-1How Long is Forever?

by

Draco's Daughter

Disclaimer: Cats in all its incarnations does not belong to me.

A/N: February 6, 2006 will be a day that I'll never forget. It was the day that it was revealed my dear and precious cat, Pan, left this world. He was hit by a car on the night of 4th, my dad found him dead on the road the 5th, and I was told on the 6th. My parents kept it hidden from me because they knew how much I loved Pan and that I would be devastated when I found out. I am... My dad wants to find a new kitten by the 14th, a Valentine's cat, but I'm not even sure I want a new cat. Pan set the standard for every cat I now meet because he was playful, curious, and extremely loving. True, he was an alley cat but, as T.S. Eliot stated in an unpublished poem, all cats are Jellical cats. This includes my lovable grey and white bi-color.

I dedicate this fan fiction to Pan "Artemis" King. May he live forever in my memory. May anyone who hits a cat or other animal with a car, and doesn't stop to help it, be forever hounded by the soul of Pan.

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Chapter One: Cat in the Headlights

Few see death's door coming, fewer ever stare it in the eyes for what seems like eternity. That day was like every other day for the Jellicel cats of the Junkyard, but if they knew of the tragedy that would soon befall them few would have even woken up. Munkustrap had an odd dream the night before, he had stared at himself on a shining, silver table while humans in white coats and masks worked on him. It was a vet's office, he had seen one before many years ago, as a kitten, when his master took him to get shots against various diseases. Since he became the Guardian of the Junkyard tribe he no longer visited the veterinarian, all of his time was spent here or fighting Macavity and he no long had a human master. He still bore the collar though, unwilling to give it up. He thought it made him look good. Rum Tug Tugger told him he thought it made him look like an idiot. That day, Munkustrap was going about his duties, as usual, with Tugger accompanying him.

"Things are quiet today," Tugger observed as the pair lounged on the large tire. The weather was cloudy, Munkustrap could smell rain in the air. The air was always wetter before it rained.

"Maybe a bit to quiet," Munkustrap replied. Macavity had been quiet the last few weeks and Munkustrap was beginning to worry. 'He knows he's stronger than I am. He's probably planning to lure me away from the junkyard so I won't have anyone to help.' Munkustrap thought, flicking his black tail.

"Aw, come on, Munku. You're far to paranoid. Learn to lighten up," Tugger said, stretching out next to his brother. Munkustrap only shot him a look.

"I'm paranoid for a good reason, Tugger. You would be too if Macavity was forever trying to kidnap your mate," Munkustrap explained. Rum Tug Tugger sat in silence for a moment.

"Dad wouldn't want us all fighting with one another, ya know. He always preached unity with us, said that we were much stronger together as brothers. What happened to cause a rift in-between you and Macavity?" Rum Tug Tugger asked. A heavy sigh escaped Munkustrap's lips. This was a topic that he didn't often discuss, especially if nosy kittens were in the area.

"Macavity and I were the closest of the three of us, remember? You were always the aloof one without a reputation to your name," Munkustrap began, Rum Tug Tugger cringed, as a kitten he wasn't as well liked by the ladies as he was now. "Anyways, when Old Deuteronomy decided to split us up after Growltiger's death it began tearing our relationship apart. Macavity stayed in the Junkyard, under the watchful eye of Isis, you went with Pot and became who you are, and I went with Pan to learn how to become Guardian of the Junkyard. Pan taught me well, he trained me how to be the Guardian, taught me all the lore I would have to teach, and guided me through the trials. After that I was old enough to return to the Junkyard and take my place as Guardian; the council between Mother, Isis, Pot, Pan, and Old Deuteronomy had decided that I would become Guardian before Pan took me away. Well, in the time I was away, Macavity became very strong, strong enough to maybe even have defeated father and become Guardian instead of me. He had fought his way to the top of the Junkyard hierarchy but had to step down because I was the Guardian, not him. This enraged Macavity so much that he decided that he would make my life a living hell from then on. He started from the inside, by kidnapping Demeter. You know how that turned out of course. After we got Demeter back, he had even more fuel on his hatred fire. So much that he devoted all his time to plotting how to bring me down from my Guardian status. He'll never forgive me nor forget his anger. Macavity's forgotten how to do both things." Munkustrap shook his head. There were things in this world that the eldest and strongest of the three brothers had forsaken and would not allow them to return to him.

"But then how do you explain his turn to crime?" Tugger asked, tail flicking in agitation. Munkustrap shrugged, he honestly didn't know the answer to that question. No body really did. Macavity had far to many layers to be dissect until one got to the core of his issues. But Munkustrap would probably not have much longer to worry about that. Alonzo came running up, short of breath, to the two cats.

"Macavity, by the old fish cannery. He's got Jemima," Alonzo reported, out of breath. Munkustrap immediately burst into action, leaping from the tire. Rum Tug Tugger rolled his eyes but still voted to go after Munkustrap.

'To make sure he doesn't do anything really stupid,' Tugger assured himself. Alonzo caught up his breath before racing after them both, lagging far behind.

Indeed Macavity did have Jemima. She was just bait for the real prize, Munkustrap. Macavity sat, tail swishing back and forth as he awaited the arrival of the Guardian. Munkustrap was there shortly, looking threatening despite the long run from the Junkyard.

"And I was half expecting you'd seen someone, oh, stronger," Macavity taunted before giving one of his signature laughs. Munkustrap's face contorted into a snarl and he hissed at Macavity. The ginger cat shot off, leaving his bait behind, frozen in fear. Predictably, Munkustrap ran after his brother. Rum Tug Tugger and Alonzo caught up. Tugger rolled his eyes again.

'Yep, he's done something really stupid,' Tugger thought. "Alonzo, get Jemima home. I'll go help Munkustrap fight Macavity!" Alonzo nodded and held out his paw to Jemima. The kitten took it, allowing the older cat to give her a reassuring nuzzle. Rum Tug Tugger then took off in the same direction Munkustrap had gone.

Macavity ran with Munkustrap in hot pursuit. The ginger cat's longer legs gave him a greater advantage in escaping from his smaller brother. The two cats ran through various allies, making quick turns around the corners of buildings, and through pipes. Macavity's insane laughter rang out all the while, driving Munkustrap further into a flaming rage. Finally, Macavity ran onto a street, this was his genius plan to get rid of Munkustrap once and for all. As Munkustrap raced onto the road, blinded by rage, a car came barreling down the street. Munkustrap stopped dead in his tracks. The flash of the oncoming headlights caught his silver form and made him appear as a ghost in the night.

Tugger had finally caught up with the two, he stood on the side of the road watching the horror unfold before him. He stood watching Munkustrap and the car for what felt like eternity before Munkustrap was hit. Then things went back to their normal speed. Whoever was in the car obviously realized what had happened and immediately stopped the car. A woman stepped out to see what she hit.

"Oh my god! Quick, we have to take him to that vet's office down the road!" The woman cried, picking Munkustrap's limp form up off the road. She got back into the car and handed Munkustrap to her companion, a man no older than thirty, who set the silver tabby in his lap. They set off down the road, heading for the Veterinary Clinic. Rum Tug Tugger was fixed to his spot.

'Munku? Hit by a car? No, No! Munkustrap was always cautious! Macavity!' Tugger thought, frantically trying to process the scene that had just unfolded before him. On the other side of the road sat Macavity, shaking with silent laughter. This was his plan, murder Munkustrap without getting a speck of blood on his, already dirty, coat. Even if the humans took him to the veterinarian, Munkustrap was still most defiantly going to die. He would never foil Macavity's plan ever again. Macavity stood and began to walk away.

"Macavity! You bastard! You killed Munkustrap and I'm going to see you son of a pollicle pay for your crimes against the junkyard: Rum Tug Tugger yelled. Macavity turned back to his brother.

"Alright, cross the road and fight me. Maybe you'll live or maybe you'll find the same fate as poor Munkustrap. Either way, you have no hopes of defeating me," Macavity taunted in a mocking tone. Tugger honestly started to go after the ginger cat, but thought better of it. The junkyard needed to know what happened, Demeter needed to know. Besides, there needed to be at least one son of Growltiger still loyal to Old Deuteronomy. Rum Tug Tugger turned tail and ran, leaving a sneering Macavity behind.

Munkustrap faded in and out of consciousness as he rode in the lap of the companion of the woman who rescued him.

'So this is what death is like? Comfortable, really, not to bad,' Munkustrap thought as his thoughts became harder to connect. The couple managed to get the Guardian of the Junkyard to the vet while he was still breathing. Once inside, the veterinarian took over trying to keep Munkustrap alive.

"He's a lucky cat, I'll give him that," the receptionist said to the couple.

"We're willing to pay for his care. Afterwards, we'll even take him as a pet. I feel so bad for hitting him," the woman said, putting her head in her hands.

"It's okay. At least you cared to stop and help. The Doctor will do everything he can," the receptionist replied, handing the woman a cup of water.

Back at the Junkyard, Tugger had finally returned. He kept his eyes down as he swept through, ignoring his usual female companions. He sought out Demeter who was keeping an eye on the distraught Jemima. The queen quickly stood and slinked over to Tugger.

"Tugger?" She asked, looking for injuries or scratches on his body.

"How's Jemima?" He asked, avoiding making eye contact with her.

"She's fine, shaken, but fine all the same. Tugger, please tell me what's wrong," Demeter replied, forcing him to meet her eyes.

"Deme, something terrible's happened," Rum Tug Tugger said quietly. Demeter saw the sorrow and confusion in his eyes.

"Where's Munkustrap?" She asked.

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Well, there you go. First chapter of "How Long is Forever?" Chapter Two in the works. My dad and I have been looking on for kittens and I have several people on the lookout for friends and family that might of had Kittens recently. I'm leaning on trying to find a Silver Tabby of any breed, even Allie Cat. If you have any interesting names please let me know! Just remember: The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter/ it's not just one of your holiday games and but I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular/ a name that's peculiar and more dignified. Night y'all!

Coming Soon: Chapter Two-Where's Munkustrap?