Chapter 6>

Munkustrap and Mr. Mistoffelees left that morning to join the others on their look-out while Alonzo stayed behind to keep watch and heal with the help of Cassandra. It was mid-day by the time they reached Mungojerrie, Coricopat and Plato, who had joined them just earlier.

"Has Macavity been seen overnight?" Munkustrap asked as he approached.

"Not since we spotted 'im with Griddlebone yesterday." Mungojerrie answered anxiously for he was going stir crazy in this hide-out.

"He's got to come out sooner or later." Mr. Mistoffelees was certain.

"Any other news?" Munkustrap asked.

"No." Coricopat answered for he was tired of the look-out as well.

"Any news from 'ome?" Mungojerrie asked.

"You don't want to know." Munkustrap answered curtly.

"Of course he does." Mr. Mistoffelees encouraged with a grin.

Plato laughed.

"Okay then, 'ow's moi sister?" Mungojerrie got to his point.

All three of the newcomers laughed this time.

"Don't tell me she's been up to our old tricks 'round the junkyard."

"If only she would stay around the junkyard." Plato spoke up.

"She's been out on the prowl, Jerrie. Having you gone only seemed to slow her down for a couple of days and she's found a second partner in crime it seems." Mr. Mistoffelees explained.

"Who? I'll ring 'e's…" Mungojerrie was riled now, she had promised to behave. Deep down, he knew she couldn't.

"Electra."

"Maybe not." He said as he slouched back against the wall with a cheeky grin.

"We'll talk more about this later. There's someone opening a door to the garage now." Munkustrap finished the conversation.

Out stepped the fluffy white foot of Griddelbone. She proudly sauntered past the hench cats stationed by the door and made her way until she was only a few footsteps away from the hide-out. All of the cats shrinked back into the darkness by instinct. All except for Mistoffelees who had a propensity for white cats already. This was the first time he had seen the reputed Griddlebone up close. He rest a black paw in the window sill which only in a moment later released magical uncontrolled sparks that made the others jump. Griddlebone turned in alarm. She looked directly at the source of the commotion to see a pair of mesmerizing gold eyes staring at her from black darkness. Her expression was that of someone who had seen a ghost, perhaps someone who greatly feared a ghost from her past. She turned quickly and ran back into the garage.

"Come on, it's time we returned." Munkustrap declared.

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The day before the Jellicle Ball was finally here! For a group of cats who took everyday life so nonchalantly, there was much fuss going on to get ready. Jenny and Jelly took it upon themselves to organize the whole affair but were dealing with kittens who just wanted to play and cats who wanted to take a nap. Rumpelteazer had heard through the grape vine that the others would soon be returning and she helped out with renewed energy for most of the morning.

Jennyanydots was still upset with Rumpelteazer and Electra and tried to make them stay out of the way whenever she saw them. Electra resolved to climb to the top of the junk pile and groom herself in the afternoon sun when she was approached by another Jellicle prone for trouble. Pouncival approached, he was alone. She gave him a briefest glance before turning her nose up and continuing as she was. For all she could think of whenever she saw him was how to the get that ball back

"The infamous Lady Electra seems so high and mighty now that she's a common criminal, eh?" He was inciting her, just as always.

"It takes one to know one, Carbucketty."

"I haven't broke in to any cars for a quick lunch lately." he said as he moved in closer and sat down next to her.

"Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't do a thing like that. Seen Victoria's ball lately?"

"Is that what this is all about really?"

Uh oh, he was figuring out her plan. She dropped her charade and stared him down as best she could but it only seemed to coax him on. Insufferable!

"I heard about the dogs." he looked at the others playing below. "They almost got to the two of you? Is that true?"

"Uh, yeah." she couldn't figure this cat out. Just what was he getting at about the dogs?

"Is that how you got hurt?" he continued to look at the others.

"No. I tired to get to a fire escape above. Didn't do very well at it. Crashed on a rubbish bin." She couldn't hold back a laugh.

"That's still a brave attempt. I shouldn't have teased you before. You know you don't have to prove anything to them, not when it's going to get you hurt." He looked back to her as he said this.

She knew that was about as close to an apology as she was ever going to get but there was a sincerity in his eyes at that moment, fleeting as it was. She wondered what his game this time was, had he got a step ahead of her plans and been trying to talk her out of it by being all kind and caring like? With her emotions in a tizzy, she stuck her tongue out at him and disappeared over the junkpile. He would've pursued her had it not been for Skimbleshanks, the elder golden tabby calling him down to the others.

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Rumpelteazer obliged Jenny's command to stay out of the way by lurking about the edges of the junkyard awaiting her brother's return. Demeter had already given her several looks to let her know that she was being watched. Admetus had been put on junkyard watch as well which he did so with vigilance. Rumpelteazer had already caught him looking her way a few times. Once, he even looked as though he wanted to approach but then decided not to. She was quite bored and contemplating an afternoon nap like the others until Mungojerrie was back. Then she noticed something that brought her out of her stupor. There, in a not too distant building from the junkyard, Old Man Elkins had left the kitchen window of his second story flat standin' open!

"'Ow about that. Two invitations in one day!" She almost leaped at the thought of the creamer and the saucer that she had wanted before.

But how to get away, she wondered. Her perfect opportunity happened when Admetus was asked by Bombalurina to help move some junk aside for the ball. Demeter was no where in sight. In a flash, she was across the yard and out of sight. She had already crossed the street when she heard pawsteps behind her. That blasted junkyard really did have eyes everywhere. She prepared her excuse for Admetus and turned to see that it was Electra again.

"Ow, no. 'aven't you learned your lesson? You 'eard Jenny. Oi ain't notin' but trouble and you'd be wise to be napping with the others in the junkyard."

"But I haven't completed my mission. Remember Teazer? I promise I won't beg to go along anymore after today." She continued to follow Rumpelteazer.

"Go 'ome, Electra. This spot is my hit alone."

Electra had an annoying way of being undeterred once she set her mind to something. She even followed Rumpelteazer up the fire escape.

"Oh, all roight! Just this one hit. Smash and grab. We're in we're out, yeah?"

"Yeah, okay."