The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Two

The Night of the Pollicles

NOTE: This story is Rated R for graphic violence. Please use your discretion in reading this, and remind yourself and others that peace is very fragile. 

      As the sun began to set, Quaxo began to make his last inspection round of the Yard. Beside him, Scatterburr, his Mate and the center of his being, was another set of eyes. The fence that surrounded the Yard was their primary concern. Quaxo was very familiar with one section in the southeast corner. At two separate times, there was a hole there. First, Tumblebrutus had found a kitten, a normal house cat now, outside this hole. Then, a Pollicle Mother had brought her puppy into the Yard, and was run down by an automobile before she could care for it to adulthood. Thus, the hole was a major concern. From what Munkustrap said, they should take a few other possibilities into thought. The hole might be another entry for the Rottweiler’s revenge to enter the Yard. Quaxo wanted to make sure it did not happen. 
      Scatterburr wished she could convince her Mate to allow her up on the fence. The Yard Human did not allow anything to be stacked up against the fence, so she had no real way up on her own. Of course, she was nearly due with their first kitten, and he was very insistent about her protecting herself and her unborn. If what she had heard last moon was true, all the care in the world right now would not help her bear it. 
      “Beloved, stop.” 
      “Are you all right?” 
      Scatterburr came around to face Quaxo directly. “We can take care of this patrol in half the time if you will allow me to get up on the fence. You examine the fence from the ground, and I can see what’s on the other side.” 
      “But what if you fall, Beloved? I do not want you to fall and hurt our kitten or yourself by doing that.” 
      “Dearest,” the Brown Tabby said, reaching up to stroke his chin. “I used to do this all the time. I came from the Circus, remember? Have you ever seen me miss on the practice beam?”
      “You were not pregnant then, my love,” he said softly, taking one paw and bringing it back under his chin for a rub. “You are now.” 
      “Quaxo, dear,” Scatterburr replied, slightly exasperated. “Allow me to try.” 
      “Very well,” Quaxo nodded, knowing he could not win. Rather than hurt her feelings, he would bow to her need to be free. “Here.” 
      Quaxo stooped slightly, and held out his paws near his knees. A short hop put one foot in the stirrup he formed, and a tap of her paws on his muscular shoulders, and she was airborne. Her claws gripped the wooden edge, and she cartwheeled upright. She was now six Human feet in the air, or about three Jellicles. From her viewpoint, she could see the field next to the Yard on the Vicarage side. As far as she could see, nothing was out in the vacant lot. Along this side, nothing was up against the fence. 
      “All clear, so far,” she relayed down. Deciding to work this with some prudence, she went down on all fours. Scatterburr realized she was worried about missing a step up here, too. Any chance she could give the tiny life inside her, she wanted to give. After all, that life was the physical representation of her love for Quaxo. If she lost him, she would have at least a part of him in this kitten. Of course, she also intended not to allow that to happen. So, her paws made sure of each step, and her claws dug in every chance she had. 
      Below her, Quaxo followed her progress by examining the boards. Not trusting just his sight, he also ran his paw down the wood surface. If any of these boards were made to appear solid, and they were actually loose, well, he did not want that to happen. 
      Both made it to the far corner without any mishap. The hole in the corner area had been repaired this time for certain. A large board had been bolted on both sides, effectively ruling that hole out ever again. If the fence itself were to fall down, this place would still be standing. 
      Scatterburr noted sadly what appeared to be a small grave near a tree just beyond the fence. Though she had not been here when it happened, Quaxo had explained it. That small place, where some flowers grew now, is where Tumblebrutus buried the three tiny kittens that did not make it. She bowed in the direction of that sad place, and prayed to whatever deity watched over Jellicle Cats that there would not be any more after tonight. 
      Scatterburr made sure the outside was safe and that nothing, not even a Pollicle, was near the fence. Quaxo tested the inside, and could not find another loose board or another hole. As they reached the Railway pipe, though, Scatterburr thought she saw movement. She got extremely nervous and almost slipped. Lucky for her, she was down on all fours, and three sets of claws had gripped when one did not. After that, she gratefully allowed Quaxo to help her down. Brutus came out along with Tugger and Cassandra. The Sentinel reached out and touched paws with all of them. 
      “I am still sorry this is happening,” Quaxo said uncomfortably. 
      “As if it was your fault,” Tugger replied with his swagger. “Look, Top. This was going to happen someway down the line. If not this Pollicle dude, Macavity would have sent his bully-boys in again.” 
      “True,” Quaxo had to admit, but the face still looked slightly haunted. “But Pollicles are a bit deadlier than the Enforcers.” 
      “Enough talk of death, Sentinel,” Cassandra said gently, though the words stung. “We do not truly know what will happen tonight. Our preparations may have already changed what Queen Demeter saw in her vision. Besides, the Dark Twins have not preached their regular doom-and-gloom here.” 
      ** Not yet, my dear, ** Coricopat’s mind-voice whispered with a definite chuckle. 
      ** Give us a chance, ** Tantomile added her own amusement in her mind-voice. 
      “I heard that, too,” Scatterburr grinned weakly. “Come, Beloved. We need to get back to the Vicarage Pipe. Nightwalker is waiting for us.” 
      “Sentinel?” Brutus held out a paw. 
      Quaxo saw it, and moved to embrace the Guardian. The two huge males gripped each other and patted each other on the back. “Take care here, Guardian. Remember the plan, and do not overstay your welcome here.” 
      “I will remember,” Brutus agreed, and then let the other Tom go. 
      Gently, Scatterburr embraced Cassandra and whispered her thanks for her friendship. Releasing the Burmese, she stood before the Tugger, her ears showing discomfort, embarrassment and several similar emotions. Finally, she embraced the Leopard cat, and felt him gently return it. 
      “I’m sorry I was such a jerk, Scatty,” Tugger said softly. 
      “Apology accepted,” she sniffed slightly. 
      After she released the Tugger, Scatterburr went back to Quaxo, and took his arm. Quaxo bowed to the Tugger, and received the usual Tugger salute in return. The smiles exchanged between the two toms were genuine, and both hoped the exchange was the not the last they would enjoy. 
      As Quaxo escorted Scatterburr across the Yard near the entryway, he noted that the little “doghouse” was vacant. Something about that fact bothered Quaxo, but he did not understand what it meant. For now, he shrugged and dismissed it. Instead, he looked the other way, and upward to the top of the pile of cars. In the dimming sky, he could easily make out the shape of two small cats at the edge of the hood. That, Quaxo thought, was their “ace in the hole.” He nodded silently, and patted Scatterburr’s paw. 
      Watching the Sentinel escort his Lady over to the Vicarage Pipe, Mistoffelees and Victoria rested side-by-side. In a small way, Mistoffelees disliked his part of the Jellicle defense. Munkustrap made it very plain that he was to stay right here, on top of the cars, and protect those with him. Sighing, the Conjurer knew the Leader was right. Along with Vickie, he had one of the most important jobs to perform right here. With his Magic, he could make life very hard for anyone to scale this pile of junked cars. Behind him, three other defenders waited. The two Matrons, Jennyanydots and Jellylorum, sat on either side of Skimbleshanks. The three oldest members were not really that old as Jellicles went, but they were older than the Tugger and Munkustrap by a few years. Their place was here in case Mistoffelees ran out of Magic, or out of time. In the seat of the top car, just on the other side of the broken windshield, the four kittens of the Tribe waited. Since the Nursery was declared unsafe, the next best place, and probably the only place, was right here. If the five adult cats could not protect them, then nothing else would. 
      Aphrodite and Augustus sat next to each other, holding Artemis gently between them. On the other side of Aphrodite, Adonis was trying to remember something. Being the Conjurer’s son, his colors were now almost the same. A little bit more white is what his mother gave him, and that ran off in his cheek fur. However, the one thing that neither parent knew or speculated was how much of the Magic did Adonis inherit. Mistoffelees believed his son would become another magician. Adonis seemed to know it as well, and had watched his Father do his Magic. The one that fascinated him the most lately was that lightning thing. If he could just figure out how to do it, he could be a defender, too. 
      Augustus had one other thing with him, and he was curious about it. Behind him and tucked slightly into the crease of the seat, the Bastet Aegis lay wrapped in a blanket. When his Father placed him there, he put the Aegis there as well. Although he promised not to touch it or play with it, he was still curious about it. With great care, he managed to uncover a part of it and rubbed his paw against the smooth surface. Little did he know that the Aegis was not defending itself against him. 
      While his son thought about the Aegis, the father held two Queens very close to him. Munkustrap, Demeter and Bombalurina were kneeling in a triangular fashion, arms around each other. If one were to look into the Closet where they were, one would have wondered who was getting the most attention. Each one seemed to attempting to memorize the other two. Love and sorrow mixed as cheeks and muzzles rubbed against each other. Tears stained all three faces, and Demeter was the hardest affected there. Whenever she broke down, Munkustrap and Bombalurina would hold on to her, and would stroke her back or face until she stopped. Their lovemaking had been desperate and was given and received as if it were the last time. For all they knew, that fact could very well be true. Finally, the three hugged each other very hard. 
      “It’s time,” Munkustrap sighed. He held Demeter’s head against his shoulder, and cupped Bombalurina’s cheek. “Remember to stand by me just like this. We will need to defend each other. You know that I will stand between you and anything if I can.” 
      “Anything that gets close to you will have to deal with one really pissed off Queen,” Bombalurina said with a hint of sass mixed with a sniff. 
      “Make that two pissed off Queens,” Demeter added. 
      “I just pray all this works,” Munkustrap said sadly, and then pulled Demeter’s chin upward. His kiss was hard and demanding, and she did not hold anything back in her return. “Demeter, you are my first Queen, and my love for you has spanned the ages. It will be so, even if it ends here tonight.” 
      “Please don’t say that,” Demeter said, leaning back. 
      The Scarlet Queen came forward, and she started her kiss with him, and he returned it as fiercely. When she released him, he could only shake his head. 
      “I still don’t understand why we found each other,” he said softly. “But never forget my love for you is just as great. I cannot doubt yours. You nearly gave your life for Deme and me.” 
      “And I will do it again if I have to, handsome,” she tried to purr, but broke. 
      Munkustrap stood, and the three hugged one again. Finally, they broke slowly apart. Munkustrap went out the door first, and helped Bombalurina when she came out. When Demeter did not show, Munkustrap looked back inside. Demeter stood in the middle of the blankets where they had loved, slept, cuddled and held their kittens. Sadly, he knew she was memorizing this place, and hoping the Family would return here. 
      “Deme?” He waited until she turned around. “I need you with me.” 
      “I am yours, Beloved,” she said softly, her eyes threatening to tear again. 
      “And I am yours through all Time, Beloved.” 
      As she came out, he gathered her in his arms against his chest. He could feel the deep purr vibrating against his ribs, and felt his answer. Gently, Munkustrap set her down. Both Queens put an arm around his waist, while his arms went around their shoulders. The three took one last look at their home, and then walked around the corner of the old oven toward the Tire. 
      The remainder of the Tribe not already placed stood around the old Tire. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had the same look in their eyes, Munkustrap could tell. Like his Queens and him, the tiger twins faced this night with dread, and had turned to each other for comfort. The two tigers came up and embraced them, and he could feel their love for each other, for him and for the Tribe. 
      Alonzo stood with the young Toms and Princesses. They stood as a group, but soon gathered around the three adults as Munkustrap, Demeter and Bombalurina came over to them. The gestures of love, friendship and respect radiated through the group. If the reason had not been so dreadful to contemplate, this Festival would have been the best ever. If the tears had not flowed, the reason of their being here would have been joyful. Finally, this group finally broke apart. When it did, there were three couples and a lone Tom. 
      Munkustrap looked deeply at each member around him, and nodded. “You know that tonight is the time. We were warned, and we will change what Deme saw. I need all of you to remember one very vital thing. We have to support each other, and defend each other. Work in pairs, triads, or even foursomes. Alonzo? Since you do not have a Mate or an Intended, I want you with Demeter. You helped defend her before. So, I want you to honor me by doing it again.” 
      At the White and Black Tom’s reaction, Munkustrap knew he had said the right thing. The remark about not having a Mate stung, but the appeal to honor did not. Alonzo nodded and quickly crossed over to stand next to Demeter. 
      With Alonzo now standing next to her, Demeter touched him on the cheek. “I never did thank you for that night, Alonzo. I thank you now.” 
      “You would have done it for me,” he stammered back, then straightened. “I will do so tonight as well.” 
      Munkustrap nodded. “We know the drill. No one stands alone. Alonzo and Demeter will be on the left. Jerrie and Teazer will be on the right, and Bombalurina and I will be in the center. I want the young couples to be behind us and protect our backs, and to help out any couple in trouble. Anyone not understand?” 
      He did not receive any comment or question. Nobody spoke. Ears had flattened in distress and tail swished for side-to-side. Otherwise, Munkustrap knew he had done all he could. Somehow, he did look up into the rapidly darkening sky. 
      “Charumcah? If ever we needed your help, now would be a good time.” 
      Everyone moved to their position on the tire area. As they did, Demeter felt something. Just on the edge of her senses it seemed as though something was happening. She did not know then what it was. 
      Then, off in the distance, a howl broke the silence. 
      Demeter’s voice came soon afterward. “Pollicle.”