A/N: Surprise, surprise, another random chapter. I'm sorry for the lack of details in this chapter (I have no idea how it turned so long, though.) Sometimes I get a little too excited, and I just rush through the entire chapter. Plus, is it weird to say that this chapter actually made me cry...? That's just me. Fanfictions make me really emotional :) Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own CATS. It belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber, T.S. Eliot, and the RUG :D


I was on my way over to the back of the TSE-1 when I heard a huge blasting sound followed by a cloud of smoke. I picked up my pace and jumped up, over, and behind the junkyard car.

"Misto?" I shouted, shielding my eyes from the smoke.

A cat coughed, and then shouted, "Whoa! Did you see that?"

I waved the smoke away and saw Mistoffelees standing near a small pile of junk that was now disintegrated.

"Victoria, did you see that?" The tuxedo tom bounded up to me and pointed at the pile of ash. "Macavity taught me to shoot lightning out of my paws!"

"That'sgreat, Misto!" I exclaimed.

Macavity stepped out of the smoke with soot spots on his body. "I think that's enough magic for today."

Mistoffelees coughed some more before responding. "I agree. I have learned more about magic today than I had in two years!" He looked up at the sky. "It is already dusk. I'll be at our den, Vicky." Misto waved goodbye to me and managed to give Macavity a small smile.

"Howis he?" I asked the ginger cat.

"He is doing well," Macavity answered while brushing the ash from his fur. "He learns quickly."

I smiled and sat down, leaning my back against the car. Looking up at the sky, I made out some of the constellations Macavity had pointed out to me before.

"You came here for a reason."

I looked down from the stars to face Macavity. I was slightly afraid of his reaction to what I was about to say.

"Exotica and Admetus," I replied. "Everybody knows theyare missing. We can't tell them thetruth. Whatarewe going to do?"

"Easy," he responded. "I will create exact clones of their bodies and throw them in the middle of the street. Somebody finds them and assumes that they were run over."

I was aghast. Macavity's idea was sickening, but what other choice did we have? I looked down at my lap to hide my tears from him. "O-Okay. If that is allwecan do."

Macavity tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at his fierce, yellow eyes. Thinking that he was going to comfort me, I smiled a little at him. Instead, he said, "You will get over it," and walked back to the other henchcats. I stayed in my position for a while, mouth agape. After all, he was the one who had killed my Jellicle friends, and yet all he could tell me to do was to get over it? He had no sympathy for me whatsoever. I huffed angrily and stormed to my den. I gave the Napoleon of Crime a chance to prove himself to the Jellicles, but it was as if he wasn't grateful for anything I had done for him. It's funny, really, because he has said the same thing to me.

Crawling through the pipe, I began to worry about the safety of the other Jellicles. The clever and crafty cat was never up to any good. Luckily, he hadn't caused any trouble yet. The carroty tom was just waiting to gain all their trust. But…once he did that…was that when he would strike? I shook the thought out of my head and curled up under my blanket, which Mistoffelees had returned to our den. My brother was already sound asleep, probably exhausted from all his training. I curled myself tighter into a ball and drifted in a deep slumber.

I woke up. He was there. He was breathing down my neck again. He was as cold as winter, once again forcing me to snuggle with him. I closed my eyes. He wasn't going to keep me from getting my sleep.

A few hours later, I was awake again. He was still there. His eyes were open this time. He was gazing at me. I pretended not to notice.

Two hours later. I had fallen asleep, but I couldn't keep it up with him around. Apparently, I was singing in my sleep, just like I had once done back at the warehouse. I knew because my eyes flung open in the middle of a note. Macavity was smirking. What was new?

One hour later. I was sleeping peacefully for once until Macavity shook me awake. Before I could say or do anything, he teleported both of us to a small clearing in the far end of the junkyard. My eyes were half-closed, and I was not in the mood to go on some sort of "adventure." One of Macavity's paws was balled up into a fist. Oh, Everlasting Cat, what have I done wrong? I braced myself for the first punch.

But Macavity didn't beat me. Instead, he shoved his paw in front of my face. He shook his fist at me, as if urging me to open it up and look inside. I delicately straightened out his fingers, and in the palm of his paw was a stunning collar as pink as a rose and embellished with real diamonds. Each gemstone imitated the bright stars in the sky, and as Macavity wrapped the collar around my neck, I felt as if I had joined those brilliant stars in the galaxy. Macavity buckled it at the back and turned me around to face him.

I could barely speak. "Y-You madethis forme?"

"Do you like it?" Macavity asked.

"I-I…" I ran my fingers over each diamond. "It's beautiful." I widened my eyes as paranoia took over. "This doesn't have a tracking device on it, does it?"

The Hidden Paw chuckled. "Of course not. It is just a little gift from me to you."

"That isso thoughtful ofyou." I hugged him tight, not because he made me, but because I wanted to.

Macavity ruffled my headfur and stepped back. "I need to go. Sleep well." He snapped his fingers and was gone in an instant.

"My father made that for you?"

I spun around and caught sight of Plato hopping down from a junk pile. Seeing him reminded me of the conversation we had earlier, which ended with me running away in tears and Plato being smacked harshly by my brother. I turned my back on him and touched the collar with my paw again. I felt ashamed for being so sensitive earlier. I needed to show that I trusted Plato, but the more I knew about him, the more difficult it was becoming to do so. I nodded and faintly whispered, "Yes, he did."

I heard his heavy footsteps behind me come my way. To my surprise, I flinched at the sound of the snow crunching beneath his hind paws, not because the noise bothered me, but because it meant Plato was getting closer and closer.

"Get away from me," I hissed.

Unfortunately, that did not stop him. Plato lunged at me, wrapped one arm around my waist, and slapped his paw over my mouth. I kicked at him and tried stepping on his hind paws, but that didn't affect him at all. What did I tell you? He's nothing but trouble. Run, run, run!

I stopped struggling for a second when I heard the voice creep inside my head. I thought that voice had finally left me alone, but it has made its way back into my mind. My dictator was back—back for revenge on everybody in my life. It was back to convince me that everyone was evil and wicked. It was back to tell me what was right and what was wrong, which were decisions that were hard for me to make for myself.

Plato, still covering my mouth and keeping me from fleeing, whispered hotly into my ear, "I am sorry for all I have done. I am sorry I kicked you. I am sorry I drowned you. I am sorry I made it hard for you to trust me."

Although Plato was apologizing, his tone of voice did not match the words he was saying. Liar. Liar. Liar. Liar. I let out a muffled scream but was cut short when Plato dug his claws into my waist.

"Shut up first and then I'll let you go," he snapped at me.

He did NOT just say that! He thinks that you're just a weak, little queen who is incapable of standing up for herself. But you are so much more than that, Victoria. You have power in you that you are never able to show to the world. Show it to him now.

I shushed myself and waited for him to release me. Right when he let go, I swung my arm at his face and made contact with the side of his head. Plato growled and slapped me hard, causing me to collapse onto the ground. I whimpered loud enough for him to hear, but the rust-colored tom left me sprawled on the ground. Plato walked away, just like that. Oh, I bet he feels REAL good about striking a queen like that, the voice remarked. I nodded weakly to myself in agreement.

About an hour later, I finally picked myself up from the ground, brushed the snow off my fur, and dragged myself back to my den. At the main clearing, Alonzo was supposed to be on night-patrol, but he had instead fallen asleep on a wooden chair. Plato and Macavity were both settled in with the other henchcats. I stomped over to the auburn tom and kicked his stomach. When he was unresponsive, I huffed and began to storm off, but Plato had stretched his leg out last minute, causing me to trip and fall on top of the surrounding henchcats. The henchcats I had accidentally woken up, one of them being Cezar, grumbled quietly to themselves, still half-asleep, and rolled in opposite directions, causing me to drop to the open space they had created between themselves. Before dozing off for the last time that night, I was so sure I heard Plato snickering to himself.

I sit still in the pitch-black room, crying. I can't see a thing. My constant sobbing blocks out the sound of footsteps in the room. I lift my head from my paws and see two brown orbs floating in front of me in the darkness. It takes me a while to realize that the floating orbs are actually a pair of eyes. The lights turn on, and I see Plato standing before me, holding a pistol and aiming it at my forehead. I hear a bang and pain shoots through my body. I'm on the ground, wishing I was dead to end my suffering. For some reason, Alonzo is now in Plato's place. He is leaning over me and asking me if I'm okay. Reality strikes—in the real world, I am back in the junkyard. Alonzo is on patrol, and I'm not in my den. On the count of three, I'll open my eyes. One, two, thr—

I forced my eyes open and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Alonzo was still in a deep slumber. Dawn was approaching fast. The sky was the color of a pale rose and eventually transitioned into a light blue. I scrambled up and carefully stepped over the sleeping henchcats to make my way to the pipe. Once in my den, I draped my blanket over my body and pretended as if I had never left the pipe. Moments later, Mistoffelees yawned and sat up, stretching out his limbs. I figured this was my cue to "wake up" as well.

"Good morning, Misto," I said, lacing some drowsiness into my voice to make it seem as if I had just woken up. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Misto smiled and scratched his ear. "You seem to be talking like your normal self again. I'm glad, because I was starting to worry about your speech."

Your speech impairment may be gone, but I have not yet left, the voice reminded me. "Me, too," I replied. "Now, why don't we go catch some—"

"What is that?" Mistoffelees interrupted me while leaning forward and touching my neck.

I darted my eyes from side to side, pretending not to know what he was pointing to. "What is what?"

"That—the collar around your neck. Did you find a new owner?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes, yes I did. A rich, old couple near the junkyard took me in and gave me a collar, but I thought that I would…um…miss my friends and family…so I decided to leave them."

Mistoffelees grinned, showing me that he bought the story. "Good. The junkyard would be so boring without you, Vicky!"

I giggled. "The same would happen if you left, Misto. I would miss your magic!"

"Speaking of magic, I have to show you the new tricks that I learned yesterday!" Misto insisted. "Let's go behind the TSE-1."

Before I could respond, Misto pulled me up and led me to the junkyard's only car. Don't follow him, don't follow him, the voice echoed inside my head. I tried to block it out, but it continued to protest. I knew I wouldn't be able to go through the day like this. Misto would be suspicious of me if I was trying to get away from him for no reason. I had to find a way out of this. Slowing down my pace, I dramatically laid a feeble paw across my forehead.

"Oh, Misto," I called to him in a fake, weak voice. "I don't feel so well. I really would want to watch you, but I think I am going to head over to Jenny's, if that is alright with you."

Misto dropped his smile. "Oh, um, okay. Would you like me to take you there?"

No! No! NO! the voice screamed in my mind. My head became clouded with its voice and cruel comments. Soon, I couldn't even walk in a straight line, and my head felt like it was going to burst any second.

"No, I'm okay," I managed to respond.

Mistoffelees was definitely suspicious by now. "I-I'll check up on you later. Feel better."

"Thanks," I hollered back over my shoulder as I stumbled into Jennyanydots and Jellylorum's infirmary. The orange tabby cat quickly rushed over to me when she noticed I was about to faint and had me recline on a bed.

"What's wrong, Victoria?" Jenny inquired.

"I-I'm just a bit dizzy, and I have a headache," I replied, completely honest. I didn't think I would actually be feeling this way when I told Misto that I was sick, but then the voice in my head was going from a hiss to a shout, and it really was making my head throb. My vision began to blur, and I squeezed Jenny's paw to make sure that this wasn't all just another dream. The line between dreams and reality was thinning nowadays, and it was difficult for me to see the difference.

"Can I just rest here for a little while?" I asked, even though I was going to take a catnap regardless of her answer.

"Sure, sure. Tell me how you feel when you wake up, okay?" Jenny rested her paw on my forehead and tsked before pushing aside the curtain of another room in the infirmary. I didn't really want to fall asleep—I was too afraid I was going to wake up screaming or crying. I merely closed my eyes and listened attentively to the noises around me. In the clinic, Jenny was bustling about from room to room, carrying numerous amounts of bottles and containers in her arms and setting them down on counters or in cabinets.

A couple hours later, I was still too weak to get up. Without warning, one hundred-fifty toms barged into the clinic, calling my name. They were immediately stopped by Jenny and Jelly.

"I'm sorry toms, but you all need to go. Victoria isn't feeling very well, and I am sure she would very much appreciate it if you all left her alone," Jenny announced calmly yet firmly.

"Aw, come on!" Adolph protested. "We all love Vick, and we want to know if she's okay!"

"I didn't realize Victoria was so social," Jellylorum muttered to Jenny.

"Me neither," Jenny whispered back. "She was always a shy kitten." Jenny cleared her throat to shush the henchcats from their constant chatter. "If you wish to see Victoria, fine, but make it quick and make it quiet. She has a severe headache and does not need rowdy ex-criminals to aggravate it."

As the avalanche of henchcats flooded into the room I was staying in, I closed my eyes and breathed rhythmically, trying to act as if I was asleep.

One henchcat shouted, "Hey, Victoria!" but was quickly hushed by another. A small smile played on my lips, and I stifled a giggle. One by one, each henchcat stood by my bed and kissed my paw or forehead gently, wishing me better health. Watching from the opposite wall, Jennyanydots murmured, "How sweet!" Jellylorum snorted to herself, which was very unqueenlike for her. When Adolph came by and began to poke me playfully in an annoying manner, Jellylorum quickly escorted him out of the room, obviously irritated with his obnoxiousness.

Eventually, all the henchcats had filed out of the clinic but Plato. I could tell it was him by his heavy footsteps and nervous breathing.

Jellylorum was nervous as well. She finally spoke up. "I am just barely okay with Macavity's henchcats coming to see Victoria, but having his tomson see her is crossing the line. I want you out. You heard Munkustrap—you can't go near the kittens. Out."

I didn't want Plato to leave. I wanted him to stay and say that he was sorry for treating me so nastily. I wanted to ask for his forgiveness, too. I had never apologized for giving him a blow to the head or for puncturing him with a knife a while back. But for now, I had to play the role of the sleeping kitten, unaware of whom and what is going on around her. I slowly inched my paw across the bed to grab his. Unbeknownst to the adult queens, Plato slipped a crumpled piece of paper into my paw and left without a word. Once he had left the den, Jellylorum mumbled under a breath, "Finally," and she left the room to continue with her work. Jenny sat on a stool in the corner and focused on crocheting a muffler. I silently rolled to the side and opened up the note Plato had given me. It read:

Dear Victoria,

I know you are suffering a relapse of Schizophrenia, and I know that it is because of me. I shouldn't have slapped you yesterday. I will never forgive myself, and I wouldn't expect you to forgive me, either.

I don't want to bring any more harm to you. I can't control my temper, and I don't want you to try to deal with my problems. Heck, Macavity deserves you more than I do, and that's saying something.

Thinking back, I can hardly believe everything you went through ever since you were captured by Macavity. I have never met someone as strong as you, Victoria. It amazes me, really. You are just…incredible.

Hey Victoria! :)

Sorry, I looked up from this letter for about five seconds and in that time Adolph had already written something on it.

I should probably be wrapping this letter up. I could write about you all day, but I don't have the time.

I'm leaving, Victoria. I can't stand to see you so hurt. Please don't say goodbye—it will only make it worse.

I don't want to go, but it is the right thing to do. I'll tell my father to treat you well ;) Hopefully, he has changed for the better.

I will be gone in the morning. I am begging you not to say farewell, so please, don't.

I really love you, Victoria. Words cannot describe how much I do. You mean everything to me. Hate me if you must, but please do not forget the Mystery Cat's tomson.

Believe it or not, but tears are welling up in my eyes right now. Yeah, that's right—Macavity's strongest henchcat is crying. Only you could make me feel such emotions.

Before I leave, I hope you believe me when I say that you are different from all of "my queens." You just…are. That's probably not very convincing, but please believe me.

I don't think this letter will ever end. I don't want it to end, because these are my final words to you. I don't want to make this painful and drag it on and on…so…just…bye.

Okay, I can't end it like that. Victoria…just…I'll miss you. A lot. This letter is sort of last minute, but I had to let you know that I was leaving. I don't know where I will go. Maybe I'll find a human to take me in.

Please do not search for me once I am gone. I hope you feel better. I really do.

No matter how badly I have treated you, remember that I have always and will always love you. I think the same goes for my dad :p

Take care.

Plato aka Macavity's tomson

I read it again. And again. And again. Anger took over me. Why couldn't Plato see that he would be making everything worse if he left? I tried not to worry about it, because I would make him change his mind no matter what. He could slap me all he wanted, but no friend of mine was departing from my life forever. I completely disregarded all of his pleadings in the letter. Plato was leaving to make me happy, but it wouldn't—it would just make me miserable. I needed to slap some sense into that tom. I didn't spill a single tear; I was so sure I would be able to convince Plato to stay. I even managed to smile a bit before taking a quick catnap.

I awoke to the sound of light footsteps in the room. The nap had cleared my head, so I was strong enough to sit up in the bed. Jennyanydots was guiding Mistoffelees to the room I was resting in. I leaned against the wall of the den and gave him a little wave as he stepped through the curtain.

"How are you feeling, Vicky?" Mistoffelees asked thoughtfully.

"Much better," I replied. "I think I am strong enough to get up now."

"Here, let me help." The tuxedo tom took my paw to help me up, but he froze when the paper in my paw crinkled.

"What was that?" he asked, his eyes looking directly at my paw in his paw.

"What? You mean this?" I spread my fingers out to reveal the wrinkled notebook paper, but I was careful as to not show what was written on it. "Nothing. It is just junk."

That was highly believable, seeing that we were completely surrounded by useless yet entertaining junk. Misto dismissed it and gently pulled me up. I stood with more strength than I had ever had before.

"You missed breakfast…and lunch…so why don't we go catch some dinner!" Mistoffelees proposed.

With perfect timing, my stomach growled. "That sounds good."

We both laughed and headed out of the clinic after thanking Jelly and Jenny for their assistance. We snuck past the henchcats and down another pathway that would eventually lead to Cori and Tanto's den. Misto caught sight of two mice scuttling by and swiftly slaughtered them.

"Thanks," I said to him and graciously accepted the furry rodent. After munching on our light dinner, Misto nervously fiddled with his tail.

"Hey, Vicky, can you do me a favor?" he asked politely.

"Of course, Misto," I responded. "What is it?"

He dropped his tail and gazed at me with sparkling brown eyes. "Do you think you could ask Macavity to teach me some new tricks? He has taught me a lot already, but maybe he could teach me more…?"

"I'll go ask him right now!" I replied, grinning at my brother. "Wait here."

I dashed back to the clearing and immediately caught the attention of all the henchcats. A cheer began to erupt until I placed a finger at my lips to indicate silence. I didn't want all the attention drawn to me by the Macavity's comrades, and fortunately, they received the message and quieted themselves. I spotted Macavity speaking to Ozzie, who was the newest addition to Mac's army. The new henchcat was constantly saluting his boss for no apparent reason. To my right, Munkustrap was patrolling the area with Alonzo, who still looked rather sleepy. The black and white tom had patrolled for a few days straight, so it wasn't unusual for him to be so tired. I crept over to Macavity and tapped his shoulder.

"Mac, Misto wants to learn some more magic," I explained to him. "Would you mind teaching him a few things?"

Macavity gestured for Ozzie to leave, and, with one final, grand salute, the new henchcat marched off.

"I wouldn't mind at all," Macavity answered. "I am always happy to pass on what I know to others."

I beamed at him. "Great! He is somewhere along that path over there." I pointed to up at the entrance to the path, and the ginger tom followed my finger to it.

Now that everyone was occupied, I thought it was the perfect time to talk to Plato. Finding him would not be easy, though. I meandered through the junk piles to where I had first found him. It didn't surprise me when I didn't see him there, either. Once an hour had past, I became so frustrated that I pulled out some of my headfur. Dancing had always relieved my stress, so I tried some moves. I was a little rusty since I hadn't danced in a while, but I did my best. I lifted my leg up in an arabesque and quickly swung into an illusion turn. I flung myself into the air and did a few leaps and toe touches. While practicing my double and triple pirouettes, I heard the sound of snow being crushed behind me.

I whipped myself around, and my heart nearly skipped a beat when I saw those coffee-brown eyes right in front of me.

"I'll miss your dancing," Plato remarked, brushing the headfur out of my eyes.

"You won't have to if you just stayed," I told him.

"I thought you would try to talk me out of it. I should just leave now."

"No, Plato, don't! I don't want you to leave!" I cried as he began to turn around.

"I'm sorry." In one second he had already jumped over the fence and sprinted across the street until he could no longer be seen.


So yeah, out of all the cats in the world, MACAVITY was the one who gave her the collar.

Weird...I wasn't planning on Plato fleeing, but...he just did. Due to all the rushing, I'll clear some things up for you:

1. Victoria's Schizophrenia comes back when something startles her or makes her feel an extreme emotion. Her speech has improved as well (Microsoft Word was giving me a hard time with the spelling issues haha)

2. "The Voice" is back in her head. She didn't want to hang around with Misto with the voice controlling her because then Misto would be able to tell that Victoria is not acting like her normal self. Knowing that that would happen, Victoria pretended that she was sick as an excuse for her to not watch Misto do magic, but then the voices started annoying her and she really did get sick.

3. Have you ever had a dream where you knew it was a dream, and you could control everything you did? Okay...maybe not, but I know I have. So basically, that was how Victoria was dreaming.

Sorry for all the confusion. And for the blabbing :/ Next chapter may be up in 2-3 days. Stay tuned!

Remember that I love critique. Haha and thank you sarbear2255 for your love of Adolph. Thanks to all of my other reviewers, followers, and favoriters, too!

Thanks for reading and please review!