A Destiny Revealed

Shortly after the Jellicle Cats expressed their gratitude to Electra, the young queen's parents came up to her with Coricopat, Tantomile, and Old Deuteronomy right behind them. Electra looked at her parents and noticed that they had a solemn expression, making her curious as to what they were looking so solemn about.

"Electra," Asparagus said in a low voice, "there something your mother and I need…to tell you."

Electra blinked and her pulse began to flutter. Whatever it was her mother and father had to tell her, if the oracle cats and the patriarch of the tribe were involved, then it had to be something important.

And considering all that had happened tonight, Electra wasn't sure how much more she could handle.

Regardless, she took one more glance back at the rest of the cats before following the five elder into a private area of the Junkyard.

"What do you think is going on?" Victoria asked.

"I don't know." Jemima shrugged. "But if it involves Coricopat, Tantomile, AND Old Deuteronomy, then it must be very important."

Munkustrap, who was standing nearby and listening to the conversation, walked over to his daughter and placed a gentle paw on her shoulder. Jemima looked up at him as he did.

"That is for Electra to know." Munkustrap said. "For now, we must see to other matters."

"Ow!" Quaxo shouted.

"If you would just hold still, it wouldn't sting as much!" Jennyanydots snapped. "Honestly, you're worse than a newborn kitten!"

After the short ceremony, Jennyanydots took Quaxo to another part of the Junkyard to treat his wounds. Although the young tomcat knew that the motherly queen was only trying to help, the healing ointment she was applying stung like crazy. He couldn't help but flinch and tense up when she applied the stuff.

For a while, he didn't know what was worse: getting cut to ribbons by Macavity, getting treatment from Jennyanydots.

Fortunately, for both him and Jennyanydots, the treatment was almost done.

"There," the orange tabby cat rubbed the last of the ointment over a scratch on Quaxo's shoulder. "That should do it. You're just lucky a few scratches is all you got."

"At least I'll still be able to dance at the Jellicle Ball tomorrow night." Quaxo winced as the ointment stung his shoulder.

"Just take it easy," Jennyanydots gently scolded, "and don't do anything reckless."

"I won't," the black and white tomcat nodded. "And thanks for your help."

Jennyanydots simply smiled and nodded. She then turned and walked back to join the rest of the cats with Quaxo following her.

When they reached the center of the Junkyard, they saw that most of the cats were just milling about or resting on pieces of garbage. However, when Quaxo looked up, he saw Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer walking towards him. The expressions on their faces, particularly on Mungojerrie's, was one of guilt and regret.

"Hey, Quaxo," the male calico cat gave a deep exhale, "listen, there's something I have to tell you."

"You knocked me out, didn't you?" Quaxo replied.

Mungojerrie winced at the statement. That was definitely an indicator to Quaxo that the calico was the one who knocked him out in the Junkyard and turned him over to Macavity.

"Macavity was going to kill Rumpleteazer unless I did what he said," Mungojerrie explained. "I didn't want to do it. I swear I didn't. But I couldn't…"

Mungojerrie looked back at his mate, who looked at him with sympathy.

Now fully understanding the situation, Quaxo smiled. He reached out a caring paw and placed it on Mungojerrie's shoulder. The male calico turned back to the black and white tomcat with both confusion and remorse.

"I probably would've done the same thing if I was in your situation." Quaxo said. "And in the end, we all made it out alive. I think we can forgive and forget, right?"

Mungojerrie blinked at the statement. However, knowing that was basically Quaxo saying that he had forgiven him, he gave a grateful smile. With a silent "thank you" and "you're welcome" exchanged, the two cats shook paws.

"And if you're questioned about this," Quaxo grinned, "just tell them that I forgave you. Old Deuteronomy will at least listen to you."

"Thanks, Quaxo." Rumpleteazer nodded.

The two calicos then turned to walk away. With the amends made, they decided it was best to leave the matter as it was for now, since it was pretty much resolved.

A few seconds later, something caught Quaxo's attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a blurry shape leap over a mound of garbage. He turned just in time to see Electra run off. Judging the pace she was going at, Quaxo could tell that she was in a hurry.

Already having an idea of where she was going, Quaxo set out after the young queen.

"Electra!"

The said queen cat's ears perked up and she turned to see who called out her name. She gave a weak smile when she saw Quaxo leap up and walk over to her.

"You okay?" the tomcat asked as he sat down next to the young queen.

"Yeah." Electra looked down at her paws. "It's just…so much has happened in one night."

"I know what you mean." Quaxo sighed. "It almost seems unreal, doesn't it?"

Electra just gave a simple nod.

"So," Quaxo cocked his head, "what did your mom and dad have to tell you?"

At that question, Electra looked up at the moon, inhaling deeply. Her eyes glinted with a small hint of fear and bewilderment. She blinked a few times before looking at Quaxo.

"Well," she took a deep breath, "I don't know how to explain this, but I guess I was always meant to defeat Macavity."

Quaxo turned and looked at Electra with surprise. The young queen noticed his reaction, but continued her story anyway.

"When Etcetera and I were born," she explained, "the oracle cats came to bless us or something like that. Anyway, when they turned to me, they had a vision. They said, "This young one will save the Jellicle Cats from their greatest threat and bring in an era of peace"."

Quaxo's jaw dropped. Electra continued.

"They also said that I would save the soul of a cat who would later use his abilities to rescue the patriarch."

Electra looked at Quaxo, who was staring at her with amazement.

"And," Electra hesitated, "I would confront the evil that would threaten to destroy the Jellicle Cats."

"Electra…" Quaxo whispered.

"Quaxo," Electra looked down, "I…I don't know what to think anymore."

"Why?" the tomcat asked. "Aren't you proud?"

Electra shook her head.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "I never knew about this. Mom and dad said that only they, the oracle cats and Old Deuteronomy knew about this. The reason why they kept it from everyone else was because they wanted to keep me safe from Macavity. If he had known…"

The young queen stopped and shuddered, unable to bring herself to say anything further.

"I see," Quaxo nodded, "if he had known, he would've gone after you."

Electra slowly nodded.

"And when I faced Macavity," she said in a low voice, "I told him that I begged for your innocence. When he found out I was the reason he failed to kill Old Deuteronomy last year, he came at me with a horrible rage. I thought for sure he was going to put an end to me. If he had known I was going to defeat him…"

Electra shivered as the horrible thought crossed her mind.

Sensing her fear and discomfort, Quaxo moved closer to Electra. When she felt his body come closer to her, the young queen looked up and stared into his eyes.

"That's over now," the tomcat gently smiled. "There's no need for you to be afraid. You showed him that you were better than him, in more ways than one. He just couldn't understand how strong and magnificent you really are. You showed him that you are brave. That is why you could defeat him."

"Quaxo…"

"Besides, even if he had found out about you years ago, he would never have gotten his paws on you. I would've protected you. I will always protect you."

Electra smiled and rubbed her face against Quaxo's chest, feeling his strong heart beat inside of him. That in turn caused her heart to beat with happiness and comfort.

"And I will always protect you," Electra whispered. "Nothing can tear us apart."

The tomcat rested his head on the young queen's head and gently took her paw in his own paw.

The two cats sat together side-by-side, gazing up at the moon. After all of the chaos from earlier that night, the calming lunar glow wrapped itself around them, calming their spirits. Although they had shared more than one meeting under the moon, this one was even more special. Both of them cherished this moment. And deep down in their hearts, they knew they would continue to cherish it for the rest of their lives.

Nothing could take this moment of happiness away from them.