In the midst of the Jellicle Ball, Tugger cautiously sidled up next to Mistoffelees. "We'd better go check in with the boss."

Mistoffelees looked up at the taller cat. "Now?" he asked hoarsely. "But won't Munkustrap…"

"We'll go separately," Tugger snapped, not so much in anger at the younger cat, but at the situation he was in. "Look, I'll sneak out next time Grizabella shows up - and you know she will. You sneak off next available chance and we'll meet by the entrance."

Mistoffelees nodded slightly, knowing enough to trust Tugger's judgment on these matters.

Without another word, Tugger strode off, pretending that he didn't even know Mistoffelees existed.

Mistoffelees had to admit that Tugger knew what he was doing. The small magician had even been watching the maned cat and hadn't noticed him leave. Grizabella took up a great deal of everyone's attention. Mistoffelees just faded into the background when she entered, not wanting to risk Munkustrap's wrath by going to her again. Although, Mistoffelees still wasn't sure if Munkustrap had been protecting him or Grizabella.

Nevertheless, Mistoffelees was afraid of the black and gray tabby. Certainly Munkustrap was kind to him, but that was only because he didn't know…

Mistoffelees shuddered. And could never know.

Finally, he saw his opportunity as Gus' song ended. All eyes were on the sobbing elder and nobody noticed Mistoffelees slip away.

"It's about time you got here," Tugger snapped.

"I'm sorry," Mistoffelees mumbled. "Everyone was watching…"

"Never mind," Tugger cut him off. "Now, we'd better get going before…"

"Before what, Tugger?" asked a deep, female voice.

Both Jellicles turned to see a tall Persian, diamond necklace gleaming against her white fur.

"Well, Rowena, before we kept you waiting too long," Tugger purred, switching from snappy to suave in .9 seconds. "A lady of your wealth and power shouldn't…"

"Stuff it, Tugger," Rowena growled. "I've been waiting for over an hour."

Tugger paled and Mistoffelees ducked behind the taller cat. "You… you know that it's the Jellicle Ball tonight…" Tugger stuttered. "We have to keep up appearances…"

"Fine," she dismissed him curtly. "Now, I have an assignment for you… get that little brat out here where I can see him."

Tugger reached behind his back and gently pulled Mistoffelees out to stand in front of him.

"That's better. Now, as you know already, Macavity and my rats are going to kidnap Old Deuteronomy. What I want you to do is magic him back," Rowena announced, pointing at Mistoffelees.

"But…" Mistoffelees started, then fell abruptly silent.

"But what?"

"If… if Macavity is going to all the trouble of kidnapping him, why do you want me to bring him back?" Mistoffelees whispered.

"Are you questioning my orders?"

"N-no… I j-just wondered w-why…"

Rowena kept her gaze leveled on Mistoffelees for a long while, saying nothing, until Tugger was certain Mistoffelees was going to pass our from fear.

"I want them to think they can trust you," Rowena said finally with a cruel smile. "I'm under the impression that they are starting to doubt." Her smile faded. "Now, get out of here."

Both turned and left, Mistoffelees struggling to remain at a walking pace.

They reached the proper just in time to hear the Jellicle tribe say softly, "We have to find Old Deuteronomy."

Stopping just outside the proper, Tugger turned to Mistoffelees. "You wait out here. I'll go introduce you. Then you come in, dazzle all of them, and bring him back. Got it?"

"Yeah," Mistoffelees said softly, looking at the ground.

"All right." Tugger entered the darkened proper and Mistoffelees carefully schooled his features into the usual expression - one of carefree happiness and perfect innocence.

After Grizabella went to the Heaviside Layer, Mistoffelees slunk off to his home, feeling miserable. He hated lying to the tribe, but if he told…

Well, Rowena was capable of things much worse than death.

Just as he climbed into his bed, Tugger appeared at the door. "Kid? Are you okay?"

Mistoffelees meant to say 'yeah', but what came out was "Not really."

"Aw, I'm sorry you got dragged into this," Tugger said softly.

"Tugger?" Mistoffelees asked, looking at the older cat. "What'll happen if… if Munkustrap finds out?"

Tugger could see that Mistoffelees was terrified of the idea. "I don't know. But… I'll do all I can to stick up for you if it comes to that. It wasn't your fault." He paused like he was going to say more, but finished, "Now go to sleep. You've had a… busy night."

"All right," Mistoffelees murmured obediently. As the young cat shut his eyes, Tugger walked off.

Inwardly, he cursed Rowena - and himself. If only he had been more careful and made sure no one was following him…

Typical kitten curiosity prevailing, Mistoffelees had followed Tugger to one of his meetings with Rowena. The young cat had heard too much; Rowena had decided she must either kill Mistoffelees or make him into one of her agents. Thankfully, Tugger had persuaded her to let the kitten live - even now, he still wasn't sure that had been for the best.

Tugger and Macavity had both gone into Rowena's operation somewhat willingly, their minds dazzled by visions of wealth and power. Reality had proven to be drastically different than the daydreams, but nevertheless, they had chosen it themselves. Mistoffelees had never gotten a choice - it had all been decided for him.

Tugger doubted the Jellicles even knew Rowena existed. Mungojerrie suspected Macavity had a higher up, that was for certain, but the others assumed that Macavity was the crime boss.

Unfortunately, Tugger and Mistoffelees knew the truth.

"Tugger!" Jemima laughed as Etcetera and over and grabbed his paw. "C'mon! It's too cold to sleep without you!"

Tugger smiled at them as they dragged him along, inwardly feeling sick. How would these kittens react if they knew that their beloved Tugger helped to plot against them?

Victoria grinned nastily as she left her hiding place by Mistoffelees' home. She had been watching him for quite some time now and finally had enough evidence.

Once she told Munkustrap what she knew, he would most certainly banish Mistoffelees from the tribe. And she would be only too glad to see the creepy little magician gone. Her ears flattened in disgust. Not only had he interrupted her dance at the Jellicle Ball that night, but also a couple weeks before that, he had actually turned her beautiful white fur blue! Of course, he had professed it was an accident, but she knew better.

But that would all be fixed now. Smiling cheerily, Victoria went off to sleep and wait till morning.

Mistoffelees awoke slowly and crawled out of his home. Standing upright, he stretched sensuously and blinked deep brown eyes a few times before focusing on the angry black and gray tabby in front of him. "Munkustrap?"

Munkustrap took the smaller cat by the arm. "Come with me," he said curtly.

"Why…?" Mistoffelees started.

"Be quiet," Munkustrap cut him off. "Just come. And no magical funny business." He kept a firm grip on Mistoffelees' arm as he led him through the Junkyard. Finally, Munkustrap stopped at the entrance to the proper.

"Go in."

Mistoffelees looked up at him, fear flickering in his eyes. "Munkustrap?"

"Go."

Mistoffelees' gaze turned to the ground and he shuffled forward. Munkustrap watched his back, feeling sorrow flare in his chest. He hated to do this, but he had no choice. Munkustrap followed the magician into the proper.

Mistoffelees looked up to see Old Deuteronomy, Skimbleshanks, Jennyanydots, and Jellylorum watching him and he froze. A gentle prod in the small of his back caused him to stumble forward. Deuteronomy spoke first.

"Mistoffelees, is it true that you have been working for our enemies?"

"I… I…" Mistoffelees stuttered, eyes wide.

"Is it true?" Jennyanydots said carefully.

Mistoffelees worked his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Mistoffelees, we need to know," Skimbleshanks pressed.

"It is," Mistoffelees whispered, looking at the ground. His lower lip and shoulders trembled with the force of his restrained tears.

"Then I'm afraid we have no choice but to banish you," Deuteronomy said softly.

"No…" Mistoffelees whispered hoarsely, staring at Deuteronomy in disbelief. "No, please…"

"I'm sorry, Mistoffelees, we have no choice."

"Please," Mistoffelees begged, tears starting to run down his face. Tugger, where are you? You said you'd help me…

He realized then that Munkustrap was urging him to his feet - Mistoffelees had fallen to his knees without even realizing it. He let Munkustrap take him by the arm and lead him out, feeling numb.

The four elderly Jellicles watched Mistoffelees and Munkustrap go.

"Deuteronomy, are you sure that was necessary?" Jennyanydots asked sadly. "He's so young…"

"The rules apply to everyone," Deuteronomy murmured

Mistoffelees stumbled down the streets, vision blurred by tears. He had never even imagined that they would throw him out - maybe yell at him, punish him, but banish him?

He tripped and fell to his knees. Gulping, he tried to quiet his sobs.

"Stupid. Can't you do anything right?" a well-known voice growled.

Mistoffelees raised his head to see Rowena standing over him, glaring.

"I rigged that entire scheme to make sure that they trusted you, and the next day - the VERY NEXT DAY - you get yourself thrown out of the tribe! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I… I'm sorry…"

"Sorry doesn't cut it! Our ENTIRE operation could have been found out, you little twit! Give me ONE good reason why I shouldn't kill you here and now."

Mistoffelees took a couple deep breaths, trying to quell his panic. "I… I c-can't th-think of any, m-ma'am."

"Good, then I don't have to worry." Rowena raised a paw, perfectly manicured claws out. Mistoffelees braced himself, unsure if she was going to actually kill him or just torture him a little. The hit never came. Mistoffelees cracked open one eye to see Macavity standing there, gripping Rowena's paw in his own stronger one.

"Don't."

Rowena scowled. "What do you think you are doing, Macavity? Are we forgetting who we work for?"

"I am not forgetting. It would not be wise to kill him."

Rowena scowled. "I'm tired of you and Tugger telling me what is wise. I am in charge here, not you."

"I realize that. But, even if he is not in the Jellicle tribe anymore, he could work as an assistant to you or me."

Rowena's eyes narrowed as she considered this. "Well, I certainly don't want to put up with the little brat, but if you have a use for him… I suppose. But he steps out of line once and I get him."

"Understood."

Rowena scowled at Mistoffelees. "Remember that, brat. You aren't going to be safe forever." The angry Persian allowed herself to loose control of her rage a bit, for as she passed Mistoffelees she gave him a good kick.

Macavity watched her go with a shake of his head. Walking over to Mistoffelees, he helped the much smaller cat up. "You hurt?"

"A l-l-little, s-s-s-sir," Mistoffelees said quietly, stutter increasing as his emotions conflicted - Munkustrap had always warned the Jellicles to steer clear of Macavity, for he was bad news, but yet Munkustrap had thrown him out and Macavity was helping him. It was all entirely too much for him to handle at this time, and Mistoffelees wasn't quite sure what to think.

Macavity led Mistoffelees though the alleyways, navigating them with ease. Mistoffelees was just about to summon up the courage to ask where they were going when Macavity stopped in front of a doorway.

"After you," Macavity said.

Mistoffelees hesitated for a moment before stepping thought the door, then abruptly stopped in amazement. Cats of various types lounged around at tables, playing cards, drinking, eating, or talking animatedly.

Macavity chuckled from behind him. "Keep going, kid, you're holding up traffic."

"Sorry," Mistoffelees mumbled, moving aside so Macavity could enter.

"It's okay."

"Macavity!" called a delighted female voice from behind the bar on the other side of the room. A lovely white cat came bustling out, long feathery tail draped across her shoulders like a feather boa. "It's been entirely too long! Where ya been?"

"Ah, Rowena's been keeping me busy with all sorts of jobs, you know how it is…"

The Queen scowled. "She's too overbearing for her own good. I'm telling you, we would be all better wit…"

"Shh," Macavity hushed her. "Now is not the time or the place for that kind of talk."

The white cat grumbled a bit then turned to Mistoffelees with a grin. "And who are you? I don't believe I've seen you around before."

"Mistoffelees," he mumbled, looking at the ground, mildly surprised that she wasn't talking down to him.

"Well, hello, Mistoffelees! My name is Griddlebone."

Mistoffelees' head snapped up in recognition.

Griddlebone laughed. "Yes, that Griddlebone. Where are you from, anyway?"

Mistoffelees' eyes clouded over. "I was one of the Jellicles."

"Was? I thought that once you were in their merry little band, you were in for life - and then some."

"They found out about his dealing with Rowena."

Griddlebone scowled. "Ah, yes, the high and mighty Jellicles can't stoop from their pedestal to actually treat us like felines. But, just because of that, they kicked you out, kid?" She shook her head. "I knew the Jellicles could be strict, but banishment?"

"They exiled Grizabella," Macavity pointed out.

Griddlebone laughed shortly. "Honey, I would have thrown Grizabella out. That cat was nothing but trouble."

Mistoffelees felt the need to say something in Grizabella's defense. "She was forgiven at the end for whatever she did… Old Deuteronomy sent her to the Heaviside Layer last night." He paused. Had it only been this morning that the whole trouble had started? It seemed like so much longer than that.

"Forgiving her on her deathbed, how generous," Griddlebone muttered.

"Ri…" Macavity warned. "You may not care for the Jellicles much, but try to be a little more polite. These are the cats he grew up with."

"Poor child," Griddlebone said with a wry smile. Macavity gave her a Look. "Okay, okay… Yeah, I'm sorry, kid. And don't think I hold it against you, all right? That is, as long as you don't share your tribe's prejudices."

Mistoffelees considered this. All these cats were the exact types Munkustrap and the other Jellicles had warned him about - but the pictures painted by the Jellicles certainly didn't match up with the real thing! Macavity was no demon - in fact, he was perfectly nice. Griddlebone wasn't a shifty cheater; she was a nice, - if a little opinionated - warm Queen.

"No, I don't," he said, actually showing a small smile.

"Darlin', you should smile more often, you're downright adorable when you do," Griddlebone grinned.

"Thank you," Mistoffelees said shyly, smiling a bit more as his cheeks flushed. Nobody had ever told him that before.

"Great, now I'll have all your girls breaking down my door," Macavity said ruefully.

Griddlebone laughed. "Now, you two must be hungry! And how rude of me to keep you standing here. Find yourselves a table and I'll have Angel bring you some dinner."

Macavity maneuvered neatly to an open table, exchanging hellos with the other patrons. They had just sat down when a young amber Queen came over with a tray. "Hello, Macavity! Gotcha yer fave, mouse pie, fresh from th' oven."

"Thank you, Angel!" Macavity grinned. "You most certainly live up to your namesake."

She winked. "Darn right I do!" Angel set the plates down and left, exchanging good-natured jibes with the others in the room.

Mistoffelees ate quietly, still very shy. The world he had been thrust into was drastically different from the Junkyard.

But where else did he have to go? If he left Macavity's side, Rowena would certainly find him. At least these cats were offering friendship.

The chatter abruptly stopped. Mistoffelees looked up and glanced toward the doorway to see what had captured everyone's attention. Rowena stood there, hind foot tapping. Her claws clicked menacingly on the stone by the door.

"Where is Huran?"

Mistoffelees now knew what Munkustrap meant when he said 'though a silence you feel you can cut with a knife'.

"You will answer me now, or this entire establishment will become an example."

Shakily, an orange tabby stood up. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I'm right here, Rowena."

"Come with me," she said icily.

Huran licked his lips nervously and followed her out. Once they were gone, the place remained quiet, totally devoid of its earlier cheer.

Macavity looked down at his empty plate. "You almost ready to go, kid?"

Mistoffelees looked back at the door, then at Macavity. "What just happened?"

Macavity looked like he dearly did not want to tell Mistoffelees, but said, "Huran didn't give Rowena all the loot he stole. She's… punishing him for it now."

Mistoffelees paled a little. "Oh," he said in a small voice.

"Welcome to the real world, kid," Macavity said, without sounding patronizing or sarcastic. "It's a lot different out here."

Macavity's words echoed Mistoffelees' own thoughts. "I guess so…" he said softly.

Mistoffelees gradually adapted to his new life. It was hard at first, as whoever it was that was in charge of his destiny seemed bound and determined to destroy any of his previous notions of what was 'right'. He stayed with Macavity, mostly because there was no other place for him at Rowena's complex and because Macavity didn't trust the others enough to let him be alone.

Mistoffelees did his best to help Macavity out, feeling gratitude towards the cat that had saved him and taken him in. He went almost everywhere with Macavity; Mistoffelees was unnerved by the looks some other strays gave him, cruel and feral. When Macavity went somewhere he didn't think suitable for Mistoffelees, Mistoffelees went to help Griddlebone - Macavity impressed into Mistoffelees' mind early on that he was only to trust Macavity, Griddlebone, and the three Queens who worked with Griddlebone: Angel, Nymph, and Faerie.

Angel was a tall, amber coloured Queen, who had mischievous golden eyes. Her main job at Griddlebone's tavern was to cook - and tease the customers. Almost everyone liked her and didn't mind her jabs, knowing they were well meant. Angel knew how far to go with her teasing as well - less secure cats received a lighter barrage than old-timers who knew her ways.

Nymph wasn't as tall as Angel, but she had a good deal of height over Mistoffelees. The pale gray cat took over the waitress position, weaving in and out among the tables with surprising grace. Her quiet-seeming exterior and gentle blue eyes were rather deceiving - Mistoffelees had once seen her quiet a brawl between two drunken Toms with a sharp yell and piercing whistle.

Last, but certainly not least, was Faerie. Nobody was quite sure where she was from, but she had a distinctly exotic appearance. Barely coming up to Mistoffelees' shoulder, the exotic Queen was black with gray streaks whipping through her fur. The fur around her head grew long, like a mane, and she threaded beads into it so it clicked gently as she moved. Her mysterious green eyes hid a kind heart. When she wasn't helping Nymph serve, Faerie provided entertainment. She had a small instrument that she called a lute that she played with skill, and her ability was often in demand.

All three of them adored Mistoffelees as a friend and welcomed him into their circle quite willingly. None of them ever paused to consider that he was a Tom while they were Queens, and that he was a Jellicle and they were strays. They simply provided support for him should he need to talk and someone closer to his age for him to be friends with. In any case, all three of them were glad to see Mistoffelees whenever he came by.

Mistoffelees and Macavity walked down the darkened streets, Mistoffelees staying close to Macavity. He hated it when they had to walk through the alleys at night; there was no telling what sorts of things lurked in the shadows. Mistoffelees was a little less timid than he had been before being thrown out of the Junkyard, but he still wasn't a very brave cat - not that he had any reason to be.

The sound of footsteps ahead of them caused Macavity to wave a paw at Mistoffelees to still the other cat's movement. Mistoffelees froze, heart leaping into his throat.

"Get back," Macavity whispered. Mistoffelees nodded stiffly, slinking back into the shadows.

The cats came around the corner and bristled at the sight of Macavity.

"Macavity, what are you doing here?" one growled and Mistoffelees recognized Munkustrap's voice.

"I'm just passing through, Jellicle," Macavity snarled, attitude and voice changing to a cruel, sadistic cat, much like the demon the Jellicles thought he was. "You have a problem with that?"

"This close to the Junkyard, I do," Munkustrap snapped.

Macavity sneered and leapt at Munkustrap. The gray tabby caught him in the stomach with his claws, but Macavity dodged, so he didn't receive the full force of the hit. As the two fought, Mistoffelees couldn't suppress a little whimper of fear, uncertain what was happening. Again, his mind whirled with conflicting thoughts: he wanted Macavity to win, because the cat had been so nice to him, but if Macavity won, that meant Munkustrap lost, and he couldn't bear that.

Unfortunately, Mistoffelees' slip alerted another cat to his presence. Without warning, a strong arm grabbed Mistoffelees, pinning him in place. Mistoffelees stiffened in fear.

"Macavity! Stop it now, or I'll kill your little apprentice here!" Alonzo's voice called.

Mistoffelees couldn't stifle the cry that escaped his lips. Did Alonzo know who it was that he was threatening? Or didn't he care? The thought of his friend threatening him like that was too much. Mistoffelees was already trembling in fear; now he felt tears trail down his cheeks. He wanted to call out to Alonzo, tell Alonzo who it was, but the uncertainty that lay in the pit of his stomach silenced any cry he might have made.

The Jellicles saw him as a traitor; that was why they kicked him out.

But still…

"Alonzo," Mistoffelees whispered, voice tight through his tears. "It's me, Mistoffelees. Please…"

"Mistoffelees!" Alonzo cried. "So you ARE a traitor!"

"No," Mistoffelees whispered, becoming panicked. "I didn't mean it, I didn't have a choice…"

"Liar," Alonzo sneered. "I thought Munkustrap had lied, I was certain you would never do such a thing. But you did, didn't you. You and Macavity… how could you do that to us?"

"Alonzo…" Mistoffelees whimpered, shaking harder.

Alonzo ignored him, merely looking at the two fighting. The ginger cat showed no sign of relenting. "Macavity!" Alonzo yelled again, tightening his grip on Mistoffelees. "I mean it!"

The ginger cat jumped back from Munkustrap and looked over at Alonzo and Mistoffelees. "Let him go!"

"Leave!" Alonzo snapped.

"Not until you let him go!"

"Fine," Alonzo growled, flinging Mistoffelees away from him. The small cat hit the ground hard. Ignoring the two Jellicles, Macavity ran to Mistoffelees' side. The tux was unconscious, small body crumpled on the cold ground.

Macavity glared at the two Jellicles. "Even though you banished him, I can't believe you did this." Scooping up Mistoffelees in his arms, Macavity ran off, heading toward the one place he felt would help Mistoffelees: Griddlebone's tavern.

Macavity slipped into Griddlebone's back door, much to her surprise. The white cat was sitting at one of the empty tables - they were closed for the night - looking over her intake for the day. Angel was seated next to her, helping, and Faerie was mindlessly playing her lute. Nymph was nowhere to be seen.

"Macavity!" Griddlebone gasped. "What happened?"

Macavity looked grim. "We ran into a couple of the Jellicles. In maintaining the 'appearance' Rowena wants me to have, I attacked one of them. The other threatened Mistoffelees in hopes I'd back off." Macavity's jaw clenched. "Mistoffelees told him who it was and he still didn't care. Those bastards. You'd think, even though they banished him…"

Faerie had dropped her lute and gone to Macavity's side. Expertly, she examined Mistoffelees' injuries. "I can care for him," she said plainly. "But he needs to stay here."

"Whatever you need to do," Macavity said hurriedly. "It is okay with you, Griddlebone, if…"

She cut him off. "Of course it is. Get him upstairs and put him in… Faerie, your room, most likely."

Faerie lead Macavity up the stairs to the Queens' quarters. She opened the door to one room and Macavity ducked inside, laying the limp young cat on the bed. "Is he going to be okay?" Macavity asked worriedly.

Faerie glanced up at him, mysterious green eyes flickering. "I don't know. I don't know how hard he hit the ground, or anything that happened. All we can do is hope."



Mistoffelees felt like he was drowning. Everything felt thick, he couldn't move. It was black… so black, cloying; the darkness clung to him like a blanket, wouldn't let him out, wouldn't let him breathe…

Alonzo's words rang in his ears, each one feeling like a blow to his body.

You are a traitor.

Liar.

I was certain you would never do such a thing.

How could you do that to us?

Mistoffelees wanted to cry, wanted to tell Alonzo the truth, that he hadn't wanted to, but Alonzo wasn't there. Nobody was there - he was alone.

Slowly, he came to. His head pounded and he let his eyelids flutter open. The room was blessedly dark, the only light coming from a flickering fire. The gentle music of Faerie's lute floated to his ears. Turning his head gingerly, he saw her seated by the fire, plucking the strings with great care. His eyes, no matter how much he tried, wouldn't focus. The room spun and he slipped back into unconsciousness.



"So then Macavity attacks Munkustrap, right? I'm looking around for something that I can use to help and I see this other cat hiding in the shadows. I figure it's Macavity's apprentice, so I grab him. Who does it turn out to be? Mistoffelees!" Alonzo shook his head. "I can't believe he actually did betray us. I mean, who would have thought?"

Tugger looked at Alonzo, something unreadable in his eyes. "You didn't hurt him, did you?"

Alonzo shrugged. "I don't know, we didn't stick around long enough to find out. He hit the pavement pretty hard, though."

Pouncival laughed. "Fitting for the little traitor!"

Tugger cuffed him.

Pouncival glared at the older cat. "What was that for? He is! He's a little traitor, no better than Grizabella, and you know it! Deuteronomy wouldn't have kicked him out if he wasn't."

"I don't care if he is, I don't want to hear that from you," Tugger growled.

"Suit yourself," Pouncival sniffed.

"Tugger, you're acting weird," Plato said.

"So what if I am?" Tugger snapped. "Look, I need some time by myself. If you'll excuse me…" Getting up, Tugger walked off. Once he was out of sight of the others, he slumped to the ground, cradling his head in his paws. What had he done? If only he had been there to stick up for Mistoffelees like he had promised…

Then they both would have gotten kicked out. Or not.

No. Tugger scowled. He could have told them the truth; that Mistoffelees hadn't wanted to work for Rowena. But he was a chicken, couldn't face the Jellicle leader and tell the truth. And now Mistoffelees was suffering for it.

Tugger tried to quiet his uncertainty by telling himself that there was nothing to be done now. Anything he said now wouldn't make a difference.

But deep in his heart he knew it wasn't true. He could help Mistoffelees and didn't.

Some Jellicle he was. "Feline, fearless, faithful and true to other who do what Jellicles can and Jellicles do" indeed.



Again, Mistoffelees felt himself wrapped in the cloying black cloak. He tried to wrestle free of it, but it just clung tighter. Panic overwhelmed him and he started to sob. Voices of all the Jellicles came out of the darkness at him, shouting accusations. He tried to defend himself, but his voice was small and one against their loud and many. None of his pleas made it over the torrent and finally he just gave up, curling in on himself and sobbing. Why now were these coming to haunt him, why now when things had been going okay? Was he really such a horrible individual that happiness must be denied to him at every turn?

Paws grasped his shoulders and shook him, jolting him awake and freeing him from his nightmare. The pillow beneath his cheek was soaked with his tears and the blankets were twisted from his struggles. Faerie's face looked down at him, concerned.

"It was just a dream, treva," she said softly, using the nickname she had given him from her own language. "Don't fret."

"It wasn't a dream," he gasped quietly. "It was so real…"

"No, it was a dream, borne from your injury."

"But Alonzo… he really… he meant what he said…" Mistoffelees' voice caught and he felt more tears slide down his cheeks. "Faerie, why do they hate me?"

She bowed her head. "I cannot answer that."

He looked off into space, eyes unfocusing and tears deepening. "Alonzo was going to kill me… he threatened to, didn't even care or stop when I told him who it was… any of them would kill me now, why!? I don't understand what I did to make them hate me…"

Faerie held him close, comforting him with her embrace. He buried his face in her chest, sobbing uncontrollably, finally letting out the fear and frustration he hadn't even realized he held inside.



Macavity slipped into Rowena's chambers, ready to make his weekly report. Her back was to him, and by the way her tail was thrashing, he could tell she was displeased.

"So," she said icily. "How is Munkustrap?"

"What?" Macavity repeated dumbly, stumped by her question.

Rowena whirled around, eyes blazing. "You could have killed him, you fool! And you didn't. Oh, no, don't try to weasel your way out of this one, my rats saw it all."

"Wh… Why didn't they help, then? If you wanted him dead so badly, they could have put in a paw!"

"You could have handled it yourself and you know it," she snarled. "But for one reason. You had to protect that little brat."

"Leave Mistoffelees out of this, he had nothing…"

"He did. Where is he now?"

"I… I don't know."

"Don't lie to me! You do know!" Macavity said nothing. Rowena was practically livid. "Where is he?"

"He's out of your way, it doesn't matter. He won't cause any trouble for you now."

She sneered. "If I ever see him again, he's dead." With that, she stormed off.



Macavity reentered Griddlebone's tavern later that night. Going over to the bar where Griddlebone was standing, he leaned on the counter.

"How's he doing?"

Griddlebone didn't look up from wiping the counter. "As well as can be expected."

"Is that good?" Macavity pressed.

"Fairly," she replied, glancing up at him. "He'll be okay, at least. Not for awhile, but eventually."

Macavity sighed. "That's good."

"What's bothering you?" Griddlebone asked bluntly.

"Rowena's out for him now. Can he stay here? If she finds him, she'll kill him."

Griddlebone's eyes darkened. "I'm telling you, we'd be better off without her."

Macavity glanced around nervously, then leaned over to talk. "What are you suggesting? Rebellion?"

"There are more of us than her," Griddlebone murmured. "If we all banded together…"

"That may be so, but how are we going to do that? Many of the others feel okay about working for her; things are good for them this way."

"But we could make it better," Griddlebone persisted. "At least think about it."

Macavity paused. "Okay," he promised. "I'd better get going."

Griddlebone merely nodded and went off to work in another area. Macavity slipped, unnoticed, out the door.



Nymph came rushing into Faerie's room. "Misto! I heard what happened, are you okay?"

He glanced up at her from where he sat on Faerie's bed. "All right, except for a headache."

Nymph took the barely veiled hint. "Sorry," she mumbled.

"It's all right," Mistoffelees sighed, going back to untangling the yarn in his lap.

Nymph sat down next to him. "Whatcha doing?"

"Helping Faerie out," he said. "It's the least I could do…"

"Aw, it's not your fault!" Nymph said. "You didn't ask for those stupid Jellicles to beat you up."

"Nymph… I used to be one of those stupid Jellicles."

Nymph bit her tongue. "I really am sticking my paw in my mouth a lot today, aren't I?"

"Like I said before, don't worry about it."

"Misto, you're awfully down today. Are you sure you're okay?"

He laughed bitterly. "One of my former friends just tried to kill me, what do you think?"

Nymph looked down at her paws. "I see."

Silence settled over the two. Nymph gave her black and white companion a sideways glance. "You know… I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Mistoffelees glared at her. "What do you mean, he didn't mean it? Oh, yeah, I'm sure it was a joke. Ha ha, very funny, let's threaten the poor little cat."

Nymph scowled at him. "You don't have to be so bitter, Mistoffelees. I'm just trying to help."

"How is this helping?" he snapped. "I just want to be left alone."

"Fine! Be alone then!" Nymph cried, leaping off the bed and stomping towards the door.

Once she had gone, Mistoffelees sighed. He honestly hadn't meant to drive her away. It certainly seemed like he couldn't keep any of his friends lately.

"Very suave," a satirical voice said from the doorway.

Mistoffelees glanced up to see Angel leaning against the doorframe. His shoulders sagged. "Are you all going to come and lecture me?"

"No, Nymph came up just to see how you were doing. I've come to lecture you." She held up a paw to forestall any comments. "And don't think you're going to drive me off either. You are going to listen to everything I have to say, even if I have to sit on you."

Mistoffelees shut his mouth and looked back down at the yarn, knowing better than to argue with Angel when she was in this mood. If she said she'd sit on him to get him to listen, she'd sit on him to get him to listen.

"Now, I don't care if you've been having a rough time lately. I don't care that a former friend injured you, and I don't care that you're probably feeling very worthless right now. What I do care about is making sure you don't turn into a bitter old man before you reach my age." Angel's eyes softened. "Look, Misto, I know you've been having problems - heck, problems that no cat your age should have to deal with. No cat of any age for that matter. But please, don't take it out on us. We're your friends, Misto. You don't need to push us away just because your old friends hurt you."

Mistoffelees gulped and fiddled with one end of the yarn. "I'm sorry…" he murmured. "I just… You're the first ones who actually want to be my friends."

Angel sat down next to him. "Aw, kid… those others… they don't know what they were doing. You are a great feline, okay? Maybe not the most perfect cat in the world, but nobody else here is." She patted his shoulder. "We'll be here for you."



Angel walked into the kitchen only to be pulled aside by Griddlebone.

"Whatever you do, don't let Mistoffelees out of the tavern."

"What? Why?"

Griddlebone looked around grimly before responding in a low voice. "Rowena has a death order on him. I'm hoping that he'll be safe here."

Angel was about to ask about this new information when Nymph came running in, tall tabby behind her.

"Griddlebone! I couldn't stop him from coming in, he wants to see Mistoffelees!"

Griddlebone looked up into the tabby's green eyes. "What do you want?"

"I want to see Mistoffelees."

"And who are you?"

A voice answered for her. "Munkustrap?" Mistoffelees' voice said from the staircase at the back of the kitchen. Unnoticed, he had come down the stairs and now stood, stopped halfway between the top and the bottom.

"Mistoffelees, get over here. We're going back to the Junkyard."

Griddlebone stepped in front of the staircase. "He is going nowhere," she responded icily.

"I didn't ask you."

"You didn't ask anyone. You can't just demand something from him; he lives here now."

"He belongs in the Junkyard; he's a Jellicle."

Griddlebone laughed shortly. "Not anymore; you kicked him out of the tribe, remember?"

Munkustrap looked away from the Queen. "Mistoffelees, let's go."

"Munku… I… I don't want to…" Mistoffelees' voice wavered. "Why do you want me back now, anyway? Found that you need a magician around?" The last was said bitterly. Or did Tugger tell them? Mistoffelees privately wondered.

"Deuteronomy regrets what he did and we want a chance to make it up to you."

Griddlebone snarled fiercely. "Taking him off this property will be signing his death warrant."

"What!?" Munkustrap bellowed. "What have you done?"

"I did nothing," she sneered. "You caused it all by throwing him out. Now get off my property."

"This is a tavern, it's free…"

"Not this part it isn't," Griddlebone snapped. "Now get out before I bring in some of the boys out in the main room."

Munkustrap looked at Mistoffelees. "Misto, please. Come with me."

Mistoffelees shook his head. "Munku… the Jellicles hurt me. Griddlebone helped me. I don't want to return."

Munkustrap glared at Griddlebone. "I don't know what you did to him, but when I found out, you are going to be sorry," he growled before storming off.

Angel slipped past Griddlebone to go to Mistoffelees. "Come on," she murmured. "Let's go back upstairs."

He walked silently with her for a bit, then said, "Angel? Did I do the right thing?"

"Only you can say that, Mistoffelees."

"I know, but… I could have gone back…"

"But how would they have treated you?" Angel said gently. "You don't even know why they wanted you back."

"I know…" Mistoffelees murmured, trying to fight the tears threatening to well up in his eyes. "They're so confusing. First they banish me and try to kill me, then they want me to come 'home'. It's like… everything I ever thought was right is wrong." He was silent a moment more, then said, "I did everything I could to help them. I brought back Old Deuteronomy, I wasn't a bad kitten. There were a few accidents with my magic, but that's to be expected. I didn't even want to work for Rowena, but I was forced to. I never wanted to hurt anyone."

"We never do," Angel murmured, echoes of long ago hurt showing in her eyes.

He took a deep breath. "What did Griddlebone mean that taking me off this property would mean signing my own death warrant?"

Angel looked away. "Rowena's put a death mark on you."

Mistoffelees shuddered. "I'm not safe anywhere, am I?"

Angel didn't know what to say to that.



Mistoffelees moved deftly in the kitchen, carefully keeping his tail away from the open fire. Since he wasn't able to leave the tavern, he had decided that the least he could do was help out. Angel taught him to cook and, when they needed the help, he went out and helped serve. The customers seemed to take the new addition to the staff in stride and many of them greeted him cheerfully, asking him how he was or complementing his cooking.

It gave Mistoffelees a certain satisfaction to know that he was doing something to help somebody and that people were actually appreciating what he was doing.

At the sound of his name, Mistoffelees' ears pricked up. Turning toward the kitchen door, he said softly, "Jemima?"

Jemima's voice came again. "Mistoffelees! They were right, you are here. Can you come out so we can talk?"

"I can't go out, it's too dangerous. Can't you come in here?"

"Oh, surely you don't think I'd hurt you!" Jemima cried. "Do they keep you so locked in that you can't even go out?"

"They're doing it to protect me," Mistoffelees said, defending Griddlebone and Macavity. "I still don't see why you can't come in here."

"I want to show you something."

"You came all the way out here to show me something? Isn't Jenny worried about you?"

"I missed you, Mistoffelees! I'm sure everything they're saying about you is wrong. But can you please come out? It won't take long…"

"I…" Mistoffelees threw a look over his shoulder at the door to the main room. Nobody was coming… and he did miss the outdoors. "Okay…" Putting down the spoon he had been holding, Mistoffelees walked outside. "Where are you?"

"Right here. Behind you."

Mistoffelees turned around and tried to cry out, but Rowena grabbed him, clamping her paw over his mouth.

"And so we meet again," Rowena said sweetly, in a perfect imitation of Jemima's voice. "You know, I was going to kill you, but I've decided against it. Having a magician around could be most useful."



Angel walked briskly into the kitchen. "Mistoffelees, I thought I told you to have those meals out in the…" Her voice trailed off as she took in the empty room and the smell of burning food. Her heart immediately leapt into her throat. Mistoffelees was too responsible to just leave things like this…

Eyes flicking around the room, they fell upon the door that they had left open to let in some of the cooler air. Angel felt her heart sink from her throat to the pit of her stomach. How could they have been so stupid to leave him alone in here with the door open? Rushing outside, knowing full well that she was too late, Angel looked up and down the alley. Nothing. She did, however, smell Rowena's scent, as well as Mistoffelees'.

"Griddlebone!" Angel yelled.



As they entered Rowena's warehouse, she carelessly shoved Mistoffelees at two of her rats. "You know what to do with him," she said flippantly.

Mistoffelees winced as the rats grabbed him, their unruly claws digging through his fur and into his skin. Griddlebone had always refused to serve rats at her tavern; she had said it was because they were disgusting, unclean, smelly creatures with no respect for anything. Mistoffelees now saw that all this was true as they hurried him along the dingy hallways. They 'ushered' - more like pushed - him into a room that he had never seen before. It was better kept than the rest of the place he had seen, with bright lights that had obviously been stolen, as well as cushions, fancy cloth, and other frivolities.

"What is this place?" Mistoffelees dared to ask.

"This is Rowena's throne room," one of his guards snickered.

"And this is your new home," the other snickered. Mistoffelees has learned a long time ago that rats didn't talk, they snickered. If one had to listen to them for a prolonged time, it got quite annoying.

They rudely shoved him into a large birdcage in the corner and slammed the door, locking it.

Mistoffelees huddled in the farthest corner, tucking his knees up to his chin and wrapping his arms around them. He couldn't believe that he had fallen for that trick. Now he was either going to die here or be forced into Rowena's employment - and neither one would be pleasant. If only he hadn't gone outside… he should have suspected something was up when 'Jemima' wouldn't show herself.

"If hindsight was foresight, we'd never make mistakes," he muttered to himself, quoting one of Faerie's favorite phrases. Mistoffelees supposed his only options now were to hope he could escape or pray that the others could find him - and that they cared to.

He hadn't a clue how he could be calm and reasonable at this time. After what Rowena had done to him to originally make him work for her…

Gasping for air, he drove his thoughts away from those memories. He couldn't think of those now… Fear finally sunk in and Mistoffelees realized how terrified he was.

"Please help me, Griddlebone," he whispered. "All of you, please help me."



"What do you mean he's gone!?" Macavity yelled.

Angel's ears slicked back and she hissed. "Just what I said! He's gone! And stop yelling, for Bast's sake!"

Macavity turned his back on her and clenched his fists, struggling to control his temper. He had started to think of Mistoffelees as a younger brother and felt personally responsible for him. Now this.

"If she kills him…" Macavity muttered.

"You'll do what?" Griddlebone asked sarcastically. "I've told you before and I'll tell you again: we should have done something to stop her. Before this. Now do you believe me?"

"I've always believed you," Macavity retorted. "But how are we going to stop Rowena? There's only five of us, and…"

"We can get more," Griddlebone said softly. "It'll just take some work."

Macavity looked down at the ground for a long time. When he finally did look up, the fire of rebellion was in his eyes. "Okay. What do we do first?"


Mistoffelees must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew, he was being poked awake. Two rats - they might have been the same ones that had brought him there, or they might not have, he couldn't tell - stood outside his cage and roughly pulled him out when they saw he was awake. Mistoffelees was brought before Rowena who was idly lounging on a satin pillow.

"Hello, Mistoffelees," she said with a cold smile. "Now… I know I was going to kill you, but it occurs to me that that would be a dreadful waste. See, I would dearly like to have the Junkyard, but there is the small problem of the Jellicles." Her voice was soft and deadly, and as she spoke, Rowena picked up a file and began idly sharpening her claws. "Now, obviously they aren't going to give it up to me on their own free will. That's where you come in."

Mistoffelees narrowed his eyes. "You're saying you want me to use my powers to help you overthrow the Jellicles?"

"Oh, no, I'm not saying. I'm telling you you're going to. It just depends whether or not we do it the easy way or the hard way."

"I'm not going to help you."

Rowena laughed. "Oh, come now, Mistoffelees… look at how much they've hurt you. They've thrown you out on the streets, leaving you to fend for yourself, even after all you've done for them. One of them threatened to kill you. They don't care about you, why should you care about them?"

Mistoffelees bit his lip. Everything she said was so true… why should he? But then he thought about the kittens - Jemima, Etcetera, Electra, even Pouncival - they'd had nothing to do with him being banished. Neither had a lot of the Jellicles… it wouldn't be fair to them to suffer just because of the mistakes of a few. "I won't do it," he said again.

Rowena stood up and slowly walked toward him. Mistoffelees held his ground, knowing it would do no good to run - there were rats all over the place, he wouldn't get far.

Quick as lightning, Rowena grabbed Mistoffelees by the shoulder. It was so unexpected he didn't have time to blink, much less avoid her. The white Persian was much taller and stronger than Mistoffelees and she pinned him in place easily. Lightly, she trailed the tip of a newly sharpened claw along his white chest fur. Her nose inches from his, she said quietly, "When I said we could do this the hard way or the easy way, I meant it. Now, are you going to give in willingly, or am I going to have to use other methods of… persuasion? One way or the other, you are going to give in."

Mistoffelees nearly trembled from fear. Even as lightly as she was pressing with that claw, he could feel how sharp it was. But he couldn't just give in. "I won't," he said, voice shaking.

"Fool," she said. With that, she dug her claws in, drawing blood. Mistoffelees gave a whimper, more out of surprise than anything. Rowena let go of him and let him fall to the ground. "This ought to prove interesting," Rowena drawled. "I've always wondered if magical cats could withstand pain longer than the average feline. And don't worry - I'll make sure you stay alive and conscious so you don't miss anything."



Mistoffelees curled up tightly on the floor of his cage, trying to block out the pain that threatened to overwhelm him. Tears rolled down his cheeks and dampened his fur. When clawing at him hadn't worked, Rowena had decided to try something else. Another burst of pain hit his paws and Mistoffelees winced. She had trimmed his claws down way too far - of course, that had been her intention. When he had still refused to join her, she'd gone into a rage. It was only the fact that she didn't want him dead or unconscious that kept her from attacking him further.

Mistoffelees noted with bitterness that they hadn't even bothered to lock to the door to the cage. Why should they? He wasn't going anywhere. He doubted he could stand much less run away.

The creak of the door snapped his head up. A tall gray Queen with black streaks running through her fur crouched by the open door.

Mistoffelees' ears slicked back. "What do you want?" he asked hoarsely.

"I want to help you," she said softly. "I'm supposed to be harassing you, but listen to what I say to you, not what I say for them."

Mistoffelees looked warily at her, not sure what to make of this.

Her expression changed slightly and she sneered at him. "Fool. You should have gone along with Rowena. Things will go much easier on you." Then she stopped as if he was responding. Quietly, she whispered, "I have something here that should relieve the pain in your paws. If you can find a way to get over here with out looking suspicious…?"

"We're being observed then?" he murmured, barely audible.

"Of course." Her tone changed again. "Your loyalty to the Jellicles is pathetic. They've done nothing but hurt you."

Mistoffelees slowly edged toward her. Playing along, he shot back, "You hurt me as well."

"We gave you warning. They just threw you out onto the streets." He was within paw reach of her by now. Quickly, she reached out and snatched his paw. Her touch was gentle, but it appeared that she was hurting him. Mistoffelees continued to play along and grimaced in pain - which wasn't entirely an act. As gentle as she was being, it still hurt.

"This is the least of what she can do to you, stupid kit," the Queen snapped, all the while working deftly. She uncorked a small jar she had hidden in the belt she wore and dipped his clawtips into the liquid. Immediately, the pain stopped and it was all Mistoffelees could do to not collapse from relief. With an incredible sleight of hand, the Queen switched the paws she was holding without even Mistoffelees being aware of it. "She can hurt you worse than this," she continued harshly. "Don't be stupider than you already are."

She finished that paw. "I'm sorry I can't do your hind feet, they'd notice," she muttered, slipping the vial back in her belt, once again pretending that he was responding. "We need you to keep holding out on her. You friends are doing all they can, but we need you to not give in. Can you do that?"

"I think so," he said softly.

She rose her voice. "You think I was joking? Oh, you'll see kit. Rowena's capable of some horrible things, and unless you give in, you'll find that out the hard way."

It was a subtle warning and they both knew it. She was informing him that it wasn't going to be easy to hang on, but he knew he had to. Mistoffelees couldn't put his magic at Rowena's disposal.



Rowena growled and slammed her fist down on the table, sending coins and baubles flying. "What do you mean nothing is working?"

Cara sighed and took a deep breath, willing herself patience. "Just what I said. He won't give in. We've tried everything." She winced inwardly at that; Rowena would, of course, put her in charge of that. Cara hoped that Mistoffelees realized that she hadn't wanted to.

Rowena sat for a long time, staring intently at a gem she clutched between two claws. "If he isn't going to be of help, I want him dead."

Cara actually started at this. "What!?"

Rowena smiled up at her. "You heard what I said. I grow tired of this game and we aren't getting any closer to the Junkyard by toying with him. If he isn't going to cooperate, he's going to die."

Cara choked and forcefully schooled her face into the proper impassiveness. "As you wish, Rowena."

Rowena twirled the gem around before flicking it across the room so it shattered on the stone wall. "But… we do have the leisure to make it interesting. I would think… oh, yes, that should be quite appropriate."

Cara leaned close, stomach tightening as Rowena outlined her plot.



Glancing over her shoulder to make sure that nobody was following her, Cara slipped into the back door of Griddlebone's tavern. Shaking the rain from her gray and black fur, she addressed the others in the room bluntly.

"She's gonna hang him."

"What!?" Macavity yelped, snapping to his feet.

Cara nodded grimly. "She wants to make an 'example' of those who disobey her."

Angel had paled considerably and Faerie looked enraged. Nymph had run from the room. Griddlebone was clutching the spoon she had been stirring with tightly and Macavity was just standing there, eyes glazed.

Cara plunged onward. "She's doing it tomorrow night. I have a plan, but… it's gonna be cutting it close. There is no way we can get to him before then." She took a deep breath. "What I want to do is this…"



Mistoffelees winced as someone opened the door. The light outside the small cell they had moved him to wasn't much brighter than the pitch-blackness he was in, but it was enough.

Two rats came in. "Come along, kit," one snickered, hauling him to his feet and paying no attention to Mistoffelees' moan of pain at pressure was put on his aching paws.

"And where are we going?" Mistoffelees managed to say, trying to maintain a cavalier attitude.

"Your execution," the one on his left laughed.

Mistoffelees sucked in a breath and the two cackled. "Scared to die, kit?" one jeered.

"He ought to be… Rowena's got quite an… interesting plan."

The two laughed together as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Mistoffelees tried to control his racing heart. Surely his friends would come through in time.

Surely they would.

They walked outdoors and the rats stopped. One held him in place while the other jerked Mistoffelees' front paws behind his back and bound them. He let out a yelp of pain and the rats chittered, amused. One slapped his paws and he sucked in a breath as pain shot up his arms. Seeing they would get no more amusement than that - or perhaps afraid of what their employer would do if they didn't hurry up - the rats hustled him along.



Ademetus was trotting along the streets, heading for the Junkyard, when he saw a large group of cats gathered in near an abandoned and falling apart warehouse. Curious, he walked over, and looked at the nicest looking one that was closest to him.

"What's going on?"

The cat turned around with a grin. "What, don't you know? Rowena's gonna be hanging that obnoxious ex-Jellicle!"

Ademetus paled. He had no clue who this 'Rowena' was, but he had a good idea of who the 'ex-Jellicle' was. "Thank you," he said stiffly before breaking out in a dead run towards the Junkyard.



"Munkustrap!" Ademetus bellowed as he tore into the proper, startling everyone there. Usually Ademetus was rather quiet and soft-spoken.

"What is it, Ademetus?" Munkustrap asked, arising to his feet.

"They're gonna execute him! Kill him, hang him, whatever!"

"What!?" Munkustrap said. "Ademetus, slow down, you aren't making any sense. Who?"

"Mistoffelees!" Ademetus gasped. "They're gonna kill him, we have to do something."

Munkustrap was all set to protest; Mistoffelees had been banned from the tribe, he was no responsibility of theirs. They had offered him a chance to come back and he had refused. They didn't have to help. Then he saw the looks on the faces of the Jellicles as they looked at him and each other. "All right," he said quietly.



Mistoffelees held his head high and proud as the rats marched him through the alleys. He couldn't let them see his weakness, or know how much he was shaking inside. Each step made his hind paws throb more, but he supposed it didn't matter.

Rowena was going to kill him anyway.

Amazing how he could take this threat of imminent death so well. A while ago, he would have been pleading for his life… Ah, well, life had changed. Too bad the Jellicles wouldn't know that he had done his best to save them. Maybe then they would have felt guilty for what had happened.

They entered a warehouse crowded with ruffians of all sorts - Rowena's people. They were laughing and talking as if they were going to see a circus, not somebody get killed.

Mistoffelees' stomach turned to ice as he realized that to them, this was the equivalent of a circus.

So Rowena wants this to be a public thing, he thought, just this edge of hysterical. At least everyone will know what happened to me…

The rats led him up to a 'stage' upon which Rowena stood. Mistoffelees nearly wailed in fright when he saw the noose that hung next to her.

This is how it's going to end… alone, amid the enemy… as a spectator sport… I'm too young to die!

Once he was standing at her side, Rowena slipped the noose over his head and tightened it. Mistoffelees closed his eyes, feeling a couple tears slide down his cheeks, any earlier pretense at being brave gone.

"Fellow outlaws," Rowena said loudly, quieting the crowd's chatter. "Welcome. As you know, this is the young Jellicle who nearly compromised out position. Now we are able to make an example of him, and soon all of London will fear us and accept our control!"

The crowd broke into cheers and Mistoffelees felt his heart plummet. Looking out across the sea of cats, he searched for a friendly face. There was none to be seen.

Wait… creeping along the back. Wasn't that Thad? Mistoffelees squinted, desperately trying to see if he had correctly identified the white and orange spotted Tom from Griddlebone's tavern. The Thad-look-alike saw Mistoffelees gazing at him and gave him a paws up signal. Mistoffelees nearly broke out in relieved laughter. It was!

Abruptly, everything fell through. Cats suddenly turned on their fellows and attacked them, Griddlebone and Macavity appearing out of nowhere.

"Your reign has ended, Rowena!" Griddlebone called, brandishing a sword and looking for all the world like the pirate queen she was supposed to be.

Rowena pulled her lips back in a hiss. "Curse you! Curse you all!" Paw reaching, she pulled on the lever that would release the trapdoor beneath Mistoffelees' feet. Macavity yelled something, but Mistoffelees knew it would be too late. Bracing himself, he waited for the jolt of the fall…



Munkustrap and the other Jellicle Toms wove through the brawl, ducking punches and delivering a few. They had met up with Macavity outside and he had grudgingly accepted their help. Spying Mistoffelees up front, Munkustrap wove his way through the crowd, headed for the makeshift stage. He leaped up on the wooden planks just as the white Persian standing there pulled a lever. Munkustrap's heart leapt into his throat as Mistoffelees started to fall and he dove forward, catching the lithe Tom in his strong arms.



Mistoffelees felt his body jerk as someone grabbed him around the waist. Roughly, a paw wrestled the noose off his head and he heard Rowena yelling something. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Macavity land on the stage and attack Rowena. Before he knew what was happening, whoever had grabbed him scooped him up in a pair of strong arms, allowing Mistoffelees to see his savior.

"Munkustrap?" he whispered, not understanding.

Munkustrap glanced at him, but said nothing. Jumping off the stage, he ran from the fight, carrying Mistoffelees to a sheltered spot and laying him down. No sooner had his body touched the ground than the Queen he now knew was named Cara dashed by, snatching him up.

"Hey!" Munkustrap yelled, but Cara paid no heed. Mistoffelees tried to call out to the tabby, but he was plunged into a sea of darkness as the trials of the past few days caught up with him and he fell unconscious.



Two weeks later, Munkustrap slowly walked along the alleys, heading for a place he had only been to once or twice: Griddlebone's tavern. Trying to take his time getting there, Munkustrap shuffled his feet and thought about the past few weeks.

After the mysterious gray and black Queen had run off with Mistoffelees, he had joined the other Jellicles and strays in fighting back the mysterious Persian's henchcats. Once Macavity had killed her, they had fled, not wishing to stay about leaderless. Oh, some had stayed and sworn fealty to Macavity and Griddlebone, but most ran.

Macavity had explained to Munkustrap who Rowena was and vowed that the strays would leave the Jellicles alone from now on, provided the Jellicles did likewise. When Munkustrap had inquired about Mistoffelees, Griddlebone's lips had thinned and turned white. She had responded in a clipped tone that Mistoffelees would be taken care of and Munkustrap needn't worry.

Munkustrap had known then that Mistoffelees probably wasn't returning to the tribe. Still, he felt that the magician was owed an apology, so early that morning he had set out, without anyone else's knowledge, heading for the one place he could think the Tom might be.

Munkustrap tried to tell himself he had waited so long to give Mistoffelees time to heal, but deep down he knew the truth was that he hadn't been able to work up the nerve to face the younger cat until now.

Looking up, Munkustrap saw that he had come to the tavern. The common room was empty, something very unusual for this time of day, and he carefully walked back to the kitchen. Griddlebone was standing there, carefully washing some dishes. He cleared his throat self-consciously and she looked up.

"Hello," she said softly before looking back down at the dishwater. "I assume you're here to see Mistoffelees?"

"Is… that okay?" Munkustrap asked somewhat nervously, not used to feeling this way.

Griddlebone glanced up again and studied him. "You're a good kid, Munkustrap." Munkustrap flushed a little at being called a 'kid', but Griddlebone took no notice. "It's good to see the Jellicles haven't beaten it out of you." Her tone was only half joking. "He's out back, in the courtyard. Follow that hallway there." She jerked her head in the general direction and Munkustrap walked carefully down it.

Reaching a doorway, he blinked at the sunlight that spilled in. In a small, walled off section of the warehouses, accessible only by some cat-sized doors, trees, flowers, and grass had been planted. It was like a private little garden. Munkustrap sucked in a breath, amazed at the ingenuity. No wonder Mistoffelees would prefer living here.

Hazel green eyes scanning the courtyard, he spotted Mistoffelees and three Queens, settled comfortably about a large rock under a tree, talking animatedly. Their lively conversation and laughter drifted over to him, and for a moment, Munkustrap just stood in the shadows and watched.

A tall, amber coloured Queen sat at Mistoffelees' feet while his nimble paws worked brightly coloured beads into her hair. "Like this, Faerie?" he asked, turning his head to look at the black and gray cat seated off to the side.

She examined his work and nodded. "Yes, exactly."

Behind Mistoffelees stood a soft gray Queen, who was playing with Mistoffelees' head fur, apparently working beads into it as well. "Thanks for teaching us this, Faerie," she said with gratitude.

"Tell me why I'm letting you practice on me, Nymph?" Mistoffelees said, craning his neck to look up at her.

Nymph laughed and pushed on his forehead. "Because you're a sweetheart. Now hold still so I can work."

The amber Queen chuckled and started in on the conversation without moving her head. "I dunno, I think I trust Misto a bit more than I would trust you, Nymph."

Nymph pouted. "Oh, Angel, you have no faith in me!" She played with Mistoffelees' fur a bit more before flicking a beaded strand over his forehead. "There, now you look simply lovely."

Mistoffelees looked at his beaded fur. "Nymph! I said you could practice on me only if you didn't use pink!"

Nymph giggled and ducked behind Faerie. Angel laughed. "Oh, but Misto, you look simply divine."

Mistoffelees rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at her. "It looks silly! I'm a Tom; I can't have pink beads in my fur! Bad enough I have beads in my fur!"

Faerie glanced up to join in the conversation. "Actually, where I'm from, all the Toms bead their fur."

"With pink?"

The somber Queen cracked a smile. "No, that's reserved for Queens."

"Hey, I know!" Angel announced. "We can make Mistoffelees an honorary Queen!"

Their laughter rolled across the grass to Munkustrap and he gave a sad smile. Never, in all the time he had known Mistoffelees, had he ever seen the slight magician have this much fun. "Maybe he is better off here," Munkustrap murmured.

"He is," Griddlebone said softly from behind him. Munkustrap half turned to look at her and she looked him in the eye. "I can't imagine that he could fit in back with your tribe, even if he ever did before. But still… go out there and apologize. He needs it."

Munkustrap started. "How did you…"

"How did I know why you came?" Griddlebone smiled. "I'm a good guesser. Go on. They won't bite."

Munkustrap nodded slowly and walked out across the grass towards the cheerful group. Angel saw him coming first and quieted her laughter. Mistoffelees saw him next, soon followed by Nymph and Faerie. By the time Munkustrap reached them, they were quiet, and Nymph had perched next to Mistoffelees, one paw on his arm.

"Hi," Munkustrap said softly.

"Hello," Mistoffelees replied, not quite meeting the tabby's eyes. "I… guess I never got to thank you for saving me."

Munkustrap shook his head. "No thanks needed. We… I… owed you." Silence settled over the group once again until Munkustrap finally broke it. "Misto… I'm… sorry. Things should have been… different."

Mistoffelees shrugged, finally meeting Munkustrap's gaze. "It's the past, Munku. We can't change it."

"You… aren't coming back, are you?"

Mistoffelees hesitated a moment before shaking his head. "I don't belong there, Munku. Don't think I ever did. This is my home now."

Munkustrap looked down at the ground. "The others… they don't know I came. But I… wanted to apologize. For everything."

"Thank you," Mistoffelees said softly. "I guess… it's comforting to know you cared enough to do that."

Once more uncomfortable silence descended, but Munkustrap decided to cut this meeting short before it went too far. "I guess… I'll be seeing you around, perhaps."

"Maybe so."

Munkustrap felt a lump form in his throat and he swallowed hard. "Until we meet again."

"And hopefully on better terms than now."

Nodding, Munkustrap turned and walked away, feeling Mistoffelees' eyes on his back. When he reached the doorway, he turned back to catch one last glimpse of the young Tom.

Mistoffelees had turned back to his friends and was talking to Nymph with a pleading note in his voice. Their tones had quieted so Munkustrap could no longer hear them, but even from a distance he could see the happiness that they shared.

Taking a deep breath, Munkustrap turned to go back to the Junkyard, knowing full well that his path was not likely to cross Mistoffelees' again.


But I know it's too late for this goodbye
There's nothing left to say
Who knows just where I'm going
Does tomorrow belong to me
Walkaway this time with my head held high
Walkaway just me and myself
Walkaway with pride nothing left to hide
But it just feels right to be one and just walkaway this time
One day you'll realize that the tears you saw in my eyes
Will be there forever
~Geri Halliwell
"Walkaway"
Schizophonic