"No Aunt Jelly gave the yarn to me," hissed Isabella, "Go play with Aitheras!".
"I don't want to play with Aith! I wanna play with the yarn! All Aitheras ever wants to do is tricks," whined Calhablan.
" I'm a tough cat! I want to go chase mice and pounce but he never will!", yelled Calhablan.
"You can come dance with Mommy, Jemima, Sootaput, and me," offered Isabella.
"Dancing is for girls! I don't wanna," spat Calhablan.
"Well, fine. Here have the stupid string," yelled Isabella. She threw the string at him and left to practice her solo with Mommy. When her Mommy was little she had to come up with a dance to open the Jellicle Ball just she does now.
Time has passed, it is now late fall and the Jellicles are preparing for the Jellicle Ball. Victoria's kittens are growing up quickly. Calhablan has yet to find his nitch but he soon will. Isabella is graceful and has a voice like a bell, but she also has her father's wild side that worries her mother. Aitheras is a natural at stunts. Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, and Pouncival are having just as much fun teaching him as he is learning. Rum Tum Tugger and Bombalurina are official now, all the tribe is very happy for the two. Jemima and Mistoffelees have become great friends recently. Mistoffelees is looking especially forward toward the Jellicle Ball. Demeter no longer lives in fear of Macavity. Munkustrap assured the group they would not see Macavity again for sometime.
Mistoffelees climbed the tremendous garbage heap trying to get a better look at the dump. He had just woken up from his catnap. On top of the ridge he spotted a group of kittens practicing their dance. He also spotted Isabella working on her solo dance with Victoria. Mistoffelees decided to bother the girls dancing. He slowly approached them from behind. With a few paw motions, he made a lightening bolt strike behind the girls. They all jumped and some scattered in surprise. He had scared Sootaput the most who went running. Jemima turned to him and said angrily," Now look what you've done!" Mistoffelees flattened his ears and ran after Sootaput, very hurt and embarrassed.
Sootaput ran through the Junk Yard scared, not looking where she was going. She turned the corner too quickly and tumbled right into Calhablan.
"Hey, watch where you are going!", snapped Calhablan. Sootaput was in hysterics, trembling uncontrollably.
"What's wrong?", asked Calhablan,"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap".
"Sootaput! Sootaput!", called the magical cat. Sootaput shrieked and jumped into a box, Calhablan followed. Cal purred trying to calm her. He poked his head out of the box to see Mistoffelees pass.
"Mistoffelees, help me! Sootaput is really upset and I think we are stuck in here," yelled Calhablan.
"You found her? Thank the Jellicle Moon!", sighed Mistoffelees in relief. He jumped into the box, took Calhablan in his mouth, and jumped back out to place him on the ground. He then jumped back in to get Sootaput. The second Sootaput hit the ground, she ran and hid her head on Calhablan's chest. The kitten looked at Mistoffelees.
"I am so sorry Sootaput. I didn't mean to scare you like that, I forgot you haven't seen the lightening yet. It was just a joke, do you want to see?" asked Mistoffelees.
"That was you? I saw a big flash behind me, then that awful noise. How did you do that?" questioned Sootaput.
"Watch", replied Mistoffelees. With a few paw motions, a huge bolt of lightening shot from his paws. The two kittens jumped back in awe.
"Why don't we walk back to dance practice", asked Mistoffelees licking away Sootaput's tears. Sootaput got up and Calhablan followed her with Mistoffelees back toward practice. Mistoffelees then saw a small black and white flash from the garbage hill.
"Hey, you two know the way back, right? I really need to go check on something", Mistoffelees said.
"Ok", responded the kittens in unison.
Mistoffelees snuck up the hill quietly. He peered over the hill to find what he had expected. Jemima walking back to dance. She had been spying on him! Mistoffelees walked up behind her, sat on his hind legs, and pounced right on her!
"Hey!" yelled Jemima.
"You were spying on me!" hissed Mistoffelees.
"Oh, don't be so upset. I thought you might need help." said Jemima.
"Well, I didn't. Now did I?" sneered Mistoffelees.
"Um, Mistoffelees, please get off me," said Jemima.
"Looking forward to the Jellicle Ball? It's your turn isn't it? Victoria was second youngest than you until the new kittens arrived", said Mistoffelees.
"Yes, it is my turn. It's your turn too. It doesn't mean anything though you know. It's just saying you are a cat now, ready to find a life partner.It doesn't have to be the one you.... Look at Victoria and Plato! They both chose others!" protested Jemima.
"Don't be so defensive! I didn't mean anything by it. Look at Jellylorum and Skimbleshanks though, they chose each other," soothed Mistoffelees.
"But they already liked each other", stuttered Jemima. This made Mistoffelees smile and he took a step very close to Jemima. She was nervous. He could tell.
"Mistoffelees!" called Tumblebrutus. Mistoffelees turned his head in the cat's direction.
"We need you at practice now", said Tumble.
"I'm coming! Just give me a second", called Mistoffelees. He turned back to Jemima, but she was gone.
"Thanks Tumble, thanks a lot," Mistoffelees muttered under his breath.
Sootaput and Calhablan soon reached the practice.
"Calhablan why don't you come practice with us", innocently asked Sootaput.
"Um I'm not much of a dancer I know all the group dances but beyond that I'm sitting out", said Calhablan.
"Come on Cal I'm sure your great! Please, will you dance with me?", said Sootaput in her most persuasive kitten voice. At this comment Cal's ears poped up. Dance with her? He was very excited but didn't know why. He decided just to go with it.
"Sure I would love too", said Calhablan.
Isabella had joined the dance group. To her surprise her brother swayed over with a young kitten! "I thought dancing was for girls", mocked Isabella. Calhablan gave her a cold look. Jellylorum had come over to supervise the practice.
"One,two,three", counted Jellylorum. The kittens started their dance and Cal moved very gracefully with Sootaput at his side. Jemima snuck into practice and stayed in the back.
"Nice to see you joined us", said Jelly.
"I'm sorry Jellylorum it won't happen again", Jemima said embarrassed
On the other side of the Junk Yard, Bombalurina and Rum Tum Tugger worked on their secret duet Deutoronomy awarded them. Rum Tum Tugger and Bomba declaring their love forever. A truly wondrous song with a Tugger/Bomba dance style. It had a jazzy, spicy beat. Bombalurina twirled her hips and Tugger always Mr.Cool. this was different from before though this time they did it for each other. They would perform for the group but as if they were the only two there.
Deutoronomy was in charge of planning and granting roles in the Jellicle Ball. He knew there was less than three weeks left. This year as always Munkustrap would start the Ball by telling the Jellicle Story. This would be followed with the traditional Naming of the Cats. Tantomile and Coripat plus Mistoffelees would follow. They were singing and performing a song called the "Mystical Society". The song is about their strange abilities. Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie will follow with the usual tale of their naughty deeds. Next there will be a quick number with Bustopher Jones. After that Demeter will sing about her past and her new found happiness. This Ball the kittens play will be "The Rumpus Cat battle with the Great Pollicle of Scotts". In this tale of the Super Cat he defeats a huge dog who has been chasing local cats. The Rumpus Cat came to the rescue of the local cats. After the kitten play there will be a special showing of the cats tumbling skills. The cats doing tricks will be Alonzo, Aitheras, Tumblebrutus, Pouncival, Etcetera, and Mistoffelees plus all the other cats will join in on the fun. Oh, I almost forgot after the "Naming of the Cats" Victoria's daughter, Isabella, will do the solo dance to open the Ball. I am getting old, my memory is getting bad, may be Munkustrap will be taking over sooner than he thinks. I will sing "The Moments of Happiness" next. Than comes the group dance and two kittens will become Cats. I believe it is Mistoffelees and Jemima this year. Sootaput has persuaded Calhablan to dance with her during the group dance. After, Jemima and Mistoffelees become Cats all the cats will tap a nap. When they awake the Ball will continue with Bombalurina and Tugger's number. Cassandra and Victoria will sing about Exotica: the unknown cat. Exotica is a mystery who says nothing and is only seen at the Jellicle Ball. Next is Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat with his song and dance. Finally Jellylorum will sing with her elderly father about his days gone past. Deutoronomy was worried Gus may not make it to the next Jellicle Ball. Since the last Ball Gus has gotten increasingly worse. Finally it will end with the journey to the Heavyside Layer and the "Addressing of Cats". It all looks very promising.
Munkustrap was laying with his love Demeter when he heard notorious giggles. Rumpleteazer came running across the Junkyard toward Electra,Etcetera,and Tumblebrutus. She was covered in colored powders and waxes.
"Rumpleteazer get back here, I have to clean you off!", yelled Mungojerrie.
"No, I like it! Wait till they see me at Victoria Grove",sneered Rumpleteazer.
"What did you do?",asked Electra.
"You smell funny",said Etcetera.
"She rolled through all the masters make-up and perfumes, its a real mess",snapped Mungojerrie.
"Your just mad you didn't think of it first",laughed Rumpleteazer. Mungo pinned down his partner and started to lick her clean.
Jellylorum and Jennyanydots were in charge of the play again. Jennyanydots went to go persuade Admetus to play Rumpus Cat again. Jelly decided she would double team Quaxo with Patchabie into playing the Pollicle of Scotts. Munkustrap as always will be playing the narrator. All the kittens are very excited. Tomorrow they will start with making costumes.
After the group cat nap everyone gathers in the Junkyard to practice the group dance. The young males did jumps and tricks, Isabella and Bomba did a saucy number, and Calhablan and Sootaput danced. They all had a wonderful night. Finally, tired, they laid down to sleep.
Isabella was very excited swayed into the Junkyard early only to be scared off by a vicious Pollicle. As the first Moon ray hit the Junkyard, it was time to begin. Munkustrap, as if on que, was the first to appear, one by one they came out. Munkustrap looked around, seeing everyone present, began telling about the Jellicle Ball. From there they told of their names. Isabella's stomach filled with butterflies as she took center stage. She danced gracefully with beauty and skill. The Ball officially began. Coricopat and Tantomile entered silently and Mistoffelees came in a puff of smoke. With a slow hypnotizing rhythm, they told of their mystical and magical abilities. They rightly entitles it "The Mystical Society". As they hit the last note, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer burst onto the scene with their normal tales of their naughty deed.
Bustopher Jones then appeared and he, along with Jennanydots, sang a quick tale of his daily life.
Demeter followed with a heart warming tale of her newfound happiness. She always felt she was living in her sister's shadow, always ignored and never loved. She thought of leaving to find Grizabella, but now she knew better and that she was always loved.
The kittens play "The Rumpus Cat's Battle with the Great Pollicle of Scotts" was a comic success. The kittens forgot there places and Admetus made a wonderful "Rumpus Cat". Patchabie was so proud of Quaxo. It was adorable.
Quietly all the cats exited to the sides of the Junkyard's "Stage". Tumblebrutus ran out doing somersaults. The Pouncival jumped doing flips from the rocking chair. Etcetera ran out next to Tumblebrutus and they did double cartwheels. Alonzo and Mistoffelees came out doing toe touches while Etcetera swung from a rope. Soon all the cats joined in on the fun. This seemlessly transcended into the group dance. Sootaput and Calhablan moved gracefully together. He picked her up and they danced around. When they separated, she leaned over and gave him a lick then ran off. He smiled hugely and did a toe touch to everyone's surprise. Cassandra and Plato moved together in perfect harmony. Coricopat, Tantomile, and Mistoffelees suddenly perked up.
"Old Deutoronomy", whispered Mistoffelees. The Old Jellicle leader was there! Mistoffelees and Munkustrap helped him to the tire where he sat as if it was his throne. At the end of the Jellicle group dance, Jemima slowly moved to the center. Mistoffelees than appeared. She looked at him. He stood with such beauty and power. He walked to her, she filled with butterflies. He bent his head and rubbed her where she had never been rubbed before. She jumped back in surprise, then looked up to see Mistoffelees smiling at her. She smiled back. She walked towards him and licked his cheek. No one had ever licked him before. His eyes twinkled as he picked her up. All the cats moved in. Slowly they all went to sleep together. Mistoffelees and Jemima together, together in the middle, smiling.
The cats soon awoke to the sound of Deutoronomy. He looked around and smiled at his family. He took a deep breath and began to sing "Moments of Happiness". Suddenly Macavity appeared! Deutoronomy sighed, Macavity always interrupted this song. He let out the usual crash, and Demeter ran to Munkustrap with the most fear of her life. Macavity was still weak and left without a fight. He just wanted to remind them he was still there. Bombalurina ran back out from hiding and hissed. Macavity wasn't ruing her ball!
Rum Tum Tugger then swayed out. He ran up and rubbed Bombalurina. The music picked up, and their number started. They swayed their hips and sarcastically joked about one another. It was sexy and funny just like the two cats. Bombalurina ran to the corner of the Junkyard "stage" and flicked her head toward the shadow then disappeared into them. Rum Tum Tugger looked around with a smirk then followed her into the shadows.
Cassandra and Victoria then entered. Victoria, in a very soothing English voice, sang an intro, then Cassandra, in a very Persian voice, like a bell, finished it. Then in unison they sang about Exotica the Unknown Cat. Next, Skimbleshanks sang his usual song with some dance.
The last performance was by Gus and Jellylorum. Jellylorum helped this once mighty cat to his seat. She sang over his days of glory. Then he sang of his memories and how he missed his glory. Gus cried as he admitted he was forgetting his days of glory. He shook so much now that Jellylorum had to help clean him and bring him food. He felt like a nuisance to his daughter although she assured him she didn't mind and did it out of love. The song ended with his whimpers. Jellylorum looked at Old Deutoronomy with Moonlit eyes. He gave a solemn nod. Jelly rubbed her father's shaking paws and whispered in his ears. He looked up at Deutoronomy with such joy. All the cats approached him saying their congrats and good byes.(and helping him to the tire)
He raised up into the Heavyside Layer on the magical tire. You could hear his cries "I'll do it again!" fade into the night.
The cats ended the ball with smiles and the "Addressing of Cats". Over all it was a wonderful Ball.
By Bombalurina
