BOOK V:
The Secret
The Jellicle Ball had passed and it was finally time for the Magical Four to learn the secret behind their separation. They retrieved the box from under the oak tree as Ol' D had instructed. Along with four personalized collars, some cat toys, and a blanket was a journal. What follows is its contents:
May 4 Found a basket containing four tiny kittens. This letter was attached to the basket:
To whomever this reaches: Please take good care of my babies. They are two days old and in perfect health. Don't think of me as a bad mother, for I abandoned them in anticipation that they may live a better life than I can offer. They have no father and I have no way of taking care of them. I have heard of the great kindness of the Jellicles and do hope that these innocent kittens might become part of the great Jellicle Tribe. I will not burden you with myself because I am not innocent. Do not search for me either. I will be far away from London by the time you read this.
Artameasa, the Huntress
Each kitten has personalized collar, names are Salem, Morpheus, Sabregata, and Mistoffelees. Removed Misto's collar because it was too big. He is smallest of the four.
May 5
Took kittens to Junkyard. The queens feeding litters agreed to take turns feeding them every day. Skimble immediately noticed the kits had glowing paws. I noticed to. Must be magical. No telling how powerful kits will be for a few more days. Will test them to see what we are dealing with tomorrow.
May 6
Gave kits first test today. Salem seems most powerful. Was able to move objects without touching them on first try. Misto is the weakest of the litter. He must be the youngest. Noticed something strange about Sabre. Cut myself on a broken glass. She touched the cut and healed it with her paw. Morph can change shapes. Made himself bigger when older kitten tried to play-fight. Strange magic indeed. Also, found out that the four can combine powers to create even more power. Jellyorum thinks they are too magical for their own good. Thinks that is why mother left them. Feels I should separate them. Will not do that though. All they have is each other. Will not take that from them.
May 7
Tragedy today. Sabre is missing. Found her collar on dumpster outside of Junkyard. Had Gus and Jenny look for her. No luck, though. Hope to Everlasting Cat she is OK. Morph, Misto, and Salem seem not to notice. Must be too young to have really known their sister.
May 10
Salem is gone now. Was taken in the middle of the night. Most likely by Macavity or Desdemona. Will do everything in my power to get him back.
May 11
Mungo talked with Macavity today. Turns out Desdemona has run off. Mac knows nothing of Salem. Hope to Everlasting cat that Salem and Sabre are all right.
The Junkyard Gazette
May 20
Early this morning, Macavity the Mystery Cat, and his henchrats catnapped a jellicle at the rail yard. The young Morpheus was ready to make his first supervised adventure outside of the junkyard. Skimbleshanks had volunteered to let the youngster accompany him to the rail yard to see the trains. Little did he know that Macavity was lying in wait to swipe the magical kitten away from his chaperone. Skimble could do nothing but watch as the henchrats ran away with the screaming kit. "I tried ta save 'im, but tha rats were just too fast fer me. Thar smarter than the railway mice, ya know. If only me legs could run as fast as the' usta, tha wee kit would be 'ere with us now," reports the Railway Cat as he wipe tears from his eyes. I, for one, pray that Mistoffelees copes with this tragedy as best he can. The Gazzette will keep you posted on all updates to this story as it unfolds. -Story by Jellyorum
May 20
Macavity has stolen Morpheus. All that remains of the Magical Four is Misto, the youngest. Mungo went to reason with Mac, but no luck. Says he will try to save Morph though.
June 4
Mungo tried to rescue Morph from Macavity today, but Morph was gone. Fear Mac may have killed him. Still no sign of Sabre or Salem. If only I had tried more, they would still be with us in the Junkyard. I let down Artameasa by not keeping her children together. Can't do anything about it now, though. Must go on with my life.
This was all that they found of Ol' D's journal. The only other thing in the box was this letter written by Ol' D the night before he went up, up, up to the Heaviside Layer:
Dear Misto, Sabre, Salem, and Morph,
Now you know how you were separated. I only hope you will not blame me or the rest of the tribe for not trying harder to keep you together. I want you to know that I never gave up hope that one day you would become greater than the power that is your gift. I write this tonight knowing I will not make it long enough to tell you my secret on my own.
Salem, you are a very noble and devoted tom. I do not know another out there who would be a single father to such young kittens. That devotion is what Tantomile sees in you. She deserves some tom like you. Treat her well, for she loves you with all her heart.
Morpheus, I've never seen Bombalurina as happy as she is with you. She's always dreamed of finding someone she can trust, and you made that dream come true for her. Keep her safe, and keep the dream alive . Sabregata, I hope you see that you and Tugger are made for each other. I never thought he'd take to fatherhood so well, but I think that's because he loves you so much. Remember this, although your magic is not as powerful as your brother's, it touches more lives. Keep that in mind when you use it.
Finally, Mistoffelees, this experience of finally finding your family has caused you to grow most of all. Before this, you were more like a kitten than a grown tom. Keep Jemima safe and never let anything come between you and your family.
To all of you, never let anything come between you. The powers you possess are something that will only be of great importance if it stays together. If even one of you is removed, the Magical Four will not work. There will always be someone after your magic. Don't let them have a chance to take it from you. Now you know the secret and I pray that you will forgive me for not trying harder.
Old Deuteronomy
The Jellicle Ball had passed and it was finally time for the Magical Four to learn the secret behind their separation. They retrieved the box from under the oak tree as Ol' D had instructed. Along with four personalized collars, some cat toys, and a blanket was a journal. What follows is its contents:
May 4 Found a basket containing four tiny kittens. This letter was attached to the basket:
To whomever this reaches: Please take good care of my babies. They are two days old and in perfect health. Don't think of me as a bad mother, for I abandoned them in anticipation that they may live a better life than I can offer. They have no father and I have no way of taking care of them. I have heard of the great kindness of the Jellicles and do hope that these innocent kittens might become part of the great Jellicle Tribe. I will not burden you with myself because I am not innocent. Do not search for me either. I will be far away from London by the time you read this.
Artameasa, the Huntress
Each kitten has personalized collar, names are Salem, Morpheus, Sabregata, and Mistoffelees. Removed Misto's collar because it was too big. He is smallest of the four.
May 5
Took kittens to Junkyard. The queens feeding litters agreed to take turns feeding them every day. Skimble immediately noticed the kits had glowing paws. I noticed to. Must be magical. No telling how powerful kits will be for a few more days. Will test them to see what we are dealing with tomorrow.
May 6
Gave kits first test today. Salem seems most powerful. Was able to move objects without touching them on first try. Misto is the weakest of the litter. He must be the youngest. Noticed something strange about Sabre. Cut myself on a broken glass. She touched the cut and healed it with her paw. Morph can change shapes. Made himself bigger when older kitten tried to play-fight. Strange magic indeed. Also, found out that the four can combine powers to create even more power. Jellyorum thinks they are too magical for their own good. Thinks that is why mother left them. Feels I should separate them. Will not do that though. All they have is each other. Will not take that from them.
May 7
Tragedy today. Sabre is missing. Found her collar on dumpster outside of Junkyard. Had Gus and Jenny look for her. No luck, though. Hope to Everlasting Cat she is OK. Morph, Misto, and Salem seem not to notice. Must be too young to have really known their sister.
May 10
Salem is gone now. Was taken in the middle of the night. Most likely by Macavity or Desdemona. Will do everything in my power to get him back.
May 11
Mungo talked with Macavity today. Turns out Desdemona has run off. Mac knows nothing of Salem. Hope to Everlasting cat that Salem and Sabre are all right.
The Junkyard Gazette
May 20
Early this morning, Macavity the Mystery Cat, and his henchrats catnapped a jellicle at the rail yard. The young Morpheus was ready to make his first supervised adventure outside of the junkyard. Skimbleshanks had volunteered to let the youngster accompany him to the rail yard to see the trains. Little did he know that Macavity was lying in wait to swipe the magical kitten away from his chaperone. Skimble could do nothing but watch as the henchrats ran away with the screaming kit. "I tried ta save 'im, but tha rats were just too fast fer me. Thar smarter than the railway mice, ya know. If only me legs could run as fast as the' usta, tha wee kit would be 'ere with us now," reports the Railway Cat as he wipe tears from his eyes. I, for one, pray that Mistoffelees copes with this tragedy as best he can. The Gazzette will keep you posted on all updates to this story as it unfolds. -Story by Jellyorum
May 20
Macavity has stolen Morpheus. All that remains of the Magical Four is Misto, the youngest. Mungo went to reason with Mac, but no luck. Says he will try to save Morph though.
June 4
Mungo tried to rescue Morph from Macavity today, but Morph was gone. Fear Mac may have killed him. Still no sign of Sabre or Salem. If only I had tried more, they would still be with us in the Junkyard. I let down Artameasa by not keeping her children together. Can't do anything about it now, though. Must go on with my life.
This was all that they found of Ol' D's journal. The only other thing in the box was this letter written by Ol' D the night before he went up, up, up to the Heaviside Layer:
Dear Misto, Sabre, Salem, and Morph,
Now you know how you were separated. I only hope you will not blame me or the rest of the tribe for not trying harder to keep you together. I want you to know that I never gave up hope that one day you would become greater than the power that is your gift. I write this tonight knowing I will not make it long enough to tell you my secret on my own.
Salem, you are a very noble and devoted tom. I do not know another out there who would be a single father to such young kittens. That devotion is what Tantomile sees in you. She deserves some tom like you. Treat her well, for she loves you with all her heart.
Morpheus, I've never seen Bombalurina as happy as she is with you. She's always dreamed of finding someone she can trust, and you made that dream come true for her. Keep her safe, and keep the dream alive . Sabregata, I hope you see that you and Tugger are made for each other. I never thought he'd take to fatherhood so well, but I think that's because he loves you so much. Remember this, although your magic is not as powerful as your brother's, it touches more lives. Keep that in mind when you use it.
Finally, Mistoffelees, this experience of finally finding your family has caused you to grow most of all. Before this, you were more like a kitten than a grown tom. Keep Jemima safe and never let anything come between you and your family.
To all of you, never let anything come between you. The powers you possess are something that will only be of great importance if it stays together. If even one of you is removed, the Magical Four will not work. There will always be someone after your magic. Don't let them have a chance to take it from you. Now you know the secret and I pray that you will forgive me for not trying harder.
Old Deuteronomy