Chapter Twelve

Grizabella straightened, watching the Ball beside me silently. I could see many familiar faces; all looked much older. Not that it was a surprise, but I had to admit that it was little strange to see Munkustrap looking like an adult instead of my skinny little brother. It was even stranger to see Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer blending in almost perfectly with the other Jellicles.

I felt Grizabella grab onto my paw as Tugger sauntered out into the middle of the junkyard. I had told her all that I knew of my brothers and since I had seen Tugger grown up (versus only seeing Munkustrap as a kitten until today), I had been able to give my mother a much more complete description of what her youngest kitten now looked like. I glanced over at her and my heart sank at the way her tail drooped when she saw Tugger. From all of the discussions we had held on this topic, I knew that she was riding a high wave of guilt at the moment, soon to come crashing down into humiliated depression over the fact that she had left us behind to chase her own, fanciful dreams. I squeezed her paws lightly and softened my eyes, trying to comfort her silently. I turned my attention back to my youngest brother.

The kittens, and most of the females, dropped what they were doing to drool over Tugger. I blinked in an amazed kind of shock as he strutted this way and that, preening and letting all of the queens fall all over themselves, trying to get his attention. I didn't glance over at Grizabella, afraid I might start to laugh, my brother was behaving so ridiculously.

When I saw Bombalurina, looking as well fed, curvy, and sexy as ever, I struggled to control myself as she rubbed against my brother, singing lustily. Tugger's eyes widened with obvious interest and I know that he was thinking just what I was thinking: don't mess around with Macavity's girlfriend. He pulled her close against his body, much to the dismay of the kittens, sniffed her then dropped her to the ground with a disgusted "no!" However, I noticed that he was still eyeing her despite the killer looks she was shooting his way.

They continued to dance, Tugger bumping his hip against hers every now and then, throwing her off beat and sometimes making her stumble a bit, and Bombalurina shot him a dirty look whenever he did. The kittens danced giddily with them, clearly pleased by any little bit of attention my brother showed them. Wrapping up his song, my brother strutted to the middle of the junkyard. The kittens rushed to circle him, eyes wide with admiration. Suddenly, a tiny, tiger striped kitten burst into excited screams, waving her arms in the air. The other three kittens surrounding my brother stared at her with what could only be described as morbid fascination. Finally, Tugger slapped a paw over her mouth. The silence was deafening, but much better than the little kitten's shrieks.

I turned to Grizabella. She smiled at me.

"I'm ready."

I watched as she walked into the junkyard. I noticed the slightest limp as she walked. Perhaps she too had been injured in the car accident about a month or so ago and I had just never noticed. I crossed my arms over my chest and felt my mouth turn down into a worried frown. I started to pace angrily as first Quaxo then one of the junkyard kittens, who I did not recognize, were pushed away and hidden from my mother's touch.

Grizabella tried to cover up her obvious hurt by singing scornfully to Munkustrap, then to Cassandra. The brown queen sneered at her and slunk away towards Alonzo. I noticed Demeter watching her sympathetically and fought the urge to hiss.

"She haunted many a low resort..."

I could barely concentrate as Bombalurina, fiery and beautiful as ever, slid up next to her sister and draped an arm around her. Demeter welcomed the embrace and took up singing along with her sister. I nearly snarled with rage. Were they acting so miserably simply because she was my mother? She had always been good to them, especially little Demeter, who was now an adult queen, though a very young one.

"And who would ever suppose that that was Grizabella the Glamour Cat?"

Throwing her head back proudly, Grizabella strode back out of the junkyard. The kittens stared after her with curiosity and wonder. A couple even looked saddened. I wanted to run out and comfort my mother, but didn't quite dare. Luckily, my anger was cooled as portly Bustopher Jones waddled into the junkyard, immediately attracting my Aunt Jenny's attention. I turned to see Grizabella approach me, crestfallen. She turned her face away from me so that I couldn't see the tears welling in her eyes. Without a word, I quickly embraced her and held her close against my body.

We both jumped as a clap of thunder boomed and a flash of lightening lit the sky. For the briefest moment, my eyes met Demeter's and I knew she had seen me. Her eyes widened in terror and she stumbled backwards, earning herself worried glances from those near her.

"Macavity!" she screamed, the word seeming to rip from her throat.

The other Jellicles glanced around nervously for a minute before scattering to the depths of the junkyard. I hugged Grizabella closer and led her somewhere to sit.


I leaned forward anxiously. The kittens were dancing around playfully with Skimbleshanks and everyone seemed to have completely forgotten about me. Twice more had my mother entered the junkyard and twice more had she been shunned. Put simply, I was fed up. I had gathered several rats (which weren't too bright and terrified of me) and already had a plan.

Thunder crashed overhead again. This time I barely flinched as the kittens ran in terror towards the older cats. Demeter screamed again and even Bombalurina looked a little frightened for a moment.

"Now," I growled.

I jumped out into the open, the rats scrambling over one another to obey me. The Jellicles stared at me in stunned horror and I could see Old Deuteronomy trying to comfort them. He looked just as surprised as they did when the rats dropped the net over him.

I paused only briefly to stare back at Demeter. Her jaw dropped and she cowered back in horror. I didn't like the way I looked, reflected back in her large, scared eyes. I turned and hurried after the rats.

"Be careful, damn it!" I hissed, raising a paw. The rats dropped back, frightened.

"Sorry, sir. We was just doin' what ya told us ta do," one replied.

I glared at him. "Get lost. I'll call for you when I want you back."

"Yes sir!"

As they scurried away, I turned back to Old Deuteronomy. He only stared at me for a moment before speaking.

"Macavity, how you've grown! I haven't seen you for years! But why do you have to do this? Kidnap me and frighten the Tribe? This doesn't seem at all like you."

I laughed softly. "It seem as though you know me very well anymore, does it?"

"No, I don't suppose so," he sighed. "Why did you come back?"

"Grizabella. She wants to be accepted by your Tribe again."

"It's your Tribe, too," he replied softly.

"No, it's not. I'm not a junkyard cat anymore. If I ever really was, that is. Sorry to disappoint you."

He looked me over with a sad frown. I felt like I was a kitten again and in trouble. I squared my shoulders and narrowed my eyes. Finally, he folded his paws in front of him.

"Are the things that Demeter told us true?"

I cringed then regained composure. "Depends on what she's told you."

"I think you know." He shook his head sadly. "Why, Macavity?"

"Damn it, I didn't come here to get grilled by you! I came here to see that you accept my mother back into your Tribe. Everlasting Cat knows why she would want that, but she does and I'm only here to help her!"

Old Deuteronomy sighed. "So, you know, then?"

"Of course I know that she's my mother. Do Munk and Tugger know?"

"No. If they knew, do you think they would act the way they do towards her?"

"Yes, I do," I said glumly. He shrugged.

"Perhaps, but that doesn't answer my first question. Why are you so intent on frightening the Jellicles?"

"I'm..." I set my jaw angrily. "I suppose you're right. If you'll excuse me."

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Don't worry. I'll have you back with your precious Tribe in no time, Grandfather."


Munkustrap hissed, his blue eyes betraying the fear that I was certain he was trying hard to hide. He probably never expected to see me again, especially after hearing little Demeter's story and knowing my strict policy about entrance into my warehouse. Amongst other things, of course. I would've liked to sit down and explain things to him calmly, but the entire junkyard was up in arms against me, so there wasn't much else that I could do, especially after hearing Bombalurina and Demeter sing of me like I was some ruthless, heartless crime boss without a kind bone anywhere in my body. I found it a little disturbing, however, the way Demeter seemed so caught up in the song and the way she was singing as though part of her had found me deeply sensual, despite the fact that I was the one to capture and forever mar her innocence.

I struck him hard across the head before he could get the first punch in, making him stumble backwards several feet. He looked a little dazed, but unsheathed his claws nonetheless. "What's your problem?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice as low as possible so that only the two of us would hear the exchange of words.

He shook his head and gave me the most exasperated look I'm sure he could muster.

"You!" he hissed back, his voice low and murderous.

He lunged at me, aiming low so as to hit my center of gravity and send me crashing to the ground. It was his signature move whenever we fought as kittens, so I was very comfortable sidestepping at the same time that I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and swung him down onto the ground. I could hear the air whoosh out of his lungs and listened as carefully as I could to hear him draw his first, shaking breath afterwards. As angry as I was, there was still a part of me that wanted very badly to protect my younger brother and to keep him safe, the way I should've done, had I stayed in the junkyard instead of running out to the docks with Orion on that cold, unforgettable, unforgivable night.

Somehow, Munkustrap managed to climb to his feet. He looked completely furious now, though the terror of what violence I could easily cause him had him crouched low, circling me, hunting for a weak spot. This time, when he once more threw himself at me (like he had done just before) I lifted him up off of his feet and spun, using his momentum to carry us both. This time, when I flung him to the ground, he struck his head hard and his eyes fluttered shut. I swallowed and look on in regret as several of the other junkyard Jellicles surrounded him, glaring black daggers up at me.

I wanted to leave then, having proved my stained reputation true, but let out a gasp as I felt something claw against my stomach. Alonzo, who was a much better fighter than my brother and who had much more of a reason to take me down than Munkustrap did was facing me, standing entirely too close. I snarled in rage, knowing that this one expression hid any traces of fear or hesitancy from my attacker. Alonzo lunged then, claws out, and even though he managed to cut me good, I managed to throw him, hard, away from me.

The other Jellicles were becoming braver and stepping up to fight as first Munkustrap then Alonzo hit the ground. I slashed at them, beginning to wish that I had brought some of my own toms with me tonight. I hurried to the top of the hood of the old car. I saw a pair of jumper cables nearby and grabbed them. Demeter's eyes widened and she was the only one to back off a few steps, her body trembling with memory and fear. Bombalurina was instantly holding her tight; her teeth bore at me savagely. Demeter looked close to tears.

I hesitated only a moment before touching the two cables together.

The sparks flew around my head and paws and I was lifted off of my feet. I had the sensation of flying before I crashed into something and collapsed into darkness.


Thankfully, I awoke only moments later. The upper half of my body felt like it had been fried inside out and the rips and tears to the fur and flesh on my abdomen were only superficial. I sighed in relief when I realized that and got to my feet slowly and painfully. Movement would probably do the best good for me now.

I snapped my ears forward in surprise as I heard my mother's voice start to sing. I leaned forward to see her glare around her at the other Jellicles then focus on Old Deuteronomy. How had he got back to the Jellicles? I couldn't think straight enough to reason it out, so I settled on watching my mother. I slumped painfully against a rusty old water heater.

I knew what she was singing about. I had heard her hum the melody to it before, but hadn't known that there were any words to it. Now that I heard them, I realized how much she truly missed Ira. Before this moment, I had supposed that she was simply growing too tired to continue on and wanted to feel the relief of death in the Heavyside Layer. Now I could see and feel, just as plainly as if I were her, that she was begging for the chance to leave this world and not return to a new Jellicle life until she was properly reunited with her soul mate.

I struggled to straighten up and away from the water heater as she collapsed to the ground, breathless and in painful, obvious anguish. "Mom!" I managed to whisper. "Don't give up now! You're so close!"

My ears perked forward at the sound of a young soprano voice. I turned to see a kitten that looked a little younger than my Giselle standing on top of the car hood.

"Sunlight through the trees in summer..."

I closed my eyes, taking in the words to the song of the kitten, letting them slip around me like a blanket. My heart lifted as I heard my mother's voice join hers. She was near tears, but at the same time her voice held the same determination that I had heard when I first met her. She sounded as I imagined she had when she was a young queen. Her voice had lost some of its dry, huskiness and was purer than I had ever dreamed it would or even could be.

I opened my eyes to see her cover her own eyes with one paw and extend the other behind her back. A tense moment followed as a slight, delicate, white kitten crept forward. She glanced back at Old Deuteronomy before finally slipping her paw into my mother's.

I couldn't help but grinning like an idiot as the other Jellicles hurried to surround her. They extended their paws and smiled gently at her. For once, even Bombalurina smiled at her and had the gesture returned. I felt like clapping, jumping, shouting. However, I held perfectly still, in awe, as Old Deuteronomy bowed to her.

She'd been chosen!

I let out a shaky sigh. Then I realized what this would mean for me. For the two of us.

I'd never see her again. I began to pace as she stepped onto the tire. She was really leaving me. I had to fight to not run out there and stop her.

As she climbed higher, I let out a soft whimper. Her head turned and I knew that she could see me. Most of the Jellicles had lost sight of her, but I hadn't. I saw her gray fur lighten and I could see the lines on her face fade. She was becoming young again.

"Mom," I whispered, extending my paw. My voice cracked with emotion. She outstretched her own paw to me and wrapped her now smooth and delicate fingers around mine.

"Don't worry, my little one," I heard her say, even though I shouldn't have been able to. She was too far away. She smiled gently as the golden light began to surround her. "I will always be with you."

"I don't think I can let you go just yet," I confessed. My face was wet and it took me a few moments to realize that tears were pouring down from my eyes. "I need you."

"Go to your mate," she said, squeezing my paw softly. "Lean on each other now, not me."

I kissed her paw then leapt into the staircase, wrapping her in my arms.

"I'm going to miss you," I wept. "I only just find you and now you have to leave me?"

She kissed my cheek. "Everything is going to be all right, my love."

To my surprise and shock, a second figure suddenly shimmered near us and the outline of a tom cat joined us on the staircase. Grizabella breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped her arms around him as I simply stared at him. Ira smiled at me, stroking the fur on the back of my mother's head.

"Thanks, Macavity. Thanks for getting my best girl back at my side safely," I heard. I could only nod, dumbstruck. Ira turned his attention back to a young Grizabella. "Come on, my dear. We have so much to catch up on."

Ira lead me, dumbstruck, back onto the high perch I climbed up to in order to try and stop her. He patted my shoulder and it felt as real and as solid as though he were still alive. I sat down heavily once Ira was back on the staircase and watched as they climbed higher and higher into the sky. After a long time, their bodies merged in a warm golden glow with the stars themselves. The night sky seemed to shimmer before it was lit as normal again and as the staircase vanished.

I buried my face in my paws and grieved silently.


I returned to the warehouse alone. My shoulder, having struck the metal chain link fence of the junkyard after I touched the cables together was nearly numb from pain. I knew I would have to get it looked at soon or I would probably risk some irreparable damage. I didn't fancy the idea of losing range of motion or muscle tone.

I finally found my way up to the bedroom that I shared with Griddlebone. It was the largest bedroom in the warehouse, though not the largest room by far (the largest room was perhaps the main commons area when most of the stray spent their time in to socialize, play games, and watch over playing kittens, especially during rainy weather). Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had helped us to decorate the room into a comfortable, cozy bedroom, but one which had enough formality to keep it impressive.

I sunk down onto the bed, which was covered in its entirety by a thick, patchwork quilt that Grizabella and Ira had made and completed for us only months before Ira had died. I curled up on top of the bed and shut my eyes, needing the chance to sleep before hunting down a healer to help with my sore shoulder and the other injuries I had sustained at the Ball.

I was jostled out of my sleep by a scream nearly an hour later and the lights in my room flickered on. I sat up, fear and protective fatherly love sharing each weight on my heart. Griddlebone was standing in the doorway, staring at me with a look I could not define. I opened my mouth to ask her what was going on, but she slammed into me, knocking the breath from my body before I could speak.

"You're home!" she nearly screamed. I wiggled loose enough from her arms to answer.

"What's wrong?"

She pulled back, her eyes wild. "The kittens. I've been looking everywhere for them!"

"What?" I stood up, holding her tightly, the hurt and pain in my body forgotten. "What do you mean that you can't find them?"

She shook her head fearfully. "Everywhere, Macavity, I've been all over this warehouse, trying to find them. Only…" She paused, staring at me for a long moment. "There's only one place I haven't checked."

She wrenched free and turned to run out of the room. I followed her through the hallway until I saw that we were heading towards Hyde's room. The moment I saw the way the door was ajar, I knew something was horribly wrong. Griddlebone screamed as soon as she was inside and when I entered I knew why.

Laying in a pool of his own blood, Hyde was half-conscious and badly beaten. He struggled to sit up as he heard his mother's scream. Too weak, he slumped back down. I ran to his side and gently lifted him into my arms. He groaned in pain.

"Hyde, what happened?" I asked, trying to wipe blood from his face with my paws. He whimpered in pain again and opened his swollen eyes. I could see terror in his eyes.

"He... he... I..."

I held him tighter. "It's OK, Hyde. I'm here and your mother's here, too. You have to tell us what happened to you. Please, Hyde."

His eyes widened and became filled with tears. He let out a choked sob before answering.

"Otto."