Here it is, the second chapter of my Jellicle Titans story! We ended on a cliffhanger, so I won't make this A/N too long.

I recently noticed that Beast Boy's remark about why they didn't send Titans East made more sense than I thought: if you're going to London, travelling by sea, it makes more sense if you're on the East coast.

Anyway, let's go, shall we?

oo0O0oo

"Who is there?"

Beast Boy stared into the darkness of the four alleys that crossed where he was standing, searching for the owner of the voice.

"Uh, over here? Hello? Earth to green cat?"

Beast Boy turned around again and saw the white and brown cat he noticed earlier watching him strangely.

"Where are you?"

The cat gave him even weirder looks. "Everlasting, are you blind or something?"

Beast Boy froze. Did that cat's mouth just move simultaneously to that voice?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" the cat continued.

"You… you… can speak?"

"Well yeah, congrats, Sherlock. Can't you?"

"Huh? Oh, yes… I can." Beast Boy was trying to figure out what was going on. Maybe it's the Hidden Paw who transformed into a cat, I mean: he can speak! Maybe he really has morphing abilities.

"Are you a real cat?" he asked.

The cat sighed. "Do you have a Pollicle brain or something? Yes, I'm a cat, and so are you. Or aren't you?"

"Yes, yes, I'm a cat. A real cat."

"Do you know you're green?"

"What?"

"You're green. I mean, that's not something you see every day, is it?"

"Oh, that," he said, watching the green fur on his paw. "Well… a… bucket… of paint… fell on me. Yes. Green paint."

"Really? Because when Pounce and I threw a bucket of paint over Plato the other day, his fur was all sticky. Yours looks fine."

"That's because… it was actually painted water."

"Your fur doesn't look wet, so it happened a while ago, but then why didn't you wash it off already?"

"Dude! Stop asking all these questions! Let me ask a question… uh… What is your name?"

"I'm Tumblebrutus. Nice to meet you…?"

"Oh, my name is… Garfield."

"Really? A cat named Garfield? Well, fortunately, I would guess that is your first name, so what are your other two names?"

"My other two names? Uh… My full name is Garfield Mark Logan, so…"

"Your other names are Mark and Logan? The second name always is something Greek or Latin, so don't you mean Marcus?"

"Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about! What's with that 'three names' thing?"

"Oh no, do I really have to do this?"

"Do… do what?"

Tumblebrutus sighed. "Do I actually see with my own very eyes, a man who's not heard of a Jellicle Cat?"

"What's a Jellicle Cat?" Beast Boy asked, even more confused.

"What's a Jellicle Cat?" Tumblebrutus repeated.

"Yes, what's a Jellicle Cat?"

Tumblebrutus sighed again. "The naming of cats is a difficult matter. It isn't just one of your holiday games. You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter, when I tell you: 'A cat must have three different names'."

"Wow, dude, what are you doing?"

"First of all there's the name that the families use daily, such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James. Such as Victor, or Jonathan, George or Bill-Bailey, all of them sensible, everyday names."

By now, Beast Boy was so confused he didn't even bother to try to understand it. "Okay, slow down a bit, what-"

"There are fancier names, if you think they sound sweeter, some for the gentlemen, some for the dames: such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter, but all of them sensible, everyday names."

"Stop!"

"But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular, a name that's peculiar and more dignified. Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride. Of names of this kind I can give you a quorum, such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat, such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum: names that never belong to more than one cat."

"So, that makes three. Finished?"

"But above and beyond, there's still one name left over, and that is the name that you never will guess. The name that no human research can discover, but the cat himself knows, and will never confess. When you notice a cat in profound meditation, the reason, I tell you, is always the same: his mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation of the thought, of the thought, of the thought, of his name. His ineffable, effable, effanineffable, deep and inscrutable, singular name, name, name, name…"

…

"So what was that all about?"

"I… explained to you… what a Jellicle Cat is," Tumblebrutus said, catching his breath.

"You only made me more confused."

"I know, right? I once told Munkustrap it's stupid, but it's a tradition, so we have to do it every time someone doesn't know what a Jellicle Cat is. Anyway, your accent and the fact that you have no idea what a Jellicle is tell me that you're not from around here. What are you doing here?"

"I don't know, what are you doing here?"

"I was chasing a rat, but I have no idea where he went. I could have sworn he had the same green color as you. Also, my home is just two minutes away from here. But I asked you first."

"Okay, well… can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you know something about a criminal named… the Hidden Paw?"

Tumblebrutus froze when he heard the name. "You bet I know him."

"Yes?"

"The Hidden Paw, Macavity, the Mystery Cat, the Napoleon of crime, the Fiend in Feline Shape, whatever you wanna call him."

"Wait, did you say Mystery Cat?"

"Yes," he answered, not sure why he was so shocked.

"You mean we've been chasing a CAT?"

"Okay, what is your problem? You keep being surprised about everything that has something to do with cats!"

"What is his real name?"

"Macavity. The others are just aliases."

"And what color is Macavity's fur?"

"Oh, Macavity's a ginger cat. He's also very tall and thin. And believe me, you would know him if you saw him, because his eyes… they're so… sunken in."

"A ginger cat…" So the criminal who stifled the Pekinese really was a cat. "Anything else?"

"Well, his brow is deeply lined with thought, and his head is highly domed. He wears a coat that is dusted from neglect, and his whiskers are… Hey, why do you even want to know these things?"

"I am going to catch him as soon as possible."

Tumblebrutus started laughing.

"Dude, what's so funny?"

"You think you can catch Macavity? Seriously, if you could catch Macavity, it would be great. It's just, no offense, but nobody can catch him. When you reach the scene of crime, he's not there. Whatever time the deed took place."

"You have no idea who you're talking to, do you?"

"Indeed, I don't, because you still haven't told me clearly what your name is."

"I'm a superhero!"

"What, like Rumpus Cat?"

"Who the hell is… never mind."

"Anyway, if you want to try, go ahead. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

"Do you have any idea how I could find him?"

"Well, that might be the hardest part about it. No one knows where his lair is."

Suddenly, Tumblebrutus seemed to have an idea.

"Wait a minute…" He looked at the moon. "Yes, I'm right!" He turned back at Beast Boy. "You have no idea how lucky you are: tomorrow is the Jellicle Ball! I can ask Munkustrap if you can come!"

Beast Boy decided not to ask what that was, because he still wasn't sure about what a Jellicle was in the first place, but he guessed it was a ball for Jellicles. "Oh, well… Look, I don't really have the time to go to parties…"

"You're not getting it. If you want to catch Macavity, the Jellicle Ball is the place to be! He shows up every single year, even though we never invite him. Most of the times he just scares everyone out, but sometimes he tries to kidnap someone! And he sometimes shows up more than once!"

"Really?" Beast Boy was thinking about what to do. It certainly was a good opportunity, but he would have to do it alone. This plan has no downside, he thought. That'll teach Cyborg a lesson. "Okay, you can ask that… Mungusprat?"

"Munkustrap."

"You can ask Munkustrap if I can come. Is he like your leader or something?"

"Kinda. He is the Protector, and he is in charge when Old Deuteronomy isn't here, like now. He will return tomorrow for the ball."

"And when is that ball?"

"Tomorrow night. It starts at ten or something, and it goes on until dawn, when Old Deuteronomy decides who can go to the Heaviside Layer. And before you ask, the Heaviside Layer is like… heaven, full of wonders one Jellicle only will see."

"Dude, you will have to explain all these things clearly before the ball."

"Stop saying 'dude'."

"Why?"

"I don't know, it's just… a weird word."

Suddenly, a voice called from one of the alleys.

"Tumble! Where are you? Tumble?"

"Over here!" Tumblebrutus shouted.

After that, a cat who was very similar to Tumblebrutus appeared. He had a brown patch over his left eye instead of his right.

"Here you are! I've been searching you for almost an hour! Did you forget we have a rehearsal for Pekes and Pollicles tonight and…" He stopped when he saw Beast Boy.

Tumblebrutus quickly introduced him. "Pounce, this is Garfield… what was it? Garfield… Fergus Logan?"

"Garfield Mark Logan. But you can call me Gar."

"Okay. Gar, this is Pouncival, my brother and best friend."

Pouncival stared at Beast Boy for a moment, and then leaned over to Tumble to whisper in his ear, even though Beast Boy could still hear him perfectly.

"He's green," Pouncival whispered.

"I know," Tumblebrutus whispered back. "But don't ask him why, because with everything you ask or say, he gets more confused." He then raised his voice back to the normal volume. "So, Garfield here is planning to catch our dear friend Macavity tomorrow at the ball."

Pouncival started laughing.

"Dude! Why does no one believe me?"

"You think you can catch him? Even Munkustrap can't beat him in a battle!"

"Yeah, but I'm a skilled fighter!"

Tumblebrutus leaned over to Pouncival and whispered again: "He says he's a superhero."

"What, like Rumpus Cat?"

"I really am!"

"Then what's your superpower?"

"… I can't tell you."

"Yeah, whatever. So, Tumble, hurry up! We're waiting for you, and Mungo still doesn't get the barks right."

"Right. Gar, will you come with me to ask Munkustrap?"

They walked through the streets of London until they reached a fence.

"Dude, you're living on a junkyard?"

"Wow, watch your mouth. This is THE Junkyard. This is where the Jellicles live."

They entered the Junkyard and reached a place that was relatively clean and surrounded by large piles of bikes, ovens and tires. Several cats watched them from the sides of the open space. They were whispering things to each other.

Suddenly, a black and white tuxedo tom crawled out of the pipe he had been hiding in and walked until he was standing right in front of Tumblebrutus.

"Tumble, one: you are late for the rehearsal, two: WHO IS THAT GREEN CAT?"

"Calm down, Quaxo."

"Don't call me Quaxo, call me 'Mister Mistoffelees'. Or 'Magical Mister Mistoffelees'."

"Whatever. This is Garfield, QUAXO."

A silver tabby tom came standing next to Quaxo, spreading his arms before him.

"Who is this, Tumblebrutus?"

"I just said this is Garfield. Garfield, this is Munkustrap."

" 'Sup."

"Why did you bring him here?"

"He wants to come to the Ball tomorrow."

"Do you not know what a Jellicle Cat is, Garfield?"

"No, please! Not again!"

"The Jellicle Ball is only for Jellicles! Why do you want to come?"

"I heard you were having… Macavity issues?"

Munkustrap froze when he heard the name.

"I heard he shows up every year, so…"

"You're telling me you want to catch Macavity?"

"Dude, if you start laughing, I'll… I mean, indeed I do, mister Munkustrap, and I would be greatly honored to come to your ball."

Much to Beast Boy's surprise, Munkustrap didn't start to laugh. He even looked like he was actually considering to let Beast Boy come.

"And what makes you think you have the power to stop Macavity?"

"I… You'll see it when the time is there."

Munkustrap didn't say anything for a while, but eventually he nodded.

"Okay then, Garfield. You can come. But be warned: Macavity is a creature so foul, so cruel, that no cat yet has fought with him, and won! So, Garfield, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, do not come to the ball!"

It was awkwardly quiet on the Junkyard.

"Uh, okay. Thanks, Munkustrap, but I do not doubt my courage nor my strength."

Munkustrap started laughing. "Just kidding. The part about that no one has ever won in a battle with him is true, though. Wait, what is that?"

"Bzzz… east… oy, …port! Beast bo… repor…"

Beast Boy panicked. "Oh, nothing! Anyway, gotta go now. See you tomorrow!" he shouted at Tumblebrutus while he ran away from the Jellicles.

The Jellicles stayed behind in silence.

"So, why was he green?"

"Not sure," Tumblebrutus said. "Something with painted water."

A queen walked towards the Protector.

"Do you think he will be able to defeat him?"

"I don't know, Demeter. He is almost a kitten, but he seemed so sure about it. You don't think he's actually one of Macavity's agents, do you?"

"I'm not sure. I didn't smell his scent on him."

Munkustrap suddenly noticed two near identical cats staring at the stars.

"Cori, Tanto, is something wrong?"

"There is something strange about him," the tom said. "Something… not quite so feline."

oo0O0oo

Beast Boy walked out of the Junkyard, and changed back to his normal form as soon as he was sure he was out of sight to answer his communicator.

"Beast Boy, report!" Robin's voice called.

"This is Beast Boy. 'Sup Rob?"

"Did you find anything?"

Beast Boy thought about what to do. He should tell Robin what he knew, but he didn't want to. First of all, they probably wouldn't believe him if he said he had met a bunch of talking cats and he had to go to their party tomorrow night, but he also wanted to do this alone. He didn't want the other Titans to stop him from going, or crashing at the party when Macavity appeared.

Also, he just wanted to teach Cyborg a lesson.

"Negative, negative. This area is Macavity-less."

"What?"

"Uh, I mean 'Hidden Paw-less'." Beast Boy forgot the others didn't know his real name yet.

"Okay. Come back to the sub, we'll meet with the others."

oo0O0oo

"Starfire, did you seek him in the basement?" Robin asked, standing in front of the house where another crime had been committed by the Hidden Paw while they had been investigating.

"I did."

"Raven, did you look up in the air?"

"Listen Robin, I'll tell you once and once again, the Hidden Paw's not there!"

Robin frowned. "This is bad. We've been searching all night and the only clue we found was that hair on the window glass."

"I guess we'll have to keep searching," Raven stated.

Beast Boy stared at the almost full moon. He hoped he would be able to go to the ball without anyone wondering where he was.

Hold on to your butt, Hidden Paw. Beast Boy is coming.

oo0O0oo

A/N: Well that is some Ray Arnold stuff at the end. Sorry.

Also, Munkustrap's little outburst was indeed based off of Tim the Enchanter about the Killer Bunny.

"Pounce, this is Garfield… what was it? Garfield… Fergus Logan?" See what I did there? Every self-respecting Cats-fan sees it. If you don't, you should be ashamed.

He shows up every single year, even though we never invite him. Writing this, I realized Macavity isn't really evil. He's just like Maleficent. They don't invite him at the party, so he quotes the Penguin from Batman Returns: "YOU DIDN'T INVITE ME, SO I CRASHED!"

Please review if you liked it!