Well, it's been a fun journey but this is the finale! (Unless anyone wanted an epilogue but you would have to review for me to know, yes? =)
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own the story mentioned by Jemima (can't tell you at the moment what it is)
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Growing up isn't all fun and games – chapter 8
The next few weeks flew by Jemima so quickly that she could not help but freeze in surprise when her mother woke her up one young night, telling her the Jellicle ball would be in two days.
"Have you decided which tom you want to go with yet?" Demeter asked.
"No," Jemima mumbled. She had a faint idea who she wanted to pick but she wasn't entirely sure.
As the two cats made their way towards the junkyard, Jemima reflected the behaviors of the two toms.
Pounce was an extremely easygoing tom when he was with her. He did whatever Jemima wanted and sometimes gave up some of his individual time with her so they could start group games with the other kittens. He even invited Misto to play once, which greatly surprised to Jemima. Other times when they were alone, they would talk more about themselves or they would explore the junkyard looking for interesting things, like Pounce had said on their first day together. She found out many things about him, such as the fact that he had started liking her a little while after their first Jellicle ball, when he saw her singing softly to herself on a particularly bright night. She also realized that it was actually very exciting to look for things in the junkyard. The two them had managed to find an old tennis ball, an ancient Frisbee, a plastic cup, and other interesting things. Pounce had even found a baby blue ribbon, which he offered to Jemima. Overall, Pounce was a fun, easygoing and playful tom.
Misto was not quite as carefree as Pounce but he was very kind. Every morning of his days with Jemima, he would be found waiting at her door. He also gave her many options on things and quietly listened to her when she had something to say. They talked about many things, and Jemima discovered that he loved looking at the stars. He showed her more of his magic and taught her many things, such as the star constellations. They spent most of their time together away from everyone else, occasionally seeing a cat her and there. Jemima reflected that Misto was an intelligent and respectful cat.
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At the Junkyard, Misto and Pounce were waiting for Jemima's arrival. Though they mended some of their friendship for Jemima's sake, they still wouldn't talk to each other. The rest of the kittens were sitting quietly on the side, also waiting for Jemima. They had appointed themselves to make sure that Misto and Pounce wouldn't fight.
At this time, many things had happened in the lives of the Jellicle youngsters. All the kittens except for Jemima had turned into fully aged queens or toms. Victoria and Plato mated and Etcetera found a human nest. Electra, with Victoria's help, had mostly gotten over her crush on Misto. She was upset that she wouldn't have a date to the ball, because most of the cats were already paired up: Jelly & Asparagus, Jenny & Skimble, Alonzo & Cassandra, Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer, Munkustrap & Demeter, Coricopat & Tantomile, Admetus & Exotica, Victoria & Plato and Etcy & Tumble. Tugger simply wasn't an option and the other two toms were too busy trying to get Jemima's attention.
When Demeter and Jemima finally arrived, Demeter left to go find Bombalurina and Jemima approached Misto and Pounce. She said a cheerful hi to them, which they both enthusiastically returned. "So do you know who you're going to take to the Jellicle ball?" Pounce asked hopefully.
"Nope, I will tell you tomorrow," Jemima replied.
The trio of cats made their way to the rest of their friends. The young cats, still kittens at heart, pondered on what they were going to play. Etcetera suggested Truth or Dare again, which received several reactions. Jemima and Misto groaned at the sound of the game, Tumble, Victoria and Plato agreed enthusiastically, while Pounce and Electra stayed silent. The majority had decided, so that was the game they played. Since Jemima was the last cat to go last time, they decided that she would be the first to ask.
Jemima wanted to get revenge on the cat that started this so she said, "Etcy, truth or dare?"
Etcetera gulped and said, "Dare"
Jemima grinned evilly and said, "I dare you to steal Munkustrap's collar."
Etcetera gasped and said, "That's crazy! He'd kill me!"
Jemima smiled innocently and said, "No he wouldn't. You're the one who wanted to play the game remember?"
Etcetera huffed and set off to find the Jellicle protector. The cats patiently waited for her to return when they heard a furious, "ETCETRA! What in the name of the Everlasting cat are you doing?! We don't need another Rumpleteazer! Don't do that again!"
The cats saw a terrified Etcetera race back into the arms of Tumble who silently comforted her. "What happened?" he asked.
"He caught me trying to take his collar so he cuffed me on the head!"
"Hard?" Jemima questioned.
"No…" Etcetera mumbled.
"Well since you're not going to die, I think we should continue,' Victoria said.
"Fine," Etcetera huffed at the lack of sympathy and asked, "Electra, truth or dare?"
"Erm, truth."
"Okay, which tom did you like last?"
Electra glared at her sister and Victoria hissed at Etcy, "Are you that oblivious?"
Etcetera looked offended but said nothing and continued to stare at Electra. Jemima gave Electra a sympathetic look, who replied with a grim, "Misto"
Everyone except Victoria and Jemima started at her in shock. Misto looked guilty at the ground and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know." His eyes were begging for Electra to forgive him. She smiled sadly at him and said, "It's okay, thanks to Vicky, I'm over it."
Misto smiled in relief and the youngsters played truth or dare for the rest of the night. When it was time to go home, the cats said goodbye to each other and the junkyard was silent once more.
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At Jemima's house, Demeter and Jem were sitting on their bed. "So tomorrow you're going to pick you're mate. Who are you going to choose?"
Jemima looked at her mother and said, "I still can't say for sure."
Demeter smiled at her daughter and said, "I think this story might help you pick."
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When dusk had arrived again, Jemima smiled at her mother for the idea her she had given her. The two cats made it to the junkyard and Jemima squeaked a quick thanks and farewell to her mother before dashing off to Misto and Pounce. They were waiting for her in front of the old tire. When Jemima had stopped in front of the two toms, Pounce asked enthusiastically, "So who are you going to ask?"
Jemima smiled sadly at both of them and said, "I can't pick. So one of you is going to. You two can decide who will go with me, and who will leave me."
"What will happen if neither one of us wants to give you up?" Misto said quietly.
"Then you two will break my heart. Please decide."
"I'll never let you go! I said I'll always fight!" Pounce glared defiantly at Misto.
Jemima face turned into a mask of pain, which made Misto's heart break. He looked back and forth at Pounce and Jemima, contemplating what he should do. After half a minute, he sighed and said, "I…I truly do love you Jemima, but if it will cause you too much for me to continue fighting with Pounce, I…I…I'll go."
Jemima thought Misto's face would break due to the amount of pain it was showing. Pounce smirked winningly at Misto and began to do a triumphant dance, oblivious to Misto's heart-breaking pain. As Misto began to leave with a drooping tail, Jemima said softly, "Misto, I have a question for you."
Misto turned his dull eyes to Jemima and said in a deflated tone, "What?"
"Will you go to the Jellicle ball with me…as my mate?"
Misto's tail shot straight up and started at her with shocked eyes as big as the moon.
"What?!" Pounce demanded, "I thought you were going to ask me! I was the one who fought harder! I was the one who didn't leave you! Why in the name of the Everlasting cat are you asking him?!"
Jemima smiled at him and said, "It was your final test."
"Test? What test?!" Pounce shrieked.
"Have you ever heard the story of King Solomon?" Jemima said wisely.
"No. But how is that important?"
Jemima now addressed both toms and began re-telling the story her mother had told her the night before.
"King Solomon was a very wise king. The story of his wisdom starts when two mothers come before the king. The two mothers bring a child, and both claim that that child is theirs. So the king suggests that the living child be cut in half with a sword. However, the true mother reveals herself because she gives up the child, rather than having it killed. The king declares the woman who was willing to give up the child to be the true mother and she gets the child."
Jemima looked at the toms for a reaction before continuing, "So I applied his wisdom to my problem. I'm asking Misto to be my mate, because he's willing to break his own heart before he'll break mine. I think that proves that he truly loves me more."
Pounce looked baffled at he words before he spat, "So that it? I lose? You think just because of some stupid story, he loves you more?"
"No, I don't think. I know. I realise you like me too, but I know you don't love me. If you really loved me, you would give me up rather than see my heart break. I'm sorry if I hurt you but I know that you'll get over this. You a good tom Pounce, and I love you, but I love you as a brother and nothing more."
Pounce's expression was in between one of deep hatred and immense pain. After a minute he calmed down and said, "Although I don't agree with you, I can see that you love Misto and not me, so…I'll be going now."
He turned to Misto and said much to everyone's surprise, "Take care of her, and…good job. You win."
Pounce began trudging off towards the park but was stopped by Jemima, who gave him a quick nuzzle on the check and said, "I'm sorry, but I'm sure a queen will love you more than I ever could."
Pounce nodded sadly and continued on his way. Jemima watched his go with sad eyes but felt warm arms wrap around her. She then burst into tears and all Misto could do was hold her while she sobbed painfully. When she finally stopped, Misto asked, "Do you regret choosing me?"
Jemima smiled at him and said, "No, I know I made the right choice. He was never meant for me. So what do you say to my question?"
Misto grinned and said, "Of course! I'd love to go with the Jellicle ball with you as your mate."
For the first time ever, Jemima was the first to start a kiss with a tom. She knew right then and there, there would be nothing sweeter in the world than Misto's lips. His grin got wider as he kissed her back. When they broke apart, they were approached by Munkustrap and Demeter. "I knew it! I knew you were going to choose Misto," Demeter laughed, seeing the embarrassment on her daughter's face.
"Good job!" Munkustrap said slyly to Misto, who turned crimson.
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In the park, Pounce was silently cry under the same tree Jemima had weeks ago. Since he was so absorbed in his pain, he didn't notice Electra quietly creeping under the tree to sit beside him. She put a paw on his shoulder and comforted him until his sobs receded.
"What's wrong?" Electra asked quietly, although she had a strong feeling of what the answer was.
"I lost. Je…Jemima picked Misto." Pounce replied, his voice breaking on "Jemima".
"Why? Did you do something mean?"
"No! She gave us another test, which I apparently failed."
Electra remained quiet but started to gently stroke Pounce's shoulder with her paw. Pounce sighed and said quietly, "I really did love her, but I guess it wasn't enough. I was really hoping to mate with her during the Jellicle ball tomorrow. Now, not only have I lost Jemima, but I'm left dateless to the ball!"
Electra regarded her friend and said slowly, "Maybe you'll have more luck next year."
"Yeah, I just wanted to prove to Tumble that I'm not totally a goofball. I wanted to prove to everyone that even someone as silly as me can be loving and caring towards someone. I guess I'm still just a silly goofball to everyone's eyes."
Pounce sighed once again and put his head on his paws. He remembered Electra was there and mumbled, "So who are you going with?"
Electra said sadly, "No one."
Pounce sat up surprised and said, "Why?"
Electra sighed and said, "How I am suppose to get a mate? I'm not pretty like Victoria or Jemima. I can't dance like Victoria or sing like Jemima. I'm not as playful and energetic as my sister. I'm just a boring young queen."
Pounce smiled at her and said, "I don't think you're boring. You're nothing like Victoria, Jemima or Etcetera, because you're you. I hope you'll keep it that way."
Electra smiled shyly at him and said, "Thanks Pounce, but I'm still dateless for the ball."
"Well there must be some other tom out there."
"Like who?"
"Um, how about…about…about…um…"
Electra raised her eyebrows at him so he sighed and said, "Okay fine, I see your point. But I'm dateless to, so we're in this mess together."
"Well, I'm sure there's an available queen. How about Bombalurina?"
Pounce gave her a look that said Are you on catnip? Electra giggled and said, "Okay, fine, that wasn't a good suggestion but the whole junkyard can't be paired up!"
"Then you find me a single tom or queen, besides Tugger and Bomba, 'cause they don't really count."
"Good point. Well I guess we'll be the only ones."
The two cats sat in silence and misery, until Pounce could not help but stare at Electra. He noticed that even though she wasn't beautiful, she had a well kept body and a cute face. When she caught him staring at her, he blushed and mumbled, "The moonlight looks good on your fur."
Electra also blushed and said shyly, "Thanks."
He stared into her eyes and noticed that they were a bright shade of green. They both stared at each other for a while before Pounce felt a gravitational like pull towards Electra's face. Slowly, he leaned his face into hers and touched his lips to hers. When they broke apart, Electra asked quietly, "What was that for?"
"I um, don't really know. Instinct I guess."
"Instinct?"
"Yeah, your face just captivated me and I couldn't resist," Pounce grinned.
"You cheeky tom!" Electra snarled playfully before pouncing on Pounce. The two cats began play wrestling until Pounce managed to get on top of Electra and pin her down. The two cats stared at each other and once again, Pounce felt that gravitational pull. He leaned down and gently kissed Electra once more. This time, she kissed him back and when it ended, Electra noticed that Pounce's eyes were shinning. "Are you okay?" Electra asked in concern, think that he was about to cry again.
"I've never been better," Pounce grinned, "Would you like to go the ball with me?"
Electra gasped and said, "What about Jemima?"
Pounce's eye's lost a little bit of its shine but he said confidently, "I know she's never going to love me more than a brother. She said that another queen would make me happier than she possibly could. I just never guessed I'd find you this soon!"
Electra, still confused, said slowly, "Are you sure you want this? Isn't it a bit soon?"
Pounce grinned and said, "I've never been surer in my life!"
With that, the two kissed yet again and when they were done, they played tag for the rest of the night. Behind a bush, Jemima and Misto watched the happy pair chase each other around, having a grand time. Jemima purred and licked Misto on the shoulder, saying, "I made the right choice."
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Huh, I didn't see THAT ending coming. For my first Fanfic, I'm happy. If you don't like the parings then I apologise. If you read my profile, I'm sure you would have predicted who Jemima was going to choose. =)
Anyways, if you want an epilogue, then I guess I'll know by your reviews =)
DNDK 38
