Quaxo's Secret Tale

by BlurpleBean

Everybody knows the wonderful and magical Mr. Mistoffelees. But one's life can't just be constant tricks, and fame, right? It can be a hard life, when one's true self is overshadowed by the facade everyone cheers for. This tom has a dark and terrible secret. And it's about to be revealed. This is Quaxo's Secret Tale. COMPLETE.

5. Part 5: The Jellicle Ball

Quaxo's Secret Tale
By: Brittglamorra
Part 5

WARNING: Mild sexual content.

The next day, the morning of the Jellicle ball dawned in red flames, like a few weeks ago, which set Quaxo's pelt to flame once more. Quaxo was very pleased with Jerrie and Teazer. They had set their mothers death behind them, and returned to their boisterous selves, telling Quaxo it was best not to linger on the bad things in life. Quaxo had been very please, and smiled broadly at them.

"I am proud of you two." He had murmured. They immediately after went to the clearing to see whom they were going to be paired up with during the ball. Munkustrap had postponed that till today. They arrived a bit late and Munk had already began.

"Admetus, you will be with Jellylorum. Skimble, you will be paired off with Jenny as usual. I will be with Demeter. Now that just leaves the kittens, and the teenagers." He meowed. He turned his calculating gaze to the kits. Victoria and Etcetera, and Electra were the eldest, only a bit younger than Quaxo himself. They were standing next to the younger kittens, Pounce, Tumble, Bill Bailey, and Jemima. Jemima was paired off with Pounce, and Electra with Tumble. Etcetera was paired off with Bill Bailey.

"I want to dance with Tugger!" Etcetera interrupted furiously. Munkustrap rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"My dear, everyone gets to dance with Tugger." Munk meowed. Etcetera glared at him before stalking away with the other kittens…except the eldest one, Victoria. She blinked up at Munk curiously.

"Who shall I be with?" She asked in her gentle and pretty voice. Munk smiled.

"We have chosen you to open the mating dance. Your partner will be Coricopat." He meowed gently. Victoria blinked and turned to the few month older tom, who for once looked surprised.

"I usually sit out, or dance with Tanto." He meowed. Munk nodded.

"Yes but the cat who was chosen to be Victoria's partner…is no longer around. Please dance with her?" Munk asked. Coricopat glanced at Tantomile then nodded once.

"Ok." He meowed. Tanto blinked.

"Who shall be my partner now?" She asked worriedly. Munk blinked, and gazed at the remaining cats…He did not want any of the twins dancing together.

"Mungojerrie." He meowed.

"Then who shall be my partner?" Rupleteazer asked.

"Quaxo." He replied. Jerrie stared incredulously at his twin, then at Tantomile. Rumpleteazer turned to Quaxo, as though realizing he was still standing there, for the first time.

"Oh." Was all she said. Quaxo swallowed. He knew the younger generation of cats would lose a lot this evening, though their partners would never be their permanent mates, unless they did love one another. He did love Rumpleteazer though, and being partnered with her, he wondered if she would ever love him back. He was not sure she did, and she looked as nervous as he did about this whole situation. He turned to Munkustrap.

"We are all best friends…won't this make everything awkward between us?" He questioned quietly. The five friends looked up at him, and Munkustrap smiled.

"You know when my brothers and I first went through this, we wondered the same thing…but it never did anything to change our friendships. If it did anything different it helped us to realize exactly who it was we were in love with. For during this ritual it is said the cat you love is the only thing on your mind. He or she is your first though, your first longing, the one you lust for. You will know tonight where your heart's lie." He meowed quietly. The teenagers and eldest kit stared up at him with wide eyes. Quaxo blinked, his eyes round.

"And what if you already know?" He asked quietly. Munkustrap smiled.

"Then your heart is pure, and your feelings unbreakable." Munk meowed softly. Quaxo blinked and dipped his head, eyes unreadable. Munk smiled at them for another moment then padded away. Quaxo was the first to break the silence, turning to his friends.

"Welcome to our gang Victoria." He greeted the newest teenager. The young white queen smiled.

"Thank you Quaxo." She meowed quietly. The others began to chat in excited voices to their new found friend. They were nervous, but finally excited at being officially welcomed to the Jellicle tribe. Tonight before the ball began the new members from this year would be welcomed warmly, and would be once more at the end by Old Deuteronomy himself. Quaxo had heard that the old tomcat would remain in the Junkyard for about a week to get to know his new cats before he left to return to his humans once more. Quaxo was very curious and eager to meet the old tom.

Later that day Munkustrap summoned Quaxo to the Tire. Quaxo leaped up next to the silver tabby and stretched out beside him, turned his head to meet the gentle twinkling blue eyes with his own green ones.

"What is it Munk?" He asked curiously.

"Quaxo. Each year we choose one cat who has performed a good deed for the entire tribe without seeking anything in return, for a few special honors." He meowed. Quaxo blinked curiously.

"Like…?" He questioned.

"Like, the selected cat will open the Jellicle ball, and will retrieve Old Deuteronomy from outside the Junkyard when he arrives." He meowed. Quaxo blinked, thinking of how wonderful and honorable that would be. Munk smiled at the wonder in his eyes.

"I have discussed it with my father, and we agree that you will be this cat." Munk meowed. Quaxo's eyes widened in surprise and honor.

"Me? What did I ever do to deserve such an honor?" He asked humbly.

"Many thing." Munkustrap replied. "You have given my brother something no one else ever could have, you saved Demeter, you are always there to comfort those who need you. You are the kindest and most pure of heart tom I have ever met." Munk meowed. "You brought something to this Junkyard that has been absent for many, many years." Quaxo stared at the silver tom with wide green eyes, such love and warmth glowing in his eyes.

"Th…thank you Munk." He meowed quietly. Munk nodded with a small smile.

"You do deserve it." Munku meowed. The two toms sat there for a while basking in the sunshine, and enjoying one another's company.

Dusk began to fall, and the Jellicle ball was only moments from beginning. Munkustrap stood upon the Tire.

"This year we have had many new cats join us, or been born to us. This will be their first Jellicle ball, and I welcome them to us. We welcome Young Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie, Coricopat, and Tantomile, Electra, Etcetera, Victoria, Tumblebrutus, Pouncival, Bill Bailey, and Jemima, Cassandra, and Exotica, and young Quaxo. Welcome to the Jellicle Tribe!" Munkustrap yowled.

As he finished speaking, seemingly out of nowhere, perhaps from Everlasting herself there was loud music There was darkness as this went on for a while and then there was moonlight, all at once, blinding and holy. It lit onto the empty clearing. All cats had pulled into various dens. Demeter wandered from behind the Tire and into the clearing. A vehicle drove by and briefly illuminated her. She hissed and darted into Quaxo's pipe. The young black tom brushed his tail against her to comfort her, and she timidly began to emerge again. Then Munkustrap appeared on the TSE-1. Cassandra rolled into the clearing, and struck a pose, then Skimbleshanks appeared…all the cats began to emerge from their places as the mysterious music played on. Tugger was hanging off a high piece of rubble. They began to sing.

"Are you blind when you're born? Can you see in the dark?

Dare you look at a king? Would you sit on his throne?

Can you say of your bite that it's worse than your bark?

Are you cock of the walk when you're walking alone?

Because Jellicles are and Jellicles do

Jellicles do and Jellicles would

Jellicles would and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

When you fall on your head do you land on your feet?

Are you tense when you sense there's a storm in the air?

Can you find your way blind when you're lost in the street?

Do you know how to go to the Heaviside Layer?

Because Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles do and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles do and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Can you ride on a broomstick to places far distant?

Familiar with candle, with book and with bell?

Were you Whittington's friend?" The tribe sung gracefully.

"The Pied Piper's assistant?" Quaxo made his appearance, leaping from the piles of junk and among the other cats.

"Have you been an alumnus of Heaven and Hell?

Are you mean like a minx? Are you lean like a lynx?

Are you keen to be seen when you're smelling a rat?

Were you there when the pharoahs commissioned the sphinx?

If you were, and you are, you're a Jellicle cat

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

We can dive through the air like a flying trapeze

We can turn double sumersaults, bounce on a tire

We can run up a wall, we can swing through the trees

We can balance on bars, we can walk on a wire

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats" The tribe sung.

The cats lined up against the Tire. Quaxo found himself in between Tugger and Skimble.

"Can you sing at the same time in more than one key

Duets by Rossini and waltzes by Strauss

And can you (as cats do) begin with a 'C'

That always triumphantly brings down the house?

Jellicle cats are queen of the nights

Singing at astronomical heights

Handling pieces from the Messiah

Hallelujah, angelical choir" Some human screeched into the night. "Shut up!" And a large boot landed in front of them. They stared then continued.

"The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity

Round the cathedral rang "Vivat,"

Life to the Everlasting Cat!

Feline, fearless, faithful and true

To others who do – what?" The Jellicles split and charged towards the front, and began dancing and singing furiously. Quaxo noticed some other cats glancing at him.

"Jellicles do and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicle cats sing Jellicle chants

Jellicles old and Jellicles new

Jellicle song and Jellicle dance

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Pactical cats, Dramatical cats

Pragmatical cats, Fanatical cats

Oratorical cats, Delphicoracle cats

Skeptical cats, Dispeptical cats

Romantical cats, Penantical cats

Critical cats, Parasitical cats

Allegorical cats, Metaphorical cats

Statistical cats and Mystical cats

Political cats, Hypocritical cats

Clerical cats, Hysterical cats

Cynical cats, Rabbinical cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

There's a man over there with a look of surprise

As much as to say Well now, how about that?

Do I actually see with my own very eyes

A man who's not heard of a Jellicle cat?

What's a Jellicle cat? What's a Jellicle cat?"

The Jellicle's paused and got into a large group and began to sing in a quiet and mysterious tone.

"The naming of cats is a difficult matter,

It isn't just one of your holiday games

You may think that I'm as mad as a hatter

When I tell you a cat must have three different names

First of all, there's the name that the family use daily

Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo, or James

Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Baily -

All of them sensible, everyday names

There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter

Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames

Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter -

But all of them sensible, everyday names

But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular

A name that's peculiar, and more dignified

Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular

Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?

Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum

Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat." (Quaxo blinked proudly at his name which was added into the song with the Jellicle Protector's.)

"Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum

Names that never belong to more than one cat

But above and beyond there's still one name left over

And that is the name that you never will guess;

The name that no human research can discover

But the cat himself knows, and will never confess

When you notice a cat in profound meditation

The reason, I tell you , is always the same

His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation

Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name

His ineffable, effable, effanineffable

Deep and inscrutable singular name

Name, name, name, name, name, name"

Quaxo noticed as Victoria slipped off behind the others and began to dance in delicate and elegant movements. Quaxo crept into his pipe and stared out curiously. He was surprised at how elegant she was, precariously balancing on one hind paw, and turning, and stretching. She went close to the floor, and Quaxo began to emerge from his pipe, sniffing the air. He trotted over to her, and threw his hands into the air. Moonlight lit up the clearing, and he ran his forepaws down her flank. Then he began, helping her to her hind paws, and beginning to sing solo. As he sang, he danced energetically around Victoria, and gestured for cats to emerge. They did, and he sang.

"Jellicle cats come out tonight

Jellicle cats come one come all

The Jellicle Moon is shining bright

Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball

Jellicle cats come out tonight

Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball" Quaxo finished, paws up in the air, and eyes bright. Munk smiled at him as he appeared, and began the next verse.

"Jellicle cats meet once a year

At the Jellicle Ball where we all rejoice

And the Jellicle leader will soon appear

And make what is known as the Jellicle Choice

That's when Old Deuteronomy just before dawn

Through a silence you feel could cut with a knife

Announces the cat who can now be reborn

And come back to a different Jellicle life.

For waiting up there is the Heaviside layer

Full of wonders one Jellicle only will see

And Jellicles ask because Jellicles dare

Who will it be?" As Munk sung his part, the tribe danced eloquently behind him, and Quaxo felt somewhat of a rush.

"Who will it be?" The tribe echoed.

Then the music changed, and Munk began moving among the cats. The greeted him with respect. Quaxo touched his paw to Munk's, and dipped his head respectfully before darting past as the song prepared to continue. It all came naturally. As though he had done this a million times before. Quaxo rose, and stood tall next to Munkustrap. It was all part of the routine but it was still embarrassing. Munk began to sing, and Quaxo stretched his arms out, as though expecting Munk to choose him.

"I have a Gumbie cat in mind…" Quaxo winced, and slowly lowered his paw, as though he had just been scratching his ear, and darted away. Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie laughed quietly, pointing at him, as he rolled away. He rolled near the other cats, and grinned sheepishly, as the other cats, pawed at him in amusement. Quaxo grinned as Munk continued.

"Her coat is of the tabby kind with tiger stripes and leopard spots

All day she sits beneath the stairs or on the steps or on the mat

She sits and sits and sits and sits and that's what makes a Gumbie cat

That's what makes a Gumbie cat" Munk slowed his singing and Quaxo glanced at him. He nodded, and gestured towards the cat, and Quaxo ran over and leaped onto the TSE-1, and used his magic to slowly open the trunk. Jenny appeared, with some sort of big poofy coat on. He nearly fell over backwards laughing. He did leap behind the car into the shadows, disappearing from sight. He nearly landed on Tugger, and rolled just in time, laughing.

"But...

When the day's hustle and bustle is done

Then the Gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun

And when all the family's in bed and asleep

She tucks up her skirts to the basement to creep

She is deeply concerned with the ways of the mice

Their behavior's not good and their manners not nice

So when she has got them lined up on the matting

She teaches them music, crocheting and tatting

I have a Gumbie cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots

The curtain cord she likes to wind and tie it into sailor knots

She sits upon the windowsill, or anything that's smooth and flat

She sits and sits and sits and sits, and that's what makes a Gumbie cat

That's what makes a Gumbie cat

But...

When the day's hustle and bustle is done

Then the Gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun

She thinks that the cockroaches Need employment

To prevent them from Idol and wanton destroyment

So she's formed from that lot of disorderly louts

A troop of well disciplined helpful Boy Scouts

With a purpose in life and a good deed to do

And she's even created a beetles tattoo!"

The tribe danced elegantly around her, as she marched among them. They were wearing ridiculous costumes. Quaxo smiled, from his place near Tugger, for it was his turn next. He didn't think anything of it when Tugger moved behind the Tire.

"FOR SHE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW!"

"Thank you my dears!" Jenny was just moving among the cats and got to Munk, and Quaxo was preparing himself, when new music suddenly came on loudly. There was a tearing, and all the cats looked up towards the stage, their eyes wide. Tugger stood their in all his glory, throwing a poster away.

"Meow." He said, and walked a bit further. "Meow." Quaxo was surprised and stared at the tom. It was supposed to be his turn! But Tugger strolled down the Tire like he owned it. The tribe began to sing, but Quaxo emerged then leaped onto the TSE-1 and glared at the tom with amusement.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat" The Tribe started.

"If you offer me pheasant I'd rather have grouse

If you put me in a house I would much prefer a flat

If you put me in a flat then I'd rather have a house

If you set me on a mouse then I only want a rat

If you set me on a rat then I'd rather chase a mouse" As he said that, he booted and old ball and Quaxo hissed in surprise as it hit him in the head. The look on Tugger's face was priceless though. He looked sorry but like he was about to burst out laughing in the middle of his number. Quaxo blinked, and hurled the ball over his head, glaring at Tugger, as he turned away.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat" The tribe began

"And there isn't any need for me to shout it" Tugger supplied

"For he will do as he do do" The tribe sung.

"And there's no doing anything about it!" Tugger exclaimed. There was a short dance before Quaxo leaped down from his perch and approached the tom. He cut off Tugger's next line, and came up with his own, nodding his head towards the big cat.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore." Quaxo drawled. Tugger glanced at him with mock-offense before continuing. Quaxo walked to his pipe and sat ontop of it instead, rolling his eyes.

"When you let me in, then I want to go out

I'm always on the wrong side of every door

And as soon as I'm at home, then I'd like to get about

I like to lie in the bureau drawer

And I make such a fuss if I can't get out" He moaned in song.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat"

"And there isn't any need for you to doubt it"

"For he will do as he do do"

"And there's no doing anything about it"

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast" Bomballurina meowed.

"My disobliging ways are a matter of habit

If you offer me fish then I always want a feast

When there isn't any fish then I won't eat rabbit

If you offer me cream then I sniff and sneer

For I only like what I find for myself." He paused, and glanced at Bomba in his arms, then dropped her with a sneer. "No."

"So you'll catch me in it right up to my ears

If you put it away on the larder shelf"

"The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing

The Rum Tum Tugger.."

"Doesn't care for a cuddle

But I'll leap upon your lap in the middle of your sewing

For there's nothing I enjoy like a horrible muddle" Tugger said. He slid between Jenny and Jelly while they were knitting, and kissed each on the cheek. The looks on their faces were absolutely priceless. He then strolled around waving his tail and bothering various cats. He poked his head out by Demeter, who was staring into space, and waved a paw in front of her face. She did not respond and he rolled overtop of her. She looked startled, and swiped at him with a hiss, before he leaped to his paws again.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat

The Rum Tum Tugger doesn't care for a cuddle

The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat"

"And there isn't any need for me to spout it"

"For he will do as he do do"

"And there's no doing anything abou-wou-wou-wou…." The she-cats and kittens yowled around his paws. "Abou-wou-wou-ou-ou…." The cats screeched again.

"Abou-wou-wou-wou-ou-owwwwwwww!" Etcetera began to screech uncontrollably as he rocked his hips and raised his voice. All the cats flinched, and Tugger stared down at her, then put his forepaw on her mouth, to shut her up.

"About it!" He finished briskly. Then there was a dance number…even Quaxo slid down his pipe, and joined in the dancing. Tugger leaped onto his pipe then the Tire…

But as the tribe focused on Tugger, Quaxo felt a sudden presence, and the faintest odor in the air. He glanced behind him, and seconds later the rest of the tribe did too because, Tugger stopped abruptly and pointed to a ragged old black and grey she-cat with a tattered old tanish-grey blanket on her shoulders. The cats hissed and scattered, as the music changed. Quaxo glanced at Tugger. His face was furious. He shook his mane with a glare, and muttered something under his breath, that Quaxo guessed to be something along the lines of a very bitter and breif 'thank you'. As Tugger moved away, Quaxo cautiously moved towards the heavily limping she-cat. He reached for her, but Munk leaped in front of him and cut him off. Quaxo blinked at Grizabella, and ran to the Tire. He leaped onto it, and sat, watching, as cats blocked him off from returning to the old cat. He noticed something between Demeter and the old she-cat and curiosity bit at him. Quaxo watched as cat after cat rejected her, or were pulled away by the older cats. Quaxo felt sorrow and anger well in him. The old cat trembled then began to sing, as Munk stood nearby, blocking off any cats from going near. He winced as Alonzo gestured her close, then scratched her arm. She flinched away. Quaxo noticed that Tugger was absent, and leaving a copy of himself to watch the scene, he leaped from the tire and into the junk piles. This is what was seen in the clearing.

"Remark the cat who hesitates towards you

In the light of the door which opens on her like a grin

You see the border of her coat is torn and stained with sand

And you see the corner of her eye twist like a crooked pin" Griz sang wretchedly, but in a beautiful and dark voice. Demeter came forwards and began to sing, a sort of hurt inside her. Bomba watched Demeter with sadness in her eyes.

"She haunted many a low resort

near the grimy road of Tottenham Court

She flitted about the no man's land

From "The Rising Sun" to "The Friend at Hand"

And the postman sighed as he scratched his head

"You'd really had thought she ought to be dead"

And who would ever suppose that that was Grizabella the Glamour cat" Demeter sung. Griz winced as she said her name.

"Grizabella the Glamour cat" Bomba began.,

"Grizabella the Glamour cat." The both sang.

"Who would ever suppose that that was Grizabella the Glamour cat." All the tribe sung.

Inside an abandoned den Quaxo's real form found Tugger. He was curled in a tight ball, anger radiating from his pelt. Quaxo touched his friends ear lightly with his nose.

"Are you ok?" He asked quietly. Tugger nodded.

"Yeah kit…just a bit shook up. Mad…I can't believe she would dare show her face here." He muttered. Quaxo nodded in understanding.

"Its ok Tummy. Why don't you come back…she is leaving right now." He meowed, gazing through his other self's eyes in sorrow. Tugger sighed quietly and briefly leaned into his friends fur.

"Ok." Tugger meowed quietly. Quaxo nodded, and led him back the way he had come. Tugger halted in the shadows, and watched Griz's tail disappear. "I am going to wait this song out…and get back into my normal character." Tugger told him, slinking towards the pipe. Quaxo noticed with narrowed eyes that Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were missing. Oh no! They cannot have gone for a heist now! It's almost their song! He thought. He shrugged and he nodded to Tugger and rejoined with his other self.

Suddenly a huge tux tom appeared. Quaxo smiled with pride. It was his great-uncle. Brutimateous's brother. He felt unbearably giddy to know he was related to such a respectable cat, as very few were. Quaxo walked up to him and greeted him, gesturing to him and he padded back, to the tire.

"Bustopher Jones is not skin and bones

In fact, he's remarkably fat

He doesn't haunt pubs, he has eight or nine clubs

For he's the St. James's Street cat!

He's the cat we all greet as he walks down the street

In his coat is fastidious black" Quaxo bound up to him and bowed, and the old cat dipped his head back.

"No common - place mousers have such well cut trousers

Or such an impeccable back

In the whole of St. James the smartest of names is

The name of this Brummell of cats

And we're all of up proud to be nodded or bowed to

By Bustopher Jones in white spats" Quaxo ran giddily up behind him and pawed at his tail. The old cat started, and looked behind him. Munk appeared, and the old cat looked back at him with a smile as they saluted one another. Then some cats got a hat, and Bustopher sat.

"My visits are occasional to The Senior Educational

And it is the against the rules

For any one cat to belong both to that

And The Joint Superior Schools" Quaxo stood proudly a smiled.

"When I'm seen in a hurry there's probably curry

At The Siamese or at The Glutton

When I look full of gloom then I've lunched at The Tomb

On cabbage, rice pudding and mutton" Quaxo standing by him, licked his lips with a smile.

"In the whole of St. Jame's the smartest of names is

The name of this Brummel of cats

And we're all of us proud to be nodded or bowed to

By Bustopher Jones in white, Bustopher Jones in white

Bustopher Jones in white spats" Quaxo turned to Admetus. "That's my uncle." He purred quietly. Admetus grinned. Quaxo turned around just in time to see Bustopher tipping precariously backwards on the hat. He nad Munk leaped, and caught the old cat, rightening him on the hat. But he was accidentally launched forwards. Quaxo leaped quick as lightning, and caught the old cat before he fell into the gorge.

"So much in this way passes Bustopher's day

At one club or another he's found

It can be no surprise that under our eyes

He has grown unmistakably round

He's a twenty - five pounder"

"Or I am a bounder"

Quaxo went to the toms who lined up, and he made them place their paws over one another, and then raised his head proudly, padding to Bustopher. Bustopher walked down the line nodding his head, with a smile

"And he's putting on weight every day"

"But I'm so well preserved because I've observed

All my life a routine, and I'd say

I am still in my prime, I shall last out my time

That's the word from the stoutest of cats" Bustopher sang. Quaxo nodded proudly strutting after the great tom.

"It must and it shall be spring in Pall Mall

While Bustopher Jones wears white, Bustopher Jones wears white

Bustopher Jones wears white spats" All the Jellicle's sang, and raised their forepaws in the air, raising their voices to Everlasting.

Suddenly as his song ended there was a frightful crash, and a blaze of light like lightning, yet the sky was clear.

"Macavity!" Someone hissed, and all the cats scattered. Quaxo bristled and dove into his pipe, his green eyes staring out from the depths. He suddenly heard a loud and michivious giggle.

"Tee hee hee hee." A familiar female voice giggled.

"Shhh!" A male voice echoed furiously..

His heart leaped at their voices and he rolled his eyes, and moved closer to the end of the pipe to watch as the two appeared. They were on the TSE-1 and they ran their paws down their bodies, and their legs, as they creeped into the quiet clearing. Both had big full bags of loot, and Quaxo smirked and let out his own little giggle. But nobody noticed. He watched as they slid down the junk and into the clearing.

"Tee hee hee hee!" Teazer giggled again.

"Shhhh!" Jerrie hissed louder. Quaxo watched them repeat their movements, with amusment. Then he blinked in thought. Oh those two mouse brains…they don't even know the whole tribe is watching them…they think they are bing so very sneaky. Quaxo thought with a small chuckled. He noticed Teazer glance in his direction, and he was sure she spotted his glowing green eyes in the shadows. He smiled and she smiled too as the twins began to sing, taking turns and singing in sync. They dropped their bags of loot at one point before they sang, when they bumped into one another. They then smiled and began their song.

"Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are a notorious couple of cats

As knockabout clowns, quick - change comedians

Tight - rope walkers and acrobats

We have an extensive reputation, we make their home in Victoria Grove

That was merely our center of operation for we were incurably given to rove

If the area window was found ajar and the basement looked like a field of war

If a tile or two came loose on the roof which presently ceased to be waterproof

If the drawers were pulled out from the bedroom chests

And you couldn't find one of your winter vests

Or after supper one of the girls suddenly missed her Woolworth pearls"

Note: This bit of lines was not used in the film, but I could not resist adding them in. They are from the book.

"Then the family would say, "It's that horrible cat!

Was it Mungojerrie or Rumpelteazer!"

And most of the time they left it at that

Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer have an unusual gift of the gab

We are highly efficient cat burglars as well and remarkably smart at a smash and grab

We made our home in Victoria Grove, we had no regular occupation

We were plausible fellows who liked to engage a friendly policeman in conversation

When the family assembled for Sunday dinner

Their minds made up that they wouldn't get thinner on

Argentine joint, potatoes and greens

Then the cook would appear from behind the scenes

And say in a voice that was broken with sorrow

"I'm afraid you must wait and have dinner tomorrow

The joint has gone from the oven like that!"

Then the family would say, "It's that horrible cat!

It was Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer!"

And most of the time they left it at that

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer have a wonderful way of working together

And some of the time you would say it was luck and some of the time you would say it was weather

We'd go through the house like a hurricane and no sober person could take his oath

Was it Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer? Or could you have sworn that it might have been both?

When you heard a dining room smash or up from the pantry there came a loud crash

Or down from the library came a loud ping

From a vase which was commonly said to be Ming…" They paused for a moment, and Quaxo was amused by this song.

"Then the family would say: "Now which was which cat?!"

"It was Mungojerrie…." Jerrie meowed from in front of Teazer. She indignantly pushed him aside, then smiled, and shook her tail as she sang.

"AND…Rumpelteazer!" She purred with a smiled. Quaxo felt his heart jumped and smiled.

"And there's nothing at all to be done about that!" They finished loudly.

The music continued to play, and Quaxo laughed and leaped from his pipe, as the Jellicle's began pouring from various places, circling the twins, who jumped, and tried to escape. But the cats, rose their paws, and stretched them out trapping the twins. Teazer tried to bound past Quaxo and with a laugh, he gently shoved her back towards her brother. The twins eyes widened and they gasped as their loot was lifted into the air by Munk and Alonzo. They shot Munk indignant glares, but he smirked sternly at them, tapping one hind paw. The twins shot through a weak spot and leaped onto the Tire. Munk and Alonzo threw their loot into the junkpiles. The cats crowded around, staring up at the twins who hissed indignantly.

Quaxo was not paying attention though. He was sniffing the air. He sensed a presence that he could not describe as anything but holy. He blinked and sniffed the air, moving towards the edge of the Junkyard…that scent…it smelled sort of like Tugger and Munk, but had a warm elderly smell to it. Quaxo blinked, noticing that Tanto and Cori had moved a short distance behind him, nose's in the air. Quaxo blinked, unfamiliar yet familiar with this scent.

"Old Deuteronomy?" He meowed questioningly and with awe. His comment drew the other Jellicle's to him, and Munk blinked, looking between the magic tom and the mystic twins. The two smelled the air once more then sang softly.

"I believe it is Old Deuteronomy." The sung in perfect sync. Quaxo blinked at Munkustrap, and the big silver tabby, stretched his paw towards the junkyard gates. Quaxo crept out of the clearing, towards the gate. He could hear them begin to sing even from his distance. The tribe began as Quaxo made his way.

"Well of all things can it be really

Yes, no, ho, hi, oh my eye!

My mind may be wondering but I confess

I believe it is Old Deuteronomy"

"Old Deuteronomy's lived a long time

He's a cat who has lived many lives in succession

He was famous in Proverb and famous in rhyme

A long while before Queen Victoria's accession" Munk sung with such aww and respect. Quaxo was surprised when Tugger reappeared and began to sing, and apparently so was Munk, because he turned with gentle and wide eyes, to watch his brother sing.

"Old Deuteronomy's buried nine wives

And more I am tempted to say-ninety nine

And his numerous progeny prospers and thrives

And the village is proud of him in his decline" Tugger sang.

"At the sight of that placid and grand physiognomy

When he sits in the sun on the vicarage wall

The oldest habitant croaks" Munk sang softly. Quaxo thought the two brothers voices were so beautiful, and when he heard them sing together his eyes narrowed in an almost sort of bliss…their voices matched perfectly, harmonizing seamlessly.

Quaxo finally came upon Old Deuteronomy. He opened the gate for him with magic, and bowed as the old tom tottered in. Quaxo closed the gate behind him as the gentle old tom smiled at Quaxo. His fur was Smokey grey tabby fur, and his eyes were pale twinkling blue. Quaxo suddenly realized Old Deuteronomy was were Munk and Tugger, as well as Macavity got their unique blue eyes.

"Hello young one." He meowed, over the singing of the two brothers. "You must be Quaxo, or Mistoffelees." He purred. Quaxo nodded.

"I prefer Quaxo." Purred the young cat humbly. He smiled as the old tom stroked his ears with one forepaw.

"Very well Quaxo. How did your song go? Have things gone well so far?" Deut asked quietly. Quaxo nodded.

"Mostly. But at one point Grizabella showed up, and made Tugger upset. But the others sent her away." He meowed. Deut blinked, leaning towards the kit.

"You sound disapproving." He murmured. Quaxo sighed and nodded.

"I don't think she deserved that….No matter what she did in the past, she is still a Jellicle, and she is injured, and skinny and helpless." He meowed. Deut blinked nodding his head as Quaxo continued. "The past should not rule our entire lives. Mistakes do not define who we are. We should learn to let go of those things that hurt us, and move on to live our lives in peace and happiness." He meowed. Deut smiled.

"That is very well spoken. You are a wise cat Quaxo. And what of your song?" He asked.

"Err….Tugger kind of took my spot." He said, smiling sheepishly. Deut let out a deep chuckle.

"So like that overgrown kit!" He laughed. Quaxo smiled too.

"Well sir. It is nice to meet you, but I believe we are needed in the clearing." Quaxo purred. Deut nodded and tottered past Quaxo. Quaxo followed him, very humbled to be able to help the tom when he stumbled, and take him to the Jellicle ball. He listened to the two toms still singing in the clearing as they approached.

"Well of all things can it be really

Yes, no, ho, hi, oh my eye!

My mind may be wondering but I confess

I believe it is Old Deuteronomy" The two brothers sang together, and stretched their paws towards Old Deuteronomy as he appeared. The cats grinned eagerly and bound to their leader, rubbing in his fur, and purring, and cuddling close to him, batting at his tail. Deut smiled and stroked ears with his paw, and dipped his head, and touched paws with some of the older members. Quaxo bound up into the clearing behind him, and dipped his head to Munk, who returned the gesture before leading his father towards the Tire. At one point Deut paused and met Tugger's gaze. The big tom stared back for a moment before bowing with a smile. Deut dipped his head back and moved to the tire as the Jellicle's sung.

"Well of all things can it be really

Yes, no, ho, hi, oh my eye!

My mind may be wondering but I confess

I believe it is Old Deuteronomy

Well of all things can it be really

Yes, no, ho, hi, oh my eye!

My mind may be wondering but I confess

I believe it is Old Deuteronomy

Well of all things can it be really

Yes, no, ho, hi, oh my eye!" As Quaxo first heard the old toms voice he felt a shiver of aww.

"My legs may be tottery I must go slow

And be careful of Old Deuteronomy." He purred. Quaxo blinked, his eyes round with awe. Deut sat up on the Tire, and music began to play once more.

"Jellicle Cats meet once a year

On the night we make the Jellicle Choice

And now that the Jellicle Leader is here,

Jellicle Cats can all rejoice!

Of the awful battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles

Together with some account

Of the participation

Of the Pugs and the Poms, and the intervention of the Great Rumpus Cat

The Pekes and the Pollicles, everyone knows,

Are proud and implacable, passionate foes;

It is always the same, wherever one goes

And the Pugs and the Poms, although most people say

That they do not like fighting. Yet, once in a way,

They now and again join into the fray

And they:" Munk yowled joyfully.

"Bark Bark Bark Bark

Bark Bark Bark Bark" The two sung back and forth.

"Until you could hear them all over the park

Now on the occasion of which I shall speak

Almost nothing had happened for nearly a week

(And that's a long time for a Pol or a Peke).

The big Police Dog was away from his beat -

I don't know the reason, but most people think

He slipped into the Wellington Arms for a drink -

And no one at all was about on the street

When a Peke and a Pollicle happened to meet.

They did not advance, or exactly retreat,

But they glared at each other, and scraped their hind feet,

And they:" Munk sung. Quaxo laughed at Jerrie and Teazer In their silly dog costumes.

"Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark" The two halves took turns.

"Until you could hear them all over the park

And they:" Munk paused, his ears flattening in annoyance a little.

"Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark

Bark" The rest joined in

"Until you could hear them all over the park

Now the Peke, although most people may say what they please,

Is no British Dog, but Heathen Chinese

And so all the Pekes, when they heard the uproar,

Some came to the window, some came to the door;

There was surely a dozen, more likely a score.

And together they started to grumble and wheeze

In their huffery-snuffery Heathen Chinese.

But a terrible din is what Pollicles like,

For your Pollicle Dog is a Doryorkshire tyke," Munk sung.

"There were dogs out of every nation

The Irish, the Welsh, and the Dane

The Russian, the Dutch, the Dalmation

And even from China and Spain

From the poodle, the balmy Alstation

And the Basset who growls on the train" The pollicles barked.

"And to those that are frisky and frollicle

That my mean be perfectly plain" Munk meowed.

"That my name is Little Tom Pollicle

And you better not do it again!" Said the pollicles

"And his braw Scottish cousins are snappers and biters,

And ever dog-jack of them notable fighters;

and so they stepped out with their pipers in order,

Playing When the Blue Bonnets Came Over the Border" Quaxo was dancing with Skimble and nearly stumbled in surprise when Tugger appeared, playing the bag pipe. He stared at the tom for a moment…

"Then the Pugs and the Poms held no longer aloof,

But some from the balcony, some from the roof,

Joined in

To the din

With a:" Munk paused.

"Bark Bark Bark Bark

Bark Bark Bark Bark" said the ridiculous dressed up tribe.

"Until you could hear them all over the park" Munk sung.

All the cats began singing a weird phrase.

"Huffery-snuffery, huffery-snuffery,

Huffery-snuffery, huffery-snuff!"

"Until you could hear them all over the park." Munk sung.

All the cats began barking insanely. Quaxo was bark-laughing. Bark-hee-hee, bark- hee-hee

Munkustrap looked like he was going to exlplode…and he did.

"NO!" He paused and began to sing again.

"When these bold heroes together assembled,

The traffic all stopped, and the Underground trembled,

And some of the neighbors were so much afraid

That they started to ring up the Fire Brigade.

When suddenly up from a small basement flat.

Why who should stalk out but,"

The Great Rumpus Cat!" The whole tribe sung. They all looked towards the junkyard entrance, when the black and silver streaked tom leaped in from behind them and landed by Deut. Munkustrap shook his head and stalked up to Rumpus and drug him over into the clearing.

"His eyes were like fireballs fearfully blazing,

He gave a great yawn, and his jaws were amazing;

And when he looked out through the bars of the area,

You never saw anything fiercer or hairier." Quaxo could not help but snicker.

"What with the glare of his eyes and his yawning,

The Pekes and the Pollicles quickly took warning.

He looked to the sky and he gave a great leap -

And they every last one of them scattered like sheep.

And when the Police Dog returned to his beat,

There wasn't a single one left on the street." Munk sung. Munk and Rumpus began to almost compete with one another dancing. Quaxo was amused at Munks obvious dislike of this other tom.

"All hail and all bow to the Great Rumpus Cat!" The whole tribe sung.

"Jellicle Cats and Dogs all must

Pollicle Dogs and Cats all must

Like undertakers, come to dust!" Old Deuteronomy meowed.

Suddenly there was a loud crack. The cats froze.

"Macavity!" They yowled. Quaxo could sense them and he shivered with fear. Something was wrong….something dark. As the cats scattered Quaxo dove behind Deut. Munkustrap, surveyed the shadows of the junkyard with narrowed eyes as Deut desended the Tire. As he reached the bottom he felt his fur shake, and turned his kind twinkling blue eyes behind him. Quaxo peeked out from behind the tom and met his gaze. Deut gestured his paw towards the pipe, and Quaxo dove from the clearing into his pipe. In the darkness he stared out as Deut and Munk moved around searchingly. Then Victoria and a few others darted from their hiding places whipping about fearfully. Deut gazed worriedly at them then began to sing.

"Jellicle cats come out tonight

Jellicle cats come one come all

The Jellicle Moon is shining bright

Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball" Deut called. Cats began to emerge. Quaxo continued to hide fearfully in his pipe, calming his breathing. The cats took turns singing. (But there is no way I am describing all their parts..)

"Jellicle cats are black and white

Jellicle cats are rather small

Jellicle cats are merry and bright

And pleasant to hear when we caterwaul

Jellicle cats have cheerful faces

Jellicle cats have bright black eyes"

"We like to practice our airs and graces" Quaxo leaped from hiding, and sang this bit.

"And wait for the Jellicle Moon to rise

Jellicle cats develop slowly" Quaxo looked indignant, and Skimble nudged his shoulder.

"Jellicle cats are not too big

Jellicle cats are roly poly"

"We know how to dance a gavotte and a jig" Quaxo sung with Skimble, and danced a curious little jig.

"Until the Jellicle Moon appears

We make our toilet and take our repose

Jellicles wash behind their ears

Jellicles dry between their toes

Jellicle cats are black and white

Jellicle cats are of moderate size

Jellicles jump like a jumping jack

Jellicle cats have moonlit eyes

We're quiet enough in the morning hours

We're quiet enough in the afternoon" The cats gathered in a formation, and Quaxo proudly bound to the front of them and sung with Munk, who came around the other side.

"Reserving our Terpsichorean powers" They sung.

"To dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon

Jellicle cats are black and white

Jellicle cats (as we said) are small

If it happens to be a stormy night" The tribe sung.

"We will practice a caper or two in the hall!" Skimble, Quaxo and Admetus danced across the clearing. Quaxo turned just in time to notice Tugger, and he crouched down to avoid bumping into the great tom. Tugger glared down at him for a moment and Quaxo blinked up apologetically.

"If it happens the sun is shining bright

You would say we have nothing to do at all

We are resting and saving ourselves to be bright

For the Jellicle Moon and Jellicle Ball

Jellicle cats come out tonight

Jellicle cats come one come all

The Jellicle Moon is shining bright

Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball" The tribe finished.

Quaxo blinked as the music went on. The cats began an intricate, dark and mysterious dance, some invisible force lending a new burst of strength to their limbs. They moved about somewhat like a snake but with an unimaginable beauty. They moved together as one driven faster by the invisible force…then they scattered. Quaxo remained, and began dancing alone in the clearing, his movements fast and precise, his eyes wide, and his heart thumping. Something pulled him…something made him do this, and though he was tired from a whole night of dancing, he kept going, kept dancing, his movements growing and ever increasing in aggression. He went to Alonzo who appeared, and danced around him. Alonzo made a strange Egyptian style movement and Admetus joined them as they danced across the clearing, towards any queen in sight…Quaxo did not understand, but Tumble and Pounce leaped out and the three toms hissed and sneered at the others…some force was driving Quaxo to dance for the queens and hiss at other toms…They were all locked in a dance for the hearts of the queens. And this was nothing like Quaxo had ever imagined…he actually felt anger and aggression towards the others as he leaped about.

Queens began to appear and dance, and some of the toms led a queen away. The queens took the stage and danced in a frenzied and passionate manner. A few toms strut out and matched up with their queens. As toms and queens continually paired off Tumblebutus and Quaxo appeared, they were young, and danced furiously trying to impress the dwindling numbers of queens. Quaxo was surprised that the younger tom could keep up with his tricky dance moves. Both had an assigned partner, but neither could deny the force that overtook them, and forced them to leap and bound quickly and skillfully.

Then Old Deuteronomy appeared and raised his paws in the air, calming the erratic Jellicle's somewhat. He moved through them and to his Tire and as he sat, the moonlight burst through the clouds and shone on the cats, who leaned back and turned their faces towards the light. Then the leaned up dancing more slowly and more passionately. Then they scattered to the edges of the clearing, and lay as Victoria stood alone in the clearing. Then Coricopat appeared, and approached her. She turned shyly from him, then turned towards him, and they walked slowly towards one another. Cori brushed his head on her stomach, and she leaped away nervously. Cori stood still and patient and watched her. She blinked and slowly walked back over to him. They sniffed each other's faces, then rubbed their heads together, gently nuzzling each other's ears, and muzzles. Victoria turned from him and he ran his paws down her sides. She shivered at the foreign feeling and then Cori lifted her into the air, and slowly lowered her onto his shoulder. He ran his paw down her leg and she shuddered visibly. Cori lowered her in front of him and held her above the ground. Skimbleshanks moved towards them, and said something to her. She replied, and cats slowly began to make their way into the clearing. Cori gently lowered her down. Skimbleshanks stood backwards on the ground, his paws behind him propping him up and his belly stretched up. Cori lay Victoria over Skimbleshanks belly, and he lay back his head closing his eyes. Victoria draped over Skimbleshanks and Cori ran his paws over her body again, while Skimbleshanks lifted his head and blinked at the queen. Cats were getting into pairs, and laying around them. Skimble slipped from beneath Victoria as Cori lay her down and lay ontop of her. Jenny approached Skimble and lay with him, while cats paired off.

Quaxo meanwhile had found Rumpleteazer, and he lay her on the ground, running his paws nimbly up her body. She shuddered and stared up at him with gentle eyes. Quaxo shivered at just her gaze and lay on top of her, pressing himself close to her. Though it was new, some instinct took over. And then….the world seemed to stop…he suddenly felt more connected to Teazer than he had been with anyone in his whole life, and an unimaginable peace and pleasure washed through him. It felt like he was melting from the inside out, warmth spreading throughout his body. Teazer moaned beneath him and stared into his eyes…Quaxo suddenly realized something…his thoughts…

Rumpleteazer…Rumpleteazer…Rumpleteazer…

He was too distracted to read her thoughts as he lay with her, knowing every part of her being, and longing only for her, though the compressed heat of bodies was on all side of him. He could smell the lust in the air, and hear the purrs and soft words of cats, and yet his only thought was Rumpleteazer…Her own gentle purr, her endless silvery-green eyes, the sweet scent of her. There was such a deep and longing passion in her eyes, and it was reflected in his own. He shuddered and rolled to her side, pulling her close into his arms, and burying his face in her neck. It was warm and soft, and her pearls were cool spots against his cheek. He sighed and blinked, breathing in her scent.

Then Cori and Tanto leaped from their places and looked around. Quaxo snapped out of it and leaped up too sensing Griz again. All the cats began to leap to their paws and look around. It was Quaxo who spotted her and pointed her out on a junk pile high above the clearing. One of the toms, Alonzo probably, leaped up an hissed, chasing her off. The music changed, and a long and beautiful dance begin. The dance lasted for a long time, and Quaxo breathed heavily as he danced like he never had before. A few cats glanced at him in surprise as he moved about. After what seemed forever, the music slowed, and the cats began to drop to all fours and pad towards Old Deuteronomy. Everybody except Quaxo. He stood and stared off into the shadows. Grizabella was near. She limped into the clearing while the others were distracted, and Cori and Tanto noticed first, apart from Quaxo. They along with most of the cats darted away. Quaxo could feel Tugger's rage again, and he blinked as the big tom rose to his paws and stormed past his mother, jerking his mane furiously. He nearly brushed against her as he walked past, but did not. A new sort of sadness entered her eyes as she glanced after the retreating tom. She sighed heavily and limped further into the clearing. Admetus ran to her, and rubbed against her side, but then checked her, and sent the injured queen stumbling. Demeter lunged forwards and caught her gently, staring at her with pity. But Bomba pulled Demeter away and led her away. Quaxo wanted to go to her, to make a point to these stubborn Jellicle's but Skimble blocked his path. Munk glanced at Old Deuteronomy, who gestured for the silver protector to touch her. Quaxo instantly listened into his mind, as Munk allowed the old cat to get close.

Father ordered me…but…no! she broke my brother! I can never forgive her! Quaxo winced and his eyes widened in surprise as Munk jerked away at the last moment, disobeying his father and strutting away. Quaxo knew Munk NEVER disobeyed Deut…His bad feelings really must have run deep. He would not meet Deut's gaze and he vanished.

"You see the border of her coat is torn

And stained with sand." Jellylorum sung, pulling Victoria away.

"And you see the corner of her eye

Twist like a crooked pin." Jemima sung, echoing what she had hear earlier. She had her paw stretched towards Grizabella's but Jelly pulled the kit away, hissing at Griz. The cats all slowly vanished, and Skimble forced Quaxo into a den.

Grizabella began to slowly dance, but her steps were awkward and hindered by injury and age. She stumbled, but continued to try, throwing the odd dazzling smile…but each time it faded away and a deep loneliness and sorrow lingered in her gaze. Finally she gave up, and sadly begun to sing.

"Midnight, not a sound from the pavement

Has the moon lost her memory?

She is smiling alone.

In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet

And the wind begins to moan.

Every streetlamp seems to beat a fatalistic warning.

Someone mutters, and the streetlamp gutters

And soon it will be morning.

Memory, all alone in the moonlight.

I can smile at the old days.

I was beautiful then.

I remember the time I knew what happiness was.

Let the memory live again." Griz sang quietly. Quaxo flinched…the song held such a deep note of longing, sorrow, loneliness…it made you want to cry, and he felt guilt burn inside him. He could just see Tugger hiding around the corner in the shadows, listening to his mother. He breathed heavily. Quaxo blinked as the old cat limped off the stage…her eyes tearing up as she vanished.

The cats began to reappear and lay about on the floor. Quaxo sat right in front of Cori and Tanto, who lay near Jemima. He watched as Jelly led a very old and very shaky tom from among the rubbish. She sat him down on a paint can, and Quaxo watched in wonder as Munk padded forwards, and much like a kitten rubbed his head gently on Gus's flank. Gus glanced down at the young silver tabby and Munk glanced at his shaking paws, before looking up into the old cats eyes with a gentle smile…then he padded past and came around to lay in front of Quaxo.

"The Moments of Happiness

We had the experience but missed the meaning

And approach to the meaning restores the experience

In a different form beyond any meaning we can assign to happiness

The past experience of one life only

But of many generations

Not forgetting something that is probably quite ineffable" Old Deuteronomy sung gently and quietly, a sort of sadness in his voice. He noticed Jemima trembling. Quaxo could feel her need to say something, but fear was causing her to stay quiet.

"Tell them child." Deut meowed softly. Jemima still trembled. Without turning around Quaxo sent his thoughts to Cori and Tanto.

Help her…give her the courage. He thought to them. Cori arched his back and placed his paw behind him. Tanto stretched out leaning back, and touching Jemima's paw, with her own, then she touched Cori's. Jemima stopped trembling, rose and began to sing.

"Moonlight

Turn your face to the moonlight

Let your memory lead you

Open up Enter in

If you find there the meaning of what happiness is

Then a new life will begin" She sung soft and sweet. Quaxo listened quietly…she felt as he did. Tanto let go of her and all three slumped to the ground, but the perched up a moment later. Then the tribe began to echo her.

"Moonlight

Turn your face to the moonlight

Let your memory lead you

Open up enter in

If you find there the meaning of what happiness is

Then a new life will begin." They sung.

Then cats scattered various ways, and Jellylorum began to sing a different song.

"Gus is the cat at the theater door

His name, as I ought to have told you before

Is really Asparagus, and that's such a fuss to pronounce

That we usually call him just Gus

His coat's very shabby. He's thin as a rake

And he suffers from palsy that makes his paw shake

Yet he was in his youth quite the smartest of cats

But no longer a terror to mice or to rats

For he isn't the cat that he was in his prime

Though his name was quite famous, he says, in his time

And whenever he joins his friends at their club

(Which takes place at the back of the neighboring pub)

He loves to regale them, if someone else pays

With anecdotes drawn from his palmiest days

For he once was a star of the highest degree

He has acted with Irving, he's acted with tree

And he likes to relate his successes on the halls

Where the gallery once gave him seven cat calls

But his greatest creation as he love to tell

Was Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell" Jelly sung. The song moved Quaxo in a way he could not explain.

"I have played in my time every possible part

And I used to know seventy speeches by heart

I'd extemporize backchat, I knew how to gag

And I knew how to let the cat out of the bag

I knew to act with my back and my tail

With and hour of rehersal, I never could fail

I'd a voice that would soften the hardest of hearts

Whether I took the lead, or in character parts

I have sat by the bedside of poor little Nell

When the curfew was run then I swung on the bell

In the Pantomime Season I never fell flat

And I once understudied Dick Whittington's cat

But my grandest creation, as history will tell

Was Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell" Gus sang in a quiet and shaky voice.

"Then, if someone will give him a toothful of gin

He will tell how he once played a part in East Lynne

At a Shakespeare performance he once walked on pat

When some actor suggested the need for a cat" Jelly sung.

"And I say now these kittens, they do not get trained

As we did in the days when Victoria reigned

They never did get drilled in a regular troop

And they think they are smart just to jump through a hoop" The old cat paused and Quaxo glanced at Victoria who swatted impatiently at him. He swatted back, and noticed that Skimbleshanks, fully decked out in his railway outfit, crept unnoticed by most onto a perch above the car, and lay down.

"And he says as he scratches himself with his claws" Jelly started.

"Well the theater is certainly not what it was

These modern productions are all very well

But there's nothing to equal from what I hear tell

That moment of mystery when I made history

As Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell

I once crossed the stage on a telegraph wire

To rescue a child when a house was on fire

And I think that I still can much better than most

Produce blood curdling noises to bring on the ghost

And I once played Growltiger

Could do it again, could do it again

Could do it again…

That moment of mystery…when I made history…" Gus paused and let out a weak sob. It tore at his heart. As Jellylorum began to lead the old tom away Quaxo rose on his spot on the bumper of the TSE-1…and he sung.

"As Firefrorefiddle…the fiend, of the fell!" He sung in a low voice. Gus looked up and blinked at him gratefully, before burying his head in his daughters chest, and following her away. The crowd quieted as Skimble's song began. Quaxo disappeared.

He had noticed Tugger leave, and he followed him out. Quaxo could hear the song, but it was quieter. He found Tugger near the gate, staring out into the street. Quaxo halted next to him and sat, staring over the city. Tugger glanced at Quaxo, his eyes sad.

"Do you think I am doing to right thing?" Tugger murmured. Quaxo did not have to ask.

"That isn't really for me to decide." Quaxo meowed. The big cat blinked.

"Please Quaxo? Just tell me what you think." He meowed. Quaxo sighed.

"I think its been a long time, and the past should not control ones life. The past should be left to lie, and one should move on." He meowed. Tugger blinked.

"I get so mad whenever I see her though. I can't help it." He meowed quietly.

"You can Tugger. Let go of the past, and accept the future. She needs you to forgive her before she can forgive herself. She is starving, and injured, and frankly pathetic. She is probably going to die soon. Do you want her to die knowing her son hates her?" He asked. Tugger blinked and shivered.

"But she hates me…she just left me here Quaxo. She left…Just like everyone." Tugger sighed. Quaxo gazed up at him with round eyes, filled with sorrow, and spoke very softly.

"I am still here…aren't I?" Quaxo whispered. Tugger glanced at the kit and nodded. After a long pause he spoke again.

"Thanks kit. I will think about what you said." He purred. He looked back out, and Quaxo sat with him listening to Skimble's song.

"Skimbleshanks the Railway cat, the cat of the railway train

There's a whisper down the line at eleven thirty - nine

When the night mail's ready to depart

Saying, "Skimble, where is Skimble has he gone to hunt the thimble

We must find him or the train can't start"

All the guards and all the porters and the stationmaster's daughters

Would be searching high and low

Saying "Skimble where is Skimble for unless he's very nimble

Then the night mail just can't go." The tribe sung.

"At eleven forty-two with the signal overdue

And the passengers all frantic to a man

That's when I would appear and I'd saunter to the rear

I'd been busy in the luggage van!" Skimble sang loudly!

"Then he gave one flash of his glass - green eyes

And the signal went "all clear"

They'd be off at last to the northern part of the northern hemisphere!" The tribe.

Skimbleshanks the Railway cat, the cat of the railway train"

"You might say that by and large it was me who was in charge

Of the Sleeping Car Express

From the driver and guards to the bagmen playing cards

I would supervise them all more or less" Skimble sang joyfully.

"Down the corridor he paces and examines all the faces

Of the travellers in the first and the third

He established control by a regular patrol

And he'd know at once if anything occured.

He would you watch you without winking and he saw what you were thinking

And it's certain that he didn't approve

Of hilarity and riot so that folk were very quiet

When Skimble was about and on the move

You could play no pranks with Skimbleshanks

He's a cat that couldn't be ignored

So nothing went wrong on the Northern Mail

When Skimbleshanks was aboard" The tribe sung.

"It was very pleasant when they'd found their little den

With their name written up on the door

And the berth was very neat with a newly folded sheet

And not a speck of dust on the floor

There was every sort of light, you could make it dark and bright

And a button you could turn to make a breeze

And a funny little basin you're supposed to wash your face in

And a crank to shut the window should you sneeze

Then the guard looked in politely and would ask you very brightly

Do you like your morning tea (weak or strong?)

But I was just behind him and was ready to remind him" Skimble sung.

"For Skimble won't let anything go wrong

When they crept into their cozy berth and pulled the counterpane

They all could reflect that it was very nice

To know that they wouldn't be bothered by mice

They can leave all that to the railway cat

The cat of the railway train

Skimbleshanks the railway cat, the cat of the railway train"

"In the watches of the night I was always fresh and bright

Every now and then I'd have a cup of tea

With perhaps a drop of scotch while I was keeping up the watch

Only stopping here and there to catch a flea

They were fast asleep at Crew and so they never knew

That I was walking up and down the station

They were sleeping all the while I was busy at Carlisle

Where I met the stationmaster with elation

They might see me at Dumfries if I summoned the police

If there was anything they ought to know about

When they got to Gallowgat there they did not have to wait" Skimble sung

"For Skimbleshanks will help them to get out…" There was suddenly a loud crash and a few meows of distress. Quaxo's eyes widened and he darted towards the clearing. Tugger blinked and followed him. They crept into Quaxo's pipe, and stared out as the cats tumbled down with the pieces of the train. Skimble stood among them wincing with embarrassment, then he looked at Old Deut, and shrugged. Deut shrugged back and Skimble began to dance again. The cats quickly cleared the ruble and what not. Quaxo laughed, and Tugger rolled his eyes with a snort.

"And he gives you a wave of his long brown tail

Which says "I'll see you again"

You'll meet without fail on the Midnight Mail

The cat of the railway train

You'll meet without fail on the Midnight Mail

The cat of the railway train!" The tribe yowled, as Skimble stood on Alonzo's back with Munk's help.

But Skimble stumbled as there was a deafening crack, and the air split with electricity. Quaxo hissed, and pulled back, bumping into Tugger, and pressing against him. Tugger glared out over the young toms head, wrapping his long bushy golden tail protectively around the small tom. Quaxo peered out. He could see Macavity wherever he moved, and appeared. He glared out with furious green eyes as Macavity laughed in a deep and menacing tone. Quaxo flattened his ears, glaring. Macavity slunk about the shadows, freaking out the tribe, before he appeared by the Tire. He laughed, and threw his paws up in the air, as the cats hissed at him. Quaxo instantly felt a change in the air and watched as Macavity hypnotised the entire tribe. He could even feel Tugger behind him stiffen, and sway his head from side to side. But Quaxo was not affected. He blinked in shock as a few cloaked cats darted past the Jellicle's and threw a net over Deut. The old tom struggled as they drug him away. Quaxo struggled from Tugger's tail and raced towards the end of his pipe. Macavity had just knocked all the Jellicle's over and darted after his hench-cats. Quaxo slipped at the end of his pipe and skidded into the clearing. The toms instantly leaped up and charged after Macavity. Tugger even raced past him, tail flagging out behind him. Quaxo skidded a little as he rose to his paws, and raced after the toms. He quickly overtook most of them, his ears flat, and his tail flaying out behind him. The other toms glanced at the young tom in surprise, as rage practically radiated off his pelt…they could feel his anger. He kept running, and within seconds only Munk and Tugger were in front of him. He wondered if speed was passed through Deut's side of the family. He didn't care though. He flew past Munk and Tugger like they were walking.

"Quaxo! No! You cannot take him alone!" Munk yowled. Quaxo flattened his ears further and outpaced them both. He could see Macavity way up ahead, running near as fast as he was, following his hench-cats. He was fast…but Quaxo was faster. He left the Jellicle toms in the dust and quickly gained ground on the retreating criminals. Macavity was cackling in triumph but as he glanced over his shoulder his eyes widened in rage. He tried to run faster, but he was no match for the young slender tom.

Quaxo threw himself through the air and landed on Macavity's back. Macavity hissed and tumbled head over tail with the young black tom. The hench-cats hesitated but kept running, not looking back, and Quaxo heard Macavity's thoughts.

Keep going. I will deal with this little runt! Quaxo hissed and forced his mind into Macavity's. Macavity flinched in shock, and tried to force him out…but he didn't. Quaxo's power was strong and his blood connection to the nasty tom allowed him deeper into the ginger cats mind than any cat had ever been before. He could feel himself breaching memories…

I think you'll find this 'runt' is a little harder to deal with than you think! Quaxo hissed in his head. Macavity blinked…no one could hear his thoughts! No one on the outside. He blocked his mind to everybody but those he was speaking directly to! They finally rolled to a halt, and Quaxo was on top of Macavity, his claws curled around the ginger cats throat. The icy blue eyes stared up at him and Quaxo sensed something inside the Hidden Paw…He shook his head and glared.

I am powerful. More powerful than you thought. A matter as trivial as thoughts do not phase me. He thought with a lot more confidence than he felt. He could feel Macavity prodding his mind, trying to get in, and he reinforced the protective walls. Macavity hissed in frustration and stared up at the tom.

Macavity lashed his hefty paw and sent Quaxo tumbling a short distance away. Quaxo hissed in fury…he was not familiar with fighting but instinct took over. He could hear the Jellicle toms far off yowling. He could feel the pain and sorrow of his tribe as though it was his own…he could HEAR Demeter and Bombalurina singing about the ginger tom though the junkyard was very far away now. It lent some sort of unmatchable power to his limbs. He was fighting his own flesh and blood for those cats back there. They were his family and he would die for them.

Quaxo squared off as Macavity circled him, tail twitching.

"You cannot beat me in a fight kit." He growled.

"Oh but I believe I can." Quaxo growled back. Macavity laughed cruelly.

"Oh you are so stupid, just like your mother. She defied me too and now she is in the dirt!" He spat. Quaxo could feel Macavity flinch in his own head as he said this, and Quaxo snarled. He was mad, but he knew Macavity was too. He narrowed his eyes.

"What happened to you Macavity? You used to be good. You loved my mother…You were Plato." He growled. Macavity winced at his own name.

"I am not Plato! I am Macavity! It was my given magical name! I am not that weak excuse of a runt I was before!" He snarled. Quaxo blinked.

"Your only weakness no matter what size you are, is whether you believe you are or not. Everyone has their weakness's…but everyone has their strengths too. Size doesn't matter." Quaxo said quietly. Macavity snarled and glared at him.

"Don't try and preach to me you runt!" He snarled. "You know nothing!" He snarled. "You don't truly know of sorrow, or power, or the name that comes with it, or being the small one!" Macavity snarled. Quaxo narrowed his eyes.

"Don't I Macavity? Or should I call you father who never loved me. You abandoned the tribe even though your brothers and your father were still there for you! I lost my mother too Macavity. I lost my father along with her. I have felt the pain for you terrorizing those that I love. I know power…sometimes I am so afraid that it will change me or overpower me. And I know of the name. Mine is Mistoffelees. And it IS taking over me. Most cats call me that, and believe that I am some Everlasting Cat. But I am not. I am just a normal teenaged cat with feelings. I am Quaxo. And seriously? I am one of the smallest cats in the tribe though I should be bigger than Munk by now. So how can you say my life is different than yours?" Quaxo hissed, walking slowly towards him till he was nose to nose. Macavity's eyes widened and he took a step back.

"But your happy." Macavity said bitterly and quietly.

"That's because I haven't let my past take over my life. I have not let bitterness rule my heart. You did and it made you miserable in the end. It is nobody's fault but your own…and besides. I am not happy…not all the time. The kittens are bigger than me, my magic is why people notice me. They don't see me for who I am. The queen I love does not love me back…and you are constantly bringing grief to my tribe, my family. That is what makes me unhappy Macavity." He stepped forwards and his nose was less than an inch from Macavity's as he glared into his eyes. "That my family has to live in constant fear that you will kitnap or kill one of them." He growled. Macavity's eyes narrowed, as emotions ran through him. Quaxo pushed back into his mind, but Macavity's eyes grew wide. Before Quaxo could listen to his thoughts again Macavity leaped at him, and forced him to the ground. As he dropped onto Quaxo, the young tom rolled onto his back, and thrust his hind-legs into Macavity's stomach, throwing him over his head. Macavity scrambled on his side, and Quaxo leaped up, and leaped onto the toms back, digging his claws into the tender flesh. Macavity rolled, trying to throw him off but Quaxo clung on like a burr. He snarled and lashed his claws over Macavity's shoulders. Macavity snarled in fury and shook himself violently…but still Quaxo held on. Suddenly there was loud yelling. The rest of the toms were nearly upon them. Macavity and Quaxo still rolled, growling and biting and hissing. Munk and Tugger's eyes widened, and they leaped for the two cats, but Macavity rolled to his paws and leaped into the air, vanishing completely…and taking his little black burr with him.

Quaxo felt a dizzy rush as he flew on a magic stream with Macavity. They reappeared in an alley. Quaxo realized the it was his mothers alley. Macavity flailed about as his paws touched the ground again. Then he twisted precariously and sank his fangs into Quaxo's scruff. Quaxo snarled, as he was torn from Macavity's back and flung against the garbage bin. His head hit hard and he sagged to the ground, glaring blearily at Macavity. The big ginger tom glared down at him.

"Everyone you love is going to die kit." He snarled, his ice blue eyes flashing, fire. Quaxo weakly lifted his head and stared blearily at his father.

"You may still have mothers love…but she would be so disappointed in you." He said in a trembling voice. Macavity's eyes widened and with a snarl he vanished once more. Quaxo's head fell to the pavement, darkness clouding his vision once more.

"Quaxo?" A soft voice echoed in his ears, and Quaxo groaned in pain and irritation. Why could he not sleep in peace? Then there was a tongue gently rasping over his face. He blinked and the blurry black image of a she-cat appeared in his vision. He blinked away the fuzziness, and shook his head. His head throbbed to no end, but he could see straight and think again. A slender completely black she-cat smiled gently at him. His eyes widened. She was sort of transparent, with a sheen, like stardust on her fur. Her eyes glowed bright.

"My son." She purred. Quaxo blinked.

"Mother?" he blinked in confusion.

"Yes Quaxo." She meowed. He blinked in confusion.

"But your…am I dreaming?" He questioned.

"No love. I have desended from the Heaviside Layer to help you. You must get up Quaxo. Your tribe is in danger. Macavity is going there now." She meowed. Quaxo blinked and staggered to his paws, but his legs were shaky, and his head throbbed. Any movement made him wobble. Likia padded forwards and touched her nose to his head. Instantly his weariness vanished, and his legs stopped trembling. He stood straighter and blinked at her, his eyes blazing with determination.

"Thank you mother. I…I am sorry I never got to know you." He meowed. Her eyes softened.

"Oh my sweet, as am I. Your sisters and I live in a good place now though. Go now Quaxo. Go and take my strength." She meowed. Quaxo nodded, and she touched her nose to his head. Her very being seemed to flow inside him, becoming part of him, and she vanished.

Quaxo blinked, staring straight for a moment, before narrowing his eyes. A new power flowed through him and he flattened his ears, and darted out of the alley, a new speed lent to his paws. He knew now there was speed in his mothers side too, and that was why he was faster than his lanky father.

Quaxo was like a black and white blur, and as he ran his white spots melted away, replaced by sparkling black fur. All that was left in his black coat was a white face and chest. His green eyes sparked and emotions ran through him…He could feel his tribes fear, he could hear Munk and the other toms rushing towards home, he could hear the she-cats singing, not sure exactly who was singing at which time. The music just seemed to flow through him, as though like his mother had become, it was part of him. He ran and ran as they sang. But he was a long way from the junkyard.

"Macavity!

Macavity's a Mystery cat: He's called the Hiddenpaw

For he's the master criminal who can defy the law

He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad's despair

For when they reach the scene of crime Macavity's not there!

Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity

He's broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity

His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare

And when they reach the scene of crime Macavity's not there

You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air...

But I tell you once and once again, Macavity's not there!

Macavity's a ginger cat, he's very tall and thin

You would know him if you saw him for his eyes are sunken in

His brow is deeply lined in thought, his head is highly domed

His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed

He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake

And when you think he's half asleep, he's always wide awake

Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity

He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity

You may meet him in a by - street, you may see him in the square

But when a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!

He's outwardly respectable, I know he cheats ..at cards..

And his footprints are not found in any files of ..Scotland.. Yard's

And when the larder's looted ...or the jewel case is rifled

Or when the milk is missing or another peke's been stifled

Or the greenhouse glass is broken and the trellis past repair

There's the wonder of the thing Macavity's not there!

Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity

There never was a cat of such deceitfulness and suavity

He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare

What ever time the deed took place Macavity's not there!

And they say that all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known

I might mention Mungojerrie, I might mention Griddlebone

Are nothing more than agents for the cat who all the time

Just controls the operations: the Napoleon of Crime!

Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity

He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity

You may meet him in a by - street, you may see him in the square

But when a crime's discovered then Macavity, Macavity

Macavity, Macavity

When a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!" Quaxo knew as the song ended most of the toms had reached the junkyard…he knew Macavity had too. He could practically see Macavity as he appeared with a dark and menacing laugh, and cats hissed. But he raised his hands as though in surrender and gestured to the Hench-cats releasing an old ragged pile of tabby fur. It was Old Deuteronomy…only it wasn't. But the cats swarmed him. Quaxo tried desperately to magically appear in the junkyard…he knew who was hiding beneath those robes. He sighed in relief when Demeter began to hiss, and drive the other cats away from the large shape…then she leaped on his back, and he spun round and round, trying to throw her off. She dug in her claws, and the illusion vanished. Macavity appeared and the cats all shrieked.

"Macavity!" Quaxo saw him snatch up Demeter and begin to drag her away, then he saw Munk grasp Deme, and try to pull her back. Alonzo raced in and took Deme, and began to run, Macavity chased him, but Munk cut him off with a sharp swipe of his claws…a dark and intricate dance began to play out. A dance to seemingly the death. They leaped, and scratched, and threw one another about, hissing and snarling in fury. But then…Munk leaped at Macavity, and the bigger tom caught him, and threw him. He tumbled across the clearing into a few cats, who sniffed him anxiously, and hissed at Macavity. The look of agony…the feeling of it, ripping through Munk was unbearable. Quaxo gasped in desperation. He ran harder, his paws burning as they scarcely touched the pavement. He could see Macavity fighting Alonzo now…he heard the ginger toms words, as he lifted the tom, and spun him around.

"You! You will not get in my way anymore!" He hissed. He prepared to throw Alonzo into a sharp pole sticking from the junkyard pile, but Quaxo yowled…the sound echoed all over London, heard in the Jellicle ball, by those who were paying attention.

"Nooooooo!" Quaxo yowled.

He leaped off the pavement and snapped through a magic stream…he reappeared in the junkyard…just in time. He launched a bolt of blue lightning at Macavity and it hit him in the stomach. Macavity flinched in agony, and dropped Alonzo, who rolled away from him, and leaped into a crouch. Macavity's eyes briefly met Quaxo's, and he blinked, in fury. Quaxo's eyes flashed a familiar and remarkable pale blue, and Macavity took a few steps back. The Jellicle's suddenly began to advance as one, driving him back. He darted away from them, stumbling over the TSE-1 and tore some electrical cables from a post. He tore them apart, then touched them together. There was a blinding flash, and a strange electric sound and the lights flashed out, as blue lightning flashed over the toms ginger pelt. Everything went black and still suddenly…then Alonzo lit a spotlight and cast it around where Macavity had been. He was not there…

"Macavity's not there." The tribe breathed as one. Quaxo was suddenly aware of Tugger standing behind him.

"Time for your song kit." He whispered in his ear, before slinking off in the shadows. Quaxo darted up the piles of junk and prepared himself. Alonzo instantly turned his spotlight to Munkustrap whom unsteadily rose to his paws, and shakily made his way towards Demeter. The light turned the two cats to silhouettes, as they rubbed their heads together. Then the tribe stared bleakly around them. With great sadness they sung.

"We have to find Old Deuteronomy." There was a moment of silence before suddenly Tugger's voice rang out over the clearing.

"You ought to ask Mr. Mistoffelees! The original Conjuring cat. There can be no doubt about that." Some cats murmured. They did not believe the young tom could preform such a trick.

"Please, listen to me, and don't scoff, for all his, inventions are off his own bat. There's no such cat in the metropolis, He holds all the patent monopolies, for performing surprising illusions, and creating eccentric confusion." Tugger meowed, sliding off his perch and into the clearing. Then he took a breath and began to sing.

"The greatest magicians have something to learn

From Mister Mistoffelees Conjuring Turn

And we all say

Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees

He is quiet, he is small he is black

From his ears to the tip of his tail

He can creep through the tiniest crack

He can walk on the narrowest rail

He can pick any card from a pack

He is equally cunning with dice

He is always deceiving you into believing

That he's only hunting for mice

He can play any trick with a cork

Or a spoon and a bit of fish paste

If you look for a knife or a fork

And you think it merely misplaced

You have seen it one moment and then it is gone

You'll find it next week lying out on the lawn!" Tugger danced about as he sung, and cats slobbered over him. Then he pointed up. Quaxo had leaped from his perch, lowering himself down on a rope seemingly suspended from mid-air. Before he even hit the ground and made the rope vanish Tugger was singing again.

"And we all say

Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" Tugger sung, as Quaxo made the rope vanish. He faced Tugger until he finished his line, then whipped around, throwing his paws in the air and speaking.

"PRESTO!" The street lights in the junkyard all turned back on and the place lit in brilliance. Quaxo began to dance.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" Quaxo flashed out his paws, as he danced, and shot lightening at the ground. It exploded with a loud crash. He did this several times, ignoring Tugger, mocking his dancing behind him, with a small smile. He nearly basked in the tribe as they sung with Tugger.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!" The sung. Quaxo flashed out his paws to shoot the lightning near Tugger again, but with small static shocks, nothing happened. He turned away, scowling at his paws, as they sparked, and then tried again. It worked! He shot things about in the junk vigorously, one, two, three, four. He smiled as the cats skittered about, singing his name.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!" He hit another bolt before Tugger began to sing alone again.

"His manner is vague and aloof

You would think there is nobody shyer

But his voice has been heard on the roof

When he was asleep by the fire

And he's sometimes been heard by the fire

When he was about on the roof

At least we all heard that somebody purred

Which is incontestable proof

Of his singular magical powers

And he's known the family to call

him in from the garden for hours

When he was asleep in the hall" Quaxo leaped and twisted, dancing phenomenally, and listening to some of the cats whispers. They were shocked by his obvious skill in dancing….and he had only started two weeks ago! He still noticed Tugger imitating his dancing every few lines. He was amused. Quaxo tried to zap something again but it didn't work, and his paws sparked. He turned to Tugger, and shrugged. Tugger shrugged back, and Quaxo whirled around zapping a tall junk pile.

"And not long ago this phenomenal cat

Produced seven kittens right out of a hat!" As he said this Quaxo danced towards him and Tugger stepped back, holding up his paws. Quaxo glanced at his paws and noticed they were still sparking. He rolled his eyes, and turned. He used his powers to summon an old human's cup and caught it. He began to pull a long sparkling piece of rainbow cloth from the cup, and danced around. Tugger leaped away from it, and followed him, as he danced about, throwing the stuff through the air.

"And we all say…"

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!" Quaxo handed the cup to Jemima, and the cup and cloth instantly stopped glowing and sparkling. He leaped back and began dancing again.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" Quaxo began to dance about, finally showing off all his skills taught by The Rum Tum Tugger, and his own raw natural talent. He zapped his fingers at the edge of the junkyard, and made Victoria appear, then he began dancing, whirling and twisting. Tugger and the rest of the tribe cheered with 'whoo's' and 'wow's'. He smiled and began to leap in circles, spreading his legs out far with each spin. Joy coursed through him from ears to tail-tip. He did a summersault and Tugger yowled out as though proving his point.

"Magical!" He yowled, gesturing towards him. Quaxo ran across the clearing to the TSE-1 which was blinking a red light, though it was long-dead. He shoed a few cats from their perches on the bumper and Quaxo pulled a large red cloth from the car, and danced about flaring it all over the place. He ran to the front of the clearing, and Tugger followed him

"And not long ago this phenomenal cat

Produced seven kittens right out of a hat!" He paused and Quaxo whirled his paw about, seeking out a cat to volunteer to disappear. He pointed to the new queen, Cassandra and she slid from her perch and threw up her paws, posing. Then she padded to the pipe and stood in front of it, her paws high over her head, and a smile on her face. Quaxo followed, and flared out the sheet. A few cats caught it, Skimbleshanks mainly, whom was perched above the pipe. Cassandra vanished behind it, and Quaxo breathed heavily…he was still not certain this would work. He blinked and Cassandra disappeared, reappearing somewhere else in the junkyard. He waved his paws in the air, and squeezed his eyes shut, thinking as hard as he could.

Old Deuteronomy…Old Deuteronomy….I have to find Old Deuteronomy… Quaxo shook imperceptibly and opened his eyes, snapping his magic out far. He knew It worked and he sighed with relief when he suddenly felt the old toms presence…he couldn't believe he had done it! Quaxo waved his paws over the sheet, moving away, as the cats holding it dropped it. He blinked with amusement when eh noticed Jemima give a kittenish leap after the edge of the red sheet. He halted and glanced at Tugger, who smiled and nodded. He moved around the side of the sheet and blew each paw, causing sparkles to shower of them. Then he waved his paws over the sheet, and it glowed with a golden hue. His entire body sparkled with light and he pressed his hand against the sheet, grasping it lightly, and pulling it off of the great lump of trembling something or other…Old Deuteronomy rose up from beneath it, and there was a very audible gasp of shock…even Tugger's face was a mask of complete shock and awe….Deut stared at Tugger, and the young golden spotted tom stepped towards his father, his eyes filled with such wonder and love, and…well there was just no word for the emotions. He grasped his fathers paws and began to sing. Quaxo meanwhile had turned away, smiling, and opening and closing his paws, banishing the remaining sparks.

"And we all say

Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees…" Tugger gently turned his father towards Quaxo, and Quaxo turned to smile at Deut, holding his paws high in the air. The old tom smiled and as the cats began to sing again, Quaxo ran to the big old tom and leaped into his paws, rubbing his head against Old Deut's and licking his ears affectionately. He hugged the tom, as he smiled, twinkling blue eyes observing the young tom.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!" Deut set Quaxo down and Quaxo hugged him again before glancing at the tribe who closed in around the two. Quaxo turned, and lifted his forepaws high in the air, a smile on his face.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees

Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" Quaxo trotted to the edge of the clearing, and reached out into the shadows. A brown paw appeared and grasped his black one and Quaxo danced with Cassandra back into the clearing, letting her paw go and bowing to her. Then he took her paw, and they bowed to Deut and the tribe.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" While the tribe sung this Tugger harmonized.

"Oh-oh-oh-oh, oohhhhhh, ohhhhh, ohhhhh-ohhhh. Magical! Mr.! Mistoffelees!" He sung fervently. Quaxo was leaping high in the air and dancing, doing a sort of jumping-jack move.

"Oh! Well I never was there ever

A cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!" Quaxo turned on his knee, and gestured towards Tugger, with a broad smile. Tugger pumped his fist and Quaxo got to his paws, leaping onto the Tire as Tugger leaped down. He stood with his back to the crowd.

"Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Magical…" Quaxo whirled to face them and threw up on paw. "The Marvelous…" Quaxo threw up the other paw… "Mr. Mistoffelees!" Quaxo leaped in the air, touching his forepaw's to his hind paws, and vanished completely, leaving a cloud of falling sparkles behind him. His voice echoed, nothing more than a breath.

"Presto…"

Quaxo appeared near the Junkyard gates. He could smell blood, and frowned with a shiver. He sniffed around just outside the gate and found the puddle. He sniffed…it was Macavity's! He blinked nervously, but the trail led away from the junkyards. Quaxo closed his eyes, sniffing the Memory-trace. He saw Macavity's faint outline on all fours, his tail dragging in the dirt, his head hanging low, and his paws dragging in the dust. Blood dripped from the singed wound on his stomach, and Quaxo almost felt guilty. He blinked as he watched the faint outline pad miserably away from the junkyard…he look utterly defeated and in pain…and then he vanished with magic, leaving a little pool of blood behind. With a shiver the vision vanished and Quaxo turned and hurried back to the clearing, still sparkling. He would not change back until after.

Quaxo was just in time to see Deut and Munk stretching their paws towards one another…but the stopped as a soft and sweet voice broke through the stillness. It was Jemima. She stood upon the fence, singing on her own, her confidence clearly found.

"Daylight

See the dew on the sunflower

And the rose that is fading,

Roses wither away

Like the sunflower I yearn to turn my face to the dawn

I am waiting for the day." She sung softly. Deut and Munk nodded to one another then Munk spoke.

"Now Old Deuteronomy, just before dawn, through silence you feel you can cut with a knife, announces the cat who can now be reborn, and come back to a different Jellicle life." The cats all gathered around Deut, and he stroked heads, as they bowed, and stretched out their paws…but then Quaxo felt something. He whirled to his paws and turned to face Grizabella, as she limped on. Before any cat could stop him he trotted towards her. He heard a furious hiss behind him and he skidded to a halt. He stared into her eyes. 'I'm sorry' He mouthed. She blinked and he turned and sat upon the Tire, his back to her. She did not give him away, but he could feel thanks radiating from her. He also notice Tugger walk up to her, and gesture towards Deut. But he was sneering. Yet he contained himself. Quaxo felt proud of him, and Grizabella uncertain. All the other cats hid their faces from her as well, and listened quietly.

"Memory

Turn your face to the moonlight

Let your memory lead you

Open up enter in

If you find there the meaning of what happiness is

Then a new life will begin.

Memory

All alone in the moonlight

I can smile at the old days

I was beautiful then

I remember the time I knew what happiness was

Let the memory live again

Burnt out ends of smoky days

The stale cold smell of morning

The streetlamp dies, another night is over

Another day is dawning

Daylight

I must wait for the sunrise

I must think of a new life

And I musn't give in

When the dawn comes

Tonight will be a memory too

And a new day will begin" She sung. Quaxo had turned with the other cats and watched her. She collapsed, and Quaxo stretched a paw towards her. He slowly lowered it as she lay there, tears nearly forming in his eyes. He wanted to touch her…but dare he lose Tugger? Jemima cut in again.

"Sunlight

Through the trees in summer

Endless masquerading." Jemima sang.

"Like a flower as the dawn is breaking." Jemima and Griz sang together.

"The memory is fading!" Griz took over, pulling herself to her paws, and throwing out her arms.

"Touch me

It's so easy to leave me

All alone with the memory

Of my days in the sun

If you touch me

You'll understand what happiness is

Look, a new day has begun…" Grizabella sang softly. As she finished cats moved about at the fringes. Victoria glanced at Deut who nodded, before she hesitantly went out there towards Griz, who was hunched over miserably, her paw stretched behind her. Victoria rested her paw in Grizabella's and the old cat smiled, relief and happiness on every feature of her being. She turned to the young cat, and Victoria nuzzled Griz's paws. Then she handed them to Quaxo who had walked up behind her. He smiled gently at her, and she met his gaze with a million thank yous. He smiled and handed her to the next cat. Quaxo noticed Cassandra pulling Tugger out of the shadows, but he padded up onto the TSE-1. Then Griz arrived at Deut, and he bowed to her leading her to the Tire as the tribe sung. Quaxo observed as she walked up the stais, she glanced at Tugger. 'I'm so sorry Rums' she mouthed. Quaxo felt the instant change in the big main coon tom. His anger suddenly melted away and he blinked at her, dipping his head, without contempt or arrogance.

"Up up up past the Russell Hotel

Up up above to the Heaviside Layer

Up up up past the Russell Hotel

Up up above to the Heaviside Layer

Up up up past the Russell Hotel

Up up above to the Heaviside Layer

Up up up past the Russell Hotel

Up up above to the Heaviside Layer

Up up up past the Jellicle Moon

Up up above to the Heaviside Layer

Up up up past the Jellicle Moon

Up up above past the Heaviside Layer"

The Tire rose into the air, Quaxo's doing, after the two climbed upon it. Beautiful glowing and gleaming stairs descended from the sky and Deut helped Griz onto the first one. She looked back nervously, and Deut gestured for her to go. Griz hesitated once more, her eyes locking briefly with four cats…Tugger, Munkus…Demeter? And finally Quaxo. She blinked almost imperceptibly dipping her head with a little smile. Then she turned and walked up the stairs into the unkown. The stairs rose again as the tribe sang the last few notes.

"The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity

Round the cathedral rang "Vivat"

Life to the Everlasting Cat!" They sang, and with a puff of mist, she was gone. Quaxo gazed up, waving his paw with the others. And then she was gone. The tribe listened as Old Deuteronomy began singing the final song of the Jellicle ball.

"You've heard of several kinds of cat

And my opinion now is that

You should need to interpreter to understand our character

You've learned enough to take the view

That cats are very much like you

You've seen us both at work and games

And learnt about our proper names

Our habits and our habitat

But how would you ad - dress a cat

So first, your memory I'll jog

And say: A cat is not a dog!" Deut sung in his deep baritone voice.

"So first, your memory I'll jog

And say: A cat is not a dog" The tribe echoed.

"With cats, some say, one rule is true

Don't speak 'till spoken to

Myself I do not hold with that

I say, you should ad - dress a cat

But always bear in mind that he resents familiarity

You bow, and taking off your hat, ad - dress him in this form "O Cat"!

Before a cat will condescend

To treat you as a trusted friend

Some little token of esteem is needed, like a dish of cream

And you might now and then supply

Some caviar or Strassburg pie

Some potted grouse or salmon paste

He's sure to have his personal taste

And so in time you reach your aim

And call him by his name

A cat's entitled to expect

These evidences of respect

So this is this and that is that

And there's how you ad - dress a cat" Old Deuteronomy sang.

"A cat's entitled to expect these evidences of respect

So this is this, and that is that

And there's how you ad - dress a cat!" The tribe finished, as Old Deuteronomy lifted his forepaws high into the air, the cats below copying his movements. Then he bowed down and sunlight broke over the brim of the earth, pooling warmth and light on the tribe. Cats all gave small giddy laugh's and collapsed where they were standing, tired and laughing. Deut smiled and stood straight once more, as the Tire settled back into its spot. Quaxo panted but purred as the warmth of the sun touched his dark pelt. He changed easily back into himself. Deut rose as the cats got up and turned to him expectantly.

"Cats of the Jellicle Junkyard. We have had a very unexpected, yet successful ball. I congratulate our older members, whom have been here to experience a ball before, and welcome our new members. Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie, Coricopat, and Tantomile, Electra, Etcetera, Victoria, Tumblebrutus, Pouncival, Bill Bailey, Jemima, Cassandra, Exotica, and Quaxo. El, Etcy, Vicky, Tumble, Pounce, Bill, and Jemy were born into our tribe to various families, and are turning into fine young cats. Teazer, Jerrie, Cori, Tanto, Cassandra, Exotica, and Quaxo joined us this year by various circumstances. Teazer and Jerrie made their way here when they were very young and frightened, with no memory of their past and Jelly raised them with her own kits. Cori and Tanto also found us this year, less than half a year old, their parents killed by notorious Growltiger. Jenny took them under her wing, and both sets of twins have turned into wonderful and noble cats. Cassandra and Exotica made their way here at the beginning of the year, nearly starved, and coming from a past of abuse. Though they have been wronged they have also turned into exemplary Jellicle's. And Quaxo. He has come from a past that is very disturbing. His mother was abused, and she and his sisters died. He was left alone in a storm to die. And his father is Macavity. But despite this there could not be a more loyal and selfless cat. Tugger himself raised this young tom and he has turned out great as well. I, Old Deuteronomy, leader of the Jellice's call upon the Everlasting Cat to look down on these new additions. They have joined us, learned and obeyed our ways, and participated in the tradition and initiation that is the Jellicle Ball. Very few have what it takes, but these few do and I welcome them before you, in the fading light of your holy moon, and the blazing flames of your noble sun, and before the Jellicle Tribe. I pronounce each of these young cats a full and honorary Jellicle." Deut boomed. In the mingling silver light of the moon and the red light of the sun, the new cats stood before the tribe, their pelts glimmering. The remaining cats cheered loudly, and bowed to the young cats. Deut smiled.

"I know it is unusual a time for this but I have another announcement." Deut meowed. The tribe turned their faces to him. Munk sat just below his father next to Alonzo and blinked. "Jellicle cats. I am very old and fading fast. Though I am guaranteed to be reborn once more, I am too weak to make the journey back anymore. So beneath the still full Jellicle moon, and the fiery rays of the Jellicle sun, I name Munkustrap the Jellicle leader, and officially retire." Deut meowed.

Silence met his words.

OOOOH! Hope you guys enjoyed that! Of course I had to change a few small things. But this takes a peek beyond the ball. :) Was fun to write, but holy man that was a LOT of words! Seriously there are almost 19,000 words in this chapter alone. XD toooo much. *dies*