Old Deuteronomy made his way through the small city, as he headed for his beloved Jellicle tribe. While the wind blew the rusty colored leaves away from the sidewalk, he walked past the trashed alleys and tall, brick apartment buildings, alone. Of course, his right- hand-cat and oldest son, Munkustrap, had constant worries that something would happen to him if came to the Jellicle tribe alone, for fear that Macavity, the most evil and unpredictable of all cats that have been known, would come for him. After all, if you catnapped the Jellicle leader, you would have ultimate power over the tribe. But Old Deuteronomy had his own way of getting around, just like the Jellicles.

Deuteronomy had the acrobatic ability of Tumblebrutus, the slyness of Bombalurina, the tricks and unknown powers of Mr. Mistoffelees, and the leadership of his own son, Munkustrap. No amount of slowness could stop him from making his way to the tribe. The great leader stayed to the sidewalk gutters, knowing he was only blocks away from the Junkyard. The sky was a perfect blue, and small, white clouds surrounded the earth. In front of Deuteronomy, was the small park, where the human children played by a long-going river.

It was the middle of autumn time and the orange leaves covered the dying grass, while a few finches sang a sweet songs in the maple trees. An iron gate surrounded the small city park with dried-out vines curled around the bars of black. The air was scented with the humans' planted flowers in their windowsills. The day was bright and it was if life could do no wrong.

Old Deuteronomy felt the cold rush of wind pass him by. It never occurred to him that he should be escorted through the city. He was in fact a nomadic cat. He spent so much time away from the tribe, and he figured he would be able to make his way anywhere. Of course he cared for his son's concern, as he did for any opinion of any cat. Soon Deuteronomy saw his way into a small, dark alley that was a shortcut to the Jellicle Junkyard.

The alley reeked of pekes and molding trash, the damp pavement was chipped and showed many signs of elderly age, and the drainpipes dripped small drops of water slowly into the gutter. The most disgusting of all alleys in the city was one of the shortest ways to the Jellicles. Deuteronomy never really did trust it, but the sooner he got to the Junkyard the better. This Alley kept the markings of Macavity's henchcats. Obviously, the alley wasn't just used by Deuteronomy, but luckily the way to the Junkyard was not seen by Macavity, for they're was a secret way of getting there.

Deuteronomy was relieved to find out that the Jellicle tribe was only a block away from here. He walked by an old molded, cardboard box, when he heard a soft meow, like a cat groaning in pain. He ignored it for the first time and started to walk away. Then heard it again, but it got quieter. What in the name of Heavyside? Deuteronomy thought to himself.

He carefully crept back behind him, and saw the cardboard box shift a little in the direction of the wall it was next to. Deuteronomy shivered, if this was some sort of trap he would have to use what little defense he could put together for his own protection. The tension in his shoulders tightened with every step he took. Deuteronomy never felt the least bit of fear in his life, but even at the smallest incident like this would make him tense with anxiousness. The box was tipped over, and inside, it was empty, but behind the box, the small mewling was a bit stronger.

The box rattled about; Deuteronomy flinched and paused. He shook off his nervousness and approached toward the behind the box. He leaned his neck around the end, and braced for a blow. His eyes were closed, but when he opened them they grew wider than they ever have, and Deuteronomy scrambled the rest of his body to the awful sight.

A small female queen, not much younger than a full adult, was lying on the street, with a blood stained coat and was half-unconscious. Her eyes were a dark-green, and her pupils were large, but it was hard to tell, for her eyes were only slightly opened. Her coat, despite the cuts, was black, with golden patches on her legs and her head was gold as well and red streaks all around her body. She had distinct white paws and chest. This queen was a young and seemed very helpless, and she was badly injured. Deuteronomy knew he had to get her to the Junkyard.

"Young cat," Deuteronomy whispered to the injured queen, "speak to me. Can you speak?"

The female slowly looked-up at the elderly cat, staring at her, and gathered up her strength to nod to him.

"What is your name?"

The queen met Deuteronomy's gaze. His face was friendly, but was also filled with worry.

"Ze-Z-Zelaphelia..." she replied.

"Try to stand please."

Zelaphelia hesitated; her legs were filled with pain. She slowly got up from the cold street, with several pauses of struggle…

~^..^~

"Wh-Who are y-y-you?"

"My name is Old Deuteronomy, but I will explain myself later, right now we must get you to a safe place. Come. Can you walk?"

"y-y-yes..."

Together, Old Deuteronomy and Zelaphelia walked slowly, as they made their way along the block. Deuteronomy decided not to bother the queen with questions. They could be saved for later, but for now, he had to take her to Jellyorum, the medical cat of the Jellicles. The streets were filled with scum and dirt. Soon after a long walk, Zelaphelia looked up from the ground and saw that Old Deuteronomy had stopped at a dead-end.

"Where are we?" She asked

Deuteronomy ignored her question, "Follow me."

"What?"

The large dusty tabby walked over to two trash cans, and with all of his brute strength, he moved both of them over. When he moved out of the way, a dark narrow passageway was revealed.

Whoa! Zelaphelia thought.

"Come, follow me."

Deuteronomy walked down the passageway, while for a moment, Zelaphelia just stared. She was shocked of how capable this elderly tom was. Deuteronomy briefly looked back at her. Realizing he was waiting for her, Zelaphelia limped quickly over to him. She stared at the small light that grew bigger the closer they got, at the end of the passageway.

Soon, Zelaphelia could hear a soft song played by a chorus of...cats that grew louder and louder as they got closer:

Well of all things...

Can it be really?

Yes!No!Oh!Hi! oh my eye!

My mind may be wandering

but I confess,

I believe it is Old Deuteronomy!

Deuteronomy entered at the end of the tunnel, and was greeted by a group of cats. They all came to meet him with smiles on their face. None of them seem to notice her at first, but once some small kittens were clinging to Deuteronomy, a silver and black tabby tom glanced at her, then started to stare at the unusual female in a suspicious way.

"Deuteronomy!" The tabby shouted to the dusty-colored tom, "Who is this cat?"

With that, every cat turned around to look at her. All of the confused eyes looks started to frightened Zelaphelia. The speed of her breath quickened, and before she saw it coming, she collapsed, and a gasp among the crowd suddenly emerged.

Before Zelaphelia lost consciousness, a white and striped light brown queen approached her, and studied Zelaphelia's injuries with intensity.

"This female is bleeding, she needs help. Asparagus, Tumblebrutus help her to my quarters..."

Everything went dark after that, and then...nothing...