A New Dawn
After Electra's dance, there was a moment of silence.
All the Jellicle Cats settled down as the atmosphere around them became calm once again. It was at this time that Jemima gracefully stood up and sang a beautiful, yet near-heartbreaking song like she did so last year. When she had finished, Munkustrap turned to Old Deuteronomy. The patriarch of the tribe gently extended his paw, silently telling the protector of the tribe that the time everyone had been anticipating had finally arrived.
Munkustrap turned to the rest of the cats.
"Now," he spoke in a calm voice, "Old Deuteronomy, just before dawn, through a silence you feel you could cut with a knife, announces the cat who can now be reborn, and come back to a different Jellicle life."
With this announcement, all of the cats approached Old Deuteronomy and extended their paws to him. Although Electra knew that she wouldn't be chosen since she was already appointed to be the next protector of the Jellicle Cats, she still reached her paw out along with the rest of her friends and family. The elder cat looked over the crowd of cats, trying to decide which one deserved to have a new life.
It was then that Jellylorum came walking out from behind a large metal barrel, doing her best to support Gus the Theatre Cat, who was walking beside her. The old tomcat looked tired and was on the brink of shedding even more tears. The moment the other Jellicle Cats saw him, they immediately parted to create a path for him. Jellylorum continued to carefully guide her father-in-law to Old Deuteronomy. When the elder tomcat reached the patriarch of the tribe, he bowed his head and a small whimper escaped his mouth. At the same time, Old Deuteronomy stood up, gave a humble bow, and took Gus' hand.
All the cats knew that this meant that Old Deuteronomy had chosen Gus to go the Heaviside Layer.
Electra gave a small smile and tears brimmed her eyes. Even though it was hard to know that she wouldn't see her grandfather again, she was happy to know that he wouldn't be suffering anymore.
As Old Deuteronomy guided Gus toward the place where he would ascend into the sky, the Jellicle Cats all followed behind two lines, singing that melancholy and joyful song of the chosen cat going to their new home in the Heaviside Layer. As many of the elders had some close connection to this old Theatre Cat, they couldn't help but share the same feeling of bitter-sweetness of watching him leave the clan.
When Old Deuteronomy led Gus on top of the largest tire, a mysterious mist became to creep out of the bottom. It then began to slowly rise up to the sky. All the cats watched in wonder and awe as it raised just a few feet above the ground.
When it had come to a stop and began to hover, a golden bridge that looked like it was made of clouds descended from the sky toward the patriarch. Once it reached the edge of the tire, Old Deuteronomy gently ushered for Gus to climb it. The old tomcat hesitated for a second, looking back over the Jellicle Cats one last time. For the first time in a long time, he gave a genuine smile. Electra could see in his face that he no longer felt any suffering or pain.
He was finally at peace.
With a new strength, Gus slowly began to walk up the golden staircase. As he continued on his path upwards, the stairs were slowly starting to fade behind him. Finally, in splendor of light and mist, the steps to the Heaviside Layer vanished, Gus the Theatre Cat along with them.
With this ceremony over, the Jellicle Ball had officially come to an end.
Dawn was quickly approaching as Electra and her family made their way back to their home. No one spoke a word to each other since they were all exhausted from the events of the night. Not to mention, while they were glad that Asparagus' father was in a better place now, they were still feeling a little sad about him leaving them. Still, as sad as it was that they would never see him again, they were happier to know that he was no longer suffering.
When they reached their house, they all entered through the kitty-door and wandered over to their sleeping baskets by a dimly lit fire in the fireplace. However, while Asparagus and Jellylorum immediately settled down and fell asleep, Electra remained awake. She just lay curled up in the basket beside her sister, unable to drift off into slumber.
Even though it had been two nights since she fought Macavity, she still had this overwhelming feeling stirring inside of her. Never in her whole life would she have guessed that she would ever go up against that evil cat, let alone live to tell the tale.
And now she was chosen to be the next protector of the Jellicle Cats. She certainly never expected to become the protector of the whole tribe someday. How could she?
How did all of this happen in the first place? Was it all because she made the decision to save the cat she loved? Was it because of the prophecy? Or was it something more?
It had to have been. There was no way she could've defeated Macavity if there wasn't anything more.
As Electra continued to think about this, a small voice from beside her whispered:
"Sis?"
Electra looked sharply around and saw Etcetera was still awake. The young tabby cat was looking at her sister with a subtle hint of concern.
"Are you okay, sis?" she asked.
"I'm fine." Electra sighed. "I just…a lot have happened the past few nights."
"I know." Etcetera stretched her limbs. "I still can't believe that you defeated Macavity all on your own. And then Munkustrap made you his student. Aren't you excited?"
Electra fell silent.
"Sis?" the dilute tabby queen cat tilted her head.
"I just…" Electra hesitated, "I mean…I know I secretly longed for recognition, even if I never said it out loud. But now…I found something even better."
"Oh?" Etcetera questioned.
"I realized what you and the others were trying to tell me." Electra smiled. "And it was because of all of you I could do it. You, Victoria, Jemima, Cassandra, Quaxo, and everyone else; you were all there to support me and give me strength. I don't think I would've had the courage to even face Macavity if it hadn't been for all of you."
That little speech warmed Etcetera's heart so much that she thought it would melt in her chest. She let out a soft, happy squeal and hugged her sister. Electra returned the gesture and embraced the little tabby cat.
"All I know is that I'm a very lucky cat!" Etcetera said with a grin.
"Why's that?" the tortoiseshell queen cat asked.
"Because I have something that no one else has: a sister like you!"
At that compliment, Electra softly laughed and hugged her sister even tighter.
"And I'm even luckier to have a sister like you," she whispered.
After their moment of happiness, the two queen cats settled down in their basket once again. They both drifted off to slumber as the sun began to rise on the distant horizon, signifying a new dawn.
And with that, "Bravest of Us All" is completed.
I want to think you all for your comments and feedback. I greatly appreciate it all.
And I want to give a special thanks to the reviewers Melissa and Alejandra. I'm sorry I wasn't able to contact you, but I want you both to know that I thank you both for your compliments and for following the story since chapter one. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you enjoy the ending as well.
And I thank you all for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it and I'm glad I could share it with you.
Have a Good Day!
