AN: Sorry for the delay! I'm currently dividing my time and energy between writing this fic and another fic at the same time, plus balancing regular good ole college life and all its craziness on top of that, hahaha.

Thanks again to everyone who's reviewed and faved! And I also really appreciate the constructive criticism I've been getting. This is a very different genre/fanfic community than what I'm used to, so I'm glad that you guys are taking the time to give me honest critique. I'm taking all of it to heart as I'm moving forward. :)

Haha, a lot of you seem to think I'm being really mean to Cassandra! I did plan to go more into her character/the reasons behind her nastiness in this chapter, but as it turns out I'm gonna have to postpone that for a little while. In any case, it is not my intention to treat any character unfairly, especially since I'm borrowing them from someone else's imagination.

Happy New Year everyone! I do not own Cats!

Last revised: 11/7/14

Chapter Three

Beneath the porch, Munkustrap blinked open his eyes, his mind still heavy with sleep. Those same eyes squeezed shut at the bright sunlight that seeped in through the floorboards above. Bast … I slept in. With a long yawn, he snuggled into his mate's soft fur. Hmm … I can afford to snooze for just five more minutes …

His eyes flew open as a high-pitched whimpering filled his ears and he realized the body beside him was quivering in his arms.

"Demeter …?" With a groan, he lifted himself up to stare down at his mate. His chest clenched with worry when he saw that she was writhing upon the leaf bed.

"No …" she moaned pitifully. "No, no, please, no …"

"Demeter …" Munkustrap reached forward and placed a paw on her shoulder, but to his horror the queen jerked violently at his touch, her voice turning into a hysterical scream. "No! No, no, no, no don't! Macavity!"

"Dem!" Munkustrap cried, gripping her shoulders and trying to shake her awake. "Demeter, wake up. Wake up!"

With a weeping gasp, Demeter's eyes flew open. Her body heaved as sweat broke out over every inch of her skin. Her eyes wild eyes fixed themselves on her mate's, her dilated pupils ever so slowly shrinking into focus. "Munk …"

The silver tabby cradled her face and wiped the tears away. "I'm here. It's okay, Dem. You're alright."

Two green eyes blinked back at him, still swimming with uncertainty. And then her face twisted and she buried her face into his chest. "Munkustrap!"

Two strong arms wrapped themselves around her, holding her close as she began to sob. "Shhhh," Munkustrap soothed, caressing her tenderly. "It was just a bad dream, Dem. It's over now, okay? It's over."

But the black and gold queen shook her head against his shoulder, refusing consolation. "I saw him!" she gasped. "He's coming back. He's coming back! Macavity!"

That name - that horrible name - hit Munkustrap like a blow to the chest. He hissed aloud, his fur standing up on end, and he tightened his grip about his mate. Why after all this time does he continue to torment her?

"Don't be afraid," he whispered fiercely, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I promise you, Dem, I will never let him hurt you. I swear."

"No!" the queen shrieked, yanking herself out of his arms. Her head shook from side to side, tears pouring down her face. "Not me!It's not me I'm worried about. Not me!" She buried her face in her paws. "Not me …"

For a moment Munkustrap blinked confusedly at his distraught mate. And then the dreadful realization dawned over his face and sank deep into his gut. Oh … oh no.

"He'll find her, Munk," Demeter sobbed. "He'll take her away from us, I know he will!"

"No." Munkustrap reached forward and grasped her firmly by the shoulders. "No, he won't. I won't allow it. Demeter, look at me." He waited patiently for her to lift her eyes, meeting her frantic gaze with strength and assurance. "He won't take her. Or you. I swear to you, Dem, I will protect our family. No matter what happens."

"Munk …" Demeter shuddered once, and then she gagged suddenly. Before Munkustrap could react, the queen had yanked herself out of his grip and scurried to the other corner of the porch.

"Dem?" He stared after her, perplexed. And then alarm shot through his heart as he watched her body convulse and she vomited into the leaves. "Dem!"

He was instantly at her side, massaging along her arched back as she continued to retch loudly. After several minutes, her stomach was completely emptied out and she coughed and collapsed against him with a low moan. "Munk …"

Swallowing back his panic, the silver tabby pressed a paw to her forehead. She doesn't feel hot … it can't be a fever. But … He surveyed her body with dread, taking in her clouded eyes, her sickly pallor. But something is wrong. Very, very wrong.

"Just relax, Dem," he whispered. "I'm taking you to Jenny …"

"Munkustrap! Demeter!"

The sudden, frantic yell nearly made the tabby jump right out of his skin. His head shot up as a familiar scarlet face appeared just outside the porch.

"Bombalurina?" he called back, taking in his sister-in-law's panicked expression. "Bomba, what is it?"

"You have to come quickly," she answered breathlessly. "It's Jemima. She fainted …"

XXXXXXXXX

Outside Jennyanydot's den, a lone tuxedo tom sat wringing his paws nervously as he awaited word of his friend's condition. Nearly an hour had passed since he'd carried Jemima's unconscious body back to the Junkyard and since then he hadn't known a single second of calm.

Bast, what could have made her conk out like that? What if … what if when the tower fell, something had actually hit her and …Quaxo's blood turning cold at the thought of that possibility. Oh Bast … Jem, please be okay.

For the hundredth time he turned to stare at the den entrance, growling in frustration as it remained as silent and motionless as ever. And what in Bast's name is taking Jenny so long? It can't be that serious … can it?

"Quaxo?"

Broken out of his reverie, the tuxedo tom turned to see the psychic twins Coricopat and Tantomile saunter up to him. Their faces were identical masks of mild concern and knowing tranquility as they glanced toward Jenny's den.

"Any word?" Coricopat asked calmly.

Quaxo shook his head, letting out a long breath. "No. Jenny's still in there with her. I haven't heard a darn thing."

Tantomile offered him a placid smile. "No need to be so worried, Quaxo. Jemima is perfectly fine."

The tom frowned at her. "How can you be so sure?"

The twins shrugged. "We can feel it," they said in unison.

Quaxo rolled his eyes. Naturally. Nonetheless, their assurance lent him a great deal of relief.

With a chuckle, Coricopat reached over and patted the tom on the shoulder. "Seriously though, there's nothing to worry about, Quaxo. Considering the transition Jemima underwent last night, I'm almost surprised she didn't pass out sooner."

The tuxedo tom stared back at him through narrowed eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"Jemima's body and mind are under a great deal of strain," Coricopat explained. "Manifesting one's powers is a profound experience, especially for someone as young as she."

"Her powers? Are you … talking about her singing?"

Tantomile smiled. "Oh Quaxo, Jemima's solo at the Ball was so much more than just 'singing.' It was the first manifestation of her mystical powers. Jemima is a mystic, Quaxo. Through and through."

"What?" Quaxo's jaw fell open. "Jem's … a mystic?"

"Yes. She's one of the most powerful mystics we've encountered in a long time."

Quaxo quietly absorbed this revelation. Holy Bast. Jemima … a mystic.Well, it did make sense. Jemima's song did have a supernatural quality to it. He turned back to the twins. "What kind of mystic is she? I mean … what exactly is her power?"

Coricopat looked up thoughtfully. "Well, it's a little difficult to describe. It's unlike anything Tantomile or I had ever experienced before. Jemima's gift … it's something like a form of telepathy. Except she doesn't hear the words you form in your mind." He smiled. "She hears the songs within a Jellicle's heart."

Quaxo's eyes widened, his paw insentiently reaching up toward his own chest. "A Jellicle's heart?"

Tantomile nodded. "Yes. It's quite extraordinary. Jemima can tap into those deeper thoughts and emotions that an ordinary cat can't express in words. But what's even more incredible is that she has the ability to translate those incoherent feelings into a song that anyone can understand. We also believe that Jemima has the power to hear from the Heavyside Layer itself. Her duet with Grizabella … we believe her words were sent to her from an otherworldly place. It's truly remarkable. I've never seen anyone grasp her powers as quickly as Jemima did last night."

Quaxo nodded slowly, thinking back to the Moments of Happiness song "Yeah. I … I guess that makes sense." His eyes lit up in wonder. "That's amazing!"

Coricopat smiled in agreement. "A power of that magnitude, for it to be manifested so fully in her in such a short amount of time … physically and mentally, it must be overwhelming. Surely you can remember what it was like when you realized your own powers, Quaxo."

Oh yeah.The tuxedo tom smirked as he glanced down at his paws. Yes, he remembered quite clearly the moment when he fired a lightning bolt for the very first time. It happened many months ago when Quaxo was still a kitten. Alonzo had been picking on him, as usual; Quaxo was the only other tom-kit in the litter andthe runt, which naturally singled him out as Alonzo's target of choice.

To this day, Quaxo can't quite remember exactly what it was that made him go off. All he knew was that his older brother did something that pissed him off so much that his fury literally exploded out of his arms. If Alonzo hadn't jumped out of the way a split-second too soon, he would have been fried for sure. The family's antique rococo desk, however, did not escape destruction so easily.

Everything changed for Quaxo after that day. It was the day that marked him as the sole successor to the Magical Mister Mistofelees' name and legacy. It was also the day that, as Alonzo lovingly put it, "Quaxo's head swelled up to the size of a blimp and he turned into this cocky little magic troll." Quaxo would prefer to think it was the day he gained a whole new confidence and charisma to match his conjuring skills.

But that was only after he spent the next week holed up in Jenny's den with horrible, burning cramps in his arms. Then he lost all feeling in his limbs for an additional week. Jenny had assured him back then that it was perfectly normal; his body just wasn't used to containing that kind of power yet.

Right … so something similar must be happening to Jemima.

A laugh from Coricopat broke Quaxo out of his musings. "When Tanto and I first manifested our powers, we both passed out. At the same time!" The twins fell against each other, howling with laughter at the memory. "We were out for a whole week! Everyone was freaking out!"

Quaxo's stomach dropped. "Aweek? Are you saying Jemima's going to be out that long?"

Tanto shook her head quickly. "Oh no, no, no, no. I don't expect so. In fact …" She closed, her eyes, concentrating. "Yes, her mind's still unconscious, but her brain waves are active. She's dreaming. Yes, I expect she'll be waking up before the day is over."

"Oh good," Quaxo sighed. Then he frowned as another thought came to him. "Hey Cori, Tanto … does Jemima's power also involve … teleportation?"

The twins blinked at him. "What?"

"I mean … she's a mystic, so she might have other powers, right? Could one of those powers be to …"

"Quaxo!"

The sounds of pounding footsteps and heaving gasps suddenly rang through their ears. Quaxo spun around to face a frantic-looking Munkustrap who had bounded up to the den.

"Where is she?" the Jellicle Protector gasped out, his eyes shifting wildly and his chest heaving from running a great distance. "Quaxo, where's Jemima?"

Swallowing, tuxedo tom pointed toward the den entrance. "Sh-she's in there, Munkustrap. Jenny's with her …"

He barely got the last words out before the silver tabby leapt past him and began banging on the door. "Jenny!" he yelled. "Jenny, it's me! It's Munkustrap! Open up!"

After a moment, the door lifted open with a creak and the Gumbie Cat tiptoed out with her finger pressed against her lips. "Shhhh, Munkunstrap!" she hissed, pushing the door closed behind her. "Do not be so loud, brother! Jemima is resting."

"Sis, what happened? Bomba said she fainted. Is she alright? Is she hurt?"

"She is fine," Jenny soothed. "From what I can tell, the poor dear simply passed out from exhaustion. Quaxo here was there to catch her, so she wasn't harmed in the slightest. She just needs to take it easy and get some fluids in her, that's all."

"Oh …" Munkustrap breathed out in relief. "Is she awake?"

The Gumbie Cat smiled comfortingly. "No, she's still unconscious, but that's nothing to worry about. That's just her body asking for some good rest now."

The Jellicle Protector nodded quietly, and then he turned to face the tuxedo tom. "Quaxo, what happened? What caused Jemima to faint?"

Quaxo froze, shrinking inwardly as he felt every eye fixed on him. Crap … okay, Quaxo. Now's probably not the time to tell your best friend's father that you were shooting lightning bolts at her head and almost made a tower of heavy cans fall on top of her.

"I … I don't know," he stammered, opting to give as much of the truth as he could afford to. "We were just playing around near the edge of the Junkyard and then all of a sudden Jemima just … she just vanished."

Munkunstrap narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean … vanished?"

"I mean, vanished. Disappeared. One second she was there and then … she wasn't."

For several moments the Jellicle Protector stared at the younger tom, uncomprehending. Then something clicked in his mind and his eyes widened, the blood draining from his face.

"Brother?" Jenny whispered, placing a paw on his shoulder.

Munkustrap blinked, snapped out of his stupor. "I-I'm sorry, I …" He let out a shaky breath and shook his head quickly. "It's nothing. Can … I see her, please?"

The Gumbie Cat stared at him quizzically and nodded. "Yes, of course. Just try not to wake her up yet. The poor dear needs her rest."

"Yes. Of course," he answered numbly. And then, "Jenny, I must also ask a favor of you."

"Oh? What is it?"

"It's Demeter. She's taken ill. She was throwing up this morning. It doesn't feel like she has a temperature, but …"

"Oh dear," Jenny murmured sympathetically. "Well, where is she, then?"

"She's still at the porch. Bomba's with her. Could you …"

"Oh, yes! Of course. Just let me get my bag." The Gumbie Cat patted her brother fondly on the shoulder before disappearing briefly back inside the den. She reemerged just a moment later with her large medical bag in hand, and with a tip of her hat she waddled off on her way toward the direction of the neighborhoods.

"Munkustrap," Coricopat spoke up after Jenny had gone. "Tantomile and I also have a request for you regarding Jemima."

The Jellicle Protector turned to face the twins. "What sort of request?"

Tantomile cleared her throat. "With your permission Munkustrap, Coricopat and I were hoping to do a simple reading of Jemima's psyche. Just to ensure that everything is sound. Her unconscious state would make the process easier for all three of us and it would not cause her any undue stress …"

"You want to probe her mind?" Munkustrap cried horrified.

Tantomile raised her paws quickly in surprise. "I-It wouldn't cause her any harm, Munkunstrap. Cori and I simply want to …"

"Why?" Munkustrap demanded furiously. "Why would you want to do such a thing!"

"We …" Tantomile swallowed. "Last night we sensed a glitch in Jemima's mind. An irregularity. We felt it during the Moments of Happiness song when she first manifested her powers." She paused, taking in the aghast expression on Munkustrap's face. "I-It should be nothing to worry about. But just to be safe my brother and I would like to take another look …"

"No!" All three cats sitting about him leapt back in surprise as the Jellicle Protector exploded, his face turned red with fury. "You will do no such thing. Not to Jemima. Not to my daughter!"

Coricopat backed away slowly. "Munkustrap, we did not mean to upset you …"

"Leave." Munkustrap growled. "I want you both to leave now. Don't you dare ever ask this to me again."

"But Munkustrap …"

"Leave!"

The twins shrank back, exchanging bewildered looks. Then, murmuring quiet apologies under their breaths, they meekly bowed their heads and slunk away.

Quaxo gaped at Munkustrap as he glared after the retreating twins with his paws clenched in fists at his sides, his shoulders shaking.

"Munkustrap," Quaxo whispered. This was a side of the Jellicle Protector that he had never seen. As their leader, Munkustrap was always the one they counted on to be strong and level-headed in every situation. Not once had they ever seen him lose his temper like this.

"Quaxo." The Jellicle Protector's eyes fell shut. "I'm going to ask you to leave as well."

The tuxedo tom's eyes widened. "But …"

"Quaxo." Munkustrap's chest rose and the breath left his lungs in a shaky exhale. "Please."

The younger tom didn't move at first. No, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to see Jemima. He wanted to be there when she woke up. Just so he could see that she was really okay.

"Quaxo." The Jellicle Protector turned to face him, his voice heavy with warning.

With a gulp, the tuxedo tom reluctantly stood up from his seat. "Alright, Munkstrap. I'll go. Just … please, when Jemima wakes up …" He bowed his head. "Tell her I'm sorry."

Munkustrap flinched at his words and quietly watched the young tom skulk away.

Bast. With a heavy sigh, the tabby ran a paw through his head fur as the weight of shame sank onto his shoulders. What am I doing? I shouldn't have lost it like that. He glanced toward the den entrance. Quaxo's right, they didn't mean any harm.

They just … don't understand.

Swallowing hard, the Jellicle Protector quietly lifted the door to the den and tiptoed inside.

He found Jemima curled up in the far back corner of the den, lovingly swaddled in cotton blankets. He couldn't help but smile upon sight of the sweet face peeking out from her soft cocoon. She looked pale yet serene, her eyes closed in sleep. Her chest rose and fell quietly beneath the blankets.

Careful so as not to wake her, Munkustrap reached down and stroked his fingers along her cheek, marveling at her beauty. She has grown up so much. And yet she still seems so kitten-like … so innocent …

His breath suddenly caught in his throat, his chest squeezing with pain. Kneeling down, he wrapped his arms about her lithe frame as if to shield her from the rest of the world.

Oh Jem … dearest Jemima … how much longer will I be able to protect you …?

XXXXXXXXX

Ding ... ding … ding …

Many miles from the Junkyard, a lone creature stalked out across the desolate earth in the direction of the railroad tracks. The wind whistled through his coarse, tawny fur and his long claws tore through the soil as he walked. His sunken black eyes surveyed the land, searching … and then his ears pricked at the sound of a faraway train juddering its way across the distance. The creature stopped in his tracks, cringing from the memory that flashed through his mind at that hideous sound. With a shudder, he quickly regained himself and continued on his way.

He found it just a moment later – a large stone of rectangular shape planted upright into the earth, set just a few feet from the edge of the track. The soil surrounding the stone was reddish in color, as if to signify what lay beneath it. The stone was a lone and meager testament to that horrific day forever seared into the cat's broken mind.

It was the day when he lost everything that he ever held dear.

The cat moved closer and stood before the erected memorial. He observed how his shadow fell over the stone's surface and stretched forbiddingly across the crimson ground. How often had he found himself standing upon this very spot with a heart so heavy with grief and self-loathing he felt ready to sink through the earth?

But this day … this day the cat felt no sense of heaviness. In fact, his chest has never felt so light.

A smile stretched his hideous face and a dark chuckle escaped his lips. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the cat felt hope bursting within him. The sick, twisted hope born of a deranged mind.

His thoughts traveled back to the night before. The night he came so close to taking back what rightfully belonged to him. The night he saw ... her.And in that moment, he felt it. He didn't know how it could be. He didn't understand how it was possible. But there was no denying it, no mistaking it. He felt it.

He felt her.

The cat began to laugh. The sound started low and deep and then grew higher and higher in pitch as the flames of hysteria danced in his eyes. Then, with a shrill cry, one arm swung out and sliced downward upon the rock with silvery claws extended.

In a single swipe, the erected rock was slashed into a thousand pieces.

The cat chuckled gleefully as he gazed down upon the scattered debris. This is of no more use. His gaze swung eastward toward the horizon, in the direction where he knew his destiny awaited him. His mouth stretched into a grin, his fangs glistening menacingly beneath the sun.

I'm coming for you, my dear.

XXXXXXXXX

AN: Yeah, not nearly enough fluff or action in this chapter to make up for my long absence, I know. School's starting up again for me soon, but I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as I can. For those wondering what the heck is going on, everything will make sense eventually, I promise!Stay tuned for more on Quaxo's family history and a peek into Jemima's dreams.Cheers!