Part 7

A few months later Bombalurina gave birth to a princess, who was named Electra, the father was Tugger and she wasn't the only new kittens. Jenny gave birth to a tom and a queen. They were named Pouncival and Etcetera. Pouncival and Tumblebrutus became best friends and were very mischievous. That day they decided to leave the yard… unsupervised.

"This is fun", Pouncival grinned as they were looking through some garbage. "No grownies to tell us what to do."

"Yeah… Hey Pounce…"

"Yeah?" Pouncival looked down at his friend from the garbage can.

"Do you know where we are?"

"What?! I thought you were leading the way!"

"And I thought you were leading the way!"

Suddenly they heard a dark growl behind them and they turned to stare at their second protector Safir.

"You two", he growled. "Are so grounded."

"Safir", they exclaimed and hurried over to him and hugged his legs.

"What the…?"

"We got lost Safir", Tumblebrutus said. "We're sorry."

"Yes we're really, really sorry", Pouncival said.

"Not as sorry as you will be when Jenny and Jelly hears about this", Safir grumbled and got out of their grip. "Didn't you think they'd be worried about you?"

"We… didn't think."

"Well that's too bad because they will have a lot to say about this. Do you know that you are both out of Jellicle territory?"

They shook their heads sadly.

"We're not even on Macavity's territory."

"Then", Tumblebrutus asked softly. "Where are we?"

"You two mischievous little monsters have wandered across town! We're on Stray territory."

"Then", Pouncival asked and looked at him.

"What are you doing here?"

Safir was about to continue his speech. But Pouncival's question caught him off guard.

"Yeah", Tumble asked. "I thought Munkustrap told us not to bother the Strays."

"I-I wasn't bothering them… I was looking for them."

"Why?"

"Just because."

"That's not an answer."

"Don't ask so many questions. I didn't find them anyway so come on let's go."

"Oh are you leaving already", a voice said and they turned to see three pollicles cut off their way out of the alley. "Too bad we would love it if you stayed for dinner."

"What are we having", Pouncival grinned.

"You." The dog barked and leapt but was cut off by a lightning. It struck the ground before the dog's nose and it yelped in terror and turned around. Safir and the kittens saw a kitten in Plato's age standing behind the dogs. He tossed a small lightning between his paws.

"I think you should apologize to these three cats", it said and grinned. He was black all over except for a white patch on his chest. "Do it then leave or get fried."

"Oh you think so short stuff", the dog growled as he and his friends started to circle the little magic cat. "What are you gonna do about it?"

The cat grinned and with a poof of smoke he grew to be as tall as a human. The dogs screamed in terror and ran. Safir looked behind the big cat and saw the kitten standing behind it moving his paws in small patterns. Then with another poof the illusion was gone.

"Cool", Pouncival said and ran over to him with Tumblebrutus.

"That's the most awesome thing I've ever seen", Tumble grinned from ear to ear. "How'd you do it?"

"I… I… Uh…"

"What's your name?"

"…"

What?"

"Mistofelees."

"Cool I'm Tumblebrutus, this is my best friend Pouncival and that-"

He was interrupted when Safir threw himself at the little cat in a blur of black, almost blue fur. He pinned the kitten to the ground and hissed at it.

"Safir what are you doing", Pouncival yelled and tried to push him off of Mistofelees.

"He's a magic cat", Safir growled. "They are all evil."

"But he saved our lives", Tumble pointed out.

"That is some kind of trick! He'll kill us."

With a flash of light the kitten disappeared from Safir's grasp.

"I wouldn't do that", came his voice from the roof and Safir hurried up ready to fight. But the kitten was nowhere in sight.

"What the…" he looked around and then down in the alley and hissed. The magical cat was curled up near the fire his lightning had started. Safir hurried down.

"I'm not evil", came the small voice from the fire but the kitten was gone.

"Where are you", Safir growled and looked up at the roof when a shadow fell over him. He saw the kitten peer over the edge. Safir hissed darkly.

"Safir stop", Pouncival said and tried to push the angry tom back. He surprised the tom so this twirled around, claws bared and he caught Pouncival's cheek. Pouncival shrieked in pain and crawled over to Tumble and hid behind him. Both kittens cowered back from him.

"Kits", he said softly. "I'm sorry I thought you were that thing."

They didn't dare look at him. Safir growled and turned to glare at the magical cat when this appeared from the shadows.

"This is your fault!" he roared and jumped at him. But something slammed into him and when he got to his paw he saw a white and black tom stand protectively in front of the magical cat. Crouched down and ready to pounce with his claws and teeth bared.

"Alonzo", Safir asked and then heard other deep growls and saw the other Strays surround them, well one was missing he figured. Because he couldn't see the other kitten Alonzo had taken care of.

"Mio", Alonzo asked without letting his eyes leave Safir. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah Zo I'm fine."

"What happened?"

"Three Pollicles were going to eat them Zo. I tricked them and then he attacked me!"

The strays hissed, growled and swiped in the air with their claws angrily.

"Anything you want to say to your defense Safir", Alonzo said darkly.

"Alonzo I don't know what spell those things have put on you-"

"No spell!" Alonzo yelled furious now.

"-but you have to come to your senses. Old Deuteronomy told us that all magical cats are evil."

"If Mio and Q were evil", Exotica said just as darkly as Alonzo. "Then why did they help us to save Demeter? It would never have worked if they didn't."

"They're tricking you… Now Alonzo step aside and let me finish it off."

"Take one step closer and the kittens are history", Admetus growled and Safir turned in horror to see Admetus and Coricopat holding the Jellicle kittens, claws at their throats.

"Is this the thank you we get for helping out", Alonzo continued. "Ad, Ori let the kittens go. These dirty cats aren't worth our time." Alonzo turned around. But when he did he came face to face with none other than Macavity. The ginger tom had snuck up on him planning to slit his throat.

"Macavity", Alonzo hissed.

"Well hello there Zo", Macavity grinned. "So this is where you hid out when your friends were fighting me. What a coward you turned out to be."

"I was not a coward! I used my head."

"For once", he could swear he heard Tantomile say to Exotica.

"Macavity", Safir yelled and ran up to Alonzo's side. "You'll pay for what you did to Demeter!"

"Oh please go and play with a ball of yarn kitten", Macavity mocked.

Safir hissed and made ready to pounce. Alonzo saw the grim smile on Macavity's face.

"Saf no!" he yelled but too late. Safir flew at the Napoleon of crime. The biggest mistake he'd ever done or would ever do. Macavity had hold a power line behind his back and when Safir got to him he pushed it into the Jellicle's body.

"No", the grownup Strays and Jellicle kittens yelled.

Blinded by the bright light and deefened by Safir's piercing scream the Strays fell to the ground. Coricopat and Admetus protected the kittens they'd been holding while Alonzo did the same for Misto. When Alonzo opened his eyes he felt that he ached everywhere. The electricity had hit them all.

"Everlasting cat", he said between gritted teeth. "Everyone okay?"

He got different gasp, grunts and curses from the grownups.

"I take that as a yes and no."

"What happened", Pouncival asked and then gasped. "Safir!"

They all turned and saw the oldest tom in the alley twitch and gasp in pain. His fur was burnt and to the grownups it was obvious he was dying.

"Ad, Ori keep them back", he ordered and limped over.

"A-Alonzo", Safir stuttered out. "Forgive me."

"Sh Safir we can help you."

"N-no… "

"What?"

"Alonzo please… I don't want to… a-and I attacked your kitten."

"I'm not going to let you die. Mio can heal you."

"No! I don't want him to!"

"You stubborn idiot are you going to leave your daughter alone?!"

"N-not my daughter."

"Huh?"

"F-Flinga cheated on me."

"But she thinks you're her father."

"No… no she never did. To Victoria I'm just another tom."

"Safir…" Alonzo felt tears sting his eyes and noticed how the twins came towards them. He pulled back and helped Admetus hold Pouncival and Tumblebrutus away.

"Safir", the twins spoke in unison. "You've been like a father to us. Please do not give up now."

Safir smiled and caressed their cheeks. "I can die in peace knowing you two are safe under the leadership of Alonzo. Tell Munkustrap and Mistofelees I am sorry."

With that Safir left for the Heaviside layer.

"This is impossible", Munkustrap grumbled. "Where are they and Safir! I sent him out hours ago!"

"To do what exactly", Tugger asked.

"Nothing important."

"Munkustrap I'm your brother… I know when you lie."

"Fine", Munkustrap grumbled.

But he didn't say anything more.

"Hello", Tugger said and yanked in his tail.

"What?"

"Fine? There must be something more."

"I said fine. I never said anything about telling you."

Asparagus watched them and rolled his eyes. He'd sworn not to tell them where the Strays' home yard was so Munkustrap had surely sent Safir out to find it.

"MUNKUSTRAP", came and ear piercing scream and the entire tribe came out and saw the two lost kittens run towards him as fast as their legs could carry them. "MUNKUSTRAP!"

Munkustrap almost fell over when the kittens latched themselves onto him and bawled.

"What in the name of the Everlasting cat is going on", Jenny asked and the tribe got closer to them.

"Pouncival, Tumblebrutus", Munkustrap said and they looked up at him.

"Munk", Hugo panted as he came from the gate he'd been guarding. "'ey were too fas' for me to ca'ch. Ran loike hell foire were af'er 'em 'ey did."

"It's okay Hugo. Something's just scared them. Now tell me what."

"Munkustrap", came another voice and they turned and saw Alonzo. His face was solemn and his eyes sad.

"Alonzo what…" Skimble began but then they all saw that the leader of the Strays was carrying something. "What is that?"

"No", Hugo said and shook his head and tears started to form in his eyes. "No no no." He shook his head. Tears escaped Alonzo's eyes and he merely nodded. "NO!" Hugo ran over and took the limp form in his arms. "SAFIR!"

The tribe gasped.

"Jenny, Jelly", Munkustrap ordered. "Keep the kittens back." Then he hurried over. Hugo was sitting on the ground and cradled Safir in his arms all the while crying. Safir's fur was smelling of smoke and was burnt at the edges it was also much blacker and not the usual shimmering dark blue-black. His eyes were closed and there were no sign of life.

"No, no, no, no, no" Hugo said between sobs. "Ya tol' me ya woul'n' leave me alone Saf. Ya promise' ya woul'n'. Come on Safir open yeh oies please… please."

The grown toms, Cassandra and Bombalurina was at his side while Mungo, Teazer and Demeter helped Jenny and Jelly with the kittens.

"What's going on", Victoria asked. "Why isn't Safir awake?"

"Your father", Jelly began.

"He's not my daddy. Mommy told me so. My daddy's name was Snow-white."

"Safir", Jenny said and felt tears go down her cheeks. "Is dead."

"Dead", Victoria's eyes went big. "How, when?"

"That's what I'd like to know", Tugger growled and went over to Alonzo and pulled the Stray leader close to his face. "What did you do to him?" Alonzo just glared at him with eyes red after tears. "Answer me!"

"Tugger let him go", Munkustrap ordered.

"Not until he answers me Munkustrap. His kitten can shoot lightning! That's what happened isn't it?" Alonzo didn't answer and Tugger shook him. "ISN'T IT!"

"Tugger let go", Asparagus yelled and he and Munkustrap pried him off of the Stray leader. "Alonzo what happened?"

"We", Pouncival said and everyone turned to look at him. "We were having a bit of fun Munkustrap sir. Me and Tumble. We got to an alley and we realized we didn't know where we were."

"Safir found us", Tumblebrutus said. "He told us we'd get in big trouble and then three pollicles appeared. They were going to eat us."

"Then whoosh", Pouncival said. "A lightning hit the ground before one of them."

"There was a kitten behind them, in Plato's age. Black with a white patch on his chest."

"He did something that made a copy of him as big as a human."

"We thanked him and got his name."

"Mistofelees."

"And then Safir attacked him. "

"He tricked Safir a few times."

"Then when Safir flew at him again that guy", Tumble pointed at Alonzo. "Came out and tackled him."

"There were four more cats, two queens and two toms", Pouncival cut in. "They all protected the magic cat."

"Then Macavity appeared", Alonzo said and everyone looked at him. "He'd snuck up behind me to… kill me. Safir ran to my side and jumped at him." Alonzo bowed his head. "And Macavity fried him with the power line he was holding behind his back."

"He tried to stop Safir", Tumble said.

"Who", Munkustrap asked and the kittens pointed at Alonzo.

"He didn't listen", Alonzo said. "He wanted us to tell you that he was sorry Munkustrap."

"Us?"

Alonzo looked behind his back and two Siamese cats appeared.

"Cori", Cassandra breathed. "Tanta?"

They nodded.

"Safir was our father", they spoke. "We wanted to make sure he arrived home safely."

"Thank you for that", Munkustrap looked at Alonzo. "It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was", Tugger said and jumped at the patched tom.

Alonzo jumped out of the way and Tugger swiped at him.

"Tugger have you lost your mind", Bombalurina exclaimed.

"It's his fault Lina!"

"How", Asparagus said.

"He brought those kittens here", Tugger growled and started to circle Alonzo. "He saved their lives so they could live on. Hadn't it been for them Safir would be alive!" He jumped at Alonzo again but yet again the patched tom jumped out of the way.

"Are you as stupid as you look", he asked as his patience started to leave. "Hadn't it been for Mio and Q Demeter wouldn't even be here."

"Keep her out of this", Munkustrap hissed.

"No because it's the truth Munk", Alonzo dodged Tugger's claws. "Do you really want to fight me Tugger?"

"What does it look like stray?!" Tugger roared and jumped at him again. This time Alonzo brought up his knee and caught Tugger in the chest.

"Tugger", Bombalurina exclaimed as the manned tom sank to his knees holding his stomach.

"Do you really want to fight", Alonzo asked again. "Then come on."

Tugger rose and hissed dangerously.

"Tugger", Munkustrap yelled. "Stop this now."

"Alonzo", Tantomile put a paw on his arm. "Let's go."

Alonzo snorted at Tugger before turning to leave.

"Yeah that's right", Tugger yelled. "Just run ya coward. You strays are all the same. You can't face your faults and you always run."

A gasp went through the Jellicles as Alonzo twirled around and jumped at Tugger. The next thing they heard was the sound of something hitting metal. They saw that Alonzo was pressing Tugger up against the old oven. He was only using one paw and held it around Tugger's throat. The other he pulled back and stroke, with his claws out. The queens shrieked in horror and Tugger had closed his eyes. When he opened them he found that Alonzo's paw was inches from his face, buried in the metal behind him. Alonzo leaned in close.

"Let's that be a lesson Rum Tum Dummy", he hissed. "Next time it will be your throat."

Coricopat and Tantomile grabbed his arms and pulled him away from Tugger.

"And", Coricopat growled. "If someone ever tells us that it was a mistake by Alonzo to save Q and Mio… you will regret it."

"Next time we will let Alonzo at you", Tantomile said.

"It won't be a next time", Alonzo hissed. "Congratulations Jellicles. You just lost your ally. Don't you ever dare come to us if you got problems. We won't help you and none of you", he turned and looked at Asparagus and his eyes were sad but yet determined. "…are welcome to our territory or yard. The Jellicle who'll try will be kicked out… harmed." With that he turned and the twins followed him into the dark and they were gone.

TBC I didn't plan to kill Safir like that but I realized I needed to get rid of him and Hugo so they aren't present at the Jellicle ball seen in the movie/play. I've never seen the play which makes me really sad. So this is based more on the movie. I promise next chapters will be happier.