Chapter Twelve: The Attack

A/N: Just a 'heads-up', this chapter gets rather violent and possibly disturbing at points (it all depends on the tolerance level of the reader). This, I also might add, is probably as gruesome as my writing will ever get. This is my first and most likely last attack scene, just because I'm not one for the creepy horror stuff.

Also, looking back at the previous chapters, I'm starting to dislike my writing. I go through each chapter and wish I could edit or delete some things. I just want to apologize if it feels like I'm letting any of you down! Please let me know what I can do to improve my writing. I value criticism like a thief values priceless jewels.

Seriously.

Munkustrap had just sent Alonzo to prepare the rest of the tribe able enough to fight and defend their feline home against the oncoming danger. Not a full minute had gone by before Alonzo had returned to Munkustrap's side. Before long, there was a gathering of cats in the center of the Junkyard in a circular pattern and all facing outwards defensively. Heads and ears kept turning, flicking, and twitching in all directions to try and locate the slightest sound that would clue them in on exactly where the attack would be coming from. The eyes of the tribe members were opened wide, taking in the complete surroundings of their shared and cherished home, scanning for the smallest of movements. While crouching low to the ground, the Jellicles flexed their claws in anticipation, like a race-horse stomping their hooves at the starting gates of a competitive race. There wasn't a single sound emanating from the yard, pure and complete silence, setting a mood of tension and suspense.

Then, out of nowhere it had seemed, cats darker than night itself swarmed the Junkyard from all points of entry. They spilled over the walls and crept out of the spaces of the Jellicle homeland. They pounced viciously on the Jellicles. Paws swatted violently as claws sliced skin and air. There was rage in the eyes of some while the rest reflected fear. The Jellicles were outrageously outnumbered, yet fought with every ounce of energy and bravery they had in them. Alonzo, who had been right next to Munkustrap, had moved elsewhere in the frenzy of the fight. Munkustrap kept trying to see where his friend had gone whilst avoiding injuries himself. The Hench's were maniacal; they laughed sadistically and grinned with pleasure as they clobbered and clawed other cats. It was like unleashing starving and emaciated dogs on a feast of meats and kibble. Their fangs dripped with a repulsive mixture of blood and saliva. Munkustrap didn't think of them as felines at all, they were more like killing machines, chopping and slicing and biting and tearing.

However, it must be pointed out that the Jellicles were not totally defenseless; taken off guard, yes, but helpless? Absolutely not.

Jennyanydots in particular delivered some brutal wounds herself, sending several monstrous felines fleeing bleeding and bruised. And not to mention Plato, who actually plucked an eyeball right from one of the Hench's sockets. All in all, the fight was evenly matched. The only difference was that the Hench's were more vicious and crazed than the Jellicles, who held steadily fierce and relentless.

The battle raged on for what felt like hours. Every now and then a cat would try to flee from the pit of fighting cats and would be dragged back into the horrible fray by some other feline. The war cries, the shouting, the screams of terror… it was ultimate chaos.

Munkustrap had time enough to find Alonzo, although it was only a brief glance, he couldn't mistake any other tom for those splotches of black and white. Confusion became the solitary detail etched into Munkustrap's face when during one of the glances in Alonzo's direction, he saw her. She was prowling towards him from the landing next to the rocking chair. She crouched low, eyes wide and focused on her target. She let her claws free themselves from the sheath of her flesh as she closed in on the point where she would leap onto the unsuspecting tom.

Munkustrap was so captured by this, he at first wasn't even certain if this feline was Demeter. She looked so different, not even the glorious golden color of her fur was the same. Those wide and focused eyes were yellow, not green like they once were. He momentarily thought of how many times he found himself admiring those same eyes at a time when they were filled with compassion and innocence. He would get lost in them; he would be drawn in by them like a moth to a flame. The yellowness had tainted those beautiful orbs and now replaced the compassion and innocence with a hunger for power and an overwhelming sense of darkness. Despite the changes, he knew it was her. He could tell by her figure, by the way she moved. Munkustrap noticed particularly in the way she proceeded on her toes, something he remembered from the many memories or hunting with her on weekend afternoons when his patrol shift was less. It was comforting to him to see that some of the things about her hadn't changed, but the thought equally terrified him that perhaps those things weren't strong enough against everything else.

As Munkustrap opened his mouth to shout a warning to Alonzo, he was punched in the jaw by a Hench. He was so caught up in that moment that he didn't see it coming. He recovered fast and delivered a much more debilitating punch to the perpetrator. Once his attacker was on the ground in a whirl of unconsciousness, he looked up at the rocking chair, expecting to see Demeter, but she wasn't there. He looked for Alonzo but all he saw was a mix of colors. One moment he saw red and black and the next he saw white and black. Obviously Demeter and Alonzo were already going at each other. Alonzo was hesitant at first, still recognizing Demeter as a fellow Jellicle. Contrarily, Demeter wasted no time walloping the Bast out of her former tribe-mate and friend. Seeing this, Munkustrap approached cautiously, wondering if she would have the power in her heart and soul to administer and unleash the same fury on him.

"Get off of him!" Munkustrap shouted louder than he'd planned. Coming closer to the scene, he noticed how much more bloody Alonzo was than Demeter.

Macavity silently observed everything going on from atop the TSE1. He forbade himself from using his powers; he obeyed Demeter's suggestion that the purpose of this attack would be to frighten the Jellicles, to show them the force brought on by the new unity constructed of himself and his impressive accomplice. Why waste the energy to begin with? Demeter didn't need any help; she was handling herself down below just fine, even with the approach of her former lover Munkustrap. Macavity grinned as he thought, "This could get interesting", expecting Demeter to beat the Everlasting Cat out of the tabby like she had done Alonzo.

"Why, hello there, Munkustrap. Miss me?" Demeter ceased her attack on Alonzo, paying all of her attention to the silver tabby who stood just feet from her current position.

"Demeter, listen to me. I-" he was interrupted.

"I do wish everyone would stop calling me by that infernal name. I'm no longer Demeter, Munky. Can't you see?" Spinning around to show off her make-over, she adds, "The name's Demitra. What do you think? Like what you see?"

"No, not at all. I'm disgusted to be quite frank. This isn't you at all. I want Demeter to come home and I know she's in there somewhere, just itching to be free of this hell."

"You've got it wrong, honeybun. This isn't hell. This is freedom. I love being evil. You've no idea what you're missing."

"What did he do to you, Dem? How could you let him do this?"

"Are you kidding me, Munkus?" Demeter saunters to Munkustrap's side, wiping her tail under the nostrils of his nose. Her tainted scent violated his senses and it repulsed him. "I'm thankful for what he did. He gave me freedom. He gave me love. He gave me a fresh perspective on life. He gave me more than you ever could. The love I have for him is endless." Demeter put her lips next to Munkustrap's ear and whispered challengingly, "Jealous?"

Munkustrap's gasket blew. That was it. His temper boiled suddenly and he couldn't hold himself from emptying out his feelings. "How dare you say all of those things? How can you speak of him so highly? You don't even know him!" the volume of his voice took Demeter by surprise; she had never seen him so agitated.

Little did she know it, the best was yet to come.

The cats in the midst of battle had stopped their attack, now watching the unfolding scene between the two felines. "Do you have any idea what this is like for me? While you go gallivanting off with some psychopathic creep? Every time you speak of him, every time you make a choice that doesn't include me in the result, and every minute that goes by when I know you're off with him, it all just rips me to pieces, Dem. Knowing that I can't see you, or hear your voice, or feel your touch because you're with that derelict makes me so sick and so hurt. This hurt, Demeter, you have no clue what it's like. My chest feels like it's going to explode, and it's your fault. I look at you now and I see this sorry excuse for a cat I once knew… I just want Demeter, I just want the real you that's deep inside to come home and be with me. I love you more than I could love anybody else. Why are you so blinded?"

Demeter took a moment, frozen in disbelief. Munkustrap continued. "This is your home. This is where you belong. Don't let that criminal change your mind. He can't love you like I can, I know that for a fact" Munkustrap placed a quivering paw over his chest, a gesture that strikes Demeter. Munkustrap noticed this reaction, thinking he might be getting through to her, might be breaking down the barriers held up by whatever evil powers or spells were holding her captive.

"Come on, Demeter. Fight it. Stay here with me." At the mention of 'Demeter', the cracking of Demeter's dark composure had instantly recovered, revealing to Munkustrap a fatal mistake.

Demeter shot forward and grasped Munkustrap's throat, lifting him off the ground. The gargling sounds produced by Munkustrap's constricted throat grew louder as Demeter squeezed tighter. As his feet dangled, she threatened him. "Don't you ever call me by that name again. I hope you understand me, or else I'll have no choice but to kill you. Don't test me, Munkustrap. You won't like the results." She dropped him to the ground in a gasping heap.

Macavity smiled proudly. "That's my girl." He whispered.

Munkustrap was incredulous, battered, and exhausted. Where did she get that strength from? He realized, for a moment, he was virtually terrified of the one he loved. And at that moment, he pondered whether or not he should risk his life by perusing Demeter further. Guess what he chose.

"Even if I never see you again and even if you do decide to kill me… I'll love you, Demeter."

She spun around at the sound of that name, prepared to pounce on the tabby, who still sat on the ground where she had dropped him. As she positioned her body for an attack, she paused. She was visibly stunned and paralyzed with astonishment. There were tears streaming down Munkustrap's face. His mouth wiggled in that famous attempt to hold back sobs.

Come on Demeter, give him what for! Show him what we've got, just like we planned. Macavity thought this to himself silently while growing anxious.

Demeter's mouth kept opening as if she were trying or going to say something, but no sounds were ever produced. She just stared at Munkustrap, watching the tears flow, watching the desperate lips of the tabby quiver like gelatin. In an instant, she fled from the sight. Munkustrap sighed. He knew the dusty, spider web-covered gears in Demeter's mind finally started clicking, and an understanding was accomplished. Even with this relief, he bowed his head and let the contained sadness escape the fences he'd mentally installed.

Macavity was infuriated. With a snap of his fingers the Hench's retreated and the battle was over.

At the Warehouse, Macavity waited for his partner to return, the hours of night soon turning into the hours of early morning. Finally, Demeter entered the room. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it tiredly.

"Where were you? What happened out there?" to say he was pleased would be a lie.

"I went around town is all; just needed some air, some time to figure things out. As for what happened out there… I don't know. I couldn't tell you if I wanted to…"

"That's not good enough. You're worrying me, Demitra." Demeter shuddered at the name.

Macavity noticed this and knew precisely what he had to do. "Don't leave." Macavity commanded through gritted teeth and exited the room. Demeter assumed he'd return soon. Thoughts occupied her mind in a flurry.

What's wrong with me? I don't even know how to feel. I know what I felt for Munkustrap, at least I think I do... I felt love for him, sympathy, guilt and an urgent realization; that realization being that I've made a mistake. But have I? I trust Macavity, he trusts me. But do I love him? Do I love him like I think I love Munkustrap? Macavity wouldn't do anything to harm me. He wants to rule the Junkyard with me at his side. That's got to stand for something, no? What do I do? How can I fix this mess? Part of me wants to go home, but at the moment I'm not even sure where my home is…

Oh, Munkustrap… those tears… those sad and defeated tears. How could I do that? How could I do that to him? I want to go home. I want to go home to Munkustrap and the Junkyard and my entire family. I don't belong here, I never did. This isn't me at all. If being evil means leaving all those that I love behind, then Macavity can rule on his own with evil to keep him company, not me.

Macavity returned with a vial filled with the same potion of black liquid that got Demeter into this mess in the first place. She didn't want Macavity to know she no longer wanted any part of the plan that at least one part of her helped to devise.

He held the vial out to her. "Drink this. Now." His tone was stern.

"Oh, but I'm feeling much better now. Honest!"

"I don't believe you. Drink it." He pressed the issue, speaking impatiently.

"No. I don't need another dose. I'm perfectly fine, trust me."

"Well the funny thing is, I don't trust you. So drink this or I'll beat you."

"What ever happened to being on the same page, you and me?"

"Demitra!" he hollered. She flinched, but not because of his yelling, but because of the name he used. Macavity picked up on this behavior and he didn't like it one bit. He moved towards her rapidly while the one paw holding the vial began to tilt down towards her mouth and the other paw swooped down to hold her jaw open. Demeter wouldn't allow it. She ducked and from behind Macavity, she smacked his paw, sending the vial of poison crashing to the ground. The shattered glass lay in a puddle of oozing black liquid.

Macavity spun around and beat Demeter, just like he said he would. Plenty of punches to the stomach, some slaps to the face, and a painful stomping on her wrist were her primary punishments. Demeter cried out painfully, shrieks of protest reverberating against the walls of the room. Macavity dragged her to the full-length mirror and forced her to look at her reflection. "Is this what you want? Is this who you want to be? This is NOT what we agreed on. You've got some serious thinking to do. Guards!"

The Hench's came in and took Demeter by the arms, her head lolling as they brought her down to the dungeon. She was lost somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness, her vision blurring and the will to survive fading. She winced as they paw-cuffed her wrists to chains which were attached to the walls. The fire blazing in the torches on the walls served as the only source of light. There were no windows and the floor was stony, damp and cold. Her eyes were shut as every nerve in her body tingled with pain, both mental and physical.

"Demeter?" a distant yet familiar voice brought the beaten queen from her fog. Her eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes wearily.

"Over here." The voice chimed again. Demeter turned her head and there was Fillany and Illythia, also chained. They looked thin and dirty. Demeter was certain she must have looked much worse.

"Illythia. Fillany. You two are still down here? Why?" Demeter's voice was raspy and dry. Fillany and Illythia soon realized how very weak Demeter was.

"That's not important. You've only been here for two minutes but yet you look as though you've been here twice as long as we have. What happened to you? Who did that?" Illythia questioned, referring to all the blood-seeping injuries and blackened bruises.

"Who do you think?" Demeter retorted. There was silence. "I'm sorry I put you here. I wasn't myself. I don't know how to apologize. I can't even believe you're willing to talk to me right now."

"Demeter, we knew something was wrong. We knew you'd never treat us like that." Fillany said. The ability for these two felines she hadn't known more than a week to forgive her for the horrible things she had done to them made Demeter cry softly.

"Don't cry, dear. We don't hate you or blame you. We just want to be there for you and make sure you're all right." Illythia stated comfortingly.

Demeter sniffled. "If it's the last thing I do, I'll get the both of you out of here. I promise."

"We trust you, honey. Now get some rest. You need it." Illythia coaxed Demeter into a sleep, which wasn't difficult at all. The poor thing was already so tired and exhausted.

"Will she be okay?" Fillany asked her elder Aunt.

"Of course she will. We just have to hope and pray that Macavity stays away from her. She's terribly weak. Poor dear…"

The next morning:

Macavity barges into the dungeon, heading straight for Demeter. Illythia watches helpless as he grabs Demeter by the throat, she begins to gasp and gargle, clearly not able to breathe.

"Macavity, leave her alone. You'll kill her without even trying!"

"Oh shut up, wench. You'll be here until you die, so just save it, okay? This isn't about you." Turning back to the squirming and suffocating Demeter, he speaks. "Well, are you going to be my accomplice or not? There's a fresh vial waiting for you in the bed chamber…"

Demeter signals a 'no'. Macavity is disgusted. "I offer you all these things and you still refuse me? How dare you?" As Demeter's eyes start rolling, he drops her roughly and kicks her in the ribs, emancipating a scream of pain and terror from the once again golden-ebony Jellicle.

"I never want anything to do with you again for as long as I live." Demeter somehow manages to speak this to Macavity who then exits the dungeon in a huff.

"Are you alright?" Fillany expresses a deep concern for the cat she's liked since the time they met.

"I'll be fine." Demeter turns her back to the two, allowing herself to cry without them seeing. Illythia knows exactly what she's doing while Fillany is youthfully oblivious. The elder cat pets her niece as the dungeon grows quiet save for the almost inaudible sound of Demeter's weeping.

A/N: Feedback time!