Luna becomes a Jellicle
Mistoline's return
By: Tiggertailz and Mistoline
*Note: Several sections of the story are written in Mistoline's point of view. Please bear this in mind as you read. The waved lines (~~~~) note the changes between Mistoline's point of view and the third person's point of view.
Tumblebrutus knocked on the side of Luna's barrel, waking her from peaceful slumber. Who has the audacity to disturb my sleep? She sleepily peeked out of her barrel and forgot to be angry when she saw Tumble' s smiling face.
"Good evening, fair and beautiful Luna," he said with an enchanting smile.
Luna blushed. "Hello, Tumble. How are you tonight?"
"I could not be better for the brightest star is not in the night sky, but here in the Jellicle yard, of all places."
Luna blushed even more deeply and her fur sparkled brightly. What a charmer!
"But I forget my promise to you," Tumble smiled.
"Promise?" Luna looked at him not understanding.
"To take you to meet Old Deuteronomy. There is a Jellicle Ball tonight and all of the Jellicles will be there. I hope you still want to go." Tumble looked at Luna in hopes that she would.
Silly goose, how could you forget such a thing! Luna hid her embarrassment from Tumble and replied, "Oh, of course, I'm coming. I'm very interested in meeting Old Deute...?"
"Old Deuteronomy," Tumble smiled again. "Come, my lady. Your ball awaits.
Luna hopped out of her barrel and landed next to Tumble. He took her paw and together they went to the Jellicle Ball.
***
It was a magical, musical festivity that Luna saw before her. Dozens of cats and kittens sang, danced, and played. Merriment was the rule here. Luna felt like dancing herself. Then she noticed a large, older cat watching the whole display with a great smile of happiness. He had long fur that was mottled with grays, browns, and black; rather plain looking really. But when she caught sight of his eyes, she knew he was no ordinary cat. Tumble led her to him and said, "Deuteronomy, may I present Luna. She is new here and I believe that she would make an excellent Jellicle."
Tumble nudged Luna into saying some thing. "Hello," she said nervously, "I am Luna. My human family abandoned me a week ago. I came here..." she remembered the moths and continued, "and met Mistoffelees. He was very kind to me and I decided to stay here. I have met other cats as well. They all been generous to me," (except maybe Rumpleteazer, another story). She hesitated and then continued, "I would like, if you will have me, to become a Jellicle and be part of your tribe. Please." Luna was very much intimidated by this wise old cat.
Old Deuteronomy looked thoughtful a moment and called upon the cats whom Luna had met and become friends with. Mistoffelees, Rumpleteazer, Tugger, Tumblebrutus, and a few others all came forth making their claims of Luna's worthiness. Mistoffelees then whispered in Deuteronomy's ear and his eyes widened slightly. "You're sure?" he said to Mistoffelees. Mistoffelees nodded and went back to his place.
Old Deuteronomy looked at Luna once more. "Well you have been highly esteemed by these cats before me, but I would like to know what led you here."
Luna thought a moment and then began. " As I said my human family abandoned me. So I was on the street on my own. I was frightened at first, but then a group of moths decided to annoy me. I batted at them, but they insisted. So I ended up chasing them all through the city. I stopped when I discovered this old junkyard. I got curious and ended up in a little trouble, but Mistoffelees rescued me." She turned to Mistoffelees and offered him a sheepish smile. He smiled back remembering the experience. Luna continued her story, "I liked it here and decided to stay. I hope that is all right." Luna finished humbly.
Old Deuteronomy smiled and laughed. "I must hear of this adventure that required Mistoffelees assistance sometime." He smiled again. "I have heard all I need. Luna, you have proven to be worthy of the Jellicle tribe. Lunastar will be your Jellicle name, for you sparkle as much as the stars in the night sky. Welcome to the Jellicle layer."
A cheer rose from every cat in the yard. Tumble picked Lunastar up and spun her in the air. She laughed and smiled. "Thank you so much," she bowed in gratitude before the old cat. He smiled back and said, "Go forth and meet the other Jellicles. They are all eager to greet and welcome you."
Tumblebrutus, being a gentleman, led her around the yard to greet the other Jellicle cats. She met Munkustrap, who gave her a deep bow and a wink. Then Bombalurina, who smiled and nuzzled her. When she came to Mistoffelees, she bowed before him. He smiled, congratulated her, and bowed in return. She knew he was honest in his congratulations, but she could see a deep sorrow in his eyes. What would cause him to look this way? Before she could ask, Tumble had swept her away to meet some other cats.
After Lunastar had met everyone, all the cats became solemn and quiet. Mistoffelees started to sing...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was quite interesting to see Lunastar who's name I did not know yet talking with Old Deuteronomy. I, Mistoline the banished magician, felt there was something more about her. Just before I could ponder about this strange feeling it hit me like a blow: Mistoffelees started my song.
"There once was a cat, her fur was white and black"
Lunastar looked questioning at Tumble and at Mistoffelees and Munkustrap started to declare the situation:
"Apprenticed to the magical Mr. Mistoffelees Mistoffelees stood in a corner and I liked to leave my hiding place but I just had to see my misery. Demeter took the next part
"And he's mourning, the magical Mr. Mistoffelees..."
When Jemima finally stood on the car I nearly broke into tears. She had been my friend and now was part of that horrible song.
"Hardly matured she started to betray""
Just now I looked down on Mistoffelees who shook his head painfully. Tugger saw it and patted him softly on his shoulder. Than sent him to the center of the yard. He knew that Mistoffelees wanted to say something and gave the final wink:
"So listen to what Mistoffelees wants to say!"
Mistoffelees hesitated but Old Deuteronomy nodded and the magician turned the lights to a spot on him. I had the will to leave, I was not discovered yet, but I knew that my chance to come back was tonight.
"We all liked Mistoline, the young queen He had seen me! Of course, Mistoffelees had sensed me and so he looked at me from the corner of his eyes. Tantomile and Coricopat looked at me, too. I know they felt me. Fortunately, nobody noticed Mistoffelees' and the twins' reaction. Lunastar, the new one, looked at me. How could she know I was here? Maybe she had similar powers to the twins? I rushed down from my hiding place to the twins and begged Tantomile to do something. Now a lot of Jellicles must have seen me. Tantomile hissed at me, but quiet enough to let me leave before everyone stared at me. She had understood what I wanted, and so she tried to help me:
"Betrayed like a rat"
Coricopat supported Tantomile's thoughts and sang along with her.
"A magical cat I took the chance, Tantomile and Coricopat had opened a door for me. Maybe they would understand me if I sang my lines. And so I, frightened, stepped to the twins who backed away, but they had a look of friendship in their eyes. Mistoffelees looked at me shocked when I sang my lines which were not expected:
"I want to come back - a Jellicle cat. My voice sounded sad and showed the pain in my heart. I never had thought my voice could sound like that, but I could not prevent it. Mistoffelees' shock turned to a mourning look. Lunastar, at his side, stared at me as if she could not believe my misery. Mistoffelees sang his verse "We all liked Mistoline the young queen..." again and looked at me and took a step forward to my direction. I "turned" the light brighter. I did not want to be seen in darkness. Munkustrap gave him an angry glare which frightened the black cat from moving closer to me. I thought I had failed, but my friends Jemima and Etcetera saw the friend in me I once had been. They took the sparkling cat's paw and pointed to me.
"Lunastar," Tantomile whispered.
"She makes you do the step into the sun!" Etcetera and Jemima sang to me and it encouraged me to sing more about my feelings.
"I loved the tribe and I loved my way "Fooling around but making a lot of fun"
Mistoffelees opened his arms and smiled and my eyes began to water. Munkustrap still had not forgiven me. Mistoffelees seeing Munkustrap angry looks could not move. Jemima looked at Munkustrap who sighed and turned around to Old Deuteronomy. To my fortune, the old leader had forgiven me. With Deuteronomy's agreement, Jemima walked toward my direction. I was afraid and happy at the same time. Etcetera and Demeter followed Jemima. Lunastar joined the three cats, although she did not even know me. Together they sang the line of forgiveness:
"She makes you do the step into the sun!"
Lunastar's fur sparkled and I felt a warm familiar feeling when she touched me. I broke down in front of Jemima and hugged my old and new friends. I stood up and saw Mistoffelees smiling. I wanted to go an thank him but I felt something as he did, and that made me hesitate. Demeter suddenly cried out:
"Macavity!" when a police siren howled up and within a moment, Mistoffelees had disappeared. Lunastar's, Demeter's and my whiskers began to vibrate when we saw the ginger creature appear with his evil laughter:
"Nice to see you back, Mistoline. Did you forget our little agreement?"
Jennyanydots and Jellylorum shoveled the kittens away. I was unprepared for the situation. I was used to being protected by Mistoffelees. Now we stood there, Munkustrap, Demeter, Tumble, Alonzo, Lunastar and me. Munkustrap took a protective pose and tried to help me even though he had banished me. I was now a Jellicle again.
"Who is he?" Lunastar asked confused.
"Macavity, one of the most evil forces you'll find around," I hissed.
The Hidden Paw walked over to Munkustrap, glaring into his eyes and growling. They circled each other. Then suddenly, without anyone expecting it, he hit Munkustrap. The gray cat was tossed aside to rest unconscious on the floor.
"Noooo!" I cried in anger and while Demeter ran over to Munkustrap I attacked Macavity. Of course, I had no chance against him. He grabbed me and held me tight that I could not escape.
"Mistoline!" Alonzo growled and tried to attack Macavity, but Tumble held the black and white tomcat back. For Alonzo there was no chance against Macavity as long as he was on his own. I never had thought Alonzo would fight for me, but there was a lot of anger and anxiety in his eyes.
"Now I've got what I want!" Macavity yelled and turned around. Lying on his shoulder, I could remark something which he could not see. Lunastar's fur gleamed with a fiery light and she growled angrily. She held her paws together and formed a ball of fire. The ball left her paws and set Macavity's tail on fire. He could not have seen her, so he was surprised about the sudden pain and dropped me. Alonzo ran over and pulled me away to safety. I was very thankful for it. Lunastar was amazed and frightened at what she had just done. Now she had gained Macavity's interest which was certainly not a good thing. Macavity snuffed out the fire and went over to Lunastar and Tumblebrutus.
"So, kitten. You want to make Macavity your enemy?"
"Anyone who treats a Jellicle like you do is my enemy!" Lunastar hissed back.
"Aha. Maybe I'll take you, too. You're as interesting as the little magician." Macavity smiled mischievously and pressed forward.
"Before you take anyone you've to deal with me!" Tumblebrutus protected Lunastar, but with evil laughter, a group of rats appeared and grabbed Tumblebrutus. This was distraction enough for Macavity, and he had no problems snatching Lunastar. She hissed and howled. She did not want to let him defeat her, but she was a tiny creature compared to the ginger tom.
"Tallfall!" yelled Macavity, and it hurt my heart. Tallfall, the handsome tom, was here with Macavity. He was his henchcat but he had been friendly to me. He was not truly evil. But now he was here with Macavity. Tallfall appeared next to me and Alonzo as Macavity ordered him:
"Take that black and white tom away. He's a nuisance!"
Tallfall nodded and attacked Alonzo. I saw in his eyes that he did not want any fight. 'Oh Tallfall, why are you working for Macavity?' I asked myself. The last I saw were some black rats grabbing me, and Macavity disappearing with Lunastar on his shoulder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Macavity and the rats scrambled through the night, careful not to loose their ill gotten treasures. It was a terrible journey for Lunastar and Mistoline, but Lunastar was going to make this a costly journey for Macavity. She released her claws and scratched viciously at his shoulder. Unfortunately, Macavity's fur was so thick that she merely annoyed him. Mistoline howled as one of the rats dug it's own claws into her fur and flesh. The other rats began to laugh at her pain. Cruel little beasts! She tried to catch a glimpse of the sparkling kitten. Lunastar was still intent on making things hell for Macavity, but he only laughed at her futile attempts. Mistoline could see the fear in Lunastar' s eyes, but she couldn't tell if it was because of Macavity or from her sudden display of power earlier. Lunastar cast Mistoline a frightened, helpless gaze, and Mistoline could only mourn for her...and herself. What would Macavity do?
***
They finally reached Macavity's garage. Lunastar was tossed into a small cage and Mistoline was set in the middle of the floor where she began to lick the scratches that the rat had seen fit to give her. Mistoline then looked up at the ensnared kitten. She could not help but feel sorrow for this newly named Jellicle who had been thrown into this catastrophe.
Lunastar met Mistoline's gaze and wondered what this poor cat had done to deserve the company of this monstrous cat named Macavity. Still dazed from all the events that happened so suddenly, Lunastar decided to look around at these new surroundings.
It was very dusty and unkempt. She saw many treasures on the wall and floor. Some pearls here, some broken milk jars there. Whole stash of some sort of plant in one corner. If her sense of smell wasn't off, she believed that it was most definitely catnip. The smell was almost intoxicating.
She shivered wondering how long she would have to stay here. Then she remembered what she had done in the yard. She remembered the anger she felt at the sight of Macavity bringing harm to her fellow Jellicles. She knew she was small, but she had to do something. Anything. She thought and thought hard. Suddenly the fireball appeared before her. Before she knew it, the fireball went spiraling toward Macavity. How did it happen? What did she do?
Her train of thought was broken when Macavity approached her cage. "So what is your name, my sparkling little beauty?" he said with an evil smile. Some how it was not as flattering as when Tugger had asked the same question. Lunastar only glared at him. He was crafty but any information he got out of her would come at a price. Macavity only shrugged and turned away. He figured that he would get her name sooner or later. Possibly Mistoline would oblige him. Remembering the other kitten in his clutches, he turned toward Mistoline.
Mistoline sat on the floor sinking into depression. The rats were nearby, making sure that she could not escape. But how could she. Mistoline would not leave without Lunastar. Lunastar could not help that she got involved in this whole mess. Why had she stood by Mistoline anyway? They had not even met, but Lunastar had supported her at the ball. Why? She knew when they had touched that there was something special about Lunastar. She looked around at the caged kitten and instead got a full view of Macavity walking toward her.
"Now about our deal..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"No, Macavity! Forget it!" I cried. I had only wanted to write for him and I had been banished from the tribe.
"Aha, Miss Mistoline does not keep her agreement!" Macavity laughed and grabbed for my throat. I felt his claws on my neck and the tight grip nearly choked me. My life was now more important than it ever was: If I was dead, maybe Lunastar would have to suffer for me. I could not let this happen after what she had done for me. Lunastar watched Macavity with disgust. Poor kitten! She was a newly made Jellicle, and now she met the evil part.
"Macavity! I am not..." I gasped, I had too little oxygen to speak. Macavity let go of me and I could stop gasping, "I said I would write for you, but I did not say I'd let you bother me until I was banished from the Jellicles." I hissed at him which he was not used to at all.
"Your manner does not please me, Jellicle!" and with that, he grabbed me and pulled me away from the rats and from Lunastar.
I did not know what he wanted to do with me but I knew for sure that I had to keep contact to Lunastar and Tallfall if I wanted to leave the garage alive. I had not much time to ponder, Macavity was near the door, so I did what I thought I was still able to do. I pressed my paws together until a red light covered them and then pressed them on Macavity's back who howled in pain. As much as I knew about this magic, he now felt as if someone had put some burning needles into his back. I used the moment while he howled and jumped down from him. As fast as I could, I ran to Lunastar's cage. Macavity turned around, his eyes gleamed angrily.
"You want to play a game with me? Let's see if my game pleases you!" I have never seen so much anger in somebody's eyes. I now started to become really afraid. I never thought I'd be this afraid of Macavity but his eyes showed nothing but anger. Macavity came over to the cage and with a single strike of his claw tossed me away. As dizzy as I was after the blow, I could see him open Lunastar's cage.
"You wouldn't dare to hurt her!" I hissed, although I could not see clearly.
"Won't I?" he laughed and pondered a moment. Than he closed the door and added with the most mischievous grin I ever saw on a cat's face , "You're right. Not yet!" and with these words Tallfall grabbed me to throw me into the cage. "Tallfall..." I moaned. I thought he had been my friend. It was the first time I was left alone with Lunastar and who knew what Macavity did in the meantime. I was sure he wanted to revenge himself on me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mistoline had not realized that she had become unconscious. She awoke hazily and noticed Lunastar licking her wounds. Strangely, they did not hurt anymore. What was this cat?
Lunastar saw that Mistoline had awakened and began to purr softly. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
Mistoline slowly stood up, expecting to ache all over. But she didn't. Could Lunastar heal? Did she have that kind of power? "Yes," she replied. "Actually, I feel quite good."
Lunastar purred louder at this, but then stopped. She remembered where they were. "We have to get out of here."
Mistoline looked around. She saw Tallfall standing with his back to them, obviously standing guard. "Psst." She hissed at him. "Tallfall." He turned to face her. Mistoline's heart broke in two. There were tears streaming down his face. Lunastar stepped forward, confused.
"Why are you crying?" she asked. "You helped Macavity. I would have thought you to be as evil as he is." Mistoline put a paw on Lunastar's shoulder, hushing her. "I think I understand, Tallfall," Mistoline began. Tallfall rushed over to the cage and began sobbing. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what else I can do," he moaned. "He'll kill me if I turn on him."
Lunastar was not sure that she trusted this cat. Mistoline seemed sympathetic toward him though. So she asked, "Why are you joined to Macavity if you feel this way?"
He looked at Lunastar with eyes still glazed with tears and shame. "Macavity helped me when no one else would."
Lunastar frowned at this. She couldn't imagine the Jellicles denying any cat with a good heart. And she was coming to discover that this Tallfall was not evil at all. "Maybe the Jellicles would take you. If you help us, surely they would. Wouldn't they, Mistoline?"
Mistoline sighed. "After what happened tonight... I don't know."
"It couldn't hurt to try," Lunastar said with hope in her eyes.
Then they heard Macavity unlocking the door. All three cats cringed. "Well, if we're going to do something, Let's do it now. I'm with you," Tallfall said quickly. And then the door opened...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tallfall!" Macavity demanded. Tallfall wiped his tears away quickly. Then answered him with a strong voice that he was still there. Macavity smiled and demanded him to take the sparkling kitten out of the cage and bring it him. I could feel Tallfall shiver but than he took all his courage to say "No, sir!" It took a lot of courage because Macavity was still angry.
"What do you mean 'no', Tallfall?" he yelled.
"I-I-I..." Tallfall began, "I can't move," he said quickly, "these cats...I don't know..." He was acting as perfectly as Gus would if he were onstage. Macavity glared at him. Then he went over and examined Tallfall with his sunken eyes. I shivered. I now realized that somehow my magic would never leave this cage and unfortunately, Macavity knew it. He spread his claws and wiped Tallfall away with one strike.
"I thought my son would have more respect for me!" he hissed. I widened my eyes in shock. Tallfall had lied to me...he was Macavity's son! How ashamed he must be for his father, I could feel it. I crept over to Lunastar, tears ran down my face and she held me in her arms. She understood: Macavity's relatives would never become Jellicle cats. I felt the warmth of Lunastar again while she patted my head softly. Tallfall was unconscious now. How could Macavity do this to his own son? He opened the cage himself and picked Lunastar. I tried to follow, but the Hidden Paw was too quick. He held Luna by her neck and examined the hissing and spitting ball carefully with his eyes.
"That's why you attacked me..." he mumbled. He dropped her on the table and the rats held her. Lunastar's ears fell flat on her head, she tried to get rid of the rats, but the little black beasts just giggled. I tried to reach Tallfall who slowly came to consciousness again but yet he did not react.
The Napoleon of crime stroked carefully over Lunastar, which neither she nor I did expect. Her fur began to gleam and the rats backed away when they saw the light. Then he grabbed her roughly and threw her back to the cage. Whatever he had done with her, he was satisfied.
Then he began preparing a new cage at the side of ours.
"Lunastar. What is about you? Have you some sort of magical skills?" I finally asked because all she had done, the strange aura around her and the healing she had done to me seemed so familiar to me. Lunastar looked at me strangely. As if she was not quite sure what to say. I waited for the answer, my whiskers vibrated. If she was, maybe there was a way out. If Macavity knew more than I did, he would separate me and Luna. So we had to act quickly. Lunastar still stared at me when we heard Tallfall moaning. I turned around and reached out of the cage to grab his paw. Before he could get up completely, Macavity grabbed him and threw him into the cage he had prepared. Tallfall stumbled dizzily inside and hit the wall with his head. It hurt me to see him. He did not move anymore, I just could see his chest moving so he still breathed.
"Luna!" I tried to hurry up, "What is it about you?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luna was too angry to answer. How could any cat treat his own son this way? She felt fiery hot. Mistoline backed up because Lunastar was beginning to glow. Luna wasn't sure how, but she knew that they had to get out of that cage. Suddenly a part of the cage began to smoke and then it started to glow. The glowing area began to spread. It crept near Mistoline and she backed away even further. As the glow crept toward her she began to realize that she could not feel the heat of the glow. She looked to Lunastar. She was glowing as brightly as the cage. Within a few more moments, the entire cage was engulfed in the glow. Mistoline looked at it and then to Lunastar. This is a powerful kitten, she thought to her self.
The cage then began to flash and almost as quickly as the blink of an eye, their prison was gone.
Luna then collapsed. Mistoline looked at this strange kitten in wonder. Such acts were not heard of , even at the magical balls. Magicians did not work well in captivity. So how was Lunastar able to do this?
She licked Lunastar for a moment and then remembered Tallfall. He was beginning to rouse. "Wh...What did she do?" he asked dazily. Tallfall had apparently seen the exhibition of Lunastar's power. "I don't know," Mistoline said as she turned toward the still unconscious kitten. Then she remembered their peril. Now that she was out of the cage, she could work her magic. She quickly zapped the lock on Tallfall's cage and opened the door. "Quickly, we haven't a moment to lose," she whispered to Tallfall. But he simply stayed where he was. "I cannot go," he responded.
"But you have to!" Lunastar was sitting up now. "I don't care who your father is. Come with us and be a Jellicle. Please. You have no reason to stay here and live in shame."
Tallfall shook his head. "How can the Jellicles accept me?! Think of who I am. And all that I have done."
Mistoline was determined. "You are not your father. You stood up for us. Lunastar and I shall never forget that. As long as Lunastar and I are Jellicles, you are a Jellicle. We will make sure of that."
Lunastar bowed in agreement. "You're as good as a Jellicle as far as I am concerned. You are my brother." She then placed her paws on top of his.
Mistoline did the same. "That goes for both of us."
Tears welled in Tallfall's eyes. He could no longer protest these two cats. How could they love him? What did it matter? They did love him.
"All right, I'll come with you." He agreed.
Both kittens smiled.
Luna said, "Then let's get out of here." Her eyes closed and she laid back down. "Oh my."
Mistoline looked with immediate concern at Luna. "Are you okay?"
Lunastar sighed. "I think what I did took a lot out of me. I'm too tired to even move."
Then she thought, "Mistoline, I remember something about magical cats being able to teleport. Is it possible to teleport three cats at once?"
Mistoline thought about this. Could she? Did she have the strength? She looked at her newly found friends. Both were too injured or exhausted to run. 'I can do it for them. I know I can. May Mistoffelees say whatever pleases him, but I actually can teleport other cats - my friends.'
Mistoline moved over to sit between Lunastar and Tallfall. She then put a paw on each of them and began to concentrate. The three cats began to glow with a red light. Mistoline's light.
Then suddenly, they could hear the garage door open. Macavity was there. But he was too late.
"Nooooooo!" he howled. "I will get my revenge! Do not forget Gold kitten, I know what you are! You can't hide from meeeee!"
Then there was silence. Only the warm glow of Mistoline's magic could be felt. It felt glorious to Lunastar and she unknowingly added spots of golden light with her own magic. Mistoline felt supported by Lunastar and it encouraged her to keep the magic alive, which cost her a lot of power. Tallfall could only stare in wonder at the magical display.
Mistoline began to feel tired. Could she make it to the Jellicle layer? She felt herself falter. Then she felt something tingle. Something familiar.
"Mistoffelees!" she cried out. He was looking for them. She felt the warm blue glow of his magic. "Mistoline!" he cried in return. "How did you..."
"No time to explain! We need your help!" she thought back to him. Then they all felt the great Mistoffelees' magic pull them toward the yard.
"Is that Lunastar I'm feeling? It's like sunshine." Lunastar purred at Mistoffelees. And his question was answered. "I had a feeling about you, Luna."
***
Safely back at the yard, the two kittens were eagerly greeted. The third however remained in question. Tallfall's appearance was neither expected nor desired. Lunastar stayed with him and made sure that every cat knew that he was her friend. Mistoline and Mistoffelees followed. Tumblebrutus and Alonzo were the first ones to ran over to Lunastar and Mistoline. Lunastar nudged the brown and white tom happily and purred. Mistoline hugged Alonzo weakly and purred along with him. She was exhausted from the teleporting. Tallfall backed away for not being seen by the toms and with and watched the scene.
When they reached Old Deuteronomy, he picked both kittens at once and held them close. "Oh, my children, how I worried. I'm so glad you are both safe." He then placed them both down. He then looked questioningly at Tallfall, who shifted uncomfortably. "And what is this cat doing in my layer? As I recall..."
Lunastar stepped in. "He is not what he was. Mistoline and I have seen the good in him. We both believe that he is worthy of being a Jellicle."
Mistoline joined her. "Please, I know I am only reunited with the Jellicles, but you must believe what we say. He was beaten by Macavity, his own father." Gasps from all around. Macavity had a son. Mistoline continued, "Both Lunastar and I have felt his pain and his shame. He needs a home. We have both sworn sisterhood to him. Would you deny our brother, great one?"
Old Deuteronomy blinked at this. "Are you both quite sure?" They both nodded. "Very well. He may stay for a night and a day. Then I shall decide. Until then, he shall be closely watched. Do you understand this, Tallfall?"
"Yes, I do. Thank you for giving me this chance." He bowed almost in Jellicle manner.
Mistoline and Lunastar shared a smile. He would get his chance. And they would see to it that he made it.
"Now, I shall bid you all a good night. Jennyanydots," she stepped forward, "please see to their wounds." She nodded and began to study the severity of their injuries. Old Deuteronomy turned and left for his place of slumber. It had been a long night after all.
Slowly the other cats began to disperse. Many toms kept a close eye on Tallfall. He looked at Lunastar and Mistoline and sighed. This would not be an easy time. But they both had faith in him and gave him a reassuring smile.
Mistoline suddenly felt a presence beside her. She turned and looked up. It was Munkustrap. He had still not forgiven her before all this madness started. Tears were forming in his eyes. "Munku..." she began. With one swift movement, he swept her up into his arms. Both cats purred in unison. "Nothing else matters, but that you are here safe," he whispered into her ear. They stayed locked in each others arms for quite a while. Lunastar looked on with a twinkle in her eyes.
***
Hours later, the dawn was beginning to break. Mistoline and Lunastar sat on top of a pile of cars, watching the moon set and the sun rise.
"You know you never did tell me, how did you make the cage disappear?" Mistoline asked.
Lunastar gazed at the transition of the sun and the moon. She then said, "I don't know. Something told me I could do it, so I just did it. I don't know how."
"Mistoffelees was full of questions. Tomorrow we both need to see him. There is definitely something magical about you."
"I know now. I just wonder why I never realized it before. It's so strange." Luna yawned. "But for now I think I would like to sleep. Maybe for a few days even," she smiled.
"Sounds good to me," Mistoline agreed.
So both kittens curled into a ball together and fell fast asleep. Both felt a sisterly love for each other, not knowing why...and not caring.
But Mistoline, she was with Macavity..."
We loved the rebel she had been!
Fooling around but making a lot of fun,
She makes you do the step into the sun!"
And she's mourning, the young magician Mistoline."
No forgiving for the young magician Mistoline"
I would have liked to stay"
Lunastar, Jemima and Etcetera sighed for me. There was forgiveness. Lunastar did not even know me, but she forgave me without knowing my story. Mistoffelees had forgiven me long time ago and had suffered with me. Now he had enough courage to show it and sang the next line along with me: