Years past, and Munkustrap still lived among the new tribe in the woods. The forest was damp from the morning dew and a thick fog covered the dense green canopy. It was unusually cold this morning and the crickets still played their song. Munkustrap sat alone on a moss covered log, thinking to himself. He had promised Demeter he would get her sister back, but how? He dreaded having to go back and confront his family but every idea he had led to the fact that he would have to do so. Suddenly, the gray tabby's ears pricked at the sound of crinckled leaves under footsteps. He sat there poised, and alert. Just then, he spotted a large cat approaching him from the brush. The cat was so large, it scared Munkustrap at first until he glanced into the collosal cat's eyes. Though immensly huge, the tom seemed kind and harmless. He moved slowly and his eyes sparkled with life and happiness. Munkustrap was stunned how the large cat just placed himself next to him on the log as if he was invited. A giant grin seemed plated on the feline's face as he gazed peacefully at the scene around him. Munkustrap was puzzled how the large cat acted as if no one was near him. He seemed to be oblivious to Munku's presence. Feeling awkward over the loud silence, Munkustrap was about to speak when suddenly, the large tom spoke first which startled him, "You ever notice how the dew covers the green. It seems it came from nowhere. No rain came last night. Why do you suppose the ground is still wet?"
Munkustrap forgot what he was about to say when hearing the words of the strange large cat. This was all too wierd for him. Was he dreaming? "Excuse me?" was all Munkustrap could say. The cat chuckled, "Don't tell me you never wonder these things." Munkustrap shook his head as he stared at a dew drop on a rose and replied, "I havn't had time to think of such nonsence. I'm thinking of more important things. I promised Demeter that I would - "
Suddenly the large cat interupted which Munkustrap found to be quite rude, "Nonsence huh? Have you ever thought that maybe what you're thinking instead is nonsence?" Munkustrap was not only shocked at this cat's rudeness but at the fact of calling what it was he was thinking nonsence! "How can you call my troubles in my thinking nonsence?!" The large cat's grin turned into a giant smile as he answered, "Because you already know the answer to what you were thinking before. However, you dont know the answer to the thinking question I asked about the dew. Which makes more nonsence? Thinking of something you already know or thinking of something you dont?"
Munkustrap was more confused than ever, "But I don't know what to do! I know I should save Demeter's sister but I don't know how!"
Sure you do. You just don't want to do it. You have to go face your brother and father. Tell them what's right. However, knowing and doing are two different things." Munkustrap was struck silent. The large cat was right. "Now," continued the strange feline, "where do you suppose dew comes from?" Munkustrap grinned humorously. "May I ask of your name?" The large cat laughed, "Now you're getting the hang of it! Ask and think of things you don't know, not of what you already do. That's for fools who just love to stall and find someway to prevent themselves from actually doing something. But now I have another question for you: why save one feline when you can save all of them?" Munkustrap's eyes widened, "All the jellicles? Oh but that's impossible! I'm only one cat. My father has an army, there's no way - "
Again, the large cat interupted, "Don't fear the impossible. You may be one cat, but I guarentee that you'll be one cat leading your own army. I'm sure the Jellicles want freedom just as bad as you want them free. Dream the impossible, and live it out to be a reality and you'll look back and see that you took part in a miracle." and the large tom stood to leave but paused. Turning back to the gray tabby, he whispered, "By the way, the name is Old Deuteronomy." and left with a wink.

That day, Munkustrap left the cats of the forest without a goodbye. The words of Old Deuteronomy sunk in and Munku finally built up enough courage to confront his father and brother but now his price was much higher. He didn't just want one feline now, he wanted the entire tribe of Jellicles. His firm walking through the forest soon turned into a gallop as these strong thoughts bombarded his mind. He was to have it his way. No one should live under such cruel conditions that the Jellicles were living. He was going to put a stop to it once and for all. His gallop sooned turned into a strenous race for home. Pushing thick leaves out of his way, stirring up the sand beneath his feet and hearing the wind catch his ears, he ran for all he was worth back home, determined to set things straight for he wasn't afraid anymore. From being the poor lost, cold, wet and frightened tom he once was on the cold pouring night that he last saw his father and brother he had grown strong, wiser and with a determined spirit. Finally he made it to the grounds of King Triton. Munkustrap stood on a large cliff looking down at the place he once called home. He breathed hard from the amount of hard running and now also from what his wide eyes saw. He remembered his home being full of green and life but was now a dark desert. Looking below him, he saw twisted naked trees reaching towards the heavens crying out for relief. The ground was fruitless and barren as hot sand and dirt blew like a wailing spirit. The number in Jellicles had risen for he saw nothing but felines working in this virtual hell, lifting pounds of dirt and rocks on their back and hauling it back and forth like ants. The sound of hammers, saws, the stretching of rope and the cries from the sting of the whips drowned out the wailing sand and deafened Munkustrap's ears. Bringing himself back to reality and reminding himself why he was here, Munkustrap continued his journey to the palace that stood just beyond the desert.
The palace was more beautiful than ever. Marble floors and walls, chandelears the size of the rooms, and a huge fireplace in which a blazing fire kindled. Cats crowded the palace, living in these walls only to serve the king. Jesters, cooks, maidens, musicians and much more all there before Munku's very eyes. Suddenly he saw someone familiar. There in the middle of the great room stood the black Jellicle magician, performing tricks and great illusions. However, the Jellicle's face seemed gloomy and sad, he performed stirn and impatiently as if wanting to get this overwith and with anger. Munkustrap's eyes widoned even more when he saw who he was performing for. There on the huge throne his father once sat in was Macavity. Their eyes found each other and Macavity was just as surprised. He held out his hand and cried, "Stop!" The music died, the talking, cooking, and performing all faded. Macavity's voice was so loud and startling it even made the magician drop his cards and every eye followed Macavity's gaze to the front door where the gray tabby stood. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Macavity slowly stood from his throne and approached the uninvited tom. Suddenly the red tom's eyes began to water and he stared at Munku like a ghost, unable to believe it was actually him. In a quivering whisper, Macavity asked, "Is it you? My god, is it really you?!" Munkustrap grinned, "It is." and immediatly Macavity embraced his long lost brother as a single tear fell. Munkustrap wanted to give him the same effection but for some reason couldn't find it. Through his unspeakable joy, Macavity turned to his congragation and cried, "This is my brother, Munkustrap! He has returned!" then returning his attention to his brother the red tom added, "And I shall fullfill my promise! You are king with me now! Never had I thought this day would come. I thought you dead but now you are alive and well and we will forget all that has happened and riegn together!" Never had Munkustrap thought it was going to be this hard. In a low voice, Munkustrap replied, "I have not come for that reason brother." Macavity frowned in confusion, "What? Then why have you come? Surely it was to - "
"Macavity, I want you to release the Jellicles from bondage." Macavity was struck silent. He even tried to make sense of his words as he stuttered in asking, "Release - me, release....the - the Jellicles - release??" Munkustrap continued, "What you are doing is wrong. What we have been doing is wrong and you know it! No cat is better than another!" Macavity was still having trouble with what Munkustrap said the first time. "So you have come to save the Jellicles." the red king shook his head, "No - my answer is no."
"I am not asking for your permission Macavity," said Munku, "If you do not release them willingly, I will take them forcefully. It's your choice but either way, they are leaving their shackles behind." Again Macavity was silent. He looked to the ground and closed his eyes. He then turned and slowly ascended to his throne, thinking with his eyes still closed. Hating to see his brother like this, Munkustrap was about to place a warm paw on his shoulder when suddenly, Macavity's eyes opened. The gray tabby was startled at his look for his eyes were on fire and full of anger. And through his clenched teeth and fangs, Macavity growled, "Alright Munkustrap, you wanna play it like this? Fine! I can change too!" he then stood, muscles strained and bulging as he cried like his father once did, "The Jellicles are mine! They were born mine and they shall die mine! As for you -" Just then another familiar face burst through the palace doors. It was Bethsheba. Munkustrap's eyes widoned as he whispered, "Mom!" Seeing that she was too late, she cried, "No please Macavity, have mercy on your brother! Do as he wishes and let the Jellicles go!" Macavity was shocked, even his own mother was against him. "I don't understand!" Macavity cried to his mother, "Why should I let Munkustrap take them?" Bethsheba's eyes teared and she felt faint as she replied in a heart-broken whisper, "Because, Munkustrap is one of them." Gasps arose throughout the palace room and drew silent. Munkustrap and Macavity both cried in unison, "What?!" By now the tears couldn't be held back as Bethsheba blurted out, "It's true! I found you Munkustrap on the side of the road outside of the palace garden! On you I found this!" and she held out the black collar which had the moon on it that Munkustrap wore the day he was found. "The symbol of the Jellicles." Macavity whispered. Munkustrap shook his head, "This can't be!"
"I'm sorry Munkustrap! I didn't want to tell you. I just wanted you to be happy!" she cried through her tears. Macavity was now more mad than ever. His brother was a Jellicle! How dare he come to him wanting to take away what he rightfully owned. Now not only was he mad at Munkustrap but at his mother as well. How could she keep such a secret from them? Bethsheba continued to blurt out how much she loved them both and how sorry she was. Shaking his head in denial, Macavity cried in a boistrous voice, "Take her away!" Immediatly, the guards came and grabbed her arms pulling towards the doors. She struggled and cried to Munkustrap, "Munkustrap, listen to me! You are a Jellicle! Free them!" Outraged by what was happening, Munkustrap yelled at Macavity, "Release her! She's your mother!" but Macavity just stood there and did nothing. Bethsheba's voice continued, "You were born of your mother, Naomi and your father, Sidion! I know this from the records! You were the only Jellicle unsiezed! Look in your heart Munkustrap! You can overcome anything stands in your way!" and her voice faded down the hall as she was dragged away. A hot tear streamed down Munkustrap's face as the anger for his brother grew. He growled as he ran up the steps towards his brother's throne in attack mode when the guards stopped him. They siezed him by the arms and yanked Munkustrap back. The gray tabby struggled and even managed to knock one in the jaw causing more guards to leap upon him. "STOP!" roared Macavity and everything froze, where Munkustrap was pinned on his knees and two spears were under his chin. Macavity couldn't deal with this anymore as he rolled his eyes and said, "Take him away." and the guards pulled the gray tom to his feet and escorted him out. Behind him, Macavity then cried, "And never do I want to see him again!!"

The jail was cold, dark and damp. Rats scurried from one corner to the other as cobb webs clung to the walls and bars. Munkustrap lied on the hard stone floor staring out the small barred window above him. The night made him feel even more lonly and fearful. The only thing that brought him an ounce of hope was the moonlight that cascaded upon him. He didn't want to leave his small area in the cell under the moonlight for he felt safe there. This was going to be harder than he thought. He was also mad at himself for he promised himself earlier that he would keep his cool in the matter. It seemed hopeless and impossible. Suddenly, he heard a slight sniffle come from the cell next to him. He glanced to his right. There was a cell but there seemed to be no one in it. It was covered with dark shadows that made it impossible to see in. Munkustrap slowly stood and made his way over the bars that divded the two cells. Suddenly he knew someone was in there when he heard light breathing. "Who's in there?" A quick stirring of chains were heard followed by a weak whisper, "Munkustrap?" It knew his name. The gray tom then called out, "Step into the light." and the captive did so ever so slowly. It was a female, thin as a rake and pale as a ghost. She dragged herself across the hard floor too weak to stand. She was caked in mud and her fur was tangled and a mess. They're eyes met and Munkustrap saw the sorrow, hurt and lost love in them. Her face seemed younger than her old skeleton body. She must have been beautiful once but the beauty was dieing. Munkustrap squinted trying to make a familiar face but failed so he asked, "How do you know my name?" But the queen only smiled and her eyes came alive as she said, "It is you." and a tear streamed down her ridged face. "How you have grown, so handsome...so strong." Munkustrap then took a stab in the dark as he asked in a whisper, "Mom?" Another tear fell from her eyes as she slowly nodded. Munkustrap's mouth went dry and his heart sank. She looked miserable. "My god what have they done to you?" she didn't answer. he clung to the bars as he said to his mother, "Mom, I'm going to find a way to set the Jellicle's free. I'll save you too, I promise! I have-" suddenly, Naomi's eyes began to close as her breathing became deep. She was dieing and he knew it. Munku shook his head as he reached through the bars for her, "No mom, please! Don't leave me again! I'll get you out! I'll-"
Naomi shook her head, "There's no hope for me now my son. But please, do as you say, save the Jellicles." A tear then fell from Munkustrap's eyes, "You can't do this to me! You can't just leave me again and expect everything to be okay! Mom!" Though her eyes were open she didn't answer. "Mom!" he cried out again through his tears. He fell to the ground and reached out for hand but just couldn't get it. "Mom please!!!" he cried as the tears fell like never before. Naomi then began to sing softly through her dieing body, "Baby of mine, don't you cry
Baby of mine by and by
Rest your head close to my heart, never to part
Baby of mine
Baby of mine, don't you cry
Baby of mine, by and by
Let those eyes sparkle and shine, never to tear
Baby of mine....." and slowly she died. Finally, Munkustrap was able to reach in and stroke his mother's head. Had he of come sooner, he thought, he could have saved her and so he whispered, "I'm sorry." he then slowly stood and the anger for his brother returned. Macavity was responcible for all of this. Outraged by all that was happening, Munkustrap began to hollar and scream, banging on the stone walls like a madd man. He glanced up at the moon above him through the barred window and tried to leap for it. He jumped and jumped till finally he was able to grip the bars and found himself dangling above his cell. He found himself finally going insane as he swung and hit the cieling with his feet as he cried,"I'll get you Macavity!" He jerked, kicked and swung when suddenly he felt a few pebbles fall from the window. He looked up and saw cracks forming around the old barred window from which he hung. Again he swung and manuvered his weight around causing more crumbling and cracking till finally the entire sections off the window came crashing down. Munkustrap landed harshly on his back and quickly curled in a ball as debris and rocks came crashing down upon him. When the dust had settled he looked up at a massive hole above him. The moonlight was now covering the entire jail and Munkustrap was free. Immediatly he leaped up again and climbed out of the top of his cell and dissapeared into the night.