Note: In this chapter, Munkustrap's song will follow the tune of the opening part of the song "Notes" from The Phantom of the Opera. It will start at the beginning where Firmin comes in, go into the part where Andre comes in, and it will go on (in terms of the tune) until Raoul comes in. (If you do not understand what I am trying to tell you, I do not blame you. Let me know if you need me to explain what I mean.) By the way, just to make sure we're clear about this, I don't own The Phantom of The Opera.

Over the next three weeks, everybody was getting prepared for the next Jellicle Ball. Macavity was looking forward to it with much enthusiasm. He had barely remembered anything from his first Jellicle Ball, as he had only been a month old at the time. But he was sure that he would remember every detail about this one.

Alonzo and Cassandra would be spending most of the ball watching everybody else sing and dance. But they agreed to participate in the opening song and "The Naming of Cats."

Macavity and Clemitanie had asked Old Deuteronomy in advance if they could have their own song just after the all-dancing session of the ball. Old Deuteronomy had been more than willing to grant them this request.

Finally, the Jellicle Ball arrived yet again.

Late that night, all the cats gathered in the clearing one by one. First "Jellicle Songs for Cats" was sung, and "The Naming of Cats" followed immediately after.

Clemitanie was the one performing the Mating Dance this year. Once everybody else had departed from the clearing, she began the complicated dance. Macavity watched from the side as his lover gracefully danced on her own. She carried out every move without any flaws whatsoever.

When she completed the dance, Macavity ran out to the center, stood behind her, and began the "Invitation to the Jellicle Ball" (He had been selected to give the invitation that year).

Macavity sang loudly "Jellicle cats, come out tonight! Jellicle cats, come one, come all!"

Clemitanie danced alongside Macavity as the latter continued "The Jellicle moon is shining bright! Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball! Jellicle cats come out tonight! Jellicles, come to the Jellicle Ball!"

Everybody else returned to the clearing. This time, it was Munkustrap who recited the tribe's sacred lyrics. He stood in front of everyone else and sang:

"Jellicle cats meet once a year

At the Jellicle Ball, where we all rejoice!

And the Jellicle leader will soon appear

And make what is known as 'The Jellicle Choice.'

When Old Deuteronomy just before dawn

Through a silence you feel you could cut with a knife

Announces the cat that can now be reborn

And come back to a different Jellicle life.

For waiting up there

Is the Heaviside Lair

Full of wonders ONE Jellicle only will see.

And Jellicles ask because Jellicles dare

'Who will it be?'"

Everybody sang out "Who will it be?"

Right then, everybody except Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger moved off to the sides. Macavity and Clemitanie sat with Alonzo, who was talking with Cassandra.

Soon, music started up in the background. After a few moments, Rum Tum Tugger started singing:

"Munkustrap- such an honored cat!

Munkustrap- no denying that!

He's known as our tribe protector.

He's the head of watch in this great sector.

Never mess with Munkustrap.

If you do, your wrist, he'll slap.

If you treat him as a friend,

He'll protect you to his end."

Munkustrap then started going around the clearing and pretended to study everyone's faces for any possible guilty feelings.

Tugger followed his older brother around- making sure to give him at least three feet of personal space at all times - and continued to sing about him:

"Munkustrap will always notice

Misdeeds at the drop of a hat.

He is always involved til' the crime is solved.

Won't give up.

We always must be loyal

To this royal

Black and silver striped, tall cat!"

After that lyric, Munkustrap turned around to Tugger as if he just noticed he was there, and sang with a note of false exasperation:

"Oh, Tugger,

You shouldn't flatter.

That's a real bugger."

Tugger put his hands on his hips and said lightheartedly

"Munk, what's the matter?

I am not lying.

These are valid facts.

There's no denying."

Munkustrap raised an eyebrow and sang

"So, they're not attacks?"

Macavity then got up and went to join his brothers in the center of the clearing.

Tugger shook his head and sang:

"Just the voice of a brother."

When Macavity was standing about two feet behind and one foot to the right of Tugger, Tugger turned around and got a good glimpse of him. Then he turned back to Munkustrap and- holding his arms out to Macavity- sang

"Now, the thoughts of the other..."

Everybody's attention was focused on Macavity then. They watched him as he sang his main part of the song to Munkustrap:

"Hey, Munkus, you are quite admired-

Saluted everywhere you go.

I do not tell you lies; you are very wise.

And, of course,

You always keep your guard up

and you're hard up

On all mischief; that, I know!"

Tugger placed his arm around Macavity's shoulders and looked back at Munkustrap. He sang

"Hey, Munkus, I am sure Mac's correct.

It'd be smart of you to agree.

You possess will and might to stop any fight.

By the way,

You'll always be befriended,

Not offended,

As it seems to Mac and me!"

Munkustrap folded his arms and scoffed. Then he sang

"Both of you may have a point there."

Rum Tum Tugger and Macavity smiled and sang

"Of course we do, Munkustrap."

Macavity sang "Else, we're blind as a bat."

Tugger immediately followed with "You're our favorite cat!"

Again, Munkustrap raised an eyebrow and sang "Is that so?"

Tugger pointed out in his song "You have substantial aptitude."

Macavity sang "Your attitude is serious."

Tugger: "We're truthful when we're saying that."

Macavity: "I'm praying that you're hearing us."

Tugger: "Please, brother, hear us out"

Macavity "And we will shout"

Both: "And we'll praise you as we clap!"

The three toms repeated the last few lines once, and then the song ended. All the other cats cheered as Old Deuteronomy's three sons bowed and moved off to the side to allow the next song to begin.

Macavity sat down with Clemitanie. She kissed him on the cheek and told him "You were great, Mac."

Macavity grinned at her and turned back to watch the next song. This song was about Jellylorum. During the song, Macavity leaned over to Clemitanie and whispered "I wonder if anybody will ever sing a song about me at the Jellicle Ball someday."

She just smiled, placed her arm around him, and said "I'm sure somebody will someday."

A little while later...

The all-dancing session of the Jellicle Ball arrived. During the freestyle part, Tugger was doing some rather sensualmoves. Alonzo watched from the sides and tried to imitate his uncle's movements, which cause Macavity to groan and say aloud "Great; my own son, influenced by my flirt of a brother."

Clemitanie laughed and said "He seems to take after Munkustrap, too. During Munk's song, Alonzo was trying to imitate his 'standing guard' and 'watch and protect' poses."

Macavity seemed to be relieved to here this bit of news.

Soon, the Mating Dance part arrived. Everyone gathered in the center and one by one lowered themselves to the ground. This continued until Clemitanie and Macavity were the only ones still standing. Clemitanie slowly but boldly approached Macavity. The two of them nuzzled each other for a moment. Then Macavity picked Clemitanie up and held her over his head. After about ten seconds, he started stroking her legs. Finally, he lowered her to the ground and stroked her chest.

All around them, the other cats were getting paired up. Once all the cats had a partner, they all began to mate.

There were only four members of the tribe who did not perform the mating dance. Two of them were Alonzo and Cassandra, who were much too young to mate. The other two were Grizabella and Old Deuteronomy (It was customary for the Jellicle leader and his mate to observe the rest of the tribe during the mating dance).

Macavity held Clemitanie close to him and the two of them lay together in the center of the group. They started mating just as they had fourteen weeks earlier. To them, mating at the Jellicle Ball was even more pleasant an experience than mating on top of Big Ben.

After they had mated, Macavity and Clemitanie cuddled close to each other. Everybody else in the group had already fallen asleep. Just before the two of them went to sleep, Macavity asked Clemitanie "Are you looking forward to our song?"

She nodded and said "I cannot wait."

Then the two of them fell asleep in each other's arms without another word.

A short time later, everybody woke up and completed the second half of the all-dance session of the Jellicle Ball. After performing a series of complicated twists, turns, and other elaborate moves, everybody was tired.

Then it was time for Macavity and Clemitanie to sing their song. Everybody moved off to the side and paid close attention to the two of them. Soft, gentle music started playing in the background and the lights were dimmed considerably.

Macavity and Clemitanie were standing about five feet away from each other. He was looking directly at her, but she was looking at the ground.

Soon, Macavity began to sing. He sang:

"No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you - my words will warm and calm you."

He started approaching Clemitanie, who began looking up a bit with every step Macavity got closer.

Macavity continued to sing:

"Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you..."

By then, Macavity had reached Clemitanie. He placed his paw on her cheek; she slowly turned and looked up at him. Then she sang in a very harmonious voice:

"Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime...
Say you need me with you now and always...
Promise me that all you say is true -
that's all I ask of you..."

The two of them got closer to each other. Clemitanie put her face on Macavity's shoulder as he continued to sing:

"Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you -
your fears are far behind you..."

Clemitanie looked up at him and continued to sing:

"All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night...
and you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me..."

They continued to look each other in the eyes as Macavity sang on:

"Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...
let me lead you from your solitude...
Say you need me with you here, beside you...
anywhere you go, let me go too -
Clemie, that's all I ask of you..."

She continued the song:

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...
say the word and I will follow you..."

The music had been intensifying over time. Macavity and Clemitanie sang together:

"Share each day with me,
each night,
each morning..."

Clemitanie: "Say you love me..."

Macavity: "You know I do..."

The music stopped for a brief moment as they sang together:

"Love me - that's all I ask of you..."

Then the music got stronger than before as Macavity and Clemitanie kissed each other. After the kiss, Macavity lifted Clemitanie off her feet, took her into his arms, and held her. Then they sang the final verse to the song:

"Anywhere you go let me go too...
Love me - that's all I ask of you..."

The two of them left the clearing as the music continued. Once the music stopped, everybody applauded for Clemitanie and Macavity.

Macavity and Clemitanie sat down with Alonzo. He was talking with Cassandra again. Macavity whispered into Clemitanie's ear "Clem, will you be my mate?"

She smiled at him and said "Of course I will."

The two of them kissed again, and then the rest of the Jellicle Ball was carried out.

The cat selected to rise to the Heaviside Lair that night was Clemitanie's father, Tamert.

Note: Well, what do you think? The next chapter will get closer into Macavity's turn to evil. By the way, I'm a type of person that in some ways NEEDS reviews to keep going. Please review!