I felt Grizabella grab onto my paw as Tugger sauntered out into the middle of the junkyard. The kittens, and most of the females, dropped what they were doing to drool over him. I was even a little shocked as he strode around, allowing the kittens to paw all over him.

Then I saw Bombalurina. I struggled to control myself as she rubbed against my brother, singing lustily. Tugger’s eyes widened with obvious interest. He pulled her close against his body, much to the dismay of the kittens, sniffed her, then dropped her to the ground with a disgusted “no!” However, I noticed that he was still eyeing her despite the killer looks she was shooting his way.

They continued to dance, Tugger bumping his hip against hers every now and then and Bombalurina giving him a dirty look whenever he did. The kittens danced giddily with them, completely unaware that the older cats were being scandalized watching their children and the two older Jellicles dance in such a fashion.

Wrapping up his song, my brother strutted to the middle of the junkyard. The kittens rushed to circle him, eyes wide with admiration. Suddenly, a tiny, tiger striped kitten burst into excited screams, waving her arms in the air. The other three kittens surrounding my brother stared at her with what could only be described as morbid fascination.

Finally, Tugger slapped a paw over her mouth. The silence was deafening, but much better than the little kitten’s shrieks. Then Tugger ran forward, sliding onto his knees and pretending his tail was a guitar. The tiger striped kitten keeled over in a faint while the others erupted into cheers and purrs.

I turned to Grizabella. She smiled at me.

“I’m ready.”

I watched as she walked into the junkyard. I noticed the slightest limp as she walked. Perhaps she too had been injured in the car accident about a month or so ago.

I grabbed onto the pole next to me as Munkustrap shoved one of the younger Jellicles, Quaxo, I believe, away from having physical contact with her. My mother’s face fell and she tried to smile as one of the younger kittens edged forward. She, too, was brushed away before she could have any contact with Grizabella.

I started to pace angrily as she tried to cover up her obvious hurt by singing scornfully to Munkustrap, then to Cassandra. The brown queen sneered at her and slunk away towards Alonzo. I noticed Demeter watching her sympathetically and fought the urge to hiss.

“She haunted many a low resort...”

I could barely concentrate as Bombalurina, fiery and beautiful as ever, slid up next to her sister and draped an arm around her. Demeter welcomed the embrace and, after Bombalurina started, continued singing. I hated Bombalurina at that moment. I hated more than anyone else I had ever known at that moment.

“And who would ever suppose that that was Grizabella the Glamour Cat?”

Throwing her head back proudly, Grizabella strode back out of the junkyard. The kittens stared after her with curiosity and wonder. A couple even looked saddened. I wanted to run out and comfort my mother, but didn’t quite dare. Luckily, my anger was cooled as portly Bustopher Jones waddled into the junkyard, immediately attracting my Aunt Jenny’s attention.

I turned to see Grizabella approach me, crestfallen. She turned her face away from me so that I couldn’t see the tears welling in her eyes. Without a word, I quickly embraced her and held her close against my body.

We both jumped as a clap of thunder boomed and a flash of lightening lit the sky. For the briefest moment, my eyes met Demeter’s and I knew she had seen me. Her eyes widened in terror and she stumbled backwards.

“Macavity!” she screamed.

The other Jellicles glanced around nervously for a minute before scattering to the depths of the junkyard. I hugged Grizabella closer and led her somewhere to sit.

~*~

I leaned forward anxiously. The kittens were dancing around playfully with Skimbleshanks and everyone seemed to have completely forgotten about me. Twice more had my mother entered the junkyard and twice more had she been shunned. Put simply, I was fed up. I had gathered several rats (which weren’t too bright and terrified of me) and already had a plan.

Thunder crashed overhead again. This time I barely flinched as the kittens ran in terror towards the older cats. Demeter screamed again and even Bombalurina looked a little frightened for a moment.

“Now,” I growled.

I jumped out into the open, the rats scrambling over one another to obey me. The Jellicles stared at me in stunned horror and I could see Old Deuteronomy trying to comfort them. He looked just as surprised as they did when the rats dropped the net over him.

I paused only briefly to stare back at Demeter. Her jaw dropped and she cowered back in horror. I turned and hurried after the rats.

“Be careful, damn it!” I hissed, raising a paw. The rats dropped back, frightened.

“Sorry, sir. We was just doin’ what ya told us ta do,” one replied.

I glared at him. “Get lost. I’ll call for you when I want you back.”

“Yes sir!”

As they scurried away, I turned back to Old Deuteronomy. He only stared at me for a moment before speaking.

“Macavity, how you’ve grown! I haven’t seen you for years! But why do you have to do this? Kidnap me and frighten the Tribe? This doesn’t seem at all like you.”

I laughed softly. “It seem as though you know me very well anymore, does it?”

“No, I don’t suppose so,” he sighed. “Why did you come back?”

“Grizabella. She wants to be accepted by your Tribe again.”

“It’s your Tribe, too,” he replied softly.

“No, it’s not. I’m not a Jellicle anymore. If I ever was. Sorry to disappoint you.”

He looked me over with a sad frown. I felt like I was a kitten again and in trouble. I squared my shoulders and narrowed my eyes. Finally, he folded his paws in front of him.

“Are the things that Demeter told us true?”

I cringed, then regained composure. “Depends on what she’s told you.”

“I think you know.” He shook his head sadly. “Why, Macavity?”

“Damn it, I didn’t come here to get grilled by you! I came here to see that you accept my mother back into your Tribe. Everlasting Cat knows why she would want that, but she does and that’s her choice.”

Old Deuteronomy sighed. “So, you know, then?”

“Of course I know she’s my mother. Do Munk and Tugger know?”

“No. If they knew, do you think they would act the way they do towards her?”

“Yes, I do,” I said glumly. He shrugged.

“Perhaps, but that doesn’t answer my question. Why are you so intent on frightening the Jellicles?”

“I’m...” I set my jaw angrily. “I suppose you’re right. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Don’t worry. I’ll have you back with your precious Tribe in no time.”

~*~

Munkustrap hissed again, his eyes betraying his fear. I could tell that he was frightened of fighting me. After all the rumors he’d probably heard, I couldn’t really blame him. But that didn’t make me any less angry.

I struck him hard across the head and he took a staggering step backwards. “What’s the matter, Munk?”

He shook his head. “You!” He lunged again, trying to tackle me. I threw him easily and he landed with a thud. I saw him struggle to catch his breath. The other Jellicles hissed, but didn’t dare attack.

Somehow, Munkustrap managed to climb to his feet and lunged again. This time, I lifted him and threw him even harder against the ground. He let out a cry as his head smacked the ground, then fell into unconsciousness. Several of the Jellicles surrounded him, fearful.

I wanted to leave then, having proved my reputation true, but let out a gasp as I felt something claw against my stomach. Alonzo tried to tackle me, but I managed to throw him off. But not before he slashed his claws across my stomach. I bit my lip to hold back another gasp of pain.

The other Jellicles were becoming braver and attacking me. I slashed at them and hurried to the top of the hood of the old car. I saw a pair of jumper cables nearby and grabbed them. Demeter’s eyes widened and she was the only one to back off a few steps.

I hesitated a moment, then touched them together.

The sparks flew around my head and paws and I was lifted off of my feet. I had the sensation of flying before I crashed into something and collapsed into darkness.

~*~

Thankfully, I awoke moments later. My shoulder burned and my stomach was cut up, but, otherwise, I was all right. I stood, then stumbled forward, towards the main part of the junkyard. I had to find my mother. I had to let her know that I was all right.

Once I was close enough, I ducked down amongst some of the garbage. My head fairly spun and I had to close my eyes for a moment.

I snapped them open as I heard my mother’s voice start to sing. I leaned forward to see her glare around her, then focus on Old Deuteronomy. How had he got back to the Jellicles? I couldn’t think straight enough to reason it out, so I settled on watching my mother.

I knew what she was singing about. I had heard her hum the melody to it before, but hadn’t known that there were any words to it. Now that I heard them, I realized how much she truly missed Ira. Of course she sounded so heartbroken and troubled.

I struggled to my feet as she collapsed. “Mom!” I managed to whisper. “Don’t give up now! You’re so close!”

My ears perked forward at the sound of a young soprano voice. I turned to see a kitten that looked a little younger than my Giselle standing on top of the car hood.

“Sunlight through the trees in summer...”

I closed my eyes, content to listen to her sing. My heart lifted as I heard my mother’s voice join hers. She was near tears, but at the same time her voice held the same determination that I had heard when I first met her. She sounded as I imagined she had when she was a young queen.

I opened my eyes to see her cover her own with one paw and extend the other behind her back. A tense moment followed as a slight, delicate, white kitten crept forward. She glanced back at Old Deuteronomy before finally slipping her paw into my mother’s.

I couldn’t help but grinning like an idiot as the other Jellicles hurried to surround her. They extended their paws and smiled gently at her. For once, even Bombalurina smiled at her and had the gesture returned. I felt like clapping, jumping, and shouting. However, I held perfectly still, in awe, as Old Deuteronomy bowed to her.

She’d been chosen!

I let out a shaky sigh. Then I realized what this meant to me.

I’d never see her again. I began to pace as she stepped onto the tire. She was really leaving me. I had to fight to not run out there and stop her.

As she climbed higher, I let out a soft whimper. Her head turned and I knew that she could see me. Most of the Jellicles had lost sight of her, but I hadn’t. I saw her gray fur lighten and I could see the lines on her face fade. She was becoming young again.

“Mom,” I whispered, extending my paw. She returned the gesture.

“I’m still here for you,” I heard her say, even though I shouldn’t have been able to. She was too far away. She smiled gently as the golden light began to surround her.

To my surprise and shock, a second figure joined her. She turned to him and embraced him. I swallowed as Ira smiled down at me.

“Thanks, Macavity. Thanks for getting my best girl back at my side safely,” I heard. I could only nod, dumbstruck. Ira turned his attention back to a young Grizabella. “Come on, my dear. We have so much to catch up on.”

I sat down on the ground, staring up at the sky. Their shapes began to find in the night sky. Soon the sky was normal again.

I buried my face in my paws and grieved silently.

~*~

I returned to the warehouse alone. My shoulder was nearly numb from pain. I knew I had to get it looked at or else I was going to regret it. I was already regretting walking this far with my injuries.

I finally found my way up to my bedroom. My bed was so inviting that I couldn’t resist sinking into it. I only wanted to sleep for a few minutes. Then I would get back up. Really.

Suddenly, I was jostled out of my sleep by a scream and the lights in my room flickering on. I sat up, frightened. Griddlebone stared at me, then ran forward.

“You’re home!” she nearly screamed, flinging herself into my arms. I hugged her back tightly, confused.

“What’s wrong?”

She pulled back, her eyes wild. “The kittens. I’ve been looking everywhere for them!”

“You have? Everywhere?” I stood up, the hurt and pain in my body forgotten.

She nodded. “Except...”

She wrenched free and turned to run out of the room. I followed her through the hallway until I saw that we were heading towards Hyde’s room.

The moment I saw the way the door was ajar, I knew something was horribly wrong. Griddlebone screamed as soon as she was inside and when I entered I knew why.

Laying in a pool of his own blood, Hyde was half-conscious and badly beaten. He struggled to sit up as he heard his mother’s scream. Too weak, he slumped back down. I ran to his side and gently lifted him into my arms. He groaned in pain.

“Hyde, what happened?” I asked, trying to wipe blood from his face. He whimpered in pain again and opened his swollen eyes. I could see terror in his eyes.

“He... he... I...”

I held him tighter. “It’s OK, Hyde. I’m here and your mother’s here, too. You have to tell us what happened to you. Please, Hyde.”

His eyes widened and became filled with tears. He let out a choked sob before answering.

“Otto.”