A/N: This is mainly just centered on the last part of chapter 12.

Forever Until Now

Chapter 13;; Vision

"We saw a heart, struggling to go on after being treated so terribly."

"Don't hurt her… I won't let you!"

"Oh, Heaviside!" Macavity let out a grunt as he took the full force of Plato's stare. He retaliated quickly, his golden eyes flaring, and the two toms engaged in a mental battle, both breathing heavily. The Jellicles stared in utter awe at what was going on between them, and Deuteronomy let out a groan.

"This is meant to be kept secret," he said under his breath.

Just then, Plato let out a terrible cry of pain. He twisted away as Macavity stared him down, swearing loudly.

"Still too weak," Macavity taunted.

Plato snarled in fury and turned around. "Shut up!" His eyes seemed to have dulled slightly, but just because he was exhausted mentally didn't mean he was out of ways to attack Macavity. Putting his all into the movement, Plato flew across the Junkyard, shouting defiantly. Macavity's lips pulled up in satisfaction. His expression turned malicious. As Plato skidded to a stop in horror, Macavity gripped the knife tightly.

"I'm sorry, Victoria," he breathed gently into the white queen's ear. She stiffened, her eyes opening, just as Macavity slashed the deadly knife into her throat, the blood soaking into her pure white fur as she slowly went limp.

The Jellicles let out cries of horror as the life faded from her bright, green eyes.

Green eyes. Victoria had blue eyes, not green eyes. No, not had… she has blue eyes. She was still alive – she couldn't be dead. Etcetera couldn't accept that she was dead. Not by Macavity's own hand…

Before the murder…

Victoria and Alyana rushed back to the spot where they had promised to be waiting, following their own scents from beforehand. "Dammit, I hope we get back in time," Alyana muttered, quickening her pace. Breathing heavily, Victoria bounded forward to keep up with the other white queen. She knew there wasn't any question of asking to slow down a little.

Finally, Alyana skidded to a stop, and Victoria recognized the old sofa she'd been sitting on before. Hurriedly, she leapt up and tried to look as if she'd been resting there the whole time. It was difficult when she was so out of breath.

Macavity came only moments later, tail dragging in the dust behind him. Alyana made a noise of annoyance and rushed towards him. "Don't do that!" she scolded, lifting up his tail. "You'll get your tail dirty!" At once, she began to clean it thoroughly, and Macavity let out a long sigh.

"Thanks, Aly, but I don't need that," he muttered. "Not where I'm going."

"You have to leave the Jellicles, don't you?" Alyana said sympathetically, still cleaning his tail. After a few moments, she looked it over and deemed it clean. "Hold it up! Be proud! You're Macavity the Mystery Cat! The Jellicles are afraid of you… you should be proud of that!"

"Yeah, no." Macavity's voice was flat. "Proud to have so many frightened? What normal cat would feel that way?"

Alyana made a 'tsk' noise. "You are not a normal cat, Macavity. Accept it. You have been granted a bigger and better destiny."

"How can you be so sure?" Macavity asked warily.

"I can sense it," Alyana purred. "Trust me… you're going to go far. And you don't need the Jellicles to do that." She wrapped her arms around him. "Take me, Macavity. Wherever you plan to go, I'm coming with you. Together, we can be great!" Her eyes were shining at the thought.

"I suppose," Macavity said, untangling the white cat from himself and placing her a distance away. She didn't give up. Gosh, she's persistent, Victoria thought to herself.

"Macavity, you're going to take me with you. I can help you," she insisted. "You could… you could lead a tribe! A different tribe." She smiled encouragingly at him. "A better tribe. One that accepts you for who you are. It could be bigger, greater… and we could be together and no one would care." She rubbed herself up against him seductively, and Victoria shifted awkwardly.

"Hmm. I could get revenge on the Jellicles," Macavity mused. "Good idea, Aly. I think I will go through with it." He turned to Victoria. "Victoria, why don't you become the first member of my new, great tribe?"

"N-no… I couldn't." She looked away, doubt clouding her eyes. "I can't leave the Jellicles, Macavity." But in actuality, the idea was very appealing to her. She wasn't quite sure why, but it had a lot to do with pulling herself away from Plato. She just wanted to forget him and move on, because obviously, that was what he had done.

"You want to, don't you?" Macavity said quietly. He leapt up to sit next to her on the sofa, and Alyana quickly followed. They sat on either side of her, and she instinctively made herself as small as possible. "You want to come with us."

"I… I don't want to, you know…" Victoria blushed. "Interrupt anything romantic going on…" She giggled nervously.

"Oh, that's okay, darling," Alyana smiled. "You really think you're going to get in the way of that?" She looked fondly at Macavity.

"That doesn't matter," the red tom assured Victoria. "Come on. You're really dying to get away from the Jellicles, aren't you?"

Victoria lowered her head. "Yeah," she admitted reluctantly. "I am." Macavity smiled in satisfaction.

"Then come," he urged her. "You'll be happy!"

Victoria wasn't so sure about that. She wasn't sure she could ever feel completely happy again, not without Plato. But Macavity was offering her the chance to escape her troubles… even if she was a bit frightened to be around him. Alyana didn't seem so bad, though. She could probably handle him as long as the other white queen was around. And she could always leave if things weren't working out…

"Okay," she decided finally. "I'll come with you."

Macavity smiled one of those creepy smiles that put Victoria on edge. "Great. I'm glad to hear it."

"Our tribe is already growing," Alyana purred, moving to give Macavity a kiss. Victoria, who was in between the pair, made a sound of protest.

"Can that wait?" she cried. "I don't want to be stuck in the middle of this!"

Alyana let out a laugh. "No, I suppose not."

"My problem is," Victoria began, "The Jellicles won't be so eager to see me go. What can I tell them?"

"Actually, Victoria," Macavity smirked. "I've got that all figured out. You won't have to tell them anything."

"Huh?"

"Just leave it to us," Macavity promised. Victoria nodded along warily as he explained the details of his plan. "I'll pretend to kidnap you," he explained. "If you don't want to do it, Alyana here can do that."

"Oh, sure thing!" Alyana grinned. Anything to please Macavity, huh? Victoria thought.

"Alright," Victoria sighed. "Can I say bye to my friends?"

Macavity shook his head. "They'll get suspicious. Just wait here. We'll be back in no time." He took Alyana's paw and led her in the direction of the Junkyard.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Victoria murmured, shaking her head sadly. She knew she'd miss Jemima especially… what would the calico queen think of her? And Plato… she shook her head fervently. She had to stop thinking about him. But it was impossible… the image of his shimmering green eyes just kept returning to her head.

"I just want to see them all one more time." With that, Victoria stood and followed Alyana and Macavity to the Junkyard. She was afraid to disobey Macavity, but the urge to just see the Jellicles, the Junkyard for the last time… she couldn't resist it. It can't hurt to just look, right?

When she got to the Junkyard, she saw a scene that was comfortingly friendly to her. The Jellicles were scattered about the Junkyard, many sitting together and just talking. It made Victoria's heart ache to think that she was giving it all up – her life had been so wonderful. Her talks with Jemima, Electra… and though she hated to admit it, Etcetera had been a good friend. Had been. But after seeing her with Plato, Victoria knew that she would hate her forever. It didn't matter if they were related.

Misto was showing Tugger one of his tricks, and the egotistical tom was watching with a sparkle of interest in his eyes. Bombalurina, Demeter and Munkustrap were sprawled out on the TSE1, Demeter and Munkustrap grooming each other while Bombalurina watched Tugger broodingly. Alonzo and Cassandra were speaking with Jemima – Alonzo seemed to be pulling the calico's tail. Cassandra watched with a jealous edge to her eye. Victoria realized that the black and white tom was losing interest in the Abyssinian, and inwardly wished Jemima luck. Etcetera was… sitting with Plato. Victoria's eyes quickly passed over them, but she kept feeling drawn back to Plato. He was so amazing… his green eyes were glowing as he listened to Etcetera speak. Sure, it made Victoria feel sick, but she felt sick in a good way if she focused on his eyes.

No, she told herself firmly. Just look away. She saw Electra with Pouncival and Tumblebrutus – the three appeared to be playing a game of Truth or Dare. Victoria shifted her paws wistfully, memories of many games with her friends seeping into her head. Those were the good days… Jennyanydots and Jellylorum were scolding Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Victoria could hear their heavily accented voices faintly from where she was hidden. She chuckled at the scene.

There weren't any other cats in the Junkyard – Victoria figured that Skimbleshanks was at the station and Deuteronomy barely ever spent his time at the Junkyard anyway. The others were probably just out hunting, or something of the like.

"Victoria."

"AH!" Victoria let out a yelp and spun to face the source of the voice. Oh, them. Two almost identical faces peered at her suspiciously – Tantomile and Coricopat, the mysterious 'psychic' twins. Tantomile was the one who had spoken, but now Coricopat opened his mouth.

"Victoria, you-"

"-are planning something, are you not?" Tantomile smiled eerily as she finished her brother's sentence with ease. Victoria gulped and smiled shakily. She found the twins a little creepy, if she was going to be honest. The way they always seemed to finish off each other's sentences… it was odd. Still, the pair were highly respected because of their psychic powers, so Victoria amended to listen closely to them.

"Yeah. I am," she admitted, knowing that she couldn't lie to them. Coricopat shook his head.

"We do not know what you are doing," he began.

"Nor will we ask," Tantomile finished.

"But we have come to warn you-"

"Of what we saw." Both cats had solemn looks on their faces.

"Okay?" Victoria said warily, a questioning note in her voice.

"We saw regret." Tantomile began. I'm already regretful…

"We saw tears rolling down white cheeks." That'd be me, right? Victoria thought.

"We saw blood upon the fur of a pure white cat." Me again?

"We saw a poor soul, trapped in its own frozen prison." Frozen prison?

"We saw golden eyes. Terrible, golden eyes." Macavity…

"And we saw emerald green eyes, flashing with pain." No…Plato?

"We saw an endless mass white cats." What… white cats? Endless white cats?

"We saw a heart, struggling to go on after being treated so terribly." A broken heart…

"And lastly, we saw your sister… dead." No… what the hell?

"That doesn't sound like such a happy vision," Victoria sighed. "And it's meant for me?"

"We believe so," Coricopat affirmed. "There is a certain feel to it that signifies that you are heavily involved. Be very careful, Victoria."

"However… our visions aren't always set in stone. There is a chance for you to change the future that has been outlined for you," Tantomile smiled.

"I can change it?" Victoria asked hopefully. "Maybe so that it's…happy?"

"Yes. It's all up to you, Victoria," Coricopat said.

"I hope you don't make the wrong choice," Tantomile sighed. "It would be displeasing if Etcetera's death really came about."

"It sure would," Victoria muttered, not so sure about that herself. Don't tell me I end up killing her out of jealousy… I don't want to end up a murderer… "It would be pretty displeasing if any of what you said came about, actually. Can't I just… not want it to happen or something?"

"It is not-"

"Quite that easy," Coricopat said warningly. "Our visions may waver and change slightly but-"

"It will be the still basically be what happens."

"Oh crap," Victoria mumbled.

"So as we said,"

"Be very careful."

"Take care, Victoria," Coricopat smiled.

"Be happy. Well, try," Tantomile said as she followed her brother off to wherever they spent their time having various visions.

"Oh crap," Victoria mumbled again. "Have I made the wrong choice, going with Macavity?" But there was no going back now. She let out a gasp as Alyana entered the Junkyard, face lowered so that no one would suspect her of being someone else. And the Jellicles believed her façade. They thought that she was Victoria.

All of a sudden, Macavity was right behind her, pressing a knife up against her throat. Victoria's eyes widened and she moved forward just slightly to get a better look. She knew that if she moved too close, she'd reveal herself and ruin everything, but she needed to see the action. Cats were panicking everywhere, crying out and freezing up. And Macavity just stood there with a smirk as Alyana pretended to faint in his arms. Victoria personally thought that both cats were thoroughly enjoying tricking the Jellicles, but she couldn't be sure from her distance.

"Well, Jellicles? Does this sight please you? Hm?" Macavity's voice rang out clearly. Victoria wished he'd just hurry up and 'kidnap' Alyana so that the Jellicles wouldn't suspect anything. They may have fallen for it, but they weren't stupid. It was a good thing that Alyana resembled Victoria so closely, but if she opened her eyes…A lyana had green eyes, not blue like Victoria. Everything would be ruined.

"MUNKUSTRAAAAAAAAAAP!" Etcetera shrieked, shocking Victoria. Etcetera had always been the one to scream for help…

Munkustrap tried, and then Demeter tried. Nothing would sway the red tom. Victoria thought he even actually hurt Alyana at one point, but she wasn't sure. She was too far away to see everything properly.

Then Deuteronomy appeared on the scene. Victoria realized that Misto must have run off to fetch help, which made her smile sadly. Misto was such a good tom… she would miss his friendship almost as dearly as Jemima's. But in the end, Deuteronomy's words barely did anything to effect Macavity. He stood, Alyana hoisted up in his arms, the knife gleaming horribly at her throat. Hurry up! Victoria screamed inwardly. She just wanted to leave.

That is, she wanted to go until she saw Plato. He was pulling away from Etcetera, who was clutching vainly at his arms, trying to hold him back. He gave her an odd look and shook his head, making her flinch away.

Plato… Victoria thought sadly. Are you going to stop him?

She was frightened at what she would see next. From what she'd heard, Plato had some sort of power and she was afraid that it would make him a monster like Macavity. She didn't want that. She only wanted to gaze into his emerald eyes forever… an impossible dream, of course.

"Stop it, Macavity… are you really going to hurt her?" Victoria held her breath, her eyes shining. He was going to rescue her… sure, she wasn't really the one 'in danger', but it was the thought of him trying to protect her that made her heart leap. The sound of his voice, ringing out so defiantly…Victoria almost swooned.

"Bast…don't tell me you broke free?" Macavity growled. Broke free? Broke free from what…? What's Macavity talking about? Victoria's eyes widened as she craned her head for a better look.

"Don't hurt her…I won't let you!"

"Oh, Heaviside!"

PLATO! Victoria's breath quickened as she stared at the two toms. They weren't making any physical contact, but she could feel the power radiating from between them. They were having some sort of deadly battle… and Macavity was winning. But the way their eyes glowed entranced Victoria. She couldn't look away.

When Plato finally gave in, he let out a dreadful noise, one that made Victoria's fur stand on end. "Oh Plato," she murmured aloud, her heart aching for him. She saw that Etcetera was standing up, yelling support for him, and bitterly, Victoria wished that she could do the same. She wanted Plato to win.

"Still too weak," she heard Macavity taunt. Anger flared out within her at that. He is not weak.

Plato let out a snarl and rose to his paws. He was shaking, but he still had the gall to yell, "Shut up!" and leap forward. Victoria couldn't help but admire his bravery as he bounded towards Macavity. That was when Victoria realized that Plato had stuffed up, because Macavity was smiling. That very smile was enough to make Victoria quiver in terror. His eyes were dark, his smile vicious. He caressed Alyana gently before moving the knife across her throat, the silvery light bouncing off onto the queen's pure white fur. She stiffened, her green eyes opening, just as Victoria saw the blood blossoming out on her neck.

NO! How… how could he even…? Victoria suppressed the urge to run out and confront Macavity. He was deadly… she couldn't go with him. No way. He was mad. Utterly mad. He'd just killed the cat he'd claimed to love. A beautiful, good cat. Alyana… I'm so sorry!

The Jellicles were screaming in distress and grief as Macavity grinned up at them, a strange look in his eye. Victoria flinched in repulsion at the joyful light in his eyes. That terrible cat!

"Jellicles… think of this as a farewell present," he smiled, winking. He waved the bloodied knife around, droplets of blood flying through the air as he did so. Then, he twisted round and disappeared into thin air, taking the limp body of Alyana with him. No… Victoria thought.

Cats were rushing out to the spot where Macavity had just been. Many of them were in hysterics, and Victoria spotted tears glistening in numerous pairs of eyes. She brushed a paw against her heart, touched that they cared so much. Of course, she wasn't actually dead… she had to show them. She had to stay away from Macavity. He was mad. She couldn't be around him.

Just then, she felt an arm wrapping securely around her neck. "Victoria… you don't mean to say that you're not coming with me?"

Victoria opened her mouth to scream, but no sound emerged. A red paw had reached up to cover her mouth, stifling any sound she wanted to make. Tears began stinging in her eyes, but it was no use. He'd gotten to her too quickly… and now, she was in trouble.

Everlasting Cat, help me…