Electra, Queen of the Night
At long last, the night of the Jellicle Ball had arrived. With Macavity defeated, they had another reason to celebrate.
From the very start, the moment the music began, Electra danced and sang with all of her being. With her friends and the rest of the Jellicle Cats beside her, she cherished every moment, down to the smallest detail. She poured her heart and soul into every dance step and gave it her all to hit all the musical notes. She didn't miss a single beat. She was going to treasure this night last for all it was worth.
On top of that, watching her friends perform with their special gifts gave Electra a new sense of pride. She silently cheered for Victoria when she danced the invitation to the Jellicle Ball, congratulated her sister on her trapeze routine when she got the chance, and whispered good luck to Jemima on her singing number when it came up.
After Victoria's dance, all of the cats gathered back together. Munkustrap then came forward and began to explain what would be taking place tonight. The first one was that Old Deuteronomy would arrive and would announce the cat that would be reborn. He then announced something else.
"And in the seventh year as protector of the Jellicle Cats, I will choose my apprentice to take on this rite when the new generation dawns."
At that announcement, all of the cats asked themselves:
"Who will it be?"
After that, the Jellicle Ball officially began.
Like the previous years, the songs that came after the introduction to the Jellicle Ball were about specific cats. The first one was of Jennyanydots. Like last year, Electra played a mouse and a cockroach during her song. Next was Rum Tum Tugger. Unlike last year, Electra and her friends didn't flirt and fangirl over him. Instead, it was the younger queen kittens who did that while she and her friends just danced the chorus.
Shortly after Rum Tum Tugger song, Bustorpher Jones arrived to perform his number. After he walked of the stage, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer did their routine just like they did last year.
And then the moment everyone greatly anticipated arrived when Old Deuteronomy arrived. For the young kittens, who had yet to meet the wise old cat, it was certainly a wonderful moment.
After they greeted their patriarch, they rejoiced and preformed for him the reenactment of the Pekes and the Pollicles. With Munkustrap's narration to guide them, Electra and all the Jellicle Cats involved in the play performed beautifully. And this time, the cat playing the Great Rumpus Cat managed to hit his mark like he was instructed to.
However, after the play was performed, that was when the Jellicle Ball really started. After the welcoming song and the mating dance, they began what had to be Electra's favorite part of the night: the Dance of the Jellicle Ball. Under the light of the Jellicle Moon, displaying their "Terpsichorean powers", all the Jellicle Cats danced with jubilation.
Electra just let herself go. With the music and energy guiding her every step, she followed it with ever ounce of spirit that she had.
However, at one point in the dance, when Electra and her friends had turned away from Old Deuteronomy and began moving into the center of the stage, Quaxo came up from behind the wise patriarch and the two began talking about something.
After the Jellicles had performed their most joyous of dances, the cats all settled down to rest. In the stillness of the night, Old Deuteronomy gently spoke out to them with a deep philosophical message. Last year, it was about the moments of happiness. This time, it was something about knowing that we are afraid but standing strong is when we are the bravest. It was only when Jemima stood up and sang with her heavenly voice that it all became clearer.
Electra couldn't help but give a small, brief smile when she thought of the idea that this was about her. However, not wanting to let her pride get the best of her, she quickly dismissed the thought.
The time then came for Electra's grandfather, Gus, to come and sing about his experience of being a cat at the theater. However, as he continued with his story, the young tortoiseshell queen cat could see her grandfather was becoming more brokenhearted with each word. It was even worse than last year. He didn't have the strength to finish the rest of his story. Seeing that he was unable to go on, Jellylorum guided him off of the stage.
While all of the cats felt sorry for the elder, Skimbleshanks quickly came on the scene and livened up the atmosphere with his cheerful and upbeat performance of being the Cat of the Railway Train.
After his performance, Old Deuteronomy summoned Munkustrap forward. The protector approached the patriarch of the tribe and bowed.
At the same time, Rum Tum Tugger came up to Electra, who was sitting off to the side.
"C'mon," he whispered.
"What?" Electra questioned.
"Just follow me." Rum Tum Tugger grinned. "You've got a song coming up."
"What?!" the young queen almost shrieked.
"Just c'mon!"
Rum Tum Tugger then hastily grabbed Electra by the shoulders and practically dragged her off to the side. Although the young queen was confused, and becoming nervous about what the tomcat meant by having "a song coming up", she couldn't really find the voice to ask another question. So she just let the tomcat carry her away.
Meanwhile, Munkustrap turned back to the Jellicle Cats.
"Now, I will choose the cat who will become my successor."
Almost immediately, all of the young, capable tomcats came forward and stretched out their paws to Munkustrap. Among the crowd were Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, Pouncival, and Plato.
However, Rum Tum Tugger and Quaxo were nowhere to be seen.
"Where are they?" Etcetera whispered to Jemima.
"I don't know," Jemima answered. "I think they would like to get the chance to be offered this honor."
Suddenly, up on a pile of garbage, a small puff of purple smoke appeared, catching everyone's attention. They all turned to see Rum Tum Tugger sitting on top of it.
"For the next protector," he said, "It should be a courageous cat. There can be no doubt about that."
Quaxo then leapt into view.
"As we all know," he grinned, "we are all have such bravery. But there is one among us who is filled with a courageous spirit."
Rum Tum Tugger jumped off of the garbage and walked into the center of the group.
" "There's no such cat", I hear you say," he strutted by. "But this one has what one would never think this cat could have in a million years. But last night, they proved that they can rise above all fears."
Quaxo then stepped forward and gave a nod. With that, Rum Tum Tugger began the next song of the Jellicle Ball.
"The greatest of heroes have something to learn, from this little queen's amazing return.
And we all say…"
Quaxo then jumped in and continued the song.
"Oh well, I never, was there ever a cat so brave or fearless as Electra, Queen of the Night!"
From where she was, Electra stood dumbfounded. She recognized the tune from last year as Mr. Mistoffelees song. Only now it was modified. And now it was a song about HER!
Meanwhile, Rum Tum Tugger and Quaxo continued the song with Demeter and Bombalurina harmonizing.
"She is quiet. She is small. Red and black.
From her ears to the tip of her tail.
She may shy and stand back.
Or appear to be rather frail.
But she will always have your back.
She just appear in a flash.
Her nature is calm and humble. Never once has she shown to be brash.
She can see the light in the dark.
Or in some small hopeless place.
All she needs is one little spark
And she'll see a shining face.
She may not show it, but when danger is near
She will show she has no fear."
As the two tomcats continued the first verse of the song, describing Electra's fur color and her ability to blend into the shadows, a strange sensation came over the young queen. Just like with the Dance of the Jellicle Ball, she suddenly just knew how she was going to her. She instinctively knew the dance steps.
Knowing this was her cue, she crept onto the stage, staying in the shadows, while Rum Tum Tugger and Quaxo continued.
"And we all say…
"Oh, well, I never, was there ever a cat so brave or fearless as Electra, Queen of the Night!"
At that note, Electra leapt out into the center of the stage. The rest of the cats stepped aside and watched the young queen perform her dance. As she did, the all sang together what the other two tomcats had said before.
Quaxo then continued the song with the next verse.
"It was on a night not long ago
When Macavity was still a threat
His scheme as he was about to show
Was enough to cause a lot of fret
To destroy the Jellicle Cats
He was to destroy the strong chains
What he didn't know was that one didn't show
Her strength flowing within her veins
From a prophecy long foretold
A secret only a few have known
That only this queen who was bold
Would save this clan alone
So on that night, when she defended her friend
She brought Macavity's evil right to an end!
And we all say…
Oh, well, I never was there ever a cat so brave or fearless as Electra, Queen of the Night!"
Electra couldn't keep herself from dancing her heart out. An overwhelming feeling of pride and happiness swelled in her chest. Although she knew it wasn't anything like what Victoria or Quaxo could do, she didn't care. Right now, she just gave it all she had.
This was her moment to shine.
When she felt the music coming to a close, she gave one last cartwheel and stood up, raising her arms to the sky.
When she turned around, she saw Munkustrap walking up to her. On the tips of his paws was kind of white substance that looked almost like paint. When the protector of the tribe reached her, he gave a small nod. Electra stared for a moment when she realized what he was trying to say.
She then slowly knelt down and bowed her head. When she lifted her face again, Munkustrap smiled at her. He then reached out and painted a very special symbol on her forehead. Everyone gasped in amazement. They all knew what that symbol meant.
Munkustrap had chosen Electra to be his successor.
This was the first time a queen cat had been chosen to be the next protector of the Jellicle Cats.
Electra stood up, just as shocked as the others around her. This was more than she could ever dream of. For so long, she had allowed herself to slip back into the shadows and remain unnoticed. However, all of that had changed. It changed the moment she recognized the strength and courage that had resided in her.
This was who she was.
From behind her, Quaxo smiled proudly. He knew that Electra had now seen her special gift shining brighter than the Jellicle Moon.
The tomcat stepped forward and sang one last time:
"And we all say…
Oh well, I never, was there ever a cat so brave or so fearless as Electra, Queen of the Night!"
Electra turned around to see Quaxo walking towards her. She smiled and ran towards him. The two embraced as the rest of the Jellicle Cats joined in singing the chorus over and over again. Electra nuzzled her face against Quaxo's neck and he stroked the fur on her back.
When they pulled away from each other, they turned to Old Deuteronomy, who was smiling with a warm pride. They both bowed deeply to the patriarch of the tribe. The wise old cat responded by lowering his head.
Quaxo then turned to Electra and ushered her into one final encore. She leapt into the center of the stage and swirled around with grace and beauty. Lifting her arms to the sky, she gave one last twirl before turning around and giving acknowledgement to both Quaxo and Rum Tum Tugger. After all, they were the ones who put this all together for her.
Rum Tum Tugger then stood on top of the garbage and said in a strong voice:
"I give you…the courageous…the fearless…Electra, Queen of the Night!"
With those words, Electra gave one final spin and gracefully bowed.