A/N: Sorry, I'm not dead! I was sick last week, and then I had to catch up on school! Ah!

Here is the last chapter of The Bet. It doesn't sound like it has ended, but trust me it has.

Thank you to Rackik for the encouragement!

The sun rose in the morning and its rays splayed out in every direction. Tugger was caught in the glare of the heat and was forced to wake up. The Rum Tum Tugger shook his mane proudly and dusted his fur a bit. Today was the day. The day he had been waiting for. Today was Judgment Day, the day when the winner of the bet would be decided and the loser(s) would never again speak to a queen.

He had been assured by his partner in crime that the winner was sure to be him and that the losers would be his enemies. Just as he stretched his body out in preparation for the long day that was ahead, Jemima appeared and walked languidly over to him. She had that inconspicuous smile that made her seem mysterious.

“Ready to win?” she asked in her high-pitched voice. Tugger noticed a hint of nervousness in her face, but as he glanced at her face, her façade was firmly in place. The Rum Tum Tugger was, of course, ready to win and he fully expected to win since he had made sure of the loopholes there might have been.

“I’m set”, Tugger said. “But you don’t seem to sure. What’s the problem, Jemima?”

His voice had been filled with concern but Jemima sensed (sixth sense, probably) that something was off. The Rum Tum Tugger was up to something and Jemima decided that she was going to find out, no matter what it took. As she spoke, her voice was filled with suspiciousness. “I sense something. I sense that you are having second thoughts about my plan and the outcome of this bet.”

Tugger recoiled in surprise and meowed, “What!?”

Thoughts raced around in his head as he panicked. Can she read minds, or was that just luck? This queen is one tough Jellicle.

“Do you dare deny?” Jemima whispered quietly at him with another one of her angelic faces. Her wide innocent eyes stared right through him and the look she gave was quite chilling despite the innocent part. Tugger couldn’t put his claw on it. She had somehow figured out his plan and his doubts.

“Alright, I admit that I changed the plan to fit my own expectations”, Tugger replied casually with a flick of his paw. Jemima’s eyes narrowed down to slits as she spoke venomously, “Bomba warned me that this would happen, but did I listen to her? No, I didn’t, I just had to fall for you, Tugger.”

The Rum Tum Tugger watched on as the young queen launched into a full rant about nothing in particular to him. “You’re a jerk, you know that, Tugger? If you can’t commit, I’m going to leave and make sure you lose this precious bet.”

“You’re going to make me lose?” Tugger asked in mock disbelief. “I was the one who taught you everything, Jemima. Everything that a young queen should know.”

“Whatever, Tugger, I’ve grown weary of you and your brilliant schemes. This was supposed to be my chance at the golden prize. I was supposed to succeed and make you proud and you were supposed to pretend you had no idea what had happened”, Jemima shouted through tears. She took a deep breath and quickly controlled her anger, something she had practiced often, and calmed down.

“You’re a burden”, Tugger spat and Jemima shifted away uncomfortably, “You’re holding me down. I don’t care if you leave and help the other side. Since you won’t prevail, I will win no matter what.”

With that sentence, it was made clear that the dynamic duo, the former partners in crime, the inseparable friends, had finally split. The bet was going to have a rather unexpected outcome.

In the shadows another Jellicle watched the proceedings of the two cats and began to slink away. Although it was impossible to tell, it was the very same cat who had spied on Alonzo, Tumblebrutus and Plato the other night.

Alonzo told Munkustrap that he had an important social affair that demanded every Jellicle’s attention. He knew as well as Tugger that if they announced to all the queens that there had been a bet at all, they would all turn their backs on them in anger from the deception. So Tugger told them that one of the three toms would accompany him over to a queen and ask her opinion and choice. Alonzo agreed with Tugger and the trip to see who had won the bet began.

Result 1: Tantomile

Alonzo and Tugger walked over to Tantomile’s den slowly, taking their time, as if the outcome of this first result was nothing at all. Coricopat peeked his head out the entrance of the den in expectation of the two toms. Upon seeing them, he hissed at them venomously, “Go away!”

“We’re here to see-”, Tugger began casually, but was interrupted by Coricopat’s slight snarl. “I know why you’re here.”

Alonzo and Tugger exchanged glances with each other while Coricopat assessed them. Tugger didn’t seem to understand how serious Coricopat really was even as he continued, “Well, I’m sure Tantomile would love to see us.”

Seconds after Tantomile’s name was uttered, a head popped out of the den. It was Tantomile’s. She yawned sleepily and asked quietly, “Is there something you need?”

Her brother shot a look at her that seemed to be warning her away. Tantomile, however, ignored it and looked at the toms again, waiting for their answer. Alonzo spoke up for the first time since arriving, “May we speak with Lady Tantomile alone?”

“No, Tantomile is-”, Coricopat began to say. Tantomile stepped in front of Coricopat and stared him down. They seemed to be glaring at each other, but Tugger guessed that they were having a mental battle. The twins were well-known for their telepathy.

Finally Coricopat left with a sneer. Tantomile turned to Alonzo and Tugger with an impassive face as she told them, “I choose none of you.”

“What?!” cried Alonzo. Tugger had a rather bashful expression on his face too, but he didn’t say anything. Tantomile turned away and sauntered away with her tail high in the air.

“That went well”, Tugger grumbled.

Result 2 and 3: Victoria and Etcetera

Victoria and Etcetera were chattering away as Plato, Tumble and Tugger walked towards them. Plato sensed something was off the moment they arrived. Neither one of the queens squealed at the approach of Tugger. It didn’t matter that they were supposed to like Tumble and Plato. Screaming for Tugger was just a given thing.

Etcetera rolled her eyes as Victoria said, “Well, if it isn’t the has-beens.”

“Huh?” Now even Tugger knew that there something wrong with their attitude. Victoria just wasn’t the type to hurt other’s feelings right out in the open. Etcetera wasn’t even swooning for Tugger. This was wrong. This was totally out of control.

“We know why you’re here”, Etcetera said snottily. Victoria nodded and said, “We choose neither of you.”

“What is with that?” Tugger asked to them. But the two queens walked away without a second glance. Plato, Tumble and Tugger exchanged confused looks but continued on their tallying journey.

Result 4 and 5: Electra and Cassandra

Tumblebrutus and Tugger walked over to Electra’s den where there were giggling sounds heard from within. They tried to eavesdrop but Electra flung herself out of her den and mumbled drowsily, “Go away, losers!”

“It’s me, Tugger”, Tugger attempted. Electra waved a paw, still in her drunken-like stupor. Tumble stepped forward and asked, “You alright, Electra?”

“I choose neither of you”, Electra mumbled before stumbling back into her den. Just as Tugger was about to ask Tumble what had just happened, Cassandra arrived at the scene. She moved about with graceful stretching and stuff. She smiled lazily as she spoke, “Why, if it isn’t poor lonely Tugger.”

“Cassandra”, Tugger nodded, pleased at his luck of finding her with only Tumble, not Alonzo. But his pleasure was short-lived as Alonzo jumped into the scene as well and greeted her in turn. Cassandra smiled at them and pityingly shook her head.

“Neither”, she whispered before turning away again. Alonzo and Tugger looked at each other. Alonzo was trying to ask Tugger what the heck was going on, but Tugger didn’t get the vibes.

Result 6 and 7: Rumpleteazer and Bombalurina

Plato, Alonzo and Tugger had decided to continue the questioning journey even though it was obvious that they wouldn’t get an answer from any of the queens. The three toms searched Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer’s den for them, but came out fruitless. They walked away to approach Bombalurina when two queens approached them. Sure enough it was Rumpleteazer and Bombalurina.

“There’s a new King in this Junkyard”, Bombalurina told them with a sly smile. Rumpleteazer smiled and her eyes twinkled mischievously. Alonzo asked, “What’s going on?”

“All in good time, Alonzo, Plates and Tugger”, Rumpleteazer whispered. Then they both turned away and left the three toms.

Final Result: Jemima

“I’m guessing you know everything, Jemima”, Tugger said to her. Jemima nodded and looked at Plato, Tumblebrutus and Alonzo. She shrugged and replied, “Maybe you guys just aren’t smart enough to guess.”

“Maybe”, Alonzo agreed, “Why don’t you just tell us what is going on.”

“I could do that”, Jemima pondered as the toms waited eagerly. “But it wouldn’t be half as fun.”

“To hell with fun!” Tugger howled, “You didn’t go according to plan.”

“You were working with Tugger, weren’t you?” Alonzo asked the obvious. Jemima shook her head and said, “The whole time I was “working” for Tugger…I wasn’t.”

“What!?!” Tugger cried.

“Who then?” Alonzo pressed her for more information. Jemima smiled as a shadow in the corner of her den suddenly moved. A cat crawled out from the shadows. Upon seeing the cat, all four toms gasped loudly.

“Macavity!” yelled Plato in alarm.

“Shhh!!!” Jemima shushed him. “This is who.”

“You were working for Macavity, instead of me?” Tugger was hurt. Jemima smiled and crooned, “That’s alright, Tugger, I’m sure your other fans still love you, ooh wait….they don’t.”

“And why is that?” Tumble spoke for the first time. Macavity smiled and laughed evilly. The four other toms covered their ears at the sound. Macavity said, “This bet was my whole plan.”

“Yours?” Alonzo cried and widened his eyes in disbelief. Macavity nodded and said, “Now, I’m King of the Junkyard.”

“No”, Alonzo hissed, “You’ll never be part of the Junkyard, Old Deuteronomy swore to it!”

“I don’t care what that doddery fool said”, Macavity hissed.

“Besides, if you ask all the queens who they choose, it will be Macavity”, Jemima said haughtily.

The toms could do nothing but consent that they had lost the bet. Alonzo took out the document and checked to see if he could find any loopholes, but found that they had indeed written more loopholes for Macavity then they could have guessed. When Munkustrap scolded them for allowing Macavity in, they told Munkustrap everything.

“You stupid toms!” Munkustrap fumed.

“Well, do Jellicles keep their word?” Macavity asked with feign innocence. Munkustrap looked ready to blow but sat down to meditate for a few seconds.

“Very well, Macavity, you may be the King of the Junkyard”, Munkustrap spoke through gritted teeth.

“I want all of it”, Macavity replied with venom.

“You can’t have it” Munkustrap countered.

“Then you will all die”, Macavity sentenced them. Jemima pulled him aside and told him something. He nodded and turned to Munkustrap. “Looks like your lucky say, Jemima has vouched for you.”

Jemima and Munkustrap walked away to talk and while they were at the entrance of the Junkyard, Jemima pushed him out of the Junkyard and locked the door. The same happened to all the other toms. Soon all the queens and Macavity were left in the Junkyard. Macavity wrapped his arm around Bombalurina and Cassandra talking to them.

Jemima arrived on the scene and looked on jealously. When Macavity didn’t even notice her for the rest of the day, she became angry. Her eyes glowed furiously red with tints of craziness.

She was scheming yet again.

Review, if you please! This is finished!