Buttons, the Knight

Once upon a time and place, there was a seven year old tabby cat named Buttons who lived in a nice house with lots of people who loved him and bored him to tears. It was a very boring life for him, but not one that he didn't enjoy, considering there was always food available, and he LOVED food. He was, indeed, eighteen pounds, and that is quite large for a cat.

One day - it was a Monday - Buttons heard a scuttling noise coming from the kitchen. Only the tall man and himself were presently at home, so he decided to investigate. He began to lumber toward the noise, when he was distracted by none other than the food bowl! That would never do; he must relieve himself of temptation, like the good soldier that he was.

"Buttons! Look - a rat!" exclaimed a voice from behind him. The tall man was there. Dang it... Buttons snarled and the man walked away; nonetheless, he turned around. A mouse scurried out from behind one of the lowest kitchen cabinets. The tiny rodent stopped before Buttons' nose and dropped a small piece of cheese it had stolen.

"EEKKKK!" screamed the mouse. What large, threatening teeth the monster mouse had! It must be at least three sizes larger than normal mice. Buttons tripped over his paws.

"Ahhh!" he yelled.

"EEEPPPP!" shrieked the terrified mouse, staring into what he thought was his doom.

"AHHHHH!" echoed Buttons. The mouse stood erect and placed one tiny paw on his hip.

"You're new at this, aren't you?" it questioned. One eyebrow was raised judiciously on his tiny features. It crawled toward the shaking trash can Buttons had hidden himself behind. A loud, annoying sound made the tabby cautiously peek his head around the garbage can. There was a whole army of mice! And they were...laughing at him!

Buttons' bushy tail suddenly became rigid and stiff. His whiskers and ears pressed flat against his head. His thin mouth curled back into a snarl. "Alright...so I'm not the bravest cat around," he hissed, trying to sound threatening. His efforts to sound dignified and intimidating were useless; everything he said seemed to come out with an undesirable squeak.

The first mouse he had seen gained composure of himself and he stepped forward courageously. "My name is Herald. I think we might be able to help you here, Buttons, if you're willing to make a deal." Buttons' emerald eyes widened.

"You know my name already?" he whispered, astounded. These were no ordinary monster-mice mocking him mercilessly. They were mystical, mysterious monster-mice mocking him mercilessly! He closed his gaping mouth and tucked his furry tail under him, sitting erect.

"Should we tell him his name is on his water bowl?" whispered a random mouse to his friend. His friend shook his head with a small giggle.

"For years, mice have been persecuted by cats everywhere. If we can teach you to be brave and strong, will you stick up for us to other cats?" Herald proposed.

"Yes, Mystic Mouse Man," Buttons said solemnly.

~ Capt. Bonnie
to be continued...when I don't have to go to bed...