Part 1: The Fight
The mysterious cat looked down upon the Jellicle Ball from his perch high atop the highest point in the junkyard, a stack of crushed cars pushed aside and left to rust. He had been there every year, last year coming with Grizabella, knowing full well that once a cat is cast out of the tribe, she may not return. To his delight (and indignation), the two little kittens, the white one and the small runt black and white one convinced the others to accept Grizzabella back. He always came for the intertainment. How would Macavity, or Mungojerry and Rumpleteaser disrupt the ball this year. To his surprise, he saw Mungojerry and Rumpleteaser arrive with everyone else, and begin mingling. Of course, they did that last year, only to throw everyone into a frenzy with an imaginary emergency.
Across the junkyard, he saw some of the kittens still playing, being watched over by Jellylorum and Jennyanidots. He saw the two that had been instrumental in the acceptance of Grizabella, now what were their names? Oh, yeah, Victoria and Jemima. Victoria was beginning to grow out of her kitten-like ways and associating more with the adult cats, leaving Jemima, Etcetera, Electra, and Exotica to their own vices. He also saw Tumblebrutus among the kittens, though he was beginning to outgrow them as well. Soon he would join the other male cats in providing for the tribe. One thing was curious though, he had been here for several months and Macavity hasn't been seen in a very long time.
As Jellylorum and Jennyanidots talked, they kept an eye on the kittens to make sure they didn't climb too high, or fall in a drain pipe, or in some other way hurt themselves. Macavity was on thier minds as well.
"I for one am glad not to worry with his tricks," began Jenny, "even if it is only for a little while. Soon enough he will be back to his old ways again. Just you wait and see."
"You can always count of Macavity to cause poor Munkustrap stress on the night of the Jellicle Ball," said Jelly. "But, still, I don't like the fact that we haven't seen him in a while. It worries me. You think maybe those Pollicles finally caught up with him?"
"No," began Jenny, "I don't. He is just cooking something up for tonight and staying away to catch us off guard. You know, like taking Old Deuteronomy last year."
Outside the junkyard, on the road running around it, Munkustrap was holding council with some of the more mature males in the tribe. "I don't like it," he was saying. "He stays away for months on end, and then when the big night comes, he stalks around like he's some sort of demon, frightening the kittens, and making Demeter pull her fur out. I kinda like it better when he is around so I can keep and eye on him."
"Ye canna always have ye way lad," said Skimble in his Scottish brogue. "Come ta think of it, I haven'a seen Tugger around a lot lately either. Ya think maybe they're planning somethin togeter."
"Its possible," said Munkustrap. "Tugger can be a real troublemaker when he wants to be."
"Before your time, Munk," began Gus, "when I was a kitten, there was someone who would make Macavity look tame. He had all us kittens in a frenzy when he came around. Never knew when he was going to appear either. Kind of spooky. He would just appear out of thin air, snatch up a kitten, laugh out loud, and dissappear. The kitten would be found later at the boundry of the junkyard all safe and sound, and none the worse for it. He even took me once. Got to eat a good meal that night I did."
"You mean like Mistofolees," asked Munkustrap.
"Yes, quite," said Gus. "Only he had full control of what he was doing. Mistofolees is still learning."
As the daylight faded to twilight, the cats assembled around the tire to await the arrival of Old Deuteronomy. Munkustrap began by inviting the cats to recant the Naming of Cats. He was just about to invite the Jellicles to the Ball when Macavity strolled out of the darkness right into the center of the meeting area. Demeter hissed at him and ran to the other side of the meeting area, causing several of the kittens to scatter in her wake. Munkustrap was instantly between Macavity and the rest of the tribe, glaring at his brother. "What do you want," asked Munkustrap.
"I want to participate in the Ball tonight," said Macavity. "And I brought a surprise with me as well."
Just at that moment, Old Deuteronomy entered from the other side of the meeting area, and seeing his two grandsons standing off on the other side, began to inquire what was going on. "Macavity has upset us for the last time," said Munkustrap. "He is asking to join the ball tonight."
"Then by all means let him," said Old Deuteronomy. "He is as much a Jellicle as you are."
"But," began Munkustrap, "he is always disrupting the ball, and making off with a kitten, or with you, or with something of value to someone here."
"No," said Macavity, "don't bother. I can see where I'm not wanted. However, I want you to accept my gift."
He stalked into the shadows and returned a few seconds later with a kitten in tow. All of the Jellicles gasped. The kitten was a spitting image of Macavity. "This is Skittleskat," began Macavity, "my son. I would like for him to join the Jellicles tonight. He is old enough."
No one said a word. No one wanted to break the silence as Munkustrap looked first at one of them, then the other. He then looked to Old Deuteronomy for guidance. Deuteronomy slowly walked over to where the two were standing and said "The kitten will be allowed to join us. His father is a Jellicle, and that's enough for me." Old Deuteronomy put his paw on Macavity's shoulder and said "And as for you, you are always welcome, no matter what you have done."
"No thanks," said Macavity. "Just see to it my son is raised as a Jellicle and has fun tonight." With that, Macavity turned and ran into the shadows.
"So where's the party," came a familiar voice from the opposite direction. "Uncle Tugger," yelped the kitten, running to Tugger and hiding behind him. "Where did dad go?"
Caught off guard, Tugger looked at Munkustrap and Old Deuteronomy, then to the kitten and said, "He'll be back soon. He just has some things to take care of."
"But I'm scared," said the kitten.
"You have nothing to be scared of," said Tugger. "They are all nice, just come meet some of them."
Tugger dragged the kitten to the middle of the meeting area and began introducing him to the other cats. As the kitten became a little less afraid, Munkustrap came up and stood beside Tugger and asked, "And where have you been?"
"Helping Macavity take care of this kitten," came the response. "The mother died giving birth to him and three other kits. This is the only one we could nurse back to life."
"No!" exclaimed the cat on the top of the pile of cars.
He jumped to his feet and with a flick of his tail, he transported himself down to the meeting area. With a puff of smoke, he appeared in front of all the Jellicles. Some of them jumped, others ran for the shadows, and still others stared. Who was this cat who appeared out of nowhere. Mistofolees was right there in the middle of everyone meeting the new kitten. One cat, though, knew exactly who it was, and with a look of discust that rarely if ever came to his face, he glared at the intruder. "What are you doing here," asked Old Deuteronomy. "We bannished you years ago. You were never to come back. WHY ARE YOU HERE!"
With that, Deuteronomy dropped into an attack position, something none of the other cats had ever seen before. "I have come to shed light on the subject of this little kitten," said the strange cat.
He was grey with black stripes like Munkustrap, only he looked as old as Deuteronomy. "So have your say and be gone," announced Deuteronomy angrily.
"Oh, but I have to tell you the whole story," began the mysterious cat. "Do you remember Minstral?"
"How could I forget him," said Deuteronomy, "he was my brother."
"Is your brother," said the mystery cat.
"Briddlebane," began Deuteronomy, "you had better be quick with your explanation, I have a lot to do tonight. Oh, but you wouldn't know about that would you. You never even showed up the night Grizabella decided to leave the tribe. If anyone could have convinced her not to leave, it could have been you. And then to take a kitten right after that was tasteless. That’s why father bannished you."
"Ah, but it wasn't father who banished me, now was it," replied Briddlebane. "It was Minstral, our older brother."
"Get to your point," said Deuteronomy, "I don't need a history lesson from the likes of you."
"Ok," said Briddlebane. "Minstral sent me here with another cat, a female cat named Liralu. We lost track of each other once we arrived here in London. We were on a train, and had to duck out of sight when the railway cat came by. When I looked around, she had fallen from the train and was trying to catch back up with it. It was too late though. I jumped the train, but couldn't find her. The next thing I know, a couple of Pollicles were on my trail and I had to get out of there. I figured she was dog meat until I saw her with Macavity a few weeks later. Again I lost track of her until today. Tugger, is it true she is dead?"
"Y-yes," replied Tugger, noncommittally. "She died right after the birth of the last kitten. Without her milk, only the strongest of the litter survived. We tried so hard..." he trailed off with a tear welling up in his eye.
Tugger scurried into the shadows so he wouldn't be seen in this state. "No," said Briddlebane, staggering back and sitting on his hind legs. He hung his head and began walking off. "She was my daughter," he was heard to say as he vanished into the night.
Just then, something dawned on Skimble and he ran into the shadows the way Macavity had left. The only one that noticed was Tugger, who was in the shadows crying.
* * *
Out on the street Macavity was making his way away from the junkyard, his head hanging. He reached an alley and entered it. He noticed some movement within and perked up to see what was afoot. Two dogs skimpered up and looked at him hungrily. "Lookie 'ere," said one of them, "its a poor little kitty with 'is 'ead 'ung low. Why don't we just help him with his misery."
"Yeah," said the other one. "We'll show him who rules the streets."
Macavity didn't care. He had left his kit in good hands and didn't care what happened to him now. He had lost the one cat he ever cared for, three of her kittens, and just handed over the fourth to be raised by his tribe, probably never to be seen by him ever again. He just began walking on. The lead dog snatched him up in his jaws and shook him two or three times, flinging him against the brick wall of the alley. As the dog was about to pounce again, Skimble turned the corner of the alley. He let out a hiss and got ready to attack. Before he could do anything, Rumpus Cat was on the dogs biting and scratching. Skimble joined him and between the two of them, they had the dogs yelping away in no time.
Skimble went over to Macavity and noticed he was unconcious. Rumpus joined him and helped him start dragging him back to the junkyard. By the time they finally got him dragged to the outer limit of the meeting place, the Jellicle Ball was wrapping up, and Old Deuteronomy was about to make the Jellicle choice, when Skimble ran in and said, "Macavity's beat up bad, I need some help."
Munkustrap, Alonzo, and Tugger all ran behind him to see what he was talking about. Tugger took one look at Macavity and said "Who did this," with a growl of rage.
"Twas a couple a Pollicles," replied Skimble. "I've seen em hangin around the area lately. Was gonna try an cut Macavity off before they got to im, but I was too late. Poor lad."
Tugger ran off into the night with a growl of rage, Alonzo and Rumpus following to make sure he didn't get into trouble. Munkustrap and Skimble dragged Macavity into the meeting area. Immediately, Skittleskat ran over to see what had happened. Upon seeing his father lying there, he hissed at the other two male cats and placed himself between them and Macavity. The others tried to reason with the kitten, but he defended his father fanatically. It wasn't until late in the morning, when the kitten had collapsed from fatigue that they could attend Macavity's wounds. Even then, Jellylorum was shocked when the kitten awoke with a start and attacked her. She put some distance between her and the kitten for good measure and glared at him. She had never seen a kitten act this way in her whole life. Bustopher Jones walked in on this scene and asked, "I say, what's going on here."
"The kitten won't let us near Macavity," answered Jelly. "I've never seen anything like this before in my life."
"I have," said Bustopher, "once. It was when Mistofolees mother died. He defended her body for three days before anyone could get near him. Couldn't be reasoned with until I arrived and reassured him. What this kit needs is someone he trusts."
"Tugger," said Jelly. "He called him Uncle Tugger last night. See if you can find Rum Tum Tugger. He may be able to get through to the kitten."
Bustopher went and found Tumblebrutus and asked him to find Tugger, that there would be a treat in it for him. "Tell him to come quick, it's about Macavity's kitten," said Bustopher.
Tumblebrutus knew exactly where to look. Tugger had been scoping out the hideout of the two Pollicles all day, waiting on a chance to attack. He ran up to Tugger and whispered in his ear. Tugger looked at Alonzo, Mungojerry and Coricopat and said "Stay here until I return. No attack without me, understood."
"Yeah," replied Mungojerry.
"And you stay here too," said Tugger to Tumblebrutus. "You can learn something here in a little while. I will only be a few minutes."
Tumblebrutus smiled and went to stand by Alonzo. Alonzo looked at him and said "Don't get any ideas kit. We wait til Tugger gets back just like he said."
Tugger ran all the way back to the junkyard, hardly noticing when he almost got run over by a car. He didn't need distractions now. He was about to get even with a couple of Pollicles. He arrived and scoped out the situation immediately. He had seen it before. A kitten defending a parent fanatically. He also knew only a trusted friend or family member could break the stalemate. He strolled into the meeting area and said, "Skittleskat, get over here."
The little cat hissed at him, then, recognizing Tugger, he ran over to him and hid under his belly, glaring out at the other cats as they approached Macavity to doctor him. The kitten kept hissing at the other cats until they were through with Macavity, and had moved him into the shade of the washing machine. "Now," said Tugger, "go lay down with your father and keep him warm. He will be up before long."
Munkustrap came into the meeting area and asked "How is everything going?"
"Not well," said Jelly. "He must have been thrown hard last night, because he still hasn't come to."
"Will he be alright," asked Munkustrap.
"Hard to tell," replied Jelly. "He was shaken pretty bad before he was thrown into the wall. At least that's what Skimble said."
"Where's Tugger going," asked Munkustrap.
"Back to plotting revenge against those Pollicles is my guess," replied Jelly.
As Munkustrap began to follow Tugger, a voice from inside the washer said, "Tell Tugger to let it go. I'm alright."
"Are you sure," asked Munkustrap. "I mean, are you sure you're alright."
"Just tell him," replied Macavity, "and I will be out of your hair as soon as I can stand on my leg again."
"Oh, no you don't," said Munkustrap. "You're staying right here. You're injured and in no condition to leave the junkyard, and I insist on you staying."
"Since when do you care about me," asked Macavity. "All I ever do is cause you grief. Besides, I gave you my kit last night, what more do you want."
"Nothing," replied Munkustrap, "you're my brother. I just don't want to see you throw your life away to some Pollicle's food tray."
"Oh, I'm touched," said Macavity. "Does big brother actually care what happens to little old me? I thought you hated me. You know you enjoyed those months when I wasn't around. Say it. SAY IT!!!"
"No," replied Munkustrap, "I was worried something happened to you. Why do you always have to be so ignorant. All I want is for you to calm down and be a productive member of this tribe."
"That'll be the day," laughed Macavity. He then began to sniff the air. "Demeter!," he exclaimed. "Where is she, I smell her.
"Here Macavity," said Demeter, cautiously approaching the washer.
"What do you want?" asked Macavity.
"A look at your kitten," replied Demeter.
Macavity uncovered the kitten with his paw, revealing an exhausted, sleeping furball that looked exactly like him. "Is it true your mate died giving birth," asked Demeter.
Macavity looked down and let out a sigh. He made a visible effort to compose himself before he replied in a broken voice. "Y-yes. She made the most horrible sounds during the birth. Then there were all those kittens trying to feed themselves. Me and Tugger, we tried our best to provide cream and milk for them, but it wasn't enough. Three of them died before the week was up. It tore Tugger to pieces, and me... I'm still not quite myself." He caressed the kitten with his paw, then began washing it. "He's all I have left of her now," said Macavity. "I've gotta keep him happy now at all costs. That's why he has to stay with the Jellicles. At least here he will always be fed and cared for. I cannot always provide for him, but you," he said looking at Munkustrap, and then Demeter. "All of you can raise him better than I can. That's all I need to know is that he's being raised right and I can die a happy cat."
End of part 1
