towards the trio, a grin on his face.
“Hi, Misto!” he said, and Mistoffelees gave him a shy smile, which only succeeded in making Tugger’s grin widened. “Hi Mr. Bustopher, hi Tori!”
“Hi Tugger.” Victoria said with a small laugh.
“Bustopher. To what do we owe this pleasure?” Deuteronomy asked, approaching his friend.
Bustopher placed his arms around his niece and nephew. “I was hoping that Mistoffelees and Victoria could den here now. The city is becoming more dangerous by the day.” Tugger’s excitement deflated at the large cat’s words, and he looked down at the ground. Macavity had suddenly begun to pop up around the city, recruiting strays and slowly building up an empire. He had even begun to commit small crimes using his magic. Tugger was, for the first time in his life, scared of his older brother. He had been frightened of Macavity before he left, but his actions and crimes truly made the Jellicles terrified.
Mistoffelees studied his friend, frowning slightly at his slumped posture. It wasn’t the proud and excitable tom he had come to know and love, and Mistoffelees didn’t like it one bit.
“Of course, Bustopher. They are welcome here, as are you.” Deuteronomy said. “Tugger, would you help Victoria and Mistoffelees find a den?” Victoria glanced between her brother and Tugger, and she looked back at Deuteronomy.
“Is it okay if I go see Teazer? I’ll have Misto show me the den after. I heard what happened.” she said softly, and Deuteronomy nodded. A few days before, Rumpleteazer and Skimbleshanks had been cornered by a Peke on their way back to the Junkyard from the railroad. Neither had been hurt, but the calico queen had been shaking when she returned to home with her father. Victoria bid her uncle goodbye with a nuzzle and darted off towards Jennyanydots and Skimbleshanks’ den.
Mistoffelees stepped closer to Tugger. “Come on, Tugs.” His voice was soft, and a rare sound to be heard around the Junkyard. In the months that the siblings had been visiting the Junkyard, very few of the cats had a full conversation with the black tom, the only two beside Mistoffelees’ sister and uncle being Old Deuteronomy and Tugger, to the shock of the tribe. Mistoffelees had been hesitant about the maine coon, but he found after a few conversations that Tugger didn’t just talk and talk, but he also didn’t mind sitting in silence when Mistoffelees didn’t feel like saying anything. To Mistoffelees’ surprise, the maine coon could read his expressions and feelings as well as Victoria only a few weeks after becoming friends.
Bustopher straightened and looked at the grey tom before him. “Deuteronomy, I was hoping to get your opinion on another cat I met at the club. He had some information on where there may be an attack.” The two toms walked off, leaving Mistoffelees and Tugger.
“I think there may be an empty den between Jelly and Gus’ den and ours.” Tugger said quietly, and Mistoffelees moved to be right at Tugger’s side, their arms pressing together as they walked through the Junkyard. The black cat nudged his friend, making Tugger look down at him. Mistoffelees cocked his head, and Tugger sighed. “I hate what Macavity’s become. I hate that he’s hurting cats all around the city, and that I can’t do anything about it. I hate that Mom left, because Mom leaving is what made Macavity so upset. I hate that Straps is taking on the role of Protector so early because of Macavity, so he can’t enjoy himself anymore.” Mistoffelees saw the hidden tears in Tugger’s eyes, but said nothing, being a comforting presence at his side. They approached an empty den that was nearer to Tugger’s family den, and Mistoffelees peaked inside. There was plenty of room within for him and Victoria, as well as a few cats if they ever wanted to have company, and it was near enough to Tugger’s den that Mistoffelees would feel safe.
“It’s a perfect spot.” Mistoffelees said, and Tugger brightened slightly. “Didn’t you say you were going to show me the best sunning spot last time?” Tugger brightened even more, and Mistoffelees couldn’t help the small feeling of pride in his chest as he was pulled behind the maine coon, knowing that he was one of the only cats who Tugger felt comfortable enough to confide in.
Finding Their Family
Mistoffelees walked proudly into the Junkyard one afternoon, his head held high.
“Hi Misto!” Victoria said happily approaching her brother to brush her cheek against his. Mistoffelees returned the gesture with a soft smile, and Victoria caught sight of his new accessory. “No way!”
“What?” Rumpleteazer asked, bouncing towards her best friend.
Victoria beamed excitedly. “Misto’s got a collar!”
Victoria’s elated shout drew the attention of a certain maine coon who had been lounging lazily beside his father’s favorite tire, coincidentally waiting for the return of his best friend. Tugger’s eyes, which had been closed to enjoy the sun shining on his fur, shot open, and he jumped to his feet.
“You’ve got a collar?” he asked, walking up to the trio. Mistoffelees nodded, tilting his head back to reveal the thin black collar that was around his neck.
Bustopher approached the group, placing a paw on his nephew’s shoulder. “Congratulations, my boy! It’s not every day that you find your family.” Mistoffelees’ smile widened, but Tugger couldn’t help the sharp pain in his heart. As other cats came to congratulate the young tom, Tugger slipped away. Mistoffelees noticed immediately when his friend left, and his eyes followed the growing mane as it disappeared between two piles of junk. As the cats around Mistoffelees finished congratulating him, and Jenny and Jelly stopped cooing over how fast he was growing, the black cat bid farewell to his uncle, sister, and Rumpleteazer, and followed Tugger’s scent, which led him to one of Tugger’s favorite hiding spots. Mistoffelees slipped through the broken shelves, emerging into a small den that was surrounded on all sides by discarded dressers and other shelves. There were blankets and pillows, brought there by Tugger, and Mistoffelees after Tugger had shown it to him. And speaking of the maine coon, he was sitting in the corner of their hiding spot, playing with the edge of one of the blankets as rays of sun came through the cracked furniture.
“Tugs?” Mistoffelees called softly. His friend looked up and gave him a grin.
“Hey, Mist.” Tugger said brightly.
Mistoffelees frowned and sat down beside Tugger, giving him a look. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing!” Tugger said, laughing slightly. Mistoffelees huffed, unconvinced, and Tugger deflated, looking down at the blankets. “I’m happy for you, I really am. You deserve to have a family that takes care of you and loves you.”
“But?” Mistoffelees asked, sensing there was more.
“But if you get a family, that means you won’t be around as much anymore, and I won’t have anyone who I can talk to.” Tugger said quietly. “I can’t talk to Straps, because he’s busy with learning how to be the Protector, and he’s got his own stuff, so I don’t want to bother him. You’re the only cat I feel comfortable with, and now you’ve got a family, so you’re going to be leaving the Junkyard.” Mistoffelees watched as Tugger refused to meet his eyes, choosing instead to continue to play with the edge of the blanket and how could he ever think Mistoffelees would leave the Junkyard? That he’d leave him?
“Tugs, I’m not leaving forever.” Mistoffelees said. “Yeah, having a family means there’ll be times I have to be with them, but the Junkyard will always be my home.” Tugger nodded, and an idea struck Mistoffelees. “You know, it’s just my girl and I. She lives in a house, and it’s actually pretty empty and very quiet.” The look Tugger gave Mistoffelees made the black cat’s heart soar, and when they entered the Junkyard together a week later, Tugger proudly showing off a new spiked collar around his neck, which made poor Munkustrap nearly have a heart attack from shock, Mistoffelees couldn’t help but smile, because now he and Tugger shared a family, and neither of them would feel alone anymore.
Magic
There was a secret that Bustopher, Victoria, and Mistoffelees kept from the tribe. Magic was something that wasn’t necessarily taboo in the tribe, but after Macavity’s betrayal and the increased attacks around the city, there was a hesitance and slight fear of magic. So, when Mistoffelees suddenly made a spoon and a fork disappear and reappear as a kitten, Bustopher knew that, sadly, his nephew’s gift would have to remain a secret. And it did remain a secret, until the day the cat was let out of the bag.
Tugger yawned, teeth bared, as he stretched on the couch. Mistoffelees was grooming himself, fixing the fur on his shoulders as their girl came walking into the room.
“Hello, my boys.” She said, giving Tugger a scratch behind his ears and making the maine coon purr softly. Their girl smiled. “I’ll be going out for a bit, but I’ll be back late tonight.” Misto leapt onto their girl’s lap, making her laugh and rub his head. “I’m expecting you to keep Leo in check, Eclipse.” Tugger huffed and turned, sitting with his back to their girl, who simply shook her head fondly. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a kiss pressed on Mistoffelees’ head and a final scratch behind Tugger’s ears, their girl left the house, leaving the two cats alone.
“Do you want to go to the Junkyard?” Mistoffelees asked, and Tugger rolled over onto his side, studying Mistoffelees.
“Maybe later.” He replied. “Let’s just stay here for a bit.” Mistoffelees shrugged and laid down near Tugger, closing his eyes and preparing to take a nice long nap. Tugger glanced at the black tom beside him and smiled, relaxing into the couch.
*click* *click*
The sound of a lock turning made the two cats open their eyes.
“She’s back already?” Mistoffelees asked in confusion. Tugger looked around.
“It’s coming from the back.” He said. He heard the sound of the backdoor opening, accompanied by heavy footfalls. Tugger straightened at the unfamiliar sound. “That’s not her.” The two toms leapt off the couch and walked towards the sound, spotting a large human dressed in black looking around, shoving things into a bag.
Mistoffelees cocked his head. “Who’s that?”
The human looked up and started at the sight of the two cats.
“Just the damn cats.” The human muttered in a deep voice. “Nothin’ important.”
“He’s stealing!” Tugger realized, and both cats began hissing at the human.
The human glared at them. “Shut it!” Tugger darted forward, claws out and scratching at the human. Mistoffelees watched with wide eyes as Tugger was kicked away from the human with a pained sound.
“Tugs!”
All other thoughts went out of Mistoffelees’ head as he looked at the human and narrowed his eyes. His fur bristled and he bared his teeth as his paw twitched. The human scoffed and went back to reach for a bowl on the shelf. As soon as he touched the bowl, he was thrown back into the opposite wall, his bag falling beside him. Mistoffelees hissed angrily at the human, who looked around with wide eyes.
“What the hell kind of house is this?” he exclaimed before scrambling to his feet and out of the house, the door slamming shut behind him. As soon as he was gone, Mistoffelees shrunk in on himself, looking towards Tugger, terrified. The maine coon slowly got to his feet and shook his head with a huff.
“Well, that was interesting.” He remarked, looking at Mistoffelees. He frowned when he saw how the black cat was eyeing him. “Mist? What’s wrong?” Tugger had thought his friend was absolutely brilliant, zapping the human away and chasing him out of the house. Mistoffelees had gotten protective over him and used magic and didn’t that make Tugger’s heart just swell with happiness!
“You’re… you’re not angry?” Mistoffelees asked softly.
Tugger looked at him in confusion. “Angry? Why in the name of the Everlasting Cat would I be angry?”
Mistoffelees ducked his head down. “I have magic, like Macavity.” Tugger’s eyes widened, and he darted forward, wrapping himself around his small friend, purring comfortingly and rubbing their heads together because how could Mistoffelees ever think he’d hate him or be angry just because he had magic. He was his best friend.
Mistoffelees melted against the larger cat, nuzzling against his mane.
“I could never hate you, Mist! You’re my best friend! Just because you have magic doesn’t mean you’re like Macavity!” Tugger exclaimed fervently. “It just means you’ve got something that not a lot of other cats have! You’re special!” Mistoffelees couldn’t help but smile at Tugger’s reassurances, and he brushed his cheek against the maine coon’s thankfully. “If you want, I’ll tell you a secret about me to make you feel better!”
“Really?” Mistoffelees asked with a laugh, and Tugger stepped back, sitting across from him.
“Maynard.” Tugger said proudly, lifting his chin.
Mistoffelees narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“My Name. It’s Maynard.” Tugger repeated, and Mistoffelees’ eyes widened.
“Tugs, what the hell! You’re telling me your Third Name?” He realized, and Tugger grinned, nodding. “Why?”
Tugger shrugged. “You’re my best friend, you’re the only cat I feel comfortable talking about everything with, we have the same human, you just showed me you have magic, take your pick.”
“Heaviside above, Tugs.” Mistoffelees said, shaking his head. Tugger simply laughed and turned, walking back towards the couch. Mistoffelees followed, feeling a strange comfort in his heart at the fact that he was the only cat who knew Tugger’s name. As they leapt onto the couch to return to their nap, Mistoffelees knew what he wanted to do. “Quaxo.”
“Huh?” Tugger yawned. Mistoffelees rolled his eyes and batted at Tugger.
“That’s my Name. Quaxo.” He said, and wow he didn’t think Tugger’s smile could get any brighter, but it did and didn’t that just make Mistoffelees feel special and warm.
Tugger hummed thoughtfully, his tail flicking over Mistoffelees as the black cat laid down beside him. “It suits you.” Mistoffelees smiled softly at him, and as he closed his eyes, Tugger felt completely and utterly at home knowing his friend’s Name.