The moonlight pierced through the frosty darkness over the city of Gabril. Stars kept the ink black sky alive as the owls twisted their necks and blinked their orbed eyes as they gave out fading hoots in the night. The palace of King Triton was deep in sleep as guards walked the grounds to add that sense of protection. High up on the flat roof top of the palace, Munkustrap lied there on his back, with paws behind his head, staring up at the moon. His eyes analyzed the gray patches and dark shadows that gave the cratered moon a sense of dimention. Thousands of questions flooded his mind. How does the moon stay from falling? Can one actually go to the moon and back and what would it be like? What makes it glow? Was there once life giving waters on it as he heard before? These questions boggled him as he continued to stare at the giant rock in the sky in awe. Suddenly, the presence of his brother, Macavity, interrupted the thoughts that emerged him. The giant red tom's feet stood behind the gray tabby's head and Mac glanced down at him as he asked, "What brings you out here in this hour of the night? It feels as if hell is freezing over and you're out here star gazing?"
Munkustrap had to chuckle at his remark as Macavity lied down next to him, positioning himself in the same posture Munku was in with his paws behind his head. A few silent minutes flew by when Munkustrap decided to ask, "So what happened with that fruit goddess, Demeter?"
Macavity rolled his eyes, "She's still in the palace, not speaking to me, but -"
Munkustrap laughed. "What's so funny?" Macavity asked with a frown.
Through his laughter and breaths, the gray tabby replied, "Here you are future king of Gabril, destined to control an entire nation, son of the great Triton, you've been known to cause havoc and yet never been caught therefore earning the name of The Hidden Paw, you're the absolute bafflement of Scottland Yard...and you- you-" Munkustrap couldn't control his laughter and Macavity smiled humorously waiting for him to finish. The gray tom took a deep breath to calm himself and ended with, " - and you can't even control a young juvenile female sent from another tribe in your honor to possess!" Macavity shook his head in laughter at his brother's true and hillarious statement. "Oh come on bro! I'd like to see you handle one of them!" Macavity replied with a chuckle and playfully placed Munkustrap in a head lock in which the gray tom quickly reversed and caught Mac around the waist pinning him to the ground. The two continued to laugh as they wrestled around on the roof in the twilight.
From a nearby window, Bethsheba watched from a distance at her two grown boys who still acted as if they were kittens as they once were. She was so happy for both of them. They were all that she could ever want. All the jewels that adorned her could never be more important than what her eyes were seeing now. Happy that all turned out for the best, she closed her silk drapes and called it a night.
Meanwhile outside, the two toms who were by now worn out, went back to their star gazing state. Macavity then asked, "Say Strap, if I'm king, what will that make you?" Munksutrap shrugged, "The brother of a great king." and he glanced at Mac and added, "and a great friend." Macavity smiled and then sat up. "Munkustrap, I want you to rule with me! Together we'll rule our father's kingdom and be great kings! What ever you say will be granted, just as I!"
Munkustrap was shocked. He knew the crown was passed only to the eldest and so said, "But father-"
Macavity shook his head, "Father won't be king anymore! I will! And I say that you will rule with me!!"
A great smile overcame Munkustrap's face for he loved the idea and smiled with a nod, "We'll rule together, brother to brother!" Macavity gave his own charming smile and grasped Munku's shoulders boldly as he added, "Friend to friend!!"

Activity in the palace continued like usual and in the everyday norm. Sunshine poured over the land as the early days of spring approached. Triton gazed out an immense window from his palace at the working souls that littered his kingdom below. A well postured guard appeared next to him and told them how things were prepared in his order. Triton nodded in satisfaction to the loyal guard, signaling him to go. Just then, Macavity and Munkustrap entered in the room laughing. They talked of the embrassing times, the great times and the hillarious times that kept them together.
"Macavity." came Triton's low serious voice from near the window. The two toms froze. Mac glanced at Munku who glanced back at him, both not knowing of what could be so important. Respectfully and silently, Macavity approached his father, gave him a slight bow and said, "Yes father?"
Without eye contact, Triton replied with his deep monotone voice, "I have noticed you've been living a good and happy life with your brother."
Macavity frowned wondering what this all could possibly be about, "Yes..."
King Triton continued, "As the throne lingers closer to you, I want you to experience the decisions a king must make. There's more to being king than just wealth and fun. Two felines have been convicted of a penalty and I want you to judge their sentence. Are you able to perform this task?"
Macavity was hestitant at first but then strongly replied, "Of course!" and Triton nodded with a satisfied smile as he clapped his hands and hollared, "Bring them in!"
Macavity placed himself infront of the throne as his father stood to the side and watched. Munkustrap, interested in this upcoming event, stood on the otherside of his brother to watch as well. The first prisoner was a small and young orange calico, scared to the bone and bound by two large guards. It was a Jellicle. Another guard appeared and annouced to Macavity that this was a male Jellicle who had tried to escape and was now present to await his sentence. Immediatly, Macavity's blood turned cold at the notice of him being a Jellicle. He eyed his father but Triton only gave him a hard, cold look telling him what was obvious to be done with this victim. Macavity's eyes returned to this prisoner and his words came out cut and dry, "Death."
Munkustrap glanced at his brother in shock. Had he heard right? Immediatly, without hestitance, the Jellicle cried out for mercy but nothing was done as the young dirty tom was dragged away forever. Before Munkustrap could say anything in protest, the next feline was brought in. Munku's eyes squinted upon the convicts face then widoned when he fully recognized who it was. Could it be? Sure enough, it was the same Jellicle who Munkustrap had collided into years back when he and Macavity were younger. Now this Jellicle had grown some in his years, fully black with a white face, chest and tipped tail. He, like all Jellicles, was rather small and dirty from the mercyless hours in the fields. He struggled against the guard's clutches and yet said nothing though his stirn angry eyes said everything as he stared at Macavity with great hatred.
"This Jellicle tom, filed as under the name of Mistoffelees your highness, is convicted of fighting and wounding one of your guards in the fields."
Macavity's eyes went from cold to hot as he quickly said without a second's thought, "Death." Munkustrap couldn't take it anymore as he yelled, "Wait!"
Everyone froze and Macavity frowned at his brother. Munku approached him and whispered stirnly, "Can't you at least ask the tom as to why he would do such a thing?" Macavity was silent for a moment then, turning back to the Jellicle he asked, "Why did you perform such a crime?"
The black Jellicle replied, "The guard was beating upon a fellow friend." Macavity shook his head. That wasn't good enough and sadly enough Munkustrap knew it and quickly said in his hushed toned whisper to his hot headed brother, "I wish you not to send this Jellicle to his death."
"And why not? I am king-"
"And so am I! You said so yourself." Macavity fell silent once again and Munkustrap took the opportunity to add, "I still can't comprehend how you sentenced that other Jellicle tom to death for wanting nothing but freedom! I beg you, as your brother, please have mercy on this soul. The guard is still alive, all is well."
Macavity thought as his eyes wondered from Munkustrap to the black Jellicle then replied, "Very well," and Munksutrap smiled in relief over his brother's words. But, Macavity continued, "However, this Jellicle will stay here in palace walls. I have heard of his powers and that he holds the title of a magician. When bored, you will perform for me and have no contact to the outside world. You will sleep in the palace dongeon till the day you die all for your crime of even looking at a supieror being higher than you."
The black Jellicle and Munkustrap were speechless. "No!" cried the black slave, "I'd rather die!!"
But no changes were made and the black tom glanced at Munkustrap, his now sadened eyes blaming no one but him for this cursed destiny given to him. Munkustrap's eyes quickly darted away from the Jellicle's in shame as the chained magician was dragged away.

Munkustrap moaped down the great hall thinking of nothing but the traumatizing event that occured earlier that day. Suddenly, his ears pricked at the soft sound of weeping. It was coming from behind the large chamber door next to him. He pressed his ear against it to get a clearer and more distinct sound and confirmed that someone was definetly crying inside. Slowly, he creeked open the door and peered inside. It was Demeter, weeping uncontrolably into her pillow on her queen sized bed. He carefully and silently closed the door behind him but the latch clamored and Demeter quickly looked up at her intruder with a startled gasp. "What do you want?" she asked through her tears.
Munkustrap hesitated in nervousness, fiddling his fingers and looking to the ground, "I - I heard you crying and checked to see if you were ok."
Demeter frowned in puzzlement, "Check to see if I was ok?"
Munkustrap nodded like a small child and Demeter was bewildered by this. Realizing how the young queen wasn't responding, Munkustrap decided to give her her privacy and turned to leave. But his exit was interrupted by her sudden soft comment, "You're not like the others, are you?"
The gray tabby froze. "What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry but I find it awefully strange that a tom of such royalty would give the least bit care as to asking if I was ok."
Munkustrap didn't know how to reply so instead he decided to apologize, "I'm sorry for what happened that night at Macavity's party. I-"
"Oh, that...." Demeter said somberly. Munkustrap drew closer as he said, "The tackle and all ... I-" Suddenly, Demeter slowly began her crying once more as she wimpered, "Why didn't you just let me get away?"
Munkustrap frowned, "Where were you going to go?"
Demeter fell silent and just as she did a voice from outside below called out from the darkness, "Demeter!" The queen gasped at the sound as wide alarmed eyes fell on Munkustrap who's brow wrinkled at the sudden outburst from outside. Immediatly, Munkustrap went towards the window but Demeter quickly stood in his way, "No!" she cried, "Please don't!"
"Who's out there?" he asked stirnly. Demeter struggled for an answer but before she could think of one, Munkustrap threw back the window drapes and peered outside. Below he was surprised to a red queen gazing up at their window. At the sudden sight of the gray tabby, the red queen gasped in horror. Demeter then poked her head out and cried out in a harsh whisper, "Bombalurina, run!!" and the queen immediatly did so without question.
"Who was that?" Munkustrap asked more confused than ever. "Oh please don't tell!" Demeter cried.
"I'm not a snitch, I just want to know who she was." he replied to her tenderly.
Demeter lowered her eyes as she replied, "That was Bombalurina, my older sister. She's a Jellicle and -" Munkustrap figured the rest and ended her sentence for her in a question like posture, "And you've come only to free her." Demeter nodded, "Yes, however, the task is harder then I could ever imagine. With your family and this horrid kingdom the freedom of one feline is slimmer than the possibility of having your cold hearts turn kind."
Offended by that, Munkustrap replied angrily, "What are you saying?!"
Showing no fear to this tom, Demeter finally spoke her mind, "You all are ruthless, ignorant felines who know nothing of ruling a great empire. You are cold, hard and cruel! You have enslaved a great tribe and have stripped all hopes of happiness and freedom from them. You have torn loved ones apart and slaughtered the innocent without a pure conscience!"
Purely upset by this queen's outburst, he snatched her wrist sharply and growled, "You know nothing! What do you speak of when you say we have slaughtered the innocent? We have done no such thing!"
"Oh but yes you have! Though it happened years ago it will never be forgotton! You destroyed the entire city of Bargos and you and your family have had the blood of the innocent Jellicles on your paws ever since!"
Munkustrap's fury mixed in with confusion, "Bargos?"
With a saddened face, Demeter replied, "A once beautiful city not far from here to the east. It's gone, all gone."
Munkustrap couldn't believe what he was hearing. He shook his head in horror and disbelief, "You lie!" Demeter shook her head. This couldn't be true, it just had to be a lie. It had to be a trick in letting her go. Strucken by her words, he had to find out for himself. Without hestitance he ran for the door, burst through it and sped down the hall. Fury bubbled in him. How dare she make up such lies of his family. His pace picked up. He ran past an open room where Macavity was chatting with a guard about his future riegn. The red prince suddenly noticed Munkustrap and wondered where he was going as he peered out from the room. The gray tabby left the palace walls, fleeing out into the open plain to the city of Bargos. King Triton gazed out his window and spotted the running tom. He frowned wondering as well where his youngest son was off to. It wasn't far though it was a good run, till he finally made to Bargos which sat just beyond a great hill that the gray tabby now climbed. When on top, he glanced down before him and gasped. The city was torn, desolate, dark, gloomy, and looked cursed. Even the skies had changed to a cloudy gray blanket that hoovered over the dead ghost town. Brown stiff leaves stirred and cracked on the cold cement grounds and torn ragged drapes and cloth littered the streets and hung from burnt rotten buildings. Traumatized by the scene that lay before him, Munku slowly descended down the hill, unable to take his wide hurt eyes off the silent city of Bargos. It was cold and windy. Cautiously he ventured into one of the small homes where the felines once lived. The doors were torn off the hinges and on the ground like door mats. Inside, Munku saw a one roomed area. Furniture scattered everywhere and in peices. A gust of uninviting wind blew through the opened and shattered window. The glass crumpled beneath his feet as he watch for nails and pieces of sharp wood. The ceiling was low and damp as cobb webs hung and clinged to his silver coat. He brushed his fingers across the wall and a dark coal like powder rubbed off. The entire city was burnt down. He took a step back in horror only to nearly trip when stirring a stack of objects that lay at his feet. He glanced down and nearly fainted when he saw how they were bones. Tears began to fill his eyes as it all sank in. Demeter was right. Feeling weak at the knees and emotionally choked, he leaned against the cold stone wall and slowly slid downwards as a single tear streamed down his face. Just then, a noise caused him to cease his crying. He turned his face to look around and was alarmed to see none other than King Triton standing above him. The large cat grabbed Munku by the shoulders and jerked him up firmly. Inches from his son's face, Triton growled, "What are you doing out here? You know you are not allowed outside the palace walls!"
Munkustrap struggled out of his father's grip, "How could you do this? You murderer! Why didn't you ever tell me?!" Triton's grip only got tighter as he replied, trying to calm the gray tabby down, "Listen to me!" finally Munku decided to stop his struggling and so his father continued, "There were too many of them and they were rebelling. We had to control them somehow. It was all for the well-being of our empire."
Munkustrap just stood there unable to look his father in the eyes. There was no excuse for this.
Once realizing that Munku had settled, Triton hugged him and whispered, "Besides, they were only Jellicles. Born from the dust and to the dust they return. Munku's eyes widoned and he quickly backed out of the king's embrace with shocked eyes. He shook his head and hissed, "You're cruel...you're a cruel cruel animal."
Triton's eyebrows lowdered in annoyance, "Munkustrap I am your father."
"NO!!" Munku cried as the tears returned, "You....you are a MONSTER!"
Outraged by that, Triton took threatening steps towards him and Munkustrap without hesitance ran the opposite way. Immediatly, Triton followed his persute.