Smartophere

It is a cold day, when Mistoffelees wakes up, he could see the snow stayed on the leaves. He stretches himself and washes his face. Then he jumps on his most favorite windowsill. He loves to sit at there and watch the birds in the garden when he needs a thought. And now, he likes to think about the dream he got last night. "There's a kitten which just looks like me. But that's not me. Mum had told me that I don't have any brother or sister. And he looks dirty and sad. So who will it be? What will it be?"

   When he is in a deeply thought, a pair of Jellicles climbs though his bar and come into his garden.

   "Good morning, Jemi, Vicky." Mistoffelees opens the window and comes down form his spot.

   "A NEW KITTEN!" Jemima can't wait to shout.

   "Slow down, Jemi. I can't understand you." Mistoffelees covers his ears.

   "A new kitten came to the Junkyard very early this morning. He said he knows you and wants to find you, so Munku asked us come to you." Victoria is elder than Jemima, so she can told the tom what's happened.

  "Me?" Mistoffelees remember his dream. "Does him looks like me?"

  "Exactly. Just like a mini Misto!!" Jemima cried. "And he is cute and small! May be he is younger than me!"

  "Really?" Mistoffelees can't believe his ears. Jemima just three months old, if a kitten which is younger than her, that means he is too young to get into Junkyard alone.

  "Old Deuteronomy and Munku are waiting for you, Misto." Victoria remains him. "We know Munku is hate for waiting."

  "Ok, let's go." Mistoffelees said and then started walk to the Junkyard. "So, do you know what's the new kitten's name?"

  "I don't know. May be we can ask him later. But he said he is a Jellicle." Victoria walks beside him. "He looks very weak. Before I've come, Jenny and Jelly had already settle him in your lair at the Junkyard."

  "That's ok." Mistoffelees is a little bit disappointed. He is wonder to meet the new comer as soon as possible.

  When they entered into the Junkyard, most of the Jellicles are already assembled before Old Deuteronomy.

  "I'm sorry I was late." Mistoffelees nods to their leader.

  "Never mind that, my kitten." The huge gray old cat smiles to him fatherly. "And do you know why we need you?"

  "Victoria told me there's a new kitten this morning." Mistoffelees sits politely. "He want to find me, and we look exactly the same."

  "Yes." Old Deuteronomy looked at the black and white tom appreciates. "And our new little friend said he is a Jellicle. I'd like to find out who are his parents and why he is here alone."

  "I'll try my best." Mistoffelees bows to the old cat. "So did he in my lair?"

  "Yes. Jenny and Jelly are with him." Old Deuteronomy signaled Munkustrap. "May be Munku, can you take Misto to there? I'll be there later."

  "My pleasure." The black and gray tabby steps down form the tire. "Come on, here we go."

  "Munku, do you know the new comer's name?" Mistoffelees wondered when they on the way to the pipe that Mistoffelees usually stay there when he is in the Junkyard.

  "No, he even didn't say anything. He just can say he want to see you and then already without energy stand up." Munkustrap looks worried. "Misto, here just you and me, could you tell me the true?"

  "The true? What's the meaning of that?"

  "Is it be your......?" Munkustrap try to find a suitable vocabulary.

  "No, he is not my kitten." Mistoffelees smiles, "You know I won't do that thing with a female who not my mate."

  When they arrived the pipe, Jennyanydots and Jellylorum are both sitting at the outside.

  "Good morning ladies." Mistoffelees greets to the mother cats.

  "Good morning, young men." Jennyanydots puts her paw on her lips to show the toms couldn't talk in loud, or will wake up the younger who is sleeping.

  "How dose he now?" Munkustrap requests.

  "That's ok. Just let him have a good sleep, when he wakes up, serve him some cream and a bit of fish paste, then he will be lively as Pounci and Tumble." When Jennyanydots talking with Munkustrap, Mistoffelees tries to look into the pipe. He can see a small black kitten who paws, cheek and chest are pretty white. And also, with a bit of black fur round his neck just like a bow. Mistoffelees knows just a tom who come from his magical family would have a bow round their neck.

  "Mum?" When the elder are talking, the kitten opens his eyes. When he find where he is, he looks a bit sad.

  "Good kit, you can have a sleep again. You are too tired." Jennyanydots licks his head motherly.

  "Thank you. But I'm fine now. Thank you very much to let me stay." The young tom said and sits up with his tail round his leg. "So, may I see Mr. Mistoffelees now?"

  "This kitten just as polite as you, Misto." Jennyanydots smiles.

  "Misto? Are you Mr. Mistoffelees?" The kitten's big black eyes become wide.

  "Yes. I'm magical Mr. Mistoffelees. And who are you? Why do you want to see me?" Mistoffelees also said in his manner.

  "My name is Smartophere. My mother is Eleganar......" Before the kitten could finish, Mistoffelees already remained.

  "Eleganar? You are Uncle Bustophere's eldest son, Smartophere?" Mistoffelees looks surprise.

  "Yes. And that's why I said I'm a Jellicle." Smartophere nodded.

  Not just Mistoffelees, the others, especially Jennyanydots, also surprise.

  "The son of Bustophere Jones? The St. James Street's Cat?" Jennyanydots looks confused. "We are very close friend, but he never told me about his wife and kittens!"

  "Jenny, because he never had time to visit them." Mistoffelees explained. "Eleganar and her kittens are living in the square which needs to take the train. Once I had asked Skimble to let me get on the train and visit them. But Uncle Bustophere is too big to hide in the train, that's why he never meets his kittens. Even me, had just went there once, at about half a year before."

  "Then how this little cat could get here?" Munkustrap observes the little fur ball. "I think a distant which need to get on the train is too difficult to a kitten which so young."

  "I'd asked Skimbleshanks, the railway cat, help me." Smartophere whispered. "He told me how to come here. And he also ask me to say hello to everyone in the Junkyard."

  "Then why he didn't come with you?" Jennyanydots said with a little mad. She can't forgive that her mate just let a kitten get here from the station.

  "He had his work. So I asked him to let me get here by myself." Smartophere smiles.

  "Then where Eleganar? Why you left your home? And how about your brother?" Mistoffelees need to know about his dream. He feels that's wouldn't be a good news.

  "She dead." Tears could be seeing in Smatophere's eyes. "And Nikko, had caught by Macavity."

  "Macavity!" Everyone shocked by this name.

  "Before mum go to the Heaviside Layer, she told me should come here and find dad and Misto. I remembered she told me that Misto went to visit us by train. So I just thought may be I can find the way to find you in the station. Then Skimble found me, and told me that you are his friend, so he took me on the train and told me how to come here."

  "Ever Lasting Cat! That's so hard to you." Jellylorum falls a drop of tear. She is really emotional.

  "That's ok. I'm fine now." Smartophere tries to comfort her.

  "Then you came here and ask Misto to help you to save your brother?" Munkustrap also feels sorry to his story, as a protector of the Jellicle, he knows he needs to help this new kitten.

  "I don't know. If Misto likes to help, that would be good......"

  "Of course I'll help you." Mistoffelees licked his cousin. "And I think Munku and the other Jellicle also like to be, don't you, Munku?"

  "Of course." Munkustrap smile friendly to the kitten.

  "Thank you very much." Smartophere bows politely. "So, may I stay in this Junkyard? I had no where to go."

  "Sure. You can stay here as long as you like." Munkustrap likes this kitten who had a good manner training. "You can stay with Misto, or with Jenny or Jelly. You also can choose your lair if you like, but I suggested you better stay with some cat who can take care you."

  "What do you think, Misto?" Smartophere can't decide.

  "I think you better to stay with Jenny. She is a wonderful mother, and Tumble, Pounci would be your friends. You will get a better take care than with me. And I usually not in the Junkyard.”

  “Ok, than may I stay at beside of your home, Ms. Jenny?” Smartophere asks carefully.

  “Sure, young tom.” Jennyanydots seems very please to his behave.

  “Hi! I’m Jemima. They usually call me Jemi. I’d really like your name. May I call you Smart in short?”

  “Of course. Usually, my mother called me like that.” Smartophere smiles to the queen.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Jemima immediately covers her mouth with her paws.

  “That’s ok. I’d like this name, and you can just call me Smart. That’s given me the home feeling.”

  “Yeah, my name is Pouncival, or Pounci in short. How old are you?” A brown and white kitten with a scar on his left eye suddenly jumps down from the top of the pipe and slips to the front of Smartophere.

  “Nice to meet you, Pounci.” Smartopehre nuzzles the new friend friendly. “That will be my fifth month on next Wednesday.”

“Are you alright now?” Another brown and white tom but more white in tone than Pouncival gets into the pipe. "I'm Tumblebrutus, but I'd like the others call me Tumble. I also will be six months old in the same day."

  "Nice to meet you, Tumble." Smartophere smiles. "All of you are so nice."

  "That's good to see you can make some new friends." Old Deuteronomy appears at the entry of the pipe. "Do you feel better, kitten?"

  "Yes, thank you very much to let me stay here." The black and white kitten nodded to the oldest cat. "I'm Smartophere, usually my mum called me Smart."

  “And I’m Old Deuteronomy.” The huge gray cat also very pleases to this polite kitten. “And here is the Jellicles’ Junkyard. I’d already sent Admetus to your father, and he will arrived soon. Before you meet him, why don’t you spend sometime with Tumble and the others to go around here? Tumble, Pounci, may be you can introduce him to the others.”

“Great! May be we can just start here.” Jemima speaks up in her kittenish voice. “This is my mum, Jellylorum. And this aunt with tiger strips and leaper spots is Tumble and Pounci’s foster-mother, Jennyanydots. They both are the 'common mother' in the Junkyard."

  "Nice to meet you ladies." Smartophere said in his most polite manner. 'And thank you very much to look after me while I was sleeping."

  "You are welcome, young tom." Both mothers are pleased.

  "And this is Munkustrap. He is our protector and leader while Old Deuteronomy is not here. If you met a Pek or Pollicle or something, you can scream and then he will help you." Tumblebrutus pointed the black and gray tabby who is talking with Old Deuteronomy and Mistoffelees on the tire. "But he is pretty serious, so you better don't make him angry."

  'But I think he is a good cat." Smartophere murmured. Actually, he doesn't think Munkustrap is a serious cat.

  When Pouncival and Tumblebrutus show Smartophere around the Junkyard, Mistoffelees and Munkustrap had told the story of the kitten to Old Deuteronomy. "I think we must help him." Munkustrap said. "This little one is a Jellicle, and his brother, thought we had never met him before, also is a Jellicle."

  "Yes. But first of all, I'd like Bustophere would come here to meet his son. I think Admetus had already met him right now. And the problems of Nikko, his brother, I need your opinion, Misto." Old Deuteronomy turns to the younger tom.

  "I think we need to find Mungo and Rumple for help." Mistoffelees think for a while. "They know Macavity better, may be they know why he caught Nikko and kill Eleganar."

  "Good idea. How do you think, Munku?"

  "Do you think they will help us? Both of us know they are working for the Hidden Paw." Munkustrap worried.

  "No, they just his partner. They never do the really evil things." Old Deuteronomy smiled. "I think we can trust them."

  "Then, may be we can try." Munkustrap wholly believed in Old Deuteronomy, after all, he had already seen a lot of cats, he do know who is good and who is bad. "So, Plato, would you like to find them to us? And also Tugger, we also need him."

  "I'd love to." Plato said and then exits the Junkyard.

  "Misto." Smartophere comes to the tire. "Tumble and Pounci interviewed me to have a lunch with them, can I go?"

  "Sure." Mistoffelees try his best to clean up the kitten a bit.

  "Thanks." Smartophere then goes with his new friends happily.

  "He is a good kitten." Munkustrap gives his magical friend a smile. "He is your cousin, do you think he will be a magical cat too?"

  "I don't know. May be he is." Mistoffelees looks at the shadow of the kittens. "Uncle Bustophere is come from magical family, but he know any magic. No one would know a kitten would have magical power or not."

  "Hi, OD, Munku, and Misto!" A heavy London tongue came to them.

  "Hello, Mungo. Hello, Rumple." After to say hello, Mungojerrie sit down before the toms. "Plato said a new kitten had been in the Junkyard, isn't it?"

  "Yes. He is my cousin. His mother was killed by Macavity and his brother was catnapped." Mistoffelees said in sad. "We want to find him. So we need your opinion."

  "His brother? Would it be that kitten?" Rumpleteazer turns to her mate.

  "What kitten?" Mistoffelees tenses. "Is it a kitten in black with white check, ear and tail tap?"

  "I don't know. I met a rat of Macavity yesterday, and he told me about there a kitten in his lair." Mungojerrie explained.

  "HELP!!!" Plato is running into the Junkyard with scream.

  "What's happen, Plato? " Munkustrap immediately come down to the young tom. Before Plato could answer, Demeter already cried. "MACAVITY!!"

  "HAHAHAHA!!!!!!" An evilly laughing appears with a thunder.

  "Macavity, what do you want this time?" Munkustrap made himself clam down. Though he had a few battle with this evil cat, but he really doesn't have the confidence to defeat him.

  "Come on, we are brother, don't we, Munkustrap?" Macavity laughs and tries to come into the Junkyard.

   "Stop, I won't let you to get in, and I don't have a brother who such as you." Munkustrap steps before the Hidden Paw.

  "Ok. But I have a message to you, my dearest Demeter and your magical cat, Mr. Mistoffelees." Macavity looks at them with a grin. "Your cousins and his friends are in my guest room right now. If you like to meet them, may be all you three would love to visit me. " He then disappeared behind an old car. When the Jellicles looks for him, as usually, Macavity's not there.

  "He got Smart, Pounci and Tumble." Munkustrap seems really angry this time.

  "And also Jemi and Elec." Jellylorum and Jennyanydots are both crying. "We saw them go out for lunch together."

  " Macavity want three of us, and we have no choose but go." Munkustrap announces to the Jellicles. "Lonlzo, you in charge of my pose while I was not here. Corico and Tanto, please help Lonzo as Misto usually help us. Admetus will come back with Tugger in soon. The rest of you stay here. I don't want to lose any one of you."

  "Misto, do you must to go?" Victoria asked her best friend quietly. "I mean, you know you can't fight as well as Munku. It is too danger to you."

  "I know Vicky, but I have no choice. I have responsible on Smart and the kittens." Mistoffelees nuzzled the white cat gently. "Don't worry. Though I'm not a good fighter, but I've my magical power. We'll be right back with the kittens. I promise to you."

  "Are you ok, Dem?" Munkustrap asks his lover.

  "I'm always ready if you are here." Demeter licks his face.

  "Then let's go." Munkustrap said and start their way.

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  As the same time, Macavity's lair, the basement.

  "Let us out!!!" Pouncival hisses.

  "Shut up, Pounci, what are you hissing for?" Tumblebrutus who sits at the corner said. "That's no one outside."

  "I just try to find something to do with." Pouncival sits down beside his brother.

  "I think you better don't move so much." Smartophere try to clam down his friends. "We don't know they will provide us food and drinks or not. So we better to save our energy."

  "Smart, will we dead?" A fur ball lies beside him asks into a weak voice.

  "No, Nikko, we will be fine." Smartophere puts his paws on his brother's shoulder. "Are you cold? Came closer to me to get some warm."

  "That's ok, I can make it." Nikkoliver, the youngest cat tries to smile, but fail.

  "Do you think the others already know about us?" Jemima curried herself tidy next to Smartophere and Electra.

  "I think they would know. Plato had been escaped, he must go back to the Junkyard to ask for help." Smartophere tries to speak in a louder tone, so could makes himself braver.

  "I'm so scare." Electra looks up worry. "My mum said that Macavity would kill the kittens that he get."

  "No, he won't." actually Smartophere also very frighten. But he knows he can't behave that way. He senses he must protect his friends. "Before he could kill us, we must find the ways to save ourselves."

  "Great. But how?" Tumbleburtus questions, even it is an incomprehensibly question.

  "That's what we need to find out." Smartophere looks up to the room. It is dark, wet and high. Luckily, all the Jellicles could see in the dark. "Jemi, Elec, please take care of Nikko, I'll find something to help us to go."

  He places the younger black and white kitten between the queens. "Come on, Tumble, Pounci, could you help me to reach that hole? Just right up at there.”

“Wouldn’t it be too high?” Pouncival looks at the hole. “May be it is above 2 meters or more.”

“Nothing would know before try.” Smartophere said in confidence.

“Great word, Smart.” Tumblebrutus said and already stands by under the place. “Come on, Pounci, you just step on my back, and Smart could step on and jump.”

“Ok, ready? One, two, three!” And then the white and black kitten collapses under the wall.

“Smart! Are you alright?” the queens flip to him and lick his head, which can see a purple under the fur.

  "Ooch, that's hurt." Smartophere fixed himself. "Just a bit and I'll reach there. Come on, Pounci, Tumble, let's try again."

  "You just collided with the wall!" Jemima pulls his tail. "You will hurt yourself."

  "I know, but if I success, all of us will have the chance to escape."

  "But you will get hurt!" Jemima doesn't let him go. "I don't want to see that."

  "Thanks Jemi. But don't worry, I'm fine." Smartophere nuzzles her friendly and then turns around. "It still too high, we need something to step on."

  "May be we can help." Electra suddenly enunciates.

  "No, your are not strong enough." Smartophere smiles to her.

  "We can do that. Elec and I also are Jellicles. Plus, we are friends, right? We must help each others when anyone of us get into trouble." Jemima said and already stand by.

  "And I also could help." Nikkoliver adds. "The hole seems not big enough to let all of us go through. May be I can do that."

  “Fine Nikko, but remember, once you get out, just cross the road and find a house which is pink in color. There is Jennyanydots home. Told her who are you, and she will help you.” Smartophere licks his brother. “Even there is no way to go out, you still must stay in there. So that Macavity won’t find you. Then Munku and the others would save you.”

The youngest tom just nodded, and then nuzzled the elder lovely. “I’ll try best. And I always want to tell you: I love you Smart.”

“Me too.” Smartophere smiles to him, and then turn to the others. “Shall we start now?”

“Ok. I’m the strongest, so I must be at the base.” Tumblebrutus stands under the target. "Pounci, you be the next. And it is Smart, Elec, and Jemi. Everyone, ready?"

  When they on their post, Jemi can see the entry of the hole. "Now, Nikko, climb up carefully." Smartophere ordered.

  Nikkoliver, actually he a bit frightens. But he knows where he is. He climbs on the elders and reached the hole. There just have a place to let a very young feline go though.

  "Go, Nikko, do what I had told you." Smartophere cried.

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  "Here we are, Macavity." Munkustrap stands before the organ and white cat.

  "Long time no see, Dem." Macavity looks at the female. "You are more beautiful than before."

  "Don't touch her!" Munkustrap hisses. "And what do you want? Where are the kittens?"

  "I think you forget something, Munku." Macavity laughs loudly. "One, here is my lair, no one could order or question me; Two, I hate the way you talk to me; Three, all I want is to have some fun before you dead."

  "You'll pay for this." Munkustrap begin get angry, but he could do nothing. He couldn't throw away with the safety of the kittens, his most love female, and his best friend.

  "I pay for what? I just get back the things of mine!" Macavity starts his evil smile. "Demeter is my mate, the second-in-common of the Junkyard is my post, and all of things and love which you now own is mine!"

  "No! I'd never belong you!" Though Demeter is frightened, but she try her best to said. "I'm not a goods that you can get. I need love, and you never give me! Munku is my true love, you know that!"

  "So I'll make you love me!" Macavity said and steps to her.

  "Then why you kill Eleganar and catnapped the kittens?" Mistoffelees questions.

  "Eleganar? Oh, the fussy mother cat, is it? She is too noisy. At the beginning, I just want the little one, but at last, I kill her, and that's all."

  "That's all!" Mistoffelees faces turns into pink. "You kill a mother of two kittens and that's all!! How can you so cure!"

  "Because I always get what I want and if something against me, I will make it disappear forever. That's my way."

  "You are not a cat, you are the evil!" Demeter hissed.

  "Yes, I am." Macavity looks at the black and gray tabby coolly. "And I can do the evilest things that you never thought. Some of you, tide Munkustrap on the pillar, we can get some blood today."

  "No! Please don't hurt him!" Demeter started to cry.

  "I always listen to you, Dem, but not this time." Macavity comes close to the frightened queen. "If I don't do that, you never give your heart to me."

  "And if you do that, I shall hate you all of my life!" Demeter's tear runs down with angry. "I mean it!"

  "Lead her to my room." Macavity orders his rats. "And leave our Jellicle heroes here."

  "Nothing about Dem." Munkustrap hisses. "Let her go. If you do anything on her, I swear I'll kill you."

  "Think about where you are, cat." Macavity laugh loudly. "Do you think you will have chance to win in here?"

  "May be I'm not, but if with my friends, I'm sure I can."

  Just Munkustrap finishes his words, "Proof!", the room is full of smoke.

  "Here, Dem, this way." When Demeter still stands for, Munksutrap appears beside her.

  "What's happened?" She is still confused.

  "Misto's magic." Munksutrap had no time to explain. He leads her in a hole, which Demeter thought it is at the corner of the room. She could see two organ and cream cats are already waiting at there.

  " 'ello, Demi!" Rumpleteazer gigged to her.

  "Why are you here?" Demeter said in surprises.

  "L'nzo ta'ol us that Munku want us to sta'r ha're and wait, then wh'n Misto play his trick, we lead ya in here." Rumple said and then Mungo had already crept towards the other end of the hole. "Shh! We need ta gr'o n'out. Keep quite y'ar Mac will find us."

  "Mungo, do you know where the kittens are?" Munksutrap follow the colorful tom.

  "I than'k they are in the ba'em'ant. We'n ba'tter be hurry, Mac wa'll go ther'a if he find ya are escaped." Mungojerrie points to a tunnel at diverge. "Here, Demi, ya can get h'out be'yang the right way, Rumple wa'll sent ya go out. Munku, Misto and I wa'll go to save the kittens."

  "I must to go too." Demeter immediately ignored the suggestion. "I also need to go."

  "No Dem, that's too danger." Munkustrap looks in her green eyes. "Macavity wants you. If you stay here for a while, there will be more danger to both of us."

  "You mean I'm a troublesome?" Demeter seems mad.

  "No, no. But I'm afraid I can't protect you." Munksutrap nuzzles her and whispers in her ears. "Please, I don't want you get hurt. Please pray for me in the Junkyard, I had something need to tell you when everything is over."

  Demeter could see there is something in Munksutrap's deep blue eyes. She suddenly understands the feeling of him. She then kisses him. "I will. But you can't dead before you go back to the Junkyard and tell me what it is."

  Munksutrap still stands there in an absent-minded by her kissing. When the queens disappear at the corner, Mungojerrie pats on the gray and black tabby's head.

  "Heah! We need ta’ ga’ al’eady!"

  Munkustrap smiles to himself and then turn around to his friend. "Let's go cats!"

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  "Jemi, are you ok?" Smartophere asks the queen who curried herself tidier and tidier.

  "I'm cold." Jemima said weekly. Smartophere put his paw on her forehead. It is very hot.

  "Hold on, Jemi." Pouncival nuzzles her. "The adults are coming."

  "Smart, can't we do something?" Tumblebrutus becomes fidgety. "Nikko already got out for about an hour. We have nothing to do but just sitting here and wait?"

  Smartophere looks up in the air. "I don't know. But I can't find any other ways to save us."

  Suddenly some footsteps come from the door.

  "Is he!" Electra cries out lowly.

  "All of you need to dead now." The ginger tom seems really angry. "That's your leader made me to do that."

  "Our leader? You mean Munkustrap? He is here?" Tumbleburtus asks. He makes his body not to shake so much.

  "Yes. But they escaped. So I need your corpses to told them they did a wrong thing." Macavity laughs in his horrible sound. "So, now, who's come first? How about Jemima? Or Electra?"

  "None of us!" Smartophere stands out. "You've killed my mother. That's my fault that I hadn’t protected her. So this time, if you want to put your dirty claws on my friends, just over my dead body!"

  "Interesting." Macavity said and his claws already fly towards the kitten's throat.

  "SMART!!" Jemima cries.

  Smartophere dodges the attack. His claws went out. Though he don't know how to fight.

  Macavity gets mad when he finds he can't kill a kitten for one paw. He yells in angry. Smartophere can feel his fur is wet. He is sweating. There's no choice but fight for death.

  Macavity flops on the black kitten who is running outside his paws. Smartophere knows he would not have enough power to fight with this evil. So he must wait for a chance to attack him in the perfect time.

  Macavity was too angry to think about the kitten's thought. His paw lands on Smartophere's shoulder. The black tom meows painfully. After his feet land hardly, he immediately swings himself to the bigger cat's back. When he reaches the Hidden Paws fur, his claws pins into his muscles.

The greater cat yells and tries to throw the kittens off his back. Smartophere feels his arms are hurt. Finally, he had no more energy and Macavity throws him against the wall.

“You go too far, foolish kitten!” The organ and black feline yelled. “And I’d decided to kill you first! Once I’d think you could be help me by your magic, but seems I’ve wrong.”

“I’ll be killing! And it would be the others!” Smartophere doesn’t feel scare any more, but just knows he can’t let his friends died as his mother. “I must protect them!”

Suddenly he feels his paw very hot, just like some fire is burning. He had no time to think, before Macavity’s claw cut on his throat, he throws a light spots to the bigger tom. Macavity immediately rows on the floor. His fur on his forehead was burnt and his left eye seems hurt so much. Before the big tom flips away he flings the young kittens against the wall. Smartophere had no more energy, he lays under the wall, seems senseless.

  Tumbleburtus shows his claws up. "Pounci, once have chance, takes Smart and the others run."

  "No, Tumble, you can't fight with him!" Jemima's eyes are full of tears.

  "I'm the eldest kitten tom in Jellicle. I should do that." Tumbleburtus smiles to the female. "Plus, Smartophere was fight on his death. How can I behave as a coward?"

  "ALL OF YOU MUST DEAD!" Macavity roars.

  "Run!" Tumbleburtus jumps on the crazy evil and bite the ears. Macavity quickly pitches him on the wall.

“Fight the battle that you never win, and you are the most foolish kitten I’d ever seen before!” He then pins the kitten’s head on the ground hardly and the throws the collapsed body beside the white and black kitten.

“Now! Where’s the smaller one?!” Macavity is totally lost his temper. He eyes pins on the only three cats. Pouncival’s fur is all stands up and hides the queens behind his body.

"Stand aside, Pouncival. You know your are not my rival." The Hidden Paw looks at him contemptuously.

  "I know. But I still need to fight!" Though his body is shacking frequently, but he also tries to collect all brave in him to say.

  "Verbiage!" Macavity has lost his patient. He plucks the kitten on the wall.

  "NO!!" Electra and Jemima cry.

  "Ok, hand out that stupid fur ball and you will be alright." Macavity looks at them coolly.

  The queens can't say a word, but both of them don't want to move.

  "I'd said hand it to me!" Macavity yelled.

  "No..." Though the voice is low, but Macavity still can hear Jemima's words and mad. "Then you all go to the Heaviside in soon!"

  "Leave them alone!" An adult voice comes in.

  "Munku!" Jemima cries again, but this time is with cheerful.

  "And Misto!" Electra also said in happy. They know they are save now.

  "Smart! Are you ok?" Mistoffelees discovers his cousin was knockdown. "Hold on, Smart. I'll take you back to the Junkyard immediately."

  "Macavity thrown Tumble, Pounci and him against the wall." Jemima reports what happened.

  "I'm sure he will pay it back." There is fire in Munkustrap's eyes. "Macavity, you hurt the kittens. Do you know you have done an unforgivable thing?"

  "I always do that!" Macavity hisses and in the while out of everybody's sight, he runs towards the window and jump through it.

  "Stop him!" Munksutrap tries to got his tail, but failed.

  "There's nothing but the cold sea." Mistoffelees looks out the window. "No cat can swim."

  Munksutrap looks at the deep blue waves, shacks his head. "No. He is the Napoleon of Crime. He won't die so easy."

  "Tumble! Wake up!!" Jemima suddenly screams. "Please don't die!!"

  Mistoffelees rushes beside the young cat, find his breath is weaker and weaker.

  "We must get back to the Junkyard immediately." Mistoffelees said and starts his magic words.

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  Everybody looks worry to the lair of Mistoffelees', which now have three kittens lie in there. Pouncival had already waked up. But Tumbleburtus and Smartophere still in senseless.

  "They just want to protect us." Jemima and Electra still can't stop their tears. Bombalurina and Demeter place their paws on the younger queens.

  Munkustrap sighs deeply. When he saw Mistoffelees gets out of the pipe, he runs to the magical cat.

  "How they did?" The gray and black tabby questions in a deeply worry voice.

  "Thanks Ever Lasting Cat. They did it. Though still too weak to sit up, but they will be ok." Mistoffelees said with a relaxed smile. "Munku, you know, I'm really proud of them."

  "Me too." Munkustrap exchanged a smile with him. "Can I see them now?"

  "Sure. Just don't let them too tired." Mistoffelees also looks very tired. "May be you can take care of them for me. I'll have some sleep in that old oven. If there's any problem, please come and wake me up at once."

  When Munkustrap get into the pipe, he finds the kittens are laughing to each other about the bandage.

  "Hello, boys. Seems you are good." Munkustrap is a little surprise: these kittens just went though a death fight, but they seems didn't care about that.

  "Hello, Munku." Smartophere looks at the elder. "I'm sorry, Misto said I still can't get up."

  "That's ok." Munkustrap places his paw on the black and white kitten's forehead.

  "Say, Munku, Smart just said will it be fun if we wear like this to join our party." Tumbleburtus said and points to the bandage on his chest. Munkustrap laughs. He finds this new kitten had some different with the others.

  "Smart? Tumble? Do you wake up yet?" Another black and white kitten appear at the outside.

  "Yes. Please come in, Nikko." Smartophere waves his hand cheerful. "So glad to see you are ok."

  "Yes. Jenny brought me to here. She is really nice." Nikkoliver finds his brother is still alive, and happily rushes beside him. "And she brought me to father."

  "Father? You mean father is here?" Smartopehre said and than turns to the entire of the pipe. A fat, huge but kindly cat is standing out of there.

  "Father?" Smartophere can't sure about that.

  "Smartophere, my son." Bustophere's eyes are full of tears. "I'm so sorry for you. And I'm really proud of you...I mean...I mean..."

  "That's ok, father. That's ok." Smartopehre also can't control his teardrop. "Mum's had...had..."

  "I know. They had told me. I'm sorry about that, and I promise to you, I'll miss her forever." Bustophere Jones embraces his son tidy. Everyone in the pipe, including Munkustrap, also move by this picture.

  "May be we shouldn't so upset. Mum had been to the Heaviside Layer. All Jellicles are known there is full of wonder, just announced cat would see. She will be reborn to a different Jellicle life." Smartopehre rubs his tears away. "I think that is a good thing, doesn't it?"

  "Yes, it is." Old Deuteronomy said and enters the pipe. "Hello, kittens. Are both of you feel better now?"

  "Hello, Old Deuteronomy. We are quite good." Smartopehre and Tumbleburtus nodded to the leader. "Thanks for asking."

  "Well. That's great. I'm looking forward to the party of the three days later." Old Deuteronomy said and goes out with Munkustrap help.

  "What do you think about Smart?" Old Deuteronomy asks the second-in-command of the Jellicles.

  "As his name, he is really smart." Munkustrap smiles. "All of us must be proud of his brave and brain."

  "And he also is a magical cat." Old Deuteronomy looks back the pipe. Smartophere still busy talking with Jennyanydots, Jellylorum and Asparagus Jr. "He is born as a leader. Everyone will like him because of his real heart. Jemi and Elec had told about their experience in Macavity's lair. Smartophere had the same power with our Misto, doesn't he?"

  "I think so." Munksutrap said politely.

  "Munku, you know I'm so old. I'll go to the Heaviside Layer at some day. You and Lonzo and other adults will be too old to fight at some day. I was worried about who can command the Jellicles. But it seems it is not the problem any more."

  Munkustrap agreed to him. "As you told us last Jellicle Ball, 'the past experience revived in the meaning is not the experience of one life only but of many generations.' Smart and Tumble, though they still young, but I think they will be a great leader of us."

  "Right. And I believe after they, there will another amazing cat who is out of our mind." Old Deuteronomy laughs to the tom. "And don't you have something need to tell Deme?"

  "Oh! I almost forgot!" Munkustrap pads his head. "Old Deuteronomy, may I excuse?"

  "Sure." Old Deuteronomy let him go. Before the young tom disappears behind a trashed car, he sends his bless. "Good luck, young tom."

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  Munkustrap finds his love is sitting alone at the top of a car. The Jellicle Moon is closely full, the silver beam pour on her gold and black fur, so smooth and so soft. Munkustrap heart stopped. He couldn't say how beautiful she is.

  "Oh, is it you, Munku?" Demeter turns around, find Munkustrap is looking to her. She is being bashful. "Do you want to talk with me?"

  "Yes. Will I disturb your thought?" Munkustrap slips down beside the queen.

  "No, no. I'm just sitting here and look to the moon." Demeter shows the tom to sit beside her. “You know Munku, every time you fight with Macavity, I’m really frightened. Not just I’m scared by him but also because you may get hurt.”

“Thanks that, Dem.” Munkustrap lets her rests her head on his shoulder. “But don’t worry too much. Otherwise, I won’t fight well.”

“Today, when you were warning Macavity about me, I’m really happy to hear that.” Demeter licks the minor wounds on the black and gray tabby’s arm. “Though I’d always said that, but just let me to say once more: Thank you so much, Munku.”

“Do you remember in Macavity’s lair, I’d something to tell you?” Munkustrap becomes tension.

“Yes, I remember. And would it be the time to tell me?” Demeter’s green eyes looks to him with a sweetly smile.

“I…I…I just…Well! All I want to say is, can you be my mate? I mean would you like to marry me?" Munkustrap face becomes red. "Each time when I fight with Macavity, just your pray could give me the brave. I can't lose you. I'd like you be my mate so that I can have a reason to protect you all my life..."

  Demeter smiles with tears. "Thank you, Munkustrap. I'm glad to be."

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  Three days later, the Junkyard is pretty busy. It is the birthday party of their little heroes and also is the celebration to Munkustrap and Demeter affiance.

  "Congratulation, Munku." All the tom kittens lead by Tumbleburtus and Smartophere said to their leader.

  "Thank you, and happy birthday, Smart, Tumble." Munkustrap is in a very good mood today.

  "Deme, you look beautiful." Victoria and Jemima talk with the quasi-bridge.

  "Thank you." Demeter smiles very sweet. She is really happy.

  "So good to be a bridge." Victoria said dreamily.

  "All of you will in some day." Demeter said.

  "Just like Jerrie and me!" Rumpleteazer cackles and curries her mate, who is making a face when he hears Rumpleteazer's words.

  “Dem, are you ready?” Munkustrap comes up to the lovely queen. His fur is shiner than usual. And everyone could see, he wears his most favorite collar. That make he seems smarter and more handsome than before.

“Anytime, Munk.” She put her paws on the tabby’s, and they step to the magical tire, where Old Deuteronomy stands at there.

“Jellicles, I’d like to tell all of you two good news. One is Munkustrap and Demeter, are decided together in all of their life. Two is, Tumblebrutus and Smartophere, our little Jellicles heroes, are both becomes teens today. I’d like all of you would bless them.”

All the Jellicles cheers loudly.

“Tumble, you will be six-month old. You'll have more responsible to the tribe. Will you like to share that?" Old Deuteronomy waits the tribes quite a bit, and then asks the brown and white kitten seriously.

  "That's my pleasure." Tumbleburtus said proudly.

  "And you, Smartophere. Though you are just five-month old and new to the Junkyard. But I think you also have some more things need to learn than before. You must have a good prepare for your grow up as an adult. Will you do that?"

  "I shall try my very best." Smartophere sits strictly and answers into a kittenish but clear voice.

  "Then I say, Jellilce Cats can all rejoice!" Old Deuteronomy announces. Music, dance, all the cats are enjoys the party.

~END~


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